Holidays in Yongsan were always interesting, to say the least.

In most schools, students were sent home for the holidays to spend with family and friends, but not in Yongsan. With finals being so near, nobody could afford a break. Certainly not a week-long one, which is why they opted only to take one day off which was for the great feast they would all share as one.

Today Jaemin had to make the dreadful visit to his family home, but luckily he had his childhood best friend right by his side.

Although, a part of him wonders if it really is a good thing. A selfish part of him wishes it were someone else by his side, but he quickly shakes away that feeling. He sat in the passenger side of Jeno's black 1967 Camaro convertible. A birthday present for his sixteenth birthday--from his father. AKA one of his pride and joys. The wind caresses his hair as they drive up the lonesome hill to Jaemin's mansion, trees and greens soaked in mist and dew.

Normally, Jaemin would do anything to avoid reliving childhood memories, but unfortunately his house is the only place he knows with enough space to prepare food for one hundred hungry students.

He's not sure exactly how the tradition started; him making the turkey. He never actually volunteered to do it, it was sort of forced on him seeing as he was one of the better cooks in the group, and he doesn't really mind it.

They pull up to his driveway (much to Jaemin's disliking) and Jeno quickly turned off the car and walked around to the trunk, pulling out multiple bags that held all the ingredients needed. It was still early morning, and the sun was barely rising as they entered his childhood home. They'd need as much time as possible to prepare for this feast.

The ash-haired was partially excited as much as he was dreading this entire event. While he always enjoyed the feat years prior, this was also their last one as seniors. Plus, the plans set in place for this particular day were enough to get his nerves worked up.

The house was empty as always; at this point, Jaemin isn't even sure if his father lives here anymore, and his mother has been long gone. Though, it's not like he ever expected his father to be anywhere near the same vicinity as his son on a holiday. No, that would be dreadful.

When they reached the kitchen, Jaemin turned on the lights as Jeno sat everything on the counters. Jeno quickly wandered off into one of the dark hallways with no words. The groceries toppled over and out of the bags as the boy immediately began prepping. Jaemin rolls up his sleeves before pulling one out of the four turkeys the selected and holds it over the sink.

With years of practice, he begins gutting the poor bird in silence, foot bouncing anxiously as he wonders where Jeno could have possibly gone. His hands work at a fast pace as he prepares the turkey as he brines and seasons it and settles it into one of the ovens before moving on to the next.

Time passes by quickly and soon Jaemin has placed the second turkey in the dual oven and waits for them to cook before he can move on to the next two. Wandering down the halls and the shadows of his own past, he finds his bedroom door cracked open and a shard of light peering from inside. The door squeaks as he pushes it open to reveal a head of blonde hair pacing around his bedroom.

He knocks gently against the wall, and Jeno snaps his head in that direction. "Are you alright? You didn't stay in the kitchen with me."

Jeno crosses his arms over his chest. "Just a little antsy."

The ash-haired traipses into his childhood bedroom and settles onto his bed. "About?"

A scoff escapes his lips. "You know what," he shakes his head and sighs before glancing around the room again.

His eyes land on the wooden dresser with two picture frames on top. One with a picture of the two as kids, playing outside and hunting for ladybugs, and a more recent one; they're in their school uniform, standing right in front of the doors of Yongsan with bright smiles on their faces. Neither quite knowing what violent delights their future may hold once they stepped through those doors. Jeno's lip trembles before he turns back around and meets the eyes of the other. For once, they don't exude confidence and thirst, but bring back a time when the blonde was just as innocent and naive as the rest of them.

"I'm scared, Jaem." A rare show of vulnerability, one that should not be taken lightly.

A pang directly in his heart. "There's nothing to fear." He mumbles lamely, at a loss for words.

"How do you know that?" His expression hardens slightly, defenses coming back up.

"You still have me. As long as I'm by your side, that's all you need. Right?" He asks softly, and he knows he's selfish for wanting the reassurance. He knows because he should be the one helping his best friend, not the other way around.

But he's always been so weak.

