Chapter Text
No matter how long Jiyeon has already walked this earth and how dull every day and night became, some things managed to keep her soul awake.
Human life is shallow. She never believed that sentiment until she lived long enough to watch even the grandkids of her sister die.
When the connection to her family became so faded that she felt more relation to tombstones and the trees growing around the abandoned places, she gave up her name and hometown.
With the opportunity to learn, visit and see anything humanly possible, she got bored easily.
At least until Yoohyeon and Minji finally came back from their travels across the world.
They didn’t knock when they entered. Found her in her study room, painting what must’ve been her fifth attempt at a realistic stand still bouquet of dahlias and roses.
“Are you still trying to perfect something that was never supposed to be so?” Yoohyeon asked, taking off her fedora hat. Her and Minji, although very much accustomed to the new generation and the internet, kept true to their roots.
“Let her be darling, she has always been a stubborn one.” Minji, was wearing a pleated white shirt, big ruffles around her wrists and lace adorning her collarbone. Yoohyeon next to her opened her black wool overcoat. A tie pin shining in the light, the buttons of her overcoat in deep red.
They looked rich, sophisticated.
Just exactly how the modern times would imagine the undead.
And Jiyeon couldn’t help but laugh. “The British empire called. They want their clothes back.”
Yoohyeon rolled her eyes. “The joke doesn’t get funnier the more often you say it.”
“These clothes are not from the British empire.” Minji moved over to take hold of Yoohyeon’s pocket watch.
“And you know that. I have told you at least a million times.”
Jiyeon shrugged. “History is a figment of my memory.”
“Your talent for arts and crafts I assume as well?” Minji asked, raising an eyebrow.
So when Jiyeon turned around and threw the brush she had been using right in Minji’s direction, it barely missed her eyeball. "Maybe. But my aim sure isn’t.”
When the couple had finished settling into their bedroom, dressed down to what Jiyeon liked to call “granny pajamas” they found her still in the study room. Watching the paint dry on the canvas.
“It still feels off.” Jiyeon sighed.
“Sleep over it.” Yoohyeon chuckled. When Jiyeon turned around, she found the older one with round glasses and a book in hand. The title something along the lines of “Internet safety: how to make sure your kids don’t fall into bad spaces.”
“Are you actually reading that?”
Yoohyeon shrugged. “My kid shouldn’t fall into bad spaces.” Air-quoting the whole sentence, and Jiyeon was pretty sure she wasn’t fully aware what that even meant.
“If you need help with understanding the vocabulary just let me know.”
“Are you calling me dim-witted?”
And if Jiyeon hadn’t been living with them for so long, she would have laughed at the choice of wording.
“She definitely is.” Minji argued, entering the room. Walking towards Jiyeon, she put a hand on her shoulder. “It looks wonderful. Closest to perfect. But you will never acknowledge that because you are the artist.”
She took the art supplies out of Jiyeon’s hand and moved them to the little table. “When was the last time you went out to engage with others?”
“I had coffee with Shion yesterday.”
“Besides flirting with the oblivious barista down the street.” Yoohyeon remarked. “You didn’t have coffee with her. She made it for you; you paid and then left.”
Jiyeon rolled her eyes.
“I heard that there was a halloween par-”
Jiyeon shook her head before Minji could finish the sentence. “You always try to convince me to go to one of those college parties.”
“Halloween is different.”
“No, it's not.”
“Dressing up as us and pretending your enlarged teeth are a party trick, is different.” Yoohyeon smiled at her softly. “You can even take one of Minji’s stupid coats and pretend just for one night that you're still a young adult stressing over deadlines.”
And Jiyeon appreciated the sentiment. It’s not as if she hadn’t tried already.
Went every year to another college party in hopes of finding connection. To feel at least just a bit human while acting the part of being exactly the opposite.
A dead vampire.
“How often do I need to try until you both let me live in peace.”
“Considering that you’re not living anymo-”
Jiyeon poked Minji into her ribs. “You’re so predictable.”
Minji laughed. “I have been alive for too long. At some point my personality can’t evolve past the threshold.”
whatever that might mean.
When Jiyeon found herself at the door of another college frat party, she sighed and casted a curse over the two vampires currently cuddled up on her couch watching black and white movies.
Adjusting the rings on her finger - the heirloom on her middle finger that marks her as one of Minji’s descendants looking back at her - she opened the first two buttons of her white shirt and entered.
Deciding against Minji’s weird coat, Jiyeon opted for fake blood running down her neck. The sleeves were bloodied, her eyes red and a prominent mark of lipstick on her check.
