As the first pale streaks of dawn crept across the sky, Jungkook finally pushed himself up from his bed.

His limbs felt light, buzzing with nervous excitement.

He stood still for a moment, listening—really listening—for any sound from his parents’ room.

Silence.

Not even Namjoon’s soft snoring.

Jungkook tiptoed to his closet, pulling his clothes off and tossing them aside in a messy little pile.

He slipped into a pair of soft white pajama pants and tugged a black hoodie over his head, the fabric swallowing his pale skin in shadow.

He tugged the hood up, hiding the glow of his cheeks.

He chewed on his bottom lip, heart fluttering, before teleporting straight into his parents’ bedroom.

The air shimmered around him as he appeared at the foot of their bed.

Jin and Namjoon were curled together, fast asleep, their breathing slow and peaceful.

Jungkook’s expression softened.

He padded closer, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to each of their foreheads.

“I’ll be back soon… I promise,” he whispered in his soft, angelic voice.

He took one last look at them—warm, safe, familiar—before closing his eyes and teleporting.

The world lurched.

Then—BAM.

Jungkook slammed into something hard and unyielding.

He let out a soft yelp, stumbling as he clutched his hip.

“Ow…” he whined, rubbing the sore spot. “Fuck… I gotta work on my long‑distance teleporting skills…”

His soft angelic voice wavered into a pout.

Before he could gather himself, a deep, cold voice sliced through the air.

“What the fuck!”

Jungkook froze.

His eyes snapped open—wide, round, Bambi‑like—and he found himself staring at a man sitting behind a sleek black desk.

No… not just sitting.

Glaring.

The man looked like he’d been carved from obsidian: short black hair, piercing black eyes, three silver piercings in each ear, a lip ring glinting under the fluorescent lights.

Tattoos crawled up his left arm, disappearing beneath the sleeve of his fitted black button‑up shirt.

Black dress pants.

Sharp jaw.

Sharper aura.

Jungkook’s stomach dropped.

“Oh no…” he breathed in a soft angelic voice.

The man stood slowly, eyes narrowing. “Who the fuck are you?”

Jungkook blinked, cheeks puffing out in a tiny offended pout. “Damn… can’t even ask if I’m okay…” he mumbled in his soft angelic voice, rubbing his hip again.

The man’s eyes narrowed, dark and razor‑sharp, as he took in every inch of Jungkook.

His gaze dragged slowly over Jungkook’s very pale skin, the way it shimmered faintly like crushed moonlight.

Then to his shiny orange eyes, glowing softly even in the dim office light.

His short black hair, the delicate eyebrow piercing, the small silver rings in his ears, the glint of the lip piercing, and the unnatural, almost ethereal sheen of his skin under the pale sunlight streaming through the window.

Jungkook swallowed hard.

The man began walking toward him—slow, deliberate steps that echoed across the polished floor.

Jungkook’s breath hitched.

He instinctively backed away, step by step, until his spine pressed against the cold wall behind him.

The man stopped directly in front of him.

He towered over Jungkook, casting a shadow that swallowed the smaller boy whole.

Jungkook clutched the sleeves of his hoodie in tight fists, knuckles pale as he stared up at the man’s face—sharp jawline, cold expression, eyes like black fire.

Then the man reached out.

His fingers gripped Jungkook’s chin, tilting his face upward with a force that made Jungkook gasp.

The man’s touch was firm—too firm—his thumb pressing into Jungkook’s cheek as if trying to hold him still, trying to understand what he was looking at.

“What are you?” the man asked, voice deep, cold, and edged with suspicion.

Jungkook’s lips parted, a soft shaky breath escaping him.

His heart hammered against his ribs.

Now he understood why his father warned him about humans.

Why he was supposed to avoid them.

Why he should’ve stayed hidden.

The man’s grip tightened.

Jungkook whimpered softly, the sound fragile and trembling.

“C‑can you l‑let g‑go of my f‑face…” he whispered in a soft, shaky angelic voice, eyes glistening.

The man stared at him for a long moment before loosening his grip—only slightly.

His fingers still held Jungkook’s chin, but the pressure eased enough for Jungkook to breathe.

“What are you?” he repeated, voice low and demanding.

Jungkook pressed his lips together, looking away.

He couldn’t answer.

J‑hope told him never to tell anyone what he was.

Never reveal anything.

Never trust a human.

And he had already messed up—teleporting into this man’s office, letting him see his face, his eyes, his skin.

Everything he was supposed to hide.

A soft whimper slipped from Jungkook’s throat as he jerked his hand away from a beam of sunlight cutting across the floor.

The light had touched his skin for barely a second, but it burned—sharp and stinging.

The man’s eyes flicked downward.

He saw it.

The faint red mark blooming across Jungkook’s pale hand.

His expression darkened.

“Stay right here. Don’t move.” The man’s voice was deep, cold, and absolute as he finally released Jungkook’s face.

Jungkook’s breath trembled as the man turned away from him and walked toward the massive office window.

With one sharp tug, he yanked the blinds down, blocking out the harsh sunlight that had burned Jungkook’s skin moments before.

