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Minho was alone when he saw it.
He'd said goodnight to his companions - the sun was already starting to rize. The vampires went to sleep.
They could handle the sunlight with slight annoyance, but preferred the nighttime to be awake.
Minho had switched this sleep rhythm as of late, but they didn't need to know that just yet.
It did mean it was now seven in the morning, and Minho hadn't slept yet.
He checked his blade on his belt before stepping out onto the docks. you could never be too careful around these parts. Especially after nightfall, the streets were dangerous.
Around these parts, if you were faint of heart - if you possessed the slightest hint of fear - they would eat you raw.
At first, he just heard a shuffle. The tiniest sound that just suggested a rodent was scurrying around.
But then something fell over, and the sound of wood hitting the cobblestone floor filled the silence.
"Shit," someone hissed.
Someone.
Minho knew everyone here. This place was too dangerous for tourists. A place no one would visit. A place no one would survive.
But this voice, he didn't recognize.
Minho stepped out of the lamppost light, backing up into the shadows to observe.
The stranger may have seen him already, but Minho decided he needed a good look at the stranger to decide what to do with the situation.
After a few minutes of staying out of sight, the stranger must've thought him gone, because he stepped out from behind a barrel.
The first thing Minho noticed was that he was good-looking. The guy was around his human age, probably a few years younger, with fluffy hair, a shade somewhere between burgundy and pink.
He had a slim figure and wore a comfortable looking hoodie that might have been too big for him.
The second, more concerning thing Minho noticed, was that he was stumbling over his own feet, one hand on his neck. A thin line of blood escaped from under it.
He'd been bitten.
Unsurprising in a town full of vampires. It explained how he'd ended up here. Vampires often brought back their preys, intending to either finish or turn them at home.
What was surprising, was that this prey had managed to get away before either of that could happen.
The stranger made a "pfew" sound, and huffed out a breath, clearly relieved Minho hadn't seen or heard him, even after he had accidentally pushed over a barrel.
Very expressive, Minho thought. Cute. Clumsy and stupid, but cute.
Then he turned and retrieved a wooden stick from behind the barrel.
The pointy end of it was dripping with black blood. Vampire blood.
Maybe not so stupid.
He'd killed his attacker, surely. This was how he had managed to escape.
Minho doubted the guy realized how much of a target this made him, though.
Vampires lived long, and they were not forgiving creatures. They would not rule this as self defense. Or take this to court at all.
They would be all over him. This stranger, barely able to stand on his own two legs at the moment, would not last the night.
If they hadn't found the body yet, they would soon. But Minho worried more about the wound on his neck. Not only would he die from blood loss if it remained untreated, but if there was anything to draw the attention of a feral vampire, it was the smell of blood.
And there was lots of it.
Minho was at a crossroads. Helping a stranger was not generally something he was into, no matter how cute. It would be trying to rescue a guy with one foot already in the grave.
Besides that, Minho would risk exposing himself as no longer a vampire. He'd earned respect from a lot of the people in this town, knowing them long enough for it not to matter.
But some vampires didn't care you were once one of them. They only craved blood.
He would be risking his own life for a chance to save this stranger.
On the other hand, wasn't he supposed to do better, now that he had the chance to be human again? If you knew someone was in danger, and you could have helped them but didn't, did that make you a murderer?
Then he heard it. Barely audible, a whisper of a step, somewhere next to him. Only a vampire on a hunt would have steps this light.
The newcomer was also watching as the stranger held up a phone in attempt to get a signal.
Idiot clearly didn't know where he was.
Shouting warnings wouldn't help.
Minho was too late.
The vampire walked into the lamplight. "Hey, are you okay?"
The human flinched at the sudden sound, but turned towards the other guy with a small smile.
"I'll be fine. I just need to get to the nearest station, do you know where I can find it?"
The vampire had his hands behind his back as he approached slowly. "Are you lost? Don't worry, little one, I can help you out."
He was toying with his food, Minho thought bitterly. At least this gave him time.
Minho snuck up behind the vampire, who only had eyes for his prey, and didn't think twice before reaching out and twisting his neck.
As a vampire, the guy would be fine. It was the vampire equivalent of knocking someone out.
But as the vampire crumbled to the ground, Minho finally locked eyes with the stranger.
The guy's eyes widened, his chest rising and falling very quickly.
"Oh," Minho suddenly realized how this must look to the human. "Wait-"
A took a step forward, wanting to explain to the guy that he was in danger, but the guy stepped back in fear.
Fear of Minho.
"Stay back!" The stranger shouted, holding up his stick.
"Shut up," Minho hissed. Did he want the whole town to hear?
The stranger couldn't take it any longer and threw the stick at Minho.
The stick didn't make it past one meter.
The throw was so bad, even Minho had to look down at the pitiful wooden thing before glancing back up at the stranger.
Both of them stood still for a moment.
"Are you kidding me?" Minho genuinely wondered.
All the hope he had for the stranger to actually be a vampire hunter undercover, went out the window.
The guy spun around and ran.
"Fuck," Minho muttered, then ran after him.
↢ ⁂ ❂☽ ⁂ ↣
Minho felt the familiar sensation of the wind running through his hair as he sprinted.
This isn't right, he thought. The way he was chasing this stranger, would only confirm the latter's fears. This was not what Minho wanted at all. But he couldn't just let him go either.
This idiot had no idea of the danger he was in, and that Minho was the only one willing to actually save his life.
Shouting would only draw attention to them, so Minho just had to catch him before someone else could.
He kept his eyes fixed on the guy ahead and pushed away the feeling he knew all too well.
It reminded him a little too much of before. When he often ran – much faster, but with the same focus – after his food. The deer would jump, run for its life, maybe lead Minho into a trap, but in the end Minho would always win.
This wasn't like that. This deer wasn't a deer at all. He didn't want to hunt or hurt this person. But in the darkest part of his mind, he would be lying if he didn't feel that same thrill as he was closing in on him.
The stranger looked back at Minho, and quickened his pace.
Honestly, it was impressive how fast he was going, considering the wound on his neck and the way he couldn't stand straight earlier.
Still, it was no match.
When Minho was close enough to start reaching, the guy started screaming.
There was utter panic in his voice. Minho might have felt bad for him if he didn't have the overwhelming knowledge that vampires would be able to hear this.
They might not think much of the sound of a human screaming at first. It wouldn't be the first time. But they would figure it out eventually.
Minho needed to be out of the open by the time that happened. His time was running out.
For a moment, Minho thought the guy was trying to divert him by zigzagging. But then he slowed down, and Minho realized he was dizzy.
The screaming stopped.
He stumbled over his own feet and fell forward without another sound.
Minho grabbed the back of his hoodie just in time before the guy could fall face first into the grass.
He was lucky Minho's grip was iron, because he went completely limp in his hold.
Softening the blow – the guy really didn't need more injuries – Minho lowered him onto the grass gently.
He rolled the guy onto his back with his foot and stared at him for a moment. At least, he was much quieter this way.
"Got you, you idiot."
The way he was barely moving, even in his sleep, was a little concerning. Minho gave him another nudge with his foot and leaned forward. "Wake up. I need to talk to you."
