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gamerwoo · 4 years

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[Tales from the Pack] Chan: Homewrecker (Part Two)

Characters: Chan x female reader

Genre/warnings: werewolf au, fantasy, a little fluff, angst, abusive relationship stuff

Word count: 2,728

Summary: Chan caught your attention as soon as your eyes met across the market. Something about him drew you to him, and you knew you were meant to be. However, you were already taken and arranged to be married on your next birthday, so you could never be together.

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Chan had been wanting to see you all week, but between Luhan and Dae coming to visit to see Eunjin, and then her and her mate going to visit Jiung and his pack for a few days, he felt it was best to stay with the pack rather than go out to the market where he could possibly get himself into even more trouble if he were caught -- he did try to change his appearance like his brothers who had been spotted by people in town, but there was still a chance of getting caught. But as soon as the couple had returned safely from their trip, he went straight to the market to go in search of you.

You returned every day, half because you wanted to get away from your family and their plans for your marriage, and half because you wanted to see the strange boy that had caught your eye. There was just something about him that made you feel…something. You didn’t know what it was, but you knew it was a good feeling.

To your dismay, nobody had shown up all week. You wandered the booths for hours and hours, but you never saw any sign of any of the strange boys from earlier that week. You felt like you wouldn’t actually ever see them again, but what did you expect with your awful luck?

You’d been at the market all day, and judging from the sun in the sky, it seemed to be about mid-afternoon. You had hardly eaten, so you went up to a stand to grab something to eat. Fishing in the pocket of your dress for money, you felt a presence beside you.

“I’ll take care of this,” the voice said before holding a hand out to the vendor, giving them a bill. You stopped what you were doing and turned to the stranger, coming face to face with a grinning Chan as he looked down at you, “Hello again, _____.”

You almost gasped at how happy you were to see him, and your excitement almost had you tossing your arms around his neck in a hug. Instead, you began to bounce on the balls of your feet, making him laugh.

“You’re here!” you exclaimed as he grabbed a fresh apple from the vendor. “I didn’t think you’d come back!”

You didn’t know, but Chan’s heart was soaring knowing that you were waiting for him. He couldn’t fight the happy rumble that sounded in his chest, but it was too loud and busy for you to hear it, “Were you watching for me?”

“All week,” you admitted shyly, your cheeks turning a light pink that made Chan so fond of you.

‘God, my mate is so cute,’ was all he could manage to think when he looked at you and heard you speak.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting,” he smiled, bowing slightly as he held the apple out for you.

With a giggle, you took it and held it to your chest like it was a precious gift, “It’s probably weird of me to want to see you; I hardly know you.”

“Why do you think I showed up today?”

You cocked your head to the side, “Did you really come here for me?”

He shrugged, “I’m not the one who does the shopping, so I have no other reason to.”

Chan heard your heartbeat pick up, causing another happy growl. He wanted so badly to hold your hand and pull you to him and kiss you breathless, but he had to remind himself that not only would that be too sudden, but you still belonged to someone else.

Someone you didn’t want to belong to.

Chan hadn’t mentioned it to any of the pack because he knew they wouldn’t approve, but he planned to offer to take you away from the life he knew you didn’t want. He wasn’t completely sure about your home life, but he wanted to know everything about you. He was determined to get more information before making a final decision.

But at the moment, his only plan was to get you away from your fiancé before you turned nineteen.

“So, _____, how've you been?” he wondered as the two of you began to walk side-by-side through the market.

You hummed softly as you tried to think of everything that had happened the passed week, “Well…my family has gotten suspicious of me going to market every day. They think I’m meeting with a secret lover, apparently.”

“Ah, so that’s what I am?” Chan joked with a chuckle, making your already pink face turn more red. But then he turned serious, scrutinizing your body. “They haven’t hurt you, though, have they?”

You sighed, subconsciously rubbing your left forearm, “They did something a little…extreme…”

Chan’s eyes widened, and he grabbed your hand and tugged you over to a secluded area, covered by shadows from nearby buildings. He put his hands on your shoulders and looked at you intensely, his brown eyes studying you.

“Did anybody hurt you, _____?” he asked.

You shook your head, “No! Well, I mean, the procedure didn’t feel good but--”

“What happened?” he demanded, and you swore you heard him growl.

Part of you didn’t understand why this stranger seemed to be so protective over you. He only really knew your name, yet he was acting so concerned for you. But on the other hand, you liked the feeling. Even your fiancé never really seemed to act like he cared much about your well-being. You weren’t really sure why he wanted to marry you, anyway.

“His family wanted to make sure I wasn’t sneaking off anywhere,” you explained, holding your forearm out for him to see the small, raised scar on your skin, “so they put a tracker in me. They know where I am no matter what.”

Chan didn’t like this one bit. Not only would it make it harder for him to take you away and protect you, but it was just inhumane! Who in their right mind would put a tracker inside a human just because they were paranoid? Werewolves were some of the most territorial creatures when it came to mates, and even he would never do something like that.

He had half a mind to grow his claws out and tear the tracker out then and there.

“Chan!” a familiar male voice shouted behind him.

Before he could do or say anything about your tracker, he turned to see Hansol walking over to him, and Yeji for some reason following behind him with a sunhat on her head to hide her ears.

“What are you doing here, Sol?” Chan wondered.

“Hansol, right?” you asked, recalling his name.

Hansol smiled, but it seemed a little forced, “Hello again, _____. This is Yeji, my… My, uh…”

“Sister,” Yeji said with a chuckle at Hansol’s sudden lapse of thought. “He’s just a little flustered over Chan.”

The pup really didn’t want to be rude, but he had things to attend to, such as making his mate his instead of some asshole’s who didn’t trust her and treated her like some sort of pet. But it was clear Hansol knew something was up with the youngest of the pack by the way he had looked at him and made a point to interrupt his time with you.

“Sol, why are you here?” Chan repeated, a little more forcefully this time. “And why’d you bring Yeji with you?”

“What, I can’t leave the house?” Yeji asked with a playful smile. “Jihoon’s busy with yardwork anyway, and we all know I’m not doing that. Hansol mentioned coming to the market, so I tagged along.”

“So you just came here for fun?” the younger wolf asked.

"Technically, we have errands,” she explained before listing off, “Soomin asked for some supplies, Jeonghan wanted more of that honey bread since Junhui ate the last of it, Josh needs... What did Joshua want again?”

You were lost on everything they were saying, but you were just glad that Chan had come back for you. Something about him felt…safe. You weren’t sure why since he was just a stranger, but it was comforting anyway. He was still better than your family and fiancé, that was for sure.

As if he could somehow tell you were thinking poorly of him, the devil himself made his way through the crowd with two guards, clearly looking for you. He looked up from the device he was using to track you and locked eyes with yours. He didn’t like seeing you with strange people he didn’t know, especially two men.

You visibly gulped, and it wasn’t only Chan that took notice. Yeji and Hansol followed your gaze while Chan tried to grip your upper arms. You quickly shook him off and stepped through the small crowd around you.

“Hello, Donghae,” you greeted him politely, keeping your eyes on the ground as you knew he was angry with you.

“Don’t be afraid of me, sweetheart,” he cooed, which only made you more afraid of him. “Why don’t you introduce me to your friends?”

As much as you didn’t want to – you wanted to keep them as far away from Donghae as possible – you knew better than to go against an order from your fiancé. You turned around as he took your hand and looped it through his arm as if you two were actually a happy couple. However, walking toward Chan and his friends with Donghae so close, you could feel the anger radiating off of him.

Cautiously, you looked up to see all three of them staring at you. Yeji looked curious, Hansol looked curious, and Chan looked downright angry. You assumed it was because he knew what your fiancé had done to you, but you also didn’t want Donghae knowing you told other people about his treatment toward you.

You tried to hold your head up higher, hearing Donghae’s voice in your head calling you a ‘pathetic, shy girl’ like he had done before, “This is my…fiancé, Kwon Donghae.”

The man beside you gave a smug smile, bowing to your friends to play up the ‘good fiancé’ bit. Politely, Hansol and Yeji bowed back to him. Chan didn’t. Thankfully, your fiancé was too busy being cocky to realize.

“Thank you for keeping my beautiful fiancée company,” Donghae told them, although you could tell clearly that his sincerity was an act.

Hansol didn’t seem to think so, smiling warmly at him, “Of course, we really--”

“However, that will not be necessary,” he continued, his smile dropping. Now, he just looked bored speaking with them, as if they weren’t worth his time – which, in his head, they weren’t. “_____ doesn’t need to be babied, and she doesn’t need friends. I already provide her with everything she needs. If I catch any of you with her again, it won’t be good.”

“Shouldn’t that be _____’s choice?” Chan spoke up sharply, his brown eyes glaring straight at Donghae.

He’d never been talked back to since he was the son of a higher-up in town, so he was visibly shocked by this, “Excuse me?”

“Clearly you aren’t keeping her company, so somebody has to,” the dark-haired boy continued. “Besides, she seems to enjoy having some actual fun.”

You didn’t have to look at Donghae to know his angry gaze was on you now. “Is this true, _____? Do you enjoy hanging out with these people over your loving fiancé?”

“Well, I--”

Your chin was grabbed roughly as he forced you to look at him, and you could’ve sworn you heard someone growl. From your peripherals, you saw Hansol and Yeji place their hands on Chan, who was now shaking from anger.

“Look at me when I’m speaking to you,” Donghae ordered through clenched teeth, his face inches from yours. “Now answer me.”

“N-no…” you lied nervously.

He continued to search your eyes for a moment before he finally let you go and stepped away from you, “If you’re not back to my house in fifteen minutes, you’ll be in big trouble. We need to have a chat.”

With that, he turned and left with his little posse of guards that he’d brought with him. The four of you watched him disappear into the crowd before Chan was grabbing your hand in his, automatically calming you.

“What the hell was that?” Yeji wondered quietly.

“_____,” Chan’s soft but intense voice was what made you look away from where Donghae stalked off to. When you looked at him, he definitely still looked angry, but his features softened when he saw how afraid you looked. “I won’t let him do anything to you.”

You shook your head, already having accepted your fate once the tracker was put in your arm, “Nobody can do anything to stop him. His father practically runs this town, and he--”

“Then I’ll take you away from the town,” Chan promised, a small smile forming on his lips. “I’ll take you somewhere they have no power, and you won’t have to worry about him anymore.”

As much as his promise made your heart flutter, you couldn’t help but wonder why this strange boy you hardly knew was telling you he’d risk his life to get you out of your bad situation, “Why do you want to help me?”

He just shook his head at your question, “That’s not important. I’ll try to come see you again, okay?”

“My house is usually empty during the week,” you told him eagerly – maybe too eagerly. “It’s on the same street as the flower shoppe, and there’s pink flowers out front.”

“Oh, I know where that is!” Yeji spoke up. “Chan, I can bring you.”

Chan smiled widely at the older girl before turning back to you. He knew he should wait a little bit as to lessen the suspicion on you. The last thing he wanted was for Donghae to hurt you some more.

“Two days?” he asked.

You nodded, “Two days.”

You made it back to Donghae with time to spare thanks to your running. You were sweaty and out of breath, but you wouldn’t have to face any extra consequences. However, when you went to his room, he was pacing and wasn’t paying any attention to you.

“Donghae?” you asked softly.

“Who was that girl?” he asked you, his voice a mumble as he was deep in thought.

“I…I don’t know.” you told him honestly. “I've never seen her before. Sh-she said her name was Yeji, but...”

“I know she’s not a resident of this town,” he continued, not looking over at you, “and those men you were with also strike me as suspicious. I think those are the werewolves the guards have been dealing with.”

Your eyes widened as your breath caught in your throat. You thought werewolves were just some legend; a scary story. There was no way they were actually real, right? But if Donghae was saying they were…

“…What does that mean?” you asked quietly.

“If there’s a new person being spotted in our town, then they must be imprinting,” Donghae stated, finally standing still in the middle of the room. “They must live nearby if them and their mates are coming to my town.”

He spat out the word ‘mates’, and something about it didn’t make you feel good.

“Not to disrespect you, Donghae,” you began, which made him give you a sharp look. You gulped, “but…what has led you to believe they’re a pack of werewolves? I didn’t even think they existed...”

“Stupid girl, weren’t you listening?” he groaned. “Of course they exist! And our town has been dealing with them for a while now. We had caught one and its disgusting mate, but they got away. Now, this new girl shows up with two suspicious men but they don’t actually have residence here? This Yeji is one of their mates, and the pack must be nearby.”

“What if they’re just out of town?”

“_____, I know a werewolf when I see one!” he roared. “And do you know anything about werewolves, you stupid girl? Hmm?”

You didn’t have an answer for that.

“Exactly,” he stated before calling out for guards. Two of them showed up immediately. “Send a team to the surrounding forest tonight. I’m afraid we have a werewolf infestation.”

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cosmiclatte28 · 4 years

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New World (Jaemin x you)

This was from my Luhan collection (that didn’t catch much audience but I love the plot so I am recycling the fanfic :”) )

warning : you’re immortal, steamy!!!

enjoy!

