Little Wolf [Trust]

[esp_dragonv2]

Fandom: Noblesse
Summary: There was another thunderstorm.
Notes: Frankenstein/Muzaka, who adopt little!M-21 AU
Rating: G
Genre: General
Word count: 2,493
Total word count: 6,604
Status: Work in progress



Frankenstein paused from preparing dinner as he heard the first roll of thunder rumble through the window. It had been raining hard throughout the day, but Frankenstein hadn't taken much heed of it, the rhythmic tapping a white noise in the background. But now...

He listened out for the telltale sounds of movement in the house as he washed his hands, but there was nothing.

Damn.

He finished cleaning up and went deeper into the house, still hearing nothing.

During storms, Min-gyu had started to come to them for comfort and distraction. The fact he hadn't so far...

Frankenstein pulled out his phone, checking the calender.

That was it.

He glanced outside the window at the dark clouds still filling the sky. Hiding the full moon.

That would explain why Muzaka wasn't back yet.

They didn't keep close track of the lunar cycle, since it didn't disrupt things too much; if Muzaka transformed at home, he stayed close to Frankenstein, and if he transformed outside, he tended to stick to the rooftops out of unmodified sight.

Min-gyu however... Frankenstein didn't know him well enough to predict how he would react.

And with a storm as well.

As soon as he had found and settled Min-gyu, he would begin researching the best way to keep himself updated on the changing lunar cycles.

"Min-gyu," he called out, listening for any movement or sound as he left the kitchen.

No response.

Not running away, so that had to mean Min-gyu was in a room. His bedroom, most likely.

Frankenstein knocked on the door and there it was: scrabbling footsteps moving further away.

He eased the door open. "Min-gyu?" he murmured softly again.

A high-pitched growl answered him.

Yes, he hadn't earned Min-gyu's trust yet, not had known him long enough for his scent or voice to be recognisable.

"It's me, Min-gyu," Frankenstein said, entering the room and closing the door behind him. "Frankenstein." It would make Min-gyu feel more trapped with the door closed, but at least Frankenstein knew where he was. As for what would happen next, well. He just hoped he wouldn't destroy what little trust he had gained so far.

The growl didn't stop, but it didn't strengthen either.

If it had been another time, Frankenstein would have waited for Muzaka to return home and let him distract or carry Min-gyu, but he couldn't right now.

He crouched and looked under the bed, seeing sharp baby teeth bared in his direction, ears flat. A threat yes, but Frankenstein couldn't tell if it was only for display or a promise. With how high Min-gyu's growl was becoming however, he was leaning towards a display.

"Will you come with me?" Frankenstein murmured, moving closer. The storm should be a ways away, but he was running out of time with each passing minute.

More teeth, Min-gyu pressing up against the wall.

He would still be able to reach-

A flash.

Dammit, not now!

Frankenstein lunged forward, able to grab Min-gyu by the scruff.

A yelp, Min-gyu trying to escape.

"I'm not here to hurt you, Min-gyu" Frankenstein said, as soothing as he could. He didn't know if Min-gyu understood him, but there was a chance he could.

Frankenstein pulled Min-gyu out. When he picked Min-gyu up, Min-gyu twisted around, sinking his teeth into Frankenstein's arm. The bite wasn't strong, not going deep, though not from lack of trying.

"Well, I would prefer this than you trying to run, honestly," Frankenstein said as he stood up. It meant he wouldn't have to chase Min-gyu around, stressing him out even further.

Still no thunder. It meant the eye of the storm was far away yet. He should bring Min-gyu downstairs as soon as possible, but there was a few things he needed to collect first.

Min-gyu seemed intent to try to chew his arm to death, blood dripping down his jaw, his ears flat against his head.

"It's all right, we'll be somewhere quieter soon," Frankenstein said, keeping his hold on Min-gyu's scruff as he opened the door with his elbow, supporting him underneath his paws so he couldn't dangle.

Just as he thought, Min-gyu tried to leap from his arms as soon as their was a gap big enough he could squeeze through.

"Not yet," Frankenstein said as he strode towards the kitchen, Min-gyu alternating from trying to wriggle free and snapping at his arm again.

Frankenstein tightened his grip as thunder rolled through the house. Instead of trying to bolt however, Min-gyu froze.

"It'll be over soon," Frankenstein said as he entered the kitchen. He grabbed the plate of cooked chicken he had just finished slicing, a few extra plates and some tissues. "We'll be going downstairs to get away from the noise."

Min-gyu shook, still not letting go of Frankenstein's arm, but huddling up against him as well as the thunder quietened.

