Chapter XXI

Between You the pressure of being held onto so firmly made everything so much more real than it already was.

"Hold on to me," Min-jae proposed when the warmth wrapped around him caressed to the hilt, and when Jeremiah wordlessly followed the suggestion, he found himself on his back once again, unabashedly letting his calls of praise and delight fill every corner of the room as he was burrowed into.

Jeremiah wanted to know how in the hell Min-jae was so good at this. Or was it he who was so starved for genuine touch? Was he so hungry that his body was treasuring the return of this first real dose of ecstasy in over a decade?

Up until their first time having sex in Min-jae's living room over in Seoul, no one had ever touched Jeremiah in such new and spellbinding ways, and Min-jae seemed more like an expert at what he did than an inexperienced virgin. And yet, here Jeremiah lay with his legs splayed for this person, toes curling as he was filled, fucked, and satisfied in ways he could have never imagined years prior.

With his hands pressed to either side of Jeremiah's head, Min-jae's hips turned fast and steady. He was flushed in the face just watching the lewd and alluring expressions on Jeremiah's face come and go.

This is dangerous, Min-jae thought, the possibilities of what could follow, or what could have already followed their first entanglement coming to mind. It was dangerous not to care, wasn't it? They were both engrossed in each other's everything in that moment and in this one, so much that the dangers were distant from their minds, but as they crossed Min-jae's suddenly, nothing in him wanted to pull out, and he shut out the thoughts to shoo them away.

He would deal with the consequences if there turned out to be any .

"Listen to me," Jeremiah said, tugging Min-jae out of his thoughts.

The Korean dhampir paused. "What is it?"

"I know you want to see me, but…" Jeremiah was almost too ashamed to say it. "I want to turn around."

"Why?"

Swallowing a breath of air, Jeremiah smiled, embarrassed. "You're really going to make me say it? It…feels good—."

"From behind?"

Min-jae didn't think Jeremiah's body could blush anymore, but his ego boosted nonetheless, and he backed off long enough to let Jeremiah turn onto his knees. He leaned in, and as his cock was buried once more into the rapturous grope of Jeremiah's hole, Min-jae dragged out each of his strokes as he pecked patches of kisses up Jeremiah's back.

As his hair fell to the side, Jeremiah craned his neck when Min-jae tucked his nose against him.

"Faster," Jeremiah demanded, unable to stop his claws from extending, and his spine curved down the moment Min-jae struck at just the perfect angle to tear a scream from his lungs. Being able to lay in comfort and hold Min-jae in his arms was just as satisfying, but he wanted to feel the full, hard impact striking into him again and again.

"Jeremiah," Min-jae voiced against the radiant scent at his lips, each rotation of his hips driving deep and passionately. "Stay with me," he seemed to plead. "I know you have family elsewhere. I know you've only run away for the time being because you're scared, but I can take care of you. I can make you happy."

"W—What?" Jeremiah sucked in a sputtering chest of air, unable to find the proper thoughts to understand exactly what was being said to him.

He was brought up onto his knees then, back pressed to Min-jae's chest who reached around and laid a hand down his stomach and to his cock, turning his face so that their lips feasted into a kiss.

Imprisoned in this heaven that was Min-jae's hold, Jeremiah's body locked up as his cock was jerked and his hole was filled. The second Min-jae wrapped his other arm around and bore into him one last time, striking Jeremiah's prostate and surfacing a ringing moan, they came together.

The current of Jeremiah's cum cascaded from him as Min-jae's rush erupted, insides twitching, and the Korean dhampir marveled in the heavenly pulse of Jeremiah's body vibrating around him.

They breathed and settled, not letting go of each other when they fully collapsed upon the bed.

"W—What were you trying to say?" Jeremiah managed to ask between his light trembling.

"It's nothing," Min-jae tried to take it back. It wasn't that he was lost in the heat of everything and hadn't meant what he said, but he was afraid for his confession to mean nothing if Jeremiah denied him. "Forget I said anything."

"Don't give me that. Just say it, Min-jae. I'm listening."

Here goes nothing.

Pulling himself free from Jeremiah's body, Min-jae brought himself over and they lay face to face.

