#woonggi soft packs

[sucker4mafia]

━━━ '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!]

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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.

[aquawyzoh]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ： ਏਓ ﹏ woonggi ıcσns! ♡

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ᥣᥲ dol꯭cᥱ vıtᥲ. ─ 私の最初の愛

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ♡ 𖥻 lɩkᥱ оr rᥱblog ! ❑ ’ 🔎

αest by wαzo, on eα – αmıno.

[golchaworld]

Ups and Downs | J. KH

➳ pairing: jang kyungho x fem!reader

➳ genre: best friends to lovers!au, college!au, fluff, minimal angst

➳ word count: ~2.9k

➳ warnings: none :)

➳ summary: being jang kyungho’s best friend has its ups and downs. luckily, you’re around for the biggest up of all.

A/N: this is a repost and I despise tumblr for deleting the original!

The clock above the whiteboard ticks slowly.  The petite black hand moves amongst the marks in between the large numbers, making a satisfying ‘click’ as it moves on.  Once it passes the bolded eleven, you count down the seconds.

Five.  Four.  Three.  Two.  One.

The professor looks up from her presentation with a sigh.  She glances down at her watch, as if the time projected on both her laptop and the large analog are both incorrect.  She clears her throat, fixes her blazer, and then dismisses the lecture.

A smile instantly rises on your face, as you begin to pack up your things.  There’s ups and downs of only having one class on Fridays, and getting dismissed is easily one of the best parts.  The only thing that compares is the fact that the class is dismissed at noon, leaving you up to your own devices for the rest of the day.

The biggest up, however, is the smiling face that’s always waiting for you right outside of your lecture hall.

As you push through the double doors, and walk out into the hallway, you spot a familiar figure leaning up against the opposite wall.  When said figure notices you, he breaks out into a smile, chubby cheeks curling upwards and eyes disappearing into crescents.  Warmth instantly floods your core, the way it always does around Kyungho.

The tall boy greets you with a hug, arms fit snugly around your middle.  You take in the familiar scent of his cologne which always contrasts the chemically smell of his hairspray, mixing in a way that’s distinctly Kyungho. 

When Kyungho releases you from his hold, he’s still smiling.  “How was class?”

“I can’t tell you.  I fell asleep within the first ten minutes and woke up five minutes before the lecture was over.”

Your best friend rolls his eyes in response, beginning the walk back to your dorm.

The two of you walk side by side, nudging each other gently as you make your way to the dorms.  Girls oogle at Kyungho as they pass by, giggling and whispering at glimpses of the boy.  If Kyungho notices, he doesn’t show any sign of it, choosing instead to keep engaging you in conversation as you walk.

It’s not until the two of you are sprawled about your dorm do you realize why the girls seemed more excited than usual today.  Kyungho’s defined arms and sides are exposed by the deep cuts of his muscle tee, showcasing the milky skin beautifully.  You find yourself unable to look away once you notice the fact, admiring the way Kyungho’s build has changed from a chubby little kid to the muscular man he is now.

It’s not a secret that Kyungho is nothing short of gorgeous.  You’ve always been able to appreciate his sharp jawline and rounded cheeks, his infectious smile.  He has a gorgeous personality to match his gorgeous looks, too.  Kyungho has always been polite, funny, and smart, every girl’s dream.

You’ve grown up with the talk of how perfect your best friend is, coming from both girls in school and jealous mothers who have tried to set him up with their daughters.  Coming from a small town, Jang Kyungho was the apple of everyone’s eye.  And if he still is, well then that’s no one’s business.

You can’t remember a time without Kyungho, and you suspect that’s because you two met before you were even born. Your mothers had been in the same prenatal class and became fast friends before either you or Kyungho graced the earth. 

Due to this, the two of you have always been attached at the hip. From playing in the sandbox to studying for college entrance exams, Kyungho has always been by your side, proudly claiming the title of your best friend. 

