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With a soft voice, you quickly scribbled onto your clipboard as you spoke, “Look, I put my job on the line to make this reunion happen. If you’re all on your best behaviour this time, I’m sure I can make it happen more often, alright?” The five nodded wordlessly as you dismissed the other workers with a wave behind you.

Once they all left, you took a deep breath, looking each being in the eye, “There will be rules that have been set by the board if you want this. You must talk in a language we can understand. There will be no destroying property. No harming one another. No tugging or trying to break each other’s collars. Researchers will be monitoring you, but only for brief moments. I, however, will have to stay in here and keep an eye on you all. So basically, while I take a nap under that tree, stay behaved. Agreed?”

After looking at one another for a moment, their heads slowly nodded in agreement. The rules weren’t obnoxious either way. With a nod, you immediately gave one of the monitoring cameras the thumbs up before excusing yourself from the men. Slightly struggling with the sand as you walked, you could feel the stares of the five quiet beings while you made your way towards the tree that seemed much farther away than you remembered. Suddenly a slight jingle rung in your ears before a breeze passed you, your arms immediately being supported, balancing your body. Jiyong stood on your right as he held your hand with his right, his left arm around your shoulders. Silently and efficiently, Jiyong took your heels off of your shoes and hung them on his fingers before guiding you towards the tree.

As he walked you, you couldn’t help but allow your body to blindly follow him, your eyes trailing to his side profile. His brows furrowed together as he looked down at your feet in concentration, careful to guide you over the stones he knew laid under specific patches of sand. His lips pursed as one of your feet sunk in a little too deep, his left hand gently pulling it out once again. By the time you were staring at the marking on the back of his neck partially hidden underneath the collar – one that looked like wings – he was already setting you down underneath the shade of the tree.

Tossing your heels beside you, he crouched down, looking away from you in embarrassment as he mumbled, “Are you going to be alright in the heat?” With a soft nod, you couldn’t help but shrink under the gazes of the four others who looked on, “Yeah, I’ll just tell them to lower the temperature if it gets to uncomfortable. “

Turning his head to inspect you once more, Jiyong simply nodded before calmly approaching his friends again. Within seconds the five quickly sat down and conversed, laughter pulling at their cheeks as they playfully tossed fistfuls of sand at one another. Without you knowing, a smile crawled up your lips as you looked down at your notebook, spending the first half hour of monitoring by writing what you observed. But by the half hour mark, you had only written down one note.

They’re cute together.

Quickly reading it over again, your face reddened as you fiercely scratched it out. Shuffling the notebook away, you stretched and sighed. Looking around the large sphere, you began to squint. How could Jiyong stay here for longer than a week without going absolutely insane? Your eyes trailed down to the group of men who were now lying down on their backs, staring up as they spoke to one another. You couldn’t help but let your gaze linger on Jiyong, watching as he burst out laughing, his upper body slightly rising as he held his stomach. Slowly, you reached over to your notebook again, quickly writing a single note before tidying it away. With their laughter ringing in your ears, you closed your eyes, leaning back onto the tree as you relaxed.

They’re practically human.

You didn’t know how long it was, but your eyelids slowly opened, the room slightly dark, but lit enough for you to see. Stretching your neck after resting on the tree for too long, you stood, squinting your adjusting eyes towards where you thought the five men were. There were only four – Seunghyun, Taeyang, Daesung, and Seungri were the only four beings you could see. Quickly you looked at the locks, following each collar line before seeing Jiyong’s slowly you followed the line, standing up as you walked towards what you assumed was his silhouette.

He was seated on a large boulder, your jaw slightly dropping. He must have climbed it with ease. It was at least as tall as you were, but being the stubborn and motivated researcher you were, you set your things down. Climbing up the smallest rock you could, you stood, climbed higher and higher with each one as if they made stairs. Slowly but surely, you jumped from rock to rock before the boulder was in front of you. Now it was half your height. With a long sigh, your hands reached up to the surface, using all the strength you had to climb up onto it. But you were never one to actively participate in gym class.

Your body slowly sunk, and just as you were about to let go, you felt two hands grab your wrists. Almost effortlessly you were dragged up, a blush covering your face as you brushed off some sand from your lab coat. As if nothing had happened, Jiyong’s back faced you as he continued to stare off into space, his body slightly swinging from side to side. Cautiously, you took a seat beside him. It was close enough for your arms to brush, and immediately looked up at him for any signs of discomfort. He was still neutral, however, the only change being he turned his head to look at you with a somewhat curious look.

Clearing your throat, you silently asked, “What are you doing up here?” Jiyong watched as you folded your knees to your chest, your arms wrapping around them as your chin rested on your knees. He shrugged, his eyes scanning you from top to bottom once more, “Cooler air is higher up.” With a nod, you watched as your toes wiggled underneath your leggings, specks of sand making your nose scrunch.

After a moment of silence, you gathered the courage to look up at his face, only to notice he was staring at you. His arms were crossed as his legs swung off the edge of the rock, a slight pout on his lips as if he were in deep thought. You quickly straightened, deciding it was better to fake confidence than quiver. With an almost threatening nudge, you scoffed, “What are you looking at?” Jiyong couldn’t help but let out a short laugh as he shook his head, his gaze unmoving. Under his breath, his words made your face pink, “Seungri said you looked even prettier after doing something so kind for us.” You couldn’t help but laugh bitterly as you looked back at the sleeping figure, “That brat probably wants me to sneak him some more potato chips.”

Turning you head back to Jiyong, he was only looking at you with a questioning risen brow. With a shrug, you sheepishly smiled, “I was having lunch and he grabbed it when I wasn’t looking.” Jiyong wordlessly nodded before finally taking his eyes off of you, staring straight ahead.

When you thought there would be another somewhat comfortable silence, Jiyong almost whispered, “Thank you. Thank you very much, ____.”

You shrugged as a smile grew on your face, “It may be my job as a researcher to study you, but it’s my job as a person to at least make this bearable for you.”

As she looked up at the blonde young looking man, she couldn’t help but let a nervous smile show as she took a step back. He rose a brow, “Where do you think you are going?” Dasol only shrugged and turned her back, walking away from him as she spoke, “Just touring the rest of the house. It’s boring only being able to have access to my glass room and the library.” Her ears perked as she heard Seungri follow her footsteps, goosebumps rising up her skin as she could occasionally feel his breath hit her. Seungri smiled as he put an arm around her shoulders, quickly leading her down the stairs, “Let me show you my room, then.”

Thinking of this opportunity as a good distraction from the chilling words of Jiyong that echoed in her fresh memory, she mindlessly followed. Seungri chuckled as Dasol slightly stiffened once they reached the double doors of his bedroom, quickly opening them both with a flick of his wrist. Dasol took slow steps inwards, her mouth gaping open as she stared at the room. It was slightly different than Jiyong’s, his numerous carpets, lamps, and other decor giving more colour to the room.

Ignoring the thought that Seungri was right behind, Dasol trotted up the stairs to his bed, approaching a small dark wooden shelf where numerous sized panda dolls were placed. She found herself gently touching the noses of some, smiling as she glanced back at the youngest king, “You have an interest in pandas?” Seungri shrugged and grabbed a small plushie, tossing it from one hand to another as a soft smile pulled on his lips, “These are all gifts I received before I was turned. Apparently I looked like a panda as I had a problem with my dark circles back then.”

He reached up on a higher shelf, following Dasol who took a seat on the edge of his bed. Taking a seat beside her, he handed her a picture frame where inside was a slightly faded image of the five kings together with the four others teasing Seungri. They poked his cheeks and ruffled his hair while having bright smiles for the camera. Seungri pointed at the date engraved into the wood of the bottom frame, “April of 2015. A year before we had all turned.” Dasol turned to Seungri with her brows furrowed in curiosity, “You knew each other before?” Seungri nodded as he laid back on the bed, “We’ve known each other since 2003. Taeyang, Jiyong, and Seunghyun have known each other for even longer.”

“When will you learn your manners, Seungri? You continuously forget to address us as elder.”

Dasol’s head snapped up to see Seunghyun walking up the stairs towards Seungri’s bed, a small smirk on his lips. Seungri had seemed to sense his presence long before, though, as he simply waved the elder’s comment away. Seunghyun took a seat beside the youngest, glancing at Dasol with his intimidating eyes as a scoff left his lips, “I thought I heard you two talking. Aren’t you afraid Jiyong will become protective of his property, Seungri?” Seungri, again, shrugged as he elbowed his elder with a teasing tone, “We always end up sharing our properties later anyway.” Both men seemed to dismiss the grimace that came up on Dasol’s face as she watched them talk about her as if she were an object.

Maybe to them she was, but she knew she was more to Jiyong. They were friends, at best.

Seunghyun let out a long sigh as he leaned back on the bed, poking at Seungri’s face as he glanced up at Dasol, “No worries, Jiyong has no intention of sharing you or treating you like an object. He has specifically asked us to address you as an acquaintance, and after seeing you almost pass out of blood loss to save his life, we will.” Unknowingly, Dasol let out a breath of relief as she laid down beside them, turning her head only to see Seunghyun using both hands to pull and push the skin around Seungri’s eyes and lips.