“It makes no sense for you to put a lipstick stain on me.” Jiyeon had told Yoohyeon, who was holding her in a vice grip by the collar.
“It’s gonna make you appear as though you are taken and happy. And the smell will ward off werewolves.”
Jiyeon looked at her unconvinced. In all her life, she had never met a werewolf before.
“Isn’t that just your normal lipstick from the drugstore?”
Yoohyeon hummed. “It is. Now stand still.”
The noise hit Jiyeon loud and full of bass. Somebody had turned on disco lights, and she could already feel her head thudding in dismay. As by her newest ID curated from one of Yoohyeon’s henchmen, she was 22 and born in Seoul.
An engineer in her second year. If she’s honest she had done the course twice already. Once when she was finally able to tame her new aggressive instincts. And again 5 years ago out of boredom, with a specialisation in space craft.
Now standing squished between masses of people, Jiyeon contemplated on leaving right where she had walked in from.
But then out of the corner of her eye she saw familiar hair. A tall woman, wearing an elegant black dress standing next to another woman dressed like a police officer. There was barely space between them and Jiyeon couldn’t believe her eyes when she recognized their faces.
What are Xinyu and Nien doing here?
They were like a lopsided reflection of Jiyeon’s mentors. Just as known in the world of the undead.
The last time Jiyeon saw them was across the continent at a banquet thrown by the royalties. An ancient lineage of vampires that celebrated their wealth and community once in a while and invited all kinds of names to their mansion.
That time it was to celebrate the birth of their princess Hayeon, seven years ago.
But Jiyeon would recognize the synergy between them anywhere. Suddenly she had no rush anymore to leave.
If Xinyu and Nien had taken the time to come to a rundown college party, Jiyeon could afford to stay just a little while longer.
She mingled, talked with a nice Japanese woman wearing an astronaut’s costume and at least three shots already in her system.
“Meet my girlfriend, Shion.” She slurred, pulling another woman in by the forearm. And when Jiyeon looked up to greet Kaede’s girlfriend politely, she found black hair and surprised eyes looking back at her.
“Wait, don’t I know you from somewhere?” The woman asked, wearing one of those props that imitated a knife stuck in her head. Scars were drawn sloppily on her face, a bandage customized to look like a necktie.
“Jiyeon, engineer.” Jiyeon answered back. Smiling softly. “Where would we have met?” She asked, acting along.
And Shion chuckled anyways. “You’re the woman coming it at 8 every day.”
“You remembered me?” Jiyeon let her eyes shine in a bright red as she tilted her head.
“Of course, I do. You call me darling, complain about the bad weather and order the same thing every time.”
Kaede looked between them, eyes squinted as her addled mind tried to put the timeline together in a coherent string. And Shion must’ve been attuned to her girlfriend. She took hold of her waist and pulled Kaede closer into her side. “Jiyeon is a customer of the café I work at.” She closed the space between them and kissed the visor of Kaede’s astronaut helmet, leaving a deep red lipstick stain on the glass.
Jiyeon watched Kaede's cheeks turn red and her heart reacted like an awakened ghost. Wondering if her body would ever be able to blush again.
“It was nice to meet you outside of coffee, Jiyeon.” Shion curtly nodded. “I will see you around, yeah?”
“Latest on Monday.” And as she watched them disappear through the mass of people, Jiyeon caught unusual movement in the corner of her eye.
Her sensitive hearing and smelling suddenly attuned to two girls standing hunched over a table as Jiyeon heard the sound of glass shattering.
Turning just enough to finally see what’s happening, she found them now crouched down, picking up the shards. And Jiyeon felt an uneasy feeling stirring in her stomach as she watched the tipsiness make their movements sloppy as they reached for the sharp pieces.
“Yeonji, oh no. We have to clean up before Kotone finds out we broke one of her favourite glasses.” One of them said, looking around slightly panicked.
“Well hurry up, Soomin.” The other breathed out, working on putting the biggest shards on top of each other, building a little tower. And before Jiyeon could close the distance and offer help - the sight of them awakening a sense of protectiveness in her she hadn’t felt in a long time - a third person appeared.
“What have you two done again.” Her hair was a fire red, voice scolding but she crouched down and helped them either way.
“It was Soomin.”
“No!” Soomin shook her head. “I swear, Hyerin! Yeonji pushed me an-“
“That doesn’t matter, soominie.” She sighed standing up again. “I’m getting cleaning supplies. Don’t cut yourself.”
