「sunlight 」 j.jk ✞ p.jm

八

8 : bite to the finish

The chains binding Jeongguk rattled as he finally slipped out of them, tossing the last one over his head. They couldn't be heard over the argument the guys were making upstairs. Interestingly enough, Jimin's voice was absent from the conversation.

He stretched his arms and worked the kinks out of his shoulders before lifting the bottom of his shirt up to examine the burn mark. It no longer hurt, but the skin was still black.

Jeongguk sat down again, crossing one leg over the other. Jimin left a mark on me. It's only fair I leave a mark on him, too. He put on a feral smile and clasped his hands together. They could argue and protest all they wanted, but Jeongguk knew the choice Jimin would make. It was just a matter of waiting now.

"I'm not about to just hand off Jimin to a vampire!" Rainbow shouted.

"But, Namjoon-hyung..." Jimin said softly.

Yoongi cut over him. "I hate it too, but what choice do we have?"

"Guys, I'll—"

Namjoon slammed his fist on the door. "Ask for something else, Jeongguk!"

"No."

"I'll do it!" Jimin yelled. The room upstairs fell silent, while Jeongguk grinned to himself in the dark. "I'll do it," Jimin said again in a softer voice. "I-it's just a little bit of blood. It's for the greater good."

Oh, I can assure you, Jimin, blood isn't the only thing I'm taking.

The door knob wiggled, then abruptly stopped. "Jimin," Namjoon said in a serious whisper. "You and I both heard all the things he said earlier. What if he wants more than blood?"

Jimin was silent for a moment. "I trust him." Underneath his trembling voice, there was a note of confidence. The knob turned again, and light spilled down the steps, silhouetting Jimin's figure. He closed the door and descended the stairs, stopping at the base.

He gasped, seeing the coil of chains in the small sliver of light the moon provided. "J-Jeongguk?"

"Don't worry, Jimin-ssi." Jeongguk got up from his chair and stepped into the light. "No surprises this time. Here I am."

"How'd you get out of those chains? When did you get out?"

"About two minutes ago. As for how..." Jeongguk played with his pointed ear. "Let's just say I'm quite slippery when I want to be." Jeongguk stepped closer, watching Jimin raise his arms and cover his chest. "Don't be so modest, Jimin. I told you, you're beautiful, every inch of you."

Jimin stood his ground against Jeongguk's advancement, but he began to tremble. "You just want blood, Jeongguk. That's all you need, right?"

"That's all I need but not all I want." He reached out and gently pulled Jimin's arms down. "And deep down, you want the same thing I do."

"I want you to help us." Jimin made sure to avoid Jeongguk's eyes.

Jeongguk slid around to Jimin's side, running a finger up his arm. "I will, I promise. But I need to help myself first. And maybe I can help you, too."

Jimin shook his head. "I don't need help—ah!"

Jeongguk blew in Jimin's ear, making him shudder. "You're such a stickler for rules and regulations. Wouldn't it be great if you didn't have to listen to that little voice in your head telling you right from wrong?"

"I did that already," Jimin whispered. "I never want to do it again."

Moving behind Jimin, Jeongguk wrapped his arms around Jimin's waist, pulling him into a light hug. "What if I was beside you the entire time?" He blew down Jimin's neck.