Gonna spoil the hell out of my own book series to talk about characters who think they destroy everything they touch, except this is one who actually does.

Usually this arc goes something like “I’m a terrible selfish person” meanwhile the narrative coddles them and shows them that actually, they’re just pessimistic and afraid and people love them, and they turn around all healed and have a happy life.

Elias is not that character.

He does destroy everything he touches, and he does push away the people who do care about him enough to make a whole lot of enemies. The narrative tries to show him he’s wrong and he pours gasoline all over it and lights a match.

I wanted to take a character where everyone would try to excuse his behavior with “but the Trauma!” when he should damn well know better, except he doesn’t. He does not know better. He grew up literally under a rock, in a cave, with a checked-out mother more often than not and no close friends, devoted to his solitary librarian(ish) job. He was not socialized properly at all.

He’s a self-fulfilling prophecy of being so afraid of being alone that he sinks his teeth into the closest person to show him kindness and does not let go until they’re dead.

He burns through four love interests by the end of book 2, and the series is only half over, simultaneously knowing that he’s a mess while crying to the lover-du-jour that he just wants the chance to show he’s capable of an adult relationship.

All four of them see potential in him, he just keeps trying to cut it out and curb stomp it because potential doesn’t matter if he doesn’t have someone to share it with. At the moment, he’s too much of a coward with no authority to be a proper villain.

But if he had the chance to start over, with love interest number five in a position of power, who knows what lengths he would go to, to keep that man perfectly ignorant of all the corpses Elias is desperately trying to run from?

Gravegonzo presents: Eternal Night

Gravegonzo are a dream pop act based in Peckham.

Their ethereal sound described as synth-drenched shoegaze, includes elements of ambient and hyperpop.

“This song was written about my Dad’s death which happened on Halloween 2021, 4 years ago on Friday which will be the release date for this song. Writing this became an extremely therapeutic and personal outlet for somewhere to put my grief and hopefully create something beautiful. It features some audio from old VHS tapes of us when I was younger”, Gravegonzo.

Stream it:

Check the VHS tapes.

━━━ ‘CHAPTER EIGHT’ [ETERNAL NIGHT]

SYNOPSIS ➢ 'amor primus nunquam obliviscitur’ - first love is never forgotten.

PAIRING ➢ poly!enhypen x male!reader, sim jaehyun x male! reader, park sunghoon x male!reader, yang jungwon x male!reader

AU ➢ strangers-to-lovers au! x enemies-to-lovers au! x vampire au!

CONTENT WARNING ➢ this chapter contains; some angst, social anxiety, fear, disgust, mentions of blood-drinking, jealousy, sensual dynamics, mentions of gore, blood, cannibalism [let me know if i missed any!]

PREVIOUS | NEXT

the white day ball came to an abrupt end, leaving students with disappointed frowns and exasperated eye rolls as they reluctantly headed back to their dorm rooms. the anticipation had been building up for weeks, and now it was all cut short because of hyunwoo’s actions. as you sat in the nurse’s office, sandwiched between woongki and sunoo, who had linked arms with you on either side, the atmosphere felt heavy with unspoken words.

faculty staff bustled around, their hushed whispers only adding to the unease. you stared blankly at the ground, the memory of the uncomfortable scene that had unfolded 30 minutes ago still fresh in your mind. the last thing you felt like doing was talking about it. woongki and sunoo’s supportive presence was comforting, but even their company couldn’t shake off the lingering sense of awkwardness that clung to you like a shadow.

you shared a somber glance with woongki and sunoo, your faces reflecting a mix of concern and worry. the soft hum of the nurse’s office equipment seemed to fade into the background as your eyes locked, the bond of your friendship momentarily taking center stage. but the tranquility was short-lived, as the sharp clack of heeled boots echoed through the room, signaling the arrival of someone new. your heads snapped up in unison, and your gaze fell upon a striking man with a badge clipped to his belt. his chiseled features and piercing eyes seemed to command attention, the nurse’s warm smile and firm handshake greeted the detective, as he said, “detective sim, thank you for coming on such short notice.”

sunoo’s eyes darted to woongki, his brow furrowed in question, “sim?” he asked softly, seeking clarification. woongki’s gaze never left the detective’s face as he replied, his voice barely above a whisper, “is that jaeyun’s dad?” the question hung in the air, filled with unspoken meaning, as you awaited the detective’s next move.

as the two men ventured deeper into the room, the faculty members and headmaster barnabus huddled together, their hushed whispers weaving a web of intrigue. you, woongki, and sunoo leaned forward in unison, your eyes wide with curiosity, resembling a trio of meerkats on high alert. “what are they saying?” sunoo whispered, his voice barely audible, as he strained to catch a snippet of the conversation. you tried to listen intently, but the words remained a jumbled mess, prompting a frustrated response, “i cant hear anything.” just as you were about to give up, the nurse swooped in, pulling the curtain shut with a soft whoosh, effectively blocking your view.

“alright boys, you’re free to return to your dorm,” he announced, his tone firm but gentle. you nodded slowly, and the three of you filed out into the hallway, your footsteps echoing off the walls. as you walked, you caught one last glimpse of detective sim, his piercing gaze lingering on you before you turned away.

woongki’s sarcastic remark broke the silence, “guess we don’t get a prize for saving half-bloods, huh?” he said, his hand on his hip, his tone laced with frustration. sunoo’s response was immediate, his voice low and venomous, “but if we somehow saved pure-bloods, we’d be fucking heroes.” the air was thick with their discontent, the injustice of the situation hanging like a noticeable weight between you.

as you strolled down the hallway with woongki and sunoo, the soft murmur of distant conversations and the creak of old wooden floors created a soothing background hum. but your tranquil stroll was short-lived, as your gaze landed on jungwon, leaning against a wall, his arms crossed over his chest. his stoic expression seemed chiseled into his face, a mask of calmness that hinted at a depth of emotions beneath. as you three approached, he slowly turned his head, his eyes locking onto yours with an unnerving intensity.

“can we talk?” he asked, his voice a gentle whisper, a stark contrast to his usual gruff demeanor. you glanced up at him, then turned to your friends, nodding slightly. “i’ll catch up,” you said, and woongki’s response was immediate. “if you don’t come back in 10 minutes, i’m sending the damn undead army,” he whispered, his eyes glinting with amusement as they continued walking, glancing back at you with a mixture of curiosity and concern. once they were out of earshot, you turned to jungwon, your brow furrowed in question.

“what is it?” you asked, but he merely stared at you, his gaze piercing. “what did you see?” he countered, his voice low and even. the question caught you off guard, and you furrowed your brows, confusion etched on your face. “what? when?” you asked, but as you spoke, a vivid memory flashed in your mind - the sight of sunghoon’s teeth, transformed into werewolf fangs, two on top and two on bottom, as he tackled you away from hyunwoo. jungwon’s eyes narrowed, his gaze intense. “i’m just here to say, mind your business,” he said, his words laced with an unspoken warning, as if he was hesitant to reveal more. the air seemed to thicken, heavy with unspoken meaning, as you wondered what exactly you were supposed to keep to yourself.

your eyes narrowed in skepticism as you took a step forward, the soft creak of the floorboards beneath your feet echoing through the hallway. “you waited this whole time just to tell me this?” you asked, your voice laced with doubt, as you searched jungwon’s face for any hint of sincerity. but his usual stoic expression seemed a bit too rehearsed, a bit too perfect, and you couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was hiding something. as you studied his face, you noticed a subtle shift in his stance, a slight movement of his feet that caught your attention. your gaze followed his, and for a split second, you saw what had distracted him - jake chatting with detective sim, their conversation seemingly intense.

your eyebrows twitched in surprise, and a spark of curiosity ignited within you. “earlier, with hyunwoo…were you guys following…” you began, your words trailing off as you turned your head back to jungwon, expecting a response. but before you could finish your sentence, a gust of wind swept past your face, carrying with it the faint scent of fresh air, and jungwon was gone. vanished. disappeared.

you blinked, taken aback by his sudden departure, and a muttered curse slipped past your lips. “jerk,” you whispered, the word barely audible, as you stood there, wondering what had just transpired. the sound of footsteps and murmured conversations filled the silence, but you knew you’d been left standing alone, with more questions than answers.

down the hallway, jaeyun and his father stood locked in a tense standoff, their conversation thick with unspoken meaning. “jaeyun, you cannot stay here,” his father said, his voice firm, brooking no argument. “this place is meant for those who are not yet ready for society. you, sunghoon, and jungwon are perfect members of society, do you understand?” jaeyun’s eyes flashed with frustration as he tried to respond, but his father’s stern expression cut him off. “i’m aware, father. it’s just-” he began, but his father’s words sliced through his protest. “i let you get involved in this investigation for one reason, and that was because i believed you could do it. you have a son, it’s over. now, you can come home.” his father’s voice took on a pleading tone, but jaeyun’s mind was a jumble of emotions, his thoughts centered on one person in particular.

he struggled to find the words to explain why he couldn’t leave, why he felt so drawn to this place, to the people here. “father, these people aren’t all bad,” he said, his voice rising in passion. “there’s many who are misunderstood and just need someone like you who believes in them, like you believed in me.” to his surprise, his father listened, his expression softening ever so slightly. “let me do that for them,” jaeyun urged, his eyes locked on his father’s. his father sighed, still unconvinced, but jaeyun could see the faintest glimmer of understanding in his eyes.

as jaeyun’s gaze darted around the hallway in frustration, it landed on you walking down the corridor alone, and suddenly, everything clicked into place. he turned back to his father, his hands gesturing emphatically. “sunghoon’s getting out of his shell a lot here, even jungwon is actually starting to have a personality,” he said, trying to drive his point home. “please, father, you can email me however much you want, and i’ll tell you as soon as i’m done doing what i need to do here.” detective sim raised an eyebrow, a mix of surprise and pride warring on his face. he knew he had raised his son to be a good man, and jaeyun’s words struck a chord within him. “how long will that take?” he asked, his voice laced with resignation. jaeyun’s eyes drifted back to the hallway, his gaze following your disappearing figure as you turned the corner. “however long someone might need me,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

as you walked down the hallway, the sound of pounding footsteps echoed through the corridor, and a flash of hyunwoo’s face burst into your mind, sending a jolt of electricity through your body. sparks began to crackle from your fingertips, a physical manifestation of the anxiety that gripped you. but before the sparks could intensify, a familiar voice called out to you, soothing your frazzled nerves. “y/n, it’s just me,” jaeyun said, his voice calm and reassuring. the sparks dissipated, and you turned to see jaeyun’s relieved smile as he slowed down beside you.

a small smile rose to your lips, and you greeted him softly. “hey,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper. jaeyun’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he asked, “can i walk you to your dorm?” you glanced down the long stretch of hallway, the eternal academy’s walls seeming to stretch on forever, before meeting his gaze. his dark red eyes, almost indistinguishable from dark brown, held a warmth that made you feel at ease. you nodded, “thanks,” you said, rubbing your hands together in a gesture of appreciation. “and thank you again for risking expulsion for me,” you added, gesturing back to the room you had left.

jaeyun chuckled, a low, throaty sound, “no worries, and uh, trust me, they can’t expel me even if they wanted to.” his eyes darted away, a hint of shyness coloring his cheeks, and that charming smile of his made another appearance. “oh, right, your mothers,” you said, recalling the stories about the founding mothers who had built this place. jaeyun, jungwon, and sunghoon were all sons of these influential women, and it was no wonder they held a special status here. “yeah,” jaeyun said, his smile still in place, “i guess that comes with its perks.”

as you walked alongside jaeyun, the silence between you was comfortable, punctuated only by the soft sound of your footsteps echoing off the walls. you couldn’t help but steal glances at him, noticing the way his eyes seemed to light up when he smiled, and the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck.

jaeyun, sensing your gaze, turned to you, his eyes meeting yours with a hint of warmth. “so, how are you feeling?” he asked, his voice low and concerned. you shrugged, trying to downplay the events that had just transpired. “i’m fine, i guess,” you said, your voice a little softer than you intended. jaeyun nodded, his expression understanding. “i’m glad you’re okay,” he said, his voice sincere. “i was worried about you back there.” you felt a flutter in your chest at his words, and you looked away, trying to play it cool. “thanks, jaeyun,” you said, your voice a little quieter. jaeyun smiled, and the two of you continued walking, the tension between you palpable, but in a good way. as you approached your dorm, jaeyun slowed down, his eyes locked on yours. “i’ll see you around, okay?” he said, his voice low and gentle. you nodded, feeling a sense of disappointment that your time with him was coming to an end. “yeah, okay,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper. jaeyun smiled, and with a nod, he turned and walked away, leaving you to wonder what had just happened, and what might happen next.

you watched jaeyun walk away, his figure receding into the distance as you stood there, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside you. you couldn’t help but smile, feeling a sense of gratitude and affection towards him. as you turned to enter your dorm, you caught a glimpse of yourself in a nearby window reflection, and your smile faltered for a moment. you looked…different.

your eyes seemed brighter, your skin glowing with a soft flush. you shook your head, chuckling to yourself. you were definitely overthinking things. you pushed open the door to your dorm and stepped inside, feeling the warmth and comfort of the familiar space envelop you. woongki and sunoo were nowhere to be seen, but you could hear the sound of woongki’s voice coming from his coffin, muttering something about “undead armies” and “impending doom.” you smiled, shaking your head. typical woongki. you made your way to your coffin, feeling a sense of relief wash over you as you closed the top behind you.

