It was painfully beautiful, with grass so green it seemed unreal, and mountains emerging from behind the woods on the other side of the lake. The orange and purple glow of the sunset caressed their peaks, and fluffy clouds trailed over the sky just above. When Beast tossed his backpack to the grass, he caught a glimpse of the reflection of the lovely skyline before Hound rushed into the water to greedily quench his thirst.
“Can I help with the tent?” Laurent asked, running his hands over Beast’s back.
Beast stiffened, not expecting the touch. He looked over his shoulder, briefly settling his eyes on the lovely face only to see the familiar need for attention that he’d seen reflected in Laurent’s eyes all day. With the sun quickly descending down the colorful sky, it wouldn’t have been unreasonable to ask for help, and yet in this moment Beast wished he were alone, not having to face the man who kept so many secrets from him.
Still, he agreed and with Laurent following Beast’s instructions, the tent was up before it got completely dark. With Hound already at his canned dinner, Beast rushed between the trees to collect some firewood.
But he wouldn’t get the time alone, because Laurent followed him like a puppy. His hair was up in a bun, because it kept getting caught in everything before, and the bared nape once again reminded Beast of the brand on Laurent. The same one his father had, and yet one he was deemed unworthy of getting by whatever that demon was.
“I should only get dry ones, right?” Laurent asked, picking up a large branch.
“Yes,” said Beast curtly.
He knew he wasn’t being entirely fair to Laurent, but the situation he’d witnessed earlier was proof that something was definitely amiss, and that the stakes were against Laurent. How was he to protect him from King without being at Laurent’s side at all times? It wasn’t possible. And the fact that an inhuman being had its sharp claws invisibly clasped around Laurent’s neck wasn’t helping either. He had the notion that he himself could bear such a weight perfectly well, but Laurent’s shoulders were too fine, he was too sweet to deal with a monstrosity from another world. Beast didn’t want him touched by the hellfire or marked by a brand that looked so perverse on the porcelain skin.
No matter how much Beast craved being alone for a while, when Laurent stopped gathering branches in the same area, Beast was instantly on edge. How was he not to worry when it was getting darker by the minute? What if Laurent lost his glasses? Maybe if Beast got Hound to follow Laurent everywhere, it would be safer?
When heavy clouds gathered above and obscured the moon, a different kind of menacing thought crawled into Beast’s heart. What if for some reason it had been Laurent’s mission to seduce Beast? Wasn’t it entirely possible that Laurent had been chosen for his beauty? Then again, Laurent wasn’t always agreeable. They’d argued in the past, and wouldn’t someone trying to entice him have made sure Beast was always getting what he wanted?
When the light became so sparse it was starting to strain his eyes, it suddenly dawned on Beast that Laurent’s vision was far worse than his, and he looked around, trying to spot the familiar figure between the trees. He called out Laurent’s name.
“I’m at the camp!” Laurent yelled from afar.
Beast exhaled and carefully made his way back, watching the gray sky above the mountains. The clouds became thicker too, but he didn’t think of it much when he spotted Laurent sitting with Hound, hands running up and down the dog’s belly as the beast rolled, grunting with glee at every touch.
Beast stood still, watching the two of them in front of the tent, next to a stack of wood that would become the campfire.
Laurent took his time but finally looked up at Beast. “Are you angry with me?”
“No,” grumbled Beast without thinking, finally depositing the wood he collected along with Laurent’s. He wasn’t even sure whether he was lying or not. Maybe it was just that he was angry despite knowing that he didn’t want to be so. Why did all of this have to be so convoluted when this trip was about keeping things simple?
Laurent frowned. “Okay then.” He got up, giving Hound a few more pats on the belly, and… walked away.
Electricity went down Beast’s whole body. He followed, as if led on a leash. “Where are you going?”
“For a walk.” Laurent didn’t turn around, leaving Beast to simmer in his own frustration.
“You’re not going on a walk on your own. It’s dark. You’re gonna get lost in the woods,” Beast hissed, running up to him. He wanted to grab Laurent’s arm and forcefully lead him back to the camp but found that he couldn’t. Why was he so angry anyway if he’d longed to be alone for most of the day? Unconsciously, Laurent merely wanted to give Beast what he wanted.