《The Golden Eyes of the Wolf》


 1 One

    It was a silent and peaceful night. If it had not been for the frosty weather, the young man would have called it one of his favorite nights. Pulling up the neck of his raincoat, he slid his hands into his pockets and started walking down the street. Finally, heading home after an excruciatingly indefatigable day at work. Dealing with his boss was a strenuous task. The man wouldn''t listen to a word; he only talked and nagged and complained about everything under the sun.


    Noah had decided to stop at the usual bar on his way to have a drink. It helped him loosen up a little, and sleep would come easier.


    Passing by the central park, he heard a loud noise of something huge hitting the ground with a groan. Something human but also non-human, which didn''t make any sense at all. How can something be human and non-human at the same time? It was probably the alcohol in his system. He shook his head to clear things up. The voice came again.


    Definitely human.


    Curious. He looked around and saw no one. It was late. He was a bit drunk. And he had watched enough crime series to know that, even the thought of going in search of the sound, was insane. Not to mention dangerous. But he was curious. Besides, what if someone really needed help? Whoever it was, would most definitely freeze to death in this weather, and he could not have that on his conscience.


    The park was technically a jungle, with towering and ancient trees all over it. If it weren''t for the silver rays of moonlight, he couldn''t even have seen what was in front of him, let alone walk through the trees. Minding his steps and the branches, he stepped in the circle of the old trees. Under the moonlight, Noah''s silky raven hair shone beautifully. "Hello?" he called hesitantly, looking around. "Anybody the-" but in the middle of his sentence, he froze. There, lying on the sodden and muddy ground, was a young man. His clothes, torn into pieces, barely covered his bruised and bleeding body. Noah ran to the poor guy on the ground and kneeled beside him; "Hey, are you okay?" he shook the man''s shoulder gently and could not help but notice how soft and warm the skin under his fingertips was.


    There came a very faint noise from the man. That was it. No words. No movement. Worried, Noah grabbed his phone and dialed his best friend''s number. After a few beeps, a sleepy Asher answered. "What?" he mumbled. In his concerned and slightly panicked state, Noah had completely forgotten how late it was.


    "Ash, I''m terribly sorry. I know it''s late. But I need your help," he said, voice shaking.


    "What? Where are you? Are you alright?" the man asked, trying to wake up more. "Noah, what the fuck''s happened? Where are you?"


    "The central park. And don''t worry, I''m okay," Noah said before hanging up. Looking back down at the redhead, he took off his raincoat and covered the man with it. All the while murmuring, "You''re gonna be okay. You''re gonna be fine. It''s alright. I''m here."


    The city was quiet and peaceful. People were resting in their warm and cozy houses, most likely having pleasant dreams. It was very likely to snow soon. The weather was so much colder, and the clouds were gradually obscuring the sky, hiding the silver moon beneath them.


    Out there somewhere, some very tired wolves were crying now and then, disturbing the silence of the city.


    The man moaned once more.


    The wind blew through the naked branches of the ancient trees, producing a scary and ominous sound. Noah knelt beside the man, a hand on his shoulder. "Everything''s gonna be fine," he murmured. But he wasn''t sure whether he was trying to soothe the unconscious man or his own nerves.


    ****


    It was four in the morning. They were in Noah''s cozy little apartment; Angel soundly sleeping on the couch while Asher was in the other room attending to the redhead''s injuries.


    The unknown, strange man.


    The gorgeous man.


    Noah stepped out of the bathroom topless, drying his black hair with a white towel. By the time Asher and his boyfriend had gotten there, it had started snowing. Moving the redhead''s body proved to be a messy and challenging task. Between the three of them, in that whether, they dropped the guy more than they could admit. Noah was grateful, shamefully, that the man was out cold when they were harassing him. Unintentional harassment. Was that a thing? Noah had no idea.


    Throwing the wet towel into Angel''s face with a devious smirk, he went into the kitchen to drink some water.


    What a night!


    As soon as the wet towel touched his face, the poor sleeping Angel jumped out of his skin in fear and sat up straight. However, when he saw his older friend''s smirk, he whined loudly and drowsily. "Ash! Let''s just go home and leave this wicked friend of yours on his own."


    "Noah, could you please stop tormenting my boyfriend?" Asher called from the bedroom, nearly finished with his job. "He''s had a hard day thanks to his brother, and you calling in the middle of the night didn''t help matters." He came out of the room, wiping his hands with a towel.


    Sticking his tongue out at the sleepy whining man, Noah turned to his best friend. "Sorry to disturb your night, but it was necessary. You saw it. I couldn''t abandon the man there. You would have done the same thing." He said. "How is he?" he motioned for the room where the redhead was in. Still unconscious.


    "I would have called an ambulance, Noah." Asher clarified.


    "No, you wouldn''t. You''re a doctor." Noah pointed out. Asher rolled his eyes and shook his head. "He''s been beaten, really bad. That much is obvious. There are a few scars on his chest made by a knife, which are quite deep. You need to watch out for any infection. Other than those¡­ the other wounds are nothing to worry about." Then he walked to his boyfriend who was now rubbing at his eyes to get them to stay open for more than just a few seconds and bent down, whispering something into his ear.


    Angel''s eyes were now wide open and he was blushing hard. With a squeal, he just left the apartment without saying anything. Causing the older men to laugh after him.


    "And you call me a devil?" Noah said, still chuckling.


    Heading for the door, the doctor shrugged, smiling innocently. "I didn''t say anything."


    "Why don''t I believe that?" said the shirtless man.


    "Are you sure you''ll be okay?" the younger man turned to his friend, a bit worried about leaving him with a wounded stranger in the house. "Noah, you know he might be dangerous, he''s not-"


    But he was cut short.


    "Yep. I''ll be fine, don''t worry about me Ash. Go. Your boyfriend is waiting for you in the car, don''t keep him waiting or he might fall asleep again." He said with a smile. A smile that said, ''Thanks for helping me out, and for worrying, but I''m gonna be fine.''