The blonde's jaw tightens as he looks to the side, brows furrowed. "You know I don't take my trust lightly." He shakes his head.

Jaemin physically feels his heart drop. He looks up at his childhood friend, a face he knows so well that he could recognize the tilt of his lips or the tone of his voice even with no senses, and sees a stranger. "Am I not enough anymore?" He nearly whispers.

Jeno sighs exasperatedly and sits beside the other. The bed sinks under his weight and jostles Jaemin just a little closer. Their shoulders touch and the cold sinks into his skin like an electric shock. Odd, he doesn't remember Jeno ever being this cold.

His large hand, the same one that used to hold his during those stormy nights inside his head, reaches up to caress his jaw softly, gripping his chin to look towards him. "Don't you remember what I sacrificed for you?"

"I'm so tired, Jeno."

The two sat in the misty backyard of Jaemin's home. The yard was long overdue for a trim, and it's prickly blades itched against their bare legs. Summer was nearly coming to an end, and the sun was slowly descending, casting the sky in brilliant colors of vibrant orange and dusty lilac. It was beautiful, a stark contrast to the turmoil in Jaemin's mind.

They sit side by side, watching one of the sunsets of their prepubescent adolescence before their high school journey would begin.

The blonde narrowed his eyes. "Is it her again?"

Jaemin doesn't look away from the opalescent sky. "She came back last week." A shiver courses down his spine. Sore palms rub his eyes anxiously as his heart skyrockets. "I hate her. I hate her so much."  He fights back the oncoming tears. "I don't want to go back there."

He finally looks toward the other boy, who no longer has those squishy cheeks from their childhood and is instead finally growing into sharp features. Still, his eyes reflect the colors of the sky and nothing but warmth. Jaemin craves that warmth and finds himself leaning his head against broadened shoulders.

Jeno allows him. "Then why do you keep doing it?"

His chest heaves with unshed tears. "I don't have a choice."

The blonde shakes his head. "You do. You always have a choice, and I will never let someone take that away from you ever again." He looks up towards the sky, biting his lip in thought before coming back down. "I'll make it go away. For you, I'll do it for you."

Jaemin lifts his head and furrows his brows. "How?"

They meet eyes, one filled with pain and sorrow and one brimming with determination and a thirst unrecognized.

"You won't have to suffer any longer, little raven."

(Oh, dear Jeno, how much of a hypocrite you've become.)

"You owe me."

Jaemin blinks, being brought back to reality. He feels a shiver crawl up his spine and fights the oncoming goosebumps.

Of course, he shouldn't have been fooled. Jeno comes with more than one stipulation.

He sighs lowly. "So you've finally decided."

Jeno nods.

"After all of those years, you made me wait..." Jaemin shakes his head solemnly, dragging both hands over his blotched cheeks. "What is it?"

"Seal our promise in blood," a dark shadow looms in his eyes. "Tomorrow, in front of everyone's eyes."

A sharp intake of breath as Jaemin forces his chin out of his grasp.

"You can't be serious."

"A debt is meant to be collected."

A debt I never asked for.

━

By the time the big feast rolled around, night had set. The silver moon that had become Jaemin's friend settled over the sky like an eye watching them, waiting for the chaos to ensue.

Jaemin had spent the rest of the day preparing for the feast, baking all four turkeys to roasted perfection before arriving at the school a couple of hours early before the event.

He dressed himself in a collared white button-up with a dark brown vest over it, his black plaid pants completing the look. Jeno was dressed in a loose white button-up similar to his own, one side tucked into his black pants while the other hung loose. With four buttons loose, his collarbones protruded, yet it wasn't a subconscious choice. It had purpose; his neck on full display for anyone craving his blood. Just to drive in the fact that they will never have it.

He was greeted by his friends, and had a few sneaky bites of the sides Donghyuck and Renjun prepared (they were delicious; mouth-watering; healing to the soul). They then spent the rest of the remaining hours decorating the entire cafeteria with Renjun's fancy beige table runners and tying orange, yellow, and white ribbons on each chair. Chenle, Jisung, and Jeno also hung up the banner they painted together in the center of the room.

