「sunlight 」 j.jk ✞ p.jm

十

10 : crimson love

"Mmmmm," Jeongguk groaned, turning over on his soft pillow. A bird continued to chirp outside his window, and he wished it would be quiet for at least another hour. Still, it persisted, and Jeongguk had no choice but to crack his eyes open, finding a crystallized ceiling above him.

He blinked three times, forcing the bleariness to go away. The crystal ceiling remained, shimmering in multiple hues. What? Where am I? It was a bit of a struggle, but Jeongguk lifted himself up, removing a hand from under his bed sheets. He twisted about and ran his hands over his face.

Blurry images bubbled to the surface of his bewildered mind. He rubbed his forehead, hoping to clear up his memory. He could see it now, his fight with Jimin. Helping his friends get to safety. Going back through the portal before the sun came up. After that, everything was still hazy.

An impatient growl broke his train of concentration. His stomach felt hollow; so hollow in fact, that it was ready to cave in on itself. "Ugghh, it can't even be noon and I already need more..." Jeongguk paused. Actually... he didn't feel the need to drink blood. He was hungry, not for sweet red liquid, but actual food.

Turning his head to the left, there was a small table with a bowl of assorted fruits. Jeongguk reached for it with a hand. He picked an apple up and brought it to his mouth. He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he just wasn't imagining the change. His stomach roared again, and Jeongguk bit into the red, juicy fruit.

It tasted delicious.

Jeongguk tore into it with fervor, savoring every taste and texture. A tear rolled down his cheek. "I'm normal!" he cried, tossing the apple core into the air. He went to work on the vine of grapes, popping them in three at a time.

A door to his right opened up, and a voice said, "Jeongguk, you're awake! And it looks like you're doing better!"

Jeongguk twisted around and found Prince Park Jimin beaming at him. He swallowed the mouthful of grapes and smiled as well. "Hey, Jimin."

Prince Jimin trotted over and sat next to Jeongguk's bed. "Hi, Jeongguk." He blushed and rubbed his neck. "Looks like I kinda dropped the ball again, didn't I? Seems every time you need me, I'm not around."

Seeing the guilt in the Prince's eyes, Jeongguk was desperate to say something, but words failed him. He had really needed Prince Jimin's help, or at least some general advice. At the same time... "It's not fair for me to keep relying on you whenever we have a problem though. You've got enough to worry about as is."

"Still, as resourceful and resilient as you are, this was something I think could have only been solved with access to magic." Jimin stood up and held a hand to Jeongguk. "Do you think you can walk?"

Jeongguk took his hand and eased his way out of bed. He was a little wobbly, but he soon found his footing and trotted along after the Prince. Jeongguk marveled at the large hallways and ornamented doors. "So, this is your castle? It's huge."

"Yeah," Prince Jimin giggled. "I still find new rooms I haven't explored sometimes." He led Jeongguk into the library, where the mirror portal sat against the back wall, still active. "I wish I could have brought you over under more pleasant circumstances."

On a table next to the portal was a small cage containing the bat. It hung from the bars, asleep with its wings folded around its body. Jeongguk kept his distance, rubbing his neck. "So, how did you cure us?" He looked around. "And where is everyone?"

Jimin gestured to the portal. "I sent them back home as soon as the treatment was done. They had already been vampires; I felt the less time they stayed here, the better." He trotted over to a small sitting table. "It's a good thing your school has already been exposed to so much magical weirdness."