#nct series

[cheollollipop]

there are SO MANY NCT MEMBERS THIS MASTERLIST GMFU!!!!!😭😭😭

[cheollollipop]

NCT Masterlist ^ྀི

All NCT related stories here !

₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊

series!

drabbles/shorts/one shots!

- the way he smiles.

₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊

series!

drabbles/shorts/one shots!

₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊

series!

drabbles/shorts/one shots!

- ego.

₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊

series!

drabbles/shorts/one shots!

₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊

series!

drabbles/shorts/one shots!

₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊

series!

drabbles/shorts/one shots!

- same day, same sky.

₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊

series!

drabbles/shorts/one shots!

- 4:27a.m.

- mother’s day.

[kiszjuli]

𝐊𝐈𝐒𝐙𝐉𝐔𝐊𝐈'𝐒 𝟒𝟎𝟎 ──── [𝐍𝐂𝐓] 𓈒  𓈒  𓈒 

we hit 400 followers !! like whatttt this is actually crazy to me, and i’m so so grateful for all of you. i hope to continue to make my silly little fanfics for you guys and continue to improve. sooo in honor of my 400 luvvs, here is my gift to you guys !!

INTRODUCING ──── 𝐊𝐈𝐒𝐙𝐉𝐔𝐋𝐈 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𓈒  𓈒  𓈒 

THE BLUEPRINT ::

──── this is a prompt drabble event, so i will be writing fics for various members with the given prompts. the pairings will be picked by…you!!

please pick one prompt number and send a member ( from any nct unit ). you can add any details you like about the fic just please adhere to my request guidelines :)

ex. prompt 12. & haechan + any additional details ( optional )

──── PROMPTS ::

“i can’t stop thinking about you and it’s driving me crazy..”

“i just—i love you, alright?”

“don’t you dare try and walk away from me.”

“why didn’t you say something sooner?”

“please…let me take care of you..”

“do you ever think about how life would’ve been if we stayed together?”

“tell me to stop. tell me to stop and i will…”

“you’re staring at me again.” “…i can’t help it..”

“will you just talk to me? please?”

“i think i just made a huge mistake…”

“just tell me you never loved me and i’ll…i’ll walk away..”

“he’s not in love with me.” “have you seen the way he looks at you?”

“i don’t know how much longer i can keep doing this…”

“mmm, just come back to bed.”

“wait are you…jealous?”

“you need to stop doing stupid shit like that. you’re gonna get hurt one day…”

“i thought id never see you again…”

“please just—just let me…”

“you promised! you promised me…”

“i think about you..god, all i do is think about you.”

“i cannot stand you..but i cannot stand the thought of someone else being with you..”

“don’t make me say it…i can’t.”

“are you fucking kidding me? you—what?”

“walk out of that door and we’re done. over.”

“we’re not just friends and you know it..”

“i hate you.” “do you?”

“every time i get close to moving on, the universe puts you right back in front of me…”

“no. him or me. choose.”

“i can’t just stop loving you…”

“kiss me.” “we don’t have to pretend right now.” “i know.”

“say something. yell, scream…anything!”

“tell me you love me.”

“you knew? you knew and you didn’t—“ “i’m sorry!”

“i don’t even know who i am without you..”

──── IDOLS ::

NCT 127, NCT DREAM, NCT WISH, AND WAYV

SIDE NOTE ::

i hope for all fics to be around 1.5k words

not all prompts have to be used i just wanted a good amount of options

suggestive requests are okay but no explicit smut will be written ( i’m not there yet sorry guys )

as requests come in i will cross off the ones that are taken

you can submit anonymously !!

and pls pls pls tell me your thoughts, i’d love to hear them ;)

© dreamwritten series kiszjuli 2025 ⟳ likes & reblogs are appreciated

[thegirlsaviour]

woop woop! (it's the sound of the police)

pairing: various nct x reader

contains: police au, crack

summary: precinct 127 was supposed to be your turf. a chance for the 'nerd herd' to shed their ugly rookie skin and establish themselves as part of the team. but now triple j has turned up and your future policing career is well and truly *CENSORED*.