Even as he thinned out and gained muscle, even when girls began to fawn over him and drop love notes in his locker, he was always just Kyungho. Your Kyungho.  And for you, there wasn’t anything without Kyungho. 

“You know,” the muscular boy says as he lay across your dorm room bed. “I have a date tomorrow.”

Your eyebrows shoot upwards. “Really?”

Kyungho has never been one to date. No matter how many people have confessed to him over the years, he has always turned them down, claiming that he doesn’t need a significant other. You wonder what has changed so suddenly. 

“Yeah,” Kyungho sighs. “Jisu was telling me about this girl in his mechanical engineering class, and she’s kind of cute, so I asked her out.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

Your cheeks are warm, and you don’t quite know why. You’ve never imagined Kyungho with another girl, and the thought leaves a sour taste in your mouth.  You choose to shrug it off, however, looking over at Kyungho’s pile of limbs on your bed. 

“Where are you guys going to go for your date?”

Kyungho smiles softly. “I wanted to do something kind of different, so we’re going bowling, and then grabbing food.”

Something twists in your stomach at the admission. Saturday night bowling was a tradition the both of your families picked up when you and Kyungho were little. Each family would pile into the car and drive thirty minutes to the closest bowling alley and spend the entire night enjoying friendly competition. 

“You haven’t been bowling since we got to college.” Your eyebrows furrow, trying to make sense of the sinking pit in your stomach. 

“I know,” Kyungho laughs, momentarily easing the gross feeling in your stomach. “Hopefully I don’t suck. I don’t wanna make a fool of myself.”

“Yeah.”

The silence that follows isn’t exactly comfortable. It has an air of awkwardness, a disconnect palpable between the two of you. Throughout the lifetime you’ve spent with Kyungho, you can’t recall a time where you’ve ever felt awkward around him. You guess that there’s a first for everything. 

.        .        .

Another “up” of Friday is the evening activities that your entire friend group gets up to. At around 9pm, everyone piles into your upperclassmen friends’ shared apartment, ready to spill all of the stories that you haven’t been able to tell each other during the week. 

Donggeon is the first to welcome you into his apartment when you and Kyungho arrive together. He squeezes you all too tight, as usual, often forgetting his own strength. He greets Kyungho with a much less forceful hug before motioning both of you further into the apartment. 

It seems that the two of you are the last to arrive, seeing as all of your friends are sprawled about the tiny living room, watching Chihoon and Jisu play an intense round of Mortal Kombat. 

“Lover boy and Y/N are here!” Donggeon calls as he slips into a spot on the couch. 

Kyungho calls out in protest. “Don’t call me lover boy! How’d you even know, anyway?”

“I may have let it slip to Woonggi,” Jisu calls, never once taking his eyes off the screen. “And you know, once it reaches Woonggi, everyone knows.”

Woonggi yells an offended “hey,” while the rest of the guys laugh. You take the opportunity to slide next to Chanhyuk on the floor, smiling as the older boy brings you into a side hug. You sigh as the rest of the boys bicker, resting your head on Chan’s shoulder. The boy shoots you a concerned glance. 

“What’s wrong?”

You just sigh, leaning further into your friend’s touch. 

“Will you tell me later?”

The genuine concern in Chanhyuk’s eyes has you nodding softly. He gives you a soft smile, squeezing your shoulder in a way that has you subconsciously smiling. 

However, your little bubble is burst by an angry Jisu threatening to throw the video game controller at Chihoon’s head. Chanhyuk sighs, moving to intervene. You watch from your seat as he de-arms Jisu and tosses the game controller to Jeyou. Chanhyuk rolls his eyes as he sits back down next to you, taking you into his arms once again. 

You watch as the scene before you melts into a calm pool of familiarity that only comes with spending every Friday night like this. Humans are creatures of habit, proven by all of your friends falling into their regular roles. From Sungmin and Woonggi bickering on the floor to Donggeon and Kyungho digging into a Chinese food container, everyone has relaxed into their Friday night role. 

