Forbidden Longings | Seulrene AU

Chapter XX (✓)

The six of them trudged through the door of Seulgi's place, every step a reminder of the brutal fight they had just endured. Seulgi, Seungwan, Moonbyul, Joohyun, Yeri, and Sooyoung each wore the marks of the battle with Bogum and his goons, their bodies and spirits equally battered.

They slumped into the living room, the exhaustion palpable. Seulgi, despite her own wounds, forced herself into the kitchen to retrieve blood bags for herself, Seungwan, and Moonbyul. She moved slowly, each step a reminder of the wooden bullets that had been dug out of her abdomen not long ago.

Seungwan, ever the caretaker, busied herself offering refreshments and snacks to Joohyun, Yeri, and Sooyoung. The three of them looked just as beat up as their vampire companions, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and relief.

Seulgi returned with the blood bags, distributing them to Seungwan and Moonbyul before collapsing into a chair after feeling her legs giving out.

"You guys should shower first. We'll lend you some clothes for the stay too.", Seulgi suggested as she eyed the other three on the sofa ahead.

Yeri and Sooyoung were the first to agree, heading towards the two bathrooms upstairs. Joohyun lingered, her eyes scanning the room, absorbing the battered but alive state of her friends.

"You need to thank Sooyoung after the shower, she saved your ass back there.", Seulgi commented after remembering the burst of energy that emitted from Sooyoung despite how drained she had already been.

"She did..?", Seungwan asked in surprise as she sat up after finishing the blood bag.

"In fact, she and Yeri saved all our asses. If it weren't for those two we would've been dead. We're in debt to whatever they need, no matter how long.", Seulgi clarified and they nodded in agreement before returning their attention back to Joohyun who had been quiet the entire time.

"What are you going to do now that you have the journal and the watch?", Joohyun asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

Then she narrowed her eyes at the journal Moonbyul took out and placed in front of them. As Seungwan leaned back, her eyes were on the ceiling as if the answers they were seeking were there.

"We.. We don't know yet, but before we do anything, we'll look through the journal ourselves to see if the answer is truly in there.", Seulgi honestly answered and they nodded in agreement.

"I'll go get some of my clothes for Sooyoung.", Seungwan said shortly after and patted her thighs before standing up.

"Yeah, here I'll go with you so I can lend some to Yeri too.", Moonbyul replied and the shorter nodded before they both disappeared upstairs, leaving Seulgi and Joohyun alone.

Seulgi glanced at Joohyun, whose eyes were distant, her mind likely replaying the horrors they had just escaped. Taking the initiative, Seulgi stood up and sat beside the older, gently pulling her into a hug. The contact felt like a lifeline, grounding them both.

"I'm sorry about everything that you witnessed earlier.", Seulgi said softly, her voice thick with guilt. She kissed the top of Joohyun's head, the gesture meant to offer some comfort amidst the chaos. Joohyun leaned into the hug, drawing solace from Seulgi's warmth.