Anteros: A Tale of Requited Love

Egan

Chapter 26

Zacchaeus looked for Kristof and as expected found him in the library. There was an unexpected guest with him. Technically, he knew Kristof visited the pups every day. He also spoke about the human pup a lot. But he did not expect the pup to be practically a limb. The kid was curled on a chair in the side while Kristof worked.

Kristof turned and smiled at him.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I was just looking for you," said Zacchaeus as he sat down.

The kid was looking at him with suspicion and downright hostility.

"He likes me," quipped Zacchaeus.

"He is way too tame with you. Jumps at anyone who comes close" said Kristof and looked at the pup.

"This is my alpha, my husband. He means you no harm," said Kristof softly to the kid who relaxed after that. The kid knew to read, clearly as he was looking at a book in his hand. Zacchaeus also settled to read as Kristof worked. Once he was done, Kristof turned and looked at them and was amused at the sight.

"How about we go for a walk to the river?" asked Kristof.

Zacchaeus met his eyes. It was implied that the kid would accompany them. He doesn't mind. He nodded. Kristof then looked at the pup who looked dubious. Then he nodded and was on his feet.

All three of them walked out, the pup holding to Kristof's hand. They can see that the kid tenses a bot when they enter woods.

"You will be safe. We won't abandon you or leave you alone," said Kristof, stopping and going on his knee to talk to the pup face to face. He nodded.

"He is human. Unlike us, walking this far could tire him," said Zacchaeus. The child turned red at that. Obviously, he was hiding his tiredness.

"Why didn't I think of it before we started?" asked Kristof looking appalled.

"It is nothing to worry over. One of us can carry him," said Zacchaeus.

"Of course," said Kristof, realising that they do have an easy solution. He is not slow. But taking care of the kid has him on the edge. He is worried that he will do something wrong and hurt the child even more.

He would have gone into a full-blown panic if not for Zacchaeus spelling out the easiest solution that should come to anyone's head. Zacchaeus seems to sense his mood as the alpha wrapped an arm around him. He picked up the pup and they continued the walk without issues.

They saw a tree in which fairies live on the way. The two adults did not find anything unusual but the child seemed mesmerised. He tapped on Kristof's hand to stop.

"Hmm?" asked Kristof and his eyes found what the pup was looking at the fairies.

"Ah, they are the tree fairies. They live in various trees that they develop an affinity to," said Zacchaeus. A few of the fairies flew down seeing them. The pup extended his hand to catch them. They flew over and stood on his shoulders.

Zacchaeus and Kristof exchanged a look. Tree fairies liked children. But they surround children who are full of sadness, pain and hopelessness as a unit. It is to make them feel better. When one of the fairies kiss the pup he moves away, shyly and leans closer to Kristof who smiled.

The fairies bowed at them and were gone after flying in a circular motion around the pup who watched in awe.

When they were gone, the party of three continued their walk. They could tell that the pup enjoyed the walk even though he refused to be put down. They sat by the river bank and the pup sat there with him, not moving, but tucking his head underneath Kristof's head. Zacchaeus wished he had a camera with him. It was so beautiful and heartening to see them sit like that. Kristof looked at him amused, sensing his emotions.