━━━ 'CHAPTER EIGHT' [ETERNAL NIGHT]
SYNOPSIS ➢ 'amor primus nunquam obliviscitur' - first love is never forgotten.
PAIRING ➢ poly!enhypen x male!reader, sim jaehyun x male! reader, park sunghoon x male!reader, yang jungwon x male!reader
AU ➢ strangers-to-lovers au! x enemies-to-lovers au! x vampire au!
CONTENT WARNING ➢ this chapter contains; some angst, social anxiety, fear, disgust, mentions of blood-drinking, jealousy, sensual dynamics, mentions of gore, blood, cannibalism [let me know if i missed any!]
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the white day ball came to an abrupt end, leaving students with disappointed frowns and exasperated eye rolls as they reluctantly headed back to their dorm rooms. the anticipation had been building up for weeks, and now it was all cut short because of hyunwoo's actions. as you sat in the nurse's office, sandwiched between woongki and sunoo, who had linked arms with you on either side, the atmosphere felt heavy with unspoken words.
faculty staff bustled around, their hushed whispers only adding to the unease. you stared blankly at the ground, the memory of the uncomfortable scene that had unfolded 30 minutes ago still fresh in your mind. the last thing you felt like doing was talking about it. woongki and sunoo's supportive presence was comforting, but even their company couldn't shake off the lingering sense of awkwardness that clung to you like a shadow.
you shared a somber glance with woongki and sunoo, your faces reflecting a mix of concern and worry. the soft hum of the nurse's office equipment seemed to fade into the background as your eyes locked, the bond of your friendship momentarily taking center stage. but the tranquility was short-lived, as the sharp clack of heeled boots echoed through the room, signaling the arrival of someone new. your heads snapped up in unison, and your gaze fell upon a striking man with a badge clipped to his belt. his chiseled features and piercing eyes seemed to command attention, the nurse's warm smile and firm handshake greeted the detective, as he said, "detective sim, thank you for coming on such short notice."
sunoo's eyes darted to woongki, his brow furrowed in question, "sim?" he asked softly, seeking clarification. woongki's gaze never left the detective's face as he replied, his voice barely above a whisper, "is that jaeyun's dad?" the question hung in the air, filled with unspoken meaning, as you awaited the detective's next move.
as the two men ventured deeper into the room, the faculty members and headmaster barnabus huddled together, their hushed whispers weaving a web of intrigue. you, woongki, and sunoo leaned forward in unison, your eyes wide with curiosity, resembling a trio of meerkats on high alert. "what are they saying?" sunoo whispered, his voice barely audible, as he strained to catch a snippet of the conversation. you tried to listen intently, but the words remained a jumbled mess, prompting a frustrated response, "i cant hear anything." just as you were about to give up, the nurse swooped in, pulling the curtain shut with a soft whoosh, effectively blocking your view.
"alright boys, you're free to return to your dorm," he announced, his tone firm but gentle. you nodded slowly, and the three of you filed out into the hallway, your footsteps echoing off the walls. as you walked, you caught one last glimpse of detective sim, his piercing gaze lingering on you before you turned away.
woongki's sarcastic remark broke the silence, "guess we don't get a prize for saving half-bloods, huh?" he said, his hand on his hip, his tone laced with frustration. sunoo's response was immediate, his voice low and venomous, "but if we somehow saved pure-bloods, we'd be fucking heroes." the air was thick with their discontent, the injustice of the situation hanging like a noticeable weight between you.
as you strolled down the hallway with woongki and sunoo, the soft murmur of distant conversations and the creak of old wooden floors created a soothing background hum. but your tranquil stroll was short-lived, as your gaze landed on jungwon, leaning against a wall, his arms crossed over his chest. his stoic expression seemed chiseled into his face, a mask of calmness that hinted at a depth of emotions beneath. as you three approached, he slowly turned his head, his eyes locking onto yours with an unnerving intensity.