Jaemin wakes up from his sleep. Another nightmare: the same repeating dream that always haunts him. His loud gasp and breathing, wakes the beauty sleeping soundless beside him.

“What is it Jaemin?” your voice sounds raspy from waking up, Jaemin gets up from his sleeping position and leans his back on the head board.

He takes a deep breath, “Nightmare,” he cups his hands onto his face and sighs.

You scoot closer to him and pull him into a hug, “Again… the same one?” You whisper softly into his ear.

Jaemin nods and lays his head to your chest; he closes his eyes and takes deep breaths. The dark claws in his dream earlier are still swimming in his head, he presses his eyes tighter and grits his teeth, he shakes his head in order to keep the mind away.

He holds his head up and stares into your deep blue calm eyes, searching for comfort in it. “Honey, it’s horrible. I cannot sleep and wake up with the same worry, I am afraid of losing you. I can’t live without you.”

You chuckle, “I am immortal Nana, I am the one who’s supposed to be afraid of losing you.”

He bites his lips in frustration, “I’m aware, just that… can’t you make me immortal too?”

You kiss him lightly, “I can Jaem, it’s just that we both have to wait for the right time. Please wait for me okay?”

Jaemin whines, “But you have to do it okay?”

You give him a reassuring nod, “I will.”

“Promise?” he offers you his pinky finger under the peeping moonlight.

“Promise,” You link your pinky and seal the promise with the thumbs.

You put your hand over his forehead and send him light waves to drive him back to sleep.

“In two days, the full moon will reach its highest point. That night, you will get what you want Jaem,” You whisper to the sleepy Jaemin.

He smiles with his sleepy eyes, “Whenever it is, I will wait and when you’re ready, I am ready.”

He kisses you and slowly brings himself into dreamland.

You lay your head on his chest and draw abstract lines on the veins of his strong arm, the same arm that has caught you from falling down into troubles, the arm that gives you warmth, the arm that makes you feel secured whenever he hugs you. You caress his arm softly, lovingly, while you mumble: “What if you got hurt in the process? What if you only want my powers? What will I do if you leave me after all of that…”

You stare into his innocent sleeping face, you doubt yourself for ever thinking that this pure man will leave you, but you cannot lower your guards. Most archangels fell into the darkest pit of life when their loved ones leave them for someone else. You have risked your life, falling in love with a human, and you’re taking the next risk… making him immortal. You didn’t feel a tear falling from your eyes, it streams down your face because of the stress and worry inside your heart.

Jaemin happens to hear your mumblings and he turns his body to face you, he pulls your small figure into his wide shoulder, with his secured arms he hugs you possessively. With one hand running through your cheek, wiping the tears; and the other hands clasping you tightly in his embrace, Jaemin finds your blue eyes.

“Darling, keep that mind as far as you can. I am not like that, I am never leaving you. I only love you and will always love you. No matter what,” he looks at you sadly, and plants a kiss on your forehead.

“I love you,” he whispers and you both descend to sleep.

The morning sun shyly peeks over the closed curtains, your alarm annoyingly cuts both of your rest time. Every morning, the bed feels even softer, the pillow fluffier, and Jaemin’s arms more comfortable than anything else. The two of you force your tired eyes to wake up and start your day.

The two of you enjoy breakfast over cups of coffees, and then separated into your own consecutive offices. You will meet him back on the afternoon after all of these office hours.

The sun rises and sets, the moon peeks and hides, you and Jaemin continue your life like the usual routine.

Until the full moon reaches its highest place, the atmosphere perfect, and the mood set. You’re ready when you greet your husband home with a fancy candle light dinner for two on your dining table, he seems to understand what you’re planning and Jaemin cannot keep his cool.

“You’re ready Jaem?” you asked when the last gulp of wine enters your throat.

Jaemin smirks, “Ready as one can be,”

You walk to him and press your forehead to his, looking straight into his eyes you once again question him, “Promise you won’t leave me?”

He inches closer and with a gentle kiss he replies, “Never.”

You smile and press a kiss he has never experienced before. The night is long, and Jaemin is already excited.

“Get ready Jaem, for this will be enthralling.”

end

#jaemin x you #jaemin x y/n #jaemin x reader #jaemin imagines #jaemin scenarios #jaemin fanfic #jaemin oneshot #na jaemin scenarios #na jaemin imagines #na jaemin fanfic #jaemin fluff #jaemin smut #jaemin soft hours #jaemin masterlist #nct dream masterlist #nct dream imagines #nct dream #nct imagines

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i-growl-growl-growl · 4 years

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Mobile masterlist p.2

Since the first masterlist can no longer take any more sections, I’m attempting to make a second masterlist for those on mobile.

Super Junior reactions

they are jealous

accidentally kicked in the privates while wrestling

all the members are in love with the same 98 liner

Eunhyuk gets a vaccination

helping you recover from a Lecion

their partner has low self-esteem

BigBang reactions

His partner sells drugs to a celebrity

discovering their partner is a tazza

EXO reactions

1 Drying their patner’s hair after showers (fluff)

Being in the ER after their child attempts suicide (sad/triggering)

Their partner agrees to let them adopt children (fluff)

their child is diagnosed with ADHD (slice of life+drama/family)

Their unborn baby might be abnormal (slice of life+drama/family)

Their boyfriend wants to top (smut/sexual)

Their child comes out as transgender (slice of life+drama/family)

His partner proposes to him

His partner knows how to massage

Their partner denies that they are sick

They’re are in a Daddy/child age play relationship (smut/sexual)

Worrying about their pregnant partner overworking (angst)

Accidentally saying something about their secret relationship (dating)

Their child dies from cancer (sad/triggering)

Watching the filthy Frank show (viewing)

Watching John Cena vines (viewing)

Their partner continues to train with an abusive ballet teacher

Meeting a child who’s hiding from the doctors (fluff)

Having an overly attached partner

Hearing you sing TaTu’s songs (viewing)

Watching CL’s Hello Bitches video (viewing)

Their child shows them their self-harm scars (sad/triggering)

When their partner is the real sculptor of Rom muecks artwork (fictional)

Visiting a horror house with their partner

Receiving another figging punishment but being consoled afterward (smut/sexual)

Giving their bulimic partner medicine

Their partner wants to remain a Tazza even after being beaten up (fictional)

Their anorexic partner won’t let them give them an IV (sad/triggering)

Fighting with their daughter (drama/family)

They slap you during a fight (drama/family)

Dating someone who is similar to themselves (dating)

You cheat on them (angst)

You do the “now you see me” piranha tank stunt (fictional)

His daughter has an abusive boyfriend (drama/family+triggering)

You’re in Tove Lo’s High video (viewing+fictional)

Sehun dates Kaya Scodelario (dating)

Watching Rihanna’s Bitch better have my Money video (viewing)

Receiving a figging punishment (smut/sexual)

Their religious partner is afraid to kiss them

Their partner over practices ballet because they want to be the best

Their partner injures their should but continues practicing Acro-Dancing

Their partner hides their body curves because they’re self-conscious

making a Halloween pumpkin with their partner (fluff)

their partner suggesting an open relationship (dating)

Their partner plays Harley Quinn in the next Suicide Squad

their child kisses another members child that is the same gender

their boyfriend comes out to them as bisexual (slice of life/……)

walking in on their younger brother having sex with another member (smut/sexual)

showering with their significant other

they are doms and spank/punish you when you do something that’s not allowed (smut/sexual)

His boyfriend denies he has an eating disorder (sad/triggering)

seeing their partner featured in Jay Park’s Mommae mv (viewing+fictional)

his lover has an asthma attack and exo can’t find their inhaler

accompanying their daughter while getting an injection (family)

their partner swallows nails to hurt themselves (sad/triggering)

you’re really sad and tired so they try to comfort you (fluff)

you end up in jail for scamming a person and they pay the bail fee

Their partner says they are “friends with benefits” rather than partners (dating)

A youtuber they like covers their song

Their female friend walks out in a towel but it drops

seeing you fangirl to Bang Bang Bang (viewing)

Their partner lets people treat them badly (drama/family)

Their partner has anemia but won’t take any medicine (sad/triggering)

Finding out their partner is a cannibalistic serial killer (fictional)

Finding you cutting yourself in the bathroom (sad/triggering)

Awkward morning after a drunk one night stand (smut/sexual)

getting stuck in an elevator with a foreigner who speaks their language

First time with their boyfriend/partner (smut/sexual)

seeing your self-harm scars (sad/triggering)

Their idol crush steals their papel on Running Man

Their partner is a slow eater

meeting their child for the first time (fluff+family)

discovering their partner is a Tazza (fictional)

They find out you write fanfics about them

Their partner walks around the dorms in a hoodie and under and the others see

Saying their partner is cute around the other boys and one of them replies

finding out their partner was a gifter before meeting them (fictional)

you put a bra on top of their chest and take a picture while they sleep

his partner does illegal gambling (drama/family)

Their best friend’s partner is abusive (sad/triggering)

81 going with their partner to the doctor and the doctor makes an indecent preposition

EXO page 2

When they are crying and the ageplay mommy/daddy comforts them (Lay, baekhyun, Chen)

when they accidentally go into their “little space” (ageplay) (Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Kyungsoo)

Their vampire partner refuses to turn them (Kris, Suho, Kyungsoo, Tao)

EXO/NCT announcing to their partner that they’re pregnant (Luhan, Baekhyun, Yuta, Ten)

Their partner doesn’t let them meet their child because they might be unhappy/accusing (lay, Sehun, Chanyeol, Chen)

being trapped in an elevator with their crush (Sehun, Chanyeol, Lay, Chen)

their partner’s child accusing them of replacing their mom (Suho, Baekhyun, Xiumin, DO, Kai)

Finding out they’re supposed to be the next victims of their serial killer partner (Kris, Chen, Lay)

Being insecure about their relationship because their partner already has a kid (Luhan, Chanyeol, Tao, Sehun)

A jealous fan tries to hurt his family

Finding out their partner is a demigod (fictional)

Their partner doesn’t eat much and won’t take vitamins

Their partner being in a mafia family but they cut all the ties to the mafia

His dom partner punishes him for worrying about them

his partner has ADHD (slice of life)

Being friends with benefits but realizing they love you

Ageplay (part 2)- when he’s the child in the relationship (role switch)

his partner trains with the abusive ballet instructor again (sad/triggering)

being rewarded by their dom after the figging punishment (smut/sexual)

When you stop eating after they finish eating bc you eat slowly

Discovering their partner is a virgin after having sex with them for the first time (smut/sexual)

Going w/ their religious partner to a confession

Making their partner feel good for their first time (smut/sexual)

Being punished for laughing about their Dom’s status (smut/sexual)

Their shy partner gets jealous of a hot waitress

Finding out they have speeding tickets

you’re pretty but don’t believe it (slice of life+drama/family)

Their teenage daughter gets pregnant (drama/family)

Their partner is addicted to a legal drug but it’s harmful

Catching their partner smoking weed at a party

30 Trying to feed you because you have an eating disorder (sad/triggering)

Their partner is afraid of injections and has to get vaccinated

Learning that their partner is pregnant with 4 kids instead of 1

When another member breaks up

Their partner gets bitten and is dying (zombie au)

Having “sexy time” with their partner and their parents/ other members catch them

What type of fathers they’d be (family)

seeing you dancing and singing sensuously to “sexy, naughty, bitchy”

wanting to be comforted when they’re upset

Hearing their partner puking in the bathroom, finding out they have an eating disorder (sad/triggering)

Their partner speaks english and spanish but is trying to learn korean/mandarin

Falling in love with a person with pixie hair

Their partner serves them breakfast in bed (edited 9/8/17)

seeing their partner dancing to country music

what sex with exo would be like (smut)

45 Finding out Luhan kidnapped Xiumin

Having to give up “sexy time” because their partner’s dog tries attacking them

They want to do stuff but you don’t get it (smut-ish)

when their bed breaks after a long night with their partner (smut)

their daughter wants to do their hair and makeup for a performance

Exo their long-time gf (sexualy active) wants them to take their tshirt off to sleep

you dress up for them and you’re that kind of person who doesn’t care about their appearance

you are partner (Polish) and you unconsciously start talking in your mother language (this is linked it just doesn’t look like it is)

coming home and finding their partner watching hsm and singing along

their idol partner can sing on Inkigayo and you hit INCREDIBLY high notes

If they’re in Hello Baby

their partner comes to them and want to hug them without a reason

finding out about their partner’s love of aquariums! especially florescent jellyfish

reaction to chen turning into a kitten

seeing their partner coming home completely wet from head to toe and pissed

coming home to find their partner eating ice cream & crying bc of a movie but they continuously ignore them because the movie is too good 61

Exo: reaction to kai’s short lived Instagram

when Sehun meets a girl not willing to deal with his sassiness

their crush, a trainee, nailing the high notes and also dances perfectly to their songs

finding out their partner turned into a vampire

coming home to see you and DO planning world domination

when you catch them checking you out (I think this is a repeat….)

