[fic] Let Me Ensnare You (In My Web)
Title: Let Me Ensnare You (In My Web)
Prompt: Mythology
Pairing(s): Kris/Tao
Summary: Why why why did Yifan, of all people, fall in love with Zitao?
Rating: R
Warning: Gore, Cannibalism
Word Count: 4,953
Jorōgumo (絡新婦) is a type of Yōkai, a creature, ghost or goblin of Japanese folklore. According to some stories, a Jorōgumo is a spider that can change its appearance into that of a seductive woman. In Japanese Kanji, Jorōgumo is written as 絡新婦 (lit. “binding bride”) or 女郎蜘蛛 (lit. “whore spider”). Jorōgumo can also refer to some species of spiders, but in casual use it can refer to the Nephila and Argiope spiders.
For hundreds, maybe even thousands of years, legends and folklores are what shaped the world. Traditional mythologies and children fairytales have been passed down from generation to generation, warning the younger children that there are evil spirits, or good in some cases, in the world, and that they will suffer from dire consequences should they ignore these stories.
Every region of the world has their share of myths, as well as the creatures that are the main characters of those stories. In the West, most of these creatures are an amazing sight, fascinating creatures that will leave the reader in awe. Creatures like centaurs, fairies and dragons. While in the East, these creatures are straight out of a horror movie, little demons with the intent of either devouring mankind or causing nothing but mayhem.
Asian mythological creatures are the worst of them all, gruesome looking things that have inspired different variations of tales from them. They take in as many forms possible - a woman, a short little demon, even ordinary household items like paper fans are subjected to be one of the forms demons take.
Probably the most deceiving form of all is a normal human being. Often people fall for the charms of such demons, unable to possibly know that the person they’re interacting with is actually a creature from hell. And when they do find out, it’s always, always far too late.
This is where Huang Zitao steps in.
Huang Zitao is not your normal, average human being. He is, in fact, a “spider woman” (or “spider man” in his case), known to the Japanese as a Jorōgumo. If he were to translate that word into English, he would say that he were a whore spider. The stares he would get from people are amusing to look at, but it’s the truth. The other literal translation is binding bride, but he’s no bride. He’s not even a woman.
Another thing that makes Zitao so peculiar is that he’s the first and only one of his kind to be a male Jorōgumo. In his arachnid form, he’s a lot smaller compared to the females, as the female gender is a lot more superior in the arachnid kingdom. Because of this, he’s also the only Jorōgumo who isn’t a Nephila Clavata, his gender making him a Lactrodectus spider, or more commonly known as a Black Widow spider. An irony in itself, but he still performs sexual cannibalism as all Jorōgumos do.
Yes, you read that right. Zitao eats the people he mates with.
As men already have the female Jorōgumos to fear, they would be relieved if they found out that Zitao is another man. However, that is not the case as Zitao has a preference for men as well. As he keeps getting treated as the inferior kind whenever he meets other Jorōgumos, he had developed an irrational annoyance towards females. So it would be no wonder that Zitao prefers men over women anytime.
As a male Jorōgumo, Zitao doesn’t feel the necessity to seduce men and devour them every month. His gender makes him crave it only once a year, and while it makes Zitao extremely happy with the fact, it also makes him depressed. It feels wrong to eat people, but he can’t do anything about it. It’s his nature. If he doesn’t eat on a specific day, he himself will die. Another ironic thing, as he’s supposed to be immortal. Another drawback for being the only male Jorōgumo.
To make himself feel better, Zitao seduces men who he thinks are bad, coming up with this delusional thinking that he is the “good” Jorōgumo. He has to be wise in picking out his prey, someone who wouldn’t be missed, like a rapist or a serial killer. The world will be safer from one less criminal, at least.
“Yeah, that’s what you first thought when you tried to eat me,” Luhan jokes.
Zitao frowns. “I was hungry. It was that time of the year and you’re the first guy I saw. Just be thankful that you ran away into the alley and I saw a guy about to rape a girl when I followed you.”
“I have my skills,” Luhan waggles his eyebrows.
“Okay, so,” Zitao leans back on his chair, kicking his feet up and resting them on the dining table. “Where to next?”
Luhan wrinkles his nose and shoves Zitao’s legs back to the floor. “This isn’t your home, Zitao. We’re in a hotel, so keep your manners in check.” Zitao grumbles and folds his arms. Luhan turns to the map. “Okay, so, um …”
As a Jorōgumo, it isn’t safe for Zitao to stay in one place. While doing the deed, he tends to leave a huge mess behind, namely huge masses of webs in the area he devours his prey. People are sure to find the evidence left behind and report it to the authorities. It doesn’t help either that because of Zitao’s lack of control over his body during the feasting, more people are becoming more aware and open-minded to the existence of mythical beasts and creatures. Zitao had gotten an earful from one of the upper female Jorōgumo after his first ever meal, but he still couldn’t control his excretion of silky threads during his meals despite doing this for years.
Zitao had been on the run for years now, and after meeting Luhan, the older boy suggests driving him around as a faster alternative, not really have anything to do with his life. He has no job but his parents are filthy rich, sending him money every now and then. Zitao had refused at first, but acquiesced when he was almost caught by his meal’s wife.
“Does Wǔhàn sound good to you?” Luhan creases his eyebrows. “We’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
Zitao shrugs. “Sure. Anywhere’s better than staying in one place.”
“Hey, I heard the guys here in Guǎngzhōu were hot,” Luhan frowns.
“You have yet to direct me to one,” Zitao rolls his eyes. “It’s been days and that day is coming nearer and I haven’t seen any hot criminal guys.”
“Stop being so picky, you dumb fuck,” Luhan scolds, though there’s no real heat in his words. “You need to eat someone to live, and I don’t think I’d want to be your next meal, thank you very much.”
Zitao sighs. “I know, I know. I just … it’s been so long since I’ve eaten someone really handsome. Everyone tastes really gross, and the more attractive you are, the better you taste. You get me?”
Luhan stares. “You’re really fucking weird. Did you know that?”
Zitao splats a wet glob of web into Luhan’s face.
The next day is when everything comes crashing down.
Zitao has been waiting in the café he and Luhan had planned to go to before they drive off to Wǔhàn. However, Luhan had said that he’d be running late and he told Zitao to go first. Zitao had furrowed his eyebrows in confusion because they’re in the same hotel room and Luhan’s always punctual. Nonetheless, he had gone first to hopefully get a good seat, but now he regrets it. He’s been here two hours, it’s freezing in here, and he’d be damned if he gives up this wonderful seating choice just to escape the cold.