everything seemed the same, yet somehow, everything felt different. you couldn’t quite put your finger on it, but you felt…lighter. freer. and you knew that jaeyun had something to do with it.

the darkness of the coffin enveloped you like a shroud, the soft, velvety interior a comforting presence as you settled in for a restful night’s sleep. but your expectations were shattered the moment your mind slipped into the realm of dreams. a twisted nightmare unfolded before your eyes, a snarling wolf looming over you, its jaws snapping wildly as it pinned you down. the sound of its growls and the feel of its hot breath on your skin sent a jolt of adrenaline coursing through your veins.

you sat up with a startle, throwing open the coffin lid as if it was a prison door holding you captive. your chest heaved with ragged breaths, the cool night air a welcome respite from the stifling confines of your coffin. your eyes scanned the dimly lit room, the faint moonlight casting eerie shadows on the walls. sunoo and woongki’s coffins remained still, their occupants blissfully unaware of the terror that had just gripped you. the silence was almost surreal, punctuated only by the sound of your own ragged breathing. you rubbed your eyes, trying to shake off the vivid images that lingered in your mind. the wolf’s snapping jaws and glowing eyes seemed to sear themselves into your retina, refusing to be erased. you took a few more deep breaths, trying to calm your racing heart, but the memory of the nightmare lingered, casting a shadow over the darkness.

as you sat there, trying to calm your racing heart, you noticed the silence in the room was almost oppressive. the stillness of the coffins, the quiet breathing of your friends, it all seemed to amplify the lingering fear that gripped you. you threw off the covers and stepped out of the coffin, your bare feet making barely a sound on the cold floor. you padded softly over to sunoo’s coffin and peered inside.

he was sleeping peacefully, a faint smile on his face. you couldn’t help but smile, feeling a sense of relief that he was okay. you moved over to woongki’s coffin, and as you looked in, you saw that he was also fast asleep. his face was scrunched up in a mixture of concentration and annoyance, as if he was having a intense dream. you chuckled to yourself, feeling a sense of amusement at his expression. just as you were about to turn away, you heard a faint noise coming from the corner of the room. it was soft at first, but it grew louder, sounding like the creaking of old wooden floorboards. your heart skipped a beat as you wondered if someone - or something - was in the room with you.

your heart racing, you raised your hands, sparks crackling to life in your fingertips, ready to unleash a blast of electricity at the perceived threat. the sparks danced across your skin, casting a warm glow over the dark room.

you stood frozen, your eyes scanning the shadows, searching for any sign of movement. but just as suddenly as it had started, the creaking sound stopped. the silence was oppressive, and you were left standing there, wondering if you had just imagined the whole thing. you looked down at your hands, still sparking with electricity, and slowly lowered them, trying to calm your racing heart.

maybe it was just the old building settling, you told yourself. or maybe it was just your imagination playing tricks on you after the nightmare. you took a deep breath, trying to shake off the feeling of unease. as you stood there, the sparks in your fingertips slowly died out, leaving your hands feeling cold and still. you glanced over at sunoo and woongki’s coffins, still quiet and undisturbed. it seemed you were the only one who had been startled. you let out a slow breath, trying to calm yourself down, and turned to get back into your own coffin. but as you did, you couldn’t shake the feeling that you were being watched.

a few days had passed since the incident, and the academy was buzzing with a sense of unease. hyunwoo was being held for evaluation, awaiting his sentence, and the rumors were flying about the extent of his charges. you’d heard whispers of “multiple counts” and “severe punishment,” but nothing concrete. the headmaster’s announcement of a week’s break had come as a welcome relief, and you were looking forward to some much-needed downtime.

today, you’d decided to visit the coffee shop in the academy, a cozy spot that served some of the best coffee in the area. as you walked in, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped you, and the soft hum of conversation filled the air. you took a seat at the bar, perusing the menu as you waited for your turn to order. the barista, a friendly-looking student with a warm smile, greeted you and asked for your order. “just a blood latte, please,” you replied, smiling back at them. as you waited for your drink, you took in the atmosphere of the shop, noticing the familiar faces of some of your classmates. it was going to be a nice break.

you looked around and mentally kept in mind a table that was perfect for you to sit at, as you turbed the kind barista had already finished making your drink. you thanked him as you then walked over to the table where you’d initially planned to sit, although you noticed sunghoon sitting alone at the adjacent table.

he was engrossed in writing in a journal or notebook, his shaggy hair falling across his face, and his glasses sliding down his nose. he quickly adjusted them without blinking, his eyes seeming to focus intently on his writing. you couldn’t help but notice that his eyes didn’t seem to be the same piercing green you’d seen before. maybe it was the lighting, or maybe it was just your imagination. you pushed aside jungwon’s warning to “mind your business” and decided to approach sunghoon’s table instead. as you drew closer, you noticed he was wearing earphones, and you could faintly hear the sound of classical music drifting out. he seemed completely absorbed in his writing, oblivious to his surroundings. you stood there for a moment, wondering if you should interrupt him or find another seat. but something about his focused demeanor drew you in, and you found yourself wanting to know what he was writing about.

as you leaned down, your voice barely above a whisper, “thank you,” sunghoon’s initial reaction was one of stillness. he didn’t flinch, didn’t move, until you saw him almost imperceptibly sniff the air, his eyes slowly rising to meet yours. his expression transformed into one of shock and awe, his gaze fixed intently on you. you offered a small smile, and he cautiously removed one of his earphones, his eyes never leaving yours. “i never got to thank you…” you began, your voice trailing off as you nodded towards him, “for the whole…hyunwoo thing.”

sunghoon’s response was a slow gulp, his eyes scanning your face and shoulders as if taking in every detail. “y-yes…” he murmured, his low voice barely audible. you didn’t press for more, instead asking softly, “are these seats taken?” your eyes gestured to the empty chairs across from him, and you hoped he’d say no, giving you the opportunity to talk to him more, maybe even ask about the double fangs you’d seen a few days ago. sunghoon’s gaze lingered on yours for a moment before he nodded slowly, his eyes darting to the seats and back to you. “n-no,” he stammered, his voice still low.

sunghoon’s nod was hesitant, but he seemed to relax a bit as you smiled and took a seat across from him. the classical music playing in his earphones was still audible, though faintly, and you found yourself wondering what kind of music he liked.

before you could ask about the song drifting softly from his earphones, sunghoon spoke up, his voice low and hesitant. “well, jungwon…jaeyun…meeting me here,” he said, his words tumbling out in a rush. as he spoke, his hands tightened around his notebook and pen, his fingers betraying his nervousness.

despite his efforts to maintain eye contact, his gaze faltered, and he found himself drawn to the warmth and intensity of your eyes. they seemed to hold a deep understanding, as if they could see right through to his thoughts. “oh? they’re coming soon, then?” you asked, your voice gentle, though you couldn’t help but wonder if sunghoon’s fragmented sentences were a result of language barriers or something more. sunghoon’s response was a stiff nod, his lips compressing into a thin line as he glanced down at his notebook, his eyes avoiding yours once more. undeterred, you leaned forward, your latte cradled in your hands, and asked, “i just wanted to ask, what’s your affinity?” sunghoon’s head snapped up, his eyes widening slightly before he managed to rein in his reaction. sunghoon’s gaze locked onto yours, his expression a mixture of wariness and caution, as if he was weighing his options carefully.

sunghoon’s eyes darted up to yours, his gaze faltering for a moment before he regained composure. “a-affinity…?” he repeated, his voice hesitant. you nodded encouragingly, taking another sip of your latte. “yes, your ability. everyone here has one, right?”

sunghoon’s eyes seemed to cloud over, and he looked away, his grip on his notebook tightening. “i…don’t really like to talk about it,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. you sensed a hint of vulnerability behind his words, and your expression softened. “it’s okay, you don’t have to tell me,” you said gently. “i was just curious.” sunghoon’s gaze returned to yours, and for a moment, you thought you saw a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. but before you could be sure, his expression smoothed out, and he looked away again. “they’re…coming,” he muttered, his eyes fixed on something behind you. you turned to see jungwon and jaeyun walking towards you, their faces set in smiley and serious expressions.

jaeyun’s face lit up with a warm smile as he waved at you, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “hi,” you said, returning his wave with an innocent look on your face, one that seemed to delight him. jaeyun’s gaze flicked to sunghoon, and he teased, “what do we have the pleasure of seeing you here with our sunghoon?” his words were laced with amusement, and sunghoon’s ears turned a deep shade of red as he stared down at his notebook, avoiding everyone’s eyes. you gestured to sunghoon, a smile on your face.

“i was just getting to know the person who saved me,” you said, your voice light and casual. jungwon, on the other hand, looked like he’d swallowed a bitter pill, his expression darkening with annoyance. it was clear he was displeased that you’d ignored his warning to mind your own business. sunghoon’s avoidance of eye contact was almost comical, and you couldn’t help but wonder if jungwon had indeed told him to steer clear of you. jaeyun, oblivious to the tension, plopped down in the chair beside sunghoon, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. “so, what’s the plan here?” he asked, his gaze bouncing between you and sunghoon. jungwon’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in frustration, but he said nothing, choosing instead to take a seat beside jaeyun.

“oh, well, i was just planning on drinking this latte before heading to the courtyard with woongki and sunoo,” you said, casually fixing your hair as you spoke. unknowingly, you drew sunghoon’s gaze, his eyes peeking out from beneath his lashes as he watched you. jaeyun’s face lit up with excitement as he suggested, “that’s cool, maybe we should all hang out today.” jungwon’s reaction was immediate, his eyes narrowing into a glare as he shot jaeyun a disapproving look.

it was clear he didn’t appreciate jaeyun’s suggestion, and you wondered what had set him off. sunghoon, sensing the tension, kept his head down, his eyes fixed on his notebook as he pretended to be absorbed in his writing. you, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the dynamics between the group. “yeah, that sounds like fun,” you said, your voice neutral, as you took another sip of your latte, watching the group’s interactions with interest. jaeyun seemed oblivious to jungwon’s glare, his enthusiasm undeterred. “awesome, let’s do it,” he said, already planning the day’s activities in his head.

sunghoon’s eyes locked onto yours, his gaze intense as he wanted to speak to you, to connect with you on some level. he didn’t know why, but he didn’t want jaeyun to be the only one dominating the conversation. “y/n…” he said softly, his voice low and hesitant. you looked over at him, your expression curious. “yeah?” you asked, your eyes meeting his. sunghoon cleared his throat, his gaze drifting to your lips before he looked away, his cheeks flushing slightly.

“do you like animals?” he asked suddenly, the question bursting out of him like a dam breaking. jaeyun and jungwon exchanged confused glances, but you couldn’t help but laugh at the unexpected question. “animals? hmm,” you pretended to think, tapping your chin. “i’d say i do. not all, but many…” you nodded, your eyes sparkling with amusement. before you could ask him the question back, sunghoon spoke up again, his voice a little louder, a little more urgent. “what kinds?” you realized maybe he was passionate about wildlife, so you answered honestly, “right now i’m fond of birds,” you said, taking a sip of your latte. “i’m also interested in minxes, or weasels, i guess maybe even…” but before you could finish, sunghoon’s eyes lit up, and he sat up straighter, his voice rising in excitement.

“what about wolves?” the question hung in the air, and you, jaeyun, and jungwon all stiffened, our reactions varying. but what caught your attention was sunghoon’s eyes, searching for something in your expression, some kind of confirmation or validation. and in that moment, you couldn’t help but think he looked…cute.

you thought for a second, the table oddly quiet, before responding, “yes, i’m fond of wolves. although, maybe a lot of half-bloods are not,” you said with a small smile, your words laced with a hint of intrigue. sunghoon’s ears seemed to perk up at your response, and he nodded slightly, his eyes lighting up with interest. “i think they’re curious and misunderstood,” you added, looking down and then up through your lashes at him, which made him nod again with a small smile. jaeyun ate slowly, his eyes darting between you and jungwon, who looked increasingly furious. “maybe we can talk more about…” you began, reaching out to touch sunghoon’s hand. but before you could make contact, jungwon grabbed sunghoon’s hand and stood up swiftly, his movements abrupt and commanding.

“unfortunately, sunghoon has something to tend to. so we won’t have time to see you,” jungwon said, his voice firm and dismissive. with that, he swiftly dragged sunghoon and jaeyun away, leaving you sitting alone at the table. you let out a sigh as you watched them walk away, jungwon’s scolding evident in his body language. sunghoon glanced back at you, his eyes meeting yours for a brief moment before he was pulled out of sight. you couldn’t help but wonder what had set jungwon off, and what sunghoon’s “something to tend to” really was.

Like you, I know what it is to forget.
Like you, I have a memory. I know what it is to forget… .
Like you, I too have tried with all my might not to forget.
Like you, I forgot. Like you, I wanted to have an inconsolable
memory, a memory of shadows and stone.
For my part, I struggled with all my might, every day, against
the horror of no longer understanding at all the reason for
remembering. Like you, I forgot.

*

I remember.
I see the ink.
I see the daylight.
I see my life. Your death.
My life that goes on. Your death that goes on.