The room dimmed instantly, shadows stretching long across the polished floor.

The man turned back toward him.

Jungkook swallowed nervously, eyes dropping to the ground as the man approached again—slow, controlled, predatory.

A large hand wrapped around Jungkook’s arm, firm enough to make him gasp, and the man pulled him toward the desk with effortless strength.

“Sit.”

The command was low, cold, and left no room for argument.

Jungkook obeyed immediately, lowering himself onto the chair in front of the desk.

He sat stiffly, hands curled into the sleeves of his hoodie, eyes glued to his lap.

His heart thudded painfully against his ribs.

The man sat down behind the desk, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared at Jungkook—studying him, dissecting him with his eyes.

“You’re a vampire, aren’t you?” he asked, voice like ice.

Jungkook didn’t move.

Didn’t breathe.

He kept his gaze fixed on his lap, fingers twisting anxiously in the fabric of his sleeves.

“I asked you a question.” The man’s tone sharpened, slicing through the silence.

Jungkook flinched.

Slowly—hesitantly—he lifted his head.

His shiny orange eyes met the man’s cold black ones.

He chewed on his bottom lip, shoulders curling inward as he fidgeted with his sleeves.

The man leaned forward slightly, eyes scanning Jungkook’s pale, glittery skin as if trying to understand what he was looking at.

“C‑can I leave…?” Jungkook whispered in a soft, trembling angelic voice.

“No.” The answer came instantly, firm and final. “Now answer my question. Are you a vampire?”

Jungkook’s throat tightened.

He looked down again, voice barely audible. “…Yes.”

The man didn’t react—not outwardly.

His expression remained unreadable, cold, calculating.“Where are you from?” he asked.

“The woods…” Jungkook whispered, tugging harder at his sleeves, shrinking into himself.

“And why did you come to the city?” the man pressed, voice still deep and cold.

Jungkook’s breath hitched.

His fingers trembled.

He knew he shouldn’t say anything.

J‑hope warned him.

His father warned him.

Everyone warned him.

But he was trapped.

Cornered.

And the man’s eyes were waiting—demanding.

“I—” Jungkook whispered, his soft angelic voice barely audible.

His fingers twisted nervously in his sleeves. “I wanted to see what the human world was like…” He risked a tiny glance up at the man's face, only to look back down just as quickly.

“Didn’t your parents warn you about the human world?” The man asked, his deep cold voice slicing through the air like a blade.

“Yes…” Jungkook breathed, gaze dropping again to his lap, shoulders curling inward.

“And you still came here… knowing there were vampire hunters?”

Jungkook’s head snapped up so fast it almost hurt.

His shiny orange eyes widened into full Bambi panic, shimmering with fear.

His lips parted, but no sound came out.

Before the man could say anything else—SLAM.

The office door burst open.

Jungkook flinched violently, letting out a tiny squeak as he scrambled backward.

He dove behind the man's desk, pressing himself against the man’s legs, trembling so hard the man could feel it through his dress pants.

“Can I help you?” The man asked, voice dropping even colder as he stared at the intruder—his father.

“Why is it so dark in here, Jeongukk?” Mr. Jeon asked, stepping inside with the confidence of someone who owned the building.

“Because I wanted it dark,” Jeongukk replied flatly, sneaking a quick glance downward at the frightened vampire curled beside his legs.

Jungkook was shaking like a leaf, clutching Jeongukk’s pant leg with both hands. “Now what do you want?”

“I have a business partner who wants you to marry his daughter,” Mr. Jeon said, lowering himself into the chair across from the desk.

He sniffed the air, nose wrinkling. “Why does it smell like strawberries in here?”

“Don’t know,” Jeongukk lied smoothly, glancing down at the trembling creature at his feet.

Jungkook’s scent—sweet, soft, unmistakably supernatural—was clinging to the air like perfume.

Mr. Jeon narrowed his eyes. “Did you have a woman in your office?”

“No,” Jeongukk said sharply.

At that exact moment, Jungkook’s sharp nail accidentally scratched his leg.

Jeongukk’s jaw tightened, and he gave Jungkook a subtle kick—more of a warning tap than anything. “And even if I did, it’s none of your concern.”

“You need to settle down already,” Mr. Jeon said, crossing one leg over the other. “You’re already twenty‑six. It’s about time you began having a family.”

“I’m not settling down,” Jeongukk said, his deep cold voice slicing through the room like a blade. “I don’t want a wife, and I sure as hell don’t want kids.”

His father exhaled sharply, clearly irritated. “You’re my only child,” Mr. Jeon said, leaning back in the chair with the authority of someone used to being obeyed. “You need an heir for when you retire so someone else can step into your position.”

“Not happening,” Jeongukk replied, tone flat and final.

He flicked his eyes downward for a split second—toward the trembling vampire still clutching his pant leg. “Now get out of my office. I’m busy.”

Mr. Jeon stood, straightening his suit jacket. “You will need to settle down eventually,” he said, voice firm. “So you might want to find yourself a partner before I do it for you.”