By the time students began filing in, everything was set up perfectly, and Jaemin almost forgot about the daunting task at hand.

Tables slowly began filling themselves as students teetered inside the cafeteria on this holiday meant to be shared with family to show gratitude, but Jaemin wasn't quite sure what they all had to be thankful for.

He stood anxiously at the front door, waiting for a certain face; anxiously looking back and forth from the entrance to the table sat in the center of the cafeteria that sat some of the vilest and violent students in the entire academy.

It began to feel more like he was throwing bait to the wolves than simply introducing a friend, or rather he should say, his 'girlfriend'.

His heartbeat speeds up as he spots her in the crowd. He blinks a couple of times at the sight of her. She stands beside Sookie, looking around the crowd as if searching for something. He hopes she can feel the intensity of his stare, begging her to come forward.

She's dressed in a silk white mini dress that flares out slightly at the skirt, and a chunky knit cardigan around her shoulders. A plaid beige bow clips her hair out of her face, adding a touch of femininity that she normally doesn't care for. Sookie stands beside her in knee-high boots a tiny black skirt, a thick coat with white fur covering her in full glamour. Her hair is pulled into a high bun, tiny curls framing her face.

Finally, brown eyes meet his and light up in relief. She pulls Sookie by the arm and push past others to reach him.

Jaemin's breath hitches once he catches a glance up close. Her eyes are sharpened by dark brown eyeliner, and her bunny-like eyes are no longer apparent. Instead, eyes he doesn't recognize take their place--a new wit and savagery gleaming in her gaze.

He seems to have been staring for too long, because then Yoonah is glaring at him. "What's wrong with you?"

He blinks. "Sorry," his eyes travel down her figure. "You look...different."

Suddenly, Sookie's tall figure is in front of him. "Is that any way to talk to your girlfriend? Tell her she looks pretty before I steal her for myself." She says, and Jaemin has a hard time figuring out if she is serious or not.

He glances back towards the other, taking in her new appearance. Well, it certainly wouldn't be a lie. "You do," he clears his throat. "You look pretty."

A blush coats her cheeks as she looks down at her heeled feet. "Sookie did my makeup."

He furrows his brows.

"Why?"

Sookie scoffs. "You're insufferable. If she wants to wear makeup then--"

"I wanted to make a good impression," she interrupts the girl, who huffs, but has a ghost of a smile on her rosette painted lips. "I know how important appearances are, and how important Jeno is to you so..." She shrugs. "I thought I'd try to make myself presentable."

Seemingly distracted by something, or perhaps just using it to give them a moment on their own, Sookie shifts and turns to Yoonah. "I should meet Donghyuck. Meet you inside?"

Yoonah nods, and they exchange a kiss on the cheek before she sashays inside, escaping into growing mayhem.

Jaemin swallows harshly, and forces himself to nod. "Right," his eyes dart towards the staring onlookers. Now or never. "We should get inside."

He extends his hand, which Yoonah stares at for a solid second before placing hers into his. Their fingers intertwine, and that familiar ruby gem rubs against his finger.

Together, they walk into the gates of hell.

━

When they reach the cafeteria, everyone is already seated. All the tables are crowded with students, silently awaiting for someone to speak. All eyes turned to the two of them as they entered, and Jaemin felt the girl sink into his side just a little bit more as if wanting to hide behind him completely.

Their table is occupied by all five of them, with the addition of Sookie and Mihi. Jeno sits at the end of the table, like the head of the table, and Mihi sits on the right side closest to him.

Jaemin's feet are as heavy as cinder blocks as they walk towards the table, reaching the left side closest to the king of their school, his brother; his best friend.

Naturally, he pulls out Yoonah's chair next to Sookie and Donghyuck, and pushes it in gently once she sinks in before taking his place next to Jeno. They exchange hard glances and a singular nod before his gaze flitters to Yoonah, turning from predatory to pure hunger.