No response. Minho's eyes found the wound on his neck.
It really wasn't deep, he saw, now that it wasn't covered up by a hand. Two fangs had barely pierced the skin. This stranger probably stabbed the vampire as they were drinking.
Still, he'd lost a lot of blood.
That, paired with the utter freight he'd experienced, had probably all just been too much for a normal human.
There was dirt on the wound. That wouldn't be good. Not if it wasn't cleaned. He couldn't treat his wound out in the open like this. Where there was still danger.
Minho sighed, crouching down beside him. "The trouble you cause me."
Up close, the guy had soft features. Big cheeks, a small mouth and lashes pretty enough for a girl. He looked like he should be happy. He probably had a family, friends waiting for him. Worried about him.
With a final annoyed grunt, Minho leaned down, taking hold of the guy's arms to haul him up.
He wasn't a heavy weight on Minho's shoulder. Easy to carry. And upside down, the hood of the hoodie must be hiding that target-like hair colour. At least there was that.
↢ ⁂ ❂☽ ⁂ ↣
Minho's cottage wasn't far. The way was so familiar, he forgot he had a man draped over his shoulder a couple of times.
He had a few minutes left to walk when he heard another person.
"Fuck," he whispered to the stranger. Or to himself, as he was the only one of the two that was awake.
Someone was approaching. They were yelling. "You!"
In a flash of panic, Minho threw the man off his shoulder into a bush next to him. He leaned against a tree - all casual - for good measure.
"Oh, Minho, it's you." Minho recognized the vampire. They had just been at the tavern together earlier.
What a different night that had been, an hour ago.
"What's up?" Minho said, and then realized he didn't speak like that. He was not a good liar.
"The innkeeper is dead. Murdered by a human," he nearly spat out. "Everyone's out looking for the murderer."
Right. The innkeeper. Minho didn't remember his name, but he'd always found him a creepy guy.
Back when he was a vampire, Minho tried to convince the others not to feed on humans.
Besides the fact it would be unethical, it was also dangerous for the town if they ever got found out by the humans.
This innkeeper had never agreed.
Look where that got him.
At least his stranger proved him right. And got rid of the old vampire with a wooden stick.
"Just be careful," the vampire before him said now. "We found one of ours at the docks. Says his neck was snapped. There's a murderer on the loose around these woods, Minho. Better stay inside tonight."
Minho frowned and nodded. "Mmm, yes. We'd best be careful. Who knows what else this guy is up to."
Minho knew. This guy was currently out cold in the very bush next to them. Also, his aim was shit.
The vampire nodded back at him, worried.
Just when Minho thought it was over, the vampire was sniffing. He blinked, his eyes turning red. "I smell blood."
Sweat was dripping down his back. "I went for a hunt."
"You caught something?"
"Deer. Pretty one, too. Shame, really."
The vampire turned around already. "We all do what we have to, to survive."
Don't you realize, Minho thought bitterly. This is what your murderer did, too?
But the vampire was gone, and Minho plucked his deer out of the bush.
"Sorry," he said softly, and continued his journey.
Minho counted his blessings when he finally closed the door behind him.
Home sweet home.
With all his years of animal feeding, this wasn't the first time he'd saved a human from near death from another vampire. Minho knew how to treat a wound.
Another thing this idiot should be grateful for.
It had never been like this, though.
He removed his shoes before laying the stranger down on his bed. As he was holding the guy's wrist, he felt his heartbeat through the skin. It startled him a little.
He hadn't seen a human in a while. Another one, he reminded himself.
I am like you now.
Minho didn't like the way the stranger was unresponsive to him, eyes closed, bleeding on his sheets.
To any bystander, it would look as if Minho was still a vampire, prey where he wanted him, about to feed.
He closed his eyes. That wasn't him anymore. Minho hadn't fed on a human for a very, very long time.
With surprise, he noticed the stranger's phone still in his pocket.
As he took it out – even though there was barely any service, he wouldn't want the stranger to wake up and call the police on him – the screen lit up.
The screensaver was his stranger, a guitar in his hands, standing behind a mic. He was beautiful, dressed like a rockstar, in a crop top and baggy jeans that suited him perfectly.
He was looking at a taller guy next to him – playing a bass guitar – while singing. Behind them, there was a blond guy on the drums and another man playing a keyboard.
A band.
The taller man was looking at him so fondly.
They were probably worried sick about this guy, bleeding out on Minho's bed.
He had a whole life, out there.
Minho had never even heard these instruments being played live before. He hadn't stepped foot in a human town since he was alive. Last time. Long ago.
He was human now, but Minho wasn't sure if he was feeling alive just yet.
He put the phone away.
Maybe it would just take him time to adjust. It had only been a year or so since Minho was turned back.
Either way, he had more pressing matters to attend to.
Minho cleaned, treated and dressed the wound in complete silence.
The soft exhales of the stranger were a comfortable reminder that he was still breathing. Still alive.
He would be fine.
If Minho could get him away from this town for good. Maybe he could also give him some pointers on how to spot and avoid a vampire in the wild.
When he was done, Minho placed a thin blanket on him in case he was cold and then let the guy sleep in peace.
He made himself some tea in the kitchen and sat down on his sofa with a sigh.
Saving people was exhausting.
Minho then remembered he had been awake for a long time, and closed his eyes.
↢ ⁂ ❂☽ ⁂ ↣
He thought he only closed them for a few minutes, but when he opened his eyes again, it was getting dark outside.
A thump woke him up.
It came from the bedroom, which could only mean one thing.
His stranger was awake. Minho was kind of excited to talk to him. Learn about him.
"Hey," Minho knocked politely before entering. "I heard you were awake..." he trailed off.
There was no one in the room.
Sure, the stranger could've hidden under the bed. In the closet.
But the window was wide open. Walking closer, Minho actually watched the guy run away from the house.
"Fuck me," he muttered, and jumped out himself.
This time, when he ran after the stranger, the latter screamed right when he noticed him.
This time, Minho was rested and angry. He ran faster when angry.
Minho reached him again. Instead of waiting for him to pass out, he jumped on the guy, pulling him down with him.
As he struggled, Minho pinned him down, one elbow covering an arm and his hand on the guy's mouth.
Ironically, the guy tried to bite his hand.
Minho was beyond done with this.
With his other hand, he drew his blade and held it up to the guy's eyes.
"If you don't shut up now, I will skin you alive."
The stranger stopped trying to get free.
Big doe eyes, fixed on the blade, teared up. There was a tremor in his bottom lip.
Fucking fantastic.
Minho sighed and got off him. "Get up. We are going back to my house."
He obeyed. With shaky legs and arms wrapped around himself, he walked a few steps ahead of Minho.
The guy was scared of Minho. At this point, Minho completely understood. After all, he'd stopped trying to not make himself scary. He'd rather have the guy terrified of him than dead.
What truly scared Minho, were the vampires around these woods. Lurking. Waiting.
They had to know by now that Minho was harboring someone. A human.
Fortunately, they made it inside without a problem.
"Sit there," he pointed at the couch.
He had tried friendly. This had not worked. Honestly, this guy had been testing his patience to no limit.
