forum "How come you haven't run away from me yet?"//oxo//Closed

Started December 12, 2020 by @knightinadream group

tune

Jimin wasn’t sure how to feel. She was now uncomfortably aware of how warm her face felt, how her heartbeat was beginning to quicken. A part of her wished he had said nothing at all, and the other part was strangely… happy. She never imagined someone would say these kinds of things to her. The azalea behind her ear seemed to be listening to her thoughts.
“Your Highness, I… I don’t know what to say,” she murmured. “Do you think this should be happening? Wouldn’t it be… against Her Majesty’s wishes? We are already hiding so much from her…”
Maybe it was silly to bring up. After all, she was already hiding what he had done anyway. And what did it matter, if they had already established a friendship between them? But that sinking feeling that she had somehow broken the rules was creeping up on her. She absentmindedly fiddled with the flower petals.

"I beg your pardon?" He asked. Kangdae had no clue if he was missing something or if there is something going on between them right now. More warmth, a faster heartbeat. Then there's the wave of a strange emotion in him. He was sure that he was only happy to see her and wanted to make her happy himself, but it seemed like there's something more?

They're friends though. He's a vampire and the crown prince who's to be king in a few weeks. She's a human, a lady-in-waiting, and also a noblewoman. That can't happen. Never. In all the stories his mother told him, the vampire always dies while the human survives yet they're ruined from the heartbreak. He never wants to do that. No way he can even if he's to live for years and years after this.

"While I am not sure what you're thinking of, no we shouldn't. Do not worry about Her Majesty, she is the one who made you, her pretty and outspoken servant, come to me. I appreciate that you worry for and of her, but Jimin, you should be worrying about yourself first."

Kangdae brushed a piece of hair away as he walked over and stood behind her. He took her hand, lacing his fingers with hers. Gently, he placed their hands over her chest. Resting his chin on her shoulder, he turned his head so his lips were close to her ear. "Tell me…." He whispered, "Tell me everything that is in your beautiful beating heart right now, Jimin."

“Ah, I suppose I can’t help it,” she said. “I am her servant, as you said. But…”
Worry about herself? Jimin sighed. This situation started out as her worrying either about the prince or the Queen. She couldn’t worry about herself, it wouldn’t be appropriate. Did knowing his secret and being friends with him change that? Apparently so. And yet, it couldn’t be just the two of them as friends. The Queen was hovering over them. The fate of the kingdom was hovering over them. They were each tied to a duty, both would not allow such physical affection.
And yet… Despite the protests in her mind as he moved behind her, something told her to stay. Maybe she wanted to. She stared at their fingers entwined on her chest, her heart pulsing as his whisper washed over her. To her mild surprise, she chuckled.
“So bold, Your Highness,” she whispered back. “Even to just whisper in my ear. You know, your whispers are warm. Your voice is warm, even when your cold skin is against mine. And even when I’m not listening to your voice, you are listening to me. I am being heard.” She paused. “Strange, your body is dead and cold. No pulse, no heartbeat. And yet your voice, your breath is warm as if you are alive. Do you think you have some humanity in you after all?”

Kangdae never expected his voice to carry something he cannot possess himself. Yet, he found himself softly smiling as she spoke. Her chuckle was so sweet to hear and her whispers are simply breathtaking.

If his heart could work like hers, it'd be pumping so rapidly right now. Then his cheeks would turn a bright red as his gaze quivered gazing at her. Except his cheeks were still pale, his heart cannot move, it hasn't in so long that he cannot remeber what it feels like to have one that does.

"My heart…it's so hollow, it does not carry emotions or feelings like yours does. I thought I lost my humanity the night I died which is why I had to be so cold, I thought that's what I had to do. I thought I lost…. my desire to hold someone lovingly, to yearn for love, because it's nothing but impossible for a monster like me." He looked over at their hands, letting out a longing sigh as he rubbed his thumb against hers. "I hope….I hope I have some humanity in me. I really do." I don't want to be lonely forever.

How surprising it is to hear how his words strung together. None of it was easy for him to comprehend, yet it all makes sense at the same time. He worried though. Mostly for Jimin. Not worrying over how she felt about him, but how she'll be tomorrow, the day after, the day after that, and so on. Deep down, he's still wishing he could be human so that the problem was just a regular illness and not such a terrible secret.

