3

SPRING

Strands of emerald green flattened themselves against bronzen earth as the wind battered against the grass tumbling them throughout the field. A sea of blue sky blanketed over the landscape as bunny tail clouds bobbled amongst the cornflower blue being swept with the gusts. Although the sun was not visible it was still bright - peaceful. Suffocating. The air current did little to help with the stifling feeling it was like it just passed through him, avoiding him completely despite the deafening din the wind created in his ears drowning out much else.

Pulling dark strands from his eyes he realised a small exhale, he did not have much time for any of this and the brightness was not doing much for his eyes either. He was much more used to dim lighting, not this bright torture - a whole life time of dim lighting had made his eyes ill-equipped. Squinting at a lone tree - a sturdy trunk which stood tall, dark twisting branches reaching into the sky with leafy green fingertips touching the clouds. Fruit hung from its branches a pale gold in colour - how disgustingly sweet - he could tell that the fruit was no lemon. He was not going to go anywhere near that tree even for shade, he did not trust trees much nor did he like how it creaked with the wind not willing to bend like the grass did with its branches instead flailing frantically as they got thrown around with the wind.

"Stubbornness killed the cat - not curiosity." He muttered looking at the tree - it was to cause its own destruction as at some point it was going to have to snap much like a twig would if pushed too hard. The wind appeared quite eager to comply to be the one pushing as it worked itself into a gale.

"Ironic really, you saying that of all people." The voice came out of nowhere and was partially drowned out by the wind which swept it away like the sea would a plastic ball, with a mutter of annoyance he turned to acknowledge the owner of the voice. He was greeted with the sight of two men who looked windswept as gale whipped through their hair sending it flailing and smacking across their faces, their white robes went under the same treatment. Eyebrows rising lightly it looked like a miracle that the two weren't swept away with the wind looking at them, he would not put pass those ridiculous robes acting as some kind of kite. Aside from that they looked much like when he had last seen him - when he had tricked them into revealing what he wanted. The slightly (and it was slight) taller and lankier one had dark brown which was lingering on black hair with wide emotive eyes coupled with a strong jawline - the shorter, broader one however had softer looks overall and with lighter brown hair. But both were blessed with good looks. Which was quite funny when he thought about it considering the white feathery wings on their backs albeit it tucked in somewhat so they really did not end up being kites.

"My two favourite fools to date. What do I owe the pleasure?" Sarcasm laced though his voice as he looked at the two angels

"Turn back now - it'll only hurt more by the end of it. You cannot change fate." Hyukjae said his breath stolen by the tempest which raged on racking against their bodies causing the angels to struggle to stay upright managing to do so by clinging onto each other and supporting them both in the process. A sharp hollow laugh left his body as he looked at the two with nonchalance gracing his expression.

"I'm not changing it. I'm pathing a new one." With that the wind raged further and with a roar which ripped through the wind the grand tree came crashing down. With that it went eerily quiet as the world around him spiralled away as if he was stuck in the eye of the tornado.

◄◄

It was different. Different from the dreams of late - for one thing it was not really a nightmare like the other two although it still seemed connected vaguely even if the dream was already fading and despite how he reached out for the threads of the dream they slipped through his fingers. He remembered that there was this big wind storm going on in the background and he remembered that for the first time people appeared in his dreams - well sort of people. He didn't forget the wings.

Ryeowook blamed Siwon for the angels, him and his little white collar. He also blamed the priest for the reason that he was getting dragged to church by his mother - so basically everything was Siwon's fault; he just hoped he did not have to go for confession or shake hands with a nun or something. Despite 'Sister Act' there was still something about nuns which made him nervous; maybe it was the heavy religious air which seemed to hang around them. The moment he stepped into the Church he was greeted by that church smell of pews, old people and incense - the latter he choked slightly upon the amount of it what was swung by the front door causing disapproving looks by fellow-churchgoers.

When he saw Siwon in his robes he really had to hold back a chortle, he had no reason why but it struck him funny and he was graced with more looks for it. He had a feeling that he was not going to last too long before he was going to get kicked out if he continued the way he was going - he must seem really disrespectful to them all. When a couple of men wearing odd-looking clothing walked relatively loudly however and apparently drunk considering the way they seemed to be walking supporting one another as they went however no one paid them any attention let alone sent them glares. Did the coronation hate him or something? Only Siwon paid them any notice sending them an upwards glance before carrying on.

