Heathen

Mother

"Where have you been all night? I was worried." the woman asks her son with fear in her eyes. "Forgive me mother; I did not mean to worry you. I was caught up in chores and I did not want to cross the forest after dark." He looks at his mother with a sheepish smile. "I stayed with friends." "With that man?" She asks. "Yes..." "He is a stranger Dal. He is not like us." "He is a friend, mother." The woman feels unease. That man scares her. She cannot say exactly why but, he seems eerie. His gaze is unreadable and her shaman senses are alerted every time she sees him.

Endymion meets the boy outside his humble home. "How are you feeling?" The boy blushes. "I am alright, thanks to you." He fiddles with the hem of his coat. "Do you think I'll be in trouble? That man will be missed by his family, sooner or later." Dal flinches at the memory. "I mean, everybody knows he is a drunkard and useless, he is gone for days, passed out in some brothel, out of town, but..." "If anyone asks, you know nothing. No one saw you together. And if anyone bothers you, tell me." Endymion's eyes flare with anger again. He really wishes that he had ripped the bastard apart.

Dal's mother comes outside and sees them together. "Dal, go in." "Mother, this is my friend..." She cuts him off. "Go in, now!" The boy looks at her startled. It is not like her to be so rude. He bows his head. "Yes mother." She turns her attention to Endymion who watches her impassively. "I know what you are." She states quietly but anger burns in her eyes. He tilts his head. "Your son is in no danger from me, woman." Shivers run down her spine. His voice is cold. "You are a monster, a demon! I will not let you take him away from me!" "I have no such intention. There are others who deserve your wrath more than I do." She takes a step closer, holding the knife in her hand. "Stay away from my son, monster!" Endymion sighs.

This is really a farce. Should I tell her that no human weapon can kill me?

He rides his horse leaving her behind without another word. The woman watches him, the knife in her hand falling to the ground. She trembles with anger and fear.

She walks in and looks at her son sternly. "I forbid you to meet with him again." Dal is taken aback by her sudden tone. "But why, mother?" "Do as you are told. Stay away from him." "I will not!" Dal glares at her, furious. "He is my friend. I will meet him if I want to!" "Dal, he is a demon." She watches her son's unbothered expression. Realization hits her "You know!" Dal remains silent. "Son, please! He will harm you, he will take you away from me!" "He will do nothing of the short." He states stubbornly. Fear washes over her. The demon has already bewhitched her son.

He leaves without looking back at his now desperate mother. He wants to be with him instead, He wants to be as close to him as possible. He walks hurriedly towards the tree line. Endymion is just on the other end of the forest. His heart is beating fast, threatening to escape his ribcage. Suddenly Dal is overcome with the desire to be with Endymion as soon as possible, by any means possible. He stops in his tracks flabbergasted. Something just dawned on him.

Could it be? Has he fallen in love with him?

Anxious more than before he quickens his steps. He needs to be with him, to find out. He recalls his soothing voice, his gentle touch, how he took care of him the other night.

How his lips felt on his skin.

He shivers at the memory. Before he knew it he is standing in front of Jeongin's cabin. He knocks on the door hesitantly.

"Come in." He opens the door and finds the two friends sitting at the table. "Forgive me for coming uninvited." He blushes. "Shall I come another time?" Jeongin looks at Endymion questioningly. Then he turns to the boy. "Of course not. Come, join us Dal. We are having lunch." The boy smiles timidly and sits looking at his hands. Moments pass in silence. Jeongin is the one speaking again. "You must forgive me, I have some errands to run. Do not wait for me. I may spend the night at the inn." Endymion nods. Dal realizes that they are going to be alone, just the two of them. His heart races. Endymion looks at him, having picked up at the boy's excitement. He notices his flustered state and his blushing cheeks. He feels affection. Desire and affection. He needs to be careful, he reminds himself. He needs to not get carried away and do something he will regret later.