“Luhan,” Zitao growls, teeth chattering slightly. “You are so going to get it.” He fumbles for his phone and dials his friend’s number. It rings twice before his call connects through. “Luhan, you son of a bitch,” Zitao cuts through, not giving him enough time to respond to the call. “Where are you? It’s freezing in here!”
Luhan gives an almighty sneeze, one that makes Zitao pause. “I’m sorry I didn’t call you earlier, Taozi.” Luhan sounds miserable. “But I think I got sick. Looks like I can’t drive you to Wǔhàn.”
Zitao runs a hand down his face. Well, that explains it. He feels like an ungrateful idiot. “No, no. It’s fine. I just … damn it, call me or text me or something! Don’t make me plot your death for the billionth time.”
Even Luhan’s laughs sound sickly. “Okay. I’m sorry. I’ll get better by tomorrow, I promise. We’ll go to Wǔhàn then.”
Zitao smiles. It’s so like Luhan to think of others before himself. “Okay. No rush, though. Just get better.” He ends the call with a sigh. Oh well. Time to pop into the drugstore and get some meds for Luhan. He goes to stand up when someone’s suddenly in front of him. Zitao blinks, extremely surprised by the sudden appearance of this man.
“Hi,” the man says, a small smile on his face.
Zitao feels his heart fluttering. The man is gorgeous beyond belief - sharp eyes and nose and dirty blonde hair that falls messily over his eyes and ugh handsome handsome handsome -
“I’m Kris,” the man says, tapping at his nametag. “Well, actually that’s what you can call me. My real name’s Wu Yifan.”
Even the café’s apron, as hideous as it is with its olive green color, looks absolutely dashing on him. “I - uh …” Zitao clears his throat, cheeks turning a pale pink. “Hi. I’m … Zitao?” he questions himself, wondering if he should be freely giving information that easily.
“I know you may think I’m a creep but I’ve been looking at you ever since you entered the café,” Yifan says. He wrings the rag in his hands, obviously nervous. “And I hope you don’t think badly of me, but … um … would you like to go out sometime?”
Oh Lord, this is so cliché. Zitao is extremely tempted to accept the guy’s date to spare him from any embarrassment. But, he’s here on a (supposed) mission, and he can’t afford to deviate from it at all. “Um, sorry, but I have to go. I was supposed to meet my friend here so we can go, but he got sick so I guess change of plans.”
He’s about to leave when Yifan stops him. “Wait! I can make it worth your time!”
“That sounds weird, man,” Zitao wrinkles his nose.
“No, please,” Yifan pouts. “I can ask to end my shift early today. We can just go out once, today. I think you’re really attractive and you seem nice. I want us to hit it off. But if you still don’t like me after today, then you can leave and I won’t bug you anymore, even if you continue coming here.”
“Hmm …” Zitao really doesn’t want to, but then Yifan pouts some more and that’s all it takes for his resolve to be broken. “Ugh, okay, fine. We’re going now.”
Yifan grins and he rushes to the counter. Zitao takes out his phone and taps out a message to Luhan that he won’t be coming back anytime soon when Yifan returns, out of his apron and - wow, he’s absolutely gorgeous without the tacky apron. “Let’s go?”
“Okay,” Zitao shrugs. Hopefully he’ll get free food out of this.
The first place Yifan brings him to is a quaint little eatery. He laughs when Zitao questions why he had taken him out of his café to go to another one. Their lunch is relatively silent, Yifan asking Zitao questions and Zitao shooting them down with one-worded responses. He really hopes that Yifan gets the idea that he doesn’t want to be here with him, no matter how handsome he is, but Yifan doesn’t. Instead, he seems undeterred from Zitao’s lack of response and continues to be chatty. Probably to ease his nerves, but either way it gets annoying after some time.
“Why do you want to go out with me so badly today?” Zitao cuts through Yifan’s (fifth) retelling of the time when his cousin tripped over a Shih Tzu.
Yifan smiles, embarrassed, and Zitao has to stare because he looks kinda (dare he say it?) cute. “Oh. I’m really embarrassed to say this, but it’s my birthday today.”
“Oh.” Zitao blinks. Whatever he was expecting, it definitely wasn’t that. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-four.”
Zitao shrugs. “Happy birthday then.”
Yifan’s grin is so blinding Zitao had to shield his eyes.
Yifan has a firm grip on his wrist, dragging him despite his consistent complaining, and the next place they arrive at is -
“The carnival?” Zitao raises an eyebrow. “Really?”
“It’ll be fun!” Yifan laughs, tugging on Zitao’s wrist once again. “Come on!”
“No, it won’t,” Zitao grumbles. “It won’t! It wo-goddammit, Yifan, stop pulling me!”
“You’re such a spoilsport!” Yifan shouts back gleefully, successfully continuing to pull him inside the fair. “It’s only here for a week, and today’s it’s last day!”
Zitao groans but allows a small smile to grace his face.
They spend the rest of the day there. Yifan had managed to pull Zitao into numerous games, many of which had Zitao grumbling. But everytime Yifan flashes him a smile, Zitao’s heart would beat fast. Many a time Zitao tried to find a flaw in Yifan, to try and find something which would make Zitao hate him.
But no. Zitao knows that he’s wholly welcoming Yifan’s advances towards him since he’s never had a guy like him before. They’ve only liked Zitao for his body since he seduces them and they’re what he deems the “bad guys”, making it easier for him to not care about them. But since Yifan’s nice, which he’s never met before in his life, he doesn’t know how else to react but to like him back.
“Let’s go to the rollercoaster!” Yifan suggests excitedly.
“No,” Zitao says icily. He never liked rollercoasters. It makes him sick and he thinks it’s such a waste of time humans can ever think of and build.
Yifan pouts.
Zitao stands his ground.
In the end, Yifan manages to convince him to go to three rollercoasters with him; the first has Zitao sighing because it was kind of lame (it was a really small one, and it was more jerky than thrilling if anything), the second has Zitao clutching his seatbelt in fear as Yifan screams at the top of his lungs next to him, and the last has Zitao almost passing out in from the numerous loops and twirls.
“I think I’m gonna be sick,” Zitao groans, leaning against Yifan for support.
“I’m sorry,” Yifan chuckles. “I didn’t know you have a weak stomach. I’ll go get us some ice cream.”
Zitao eyes him suspiciously. “Are you trying to make me fat?”
