Fate of the Forest (A KaoEarth Story)

Eight: Earth

《Author Note: Okay, this one might be my new favorite 😊 I really like how it turned out! Enjoy!! 😍》

A thick fog covered the forest. Earth knew he was in the Meadow, but he couldn't tell where.

"P'Kao?!" he called, his voice echoing. "P'Boun?! Ai'Fluke?! Hello?" No answer. He walked, carefully, until he came to the edge of the lagoon...but where was the sound of the waterfall?? Earth squinted into the mist, faintly making out the steady flow of water but he couldn't hear it! He jumped as a stick cracked behind him and he whipped around, and gasped.

"P'Kao!" He took a step toward him, but immediately stopped, noticing something was off. Kao wasn't moving and his eyes lacked any sign of recognition. Earth started walking again, closing the distance between them in two steps. "P'Kao? What's wrong? What happened to you?" he asked, reaching up to touch his face. Suddenly, Earth was taken aback as a strong hand clamped itself around his neck and his hands automatically went up to pry it off, with no luck.

"P'Kao?!" he squeaked out, his eyes wide with shock and confusion. Kao started walking then, pushing Earth backwards until he was up against a tree. Earth had never seen Kao's eyes so cold and lifeless and it terrified him. He gasped for air and frantically clawed at the hand at his throat.

"Easy now," said an unfamiliar voice and Kao loosened his grip on Earth's throat as a dark silhouette appeared behind Kao. The figure was just a shapeless shadow, Earth couldn't make out any distinguishing features, and the distorted, feminine voice chilled him to the core.

The figure moved close to him and Earth squeezed his eyes shut as the shadow hissed in his ear. "I'm coming, Earth. I'm coming to take everything you love."

The figure laughed and Kao dropped his hand as viny tendrils snaked their way up the tree and pinned Earth's arms tightly. "Stop! Wait!" Earth cried, struggling to get his arms free.

The shadow wrapped itself around Kao and started pulling him away, making Earth start to panic.

"NO! P'Kao! Wake up! Don't let it control you! P'Kao! Listen to me! Stop!" Earth could feel the tears streaming down his face as he desperately tried to free himself from the vines. Kao kept moving further away. "No no no no! Please don't take him from me! Please! P'Kao!"

Earth opened his eyes to find that the vines had turned into hands that held his arms down and a pair of worried eyes searched his face for answers.

"P'--P'Kao?" Earth asked, incredulously, on the verge of breaking down. He looked around in shock, realizing that he was back inside the cave lying on one of the mats. Kao's hands released his arms, now that he was conscious, and Earth reached up to touch his face, as if making sure he was real. Clawing his way up Kao's shirt, Earth sat up and threw his arms around Kao's neck, sobbing into his shoulder. Kao wrapped his arms around him and pulled him closer.

"Shhhh," Kao cooed, rubbing Earth's back as sobs wracked his body. "It was just a nightmare. Don't worry. You're safe now."

Earth's sobs eventually subsided and he pulled back to look at Kao, placing a hand on either side of his face. He looked deep into those dark eyes that showed no trace of the lifelessness he saw before. The thought of the warmth leaving Kao's eyes terrified him and the tears started to flow again. Kao reached up and gently wiped the tears from Earth's cheeks.

"I saw it," Earth croaked, his throat hoarse from the sobbing. "I saw the Darkness." Just the thought of it sent shivers down Earth's spine. "And you--it was controlling you and it taking you away from me and I couldn't stop it--I wasn't strong enough--"

Kao silenced Earth with a kiss, a fierce kiss, like he was staking his claim, and it took Earth's breath away.

"I love you," Kao said, "and I'm never going to leave you, Earth." Kao found Earth's lips again, gently pushing him back to lie down. The kisses started gentle, growing more and more desperate. It was as if Kao was trying to make Earth forget about the nightmare, which was working because all Earth could think about was the fact that Kao loved him back.

So many emotions surged through him as Earth laced his fingers through Kao's hair, letting out a quiet whimper as Kao burned a trail of kisses down his neck. Earth felt as though he was on fire as he wrapped his arms around Kao's neck and captured his lips again, the hunger growing stronger. Earth shivered as Kao's hand snaked it's way under his shirt, burning every inch of skin it touched, until it came to a rest at the small of his waist. The smell of Kao's hair intoxicated Earth as Kao kissed his collarbone and Earth pressed his lips to the top of Kao's head. Using both hands, Earth pulled Kao's lips up to meet his own again and Kao's fingertips explored every inch of Earth's torso.

Suddenly, they both froze as a small quake shook the cave and, presumably the Meadow around it.

"HEY!" they heard Boun shout from outside the cave. "Whatever you two are doing in there, KNOCK IT OFF!"

Kao and Earth gave each other a look and burst into laughter. Earth quickly adjusted his disheveled shirt as he heard the footsteps approaching the cave and Kao leaned non-chalantly on his elbow as Boun stuck his head in the doorway.

"Behave yourselves," the High Elemental said, shaking a hydrangea bloom at them. "This place will be overgrown with flowers." His eyes softened. "I'm glad you're awake, Earth. Take your time and then we can talk when you're ready. You really had all of us worried. But Kao insisted on staying by your side the whole time. He's a good guy. You should keep him." Boun winked and ducked back out of the room.

Earth looked up at the man who had captured his heart and smiled. Earth knew he had to stay strong and fight for his sake. He couldn't let his nightmare come true.

Kao reached over and gently caressed Earth's face. "Everything alright now?" he asked softly.

Earth nodded. Kao loved him. He knew everything would be alright.

《Author Note: And THAT'S as close to smut as it's going to get because I'm not brave lol I hope everyone enjoyed it! 🥰》