Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hongjoong draped Y/N on the couch, moving a small pillow to be beneath her neck. He could practically see the life leave her face the more he looked at her.

He had to act fast.

He took a deep breath, slowly getting on his knees in front of her as she gasped for air. The pleading and praying that she was doing in her head reached his ears, filling his head.

He moved the hair away from her neck, his mouth parting slightly. His fangs began to appear as he leaned down, his eyes darkening.

He exhaled again, sinking his teeth into her neck. She cried out, grabbing his shoulder as all the color in her face was drained. He sucked her blood until she was at the very brink of death.

Hongjoong unlatched himself from her, having to restrain himself from fully drinking her blood. It tasted so sweet.

She was still for a moment as Hongjoong made a cut in his wrist with his nails, holding it out for her. As if she instantly gained life again, she latched onto it, sucking the crimson blood that dripped out of him.

He gently pushed her off after a moment with a groan. Blood dripped from her lips, licking it with her tongue as she looked up at him. Her eyes looked different, as it happened to all vampires the moment they are formed. But to Hongjoong, she just looked… different.

He finally got up from where he was kneeling next to her, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

Seonghwa came in the front door, instantly noticing the girl on the couch. He looked from her to Hongjoong, his brows furrowed.

“What did you do?” He asked, shocked to see him turn someone without informing anyone in the house.

Hongjoong looked back at him with a huff. “What does it look like I did, Seonghwa?”

He leaned against one of the walls in the large room they were in, watching the girl sit up straight on the couch, blood coating her lips and chin. She looked no older than 22.

Seonghwa sighed in annoyance, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Why did you turn her?” He asked, his eyes moving to the new vampire on the couch. Hongjoong followed his gaze, watching her as she tried to wipe the excess blood from her face.

Hongjoong let out a breath, running a hand through his hair.

“I was going out for a hunt. I found her with two men, holding her down,” He started, pushing off the wall. He slowly moved closer to her as he continued to speak.

“She was going to die. I couldn’t just… leave her.”

Seonghwa’s expression hardened at his reasoning. He knew it was because of Hongjoong’s kind heart. He always cared about people, despite trying not to.

Seonghwa sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Hongjoong, you can’t be going around turning everyone you find in trouble,” He said, his eyes narrowing at him.

Hongjoong rolled his eyes, coming to a stop a few feet away from the girl. He could still feel her fear and confusion in her head. It was loud.

“What else was I supposed to do, Seonghwa? Let her bleed out?” He asked, his voice firmer this time.

Seonghwa opened his mouth to respond when footsteps were heard coming down the staircase.

Everyone’s heads turned to see Wooyoung and San coming down, their eyes falling toward the couch.

San was the first to speak up, a confused look on his face.

“You turned someone and didn’t tell us?” He asked accusatorily.

Hongjoong crossed his arms over his chest, his signature annoyed expression on his face. He could practically feel Seonghwa glaring at him through the side of his head.

“I didn’t have time,” He explained, his eyes flickering to the girl on the couch for a moment.

Wooyoung’s eyebrows raised in disbelief as he came to stand next to Seonghwa.

“You turn someone and don’t even bother to let us know?” He asked again, clearly unimpressed with his answer.

Hongjoong sighed, his expression changing briefly to one of guilt.

“I wasn’t thinking, okay? She was bleeding out and it was either she dies or she gets turned,” He grumbled, running a hand through his hair again.

San and Wooyoung exchanged a look, clearly still not happy with his response.

Seonghwa finally stepped in, putting a hand on Hongjoong’s shoulder to get his attention .

“We have rules for a reason, Hongjoong. You know this.”

Hongjoong huffed, shrugging Seonghwa’s hand off of him.

“Don’t lecture me, Seonghwa.” His tone had a hint of annoyance as he looked at the man.

Seonghwa gave him a stern look, obviously displeased with his attitude.

“Someone has to lecture you,” He retorted.

San and Wooyoung snickered at the exchange, clearly finding it entertaining, despite the heavy atmosphere.

Hongjoong shot them a look, his eyes narrowing.

“Quiet,” He said, his voice stern.