    Chuckling, Asher shook his head. "Nah, he won''t fall asleep just yet. Not so soon, anyway. And even if he does, I know how to wake him up." He put on his boots and stepped out of the door. "Call me if you need anything, Noah."


    Smiling gently, Noah replied, "I will. Thanks for everything, Ash."


    "Anything for you, buddy. Anything." Then he left his friend to go and find his lovely Angel, who was probably still blushing.

 2 Two

    Stirring on the bed and growling in pain, the redhead slowly opened his eyes. Looking around the room, which he was one hundred percent sure had never seen in his life before, he whispered huskily, "Where am I?"


    As he tried to sit up in bed, a sharp pain ran through his chest. He groaned and fell back down again.


    Spending the whole night by the stranger, reading a book all the while, Noah peered down over his book when he heard the noise coming from the man on the bed. Dog-earring the page, he closed his book and answered the question, "You''re in my house." He said with a smile.


    When the redhead tried to sit again, Noah went over to support him, placing some pillows behind him.


    It had been hours. The redhead had slept through all of them, while Noah only managed a short nap. So, Noah handed the man a glass of water and sat back on his own chair. Watching. He watched as the man brought the glass to his lips and took little sips of the water while looking around the unfamiliar place. Noah wondered, how terrifying it must feel to wake up in an unknown place with a stranger right next to you.


    "And you are?" the redhead finally asked.


    "Oh, I''m Noah." He introduced himself. "Nice to meet you." His eyes falling on the scars and the bruises though, he smiled sheepishly and added, "even though I wish we could meet in more ideal circumstances."


    Noah noticed the man closing his eyes, frowning, and then opening them again. At first, he thought the man was experiencing some sort of blindness or eye pain. However, as the man''s face grew paler by the second, Noah came to realize it was more than that.


    The redhead stared at him with eyes wide open and said the scariest thing a person can ever utter. "I don''t remember anything."


    That was bad.


    That was so, so bad.


    Trying to act normal, Noah sat at the edge of the bed and took the redhead''s hand. "Calm down first, redhead, and try to think. Maybe you can remember something¡­ anything¡­"


    "What do you think I''ve been doing so far? Smelling your delicious scent?" the man said annoyed. Noah was taken aback. That was a weird thing to say to someone. He tried to sniff himself discreetly, confirming that the man was weird. He smelt good. He had taken a shower. However, he decided to say nothing to that remark. "I don''t remember anything. Nothing. Nothing but..." the redhead paused.


    "But?" Noah pushed.


    "Golden eyes," the man murmured. "It might just be a vision or something, but I think I saw a wolf¡­ a wolf with alluring golden eyes." He looked at his companion again, still amused that a wolf was the only thing he could remember.


    Smiling, the other man said nothing further about that memory and instead changed the topic; "I''m sorry, redhead, but I have to go to work, now that you''re awake." He stood up to put on his raincoat, "I''ve called Angel, and he''ll come here in thirty minutes or so. He''s a good guy, but he just talks too much." He chuckled. "So I guess, see you soon."


    Nodding his head, the man on the bed pouted deeply. "Hey, my name is not redhead. I''m Mateo." Then he perked one eyebrow. "You''re going to leave me here? Leaving a stranger in your house all alone? You don''t know me; maybe I''m a thief or a dangerous Jopok or something." He himself laughed at the idea of being a Jopok.


    The pout was adorable, Noah decided as he smiled. "Okay, Mateo. I''m sorry I have to go." But then at the question, he shook his head. "If you''re a thief, I have to apologize. I have nothing worth stealing. other than the picture on the nightstand," he pointed at the picture of a man beside the bed. "And if you''re a what?" he paused, "A Jopok, which I don''t even know what it is, again I''ve no fear since you''re still wounded and need help for the smallest of things." He laughed at the pout that once again, adorned the man''s face. "Rest well, Mateo."


    When the man left, Mateo looked at the picture on the nightstand. It was a portrait of a man, smiling brightly at the one behind the camera. "Why are you so important to my savior?" he murmured into the silent room. Then he remembered something that surprised him. "How can he not know who the Jopok are? Is that even possible?" he thought. That was just impossible. Though, he was too tired to sit up and ponder silly things like that. Once again, he closed his eyes to rest.


    The smile of the man and those golden eyes, never leaving his thoughts.


    ****


    "But I didn''t say anything to offend him like that, Ash," it was Angel and he was whining again.


    "Shut up, you asshole!" Barked Mateo from the bedroom, wincing at the pain the antiseptics were causing.


    "I have to agree with him this time, Angel," Asher called from the room, attending to the opened wounds on the redhead''s chest. "If Noah finds out what you did, he will absolutely without a doubt wring your neck, baby." He left the room with a playful pout, walking towards his boyfriend. "You better go and save your neck whilst I clean up this mess." He was now hugging a terribly nervous Angel, kissing his neck to get him to relax.


    "Why would I want to kill him?" Noah asked from the doorway having overheard just the last part of the conversation. He was yawning tiredly. Working all day yesterday and today, and not sleeping properly the previous night, had taken its toll on the young man. All he needed at that moment was a good night''s sleep.


    "He''s going to kill me," Angel whispered nervously as Asher nodded with an amused smile.


    "He might have caused some little problems," the doctor said as he turned to greet his friend. His amused and mischievous smile still in place.


    Looking between his two friends; one with a devious smirk and the other with a horrified look on his face, Noah turned to the older one and asked, "What¡­ kind of problems?"


    "Why don''t we sit down and talk about it?" Asher offered, but Noah, who was glaring at Angel, did not seem to have heard him.


    "What did you do, Angel?" Noah glared.