"Well, this sucks."

You don't refute the words because they're true. God dammit- you knew you should've gotten up half an hour earlier to beat these jerks to the station. But no, you'd watched way too many episodes of Criminal Minds last night and therefore slept through your alarm, which meant you'd had to skip breakfast in favour of using enough hair gel to drown the sun to get your hair into a bun, and therefore you'd missed the subway, which means-

You stare defeatedly at the banged-up piece of metal in front of you, to the absolute delight of your tormentors. You can practically feel his grin bearing down on you, and despite it all your fists clench. Today was supposed to be the start of something new and so no, you will not go silently into this good night, thank you very-

" WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! "

A war cry rips through the locker room.

You turn.

He turns.

His cronies turn.

Because over there, standing by the door, are the two tiny balls of fury you call your best friends. Dumb has one of his patrol boots in his hand and is waving it like a grenade while Dumber is winding his belt around his wrist in a very threatening way.

They're idiots. You love 'em.

"Get away from her!" Chenle squeals, rushing forward. Except- he's taken one of his shoes off, so he ends up just sort of tumbling over one of the benches and lying there like a sad looking marshmallow.

"I can't believe this," you turn, all affection zapped from your eyes faster than a spaceship being swallowed up by a black hole. In front of you, he has closed his eyes and tilted his head, as if he's got an actual headache from all the commotion.

Beside him, his blonde-haired lackey shakes his head. "I know . Can't believe the nerd herd followed us all the way from the academy."

"Excuse me?!" You splutter, aghast. " Follow you? Why would we want to spend another second in the same room as you? We were given the 127, fair and square, so-" you fold your arms and draw yourself up to your full height. Officer L/N, reporting! "Why are you three here?"

They were supposed to have gone to the 5th, dammmit! Wasn't what they were bragging about on allocation day, that they were "finally getting away from the nerd herd and could see some real action?"

He folds his arms and sneers, "None of your business, nerd!"

"Just stay out of our way." Lackey #3's shoulder roughly collides with yours as they trail out, stepping over Chenle's crumpled form. They square up with Renjun as they go, making your little cutie patootie flinch, before kicking open the door.

Just as they do, though, his head turns, and you swear the twinkle in his eye was put there by satan himself as he says:

"By the way? You might want to hurry up a little. You're already late. "

You fucking hate Lee Jeno.

-

"I'm so sorry!" Renjun gasps as he drags Chenle to your side once he's sure the Triple J's are truly gone. "We saved you a locker but they must have claimed it, I'm so sorry."

"It's my own fault," you murmur, because it kinda is. You'd been the last here so of course they'd given you the shittiest locker, the one that doesn't close properly and has lewd genitals scribbled all over it.

"Here- put your stuff in mine!" Chenle tries, but you just shake your head.

"It's okay, it won't all fit. Let me just change into my gear and we can head to briefing. How late are we gonna be?"

Renjun squints at the clock. " Maybe a few minutes? Hey- I think we can still make it."

With Chenle booted up, Renjun re-belted and you kitted and fitted, the three of you race into briefing with only ten seconds to spare, but they're the best ten seconds in the world, because Jeno's face sours in defeat.

Lee Jeno, Na Jaemin (aka blonde hair lackey) and Park Jisung (lackey #3). Triple J. The bane of your existence. An existence you thought you'd left behind. But nooooo , they'd managed to ruin everything, including-

"Boot day!" Lee Taeyong strides into the room and up onto the podium, and- wow . This was Lee Taeyong? Chief's-favorourite Lee Taeyong? The 'pulled-a-mother-and-child-out-of-a-burning-building-on-his-first-day-of-the-job' Lee Taeyong.

He's a scrawny fucker. No, actually- he can't be.

He's crying.

"Nothing," he looks out across the room, "and I mean nothing , fills me with more pride than watching the future generation of policing step into this room. You're going to make us all so proud."