"can we talk?" he asked, his voice a gentle whisper, a stark contrast to his usual gruff demeanor. you glanced up at him, then turned to your friends, nodding slightly. "i'll catch up," you said, and woongki's response was immediate. "if you don't come back in 10 minutes, i'm sending the damn undead army," he whispered, his eyes glinting with amusement as they continued walking, glancing back at you with a mixture of curiosity and concern. once they were out of earshot, you turned to jungwon, your brow furrowed in question.
"what is it?" you asked, but he merely stared at you, his gaze piercing. "what did you see?" he countered, his voice low and even. the question caught you off guard, and you furrowed your brows, confusion etched on your face. "what? when?" you asked, but as you spoke, a vivid memory flashed in your mind - the sight of sunghoon's teeth, transformed into werewolf fangs, two on top and two on bottom, as he tackled you away from hyunwoo. jungwon's eyes narrowed, his gaze intense. "i'm just here to say, mind your business," he said, his words laced with an unspoken warning, as if he was hesitant to reveal more. the air seemed to thicken, heavy with unspoken meaning, as you wondered what exactly you were supposed to keep to yourself.
your eyes narrowed in skepticism as you took a step forward, the soft creak of the floorboards beneath your feet echoing through the hallway. "you waited this whole time just to tell me this?" you asked, your voice laced with doubt, as you searched jungwon's face for any hint of sincerity. but his usual stoic expression seemed a bit too rehearsed, a bit too perfect, and you couldn't shake off the feeling that he was hiding something. as you studied his face, you noticed a subtle shift in his stance, a slight movement of his feet that caught your attention. your gaze followed his, and for a split second, you saw what had distracted him - jake chatting with detective sim, their conversation seemingly intense.
your eyebrows twitched in surprise, and a spark of curiosity ignited within you. "earlier, with hyunwoo...were you guys following..." you began, your words trailing off as you turned your head back to jungwon, expecting a response. but before you could finish your sentence, a gust of wind swept past your face, carrying with it the faint scent of fresh air, and jungwon was gone. vanished. disappeared.
you blinked, taken aback by his sudden departure, and a muttered curse slipped past your lips. "jerk," you whispered, the word barely audible, as you stood there, wondering what had just transpired. the sound of footsteps and murmured conversations filled the silence, but you knew you'd been left standing alone, with more questions than answers.
down the hallway, jaeyun and his father stood locked in a tense standoff, their conversation thick with unspoken meaning. "jaeyun, you cannot stay here," his father said, his voice firm, brooking no argument. "this place is meant for those who are not yet ready for society. you, sunghoon, and jungwon are perfect members of society, do you understand?" jaeyun's eyes flashed with frustration as he tried to respond, but his father's stern expression cut him off. "i'm aware, father. it's just-" he began, but his father's words sliced through his protest. "i let you get involved in this investigation for one reason, and that was because i believed you could do it. you have a son, it's over. now, you can come home." his father's voice took on a pleading tone, but jaeyun's mind was a jumble of emotions, his thoughts centered on one person in particular.
he struggled to find the words to explain why he couldn't leave, why he felt so drawn to this place, to the people here. "father, these people aren't all bad," he said, his voice rising in passion. "there's many who are misunderstood and just need someone like you who believes in them, like you believed in me." to his surprise, his father listened, his expression softening ever so slightly. "let me do that for them," jaeyun urged, his eyes locked on his father's. his father sighed, still unconvinced, but jaeyun could see the faintest glimmer of understanding in his eyes.
as jaeyun's gaze darted around the hallway in frustration, it landed on you walking down the corridor alone, and suddenly, everything clicked into place. he turned back to his father, his hands gesturing emphatically. "sunghoon's getting out of his shell a lot here, even jungwon is actually starting to have a personality," he said, trying to drive his point home. "please, father, you can email me however much you want, and i'll tell you as soon as i'm done doing what i need to do here." detective sim raised an eyebrow, a mix of surprise and pride warring on his face. he knew he had raised his son to be a good man, and jaeyun's words struck a chord within him. "how long will that take?" he asked, his voice laced with resignation. jaeyun's eyes drifted back to the hallway, his gaze following your disappearing figure as you turned the corner. "however long someone might need me," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
as you walked down the hallway, the sound of pounding footsteps echoed through the corridor, and a flash of hyunwoo's face burst into your mind, sending a jolt of electricity through your body. sparks began to crackle from your fingertips, a physical manifestation of the anxiety that gripped you. but before the sparks could intensify, a familiar voice called out to you, soothing your frazzled nerves. "y/n, it's just me," jaeyun said, his voice calm and reassuring. the sparks dissipated, and you turned to see jaeyun's relieved smile as he slowed down beside you.