    Looking at his boyfriend for help, Angel, who was nervous now, stuttered, "I- I didn''t do anything¡­ nothing bad, anyway. I swear it wasn''t me-"


    "What?" now he was developing a headache. Noah stepped towards the bedroom and found the blood-soaked bandages at the bedside. Then he looked at the redhead, who was pouting. "What did you do to him, Angel?" he shouted from the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. "Are you okay?" he asked the pouting man. "I''m sorry. What happened? What did Angel do?"


    "Nothing!" Angel shouted back, going to hide behind his boyfriend, who was enjoying the show more than he was supposed to.


    "Nothing, my ass!" Mateo shouted. "He called me a stinky human." He looked at his savior with a pout.


    Noah could not believe his ears. Annoyed but surprised by the foolish thing that had caused the commotion, he asked the redhead, "Is that all? Just because he said you stink?"


    He then turned towards the door, where Asher and Angel were now standing. The latter still hiding behind the former, "Why did you change his bandages, though?" he asked Asher.


    "That''s half the story," Asher shrugged and went to stand by the bed. "After the stinky human comment, our redhead wanted to get up and beat the hell out of my Angel, but his wounds opened since he moved so fast and so quickly." Then he looked back at his boyfriend. "Right?"


    "Yeah, right." He nodded, "See? Not my fault."


    Suppressing his laughter with his hand, Asher said, "Be a good companion tomorrow and don''t talk unless you are talked to baby, okay?"


    Glaring at the man behind his doctor, Mateo said; "No. There''s no tomorrow. Absolutely not!" Then he looked at Noah, who was smiling wearily at them now, "Don''t leave me alone with him ever again, please." He begged.


    That caused the older men to laugh at how childish these two were, "Oh God," Noah groaned, still chuckling. "We''ll do something about it later. Now it''s late, and you should rest, and so should I."


    Angel was now hugging Asher from behind, and his hot breath was caressing the man''s neck.


    "Which means we should be leaving, Angel," Asher said, eyes closed as he turned in his boyfriend''s arms to face him. "Stop doing that to me," he whispered, kissing Angel''s jawline up to his ear, seductively.


    That was unexpected, and Angel moved back a little, looking into Asher''s brown orbs. "What did I do?"


    Shaking his head, the older man just smiled, moved closer, and kissed him on the lips. "You made me fall for you¡­ deeply¡­ madly¡­"


    Angel could not help but kiss him back. He loved the man in his arms so much, no matter how much Asher would make fun of his clumsiness or play pranks on him with Noah''s help. He loved him and he would never let go of him. Asher was a very precious person in his life. The circle of his arms around his lover''s waist got tighter as he pulled the man closer, completely forgetting where they were. Until a voice brought them back to reality, and they pulled away from each other.


    "Get a room you two," it was Noah. "If you want to spend your night together, you better leave now before I kick you out."


    Kissing those swollen, red lips once again, Asher took his boyfriend''s hand and dragged him out of the room. "Have a good night you two. And you, redhead, don''t do any strenuous activities for a few days."


    They were gone in a blink of an eye.


    And then there were two.


    When his friends left, Noah got up to get ready for sleep. He cleaned up the bandages and the bloody towel from the floor then headed for the bathroom to change his clothes and brush his teeth. As he got out and said good night to the redhead, Mateo said, "I can sleep on the couch. Just help me move."


    Surprised, Noah looked at him for a moment. "Why would you want to sleep on the couch?"


    "So you can sleep in your own bed." He said matter of factly. "I took it from you last night, but it''s your bed and you have to sleep on it."


    "Oh, no. It''s okay." Noah smiled. "You have to sleep somewhere comfortable, and trust me, the couch is anything but."


    The smile was beautiful, Mateo thought. He liked the smile, and the man was incredibly kind and caring. "Thank you. For everything, Noah." He smiled back. Blushing a little, he said, "Why don''t we sleep here together? You know, the bed is vast enough for the two of us."


    Noah shook his head, "Thanks for the offer Mateo, but I doubt you''ll be comfortable sleeping beside a naked man." He stated. "Good night." He left and closed the door behind him, grinning at the blushing man on the bed.


    Out in the city, the wolves were howling.


    The first snow was falling and by morning the city would be covered by pure white snow.

 3 Three

    Time sure does fly.


    It had been three months since that night when Noah found Mateo in the park. The redhead was still living in his house. The wounds had healed, but Mateo still could not remember anything. All he could recall was the image of the wolf and his golden eyes.


    Mateo liked the city.


    It was a small one with a vast central park and charming people. Life in this town was peaceful, and Mateo liked it very much. No fighting or bad events ever happened, none that he saw anyway. Everything about the city was calm and sane except for the occasional cries of wolves every night. Of course, he had never seen one in person, but he kept hearing their voices. Their howls. One more thing; whenever they would go out together, Noah always made sure to get them home before midnight, which made the redhead a little suspicious at first. However, after a while, he witnessed so many pleasing things that he overlooked the mysterious ones.


    Asher and Angel have now his friends, too, and together, the three of them enjoyed tormenting poor Angel whenever they were together. And Mateo and Noah would tease the couple whenever they started being mushy in front of them.


    Noah was an exceptionally attractive man and cared for Mateo a lot. He was kind and gentle; he hated loneliness and was a bit clingy. But all in all, Mateo loved spending time with him. He loved Noah''s attention and clinginess. But there was one thing that he especially adored about the other man and it was his devilish smirks when he was thinking about something evil.


    That was what Mateo had found out about his savior. And one more thing; he liked it when the older man smiled or got close to him, sitting next to him as they were watching TV or just holding his hands. Mateo liked it very much. And after a while, he started craving it all.


    They would go out together almost every day. Going shopping or going to the cinema and watching a movie. They grew closer to each other and were attached at the hips. When once Asher told them how they looked like a couple, they both denied it, but it was the truth. They were turning into a couple without ever being on a first date.


    Usually, Mateo would stay home while Noah was at work. He was not a decent cook, but he was trying to learn; a way of displaying his gratefulness towards the man he was now living with. Other than cooking, Mateo would read books whenever he had time. Which was almost always.