"My soul is drawn to you, your words, and just everything about you. You are alluring in so many ways, I cannot imagine never wanting to hear every word that comes from those pouty lips of yours."

He isn't sure if he should be stopping this or not. The Kangdae everyone knows would let go then hide somewhere or go outside and push everything away. But he couldn't even move a single muscle unless it had to do with caressing Jimin's cheek and holding her hand. Does he have any humanity in him?

Jimin wasn’t sure where her words had come from. They had just spilled out in messy response to Kangdae’s request. Was that speaking from her heart? She was starting to question herself. But his voice pulled her from her thoughts, and she started to think that maybe, just maybe, she had said the right things.
“Me too,” she murmured. “Maybe it’s not so impossible.”
She went silent, surprised to find herself almost leaning into his touch. Why was this happening? How could she be so alluring to him when he was above her? This was so strange and unfamiliar, yet she didn’t want to leave this moment. Something kept her there, and a guilty pleasure settled in her throat.
“I… why do you think that is? I never thought myself to be alluring. And why… why do you think you feel so normal when you touch me? Have you never touched anyone else?”

Maybe it's not so impossible.. He really wishes it is not, but how can he sure of it? A part of him was very worrisome, it was questioning whether or not he should just leave. He can't though, he just cannot find himself walking away from her, especially after this. It'd be wonderful if it could just be the two of them stuck in this moment forever. No worries about the next day or what it may bring, just them together now.

"How can you not? The look in your eyes always tells me you have something to say, but you just can't or at least, you refuse to. Is that why you tend to mumble things to yourself? You truly fascinate me, both with your mind and your beauty," He expressed. "I have touched others, but I only have done so when I was human. I gave up on wanting to love someone when I turned, or at least that's what I thought. When I touch you or hold you, I remember being able to feel my heart racing and my cheeks turning red, I get a strange sensation that blankets over me. I feel normal, because with you, I don't feel out of place like I'm meant to be this way here for some reason."

Kangdae tried to hide his face in the side of her neck. This is nothing like in those old books he reads. He is not even sure if he was saying the right things or if he is about to scare her in some way. His thoughts were getting to be out of hand. More and more began to pile on top of the ones he was trying to use. Out of nowhere, he felt her heart beating. He let go of Jimin but only to end up standing in front and having her in his arms again. One moved to go around her waist, pulling her closer to him. If he is going to tell her about he finds her alluring or why he feels normal, at least he should look into her pretty eyes.

"I knew those azaleas would be perfect for you, they compliment you. Although, Jimin, I find you to be much prettier than them. I hope they make you happy."

Jimin sighed, remembering the day her mother said she wasn't worth marrying, that no one would ever want to be with her. She was too blunt, asked too many questions, and while she was good at carrying out domestic tasks, was far too interested in less homely things, like her uncle's work. It's why she was here, working in the palace. Her, alluring? What a crazy notion.
"I've merely learned to hold my tongue," she said. "But I suppose I can't hold it all the time, so I mumble instead. So maybe you're right." She bit her lip, her expression becoming almost anguished. "But how…? I mean, I'm glad you feel that way, but I don't… understand." Well, look at that, she was mumbling again. "Surely there was someone before me… Is everyone else you touch just…? Why me? I…" She went silent when she felt him hide his face in her neck, his cold skin on hers. It was almost relieving when Kangdae let go, and she gasped when she felt an arm go around her waist, pulling her into his embrace. The hand that had been on her chest was now on his, and she nearly dropped the flowers. Her body stiffened, but once she heard him speak, she relaxed.
"T-thank you, Your Highness, they're beautiful," she said, a little confused as to why he changed the subject. "I- they do. But I don't need azaleas to be happy. Being with you is enough."

"How? Who knows? Even though you'd get under my skin, I always found myself dropping my shoulders and staring at you. Your smile is breathtaking, your voice is gentle but it carries strength, hearing your knock at the door gets me excited. I am just….very fond of you," he admitted. Kangdae stared into her eyes for a second. They were much mesmerizing than the moon, and clearly much better than the sun.

