Archive of Our Own

“Are you sure about this?”

Baekhyun turned around, and saw his friend Jaehyun, approaching him. He was standing at the edge of the forest, making sure he had all the things he needed before going into it.

“I don’t have another choice, people are dying and I have to help them” he said, securing his backpack and his fur coat, it was the middle of winter and he didn’t know for how long he would’ve be gone.

“We have medicine Baekhyun, we just have to wait and you’ll see that everyone will get better, you can die there in the forest, there’s a reason why people don’t go in there…”

“Jaehyun!” Baekhyun interrupted him “I have to do it”

“You don’t” Jahyun interrupted him “It’s not your job to do it, it’s the job of the leader, and he said that we should wait”

“I can't wait!” he said angry “My mom is one of them, she’s delirious because of the disease and i can’t just sit there and watch her suffer, while no one does anything, so i’ll take the matter in my own hands”

“So what, you’re gonna get in the forest and wander for days…following a legend you don’t even know if it’s real or not..an old story you read once in a book when you were like what? 6 years old, damnit Baekhyun you’re an adult now, i thought you left those things behind a long time ago…”

“Like i said, i’m not gonna stand here and watch my mother die…the legend had to start somehow, there has to be some truth in it, and if there is, i’ll find it”

Jehyun rolled his eyes at the stupidity of his friend “Baekhyun you’ve never been in the forest, let alone by yourself…you’ve never been in the out like that, you don’t know how to survive there”

Baekhyun looked at him with calm “I’ve read a lot of books about survival, i can handle myself”

“You have just theoretical knowledge, experience survival it’s completely different and more dangerous”

“Jaehyun” Baekhyun smiled at him “You’ve known me since we were kids, you know that trying to talk me out of an idea I put my mind into is useless right?”

Jaehyun sighed defeated “I know, but I needed to try…gosh you’re so hard-headed, just… don’t die ok, come back in one piece?”

Baekhyun giggles and gives his best friend a hug “Take care of my mother for me please?...you’re the only one i can trust to look out for her while i’m not here”

Jaehyun nodded “I will, please be careful out there, you don’t know what lies in there”

Baekhyun gave his friend’s shoulder a squeeze as his goodbye and taking a deep breath, he started his journey to find the Phoenix Bird, the only creature that could help his mother and all the sick people in his village.

—

The dark forest was a place that people avoided at all cost, mysterious, dangerous, the villagers refrain to explore it, hunting or harvesting only from what was on the outskirts of it for safety reasons, legends state that in the deepest part of the forest, where the vegetation was thick and the sun hardly touch the ground, different creatures were always pending on innocent people who were stupid enough to enter. Baekhyun knew what the dangers were but he was willing to face them as long as there was a little hope to help his mother.

He took the map that he raw himself base on the little information he could gather about the sighting of the phoenix, sleepless nights and tons of different books gave him a vague idea of where he can find the mythical creature, according to the legend, the fenix was a bird capable of cure any disease known and unknown by men, he was this big red and yellow bird, born from the fire, dying to later reborn from his own ashes in this endless circle. The last time the Bird was seen it was in the Oasis Mountains that were located 4 days by foot to the south of his village, where Baekhyun was going.

Baekhyun was know on his village as the guy who always had a book on his hand, spend his free time at the library, he loved knowledge and learn about everything he could imagine, that's why he was confident the if there was someone who could find the phoenix, it was him, he was confident about it and he wasn’t planning on coming back empty handed.

He looked at the map on his hand and tried to stay in the border of the forest, walking in the safe part of it, where the sun still could illuminate the surroundings and happy chanting of the birds can still be heard, grabbing a branch from a tree and sticking it on the ground, he waited and saw how the shadow casted by the sun let him know that it was a little past noon, he lift his head, he had watched his map a few moments ago, so he knew he has reached the limit of the safe part of the forest, looking at the path he knew he had to took next, getting into the unknown, he wasn’t stupid, he has heard stories about the deep part of the forest, people who proud themselves to be brave and fearless, adventuring into the shadows, justo to come out swearing to never set foot in there again, and others who never get out to tell their experience.

He knew this was his last chance to change his mind and go back home, to his safe and warm home, to his beloved library and comfortable bed, with his friends who always look for him to take walks around the village or play some harmless pranks to the people, to his loving mom…his mom, once a proud and amazing woman, so happy and so full of life, now laying in bed barely conscious, sickness taking over her body and taking away the women that make Baekhyun’s days a lot better, he couldn’t regret his choice now, don’t get him wrong he wasn’t some kind of hero who fight for justice, to be honest he was kinda scared of this journey and what he was gonna find once he leave the light, but his desires to help her mother and the people of the village was stronger than his fears, so with renew determination he took a deep breath and walk venture himself into the so feared shadows.

The first steps were unsure and unsteady, constantly checking his surroundings and feeling watched all around, product of his paranoia, he tried to steady himself, knowing he had just a few couple of hours until he no longer had sunlight and had to find a place to spend the night, the snow falling softly from the sky make him shiver slightly, adjusting his coat tighter around him he kept walking through the trees who curve dramatically over him, like guardians who watch every single move he made until the decide if he was a threat or not, waiting to jump him and drag him into the deepest part where no one could ever find him.

Baekhyun took his map and concentrate in something else than his irrational fears, he could walk a few more meters before he had to seek refugee for the night, so he kept going, a few meters more he realize that the forest wasn’t that bad, sure it was a little more darker because the sunlight wasn’t able to reach the ground properly because the trees were more dense and tall at this part, but that was basically it, other than that everything look normal and calm.

The hours passed and the night was making his appearance, the cold wind blew against his face, making it hard to see in the dark, his boots buried in the thick snow, his steps more heavy and slow, Baekhyun’s legs hurted like hell, making something as simple as walk a couple of meters an difficult and painful task, the cold creeping into his bones making his body shiver, he needed to find a place to rest and he needed to find it as soon as possible.