    Now he was just reading a book, since they were supposed to go out that night, waiting for Noah. Time passed, and Mateo fell asleep on the couch. Noah never came. He never even called.


    Noah came home late. Very late. As he quietly opened the door, he saw the redhead sleeping on the couch, and he kicked himself mentally for being late and ruining everything.


    He sighed and closed the door behind, going to the room to bring a blanket and cover Mateo. Padding towards him, he draped the blanket over him and was about to leave when the redhead grabbed his hand, "You''re late." The man mumbled eyes still closed. Pouting.


    Smiling at the childish act, Noah sat down by the couch, holding Mateo''s hand, "I''m sorry. I had to finish something before coming home, and that took forever. I''m really sorry. How can I make it up to you?"


    The pout turned into a beaming smile at the sincere apology, and Mateo opened his eyes looking into the other man''s dark orbs. Softly he said, "Let''s watch a movie since it''s Saturday tomorrow. And cooking is on you for the weekend." He stated.


    Noah could not help but laugh, agreeing. "If that makes you happy."


    "It does," Mateo replied smiling broadly. "Now make something for dinner."


    "Can we order take-out?" Noah pouted, and the redhead laughed.


    "At one in the morning?" Mateo asked and the older man continued sulking.


    While Noah was cooking spicy chicken, Mateo was sitting on the counter, looking at the older man, "Wow, you''re a talented cook, Noah. Why don''t you ever cook?" he asked, amazed.


    The older man chuckled, "I only know how to prepare this one dish." Then he looked at his companion with a smile, "And besides, I like your cooking better."


    The younger man''s cheeks were a tad rosy by the sweet compliment. They kept on talking until their dinner was ready. After that, they sat on the couch next to each other to watch a movie, which Noah had bought recently.


    The movie was about a guy who had turned into a wolf when he was a young child and did not know about it. It seemed like everything in the man''s house was about wolves. As they were relaxing on the couch, propping their heads against the headrest, Mateo asked, "What is it with you and wolves, Noah?"


    He was curious.


    Shrugging coolly, the older man replied, "I like wolves. They''re awesome creatures and there''s this... this aura of mysticism around them. They''re mysterious, and I love that." He smiled, turning to his right, looking at the redhead, "Don''t you think so?"


    Turning to look at the man, Mateo smiled, "I don''t like wild animals," he said. The disappointment in Noah''s dark orbs was weirdly heart wrenching, so he added, "But, the wolf that I think I saw? Now, that''s different. It was something else¡­ something entirely beautiful and awesome. And yeah, mysterious." He then leaned his own forehead against Noah''s and they remained silent for a minute before the redhead talked again, "Noah?" he whispered.


    "Hmmm?" the older man replied, eyes focused on the lovely face so close to him.


    "Why did you save me?" Mateo asked.


    Surprised by the sudden question, Noah replied, "Because you needed help, and I just couldn''t let you die out there." He could see the sorrow in the younger''s eyes. Why would it make the redhead sad? "And¡­" he added hesitantly, looking directly into those dark orbs, "Because there was something about you that made me stay and help. Seeing you like that hurt my heart, but it also made it beat faster."


    Noah was looking at Mateo''s face; his eyes, his nose, and his lips. Noah got closer, touching their noses affectionately, "I couldn''t let you die¡­ not if there was a chance I could see this face every day."


    He was now touching the redhead''s neck gently with a trembling hand.


    Moments passed in silence. The men stayed in that position for a long time when finally Mateo said, "What if I want to see that bright smile every day? Or hear that adorable laughter every day? And," he put a finger under his savior''s chin to look into those alluring enigmatic eyes. "And look into those beautiful eyes for the rest of my life? Huh?"


    First, he was shocked, but then the corners of his lips curled upwards. "Is that what I think it is?" Noah asked, his trembling hand cupping the redhead''s cheek.


    Smiling back, the redhead replied, "Hmmm¡­ could be. But I don''t know what you''re thinking."


    He was teasing Noah.


    They both knew it.


    Looking down at Mateo''s lips then up into his eyes, Noah closed that small gap between them. Kissing those lips sweetly, he pulled back soon after, "That''s what I''m thinking." He murmured.


    Grinning like a fool, the redhead claimed those soft rosy lips again. This time not letting go of them so soon. "I love the way you think." He whispered into the kiss.


    Noah''s arms found their way around the redhead''s neck. Mateo nipped at his lower lip continuously, asking for entrance. It was driving Noah crazy. He opened his mouth for the younger man, moaning softly into the heated kiss.


    Mateo''s hands were wrapped around his savior''s waist, and he pulled the man onto his lap slowly, crushing their bodies. It was too good to be true. Kissing the one he liked after such a long time and knowing that the man liked him back. It was bliss.


    Their tongues were involved in a sweet and slow dance. Their hands caressing. Their hearts beating wild. It was the best feeling, but soon they needed to pull back for the lack of air was smothering them both. Panting against each other''s lips and looking into each other''s eyes.


    "I love you."


    They confessed at the same time, and that made them laugh.


    Straddling the younger''s waist, Noah rested his head on Mateo''s shoulder, kissing his neck and breathing his scent, the scent of vanilla, "Don''t leave me alone Mat, ever!" he murmured into the man''s neck as his eyelids started to feel heavy and he closed his eyes seconds later.


    He was very tired, and that was a good end to a day.


    Wrapping his arms around the figure on top of him, the redhead smiled. Kissing the top of Noah''s hair, he whispered, "Never. That''s a promise."


    It was too soon.


    It was too soon by almost everyone''s standards.


    But Mateo didn''t care. And apparently, neither did Noah.


    That was all that mattered.

 4 Four

    The next morning Noah opened his eyes and found himself lying in his own bed. There was a hand around his waist and a warm breath against his neck. First, he panicked, but when he remembered the last night''s events, he relaxed and slowly turned around in the hold to face Mateo.


