The sunlight creeping on your eyes is what made you wake up. You didn't have a clock with you but it must have been early in the morning. You yawned and stretched yourself, then the realisation came out: you and your vampire boyfriend Hyeongjun slept in the Lunarium. And judging by your naked bodies, you didn't just sleep there.

Hyeongjun was still sleeping, his back turned at you, his skin already tanning: he was turning into his human form.

You came close to him and tucked his hair, uncovering his ear.

«Hyeongjun, wake up.» you whispered. It didn't take much for him to move and turn to you. His eyes were still closed but his arms were searching for you. You guided them towards his shoulders, forcing him to climb your body and sit on the Lunarium's floor. His lips were still stained of your lipstick, and so were his shoulders and chest. He laid his chin on your shoulder, his hair grazing your cheek, his eyes still closed, his tattooed hand holding yours, fingers intertwined.

If you were at home, this would have been one of those rare moments when Hyeongjun was clingy, and your hearts would have been filled with love and warmth. But today, only Hyeongjun's heart was feeling that way. You were deeply embarrassed; you wanted to leave the Lunarium as quickly as possible before the castle's owner, Goo Gunil, found out about it.

«Hyeongjun, wake up.» You repeated. Hyeongjun groaned, finally opening his eyes.

«Why should we? Let's stay five more minutes.» He whined in his sleepy voice.

«We are not at home, did you forget? We're in the Lunarium, we should-»

The room's door opened. You heard someone's grumbling.

«If those two aren't here-» That was Seungmin's voice.

You hid your face on Hyeongjun's chest, trying to "protect" yourself from the newcomer. Hyeongjun was silent.

Seungmin turned at you. He groaned. «I can't believe you're really here...I lost my bet!» He looked at you again. «And this is embarrassing.»

A few seconds of silence followed.

«Alright, I've closed my eyes, now if one of you wants to get up and take the robes...»

None of you wanted to get up.

«Come on, I know it's embarrassing, but if one of you gets up and takes the robes I'll just leave.»

Hyeongjun separated from you with a groan. «Ah, thank you, I thought we would have stayed for the entire day!» Seungmin said.

You got up, your back turned at Seungmin: you just didn't want to see his face. Hyeongjun gave you the robe, you immediately covered yourself with it. His arms wrapped your shoulders from behind: he wouldn't have left you one minute today, it seemed.

«Not to break this lovey-dovey moment between you two, but it's better if you go inside; the others are waiting for you to have breakfast. Our servants have prepared fresh clothes and the bathroom for you too.»

You finally turned at Seungmin. You noticed he was wearing a white blouse, the same one he wore the day he welcomed you in the castle. Actually, he was wearing the same outfit from that day.

«Uhm, is something going on?» You asked.

«What do you mean?»

«Your outfit, it seems-»

«Ah, no, no, it's just Laundry Day here and Gunil ordered to wash almost every clothes we have. We only have these ones now. Now go, the more you'll come late, the less of your breakfast you'll have.»

«And what about our clothes?»

«I'm taking them. After all, I lost a bet. Now go.»

You both finally left the Lunarium. Seungmin took all the clothes left on the floor. He was going to the entrance but he noticed something shining in a corner: one of Jungsu's drones was laying on the floor. Seungmin took it. It seemed shut off.

Strange, usually these things self destruct if he turns them off. How can it possibly happened?

His eyes went wide, then a huge smile appeared.

Oh, this explains why he woke up with a headache this morning.

----

Hyeongjun has always been a fan of bubbly, warm baths. He loves spending a lot of time in the bathtub, especially with you. He didn't like showers but today he did an exception. And no, it wasn't for breakfast, he wasn't feeling that hungry today.

He spent the time looking at your now cleaned face, cupping it with his hands from time to time so he could leave a little peck kiss on your lips. He didn't want you to leave his arms. He focused on a little bruise on your neck, the "scar" he left on you when he bit you for the first time, turning you into his partner forever. He's been silent for the whole time, being "busy" cleaning you and drying your hair.

You cleaned his body from your lipstick's stains and had the "privilege" to use his hair formula, the magic one who turned his hair curly. You loved it. You would have spent a lot of time messing his curls if your stomach wasn't growling.

«Do you have some time after breakfast? I want to speak with you.» He said while you were dressing up. You smiled. «I have all the time you need, Hyeongjun. I promised I would have stayed with you until you've been better and I'll keep this promise until the end.»

You noticed his blouse being too open. You came close to button it a little.

«Your chest is showing...and I know you don't like having your skin seen so-» You couldn't finish. You were stunned by Hyeongjun's sight. His eyes were still a little sleepy but they captured you despite that. His shy smile was warming your heart. And your cheeks. You turned away from him. Hyeongjun giggled.

You exited the bath, leaning towards the dining room.

You weren't expecting to find two overdramatic actors at the entrance but here there were: Jooyeon and Jiseok crawling on the floor, acting like they didn't eat for days. Jooyeon pointed at you.

«Oh look, Jiseok, they finally blessed us of their presence! We can finally eat!»

«Oh, for the Dark Lord Himself, finally we got our royal couple filling the table!»

«We can eat our croissants! Like Marie Saint-Baugette said once!»

«It's Marie Antoinette, you idiot!»

«Antoniette, Baguette, who cares! I need my brioches!»

Hyeongjun laughed. The other two vampires looked at each other, nodding as if they accomplished a mission. They got up and separated you from Hyeongjun.

«I hope your majesty is not offended if we take your king for a while!» Jooyeon said. You giggled and headed to the table, leaving Hyeongjun dealing with the two vampires.

You noticed Gunil, who was sitting at the end of the table set, facepalming. A dog was near him, wagging his tail. Seungmin and Jungsu were already sitting in their places. Jungsu had an ice pack on his forehead.

«Oh, are you okay?» You asked.

«Uh? Oh, the ice pack? It's not a big deal, just a huge headache. I...I had trouble with my magic.»

«Yeah, only with your magic-Ouch.» Seungmin said before Jungsu stamped his foot.

«Don't you even dare to say what happened last night with the drone or I'll force you into your bat form.» Jungsu whispered.

«They'll discover it anyway, just say it now. Or are you still embarrassed they have a better sexual life than you and your partn-OUCH»

«One word, Seungmin, just one word and you'll be a bat for the entire day and with both your feet stomped.»

«Uff, don't come at me later when I'll be right about it.»

You sat on your seat. Jiseok and Jooyeon were still messing with Hyeongjun with some fun shenanigans of them. You giggled.

Weren't they like, starving?

Gunil's dog barked, catching Jiseok and Jooyeon's attention.

«Alright, alright, Pooh, we heard you! Let's go before he turns into a werewolf and eats us instead!» Jiseok said, making Gunil giggle this time.

Finally, everyone was in their place; breakfast could start. The servants placed a huge blood bag on Hyeongjun's plate. You pointed at it.

«Uhm, what is this?»

«That's Hyeongjun's breakfast.» Gunil said with a smile.

You were stunned for a moment. «His what?»

«You heard it right! That's his breakfast.»

«But why?»

«Because he's a vampire?»

«Yeah, I know but why can't he eat human food with the others? If he needs blood he has me-»

«You can't. Not right now.»

The room turned silent.

«Excuse me?»

«You can't give him your blood. He's still under our observation, even if today Jungsu can't provide a drone for you.»

«Yeah.» Jungsu groaned, pressing the ice pack on his forehead more.

«Since we don't know if he can attack you or not, it's better if all his blood desires are satisfied in other ways. He can eat what it will be left for breakfast.»

«Uhm, I don't think this is a good idea.» Seungmin added.

«Why?»

«I mean...» He pointed at Jooyeon and Jiseok, their mouths being full of food, their eyes wondering why everyone was looking at them. Gunil facepalmed.

«If nothing is left, he will have his own breakfast prepared.»

«Oooooor, maybe he can already have his human food and I can give my blood to him like we always did.»

«I say it again, that's a no. It's for your safety.»

«But I-»

Hyeongjun put a hand on your shoulder, catching your attention.

«It's okay, I've already drank blood from these, remember? When we were together and I didn't want to...» He shut himself up and started to drink from the bag, closing that conversation. The others kept eating as nothing didn't happen.

You kept some pieces of meat in your plate. Once you noticed the others weren't paying attention to you, you gave one of the pieces to Hyeongjun. The vampire was taking a break from sucking from the blood bag. He saw the meat piece and quickly took it from you with his bare hands.

«If you need something else, just tell me, I'll grab it.» You whispered at him. He nodded.

You didn't like to break the rules, especially in a castle with six vampires in it, but it would have cost nothing to help the one you loved.

----

Gunil's garden was an idea that came to his mind 300 years ago. He wanted a new place for the castle where he could relax and let his thoughts out. It was placed behind the castle, protected by the forest. A place full of chrisantemuses, dandelions and some olive trees here and there. Hyeongjun wanted to find a particular tree to sit and talk peacefully. You walked for hours, your hands intertwined. You spent the time looking around; there were some servants here and there, taking care of the plants. They were Gunil's eyes for today. You would have been looked by them until Jungsu would have felt better. You didn't like being under surveillance but "it was for your safety", you couldn't dismantle it all alone.

You found the tree: it was a little isolated from the others, surrounded by dandelions. There were some words carved in it. You couldn't decipher them; they seemed from another time, as if they'd been there for centuries. Hyeongjun caressed those words.

