SOTUS Drabbles and One-Shots

9. When choices end

Vampire AU

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"All I'm saying is that maybe the rules don't matter," Kongpob tilts his head as he tries to explain to his friend, Aim, his point of view, "like, if my sisters can do it, why can't I?"

"But that's the thing," Aim says, giving a light shove to Kongpob's shoulder, "your sisters aren't the heir of the Sutthilaks."

"One of them could be," Kongpob crosses his arms, "not me."

"You just said 'could.'" Aim purses his lips. "Look, I'm not saying I know everything about the rules, because I don't, I'm just a simple mortal or whatever, but you should really think more about this." He places a soft hand on his friend's arm. "This really isn't like you, Kong. You usually give more thought to these things."

"And I have," Kongpob argues. "Probably more than necessary." He lets out a frustrated growl. "Why send me to this mortal school, get this mortal education, live in this mortal society, if I'm not even going to get to participate in it in the future?"

"Because you know that's not true," Aim says. "You're still going to interact with us, but you won't marry a mortal. You aren't allowed to have sex with mortals, and, more than that, you know it's forbidden to fall in love with a mortal."

"But why?" Kongpob asks, growing more and more irritated with every word. "Why not? What's the harm in that? Because you die faster?"

"Because your kind eats us," Aim replies, sounding shocked. "Do you not know what you drink in the morning? Blood? Human blood?"

"Well then I wouldn't call that eating," Kongpob says, turning up his nose.

Aim sighs. "Come on, Kong. I know you're stressed, but don't get stupid."

"I'm not," Kongpob says before deflating. "I'm not. Forget about it. Forget I said anything. I'll just... follow the rules and get over it. I'm just being dramatic."

Instead of his friend offering consoling words, Aim just shakes his head, rubbing a hand up and down his arm as he begins to walk away. "Finally," he says. "About time you realized that."

Kongpob stares after the other boy as the distance between them increases.

"And absolutely zero girls, unless you know for sure they're like you," his mother finishes, the flames of the fire dancing in her eyes and making her golden earrings glitter.

Kongpob sighs. "Yes, Mother. I know, Mother."

"Don't be disrespectful," his father says. "That's unbecoming of you. What would the Council think?"

"They'd think I'm correct and that the rules are ridiculous," Kongpob snaps. "I'm following them, but I'm not happy about it. I hope you know that."

"We're well aware," his mother sighs. "Very well aware."

"Well...," Kongpob crosses his arms, looking defiantly into the fire, "good."

His parents share a look before his father pinches the bridge of his nose. "Just get through university, alright, Kongpob?"

His name is Arthit, and he's as annoying as the rules set by the Council.

Kongpob falls completely head over heels, a full somersault, before the first month of university even ends.