Chapter Text
Another day, another night.
Another night, another moonlight.
Another moonlight, another... fight.
Day by day has passed, but Yin still hasn't forgotten the night when he was cursed as a werewolf. If at that time, his father hadn't accepted what the villagers said about hunting wild animals, perhaps he wouldn't hate his own kind.
Yes, werewolves.
If only his father hadn't say yes, he wouldn't hate the moonlight. He wouldn't hate how beautiful the moonlight illuminates the night along with the stars.
He wouldn't hate himself for accepting reality.
*
“You are so weird. How can you eat rare food?”
“Don't be friends with him! He eats like a dog!”
“Why do you think you deserve to befriend us? You smell like blood!”
The sound of laugh won't quiet down from his ear. It grew louder and louder, haunting him like a bad dream. Cold sweats slowly running from his forehead, tight grip on the bedsheet, showing how scary the world and humans for him.
“You are... a werewolf, aren't you?”
Gasp. Heavy breath.
Alone. He only able to hear himself breathing, the sound of crickets that never miss to accompany him to sleep, and how bright half-moon shining through his window blinds.
He is alone.
His resort, the other guest are sleeping, alone.
He is alone.
In this quiet forest, the birds, deers are alone.
He is alone.
No one dares to touch or bother him.
He is alone.
Yin is alone.
**
'Was it raining last night?' as soon as he stepped onto the resort's yard. He can feel the wet ground just by a glance. Morning dew starts to drip from one leaf to another, and the cold breeze swiping through his fingertips.
“The rainy season has finally arrived.” He mumbled quietly, walking back to the front door. It doesn't feel like a fresh morning, where 6 feels like 3. Dark, cold, wet, and how humid the surrounding is. He is worried about his guest who was planning to climb the mountain today. It was a bit unexpected, and he was expecting to have warm and shining sun instead of a gloomy morning.
Well, he can't help it, right? He got to remind his guest about the weather today.
*
'SLIPPERY GROUND. DO NOT CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN.'
It says on the board, very clearly, even with bold and thick font color black. Yet, everyone still protesting against Yin for not allowing his guest to climb.
Another day as a resort owner, and another day of complaint. He gets used to it. Besides, he understands how people have come far from their home, stays a night here, just to climb that famous mountain.
Well, at least he got the money.
Suddenly,
“Uhh- excuse me? I'm not hallucinating, right?”
What in hell is he talking about?
“How am I supposed to know?”
“I'm sorry. This resort, right in front of me, exists right?”
Huh? “You are standing right next to me, I'm talking to you, it is 8 in the morning, and you are wide awake.”
“So, it's a Yes?”
“As clear as crystal.”
“Thanks.” The latter nodded. “Are you one of the staff here? Can you lead me to the receptionist? I'd like to reserve a room.”
Yin raised his eyebrows. “Well, you are lucky. I'm the owner here, so you can ask me anything. For how long?”
“I'm planning to stay here for one week, but let's see if I'm going to extend later on.”
He nodded as a reply. “Here, let me show you the room.”
The walk from the yard to the guest's room wasn't that far, since Yin builds this small resort usually only for those who want to climb the mountain the next morning and for those who want to have one-day rest. He wasn't expecting someone wants to stay here more than a week. He can count how many days his guest can last longer staying here.
“By the way, I'm sorry about before.” said the guest. “I know this place from someone and I wasn't expecting this resort would be far away.”
“That's fine. Your friend must be a climber huh? Rare to hear someone introducing this place to others.”
The guest nodded. “Yeah, he went on a short adventure for a week around here.”
“I see.” as Yin unlocks the door. “Here's your room. The key right here, very soundproof, and make sure to close the window when it's dawn. Please ring my bell if the heater isn't working.”
“Thanks.” He grabbed the key from Yin. “But what's with the windo-”
“Mosquitos,” Yin answered shortly. Little did they know he was worried about the guest might found out about his 'secret'.
The guest seemed a bit taken back, but seemed to just shrug it off. “Sure. You can call me War by the way. War Wanarat.” He reached out for a handshake.
He is not sure where this strange feeling coming from, but Yin is sure that this man is different from other guests. Without any doubt, he reached outback and holding his small hand.
“Yin.” with a soft smile.
**
Ring. Ring. Ring.
War looked around at his surrounding, pressing the bell on the front desk. After taking an hour to tidy his thing, he just realized how plain and quiet this place is. Maybe because there are not many guests around, or maybe they were staying inside their room because of the weather today. But, what is certain for him is that how people here are only for one thing, which is the mountain.
“Sorry- I was just doing something at the back. Is there anything you need?” said Yin as he hurriedly walks to the front desk. War can tell he was in the middle of something. He feels bad somehow, and starts to wonder why is there anybody else besides him?
“Umm, what were you doing?”
“Me? I have to do some calculations for the tax and talk to someone from the city. What do you need?”
War looks at him strangely. “Don't you have other staff to help you?”
“Well-” he clears his throat. “No one wants to work in the middle of a dark and cold forest like this. Besides, I don't trust hum- I mean, people to do my job.”