«These are my and my first partner's names.» He said.

«Oh, so this is your special place?»

«Kinda, usually I go here trying to remember them.»

«Remember?»

Hyeongjun hesitated. «They're the only partner I don't have memories of, except this name I carved.»

«That's strange, you have the best memory. You still remember your partners from centuries ago! It's impossible...» You then remembered Hyeongjun's story. He was the "killer" of the family, the one who killed more partners than all of the members.

«They were the first one who died too, right?»

Hyeongjun placed his forehead on the tree, nodded and closed his eyes. You noticed a tear coming out. You held his free hand.

«If only I remembered their face. Only their face. That's not much I ask. I want to frame their face on a painting so I can remember them like the others. And maybe...» He took a short breath. «And maybe they'll find peace in the afterlife.»

You held his hand tight. «You already know what I think about this.» You said while laying your chin on his shoulder. «Wherever they are now, I think they understand. They know you didn't want to hurt them.»

You felt his head over yours. You looked at the carved names, focusing on the one below, thinking it was Hyeongjun's partner's name.

«...and I think they loved you as much as me.»

----

You spent some hours in silence laying under the tree, Hyeongjun's head resting on your lap. Your hand was caressing it, messing and playing with his curls. You closed your eyes, letting your thoughts out.

You remembered the night you became his partner.

It was the first night you saw him in his vampire form. Before that, he was a simple human. Just your boyfriend.

He had some strange rules, such as not touching you once the sun went down and avoiding any sexual interaction at night. Despite those two rules, he was the best boyfriend you could have found. He was a stay-at-home boyfriend who made you lunches and dinners every day you came home and made handcrafted gifts for your birthday and Valentine's Day. Always present every time you need, listening to all your worries,. giving you relief every time you are tired of something.

But those two rules always kept a place in your mind. You even tried to discuss them with him but the answer was always negative: no sex at night. That rule was consuming your mind. You weren't understanding why the night was such a big deal for him; the rest of the day? Perfect! The night? Denied.

One day, you finally found the idea to break the rule. It was so simple you wondered why you didn't do it earlier; you just started to detach him: not giving him any hugs, no attention given, complete disinterest in what he was doing. He became desperate in less than two days. And once he asked what to do to gain your attention and love again, he couldn't say no to your request.

You remember how he was hesitant that night while he was taking off his clothes and taking off yours. You remember his skin being strangely cold, but at the time you brushed everything off with him being nervous. After all, didn't a thing called "cold sweat" exist? And besides, that cold skin was also the smoother you ever kissed or touched. What you didn't expect was how "possessive" he was. Even if you spent the night riding him, his grip on your hips was so strong he guided you for the whole ride. He didn't leave you once while leaving trails of sloppy kisses on your body. And the way he was looking at you...you felt you were seen by an animal. An animal that was looking at his caught prey, searching the perfect part of their body to rip apart.

You were sleeping in the bed, Hyeongjun's one arm wrapped on your waist, the other on the pillow, holding your hand. His legs intertwined with yours, his chin resting on your shoulder. You would have just rested a little before heading to the bathroom and cleaning yourself and sleeping for the rest of the night.

Instead, two "pins" penetrated in your flesh. It was a little painful at first, but then you got it by a huge wave of pleasure. The knot in your stomach came back, you felt wet again, moans came out of your mouth while Hyeongjun was sucking your blood. You never felt this pleasure in your life. You craved it, you wanted it to never end.

Then the second bite hit you. All the sensuality faded, what you felt was the bite of an animal ripping your flash. Hyeongjun's teeth seemed to reach your bones, ready to crush it. Your blood was dripping on your skin. You were trapped by his arms, unable to move for the blood loss. You couldn't do anything but scream.

«Hyeongjun, please, stop it! It hurts!»

That scream from you is what made Hyeongjun leave your neck, leaving a fresh wound on it. His grip on you left. You heard his voice: «No, what have I done? What was I doing?! Oh, the wound, I must heal it! What was the formula? What magic formula was it? Please, please, not again, I don't want to lose another one, no, no!» You felt his hand pressing on your neck, a cold touch surrounding it. The wound closed in a few seconds, turning Hyeongjun's touch warm. The exhaustion got you again, making you close your eyes.

The rest of the night passed with Hyeongjun crying in your shoulder, repeating "I'm sorry" over and over. You were too weak for the blood loss to even try to talk to him, to reassure him and calm him down.

The next day, you felt more attached to Hyeongjun. You wanted to stay with him forever. The wound on your neck was completely healed, except for a little bruise, which would have become your scar, the sign you were his partner.

Since that night, Hyeongjun asked you to give your arms if he needed some blood. It was "the safest way" for him to fill his desires for blood. Just a bite on your arm, magic on the wound and your arm was intact, as if it never got bitten in the first place. That night did something on you and Hyeongjun, you just wouldn't have shown your changes at the same pace.

«What did you feel last night?» Hyeongjun asked, interrupting your thoughts. You didn't know what to answer. Hyeongjun's head was still on your lap, looking at you.

«Were you scared of me?» You caressed his head a little more. «No, I wasn't scared. It was-»

«Even if I looked at you with my vampire eyes?»

«Those eyes were pretty, Hyeongjun.»

«Even if my skin was cold?»

«I didn't mind it.»

«Even if I could have possibly killed you?»

You looked at him, your hand being held by his.

«You had those "thoughts" again?» You asked.

Hyeongjun hesitated before nodding.

«When did they come?»

«When I was looking at your body. I had voices in my head telling me to choose the perfect spot to kill you in one bite. I spent the whole night awake while those words were blasting my mind. I felt I would have lost control at some point.»

Hyeongjun sat on the grass, leaving your hand.

«I don't know what the others think of this but it's better if you come back home. You've already stayed here for a whole week; you might get into trouble if you stay any longer. Gunil can practice an exorcism on me-»

«We can come back home together; Gunil can make his exorcism tonight and we will be back together, that's simple.»

Hyeongjun shook his head.

«Is that a no?»

«I don't think it's good for you to stay, I don't know how I would change after the exorcism maybe I might become more violent or-»

«Hyeongjun, look at me.»

You looked into each other's eyes. You noticed how scared he was.

«Remember what I said to that vampire during The Inspection? I believe, no, I know you've changed. You're not the killer you think you are.»

Hyeongjun shook his head.

«Think about last night. You had the voices telling you to kill me, right? If you were the same Hyeongjun from centuries ago, what would have stopped you to do it?»

He shook his head again. «You've been lucky. If my will wouldn't have been strong-»

You opened your arms, inviting Hyeongjun to your embrace. The vampire made little steps before letting you hug him. He rested his head on your chest, you laid your chin on his head. He slowly fell asleep, finally resting. The tree's shadow was getting smaller, soon it would have been midday and you should have come back to the castle for lunch.

«Your will is already strong!»

Hyeongjun looked at you in disbelief. He thought you went crazy.

«I remember when you smiled at me after my "speech" during The Inspection. You know you're different now. It's just those stupid words in your mind that are blinding you. Don't let that old vampire confuse your mind like that. Think about your partners, do you think you treated them in the same way that skeleton treats his partners? Heck, maybe he doesn't even have partners, he just kills and that's it!»

Hyeongjun was still unsure, you could have noticed it by his sight.

«Okay, since you don't seem sure...remember when you said that you still have a lot of paintings of your partners to do?»

«Yeah?»

«Let's make this promise. Once you finished all your paintings and made my own portrait, you can kill me.»

Hyeongjun was shocked.

«But it will take years...»

«That's good, no? That means you can prove you're changed. You can prove it to your family, to that vampire, to me and especially to yourself.»

Hyeongjun looked away from you, playing with the grass.

«Are you telling me you can't keep promises?» You asked with a smirk. It was the perfect provocation.

«No, I can keep them.»

«So it's a deal?»

Hyeongjun chuckled.

«I think it's the craziest thing you could have come up with but I'll show I can keep promises. Deal.»

You smiled at him.

“I will move my hand now,” he says; his low voice dips into a smirk, the sneer shifting the warning into a command.

A command he knows you’d suck at following.

A command that sounds like I want to see you fail.

His dark eyes peer into yours, glazed over with arousal as they keep trying to refocus. It’s a small plaything that’s working between your legs, but it has a strong impact on your entire body, including your attention span.

“You probably know how to keep quiet,” he murmurs and slowly retrieves his hand, “since you carry this little thing around with you.”

He can’t help but suppress a laugh - immediately, you tuck your lip between your teeth, afraid you will make a sound the second your mouth is uncovered.

“Come on, noona. Tell me,” he presses, refusing to let you off the hook so easily; one hand casually pressed on the tiled wall of the cubicle you are locked in, right beside your head. “Why do you have this in your bag anyway?”

The same heat that ignited in your body when you bumped shoulders with him on the stairs almost ten minutes ago spreads beneath your skin again; this time, dizzying. How come you forget to zip your bag once, and out of all things you carry inside, your vibrator is what falls out? And out of all people in this university building, he is the one to witness it?

However, the indignity of that particular incident which led to this present moment lingers differently now… You can’t deny, you’re enjoying it.

It makes you even wetter.

You swallow hard, your pulse dancing wild. “It’s just,” you admit quietly, “I’ve been feeling stressed lately.”

