Archive of Our Own

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Jimin almost doesn’t see the envelope waiting at his doorstep. He only hears the soft grasping his shoes make against the asphalt as he steps forward to push the door open. Jimin looks down, frowning and trying to focus his sight under the shadows of the night. He bends, holding the weight of his backpack, and snatches the black envelope from the ground. He notices the symbol printed on the red wax and clicks his tongue, pushing the door of his apartment with his shoulder.

“Hey, Buttercup,” Jimin murmurs as he kicks off his shoes and the kitten comes to rub their small head against Jimin’s calf.

Switching the lights on, Jimin steps into the apartment and throws his backpack on the couch. He enters the kitchen to leave the envelope on the small table and grab a can of beer from the fridge. Jimin clicks it open and takes a long gulp before sitting down.

He stares at the black envelope resting on the table for a moment, assesses it, before grabbing it. Jimin smells it first, but he only catches a dry scent, probably just paper. Perhaps Jimin is growing paranoid. Flipping it and realizing it’s just a normal black envelope, Jimin decides to open it. 

Deciding he needs another gulp of beer to read its content, Jimin drinks from the can and exhales. Buttercup jumps on the table as Jimin squints his eyes to read the golden letters printed on the dark paper.

We express our nightly gratitude for your contribution to the National Blood Vank.

Jimin reads and his eyebrows pinch together as he reads the last words.

“We are thirsty for your return,” he bites on the words, unconsciously darting a hand to caress Buttercup’s fur. “This gotta be a joke,” Jimin concludes.

Inspecting the letter one last time, he just finds the institution’s logo at the bottom as the only sign this letter actually comes from someone. And, oh, there’s sticker too. That’s a nice touch.

“Well, at least we can pay rent for the next six months, Butter,” Jimin sighs and smiles when the cat purrs in response.

When Taehyung presented him with the idea of donating to the vampire blood bank, Jimin had his doubts. Not because he’s particularly afraid of vampires— they have coexisted in society for decades now, and Jimin has met a handful only to confirm to him that vampires are quite dull and boring. They always wear long pants and coats, even hats to cover themselves from the sun; and their expressions are flat, borderline unfriendly. Most of them live in the Vampire District, of course, but their kind has become so common, if it weren’t for their bright eyes or uncharacteristically pale skin, Jimin wouldn’t differentiate one while passing by.

But because it’s quite uncommon for vampires to consume human blood nowadays. Blood is a luxury not many can afford, hence why the payment is exorbitant for donators.

What’s done, it’s done, Jimin repeats himself, just as every time he thinks about his donation. Ever since his roommate moved out, Jimin has been struggling to pay rent, and he refuses to ask for extra money from his parents. They are already helping Jimin when he needs to buy a new book for university, even his mom sends some groceries she knows Jimin won’t treat himself with. And Taehyung was right. They barely asked for any personal information, simply checked Jimin doesn’t have any kind of disease that could contaminate the blood and that was all. Just offered his arm and the needle went in.

He doesn’t even want to think what they’ll do with his blood— Jimin quickly throws the envelope over the kitchen counter, pushing any disturbing thoughts away.

He’s got the money. That’s all that matters.

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“...a strange case has caused commotion near the border of both districts. A body has been found this morning, certified male of unknown age but looks about thirty years-old. The police informs the victim was beheaded after suffering some minor commotions from a possible body encounter just after midnight, witnesses are yet to be found. And now…”

The air is hot and stuffy inside the hospital. Jimin is reclined in a plastic chair right next to the fan and he opens his eyes when he hears the door open. His shoulders sag from relief when Taehyung walks in.

“There you are,” he hands Jimin the cold brew and Jimin sighs happily after taking a sip. “You look a little pale. Is it the donation?”

Jimin scoffs. “It’s been two weeks already.”

“Well, if you faint, we can call Doctor Kim and he’ll be here to save you.”

“That’s inappropriate,” Jimin responds, although he wouldn’t be so opposed to the idea. He doesn’t have to say anything, the blush on his cheeks already gives him away. “Namjoon-ssi is a professional and he would never-”

“Have sex with a hot nurse?”

Jimin arches an eyebrow. “Are we talking about me or you now?”

“If you don’t hurry, someone else might catch him,” Taehyung winks and Jimin rolls his eyes.

Then, Taehyung turns to check the TV. “Did you pay attention?”

Jimin was too busy feeling the fresh air from the fan and quite distracted from the noise the old metal thing does.

“Huh?” Jimin glances at the screen and frowns. “No, but if it’s not our district, it doesn’t concern us.”

“Damn, Jimin-ah, looks like you-“

His friend doesn’t get to finish because their veepers start vibrating on the pockets of their jackets. Jimin takes a long sip from the cold coffee.

“Emergency. Let’s go.”

Usually, Jimin gets home exhausted. Between the internship, classes and his job at the convenience store, his body barely makes it through the week. When he actually gets to spend time at home, Jimin eats noodles, showers and plays for a bit with Buttercup before crashing the bed. Sometimes he saves some energy to finish an assignment, but he usually finishes those and studies during work. The point is, Jimin always sleeps. However, these last few days, Jimin has been having some strange dreams or he simply wakes up in the middle of the night and finds it hard to conciliate sleep again. He hasn’t commented on it to Taehyung because he knows his friend will say it’s all due to the blood donation and Jimin doesn’t want to admit he might be right. Jimin tries his best to ignore it, but it’s like a part of him has grown restless— and Jimin doesn’t know if he’s trying to tell himself something…

Or warn him about it.

🩸🫀

The convenience store is awfully quiet this afternoon. Better for Jimin, whose face is drowned in a book and his right hand is writing notes on his notebook. No one is there to interrupt him or bother him with silly questions.

Until at some point someone walks in of course. Jimin barely raises his eyes to see a man entering the store, in direction to the fridges. Jimin manages to finish the page when the customer approaches the cash. Jimin puts his stuff aside to check some grape juice and candy.

“Good afternoon, is this all?” Asks Jimin, putting the two things in a plastic bag.

When the customer doesn’t reply, Jimin lifts his head, meeting their gaze. Jimin slows down his movements when he realizes he’s face to face with a vampire. Fear isn’t what Jimin feels, but cautious. He looks at their pale skin and dark bags under their eyes, which are of an unnatural copper color, but Jimin can even tell by the certain smell they carry. A more humid and heavy smell.

It seems that the vampire isn’t going to answer, so Jimin simply says the amount. They don’t seem scary, but their expression doesn’t falter.

The vampire slides the money through the counter and their eyes slightly drift behind Jimin’s head. With curiosity, Jimin peeks from behind his shoulder and remembers the news channel was playing on the TV, but Jimin had lowered the volume since he was reading.

“Oh,” he mumbles, and searches for the remote to turn up the volume.

The presenter is talking about another murder in the vampire district. Similar to the one from last week.

“Have you heard any rumours about this?” Jimin dares to ask and gulps when he notices the vampire is already looking back at him. The flickering fluorescent tubes from the store bring a greenish hue over their complexion. Jimin blinks, feeling a tug on his stomach as he slowly moves a hand to reach for the panic button under the register.

As he should have expected, the vampire doesn’t reply. They just grab the plastic bag and dedicate Jimin one last look before walking out of the store. Jimin breathes again.

Vampires are weird.

Jimin doesn’t want to admit it, but the odd feeling persists even after he goes out of work. It’s never happened before until now. Maybe Jimin’s reading too much into it, but the vampire’s staring made him uncomfortable. And with the recent news, for the first time, Jimin feels slightly paranoid on his way back home. The bus is too empty; the night is too quiet. He notices for the first time that his street is too dark. The lamppost in front of his apartment has stopped working— he thinks since yesterday. Jimin picks up his pace, grabbing onto the handle of his backpack. A few meters more and he’ll be home.

But just when he’s about to take the turn to enter the apartment complex, a strange noise pulls him to a halt.

Despite being the middle of June, a cold shiver runs down Jimin’s spine. Jimin takes a sharp breath, watching the stairs that lead to his home and feeling the way the street expands into a vast darkness behind him. Heart pounding on his throat, Jimin slowly turns on his feet. On the opposite site of the street there are three trash cans, full of plastic bags. Jimin blinks, waiting. He can feel the blood rushing through his veins and then freeze when he sees one of the cans quivers.

Sucking on a sharp breath, Jimin takes one step forward. Curling his hands into fists, Jimin somehow masters the courage to take a better look— or maybe he’ll die being an idiot. Against all odds, Jimin gets closer. His palms are clammy, and his breathing rushed, and he must squint his eyes to focus his sight under the shadows. A metallic screech can be heard when Jimin is only a couple steps away. The street seems never ending and dead silent, but when one of the trash cans falls to the ground, the sound echoing through the air just like Jimin’s loud curse when he notices a stray cat jumping from between the trash.