“Okay...” a frown still clearly drawn on his face. Yin able to see question marks appear at the back of War's head. It's a no longer surprising statement, or the strange look and unexpected questions, his other guest also often questioning if he does everything on his own. Of course, there is some time where Yin wants to hire someone to help him. But for now, it is better to work alone. Besides, his guest ended up just shrugging the questions on the next day.
He better not spill any beans.
“So, is there anything that you need?”
“I almost forgot- do you have Wi-Fi here? I need to do something on my laptop.”
Yin purses his lips. “I'm sorry to inform you, but I don't provide any internet connection.”
“Wha- then how can you get in touch with people from the city?”
“I'm using a local phone, and I don't use the internet.”
War mumbled quietly. “What kind of resort is this...”
“I'm so sorry for informing you late, but my guest doesn't use the internet much because they only here less than two days. Besides, you still can use your phone signal.” Yin saw the latter rolling his eyes annoyingly. Again, it no surprise that he'd react like this. He doesn't know how to use the internet, no friends, so why would he wants to set up complicated things, in the middle of a forest like this?
“Ugh, fine. Thank you.”
Yin stopped him by grabbing his shoulder softly. “Hey, I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting a guest that wants to stay here more than a week.”
War shrugged off Yin's hand from his shoulder. “Don't think about it. It's not that important anyway.” He doesn't want to feel more annoyed than this, better for him to just shrug it off and back to his things.
“Once again, thanks.” as War left the front desk. Yin saw War walking away from him towards his room. Deep down, he feels bad for not able to fulfill his customer's request. However, there is nothing he can do about it.
Same as War, he decided to just swipe his thoughts under the rug.
**
Again, another night of loneliness. Another day of a sleepless night and another night of Yin being himself.
The unexpected guest, today's weather, and the angry crowd this morning are exhausting him. He is not used to standing in the crowd, at least not when they were furious. It's not his first time facing a situation like this, but somehow, it feels different from the other day.
Walking alone as a human is different from walking alone as a werewolf. Other than no ragging rage, howling and his sharp claws, he can feel how his surrounding are creepy. No normal human dares to walk alone at this time. Still, he feels safe. Feeling like he owns the jungle and no one dares to hurt him. The sound of an owl, crickets, and shrieking sounds from wild boar got caught by its prey are comforting him.
Lonely, but safe.
*
Tick. Tick. Tick.
'A quarter past two.' Yin peeked at the hanging clock. He finally got back from his night walk. Thanks to his sharp-like-dog hearing ability, he still able to hear his guests through the sound-proofed room. Some of them are snoring, some of them are still talking, arguing, and even packing up for tomorrow's trip. Some of them-
“In the cold night, sleepless night...”
A beautiful mellow sound of the piano can be heard from the unexpected guest's room. Along with the bright piano sound, Yin also able to hear the sound of War's grumbling and exhausted sigh. He is tired, he is frustrated. However, Yin still wants to hear it. He wants to hear the sound of a tuning piano. It puts him at ease, and how calming the sound as it reaches his ear. Doesn't matter how annoying the sound of War stopping at some time just to play it all over, he made a mistake at pressing the wrong keys, and the sound of scrabbling paper and scratching pencil tip.
It comforts him.
Upon this, he went to bed and fell asleep at ease after a while.
*
“Excuse me.”
Ring ring ring!
The sound of the ringing bell startled him to be awake. With his sleepy eyes, he looked around, wondering the dark still covering the sky.
'Who is it...'
A cough. “Excuse me!”
Yin looked up from his table, staring at the standing man right across from him with a deep frown on his face. It's the unexpected guest, the guy who played him a lullaby. It's him, War Wanarat.
He quickly rubbed his eyes, “Sorry- uh, may I help you?”
“I ran out of water in my room. Can you help me?”
He took another peek at the clock. It says 4.45, and this petite man dares to wake him up.
“But it's 15 minutes to 5. Can you wait until I'm ready?”
The latter groans as respond. “I'm thirsty, and I still need to get my work done.”
“But-”
“Look,” he paused him. “I just need water. If you can find me just one bottle, that'd be fine.”
Yin is surely taken back by how grumpy War is. He ended up leading him to his office and let him pour himself the water. A deep frown still visible on War's forehead. Not sure what he is facing, but Yin is sure that it's hard to handle for now.
“Can't sleep?”
War snapped at Yin. “You think?”
“Wow, I'm sorry. Just asking.”
“Oh god- no, I'm the one who should be sorry,” as he ruffles his hair in frustration. “I have something to finish in a month, and I haven't got anything right.”
Yin nodded slowly. “Is that the reason why I still hear the sound of the piano from your room?”
“Wha- how did you know? I thought the room was soundproof?”
Shit. He forgot about that.
“Uh- I- I have a sharp hearing.”
War still looking at him strangely, with his frown coming in for the third time. “Okay... but that might be because the room is not soundproof enough. You better check on that later.”
Yin chuckled at him lightly. “Okay, customer's always right.” War gave him a small pout as he responds, leaving the room with a water-filled bottle in his hand.
Without realizing it, he was watching the latter as he walked away, mumbling deep.
'Cute.'