There's silence. You cast a glance and meet Chenle's equally confused face, and wait for everyone to start laughing and say sike!

But no-one does.

"I am so especially pleased to announce that we've taken on a few more stragglers this year!" Lee Taeyong beams. He's so pretty. Why is he so pretty? "In other words, our family has grown by three more than expected!"

What.

"Rookies, please introduce yourself!" He barks.

There's a screeching of chairs as you all get to your feet.

"I'm Lee Jeno, badge number one-three-seven-two-two."

"Na Jaemin, sir! Badge number one-three-eight-four-nine."

"Park Jisung, two-nine-three-four-one."

"Zong Chenle. Badge number one-seven-nine-three-eight!"

"Huang Renjun! Two-two-five-one-three."

"L/N Y/N. I'm two-three-nine-four-one!"

"Excellent!" Captain Lee shouts back with the same enthusiasm. "Now, recruits! We've had to rope in a few extra officers to ensure all of you have a training officer, but that will just enrich your training!"

His eyes are like little stars, so full of hope. So naive. And he used "enrich" in a sentence that wasn't about cooking.

"Student Officer Lee, you're with Officer Kim!"

"Which one, sir?"

You watch as Captain Lee deflates like a sad little balloon, and is he seriously pouting as he looks at his little list!

"I didn't think this through." He mutters.

A strangled laugh bubbles up in your throat which you expertly turn into a cough.

"Oh well! Lee's with you, Doyoung! Yuta, you've got Na. Park is with Johnny, Huang is with Mark, Zhong's got Donghyuck, and that leaves L/N with Jungwoo."

With every announcement, Captain Lee taps something on his desk. It's a phone. It's like... he's using a random name picker.

But he wouldn't do that, right? Right?!

"I'll hand over to our trusty Sergeant Jeong for the daily briefing, but I hope you all get along. And rookies?" Captain Lee smiles. "Welcome to the team."

He leaves the podium and is replaced by an almost splitting replica of Jaemin. Just kidding. He's way better looking, it's only the blonde hair they've got in common.

"Welcome, rookies." He drawls. "I'm sure you heard it from Commander Lee in the academy, so I don't need to give you the 'one-in-six' speech again. Although," he regards you all quietly for a moment and you swear his smirk twitches onto his face once he catches sight of you, "I don't have high hopes for any of you."

Ah, this is better. Nothing like good ol' cop shit-talking to get you settled in.

"There's no major updates today," Sergeant Jeong raises a pan and tap-taps on the whiteboard. "We'll continue canvassing the neighbourhood for the two fuckers involved in the Wendy's robbery, and I'm going to remind some people-" he gazes past the front row where all the rookies are to glare at the officers "that you can't use the fact you have rookies to stick to your mom-and-pop joints. Get them on the streets and you'll break 'em in easily. Dismissed!"

He strides off and the room breaks into chatter. There's calls of " Na! " and " Park " that mean the rookies are getting collected one by one. You watch the Triple J's get scooped up by equally hunky training officers, see two dark-haired officers approach your friends, and then-

" L/N? " You turn and find a pink-haired man propped on the table, looking down at you with a sweet smile. "I'm Kim Jungwoo, your training officer. Welcome to the 127." 

[castleofclouds]

I'm truly sorry, if i didn't post much for this months, i'm trying actually, I just finished my internship, and I'm still kinda sad since I'm kinda attached to my workplace, I'm sorry for the reader of TBDE for not uploading much, even TBT should have been uploaded for this month, I'm just kinda busy with my life and it's kinda hard juggling my responsibility and my hobbies, I hope you could understand that, I will try to post as much as I can in the December, thank you for your patience and I wish you love what I wrote! Once again thanks and I wish you a happy year! ^^

[taeghi]

𝑛𝑐𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑣𝑒

𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑣𝑖𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡

© taeghi ∷ all rights reserved. any reposting or translation onto other sites is not permitted. thank you.

minors do NOT interact

— NCT Dream and the Hogwarts Series ↳ summary : Y/n, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1 September. We await for your owl by no later than 31 July.