She couldn’t help but let out a giggle as she reached over and pushed up his nose, Seunghyun laughing as the younger male slightly whined. They continued to play with the face and arms of the youngest male, tying his hair up with as many elastic bands as they could find. At the same time, Seunghyun continued to make weird voices as the youngest and the eldest picked on one another. Soon enough they began teasing Dasol, Dasol having no choice but to defend herself by teasing them as well.

After an hour or two passed as the three spent the time conversing and playfully bullying one another, ending as the stomachs of the three began to become sore from laughter, Seunghyun laid on his side as he pointed at Dasol, “Do you enjoy being Jiyong’s?” Dasol, a bit taken aback by the question, paused from brushing the knots out of Seungri’s hair as both men looked at her expectantly.

Even the mention of his name brought back the thought of his deep voice ringing in her ear as she unknowingly shivered. Dasol felt her body begin to heat up from embarrassment as she shrugged, “He hasn’t treated me badly yet. I see no reason to not to like him.” Seungri giggled as he pointed at Dasol’s stomach, “Has he...done anything yet?” Unconsciously, Dasol covered her stomach with her arms as she shook her head wordlessly. She spoke softly as worry etched her face, “Does he usually…” Seunghyun laughed as he stood up, quickly turning on a song on the speakers in Seungri’s room in case any one else could hear their conversation. He casually spoke as he shuffled through Seungri’s music, “Seeing you two together so often can only raise suspicions from us. There has only been one time where Jiyong ever touched one of his human properties.”

Dasol leaned closer, lying on her stomach and resting her head on her hands as she stared at the eldest, “What happened?” Seungri took a jab at her forehead, watching as she glared and shifted back, making space for him to lie down in front of her. With a soft smile on his face, Seungri tapped his fingers on the bed as he remembered, “She was a tad older than you and was lost in the forest. She looked like a poor thing - as skinny as they could get and with scars all over her body from running. She was pretty though, that must have been the reason for Jiyong hyung to notice her. He was coming back from a meeting with another Area before stopping in front of her and insisting on taking her with him. He kept her in that room across from his, fed her, clothed her...he brought her back to health. He spent hours in that room with her, talking and doing all he could to keep her comfortable. She was never allowed to leave that room, though.”

Seunghyun briefly interrupted, nodding as he sighed while taking a chair and lighting himself a cigar from his pocket, “Must have been suffocating for her if I look back on it now. We had never had a human in this mansion to be kept alive and so Jiyong was only being cautious. It was still upsetting to hear her ask him if she could step outside, only to be rejected with the excuse that it was for her sake.”

Seungri nodded as he continued, “Anyway, after months of living here with only Jiyong to talk to, she had become Jiyong’s lover and he spent every second he could with her. They made love a lot - it was slightly annoying to hear it almost every night even if we do not rest much, and so Jiyong had eventually soundproofed the room for us before we could go insane,” The two men laughed as they shook their heads, shivering in disgust as if they remembered the sounds again. “Unfortunately, that soundproofing wasn’t enough and one day we returned to the Area together in the middle of the night to hear her scream. It was the only time Jiyong hyung had allowed us into the room as we all ran up.”

Dasol had been staring down at her fingers before noticing the pause in Seungri’s story. She looked up at him, only to see the youngest’s face scrunch. Before she could ask if he was okay, Seunghyun continued in his place as he felt the discomfort of the youngest, “We found her on the ground under her bed, her body almost ripped open. Blood splattered all over the room, dripping from the ceiling and the curtains. In the corner was a newborn with a dirty smile on his face. For a moment we all just stared as her face showed the last moment of her breath. Before we knew it, however, Jiyong had lunged at the newborn and it was the first time any of us had killed someone of our kind with our bare hands. Jiyong had practically ripped his throat out and attacked the dead body in as many ways as he could. It was the first time we had ever seen Jiyong so angry and animalistic. He was chosen as the leader as he made the most rational decisions in times of stress, anyway. It took all of us and a few servants to pry him off the body and its pieces. He was still shaking as he was being cleaned and the room was torn apart.”

Dasol couldn’t imagine Jiyong like that. Sure, there were times she saw Jiyong attack or have his sleeves covered in blood, but she could never imagine the wild look in his eyes as he actually killed. Jiyong was much too calm to do that. But by the sight of the slightly sweating face of the youngest, Dasol had no way of defending it. A moment of silence filled the room as the soft music from the speakers passed their ears. Taking a moment to hydrate her parched throat with a glass of water, Dasol nervously asked, “What...What was her name?” Seunghyun took a moment to think before he sighed and shook his head.

Before she knew it his hands stopped, a breeze bringing chills to her whole being before she felt herself being pressed down onto the couch in the library. Jiyong lay on top of her, finally revealing his face. His eyes glowed red while his movements slowly grew more rough - much more demanding. Within a second Dasol’s shorts were hanging off of her ankle as his hand travelled to her inner thigh to in between, roughly pressing onto the spots he knew made her squirm. Dasol whimpered as his face drew closer, finger tugging at the band of her undergarment.

Jiyong only chuckled, though, as he nibbled on her earlobe, sighing into her ear when her hips pressed onto his. The heat in between her legs was enough to make her shiver as Jiyong started to grind onto her, giving her just enough friction to satisfy, yet crave for more. Her hands trailed up to his hair, tugging onto it roughly enough to hear him groan. He lifted his head up but not too much, their noses touching as their heavy breaths crashed onto the other’s face.

It was as if his eyes captivated her and took control of her body. The corner of his lips tugged upwards, that simply movement making her body shiver at the sight of his canine teeth. It wasn’t of fear, though. She felt an overwhelming amount of excitement as he only stared down at her. Before she knew it, Dasol felt Jiyong draw closer, their lips brushing.

Dasol shook awake as she shot up from her position on the couch of the library, a book that laid on her chest falling with a thud to the ground. Her eyes grew wide as her breathing was uneven, sweat blooming from the pores of her skin as she felt the area between her legs tingle. She felt as if she were overheating, her body reacting completely to the cool sensation that came about from Jiyong’s body pressed onto hers in her dream.

After a moment of collecting herself, Dasol noticed that she was left alone in the library, the rays from the sunrise seeping through the cracks of the black curtains. She remembered begging Jiyong to let her stay in the library though it was late at night, wanting to have a change of scenery. He had agreed, of course, on the condition that she would allow him to lock the door to ensure her safety and privacy. Dasol had agreed to that, and then Jiyong added that he would check on her in the morning before he was off to his duties within the Area. At that thought, Dasol almost shrivelled into a ball. Had he seen her sweat and whimper in the middle of her dreams?

With shaking legs, Dasol stood, thankful she was wearing nothing but a crop top and shorts as she tried to silently walk towards the kitchen. There was no one but Yura when she reached the kitchen, the latter shocked as she approached Dasol, “Mis- Pardon, Dasol. If you would like anything to eat I will gladly prepare it. You should stay within the comfort of your room.”

Dasol bit her lip, hoping she would be alone for a moment. She let out a nervous grin, “Can you get me some cookies ‘n cream ice cream? If there’s any in the Area.” Yura looked at her oddly for a moment as if she didn’t know what kinds of words had left Dasol’s lips. Just as quickly, though, her face brightened as she nodded, “I will go order a fresh bucket of ice cream. Would you like me to send it to your room?” Shaking her head, Dasol sat on one of the high chairs next to an island in the kitchen, “I’ll wait here, if you don’t mind. My room is a little...warm without a breeze.” Though she knew her room’s temperature could be easily adjusted, Yura nodded suspiciously, simply excusing herself before disappearing within moments.

Alone, Dasol shot up and grabbed a towel from the cupboard of the kitchen, soaking it in cold water before returning to her seat near the island. Resting her forehead on the cool marble of the countertop, she spread the towel on her neck, sighing at the cool feeling. She was absolutely tense and was just beginning to relax. If only she could somehow relax her imagination. Her mind continuously wandered back to the dream, half cursing herself to think of such a thing even unconsciously and half cursing herself from waking up.

Suddenly a soft, cold touch on her right shoulder blade made Dasol shake and shoot up. She looked back, sending a strong glare to whoever was behind her, only to find Jiyong with a soft smirk on his face. His eyes were locked on her shoulder, his finger reaching to touch it as he traced what she guessed was the burn that marked her as his. His voice was a low mumble, almost soft enough for Dasol to turn a deaf ear to, “Is it cruel of me to enjoy seeing such a mark on your back?” Shrugging away from his touch that rose goosebumps on her arms, Dasol walked towards the sink to refresh her towel. Once she was a good two feet away from him, she scoffed, “Very.”

Jiyong only chuckled as he leaned back on the counter, his eyes avidly following her, “Then it must fit with the description your people put on me. A cruel animal who loves seeing you humans wither in pain. Truly a monster - as if your people have not done any worse.” The only sound within the kitchen was the rush of the faucet hitting the sink as Dasol did not dare to look at him. She knew he was right - any history book would tell stories of the deeds humans did to one another. They thought of tortures crueler than she ever imagined - punishments for those who did no wrong. There was no point trying to correct him when he said no lie.