Before he can say anything, Principal Kim walks alongside the small stage and taps the mic, a smile seemingly too bright adorning his expression.

"Welcome students. I'm glad we could all attend this special, annual feast this evening," he hums, looking into the crowd. "I know that with finals approaching, all of you are understandably put under a lot of stress, but all I see when looking into this crowd are young, hard-working, driven students, and I couldn't be more proud of the people you are becoming," he nods.

"That is what I'm thankful for. Now, a speech from some of our top students as they perform the first cut." He bows, and cheers break out amongst the crowd as he exits the stage.

Jeno stands, raising his hands and gesturing for the others to follow. Jaemin slowly follows but is stopped by a tug at his vest. Yoonah looks up at him with curious eyes. He leans down to whisper against her ears, "Just wait, little dove. I'll be right back, I promise."

And God knows Jaemin can't break his promises.

The six of them move to the center table where all of the food and sides sit in steaming platters and they are encapsulated by the clapping and cheering and sheer force of the crowd. They're like idols of the school, inspirations, and aspirations. Everybody worships the deadly six, and anyone who doesn't; well, that's because they aren't alive.

Jeno grabs the rather large knife that rests beside the turkey platter and spins it against the table. His gaze swipes the crowd like a lion sizing up his prey before he breaks out a charismatic smile. "Well," his tongue darts out against his lips. "I've played this game for a long time, and we all know how this ends,"

The crowd turns, beginning to mutter and whisper whatever rumors they could spill.

A smirk dances across his face, dangerously sinful. "Enjoy this feast. It may be your last." The crowd gasps and bursts out in protest as Jeno slices right through the turkey. He tears the leg from it's place and slaps it onto his plate, ignoring the literal chaos he created as he walks back to his rightful throne.

Jaemin sighs loudly, as the others share a look of shock and simply follow him down. The damage is done, but it's about damn time. To this day, it's a damn mystery as to how Jeno stayed in the student body's favor after all of these years and the blood on his hands. Mindless fools, they are, finally seeing the real side of their king.

The ash-haired fixes both himself and Yoonah a plate before following, taking a seat beside a mildly traumatized-looking Yoonah.

"Thanks," she mumbles, seemingly still in shock by the boldness of Jeno speech, and likely because it could be directed towards her.

At the pitch of her voice, Jeno turns towards her just as he rips a rather meaty piece from his leg, like an animal who has been starved. He has a rather unhinged look in his eyes that Jaemin loathes.

He sighs, almost dreamily, and Jaemin feels his body tense at the sound. "Ah, so we meet again, Seo Yoonah. Long time no see."

Jaemin's hand travels on it's own and grips Yoonah's thigh rather tightly, almost protectively. Goosebumps unravel against her bare skin, but she doesn't seem to mind his touch. Her hand comes over his own, squeezing tightly as she answers, "Well, I wouldn't say it's been that long. You're a rather hard figure to ignore."

A ravenous chuckle evades his throat as he tilts his head. "You flatter me," a brow raises as he glances between the two, and his hand travels towards Jaemin's extended hand as if he can see through the table. His grip only tightens around Yoonah's thigh, heart palpitating. "I see you two are an item now. I can't say I'm surprised, but I fear I'm a little worried."

"Jeno." The ash-haired warns, glaring at him.

Yoonah furrows her brows, glancing back and forth between the two. The rest of the table is deadly quiet, cast in thick tension.

"Worried?" Yoonah asks.

The blonde tears his gaze away from his best friend to greet hers. "You're new here, so I'll give your ignorance a pass, but everyone who stays under my protection must pay in blood," he leans forward, over the table. "Are you willing to take that sacrifice?"

The girl stutters, taken aback. "I haven't the slightest clue as to what you mean." Her other hand comes to cover her heart, ruby gem glinting in the light.

"You won't be alone. Jaemin has his own debts to pay as well--"

Jaemin sucks in a sharp breath. "Not now--"

Suddenly, Jeno stands abruptly sending his plate flying. It shatters against the hardwood floor and gains the stares of everyone surrounding them. A few from their own table stand in surprise, backing away. Yoonah stays glued to her seat in shock as Jaemin's hand leaves her thigh when he stands in protest, the absence painfully obvious as the cold seeps into her thighs, locking her in place.