↳ TIME STAMPS

— [12:02 am]badboy!hyuck

[doughyk]

ＳＴＥＰ ＯＮ ＭＥ- YES YES NOW KISS!

ＮＥＸＴ ＤＡＹ

okay maybe arguing with jisung in the morning wasn’t the best idea, you are now a couple of minutes late and scrambling in the library door , pulling out your phone to shoot a “I’m here” text to haechan .

Looking down at your phone you hear your name being called, immediately seeing haechan waving at you and having the brightest smile on his face as he slowly makes his way to you. “Are you ready to have the best study session of your life” he says guiding you through the library. “As long as it gets me a good enough grade, then yes” getting to the table you guys put your stuff done and start to sit across from each other.

“ I don’t know if I said this before but thank you for being willing to help me out with this class” you say softly with a small smile on your face. “ it’s genuinely no problem y/n, jisung told me that you needed help and I need to be with someone else than my friends” haechan replies, deciding on not to charge you for the sessions.

“Okay well do you have all the material to start?”

𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁

𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁- OPEN @haechansbbg @amrqxz @byeonwooseokabs @222brainrot @anglswon @chenlesfavorite @nanaxwi @daegalfangirl @yewshi @starfilledgaze @toroufriteh @sunflowerhae @injunnie-lemon @flaminghotyourmom @cyjzzl

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬- profanity, content of alcohol usage ( characters are legal age 21), some “sexual” jokes, jokes about death, jokingly death threats,vaping

𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚎- I still suck at writing but ahh random chapter!! the title was inspired(word for word) by @anglswon 😜

[winwintea]

the last dance - huang renjun

PAIRING ▸ painter!huang renjun x fem!reader 

GENRES ▸ romance, fluff, angst, lots of angst, supernatural, wayyy too much angst

WARNINGS ▸ angst. and character death

SUMMARY ▸ [part of the last love series!] you've fallen in love with the gentle painter, renjun. though the locals call you a witch, renjun doesn't seem to care. but that all changes when they come to kill you. no matter how much pain it causes, you'll never regret falling in love with him.

WORD COUNT ▸3.7k (not proofread 😭)

AUTHOR’S NOTE ▸ suffer

PROLOGUE | MASTERLIST

Something feels quite warm… it was an unusually comforting warmth, and it lay right beside you. You opened your eyes- “Renjun?” The source of the warmth was the human Renjun, who was lying next to you in bed. Strange. What is he doing asleep in your room? And yet, all your questions and concerns disappeared when you looked at his sleeping face. He was as beautiful as an angel. Renjun had more than an angel’s good looks. He had the heart of one too. 

You recalled your first real conversation, just a few days after he’d arrived here. There had been an accident in the stables with one of our horses. Renjun was going to be trampled. You’d pushed him out of the way. He carried your bruised and broken body inside, apologizing all the while… “Oh, god…! Oh, miss, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean for you to get hurt! I should have gotten out of the way…!” 

You felt so bad seeing Renjun blame himself, that before you knew it you were saying, “It’s all right. You mustn’t fear for me. I’m what they call… a witch.”

“A witch?” “See for yourself. My wounds…they’re gone.” You gestured towards your arms, displaying them for him to see.

“So, you can… cast magic?”

“...Not exactly. Humans are quick to label all they deem as frightening witches, but my true title is an eterni.”

“‘Frightening?’” “Yes. Those who know of us and this place fear it and refuse to talk about it. It’s all quite silly, when you pause to think!” I tried to laugh it off in an attempt to lighten the mood, but Renjun looked serious.

“You don’t have to smile if it makes you sad. You don’t have to lock away your emotions. That forced smile doesn’t look right on you. And they shouldn’t call you such awful names. As far as I’m concerned, you’re a person, just like me. And a nice one, too.” “But I’m not like you, I’m a-” “Your wounds may heal fast, but did they hurt when you got them?” 