Sensing her hesitation, Jiyong felt a pinch in his throat to see her face fall. He didn’t mean to make her feel guilty or bad for something he said. Why would she? She had no control of the actions of others and was not assisting the cruel events that lingered on Jiyong’s mind. He didn’t meant to make her feel bad. He just never had an eye for these types of things. With his position of power, Jiyong had no reason to have a filter between his thoughts and his words because no one ever dared to question him. But having Dasol feel so affected by his words...Jiyong didn’t know how he felt about his carelessness anymore.

With an awkward cough to clear his throat and attempt to be rid of the pinch, he smiled, “Why are you cooling down? Haven’t you told me over a million times how chilly this building is? Even if you are the one to prefer wearing tiny tops and miniscule shorts?” Dasol shook from her trance, turning off the tap and wrung out the towel. She glanced at Jiyong, shrugging as the thoughts of the dream came to mind again when reminded of her warmth. She spoke, trying to come off as calm as possible though her insides were shaking, “Okay, first: my ‘tiny shirts and miniscule shorts’ are for comfort because they’re easy to slip on and off and I don’t like being constricted. Second: I just woke up in the library and it was extremely...warm. I woke up feeling heated and so here I am, cooling off.”

She sat back down on the stool, beside Jiyong’s tall figure, as if to prove to herself that she was fine to be near him even after having such a dream. She rested her forehead on the counter again and laid the towel on her neck again, sighing as she spread her arms to touch as much of the cold marble as possible. She felt Jiyong’s presence shift before his cold hands touched her shoulders, her whole body tensing. Jiyong’s thumbs pressed into her shoulders, doing his best to relieve what he was the cause of - but of course, he didn’t have to know that.

Dasol shook again when his voice echoed into her left ear, “Can you also explain why you are so tense?” She knew if she moved or shifted he would know something was wrong. But Dasol couldn’t help it. His low voice shook her being and her body couldn’t help but react by remembering the heat she felt from before. Dasol looked back at him, cracking a weak smile, “I had a...nightmare.” Jiyong nodded, though his face showed doubt. She thought he was done - she thought he would just back away and talk to her like he normally did.

But of course, he had to press that one sore spot that made her moan.

If she wasn’t heating up before, she sure was now. Dasol smacked Jiyong’s hands away at the realization of what she had just done just because Jiyong had his hands on her. Just because he had this magic in his hands that somehow pleasured her in more ways than one. Jiyong only let out a laugh as he crossed his arms, “Must have been some nightmare to get you all worked up.” Dasol sent Jiyong a glare before slamming her towel down on the counter before standing up. She didn’t know if it was from the embarrassment or just from the anger she felt knowing Jiyong made her feel all sorts of ways, but she needed to get away from him. With a grumble, she turned on her heel, “Screw you, Jiyong.”

“Correction: you screwed me in your dream, didn’t you?”

Dasol paused, absolute terror making her face drop. She was too afraid to turn and face Jiyong as the embarrassment made her want to roll into the fetal position. Growing up with dignity as the Lieutenant General’s daughter and the pride of being one of the head researchers, she never felt so shameful. It was a sudden movement until Jiyong was behind her, his cold fingers brushing over the revealed skin of her hip, “Have you forgotten, darling?” His movement was suddenly harsh as he pulled her towards him, her back pressed onto his chest. Dasol could feel Jiyong’s breathing on her neck as she held her breath - she could almost hear the smirk on his face grow as he mumbled into her ear.

“I can smell your arousal.”

Dasol could only stand as she felt Jiyong’s hands leave a trail of goosebumps. His breaths sounded in her right ear, gently touching her neck and collarbone. She felt him graze his canine teeth on her neck, slowly and softly enough to simply leave only a light scratch, “How was I in your dreams? Better than your past lovers? Did I make your toes curl and your throat scratch?” Without her knowing, Dasol’s bottom lip was between her teeth as she felt him flick at the waistband of her shorts. She opened her mouth to saw something - anything - to take away at least some of the embarrassment, only to see Yura rush into the kitchen with a bucket of ice cream.

Yura was absolutely speechless as she walked in, all her movements pausing completely as she stared blankly at the king and his hostage standing close together. Jiyong didn’t seem to mind, though, as he only lifted a brow at Yura. She lifted the bucket, ducking her head down as she stuttered, “T-The ice cream you requested, Mistress.” Dasol squirmed in Jiyong’s arms, her face scrunching from discomfort when his hold was tight and unmoving.

His lips grazed onto the shell of her ear, voice low even if he knew Yura could hear, before his arms loosened, letting her go. Dasol felt her face redden as she walked towards Yura, mumbling her thanks while grabbing the bucket of ice cream before practically bolting to her room. As she walked, she heard Jiyong chuckle, “I must leave to Area 12 to attend a meeting. Please keep a good eye on her and inform the kings, Yura. I will be back after sundown.” A shiver travelled down her spine as she felt Jiyong’s presence brush past her before going out the door, the mansion now surrounded in silence. As she entered her room, Dasol dropped the bucket, her head echoing Jiyong’s mumble before he let her go.

Those around them looked at Jiyong oddly as the gears in his head began to spin, looking for an answer. Suddenly Jiyong looked up at Seungri, nodding towards him as he spoke with authority, “Bring her back to her room.” Seungri simply nodded and picked Dasol up as she stared at Jiyong, a comforting smile on his lips. He turned to the balcony, opening the doors with much force and slamming his fist onto a button on the doorframe. Immediately a siren went off, the sound of air blowing outside before the crowd gathered around again. As Seungri carried her down the stairs, Dasol heard Jiyong’s voice booming, “Who is the one that called her ‘Sunny’?”

A smile of relief raised the corners of her lips before she relaxed in Seungri’s arms. Noticing she relaxed, Seungri put her down and guided her towards her room, a faint blush on her cheeks as she realized how frantic she must have looked just moments before. As they walked towards the room, Seungri glanced at her, “Who is the man outside?” Dasol looked down at her shuffling feet as she shrugged, “He kept me grounded for so many years... But to put it in the words he said once, he is my armour.” Seungri only nodded as he clicked on the dial pad to open her room, watching as she walked in before closing it. As the door began to close, Seungri nodded towards the covered bathroom, “Take a shower to wash off the make up. We have to inspect the man before we let him pass the doors to enter this home.”

Dasol nodded as she pulled off some clothes from the racks before dragging her feet towards the bathroom, mumbling her thanks to the youngest before he disappeared within a second. She sighed and closed the door, relaxed in the one spot of her room where she couldn’t be watched. She undressed and turned on the tap for a hot shower. Her fingers felt the cascading cold water beat down, her body slightly shivering as she waited for the water to warm up. As soon as it was warm, she stepped in, letting out a long sigh as the water hit her skin. She hummed as she washed, surprised to feel so comfortable in a place other than home.

As soon as Dasol was finished, she groaned as she forgot to grab a bra. Wrapping the longest towel around her body, glad it covered up to her knees, Dasol quickly slipped on her undies. She rushed out, heading straight to the drawer. But the voices of men stopped her, her head slowly turning to see Jiyong and that one familiar man talking with the other kings around listening in to the conversation while the door to her glass room was open. As soon as they heard her leave the bathroom, the heads turned towards her and eyes widened. But Dasol didn’t mind as all she saw was the man she hadn’t seen for years, tears pooling in her eyes. He smiled softly towards her, that familiar softness of his voice making her body shiver from the nostalgia.

“Hey Sunny.”

“Jjong…”

Jonghyun took only two steps towards her before Dasol ran towards him, leaping in his embrace. Unconsciously, his hands made sure her towel would stay on her body before hugging her tightly and spinning her around a bit. He smiled at the sound of her giggle before letting her down, assuring her towel was still on before placing a hand on her hip and the other on her right cheek, brushing the damp locks of hair away from her smiling face. They couldn’t say anything as there was too much on their mind - so much they wanted to know about the other. Before she could even utter a word, Jonghyun nodded towards the bathroom, “Put on some clothes and we can talk.” Dasol quickly nodded and turned, grabbing a bra from her drawer before running into the bathroom, the patter of her feet bringing a smile onto his face.

As he turned back to the kings, his smile still did not falter as he bowed his head, “Thank you for allowing me to see her.” Jiyong nodded, his face still somewhat in surprise at the sight of Dasol in that thin towel. He cleared his throat, crossing his arms as he shrugged, “We will be out here and allow you to talk to her in her room. We will keep the soundproofing on so you can at least have privacy in what you say to her, but we have to keep an eye on you.” Jonghyun nodded as he shook Jiyong’s hand again.

Youngbae stepped forward, voice full of curiosity, “Why do you call her Sunny?” Jonghyun chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck from embarrassment, “Her name has -sol, and as a child she was very bright, and so it was only natural.” Seunghyun peeped in as well, “You’ve known her as a child?”