A temporary line appears between Hyeongjun’s brows as they furrow in curiosity. “So, you hide to touch yourself?” His tone dips, like he’s having difficulty with understanding something. “In public?”

But undeniably, his gaze lights up; the same way it did when he picked up your toy from the ground, inspecting it closely. It’s a discreet size but there was no way he’d miss out on noticing it when he was helping you gather your stuff.

You open your mouth, wanting to defend yourself, but the attempt to speak is unsuccessful. The only thing that comes out is a small noise, shaky and pathetic, as the effects of the vibrations buzzing through your body strengthen.

“I…” you gulp, moving the device away from your clit; just for a moment. “I’ve never done it here before. Just in my car.”

Hyeongjun tilts your chin with his finger and you look at him with slightly more concentration. He’s attractive. He really is; especially when he gives you that sharp smirk, like he can read every single thought crossing your mind and you can’t do anything except anticipate his next move, his next condescending question.

The son of the dean… If you could turn back time to tell your past self that you’d end up hidden in a campus bathroom with him while everyone else is in class, you never would have believed it.

As if he just noticed the change of the buzzing sound, Hyeongjun looks down. Without saying anything, he moves his left hand to your heat, his middle finger dragging in between your folds, easily slipping into your entrance; your pussy walls instantly clench at the light intrusion, needy and aroused.

But he doesn’t linger. Still quiet, he pulls out, then pushes the same finger on his tongue, locking eyes with you as he earns a taste of you.

Your heart skips a beat at the provocation but before you can say or do anything, he takes your wrist and guides your hand where it’s meant to be. The stimulation returns, even more powerful on your clit now.

“I get it, noona.” He says, softer and more relaxed in a way, then he nods as a gesture of rapport. “It’s exam season. That’s always stressful, isn’t it?”

And there it is - the artificial concern returns to his alluring voice, dripping erotically, tempting in unfamiliar ways you cannot begin to describe.

The small cubicle makes everything feel hotter; sweat begins to form on your neck and chest, small droplets trickling between your breasts, the sensation in your core practically scorching.

Your back arches off the wall as you begin to move the vibrating head in circling motions, quickening the flowing rush to push yourself to the edge.

One of Hyeongjun’s hands finds your waist, fingers digging into your skin. His gaze is taking it all in - your eyes squeezing shut, your mouth agape, your little sounds breaking the second you let them out.

“I’m close—“ You whisper, your thighs quivering from the approaching high.

His expression turns into something completely new when suddenly your free hand grasps on his shirt, fisting the fabric. A reckless urge opens up inside him, pulsing along with his throbbing erection, but he commands himself to swallow it as he watches you fall apart for his eyes only.

He watches you very carefully; he wants to make sure he has all the good details memorised.

Then… finally, the sound echoes throughout the empty bathroom; whiny, stretched, trembling as your whole body shakes.

The rush washed over you just in time for him to go.

In exactly six minutes lectures will come to an end, and as the son of the dean, Hyeongjun wants to save himself the trouble of being seen leaving the women’s bathroom; with a boner and a pair of panties from an older girl shoved in the pocket of his jeans.

You press the small button, then you slowly open your eyes as a moment of silence falls between you. A breathless flutter rises in your chest as you already imagine his sneering comments.

Your skin is burning up, your mouth is dry; what will you even say?

Hyeongjun lays one palm against the side of your face, then removes it just as quickly, making you wonder if you imagined it.

“Tsk, almost got us caught.” He gives a slow, teasing shake of his head, pausing with his hand on the metal handle just to let out a low chuckle that continues to linger long after the door clicks shut. “Be more discreet next time, noona.”

— ♡ thank you for reading! || copyright © joocomics 2026 all rights reserved. do not repost, copy or translate my works on any platforms.

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You hate The Inspection. It's the worst week of the year. One week out of your life because you need to save your loved one's ass. He calls him "honour" but it's actually his ass. A whole week spent with girls and boys who met your same fate as yours: meeting a vampire. A week spent in a castle seeing the other five vampires looking at you with a curious or proud look, depending on who's looking at you. And a week spent by being looked at by other vampires who looked older, creepier and menacing. Their cold hands touching your neck, your body being scanned by those red eyes and the judgement spit at you or Hyeongjun, depending on who was looking weaker that day. It's a rough week, one of the worst.

You didn't want this. You just wanted a normal boyfriend. Surely not a vampire. And especially not a vampire with a certain reputation: Han Hyeongjun. The vampire who doesn't like to be touched. The most violent biter out of his "clan". A killer, so to speak. No wonder you were considered lucky among the other vampires' partners: surviving a year with Han Hyeongjun was something that happened once in a blue moon. Everyone asked you about your secret; you just pointed at your arms as an answer: those were the reason why Han Hyeongjun didn't kill you yet. He never reached the neck after the first night you had together, the night you became his forever.

Every time Hyeongjun felt hungry, you just uncovered your arms, letting him bite them and sucking the blood until he was satisfied. He used black magic to heal the wounds and made sure no scars were formed. That was the only time you had his hands touching your skin. And you didn't like that either; his hands were cold as a corpse. You kinda agreed with his not touching rule.

It was a different situation during daylight, when Hyeongjun was forced by the sun to stay as a human. His skin was still a little cold but there was some warmth this time. It was the only time he felt comfortable touching you, being open with you, vulnerable with you.

«At least I will not kill you this time...»

«Did you say something?»

«Nothing!»

But besides that, Hyeongjun was just a shy guy. An introverted, shy guy. An introverted, shy vampire. You even started to believe that his reputation was just a rumour. You couldn't believe that the same vampire who, despite his shyness, always looked at you, gave you some lovely words from time to time and gave you handcrafted gifts for your birthday or Valentine's Day was the same bloodthirsty killer with a huge track record.

Fake or not, that track record always hunts him during the Inspection. A whole week being forced in his vampire form, completely unable to turn human: pure nightmare for him.

«Please, understand. It's better if we stay separated as much as possible while we're here. It's for-»

«"it's for your safety". I know it, Hyeongjun. I'll be patient this week, you don't need to be worried. I'm your partner, remember?»

Even though you said those words, you didn't like spending the time all alone in his room, surrounded by paintings of his previous partners. According to Hyeongjun, there were still a lot of them who didn't get their own painting.

«When will you make my portrait?»

«I don't know, but I hope it will happen as late as possible.»

The painting was off limits, it seemed. But during this week, you still witnessed his ability to paint still. You let him do your make up with his "products". And not only was he good at it, his makeup was the strongest ever made: waterproof, no stains left, able to stay perfectly on your face for 24 hours. And most importantly, turning you into the most beautiful partner ever.

«You don't need to thank me. It's just my magic...»

«No, it's not just your magic, you're good with make up. Did you forget that you got my attention thanks to it?»

«No, I will never forget.»

The Inspection didn't bring only bad things to you. It was the occasion to meet the rest of Hyeongjun's clan. You weren't expecting to find other five vampires followed along by their partners and...other vampires? You were so shocked when you saw them but the shock turned into fear when Hyeongjun told you the harsh truth.

«Those vampires are our servants. They don't have any free will, unlike me and the others. Gunil fought tooth and nail for freeing us. The Council didn't want more free vampires around.»

The Council. The villain of this whole story. Although you heard that, this time, the member who called for the Inspection was "one of the good ones", you never liked them. They were the incarnation of evil to you. And the other vampires seemed to agree on that.

«I can't wait for this inspection to end! I can't look at the mirror when my hair looks like this! Ugh, I hate that we can't use our magic, this pink hair makes me into a cute little kitten or something. No one will ever take me seriously after this!»

«You complain about your as if I also don't have an extravagant hair colour. You'll be fine.»

«But your hair is purple, Seungmin! And Lord Son loves purple, it's his favourite colour. You'll probably end up in the first place in his personal list when he'll write the report.»

«Oh, please. I hope he'll not do that. I always aim to the last place.»

«You're both wrong! He noticed me! I knew I would have got his attention. Gunil should include my hair formulas in his basket gift for him.»

«Are you seriously already thinking about the basket gift?»

«Yeah, why not? This is the good one, guys, I feel we will not be bothered for a while after this Inspection.»

Lord Son. He didn't appear until the last day of the Inspection. For the whole week, you thought he was an old, bag of bones like the other vampires. Instead, there was a young, long haired vampire carrying a bunch of sheets of paper. A hooded vampire came close to him.

«We thought you would have never come, Lord Son. What stopped you from coming earlier.»

«Oh, I just spent some time in the archive, Lord Horlock. I read all the other reports you wrote for Lord Goo's clan.»

«I don't think you found something useful for your inspection, Lord Son.»

The vampire smiled. «On the contrary. I discovered you didn't bother to ask the right questions.»

He looked at the vampires standing in line near the castle's entrance. He started to walk followed by Gunil. He didn't bother too much about the vampires' partners.

«Lord Son, you don't even want to try asking something to the partners?»

«Oh no, Lord Goo, I don't need to. I know your clan's members chose the best ones. After all, they're from your clan, I know you're meticulous and you always choose the best.»

You couldn't hear all the questions he asked, only some bits here and there.

«Kim Jungsu. Doctor, blood researcher, bio engineer...you love being into the medical field, uh?»

«Yes, Lord Son.»

«Is there a particular reason why you are doing this kind of research?»

«For the humans' well being.»

«The humans?»

«I think that, if we don't take care of them, we will also pay a price. After all, we depend on their blood, taking care of them should be mandatory for any of us.»