Marguerite Duras

I have hidden my heart behind ancient walls

━━━ ‘CHAPTER SEVEN’ [ETERNAL NIGHT]

SYNOPSIS ➢ safe to say, you might want to see a shrink at this point.

PAIRING ➢ poly!enhypen x male!reader, sim jaehyun x male! reader, park sunghoon x male!reader, yang jungwon x male!reader

AU ➢ strangers-to-lovers au! x enemies-to-lovers au! x vampire au!

CONTENT WARNING ➢ this chapter contains; some angst, feelings of being uncomfortable, fear, being chased, disgust, nonconsensual conversation, mentions of blood-drinking, mentions of gore, blood, cannibalism [let me know if i missed any!]

PREVIOUS I NEXT

the first shadow of dusk crept over the eternal academy’s sprawling campus, woonggi, sunoo, and you huddled together, your tired eyes a testament to the sleepless day you’d just endured. your trio had sacrificed rest to concoct a plan, fueled by determination and a dash of desperation. today was white day, a celebration infamous among young adults for its lavish gift-giving and professions of eternal love. even the vampire students of eternal academy weren’t immune to its allure, and the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. amidst the whirlwind of romantic gestures and sugary sweet sentiments, woonggi, sunoo, and you had more pressing concerns – like survival.

sunoo’s eyes darted around the room, ensuring they were alone, before he discreetly handed you a small, intricately etched blade. the delicate weapon, adorned with the markings of a werewolf’s fangs, seemed almost fragile in your palm. “keep this hidden, under your pants, just in case,” sunoo whispered, his voice laced with a mix of concern and urgency. you turned the blade over, studying it carefully, before looking up at sunoo with a questioning gaze. “is that real silver?” you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.

meanwhile, woonggi was busy working his magic on your hair, expertly wielding a curling wand to create soft, flowing waves. “stop moving, y/n!” woonggi scolded, his eyes fixed intently on the strands of hair he was carefully curling. “i’m almost done, and i don’t want to burn you.” despite the tension in the air, woonggi’s teasing tone was a welcome distraction, and you couldn’t help but smile as you carefully tucked the silver blade into your waistband.

sunoo beamed with pride as he replied, “of course it is.” he settled in beside you, watching with interest as woonggi worked on your hair. “my cousin from beezlebett gave it to me,” sunoo explained, his voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and gratitude. “she always says you never know when a werewolf might be lurking around.” woonggi let out a dismissive laugh, but it faltered mid-breath as a flicker of concern crossed his face. “werewolves can’t reach us here, though…can they?” he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of unease.

you ignored woonggi’s question and turned your attention to sunoo, seeking clarification. “you want me to use this on hyunwoo?” you asked, your eyes locked on sunoo’s. sunoo’s expression turned serious, and he shrugged slightly. “only if he tries anything, and we’re not around to intervene. the white day ball is going to be packed, and we’ll try to stay close, but it’s always better to be prepared.” with that, sunoo helped you secure the knife to your thigh, the cool metal pressing against your skin as he carefully strapped it into place. he then assisted you into your flowy white pants, the fabric draping elegantly over the hidden blade.

you let out a soft sigh as you gazed at your reflection in the mirror. the elaborate hairstyle, courtesy of woonggi’s skilled hands, and the elegant outfit had transformed you, making you appear more vibrant, more alive. sunoo’s voice cut through your reverie, his tone laced with a hint of exasperation. “it’s not going to kill him, if that’s what’s worrying you.” woonggi nodded in agreement, his expression reassuring. “true, it’ll just hurt him for a bit. and he’s a pure-blood, so he can handle it.” despite their attempts to alleviate your concerns, you couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease. you knew that reporting hyunwoo wouldn’t be straightforward; in vampire society, informing on another vampire was viewed with disdain.

vampires were already perceived as malevolent beings, and snitching on one of their own only served to reinforce that notion. for a half-blood like yourself, being seen as a snitch could have dire consequences, making it even more challenging to navigate the treacherous world of vampire politics.

sunoo’s voice was steady and reassuring as he reiterated the plan. “remember, all you have to do is get him to admit that he poisoned the flowers with that magic liquid to manipulate you into sleeping with him, and to get vital-drunk on your blood.” he handed you your phone like it was no big deal, and you took a deep breath, mentally preparing yourself for the task ahead. “right, okay,” you replied, sitting up straighter, a surge of determination coursing through your veins. you muttered to yourself, a quiet affirmation of your capabilities. “i am more than capable… i do not fear any pure-blood.”

woonggi’s voice interrupted your thoughts, his tone cheerful as he declared, “all done!” he spritzed a light mist of hairspray to set your wavy locks in place. the hairstyle was perfect, capturing the innocent and sweet look you, sunoo, and woonggi had discussed earlier. as you all made your way out of the dorm room, sunoo paused to take a few photos of the three of you together. you smiled, feeling confident and united with your friends. with arms linked, you strolled towards the hall where the nightly announcements were held.

the atmosphere was lively, with many boys milling about, dressed in their finest white and black attire. the air was electric with excitement, and you couldn’t help but feel a sense of nervous anticipation as you made your way into the crowded hall.

as you entered the hall, the din of conversation and laughter enveloped you, making your heart beat slightly faster. you scanned the room, taking in the sea of elegant outfits and carefully styled hairdos. the atmosphere was alive with the promise of romance and possibility, and you couldn’t help but feel a twinge of excitement mixed with nerves.

sunoo and woonggi flanked you, their presence a reassuring reminder that you weren’t alone in this. together, the three of you made your way through the crowds, exchanging smiles and nods with familiar faces.

as you walked, you caught sight of hyunwoo standing by the refreshments, a glass of crimson liquid in hand. his eyes met yours, and he flashed a charming smile, his fangs glinting in the light. you felt a shiver run down your spine as he raised his glass in a silent toast, his eyes never leaving yours.

“showtime,” sunoo whispered, his voice barely audible over the music and chatter. woonggi gave your arm a gentle squeeze, and you took a deep breath, steeling yourself for what was to come.

you smiled back at hyunwoo, trying to appear nonchalant despite the butterflies in your stomach. as you made your way over to him, you could feel sunoo and woonggi’s eyes on you, their silent encouragement giving you the strength to keep going.

“hyunwoo,” you said, your voice light and airy, as you reached his side. “you look stunning tonight.” he chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and handed you a glass of the crimson liquid.

“thank you, y/n,” he replied, his voice low and smooth. “you look breathtaking yourself. i must say, i’m loving the new hairstyle.” his eyes locked onto yours, and you felt a shiver run down your spine as he raised his glass to his lips, his fangs glinting in the light. to your left, you saw sunoo and woonggi mingling with a group of students, their eyes flicking towards you every now and then. you knew they were waiting for your signal, waiting for hyunwoo to slip up so you could catch him in the act. you took a sip of the drink, trying to appear relaxed, and leaned in closer to hyunwoo. “so, tell me,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper. “what’s the plan for tonight?”

with a subtle movement, you slid your hand into your pocket and discreetly pressed the record button on your phone. the soft click was masked by the music and chatter surrounding you, and hyunwoo didn’t seem to notice. you continued to smile and lean in, your eyes locked on his, as you waited for his response. the phone, now silently recording, was a reassuring weight in your pocket, capturing every word of the conversation. you had to be careful, though - one misstep, and hyunwoo might discover your plan. but for now, you were in control, and the recording device was your secret ally.

hyunwoo’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he replied, “oh, i think we can come up with something suitably… entertaining.” his voice was laced with innuendo, and you felt a shiver run down your spine. you maintained your smile, trying not to reveal your true feelings.

“i’m sure we can,” you said, playing along, as you took another sip of the crimson liquid. the recording device in your pocket seemed to be working, capturing every word of the conversation. you hoped that hyunwoo would slip up soon, revealing his true intentions.

as you continued to chat, you noticed sunoo and woonggi hovering at the edge of the crowd, their eyes fixed on you with a mixture of concern and encouragement. you gave them a subtle nod, reassuring them that everything was under control… for now.

you gazed up at hyunwoo, a hint of playful confusion dancing in your eyes. “you know, i’m a bit confused,” you said, gently swirling the contents of your glass. the crimson liquid swirled hypnotically, but your focus remained fixed on hyunwoo. “i thought you were taking me on a date. unless, you meant us staying here with every other lonely vampire.” your voice was laced with a subtle edge, a hint of disappointment and curiosity.

hyunwoo’s response was immediate, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he chuckled. “well, darling,” he said, his voice low and smooth. the nickname, once a term of endearment that made your heart flutter, now sent a shiver of revulsion down your spine. you forced a smile, maintaining the facade of a carefree, flirtatious vampire. but beneath the surface, your mind was racing, waiting for hyunwoo to reveal his true intentions. the recording device in your pocket remained silent, capturing every word of the conversation.

hyunwoo’s chuckle sent a wave of unease through you, but you maintained your smile, playing along. “i had something a bit more… exclusive in mind,” he continued, his eyes glinting with amusement. “a private dinner, just the two of us. somewhere quiet, where we can get to know each other better.” his voice was laced with suggestion, and you felt a shiver run down your spine.

you raised an eyebrow, feigning interest. “oh? and where did you have in mind?” you asked, your voice light and curious. the recording device in your pocket continued to capture every word, and you hoped that hyunwoo would soon reveal his true intentions.

hyunwoo’s smile grew wider, his fangs glinting in the light. “somewhere special,” he said, his voice low and mysterious. “somewhere we can be alone.”

“alone, you say?” you repeated, your voice tinged with a hint of nervousness. your eyes darted towards sunoo and woonggi, seeking reassurance, but they were both distracted by the attention of their admirers. jay had appeared out of nowhere, bearing a small, elegantly wrapped gift, which sunoo was accepting with a charming smile. meanwhile, woonggi’s boytoy from the other day had returned, this time bearing a bouquet of white lilies, which woonggi was admiring with a pleased grin.

your friends were oblivious to your growing unease, too caught up in their own little moments of romance. you felt a pang of anxiety, realizing you were on your own in this situation. hyunwoo’s eyes seemed to gleam with amusement, as if he knew exactly what was going through your mind. “yes, alone,” he repeated, his voice low and husky.

you felt a surge of adrenaline as hyunwoo’s words hung in the air, his eyes locked on yours with an unnerving intensity. the music and laughter surrounding you seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the two of you, suspended in a moment of tense anticipation.

“i’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” you said, trying to sound casual despite the growing unease in your chest. “i mean, we’re in the middle of a crowded hall. wouldn’t it be more… fun to stay and enjoy the party?” you forced a smile, hoping to deflect hyunwoo’s intentions, as you go back on your word.

but hyunwoo just seemed confused and chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. “oh, i think we can find something far more… enjoyable to do,” he said, his voice dripping with suggestion. “trust me, darling. you won’t regret it.” he believes youre trying to play hard to get.

“well, let me just tell my friends really quick so they don’t look for me,” you said, attempting to casually extricate yourself from the situation. but as you tried to walk past hyunwoo, he swiftly reached out and grasped your arm, his fingers wrapping tightly around your wrist. you felt a jolt of surprise, and before you could react, a tiny spark of electricity leapt from your skin to hyunwoo’s, causing him to yelp in pain. “yow!” he exclaimed, releasing his grip on your arm as if burned.

you feigned apology, trying to downplay the incident. “oh, sorry! i’m so sorry!” you batted your eyelashes, attempting to appear contrite, all the while thinking that this little shock might just be the distraction you needed. a few nearby vampires had noticed the exchange, their eyes flicking towards you with interest. hyunwoo, still nursing his stinging hand, raised an eyebrow as he regarded you with newfound curiosity. “you’re a sparky one, aren’t ya?” he asked, his voice tinged with amusement, as he waved his hand in the air, trying to dissipate the lingering pain.

you smiled sheepishly, trying to play off the incident. “i guess i am,” you said, shrugging your shoulders. “sorry again about that.” you glanced around, noticing that the nearby vampires were still watching you with interest. you could feel their eyes on you, sensing the spark of electricity that had leapt from your skin.

hyunwoo’s eyes seemed to gleam with amusement as he regarded you. “no need to apologize,” he said, his voice low and smooth. “i find it… intriguing.” he took a step closer to you, his eyes locked on yours. “perhaps we can explore this… spark further?” he suggested, his voice dripping with suggestion.

you tried to hold yourself from rolling your eyes as you realized where this was going. you needed to think fast, to come up with a way to deflect hyunwoo’s advances without arousing his suspicion. but before you could respond, a voice cut through the din of the party, “y/n!” you turned hesitantly, unsure if you’d actually heard your name. but as you scanned the crowd, you saw jaeyun pushing his way through a group of admirers, his polite smiles and nods a stark contrast to the eager hands reaching out to grab him.

“jaeyun?” you whispered, your voice barely audible over the music.

hyunwoo’s head snapped towards you, his eyes narrowing as he tried to follow your line of sight. “who?” he leaned in, his breath whispering against your ear.

you hesitated, unsure how to respond. but before you could say anything, jaeyun finally broke through the crowd and jogged over to you. his hair was styled differently, the middle part more prominent, framing his face as he tucked the rest of his hair behind his ears. he looked handsome, regal even, in his all-black luxurious outfit.