“Fuck!” One of Jimin’s hands clutches the fabric of his shirt over where his heart is, his outburst scaring the stray cat away.

Jimin takes a deep breath, looking both sides of the street before hurrying home.

“Jimin,”

Jimin snaps his head to Taehyung, blinking. “Yeah?”

They are in the hospital’s hallway, waiting for instructions. Jimin feels his body heavy today, but perhaps it’s the humidity.

“I’ve been calling you,” Taehyung says cautiously. “Are you okay?”

Jimin sighs. “Yes, just… I’ve been sleeping a bit bad.”

“Oh, I thought that was over. Since now you don’t need to worry about— you know.”

“Maybe it’s stress or my brain is being dramatic,” Jimin shrugs, resting the back of his head against the wall and sinking his hands in the pockets of his blue scrub top.

“Sounds like someone needs to get laid,” Taehyung singsongs softly.

Jimin snorts. “Not with that again.”

Before Taehyung can say something inappropriate, Jimin feels something vibrate against his hand. First, he thinks it’s the beeper, but he quickly realizes it’s his phone. Jimin takes it and frowns when he reads an unknown number. Jimin’s thumb hesitates over the screen. He leans it over the green button.

“Jimin—” Taehyung quickly mutters and juts his chin towards the end of the hallway where one of the doctors is approaching.

Jimin hides his phone, and smiles when the doctor greets them, forgetting about the number.

After checking on the usual patients and completing their forms, Jimin and Taehyung go to the lobby to wait for more instructions. As Taehyung begins talking with one of the secretaries, Jimin decides it’s time for a snack. He strolls to the nearest bending machine and buys some chocolate bars. Maybe a sugar rush is what Jimin needs.

The adrenaline comes, though, when Jimin is chewing on his last bite of chocolate and Doctor Kim passes in front of them with a rushed pace.

“Kim, Park, come with me.”

The pair of friends briefly look at each other before hurrying through the hallways, making their way to the E.R room. A security guard is holding a middle-aged man covered in blood against a stretcher.

“Park, could you take a blood test from the patient?”

“Doctor—” Jimin’s never dealt with such an upset patient before, let alone trying to dig a needle onto their arm while they writhe to free themselves.

“I know you can do it, Jimin-ssi,” Namjoon-ssi nods at him, kindness and warmth still swimming in his eyes even under the chaos reigning in the room.

It’s a bit frustrating how easily Jimin gets convinced by a hot doctor.

“Kim, assist me.”

Taehyung pats his back as he trails behind Doctor Kim to meet a different patient crying from an injury. Jimin doesn’t think much, he simply acts. He puts on a pair of gloves and mask, and goes for the test kit.

“Hi, my name is Jimin. I’m going to draw some blood with this needle, so I need some of your help. Can you do that?”

Jimin freezes when the man starts laughing hysterically, twisting on the stretcher. He glances at the security guard, who seems as shocked as him, and then his eyes travel down to the handcuff wrapped around their left arm. The blood stains the front of their shirt and neck, and the recent news flash behind Jimin’s pupils for a second.

But Jimin is a professional and no matter what this person could have done outside, here in the hospital is just another patient.

“Please, stay still,” Jimin tries sounding more commanding, cleaning the skin with alcohol before patting the area to find a vein.

Jimin’s heart is beating fast, but his pulse doesn’t betray him when the syringe cuts through the flesh. Carefully, Jimin begins lifting the plunge and his eyes widen when a viscous silvery liquid begins pooling inside the barrel.

“What are you finding there?” The guy mocks him and Jimin pulls out the needle.

So the blood doesn’t belong to him.

Before Jimin can call Doctor Kim, the vampire breaks free from the guard’s grip, pushing him to the ground with an inhuman force, and grabs Jimin by the neck. Panic overflows through Jimin’s body, watching the vampire’s eyes and cursing himself for not having noticed the signs before. Unusual dark eyes, pale skin and wicked smile.

“It’s you,” the vampire grits between their sharp teeth. Their putrid smell makes Jimin nauseous. “ He’s coming ,” he whispers near Jimin’s ear before they are pulled apart in opposite ways.

Jimin is taken to a private room where a nurse checks on him. After measuring his pressure, which is a little higher than normal, she hands Jimin a cup of water.

“You can rest a bit here, Jimin-ssi. I’m really sorry this happened.”

“S’fine,” Jimin murmurs, words a mere breath out of his lips, as his leg bounces nonstop.

The nurse softly places a hand on Jimin’s shoulder, crouching a little to meet Jimin’s gaze who’s sitting on the small bed. “Everything will be alright. Security is also handling the situation. You are safe.”

Jimin gulps hard, his throat still dry despite having drunk the water. He looks up at her for a moment before silently nodding. As the nurse is going out the door, Taehyung slips inside the room and immediately sits next to Jimin.

“How are you feeling?” Taehyung slides a hand to Jimin’s knee to stop the bouncing of his leg.

Jimin sighs, shutting his eyes hard. “I’m alright, Tae.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing,” Taehyung continues. “They didn’t look like they were feeding.”

“That gives me peace of mind,” Jimin mutters.

“When a vampire feeds from human blood, their eyes turn red. Probably the guy just got into some trouble,” Taehyung reasons.

But Jimin isn’t convinced. The reason why humans and vampires coexist in society is because they are in peace. Crime levels between the species are rare and low, perhaps because the maximum punishment to any serious crime is death . 

A shiver runs down Jimin’s spine just to think about it. Jimin always observed vampires from a distance. He’s seen them walking down the street, appearing on TV, entering the store he works on. Vampires have always been there, and maybe that’s why Jimin’s never felt threatened by them.

Doctor Kim asks him if he wants to go home for the day, but Jimin insists on finishing his shift.

“Security has handed the suspect to vampire forces. You don’t have anything to worry about,” Namjoon pats his shoulder and Jimin only manages a half smile. “You are a tough one, Jimin-ssi.”

Jimin doesn’t feel tough when he exits the hospital and stares at the dark parking lot in front of him. It’s a quiet night and Jimin can hear his own breathing as he lingers under the fluorescent lights for a longer moment. Taehyung left early to catch a reservation he had with his boyfriend, not without implying like a dozen times if he should just cancel and have Jimin over for a sleepover. Usually, Jimin isn’t a fearful person. He’s lived alone for many years now and he’s got the stomach to treat ugly wounds and sick patients. Yet, as he walks down the road, the humid weather making the back of his neck sweat within minutes, Jimin enters the first convenience store he finds with a purpose. He goes directly to grab some pepper spray and a pocket knife, and throws some bills at the cash to leave without saying a word.

Making his way home, Jimin digs his hands in the front pockets of his scrub jacket and sets a light pace. He doesn’t stop for anything, simply drags himself to his cheap neighborhood and rushes inside the condo. His heart is racing once he shuts the door, and he rests his forehead against the wood to take a deep breath. Buttercup meows, jumping off the couch and coming to curl her tail around Jimin’s ankle. He kicks off his shoes and drops his bag on the kitchen chair. As he searches for something to eat in the fridge, Jimin texts Taehyung he’s arrived home. The fridge’s light casts a pale hue over Jimin’s skin and his eyebrows pinch together when he notices a missed call. It’s an unknown number again. Jimin doesn’t give it much thought— it’s probably the cellphone company trying to sell him something.

🩸🫀

Jimin isn’t a paranoid person.

He doesn’t get easily scared and he’s lived in Seoul long enough to cure any fright. But now, every time Jimin leaves the house, he double checks the door is locked and he keeps the pocket knife safe in his jeans. And when he goes to sleep, he makes sure the windows are locked and he keeps the spray on his bedside table, and his phone charged at all times. Jimin doesn’t know what’s happening to him, but he glances around the streets, trying to recognize if someone is looking for him. The feeling persists and threatens to grow, and Jimin feels like he might go insane any day.

When he’s in class, he spaces out looking at his classmates or the door. While he’s working, he flinches every time a customer enters. At least in the hospital, they don’t send him to the E.R room for now. If someone asks, Jimin reaffirms he’s alright, but maybe he just wants to convince himself.

In any case, Jimin distracts his mind with more lectures and work. He doesn’t watch the news and barely checks social media. It’s not easy to ignore what happened. Jimin has nightmares some nights. He dreams of red eyes and wicked fangs, and he wakes up drenched in sweat and pushing the sheets off his body. He sleeps with the lamp on. The dark bags under his eyes are more visible each passing day, almost looking like a— Jimin doesn’t even think about the word.