    Mateo.


    The stranger.


    Mateo.


    Caressing his face gently, Noah ran his fingers over the man''s lips, and with a smile, he moved forward to capture those sweet lips in a nice and gentle morning kiss. However, when he pulled back, Mateo was looking at him with a smirk playing on his lips, "What was that? Taking advantage of me while I''m asleep?" he teased.


    Smirking back, the older man shook his head, "Nope. I wasn''t taking advantage of you. That, my dear boy, is called an innocent morning kiss." He answered.


    Mateo raised an eyebrow and cupped the bulge in Noah''s boxers. Squeezing a little. "Not so innocent, if you ask me."


    Noah moved closer and laughed. "That''s physics. Or maybe biology? Perhaps even anatomy. I don''t even know. But that has nothing to do with my good morning kiss."


    "Is there even a way to make you feel embarrassed or blush just a little?" Mateo pouted and looked away with a huff.


    "You wish!"


    "Well, it''s not fair!" Mateo complained. "You get to see me blush and make a fool of myself all the time, but I don''t. Unfair."


    "But it''s cute when you blush," Noah replied.


    "I want to see the same look on your face too. I want cute. You always look perfect and sexy and in control." Mateo said. "Hence, not fair."


    Tilting his head to the side, Noah nodded. Amused. "Fair enough for me; since you can make me do anything for you with that innocent look, and I can''t."


    Thinking about it a little, Mateo smiled. "Well, fair is fair." Then he leaned forward and kissed Noah again, "Morning angel." He grinned then he stared at the older man as if something was bothering him.


    Noting the look, Noah cupped his face with both hands, capturing his attention, "Hey, what''s wrong?"


    Hesitating for a minute, the redhead explained, "You like me. I like you¡­ and we kinda sorta blurted out the L-word last night. Does that¡­ you know," he paused, looking away. It was embarrassing and frustrating. "Does that make us¡­ you know¡­ a couple?"


    The corners of Noah''s lips curled into a gentle smile. "Do you want us to be?" he questioned.


    Looking at his savior, the younger man grinned after a brief pause, still blushing. "I do." Then he bent down and kissed his boyfriend''s lips once more. "I actually do."


    After a long make-out session on the bed, they both decided to stop and go out. It was a pleasant day. They could go out for a walk, or go see a movie or go to a restaurant. Mateo called it a date.


    Noah chuckled but agreed.


    Now that they''d talked and knew about each other''s feelings, they could take it slow and savor the moments. They could go on a date or two.


    Mateo still didn''t remember anything. And it bothered Noah. Because what if the man already had a family? What if Mateo already had a partner who loved him and was waiting for him?


    But Mateo made him happy. Mateo made him feel alive when all he knew for the longest time was emptiness. So Noah decided to give in to the moment, to the feelings. He decided not to overthink things.


    He was here. Mateo was with him. They were happy.


    That was all he wanted to focus on. All he wanted to care about.


    It was indeed a delightful day and an exceedingly pleasant date, too. They went to the central park and then had lunch at a restaurant. For the evening, they went to the theatre to watch a movie, and then they both decided to go back home and cook something for dinner together.


    Even though Noah tried his best to get them home before midnight, Mateo suddenly felt like playing around in the snow and threw a snowball at his boyfriend, who was walking a few steps ahead of him.


    Mateo didn''t get it. Why was Noah trying to get them home so soon? They could have loads of fun outside. Noah himself stayed out late many nights.


    Looking back at the cheerful man with a perked brow, Noah asked, "Are you picking a fight here?"


    "Picking a fight?" Mateo laughed mockingly. "Oh, puh-leez¡­ What''s the use of fighting when you know you''re the winner?" the redhead smirked. "There''s no challenge in it for me." He was taunting the older male.


    Crouching down on the ground to make a snowball, Noah stood up after a short while. "You want a challenge?" he asked, and without waiting for an answer, threw the snowball at Mateo''s face. Laughing out loud at the priceless startled look on his face, he proceeded to make more snowballs.


    "What?" Noah shouted. "Are you going to stand there staring at me? I don''t see you winning the fight here, redhead!" He said as he threw another ball at him.


    Snapping out of the shock, Mateo ran after his mischievous boyfriend, and when he seized him, they were both rolling on the snow-covered asphalt in the empty alley, giggling.


    Mateo trapped Noah underneath him and started pouring snow onto his face, "Mat, stop it!" The older screamed, still laughing.


    "No¡­ Way¡­" the redhead stated firmly but playfully when suddenly a pair of hands grabbed his shoulders and pulled him down.


    Noah pecked him on the lips, smirking mischievously. "They looked kissable." He said and when Mateo crashed their lips again for the second time, he grinned and kissed him back passionately.


    A few minutes passed as they continued passionately kissing each other and rolling on the ground, when suddenly Noah, who was now on top, heard a voice and pulled back from the kiss immediately.


    Looking up, he saw a pair of wolves growling in front of them, displaying their fangs at the couple.


    Two wolves.


    Vicious.


    Growling.


    "Oh, shit!" Mateo cursed, panicked.


    "Oh, shit." Noah echoed, keeping his eyes on the pair of wolves.

 5 Five

    "Oh shit," Mateo said as he sat up. "Shit! Shit! Shit! We should run!" But instead, he turned towards Noah, hugging him close to protect him.


    Weirdly, that caused the wolves to howl at him angrily. "Noah, what are we-" but he could not finish his sentence, as he discerned some odd and unfamiliar movements between his arms.


    Bones moving like a liquid under skin.


    Breaking and mending sounds.


    Tearing.


    Growling.


    Then suddenly, he found himself holding a wolf, growling at the other two.


    Mateo was terrified, shocked, and amazed. It was that same wolf. The wolf that he remembered; a wolf with shiny black fur as dark as night, and golden eyes, with a gaze that pierced through one''s soul. So it was real, he had seen this wolf on the night he was saved by Noah. And then he realized; it had been Noah all along. How was that even possible?