Jonghyun nodded, “Our fathers knew one another, and that day the base was attacked was the day fathers brought their children in. After I helped her from the newborns, she continously clung onto my side, and I got used to it. Every time her parents were busy, they would ask me to watch her and we just...clicked. I couldn’t help but worry about her and she just enjoyed having an older friend.” The men nodded before they heard the door of the bathroom open again, and within two seconds Dasol was clinging onto Jonghyun’s back like a baby. Jonghyun turned and hugged her as well, sighing as he nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck.

Seeing the two, Jiyong stepped back, his arms crossed as he cleared his throat, “We’ll be out here.” The five kings stepped out, Jiyong the most hesitant as he closed the glass door, watching with almost glaring eyes. He activated the soundproof function of the glass walls, his fingers fumbling for a moment as he couldn’t tear his eyes away from Dasol as she sat on her bed, Jonghyun next to her. As the five men conversed on the couches, they continuously glanced at the two within the glass room, Jiyong more than the others as he saw Dasol’s eyes brighten more than he had ever seen before.

There were times Jonghyun would grab her chin or pinch her cheeks or ruffling her hair as she pouted. Where he played with her hair and she wouldn’t mind one bit. Instead of the woman with a sharp tongue Jiyong got to know, Dasol was almost a child around Jonghyun. Jiyong mentally cursed as he couldn’t hear a single thing. Why did he decide to add in the soundproof function again?

Jiyong almost leaped to his feet when Jonghyun got up and waved to Dasol to say his goodbyes. The fucking sun was setting, it was about time. He tried his best to slowly walk over to the glass, entering the code at the speed of light to open the door. Finally his ears weren’t filled with the agonizing voices of his friends but the voice that belonged to her. She waved to Jonghyun, bidding him goodbye as she made him promise to return. The smiles on their faces never seemed to wash away as Jiyong waited for Jonghyun to finally leave her room.

The hairs on the back of his head rose as they hugged, his hands stiff as he made sure not to slam the glass wall in right then and there. With a shaking smile, he called for staff to lead Jonghyun out, hesitantly assuring him he would be put on the list of being allowed to enter to home. The four other kings walked out as Jonghyun was lead out of the room, giving one last wave towards Dasol before completely disappearing behind the door. The moment the door closed, Jiyong let out a breath of relief as he turned to Dasol who was humming.

He crossed his arms, unable to stop the sour look on his face as he watched her prance around the room. Suddenly, she happened to remember Jiyong’s existence as her eyes widened, her head turning to him. In the time it took him to blink, Dasol’s arms wrapped around Jiyong’s neck, his body stiffening as she nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck. His body shook at the feeling of her hot breath touch his skin, his eyes closing as the sensation from her touch activated the sensors her obtained from getting her blood. With slow hands, his arms slowly wrapped around her, hands awkwardly patting her back as she stayed put.

Dasol softly sighed as she squeezed him once more, oblivious to the internal struggle within him, “Thank you, Jiyong.” Jiyong nodded as she slowly leaned away, only to pause as Jiyong’s hands clung onto the back of her clothes, making sure she couldn’t move. Suddenly his eyes had a dull red glow, his canine teeth gradually growing in size. All Dasol could think about, though, was how animalistic Jiyong was when they were on the balcony and he made his speech.

But as soon as the fear took her, it left as his lips grazed her neck ever so softly. The point of his teeth made her gasp and clutch onto his clothing as he hummed against her skin, “I can hear your heart racing, darling,” His voice was much deeper - almost darker - than she ever heard come from him. There wasn’t enough strength in you to even make him budge. Jiyong wasn’t even holding you as tight as he could and yet he wouldn’t shift. Another gasp left your throat as his teeth grazed the skin of her neck, leaving a trail of goosebumps. He sighed, his warm breath kissing her skin as he chuckled, “Fuck, you tasted so good.”

Dasol shook her head, pounding on Jiyong’s chest as she squealed, “Ji! Ji what are you doing?!” He didn’t seem to hear her - or maybe he didn’t want to. His lips continued to go over her neck, soon only hovering a patch of skin where he could feel the most warmth and hear the most blood rush through. Suddenly he froze, her soft, pleading tone catching his attention, “Please, Ji...please…”

Was it crazy to say she was scared of death now? The woman who hated living every day the same way? The woman who was driven to the point of insanity living within the confines of Area 5? The woman who continuously thought she had already lived long enough and thought her 20-something years was plenty?

Or did she not want to die in the hands of a man she trusted?

Jiyong let go, Dasol slowly taking a step out of his arms that soon fell to his side. She called out his name again with worry in every letter, but the moment Jiyong looked at her face, all he could feel was surprise. He turned on his heel, immediately closing her glass door shut before rushing out. He blocked out the sound of her calling for him, his main focus on making his canine teeth retracted and his body relax. He rushed into his room, grabbing his hair by the roots as he licked off the small drop of her blood that fell onto his lips. He must have scraped her with his teeth without knowing. His senses heightened as soon as the liquid hit his tongue, his eyes widening as his body shivered from the sensation.

He shook his head, taking deep breaths as he tried to stop the tingling feeling. Jiyong closed his eyes, pacing around his apartment as he took deep breaths. His hands were in fists as he slammed his right one into his head. It took longer than usual, but Jiyong managed to control it as his teeth slowly returned to normal, eyes no longer burning. Jiyong rushed and collapsed onto his bed, sighing as he massaged his temples.

Dasol kneeled down beside him as Jiyong groaned, roaring of pain. She looked up at Youngbae as Seunghyun closed the glass door behind them, “W-What happened?” Daesung began removing the clothes burnt into Jiyong’s skin, the man screaming in pain for every piece of cloth. Youngbae helped remove Jiyong’s shirt as he sighed, “Humans dropped three bombs around our area.” Dasol gasped as Jiyong’s eyes clenched shut, his yelling slowly becoming whimpers. She looked up again, meeting Youngbae’s worried eyes, “Why did you bring him here?” Seunghyun pointed at her, grumbling, “We need your blood.”

Dasol cringed at the sight of Jiyong’s revealed flesh, the smell of burnt muscle making her gag. Suddenly the remembered the pain of being branded, shaking from fear as she clutched her tainted shoulder. She took in a deep breath, almost regretting it as the scent hit her once more, “The regeneration in your DNA-” Seungri shook his head as he elbowed the mirror in her room, the glass completely shattering, “Takes too long with burns. The dead flesh takes too long to get rid of and replace or repair and Jiyong hyung could bleed out before then. We need your fresh blood.”

Dazed, Dasol nodded before baring her right wrist, opening Jiyong’s mouth as she drew her wrist near his teeth, only to have Youngbae stop her. He grabbed a sharp shard of glass, handing it to her, “If he sinks his teeth into you now there’s no telling if he’ll release the venom to turn you.” Dasol held the shard of glass, biting her lip as she eyes her wrist. She had to do it. Jiyong was losing life in front of her, why was she hesitating?

With a wince, Dasol pressed the sharp end onto her wrist, dragging it down to a third of her forearm. Blood oozed from the cut as she let out a short breath before pressing her arm onto Jiyong’s lips, watching the blood drip down onto his tongue and down his throat. She glanced up at the others as she watched their eyes glow red from the scent of blood, but they all looked away, stopping themselves from getting carried away.

She didn’t know how long she was holding her arm there, but after a moment she was beginning to feel lightheaded. Seunghyun drew her arm away, knowing he was the one with the most self control. Dasol watched with relief as Jiyong’s right side began to heal, the flesh slowly rebuilding layer by layer, slightly light headed from what she assumed was the adrenaline. His breathing finally slowed, regaining its normalcy, but as soon as Jiyong opened his eyes, Dasol felt herself fall back, her head hitting the floor the moment she was victim to unconsciousness.

Dasol had a slight headache as she woke up, squinting her eyes as sunlight hit her face. She brought her hands to her face, rubbing her eyes as she sat up. Suddenly it came to her all at one, and she remembered the explosion, Jiyong hurt, and the blood from her arm. She looked at her right forearm, surprised to see it healed completely as if it hadn’t happened. She would have thought it was all a dream if Jiyong hadn’t come in, his arm slightly pink.

Jiyong smiled to see Dasol awake, and quickly opened her glass room before inviting himself in. He sat on the edge of her bed, handing her some water. After taking a sip, Dasol set down the water on the nightstand beside her bed, her hands then gently rolling up Jiyong’s sleeve. Jiyong only watched as she handled his arm ever so delicately, and though it still tingled from the regenerating nerves, he allowed her to take a close look. She glanced up at him quietly, as Jiyong spoke softly, “Thank you, darling.” Dasol smirked and set his arm down onto the bed, stretching as she yawned, “Well, you did save my life on more than one occasion. I’m not the type to take anything for free. I just have to save you one more time and then we’re even, right?” Jiyong chuckled as he nodded.

