;massacre

Jaejoong specialized in death. He knew more about death than one would think. Being a spirt medium, he had all sorts of insider information. However, lately, there was one thing on the medium’s mind and that was serial killers. A few days ago, he was reading up on death and came up on Jack the Ripper, the never-caught serial killer of Victorian London. The entire idea fascinated Jaejoong to no end and so he began researching into that area.

Today, however, the young man was relaxed under a tree. He had to sort out his thoughts from the current ideas to his serial killer fascination. He talked to himself a lot as he tried to figure out the mentality behind it. “How does one even start out like that? To murder a person who has a family, brutally in cold blood…fascinating subject!” He exclaimed to himself, musing through his thoughts.

He reached over to his side and lifted the coffee cup to his lips. Jaejoong had decided earlier that coffee, rest and death went extremely well together and so as he mused even more on the matter of serial killers, he heard footsteps. He didn’t even look over but merely said, “Don’t step on the trench coat.” Jaejoong mused some more before he actually looked over at the person who disturbed his rest.

However, there was something that was keeping him from entering his dreamworld; preventing him from falling into deep, peaceful slumber.

He cracked open an eye only to be greeted with the sight of the sky. Reluctantly sitting up, he groaned irritably as the audible musings of another person within the area easily made its way to his head. He looked around, eventually spotting the source of the sound —an unfamiliar body resting against the tree. 

Shin stood up, the expression on his face evidently annoyed as he made his way over to the other person. He kept his gaze on the other, unaware of his surroundings as he observed the obviously taller guy bring a coffee cup up to his lips.

“Don’t step on the trench coat.”

The blond stopped his movements for a quick moment before glancing down. He realized that he was certainly about to step onto the said trench coat and because he was feeling rather nice today, he recoiled and set his foot beside his other one instead, standing straight as he continued observing the other man. An amused smirk already made its way to his lips when he found the other person completely unfamiliar, although he wasn't completely unsure if Luhan had already met the person.

"Nikuya Shin," he answered proudly, tilting his head, "So you like serial killers, huh? Does my name sound at all familiar to you?"

He yelped playfully, yet softly when the younger lightly kicked his shin before folding his legs, bringing his knees closer to his chest as he looked up at Xiumin. The bright rays of the sun had him squinting lightly to get a better look at the boy with the most adorable round cheeks he had ever seen.

"Lu ge,".

The name that slipped pass the other boy's lips had the blond chuckling to himself; he had always loved hearing the younger boy call him that specifically, although he had no idea why

"Enjoying yourself?".

"You could say that," he replied nonchalantly before almost immediately noticing how the younger kept his hands in his pockets —something that he oddly always did. It never failed to make Luhan feel a bit disappointed at the lack of skinship between the two of them because the other was always sensitive with that type of thing. Luhan wasn't the kind of person to force, so usually, he'd let it go.

The corner of the blond's lips pulled up into a friendly smile, a smile that he usually had to exert effort in but with Sehun, he barely even realized how freely he let the expression on his face turn into something brighter. He flattened his palms on the ground to lean his weight on them, leaning back slightly as he kept his gaze up at the sky just as he heard the other walk up beside him

He glanced at the boy who was finally seated beside him, feeling the company of the other person completely comforting. It was this particular emotion that usually helped Luhan get through with his day despite many obstacles -mainly, the causes of his mental disorder. Although the mere thought of his close friend easily made him feel better even while he was struggling on his own.

“Were you waiting for me?”.

 A soft chuckle escaped between Luhan's slightly parted lips when the younger nudged him. The blond noticed the mischievousness flashing in the younger's eyes, the sight making his breath hitch for a quick second. Sometimes he forgets how young the people around him at the circus were, especially this boy —Sehun.

Jeongmin sighed, he knew he was spending far too much time by the lake just outside of the campsite - he knew that he was well on his way to getting caught out. But the water called to him. It was clear, clear enough to see his own reflection, the water was pure and non-polluted. Jeongmin wondered what it would be like to sing here, how would his voice resonate over the clear, undisturbed water? He didn’t really want to know the answer to that question in the end because he knew Luhan was on his way. They’d both sort of agreed to meet each other at the lake. 