San and Wooyoung immediately shut up, their lips pressing into thin lines as they tried to hold back their laughs.

Seonghwa rolled his eyes at them before looking back at Hongjoong.

“We’re going to have to figure something out for her,” He said, his eyes moving back to the couch.

Hongjoong’s expression softened again as he glanced at her.

“What do you mean?” He asked, his voice softer now.

“You can’t just leave her on her own. She’s a newborn. She doesn’t have a hold on her hunger.”

Hongjoong knew he was right. New vampires were extremely dangerous, having to learn how to control their thirst. It took a while for that to happen.

“So what are we going to do then?” He asked, his hands on his hips.

Seonghwa hummed in thought, rubbing his chin.

Wooyoung decided to speak up, a smirk still on his face.

“I have an idea.”

All eyes turned to him, including the girl’s.

“What is it?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Wooyoung’s smirk widened as he gestured towards her.

“We just have her stay here for a while. Until she learns to control herself.”

Seonghwa nodded, looking to Hongjoong, “That seems like our only option.”

Hongjoong didn't protest, knowing they were right. It was the safest option for her and everyone else.

He glanced at her again. She still seemed lost, trying to understand what was happening.

San spoke up this time, a sly smile creeping onto his face.

"Oh, this is going to be interesting."

Hongjoong rolled his eyes, knowing exactly what San was thinking. He was already scheming something in that head of his.

Seonghwa sighed again, clearly exasperated with San’s constant antics.

“I’ll be the one to guide her,” Hongjoong spoke up. “I am her maker, after all.”

Wooyoung and San groaned in disappointment, hoping they would be able to take that job. Everyone knew they loved to cause mischief.

“You’re no fun,” Wooyoung whined, giving Hongjoong a pout.

Seonghwa, being the older vampire, was the mature one out of the rest of the group, at least he tried to be. He looked from Wooyoung back to Hongjoong.

“I agree. You should be the one to handle her.”

Hongjoong nodded in agreement.

“I don’t think I’d want to let any of you guys near her.”

Wooyoung and San huffed in disappointment, crossing their arms in unison.

Seonghwa glanced at the two of them with a knowing look.

“Let’s go leave him to it, hm?” He asked, placing a hand on both Wooyoung and San’s shoulders.

“C’mon.”

Wooyoung and San let Seonghwa lead them out of the room, both of them grumbling the entire way out.

Hongjoong was now left alone with the girl, who had finally gotten off the couch and was now looking around the room.

Hongjoong stood there for a moment, watching her intently. She still seemed a bit dazed, everything around her probably a blur as a newborn.

He moved closer to her, making his footsteps audible so he wouldn’t startle her.

“So I’m a vampire?” She finally spoke up, her voice raspy and quiet.

Her eyes were trained on a painting that hung above the fireplace in the living area. A portrait of all the boys. She noticed that there were eight men in the portrait, only seeing four of them just now.

Hongjoong stopped a few feet from her, his hands behind his back. He watched her admire the painting in front of her, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Yes,” He confirmed, his tone soft. “You’re a vampire.”

She pulled her eyes away from the portrait, looking at him instead. She nodded slowly, trying to accept that this was her new reality.

“I don’t know whether to thank you or to scream at you for doing this to me.”

Hongjoong couldn't help but let out a small amused huff at her statement. He understood the confusion and frustration she was feeling. Being turned wasn't easy.

He took another step towards her, keeping a safe distance between them.

"I know this is a lot to process," He said, his eyes never leaving hers. "And I understand if you're upset with me."

She looked down at her hands, noticing just how pale she was. She then let out a small sigh, her fingers curling into fists.

"I’m a mess,” She mumbled, shaking her head.

Hongjoong couldn’t deny it. She looked a little… well, off. But that was expected. Turning into a vampire wasn’t the most pretty experience. The birth of a vampire was always out of trauma.

"You’ll get used to it," He assured her, his voice soft.

She looked back up at him, her eyebrows furrowing.

"Get used to it?" She repeated, her words dripping with sarcasm.

Hongjoong bit back a laugh at her attitude. He could tell she was going to be a challenge. He finally stopped a few steps away from her, folding his arms over his chest.

