Chapter Text
Jungwon allows himself one more moment, looking at his reflection in the mirror, the yet unfamiliar eyes starring back at him. He can’t deny, that it looks kind of beautiful, how the golden ring around his iris, accentuates the brown. His skin is now paler than before, but immensely flawless and that bite mark on his neck is just a faint scar. He doesn’t know, if it will ever fade, but he hopes not. Even if it’s painful, it is kind of a souvenir and holds a lot of memories. Memories of Jay. The one, who made him like this. The one, who owns his heart. The one, he will leave as soon as possible. Jungwon doesn’t fit in Jays life anymore. In a life of a vampire-prince, who’s destined to marry a beautiful princess from an allied kingdom. Not to a simple maid.
Although Jungwon plans on changing that. How he’s still unsure of, but he will. And then…
“This is the last time you see me, Jay. I promise.”
The last words Jungwon said to Jay echo in his mind and he thinks, that maybe he won’t keep his promise.
Turning into a vampire changed a lot. Into a noble vampire, simply because Jay bit him, even more. He has to get used to that. The burning in his throat, coming from a thirst, he knows, a glass of water couldn’t quench. There’s a scent, a tad sweet, that wavers through the air, that would help, but he can control himself. No way in hell would he suck the living daylights out of his roommate and best friend. Also he needs him in another way and he has an inkling that said friend would follow him.
That’s why he walks up to the sleeping blonde, carefully shakes him by his shoulders and tries to ignore the by now painfully burning in his throat.
He swallows, knowing it does nothing and whispers a scratchy “Sunoo” into his ear.
Sunoo stirs in his sleep, begins to mumble incoherent words and finally opens his eyes.
“Jungwon?”, he asks, voice still rough from sleep.
“We have to leave”, Jungwon replies. He knows, how it absurd it sounds without any context.
So he’s not really surprised, when Sunoo sits up, rubs his eyes and looks confusing at him. “What?”
“We have to leave. Now”, Jungwon repeats, a bit more urgent.
“Why?”
“Because…”, Jungwon begins, but the following words just doesn’t want to come out of his mouth.
“Because?”, Sunoo wants to know, now an annoyed, but also worried undertone in his voice.
Jungwon takes a deep breath, before looking straight up at Sunoo. “Look at my eyes and you know why.”
Still deeply confused, Sunoo observes Jungwons face. A crease already builds between his eyebrows, when he takes in the overall sight, but his mouth drops open in shock, when he sees the golden ring around those hazel eyes.
“No… Jungwon, no! This just… can’t be true”, he stutters out, distancing himself from Jungwon.
“But it is and that’s why we have to leave”, Jungwon replies, trying to stay calm. He doesn’t know why he insists on the ‘we’-part; Sunoo isn’t obliged to follow him into the unknown. Hell, it would be easier to stay here. But Jungwon is selfish and so damn afraid, that he just can’t leave without him.
Sunoo sighs and shows first signs of giving into Jungwons wishes, when his eyes suddenly widen. “Wait. The one who did this was…”
“Jay”, Jungwon finishes the sentence and it hurts saying his name.
“You know that’s-“
Forbidden. Sunoo doesn’t have to say it, so Jungwon raises his hand to interrupt him. He knows that technically royal vampires aren’t allowed to turn any humans anymore. They got too powerful over the times in the way they ‘produced’ even more nobles. That’s another reason for Jungwon to leave as soon as possible.
“It was a mistake. I’m sure, Jay wasn’t and isn’t even aware of what he was doing”, Jungwon defends Jay, a frown building on his face. There’s a small part of him, that wishes, Jay did it on purpose; just that he could stay by his side. Forgetting all the consequences and just trying to create a future for them; hanging on every thread possible. But he’s sure, it wasn’t like that and now he’s alone, fixing his mistake.
Jungwon wasn’t prepared for the firm hug, which Sunoo drew him in, but he doesn’t complain. Even if the scent of his best friend still is very tempting, the warmth and comfort overweigh.
“I’m sorry, Jungwon”, Sunoo murmurs into Jungwons neck, “for everything. I know, I was never very supportive of your relationship with him, but I still hoped for your happiness…”
“So you also know about the… w-wedding?”, Jungwon asks quietly, trying not to cry.