“We should go out.”

“Huh?” Jimin mumbles, trying not to fall asleep in the middle of the hospital’s hallway.

Taehyung clicks his tongue. “We need to have some fun. If we are not here, we are studying or working. And, no offense, but you look like shit, Jiminie.”

Jimin tilts his head, not denying it.

“We should go to a club and have some drinks.”

“I don’t know, Tae…” Jimin shoots a glance at the lobby where a parent is carrying a child in their arms. It doesn’t seem like an emergency and soon a doctor appears to gently place a hand on the child’s forehead. A fever.

“Let’s do it tomorrow. It’ll distract your head,” Taehyung presses. “Jeongguk can come. He’s got muscles, you know he can give a punch.”

Jimin looks at his friend, who’s got pleading eyes. “I’ll think about it.”

It’s Saturday night, of course, and Jimin is dressed for the club. He doesn’t know why he agreed to this and he’s too tempted to text Taehyung he’s suddenly not feeling it anymore. But as if the fucker knew, Taehyung texts Jimin first telling him they are outside. Jimin huffs, checking himself in the mirror one last time before petting Buttercup goodbye.

“I’ll be back later. Be good.”

Jimin used to love going clubbing. He’s always enjoyed dancing and dressing up, but ever since nursing school got a little too serious and he has a rent to maintain, Jimin doesn’t have much time left to actually care for fun stuff.

Jeongguk’s car is parked outside and Jimin slips inside the backseat. 

Taehyung whistles. “You look hot, Jiminie.”

Jimin rolls his eyes. The leather pants feel too tight and he’s pretty sure he’s walking stiffly, and the blouse Jimin found at the back of his closet, quite forgetting it was there in the first place.

“Thanks for the ride, Jeongguk,” Jimin greets and Taehyung’s boyfriend nods, starting the car.

“Of course, hyung. Don’t worry about it,” he replies, looking at Jimin through the rearview mirror. They aren’t super close, only having met each other a few times ever since Jeongguk and Taehyung started dating last year. But their relationship is weird, and Jimin doesn’t pry much about it.

The main reason Jimin accepted to come was because Jeongguk would drive them, so Jimin doesn’t have to fucking walk carrying a knife through the empty streets. He could still take a cab, but Jimin feels safer having familiar faces around. As they get out of the front lot, Jimin sees the stray cat run between the shadows and feels a tug on his stomach. It’s small— he can’t point out if it’s guilt or fright— or maybe it’s just a bad omen. Jimin gulps and reclines on the seat, convincing himself this night is meant to be good and fun.

The pepper spray is still in the front pocket of his pants.

Half an hour later, they arrive downtown and Jeongguk parks the car a couple streets away from the place.

“This club is popular,” Taehyung explains, surrounding the vehicle to step on the sidewalk. “It’s Vampire free .”

There’s a chill breeze tonight and Jimin ignores his shivered skin. He should’ve brought a jacket. “Isn’t that discriminatory?”

Jeongguk snorts and Taehyung glares at his partner. “Do you think humans are welcomed in every part of the new district?”

Jimin opens his mouth but doesn’t come up with an answer. Jimin has never been in the vampire district. Even when he made the donation, the bank provided an exclusive office near the border, but still inside human Seoul.

“How do they know we are not vampires?” Jimin inquiries.

“Vampires don’t have IDs,” Taehyung says, sounding a little funny, and locks arms with Jimin. “This way we can all feel a little safer,” he murmurs next and Jimin can already spot a long queue on the next block.

Taehyung is just trying to be a good friend.

The air inside the club is different. Denser and more opaque, almost clutching at Jimin’s lungs. It smells of tobacco, alcohol, sweat and sex. It’s nothing like a hospital’s air but guess Jimin is used to being in stuffed places. Music is blasting on the speakers, beating against the walls and Jimin’s chest. Taehyung takes his hand, guiding them through the mass of bodies until they reach the bar area.

But Jimin keeps glancing at the multitude, people dancing, drinking or kissing, who seem unfazed by his presence. Jimin is just another one of the bunches.

“Do you want something, Jiminie?” Taehyung raises his voice to be heard above the music.

Jimin turns to the counter, noticing the bartender waiting for a reply. Jimin looks at his eyes, just boring brown eyes.

“Uh, vodka.”

After drinking, Jimin is more relaxed. He slips inside the dancefloor with Taehyung and lets his body move to the beat of the music. His friend was right, it’s all Jimin needed. To push the worries and irrational fears aside. When Jimin closes his eyes, feeling the base vibrate right across his heart, Jimin feels alive.

After a couple more drinks and dancing until he feels threads of sweat fall down his back, Taehyung asks if he can dance with Jeongguk for a bit.

Jimin laughs. “Of course, silly!”

Taehyung leans to speak right on Jimin’s ear. “I’ll try to be near!”

“Don’t worry! Go enjoy your boyfriend!”

Taehyung kisses his cheek and, with a pained expression, he steps back to find Jeongguk.

At that moment, the club goes completely dark, and the lights change to flickering as the pulse of a new song accelerates. Jimin subtly starts moving his body again, seeing black and white. The bodies are in a different position every time the light goes on. It’s a strange feeling, a little dizzying, as if he were suddenly alienated from the place. The beat increases, so fast it hammers into Jimin’s brain. He senses the heat from the people dancing around him, hips and arms brushing his sides. Until he feels a touch, like a hand sliding across his lower back. Jimin perks, turning around he finds strangers dancing.

Confusion twists his face. The lights flicker as Jimin glances around. Black and white. Darkness and bodies. He doesn’t find anything suspicious, not a creep guy trying to get his hands where he shouldn’t. Jimin wants to go back to dance but he feels self-conscious. Something isn’t right anymore. The place is too wide and crowded, the air is so clogged he can hardly breathe. Jimin looks around trying to find Taehyung, but his head begins to spin. The lights flicker. He shuts his eyes with force, the music only increasing, almost stabbing his chest. And when Jimin opens his eyes, he sees darkness until he finds red.

A pair of bright crimson eyes are staring at him from a near distance, so penetrating it freezes Jimin in place. The music finally explodes and nobody hears Jimin scream.

A vampire is inside the club. And it’s looking right at him.

The blasting music rings in his ears, and his heart threatens to crawl up his throat to bleed out of him. Jimin can’t stop seeing those red eyes and his instincts scream only one word: danger .

However, after the lights flicker again, the eyes are gone.

He doesn’t know how, but Jimin obliges his body to react. Jimin turns to the opposite direction and among the haziness, he spots the bathroom sign in the corner. He pushes himself between the sea of people until he reaches the corridor. 

“Sorry,” Jimin barely registers his own voice, walking inside the stuffed bathroom, not even noticing the glares of people who think he’ll skip the line.

Throwing himself in the free sink, Jimin grips the ceramic and tries taking deep breaths. He scratches his neck as if that could make his throat more open. He looks up to face his reflection in the dirty mirror, but he is met by the caramel of his eyes, a copper color that resembles life. Jimin breathes through his mouth, gasps for air. He opens the sink and focuses on the sound of the running water before passing a hand to wet the back of his neck. The coldness lasts mere seconds, but it is enough to ground his alarmed body. He is safe. His mind only wants to play one of its tricks. It was a product of his imagination.

Feeling his phone vibrate on the back pocket of his pants, Jimin takes it to read a series of numbers he barely recognizes. His hands are slightly trembling. Fed up with the insistence, Jimin presses the green button.

“Who is this?” His voice sounds gruff.

“Park—” The voice cuts and Jimin is able to guess the signal must be shitty inside there. “Calling you—”

“Who are you?”

When no one replies, Jimin curses at the stupid phone. Jimin leaves the bathroom, unaware of people’s shocked gazes, and walks towards the emergency exit. Outside, the air has grown unusually cold, but now everything Jimin can focus on is the strange voice coming from the line.

“Park Jimin, we have been trying to communicate with you—”

“I asked, who is this?”

“We are calling from the Blood Vank, sir,” Jimin freezes at hearing the name. “We’ve been trying to reach out to inform you of a situation. We’re afraid the customer who acquired your donation has been quite… determined to have access to additional supplies. We explained since we ran out of provisions—”

“Is this a sick joke?” It’s all Jimin can mumble, astonished.

“We wanted to corroborate if you were able to make another donation next month, since our client seemed very willing to do anything in his power to feed from your specific source once again.”

Jimin is going to faint.

“Is this—” His stomach clenches as if he were going to throw up. He’s coming for you. Everything clicks on Jimin’s mind. “Related to the recent cases? The deaths in the district?”