«Oh, I see. I love your way of thinking. And your appreciation for human food, too. I think one of my clan members will have a nice time talking with you.»

«Kwak Jiseok. Nice hair, I never saw a vampire with this hair colour. I suggest you keep it.»

«Oh Seungmin. The reports call you "The Troublemaker"...you don't seem this mischievous.»

«Only because you weren't there, Lord Son.»

«Looks like we have a challenger here. But i think this is a whole facade. Your eyes tell me you aren't that evil like you want to look like.»

Finally he reached Hyeongjun but he looked at you instead.

«So, you're Han Hyeongjun's partner, am I right?»

«Yes, Lord Son.»

«Did you know about his reputation? What do you think? Be honest with me, it's better for both of you.»

You looked at Hyeongjun for a moment. He was looking down at the floor, refusing to do any eye contact with you.

«I don't believe it.» All the other vampires looked at you, even Gunil was shocked.

«Uh? You don't believe it?»

You shook your head.

«I've been Hyeongjun's partner for a year. I can testify that he's not the cold killer he has been painted over the years. He's good like the others!»

«I appreciate your honesty. But his history speaks louder than your words. He killed his partners since he turned into a vampire, the majority of them didn't last more than a year.»

«But I'm here! I'm still alive!»

Hyeongjun raised his head, looking at you.

«Isn't my presence here a solid proof that he's changing? He should have given some time!»

Lord Son doodled a smile and nodded his head.

«Looks like Han Hyeongjun didn't just find the right partner but also a strong one. Let me suggest one thing.» He came close to your ear. «Changing and healing takes a lot of time. Be patient with him.» He whispered.

He left and leaned towards Jooyeon, your mind was confused.

Does he know I'm already patient with him? Also, healing? What does it mean?

You shook your head and looked at Hyeongjun. He raised his head. He gave you a doodled smile: it was his way to say "thank you" in that moment. You noticed his hand trying to reach yours, but he immediately retreated it.

Only a matter of minutes. Only a matter of minutes and everything will be normal again.

You focused over the rest of the inspection.

«Lee Jooyeon. The reports don't say almost anything about you.»

«Really? Uhm, is it a good thing or...?»

«It looks like you end up being unnoticed? May I know why?»

«Uhm, I don't know sir-I mean, Lord Son. I've always behaved, I thought it would have been noticed.»

«Behaving isn't always noticed as you think it is. But I don't think you're just a behaved vampire. What are your qualities?»

Jooyeon stayed silent for a moment.

«Oh, yes, I have a good quality. I'm a picky eater!» he said with a proud, huge smile.

Complete silence came in the room, Gunil facepalmed. Lord Son started to chuckle and then he laughed. A loud laugh ran for the whole castle, the wall seemed to tremble because of it.

«Oh, this is not a quality. We're all picky eaters. After all we choose our partners according to our tastes. But the way you said it...I never laughed this much.»

Jooyeon looked at the vampire with a confused look.

«You seem to be a funny guy, Jooyeon. Please, never stop being like that.» Lord Son said while leaving and trying to suppress another laugh. Jooyeon looked at you.

«Do you think I'll end up in the first place in his report? Seems he loves me.» He whispered.

The long haired vampire walked at the end of the line. His face turned serious again. He looked at the vampires behind him, then again at the line. Everyone was waiting for his judgement. He looked at Gunil. «Lord Goo, I think my judgement over your family has been right. The reports didn't seem sincere for me. They specifically lied about their way to keep their partners: all your members have managed to keep at least one partner this time, proving they're reliable and capable to satisfy their desires without bringing chaos. The Council has been wrong over your clan...although I think "family" would have been a better term.»

Gunil showed a relied look. He made it. The Council wouldn't have bothered him for a while.

«I still don't completely approve your usage of our magic but that is something we can work out later. For now, I think we can both do greater things together.»

Gunil was shocked. Things were getting better than he expected! He made a bow.

«I can't express my gratitude more than this simple bow, Lord Son.»

«Oh, you don't need to show all this humility towards me. We got our titles around the same time, am I right? We're equals. And besides, I suggest you wait for an invitation from me. I'm curious about your family.»

«I'll wait for it, Lord Son.»

The long haired vampire turned to the Council's other members. «Are there any questions left before we go?»

The other vampires seemed silence, until the hooded one raised his bandaged hand.

«You can talk, Lord Horlock.»

«It's not a question, just a way to thank you, Lord Son, for doing this Inspection. It seems like I've been wrong this whole time: now I see the new generation is capable of achieving great things if one of The Ancients dies. And since we lost a member recently, reassurance was needed.»

Lord Son smiled. «That's great to hear this, especially coming from you, Lord Horlock. I hope our policy of treating partners will be more accepted from now on.»

Lord Horlock chuckled. «That's something that will still be discussed, at least on my part. I'm sure...» He turned for a second at Hyeongjun. The vampire looked away from him. You noticed he was biting his lip. Lord Horlock turned at Lord Son again. «I'm sure your generation doesn't behave as you're claiming it, Lord Son. You said our reports were lying but they weren't. Why would we lie this blatantly over Lord Goo's clan for years? There was some truth in it! But this is something we will discuss at the next Council. For now, I think we can leave Lord Goo alone for a while.»

Lord Son bowed his head towards Lord Horlock. «Well, since everyone seems satisfied, we can all return to our homes and finally rest after this inspection. Remember to keep an eye on your letterbox these days, Lord Goo, you might receive a letter from me very soon...»

A blanket of violet fog covered the Council's vampires. The smell of sulfur filled the corridor. You covered your eyes, in fear of being hit by it. It didn't last long. Once the blanket disappeared, the corridor was empty and silent.

«Are...are they gone?» Jooyeon asked.

«Yes, they left. And I think we will not see them for a while.» Gunil said while looking at the entrance's door.

Jiseok broke the line. «YAAAAAAAAAHOOOOOOO, yes, victory! Take this stupid Council, you can never take us down! Haha, tonight I'll have the best concert in my life! You're all invited! You all need to hear the Victory Song 2.0 by Kwak Jiseok!»

«And I'll not listen to it!»

«Oh no, you'll listen to it, Jooyeon!»

«Guys, come on, don't argue. Not here at least, a proper fight should be done in the gym down here.»

«Seungmin, not you too!» Jungsu groaned.

«What? If we're going to have some fun, better I participate too.»

Their partners just gathered around, talking about what happened, giggling while looking at their beloved ones being so stupid and goofy after that week. Gunil was looking at the vampires with a huge smile filling his face. They were safe from the Council, no one would have taken from him this time.

You made a sigh of relief: finally the end has come. Soon you would have come back to your almost normal life. You turned at Hyeongjun. He was still looking down, taking long, deep breaths. His canines were showing.

«Uhm, Hyeongjun? Are you-?»

The vampire turned at you. His eyes were red, the scleras full pitch black, his mouth full open. Last time you saw him like this, you became his partner. And you almost lost your life because of it. He would have bitten you, maybe killed you if you didn't hear a scream coming from behind you, a couple of arms dragging you away from Hyeongjun and a body placing between you and Hyeongjun. You saw Hyeongjun getting blocked and laid on the floor by Seungmin, more screams coming behind you, your body feeling heavy, your eyes closing, your head buzzing. And then pure silence.

----

You woke up in you and Hyeongjun's room. You were still in the castle. Your head was pulsing. Hyeongjun groaning made you quickly sit on the bed. The vampire was near you, his shirt was off. He was pale, his long hair being more wavy than usual, black claws on his fingers and the canines still showing in his mouth. Gunil was near him, one hand pressing on his chest, the other one his face: his index and middle finger pressing on his forehead, his thumb on his chin. Judging by his sight, he was completely focused on Hyeongjun. You wanted to speak to him but a voice shushed you, making you turn around. Jungsu was near you. He placed a hand on your forehead.

«So we can talk without distracting Gunil.» He rang in your head.

«What?! Telepathy? You're also able to do this?»

«Only for a short amount of time...»

«Okay, can you tell me what's going on?»

«You fainted after Hyeongjun's attack and Gunil put him in a sleep state so he could check on him. The other partners have come back home. The others are still in the castle and they'll check on Hyeongjun for a while. And you'll be home too. I'll escort you and guard you for while. Hyeongjun might-»

«What happened to him?»

«It's not-»

«Not, cut the crap, I need to know what happened to him! I'm his partner I must know!»

Jungsu hesitated.

«I don't know what happened. Gunil has been silent since he's been checking on him. He didn't tell us anything. But-»

Hyeongjun groaned.

«But it's clear that Hyeongjun is sick. Or this is what I think.»

«Sick? No, it can't be-»

Jungsu took his hand off your forehead, breaking the contact. Your head rang for a second.

«You should learn how to hang off better with this thing.» You whispered while massaging your head.

Gunil took his hands off Hyeongjun. The vampire seemed to fall asleep. He finally looked at you.

«Looks you've woken up.»

You wanted to talk but Jungsu cut you off. «Did you find something?»

«...Lord Horlock.»

«Uh? Lord Horlock?»

«He used his magic on him. I found his Dark Thoughts infesting his mind. I've managed to exorcise the most dangerous ones but some of them are still stuck in his mind. They're attached to his insecurities and, unless Hyeongjun wants to get rid of them, i can't properly execute an exorcism.»