At this, Yifan laughs loudly. It’s a delightful sound, one that has Zitao smiling back involuntarily. “Well, now that you mention it, you need to eat. You’re skinny as a stick!”
Zitao’s smile drops instantly. Yes, he doesn’t really eat considering that he only eats once a year and the food people eat doesn’t appeal to him that much. He does eat food to give him energy, but since it doesn’t really do anything but give him small energy boosts every now and then, he doesn’t eat much. “Oh. Okay.”
Yifan smiles. Zitao is starting to think that his smile never fades. “I’ll get you a double-scoop - chocolate and cream cheese.” Zitao moves to take out his wallet when Yifan stops him. “No, I’ll pay. It’s a date, remember?”
Zitao flushes and he looks away. “I-it’s not a date.”
“But we agreed to it being a date, didn’t we?” Yifan’s voice doesn’t sound teasing at all. He sounds confused and damn it, give Zitao a reason to hate him because it’s so hard to not hate him. “If you still don’t like it after today then I stop bugging you?”
Zitao smiles a small one. “Oh. Right. Sorry.”
Yifan pats his head. “Don’t be sorry. It’s fine.” He ruffles his hair and takes a few steps back. “I’ll be back, okay? Stay right there.”
Zitao can feel his heart pounding exceptionally fast, even when Yifan has left. Damn.
“So what are you doing here in Guǎngzhōu?” Yifan asks as they walk back through the park. When he came back with the ice cream, he noticed how sick Zitao looked so he had called it a day. He didn’t want to go back home yet, so they decided to walk around for a while.
Zitao snorts into his ice cream. “If you must know, I was actually supposed to go to Wǔhàn today with my friend, but he got sick and he can’t drive. So I’m waiting for him to get better so we can go.”
Yifan furrows his eyebrows. “Wǔhàn’s a pretty far distance from here. He’s driving all the way there?”
Zitao nods. “You can say that we’re on a road trip. He’s driven further before, and after we’re done visiting all the cities in China, we’re going someplace else.”
“You sound as if you don’t have any responsibilities,” Yifan laughs.
Zitao stays quiet. It’s true, but he’s not going to tell Yifan that.
“When are you guys leaving?”
Zitao shrugs, throwing the rest of his cone into a nearby garbage bin. “He’s not the sickly type, so when he does, it gets really extreme. I may be here for a week.” Yifan visibly brightens at this and Zitao realizes his mistake a beat too late. “U-uh, I mean - AH!” He collapses to the ground, face cringing in pain.
Yifan’s by his side in a moment, worriedly inspecting his body. “What’s wrong?”
It’s so strong, Zitao wants to say. The urge to eat is so strong … But it can’t be. Today’s not the day where he’s supposed to eat. It’s supposed to be in about three days. Of all days for it to come early, why does it have to be today? “I - I …” Zitao hurriedly thinks of an excuse. “I got tired from walking, so …”
Yifan’s smile is full of relief. “Okay. I’ll bring you back to my place. It’s closer and I’ll give you an ice pack to soothe the pain.”
“Zitao, I want you,” Yifan says suddenly.
Zitao nearly drops the ice pack, swallowing deeply. “I-isn’t it too soon?” he jokes nervously, fidgeting on Yifan’s couch.
Yifan shakes his head, looking unusually serious for the first time all day. “I don’t know why, but I just want you. We seriously only met today, but I’ve never felt anything so strongly before.”
“Oh, Yifan …” Zitao feels tears pool in his eyes, lowering the ice pack. “I was really mean to you today, and you were really nice to me, but …”
“But?” Yifan prompts in a gentle tone, leaning forward.
Zitao’s heart thumps painfully and he has to look away. Yifan is so handsome, so young, so beautiful. Zitao doesn’t want to eat him, but his brain is pulsing, the spider in him just begging to burst free. He has no choice but to eat Yifan if he wants to continue living.
“I want this, Zitao,” Yifan says in the same soft voice. “I don’t want to force you into anything, but I wished for this so badly.”
“‘Wished’?” Zitao looks up at Yifan, confused. “What do you mean by you wished for this?”
Yifan’s smile is kind, even when he tilts his head slightly to indulge Zitao. “I told you. Today’s my birthday.”
Zitao’s eyes widen and he feels like he’s going to throw up just as he realizes it. How can he forget? This is the cruelest thing Zitao has ever been damned to. He claps a hand over his mouth, tears already forming in his eyes. Oh God. He’s going to be eating Yifan on his birthday.
“Twenty-four, right?” Zitao manages to whisper.
“Yeah.” A light flush forms on Yifan’s cheeks, bless him, he’s so adorable. “My mother, she lives in Canada so I’m alone here right now, says that it’s the age I start believing in love and looking for it. She says that it’s about time I find someone.” He starts chuckling. “She doesn’t even mind if I’ve fallen in love with another man. She just wants me to be happy.”
He pries Zitao’s hand from his mouth and holds it tenderly with both hands, squeezing it. “Zitao, this may sound cheesy and creepy, but thank you for being that man.”
Oh God. No. Please no.
“Yifan -” Zitao starts to say, tears already running down his cheeks, but he’s silenced by Yifan pressing a finger against his lips.
“Thank you for making my wish come true.” Yifan smiles before leaning in to kiss Zitao for the first time. It’s so soft and so patient, so beautiful, so gentle, stop stop stop -
And all Zitao can do is cry because this is just so, so unfair. He had done so well. He stuck to his philosophy of only eating those “bad people” for hundreds of years. Why did he have to fall for Yifan’s charms?
Yifan sheds their clothes piece by piece until they’re both naked. Yifan holds Zitao close to him and gently pushes him down so he’s lying on the couch, the latter holding Yifan so close that they could be fused together. “Are you scared?” he whispers.
Zitao nods his head. He knows what Yifan’s talking about, but he’s not scared about that. He’s done this so many times. Instead, he’s scared of the terrible truth which will dawn on him when he’ll snap out of his Jorōgumo state, faced with the reality of eating Yifan. Hopefully when he finishes devouring Yifan there won’t be anything left. He doesn’t want to be constantly reminded of the terrible thing he’s committed.
“I’ll be gentle,” Yifan promises, kissing his neck.
“Please don’t,” Zitao sobs, clinging even more to Yifan. “Be fast.” End this as soon as possible. “Be quick.” Run away from me once you’re done. “Leave immediately.” I might have a chance to not eat you. “Don’t care about my pain.” You will be in much more pain should I eat you.
