BloodBound Trinity

9

The next night came swiftly, but the unease from Seonghwa’s restless moments the night before had not left. San and Hongjoong stayed close to him throughout the day, trying to keep him grounded, but there was an air of tension hanging over them.

Seonghwa had spent most of the afternoon quietly reading, while San and Hongjoong exchanged worried glances behind his back. They hadn’t heard any whispers or felt the strange presence Seonghwa mentioned, but they trusted him. Whatever was haunting him was very real in his mind—and now, it was becoming real for them too.

As the evening fell and the sky turned dark, Seonghwa sat by the window, staring out into the night. His face was calm, but his eyes were distant, as if searching for something just beyond the horizon.

San came up behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

San: "You okay, baby?"

Seonghwa didn’t respond right away. His eyes were still fixed on the shadows outside, his thoughts far from where they should be.

Seonghwa: (softly) "I keep thinking about last night. The whispers, the feeling that something’s watching us... It’s not going away."

Hongjoong joined them, sitting beside Seonghwa on the windowsill. He nudged Seonghwa gently, offering him a small smile.

Hongjoong: "We’re here, Hwa. If something’s coming for us, it’ll have to go through all three of us."

Seonghwa managed a weak smile, but the worry in his eyes remained.

Seonghwa: "It’s not just that. I’m scared it’s something from my past. Something I should have dealt with long ago."

San’s brows furrowed in concern.

San: "What do you mean, from your past?"

Seonghwa hesitated for a moment, glancing between his boyfriends. He hadn’t spoken much about his life before meeting them—it was a part of himself he had tried to leave behind. But now, with the whispers growing louder and the shadows creeping closer, he knew he couldn’t avoid it any longer.

Seonghwa: (quietly) "Before I met you both, there were… others. Vampires who weren’t as kind, as loving. They wanted to control me, to use me. I escaped, but I always feared they’d find me again."

Hongjoong’s expression darkened, and San’s grip on Seonghwa’s shoulder tightened protectively.

Hongjoong: "They’ll never lay a hand on you again, Seonghwa. Not while we’re here."

Seonghwa sighed, his gaze drifting back to the window.

Seonghwa: "I don’t know if it’s them. But it feels like something dark is closing in. I can’t shake the feeling."

Suddenly, a faint knock echoed from the front door, causing all three of them to stiffen. It was a soft sound, barely audible, but enough to send a chill down Seonghwa’s spine.

San exchanged a glance with Hongjoong before moving toward the door, his movements slow and cautious.

San: "Stay here. I’ll check it out."

Seonghwa watched as San approached the door, every muscle in his body tense. He could feel Hongjoong’s hand on his knee, grounding him, but his eyes were locked on San’s every movement.

As San reached the door, he paused for a moment, listening carefully before slowly turning the handle. The door creaked open, revealing… nothing. The night was still and quiet, with no sign of anyone—or anything—waiting outside.

San frowned, stepping out onto the porch to get a better look, but the street was empty.

San: (calling back) "There’s no one here."

Seonghwa stood up, his heart pounding. He could still feel that presence, the cold, unnerving sensation that something was near.

Seonghwa: "It’s watching us. I know it is."

Hongjoong stood up as well, his jaw clenched.

Hongjoong: "Let it watch. We’ll be ready for whatever comes next."

San returned inside, closing the door firmly behind him. He glanced at Seonghwa, his eyes full of concern.

San: "We’re not letting anything happen to you, Seonghwa. We’ll keep you safe, no matter what."

Seonghwa nodded, but deep down, the worry gnawed at him. Whatever was coming, it wasn’t going to stop. And he wasn’t sure if even San and Hongjoong’s love could protect him from the shadows of his past.