#error 707

The truth in being the guard dog of Mint Eye was to accept the eyes that would never see him as anything more than that. As something to be feared until the end of time.

That was who he was by design.

That was who he would always be.

He accepted it, and it was up to the foolish believers to learn that for themselves, otherwise, they would end up with gnashes and marks to show for their foolishness. It happened once before, and it would always happen again. People never learned, they never wanted to be cautious, and that was why they were the sheep who needed some... salvation.

But, salvation was the Savior's job, not Error's.

The sooner you learned that, the better.

Why did you stare at him with eyes like that, anyway? Eyes that somehow believed he was more than a mutt. There was something wrong with you, and it didn't seem like elixir was going to fix what ruined you in the first place, because you kept seeking out the dog with fangs that could rip your arm off if he wanted to. He could, he would only need to lose control once and you would know the same pain he did.

So, why?

Why didn't you cower and run away?

Why didn't you grovel at his heels?

Didn't you understand what would happen to you if you didn't?

"I don't think you're a junkyard dog, Mr. Luciel," you said, fingers at the ready to stroke the space above his heart. "Even if you were... a dog isn't a wicked beast who intended to bite others because they want to hurt them. Dogs typically lash out because they were either trained to attack or because they're afraid of something."

"Oh, yeah?" He mocked your words as he puffed out his chest. He didn't hesitate to push you away. "Is that what you think? What kind of dog do you think I am?"

"The scared dog who's known nothing but pain, and that's why he can't accept a gentle hand," you whispered. Your eyes were filled to the brim with the very thing he hated. He hated hope, and he hated your eyes even more. "I don't think you're mean because you want to be mean. I think you believe there's no other choice."

He didn't like that look in your eyes.

He needed it to disappear forever. He needed you to go away so he wouldn't have to deal with this again and again and again. His life... was meant for one thing and one thing alone. He couldn't have the kindness of another person hold him back. He couldn't let that come to pass ever again.

"I'll show you true fear," he shouted. You didn't close your eyes as he pulled back his hand, nor did you flinch when he lashed out because you seemed to know better than he did. His hand... stopped before it could ever touch you. He could never bring himself to do it. Not to a face like that. Not to someone who believed like... they did.

"It's okay, Mr. Luciel. I'll never be afraid of you... so you don't have to be afraid of me."