"If not now, then when--"

"Never!" Jaemin suddenly shouts. He pushes Jeno away from the table, keeping him at a further distance. "Never," he repeats. "Never will I repay you!"

How dare he take his control?

Jeno seethes. "And of our promise?"

How dare he take his power?

It feels as if Jaemin's entire body is shaking with heated anger, but his mouth is sewn shut. He knows that if he continues, he will do something he'll regret, more than he already does.

The blonde steps closer, crowding his space now that the table was no longer in their way. They're nearly nose to nose, and Jaemin inhales the scent of sea salt one last time before Jeno snarls, "You are nothing without me. Nothing but a shell of your nutcase mother and abusive father--"

"Stop it right now, Jeno." Jaemin sighs.

"You promised." He shuts his eyes closed, voice nearly coming out as a whimper.

One last trick to get Jaemin back on his side, but this is a path Jaemin can no longer return.

His eyes flutter open once again, overturned by a craze hidden in the darkness. "If you cannot seal our promise with your own, then I will take someone else's."

One last chance at control.

His eyes fall to Yoonah's, who still stares wide-eyed at the pair, stuck in silence. His hand darts for the chef's knife and lunges toward the unsuspecting girl. Gasps and shrieks fill the crowded room, and Jaemin feels a tear in his heart.

In a split second, his choice is made. Life or death, innocent or guilty; but both will come spoiled in blood.

A gasp escapes his lips as he grabs Jeno's wrist and elbows his exposed neck with his other arm, sending them toppling over the table. It sways against their weight, and multiple glasses and plates shatter against the floor, mixing in with the screams of horror from the onlookers. They twist and turn in each other's grasp, wriggling in food and spilled champagne as they fight for power over each other.

"You promised!" Jeno screamed, throwing a punch with his free hand at Jaemin's face. His throws begin to come at rapid speed, messy and filled with utmost betrayal.

His face swells with a tingling pain, yet he still can't help but smile through bloody teeth. Funny, how the tables have turned.

He remembers how much it hurts to have to remind someone of their promise. To beg for it.

His grip is still wrapped tightly around Jeno's wrist. He's overpowered by his strength, with the blonde fully on top of him, but this is exactly what Jeno trained him for. All of those hours spent learning each other's weaknesses would finally pay off.

Hooking one leg around his waist, he flips them over and straddles the blonde's waist. At the sudden movement, the knife slips out of Jeno's grip and falls into the hands of his unexpected enemy. He pins down Jeno's hands with one of his, leaning over him, oozing with a newfound hunger for blood. One he's never craved before because he was never allowed to take.

But now, with Jeno under his mercy, he could take all he wanted.

He stares down at the man below him, the man he wordlessly followed all his life; the man who was meant to protect him.

"Trust is a two-way street, and you never trusted me since the beginning, no matter whose blood I spilled for you."

"You were never meant to be trusted." Jeno spat.

Jaemin chuckled and shook his head, pressing the knife to the exposed collarbone. Untouched, pure, innocent skin, about to be tainted by his own dirty hands.

"You should have known better," he presses the tip of the knife into the skin. The first drop of blood spills from his pale skin, tainting the white collar of his button-up shirt. Ruining the facade he has worked so hard to keep up. "You never specified whose blood must be spilled to seal our promise."

Jeno's face shifts into one of pure horror and pain as he begins to carve the initials of his own name above his collarbone. The blood seeps through his skin and soaks through the charade of a king.

He wipes the blade against his own clothing and throws it against the floor before releasing the blonde and stepping away from him like a parasite to be rid of.

"My debt has been paid. I owe you nothing."

The last thing he sees before stalking out of that blood-stained room is the face of backstabbing treachery.

i have nothing to say other
than i'm sorry and you can
contact my lawyer for any
emotional damage i've caused
:D