Holt Wraith | Minotaur x Reader

15: "We go at night."

"Why didn't we teleport back?" you ask the beast after spotting the cottage between the trees.

He looks away, his brow furrowing and his ears drooping, and your heart sinks from his reaction, having no idea that was a touchy subject for him. Your brows curl up, and you fumble out a quick apology, but he shakes his head in response. He gazes down at you with soft, caring eyes.

"Did not...want to hurt...you...again," he whispers, his robust, deep voice vibrating in his chest as you rest your palm against his left pectoral muscle.

Your bright, odd-colored eyes shine with compassion as you gaze up at him. "Caligo, it wasn't on purpose. It's all right. And, I'm okay."

His shoulders slump, a strained breath leaving his flared nostrils, and when he glances away, a smile lifts the corners of his lips. "Too forgiving," he teases, the grin evident in his hushed voice.

You laugh, about to tease him back, but as Caligo gets to the tree line, you notice Matilda standing outside of the small home. Your cheeks flush, wondering if she heard your conversation with the furry monster.

Caligo emerges from the forest's border, and you wave at Matilda as she waits for you on the stoop. She smiles and waves back, seeing you comfortably seated on the beast's forearm. And when you realize how odd your position must appear, your face burns, and you scramble to get down.

The monster's large, clawed hand picks you up before you have the chance to fall, and he gently sets you down. The two of you walk towards the brown, wooden cottage, with you jogging and Caligo taking short steps.

"I send you off for flowers and you return with a beast," the older woman hums, her smile and tone showing it's mere teasing, yet the guilt blossoms in the depths of your gut anyway.

You chew on your bottom lip, twiddling your fingers as you stand in front of the woman. "Sorry, Matilda, but I just couldn't bring myself to-"

"I know, dear." Her different-colored eyes shine with a knowing pride, making your eyebrows raise. You disobeyed her order, figuring you disappointed her in the process, yet she appears quite proud.

You blink at her, confused, but her only response is a small chortle, and then she turns around and opens the arched door to her warm home.

"Come in, you two. Ida, you must change out of those drenched clothes. Here, wear this," she points at something blue draped on the cream-colored couch, with a dark green shirt laying beside the blue clothing.

You trot into the living room, curious about the ensemble, and when you pick up the blue item, your head tilts and your brows knit. Blue pantaloons with straps?

You'd never seen such an odd thing before, especially when every female at the cathedral were required to wear a habit with layers underneath, and the males being required to wear robes with scapulars. Besides, who would wear pantaloons on the outside?

"What is this?" you inquire, quirking a brow at the woman as she emerges from the kitchen, pushing a silver tea cart assorted with an array of breakfast foods and two cups of tea.

She laughs under her breath, rolling the cart to the side before treading towards you. "Sorry, dear. I forgot you've never worn overalls before."