Crimson Crown

⌠71⌡

Jinyoung, Mark, and Jackson saw Youngjae off as he headed back toward the palace. He agreed to let Jinyoung's parents know that the prince was well and only needed a few more days of rest before making the trip back, leaving him in Mark's care.

The swordsman turned to the two as soon as Youngjae was out of sight. "Well, how about I go hunting so we have something to eat later? I'm sure you're tired."

Jackson shook his head, waving away the offer. "Do not worry about me, you are my guest."

"Eh, I want to use this as sort of a vacation for myself anyway. I'm practically worked to the bone training soldiers, I am glad I could get away from it, maybe have some time to myself." He flashed a smile at the pair as he backed toward the woods. "See you two in a bit."

"Very well Mark. See you later." Jinyoung waved, the latter turning and disappearing into the thick brush surrounding the house.

Jinyoung suddenly felt a gentle touch slide along the small of his back, drawing his attention away from the woods.

"Are you thirsty?" Jackson asked as the latter turned to face him.

"No, I am fine."

"I mean for blood."

"As I said, I am fine."

Jackson hummed as his hand slid to the latter's wrist. "It is better to have more than you need as opposed to less. Come."

Jinyoung was then led back inside the house that was now vacant, aside from themselves. Jackson sat them on the sofa then immediately pulled up his sleeve to unwrap the bandages that covered his arm. Jinyoung watched as the gauze was stripped away, revealing the shallow cut that was already nearly healed.

Jackson slid closer, thrusting his arm toward the prince. "Bite."

Jinyoung blinked at the offer. He slowly shook his head; he had already taken enough of Jackson's blood, he couldn't receive any more despite the temptation. "I-... I do not need to, you gave me enough yesterday-"

"After weeks of not drinking you definitely need a bit more. Just bite me."

"But, it will hurt?"

"It won't."

He stared down at Jackson's soft skin, his eyes tracing the scar that was already there. He could faintly smell the vampire's natural scent which nearly made him salivate, but he just couldn't bring himself to sink his teeth into another living being. He'd never bitten anyone before, not as a human at least, and though he was a half-blooded vampire he still didn't feel very comfortable with it.

He turned away, shaking his head at the offer. "I cannot... b-bite you..."

Jackson initially frowned at the latter, but eventually let out a soft sigh.

"You are too sweet for your own good." He mumbled while pulling down his sleeve.

"It just doesn't feel right-"

Jinyoung ended his statement with a gasp as he was yanked to Jackson's lips. His hands frantically pressed at the latter's shoulders until he got his bearings, the tension slowly melting from his body.

He was shocked, but quite satisfied, since kissing Jackson always made him feel amazing. It didn't take long to get swept up in the vampire's warmth and comfortable hold that he had missed so much. Jackson must've been feeling something similar since he suddenly licked into Jinyoung's mouth, sending the latter's heart into a frenzy.

They'd never kissed like that before, and it took the prince by a shock. Jackson was way more desperate than he was used to- maybe all that time being away from one another really got to him, and he was making up for it now. Though, when Jinyoung began to taste something strangely familiar on his own tongue, he let out a confused whimper. The more he tasted it, the more he slowly put the pieces together; it was Jackson's blood he was tasting. He quickly pulled back, but not too far, since Jackson held onto him so tight.

"W-What?" He stuttered out confusedly.

"I bit my tongue to feed you, since you are so stubborn. Just drink it."

As the vampire spoke, Jinyoung could see flashes of crimson red on his tongue and lips. It enticed him, yet he felt bad for selfishly taking Jackson's blood. He didn't want to leech off of him like this; he didn't want to forcibly rely on Jackson if he could help it.

His guilt didn't last for long though, since just moments after Jackson was pulling him into another kiss, thrusting his tongue into Jinyoung's mouth for him to indulge. The sweetness of pure-vampire blood was all too familiar and addictive; as much as Jinyoung thought he should stop, his natural instinct was to kiss Jackson deeper.

It was too good to push him away- though he felt sorry, it tasted and felt so good. Soon enough Jinyoung was wrapping his arms around Jackson's neck, chasing his lips, and lapping at his mouth for more. He'd never had the urge to kiss someone this bad; part of this urge was definitely due to his feelings toward the latter, but he also wondered if this is what true thirst felt like- craving something so bad that one could barely control themselves when they finally have it. Jinyoung only felt partially in control of his body; it was only when he realized that he had pushed his way on top of Jackson that the thought of holding back actually crossed his mind.

Jackson's face matched his own flushed-red one as the two gazed at one another in silent bliss.

"When I need to feed... will I know?" Jinyoung finally asked between pants.

Jackson blinked himself back to reality while catching his own breath, mindlessly nodding in response. "...You'll feel an odd mixture of hunger and thirst, no matter how much water you drink. You will feel a bit tired out but, not in a completely unusual way- more like if you had a long day and cannot wait to get back to bed, but you will feel like that all the time."

The symptoms were definitely familiar. Jinyoung had always credited them to his extensive training, but he had little clue as to just how blood-thirsty he was.

"Ah... I did feel that way but I thought-..."

"For someone as busy as you, such a feeling must be normal. But now that you're a half-blood, you cannot take such risks. If you need to feed, feed."

Jinyoung's eyes fell to his lap. As uncomfortable as it made him, if he wanted to take care of himself, he had to feed. Which meant, he needed a constant supply of blood from somewhere- even if that meant drawing it from someone.

"I... will have to utilize the cattle, maybe- you said that works, right? And... maybe I can ask Mark or Youngjae if they are okay with giving me their blood occasionally, though it is burdensome-..."

"No need."

Jinyoung glanced at the latter, brows raised.

"You get enough nutrients from me. You only need me." Jackson concluded.

The prince blinked, then frowned. "Th-Then... how will you feed?"

"I only need you." Jackson gripped Jinyoung's hand, gently interlacing their fingers. "It is a cycle. I take the blood you give me, you take the blood I give you. Vampires can live off of one another, which is why we have not bothered much with humans."

Jinyoung took a moment to absorb the new information before he let out an awkwardly dry chuckle. "...This feels a bit odd, sort of like a promise or something..."

The vampire hummed, then drew Jinyoung's hand to his lips, kissing the back of it.

"Then, I ask you to keep this promise. Unless I'm not around, then I want you to only use me from now on, okay?" He muttered against the prince's skin.

Jinyoung had never flushed so red so fast before; he had to turn his head away to stomach the tender actions mixed with such sweet words.

How could he possibly deny such a man who made him feel so fluttery inside?

"I-It is not like I have a better option, I-I suppose..." He shyly muttered out in submission to the request.

Jackson smiled; his free hand lifted to Jinyoung's jaw to turn his face back in his direction. He leaned in and pressed their lips together again, sharing more of himself with the hungry prince who gratefully accepted.