-DO KYUNGSOO-

We're still sitting on that side of the pond, holding each others' hand like letting go would bring us both apart from each other. It's not a surprise Grandmother helped Kim Jongin and his friends. After taking care of my father, who's a werewolf, and treating him as her very own son, I know that werewolves would always have a soft spot in my Grandma's heart--- especially the kind ones.

"Where do you plan to go after all these?" I asked, looking up at Jongin and watching him frown to the forest. I feel sorry for them, I really do. But part of me believes it's for the best. That they can't stay in a pack who wouldn't accept who they really are.

Jongin bit his lip, thinking. "I don't know," he whispered. "But we can't stay here. We can't bring your grandmother to harm."

I was confused. "Why? I thought they all left already. Who would want to harm Grandma?"

"Kyungsoo, it's not that easy," Jongin sighed. "Soon enough, Kris will realize he still has unfinished business... and that's you. Anyone connected to you would be in a grave danger. Kris would kill you, Kyungsoo. He would, believe me."

Words failed me and I was left staring at Jongin, eyes wide in disbelief. When I heard that Kris and the pack left the forest already, I thought we would finally be left in peace. Oh how it is wrong to think that way now.

"He believes the prophecy," Jongin whispered, looking at me with eyes that looks afraid even in the dim light of the afternoon. "That you're a powerful half-blood that could kill everyone of us. It's just that, you still haven't find that power in you. And when you're dead, he'll sure kill me next to gain overall control of the pack."

I tried to relieve the fear that's starting to crawl from the small of my back to my neck and brain. "So he's going to eat me..." I choked.

Suddenly, Jongin chuckled. "You're really cute," he smirked, shaking his head in amusement. Then his amused face slowly turned to something serious and he tightened his hold around my hand as if in assurance. "I won't let that happen," he whispered. "I will protect you, okay? You just have to trust me."

"I do trust you." I whispered back, leaning into him so he could kiss my forehead. "I do, Kim Jongin. I trust you with my whole life."

Jongin's other hand went to find my face, caressing it gently. "When Kris tried to attack Baekhyun this morning, I suddenly found myself in Chanyeol's position, seeing my love one like that..." then he shook his head like he's trying to forget a memory. "I would die seeing you like that, Kyungsoo. I can't see you like that."

I buried my face to the crook of his neck, feeling his warmth comfort my trembling insides. "Do what you want with me. I will follow whatever you say if that'll make you happy." Those words I would never regret saying. Even then. Even now.

"That's a relief," Jongin murmured, his lips against my hair. "I love you."

"I know." My eyes fluttered close in contentment. "Me, too."

After a while, when it's already too dark to be staying outside, Grandmother opened the door of the cottage, peeking at us with her head and gesturing for us to step inside for dinner. "I made mushroom soup and some rice," she said, a small smile on her face. "I know my Kyungsoo would love it."

I grinned at her and Jongin helped me to my feet. "Yeah. I think I missed your cooking, Grandma." I said and when we reached the door, Grandmother took my arm and guided me inside with as much enthusiasm as always. She rested her head on my shoulder, humming like I'm a baby in her arms. I would always grin when she treats me like a small child.

Baekhyun is already awake and he looks so pale and weak after losing too much blood. I walked over to him as Grandma went to the table to prepare the food. "Hey, Baek." I said, smiling. "How's your wound?"

"Fine," he said, rolling his eyes but the gesture seemed to weaken him more because he winced. Chanyeol is beside him, though, his arm wrapped around Baekhyun's waist as he takes most of his mate's weight. "The moment I get well, I'm gonna burn that jerk's ass." he grins through his chapped, white lips.

"You look like sht, actually." I sighed and Baekhyun glares at me.

Chanyeol grinned beside him. "I told him that, too." he chuckles. "But he won't believe me."

"I still believe I look gorgeous even if I start bleeding black blood," Baekhyun said, throwing deadly glares everywhere. "Curse that Wu Yifan. I'm gonna kill him, really."

Then Chanyeol leaned to whisper something on Baek's ear. "Leave that to me, baby." he smirked and I laughed with him.

"Of course, of course." I grinned. "That'll be Chanyeol's job."