As they continued to converse, Jiyong felt his body continuously shiver, sensitive to every brush of the arm and soft tap Dasol offered. He let in a sharp breath as Dasol slapped his arm because of yet another perverted joke he made. Noticing his sudden stiffness, Dasol scooted closer, “Did I hurt you?” Jiyong shook his head as he let the sensation run along his body, the hairs on the back of his neck standing. He grumbled through the shiver, “It occurs after I take blood from a being. I become sensitive to everything the being does.”

Dasol nodded and drew her hands back, wanting to comfort him as she questioned, “Does it...hurt?” Jiyong shook his head as he relaxed letting out a long breath as he laid down on her bed, on top of Dasol’s feet. She quickly drew them away, Jiyong sinking into the bed as he glanced at her, “It’s like that feeling that makes you freeze when you’re numb. It’s only enhanced as I haven’t had a taste of fresh blood in decades and you gave me much more than I needed.”

Dasol laid down beside Jiyong, their legs hanging off the bed as they stared up at the ceiling. She could hear the loud noises of the cleanup after the bombs, a frown on her face. What were they thinking? She gently spoke through the silence, “Did anyone…” Jiyong seemed to know what she was implying as he sighed, massaging his temples with his right hand, “Twelve. Twelve newborns died.” Dasol nodded, her lips moving before she could think, “I’m sorry.” Jiyong glanced at her with a soft smile, shaking his head, “I am simply paying the price of keeping you here, darling. It’s my fault.”

Curiously, Dasol glanced up at him wish shy eyes, “Why are you keeping me?” Jiyong shrugged and ruffled his hair, “That is another story.” With a sad smile, Dasol asked, “Are you going to retaliate?” Jiyong sighed as he closed his eyes for a moment, his thoughts buzzing. His words were slow as he debated how to tell her, “That is part of the reason why I am here...we are going to demand them to stop...using you.” Dasol furrowed her brows, biting the inside of her cheek as worry made her stiffen. Why did she even ask? She could feel her heart racing in her chest as she spoke, “How?” Jiyong licked his lips as his mouth suddenly felt dry. He sighed, “We’ll hold an announcement and screen it around all Areas. If anyone one of our people are hurt, we will do the same to you…” Dasol felt her stomach twist as she slowly sat up, a sick feeling making her whimper. Jiyong sat up beside her, turning her chin so she would look at him, “We are only bluffing, darling. No one is going to hurt you.”

With a weak nod, Dasol agreed and watched as Jiyong stood, calling in his workers.A group of three or four walked in, Yura smiling as she carried a small box. They sat Dasol down on the chair near her vanity and began opening their boxes full of makeup and fake skin parts. She looked up at Jiyong as he sat, watching her, while they glued on the fake burn marks and cuts on her arms and bruises on her face. Jiyong smiled softly, “Have to make them believe us, don’t we?” Within five minutes they finished, Dasol staring in wonder as she, herself, questioned if she had been hurt or not. Her arms and legs were covered in burn marks, scratches, and bruises. Her lips were bleeding and one side was swelling, her right eye a purple colour. She had blood running down her ears, temple, and lips, as well as holes in her shoulder blades and neck to make it seem as if they had mercilessly taken blood from her. They handed her a shirt and shorts that looked like the clothes she had first entered their Area with, only torn with blotches of dirt and blood.

Stepping into the bathroom, Dasol quickly dressed herself and walked out, letting them finish up her make up. When they were finished, Yura gently tied Dasol’s wrists together with a rope, making sure not to hurt her too much as she made the knot. Taking the loose ends of the rope, Jiyong wrapped them around his right hand, guiding her out of the room with his right. His hand was at the small of her back as he walked her up the stairs, the other kings waiting as they gave Dasol a small nod with smiles on their faces. They walked towards two large glass double doors, and this was when Jiyong gripped only the rope of her wrists, Yura quickly tying her ankles together behind them. As they approached the door, the rumble and yelling of the people of Area 82 rang in her ears, their screams for justice and vengeance making her shake to the bone.

The doors were opened before them as hovering cameras were set up around the balcony and amongst the audience. Below the balcony, thousands of vampires jumped and shoved one another, but together they cursed the existence of Dasol. Dasol flinched as Jiyong tugged her forward, almost making her trip, but for a moment, she could see his plead for her to play along. But she didn’t have to as the curses and vulgar in the words of those beneath them made her feel more vulnerable than she ever had before. All she could think of were the faces of those who surrounded her and spit on her as a child, and then those who surrounded her after the crash.

She slouched, gasping as Jiyong tossed her onto the rail of the balcony. He raked his hand into her hair, tugging at the roots and moving her head to expose her neck. He took a deep breath and as Dasol glanced at him, she saw his canine teeth grow and eyes glow bright red. A vein in his neck began to show as he yelled, “We will not tolerate humans entering our land and destroying it! If another Area dares to come back, we will spend every waking moment giving Area 5’s Lieutenant General’s daughter hell. We will burn her skin, tear her limbs, and break her bones. If even one more person in my Area is killed, we will slit her throat, drain her blood, and hang her in front of your city.”

Roars of the crowd made Dasol jump as Jiyong’s teeth grazed her neck. She clenched her eyes shut as her breathing quickened, fear making her being shake drastically. It was an act - she knew that. But she couldn’t help the fear that travelled her body after she felt his breath on her skin, but as he pulled away he whispered ever so softly as if to comfort her like he knew she was afraid.

“You’ll be okay.”

The other four kings began making their demands, Dasol focused on looking away from them all. She didn’t want to be afraid of them as she absolutely knew they wouldn’t hurt her. She didn’t want their words at this moment to influence her thoughts. Her eyes scanned the crowd, watching the serious and angry faces. But there was a man in the middle that caught her eye. He was staring directly at her, and when their eyes met, he gave her a soft smile amidst the chaos around them. He slightly waved as if their meeting was no big deal. Just seeing his face again brought tears to Dasol’s eyes, a swelling feeling of affection in her chest.

Suddenly her head was let go, wrists and ankles untied. She glanced at Jiyong, the soft look in his eyes back as the red glow disappeared behind his brown orbs. The crowd was no longer rowdy as the cameras were lowered. So they were acting as well? She looked back to Jiyong and the others as Yura led the workers to cleaning the makeup off of her. Seungri gleamed, “You looked good, Dasol.” Seunghyun nodded in agreement, “Nice job with the tears too.” Jiyong reached up to pat her on the shoulder, but no matter how well she knew he meant no harm, Dasol flinched. Jiyong stopped, giving Dasol an odd look. He furrowed his brows, his voice filled with confusion, “Dasol, are you alright? Did I hurt you?” Dasol shook her head as she remembered the shiver of his teeth on her neck.

Deciding to brush off her odd behaviour and knowing she could be a bit shaken, Jiyong nodded towards the building, “Let’s go back inside.” Dasol hesitated as she looked back, eyes catching those of the man she had been staring at for most of her time there. It couldn’t be him, right? She continuously looked back, needing to know if he was the man she was imagining he was. She could see his lips were pursed and brows furrowed, wondering if he could make a ruckus while almost all the people of Area 82 were gathered before the kings. But as she approached the doors, she heard a familiar voice coming from that man’s lips that made her body freeze just as the doors closed behind her.

“Sunny! It’s me!”

Dasol set her book down on her stomach, her eyes adjusting to the lighting of the room. She didn’t want to press any further - she knew how much pain they went through when mutating. She had already seen hundreds scream from the pain before her when people begged for her help to stop the transformation. The two were residing in the mansion’s library, thousands of books that Dasol wanted to read if she was going to stay in their household. And so Jiyong had no choice but to accompany her, as if he were to leave her side for even a moment, the scent of her blood could draw in any being within the Area.

But after a week or two of having the other’s constant company, there was a comfortable air between the two. Though there were moments Jiyong just made the hairs on the back of Dasol’s neck stand with fear, anger, or any other emotion he so easily knew how to draw out of her. Once and a while the other kings would drop by and stir up any kind of conversation with either Jiyong or Dasol, finding it entertaining how Jiyong broke his own rules of ‘never let her leave that room’.

Suddenly the couch cushion near her legs dipped down, Dasol jumping as Jiyong was suddenly beside her. He leaned back, almost lying on her legs, as he stared up at the ceiling. He smirked, his voice barely audible, “That book in your hands can continue on as a very...sexual experience.” Dasol’s eyes shot back to her book, her hands flipping through the next chapter. Her breath was caught in her throat as she read multiple lines, all describing the sexual adventures of the main characters. Her face burned red as she closed the book, setting it down on her ‘finished’ pile. Jiyong chuckled and turned his body to lie down on her legs, his chin resting on her stomach.

Dasol shivered a bit feeling his cold skin on hers, but after he was stubborn enough to stay put, she eventually stopped herself from even trying to pry him off. It was becoming a regular thing - his hands ‘accidentally’ grazing her arm or any part of his body touching hers. He was trying to push her buttons, and she was determined to not give him any type of satisfaction. But he knew when he bothered her - he always did.

