Running in My Veins: Jicheol SVT AU ✓

Chapter 48

Hi! I am back with the second to last chapter of this fic. We are picking up right where we left off. Another trigger warning for violence and blood. Please read with caution. I hope you enjoy!

"Hoonie?" Seungcheol coughs, blood dripping from his mouth, "Wh-what's going on?" Jihoon flashes an apologetic look at Seungcheol, his eyes watering. He opens his mouth to say something, but is cut off. "He's finally showing his true colors," An unknown voice says as the door to the office slams shut, revealing a man with graying hairs and a missing arm. Seungcheol turns to look at him and growls as he calmly moves to stand beside Jihoon. "Shin," Seungcheol huffs, "So you are the leader..."

"Of course," Mr. Shin states with a smile, "And your lovely boyfriend...is one of my partners..." Jihoon looks down at the floor, a tear dripping from his face and hitting the ground. Seungcheol scoffs and winces as pain shoots through his chest, "Please, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."

"How else would you explain that pretty little thing in your gut?" Mr. Shin questions.

"I'm sure there's a reason for all of this," Seungcheol says, "Jihoon wouldn't do this to me." Mr. Shin tuts and places his hand on Jihoon's shoulder. Seungcheol shoots daggers at the vamp before glancing at Jihoon, who slowly raises his face to meet his gaze. There are tear streaks on his cheeks, but other than that Jihoon appears rather stiff and emotionless. "Jihoon," Seungcheol murmurs, "Please talk to me, love...tell me what's going on..."

"Yes!" Mr. Shin exclaims, "Tell him why you've decided to side with me." He pats his shoulder before nudging him forward. Jihoon stumbles a bit before opening his mouth and saying in an even tone, "I hate you. I have for a while now..."

"No," Seungcheol states, "Don't lie to me..."

"It isn't a lie!" Jihoon shrieks, "I mean it! I've hated you for a while now!"

"Really?" Seungcheol says, "Then, why are you crying? I know you didn't want to do this. If you did, you wouldn't be reacting this way." He gestures to the dagger still shoved into his chest. It hurts. A lot. But, Seungcheol doesn't care. He is just worried about Jihoon. He knows that he would never do such a thing to him. He would never betray him. This isn't Jihoon. It's Shin's fault. Shin is involved without a doubt. "He's gotten used to pretending," Mr. Shin says with a shrug, "He's been doing it for a while too...haven't you?"

Jihoon nods, wiping at the tears, "Since Seokmin died. I've been on Shin's side since then." Seungcheol shakes his head. He knows that Jihoon has said he hated him during that time, but they had made up and they fixed things. That wasn't just an act. And there is absolutely no way that following his brother's death, he found the faction and decided to team up. It's just not possible. The knife in his chest may say otherwise, but he trusts Jihoon. He trusts that the person he fell in love with would never do this unless he had a good reason. "I don't believe you," Seungcheol says.

"You don't have to believe it," Mr. Shin says, "But, it's true. How do you think we got into the palace in the first place? Jihoonie let us right through the doors."

"Don't call him that," Seungcheol growls.

Mr. Shin chuckles and tuts, "I can't believe you're still acting this way when you've been betrayed by him."

"He hasn't betrayed me," Seungcheol says, before turning to look Jihoon right in the eyes, "You know that...right Jihoon? So don't feel bad for what you did...I don't know what happened or what Mr. Shin is holding against you, but I know that you didn't want to stab me. You didn't want any of this to happen. We'll figure this out. Whatever is going on, we'll get through it. It'll be okay..." Jihoon stares back at his boyfriend, his eyes filled with pain and fear. Seungcheol flashes him a small smile and nods his head, doing his best to give his lover confidence. Mr. Shin chuckles, "Your faith is cute...it's too bad it will be the death of you. Go on, Jihoon. You know what you have to do." Jihoon doesn't say anything as he steps closer to Seungcheol and aims a kick right at the blade handle. Seungcheol hisses in pain as the dagger digs deeper into him. "That's for ruining my life," Jihoon states in an emotionless tone, "And this is for my little brother. For Seokminnie." He swings a fist right to Seungcheol's face which makes the leader of the vamps stumble back. He moves his jaw and sighs, looking at Jihoon. His boyfriend may be beating the hell out of him, but he could care less. He's more worried about why he's doing it then the fact that he is. And is it just him or did he say Seokmin's name in an interesting way. Almost like he was pushing the words out of his mouth with a bit more emphasis. "You should fight back," Mr. Shin says with a smile, "Wouldn't want you to die so fast..."