Sunoo nods and tightens his hold, before he lets go. There’s a pitiful expression in his eyes, when he looks at Jungwon, which gets determined and he grabs Jungwon by his arms.
“I know it hurts, but you already said it: we have to leave. Pack our stuff, I sort some things out and come back as soon as possible.”
“Sunoo…”
“Trust me, Jungwon. Everything’s going to be alright.” Sunoo smiles. Not as bright as usual, but he does. And then he quickly changes his clothes and storms out of the door.
Jungwon sits for a few moments on the bed, taking deep breaths to control the shaking of his hands. He’s immensely grateful, that Sunoo leaves with him so blindly, but there’s so much uncertainty, it makes him dizzy. He still plans on coming back and in his mind forms something that is so unrealistic, it’s laughable, but he also doesn’t want to give up on it. Did he ever thought to fall in love with a vampire-prince? No. Did he ever thought to become a vampire? Also no. What he wants to do now, wouldn’t be based on pure coincidence, but maybe, it will also be kind of his fate.
***
It’s been a month since they left the castle. That it was a though month would be an understatement. They live in a run-down tavern, because with their little savings from their maid-job that’s all they can afford. Especially since Jungwons food is more expensive than they thought. Probably because most of the vampire-population has well-paid jobs, which is just a dream for Jungwon and Sunoo. They’d be glad, if they found any job. Going back to their parents also wasn’t an option, simply because they had none. That’s also how they met, in the orphanage sixteen years ago, when Jungwon was four and Sunoo five.
Sunoo offered his blood more than one time, but Jungwon refused. He trusted himself not enough to know the limit and accidently hurt his friend in the process or worse even kill him. So he sticked to the blood from the blood bank, filled in small glass bottles. It was kind of ironic, that Sunoo donated his blood to earn even a little bit of money, which they had to spend at the same business.
“Okay, so… I met someone”, Sunoo announces, as he entered their room; arm freshly bandaged after coming from the blood bank.
Jungwon raises his eyebrows, while taking the bottle of red liquid from Sunoo and opening it in a haste. He’s still immensely thirsty, being just a few weeks in his new life. And it’s still weird, knowing what he’s consuming, but he forgets it as soon as the first drop runs down his throat. Then it’s just stilling the painfully burning.
After a few gulps, he sighs and his attention shifts back to Sunoo. “Who?”
“The guy, who works at the blood bank, you know, who always takes mine”, Sunoo begins and Jungwon nods in understanding. Sunoo told him a few times about the friendly human, who always distracts him from the pain of the needle and treats him an extra cookie afterwards.
“He wanted to know, why I come so often and well, he tried to be nice, but it’s pretty obvious that I don’t look like my best at the moment.”
A wave of shame overcomes Jungwon, because he knows it’s his fault. He made stupid decisions and put Sunoo into his chaos. The lack of money also shows on Sunoos appearance. He got skinnier and his clothes are a bit too thin for the weather.
“Don’t you dare to feel guilty now, Jungwon”, Sunoo scolds him, “I followed you, knowing the consequences and I don’t regret it. You’re my best friend, I love you and there’s no way I would leave you alone.”
“Sunoo…”, Jungwon whispers, tears prickling in the corner of his eyes.
“Anyway”, Sunoo continues, not letting Jungwon say anything further. “He asked a bit and I don’t know… He is really nice, Jungwon… So I just spilled about our situation…”
“Just the absolute basics”, he adds after Jungwons eyes widen in shock. “How we live in this… ‘house’ without a job and just try to survive every day. He didn’t question much, which to be honest, confuses me still, but he offered to live with him and his partner.”
“What?”, Jungwon exclaims, totally baffled.
“Yeah… His partner is a vampire, also working in the blood bank, but in the administrative department or something. I don’t know, if I look this pitiful, but well, I think, we should take the offer. We can’t live like this forever and Jake is a really kind person.”
Jake, the human, Jungwon assumes may be kind, but he’s unsure about the vampire. Not to have any prejudices – he’s also one – but he can’t help the uneasy feeling. However Sunoo is right; they have to leave this place sooner or later. And that is a pretty good opportunity.
“What do we have to do for them?”, Jungwon wants to know, tone skeptical.
“Not much, just helping out around the house. Jake also meant, that he maybe can get me a job at the blood bank”, Sunoo answers, fiddling nervously with his fingers.