“Zitao, this isn’t what I -”
“Do it!” Zitao shouts, silencing Yifan. “Just …” His voice is small and pained once again. “Just do it. I will only agree to do this with you if you do it quick.”
Yifan stays still for a while and Zitao thinks he’s going to back out when Yifan shifts. “Okay.” Zitao hitches in a breath, hoping that Yifan wouldn’t actually go through with it. He could’ve escaped and still save himself. “If this is all it takes for me to be with you, I’ll do it,” Yifan says in a soft voice.
Zitao feels his heart breaking even more. Why does Yifan have to be so nice and perfect?
Yifan pushes himself off the couch and supports his weight on both his knees. He brings his fingers to his mouth when Zitao stops him. “Please,” he whispers. “Just …” he squeezes his eyes shut, “just take me now.”
“But -”
Zitao turns around, presenting the back view of his body. Yifan’s heart thumps at the sight and he nearly salivates. Zitao has a sinful body. It’s just a shame that Zitao doesn’t want to prolong this. Yifan sighs and drapes himself over Zitao’s body. “Okay.”
Zitao tenses when he feels the head of Yifan’s cock nudging his entrance. While he’s been with many, many men, he’s also been with them only once a year, so it still hurts from long periods of abstinence. Yifan pushes in until the the head pops in, Zitao gasping.
“I’m sorry,” Yifan quickly apologizes.
“No, don’t be,” Zitao whispers, feeling the last of his human sanity leave him. “Never be sorry.”
Yifan starts thrusting slowly, afraid to hurt Zitao when Zitao growls at him to go faster. He’s never heard him use such a tone so he stills for a moment, picking up speed. Mewls leave Zitao’s mouth as moans leave Yifan’s, the latter’s eyes sliding shut.
Zitao’s mind clouds over and his spider starts to crawl out. Yifan’s eyes are still closed, blissfully unaware of Zitao’s transformation. Zitao throws his head back as an inaudible gasp escapes him, eyes shining with a dim light as the pain comes in.
Come … his spider instincts call out. Come out and feast.
Zitao knows that this is where the feasting begins even though he can’t see anything. Thousands of baby spiders suddenly swarm into the living room, targeting Yifan as they skitter towards him. Their legs are extremely light so that Yifan wouldn’t notice them even as they crawl over him and spin webs, holding him in place. Zitao roughly shoves Yifan away from him, who’s extremely surprised by the sudden action. His eyes snap open and he leans forward, stilling when he realizes he can’t move. Yifan looks down and intakes a sharp breath, noticing the messy silk threads pinning him down.
“Z-Zitao,” Yifan is getting panicky, and it hurts Zitao’s heart to hear it. “Zitao, what is this?”
“I’m so sorry, Yifan,” Zitao cries. “I’m so sorry.”
He lets out an ear-splitting scream as he feels his midsection burning as it stretches. His skin turns black and his limbs turn into sharp pointed legs, two more pairings sprouting out from his sides. Yifan watches in horror as Zitao’s head morphs into a flat and hairy one, two elongated pincers growing on either side of his mouth. Only when the red hourglass forms on Zitao’s back and the transformation’s complete does Yifan realize what he is.
A Jorōgumo. Zitao’s a Jorōgumo. He had fallen for a Jorōgumo?
Yifan tries to struggle against the webs, but it proves to be useless. He glances around and notices the thousands of baby spiders looking up at him expectantly. Hungrily. “Z-Zitao!” Yifan screams, terrified to the bone. “Zitao, let me go!”
The spider moves forward and Yifan flinches, looking straight into its many eyes. It’s a gruesome sight, especially when it’s so close to you, but Yifan blinks when he notices an expression in the eyes. Apologetic. Does Zitao not want this? Is he sorry?
Yifan doesn’t have time to mull over this, not when Zitao suddenly rears back and opens his mouth wide.
I love you, Zitao.
Yifan screws his eyes shut and waits for the inevitable pain.
I love you, Yifan.
“Zitao!” Luhan bolts up from his bed when the door creaks open and Zitao steps into the room. “Where have you been? I’m feeling much better now! Why weren’t you picking up your phone?” He stills when he sees how distraught Zitao looks, holding something tightly against his chest. Whatever it is, it’s bloodied up, soaking through the cloth. “… Zitao?”
“It came early, Luhan,” Zitao whispers, still staring at the floor. “It came yesterday. I have to wait until another year.”
“But … but that never happened before,” Luhan says with a worried crease of his eyebrows. “It never came early before …” When Zitao doesn’t respond, Luhan glances at the thing in Zitao’s hands. “Zitao? What’s in there?”
Zitao immediately brightens, but it’s such an extreme turn of character that Luhan gets wary. “You have to see, Luhan!” He unwraps it and turns it around for Luhan to see it properly.
Luhan pales and slaps a hand over his mouth, taking a step back. He feels like he’s going to throw up, and the putrid smell isn’t helping. His legs are shaky and he collapses to the floor, Zitao’s grin bright but forced. “Z-Zitao, what is that?!”
Zitao pouts and hugs the thing protectively to his chest, stroking it. “Don’t be mean, Luhan. He has a name.”
“Why do you have a human head with you?” Luhan screams. This is the first time Zitao has ever done this before.
“He’s Yifan,” Zitao’s eyes are still expressively bright. “Isn’t he handsome, Luhan? He was my meal last night, and he was so delicious.” His eyes are suddenly brimming with tears. “But he loves me, and I couldn’t bear to eat him all the way. I need him with me.”
“You’re going to bring him?” Luhan asks in a horrified whisper. “Zitao, people are going to question us! You have to leave him here! We’re going to get caught!”
“But we’re in love, Luhan,” Zitao giggles. “He wants to come with me.”
“No!” Luhan screams. “Get rid of that thing! I’m going down to get our car ready. When I come back up, he’d better be disposed of!”
Zitao gasps and clutches Yifan’s head even tighter to his body. “How mean, Luhan! I can’t just leave him!”
“I’ll make you,” Luhan threatens. He slings his bag over his shoulder and grabs his car keys. “I’m coming up in ten minutes. It’d better be gone by then.”
The door slams behind him and Zitao stares at it. His wide eyes contort into a furious glare. “No one’s going to take him from me. He’s the first person to ever love me, and I’m never letting him go.” His eyes flash and he can feel his spider coming back out again. He feels his body stretching once again, the pain unbearable. But as he’s hugging Yifan’s head, he feels as though the pain’s gone completely.
“Come back here as fast as you can, Luhan,” Zitao snarls, his skin blackening and midsection expanding again. “I’m waiting for you.”