    Noah or better to say, the black wolf stepped towards the wolves and stood in front of his boyfriend, showing his white fangs to them, scaring them away.


    There was a good minute or two of angry growling and seething, but Noah won that round apparently. When the pair finally left, the golden-eyed wolf turned to his shocked and confused companion then motioned for him to follow.


    The walk back home was silent.


    The only sound in the area was the continuous cries of wolves, and snow crunching under their footsteps.


    Reaching the apartment, the redhead opened the door and let the wolf get in before him before he shut the door behind himself. Mateo sat on the couch, covering his eyes with one hand, still wondering about what just happened to them when a wet tongue started licking the hand on the armrest.


    Looking down at the wolf, Mateo smiled at it and started scratching behind his ears, "Why didn''t you tell me this sooner, Noah?" he whispered.


    Not that he blamed the man. Or the wolf.


    Mateo wouldn''t have believed him even if he tried.


    A man who can turn into a wolf?


    A werewolf?


    A real, actual, living, werewolf?


    The dejected wolf settled between the redhead''s legs as he slowly turned human. Again there was the sound of bones crushing, breaking, moving. It did make Mateo cringe because that oughta be painful, right?


    Seconds later, Noah was kneeling between his legs, naked. With tears in his eyes, the older man started, "Because I ¡­ I thought you¡­ you would just leave me alone," he confessed, a tear rolling down his cheek.


    "Why would I want to leave you?" urged the redhead, surprised; "I love you."


    Cupping Mateo''s jaw in his hands and looking into his eyes with his glassy ones, Noah shook his head, "There are a lot of things you don''t know, Mat. Things I didn''t want to tell you. I didn''t dare to repeat," he confessed, looking away.


    Perking one eyebrow, Mateo watched in confusion. "What other things?" he asked.


    The older male hesitated for a moment before beginning to explain, "I''m not the only one who can shift into a wolf here. To tell the truth, everyone here does that, " he paused to observe the reaction, but when he saw none, he continued. "This is not the human''s world Mateo, this is our world. The Amarog''s world."


    Grabbing Noah''s wrists, Mateo was confused, and he had a lot of questions that needed to be answered. "Wait, what?" he asked. "The Amarog''s world? Your world? So where is my world? How did I end up here? Why are you telling me all this now?"


    Now Noah was anxious. "There is an entrance. A door between all the worlds¡­ you came through that door, or¡­ better to say you were shoved out of that door to our world." He explained with a quivering voice, not able to look into his boyfriend''s eyes anymore. He felt guilty for hiding all this for so long, but what really worried him was the fact that someone in Mateo''s world really wanted him out. Someone who knew about the doors had kicked Mateo out.


    "And¡­ my¡­ my memories?" the redhead asked, not wanting to believe anything. He didn''t know how to believe any of this.


    Swallowing, the older man murmured, "When you travel between the worlds¡­ you¡­ you forget all your memories from the previous world. It all vanishes the minute you step into the new world."


    A very long and uncomfortable silence hovered over them, Mateo letting the new information sink in. "So¡­ I might have a family back in my world? A good life, friends, and a job?" the redhead stated, holding his head with his hands. "And you didn''t tell me anything¡­ you hid things from me, Noah. You lied to me!" he practically shouted the last part.


    It stung. Noah felt those words, those accusations, like a slap across his face.


    "But you might not!" the older male shouted back. "You might be a loner and actually have no job. How else can you explain the mess you were in when you first came here?"


    "What?" the redhead shouted as he stood up, causing the older man to fall back on his rear. Modesty and nudity be damned. "Now you''re trying to make excuses? I don''t know why I was like that, beaten up and half dead. I have no idea. But I don''t care, I don''t belong here and I have to go back to my own world," he turned on his heels to go to the room and get ready to leave. "And you''re taking me back," he yelled.


    "No!" Noah shouted in denial, tears flooding out of his eyes. An expression of pain on his face as if he was genuinely frightened of something. "No, you promised you wouldn''t leave me ever. You said you loved me, Mateo. You can''t do this to me."


    Mateo turned around to face the stunningly beautiful and naked man that he had fallen in love with. "Are you fucking kidding me right now?" He growled. "I can''t do this to you? Are you really playing the victim here, Noah? How do you even dare?"

 6 Six

    "Because I love you," Noah cried. "Does that mean nothing to you? I love you and care about you. And yes, I did a fcking, stupid mistake, but Mat, Mattie, I love you."


    Mateo stopped midway, Noah was right. They had just confessed their love the previous night, and today was their first date. Mateo had promised to never leave this man, and besides, he really loved Noah. This was breaking his heart; to see the man sobbing like that. But a lie is a lie. "Nothing changes the fact that you lied to me," he whispered.


    "I''m so sorry," Noah cried. "I- I''m sorry. Mateo, please, don''t leave me like this. Not you too. Please. I love you."


    "Stop this!" the redhead said loudly through clenched teeth as he left for the bedroom. What was he doing in the bedroom, though? It wasn''t like he could pack anything, he wasn''t going to go home by train or plane.


    Traveling between worlds. Via doors. Who could have believed that? That must be some children''s story. And he would have said that if he weren''t living in it at the moment.


    Taking a few deep breaths in the room, he collected himself and his scattered thoughts. When he came back out, all ready to leave, he was faced with a growling wolf, instead of the crying Noah, blocking his way. There it was, the wolf again, with sadness in his eyes, sadness, and loneliness. Exactly the same as he remembered from that first night in this world.


    It was useless. You can''t reason with an angry wolf. So Mateo gave up and locked himself in the bedroom.


    The wolf settled in front of the bedroom''s door and tried to sleep, however, the fear of the younger man leaving while he was dozing, caused him to have nightmares all through the night. He was not able to sleep properly.


