Cry Wolf - (A Noblesse Fanfiction/ Frankenstein × M-21)

Chapter One

There was a niggling feeling in the back of his head that he was forgetting something. He usually got this feeling whenever he was in the middle of a breakthrough of some formula or other, or when he got caught up in one of his experiments and disregarded what his human body needed to stay active and healthy. If he did the latter, Master would eventually bring it to his attention in that unatrusive, yet firm, way of his.

But Frankenstein ate lunch today, and was due to eat dinner with the other house members soon after the children leave, and he was positive that there was no breakthrough in one of his experiments. After all, how could he get a breakthrough in any of his 'experiments' when he hasn't really been 'experimenting' since Master forbade him to? M-21, Tao and Takeo didn't really count, since they were the ones who came to him so they could become stronger and protect everyone.

And he lost such an interest in 'experimenting' on other beings once he grew older and wiser, and especially when M-21 began to live here. All his old desire to go into a living body and change it into something otherworldly had long since left him.

He felt Masters vague amusement through the connection they shared.

Well, more or less. He did have his moments, after all. But didn't everyone?

Yet there he was with that feeling tickling his brain. He twitched as he pursed his lips, staring down into the cup of tea before him as he added exactly eight tablespoons of sugar to the hot liquid, stirring it softly.

What was it? Why did he feel as though he was about to come to some realization that would change the foundation of his world?

It was definitely strange.

Placing the spoon into the sink and ignoring the slight glare from M-21 and the resigned sigh from Takeo who were currently washing the dishes, he walked to the living space, the cup of tea held carefully in his hands.

Master was currently in the middle of concentrating on a game that the children had brought, a board game that looked easy enough.

But Master seemed to be stuggling with the rules and the whole game in general.

The children's laughter echoed off the walls, loud and slightly annoying. He liked the children- thought them as his own, to be honest. But even though they were undeniably cute and made Master happy, they were still annoying.

Frankenstein paused beside Master, setting down his tea before him and smiling at the children when they called him over.

"Principle Lee! Come play with us!" Shinwoo demanded, upon seeing him. "Having more people is fun! Besides, Rai isn't any good at this game and I want a challenge!"

As Masters cheeks flushed and a dark cloud of despair overcame his being, Suyi scolded Shinwoo. "Don't be so mean about it, Shinwoo."

"Whaddya mean?" Shinwoo honestly looked bewildered.

Ikhan, who was rolling his eyes at Shinwoo, turned to Master and apologetically said, "He doesn't mean it like that, Rai. Don't worry. You're a beginner, so it's only natural that you wouldn't win right away."

Master looked at him, the dark aura of despair slowly fading.

"But Yuna won when it was her first time playing as a kid!" Shinwoo pointed out proudly, "Yuna's amazing!"

Yuna ducked her head, smiling even as she flushed.

The dark aura grew even deeper around Master, though his face revealed nothing. He reached for his cup of tea and softly took a small sip.