Neither of them were shy, but there was a bit of fear sitting between them, Min-jae the most…as this would be his first time showing much of his heart. He'd spoken to other guys when growing up, but his focus on school and home had always kept hi s interest in romance to a minimum, making him feel at times that he wasn't meant to build a lasting connection with someone. During that time, he'd been alright with that, but he had an opportunity now, and he wanted to take it.

"If there were anywhere else you could be, I want you to be right here," Min-jae said, bringing a hand to Jeremiah's face, and he passed his thumb over his lips. The stunning gems of Jeremiah's onyx black and sapphire eyes were so curious, and Min-jae couldn't help but see a future in them; a future he wanted to take hold of and never let go. "It doesn't have to be in this village, or even in this country, but I want you beside me. Maybe I can't promise you the world, but I can promise to adore you the way you deserve to be. If you can accept how my feelings for you have grown and will continue to grow for however long I get to know this world with you — on my soul, on my heart — I will cherish you the way you were meant to be cherished from the day you were born."

Min-jae's words weren't met with more.

Instead, he was ambushed by Jeremiah's enchanted shock and awe, and they held fast into a kiss that seemed to go on until their lungs gave out.

Jeremiah didn't know what more to say. He believed there was nothing he could say that could compete with the reverence that naturally came forward from Min-jae, but he felt the same, and the only way he could mirror his requited heart was to nod and kiss and cling to Min-jae until he couldn't stand to let go.

"Will you stay with me?" Min-jae asked.

They were seated in the center of the bed now, at last coming down from an elevated high off the other. Jeremiah nodded as a burn that rested in his throat finally subsided. "I want to get it right this time," he said .

Min-jae wasn't all too sure what Jeremiah meant by that, but in return, he said, "From here on, we'll do our best together. I'll hold onto you always, Jeremiah. I won't let you go."

***

Saengsacho really was beautiful.

It was one in the afternoon now and the sun was at its highest, spreading its cool warmth over the area as a comforting wind caused the autumn dyed trees to shudder. Min-jae's home was the furthest hanok in the village, separated by two acres of space and lush vegetation.

As Jeremiah stood at a window in the kitchen area, he could see everything that made up this tiny village at one of the most southern points of South Korea. The paved roads weren't flat concrete, were rocky, and if it weren't for the stalled cars, electrical wiring, various satellite dishes, and the far-off cell phone tower peeking over the hills, Jeremiah would be able to imagine taking a step back into a distant dynasty.

Who knows how great a time the people from long ago had it compared to now, but at least the beauty stuck, and that was something about Saengsacho that the residents were never going to give up.

Able to hear Min-jae finishing with his shower since they'd fallen asleep earlier, Jeremiah looked around the kitchen and attached dining area. The walls and cabinets were white, the floor a light wood, and everything looked rather comfy. Reminders were stuck to the fridge and papers were scattered about the dining table along with a mobile phone.

Must be the one Min-jae left behind, Jeremiah thought .

When he inspected closer, the papers were documents indicating financial shares agreed upon between Dae-jung and Ha-yoon, most of them being made out to Ha-yoon herself. Jeremiah assumed Dae-jung had been keeping track of dealings with the coven over in Seoul to make sure Ha-yoon's transition into leadership ran smoothly with other business endeavors. The papers were also where it appeared Min-jae found the location of the Choi Coven in the first place. He and his mother really had dropped everything when they realized something wasn't right.

If only they'd known Dae-jung was being held practically right under their noses the whole time.

Jeremiah didn't want to think about what the outcome of everything would've been if Min-jae discovered Dae-jung's whereabouts on his own. To think of him running head-on into that damned injection would've made him susceptible to its damage. While Jeremiah's own body had taken the brunt of it all, he was glad to say Min-jae had dodged a bullet. Things weren't great right now, but he was more than happy to take the pain of it all if it meant no one else had to suffer.

"I'll clean up more later," Min-jae said, entering the kitchen. He was refreshed in dark jeans and a T-shirt, his hair swept into a low bun that brought out every sharp angle of his handsome face. Jeremiah was already intimately familiar with how agreeable Min-jae was, but even his simplicities were worth admiring.