a small smile rose to your lips, and you greeted him softly. "hey," you said, your voice barely above a whisper. jaeyun's eyes crinkled at the corners as he asked, "can i walk you to your dorm?" you glanced down the long stretch of hallway, the eternal academy's walls seeming to stretch on forever, before meeting his gaze. his dark red eyes, almost indistinguishable from dark brown, held a warmth that made you feel at ease. you nodded, "thanks," you said, rubbing your hands together in a gesture of appreciation. "and thank you again for risking expulsion for me," you added, gesturing back to the room you had left.
jaeyun chuckled, a low, throaty sound, "no worries, and uh, trust me, they can't expel me even if they wanted to." his eyes darted away, a hint of shyness coloring his cheeks, and that charming smile of his made another appearance. "oh, right, your mothers," you said, recalling the stories about the founding mothers who had built this place. jaeyun, jungwon, and sunghoon were all sons of these influential women, and it was no wonder they held a special status here. "yeah," jaeyun said, his smile still in place, "i guess that comes with its perks."
as you walked alongside jaeyun, the silence between you was comfortable, punctuated only by the soft sound of your footsteps echoing off the walls. you couldn't help but steal glances at him, noticing the way his eyes seemed to light up when he smiled, and the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck.
jaeyun, sensing your gaze, turned to you, his eyes meeting yours with a hint of warmth. "so, how are you feeling?" he asked, his voice low and concerned. you shrugged, trying to downplay the events that had just transpired. "i'm fine, i guess," you said, your voice a little softer than you intended. jaeyun nodded, his expression understanding. "i'm glad you're okay," he said, his voice sincere. "i was worried about you back there." you felt a flutter in your chest at his words, and you looked away, trying to play it cool. "thanks, jaeyun," you said, your voice a little quieter. jaeyun smiled, and the two of you continued walking, the tension between you palpable, but in a good way. as you approached your dorm, jaeyun slowed down, his eyes locked on yours. "i'll see you around, okay?" he said, his voice low and gentle. you nodded, feeling a sense of disappointment that your time with him was coming to an end. "yeah, okay," you said, your voice barely above a whisper. jaeyun smiled, and with a nod, he turned and walked away, leaving you to wonder what had just happened, and what might happen next.
you watched jaeyun walk away, his figure receding into the distance as you stood there, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside you. you couldn't help but smile, feeling a sense of gratitude and affection towards him. as you turned to enter your dorm, you caught a glimpse of yourself in a nearby window reflection, and your smile faltered for a moment. you looked...different.
your eyes seemed brighter, your skin glowing with a soft flush. you shook your head, chuckling to yourself. you were definitely overthinking things. you pushed open the door to your dorm and stepped inside, feeling the warmth and comfort of the familiar space envelop you. woongki and sunoo were nowhere to be seen, but you could hear the sound of woongki's voice coming from his coffin, muttering something about "undead armies" and "impending doom." you smiled, shaking your head. typical woongki. you made your way to your coffin, feeling a sense of relief wash over you as you closed the top behind you.
everything seemed the same, yet somehow, everything felt different. you couldn't quite put your finger on it, but you felt...lighter. freer. and you knew that jaeyun had something to do with it.
the darkness of the coffin enveloped you like a shroud, the soft, velvety interior a comforting presence as you settled in for a restful night's sleep. but your expectations were shattered the moment your mind slipped into the realm of dreams. a twisted nightmare unfolded before your eyes, a snarling wolf looming over you, its jaws snapping wildly as it pinned you down. the sound of its growls and the feel of its hot breath on your skin sent a jolt of adrenaline coursing through your veins.
