There was something odd about how Hoseok felt as Obsidian led him gracefully across the dance floor.

Not that the situation wasn't odd from the start.

Hoseok was in the arms of a vampire who had yet to reveal his name, dancing at a nightclub for the first time in his life, on the side of town he had promised not to go to. He could almost hear his father's sigh of disappointment at his actions, the flash of anger that would no doubt be painted across his fiancé's face if he were to find out.

"Penny for your thoughts, Your Highness?"

Hoseok offered Obsidian a small smile. "I just, I didn't think that my last night as an eligible bachelor would be spent like this. Well, it's like I was an eligible bachelor because I've been love bound to Seokjin for all my life, but I wasn't expecting to be in the arms of someone else, a vampire, no less—"

"Does the thought scare you?" Obsidian murmured in Hoseok's ear, splitting the boy's thoughts for a second. "Being in a vampire's arms? I could kill you at any moment, and no one would bat an eye."

"I know you wouldn't," Hoseok answered, only causing Obsidian to chuckle.

"And how do you know I wouldn't, Your Highness?" Obsidian hummed, twirling Hoseok once before bringing them closer together. "Vampires and humans, we detest each other in every imaginable way possible. Sure, in places like this, humans and vampires meddle together, but I assure you, there's only one family that both mutually loathe. Care to take a guess?"

It didn't take a genius to figure out who Obsidian was referring to.

What Hoseok didn't understand was why humans were thrown into the mix. Sure, he understood that vampires would despise his family. It was a given, considering the Purebloods had unanimously dictated the Jung family as the rulers below them, as part of the treaty. Since then, his father and his family before him had only enforced strict, oppressing rules onto vampires to diminish their power and establish humans as the powerful.

The Jung family had all vampires on a leash. From monitoring to casting them on the opposite side of town— one severely rundown where violence and crime ensued, the very family that had sworn to protect and uphold vampires and humans to the same expectation had utilized their newfound power to cast vengeance on the vampires, given that they couldn't inflict anything on the Purebloods.

Hoseok was naive, but he wasn't disillusioned. He knew what his family had cost the vampires— at least to a certain extent. In truth, Hoseok was only aware of everything his family told him. But he'd walked into this side of town, so he knew that it was very much how his father had described it to him.

"Vampires love to commit crimes," his father would remind him anytime that Hoseok brought them up. "Given the opportunity, they'll go mad and kill every single one of us. They all want one thing— blood, which we gracefully allow them access to in small quantities; just enough for them to survive."

But humans?

Why would humans have such apathy towards the family that gave them all the power in the world? Towards the family that made it possible for humans, a species with no special ability, to dominate those that do.

It made no sense.

"Careful, Your Highness," Obsidian spoke once more. "You're getting a little too lost in your head. We wouldn't want to hurt that pretty little brain of yours a day before the wedding, right?"

"I don't get why humans would hate my family," Hoseok frowned, not noticing Obsidian tightening his grip on him. "Vampires are treated the way that my father sees fit, which isn't the best for them, but humans? People like me? Why would they hate their own kind?"

Obsidian shook his head, dropping his voice. "You shouldn't speak as if you're part of the Royal family, Prince. It's one thing me acknowledging you as such, but you coming out and wearing the title on your sleeve is another. Everyone has ears here, and not everyone is as...nice as me."

Hoseok nodded at the warning, unconsciously gazing around to see if anyone had heard him. At the gaze, he locked eyes with a specific pair on the dance floor, watching silently the male became limp against the woman's hold, her head buried into his neck, hair covering what was ensuing. He continued to watch as the woman led the male into the nearest chair, never once leaving the boy's neck.

"That, my Prince, is how vampires get their fix when what your people give them is not enough."

Hoseok didn't know why it surprised him that vampires were so blatant about breaking the country rules, but here he was, staring at Obsidian open-mouthed. It didn't strike him that such a thing could happen. Not only that, but a human willingly letting someone feed off them? This was more than just a vampire breaking the rules.

"If my father were to find out about this," Hoseok breathed, looking at Obsidian alarmed. "Both of them would be in major trouble."