"Don’t worry,” He said, his lips turning upwards slightly. “I'll be here to guide you through it all.”

Her expression softened slightly at his words. She hated to admit it, but she was grateful that he had saved her. The memories of her would-be murderers still lingered in her head. The pain.

But the idea of being a vampire... it was all so confusing. She didn’t know what to expect.

She let out another sigh, running a hand through her messy hair.

“This is all so much…”

Hongjoong nodded in understanding, his face fading into a softer expression. He could see the uncertainty and fear in her eyes. He understood how she felt–he remembered his own turn like it was yesterday, despite it being over a century ago.

"It is a lot to take in," He agreed, taking another small step towards her. "But I promise you, you’ll adjust."

She looked at him again, her eyes searching his face. She couldn't help but feel a sense of trust towards him. He was the reason she was alive right now, even if it was as a vampire.

She took a deep breath, attempting to calm her racing thoughts.

"I guess I just have a lot of questions," She admitted, her voice quiet.

Hongjoong nodded, “I know you do. I can try to answer them tomorrow, for now, you need rest.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, a yawn escaped her lips instead. She looked embarrassed for a moment, covering her mouth with her hand.

Hongjoong chuckled softly, finding it almost amusing.

“You see? You’re exhausted,” He pointed out.

She couldn’t argue with that. She felt like she could fall asleep on her feet, exhausted in every sense of the word.

She let out a small sigh, finally nodding in defeat.

“Fine. I guess I do need rest,” She admitted, her shoulders drooping.

Hongjoong gave her a small smile, feeling a sense of satisfaction that she agreed to rest.

“Good,” He said, gesturing towards a staircase nearby. “I’ll show you to your room.”

She followed behind him as he led her to the staircase, her footsteps creaking the hardwood floors.

As they ascended the stairs, she couldn’t help but feel a mixture of emotions. Fear, curiosity, uncertainty. The list went on. She kept her hands tightly clenched at her sides, her fingers digging into her palms.

Hongjoong glanced back at her as they reached the top of the stairs, noticing her tense demeanor. He could practically feel her anxiety radiating off of her.

He led her down a long hallway, finally coming to a stop in front of a door.

“This will be your room,” He said, pushing the door open.

She stepped into the room, her eyes immediately roaming over everything. It was an elegant room, fitting for a house like this.

There was a large bed against one wall, a fireplace opposite it. A small desk sat near the window, a lamp placed atop it. The walls were a deep shade of navy blue, the wooden floors a dark oak.

She moved deeper into the room, her eyes still taking everything in.

Hongjoong lingered by the door, leaning against the frame as he watched her explore the room. He could see the awe in her eyes as she took in her surroundings.

“Do you like it?” He asked, his voice breaking the silence.

“It’s a beautiful room, but I thought vampires slept in coffins. You know, to avoid sunlight,” She gestured to the bed.

Hongjoong let out a small chuckle at her question, pushing off the door frame to fully enter the room.

“That’s true to an extent. We made sure sunlight cannot come through any windows, so we don’t have to be confined to coffins. However, some just prefer it, like Seonghwa.”

The girl nodded, taking in the information. She couldn’t imagine sleeping in a coffin every single day. It seemed uncomfortable.

She sat down on the edge of the bed, her fingers tracing over the soft fabric of the bedding.

“What about food?” She asked, looking up at him. “I mean, do I have to only drink blood now?”

“You have to drink blood every day, as it is your new life source. You can still eat regular food, but unfortunately it doesn’t compare at all.”

She let out a small sigh, processing his words. Drinking blood every day… It wasn’t something she ever thought she would have to do.

But the part that caught her attention was the fact that she could still eat regular food. She looked back up at him with a curious expression.

“So I can eat food, but it won’t satisfy me like blood?” She clarified.

“Yes, and it won’t taste the same as it once did. It’s all so.. bland,” He explained.

She couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment at that. She loved food, always had. But now, she couldn’t enjoy it the same way anymore. She knew it was part of being a vampire, but it didn’t make it any easier to accept.

She nodded slowly, trying to come to terms with her new reality.

“I guess it makes sense that nothing else can compare to blood.”

