Vampire Brothers

Chapter 22

Haneul watched as they practiced using their powers, her eyes wide with amazement. "They're incredible, aren't they?" Joshua suddenly asked, and she nodded.

"I wish I had powers like them," Joshua said wistfully.

"But I like your power, Shua oppa. You can save lives. That's an honorable task," Haneul replied.Joshua sighed. "I know, Haneul. But I can't stop thinking about how I can't help much on the battlefield. All I can do is use my fangs and claws."

"We're on the same boat Shua oppa. I don't even know what's happening to me right now. I'm still searching for my true identity, my family, who I really am. I'm not even sure if I have any powers, and I don't have fangs. I'm weaker than everyone here," Haneul said with a bitter smile. Joshua gave her a gentle pat on the head and smiled softly.

Later, Haneul walked alone deeper into the forest. She had told Joshua she wanted to take a walk, and since the forest was on their property, he didn't object, though he did remind her to be careful and gave her a flashlight since she didn't yet have any vampire abilities to see in the dark.

Haneul looked around as she walked. "It's really dark here," she muttered, shining her flashlight at a bush where she heard a rustling sound. "Who's there?" she asked nervously. A hare suddenly darted out of the bush, and Haneul smiled. "Aw, that's cute. But don't scare me like that, Mr. Hare," she said, watching it hop away before continuing her walk.

"Why are you here alone?!" a stern voice suddenly demanded. Haneul spun around, searching for the source, and gasped when someone landed behind her.

"S.Coups oppa! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to— I should leave—" Haneul tried to walk past him, but S.Coups grabbed her wrist just in time.

"Stay," he said firmly.

"Wh-what?" Haneul stammered, looking at him in confusion.

"I want you to stay here with me," S.Coups said, his gaze intense.

Haneul frowned. "I don't understand you, oppa."

S.Coups looked puzzled but didn't let go of her wrist. As she tried to pull away, he pulled her closer. Haneul gasped at how close they suddenly were, her breath catching in her throat.

"Say that again," he demanded, his eyes glowing red.

Haneul swallowed hard.

"Am I that hard for you to understand?" he asked her. "You think I hate you. I know you do. But why? Why do you think that? And why are you only now asking me about it?" Haneul's eyes filled with tears, blurring her vision. "Why?"

"I'll tell you when the time is right."

"When? Oppa, I'm tired of secrets and waiting! I want to know who I am! I want to know what I am to you. Why do you hate me so much?" Haneul cried, looking into his eyes.

S.Coups gritted his teeth, then suddenly spun her around and pinned her against a tree. "Oppa!" she exclaimed.

"Does this look like something someone who hates you would do?!" S.Coups growled, glaring at her.

"I've been holding myself back for too long, Haneul. Since the day we found you, I knew... So please, don't make me lose control," S.Coups said, resting his forehead against hers.

"O-oppa...what are you saying? I d-don't understand," Haneul stammered.S.Coups looked down at her. "Haneul, actually..."

"S.Coups hyung!" Wonwoo's voice suddenly interrupted him through their telepathic link.

S.Coups sighed and let go of Haneul's hands. "What?" he asked, his voice tinged with frustration.Haneul looked at him, confused.

"It's almost sunrise," Wonwoo reminded him. S.Coups checked his watch. It was already past 6 AM. He sighed again. "Make sure everyone returns to the mansion before sunrise. I don't want Joshua treating any burn injuries this time," he instructed.

"Noted. Oh, and we couldn't find Haneul anywhere. Should we look for her first?"

"She's with me," S.Coups replied, glancing at Haneul.

"Okay. We'll head back first," Wonwoo said, cutting the mind link.

"It's almost sunrise. We should head back to the mansion," S.Coups said.

"You go ahead. I'll find my own way back," Haneul responded stubbornly.

"Stop being so stubborn, Haneul!" S.Coups scolded.

"I-I just want to watch the sunrise," Haneul told him.

S.Coups sighed again. "I'll wait with you."

"No. I want to be alone," Haneul insisted.

S.Coups sighed once more, then walked over and grabbed her hand. "Come with me," he said, dragging her along.

After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at a spot. "Where is this?" Haneul asked.

"Still on our property," S.Coups replied, sitting down under a tree. "This spot is a bit higher up than where we were before. You can get a nice view of the sunrise." He patted the ground next to him, inviting Haneul to sit beside him. She sat down silently, and they waited for the sun to rise.

"How did you find this place?" she finally asked.

"The others can't be in the sun, so they can never come out when the sun rises. The sun is beautiful, but unfortunately, some of us can't enjoy it. I'm always here to take pictures of the sunrise for them. Even Mingyu doesn't know about this place," S.Coups explained.

"So, it's like your secret base?" Haneul asked, and he nodded.

"That's cool," she said. They fell into a comfortable silence, with only the sounds of birds chirping around them.

"It's time," S.Coups said, glancing at the rising sun. But when he turned to Haneul, he realized she had fallen asleep, leaning against the tree.

S.Coups scoffed. "You wanted to watch the sunrise, but now look at you." He took off his jacket and draped it over Haneul. As he did, his face came close to hers, and his gaze lingered on her lips. His heart pounded rapidly, and he closed his eyes, clenching his fists tightly. He moved away from her. *Calm down, Seungcheol,* he told himself.

But he couldn't stop looking at her. "A kiss wouldn't hurt, right?" he whispered to himself, then leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

S.Coups carried Haneul back to the mansion while she slept soundly in his arms. He walked up to her room, gently laid her on the bed, pulled the covers over her, and then went to the window to draw the curtains. He looked at her one last time, the memory of kissing her in the forest still fresh in his mind. Biting his lip, he leaned down and placed another soft kiss on her forehead. "Good night, princess," he whispered.

As he left her room, he was surprised to find Joshua and Jeonghan waiting outside. S.Coups tried to act like nothing had happened.

"Coups-ah..." Jeonghan started.

"Care to explain what we just saw?" Joshua asked, crossing his arms over his chest.S.Coups's eyes widened in surprise.