you sat up with a startle, throwing open the coffin lid as if it was a prison door holding you captive. your chest heaved with ragged breaths, the cool night air a welcome respite from the stifling confines of your coffin. your eyes scanned the dimly lit room, the faint moonlight casting eerie shadows on the walls. sunoo and woongki's coffins remained still, their occupants blissfully unaware of the terror that had just gripped you. the silence was almost surreal, punctuated only by the sound of your own ragged breathing. you rubbed your eyes, trying to shake off the vivid images that lingered in your mind. the wolf's snapping jaws and glowing eyes seemed to sear themselves into your retina, refusing to be erased. you took a few more deep breaths, trying to calm your racing heart, but the memory of the nightmare lingered, casting a shadow over the darkness.
as you sat there, trying to calm your racing heart, you noticed the silence in the room was almost oppressive. the stillness of the coffins, the quiet breathing of your friends, it all seemed to amplify the lingering fear that gripped you. you threw off the covers and stepped out of the coffin, your bare feet making barely a sound on the cold floor. you padded softly over to sunoo's coffin and peered inside.
he was sleeping peacefully, a faint smile on his face. you couldn't help but smile, feeling a sense of relief that he was okay. you moved over to woongki's coffin, and as you looked in, you saw that he was also fast asleep. his face was scrunched up in a mixture of concentration and annoyance, as if he was having a intense dream. you chuckled to yourself, feeling a sense of amusement at his expression. just as you were about to turn away, you heard a faint noise coming from the corner of the room. it was soft at first, but it grew louder, sounding like the creaking of old wooden floorboards. your heart skipped a beat as you wondered if someone - or something - was in the room with you.
your heart racing, you raised your hands, sparks crackling to life in your fingertips, ready to unleash a blast of electricity at the perceived threat. the sparks danced across your skin, casting a warm glow over the dark room.
you stood frozen, your eyes scanning the shadows, searching for any sign of movement. but just as suddenly as it had started, the creaking sound stopped. the silence was oppressive, and you were left standing there, wondering if you had just imagined the whole thing. you looked down at your hands, still sparking with electricity, and slowly lowered them, trying to calm your racing heart.
maybe it was just the old building settling, you told yourself. or maybe it was just your imagination playing tricks on you after the nightmare. you took a deep breath, trying to shake off the feeling of unease. as you stood there, the sparks in your fingertips slowly died out, leaving your hands feeling cold and still. you glanced over at sunoo and woongki's coffins, still quiet and undisturbed. it seemed you were the only one who had been startled. you let out a slow breath, trying to calm yourself down, and turned to get back into your own coffin. but as you did, you couldn't shake the feeling that you were being watched.
a few days had passed since the incident, and the academy was buzzing with a sense of unease. hyunwoo was being held for evaluation, awaiting his sentence, and the rumors were flying about the extent of his charges. you'd heard whispers of "multiple counts" and "severe punishment," but nothing concrete. the headmaster's announcement of a week's break had come as a welcome relief, and you were looking forward to some much-needed downtime.
today, you'd decided to visit the coffee shop in the academy, a cozy spot that served some of the best coffee in the area. as you walked in, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped you, and the soft hum of conversation filled the air. you took a seat at the bar, perusing the menu as you waited for your turn to order. the barista, a friendly-looking student with a warm smile, greeted you and asked for your order. "just a blood latte, please," you replied, smiling back at them. as you waited for your drink, you took in the atmosphere of the shop, noticing the familiar faces of some of your classmates. it was going to be a nice break.
you looked around and mentally kept in mind a table that was perfect for you to sit at, as you turbed the kind barista had already finished making your drink. you thanked him as you then walked over to the table where you'd initially planned to sit, although you noticed sunghoon sitting alone at the adjacent table.