Hongjoong watched her, seeing the conflicting emotions in her face. He remembered how it felt when he was first turned. The sense of loss and anger was overwhelming.

He took a few steps towards her, standing in the middle of the room.

“You’ll get used to it,” He said, his voice soft. “It just takes time.”

She looked up at him, her expression a mix of sadness and uncertainty.

“And the blood… where do I get it from?” She asked, the thought of feeding on an innocent person almost making her nauseous.

“People or animals. You can survive off of both, but you will see a difference. Animals cannot satisfy you like a human can.”

She shuddered at the thought of having to feed off of people. The idea of it was horrifying, especially because she felt so human.

“Animals it is, then,” She said, her voice firmer now.

Hongjoong nodded, glad that she had come to that decision. He didn’t want to see her go through the struggles of feeding off of humans. Not this early on.

There was a moment of silence as she continued to sit on the bed, her thoughts still racing. Hongjoong watched her, noticing the exhaustion starting to show on her face.

“Enough questions for now. You should get some sleep,” He suggested.

Kal let out a small sigh, finally admitting defeat. She was exhausted, and the idea of sleep sounded wonderful.

She nodded, a yawn escaping her lips again. “You’re right,” She mumbled.

Hongjoong couldn’t help but smile a little at her yawn. She laid down on the bed, pulling the covers up over herself. He waited for a moment, making sure she was settled before turning towards the door.

“Rest well, Miss..?”

“My name is Y/N,” She told him.

Hongjoong nodded, repeating her name, committing it to memory. He reached for the doorknob, giving her one last look.

“Goodnight, Y/N.”

“Goodnight, Hongjoong.”

Her eyes fluttered closed as he left the room, closing the door softly. She found it hard to fall asleep, her heightened senses making everything so much more intense. Every creak of the house caused her to drift further from sleep.

Eventually, she ended up falling asleep, awaiting what she would be in for tomorrow.

Chapter Text

Y/n’s eyes fluttered opened, not needing to adjust to the morning light due to the dark curtains covering the window. She groaned, slowly sitting up. Her head throbbed, her body feeling weak.

She could’ve sworn she felt the best she ever had just before she went to sleep. The strongest she’s ever felt.

Her legs swung over the bed, her feet hitting the cold, wood floor. She sighed, taking in the room. It truly was gorgeous, the whole house was. She knew that they were all quite old, especially Seonghwa and Hongjoong, but she wondered just how they got all this wealth.

Eventually, she opened the door, her head peaking out. No one was in the hallway, and she couldn’t hear anyone speaking. She made her way to the stairs, her feet pitter-pattering on the dark wood floor.

She reached the bottom of the stairs, her senses on high alert. The house was eerily quiet, but she could hear faint whispers coming from a room down the hall—the parlor room.

She followed the sound, pausing just outside the slightly ajar door. Voices floated out, Hongjoong and Seonghwa.

"She needs to feed soon," Hongjoong said firmly. "Newborns don’t last long without blood."

Seonghwa sighed. "I know, but you can’t coddle her forever. She has to learn control and you need to be willing to teach her. She’s only here because of you.”

She swallowed hard, guilt creeping in as she realized they were discussing her. Before she could retreat, Hongjoong’s voice cut through again, softer this time.

“She’s different,” Hongjoong said, voice low. “She doesn’t want to hurt anyone. I can feel it.”

Seonghwa was silent for a moment before responding, “That won’t matter when hunger takes over. She’s going to have to hurt people, whether she likes it or not, because of your impulsive actions.”

A soft creak echoed as Hongjoong shifted, then suddenly paused. His voice turned almost amused.

“You can come in, Y/n. We know you’re there.”

She felt her stomach drop, her cheeks flushing slightly. She hesitantly pushed the door open, poking her head through.

Seonghwa, who sat in a large armchair, leaned back in his seat and observed her. Hongjoong stood by the fireplace, his arms crossed.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” She apologized, walking further into the room, closing the door behind her.

Hongjoong gave her a small, understanding smile, shaking his head slightly.

“No need to apologize. We weren’t exactly whispering.”

Seonghwa simply hummed in response, still studying her. She felt tense under his sharp gaze, shifting her eyes to Hongjoong.