And as Jiyeon stayed close, nursing her own paper cup of sorcery, she watched Hyerin’s advice flying over their heads. The inevitable happened.
Yeonji cut herself. Just shallow, placed in the palm of her hand as the sudden shriek attracted attention. She let go of the shard and watched a red blotch forming. It wasn’t much but enough that Jiyeon could feel the tiniest tug in her brain. Biting onto her gums hard, Jiyeon approached and kneeled down on her level.
“Here.” She mumbled, taking out of her inner pocket a small, cute bandage. If Jiyeon had learned one thing its that open wounds are always worse than covered ones.
The smell alone is better manageable without a visual.
When Yeonji turned around, surprised and confused, Jiyeon just motioned for her to take the plaster.
“Oh, thank you.” She bowed. Took it out of Jiyeon’s hand, when Hyerin came back with a dustpan and Jiyeon genuinely wondered why the two girls thought it was a good idea to pick it up bare handed.
As Jiyeon stood up again, she heard a low wince behind her. A trapped breath.
It alerted every nerve in her body and turning she found a tall young woman standing fixed to the floor barely two feet away.
She was surrounded by the masses that had started to dance and talk again, but instead of following the motion, her eyes were transfixed on something right behind Jiyeon.
She was dressed in a bloodied pilot’s costume. The hat tilted on her head, the uniform ripped at her sleeves. A skull drawn on her pants and if Jiyeon wasn’t so focused on her face, she would’ve asked what the woman was even supposed to be.
A zombified pilot?
A serial killer dressed as a pilot?
Their eyes met and Jiyeon found red shining right back at her. Suddenly it clicked.
“Hi?” She asked, approaching her. Deliberately moving right into her line of sight. So that Yeonji, who had since then stood up again and let Soomin and Hyerin finish cleaning up, was blocked from the pilot’s view.
Jiyeon watched the haziness slowly disappear. Felt her teeth aching in her gums. The smell of blood was still fresh in the air and if she wasn’t so focused, she would have felt the same pull as the one before her.
“Are you alright?” Jiyeon asked, closing the space between them.
“Yeah.” The other nodded, head falling as she messaged her temple. “Just a long day.”
And Jiyeon was very familiar with accents.
“A jet lag perhaps?” She asked in Japanese.
Watching the woman look up at her with amusement in her eyes. The red was still there, but it looked more deliberate now.
Tamed.
Calming like the pull and push of the waves on the shore.
And Jiyeon couldn't look away. Realised without a fight that the woman in front of her was beautiful. Round cheeks, an easy smile, a certain softness in her eyes that didn’t match her attire. She was taller than Jiyeon, long black hair and well-kept bangs that made the hints of silver glitter around her eyes shine under the lights.
And maybe she noticed Jiyeon staring openly. Tilted her head as she regarded her. “Your accent is familiar to me.” Her Korean was blotchy, rough and drawn out.
Jiyeon was captivated.
“And your eyes-“ She started, sounding something between elation and caution.
“They resemble yours.” Jiyeon spoke.
She smiled softly. “I just haven’t figured out if that is good or bad.” And her voice was deeper in Japanese. The syllables easier on her tongue, less alienated. So when Jiyeon felt the upturn of her own lips, she didn’t resist it.
“I could say the same.”
Maybe the woman smelled the scented lipstick stain, or maybe standing in front of another vampire was reason enough but Jiyeon watched her stiffen. Shoulders higher as her eyes flitted around the room. The bass was so loud Jiyeon could drown in it.
“Do you want to take this outside?” Jiyeon then asked, watching her standing taller.
“Who is waiting outside?”
And she has not been as intrigued by anyone in decades. “The calm of the night and cleaner air.”
Jiyeon heard Yeonji exclaiming something behind her. Noticed Hyerin taking her hand as they left for the hallway.
"I won't be meeting your company outside, will I?"
Jiyeon shook her head. “You will be my company.” And it sounded heavier than she intended. But at the same time, Jiyeon wasn’t opposed to clear signals. She has lived long enough to know when to ask for something.
And when the woman smiled at her again, she was very glad she did.
“Fine. I’m all yours for the night.”
If Jiyeon still had a beating heart, she’d feel it now. Loud, excited. But all she felt was the phantom of a rhythm in her veins. Jiyeon turned without looking back. Moved through the masses and up the stairs.
She expected for the other to ask questions. To not follow so easily.
But all she heard were confident footsteps. A tall shadow behind her.
Jiyeon had gotten a tour of the house earlier by Kotone. The host of the party. Another Japanese student who Yeonji essentially had been scared to explain the missing glass cup to. But Jiyeon found Kotone if anything endearing.
