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sucker4mafia · 3 days ago

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━━━ '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!]

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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?"

"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.

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