“It’s good to see you’re finally awake,” He said.

“Finally?” Y/n asked, tilting her head to the side.

Seonghwa spoke up, “You were asleep a couple days. It’s normal for newborns right after they’re turned.”

A couple of days?

She couldn’t help but let out a quiet gasp at that information, her eyes widening. She had been asleep for days? It had felt like a normal sleep, if anything, even shorter than normal.

Hongjoong noticed her surprise, his expression still soft.

“It happens. Your body needed the rest,” He assured her, pushing himself away from the fireplace.

She could only nod, her mind still trying to wrap around that information. She looked from Hongjoong to Seonghwa, noticing the clear difference in their expressions. Where Hongjoong looked patient and kind, Seonghwa still looked cautious and skeptical.

Hongjoong seemed to notice the shift in her demeanor, his gaze flickering to Seonghwa before turning back to her.

“Hungry?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

She hesitated. She was starving—her stomach twisted in a way she’d never felt before. But the thought of blood made her uneasy.

“I… don’t know if I can,” She admitted quietly, fingers curling into her sleeves.

Hongjoong nodded, understanding and patient as always. Seonghwa, however, wasn’t as understanding. He let out a scoff, rolling his eyes.

“Can’t, or won’t?” He asked, his tone sharp.

Hongjoong shot him a stern look, silently telling him to back off, but Seonghwa simply crossed his arms, watching her intently.

She shifted nervously, her eyes dropping to the floor. She knew Seonghwa had a point, but the idea of feeding on something, let alone a person, it was nauseating to her.

Hongjoong, noticing her discomfort, took a step towards her, trying to calm her.

But Seonghwa was unrelenting.

“You need to feed, one way or the other. You can’t expect to survive off of animals forever,” He stated bluntly.

She knew he was right, but a part of her bristled at his harsh tone. Hongjoong was about to say something, but she interrupted him in a soft, yet firm voice.

“I know I need to feed, I’m not stupid. But the thought of hurting someone, even just a little, it makes me sick. I can’t do it,” Her fists clenched at her sides.

Seonghwa huffed, a mocking snicker leaving his mouth. Hongjoong shot him a warning look, his eyes flashing. But Seonghwa ignored him, standing up so he was towering over her.

“You sound like Hongjoong used to,” He scoffed, brushing past her. He shot Hongjoong a look before stepping out of the room, the door swinging open.

Hongjoong’s jaw tensed, his eyes narrowing slightly. He knew what Seonghwa was doing, and it irritated him to no end. Y/n was still a bit taken aback by the sudden change in the atmosphere. She crossed her arms over her chest, watching Seonghwa leave.

When the hall door slammed, she turned to face Hongjoong, who looked… upset, a rare sight from him. He let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair. He was trying to keep his composure, but he was clearly frustrated.

After a moment of silence, he spoke up.

“Don’t listen to Seonghwa, he’s just upset about the situation,” He tried to assure her.

She nodded, clearly not convinced.

Hongjoong exhaled again, moving to lean against the wall.

"He's been a vampire for a long time, Y/n. Over the years, he's become somewhat disconnected from his humanity. Despite his good intentions, he struggles to empathize with your perspective.”

She listened to his words, understanding why Seonghwa was so cold towards her. It wasn’t just about her turning, it was because he had lost that sense of compassion over time.

She looked down at her hands, sighing quietly.

“I just… don’t want to lose myself,” She admitted softly. “I’m scared that once I start feeding… I won’t be me anymore.”

Hongjoong pushed off the wall, his expression softening. He understood her concern, it was a fear he had felt himself when he was first turned, and still felt sometimes.

He crossed the distance between them, stopping in front of her. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice gentle.

“You won’t lose yourself, Y/n, I promise you that. You may change, yes, but you will still be you. I’ll try my hardest to make this transition easy for you.”

She met his eyes, seeing the sincerity behind them. She felt a wave of relief wash over her, her stiff shoulders relaxing slightly. It was hard to doubt Hongjoong, he was the only one who had been nothing but kind to her since the second he found her.

Hongjoong gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze, his expression warm.

"You're strong. I know you can handle this," He said gently.

