Chapter Text
Present
In summer, the sound of buzzing could be heard around the temple. It is a place where people gather to visit and pray. They pray sincerely for the summer that has passed and for the one ahead.
A group of seven people is also arriving, each carrying a vary of emotions that can be seen on their faces as they prepare to visit the temple again. With newfound determination and hopes for blessings, they come as the event takes place.
Just because why?
Why?
Holding onto their mixed emotions, all of them carry a deep trauma connected to the temple, more like a grief that feels right to be named.
The laughter of children passing by fills the scene as they run toward the main temple. The immersive scenery tugs at their smiles naturally, decorating their faces with joy. Maybe, it isn’t as bad as they thought. This is just part of daily life, the journey the seven people must go through, like any other summer season, greeting them after 200 years of grief.
"Jongho…" a woman called from a distance as she approached the little boy dressed in a white garment. His attire matched that of the children who had passed by just a few minutes ago.
“You can’t wander around by yourself, lets stick together as a group with your brothers, hum?” the woman in soothes tone. And the kid, Jongho, just nodded for answer, he take the hands of the older women for his hold. Bothe of them walking straight to the main temple as well.
“hyung ….” The youngest from that group in whisper call, after sighting their interaction. His hands in trembling for reaching his hyung arm, holding it so tight. His gesture attracted all his companion mate, centered their gaze to the child, strarring in wonder with his figure, the grieving feeling suddenly fades away.
======= ꙱ =======
200 years early
When people only know a simple life, living in a small village nestled between the forest, they hold faith that any creature resembling evil exists for a reason. Humans, as one kind, are tasked with protecting the presence of nature.
Auntum season always bad, that is, it is really bad.
The weather is freezing, especially at midnight, making it difficult to wander through the forest. The hunter grumbles about his misfortune, yet he must remain cautious of his surroundings. His complaints echo through the eerie night, met only by the silence of the darkness. With sarcasm, he portrays how ‘great and perfect’ his luck is at this moment. Determined, he mumbles to himself, "I need a good nap after this hassle and won’t be taking any appointments next season"
Rushing his footsteps, the hunter takes his route toward home, knowing his cabin will soon appear around the corner of the forest. He suddenly halts, spotting something odd—his ears catching a hushed voice and light footsteps. He freezes in place, scanning his surroundings carefully to find the source.
"We got away from their tail" someone whispered
“but, we have to stop the bleeding, before coming home?!” another one supply in anxiety
The hunter listened carefully to their conversation, his alertness guiding him as he moved toward the source with light steps. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword, ready to strike—it could be launched from his shoulder at any moment. Slowing his pace, he crept closer to the sound, hoping to catch them in time or at least not lose track of them. Steadying his breath, he focused his sight in the dark. A faint glimpse of shadows emerged, revealing the figures of three people.
With his heightened alertness, the hunter sensed a negative aura surrounding the strangers, sending a chilling sensation down his spine as he drew closer. Within seconds, he changed his pace, sprinting straight toward them. He launched his sword at one of them, aiming at their unguarded back from behind. Too stunned to react, the strangers late to realize to dodge the anonymous attacker who sought to harm them. At right timing, a man whome holding a swords launched his strike to the unguarded strangers. The hunter needed to strike his sword to stop the unknown threat. His frustration showed as he grunted in annoyance mid-fight, his eyes glaring furiously in defense. The strangers stood frozen in shock before collapsing onto the ground, holding onto one another tightly, only now realizing the sudden commotion before them. Suddenly, a man wielding swords was holding back a clawed creature that had been about to attack them all. Gripping his hilt even tighter, the hunter steeled himself with determination to end the fight. He delivered his final strike, stabbing the clawed creature directly in the chest, bringing its threat to an end.
Convinced that the clawed creature was truly dead, the hunter finally felt at ease after vanquishing the evil being, just another demon's companion. He turned to face the trio of strangers, who were still clinging to each other.
‘Don’t you know that when a demon is on the hunt, they always have a lackey or a pet?’ he hissed
“we .. we …. We thought, we lose it from their tail?!” the stranger stammered to answer, his cat eyes dilated around
“and you killed it already?!” the others exclaim, holding someone more closer to his chest in protectively
Breath out in harsh, the hunter cursed the bad luck that tailed his night up until now. “then go, its not safe to be here, as this is the place where their companion died”
Readiying for leaving them behind, the hunter saw a blood seeping from an open wound from one of them, one of them, their stomach had been clawed open. He hated the instinct stirring within him, but his gut refused to stay silent. Some whisperer inside his brain talked themselves.
Sensing the hunter looking at them in deep stare, the smallest figure keep holding tighter the wounded one to his embrace. “what are you looking for??” he snap, the wounded one just try to act cool while catching up his breathing, looking back to the hunter in wary, he seen the hunter sighing
Taking a small knife and a bottle from his side, the hunter sliced his palm. A gasp can be heard from the strangers after what they witnessing. Soon, the small bottle was filled with his blood, and he handed it to the one of them. That made the cat-like eyes flicker warily, darting back and forth between their companion.
“what is that?” the wounded one asking in whisper.
“take and drink it, it'll healed your wound soon” the hunter handling the small bottle to the cat-like eyes, he take it carefully
“is that a blood” the smallest one said, “why a blood from yours and the healing thing related?”
“as a far I know, it could help your wound and going back to wherever you are” the hunter said and walk away, leaving the strangers behind in speechless after
Later on, one of them speak up, “it’s edible??” the smallest one asking
“since when, we couldn’t drink a blood??” the cat-like eyes scoff
“I don’t know, maybe it’s had poison” he answer, scrunching up his eyes to sighting the smallest bottle
“it his blood from a fresh wound if you can remember except if his blood already poisoned” the wounded one speaks bassed of the fact, “give it to me” he added
The cat-like eyes handed it with caution, “and if it killed you??” the smallest meekly ask
The wounded one hinder his companion question, drink it in one gulp and make eye contact to the both of them, “did I die?” he asked, the cat-like eyes exhale and shake his head rapidly
“Let's go, we need to head back to the coven. If we stay here any longer, we might end up dying at the hands of our head coven” the wounded one added, he lean out his hands, asking for guidance to stand up, both his companion mate helped him to stand with worry
“I’m sorry, sangie ..” the smallest one said his apology
The cat-like eyes patting the smallest figure shoulder in lightly, and yeosang grab his arm in tight for some assurance. They walk through the forest, all heading toward the same destination.
======= ꙱ =======
At river side, a sunset illuminate on the surface of river. Two people walk leisurely, enjoying their stroll. From distance, they could smell a blood, to found a wounded fox on the ground. They seen that fox having hard time for breath and his side leaking out some blood. One of them running to the fox in worry and taking hold to his chest.
“It’s that a fox?” the tallest one asking, reaching his friends side
“ it is, and bleeding” answer him, he had a figure of the same height as his friends, it just, he is not as tall like him, “we need to helping him” he added, make eye contact to his friend with the saddest gaze and teary eyes
“mingi-ya, I know, but our coven is far from here. How can we possibly help him?” the tallest one said in softly with apologeticly eyes, “I want to help him too"
In the meantime, someone running to approach them of both, standing right in front them in panted, “give it to me” the newcomer said, he has small figure and looks much younger than them. Made two of them startled and looking back to the younger one in wonder, “give him to me?!” the younger in sudden yelled at them with his hand reaching the fox at
“why would we?” the tallest one asking, gestured for shielding his friend and the fox to stand behind him
The younger one inhaling and exhale at one time, “I want to heal him” he said in softly, changing his tone drastically, “so, please give it to me”
The tallest one starring in skeptical to the younger one, he felt the younger one tell a lie, soon he sided his head to make eye contact with his friends.
