[DC20] Amber Scales
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: KiHen/HenBum
Genre: AU!Fantasy, Drama, Romance
Theme: Grain, Phrase to include: "which way is right"
Summary: He obediently followed orders with crisp resentment, waiting patiently for the familiar man to run obliviously into the monster's embrace. Waiting as the man also left his responsibilities to assume a fairly normal life, while also leaving him behind.
-
Henry's eyes narrowed dangerously, he grabbed a fistful of powder in his hands from the ebony bowl on his kitchen counter.
"No harm." The shadow behind the door spoke.
"I don't believe you." Henry uttered, glancing at the charms on the lowered desk. He slowly stepped towards it as quietly and cautiously as he could, when he heard a soft creak behind him.
The demon screeched as Henry jumped back, dodging the claws. The demon's yells echoed as Henry threw the powder against him, the grains scathing his discolored body when the demon made a last-ditch effort, moving to grab his hand when he yelled in agony.
The skin that touched burst into flame, enveloping the demon's body until it disintegrated, black ashes left behind in its wake.
Henry took a deep breath and winced, his hand reaching up to his neck where he felt a hint of pain and felt the blood slid down his neck. He wasn't entirely unscathed.
He held an unused charm held between his fingers and sighed. "I'm still not good enough." The young man murmured, standing within the isolated and modern apartment.
To his disappointment, he couldn't leave everything behind as easily as he thought.
-
He closed the panel door behind him, taking a deep breath as he walked down the steps of the shrine when he felt a sudden weight against his back.
"Uncle!" Henry looked back at his nephew at Donghae's smile. Henry still couldn't take to that title, considering their short age gap. "I never thought I'd see you back here."
"I had to speak with Grandfather." Henry replied. He felt his hands tugged by the younger man when he looked up, Donghae turned around and followed his gaze.
"Is something wrong?" His nephew asked.
Henry thinned his lips. Donghae could read his intention. "If you want to say sorry, you can." Donghae offered.
"Why should I say sorry? I did nothing wrong."
Donghae sighed dejectedly. "If you say so Uncle."
Henry chose not to give reasons, none of which would suffice to his family why he left.
He stepped inside the guest room, changing out of his clothes when midway his eyes landed on the mirror. He blinked as he took in what he saw, the charcoal colored dragon that wrapped around his upper torso, down to his legs and around his arms until they reached one side of his neck. The tattoo-like imprint that he wasn't yet used to.
"I thought you would never return here."
Henry froze momentarily, looking behind him with a guarded gaze to the demon who stood before him, earnestly surprised.
"I didn't have a choice, the demons started following me home." Henry replied as he quickly put on his shirt, to that the demon smirked. The amber hue seemed almost alive around the irises.
Had it been any other monster that touched his skin, dared to touch the black marks that covered his body, they would have been covered in flame as the former demon had.
But Kibum's fingers graced over his black marks, his fair skin, eyes lit at the daring contact. Henry visibly swallowed as their eyes locked. Kibum dared to swoop in, gathering the younger in his arms.
"Welcome home."
-
Henry walked about the confines of the shrine grounds outside beneath calm blue skies, watching as two young girls picked up their fortunes and shouted in glee. He rolled his eyes.
"You still hate them." Kibum noted, standing on the rail above him.
"Obviously." Henry uttered icily. "Those fools always demand luck and fortune. It's a waste of time."
"But it brings in profit."
Henry continued walking until he stopped before the tree covered in knotted pieces of papers. Early on, he thought they were wishes written on paper, not the fortunes of luck. He remembered writing his own wish. He wondered what it was.
He reached for his injured shoulder, lifting up his sleeve to check his wound when Kibum appeared behind him. His shirt nearly ripped in two as his shoulder was bared. He watched as Kibum examined the bandaged skin.
"Now do you believe me?" Kibum began to Henry's chagrin. "The demons will aim to kill you, whether you decline to take Grandfather's role or not."
Henry shook his shoulder from the demon's grip.
"You think that by leaving you'll no longer be threatened, but a demon does not understand between which way is right or wrong by humans. You should have known better than to assume a demon will just let you go because of some formalities."
"That won't stop me. I'm still going to live a somewhat normal life, no matter what it takes." Henry uttered. He spoke to him as if there were no formalities between them, when really Kibum was eldest among the two. He momentarily forgot that Kibum was a lot older than he appeared.