You can’t remember a time without the Friday nights in Donggeon, Chihoon, and Chanhyuk’s shared dorm, seeing as the tradition preceded you. Chanhyuk loves to tell the story of the three of them in their freshman year, fumbling with a way to catch up with each other through the chaos of college. As their group grew, so did their Friday night hangouts, welcoming you and Kyungho in with open arms. 

It isn’t until later that you get time alone to speak with Chanhyuk. You lean up against the kitchen counter while the boy fumbles his way through washing the dishes. All of the other boys are either passed out from exhaustion or on their way to doing so, leaving the apartment with the quiet hum of the video game home screen. 

“Kyungho’s going on a date,” you state, breaking the quiet aura that surrounds you. “It’s tomorrow.”

Chanhyuk nods, not taking his eyes off of the dishes. “That’s what’s bothering you?”

You sigh, instantly feeling heat rise to your cheeks. “No, it’s not bothering me. It’s just...weird.”

“Why is it weird?”

“Kyungho, like, has never dated before.”

“So?” Chanhyuk shrugs. “He’s 19. Normal 19 year olds date. That includes you.”

“Shut up! This isn’t about me.” You don’t have to look at your reflection to know that you’re blushing. “It’s just that I’m confused why he’s dating now.”

The older man shuts off the tap, drying off the last plate and pair of chopsticks. You find yourself watching as soapy suds swirl down the drain. When you look up, Chan is smiling at you softly. 

“Did you expect him to stay single forever?”

The question takes you by surprise. Truthfully, you’ve never thought about the future of you and your best friend. You’ve always been content to live in the way things are. Kyungho’s your best friend. You can’t imagine him being anyone else’s. 

“I mean…” you mull over your words. “I don’t really expect anything. I guess I never thought that we would get to this point.”

Chanhyuk chuckles softly, drying his hands on a nearby dishtowel. Afterwards, he’s quick to bring you into a hug, kissing the crown of your head and squeezing you tight. 

“Do yourself a favor, Y/N. Think about why it matters if Kyungho starts dating. He’ll still be your best friend.”

“Yeah,” you roll your eyes. “But he’ll be someone else’s boyfriend.”

Chanhyuk hides a knowing smile in your hair, beginning to rock you side to side in his embrace. “I know.  I know.”

.        .        .

The bliss of Saturday morning is sweet like molasses. You allow yourself to wake up naturally, no alarm needed. You enjoy your coffee and cereal at your desk, catching up on the week’s YouTube videos while the warmth from the sunlight grazes your entire body. 

Eventually, the sticky-sweet morning fades into a citrusy afternoon, filled with warmth and the tang of unfinished homework staring you in the face. When it becomes too sour, you roll your eyes, slide on a hoodie, and get to work in the comfort of your dorm. 

You barely notice as the dark chocolate evening begins to set in, the deep blue offsetting the grapefruit sunset that streaks the sky. When you look up, you check the time. 7:23pm, exactly 7 minutes before your best friend goes on his date. The bitterness of the chocolate night finally settles in your mouth. 

You’re unable to wallow in the rich nothingness of the night, however. It’s only three minutes to 7:30 when a loud knock resonates through your dorm room. Although the sound startles you, you’re reluctant to get up and leave the comfort of your bed. However, when the same knock sounds again, except this time more frantic, you suck it up and approach the door. 

The last person you expect to see is Kyungho. He’s dressed to the nine, blonde hair slicked back artfully. His black shirt is tucked into too-tight black jeans, the top few buttons undone. Your breath catches in your throat. 

“What are you—“

Kyungho is quick to cut you off. “You were supposed to stop me. You weren’t supposed to let me go.”

“What are you talking about?”

The man before you pushes his way into the dorm, although only a few inches. He lets the door close behind him, and only at the loud slam do you suddenly realize how close he is. You can smell his Chanel cologne, the same one you bought him as a graduation gift. 

