Night Kiss

by E. T. Malinowski

  “I already have,” she said. Jin-woo whipped his head around to look at her. Then he smiled and hugged her tight.

  “Good.”

  Song after song, set after set, Bam Kiseu kept the crowd hyped and the energy level high. Even when they weren’t singing and just interacting with the audience, they never stopped moving, and they never let the energy lag. They were walking around the stage, reaching out to fans in the front rows, shaking hands, touching fingers as they could. Slowly each of them moved back together.

  “Are you having a good time?” Cheongul said, and the crowd screamed, “Yes!”

  “You love the old stuff?”

  “Yes!”

  “We love the old tracks too,” Ki-tae said. “But we’ve got a surprise for you tonight!”

  Behind them a curtain parted to reveal a large video screen, their logo spinning around on it. To the right and left of the stage, more monitors turned on.

  “Two months ago BL Entertainment began a two-part scholarship program with Jeonjin University’s Digital Media Faculty. Three songs were selected from our albums,” HanYin said.

  Cheongul continued, “Part one of the program had the students presenting music video concepts for one of those songs. The winning concept would be produced by BL Entertainment.”

  “Tonight we present to you the winning entry, along with a remix of an old track,” Ki-tae said. “Here it is, Korea. ‘Crossing Time.’”

  “I want to throw up,” Jin-woo murmured.

  “None of that.” Min-su whipped around and rubbed his back. “It’s going to be fine.”

  “People can be assholes,” Jin-woo pointed out. “We’ve seen it before.”

  “True, but you’re going to be fine,” she repeated. “Listen. The crowd is singing along with them. They wouldn’t do that if they didn’t like what was on the screen.”

  “True.”

  “Is it the video, or is it the idea you’re going to be standing on that stage in about two minutes?”

  “Yes,” he answered.

  “You’re not going to be singing, Jin-woo-ya,” she said. “All we’re going to do is walk out there, smile, wave, and then walk back off-stage.”

  “I’m sorry you and Jong-in-a didn’t get to sing it with them.”

  “We wouldn’t do it without you,” she said. “You contributed just as much, if not more than we did.”

  “Still.”

  “Jin-woo-ya, stop it, or I’m going to smack you.”

  “Okay.”

  Jong-in arrived just as Cheongul came to their side of the stage. He extended his hand to Min-su. She smiled and took it. Ki-tae just grabbed Jin-woo’s hand without preamble. There was a moment’s hesitation before HanYin offered his hand to Jong-in.

  “Hey, Korea!” Cheongul said. “Did you like it?”

  The screaming rose.

  “Let us introduce the people who brought you that amazing video,” Cheongul said. “This is Min-su-ya.”

  “Jin-woo-ya,” Ki-tae said, holding up Jin-woo’s hand. He tried to pull it down, shooting Ki-tae a look. He waved with his other hand, hoping his smile didn’t look as strained as it felt.

  “And Jong-in-a,” HanYin said, throwing his arm around Jong-in’s shoulders just as he would with Ki-tae or Cheongul.

  “They brought this concept from beginning to end,” Cheongul said. “We had a blast filming it, although I’ll admit, not a big fan of wigs!”

  Ki-tae laughed. “He kept having to blow strands out of his face!”

  “HanYin was the most comfortable!” Cheongul said. HanYin just smiled and shrugged, that sweet expression on his face, and the crowd started chanting his name.

  Jin-woo listened to the banter and smiled. This was typical Bam Kiseu. Finally they were released and returned backstage. Once he was out of the spotlight, his body relaxed. He’d probably have a headache tomorrow, but if it held off until then, he was good. Then the music played, and he froze once more. Ki-tae’s voice rose in his smooth baritone.

  You don’t know me, but I see you.

  You don’t see me, but I’m always near,

  Watching over you from the shadows,

  Keeping you from harm.

  In the night, I am sleepless.

  In the daylight, I am hollow.

  But still you draw me to you,

  You give me hope for more.

