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Birds chirped idly outside the manor windows, Alchym busied himself away in the kitchen, humming absentmindedly to a tune only heard inside his head, and Enok sat at the dining table, nose buried deep within a book about entomology. A long stretch of comfortable silence filled the space between the two, words unnecessary in the peaceful moment.
“Alchym?” Enok piped up, deep voice breaking that silence, tearing his attention away from his readings, as his mind was somewhere else.
“Yes, dear?” the doctor didn't look up from his task, which currently consisted of the intricate art of chopping up apples he'd picked from the tree in the garden.
There was a pause as Enok gathered his courage, speaking meekly.
“Would you ever allow me to venture outside, as you do?”
Silence again. Alchym ceased his humming, movements stalling for a moment, his fingers twitching, but he quickly carried on, still not looking at the other.
“What are you talking about, my darling?” his tone was amused, but tinged with something less pleasant around the edges. “I allow you outside every day. Was it not just yesterday that I caught you digging in my flowerbeds, making a mess of my beautiful roses? ‘Looking for worms’, you said. Worms! How silly.”
“I apologize, again, maker, but… that is not what I meant,” he stared down at his open book, not reading the words, brows scrunched, trying to articulate his thoughts, “I am grateful, as you allow me to wander in the garden, but… You— You venture out, beyond our walls, even beyond the garden, you behold others, as I have never before—”
“That's enough,” Alchym interjected, tone firm, finally turning his attention to the creature. His eyes, usually enveloped with such fondness for the other, now narrowed in disdain. “I'll have no more talk of such drivel. You are not an imbecile, my boy, I made quite sure of that, so you are well aware of the reasons.”
“But, maker, I only request that you take me along with you on your outings to the shops,” he continued, eager, pleading in his voice, “I observe many people through the windows, and I wish to see them– truly see them, be a part of them, understand them, perceive the reality of humanity, of the world, not just through my readings, but–”
“Enough!” Alchym turned suddenly, brandishing the knife in his hand towards the other, no longer a tool, but a threat. Enok’s eyes grew wide, darting between the sharp instrument and the man holding it, his creator’s former beauty replaced with someone much more terrifying. “That is enough nonsense out of that foul mouth of yours.”
“I created you, I provide for you, I care for you, I love you with everything that I possess, yet that is not enough for you? I have told you time and time again as to why you cannot walk the same earth as the everyday man; you are a creature of death and rot, an abomination, ugly to the world, but beautiful to me.”
Enok grew silent, staring at his master, taking his beratement with obedience. Alchym sighed with frustration, the sunbeams from the great windows reflecting off the metal of the knife.
“You haven't the slightest idea what I am protecting you from, my pet,” his voice softened, but that anger still held on, “Out there, they will berate you, lay hands on you, question your very existence! Do you truly believe anyone but your dutiful creator could look upon you with affection as I do? Only I understand you, and yet you care so little for my efforts to keep you safe. You care nothing for me.”
“Never! Alchym, my maker, I care immensely for you—”
“Be quiet! I've heard enough of your prattling this afternoon to last me a lifetime.”
Enok grew silent at Alchym's command, his large eyes watching the man intensely, awaiting his next move. Alchym finally relented on the knife in his hand, placing it on the counter, but Enok’s posture did not relax.
“I taught you how to speak, how to read, how to use the inner workings of your mind, even allowed you access to my extensive library, so that you were not a bumbling, drooling idiot as you so easily could be! Now, you use that knowledge against me…” Alchym sneered, “Your ‘readings’. Ridiculous. Shall I strip you even of the simple pleasure of literature, as you cannot be trusted to think for yourself?”
“No, my maker, please…” Enok clenched his jaw, holding back tears. The idea of being withheld the wondrous escape of his books was too much to bear. “I will not question you further, I promise.”
The doctor grabbed the bowl he had previously been slicing apples into, throwing it in front of the creature, the dish colliding with the wood of the dining table with a thud, scattering several pieces of apple across the surface of not only the table, but the floor as well, in the process. Enok flinched at the suddenness.
“Eat,” Alchym said curtly, glaring down at him, “Devour each and every morsel, or would you reject this act of kindness, as well?”
“No, master, of course not,” Enok didn’t look up at the other man, but quickly did as he was told, shoving a slice into his mouth, crushing it between borrowed teeth, “Thank you.”
Alchym stormed off, then, up the stairs to retire to his bedroom, dramatically slamming the door behind him, shaking the walls of the prison that he called a home. Enok was left alone, silent tears streaming down his cheeks, forcing every bite, his stomach turning.
