Crimson Crown

⌠29⌡

Jinyoung felt his heart racing as he arrived at the vampire's house. He didn't know what he was going to say, or how Jackson would react to seeing him again, or if he would even be able to see him in the first place. They both were left pretty angry that night, and both said some hurtful things.

This was Jinyoung reaching out to try and mend things, and he hoped Jackson wouldn't close himself off again and make it impossible to get closer to him once more.

He stepped up on the porch, approaching the front door. His fist was clammy as he knocked on the wood, goosebumps littering his skin in the cool afternoon. 

"Jackson?" He called, knocking again. He received no answer and wondered if Jackson was ignoring him. He began to worry a bit, deciding that this was too important to wait around for the vampire to feel like talking. He reached for the doorknob, testing to see if it were open.

He was surprised to find it unlocked, easily opening. He felt a bit odd stepping into the house he hadn't returned to for a while, but the inside felt as warm and homey as usual. The only difference was that it looked a bit messier than how it was usually kept; he wondered if Jackson had been taking care of himself since their fight. He thought maybe Jackson would at least be nearby, listening, but upon surveying the room he couldn't find the latter anywhere.

"Jackson? It's me... Prince-" Jinyoung faltered, cringing at the use of his title. He didn't want to be 'Prince' Jinyoung when with Jackson. This was the only place where his status never mattered. "I mean, Jinyoung. Just Jinyoung."

He stepped further into the house, walking into the empty dark living room. He knew that if the vampire were around, he could sense his presence. "Jackson I'm sorry. I know if you're around you can sense me. I came to try and talk..."

Jinyoung frowned as he tried to listen for any signs of life in the house. Maybe he went off hunting? He began to worry, wondering if he should leave and return some other time, or stay and wait. 

He turned around to head for the door, nearly yelping as he came face to face with those crimson eyes.

He gasped as he was shoved backward, stumbling over his own feet and hitting the wall. Jackson stepped closer, his glare sending a chill down Jinyoung's spine.

"Please leave." The vampire ordered.

Jinyoung swallowed hard, his heart pounding against his chest. He wasn't scared of Jackson, but he was worried that the vampire might still be furious and may take that anger out on him. Regardless, Jinyoung couldn't just give up on him so easily.

"I can't do that." He replied.

Jackson's brows furrowed, his eyes seemingly glowing brighter. "Why not?"

"Because you need me."

"Like hell I need you!" The latter's voice startled Jinyoung, along with the loud stomp of his foot. "The lousy people of your kingdom need you, go tend to them and leave me to rot just like everyone else does!"

Jinyoung took a step closer, raising his hands to prove that he meant no harm. "Jackson please, I'm so sorry. I came to talk-"

"No! I'm a dangerous killer vampire! Stop apologizing and be scared of me!"

"I'm not scared, because you're not that at all."

"Yes, I am!"

"You're not!" Jinyoung snapped, his voice now reaching Jackson's volume. "And I'm sorry for making you feel that way! I'm so sorry for everything I said!"

"No... no you're not..." The vampire muttered, his eyes darting everywhere as if he was trying to figure out what to believe. "None of you are sorry. None of you..."