Chapter Text
There'd been a fire burning inside of Jino for as long as he could remember.
It started small, just an ember in the night barely bright enough to light the world around it. It had come out of nowhere and everywhere all at once, shocking him to his very core. Time passed and- despite his best attempts- that ember eventually grew into a burning flame, brilliant and shining.
All-consuming.
Terrifying.
So… so painful.
And he's not talking about the powers that had developed in the halls of Vamfield House. The flames that had terrified him in a different way, made him live in fear that one day he'd lose control and hurt the people he loved. How many nights he'd sat in his bed, willing himself to stay awake and quiet as Solon slept across their shared bedroom, scared to fall asleep lest his flames take on a life of their own and harm his best friend. To this day he was still scared that his powers would become too great for him to contain- that he would one day be the reason someone was hurt- no matter how much effort he'd put into controlling his fire.
No, this fire was somehow worse. If it got loose, it could do more than hurt someone he loved; it could destroy Jino's entire world. And even still, there was a voice inside him that made traitorous hope flutter in his chest.
But what if it doesn't destroy everything? What if he feels the same way?
He watched from afar as a pair walked into the courtyard. The girl was of average height though still shorter than her- rather tall- companion. She had a decidedly pretty face, waist-length brown hair and sparkling fuchsia eyes that were screwed shut as she giggled at something the other said. The male at her side was sporting a lopsided grin that lit up his golden eyes as he brushed back a few dark strands that had fallen over his handsome face. He was tall, broad shouldered and the earring hanging from his right ear sparkled in the early morning sun. They were undoubtedly a striking pair, with gazes other than Jino's being drawn to them as they walked along the path through the yard.
Molten gold caught incandescent green as the tall boy spotted Jino amongst the crowd of drowsy students making their way around campus. Heli's voice echoed in his head as he called out through their telepathic bond, "Morning Jino-ah!"
He couldn't help the swooping feeling he got in his stomach at hearing his name said in that honeyed voice, somehow even more attractive than if he'd spoken aloud. Despite himself he tentatively waved at the older and sent a soft "good morning" back through the bond.
The fire blazed hot under his skin again only to be quenched by an icy cold ache as he watched that treasured smile turn back to the girl at Heli's side. Sooha, their princess…
Heli's princess.
He let out a heavy sigh, acknowledging that it would be another day of trying to soothe that helpless throbbing in his chest. You think he'd learn by now, wouldn't you?
After all, what use did Heli have for a feeble flame in the darkness when he already had the entire sun at his side?