He could hear Alchym loudly crying for the past hour, locked away in their shared bedroom. How horrid it felt, to know he had made his love feel such despair, and how terribly he wished to mend things between them.
Alchym’s venomous words stung, spat at Enok and scorched him, but he was sure that it all rang true. If he were to step out into the real world, could he truly be met with admiration and acceptance, as he hoped and dreamed about, or would his hideous, unnatural form inspire hatred, just as his creator had said? Alchym was protecting him, in his own way.
The decision to disturb Alchym in his time of distress juggled back and forth in Enok’s mind, the fear of further scolding very real, but he could bear his lover’s cries of anguish no longer, so he approached the door, hesitating but a moment before knocking gently.
There was no response at first, only silence as the sound of Alchym’s sobs quieted down, then a pause, until a voice sounded out, quiet and hoarse.
“You may enter.”
Enok found his maker laid out across their bed, weeping openly, sheets mussed under his graceful form. His long, graying hair, usually in a messy updo, was now splayed out around him, spilling over his shoulders and the satin pillows that supported him. He was lovely to behold, even in his despair.
“Have you come to insult me further?” he hiccupped a sob, sitting up to face the lumbering man, long hair plastered to his tear stained face, eyes red and burning, his clothes disheveled, “To question my undeniable love for you, foul wretch?”
Although his words harsh, the sting was not painful as before, as his throat had grown ragged in his fit of anger.
“No, my Alchym,” Enok said softly, approaching the edge of the bed, kneeling before the man of his desires so that they were eye level, taking Alchym’s hands in his own and kissing his knuckles with the utmost care. “I’ve come to apologize.”
“I should hope so,” he sniffled, voice wavering with emotion, “Do you see what a mess you’ve made of me?”
“I do see, and I am ever regretful of my actions,” Enok reached out a large hand to brush away the strands of hair sticking to Alchym’s face, instead brushing them behind his ear, then cupping his cheek, thumb smoothing his tears away. Despite his tantrum, Alchym couldn’t resist leaning into the familiar feeling, cheek pressed into Enok’s warm palm, letting out a content sigh as he closed his weary eyes.
“I am deeply sorry for questioning you, my lover, I do not wish for you to think of me as ungrateful. You gave me life, and for that, I will always be thankful. You love me, care for me, monstrosity as I am, and I realize that is no small task. I will bare no excuses, only ask for your forgiveness, and pray that you will grant me that kindness.”
This pleading apology seemed to ease Alchym of his fury, a pleased smile slowly spreading across his face, that warmth for the other returning to his eyes, as if it had never left. He held the monster’s wrist, fingers loving in their grasp, turning his head to place a lingering kiss to the scarred palm that cradled him.
“All is forgiven, my beautiful one, if only because I cannot stay cross with you for very long. Come here.”
He reached his arms out, signalling for the creature to slot between them, to which Enok obeyed. He nuzzled into the man’s welcoming bosom, muscled arms wrapped around his waist, holding him close, the doctor’s heartbeat sounding in Enok’s ears. He relaxed in Alchym’s embrace; he felt at home.
“I beg of you, dear Enok, do not ever talk of leaving me again, I fear my heart cannot bear the thought of being alone, away from my most special one…” he kissed the top of Enok’s head, muttering against his hair, emotion in his voice again, “And I especially cannot bear the idea of my beloved being ridiculed by such ignorant heathens. They will never understand you as I do, my love! What they would do to you… I may yet faint at just the thought.”
“I understand. Thank you, lover, for forgiving me, and further yet, for protecting me,” Enok lifted his head, pressing a soft kiss to Alchym's neck, in which he was rewarded with lithe fingers combing through his long hair. He shivered, melting into the touch. “It truly guts me to see your tears, and to know I am the cause. I will trust you in the future, this I promise.”
“Good boy,” Alchym cooed, cradling the creature’s face up, gazing at him with warmth. He smiled, thumbs tracing the deep scars etched into the patchwork of the other’s cheeks, like the stained glass of a cathedral window. The mark of his own handiwork, scarred forever, but healing quite nicely. “Listen to your maker, allow me to care for you, and you, my greatest love, will never want for happiness. Now, kiss me, and let us be well again, my darling.”
Enok leaned forward, still on his knees, connecting his lips to Alchym's own, pressing into him, breathing in the divine scent of him, hands cradling his back with a learned tenderness and keeping him close as two became one. His creator was right, as he always was; Enok could be happy here, embraced in the warm glow of his beloved, safe in his arms, protected from the outside world that would only bring him pain.