  It was his song. The one he’d written about Ki-tae. He couldn’t bring himself to turn around. The rational part of him knew Ki-tae was going to hear the song. Hell, Ki-tae was going to perform the song, but the other part of him appeared to be in denial. They hadn’t talked about his song at all. Now he was hearing HanYin’s sweet tenor singing his point of view, and he was frozen.

  I could stand in front of you,

  But you would not see me.

  One face among hundreds,

  Nothing to set me apart,

  Nothing to draw your eye.

  But still I will protect you,

  You’re the owner of my heart.

  A part of him had yearned for that, something to set him apart from the sea of faces Ki-tae saw at every concert. He wanted to be the one to catch his eye. He never thought such a thing was possible. Now he was living it, and it still felt like a dream. Being here, being with Ki-tae, it was all surreal. The bridge flowed effortlessly into the last verse and final chorus. They harmonized so beautifully. Jin-woo wiped his cheek, feeling wetness on his fingers. He wished he were strong enough to sing this song with Ki-tae. But it was HanYin singing his words, baring his heart to Ki-tae.

  Do you see me, hunting through the night?

  Do you hear me, offering my heart?

  I am not what they think.

  I am more than they believe.

  I am the shadow that follows you,

  The beast that guards you.

  I am what they fear, do you see me?

  I’m the one who holds you gently,

  And sings you to sleep.

  I am the light to lead your way,

  If only you would see me.

  Would he ever be able to sing in front of someone again?

  Ki-tae

  KI-TAE STRUGGLED to keep his voice even as he sang. These were Jin-woo’s words, and he wanted to hear them in Jin-woo’s voice live. He stared out over the crowd, seeing more than one fan wiping tears from their eyes. He tried to put as much emotion into it as he could. He wasn’t quite sure how Jin-woo had figured out some of his feelings, but they were in that song. Perhaps it was the connection between them that allowed such an insight into Ki-tae’s thoughts. Either way, it made this duet beautiful and touching. Jin-woo was his light.

  When they finished, the hall was silent. For the first time, the crowd was not screaming or chanting. It was as if they had all lost their voices. It was intense and nerve-racking. Yet he couldn’t think of anything to say to bring the crowd back up. It started out so slow he almost didn’t catch it. The roaring of the crowd built up into a great wave of sound as they cheered riotously. They loved it!

  Riding that wave, Cheongul moved forward. He joined them, and the first verse of “Caught Me” filled the hall.

  Ki-tae and HanYin slipped to the back, coming in only on the chorus. From there they slid into “Sweet Angel” and then “Knew You Were Bad.” The energy rose back up, and the crowd bounced in their seats, lights waving, hands in the air, singing along with the ones they knew. Ki-tae loved to see them get so energized. When they were in the United States, it was so different. The audiences there did not stand still. They got up out of their seats. Some were dancing in the aisles. They moved and screamed and chanted. But Korea, there was a different energy here. He felt it every time he stepped onstage.

  When they left the stage for a set and costume change, Ki-tae searched for Jin-woo. He found him tucked in a corner, his arms wrapped around his torso, his head down. Ki-tae approached him slowly, not sure what he was going to do. Gently he tucked his finger under Jin-woo’s chin and lifted his face un
til he could see his eyes. He smiled and then slowly leaned forward and placed his lips against Jin-woo’s, feeling the soft sigh that escaped him.

  “It was beautiful,” he said quietly against his lips. “And I loved singing it for you.”

  “I… I wish I could have sung it with you, but….”

  “Shhh, Jin-woo,” he said, pulling back slightly. “Someday you will sing it with me.”

  “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to sing in front of anyone again.”

  “Then I’ll sing it to you.” Ki-tae smiled. “I don’t have your vocal range, but I’ll do my best.”

  “Ki-tae dongsaeng,” Seung-gi said softly. When Ki-tae looked at him, he seemed to be upset at having to pull Ki-tae away. “Set change is almost complete. You have to change.”

  Ki-tae nodded and turned back to Jin-woo. “Tonight I want you in my arms. I don’t want to sleep without you again.”

  Jin-woo nodded.

