Euphoria

5 - fistfights and fang bites

"No!" Jeongguk howls as you fall unconscious, brown eyes rolling to the back of your head.

He knows too well how much being bitten without permission hurts, and it hurts to see you in pain like this. A red haze of rage floods in before his eyes, and his fangs slide out of his gums. If it means keeping you alive, he's more than willing to unleash the feral beast inside. Both sides of him have a common goal now - the side of him that's still human wants to protect you, and the vampire side wants a continuous supply of your sweet blood, preferably fresh.

Seokjin's motorbike screeches to a halt, the witch jumping off nimbly and landing on both feet. He taps Jeongguk's head with his phone-staff, linking their minds. Focus, Jeongguk, Jin says, keep your emotions in check. You won't win this without a clear head.

Even through the rage, Jeongguk can register his words as a warning. He takes a deep breath, and the red dissipates. He knows you'd prefer him alive - or as alive as he is now - and he'd prefer you alive too. Besides, if you died, who knows what Seokjin would do to him?

I'll create a distraction and bring Y/N to safety. I trust you to deal with this leech without attracting mortal attention. He pats Jeongguk's shoulder in an almost brotherly manner, and Jeongguk is suddenly glad the other man is with him. Go get your vengeance, JK. I'll turn a blind eye.

The vampire holding your unconscious body hostage sneers at the duo standing before him. "How unexpected: a witch and a vampire joining forces to protect a lowly human. My, I never thought I'd see the day! All you're missing now is a werewolf."

Next to Jeongguk, Seokjin goes rigid.

Jeongguk snarls, baring his fangs in a challenge. "Let her go." Jin's eyes dart from side to side, planning the best way to get Y/N out and escape. "If you want her, you'll have to go through me. And you hurt her, so I'll kill you."

Jeongguk sounds more confident than he is, and the vampire must have picked up on it, for he shrieks out a laugh. "Oh, little leech. So young and naive." His nails are long and dirty, so filthy and unkempt they resemble claws. He looks like something out of Dracula. "I wonder how your little blood bag will taste." You're already bleeding from two puncture wounds in your neck, but with a slice of a nail, he slits your throat, blood spurting out of your jugular. Seokjin grits his teeth, fists clenched. "Mmm, she smells good, doesn't she?" The older vampire taunts.

Jeongguk's nostrils flare, but he tries not to inhale. He doesn't want to confirm the other bloodsucker's words, but neither can he deny it. Seokjin's scent is the only thing tethering him to sanity - the base of it is calming rose, but his anxiety smells like sour blackcurrants. Stay calm, Jeongguk tells himself, stay calm. Do it for Y/N.

It's time, Seokjin murmurs in his mind. Close your eyes.

Jeongguk listens wisely. "Look behind you," the witch sneers right back at the vampire.

Like the fool that he is, the vampire turns his back to Seokjin, and Jeongguk closes his eyes just in time to sense a sharp burst of light from behind his eyelids. When the light fades, both Y/N and the witch are gone, the only trace of their presence bloodstains and motorbike tire tracks.

Jeongguk sighs a silent breath of relief. At least you're safe now.

"Stupid witch." The vampire scowls, fangs gleaming as red as his eyes. "Now you've cost me my dinner." He rises to his feet with an ugly smile, flexing his fingers and claws. "Time to settle this like real men, little leech."

"You're not a man," Jeongguk spits out, "you're a monster."

The bloodsucker quirks a brow, grinning at Jeongguk. It's vile, and it makes the hairs on the back of his neck raise. "And what makes you so different, little leech?" He takes a step forward, but Jeongguk will not be cowed. "We're the same, you and me. We're vampires, we need fresh blood to survive. You've probably killed humans before. You can deny it all you want, but you know you're a monster too."