Chapter 18: I Did So To Protect You

"Aries... why do I feel like you're still upset?" Sol asked.

"I'm not."

"Then... why were you so irritable today?"

"... I wasn't."

"..."

"..."

"Now you're the one lying to me." Sol frowned as he blocked my path, forcing me to look at him.

"I'm not." I lied through my teeth.

"You are! It's plain to see by the way you are triggered by almost everything that didn't go your way today!" Sol said with a frustrated tone in his voice, his eyes narrowed as he glared at me.

"... Ah. You're right. Mostly everything was out of my control today. It was so frustrating that I couldn't stand it." I replied after running my fingers through my hair in frustration.

"..."

"Even you were unwilling to tell me the reasons behind that bandage until I forced my hand! However... what I couldn't stand was how I was not there to prevent it from happening."

"Aries..."

"Sol. Was there ever a moment where you would have told me about the injury without me forcing it out of you?"

"I... Of course there would be..." Sol hesitated as he struggled for words.

Did I force him into a corner? To protect him obsessively so much so that he would keep such an injury from me?

"... With your answer alone... Sol... You know what?"

"What?" I heard Sol's voice waver. Was he worried about me? That is enough for me... Knowing you care for someone like me.

"I think we should keep our distance for awhile."

"Eh...?"

"Let's part ways here. Oh... right, the keys." I said as I fumbled through my pockets and placed the keys onto his hands.

"Take care while I'm gone." I said as I placed the jacket I had taken off around Sol's shoulder.

I should have restrained myself from seeing him the minute I lost control over my wolf. I'm certain that the assailant was none other than myself. How could I only be thinking of myself and possibly think of keeping him safe when I was the one who hurt him!

"A-Aries! Wait!" Sol yelled as I stopped in my tracks.

He seemed reluctant to let me leave. Is it because of his sense of responsibility? It's fine. He had done nothing wrong. His gadget was a failure like all the others but... I don't want to hurt him. After all... he was the one who showed this monster what sunlight should feel like. How spring was the season I always wanted to stay in.

"W-what about your condition? Or the tests?"

"... I'll manage." I said as I smiled solemnly to myself.

It was a good line. If he had said anything else... I couldn't possibly have refused.

***

I walk the long way back to my apartment but remembered I had left my keys back at his place. I furrowed my brows in frustration as I slammed my fist against a pole.

It was a good thing it had begun to rain. The people that filled the street were less than a dozen. If it were crowded, they would have noticed something was wrong.

I left the area and wandered for a long while before turning to look for a hotel to crash in.

I paid for a room just for the night as the concierge handed me a room card. I nodded as I took the card and headed straight to the room, paying no mind to whoever I passed.

It was getting close to night. The phase of the moon was not over so its likely that I will turn again.

I had no idea what the wolf does whenever it's in control. However... I was not going to let it go freely since it had harmed the person I love. If I have to part from him just so that I know he is safe then... My silence and distance for his safety and wellbeing... I will pay for it at my own expense.

"I will not let you have your way." I said as I strapped on the muzzle I had bought earlier at a pet store I passed by and restrained myself to the bed as I encircled the leash around its post.

"You have been a bad boy."

***

Morning came and I awoken in a daze. I expected to find myself in the hotel room but was met with walls I was familiar with and a scent I would never forget.

No! How? I... I have to get out of here.

"Aries...?"

He was awake? He usually would be fast asleep at this time why...?

"Am I dreaming? I hadn't heard from you for so long..." I found myself wrapped in a warm embrace as I stared dumbfoundedly at Sol.

What? I just left for a day...

Huh...? My head... It's ringing so badly...

"Sol..." I whispered as I finally placed my awkward hands on his shoulders.

Sol pulled his head out of my chest and looked up at me with a weak smile.

His face looked haggard and his eye bags were eminent. What happened in one day? How does he look so...

"What happened? Why do you look like this? Was it because of the wolf bite?"

"Wolf...? Oh... No. Its not that... I just... missed you so much." Sol said as he sighed and tightened his grip around me.

What is happening right now? Also... this ringing is so...

"Where had you been? What were you up to? The concierge contacted your sister about two days ago to pick up your stuff as they said you only wanted a room for the night but when they went to get you, you were not there."

Huh?

"Your belongings were left in your room but there was a large hole in the window. I was... scared you had jumped off... there were no reports about it so maybe you had made it out alive. Now that you're here I..."

"S-Sol! Are you crying? Why do you... ugh..."

"Aries?! Are you okay? Sh-should I let go? Did I hug too tightly?" Sol panicked as he released me and glanced upwards at me.

"No... it's my head... A-anyways... how long has it been? You make it sound like I have been gone for a long time."

"But... Aries..."

"?"

"It's been a month."

"What?"

"There were close to no traces of you for a month... Your sister told me to prepare for the worse case scenario. But today when I entered the room you... ..."

"Ah... I'm sorry for worrying you... Please don't cry." I said as I wrapped my arms around him.

How... the wolf... what had it done?