“can you just holding it, while I give my treatment on him?” the younger asked
After them all let the time sitting in the silence for a minute, relucantly, the tallest giving the younger space in hesistate, revealing the wounded fox to him. The younger approach them more closer and kneeling in front them, reaching a small knife from his pocket and sliced open his palm. Right away he squeezing his palm and giving his blood right onto the mouth fox for he need to drink. It shocking the two of them, to witnessing the gesture from the younger one, the more surprising is, that fox drinking the blood in greedily.
“‘s it really safe?" Mingi asked, carefully scanning the younger before glancing back and forth between his friend. His friend just examine the situation and keep his silent. And then the younger stopped for giving his blood, after sometime the fox giving some reaction. The ears and his tail in twitch to shown his movement.
Within second later, the fox open his pearl eyes while squinting. Glancing up to his surrounding with a chirp. The younger sighing in relief and fall on his butt. To found familiar figure in front him, the fox launched himself in action to the younger embrace, chirping in excitedly and licked his face.
“ugh, that’s enough, you know I don’t like it?!” the younger holding the fox in gentler more closer to his chest
“ehem ..” the tallest figure notify his presence, starring to the younger with his soft gaze and lean out his hand for he take
Looking up, the younger didnt take the help from him, just doing by himself to stand up while holding the fox. “thank you” the younger said added his bow to them both, he finally realize how tall them both, their figure, looks like a giants when he stand in front them
“we didn’t do anything, it's on you doing all of it by yourself” mingi said while smilling
“ah .. well then, thank you for accompany him for a while” the younger shown his sincere gesture. “I’ll be going” he started his step for walked
“wait up, to where??” the tallest asking, the younger stopped his track and scrunching up his nose. Cute. The other one thought
“I need to escorted the fox back to his group” The younger one tell to the duo giants, both of them just making 'o' sound and nodding. “then” the younger added while turn around.
“wait?!” mingi holding the younger shoulder, “your palm still bleeding” his worry resurfaces
The younger looked down to his palm, “it’s fine”
“an open wound are not fine, give me your hand” mingi order, the younger one surprise and took his step to the back a little
“we dont bite, we just want to treat your wound” the tallest said with gentle tone
“please ..” mingi plea
Slowly, the younger giving his wounded hand to mingi reach, while the other hand still holding the fox. The tallest one reaching his handkerchief from his pocket, giving it to mingi. Then mingi in gently taking the younger hand and tied the handkerchief to cover his wound.
“thank you” the younger in whisper said, sighting in awe to the bandages handkerchief
“that’s not much helping” mingi assure, "please treating your wound more carefully when you back at home” the tallest added. The younger nodded and backing off, leaving them both.
“did you know about this?” the tallest one asking to his friend
“if someone told me, any blood can heal the wound? I don’t know, no some gossip about that” mingi answer while walking away. Soon the tallest follow suit.
======= ꙱ =======
The short one holding the tallest figure while running, pushing forward despite the seeming futility of their attempt. They kept running, even as exhaustion drained their energy, each step unsteady, their footing stumbling again and again. Tightening his grip, the shorter one refused to let go, determined not to leave his companion behind. He made sure, at all costs, that the tallest one stayed close to him.
“seonghwa, please don’t give up, let’s keep moving” the short one in plea
Breathing heavily, Seonghwa tried to keep his pace in sync with his companion. But he know, their predator not giving them any break. Running are still their solution then.
Both of them stumble down, “hwa, hwa” the short one scramble to reaching his spot, after the fall. “I got you, I got you” he assured and holding seonghwa tight
“joong, just leave me here, please …” seonghwa in plea, “go back to the our coven first” he added
“no hwa, not about that again, we can leave as together, together” hongjoong state, “let’s try again, up hwa, we need to move” he said. But his attempt was pointless. Seonghwa refused to get up, resisting his hold.
“joong, you know, we both can’t, but you can, it’s the safest, so please, baby .. ” seonghwa cupping hongjoong face with both his hand. Blood on his hand marking hongjoong face, hoping for hongjoong understand his concern.
Shaking his head, “no hwa, it is me the one making you got hurt, it’s me to take you there, it’s my fault to make our situation ended like this, I can’t hwa, please … don’t make me leaving you, don’t push me away” hongjoong in beg, he cried for his stupid act, to make his seonghwa in bloody like this, still, them both in running from their predator. Hongjoong just want seonghwa to understand, he can’t leaving him behind, he couldnt do anything if he leaving seonghwa to be here by himself
“but .. “ Seonghwa's words remained unfinished, cut off as someone approached them
“tired from running, huh? I though your creature having a great ability than ours” the werewolf mock. Both vampire just stare to the their enemy by nature. Hongjoong keeping seonghwa close to his hold.
‘'Come on, give me some fun'’ the werewolf laughed. His prey merely stared, offering no amusement—far from the thrill he craved. He preferred chasing them down rather than wasting time with meaningless chatter. “we know, our nature never ever on good terms” he added while approaching the vampires.
Hongjoong shielding seonghwa behind him, “we all know, that we are never had any good term, despite that, you are the one seeking a trouble, we both just casually hunt down our prey”
The werewolf scoff, “still, both of you stepped into our territory, I just try to keeping our gate safe” added his smirk
“we doesn’t know about it?! How come we know if it’s your territory??” hongjoong yelled, his eyes glinted in red, show off his canin for a good measure
“that’s your problem, I just doing my job” the werewolf shrugged his shoulder, move fowards for approached hongjoong and seonghwa at, suddenly, some ambushment made he stopped his track, the werewolf sensing a small knife flyed toward him, that knife barely split open his head, he successfully avoided the sudden attack
“then, stop being jerk” someone said while approaching their scene
“who are you then?? dont acted a hero in the middle my own business” the werewolf send his side eyes, smelled the scent from the newcomee, the one approaching them more closer, “just a kid” he scoff
“I’m not interest for any party, still, I would know whose the bad one here” the younger making his presence more clearly to them, the scenery inside forest still in the dark, the younger felt so sure, the creatures in front of him could sees him clearly with their sense nature
“you doesnt have to, putting your nose for meddle in, just a kid like you, a mere human doesnt need interfere with ours business” the werewolf found his interest to the human, “or ... maybe, it’s you, could give me some fun” added his smirk
Both vampires still in their alertness to witnessing the sudden commotion, keep their eyes wide open, trying to saving themselves if something going went wrong, doesnt want to joined each party, yet. Between human or the werewolf.
“I know how to play with a dog, maybe ... it’s feel same with you” the young human grabbing his hilt of sword from his back, readying himself in attack mode, he could heard, the tallest vampire laughing for his statement early
The werewolf felt irritated with provocated mock, drawing his claw out. Show off his fang while growling.