Jiyong yawned and looked up at her from his position, “What was it you told me when we first met? ‘If I wasn’t stuck here I would have someone to undo my bra with his teeth.’ And yet here you are, your face as red as a beet even reading such a sexual passage.” Dasol began squirming her legs, but her little actions were no bother for him. He enjoyed the slight fight she put up. Dasol bit her lip as Jiyong slowly inched up, his chin now resting on her chest. God, if he wasn’t so heavy she would have shoved him off and pound his ass. Jiyong licked his lips, his right hand slowly trailing up and down her thigh, “Perhaps you only miss being touched and just imagining it sets you off.” She swore he left goosebumps as his fingers slowly crawled towards her waist. Dasol squirmed, her breathing hitched as she grabbed a hold of his travelling hands, “Stop.” Jiyong pouted, placing his arms either side of her as he lifted up his upper body, his lips brushing over her ear, “Your words may say as much, but I can feel your arousal.”

Within a mere second of speaking so, he was off of her and at the door of the library, leaving behind a cool breeze. He nodded towards the door, the smile on his face almost so handsome she wanted to punch it, “Come. You need food.” And by that he meant lunch, she assumed. Dasol scoffed, hoping that this new topic of conversation would allow her enough time to cool her cheeks and well...her whole being. She stood, stretching her legs as she commented, “Why do you switch the way you word things?” Jiyong shrugged, watching as she sauntered towards him, his eyes naturally going down to watch the swing of her hips. He smiled, catching another glance before forcing his eyes to go back up to meet her gaze, “I am...adjusting to your use of speech.” Dasol nodded and stood beside Jiyong, having practiced mimicking his footsteps so she was always beside him when they travelled the home.

As they walked down the stairs, Jiyong watched as she held onto the rail, her barefeet gently touching the carpeted ground as if she was afraid to make a sound. He chuckled as she stumbled, his arm at her waist to catch her before she tumbled down the stairs. He sighed, shaking his head, “Careful, darling. Wouldn’t want to hurt that pretty little head of yours.” Dasol shook him away and rushed down the stairs, collecting herself. She crossed her arms, oozing confidence like she always had while still conscious of the eyes that followed her as Jiyong trailed behind, a smile on his lips.

Dasol found her way to the dining room, her meal already laid out at one of the ends of the table with steam still coming from it. She sat, smiling to see pasta sprinkled with mozzarella cheese. Jiyong sat at the other end, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair. As Dasol ate, she glanced up at Jiyong to see his face up to the ceiling, his eyes closed as he was at peace. He smirked, opening one eye to look at her, “Stop staring, darling.” Dasol scoffed and sent him a glare, “I wasn’t staring at you.” Jiyong hummed, sounding as if he believed her when the smirk on his lips told her the opposite.

A silence surrounded the two as Dasol stopped eating, a thought making her slightly nervous. She glanced up at Jiyong and quietly spoke, knowing his amazing sense of sound would catch every word she said, “Why haven’t you asked me what my research facility is trying to find?” Jiyong remained calm, though. He was still relaxed in his seat as he took in a deep breath before speaking his mind, “The thought never crossed my mind.” Dasol nodded, her mouth slightly agape. The weight on her chest pressed down constantly, squeezing the words out of her. Was it out of guilt? Obligation? Or did she just want his approval? Would it ease her mind that the king of all eternal beings knew?

“We’re looking for a cure.”

Still, Jiyong didn’t seem surprised as he shifted in his seat, his face now towards Dasol as he nodded. “Have you succeeded?” he asked. Dasol shook her head dejectedly, “Signs of our compounds working only last a few hours at most.” Jiyong let out a heavy breath, his eyes opening to meet hers, a slight twinge of sadness in his orbs she picked up on, “It’s no use, darling. It is more than a biological mutation - everything that once made us human is gone. The way our body works changes almost completely, and the antibodies within our bodies reject every foreign compound almost immediately. There is no cure. You cannot bring back the warmth in our bodies or eliminate the craving for blood. You cannot make us human again.”

Dasol’s eyes began to water as everything she had worked for was being put out in front of her and told that she had wasted her years. Every bit of information she thought she knew was rejected in front of her. Every bit of hope she had clung onto her heart desperately. She shook her head, “But…Don’t you want to be human again?” Jiyong opened his eyes, the devastation on her face making a feeling of sympathy burst from his cold being. He sighed, “We’ve tried for decades, but it just isn’t possible, darling...I’m...I’m sorry.” Dasol shook her head, hesitantly taking another bite of her pasta while holding back the tears in her eyes. She let out a smile and looked up at Jiyong, her eyes lined with tears, “Why are you apologizing?” Jiyong shook his head, closing his eyes again as he mumbled a short, “I don’t know.”

All that was heard was the clink of Dasol’s utensils hitting her plate. Everything she worked for...just down the drain with his few words. All those sleepless nights, frustrations, stress triggers, everything from her years of research came back to her in a moment’s time. Her body weighed down heavily as she sniffed, and for every breath, taking the next was just harder than the last. Only finishing half of her lunch, Dasol stood, Jiyong’s eyes immediately shooting open. Dasol kept her head down as she pointed towards the hall, “I’m tired. I’m going to head to bed.” Without waiting for his response, Dasol turned, her feet dragging towards the large room where her glass room was located. She passed the shoulders of the other Kings, their eyes trailing her slouched figure as Jiyong stood, making sure she got there safe. He called over Yura, quickly telling her to make sure Dasol made it back in one piece.

After her back figure disappeared, his attention turned to the other kings who looked at him with curious faces. With a sigh, Jiyong ignored their stares and turned back to sit on his seat in the dining room, Dasol’s unfinished lunch already cleaned. The others sat around him, Seungri letting out a soft laugh, “You’ve gotten soft, hyung.” Seunghyun elbowed the youngest at his side, whispering softly as if the others couldn’t hear every word he said, “He spends every waking second by that attractive human’s side.” Jiyong let out a low growl as he side-glared at the men, the two immediately wiping away their smirks and staring at the table.

Youngbae chuckled and then turned to Jiyong, his face somewhat serious, “The hunters have come back with all the escaped newborns.” Daesung kissed his teeth as he shook his head, “It will be hard to imagine the amount of lives they have taken.” Jiyong nodded and let out a long sigh as he stood, “Then we must discuss the most appropriate punishments.” The others followed Jiyong as he stood, heading towards the door. Before leaving, Jiyong glanced back with a sullen look, eyes catching on to Yura scurrying back into the kitchen after having done what was told of her.

The sun had set after the group returned, some with blood staining their tailored clothing. As they made their way to their respective bedrooms, Jiyong suddenly stopped, footsteps heading backwards towards Dasol’s room as he spoke to the others, “Go first.” The others nodded and headed up the staircase quickly, Jiyong disappearing in a split second. He walked into the room that held Dasol, his steps slow and careful in case she was asleep. But as soon as he stepped in, he saw Dasol sitting up in her bed, flipping through an old fairytale book.

Jiyong softly smiled as he sat in his chair, “Sleep well?” Dasol looked up and set her book down, a small smile tugging at her lips as her one of her only companions in this large mansion finally arrived. She was feeling better, deciding that at least the research in the facility was her reason to live for the past few years. Without it...she didn’t know what she would do to herself. She nodded before speaking, “Aren’t you tired?” Jiyong shrugged as he shook his arms, rolling up his sleeves, “It’ll wear off.”

Dasol squinted her eyes as she got off of her bed, standing close to the glass wall in between them. Jiyong looked up at her as he continued to roll his sleeves, his small smile almost making her forget what her thoughts were. Dasol spoke almost sadly, “Is that...blood?” Jiyong looked down at his shirt, silently cursing as he called in another worker. As soon as they stepped in, he unbuttoned his shirt, and handed to the worker before ordering them to fetch him another shirt.

Alone with Dasol once more, Jiyong softly apologized as he stretched, “I didn’t realize the mess newborns made.” Dasol nodded before sitting on her bed again, her eyes dazed. She swung her feet, eyes trailing down to the floor as she was shy of the words that slipped through her tongue, “You weren’t hurt, were you?” Jiyong chuckled and shook his head, his hands going through his untainted arms, “Not one scratch.” Dasol glanced up at Jiyong as his worker came back, assisting Jiyong by helping him put it on. After Jiyong nodded him out, he began buttoning his fresh, new shirt, sighing as he watched his fingers slowly move upwards, “Have I ever told you how disappointing it is to notice you stare but not drool?” Dasol turned, burying her face in her pillow as he mumbled through the cotton, “Asshole.”

Jiyong laughed loudly and left the top two buttons undone, his hand drawing back his hair from his face. Dasol cleared her throat and sat up again, eyes avoiding his. She hated seeing a person more intimidating than she was. She didn’t like suddenly being submissive. She took a deep breath, looking him in the eye as she spoke, “What’s with all the tattoos?” Jiyong looked down at his arms, unconsciously touching his shoulder blade with the roman numerals. He shrugged, “I had them all before I was turned. Didn’t know the world would take ‘Forever Young’ seriously.” Dasol nodded and softly laughed as he pouted while staring at his side where the tattoo resided permanently.

