"You know when I was like twenty," Mr. Huang started as the siblings hummed indicating that they were listening to the older man. Six of them were seated on the table with Mr. and Mrs. Huang on either side and Haechan sitting next to Jeno while Renjun sat next to Lucas.

It was dinner time and they were having their dinner when Mr. Huang started the story. Renjun groaned a bit rolling his eyes as Lucas stifled a laugh at his brother's action. They knew where the story was heading. It was the love story of their parents and clearly, enough Renjun wasn't interested. Out of boredom or the fact that he heard it multiple times to even know how it goes on. 

"I was working with my uncle as an apprentice. It wasn't that bad but it wasn't pleasant either. It was quite tiring and I found myself looking for another job." he said as Jeno hummed looking quite interested. On the other hand, his sibling had his eyes on Renjun who was sitting opposite him. A slight smirk played on his lips as he stared intently at the other.

Upon catching the other's eyes Renjun gulped a bit before clearing his throat. It was an interruption and clearly enough Mr. Huang wasn't pleased.

"Dad, I don't really think the Lees will be interested in knowing about your love story let alone us. Spare them please." Even though he mentioned them it was obvious that he was tired of hearing the story for the nth time. Chuckling Lucas shook his head while Mrs. Huang smacked her son's head gesturing him to shut up. 

"That's okay uncle. Do continue! We're keen to know your story" was all Haechan replied with as Renjun blinked his eyes. Winking at the older Haechan diverted his eyes from the older towards his dad who held a wide grin. 

"So as I was saying I was looking for another job...that's when I found out her dad was running a cafe. Well, I wouldn't have applied for it if it weren't for her! You had to see their mom in her 20s! She was the most beautiful woman ever!'' the way their father described their mother sure got Lucas all mushy. He couldn't help but think about mark whom he had his eyes laid on from the very first day they met. On the other hand, Mrs. Huang was blushing so hard at her husband's words. She was lucky enough to have him as her husband.

Renjun on the other side was judging them as a whole, giving them stinky eyes. He knew his brother must be thinking about Mark as well. Sighing in single he looked back at his food before poking it with his chopsticks uninterested. 

Suddenly as if something has hit him he jolted up a bit earning a look from his brother who snapped out of his thoughts due to that action.

Renjun's eyes widened as he turned his face towards Haechan who seemed to be wearing a smug look.  Biting his lip Renjun looked away obviously creeped out by the other's actions. Clutching his chest he leaned in to sip the soup only for him to jolt up once again.

This surely got his father's attention. Stopping his talk he looked towards Renjun who seemed uncomfortable.

"Jun, are you okay?" he asked as Renjun nodded a bit faking a smile.

"I-I'm fine dad" glaring at the person in front of him he gestured to his father to continue his talk. Mrs. Huang who was concerned brought a cup of water.

"Honey, drink this," she said patting his back as Renjun mumbled a thank you. placing the cup down he looked at Haechan who seemed to be looking behind his back. Due to his instincts, he turned to look around once again feeling something crawl up his legs. holding his breath he looked down only to see the younger male's legs crawling up his own. Eyes widening he pushed the leg away before backing away a bit earning a look from Lucas.

"Why are you moving away?"

"None of your business" Renjun muttered though it was audible earning a gasp from the older.

"Hey, that's not nice of you" crossing his arms across his chest he said as Renjun glared at his brother.

"You see...I'm having a terrible headache" he said as he got up feeling a light tug on his sleeve.

"I'm having a terrible headache mom...I'm going to sleep..." he mumbled as Mrs. Huang hummed before pointing at the first aid kit in the kitchen.

"Make sure to apply some balm" he hummed before dragging his legs upstairs actings as if he was having a terrible headache. As soon as he reached upstairs he dashed towards his room before plopping on his bed huffing.

"I swear to god! he's getting on my nerves!ugh!" talking to himself he grabbed the duvet before wrapping himself on it.

Letting his eyes shut Renjun tried to sleep. Sure enough, he was hungry but the fact that Haechan was irritating the hit out of him in the dining room didn't help him much. He would rather starve than to sit there and suffer that. Obviously, by the looks of it, Haechan was trying to get on his nerves and he sure did achieve his plan.

Soon enough the siblings greeted goodnight to the elder couple before coming upstairs along with Lucas. Parting ways they went into their respective rooms to sleep. Haechan smiled a bit looing at renjun's door before getting into his.

"You're still so gullible, Renjun-ah" a voice whispered near his ear as the boy visibly flinched. The voice wasn't harsh rather it was quite near him, close to his ears, giving him chills.

"Humans like you are so so innocent that it makes me want to ruin it" the voice went on as the little Renjun pursed his lips tight not saying anything.

"Do you believe that monsters exist Renjun-ah?" 

The boy slowly shook his head as a no. He heaved a sigh when he felt the owner of the voice finally moving away from him. Then a loud howl as Renjun covered both of his ears.

"Stupid boy! So so stupid! After all, what did I expect from a mere human like you?" 

"I-I'm not stu-stupid"

"You are," the voice said moving closer to him once gain trailing its rough hands across his delicate skin. Holding his chin up it said.

"You're so innocent. I can't believe that I have found someone like you at last. Too bad you're destined for him. But till then..." Renjun shut his eyes as he felt it leaning close, the cold breath hitting his face.

"I'll have your heart little boy! I'll keep it for the time being."

Renjun jolted up from his bed, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. Reaching out to his bedstand with shaking hands, he took the flask before chugging down the water. It has always been like this. Him waking up in the middle of the night after having dreams like this. It felt so real that he had goosebumps all over. 

A sudden knock on the door brought him back to reality as he visibly flinched. Hesitantly he turned the lights on before moving towards the door. Grabbing the handle he was met with the sight of Haechan with a concerned look.

"Are you okay?"

"Ye-yea" a lie, Haechan could tell. His eyes were wandering around the room refusing to meet his gaze. 

"Why did you ask?"

"I heard a scream. So I thought to check on you" he replied as the older hummed before nibbling on his lips wondering whether he had gone to the extent of screaming. 

"Oh...I see...Goodnight then"  It was quite awkward and Renjun didn't want to do anything with the other so he bid the other off with a simple goodnight before plopping back on the bed. Touching his chest gulping at the rate it raced he shut his eyes refusing to let his mind wander and give into any form of sounds. Especially the time he woke up was 2;45 am to be exact which didn't help things either. It made him wonder why Haechan wasn't asleep at the time.

"Maybe my scream might have woke him up..." mumbling to himself he heaved in a deep breath before closing his eyes.

TBC

that's for this chapter and omg I highly recommend you guys to play impressionable by Taemin at times when Renjun is having dreams. fits it so well.

also, I'm so happy and excited to say that there would be at least 45 chapters for this book! I made a rough plot for each chapter and so far I'm satisfied with it. gonna be a slow burn so don't @ me y'all. I can't wait to complete this! oof

I'll start regular updates hopefully by this Wednesday once I'm done distributing the prizes for fiesta