“oh, you know how to bark, I see” the young human adding some sarcasm to oiled to the fire for a good measure. Glancing to the side for a moment, the tallest vampire which one having injury, kinda liking his joke. Well, it’s nice having audience for his pre fight.
The werewolf launching himself to the young human with his claw, feeling annoyed to found how the human played his sword with well, whome make he only could send his attack from the distance. Giving another taunt, the young human just scoffed with his attempt. It’s make the werewolf more agitated. Act impulsive with his claw to corner his opponent.
“what’s that? But how?” hongjoong in speechless, asking no one in admire for witnessing the sudden fight happening in front of him
“joong .. you need get out, go back to the coven” seonghwa said in soft tone, immediteally, hongjoong facing seonghwa with his surprised. “hwa .. what are you talking about??!” hongjoong asked. Seonghwa just give him his thin smile. Without both the vampires notice, the werewolf suddenly changing his object for attack.
Sigthing the werewolf changing his directions for attack, the young human in cursed and rushing in fast to dodge the werewolf attack, shielding both unguarded vampires with clenching his teeth. He give his best defensive mode in grunt, still holding the claw attack with his sword, preventing ripped open both vampires limb. “did you guys think, this is an appropriated for talking in the middle fight??” he barked to the both vampires.
Hongjoong startled and facing the young human, the young human pushing the werewolf back, giving some space for both vampires for more aware with their surround. “hwa .. let’s go, we need to leave” he in plea
Hongjoong reaching seonghwa closer to helped him to stand up. Seonghwa didnt budge from his sit, he already losing all his energy, and the wound he had are too deep, shaking his head, “please leave jjoong... I want you safe too” seonghwa giving his firm answer
Irritated with their interaction that stailing time for unreasonable thing, “we don’t have time for any drama here, I want you both to leave now!!” the young human give an order
Both vampire surprised with the young human sudden order, “hwa ..” hongjoong begging with his teary eyes.
Fishing out a small bottle from his pocket, the young human giving it to hongjoong, “take this and make him drink it, then get outta here”
Hongjoong in disbelieve to sighting the young human keep ordered him, his gaze flickered back and forth between Seonghwa and the human, his grip tightening around the small bottle.
“what is that?” seonghwa ask
“your medicine” the young human answer, leaving both vampire behind for continuing his fight with the werewolf
“hwa, please drink this medicine, we should get out from here, I don’t need your permission for that” hongjoong state, piercing his eyes to let seonghwa know, he doesnt want seonghwa keep disobey him, let seonghwa chugging all the medicine in one gulp from those small bottle
“joong .. it’s blood” seonghwa tell
Hongjoong surprised, went to smelled from the lids of bottle, “it is, a blood indeed” hongjoong agreed, “let’s move” he order, supporting Seonghwa as they resumed walking
Not long after that, seonghwa feeling more better. His breathing went to normal, like he got all his energy back. He make both of them stopped from running in abruptly.
“why? What is it, hwa? Does it hurt? Do you need a break?” hongjoong asking in full of worry
“joong, I felt fine” seonghwa answer in calm
“good, you felt fine, let’s keep moving” hongjoong tried his walked once again, but seonghwa didn’t budge, “hwa .. come on” hongjoong begging
“hongjoong, I felt fine, my energy is back, my wound already heal?!” seonghwa declare
“what?? Your wound are gone??” hongjoong yelled and went for looking seonghwa wound at his side, the trail of blood still decorated around seonghwa neck on the right side, “it’s gone?!” hongjoong exclaim while patting where is wound should at, “but how?” he ask once again
“it’s blood, jjoong, the blood from the young human early” seonghwa confirm
“did he know that we are a vampire?” seonghwa asked to him
“I don’t know, hwa, I just felt glad to know, that you are fine, I don’t want to think anymore, you are are fine, I'm at ease for that” hongjoong sighing while holding both seonghwa hands in tight
Seonghwa startled while glancing to his back. The howling can be heard from distance.
“hwa, let’s go”
“joong, let’s headed back” seonghwa said, he tried to stepped back, headed to the fight scene early
Hongjoong surprised with seonghwa sudden move, “no, no, no, hwa, we can’t, we need headed back to the coven now” hongjoong in panic
“I smell a blood, jjoong, we need get back?!” Seonghwa ignored Hongjoong’s concern and took off, heading back toward the earlier fight scene. He ran straight ahead, letting the scent of blood guide him
“seonghwa?!” hongjoong shout out, he sees seonghwa stopped from his run, make eye contact with hongjoong, suddenly, seonghwa face become gloomy
“I need to hongjoong, I smell a fresh blood, the blood from the young human, he in bleeding, jjoong” seonghwa in plea with teary eyes
Hongjoong inhale in deeply. Indeed, he smelling a fresh blood from the bottle before, its lingering into the air. He try to composing his mind while closing both his eyes.
“my wound already heal, I got my energy back, but ... I can’t let the young human died at there, he saved me, jjoong ..” seonghwa cried, its make hongjoong can’t argue with it, hongjoong can’t talk back, hongjoong just send his deep stare to him
“let’s headed back, let’s save your human” hongjoong state
Hongjoong couldnt argue with seonghwa anymore. He can’t. With his seonghwa, he doesnt have a heart to argue with him. He let seonghwa lead the way back, let seonghwa taking his instinct. Hongjoong scoff at that. He felt de javu, not this again. He can’t let his emotions take his control again. Hongjoong already felt completed, his six lovers, his lifes. Not again.
Tailed seonghwa from the back, hongjoong minds wandering around on his run, hongjoong didn’t notice immediteally, that seonghwa already found his human. Sightseeing seonghwa, running to reach the young human at, whose barely standing the way his body swayed in lightly. The young human holding his arm, the blood flowed down to notify his wound that can be seen at his right side. His wound seem deep with the bitten mark, to make that young human blood flooding freely to the ground. Back to the werewolf state, the same posture with the young human, full of wound as well. Bloodied with enormous cut decorated his body that could be seen. Hongjoong could notice some stab wound at his stomach and shoulder on werewolf. Acknowledge the young human skill, the sword he had, seem not the ordinary one.
The werewolf still glaring while give his meekly growl, the fight he did, could make he felt exhausted actualy. To sightseeing the young human still standing in front him, it make he felt furious, tainted his pride, feeling the unfair with their intenses fight before. He need to keep the human stay low among his hirearchy. He want to ripped open the human limbs into piece by piece. He felt so sure he would do that. Launching forward for attack, the werewolf didn’t aware enough for an intruder, the vampire which one he let them running in cowardly a while ago, coming back for saving the young human. Show off his canin and his red eyes in intention for killing.
“why you both coming back?” the young human hissed, tightening his hold on his wound
“I’m not injured anymore, I could help you” he said
The young human scoff, not any chance he would thinking there is someone would helping him. “just go, I can finish this” the human in stubborn tell, holding his hilt more firm
“I’ll make you safe, I promise, you are safe with me” seonghwa talk in soft tone, shielding his human to stand behind him
The human in disbelieve, blowed open his rounded eyes in wide, surprised to know that he need an protection. Soon, sided his head, to found someone appear at his left side, chuckling in softly like some maniac.