The silence between them was comfortable as Jiyong would watch Dasol roam around her room, the soft pitter patter of her bare feet on the tile floor making him chuckle. She moved things around, making the room more comfortable and fitting for her tastes. After watching her go back and forth multiple times, Jiyong shook his head and stood, knocking on the glass. He chuckled, “Excuse me, darling, I’m sure you can continue tomorrow.”

Dasol stopped with a slight pout but agreed, putting down the chair she was moving and dragging her feet to bed. She yawned, stretching as she sunk into the mattress. She kept her eyes slightly open, making sure Jiyong stayed in his spot and hadn’t left the room. She sighed as she sent him a small smile before closing her eyes, his eyes unwavering as she wrapped herself in the blanket like a small cocoon. Jiyong chuckled as she wriggled her nose, slowly standing up after he was sure she was asleep. He stepped as slow as his feet would allow him, moving backwards so he could still watch her. Her role to him was more than a human to entertain him. She was...more than someone to observe and, well, he wasn’t sure what she was yet either.

Jiyong shrugged, “Where would you like to go?” Dasol let out a long sigh as she spotted the four other kings outside her window walking down the streets while speaking with one another. As they passed, those who came to see them would either bow and greet them, or the women would swoon to one another. Dasol didn’t want to go out there - that would be risking her life. She would be satisfied with simply getting out of this room she was trapped in. But as she stared at the four kings, words seemed to slip out of her mouth, “At least Seungri’s women get a proper bedroom.”

It was a second too late when she realized what words had slipped out of her mouth. Nervously glancing at Jiyong, she noticed he was laughing of absurdity. His sentences were barely audible as he tried to speak, “And where did you hear that?” Dasol looked away as Jiyong continued laughing, the four kings turning towards her window at the sound of Jiyong’s obnoxious laughter. They looked at each other and smiled and continued on their way as Dasol hid her face in her arms.

Okay, so maybe she and Yura would gossip while she was eating her meals. Maybe she was a little too nosy about the lives of the kings rather than the lives of vampires in general. But in a place where her space was limited, she couldn’t help but get distracted by the smaller things around her. Jiyong seemed to calm down as he wiped his eye from his joyful tears, “So you want a proper bedroom? To do what, exactly?” Dasol kept her face hidden as she shook her head, mumbling, “Nevermind.” Jiyong leaned forward, sensing her rise in temperature and noticing the redness of her ears and face. He chuckled, “Do you wish to do something I cannot see? Is it that inappropriate?” Dasol immediately looked up to yell, only her breath was caught in her throat when Jiyong was suddenly in front of her, his face only an inch or less away from hers. A cold breeze seemed to accompany his presence, his cold nose slightly touching hers. Her mind had gone blank, but only one though had seeped through, leaving an echo in her empty head.

His breath is warm, at least.

Jiyong smiled almost innocently, “Tell me, darling. What do you wish to do in a private bedroom that prohibits me from being present? I have to watch you, you know.” Why did he have to word his sentences so...provocatively? Dasol backed away slightly, the back of her head hitting the window. Jiyong waited patiently for an answer as Dasol tried to form her sentence. Why couldn’t she just say she felt like an animal in a cage? Jiyong chose to let her go and straightened his back, allowing Dasol space to breathe again.

He chuckled and nodded his head towards the door, “Although I cannot give you your own room, I can allow you to come to mine.” Jiyong walked out of the glass room, looking back to see Dasol looking at him unsurely. He shrugged, “This may be the last time you can leave this room, darling.” With that, Dasol quickly trailed behind him. As soon as she left the room, she noticed the change in air. It was much colder and the air wasn’t as humid. A shiver travelled through her body as she unconsciously hugged herself to keep warm. Jiyong glanced at her and quickly went back into her room to grab a sweater off of her rack. Placing it around her shoulders, he gestured her forward.

The two left the room, and for the first time ever, Dasol noticed how beautifully made the building was. It was like the older buildings, but the walls were of a darker colour than the bricks on the outside. Below her barefeet was a soft red carpet all through the hall, dark wood placed underneath. Jiyong led her up the stairs, passing two floors. The one in between had three sets of double doors, which she assumed belonged to 3 of the 5 kings.

The floor they stopped on also had three rooms, but Jiyong pointed them out, “Left if Seunghyun hyung’s room, middle is the library, study, and meeting room, and the right is mine.” Dasol nodded and looked at the smaller open rooms on the floor as they walked towards Jiyong’s room, noticing they were smaller bedrooms. Jiyong shook his head and gave her an almost apologetic smile, “Your room now is much nicer than these.” Dasol nodded and followed Jiyong into his room, two women, which she assumed were there to clean his room, greeted her with suspicious looks on their faces.

Dasol didn’t have much time to care though as Jiyong’s room was like a whole new building. It was a high ceiling room, a large chandelier almost five meters above her head. His bed was up a small set of stairs to the right, and underneath that small floor was another bed and another door that led to the bathroom. To the left was a desk with rolls of maps beside his desk, a door on the other side of the desk. Jiyong pointed towards the door as he closed the door behind him, “That leads to the library.” Dasol walked towards the bed, Jiyong following her as she went up the stairs to his bed. Jiyong smiled as she sat on it, “I don’t sleep much, and so most of the things in here are for decor.”

He sat beside her as she laid down, staring up at the skylights, the clouds above the large mansion catching her attention. She turned her head to look at Jiyong who was looking down at her in wonder, her voice softer as she felt much more at peace in a room where she wasn’t put up for display, “Decor?” Jiyong nodded and laid down with her, looking up at the skylights like he usually did most nights he wasn’t busy, “If I call this place home...I have to somehow make it look like one, right?” Dasol nodded and looked up at the clouds, a comfortable silence surrounding the two.

Dasol felt her eyes begin to grow heavier, and so to not fall asleep, she began asking Jiyong questions that weighed on her mind, “That time you said you knew of what use I could be for you...what were you thinking?” Jiyong didn’t want to say it. He didn’t even want to think about it. How his mind went into such a dark place, he didn’t know. He just hated that it had gone there. Clearing his throat, Jiyong sighed as he decided to speak the truth, “I was going to allow my people to do tests on you as you did to my people. To open you up and find out more about humans, and then to feed you poisons, but not let you die from them to test what your resistance to them was,”

From the corner of his eye, Jiyong could see Dasol shiver from the thought of being near death dozens of times. Though her research facility had never done something so cruel, she thought she may deserve it as well. But Jiyong shook her from her thoughts almost immediately, making sure she wouldn’t imagine anything crueler than what he had said, “However you told me that those being subjected in your facility had voluntarily done so...And so I decided against it.” Dasol nodded, letting out a slight sigh in relief as she relaxed. She turned her head to him and smiled, “What do you think of me now?” Jiyong scoffed, his eyes meeting hers, almost making Dasol’s heart thump.

“I think you’re the most interesting thing that’s happened to this damned Area in years.”

A shade of red coated Dasol’s cheeks as she looked away the same times Jiyong did, her mind scrambling to change the subject. Though she knew he didn’t mean it in any other way than he said it, her mind would wander. She nervously spoke, “Next question: vampires aren’t the undead...right?” Jiyong chuckled as he glanced at her, “I thought you were the researcher? I expected you to know more about my species than I do.” Well, not really, but he wanted to flatter her. Dasol shook her head and smiled herself. Why didn’t she know more? Dasol sighed, “I guess humans are inferior.”

Jiyong chuckled and sat up, “Well, to answer your question, we are not dead coming back to life. We are like humans, only everything within us is slowed down. Our heart rates and our oxygenation rates are extremely low. Of course, there are mutations within us, but other than us taking much longer to age, we are just as alive as you are.” Dasol nodded - she had already known about the heart and oxygenation rates, but she had always wondered if it ever meant anything.

Jiyong shifted over to the nightstand and grabbed an empty glass. He lined his top set of teeth with the edge, and after a moment of nothing, an almost blue and grey, thick liquid seeping out just a bit. He handed it to her as Dasol sat up in interest. She had already seen this before, it was the venom that caused people to change from human to vampire. Jiyong nodded towards it after licking his lips, “That fluid is the venom, but I know you know that. It is the only thing that causes people like you to change into people like me.” Dasol nodded as she swirled the small amount of liquid around the bottom of the glass, “It spreads into the bloodstream like malaria.”

Jiyong nodded and smirked, almost proud she had known that, “Exactly. Newborns cannot control when it is released. Before we were all divided into areas, some vampires had a human who voluntarily offered their blood for feeding because they knew that they would not turn. All trained vampires have the ability to control the release of their venom, it is only in moments where adrenaline is released that it is harder for us to control.”

Dasol handed the glass back to Jiyong, the smile on her face making him do a double take. Her smile was so delicate, her voice just as much, “But you and the four other kings have the greatest control, don’t you?” Jiyong chuckled as he set the glass back down, “Yes and no, we can lose our self-control just as much.” Dasol furrowed her brows and looked at him as he laid back down beside her, “When? When you get extremely angry?” Jiyong shook his head and glanced at her just so he could see her reaction, keeping a straight face on.