“That sounds too good to be true, you know that?”, Jungwon asks. He doesn’t want to be so pessimistic, but he has to be – for their own safety.
“Of course, I know that. But trust me, Jake is a good person and I have a good feeling about it”, Sunoo almost pleads and Jungwon can’t resist the pout on his lips.
Jungwon sighs, but nods. “Alright.”
Sunoos beams and jumps into his arms. “Thank you!”
And he couldn’t be more wrong with his words, because in the end it’s Jungwon who’s immensely thankful for Sunoo. He doesn’t say it, but hopes his tight embrace resembles his feelings.
***
Two days later Jungwon also encounters Jake. They meet at the blood bank and soon Jungwon realizes, what Sunoo meant with ‘he is nice’. That wouldn’t be Jungwons first description for the man, who looks a bit like a puppy, but it’s still true. He is nice, but in an almost motherly way from how his excited expression quickly changed into a worried one when he saw Jungwon and he instinctively petted his head.
“Oh my…”, he says, voice tinted with sympathy and tenderness.
Jungwon frowns and tilts his head, not really knowing what to say.
Sunoo jumps in, smiling brightly. “So Jungwon, this is Jake. Jake, this is Jungwon, my best friend.”
“Nice to meet you”, Jungwon greets, stretching out his hand.
Jake takes it and uses it to pull him in a quick hug. “Such a cutie.”
Sunoo chuckles beside them, mostly about Jungwons shocked expression.
“So let’s go?”, Jake suggests, after letting go.
“Uh, I just have to get me something…”, Jungwon answers, nodding to the counter, where they sell the blood, but Jake waves him off with a smile.
“Don’t worry, we’re stocked.”
“But…”
“No buts”, Jake contradicts sternly. “I’m happy, you accepted my offer staying with me and Heeseung. That includes also food, no matter what kind. I can tell you need it and I gladly help. If you insist so much on payback, do it, when you can. Alright?”
Jungwon just lets out a meek “yes” followed by a louder and clearer “thank you” and Jake smiles widely, but doesn’t comment on it further. Instead he guides them through the streets of the small town, talks about some irrelevant things, until they stop before a house made of red bricks. It blends with the others around it, seems not that big and has a small garden.
Jake walks up to the door, unlocks it and gestures for Jungwon and Sunoo to get in.
Cozy – that would be Jungwons first word. Everything is in beige colors, he can hear the crackle of a fireplace somewhere and it smells of spices, he can’t name, but it’s delicious. Jungwon doesn’t need normal food anymore, but he still can eat and foremost taste it.
“Heeseung?”, Jake calls and he gets a humming sound in return.
“We’re home!”
Jungwon doesn’t miss the way he accentuated the ‘we’ and it somehow warms his insides. He tries to push this feeling aside; the feeling of home.
Out of one of the rooms comes a man, tall and muscly arms, pale skin and cherry brown tousled hair. A quick look into his eyes – grey with a golden ring – tell Jungwon this must be the vampire Jake spoke about.
“Ah Hello”, he says, his voice deep, but gentle.
Jake stands beside him and while Jungwon thought until now, that Jake is also a relatively tall man, next to Heeseung he seems almost tiny. He reaches just to his shoulder and he has to look up through his blue eyes before kissing him.
Wait… Oh. Oh. So that’s what he meant with partner.
Sunoo giggles and Jungwon must stare at them in a mixed expression, Jake can’t really pinpoint, because he narrows his eyes.
“You don’t have a problem with us being together, right?”, he asks straight away.
“Jungwon definitely not”, Sunoo muses, still giggling and earns an elbow between his ribs.
“No, we don’t have a problem with it. I just didn’t expect it, that’s all”, Jungwon explains, trying to smile.
“Okay good”, Jake resumes. “Then let’s eat something, what do you say?”
While Jungwon just nods, Sunoo happily skips to the room where Heeseung goes.
From the interior Jungwon would say, the pair isn’t super rich, more like middle-class and that’s nothing that bothers him, it just confuses him so much more why they took Sunoo and him in. As he sees how Jake puts food on Sunoos plate and assures him, he can eat as much as he wants, he briefly thinks, that maybe they are really just nice, caring people and perhaps Jake just needs to baby someone…
“You don’t have to be that doubtful”, a voice besides Jungwon speaks amused up and he flinches.