“hey,” jaeyun said softly, his smile genuine as he stood up straight, his eyes locked on yours. “you look….” he gestured towards you, his smile faltering for a moment as he took in the sight of you.

you felt a flush rise to your cheeks at the compliment, but before you could respond, hyunwoo’s hand wrapped around your waist, his fingers digging possessively into your skin. hyunwoo’s grip on your waist was like a vice, his fingers digging into your skin as he pulled you closer to him. you felt a surge of discomfort at the possessive gesture, and your eyes flicked up to jaeyun’s face, hoping to convey your unease. jaeyun’s eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the sight of hyunwoo’s hand on your waist. his gaze locked onto hyunwoo’s, a flicker of tension passing between them. “hello,” jaeyun said. “i didn’t know you were… escorting y/n tonight.”

hyunwoo’s smile was a thin, cruel line. “oh, i’m just making sure he’s… taken care of,” he said, his voice dripping with malice. his grip on your waist tightened, and you felt a yourself push away.

you pushed hyunwoo’s hand away, trying to create some distance between you. “it’s getting a little hot in the hall already,” you said, forcing a laugh. “i think i need some air.” hyunwoo’s face fell, his eyes narrowing in disappointment. but he didn’t push the issue, instead nodding curtly and stepping back. “very well,” he said. “i’ll give you some space.”

“no, you’re fine,” you told hyunwoo with a nervous laugh, trying to brush off the awkwardness. but your eyes darted towards jaeyun, who was still watching you with a confused and concerned expression. you took a deep breath and tried to diffuse the tension by making introductions. “jaeyun, this is hyunwoo,” you said, gesturing towards hyunwoo. “hyunwoo, this is jaeyun.”

hyunwoo’s face broke into a charming smile as he extended a hand towards jaeyun. “pleasure to meet you,” he said, his voice smooth as silk. jaeyun’s expression remained guarded, but he politely shook hyunwoo’s hand. “likewise,” he said, his voice neutral. the tension between the two was palpable, and you could sense the underlying current of hostility. you wondered what jaeyun had been told about hyunwoo, and whether he knew about jungwon’s warning.

as you glanced around the crowded hall, you turned to jaeyun and asked, “hey, did jungwon come?” jaeyun’s face broke into a mischievous grin. “oh, yeah, grumpy cat is gonna come later,” he said, his voice low and amused. you couldn’t help but laugh at jaeyun’s nickname for jungwon. “grumpy cat?” you repeated, chuckling.

jaeyun’s grin faltered for a moment, and he looked around nervously before leaning in closer. “don’t tell him i told you that,” he whispered, his eyes sparkling with mirth. he laughed and scratched the back of his neck, looking adorably sheepish.

just as you were enjoying the lighthearted moment with jaeyun, hyunwoo interrupted, his voice smooth but with an undercurrent of possessiveness. “it was nice meeting you, jaeyun,” he said, his eyes glinting with a hint of challenge. “but i’m afraid y/n and i have plans. we had already discussed going on a date tonight, and he graciously agreed.” hyunwoo’s gaze locked onto yours, his eyes daring you to contradict him. “we were just about to head out, actually,” he continued, his voice dripping with confidence. “so, if you’ll excuse us…”

jaeyun’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at hyunwoo, then at you, a hint of surprise and confusion on his face. “oh, i didn’t know that,” he said, his voice neutral, but you could sense a hint of tension beneath the surface. hyunwoo’s smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with triumph. “yes, well, we didn’t want to make a big announcement,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “but i’m sure you understand. y/n and i have a lot to… discuss.”

jaeyun’s gaze locked onto yours, his eyes searching for some kind of confirmation or denial. you felt a surge of discomfort, knowing that you had to think fast to get out of this situation. but before you could say anything, jaeyun nodded curtly and took a step back. “well, have fun on your date, then,” he said, his voice cool and detached. hyunwoo pulled you along, leading you out of the crowded hall and the hallways. you stumbled slightly, trying to keep up with his long strides.

hyunwoo pulled you through the deserted halls, whistling a jaunty tune as he went. you looked back over your shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of the ball, but it was too far away now. you couldn’t see jaeyun, woonggi, or sunoo anywhere, and a shiver ran down your spine as you realized you were truly alone with hyunwoo. “maybe we should head back,” you suggested, trying to sound casual despite the growing sense of unease in your chest.

hyunwoo chuckled and shushed you, his hand on your waist guiding you to match his pace. “i know you want to be alone,” he said, his voice low and smooth. “no one will interrupt us anymore, i promise you that.” you felt a surge of alarm at his words, and you tried to think of a way to extricate yourself from the situation. you remembered the silver blade on your thigh, and a spark of inspiration struck. “actually, i’m still feeling a bit ill from a few days ago,” you said, trying to sound weak and fragile. hyunwoo’s grip on your waist tightened, his eyes glinting with concern. “ouchy,” he cooed. “we’ll get you all fixed up, don’t worry.” but his words only made you feel more trapped, and you knew you had to think fast if you were going to get out of this situation alive.

meanwhile, jungwon strolled through the crowded ball, his hands casually tucked into his pockets as he walked side by side with a decidedly sheepish-looking sunghoon. sunghoon’s usual nonchalant demeanor was nowhere to be found, replaced instead by a nervous energy that made him look like he was scared to be seen.

“stand up straight, you look better now than before,” jungwon said, his voice quiet, as he gazed straight ahead, seemingly unbothered by the commotion surrounding them. sunghoon muttered under his breath, his hands fussing with his hair, which now framed his face and exposed his forehead. his heterochromatic eyes, normally hidden behind a pair of glasses, sparkled with annoyance as he tried to adjust to his new look. “my hair feels too weird,” he grumbled, his anger and frustration palpable.

jungwon’s expression remained neutral, his eyes fixed on some point ahead, but a hint of amusement danced in his voice. “you’re just not used to being seen,” he teased, his tone light and playful.

sunghoon’s scowl deepened, but he said nothing, merely continuing to fiddle with his hair as they walked. jungwon’s gaze flicked to sunghoon’s face, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, before he returned his attention to the path ahead. despite his nonchalant demeanor, jungwon’s eyes were constantly scanning their surroundings, his mind focused on their mission to investigate, rather than indulging in the frivolities of the white day ball.

as they walked, jungwon’s eyes scanned the crowd, his gaze lingering on the various students and guests. his expression remained neutral, but his eyes seemed to bore into those they passed, as if searching for something or someone.

sunghoon, still fidgeting with his hair, glanced up at jungwon with a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. “what’s wrong?” he asked, his voice low.

jungwon’s gaze flicked back to sunghoon, his expression unreadable. “nothing,” he replied, his voice even. “just making sure we’re not missing anything.” sunghoon raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, his eyes dropping back to his hair as he continued to fuss with it. jungwon’s gaze lingered on sunghoon for a moment, before returning to the crowd, his eyes scanning the sea of faces with an intensity that made sunghoon sigh.

just as jungwon and sunghoon were about to turn a corner, jaeyun appeared, his face a mask of concern. his eyes, usually bright and warm, were clouded with worry, and his brow was furrowed in a deep frown. “hey, have you guys seen y/n?” he asked, his voice low and urgent, his words tumbling out in a rush. “i was just talking to him, and then hyunwoo took him out of nowhere.”

jungwon’s eyes narrowed, his gaze locking onto jaeyun’s face with an intensity that made jaeyun take a step back. “what happened?” jungwon asked, his voice sharp, his tone commanding. jaeyun hesitated, his eyes darting between jungwon and sunghoon. he seemed to be choosing his words carefully, his expression cautious. “hyunwoo said something about them having a date,” he explained, his voice measured, “and then they just… left. i tried to follow them, but i lost them in the crowd.”

sunghoon’s eyes widened, his face pale. “date?” he asked, his voice rising in alarm, his eyes darting wildly between jaeyun and jungwon. “how? doesn’t he know-” jungwon’s expression turned grim, his jaw clenched in anger. he raised a hand, silencing sunghoon with a curt gesture. “where did they go?” he demanded, his voice low and deadly, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.

jaeyun shook his head, his eyes filled with worry. “i don’t know,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “i tried to follow them, but like i said, i lost them in the crowd. i’m sorry. i should have done something to stop him.” the three of them stood there for a moment, their faces tense with concern, their minds racing with worst-case scenarios. then, without a word, jungwon turned and strode off, sunghoon and jaeyun following close behind, their long strides eating up the distance as they set out to track down hyunwoo and rescue y/n from his clutches.

hyunwoo strolls down the hallway, his steps slow, deliberate. without warning, he leans in, his nose grazing the air just above your hair, inhaling with a smirk. the idea of him this close makes your stomach twist, but you swallow it down, keeping your expression steady. “bless the demons who made you,” he groans, voice dripping with something that makes your skin crawl. you let out a laugh, light but forced, shoving him away just enough to create space. “you’re such a flirt, hyunwoo.” you go to quickly change the subject, “actually, i wanted to thank you about the flowers you gave me. they were beautiful.” your voice is sweet, teasing, but you’re fishing—for something specific. his eyes flick to you, that familiar smile curling his lips. once, it had been charming. now, odd. “you liked 'em, huh?”

“yeah, they were so unique. where’d you even get them?” your hand slips into your pocket, fingers brushing against your phone, making sure it’s in place—recording. he doesn’t answer right away. you’re so focused on his response, you don’t notice as he subtly changes course, leading you right toward his dorm. his fingers work at the lock. “geez, i can’t really remember.” a lie. you can hear it in the way his voice dips, the way his body stills for just a second too long. he’s holding something back. your stomach twists, but you don’t let it show. instead, you let out a soft chuckle, shifting your weight onto one foot, like you’re just making casual conversation. “can’t remember? come on, hyunwoo. they were so rare… i’ve never seen flowers like that before.” you say. his fingers pause on the doorknob, just for a second, just long enough for you to notice before he turns it and steps inside. “guess i just have a knack for finding pretty things.” his voice is smooth, playful, but there’s something else there, something just beneath the surface. you hesitate at the doorway, a small part of you screaming not to go in. but you step forward anyway, keeping close to the doorframe, keeping your exit in sight. your fingers press against your phone in your pocket, making sure it’s still recording.

his dorm is dimly lit, the air thick with something that smells faintly sweet—like vanilla, but with an edge of something bitter. the curtains are drawn, shutting out the hallway light. his desk is cluttered, but not in a messy way—more like he’s been in the middle of something, pages scattered, a single candle flickering. he watches you with that same unreadable smirk as he pushes the door shut behind you. “so mysterious,” you say, forcing a teasing lilt into your voice, masking the way your pulse picks up. he chuckles, low and almost amused, moving toward his desk, fingers brushing over a book before flipping it shut. “you think too much, you know that?” you shift slightly, keeping him in your line of sight. “maybe. or maybe you don’t think enough.”

his smile falters for just a breath before he regains it, his head tilting slightly. “what are you trying to say?” your fingers tighten around your phone. you take a slow step back, just slightly. “just that… those flowers? i looked them up.” you keep your voice light, almost curious, but you watch him carefully. “couldn’t find anyone that let people order them from the academy.” you hesitantly say. his expression doesn’t change at first. then, slowly, that smirk stretches wider, something in his eyes shifting. “maybe you’re looking in the wrong places.” something about the way he says it makes your blood run cold.

a chill runs down your spine, but you keep your posture relaxed, forcing yourself to stay composed. the air in the room feels heavier now, like the walls are pressing in, like something unseen lingers beneath the surface of this conversation. “wrong places?” you echo, keeping your voice even, curious—but not too curious. you don’t want him to know you’re onto something. hyunwoo leans against the edge of his desk, arms crossing over his chest. the candlelight flickers against his sharp features, casting shadows along his jawline. “yeah,” he says smoothly, tilting his head. “some things… aren’t meant to be found so easily.” your fingers tighten around your phone in your pocket. “interesting,” you murmur, stepping further into the room, scanning for anything out of place. your eyes flick to the desk—papers scattered, some stacked neatly, but one slightly askew catches your attention. beneath it, a glimpse of something deep black, a petal perhaps.

hyunwoo follows your gaze before pushing himself off the desk, blocking your view. “why so curious all of a sudden?” he asks, his voice lighter now, amused even, but his eyes—his eyes are watching you too closely. you shrug, keeping your movements slow, calculated. “just thought it was strange. i mean, flowers that unique should have a birthplace, right?” you take another step back, closer to the door. “or at least be in some database. but nothing. not even a similar species.” he exhales through his nose, shaking his head with a small chuckle. “maybe they’re just special,” he says, voice smooth as silk. “yeah, maybe.” you glance at the door, debating whether to leave now or push further, but before you can decide, he moves toward a shelf near his bed, running his fingers along the spines of several books. then, as if remembering something, he plucks one from the row and tosses it onto the desk.