They talked through most of the service albeit under their breaths acting as if they were invisible or silent which they were neither. After sending them a pointed look they quieten after noticing that Ryeowook was paying them any attention despite others acting as if they were not even there. He had to wonder whether they were part of the usual coronation or if one was a translator or something. There must have been some reason for people to excuse them but not him. Maybe they were just better looking than he was; they were quite handsome after all. Perhaps they were homeless people? The clothes did look as if they could from donation boxes - they looked like clothes from decades ago and out of place - hippies? Homeless handsome hippies?

After the service Siwon left to a back room after saying his farewells to the churchgoers. Ryeowook noted how the two men who were disruptive followed him, he blinked a little with curiosity building at how they may be and if they had some kind of relationship with Siwon it might explain how they were let off for their talking and so on. But he could not think what kind of relationship they could have - they were not from school he would have recognised if they had been and surely they were not Siwon's gay lovers or anything after all Siwon was a priest and two were just greedy! Curiosity about to get the better of him, his mother ended up pulling away talking about how a bit of Church was good for the soul and how pleased Siwon appeared to see him and so on. Ryeowook merely nodded along still wondering about the two from the Church.

◄◄

"You could always be going crazy you know." Sungmin prompted helpfully after Ryeowook described the two men in Church and no one else even reacted to or acknowledged them. "Seeing things - then again everyone in Church may just hate you."

"Gee, thanks." Ryeowook responded taking a sip of his smoothie giving Sungmin an ungrateful look at his less than agreeable comment before prodding his friend with a small huff. Sungmin gave a laugh before shaking his head from amusement at the other deciding in the end to drink his own drink - good old coffee, the problem with offices was people got addicted to caffeine fast - and Sungmin was one of them. Without the coffee machine Ryeowook figured some may stop coming to work or have a caffeine breakdown - perhaps a strike. Just as well he did not like it then - at least he would get paid.

"Then again." Heechul began sliding into the conversation with an ease that can only be described as being Heechul. "You could have a bit of an obsession with this Church boy Won, you keep making situations to corrupt him with scandals. Perhaps because of a subconscious want to corrupt him yourself that way you would feel as if you were on even-footing rather than he being on some pedestal caused by you seeing him as a man of God and so untouchable."

Ryeowook and Sungmin just stared at Heechul for a second in both awe and wonderment at where all of that had even came from. Heechul was not dumb, not by any means of the word - he was both street smart and intelligentically as well. But he did not come out with things like that. It was like a literature teacher saying the meaning of the cell having blue walls was not because of the guilt and sorrow from the crime acting as a cell itself trapping the prisoner from moving on but because the prisoner liked the colour blue just because he thought it was nice. It did not go like that.

"Where have you been all my life?" Sungmin declared jokingly, Heechul rolled his eyes a little before prodding the other's forehead deciding not to comment on that before turning his gaze upon Ryeowook expectantly fingers tapping on his outer arm.

"Now, do you actually have any pictures of his TDH priest boy? You never showed him to us." Heechul said falling back into his usual routine of things, he was beginning to think that Ryeowook did not trust them around the other males in his life considering how they never got anywhere near any of them let alone see pictures of them.

"TDH?" Ryeowook prompted before pulling out his phone; just so happened he did have photos of said priest, old ones though long before priesthood. He never really had the chance to take other photographs though - did not even think to.

"Tall, Dark and Handsome. Not much else it could be - not like it could be Tanned Demonic Horse." Heechul answered with a small grin before wolf-whistling slightly at the image of Siwon which appeared upon the phone. "Now I would not mind corrupting him for you, Wook. Especially if he still looks like that." Heechul said looking at the male appreciatively.

"Creep." Sungmin stated but not without taking his own look out of curiosity before giving a small approving nod. "Not as stalkerish looking as you make him sound and here I was expecting his eyebrows to take up half his face or for them to combine into a beard at some point."

◄◄

Was that...? There was no doubt about it when he noted the strange clothing they were wearing, the bright colours stark against the sea of black and grey suits who passed through the streets. They were the people from the Church service who seemed intent to disrupt it with their constant talking, Ryeowook was sure of it, his eyes narrowed slightly as he noted Siwon with them.

