Crimson Strings [Yeongyu]

Thread of insanity

Beomgyu’s pulse roared in his ears. 

Yeonjun reached out, his fingers ice cold as they brushed Beomgyu’s jaw. 

"Tell me, Beomgyu," he whispered. "Did you really see something?" 

Beomgyu swallowed hard. "You drugged me," he spat. "That’s why I’m seeing things." 

Yeonjun laughed. 

A slow, deliberate, haunting sound. 

"You think this is because of me*
?" His fingers trailed up, brushing through Beomgyu’s hair. 

The touch was almost gentle. 

Almost loving. 

"You don’t understand yet, do you?" Yeonjun murmured. "This house... it’s alive." 

Beomgyu stiffened. 

"You're lying," he hissed. 

Yeonjun’s smile widened. "Then why do you keep hearing them?" 

Beomgyu’s blood turned to ice. 

The whispers were back. 

This time, they were laughing. 

---

Yeonjun’s POV

He could see it now. 

The moment Beomgyu started cracking. 

The way his breath hitched. The way his fingers trembled, gripping the bedsheets like they could keep him tethered to reality. 

It was beautiful. 

Yeonjun thrived in this. 

In control. 

In the delicate, intricate act of breaking someone so perfectly that they didn’t even realize it was happening. 

Beomgyu still thought he was fighting. 

Still thought he had a chance. 

But soon, he would understand. 

There was no escape. 

No victory. 

Only Yeonjun. 

Yeonjun reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, delicate sliver key. 

Beomgyu’s breath hitched as he saw it. 

Yeonjun twirled it between his fingers, tilting his head. "Do you want me to let you go?" 

Beomgyu glared at him. "Fuck you." 

Yeonjun grinned. "Wrong answer." 

He leaned in, his lips just inches from Beomgyu’s ear. 

"Beg." 

Beomgyu shivered. 

Yeonjun chuckled, brushing his lips against Beomgyu’s cheek—just barely. 

"Beg me, and maybe I’ll let you see the sky again." 

Beomgyu clenched his jaw. "I’d rather die." 

Yeonjun’s eyes darkened. 

"That," he murmured, "can be arranged." 

Then, with a smirk, he dropped the key onto the floor. 

Just out of Beomgyu’s reach. 

He stood up, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Let’s see how long you last before you really start begging." 

With that, he turned and walked away. 

The door slammed shut behind him. 

Beomgyu sat frozen, staring at the tiny key on the floor. 

So close. 

But not close enough. 

His breathing turned ragged. His fingers curled into fists. 

And then— 

The whispers started again. 

"Pick it up, Beomgyu."

"Come find us."

"He’s never letting you go." 

Beomgyu squeezed his eyes shut. 

And in the darkness behind his lids— 

He saw something watching him. 

And this time, it smiled. 

---

To Be Continued…