Those words made her heart swell with a sense of determination. She nodded, a newfound resolve in her eyes. She was tough, she could do this. If Hongjoong believed in her, then she could find the strength to do this.

“You’re right,” She breathed out, nodding.

"Good," He said softly, stepping back just enough to give her space. "Now... how about we get you something to eat?"

He tilted his head toward the door, eyes glinting with quiet amusement.

“Unless you'd rather starve and turn into a dramatic vampire cliché?"

She stifled a laugh, shaking her head.

"As much as I'd love to fulfill my dramatic cliche fate, I think I'd rather eat something," She replied, a teasing note in her voice.

Hongjoong chuckled, pleased at her response.

"Wise choice."

He moved past her, opening the door and gesturing for her to go ahead.

“After you, miss," He said with a bow, a playful smirk on his face.

She rolled her eyes, fighting a smile from creeping up on her lips.

"Such a gentleman," She commented as she walked through the door, feeling a much lighter than she did just moments ago.

Hongjoong followed behind her, closing the door.

"Only for pretty girls." He replied coolly, his tone teasing.

Her cheeks warmed slightly, but she didn’t look back—she knew he was smirking.

“Smooth,” She muttered under her breath, walking down the hallway. “Real smooth.”

Chapter Text

The pair walked down the hall, the dim light flickering throughout the home. Y/n could feel her stomach twist, her hunger growing by the minute. It wasn’t just an empty stomach; it was deeper, crawling beneath her skin. It was such a foreign feeling for her, craving blood and flesh instead of regular food.

Hongjoong glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, his expression becoming a bit more serious. He knew how she felt, having experienced that hunger a long, long time ago. He had to teach the others in the house that he had turned to control it, so he was confident she would learn.. eventually.

He worried though, that maybe Seonghwa was right. She seemed too kind, too good-natured. She wouldn’t survive on animals forever, at least not thrive on them.

The hunger gnawed at her with every step, sharp and insistent. She clenched her jaw, trying to ignore the way her head throbbed faintly.

Hongjoong slowed his pace beside her, concern etched on his face. He put a hand on her shoulder, trying to ground her. She glanced at him, grateful for the reassurance, but there was something in his eyes she couldn’t quite read.

Doubt? Worry?

Before she could ask, a door down the hall creaked open. Yeosang stepped out, holding a glass filled with dark red liquid. His eyes flicked to Y/n.

"New girl’s awake," he said flatly, and then offered Hongjoong a knowing look.

Her throat tightened.

Blood.

The scent hit her like a wave—coppery, rich, overwhelming. Her breath hitched as her vision sharpened in an instant. The world narrowed to that glass filled with crimson liquid.

Her fangs extended without permission. She stumbled back with a gasp, hands flying to her mouth. Hongjoong was at her side in a flash as he stepped slightly between her and Yeosang.

“Take it elsewhere,” He said coldly.

Yeosang raised an eyebrow but shrugged, retreating down the hall without another word, the glass of blood going up to his lips.

Hongjoong turned back to Y/n, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she fought for control.

“It’s okay,” He whispered. “Breathe through it.”

The words brought her back to reality just enough for her to hear him, but the scent of blood still lingered, the hunger pulsing like a second heartbeat. She tried desperately to regulate her breathing, hands shaking.

Hongjoong’s eyes remained on her, patient and steady, a stark contrast to the chaos in her head. He gently grabbed her arms, stilling her trembling.

"Easy," He murmured, watching her face. "Just focus on me."

But all she could think about was the coppery scent and the way her fangs ached in her gums. Her body was on fire, screaming for her to feed.

“Please, just.. let me feed on a small animal or something. I can’t control it,” She begged, her gaze turning to him.

Hongjoong held her gaze, seeing the raw desperation in her eyes. He wanted to give in, to let her soothe the agony she was feeling. But, he knew it wasn’t that simple. Feeding off of a rabbit or a squirrel wouldn’t soothe the ache. She craved human blood, and that would only make her want it more.

His grip on her arms tightened, trying to keep her focus on him. He could see the frustration building up on her features.

“That won’t be enough,” He said.