  Not even a minute later, Ki-tae was running out onstage once more, clad in red and gold as he launched into “Phoenix Rising.” He had written the song after a particularly bad patch. He’d just started going to therapy sessions. While he had to hide certain details about his… experience, such as the actual time frame, he was able to start talking about it the tiniest bit. That didn’t last long. He’d felt as if he was being reborn, just as the phoenix died and yet gave life back to itself.

  He never stood still on the stage. He ran from one edge to the other. HanYin and he passed each other, pausing to grab each other’s hand and bump shoulders. HanYin was clad in black and white, and he’d follow this song with “Call the Dragon.” Cheongul would finish the set with “Tiger Pride.” They never managed to write the fourth song for this set. The words hadn’t come to them yet, but eventually they would.

  There was a loud groan of protesting metal and then the screech of it tearing. The shove came out of nowhere, knocking Ki-tae across the stage. He landed hard on his left shoulder and slid another few feet until he almost went over the edge. He turned just in time to see HanYin get hit by the truss swinging down from above, a deadly pendulum slicing through the air, sending him spinning. The smell of blood flooded the air. Vampire blood.

  Jong-in

  JONG-IN FLEW out of the backstage area across the stage, screaming, “HanYin!”

  He slid the last few feet on his knees as he reached the unmoving body. Touching his back, Jong-in’s hand came away bloody, and fear made his gut clench. He shook him.

  “HanYin, wake up. Dammit, wake up,” he cried, tears streaming down his face. “HanYin.”

  There was a groan, and Jong-in felt the muscles beneath his hands shift. He helped HanYin roll into a sitting position, his face white and his eyes silver. Jong-in cupped his face, heedless of the blood. He stared into HanYin’s eyes and acted before he could think, taking HanYin’s mouth is a passionate kiss. When he pulled back, HanYin’s eyes were wide with shock. He reached up and caressed Jong-in’s cheek.

  “I… I thought—” Jong-in couldn’t get the words out.

  “Jong-in.” HanYin’s voice was a growl punctuated by another groan and screech of metal.

  “Get him off the stage!” Cheongul shouted as he dodged debris. “It’s coming down!”

  He reached Ki-tae at the same time, dragging him from the stage. HanYin spun Jong-in around and covered his body with his own as the truss broke free, the last bolts unable to hold the full weight of the lights. They shattered against the stage, glass and filaments and metal shards shooting in all directions. Screams filled the air; chaos reigned. Security scrambled to get the musicians and fans to safety. He could hear Min-su’s voice rising above all the others, screaming his name.

  “We have to move.” HanYin’s voice was guttural, making Jong-in look at him. His fangs were fully extended. “Now.”

  “Then move, dumbass!” Jong-in snarled. “I’m fine. You’re the one that’s injured!”

  “You’re the only thing keeping me from losing my shit,” HanYin said. “Don’t let go of me.”

  “Never.”

  Cheongul

  “MOVE, MOVE, move!” Seung-gi yelled, coordinating the evacuation of the technicians. “I want everyone out of this area until we know if the rest is going to come down! I want a list of every single person who was up in that rigging, and I want it fucking yesterday!”

  “Status,” Shin-bai barked as Kyung-soo, his second, appeared at his side.

  “Security Team C is managing the evacuation of the fans farther away from the stage, but the crowd is panicked, hampering efforts to get them out safely. Team B is administering medical aid to those caught by the first break, and Team D is with those caught in the last fall. First responders are already on their way. Team A has evacuated all the musicians. They’re accounted for and secured in the VIP room.”

  “Get me a status on HanYin dongsaeng and Jong-in dongsaeng. I want this place on lockdown now,” Shin-bai said. “What’s Cheongul dongsaeng’s and Ki-tae dongsaeng’s status?”

  “Unknown. Cheongul dongsaeng pulled him from the stage on the other side.”

  “Unacceptable! You find them now!” Shin-bai growled.

  “We’re here, Shin-bai hyung,” Cheongul said.

  He struggled with Ki-tae, feeling the trembling in his brother’s body. The low growling was not a good sign. He could still smell HanYin’s blood in the air and knew there would be no getting through to Ki-tae until he no longer smelled it. A part of him desperately wanted to find HanYin and make sure he was all right. However, HanYin had been moving, so Cheongul had to make do with that for the moment. If he let go of Ki-tae, a lot more blood was going to be spilled on his hunt to find the source.

