Winter tales | skzbinnie

♡•°. Not alone pt.2 .°•♡

Changbin's eyes fluttered open after waking up from what felt like a blissful nap; his gaze meeting the stranger's clothed chest. It didn't take him long to realize the man was carrying him in his arms.

Before the boy could muster a word, he put him on the snow-covered forest floor and, without sparing him a glance, turned in the direction he came from. "Wait!" Changbin called out stumbling forward after the man. "Don't leave!"

The man didn't stop; his silhouette slowly disappeared into the darkness of the woods. Changbin looked around in hurry. He was left on the edge of the woods. Did the man leave him there on purpose so he was safe? He was about to call for the stranger again but closing in barks and human voices beat him to it.

"There's someone over there!" one of the city dwellers shouted. "Hurry up!"

Changbin looked their way in utter panic and then at the stranger's back. He clutched the basket the man had left by his side and began to run after him. "Don't leave, please!" he cried out trying to catch up with the fair-haired. The barking and shouts got closer and closer.

Changbin sped up but his legs stumbled. He shrieked and closed his eyes expecting to fall face first in the snow but he landed in the man's arms. He gazed up at the stranger, who had irritation written all over his feline features. The stranger looked at the humans who were chasing after them and cursed.

"Fuck."

[...]

"You shouldn't be here," the man gritted as he put him down on the marble floor of the hall.

"But I was looking for you! You are the one who saved me 15 years ago, remember?" with clumsy and rushed steps, he followed the man to the stairs.

"Sleep by the fireplace and go back where you came from in the morning." Climbing the stairs, the latter ignored him.

Changbin gripped the basket tighter. "No, please! I want to thank you for what you've done-"

"Listen," the fair-haired stopped abruptly and leaned closer to his face, "I am a monster, who you should be afraid of," he growled threateningly.

"No, you are not! I've heard your heart beating. You are not a monster!" Changbin protested bravely gazing into the stranger's ruby eyes. "You saved me when I was a child and today."

"You don't know what I am," the man retorted and pushed his back harder against the bannister, bending him just enough to have access to his neck.

"T-then show me," Changbin stuttered.

The man leaned closer to his neck; his eyes glowering dangerously. "If I show you, you won't make it out alive," he threatened in a low voice. He could feel how fast the boy's heart was beating; how fast it was pumping young warm blood. He pushed him away and renewed his walk.

"I don't care what you are! I've seen many people who behaved like mindless beasts... the soul-less creatures who call themselves humans but are wolves in disguise. You are not like them! I know it. You've saved my life twice," with tears welled in the corners of his eyes, he shouted at top of his lungs shaking like a newborn deer.