『JenSoo Short Stories』

The Second You Called Me Yours (I had something worth living for)

There aren't very many things for Jennie to enjoy as a vampire—most of her hobbies had involved being outdoors in the gentle spring breeze, taking in the soft glow of the sunlight.

Now, with her newfound status as a vampire, these small moments of reprieve have been snatched away from her and are now a thing of the past.

Of course, she never really mentions it outright—both she and Jisoo have already had a hard enough time adjusting to this new and strange dynamic, and the last thing Jennie wants is to place another burden on her girlfriend's shoulders.

Their schedules are vastly different—with Jennie's newfound status as a vampire, it means that the younger woman usually spends the day sleeping and conserving energy for the night, while Jisoo's job at the music academy keeps her busy in the day. They meet at dusk and spend their nights in each other's company, with Jisoo often turning in late for the sake of spending time with Jennie.

It's far from ideal, but with abrupt changes comes a transition period, and they're both still very much unfamiliar with this new dynamic, stumbling their way through each day and night.

Being the human girlfriend of Jisoo had been difficult enough with Jennie just barely finding acceptance amongst Jisoo's pack; and just as Jennie thinks they've been through the worst, fate finds yet another way to irreparably turn their lives upside down.

She'd staggered back home blearily that night, covered in her own blood and her senses still all too sharp for her to bear.

Jennie doesn't remember much of it—neither does she really want to, anyway—but the bits and pieces that do stick are far from pleasant.

She remembers the sheer panic and pain in Jisoo's voice as her girlfriend rushes her desperately to the hospital; remembers lying in the cold and unforgiving hospital bed, with Jisoo's hand clasped tightly in hers as her girlfriend watches over her, tears streaming, unbridled, down her cheeks.

Remembers Jisoo gritting her teeth, prayers to the gods spilling from her lips, even though Jennie knows Jisoo's never believed in them.

Remembers hearing the tell-tale sniffles of Jisoo's sobs as she floats in and out of consciousness, and the heavy weight of guilt that had settled in her chest.

Of course, none of it had been her fault—'a freak accident', as the attending doctor had put it, because the vampires of today have no reason to attack innocent humans.

Had everything in society to satisfy their bloodlust, from blood bags from blood banks and grocery stores to illegal human live feedings, and yet, innocents like Jennie fall victim still.

"I'm sorry," Jennie manages between sobs, and Jisoo's shaking her head, tears rolling down her cheeks.

The hospital ward is empty; cold and sterile, punctuated only by Jennie's hiccups.

"Don't be, my love. Please don't be sorry. We'll get through this together. I promise."

"I'm sorry," Jennie's blabbering now, just beyond the point of comfort, and all Jisoo can do is hold her close, praying that the action is comfort enough for now, because she knows they're both inevitably crumbling from the inside, utterly inconsolable to the other.

"I'm home!" Jisoo's voice rings out as the door swings open, jerking Jennie out of her thoughts.

The vampire scrambles from the couch where she'd been previously slouched upon, automatically making a beeline towards Jisoo.

Jennie hugs her girlfriend, who sinks into the comfort of her embrace, wrapping her own arms around the younger woman.