a/n I had this chapter ready a while ago but I decided to leave it for another day and then that day turned into nineteen days, I'm sorry (+not proofread). Winter bear <3 What do you think of the song?
—𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙭𝙮𝙜𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙛𝙛?
The man looks a few inches below six-foot, hair tousled into a birds nest of ink that curls like claws around his pierced ears. His body is well built, covered with a thin grey top that sticks to his frame and a loose pair of cargo trousers. A large nondescript rucksack is strapped to his back. His eyes are brown as damp soil yet they almost look mars black, like orbs of charcoal waiting to be lit. The air seems to shift with every inhale and exhale of the stranger's breath, becoming more dense, thicker and more despotic against Taehyung's meek body.
He stares straight in Taehyung's eyes, seems to see through him with an abnormal douse of cockiness and a strange wicked glint in his eye. Something nags on Taehyung's mind.
He knows this person. He just doesn't know how he knows him.
"Who are you?" Taehyung winces at his own bluntness. He shifts nervously at the lack of response. Meanwhile, the frenzied sun hides behind a set of pale clouds as it watches the scene with nervous excitement.
The latter narrows his eyes at him. A twinkle of mirth shines from their dark depths. "Jeon, you can call me Jeon." His eyes are the same colour as the gleaming, raven black metal piercing in his ear (Taehyung is helpless to stop the shudder that rolls down his spine). His voice is dark and gruff, like a large wave crashing to a shore.
"Why did you save me?" Taehyung questions, his voice is shaky, a little quiet yet still strong. Faintly his voice reminds Jeon of a newborn lamb, quivering legs and almost about to collapse yet still trying to stand up.
Jeon just hums in enigmatic delight. His eyes quickly lose their twinkle and he looks bored now, gaze glazing over. He sighs and with a ruddy left hand, he tousles his hair, disrupting the sunbeams that bounce on the messy black strands. Taehyung follows the movement and flinches when he sees what's clasped in his other hand. An unsheathed bloodied katana. Its point scintillates in the sun and Taehyung's eyes run over the sharp edge that catches the light. His frame shakes in fear when he notes the nonchalant, relaxed grip Jeon has on the sword.
"Follow me," Jeon drawls out, thus ignoring the latter's question. He tilts his head at Taehyung, a silent poison drenched invitation to argue with his command. He's walking away before Taehyung even registers what's happening, leaving him to scramble after the stranger like a floundering rabbit.
"How do I know you won't—" the sixteen-year-old pauses and gulps,"—rape me or kill me or... eat me?" he squeaks out. He winces as every word leaves his mouth as he physically feels every single letter stain his throat and paint his teeth a nasty shade of ochre yellow. Thoughts of the above have kept up awake at night. In between bouts of pitiful sleep; the moon's sombrous heavy gaze; cobalt blue nights splattered with blood; the growls of nature's proudest mutation; pine trees with their oafish, grim reaper cloaks that only come out at night and leer at Taehyung through dark windows.
Jeon cocks a scrutinous brow. He turns his head so that he faces Taehyung and pauses. Then in a soft voice that reminds Taehyung of the sweet scent of oranges, he replies, "You remind me of a dog I saw once." His voice floats into the sweltering heat.
Taehyung pouts as his eyebrows furrow. What the fuck? Is that a compliment? Is that an insult? What?
"Thanks, I guess?" Taehyung offers hesitantly as he rubs the nape of his neck. He bites the inside of his cheek. Jeon didn't even answer the damn question. He shuffles his feet a little as nerves still flood his system.