Gathering up the mess of papers, Min-jae set them aside and took Jeremiah's hand. "I welcome you to stay here if you don't feel like leaving anywhere, but I wanted to take a look around. When you were asleep, your father told me things will be different here now, and I wanted to see with my own eyes what those differences are."

"Since it's likely he killed Kyung-hwan, I wonder if others have become suspicious of his disappearance. He had family here."

"That's part of what I want to find out," Min-jae said. "I was going to purchase some things from the convenience store anyways."

"Would it be strange if I came with you?"

Min-jae's hand clasped Jeremiah's a little tighter. "I don't want you to be afraid of being here," he said. "Foreigners are not common, but they're still welcome. I'm sure your hair will pique everyone's interest more than the fact of you not being from around here. Besides, you'll be with me, and I like to think I'm very well liked."

Jeremiah appreciated the effort to boost his comfort but decided to stay. In that case, Min-jae adorned shoes in the entryway and stepped under the sun. As he grew more distant from his home and began to pass others, many of the residents were outside tending to outdoor plants, reading at their doorsteps, listening to radio, and younger children were playing outside now that they'd returned from school.

There were curious stares, but most seemed to be in a world of their own. A few asked about his parents, and Min-jae felt the only thing he could say was they were away for the time being. Although it was true Dae-jung's ties to the village weren't as tight as his wife's, that didn't mean people were unfamiliar with him. Lots of people viewed Dae-jung as a successful businessman who came and went, as he never stuck around for too long.

After some minutes, Min-jae moved through the residential area and neared the convenience store. It was never too busy at any point in the day given the patrons were the same people doing their routine shopping, and by this time of day, Sujin would be manning the register and products .

When he entered and the bell stating his arrival chimed, no welcome was given, and Min-jae was surprised to see another face running the place. It was a young man who didn't quite look happy to be there. Moreover, he looked forlorn.

"Hyung," he greeted Min-jae in a respectful manner, but his tone was down. "It's been a while since anyone has seen you and your family. We were beginning to think you all moved away without telling anyone."

"It was just business," Min-jae answered. "For now, it's just me and…" He thought of Jeremiah who he hoped was continuing to make himself comfortable at home. "...a friend. You oversee the store now?"

"Since Kyung-hwanssi disappeared," the young man said, "and his mother is too frail to manage the store on her own, she asked that my family take over if it's something we wanted. I still can't believe Kyung-hwanssi and Sujin would leave her after all the years Kyung-hwanssi prided himself in taking care of her. I can't imagine where they would go without her; on the evening of her birthday of all days."

Min-jae was at a loss for words. All he knew about the state of affairs was what Demiesius had told him, and it hadn't been much at all. He'd learned of the Pyrenean's ability, what Kyung-hwan had used vampire blood for and that he was now dead, but he'd been told nothing regarding the boy Sujin.

With no knowledge on Sujin's whereabouts, Min-jae was a bit troubled to believe he was either dead or had been taken in by a coven that would understand him as a dhampir. Sujin was just a kid, and Min-jae was sure anyone here in the village could understand him more than any coven ever would regardless of his true nature. Being half-vampire didn't mean just any immortal would know him more than the people he'd grown up around for most of his life.

Not sure if he should ask too many questions, Min-jae didn't have to add much when the young man said, "Some people are speculating Kyung-hwanssi owed money to the mafia or stole from foreign investors. Two men apparently appeared at the end of his mother's birthday party to speak with him. Kyung-hwanssi and Sujin have been gone since then."

"I hope it's nothing too worrisome," Min-jae felt was all he could say, and after a nod of agreement, he was left to do his shopping.

Trying not to dwell on the situation surrounding Kyung-hwan, while knowing he was dead, Min-jae collected what necessities Jeremiah would need if they were going to stay here together. He already assumed someone like Demiesius or even Dominick were doing what they could to find Jeremiah since they'd gone without a word, but Min-jae hoped there might be some understanding put toward the decision.

From what he'd come to see a dhampir had the capabilities of being through his time with Jeremiah, Min-jae knew Jeremiah was far more in touch with who he was as a dhampir than he might ever be with himself. Nevertheless, he didn't want that to mean he was any less proficient in giving Jeremiah the protection and shelter he was looking for. After all, nothing here in such a rural area would be out to get them anymore.