finding out you have a naughty ( ;) ) piercing

seeing their model gf walk the catwalk for a Victoria Secrets Showcase

finding out you have a really sensitive part of you neck like Lay does

reacting to Lay watching My Little Pony

their partner gets scolded by their dance teacher because they’re not learning the dance quick enough 72

when their their partner does a lingerie cf

seeing a girl with short (boyish) hair

your mom doesn’t approve of the relationship

finding out that their partner smokes

they catch their partner drinking even though they know they had an alcohol addiction

their b/gf comes home late really drunk because you two had a huge fight.

their cousin undresses their b/gf in his mind

their partner puts their hand down their pants after their cousin flirts with them and yells “it’s in my every night” in front of their entire family 80

EXO page 3

(Yandere) types of yandere/ soft-sadistic mtl *not a reaction*

their s/o keeps loosing at strip poker and is almost naked

Their partner helps them while they’re pregnant (Luhan) (Baekhyun) (needs yuta & Ten)

getting attention from other companies after their partner’s fame skyrockets (Suho) (Sehun) (Chanyeol) (Chen) 59-62

Reacting to you sucking their bottom lip (all members) (linked but doesn’t look like it)

Finding out that their partner was a serial heartbreaker and player in the past (Lay, Chanyeol, kai, Sehun)

reaction when their kid comes out of the closet

you suddenly brushing them on their ‘thang’ when they spill a drink on you and you try to clean it up

seeing their partner performing in a HUGE award show with a broken foot

having a dream of their partner getting kidnapped (edited 9/9/17)

becoming jealous after seeing you hug a close guy friend from school

Kyungsoo and Ariana (kyungachu[.]tumblr[.]com) having a cute fluffy relationship

50 when you fangirl(boy) over G Dragon to them

falling in love with someone older than them

they’re students in your class and they fall in love with you

they change their hairstyle and want compliments but you don’t notice

they wake up to find you asleep at your desk because you’ve been studying for an exam

you both watch You’re beautiful and you start crying when a sad scene comes on

reacting to Luhan singing “do you want to build a Minseok”

hearing you fangirl(boy)ing over Shinee’s “Your Number” when they come home

their partner has a crush on One Direction

their partner sends them nudes

realizing their jewelry was stolen after shaking hands with someone

Their crush asks them out

buying tampon for their sick partner

their ‘partner’ has a panic attack

getting lost in a foreign country and they don’t know the language

finding you sleeping with the teddy bear they got you for when they’re touring

their partner is sassy & cries after yelling at them during their pregnancy

A sex scenes come on and you tell him you want to try it

32 you mumble in your sleep for Kai to stop eating Suho’s cat and buy him another one

finding out that their partner watches hentai

their bestfriend starts having feelings for them but they don’t feel the same way

their partner is rushed to the hospital/has to have surgery

finding out their friend is having financial trouble & is starving but they didn’t want to tell them

catching their partner reading yaoi

when their ex is harassing their partner

their reaction after sex with you for the first time

being partnered with their crush to do the Thinking out Loud dance together

when another member drunkenly kisses their partner

when their partner is afraid of thunder

an incident happens when their partner sits on their lap

they accidentally hurt their partner during sex

Their partner runs away after telling them they love them

falling in love with an android/robot

falling in love with the “girl of Ipanema” at the beach

16 what they would do for their partner on valentines day

their partner kisses them then runs away

you tell them that you’re afraid (or don’t want) to have kids

trying to have alone time with their partner but their band members keep following them

when you drink a lot because of depression from having a miscarriage

when you shave all of they hair off while they’re asleep

hearing their crush’s new song about them “bug a Boo”

finding out you’re protective and get jealous easily

you already have a partner but you’re cheating on them with an exo member

asking you to marry them

they tell you they’ve been in love with you for a long time

they find out you can sing Growl in korean

when you tell them you’re breaking up with them but it’s a test to see how they’d react

having their first big fight as a couple but neither of you want to apologize first

when they think you’re in love and will leave them for someone else

their partner tells them that they actually aren’t pregnant

EXO unlinked/unpaged (in archive Jan-Feb 2015)

39. exo: They find out that you like them

38. exo: they saw you catch them masturbating

37. exo: you tell them you’re pregnant after ‘sexy time’ (you’re married)

36. exo: nervous about messing up on recording with their favorite senior idol

35. exo: you try to comfort them because they can’t stop crying after winning an award

34. exo: they flirt with someone to make you jealous but you don’t notice

33. exo: your parents don’t like them

32. Exo: their boy/girlfriend is an evil villain in a movie

31. exo: they win the Best Couple Award for their drama with you

30. exo: their child(ren) can take better selfies than them

29. exo: they broke up but see you with someone else and wants you back (jan. 31 2015)

28. exo: you leave hickeys on their neck and shoulder

27. exo: they’re your boyfriend and they see you checking someone else out

26. exo react: they find out you’re taller than them

25. exo:you’ve had sex before but they’re still virgins so they feel awkward

24. exo: they receive sexy underwear from their boy/girlfriend and the band teases them

23. exo: their Brazilian girlfriend dances samba on international TV

22. exo: seeing their crush being rejected by a guy/girl

21. exo: they’re your teacher and they’re in love with you

20. exo: before/after their wedding ceremony

19. exo: a member walks in on them making out with you in the dorm

18. exo: their crushing asking to paint them naked

17. Exo: having wet dreams about their boy/girlfriend so they feel awkward

16. exo: their crush kissing them to stop them from rambling about their love for them

15. exo: you tease them for liking hyoyeon (snsd)

14. Exo: has a secret crush on you but they’re are drunk

13. Exo: their boy/girlfriend kisses them for the first time

12. exo: their boy/girlfriend has a month to live (they have children)

11. exo cheat on their boy/friend

10. Exo: you ask for a lap dance

9. exo: you call them your ex’s name

8. exo: when you broke up but see you with your new boy/girlfriend

7. Exo: meeting their favorite idol for the first time

6. exo: their boy/girlfriend joins “we got married” with someone else

5. exo reacts:seeing the model/actor/actress they’ll work with

4. exo reacts: someone flirting with their boy/girlfriend

3. exo reacts to their boy/girlfriend wanting to “do it”

2. exo finds a dog/cat and wants to keep it

1. exo meets you for the first time (jan. 18 2015)

#masterlist #masterlist attempt #mobile masterlist

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big-nerd-boi · 4 months

Note

What’s Luhans damage?

Mostly a crippling compulsion to be the “best” which in his mind is becoming a Buddha. Despite the fact that he does not possess any Buddha qualities nor does he want to even try and reach that title the proper way.

He also wants what Wukong has; the fame, the infamy, all of it. He wants to be feared, admired, to be Wukong.

I’m still working on the threads of his character development along with story, so these are subject to change: but that’s most of what Luhan’s damage is right now!

Along with the giant hole Wukong put in his chest— but Guanyin fixed that.

Thank you for your question!!!

#journey to the west #jttw #jttw au #six eared macaque #kill the crown #liu er mihou

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itstheoneshot · 2 years

Text

Projecting

request

Summary: You did not expect your study for your project to end up like this.

Word Count: 1.8k

Pairing: Luhan x Reader

Warnings: 18+, NSFW, Oral, Unprotected Sex.

“Wei?”

You lift your phone to your ear as you answer the call from your friend while you wait outside the school gates for him to meet you. Your project is due on Friday… Today is Wednesday and you haven’t even started.

“Meimei,” Luhan replies, your eyes rolling as he refers to you as younger than him, god, it’s only 6 months difference, “I’m driving up now, I’ll be there in a second.”

The call cuts out as he hangs up, and as he said, not a moment later you hear his music blaring as he pulls up in front of you in his little sports car. He modded it himself, it is all he ever talks about, how he got it so cheap with the money that he saved up from his part time job and slowly added part after part to make it what it is now.

It is cool, you won’t lie, and you do love it when he drives you around, even if it is just for him to show off. He leans over to open the door for you from the inside and you quickly get in, settling back into the seat just before he takes off.

You look over at him, admiring his jawline, his perfect profile, and you try your hardest to ignore the butterflies that you get every time that you two are alone.

You are just friends, he would never like you that way, of that you are sure. No, you don’t have any evidence to prove your denial, but you know that half the girls at school have a crush on him so you don’t stand a chance.

You are too slow to look away when Luhan pulls up at his house, and he smirks at you playfully as he catches you staring.

“You like what you see?” He asks, “What’s on your mind, xiao mei?”

You pout at the name again, cheeks burning red as you squeeze your eyes shut momentarily before turning to open the door and get out of the car.

“Nothing, Lu ge,” You reply, instinctually responding with the elder name, and feeling your blush deepen as you realise it, “We have a project to do.”

Luhan laughs as he gets out too, following closely behind you until you reach his front door. He opens it and gestures for you to go in before him, and you think to yourself that he is not going to push you to reply.

“Ya,” He interrupts your train of thought, grabbing you by the wrist to suddenly pin you up against the door that he just shut, “You didn’t answer me properly.”

Your eyes are wide, staring at his face mere inches from yours. You have never been this close before, and you are certain that he can hear your heartbeat as it races in your chest.

“Lu,” You mumble, “I… I, umm…”

You can feel his breath on your lips but he moves back only a second later. You try to collect yourself, to formulate some kind of excuse as to why you were staring at him with the most obvious case of heart-eyes he has probably ever seen.

“I like you,” He admits, “As in, I really, really like you.”

Your eyes widen so much that you swear they could fall out of your head, in complete and utter shock trying to process what he just confessed to you.

“Since the day we met,” Luhan continues, “It has always been you.”

You replay your entire friendship in your head, and go back to the first day of senior school, when you were assigned to sit next to him, and you remember the sparks that you shared, but nothing ever went further. You remember doubting yourself, feeling crazy for liking him this way, being certain that nothing would come from admitting your feelings, and that you would forever have a Luhan-sized hole in your heart without him as anything more than a friend.

“I really, really like you too,” You reply breathlessly, “I like you so much.”

He responds not with words, but a hard forced kiss, one that has your knees buckling as you melt into the embrace. Your hands move to his hair to keep him from moving away, but the way that his body is pressed against you, tells you he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

“Why me?” You ask as Luhan grabs you under the thighs, pulling you up off the floor.

You cross your ankles behind his back to steady yourself as he holds you up against the wall, his breathing getting heavier as his kisses deepen.

“You’re cute, funny,” He says between kisses, “You’re so fucking hot, and you don’t even know it.”

You roll your eyes at him, but before you can protest he kisses you again to shut you up. He rocks his body into yours, a clear indication of what he is thinking about doing with you, the same things that you are wanting too.

“I think you’re pretty damn fine yourself, Lu,” You reply, wrapping your ankles a little tighter to try and relieve some of the pressure building in your core, “Finest man I’ve ever met, that’s for sure.”

The praise turns him on, as he suddenly moves away from the wall and begins to carry you down the hallway, in what you assume will be the direction of his bedroom. You don’t stop, grinding into him with every step that he makes, feeling him grow hard so quickly.

“I want to make up for lost time,” He murmurs, both forcefully and carefully placing you down onto his bed, his hands roaming as he follows you down, “Would you like that?”

Your eyes roll back, the thought alone has you reeling, and Luhan chuckles at your response, moving quickly to tug at your shirt and pull it up over your head, urging you to do the same.

“Please, Lu ge,” You respond, feeling him tense up as you drop the honorific, suddenly realising why he likes to call you little so often, “I need it, don’t go easy on me.”

He lets out a low growl as you trail your fingers down his bare chest, and you lift your hips to allow him to pull your skirt down, leaving you in only your bra and panties. Your kisses are messy, desperate, a perfect representation of how badly both of you want this, uncaring of anything else but the need to have each other as close as possible.

His hand is at your core before you realise, his middle and index finger toy at your entrance for only a moment before he breaches you, already dripping wet in anticipation, you take him in with ease. You whimper at the initial stretch, but you reflexively follow his movements with your hips as you tangle your fingers in his hair to keep him kissing you, lavishing in the attention that you are getting from him.

“Baby girl,” Luhan purrs, his fingers curling at the right angle to have you whining, “I want you so fucking bad.”

You are a mess under him, desperately doing anything that you can to keep him close, your back arched prettily as with each stroke of his fingers you adjust and ache for more. You feel how hard he is, growing every second that he grinds into you, trying his utmost to hold back, when all he wants to do is take you fully.

You want it too, more than you can fathom, and in an attempt to show him, you wrap your legs tight around his thighs and use all your strength to hold him to you. You know that you must look so pathetic, but at this point you don’t care. His fingers are too good, and you are sure that his cock will be even better. You have tears in your eyes from the pleasure, his fingers alone have you close to breaking, and he knows it.

“Cum for me, baby,” He urges you, “I want to fuck you, but I want you to cum for me first.”

You cry out in desperation, though the force of your emotions pushes you hard enough to come crumbling down, your orgasm ripping through you with a euphoria that you can’t explain. Luhan groans as you fall apart for him, and you are so deep in your own pleasure that you barely feel him remove his fingers, but you do feel the initial burning stretch as he thrusts his cock into you in replacement.

“Fuck,” You whine, “You feel so good, so big, Lu ge.”