He kept walking a few more meters when he saw a big tree, the roots made a good place to spend the night, so Baekhyun didn’t lose time and hide between them, he opened his backpack and took his thermic blanket, it will help him not freeze to death through the night, he also retreat some bread that he pack that morning to help with the hunger and his bottle of water, he almost was out of it, he will have to find some the next day, he also took a dagger from his side pocket, he wasn’t a fighter but he was also alone on the outside and he needed to protect himself, he just wished he never had to, he snuggle the best that he can against the deepest roots and when he find some comfort he took a deep breath and tried to relax. The sounds coming from all around him make Baekhyun a little restless and aware of his surroundings, he stay alert of any possible threat, but the walk of the day and the emotions, soon make him feel exhausted, so he couldn’t help himself when he lay his head against one big root that was next to him and slowly close his eyes,diving into dreamland when he was in the middle of a place that everyone will consider a nightmare.

—

Baekhyun opened his eyes to find that the sun was up in the sky, he could have swore that he just closed his eyes 5 minutes ago, he tried to get out from between the roots and his legs burned really bad for the effort, his back wasn’t any better, so before anything he tried to stretch, it didn’t helped at all but it was worth the try, he saved his blanket and dagger in his backpack again and using his stick trick again he deduce it was somewhere around 10 am, around him the thick snow from last night melted a little but it was still gonna be a pain in the ass to walk, so without any wish to drag this any further he set himself on march.

If Baekhyun’s map was correct, he should be near a river where he can wash himself and get fresh water, he hopes to get there soon because he needs to rest his legs as soon as possible, the forest floor was slippery for the snow and because of that too there were roots covered by it, Baekhyun already fell twice this morning just by tripping and he had his ass cover in snow, not the best feeling in the world if he can tell.

He heard the water running and that made him walk faster until he reached the river, the water was crystal clear and running faster, he infer it was because of the melting snow on the mountains, he approach the shore and took off his gloves to open his backpack and retrieve a cloth to later dip it in the water so he could wash his face, the cold water sent shivers down his spine but he was happy that he got to clean himself up a little, later he took his water bottle and fill it up, he sat on a rock to rest his legs before continue, and enjoy a little nature for sometime, he close his eyes and let the cold air fill his lungs, he liked this, to be able to relax and let his body regain straight, oblivious of the dangers that lay a few meters away.

Baekhyun was so concentrated on the sound of the water running that he failed to sense the approach of a predator, a deep growl made him jump from his place and onto his feets, turning around to be face to face with a big white wolf with the two deepest eyes he has ever seen, eyes that right now didn’t seem happy to see him.

He had just one chance, if only he could get to his dagger, at least he would try to defend himself, so he slowly raised his arm, not breaking eye contact with the animal and trying to even his breathing to not trigger an attack, his hand grabbed the weapon but it got stuck on the zipper of the bag, he pulled slowly but the dagger didn’t budge, in an attempt to pull the dagger out he broke the eye contact with the animal, pulling the weapon harder, when he finally got it out just to realize that he had made a mistake and had let his guard down, when he turned around the wolf wasn’t there anymore, he turned around and didn’t find the animal anywhere, when he finally relax was ready to go, he was tackled to the ground, his dagger that one moment was on his hand, and the next he saw how his only chance of defense was falling into the river with all his hopes, he rolled on the ground just to see the same big white wolf running and jumping on top of him.

Baekhyun reacted faster and tried to push the beast as far as he could, the wolf’s fangs snapping centimeters away from his face, Baekhyun look around and saw a rock big enough to use, but to grab it, he has to let go of the wolf, it was a in a split second that he made a decision and with all the straight that he could muster he pushed the wolf off himself just enough to grab the rock and hit the animal on the head with it, the wolf step back a little and shaked his head, whimpering in pain, Baekhyun took the opportunity to run as fast as he can alongside the river, his legs were burning and ready to give up, but he kept running, looking back he saw the wolf a few meters away running to him, a red spot right next to his left eye, he was dead.

The trail ended and Baekhyun stopped just at the edge of a little cliff, of course this river has to have a waterfall, because that was just Baekhyun’s luck.

“Shit, just great”

He turned to go back and find another trail, just to find the wolf approaching him, he needed to make a decision, he could stay here and try to fight the wolf and probably die, or he could jump on the waterfall and probably die, Baekhyun look down at the river and turned to look at the wolf, he was running out of time.

“Fuck it!”

The next thing he knew he was in the air, screaming his ears out and flapping his arms trying to find something to hold onto and failing miserably, the river beneath him came closer by the second and Baekhyun couldn’t do anything but prepare for the impact, he close his eyes, hold his breath and wait for the inevitable.

The second the cold water hit his body it brought his senses to life and put him in survival mode, Baekhyun swam as fast as he could to reach the surface, as soon as his head was out, he took a deep breath and look around, not been able to locate himself he decided to approach the edge to get out of the water and figure out his next move. Getting out of the water was easy, the hard part was that his clothes were soaking wet and heavy, also it was winter and if he didn’t find a place to set a fire to get warm and dry his clothes he can get hypothermia, so Baekhyun got on his feet to find a refuge, but obviously luck wasn’t on his side, the moment when he was walking back into the forest, the sound of rocks falling caught his attention, turning around he felt chills running down his spine when he saw the wolf from earlier climbing down the cliff and he wasn’t far to the ground.

“You’ve got to be kidding me” Baekhyun curse out loud

Baekhyun gatter his things as fast as he could and resumed his running, where? He wasn’t sure, as far as he could from a sure death it was fine by him, his wet clothes and the thick snow made the running harder for him, but he pushed himself to get out of this situation, he wasn’t gonna die without trying.

He could hear the wolf behind him, his steps light and faster, the animal body used to this weather, Baekhyun was in disadvantage and he knew it, his lung were burning from the effort and his legs were about to give out, but he tried harder, he knew his body wasn’t used to this, he cursed himself mentally, all those times when Jaehyun invited him to hunt, but Baekhyun refused because he just had take a new book from the library, and now he was in this position. The irony.

