Crimson Crown

⌠91⌡

Jinyoung dropped himself on the bed of the boardinghouse BamBam brought them to. They had just finished dinner and were going to rest in Cornelia for the night before heading back home in the morning. 

Jackson booked the rooms while Jinyoung went off to use the bathroom, only for the prince to return and find out that he had booked two rooms instead of three, with the intention of he and Jinyoung sharing a room. BamBam glared at the idea of the two being left alone together, but the money was already spent, and the latter was too tired to make a fuss.

Jinyoung felt good resting his back on the mattress, but his heart and head had felt bad ever since they'd left the vampire village. Jackson seemed to have taken everything well, but he couldn't help but worry himself sick over the latter; part of him wished he didn't think of this stupid idea so Jackson wouldn't have been forced to face his past again. 

"I'm... really sorry, Jackson..." He mumbled while covering his face.

The vampire, who was just hanging up their coats on the wall, turned confusedly. "For what? Nothing is your fault."

"I just... cannot imagine how difficult it is for you. I got your hopes up for nothing..."

Jinyoung could hear his footsteps come closer. The mattress dipped beside him, and suddenly the right side of his body was warm with Jackson's body heat.

"My hopes were not that high, honestly." The latter confessed while pulling Jinyoung's hands away from his face. "I'm pretty sure I of all people would remember if any member of my family lived."

Jinyoung faltered, having not considered that fact.

"I-... I know but... I thought it was still worth a try..."

"Do not feel bad, you acted out of good intentions." He turned on his back, now staring at the ceiling. "I only assume my cousins are still alive, but they are in different clans through marriage, and who knows where they are now..."

"Your family sounds huge."

"Vampires tend to have a lot of kids. Not sure why."

Jinyoung chuckled. "Quite the active bunch then."

Jackson smiled. "Of course."

"I could never keep up with that many children... though someday a family would be nice. Maybe... 3 kids?"

"3 kids? That's it?"

"And a dog of course. Why, are 3 too many?"

"It isn't enough!" Jackson turned on his side to face the prince, his head resting on his palm. "I haven't thought about my future but... If I were to think about it now, I would maybe want 6... no... 8 kids? As many as my arms can hold."

"That is so many, how can you keep up!?"

"A lot of people are able to manage." 

"I suppose that's true..." Jinyoung laughed, turning to match Jackson's position. He let out a soft breath, briefly thinking about how great it was to be able to just relax and talk-- they hadn't been able to do so in a long while. "It is nice though, to hear that you want to create your own family. I am glad that you are not scared of it."

"It's all still scary but, I shouldn't deny myself of what I want over fear." Jackson rose a brow, his smile widening as he tugged Jinyoung closer. "You told me that, remember?"

"Ah-, yes..." The prince blushed; he'd said so many things he can't even remember himself, yet somehow Jackson held on to a lot of his words. He bashfully buried his face in the elder's chest, breathing in the comfort of his scent.