One for the prey, two for the predators, or something like that but who cares? Is that even true?

Liam took a deep breath, trying to shake off his lingering worries. The sunlight streaming through the window bathed the small room in a warm glow, a stark contrast to the chaos that had engulfed the world outside.

The room was cozy and Liam find himself forgetting what's becoming of the world.

David nestled closer to Liam, his dark hair tousled and his eyes still heavy with sleep. "You've been staring out that window again, haven't you?" he said playfully, his voice a soft rumble.

"Just thinking," Liam admitted, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "About what's happening out there…"

"Then don't beautiful," David replied gently, meeting Liam's gaze. "They'll live, even if they abandoned us the last time, they'll live because we aren't actively trying to kill them."

Liam chuckled, entirely smithen. "Who said I was worrying for those idiots? If we found themselves face to face again, I think I'll punch that suck up bitch." He grinned.

"Let's make breakfast and forget about them," David suggested, stretching his arms above his head. "I'll whip up some of that oatmeal you like, and I think one of the plants have given berries too."

"Sounds perfect." Liam smiled, allowing the mundane task to ease his mind. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, stretching his limbs. A subtle sense of normalcy crept in as he rubbed his eyes and made his way to the small kitchen.

As David hummed to himself while preparing breakfast, Liam took a moment to soak in the scene. The bubbling of the pot, the smell of cooking oats filled the air—and Liam felt at ease once more, the previous anxiousness disappearing.

Once breakfast was ready, they sat at the small wooden table, sunlight filtering through the dusty windows. As they ate, they shared plans for the week, Liam wanted to have the first Don fruit, it was a fruit they couldn't have in the past, but now, Liam wanted one, if they would use it is to be seen. David wanted to do something fun, and he didn't stop himself, proposing more ideas.

Liam couldn't help but smile at David's animated gestures as he tried to sell the idea—a trip in the mountains before the evolution of the most dangerous beast. Laughter filled the air, David having decided that, kissing the blond, was the only way to sell that idea through.

After breakfast, they cleaned up together in a comfortable silence, their hands brushing against each other, grounding Liam in the reality of their shared existence.

Once everything was tidied up, they moved to the window, peering out to their culture before their house. They had done renovations to be more at ease, and well, corpses were good nutriment to their plants.

"What's the plan today?" David asked, leaning against the counter, his eyes bright as he observed his lover moving around.

"Let's take a walk. We can check the perimeter, see if the traps I set last week caught anything." Liam's heart raced at the thought, excitement coursing through him.

"Alright, sounds good," David replied. "But let's stay close to home. We can't risk getting caught off guard."

"Of course," Liam reassured him, taking David's hand. The warmth of his palm steadied him. "We'll be careful. Now let's get out of here before my prey find a way to flee!"

As they stepped outside, the air was crisp, and the sounds of nature surrounded them—birds chirping, leaves rustling in the wind. Something that was deceptive, for while the beasts were dangerous, they other predators out now, zombies, humans and murderers.

___________________

As they ventured into the woods, the sunlight danced between the branches, creating a beautiful but treacherous tapestry of light and shadow. Liam kept his senses heightened, the knife in his pocket and the warmth of David, grounding him.

David walked beside him, confident and relaxed.

"Do you think the traps caught anything?" he asked with the intention to relaxe his lover.

"I hope so," Liam chirped, bright, his eyes shining while looking up at the tall man next to him. "We really need more meat to conserve, maybe we'll try to dry it for the cold months like last year?"

"Yeah, it sure helped when the two of us were sick." David chuckled, laught who made place to something darker when he caught a glimpse of something moving in the underbrush.

"Stay close," David whispered, instinctively tightening his grip on Liam's hand as they approached the trap. They had marked the locations with notches carved into the tree trunks, and the two young men navigated through the forest with a combination of excitement and trepidation. 

As they drew nearer, they found the trap had sprung. A small rabbit lay ensnared within, its body twitching in the remnants of its futile attempt to escape. Liam's eyes shined in victory, he didn't see when David narrowed his eyes in a glare while looking at the trees. 

"Looks like dinner," he said, but his voice was muted, gaining the attention of his excited lover. 

David knelt beside the trap, next to the blond, gently placing his hand on Liam's back. "Let's take it to the cabin," he smiled. "Then we can go to the river next." 

Liam nodded, curious as to why the other man looked irritated. "Okay." 

They worked together to free the rabbit, David handling it with a deftness that made Liam smile. A few minutes of mindless chatter passed as they skinned and cleaned it, focused on their task. 

When they were done, Liam put the meat in a small conteiner . "Let's go darling," he said, looking at David. "The river's next!"

"Hum," David agreed, glancing around. "Mind your steps sweetheart." As they made their way back, Liam noticed that David looked less tense.

Just as they were about to reach their base, the tranquility shattered. A loud snap echoed through the trees, followed by a low growl. Liam's blood ran cold.

"Dave?" Liam whispered, urgency lacing his voice.

"Stay behind me," David instructed, instinctively placing himself between Liam and the noise, ruthlessness dancing in his gaze. 

Suddenly, a figure emerged. It was a young man, disheveled and wild-eyed, clothing torn and stained. A series of scars crossed his arms, companion to a distinct smell of decay. The world outside had turned hard, and desperation twisted into the man's expression. 

"Help!" the young man shouted, his voice raw with panic. "Please, they're coming!"

"And in what does that concern us?" David asked, his tone cold.

"They—The beasts. They're in the woods, hunting. I don't know how many, but they're not far behind me! Please help me" The man's eyes darted around, wild fear written across his face.

Liam squeezed David's arm, more calm now that the suprised passed. "Let's go," Liam breathed, and David nodded, the beasts weren't a treat to them, that young man, on the other hand...

The man continued to look around frantically, panting with fear. "Please! I swear I'll help you defend yourselves!"

David glanced back at Liam, they exchanged a silent conversation and came to a decision.

Nothing was free in this world, if the end of that man wasn't to die by the maws of the beasts or by their hands, then his end was to obey to them. 

"Alright," Liam said, eyes sparkling with mischeif, "but you will obey."

The young man nodded, eyes wide, what he didn't know was that he was now bound to obey, because of David's power at play.

Liam advanced then to the forest, waiting for his preys.