“Then what am I supposed to do? I can’t hurt someone, I can’t.”

Hongjoong was silent for a moment, gears turning in his head.

“You don’t have to hurt anyone right now,” He spoke up. “I can help you.”

Before she could react, he brought his wrist up and sliced it with his nail with ease. Deep crimson blood welled up instantly. Her breath hitched, her gaze immediately fixated on the blood beading on Hongjoong’s wrist. The sharp scent filled her senses causing her to almost become dizzy with need.

She tried to pull away reflexively, not trusting herself, but Hongjoong kept her close to him. He offered his wrist to her.

“Drink,” He ordered quietly, pushing his wrist closer to her lips.

She hesitated for a moment, but it almost seemed like the blood was calling her name. In a quick moment, her lips attached to his wrist, her fangs digging into his skin. She groaned, the feel of his blood coating her tongue pleasurable, almost intoxicating.

He held his breath, his eyes locked on her. As she fed off of him, he took in her features. The way her lashes fanned her cheeks, how she leaned into him, the soft moans escaping her as she drank, the way her lips wrapped around his wrist. It was strangely intimate and absolutely captivating.

Y/n could vaguely feel Hongjoong’s body pressed against her, his warmth, but every sensation was eclipsed by the sweet euphoria of his blood running down her throat. It made her head fuzzy, her thoughts a jumbled mess. She gripped his wrist, wanting every drop of him.

As much as every part of him wanted to enjoy the sight in front of him, he pushed her head away, a quiet hiss leaving his lips. She stumbled back slightly, her lips and chin glistening with his blood and her eyes dazed. She blinked up at him slowly, almost like she’d just woken up from a dream.

Hongjoong couldn’t look away.

It was like he was seeing her for the first time, really seeing her. The light flush on her cheeks, the way her red-stained lips parted slightly. It all left him a bit dazed himself. She blinked again, her eyes focused on his face, the haze beginning to clear.

Hongjoong snapped out of it just in time, clearing his throat and stepping back just enough to create space between them. Though, his hand still lingered on her arm. He reached his other hand up, wiping some of the blood off her mouth.

“How do you feel?” He asked, his voice low.

She took a deep, steadying breath. She felt.. different. The hunger that had clawed at her stomach moments ago had been replaced by a quiet thrum of energy beneath her skin.

“I feel better, but..” Her eyes flickered down to his wrist, stained with his own blood. Her eyes met his again, observing his face. He was so much more pale, his body slouched just slightly. “I hurt you.”

Hongjoong shook his head, the movement dismissive. The wound was already beginning to heal, the blood loss being the only thing affecting him.

“It’s nothing,” He said, shrugging his shoulders. “I’ve had way worse, trust me.”

She didn’t look convinced. Her eyes lingered on his face, studying the faint pallor of his skin, the way he stood just a little too still, like he was holding himself together.

“You’re lying,” She said, stepping closer. “You gave me too much.”

He opened his mouth to protest, to tell her he was fine, but she cut in.

“Don’t lie,” She firmly said. “You’re dizzy. You’re pale. I can practically feel how weak you are.”

“I gave you a little too much, but you clearly needed it.”

As he spoke, he swayed slightly, his back hitting the wall. Y/n reached out to steady him, her eyes wide. She put an arm around his waist, telling him that she was going to set him down in the living area. Hongjoong didn’t protest, he was too dizzy to. He leaned against her, feeling both frustrated at showing weakness and relieved to have the support.

They made their way into the living area, Y/n guiding him to the plush couch before pushing him down onto it. He sank into the cushions, his eyes closing as a sigh escaped his lips.

San and Mingi, who were playing a game of chess, turned their eyes to them. San raised an eyebrow at the sight of Hongjoong pale and slumped on the couch, an amused expression on his face.

Hongjoong shot him a glare, though there was no real heat behind it. He was too tired to put up much of a fight.

Mingi hid a smirk, moving his chess piece. "Rough morning?"

Hongjoong rolled his eyes, letting out a weary sigh.

"You could say that," He muttered.

San chuckled, still eyeing him from across the room.

"Looks like the new girl really did a number on you," He teased, taking one of Mingi's pieces causing Mingi to groan in frustration.