Once, he tried to see a concubine after he had gotten used to being a vampire, but it never worked out. When he realized the only ways things could work if he had to reveal his secrets, he backed out and immediately gave up. Especially since the concubine almost found out the truth. "I tried once a while ago, but I was scared and I felt nothing aside from fear of them revealing what I am," he answered. Aside from that one attempt, all the others were when he was a human himself.

Seeing her hand on his chest made him happy and yet, sad. If only there was a beating heart under it. All that's there is barren, it means nothing. "Jimin, I wish I could explain in a better manner why I feel this way about you. I wish I was able to tell you everything, but I do not know much aside from my desire to hold you like this. It is difficult, especially when I look into your eyes, I start to forget what I want to say." He kept his gaze on her hand. A soft smile appeared as he set his other on top.

The gasp brought him concern, along with her body becoming stiff for a short period of time. "Really? I am sorry, I did not expect to be saying all of this," He said while looking back. "I just wanted to give you the flowers because I worried that you wouldn't like me because this morning. Should I let you go? Do you want me to?"

She returned the stare, despite her flustered confusion, nearly losing herself in those glittering dark orbs. “Your eyes look alive too,” she muttered aloud, unsure if it was an observation or a compliment. Then she registered his words. “Uh- thank you, Your Highness, I honestly don’t know what else to say. No one has ever spoken to me like this.” Her emotions were tied up in a confused knot, she was afraid anything else she said would either be dishonest or indecipherable.
She was quiet again, her gaze drifting downward, stopping somewhere past Kangdae’s shoulder. Sighing ruefully, she said, “It’s alright, I suppose I just… I just want things to make sense. I want to understand, but I can’t. Perhaps it was foolish to try.” She hesitated, then, “Truthfully, Your Highness, is this really friendship, or something else? I have another friend besides you, and it’s not… like this.”
Then she heard his questions and change of tone, and found herself grinning with amusement and turning to look at the prince’s face again. The wall between her mind and mouth fell away, and words flowed where a dam had once been.
“Worried that I wouldn’t like you? Oh, you poor thing! I’m sorry if it seemed that way, but this morning really had nothing to do with you. I was stressed, your actions only confused me. I mean, you’re the prince. And you hugged me. Like you are right now. And honestly, right now isn’t any less confusing, and I feel… so strange. I don’t want you to let go, and at the same time I do. I feel like I’m doing something wrong, but I… love it so much. As I said, this morning was just a bad time. This… I don’t think this has happened to me before. Maybe if I stay here, I can understand. I don’t know. I suppose it’s up to you.”

"Alive?" he repeated while his eyes lit up. Never had he expected to hear such a thing. He was never able to see what his eyes looked like ever since he was human, but he always assumed there was barely nothing in them. The statement made him sigh happily nevertheless. "Let be me the one to speak to you like this."

Is this really a friendship? It does not really appear to be so. With the way he has his arm around her plus all the things that have been said, it is easy to conclude that friends do not do this, not in this manner. Although, he knows what it is called pertaining to what is going on right now, he remembers somewhat. The only times he has ever been this way with someone else was when he….. "Oh…." Kangdae bit on his lip while looking off to the side. His brows furrowed wondering whether or not he should even say it out loud. "I hope this doesn't sound too absurd…but I believe this is what lovers do in an intimate relationship. I am not completely sure, are we in one?"

The only thing he could do was beam. His lips curved up into the biggest smile he has ever made. He never expected words to flow out of her mouth like a waterfall. A small laugh left him as he listened to her. It was quite reliving to know how she felt, it is very confusing, but he would love to be with Jimin. He'd love to know why he is just so happy to be with her.

"While I may be your prince, I am Kangdae, your Kangdae," he insisted. Remembering her hand on his chest, he carefully to ahold of it. He lifted it up just a bit then placed a quick kiss on her knuckles. "Stay…stay as long as you wish."