Prompt: Mythology
Pairing(s): Kris/Tao
Summary: Why why why did Yifan, of all people, fall in love with Zitao?
Rating: R
Warning: Gore, Cannibalism
Word Count: 4,953
Jorōgumo (絡新婦) is a type of Yōkai, a creature, ghost or goblin of Japanese folklore. According to some stories, a Jorōgumo is a spider that can change its appearance into that of a seductive woman. In Japanese Kanji, Jorōgumo is written as 絡新婦 (lit. “binding bride”) or 女郎蜘蛛 (lit. “whore spider”). Jorōgumo can also refer to some species of spiders, but in casual use it can refer to the Nephila and Argiope spiders.
For hundreds, maybe even thousands of years, legends and folklores are what shaped the world. Traditional mythologies and children fairytales have been passed down from generation to generation, warning the younger children that there are evil spirits, or good in some cases, in the world, and that they will suffer from dire consequences should they ignore these stories.
Every region of the world has their share of myths, as well as the creatures that are the main characters of those stories. In the West, most of these creatures are an amazing sight, fascinating creatures that will leave the reader in awe. Creatures like centaurs, fairies and dragons. While in the East, these creatures are straight out of a horror movie, little demons with the intent of either devouring mankind or causing nothing but mayhem.
Asian mythological creatures are the worst of them all, gruesome looking things that have inspired different variations of tales from them. They take in as many forms possible - a woman, a short little demon, even ordinary household items like paper fans are subjected to be one of the forms demons take.
Probably the most deceiving form of all is a normal human being. Often people fall for the charms of such demons, unable to possibly know that the person they’re interacting with is actually a creature from hell. And when they do find out, it’s always, always far too late.
This is where Huang Zitao steps in.
Huang Zitao is not your normal, average human being. He is, in fact, a “spider woman” (or “spider man” in his case), known to the Japanese as a Jorōgumo. If he were to translate that word into English, he would say that he were a whore spider. The stares he would get from people are amusing to look at, but it’s the truth. The other literal translation is binding bride, but he’s no bride. He’s not even a woman.
Another thing that makes Zitao so peculiar is that he’s the first and only one of his kind to be a male Jorōgumo. In his arachnid form, he’s a lot smaller compared to the females, as the female gender is a lot more superior in the arachnid kingdom. Because of this, he’s also the only Jorōgumo who isn’t a Nephila Clavata, his gender making him a Lactrodectus spider, or more commonly known as a Black Widow spider. An irony in itself, but he still performs sexual cannibalism as all Jorōgumos do.
Yes, you read that right. Zitao eats the people he mates with.
As men already have the female Jorōgumos to fear, they would be relieved if they found out that Zitao is another man. However, that is not the case as Zitao has a preference for men as well. As he keeps getting treated as the inferior kind whenever he meets other Jorōgumos, he had developed an irrational annoyance towards females. So it would be no wonder that Zitao prefers men over women anytime.
As a male Jorōgumo, Zitao doesn’t feel the necessity to seduce men and devour them every month. His gender makes him crave it only once a year, and while it makes Zitao extremely happy with the fact, it also makes him depressed. It feels wrong to eat people, but he can’t do anything about it. It’s his nature. If he doesn’t eat on a specific day, he himself will die. Another ironic thing, as he’s supposed to be immortal. Another drawback for being the only male Jorōgumo.
To make himself feel better, Zitao seduces men who he thinks are bad, coming up with this delusional thinking that he is the “good” Jorōgumo. He has to be wise in picking out his prey, someone who wouldn’t be missed, like a rapist or a serial killer. The world will be safer from one less criminal, at least.
“Yeah, that’s what you first thought when you tried to eat me,” Luhan jokes.
Zitao frowns. “I was hungry. It was that time of the year and you’re the first guy I saw. Just be thankful that you ran away into the alley and I saw a guy about to rape a girl when I followed you.”
“I have my skills,” Luhan waggles his eyebrows.
“Okay, so,” Zitao leans back on his chair, kicking his feet up and resting them on the dining table. “Where to next?”
Luhan wrinkles his nose and shoves Zitao’s legs back to the floor. “This isn’t your home, Zitao. We’re in a hotel, so keep your manners in check.” Zitao grumbles and folds his arms. Luhan turns to the map. “Okay, so, um …”
As a Jorōgumo, it isn’t safe for Zitao to stay in one place. While doing the deed, he tends to leave a huge mess behind, namely huge masses of webs in the area he devours his prey. People are sure to find the evidence left behind and report it to the authorities. It doesn’t help either that because of Zitao’s lack of control over his body during the feasting, more people are becoming more aware and open-minded to the existence of mythical beasts and creatures. Zitao had gotten an earful from one of the upper female Jorōgumo after his first ever meal, but he still couldn’t control his excretion of silky threads during his meals despite doing this for years.
Zitao had been on the run for years now, and after meeting Luhan, the older boy suggests driving him around as a faster alternative, not really have anything to do with his life. He has no job but his parents are filthy rich, sending him money every now and then. Zitao had refused at first, but acquiesced when he was almost caught by his meal’s wife.
“Does Wǔhàn sound good to you?” Luhan creases his eyebrows. “We’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
Zitao shrugs. “Sure. Anywhere’s better than staying in one place.”
“Hey, I heard the guys here in Guǎngzhōu were hot,” Luhan frowns.
“You have yet to direct me to one,” Zitao rolls his eyes. “It’s been days and that day is coming nearer and I haven’t seen any hot criminal guys.”
“Stop being so picky, you dumb fuck,” Luhan scolds, though there’s no real heat in his words. “You need to eat someone to live, and I don’t think I’d want to be your next meal, thank you very much.”
Zitao sighs. “I know, I know. I just … it’s been so long since I’ve eaten someone really handsome. Everyone tastes really gross, and the more attractive you are, the better you taste. You get me?”
Luhan stares. “You’re really fucking weird. Did you know that?”
Zitao splats a wet glob of web into Luhan’s face.
The next day is when everything comes crashing down.
Zitao has been waiting in the café he and Luhan had planned to go to before they drive off to Wǔhàn. However, Luhan had said that he’d be running late and he told Zitao to go first. Zitao had furrowed his eyebrows in confusion because they’re in the same hotel room and Luhan’s always punctual. Nonetheless, he had gone first to hopefully get a good seat, but now he regrets it. He’s been here two hours, it’s freezing in here, and he’d be damned if he gives up this wonderful seating choice just to escape the cold.