The line goes silent.

“Answer! You sick psychos—”

“Sir, we advise you to—”

Jimin stops listening when a deaf sound cracks behind him.

A sepulchral silence floods the alley and Jimin can hear the beating of his own heart loud in his ears.

With labored breathing, Jimin slowly lowers the phone. His eyes are wide open, tears gathering at the corners unable to blink. With his other hand, he manages to slip his fingers inside his front pocket and takes the tiny bottle out.

Another sound. A step. Someone is behind Jimin.

Catching air inside his mouth, Jimin prepares himself for what’s about to come.

He doesn’t expect to hear a deep voice saying:

“I’ve been looking for you.”

Jimin doesn’t focus on the deep tone nor the unusual gentleness attached to it, simply when he feels the entity close enough, he turns on his heels and stretches an arm, clicking on the pepper spray and screaming.

The man curses loud, pressing a pale hand against his eyes and Jimin steps back.

“Fuck!”

“Get the fuck away from me!” Jimin shouts, impulsing his body to start running in the opposite direction but he ends up colliding with a firm body that makes him stumble backwards.

Jimin shrieks and attempts to escape in the other way, but a strong arm swings around his waist. In the split of a second, Jimin is pressed against the brick wall and before he can scream again, the vampire covers his mouth with a hand. Jimin stares into his crimson eyes in horror.

He’s going to die in the alley next to a club. How cliché.

“I won’t hurt you,” the vampire’s voice is deep and hoarse.

Jimin squirms, failing to set himself free, but the creature’s grip is too strong for Jimin to handle it. His phone has slipped to the ground. Jimin is fucked.

“Please,” the vampire says, eyes boring into Jimin’s. “I’ve spent the last weeks trying to find you. I was given your supply at the Vank. Your scent— You have no idea the way you taste. It’s—”

When a vampire feeds from human blood, their eyes turn red.

Jimin hates the heat spreading on his cheeks. He shouldn’t blush because a vampire is confessing his blood is delicious. Seeing no other option, Jimin bites his hand. The vampire retrieves it, gaze turning amused, as he still keeps their body pressed against Jimin’s. They are about the same height, and their noses almost brush.

“You’ve been murdering people!” Jimin panics.

“I needed to find you! I’ve been going crazy for you!” The vampire’s eyes glow red.

Jimin is delirious at this point. “So you just want to suck my blood?!”

“I need—” The vampire scoffs, collecting himself. His skin is almost as pale as snow and meanwhile his eyes are sharp as daggers, his features are quite round, holding a softness rare for his intimidating kind. Then, his expression changes into a playful one. The vampire looks at Jimin in a way that could make the human’s knees quiver. The crimson darkens as the corners of the vampire’s lips curl into a dangerous smirk. “Were you ever bitten by a vampire?”

Jimin doesn’t want to give him the satisfaction of an answer, but his silence gives him away.

A low chuckle escapes the vampire’s lips. They are pink and defined and Jimin hates the way his eyes betray him to look down at them.

“I’m not here to kill you, darling,” the vampire murmurs in a raspy voice. Jimin gulps, meeting the crimson. “Quite the contrary, I need to keep you alive.”

“You know,” Jimin hiccups. “If you do something to me, you’ll die.”

The vampire’s smirk grows bigger. “I’m willing to take my own life if it means I have brought you pain anyhow. In the meantime, I’ll come for everyone who dares to hurt you.”

“But you are already dead.”

The vampire tilts his head, nosing at Jimin’s cheek. “Do I look dead to you, darling?” He whispers.

When Jimin closes his eyes, as if he wanted to surrender at the touch, he knows he’s already fucked.

🩸🫀

Jimin can’t sleep that night. He lays wide awake in bed, cuddling Buttercup. He’s confused and scared and slightly turned on, and Jimin hates himself for having made that stupid blood donation. Why did he listen to Taehyung’s advice? Jimin should have asked for an extension from the landlord or simply found a shittier place to live on.

But not. He had to go the easy way.

He gave his blood for money and now a vampire with a hero complex has appeared in his life.

“My name is Yoongi. Min Yoongi.”

“How can I know you won’t kill me tonight, Min Yoongi?”

The vampire steps back and Jimin takes a quick look at his appearance. All black like his hair. Elegant clothes, a leather coat defining a broad chest. Vampires who acquire blood at the Vank aren’t just anybody.

“I am connected to your scent. I can track you down anywhere in the city.”

“Is that supposed to make me trust you?”

Yoongi snorts. “I will leave you alone tonight.”

Jimin can’t stop thinking about it.

He doesn’t want to leave his apartment. Every time he hears a neighbor leave, Jimin flinches and looks at the couch and kitchen table accumulated by the door. He’s hungry but as soon as the noodles grace his tongue, his stomach closes, losing his appetite.

Jimin doesn’t know what to do.

In the afternoon, he peeks from behind the curtain of his living room to see if the vampire is outside, but he sees nothing out of the ordinary. Buttercup meows to catch Jimin’s attention; she must be confused by the sudden mess in the apartment, she doesn’t have anywhere to nap, so Jimin grabs her and cuddles her on his lap in a way to calm her down.

“It’s okay, Butter,” he murmurs, running his fingers through her golden fur, glancing outside. The sun is going to set soon, the sky slowly bleeding a rich shade of orange about to melt into a deep blue ocean that welcomes the night. Jimin is uncertain of what’s going to happen. He only guesses making it out alive would be the least of his problems.

🩸🫀

“You’re distracted lately,” Taehyung says and Jimin snaps his head at him. They are walking out of class, Jimin leaving with another white page on his notebook. He’ll have to ask for notes again.

“Huh? Were you saying something?”

Taehyung snorts, softly shaking his head. “You remember we have exams approaching, right?”

“Yeah,” Jimin replies, pretending he is very aware of the fact. “Of course I do. Have you started studying?”

Taehyung looks at him for a short moment, seeming a bit unsure, but he starts talking about the exam topics, nevertheless. The conversation flows through the hallways until they walk out of the faculty. They just had a lecture today and Jimin is already tired. He needs to gain some energy now during lunch before work. It’s been over two weeks since that night, and Jimin is doing better at getting sleep, but he wakes up at any sound Buttercup makes and he has a hard time closing his eyes again. At least tomorrow is the last day of their hospital internship before exam season, as Taehyung just casually commented.

“I already threatened Jeongguk to let me study in peace for the next weeks— Who’s that ?”

Jimin’s brows pinch together, following his friend’s gaze until he discovers a black sports car parked on the street, a figure wearing sunglasses and a leather jacket, despite being almost summer, leaning against the hood as if he were waiting for someone.

It’s the first time Jimin sees the vampire after two weeks.

“I don’t know,” Jimin mutters, realizing if they continue to walk straight, they might be intercepted by the vampire. 

“Never seen him around here.”

“He doesn’t go here,” Jimin affirms, a bit too confident, and Taehyung raises his eyebrows. Jimin has to fix this. “He looks too posh to go here.”

Taehyung laughs. Jimin looks at the vampire again, who tilts his head when he notices Jimin watching him. 

“Do you want to grab lunch?” Jimin asks, in a rush of desperation.

Taehyung seems unaware of Jimin’s growing nerves and shrugs. “Sure.”

They turn left before getting too close to the street, Taehyung already rambling about something Jimin can’t pay attention to, too distracted at feeling the vampire’s penetrating gaze following his every move. As they walk past the car, Jimin notices out of the corner of his eye the way the vampire smirks, amused by Jimin’s behavior. Jimin doesn’t turn back, pretending Yoongi isn’t there.

Just as he should have expected, Yoongi follows him everywhere. He lingers at the corner of the street where Jimin is having a cheap sandwich with Taehyung, keeping a certain distance to go unnoticed but Jimin knows he’s there. When he walks to the convenience store, he knows Yoongi is somewhere. As he sits behind the cash, Jimin keeps an alarmed gaze at the door in front of him, waiting for the vampire to enter. There aren’t any new murder cases on the TV. The presenter comments how the attacks have stopped from one day to another and Jimin bites his lip, wanting to scream at the screen that he knows why, that he is the reason for the brutalities. Jimin feels sick.  He looks at the clock on the wall, counting the minutes until his shift is over. His eyes move to the door. But no one appears. Jimin is alone, except for the part he isn’t.

Later, as Jimin is walking back home, the feeling of being watched is stronger than ever. And now he knows it is real. He isn’t crazy. Because Yoongi is watching him. Somewhere in the near distance. Hiding in the shadows, there’s a pair of crimson eyes following his movements.

