Cursed Hearts | ATEEZ

023

"Wooyoung!" I exclaimed, feeling all of the anger and annoyance and betrayal that had been burning within me just moments before extinguishing themselves as I ran for the king, worry wrapping tightly around my already hammering heart as I watched him stagger back another step, looking out of breath, pained, clenching his eyes shut for a moment as another strangled sound of pain slipped past his lips, the golden crown of antlers clattering to the ground.

"Wooyoung," I breathed, repeating the king's name again as I came to a halt in front of him, hesitating for a moment as I took in his state, unsure as to how I could help him. I carefully cupped his cheek with my good hand as I studied his face, features etched with pain as he whimpered slightly, clutching his hand to his chest, the gesture making my very soul ache.

"I'm so sorry," I mumbled, softly dragging my thumb over his cheek "I went too far." My eyes flickered across his body while I spoke, searching for injuries, anything, but finding nothing as they once again locked on the hand pressed to his chest, digging into the silky layers of white and gold.

I didn't think twice before placing my injured hand on top of his, whispering soft words of comfort as Wooyoung bit his lip, his eyes suddenly fluttering open as they flickered to my bandaged hand, and then back to my eyes, widening in realization, revealing endless landscapes of pain, of fear, behind the veil of hazel and autumn as he opened his mouth slightly, nothing but a shaky breath escaping his lips before he staggered back again, slightly pushing me away.

"I-" he choked, "I- you-" wincing again as he tightened his grip on the robe. I gasped, my heartbeat as strong as thunder as I took in the King of Autumn's state, his distress, his pain, and once again closed the space between us. "Tell me what's wrong, Wooyoung," I pleaded, my voice shaking as the bond around my heart tightened, the ache intensifying, "Did I do something? Tell me why you're hurting."

When he didn't answer, I once again pressed my hand to his chest, unsure of what to do as I entwined my fingers with his, reaching up to brush away the locks of ebony hair the shade of midnight itself, the silence around us intensifying as I raked my mind for words, for any kind of consolation, feeling the steady rhythm of the king's heartbeat beneath my fingertips.

"I- I'm sorry," Wooyoung croaked, but I shook my head at the apology, tears springing to my eyes as my chest began to hurt, puzzled at the sudden change in my mood though all my questions seemed to dissipate as I mumbled, "You don't-" cut off by another whimper from the king as he struggled to stay on his legs, knees buckling.

"Please- Don't touch me," the King of Autumn pleaded, once again trying to push me away as I shook my head, clinging to him almost desperately as my heart called out for him, hammering against my ribs with the same force as his own.

"Tell me what's happening. Tell me how to help," I breathed, trying to untangle my hand from his only to freeze as he tightened his grip on it, pressing it harder against his heartbeat as his eyes locked with mine again, cheeks growing almost feverishly hot against my caress as a flicker of something foreign, something so tender it almost took my breath away, crossed his haze eyes.

"Yuna, I-" Wooyoung said, wincing slightly as his heart skipped a beat, almost as if the small flicker hurt him physically. I moved a little closer to the king, shushing him softly as I continued to caress his cheek with the back of my thumb, having long forgotten about the dinner and the cameras and the rest of Haelan awaiting our arrival as I whispered, "You don't have to talk."

He didn't, though his actions caught me just as much off guard as he reached a hand up to my cheek as well, keeping his other one entwined with mine above his hammering heart, desperately holding onto my fingers as his eyes searched mine. They widened, flickering across my face, my features, as we suddenly shared breath, the cold night air caressing the bare skin on my arms in ways that made me shiver as he moved closer.