The guy sat down.
"Do I need to tie you to my coffee table, or are you going to sit still?"
He sat, frozen, and blinked back at Minho.
Minho would take as a yes, he would sit still. "Now. What's your name."
The guy's eyes moved from Minho to his blade and back. Now, his expression wasn't terrified anymore. It was sarcastic.
Even worse.
Minho rolled his eyes, wanting to tear out his own hair. "Yes, you can speak now. But don't scream."
"I hate you," he wiped a tear from his angry eyes with his sleeve.
"Splendid. Name."
Silence.
Minho took a deep breath. Maybe he could try the 'being nice' thing one more time. "My name is Minho."
Silence again.
"And then you go. That's how a conversation works."
He thought he'd be met with silence once more, but then, barely audible, "Jisung."
Minho nodded. It was only a name, but it was the first bit of progress.
"Hi Jisung. You're welcome, by the way," Minho pointed at his neck.
Jisung frowned with a mix of skepticism and sarcasm. "You did this." He touched the bandages.
"I'm not your enemy. Is that so hard for you to believe?"
"You're a vampire who wants to kill me!"
Minho grunted and hastily grabbed his blade again.
Jisung scrambled back, but before he could say more, Minho sliced his own palm. Not deep at all, but enough to draw blood.
"You're familiar with vampire blood, no? Then even you can get it through your idiot head that I have very much human blood, can you?"
Minho forced himself to calm down, sitting back down and wiping away the blood. "And if I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead."
Jisung blinked. He thought about it for a long time. "You're not a vampire?"
"No."
"And you don't want to kill me?"
"Starting to rethink my decision."
Jisung pressed his lips together in thought.
"Then why would you," he flung his arms around. "Do all that."
"Save you?"
"Chase me," Jisung held up a finger.
Minho rolled his eyes. "Do you have any idea where you are?"
Jisung opened his mouth, but Minho was quicker. "Do not say 'your house', I swear to God."
Jisung closed his mouth.
"This town is full of vampires," Minho said. "Has been for centuries. It's not even on the map, for that exact reason. We have no service and no way to find it if you don't know it.
"I don't know how you ended up here, but you got incredibly lucky the one human in town found you first. Well, second," he looked to Jisung's neck again.
"I came from the studio," Jisung remembered. Minho was confused before reminding himself Jisung was in a band.
The fact was intriguing.
"It was past midnight by the time I locked up to go home. There was a man on the street, who asked for directions."
"Tall guy, tiny beard. Pale?"
Jisung gasped. "Yes!"
Minho nodded, but let him finish his story.
"He hit me. Then I came to in a trunk of a car? It wasn't moving, so I kicked it open," he looked at Minho, clearly wanting Minho to compliment him on his strength or bravery.
When he got no reaction, he continued. "I found a branch to use as a weapon and then suddenly the guy was there again and pushed me against the wall. Even his grip on my arms hurt."
Minho didn't know why he was so uncomfortable listening to this. He felt something close to protective of Jisung.
In and of itself, that was crazy. He barely knew anything about him. But something about people wanting to hurt such a helpless creature made him want to keep him safe.
"He bit my neck, right here." Jisung pointed, as if this was news to Minho.
"I thought about the branch I had and," he made a stabbing gesture. "You know?"
Minho blinked. The innkeeper had been one of the oldest vampires of the town. Killed by a small guy with a stick. "Sure."
"I thought I just wounded the man, it barely even broke the skin. But he turned all grey and fell stiffly," Jisung frowned.
"He was a vampire," Minho said, less deadpanned this time. He did feel bad for Jisung. This had not been an easy day for him.
"I'd never stabbed or killed anyone before! My neck hurt, but I ran. I was so scared of the police if I told anyone what happened, so I just wanted to get home. Or call my friends. This guy at the docks said he would help me, before..."
Minho just stared at him, waiting for him to figure it out.
"He was also a vampire, wasn't he?"
Minho nodded once. "He was going to drink you dry."
Jisung put his hands in hair and squeezed his eyes shut. "Chan always said I'm too gullible."
A name. A glimpse into his life. Out there.
"Your boyfriend?"
Jisung let out a laugh, but didn't answer his question. Whatever.
Jisung hesitated. "Minho?"
"Yes?"
"If this town is really so dangerous, why do you live here?"
Minho thought about what to say for a moment.
Loud pounding on Minho's front door startled them both.
'Hide in the bedroom, close the door and window,' he mouthed to Jisung, pointing to the bedroom. He watched the fear return into the guy's eyes.
For a second, Jisung stood completely frozen.
Don't worry, Minho wanted to say. I've come this far. I won't let them get to you.
"Coming!" Minho said out loud. He nudged his head at Jisung, who finally moved and did what Minho told him to.
Minho waited till he heard the window lock and curtains move, before opening his front door.
A vampire stepped into his house right away.
"Mikael," he greeted him. They knew each other, but they weren't friends. Minho didn't have friends.
"We heard screaming," Mikael said.
Minho figured they were not searching around the woods anymore, but a vampire's hearing was no joke.
"Hm, might have been me. I was listening to music."
Mikael looked around his house invasively. Under old circumstances, Minho would've never let that slide. But he didn't have his vampire strength anymore. More importantly, there was someone in his bedroom that didn't need a fight to break out.
This couldn't escalate, so Minho stayed civil. "Are you still looking for the human?"
The vampire hummed in affirmation, checking out his kitchen. "Your house smells different than when I last visited, Minho."
Damn their heightened fucking senses, he could probably smell human in here.
"Trying something new. Flowers and such," Minho said.
"Never thought you the type."
"I wasn't."
Mikael got dangerously close to the bedroom. His hand hovered over the knob.
"Don't," Minho said, stern. A warning.
The vampire grinned back at him as if to say gotcha. "What did this door lead to again, Minho. Wasn't it your bedroom?"
"It is, yeah."
Leaning his head against the door, Mikael faked a shocked expression. "I can hear something inside, by the way. Heartbeat going thump-thump thump-thump. Nervous little one in there."
It was a dangerous game they were playing. They both knew who was behind that door, but saying it would be opening fire. Mikael didn't have enough proof for that.
There was still another possibility.
Minho smiled through gritted teeth. "Shouldn't bedroom matters stay private, in my own home at least?"
Mikael's grin reached his eyes. "Lee Minho, I never thought you had it in you."
It wasn't a hundred percent genuine, he didn't fully believe him. Minho was still on thin ice. "Yeah, well."
"It does explain the flowery human scent in here. She'll be charmed by that, for sure."
Minho offered a fake laugh. "If you will excuse me, though, I have plans."
Mikael held up his hands and finally stepped away from the door. "Oh, don't let me stop you, mate."
He stopped next to Minho on his way back to the front door. "Forgive me if I'm crossing a line, Minho. But please know this: if you were hiding the murderer, it would not be tolerated. It would be betrayal against your people. You know this."
His voice brought chills down Minho's spine. But he straightened up. "What exactly are you accusing me of, Mikael?"
"I'm not accusing you of anything. I'm just saying. We will be on the lookout outside. I won't stop until we find what we're looking for, even if it doesn't make sense." He looked Minho up and down, then. As if he couldn't quite figure out why Minho would do any of this.