The vampire’s gaze is heavy on Jimin as if he were breathing just at the back of his neck.

However, as Jimin walks through the dark streets of lower Seoul, he can’t stop thinking about Yoongi’s words from that night. 

I need to keep you alive.

Why? Is what Jimin wonders now. He doesn’t understand how he got tangled into this mess, how drinking blood works and why Yoongi seems to be obsessed with Jimin’s. A shiver runs down his spine just at the thought. If Yoongi liked Jimin’s blood so damn much, then why isn’t he sucking him dry on the sidewalk right now? Or is Yoongi trying to trick him and making him believe he is just keeping an eye on him, so Jimin lets his guard down and one day the vampire surprises him to—

Nothing makes sense.

Ever since Jimin made that stupid donation, his life hasn’t been the same. Maybe he should have trusted his own gut and ignored Taehyung’s advice. Maybe he should have never entered that office nor offer his arm to the nurse that put the fucking needle on his vein. He should have never accepted the money. Jimin feels dirty.

A loud horn makes him flinch, snapping him out of his train of thought. Jimin stops at a red light, watching the cars drive past. What if Jimin is already dead?

If the vampire kills him tonight or tomorrow or next week… What does it change? Maybe Jimin should listen to his gut this time.

His heart beats faster as he stares at the cars and bikes passing in front of him, flashing lights blinding his vision until all he sees is white like the hospital’s fluorescent tubes. A pulse rings on Jimin’s ears, echoing through his veins.

There’s only one way to know. Jimin would rather be responsible for his death than letting a vampire drink the life out of him.

The impulse grows on his mind until it takes control of his body. The light continues to be green and Jimin simply follows the light, completely hypnotized. He takes a step forward. Then another one. The light is set on him and it gets bigger and bigger. Jimin prepares himself for the impact. He is ready. He awaits for it. When the hit is imminent, Jimin shuts his eyes to embrace the pain, the darkness.

But nothing comes.

A second ago, Jimin was standing in the middle of a busy street, now he’s trying not to lose his balance on the other side, a strong embrace keeping him steady. Jimin’s head spins until he opens his eyes. 

And Jimin sees red.

There’s music playing on the radio. An indie rock song Jimin doesn’t recognize but he is still too shocked about what happened to focus on lyrics about heartbreak and sex. The car is fancy, and meanwhile the leather seats are surprisingly plush and comfortable, Jimin’s body continues to be too stiff to fully relax on it. Next to him, Yoongi is driving. He doesn’t speak but the silence doesn’t seem to weigh on him. In fact, he wears a bored expression as one of his hands grips the steering wheel and the other rests on the gear. Jimin steals quick glances at him, his eyes crimson eyes sharp but somehow chill as he focuses on the road ahead.

Jimin, a human, is in the car of the vampire who just saved his life.

Jimin needs a drink. He’s now thankful for the shitty beer storage he keeps in his fridge. Perhaps tonight they won’t last.

“Your thoughts are distracting,” the vampire’s deep voice resonates inside the vehicle.

Jimin shyly glances at him. “Excuse me?”

“Your emotions change fast, and your scent shifts with them.”

“M-my scent?” Jimin mumbles.

Yoongi keeps driving as if they were talking about the weather. “Your blood has a scent and that changes according to your emotional state.”

“So you can smell my emotions? Can you read my mind too?”

Yoongi’s chuckle is low. “Yes to your first question. When you got out of class today, your scent was nice, relaxed, but when you saw me it spiked. You got nervous.”

Jimin drifts his eyes to the window, blushing.

“While you were working, your scent was slightly distressed. But just now—” Yoongi accelerates a bit. “It was pure sourness, almost metallic.”

Jimin doesn’t say anything. He won’t admit that he was scared shitless, preparing himself for a fast and short death. Unconsciously, Jimin breathes in, trying to differentiate the vampire’s scent. Although maybe Jimin doesn’t have any sensitive skills, for he can’t point out what Yoongi smells like. There’s a bit of the usual smell vampires carry, sort of dusty, but Jimin perceives notes of a cologne as well. It’s not unpleasant.

“You really meant it then. You saved me,” Jimin mutters then, hugging himself. “Or are you waiting to do it yourself?”

“I haven’t decided that, yet,” Yoongi’s tone is playful, but Jimin doesn’t laugh. He feels the vampire shooting him a look. “I need your scent. I don’t know if I can explain it. It’s more of an irrational impulse.”

Jimin feels overwhelmed. “You mean my blood?”

Yoongi tenses at his question, his crimson eyes shimmer beneath the moving shadows of a moving car. “I can control myself if I just feel your scent close.”

“So you still want to drink my blood?”

“Vampires need blood to exist,” Yoongi states the obvious. “It’s like deciding not to eat chocolate anymore or quit smoking from one second to the other. In the beginning, it might be hard but you get used to it. The impulse only decreases until it becomes so small you don’t let it control you.”

“Do you?” Jimin is so engrossed by their conversation that he doesn’t notice they have reached the condo. He likes understanding better.

“Eat chocolate? No. Smoking? Definitely.”

Maybe if Yoongi weren’t a vampire thirsting for his blood, Jimin would roll his eyes. “Control your impulse.”

Yoongi kills the engine and faces Jimin. “Most of the time.”

Jimin gulps. “What does that mean?”

“That I hadn’t drank blood in years and the only time I did in this decade, I got addicted to your taste.”

Yoongi is intense. His presence is intense, as well as his penetrating gaze. His features are rather soft, almost delicate considering his porcelain skin, but his shoulders are broad and he seems to have muscle under those layers of clothes. Jimin has ignored vampires his whole life and now he thinks he might be attracted to one.

“I should go,” Jimin whispers, unbuckling his seatbelt. His hand flies to the handle and he glances over his shoulder to say, “If I don’t invite you, you can’t get in, right?”

Yoongi glares at him. “If it gives you peace of mind.”

Jimin is just being silly. But he’s still a little bit in shock, so who can blame him?

Before stepping out of the car, Jimin speaks one more time. “Please don’t kill me.”

Without saying a word, Yoongi nods at him. Perhaps Jimin is just being judgemental. Just because Yoongi is a vampire doesn't turn him into a killer. Well, after hearing the news, Yoongi might not necessarily be a bad person. He was a human before, just like him. With a life and dreams. Not all vampires let their instincts win over. The Blood Vank exists for a reason.

And, even though Jimin might hate to admit it, a vampire saved his life.

Yoongi becomes a constant in Jimin’s life. Far in a corner, Jimin knows the vampire will be there. The first few days still feel weird. Jimin fears Yoongi is going to barge inside the apartment and sink his teeth into him like the goddamn vampire he is. But that doesn’t happen.

Quite the opposite, actually. Yoongi checks up on him, only getting closer when necessary, and even bringing Jimin food sometimes. A vampire is babying him. Jimin doubts if it’s about a weird vampire tradition, to adopt a human and take care of them, or simply Min Yoongi is out of his fucking mind and believes it’s normal to buy ice cream to a human and walk them home at night.

“What food do you miss the most?” Asks Jimin before licking a short stripe of cream.

Yoongi watches him, entertained. He takes a moment to think before replying. “Bulgogi. I miss eating bulgogi by the fire, just hearing the meat roast in the flames and the birds chirping between the trees.”

That’s a peculiar memory and Jimin wonders for the first time how Yoongi’s life must have been before he turned. The vampire talks about bonfires and nature and Jimin guesses he must be referring to older times. Jimin doesn’t dare to ask how old Yoongi is. He seems young, a bit older than Jimin.

“Sounds like the countryside,” Jimin comments and licks a thread of ice cream falling down the back of his hand.

Yoongi’s eyes bore into the action, but Jimin doesn’t notice. “Well, where I grew up, we didn’t have tall buildings nor cars.” 

“I am not from Seoul either,” Jimin continues talking, unaware of the vampire’s clenched fists. “We were born in Busan but my dad got transferred for work here, so we moved. I finished highschool and then started university.”

“Do you want to be a doctor?” Yoongi asks distractedly, too busy staring at Jimin.

“Nurse,” Jimin corrects and finally glances at him. His expression drops as he studies him. “Do you want some?”

“What?”

Yoongi meets Jimin’s eyes as the human extends his hand, offering the last bits of his ice cream. “Try it. It’s good.”

“I’m not hungry,” Yoongi deadpans.

Jimin stops walking and brings the ice cream close to the vampire’s mouth. “Just a bit.”