She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or moan, but somehow the amused grin never left her face. She snorted. “Well, by that definition, we must be. But I don’t want to say that, I’m honestly scared to.” Her voice lowered, and so did her smile. “Can we… can we just say that we’re still friends? I don’t know what we really are, but… that’s what I want to believe.”
She tried not to think about what will happen once the night is over, or how things will change. That will have to wait. For now, she just wanted to focus on the here and now. But it was difficult.
Oh. Maybe she spoke to soon. When she felt the cool of his lips, she could feel her cheeks humming with heat. Strange, how cold could inspire warmth. Her smile dropped, and worried that she was red all the way down to her neck, she hid her face in his chest.
“I… I’ll stay… Kangdae,” she murmured.

"Of course we can, although I hope we'll be able to know what we really are soon," he answered. "Do not be scared, you do not have to say it just yet. But on the other hand, you're in the arms of a vampire prince, how scarier can it get?"

His eyes widened as they gazed down to see the top of her head as her face was buried in his chest. The feeling of it was something he could never imagine properly. Hopefully it is not strange to say that he likes it. "Please do, Jimin, I can assure you that you will not regret it," he whispered under his breath.

The way she says his name is so perfect. Definitely is much better than being called 'Your Highness'. Her voice is so relaxing and sweet. Not to mention, the vibration from her voice against his chest made him feel slightly giddy. He will never forget this moment, never.

Kangdae wasn't able to help himself as he started to laugh a little. He couldn't believe how much heat he could feel coming off of her. It was easy for him to see how red her ears were. Is he really making her blush this much? "Aww, I thought my lips would be able to cool you down. Should I try it again?" he asked still laughing.

Jimin changed her mind. It was actually very easy to focus on the here and now. Though there wasn’t anything to feel or hear underneath his chest, it was cool and sturdy, somehow calming. Much easier to deal with than looking him straight in the eyes.
“Exactly,” she said. “But it is the implications that come with what we call ourselves that scares me. With a label comes expectations and connotations. If we use the word lovers to describe ourselves, the connotation it brings with it sounds negative to me, like this is…” she sighed. “Undesirable. Carries certain expectations that I’m not sure I can or want to meet. We’ve only known each other for so long.” She said all of this matter-of-factly, as though she had thought about it for a while.
Then she heard him laughing, and a sheepish smile crept up on her, and she found herself quietly laughing with him. His words made her stop, and for a moment she couldn’t respond, only managing embarrassed stutters. The breath she tried to take dissolved into another laugh, but she managed, “Well you could, but I don’t think it would work. Your chest is cool enough.” Silly girl, what a mess you are.

"True. Maybe, for now, we can just call ourselves friends or something else for the time being. We can make our own label, that way you can make the expectations you'd want to carry out." He suggested. Lifting his left hand, he used to pat the back of her head. "Let's go slow, and attack all those things that scare you if they arise. We can take care of it."

He wondered if it was because he's the crown prince or if it was the fact he's not a human, but she only doesn't want to say so. Maybe he should've kept all those things to himself. Maybe he shouldn't be so selfish or nimble about this.

Is he? Kangdae stiffened at the question. Hopefully he is not overstepping with his position. He hasn't
thought much of it. It is so difficult to get his mind off of Jimin and this moment. They only have known each other for a while, as she mentioned a few moments ago. He only likes being around Jimin, he hopes that the time they spend together is nothing but great.

The vibrations from her laugh only made him laugh again. He could feel her stuttering. It sort of is amusing but is also making him curious. His shoulders still stood up, but he forced himself to relax. "Really? You can feel it?" He questioned. Even with his clothes, he was surprised how she could feel the bleakness. "Alright, but I will still hold my offer. I cannot believe that you feel so warm even with your face buried in my chest."

Jimin shuddered with relief. Let’s take it slow. She had to admit, the speed at which they were going scared her too. How relieving it was to hear his words. “Thank you. I really appreciate that. Let’s just say we’re friends.” At his touch she smiled, then looked up from his chest, her face had cooled down some.
The sound of his laugh was like music to her ears. “Well, your clothes can’t warm up by themselves. Because your body can’t generate heat, the fabric is also cool to the touch.” She flustered a bit, her smile growing. “W-well, I suppose it’s like what I said. I’ve never been touched like this before, much less kissed. But I’m- I’m not opposed to your offer.”