  “Shit,” Shin-bai said succinctly. He turned to Kyung-soo. “Get Team B to assist with the evac of the fans. Team D stays with the injured. Work with emergency services when they arrive. Find the head of security and get the footage for every fucking inch of this backstage area. If he gives you any shit, you tell him he’d much rather deal with you than me at this point.”

  Kyung-soo nodded before turning sharply on his heels to carry out Shin-bai’s commands. Cheongul had to admire how efficiently they worked together, but he could do that later. Right now he had to focus on Ki-tae, who was starting to struggle harder.

  “There you are!” Min-su’s voice was like a balm to his ears, but he really didn’t want her around Ki-tae now. She approached quickly, but he held up his hand. “What?”

  “It’s… not safe.” He inclined his head toward Ki-tae, hoping she’d get the message. Min-su raised an eyebrow and then strode forward. Before Cheongul could react, she cocked back her fist and let fly straight into Ki-tae’s jaw. His body sagged.

  “Now it is. Don’t you ever do something like that again! Racing across the stage with shit falling everywhere, scared me near to death, you ass!” she said, punching him in the arm. It was totally out of place, but Cheongul couldn’t help his laugh. He leaned forward and kissed her hard before scooping Ki-tae into his arms. “Don’t think that gets you out of trouble.”

  “Of course not,” Cheongul said. “We have to get Ki-tae somewhere contained. He’s still too close to the stage, and as strong as the scent is, I don’t know how long he’s going to be out.”

  “This way, Cheongul dongsaeng,” Shin-bai said. “The dressing room is just down this hallway. The musicians are in the VIP room, so this area is clear of non-BLE people.”

  “Where the hell are Jong-in-a and HanYin-a?” Min-su demanded as they walked. “I saw HanYin-a shove Ki-tae-ya, and then it was all exploding lights and tearing metal. And where the hell is Jin-woo-ya?”

  Cheongul froze, dread filling him. “What do you mean, ‘Where’s Jin-woo-ya’? I thought he was with you. That’s where I saw him last.”

  “One of the techs came over and said something, and then Jin-woo-ya went off with him,” Min-su said. Her eyes got wide. “Oh shit.”

  “Fuck,” Cheongul said.

  Shin-bai
pulled the radio from his waist and starting barking orders. As they continued, four men came up behind them, forming a barrier around them. Shin-bai opened the door to the dressing room and cleared it before he let them inside.

  “This building better be sealed up tight! No one leaves without clearance until we locate Jin-woo-ya. Am I clear? No excuses!”

  Soon-joon

  SOON-JOON STORMED through BL Entertainment headquarters. It was only through sheer force of will that he maintained his current visage. Hyun-jo silently appeared beside him. “Status?”

  “Social media has been flooding with stills, and the video has gone viral within a matter of minutes,” Hyun-jo said. “The gossip sites are running with it.”

  “There’s something you’re not telling me,” Soon-joon said.

  “There’s been an incident at the concert,” Hyun-jo said. “At this time we do not know if it was deliberate, but knowing Seung-gi hubae as we do, I cannot see it as being anything else. Soon-joon, HanYin-a has been injured.”

  “My HanYin?”

  “What?”

  The sibilant hiss was something Soon-joon had not heard in many centuries, not since the last time his sire got enraged. He turned to see ChenBao pass through the window in her Dragon form, phasing through the glass. Then she was before them in her human form, barefoot, white eyed, and furious.

  “And Ki-tae?” Soon-joon said carefully.

  “It is not good,” Hyun-jo said. “We need to get to them immediately. Cheongul-a can only do so much with Ki-tae-ya. He’s strong, but Ki-tae-ya….”

  “And we are still standing here why?” ChenBao demanded.

  By the time they reached the hall, he and ChenBao had regained their composure. Police cars and ambulances filled the parking lot. Fans huddled in groups for solace and comfort. ChenBao ignored the police officer guarding the door. He let her pass, but the BLE security guard was not as lax. When he reached to stop her, she simply looked at him, and he moved away.