Archive of Our Own

Kai walks into Kitty Purr, the cat café he’s been working at for the past few months. It’s a very cute café; the inside is all pink, ribbons, and soft meows all day long. Kai loves it like it’s a second home. It’s not that he needs the money—his "family" is very well off—but he does enjoy the company of furry friends, and the staff is nice to him since it consists of his three best friends in the whole world.

Plus, he likes getting out of the house. Beomgyu’s house; his house too, for the past few years. The manor can feel a bit grim sometimes. It sits on the outskirts of Seoul, in the middle of a private estate. Beomgyu never has anyone over for obvious reasons, and he has trouble bonding with humans. That’s understandable; the "old" generation of vampires never quite adapted to the modern world.

Kai was turned only a few years ago, at the age of twenty-one, and unlike his maker, he adapted surprisingly well. He still has a few close friends who stayed by his side through all of it.

He is twenty-five now.

And if Kai is being honest, Beomgyu could use a few more people in his life too. The manor is far too big for only two vampires.

Beomgyu, his maker, if you want to be old-fashioned and call it that, turned him after Kai got into an accident. A drunk driver crashed into his car and sent it into a tree, leaving him on the verge of death. The driver fled the scene and left him there to die, only a few kilometers away from Beomgyu's estate.

Super hearing has its perks.

Beomgyu rushed over and found Kai. The only way to save him was to feed him his blood; it would heal him, but it would also turn him into a vampire. The will to live was stronger than the fear of becoming an immortal bloodsucker, so Kai accepted the deal right before what could have been his last breath.

The rest is history.

Kai was one of the humans Beomgyu didn't mind having around. He was funny, sweet, caring, and easy to live with. So after his transition was complete—which took a few weeks and happened entirely at the manor for safety reasons—Kai naturally moved into his maker's house.

His mother had agreed without much protest. She was a businesswoman who spent most of her time traveling for work anyway, and Kai had been living on his own more often than not. His father had been estranged for years. In the end, there wasn't much tying him anywhere else.

Besides, he wanted to stay.

Beomgyu had saved his life, taught him how to be a vampire, and somehow become family in the process.

Kai blinks.

He got distracted thinking about all that.

Brushing a strand of silver hair out of his brown eyes, he greets the staff. Yeonjun, twenty-seven. Soobin, twenty-six. And Taehyun, twenty-five.

He smiles widely when Taehyun gently hugs him in greeting. Soobin and Yeonjun wave at him from behind the bar, already busy preparing drinks and pastries for the customers.

"Soooooo, you didn't reply to my text yesterday, Hyuka." Taehyun pouts.

"Tyunnie, you know Beomgyu doesn't like phones. He says they're Satan's devices." Kai chuckles.

"It's fine, we can just talk about it now then." Taehyun beams.

Taehyun is... insistent.

He keeps bugging Kai with his ten thousand questions about vampires.

So here he is again, cleaning the cats' litter boxes while Taehyun invades his personal space, peeking over his shoulder with his round head full of soft orange hair, question after question spilling from his lips.

"I've told you so many times already, Tyunnie. It depends on the person."

Taehyun's big doe eyes immediately light up.

"Turning is a personal experience. Mine was different because I was injured. I was pretty out of it the whole time. After I woke up, I fed, and that was basically it. After that, it's mostly about learning to control the hunger and the urges."

Taehyun listens with complete focus.

He's just so passionate about the subject. The boy is doing a bachelor's degree in vampirology, after all.

He's slightly smaller than Kai, lean yet muscular, with a beautiful round face and round eyes, kitty-like teeth, and an endlessly curious mind.

Obsessed with vampires.

At lunch, Kai slurps on the special smoothie Beomgyu made for him—blood-based, but strawberry flavored—and even then Taehyun is relentless, nearly choking on his sandwich because he's trying to talk and chew at the same time.

“So... after turning, what's it actually like?” Taehyun asks for what feels like the hundredth time that week, his chin resting on the table.

Kai takes another sip of his smoothie.

“I told you already, it depends on the person.”

“Boo. Boring answer.”

“It’s true.” Kai shrugs. “Changing tends to amplify personality traits, at least during the transition phase.”

Taehyun immediately straightens up.

“Amplify?”

“Yeah. If someone’s already emotional, they get more emotional. If they’re stubborn, good luck to everyone around them.” Kai points his straw at him. “Also... horny.”

Taehyun nearly chokes on air.

“WHAT?”

Kai grins.

“You’ll be needy, Tyun. I’m so sure I could bet money on it.”

Yeonjun bursts out laughing from across the table.

“Needy and clingy. Like a kitten. You’d be attached to someone twenty-four seven.”

Taehyun gasps in betrayal.

“Excuse me? Absolutely not.”

“Yes, absolutely yes,” Kai says immediately.

“You’re grossly mistaking me for someone cute,” Taehyun huffs, pointing dramatically at himself. “I’m good at staying calm and collected.”

The entire table goes silent.

Yeonjun slowly raises an eyebrow.

From beside them, Soobin is already wheezing.

“Taehyun,” Yeonjun says between laughs, “you cried because a cat ignored you last week.”

“THAT WAS DIFFERENT.”

“You followed Sweet Potato around for twenty minutes asking if he hated you,” Kai adds.

“He did hate me!”

Soobin laughs so hard he nearly falls off his chair.

After the afternoon shift, they wrap up for the day, and Kai already knows by heart what the ginger is going to say.

“Please ask Beomgyu for me again. Pleaaaaase?”

Kai laughs softly.

“Okay, Tyun. Now go take care of your siblings,” he teases.

After all, Taehyun really does look like a wide-eyed kitten.

Taehyun huffs and pouts in protest, only to immediately prove Kai right by heading straight back to the cats. The moment he joins them, a chorus of happy meows fills the room.

Kai snorts.

Cute.

He fixes his apron one last time before finally leaving the café.

A soft smile settles on his face.

He would genuinely love having Taehyun in his family forever.

Maybe it's because Taehyun already fits so naturally into his life. Maybe it's because he's kind, funny, and somehow manages to make everyone around him smile. Or maybe Kai is simply tired of watching Beomgyu spend eternity alone in a house that feels far too quiet.

Either way, this time he's really going to convince him.

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Even if Kai seems uninterested whenever Taehyun brings it up, mostly because he doesn't want to give him false hope, at home he's relentless about wanting him as part of the family.

He likes Taehyun a lot.

And, if he's being completely honest with himself, he also thinks Taehyun would be perfect paired with Beomgyu. That ulterior motive, however, remains a secret.

Taehyun is kind. He remembers birthdays. He brings snacks for everyone at work. He sits on the floor to play with anxious cats until they trust him. He has the biggest heart of anyone Kai knows.

If anyone deserves forever, it's him.

Besides, Hueningkai has been screaming, kicking, and pouting for the last two years for Beomgyu—his creator—to give him a sibling.

It's always been just the two of them ever since Beomgyu turned him a few years ago.

Kai loves his life now. He really does. But he's craving a new addition to their little clan. Someone who will stay by their side forever.

Someone his age, as he likes to say. That always makes Beomgyu laugh because Kai has been twenty-one for a few years now. Beomgyu has been twenty-five for a lot longer. Technically, they both stopped aging the moment they turned, so they aren't that far apart.

Beomgyu still finds it funny anyway.

"No."

Kai drops dramatically onto the fluffy couch in the big living room.

"I didn't even ask yet!"

"You were about to."

"You can't prove that."

Beomgyu raises an eyebrow.

Kai pouts.

"...Fine. I was."

A snort escapes Beomgyu as he turns the page of his book.

"Beomgyuuuu."

"No."

"He likes vampires."

"No."

"He studies vampires!"

"That is exactly why the answer is no."

Kai gasps in betrayal.

Beomgyu closes his book with a soft thud and stares at him.

"Kai."

"He likes cats."

"Kai."

"He's cute—"

"KAI."

Kai immediately slaps a hand over his mouth.

Silence.

Beomgyu slowly narrows his eyes.

Kai looks at the ceiling.

"...Cute personality?" he offers weakly.

"You have ulterior motives."

"I have visions."

"You have a matchmaking problem."

Kai grins.

"Same thing."

At breakfast the next morning, Beomgyu looks at Kai and smiles.

He lets himself really think about it. Kai has been wanting an addition to their family for a long time now. It isn't just a passing whim.

And Beomgyu has to admit... it would be good for him too. More company. The manor has felt increasingly empty over the years, even if he rarely acknowledges it out loud. He doesn't want to become one of those grumpy old vampires who refuse to move on with the world.

That Taehyun kid seems to have caught the eye of his beloved Kai, so he has to be a sweetheart.

So there they are, both sipping blood and making small talk, when Beomgyu finally drops the bomb.

"Kai, darling? I thought about it and—"

He doesn't get to finish.

Kai lets out a sound somewhere between a gasp and a squeal before launching himself straight into Beomgyu's arms.

He looks like one of those giant dogs that jump all over you, all excited energy and endless affection, mumbling rushed thank-yous and I-love-yous against his shoulder.

Beomgyu chuckles.

Kai has always been adorable.

Even as a baby vampire, he was perfect. Well-behaved. Restrained. Never hurt anyone. Never made Beomgyu struggle. No scenes.

He embraced the vampire life he was given with open arms; loyal and sweet, like a puppy.

Happy to have been given another chance at life.

Beomgyu wraps an arm around him and smiles softly.

He's happy to make Kai happy.

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The next day, Kai drags Beomgyu to the cat café before the afternoon rush.

"What exactly are we doing here?" Beomgyu asks for the third time since they left the manor.

Kai rolls his eyes.

"You said yes. I'm delivering the good news."

"I assumed a text message would suffice."

"You don't even own a phone."

"A wonderful lifestyle choice."

Kai ignores him.

Besides, he wants Beomgyu to meet Taehyun properly. Not through pictures, not through stories, not through the countless descriptions he's subjected him to over the years.

Here. In his element.

Surrounded by cats.

The moment they step inside, Kai spots Taehyun.

Taehyun looks up from where he's sitting and immediately stands so fast his chair screeches against the floor.

"Kai?"

Kai grins.

"He said yes."

Silence.

Taehyun blinks.

Then his eyes immediately fill with tears.

"Oh my god—"

Kai barely has time to react before Taehyun crashes into him, hugging him so tightly he almost loses his balance.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you—"

Kai laughs, his own eyes watering as he hugs him back.

"Tyun, breathe!"

"You don't understand, I've wanted this for years—"

"I know."

Beside them, Beomgyu watches quietly.

His chest feels strangely warm.

Kai had talked about Taehyun so much over the years that he almost feels like he's meeting an old acquaintance rather than a stranger.

Eventually, Taehyun pulls away and wipes at his eyes in embarrassment.

Only then does he notice Beomgyu.

And—

Oh.

Oh.

He had seen pictures before. Kai had shown him plenty. But pictures had done absolutely nothing to prepare him.

Beomgyu is beautiful.

No, beautiful isn't enough.

He stands there with dark hair falling messily around his face, soft and wild at once, framing sharp features that look almost unreal. His clothes are elegant in a way Taehyun lacks the vocabulary to describe—white shirt, dark vest laced at the front, long black layers draped over him like something pulled out of an old portrait.

His hands are pale, slender.

Pretty.. Dangerously pretty.

And then there are his eyes: fierce, yet softened by the way he's looking at Kai.

And now... At him.

"Kai says the nicest things about you." Beomgyu says softly.

Taehyun immediately goes red.

Beside him, Beomgyu blinks. Then, very subtly, looks away.

Kai's eyes narrow.

Oh. Oh, I was right. His smirk grows.

They could absolutely fall for each other.

Taehyun is trying very hard not to stare, and he's failing. Very badly.