"Good idea," Minho said coldly.
"For all of our sakes, let's hope you really are getting fucked tonight."
Mikael closed the door behind himself.
After Minho was sure the vampire was long gone, he rushed back to the bedroom. "Jisung."
He heard a click. Then the door opened and Jisung threw himself at him, arms wrapping around him instantly.
"What's this?" Minho didn't know what to do with himself.
"Hug."
"I got that far, yes. Why?"
"Thank you," Jisung mumbled into his shoulder, barely audible.
Minho had gotten unfamiliar with hugs. This felt beyond awkward to him, but somehow, it was still nice.
Awkward, but nice.
"It's okay," he said patting the top of Jisung's head. "They won't come in again. But they'll be around, watching. We'd better wait it out 'til morning."
"That man scares me."
Minho nodded. At last, he wrapped his arms around the other man's slim waist. "Me too."
↢ ⁂ ❂☽ ⁂ ↣
He let Jisung shower and change to get his scent – mixed with the smell of blood – off of him.
When he came back into the living room, Minho definitely didn't let his eyes linger on the way his clothes looked on Jisung. On his faded burgundy hair, still damp and curling at the ends.
He didn't look at the sparkle in Jisung's eyes when the latter said that the shower he had was really refreshing, and that he felt better now.
Minho didn't smell his shampoo on him, lingering as he walked past.
It was strange, having someone else in his home.
Minho made them some food, Jisung staying close even as he was cooking. He was chatting away with him easily. Minho felt comfortable just listening to him rant about guitars and overprotective managers. Learning about his life.
"Our music has a bit of everything. I like to write different genres, but Hyunjin says we should stick to one until we grow a bigger audience."
"Your boyfriend?" Minho tried again.
Again, Jisung laughed. "He wishes."
Jisung was asking him questions, too. Not about anything important. But he asked him what was in the food, if he'd ever shot a gun. How he would react if he woke up one day as a giant cockroach.
They were talking their way through dinner, and ended up facing each other on the couch.
Jisung had insisted on doing the dishes, but there was only so much water and soap his kitchen could take before Minho took over again.
"I have a dishwasher at home, anyway," Jisung muttered as Minho pried the bottle of soap from his hand.
They could laugh together, which was nice after the day they'd had.
Minho had to admit to himself that Jisung was not all that annoying to save, after all. He was funny, and he didn't judge Minho's weirdness.
When the silly and music talk died down, Minho could see they were both getting tired. The issue was that neither wanted to be the first to give in to it.
Jisung leaned his head on his fist, his arm propped up against the headrest of the couch.
"You were one too, weren't you?"
"What?"
"A vampire."
Minho blinked at him. How did he figure that out?
He nodded. "I was."
Jisung scooted closer to him. Minho was pleased to see he was no longer scared of him, even if it took talking about something he didn't want to talk about.
"No one knows you're not anymore."
Minho nodded. "I've been a vampire long enough for it not to be visible on me. My heartbeat isn't loud enough for them, skin still pale. They'd only know if I drew blood."
Jisung's eyes wondered down to Minho's palm, the cut now nearly invisible. He still healed faster than other humans. "What happened?"
"Not much. I had read about it before. One in a million cases, vampires who animal-fed for so long, they woke up human. But I never believed it, until..." Minho swallowed. "I knew right away that night. My taste for blood was gone. You can only eat so much deer before you get sick of it. So I took my chance."
"You didn't drink from people?"
"I used to," Minho made sure to look at Jisung, wanting to see his reaction, but the guy only widened his eyes a little. He didn't shy away from him. "It didn't feel right."
Jisung hummed a little. "I've never heard of an ethical vampire before."
"I wasn't."
"But," Jisung ignored him. "Why do you still live here?"
Minho had thought about this a lot. Why did he stay? It was only a danger to stay. It wasn't like he had any friends to stick around for. But he guessed he also didn't have anyone to leave for.
"It's all I know," he said instead, and hoped Jisung would understand.
Jisung took a moment before speaking, choosing his words carefully. "I get it if you've gotten comfortable with discomfort. But there's a lot of fun things out there. To live for."
Minho looked at him. Jisung was kind. That was a relief, after all the hassle of keeping him alive.
But more than kind, Minho felt something strange when they made eye contact for a while. It was as if something deep inside him - forgotten over the many, many years - was lit. It felt warm.
He noticed a small leaf still in Jisung's hair, and gently plucked it out. "I've never heard of someone so smart and stupid at the same time before."
Jisung smiled – an infectious one, one that made Minho grin too – and looked down.
Minho didn't miss the way Jisung's ears went red.
Something between them shifted. From friendly, casual chatter to something deeper.
He didn't want to break this moment. There was something there. But that was exactly why Minho had to put a stop to it, before it could elaborate. Whatever it was.
"You should go sleep, Jisung."
Jisung looked up at him, eyes searching. As if he'd read him wrong.
"Where do I sleep?" Jisung asked carefully.
"You can take the bed. I changed the bloodstained sheets."
In an even softer voice, Jisung added, "Where will you sleep?"
He leaned forward, invading his space just a little bit. Daring. Wanting.
The idea of someone like Jisung wanting someone like him, was enough to bring him to his knees.
For a brief, shameless moment, Minho thought about it. He allowed himself to wonder if Jisung's lips would feel soft on his. What he would taste like.
He's just grateful for you, Minho told himself. With a face like that, in a band, Jisung probably did this more often. He would be gone in the morning and wouldn't think of Minho again.
And besides all of that, Minho was still getting used to being around a human like this.
Sure, the feeling of lust was different. But Minho wasn't certain he could be casual about a kiss. He had been touch starved for too long for that.
"I'll take the couch," Minho said.
Please, his mind added. It was too dangerous to be this close.
Jisung was beautiful. Minho's shirt fit his built shoulders, but hung loosely at the bottom, making it look almost oversized. He was a perfect contradiction of himself, muscled and soft at the same time.
He was also staring at Minho's lips.
Don't, Minho begged him in his mind. If you lean in now, I don't know what I'll do.
Silence stretched between them.
Then Jisung leaned back, a mix of disappointment and embarrassment on his face.
Minho hated that he was the cause, but it was for the best. His heart was still racing. He was glad Jisung couldn't hear it.
"It's your house," Jisung looked away from him, defeated. "You take your bed. I've slept on plenty of couches."
Minho waited for a bit, thinking of something to say.
"Okay," he ended up with, not wanting to argue with him.
So Minho got up and found him an extra blanket and a pillow.
Jisung took it from him with a grateful smile, and Minho was glad their connection hadn't wavered completely.
He had to realize it was for the best, too.
"Will you be comfortable?" Minho asked him now, as Jisung was fluffing the pillows for himself.
"I never have problems falling asleep."
"Good," Minho nodded. "If you need anything, I'm right in there."
Jisung finally met his eyes. He smiled at him, then. Genuinely. "Thank you, Minho. For everything. Really."
Was it still a good deed if Minho wanted to grab his face with both hands and shower him with kisses now?
Did it make Minho a better person because he didn't act on it?