“When we have sex with a human.”

As she woman contemplated, Dasol looked closely at her. She had to have turned into one of them during her early 20’s. Her hair was silky and golden brown, neatly tied back in a braid. She was just a few inches shorter than Dasol, and much thinner, though Dasol already knew of what power she was capable of. Finally, the woman agreed, “Gladly.” Dasol let out a small smile as she linked her hands together behind her, “Would you happen to know where Jiyong is? He didn’t visit me today.” For a moment the woman was shocked to hear someone call the king by his name.

But quickly realizing Dasol was given permission, she answered, “The Kings were incredibly busy attempting to find the flaws in our training system for the newborns. After yesterday’s incident, the Kings were very disturbed by the lack of practices.” Dasol nodded as the woman turned around, eyes widening as she quickly knocked on the glass walls, “Wait!” The woman turned around to face Dasol again, her eyes still glued onto the ground in front of Dasol’s toes. Dasol softened, “If you don’t mind me asking: what is your name?” The woman finally met Dasol’s eyes, surprise and what looked like happiness shining through. She let out a soft smile and bowed before turning around and disappearing, “My name is Yura.”

Again, Dasol sighed as she was left in the silence, her legs collapsing as she slid down the glass wall opposite from the window. Her eyes watched the stars twinkle, wondering what else she could learn about these people before eventually being killed. There was no way she would be let go, and even if she tried to escape, all beings in the area would be able to smell the blood pumping through her veins.

Dasol stared down at her right wrist, the pointer finger of her left hand gently tracing the blue vein the disappeared into her hand and forearm. Would anyone smell her blood even with those thick glass walls? Would they be able to feel her heat slowly vanish? For all she knew, she was the only heat source miles from now. Dasol closed her eyes and leaned back on the glass wall as she listened to the whistle of the wind blowing through the trees and the buildings.

Suddenly she heard an oh-so familiar voice chuckle, “You look like you need a drink.” And suddenly beside her was a glass half filled with wine. Dasol glanced back to see Jiyong sitting on his usual chair in its usual position, his somewhat glowing eyes staring down at her. Dasol smiled and listed the glass, watching as the wine spun with just a soft movement of her wrists. She rested her head on her knuckles as she propped her elbow onto her knee that remained close to her chest. She sighed and took in a deep breath of the wine before slowly taking a sip.

She continued to twirl the liquid as she spoke, “You were gone all day.” Jiyong nodded and kissed his teeth after taking a sip, the smirk on his lips only growing, “So you did notice my absence.” Dasol let out a snort as she took another sip her eyes watching as the liquid swung around the rim of her glass, “Well you are my only visitor.” A moment of silence filled the air as for a moment, Jiyong was distracted by the rhythm of Dasol’s breathing. He could hear her heart beat in the same pattern it always had, and the warmth of a human left Jiyong almost breathless. Snapping out of his daze, Jiyong cleared his throat and stood, slowly approaching the door to Dasol’s room.

By this time, adults in the Area were out in the forests hunting for fresh feed, while younger ones and newborns were given bags provided by other Areas. Everyone was only fed once a day, and those adults who could not find an animal to feed off of were given a blood bag. Would anyone notice if he entered her room? Would anyone hear the slide of the glass door? It had been too long since he had last gotten a whiff of a human, and after yesterday when he had stepped into her room to save what was his from the newborn, her smell had totally taken over his senses. The faint smell of her melon shampoo and peach lotion along with the slight smell humans naturally contained had totally distracted him from his activities today.

God, he never realized how much he missed the smell of a human.

Hoping to distract himself, Jiyong sighed, “I was monitoring the process of the new program for our newborns. The instructors were being lazy and had allowed newborns to skip their lessons,” Suddenly, a cold breeze passed by Dasol and the brush of skin touched her arm. Hating the feeling of skin, Dasol flinched, but paused as she saw Jiyong sit beside her, his eyes closed as he leaned back on the glass behind them. He took in a deep breath as Dasol went over his side profile - he looked almost...delicate.

Turning away again, Dasol took another sip of her drink as she let Jiyong continue, “You were right, darling. They allowed newborns to escape under their watch and that is when they attack the Areas around us. They are breaking the rules, and now we have set stricter guards and borders. The moment any newborn is caught breaking a rule of mine or of the agreement, they are punished. We’ve also sent hunters out to find the newborns on the run, so I do hope death rates in other areas decrease. I apologize.”

Dasol nodded and had downed all of her wine as Jiyong spoke, her eyes remaining down at her feet as the images of countless lifeless bodies decorated her city appeared in her head. Jiyong quietly refilled her glass, watching as her fingers moved slowly in a rhythm on her knee. Dasol sighed as she immediately downed the glass again. Naturally, Jiyong refilled it, her words coming out slightly sloppier than before as she hoped to change the subject, “I volunteered to accompany the drop off, you know.” Jiyong chuckled and put down his glass on the tile floor beside his foot, wanting to be fully aware of her somewhat slurred thoughts. He rose a brow at her as he grabbed the wine bottle again, “Why on earth would you do that?” Dasol continued and huffed, watching as Jiyong continued to fill her glass no matter how many times she downed it.

“I’m looking for someone.”

Jiyong’s brows knotted together and nodded, eyes trailing out the window Dasol was so infatuated with. His head continued to bob lightly, “Who?” He heard Dasol sniff as she watched the red fluid swirl, shaking her head as she began to process what was already uttered, “No one.” Glancing at her quickly, Jiyong chose not to pry as he cleared his throat again, another long moment of silence of repetitive drinking and refilling occupying almost an hour. The silence was nice though. Dasol could drink, and Jiyong could observe.

Deciding to finally talk about something else to help her out of the sadness she had pulled herself into, Jiyong spoke softly, “Is there anything you want to know about my kind?” Dasol looked at him, and Jiyong began to notice the rise of her temperature and the red tint of her cheeks as she spoke, “I don’t know. We already know a lot.” Jiyong chuckled and nodded as he knew there were tons of things she did not know, but chose not to talk about it.

Suddenly Dasol leaned in closer after another swing of her drink, putting her empty glass down beside his full one. She grabbed his chin, pulling it downwards before he could protest, “Actually, can I see your teeth?” If Jiyong hadn’t pulled back, he was sure Dasol would cram her head into his mouth and hurt herself. Jiyong shivered a bit as Nara used one finger to touch his canine teeth, the bones unintentionally enlarging by just a margin as they came in contact to flesh. Just large enough and sharp enough to pierce into the flesh easily.

Jiyong chuckled as he spoke mumbled with his chin still stuck in her weak grip that he could easily escape if he wanted to, “I assumed you were a germaphobe.” After touching his teeth once more, his words sunk in as Dasol let go of him, staring at her hands again as she nodded, “Right.” Jiyong tilted his head to look at her as he licked his lips and teeth, “Why are you so afraid of touch?” Dasol shook her head and stroked her bare forearms with her hands, “I...My father brought me along to work one day when I was 7 or 8, and I guess what you describe as newborns found their way in...” Jiyong could feel Dasol tense as she hugged herself, all muscles in her being suddenly tight. What could he do though? He didn’t know how to help. He wasn’t sure if she even wanted to be comforted. Dasol was hard to read, and that had led him to only observe her more than others.

Jiyong waited patiently as Dasol took in deep breaths, clearing her mind and trying to relax herself before continuing, “There were two - or three, maybe. They took me away from my dad and dragged me somewhere. I remember screaming and watching my dad being pulled back while I was gone down the hall in just a second. They pulled me into some meeting room and sat me down in a corner. They surrounded me and just poked at me. If I resisted they would tighten their grip on me and my arms and legs were covered in bruises and scratches from their nails. I remember having my hair pulled and their hands grabbing my neck - maybe to feel the blood pumping through my veins. They would drool and spit and I couldn’t move away any further and it just coated my clothes.

“Then, when I thought they were finally going to kill me, someone came in and tossed in this smoke bomb they had been working on, but the smoke only affected the newborns. They ended up running away and the hero of the day approached me. He looked like he was my age, maybe in his teens...and he helped me up. He apologized for being late and said something about having a hard time stealing that bomb from a soldier’s belt. He promised me he would take me back to my dad, and in the time that I stared at him, I was back in my dad’s arms.”

Jiyong leaned forward to look at her face, watching as a small smile came upon her lips. He chuckled, somewhat amused by how she swooned at the memory of the man, “Who was that prince in shining armour?” Dasol’s smile soon dropped as she shook her head. Why did she tell him all that? She seemed to surround herself with walls again as she looked away from him, “No one.” Jiyong nodded and leaned back again, somewhat irked by the unanswered questions that roamed his mind.

As Dasol yawned, Jiyong downed his first glass of wine, his face scrunching in distaste. He grabbed her glass and nodded towards her bed, “Get some rest, darling.” As he stood, Dasol spoke, “Why do you call me that?” Jiyong shrugged as he exited her room, the cool, crisp air much more easier for him to breathe. He turned back to her, the smile on his face almost kind.

“It suits you, does it not?”