Unfortunately for him, both vampires can hear his heartbeat, and unfortunately for him, his heart is currently trying to escape his ribcage.

Kai snorts.

"Tyun, calm down. Your heart is going crazy."

"I hate you," the orange-haired boy mutters, blushing furiously.

That only makes Kai laugh harder.

Eventually, they settle at one of the small tables, and Kai takes it upon himself to lead the conversation, partly because someone has to, and partly because Taehyun appears to have forgotten how words work.

"No, seriously, you will make a perfect vampire, Tyun." Kai leans closer with a grin. "Your canines are longer than mine right now."

"What?" Taehyun immediately covers his mouth.

Beomgyu chuckles. "May I?"

Taehyun freezes. "...Huh?"

Beomgyu gently reaches out and tilts Taehyun's chin upward, just enough to get a better look.

His fingers brush against Taehyun's skin.

Taehyun stops functioning.

"Hm," Beomgyu murmurs, his thumb briefly brushing against one canine. "Kai is right."

The smile that follows is small, but devastating.

Taehyun wishes for death or maybe a hole in the floor he can crawl into.

Either works.

Across from them, Kai is having the time of his life.

The idiot is practically glowing.

Oh, he was so right.

This is going to be fun.

Once Taehyun recovers enough to sit up straight again, Beomgyu begins explaining.

His expression softens.

"I would never force this on anyone," he says quietly. "And I would never coerce someone into becoming one of us."

The playfulness from earlier is gone.

For the first time since they met, Taehyun sees something older in him. Something tired, but caring.

"It means eternity," Beomgyu continues. "But it's not all fun and games. It means blood. Hunger. Change."

His fingers absentmindedly trace the rim of his glass.

"It means watching the people around you grow old while you remain the same. Losing them one by one. Learning how to keep going afterward."

The words are simple, but they settle heavily between them.

Taehyun listens carefully.

Beomgyu's voice is deep and low, almost soothing, yet there is something melancholy hidden underneath it. He has to focus on the words themselves not to get lost in the sound of them.

"If you changed your mind, I wouldn't hold it against you."

Taehyun looks up.

Beomgyu means it.

There isn't the slightest hint of disappointment in his face, only concern.

"But..." A small smile finally appears. "Kai has been very persistent."

Kai beams immediately.

"And he tells me you know exactly what being a vampire entails and still want to go through with it."

The smile grows a little warmer.

"So... I'm glad things worked out smoothly."

For a moment, Taehyun forgets how beautiful Beomgyu is.

All he can think about is how kind he is.

By the time Beomgyu leaves, the café is quieter. Most of the customers are gone, and the cats have started claiming their favorite spots for afternoon naps. Taehyun is still trying to process everything that happened.

He had imagined meeting Beomgyu for years, yet now that the moment is actually here, he can barely string two coherent thoughts together. They stand facing each other for a second before Beomgyu offers his hand.

Taehyun takes it.

The contact lasts only a moment, but it still sends something sharp and electric through him. He shivers involuntarily.

Beomgyu notices.

Kai notices too.

The smirk spreading across his face is unbearable.

"It was nice meeting you, Taehyun," Beomgyu says, and somehow hearing his own name in that deep voice makes Taehyun's heart misbehave all over again.

"You too," he manages.

Beomgyu smiles softly before turning to leave, and Taehyun finds himself watching him walk away until the café door closes behind him. Kai stays at the café to help with the cats for a bit.

The goodbye is not awkward but still leaves a gap in Taehyun's chest.

The second Beomgyu is gone, he punches Kai in the shoulder.

"You shut up."

Kai blinks innocently.

"I didn't say anything."

"You were thinking things."

"I was."

Taehyun groans and drops his head onto the table while Kai laughs.

For the rest of the afternoon, he struggles to focus on anything. Every time he tries to study, his thoughts drift back to Beomgyu; to his smile, his voice, the cool touch of his fingers against his skin. It is ridiculous.

He came here wanting to become a vampire.

Now, for the first time, he finds himself just as excited about the vampire himself.

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Taehyun is absolutely ecstatic.

The three of them have decided that he will move into Beomgyu's manor for a trial period before the turning ceremony. It will give him time to adjust, make sure he is truly comfortable with the decision, and allow Beomgyu and Kai to keep an eye on him during the delicate transition period afterward. They agree that he will stay for at least a month before deciding what he wants for the future.

So he packs.

Which honestly doesn't take very long.

Taehyun's parents live in another city. He moved to Seoul for university and has spent the last few years sharing a small apartment near Kitty Purr with Soobin and Yeonjun. If anything, the two of them seem amused by the whole situation and happy to have the place to themselves for a while.

He stuffs clothes into a suitcase while humming happily to himself, followed by toiletries, makeup, a few university books, and far too many snacks. Then he sits on the edge of his bed and waits for Kai to come pick him up and drive him to the vampire manor, as he likes to call it.

Thankfully, taking time off isn't a problem. Soobin and Yeonjun can handle the café without him, and winter break has just started. He won't miss any classes.

As if the timing isn't already perfect, his birthday is only three days away.

February 5th.

If everything goes according to plan, his turning will become a celebration too.

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Day one at the manor.

And there they are, standing in front of Beomgyu's house.

Taehyun is in awe.

The manor looks like something pulled straight out of an old novel, all stone walls and tall windows framed by dark wood, pointed roofs rising elegantly toward the winter sky. Ivy climbs parts of the façade as if time itself has settled there. The place is enormous too; not rich-person enormous, but ancient-vampire-who-has-been-around-long-enough-to-casually-own-an-estate enormous.

The manor sits in the middle of a vast property. Gardens stretch around the house, meticulously maintained despite the season. Flowerbeds line the paths, bushes are trimmed with impossible precision, and flowers bloom everywhere.

So many flowers.

Yellow blossoms sway gently in the breeze while roses climb nearby trellises, their scent mixing with the crisp winter air. Somewhere in the distance, birds chirp and leaves rustle softly.

Taehyun frowns. It is the middle of winter, so why is everything blooming? He makes a mental note to ask Beomgyu later.

Beside him, Kai grins proudly.

"Pretty, right?"

Pretty is an understatement. The place looks magical just like a fairy tale.

Or maybe the beginning of one.

The big wooden doors open before they even have the chance to knock.

Beomgyu stands behind them, mysterious as ever.

He doesn't want to overwhelm Taehyun, but he still insists on welcoming him personally before leading him and Kai upstairs to Kai's room.

A soft smile appears on his face as he steps forward and gently takes Taehyun's hand.

Then he brings it to his lips.

"Welcome to my humble house, Taehyun."

Kai scoffs immediately.

"Beomi hyung, you're so old-fashioned."

Taehyun, meanwhile, completely stops functioning.

His heart skips a beat the moment Beomgyu's lips brush against the skin of his hand.

"Tha-thank you for having me," he manages, barely.

Beomgyu looks oddly pleased with the younger's reaction.

He takes Taehyun's bags with ease and motions for them to come inside.

Beomgyu leads them through the house while Taehyun tries his best to take everything in.

Which is difficult.

There are so many rooms, each somehow prettier than the last. And the style inside is... peculiar.

From what Taehyun has learned in class, vampires—especially the older generations—are usually more comfortable in darker spaces. Dark wood furniture, little decoration, muted interiors.

But if nobody had told him a vampire lived here, he never would have guessed.

The manor is borderline eccentric. It is as though every room has its own personality.

The big living room downstairs is pure cottagecore, warm and cozy with touches of beige, pink, and white, flowers everywhere and enough blankets to survive an apocalypse. The air smells faintly of vanilla and fresh flowers. The kitchen is the complete opposite—modern, all black-and-white surfaces, polished counters, shiny appliances, and a huge American-style fridge. One corridor is entirely marine-themed, decorated with shells and framed ocean prints, carrying the subtle scent of salt and sea breeze from dozens of scented candles.

Taehyun blinks.

"Is this... all your decorating?"

Beomgyu nods.

They eventually reach the staircase.

And god. The stairs alone look expensive enough to buy an apartment.

Dark polished wood curves elegantly upward on both sides, sweeping around a central landing before joining again above them. The railings are intricately carved, the wood warm beneath the afternoon light filtering through the high windows. Paintings line the walls, flowers decorate the space below, and the whole entrance hall looks more like a museum than a house.

There is a pleasant smell everywhere; flowers, tea, old books, wood warmed by sunlight. Nothing sterile. Nothing dusty.

Taehyun stands there for a second, taking it all in.

Then they head upstairs.

To Kai's room.

Beomgyu drops the bags inside and excuses himself, leaving the two of them alone.

The moment he turns to leave, something unpleasant twists in Taehyun's chest.

The feeling is so sudden he almost misses it.

His mind immediately protests. Don't go.

Weird. He barely knows the man. Sure, Beomgyu is beautiful. Interesting. Mysterious. Taehyun wants to know everything about him. But this feeling goes beyond simple curiosity. The room feels different the second Beomgyu steps away, emptier somehow.

For one ridiculous moment, Taehyun nearly calls him back. Instead, he waves goodbye.

A little reluctantly.

Then he steps into the room. The room itself is big, warm, and familiar in a way that immediately screams Kai. It's the corner beside the window that catches his attention first.

His corner?

They prepared a space for him. Taehyun almost tears up.

A small white bed sits neatly against the wall, covered with soft white sheets decorated with little black paw prints trailing across the blanket and pillow. Beside it stands a nightstand with a cat plushie waiting on top, its tiny paws sticking out adorably. There is space left empty too—shelves, drawers, room for his books and belongings.

Room for him.

Slowly, he turns toward Kai, who is smiling gently at him.

"Beomgyu wanted to make sure you'd feel welcome here."

"He picked the furniture himself.", he adds.

Silence.

Then— "You all really do take me for a cat, huh?" Taehyun tries to sound annoyed but ails miserably.

Kai sees right through him immediately. Taehyun is touched. He is just fighting it with all the pride of a cat refusing affection while secretly loving it.

Kai grins.

"Well..." He points at the bed. "Are we wrong?"

Taehyun glares at him on principle, then immediately flops face-first onto the mattress.

It's soft. Very soft.

"...I hate you."

Kai bursts out laughing.

Still sprawled across the bed, Taehyun looks around the rest of the room while Kai drops onto his own mattress with a satisfied sigh.

And honestly, it looks exactly how Taehyun imagined it would.

It is so Kai : soft, warm, cuddly, playful.

Plushies are lined neatly where the bed meets the wall, an entire little army watching over the room. Cute character rugs cover parts of the floor, adding splashes of color beneath their feet. The walls are painted a pale buttery yellow that makes everything feel bright even in winter.

Little lantern lights run along the corners of the room, ready to cast a warm golden glow over everything once the sun goes down. The whole place smells faintly of fabric softener, vanilla, and something sweet Taehyun can't quite identify. It is comforting. Safe. Lived in.

His gaze drifts around the room one last time before settling on the little space prepared for him.

For someone who has only been there a few minutes, he already feels at home.

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For the next few days, it's mostly just having fun around the manor with Kai and getting to know Beomgyu better. Taehyun asks a thousand questions, avid for knowledge as always, and somehow the vampires answer every single one.

Eventually, Taehyun decides he has bugged Kai enough. Besides, Kai is out of the manor for his shift at the cat café, leaving him alone with his future maker.

Naturally, he decides to bug Beomgyu instead, armed with an even longer list of questions.

It's still morning when they take a walk through the rose garden. The air is cold enough to make Taehyun's nose pink, and Beomgyu insists he wears one of Kai's puffer jackets. After all, Taehyun is still human.

The jacket is far too big on him, the sleeves almost swallowing his hands entirely. He looks so small bundled up inside it that Beomgyu accidentally lets out a quiet coo.

Taehyun doesn't know whether to blush, laugh, or get offended.