**
After a while, Yin can feel the stinging heat coming from the sun. Nice weather, luckily, after the heavy rain and the sadness coming from the guest. He can see his guest are busy getting ready for their next destination. Lots of noises, kids running around, a bunch of backpacks filling the space of his lobby, and some of them are getting ready to walking down to the city. But strangely, he didn't see the person who wakes him up this morning just to get water. Maybe he's still in his room, having the beauty sleep that he was trying to gain from last night. Because he knew that he still listens to the tuning piano coming from his room.
Not to be creepy, but his sensitive ears can't help it.
One hour has passed, two hours reaching three. Back again to peaceful daylight where everyone had left the place. It's only Yin by himself and other guests in the room,
including War.
'Is he not up yet?' as Yin busying himself, cleaning the lobby. It's almost noon, and he hasn't heard another piano sound coming from his room again.
Suddenly-
“Yin, do you mind helping me with this? I want to take a cold shower, but I don't understand how to turn off the heater.” War loudly stomping towards Yin with his still messy bed hair and dirty white shirt. Not sure what stain is that on his shirt and near his cheeks, but it is sure looks cute on him.
“Yin?”
Shoot. “Uh, I'm sorry. Do you want to turn off the water heater then?”
War nodded. “Yes. I need to take a cold shower or else, it'll be hard for me to finish my work.”
“How is that relate to your work?” He chuckled.
“It is! The cold shower makes you more energized, meanwhile warm water will make you more sleepy.”
“I see.” Yin smiled softly as he enters War's room.
*
“You only need to turn the knob to Max, and wait for a good 10 minutes, and you'll enjoy back your warm water.”
“Thanks.”
“Don't mention it. It is my job to satisfy my customer.” He smiled back to the smiling latter.
Before leaving the room, Yin takes a few moments to watch his room. He didn't realize how his room was smaller than he thought, even though he built this place. And where does the sound of a piano coming from? He doesn't remember placing any instruments in War's room.
“War, can I ask you something?”
“Hit me.”
“Um,” he pressed his lips. “Remember when I said that I heard the sound of a piano coming from your room? I didn't see you bringing any instruments, and the room that I gave you doesn't have a piano inside.”
War frowned. “So it is true that my room isn't soundproofed?”
“Hey, I checked on that already. I just have a sensitive ear, okay? Besides, it's not like it's loud enough to bother another guest.”
“Is it?” He purses his lips. “Nevermind then. I was quite loud last night but I hope what you said was right. Anyway- yeah, the piano sound coming from my laptop. I need it to compose my song, I'm a songwriter.”
“Really? That sounds cool though.”
War chuckled. “Which part? Me as a songwriter, or the laptop part?”
“Both.” Yin still in awe. “Maybe because I don't know much about technology these days, but the fact that you write a song from that is cool to hear.”
He shook his head in disbelief. “You're such an oldie. I feel like talking to my grandpa.”
“Wha- what is that supposed to mean?”
“Kidding. You fascinating me.”
Thump.
Thump.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Yin swears to god if any other werewolves near here, they'd tease him to death for having his heart beating so fast and loud because of one human.
War is so cute, he can't deny that fact.
**
Cold breeze, cold sweats, and cold-blood killer.
That's how to describe what is happening tonight.
Yin was not expecting the full moon to come sooner than he thought. He did his math and checking his calendar twice. This is completely out of his head.
As soon as the clock hits midnight, he suddenly feels strange. His emotions went up to maximum level, wanting to hurt everyone in the room. His urge to kill and hunt is up to his alley. Eyes turning brown, rough furs coming out from his skin, sharp claws ready to harm.
He is a werewolf.
He hurts the innocents. He slays harmless animals, making them his meal. He had no heart. He is a wild, vile and vicious dog, a cold-blood killer.
But what everyone doesn't know is that he is hurting.
His werewolf ears are slowly back to human form. Sharp claws, rough fur, fangs are no longer visible. If wishing to a shooting star is real, he just wants these sharp claws and canines to be no longer visible for a lifetime.
Feeling exhausted with the 'werewolf' after effect, ragging emotions hasn't set from the surface and the feeling of disgust.
He didn't wish to born like this. Yin just wants the world to swallow the whole him and wish never to come back.
“You eat raw meat, ew!”
“There is no place for people like you, murderer.”
Bang!
He hits another piece of log, the only harmless way to release his anger.
Why is it so hard to accept himself? Why is it so hard to not hurt anyone? Why is it so hard to live as a normal human?
Swiftly, the mood changes as he heard another tuning sound of a piano coming from his resort. This time, it's more melodic and delicate, clearer than yesterday.
Without realizing it, he steps closer to the source, arrived with a closed window.
It's War's room.
In the cold night, sleepless night
When no one's there to hug you,
I will be the one who will come to you...
Suddenly, all the ragging anger inside him went gone like a wind. It was replaced by the feeling of comfort, ease, and warmth. War's voice soothed him. His tightening knuckles went loose and red from all the blood that he keeps holding, his head suddenly went white and blank.
He just wants to sleep there, listening to his voice.
Tonight was a cold night, but not for his heart.
He feels comforted, by a human, War Wanarat.