“you can’t argue back when mother hen already claiming what his” hongjoong tell, the young human make a thin line on his lips
“hwa, let me finish this” hongjoong in lulling tone, ordered seonghwa for step back, “keep him safe, hwa, its my time for a sweet revenge” his voice changing more firm
Seonghwa nodded and turn his back for sighting at the young human in worry. His eyes roaming to the human wound. The young human feeling edgy from the stare, he never ever experienced this kind of situations, from anyone, even more, from an beauty creature in front of him.
What???
Beautiful???
Did he messed up or got some concussions with the fight that hitting his head. The human shaking his head abruptly.
“did your head got hurt?? Could you still sees me??” seonghwa asking with mother tone
'Even his voice felt so warm' the human keep whispering to himself, pretty sure, he felt his brain going crazy
The werewolf already on the ground, no one can’t even get reconigzed his body. Hongjoong finally dealing with his revenge, satisfied with his winning. When seonghwa get his injury, his concentrated scattered, his priority are seonghwa safety. That’s why he couldnt fight back before, but now, he give the werewolf the taste of vampire wrath, executed his action precisely.
“no?!! don’t fall asleep, please?!” seonghwa in screaming
its gained hongjoong attention. Sighting seonghwa from distance, he saw seonghwa scooping the young human to his embrace, patting gently on his cheek. Hongjoong reaching seonghwa side with his unhuman speed, “what happen hwa?” he ask
“suddenly he fall from his stand, I don’t know joong, I just panic, he fainted soon after” seonghwa cried, his mixed feeling with full of worry to the young human state
“I think he just exhausted and needed some rest” hongjoong examine the young human state
“are you sure?” seonghwa tried to believe hongjoong claim
Hongjoong nodding for answer, placed his back hand on top the young human forehead, “his wound seem not too deep but he can get an infection, if the wound keep opened without being treated, he would get a fever soon after” he explain
Seonghwa sighing in relief, holding the young human gently. Relieveness he had, to know, not any serious harm, happening with young human.
“let’s go home, we can treat his wound and ask his name, I want to honour him, for saving you hwa” hongjoong helping seonghwa for stand up and adjust the young human on his back, “he can manage when we are on the way back to the our coven” hongjoong claim and taking their to walk. Bringing the young human stuff along with him.
======= ꙱ =======
Jongho felt an additional weight on his body, making him feel unusually heavy. Then, a sudden chill washed over him.
Was he still in the forest? Did he just fall asleep randomly inside the forest?
Squinting his eyes for flutter open, he could heard some mumble voice echoing from distance.
“he is awake?!” Someone chirping in excitedly
Thats weird, why he could heard the murmur with this loud?
Tried to grasping his conscious, jongho flutter open his doe eyes, soon, he saw some people crowded him. Surprised with his surround, in reflect, jongho moving to scramble away. Jongho stopped his move when he felt the pain on his right side, panted in low due how nervous he is, his heartbeat thumping wild.
“Please, dont moving around, your wound still in healing process, also you got high fever” the beauty creature speaking with worry tone
Sightseeing his surround more clearly, everyone having worry expression for decorated their face. But why?
Sensing the silent question from jongho gesture, someone tell, “We were worried, you took sleep for a whole day” the short one with skin more pale, seem he understand what jongho thinking
Jongho wanted ask back, suddenly he let his cough out, the burn sensation inside his chest like a firing up from inside. Someone guided him for sitting and make his back lean on bedrest, there is a cup of water appear on his sight, he let one of them guiding him to drink in gentle. Clearing his throat at first, “uumm … thank you" jongho look up to shown his gratitude, "where i am at?” He ask
“at our coven, our home, can you give us your name?” He asked again
“Jongho .. its choi jongho” in hesisted, finally awake enough for realize his surrounding, he reside inside someone bedroom, also taking their bed
“Finally i know your name?!” Someone in cheering tone with clapping his hands
“Wooyoung, dont startled him with your voice” the tallest scolded light to wooyoung, wooyoung answer it with his pout
“Did you know what we are?” Someone asking, his feature are looks ethereal beauty as well
Jongho wonder, Why all of people on this place, their looks so georgeos yet attractively from their appreance only?
“I know" jongho answer, "mm ... a vampire, i supposed?” in unsure he ask back
Jongho could heard some gasp from of them all, “so?” jongho questioned for asked back
Everyone glancing around, “i’m hongjoong, the head of this coven, then seonghwa, san, wooyoung, yeosang, mingi and yunho” hongjoong introducing them in order
“Do you mind we talked with you? Please tell me, if you considering all of us being here or just one of us?” Hongjoong in hesisted went to ask
Looking around, jongho sighting their eyes in sparkle, like hoping to got choosen to stay, he wonder with the meaning, beside he hate to get attention, also jongho dislike to get attract people attention make he being their center attention. But, why it felt so hard to tell?
Did he under their charm?
Liked his older said about vampire thing, in relucantly, jongho said, “All of you could stay”
Hongjoong sigh in relief and give his earness smile, “please behave and settle for our conversations” hongjoong doted his coven mates, and all of them making themselves settle
“Its not that long, since you need more rest for healing” he promise, jongho nodded at that
“I wanna said my thanking you” he said with straight face. Jongho confused with the statement, making his rounded eyes opened wide
Again, hongjoong smiling, “you saved my lover in twice time, and i cant thinking another reason, i need told you properly and do more if necessary”
Titling his head, jongho doesnt know how to answer.
“he looks cute, yuyu” san said it loud from his mind
Jongho more confused with that, he doesnt feel need to get their thanking, even more acted cute like they thought.
“Uh oh, the baby in clueless with you talked about, hyung” wooyoung tease him, it make Jongho in deep frown
“Dont tease him, young-ah” Seonghwa chide him in light
“I am not a baby” jongho talk back, mingi gasp
“did you remember about killing demon at the forest, its you, which one giving your blood to us and leaving us behind” yeosang tell
Its make jongho wrecking his brain out for recall his memory, he did killing some demon, still, he didnt remember for saving someone. Like his head get notification with 'ding' sound, “ ah .... its you, right? the stranger that having a wound on your stomach?” he ask, Yeosang nodded in smile
“and me too” san added
“me too” wooyoung told so
Jongho squinting his brow.
"But we are not the wounded stranger” san explain
“also you saved me from a werewolf” seonghwa smillimg in gentle, jongho can felt it his sincere,
Jongho still remembered about that night, nodded for giving his answer to seonghwa, although, he didnt felt like need to get thanking in person.
“also, did you remember about the fox at the riverside?” Mingi added
“it’s both of us, that’s you meet before, even you are the one for saving the fox life” yunho told him
Connecting all of their information, jongho felt so sure, accidentally meeting with them all, he tell, “I just did what I have to do, I didn’t do anything for to get your thanking”
It’s true, it’s only a job for jongho, he is an hunter, the hunter to get tasked for saving people life. Meanwhile, he was saving vampires life, no one have to know what jongho did, it’s wrong, the forbidden rule he stepped into. And here he is, helped them accordingly.
“We want you know, we are appreciate your help, especially me, for saving them all, my lovers" hongjoong tell, "but, why its had to be with your blood? please, even you are aware by our origin, not with the blood thing, even more, no more cutted open your palm or such as, never” hongjoong doted him
Jongho felt odd, he just meet them all at once time, not even sharing their name before, yet here he is, getting enormous thanking and doted. Did his appreance looks so weak?