So he settles for pouting and keeps wearing it anyway.

They stroll lazily through the garden, stopping every so often for Beomgyu to admire a flower or inhale its scent. The air smells softly of roses despite the winter cold, and Taehyun still has absolutely no idea how everything is blooming this time of year.

It's comfortable, easy to be in each other's presence.

The kind of silence that doesn't need to be filled.

The vampire eventually answers the younger man's many questions.

"After turning, and until the newborn phase is over, you will feel everything a hundred times more intensely than before. I think Kai already explained that, but I must emphasize it."

Taehyun immediately perks up.

"A hundred times?"

Beomgyu smiles softly and nods.

"So, for example, if you like someone..."

His fingers brush against the petals of a rose as they walk.

"You might end up loving them."

Taehyun tries very hard not to think about how fitting that example is.

"If you dislike someone slightly, they might irritate you to the point of hating them," Beomgyu continues. "If you dislike... broccoli, for example, you might want to throw up just hearing someone say the word."

Taehyun laughs.

"Yeah, honestly those things are disgusting, they look like tiny trees and it's really disgraceful that they're used as a food ingredient and not as firewood."

Beomgyu chokes a little at that, then laughs out loud, the sound warm and genuine, something Taehyun suspects doesn't happen nearly often enough.

"I suppose you are right," he says, still smiling. "No broccoli tonight then."

Taehyun is yet again completely mesmerized by the man walking beside him.

Today, Beomgyu looks more casual than usual, but no less stunning. He is wearing a cream knit sweater tucked into dark trousers, the soft fabric making him look gentler somehow, less like an ancient vampire and more like... someone Taehyun shouldn't stare at nearly this much.

Dark hair falls messily around his face, shifting with the winter breeze, and his hands disappear halfway into his sleeves whenever he lifts one to absentmindedly touch a rose.

Beautiful.

Dangerously beautiful.

The worst part is that Beomgyu seems entirely unaware of it.

Or maybe he simply doesn't care.

Either way, it should honestly be illegal.

Taehyun drags his gaze back to the path before he gets caught staring again.

Probably.

Hopefully.

Maybe.

A dandelion petal drifts through the air and lands on Taehyun's cheek right as he finishes laughing.

Beomgyu reaches over without thinking and brushes it away.

"Thanks, hyung."

Taehyun immediately blushes and tries very hard not to panic.

Beomgyu only smiles, even though something twists pleasantly inside his chest at how cute the human is.

"So yeah," he says softly. "As I was saying, even a small feeling can become much bigger after turning."

His lips curl into a faint smirk.

"So you should be careful."

Taehyun is so fucked.

Clearly, Beomgyu has an effect on him. Warmth pools low in his stomach whenever he lets himself think a little too hard about it, and every casual touch seems to linger far longer than it should.

And honestly, Taehyun is a little scared of what that might become after the turning.

The bond with the vampire who turns you is always special. Strange. Deeper than usual.

He knows that from books.

What he doesn't know is why the thought of being connected to Beomgyu no longer scares him nearly as much as it should.

As if to pull him back to reality, yet another pretty flower catches his eye and he finally asks,

"What's the deal with those winter beauties, by the way?"

Beomgyu chuckles.

"Special ability."

Taehyun stops walking.

"Some vampire gets a special ability when they turn," Beomgyu explains, his fingers brushing gently against a flower as they continue down the path. "It's random. Mine is being able to make any flower bloom and stay beautiful and healthy regardless of the weather."

He smiles a little.

"Pretty useless, right?"

Taehyun looks at him like he has just declared the sky green.

"Hyung, are you kidding? That's awesome!"

He reaches out and carefully touches the petal of a tiger lily beside him.

"You're so cool, hyung!"

Taehyun beams.

The compliment catches Beomgyu more off guard than it should.

Most people would probably prefer super strength. Mind control. Flight. Something dramatic.

But Taehyun is looking at him as though making flowers bloom is the most incredible thing in the world.

And maybe, just for a second, Beomgyu can almost imagine his own heart beating a little faster.

His last full day before the turning is not nearly as stressful as Taehyun thought it would be.

At this point, there is no doubt left in his mind. He is going through with it.

Not just because he wants to become a vampire anymore, but because of everything that comes with it.

The manor, the flowers. The late-night conversations... The feeling of belonging somewhere. They already behave like a little family, and he couldn't be happier about it.

Kai is also extatic. He's always been close to Taehyun, but now it feels different. Less like a best friend and more like a brother. Someone he can picture beside him decades from now. Centuries, even.

Soon enough, that would become reality.

To Beomgyu's despair, however, they behave exactly like siblings.

Which means they spend at least half of their time causing trouble.

He had even overheard them plotting against him earlier while passing through one of the corridors.

Apparently, Kai's room was no longer sufficient.

The two of them wanted a bigger shared space.

A gym corner for Taehyun. A reading nook. More blankets. An unreasonable amount of plushies.

The list kept growing.

Beomgyu had simply stayed hidden around the corner for a few extra seconds, listening to them whisper as though they were planning a heist instead of redecorating.

"He won't be able to refuse the two of us, Tyun, I'm telling you," Kai whispers dramatically.

Taehyun immediately nods.

"You're right. We have the power of teamwork."

"And cuteness."

"And cuteness."

Beomgyu has to bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing.

"He already has a soft spot for you," Kai continues. "I'll use that to my advantage. I'm sorry."

Taehyun gasps.

"He doesn't ! and you would exploit me like that?"

"I would."

"That's evil."

"I learned from the best."

How endearing.

The little shits.

The worst part is that they're probably right.

If they ask together, he is absolutely going to say yes.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

Taehyun grows increasingly impatient as the hours pass.

Kai stays home with him. Beomgyu too. They had both asked whether there was anything he wanted to do during his last day as a human, but honestly, there wasn't.

Plus, it's not like becoming a vampire will change his life that drastically.

Okay, he will have to drink blood, but in the modern world you can do that without hurting anyone. Human food is still perfectly fine to eat for taste. Yes, his heart will stop, but he will still be alive in some way. The whole garlic thing, sunlight burning vampires, all those old myths are complete bullshit.

He can still live a normal life. Just... longer.

Temperature won't affect him much anymore either, which honestly sounds like an improvement.

He is fine. Mostly.

It's the unknown parts that stress him out. How his body will react. The urges during the first weeks. The newborn phase.

But that will pass too, Kai keeps assuring him.

The day goes by surprisingly quickly, and before he knows it, it is already time for Taehyun's last human dinner.

He chooses fried chicken and hand-cut noodle soup, which Beomgyu has delivered especially for him.

As it turns out, they have another surprise waiting too ; a birthday party.

Nothing huge, just the three of them gathered around the dining table, but Taehyun's chest still tightens when Beomgyu places a cake in front of him.

A cat-shaped cake. Of course. Strawberry and cream flavored. Of course.

"You two are unbelievable," he mutters, already smiling.

Kai looks extremely pleased with himself.

Beomgyu doesn't even try to defend it.

Taehyun turns twenty-six at midnight.

Forever.

The thought should probably be terrifying.

Instead, sitting there between the two vampires while warm food fills the room with comforting smells, it feels strangely right.

The vampires drink their usual glasses of blood, though they both nibble at the food as well to make him feel more at ease.

Taehyun notices. He notices a lot of things these days.

The way Kai keeps checking on him when he thinks nobody is looking ; the way Beomgyu quietly makes sure his favorite foods appear whenever he mentions them.

The way they both keep including him in every little thing without even thinking about it.

He is grateful.

More grateful than he knows how to put into words.

There is music and drinks and laughter, warmth filling the manor in a way Taehyun never expected when he first stepped inside.

It is perfect. He tears up a little when he blows out the candles.

Twenty-six. It feels like saying goodbye to one life so he can embrace another.

A few minutes before midnight, Beomgyu and Kai lead him to another part of the house.

"A surprise?" Taehyun asks.

Kai grins. "Maybe."

Eventually, they stop in front of a door. A room Beomgyu has redecorated especially for him. It connects directly to the master bedroom, separated by a single door.

Taehyun has never seen Beomgyu's room before and has absolutely no idea what it looks like.

The room beside it, however... Is beautiful.

Beomgyu had made it cozy, yet undeniably vampire in the strictest sense of the term; he had made it grand.

After all, Taehyun was fascinated with vampires, and Beomgyu wanted to give him the full experience.

Taehyun entered and immediately stopped in his tracks.

Kai had to squeeze his hand to bring him back to reality.

The room was all dark purples and black, dramatic in the most beautiful way. The walls were covered in deep violet panels and patterned thorn wallpaper, old paintings hanging between them in heavy frames. Golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their soft light reflecting against the dark colors and making everything glow warmly.

And in the middle of the room stood a large bed dressed in black silken sheets, drapes falling around it and dark cushions piled neatly on top. It looked like something straight out of a vampire movie.

Taehyun's mouth was still open.

Beomgyu chuckled.

"I thought about putting a good old coffin," he admitted, sounding genuinely serious for a second, "but honestly I was never a big fan of them, they always gave me the heebie-jeebies."

Kai snorted.

"So I chose a comfortable bed instead."

Taehyun finally looked at him.

"Do you like it?"

The question sounded softer than before.

"It's only for the ceremony," Beomgyu added quietly. "Until you wake up."

Taehyun looked around again, at the paintings, the chandeliers, the bed, the room Beomgyu had made for him.

And his chest suddenly felt very full.

Because Beomgyu hadn't needed to do any of this.

He could have turned him in any room in the manor. Any bed would have worked. The ceremony itself wasn't about decorations or furniture.

Yet Beomgyu had still taken the time to prepare something special. For him.

Taehyun swallowed. "I love it, hyung."

The smile that appeared on Beomgyu's face was small, but somehow it made Taehyun's heart stumble all over itself anyway.

Kai's hand slowly leaves Taehyun's, and instead, Beomgyu gently takes it.

Kai leans closer and presses a soft kiss to his cheek.

"See you soon, brother."

Taehyun turns back toward him and finds nothing but adoration in his eyes. Kai is smiling widely, his own eyes a little humid. Taehyun smiles back, his vision stinging slightly too, and then the door closes behind his future sibling.

He has never been so sure of anything in his life.

Beomgyu gently guides him toward the bed, and Taehyun notices a black silken kimono neatly folded on top of the sheets. He looks at Beomgyu with a questioning expression.

"It will be easier to bite you if you wear this," Beomgyu explains softly, "and you'll be more comfortable during the turning. You might get a little warm."

Taehyun nods. Beomgyu turns toward the wall to give him privacy while he changes.

The room is dimly lit, and everything feels kind of... romantic. He can feel his own breathing quicken while stripping, and the silk feels soft and cool against his warm skin. Rose-scented candles perfume the room, sweet and delicate.

Beomgyu has made all of this for him.

His heart skips another beat.

He immediately shoves the thought away.

Not now.

It is showtime.

A second later, Beomgyu is holding his hand again and gently guiding him toward the bed. One hand comes up to cup his cheek, strong fingers resting softly against his skin, and they get lost in each other's eyes for a second.

"You can lie down now, Taehyunnie."

The nickname almost makes him choke, but he somehow keeps a straight face. The moment feels solemn, not heavy, just... like fate.

Beomgyu kneels beside the bed while Taehyun lies back against the dark sheets. His hair spreads over the silken pillow in a soft halo around his head, and he looks so cute that Beomgyu thinks for a second he might lose his mind.

Taehyun is looking at the ceiling, but Beomgyu brushes his thumb over his cheek again, silently asking for his attention. Taehyun turns his head to look back at him.

And then Beomgyu explains the steps one last time.

Taehyun knows all the basics.