"Goodnight, Jisung."
"Goodnight, Minho."
Minho left him after that, finally going into the bathroom to get ready for bed.
He stood in the shower for a long time. Unmoving, just letting the day wash off him.
↢ ⁂ ❂☽ ⁂ ↣
Minho felt it before he opened his eyes.
Even through lidded eyes, the light from outside was unpleasant. Uncomfortable.
His whole body was aching, muscles burning, bones cracking.
Something was wrong. Something was familiar.
Fangs were pricking into his bottom lip.
No, he thought. This can't be happening.
He was a vampire once again.
Just as he'd woken up human one day, now it had reversed. In all his years, he'd never heard of the reverse happening, but it frankly didn't surprise him too much.
He had turned human because he subconsciously chose to be. He drank only when he had to, feeding from animals. He kept the animals alive, most of the time.
It was clear to him now. Minho turned back into a vampire because he had felt like a vampire again.
He hadn't craved blood, but he had wanted a human, nonetheless.
The stars would always know. They were punishing him for it.
"Minho?" A voice said from the living room.
Jisung, he remembered. The human had been sleeping on his couch.
The human. In his house. Minho had brought him there.
Minho hurried out of bed, panicking, bumping into his nightstand, all sorts of things falling off it.
"You alright?" Jisung's footsteps were getting closer.
"Yes!" Minho shouted, and heard the footsteps halt. "Don't come in."
It was stupid to think he could be human for too long. Foolish to bring temptation into his home, trapping both of them.
"Why?" He could hear the frown on Jisung's face.
"I'm naked." A quick lie. The best he could come up with.
Silence. Then,
"Oh. Right," Jisung said from the living room. "Right. People do that. You do that. I will just continue what I'm doing. Tell me if you need help with something. I mean-"
Minho didn't hear him anymore. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to think clearly.
His mouth was dry. He was hungry, so hungry. His teeth ached like they hadn't tasted anything in years.
Minho needed to get Jisung away from this town. Away from him. As soon as possible.
The problem was himself. He only needed to resist temptation until they were on the highway.
That was doable, wasn't it?
As if on queue, Minho's eyes stung. He knew they had turned red.
The sweet smell of human blood filled his senses. It had never smelled this good.
Despite himself, he needed to see for himself.
He walked out of his room.
Jisung was in the kitchen. Upon hearing Minho approach, he turned and laughed at him. "In case you were wondering, I still can't cook."
He was holding his index finger under the sink.
Bad idea. Didn't stop the bleeding.
"I managed to cut myself by cooking an egg. I wanted to make you breakfast, can you believe that?"
Minho's eyes were fixed on the finger.
"Minho? You alright? Your eyes..."
"Jisung," Minho forced himself to look at Jisung's face instead, making the human see just how serious he was. "I need you to run."
Jisung let out a laugh like he was joking. "What?"
"I can't do it," Minho shook his head. "You need to get away from me, or I will do worse than kiss you."
The human stared at him.
"Like what?" His voice was confused but curious. Not scared enough. He still didn't get it.
"Kill you."
Jisung started laughing. But it died down fast when he saw Minho wasn't kidding.
He took a slow step back. "What's happening to you?"
He turned the water off, and the smell of blood got even worse. Minho's breath quickened.
"Listen to me. There's a path behind the grey house. If you keep left, you'll see a big oak tree. There'll be a car there."
"Minho, you're scaring me."
"Good," Minho widened his eyes. "Keep driving until you see welcome signs of other cities. Don't come back. Make sure I never see you again."
Jisung looked at him like he was trying to find the man beyond the monster.
"Run," Minho warned with finality. His voice had an other, older, not-human sound added to it.
At last, Jisung listened.
He bolted out the door. Minho's feet followed unwillingly.
The chase began once more.
The chilly air outside made the tears escape his eyes.
How stupid had he been. To pretend. To think he could just be human again. To think, to hope to love again.
He'd been close to having it all, this time. Human life, human love.
But he'd been a vampire pretending.
Once again, he caught up with him easily. This time, it was not to help or save him. He was the monster Jisung needed to be saved from.
It was against his will that he grabbed hold of Jisung's arm, spinning him around into him.
Jisung tried to wiggle free, but it was no use. Minho wasn't in his own body anymore. He was an animal, catching his prey.
There was no more talking.
He bit through the skin easily, and didn't stop drinking.
Sure enough, the body in his hold went slack, head lolling forward.
That was when Minho came back to his senses. He didn't taste the blood at all. He didn't feel relieved or satisfied. The only thing he felt, was a body in his arms that was supposed to be moving.
He loosened his grip, but the other man would only fall if he let go. He felt like he was holding onto sand.
One slip and everything was gone.
"Jisung," he breathed. He lowered him onto the ground carefully, cradling his head. "Fuck, what have I done."
"Wake up," he told Jisung. Blood was everywhere. Staining the grass, reaching his feet, dripping from his fingers. Jisung's eyes stayed closed.
"Wake up," he said again, pleading this time. His voice didn't sound like his own.
"Minho, wake up!"
Minho woke with a jolt, shaking.
He was in his bed. It was dark in the room. His cheeks felt wet, but there was no blood on his hands.
There was a hand on his side.
Jisung was looking back at him. He was on his knees on the floor right in front of him, looking concerned but alive.
Alive. Minho let out a shaky breath he didn't know he was holding.
He moved his tongue over his teeth. No fangs.
Still human. He wasn't going to turn back. There was only one way to turn into a vampire. Minho wasn't going to let that happen again.
"You're okay," Jisung said softly, stroking his arm gently.
Minho wasn't so sure.
He blinked, taking a moment to calm down. Then another. He regarded Jisung. "You."
The man had the entire blanket wrapped around him.
"I'm okay, too, see?" Jisung must've seen his expression and figured out he feared his life as well. He stuck out his tongue, teasing. Like he was trying to cheer him up by acting silly.
"What are you doing in here?" Minho's voice still hoarse, the sentence came out colder than intended.
Jisung retracted his hand, and Minho resisted the urge to grab it and put it back on his arm. "I heard you talking at first. Couldn't make out words but you started shouting, so I came in to check on you. I figured you were having a nightmare."
The moonlight lit his frame so perfectly, it irritated Minho a little bit. "You were awake?"
Jisung nodded and tightened the blanket around himself. "It's cold out there."
Minho sighed, but his voice softened. "I told you to take the bed."
He shrugged frustratingly. "Then you would've been cold."
It was late. They both needed their sleep, needing full energy in the morning.
Minho pretended that he didn't feel calmer now that Jisung was in the room. He pretended it did nothing to him, the way Jisung was looking at him like he cared about him.
Minho pretended it was nothing, when he scooted back into the bed, and opened the sheets. "It's warm here."
Jisung accepted the invitation with a smile, bright and gentle.
He dropped the blanket and got into the bed, Minho facing his back. Minho noticed he was still shaking a bit, so he draped an arm over his side.
For a moment, Jisung froze, his shoulders visibly tensing. But then he exhaled, and his body finally relaxed.
It took Minho a long moment to get sleepy again.
Jisung didn't have that problem. He was out in minutes, breaths evening out.