She walked past her talking to a walking sunshine – the woman had blonde hair and smiled brightly – Jiyeon smiled at Kotone and motioned for the balcony.
“Go ahead. It’s empty.” Kotone added, finding the pilot behind Jiyeon. A sly smile tugged on her lips and Jiyeon reacted with a roll of her eyes.
“Be right back.”
Kotone laughed after her, eyes back on what Jiyeon assumes is at least a crush. Considering how fast Kotone’s heart was beating under all that bravado.
“Take your time!”
..
When the door closed and Jiyeon found herself surrounded in fresh clean air, she exhaled, moving to the railings.
For a moment they both didn’t speak. The string of loud conversation inside filtering through the glass as Jiyeon watched the dark sky above them.
“Every decade a few stars fade. Either because their light succumbs or because humans make the earth too bright for us to see them in the night sky.”
“You say humans like they are detached from us.”
Jiyeon turned to look at her. The pilot's arms stuffed into the pockets of her pants. “You sound like you don’t like the idea of seeing us as something else.”
For a moment they just regarded each other. And Jiyeon hated that the other was still watching her like an imminent danger was close.
“Don’t you think it was naïve of me to follow you?”
The honesty was surprising. It went against everything Jiyeon had learnt about vampires and their integrated nature of always wanting to control every room they walked into.
Jiyeon shook her head. “Maybe I am the naïve one.” She moved closer with the excuse to see her better. “For all I know, you didn’t come alone.”
And Jiyeon knew that she didn’t. Clear distinct traces of other vampires on her clothes and skin.
Even more so. Jiyeon had known from the beginning who exactly the other vampires in question were.
As if summoned, a familiar voice answered.
“She didn’t.”
The sound of a wind breeze travelled and Jiyeon watched Nien and Xinyu descend onto the small balcony. Slow and graceful as if they could control the wind just by will power. And maybe they could. Standing now next to the door as they all formed a tilted triangle.
Jiyeon could sense the pilot’s surprise. Felt her eyes staring into her skull as Jiyeon moved to embrace the older vampires briefly.
“What brings you all the way here, Xinyu?”
“The usual.” Xinyu answered, as she waited for Jiyeon to approach so she could kiss the younger’s cheek.
Knowingly avoiding Yoohyeon’s lipstick stain and Jiyeon shouldn’t be surprised anymore.
“I see your mentors took caution.”
Jiyeon chuckled. “Don’t they always.” And suddenly Jiyeon found the missing puzzle piece.
“Is that why you both are here?” A glint in her eyes and Nien regarded her amused.
“Taking caution indeed. But it seems like Lynn was always in good hands.”
Lynn.
So that’s her name.
But Jiyeon wouldn’t allow herself to dwell on that. “You were watching us.” She spoke.
A bit too confident, a bit too haste.
“And you knew we were here the moment you entered.” Nien answered, reaching forward, elbow pointed out and Xinyu interlinked their arms like she could read her lover’s mind.
“Can we ask of you a favour, Jiyeon?”
Jiyeon knew not to decline that. Minji and Yoohyeon had a good relationship with them. And it was Jiyeon’s job to represent them and play the part.
“Does it involve a murder?” She asked instead, showing respect with a subtle bow.
“We wished.” Nien answered and Jiyeon could hear Lynn exhale defeated. Rolling her eyes even.
It surprised Jiyeon. Not the action on its own, but rather that Nien let her live doing so.
“They are getting bored of watching me.” Lynn remarked bluntly.
And if it was anyone else, Jiyeon would fear for their head on a stake. No one dared to talk to nobility like that. Ruthless killers. Members of the highest circle of the undead.
Unless of course.
And Jiyeon’s assumption was proven right when Xinyu simply smiled. Looked at Lynn in the way only a mother could regard her rebellious child. “You will like the different scenery.” And when Xinyu turned back to Jiyeon, she braced for impact.
“Besides, Jiyeon seems rather pleased watching you.”
If Jiyeon has learned anything in her time around the nobles of the undead, it’s this: If you’re looking into the eye of a lion, don’t cower.
“By the means of stopping her from biting a teenager at a house party, I’d rather watch her than clean up the mess.” And Jiyeon could feel those same intense eyes staring into her skull again.
Could feel Lynn’s desire to oppose but even she knew not to engage in this conversation on a balcony.
So, when Xinyu and Nien disappeared into the night, a “greet the Kims from us, dear” echoing through the forest, Jiyeon found herself on her way home with a rather surprising turn.