Turning consists of a vampire feeding their venom or blood to a human and, slowly, painfully, the vampire's fluids take over, spreading through the body like poison until it becomes something new. Then the human blacks out, usually from the pain, and boom, changed. Longer canines, sharper eyesight, colder skin, stronger bodies. Faster too.

He knows all of that. Still, he lets Beomgyu explain the ritual since that part is less documented.

"I will bite you, Taehyun," Beomgyu says softly, and there is something almost painful in his beautiful brown eyes. "It will hurt, I won't lie to you."

Taehyun nods.

"I will bite in a few different places," Beomgyu continues quietly, his fingers still resting against Taehyun's cheek. "Places connected to your main arteries, so my venom can spread faster through your bloodstream. It will make the process shorter."

His thumb brushes softly against Taehyun's skin.

"You will suffer for less time."

Taehyun swallows.

The words should scare him.

Instead, all he can focus on is the hand on his face.

Beomgyu caresses his cheek again, gentler this time, soothing.

It works.

Taehyun relaxes a little.

"The venom will take over your blood," Beomgyu continues, his voice low in the candlelit room. "Making it a mix of mine and yours forever."

The silence suddenly feels thick.

"That is our physical link."

His gaze never leaves Taehyun's.

"You will always be a part of me." A pause. "And I will always be part of you."

Taehyun wants that really badly. To be part of Beomgyu.It sounds very, very alluring.

His head spins again, and it feels like his mind is turning into cotton, soft and hazy. Beomgyu seems to notice because he hums softly.

"I made the candles myself," he explains quietly, gesturing toward the candles burning around the room. "Using rose essence from the flowers in the garden. They have properties that help you relax."

Taehyun feels grateful.

Beomgyu is really taking care of him. He has prepared all of this, and he has been so patient despite all the questions, all the nerves, all the uncertainty.

"So, when the venom has spread completely, your heart will stop. You will black out, and when you open your pretty eyes again..."

Beomgyu looks at him so fondly that Taehyun almost forgets how to breathe, the compliment making him blush furiously.

"...you will be reborn as a vampire."

Taehyun smiles back, maybe a little weakly, but wide enough for his dimple to appear, and Beomgyu's mind turns into mush for a second.

He leans down and presses a kiss to Taehyun's forehead.

"We will deal with your baby vampire phase when we get there. That is a problem for future me," he chuckles.

Taehyun laughs softly too.

"Are you ready, my dear?"

Taehyun nods.

"As ready as ever."

And then the clock downstairs finally begins to ring through the manor, the sound echoing softly in the silence of the room. After the first stroke of midnight, Taehyun closes his eyes, the scent of roses surrounding him and Beomgyu's hand still holding his.

The chimes continue to echo through the house, each one bringing him closer to the end of one life and the beginning of another.

When the twelfth and final stroke fades into silence, Beomgyu's thumb brushes gently over his knuckles.

"Happy birthday, my dear."

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

Taehyun keeps his eyes closed, all his other senses suddenly feeling painfully sharp. He can feel Beomgyu leaning over him, the soft rustle of fabric against the sheets, the faint movement of air every time he shifts. One hand gently guides his head to the side, probably to give himself easier access to his neck, to the pulse beating wildly beneath his skin.

And he is right.

Cold, soft lips brush against his neck.

A feather-light touch.

Taehyun shivers. He almost makes a sound at the contact.

The image forming in his mind—Beomgyu above him, hair falling forward, eyes focused only on him—is somehow more heart-stopping than the venom that will soon take over his body.

He clenches his teeth, trying to stay calm.

Beomgyu leans in again, this time pressing another kiss against his warm caramel skin and humming softly near his ear, the vibration traveling through him in a way that makes his head spin. Taehyun thinks he could genuinely lose his mind right there, but sensing the panic beginning to rise, Beomgyu squeezes his hand a little tighter.

Trust me.

It's okay.

Then there is another touch against his skin, and finally, the sharp sting.

Taehyun jolts more from surprise than pain. It hurts, yes, but it is manageable ; maybe it won't be so bad after all.

At first, all he can feel is the strange pull, the sensation unfamiliar and intimate at the same time as Beomgyu gently draws a little of his blood. And then he feels it entering him.

The venom.

And fuck.

That is another story.

Heat blooms from the small wounds and immediately spreads outward, burning beneath his skin as though liquid fire has been poured into his veins. It travels through him mercilessly, following the paths of his blood, unraveling deeper and deeper inside his body.

He gasps.

His breathing turns fast and uneven.

The room smells overwhelmingly of roses.

His fingers tighten around Beomgyu's hand.

He tries not to make too much of a scene.

Tries.

But Beomgyu knows.

So he stops there, then sits on the bed, gently guiding Taehyun until his head rests on his lap. One hand slips into his hair while the other keeps holding his, rocking him softly while murmuring reassuring words that Taehyun can barely process through the haze burning inside him.

Taehyun holds on for dear life.

One hand is fisted into the poor silk sheet, wrinkling it beneath trembling fingers, the other locked tightly with Beomgyu's. He is starting to sweat now, warmth clinging to his skin as the fire spreads deeper and deeper inside him. The silken kimono sticks slightly against his body, his breathing uneven and warm, every exhale coming out shakier than the last.

"It hurts..." he admits weakly.

Beomgyu immediately leans down, brushing damp strands away from his forehead.

"I know, dear," he murmurs softly. "I know."

The room smells overwhelmingly of roses.

Taehyun can feel Beomgyu everywhere; his hand in his, his voice low and close, grounding him while his body feels like it is being remade from the inside out.

He holds on tighter.

Beomgyu presses another kiss to his forehead, then says things Taehyun can barely register through the pain and haze.

"Other side." And: "Make it quick."

Beomgyu is on the other side of the bed in a second.

Taehyun has his eyes open now, blurry with tears, body panting from the heat, and he nods to a question he doesn't even hear properly before Beomgyu leans down again and gets to work on the other side of his neck.

At this point, he barely feels the initial bite anymore.

The venom, though.

That, he feels.

Very much.

He is audibly sobbing now, tears gathered in his eyes but not quite falling yet. It feels like pure torture, the fire spreading deeper and deeper inside him, his whole body burning from within.

But every time he looks at Beomgyu, all he sees is worry. The older vampire looks at him with so much care that Taehyun tries to hold onto it. This is temporary; just one bad moment to endure for an eternity afterward.

He gives Beomgyu a tiny smile.

It probably looks crooked and miserable, but it is the best he can do right now.

Beomgyu's hand immediately moves to pet his hair again.

Talking is out of the question.

His jaw is clenched so hard his whole face hurts.

"Two more, Taehyunnie."

Taehyun barely registers what the vampire says.

"So proud of you."

And then Beomgyu is over him again.

Taehyun gasps in surprise when Beomgyu sits at the edge of the bed and carefully pushes the silken kimono aside, revealing his thigh.

Right, the other main arteries go through there.

Still, his face turns ruby red.

Beomgyu looks up at him for a second, his eyes locked on Taehyun's, and then disappears from his sight as Taehyun feels cold lips against the sensitive skin of his inner thigh.

He shivers. And then—pain.

Taehyun lets out a broken sound, somewhere between a cry and a gasp, when the fangs pierce the soft skin and the venom floods in yet again. The burning immediately spreads through the lower half of his body, hot and merciless, and Beomgyu wastes no time before repeating the treatment on the other side.

At this point, the pain is unbearable.

The pain is so unbearable that Taehyun barely registers the embarrassment anymore, the exposure, the closeness, all of it swallowed by the fire consuming his veins.

His heart is slowing now.

Every beat feels heavier than the last.

And then—

The last thing he sees before everything goes dark, before the venom fully claims his body, is Beomgyu.

Blood stains his lips, a crimson drop slipping down to his chin, his eyes glowing reddish-brown in the dim candlelight.

Beautiful.

Terrifying.

Yet all Taehyun can think is that Beomgyu is looking at him like he is precious.

Like he is something worth protecting.

Something worth keeping.

And then everything turns black.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

Beomgyu hates being the one who has to hurt Taehyun, if only because he is the one inflicting that pain on him.

But he has done it.

The ceremony was quick and went exactly as planned. At least he can take comfort in the fact that Taehyun suffered for the shortest amount of time possible.

Now phase two is proceeding as expected.

After blacking out, Taehyun begins turning.

He is burning up, skin damp with sweat, dark hair sticking to his forehead while the black silk robe shifts a little too much every time he moves, making Beomgyu want to throw himself out the nearest window and reconsider all his life choices.

His blood is changing cell by cell. Beomgyu's venom is replacing it, slowly reshaping him from the inside out. The modifications have already started too, his body adapting little by little to what he is becoming.

It will probably take the whole night.

And Beomgyu hurts just from seeing Taehyun like this, brows pinched in pain even in unconsciousness, body tense from the heat burning through him. He can weirdly feel some of that pain through their growing connection, even if it is muted.

Yet beneath the guilt, beneath the worry, there is something else too.

The promise of having him by his side for eternity.

It feels like bliss.

And Beomgyu is almost ashamed of how happy that thought makes him.

He spends the long hours waiting reminiscing instead.

Well...

Beomgyu had quite literally fallen at first sight when Kai showed him a picture of his new coworker and friend years ago.

It was a simple selfie Taehyun had sent Kai for fun, pulling a ridiculous expression at the camera with his mouth hanging open in exaggerated shock. His hair had been dyed a deep midnight blue back then, falling messily over his forehead and framing wide, expressive eyes. He looked bright. Alive. The kind of person who wore every emotion openly yet kept some parts buried inside his heart.

Something about his gaze immediately caught Beomgyu's attention.

At the time, he told himself it was curiosity.

In hindsight, he had been completely doomed.

He had tried to act uninterested, but thankfully Kai never shut up about Taehyun. Then came the requests to turn him, the endless conversations, the pleading, and when Kai started showing genuine interest in having Taehyun become part of their family, Beomgyu initially resisted, mostly to make sure it wasn't just another passing idea.

It wasn't.

Kai was serious.

So eventually Beomgyu agreed.

And damn, had he prayed every single day afterward for Taehyun not to change his mind.

Three days together had been enough to make the vampire fall even deeper for the younger man.

During those few days, he learns everything he needs to know about who Taehyun is. Not necessarily all the details of his life, but the way he moves through it is enough to capture Beomgyu's attention.

He is playful, yet sensitive and proud. Smart—smarter than many people, honestly—but never condescending. He is curious too, hungry for knowledge, not just about vampires but about everything.

And of course... Beautiful.

Now he is here, lying in front of him, and soon he will wake up and become part of his life. Part of their family.

Beomgyu has already decided that he will court him slowly once the transition period is over, not wanting to take advantage of a needy, clingy, and emotionally overwhelmed newborn vampire. If Taehyun is interested, of course.

Oh, how far he will end up from taking advantage, he doesn't know.

Taehyun has stopped tossing and turning for a few minutes already, which means he will wake up soon. Beomgyu has never stopped watching over him, not even when Kai keeps knocking on the door offering tea, blood milkshakes, company, anything really.

It is his duty, after all.

Taehyun finally looks peaceful now. The caramel tones of his skin have faded slightly, replaced by something paler, but apart from that...

He is still Taehyun.

Pretty all over. Beautiful as ever. Full lips. Long lashes. That round face that makes you want to squish his cheeks and—

And then he opens his eyes.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

It is morning already when Taehyun's body twitches on the bed, his fingers curling into the sheets beneath him, and then he opens his eyes.

He blinks a few times.

The ceiling. The room. The candles burn lower now.

And then everything comes back.

His body doesn't hurt anymore, except for the ache inside his mouth, a throbbing pressure that feels oddly distracting, but the pain from earlier is still vivid in his memory. Turning had been many things—intimate, life-changing—but pleasant is not one of them.

His mind immediately goes to Beomgyu.