“I-I’m sorry”, he quickly apologizes to the other vampire, who shakes his head.
“Don’t be. I get it”, Heeseung replies. “It’s thanks to Jakes immensely big heart that you’re here. He wouldn’t shut up about Sunoo, talked about him like he’s a little lost kid and how he needs to help. And you do need help, don’t you?”
Jungwon reluctantly nods.
“Then let us help. It may sound absurd, that we do it, but we just want to.” With that he also puts some food on Jungwons plate and a glass of blood next to it.
Jungwon is still wary, but it’s hard to not just give in. Into that cozy feeling of being taken care of.
***
After another two weeks, Jungwon feels content living with them, but he also gets more agitated with every passing day. He still has his stupid plan, but absolutely no point to begin. The only thing he has, is his undying love and the spark of hope of succeeding and getting the only thing in his life he really wants. Memories of Jay flood his mind and his heart aches with every passing picture running through his brain. Sometimes he imagines he can still feel the icy cold lips on his own and thinks about how it would feel now that they’re the same. But then he quickly pushes the thought away, because it hurts too much, knowing he can’t have it. At least not now and if he doesn’t do something, maybe never again.
“Alright, what’s wrong?”
Jungwon stops in his movements of running circles in his room, trying to distract himself, when he hears the voice of Heeseung.
“Nothing”, Jungwon almost screeches, simply out of panic reflex and he looks wide eyed at the other vampire who skeptical raises his eyebrows.
“Mhm… And that’s why you’re running a hole in the floor? I can hear you, you know?” Heeseung tips with his index finger his left ear to underline his statement.
Right. Sometimes Jungwon forgets the heightened senses of being a vampire comes with. He himself had to get used to it.
“I know, I’m sorry”, Jungwon apologizes with a sigh and he tries not to sound annoyed, but his frustration shows. He just can’t do anything and he doesn’t even have a job, that would distract him in any sorts, unlike Sunoo who got to work with Jake shortly after they moved in.
“You can talk to me, if something bothers you. I know it’s not easy for you”, Heeseung suggests and Jungwon almost wants to laugh, because it’s so much easier because of Heeseung and Jake; it’s just a personal problem, that drives him a little bit insane with every passing day.
And maybe because of that exact reason, he really considers opening up to Heeseung. Perhaps it’s the stupidest idea he’d ever had, but he has a feeling that it could help somehow. He’s running on pure instinct on this decision, because logically he’d never tell anyone about this except from Sunoo.
“Y-you know how I became a vampire?”, he carefully begins, fiddling nervously with his fingers and trying to hold eye contact with Heeseung, who takes a step further into the room.
“Kind of. Sunoo never specifically said, how it happened, just that it was an accident and Jake and I assumed it was a rogue vampire, who attacked you”, Heeseung replies with a shrug.
It makes sense. Blood is expensive and vampires without an income are having a hard time feeding themselves and their thirst consumes them wholly. So that’s a pretty good excuse for Jungwon and he should just stick to it, but the “no” slips out of his mouth, before his mind can catch up.
“No? What do you mean?”, Heeseung requires, a crease building between his eyebrows.
Again, he could cover up his slip-off, but instead he mutters a “it didn’t happen that way”.
“How did it happen then?”, Heeseung asks. His tone tries to stay neutral, but Jungwon detects the underlying curiosity.
“I think you want to sit down for it”, Jungwon says, sits on his bed and gestures to the desk chair for Heeseung to take a seat.
Every movement of Heeseung gets more carefully with every word that comes out of Jungwons mouth, so that he almost walks in slow motion to the chair.
“I don’t have to tell you, if you don’t want to know it anymore”, Jungwon offers, sensing Heeseungs discomfort, but he shakes his head.
“No, go on.”
Jungwon nods, takes a deep breath and begins with his little story. “Sunoo and I worked as maids in the nearby castle, before we had to live like we did, before you took us in. Sunoo about for one and a half year and I for a year. It was good work for decent payment, but let’s say I got involved with people I shouldn’t or better said just one person.”
Heeseung frowns and it’s clear that he can’t really get something out of Jungwons words. He doesn’t question it though and waits for him to explain further.