He tried to go through the trees to try and confuse the wolf, but it was useless, he was getting tired, his mind was starting to get foggy and he was getting out of breath, his running was slowing down, little black dots were appearing in the edges of his view, the next thing he knew he was falling on his hands and knees on the snow, trying to catch his breath, everything was turning around him, maybe he was dreaming but he can swear he felt a soft breeze passing just next to his head and later the faint sound of a wolf whining. Baekhyun made a last effort to bring his head up to try and see what was going on, the last thing he saw was a black figure jumping down a tree, he couldn’t see anything else because at that moment his body gave out.

—
The next time that Baekhyun opened his eyes, he didn’t feel the cold breeze or the snow under his feets, curiously he felt warm and lighter, he sat and realize he was in a bed, his wet clothes were replace with wool pants and a shirt, the room was softly lit by a lantern on a table that was on the other side of the room, the rest was just simple, a bed and a small closet, it looked like no one lived in this room particularly, the smell of food and his empty stomach force him to leave the comfort of the bed, walking out of the room it was a cozy lounge, the entire house was built with wood, on the lounge there were rugs made of fur, perfect to keep the warm, two big sofas and a little table in the middle, a fireplace that was lit, making the whole place warm, a stair that take to another floor, the front door and a window next to it that show that it was night already…Wait…IT WAS NIGHT ALREADY? FOR HOW LONG HE WAS OUT?.

Following the smell of food, he reach what he guess was the kitchen, just like the rest of the house it was entirely made of wood, with a table on the center, he also notice a tall man cooking something, Baekhyun didn’t know what to do so he clear his throat to make his presence know, the tall man turned around and Baekhyun felt out of breath, he was tall, obviously, he had the biggest brown eyes he had ever see, his skin was white and smooth, his hair was as dark as the night outside and soft curls frame his face perfectly, with little braids here and there, adorned with little gold hoops and cute elf like ears, his eyes reflected surprised but they change to serious in a flash.

“You’re up” The tall stranger said.

Damn, his voice was deep and sweet to Baekhyun’s ears, making a chill run down his spine, don’t judge him, he was weak for cute boys, and this one was the cutest he has ever laid his eyes on. His surprise at such beauty was probably evident because the tall man leaned his head to the side and looked at him strangely.

“You ok? Did you hit your head or something?”

Baekhyun shook his head to ground his head.

“Sorry… ahm… no, no I’m ok…sorry, i didn’t catch your name?”

“Well that’s because I didn’t say it”

Baekhyun was a little taken aback by the bluntness of the taller, but he dismissed it.

“Well… Mine is Baekhyun” he made a gesture with his hand so the other could introduce himself.

“Chanyeol”

“I assume you’re the one who saved me, how long was i out?”

The taller, Chanyeol, turned off the stove and turned around to fully look at Baekhyun, he noticed that the taller one was using pants and a long short sleeve, both as black as his hair.

“I didn’t have other choice, you interrupted my hunt, you were lucky i was still there to save your ass, when I got off the tree I turned to leave, but Zzar didn’t let me, so i had to get back to get you”

Baekhyun was once again taken aback by the cold words of Chanyeol, this guy was kinda rude.

“Jeez, thanks” he rolled his eyes.

Chanyeol looked unbothered “No problem” he put a plate of food in front of Baekhyun “Eat and rest, in the morning i’ll take you to back to wherever you came from”

Ok, scratch his last words, this guy was a complete idiot.

“Excuse me?” Baekhyun asked stunted

“Look, I saved you, I let you stay here for the night and I'll help you get back to your village, I think that's good…”

“No” he cut him off

Now Chanyeol was the one taken aback

“Listen, i appreciate that you saved me, but i’m not going back”

Chanyeol looked at him “Are you running away?”

“No”

“Then? Why are you here?”

“Why do you care?”

Chanyeol crossed his arms “I don’t, but if you’re not running away, I don’t see why would you be so deep in the forest…unless you have a death wish”

“Not that it is any of your business… i’m looking for something, but don’t worry, i’ll leave and won’t be a bother to you anymore”

“It’s freezing outside”

“I thought you didn’t care” Baekhyun spat

“I’m not a bad person to kick you out on this cold”

“You’re not… I’m choosing to leave” Baekhyun made his way to his room, but then he stopped and turn to Chanyeol again “My clothes and my stuff, where are them?”

Chanyeol made a sign with his head to the room where he was sleeping a few moments ago “I put it on the closet with your bag”

Baekhyun went to the room and a few moments ago, he went out, ready to leave, Chanyeol was sitting on the sofa that was in the lounge, when he saw Baekhyun making his way to the front door, he stood up and walked behind him.

“Where are you going?” Chanyeol asked him

“I already told you, i’ll leave”

“You’re insane? It’s freezing outside”

Baekhyun opened the door and the cold breeze hit his face, he got out, he was determined to leave and get himself as far as he can from this douche. When he put foot on the snow covered ground a big white wolf came out from between the trees and approached Baekhyun. He felt his body freeze on his spot, he was about to run away when behind him he heard a whistle from Chanyeol.

“Sit down girl” and the animal stopped and sat on the snow.

Baekhyun was out of worlds “It’s yours”

“She’s not mine, i don’t own her, we’re partners” Chanyeol stated leaning against the door “She’s Zzar, the reason why you’re here”

Baekhyun looked at the big wolf, her gold eyes were looking at him, like it could read him from inside out.

He turned to Chanyeol “Whatever, i’ll leave now”

“Are you serious? You don’t even know where to go”

“Oh! But i do” He took his bag and opened to search for the map he drew before coming here “I have a map”

He took the paper out and his disappointment was evident when he realised that his precious map, that he worked so hard to make, was completely destroyed and blurred.