«Shit, I knew something was wrong with him, he was acting too nice towards us during this inspection.»

«And it turned in his favour...I let my guard down and he targeted Hyeongjun.» Gunil looked at the sleeping vampire. You noticed a tear coming on one of his eyes.

«He wanted to take him away from me. But he'll not make it, not this time. I'll make sure he'll pay for this.» He granded his teeth. «He used Lord Son's inspection as the perfect trap...that old bag of bones will pay it once Lord Son will know it. He doesn't like being used.»

He looked at you. «You better stay away from this and Hyeongjun for a while.»

«What? No! I don't want to go home as if nothing happened!»

«Jungsu will escort you at your home and check on you, so you can have a proper recovery. You will pack your things and leave as fast as possible. You can't stay near him right now.»

«And I still don't want to go!»

«It's for your safety. He can attack you again for what I know and if he kills you-»

«If he kills me then so be it! I'm his partner! He chose me for this reason too, no?»

Gunil turned away from you. Jungsu got up.

«Gunil, I think we should listen to them. Hyeongjun might think he killed them if he wakes up and doesn't see them. And if there are still some Dark Thoughts in his mind, it would be better if his mental state is kept "sane" as much as we can. I can keep an eye on them here too, if that's what is making you worried.»

Gunil stayed silent. You looked at Hyeongjun. He probably would have slept for a long time.

«Fair, you'll stay here for a few days, just to see how Hyeongjun would react with you. But if he's not getting better, you'll leave. I don't want to take the risk of witnessing a tragedy in my home.» Gunil said. He walked towards the door and disappeared in a violet cloud, leaving a scent of sulfur behind.

«Is he angry at me?» You asked to Jungsu.

«No, he's not. He rarely gets angry. He just didn't want you getting involved in something bigger than you. You're already dealing a lot by being our partners, our world would just be another big problem.»

You looked at Hyeongjun again. «He's not doing all of this only because I'm his partner, right? He would have done the same with any of you, right?»

Jungsu's eyes widened. You didn't like that. «Of course he would have done the same to any of us. I thought you would have noticed that he cares...well, you'll see these days.»

Jungsu made a little violet cloud in his hands. Once the cloud disappeared, a little drone was in his hands, which immediately started to fly around the room.

«I'll look at you with this one. The others are also around so don't be afraid to call for any help.» He leaned towards the door and opened it. «And when I say you can call from any help, I truly mean it. We're all worried for both you and Hyeongjun.» He left the room, leaving both of you alone. But you weren't really that happy about his.

I feel I've ended up into something bigger than me.

You shook your head.

Hyeongjun started to whine in his sleep. You reached him.

What am I supposed to do? Should I wake him up?

Hyeongjun agitated in his sleep then he woke up, a scream leaving his mouth. His face was drenched in sweat. His eyes looked normal. He looked around.

«Where, what...did...did I...did I really?»

He looked at you, a sign of relief appearing on his eyes. «You...you're alive! I didn't kill y-» He started to sob and tremble. One of your hands reached him. You knew it would have been dangerous to touch him but what could you do in that moment. Hyeongjun looked at your open hand, he rested his chin on it. A shiver ran down your spine. His skin was colder than before. Last time you felt this, he turned into a vampire and bitten you, turning you into his partner. He held your hand. It was trembling. The claws were stiff, as if they were made of bones.

«You're alive, you're still alive...» He sobbed, then he started crying grossly. His tears were cold as if they were made of ice. His fingers rubbed on your hand's skin. You waited for him to calm down a little before talking.

«How do you feel?»

He looked at you, his eyes still misty.

«I'm still shocked. I didn't see anything after the Council left, just hunger for blood. I remember you were near me and-» he sobbed. «I thought the Ancient vampire was right. Maybe I should have followed him...»

You looked around the room, searching for the drone Jungsu left in the room. It was near a corner, the camera focused on you.

I know he's not just looking at us right now. He's probably listening too. Should I let Hyeongjun talk?

«Following him? What do you mean?» You asked. Hyeongjun held your hand tighter.

«He's been in my head. He said that I'm not worthy to stay here, that I should kill you and leave the others.» He got interrupted by another sob. «He blasted my mind with killing thoughts towards you and the others. He said that if I killed someone, he would have chosen me as his successor.» He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. «He was in my head when I was sleeping, when I was with the others but especially when you were around me. I heard his voice ringing in my ears, telling me to kill you, to do as I did with all my other partners...»

You turned again at the drone.

Is this what you wanted to hear?

Hyeongjun looked at you, his hand still holding yours. You came closer at him.

He needs to go out of this room. Maybe we can go...mmmh

«Can you get up?»

Hyeongjun nodded.

«Would you...would you go to the Lunarium with me? I think some moonlight will make you feel better.»

Hyeongjun nodded again, then he looked around the room then pointed at his shirt. It was hanged on the wall.

«Take it. The Lunarium is knocked by gusts of wind from time to time. I don't want you to get sick because of me.»

You got out of the bed and took the shirt. You noticed how little you seemed; his shirt was covering your hips, it was large around your arms...and your neck was terribly exposed. The drone seemed to have moved a little as if it was following you. Hyeongjun got out too. His hand was searching for yours.

«You don't mind if I hold your hand, right? I just want to make sure you're still alive...»

You doodled a smile. Seeing him acting so awkwardly and shy after that week was relieving. Your shy vampire was back.

«Of course! You don't need to ask, Hyeongjun. I'm your partner, no?»

He held your hand. You left the room and...you met up with Jiseok and his new, fresh hair colour.

«Oooooooh, our sleeping beauty woke u-uuuuuuuh...» His eyes focused on Hyeongjun, then on you, then on your hands. «Uhm, did I interrupt something?»

«No! Hyeongjun doesn't feel well so we decided to go to the Lunarium for some moonlight.» You said, showing the best smile you could do.

«The Lunarium, uh?» Jiseok crossed his arms and made some steps. «I don't have a clock with me but I suggest you to come quickly, there aren't a lot of night hours left.»

«Well, time to go then! See you later, Jiseok!»

Jiseok just waved your hand at you and left. But a thought was in his mind.

Oh my, the magic fucked up his mind. Shirtless! Giving his shirt to his partner! Holding hands! And he doesn't mind?! Oh no, he's not okay! He's. Not. Okay!

---

You never witnessed a vampire recovering through the moonlight but if the effect was the one happening to Hyeongjun's body then, you would have let him be exposed to the moonlight forever. His muscles were more defined, despite him being just skinny, his pale skin looked smoother, his hair's curls were more prominent, his black claws were more slim, looking more delicate than before, even his red eyes, which scared you only some hours before, looked pretty behind that black sclera. They were two shining rubies. It was worth it getting hit by gusts of wind and having your hand held by Hyeongjun's. He looked at you.

«Thank you for staying with me. I thought you would have run away after what I did.» He murmured. You held his hand tighter.

«You know I can't. I'm your partner, remember? "Now you're always tight to me", this is what you said when you bitten me here.» You pointed at your neck, a little bruise showing: the bite's scar, the sign that you were a vampire's partner. «And you know what? I'm happy you chose me that time. I couldn't find a better boyfriend than you.»

«Even if I would kill you here? Right now?»

Hyeongjun was looking away from you, his eyes looking towards the mountains in front of the castle.

«I would. And I think all the partners before me thought the same.» You blurted. Hyeongjun's fingers intertwined with yours.

«Wish they thought that, but all I remember from their last moments was the pure terror of me.» You heard a sob. «Oh, I remember how they were scared and screamed for help when I was slowly killing them. They probably regretted being chosen by me while their life was leaving their bodies.» He used his free hand to wipe a tear from his face. «I don't think there's an afterlife for me but I wish I could go wherever my partners are, telling them I still mourn and remember each one of them dearly, how my rooms in the castle are dedicated only to them. My grief for them never ended.»

You stayed silent for a moment.

«What you just said is why that "Ancient" vampire is wrong with you, Hyeongjun.» You said.

«Uh? What do you mean?»

«If really you were like him, you wouldn't remember any of your partners. If I've understood something is that these "Ancient" vampires don't consider humans as...well, humans. We're lesser beings for them. The fact you remember them through your paintings just proves you're different from him.» You wrapped your free arm around his waist, making him wince. His skin was cold like ice but you didn't care.

«What are you doing?»

«Just showing you that I'm alive. And that I love you even more now.» You rested your head on his chest. There was no sign of a beating heart from Hyeongjun. Or maybe there was, just beating slower than a normal human being. «Knowing that you'll remember makes me happy. I'm not scared of dying from you.»

A gust of wind hit you. Hyeongjun's free arm wrapped your shoulders. You felt some hesitation from Hyeongjun's hand slowly placing on your shoulder. «You think I'll stop having that thought?» He said.

«No, but I think we can overcome it.»

«We?»

«Yeah, "we"! You're not gonna do this recovery all alone, not with me around!» You smiled. Hyeongjun left your hand just to wrap you with both his arms. He was still hesitant but that first step from you gave him some courage. He laid his chin on your head. A gust of wind hit you. Hyeongjun held you tighter.

«Thank you.» He murmured. «Those thoughts are like these gusts. They hit me and left my mind scattered, my hands dirty from my partner's blood. I've been used to the cold but this time I think your warmth can heal me.»

You raised your head, looking at his face. «So, it's a promise? Can I still stay with you?»