That turn stood now awkwardly in their hallway as Jiyeon put her own coat away. When Yoohyeon descended the stairs, Jiyeon could feel Lynn stiffen next to her.
“Did you bring dinner with you?” She asked, and Jiyeon had to hold still so as to not show the surprise on her face.
She eyed the older unimpressed. “Nien said I should watch her. She never specified more.” Because of course Jiyeon would play along.
“Sounds good to me.” Yoohyeon reached the entrance hallway - still in her granny pajamas - and Jiyeon could only imagine what Lynn was thinking.
“You brought a gift!” Minji called, appearing next to Yoohyeon, in work attire and blood running down her cheek.
Jiyeon had to suppress a muffled snort. “A gift from Japan, yes my lord.” she answered, dropping into a courtesy.
Watching Lynn doing the same when survival instinct kicked in.
For a second, they all stared at each other.
Then Lynn coughed softly. If she could, Jiyeon is sure her cheeks would have been flaming red at the assault. “Kawakami Lynn. A descendant of Xinyu’s lineage.” She bowed and Jiyeon shot her mentors a disapproving glare to drop the act.
Minji smiled, laughed softly and walked forward. “Welcome Lynn. We have been waiting on you.”
Lynn stopped moving. Straight as a board when Minji approached to kiss her cheek. And while Lynn was hung up on not getting fed to the wolves – or rather vampires in this case – Jiyeon noticed Minji’s choice of words with a frown.
She tilted her head, watched Yoohyeon pat Lynn’s hair and whisper something into her ear. When Minji finally looked up into her direction, Jiyeon asked, “You have been waiting for her?”
“Yes.” And of course, Minji wouldn’t grace her with more.
Thus, Jiyeon just stared at her, hoping that maybe if she tried hard enough, she’d unlock the ancient witch sleeping in her.
Which of course.
Ended fruitless.
When Yoohyeon left back to her study and Minji disappeared through the door it dawned on Jiyeon that Lynn was still standing next to her.
The both of them were in costumes that looked ridiculous now.
“What now, lord?” Lynn asked, hands behind her back and Jiyeon secretly fought back a smile.
“If anything, I prefer lady.” Jiyeon walked over. “But we don’t do that here.”
Lynn hummed. “I figured that out after a while.”
“Those ten minutes made your heart jump.”
Lynn nodded easily. The sleeveless vest allowed Jiyeon to notice well trained muscle as Lynn crossed her arms in front of her chest. A disarray of rings decorating her hands, a simple bracelet reflecting the light.
“My very dead and cold heart.”
Jiyeon smiled amused. “Alright. Let’s get you washed up.”
“Am I staying over?” Tone light, as if they were sixteen again and sleeping over at a friend’s house.
“You could always sleep outside.” Lynn looked surprised, and at first Jiyeon thought she was offended but then she opened her mouth and Jiyeon was taught otherwise.
“You actually are able to sleep?”
For a moment, Jiyeon wanted nothing more than to grant her the wish of humanity.
“If daydreams count.”
The mansion was big enough to host a whole family. That Lynn chose the bedroom next to Jiyeon’s seemed logical. Considering it was the closest to the bathrooms and had a small balcony on the west side.
Jiyeon didn’t allow herself to read more into it. The Kim’s occupied the master on the other wing, which split them up and gave Jiyeon - and now Lynn - the freedom to do whatever they pleased at any given hour.
“Just come once you’re done.” Jiyeon had called, closing the door to Lynn’s room and leaving her on her own.
Jiyeon used the time to shower and change. To water her plants and finally hang up the dried canvas in the hallway. She had bought a new book from the store next to Shion’s café and sat down in the living room. It had a little window nook and Jiyeon loved to watch people passing by down the street.
Well past midnight now, the streets were empty and the light flickered outside. 10 pages in on the wonders of a new herbal aid, she heard slow footsteps approaching. And Jiyeon had learned both Yoohyeon and Minji’s patterns - this new sound alarmed her, a natural reflex.
But then she looked over the edge of her book to find Lynn peeking at the arch of the doorframe.
“I knocked multiple times at your door, but I figured you weren’t there and made my way downstairs.” She hadn’t moved from her position half covered by the wall. “I don’t know if I’m allowed to be here, considering that this might be a private space- and if so, I will apologize an-“ She was stumbling. Jiyeon couldn’t help but laugh.
The sound stopped Lynn in an instant. Mouth closed as she pursed her lips, looking at her helplessly.