The name echoes inside his skull like a need: Beomgyu.

The thought repeats itself.

He needs Beomgyu.

He wants Beomgyu.

He tries to sit up so he can look around and see whether the older vampire is there, but his body moves too fast. The sudden motion sends him face-first into the mattress.

On all fours now, he slowly lifts his head.

And there he is.

Standing in front of the door, looking back at him.

His.

His, his, his, his.

The mantra repeats inside his foggy newborn mind.

His canines throb painfully when their eyes meet and he can feel them, sharper now, longer, pressing against his lips. Something inside him screams to belong, to be close.

So he moves, almost gliding, slow and focused like a predator.

And then he is all over him.

Beomgyu lets out an oof when Taehyun throws himself into him, wrapping both arms around him in an almost bone-crushing embrace.

"Ouch, Taehyun," he chuckles, one hand immediately coming to the back of his head. "Remember, newborns are super strong. Please don't crush my bones."

Taehyun inhales him. Rose and winter air. Home.

He nuzzles helplessly against his neck while Beomgyu runs a hand through his hair.

"Come back to your senses, my dear," the older vampire murmurs. "I don't want to put you in timeout on your first day."

Slowly, reluctantly, Taehyun loosens his grip and looks up.

"Beautiful," he whispers.

And Beomgyu really is beautiful.

Now that he has turned, Taehyun can see even more clearly.

It is like seeing the world in impossible detail for the first time. Every strand of Beomgyu's hair. Every shift in expression. Every tiny movement. The colors look richer, sharper, brighter.

He glances down at his own hands in awe. He feels brand new.

Strong and light at the same time.

Everything inside him buzzes with energy.

It is exhilarating.

When he looks back up, Beomgyu is a blushing mess.

"Feeling great, huh?" he asks, unable to hide his amusement.

Then he smiles.

"Happy rebirth, Taehyunnie."

Beomgyu is happy.

Seeing how Taehyun reacts when he wakes up makes all of it worth it. He seems pleased about the turning; yes, he is a little clumsy right now, but he will learn to control his strength eventually. He is also even more gorgeous than before, especially his eyes.

Newborns are known to get deep crimson eyes, and as the baby vampire phase passes, they slowly return to their original color. Sometimes they turn red again when they are starving or emotionally overwhelmed.

So right now, Taehyun's eyes are very red. Deep, round, and striking.

They suit him far too well, Beomgyu thinks.

He has to stop himself from staring for too long because he could easily get lost in them.

Eventually, Beomgyu calls Kai over to greet Taehyun. The poor vampire has probably been worried sick during the turning and will be relieved to hear that everything went well.

"Kai-ah, come say hi to your baby brother!"

Kai has probably been lurking behind the door the entire time because it takes less than half a second for knocking to be heard. Beomgyu opens the door and Kai practically materializes out of nowhere.

"Taehyun-aaaah! How did it gooooo?" Kai rushes in and wraps Taehyun in a huge hug.

Taehyun immediately goes limp in his arms. He doesn't like it very much; he liked being in Beomgyu's arms more.

Beomgyu frowns.

Taehyun takes it as his cue to awkwardly return the hug.

Beomgyu relaxes. Okay. Good.

Then something happens that absolutely should not have happened, in Taehyun's opinion.

Kai loosens the embrace only to throw his arms around Beomgyu too, congratulating him.

Taehyun stares.

The two vampires are hugging. His vampires.

An unpleasant feeling immediately settles in his chest.

No. Absolutely not. He has no idea why, but he suddenly dislikes this very much.

That was apparently unacceptable. Alarm bells rang inside Taehyun's mind.

"No touch."

Taehyun quite literally hissed, his eyes turning huge and round, the crimson deepening instantly.

The other two vampires froze and slowly looked back at him.

"Uh... what the hell?" Kai blurted out.

Beomgyu blinked. "Wow, okayyy... let's take it easy there."

Taehyun kept staring at Kai, defiance written all over his face.

Kai immediately stepped away from Beomgyu, and Taehyun visibly relaxed, though he still looked ready to pounce.

Beomgyu gently patted Kai's arm and quietly urged him to stay behind him.

"Clearly you can't stay near Kai if you keep that murderous kitten attitude."

The words seemed to break through Taehyun's newborn haze. His eyes widened.

"Oh my god."

He immediately started apologizing to Kai, who was now giggling behind Beomgyu.

"Sorry. I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that."

"Can't say I didn't expect it though," Kai laughed. "Didn't I tell you you'd be a clingy little kitten, Tyun-ah—"

Beomgyu cut him off before he could continue provoking Taehyun, whose eyes were widening by the second, and firmly told Kai to leave the room.

"Congrats, bro!" Kai shouted from the corridor.

The door closed behind him.

Beomgyu had to fight very hard to keep a straight face and not burst out laughing. He needed Taehyun to respect him and listen to him, otherwise this could turn ugly very quickly. Because the baby vampire was already proving to be frighteningly possessive... over him.

And if hissing at Kai after less than five minutes of consciousness was any indication, the newborn phase was going to be a very long few weeks.

After the "incident", Taehyun returns to Beomgyu's arms like he belongs there. Taehyun is almost purring in his embrace. Beomgyu indulges him, but breaks the embrace after a few minutes, making sure Taehyun has returned to his normal self, or as normal as he can be right now.

He explains to the young vampire, "For now, I think you should stay away from Kai unless I'm here to supervise, so you should stay in this room to sleep until you feel less... well. More like yourself."

That is okay with Taehyun. He would much rather stay in Beomgyu's room though, but that is a plan in motion inside his head. The time will come.

Taehyun is not tired. What he is, however, is hungry, a kind of hunger he has never felt before.

Beomgyu seems to notice immediately. He offers his hand.

"Let's go feed you?"

Taehyun nods and follows him.

Holding Beomgyu's hand as a vampire is a lot more stimulating than when he was human. Every brush of skin feels amplified, every little movement of the other's fingers against his own feels absurdly nice. Soft. Comforting. Addicting.

Taehyun is staring at their joined hands one second and then suddenly they are already in the black-and-white kitchen.

"We don't know your preferences yet," Beomgyu explains, "so I think we should start easy. What do you think about synthetic blood?"

That doesn't sound very appealing. Still, Taehyun agrees to try since mentally it sounds much easier to accept than animal blood or human blood.

Beomgyu tries to free his hand to grab a glass and slightly gasps when Taehyun tightens his grip.

"Taehyun, I need... my hand, kinda?" he chuckles.

Taehyun reddens like a tomato, ashamed of his clinginess, but he can't really help it. He wants to be near Beomgyu at all times, and touching him is even better. He lets go reluctantly. Hopefully Beomgyu will be lenient with him and blame it on the newborn vampire hormones. He feels both clear-headed and hazy at the same time, but deep down a little voice keeps telling him his place is by the older vampire's side.

Whatever that means.

Beomgyu grabs a pouch of synthetic blood from the big fridge, pours the thick dark liquid into a glass, and hands it to him. Taehyun gulps, smells the mixture first, then cautiously takes a sip.

He grimaces.

The taste isn't awful but... strange. When it goes down, nausea immediately hits him, though that is probably normal. Beomgyu praises him for doing well, so he keeps going. Gulp after gulp, he finishes the glass. The taste isn't too bad, but his stomach feels a little weak.

"Amazing, Taehyunnie," Beomgyu smiles. "You did so well. I'm proud of you."

Taehyun beams, proudly showing off his brand-new canines. He looks like a kitten again, and the older vampire has to resist the urge to pet his cute little head. Get a grip, Beomgyu.

"Now you should take a shower and change, my dear. You must feel gross after sweating like that," Beomgyu adds, even though the younger smells absolutely delicious to him in that moment. Kind of strange.

Indeed, he is still wearing the black silk robe, and as much as Beomgyu appreciates seeing him in it, the robe wrapped tightly around his slim waist, the neckline hanging slightly open... But all good things have to come to an end. And he should really stop lusting after his new progeny.

Taehyun's comfort comes first.

Taehyun suddenly grows self-conscious. He looks down at himself.

And then he remembers the bites. Almost by reflex, he touches both sides of his neck, searching for the puncture marks, but finds none. He immediately looks disappointed.

Beomgyu notices.

"The marks are gone. Your whole body healed during the turning, Taehyun."

"Why? You wanted to keep them?" he teases.

Taehyun almost chokes on his own saliva.

"N-not at all! That would be weird, ew."

Meanwhile, his mind is screaming the exact opposite.

Fuck yes, I wanted them.

The thought hits him so hard he almost startles himself. It feels like having two personalities inside his head. And honestly, it scares him a little. So he shoves the thought as deep as possible into his now-still heart.

Taehyun is not feeling great at all.

His stomach is still a little upset as Kai leads him upstairs to shower, to the bathroom they have been sharing since Taehyun arrived at the manor. He had tried to argue that he was perfectly capable of showering on his own and did not need babysitting for something as simple as this, but Beomgyu had immediately replied that he was literally a newborn, earning some chuckles from Kai.

Plus, Beomgyu had added that it would be good to have a little time alone with Kai, to get used to each other again after the fiasco from earlier. And Taehyun couldn't argue with that.

Taehyun eventually gives up, especially because Beomgyu looks like he might genuinely be upset if Taehyun refuses. And Taehyun absolutely cannot have Beomgyu upset with him.

Not after everything he has done.

So yeah, shower time.

Kai stays right behind him as they enter the upstairs bathroom. The room is beautiful, matching the luxury of the rest of the manor. The theme there is traditional Japanese, with warm wood everywhere, sliding shoji panels dividing the space, pale stone floors beneath their feet, and a deep soaking bath resting near the large windows. Dried flowers decorate some corners, and the whole room smells faintly of cedar wood and clean linen. It looks more like a private spa than an actual bathroom.

There is still a regular glass shower on the side though, and Taehyun opts for that immediately, wanting to make it quick so they can wash up and go back downstairs. For no particular reason.

Kai turns around while Taehyun unties the robe and lets it slip from his body.

"I'm not looking, perv, don't worry," he laughs.

Taehyun laughs along. He actually misses Kai, and now that they are alone together, he doesn't have those strange possessive thoughts about wanting Beomgyu all to himself. It is nice.

"So, are we gonna talk about what happened?" Kai asks tentatively, though there is a hint of teasing in his voice.

"Nope," Taehyun answers, far too ashamed to even think about it again.

He turns the faucet on and steps under the water. The sensation almost makes him melt. Water on his skin has never felt this good before. He can feel every individual droplet, the warmth sliding through his hair, washing over his scalp, down his shoulders, rinsing away the stress from the turning.

For a few minutes, he is finally alone with himself, well, almost. He lets himself think. He is a vampire. Damn. And honestly? He feels amazing. Apart from his stomach being weird.

Then, out of nowhere, pain explodes inside his stomach and he drops to the slippery floor from the shock. Fire spreads inside him, twisting his insides violently enough to steal his breath.

"Tyun?" Kai immediately calls from outside the shower. "You okay?"

Taehyun tries to answer.

Instead, he gags.

Kai stiffens. The sound of Taehyun throwing up echoes. Privacy immediately stops mattering. Kai turns around, panic rising in his chest, and the sight in front of him makes his blood run cold.

"BEOMGYU!" he screams for the other's help.

Taehyun is collapsed on the shower floor, blood everywhere. It stains the pale tiles beneath him. It looks scary, and Kai is panicked. Taehyun looks bad, really bad, his hands shaking, his lips stained red, more blood keeping on spilling from his mouth while he bends over himself in pain.

Kai drops to his knees beside him without caring that his clothes are getting soaked or stained.

"Taehyun— hey— look at me—"

The bathroom door flies open. Beomgyu is there instantly.