At one point, he seemed to sense Minho's worries. He backed up closer to Minho with a sigh, fully hugging Minho's arm in the process.
Minho smiled.
He fell asleep not long after that.
↢ ⁂ ❂☽ ⁂ ↣
The light was not uncomfortable when Minho woke up.
He traced over his teeth with his tongue before he opened his eyes. Still no fangs.
He opened his eyes with a relieved breath. While still remembering his nightmare vividly, with the daylight, it was much easier to realize it was just that.
A nightmare.
His subconscious acting out his fears, however unrealistic they might be.
Minho was not a monster. He was doing better. After today, he'd have done a good deed to show for it.
Speaking of, he thought. Minho was on his back, staring at his ceiling, but there was a weight on his stomach.
He looked down to see a head of faded burgundy hair, pressed against his side.
Jisung's arm was around Minho, clinging even in his sleep. A hugger, if these days were anything to prove for it.
Minho blinked. Then again.
He didn't want to move. But they also needed every bit of this daylight if they didn't want to end up as vampire food.
His dream came back to him in a flash. Jisung's closed eyes, the blood.
Suddenly, Minho couldn't stand the sight of Jisung's sleeping face anymore.
He shoved him away.
Jisung, unsurprisingly, woke up from this. Minho watched him flinch and raise his brows at him before he sat up, straightening his back.
"Mm?" Jisung's groggy voice mumbled behind him.
"We need to get up if we wanna get you to safety. Our window isn't so big, so go get dressed."
Minho felt his eyes on him, confused. It then dawned on him that Jisung probably thought he pushed him away for different reasons.
He got out of bed, finding the cleanest shirt in his house. Without thinking about it – he did this every day – he pulled his sleep shirt off.
A gasp behind him made him stop dead in his tracks.
Hearing no sheets move under Jisung's weight on the bed, he knew the latter was watching.
"Problem?" Minho asked, still with his back to him.
"No. No, of course not."
Minho frowned, putting on the new shirt and a pair of pants.
If he wasn't mistaken, Jisung's voice sounded irritated.
Without another word, Minho heard him walk to his closet, opening it, and grabbing a few items before heading to the bathroom. "I'll just freshen up."
"Hurry," Minho managed to get in before the door closed.
Minho finished getting ready, and cracked open a window to view the sky.
It was going to rain later. That by itself would be fine, but rain meant the sky would get darker. And a dark sky meant more vampires outside.
"Jisung?"
"Yeah, ready," he heard behind him.
Minho turned, oblivious to what would be facing him.
Jisung was still buckling his belt, but Minho's eyes were higher up. Jisung had chosen a button up, but had decidedly not buttoned it yet.
His bare chest was a sight to see. He was built like a young Greek God, all wide shoulders and a slim waist. Jisung's hoodie or Minho's shirts never did it justice.
The main surprises, though, were the tattoos. There was one on his chest, and big black letters painted his side.
He looked magnificent.
Minho realized too late that he was staring.
"Problem?" Jisung echoed.
The bastard knew exactly what he was doing.
"Of course not," Minho said, his voice low. "Button your shirt."
His voice wasn't kind, but he noticed a smug smirk on Jisung's lips regardless.
They were playing with with fire.
↢ ⁂ ❂☽ ⁂ ↣
Minho explained the plan while Jisung listened – shirt buttoned – from the couch.
There was a car stationed at the edge of town, at the end of these woods. It was right by the highway and pretty close to Minho's cabin already. He occasionally used it to drive up to the lake, a five minute drive.
They just had to get to the car. From there, the rest would be a piece of cake. Minho would drop him off there and get back home.
Both of them would be safe inside their own homes by tonight.
"Understand?" Minho asked.
Jisung spoke hesitantly. "I understand, yes."
"Great. Let's not waste time," Minho opened the door, scanning the view to be sure. "If we hurry, we can be long gone before it gets dark."
He stepped out the door, but found no one followed. Walking back in, he held up his hands. "Hello?"
Jisung looked back at him from the couch.
Minho sighed. "I'm not carrying you again, if that's what you're waiting for."
The guy frowned as if Minho was the one being ridiculous.
"No, I think it's better if I stay here."
What.
"What?"
Jisung sat up straight. "You said it yourself, it's dangerous out there!"
Minho closed the door again, preventing anyone outside from hearing this. "That's exactly why we have to get you away from this place."
"Still, I'm small and very kidnappable."
"That's not even a word-"
"I would much rather stay with you."
"Jisung, you're not serious."
"Minho, I'm afraid I am very serious."
Minho blinked. What the fuck now?
"Fine," Jisung said with finality. "If you won't let me stay, then come with me."
That actually made Minho laugh out loud.
"You keep thinking that I'm kidding," Jisung pressed.
"I'm not coming with you."
"Minho, think about it-"
"No."
"-I can help you!" Jisung got up from the couch. "I can show you what you're missing out on. Show you my songs, my band. We can go karaoke together and go to an Italian restaurant and I could beat you at bowling. You can come see the civilization!"
"I live in a civilization."
"A human one, Minho. You're human now."
That hit hard. Minho opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Jisung took the opportunity to walk to him and grab his hands. He held them in his own against his chest.
Minho felt something in his stomach flutter.
"Why would you do that?" He wasn't just talking about their hands.
Jisung looked up at him. His voice was soft, gentle. "You saved my life. Let me say thank you by showing you how to live."
Minho should feel offended. He should say something like you'd be dead if I wasn't living here, or I'm human now, I am alive.
But Jisung seemed to look right through him. Even after such a short time, Minho felt truly known by him. Like he understood his fears, without Minho even voicing them.
"Jisung," he tried. His voice came out as a whisper. He shook his head. "I'm not made for that world."
"You are," Jisung said immediately, holding his gaze. "You deserve it."
Minho wasn't so sure. But he was endlessly endeared that Jisung thought so. "You really see the best in people, don't you?"
Jisung said nothing, awaiting his other answer.
"I'll drive you home," Minho said. "Then I'll turn back."
He was getting kind of sick to his stomach, watching that disappointed expression on Jisung.
↢ ⁂ ❂☽ ⁂ ↣
Minho held Jisung's hand tight in his. While they should be safer at this hour, this town still belonged to vampires.
At least it wasn't raining yet.
He kept his eyes on their surroundings with a vampire-like focus. There was no one in the trees, no one in the way.
But as they neared the car, Minho felt unease prickling his skin.
He felt something strange. As if there were eyes on him. Like someone was watching him without Minho being able to see it. It could just be the fact that he was about to drive to a human town for the first time in forever, or because he was going to leave Jisung there.
Or there really was someone watching them. It could also be that.
But that wouldn't be the case. They had to still be safe, because if they weren't, vampires would've jumped at them by now. They wouldn't just watch without acting.
Right?
The vehicle was exactly where Minho had expected it to be. He hurried Jisung into it first, gesturing for him to clap his chair back so he'd be out of sight at first.
Jisung obeyed without a word of protest. He trusted Minho so blindly, it ached.
Just before Minho opened the door on the driver's side, he dared a glance over the hood of the car.