Going slow, he does not mind it at all. He has all the time in the world to. The change of pace in their relationship surprised him. Even Kangdae did not expect to actually have Jimin so close to him. And to kiss her hand too!

With a fixed-gaze, he was unable to move. His pupils dialted as they lit up. It was so difficult to smile back because he was too focused on hers. In any other way, he would find himself smiling too then proceeding to do something bold, but now he can't.

"Oh…It's been awhile and I can barely even recognize it anymore…unless I am close to someone with warmth," He winked, followed by chuckling a little. Titling his head, he examined her face. Kangdae removed his hand and used his finger to touch Jimin's cheek. "Just out of curiosity, would you be opposed if I happened to kiss you there?"

She chuckled back at him, unable to take her gaze off of his eyes. They were alive, she decided. Yes, they moved and the pupils dilated, but the way they lit up like that told her that there was a spirit inside there. The thing that couldn’t leave him, even as his body died. It was almost entrancing to watch. She felt her smile slipping as she concentrated on them.
Then she felt his finger on her cheek and heard his question, and though her smile returned shyly at the idea, she said, “Not… not right now. Perhaps another time, if that’s alright with you. I don’t want it to distract me, as I want to discuss other important matters, if that’s also alright with you. Like tomorrow morning, for example?”

Kangdae glimpsed down at her cheek watching as his finger traced alongside. The warmth under his fingertip made him shiver. It wasn't as warm compared to when she was burning up, but he wasn't used to feeling any heat still nor was he used to feeling the fact that he is so cold too.

Meeting her gaze, he flashed a smile with a nod. The beam did not last for long as he was about to let out another laugh once again. Somehow the fact that kissing Jimin's cheek would make her distracted amused him very much. He forced the corners of his lips to go down, creating a pouty look. Still, he giggled a little as his shoulders bounced up and down.

"Of course that is alright with me. We can go over all the matters running through your mind," he said, "I am assuming you want to come up with another plan for then."

If his assumption was right, he shouldn't come up with a plan like the one from this morning. Something that will still deliver what they want but without leaving anyone in distress. Reluctantly, he let go of her and took a step back. "Before we do, should we sit down? Your feet must be tired from standing and walking around all day."

She watched his expression, and her eyebrows creased with confusion. “What?” His giggles only confused her more, but she found her own grin widening as she watched him.
Taking a breath, she got her expression under control. She nodded, confirming his words, then said, “Oh, I’m not that tired, but we can sit down.”
It was only for a short time, but now it felt strange to not be embracing him. Did it feel longer in her mind? She set the azaleas back on the side of the bed, but she kept the one behind her ear where it was. She then went over and sat down, in relatively the same position as the previous night.
“It’s just another case where I don’t think the same plan will work twice, of course. This morning, you were the one who had something to say, I did not, and that was the flaw, I think. Saying I had made no progress once was stressful enough, but twice?” She shook her head. “So I was thinking this time we wouldn’t have you interrupt us, but I have to say something other than, ‘He didn’t tell me anything.’ I haven’t had the time to really think of anything plausible, though. What do you think?”

"Do not worry, my dearing Jimin," He winked, "You are just so cute and funny, I cannot hold in my laughter."

Watching her set down the azaleas, he tilted his head while staring at them for a moment. His eyes followed Jimin as he walked over. Kangdae sat down in front of her. As she spoke, he let his pointer finger rest on his bottom lip.

"Tell her a half-truth or something that will be useful. Perhaps one true statement then a half-truth, because she is going to expect more than just a simple piece of information." Getting up, he started pacing around the room trying to come up with what Jimin could say to his mother. "I have a strong sense of smell that can detect others far away or any small cuts or scratches on me heal in a few moments. Then you can say I barely have an appetite for anything or refuse to eat cause I can't stomach it."

He hoped that this idea was better. Hopefully it would help them both without any trouble getting in their way. It is not like he can be there in the morning anyways, he isn't even sure what he'd do if he had to interfere and the sun was out. Interrupting the meeting is somethjng he should avoid suggesting ever again.

Stopping himself in his tracks, he thought for another moment. It sounded fine to him. "Does that sound good to you? Might as well actually give Her Majesty something so she can stop worrying for a bit."