They walked up the shrine steps. Henry, by habit, intertwined his fingers in sacred beads, the small cup beside it holding the familiar powder.
Henry's bonded hand did not intimidate the demon who strolled towards him, head raised high. Henry lowered his hand as Kibum reached to place a hand on his shoulder. With a moment of hesitance, he pulled back.
"I assume you'll be leaving then." Kibum uttered.
"Soon."
Kibum was visibly disheartened. "I've protected you well, haven't I?"
Henry sighed at the demon's approach. He shrugged off the tense atmosphere, forcing a strained smile. "You shouldn't treat it as if my leave home will cause some tremendous impact."
"You'd be surprised of how much people suffer when you leave." Kibum stated, Henry raised his gaze to the demon's expressionless face.
"You'll be fine, you can be Donghae's caretaker."
"And for his sons when he has one, for the descendants that come after. I know what is expected of me Henry." Kibum said, his tone with a slight edge. "I follow your words without disobeying them, but it doesn't mean I enjoy it... Tell me, is your life happier without me?"
"That's not-"
"I know that was not your intention. But it feels like that." Kibum uttered, his eyes hardened. "I'll do as you wanted."
He disappeared before Henry could reach him, cringing as he cursed out loud.
He left for his own reasons, nothing that involved the other. That was it. Something Kibum couldn't understand. Then again, the demon knew nothing else but to be a part of Henry's life, and he still couldn't get it across.
-
Flashback
The beast reared its head, the young boy hid behind his father's leg as the handler grinned.
"This is your own pet. Your protector." His father informed his son. The dragon was quite small, but its ferocity displayed loudly.
Henry stared with wide eyes as the dragon's tail whacked in every direction, slamming against the ground.
"He will be trained until he learns that discipline is the only option." The handler said, lifting the chain as the dragon was forced to lift its neck, straining. "He's quite small compared to the average size but he's quite a fighter. He has yet to show me his human side though."
The dragon's muffled yells made the young boy worry.
"Stop!" Henry said, pushing at the handler's legs. "You're going to hurt him."
The handler laughed. "Believe me, if you don't hurt him, he won't know who's his boss." He then looked to the dad. "You say you have the cage already prepared downstairs? Until he's trained, it'd be best to do so."
His father nodded. Henry cringed as he continued to hear the beast's yells, covering his eyes as the handler pulled the chain roughly. His father ruffled his hair. "My son deserves the best protection there is."
"For a shrine-keeper, I'm sure you attract the worst of it."
Henry waited until later that night as he sneaked downstairs. He glanced upstairs, knowing his parents would be angry and that he'd be in trouble. Yet his curiosity got the best of him when he found himself staring at the beast's eyes.
He stepped towards the metal bars, the paper charm on all sides, and lightly held him with his pale hands. "Are you mine?" Henry asked.
The dragon jumped, snarling loudly as Henry fell backwards onto the floor. His wide eyes brimmed with tears at the action.
A hand outstretched through the bars, hesitating before gently patting his head. Henry opened his eyes, staring into softened dark ones as the fingers wiped away the escaping tears.
Slowly, he relaxed, giving a small smile as he grabbed the demon's wrist. "I promise. I'll take care of you! I won't ever hurt you like that man did today."
The demon still didn't speak, but as he stared at the fiery amber outline of his eyes, he felt that inaudible apology.
He cleared his throat at the memory that crept into his thoughts.
The present and matured Henry lifted the hair from his eyes, looking out the windows of the shrine as he sat on the ground.
It was then he saw the windows latch close, each lock clicked. He quickly reached for the beads and intertwined them in his hands, but the panel doors refused to open.
"It's only me."
Henry exhaled, turning around. Kibum smiled bitterly. "You've been away for so long, you can't even notice my presence anymore. You used to be able to sense me even with your eyes closed."
"Open the doors." Henry ordered, Kibum without movement, allowed the latches to unlock.
"With me there, you never would have been hurt." Kibum said as he stepped closer. "The only man could who possibly kill me, is a dear friend."
Henry nearly widened his eyes as Kibum abruptly laid his head on his shoulder, holding him close.
"My own thoughts are rambled together constantly, always thinking of you when I need to focus. It's made clear to me, clearer than I ever realized, that my mind's only alright when you're around."
He clutched the human closer to him. "Stay." Kibum pleaded.
"I... You know I can't..."
"Then take me with you." Kibum said. "If you truly care about my survival, my health, know I'm at my worst here."