Hongjoong grumbled under his breath in response.

He knew he must look ridiculous—the leader, reduced to a pale and tired heap on the couch. His eyes flickered over to where Y/n was standing, her gaze fixed on him. She looked concerned, maybe even a little guilty, and he had to fight the urge to reassure her. He didn't want her to feel any more responsible for his current state.

“Hey,” He said, voice softer now, meant just for her. “Stop worrying. I’m fine, I just need to feed.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but got cut off as Seonghwa and Yunho entered the room. She wondered when she would officially meet any of the guys other than Seonghwa, hoping that they all weren’t as intimidating as him.

Seonghwa immediately noticed Hongjoong’s state, a scoff leaving his mouth. “Let me guess, you became her blood bag?”

Hongjoong didn’t answer, his eyes on the ceiling, jaw tight.

“You’re an idiot, you know that?” Seonghwa said bluntly. “She could’ve drained you dry.”

Hongjoong sat up, sending a glare towards Seonghwa. “Well, she didn’t, so I don’t see the issue.”

“The issue is that you could have died. How exactly is that not a problem?”

Hongjoong clenched his jaw, trying his best not to snap at him. He knew Seonghwa had a point, and was most likely right, but he hated being lectured like a child.

Seonghwa continued, stepping closer, not backing down.

"You're supposed to be the leader, Joong. You have responsibilities. You can't just go around being careless and risking your life for a girl you barely know."

Hongjoong's eyes flashed with anger, but he bit back his retort.

"I made a choice," He said through clenched teeth. "And it turned out fine."

Seonghwa rolled his eyes, scoffing.

"Fine? You look like you're barely conscious. That doesn't seem fine to me—"

Before he could finish, Hongjoong sat up, pushing through the waves of dizziness.

"I made a judgement call," He snapped, his voice still weak despite his efforts. "And I don't regret it, so lay off."

Seonghwa opened his mouth to argue further, but Yunho stepped in, a hand on his shoulder, silently telling him to back down. Seonghwa huffed, but didn't protest, shooting Hongjoong a final, exasperated look.

The room fell quiet for a moment, the tension still thick. Hongjoong leaned back against the couch again, closing his eyes. He was exhausted, both physically and mentally.

“We’re going to hunt, if anyone wants to join,” Yunho spoke up, his soft voice a stark contrast to how the air felt between everyone.

Mingi and San perked up, turning to look at Yunho.

“I’ll go,” Mingi said.

Yunho nodded, looking at Hongjoong and Y/n once more before opening the door, Seonghwa, Mingi, and San following him.

Hongjoong watched them leave without a word, feeling a twinge of guilt. He knew he had been reckless, and Seonghwa was right; he wasn't being responsible.

But he couldn't help it. Something about Y/n had drawn him in, made him act impulsively. He glanced over at her, still standing near the couch, arms crossed over her chest. The tension in the room was thick, way too thick.

She watched Hongjoong closely, seeing how he looked drained and worn. She didn’t know what to do, how to make this right. It seemed her presence had caused a rift in his relationship with Seonghwa, and maybe all the other guys.

She should’ve stopped sooner, she shouldn’t have agreed to drink off of him.

“I chose to give you my blood,” He spoke up quietly. “I knew what would happen. And I’d do it again.”

Her heart ached at his words, knowing he would’ve willingly given her more if it meant taking care of her. But guilt still ate at her as she looked at him, his usual energy dimmed. She walked over to him, sitting on the couch next to him.

She wanted to argue with him, to tell him that Seonghwa was right and he shouldn’t have risked anything for her. But something in his eyes, something tender and reassuring, kept her silent.

He reached out, placing a hand on her thigh, patting it softly. “I’m going out to hunt as well.”

“I’ll come with you,” She replied back instantly, getting up as he began to stand.

Hongjoong just shook his head, “Stay here. I’ll be back soon. I think Yeosang and Jongho are here if you want to start introducing yourself to everyone.”

She frowned at his rejection, following behind him as he walked to the door. He opened it, stepping out onto the porch. He turned to her before closing it.

“Be good,” He said, a small smile on his lips, as he closed the door.