The forests of the human world were eerie. Tall trees loomed in the skies like towers of evil reckoning. Their needles were like spikes, pricking at Wooyoung's skin as he guided himself along their barks. He couldn't see the sky, and everything rustled and moved with the creeping breeze. In every shadow seemed to lurk hungry eyes.

It was early spring in the human world. Mists swathed the woods in a haunting haze and each call of the crows was frightening in the still cold air.

Wooyoung held one hand clutched to his bag, the other found trees and branches to support himself on the treacherous path. The earth was soft from fallen leaves and mosses, but its dips and rocks tripped up Wooyoung's hooves every so often. He ached from rolling his ankles several times and his horns kept getting stuck in disgusting spider webs. Even navigating this foreign, scary place was part of his challenge.

He was a demon, the most dreadful creature in the area. Yet he flinched at the dash of a squirrel, stared with big eyes at the mushrooms that appeared delicious yet so dangerous in their lure.

His teacher gave him strict instructions on where to find this mysterious master demon. Deep in the woods, where no human dared venture since they would never find their way back out, ducked a humble hut of mosses and wood. Inside, the demon rested at peace until a battle grand enough to demand his attention would rouse him. Wooyoung needed to find that place. He was in the right forest, but he never imagined the world of the humans to be so terrifying. They were weak and brittle creatures, easily crushable like twigs, but the nature they bested seemed to swallow Wooyoung whole.

What if he tripped and fell? No one would find him. Seonghwa would be in their dorm, sick with worry but with no other choice but to forget Wooyoung as his bones became one with the moss.

Shuddering, Wooyoung rubbed his arms. He couldn't let that happen. The vicious human forest was merely another obstacle he had to overcome on his path to becoming a powerful demon.

So Wooyoung clutched his arms around his body and marched onward. Though the birds echoing their haunting calls from the trees never showed themselves to him, he never let down his guard. Every flinch made him stronger.

Twilight shrouded him in its mysteries by the time he finally spotted the fabled hut between the trees. It blended in smoothly, almost one with the nature. A relieved sigh relaxed Wooyoung's shoulders. He had been afraid that the night might catch up on him, darker than hell with its perpetual fires.

He skipped across the last few rocks parting him from salvation. Bramble snatched for his legs, trying to stagger him to draw him into a rotting grave. Stubborn, Wooyoung broke through and caught his breath in front of the rundown hut. By some miracle, the softened wood kept together, but he couldn't see through the milky windows. It looked abandoned.

Wooyoung gathered his courage. He came this far and found the place. Now, he only needed to introduce himself. Until things settled down at home, this was his school.

He tucked his wings behind his back orderly, mindful to leave a good impression. This was hell's strongest warrior, second only to their mighty Lady herself. Nervosity scratched at his insides, how it rarely did for demons. Wooyoung respected the academy, but he never faced someone as influential as this person. Did he know why Wooyoung got sent here? Would he care?

Wooyoung hoped this wasn't his discreet execution after humiliating the demon race because of some angel.

With his lips pressed together, Wooyoung lifted his fist to the door and knocked against it. Not too little force, despite his build. He had to look like a scholar worthy of a grand master, after all.

Wooyoung lifted his chin and pushed his shoulders as far back as they would go. He gulped down all fear as he listened for a voice from inside.

Instead of being called in, heavy steps thudded over the floorboards. Wooyoung held his breath at every haunting squeak and his claws dug into the palms of his hand. His mind was wiped blank of all formalities and greetings he prepared on his way here. Wasn't this house too small? A demon of such might had to be massive and make the ground tremble at every step.

With his heart in his throat, Wooyoung watched as the door swung open. He braced himself to be launched off his feet by a mighty hit, for a test on his endurance.

None of such happened and that might be even worse than any trick.

The man before Wooyoung looked so utterly regular, he almost mistook him for a human if not for the subtle hue of his repressed supernatural might. Unleashed, it would make anyone in his vicinity faint.

He had about the same height at Wooyoung, taller only where the latter's pointy little horns could be deducted. His grace was otherworldly, another hint that something more lurked beyond that human skin. The man he posed as had handsomely overgrown dark hair and his eyes were wise in features beautiful enough to make any human cry. His shape was lean and youthful, broad where Wooyoung was lanky. He stood wrapped in a felted blanket over his dull clothes, matching the expectations a lost human would have of such a hermit.