Truly lost for words, the feeling is indescribable, your body aches as you take him in, each thrust harder and more moving than the last. Years of desperate unspoken pining finally ended with a fuck that you are not likely to forget. You are his now, in body and soul, addicted to his cock as much if not more so than you are to every other part of him both inside and out.

“Good girl,” He murmurs, rocking his hips into you as you spread your legs further, allowing him deeper than before, “I can’t get enough of you, but I don’t know how long I can hold back.”

You are ready for it, wanting nothing more than for him to feel the same pleasure that you had, wanting his release as much as your own, and your second orgasm is nearing, if you think hard enough about it then you are sure that you can sync up.

“Please, Lu,” You beg, “Cum inside me, I want it so bad.”

Your high pitched, whiny pleads are enough to tip him over, his thrusts erratic as he fills you with ease, the feeling one that you again can’t describe, but one that you could definitely get used to. Your own orgasm following suit barely moments into his, your bodies moving as one as the both of you are lost in one another.

“Holy shit,” Luhan gasps, leaning on his hand next to your head as he slows to a stop, reluctantly pulling out of you, “That was so fucking good.”

You attempt to catch your breath, chest heaving as you try to calm down, words as lost as you are in his eyes.

“So good,” You manage to stutter out, “And I’ll need it again… you again… I want more.”

Luhan chuckles, leaning down to kiss you, softer this time, no longer charged with desperation but in a satiated, romantic gesture.

“There’s plenty more for you, xiao mei,” He replies, “I’m yours, if you’ll be mine.”

#Luhan #luhan fanfic #luhan smut #exo Luhan #exo Luhan fanfic #exo Luhan smut #cpop #cpop fanfic #cpop smut #kpop #kpop fanfic #kpop smut #fic request

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imayjinmin · 3 years

Text

When Darkness Meets ~ Chapter 5

EXO, NCT, BTS, MONSTA X x Reader

Word count: 1.0k

Playlist: Here

Synopsis: The NCT leaders are starting to hit heads while planning. One thinks staying out of the situation is good while the other wants a new member. Not seeing eye to eye they are pushed back five steps. What none of them know is that a new group is close on their tails. A lot closer.

Taeyong sighed for the upmost time, holding the bridge of his nose he glared up at the group in front of him. Why? Why could they not understand that this was a big deal? Why could they not want to help keep an eye on an enemy? Instead they were standing their ground against his idea all together. The four towers in the room standing as body guards for the other two leaders. Why? He had no idea. Going to voice his concerns one last time, before he was cut off by Kun slamming his hands on the opposing side of the mahogany. Taeyong’s eyes went wide as he finally realized what Kun was doing. He was challenging him in a battle that would not end well for either parties. Sighing one last time he stood up showing his confidence to the rest. Getting into a similar position as Kun, he glared at him.

“Kun, I hope you understand this loud and clear. I made another leader for the sake of our group, do not make me take that away from you. You are walking on very thin ice at the moment, so I suggest you tread lightly.”

Seeing the realization hit Kun of the gravity of the situation, he turned his attention to Mark. He looking back at Taeyong with the same ferocious glare. If it were aimed at any other person he would be proud to say he taught him...but right now he was angry more than anything.

“Mark, why are you fighting me on this so much?”

“Well...I know that we are known as the most innocent and I don’t want to be put into a situation where any of them could get hurt.” Taeyong’s glare let up upon hearing the explanation.

“Mark, I get it, believe me. Do you think I don’t worry about all of you every time we go on escapades?” Seeing Lucas shake his head followed by Ten smacking him, he looked down. “Lucas do you think that low of me?” Seeing the behemoth dart his eyes around, Taeyong already knew the answer. “Lucas, I’m sorry, really.”

“Why do we need to get in touch with her anyway?” Turning to see Jisung was raising his hand, as if asking to question him.

“Well, we are always looking for new members. We have never thought of a female in this line of work before, but she definitely powerful. So it would seem to be smart to try and get her on our side. But we cannot just pop up at her door step with twenty-three people, she will think it is an ambush. It will be dangerous for us more than her.”

“How come it’s dangerous for us but not her? There are twenty-three of us and one of her.” Yangyang pondered.

“I will allow Chenle to explain everything, he knows everything about her that is needed. Chenle it’s your time to shine.” Watching the young one come striding up and sitting on his desk. Crossing his arms over his chest and walking over to Chenle’s side. Looking at the elder with a sheepish grin.

“No?” Seeing Taeyong shake his head at him, he jumped off the desk. “It was worth a try. But besides that, her name is Y/n Huang.” Watching everyone look at Renjun. he gasped.

“I’m not related to her!” Chenle cleared his throat, catching everyone’s attention one more time.

“He is not related to her. She is a Mafia Princess basically. Her mother is Bae Irene, her father is Lee Dongwook, her siblings are Kris Wu, Luhan, and Huang Zitao. They were all adopted at incredibly young ages. I know also you are thinking well they do not share the same last name, well that is because when she was young the three got involved with EXO. Deciding it would protect their sister more, if they each changed their last surnames except for Zitao. It is believed that only one of the EXO members knows about them being siblings. Jimin also appears to know, but they are nothing to worry about yet, so far only EXO is an issue. Anyway back to the point, she is twenty-six years old, has a big group to back her up. All of them are trained by the best of the best. Which is why she is dangerous. She has two cousins involved with two Chinese clans. Both of which have high rankings, but her cousins are top rank for skills among other things. Keep in mind that earlier I said she was a Mafia Princess, to which I am not lying. Anyone that plans to even get remotely close to her ends up being found in...gruesome ways.”

“See Taeyong this exactly why I said this is a bad idea. She kills anybody that tries anything.”

“Kun, you are really starting to piss me off today. Can you please just sit and listen today? Why are fighting against every little thing today?”

“Because I know that some of us will not make it out alive!”

“You don’t know what the outcome of it could be! Stop being so damn scared of everything!” Standing up so fast that the chair behind him flew back, hitting the ground. Making an angry thud, everyone stopped and watched waiting to see what will happen between the two leaders. The tension in the room so thick that it felt suffocating. Slowly standing, Mark reached his hands out to each side. Looking at both of his leaders, seeing the smoke coming out of their ears.

“We can just talk about this, there is no need to come for each other’s throats.”

“Mark, you need to learn how stay out things that pay no mind to you.” Hearing the sentence being growled out was one thing but hearing it from Kun was worrying. Ten and WinWin quickly grabbed each of his arms. Thrashing in their grip until they let go. Glaring at both of them, before walking out of the room slamming the door into the wall in the process. Ten turned to Taeyong.

“I’m going to go talk to him, try to fix this.”

***

Creeping around the side of the garage, the six men stilled.

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marshmallow-phd · 4 years

Text

Between Heartbeats

Genre: Vampire AU

Pairing: Jongin x Reader

Warning: mentions of blood, violence

Word Count: 12,831 (I don’t normally put the word count, but I thought I should warn everyone how long this is and give an explanation as to why it took so long to get out.)

Summary: In 1865, Jongin had you. Now he was alone. And he’d spent the better part of a hundred and fifty years searching for your next incarnation. But when he finds you again, only time will tell if a life together is in the cards or if history will repeat itself, leaving him alone once again.

Tao I Chanyeol I Yixing I Luhan I Minseok I Jongdae I Jongin I Kyungsoo

December 1864 – New Year’s Eve

The party was dull and uninteresting as Jongin drifted silently through the crowd of low nobility and deep-pocketed citizens of the flourishing city. In the dim glow of the melting candles that were scattered about the room to give sight to the weak-eyed humans, the patrons enjoyed their drinks and mindless chatter, as was the order of the day.

Jongin’s polarizing presence was a popular subject. His foreignness was evident by his facial features, but as soon as the eligible females learned that he wasn’t simply a poor traveler passing through, their attitudes changed. They whispered amongst themselves about the mysterious man with power and money who demanded the room’s attention with his mere existence. Little did they know that if they were to learn of his true nature, they would scurry back to their suitors with fear running through their bones.

With quick eyes, Jongin scanned the room hungrily.

That familiar scratch was growing in his throat. He needed to feed before the hunger grew to a dangerous level. Jongin didn’t like to feed too often, hating the idea of being the uncivilized monster he’d seen time and time again through his years. He knew what he was, but he preferred to be one of the more refined. It made him feel better in that regard.

A heavy sigh reached his ears and he turned to see who wasn’t enjoying the light atmosphere.

His eyes settled on you, a bored expression plainly on your face, a barely touched Champagne flute held delicately between your fingers. You were dressed in the finest fabrics that made you outshine the other delegates’ daughters who were adorned in cloth that was made to only look expensive to the untrained eye. But even though you seemed to fit in perfectly with the crowd around you, everything about your body language told him that you wanted to be anywhere but here. Perhaps he could arrange that for you.

As Jongin took a step in your direction, you quietly excused yourself from the group and slipped out of the room. Well, that was much easier than his original plan.

Swiftly, he followed you down the hall of the governor’s mansion towards the green house that acted as a pathway to the ornate backyard. You lost yourself among the thick vines and flowers of the glass building, letting your fingers glide over the blossoming plants. Another dissatisfied sigh escaped your lips. What was weighing so heavily on your mind?

“A pretty woman should never have to sigh so sadly.”

You gasped at the sudden sound of his voice, your dress rustling the fallen leaves as you whirled around.

“Mr. Kim,” you greeted, your heart still pounding in your chest, beckoning to him. “I didn’t realize that you were in here.”

“Don’t mind me. I simply needed a moment away from the festivities,” he lied smoothly. “It seems I’m not the only one.”

You ignored his second comment. “Well, then, I apologize for the intrusion. I’ll leave you alone to your thoughts.” With a quick bow of your head, you tried to move passed Jongin, but he was quick to catch your elbow, holding you in place. His shoulder pressed into yours and he could feel the warmth radiating off of you.

“Perhaps my thoughts are too dark be left alone.” His voice was low, purposefully so. He stared into your eyes, holding you captive without any effort. “Maybe you could-”

“(y/n), darling, there you are.”

Jongin cursed in his thoughts. So close.

He let go of your arm, turning to see who’d dared to interrupt.

Jonathan Cravens. Son of a well-known politician in these parts. And spoiled brat, if anyone asked Jongin’s opinion. Jonathan’s kind was plentiful in the world and they always thoguht they were the most intimidating person in the room. Even with his taller, broader frame, Jongin would have had no issue eliminating him to get to the prize, but that was not his way anymore.

So, albeit reluctantly, he stepped aside.

“I was simply talking to Mr. Kim while waiting for you,” you said. By the infliction in your voice, Jongin could tell that part of your sentence was a lie. Were you not waiting for the spoiled rich boy? If not, then what where you doing out here? There would be no answers to those questions. Gripping your skirt in your gloved hands, you walked over to the intruder.

Jonthan raised an eyebrow, unknowingly challenging the vampire. “Is that so?”

“Come,” you urged. You slipped your hand into the crook of your lover’s elbow. A woman could always sense the struggle of power between two men, however understated and underhanded the battle was. You were trying your best to keep the peace. “It’s a nice night. Why don’t we take a walk in the gardens?”

Jonathan smiled down at you. “That sounds wonderful.” To Jongin, he said in a less cheerful voice. “Goodnight, Mr. Kim.” There was no mistaking the warning in his tone. But Jongin was hardly paying attention.

His eyes were on you as you turned to leave the greenhouse for night time air. As if he’d willed it into existence himself, you gave him one last glance over your shoulder. A spark ignited. In your eyes lied a curiosity that would not be easily forgotten or stamped out. And you weren’t the only one who felt it.

Jongin watched you disappear from his view, but he had a feeling he would be seeing you again fairly soon.

Present Day

The plane lurched forward as the wheels hit the asphalt landing at over a hundred miles an hour. You gripped tight to the arm rest while concentrating on keeping your face calm and neutral as to not catch the attention of the other passengers scattered around.

That was the funny thing about flying. You didn’t hate it, not really. When the cabin was soaring through the air you never thought about how high in the sky you were or the speed at which you were traveling. But when it came to taking off or landing, the anxiety set in. The tilt of the plane made your stomach lurch, the jumble of the landing gear rattled the plane and your bones. Crashing became a very vivid picture in your head during those ten or so minutes.

But as it always did, the plane eventually slowed down and you were able to relax the tendons in your hand, releasing the poor armrest from your vise. Before the cabin had come to a full stop, other passengers were already standing up in an effort to grab their carry-ons and exit as quickly as possible. While it was obviously against regulations, you couldn’t entirely blame them. Some layovers were unreasonably short and running through the airport would get one detained in security these days.

You, on the other hand, were home. This trip had been decently successful. You hadn’t lost any important documents or ended up in a drab hotel that was clearly lying on their website. Your camera was filled with beautiful scenes that you would never forget. Nearly every minute had been an adventure and you couldn’t wait to finish putting the article together.

Feet back on solid ground, you walked through the airport, careful to avoid the other travelers as you rolled your suitcase behind your tired feet. According to your phone, your Lyft would be here within five minutes, just in time for you to make it to the designated pick up area.

