bsumone | Slightly less monstrous boys: prequel

Su-jin's gaze drifted in the direction of the altar. It was a sweet tribute to them. He realized they've only just met but...

"Tell me about them," he offered gently.

"They were really good people. They preferred to think of themselves as guardians of the forest. Protectors of those who wandered through it. I was little when they found me but they never treated me as just some human. To them I was family."

He kept eating while he spoke, like if he didn't then he would fall apart. He needed to keep doing this to keep himself together.

"My alpha was a tough man but he was always the one who would let me sleep in his bed when I was scared at night. And his mate was a tiny woman who was gentle and sweet but tough when she needed to be. They ran everything well. Everyone knew their place and no one ever had to question what they had to do or where they needed to be. It was safe. You felt wanted and protected and loved at all times."

"They sound wonderful," he mused softly. It must be difficult to be without them, but that went without saying. Su-jin thought Silvio honored them by carrying on, even if it was on his own. That also didn't need to be said. What would the opinion of a stranger who'd never known them matter?

But hearing this reinforced Su-jin's desire to check up on Silvio in a few days, to make sure he had someone around after the full moon. Even if he didn't need or want help, Su-jin could at least keep him company while he convalesced.

Finishing with the food, he got up and went to light the candles. Eleven in total. One for each of his fallen packmates who had been there for him his entire life. He stood there a moment, not able to see it but knowing that they were honored.

"They were good people who didn't deserve what was done to him. None of them," he murmured softly.

"What happened to the hunters?" If they were still around and active in the area, Silvio might still be in danger!

"I don't know. I know they hunted me for about a week after but I hid in a cave until I couldn't smell them anymore. Then I found this cabin and healed up before going to bury my pack and gathering things for the altar. I've been here since."

He knew he should want revenge but he didn't. There'd be no point to it. It wouldn't bring them back, wouldn't make him feel better. Better to live than to possibly die on a suicide mission.

It said a lot to Su-jin about Silvio's heart that he hadn't gone after them. He hadn't made it his life's work to find them and destroy them for what they took from him. A soft smile touched Su-jin's face and he moved to join Silvio by the altar to pay respect.

Ten years on his own, he's sure the wolf has taken his precautions to avoid such monstrous people in the future. Or, at least, defend against them. "You're a credit to them," he offered softly.

"Sometimes it doesn't feel that way," he confessed with a soft sigh, adjusting something that he realized didn't sound right because it had fallen over. With it fixed, he ran his fingers through his hair. "But I try for them anyway."

It was the least that he could do for being the only one left. "I continue their legacy by helping those that get lost in the woods. It's what they would have wanted because it's what we've always done. People call us the Guardians. Though I guess now it's just one."

Silvio turned to Su-jin. "When you're ready follow my scent out of the trees. If you do that you'll bet back to civilization in no time. You have my word."

"I'll come back after the moon," he promised. "With supplies, so you can rest." Though Su-jin was submissive by nature, his tone didn't leave room for argument. Well, Silvio could argue if he wanted, but it wouldn't do any good.

"Will you be alright until then?"

"I'm over a hundred years old now. It's not my first full moon." But he gave the man a smile to let him know he meant it. The moon was still going to be rough but he'd figure this out somehow just like he always did.

There was silver downstairs for a reason.

"Thanks for everything."

"Think nothing of it," he assured with a wave of his hand. Once Su-jin was sure Silvio was finished eating, he cleared away the dishes, washing and tidying up after him. Only once everything was back in its place did Su-jin say goodbye and take his leave. He was grateful for the trail Silvio left for him, as he wouldn't have been able to find his way out easily with his sense of smell alone.

As promised, after the last day of the full moon, Su-jin made a supply run in town and went to visit his new friend. He wasn't sure what to expect other than a weakened wolf. When he arrived, he brought fresh groceries, some fresh clothes, another bottle of medicine, and, of course, himself.

The house was eerily quiet when Su-jin got there. It didn't look like anyone had touched any part of it that whole time. But he'd also smell the distant scent of burnt flesh which would lead him downstairs.

And that was where Silvio was. He'd found the strength to unchain himself but that was it. Apparently he'd fallen halfway across the room trying to get to the stairs. His wrists, ankles, and neck were blackened from where the silver had touched him the longest and there were horrifying red burns from the chains when they'd made contact with him in his struggles. All easy to see because he was fully naked.

Smelling someone was there, he flinched away with a growl to defend himself until he remembered that scent through the haze of exhaustion and pain he was in. "...Su...jin?"

"That's right," he assured in a soft tone. "It's Su-jin." He'd left the supplies upstairs before venturing into the cellar. Once there, he could smell the burned flesh before he saw it. Oh, he understood easily what the wounds were from, but they still horrified him.

"I said I'd be back. Can I come closer?"

"Yes."