“I’m fine” jongho told them, gestured his posture in proper sit for make his appreance looked tough and firm
Hongjoong seem taken a back and concern.
“Okey, let’s stop at here, jongho, please rest, I’m glad you are awake, we could talk again tomorrow” seonghwa in sudden ended their conversation, jongho nodded for answer
“All of us, let’s leave jongho for resting, we take his time too much already” seonghwa ushered all of them to the door, “Just call one of us if you need anything” seonghwa assure him and closing door
Jongho took his time for digesting all of it into his brain, exhali his long breath, he resigned himself for sleep. Indeed, he need more for rest, his head still hurt, he shudder in due his body still feel the cold and some dull pain. The fever still remain there. In swift moment, jongho fall asleep right away.
======= ꙱ =======
At evening, jongho waking up again, still exhausted and drenched with sweat. Fight with werewolf taking a lot energy, well he never take a chance, just saw each other making sure never crossed any line. But that night seem changing what his rule, since when he is breaking the rule? act out the line? He need get back. Breaking any rules never good sign, he cant do that. Sighing deep, taking amount some strength he had, he wanted to go back, to his house, sorting everything and back to routine. When he ready leaving the bed, someone get in to room with seem like basin and smell herb.
“you’re up, I just wanna checking your wound and fever, we can prepare your dinner soon” yeosang coming to close, setting what he bought to drawer bedside.
“how are you feeling?” he ask, kneeling in front him. Jongho didn’t answer, mingi step in and walking straight to them, borrow some cloth in his hands.
“how long you waking up?” mingi putting the clothes at bed and sitting next.
“not for a while, just need cleaning myself and get back to my house” jongho direct answer, making yeosang and mingi delight in surprise.
“I got clothes for you, please use it, hope you don’t mind, its mine seem fit to you” mingi patting bundle of clothes
“you don’t need back to your house, we can taking care of you, we want you to stay and be our guesst house” yeosang suggest
And its jongho turn surprise, “its inconvenience for me, better I leave soon”.
“please don’t turn out our offer, we felt bad if you going back with your conditions right now” seonghwa coming, smilling sad.
Did all vampire having light feet, jongho doesn’t know when them coming and here surround him, he felt restless, this is not good.
Jongho suddenly stiff at he sat, “did you having another guest?”
Seonghwa, mingi and yeosang confused while staring at young human speak, “we .. “
“there is chan and minho coming, they seem wanna talking about your incident, hyung” yunho inform with frown. Again, jongho doesn’t know when yunho stepping.
“they are werewolf, we don’t know why they are come, but please stay for a while?” seonghwa beg,
jongho nod with timid “only for changing clothes and one meal”
Seonghwa sigh, seem he meets another stubborn child to doted.
“thank you, we give you some privacy a few moment then” seonghwa taking the rest out the room.
After jongho felt refresh and presentable, he just deep in thought, looking around at surrounding and then window. His bedroom at secondfloor, seem this coven make good house but felt cold. Jongho not allergic with cold, he just hate it, even night hunting he did, he just thinkless with cold, finish his job quickly. But a house without warm, jongho can not adapt. He hears knock from outside, he sigh, seem they know manner already. “come in”.
“your meal ready, where do you want to eat?” san sheepish while peeking from door.
“your kitchen, please show the way”
San open wide the door and leading jongho to first floor, making turn to kitchen, he surprise, everyone sitting at dining table. Jongho sit close the chair he come with. Soon wooyoung setting his table and looks like food in front jongho. Looking through at food in front him.
“its human food, wooyoung pretty good with his skill cooking, I can assure you its edible” hongjong said.
With hesisted, jongho eat some piece of meat and vegetable, he surprised with flavor he got, never had chance taste like this, his rounded eyes wide when every first bite he take
“you can ask more, I can cook again for you” wooyoung chuckle at his gesture eating. Jongho nod shy.
“you know, you seem liked wooyoung cooking, did it the want you liked it?” yunho ask, jongho just giving his gummy smile since his mouth still full with food.
Anything with food always make jongho happy, especially the good one. The rest vampire gaping after seeing gummy smile from jongho, they didn’t expect the cutest smile they get from just one meal wooyoung cook. Hongjoong sense another happiness around him, shaking his head gentle for his coven mate antics. Always falling in love with beauty thing, like jongho.
“thank you” jongho tidy his table, “leave it there, we can take care of it” san stopping him.
“may I take my leave?” jongho cursed himself being so timid, dining room become gloomy
“can we escort you? I cant sit only when you outside there not in safety” hongjoong exclaim. Jongho nodded, he cant argue moreover, feeling shy with the affection. Everyone looking at hongjoong with pleading eyes, hongjoong breating out.
“woosan, please be ready and behave, the rest of you, please we can take another chance to talk” hongjoong hated conflict soon he got.
At frontdoor jongho house, “thank you, but its a .. “ jongho stutter with word.
“we should be back” hongjoong inform
“your house why so far? Its near border village, did you living by youself?” wooyoung cant hold anything anymore, he wanted know anything about jongho
“sannie ..” hongjoong whisper. San wrapping his hold around wooyoung, keeping him close and making sure he got distract.
“we will coming by sometime, please be safe and take rest fully, treating your wound with herb from yoesang and mingi, don’t take any danger thing by yourself” seem that all order from hongjoong. Wooyoung and san seem know too well, “sure” jongho reply.
“go inside, we will leave after you get in your house”. With hesisted jongho get inside, closing it soon, but stealing hear from his door, wanted to know if the vampires already left or not. He doesn’t know for sure. Resign with his did, jongho changing for comfort clothes and take sleep for good rest.
======= ꙱ =======
Third time the vampires visiting jongho house, whether at evening or night. Alas, they didn’t see any jongho glimpse. They soon make conclusion if jongho giving their fake address, its been a month, where is the human going? Or even living?
With determination, the vampires making sure the fourth attempt to meet their human. Right, their conclusion already made. They make themselves guarding around the house jongho, for the matter. Taking at dawn to come and arrive in the morning, they claim any spot around the house for a glimpse jongho. The sacrifice they take is risking their existence.
Time pass to evening, their heads move to whip from glimpse they wanted to see. From their spot not to bright of sun, they are fiercing their eyes seeing someone walking to the house. And its jongho indeed, looking exhausted and some stain blood on his clothes. Reaching his door, jongho being alert and take out his sword while spin around. What he didn’t expect, he saw the vampires he knew. Sighing and take step back, “why all of you here?” massage his bridge nose.
“where are you going?”
“why your clothes had stain blood?”
“did you fight someone?”
“did you killing creature?”
“did you have any injury?”
“aa .. “
Jongho massage his scalp for assurance, “please get inside and changing with your comfortable clothes first, we can wait again” seonghwa with soft tone making jongho relax and nodded. Not waiting another outburst from his mates, he ushered his coven mate out from frontdoor jongho house. Soon jongho get inside and doing his business.
A few moment later jongho open his door with presentable look and refresh, “please come, make it fit even small at inside” taking turn in. the vampires sprint to the inside house, and making sure fit themselves at small room. They make it.
