Beast ~ Seongjoong

six: yearning

"Ah, perfect timing!"

Hongjoong was greeted by Seonghwa's younger brother Jongho as he entered the kitchen. With the same amethyst eyes and tall lean build, he looked strikingly similar to his older brother though his skin tone was a shade darker. The tips of the jet black hair which framed his face were dip-dyed a bright purple that matched his eyes.

Jongho swept over to peck a kiss on each cheek then gently steered him over to sit at an ornate round table at the end of the room by a large window swathed in a thick velvet curtain. "Take a seat love, your meal will be ready soon,"

He glided back over to the wooden kitchen counter, his fluid and graceful movements reminiscent of Seonghwa's. Hongjoong propped his chin in his hand to watch as he stirred something in a pot over an open flame.

The kitchen was a rather large space considering it was only Jongho who utilised it. It was much more grandiose than any kitchen Hongjoong had seen back in the quaint village where he grew up and he remembered being stunned when he had first seen it. Large, glittering chandeliers hung from the high vaulted ceiling. The walls were lined with lacquered wooden shelving and cupboards, filled with an array of ingredients and cooking supplies. He remembered Jongho telling him that he had personally established business relationships with a few of the nearby towns, who would deliver food and other ingredients Jongho couldn't grow himself once per month.

"Here we are!" Jongho announced, setting down a steaming bowl in front of Hongjoong with a proud smile.

The warm aroma of oats and cinnamon filled Hongjoong's nostrils and his mouth watered. Jongho had cooked him a simple bowl of porridge, a traditional meal which evoked a sense of nostalgia within him of his childhood days when his mother would serve him this very meal on chilly, frost-bitten mornings in the dead of winter. He picked up his spoon and took a large mouthful, instantly warmed by the gently cooked oats and the sweet, rich flavours of cinnamon and maple syrup.

"You like it?" Jongho asked as he took a seat next to Hongjoong, amethyst eyes watching him intently.

Hongjoong nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, it's delicious!"

Jongho grinned and watched on proudly as Hongjoong ate his meal. When he had finished, Jongho stood and reached over to take his bowl but he stalled, his eyes lingering on Hongjoong's neck.

"Sweetie, what happened?" Jongho's voice was laced with concern as he drew closer and gently raised Hongjoong's chin with one finger to better examine the wound on his neck.

Hongjoong's cheeks flushed red in embarrassment for a brief moment as he suddenly remembered their tryst in the bedchamber earlier. "Oh, it's fine," he answered, "It was Seonghwa, but I know he didn't mean any harm. It was just an accident."

"Were you two...?" Jongho raised his eyebrows and pursed his lips, and Hongjoong bit back a shy smile and nodded. Jongho chuckled lightly, "And I assume he got quite upset about it?"

"I told him it was nothing to worry about," Hongjoong replied.

Jongho smiled knowingly as he swept his thumb over the little puncture wound. Unlike the other beasts, Jongho's claws were filed right down to his fingertips and rounded off like human fingernails. Jongho preferred them this way, not only because he appeared less of a threat to humans, but also because they got in the way when he cooked. Hongjoong admired his level of commitment to assimilating into human society.

"You are the brightest star in my brother's universe. He cherishes you, so of course, he never wants to see you hurt," Jongho said.

"I know, but I want to be with him," Hongjoong sighed, "I trust him completely, I know he would never ever hurt me."

"I know he wants that too. Give him time until he trusts himself as much as you trust him." Jongho ruffled his hair then took his empty bowl back to the sink, "What are your plans for tonight?" he asked as he began to fill the sink with water to wash up with.

Hongjoong sighed thoughtfully, resting his chin back in his palm, "I don't know. Seonghwa's gone out so I guess I'll just have to entertain myself until he gets back."

"Ah, yes," Jongho mused, "there are those who still refuse to let go of the old ways, who prefer to act like bloodthirsty mongrels. It's despicable." The way he spat out those last words sent a shiver down Hongjoong's spine.

As good-natured as Jongho was, Hongjoong supposed that even he had dislikes, and it seemed the beasts who enjoyed terrorizing and eating humans were certainly one of them.

When Hongjoong didn't respond Jongho glanced at him over his shoulder, "Why don't you head to the music room? Seonghwa mentioned he was teaching you to play the piano; said you had quite the natural talent for it," he suggested, "You could get in some practice, I'm sure Seonghwa will be thrilled."

The idea of getting good enough to play a piece for Seonghwa made Hongjoong smile, "Okay, I'll do that," He stood and skipped over to hug Jongho from behind, "Thank you for the meal!"

Jongho giggled, "You're welcome, sweetie. Now, off you go," he said, waving him off.

The music room was located on the second floor in the east wing of the castle. Hongjoong left the kitchen and made his way through the lavish castle, its marble pillars and high vaulted ceilings now commonplace to him, when once they could stop him in awe.

He strode confidently through the hallway lined with magical portals, the first place he'd seen when he arrived at the castle. The luxurious velvet carpet underfoot muffled his footsteps as he walked, but the many beasts who came and went always noticed him. Their supernatural senses tuned in on him, whether it was because of the delicate pulse of his heartbeat or Seonghwa's scent which constantly cloaked him like a protective ward.

Hongjoong wasn't afraid of them, though. They might notice him but they always gave him a wide berth; after what happened to Wooyoung, none of the beasts dared to stray out of line and touch Seonghwa's prized possession.

The vast hallways grew less busy as Hongjoong entered the east wing of the castle. The music room was along a hallway to the right of the grand east wing's staircase, but before he reached the staircase Hongjoong had to walk past the Banquet Hall. He tried to avoid going near the Banquet Hall when possible, the thought of what went on inside that vast hall still sent chills up his spine.

He cast a glance at the set of white doors, its finely polished golden doorknobs glinted under the warm glow of the chandeliers. Those doors always remained shut, hiding away the ghastly secrets, the old way of the beasts. Hongjoong had never seen inside and nor did he want to. He tore his eyes away from the inconspicuous set of doors and kept walking.

Then suddenly a scream rang out through the hallway, sounding terrifyingly close.

"HELP! PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP!"

A/N: omg I managed to update this 👀