“It’ ruined” Baekhyun said sadly

“Well, yeah…that’s what usually happen when paper gets wet”

“I don’t need it, i’ll just walk”

Baekhyun took his bag and started walking away from Chanyeol, he heard the wolf huffing, probably at Chanyeol because the other spoke.

“What? He wanted to go” another huff “Don’t look at me like that, i helped him didn’t i?” the wolf whine “Fine fine…Baekhyun wait!”

Baekhyun didn’t stop, and the next he heard was steps on the snow and a had grabbing his wrist to stop him.

“What?” baekhyun spat

“I’ll help you”

“I don’t need your help” he turned and resume his walking

“I tried” and the wolf growl and Chanyeol sigh

“Where are you trying to go?” he asked to Baekhyun

Baekhyun stopped “I said i don’t need your help”

“I heard you… but i’ll help you anyways, so why don’t we make this easy for both of us”

Baekhyun looked at Chanyeol, the taller was just a few steps away from him and just a few meters back from him was the big white wolf, this time standing and moving his tail, she looked excited.

“I’m going to the Oasis mountains” Baekhyun finally said

“What is there that you're looking for?” Chanyeol asked

“It’s none of your business”

Chanyeol rolled his eyes and cross his arms “Look, if you don’t tell me, i won’t help you”

“Fine, i don’t need you”

“You don’t even know where the Oasis mountains are”

“Oh and you do?”

“I live in the forest don’t I?”

Touche, Baekhyun was trapped, but he wasn’t gonna let the other win.

“I’ll find them”

“How?”

“I’ll figure out”

“You’re gonna get yourself killed”

Baekhyun couldn’t refute that, because he was probably gonna get himself killed, but he couldn’t give up, he just couldn’t. Sighting his defeat he looked at Chanyeol.

“Fine, I’ll tell you”

Chanyeol look at Zzar “Let’s go inside, we can talk there”

—

After both of them went back inside Baekhyun put his bag on the floor next to the door and was taking out his boots when Chanyeol was walking in and turning to Zzar “Come inside girl”

Baekhyun turned and saw the big wolf starting to run to the cabin the moment she passed the door, the big wolf transformed into a little puppy, Baekhyun’s eyes went wide, following the little puppy who was making herself comfortable in front of the fire.

“A shapeshifter!”

Chanyeol looked at Baekhyun with a bored look “Have you never seen one before?”

Baekhyun shake his head “I read about them in books, but i’ve never seen one in real life”

Chanyeol just closed the door and took a sit on the sofa “Well, Zzar and I go way back so…yeah”

“Where did you find her?”

“You first…The Oasis mountains” Chanyeol said

Baekhyun took a sit on the sofa that was on the other side “Fine, I come from the Light Village, we’re just outside the dark forest, there’s a disease that’s killing my people and our leader is doing nothing while people keep dying, so i took the matter on my own hands to search help”

“What help can you get on the mountains?” Chanyeol asked

“The Phoenix” Baekhyun said

Chanyeol’s body went rigid and Zzar stood from his place in front of the fire to go and lay next to Chanyeol.

“You’re joking” Chanyeol laugh “There’s no way you’re going all the way to the mountains for a kids tale”

Baekhyun twisted on his sit “It’s not a tale, I did my research, there’s people that saw the phoenix on the Oasis mountains”

“Those people you mention, do you know them? Did you spoke to them personally?”

“No” his voice was small

“Then you don’t even know is this phoenix is real, you’re just putting your life in danger going there for a legend”

“You don’t understand…”

“Of course I do… You want to be a hero of your little village and make everyone think you’re just this selfless person,but in reality you just want the recognition…” Chanyeol started accusing him and Baekhyun felt the tears forming in his eyes. He was getting red in the face of anger and sadness, so he just exploded.

“I’M TRYING TO SAVE MY MOTHER OK?”

Chanyeol went silent so Baekhyun continued talking.

“She’s been getting sicker and sicker, medicines aren’t working anymore” he felt the tears running down his face “She’s the only one I have, I don’t wanna lose her…I can’t” he look at his feet and the fur rug on the floor ‘yes, If I can help the village great, but i’m not doing it for them…i’m doing it for my mother…the phoenix is my last resource”

Chanyeol was looking at him, like he was looking for something and after some minutes of silence he finally spoke “I see… well, we better go to sleep, we have long day tomorrow”

“What?” Baekhyun was confused

“We have to go to the Oasis mountain” Chanyeol said as he stood up from the sofa “We will leave at sunrise, so you better get some sleep”

Baekhyun saw how the taller was making his way upstairs with Zzar going behind him, before Chanyeol could disappear, Baekhyun said loud enough for the other to hear him “Thank you” but he didn’t have a response.

—

The next day they start their journey as the sun was rising, Chanyeol was already waiting for him outside the house, fully clothed in black pants, a long sleeve sweater made of fur, also black, black boots and a big black cloak with a hood that he used to hide his hair and part of his face, he also carry with him a bow and arrow on his back, Baekhyun was the total opposite next to him his clothes were totally cream, form his boots to his fur coat.

“You stand out too much on the forest” He said

Chanyeol look at him from head to toes “I can say the same thing about you, in this forest you have to hide at night and no offense but you look like a headlight in the dark, more with that hair”

Baekhyun touched his hair, he had white bright hair, it was a feature of his village, everyone had white hair.

“Touche”

They started walking, Zzar went with them, this time she took the form of an eagle, flying above them, Chanyeol says that this way she can alert them if there’s any danger ahead, Baekhyun just nodded.

Now that Baekhyun wasn’t incharge of the navigation, walking in silence was kinda boring, he just followed Chanyeol around, so he let his curiosity take the best of him.

“Chanyeol?”

The latter turned his head slightly “What?”

“Do you know where we are going? I mean, I know you know, but like, how do you know?”

“Because I know”

“But how?”

“I just know ok!”

Ok, directions, sensitive topic, let’s try something else.