What a marvellous strategy. Like this, he could lure humans here to consume them and no one would ever fathom where they had disappeared to.

When he laid eyes on Wooyoung, he halted in his step. He looked the demon up and down, not disguised as he nervously clutched his hands into each other.

"Guess that explains the energy I felt," the other demon muttered.

"D-did someone inform you of my arrival? My teachers sent me here."

"To me?" Incredulous, the demon glanced him up and down once more. He stood as if carved of stone, cold but eternally beautiful. The rumble of his voice was soothing, familiar like the everlasting fires of their home.

Wooyoung nodded hastily and produced the letter his teacher handed him. Perhaps they couldn't reach out on such a short notice. Wooyoung did pack his bags right away.

"The academy enrolled for special training under your lead. There have been a few... incidents ever since I started."

Slowly, the elder demon took the scroll from Wooyoung. His eyes never left him, penetrated him to his core as he undid the yarn. Wooyoung felt as if he knew without having to read it.

"You're a beginner?" The elder demon muttered as he diverted his attention to the paper. Wooyoung nodded eagerly. Though this welcome wasn't what he imagined, he was glad this demon was so educated in his communication. Truly, only their best could bring terror, yet reel himself in when it was time to pretend to be human.

Wooyoung's skin tingled from the proximity to such a monstrosity. He could feel the raw, untamed power from the other's core, a dozen times what Wooyoung detected in his mighty teachers.

"Correct! I started my classes a few weeks ago, but said incident caused other demons to taunt me. The teachers thought it best you would educate me until they calmed the other youngsters."

"What happened?" The other demon asked, but the question died on his lips when he skimmed the words on the parchment. Wooyoung looked at the ground, ashamed to admit it. Every demon hated the angels with a passion, so he found understanding. At the same time, it meant his humiliation was even worse.

After a few moments of silence, the hermit lifted his eyes to Wooyoung. He studied him for a long time while Wooyoung played with his tail, hoping he wasn't too worthless to the master. In his viciousness, he had every right to send Wooyoung away for submitting to an angel.

Whatever he saw, it convinced him. A moment later, he stepped aside to grant passage into his humble abode.

"Come inside."

Relieved, Wooyoung lit up. He beamed at his new master as he delightedly followed his first order under the mightiest of all. If his bullies saw him now, they would blanch in jealousy. 

"He was a wretched one! He preyed upon me at the gates of heaven and showed no mercy that is so jubilated among their race. I swore revenge. Please teach me so I may grow up and do much worse to him," Wooyoung babbled. He placed his bag in a corner to take in the modest surroundings of his teacher. A small table with two chairs, a single bed behind a mothy curtain, and a fireplace with a few ingredients for cooking. It was humble and the perfect hideout. One of such might didn't fall for the shine of unnecessary luxury.

Wooyoung couldn't wait to learn everything.

"I cannot train you if you are still hurt. But some time passed, yes?"

"Scars linger, but they ignite my fury. Please don't hold back!" Wooyoung cheered. Finally, he was in his element. He couldn't seduce his teacher with his usual methods, but if he showed his zeal and his determination, he would get accepted.

"My name is Yeosang," the demon offered as he sat at his table to study Wooyoung with great interest. He made no comment on his situation, too versed with the hidden wickedness of the angels.

"I shall call you master," Wooyoung replied. The corner of Yeosang's mouth twitched.

"So be it. All demons are driven by the hatred towards their foe. I assume yours is that angel?"

"Yes, master! I recently discovered my motivation to become the most horrid of all."

When Yeosang chuckled, the sound bounced around Wooyoung's insides and made him feel tickled. He liked it. He liked this face, this unassuming appearance. If he did well, he could see his master in his full glory one day. With his horns and wings, more majestic than any other.

Attracted to his effortless power in that serene face, Wooyoung hung from his lips.

"Then keep him in mind as we train. For today, you may get settled in and share a meal with me so we can get to know each other. You will sleep and live here." He beckoned around his small space and Wooyoung almost squealed.

