Chapter Text
Sunghoon understands Sunoo.
He understands his disdain for others and his unwavering loyalty to Selene. He also understands that Sunoo is the one who must dirty his hands for all of them—Heeseung is the eldest, Jungwon the leader, Ni-ki the strongest—but Sunoo is the one who sacrifices himself for them all. He’s the one who ends up taking charge, no matter how much the others oppose or dislike what he does.
He’ll do it—for Selene, and for them.
For their survival.
Seonwoo loves them.
Seonwoo loves him.
He wonders how they ended up like this, with Sunoo being the best of them all.
“Sunghoonie, did you follow me again?”
He nods.
He doesn’t stop walking, striding forward proudly to stand by his side. He never intended to “sneak around”—he’s certain Sunoo knew he was following him from the very beginning. It’s only confirmed when Seonwoo takes his arm and walks alongside him, so accustomed to being trailed everywhere. He doesn’t look annoyed or displeased, nor exactly happy—but Sunghoon suspects that’s not because of him, but rather the reason Sunoo came to a human pub in the first place.
To kill the new “reincarnation” of Selene.
Which, in fact, he’s already done.
He sees the blood staining Sunoo’s fingers and the lifeless body of a girl behind them.
He pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and takes Sunoo’s hands to clean them. Seonwoo lets him, perfectly calm. When he’s done, the younger vampire cups his face and kisses him. Sunghoon lets him—completely. He’d never deny him anything. He catches the faint scent of human blood on Sunoo’s fingers, disliking it slightly because of whose it is, but he doesn’t care.
He presses closer. Sunoo killed the human in a narrow alley, and now he uses the walls to deepen their kisses. They’re dressed in full formalwear to blend into the pub and the party’s theme—Sunoo has always been discreet.
Sunghoon slips a hand between the younger’s shirt and coat, his skin as cold as his own. But that’s not what makes him shiver—it’s Sunoo’s fingers venturing down his stomach. He hadn’t even noticed when they got there. He says nothing and lets him do as he pleases. Sunoo can do whatever he wants with him.
Always.
“You’ve done it again.”
Heeseung’s voice sounds behind them, followed by Ni-ki’s exasperated sigh.
They stop and pull apart instantly. Sunoo looks faintly irritated, the sarcastic smile he flashes before speaking only reinforcing Sunghoon’s assumption. He takes his hand and stands beside him, backing him up.
“Save the lecture, Hee,” Sunoo says, stopping mid-step and turning to face him directly. “You know this isn’t what Selene wants.”
“She never said we should kill them. They’re Se—”
“Don’t finish that sentence. They’re not Selene. They’re copies. A fragment that never left with her—that isn’t her anymore. Just tiny imitations of her power, trying to resurrect and destroy us. Selene doesn’t want that.”
He sees Heeseung’s eyes flicker. They’ve had this argument for centuries.
“We don’t know that.”
“She told me. She trusted me to protect us, Heeseung.” His voice is steel. “Sooha wasn’t Selene. She was a being that nearly ended us—and I won’t let that happen again.”
“I know. But you don’t have to kill them.”
“Hyungs.” Ni-ki cuts in, nodding at Jungwon, Jay, and Jake as they arrive.
Their leader whistles lowly at the dead human’s wound. “You gave her a quick end, at least.”
“I’m not cruel. This time, she didn’t even try anything.”
His words are aimed at Heeseung, though he doesn’t look at him. There’s a mocking edge when he speaks to Jungwon, who merely quirks a smile. He doesn’t show it openly—keeping the peace, as always—but he supports Sunoo’s actions.
Just like Ni-ki, who takes Heeseung’s hand, trying to distract him.
Jake steps closer to the eldest and youngest of the group, gripping Heeseung’s shoulder. “Eugh. We need to get rid of her unless we want this making headlines tomorrow.”
“Jake—” They all know Heeseung hates treating humans—let alone these beings—this way.
But what Sunoo does—finding and eliminating them before they can act—keeps them safe. They shouldn’t have to face whatever these things are again. They only bring eras of war and misery.
They’ve been through this before.
“Jay and I will handle this. The rest of you, head home if you want.”
Everyone nods at Jungwon.
Sunoo takes Sunghoon’s arm and murmurs, “Let’s finish this at home, yeah, Hoonie?”
He doesn’t need confirmation. Still, he nods and follows.
He’d follow him to eternity.