Yoongi’s eyes go from Jimin’s face to his hand, jaw clenching. A motorcycle passes down the street, engine roaring loudly and making Jimin’s heart beat loud for a second, but Yoongi senses the change immediately and he brings a protective hand to Jimin’s waist. Jimin stumbles forward, letting out a tiny squeak, and instinctively putting a hand over Yoongi’s chest. It reminds Jimin of the night they met, but this time their proximity feels different. A bundle of nerves twists on Jimin’s stomach, discovering for the first time the way the vampire’s eyes are slowly turning black over the edges. The effect from Jimin’s blood is fading.

After what feels like an eternity, Yoongi parts his lips and darts the tip of his tongue to lick a short strip of the melting ice cream. His Adam’s apple bobs when he swallows, but he doesn’t let go of Jimin yet.

With his hand planted on Yoongi’s chest, Jimin can’t help but notice a certain emptiness which comes with an unbeaten heart. A smirk begins to tug the corners of Yoongi’s lips and he winks at Jimin before taking a step back. 

The effect of Jimin’s blood may be disappearing from Yoongi’s system, but Jimin thinks Yoongi’s effect has started to spread within his veins, even without taking a single bite.

🩸🫀

Exams force Jimin to lock himself up in his apartment to study. His only destinations are university and the convenience store, and then proceeds to stay inside reading books and checking notes. Sometimes he meets Taehyung in the library but Jimin concentrates better if he’s alone and can read out loud. Guess it’s better to stay a bit apart from Taehyung now— Jimin hasn’t had the heart to tell him about Yoongi, and doesn’t even know how to. How would he explain there’s a vampire outside campus, tracking Jimin’s scent to feed some sort of psychotic hunger, borderline stalking him, but he’s also kind of sweet and caring… and hot.

So Jimin stays inside, studying and having shitty meals, which mostly involve a couple of snacks and energy drinks around midnight. Surprisingly, he doesn’t hear nor see much of the vampire. Jimin doesn’t know how to feel about it. He knows Yoongi still watches him from afar, and walks him home after work every night. Yoongi is an odd pillar in Jimin’s life. Sometimes it feels like he’s everywhere and other times Jimin looks around, checking for his presence. It’s risky and dangerous, and probably forbidden— the secret of it all it’s what may feed Jimin’s curiosity.

After the first exam, Jimin’s mother calls to know how it went. Jimin is sitting by the coffee table, his furniture back in place, and he stands up to stretch his legs as he talks with his mom.

“Remember to eat, please, Jimin-ah,” his mother scolds him and Jimin tells her not to worry, the spicy taste of chips lingering at the tip of his tongue.

Jimin walks to the window and with a finger, he subtly moves the curtain to peek outside. Jimin doesn’t hear what his mother is saying as his eyes set on Yoongi standing in the front parking lot, right outside his apartment. He’s wearing his usual dark jeans and black shirt which Jimin won’t admit how attractive they look, but this time he notices something between the vampire’s lips. A cigarette. Yoongi is smoking while watching Jimin’s window. Jimin’s heart does something funny and he lets go of the curtain, stepping back. A rush of warmth travels up his neck, settling on his cheeks.

“Mom, I should go back to study. See you soon, right?”

Jimin can’t sleep. He shifts in bed, laying on his side and then changing to the other, unable to conciliate sleep. The sheets tickle his skin and he can’t find any refreshing area to stick his feet. Summer is around the corner and the temperatures only rise but Jimin doesn’t dare to open the windows.

It’s something else.

Perhaps it’s the stress of exams and work and the fact that Jimin hasn’t had a relaxing day in months. He’s always worrying about something. Either be rent or school or his internship. But now that rent is secured and the semester is ending, Jimin should feel excited for the holidays. No. He also happens to have a hot vampire protecting him. A vampire that has tasted his blood and swears he cannot live without Jimin’s scent.

Life was simpler before. Yes, Jimin was broke and stressed, but at least he didn’t have a vampire haunting his thoughts.

Jimin plants his face against his pillow, whining. He hates when Taehyung is right. Jimin hasn’t got laid in so long, he barely remembers the liberating feeling of being touched, let alone feeling wanted. His mind is a mess; he doesn’t have anyone to talk to nor—

But Jimin is wanted. In a twisted and sickening way.

Unable to ignore it any longer, Jimin thinks of Yoongi’s broad shoulders and strong arms. His mind replays the moment they have been close, so close their mouths were millimeters apart. Jimin rolls over his stomach, softly pressing his hips against the mattress. It feels wrong. So wrong. But as Jimin pictures Yoongi’s big hands traveling down his body, his intimidating bearing poured onto him, a pitchy moan escapes from Jimin’s mouth as he slowly starts rocking against the bed.

He remembers Yoongi’s low baritone asking; were you ever bitten by a vampire?

As if that meant good omen, as if Jimin were missing out from something. Impatience burning in his veins, Jimin tucks a hand between his body and the mattress, slipping inside his underwear and whining in pleasure when his fingers get in contact with his cock. It’s been a while since he touched himself, so it doesn’t take long for the neediness to take control and cloud his senses. Jimin grows too delirious to care about the sounds he’s producing, about the vampire being near to hear him or smell him. Jimin gets transported into a state of absolute lust and recklessness, where the impulse possesses his mind and body, and Jimin has no choice but to succumb to sin. 

Imagining big cold hands trading all over his body, caressing and gripping, and sharp teeth grazing his skin, Jimin rocks his hips, stimulating his cock until he comes with a high moan, making a mess of himself.

🩸🫀

The next morning, Jimin is embarrassed. He isn’t used to touching himself so often and less while thinking of the vampire who bought his blood and tracked him down between the districts because of his smell. Among the darkness and privacy of his room, searching for a release seemed like the only option to relieve some of the stress, but now Jimin grows too conscious of himself. And as the kettle is heating on the stove, Jimin approaches the window with quiet steps and blood rushes to his cheeks when he discovers Yoongi is nowhere to be seen. 

It probably doesn’t mean anything , Jimin tries to convince himself. It’s not like the vampire can actually read his thoughts. The shrill whistle of the water boiling makes Jimin jump on his skin and he goes to the kitchen to finish preparing coffee. Whatever impure images Jimin pictured last night cannot distract him now. Because they are not real. It was only a moment of weakness. That’s all.

For now, Jimin has to study for his last exam.

It’s difficult to concentrate when there are no signs of Yoongi in the whole day. Jimin wonders if he should worry or simply let things be. Maybe an emergency happened and Yoongi had to return home. At night, Jimin turns on the TV to watch the news but there isn’t anything new about the vampire district. After finishing his noodles, Jimin mutes the TV and dips his face in his textbook.

But Yoongi doesn’t return the next day. Nor the day after.

It feels wrong to return home alone, so Jimin starts taking taxis after work. Worry settles at the pit of his stomach and he hates the fact that there isn’t anything he can do. Yoongi left. He is gone. He doesn’t show up outside Jimin’s apartment, nor roaming around campus, nor he enters the convenience store to buy a pack of cigarettes and flirt with Jimin. 

Nothing happens.

At least, before Jimin could feel him watching from afar, secluded under the shadows or between buildings. But now the constant buzzing that came with the feeling is also gone. Jimin got so used to Yoongi’s quiet and hidden presence that now he can even tell when the vampire is not there at all.

And Jimin doesn’t like it. He should be happy. He should feel safe. It’s what he wanted before. For Yoongi to leave him alone so Jimin could go back to his previous boring life. But Yoongi persisted and Jimin began to get used to his sharp gaze and deep voice, and smug smile that’s usually irritating and attractive all the same.

Has he been lying all this time? Trying to lull Jimin into his trap to kill him but when he realized he wasn’t succeeding, he just left without leaving a trace? Did he change his mind and despises the smell of Jimin’s scent? Days pass and Jimin has no answer.  

His studies distract him for a while but in the moments where Jimin’s mind drifts as he’s showering or trying to sleep, the vampire fills his thoughts like venom spreading on his bloodstream.

The day of the last exam, the sky is grey. Jimin borrows a light jacket before leaving his apartment, nerves creeping up his fingers as he takes the bus to campus. He reviews the important topics in his mind, leg bouncing as his body softly sways due to the movement of the bus as it crosses the streets.

Taehyung is waiting for him in the hallway before they walk inside the auditorium. For two hours, Jimin answers questions. His hand is sore after he hands the test but his muscles relax in a way that he hasn’t felt in weeks. It’s over.

Ten minutes later, Taehyung comes out from the room and hugs Jimin. “We are gonna graduate soon,” he grins and Jimin chuckles. “Fuck it, let’s go have a drink.”