"Tell me if you ever need my help! I can tend to the household and find food," Wooyoung grovelled. Yes, he hated doing house tasks, but if it meant more husky chuckles from those lips, he would. Already he could tell he would get along with this teacher much better than with the others. Not to mention their peaceful surroundings.

"We shall equally share the workload. What is your name?"

"Oh, my apologies." Wooyoung blanched. Fuck, maybe he wasn't on top of his game after all. Here he was, pretending he was as studied and successful as Seonghwa.

"I'm Wooyoung. My records may be depressing and I may not look like much either, but please train me to become my worst. So one day, I can take my vengeance on that angel and restore dignity to our folk."

Yeosang nodded at him to sit. He asked Wooyoung about his major and if he encountered any dangers on his way here. Oddly, he also wanted to know exactly what the bullying back in hell entailed. Though shameful to admit his flirtatious ways, Wooyoung didn't hold back on the answers. He would spend a long time here, and his teacher needed to know him to get into the grit of educating him.

The sky of the human world was long since dark and they lit a fire to replicate the warmth of their home when Yeosang called it a day. He offered Wooyoung his bed for the night, assuring the protesting demon he would tend to matters elsewhere.

Safe in the hut of his new master, Wooyoung curled up in those soft blankets. Surrounded by his scent, he felt welcome and knew that no other teacher would be as good for him as Yeosang.

-

The next morning, Yeosang was less strained. His surprise of Wooyoung's sudden appearance cleared and the rumble of his voice was educated and wise as soon as he noticed Wooyoung stirring on the bench.

"We will start your training after you had some food. Tell me where your prior teacher left off."

In an instant, Wooyoung was up. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and his tail swished behind him coyly as his need to please his master copied the stiff posture he had seen on Seonghwa for many years. Yeosang didn't mind him, busy retrieving ingredients for their meal from his cupboards. He ate human food since it was easier to access in this world and while Wooyoung never tried it, it would be enough to sustain them.

Already, he learned so many new things. He never would have considered the meals of the most meagre species for himself if not for his marvellous elder.

"As you wish, master! We were learning how to be vicious on the daily. In tripping up strangers and knotting up children's hair until they cried."

Yeosang hummed as he set the table. When he noticed Wooyoung hemming and hawing whether to get up and help, he beckoned him to stay put with a calm hand. Hard muscle wired down his lower arm to end in veiny palms. The sight made Wooyoung gulp, but he scolded himself that he wasn't supposed to flirt with his teachers. That would be a foolproof method to ruin this rare chance of special education.

"You may learn such trivialities from your books. I will teach you the most heart-wrenching of methods. Those you might rarely have an opportunity to use, but that will assure your success, always. A secret attack, so to say," Yeosang announced as he took a seat opposite of Wooyoung. His overgrown hair fell into his carved features, making him look ethereal like a forest goddess. Even when he had the raw strength of the demons, he was beautiful in a way that left Wooyoung dazed. He had never seen anything like it.

But of course, beauty was an asset, as well. They needed it to seduce and fool. Wooyoung did well in that field, though it also became his demise when he lacked the strength to fend off that fiendish angel.

With his tail in a tight coil below the table, Wooyoung dug into his food. The taste was bland, but it had enough meat to match his habits.

"Truly, only our best would have such assets," Wooyoung praised. Yeosang didn't tend to haughtiness, even when it was recommended in demons. He brushed the compliment off, regal in a way few demons would understand. His transcendence almost matched that of their Lady, too divine to bother with mundane irks.

"May I ask you a question? How did you become such a master? It cannot be raw strength, yet even the most dreadful of demons recognise your expertise. What makes you different?" Wooyoung asked, eager to learn. Perhaps he couldn't replicate it, but he was in awe of his master who could probably wipe out all those stupid white pigeons by himself.

Yeosang pondered the spoon resting in his elegant hand. His fingers must have seen countless of battles and ripped apart angel after angel to show them their place.

"I was elected by our mightiest... because I enjoy making little demons cry."

Wooyoung came up short when Yeosang lifted his eyes to stare right at him. His gaze was piercing, making Wooyoung shudder with a mix of exhilaration and fear. If he stared for too long, those eyes might ensnare him, chain him up until he had nowhere to flee. Dark puddles to drown in.

