A Gorgeous White

"Ah, you're finally smiling." 

"What?" Moulin snapped back from his thought and met the old woman's eyes. 

She smirked at him with a raised eyebrow before packing his items, and Moulin lowered his gaze with a flushed face. There was a sudden vibration from his phone, and he took it out to check. His brows wrinkled when he saw another picture of his ex and his new lover on the screen. 

Moulin shook his head and put his phone away. Somehow… It didn't hurt much. He left the store carrying a big paper bag, heading back to the house. Was the wolf waiting for him back home?

A few minutes later, he hears a faint noise. Moulin quickens his pace and sees a few children noisily crowding the side of the road in the distance. There was loud continuous chirping that obviously didn't belong to one or any of the children. When Moulin got closer, he noticed a tiny baby bird shivering under the giants surrounding it.

What are they doing? Moulin frowned and hurriedly approached them. However, before he could yell, a loud rustle sounded. The children flinched, and suddenly a large shadow rushed out of the bushes. A giant black wolf bared its sharp teeth, growling ferociously. The children shouted in fear, stumbling and crawling away.

The wolf was about to attack them, but Moulin hastily rushed in between. "Don't hurt them! They're just kids!"

The children wailed as they ran away in fear, and Moulin paled as the wolf shifted its attention to him. Those golden eyes terrified him. Yet, Moulin somewhat knew that it wouldn't hurt him. Probably…

The wolf narrowed its eyes and growled deeply before turning away, leaving Moulin dumbfounded and relieved. He took the chick and placed it back on the nest, sitting on a branch. 

In the following days, the wolf didn't show itself to Moulin. The young man would wait until the skies were painted orange and red, but the wolf never appeared. Perhaps, the mountain protector was too busy to hang around him. Moulin sighed and rose from the rock, heading back to the house. 

On another cozy morning, Moulin stops before the path leading to the river. His hands tightened around his camera. Maybe he won't be here, and I'll wait for nothing again. Moulin's heart ached. He didn't want to be left alone again. He smiled bitterly. Maybe this was wrong after all. He swore to avoid anything that could trouble his heart, but here he was… Left alone. Again. 

With a lowered head, Moulin bit his lips and turned away. 

Roar!

A Moulin flinched and turned around.

A bear?! The sound came from the river! 

Moulin's first thought was to turn around and run. However, a thunderous bark noised throughout the forest. Was it the wolf? Was he in trouble?!

Without a second thought, Moulin heads towards the river. He froze on the spot as giant splashes filled the area upon arriving. A huge grizzly towered over Moulin's big black wolf. It roared terrifyingly, charging toward the wolf, who didn't retreat and faced the bigger animal with equal ferocity. The two fought, claws, scraping and teeth, ripping. 

The water is dyed red. Moulin breathed heavily, grabbing a branch to approach but then slipped into the water with a splash. The wolf withdrew briefly, glancing at him, but it was all it took for the bear to pin him down. The wolf lets out an agonized sound, mixed with loud splashes. The grizzly moved to finish him off.

Moulin's heart thundered, and without thinking, grabbed a stone and threw it at the bear. The bear growled and turned towards Moulin, who stiffened in fear, refusing to let the current take him. 

Within the moment of distraction, a giant splash occurred, and in a split second, the bear was drowning in the water. Claws pressed into the giant's thick neck. Continuous splashes appeared, and Moulin couldn't quite understand what was happening. 

Crack!

Suddenly, there was silence. 

Moulin raised his chin above the water's surface, seeing a glimpse of the majestic black animal rising from the water. Ah, he's alright. Good-

Out of the blue, Moulin's grip slipped, and before he knew it, he was submerged underwater. The strong current tossed him underneath. He couldn't breathe.

Before he lost consciousness, he swore he saw two strong hands reaching for him and magnetic golden eyes searching his gaze.

...…..

When Moulin woke up, he was in the hospital. His editor and friend worriedly fussed over him at his bedside. He was found unconscious by a couple of hikers near a river. A day and a half passed since his rescue. 

Other people found him? But… What about the wolf? His… savior?

Moulin stayed for a few hours before he was finally discharged. His friend scolded him throughout the ride, but Moulin knew he was only worried about him. He dropped Moulin off at the house before driving away to take care of a few essential things. 

Moulin sat on the porch and silently waited.  He dwelled on the person who saved him.

Golden eyes. It looked so familiar.

*'Yes… like the wolf's.'

*

…

"Ah…" Moulin scoffs with wide eyes as he slowly rose from the chair. *'It… couldn't be…'

*

He ate his dinner outside, ignoring the possibility of luring animals towards the house. But the creature he thought would come did not visit.

It was the same during the next few days. Loneliness and curiosity began eating Moulin inside. 

Rustle!

Moulin lifted his gaze ahead. His surroundings are doused with afternoon rays. A shadow could be seen hidden behind a tree. Moulin abruptly stood up. "Wolf? Is… Is it you?"

"…"

There was no response. 

"…" Moulin sighs and lowers his head. After a minute of silence, he spoke. 

"Thank you for saving… me. Even if you… didn't have to. Even though… I was annoying and kept talking all the time."

Moulin stared at the camera hanging on his neck. "But thank you for listening and staying with me.  And guiding me around the mountain. Showing me many beautiful things. More than I had ever seen in my entire life… I wasn't lonely. I realize that, truly, there is more to see in life. And that there are many things to make me happy…"

He glanced ahead hesitatingly. "I'll be leaving tomorrow."

The silence stretched and a cool faint breeze brushed past him making him take a deep breath. His eyes are bright as he gazed at the rays of orange light shining through the branches. 

"Thank you for helping me and being there for me when I was hurting." Moulin smiled. These are things he would never say out loud. But this sudden confidence made him feel so light and calm. Like a thousand-pound boulder was lifted off his shoulders.

"Then…" Moulin chuckled. "Since this is the last time… If you want to… I wouldn't mind having someone stay for dinner tonight."

"…"

Mouin smiled. "Just tonight… "

"…"

"Well…" Moulin sighed. He kept a tranquil smile as he slowly turned. "If you… change your mind, I'll be waiting…"

The floorboards creaked as he slowly walked back inside the house. The sky darkened as time passed. Orange and purple painted skies and fireflies flew. Now, he was placing two servings on the table and gently putting freshly picked blue flowers in the centerpiece vase. The table was simple but charming. 

When he was finished, Moulin sat in his seat and glanced at the door. 'Will… he come?'

Suddenly, his phone vibrated and Moulin took it out. He sighed. Another update of his ex-lover's moments. Moulin stared at the screen deeply and shook his head.

It's time to let it go completely. 

In the next minute, Moulin blocked the person's accounts and deleted his number. His body slacked on the chair and he lets out a breath. 'Ah, I feel very light.'

He doesn't blame himself anymore. He's learned something important.

He has to think of himself more. Learn about what he wants to do and wants to see.

Maybe, he'll take time to travel sometimes, and meet new people.

He'll sail across the sea, eat something exotic, or learn a new language.

Meet penguins, ride a hot air balloon, write a travelog…

"One thing at a time…"

A happy smile blooms on his face as he closes his eyes. 

Knock! Knock!

Moulin slowly opened his eyes and stared at the door. His heartbeat quickened.

"Is it…"

He rose from the chair and walked towards the door. A vague silhouette could be seen through the glass window of the door. A halo of bright gold outlined a tall man's figure. Moulin reached for the doorknob and unhurriedly opened the door.

Warm magnetic golden eyes met Moulin's gaze. The youth stood in a daze with a rapid heartbeat.

A smile appears on the handsome man's face.