“Chanyeol?”

“What?”

“Why do you live alone in the forest? Don’t you have a village? A family?”

“My family is dead”

OK! Family, a BIG sensitive topic, Baekhyun was getting out of topics.

“Chanyeol?”

The taller one stopped and turned to look at him “What? What is it that you want now?”

Baekhyun stopped on his place, embarrassed “I just wanted to say thank you… for helping me save my mother”

Chanyeol’s demeanour change completely as he saw Baekhyun, he sigh “It’ nothing” and he resumed his walking “Actually the Oasis mountains are just a day and a half away from here, you didn’t stray to long from it”

“Really?” Baekhyun asked smiling as Chanyeol was looking at him

“Yeah” we’ll be there in no time”

“You are an archer?”

“What made you guess it? The bow or the arrows?” he said bluntly

“You know your sarcasm hurts?”

“Sorry, i’m not good with people, i’ll live alone too long”

“That’s ok, let’s try again…you use arrows as your weapon”

Chanyeol rolled his eyes

“I wouldn’t say it’s a weapon, i mostly just hunt, i try to stay out of troubles”

“Did it work?”

“Mostly” Chanyeol smile “Do you have any weapons with you?”

“I had a dagger”

“Had?”

“Yeah, the wolf that attacked me near the river, he tackled me and i let my dagger go and it fell into the water so i lost it”

Chanyeol nodded “I see, were you good with it?”

“Not really, but the other people didn’t have to know”

They both laugh and Baekhyun thought tha Chanyeol had the most melodic laugh he had ever heard, yeah the guy was an idiot most of the time, but he was helping Baekhyun and he was drop dead gorgeous, sue him.

They reach a small clear and stay there to rest and eat something, Baekhyun was refreshing himself while chanyeol was feeding Zzar who took the form of a mountain cat, everything was calm until Zzar hiss to one side of the forest, Baekhyun didn’t have time to react when someone grab him by the neck and pushed him against a tree, when he realize, he has a dagger against his neck, one wrong move, and he will be dead. Perfect, just what he needed.

“Let him go!”

He looked at Chanyeol, the taller was already with his bow and arrow on hand, ready to shoot, next to him was Zzar, in his wolf form, growling at the stranger, a man, a little taller than him, by his clothes and his dirty hands, Baekhyun determined he was a bandit.

The guy looked at Chanyeol with disdain.

“Your food and money, or i slice his neck open”

Zzar took a step, but Chanyeol with a sharp whistle stopped her in her place.

“I said let him go” Chanyeol replied.

The man huffed and cut a little of Baekhyun's neck, not deep, just enough to make it bleed a little “Look, i’m not playing, give me what i ask and i’ll leave you alone”

“Forgive me for not believing you, but me and my friend that you have over there mean no harm, so, if you let him go, i’ll leave you alone”

“You little piece of…” he start slicing Baekhyun’s neck, but before he could cut deeper, Baekhyun saw the man fall to the ground, body still and an arrow buried on his neck, all the blood in Baekhyun’s face went cold and he felt like he was gonna pass out. A pair of strong arms stopped him from falling next to the body of the bandit, he felt warm and a sweet scent of lavender around him, followed by a deep voice.

“Wow!, don’t pass out again Baek, hey hey” he gave him soft touches on his cheeks “Stay with me, come on Baek open your eyes… there you go” Baekhyun felt sick but at least he didn’t pass out this time. Progress is progress.

“I’m ok, i’m awake” he opened his eyes and the first thing he saw was two big brown eyes looking right at him, Baekhyun felt his cheeks getting warmer by the second.

‘You sure” Chanyeol asked as he helped Baekhyun stand on his feets.

“Yeah i’m good” Baekhyun turned and when he saw the body on the ground his knees became wobbly, Chanyeol held his arms.

“Hey easy, don’t look at the body, look at me”

And who was Baekhyun to not obey that request, he looked at Chanyeol in the eyes, the most beautiful doe eyes that he had ever seen.

“That’s it, now close your eyes”

“What? No!”

“Do you trust me?” Chanyeol asked
“We just met yesterday” Bakhyun argued

“And yet i manage to save your life twice already…I’m just gonna take the body away, so you won’t see it anymore”

Baekhyun just looked at him in silence, trying to figure out if the other was telling the truth, nothing in the other eyes suggest that.

“Promise you’re not gonna leave me here?”

Chanyeol giggled “I promise”

“Ok” and with that Baekhyun closed his eyes.

“Zzar, can you stay here with Baek? I’ll be back in a minute”

A warm fur set beside him and Baekhyun felt confident enough to extend his hand and pet Zzar’s large wolf figure. The animal lick his hand and lay at his feet, putting his tail around his legs, basking in the attention and the pets that Baekhyun give her.

—

After Chanyeol went back from taking the body away, they continued walking again, a few moments later Chanyeol gave Baekhyun the same dagger that the bandit used to threaten him earlier.

“He’s not gonna need it anymore and you lost yours at the river, so i’ll figure it was better for you to have it, consider it an apology gift” he said

“An apology? For what?”

“For the way that i treat you when we meet, I told you earlier, i’m not good with people, the only one who I’ve been having any kind of interaction is Zzar…I guess i lost the ability to be nice”

Baekhyun was surprised by the taller words, he didn’t expect an apology, least of all an apology gift, the warmth that he felt spreading on his chest by the simple act made him take the dagger and hold it close to him.

“Thank you Chanyeol, this is very nice of you…who would have think that you have a heart”

Chanyeol rolled his eyes “Don’t flatter yourself”

“Oh I don't know, earlier when I was trapped by that bandit, you told him I was your friend, and you cleaned up my wound later, I think we’re becoming closer, don’t you think?”

Chanyeol didn’t answer but Baekhyun could notice a slight dust of pink on his cheeks, and that was all the answer that he needed.