A nervous chuckled filled the air between them. Wooyoung folded his quivering wings behind his back. His face felt hot, but an icy shiver crawled down his spine.

Truly, the worst among them wouldn't stop before his own. Compassion was a liability. But, while awed, Wooyoung also felt scarily targeted by that stare. As if the mood shifted, Yeosang looked about ready to devour him.

Right, he didn't say he had the ability to make demons cry.

He enjoyed it.

Wooyoung tripped over his words, but he needed to say something before the silence stretched on. This was a test. Yeosang gauged his reaction and if he succumbed to fear by a threat alone, Wooyoung wasn't worthy. This was their strongest. He had to show him he didn't crumble easily.

"T-then... Doesn't that make you an anti-villain? If you ravage not only your foes, but also your own?"

The tension crumbled off Yeosang. He leaned back in his chair and the mysterious smile playing around his lips knew something Wooyoung couldn't fathom.

"Perhaps so. It may be a similarity I have with the angels, yet they fear those without loyalty towards their own community. Trust is one of their strongest weapons."

"So you betray that trust," Wooyoung nodded along. Their meal was forgotten as they delved into the teachings so smoothly. While part of Wooyoung wanted to get up and take some notes, he knew he wouldn't forget this lesson. Not Yeosang's stare and not his low voice.

"Correct. Angel, man or demon. No knife twists as deeply as the one led by a friend's hand. If you ever wish to take someone apart from the inside, act as their friend and unveil your true colours once they trust you."

Right, that angel hadn't been so different. He acted aloof and ignorant, superior in his behaviour, like all other angels. But the moment he came close enough to Wooyoung, he turned into a vile beast.

Yes, Wooyoung understood. Having one's belief shattered that way was the most cruel of methods.

"You don't need brawns to defeat your enemies. If you can lure them and poison their hearts, even a meagre demon like you can succeed." Yeosang picked up his bowl and stood. Though Wooyoung gritted back a splutter that he wouldn't be meagre for much longer, he had to agree that this advice was tailored to him. If anyone knew, it was Yeosang. He dealt with any enemy and with any demon before.

Wooyoung hurried to finish his food so they could get into the grit of today's lesson. His mind already spun with the new information that felt so rare and relevant. Undoubtedly, Yeosang would teach him countless secret methods no other knew. And, one day, Wooyoung would bring him the head of that atrocious angel as a token of his gratitude.

Fired up to follow the path of his undefeated master, Wooyoung followed him outside of the house for a training of meditation and movement while Yeosang shared his secrets.

-

Wooyoung's educational path found its harmony. No more bullies came after him and no more transfers hindered his progress. Occasionally, he had to write reports to the academy to assure them of his improvement, but otherwise, his mind was at peace with Yeosang.

The mighty demon taught him as the seasons passed. He often left the house for his many risky missions, but he never missed the timing to be back and teach Wooyoung. Soon, his notes piled higher and higher and he understood Yeosang's wit and his purpose behind every word.

Wooyoung experienced his first human winter there. Though Yeosang told him snow would come, Wooyoung stood with his nose pressed against the cold window as soon as he noticed the thick flocks of white tumbling from the sky. He wanted to watch them for hours.

Yeosang chuckled and took him outside once their fire raged. Demons ran hot, so they needed no coats and Wooyoung marvelled at the fine sheen of white that blanketed the barren forest. He particularly liked the sight of the evergreens and their little hut doused in snow. It was innocent, so much fun to mess up and throw around.

Yeosang leaned against the wall of his shed with his shoulders engulfed in his cosy shawl. He watched Wooyoung's rampage with a fond smile.

Somehow, Wooyoung was glad he didn't leave today. Though Yeosang would never play with him and often chased shudders down his spine with his intense gaze, they warmed up to one another. Wooyoung liked to think that Yeosang relished their time the same way he did, outside of their purpose as student and teacher.

Soon, Wooyoung's fingers got chilled by the masses of snow. He came running back to the hut with some flocks stuck in his hair and horns. Giddy, he bound up to Yeosang.

"Will we do class outside today?" He asked, tail curling around his thigh to duck away from the temperatures.