Henry felt his hands lay against his neck, forcing him to meet his amber eyes.
"I can't stand another day without you."
The strand snapped in two, the beads falling to the ground from Henry's uncovered hand. They clanged repeatedly as they rolled across the room.
Kibum's lips melded against Henry's, fingers tracing the edges of the imprint on his neck. The very mark Kibum had placed on him the day he announced he was leaving, in order to protect him.
Once they parted, their foreheads laid against one another. Kibum kissed his cheek and embrace the human tightly in his arms.
Henry clutched the demon's jacket, slowly opening his eyes as he looked over his shoulder at the clear window. Able to see the tree outside.
Henry remembered his wish.
The letters he hastily scribbled down the small piece of paper. The then young child hurriedly stuffed it in the tree and ran inside, hearing his name called by the demon who outstretched a patient hand. The same hand he hurriedly grabbed onto, smiling as he was brought into his warm embrace.
"I want to be with my caretaker forever."
-
Outside his apartment, Henry could hear the distant sound of dragons roaring in the night.
"Why are they so unruly?"
Kibum smiled as he appeared behind him, arms snaked around his waist, holding the human close. "They demand leadership. But do not worry, a contact of mine has assured me there will be one. When though, I can't say."
"Why not?" Henry asked, meeting his gaze in his tightened hold. An affectionate kiss to his forehead.
"Because he's as stubborn as you are."
Henry narrowed his eyes briefly, laying back against him as he then asked. "And you won't do it?"
"My place isn't with them." Kibum stated. "It's with you."
Henry's expression softened at the reply, acting nonchalant to his honesty when he felt Kibum's lips press against his cheek.
He couldn't let go of the past completely, that much he realized. He felt foolish for assuming that all he truly wanted was a normal, human life.
Here, resting within the demon's embrace, was his place. A wish worth granting, worth fulfilling.
- ❄ Challenge 19 ❄ | ❄ Challenge 21 ❄ -
A/N: I may... have (unknowingly) made this a side story? Spin-off, considering some of the familiar characters I'm using in this one-shot, to a larger series in the future. Also realized it's the second Kihen caretaker relationship... that has also not been revealed.
Hope to post them soon ^^;
Check out my-prection a comm for SuJu rare pairs ^^.
Pairing: KiHen/HenBum
Genre: AU!Fantasy, Drama, Romance
Theme: Grain, Phrase to include: "which way is right"
Summary: He obediently followed orders with crisp resentment, waiting patiently for the familiar man to run obliviously into the monster's embrace. Waiting as the man also left his responsibilities to assume a fairly normal life, while also leaving him behind.
-
Henry's eyes narrowed dangerously, he grabbed a fistful of powder in his hands from the ebony bowl on his kitchen counter.
"No harm." The shadow behind the door spoke.
"I don't believe you." Henry uttered, glancing at the charms on the lowered desk. He slowly stepped towards it as quietly and cautiously as he could, when he heard a soft creak behind him.
The demon screeched as Henry jumped back, dodging the claws. The demon's yells echoed as Henry threw the powder against him, the grains scathing his discolored body when the demon made a last-ditch effort, moving to grab his hand when he yelled in agony.
The skin that touched burst into flame, enveloping the demon's body until it disintegrated, black ashes left behind in its wake.
Henry took a deep breath and winced, his hand reaching up to his neck where he felt a hint of pain and felt the blood slid down his neck. He wasn't entirely unscathed.
He held an unused charm held between his fingers and sighed. "I'm still not good enough." The young man murmured, standing within the isolated and modern apartment.
To his disappointment, he couldn't leave everything behind as easily as he thought.
-
He closed the panel door behind him, taking a deep breath as he walked down the steps of the shrine when he felt a sudden weight against his back.
"Uncle!" Henry looked back at his nephew at Donghae's smile. Henry still couldn't take to that title, considering their short age gap. "I never thought I'd see you back here."
"I had to speak with Grandfather." Henry replied. He felt his hands tugged by the younger man when he looked up, Donghae turned around and followed his gaze.
"Is something wrong?" His nephew asked.
Henry thinned his lips. Donghae could read his intention. "If you want to say sorry, you can." Donghae offered.
"Why should I say sorry? I did nothing wrong."
Donghae sighed dejectedly. "If you say so Uncle."
Henry chose not to give reasons, none of which would suffice to his family why he left.