He went to try to get up with a pained groan but immediately fell back down panting for air. Silver was never the best option for a wolf but it was the only thing strong enough to keep him in when he didn't have a pack. A feral pack was far less likely to hurt nearby creatures than a lone wolf who was scared, after all.

He doesn't want to do anything to startle or upset Silvio. But he wants to help. He just has to be careful how he does it. Drawing nearer, Su-jin crouched beside Silvio. He could see the wounds more clearly and they tugged at his heart. He knew this was how Silvio kept himself and others safe, but it was still a grotesque sight to behold.

"Can I help you up?"

"Yes."

He gave up trying to get himself up on his own and opted to let Su-jin help him. There was no point in being so prideful that he couldn't accept help when he needed it. Without Su-jin he would have been down here all day just trying to get to the stairs. Not to mention the next couple of days where he'd be healing slowly due to what caused the wounds in the first place.

"Help me...get...upstairs..."

Though Silvio couldn’t see it, Su-jin nodded before come closer. He moved slowly to allow the wolf to hear him better. He laid a hand gingerly against Silvio’s shoulder, then he moved to get the other’s arm across his shoulders. He may be smaller than than Silvio, but he had a monster’s strength; it was more than enough for him to practically carry the wolf upstairs.

“Bed or bath?”

"Bed. Some of these are...still open."

He could smell it. It wasn't a lot of blood due to the nature of the injuries but they definitely were there. It was better to let those close before he sat in water for any length of time. That was something he'd learned the hard way several years back when he'd finally gotten himself up the stairs.

Silvio did try to walk but wasn't that successful. The bulk of this was definitely Su-jin just dragging and carrying him.

Su-jin didn't expect a lot of help getting the wolf upstairs. He was weak and tired, probably three days starved, if not more. He didn't know the specifics of how werewolves dealt with the moon, or how soon it affected them. All he knew for sure was what he saw right now.

The only difficulty he had was due to their height difference. Silvio's weight was no bother, but he did feel bad practically dragging his taller friend up the stairs. But once he managed, he brought Silvio to his bed and laid him out there. If not a bath, Su-jin could at least get a warm, wet cloth and help clean his face and uninjured skin.

But first... "How long since you've eaten?" He brought supplies and ingredients for soups and stews. If Silvio hadn't eaten in a span of days, he would need something light to break his fast.

Sinking onto the bed, Silvio winced at how even the soft bedding still ached against his wounded flesh. But it was better than the dirty basement. That was always the bonus really.

"Two days." He could usually manage to eat something during the day on the first day before he weakened entirely for the rest of the full moon. "Usually I don't manage to eat anything for another two or three. And it's whatever I can jump the easiest."

Because this was not an ideal situation for any wolf dealing with the full moon. Usually there was a pack to bring balance and life could go back to normal right away. Not for one who was alone though.

Su-jin nodded and hummed his acknowledgment. "Let me start some soup. Or just broth if you don't think you can handle anything solid yet." He trusted that Silvio knew what his stomach could tolerate better than anyone. He's been handling this by himself for a decade, after all.

"I can handle solids. Usually my first good is a freshly caught rat or a rabbit." Neither of which were ever cooked. He would just eat them as they were.

Closing his eyes, he let himself try to relax so he could properly start healing. But before Su-jin left the room he spoke again. "Thanks. For coming back."

Well, Su-jin couldn't really blame him for devouring whatever was available once he had the strength for it, could he? There was very little others could eat that could disgust him.

"I like keeping my word when I can." It's not like he had a terribly regimented life. As long as he could get back to Tiras every 15 days or so, everything would be fine. "I'll be back soon, alright?"

And with that, he made his way to the kitchen to prepare a simple chicken noodle soup. He figured the protein would definitely help Silvio regain his strength. Once he had the broth simmering, he found a large bowl and filled it with warm water. A cloth and a towel were draped over his arm when he returned. He set the bowl on the bedside table and dipped the cloth in before wringing it out so it was only damp. Then he began to wipe and the sweat and dirt on Silvio's face.

"Do you put anything on the wounds? Ointment or something like that?"

"If I can get to it I do. I wasn't able to refill my supplies before the full moon this time though." Because of his eyes. But there was no need to bring that up when they both knew the reason.

The warm cloth felt good on his face and he held still to let Su-jin do whatever he needed. The man was here to help. He wasn't about to be a difficult patient.

"The burns probably need to be cleaned first though. I know I writhe from the silver when I go feral so there's definitely dirt in there."

"I brought some medicines. And fresh clothes." Surely once Silvio is clean, patched up, and has his strength back, he'll want a proper wash and some clean clothes. Until then, this cloth and bowl of water will have to do. He swiped the cloth gently against Silvio's skin, forehead, cheeks, the bridge of his nose, his chin and jaw. Then Su-jin's eyes fell on the black burn around his neck. He couldn't help the soft gasp at seeing how bad those direct contact wounds were up close. He dipped the cloth back in the bowl, wrang it out and then hesitated.

"Is it okay for me to clean them?"

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