The driver was kind enough to get out as soon as he saw you waving. Without hesitating, he placed your suitcase in his trunk before helping you into the backseat. He was a careful driver, looking before he changed lanes and always using his signal. What a nice change.

“Visiting or coming home?” he asked as he turned onto the highway.

“Coming home,” you replied with a smile. And it was nice to be home, in the city where you knew the streets and the hidden gems. Traveling was your job and your passion, but nothing felt quite like the city around you. It was almost like a beacon, calling you to it like a lost ship in a sci-fi movie. You weren’t sure why it kept pulling you back – you’d found plenty of other places that you could have easily settled into – but you couldn’t ignore the siren spell, so you stayed put. But even the city you called home couldn’t ease the loneliness that weighed down your heart.

Maybe that was why you traveled. To find the one thing that could fill this hole that should be insignificant. Friends, family, a good job, a decent apartment. These were all things that you possessed and they should leave you satisfied. You felt selfish and ungrateful whenever you lingered on that yearning for more too long. Was it truly wrong to wish for just one thing more? Even if you didn’t know what that one thing was?

“Well, I’m glad you were able to make it back safe,” said the driver. He made small talk with you for another few minutes or so before settling into a comfortable silence the rest of the way.

Once again, he was all the gentleman outside of your building, helping you with your suitcase before driving away to his next fare.

Inside your apartment, you left your luggage by the front door and shuffled towards the bedroom. A heavy sigh pushed its way out of your lungs as you landed on the bed with a thump. You stared up at the ceiling. The familiar sting that came with every first moment back was rearing its ugly head again. Almost like a compulsion, you lifted your right hand so it blocked your view.

The birthmark that tainted the inside of your palm never really bothered you. Most of the time, people didn’t notice the odd coloration. It started about the area where your wrist and hand met, traveling up to almost the middle of your palm. Sometimes when you were really looking, it looked like a thumb print, like someone was holding your hand at an odd angle.

A single tear fell from your left eye, sliding down your temple until it was lost in your hair. Typical.

No, really. This whole scenario had become almost like a ritual. You came home from a trip, the joy and the wonder of what you’d just experienced dying off quickly as soon as you were alone in your apartment. The loneliness became overwhelming, but you never sobbed. The tears were always the silent kind. Slowly, they fell down, only a few at a time. As they went about their way, you curled up on your side and stared at nothing.

Never could you understand why you felt this way. Why you still had a sadness when you were living a wonderful life. It was an answer you’d been chasing for years but never able to find. And, at this point, you were beginning to think you never would.

The scratches made by the pen was almost enough to tear through the paper. Jongin didn’t mean to push down that hard, it was simply his frustrations manifesting. If he kept this up, he’d have to buy a new one. Again.

The map on the wall of his residence was covered in black Xs, some fainter than others. Though the world was vast, he’d soon run out of places to look for you. He’d spent the better part of a decade combing through birth records and files and anything else that might give him a clue as to where to narrow down his search. That witch in Shanghai swore that you’d been reborn, walking the earth just out of reach, and that he was meant to find you again in this lifetime. Beyond that small flicker of hope, however, she hadn’t been more useful. Apparently, she couldn’t tell him where you were exactly.

“Both near and far,” she’d answered cryptically.

“What is that even supposed to mean?” Jongin frowned at the white-hair witch. Riddles were never his strong suit, unfortunate since they tend to come up often in his world.

“She is both near and far,” the witch repeated, refusing to give up any more information.

Jongin could feel his eyes turning red with frustration. “That doesn’t help me. I have to find her.”

“And you will,” the witch promised as she stood up from her perch on the floor. “Your second chance has come, just as you’ve desired. But be prepared, the sins of the past leave their mark.” And because that wasn’t dramatic enough, she drifted away, disappearing behind a sheer red curtain that led to the back of her humble store.

Jongin would be lying if he didn’t admitted that her last warning worried him. He knew his sins were great; no amount of good deeds or pretty words could cover them up. Would his past wrong-doings rip you away once more when he finally found you?

Sighing to himself, Jongin relented. He knew he needed help and his old friends had offered numerous times to lend a hand. He needed another brain who might be able to decipher the witch’s words.

“Hello?” came a groggy voice on the other end of the receiver.

“Were you sleeping?” Jongin scoffed. He checked the watch on his wrist, frowning. If his math was correct – which there was very much the possibility that it wasn’t – it should be a decent hour to call. At least for a vampire.

“Maybe,” Tao growled on the other end. In a softer, more normal tone for him, he asked, “Is something wrong? Did you find her?”

“No, not yet. It was another dead end. That’s why I’m calling.”

“Finally giving in and coming to the city for our help?”

Pause. “Yes.”

He could practically hear the smirk on Tao’s face. “About time. See you before the new year?”

“Yeah.” Jongin hung without any other parting words. New Years. He hated this time of year. It was too much of a reminder of you.

With sorrowful eyes, he looked over at the faded old photograph framed in carved wood. It was slightly bigger than his hand with sepia colors bringing the image to life. Even though it was custom for the subject to wear a blank face in pictures from that era, this particular muse had a twinkle, a mischievous smirk in their eyes. You had that in life, too. You didn’t care that process of having one’s picture taken was long, endless at times – you were going to smile anyway, even a little bit. He missed that about you. He prayed that you kept that spirit in this life as well.

January 1865

The New Year had barely begun. Outside, bitter winds still sent chills down your back, though it didn’t bother you one bit. You still smiled and laughed with your friends down the dirt-covered main street. Not even the puddles of mud from the melted snow could slow you down.

Jongin watched from the window of the tailor’s shop. Ever since that night of the party, he hadn’t been able to shake you. Why? He wasn’t sure. There wasn’t anything inheritably special about you. Simply an ordinary human in an ordinary city; another stop on Jongin’s way to bigger and more exciting places. Really, he should have moved on by now. It wouldn’t be too long before whispers began spreading around; whispers of lost memories, puncture marks on necks and wrists that mysteriously showed up. Self-preservation and secrecy were vital to a vampire’s wellbeing. Humans were superstitious, fearful. Yes, best he moved on and let go of the mystery of you.

Right as he was turning away from the window, you let out a yelp. Your handkerchief had run away from you, carried by the wind just out of your reach. In a flash, Jongin was in the street. The handkerchief was already between his fingers and held out for you by the time you caught up to it.

“Mr. Kim,” you gasped as you straightened up. Strands of hair had fallen in front of your face and your heart was accelerating from the exercise. You looked… exquisite.

“I believe you almost lost this,” Jongin teased in a quiet tone. To add to his own charm, he lifted the corner of his mouth slightly, smirking at you.

The expression seemed to have some sort of effect on you as you cleared your throat nervously. After a brief hesitation, you reached for the small square cloth. “Thank you.”

Jongin didn’t let go. “You should be careful not to let the wind steal that from you again.”

“The wind will take what it wants no matter what I have to say about it, Mr. Kim.” To emphasize your point, you yanked the handkerchief from his grasp. He held your gaze – or, perhaps, it was you who held onto his. A smile, warm and gentle, grew on your lips. A thirst itched in Jongin’s throat, but it wasn’t the kind that could be satisfied in the usual way.

“The wind has a will of its own,” Jongin whispered. Looking over his shoulder, he caught the tailor leaning out the front door of his shop. He was watching the encounter intensely. Possibly looking for gossip to share of the pub tonight. “I should get back to my appointment. Have a good day, Miss (y/n).”

“Enjoy your appointment, Mr. Kim.” You curtsied your goodbye and turned to join your friends. Jongin was reluctant to turn away, but he forced himself to go back to the tailor and finish the measurements for his new suit.

The sun had set and the moon was only a small curved sliver in the sky. Jongin had just finished his meal for the night and cleaned up, making sure that no traces of blood were left. The poor soul that had been unlucky tonight was fine and he would soon wake up with no memory of the encounter. Unable to force himself back to the house he was renting, Jongin decided to go for a stroll under the stars.

It was too much of a challenge to stay indoors and try to stop his mind from thinking, from planning. He’d used his charms and his abilities in the past to woo unsuspecting hearts, to ease the loneliness that came with what he was.

But he’d entered those games more than happy to walk away when it was over. Though he’d only had brief moments with you, he wasn’t so sure if he could leave for good. If he would want to leave for good. You were alluring in a way that no one had ever enticed him before. He found that he wanted to keep coming back even though he should leave and never think of you again. Maybe if he didn’t think about it too much, he could continue walking through these woods until he was far enough away that it didn’t matter.

Apparently, not.

His careless feet had brought him to the small cemetery outside of the city’s territory. Usually it was deserted this time of night, but Fate had decided that he should not be alone. Fate had decided that this very night, while he walked through the land of the peaceful dead, you would be sitting on the ground, eyes trained large headstone that dwarfed the ones around it. As your back was facing him, you didn’t realize at first that you were no longer by yourself.

“Miss (y/n)?” Jongin called out when he’d come a little closer.

Letting out a gasp, you turned your torso to see who had snuck up as your mind was elsewhere. “Mr. Kim? What are you doing here?”

Jongin shrugged, coming in closer. “I was simply out for a walk, taking some time for myself, and found my way here.”

“Well,” you started shifting as if you were going to stand up, “I’ll let you continue take time for yourself.”

“No!” Jongin was by your side in a second, hand on your shoulder to stop you from making it to your feet. He blinked as he realized how irrational he must have seemed. “I’m sorry. But please don’t go. I’ve had enough time to myself and quite enjoy your presence.”

You let out a single laugh. “I’m not sure if it’s because of where you come from, Mr. Kim, or if it’s simply a part of your nature, but you sure have a way of weaving pretty words together.”

Jongin laughed along with you. “I simply say what’s on my mind. I don’t believe in the need to overthink what I want to convey.”

“Well, that makes you a rare creature, indeed.”

A silence fell over the graves, neither of you certain of what else to add. Which was fine by Jongin. As long as you didn’t run away from him, he’d be satisfied with this.

But his curiosity was getting the better of him. His eyes had drifted to the writing on the stone at which the two of you sat. It was a woman’s name, someone who had died a decade ago, according to the engraved dates.

“Who is she?” Jongin asked.

You blinked, having let your mind start to wander again by the look in your eyes. “Oh. This is my mother. When my head is full of thoughts that won’t leave me alone, I come out here. When I was little, she was always comforting me when I was sad while helping me work out my problems. Talking to her stone makes it feel like she’s still here to advise me.”

“She sounds like she was a wonderful person.” Seeing an opportunity, Jongin sat on the dirt next to you. In his lap, his fingers danced, begging to reach out to your own. Were your palms as warm and soft as they looked? He kept his eyes in front of him to fight the urge. “You know. They say the dead never really leave us.”

You did not give him the reply he would have expected.

“I hope they do. No one should be forced to walk this wretched earth forever.”

Jongin nearly exploded with laughter from the irony of your speech and who’d you just said it to. Yes, at times it certainly was a curse to forever be in this life. But most of the time he didn’t mind it. Granted, his life was… unconventional compared to yours. He was always seeing new places from not being able to settle in a single community. Sure, he could probably get away with a few years, but eventually his lack of aging would become too apparent and he would have to leave anyway. It was better to save himself the heartache of getting too attached.

Heh. That was the way he lived his life and yet, here he was, attaching himself to you, unable to stop it any more than man could stop a storm.

“The world isn’t so bad,” he finally said. “I’ve seen plenty of it and there’s good parts to be treasured.”

You stared him down, not comforted for a second by his reply. “Well, aren’t you the lucky one.” This time, you were successful in pushing yourself up to your feet. “I should go before someone else joins us.”

Frowning, Jongin followed suit. “Would there be a problem if someone were to discover us sitting in a graveyard?”

As if reciting a mantra you’d been forced to learn, you said sternly, “Any respectable young woman would never be caught with a man who was neither her father nor her betrothed.”

Already knowing the answer, Jongin swallowed. “And are you betrothed?”

“In almost every sense. But….” A dejected look glazed over your eyes as they fell to the grass underneath your slippers.

He stepped closer until there were only a few centimeters between the two of you. “But?”

“I don’t want it anymore,” you said defiantly. You brought your gaze up to Jongin and he could see a fire had been lit in your eyes. It was angry, roaring. “I haven’t for a long time. Or maybe I never wanted it in the first place. In front of everyone else, I put on the show of being happy, because it’s expected of me. But how can I be happy in this situation? I want to see what else is out there, like how you have. I want to see what other kind of people are alive and what they do so differently from myself.”

“And you can’t do that betrothed?”

You scoffed at the notion. “I asked Jonathan once about that. He chuckled and said that maybe he would bring me along on some his own business ventures. It was heavily implied, though, we’d only go as far as the capital. Wives are meant to stay at home, after all. Take care of the house and the children.” Shaking your head, you took a step away from him, distancing yourself both physically and figuratively. “I shouldn’t be saying any of this to you.”

“I would take you with me,” Jongin declared without hesitation.

You looked taken aback by the bold statement. “You would?”