Jeongmin was sure it was because it was his own safe place, he didn’t know why but he felt like Luhan knew it and understood it. Like, he understood what the water meant to Jeongmin. Even though Jeongmin was never brave enough to dip as much as a toenail into the water, he couldn’t swim. He’d screamed when he was a child and his parents had tried to teach him how to swim. He just never learnt. He was afraid, he was afraid of how strong the call of the water was. It echoed through him, and he knew that Sirens were a branch of mermaids. He knew that much but he didn’t want to test how much of a mermaid he was. Especially not with Luhan being on the way. 

Jeongmin sat on the grass, playing with the strands that were between his fingers, picking at the grass a little bit. They had both sort of left their last meeting saying next time they had something to tell the other, which was why they had picked the lake for their meeting (although Jeongmin wondered if it was his choice and he’d influenced the other - but he tried to push that thought out of his head). It wasn’t nice to think that he might have exercised influence over the other and he was sure he hadn’t. Jeongmin took a lot of steps to avoid that ever occurring. Luhan was too important to try to influence. Jeongmin didn’t want his power to have anything to do with anything. 

Jeongmin fixed his hair a little when the cool breeze messed it up, he wondered if he was early or if Luhan was late. He was probably early. He couldn’t actually recall what time he’d left his tent to arrive at the location they had agreed on, all he knew what that Luhan would arrive shortly, so he needed to make sure he wasn’t a complete mess. He knew that when he told the other man he wouldn’t be faced with a struggle, but he knew he would have to explain. He knew that he’d probably tell Luhan everything. That was a scary prospect in itself. But he wasn’t going to let the block for him be him, his family or his past. 

He was ready, he wanted to live normally, and this was his chance. It was his chance to be himself, even if it was just in front of one person. But that would be enough. To be Jeongmin, the Jeongmin who sang to his best friend, the Jeongmin who used to laugh at ducks, the Jeongmin who still got nightmares about his mother. The Jeongmin who wasn’t always the bubbly outer shell. He felt like Luhan was a chance to be himself. 

Although, he was intrigued by what Luhan could possibly have to say about himself. Although he doubted it would change anything for him. Everything was surface to the depth that Jeongmin felt. It wasn’t everyday he found someone he felt could know his whole story. It wasn’t everyday Jeongmin found someone that made him think that he could be normal despite being a siren and it wasn’t everyday he wanted to come out. 

Keeping secrets -especially something as major as this, from his friends is something he was highly used to. They usually managed to find out only by themselves when something triggers Luhan and were introduced to his other persona. He had a decent amount of friends despite his timid demeanor -that much he was sure of; they didn't just stick around for too long. Luhan tried to remind himself not to get too attached because he needed to understand that they were only trying to keep themselves safe from him.

A sudden brush of the cold breeze passed by, making Luhan's lithe body shiver. His arms immediately went around to hug himself, his steps slowing down just by a bit to let him make a quick decision -an immediate turn back if he has to. In the back of his head, he knew that cancelling his meet up with his friend was impossible. It was too late now and the thought of his friend already waiting by the lake worried him.

He shook his head. No. He knew he had to get it over with.

Worried thoughts continued to swim in his head, effortlessly adding to the anxiety building up. How will he react over it? Will he be disgusted by me? Will he stop being my friend? 

His friend had also mentioned that he had something to say to Luhan. The blond was immensely curious on what he had to say -that meeting up was such an important occasion just for that. He hoped it was something positive. If it was a secret, however, Luhan couldn't imagine the other keeping things from anyone. He didn't seem the kind of person to be secretive. Although he knew that if the other did have a secret he refused to tell anyone, he would trust Luhan enough to tell him.

His thoughts were cut off when he could already see the lake in his sight ahead, a familiar silhouette standing by the body of water. He knew how the water meant to his friend despite not being able to actually get in. There was a reason for it and Luhan understood. He wasn't going to talk about it unless the other was comfortable to do so.