His expression changes immediately. He grabs towels, wraps Taehyun carefully before he can even protest, and lifts him bridal style into his arms, not caring about the blood or water.

Taehyun barely registers the movement. His stomach is still burning. He is out of it.

Kai follows behind them while Beomgyu carries Taehyun straight into his own room next door.

Beomgyu is completely lost; Taehyun had been fine just a few minutes ago.

Now he is throwing up blood and looking sick, dark blue and purple shadows forming under his eyes, sweat beading on his forehead while his whole body trembles from time to time. The room still smells metallic from the synthetic blood, and Beomgyu hates it. He can feel echoes of Taehyun's pain through his own body, and seeing him like this is almost unbearable.

Kai is sitting on the bed next to Taehyun, one hand rubbing circles on his back to soothe him. The vomiting has stopped now, but Taehyun still looks weak and miserable.

And despite everything, despite the panic clawing at his chest, despite Taehyun being sick right in front of him... seeing Kai touch him makes something ugly growl inside Beomgyu.

By instinct, before even thinking, he slaps Kai's hand away from Taehyun's arm.

Kai slowly looks up at him. The icy stare he receives instantly makes Beomgyu realize what he has done.

"Get a grip, hyung," Kai spits. "I'm just trying to help."

It is probably the first time in centuries Beomgyu has lost control like this. Shame immediately crashes over him. His own progeny has to keep him in check.

Taehyun is sick and Kai is just helping. And Beomgyu should be grateful. Instead, he is acting like some possessive idiot over skinship.

"I don't know what got into me, Kai," he blurts out immediately.

Kai's expression softens almost right away.

"It's okay, hyung," he sighs. "I know you're worried for Taehyun."

"Yeah..." His voice sounds weak even to himself.

"I'll go get clothes for him."

Beomgyu moves quickly around the room, opening his own drawers to grab a soft pajama set for Taehyun, a dark green silk set loose enough to be comfortable. He also brings a wet cloth and carefully wipes the blood from Taehyun's lips and chin, his fingers trembling despite himself.

Together, they help Taehyun change. The young vampire looks adorable in the clothes, slightly too big for him.

The younger suddenly seems more present. He slowly inhales the clothes resting against his skin and hums quietly in contentment. Beomgyu freezes. Those are his clothes. Of course they smell like him. He takes a mental note.

They guide Taehyun into a lying position on his side, and both their hearts squeeze at the sight. He looks so small. Beomgyu's bed is huge, and Taehyun looks swallowed by it.

"I'm okay," Taehyun whispers weakly. "I don't know what happened but... now that the blood is out, I feel better..." His eyes water. "I'm sorry for the mess."

Kai immediately slides down to sit on the floor beside the bed so he can pet Taehyun's hair.

"Taehyunnie, you did nothing wrong," he murmurs. "It's gonna be okay."

Beomgyu watches. And behaves himself. Because all he wants is to be there too. To sit close, touch, comfort. But after what happened earlier, he forces himself to stay back.

This is probably the maker-baby vampire bond going crazy on his side too. When he turned Kai, nothing like this happened, but maybe it just depends on the person. Yeah. That has to be it. So he chews on his lip until it hurts and digs his nails into his palms while Kai gently fusses over Taehyun.

Before leaving his own room, he looks back one last time.

"Rest, Taehyunnie. I'll come check on you later."

His eyes shift to Kai.

"Kai... report to me if anything happens."

And then he leaves.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

Beomgyu is worried. Scratch that, he is terrified, this is not normal.

The blood rejection has already put him on edge, but now that he has a second to think while standing in the kitchen, more things start connecting in his head, and he hates every conclusion his mind offers him.

Taehyun has reacted way too strongly to his scent, to his clothes, to his touch. The possessiveness. The neediness. The way he practically glued himself to Beomgyu after waking up. And the worst part is that Beomgyu has felt it too. The jealousy. The irrational urge to keep Taehyun close. The discomfort of seeing Kai touch him. Maker bonds exist, yes, but not like this. Not this fast. Not this intense.

Before he can spiral any further, Kai comes back downstairs with Taehyun, and damn, the younger looks awful.

He is pale, his eyes glowing an unsettling crimson, one hand pressed against his stomach while he sits weakly at the kitchen island.

He is starving.

"Maybe you're allergic to the synthetic blood?" Kai suggests. "Let's try animal blood. You're weakening by the minute."

It makes sense. Some vampires have preferences after all.

Beomgyu pours a glass of animal blood so fast he almost drops it and hands it to Taehyun. The younger obediently takes a sip with a trembling hand, only to throw it up immediately this time.

The blood splatters all over the beautiful white and gray marble counter.

Silence falls in the kitchen.

Taehyun slowly lifts his head.

His eyes are glowing. Too red. Too bright. Almost feral.

"I'm so hungry," he whines. "But this hurts so much too."

Beomgyu feels his stomach drop as the young vampire's shiny orbs look right into his eyes.

Feeding during the first six hours after turning is primordial for newborns, and Taehyun has already passed what? Two? Three? No wonder he feels awful.

Panic becomes very real.

"Human blood," Beomgyu says immediately. "Try human blood."

Kai looks at him sharply, but neither of them argues. They are running out of options.

Beomgyu prepares a glass for him without hesitation. The metallic scent instantly fills the kitchen and Taehyun looks up, his eyes widening for a second. Hope blooms in Beomgyu's chest.

Then Taehyun drinks. And throws up again, this time onto the floor. Kai barely has time to grab him before he falls from his seat.

Now they are truly afraid.

Taehyun has been moved to the living room, curled up on the sofa and crying from pain, shaking while clutching his stomach. Kai sits next to him, rubbing his back, while Beomgyu stands nearby, frozen with helplessness.

Between sobs, Taehyun manages to speak.

"Hum... we learned... about rare cases... in class..." Both vampires look at him immediately.

Taehyun swallows. "There are some newborns that reject blood because their body needs something else..."

The room goes silent. And suddenly Beomgyu has a horrible feeling about where this is going.

Taehyun, still shaking and curled into himself on the sofa, tries to explain between uneven breaths.

"So you know how bonded vampires... mates, as they're sometimes called, soulmates..." he starts, only to flinch when his eyes meet Beomgyu's. "Well... they can only drink from each other, right? Any other kind of sustenance gets rejected by the body."

Kai lets out a surprised sound.

"But... Taehyun..." His eyes bounce from him to Beomgyu and back again. "You don't mean...? You guys aren't bonded, right? There's a whole process to become mated. You did none of that."

Beomgyu has gone completely still.

"Of course not," he says immediately. "He just turned. How could that even be possible?"

Taehyun swallows painfully. He can't help feeling rejected for a brief second.

"In the case we talked about in class... and there has only ever been one recorded instance in history..." He takes another shaky breath. "If both the vampire and the person turning have already fallen for each other, but haven't consumed or explored the bond..." Kai's mouth drops open while Beomgyu looks one second away from combusting. "Meaning... expressing it physically," Kai coughs loudly, "or at least admitting it out loud..."

Taehyun looks back at Beomgyu, biting his lip in embarrassment.

"Then the turning makes everything heightened and more intense, and it acts as a seal for the bond. The two vampires become mated through the process."

Silence falls over the room. Taehyun shrinks into himself a little more.

"So... hum... this could explain why I can't drink anything except..." He swallows. "Except from the vampire I'm linked to..."

Both Kai and Taehyun slowly turn toward Beomgyu.

The older vampire looks stunned. "So it wasn't just in my head..." he mumbles quietly.

Taehyun wants the ground to open and swallow him whole; the look Beomgyu is giving him makes his stomach flip.

There is possessiveness there. Relief. Something painfully tender.

Kai, meanwhile, looks openly delighted. "So my plan did work, you were already pining for each other before the turning—"

"Ow! Beomgyu, what was that for?"

"Well, now it's not a secret anymore, is it?" Kai laughs, rubbing his arm.

Then he beams at the two of them. "Aren't you happy we found a solution to Taehyun's feeding issue?"

And honestly... yes. Relief washes over all three of them.

"Wait, wait." Beomgyu looks between the two of them, his face slowly losing whatever color the vampire still had. "Bonded vampires only feed from each other so... I can only feed on... Taehyun???"

He sits down so abruptly the sofa creaks under him.

Oh no. This is bad, very bad.

This was never supposed to happen, especially not with a newborn vampire whose emotions and instincts are already heightened to impossible levels.Beomgyu is fucked. He is supposed to behave, take care of Taehyun properly, and absolutely not take advantage of him in any way. And now here they are, bonded, mated, and obliged to feed on each other.

Kai speaks carefully, trying not to send Beomgyu into an even worse spiral.

"You should maybe try some blood too, hyung? Just to verify the theory..."

"Right, yeah. Right. Good idea."

Taehyun is fully crying now, his chest aching painfully from both the hunger and the rejection twisting inside him. Beomgyu clearly hates the idea of being linked to him in any way; the look on his face says more than words ever could. He looks horrified. Trapped. Like this is the worst thing that could have happened to him.

The thoughts come faster and faster.

Of course Beomgyu doesn't want this. Why would he?

Taehyun has been in his house for less than a week and somehow managed to ruin his entire life.

He wants to disappear. No, worse. He wants to go back in time and stop all of this before it ever happens. The bond. The turning. The feelings. Everything.

His stomach twists violently again. Tears keep running down his face and he wipes at them angrily, humiliated by how pathetic he must look right now. Starving. Crying. Sick. Bonded to someone who clearly wishes he wasn't.

Beomgyu gets up immediately and rushes to the kitchen, moving so fast he completely misses the devastated look crossing Taehyun's face at how quickly he leaves. He practically rips the fridge open, grabs a blood bag, and drinks straight from it.

The taste is normal. Good. Relief instantly spreads through him.

"Guys, the blood is no issue so this isn't—"

His smile vanishes. A second later, he doubles over and throws up all over the flower-patterned carpet in the living room.

Beomgyu slowly raises his head.

Kai is staring with his mouth hanging open.

Fuck.

Kai is the first to move, rushing to clean everything up while Beomgyu is stunned, sitting on the flood completely lost in thoughts.

"Okay, so that's bad." Kai murmurs.

"Very observant," Beomgyu mutters.

Kai ignores him and looks between the two of them.

"So..."

"So?" Beomgyu echoes weakly.

"So if Taehyun rejects every blood except yours..." Kai points toward Taehyun.

Then toward Beomgyu.

"And you reject every blood except his..."

The silence that follows is somehow even worse.

Beomgyu slowly stands up. Taehyun suddenly finds the pillows of the sofa fascinating.

"Oh."

"Oh," Kai agrees.

Nobody knows what to do with that information.

Taehyun's stomach growls loudly enough to break the tension. The sound is miserable.

All three of them look down at his stomach.The reality of the situation settles over the room like a brick.

Taehyun is starving. Beomgyu will be starving at some point.

And apparently they are each other's only solution.

Taehyun looks worse by the second now, paler, curled into himself on the sofa while nervously fidgeting with his own fingers.

When his eyes find Beomgyu's, they look so sad the older vampire immediately feels uneasy.

"I know you're not delighted by the situation..." Taehyun says quietly. "But I don't want to die..." His voice shakes and he lowers his gaze to his hands. "I... I can understand if you can't accept the bond, I'll respect your choice, hyung..."

Beomgyu is kneeling in front of him in half a second.

One hand cups Taehyun's face before he can even think about it, and then it hits him all at once. The bond. The rejection. The hurt. The sadness. It crashes into him like a dark wave, so intense it steals the air from his lungs. Right. Bonded vampires feel each other. He gently caresses Taehyun's cheekbone, his thumb brushing beneath his eye while lifting his chin so he will look at him again. And the sight absolutely devastates him. Big teary eyes, bitten lips, that sweet face all crumpled by sadness.