Sitting at his bed with crossed leg, “why all of you here? And again?” jongho making sure to notify them he heard what seonghwa said.
Clearing his throat, “we came to see you already, three times” hongjoong making jongho giving his full attention
“this is fourth attempts and we need to know, why you are not at home”. Jongho agape with the state, did he get curfew? Well basicly he is not a teenage or kid anymore, he is 20 y.o. young man who can taking care himself.
“I had a job” jongho confirm, “all of you can give me notice for coming later”.
“we thought you die”, “what kind job is that?”, “you are not coming home for entire day?!” the sound make jongho headache
Frustrated with that, “did you hurt?” yeosang asking making jongho looking back at him
“just some scratch” he reply
“let me take a look and treat it” mingi added.
Sighing, “fine, do what you want” this concern making jongho more exhausted.
“where are you putting a herb for injury?” jongho pointed drawer bedside and mingi take it. Yeosang approach jongho and examine him, carefully searching his small injury. While yeosang treating his wound he can reach, he didn’t notice if jongho asleep on mingi chest. Mingi smilling while caressing jongho hair gently.
After all nursing yeosang did, mingi tuck in jongho on bed. Making sure he felt comfortable at bed.
“lets all of us get some rest, we can resume our talking later” hongjoong order and soon the coven mate taking spot. They are making fit at small room, sure it can happen. But jongho didn’t waking up until noon. They decide turn back to the coven house.
Past midnight jongho waking up, he felt groggy from his last hunt, hunger catching up soon. Smelling something, jongho reaching his dining table and find one set meal. He notice its wooyoung cooking. Devour his late meal, jongho resume to rest again. Its felt nice, his full stomach and taking resting.
======= ꙱ =======
Jongho just housing his home for any supply needed, that’s he do when nothing relate with job. He just cant sleeping away when got break, because that’s make him starving and almost become corpse by himself. Lack of supply for life in the house.
Gathering all in dining room for sorting out, he heard some knock at noon. He didn’t expect some job, notify coming always stick to schedule. Strolling to the door, he meets bunch of vampires outside. Sighing, open wide his door and informing the guest get inside.
The vampires took themselves so casual, strolling and sitting, jongho scoff, didn’t expect he welcoming them on first place.
“did you going somewhere?” yunho looking some stuff at his dining table and other stuff
“just doing my errand and supply” jongho reply
“do you mind I make something for you?” wooyoung approach him.
“no need, already half done” jongho just fine with his cooking
Wooyoung peeking what jongho made, “that’s not food, did you eat that daily?” his disbelieve. Jongho just shugged.
Seonghwa invading them and seeing with horror for what food jongho made, “wooyoung, please make something edible and decent food” seonghwa order
“but ..” jongho halted
“cooking not your job, come” dragging jongho out to the rest coven mate sitting.
Jongho sat between mingi and yunho, it felt ridiculous, did they feeding blood and still growth?
“you didn’t have any job?” hongjoong asking, jongho shaking his head. “What you do when you on break?”
Jongho confused with his last question, “I didn’t do much, filling my supply, eating and keep living”, feeling weird explain himself to hongjoong
“we notice but your supply not properly for living” seonghwa judges. Jongho grumbles for that, what vampire know about human supply or food?
Wooyoung serve his cooking, “please eat, this is the name kind food you should eat since from now”.
Well, these food really good, jongho can’t argue and just savory all of it.
The next day, they take jongho at night market at village. Jongho dislike crowds, but wooyoung, San, yeosang didn’t ask. Just dragging him out and taking walk around market to enjoy the night. It’s felt nice suddenly, sometimes he smiled just seeing wooyoung and San bickers, or enjoying himself with the scenery night market, not only empty forest, quitly with yeosang.
Couple days later, hongjoong and seonghwa bought something for jongho, some clothes with pair pants, a pair boots, a sling bags, some accessories and jewels, it’s feel hilarious to see. Jongho didn’t know when to wear that. Not to forget, the supply seonghwa added.
mingi and yunho the next, just making themselves liked roommates with him, checking his supply, cooking for him, reading book together which one yunho borrow, taking nap also sleeping in the middle giants vampire. They are fit to bed for cuddle, just sore at back and cramps for results. They didn’t mind, just enjoying the company.
The routine become their daily life, taking turn accompany jongho. Even jongho giving notice when he take job before their coming. Not with some speech and nag of each vampire, before jongho gone for his job.
One time, jongho taking his job more longer than he should. It’s make him late for coming home, the result he get ear’s shot from seonghwa, his nagging making jongho felt’s like teenager again after coming home past curfew. Soon hongjoong making rule, jongho need visit them at coven house also end up staying for few days.
Second times jongho coming late after job, he decide took visit from his journey right after. He get back at coven house with scratch also small stab here and there. Making hongjoong mad and seonghwa with his silent treatment , jongho feeling guilty and blaming himself. But he didn’t know what to do.
After yeosang and mingi giving their nurses, wooyoung and San making sure he get eaten. Then yunho inform him to meet in living room. Hongjoong wanted details about his injuries. With heavy chest, jongho follow yunho sat at living room by couch.
“so you can’t tell why you got injured?” Hongjoong raises his eyebrows, jongho looked down
“did you working alone?” Hongjoong tried again. Jongho keep his quiet
“your blood can healing us and fox” seonghwa ask. Then jongho stared him. “It’s mean you can healing yourself too, ain’t right?”
Jongho suddenly restless, he need give excuse.
Seonghwa aware with jongho behavior, “we are sorry” seonghwa keeping soft tone, jongho become stiff at his still
“Our worry make us anger took over” he sighed and it breaking jongho heart
“you’re hurt, we know it’s your job, but we don’t like it because of that“
Silent roaming around them, jongho feeling cold to his spine. He didn’t remember when the last time he felt it. He used the warm filling his heart from this coven house along with vampires. He didn’t remember when it’s started. Sensing restless from his friend vampires, he saw San fidget from his sat, mingi gripping hold to yunho, wooyoung and yeosang comforting seonghwa, hongjoong just tenses. Did they’re his friend? Jongho didn’t have friends to be called this close. Seems he initially making friends without his consent, can he trusted them? He fail at first, he didn’t want feeling the loss again.
“I’m sorry if it too much for you “ yunho apologizing sincere at his side.
“I’m sorry if it too much for you “ jongho heard his brain whisper, he exhaled and grip his pants on the knee
“I .. I .. my blood” jongho swallowed, the coven mate focused to jongho again. “It’s can heal creatures, my blood can heal them” direct to seonghwa. “Just like that “.
“But how? Your blood should do the same to your body either,right?” Yeosang state.
“since born I just know, my blood attracts many creatures, the elder said “you’re born sinister”, I believe they said” he explains
“It’s can heal creatures like all of you, my blood smells sweet according some creatures testimony” he chuckles
“But this blood not healing human like creature treatment do, that’s why”.
“have you tried?” mingi insists.
Shaking his head, “I was born at temple, our ancestors is hunters along my parents heritage to killing creatures” jongho smile apologetically
“I have been train how to kill creatures since my hold strong enough, but my blood is a sin that my parents and myself to carry within our ancestors in our clan”.