Her ears reddened at the compliment, and she wasn’t sure what to say except, “W-who said I was worrying?”
She listened to him, staring down at her lap. Her mind weaved possible stories she could tell with his suggestions. Not only would there have to be more than a simple piece of information, as he said, she would be expecting an entire account. What is happening tonight wasn’t happening. It could’ve started like the other nights. She would’ve have asked the prince a question…
“Perhaps,” she muttered. “It will be hard to top the fact that I told her you didn’t have a heartbeat. But I think I can work with that.” She looked up, giving him a grateful glance. “I don’t know if it will make her stop worrying, but I suppose it’s better than knowing nothing at all.”

It was difficult to resist the urge to laugh a little. So cute. He pointed towards her. "You….or at least that's what the expression on your face and the blood running to your ears is telling me. It's only my assumption though."

Right, he does not have a heartbeat. All Her Majesty needs to hear next is that he drains blood from humans and that's it. Other traits and behaviors are common knowledge on palace grounds at this point. If only she did not tell her about the lack of pulse, he thought to himself. While there is not any use of worrying over it, he still buried his face in his hands for a few seconds.

Kangdae did not say a word, he only stood there after letting his arms drop to his sides. A dry chuckle was forced out of his throat. Something inside told him that even if his mother found out, it wouldn't be better than if she did not know at all. A lose-lose situation on either side for the both of them. "Oh dear….." He sighed, raising his chin to glance up at the ceiling. "You know, I feel as if her knowing is not going to make things better. She is going to find out one way or another and only the spirits above know what she'll do to me afterwards…"

Again, he went back to walking around the room. Stopping at a candle, he put it out then went to another doing the same. The heat from the small flames disappeared within seconds between his fingertips; he felt nothing. "Good," He said, quickly changing the subject. "Let's not fret over anything right now. I know you will do great as always. What next on the agenda?" Turning to face Jimin, he ambled over and sat down. A small grin plastered on his face as he looked at her.

It was only after she spoke that she realized she had not told him what she'd told the Queen on that second day. She cringed slightly at how close she had come to breaking her promise, and she saw him bury his face in his hands, she murmured, "I'm sorry, I did say I would tell her what I knew at the time. But I'm glad we're able to talk about this now, and I'm grateful to have your help."
She did not want to talk about the past just now. It would be much more productive to talk about the future. And yet, she hesitated. Waiting to see how the morning went first seemed better than talking now about what they would do if or when they were caught. That future was too intimidating to speak of. It wasn't just him who would face the consequences of these lies. If or when they managed to find out that she had known who he was and had been hiding information, she would also have to face the aftermath.
She nodded. "It's like I said. This will not work in the long run. But let's do what we can for now, and see how things go tomorrow. However, we should talk about if or when that does happen soon."
She frowned a little when he changed the subject, but it was interesting how quickly this subject seemed wrapped up to her as well. She had a vague idea of what she would say tomorrow and could plan further when she was by herself. That was all she needed. Was that all that had been on her priority list?
She didn't like the way Kangdae smiled at her either, though. It seemed rather forced, but it was understandable. She wanted to move on as well.
Her expression relaxed, trying to match his. "Well, truthfully I don't know. Why don't you tell me about yourself? I know you're the prince, a vampire. But that can't, of course, be all there is to you."

"It's okay," Kangdae nodded, "I understand, although if I were in your spot, I probably would've done the same."

The future….While he cannot know for sure what could happen, it's obvious it isn't going to be good. Though nothing may happen tomorrow or the next day, it wouldn't be a bad idea to start planning for what may happen.

"I do not think everyone will take it well when they find out. We should plan for the worst….." He suggested, his tone becoming quiet. Momentairly, his gaze shifted to the door. The two guards were still there, he could sense them. Suddenly he whispered, "Run away when the time is right. I'll be rest assured knowing you're safe somewhere far away from here."

Kangdae removed his headband and held it in his hands with the front facing up. His thumbs moved out and in feeling the silk. Oh how he used to be excited while wearing it. Now, he ended up frowning and throwing it on the floor. What else is there to him except being a prince and a vampire? Anything about him all goes back to those two things one way or another. It's useless but maybe it's not. Jimin did ask him to tell her something. Whatever he is going to say, it has to be worth some importance. Something worth to use her ears to listen to.