"What are you looking at?" Ryeowook jumped a little as Kyuhyun seemly appeared at his shoulder out of thin air. He had not seen the other in the crowd, let alone see him approach him. Casting his eyes at the other male he noted the attire the other was wearing, a suit. Unlike the other suits in the sea of passing businessmen and women however the style was decidedly Kyuhyun, a deep black the lapel and collar cut into interesting shapes which matched fluidly with the crimson dragons embroidered cutting a striking contrast against the jet black. He'd be damned but it was tailored to cling to Kyuhyun's form flattering him to a tee. A blood red cravat garnished around his neck and Ryeowook had to hold back a small wolf-whistle at the sight. It suited Kyuhyun even if it did look a little old fashioned.

"Ahh, is that the priest you threatened with his own Bible? Nice." Kyuhyun stated his arm snaking around Ryeowook's waist making the shorter male flush lightly. Not only was it in public (which also seemed to be the first time he had ever seen Kyuhyun in public or at least with other people around), it was the first major touch like so. Sure they had hugged before but this seemed far more intimate.

"Are you encouraging my priest beating ways, how bad of you." Ryeowook tutted lightly with a small grin appearing betraying his amusement. Kyuhyun gave a small hum before his eyes met with Siwon's across the crowds, the priest's widening at the connection.

"Priest may be onto us, must run." Kyuhyun stated pulling the other with him with a laugh, the pure joy of it was contagious and Ryeowook too soon found himself laughing as they ran from the priest's sight, Kyuhyun able to move deceptively well in that tight suit. They ended up falling into an alleyway behind a food shop laughing in each other's arms; Kyuhyun peered out before pulling Ryeowook with him to blend back into the crowds far away from the said priest.

"Remind me why we did that again?" Ryeowook stated with a barely concealed chuckle ready to leave his body. Kyuhyun gave a short faux thinking session before giving his signature smirk. "Fun." The shorter could not argue with that, the fun factor was one of the many reasons he was drawn towards Kyuhyun, the dark-haired male just seeped with fun and mischief - not to mention that devious (and oh so y) smirk of his. Kyuhyun connected his arm with Ryeowook's before asking what Ryeowook had in mind for today when hearing he had nothing planned Kyuhyun merely gave that smirk and began leading him somewhere.

Ryeowook had to roll his eyes lightly as Kyuhyun instructed Ryeowook to close his eyes. Cliché much? He did it anyway wondering what could be possibly be such a big surprise. He was hoping something along the lines of a bouncy castle, even if Kyuhyun could look funny on it wearing a suit. He was lead over grass or something as far as he could tell due to the softness underfoot, fingers still crossed for bouncy castle. Then something fell on his head.

"You can open your eyes now." And so Ryeowook did. He could say one thing - it was no bouncy castle. It was beautiful though, that he would admit. It was a park of some sorts but the pathway was strewn with cherry blossom trees acting as some sort of tunnel of pink, flowery stuff. Overall it was rather pink for his tastes; Sungmin would have liked it and deemed it fight for a wedding.

"It's nice." Ryeowook said slowly with a nice dollop of caution thrown in. Kyuhyun looked at him with that face on that all dread, the 'I was so excited and thought you would love it face - but you don't?' face - to put it simply his expression was a mild mix of disappointment, hurt and worry bundled into one heart-breaking emotion fess.

"Don't you like it?" Ouch, those words too. Was Kyuhyun trying to give him a guilt complex thanks to his lack of excitement over a few petals?

"It's just pinker than I expected." Ryeowook said with an over-zealous smile as he hurriedly attempted to help the other feel better. Admittedly this quite impressive if you considered how he had never seen or heard of this place before let alone within walking distance yet the fact that he could not see or hear the busy bustle of the city. Like their own private and secluded part of the world. With a softer smile he looked at the other male. "It's lovely."

"Well, you'll be pleased that this isn't just it then." Kyuhyun stated and upon seeing that smile upon the taller's face Ryeowook realised that he had been played somewhat. So he reacted as he normally would, he poked Kyuhyun's cheek. "Ostrich-biscuit-guzzler." Kyuhyun's eyes widened before his face fell into a smile.