Frankenstein reached the laboratory entrance before the next flash and he breathed a soft sigh of relief as he heard the laboratory door hiss as it closed behind him. That was one less thing to worry about.

Now to rebuild Min-gyu's trust in him.

As soon as they were in Min-gyu's safe room, Frankenstein tugged Min-gyu's teeth free of his arm and lowered him to the floor. Before Min-gyu's paws touched the ground, Min-gyu was scrabbling to escape again. He darted for the bed, disappearing under it.

While Min-gyu settled down, Frankenstein placed a trail of plates from the bed to a wall, putting an increasing amount of chicken bits on each plate the further from the bed the plate was. A reward for being brave and venturing out further.

That done, Frankenstein collected some clothes from the drawers that they kept in the room, in case Min-gyu had needed a spare chance of clothes.

Food, rest, and clothes. That should be everything. The next thing he needed was to clean off all the blood and find a lunar cycle alarm.

He sat down next to the furthest away plate, and used the tissues to wipe away the already dried blood. His skin was unmarked underneath, but Min-gyu had done a rather good job of shredding his sleeve. He rolled up the sleeve once he had finished cleaning away the blood - he could still use the fabric for something later.

After he had thrown away the tissues, he pulled out his phone. It shouldn't take him too long to decide, or he could start designing one himself so it would have everything he needed.

He listened out as he made his notes, and from the corner of his eye, he saw a small nose peek out from under the bed. It had been approaching dinner, so Min-gyu must be hungry.

Frankenstein had gotten so far as making a list of all the useful features of each app when he saw a nose poking out from under the bed. He kept his head down as Min-gyu crawled forward. As soon as Min-gyu was close enough, he snapped up a few pieces of chicken and dashed back under the bed.

Frankenstein heard him eating there, and he made a separate note to clean there afterwards. He paused at the note, and then added to bring a few toys to the room that Min-gyu might like when he was transformed.

He turned back to his notes, and a few moments later, Min-gyu must have finished what he had taken already, Frankenstein seeing a twitching nose again.

Min-gyu moved slower this time as he snuck towards the next plate, watching Frankenstein with each step.

This time when Min-gyu snatched the food, he dashed to the plate closest to the bed instead of hiding. It was a good sign.

It took less time for Min-gyu to head for the next plate, his steps more confident. Min-gyu didn't dash away, his eyes always on Frankenstein as he ate from the plate, his ears pricked towards Frankenstein.

The last plate was next to Frankenstein's thigh, and he could see Min-gyu judging the distance between himself, the food, and Frankenstein.

Step by step, Min-gyu drew closer as Frankenstein continued to research lunar apps.

Min-gyu snatched a mouthful and dashed back.

He was faster to return the next time, not moving as far away.

The next time, he stayed. Frankenstein waited a few seconds before he reached over, brushing his fingers over Min-gyu's crown.

While Min-gyu stilled, he didn't flinch away or yelp, which was a good sign.

"It's just me, Min-gyu," Frankenstein said, slowing running his fingers over Min-gyu's fur. "I won't hurt you.

Frankenstein raised his eyebrows when Min-gyu did move - around the plate.

And climbed into his lap, trembling.

"It's all right, Frankenstein said, setting his phone down so he could focus on Min-gyu. "We can't hear the storm from here."

Min-gyu just curled harded into Frankenstein's lap, as if he was trying to hide inside Frankenstein.

Frankenstein hummed, continuing to pet Min-gyu, saying soothing words.

* * *
Frankenstein exhaled as he lay in bed, Min-gyu curled at his side. Min-gyu had stopped trembling after a while and relaxed enough that Frankenstein could play with him. The events of the night appeared to catch up with him though, Min-gyu stumbling with sleepiness before Frankenstein stopped their play time.

It should be nearing sunrise, and another item he should remember to install was a clock. He normally had his phone on him so it didn't matter, but it was currently on the desk of drawers across the room and he was sure he would disturb Min-gyu if he were to get up now. He wouldn't do that, not after Min-gyu had just settled down to sleep.

He heard the door hiss open and looked over to see Muzaka padding in, dripping wet.

"I hope you tried to get rid of some of the excess water?" Frankenstein said, raising an eyebrow. Though with how water seemed to stick to Muzaka, he could have tried and it wouldn't have done much.

Muzaka paused, paw lifted in the air as he cocked his head to the side in thought.

Frankenstein sighed, curling around so he could protect Min-gyu, bringing the blanket up further as he heard the resulting splatter as Muzaka shook off whatever he could.

The dip in the bed soon after was of no surprise, and Muzaka loomed over Frankenstein, sniffing at his arm.

"It's fine," Frankenstein said, showing him his arm. "Min-gyu was scared when I grabbed him." With everything that had happened, he hadn't the time or the spare clothes here to change.