“here,” he says, stepping aside. “since you’re so interested, take a look.“ you hesitate, then step closer, eyeing the worn leather cover. there’s no title, just an embossed pattern that looks almost floral. you flip it open, the pages yellowed with age, inked with careful handwriting. at first, it looks like botanical notes—sketches of flowers, descriptions of their uses—but then, as you turn a few more pages, the words shift. "feeding ritual application: inducing hallucinations, extracting lust, binding intentions.” your pulse jumps. the sketches grow stranger—flowers intertwined with symbols, roots tangled around something that looks unsettlingly like bones. hyunwoo watches you with that same smirk, his eyes gleaming in the dim light. “still think they’re just flowers?” he asks, voice barely above a whisper.

your breath catches, but you don’t let your expression falter. instead, you let your fingers trail over the aged paper, pretending to be fascinated rather than unnerved. “this is… interesting,” you murmur, flipping another page. the inked sketches become darker, more intricate. twisted vines, petals that seem to bleed into the parchment. beneath one drawing, a description stands out in sharp, precise handwriting: “bloomed under the wrong hands, these flowers do not wither. they linger a spell.” your stomach tightens. “where did you get this?” your voice is steady, but you don’t look at him. not yet. hyunwoo hums, stepping closer yet too close. you can feel the warmth of his presence at your side, can hear the soft rustle of his clothing as he moves. “a gift,” he says, his tone light, casual. but when you glance at him, his eyes are dark with something unreadable.

your fingers press into the edge of the book. “who gave it to you?” his smile widens just slightly. “you ask a lot of questions.” your heartbeat ticks faster, but you force a smirk, finally meeting his gaze head-on. “you avoid a lot of answers.” for a moment, the room is silent except for the soft crackle of the candle’s flame. then, he laughs. low, quiet, as if the two of you are sharing some private joke. “fair, darling” he concedes, stepping away at last. he leans against his desk again, watching you with something almost… entertained. “let’s just say, someone thought i’d appreciate it. and they were right.“

"so you believe this stuff?” you press, tapping a finger against the text. his smile lingers, but there’s something sharp underneath it. “don’t you?” you swallow, turning another page. more symbols, more sketches, but this time, beneath one of the drawings—one that looks eerily similar to the bouquet he gave you—there’s a note scrawled in smaller handwriting: “do not inhale. do not touch bare skin. do not—” the rest is smudged, blurred as if someone had deliberately tried to erase it. your skin prickles. hyunwoo watches, tilting his head. “what’s wrong?” your mind races. you think back to the flowers he gave you, how their scent had lingered on you longer than it should have, how the petals were impossibly fresh. you steady yourself, force a slow inhale. “nothing,” you say, closing the book gently.

he studies you for a long moment, then smirks. “good, sweetie.” but something in his expression tells you he knows that’s a lie. you inhale sharply, steadying yourself as you turn, leaning back against his desk. every nerve in your body is on high alert, but you force your muscles to relax, your posture to stay loose, as if you are unbothered. inside, though, panic coils tight in your chest. you glance toward the door, calculating the distance. too far.

if you ran now, you wouldn’t make it. so you don’t. you stay still. you act as though you are comfortable, as if the weight of his presence isn’t suffocating you.hyunwoo takes it as an invitation, his lips curling at the edges as he closes the space between you. he moves with that same effortless grace, slow and deliberate, his tongue darting out to wet his bottom lip. his gaze never wavers from yours, dark and unreadable. your body screams at you to run, to fight, to react. but you don’t move. not yet.

your half-blood instincts hum beneath your skin, raw and primal, whispering to you like an unspoken promise of survival. your energy is depleted, but the urge to protect yourself flickers to life, sharpening your senses, making you hyper-aware of every breath, every movement. hyunwoo reaches out, his fingers ghosting over your hair, pushing a strand aside with a featherlight touch. “you’re gonna take my bite well, right, darling?” his voice is smooth, almost affectionate, but the hunger in it is unmistakable.

his hand trails lower, grazing the edge of your jaw, moving down to your throat. his touch is gentle, but there’s possession in it, as if he already sees you as his. what he doesn’t see is your fingers slipping underneath your pants. he also doesn’t notice is the cool silver pressing against your palm, small but deadly.

his fangs extend, glinting in the dim light, and he takes one final step forward, his breath warm against your skin, and then you strike. the knife sinks into his ribs with a sharp, precise thrust. hyunwoo’s reaction is instant, a sound erupts from his throat, something between a screech and a snarl, raw and guttural. his body jerks violently, his back slamming into the wall with a sickening crack. his fingers claw at the wound, his breath shuddering as a thick, viscous substance oozes between them. his face contorts, sharp features twisting in pain, in disbelief. he looks down at his own hand, watching the dark liquid stain his skin, spreading like ink. you dont hesitate with the book clutched in one hand and your knife still slick in the other, you lunge for the door, your heartbeat thundering in your ears. your fingers wrap around the knob, twisting it desperately. then you make the mistake of looking back. hyunwoo is still pressed against the wall, his body rigid, his breathing uneven. but his focus isn’t on you.

his eyes are locked on his hand, watching the black substance drip between his fingers. something flickers across his face—shock, confusion, something else you can’t quite place. then, slowly, his lips curl back, his fangs gleam as his expression twists into something almost amused, almost intrigued. suddenly, his body was no longer visible, a sharp gasp catches in your throat. your eyes dart wildly around the room, your pulse a hammering rhythm in your chest. the air shifts, electric with something unseen, something wrong.

your instincts scream to move as you rip the door open and bolt. your feet pound against the floor as you sprint down the hallway, gripping the book tightly in one hand, the knife firm in the other. “help! anyone!” your voice shatters the eerie silence, bouncing off the walls as you run. no one answers you as the hallway stretches before you, empty, unnaturally still. no doors creak open, no voices call out. it’s as if the entire dormitory has been swallowed by something unseen, something watching. your lungs burn, your legs ache, but you don’t stop. because somewhere behind you, lurking just out of sight, you know hyunwoo is still there.

your breath comes in sharp, ragged gasps as you push forward, your feet sliding against the polished floor as you turn sharply into another hallway. the dormitory is a maze, a series of corridors you once knew by heart, but now—now everything feels wrong. the walls seem to stretch, the doors blur together, and the path you once memorized twists into something unfamiliar.

you need to get back to the ballroom, to focus, but panic grips you like a vice. your body moves on instinct, dodging left, sprinting forward, and pushing past the ache in your lungs. you force yourself to ignore the way the overhead lights flicker, casting fleeting shadows that seem to shift in the corners of your vision. a crash occurs behind you, something slams against the floor behind you.

you don’t look back as the hairs on your arms stand on end as the sound repeats, bookshelves toppling, chairs scraping violently against the floor, and doors slamming shut one by one as if something is chasing you, forcing you forward. however, you don’t stop while your legs burn as you sprint faster, slipping around corners, gripping onto the walls to steady yourself as you nearly lose your footing. another turn was indeed another long, stretching corridor. the grand double doors of the ballroom should be ahead by now. they should be close. but they’re not.

a sharp chill crawls up your spine as you couldnt recall where they ly. the halls begin to blur together, identical in their emptiness, their suffocating silence. your chest tightens. the air feels thinner, the space around you warping with every step, just the. a whisper in the abyss, that was low, taunting, and too close. “stop being such a prude, you can’t run forever, darling.”

your stomach drops as it is now noticeable that hyunwoo is in fact hunting you. your fingers tighten around the book, your other hand still gripping the small silver knife, slick with his blackened blood. you do not slow down, you cannot. you throw yourself into the next hallway, heart pounding in your ears, lungs burning, vision blurring that caused your foot to slip. the ground rushes up to meet you as your knee scrapes against the hard floor. the book nearly tumbles from your grasp. pain sparks through your leg, but you bite down a curse, forcing yourself to scramble forward.

your fingers tremble as you push yourself up, forcing your legs to move, ignoring the sting in your knee. you take off again, your breaths uneven, your mind screaming at you to find the exit, find the ballroom, to find safety. you barely have time to register the sudden force hitting you from the side. one moment, you’re running, desperate to escape, and the next, your body is weightless, thrown off course as something—someone—tackles you to the ground.

it doesnt feel violent yet still you brace yourself for the harsh impact, expecting the unforgiving floor to slam against your back, but instead, you’re caught, held. whoever tackled you twists mid-air, their grip firm yet controlled, and when you finally land, your fall is cushioned, not by the ground, but by the body beneath you. your chest heaves, your breath stuck in your throat as your mind races. for a moment, you can’t move. you can’t think. your fingers tighten around the book, your knife still in your grasp, ready to strike if necessary. slowly, hesitantly, you open your eyes and your breath catches. just inches from yours, a pair of almost glowing green eyes stare at you, sharp and burning with something unreadable. anger? frustration? relief?

your faces are so close you can’t immediately make out who it is. his features blur together—sharp cheekbones, tousled dark hair, parted lips, fangs peeking out. your heart hammers wildly, unsure whether to be afraid or relieved. but before you can react, he moves with almost unbelievable speed, he flips your positions, swift but careful, controlled but protective. he shifts his weight, shielding you completely beneath his large, solid frame. his arms press into the floor beside your head, creating a barrier, his presence overwhelming, almost suffocating in its intensity.

suddenly as it was, you recognize the boy, jaehyun and jungwon’s friend. sunghoon, someone you’ve seen lingering in the shadows, always watching but never speaking. someone who was always there, yet somehow invisible. this look was different, you never seen him dressed so sharply, his usually concealed features now fully visible. never noticed the sharp lines of his jaw, the almost ethereal glow of his skin under the dim lights. and certainly never seen his fangs bared like this. your breath stutters as your gaze drops lower to see two set of fangs on top and bottom, baring. stomach tightens as you know that two set of fangs werent common in vampires but in something else.

werewolves.

your eyes widen, but before you can speak, another voice slices through the thick tension. “sunghoon, enough.” your head snaps to the side to see, standing just a few feet away, jungwon towers over hyunwoo’s crumpled form. his expression is unreadable, his foot pressed firmly against hyunwoo’s back, keeping him pinned to the ground. hyunwoo snarls beneath him, but he doesn’t move. he can’t. because just beside him, jaehyun stands, his palm raised, fingers curled around a flickering ball of fire. the flames dance, crackling softly, reflecting in jaehyun’s dark eyes as he stares down at hyunwoo with cold calculation.

one wrong move, and he will set him ablaze. hyunwoo must know it too, because for the first time tonight, he stays still.

━━━ ‘CHAPTER SIX’ [ETERNAL NIGHT]

SYNOPSIS ➢ the journey to the truth is an exhausting one.

PAIRING ➢ poly!enhypen x male!reader, sim jaehyun x male! reader, park sunghoon x male!reader, yang jungwon x male!reader

AU ➢ strangers-to-lovers au! x enemies-to-lovers au! x vampire au!

CONTENT WARNING ➢ this chapter contains; some angst, depression, feelings of sadness, physical and mental exhaustion, mentions of blood-drinking, mentions of gore, blood, cannibalism [let me know if i missed any!]

PREVIOUS I NEXT

sunoo strolled through the academy’s hall, his burgundy long coat billowed behind him, making him almost unmissable. his eyes were fixed on his phone, thumbs scrolling swiftly as he blocked men who didn’t quite meet his standards. his other hand cradled his trusty laptop, a reminder of the second class he’d just wrapped up. his plan was to head back to his room, rest, and catch up on some reading – specifically, updates from someone special.

lost in his own little world, sunoo didn’t notice heeseung and jay spotting him from afar, exchanging a nod before falling into step beside him. it wasn’t until sunoo’s gaze drifted to his shoes that he realized he was no longer alone – two other pairs of shoes flanked his own. his eyebrows arched slightly as he turned to his left, where heeseung greeted him with a goofy grin and an enthusiastic wave.

sunoo’s response was a dismissive eye-roll, but his attention was quickly hijacked by the sight of jay’s chiseled side profile to his right. jay’s handsome features had a profound effect on sunoo, leaving him feeling a little weak at the knees.

heeseung’s attempt to initiate a conversation was swiftly derailed as sunoo’s gaze remained fixed on jay. “sunoo, i need to talk to you,” heeseung began, but his words were cut short by sunoo’s soft, swoony utterance: “hi jay.” sunoo’s eyes sparkled with admiration, and a gentle smile played on his lips.

jay’s response was characteristically understated – a brief nod, a faint smile, and a return to his forward gaze. sunoo, however, was undeterred, his eyes still locked on jay’s profile. heeseung facepalmed, his frustration palpable as he walked alongside sunoo. “sunoo, come on, i really need to talk to you. how’s y/n doing?” he pressed, seeking an update on their mutual acquaintance.

sunoo’s response was dismissive, his side glare a clear indication that he was no longer interested in the conversation. “he’s fine, stop asking,” he said curtly, before swiftly pivoting back to jay. “so, jay, i heard you’re into fitness,” sunoo said, his tone dripping with enthusiasm. jay nodded, his eyes flicking downward once more, and sunoo’s reaction was nothing short of dramatic. he covered his mouth, his eyes widening in adoration. “wow, i can totally tell – it’s really paying off!” he gushed, batting his lashes at jay in a flirtatious display.

heeseung’s eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze darting between sunoo’s besotted expression and jay’s impassive one. he cleared his throat, attempting to steer the conversation back on track. “sunoo, focus,” he said, his tone laced with amusement. “i need to ask you something. why was y/n trying out for the swim team?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

sunoo’s gaze lingered on jay for a moment before he reluctantly turned his attention to heeseung. a hint of a smile still played on his lips, but his expression gradually sobered as he considered heeseung’s question. “oh, that,” sunoo said, his voice tinged with a mixture of nonchalance and evasiveness. “i think he just wanted to try something new.” his response was deliberately vague, and heeseung’s raised eyebrow suggested he wasn’t buying it.