Mikael was standing in the woods, further away but facing him. By the way he did nothing but stare back, Minho assumed he hadn't seen Jisung.
Minho got in, closed the door and started the car.
He let out a breath as he drove off. "We did it. You're safe now."
Very quietly, Jisung mumbled. "You're amazing."
For about ten minutes, neither spoke.
He supposed it was dawning on Jisung, too. That they were probably never going to see each other again.
This is why, Minho told himself. This is why I couldn't get too close.
But it wasn't supposed to hurt if he never gave into his wanting. It was supposed to be easier. He'd kept Jisung away, so why did it feel so wrong to leave him?
"Wait, stop here," Jisung pointed to the side of the road.
Minho obeyed, not without panicking. He hastily scanned the treeline.
It clicked when the car was stopped. There was a phone cell a few steps ahead.
Jisung turned to him. "Can I make a quick call?"
Minho could never deny those eyes anything, even if he did have any say in it. "I'll stay on lookout."
↢ ⁂ ❂ ☽⁂ ↣
He watched Jisung's hands shake as he dialed. He took the phone off the handle and tapped a finger against it nervously as he held it up to his ear.
Minho heard the whisper of a sound come from the phone, but noticed Jisung's reaction to it.
The tension washed off his shoulders instantly. He took a moment to answer. "Channie, it's me."
The voice on from the phone got louder. Minho still couldn't understand, but Jisung was nodding.
"I'm okay. I got away-" he was clearly interrupted.
"I'll tell you that later. No, it's okay. I'm safe- Yeah."
Jisung looked around. "I don't know? The town I was in doesn't appear on a map, so I don't know if this place would. We're still on the road and there's still no service, but I wanted to call you as soon as I got the chance."
"No, I'm not hurt," his other hand touched the bandage on his neck. "Anymore."
The noise through the phone got louder.
"I'm okay now! I promise! No, I don't know how long." Something else was said. "You can't. I'll get back to you instead. Chan, I know I can't drive. Minho can."
He looked back at Minho after the phone person had said something.
"Yeah, I did say we. I'm with Minho now. He saved me, Chan. What? Sure I do, it's-"
He covered the phone with his hand, leaning out of the booth towards Minho.
"What's your family name?" Jisung asked in a loud whisper.
"Lee."
He gave a nod and held the phone up to his ear again. "It's Lee."
Jisung turned his back to Minho shyly. He spoke softer, too, whispering into the phone. "No. Chan, are you crazy? I'm not going to- Because it's weird! You'll embarrass me-"
He was silent for a while, letting the recipient of the call rant on. Then he turned back and held the phone up towards Minho. "He wants to speak with you."
Minho blinked. "Your friend wants to talk to me?"
Jisung nodded sheepishly.
Hesitantly, he joined him in the phone cell. Jisung handed him the phone - fingers lingering only briefly - opened his mouth to say something and then closed it again, stepping away.
"Yes?" Minho held the phone up to his ear.
"Lee Minho?"
"For as long as I can remember."
Chan didn't hesitate. "Who are you?"
"You just told me my name."
"What are you to him?"
Now, that was a tough question. He could say his protector, or a friend. Or maybe more than that, if Jisung would let him. If there weren't a million things standing in their way.
"Just a guy that was around," Minho said instead.
The guy on the phone - Chan - sighed. "Are you the reason he disappeared?"
Minho shook his head fast, before remembering how phones worked. He didn't have too much experience. "No."
"I'm the one who got him away from the bad place," he added.
The line was silent for a while. "How do I know that I can trust you?"
Whoever this was to Jisung, it was clear to Minho that he was important. They had a history, and no matter how scary Chan sounded over the phone, there was merely worry underneath. He suddenly remembered Jisung telling him about one of his producer friends – the overprotective manager.
"You don't know," Minho stated. "But I'll get him back to you."
Chan sighed, exhausted. Like he hadn't slept in days. "Please."
Minho felt it then. The care from one person about another.
Must be nice.
He couldn't remember the people he cared about before. The only thing Minho remembered, was the outline of his mother's face. The way her eyes could smile.
"You can count on me."
"Thank you, Minho."
Minho's eyes found Jisung again, watching them from a short distance. He was leaning against the car anxiously, biting his bottom lip. When their eyes met, Jisung stood straighter, raising his eyebrows.
"No problem," Minho said with a soft smile. He hung up before he could change his mind.
Actually, I just might keep him.
He stepped out of the booth and watched Jisung push himself off the car.
"Did you talk about me?"
"No, the weather."
"Minho," he whined, extending the 'o'.
"He was just making sure I was keeping you safe, Jisung."
He was about to step past him to the driver's seat, but Jisung grabbed hold of his sleeve with both his hands, pulling the man toward him.
To avoid falling onto him against the car, Minho instinctively shot up his arm. His hand landed against the top of the car – right next to Jisung's head – effectively trapping Jisung between himself and the car.
Their faces were so close now, Minho felt his hot breath against his chin.
Neither of them moved.
"What was that for?" Minho dared to whisper.
"A thank you," Jisung's eyes were fixed on his lips. "For keeping me safe."
"You've already said that."
"I guess I wanted to, then. To see how good your reflexes are."
Minho grinned despite himself. "Satisfied?"
Slowly, Jisung nodded, finding his eyes. "Very."
Raindrops were falling around them. Minho felt them in his hair, on his hand.
But still, neither moved.
Maybe it was his imagination, but it looked like Jisung was leaning in.
There was a hungry look in his eyes that Minho was sure was mirrored in his own.
It would be so easy to kiss him now. To give in. To let himself have this.
"It's raining," Minho said, stopping from looking down at his lips. "Don't want your hair dye to start leaking now, do we."
It was stupid, but Minho still felt a tinge of pride watching Jisung grin.
"Not how that works."
Fuck, this was impossible. This close to him, Minho didn't remember being this attracted to someone.
But the longer he waited, the harder the rain fell. The more their moment passed.
Jisung looked almost sad about it. In a small voice, he whispered. "Why won't you kiss me?"
Minho felt his face heat up. Something in his heart was jumping.
Whatever this small bit of happiness was, it was rare. It was so precious to him, he didn't want to break it.
Minho wanted to change. He was changed now, but it scared him how much vampire there was still in him.
"That moment on the couch, you pushed me away. You set the boundary and then invite me in your bed anyway," Jisung frowned. "You pull me closer and then push me away. You tell me no and then come with me anyway. I can't seem to figure you out."
"You were cold," Minho attempted to argue, not even believing it himself.
"You want me," Jisung stated suddenly, eyes scanning his face as if he could read him just like that. "Yes?"
Minho was not a good liar.
He gave a slow nod. "I want you much more than you realise."
Jisung's smile was brief and hopeful. "Then, why?"
"I haven't done this in..." he trailed off, not knowing the rest of his sentence. "I'm afraid I don't know how to be gentle with you."
The truth was loud once laid bare between them.
Jisung's wet but warm hand touched the side of his face. "Then don't. I can take it."
From the corner of his eye, Minho saw something move, the reflection caught in the car window they were leaning against.
He pushed Jisung aside just in time before the vampire could slam into them.
