AU -I don't know what to call this au lol. Enjoy.
He watched her from the woods as she ran through the field. From the woods that no one would enter. That no one would enter because of him.
Stories flew around the village about the monster that lives in the woods, but visits their village occasionally. A monster who towers in height with deep scars covering his face. A monster with only one arm.
It was selfish of him to long for her love. She was too beautiful for him. He didn't deserve her. He dreamed of a day that he would grow the courage to step out from behind the trees and greet her. A day he knee would likely never come.
Usually the girl runs around the field, laying in the flowers. He saw her once a week when she would spend an entire evening in the grass. She carried a notebook with her, whether she drew or wrote he didn't know.
Sometimes she would stare into.the woods, a look in her eyes he didn't recognize. Sometimes he could swear that she could see him, the way she looked almost right at him.
He crept towards the end of the treeline, far enough to stay hidden but close enough to get a better glance at the girl.
Her hair hung in its usual braids, laying over her shoulder. She wears the same dress as always. It was well loved with spots that had been sewn and fixed.
His brows furrowed as he took her in. Rather than giggling to herself over unknown thoughts or humming a familiar tune, she was crying. He'd never seen her cry before. His chest tightened as he wondered what she was crying over.
He crept even closer without realizing. A stick snaps under his boot.
He froze, her head snapped up. She looked in his direction and he felt his breath quickening.
"Hello?" She called, standing to her feet. "Is someone there?"
She took slow steps towards him and he hid behind a tree the best he could, tugging at his hair stressfully. He prayed she would walk away. He wasn't ready to meet her.
"You don't have to be scared of me," she said gently as she grew closer to his tree. She knew he was there. "I promise."
Tears filled his eyes. Him? Scared of her? He could only wish.
"You're not who I fear. I'm scared of the way you will fear me." He confessed. She perked up at the sound of his voice, the confirmation of his precense exciting her.
"Why would I fear you? You're not a bad person are you?" He heard her steps come to a stop.
"No," he whispered. "I just don't look like regular people do."
"It's okay to be different! That doesn't make you scary!" She said in a stern tone.
There was a moment of silence between them but he could hear her lingering on the other side of the tree.
"Is it okay if I step over there?" His heart grew at the request. The way she considered his insecurities.
"Yes."
With his back pressed against the tree he held his breath as she finally stepped in front him. She stood right in front of him, so close he could touch her. He closed his eyes, waiting for the gasp of horror. Or the sound of laughter that came from children when he went into the village for supplies.
Instead he heard nothing, but instead felt a soft hand cup his cheek. His eyes opened only to see fresh tears falling from hers.
"Someone hurt you." Her eyes searched over the scars covering his face, some deeper than others, some longer.