His point resonated with me. You’d never had a human care so much. The ice that had formed around your heart after so much pain and betrayal began to melt with his words. Could you… trust him? “See, Y/n? There’s nothing separating you and me. Nothing that I care about.” After that, you and Renjun began to spend more time together. To the exclusion of the other men Ricky had brought. That didn’t mean you expected to see him in your bed! Just then, Renjun stirred… “..mmhm..Good…morning… huh? Y/n? What are you doing in my bed?” “I’m afraid you’re in my bed, Renjun.” “...I am…?” Renjun sat up and looked around in shock. “... I woke up thirsty in the middle of the night and went to the kitchen for some water. I guess I ended up in your room. Sorry, I still don’t know this place well!” He was even charming when he was guilty. Renjun truly seemed descended from the angels. “Do not apologize. You were warm, so I was rather happy to have you in bed with me.” “Um.. you were?” “I mean, it’s not the fact that you were in bed with me that made me happy! It was-” Actually, there’s nothing incorrect about what you said. It DID make you happy. You couldn’t seem to explain it right. 

Renjun leaned forward in bed, looking at you. “Are you saying I’m like a dog?” “A dog?” “Yeah. Like you felt happy because it was just like sleeping with a big, warm dog?” 

Of course it wasn’t the same. Because Renjun, I’ve fallen in love with you…

You’d fallen in love with the man who smiled at you and told you, you were the same. He had let you feel what you’d never felt before. But you’d decided not to tell this to Renjun. For you were soon to leave this world… “There’s nothing to fear. I don’t think of you as a dog. Although, you are a bit like a puppy.” “Wait, so now I’m a smaller dog…?” “I simply mean that you’re cute. Now, you will want breakfast, of course. And after that, you’re going to paint, aren’t you?” He smiled and nodded. Truly, you couldn’t bear to darken such a bright smile with your grim fate.

—

Changing into his artist’s apron, Renjun set up his easel in the garden. He got to work quickly and quietly, the mark of a professional. Renjun’s profession was painter. He specialized in portraits.

“Now that the underlying sketch is complete, you’re going to add in the color-?” “That’s right. This is actually my favorite part of the job. Though it’s the most challenging.” In one hand, he held his palette, thick dollops of paint creating a cascade of colors. 

While pretending to read, you surreptitiously watched Renjun at work. You had once asked him why he chose portraiture of all subjects. Renjun told you that he wanted to capture the emotions of his subjects in the moment. How they lived, not just the way they looked. You could see yourself spending an eternity with someone as wonderful as him. But that was wrong for him. His life and his work was so passionately mortal. Renjun captured what was everlasting. You could not take away what he was. “...Yep, it’s time for a break.” “Renjun, may I ask you something?” He shook his head and nodded, “I was hoping you could promise me something. Once the full moon comes, the gate will open and you’ll be free to leave the mansion.” Renjun nodded again, curiosity in his dark almond eyes. “When that happens, I want you to paint as many portraits as possible. To capture as many smiles on your canvas as you can.”

His voice was soft when he spoke again, “All right. I promise. But first, can you tell me something in exchange?” Those beautiful eyes of his suddenly became clouded, “Why did your butler bring us here in the first place? What did you need?” It was the question you’d most feared. “I’ve just been thinking. You haven’t tried to attack anyone, so… why?”

He was right in that he was brought here for a purpose. Renjun and the others had been brought here for you to turn into lesser eterni to continue the line… and save your life. But you had rebelled against that notion and chosen to fade away instead of sharing a fate you found worse than death… “There was no reason, not really! You see, it has been Ricky and me alone for so long now. It seems Ricky got the silly notion that I might want more company. That I would feel lonely now for the first time in centuries! It’s unfathomable, don’t you think?” “Well, I can’t say, since I haven’t lived even a fraction of your lifetime, but I don’t think loneliness is something you get used to. I think you can feel it at any time. And that you can’t easily ignore it.” Renjun spoke to your soul. His paintings could reveal someone’s true self; his words had the same power. “Hey, Y/n? After the gate opens and we’re let out, is it possible to come back? Could I come back and see you?” He wanted to come back here? Your heart ached with a desire to say yes… but you will be gone as soon as he leaves. “That would be a terrible idea. What if you got trapped here for another month? You should spend that time painting!” “I’ll find the time. I’ll make it work.”