Once again, he stood up. This time he walked over to the other side of the room. He slammed his heel against a floorboard before one end popped up. "Jimin, I am a hypocrite," He said while lifting the board up. Setting it to the side, he picked up a rectangular-shaped box then sat it down in front of her. Inside of it was a little doll, jade ring, several letters, piece of silk, and some journals. He took an azalea from the bed and placed it inside.

"I have a fear of being alone, but here I am pushing everyone away. I yearn to be with someone, but it's useless. All these things, I kept because I thought someday I'd be able to give them to somebody. But we already know what happened and now they're all gloomy warm reminders of the past. I turned into something I feared…a lonely monster, but still I wish I was like you and everyone else. Not just as the crown prince, but as a human, a real one with sincere feelings and a heart that beats."

She crossed her arms in discomfort. Hopefully, it will never come to that, that she would have to run away. He was right, of course, they should plan for the worst, but at the moment the idea that it could be worse enough to run away from seemed very unlikely. Of course, it was still possible. She nodded slowly.
Watching him take off his headband, Jimin's arms fell into her lap, and she wondered if she had upset him with her question. She could understand if he was reluctant to share, but if she told something about herself, why shouldn't he return the favor?
She continued watching him silently, her eyes widening as he took the box from the floorboards and set it in front of her. Taking in the objects inside, it seemed to her that this was rather personal to share with her, even if she'd asked him to. The doll made her think of the one she had when she was small. Who had it been meant for?
"I remember having a doll like that once," she muttered. She looked up at him, smiling sadly. "You still wish it, even after all this time? That sounds like a sincere feeling, don't you think?"
She had the strange, sudden desire to take his hand in hers, to comfort him somehow. But she stayed in place. She was not as bold as he was, she did not know if he even wanted to be comforted.

Kangdae could feel his fingers curl into his palm. Was this odd for him to say about himself? It was rather difficult for him to come up with another thing to say that didn't involve being a vampire or prince. Also, something about being around Jimin, it all feels like there isn't much for him to worry about. He feels safe and warm, if he had the ability to feel such a thing like warmth.

Gazing back into the box, he noticed the doll. After opening it, he did not think much about it till he heard her. Gently picking it up, he examined it then looked back at Jimin. "You did?" He asked, "Did it look like this too?" A bright smile swept across his face for a second till it faded a bit.

Is it really a sincere feeling? He was not sure how to explain it. Here and there, he'd be around other people then suddenly got hit with the wish of being human again. All he can sense is a wave of knowing, wanting to be something he couldn't. His heart is dead, how can it be sincere?

"Despite being able to do what humans cannot do, I still find myself wishing to be one even though it's been a while since I gotten used to this," He answered, while glancing back at the doll. "I suppose it does sound like one, yet I am a little unsure of how it is."

“Ah, not exactly,” she admitted. “This one looks more expensive than the one I had.”
There was a pang in her chest when she caught his smile. She didn’t know why; perhaps because it was so different and bright compared to the expression he wore previously and now, as well as the tone of the conversation. He had a lovely smile, and she wished he wasn’t so solemn now. Why had her question caused him to react like this? It seemed that he felt limited by his vampirism and status as the crown prince, which she could understand, but she very much wished he did not.
“I figure if you feel anything deep inside you at all, then it must be real,” she mused. “I mean, you can’t be the only one has a fear of being alone, even if you experience it differently. And although I wouldn’t know if you are the only vampire who wishes to be human again, but I think…” she trailed off, becoming lost in thought. “Well, I suppose I can’t imagine how it feels. I’m human. I wish I could…” she trailed off again.
She’d been staring at Kangdae’s headband, forgotten on the floor a few feet away, but now she shook her head a little, her gaze returning to the prince’s face. Taking a moment to stretch her legs so they didn’t fall asleep again, she said, “I want to comfort you, but I don’t know how. You look a little solemn. Is there anything I can do?”
Then a thought occurred to her. “Another thing. Do you have any hobbies or things you do in your spare time?” She glanced at the box again. “Writing?”