Soulmates

枯詩 (Kare Uta) - (Him)

The first light of day appears at the window. She gets up and leaves a void next to him. Deep down he knows what's going to happen. It kept him awake all through the night but he can't face that truth just yet. The truth that she won't be here anymore. He refuses to think about it.

He watches her get dressed and pack a bag. He wants to carve her curves into his memory and cherish them forever. He gets up and takes her in his arms. Hugging her soft body has always brought him joy and comfort. He hopes she'll yield and that everything will go back to before. She lets herself press against him and her warmth is comforting. He wants to stay like that forever, flush against her, breathing in her unique scent that started everything. The subtle mix of sweetness, almost vanilla, rainy forest and sex.

The first time they met, that scent enveloped him and settled on his tongue, speeding up his heartbeat and sending shivers down his arms. He knew from the first hint of her scent who she was and what she meant to him. His life. His soulmate.

She spoke, finally, breaking the peaceful moment and the bubble they were in.

"I can't, Chris. I can't take any of this anymore. I —"

He feels a lump in his throat. He has difficulty swallowing and feels breathless. She turns to face him.

"You're not gonna change. Even if you wanted with all that you had. You won't change. And I'm not gonna change either. I — I am destroying you and I can't bear it."

Those words turn his life upside down. He feels dizzy and still can't breathe properly.

"Y/N, don't say that. Please," he manages to say.

His body gives into the pain, not because of his physical wounds but the despair that's spreading through him now. He falls on his knees in front of her. He wants to scream his desperation and his hurt.

"Chris..."

He grabs her hands to get her to stay. Her skin is soft and tender. He wants to cover it in kisses, to taste it and revel in it. But he can't. He raises his eyes to her, crying.

"It was a mistake. I never should have asked you to make me your soulmate."

His soul rips into two pieces then and he can't contain his sobs. It hurts so bad. She takes his face in her hands and wipes his tears. Don't go. Don't leave me. Don't abandon me. Forgive me. I love you. That's all he wants to say to her, but he never says the words. He doesn't have the strength because he knows it won't make a difference. She's already made up her mind.

"Christopher, we need to stop."

He can't contain his sobs. He would like to but he can't. He doesn't want her to see how she broke him but he can't help it. She strokes his face. Her hands are warm against his skin but they do not warm his heart. Without looking back, she leaves the room and leaves him alone in that room, collapsed in his grief.

It is too much for him. He feels a wave of warmth rise within him. His hearing becomes clearer. He feels all the changes in the air and his skin becomes more sensitive. His heart beats fast and electricity runs down his spine. His vision changes to a blue shade, reds and greens fading. The wolf is taking over and he doesn't want to fight it. He lets himself be overcome by this force that he can feel each time he turns. His muscles stretch. His bones break. His claws come out. Thick fur covers his body now. He is a wolf. His human side makes him let out a howl of despair and he leaves the house.

He runs for a long time. Slobber runs down his jowls. Hunt. Eat. Drink. Run. Instinct is the only thing telling him what to do. He doesn't feel anything anymore. He is joined by the pack. They approach him carefully, head lowered as submission. The light-furred wolf gets cautiously closer and hits his sides softly with his nose. A wave of warmth spreads through him via their bond. He feels good. They start running together, surrounding him in support. He feels almost complete. Almost...