He nodded. You didn't think twice: you gave him a peck kiss. It was one of those rare occasions to do so. You looked at his surprised face with a shocked look: the black lipstick he gently put at you stained his lips.

«Oh, your makeup...»

He looked at the stain and doodled a smile. «It lost its magic when I lost control. It's just normal makeup now.»

«Oh, bummer, I wish it stayed longer. Now your lips are stained.»

Hyeongjun chuckled, his breathy laugh gave you some relief. He cupped your face. «Besides, I think I'm the only one who can ruin it, am I right?»

You felt a knot in your stomach. Those last words, Hyeongjun's eyes looking needy...maybe...

«Are you sure you only want to ruin my make up?» You said, showing a smirk.

«No. But only if you want to.»

«I only ask for one thing: don't hesitate.»

Hyeongjun smiled, his canines showing. He gave you a kiss, which he immediately deepened. You felt his arms roaming on your back, searching for your skin. In a matter of minutes you would have been vulnerable, completely in the hands of Hyeongjun. But you weren't afraid. Hyeongjun loves you and he loves your warmth. He would have fought those Dark Thoughts.

Soon the night would have left for the day. The sun would have turned Hyeongjun into a human. You would have been a complete mess, probably you should have found an excuse why you stayed all the night in the Lunarium. But it wasn't your problem now.

---

«You've been quiet for a while, Jungsu. Aren't they talking anymore?»

Jungsu covered his face, his cheeks turning red. Gunil looked away from his grimoire.

«Jungsu?»

«They're still in the Lunarium...and they're doing stuff.» Jungsu muffled through his hands.

«What stuff?»

«I prefer to not talk about it.»

«Jungsu, this situation is serious-» Gunil couldn't finish, Jungsu placed his right palm on his eyes.

«Oh...wait, are they...oh...ah, get your hand off of me! It's embarrassing!» Jungsu took off his hand, his face still flustered.

«My, I wasn't expecting those two being that... they're brave, not gonna lie. Doing it in the Lunarium...When I did it I was only 300 years old-»

«Please spare me your stories, those two are freaky enough.»

«Why don't you turn off the drone for a while if this is what they're doing?»

«Turning it off means I should destroy it and create a new one. That's how my magic works.»

«Well, that means I have two tasks to do now: an exorcism and fixing your magic. You can't turn into a voyeurist because of this mission.»

Gunil snapped his fingers, three new grimoires flew towards him. Jungsu just took a deep breath.

«Can I get up, now?»

«Not yet.»

«Not yet? But it's been hours! I don't want to lay here for the whole day.»

«It's been only ten minutes. Are you not trusting me?»

«I trust you! It's just so boring laying here...»

«Once I've finished, you'll appreciate my new masterpiece. You'll turn prettier than ever.»

«If you say so...»

You puffed and looked at the mirror in front of you. You were laying on your bed, your right hip exposed, surrounded by different bottles of body paint, and your boyfriend over you, with a brush full of ink on his hand. You started to feel unsure about this idea.

What are you thinking? Turning me prettier... you're so naive.

Hyeongjun knows what you've been through. He witnessed you crying in front of the mirror, trembling and completely unable to dress yourself up because of your body. He knows about the diets you took, trying to get even a little skinnier than before. But he must have noticed something else. He noticed something in you when he kept repeating that, despite everything, he would have loved you; he made this promise, this stupid promise of making you prettier. And now you were on the bed, letting him painting your skin.

Hyeongjun's hand caressed your hip, tracing the stretch marks on it. It was his way to calm you down a little. His fingers stretched a little part of your skin. You felt the brush's tip running on it; the paint was cold. The brush was making circles and curves, no broken lines and edges.

You focused on Hyeongjun's face on the mirror. His long hair was covering his profile and his eyes but you knew he was concentrated in that moment. You saw him painting sometimes and how seriously he takes his crafts, even if the painting turns out being just a bunch of flowers. You lifted your head up, or at least you tried. It was difficult moving while surrounded by bottles of body paint around. You wouldn't have turned your room into a colored mess after all.

You searched for Hyeongjun's sight. His eyes seemed focused on your skin. You couldn't see the painting he was making. His tattooed hand was stretching your skin. Judging from what you could have seen, it would have take a lot of time. You rested your head and sighed.

«Is there any problem?» Hyeongjun asked, keeping his head down on your skin.

«It will take a lot of time, am I right?»

«Less than you can imagine.»

«It doesn't look like it. It's not like you choose the easiest or best part of my skin to paint anyway...»

Hyeongjun stopped painting. You noticed it by not feeling his hand on him anymore and leaving your body. He left the bed and kneeled on the floor, his face close to yours. The serious face was substituted by a smiley one.

«You don't trust me, uh?»

You hesitated.

«Be honest, Y/N.»

You looked away from him. «It's not that, I just think you didn't choose the best "canvas". There were better options, so to speak.»

Hyeongjun came closer to you. «There weren't any better options. That part of yours is perfect.»

«I don't think so.» You murmured.

You two stayed silent for a moment. Hyeongjun sighed.

«I'll give you something to lift your trust in me.» He gave you a peck kiss on your lips. You felt a warm feeling in your chest. You know this sensation too well. It was the same one you got when he confessed his love for you, when he gave you the first hug and his first kiss. And it was the same one when he made a promise, maybe they the stupidest promise he could have come up with, by gifting you a bouquet of marigolds: a promise of protection. What protection and from what was a complete mystery, and yet you felt so loved when he did it.

You didn't say anything but your sight was changed. There was something in your eyes that was telling Hyeongjun that you were trusting him. He didn't need to ask more. He got up, ready to start where he interrupted.

«You'll be the prettiest painting I'll ever do.»

---

Your legs were dizzy when Hyeongjun told you he finished. You couldn't move for a while. That gave the time for Hyeongjun to put all the bottles full of body paint away from the bed.

«See, I was right when I said that he would have taken a lot. My instinct was right.» You whined.

«It was worth it. You're so beautiful now.»

«What if you let me decide if I turned beautiful or not? I'm the "canvas", no?»

«And I'm the artist and I can tell you that you turned pretty.»

You rolled back your eyes. «Hyeongjun, is there any artist who ever thought of their art pieces everything else except "masterpieces"?»

«The honest ones know when they mess up. I didn't. Look at the mirror, if you're still unsure.»

You got up from the bed, reached the mirror and turned your painted hip at it. Your eyes widened. All your stretch marks were covered by marigolds. They weren't drawn in the usual style Hyeongjun uses for his drawings, those marigolds were almost realistic. Now there was a reason for all that time spent.

These flowers...No, I can't believe it. These flowers, you...you remembered that promise!

You looked at him. Hyeongjun was smiling proudly.

«So, was I right? I wanted to give you a reminder as my first painting on your skin but I can paint your favorite flowers on your left hip next.»

You felt tears coming on your face.

«Hyeongjun, you...you were right! These marigolds are beautiful. They look so pretty here, I don't know what to say!»

You opened your arms, asking for a hug. Hyeongjun just came at you and hugged you, his arms on your shoulders, his body carefully placed over yours, making sure the fresh paint wouldn't get on his clothes. You placed your arms on his shoulders, your face buried on them. The promise he made to you was making more sense now: no matter the time and no matter how, Hyeongjun would have to protect you from all the bad thoughts on your mind, from all the moments when your self esteem would have dropped or lost trust in him. He would have stayed to fulfill that promise, no matter how your body was.

«I needed that reminder, thank you.» You sobbed.

«And?»

«And you were right, I'm prettier than before. Your skills are incredible.»

Hyeongjun hugged you tighter. Your face stayed buried on his shoulders.

«You're my favorite painter now.» You murmured.

Hyeongjun made one of his breathy laughs. «Am I really this good?»

«You are. No other painter will make me feel loved as much as you.»

He rubbed his hands on your shoulders.

«I'm your canvas, Hyeongjun. Will you paint me every time you can?»

«Of course, love.» Hyeongjun reached your ear.

Using your boyfriend's laptop was something that had been negotiated a while back. He works all day and you don't have the money for your own laptop. He let you download a game on it and you like to play it while he's at work and you're home. Today didn't go as usual though.

You're not one to snoop. You trust Hyeongjun. He's never made you question him even once. However… when you open his laptop, you're face-to-face with what he's been up to. He left his laptop on his bed this morning, which in itself was odd. He always left it neatly placed on his desk. He must've had a long night… and that he did.

You were looking at a porn website pulled up, still on a video that has played halfway through. He never cleared his tabs. Now again, you're not one to snoop, but when you were put in this situation, it's impossible not to look a little deeper. You play the video, watching to see what he's into. Maybe you could use this info. Maybe Hyeongjun would enjoy a little surprise even.

In the video, there's a male tied up and on his knees. He's got a ball gag in his mouth and a vibrator stuffed in a sleeve, pressed against his cock. The girl is sitting up behind him, yelling degrading things to him while landing harsh slaps onto his ass. You smiled at having just uncovered possibly the most embarrassing information you could get on someone.

Without an ounce of shame, you click on the search tab, looking at his previous searches form a long list. “male masochism, femdom, shibari, hentai, knife play” the list was long. Some searches were expected, like hentai, yet others were much more interesting. Who knew your man was into knife play? He suits it though. For a while, you did your research. You studied up until you felt confident in these subjects and then you formed a plan.