He stepped inside the guest room, changing out of his clothes when midway his eyes landed on the mirror. He blinked as he took in what he saw, the charcoal colored dragon that wrapped around his upper torso, down to his legs and around his arms until they reached one side of his neck. The tattoo-like imprint that he wasn't yet used to.
"I thought you would never return here."
Henry froze momentarily, looking behind him with a guarded gaze to the demon who stood before him, earnestly surprised.
"I didn't have a choice, the demons started following me home." Henry replied as he quickly put on his shirt, to that the demon smirked. The amber hue seemed almost alive around the irises.
Had it been any other monster that touched his skin, dared to touch the black marks that covered his body, they would have been covered in flame as the former demon had.
But Kibum's fingers graced over his black marks, his fair skin, eyes lit at the daring contact. Henry visibly swallowed as their eyes locked. Kibum dared to swoop in, gathering the younger in his arms.
"Welcome home."
-
Henry walked about the confines of the shrine grounds outside beneath calm blue skies, watching as two young girls picked up their fortunes and shouted in glee. He rolled his eyes.
"You still hate them." Kibum noted, standing on the rail above him.
"Obviously." Henry uttered icily. "Those fools always demand luck and fortune. It's a waste of time."
"But it brings in profit."
Henry continued walking until he stopped before the tree covered in knotted pieces of papers. Early on, he thought they were wishes written on paper, not the fortunes of luck. He remembered writing his own wish. He wondered what it was.
He reached for his injured shoulder, lifting up his sleeve to check his wound when Kibum appeared behind him. His shirt nearly ripped in two as his shoulder was bared. He watched as Kibum examined the bandaged skin.
"Now do you believe me?" Kibum began to Henry's chagrin. "The demons will aim to kill you, whether you decline to take Grandfather's role or not."
Henry shook his shoulder from the demon's grip.
"You think that by leaving you'll no longer be threatened, but a demon does not understand between which way is right or wrong by humans. You should have known better than to assume a demon will just let you go because of some formalities."
"That won't stop me. I'm still going to live a somewhat normal life, no matter what it takes." Henry uttered. He spoke to him as if there were no formalities between them, when really Kibum was eldest among the two. He momentarily forgot that Kibum was a lot older than he appeared.
They walked up the shrine steps. Henry, by habit, intertwined his fingers in sacred beads, the small cup beside it holding the familiar powder.
Henry's bonded hand did not intimidate the demon who strolled towards him, head raised high. Henry lowered his hand as Kibum reached to place a hand on his shoulder. With a moment of hesitance, he pulled back.
"I assume you'll be leaving then." Kibum uttered.
"Soon."
Kibum was visibly disheartened. "I've protected you well, haven't I?"
Henry sighed at the demon's approach. He shrugged off the tense atmosphere, forcing a strained smile. "You shouldn't treat it as if my leave home will cause some tremendous impact."
"You'd be surprised of how much people suffer when you leave." Kibum stated, Henry raised his gaze to the demon's expressionless face.
"You'll be fine, you can be Donghae's caretaker."
"And for his sons when he has one, for the descendants that come after. I know what is expected of me Henry." Kibum said, his tone with a slight edge. "I follow your words without disobeying them, but it doesn't mean I enjoy it... Tell me, is your life happier without me?"
"That's not-"
"I know that was not your intention. But it feels like that." Kibum uttered, his eyes hardened. "I'll do as you wanted."
He disappeared before Henry could reach him, cringing as he cursed out loud.
He left for his own reasons, nothing that involved the other. That was it. Something Kibum couldn't understand. Then again, the demon knew nothing else but to be a part of Henry's life, and he still couldn't get it across.
-
Flashback
The beast reared its head, the young boy hid behind his father's leg as the handler grinned.
"This is your own pet. Your protector." His father informed his son. The dragon was quite small, but its ferocity displayed loudly.
Henry stared with wide eyes as the dragon's tail whacked in every direction, slamming against the ground.
"He will be trained until he learns that discipline is the only option." The handler said, lifting the chain as the dragon was forced to lift its neck, straining. "He's quite small compared to the average size but he's quite a fighter. He has yet to show me his human side though."
The dragon's muffled yells made the young boy worry.
"Stop!" Henry said, pushing at the handler's legs. "You're going to hurt him."
The handler laughed. "Believe me, if you don't hurt him, he won't know who's his boss." He then looked to the dad. "You say you have the cage already prepared downstairs? Until he's trained, it'd be best to do so."