—

That night they set a camp on a cave that they found on the way, Baekhyun had set the place to sleep and Chanyeol was setting the fire and the food for them and Zzar.

When they were sitting in front of the fire eating their dinner, Baekhyun saw how thoroughly Chanyeol took the skin off the meat so Zzar could eat it, he smiled at how much care the taller gave to his companion.

“Chanyeol?”

“Hmm” The taller answer without looking at him

“Can I ask you something?”

“I have the feeling you’re gonna ask me no matter what I say”

“Smart! Haha…” He cleared his throat and after a few more seconds he spoke again “What happened to your family?”

He saw the moment the taller tenses a little “It’s ok, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, I mean, I know it’s something personal…sorry I didn’t wanna intrude…”

But the voice of the taller interrupt him

“There was a fire in my village…I was 12 when it happened i just….i couldn’t save them”

Baekhyun saw the pain in his eyes and went to sit next to him, without giving it much thought he held Chanyeol’s hand, the other looked at the intertwined fingers and later he looked at Baekhyun with soft eyes.

“You were just a kid, it wasn’t your fault”

“But it was…It was my fault”

“What do you mean” Baekhyun asked

“Everything that comes my way, it ends up destroyed”

“That’s not true…look at me, I’m good”

“You almost died twice”

“Yeah but I didn’t…because you saved me twice, you’re not a bad guy Chanyeol, you’re helping me, you take care of Zzar…yeah when i meet you you were kinda rude and an idiot…but getting to know you better i see that you’re more than that”

“So I'm still an idiot?” Chanyeol asked and Baekhyun couldn’t help himself and laugh

“I said kinda ok?”

They both laugh, still holding their hands, after they stopped laughing the stare at eachother in silence, it was really strange, Baekhyun meet him just the day before, but he never felt more comfortable with anyone he has ever know, he knew he said he was weak for cute boys, but Chanyeol made him feel something more, it was like he felt this connection with the other, something he couldn’t explained, like he knew him forever, and that gave him the courage to make possibly the stupidest decision he could make.

He lean in slowly into Chanyeol’s personal space, giving the other time to pull apart if he wanted to, when he realize that he wasn’t pulling out, it gave him more confidence to close the gap between them, when he felt Chanyeol’s soft lips on him something ignite inside of him, it felt like someone turn on a switch on him and every part of his body just light up, it was something Baekhyun never felt before. The kiss was soft and slow, Chanyeol’s lips were shy, like he was afraid of hurting Baekhyun in any way, after a few moments Baekhyun felt how Chanyeol gain more confidence in the kiss and starting leaning in more into it, his lips asking for more and Bakhyun was happy to comply. They kissed for sometime before Chanyeol was the one to break the kiss first, Baekhyun tried to chase his lips for more but the taller put his free hand on his shoulder.

“What was that for” he asked breathing heavily

“A kiss”

“You know that’s now what i mean”

“I know…”

“So?”

“I don’t know Chanyeol…i would be lying if i said that i didn’t like you the moment i saw you, and by the look of the kiss, i’m pretty confident that you like me too”

“You don’t know what you’re doing” Chanyeol said and Baekhyun was taken aback

“You didn’t like it?”

“I didn’t say that”

“So, you don’t like me”

“I didn’t say that either”

“Then what are you saying? Because I can’t read minds Chanyeol”

“I told you, everything that comes my way ends up destroyed…I won’t lie, I like you Baekhyun, i don’t wanna put you in danger”

“What do you mean? What danger?”

Chanyeol looked at Baekhyun’s eyes and standing up from the fireplace he turned his back to Baekhyun.

“We better get some sleep, tomorrow we will arrive at the Oasis mountain, and you can look for your legend and go back to your village” and with that he walked away, leaving Baekhyun surprised, confused, but mostly sad and feeling rejected by the taller.

—

The Oasis mountains were something Baekhyun had never imagine before, he imagined a big rocky mountain that would definitely will represent a challenge to climb and get to the top, but when he, Chanyeol and Zzar got there, the place was full of trees, a lot of them, of different kinds of fruit, flowers and bushes along the trial, because yes, there was a trail that goes up to the top, Chanyeol went first and Baekhyun and Zzar went just behind him, the walk was silent, Chanyeol had refused to talk to Baekhyun that morning, and he felt hurt enough to try and talk to the other, so he just stay silent too.

The whole walk Baekhyun couldn't help but let out some wow’s and oh’s, everything was just so breathtaking the birds sing different on this mountains, he saw rivers and waterfalls along the way, it was hard to explain but he could swear he could breathe the magic around the mountain, the more he walked the more he was sure that the phoenix was at the end of the trail, he was gonna get the cure and save his mother.

Just hold on a little longer mom, I’m almost there

All his hopes went crashing down when they got to the end of the trial and all they found were the remains of what once was a village, houses destroyed, some of them were already claimed by the bushes in the mountain, broken glasses and a cold silence was all it was there. No Phoenix, no hope.

All his effort was for nothing, all this journey was for nothing, leaving his mother alone was for nothing.

Baekhyun felt like an idiot, how could it be possible, he was so sure of what he was gonna find there, he fell to the ground on his knees and felt the tears sting in his eyes, he should have known, everyone tried to let them know, Jaehyun, the people on the library, even Chanyeol was kind enough to tell him that this journey was useless, but he was stubborn and now he was left with nothing.

The anger and frustration took over him and all he could do was scream his lungs out, he screamed and cried, but it wasn’t enough, he needed to let out all this frustration he was feeling, so he took a few rocks he found on the ground and standing up he started to thrown the rocks into the windows of the empty houses, he broke window after window, but it still wasn’t enough he runned and grabbed whatever piece of furniture he could find on near to him and he throw it out, he was blinded by the anger.

When he finally felt tired enough to continue, he just sat at the entrance of the abandoned village, and cried his eyes out, Chanyeol and Zzar stay a few meters away from Baekhyun, they didn’t dare to intervene in the little one anger, so they just took a step back, and let Baekhyun calmed himself.