Min-jae might not have ever used his strength to bring harm, what claws he'd never summoned to bury into another person, but Min-jae wanted to be that protection Jeremiah never knew he needed until now. A protector for him and…

Somewhat nervous to think of an additional predicament he and Jeremiah may have gotten themselves into, Min-jae searched through the convenience store for a product he once thought he'd go his entire life without stressing over.

From an aisle stocked with toiletries and hygiene products, Min-jae's eyes settled on a purple box and he tossed it into his basket. He was sure of the look Jeremiah would give him upon seeing it, but he wanted answers and this was the only way he could think to get a definite response.

After purchasing everything and ignoring the look the cashier gave him upon scanning the last item, Min-jae started home and let himself in. Stepping out of his shoes at the door, he listened for Jeremiah. He seemed to be in the centermost part of the hanok, so Min-jae put the majority of things away and tucked the small purple box in his back pocket.

Following the incredibly small draw of Jeremiah's aura, Min-jae slid open the door leading onto an outdoor walkway bordering a middle courtyard. It wasn't a very big space, and it was enclosed and completely private with an open overhead. It was a stunning area embellished with small shrubs, rocky arrangements, potted flowers, and various cooking herbs under the sky.

Upon seeing Jeremiah seated on the stone steps in a pair of his shoes he only used to step into the courtyard on occasion, Min-jae quietly watched Jeremiah as he enjoyed these quiet and picturesque surroundings.

A light whirlwind spiraled through the courtyard, shaking the leaves of the bright yellow gingko tree arched over the grass and stone path. Leaves glittered like gold flakes into Jeremiah's hair and around his placement, making him appear more washed in favor than he already did. He looked at peace.

"I think I'm pregnant," Jeremiah said then, those four words stealing the breath from Min-jae's lungs, but when Jeremiah looked toward him and he didn't appear to struggle with the idea, he stood and left the slippers on the outer walkway before closing the door behind him.

Jeremiah's heart was still beating so fast since reality fully caught up with him, but he also thought there was no point in panicking. What's done was done. They couldn't turn back from it now.

Taking Min-jae's right hand, he lifted his shirt and placed the palm of it against his lower stomach. "Close your eyes," he said in content. "Listen and focus as well as you can on me. I can hardly tell much about my own body in this state, but everything should be clear to you if you take me in."

A bit disappointed in himself for not being completely in tune with his abilities, Min-jae drew what attention he could separate from anything else and placed it solely on Jeremiah. He was so warm to the touch, his heartbeat came through just fine, and while it seemed nothing could change how diminished his aura was now, he was still there, but so was something else.

Something small, something all its own collided with Min-jae's drive to feel and understand. This entity was nested within the slightness of Jeremiah's person, and as individual as it was, so too was the quick and musical sound of life coming forth on its own.

Not meaning to snatch his hand away, Min-jae swallowed a lump built-up in his throat. His eyes switched to the floor before digging the box he'd gotten from the convenience store and handing it over. It was a pregnancy test.

"Use this," Min-jae said, and Jeremiah nearly stumbled over his breathing when laying eyes on the device .

Never in all his years did Jeremiah think he'd hold one of these things, but he moved without question, and after several minutes of silence between them, Jeremiah and Min-jae watched the double blue lines surface to validate their intuition.

Jeremiah didn't know what to say. It wasn't out of regret to see he'd slipped up; there was more of a relief in him to know this melody taking place inside him hadn't been disrupted due to the damage he'd endured.

As the positive test lay on the bathroom sink, Min-jae stole Jeremiah's attention by taking hold of his hands, and he kissed the back of his knuckles. "I meant what I said," Min-jae placed another kiss. "I will cherish you always, cherish you both. For however long we know this world, not a day will go by where you won't center my thoughts, and I swear on my soul — I swear my devotion to you. I will do right by you, Jeremiah. In that, I hope you can believe in me."

"I do," Jeremiah nodded as Min-jae wiped his cheeks clear of tumbling tears. He didn't mean to cry, but it was all so overwhelming; this goodness rising in him. "We can get this right together, yeah?"

"We will," Min-jae leaned into Jeremiah and collected his lips as they embraced. "I promise."