“Luhan,” Zitao growls, teeth chattering slightly. “You are so going to get it.” He fumbles for his phone and dials his friend’s number. It rings twice before his call connects through. “Luhan, you son of a bitch,” Zitao cuts through, not giving him enough time to respond to the call. “Where are you? It’s freezing in here!”
Luhan gives an almighty sneeze, one that makes Zitao pause. “I’m sorry I didn’t call you earlier, Taozi.” Luhan sounds miserable. “But I think I got sick. Looks like I can’t drive you to Wǔhàn.”
Zitao runs a hand down his face. Well, that explains it. He feels like an ungrateful idiot. “No, no. It’s fine. I just … damn it, call me or text me or something! Don’t make me plot your death for the billionth time.”
Even Luhan’s laughs sound sickly. “Okay. I’m sorry. I’ll get better by tomorrow, I promise. We’ll go to Wǔhàn then.”
Zitao smiles. It’s so like Luhan to think of others before himself. “Okay. No rush, though. Just get better.” He ends the call with a sigh. Oh well. Time to pop into the drugstore and get some meds for Luhan. He goes to stand up when someone’s suddenly in front of him. Zitao blinks, extremely surprised by the sudden appearance of this man.
“Hi,” the man says, a small smile on his face.
Zitao feels his heart fluttering. The man is gorgeous beyond belief - sharp eyes and nose and dirty blonde hair that falls messily over his eyes and ugh handsome handsome handsome -
“I’m Kris,” the man says, tapping at his nametag. “Well, actually that’s what you can call me. My real name’s Wu Yifan.”
Even the café’s apron, as hideous as it is with its olive green color, looks absolutely dashing on him. “I - uh …” Zitao clears his throat, cheeks turning a pale pink. “Hi. I’m … Zitao?” he questions himself, wondering if he should be freely giving information that easily.
“I know you may think I’m a creep but I’ve been looking at you ever since you entered the café,” Yifan says. He wrings the rag in his hands, obviously nervous. “And I hope you don’t think badly of me, but … um … would you like to go out sometime?”
Oh Lord, this is so cliché. Zitao is extremely tempted to accept the guy’s date to spare him from any embarrassment. But, he’s here on a (supposed) mission, and he can’t afford to deviate from it at all. “Um, sorry, but I have to go. I was supposed to meet my friend here so we can go, but he got sick so I guess change of plans.”
He’s about to leave when Yifan stops him. “Wait! I can make it worth your time!”
“That sounds weird, man,” Zitao wrinkles his nose.
“No, please,” Yifan pouts. “I can ask to end my shift early today. We can just go out once, today. I think you’re really attractive and you seem nice. I want us to hit it off. But if you still don’t like me after today, then you can leave and I won’t bug you anymore, even if you continue coming here.”
“Hmm …” Zitao really doesn’t want to, but then Yifan pouts some more and that’s all it takes for his resolve to be broken. “Ugh, okay, fine. We’re going now.”
Yifan grins and he rushes to the counter. Zitao takes out his phone and taps out a message to Luhan that he won’t be coming back anytime soon when Yifan returns, out of his apron and - wow, he’s absolutely gorgeous without the tacky apron. “Let’s go?”
“Okay,” Zitao shrugs. Hopefully he’ll get free food out of this.
The first place Yifan brings him to is a quaint little eatery. He laughs when Zitao questions why he had taken him out of his café to go to another one. Their lunch is relatively silent, Yifan asking Zitao questions and Zitao shooting them down with one-worded responses. He really hopes that Yifan gets the idea that he doesn’t want to be here with him, no matter how handsome he is, but Yifan doesn’t. Instead, he seems undeterred from Zitao’s lack of response and continues to be chatty. Probably to ease his nerves, but either way it gets annoying after some time.
“Why do you want to go out with me so badly today?” Zitao cuts through Yifan’s (fifth) retelling of the time when his cousin tripped over a Shih Tzu.
Yifan smiles, embarrassed, and Zitao has to stare because he looks kinda (dare he say it?) cute. “Oh. I’m really embarrassed to say this, but it’s my birthday today.”
“Oh.” Zitao blinks. Whatever he was expecting, it definitely wasn’t that. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-four.”
Zitao shrugs. “Happy birthday then.”
Yifan’s grin is so blinding Zitao had to shield his eyes.
Yifan has a firm grip on his wrist, dragging him despite his consistent complaining, and the next place they arrive at is -
“The carnival?” Zitao raises an eyebrow. “Really?”
“It’ll be fun!” Yifan laughs, tugging on Zitao’s wrist once again. “Come on!”
“No, it won’t,” Zitao grumbles. “It won’t! It wo-goddammit, Yifan, stop pulling me!”
“You’re such a spoilsport!” Yifan shouts back gleefully, successfully continuing to pull him inside the fair. “It’s only here for a week, and today’s it’s last day!”
Zitao groans but allows a small smile to grace his face.
They spend the rest of the day there. Yifan had managed to pull Zitao into numerous games, many of which had Zitao grumbling. But everytime Yifan flashes him a smile, Zitao’s heart would beat fast. Many a time Zitao tried to find a flaw in Yifan, to try and find something which would make Zitao hate him.
But no. Zitao knows that he’s wholly welcoming Yifan’s advances towards him since he’s never had a guy like him before. They’ve only liked Zitao for his body since he seduces them and they’re what he deems the “bad guys”, making it easier for him to not care about them. But since Yifan’s nice, which he’s never met before in his life, he doesn’t know how else to react but to like him back.
“Let’s go to the rollercoaster!” Yifan suggests excitedly.
“No,” Zitao says icily. He never liked rollercoasters. It makes him sick and he thinks it’s such a waste of time humans can ever think of and build.
Yifan pouts.
Zitao stands his ground.
In the end, Yifan manages to convince him to go to three rollercoasters with him; the first has Zitao sighing because it was kind of lame (it was a really small one, and it was more jerky than thrilling if anything), the second has Zitao clutching his seatbelt in fear as Yifan screams at the top of his lungs next to him, and the last has Zitao almost passing out in from the numerous loops and twirls.
“I think I’m gonna be sick,” Zitao groans, leaning against Yifan for support.
“I’m sorry,” Yifan chuckles. “I didn’t know you have a weak stomach. I’ll go get us some ice cream.”
Zitao eyes him suspiciously. “Are you trying to make me fat?”
At this, Yifan laughs loudly. It’s a delightful sound, one that has Zitao smiling back involuntarily. “Well, now that you mention it, you need to eat. You’re skinny as a stick!”