Baekhyun felt when Chanyeol sat next to him but he didn’t have the will to say anything, the taller was the one to speak first.

“I’m sorry Baekhyun”

“You can say I told you so now”

“Why would I?”

“Because I’m an idiot for believe in something so lame like big bird that has the power to cure any disease”

“You hurted yourself” Chanyeol said

Baekhyun went silent and that is when he felt a sting on his hand. When he opened to see, he saw a big cut that was bleeding, maybe it was when he was breaking glass all around.

“I don’t care, it will heal eventually”

Chanyeol didn’t say anything, but he took Baekhyun’s hand into his own, Baekhyun followed the action with his eyes. Chanyeol brought his hand closer to his face and after he inspect the wound, he cried over it, his tears falling directly into Baekhyun’s wound, but surprisingly it didn’t sting, it felt soothing and cold, Chanyeol shed his tears and in that moment Baekhyun saw how his wound closed itself, it was healing!. Baekhyun couldn’t believe what was happening, a few seconds ago and now it was gone, it was impossible…unless…

“You’re the phoenix” Baekhyun whispered loud enough for Chanyeol to hear

Chanyeol on the other hand didn’t say anything

“How?”

Chanyeol sigh “When i was born, i was a very sick baby, i didn’t cry when i was born, the healers told my parents that i had a strange disease, i didn’t have much time and there was nothing they could do to help, so the just sent my parents home with the suggestion that they spend the most time that they could with me, because i could die anyday. My parents were devastated and they tried everything they could to help me, but it was useless. Until one night, my mom prayed, she prayed to the moon goddess, she begged her for help, she begged her to save her baby and that same night, there was a terrible storm, wind and thunder all around, my mom told me that it was impossible to sleep because the storm was so loud, but i sleep through the storm, peacefully, the wind opened the window to my room, and my mom saw how a little burst of fire lay on top of me, but it didn’t burn, it just lay on my head and disappear, the moment the fire disappeared the storm cease, that’s when she knew, the moon goddess had listened to her, but the saved came with a curse”

Baelhyun was stunted, he was looking for the phoenix all this time, and all this time he was right there, there wasn’t any bird, it was a simple human, it was Chanyeol.

“You can heal people”

Chanyeol was silent

“Chaneyol, why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“Because I didn’t knew if i could trust you, i’ve helped people before and later they went and told others about me and i had to run and hide, I was just being cautious”

Baekhyun could understand that, the need to protect himself from strangers, so he didn;t blame Chanyeol.

“You can come with me”

Chanyeol look at him with wide eyes “What?”

“Yeah, come with me, to my village, they’re good people, if you help them you can stay with me and we could…”

“No”

Baekhyun went silent “What?”

“I can’t leave the forest Baekhyun, it’s to dangerous for me”

“But…”

“You have an amazing and selfless heart Baekhyun and that showed me that i can trust you enough to let you know my secret, i’ll help your mother, but that’s it”

“You can’t, there’s more people sick in my village, moms, dads, elders… god dammit there kids dying”

“I’m sorry Baekhyun”

“No, you’re not sorry”

Baekhyun stood up and raised his voice at Chanyeol “You can’t be that selfish!”

“Selfish? You think I'm selfish?” he stood up as well and spread his arms “Look around you Baekhyun, you know where we are? This was my village! The place I was born, you wanna know what happened to it? They found out about my ability and they all wanted to use me for their benefit, my parents tried to protect me and you know what they got, they’re house on fire…the same people that were our neighbors, friends, they set my parents house on fire, you know why? Because THEY were selfish…their selfishness was their doom, when i ran away they destroyed eachother and this village…all destroyed…because of me”

Baekhyun knew that Chanyeol was right but he also wanted to show him that not all was lost.

“I understand Chanyeol, but if you could just give my village a chance I know that you will see that they…”

“I said no and that’s final”

Baekhyun went silent, the hurt of rejection filling his heart again.

“Then I guess this is goodbye”

“It doesn’t have to be”

Baekhyun laughed “And what, you want me to leave my village? No way, my mom is there, my friends are there”

“I would never ask you to leave them”

“Good, cause I won’t”

Chanyeol’s features went hard “Then I guess there’s nothing else to say” and opening his cloak he took out two vials, with a clear liquid inside, he gave them to Baekhyn “They’re my tears, I gather them the night you told me about your mom’s disease, 4 drops should be enough to heal her, the rest it’s up to you”

Baekhyun took them and put them in his bag pocket “Thank you…Goodbye Chanyeol”

“Goodbye Baekhyun”

—

It’s been a few weeks since he came back from the forest, he followed Chanyeol’s instructions about the vial with his mom, and after a few hours she improved drastically to the point Baekhyun couldn’t believe it, by the end of the week his mother was fully recovered and back on her feet, he still hasn’t decided what to do with the other vial, he thought about giving it to the leader of the village, but he knew that there were gonna be questions, questions Baekhyun didn’t wanna answer for the safety of Chanyeol, the same questions Jaehyun asked him when he came back, but again, Baekhyun didn’t answered.

He was reading on his balcony when he saw his mom coming back from the market and he went to help her with the food, when he reached the downfloor he saw his mother was pale.

“Mom? Everything alright?” he asked

“Sweetie, you have to run”

Baekhyun froze “What? What happened?”

“I was a the market and i was passing the leaders house when i saw him at the entrance talking with one of the ladies, they were talking about my miraculous recovery, so I stopped and listen, one of the eldest saw you when you came back from the dark forest and that i start feeling better after that, I think they know something happened, and they’re coming for you to ask you questions”

Baekhyun didin’ react at first but when they heard the knock on the door, he knew it was too late.

Everything was so fast. One moment he was reading peacefully in his house and the next he was tied to a tree and the leader of his village was torturing him to get answers.

“How did your mother get better?’

