Collision

Chapter 21

Taking Yoongi's free hand, Jeongguk lead them to the living room where they sunk into the cushions of the couch and started eating.

"What is your favorite story from your people?" Yoongi wondered, stomach full and sated as he set his plate aside and curled up on the corner of the couch.

Jeongguk tugged a blanket up from the floor, covering them both and settling further into the couch with a soft sigh of contentment.

"We have a lot of stories," Jeongguk admitted, hand reaching out and clasping onto Yoongi's. "I think my favorite is the story of the first wolf."

"The first wolf?"

Jeongguk nodded, cheeks tinting pink when Yoongi started rubbing his thumbs in little half circles on the tan skin.

"Yes. His name was Spirit," Jeongguk murmured, voice taking on a wistful tone. "The legend goes that Spirit was a mighty man, fierce and noble. He went to war only with those that harmed another living being and strived for peace rather than needless bloodshed."

"He was a regular man?" Yoongi questioned gently, immersed already with the story.

"Yes. He had no ability to change into a wolf," Jeongguk explained, eyes flickering towards the moon. "Spirit also loved the forest. He would walk amongst the trees every night, guided only by the light of the moon. It was there that he met a beautiful woman, a girl called Raksha."

"Raksha? That's pretty," Yoongi hummed, smiling gently as he closed his eyes to imagine it. Jeongguk giggled.

"Yes, legend says she was beautiful. To look upon her was to see true beauty that glowed from within, and Spirit was enamored by her," Jeongguk continued. "Like Spirit, Raksha was in love with the forest. She knew every tree, and every rock. She taught Spirit the ways of the forest that she called her home."

"She lived in the forest?" Yoongi asked, enthralled.

"Yes. Spirit, being so in love with her, asked for her hand in marriage. She accepted, and he gave up the life of being a warrior to tend to his newly made wife." Jeongguk's tone turned sad. "They made a home amongst the forest, a simple life, but one night- the humans were out hunting. Raksha heard cries from the wolves that lived nearby, and she was horrified. The wolves were her friends, and in her desperation, left Spirit in their home."

Yoongi saw a girl, beautiful sable hair and sheer tunic around a lithe frame as she tore through the woods, soaked with bloodshed. A pit formed in his belly.

"Spirit awoke to the mourning howls of the wolves, realizing that Raksha was gone. He went after her but was too late. The humans had slain her, for she had ruined their hunt, and she lied amongst the wolves that had already been killed."

Yoongi swallowed roughly, heart breaking. He couldn't even imagine the pain that Spirit had felt at seeing the love of his life body lying amongst the wolves she loved.

"Spirit, agonized and desperate, fell to his knees beside his love. The wolves that survived the attack mourning their own losses, howling their pain. Spirit wailed, pleading to the moon above that his love to be saved," Jeongguk continued, wiping a stray tear from his cheek. "And the moon heard his cries, his pleas. The moon goddess, Luna, felt her children's cries, and his pleadings. Swayed by the love that Spirit and Raksha had shown the forest and her, she gave them a gift. The gift to change forms into powerful creatures, protectors of the forests, and children of the moon."

"Wolves," Yoongi whispered, voice filled with awe. Jeongguk nodded again, smiling lightly.

"Yes. The Goddess Luna had granted them the unique ability to survive amongst the forest as one of its inhabitants, but still keeping their human side. The legend says that Raksha had fur the color of onyx stone, blending in with the night, while Spirit had fur the color of freshly fallen starlight."

"And they were the first Lycan's?"

Jeongguk nodded, smiling shyly. "Yeah. The first Alpha, Spirit, and the first Omega, Raksha," he finished softly. "The legend has been passed down from pack to pack, saying that Lycan's are the direct descendants from Raksha and Spirit."

"That's beautiful, darling," Yoongi crooned gently. Jeongguk smiled, leaning over and nuzzling himself against Yoongi, body sagging. Yoongi sunk his fingers within the sable hair. "Do you believe in the Moon Goddess?"

Jeongguk hesitates, nuzzling himself further into Yoongi's stomach, though the older man didn't mind in the least. Only wrapped his arms tighter around him.

"When I was younger, I did," he finally whispered, fire crackling. "I believed that the Great Luna was on our side. That when I howled to the moon every night, she could hear my calls and send down her loving light." He bit his lip, sniffling. "When I got older... I stopped believing."

"And now?" Yoongi murmured.

"I don't know what to believe. I want the Great Luna to be real, but I am scared to think that if she was... why would she do this?"

Yoongi wasn't sure what Jeongguk meant by "this" but he knew better than to push and to pry, for he had things he wanted to keep to himself too. If Jeongguk wanted Yoongi to know, he would tell him.

Instead, he just brushes his fingers through the unruly sable hair, humming in soft acknowledgement. "I know what you mean. We have our God, in Christianity, though humans have many religions, and some have none at all," Yoongi comments quietly. "I, myself, don't believe. But... I do not discount those that do."

"Why don't you believe?"

"Because life has hurt me one too many times. How can I love a God that has hurt me so badly?" Yoongi sighed, closing his eyes. "But I do believe that- that maybe things are meant to happen."

"Destiny?" Jeongguk asked.

Yoongi shook his head. "Too big a word. And Fate is too dirty of a word." Yoongi licked his lips, smiling to himself. "I prefer the term serendipity."

"Serendipity?"

"You weren't looking for it, never wanted it, but when you find it, it was something you hadn't realized you were missing," Yoongi explained, tightening his arms around Jeongguk's middle.

The wolf hummed, settling back amongst Yoongi's hold. They sat in silence, listening to the crackling flames from the hearth, and the soft winds that rattled the wooden roof.

"Come on, darling. Let's go to bed."

Jeongguk didn't hesitate as they got to their feet, but when Jeongguk made a move to lay on the pile of blankets, Yoongi shook his head and tugged him towards the bedroom.

Jeongguk stared at him, bewildered. Yoongi shrugged. "I'm cold. Come keep me warm?"

"Okay, Yoongi."

Settling amongst the covers, Yoongi pulled Jeongguk against him. The boy yawned tiredly, tucking his chin under Yoongi's and nosing at the column of his throat.

"Goodnight, darling."

"Goodnight, Yoongi."

Twitter: JamlessAnna

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Cover Art: @RealJams