Zitao’s smile drops instantly. Yes, he doesn’t really eat considering that he only eats once a year and the food people eat doesn’t appeal to him that much. He does eat food to give him energy, but since it doesn’t really do anything but give him small energy boosts every now and then, he doesn’t eat much. “Oh. Okay.”
Yifan smiles. Zitao is starting to think that his smile never fades. “I’ll get you a double-scoop - chocolate and cream cheese.” Zitao moves to take out his wallet when Yifan stops him. “No, I’ll pay. It’s a date, remember?”
Zitao flushes and he looks away. “I-it’s not a date.”
“But we agreed to it being a date, didn’t we?” Yifan’s voice doesn’t sound teasing at all. He sounds confused and damn it, give Zitao a reason to hate him because it’s so hard to not hate him. “If you still don’t like it after today then I stop bugging you?”
Zitao smiles a small one. “Oh. Right. Sorry.”
Yifan pats his head. “Don’t be sorry. It’s fine.” He ruffles his hair and takes a few steps back. “I’ll be back, okay? Stay right there.”
Zitao can feel his heart pounding exceptionally fast, even when Yifan has left. Damn.
“So what are you doing here in Guǎngzhōu?” Yifan asks as they walk back through the park. When he came back with the ice cream, he noticed how sick Zitao looked so he had called it a day. He didn’t want to go back home yet, so they decided to walk around for a while.
Zitao snorts into his ice cream. “If you must know, I was actually supposed to go to Wǔhàn today with my friend, but he got sick and he can’t drive. So I’m waiting for him to get better so we can go.”
Yifan furrows his eyebrows. “Wǔhàn’s a pretty far distance from here. He’s driving all the way there?”
Zitao nods. “You can say that we’re on a road trip. He’s driven further before, and after we’re done visiting all the cities in China, we’re going someplace else.”
“You sound as if you don’t have any responsibilities,” Yifan laughs.
Zitao stays quiet. It’s true, but he’s not going to tell Yifan that.
“When are you guys leaving?”
Zitao shrugs, throwing the rest of his cone into a nearby garbage bin. “He’s not the sickly type, so when he does, it gets really extreme. I may be here for a week.” Yifan visibly brightens at this and Zitao realizes his mistake a beat too late. “U-uh, I mean - AH!” He collapses to the ground, face cringing in pain.
Yifan’s by his side in a moment, worriedly inspecting his body. “What’s wrong?”
It’s so strong, Zitao wants to say. The urge to eat is so strong … But it can’t be. Today’s not the day where he’s supposed to eat. It’s supposed to be in about three days. Of all days for it to come early, why does it have to be today? “I - I …” Zitao hurriedly thinks of an excuse. “I got tired from walking, so …”
Yifan’s smile is full of relief. “Okay. I’ll bring you back to my place. It’s closer and I’ll give you an ice pack to soothe the pain.”
“Zitao, I want you,” Yifan says suddenly.
Zitao nearly drops the ice pack, swallowing deeply. “I-isn’t it too soon?” he jokes nervously, fidgeting on Yifan’s couch.
Yifan shakes his head, looking unusually serious for the first time all day. “I don’t know why, but I just want you. We seriously only met today, but I’ve never felt anything so strongly before.”
“Oh, Yifan …” Zitao feels tears pool in his eyes, lowering the ice pack. “I was really mean to you today, and you were really nice to me, but …”
“But?” Yifan prompts in a gentle tone, leaning forward.
Zitao’s heart thumps painfully and he has to look away. Yifan is so handsome, so young, so beautiful. Zitao doesn’t want to eat him, but his brain is pulsing, the spider in him just begging to burst free. He has no choice but to eat Yifan if he wants to continue living.
“I want this, Zitao,” Yifan says in the same soft voice. “I don’t want to force you into anything, but I wished for this so badly.”
“‘Wished’?” Zitao looks up at Yifan, confused. “What do you mean by you wished for this?”
Yifan’s smile is kind, even when he tilts his head slightly to indulge Zitao. “I told you. Today’s my birthday.”
Zitao’s eyes widen and he feels like he’s going to throw up just as he realizes it. How can he forget? This is the cruelest thing Zitao has ever been damned to. He claps a hand over his mouth, tears already forming in his eyes. Oh God. He’s going to be eating Yifan on his birthday.
“Twenty-four, right?” Zitao manages to whisper.
“Yeah.” A light flush forms on Yifan’s cheeks, bless him, he’s so adorable. “My mother, she lives in Canada so I’m alone here right now, says that it’s the age I start believing in love and looking for it. She says that it’s about time I find someone.” He starts chuckling. “She doesn’t even mind if I’ve fallen in love with another man. She just wants me to be happy.”
He pries Zitao’s hand from his mouth and holds it tenderly with both hands, squeezing it. “Zitao, this may sound cheesy and creepy, but thank you for being that man.”
Oh God. No. Please no.
“Yifan -” Zitao starts to say, tears already running down his cheeks, but he’s silenced by Yifan pressing a finger against his lips.
“Thank you for making my wish come true.” Yifan smiles before leaning in to kiss Zitao for the first time. It’s so soft and so patient, so beautiful, so gentle, stop stop stop -
And all Zitao can do is cry because this is just so, so unfair. He had done so well. He stuck to his philosophy of only eating those “bad people” for hundreds of years. Why did he have to fall for Yifan’s charms?
Yifan sheds their clothes piece by piece until they’re both naked. Yifan holds Zitao close to him and gently pushes him down so he’s lying on the couch, the latter holding Yifan so close that they could be fused together. “Are you scared?” he whispers.
Zitao nods his head. He knows what Yifan’s talking about, but he’s not scared about that. He’s done this so many times. Instead, he’s scared of the terrible truth which will dawn on him when he’ll snap out of his Jorōgumo state, faced with the reality of eating Yifan. Hopefully when he finishes devouring Yifan there won’t be anything left. He doesn’t want to be constantly reminded of the terrible thing he’s committed.
“I’ll be gentle,” Yifan promises, kissing his neck.
“Please don’t,” Zitao sobs, clinging even more to Yifan. “Be fast.” End this as soon as possible. “Be quick.” Run away from me once you’re done. “Leave immediately.” I might have a chance to not eat you. “Don’t care about my pain.” You will be in much more pain should I eat you.
“Zitao, this isn’t what I -”
“Do it!” Zitao shouts, silencing Yifan. “Just …” His voice is small and pained once again. “Just do it. I will only agree to do this with you if you do it quick.”