    The next morning, the redhead was feeling calmer, and he was thinking about the previous night. How bad he had reacted to the new information. He remembered Noah''s teary eyes and how he was begging him not to leave. Then he considered the fact that maybe the older man was right. Maybe he didn''t have a proper life, a good family or friends back in his own wold. Those people that had hurt him like that undoubtedly did not want him alive. They certainly didn''t want Mateo there. Mateo knew that waking up in this house, in this world was a miracle, and miracles don''t typically happen.


    They never happened to him anyway. Not that he remembered his life before this world, but this was his gut feeling.


    A light knock on his door transported him back to reality and as he unlocked it, he saw a very exhausted Noah. The man was standing there with red puffy eyes that had black circles under them, his hair was a mess, and expression was blank.


    "Noah?" Mateo whispered. Did he really do this to the one he loved? How could he?


    Without hesitation and gravely, the older male just told him, "Get ready. I''m taking you back to your world."


    And he disappeared, leaving the apartment, waiting for the redhead outside.


    That hurt. But Mateo didn''t really have anything to complain about. He had said he wanted to go back. He had yelled it at Noah last night, making it crystal clear that being here was the last thing he wanted.


    At least, Noah still loved him. Enough to respect his wishes. Mateo couldn''t say the same about himself.


    He had fucked up.


    Sighing loudly, the redhead put on his coat and departed from the house as well, bestowing it one last look before securing the door.


    The walk to the central park, the place where Noah first found his cheerful companion, was profoundly silent and awkward.


    Entering the park, the older man took them in the tree-covered area and they both stood in front of a big old oak which had a big crack in it.


    "Years ago, when I was still a young fellow, a teenager, as you humans call it, I fell in love with a man," the older man started, staring at the tree. "I was spending my days with Asher and Angel who had recently got together back then, and we were having a picnic in this forest when we heard a sound. Right where I found you that night, we saw a young man, lying on the ground, lost and confused." He paused for a second, smiling at the memory. "We told him about everything. All those things that I told you last night. Even though he was unable to completely believe us, he said he wanted to stay. He stayed with me, and we started to have feelings for each other. Apparently, I''m dumb enough to fall for people who don''t belong to my world."


    "The precious picture on the nightstand?" Mateo asked, listening to the story silently.


    Nodding, the other male chuckled bitterly. "Yeah, the only valuable thing you could find in my house." Then he continued, "Well, it was good at first. For a few years actually. But then he started to doubt that maybe he had a good life back there in his world. That maybe he had a family that was waiting for him. Exactly the things you might be thinking now. And when that began, Sawyer wasn''t himself anymore. He started thinking about life back home, he started imagining things, and we grew apart gradually." Noah wiped a tear from his sorrowful eyes. "And then one day I woke up and he was nowhere to be found," with a grieving smile, Noah turned to the redhead. "I hate loneliness Mateo, and spending time with you for the past months was the best feeling ever. The best I have felt for the longest time. You have changed many things in my life, and I''m grateful for that. You also let me love you, and we had a nice date," they both chuckled. "Thank you for everything. But," he stared into the man''s eyes. "I don''t want to keep you here with me while you''ll be fantasizing about a life that you might have back in your own world-" he was cut off, though.


    "Come with me." The redhead said.

 7 Seven

    Shaking his head with a wistful smile, Noah explained, "While traveling between worlds, you can''t bring anything with you," and when he saw the puzzled look on the younger man''s face, he continued. "If I go with you, when we step into your world, even if we are close, holding each other''s hands and stuff, you won''t have a clue of who I am. You can''t remember me, and neither can I. Instead, your own memories will rush back to you. I, on the other hand, will be lost with no memory from my life here. And if I turn into a wolf in that world, I might scare the hell out of myself and people around me." He sighed. "As much as I love being with you Mat, I can''t come with you. And I can''t force you to stay. So this is it. This is goodbye."


    A lengthy pause. Both men were thinking when Noah spoke again. "All you have to do is step inside that tree, and close your eyes. The next thing you know is that you''re back home." Biting his lower lip to restrain the tears, Noah looked at the redhead beside him. A faint, shaky smile on his face. "Can I have my last kiss?" he asked.


    Mateo nodded and leaned forward to give the man a proper kiss, but instead, Noah just pecked him once, breathed him in, and kept his eyes closed.


    "Awkward," Noah chuckled nervously, feeling disappointed. His heart was not beating like mad any more. He could not feel his heart in his chest. All he felt was a very sharp pain. "I have to go," he turned to leave. "I can''t watch you leave." His back facing the redhead, the man just waved goodbye and started to walk away.


    And Mateo said nothing. He did nothing. He just stood there, overwhelmed with all the information and feelings that were hitting him one after another.


    He just stood there and watched Noah disappear among the trees.


    ######


    He didn''t go to work that day. He just turned off his phone and walked all over the city all day. Never once did he stop to rest or eat something. He just walked.


    And by the end of the day, just like any other man, he decided to drown his sorrows in the bottom of a bottle. Which didn''t help him much. All it did was make him a little soft, but not drunk.


    Weary and bone-tired, he opened the door to his apartment and dragged his body to the bedroom. Taking off his clothes one by one, with only his boxers on; he sneaked onto the bed and under the covers. Wrapping the blankets around himself and closing his eyes tightly, he tried to sleep.


    "Noah, dinner!" he heard the baritone voice calling for him just like the other nights. That deep and lovely voice. How he wished it was true. How he wished it wasn''t just him daydreaming. Hoping.


    By now, Mateo was in his own home, not even remembering who Noah was. So, the wolf forced himself to sleep; this was just a hallucination because he desperately wanted the redhead to be there. He shut his eyes tightly, a rogue tear falling out of the corner of his eye.


    A few minutes later, when he was actually sleeping, someone pulled the covers away from him, jostling him awake and leaving him lying on the bed with nothing covering his practically naked body.


    "Hey! I said dinner is ready. Come on, move the big butt!" it was the redhead, standing by the bed, smirking down at the confusion plastered all over the older man''s face.