“It’s okay, Lynn.” Jiyeon spoke. “Now please don’t keep standing in the door like you’re afraid of me.” Jiyeon flipped to the next page. “Or are you those types of vampires that need to be invited in?”
Lynn huffed. “We both know that that is only a fun thing the humans invented to make stories more interesting.” And as she said that her voice thinned out. Like the space of the living room swallowed the sound when she finally stepped in. In black suit pants and a beige blue hoodie. Hair still damp around the edges, bangs messier.
“I hope they aren’t too uncomfortable.” When Jiyeon motioned to her clothes, Lynn looked down as if she had forgotten what she was wearing.
“Oh, it's fine. Although I was surprised to see a full suit on the bed when I was done showering.”
Jiyeon shrugged. “I wouldn’t judge your preferences. And I didn’t have anything your height. Those are Yoohyeon’s.”
Considering that Lynn came with nothing but what she had been wearing, Jiyeon allowed herself the liberty to provide everything one might need. The three residents of the house had a lot to go around.
“Yoohyeon studied at Oxford?” Lynn questioned, and although she was wearing the suit pants Jiyeon had stolen from the older’s closet, Lynn had decided for one of the hoodies Jiyeon offered her.
“No. I did.” Jiyeon answered, a warm feeling settling in her stomach at the sight of Lynn in one of her college hoodies. It was from the late 80s. The colours faded, the design too old to be called anything but vintage.
It suited her more than Jiyeon liked to admit.
“Well then thank you for the charity.” And Lynn’s wide smile knocked the wind out of Jiyeon’s lungs.
“I expect compensation.” She mumbled, uncaring of the look in her eyes.
And Lynn must’ve noticed. Or maybe her smile just turned softer on instinct. “I have money to offer and myself.” She stuffed her hands into the pocket of her pants and Jiyeon noticed the change in her posture.
Shoulders loosened, eyes softer. She was surprised how easy it had been for Lynn to relax.
She noticed too much.
It was bothersome.
“That will be good for now.” She moved her legs off the bench in the window nook, pillows and blankets taking in the space. “Come sit down.” And maybe Lynn saw the absurdity behind it.
Considering that there were at least three empty couches in close proximity, more space and cushions.
They both didn’t voice it out and Lynn hummed instead. “Do you allow me to go search for a book of my liking?” She said, accent thick in the way that was supposed to annoy Jiyeon. But the latter found the attempt rather endearing.
“Yeah, of course. The library is the next door down the hall.” Jiyeon leaned back against the windows, pushing her reading glasses into her hair and she adored the way Lynn watched her. “If you need a tour, just say so.”
“I’d love to.” Breathed out too quickly.
And if Jiyeon spent the next hours showing Lynn around the library, recommending her favourite books only to find out that Lynn was well read as well and had her own think pieces then she’d call it finally finding someone that shared her interests.
An exchange of knowledge.
It turned out that Jiyeon meeting Lynn wasn’t just a coincidence. Which nothing ever was if the Kims are involved.
The next morning Jiyeon stalked into the kitchen, finding Yoohyeon in business casual next to the counter, making a coffee for none other than Yubin sitting cross legged in one of their kitchen stools.
“Good morning, ma`am.” Yubin spoke, bowing her head curtly. Hunter’s etiquette.
And Jiyeon never understood how that worked if she was the exact species Yubin killed outside their door. But Yubin belongs to a long lineage of the few humans that knew what laid behind the threshold of fairytales, and Jiyeon supposes a certain amount of irrationality is allowed to be lost somewhere on the way to insanity.
Jiyeon was around when her mother used to do the work Yubin had taken over ten years ago. She had watched the younger grow into the woman she was now. And Yoohyeon nurtured the hunter’s family because they were partners.
Because she and Minji saw the need for a natural policing of corners they couldn’t walk into without creating unnecessary noise.
“What brings you here yubs.” Jiyeon asked back, moving towards the fridge to get herself a blood bag. She’d normally drink out of the plastic but courtesy for the human, she opened it and poured it into a wine cup.
Even if it was animal blood, Jiyeon hoped the image of her sipping thick wine was a bit less ludicrous.
“Yoohyeon has notified me of a few rogue vampires stirring up trouble downtown.” The older vampire handed the hunter the coffee and hummed.
“I’m sure our resident police will handle it sufficiently.”
Yubin frowned. Jiyeon helped with a chuckle.
“She’s calling you the resident police, yubs.”
A new pair of footsteps were heard. And Jiyeon was reminded of spending the night in the library. Of hushed whispers and silly arguments. She saw the surprise on Yubin’s face, the way her hand twitched to the hidden gun under her coat and then flitted her eye towards Lynn entering the frame. And Jiyeon knew Yoohyeon would recognize the suit Lynn was currently wearing.