Baekhyun smiled despite himself and he swallowed heavily, even painfully. "I thought I'm going to die," he whispered and suddenly, the sassy aura started to vanish. "If something between us happened that moment, I swear I'll commit suicide. I would die losing Chanyeol just because someone... raped me." Baekhyun shivered with the word and Chanyeol pulled him closer, kissing his hair gently.

I gave a small, sad smile as I reached for Baekhyun's knee and giving it a slight squeeze. "I'm really glad you're fine now." I murmured. "I can't wait to see you kicking asses."

"Yeah." Baekhyun giggled. "And real thanks to your Grandma. I'm really, really thankful, I don't know how to repay her kindness." We both turned to look at Grandmother as she prepares the table with Jongin. They're talking to each other, laughing even, and I knew then that Jongin finally gained her trust.

"You just have to be well," I smiled. "I'm sure that'll make her more than glad."

Grandmother, Baekhyun, and I ate dinner together while Jongin went away to hunt, probably bringing home a large bear to share with Chanyeol. At first, Baekhyun winces whenever the soup touches his tongue, he's obviously not used to eating human food. But soon enough, he finished his whole bowl of rice and mushroom soup and I can't help but feel proud for him.

"I didn't know human food would be this tasty," he grinned. "I thought only blood and meat would be this... appetizing."

"Hm." I nodded, swallowing my food. "You should try Grandma's other dishes. They're heavenly."

"I would love that." Baekhyun said and Grandmother gave him a large smile.

The sound of a whimpering animal announced Jongin's arrival and Chanyeol sniffed the air once before excusing himself. We didn't dare watch or look as they finished their 'dinner' outside the cottage. The loud roars and growls are enough to tell us they're enjoying their meal.

As the night deepened, Grandmother retreated to her bed, a small, single bed at the far end of the cottage with thick curtains covering the space for privacy. She closed the curtains after sending us her 'Good night's' and soon enough, I could already hear her quite breathing.

"I'll watch." Jongin announced before stepping outside to the cold night.

Chanyeol, on the other hand, shifted to a wolf and took a large space on the cottage floor. He curled into a ball as the human Baekhyun slept between his legs, using Chanyeol's tail as his blanket. I can't help but remember myself that very day Kim Jongin did that to me.

After gathering a lungful of air, I grabbed my red riding hood from the rack beside the door and put it on. The air is cold when I went out of the cottage and I pulled the hood lower to keep my face from getting numb. At first, I can't find Jongin and that is until I felt a hand grab my waist from the back, almost making me scream in fright. But then he turned my body until I'm facing him and there he is, smirking down at me playfully.

"My god." I said breathlessly. "I thought you're going to kill me."

Jongin chuckles then he suddenly kissed my lips. "What are you doing out here?" he whispered. "I would prefer it if you'll take a rest."

"I can't, especially knowing that you're out here and something bad might happen." I whispered back. "You need to rest, too, you know."

"I'm fine." Jongin murmured and he still won't loosen his hold around my waist. We're too close I could count his lashes. "Don't worry about me."

I frowned, pouting. "I think it's only fair to worry about you." I said in a small voice. "Though I know you're far stronger than me and you can't die easily. But still..."

"I disagree." Jongin said, still smirking. "You're far, far stronger than me, Do Kyungsoo. You could kill me easily."

My eyes narrowed at him. "What are you saying?"

"All you have to do is walk away and never see me again." Jongin said quietly. "You could kill me like that. That easily."

"You know I would never do that." I murmured.

"Yeah." Jongin said as he kissed my cheek. "I know you won't."

I felt my eyes close as I inhaled his scent, listening to the beating of his heart against mine. Sometimes, I wish Kim Jongin is just a normal person who could live a normal life with someone like me. I sometimes wish everything that's pulling us apart is just a dream and we'll wake up in each other's arms beside a fireplace or something. I wish for normal, cliche things like that. And I wish I wasn't just wishing.

"I want to sleep in your arms." I blurted out without even thinking. "May I?"

Jongin seemed taken aback with my words because his eyes widened for a bit before softening to their usual color, honey-gold to brown. "Of course," he breathed. "Anytime, Love."

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Have a blessed Sunday everyoneeee :)

xoxo