    Mateo was there.


    Mateo.


    "Mateo?" Noah muttered, staring at him in disbelief. Rubbing his eyes in disbelief, he asked, "How? Why are you here? I mean¡­ you were supposed to," he was unable to finish any of his questions.


    "Let me help you a bit," the redhead said, sitting on the bed, in front of the shocked man. "I still have the keys, so that''s how. Forgot to leave them behind this morning, which was a blessing in disguise. I''m here because this is the only place that feels like home to me. And yes, I was supposed to leave but I didn''t." he explained, all the while smiling at Noah.


    "But why?"


    "Why?"


    "Why didn''t you leave?" Noah asked, frowning.


    Mateo sighed. "Many reasons. Many things held me back. You were one of them," he smiled gently at the man. "But my fears also were a part of it. I don''t know if by not going back I''m hurting anybody. I don''t know if anyone''s been mourning my absence all this time. I don''t even know if anyone has been celebrating my absence, to be honest. But I''m here. Have been here for a while now and I have a life that I actually love. I have you. I have that dumb Angel, and Asher is a good fellow." he sighed again. Taking Noah''s trembling hands, he kept on talking, his eyes focused on the hands he was holding.


    "When you left me there this morning, I sat there and just thought. I thought about everything. So many what-if questions popped up in my head. I went through them all. I couldn''t just leave you. You mean so much to me. Even if it pisses me off that you didn''t tell me all this sooner, even if it still pisses me off that you kept this from me for such a long time... I kinda understand where you''re coming from too. So I guess what I''m trying to say is that I wanna stay. With you." He looked up at Noah, who was crying silently.


    "Hope I hadn''t fucked it all up with the way I reacted to you last night," Mateo blushed, smiling sheepishly.


    Noah didn''t say anything.


    Not a word.


    And as the silence expanded between them, Mateo started getting anxious.


    Maybe he was wrong. Maybe Noah didn''t want him there anymore. Maybe it was just too late now.


    "No," Noah finally said.


    And Mateo''s heart stopped at that. No. No. No.

 8 Eight/Final

    "No," the older man repeated, then threw himself at Mateo, clinging to him for dear life. "No! You haven''t fucked anything up. Fuck. No. Not you." He whispered to Mateo and the younger man smiled.


    Mateo released a sigh of relief at that and held Noah tighter, not wanting to let him go anytime soon.


    Noah kept on holding Mateo. "If you can forgive me for what I''ve done, I can definitely forget about everything that happened last night. I love you. I love you." He whispered against Mateo''s skin. "Thank you, Mat."


    For the longest time, they just sat there on the bed, wrapped around each other. Murmuring words of love and promises to each other and crying out of relief.


    Because it was a relief. They were so close to losing something so beautiful.


    "Oh come on, stop crying, Maikoh," the redhead smiled at him, wiping his tears away. "You never blush, but you sure cry a lot. Now, put something on for God''s sake before you drive me crazy, and let''s go eat our dinner." He said as he stood up.


    "How do I drive you crazy?" Noah, who was feeling a thousand times better now, pouted up at the tall man innocently.


    Eyes narrowed, Mateo pointed at the older man''s body. "You''re only wearing your boxers," he licked his lips. "That''s how."


    "So you don''t like what you see? I''m offended." Noah replied, still pouting. He got up to find something to wear.


    Walking towards him, Mateo trapped the man between his body and the closet, looking deep into his eyes. "The thing is; I love what I see. Too much," he stated. "And I might not be able to stop myself if you keep this up." He was caressing the man''s sides gently. Nosing along his warm skin, causing Noah to shiver.


    Eyes closed and enjoying himself, Noah leaned to whisper in the redhead''s ear. "Don''t stop yourself then."


    "What about dinner?" Mateo asked with a pout. "I tried really hard to make this one as a surprise for you."


    Rolling his eyes Noah pushed the younger away and huffed. "Fine, fine¡­ let''s go eat dinner first, then we sleep."


    Smirking mischievously, Mateo grabbed his arm and threw him onto the bed, straddling his waist in a blink of an eye. "Now that I think about it, dinner can wait," he leaned down nipping at Noah''s lips. "I''d rather spend my time here, lying beside a very hot, sexy and beautiful wolf," then his eyes widened in surprise, and he laughed, "You''re blushing Noah! I did it!" he was amazed. And more than a little smug and satisfied with himself.


    Averting his eyes and biting his lips, Noah mumbled a quick "Shut up," before he crushed their lips together.


    #####


    Hours later, when they were both sweaty and panting from all the things they''d done to each other, Noah turned to Mateo, "What does it mean?"


    "Hmm?" Mateo was mindlessly rubbing Noah''s thigh.


    "Maikoh," Noah said. "You called me that earlier. What does it mean?"


    Mateo smiled blissfully. He turned on his side to look at Noah. "It simply means wolf. You are my wolf."


    So simple.


    So beautiful.


    So heartwarming.


    "I love you," Noah pecked Mateo''s lips.


    "Right back at ya," Mateo grinned. "Dinner?"


    "You''re disgusting," Noah got out of bed and headed for the shower. "Shower first."


    "Oooh!" Mateo moaned, jumping to his feet and following the naked man to the shower. "Shower sex! I love that!"


    Noah laughed loudly.


    ################


    He used to be a lonely wolf. Always wailing loudly in sorrow, but now he had a very cheerful and naughty redhead beside him, attached to him, body and soul. He was in love and enjoyed life.


    Mateo was the passion he needed to live.


    Sure, they had their arguments. Sometimes, Mateo missed what he didn''t know he might have lost by staying there. They did fight every once in a while, like every other couple out there.


    But at the end of the day, they always went to bed together, and they loved each other.


    #####


    People in the city would always talk about a man and a wolf standing at the top of the mountains. The latter crying happily at the moon, and the man always smiling down at him.


    The End