"Why would you say that, my dear?" he whispers, his voice thick with worry.

Taehyun looks away. "You... you ran to the kitchen to try the blood, like you couldn't wait to make sure we weren't bonded and I..." His voice breaks. "I thought..."

The tears come and Beomgyu's heart breaks clean in two.

He immediately pulls Taehyun against him, pressing a kiss to his cheek before wrapping him in a tight embrace. One hand cradles the back of his head while the other rubs slow circles into his back, gently rocking them together. He needs Taehyun close, needs him to feel his sincerity through every little touch.

"No, Taehyun, no, not at all. Listen to me," he murmurs into his hair.

"I care about you so much. I just wanted to make sure, to protect you. It's my job as your maker to guide you through this and... the bond scared me because I'm supposed to take care of you and now..." He swallows.

"Now I'll have to feed on you when you're vulnerable. You're a newborn, and I never wanted there to be any imbalance between us. I never wanted you to feel trapped."

During all this, Taehyun only holds him tighter, clinging to him like he needs Beomgyu to exist.

Slowly they break the embrace and finally look at each other properly again, and oh, Beomgyu's heart shatters all over. Taehyun still has tears in his eyes, but there is also a small smile on his face now, sweet and trusting despite everything. It makes Beomgyu want impossible things. To kiss him all over, to keep him forever, to never let him look hurt again. Well... they already belong to each other now. Semantics. He is really going to have to be inhumanely strong to resist those lips.

"Hyung..." Taehyun whispers softly. "I really thought you were rejecting me..."

Kai almost wants to make a gagging sound, but the moment suddenly feels way too sacred to ruin, so he simply slips away and leaves them alone. They surely have a lot to talk about and, more importantly, they need each other right now.

He goes upstairs to his and Taehyun's room and immediately gets to work. Or well... Taehyun's former room. Bonded vampires need each other, newborns also need their maker, so honestly this is the best way to go about it.

Kai finally lets out the breath he has been holding since the shower incident. Taehyun is going to be okay. Beomgyu is going to be okay. And he knows better than to insert himself in the middle of a bond this strong.

He transfers all of Taehyun's clothes into Beomgyu's wardrobe, arranging everything neatly between the older vampire's things. Then he moves all the shower and beauty products into Beomgyu's private bathroom, smiling to himself at the absurd number of bottles the younger owns.

"Tyun-ah, are you opening a cosmetics store or what..." he mutters fondly.

The cat plushie is carefully placed next to Beomgyu's pillow, and Kai steps back to admire his work. His eyes then land on Beomgyu's giant king-size bed.

A smirk slowly appears on his face.

He does not move the young vampire's bed; they can just share that one.

Internally chuckling, he admires his own genius. That bed is gigantic, practically a continent. Plenty of room.

Absolutely no reason to move anything.

He leaves the room looking far too pleased with himself and decides he is going to head to the cat café to leave the two others alone.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

Taehyun and Beomgyu are okay. Taehyun is reassured that he is not unwanted, and Beomgyu has come to terms with their bond.

They have talked about it and accepted the fact that they have to feed from each other, and that the sooner it happens, the better it will be for Taehyun, so the bedroom seems like the most comfortable place to... get down to it.

So now here they are upstairs, alone in Beomgyu's bedroom. Kai has left a note before disappearing, basically gifting them the privacy they need for that first feeding together. There is even a stupid little wink drawn at the end, and Beomgyu makes a mental note to make him pay for his insolence later, crushing the poor paper in his fist like he wants to do with his progeny's smug smile.

"Taehyunnie..." He clears his throat awkwardly, pacing around the room. "Not that I want to pressure you, but... we only have a few more hours to make you feed."

Taehyun barely hears him at first, his eyes catching on something else: the plushie on the bed, the drawer half-open with his clothes inside...

Compliments of Kai, obviously.

The smart-ass.

Still, it makes things easier, and he is grateful.

He sits on the edge of the huge bed, his feet barely touching the floor because of how high it is. It is soft beneath him. The entire room screams cozy luxury. Even in his weakened state, Taehyun finds himself looking around in awe while Beomgyu walks back and forth, probably trying not to think too hard about what is coming.

The room looks like something taken straight out of an old royal portrait. Heavy burgundy curtains frame the massive canopy bed, ivory drapes falling around it like silk waterfalls, tied with crimson cords and tassels. The bed itself looks almost sinful, all dark polished wood and black leather details softened by red sheets and mountains of cushions. Warm amber lamps glow on each side, bathing everything in honey-colored light that reflects off the dark furniture. There are old paintings on the walls, gilded frames, thick carpets underfoot, books stacked on a dresser, candles that still carry the faint scent of roses and cedar. Grand and intimidating at first glance, yet strangely cozy once inside.

It feels like Beomgyu. Beautiful. Old. Dangerous. But warm.

Taehyun looks at the bed again, then at Beomgyu pacing. Then back at the bed.

His cheeks heat a little.

Right.

Feeding.

Beomgyu makes sure Taehyun is feeling cozy and clean, wiping his face carefully with a warm wet cloth. Then he tells him to get comfortable among the pillows and that he will join him after a quick shower, which Taehyun obediently does. The older vampire disappears into the bathroom and rushes through it faster than he probably ever has. He wants Taehyun's first feed to happen in the best way possible. After all, both of them have already thrown up blood today and the whole situation has been stressful enough. Taehyun deserves something gentle after all that.

He smiles to himself while rinsing his hair.

His Taehyun.

Officially.

They have still barely talked about everything that has happened, but time is of the essence. About the bond. About the fact they are bonded. Bonded. Beomgyu, who long ago gave up on finding someone to walk eternity with, suddenly has someone handed to him by fate itself. The timing is messy, the circumstances insane, but he has fallen hard and fast anyway. He never imagined Taehyun could possibly feel the same.

And yet here they are.

He steps out of the shower before his thoughts can spiral any further, pulling on a loose black V-neck shirt and black pajama shorts, matching Taehyun in the "comfortable clothes" department. He even sprays the faintest touch of body mist out of habit.

When he leaves the bathroom, he finds Taehyun half asleep against the mountain of pillows, and the sight almost stops him in place. The younger looks soft in the oversized pajamas, his hair messy, eyes heavy with exhaustion, cheeks still pale from everything he has endured. The warm light from the bedside lamps paints gold across his skin, and Beomgyu's stupid heart immediately forgets how to function.

Pretty. Beautiful. Cute. Alluring.

Looking so—

Nope," he whispers to himself immediately. "Absolutely not. Stop that this instant, you stupid horny bloodsucker. This is about feeding Taehyun and making sure he survives. Survival. Medical procedure. Very serious."

Taehyun's head rests against the fluffy pillows and he welcomes him with the smallest smile, barely there, sleepy and soft enough to make Beomgyu feel personally attacked. It is only half a smile and somehow he already wonders how he is supposed to survive a full one.

Drawn like a moth to a flame, he sits beside him and gently brushes his fingers over Taehyun's cheek. His thumb traces the hint of the dimple forming there and he lets out the tiniest awww before he can stop himself.

Taehyun's eyes flutter open a little more.

"Hyung?" he murmurs sleepily.

Beomgyu's chest melts.

"Yeah, my dear," he answers quietly. "I'm here."

"I feel sleepy, mmmh..." Taehyun murmurs, his voice soft and heavy with exhaustion.

Beomgyu feels his resolve wobble immediately but forces himself to stay grounded for the both of them. He sits closer, brushing Taehyun's hair away from his forehead, his fingers lingering there for a second too long.

"My dear, you have to feed," he says gently. "You're feeling weak because you need blood, remember? You'll feel better after, I promise, but let me warn you again—"

Taehyun cuts him off with a sleepy pout.

"The desire that comes with feeding, yes yes, I know," he mumbles. "I promise I'll stop after taking what I need, hyung. I can control myself. Both the hunger and, hum... the other physical urges."

Beomgyu hums softly, but deep down he already knows Taehyun is overestimating himself. Newborns are emotional enough as it is, and this situation is... special. Different. The bond is already making everything more intense than it should be.

He draws a quiet breath and braces himself.

"Okay then," he says softly. "Just... remember you're going to be stronger than me after feeding, and your emotions are all over the place. You might feel things very intensely while feeding. Everything gets amplified." His hand finds Taehyun's again, his thumb brushing over his knuckles. "So whatever happens, don't panic. It doesn't mean something is wrong."

Taehyun looks up at him through sleepy eyes.

"And you?" he whispers.

Beomgyu smiles, small and fond.

"I'll be fine. I'll feed right after you. You are the priority," he lies immediately.

Because sitting here with Taehyun in his room, on his bed, bonded and looking at him like that while the younger trusts him completely...

Yeah.

Beomgyu absolutely is not fine.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

"Now relax, my dear. As the need to feed comes, your fangs will grow a little more and then you just have to bite and drink. It will be pure instinct. I'll stop you if you take too much. All good?"

"Yes, hyung, okay." Taehyun sits up on the bed to face him, both of them cross-legged now. Beomgyu gives him a small nod and silently lets him start.

Taehyun is overstimulated. He feels weak, exhausted even, and yet hyperaware of everything around him, every sound, every movement, every shift of fabric, but most of all Beomgyu sitting in front of him.

The older vampire tilts his head slightly to the side and Taehyun slowly leans in. As he does, the scent hits him. Tangerine. Wood. It goes straight to his head, making him feel almost drunk. His fangs grow exactly like Beomgyu warned him they would. It hurts. God, it hurts, and he suddenly needs to bury them into something soft now. His head spins and before he can even think, he dives in.

The sensation is maddening.

He barely registers moving, only suddenly realizing Beomgyu has fallen backwards onto the bed beneath him while his fangs sit perfectly in the older vampire's neck. Was he the one who pushed him? He couldn't care less right now.

The blood hits his tongue and Taehyun thinks he might lose his mind. It tastes like heaven. Warm, rich, addictive. He feels it filling him, strength slamming back into his body in violent waves, every cell waking up again. Somewhere in the distance he vaguely feels hands pushing at him, hears noises, voices maybe, but he needs more.

Then he hears yelling. Taehyun jerks back so violently the haze shatters instantly.

Beomgyu is beneath him, dark blood running down his neck and over his pale skin, staining his collarbones, his shirt, even his face. Taehyun looks down at his own trembling hands and finds dark spatters there too.

Oh my god.

How much blood did I take?

Panic swallows him whole.

But the worst part... seeing Beomgyu like this does something awful to him. Blood on his skin, eyes glowing crimson, lips parted—heat slams through Taehyun alongside the guilt, and shame crashes right after. What the hell is wrong with him?

Before he can spiral further, Beomgyu is next to him again, concern written all over his face despite the mess, his beautiful red eyes fixed only on Taehyun. The younger's thoughts betray him again for half a second and he almost wants the earth to swallow him whole.

Beomgyu grabs his hand. The touch grounds him instantly.

"You're okay and I'm okay," he says softly but firmly. "Taehyun? Look at me."

Taehyun does.

"I'm not hurt. It's okay. Repeat after me."

Taehyun swallows.

"I'm okay... and you're okay."

Again.

"I'm okay and you're okay."

Slowly, painfully slowly, the room comes back into focus.

"So... do you feel better now?" Beomgyu asks after a few minutes of comfortable silence. "No throwing up?"

"No, I feel great actually, like I'm finally... complete? I feel power, I feel... everything. I can smell your hair and I see every one of your eyelashes so clearly," Taehyun says as he crawls toward Beomgyu, his fingers brushing his nose, his ear, before stopping at the side of his neck. "It's all thanks to your blood, hyung."

Taehyun feels hot. A bit too hot for someone who is supposed to be dead. His head spins again and his body starts moving faster than his thoughts.

More.

More.