His father nodded. Henry cringed as he continued to hear the beast's yells, covering his eyes as the handler pulled the chain roughly. His father ruffled his hair. "My son deserves the best protection there is."
"For a shrine-keeper, I'm sure you attract the worst of it."
Henry waited until later that night as he sneaked downstairs. He glanced upstairs, knowing his parents would be angry and that he'd be in trouble. Yet his curiosity got the best of him when he found himself staring at the beast's eyes.
He stepped towards the metal bars, the paper charm on all sides, and lightly held him with his pale hands. "Are you mine?" Henry asked.
The dragon jumped, snarling loudly as Henry fell backwards onto the floor. His wide eyes brimmed with tears at the action.
A hand outstretched through the bars, hesitating before gently patting his head. Henry opened his eyes, staring into softened dark ones as the fingers wiped away the escaping tears.
Slowly, he relaxed, giving a small smile as he grabbed the demon's wrist. "I promise. I'll take care of you! I won't ever hurt you like that man did today."
The demon still didn't speak, but as he stared at the fiery amber outline of his eyes, he felt that inaudible apology.
He cleared his throat at the memory that crept into his thoughts.
The present and matured Henry lifted the hair from his eyes, looking out the windows of the shrine as he sat on the ground.
It was then he saw the windows latch close, each lock clicked. He quickly reached for the beads and intertwined them in his hands, but the panel doors refused to open.
"It's only me."
Henry exhaled, turning around. Kibum smiled bitterly. "You've been away for so long, you can't even notice my presence anymore. You used to be able to sense me even with your eyes closed."
"Open the doors." Henry ordered, Kibum without movement, allowed the latches to unlock.
"With me there, you never would have been hurt." Kibum said as he stepped closer. "The only man could who possibly kill me, is a dear friend."
Henry nearly widened his eyes as Kibum abruptly laid his head on his shoulder, holding him close.
"My own thoughts are rambled together constantly, always thinking of you when I need to focus. It's made clear to me, clearer than I ever realized, that my mind's only alright when you're around."
He clutched the human closer to him. "Stay." Kibum pleaded.
"I... You know I can't..."
"Then take me with you." Kibum said. "If you truly care about my survival, my health, know I'm at my worst here."
Henry felt his hands lay against his neck, forcing him to meet his amber eyes.
"I can't stand another day without you."
The strand snapped in two, the beads falling to the ground from Henry's uncovered hand. They clanged repeatedly as they rolled across the room.
Kibum's lips melded against Henry's, fingers tracing the edges of the imprint on his neck. The very mark Kibum had placed on him the day he announced he was leaving, in order to protect him.
Once they parted, their foreheads laid against one another. Kibum kissed his cheek and embrace the human tightly in his arms.
Henry clutched the demon's jacket, slowly opening his eyes as he looked over his shoulder at the clear window. Able to see the tree outside.
Henry remembered his wish.
The letters he hastily scribbled down the small piece of paper. The then young child hurriedly stuffed it in the tree and ran inside, hearing his name called by the demon who outstretched a patient hand. The same hand he hurriedly grabbed onto, smiling as he was brought into his warm embrace.
"I want to be with my caretaker forever."
-
Outside his apartment, Henry could hear the distant sound of dragons roaring in the night.
"Why are they so unruly?"
Kibum smiled as he appeared behind him, arms snaked around his waist, holding the human close. "They demand leadership. But do not worry, a contact of mine has assured me there will be one. When though, I can't say."
"Why not?" Henry asked, meeting his gaze in his tightened hold. An affectionate kiss to his forehead.
"Because he's as stubborn as you are."
Henry narrowed his eyes briefly, laying back against him as he then asked. "And you won't do it?"
"My place isn't with them." Kibum stated. "It's with you."
Henry's expression softened at the reply, acting nonchalant to his honesty when he felt Kibum's lips press against his cheek.
He couldn't let go of the past completely, that much he realized. He felt foolish for assuming that all he truly wanted was a normal, human life.
Here, resting within the demon's embrace, was his place. A wish worth granting, worth fulfilling.
- ❄ Challenge 19 ❄ | ❄ Challenge 21 ❄ -
A/N: I may... have (unknowingly) made this a side story? Spin-off, considering some of the familiar characters I'm using in this one-shot, to a larger series in the future. Also realized it's the second Kihen caretaker relationship... that has also not been revealed.
Hope to post them soon ^^;
Check out my-prection a comm for SuJu rare pairs ^^.