Crimson Crown

⌠32⌡

Jinyoung tossed over in his slumber, feeling slightly uncomfortable for whatever reason. He tried to ignore the discomfort, but eventually couldn't find it in himself to rest any longer. His eyes cracked open, vision slightly blurred as the early noon light seeped through the window.

He blinked the sleep out of his eyes, nearly jolting out of his skin as dark-colored irises stared back at him.

Jackson sat on the bed beside him, looking down at the sleeping prince who didn't pay much attention to where he'd decided to nap. At first, Jinyoung's heart leaped out of his chest because he thought Jackson was staring at him, but after a moment, he realized his gaze was slightly lower.

Jinyoung looked down at his hands, feeling even more embarrassed as he realized he was still clutching the portrait to his chest. He quickly glanced back up, feeling his cheeks warm.

"Oh... you're back..."

"Yes, I've returned." Jackson confirmed, brows rising. "You've done some exploring."

"Oh, um... I was just looking at this photo and must've fallen asleep..."

Jackson hummed, turning away for just a moment.

"I found this on the steps." He stated while pulling something out of his cloak. He presented a bright pink flower to Jinyoung, one of the vibrant wildflowers the prince had collected earlier that must've slipped from his hands. "...And I saw the bouquet."

"Y-You did..." The latter stuttered, full of embarrassment as he laid there like a guilty child. "...I apologize for entering that room without permission but... I felt like I needed to do something. I was not directly responsible for what happened, but I still felt like I needed to respect your people-..."

"It was kind of you. Thank you."

Jinyoung blinked; the last thing he expected was a 'thank you'. That room seemed to be off-limits, even to Jackson himself, so he expected to get scolded more than appreciated for disregarding the vampire's boundaries.

Maybe his good intentions came across better than he expected them to. "I-It was nothing..."

The vampire sighed as he toyed with the flower between his fingers. He gazed at the bright pink petals with a deep expression, as if there was a lot on his mind that he just couldn't formulate into words. "Now you know every part of me that I try to keep hidden. It's an odd feeling."

Jinyoung shrugged, his own gaze drifting to the ceiling. He didn't intentionally find out about Jackson's past, but he was glad he did, or else he would never understand what he'd been through. Now there were very few secrets left between them-- it did feel quite odd to be so open. "I guess... I can see through you."

"You've been the only one able to. I am still unsure as to why, in fact, it irks me."

"Maybe you trust me. You said you'd never trust me but... maybe a part of you does."

Jackson shook his head as a dry chuckle escaped him. "The last thing I ever imagined myself doing was trusting a human. Not after you took so much away from me..."

An uncomfortable silence settled between them, one that Jinyoung quickly decided to rectify.

"I'm sorry for that..."

The vampire faltered, suddenly realizing how accusatory that came out. "No, I didn't mean that-- it came out wrong, I'm not blaming you--"

"I get it."

Jackson blinked, his expression softening. To Jinyoung's surprise, a relieved smile broke onto his lips. "You're the only person that does."

Jinyoung's chest tingled at the idea of being the only person who Jackson had gotten this close to in centuries. He was finally seeing the latter in a new light; his defenses were down and he's allowed to see the vampire for who he truly was. Honestly, he quite liked it.

"There is nothing I wanted more than to learn all about you. I'm glad I found out about everything, even if you didn't want me to." Jinyoung finally responded after taking in the rare smile.

"I just didn't want you to see the real me. You always approached me as this wonderful vampire, which was the first time in a long time anyone thought positively about me. I was worried that digging deeper into my past would drive you away..."

"I am not easy to drive away."

"I know that now." The latter chuckled, his eyes flicking down to Jinyoung. He raised the flower in his hand, seemingly offering it to the prince. "I wish you were. I wish you were like the rest, therefore I wouldn't be feeling such odd things around you."

"Odd feelings aren't necessarily bad..." Jinyoung replied, his fingers brushing over Jackson's as he gently gripped the flower's stem.

"You're right, what I'm feeling isn't bad at all."

The vampire mumbled those words as he slowly leaned closer to Jinyoung, their faces hovering merely an inch apart. The prince could have seen it coming if he were really paying much attention, but he had gotten so lost in Jackson's glittery eyes and soft hands that he was taken aback by the gentle kiss bestowed upon his lips.

He froze like a block of ice that was easily melted as the kiss prolonged, initially shocked by the shameless act that was so unlike Jackson. Yet he himself quickly succumbed to the rapid beating of his heart and the dainty press of their lips together; he had felt before how warm Jackson was, but this was something totally different from his past experiences. It was soft and delicate, perfectly moist, and gentle-- as if Jinyoung was a fragile china plate.

He normally felt indifferent toward those who treated him so carefully, but in the sense of Jackson's kiss, it was heavenly.

His eyelids were still fluttering when Jackson slowly pulled back, lips parted in shock while his heart raced in his chest. The vampire stared down at him as if waiting for him to say something, yet at the same time, not needing a response.

Jinyoung normally found something to say anyway; he practically grew up trained on how to always have an appropriate response for anything. But he was definitely not trained on this; what the hell was he to say after a tender kiss with a vampire?

It didn't seem that Jackson cared much that he was speechless; he seemed quite content with staring down at Jinyoung and admiring his features while stroking his thumb down the younger's cheek. His other hand that clutched onto the wildflower pressed the plant against Jinyoung's chest, securing the latter's fingers around it before releasing, allowing the prince to hold on to it.

Goosebumps spread like the plague across Jinyoung's body.

"Maybe the stars aren't the only source of light in my life anymore..." Jackson mumbled, seemingly more to himself than to Jinyoung, but he wouldn't have said it aloud if he hadn't wanted the prince to hear.

Even after such a heart-melting statement, Jinyoung was left with no words. His voice refused to work, lips protesting movement, even his thoughts were jumbled. The only thing left on his mind was how wonderfully soft and warm those lips felt against his own.

Jackson took in a breath as he pulled back more, taking his warmth and gentleness with him. He looked away as he stood to his feet, heading toward the door.

"The meal I prepared for you is ready. You can come down and eat at any time."

With that, the vampire exited, shutting the bedroom door behind him. He left Jinyoung there laid out on his bed; the prince's heart still pumping crazily while his trembling fingers clutched the flower close to his chest.