“Yes,” he nodded earnestly. Taking those final steps, he eliminated nearly all the space between you. All he would have to do was lean forward the slightest bit and taste you. “In fact, I’d let you choose the destination.

For a moment, you appeared to be ready to jump at the offer. If you were to take his hand right this moment, he’d run with you until he reached a place where no one knew your names or the name of this town. But the shine in your eyes dimmed. Your shoulders drooped and you took a step back. “Pretty words are easily said when there’s no one to hold you to them.”

“(y/n)-”

You cut him off. “Good night, Mr. Kim.”

He shook his head, realizing the foolishness of his rash actions. “Please, call me Jongin.”

But perhaps it wasn’t completely hopeless. A tiny ember was still alight. “Alright. Goodnight… Jongin.”

After catching a glimpse of the smile now spread across his face, you turned and ran out of the cemetery.

Yes. Perhaps there was hope after all.

Present Day

“When I asked if you would be here before the New Year, I wasn’t talking about hours before. I meant more along the lines of a few days.”

Tao leaned up against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest and an eyebrow cocked up. Jongin rolled his eyes. How anyone was able to live with this brat, he wasn’t sure, but somehow Tao’s human did it.

“Why does it matter?” Jongin asked bitterly. His grip in the suitcase beside him was tightening, causing the plastic to whine from the pressure. If it went on much longer, he’d have to get a new suitcase.

“Because I’m sick of your pouting,” Tao replied as he pushed off the doorframe and walked back inside. “There’s a party tonight at The Ambassador Hotel and you’re coming with us.”

Jongin followed him inside the luxurious apartment. “This isn’t a vacation, Tao.”

“I know, I know. But I’m still not sure what help I can be to you.”

Wondering that himself, Jongin opened the suitcase and unfolded the large map he had folded inside. “I just need a second pair of eyes, to maybe see something that I’m missing.”

“Yixing might be the better one to ask,” Tao suggested. “You know, since he was the one who spent a majority of his vampire life searching for something, too. He has experience.”

“Maybe,” Jongin sighed, refolding the map. “It wouldn’t hurt. I’m assuming he’d be at the ex-hunter’s shop?”

Tao shook his head. “Nope. The two of them are vacationing down south for the holiday. Won’t be back until next week.” A sly look slid across his face. “Guess we’ll just have to enjoy ourselves until then, huh?”

A growl rumbled in Jongin’s throat. He wouldn’t exactly be enjoying himself, but he’d indulge Tao and tag along. What was the worst that could happen?

You struggled with the dangling earring, missing the pierced hole for what seemed like the millionth time. The pin that held the decoration in your ear was too tiny to properly maneuver. As beautiful as you thought the design was, with its miniature diamonds in both yellow and pink, the creator should have taken into account how one was supposed to get said earring into the earlobe.

“Oh my gosh, let me do it.” Dawn swatted your hands away and made much quicker work of the jewelry than you had.

Part of you really wanted to laugh. You weren’t even supposed to be here. You were supposed to be home, hundreds of miles away in your apartment with a bottle of wine watching When Harry Met Sally that was perfectly time so when Harry gave his big speech at the end, it was also midnight your time. But three days ago, Dawn called you out of the blue. She’d broken up with her boyfriend and needed a last minute date to the lavish New Year’s Eve party her company was throwing. Next thing you knew, you were on a plane with a complete change of plans. At least it was an excuse to go shopping.

“Okay,” Dawn said as she took a step back, satisfied. “You look amazing.”

You could feel the heat of embarrassment radiating all over your body. With your shoulders and back exposed in this dress, you were sure that it was just as visible. “You look a million times better,” you countered.

And it was true. But that was Dawn. She was the kind of girl who always dressed as if she’d found the end of the runway and kept walking out of the fashion show and onto the street. She was talented in all things clothing and accessorizing. And you loved her for it. She embraced it rather than reject it, taking to the point that she not only looked like she belonged in magazine, she was the entire reason the magazine looked the way it did.

“Oh, hush.” Dawn linked her arm through yours and escorted you out of her apartment to the car waiting for the two of you downstairs.

The party was already in full swing by the time you arrived. A DJ blared the year’s most popular tunes from speakers almost as tall as the ballroom. Some people took advantage and showed off their moves on the linoleum dance floor. Most lingered around the rest of the space, chatting, networking, or flirting with whoever they’d targeted for their midnight kiss – possibly more. Wait staff roamed, taking orders from those who were seated at tables or offering hors d’oeuvres on round black trays to the ones that were standing around. You stuck by Dawn’s side as she greeted the important people, relieved when the two of you finally made it to the open bar.

Dawn lifted her flute of fresh Champagne. “To us and a better year than the last.”

“To us.” The clink of the glasses rang through your ears even as you brought the rim to your lips. The sense that someone was staring at you ran down your spine. You ran your eyes over the crowd until you found the source.

A man a hundred feet away or so had a gaze so steady on you that not even the dozens of people passing between you could falter his eye contact. His mouth hung open slightly as if he were surprised by your appearance. Thinking that maybe something had slipped out of place, you looked down, but your dress looked fine to you. When you looked back up, he was gone. Dawn had missed the strange scene since she’d gotten pulled into a conversation with a photographer who had approached.

Who was that?

He had an… oddly familiar aura attached to him. Like you’d seen him before somewhere. Which was silly. With that sharp jawline and sculpted features, you were sure you’d remember seeing him before. No one easily forgot a face like that.

Sighing to yourself, you put the now empty champagne flute down on the counter. The bartender offered to refill it, but you declined. Dawn was occupied, engrossed in the conversation with the photographer. You didn’t want to be the one just standing around waiting for her to be done, so you decided to take a turn about the room. There were a few of your friend’s coworkers you were familiar with and wouldn’t mind saying hi to. Perhaps you could run into one of them and strike up some small talk.

It was easier said than done to walk around the room. Many groups of three or four were standing around, barely any room between them to squeeze through. Why so many people needed to be at this party, you didn’t understand. Were the organizers too afraid to leave anyone out? Or did they give out too many plus ones?

“Excuse me.”

You turned to see who had softly called out to you.

It was the man from earlier.

You couldn’t help the frown that formed on your face. “Yes?”

“I’m sorry,” the man chuckled quietly. “I just wanted to say hello.”

You could feel yourself already becoming enamored. Or maybe it was just the atmosphere of the current year coming to an end soon. But this stranger… His deep voice was unique, as was his manner of speech. And that damn feeling that you’d seen him before was nagging at the back of your head. “I’m so sorry, but have we met before?”

Shaking his head, a sad look flashed in his eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it’d come. “No. Not in this lifetime.” He slightly bowed his head like a gentleman out of an Edwardian novel. “Please, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kim Jongin.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Kim Jongin.” You glanced around, both out of habit and out of curiosity. You were trying to figure out why he’d singled you out when there were models filled to the brim here that seemed much more his league.

“And your name?” he waited with a small smile.

You gave it away without any hesitation. “(y/n).”

His smile grew even broader, lighting up his face like a child that had just been told they were going to Disneyland. “And what do you do, (y/n)? Do you work for the magazine?”

The way he said your name… it filled you with an echoed warmth, like you’d heard him say it a million times before. Something was different about him. Maybe you should walk away and not be entranced by the pretty face. But you stayed. You wanted to stay, even if it was only to figure out where this feeling of knowing him was coming from.

“No, I’m a travel writer,” you told him. “I go to new places and experience as much as I can. Then I get to blog about it or write a book if there’s enough information to use.”

Jongin’s eyes drift down as if lost in thought. “So you finally get to see the world.”

“Excuse me?”

He snapped his head back up. “I mean - you get to see the world. That’s quite the career to have.”

“I enjoy it a lot, but-” you bit down on your bottom lip. What was that? You were just about to venture into a zone of too much information.

Normally, you were good about keeping the line drawn with strangers. It was an instinct you’d developed in your travels. While others might seem friendly enough, you still needed to protect yourself - and your belongings. That was often a part of your blogs as well. Warnings about what not to reveal to the nice barista at the coffee shop down the street from the hotel and which neighborhoods to avoid if you wanted to keep your wallet.

“But?” Jongin urged. He leaned forward, telling you that he was interested in whatever you had to say.

“But it can get expensive,” you lied. There was no way in telling if he believed you or not, but at least he didn’t push.

“Yes, it can be in this day and age.” His ears perked up at the change in music. Hip hop beats no longer blared from the speakers. Instead, a softer, romantic melody drifted through the air. Jongin held out his hand. “May I have this dance?”

You were hesitant at the offer. Not because you didn’t want to dance with him, but because the hand he held out meant revealing the birthmark on your palm. Taking a deep breath, you gave in and took his hand. Just as you thought, he frowned at the darkened spot near your wrist, flipping your hand over.

“Were you born with this?”

The question took you off guard. Normally, that was the second or third question people asked. “What is it” or “what happened” usually came first.

“Yes,” you answered quietly. “It’s just a birthmark. It's not contagious or anything.”

“Never thought it was.” With a gentle finger from his free hand, he traced the outline of the mark. Then he led you out to the dance floor. “Come. We don’t want to miss the song.”

As soon as your feet hit the fake wooden floor, Jongin pulled you in close, a cold hand resting on the small of your back. He moved his feet expertly, which was a relief since you weren’t much of a dancer yourself.

“You look very beautiful tonight, (y/n),” he whispered in your ear. The words sent your heart racing. But that didn’t mean you were that susceptible to them.

“You’re very good with the flattering words,” you mumbled with faux disdain.

He laughed. “And you’re very good at deflecting them.”

“Well, you can’t be too careful these days,” you countered. “People aren’t always sincere.”

Leaning back, he captured your eyes. “I won’t ever lie to you,” he declared brazenly.

“You’re very bold,” you said with a chuckle.

The song came to an end a minute or so later, but neither of you let go of the other.

“Why do I feel like I know you?” you asked. It was meant to be a thought in your head, but the words were out before your sense came back to you.

The upturned corners of his mouth shrank. “Echoes of a former life, perhaps?”

“Do you really believe in that?”

“Actually-”

“(y/n)! There you are!”

Dawn came running up to the dance floor, squeezing in between other couples to get to you. Immediately, you stepped back, causing Jongin to drop his hold.

“Oh, sorry.” Dawn stopped a few feet away, eyes wide at the sight. “I didn’t realize….”

“That’s alright. I have to go anyway.” Jongin turned to you, grasped your hand with the birthmark, bringing it to his lips and placing a light kiss on its center. “May I see you again?” You nodded silently, unable to find words after that display. Out of his jacket pocket, he pulled a pen and small notebook. He quickly scribbled down his name and contact information before ripping the paper out and handing it to you.

You blinked, a sudden realization hitting you. “Oh, but I don’t live in this city.”

“Just tell me where and I’ll come find you.” He bowed to you and Dawn before melting into the crowd.

“That is so unfair,” Dawn grumbled under her breath.

“To be honest,” you said, “I’m not entirely sure what just happened myself.”

“Whatever just occurred, if you don’t call him after tonight, I’m stealing the info and I’ll call him,” Dawn threatened playfully. “A face like that doesn’t stay alone too long.”

You didn’t want to sound too overly confident, but you had a feeling that he would wait for your call as long as it took. Not that you planned on taking long at all.

If Jongin were still human, he would be struggling to breathe right now. Outside in the alley, he held onto the feeling of your skin against his that lingered on his fingers. When Tao and his human companion dragged him along to this party, he was resigned to stay planted near the wall, deflecting any advances from those who came to flirt with him. And he'd accomplished that fairly well. But then he caught sight of a profile he’d memorized long ago.

At first, he thought it was his mind playing tricks on him. How many times had he thought he’d spotted you, only for it to be a figment of his imagination? But he followed the girl in the golden dress anyway. He waited patiently for her to turn around and prove him wrong once more.

But that wasn’t what happened. It was you. Fate had finally given him a break. It took one night of not searching to find you. A rare miracle, especially for his kind. And this wasn’t even the city you lived in. You were a traveler, like you always should have been. Tonight was possibly just another trip to check off on your list. Perhaps that’s what the witch meant when she said you were both near and far.

Holding out his hand in front of him, the image of your palm was burned in his mind. He knew what that mark really was.

He was the reason for its existence.

When the witch said that his sins would leave a mark, he hadn’t expected it to be so physical. A momentary flash of that moment - the moment your hand was branded forever with that echo of his actions – ran through his mind, mocking him. He lashed out, slamming a fist into the brick behind him. Red dust fell to the asphalt at his feet. Cracks like a spider web branched out from the area where his knuckles had met the wall. What a surprise that will be for the next passerby.

Voices rang out all around him, counting down the seconds until the New Year arrived. The chorus shouted “Happy New Year!” in synchronization followed by cheers and laughter and kazoos and fireworks. Another end and beginning. What a wondrous metaphor for what was happening now for him. His search had ended. Now… now was the beginning of a new chapter. Now he had to see if he could fix the mistakes of the past. Now was the time to see if he was truly given a second chance and if you’d be willing to risk everything to be with him once again.

“What are you going out here?” Tao joined him about one minute after midnight, finally noticing his absence.