Jimin doesn’t care it’s not even six in the afternoon. They go to a shitty bar near campus and order soju and tteokbokki. They eat and drink until they are full and Jimin gets extra giggly. Two hours later, Jimin is craving a shower and a bed, so he says goodbye to Taehyung and starts his way home. The wind blows crisp outside, so Jimin digs his hands in the pockets of his jacket, dipping his chin a little to watch the sidewalk as he walks alone through the streets. A mass of dark clouds cover the sky and Jimin hurries his step before he can get caught under a drizzle.

As he’s waiting at a red light, a shiver runs down his spine. Jimin sucks on a sharp breath, glancing over his shoulder, his gaze quickly scanning the area. There’s a figure leaning against the outside of a shop, hood covering their face. It’s not him . It’s something else. The air shifts, it smells of danger. 

Jimin’s instincts kick in, his mind picturing the pocket knife laying somewhere inside his backpack. Trying to control the racing of his heart, Jimin looks forward and walks when the pedestrian light turns green. Keeping his composure, he tugs at his bag, pretending to look for something in the outside pocket. As subtle as he can, Jimin gets hold of the knife, hiding it in his palm, and continues walking normally.

Maybe something that Jimin learned in these weeks is how to sharpen his senses, and notice when he’s the center of someone else's attention. Because the feeling persists and after Jimin crosses the next intersection, he hears a trail of steps coming right behind him, getting louder and closer. Jimin walks fast and turns right, not hesitating. He clicks the knife open, gripping it against his chest, ready for whatever it may come.

Except nothing comes.

Turning on his heels, unable to control his agitated breaths, Jimin looks around with wide eyes. The street is empty, most shops having closed by now, but his chaser seems to have changed their mind. Jimin gulps thickly before approaching the corner, flinching when a bicycle passes by the lane. Apart from that, Jimin is alone. Lowering his hand until he lets his arm drop on his side, Jimin stands on the corner of the street, waiting.

“Yoongi?” He calls after a moment, fear and hope mixing on his tongue.

But no one shows up.

As thunder breaks upon the city, Jimin resumes his way back home, a strange thread of disappointment curling on his stomach.

Raindrops begin to fall as Jimin enters the condominium’s gates. The sky has darkened and the remnants of a storm can be smelled in the polluted air. He throttles to the stairs, avoiding as much of the rain as possible, and jogs up to the first floor where his apartment is. Buttercup is already waiting by the door, meowing as soon as Jimin gets inside.

“Hey, Butter,” he says, kicking off his shoes and dropping his backpack on the floor. After hanging his jacket on the rack, Jimin lifts his cat on his arms, rubbing his chin against her fluffy head. “It’s just water, we’ll be fine.”

Buttercup purrs and quickly squirms to jump off Jimin’s arms to go eat. Jimin takes a quick shower to sober up from the soju and adrenaline. He changes into some shorts and baggy t-shirt, and when Jimin walks out of the bathroom, he hears the rain hitting the windows with force. The lights suddenly tilt and Jimin goes to the kitchen to fetch himself a glass of water.

As he’s gulping, Jimin hears a hiss in the living room.

“Buttercup?” Jimin says, peeking from the kitchen’s threshold. He sees the cat sitting in front of the window, facing the curtain.

Leaving the glass on the table, Jimin walks past the couch and bends to pet Buttercup. However, as his fingers get in contact with her fur, the cat growls.

“Buttercup! It’s just a storm.”

Jimin raises a hand to fully close the curtains but he freezes in place when his gaze focuses past the glass, discovering a shadow standing outside under the pour. Jimin’s heart beats faster, warmth spreading on his chest. Lighting illuminates the sky and in that second Jimin meets Yoongi’s eyes.

He is back. After two weeks, Yoongi is back.

Jimin doesn’t even want to blink, scared the vampire is going to vanish from one second to the other. But Yoongi doesn’t move. He just stays under the pouring rain, drenched from head to toe. Jimin’s fingers curl on the curtain’s fabric and he bites his lower lip. He must do something.

Without giving it much thought, Jimin slips into his trainers and grabs the umbrella collecting dust in the corner and heads out. He rushes down the stairs and lifts the umbrella over his head to protect himself from the storm. As he steps into the parking lot, Jimin’s heart is racing when he sees Yoongi hasn’t left.

The vampire glances at him, slightly turning his head. Raindrops fall thick and fast, hitting against the pavement, so Jimin struggles to see much further. Taking a deep breath, he walks forward without hesitating. Jimin lets himself be guided to Yoongi.

“You’re here,” Jimin says once they are standing close.

Yoongi turns to him completely and watches him. The crimson of his eyes has faded into a thin layer near the center, delimiting his pupils.

“I thought,” Jimin pauses and licks his lips. “I thought you wouldn’t come back.”

Yoongi doesn’t even blink, gaze boring into Jimin’s face while carrying a serious expression. Jimin doesn’t understand his silence until something clicks in his mind.

“Do you want to come inside?” Asks Jimin, and he’s surprised to see the way Yoongi gives him a curt nod.

Jimin lifts the umbrella to fit both of them under, but wet fingers wrapping around his wrist stop him. It’s the first time the vampire dares to touch him, and despite the coldness emanating from Yoongi’s skin, the contact burns Jimin. 

Yoongi makes sure the umbrella stays over Jimin’s head only, as he follows him to the apartment. Jimin suddenly feels nervous to let Yoongi in, but he invited the vampire after all. Jimin remembers joking about it the first time, and Yoongi has never trespassed that limit. Maybe he stayed outside Jimin’s window all this time with the hopes of being let in.

Jimin doesn’t know how none of the neighbours haven’t said anything to him yet.

Yoongi’s presence is stronger than ever and Jimin feels like the apartment is ten times smaller after the vampire walks in. Leaving the umbrella outside by the door, Jimin closes it, coming to terms that he has let a vampire inside his home. And Jimin doesn’t regret it.

“Uhm,” Jimin hums, not knowing where to look.

Yoongi is completely drenched. His black hair is wet and falls down in loose waves by the ends, his shirt sticks to his torso and trousers are dripping, raindrops falling sliding down his boots almost forming a puddle at his feet.

“You can take a shower, if you want,” Jimin murmurs and shakes his head. “Or well, just dry in the bathroom. I guess you are not at risk of catching a cold, but— Not that you can’t shower! It’s just that, since you don’t feel… You must still wash yourself, of course…” Jimin needs to shut up soon, feeling dumb. “You can use the bathroom.”

Yoongi keeps looking at him for a moment, specifically at Jimin’s blushed cheeks, before he walks to the bathroom’s door.

“Jimin.”

They haven’t seen each other in weeks and the first thing Yoongi says is Jimin’s name. Jimin blushes harder.

“Yes?” Jimin breathes out.

Yoongi grips the door’s handle. “I’ll need some clothes,” he says and Jimin can hear the smirk on Yoongi’s face when he pronounces his next words. “But as you said, I don’t feel the cold.”

Perhaps letting a hot vampire inside his apartment wasn’t the best idea after all.

And Jimin repeats it in his mind again when Yoongi comes out of the bathroom a while later, wet hair pushed back and a towel wrapped around his hips. Jimin had shouted before that the clothes were going to be in his room, and as he waits on the couch, Jimin watches stunned as the vampire comfortably goes inside Jimin’s bedroom, exposing entirely his back and arms which are defined by a balanced amount of muscle, enough to make Jimin wonder what it would feel like to squeeze them with his fingers.

Embarrassed, Jimin tiptoes to the kitchen for more water, forcing himself not to pry too much and increasing the distance between the vampire and him.

His attempts are in vain because when he turns around to return to the couch, he jumps at finding Yoongi leaning against the threshold with his arms crossed over his chest. He’s wearing the sweatpants and t-shirt Jimin left for him in his bed. Jimin searched for the biggest size he owns, because despite being a similar height, Yoongi is much broader than Jimin. And Jimin should stop looking for excuses to think about Yoongi’s body.

“Didn’t see you there,” Jimin exhales, bringing a hand to his chest as if that could appease the rapid beating of his heart.

Yoongi nods. “I know.”

There’s an awkward silence before Jimin goes to the point. “I didn’t see you for days actually.”

“I had a matter to attend to.”

“An important one?”

“Yes.”

Jimin purses his lips, a bit conflicted. “Did you—”

As if Yoongi could read his mind, he finishes for Jimin. “No.”

So Yoongi wasn’t getting into any trouble. At least not any that could have reached the news.

He shouldn’t expect a detailed explanation as to why Yoongi absented himself for two weeks. They are not friends, although Jimin would like to believe they are in a gray area where friendliness is not a stranger. Guess it’s part of Jimin’s fault, for not asking more about Yoongi’s past before. He only knows the vampire grew up in Daegu before coming to Seoul. He had parents but Yoongi never said their names nor talked deeply about them. He briefly commented once how he used to do business, but Jimin didn’t have the guts to ask which kind.