“You really can’t. You mustn’t.” Renjun wasn’t satisfied but he didn’t argue, “Hmm. If I can’t… then tell me what I can do to help you now, before I leave.” How could he be so kind? If you could request one thing of Renjun… “Would you dance with me before the full moon has taken it’s place in the sky?” “You want me to dance with you?” “Yes. I used to love dancing, but I’ve lost anyone to dance with a long, long time ago. How does that sound?” “Of course I’ll dance with you. I might need some time to practice if I’m going to be any good at it. Can you wait a little?” You nodded, feigning a smile.

I’m sorry, Renjun. It’s true that I love dancing and dreamed of sharing a dance with the one I love.

Pureblood eterni stop aging past a certain point, which is why we can never stay in one place else we can be caught. And so you’d never sought out love, with a human or eterni. You could not risk them suffering the horrendous fate of your family. Please allow me this selfish wish. A last memory of you that I can carry with me until the end…

—

Ricky tended to the front gardens, though his heart was not in it. “Hmm? That is most curious.” There appeared to be a stake planted just outside the gate. Attached to it was a sign. “...This…is not good!” Ricky’s cries were unfortunately heard by Renjun who had happened to be nearby, “Hey, Ricky. What’s that sig-” Renjun stopped and read it for himself. The sign read: “The occupants of this cursed residence have been found guilty of witchcraft and will be punished with death.” “‘Witchcraft’? They must mean Y/n.” “How did you know madame has-?” “Early on, she told me she’d been called a witch before.” “My lady has done nothing wrong-! Some years ago, I..I had encouraged her to visit the city. But there was an accident. She saved people with no thought to her own safety, but when they saw her wounds heal rapidly, they called her a witch.” “She’s always sacrificing herself to help others.” Renjun’s gaze fell, his voice soft. “Ricky, have you gotten these kinds of notices before? Any threatening letters?” “No. Not since we hid ourselves away. This is all my fault. Because I trapped the five of you here, they’ve come to kill us..” Ricky, normally calm and collected, was shaken to his core; steel eyes now pale with fright. “The gates will open on the full moon. If they storm the mansion, there is nothing we can do. Oh, Madame, what have I done?” “Ricky, it’s going to be all right. If they do come, I’ll talk to them. Once they know we’re all right they’ll understand. I won’t let them kill Y/n or you. Listen, you had some reason for bringing us here, right? Some reason important enough to risk being discovered?” Ricky was startled out of his thoughts, though any words died on his tongue, “If you don’t want to say what it is, that’s okay. Let me say something instead… I’ll help you protect Y/n. No matter what. So don’t worry. I’ll be all right.” Ricky said nothing as Renjun continued on, “First let’s make sure the others don’t find out about this, especially Y/n, okay?” Renjun moved some vines to disguise the view of the sign from their side of the gate, “It hurt her enough to be called a witch. I don’t want her to have to know about this.” “Why do you care so much for madame?” “I guess I only have one answer to that… I love her. So of course I want to protect her.” Renjun spoke, his voice strong and true. “Sir Renjun, I must-” “What is it Ricky?” “If you are indeed… in love with the Madame, then I feel as if I must tell you something. Though my lady forbid me to speak of it, on the night of the full moon she will…” —

The final days passed frighteningly fast. At last, the full moon began to reveal it’s pale form beyond the horizon. You can feel it. Somehow, you know when the moon reaches it’s final point, your end will come. You changed into a dress suitable for dancing and waited for Renjun’s arrival. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Y/n.” “Renjun!” He met you on the balcony, stunning in his suit and his angelic smile. “You look especially beautiful tonight. Of course, you always look pretty.” “You think so?” “Yeah. I mean, I think you already know I’m no good at lying.” “I had some idea. Thank you, Renjun.” Renjun turned his hand up and held it out, “Will you give me this dance, my lady?”

