“Mom… meet Hwanuk. Shin Hwanuk.” Hawol spoke nervously, but when she felt his hand on her sleeve, a smile broke out from her tensed face. He was shaking, nervous, cute. “Hel…uhmm.” he coughed, taking a deep breath before trying again. 

“Hello ma’am.” He said, with his hand in his hair. His light skin flushing up from below his collar and his ears  were as red as tomatoes. Hawol was nervous too of course, but seeing such fragile, innocent side of him made her heart light up with so much gladness and happy feelings. Like for that one moment, this was where she exactly wished to be. And to her surprise, Etha was just as amused. The elder woman smiled, a smile that she would see often but slightly different. A calm, maternal smile that would’ve surely cured Hwanuk from all those years of isolation. 

And she could indeed see it happen, in his twinkling eyes. An innocence that was kept long hidden, was shining from his fussy, nervous expression. 

He was not so lonely anymore. 

“So, what’s up with the curtains?” Etha asked, sliding her hands over the thick, aged fabric. The two looked at each other, both ending up confused and flustered as they argued mentally. “ You do it!” Hawol pursed her lips, her eyes sharp and strict. “Na’ah. She’s your mom, you do it.” Hwanuk retorted, with his eyes, all squinty and mad. They silently fought, with expressions and sets of bulging eyes and poking fingers. “Kids! For god sake, tell me or i’m gonna open it and let the sun in.” Etha demanded, scolding the young couple like they were six year olds. 

“I’m a vampire-ish!” 

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