"That's a new one." He admitted "Much better than your usual 'Arse' I have to admit." Kyuhyun added before merely giving Ryeowook more affection which just succeeded (as always) into making Ryeowook more annoyed yet secretly pleased at the said affection. Every time Kyuhyun pulled him close to give him snuggles for lack of better word he just felt as if he was butter melting under Kyuhyun's warm charm.

"Now are you ready for the real surprise?"

"Born ready."

Ryeowook had to peer at the other in curiosity as he muttered "Those fallen petals are a sign that time is running out..." though, he could not really see what the big deadline but he allowed it.

◄◄

Ryeowook was star-struck as he gazed upon the accessory around his neck, jewellery. Although in some eyes it could be seen as a bit girlish - this was different. The necklace had this style with it and it was not an effeminate style (thank goodness). A thin silver chain hung low enough to be able to hide beneath most shirts but not enough to look weird, upon the chain was a pendant of from afar could pass off merely as a clock face. From up close however, the design was intricate and made him in awe of all the painstaking work that must have gone into it. Thin lines trailed off into swirls and patterns, located behind the delicate hands was a twisting tree the branches up tall with the spiralling roots at the bottom. Peeking above the branches was the sun, each ray lovingly done; below the roots were the stages of the moon. It reminded him of something and he could not shake that feeling but alone it was beautiful.

He had to wonder how much it had cost and where on Earth did Kyuhyun manage to acquire such a piece. He could have passed it off as a costume piece but the quality was far above such, Kyuhyun always seemed to have the most interesting items from his elaborate clothing and likewise. Ryeowook was starting to think that Kyuhyun was either seriously rich or that he was a costume designer for serious movies with a budget. Kyuhyun was not telling though, he merely answered with a smirk and whispers on how that it was for him to know and for Ryeowook not to find out. Which was really annoying.

He had to accept the piece though as Kyuhyun pulled out the guilt factor yet again coupled with what could be seen as puppy eyes, not to mention how Kyuhyun described how it was just meant for him and if he did not accept it he would have no choice but give it to him again, again and again until he did finally accept. What choice did he have after that?

“Ryeowook.” Ryeowook jumped at the sound of his name before turning his head to the source. He almost gave a cry of frustration at the sight of that darn priest, why did he have to always be there? He’d accuse of stalking if this happened again anytime soon. Or if he was to believe Heechul’s theory, was he subconsciously stalking Siwon or being drawn to the places he was. The previous was the more likely in his opinion even if it was the least pleasant. With a sharp exhale he twitched slightly before looking at Siwon.

“Siwon.” He greeted coolly eying up said priest wondering what he could possibly want with him. Siwon adjusted his collar slightly due to its tightness before he smiled at the other warmly. Ryeowook had to wonder if Siwon had some power to make people awkward, he figured Siwon's eyebrows were the source of his power. “Can I help you?”

Siwon smiled further putting Ryeowook slightly on edge, how could the priest keep smiling like that? He just wanted to yell at the other to stop with his smiling. It was strange to think how he could change so much. He used to crave and love the attention Siwon gave him but now he felt uncomfortable and constantly alert around him, he blamed the priesthood but truth be told it had really started last autumn.

“I wish to thank you.”
 

“Come again?” Ryeowook repeated blankly, of everything he expected this was not one of them. Siwon was good at doing that recently, surprising him that was. Siwon’s face still had that soft smile upon it and he felt he would much rather have Siwon attempt to give him a wedgie rather than this horrible niceness.

“Thank you for coming to the service. I did not really have a chance to thank you properly beforehand.” Siwon said, now Ryeowook really wanted to scream out. “And I must apologise for Donghae and Eunhyuk.” Ryeowook faltered a little at that ending, for ages he could not figure out who Siwon meant. Then he thought back to the potential hippies.

“You mean those two guys who entered your backdoor?”

“E-Excuse me?!” Siwon looked quite shocked and flustered at that statement, and at Siwon’s reaction Ryeowook realised what the other must have thought he had meant. With that he grinned and eyed up the other - not so prim and proper after all and maybe Heechul did not have to corrupt him too much after all.

“The backroom of the Church, what did you think I meant?” Ryeowook responded attempting to act as innocent as possible as Siwon visibly got more and more flustered. He wouldn’t mind spending time with Siwon if it was like this all the time. Was that evil of him?

“It doesn’t matter what I thought.” Siwon said hurriedly before nodding slightly “But yes, them two.” Siwon finished.