You’d danced with stylishly dressed partners. Renjun, wearing the jacket he arrived in and a touch of moonlight, outshone them all. “...It would be my pleasure.” I lay my hand in his and we took our first steps together. There was no orchestra playing for us. There were no chandeliers, just the moon above. But you would rather be dancing here, than in the grandest dance hall. You had not expected your last night to end in such a pleasant way. With this as your final memory, you could happily turn to ash. Or so you told yourself. “Renjun, the gate will be opening any moment. It may already be open, in fact.” Renjun said nothing. Perhaps he was looking for the words to say goodbye? “Do not worry. There’s nothing you need to say. Though before you go, I wish to thank-” “Don’t say thank you like you’re saying goodbye.” His voice was still ringing in your ears when you realized Renjun was now holding you tight. “Renjun? Wh-what is it?” “I promise I won’t let you die.” “...W-what do you…?” “Ricky told me that if you don’t let a human drink your blood by tonight, you’ll turn to ash.” The peaceful lie you had created shattered. So it had come to this. “But then they become an eterni. And you’d rather disappear yourself, than do that to someone. Right?” There was nothing to say. He was right. “I don’t want you to disappear, Y/n. Won’t you let me drink your blood instead?” The arms that held me and the voice that pled with me were all shaking. “Renjun, I cannot do that.” “Why not?” He broke from me, his gaze pained. “Look at me, Y/n.”

Suddenly there were shouts from below. Angry shouts. They were getting louder. You leaned over the balcony to look out into the garden; you were shocked by what you saw. A crowd of humans were spilling through the open gates and into the mansion grounds. “...They’re here.” “Who are they? What is going on?” “It’s nothing. I’ll be right back. Please, promise me you’ll stay here.” He smiled as if to calm me, but Renjun raced down the stairs with frightening urgency. It obviously wasn’t nothing! You looked back at the townspeople outside your home. Torches and weapons–both real and improvised–held high. That mob. You had seen their kind before. You could not let Renjun go out there alone. No sooner had you exited into the foyer, you saw them coming in through the front door. They had taken Ricky. “Release the men you’ve taken prisoner and bring out the witch!” “I’ve been trying to tell you, we’ve already released them! As for the madame, I am afraid I cannot let you in to see her!” “He lies! I’m sure they’ve already killed them! MONSTERS! You and your devil’s mistress will pay with your lives!” Their cries for vengeance rose louder until they were furious and uncontrollable. They grabbed Ricky, restrained and shoved him, attempting to push him through the crowd at the door and outside. Five men go missing from the village. Of course they would come searching. And now, they’re here to kill us. I needed to do something, but fear–memories of my family’s brutal slaughter–froze me to the spot. Until I heard a voice. “She’s not a witch!” “Is that… Renjun? It’s you! You’re alive?!” “Yes, I’m alive! And she didn’t kill the others either! That’s why I won’t let you kill her!” You wanted to call out to him. They wouldn’t listen. “She’s bewitched you! Renjun, wake up! Remember who you are! You’re human!” Another added, “W-what if it’s too late? Where’s the witch? She may be speaking through him!” “No! Listen to me. I haven’t been bewitched and I’m not being controlled! Everyone, please. Let them both go. Put down your weapons so we can all talk.” “Renjun. All right. We can talk… just prove to us it’s still you. First, show us where the witch is-” Renjun was growing more and more annoyed at his peers, “Are you listening to me? She’s not a witch! I won’t let you see her until you understand.” “D-do you hear that? He’s protecting her! He’s become her familiar! It’s too late for him. Kill him! Then we kill the witch!” Two men grabbed him, one on each side. Another readied his weapon. You ran towards them. “Renjun!” Faster than a human could, you reached him; you threw your arms around him; you felt the blade that was meant for him piece you through. Over the fire and pain in my body, I heard a kind voice say, “Your wounds may heal fast, but did they hurt when you got them?” “Y/n…?” You opened your eyes and there was Renjun. Then he stared, stunned at his hand, red with crimson blood. “Your hand… you’re not hurt… are you?” “No. Y-you’re hurt… you’re b-bleeding… Why? I told you to stay there!” “I couldn’t… let you face them… alone…” Renjun looked in horror as the blood kept spreading. Your wounds were not healing this time. Your body had already reached its limits. Renjun turned his attention to the townsfolk as he shouted angrily, “Do you see now? Do you see what you’ve done? LOOK AT HER! She’s not a witch! Would a witch sacrifice herself to protect a human? W-would a witch-...?! …Get out. All of you, get out! Go! And never hurt this poor woman again!” What magic Renjun had used, I did not know. But his tears… an angel’s tears, had doused their murderous rage. Distantly, so distantly now, I heard the crowd disperse. When I opened my eyes, only Renjun and Ricky remained. “M-my lady, I will fetch some water! Give me… Just a moment and soon you will be-...” “No, Ricky… It is already time. Besides, I wish for you to stay.”

