Soobin reached his room, panting from all the running. The madness he saw in Yeonjun's eyes was unbelievable. He had never seen him like this. It's as if he was possessed and turned into a real bloodthirsty monster. He felt how fast his heart was beating. His shirt was damped from his sweat as he kept gasping. Although he knew Yeonjun would never hurt him, he couldn't but got scared.
The moment when Yeonjun crushed a guy with his paw kept floating in front of his eyes. He trembled with horror. He shook his head, but couldn't get himself free from the terror.
He locked the door from inside and then slumped on the floor as if there was no strength left in his body. This wasn't him. This can't be! Yeonjun, whom he nearly gave his heart to, is a gentle, kind man. He is not any killer. He can't be. Soobin's eyes got full of tears as he kept thinking.
At that time, a knock on his door broke his chain of thoughts. He knew who it was. He hurriedly wiped his tears, sniffling hard, he tried to act calm. But, he didn't dare to open the door. He sat still, holding on his knees, leaning against the door.
"S-soobin! I know you're there. Can y-you please open the door? Please? Won't you listen to me?" Yeonjun's voice cracked and was gentler than ever.
But, Soobin kept quiet. He didn't know how he should react, how he should reply. His mind went blank. He couldn't think of anything. He just sat there like a statue.
"I know you're hearing me. And I know you'll hate me once you see me like this. But, I don't know. I don't know what I should do. To… to keep you all by myself. And… to protect you. Those people… they don't want to save you. They just want to use you, to… enslave you." Yeonjun's voice slowly reduced. He tried his best to hold his tears back, but it was of no use. His eyes brimmed with tears. The lumps on his throat made it hard for him to talk.
But, he didn't stop. He knew if he didn't tell him, he'd always bury them inside his mind forever.
"Hearing their filthy plans, I couldn't help myself. I… k-killed them. But, trust me! I never killed anyone before. Now, I just couldn't restrict myself. I can bear anything, everything! But, I can never endure your pain. This is the only reason… the reason I've… turned into a monster." Yeonjun wept as he couldn't hold his tears back.
Inside, Soobin pressed his mouth, shocked and stunned. How could this be? So, he's the one who made him like this? But, he never told him to slaughter those people. And he never knew those people who came to 'save' him were his actual danger. And all this time, Yeonjun was just trying to protect him. Soobin's eyes darted around, trying to find a valid reason to not blame himself.
"Soobin! Please don't be like this. I'll do anything you'd tell me to do. Just please! Don't avoid me. Don't be mad at me. Don't hate me. Although I know I am despicable. I am worthy of nothing but your hatred, terrors. What can I do? I li—" before Yeonjun finished his words, Soobin opened the door hurriedly.
"Don't utter a word further!" Soobin said in a loud voice as if scolding. His head was bowed and his eyes were hidden beneath his black and shiny bangs. But, it was clear that he was annoyed. Yeonjun was sitting on the floor. He looked above, giving a failed attempt to read Soobin's expression. He thought Soobin was hating everything.
After the day he nearly forced himself on Soobin, he knew this day was coming. And he was trying his best to prepare himself to let go of this boy. Still, he wasn't ready. He can't even think of a day without seeing him. Yeonjun stood up, reached his hand towards Soobin, but was afraid he wouldn't let him touch. Yeonjun swallowed hard, tears streamed down from his eyes as he retreated.
"You're not…" Soobin's voice was low as if he was whispering. Then he raised his head, stared at Yeonjun's eyes. His cold gaze made him more scared, more guilty. Yeonjun gasped, glancing at Soobin, then he lowered his sight again. He knew what Soobin was gonna say. But before he even blurted out, it hurt so much. Even the injury didn't hurt him as much as it did.
"You're not despicable, damn it!" Soobin suddenly shouted, glaring at him.
Yeonjun widened his eyes with disbelief. At first he thought he was hearing things. He kept staring at Soobin, but couldn't understand a thing. He blinked confusedly, tears stopped falling from his eyes.
