The old estate stood quiet under the silver glow of the moon. Inside its walls, the world felt suspended—timeless, like the eternity vampires often spoke of. Ji-Ho sat on the windowsill of the guest room, wrapped in a wool blanket, staring up at the stars.
He couldn't sleep.
Not after the kiss.Not after what it meant.
His fingers touched his lips unconsciously, still feeling the warmth of Seung-Woo's touch.
The door creaked gently, and Seung-Woo stepped in, dressed casually in a dark turtleneck and slacks. He looked less like the powerful vampire CEO and more like... a man Ji-Ho had come to care for deeply.
"You're awake," Seung-Woo said softly.
"Couldn't sleep."
Seung-Woo crossed the room, standing beside him at the window.
"The stars are unusually bright tonight," Ji-Ho murmured. "Like they're watching."
Seung-Woo tilted his head. "They've been watching me for over three centuries. But only tonight do I feel seen."
Their eyes met. Ji-Ho smiled gently, and Seung-Woo returned it—hesitant, but real.
Suddenly, the house trembled faintly. A pulse of power, subtle but sharp, rippled through the walls.
"Did you feel that?" Ji-Ho asked, standing.
Seung-Woo's expression darkened. "They've found us."
The Council.
Seung-Woo vanished from sight in a blur of speed and returned moments later with a black coat, slipping a dagger into his belt. "You need to hide."
"No," Ji-Ho said firmly. **"I'm staying with you."
"Ji-Ho—"**
"You said you'd burn the world for me. Let me stand beside you while you do."
Seung-Woo stared at him, stunned by the courage in Ji-Ho's eyes.
The tension thickened as the front gate groaned open below. A cold presence spilled into the house.
Elder Kim.
Seung-Woo descended the stairs with Ji-Ho close behind. The entry doors opened to reveal Elder Kim flanked by two vampire enforcers, their eyes glowing crimson in the dark.
"Han Seung-Woo," Elder Kim greeted with a mocking smile. "You've broken sacred law."
"Laws written by cowards to protect power," Seung-Woo replied.
Kim stepped forward. "Give up the human. Spare yourself."
Ji-Ho stepped forward instead. "I'm not a thing to be handed over!"
A gust of energy swirled as the vampires tensed. Elder Kim raised a hand, signaling the guards.
"Enough," Seung-Woo said coldly. "You want blood?"He bared his fangs. "Then come take mine."
With a thunderous crash, the fight began.
Seung-Woo moved like a shadow, striking with precision. Ji-Ho darted between the chaos, grabbing a silver dagger from a cabinet. One of the guards lunged at him, and Ji-Ho slashed, nicking the vampire's shoulder. A hiss of pain followed.
"Ji-Ho, run!" Seung-Woo shouted.
But Ji-Ho didn't.He threw a lit candle at the curtains, setting them ablaze. The fire raced across the room, smoke curling through the air.
In the confusion, Seung-Woo drove a dagger through Elder Kim's chest. The elder gasped—eyes wide in disbelief—before crumbling into ash.
The remaining vampires fled, smoke and fear in their wake.
Silence returned, broken only by Ji-Ho's panting breaths.
Seung-Woo turned to him, eyes wide. "You stayed."
"Of course I did," Ji-Ho whispered.
Seung-Woo crossed the distance between them, grabbing him tightly. "You're insane."
"I know." Ji-Ho laughed breathlessly. "But so are you."
They stood amidst the smoldering wreckage of the old hall—alive, together, and stronger than before.
Outside, the fire died down.
Inside, love burned brighter than ever.