The family crest stitched black on black over the breast pocket. She was wearing her hair down, bangs deep over her eyes, the collar of her blouse loosened enough to take the formality out of her appearance. She smiled softly, held Yubin’s eye and spoke.
“Good morning, I hope I’m not intruding.” Before Yubin could answer, the start of a question on her lips, Yoohyeon moved across the kitchen counter to find Lynn and embrace her in a friendly hug.
“Not at all, Lynn.”
The younger vampire halted under her touch, clearly surprised and unaccustomed. But she leaned into Yoohyeon’s embrace and moved her hand for a hesitant tap on the older’s back.
Yoohyeon let go and motioned towards Yubin. “This is Yubin. A very dear friend of ours.”
“Nice to meet you.” Lynn bowed her head respectfully.
Yubin mirrored her, a still very confused frown between her brows. “You, too.” She muttered, watching Jiyeon greet Lynn with a subtle wave, the taller answering with a wide smile. And then Yubin hummed. Shoulders relaxing. “I see.” She spoke, raising an eyebrow.
And Jiyeon didn’t notice the way Yoohyeon pursed her lip, sharing with Yubin some kind of secret that Jiyeon wasn’t in on.
When Yubin felt everyone’s eyes on her, she simply shrugged. “I’m sorry, it just has been a long while since Jiyeon brought someone home over the night.” Yoohyeon snorted, and Jiyeon halted.
“Yubin.” She chastised.
“Is this not what I think it is?”
“We met yesterday and Xinyu left her with me.” Jiyeon answered, daring Yubin to question further.
The hunter grinned with no care in the world. “And she stayed the night, didn’t she?” Jiyeon didn’t grace her with an answer.
Humming knowingly, Yubin drank a sip from her coffee, clearly trying to hide chuckles behind the cup.
“Actually, Yubin-” Yoohyeon started, putting a hand on Lynn’s shoulder. “Would you be so kind to let Lynn accompany you on your errands.”
The hunter raised an eyebrow, gaze sweeping down Lynn’s tall figure and up again. As if she was assessing how big of a liability the young vampire could become.
“Show her around the city and maybe help her with a new wardrobe.” Yoohyeon turned back to Lynn, smiling. “Even if you look dashing in my clothes and family crest, I’m pretty sure your idea of day to day clothes differs from what we have to offer.”
“I- I mean-” Lynn started, hesitant. She then decided for a closed mouth smile and an affirming nod. “Thank you for the opportunity.”
“Well, then.” Yubin threw her head back and drank the rest of the coffee in two gulps, putting the cup onto the counter. She stood up from the bar stool, moved towards Lynn, a determined hand finding the vampire’s wrist before she tugged her along towards the door. Lynn shuffled behind, turning over her shoulder to get a “See you later!” out before she disappeared through the doorframe.
Jiyeon watched them, eyes still trained on the empty spot where Lynn had just vanished from. In the distance she could hear Yubin’s loud voice. “Take off the suit jacket, we don’t want to attract attention. I will let you borrow one of my bomber jackets.” Snorting, Jiyeon shook her head, as she filled her mouth with the iron taste of blood, the wine glass tilting in her hand.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure Yubin will have an eye on her.” Jiyeon looked up to find Yoohyeon regarding her, arms crossed in that fashion that Jiyeon knew way too well.
“I’m not worried.”
Later she found herself in Minji’s office, hands full with international post as she waited for Yoohyeon and Minji to finish their discussion on the latest trends of flower arrangements. When Minji’s eyes found her, the older ushered her closer.
“What do you have for me?” She asked, hand held out, sitting on the other end of the desk as she took in the pile of letters.
“So this is from the local city govern.” Jiyeon read the back address as she handed them to Minji.
“This one is from the witch coven on the southeast border.”
She heard Yoohyeon whistle intrigued. “And here is one from Japan.”
Minji lit up. “That must be Xinyu.”
“And this one-” Jiyeon couldn’t read the address. She squinted, trying to identify the postal stamp. “Maybe Czech?” She handed the rest over in one go. “I guess it's best if you just see for yourself.”
“Thank you.” Minji mumbled, eyes already on the paper. And Jiyeon knew she - and in extension Yoohyeon - were expecting her to leave after. Not because they were hiding anything from her. But because she has not shown interest in their diplomatic work for a long while.