he was engrossed in writing in a journal or notebook, his shaggy hair falling across his face, and his glasses sliding down his nose. he quickly adjusted them without blinking, his eyes seeming to focus intently on his writing. you couldn't help but notice that his eyes didn't seem to be the same piercing green you'd seen before. maybe it was the lighting, or maybe it was just your imagination. you pushed aside jungwon's warning to "mind your business" and decided to approach sunghoon's table instead. as you drew closer, you noticed he was wearing earphones, and you could faintly hear the sound of classical music drifting out. he seemed completely absorbed in his writing, oblivious to his surroundings. you stood there for a moment, wondering if you should interrupt him or find another seat. but something about his focused demeanor drew you in, and you found yourself wanting to know what he was writing about.
as you leaned down, your voice barely above a whisper, "thank you," sunghoon's initial reaction was one of stillness. he didn't flinch, didn't move, until you saw him almost imperceptibly sniff the air, his eyes slowly rising to meet yours. his expression transformed into one of shock and awe, his gaze fixed intently on you. you offered a small smile, and he cautiously removed one of his earphones, his eyes never leaving yours. "i never got to thank you..." you began, your voice trailing off as you nodded towards him, "for the whole...hyunwoo thing."
sunghoon's response was a slow gulp, his eyes scanning your face and shoulders as if taking in every detail. "y-yes..." he murmured, his low voice barely audible. you didn't press for more, instead asking softly, "are these seats taken?" your eyes gestured to the empty chairs across from him, and you hoped he'd say no, giving you the opportunity to talk to him more, maybe even ask about the double fangs you'd seen a few days ago. sunghoon's gaze lingered on yours for a moment before he nodded slowly, his eyes darting to the seats and back to you. "n-no," he stammered, his voice still low.
sunghoon's nod was hesitant, but he seemed to relax a bit as you smiled and took a seat across from him. the classical music playing in his earphones was still audible, though faintly, and you found yourself wondering what kind of music he liked.
before you could ask about the song drifting softly from his earphones, sunghoon spoke up, his voice low and hesitant. "well, jungwon...jaeyun...meeting me here," he said, his words tumbling out in a rush. as he spoke, his hands tightened around his notebook and pen, his fingers betraying his nervousness.
despite his efforts to maintain eye contact, his gaze faltered, and he found himself drawn to the warmth and intensity of your eyes. they seemed to hold a deep understanding, as if they could see right through to his thoughts. "oh? they're coming soon, then?" you asked, your voice gentle, though you couldn't help but wonder if sunghoon's fragmented sentences were a result of language barriers or something more. sunghoon's response was a stiff nod, his lips compressing into a thin line as he glanced down at his notebook, his eyes avoiding yours once more. undeterred, you leaned forward, your latte cradled in your hands, and asked, "i just wanted to ask, what's your affinity?" sunghoon's head snapped up, his eyes widening slightly before he managed to rein in his reaction. sunghoon's gaze locked onto yours, his expression a mixture of wariness and caution, as if he was weighing his options carefully.
sunghoon's eyes darted up to yours, his gaze faltering for a moment before he regained composure. "a-affinity...?" he repeated, his voice hesitant. you nodded encouragingly, taking another sip of your latte. "yes, your ability. everyone here has one, right?"
sunghoon's eyes seemed to cloud over, and he looked away, his grip on his notebook tightening. "i...don't really like to talk about it," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. you sensed a hint of vulnerability behind his words, and your expression softened. "it's okay, you don't have to tell me," you said gently. "i was just curious." sunghoon's gaze returned to yours, and for a moment, you thought you saw a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. but before you could be sure, his expression smoothed out, and he looked away again. "they're...coming," he muttered, his eyes fixed on something behind you. you turned to see jungwon and jaeyun walking towards you, their faces set in smiley and serious expressions.
jaeyun's face lit up with a warm smile as he waved at you, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "hi," you said, returning his wave with an innocent look on your face, one that seemed to delight him. jaeyun's gaze flicked to sunghoon, and he teased, "what do we have the pleasure of seeing you here with our sunghoon?" his words were laced with amusement, and sunghoon's ears turned a deep shade of red as he stared down at his notebook, avoiding everyone's eyes. you gestured to sunghoon, a smile on your face.
