Beauty And The Beast (Jaeyong AU)

IV

🥀

"What about my father, I can't just leave him here--"

"You go, the thief stays."

"He's not a thief, you monster! He only did it because I asked for a rose!"

There's a pause as the beast's heavy breaths resonate the emptiness for a short while. "Then take his place. If you're as brave as you portray yourself to be, take his place and I'll let him go."

"No!" Mr. Lee interjects, shaking his head. "My boy, please leave while you still have the chance. I'm withering away while you have a whole life ahead of you." He pleads Taeyong who was set on rescuing his father.

"Appa, you're ill.. I can't let you stay here with this monster." He urges the older man who shakes his head stubbornly. "No, Taeyong. I will not let you forsake your freedom for my mistake!"

"But it isn't your mistake, appa. It's my fault for requesting you to bring home a rose."

The beast lets out a growl which stops their bantering. "Make it quick, I don't have all day to listen to your pointless squabbling. It's either you stay or he does."

Taeyong hesitates before opening his mouth to speak. "Come into the light, I'd like to see the heartless monster who finds joy in seperating us." He gulps softly as the beast moves forward.

It was true. He was a beast.

Tall and brooding, curled iron horns atop his head as fur covered the majority of his body. He still wore clothes, donned in a simple dress shirt and pants.

"Have you decided yet?" His tone was annoyed as he bares his fangs a little.

The young male sighs softly. "I will leave, but I'd like to request for some time with my father before I go." He gazes up the beast with the best doe-eyes he could muster.

"I don't know If I'll ever see him again, so please.."

The beast's expression seemed to soften for a split second before he pulls out a set of keys, unlocking the cell door and it creaks open. Taeyong immediately embraces his father, tearing up as he feels the older man's comforting warmth.

"You'll be okay, my boy.. You're independent and self-sufficient. I do not need to worry." Mr. Lee says softly, stroking his son's hair. "I'm going to miss you, appa.. thank you for the happiest 17 years of my life.."

Before the older man was able to reply, he hears the boy whisper "I'm sorry." and pushes him out of the cell, slamming the door shut. Mr. Lee howls in despair, frantically tugging at the bars.

"Taeyong, no!" He looks at the beast pleadingly, "Have a heart, he's just a young boy!"

The beast grabs the older man by the collar, lifting him effortlessly to send him out. "What's done is done, now leave before I kill you both!" He bellows and slams the door. Taeyong sobs softly into his hands, despair clouding his heart as he sits alone in the cold and darkness of the cell.

This was not how he had planned for things to turn out. When Jun brought him here, he was hoping for his father to be safe and well with the hospitality of the kind souls that lived in this castle, not a terrifying beast who would penalize an innocent man who had pure intentions of bringing a rose back to his son.

Taeyong sobs until his eyes ran dry of tears, his cheeks swollen and red. He prays that his father is on the way home and takes good care of himself.

His thoughts were interrupted by a set of heavy approaching footsteps that no doubt belonged to the beast.

"What do you want?" The boy asks coldly as the latter peers his head into the cell. "Refrain from speaking to me in that tone, boy." He warns, frowning. "I've sent your father away. I thought you should know."

"Do you expect some kind of reaction from me?"

"No."

"Then I'd like to be alone, if you don't mind."

The beast nods, turning away and leaving.