Chapter 22

Han Jisung

"Jisung! Look at these flowers!" A little boy said with a wide smile on his face.

"W-who... Who are you?" I asked, unsure of what to do or say. I immediately took a protective stance. I don't know him. I should be careful.

He laughed at me, his laugh soft and charming. No! Don't be distracted! He might be a threat!

"Why are you so scared and defensive? I just wanna be friends. Am I not allowed to?" He smiled softly.

"I'm just taking precaution measures. I don't even know you, why would I talk to you?" I sighed, wanting to just be calm but my instincts forbid me.

"I'm sorry. It's really rude not to introduce myself." He mumbled with a soft smile. I slowly lowered my arms, gulping.

"I'm Lee Homin, the son of the couple next door." He introduced himself, extending his hand to, obviously, shake my hand but I don't comply.

"I'm Jisung. Han Jisung. No shaking hands." I gulped, looking away. He slowly lowered his hand, his smile flinching.

"I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable." I sighed again, my voice was somewhat sincere.

"No, no, it's okay... I'm used to it anyways. At least you're talking to me. We're good, right?" I nodded slowly, looking away. 

"I-I think, we should go buy food. I'm kinda hungry."  I fake coughed, sighing. Peculiarly, it doesn't feel awkward.

"Yeah, I think so too."

———

"Why did you become friends with that child next door? Didn't you tell me, humans are dangerous?" Felix said quietly after I got home.

It's been a whole week and that Homin kept sticking around me.

"I don't even know... Maybe he's not a threat. I can protect you if something bad happens, don't worry." I mumbled while preparing our dinner.

"Okay, brother... But does that mean I can be friends with humans too?" 

"No, Felix. No."

"Unfair..."

———

"Jisung..." I wiped my tears as I looked back to the bed beside me.

"Minho... Are you alright?"I asked him quietly, sighing to calm myself down.

"I'm fine, Jisung. You? Are you okay?" He asked worry laced his delicate voice.

"I'm perfectly fine." I lied. Again.

"I'm sorry for putting you in danger, again. Felix shouldn't have brought you beside me. If my inner force is too strong for you, you could've faced death at that very moment." I sighed, looking at his eyes.

"I don't care. I want to help you. I want to help you, sung..." He said with a gentle smile.

Sung? That name.

I looked deep into his eyes. I sighed, looking away. My mind is filled with just one question. One question that can break me.

Are you him?

———

"Sung? What are you, really?"

"I... I'm... What do you mean?"

"You're something else. Other than a simple Vampire, right? Is that why other Vampires are hunting you?"

"I'm something you shouldn't be friends with. Something that will hurt you and break you until you can't stand up again. Something that you should be afraid of." I mumbled quietly. 

"But I wanted to be with you! I wanted to be with you until we grow old! Don't tell me, we can't do that..." He looked directly at my eyes, his eyes hopeful that we can do normal things with each other.

"Homin... I'm sorry. I really can't be around you that much. That means I might need to leave every now and then for your safety." I mumbled, trying to avoid that question he just threw at me.

"You didn't answer my question. Tell me." He said, his eyes getting teary. I immediately went by his side, hugging him tightly.

"Don't cry. Please. You know that's my weakness. I don't wanna see you crying." While rubbing his back gently, I felt my chest tightening.

Human tears aren't good for Vampires if they came in contact with their bare chest, they endure so much pain. Human tears that belong to the human they value the most.

"Sung... I love you..." He whispered, more on like a goodbye.

"Hey, hey. I'll come back. Don't worry." I mumbled, cupping his face.

"But I won't. I can never come back. I'm sorry. They tracked us down and they're after you. I don't want to die." He said with guilt lacing his once delicate voice that's now filled with fear. He hid his face in my chest, crying so much.

His tears pierced through my chest like a very sharp knife. It hurts so much but I need to save Homin. I need to make him live.

"Runaway, Min... I'll be fine. Just go and don't look back, okay?" I mumbled, feeling my own tears rushing out of my eyes.

"I can't leave you! They'll hurt you!" He exclaimed, pertaining to Luther and his knights and other Vampires.

"You can't do anything about that. I'll be fine. You wouldn't be if you stick with me." I said with a hurtful voice. Those bitter words stabbing my heart repeatedly.

"I should have avoided you from the start. This won't happen then." I pushed him away gently. I smiled at him and wiped his tears.

"I love you too. Don't forget that." I mumbled sadly, caressing his cheek. 

It was too late when I tried protecting him. The other Vampires got into the room and grabbed him. He was screaming for help and I don't have any choice. 

My face was all wet because of the tears that kept on rushing out of my eyes as I brought my hand up.

"I'm sorry... Homin..." I whispered as I set the whole house on fire, running out of the house fast. 

I dropped to the ground when I was far from them. I still can hear Homin's cries and pleads for help. 

I couldn't do anything! I'm useless!

I went back to our house with Felix. It was miles away from Homin's house. The house I just set on fire with my lover inside it.

"Felix..." I cried loudly, looking for him. He immediately runs to me, hugging me tightly. 

"Brother?"

"I killed him... I killed Homin... I'm a demon..." I shouted, gripping Felix's shirt tightly. He patted my back. I can hear his quiet sobs.

"You aren't, brother. You aren't a demon. You're my brother. My loving brother." 

I pulled back, all of my emotions burning alongside the house miles away. My feelings and emotions are all gone.

"Not anymore, Felix. I can't love anyone. I'll put them in danger."

———

After that incident decades ago, I've been the Han Jisung they've always seen and be with. The ignorant shit that keeps messing things up because of my temper. 

The emotionless brother that doesn't talk to anyone besides my brother that I couldn't even talk to properly because of being rude.

The person everyone despises the most before we moved places, going into a school that I tried acting like I'm a fucking nice man even though I'm not.

I still remember everything.

I still remember what I did to the only person that accepted and loved me.

I remember it all.

"Jisung...?" I was brought back to reality by Minho's delicate voice.

"W-what? You need anything?" I asked worriedly, starting to care for him even though I know I shouldn't.

"I don't need anything but you. I want a hug." He mumbled, blushing softly.

"But I thought you hate me?" I asked him, my voice sounds so quiet and hesitant.

"That was before. I understand now why you're trying to make me yours. Because after you saved my life, I was automatically supposed to be yours."

"I saved you while killing myself," I mumbled, sighing.

"I know and I'm thankful for that. Now, my hug?" He smiled softly, spreading his arms widely for me.

I sighed, giving in. It's just a hug. A hug that we both need.

I hugged him softly, resting my chin in his shoulder. All I can think of as I continued hugging him is one person.

This warmth.

This feeling.

Homin...