Yeosang contemplated him. The snow added to his beauty, touched upon his hair so delicately to bedazzle him like the night sky Wooyoung marvelled at so often. The quirk of his lips was ever so subtle, but Wooyoung learned how to watch out for it.

"Won't you be distracted by the snow?" Already, Wooyoung's hoof was digging through the frigid delight.

Wooyoung swung his hands behind his back, standing at attention. He never needed to mask his lively grin here. When he cocked his head cutely, something in Yeosang's eyes softened.

"Never! I only look at you, master, always," Wooyoung promised. His small wings fluttered behind him, still on their mission of growing into a beautiful and massive pair to carry him through the gorgeous human skies.

It was no lie. He always looked only at Yeosang. He looked at him so much that he had grown endeared by the birthmark at his eye, by the occasional smiles that dashed across his regal features. He knew how Yeosang's fingers handled the kitchen with great care since he had a tremor from a past battle that left him scarred and he watched silently whenever Yeosang braided his hair to add to his effortless beauty.

Wooyoung looked at him so much that his heart developed a special beat just for his master. Perhaps that day outside in the snow while Yeosang was prettier than ever, he admitted for the first time that it wasn't mere respect he felt anymore.

Yeosang smiled, ever so graceful.

"Let's try. You made a lot of progress since I got to know you. You might not need the reminder to concentrate."

An ache bore through Wooyoung's heart. As proud as he was of his studies and though this was the sole reason he got to meet Yeosang and spend time with him, it also meant the inevitable end. Yeosang was too mighty to spend his precious time with a demon like Wooyoung forever. As soon as he declared him ready to be on his own, Wooyoung might never see him again. Often, he lay awake at night fretting about how he could elongate their time. He never did, however. He didn't want to hold Yeosang up. Once his duties as a professor were over, he had lots of torment and anguish to deal out.

Though dulled by the reminder of their inevitable parting, Wooyoung did his best for their lessons that day. He listened to the pleasant rumble of Yeosang's voice, memorised his every word. In the evening, when Yeosang left him alone in the hut to attend to his duties for the demonic forces, Wooyoung shamefully dipped his hand under his pants to find pleasure to the echoing tingle of his master's voice. The snow cast the hut in a tranquil innocence and by the time Yeosang returned to their lair, Wooyoung was passed out and slumbered in his corner.

It had become a home, their relationship a comfort. Though Yeosang never confessed his thoughts, Wooyoung hoped he liked when the room was warm upon his return, and when Wooyoung greeted him with a cheer every morning. It wasn't much and perhaps he was still bothersome in Yeosang's eyes, a demon he would rather see cry than regard as an equal, but Wooyoung did his utmost best.

He loved his dear new master, with all of his limited demon feelings. And as the nights grew longer and the end of their time together neared all too quickly, he desperately thought of a way to keep Yeosang close; by confessing his heart or otherwise.

Thus, Wooyoung vowed his dedication the next time Yeosang took him outside. The academy stood in separate contact with the two parties and they would make the final call when Wooyoung would have to return to hell. He felt it in his nose, like the tickle of spring. Soon, change would come. Time passed since his incident with the angel and his classmates moved on to more pressing interests.

Wooyoung trailed behind Yeosang through the snow, eyes fixed on the muscular yet refined shoulders of his master. Though nervosity made him curl up his tail and flattened his wings, Wooyoung resisted the need to duck away. If he learned one thing from Yeosang, it was not to submit.

The lesson rushed past him. Wooyoung mulled over his wording. Yeosang wouldn't share his feelings, but if he could understand, maybe he would stay friends with Wooyoung outside of their lessons. Not that he would indulge in the whims of a demon as poor in relevance as Wooyoung, but maybe Wooyoung could prove himself worthy? After all, it was Yeosang who taught him.

It was inevitable that Yeosang noticed his inattentiveness. Soon, he turned around to lift a brow at Wooyoung. His words about narrowing the width of a human's shoes overnight died out.

Wooyoung stared at him, framed by the dark forest covered in snow. He reconsidered his goal. If he stopped now, he could uphold what they had a while longer. The cosy dinners in the firelight. Yeosang reading to him from ancient tomes while Wooyoung's tired eyes fluttered shut. These walks, when the glitter of the snow made Yeosang shine in a way Wooyoung never saw on demons before.