“my parents just tried balancing my life, as caring parents figure with hunter duties, only my blood got in the way, it took their life when i was kid, for protecting me” the tears streaming on jongho cheek
“I’m sorry” hongjoong in whisper
“never easy dealing with my parents death even sharing with other” jongho assured
“I learn a hard way after my parents death, the elder take me under their strict rule, pamper me with cultivation to kill evil. Until I got first mission. I killed a demon but my life endangered”
“how you survive?” Wooyoung anxious
“seem deity still choosing me, I got back to temple, my clan treated me, the healing process took sometimes, just like human do, because apparently I’m still human with cursed blood”.
“you’re not cursed, your blood just different from others, not anything with a sin” San indication.
“so my healing just like human process, lucky me, I got no scars, doesn’t matter how many times I get it” jongho continue.
“Not reassuring, but we know you can die like human” hongjoong concludes, jongho nodded looked down. “It’s exact thing we need concern, neither you liked it or not”.
Jongho exhaled and reluctant to hear what hongjoong said, its take his weight out replaced with warm feeling again. It’s feel nice, jongho realized he craved for that. Someone concern for him, someone worry for him, someone doting him. But it’s not only someone, it’s them, the coven vampires he meet. He just greatfull to them.
======= ꙱ =======
Learning about jongho life, its didn’t make hongjoong calm, its more thrilling, he didn’t know since when he cared this human. Usually, the concern and worrism is seonghwa specialty. His brain wandering around with many possibility he though. What if jongho didn’t comeback? What if jongho got injured much worse? What if jongho die in the night forest? Shaking his head, hongjoong went to living room, only find seonghwa along yunho and mingi.
“where is woosansang?” he ask
“their gone to jongho house, after jongho left for his job, they take some food and herbs” seonghwa sighed deep. Seem not only hongjoong overthinking.
“can he just stay with us hyung?” mingi facing him while sat
“with us he didn’t need working, he just need stay safe between us” yunho embrace mingi gentle
“why would him needed hunting? Or patroll he said, its not always safe” mingi sulk
“mingi-ya, you know jongho not same like us?” mingi nodded at seonghwa called
“I do felt same with you, but his life not same path like us since start, but I know we didn’t choose our path willingy” hongjoong reaching seonghwa, embrace him tight.
“even like that, we can make sure jongho always safe, we can make it happen” hongjoong giving speech for reminded himself and the other. The Silent answer for their agreement.
Hongjoong remember clearly, at first he didn’t have any coven mate. He get forced turn by his sire after seonghwa. Their sire like the others sire, they are just too old, conservative and intractable. He and seonghwa having chance to escape also far away from them. Thankfully their sire seem didn’t want them back. Along journey their meets another vampire mate whom same boat like them. Find a place for settle and far away from any sire, that’s why this coven been made. Having same mind and willingy together, hongjoong felt complete.
The next night, woosansang coming back to coven, informing them if jongho get home safe without injury. Seem his patroll didn’t take any danger place or find a hungry creature. But jongho cant take visit to coven, he get another hunting in couple days. Hearing that, yunho and mingi rushing to jongho house. They cant wait another sleepless night without seeing their human. Even all of them didn’t take sleep.
On fifth night, yunho and mingi coming back to coven. “what happen with you, yuyu?” san judge yunho expression
“jongho left to patroll again, but he said it will took longer than this another time” yunho give thin smile
“but I don’t want him to go, so we had argument”
“and why?” san curious.
“he went to his clan, they are make called to patroll also need him back to his temple” mingi sulking. Making everyone tense.
“not going straight to temple, only at the border temple” yunho explain while getting closer to mingi
“but still he need get back to the temple!!” mingi exclaim.
“jongho said, he didn’t need visit temple, only at border line, between temple and village, they are need more people to adjust” yunho rubbing mingi shoulder
“did you know the reason, yunho?” seonghwa concern.
“I’m sorry, we had argument only, didn’t ask the reason” yunho apologetically. Seonghwa look at hongjoong with worry, hongjoong had bad feeling. Still he make straight face, “he said just took longer, its mean he will back, we can wait”.
“I hate that” wooyoung hugging yeosang, also yeosang giving him best reassurance.
Already two weeks and still no news from jongho, it is really took him longer than usuall. The coven mate being antsy, the house surrounded by their negative aura. Hongjoong telling them to wait more longer, maybe a week, hearing or even seeing jongho. Then all coven mate setlle with their mind.
Its past two weeks, they didn’t had any news about jongho. Why it felt like something bad happen? Like some bad feeling become true. Seonghwa keep checking supply for jongho and tidying room where him used stay. Yunho and mingi move back forward from jongho or coven to stay. Exhausted not on their dictionary. But with wooyoung, san and yeosang, the trio take jongho house as their home, claiming jongho need someone taking care him soon when he get back.
It didn’t sit well, the bad feeling become reality, jongho didn’t show any sign coming back. The trio woosansang back to coven, “hyung, we need looking for him!!” wooyoung rushed
“did something happen at temple?” san fidget his finger. Yeosang keep frowning to hongjoong.
“joong ..” seonghwa called
“where is the border temple, yunho?” hongjoong ask
“I .. i.. didn’t ask” yunho stutter
“any idea where is it?” hongjoong look around his coven mate.
“yuyu, its going west from the edge river, remember about a fox? Jongho said when we read some books” mingi exclaim
“right!! Hyung, jongho village at side forest to the west from edge river, he did to mention when we read about a fox .. he must living at there, the temple too!!” yunho explain.
“okay, that’s start, let settle for a day” hongjoong relax
“we can go now, hyung” san urge
“sannie, we cant, its already dawn, we cant risk ourselves for the day, soon when evening come, we wiil take our leave” seonghwa reassuring
“please clear our mind first, we are going so far, its take a whole night to get there” yunho narrate.
“Its settle, prepare your belonging for long journey, we are going a far also no one know about that land itself, when evening come, we are going take what’s our own” hongjoong firmness making they calm. Soon every one of them taking retreat to their room, determination for long journey, to get back their youngest human.
======= ꙱ =======
Eerie night clouding around west forest, blood soared in air, mixing neither fresh or dried blood. Hongjoong and his coven mate dumbfounded how strong the smell when their nearer to the west. Their guts yelling something really bad, telling them to get away. Their instinct being revolt to keep safe, but their mind not agree, they had something to get back. Hongjoong warn his coven mate stay alert and sharp also not wander around.
An ambush making mingi frighten, stumble on the ground with trembling. Their mate surrounding him with seonghwa and yeosang by his side.
“we came not for any war, but I know we are same creature” hongjoong piercing his gaze in front him.
In front them appear two people, with deadly aura. “why all of you are here then” his icy tone making them flinch while the other one seem observe their move.
“we were looking our friends” yunho explain.
“how far your foolish to set a foot right here” he scoff
“we are not, but we need to coming here” san retord.
“did you believe it?” the other vampire asking his accompany
“I don’t know, but I don’t like them already” his companion reply.
“we don’t need your liking or anything, just let us through” wooyoung spat,
“feisty ~ we didn’t give permit either” he smirks, yeosang eyes glowing red.
“we don’t want any fight for ambiguous” hongjoong halted their move
“we were looking for our friends” he added.
“fine! Give me a name?” the vampire ask
“we cant” hongjoong tell, the vampires raise their brow
“I told you they are foolish!!” the other exclaim.
