Sempiternal || Daerin

1

As the sun set, Danielle and Haerin sat near a cliff overlooking the ocean, under their favorite big tree. They sat close, feeling the warmth of the fading sunlight and enjoying the beautiful view.

"I love this time of day," Danielle whispered, resting her head on Haerin's shoulder. Her voice was filled with awe as they watched the sun sink lower, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink. Haerin nodded in agreement.

Despite their different personalities, Haerin and Danielle had been friends for years and appreciated how well they balanced each other.

Haerin was more serious and reserved, like the moon on a chilly night, enjoying solitude. Danielle, on the other hand, was like the sun on a warm morning, full of optimism, kindness, and energy.

Haerin always found comfort in Danielle's genuine and lovely nature. Even though she preferred solitude, she cherished every moment with her friend.

Deep down, Haerin had romantic feelings for Danielle, but she kept them hidden. However, these feelings weren't her biggest secret.

Haerin hadn't been completely honest about her true identity and what she really felt inside. This weighed heavily on her, especially knowing that Danielle had always been nothing but honest with her.

But she was haunted by past experiences of losing friends when she revealed her true self. She struggled with the fear of losing Danielle too. Yet, the weight of being dishonest with the girl troubled her.

Haerin turned to Danielle, her gaze shifting from the horizon to Danielle's profile. Softness filled her eyes as she looked at Danielle.

Haerin, normally calm and composed, now felt totally nervous. Today, she knew it was time to finally share her biggest secret with Danielle—a burden she'd carried for years.

She sighed. "Dani, there's something I need to tell you," Haerin started, her voice quiet but serious.

Danielle nodded reassuringly. She could tell Haerin was nervous. "What is it, Haerin?" she asked, her tone gentle.

Haerin's heart raced with  fear.  Gathering her courage, she locked eyes with Danielle.

"I've been keeping this from you for a long time, and I know it might change everything," Haerin confessed, her hands nervously fidgeting.

Concern clouded Danielle's expression. "Haerin, whatever it is, you can tell me. We're friends, and nothing will change that," she reassured.

Haerin took a deep breath. "I... I'm not like everyone else. I'm different," she confessed, her words hesitant.

Danielle's eyes widened in surprise, concern evident in her expression. "Different? What do you mean, Haerin?" she asked softly, encouraging Haerin to continue.

After a moment to collect her thoughts, Haerin finally voiced the secret she had kept hidden for so long. "I'm a vampire," she admitted, her voice barely audible and her eyes are tightly shut.

Silence took over them, broken only by the sounds of crickets and the distant waves of ocean. Haerin braced herself for the expected reactions—fear, disbelief, and rejection.

To her astonishment, Danielle's response was not one of horror or disbelief. Instead, her eyes widened with shock, processing Haerin's revelation.

"A vampire? Like... with fangs and everything?" Danielle inquired, a blend of fascination and disbelief coloring her tone.

Haerin nodded, unable to meet Danielle's gaze. "Yes, like in the stories and movies. But I'm not like the ones we've read and watched about. I don't harm people. I never have, and I never will," she explained earnestly, her voice pleading for understanding.

Danielle's initial astonishment slowly morphed into a mixture of emotions. "Haerin, I... I'm not sure what to say," Danielle admitted, her mind racing to process this new information.

Haerin braced herself for rejection, "I'm sorry I've kept it hidden from you for so long. I was just afraid you would leave like others have. I'm sorry, Dani," she confessed, vulnerability lacing her words.

But then Danielle did something unexpected. She reached out and took Haerin's hand in hers, the warmth of their touch grounding Haerin.

"I'm not going anywhere, Haerin," Danielle reassured her, her eyes soft with understanding.

"I may not fully understand it, but you're still you, and that's all that matters to me," she said sincerely.

Haerin's eyes glistened, "You... you're not scared?" Haerin asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Danielle shook her head, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "I won't deny that I'm surprised. But I've always sensed that you were different in some way. I just couldn't quite put my finger on it. Regardless, I made a promise to myself long ago that I would stand by you and accept you, no matter what," Danielle affirmed.

"And let's be honest, Haerinie, the moment you accepted my friendship, you were stuck with me and so do I to you. I'll always be your person, and you'll always be mine. We can't quit this friendship," Danielle added playfully.

In that moment, as the sun's fading rays enveloped them in a peaceful embrace. Haerin leaned in to rest her forehead against Danielle's, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders.

Though Haerin understood that Danielle's words were purely platonic, she couldn't help but fell deeper in love with the girl.

"Thank you," Haerin whispered, her voice filled with emotion, as Danielle squeezed her hands in reassurance.

"Now, you owe me answers to a thousand questions swirling in my mind," Danielle teased lightly, breaking the tension with playfulness.

Haerin chuckled softly. "Sure, as long as you would not to run away from me?"

"Never," Danielle answered smiling.