Just Smile and Make Believe (I don't feel a thing)

Description

After a deadly attack Mark finds himself the new head of his vampire bloodline. With the killer still on the loose, and tensions with humans at an all time high, Mark finds fragile trust in Jackson, his loud but honest classmate, and Zhou Mi, the quiet upperclassmen steeped in secrets. But trusting the wrong person could get Mark killed.

Foreword

Just a couple of quick notes before we get started!

This fic was born from my dissatisfaction of how vampire fics in kpop tend to focus most heavily on a romantic aspect, and not much else. While everyone loves a good romance, I wanted a story that was a bit deeper, dealing with tradition, honor, family, responsibility and essentially what happens when you have severe tension between two different groups of species with high political and cultural ramifications. This isn't exactly an episode of The West Wing, but within this story you'll find a lot of political maneuvering by certain characters and an examination of social inequality that attempts to work as an allegory to our own society. So what I plainly mean is that while there’s plenty of kissing in this story, it’s about bigger themes and bigger ideas than who’s attracted to who. If you just want the kissing, this story may not be for you.

Also, as this is a fantasy AU, characters will be of different ages and related to each other in unrealistic ways. The narrative will take time to explain everything and hopefully there’s absolutely no confusion, but as always, I adore engaging with the readers, so if there are any questions or matters you want to discus, I always reply back to comments left.

Lastly, this story will primarily update on Sundays. I have a pretty hectic RL, I work full time, and on top of that, I work a late night shift, which means I sleep during the day. When I’m not sleeping, I’m doing human things like grocery shopping or reading for fun. Barring any disasters, updates will come out on Sundays.

Now enough of that. Onward to the story!

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Comments

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ROLEMODEL #1
THIS IS AMAZING ^^
littlelamb86 #2
Chapter 24: Your writing is always so realistic in the characters feelings n actions....no instant boom fall in love happily after......keeps me on my toes and I can't wait for the sequel.....I'm kinda rooting for zhou mi though as much as I like Jackson.......keep up the good work
hime-chan #3
I reread this gem instead of studying... How on Earth has this fic not gotten featured yet?
jaecomponents #4
it's not because i finished this whole thing in, like, three days
no
how could u think that

i feel really shallow and biased for saying this but i came for the henber and stayed for the markson and this is no lie one of the best - if not THE best - fic i have ever read. like, ever. holy in dude
/DUDE/

i think i kinda lowkey fell in love with you and your writing around chapter 5 but now it's chapter 24 and i'm a mess
if i could do something greater than upvoting your story, you bet i would

aaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
Zico01 #5
Chapter 24: That Was Perfect The plot twist the whole Mark starting to have feelings for Zhoumi got damn I loved it *claps*
darkdeath96 #6
I've actually stumbled on this on your other account in ao3 but I didn't have an account there but I'm glad I found your work here... Let me tell you I got hooked the second I started to read this.. Like I stated in a different story of yours it is hard to find really good reads these days and this one got be so hooked I spent hours in bed not moving just to finish it. I may have pushed away my studying time for this but it was worth it. I am looking forward to the sequel, because of the fact that one THIS MUST NEVER END and two that cliff hanger is killing me. Author-shii you truly are a Genius.
claire_yj #7
Chapter 24: This story is intense but absolutely superb. You had me hooked to it whole day. I must say you are my new favourite author. ♡

I'm usually confined to reading yunjae fics only. But your fantastic story about yunjae in space had me thirsting for more. That's what brought me here and I'm absolutely thrilled that I did. I'm now more open to fics with other pairings, thanks to you.

I felt a lot for zhoumi's character. He is such a loyal and loving character I totally fell for him. And I'm rooting for his match to work. You wrote his part so romantically you had me swooning and daydreaming. Haha

Once again, thank you for sharing your fics with us. And I'll be cheering for the sequel. ♡
Totomatoes #8
Chapter 24: I'm not one for politics or power-hungry aristocrats and definitely not one to delve into topics like war (although I like learning about them hahaha) but reading fanfics like this hype me up!

I love that I can for markson but ended up questioning our current political status hahaha.

I loved every part of it. What I hated? Markson. Absolutely tried to weasel my way out of hoping for Markson but I just kept holding unto my markson feels and not get completely satisfied but I assure you it's not bad!! In fact, it's great!! I love the fact that I didn't pick who I want Mark to end up with because I considered things I never thought I would. Like emotion wise it would be Jackson because I felt like he's someone that gives Mark a sense of normality in the middle of all the work of a prince and head of his house however, Zhoumi would be more suitable in terms of well... what he's up against. Not only is Zhoumi knowledgeable about the inner workings of the families, the council, the vamp-human treaties, he has connections as well.

I ALSO HATE THAT IT'S A CLIFFHANGER AND IT'S MAKING ME SO FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I WANT MOOOOOOORE.

But in all seriousness, I loved it. Loved every part. Loved every conspiracy. (I actually thought at one point that Kyuhyun might be the weasel lol). Loved every internal conflict Mark had. And absolutely loved his confusion over his emotions hehehe.

Fanfics like this make me giddy. I can't deny I'm a er for the occassional fluff and angst and romance, but themes like this catch my eye and definitely get me caught in the trap. Not only is the plot entertaining and interesting but the vocabulary is wonderful as well! It didn't use too complex words but didn't make it too simple either and even if you did, it was appropriate for the character and situation!

p.s. I got excited when Sooyoung and Taekwoon got involved.

p.p.s I kinda hoped that Taekwoon's match was Hakyeon lmao XD
orange_marmalady #9
Chapter 24: Hands down, best vampire au fan fiction I've ever read. Everything was so well thought out and I could really feel everything mark was going through. I really hope he chooses Jackson btw (^.^) guess I'm just a er for markson hehe. I hope you make a sequel, but even if you don't, I understand. Thank you for such an amazing story :,,,)
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