But alas, Wooyoung wasn't the brightest demon. And he was selfish in his need. It had been so long for him. He craved the attention of his beautiful master. His abdomen throbbed with want the longer he watched the shift of his powerful body under his unassuming clothes.

"What diverts your focus?" Yeosang asked. His eyes glided through the forest, calm in their pursuit of any unrest.

Wooyoung was staring at it head on. And he found it unfair how lovely of an unrest it was. He so rarely pursued the refined and pretty among their race. He liked it dirty, in the same awful way that angel scarred him.

"I have a confession, master," Wooyoung muttered. He licked his lips when his throat was suddenly parched and stalked closer when Yeosang paused his lesson. His tail curled enticingly, up for a game. It was difficult to tell Yeosang's reaction in that levelled face of his and with his demonic outer appearance hidden from sight.

Patient, Yeosang didn't step away when Wooyoung slinked up to him. He came closer than they usually would be, settling a hand on Yeosang's arm that clutched this shawl. His skin was hot, shapes lean and so, so attractive.

Wooyoung's tattoo tingled, sending yearning through his abdomen. He wanted Yeosang carnally, but he also wanted to be in his care, to listen to his teachings and send him to bed every night. Those feelings were confusing, more than just a brief lay, but Wooyoung was curious to explore them.

"I... I desire you, master," Wooyoung muttered as he trailed his fingertips to Yeosang's hand, touching his skin. He was the one who flinched as if electrified, who squirmed under Yeosang's steely gaze. The wind jostled through the hair, messing with Wooyoung's chaotic ponytail and the elegant fall of Yeosang's long locks.

"I am distracted because I think of you above me, pressing me down on your cock," Wooyoung continued. He peered at Yeosang through his lashes, pushing the curve of his chest into his arm. "Yet I also cannot help but think how even just looking at you makes me melt in glee. Is this another test? Have you seduced me to bare my weakness?"

Yeosang chuckled. The low sound resonated in Wooyoung's body and made his stomach flip in excitement. The heat of another body so close to his delivered a spark he missed for a long time.

"Isn't it your purpose to seduce, not to get seduced? No matter what, you want to come out the winner," Yeosang said, more understanding that Wooyoung would ever dare hope. His heart lurched as he pushed back a coy strand of hair. He was so greedy to find out what Yeosang looked like under all those clothes. How one of their strongest took his lovers. How his kisses tasted when he came home to a warm meal.

"That's why I lure you with the promise of a good time. We can continue as before. But I can prove to you my very own expertise whenever we find time on long evenings. Once you had me bouncing in your lap once, you won't want to go back," Wooyoung whispered. He leaned in bravely, breathing softly against Yeosang's cheek. If he so wished, he could turn his head anytime to kiss Wooyoung senseless.

"Shall I let you win, greedy one?" Yeosang chuckled, but before Wooyoung could even hope for more, Yeosang pulled from his grip. With the coldness came the disappointment.

Wooyoung's face fell, but he didn't resist the movement. He stepped back to leave Yeosang his space and though his head drooped to hide behind his hair, the disappointment in his gut came to no surprise. Yeosang was wise enough not to end their training over such a trivial matter.

"Let's keep things between us as they are. You are still my student and as much as I favour you since you are the sole one, I cannot grant you such wishes." He said it with grace, but Wooyoung noticed the twinkle of regret in his usually so murky eyes. As if Yeosang would have liked to choose differently.

With a slow nod, Wooyoung brought some distance between them. His aching body got denied once more.

"Of course. I respect your answer. Who knows, maybe this means I should try again once we aren't teacher and student anymore? I will come to visit you once I graduated and I will pay you back for your teaching," Wooyoung frolicked. He eased the mood and Yeosang's smile returned to his lips.

"Maybe that is for the best," he conceded. He knew of Wooyoung's ways and, though elevated above other demons, he was also a person with mysterious preferences. Wooyoung's expertise was to seduce and strike when his prey lolled in security. That was what he would do to that angel.

Glad to have it out of his system, Wooyoung looked forward to the future as he delved back into their lessons. In his zeal, he overlooked the difference in the way Yeosang looked at him from that day on, even if he must have long since known about Wooyoung's infatuation.