Yifan stays still for a while and Zitao thinks he’s going to back out when Yifan shifts. “Okay.” Zitao hitches in a breath, hoping that Yifan wouldn’t actually go through with it. He could’ve escaped and still save himself. “If this is all it takes for me to be with you, I’ll do it,” Yifan says in a soft voice.
Zitao feels his heart breaking even more. Why does Yifan have to be so nice and perfect?
Yifan pushes himself off the couch and supports his weight on both his knees. He brings his fingers to his mouth when Zitao stops him. “Please,” he whispers. “Just …” he squeezes his eyes shut, “just take me now.”
“But -”
Zitao turns around, presenting the back view of his body. Yifan’s heart thumps at the sight and he nearly salivates. Zitao has a sinful body. It’s just a shame that Zitao doesn’t want to prolong this. Yifan sighs and drapes himself over Zitao’s body. “Okay.”
Zitao tenses when he feels the head of Yifan’s cock nudging his entrance. While he’s been with many, many men, he’s also been with them only once a year, so it still hurts from long periods of abstinence. Yifan pushes in until the the head pops in, Zitao gasping.
“I’m sorry,” Yifan quickly apologizes.
“No, don’t be,” Zitao whispers, feeling the last of his human sanity leave him. “Never be sorry.”
Yifan starts thrusting slowly, afraid to hurt Zitao when Zitao growls at him to go faster. He’s never heard him use such a tone so he stills for a moment, picking up speed. Mewls leave Zitao’s mouth as moans leave Yifan’s, the latter’s eyes sliding shut.
Zitao’s mind clouds over and his spider starts to crawl out. Yifan’s eyes are still closed, blissfully unaware of Zitao’s transformation. Zitao throws his head back as an inaudible gasp escapes him, eyes shining with a dim light as the pain comes in.
Come … his spider instincts call out. Come out and feast.
Zitao knows that this is where the feasting begins even though he can’t see anything. Thousands of baby spiders suddenly swarm into the living room, targeting Yifan as they skitter towards him. Their legs are extremely light so that Yifan wouldn’t notice them even as they crawl over him and spin webs, holding him in place. Zitao roughly shoves Yifan away from him, who’s extremely surprised by the sudden action. His eyes snap open and he leans forward, stilling when he realizes he can’t move. Yifan looks down and intakes a sharp breath, noticing the messy silk threads pinning him down.
“Z-Zitao,” Yifan is getting panicky, and it hurts Zitao’s heart to hear it. “Zitao, what is this?”
“I’m so sorry, Yifan,” Zitao cries. “I’m so sorry.”
He lets out an ear-splitting scream as he feels his midsection burning as it stretches. His skin turns black and his limbs turn into sharp pointed legs, two more pairings sprouting out from his sides. Yifan watches in horror as Zitao’s head morphs into a flat and hairy one, two elongated pincers growing on either side of his mouth. Only when the red hourglass forms on Zitao’s back and the transformation’s complete does Yifan realize what he is.
A Jorōgumo. Zitao’s a Jorōgumo. He had fallen for a Jorōgumo?
Yifan tries to struggle against the webs, but it proves to be useless. He glances around and notices the thousands of baby spiders looking up at him expectantly. Hungrily. “Z-Zitao!” Yifan screams, terrified to the bone. “Zitao, let me go!”
The spider moves forward and Yifan flinches, looking straight into its many eyes. It’s a gruesome sight, especially when it’s so close to you, but Yifan blinks when he notices an expression in the eyes. Apologetic. Does Zitao not want this? Is he sorry?
Yifan doesn’t have time to mull over this, not when Zitao suddenly rears back and opens his mouth wide.
I love you, Zitao.
Yifan screws his eyes shut and waits for the inevitable pain.
I love you, Yifan.
“Zitao!” Luhan bolts up from his bed when the door creaks open and Zitao steps into the room. “Where have you been? I’m feeling much better now! Why weren’t you picking up your phone?” He stills when he sees how distraught Zitao looks, holding something tightly against his chest. Whatever it is, it’s bloodied up, soaking through the cloth. “… Zitao?”
“It came early, Luhan,” Zitao whispers, still staring at the floor. “It came yesterday. I have to wait until another year.”
“But … but that never happened before,” Luhan says with a worried crease of his eyebrows. “It never came early before …” When Zitao doesn’t respond, Luhan glances at the thing in Zitao’s hands. “Zitao? What’s in there?”
Zitao immediately brightens, but it’s such an extreme turn of character that Luhan gets wary. “You have to see, Luhan!” He unwraps it and turns it around for Luhan to see it properly.
Luhan pales and slaps a hand over his mouth, taking a step back. He feels like he’s going to throw up, and the putrid smell isn’t helping. His legs are shaky and he collapses to the floor, Zitao’s grin bright but forced. “Z-Zitao, what is that?!”
Zitao pouts and hugs the thing protectively to his chest, stroking it. “Don’t be mean, Luhan. He has a name.”
“Why do you have a human head with you?” Luhan screams. This is the first time Zitao has ever done this before.
“He’s Yifan,” Zitao’s eyes are still expressively bright. “Isn’t he handsome, Luhan? He was my meal last night, and he was so delicious.” His eyes are suddenly brimming with tears. “But he loves me, and I couldn’t bear to eat him all the way. I need him with me.”
“You’re going to bring him?” Luhan asks in a horrified whisper. “Zitao, people are going to question us! You have to leave him here! We’re going to get caught!”
“But we’re in love, Luhan,” Zitao giggles. “He wants to come with me.”
“No!” Luhan screams. “Get rid of that thing! I’m going down to get our car ready. When I come back up, he’d better be disposed of!”
Zitao gasps and clutches Yifan’s head even tighter to his body. “How mean, Luhan! I can’t just leave him!”
“I’ll make you,” Luhan threatens. He slings his bag over his shoulder and grabs his car keys. “I’m coming up in ten minutes. It’d better be gone by then.”
The door slams behind him and Zitao stares at it. His wide eyes contort into a furious glare. “No one’s going to take him from me. He’s the first person to ever love me, and I’m never letting him go.” His eyes flash and he can feel his spider coming back out again. He feels his body stretching once again, the pain unbearable. But as he’s hugging Yifan’s head, he feels as though the pain’s gone completely.
“Come back here as fast as you can, Luhan,” Zitao snarls, his skin blackening and midsection expanding again. “I’m waiting for you.”