With that, he walked out, shutting the door behind him with a heavy thud.

Silence settled over the room.

Jeongukk poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue, irritation simmering beneath the surface as he slowly looked down at the small creature wrapped around his leg.

“Get up,” he said in a deep cold voice.

“No,” Jungkook whispered in his soft angelic voice, clutching Jeongukk’s leg even tighter, as if the floor itself might swallow him if he let go.

Jeongukk’s jaw flexed. “Get your ass up before I open that shade.”

Jungkook’s head snapped up, bright orange eyes shimmering with fear.

His Bambi‑wide gaze made him look even smaller, even more fragile.

Jeongukk stared down at him—at the pale glittery skin, the trembling hands, the way Jungkook looked like a terrified woodland creature caught in a trap.

“You need to go back to your home in the woods,” Jeongukk said, voice low and cold.

“No,” Jungkook whispered again, pouting as he shook his head. “I’m not going back.”

His voice softened even more, trembling with stubborn innocence. “I want to see what the human world is like.”

Jeongukk stared at him, disbelief flickering across his face.

“Do you have a death wish?” he asked, voice dropping even lower. “If a vampire hunter sees you, they will kill you.”

Jungkook blinked up at Jeongukk, his pout deepening as his shiny orange eyes shimmered like molten amber.

He looked heartbreakingly soft—small hands clutching Jeongukk’s pant leg, pale glittery skin glowing faintly in the dim office light.

He looked like a lost puppy who had wandered somewhere he didn’t belong.

Jeongukk tried—tried—not to react.

But the creature was cute.

Too cute.

Dangerously cute.

Those Bambi eyes were a weapon all on their own.

But he was still a vampire.

And Jeongukk knew better than to get involved with anything supernatural—especially with the reputation his family had.

Especially with hunters lurking in the city.

Especially with something this fragile-looking.

“Then you keep me safe,” Jungkook said in his soft angelic voice, lower lip jutting out in a pout.

“No.” Jeongukk’s reply was immediate, sharp, cold. “I’m not going to be your bodyguard. And I’m not getting involved with you.”

“But pleaaaaase…” Jungkook whispered, eyes widening even more, lashes fluttering.

“I’ve always been curious about the human world. I want to see everything.” His voice stayed soft, pleading, trembling with innocence.

“No.” Jeongukk’s tone dropped even colder. “Go back to the forest where you’ll be safe.”

“Pretty please?” Jungkook tried again, tilting his head, eyes shimmering like stars.

His voice was so soft it almost melted into the air.

Jeongukk blinked.

Those eyes…

They were unreal.

Bright.

Crystal clear.

Sparkling even in the dark.

They looked like they held entire galaxies inside them.

He felt something inside him crack—just a little.

“No,” Jeongukk repeated, but this time his voice wavered, barely noticeable but definitely there.

“Please…” Jungkook whispered, pouting deeper. “I’ll behave. I’ll listen to you.” His fingers curled into his sleeves as he leaned closer. “I just want to see what the city looks like…”

Jeongukk pressed his lips together, jaw tightening as he stared at the pale, glittery creature clinging to him.

Why—why—did this specific vampire have to be so beautiful?

So soft?

So impossible to ignore?

Why was he making Jeongukk second‑guess himself?

Jeongukk pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a deep, exhausted sigh.

He was losing this battle.

And he knew it.

“One night. Then you’re going back home." Jeongukk’s deep cold voice cut through the air like a blade.

Jungkook blinked up at him, pout forming instantly. “No…” he whispered in his soft angelic voice. “A month.”

“Three weeks,” Jeongukk countered, arms crossing over his chest.

“A month,” Jungkook repeated, pouting harder, his shiny orange eyes widening with stubborn innocence.

“I can’t keep you safe for an entire month,” Jeongukk said, voice firm. “I can only guarantee three weeks.”

“I want to stay for a month,” Jungkook insisted in that same soft angelic voice, lower lip trembling. “Pleaaaaase…”

His Bambi eyes shimmered like warm amber, impossibly bright.

Jeongukk’s jaw tightened.

Those eyes were going to be the death of him.

“Fine,” he muttered, voice still cold—but undeniably defeated. “A month.”

“Yay!” Jungkook beamed, his soft angelic voice bubbling with joy.

Jeongukk blinked.

And then blinked again.

Because when Jungkook smiled, his teeth showed—sharp, white, almost jewel‑like.

They sparkled like tiny diamonds, catching the dim office light in a way that made them look unreal.

Everything about him was unreal.

The glittery pale skin, the bright star‑like eyes, the soft features, the harmless expression on a creature who could be dangerous.

Jeongukk wondered—briefly, begrudgingly—what the universe was thinking when it made a vampire this pretty.

“Also… my name is Jungkook,” the little vampire said, smiling up at him with pure innocence.

Jeongukk felt his heart skip—just slightly, just once—but enough to make him inhale sharply.

He was absolutely, undeniably doomed.

There was no way he was surviving an entire month with this cute little vampire clinging to him.