“Madame… this is all my fault.” Renjun on the other hand was equally as distressed as Ricky was, maybe even a little bit more, “Why? Why couldn’t I protect you? After I swore to keep you safe, I couldn’t!” “My dearest Renjun… You have protected me from more than you can possibly know…” He looked ready to cry. And so I took his hand and guided it to my heart. “You saved my heart from my fear…” “Your heart?”

“Do you remember…telling me nothing separated us…? And when you defended me just now.” I heard the quiet approach of death like the fall of sand from an hourglass. “It was thanks to you. I was able to save the ones important to me…I couldn’t die happier.” “Y/n…”

Thank you, Renjun, for descending from heaven to give me peace before the end. 

You could not see him anymore. But you could feel his hand. You squeezed it. “R-Renjun…?” “What is it Y/n?” You felt him lean in close.

“I was happy for the time we spent together… I loved watching you paint. P-please, will you paint more…? Will you show… everyone… your beautiful art..?” “Don’t go… Don’t go, Y/n…!” “I love you.” Those words softly escaped your lips as quick as your breath left.

“Y/n? Y/n, open your eyes. Open your eyes and look at me once more…” Moonlight seemed to emanate from your still features, until your body broke apart and dispersed into drifting ash. Only the memory of your smile was left now. Not the smile of a witch or human, but of an angel… — Though it felt as if life itself might stop for those who lost Y/n, time continued on. A few months after that night, Ricky carried a bouquet of sunflowers to lay on the grave memorializing Y/n. It was Renjun who had arranged for her ashes to be buried here. And today… “Sir Renjun, is that you?” “Hey Ricky. I had a strange feeling I might run into you here today.” “But of course. This is where my lady rests. And I swore to serve her faithfully until death. But what brings you here…?” “I’ve been painting another portrait. It’s just about finished. Would you like to see it?” Renjun set the portrait upon the easel. Ricky covered his mouth with his hands. But his eyes-he could not look away. For etched on the canvas was Y/n, smiling at him with her gentle smile. Renjun closed his eyes and recalled the words he’d shared with Y/n, not so long ago… “Renjun, may I ask you something? I was hoping you could promise me something. Once the full moon comes, the gate will open and you’ll be free to leave the mansion.” He realized then that she might have always known this was how it would end. “When that happens, I want you to paint as many portraits as possible. To capture as many smiles on your canvas as you can.”

Renjun turned to look at Ricky again, “I promised Y/n I’d paint portraits and make lots of people happy. And I will. But before I got started on that, well, there was one portrait I had to paint first. It’s the portrait of the person I wanted to bring a smile to the most.” “I believe madame must surely be watching you and smiling right now. Just like she is in your painting…” Renjun looked at her image and smiled back, tears in his eyes. The last thing to do was give it a title. “A promise to your smile.”