So when Jiyeon stayed close, watching them both with a halted breath in her lungs, Minji slowly looked up at her. Yoohyeon stood leant against the big antique desk, hands folded in front of her chest.
“Do you wish to join us?” Minji had picked up one letter, holding it out for Jiyeon to take.
She shook her head. Waiting. Hoping they’d crack.
“So-,” She started, knowing that although Minji’s eyes were back on her desk, Yoohyeon’s body turned to take another off the pile, the both of them were listening to every breath. “About Lynn.”
“What of her?”
“I find it rather surprising that Xinyu and Nien left one of their own with us. They left a descendant of their line with me.”
Minji hummed. “We have a good relation with them. Of course they entrust you to be a great host.”
“Well, precisely.” Jiyeon answered, hoping to tickle something out of them. “But that doesn’t explain the notion. And I surely don’t have to remind you of that little comment yesterday at the entrance.”
A pointed look towards Minji who since then had put her elbow on top of the desk to rest her head in her palm. Staring up at Jiyeon with something along the lines of amusement.
“You said you had been waiting on her.”
Minji nodded easily. “I did.”
Jiyeon huffed. “Why are you trying to annoy me? Don’t I deserve the truth.”
“You’re speaking as if Minji isn’t already successfully annoying you.” Yoohyeon added, unprovoked.
When Jiyeon's angry glare hit her full force, the older simply laughed, holding up her hands as she straightened from the table to walk closer.
“I apologize, dear.” And Jiyeon answered with a tired hum. She tapped her foot, arms crossed. The two lovers shared a quick glance before Minji spoke up.
“Now I can’t say we didn’t have a hand in your encounter.”
“Well clearly so.” Jiyeon remarked, closing the distance between them.
Yoohyeon’s hand finding her shoulder. “Xinyu and Nien love her. They say she’s incredibly kind for someone that lost so much in such short time. They wished for someone that could fill the gaps they couldn’t, especially when it came to adjusting to her new abilities and handicaps in modern society. As old and rusty as they are.”
Jiyeon raised an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure that is your saying.”
Chuckling, Yoohyeon squeezed Jiyeon’s shoulder. “I might’ve changed the wording here and there.”
“Mhm.” Jiyeon added, waiting.
“What she’s trying to say-” Minji spoke up, and this close Jiyeon could see the fatigue under her eyes. . “-Is that on the last banquet we attended last week, we made plans to make you both meet. Lynn needs someone that meets her on eye level and gives her a hand with training her new instincts, I thought you might be fitting.”
Jiyeon nodded, tilting her head. “You aren’t the type to offer without expecting something in exchange. What is the other end of the bargain?”
Yoohyeon laughed. “Why would something between old friends need a bargain?”
“It usually does when it comes to you both.”
“We are very gracious people.” Minji remarked, slightly offended.
“Never said you weren’t.” Jiyeon smiled, reaching over the table, taking hold of Minji’s hand. “And now, please the rest of the bargain.”
Minji rolled her eyes but obliged in the end. “You really are our daughter.”
Jiyeon shrugged. “By blood and soul.”
“You have been brooding way too much.” Minji spoke. “Restless. Searching. We thought a fresh perspective would get you out of your rabbit hole.”
“Watching you curse that stand-still yesterday was painful.” She grimaced. Because of course, Yoohyeon couldn’t sugarcoat her words.
“Thank you so much mother.”
Yoohyeon laughed, the sound hitting Jiyeon’s ear and dissolving the forced scowl to a lopsided grin.
“We hoped you two would get along.” Minji was smiling now. In the way her eyes disappeared. “Xinyu and Nien were supposed to pull you to the side and introduce you both to each other.”
Jiyeon pursed her lips. Realising that she had not only fulfilled Minji’s wish in getting along. She had taken matters into her own hands.
“So imagine my surprise when I found out you two met on your own accord.” Minji had a glint in her eyes, clearly teasing. And Jiyeon felt the sudden rush of their first encounter, of the clear pull Jiyeon had felt crashing back into her.
The embarrassment was apparent on her face. And Jiyeon could feel the phantom of a blush on her cheeks. “She was well on her way of making that little Yeonji girl her next meal.”
“Well good that you had your eyes on her.” Yoohyeon remarked, a shit-eating grin plastered on her face.
“Oh shut up.” Jiyeon breathed. It went quiet for a bit. Jiyeon weighed her options as Yoohyeon’s thumb traced circles into her shoulder.
“So a vampire in training with the hopes of getting me out of my own four walls.”
“Maybe.” And then a lot softer. “You don’t seem opposed.”
“Not particularly.”