“It was a person, I loved, no I love dearly, but he’s going to marry a woman, because it’s his duty.”
Jungwon knows, Heeseung is smart, very so, and that’s why it doesn’t surprise him, when suddenly his eyes widen and his mouth drops in shock. “Don’t tell me, you and a… royal?”
Jungwon wants to laugh, because it wasn’t just any royal and he’s sure, Heeseung deep down knows it too. So he decides to just spill everything at once.
“Yes. The prince – a vampire, as you surely know – and I had a love affair. Secretly, of course. And during our last night, he bit me. Unintentional and he still doesn’t know. I left with Sunoo the morning after.”
Heeseung blinks a few times, trying to comprehend what he just heard. “So that means you’re a noble vampire?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re aware that that’s-“
“Forbidden, yes”, Jungwon finishes his sentence, looking straightly at Heeseung.
“Alright.” That’s all he says. No judgement, no more questions. Maybe that was why Jungwon decided to tell Heeseung the truth.
“Don’t you think lowly of me now?”, Jungwon still asks and Heeseung smiles warmly.
“Why should I? Falling in love isn’t something we can control. I never meant to fall in love with a man, certainly not with a human, but here I am living with one, kissing him every day good night. And that he turned you was also not your decision. It made everything just even harder for you.”
Jungwon doesn’t have to ask, what he meant with ‘everything’, Heeseung was just considerate enough not to spell it out. The abandonment, the loneliness, the heartbreak. And he’s immensely grateful for his reaction to Jungwons story; he’s aware that not everyone would have the same.
“Thank you”, is therefore the only thing he can say and it feels freeing that he doesn’t have to lie anymore.
“Thank you for telling me”, Heeseung replies, “if it’s not too much to ask, but can Jake know too?”
Jungwon smiles weakly, because he can imagine Jakes reaction. It would probably be the same as Heeseungs, but much more dramatic – with tears and hugs and everything, but he’d also never judge him. Jungwon doesn’t know, where this certainty comes from, but it feels strangely right agreeing to Heeseungs suggestion.
“Sure.”
“Thank you”, Heeseung says again, reaching out to take ahold of Jungwons hand and squeezing it lightly.
Jungwon doesn’t comment on it. Instead he looks at their joined hands, how they are similar in the color of the skin – pale, an alabaster tone and no traces of imperfections. He got used to it; looking so similar to the person, he misses so much. But this picture – his hand encased by Heeseungs – reminds him again, of what could be. How Jays hand would look like next to his, now that they’re the same. And his heart just hurts. It aches for the touch of the prince, being in his arms again. It feels more like a heavy lump in his chest more than anything else.
“You miss him, don’t you?”, Heeseung asks, his tone gentle.
“More than you can imagine.” Jungwon can’t find a reason, why he should deny it. He revealed so much already, it doesn’t matter anymore.
“I’m sorry”, Heeseung replies, but Jungwon shakes his head.
“Don’t be. I’ll see him again and if that’s the last thing I will do.”
Heeseung raises skeptically his eyebrows. “What do you mean by that?”
Jungwon considers, telling him about his ill-conceived plans and partly it kind of seems fair to let him know and also now he doesn’t really have to worry about getting kicked out.
“Can we talk about it, when Jake also is informed about everything? Not even Sunoo knows about my plans of returning.”
It’s clear to see, that it makes Heeseung even more curious, but he curtly nods. “Of course.”
***
As expected, Jake cries, when he hears Jungwons story and he asks more questions than Heeseung, especially about how it all happened between Jay and him and speaking about it hurt – Jungwon won’t deny it – but he endures it, until Heeseung interrupts his partner with a discreet call of his name.
“Oh… Jungwon, I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have pried so much. It surely is hard for you. I’m so sorry”, he hastily apologizes.
“It’s fine. I lied to you, so you have every right to ask”, Jungwon replies and accepts the hug from Jake.
“No, it’s not”, Jake mumbles into his neck and Jungwon just chuckles.
Sunoo is surprised about Jungwons decision to tell the pair about Jay and everything that followed, but he smiles reassuringly at him and that tells Jungwon, that he’s fine with it.
“So, uhm, I have another thing, that I’d like to talk about. That’s news for all of us”, he says, glancing at Sunoo, whose smile drops and a frown builds on his face.