“Hey sweetie, I'm back!” Hyeongjun chirps and closes the front door behind him. You mischievously saunter into the living room with a ton of ribbon in your hands. Hyeongjun looks confusedly at you, raising a brow and tilting his head. “Sweetie?” He asked, his voice tender and loving as it's always been. You can't help but smile with all the excitement you're feeling.

“Hi baby,” you said, snaking around him and taking his hands. He'd already kicked off his shoes and tossed his bag away. You pulled his hands behind his back, wrapping the ribbon around his wrists. “What are you doing love?” He asked, his voice already slightly cracking. His ears flushed red, not just from confusion, but from arousal.

You leaned in, kissing the shell of his ear and whispering, “you didn't close out your browser tabs last night baby,” “Shit-” he gasped, flushing a deeper shade of red and looking down. He was embarrassed, but his dick didn't care. His pants began tenting immediately and you didn't miss it. You tugged the ribbon tighter and tied a pretty bow on his arms.

“Now get on the floor,” you demanded. Hyeongjun didn't wait. He was on the ground at the speed of light. He looked ashamed and embarrassed— absolutely perfect. “I can't believe my boyfriend has been so fucking gross this entire time,” you said, snickering and lightly kicking his side. He didn't respond. Instead, he looked down at his knees and let out a small whimper.

“Look at me Hyeongjun!” You demanded his attention, crossing his arms until you had his undivided attention. You smiled once he obliged and began to strip. Each piece of clothing dropped to the ground was a reward and a punishment all at once. Hyeongjun's eyes were wide, basically bulging out of his skull. He bit his lip, quietly whining with need.

You pushed him forward gently and straddled his back. Your pussy was warm and damp against his upper back. “You don't mind me using you at all, do you Hyeongjun?” You asked, grabbing his hair and rubbing yourself against him. “A-ahh- fuck!” You groaned loudly. You found a good angle where his flexed shoulder blade was rubbing your clit perfectly. “I don't mind at all,” he muttered, his voice muffled by the restricting position he was in.

His cock was almost painfully squished between his own thighs, but he didn't dare speak up. The friction was too good. Each of your movements made his hips move slightly too. “You're a good fuck toy Jun” you panted, threading your fingers in the long hair down his neck and tugging painfully tight. Hyeongjun groaned, his dick throbbing between his thighs. “There we go… so close,” you choked out, gripping harder onto his scalp.

He was whining in a mix of pain and pleasure. The ribbons were silky, but still tied so tightly they dug into his flesh. He could barely breathe from the way he was bent in half as you rode him. “Baby…” he whimpered, his eyes unable to see anything but his pathetic dick sitting between his thighs and twitching. “Fuck-!” You gasped, all movement ceasing as your muscle contracted up. Hyeongjun's eyes widened, knowing exactly what that little gasp meant.

“Did you… did you cum on my back?” He asked quietly, cock throbbing as he felt your pussy throb and soak his shoulder blade. His voice was breathy and surprised her also very, very hopeful.

“Yeah…,” you panted, finally getting off of him. You licked up his shoulder blade, collecting the slightly tangy flavored fluid from his back and pulled his head back to kiss him. He moaned, tasting the familiar taste of your pussy on his tongue mixed with your saliva. You pulled away, smiling proudly.

"And if you wanna get off too, you're gonna have to find a way to do it with your arms behind your back, because I'm not untying you until you've came,” “But-!” Hyeongjun whined, pouting and looking at you through his pretty cat eyes. “No buts!” You quickly cut him off. Strict is what he needed. You walked over and threw a pillow at him.

He looked ashamed, perfectly ashamed, as he straddled the pillow and began humping it like a dog in heat. He looked so terribly embarrassed. You smiled and walked over with your phone, opening the camera. “Smile for me, pretty boy,” you cooed and snapped a picture with the flash, capturing his glossy, hazy gaze. “You're so fucking mean!” Hyeongjun weakly whined, still messily humping the pillow.

"Awww, you poor thing. Maybe you shouldn't have been such a disgusting pervert,” you said, placing your foot over his wet, red-tipped dick. He whimpered as you carefully put on more and more pressure, eventually hurting him and making him yelp.

“S-stop! I'm- I'm gonna cum!” He squealed, shaking slightly as you squished his cock between your foot and the pillow. It hurt so good. The pain made him want to cum right then and there.

“Do it,” you said, snickering teasingly. You pressed record and the flash from your phone illuminated the degrading position he was in.

“Cum for me, I wanna record it,” you said. Hyeongjun couldn't take it anymore. This was so humiliating and painful, he finally gave in and came all over your foot and the pillow, spurting out ropes of his warm seed. His hips jerked forward, trying to bury himself deeper.

THE summer blazing heat left you sweating even under the shade. And thoughts of a cold ice cold lemonade kept bothering you. Despite all this, summer was still your favorite season of the year.

“There you are. My mom made us fresh lemonade, its sweet.”

Infront of you stood, Junhan. At the age of 16, seeing each other only as best friends was nothing more. You both held a special connection since 4 years old and it never changed.

“Wow, you really read my mind! Thank you!”

A soft giggle escaped from your lips as you drank the juice. Junhan sat down next to you underneath the cool shaded tree, setting his drink aside. He couldn’t help but admire your beauty. His heart wanted you and no one else.

“I… like you.”

“huh?”

Before you could utter a single word, a soft feeling was placed onto your lips—

BOOM.

Something ginormous had been dropped by your upstair neighbor. Your heart pounded like nuts. It was currently 9:03 am and still had 20 minutes to get ready. The sun was already peeking through your blue curtains.

Strong scent of coffee filled your apartment as the toaster ding, letting you know breakfast was ready. You sat on the chair slowly eating trying to fight the sleepiness that called you back to bed.

After changing and taking care of your hygiene, you slide your shoes on grabbing the door keys and your sweet electric guitar. Opening the door, Junhan stood there quitely.

“What the fuck! Jeez, you scared the shit out of me Junhan!”

“Well…I was about to knock. Sorry.”

He grabbed your electric guitar so it would not fall and break into a million pieces. After thanking him, you both head out for band pratice! Since both of you were practically inseparable, both of you decided to be in a band together.

Junhan was the first to play the electric guitar, he looked really cool so you decided to copy him. When he asked why you decided to switch piano to electric guitar…it became awkward. So you gave a lame excuse in return.

Drums and the sound of distant keyboard was a sign you both arrive. Gunil, O.de, Gaon, Jooyeon and Jungsun were really early or you both were just extremely late.

“There you guys are! Finally!”

“Do you know how weird it is playing without you both?”

“Nope. Sorry. So what is the song first?”

“Strawberry cake, then ICU.”

After three hours of hard long work everyone went their separate ways. While you and Junhan sticked together.

“want to go too a bar?”

“you know i love drinking. Yes.”

The buzzing sound at the bar was quite loud that day. Many people were cheering and enjoy their drinks. And soon, that was going to be the both of you. Drink after drink after drink. The beer and alcohol fully confusmed your mind and body. Neither of you could properly function at this point.

Barely making it back to your apartment, Junhan immediately flopped onto the couch. The light was to bright for the both of you, so you shut it off. Then you sat down on the floor trying not to puke or do anything embarrassing. No sound was made. Until Junhan drunk self decided to yap.

“Remember whenwe were 16?”

“hm? Yeah?”

“When I handed you lemonade from my mom..”

“Wait i dreamed about this today…”

“Really? Then what happened?”

Even if Junhan head was swimming in alcohol, he was still able to remember that day well. Why? Because that day changed everything.

”I dreamt you confessed…but that’s silly.”

Junhan furrows his eyebrows together creasing his forehead. He lowered his head looking at you. It left a dent in his chest, to think you did not remember their first kiss.

“Silly? You think I did not confess? Or even shared our first kiss together?”

“duh, of course not. It’s just a memory. I know you, Juhan.”

“apparently not…because i really do like you. And that confession 5 years ago was real.”

“Oh okay—wait. I remember now…did you just confess? Again?”

You turned your head up looking at your drunk best friend. His eyelids almost giving up on him, but he still has a bit of strength in him. Shifting closer to your body, he gave a soft yet firm kiss on you lips. Just like when you were both 16. Then he passed out holding your hand.

It all felt like a movie. Did he just kiss you? Will you both be able to remember this night? Either way, you held onto this moment just before drifting into your own world.

extra content +

Junhan woke up smiling at your sleepy face. the relief of finally getting it out made all his stress fade away.

“ugh my head. Never doing drinking games with you.”

Junhan laughed lightly getting you water.

“would you like to be my girlfriend…?”

“oh shit. We did kiss last night.”

“is that a no?”

“hmm, yeah. I would love to be your girlfriend.”

Junhan pulled you in for a soft kiss as you both finally moved on from just being best friends.

“I love you so bad… It hurts to see you love others so freely. You're supposed to be mine,” Hyeongjun’s voice got sharper and more agonizing. His brows were furrowed and his jaw clenches tight as he carefully removes the knife from your throat.

“Do I need to kill you to show you I'm serious? I don't wanna see you with any fucking body but me!” He pointed the knife at you, slowly and strictly stalking around you. Ropes tied you to the dining table chair. The hardwood floors underneath creaked with each step Hyeongjun took. He sniffled and wiped his eyes. Tears streamed down his cheeks. You realized then that he was really hurting inside, and it hurt you to look at.