Frankenstein grunted as Muzaka flopped down, right over his legs. Muzaka gazed back at him, mouth relaxed and open as his tail slapped against the bed.

"You'll cut off my circulation if you continue to lay there."

Muzaka lifted his head to stare at Frankenstein, his eyes wide, before his gaze went to Min-gyu.

"No, getting off my legs doesn't mean we'd end up moving Min-gyu. You could lay next to me."

Muzaka made a grumbling sound, but settled on Frankenstein's legs again. Spreading himself out even more.

Frankenstein watched him for a second, and when he shifted to make himself more comfortable under Muzaka's bulk, Muzaka stretched out with a yawn, his ears pinned on Frankenstein.

Hm. "You're making sure I don't go back to the lab, aren't you?"

Muzaka opened one eye to peek at him, his tail thumping against the bed again. And placed his head on Frankenstein's torso.

Frankenstein sighed, resting his other hand on Muzaka's head. He should have realised.

It looked like either way, he wasn't allowed to get out of bed. Not that he would want to.

* * *
Min-gyu woke up tired, in the way that was instantly recognisable. His muscles hurt like he'd been running the entire day, his clothes were gone, and...

His head was on top of someone's arm. He peeked, seeing Frankenstein's blond hair.

He must have transformed last night. He remembered watching the rain, trying to see if it was going to become another storm and then his memories got fuzzy.

While looking away, patches of dark red on Frankenstein's sleeve caught Min-gyu's attention. His sleeve was rolled up, which wasn't something Frankenstein did a lot, especially when the sleeve Min-gyu was laying on covered Frankenstein's arm.

It was blood. Dried blood. Min-gyu had seen enough of it to recognise it.

But why...

Had he bit Frankenstein? They could have been teeth marks.

But then, that would have made Frankenstein angry, and Min-gyu only felt sore from the transformation, nothing more than that.

Or maybe Frankenstein was waiting until he could remember his punishment?

He stilled when he felt Frankenstein lift his arm.

And stroked Min-gyu's head.

"Your clothes are on the bedside table," Frankenstein murmured, his eyes still closed.

"Y-you're not mad?"

Frankenstein's eyes fluttered open to look at him. "For needing clothes?"

"No. Uhm." Sometimes people forgot what he was supposed to be punished for, so it didn't happen, but other times he was meant to admit what he'd done or else the punishment would be bigger for trying to hide it. "For biting you."

"You were scared, Min-gyu," Frankenstein said, still petting Min-gyu's head, still gentle. "And I'm already healed. I have no reason to be mad with you."

Oh. Okay. That didn't seem right, but if Frankenstein said he wasn't mad, then that was okay.

Min-gyu rolled out of bed, finding the clothes. He changed and when he turned around, he paused, seeing Muzaka spread out over the foot of the bed.

He knew Muzaka had scars. Muzaka didn't try to hide them, since one was on his face, but Muzaka still wore short sleeved tops as well.

Min-gyu didn't realise Muzaka had scars all over his body too.

Someone hadn't liked Muzaka either, huh...

"Min-gyu...?" Frankenstein said. "Do you need help?"

"No," Min-gyu said. He glanced at the bed, and then at the door.

He could leave. Maybe. He didn't think Frankenstein would make him stay.

But...

Frankenstein lifted the blanket, and Min-gyu crawled inside, exhaling at the warmth, curling up as Frankenstein wrapped the blanket around him.

"Is Muzaka okay?" Min-gyu asked. It was cold outside the blanket.

"He's fine," Frankenstein said. "He'll come join us if he gets too cold."

"Sometimes it's too hot under the blanket," Muzaka grumbled, the bed shifting as he moved.

"He prefers the cold over the warmth," Frankenstein added.

But being cold made Min-gyu stiff and his teeth chatter. Warm was better.

Like here.

Min-gyu yawned, his eyes trying to close on their own and... He peeked up, seeing the edge of Frankenstein's jaw. It would be okay, right?

He shuffled closer, pressing up against Frankenstein's shoulder.

He froze when Frankenstein moved. No, he'd chosen wrong. He'd angered-

Frankenstein wrapped his other arm around Min-gyu's shoulders. "Go back to sleep, Min-gyu. You need the rest."

Frankenstein wrapped his other arm around Min-gyu's shoulders. "Go back to sleep, Min-gyu. You need the rest."

Frankenstein wasn't angry. He wasn't going to...

Min-gyu exhaled, his heart slowing down as he buried his face into Frankenstein's shoulder.

"Okay," Min-gyu mumbled, already tumbling towards sleep.

It was nice here.