“something new?” heeseung repeated, his tone skeptical. “y/n’s not exactly the ‘water’ type.” he pressed, his eyes locked on sunoo’s, seeking a more candid explanation about y/n’s abilities.

sunoo let out a soft sigh, his shoulders sagging slightly as he resigned himself to having this conversation. “heeseung, listen,” he began, his voice low and serious. “y/n’s not interested in you anymore. he’s moved on, and you should too.” sunoo’s words were blunt, but not unkind; he was trying to convey a message he knew heeseung needed to hear.

heeseung’s expression darkened, his eyes flashing with indignation. “i’m not trying to win him back,” he scoffed, his voice rising in protest. “i just… care about him, okay? as a friend.” heeseung’s tone was defensive, and sunoo raised an eyebrow, skeptical of his friend’s claims. “save it,” sunoo said dryly, his gaze piercing. “i know you too well. you’re still hung up on him, and it’s time to let go.” sunoo’s words were firm but gentle, a testament to his concern for his friend’s well-being.

jay’s hand came to rest on sunoo’s shoulder, his touch warm and gentle. the gesture was subtle, but it was enough to bring their little procession to a halt. sunoo, heeseung, and jay stood there, frozen in a sudden tableau.

jay’s smile was a picture of gentlemanly concern, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he spoke. “sunoo, we’re a bit worried about y/n’s… associations,” he said, his voice low and measured. “not all pure-bloods are as… kind as myself,” jay added, his tone dripping with understatement.

sunoo’s reaction was immediate and arresting. his eyes locked onto jay’s, shining with a fox-like adoration that was almost mesmerizing. heeseung, who had been watching the exchange with interest, felt a pang of amusement at sunoo’s obvious infatuation. sunoo’s gaze was so intent, so focused on jay, that it was as if nothing else existed in that moment. jay, for his part, seemed oblivious to the effect he was having, his expression remaining calm and collected.

sunoo’s voice was barely above a whisper, his words tumbling out in a stuttering rush. “i-i understand, jay. y/n knows that, too… even in his… state, right now.” sunoo’s gaze never wavered from jay’s face, his eyes shining with a mixture of adoration and a hint of vulnerability.

jay’s expression softened, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he offered sunoo a gentle smile. “i’m glad to hear that,” he said, his voice low and soothing. “please, take care of him, sunoo. we’re all… concerned.” jay’s words were laced with a quiet sincerity, and sunoo’s heart skipped a beat as he nodded, still entranced by jay’s gentle demeanor.

sunoo beat a hasty retreat, murmuring something about needing to freshen up before lunch. as he walked away, he turned back to jay, his face lighting up with a shy smile. he waved goodbye, his hand fluttering in the air, and jay responded with a warm smile of his own. heeseung, however, was not so easily deterred. he opened his mouth to ask another question, but jay’s elbow subtly nudged him, silencing him. sunoo, oblivious to the exchange, disappeared from view, leaving the two friends standing alone in the hallway.

as soon as sunoo was out of sight, jay’s smile faltered, his expression turning serious. he turned to heeseung, his eyes narrowing slightly. “i think sunoo knows something,” jay said, his voice low and thoughtful. “but he’s not going to tell us, no matter how hard we push.” jay’s gaze lingered on heeseung’s face, his eyes searching for understanding. heeseung’s expression was thoughtful, his brow furrowed in consideration.

jay walked in the opposite direction, his feet carrying him away from the spot where they’d last seen sunoo. his hands slipped into his pockets, his fingers drumming a restless rhythm against the fabric. he was itching for a cigarette, the familiar craving scratching at the back of his mind. but he refrained, knowing that the staff were notorious for confiscating contraband. instead, he exhaled a slow breath, letting his thoughts simmer.

heeseung fell into step beside him, his eyes fixed on the floor as he ran a hand through his hair. frustration etched lines on his face, his brow furrowed in concern. “you think he’s got a boyfriend?” he asked, his voice low and hopeful.

jay’s pace slowed, his eyes narrowing as he considered heeseung’s question. the new pure-bloods had certainly caused a stir, their arrival sparking a mix of curiosity and suspicion. jay’s mind whirled with possibilities, his thoughts tangling around the threads of intrigue and deception. “it’s possible,” he said finally, his voice measured. “but i think there’s more to it than that.”

“so youre gonna to talk to some of the pure-bloods right?” heeseung anxiously asks. jay’s expression turned wry, his eyes glinting with a hint of amusement. “let me be clear,” he said, his voice dry. “i’m only getting involved with the other pure-bloods because you wanted to know who gave y/n those flowers.” heeseung’s face fell, his eyes dropping in a sheepish gesture. “i know. and i’m sorry. but… i just can’t ask y/n about it,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

jay’s eyebrows arched, his curiosity piqued. “why not?” he asked, his tone gentle. heeseung’s eyes flashed with a mixture of emotions, his face twisted in a complex expression. but before he could respond, jay’s words hung in the air, leaving the question unanswered

heeseung’s voice was laced with a hint of vulnerability, his eyes clouding over with memories. “because we have history, jay,” he said, his words barely above a whisper. “and i don’t want y/n to think that i still… have feelings for him.” heeseung’s face twisted in a mixture of pain and regret. jay’s expression softened, his eyes filled with understanding. heeseung’s words hung in the air, a palpable tension between them.

heeseung’s voice dropped to a growl, his eyes flashing with anger. “i just don’t want y/n to get hurt by some pure-blooded jerk who thinks he can just give flowers to any half-blood that he wants to have sex with for a day.” heeseung’s words trailed off, his implication clear. jay’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in a silent show of agreement.

jay let out a soft sigh, his eyes searching heeseung’s face. “what are you going to do, huh, when the guy who gave y/n those flowers turns out to be a sweet guy?” he asked, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. heeseung’s expression turned incredulous, his eyes wide with bewilderment. “that’s not possible,” he said, his voice firm. “all pure-bloods are… terrible.” heeseung’s words were laced with a deep-seated conviction, a reflection of his own experiences.

jay’s eyes sparkled with amusement, his lips curling into a gentle smile. heeseung’s gaze faltered, his eyes dropping as he hesitated. then, in a gesture that was both awkward and endearing, heeseung reached out and patted jay on the back. “except you,” he said, his voice soft. jay shook his head, a low chuckle rumbling in his throat. “alright, alright,” he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “i’ll ask around, but that’s about it. i’m not exactly thrilled about mingling with the other pure-bloods either.” jay’s expression turned wry, his voice laced with a hint of distaste.

heeseung’s face lit up with a relieved smile, his eyes shining with gratitude. “thanks, jay,” he said, his voice sincere. “i owe you one.” jay’s chuckle deepened, his head shaking in amusement. “you don’t owe me anything, heeseung,” he said, his voice low and gentle. “just be careful, alright?” heeseung nodded, his expression solemn. “i will,” he said, his voice firm. “thanks again, jay.” with that, heeseung turned and walked away, leaving jay to watch him go with a thoughtful expression.

sunoo slipped into the dorm room with the quiet stealth of a ghost, careful not to disturb the peaceful atmosphere. he closed the door behind him with a soft click, the lock engaging with a gentle hum. his phone and laptop were discarded onto the closed coffin, the soft thud of the devices hitting the wooden surface the only sound breaking the silence.

sunoo padded across the room, his footsteps light on the floor as he made his way to the shared washroom. he pushed open the door and stepped inside, the soft glow of the fluorescent lights overhead illuminating his reflection in the mirror.

as he washed his hands under the warm stream of water, sunoo’s eyes met his own gaze in the mirror. he studied his reflection, his eyes scanning his face with a critical intensity. his hair was mussed, his eyes a little tired, but overall, he looked… calm. serene, even. sunoo’s lips curled into a small, enigmatic smile as he continued to wash his hands, lost in thought.

sunoo returned to his vanity mirror, settling into the chair with a quiet sigh. he began to gather his makeup, searching for the perfect shade of blush to refresh his look. however, as he rummaged through his collection, he realized that the one he wanted was missing. his brow furrowed in concentration, he recalled that he had lent it to you last time you two had spent time together.

assuming it would be on your desk, sunoo got up and walked over to your coffin. but as he approached, he noticed that it was closed. his eyes narrowed, a hint of concern creeping into his expression. he remembered the nurse’s advice to keep the coffin open, especially for half-bloods, who were prone to dusty lungs if they stayed in their coffins for too long. sunoo’s hand hesitated over the coffin lid, his mind whirling with questions. why was it closed? had you gotten up and closed it yourself? or had someone else…? sunoo’s eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of disturbance, but everything seemed quiet and still.

sunoo’s curiosity about the closed coffin was momentarily set aside, and he told himself that maybe you had simply closed it himself mid-slumber. he pushed the thought aside and focused on finding the blush. he began to search through your drawers, hoping to find the missing makeup.

as he opened the first drawer, he was met with a sea of organized papers and folders. sunoo’s eyebrows rose in surprise; he had never seen your schoolwork so neatly arranged. he rummaged through the papers, but there was no sign of the blush. he moved on to the next drawer, and the next, but all he found were more papers, folders, and school supplies. the blush seemed to have vanished into thin air.

sunoo’s hand hovered over the coffin lid, hesitating for a moment before he decided to open it and ask you if you knew where the blush was. but as he lifted the lid, his eyes widened in horror. the coffin was empty, the sheets rumpled and unmade. sunoo’s gasp was audible as he slammed the coffin lid shut, his heart racing with a mix of fear and panic.

“y/n!” sunoo exclaimed, his voice shaking slightly as he spun around the room, searching for any sign of your whereabouts. but the room was empty, the silence oppressive. sunoo’s mind was racing with questions, his thoughts tangled in a web of worry and concern.

jungwon’s fingers flew across the keyboard, the sound of typing echoing through the room. he let out a frustrated huff and rubbed his forehead, pushing his white sleeves upwards in a gesture of exasperation.

“mr. sim is testing my patience,” jungwon said, turning to face his friend. but as he looked over, he was met with the sight of sunghoon fast asleep in his large wooden coffin. jungwon’s annoyed gaze softened, his expression melting into a warm smile.

sunghoon’s peaceful slumber was a stark contrast to jungwon’s frazzled state. jungwon’s eyes lingered on his friend’s serene face, feeling a pang of envy. he wished he could be as carefree as sunghoon, but mr. sim’s relentless emails had him on edge.

“mr. sim is lucky jaeyun is his son,” jungwon muttered to himself, shaking his head. “otherwise, i’d have blocked his consecutive and curious emails by now.” he sighed, turning back to his laptop, but his gaze kept drifting back to sunghoon, who slept on, oblivious to jungwon’s frustration.

suddenly, the unexpected kncok from his door became his unexpected savior. jungwon’s eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at the door, his mind wondering who could be visiting. he glanced over at sunghoon, who was still fast asleep, before getting up from his chair and approaching the door. he reached for the handle, half expecting it to be hyunwoo asking for sunghoon, but as he opened the door, he was met with a surprise. standing in the doorway, looking up at jungwon with sunken eyes, was you. your cheeks were flushed with a rosy hue, but your eyes looked tired and weak. you coughed, clutching your dark velvet cloak to your chest, made jungwon’s expression soften with concern. only a bit before they hardened again.

“you?” jungwon asked, his voice confused. “why are you here?” jungwon’s eyes scanned your face, taking in your pale complexion and the dark circles under your eyes. as you go to answer you’re riled up with another coughing fit, he rolls his eyes before stepping aside, gesturing for you to enter. “hurry up.”

as you slipped into the dorm room, you sidestepped jungwon, allowing him to scan the hallway with an air of caution. his eyes darted back and forth, ensuring they were alone, before he quietly shut the door and turned the lock with a soft click. the sound echoed through the room, a subtle reminder of the secrecy that shrouded your conversation.

jungwon’s gaze shifted, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in your slightly hunched figure. you stood there, your eyes scanning the room with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. the dim light cast long shadows across the walls, making the space feel intimate and foreboding.

jungwon’s voice was barely audible, a low murmur that seemed to vibrate through the air. “for a half-blood, you seem determined to dance with death..” his words hung in the air, a subtle warning that sent a shiver down your spine. despite the quiet tone, you felt the weight of his statement, the unspoken danger that lurked beneath the surface.

jungwon strode over to his desk, his movements fluid and deliberate. he sank into the chair, his hands coming to rest on his thighs as he let out a soft sigh. the sound seemed to carry a weight of exhaustion, a subtle hint at the burdens he carried.

as you watched him, you realized that this was a rare moment - a private conversation with jungwon, unmediated by jaeyun’s presence. it was a strange feeling, like the air had been charged with a new kind of tension. without jaeyun’s easy smile and effortless charm, the atmosphere felt more strained, more awkward.

jungwon’s eyes flicked up, meeting yours with a piercing gaze. “i’d rather you not pass out on my floor,” he said, his voice dry and matter-of-fact. “so, sit.” he crossed one leg over the other, the movement economical and precise. with a curt gesture, he indicated the chair standing alone in the center of the vast room. the invitation was gruff, but the concern underlying it was unmistakable.

you stood there for a moment, clutching your red cloak tightly, as if unsure of what to do next. then, with a quiet resolve, you began to walk towards the chair, your footsteps eerily silent on the floor. jungwon’s eyes followed you, his gaze narrowing slightly as he noticed the way you seemed to glide across the room, making barely a sound.

