Haunted By You | Hyunjin

Between Fear and Trust

...

Tae laughed, his golden eyes sparkling with a warmth that hadn't changed. "Yeah, I'm looking forward to it." His laughter died down as he turned serious, his gaze softening as he looked at you. "Y/N, can I ask you something?"

You tilted your head, waiting for him to continue.

Tae hesitated, his eyes flicking briefly to Hyunjin before returning to you. "Now that I'm... a vampire, can I still... hug you and kiss you on the forehead? Or are those human things I can't do anymore?"

His voice was gentle, uncertain, as if afraid of the answer. Your face softened at the vulnerability in your brother's voice, the same warmth filling your heart that had been there before.

"Of course, Tae," you whispered with a soft smile. "You're still my brother, no matter what. I don't want anything to change between us..." You chuckled lightly, trying to ease the moment. "Just don't bite me, alright?"

Tae's laughter returned, bright and genuine. "Deal," he grinned, pulling you into a tight hug and planting a kiss on your forehead like he always did. "Love you, sis."

"Love you too," you murmured against his shoulder before pulling away. He seemed so much like his old self, and yet you could feel the subtle differences in him—like the subtle glow in his eyes.

You glanced over at Hyunjin, who had been watching the exchange, his gaze warm but unreadable. "Rest now," you told Tae before looking back at Hyunjin. "Can we talk?"

Hyunjin nodded, his expression turning more serious as he gestured for you to lead the way. "Of course. Let's go to the living room."

As you both slipped out of your brother's room, you couldn't help but whisper, "Isn't he going to... attack me accidentally?" The thought made your stomach tighten with worry, knowing Tae was new to all of this, and instincts could take over at any moment.

Hyunjin gave you a small nod as he quietly shut the door behind him. "He might," he admitted, his voice low. "Newly turned vampires don't have control over their instincts. That's why I will be staying here with him, to make sure he doesn't hurt you or himself."

You nodded, the reality of it all still settling into your mind. As you entered the living room, you found yourself turning to Hyunjin again, your concern suddenly shifting. "Are you... alright?" you asked, your voice soft with worry. "After everything that happened outside?"

Hyunjin's expression softened at your concern, and he took a step closer. "I'm fine, Y/N. I heal quickly." He said gently, though his eyes lingered on you a moment too long, as if silently taking in every detail of your face. He reached out, his hand brushing against yours for just a second before pulling back as if testing the boundaries of new reality. "But I'm more concerned about you. How are you handling all this? Finding out about me, Tae..."

You exhaled deeply, your mind still swirling with the events. "It's... it's shocking," you admitted. "I always felt there was something different about you, but I never thought... this." Your voice cracked slightly, and you quickly cleared your throat, trying to stay composed.

Hyunjin's gaze darkened slightly, not with anger but with the gravity of the situation. He nodded, his eyes glinting in the dim light. "I understand. It's a lot to take in. But you'll get used to it eventually." He paused, his gaze searching yours as if looking for something more. "Y/N..?"

"Hm?" you replied, sensing the shift in his tone.

Hyunjin's thumb brushed lightly over your knuckles, sending a subtle shiver down your spine. "Do you... fear me?" His voice was low, almost hesitant. "After finding out what I am..." He paused, his eyes never leaving yours. "What we are..."

Your breath caught in your throat at his words. "I'm not sure," you answered truthfully. "But if you didn't hurt me or my brother all these years, I trust that you wouldn't now... I hope so."

Hyunjin's breath hitched. For a moment, he looked as though he had been struck by something deeply personal. He hated the uncertainty, the fear in your eyes. He leaned in closer, his face just inches from yours, his voice rough with intensity. "I would never hurt you, Y/N," he vowed. "Not now, not ever."

You froze, caught off guard by the seriousness in his tone. Hyunjin was usually teasing, carefree, but now... now he was something else—something deeper. His eyes flickered briefly to your lips, but his gaze quickly returned to yours.

"I promise you that," he said again. "You and Tae are my family. I would destroy anyone who tries to harm either of you."

You could sense the weight of his emotions, the protectiveness that ran deeper than you'd ever realized before. "I trust you," you whispered. "Just... please keep an eye on Tae, while he is still new and unexperienced in all of these.. vampire things."

Hyunjin exhaled softly, the tension in his body easing. "I will," he promised. "I'll make sure he doesn't hurt anyone... including himself."

For a moment, the air between you hung heavy with unsaid things, you hesitated, then reached out, your fingers brushing lightly against his arm. "Thank you," you whispered, your touch lingering for a moment longer before you turned to head upstairs to your room.

Hyunjin's gaze dropped on the spot where your fingers had touched him. "Goodnight, Y/N," his voice barely above a whisper as he watched you leave.

You slipped into your room, closing the door behind you, your mind still buzzing with everything that had happened. As you lay in bed, you found yourself replaying Hyunjin's words, his closeness, the way he had looked at you—as if there were things he wanted to say but couldn't bring himself to.

...

Over the next few days, life slowly began to return to something resembling normalcy. Hyunjin kept a close eye on Tae, guiding him through his new reality. He taught him how to control his thirst, how to hunt without killing, how to move silently and avoid detection. Tae was a quick learner, his natural athleticism making the transition easier.

While Hyunjin spent his days with Tae, teaching and protecting, his constant presence in the house became something you almost got used to. 

Almost.