"i was just getting to know the person who saved me," you said, your voice light and casual. jungwon, on the other hand, looked like he'd swallowed a bitter pill, his expression darkening with annoyance. it was clear he was displeased that you'd ignored his warning to mind your own business. sunghoon's avoidance of eye contact was almost comical, and you couldn't help but wonder if jungwon had indeed told him to steer clear of you. jaeyun, oblivious to the tension, plopped down in the chair beside sunghoon, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "so, what's the plan here?" he asked, his gaze bouncing between you and sunghoon. jungwon's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in frustration, but he said nothing, choosing instead to take a seat beside jaeyun.
"oh, well, i was just planning on drinking this latte before heading to the courtyard with woongki and sunoo," you said, casually fixing your hair as you spoke. unknowingly, you drew sunghoon's gaze, his eyes peeking out from beneath his lashes as he watched you. jaeyun's face lit up with excitement as he suggested, "that's cool, maybe we should all hang out today." jungwon's reaction was immediate, his eyes narrowing into a glare as he shot jaeyun a disapproving look.
it was clear he didn't appreciate jaeyun's suggestion, and you wondered what had set him off. sunghoon, sensing the tension, kept his head down, his eyes fixed on his notebook as he pretended to be absorbed in his writing. you, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the dynamics between the group. "yeah, that sounds like fun," you said, your voice neutral, as you took another sip of your latte, watching the group's interactions with interest. jaeyun seemed oblivious to jungwon's glare, his enthusiasm undeterred. "awesome, let's do it," he said, already planning the day's activities in his head.
sunghoon's eyes locked onto yours, his gaze intense as he wanted to speak to you, to connect with you on some level. he didn't know why, but he didn't want jaeyun to be the only one dominating the conversation. "y/n..." he said softly, his voice low and hesitant. you looked over at him, your expression curious. "yeah?" you asked, your eyes meeting his. sunghoon cleared his throat, his gaze drifting to your lips before he looked away, his cheeks flushing slightly.
"do you like animals?" he asked suddenly, the question bursting out of him like a dam breaking. jaeyun and jungwon exchanged confused glances, but you couldn't help but laugh at the unexpected question. "animals? hmm," you pretended to think, tapping your chin. "i'd say i do. not all, but many..." you nodded, your eyes sparkling with amusement. before you could ask him the question back, sunghoon spoke up again, his voice a little louder, a little more urgent. "what kinds?" you realized maybe he was passionate about wildlife, so you answered honestly, "right now i'm fond of birds," you said, taking a sip of your latte. "i'm also interested in minxes, or weasels, i guess maybe even..." but before you could finish, sunghoon's eyes lit up, and he sat up straighter, his voice rising in excitement.
"what about wolves?" the question hung in the air, and you, jaeyun, and jungwon all stiffened, our reactions varying. but what caught your attention was sunghoon's eyes, searching for something in your expression, some kind of confirmation or validation. and in that moment, you couldn't help but think he looked...cute.
you thought for a second, the table oddly quiet, before responding, "yes, i'm fond of wolves. although, maybe a lot of half-bloods are not," you said with a small smile, your words laced with a hint of intrigue. sunghoon's ears seemed to perk up at your response, and he nodded slightly, his eyes lighting up with interest. "i think they're curious and misunderstood," you added, looking down and then up through your lashes at him, which made him nod again with a small smile. jaeyun ate slowly, his eyes darting between you and jungwon, who looked increasingly furious. "maybe we can talk more about..." you began, reaching out to touch sunghoon's hand. but before you could make contact, jungwon grabbed sunghoon's hand and stood up swiftly, his movements abrupt and commanding.
"unfortunately, sunghoon has something to tend to. so we won't have time to see you," jungwon said, his voice firm and dismissive. with that, he swiftly dragged sunghoon and jaeyun away, leaving you sitting alone at the table. you let out a sigh as you watched them walk away, jungwon's scolding evident in his body language. sunghoon glanced back at you, his eyes meeting yours for a brief moment before he was pulled out of sight. you couldn't help but wonder what had set jungwon off, and what sunghoon's "something to tend to" really was.