Jungwon is nervous and doesn’t know where to start, so he bites on his bottom lip and sometimes it still feels foreign to him, how sharp his teeth are now. The pain however strangely helps him to focus. “I want to go back to the castle”, he states, his voice steadier than expected.
Jake and Sunoo are about to say something, but getting interrupted by Jungwon, who raises his hand.
“Not now“, he explains, „not unprepared.”
Jungwon looks in questioning faces and it’s more than understandable.
“I’m noble now, yes, but you all understand, that I can never say that. However I still want Jay back and that may sound stupid, childish, impossible – call it whatever you want – but I want to see him again. I have a very vague plan for that and I’ll do everything to make it happen, even if it’s the last thing I do.”
Jake gasps, follow-up questions already on the tip of his tongue. Heeseung has a quite unreadable expression, probably because there’s nothing new for him in that information. And Sunoo… Sunoo doesn’t look the slightest surprised, which surprises Jungwon in return. He just spots a half-smile on his plush lips.
“Sunoo?”, Jungwon tentatively asks.
“I’m your best friend for so long, Wonie. I would be worried more, if you’d give up without a fight”, Sunoo explains with a faint chuckle. “The only concern is that ‘plan’ of yours.”
“To be honest, it is romantic that you want to get back to him, but… I’m not as relaxed as Sunoo. The secret could still come out and then what? And yeah… what about your ominous plan?”, Jake is the next one to speak.
“What will you do if he’s already married by the time you come back? A divorce between allied kingdoms comes near war, you know that, right? You can interfere as long as they’re still engaged, but once the wedding is done…”, Heeseung says and it sounds harsh, but Jungwon knows he wants the best for him. This doesn’t mean, the words don’t hurt. They do, because they’re true.
“I’m aware, yes”, Jungwon replies, trying to conceal his pain. “That’s why I have to act as quickly as possible. The only thing I need, is become a better alliance than the princess.” Now that Jungwon said it aloud, it sounds even more ridiculous.
No wonder, the reactions are like they are.
“’The only thing’? Jungwon, are you insane?”, Jake exclaims.
“Oh Wonie…”
“How do you think that should work?”, Heeseung asks, voice unexpectedly calm.
Jungwon sighs and leans back in his chair. “That’s my problem. I don’t really know. I thought going to another kingdom, working my way up, but firstly it would never be enough and second it would take so much time…”
It kind of shocks Jungwon, that Jakes and Sunoos expression turn into a form of sympathy and almost pity. Heeseung however takes a deep breath, before he leans himself over the table to look Jungwon deep into his eyes.
“Are you really sure, you want to do this?”, he asks, tone so full of seriousness, it scares Jungwon a bit.
He still nods. “Yes.”
Heeseung closes his eyes for a moment, before his gaze flickers to Jake and then focuses back to Jungwon. “It’s just rumors from work, but there are riots in the neighboring kingdom. The humans begin to fight, because they mostly just get the lower paid jobs and even at the royal court they only get to be maids. And then in addition they have to fear vampire attacks, because the blood they donate, is too expensive. The system fails and the people are displeased. It could easily escalate…”
“There could be a war, the current king could fall…”, Jungwon mumbles and Heeseung nods.
“You don’t really want to go, right Jungwon?”, Jake asks, a faint tremor in his voice.
“Of course”, the reply comes, but not from Jungwon himself. It’s Sunoo, who spoke, a hand resting on Jungwons. “When do you want to go?”
“As soon as possible”, Jungwon answers, still processing the information.
“Well then, thank you for letting us stay”, Sunoo exclaims, slightly bows his head and smiles at Jake and Heeseung.
Jungwons head snaps at Sunoos direction. “What?”
“What do you mean ‘what’? Do you think I let you go alone? Forget it.”
And before Jungwon can reply something, Jake sighs and glides his fingers through his hair.
“Alright honey, let’s pack some bags”, he says to Heeseung, who just smiles.
Jungwon doesn’t know, what’s there to smile about, because this won’t be a holiday trip and he wants to scream at them, to leave him alone. He wants them safe and not in trouble because of his foolish dream. But he also can’t help the needy feeling of wanting them by his side. Because he won’t fool himself, he is afraid. Another way into the unknown. Into a dangerous unknown.
Jungwon however goes the way gladly. For Jay. For love.