as you sat down, jungwon’s expression turned guarded, his arms crossing over his chest in a defensive gesture. “if you’re here to thank me, don’t,” he said, his voice low and even. “i didn’t do it for your gratitude.” you pushed back your hood, revealing a disheveled state that was more apparent in the dim light of the room. jungwon’s eyes flicked over your face, taking in the details of your appearance. then, you met his gaze with a deadpan look, your voice flat as you said, “i’m actually looking for jaeyun.”

jungwon’s lips twitched, a smirk threatening to break through his reserved exterior. he found it amusing, the way you always seemed to have a retort ready, never backing down from his jabs. the spark of amusement danced in his eyes, but he carefully kept his expression neutral, not wanting to give you the satisfaction of getting a rise out of him. “he’s out, as you can see,” jungwon said, his voice low and detached, his eyes fixed on your hands as they rubbed together in a gentle attempt to warm themselves up. the soft friction of your palms created a soothing sound that filled the brief silence that followed.

jungwon’s gaze lingered on your hands, his expression unreadable. but as he glanced up at your face, he caught the faint lines of worry etched on your forehead. his eyes narrowed slightly, his attention drawn to the subtle tension in your features. he couldn’t help but stare, his curiosity piqued by the concern that seemed to be simmering just beneath the surface. “i need to know why one of my peers attacked me over some flowers?” you asked, your voice quiet and measured, your eyes fixed on some point across the room. jungwon’s silence was palpable, and you felt compelled to look up, to meet his gaze and gauge his reaction.

as your eyes locked onto his, you saw the faintest hint of turmoil in his eyebrows, the slightest tension in his jaw. his lips were pressed together, and his teeth had sunk into his bottom lip, as if he was weighing his options, deciding whether to reveal the truth or keep it hidden. the air was thick with unspoken words, and jungwon’s silence seemed to vibrate with secrets.

you rose from the chair, your determination evident in the set of your jaw and the fire in your eyes. “if you won’t tell me, then i’ll go ask the man who gave it to me, myself,” you declared, your voice firm and resolute.

but jungwon’s reaction was not what you expected. he uncrossed his legs, his movements fluid and deliberate, and his eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded you. “you underestimate pure-bloods,” he began, his voice low and even, but with a hint of warning. your eyebrows furrowed, unsure of where jungwon was going with this. but his next words sent a shiver down your spine. “if you do this by yourself, there’ll be an announcement of your disappearance in less than 12 hours,” he said bluntly, his eyes glinting with a serious light. the words hung in the air, a stark and chilling reality that made your heart skip a beat. you felt a cold dread creeping up your spine as you realized the danger that jungwon was warning you about. his expression was deadpan, but you knew he meant every word. the thought sent a shiver down your spine, and for a moment, you felt frozen in place, unsure of what to do next.

as jungwon opened his mouth to speak again, a loud creaking sound echoed through the room, making you turn to see a figure slowly sitting up in a coffin. the man stretched, arching his back in a languid yawn, his long, wavy hair tumbling down to cover his eyes like a veil. he blinked slowly, his gaze unfocused, as if he was still shaking off the remnants of sleep.

“it’s about time you woke up,” jungwon said loudly, his voice piercing the quiet of the room. he strode over to the coffin, reaching for a pill bottle on the nearby shelf. he handed a couple of pills to the man, along with a glass of water, which was accepted with a lazy nod. the man’s movements were economical, as if he was following a well-rehearsed routine. standing there, you felt like an intruder, a spectator to a private ritual. the man’s gaze slowly drifted towards you, his eyes squinting slightly as he took in your presence. he reached for his glasses, perching them on the end of his nose, and suddenly, his features snapped into focus. you recognized him as sunghoon, the third son of one of the founding mothers, his reputation whispered about in hushed tones.

as sunghoon’s gaze met yours, a faint flush rose to his cheeks, and he hastily looked away, his eyes dropping to the floor. the shy gesture belied his reputation as a member of one of the founding families, and for a moment, he seemed almost vulnerable.

his loose, white shirt with long sleeves added to the impression of fragility, making him appear smaller than he actually was. it was a curious contrast, given that sunghoon was the tallest of the three, his lanky frame normally commanding attention. but now, as he sat in the coffin, his shoulders hunched and his eyes downcast, he seemed almost… delicate.

a sudden gust of wind swept across your face, making you blink in surprise. when you opened your eyes again, jungwon was standing right in front of you, his movements so swift and silent that you hadn’t even seen him move. it was as if he had materialized out of thin air, his presence both startling and intimidating.

jungwon’s hands were tucked into his pockets, his eyes narrowed as he gazed down at you with a stern expression. his voice was low and serious, his words dripping with a warning. “the person who gave you those dahlias is not someone you should keep close to you,” he said, his tone brooking no argument.

his eyes seemed to bore into yours, as if scolding you for even daring to associate with this person. “just forget them and go on with your life,” he advised, his voice firm but laced with a hint of concern. your eyes locked onto jungwon’s, and for a moment, you felt a jolt of pure fear. the thought that hyunwoo might be trying to hurt you intentionally sent a shiver down your spine. jungwon’s words seemed to echo in your mind, a warning that you couldn’t ignore.

“how am i…?” your voice began to rise in anger, but the words trailed off as the sound of the door opening caught your attention. jungwon’s head also swiveled towards the entrance, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the new arrival.

jaeyun stood frozen in the doorway, a bag of snacks clutched in his hand, his eyes darting back and forth between you and jungwon. his expression was one of shock and confusion, as if he had stumbled into something he hadn’t been meant to see. he seemed to feel like an intruder, his eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and concern. “y/n, hey, you’re supposed to be on bed rest!” jaeyun scolded, his voice firm but worried, as he slowly closed the door behind him. his eyes never left yours, his gaze searching for answers. “why are you here?” he asked, his voice softer now, as he dropped the bag of snacks on the floor beside him, his movements cautious, as if he was trying not to disrupt the tense atmosphere.

“he only came to thank me for saving his life the other day,” jungwon said smoothly, his voice dripping with sincerity. he stood up straight, his posture confident, as he delivered the blatant lie. you felt a surge of annoyance at his audacity, and you shot a glare at the back of his head, your eyes narrowing in disgust.

jaeyun’s eyes darted back and forth between you and jungwon, his expression a mask of polite surprise. “oh…okay,” he said slowly, his voice laced with a hint of skepticism. he seemed to be struggling to maintain a neutral face, his eyes flashing with a mixture of curiosity and concern. the air was thick with unspoken questions, and jaeyun’s gaze lingered on you, as if searching for confirmation or denial of jungwon’s dubious claim.

“i should go,” you said, your voice low and even, as you reached up to pull the velvet hood back over your head. the soft fabric settled around your face, casting a shadow over your features, and you felt a sense of anonymity wash over you.

jaeyun stepped aside, his eyes scanning your exhausted face, his expression softening with concern. “you’re leaving already?” he asked, his voice tinged with disappointment. in his haste to catch up to you, he tripped over his own shoe, but quickly regained his balance and grasped the door handle, pulling it open just as you were about to close it behind you.

“how are you feeling?” jaeyun asked, his voice low and gentle, as he leaned against the doorframe, his eyes locking onto yours with a deep concern. you turned to meet his gaze, and for a moment, you felt a pang of guilt at the worry etched on his face.

“couldn’t be better,” you said, forcing a bright smile onto your lips, but it felt brittle and insincere. jaeyun’s eyes searched yours, as if trying to see beyond the facade, but you just shook your head and continued down the hallway, leaving him standing in the doorway, staring after you with a longing expression.

as you walked away, you could feel jaeyun’s gaze on your back, a warm and gentle pressure that made you want to turn around and reassure him. but you kept walking, your footsteps echoing down the hallway, until you turned a corner and jaeyun’s concerned face was lost from view. you let out a soft sigh, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside you. you were grateful for jaeyun’s concern, but you also felt a pang of guilt for not being honest with him. you wondered what he would say if he knew the truth - about the dahlias, about jungwon’s warning, about the fear that was growing inside you.

you pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. you needed to get out of there, to clear your head and figure out what to do next. but as you walked, you couldn’t shake the feeling that you were being watched, that unblinking eyes were trained on you from the shadows.

you couldn’t shake the feeling of frustration and vulnerability that washed over you. it seemed absurd to think that jungwon or jaeyun wouldnt willingly share information with you about the mysterious flowers, especially when it seemed like your life was hanging in the balance. a nagging sense of unease crept in, making you wonder if they were somehow involved in the danger that lurked around you. were they hiding something from you? did they know more about the flowers and their significance than they were letting on?

you swiftly dug into your pocket and retrieved your phone, your anxiety spiking with every passing second. your fingers flew across the screen as you attempted to send a text to sunoo, but just as you were about to hit send, a sudden jolt of electricity shot out from your hand, coursing through the device. the phone’s screen flickered wildly, the display distorting into a mess of glitching pixels and fragmented code. “oh shit,” you muttered in frustration, your heart sinking as you realized your phone was now useless.

“get it together,” you whispered sternly to yourself, feeling the sting of tears prick at the corners of your eyes. the weight of stress and anxiety threatened to overwhelm you, making your breath catch in your throat. you felt like you were on the verge of shattering, like the slightest pressure would send you crumbling to pieces.

taking a deep breath, you squared your shoulders and forced yourself to move forward. you passed by a few staff members, nodding curtly in acknowledgement as you hurried by.

your feet carried you swiftly back to the half-bloods’ dormitory, the familiar surroundings a welcome respite from the turmoil brewing inside you. you just wanted to find a quiet corner, lock yourself away, and try to make sense.

as you reached out to open your dorm door, it suddenly swung open with a loud creak, and you were met with a frantic sunoo, his phone clutched in his hand as he paced back and forth across the room. his voice was laced with panic as he spoke into the phone, “i cant find him…” but as his eyes landed on you, his words trailed off, and he rushed towards you, grabbing your arm and pulling you into the room with a mix of relief and urgency. “ill call you later, i found him,” sunoo spat into the phone, his anger and frustration noticeable.

with a loud slam, sunoo shut the door behind you, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity as he turned to face you. “you have 10 seconds to tell me where the hell you were,” he growled, his voice low and menacing, as if daring you to withhold the truth.

you stood there, frozen, as sunoo’s intense gaze bore down on you, making you feel small and vulnerable. you couldn’t meet his eyes, instead, you looked down at your feet, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over you. your voice was barely above a whisper as you began to explain, “they told me they would tell me about the flowers after the swimming tryouts, but i never got the chance to ask them because… you know.”

you wrapped your arms around yourself, seeking comfort, as sunoo’s eyes narrowed, trying to piece together the fragments of your story. “so you went to see them?” he asked, his voice firm, seeking confirmation. “did they tell you?” he pressed on, his impatience growing, as he took a step closer to you.

you shook your head, feeling a mix of emotions: frustration, fear, and disappointment. you turned away from sunoo and walked over to your desk, feeling the need to put some distance between you. sunoo let out a deep breath and plopped down into his coffin, looking relieved that you were safe, but also clearly still stressed. as you stood there, trying to process everything, you told sunoo what jungwon had said, your voice laced with a mix of anger and hurt. “he just told me to forget about it and to stop talking to the person who gave me the damn flowers.”

a heavy silence hung in the air, a palpable tension that seemed to vibrate between you and sunoo. you let out a deep sigh, feeling the weight of your emotions bearing down on you, and slowly laid your head on the desk, the cool surface a welcome respite from the turmoil brewing inside.

for a moment, you just lay there, wondering if it would be easier to just forget the whole thing, to let go of the questions and the fears that had been plaguing you. but as you lay there, you knew you couldn’t just give up, not yet. sunoo’s voice broke the silence, his words low and thoughtful. “whats our next move then?” he asked, his tone a gentle prod, urging you to think, to plan, to take action. you lifted your head, meeting sunoo’s gaze, and knew that you had to keep pushing forward, no matter how daunting the unknown seemed.

“what?” you asked, surprise etched on your face as you stared at sunoo, trying to understand his sudden change in demeanor. sunoo walked over to your desk, his movements fluid and deliberate, and leaned against the edge, his eyes locked onto yours. “white day is tomorrow, if you’ve forgotten,” he said, a hint of amusement dancing in his voice, accompanied by a playful eye roll. but his expression quickly turned serious, his eyes narrowing slightly as he added, “who knows what might happen to you tomorrow with hyunwoo?”

you felt a surge of confusion, your mind racing to keep up with sunoo’s train of thought. “wait, you think i should still go out with him?” you asked, your voice laced with incredulity. sunoo’s expression remained matter-of-fact, his voice steady as he replied, “if shiloh warned you about those flowers, we need to know if hes given those to anyone else.” his words hung in the air, a stark reminder that nothing was as it seemed, and that the truth was still waiting to be uncovered.

sunoo’s words sent a shiver down your spine as you considered the possibility that hyunwoo might be involved in the mysterious events surrounding the flowers. you thought back to the day he gave you the bouquet, his smile and kindness seeming so genuine at the time.

“but why would hyunwoo do that?” you asked, your mind racing with questions and doubts. sunoo’s expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing as he considered the possibilities.