“How could you just let me?” Kyungho sounds frantic, eyes flicking over your face wildly. “Were you really okay with it?”

“Are you talking about your date?” You swallow back your nerves. “It’s not my place to stop you.”

A large hand slides around your waist, its warmth palpable through the thick fabric. Kyungho uses the opportunity to pull you close, until you stand toe to toe, your painted toenails brushing the tips of his nice dress shoes. 

“Of course it was your place. It was about you. It’s always about you.”

You’re nose to nose now, an imperceptible gravity pulling the two of you closer and closer. 

“Kyungho, what—”

Your thought is instantly cut off. “Can I kiss you?”

Before your brain can catch up, you’re nodding reflexively. The beginnings of a smile curl at the corners of Kyungho’s lips. He leans in slowly, noses brushing as he places a short, chaste kiss on your lips. 

He begins to lean away, but you stop him before he can get too far, hooking your arms around his broad shoulders. You instinctively bring him back in for another kiss, this one much less chaste than before. 

You’re quick to deepen the kiss, savoring Kyungho’s soft lips against yours. Your best friend is quick to catch up though, licking across the seam of your lips to ask for entrance. You comply easily, and it’s not until you feel Kyungho’s tongue slide against yours that your brain fully catches up. 

You’re making out with Kyungho. You’re making out with your best friend. And he’s making out with you. Why isn’t it weird? Why does it feel so right?

Panic bubbles in your chest, causing you to break the kiss.  You take a few steps backwards, out of your best friend’s hold.  You can’t bring yourself to open your eyes just yet, knowing you’re not prepared for whatever Kyungho holds in his gaze.

You take a deep breath, then another.  Your chest rises and falls.  You let yourself open your eyes.

Kyungho’s eyes are wide, intently trained on your face.  Something swims in the edges of his gaze, and you can’t put your finger on it.  However, you sweep those thoughts from your mind, needing clarification before you continue on any longer.

“Why did you do that?”  You let your fingertips trace along your bottom lip, still tingling from the pressure of Kyungho’s lips against it.  “You kissed me.”

Instantly, Kyungho panics.  “You nodded!  I thought...I mean I thought that was a yes.  Normally when people nod that’s an affirmative right?  So you nodded and I--”

“No.  I wanted you to.  But why?”

“I thought you knew.”

“Knew what?”

“That I’m in love with you.”

There must be something in your eyes that signals your surprise, because Kyungho begins to stumble over his words.  His hands are moving wildly as he tries to rectify his words.

“I mean, you’re my best friend so of course I love you.  But then Jisu made me ask out that girl, and the whole time I wanted it to be you.  I wanted us to go bowling and get dinner and hold hands and not in the way we do now, you know?  I want...I just want you.”

All you can hear is the blood rushing through your ears, heart pumping at a mile a minute.  Your entire abdomen is flooded with warmth, a rush of butterflies fluttering from your pelvis up to your throat.  Once again, you take account of Kyungho, of his attire, his slicked back hair, his Chanel cologne.

The butterflies flutter harder.

“Me too.  I think...well, I think I want you too.”

Kyungho’s eyes light up in a way that you haven’t seen since you both got admitted to the same university.  His eyes used to light up that way when he got a strike in family bowling, or when you shared your ice cream with him on a hot day.  The light in his eyes gives glimpses of your past, but it also brightens up your future.

It’s then that Kyungho crosses the space and pulls you into an embrace.  It’s all too tight, the kind of embrace you trap someone in when you’re afraid of letting them go.  But there’s something familiar in Kyungho’s touch, something reverent.

You find yourself nuzzling further into his hold.  His Chanel cologne is even more fragrant in the crook of his neck, and you find yourself smiling at the familiar scent. The palm he has placed on the small of your back is warm, displacing your hoodie as he rubs at the skin there.

Up and down.  Up and down.