The blond took a deep breath, taking careful steps as he clasped his hands together behind his back. It was when his friend stood up and turned to face him that he felt a little more calm, the sight greeting him helping him get rid of the worry. He had always found his friend attractive, getting drawn to him the first time they'd met even without the other having to use his ability. There was something in the way that he moved; the way he was so confident about everything he did, that got Luhan attracted.

Then there was his personality. He seemed to be playful -although not too much, but enough to have Luhan be comfortable in his presence. One would say that their personalities clashed too much for the two to actually have chemistry, but Luhan thought that the way they had still managed to keep their bond strong was what made everything special.

He realized how much he didn't want to lose Jeongmin. The latter was a friend that the blond held strong feelings for, and losing him would leave a huge hole in Luhan's life that will, perhaps, never be replaced by someone else. 

“Not swimming today?”

The corner of Luhan's lips tugged up into a small, shy smile as he shook his head. The other seemed entirely casual and comfortable about the situation that it seemed to take an effect on Luhan as well.

"No way," Luhan replied a bit playfully, taking a few steps closer to the other for them to converse properly. "Sorry I'm a bit late, by the way. I-... got caught up with something."

At the sound of someone clearly their throat, she paused, cane rising up a bit instinctively in case she needed it for self-defense. “Who’s there?” She asked in the calm, cool voice of someone who didn’t care if the question was answered or not. When she heard nothing at first, she prepared to swing her cane at the last spot she could train herself on, but then the voice came, and she brightened, “Luhan! What are you doing out here this time of night?”

Now with a specific direction to angle herself toward, she shifted easily, body moving like she could see him even though she couldn’t at the moment, and walked toward him. “Don’t tell me there are guests out here! Or are you ducking responsibility?” She clucked her tongue playfully, cane still floating above the ground as she approached him.

Because of that, she had missed a thick, low-lying root that rested between her and her friend, so with a few more steps, she tripped heavily over it, eyes going wide with panic as she stumbled over it, chest pressing against his as her lips found something soft. Normally she could have identified what had happened near instantly, and might have even chose to kiss back, but right then her fear of contact with the ground froze her in place, her mouth warm and quivering slightly against Luhan’s.

A pale shade of pink eventually took over Luhan's cheeks when Narae immediately recognized his voice, attempting to hide the hope filling in his chest. He continued staring at the girl quietly as she walked closer to him. "I-I'm not," he stammered, shaking his head as he contemplated whether to step closer and help guide her through her way.  Due to his apprehensive demeanor, he couldn't find the guts to even approach her and he eventually just found himself standing still and waiting patiently as the girl made her way over.

However, instincts kicked in when Narae stumbled over a thick root on the ground. Luhan's hands immediately went up to hold onto the girl's waist in a feeble attempt to steady her, but found that it was too late when he felt soft lips press against his. Luhan blinks at this, a look of befuddlement dawning upon his pale features as the moment took over.

His finger twitched against Narae's waist, feeling the strong urge to grab on tighter before she pulled away. Immediate thoughts began clouding his head. Could it be that she had done this on purpose? Or perhaps she was just teasing? Was there a possibility she even liked him back?

—wait, she likes him back? That could mean...

The blond doesn't even realize it but the corners of his lips tugged up into a grin when the girl finally pulled away, his hands leaving her petite waist. He looked away, releasing a soft chuckle, shoulders shaking along with amusement. Before he knew it, that one form of laughter had soon formed into series of chuckles and eventually, he was laughing heartily as he leaned back against the tree for support. He clutched at his sides, the laughter leaving his lips completely different from the shy, embarrassed chuckles that Luhan would usually make.

The possibility of her liking Luhan back was just humorously baffling to him. Ridiculous, even.

"Are you kidding me?" He asks once he finally calms himself down, crossing his arms across his chest. His voice was louder than usual, and it was dripping with the rare enthusiasm and confidence that Luhan's timid voice would fail to have. The amused grin was still evident on his lips as he tilted his head mockingly at her, although he knew she couldn't even barely see him. "That is downright, fucking ridiculous. Do you have any idea?"