8 is fate // Stray Kids

12

Jisung

"When did Chan turn?", asked Jisung as they made their way over to the castle.

Next to him, Changbin almost tripped over his own feet. Jisung wasn't sure if it was because he had spoken so suddenly or if it was due to what he had said.

"How do you know?"

"I had a suspicion when I noticed that the way he moves has changed. But you know, the blood storage in the fridge was also a big give away."

While this wasn't a lie, it wasn't the whole truth either. The way Chan had reacted when he had smelled Jisung's blood after his fight with Minho, was what had given it away.

"He was sixteen when he got bitten", started Changbin, his voice quiet like it pained him to think back to it. "It was a rough time, you know how rare it is to survive the bite of a vampire. Most die in the process, either the vampire gene kills them slowly and painfully or they can't endure it any longer and take their own life."

"And Chan was a wolf", whispered Jisung.

"Yeah, as if it wouldn't have been cruel enough as it was, of course it's the wolves that take the transformation the worst. Their survival rate is basically nonexistent. And even if they survive, they will be banned from their pack. The greatest horror and shame for any wolf."

"His parents really exiled him?", Jisung couldn't keep the shock out of his voice. He never liked Chan's parents but he hadn't expected them to go this far.

"As soon as he was bitten, they left him behind to die. Didn't even check if he survived", pressed Changbin out between clenched teeth. "The bastards were probably happy to get rid of him. They always had the impression that Chan was too soft to become the next pack leader. Jokes on them, Chan is a born leader."

"Always has been", agreed Jisung. Since they were young, Chan had somewhat been the leader of their little group. Not that they ever pointed him out to be it, it just naturally happened. "Their loss."

"For sure, but that doesn't make it hurt any less for Chan. The worst part is that he can't even contact his siblings."

Jisung had forgotten about Chan's younger siblings. They had been very young back then and their parents had raised them separately from Chan so he couldn't be a "bad influence" and infect them with his softness.

"They're literal monsters", sighed Jisung. "How can they forsake their son only because he's a wolfire now?"

"Cause some old fucking tradition matters to them more than their own flesh and blood. I swear none of them even remember why the wolves and the vampires are mortal enemies in the first place."

"He's better off without them anyways", said Jisung while looking at his feet. He had never really considered that he hadn't been the only one to suffer during these past years.

Changbin had fought in a war and lost his parents.

Chan had lost his pack, his identity.

But Jisung was glad that they'd had each other through it all.

"You guys are his pack now", realized Jisung, the thought made him smile. They had started their own family.

"We", corrected Changbin. "You were the first pack member after all."

Jisung could feel his chest tighten, a lump formed in his throat.

Leaving would be harder than anything he did before.

"Can you promise me something?", asked Jisung as soon as he trusted his voice again.

Changbin gave him a short nod to signal him to keep talking.