10 years ago...
"Humans cannot fly."
Bleary from the pain radiating from his body, Jeongguk struggles to blink and clear his hazy vision. The voice is melodic and lilting. A dance of tones drenched in beauty. A song. He's never heard it before and yet doesn't feel an ounce of fear.
Craning his aching and heavy skull burns. Warmth plumes beneath him, leaving him cold and shaking. He can't feel his lips anymore. He manages to peel open his heavy eyelids to see a woman who resembles the moon hanging above. She stares at him, kneeling on the sidewalk and scarlet staining her pale skin of her knees.
"Humans cannot fly," she repeats when he meets her gaze, "and yet you tried to fly."
Genuine confusion darkens her features. She stares at him as if uncertain what to make him lying broken on the sidewalk.
"Fall," Jeongguk whispers, voice hoarse and blood smearing his lips. His mouth tastes of iron.
The woman nods once. "You fell, human child. You tried to fly like a bird with no wings."
Tiredly, Jeongguk groans low in his throat. "Didn't... want to fly. Wanted... to die."
"Die?" The woman sounds scandalized. "I do not understand. For all that you worthless humans are, most fight to live even when it is pointless. Even when they stare death in the face, they spit upon it and fight. Why would you want to die when so many others of your kind wish to live? Won't you die soon enough anyways? Human lifespans are short."
Jeongguk's head is spinning. The world is splotched black, the edges of his vision too dark to see anything. He shivers forcefully, a moan hitching in his throat. "If I... live... I clip... wings."
"Clip wings?"
"They'll... do anything... for me..." Jeongguk wheezes and gasps. "They'll ruin... their lives... because I'm worthless... weak. I will waste... away. He was... right. I'll never... be anything... I'll drag... them down... with me. Can't... Can't do it. Death... is better... so I won't...ruin... them... too."
The woman is quiet a long moment, listening to his wheezing, shallow breaths and watching the cement darken to a sickening maroon. She reaches out and brushes the tips of her fingers over his forehead. "You wish to die so that your own worthlessness does not bring pain to others."
"Death... is better."
A tear slides down the woman's cheek and drops onto Jeongguk's forehead. It's cold against his feverish skin. She inches closer to him, silvery hair spreading over him like a blanket as she rests her forehead against his barely beating heart. "You poor pathetic creature. You'd rather die then bring sorrow. For thousands of years I have walked this earth. I have watched humans crumble and fall time and time again. I have watched them lie, cheat, and kill for riches or mindless sex. But you, sweet little bird, have brought me to tears."
The woman's touch is gentle and borderline tender. She cradles his cracked head in her lap and hums a lullaby that eases the pain of his body.
"Who said that you'll never be anything?"
"The...Ascendant Wolf..." Jeongguk whispers, tears flooding his eyes and trailing down his cheeks. "Never be... anything... but a useless child. That I... should die... and spare... them the... time."
"Vile beast," the woman snaps, cupping his cheek. He leans into it. "Little bird, I can make you better. I can take your pain away and give you everything you want. Strength, power, and life. You'll never be useless again, I swear it."
Jeongguk struggles to understand her words. His thoughts feel congealed like sludge. "But... my body... is broken... I'm... sick."
"I can take it away," she croons sweetly, vast eyes glittering with unshed tears. "I can take it all away. Your body will never be frail again."
"I can... be strong?"
She laughs and nods. "The strongest."
Tired and sluggish, Jeongguk nods once. He has never been one to believe in guardian angels, but his tired mind imagines that this woman must with her inhuman beauty and touch that makes him see the stars.
She smiles, pressing a kiss to his cheek, and then brings her wrist up to her mouth. Fangs appear seconds before she breaks the skin. Blood the color of silver drips down her pallid skin and dropping onto his face
Bringing her wrist to his mouth, she eases up his head. "Drink, little bird. Drink from me and all will be well. You'll be with me forever."
Taking the offered wrist in his mouth, Jeongguk inhales sharply at the sweet taste of her blood. It coats his tongue and sooths his parched throat. His senses are blinded by silver and the succulent taste of it. He groans and suckles almost desperately while she cradles his head and sings to him a lullaby.
"That's right, sweet child. Drink. Mother is here now."
YOU ARE READING
Unstitched Wounds
FanfictionYoongi's insides twist, the very air in his lungs whooshing outwards in sheer as he takes in Rabbit's face. Oval-shaped head, unruly raven curls shining almost blue, and his once honeyed skin bleached white from lack of sunlight. A light dusting of...