Baekhyun didn’t speak, so the leader slapped his face once again. They were at it for almost an hour, Baekhyun’s face was already swallowed and with a black eye, a busted lip and a cut on one of his brows.

“Baekhyun, why do you make this harder for you, just tell me and everything will end, don’t you want that? Don’t you want to go back to mommy?”

Baekhyun spit his blood on the feet of the leader, showing his disdain “For the last time, I didn’t do anything”

“LIAR” and he hit him in the stomach, making him cough

“You don’t wanna talk i see, i’m tired of you” he took a dagger from his back pocket and buried it on his thigh, the pain shoot on his body immediately and Baekhyun scream out

“Are you gonna speak now? Why did you go into the forest? What did you give to your mother?”

Baekhyun couldn’t form a single though, he was in so much pain, the tears were mixing with the blood from his brow, he didn’t know how much he could take

“Are you gonna answer my question, you brat?”

“Please”

The leader had taking him into the forest, not deep enough to be dangerous, but far enough so nobody could hear him scream, the night was dark and there was a storm coming up, the wind was blowing, moving the trees around violently, from one way to another, it was just a matter of time for the storm to come.

“I have all night Baekhyun, but the question is, Do you?” The leader laugh and Baekhyun knew the implication, he was not gonna come out of this alive.

“Please, just let me go and i won’t say a thing”

“You don’t get it do you? There’s no letting go here, I will go back to the village, you? Don’t worry, I'll let them know that I tried my best to help you, but you fell off a cliff…Now let’s try again shall we? Your mother, how did she heal?”

“I don’t know” he screamed again when the dagger sliced across his chest.

“Baekhyun, Baekhyun, don’t be an idiot, you have no way out, your silence won’t save you”

“Maybe his silence won’t, but i will”

That voice, it can’t be. He raised his head at the same time that the leader turned around, and from the shadows of the forest, he emerged like a ghost, with his dark cloak hiding him, and followed by a big white wolf that was bearing his teeth in warning. At that moment the storm came, the pouring rain came down with no mercy, making the whole scene darker.

“Who the hell are you?” the leader screamed above the sound of the rain “You can’t be here”

“I believe you’re the one who can’t be here, now be a doll and let go of Baekhyun would you? We don’t want troubles” next to him Zzar bared his fangs and growled.

“Look mister, this is my village territory and I’m the leader so I command you to leave the premises immediately”

Chanyeol laughed “You? You command me?”

“Yes, now leave!”

‘I’ll leave, but i’m gonna take Baekhyun with me”

“I don’t think so” he put himself in an attack position, ready to pounce whoever dare to approach them

Baekhyun noticed that chanyeol didn’t bring his bow and arrow with him, he didn’t have any weapon to defend himself, he had Zzar yes, but he knew Chanyeol could never ask her to kill for him.

“Don’t make this any harder, I just came for my friend”

“Chanyeol go! I’ll be fine”

Chanyeol looked at him and he felt ashamed that he could see him in the state he was, his face turning darker and in the sky the thunder started to rattle.

“You hurted my friend, that’s not very nice”

“And i’ll kill him if you don’t leave in this instant”

“Last warning, let him go”

The next thing he knew, the leader of his village went running to attack chanyeol, but before he could reach him, lightning struck and broke a branch from a tree, and this fell right in the leader's head, killing him in the act.

A few moments after the man passed, the thunder went out and the rain fell softly. Chanyeol ran to Baekhyun with Zzar behind him, Zzar took the form of a mouse and bite off the rope that kept Baekhyun tied, when he was free, his body gave out but he never touched the ground, instead of har dirt he was meet with a warm embrace and two arms that carry him bridal style, he turned his head to look at Chanyeol with the eye that wasn't swollen, he tried to give him a tiny smile to reassure him.

“You came for me” he whispered

“I never left you” and Baekhyun felt Chanyeol’s lips on his forehead “I sent Zzar to check on you from time to time, i wanted to make sure you were safe”

“I’m glad you did” Baekhyun felt dizzy and light on his head, he was going in and out of consciousness, he could feel how Chanyeol walked faster to get out of the woods but he was so tired, he just wanted to sleep.

“Don’t sleep Baekhyun, stay with me” he heard in the distance

“I’ll just rest my eyes for a bit”

The last thing he heard was a soft “Live…i’m coming” and everything went black.

—

When Baekhyun opened his eyes, he felt like everything was a bad dream, he looked around and he was in his room, the sun was shining outside and everything looked normal, he took of his covers and look at his body and felt his face, there were no traces of cuts, wounds or even bruises, like it never happened.

“How?”

In that instant the door to his room opened and he saw Chanyeol coming in, Baekhyun’s face lit up after seeing him, Zzar went in too, she was in her puppy form, she ran and jumped the bed to lay right next to Baenhyun.

“You’re awake” Chanyeol said and went to sit next to him on the bed

“You’re here, for me”

“I am, i missed you”

Baekhyun giggled “I missed you too” and then he remembered “The leader…”

“Shh it’s taken cared off” Chanyeol cupped his face with one of his hands “You don’t have to worry about anything”

“But how?”

“Well your friend Jaehyun found out that your precious leader was stealing money from the village, so when the people found out they went to find him, when they found out that he was dead…well let’s say that he’s not gonna have a memoir ceremony”

“Did you send the lightning to kill the leader?”

Chanyeol look at him serious “I just heal people Baekhyun, I can’t control the weather”

“Then how did it happen?”

“I don’t know…the moon goddess?”

“Maybe…she already helped you once”

“I guess”

Baekhyun felt released, he was free and Chanyeol and his Mother were both safe.

“You heal me”

“I cried all night”

“You didn't have to” Baekhyun pouted

Chanyeol rolled his eyes “Shut up and kiss me already”

And with that they kissed, and the fire Baekhyun felt the first time, lit up again, now he knew what he wanted and he was happy that Chanyeol was here, because he isn’t gonna be able to leave him ever again.