Brown Eyes

5

They sat beside one another, still huddled under the covers in bed. First snow had arrived when they were asleep and now they just stared out the window where snow was pattering gently against it. Baekho was like a furnace beside Minhyun and he didn't want to leave, not that the other did either. His body warmth was definitely more effective than the fireplace outside.

"Min... Hyun."

Baekho broke the silence and Minhyun breathed in, hearing his name come out from the lips of the male that he had fallen for. It made his ears tingle and cheeks red.

"Mmm... Yes, Baekho?"

"My real name... Isn't Baekho," He said while turning to look at Minhyun who returned the gaze. Baekho's voice was much more mellow compared to his animalistic one. It was light and gentle to the ears. Or at least to Minhyun's.

"Well... Yes. I gave you that name. What's your real name then?"

He smiled and leaned closer until he could lay his head on Minhyun's shoulder. Minhyun felt his heartbeat speed up again and he fiddled with his fingers nervously. Why was he even this nervous? His stomach was cramping up too.

"Dongho."

"Dongho?"

Baekho, Dongho nodded and smiled. "But... You can call me Baekho. I think... I like that better."

Minhyun literally felt himself heat up from what Baekho said. He wanted to keep the name that Minhyun gave him. It made him feel delighted.

"It suits me."

"It does," Minhyun said with a light chuckle. "You're an actual white tiger."

"Mm... I can... Transform. More like a weretiger."

"Is that what your species is called? Weretigers?"

"I think so. From what I can... Recall roughly."

"What do you mean?" Minhyun bent forward a little to see Baekho's expression.

"Before... You picked me up, I was... Locked away. For a really... Really long time."

Locked? Minhyun kept silent as Baekho spoke. Slowly but he was starting to get a hold of his ability to speak again. He couldn't understand why would anyone want to lock Baekho away. He seemed harmless.

"I spent... So much time in a dark place. I forgot... My name. I forgot a lot...of things. I forgot my friends... My... Family."

Minhyun felt his heart ache for him. Without realising, he had pulled Baekho into a tight embrace.

"You must've had gone through a lot," Minhyun said softly while patting his head. Baekho sniffed Minhyun, feeling at peace with the other's presence.

"You reminded me of them. The way they loved me. Cared for me. I was afraid to lose this again. That's why I want to stay and protect what I have here. I want to protect you. Is that... Okay?" Baekho asked while meeting his eyes.

"But is your family still alive? They might be worried about you instead," Minhyun asked even though he felt his heart just bursting with pure bliss from what Baekho had just said.

"I don't know. I... I still can't remember a lot of things. I can't remember their faces... Or where I came from. I just... Remember things in bits and pieces. Please don't chase me away..."

"I would never dream of doing that," Minhyun gasped and he squeezed Baekho. "I want you to stay too.... If you are willing to."

Baekho smiled and returned the hug although he had to hold back his strength just in case he actually crushed Minhyun who was a full human. "I want to stay. I do."