anniversary // open starter
the surf laps quietly at his bare feet. absentmindedly, he retracts their length, curling his knees towards his chest. he is lost in thought, eyes focused nowhere in particular.
memories flash before his eyes. easy smiles, nervous laughter, diversions—then, morphing, to cruelty: the smiles sharpen into fangs dripping with anticipation. the laughter turns to frantic pleading as the fangs close in, searching for the sweet kiss of flesh—
he shudders, unable to rouse himself from the waking nightmare. no, instead, he's forced to sit there on the warm evening sand, on the banks of jeju, reliving the worst moment of his life. it's not often he comes all the way out to the beach, as it's really too far from his home as well as the store, but other times, necessity calls. (it's also rarely populated, making it a great place to hide away from others if he requires…isolation.)
the memory continues, and he shuts his eyes, trying to block out the worst of it. this has the opposite effect, however, only serving to intensify the feelings. for a moment, he swears he is dead; breath catching in his throat as the world goes dark.
it takes him a tad too long to start again, gasping for air as his eyes peel open. his hand flies to his chest, rubbing the thick knot of healed skin that runs over his scar, almost in spite of himself. he lets out a quiet curse under his breath, running his other hand through his hair. it sticks up in icy blue peaks unintentionally and he gives a deep sigh.
his gaze sharpens, refocusing on the ocean surf. something about the noise is comforting, as it pulls at the sand ahead of him. perhaps it reminds him of home, in some way. the sway of the tide matches the racing pulse of his heart, heightened by his flashback moments prior.
as dusk creeps further into the sky, he suddenly glances up, startled. the waters were so loud that, even with his enhanced hearing, he'd somehow missed the person who now stood in front of him approaching. that unsettles him, the idea that someone had managed to get this close without him noticing.
"apologies," he murmurs, ducking his head in acknowledgment—and to hide his embarrassment. "i didn't notice you approach. i was just on my way out."