Jongin looked up at his old friend. “She’s here.”

The two words slowly sunk in. “Wait… she as in… her?”

“Yes.” A sudden urge overcame Jongin and he threw his arms around his friend. “Thank you.”

Tao stiffened under the embrace. “For what?”

Letting go, Jongin stepped back. “For forcing me here tonight. I might have missed her if you hadn’t. She’s not even from here, which makes it even more of a miracle. My second chance is here. So thank you.”

“Well, then you’re welcome.” Tao patted the older vampire’s shoulder. “If you mess it up again, I’m coming after you myself,”

Scoffing, Jongin shoved the hand away. “If you think I’m going to let her go again, you’re gravely mistaken.”

Tao laughed. “Good.” There was a small silence before he added, “You know, I’m glad you finally found her. You deserve it.”

Jongin couldn’t wholeheartedly agree, but he stayed quiet. He’d learned in his years that people don’t ever really deserve things, but he was at least given a respite from what had become a miserable existence. Now he just had to make sure he didn’t waste it.

March 1865

If there was ever a party that was put together to simply show off someone’s wealth, this was it.

Your father was throwing a party in celebration of the completion of his new mansion, nearly a year in the making. A harsh winter had caused production to slow down, but he was finally all moved in and it was time to let everyone see the finished product.

But Jongin had a motive of his own for coming. He didn’t care about the house or expensive French furniture and intricately carved fireplaces. This was simply a chance to see you again without having to sneak away to the cemetery.

For the past two months, the two of you had been secretly meeting under the moon at your mother’s grave. At first, for you at least, they were simply friendly meetings, giving you someone to talk to without the pressure of society keeping certain thoughts and feelings to unspoken. But it changed over time. Jongin could feel it. He could feel it in the way you leaned in closer to him or the way you looked at him from the corner of your eye. In the way your fingers brushed against his without flinching away. In the few times he would see you during the day, he would catch a glimmer in your gaze he was convinced was only for him. Maybe it was simply his imagination, wishful thinking. If you kept him at arm’s length, perhaps it was for the best.

“Enjoying the evening?”

He’d caught you alone in one of the hallways. In a teasing manner, you slowly turned your head to look over your shoulder, exposed by the cut of your new dress. “As much as one can, Mr. Kim.”

Jongin nodded. “How can one not enjoy a night of drink and mindless conversation revolving around the cost of the wallpaper?”

You let out a laugh that was quickly covered by a fake cough, in case anyone might overhear. After a brief pause to allow a couple to move on through the hallway, you said, “Are you planning anymore late night adventures, Mr. Kim?”

An odd question given that the two of you had met up not even three days ago. “I would be more than happy to arrange my schedule to include a walk after the sun has gone to bed.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Taking a step closer, you lowered your voice. “I want to talk to you. About something important.”

If Jongin’s heart was still functional, it would have been beating erratically at your closeness. “Of course.”

“(y/n)!”

You jumped back at the harsh snap of your name. Jonathan came storming up, grabbing your upper arm. Any onlookers might not have seen the severity of his grip, but Jongin was barely holding onto his self-control.

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere and I find you alone with the foreigner?” Jonathan growled.

“I don’t see how that’s a problem,” you bit back.

The grinding of Jonathan’s teeth were audible even to less sensitive ears. “One of many.”

“Is something wrong?” Jongin tightened his fist at his side. Control. Must maintain control.

“That is between me and my fiancé,” Jonathan declared. With small protests from you, he dragged you down the hall to a side room, slamming the door behind him.

Jongin couldn’t just stand there. In a blink, he was outside the door, listening in.

“Are you trying to humiliate me?” Jonathan growled.

You scoffed. “I couldn’t care less if you were humiliated or not.”

“What has happened to you? Is it that foreigner? Has he bewitched you or something?”

“Bewitched me?” You laughed at the ridiculous accusation. “Into doing what? Finally being able to voice my opinions and do as I please rather than maintain a false mask?”

“This feels like the false mask. I’ve known you since we were young-”

“You knew a child who only wanted to please her father, so she stayed quiet and did what she was told. This, as you so put it, is an adult who decided, on her own, that she will do as she pleases. I only have one life and I will spend it as I choose.”

“You’re spouting nonsense!”

“You’re just upset that even with your money and influence, I don’t want you. That perhaps I might want leave with someone else-”

Smack!

Jongin burst open the door, seeing red. You were holding onto your cheek protectively as Jonathan glowered over you. Secrecy be damned, Jongin rushed over to the man, lifting him up and slamming him against the wall as his feet swung beneath him.

“You will never touch her again.” Jongin could feel his fangs growing against his bottom lip and his eyes were surely glowing red. But he didn’t care as he gave the warning. He wanted to strike fear in this pathetic human’s bones.

“W-what are you?” Jonthan stammered like a child.

Jongin grinned wickedly. “A foreigner. Isn’t that right?” He let go of the shivering man, letting him fall to the floor on his knees. He would be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy watching Jonathan scramble up and out of the room like the coward he was. After relaxing his face to look human once more, he turned to you. Now there was a moment of regret.

Fear was evident in your own eyes. You still cupped your struck cheek. Jongin took a step towards you. “(y/n), I-”

Stepping away from him, you shook your head. Tears pooled in your eyes. Then, without another word, you ran from the room.

Present Day

Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe this was an awful idea. Maybe this was how you died. You made yourself an easy target, anyway.

Barely three days into the New Year, you contacted Jongin. (The very next day seemed a little soon. You wanted to give yourself a chance to get home before trying out his number.) Another day and he was on a plane, to meet you for coffee. Coffee. Why was he so willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a flight to simply meet up with you to go on a date that might or might not lead to anything was well beyond you.

So, now you were anxiously waiting in a booth in a cafe around the corner from your apartment (in case a quick getaway was needed). Your fingers danced against the polished wood of the table in anticipation. You tried not to look at the door every time the bell above it chimed, signaling a new body had entered the building. What a failure that was. Not even your phone could hold your attention. You were far too eager for this. Far too excited and enamored at this stage. Perhaps you were just this pathetic of a human being.

Thing was, you traveled because you were searching for something you couldn’t describe. You weren’t able to find it in the temples of India or the mountains of the Midwest or seas of the Mediterranean. You never found it in any of your relationships or when you were by yourself. But Jongin… Jongin felt like he might hold the missing piece of the puzzle. No, you didn’t believe in “completion” or “soulmates”. However, you couldn’t get over the notion that Jongin might have an answer to your endless hunt.

And then there was the dream you had last night.

It could have simple been nothing more than your brain fantasizing again, but- there was something too real about the dream. The antebellum house felt familiar to you but you were sure you hadn’t visited it before in your travels. People who were obviously very well off mingled amongst each other, their laughter still echoing in your ears. And then there was Jongin. Standing on the other side of the room, a fresh glass of untouched wine in his gloved hand. He looked like a scene out of a period drama with the way he wore that old fashioned suit. Then there was the way he looked at you. His sharp gaze pierced through the crowd as if they didn’t exist at all.

“I hope you weren’t waiting too long for me.”

You jumped out of your thoughts, startled that you hadn’t heard the bell go off again. Even in plain clothes, Jongin was taking your breath away. How someone could look so… regal in a sweater and jeans was a bit unfair.

“No, not at all,” you smiled. It was true. While it might have felt like forever to you, really you’d only been sitting in this booth for… ten minutes? “How was your flight?”

“It was good. I wish it had been faster.” Noticing the empty table in front of you, he offered, “Can I buy you a drink?”

“Oh, um, sure. Whatever you get is fine.” You didn’t have the current brain power to think of an actual order. Plus, you had a tendency to be that annoying complicated customer.

Jongin nodded. “I’ll be right back.”

Once again, you were alone. The anxiety wasn’t as bad, nor the wait as long. But you still fussed over your hair and if your shirt was laying right.

“You look beautiful.”

Jongin slid into the seat across from you, placing a steaming cup of caramel colored liquid in front of you. He had gotten you tea instead of coffee.

“How did you know I preferred tea over coffee?” you asked in surprise.

“Hm?” He paused before he could take a sip of his own drink. Innocent expression clearly on his face, he said, “I didn’t. You said to get whatever I ordered. I don’t care for coffee so I got two teas. See.” He tilted his cup so you see the identical liquid inside.

“Oh. Right. Sorry.” Now you were embarrassed. Naturally, you’d managed to make it awkward within the first five minutes. Must be a new record. “So, what do you do? For work?” That was appropriate to ask, right? He had entered in with the same question at the party, after all.

“I’m… a consultant.”

“A consultant?” Weren’t they all?

“Yes.”

“And… what exactly do you consult on?”

“Buildings. Hotels.” He leaned over the table, giving you a flash of his million watt smile. “I guess you could say I’m a bit of an expert traveler myself.”

You copied his posture, even bringing your arms up and folding them on the table. “Are you trying to impress me, Mr. Kim?”

You were trying to be funny, but your formal way of addressing him seemed to do the opposite.

The smile faded a bit and he sat back in his seat. “No, I was only answering the question.”

“Oh.” Strike two. How quickly were you going to be forced back into the dugout?

Then again, you might not be in too bad of shape. Jongin reached out and took ahold of your hand, rubbing his thumb over your birthmark. It wasn’t a creepy or uninvited motion. It almost felt… loving. It shouldn’t, given how little you two knew each other. But you didn’t pull away, allowing him to continue.

He brought his eyes back up to you, the grin starting to make a reappearance. “Tell me your favorite place you’ve visited.”

And so, for the next several hours, things went much more smoothly. Neither of you remembered your teas, letting the poor things grow cold as you told stories back and forth of the cities you explored and the wonders you’d discovered. Coffee turned into dinner which then turned into a late night walk. It was nearly midnight by the time he took you back to your apartment, dropping you off at your door.

“How long do you plan on being in town?” you asked as you fiddled with your keys.

“As long as you’d like me to.”

You laughed at his unbelievable answer. “You are… impossible.”

“I think I’m very possible since I’m standing in front of you.” Taking a hold of your hand, he looked at you with an expression of sincerity. “Can I see you again in a few days?”

Was there any possible way you could say no? “I would like very much.”

He lit up at your reply. Kissing your cheek, he told you good night and stepped back to allow you to go inside. As soon as you were alone, you leaned back against the door, finally letting the face-splitting smile you’d been holding back this whole time free. There might have also been a small giggle, but you would have denied it to the moon and back.

“Come visit me,” Jongin urged outside of his gate. You were happy to see him off at the airport, but you didn’t like seeing him go. Two months had nearly gone by since that first day at the cafe. Outside was still bitterly cold, but each moment with Jongin had been beautifully warm. You wanted to keep having those moments. “You have to find a new place to explore anyway. Come stay with me.”

“Okay,” you readily agreed. “When?”

He raised a cheeky eyebrow at you. “Why not right now?”

You scoffed playfully. “Because I don’t have anything packed?”

“Okay, fine.” He rubbed his hands up and down your upper arms. “Two days. Is that enough time to pack and fly out to see me? I’ll buy the ticket.”

“I shouldn’t let you do that….” you argued with exactly no tenacity.

“But you’re going to let me anyway.” He had you. He knew it. You knew it. So what was the point?

“I guess I’ll see you in two days then.”

Happy at your answer, Jongin kissed you on the cheek and then threw his bag over his shoulder. He gave you one last look over his shoulder before disappearing through the security check.

You were a little disappointed that, once again, he had kept it to a chaste kiss. That was all he ever did. Kiss your cheek, your knuckles, your forehead. His favorite seemed to be your birthmark. That bothered you a bit, but that was more your own fault since you wouldn’t make up the courage to ask him why he did that. When you landed in his city, you were definitely going to change a few things….

Jongin was waiting for you inside the terminal. As cheesy as it was, you broke into a run as soon as you saw him. He caught you with ease, holding you up for a moment before setting you back on your feet. He kissed your forehead before giving you a confession.

“I missed you.”

“It was only a couple days,” you giggled. “But I missed you, too.”

“Come on,” he slipped his fingers through your own. “I’m sure you’re hungry.”

He took you to a nice place despite you feeling a bit gross from your flight. The food was delicious and filling, so you didn’t mind too much.

“And you’re sure you’re comfortable staying with me?” Jongin asked again in the car.

“Yes,” you said again. “It’s fine. I trust you not to kill me.”

Jongin snatched his hand out of yours. His face hardened and the grip he had on the wheel tightened with his other hand, making the rubber coating whine.

“Bad joke, sorry.” You turned your face away so you were staring out the window. He did that at times. You would say something as a joke and this wall would drop out of nowhere. No explanation, no reasoning. His smile would be wiped from his face and a hardness would take its place.

“Its fine,” he said in a strained voice. “I’m just tired.”

“It is getting late.” Your own voice was monotone. Normally you tried to remain happy, optimistic. Right now, there was no way to keep up the pretense.

Jongin let out a sigh. You jumped at the sudden coldness from his fingers as he took your hand once again. You kept your gaze out the window.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “That was rude of me.”

Why did he make it so hard to stay mad? You looked at him and gave a miniscule smile. “I forgive you. But why did you react like that?”