“then be my canin guest all of you” he ready move forward.
“the fox?!” mingi shout out
“where is the fox living??” he hurry added.
The other vampires startled, “the fox?” he whisper
“yeah the fox, which had brown eyes with pearl shape, the same colour with his snout” mingi explain.
The vampires shocked, only origin creature from here to know about a fox group here. But are they, the duo vampires exchange glance.
“we came here wanted meet him, lasttime we meet, he get injury” yunho told them. That’s true, giving the duo vampire mind confuse.
Not a moment one vampire running to them, “hyung .. hyung ..” the vampire seem young but tall
“why you here?? I told you keep watching them?!” he spat
“jaewoo hyung running after the demon, the demon trespassing our sigil” the younger teary eyes
“We should get back” the other become dark,“but they are??” the other mention hongjoong and his coven mate
Frustrated, “did you really come for that fox??” one of the vampire ask
“we do, we need to” yunho desperated.
Exhale long breath, “I’ll go after jaewoo, both of you, please escort them to the fox sacred, don’t ever leave them again!!” he ordered and rushed left.
“I trust you on this, come with us” the other vampire tell. “you had my word” hongjoong claim. The vampires nodded and take turn to the fox sacred, without word hongjoong and his coven mate follow.
======= ꙱ =======
Not deep to the forest, soon they arrive to sacred place. The two vampires told hongjoong and the rest waiting first, they need asking permission to older fox coming through. Minutes later they can enter and meets some fox residence, looks like habitations but still felt homey, there is some hood and tent. It is really fascinating hongjoong and his coven mate.
When their enter clearing area, a fox come running to them and hopping to younger vampire. “im sorry leaving you, thank you for stay safe” the fox licking his face.
“all of you can stay, please don’t come close to them, i’ll helping you to find your friend after I set everything right” the other vampire suggest
“we appreciated it, we can help if you need some assist” hongjoong offer
The fox take interest to their talk, soon he is chirping loud and hop out from young vampire embrace, “wooseok hyung!!”.
The fox running to mingi, chirping at his feet. “its you!! Oh my god, finally I meet you” mingi kneel and scooping up the fox
“yunho, we found him!!” mingi cried
“we found him, are you fine?” yunho smilling.
Taken back from the scene, the vampires facing each other questioning
“its him?” seonghwa intrigue.
“its him hyung” mingi embrace fox gentle
“so, its wooseok hyung is your friend?” the vampire asking
“he is, glad we find him so soon” yunho relax
“where is jongho?” wooyoung make the night become silent again, asking direct to the fox
The vampires surprise, “wait!! How did you know jongho?” the vampire mad
“wooseok hyung, where is jongho? He should be here with you?” the younger vampire demand. The fox, chirping low in mingi embrace. Making all of vampire run cold on their spin.
“wooseok hyung!! Please shift and answer us!!” the olde vampire order.
The fox hop out from mingi embrace and shitfting to human size, wooyoung agape with mouth open wide. His is disbelieve what he saw something like that, its first time he saw creature shift directly.
“he ran after jaewoo, jongho said he cant stand still when jaewoo went out alone” his answer while hiding behind yunho
“I should lock him, I should never let him walking again!!” his icy tone making all of them gulping, the youngest vampires approaching him.
“hyung, hyung, hyun hyung, please calm down, please ..” the younger freak out
“ryeok hyung coming after them, they both will be safe, its not far, he is safe hyung, ryeok hyung will take jaewoo hyung and jongho back, we can trust him” the younger begging.
The older vampire taking the younger to hug, holding him tight while inhale his scent, he need calm, he cant loosing another mate, he cant survive if another lose. Wooseok the fox coming closer hugging both of them, “I’m sorry, I should try harder to stop him, I should ..” he cried.
“I’m sorry to disturb, can all of you explain anything relate jongho to us? We came here for him” hongjong apologetically
“I thought you come here for wooseok hyung?” the older vampire doubt
“he is our friend too” mingi added. Wooseok nodded at that
Breathing out, “lets settle first, come with me” he lead the way.
They are settle one of a tent, its large enough to make room for them sit. “lets introduce yourself first” he task to hongjoong and his coven mate
“I’m hongjoong, the head of coven, this is seonghwa, yunho, mingi, wooyoung, san and yeosang” he is introducing in order
“its all of your coven mate here?” the younger ask
“we are all here” san smilling showing his dimple. The younger get shy sudden
“I’m yiyun and this our youngest mate, dojin, also wooseok hyung, the fox” hyun pointed.
“and your head coven?” yeosang ask
hyun sigh, “his name jaewoo and the other ryeok, as you know, they went out after demon” look down. Dojin and wooseok holding hyun each hands.
“uumm .. jongho?” wooyoung curious
“kinda you are the persistent type” hyun chuckle
“you can see already” yeosang scoff
“hey!!” wooyoung resist direct insult
“jongho our hunter, his clan the protector for wooseok hyung clan, other creature around here also the nature itself” hyun smile
“he is strong, you know, so strong” tell dojin
“also too kind” wooseok shaking his head.
“we notice, that’s why we all here” seonghwa with his soft tone
“you are so beautiful!!” dojin exclaim
“maknae, behave please” hyun hushed him.
“thank you, you are handsome too” seonghwa praise sincere, dojin gasp
“you heard that hyung?” direct hyun. Hyun breath out long, he need their older vampires mate here, conversation not his type around hyper youngest
“yes you are” wooseok calming dojin while patting softly his hand on top hyun hands.
“the demon, did you fight with them?” yunho worried
“we did” hyun lips become thin, “our clan get attack from demon since two month ago, but their attack not decrease since then” wooseok become gloomy
“can you briefing us about that? We come here all the way since jongho gone two months ago” hongjoong state.
“its not my place to tell detail, our coven and jongho clan not same order, I hope my head coven bring him back soon” hyun said
“then why you here?” yeosang intrigue
“we are his babysitter!!” dojin added. All of hongjoong mate astonished with the youngest statement
“not like that!” hyun chide dojin
“we need keep jongho safe, keeping him alive without any creature eating him, or take him away” soon explain, “he is our order”
“babysitter more suit to our job” dojin sulking, wooseok comprehend both situation.
“like I said first, please don’t wander around or get to close to another fox clan, I’ll inform you if jongho or any my coven mate back” hyun warn
“sure, we can do that” san answer
“I’m sorry but its serious matter to me, taking all you inside here already trouble to our coven in this situations, but I trust all of you, since wooseok hyung trusted you, your side need keeping low while I’m solve the other matters here” hyun said firm
“I take your concern seriously, we wiil not bother you, please inform us if jongho coming back, he is our priority too” hongjoong with promise.
“dojin, please assist them and making sure strict to the rule” hyun begging
“you can trust me hyung” dojin smile
“why I’m more worried” he defeated. Wooseok patted his shoulder
“we don’t want make another trouble, but I can helping your maknae to explain what is rule you mention” seonghwa assure
“that’s helping” hyun smile, seonghwa smiled back
“seok hyung, take me to elder, I need know detail” hyun said
“we are leaving for a while, dojin, please helping us again, hum?” wooseok coax
“sure hyung” dojin exclaim
“we are leaving” wooseok inform with hyun tailed him out from tent.