- DO KYUNGSOO -
Everything happened in a blur.
Jongin is suddenly not human.
He started pouncing on each of the guys who tried to harm me, ripping their heads off with his strong teeth. With an angry growl, he'll whip his head, throwing the bodies inside the forest and I suddenly heard nearby growls which didn't belong to him.
I closed my eyes and tried to breathe. My chest feels heavy and I can't move without sending a jolt of pain all over my body. Panting, I tried to pull myself up but groaned when I realized I can't move my right leg. I looked around the clearing and the night is suddenly silent. The crickets are back and the bird continued their distant melodies.
Where's Kim Jongin?
I leaned back against the tree and tried to concentrate on my breathing. I licked my lip and tasted blood which immediately made me flinch. Pain is everywhere and I find it hard to locate where the stings are coming from. I feel wasted. I feel like death itself. It's agony.
Suddenly, a dark figure started walking from the edge of the path. I squinted, trying to see through the fading moonlight and I find it hard considering my blotted vision. I scooted closer to the tree though it hurts my back.
"D-don't..." I gasped when he's finally nearer. I closed my eyes, waiting for another wave of pain.
But a warm hand gently touched my cheek, making me take a sharp intake of breath. I didn't dare open my eyes because I'm afraid of what I might see. I felt my breathing getting faster with each caress and I clenched my fist, feeling tears stream down my face.
"You're safe now." He murmured in that soft voice. Like the wind is carrying it to me.
And it's that voice.
It's that voice I heard after Hanjeon's death.
I still didn't open my eyes. "I-It's you." I gasped. "Y-you killed him." I clenched my fists tighter and started sobbing. Kim Jongin kept on wiping my tears away with his fingers. His hand feels incredibly warm and I can't help leaning into him.
"Kyungsoo..." Jongin whispered and I automatically opened my eyes and found myself gazing into a pair of golden orbs which are watching me carefully. His brows are furrowed into a frown and he's looking at me with such worry that I could almost feel his nervousness.
I backed but the tree is blocking my escape. "P-please don't kill m-me..." I sobbed as I looked into his eyes. "I-i didn't do a-anything..." I felt another wave of tears and Jongin just keeps wiping them away. He brushes my cheeks and the blood at the sides of my lips.
"Tell me where's hurting." He murmured and he started to travel his eyes all over my body. With his other hand, he gently touched the side of my neck. He's still holding my face gently and I unconsciously leaned into his touch.
I swallowed and shook my head. "Y-you're..." I squeezed my eyes shut. "I saw you..." then the memory of him shifting into a giant wolf crossed my mind again and I shivered. Jongin felt it too because he started running his hand over my arm, caressing it.
"Kyungsoo..." he said in a firm voice. "Tell me where it hurts so I'll know how to hold you." he scanned my face for any sign of hesitance and when he can't see anything but fear and disbelief, he sighed and held my face with both hands.
I felt my breath hitch when he stared at me straight in the eyes.
"Listen to me," he muttered, eyes cautious. "I know you have lots of questions in your mind right now but please... please trust me on this. I will not hurt you and I will never do that. Just please, Kyungsoo..." he pleads and his eyes turned softer, giving away all his emotions. He's dead worried. I can clearly see that now. "Please tell me..."
I let out a shaky breath. "Everywhere." I choked and Jongin's eyes widened for a bit. "But my chest feels heavy and I think my left leg's alright." I looked away and inspected my own body. I'm covered in blood and dirt and I smell awful. I tried lifting my leg. It stings but it's not unbearable. I think I can walk. I think.
"I'll carry you." he said and started reaching for my legs but I resisted. Jongin gave me a confused look.
I licked my lip. Blood again. "I-i think I can walk." I whispered. I started to reach up and grab a low tree branch when Jongin stopped me, grabbing my arm and wrapping it around his neck. He slipped his arm under my knees and the other around my body. And then he lifted me like I'm nothing but a bag of feather.
I let out a yelp but I'm too weak to fight back so I let him carry me, occasionally throwing him glares. For a moment, I forgot that this man is a werewolf-- A man-eating creature that could devour me any time he likes. I forgot that he's not human and that I should be trembling in fright right now. That I should be pulling away, screaming for help.
But what is happening?
I don't feel terrified. Nervous, yes. But afraid...? I don't think so.
"I knew you're different." I murmured, suddenly feeling my eyelids getting heavy with sleep. We're walking a narrow path that's hidden behind a thick bush. It's too dark to see anything but Jongin seems to see through the darkness, he's not even hesitating a bit.
Jongin grinned. "You knew?"
I shook my head and suddenly felt dizzy so I leaned onto him, resting my head against his shoulder. "I had the feeling..." I closed my eyes. "But I brushed it away. I wanted to believe you're normal."
Kim Jongin sighed and very gently, I felt him kiss my forehead. "Please don't run away from me." He whispered and his own voice is laced with fear. "I can't see you turn your back, Kyungsoo. It'll kill me."
I tried to grin but my face hurts. "You saved my life." I muttered then I lifted my hand and uncurled two fingers, showing it to him. "Twice already."
I felt his hold around me tighten and somehow, it made me feel more secure.
"You're such a danger magnet." He sighed, brushing his lips against my hair. "I have to watch you every day just to make sure you're safe."
I opened my eyes in shock but I still can't see anything in this kind of darkness. I lifted my face and looked at him. I could only see the outline of his face but I'm pretty sure he's smiling. His face is too close I have to lean away.
"Y-you're..." I gasped. "You w-were..."
"I just want to protect you," he whispered. "From whatever."
I shook my head in disbelief and felt dizzy again so I leaned on his shoulder.
It's been him. It has always been him. All along.
"I think I'm dreaming." I finally blurted out as I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to imagine myself curled up in bed with the warmth of the fire around me. I breathed in and out, calming my nerves. But still... I am feeling warm from a different source. A different reason.
Jongin sighed. "I was actually quite nervous you'll think you're crazy." he admitted in a quiet voice. "But you're not, Kyungsoo."
I closed my eyes again. "I have questions." I whispered. "Tons of them."
I felt him nod. "I know." he said. "But rest for now. We'll talk tomorrow after your wounds are cleaned and when you're stronger."
I hesitated but my body feels like steel and sleep is starting to wrap its arms around my neck, pulling me. I let out a yawn and it hurts my jaw it made me flinch. I snuggled nearer into Jongin and he kissed my hair again.
"Sleep now." he whispered.
I nodded. But then, one question started tugging at the ends of my tongue, begging to be released into words. My throat feels dry. Even swallowing aches. But just one more question. One more answer.
"Why?" I muttered, voice hoarse. "Why did you do it?"
Jongin paused. "What it?" he asked.
"Everything." I breathed. Sleep is pulling me fast.
He took a lungful of air. "Do Kyungsoo..." he started. "You could be too dense, couldn't you?"
I shook my head, my lids finally closing. "Then... why?" I breathed.
Kim Jongin sighed, pulling me closer. "I love you." he whispered. "I love you, that's why."
My lips curl into a small smile. And that's when sleep finally won our battle.