Obsidian grinned. "You wouldn't say anything, right, Your Highness? To do so would entail you coming clean about disobeying your rules you abide by. Guess we're all troublemakers in some way."

Obsidian brought a very fair point. Even though Hoseok had witnessed something that broke the law, he couldn't say anything because he, himself, was breaking his father's rules by being in the very place he swore he wouldn't be in. Hoseok's hands were tied.

"Besides, aren't you curious?" Obsidian asked, leaning against Hoseok. "Don't you want to know how it feels?"

Hoseok immediately shook his head. "No, thank you. That looks scary. Besides, I've already broken enough of my father's rules. I won't be adding that to the mix."

Obsidian sighed, letting Hoseok go slightly. "What a shame. I know if I were in your shoes, I'd definitely jump at the opportunity. As you said, you're already breaking your father's rules. Why not break a little more before you're tied into obedience?"

"I'm not being tied to anything," Hoseok scowled, folding his arms across his chest. "What makes you say that?"

"Let's see. You were love bound to Kim Seokjin, so your husband was predestined. As a Royal, you're upheld to higher standards, making, implementing, and enforcing laws. You're expected to be a model citizen, uphold a facade, and act perfect. The fact that you're here proves it. You've never once done a bad thing in your life. Shouldn't you have this one night to experience it all?"

Why did Obsidian have to be so logical?

It was a simple question, but one that held so much meaning.

Without knowing much of him, Obsidian had accurately deduced the life Hoseok led. While in thought, it didn't seem bad, spoken aloud made Hoseok realize that his life was mundane, and he was about to lead a mundane life right after. There was no definitive point in any of his time alive where he could say that he'd done something for the sake of it. Since little, he'd been nothing but obedient, someone who dutifully listened to his father. There was never a time where Hoseok went behind his father's back apart from today.

Obsidian had brought up another point. Hoseok was already breaking the rules. As long as he wasn't being turned into a vampire, getting kidnapped or killed, Hoseok could get away with almost anything. Tonight was his last night to truly experience it all, and though Hoseok didn't plan on going wild, he didn't think that getting his blood drawn by a vampire would be half a bad idea.

"Just a bite won't kill you, Your Highness," Obsidian whispered, letting his fangs graze down Hoseok's skin. Hoseok felt the air leave his lungs at the action, his hand immediately latching into Obsidian's securely. Obsidian laughed, for what seemed to be the millionth time, before pulling away. "I won't do it if you don't want me to."

Hoseok pressed his lips together. His mind was telling him that what he was about to have Obsidian do was irrational. Not just irrational— it was insane, the most insane thought that could ever strike Hoseok's mind. Yet, looking at Obsidian's warm, reassuring eyes left Hoseok at ease, and he could feel in his heart that Obsidian was someone that he could trust. There was no right way to truly live.

Besides, no one could see Hoseok right now. No one would find out about this; Hoseok was sure of it. He had nothing to lose.

"Okay."

Obsidian couldn't keep the smile off his face as Hoseok agreed, the tips of his fangs already pointing outwards, reminding Hoseok that despite how human he looked, Obsidian was still a vampire. He was about to become nothing more than vampire prey.

Though Hoseok should be feeling afraid, he felt nothing but curiosity. Curiosity, combined with excitement at what was about to come.

Without another word, Obsidian let Hoseok go. Interlacing their fingers together, Obsidian leaned into Hoseok's ear once more.

"Let's find somewhere more private, Your Highness."

Hoseok nodded, looking back at Jungkook, who was watching them leave. As their eyes met, Jungkook grinned, winking subtly and flashing a thumbs up. It didn't surprise Hoseok that Jungkook seemed to approve, but he stared pleadingly, putting a finger over his lips.

"Jungkook won't say anything." Obsidian voiced as if he knew what was worrying Hoseok. "I promise he won't. You're safe."

You're safe.

That was the only assurance Hoseok needed from the stranger he'd be with all night.

a/n: this week gon be busy so i probably won't update this again until wednesday morning. if not, then by friday. 

thanks for reading <3