“Later,” he said, bringing the car to a stop. “We’re home.”

You “hmph”ed but didn’t push, instead following him out of the car and to the elevator located in the parking garage attached to his apartment. Given the kind of car he drove and the clothes he wore, you weren’t the slightest bit surprised at the luxury he was living in.

Jongin dropped your suitcase off in what you figured out was the bedroom. You stayed standing in the living room, arms crossed over your chest. Seeing you tense, Jongin came up and wrapped his arms around you.

“I’m sorry,” he said again.

Shaking your head, you stepped out of his embrace. “Why do you keep doing that? It seems as soon as I get close, you pull away again.”

Burden was evident in his eyes, as well as misery. He seemed so far away at times that you could run for miles and never get any closer. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you someday, I promise.”

You blew out air from your lips. While you weren’t completely satisfied with that answer, you had to accept it for now. It wouldn’t be fair for you to push him about something from his past. “Okay. Let’s just get some sleep.”

Jongin nodded in agreement. Both of you got ready for bed separately, him in the room while you took the bathroom. When you came out, teeth brushed and in comfortable sleeping clothes, he was already under the covers, sitting up while scrolling through his tablet. You shifted from foot to foot, unsure.

“If you would be more comfortable, I do have a guest bedroom,” he told you without looking up. So romantic.

Rolling your eyes, you threw back the covers and shuffled your way to his side of the bed, practically gluing yourself to him. He chuckled at the koala like embrace. He turned off the tablet and then the nightstand lamp. His arms around you felt like home.

In your groggy state, you mumbled, “Why do you feel so familiar? I always feel like I’ve known you forever.”

“Perhaps it's just fate,” Jongin murmured back. He ran his fingers over your hair in a soothing motion.

Your eyes were closed and you buried your face in his chest. “Yeah, sure.”

Then your eyes snapped open. You lifted your face, resting your chin on his shoulder. Craning your neck, you shifted until your lips were mere centimeters from his.

“Are you sure?” he whispered. You nodded, so he closed the space between you, enveloping you in his arms. You molded into him as if this wasn’t the first time your lips had touched. The feeling of knowing him, the echo of a previous time, grew. But that was a question to be answered another time.

Jongin was already awake the next morning, in the kitchen making you breakfast. You shuffled in, still sleepy but unable to continue staying in bed. Smiling brightly at you, Jongin grabbed two plates and brought on over to the island where you’d sat down.

“It’s edible, I promise.”

You laughed. The few times Jongin had tried making a meal for you - well, they hadn’t been very successful. You appreciated the thought, however. He came around the island and turned your chair so he could stand between your legs and kiss you, on the lips. That was something you could certainly get used to.

Breakfast went smoothly. The two of you discussed different places Jongin wanted to show you on your first full day and as soon as your plate was empty, you hopped down and went to the bedroom to get ready.

Badly needing a shower, you searched the cabinet for a fresh towel, not wanting to use the one hanging next to the walk-in shower. You found a stack of fluffy white towels in the tall cabinet above the toilet. Pulling on the top one, you accidentally sent the first three tumbling down to the tile.

You flinched. “Oops.”

Gathering up the towels, you started to fold them back up. That’s when you noticed the yellowed, red spotted handkerchief. You picked it up, too curious to simply put it back. The lace that framed the outside was weathered and frayed. From the delicate way the threads were holding together, you suspected this to be old, and not just by a few years. In one corner, your first name was embroidered in a brilliant cursive.

Lost in a trance, you stood up to your feet and shuffled out into the living room.

“I thought you were going to-” Jongin stopped when he caught full sight of you, “take… a shower….”

You held up the handkerchief. “What is this?”

Jongin’s eyes flickered back and forth between you and the ancient cloth. “How did you find that?”

“I was trying to get a towel,” you explained. “Why does this have my name on it?”

Jongin completely deflated. “I’m sorry-”

“Stop saying that!” you shouted. “That’s not an explanation.”

“I want to tell you. I should tell you. But you won’t believe me.”

You threw your hands up. “Try me.”

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. He let it out slowly, emptying his lungs completely before opening his eyes again. “I’m not human.”

You snorted. “That’s seriously the route you’re going to go down?”

He crossed the room in a second. You couldn’t even blink before he was right in front of you.

“How did you do that?” you gasped.

In another flash, he snatched the handkerchief out your grasp. He held it up, a loving yet sorrowful expression in his eyes. “I’m older than this relic. A century or so more.”

“What are you?”

He took a step back, lowering the handkerchief but still keeping his eyes on it. “A vampire.”

You didn’t want to believe it. But what else could move that fast? And then there was the ethereal aura around him, how he always seemed… other. And the old way he spoke. It wasn’t completely out there. “So, that’s why when I made the joke about killing me….”

“No,” he stated, his eyes snapping up to look at you. “Not entirely. It has more to do with this.” He bounced the handkerchief in his hand. “The history behind it. The history behind… us.”

You frowned. “Us?”

“Last night you said I felt familiar, like you already knew me.” He waited while you nodded before continuing. “It's because you do. Or, at least, you did. In your life before this.”

“Past lives?” you scoffed. But the look on Jongin face told you he was serious. “You’re not joking, are you?”

Jongin shook his head. “I’m not. But it was just yours, your previous life. Back then, you knew this me. And I’ve been walking this earth trying to find you again.”

You didn’t want to believe him. Every word was crazy, insane. No logical person would hear it and accept it. But you weren’t just hearing it, you were seeing it. And as someone who was constantly seeing the world, you knew that unexplainable things did occur. Not to mention, you could feel it. The truth. The tiny string connecting you to Jongin.

“Okay,” you sighed. “Tell me what happened.”

“Are you sure?” he asked, giving you one last chance to back out. “It’s not a happy tale.”

You took hold of the handkerchief but didn’t take it away from Jongin. “Given the state of this, I don’t imagine it to be.”

“Alright, then. I’ll tell you.”

March 1865

Jongin stood in the mist of the graveyard. Chances were that you wouldn’t show, not after the incident at your home. He’d left quickly, so he didn’t know the aftermath of exposing himself. Had the coward gone to tell everyone else of the monster hidden among them? Were you next to Jonathan confirming his story? He wouldn’t blame you. He’d hidden his true nature from you all this time so there was no other way for you to logically react.

“Jongin?”

His head snapped up. Was it really?

He looked over his shoulder. It was. You’d come to the cemetery after all. While you kept your distance, you didn’t look disgusted by him. That might be a good sign. Or it might not be.

“(Y/n).” As much as he wanted to run to you, he stayed where he was in order not to frighten you away. “I didn’t think you’d come.”

“I wasn’t planning on coming,” you admitted. “But-” you licked your lips, unsure. “But I decided that if you haven’t hurt me by now, then you won’t ever.”

“You saw how dangerous I can be.” Jongin swallowed. “If I get angry or thirsty… I could lose control.” It’d happened before.

In an act of defiance, you listed your skirts and marched over to him. You didn’t stop until he could feel your breath on his face. “I trust you. All you've ever done is protect me.”

Jongin flinched. “That isn’t true.”

You tilted your head to the side. “What do you mean?”

“The New Year’s Eve party? Where I followed you to the greenhouse? I did so because I was thirsty. I’d originally planned to drink from you.”

Your hand came up to your throat, a natural response. “So, those creatures do exist.”

“We do,” he confirmed. “And we follow our nature.”

“But you changed your mind,” you pointed out. “So, I don’t believe you’re evil. I think there’s some good in you, in the man I’ve come to know.”

Your words were too kind, too naive. But he couldn’t bring himself to keep arguing with you. “At the house, you said you wanted to tell me something?”

Suddenly, you became bashful, your eyes falling down to the ground. “Yes… about that. I wanted to ask you….”

You were too beautiful like this. He couldn’t stop himself from cupping your warm cheek, getting you to look at him again. “Yes?”

Another few seconds went by before you finally spoke again. “I wanted to ask that when you leave… if you would take me with you?”

Jongin blinked, unable to believe what he was hearing. “Y-you want to come with me?”

“Yes,” you nodded eagerly. “I want to see the world. And I want to see it with you.”

“Even though I’m not human?”

“Human or not, I know that I want to go with you. I- I love you, Kim Jongin.”

Overwhelmed, the only response he could give you was to bring up his other hand, grasping your face and kissing your lips.

“There he is!”

The two of you broke apart as a large crowd thundered into the cemetery. Jongin pushed you behind him as the townspeople approached. As if ripped from the pages of a horror novel, the men carried torches and weapons, guns and swords. In the lead, Jonathan.

“There’s the monster!” your ex-fiancé shouted, pointing to Jongin with his free hand. “He’s put her under his spell! It would be only a matter of time before he killed her.”

“He would never hurt me!” you shouted. Jongin reached out behind him and squeezed your hand. It was more of a warning to stay back than a gesture of comfort.

Jonathan gritted his teeth at your defiance. “You didn’t see the pile of animal carcasses hidden in his home!”

You tried to get past Jongin, but he wouldn’t allow it. “And you hunt animals for sport! You skin them and put them up in your home! What difference is there?”

“You’ve twisted her mind against us!” Jonthan accused, turning his attention back to Jongin. “You’re a monster who should be put down before you destroy the whole city!” The crowd behind him jeered in agreement.

“We’ll leave,” Jongin promised in an attempt to calm the situation. “We’ll leave and never come back.”

“We?” Jonathan sneered. “She’s not going anywhere with you.” He lifted his gun, aiming straight for Jongin’s chest. “If you die, that should break the spell.”

“No!”

Bang!

The world slowed down. Somehow, you were able to get around Jongin and place yourself between him and the bullet. The piece of metal ripped through your chest, tearing at skin and cloth alike. Jongin smelled the blood before it ever reached the surface.

“No, no, no, no.” Jongin caught you as your legs gave out, cradling you in his arms. Your breathing was getting shallower by the second.

A deep rumble grew in Jongin’s chest. He’d sworn to protect you, that you would never be hurt because of him. How easily that promise was broken.

Eyes shining red, Jongin laid you down and the anger took over. The humans tried to run, but no one could outrun a bloodthirsty vampire. He sank his fangs into their throats, drinking in their blood and letting them use their last breaths to scream for help that would never come.

When they were all dead, pools of blood growing around them, Jongin reverted back to his senses. The anger subsided. Now dyed red, he went back to you, taking you into his arms once more. Your chest was now covered in dark liquid. It was too late to try and save you, change you. Just when he’d had you, he’d lost you.

“Jongin,” you whispered. Though weak, you managed to lift a hand to his face. Jongin grasped it, his bloody hand leaving a stain on the inside of your palm. “Don’t cry.” Each word was a struggle. You battled to draw in your breath. “I love you.”

With those last words, your eyelids fluttered closed, fingers growing cold against his cheek. Every limb went limp and your heart stopped beating.

Jongin let out a cry of despair. Though he couldn’t create true tears, he wept into your chest as he held you. This wasn’t fair. This wasn’t what he’d promised you. Lifting his head up to the sky, he silently vowed that if Fate would give him another chance, he would do better. If he could find you again in your next life, he would keep his promise.

Present Day

You fell back onto the couch, unable to find anything to say now that Jongin’s story was finished. Just like him, it felt familiar, like your own history. If the vampire was to be believed, then it was your history. The you of the past.

More proof was in your hands. During his story he’d gone to his room and brought out an old faded photograph. The same face you saw in the mirror every day stared up at you. The clothing the woman wore was almost exactly the same as your dreams. All proof you needed to believe him was now in front of you.

Jongin crouched down in front of you. “Are you alright?”

You nodded. “Yeah, I’m okay. It’s just a lot to process.”

“But you believe me?”

“Yes, I do.” You frowned. “But now what?”

“Well,” Jongin took your hand in both of his, kissing the birthmark that had been stained on you from your previous life, “I would like to spend this lifetime with you, the life we should have had back then. If you’ll let me.” He pressed your palm against his chest. “It might not beat, but, like back then, it’s yours.”

Shaking your head, you pounced on him, sending you both to the ground. Jongin laughed underneath you.

“So that’s a yes?” he teased.

“Well, I can’t exactly ignore the romantic gesture in searching the world for me,” you said. Jongin brought his lips up to yours.

“I’ll keep you safe,” he declared. “The past won’t be repeated. I swear.”

“I believe you,” you said. “Just like back then. I’ve seen it now, too. You’re good. I hope you know that now.”

Jongin sat up, keeping you in his lap. “It’s because of you. You know that, right?”

You weren’t sure if you could agree with that. But if he believed it, then maybe you let him.

All your life, you’d been searching for something. Each time you got on a plane to explore a new city, a new country, you were hoping that you would find it, not even knowing what it was that you were searching for. It turned out that it had come to you when you were least expecting it. And that thing that you were searching for was the lost love, the same soul that matched yours. Your beliefs were changing and you could believe in a thing called fate.

#exo #exo vampire au #exo vampire!au #jongin x reader #kai #kim jongin #exo supernatural au #exo series #exo fanfiction #exo fanfic #exo scenarios #exo imagines #Between Heartbeats

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