“Hyeongjun— no,” you softly replied. You couldn't move to comfort him or to even escape. Your hands were zip tied behind your back and your ankles were connected to the legs of the wooden chair. You should be scared, but seeing your boyfriend's heart break like this makes you feel bad.

“You know,” Hyeongjun says, wiping his eyes and placing the knife on your lap. “I really thought you loved me,” he said coldly. His time switched from sad and broken to angry and cold.

“I need to teach my little fugitive a lesson,” he said, adding on. He sat on the bed, facing you. You hadn't done anything. Hyeongjun simply saw you enjoying your time with a friend, confiding in them and being generally affectionate like one does with friends. He couldn't stand it though. What he saw was replacement; he saw you being distrustful of him and choosing someone over him. It was sickening to him and nauseating. He wanted nothing more than to kill that guy! He refrained though.

“You want that? For me to remind you who it is you really belong to— who you should really trust?” Hyeongjun's voice dropped lower, whispering and dark. He was losing his mind and you could see it in his eyes. You saw the pain, the anger, the betrayal that stemmed from nothing. He hated something completely made up in his head. He slid his hand up your thigh, looking into your eyes for permission to keep going. He was rough, he was insane, but he was never forceful.

“Yes… please Hyeongjun,” you breathily whispered out, giving him the permission to keep going. Hyeongjun smiled darkly, leaning forward and kissing your lips. He was slow and tender. Every touch of his was incredibly possessive. He hated when anyone did as much as looked your way. He squeezed your thigh. When he felt the cold metal knife still sitting in your lap, he picked it back up, tossing it on the bed.

“You're mine aren't you, little runaway?” He whispered, his free hand coming up to cup your cheek. You could feel his breath in your face. He was mad at you, but loved you so deeply it drove him insane. You didn't do anything, but even being friendly with someone you'd known forever registered to him as you wanting to run away, to leave him. So when you ‘strayed’, he held on tighter.

“I'd never leave you babe, you know this.” You reassured him. You saw a slight break in his eyes, a crack in his fierce, angry, demeanor. He needed to hear that. You heard him choke back tears as his lip quivered. He leaned in, latching his lips into your neck and gripping your thighs with his hands. His fingers dug into your flesh as he claimed you. He nipped and bit down on your neck, sucking a dark mark on you to make sure you were visibly taken.

“You couldn't leave me if you wanted to,” Hyeongjun whispered, smiling maniacally against your neck with your skin still between his teeth. His grip on you was deathly, causing your thighs to tense and hurt worse. He pulled back, smiling at you proudly and undoing your shorts, pulling them to your ankles. He couldn't take them off all the way without releasing your zip tied ankles. He left on your top and walked to the other side of the room, getting your vibrator out of your dresser. He walked back over with a smile, twirling the vibrator around once in his hand.

“Spread for me, free spirit,” he commanded, still stuck on the idea that you were unfaithful. He knew it wasn't real, but the ache in his gut wasn't satisfied just yet. You spread your legs as he instructed. You couldn't spread far because of your bound ankles, but you did your best.

“Good baby, thank you,” Hyeongjun smiled proudly and spread your lips with his fingers, tracing a finger up your slit. His finger pressed firmly on your clit and he watched you jerk and react with a smile. You looked up at him. Your cheeks were flushed and your lips were slightly parted. He sat on the bed again comfortably and placed the vibrator between your legs and pressed it between your plush pussy lips, directly to your clit. He groaned and swallowed watching your pussy kiss the vibrator. He didn't turn it on just yet.

“You know…” Hyeongjun started, his voice vulnerable and almost sad. He pressed the vibrator firmly to your clit. “I hope he dies… tragically.” He said honestly, letting out a sigh. He started the vibrator, holding it to your pussy as he poured out his feelings.

“I tried to be friends with him once actually.” He looked up at you, confessing to a secret mission he went on to assure you were loyal. It was disgustingly pathetic, the way he weaved himself into all of your relationships, all aspects of your life. “He hates me now, but I genuinely did nothing,” Hyeongjun states and by his confused tone of voice, you could tell he was being genuine.

“The only thing I did was tell him I was in love with you. He said he was too. Then after weeks of being decent friends, he started ignoring me and giving me passive aggressive looks. He was still exactly the same towards you though,” Hyeongjun can feel his blood boil with hatred for the man. He pulled the speed of the vibrator, making you whimper and moan. Seeing you so pleased and feeling so good kept him calm.

“He wants you,” Hyeongjun's voice cracked angrily. He couldn’t stand the idea of you just letting this other than hit on you, even if you didn't feel the same way. “I'd kill him myself if I could,” Hyeongjun pushed your legs together so your thighs would hold the vibrator in place. He stood up and leaned over you, kissing your lips again. “You know you're mine though baby, don't you?” He whispered against your lips. His eyes glaring into yours. His forehead rested against yours as he asked, seeking your reassurance.

“Yes Hyeongjun, I'm yours. I don't want anyone else,” you whispered, smiling as you kissed him back. Your voice was soft and certain. It was enough to calm the raging storm in Hyeongjun's burning soul. He smiled softly at you. Happy with your response, he pressed the button again, speeding up the vibrator.

You whined in pleasure from the added speed of the vibrator. Hyeongjun's attitude started slipping from angry and possessive to something more calm and loving. He pet your thighs, squishing and caressing them. He kneeled down before you, kissing up your thighs and leaving love bites. He sucked a particularly painful spot on your thigh, leaving a bruise in its place. He smiled seeing you visibly marked. It was like tattooing his name all over you or putting a tag on you that said you belonged to him.

Hyeongjun stood up, undoing his pants and pushing them down. He stepped out of them and stood over you, his dick level with your face. “Are you gonna be good and apologize for talking to another man?” Hyeongjun asked, caressing your cheek with his hands. He pressed his tip to your lips.

You hummed and nodded, responding exactly how he wanted. You loved when he used you like this and took out his insecurities on you. “Alright then baby, open up for me,” Hyeongjun whispered and moved his hand up to your scalp, threading his fingers in your hair and gripping. You whimpered, feeling the vibrator work your clit while Hyeongjun pushed his tip to your lips again, more firmly and demanding this time. You parted your lips, pressing open-mouthed kisses to his tip. You hummed in pleasure, sending shockwaves of pleasure through his spine. He leaned his head back, whining as his body shuttered with pleasure.

“God, I love your mouth babe,” Hyeongjun growled. No one ever saw this side of him but you. He never shared his feelings and rarely even talked, but you got to experience him fully. You got to see parts of him more vulnerable than just a naked body.

He shivered as he pushed the head of his cock into your mouth. He took slow, deep breaths, choking back moans as he felt your warm, wet mouth envelope him. You suctioned your tongue to the underside of his shaft and hollowed your cheeks, sucking him in a little more. His hands trembled in your hair, loosening weakly as he whimpered in pleasure. “Fuck… I love you so much,” He yelled out, squeezing his eyes shut and groaned, pushing deeper until he bottomed out completely in your mouth. The tip of his cock hit the back of your throat. His cock was long and on the thinner side, matching the rest of his body perfectly.

You whimpered and Hyeongjun twitched again. He moved his hands to the back of the chair, supporting himself as he started thrusting slowly in and out of your mouth. He was shivering from the sheer pleasure of fucking your mouth. “Doing good baby… keep that up…” he whispered, voice shaky and weak. You sucked him a little harder and he groaned loudly. He reached down with a shaky hand, hoping the vibrator to its full speed now. “I want you to cum with my cock in your mouth,” he growled, pushing the vibrator firmly to your clit and adjusting it to where you feel it best.

You shivered, moaning over Hyeongjun's cock and he whined, thrusting faster as he held the vibrator. He started rubbing your clit with it in little firm circles. Your slick made it move with ease, gliding and glistening when the light hit. Hyeongjun whimpered at the sight. His face was flushed and glistening too but with sweat.

By the way you were moving, Hyeongjun could tell you were getting close. You always got squirmy and whiny when you were feeling excessively good. Your little whimpers felt like shocks of heaven gracing him. This only encouraged him to speed up, thrusting faster into your mouth. He pressed harder with the vibrator too.

“Come on baby…” Hyeongjun panted and whimpered. His body was jerky and his thrusts weren't very rhythmic as he approached his orgasm. Your throat clenches him, swallowing his precum. The sensation makes him shiver and whine. “God, baby… please… cum for me,” He begged and whined, thrusting as fast and hard as his weak, shaky legs were capable of.

His words and the vibrator were stimulating enough to send you over into pleasure. Your throat clenched his cock tightly and you gagged. Your pussy throbbed and your entire body convulsed. When you gagged, it finished off Hyeongjun. He pulled his cock out, stroking it a few times and holding it while he spurted out ropes of cum that covered your lips, your chin, and dropped onto your chest.

The black shirt you had on contrasted the cum drizzling down onto it. Hyeongjun turned off the vibrator, licking it and tossing it onto the bed. He leaned in and kissed you, tasting the mix of your fluids together. His kiss was captivating and possessive. He loved you— deeply, scarily. And you loved him back.

“You love me? Only me?” Junhan whispered, his voice was vulnerable and quiet. He looked lovingly into your eyes. “Of course I do, you idiot!” you smiled and kissed him again. He smiled and kissed you back affectionately. He pulls away and grabs the knife off of the bed. He carefully cuts away the zip ties, brushing his thumbs over the small marks they left on your skin.