Mikael left a dent in the car door, but the grin on his face went up to his eyes.
"Lee Minho!"
A quick glance showed him Jisung was already getting up again – he was okay – so Minho faced the creature.
"Just let us go, Mikael."
A raw, joyless and terrifying laugh escaped his throat.
"Help me understand, Minho. Why did you betray your own kind like this?"
"Humans aren't prey," Minho said, talking just to keep him busy.
His mind was running rapidly. Jisung was on the other side, Mikael standing between them both.
He wouldn't have enough speed or strength to hold him off, Minho realized with utter terror.
Mikael seemed to read his expression. The bastard never stopped smiling.
"And you," Mikael spun around. Jisung flinched, taking a slow step back. "What makes you so special, huh?
"We've all been looking for you for days. You murdered one of our old ones. Ancient ones."
Minho moved, but Mikael was faster.
The vampire jumped and grabbed Jisung before the latter could run.
Minho screamed. "No!"
Mikael held Jisung in front of him, long fingernails digging into his shoulders, making Jisung wince. He was taller than the human, but he held his face close to Jisung's neck, locking eyes with Minho again.
"Was this your mistress, Minho? Does he make you do stupid things?"
Minho felt his own nails digging into his palms.
One bite and it was done. One snap of the neck, and Minho was powerless to stop it. Jisung knew it too, trying to move beneath the vampire's grip.
"I suppose somewhere I get it. He's a cute little human. Pretty. You've always liked pretty deer, haven't you?"
Minho's blood was boiling. He wanted to rip that grinning head clean from its body.
"Stop squirming, human," Mikael told Jisung. "Stop pretending you can do anything to me."
A hand previously digging into his shoulder, moved onto Jisung's neck, tightening.
Minho saw red.
He moved slowly, deliberately. He felt the fire in his own gaze as he picked up a branch, fallen due to the storm.
The said storm was raging now, rain drenching them all.
"What are you gonna do with that, Minho," Mikael slung his other arm around Jisung's shoulders. "I'll bite his little neck in half before you even think about it. His blood must be so good, considering you've kept him to yourself for so long."
There was no one else on this road. No witnesses.
Minho held the branch up to his own stomach. "I will ask one last time."
Finally, Mikael's smile flickered, just slightly. His grip on Jisung's neck loosened. "Minho, think about this."
They both knew what this meant.
Killing a vampire – one of their own – was their highest crime. Their lives were long, sacred.
It was the highest form of treason, and the consequences wouldn't be light.
"No one will believe you," Minho said what they were both thinking. "You visited me before you killed me, correct? They'll tear you apart."
There was fear in his eyes. Good, Minho thought. Let him feel how fragile everything is. How easy it is to lose everything.
"You know as well as I do, one cut is enough to turn me to dust. And you into prey."
"Minho-"
"Two choices, Mikael. You either let him go, or spend the rest of your long life unable to go back home."
The vampire's nostrils were flaring with rage. "You wouldn't."
"Don't say I didn't warn you," Minho said, and used the stick to cut his arm.
The vampire moved within a second.
Minho made a show to drop the stick and stiffen up, and Mikael caught him before he could hit the ground.
"No no no no," Mikael looked for recognition in his face. Why he would do this. "For a human, you fool."
Minho grinned at him, and watched realization hit the vampire all at once. At once, Mikael leaned back, away from him. His eyes were wide and red, the way vampire eyes always were when there was human blood nearby.
"It was you," he muttered, betrayed. "You're human."
He said it like an insult. Like a curse.
It was all the distraction they needed.
As Minho was still on the ground, Mikael facing only him, Jisung moved up behind the vampire.
Somewhere along the way, he'd picked up the stick. He drove it straight into the vampire's back.
Minho watched as one more ancient vampire turned to dust at Jisung's hand.
The rain kept falling. The sound of the drops on the asphalt helped to drown out the ringing in his ears.
Jisung dropped the stick, panting.
They locked eyes. There was fire in his gaze, too. His hair was messy, the rain making it both cover his face and curl at the edges.
He looked wild. Like he belonged in a town like this. Minho didn't know how he could ever have disregarded him as fragile.
He held out his hand to Minho, who took it.
Palm touched palm, hauling him up. Jisung's fingers lingered even when Minho was standing.
"You okay?"
Minho nodded, the cut on his arm a mere scratch. "You?"
"Yeah," Jisung breathed, mouth slightly open.
Minho paused, taking in the sight of him for a moment longer. "Have I ever told you you're both stupid and clever?"
Jisung grinned back at him. This smile was devious in a different way. Daring him, wanting him. "Tell me again."
Minho couldn't take it anymore. All his boundaries, so carefully constructed over time, crumbled down at once.
Fuck it.
He closed the distance in one stride, lips meeting at last.
His hand found the back of Jisung's head, the other one finding the perfect spot on his lower back, pulling him closer.
Jisung was caught off guard for a moment, but soon relaxed into the touch, hands moving to his shoulders and neck. Minho felt his shoulders drop as the kiss deepened.
It was everything but gentle. It was desperate, clingy and pure hunger.
They were both hungry, but Minho had been starving for longer.
Their bodies moved, and Minho pressed him back against the car.
When they broke for air, their faces stayed close. Jisung's hand was tracing his jaw.
"Fucking finally," Jisung muttered, and Minho shut him up again.
Jisung tasted sweet. Minho wanted to devour him.
He moved on to his neck - careful around his bandages - kissing the spot just under Jisung's jaw. He heard him gasp, head tilting upwards.
Minho smiled against his skin. "You like that, don't you, darling?"
Quick nods was all the answer he got. It was enough to make him continue.
A hand moved down to his waist, pulling Jisung's shirt up. Slightly. Just to move under it.
He held his side, skin touching skin.
Minho was sure. This was what heaven felt like.
He felt truly alive.
Eventually, Jisung was the one to stop him. A gentle hand on Minho's wrist.
Minho met his eyes, pleading. Do you not want to?
Jisung's eyes told him enough to satisfy him, but,
"There's still danger here."
He was right. Of course he was right. As annoyingly frustrating as it was, Jisung was right.
They couldn't stay here.
↢ ⁂ ❂☽ ⁂ ↣
The leather carseats were soaked as soon as they sat down. Minho got into the drivers seat as if nothing had happened and started the car.
A charged silence filled the car as they drove. Not uncomfortable, but knowing.
"You can't go back there," Jisung said.
Minho looked at the long road ahead. At the end of it, he thought he saw the clouds break, the sun peeking through.
"I don't want to."
In his heart, Minho had already known he wouldn't go back the moment he left the house with Jisung.
That wasn't his life anymore.
Jisung wasn't his life, either.
It was out there, where the future was uncertain. Still to be written, mortal and ending.
But so very real.
His hand met Jisung's on top of the gearstick. He interlocked their fingers.
He was the only fixed thing in Minho's future. The person he cared for, who cared for him. He would worry about him, if Minho wouldn't come home at night.
No, Minho wouldn't let him go now. He was completely, endlessly enamoured by him.
Minho brought Jisung's hand up to his mouth and placed a soft kiss on the back of it.
For now, he was exactly where he wanted to be.