“that’s what we need to find out,” he said finally, his voice low and determined. “if hyunwoo is involved, we need to know what his motives are. and if he’s not… then we need to figure out who is behind this and what they want from you.” sunoo’s words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the danger and uncertainty that lurked around you. you felt a surge of fear, but also a sense of determination. you were ready to face whatever lay ahead, as long as sunoo was by your side.

sunoo’s smirk was infectious, and you couldn’t help but feel a spark of curiosity as he spoke. “and i know the perfect person to ask,” he said, his voice dripping with confidence, as he tossed a cozy jacket in your direction. you caught the jacket, feeling the softness of the fabric as you wrapped it around your shoulders. the warmth and comfort of the jacket were a welcome respite from the chill that had settled in your bones. sunoo’s thoughtful gesture didn’t go unnoticed, and you felt a pang of gratitude towards him.

“who’s that?” you asked, your curiosity getting the better of you, as you zipped up the jacket and felt a sense of coziness wash over you. sunoo’s smirk grew wider, and he seemed to savor the moment before responding.

sunoo’s soft greeting was met with a warm smile from jay, who elegantly wiped his mouth with a napkin before responding. “nice to see you again,” jay said, his voice refined and polished, as he nodded in your direction. you sat down beside sunoo, feeling a bit out of place as you stared at the two of them. you couldn’t help but wonder how jay, with his refined manners and elegant demeanor, could possibly be of help in uncovering the mystery surrounding the flowers.

sunoo seemed to sense your confusion, and he shot you a reassuring glance before turning his attention back to jay. “jay, we need your help with something,” sunoo said, his voice low and serious, as he leaned forward slightly in his seat. jay’s expression turned curious, and he raised an eyebrow, inviting sunoo to continue.

“we’re trying to figure out some information about hyunwoo,” sunoo said, his eyes locked onto jay’s, as if searching for any sign of knowledge or recognition. jay’s expression remained neutral, but you noticed a faint flicker of interest in his eyes.

“what kind of information?” jay asked, his voice measured and cautious, as he leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together in a thoughtful gesture.

sunoo hesitated for a moment, as if unsure how much to reveal, before responding. “we’re trying to find out if he’s involved in something… suspicious,” sunoo said, his voice low and serious, as he glanced around the room, ensuring they were not being overheard. jay’s expression turned thoughtful, and he nodded slowly, as if processing the information. “i see,” he said, his voice dripping with intrigue. “and what makes you think hyunwoo might be involved in something… suspicious?” sunoo and you share a glance. “i just want to know if hes seeing anyone else.” you quickly come up with a lie, “he gave me flowers recently and i need to know if he gave anyone else any? theyre black dahlias-”

“no,” jay said bluntly, a sly smile spreading across his face as he raised his glass of deer blood drink to his lips. he took a sip, his eyes never leaving yours, as if savoring the moment. you and sunoo let out a synchronized sigh, feeling a pang of disappointment at jay’s initial response. but then, jay’s expression turned thoughtful, and he set his drink down, his movements elegant and deliberate. “but i can see what i can do about the playboy stuff,” he said, his voice low and smooth, as he leaned forward, his eyes glinting with intrigue. you felt a spark of hope ignite within you, and you exchanged a hopeful glance with sunoo, wondering what jay might be able to uncover.

“great,” sunoo said, a flirtatious smile spreading across his face as he pulled out his phone. he navigated to the contact page, his eyes locked onto jay’s as he asked, “how about you give me your number and you let us know if you find anything out?” he gestured to the phone, his movements fluid and confident.

jay’s eyes flicked to yours, a raised brow asking a silent question. you smiled and closed your eyes, a gentle nod encouraging him to play along. jay nodded, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes, and rattled off his phone number. as you and sunoo stood up to leave, jay asked, “how would i text you if you have my number?” his voice was laced with a hint of dry humor, but sunoo just winked at him, a mischievous glint in his eye. “look forward to my text!” sunoo said, his voice dripping with flirtation, as he sashayed away, his hips swaying in an exaggerated motion. jay scoffed, shaking his head as he watched sunoo walk away, a look of bemusement on his face. he wasn’t sure what he had just gotten himself into, but he had a feeling it was going to be interesting. at least he had one answer - hyunwoo had indeed given you those flowers.

“this has to be a joke. hyunwoo, of all people?!” heeseung exclaimed, his voice laced with incredulity, as he held a basketball next to his hip. jay and their friends were in the midst of a lively game, shooting balls into the hoop with varying degrees of success.

jay confirmed heeseung’s suspicions with a nod, his eyes fixed on the ball as he dribbled it with precision before shooting it into the hoop. the ball swooshed through the net, a satisfying sound that echoed through the gymnasium.

heeseung’s eyes widened as a thought struck him. “you think he’s doing it just to get back at me for that time at lunch?” he asked jay, his voice tinged with concern.

but jay’s response was not what heeseung had expected. instead of offering words of comfort or reassurance, jay met heeseung’s gaze with a dead stare. “doesn’t seem like y/n really cares about you that much,” jay said bluntly, his voice devoid of emotion, as he nodded in greeting to another guy who walked into the gymnasium.

heeseung’s face fell, and he looked like he had been punched in the gut. “y/n? i was talking about hyunwoo…now i’m even more worried,” he said, his voice laced with heartache. he threw the basketball away from him and trudged over to the bench, collapsing onto it with a defeated look.

jay’s expression softened as he watched his friend struggle with his emotions. he knew heeseung still cared deeply for you, and he could see the pain and worry etched on his face. jay walked over to the bench and sat down beside heeseung, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “if it makes you feel better, y/n thinks hyunwoo’s not loyal,” jay said, his voice low and gentle, as he tried to offer his friend some measure of comfort.

heeseung’s eyes lifted, and he looked at jay with a mixture of sadness and curiosity. “really?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. jay nodded, his expression serious. “yeah, i got that impression from talking to him,” he said, his eyes locked onto heeseung’s.

heeseung’s gaze drifted away, his eyes fixed on some point across the gymnasium. jay could almost see the wheels turning in his friend’s mind as he processed this new information. after a moment, heeseung spoke up, his voice laced with determination. “i need to talk to y/n,” he said, his eyes snapping back into focus. jay raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. “you think that’s a good idea?” he asked, his voice skeptical. heeseung nodded, his jaw set in a firm line. “yeah, i need to know what’s going on,” he said, his voice firm. jay sighed, shaking his head. “let me rephrase that, i dont think its a good idea,” he said, standing up and offering heeseung a hand up.

heeseung let out a deep sigh, his shoulders sagging in defeat. “i don’t know what to do,” he admitted, his voice laced with frustration and uncertainty. jay’s expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing as he considered his friend’s dilemma.

the sound of shoes squeaking on the polished floor filled the air, punctuated by the occasional shout or laugh as the guys played their intense game of 1v1. jay’s gaze drifted out onto the court, his eyes watching the players as he thought. after a moment, he turned back to heeseung, a suggestion forming on his lips. “maybe you should try to get to know someone else,” jay said, his voice measured and thoughtful. “white day is tomorrow, remember?” he added, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

heeseung’s eyes widened slightly, a look of surprise crossing his face. but as jay’s words sank in, a glimmer of interest sparked in his eyes. maybe, just maybe, jay’s suggestion was exactly what he needed to take his mind off things and move forward.

“wait, you’re gonna ask someone out tomorrow?” one of the boys in their friend group asked, his hands on his knees as he panted from playing basketball. his eyes sparkled with curiosity, and he looked at heeseung with a mixture of surprise and amusement.

“who?” another boy chimed in, his voice laced with excitement. the group began to gather around, their faces filled with anticipation.

one of the boys, still chuckling from his exertions, grinned mischievously. “he’s gotta try to talk to some of the single half-bloods that are practically pure-bloods, those are the hottest ones,” he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. heeseung’s eyes lit up, and he added, “yeah, y/n was like that…” but his words trailed off as he met the glares of his friends. he winced, realizing his mistake, and quickly added, “or uh, woonggi?” the group burst out laughing, their teasing and jokes filling the air. “woonggi? are you kidding? he’d eat you alive,” one of them joked, and the others chimed in, their laughter and banter creating a lively atmosphere.

“lets try to stay away from anyone close to y/n as well,” jay said, his voice laced with caution, as if warning heeseung of potential danger. heeseung let out a resigned sigh, “yeah, alright,” he agreed, his shoulders sagging slightly in defeat.

jay glanced down at his phone, checking the time, before looking back up at heeseung. “ive gotta head somewhere, but ill meet you in quad later?” he asked, his voice casual, as he passed the ball to heeseung.

but instead of a gentle toss, the ball shot towards heeseung with unnatural speed, making him cough as he struggled to catch it. “you didnt have to use your ability, you know…” heeseung hissed, his eyes narrowing in annoyance. jay just saluted him, a mischievous glint in his eye, before turning and walking away, leaving heeseung to nurse his bruised chest and pride.

woonggi was lounging by the window, the cool night breeze drifting in through the open pane as he relaxed. he sat up, his eyes fixed on you as he asked, “so we’re just waiting on a text now?” his voice was casual, but his gaze was intent.

you nodded, your mouth full of medicine supplements that were supposed to help you heal faster. being a half-blood was a constant reminder of your limitations - you were practically 50% worse at everything compared to the pure-bloods. the “half” part of your heritage was a constant source of frustration. you swallowed the supplements in one gulp, feeling the bitter taste linger on your tongue. “yes, i told you that three times already,” you said, your voice a bit irritated, but woonggi just chuckled and leaned back against the window frame.

sunoo, meanwhile, was changing into his loungewear, shedding his school uniform in favor of comfortable clothes. “woonggi, make yourself useful,” sunoo said, his voice lazy, as he gestured to the small kitchenette in the corner of the room.

woonggi raised an eyebrow, but he didn’t argue. instead, he pushed himself away from the window and ambled over to the kitchenette. “what do you want me to do?” he asked, his voice drawling slightly as he opened the small refrigerator and peered inside.

sunoo flopped down onto the couch, looking relieved to be out of his uniform. “can you make some tea?” he asked, his eyes closing in anticipation. “i’m exhausted.”

woonggi snorted, but he started rummaging through the cupboards, looking for tea leaves and a pot. you watched him, feeling a sense of gratitude towards your friends. despite the challenges you faced as a half-blood, you knew you could always count on sunoo and woonggi to have your back. as woonggi worked on making tea, sunoo started to drift off to sleep, his chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm. you smiled, feeling a sense of peace wash over you. for a moment, at least, everything felt okay.

suddenly, the loud ping of an incoming message echoed through the room, making everyone freeze. the atmosphere was electric as everyone scrambled towards sunoo, who quickly reached for his phone. “what is it?!” woonggi asked, his voice tinged with excitement, as he knelt beside sunoo.

sunoo’s eyes scanned the screen, his expression intent. “it’s jay,” he announced, his voice neutral. he handed the phone to you, and you quickly read through the text messages. jay’s messages were brief, but they sent a shockwave through the room. “fortunately, hyunwoo is loyal,” the first message read. but the second message was the one that made your heart skip a beat. “unfortunately, it seems the guys in his friend group are giving the same type of flowers to their crush. no originality..”

you looked up at sunoo, your eyes wide with shock. “they’re giving them to other people too,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper. woonggi grabbed the phone from you, his eyes scanning the messages as well. as he read, a smirk spread across his face. “why did you add a heart to his contact…?” he asked, his voice teasing, as he raised an eyebrow at sunoo.

So runs my dream, but what am I?
An infant crying in the night
An infant crying for the light
And with no language but a cry.

Lord Alfred Tennyson

Ania Tomicka, “Aeterna Nox (Eternal night)”, 2022, oil on canvas,
B. 1985 in Łódz, Poland.

me n pxson

2022

“I sung of Chaos and eternal Night…”

- John Milton

When I walk into bright sunlight, I feel like I’ve developed an instant hangover. Is this what it feels like to be a vampire? Am I a vampire?!

A commission I got from @cawhawhaw

Alastor from Hazbin and my character Lolita having tea. HOW this happened I dunno, I expect he showed up on her doorstep much like the pilot, and Lolita is way too polite to send someone away XD

Understandbly, shes nervous. Al is VERY charming, but, terrifying. You have no idea what hes gonna do it can be very unpredictable.

A mate of mine introduced me to this old cartoon. HOW HAD I NEVER HEARD IT BEFORE?!

Its called the “Baskervilles”. You got this guy called the Boss who has made an Underworld theme park, were bad is good, and vice versa. Basically like the Addams family? Monster side characters, skeletons vampires etc, gross food scary plantlife.

The Boss comes off as man who loves to inflict misery. In the most minute irratating detials. An itch you cant scratch, soap in your eye, ripping your pants, etc etc

So of course making a couple of GOOD little monsters like Drake and Peter laugh against there will, the most foul use of tickle torture, I’m sure would be right up his alley. The feather is even plucked from Peter’s own wings!! Oh the humanity! And it wont long till its Drakes turn.

Incase theres any confusion, I re-used Hector from “Coco” as Hetty’s uncle  Kinda an AU I guess. Thats also why he has a diffrent last name, “Victor”

Hector and his brother Alejandro are Mexican immigrants who moved to England as young men. Hetty’s mother Emily was british. A week or so before her due date however, Alejandro and Emily got into a car accident. They died almost instantly, at least they didnet feel anything, and the paramedics were able to deliver baby Hetty via emergency c section.

Hector had a lot to deal with. He had just started his Coffee Shop, only to get the call his brother and sister and law were dead. Not even having much time to process, Hetty under hospital care for a few days to make sure she was alright.

Finding himself suddenly a guardian on top of that, but, she needed him.