It’s a weird contradictory feeling. Jimin barely knows two things about Yoongi, but the vampire knows quite a lot about him. And, in a common scenario, that would freak the shit out of Jimin, but with Yoongi everything is different. Yoongi, who did everything in his power to find Jimin for his scent, who saved Jimin’s life. Jimin, who keeps in his blood the need to help save people.

“I didn’t want to disturb you as you had your exams.”

“So you remembered,” Jimin whispers, a tint of shyness sparkling in his voice.

“Of course I remembered.”

Jimin looks down at his feet, fiddling with his fingers. Among the silence, another hiss can be heard and Jimin snaps his gaze to his cat, who seems very wary of the vampire.

“That’s Buttercup.”

Yoongi glares at the cat before he juts his chin at it. Surprisingly, Buttercup only meows in distaste before padding to the living room. She must sense Yoongi isn’t human.

Outside, the storm keeps unleashing with force.

Jimin takes a step forward and Yoongi leans back, as if he were ready to run in the opposite direction. Jimin immediately notices it.

“What’s going on?”

Yoongi’s jaw clenches. “I’m controlling myself.”

His deep voice competes with the sound of rain hitting the windows.

“Controlling?” Jimin softly shakes his head. “From what?”

Thunder roars outside.

“My instincts.”

“What do your instincts say?” Jimin asks and takes a step closer.

This time, Yoongi remains in place. “To be near you.”

“You are standing quite far for someone who needs to be near me.”

“Jimin—”

Jimin lets his own instincts guide him to Yoongi. Standing in front of him, Jimin stares into his dark eyes. “Is this near enough?”

Yoongi doesn’t reply. His body is hard as stone, hands curled into fists beneath his arms. Swallowing a pang of courage, Jimin slowly brings his hands to the vampire’s chest, sucking on a sharp breath when he realizes how cold Yoongi’s body actually is. Jimin had expected it, but the sensation isn’t unpleasant. Relaxing under his touch, Yoongi’s arms fall helplessly to his sides. 

Since there are no restrictions from Yoongi’s part, Jimin’s gaze lingers for a little longer just to be sure, before it drifts down to his hands. There are no heartbeats but Yoongi’s body feels alive the more Jimin keeps on touching him. Taking a tiny step closer until their faces are inches apart, Jimin slides his palms to Yoongi’s shoulders, in a way to ground himself.

“How about this?” Jimin murmurs. “What do your instincts say now?”

Scoffing, Yoongi yanks Jimin up in the air in a fast move, big hands gripping the outer side of his thighs too near his ass, and Jimin’s legs wrap around Yoongi’s hips in response. The lights flicker once more before the apartment bathes in complete darkness. But Jimin isn’t scared.

He stopped trying to find a rational explanation long ago. Because maybe there is no rational explanation to what Jimin is feeling now. Jimin wants Yoongi, an impulse growing from deep within him, spreading like poison through his veins. It’s wild and chaotic, just like the way the vampire and the human met.

“What do yours say?” Asks Yoongi instead.

Jimin looks at his eyes, then at his lips. Lighting flickering on the sky spreads a purple hue in the room for a second, and Jimin is able to notice a pair of sharp teeth peeking from behind Yoongi’s upper lip.

“Bite me.”

Yoongi kisses him. He smashes his lips against Jimin’s, devouring his mouth with hunger. Jimin responds with the same intensity, wrapping his arms around Yoongi’s neck. The kiss isn’t anything like Jimin experienced before. It’s electrifying and sexy, and it only grows in intensity.

With careful, almost studied precision, Yoongi takes them to Jimin’s room and sits on the bed with Jimin on top of him. Jimin has to break the kiss to breathe, bringing a hand to Yoongi’s neck to stop him from leaning forward again. Jimin’s breathing is rushed, just like his heartbeats, and he makes up the shape of Yoongi’s eyes under the shadows. The silence is charged, filled with unspoken words that only exist in the places their bodies are touching. Yoongi is watching him as if he wanted to devour him, and Jimin is willing to make the sacrifice.

With a repeated nod, Jimin surges forward once again, giving Yoongi a bruising kiss. A symphony of snow and fire is created that night, where clothes become scarce the longer it plays, saving their bodies from starvation.

As Jimin writhes in pleasure under Yoongi, he has the mind to ask.

“I thought, ah , you were going to bite me.”

Yoongi slows down his pace, pulling out from Jimin painfully slowly. “You never answered my question,” he grunts.

Jimin’s flushed all over, his chest, neck and cheeks. But he feels he might start burning from desperation if Yoongi doesn’t fuck him harder in the next ten seconds. “No,” Jimin’s voice is pitchy with arousal. “No, please —”

Holding his weight against his forearms on both sides of Jimin’s head, Yoongi leans down until he’s able to speak directly on Jimin’s ear. “It feels a bit like this,” he whispers, dangerously low, before thrusting in, fastening his pace and fucking Jimin hard until the human is a moaning and pleading mess.

Jimin wakes up the next day between Yoongi’s arms, head resting on top of his firm chest. He doesn’t remember the last time Jimin had such a good sleep, and after the events of just hours ago, Jimin doesn’t even bother about the soreness aching his muscles. He nuzzles the side of his face against Yoongi’s bare skin, getting closer to him. Only a thin blanket covers their naked bodies, but Jimin’s warmth is enough for the both of them.

When he senses Jimin is awake, Yoongi simply tightens his arms, squinting Jimin as close as possible, almost making him entirely on top of him. Jimin giggles softly, still sleepy.

“Someone’s got energy this morning,” Jimin murmurs, keeping his eyes closed. He’s too comfortable to move.

“I’ve been lying awake for hours,” Yoongi answers, voice gruff from disuse.

“You are missing out on one of the best activities in the world—”

“I think I got that covered.”

Jimin pinches Yoongi’s waist.

“Sleeping. I meant sleeping.”

Yoongi chuckles. “Yeah, I forgot about that one.”

After sharing a short laugh, quietness grows between. Jimin doesn’t notice the difference, feeling too at ease being in his bed next to Yoongi.

Jimin’s voice is quiet as he asks, “Yoongi?”

“Mmh?”

“Was it you before? When someone was following me?”

“Yes.”

Jimin doesn’t say anything, only curls more onto Yoongi.

“Jimin-ah.”

Jimin hums in response. Yoongi’s thumbs begin tracing half moons on the low of Jimin’s back. The ghost of his touch inside Jimin makes him shiver with warmth.

“I need to tell you something.”

A soft crease deepens between Jimin’s brows, hugging the vampire tighter. “Yes?”

“I’m not a killer.”

Yoongi’s tone is devoid of emotion, sounding almost cautious. The words fall heavily upon Jimin, and he props up with his left elbow to face Yoongi, still keeping an arm resting on his abdomen. Jimin is listening.

“After drinking your blood, it was as if something had possessed me to find you. I began asking around, making some visits; collecting old favors. Until I stumbled upon someone who said they could help me.”

“What do you mean?”

Yoongi looks up at the ceiling. His dark eyes are elegant and imposing. “I’ve lived long enough to not be proud of many things I’ve done. But I’ve never taken someone’s life if I didn’t have a solid purpose.”

Jimin thinks he can understand what Yoongi is talking about, but he doubts if he’s able to empathize with the idea.

Yoongi props a hand behind his head to meet Jimin’s gaze. “I have no idea what you’ve done to me, Park Jimin. But I don’t want to stop feeling like this. With you, I feel more alive than I felt during all these years.”

Jimin looks at him, dumbfounded.

“I’ve been going crazy about you and after I perceived the way you smelled when— I had to stop myself from barging inside this apartment to ask you to be mine right then and there.”

So Yoongi smelled him the night Jimin touched himself. Yoongi knew what Jimin was doing because he could feel his scent changing. A rich shade of pink blooms on Jimin’s cheeks.

Yoongi wants Jimin too. Had been wanting him all this time.

Jimin has no idea where this is going, but if they both want the same thing, then they have got plenty of time to find out. Especially Yoongi.

“But,” Jimin needs to clear something before feeling like kissing Yoongi again. “You said someone helped you. Another vampire?”

“Yes,” Yoongi nods.

“Who?”

After a moment, Yoongi replies. “Jeon Jeongguk.”

A rush of coldness shivers Jimin’s skin, but it’s not Yoongi’s fault. The vampire looks confused at his reaction— or lack of—, but Jimin gets too lost in thought to notice.

Jimin isn't a paranoid person, and yet—

Taehyung.

🩸🫀