Descendants of the Exiled (Hybrid AU)

four

"Jongin!" Kyungsoo ran up to the younger and hugged him tightly. "I was so scared you wouldn't make it back after the sun fell."

"We found our way. Remember, I'll always find you." Jongin softly replied, smiling at his elder before he set Jongdae down by the warm fire the others had set up.

"You guys are really cute. When did you start dating?" Baekhyun asked, earning chuckles from the two of them.

"We're not dating," Jongin replied, looking at Kyungsoo with a laugh. "He's like a little brother to me."

"Even though I'm older?" Kyungsoo asked, earning a shy nod, which made the two boys chuckle.

"No, I have my eyes on someone else. We've been dating for a while now, but I won't disclose that information with you guys." Jongin explained, hugging Kyungsoo close as the two of them chuckled.

We all flinched when we heard a snap in the depth of the woods, fearfully looking to the direction of the sound.

"Hyung, what is that?" Yixing asked, keeping a right grip on his sister as the strange creature emerged from the woods and into the clearing we were in.

"I, I think it's a deer. Mother talked of them. They're very kind and gentle, but you shouldn't touch them, or else you will have bad luck." I softly said, watching as the graceful animal looked cautiously at us.

After a little while, the creature retreated back to the depths of the forests and we all laid down to rest. I stayed close to Jongdae, holding his hand out of habit. It made me laugh, how his habit had become mine.

"Please, be well, Jongdae," I whispered, squeezing his hand and falling asleep to the warmth of his company.

"Hyung?" I jumped awake and saw Jongdae looking at me with confusion. I looked around, seeing it was now daytime again. I groaned as the sun hit my eyes, the intensity of its brightness something I would have to get used to.

"What's wrong?" I muttered, looking back to the younger.

"How am I alive?" He replied, tears of uncertainty flowing from his eyes. "I felt my heart stop a little while after you left."

"You groaned when I came back," I told him, making him even more confused.

"Oh good, hyung is awake." We looked up and saw Sehun glaring down at us. I offered a friendly smile, which he sarcastically responded back. "We don't know what to eat, but we're all hungry. Since you know this place best, find something."

"Where is the respect in this place?" I huffed as I got up, giving Jongdae a quick kiss before departing with Jongin to find food.

"Hyung, when did you start dating Jongdae?" The younger asked, making me chuckle.

"We haven't. Shared our first kiss yesterday before I got you. But I'm sure we'll make it something official soon." I replied, looking back at him with a smirk. "And you and Sehun? How long has that been going on?"

He blushed a deep shade of red, which made me laugh.

"How did you know?" He asked, not answering my question.

"I'm your best friend, your parent even. I can see everything." I replied, making us both chuckle.

After I'd found some edible things for the group, we made our way back to the clearing. I smiled when I saw all of my friends laughing and talking with one another. We were learning how to not be afraid of this planet, and that made me happy.

"Junmyeon, how are Jongdae's legs?" I asked, making him sit up and look to the younger and examining the once injured bones.

"He should be able to walk tomorrow. For now, he should remain in his bed that we made." He answered, making me nod in relief. Chanyeol came up and looked at me with concern.

"Hyung, do you know where we're going?" He quietly asked, making me look at him with a small sense of hope.

"Not really, but I'm sure that we will find where we are meant to be. I can feel it." I answered, pointing to my chest and smiling.

"Great, so we're supposed to trust a feeling? Emotions are useless, especially in unknown territory like this." Taeyong said, making us all groan.

"Can't you shut up for one minute?" Sehun asked, glaring at him. He just shrugged.

"It's not in my programming to listen to idiots." The younger replied, a full smirk on his face.

"Hey, you don't have to come with us. You can stay here and try to figure out which food is edible and which can kill you." Baekhyun threatened, making him almost pout in an attempt to keep his cool.

"Hey, calm down. We're not sending anyone to die. He stays with us, whether he likes it or not." Junmyeon said, looking between the three arguing faces. They all were glaring but nodded to bring the battle to a draw. "We have to find a way to stick together, because who knows what this planet holds in store."

We decided to stay one more day in this area since Jongdae couldn't move just yet. We collected some more food and some wood for a fire.

"Kyungsoo, how are you feeling?" I asked, checking his forehead. He was burning up, with blushed cheeks and a cough. "Can you talk?"

"I don't feel good." He mustered out, grabbing hold of my hand, fear written in his eyes. "I don't wanna die. Help me, hyung. Please."

"I'll do what I can for you, baby." I softly said, earning a smile from the younger as he slowly closed his eyes.

"Thank you, hyung." He whispered, pulling me closer so he could rest his head in my lap. "You're a good provider. I love you."

I played with his hair as he slept, wishing I could help him go through whatever he was facing. Chanyeol kept a close eye on us, sitting next to me with worry in his eyes. I have a soft smile to him, grabbing his hand with my free one.

"He'll be fine. I'm sure of it." I whispered, looking him in his eyes.

"All my friends are getting hurt. I wish I could help them." He replied, looking back to Kyungsoo as he slept. I watched as he gently grabbed his other hand and rubbed it softly. "Get better, please. I can't live without you."