Chapter Text
The soft hum of magic filled the air as Wooyoung moved around the kitchen, his experienced hands making practiced gestures that sent pots and herbs floating lazily across the room; some of them mixed together in the boiler, others returning to their place among the many shelves that occupied the place. His broom swished lightly across the floor, enchanted to clean any mess without supervision. A small fire crackled in the hearth, glowing embers casting shadows against the busy walls of their cottage, the big window letting the last rays of sun enter the kitchen before the evening sky slowly darkened to twilight.
The young witch was focused on the potion bubbling on the stove, a light mist of steam curling into the air. He murmured a few words into the air, a quiet spell that made the liquid shimmer with purple light. It was almost ready- and just in time, too. The full moon threatened to rise soon, and San would need it. His potions had never let San down before, but Wooyoung found himself triple-checking the recipe every time, just to make sure that everything was right. The door creaked open behind him while Wooyoung stirred the potion, yet he didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. He smiled, already feeling San’s presence before he spoke. The warmth that always filled the air when San entered the room was as familiar to him as his own heartbeat.
‘’Smells like magic in here’’, the werewolf said, his voice a low rumble that sent a pleasant shiver down Wooyoung’s spine.
The witch turned around with a soft smile, tucking a stray lock of hair behind his ear, as he surveyed the mess he’d made in the kitchen, despite his magical efforts to keep everything clean. ‘’Well, last time I checked, I am a witch.’’
San leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, his dark eyers warm and a little amused as they flicked over the room. ‘’You sure about that? Looks like you’re in here summoning a storm.’’
Wooyoung grinned, flicking his fingers in the air toward San. A small burst of purple sparks popped above his head, imitating tiny fireworks, and San let out a low chuckle. The sparks fizzled into nothing, and Wooyoung leaned back against the counter, arms crossed.
‘’Very funny, wolfie. Shouldn’t you be outside, running under the moon or howling at it or something? ‘’ he teased, though there was only affection in his voice.
San’s smile softened as he took a step into the kitchen, the light from the fire casting shadows across his sharp features. ‘’I’ve still got a little time before the moon’s up’’, he murmured, his voice quieter now. He glanced at the pot on the stove, at the small jars still open on the counter, then back at Wooyoung. ‘’I could’ve helped you.’’
The witch was fast to deny the help with a little gesture of his head, straightening up. ‘’You’re still learning to brew potions and this one is… Must be perfect, always. ‘’ He sighed. ‘’ And, it’s ready, anyways. Should help with the transition tonight- ‘’ He hesitated for a moment, turning around to watch how little wisps of smoke escaped the perfectly brewed potion. ‘’I know it’s been harder lately.’’
There was a beat of silence behind him, and Wooyoung felt the weight of San’s gaze on his back. He knew San hated talking about his transformations, especially when they were rougher than usual. But Wooyoung also knew that silence was worse. He stirred the potion slowly.
‘’It’s not your fault, ‘’ San said quietly, finally closing the distance between them. He came up behind Wooyoung, his hands settling on the witch’s waist, and Wooyoung instantly relaxed into the touch. ‘’I know you worry, but… You don’t have to. It’ll be fine.’’
‘’You can’t ask me not to worry about you, love. ‘’ Wooyoung smiled faintly, letting out a soft breath as San rested his chin on his shoulder, their bodies pressed close. ‘’ That's why I make these potions, to keep you safe.’’
San let out a low hum of acknowledgement, and for a moment, they simply stood there in comfortable silence, the soft crackling of the fire the only sound between them. Wooyoung leaned back into San’s chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing, the familiar warmth that came with his presence.
It was these moments that Wooyoung loved the most- the quiet, everyday moments where nothing mattered but the two of them and the life they’d built together in this little cottage hidden away from the rest of the world. Hidden away from other creatures, other hunters and humans. A life that was peaceful, even though both of them were anything but ordinary.
But soon, the full moon would rise, and the calm would shift into something more primal. Wooyoung could feel it in the air, the subtle pull of magic mingling the natural world outside, and he knew San felt it too. His grip on Wooyoung’s waist tightened slightly, just for a second.
‘’Go on,’’ Wooyoung said softly, turning in San’s arms to face him. ‘’You’ve still got a little time to clear your head before the moon’s up. I’ll finish up here.’’
San’s lips quirked into a small smile, but his eyes were serious, the usual mischief tempered by the weight of the full moon. He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss against Wooyoungs’ own, lingering there for a moment.
‘’Don’t stay up too late,’’ the werewolf murmured against his lips. ‘’I’ll need you after.’’
Wooyoung’s heart swelled at the words, so simple yet so full of meaning. He reached up, cupping the back of San’s neck and pulling him down for a proper kiss, their lips meeting in a slow, gentle exchange. When they pulled away, Wooyoung gave him a playful shove toward the door.
‘’Go on, wolfie. I’ll be here when you get back.’’
San chuckled, a deep sound that seemed to reverberate through the room, and with one last glance at Wooyoung, he slipped out of the door and into the forest. The evening air cooled as it rushed to the room, and Wooyoung stood there for a moment, watching San’s figure disappear among the trees.
The full moon hadn’t risen yet, but it wouldn’t be too long now.
The witch sighed, his heart lighter than before. He knew San hated his transformations, but they’d been through worse. They’d built a life on overcoming these challenges, supporting each other through every full moon, every mishap, every stray spell that went awry. And tonight would be no different. He returned to the stove, ladling the potion into a small glass vial. The liquid shimmered in the low light, a promise of protection, and Wooyoung’s fingers brushed over the glass thoughtfully. As much as he teased San, Wooyoung knew the dangers of the full moon. He’d seen what San’s wolf could do when things got out of hand. But that wasn’t going to happen tonight.
He’d make sure of it.
The moonlight began to filter through the trees outside, casting pale silver beams across the floor. The air shimmered with energy, a reminder that the magic in their world was always present, always waiting to be harnessed. He hoped the potion he had been brewing would be enough as for tonight.
With careful hands, he settled to potion on the windowsill to cool, the soft shimmer of the liquid reflecting the full moon now. Something in his chest made him feel uneasy as he stared down at the reflection, completely refusing to look up and directly at the moon, as if doing so were a direct challenge to nature, a defy. However, his gaze moved without his own consent, and suddenly, his heartbeat stopped, and he froze, his hand still reaching to put down the potion, and frowned at the front door.
No one ever knocked at this hour- especially not on the night of a full moon, when the dark forest became a danger, a threat, for most creatures.
Another knock, this time, more urgent.
Wooyoung’s stomach twisted with unease, as he stepped towards the door while muttering an incantation to keep himself as protected as possible. He had just reached the handle when the door swung open, and two figures, cloaked in shadow, slipped inside.
‘’Wooyoung’’ he recognized that voice. A voice he had not heard for so many years, smooth, like silk sliding over seel, but still drowned in desperation. Wooyoung blinked, taken aback by the sight of the vampire. Seonghwa stood in front of him, eyes full of tears, with the body of what appeared to be another vampire in his arms, blood running from him.