"I'm sorry… but I don't know what I… should do. I… I never knew those people's true intentions. I've acted on impulse because I never saw you like this. And… seeing you killing, I remember my father. I… no matter what your purpose was, I can't help but see my dad in you. I know! I know you guys are different, but… this is something that makes you two the same." Soobin took a long breath, his eyes wandered off. Gulping hard, he continued,
"I don't know what makes you like me. But, it is time. I need to go. Although I'm enjoying my time here, I still miss my home, my people. Also, I think it'd be hard for me to leave if I stay here longer. I already—" he stopped, his eyes calm as he bowed his head again.
"So, you don't hate me?" Yeonjun asked, surprised.
"Why would I? I like…" he paused as it slipped his mouth. As soon as Yeonjun heard it, he looked at him, eyes full of expectations.
"I mean… I don't! I don't hate you!" He averted Yeonjun's gaze. It was embarrassing for him as he didn't want to admit it himself.
"Soobin-ah! I like you!" Yeonjun came closer, confessing hurriedly, without giving any opportunity to Soobin to stop him.
Soobin was taken aback as he looked at him, eyes wider than ever.
Yeonjun stood in front of him, gazing at his eyes, he held Soobin's hand.
"I really really really like you. No, I love you! I love you so much that I'd die if you pushed me away. I want you to belong to myself only. I can give and take lives for you. You're the only one I need. I know it's out of the blue, but I can't resist myself anymore. And… it's not my fantasy. I know I love you. Very much." Yeonjun's eyes shone like a thousand stars were hidden inside them.
"I know I shouldn't expect this much–" Before Yeonjun said more, Soobin noticed the blue scales on his neck. He knew what would happen if he touched them, but they were a bit too tempting for him, just like a spinner in front of the sleeping beauty. He kept looking at them, his hands itchy and only could find comfort by touching those shiny blue scales.
"What if I want to go back?" Soobin asked, twisting his hand a little as Yeonjun kept holding him and he couldn't touch his neck.
"Huh? Oh!" Yeonjun thought Soobin just gave him his answer. His expression turned gloomy immediately. He bit his lips, gazing downwards, still holding Soobin's hand.
"I can… come back here anytime, no?" Soobin asked, grinning.
"Huh?" Yeonjun looked at him again surprisingly. Seeing his smile melted Yeonjun's heart. He could feel his heart would burst out of his chest anytime.
"Once you get out of here, you can't—" Yeonjun paused mid sentence, gasping as he recalled how Soobin went out of the castle and came back inside.
"How did you get outside? You shouldn't… without my help." Yeonjun's grip got stronger as he looked at Soobin curiously.
"I… don't know." Soobin shrugged his shoulders as he could feel the warmth of Yeonjun's hand. He gazed into his eyes, and couldn't remove his sight as if lost in them.
"And I came inside as well. That means… I can come back anytime, right?!" Soobin gasped, smiling as if he was on the top of the world.
"I… don't know. It could only be possible if you have something from me." Yeonjun pondered as he replied.
"Umm… do you mean by this?" Soobin took out a red half diamond shaped shiny jewel from his pocket.
"What… is it? Yeonjun took it, giving it a good look, but he still couldn't recognize it.
"It's something you left me ages ago." Soobin smiled genuinely.
"Me?" Yeonjun was confused.
"Uhm. When I treated you… many years ago. Haha! Your blood turned into this jewel and I've been carrying it since then. I wanted to meet you again, you know? Haha! So silly of me." Soobin laughed mildly.
"Oh, really? I had no idea!" Yeonjun was confused as well as delighted. He pouted while talking which made him look cute. Soobin giggled and nodded. "Uhm."
"So… you're going?" After being silent for some minutes, Yeonjun finally replied. Soobin took out a long sigh. "I have to." He stepped backwards as he replied.
"Fine. Go and do what you must. Just remember to take care of yourself. I… I'll be waiting." Yeonjun said with his hoarse voice. He smiled, but his tone sadistic. Soobin noticed the scales appeared on his neck once again. This time, they weren't blue, but greyish. He wanted to touch them, but wasn't sure what this color meant.
"Can I… kiss you before bidding you goodbye?" Yeonjun asked, his eyes brimmed with tears once again. Soobin stared at him for a while, discovering how Yeonjun's eye color also changed with his scales. He chuckled and remained silent.