He craves to feel it again. Beomgyu's blood. Beomgyu's presence.

"Taehyun, stay with me, please," Beomgyu says softly, worry slipping into his voice. "Don't let it control you."

But it is too late.

Taehyun is looking at him like a starving man, and not in a cute way.

"Taehyunnie?" he says tentatively, trying to snap the younger out of his haze.

But Taehyun is already in his personal space; his eyes are glowing red again, the irises swirling with shades of ruby this time.

"Just don't move, hyung. I'll be quick and I'll stop fast this time, I swear. You like it."

And Beomgyu can't move anymore. He can barely talk.

This time he is so fucked.

Just before, when Taehyun was feeding from his neck and not hearing him when he told him to stop, Beomgyu had already thought it was far too easy to let it happen. Far too easy to enjoy it. And thank god Taehyun had stopped before Beomgyu completely forgot himself.

This time, he never gave permission.

Yet he feels Taehyun's fangs pierce his collarbone and instinctively his body relaxes beneath him. Every warning bell in his head is ringing. He should stop this. He should move. He should push Taehyun away and make him calm down first.

He doesn't. He can't.

He can feel himself giving in, letting Taehyun pin him down against the bed, letting him take what he needs. His body keeps insisting that everything is fine. Good, even. That he should stop worrying and simply trust him.

Just trust him. Just stay still.

What the fuck is happening to him?

Taehyun is holding him down on the bed, taking big gulps of blood, making quiet purr-like noises as he feeds happily. Beomgyu's head feels light, his thoughts slow and heavy, every attempt to regain control slipping through his fingers. The strangest part is that he doesn't want it to stop.

Then it does.

And then Taehyun suddenly lifts his head and their eyes meet.

The glow is gone.

No more strange spiral of crimson, just Taehyun again.

And he's wide-eyed, looking like he's just woken up from a bad dream.

Beomgyu knows the younger is going to come crashing down from his high any second now, feel ashamed for letting it happen, so he acts quickly, reassuring Taehyun that everything is fine again.

But one thing worries him : the thing his eyes did. The way Beomgyu physically could not move after Taehyun told him not to.

And then he gets it. The talent.

The special ability acquired after awakening. Could it really be that? Because if it is, everyone is absolutely doomed, especially him.

It is already hard enough to resist the big doe eyes. If on top of that he has some kind of persuasion ability...

"Taehyun-ah, hyung is fine but," he says carefully, brushing some hair away from the younger's face, "do you know what happened with your eyes? Do you remember anything?"

Taehyun bites his lip and looks up at him, embarrassment written all over his face.

“I don’t know, hyung… I just had a really strong desire for... something, so I asked for it and it felt like my eyes were tingling, and I just knew what I asked would happen.” His expression suddenly drops in horror again. “Oh my god, hyung, I force-fed on you, didn’t I???”

Right on cue, they hear the front door close and Kai's voice echo through the house.

"Are you guys done having fun up there?" he yells playfully.

Taehyun immediately takes the opportunity to rush downstairs, followed by a completely shaken Beomgyu. They had been having a serious conversation and suddenly Taehyun was gone.

"Kai-ah, I molested Beomgyu hyunggggg!" Taehyun cries dramatically as he launches himself straight into Kai's arms, tears already streaming down his face.

"Excuse me???" Kai blurts out, looking deeply confused, while behind him Beomgyu facepalms so hard he almost wants to disappear into the floor.

"I DIDN'T MEAN TO!" Taehyun wails. "I was feeding and then I climbed on him and then there was blood and then I told him not to move and he didn't and then I—"

"STOP TALKING." Beomgyu mumbles into his teeths.

"I'M CONFESSING MY CRIMES."

It really is like Taehyun has developed a second personality. Baby vampire problems, right?

"So, hum..." Beomgyu starts awkwardly while trying not to stare too hard at how comfortably Taehyun fits in Kai's arms. "It seems Taehyun here present has a special ability..." His expression visibly twitches in annoyance at the embrace, but he forces himself to let it go. "Power of persuasion. And it's apparently very efficient."

He points at the dark blood now dried on his neck.

Kai's eyes slowly widen.

"...How efficient?"

Beomgyu stares at him.

Kai stares back.

"Oh."

Baby vampires can usually only process one or two emotions at a time and everything gets heightened to an absurd degree, so right now Taehyun has apparently switched straight into playful affection mode. He is giggling in Kai's arms, rubbing himself against the younger vampire's chest like an oversized cat.

"You smell like the kitties, Kai," he hums happily. "I miss Sweet Potato... please hug him for me tomorrow?"

Kai immediately melts. "Of course I will."

"Tell him I love him."

"I will."

"Tell him his dad misses him."

"I'll tell him."

Honestly, Kai is completely charmed and amused by this new "in touch with his emotions" version of Taehyun. But also, what he just heard is kind of alarming.

"Taehyunnie..." Kai says carefully after a moment. "You didn't make hyung do things he shouldn't, right?"

Taehyun doesn't stop rubbing against him, but the movement slows a little, becoming more calculated. Slowly, he lifts his head and looks into Kai's eyes.

"Mmmh... I fed on him a bit too much, but he said it was fine after..." Kai raises an eyebrow at him, and that is enough to send the newborn into an entirely different headspace.

Beomgyu instantly feels the shift through the bond. The confusion. The hurt. And then the anger. Fast. Way too fast.

"Kai looked at me like I'm disgusting," Taehyun says in absolute horror as he slips out of Kai's embrace abruptly.

He stands there wide-eyed in the middle of the living room, between the two older vampires who honestly have no idea what to do with him anymore. Then suddenly, dramatically, he drops to his knees on the carpet like his entire life has just ended.

Somehow, Beomgyu instantly knows he has to take this seriously.

Kai absolutely does not.

"Taehyun, it's really not—" Kai starts, already walking toward him with a sigh, extending a hand to help him up.

But the young vampire suddenly springs back onto his feet at terrifying newborn speed, slaps Kai's hand away, bares his little fangs, and hisses with genuine offense.

"I HATE YOU! I'm .. goinf to MY room"

And then he literally sprints upstairs.

The two vampires stay frozen in place for about three seconds after he disappears.

Then Kai snorts.

Beomgyu bites his lip.

And suddenly both of them are shaking with silent laughter, trying so hard not to laugh too loudly because if Taehyun hears them, they are both absolutely dead.

"No but seriously," Beomgyu whispers between giggles, one hand over his mouth, "how does he keep getting cuter? Did you SEE the little hiss?? And the tiny fangs out like this—" He demonstrates badly with his fingers before breaking again. "I can't do this, Kai, I swear."

"I told you he was cute, hyung," Kai says proudly, also wheezing now.

Beomgyu nods immediately, looking genuinely fond despite himself.

"For real. Adorable."

They calm down for a second before Kai starts laughing again out of nowhere.

"The way he dropped to his knees like the world ended—"

"KAI."

"I'm serious! He looked betrayed! It was just an eyebrow raise, damn."

That sends Beomgyu right back into another laughing fit.

Eventually he wipes under his eyes dramatically.

"Well," he sighs fondly, "I better go check on the raging street cat before he destroys my room. I guess that's what he meant when he said "my" room I would bet on it."

Kai grins. "Good luck. I'm so out."

Beomgyu points at him while walking toward the stairs. "Also, Kai? Thank you for not being like this when I turned you. You were such a perfect newborn. Calm, polite, well-behaved. Not..." He gestures vaguely upstairs. "...whatever this creature is."

Kai gasps in fake offense. "Excuse you, Taehyun is doing his best."

"He just declared eternal hatred because you looked at him funny."

"And honestly? Valid reaction."

They burst out laughing one last time before Beomgyu finally heads upstairs to deal with his furious little kitten.

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︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

As Beomgyu finds him in his room just like he bet, Taehyun is asleep in the middle of the gigantic bed, completely lost amongst the dark sheets and silk pillows like a tiny abandoned cat. His dried tears still stain his cheeks a little, his lashes stuck together prettily, and Beomgyu feels his undead heart ache at the sight.

Even after the chaos downstairs, even after the possessiveness and crying and dramatic "I hate you," all he can think is cute. So unbearably cute.

And terrifyingly precious to him already.

He decides against waking him up. The poor thing has probably exhausted himself mentally; newborn emotions are brutal enough on their own without adding a fresh bond on top of it. So instead, he quickly cleans the blood on his neck and simply slips under the covers beside him carefully, trying not to disturb him, and sleep comes easy.

When he wakes up again, the first thing he notices is hunger. Violent hunger.

His eyes snap open, red flashing for half a second before settling, and then he realizes Taehyun is already awake beside him.

The younger vampire is lying on his side facing him, very still, his eyes wide open in the dim room. The chandeliers are off now, only faint winter daylight slipping through the curtains.

The moment their eyes meet, Taehyun visibly relaxes.

"Hi," he whispers sleepily.

Beomgyu almost melts on the spot.

"Hi yourself," he murmurs back, his voice rough from hunger and sleep.

For a few seconds neither of them moves. They just stare at each other in the quiet room, tangled in warmth and sheets and the strange intimacy of waking up together after everything that happened. Then Taehyun scoots closer without even seeming to realize he's doing it, until his forehead is almost touching Beomgyu's shoulder.

And fuck.

The scent of him this close after bonding is dangerous.

Beomgyu inhales sharply through his nose while Taehyun blinks up at him innocently.

"Hyung," he says quietly, "you're hungry."

Beomgyu can't deny that fact. He is hungry. Very hungry. Yet the idea of feeding from Taehyun makes him nervous in a way he hasn't felt in decades. Feeding is intimate enough already, but this... this is different. The two of them finally drinking from each other will strengthen the bond even more, tie them together more deeply than they already are. And Beomgyu knows himself well enough to understand how dangerous that could be.

He has perfect self-control when feeding, regardless of the type of blood. Human, synthetic, animal, it never matters. But soulmate blood? Bonded blood? He already knows it will feel a hundred times better than anything he has ever experienced before.

And Taehyun knows it too now.

He has already felt the rush earlier, the pleasure mixed into the hunger, the way feeding can affect the body and mind at the same time. Beomgyu still remembers the flushed look on his face afterward, the confusion, the heat.

What if Taehyun gets overwhelmed again?

What if he uses that strange eye trick without meaning to?

What if Beomgyu himself loses control?

Not because wanting each other is wrong. Honestly, at this point it feels like the most natural thing in the world. But everything has happened so fast already. Turning, bonding, feeding. Beomgyu doesn't want Taehyun's first days as a vampire to become a blur of instincts and impulses they might not be ready for yet.

So despite the hunger clawing at his throat, he gently cups Taehyun's cheek and sighs softly.

"We're going to have to be careful, my dear."

The older vampire slowly approaches his mate. Taehyun opens a few buttons of his pajama top for better access and Beomgyu already feels his face warming. Taehyun is simply so trusting, so willing to place himself in Beomgyu's care. Pliant and ready.

The younger remains lying on the bed while Beomgyu settles beside him, carefully letting his lips brush against the warm skin of his neck.

Beomgyu's world blurs the second he tastes Taehyun's blood. The younger doesn't peep next to him. The sensation is unreal, the blood is addictive enough to make his head spin, but despite the hunger clawing at him, he still kept control somehow, his care for Taehyun stronger than the instinct to simply take and take.

At least until Taehyun suddenly switches their positions.

In one movement he pushed Beomgyu s body into the soft matress, climbing onto his lap, straddling him while the older vampire’s hands instantly grip his waist in shock, and his cock twitches in his very thin pijama pants.

A low sound escapes Taehyun's throat when he feels Beomgyu growing hard against his ass, and he can't help but press them closer, wanting to feel more of him.

Taehyun," Beomgyu tries to warn gently, attempting to pull back enough to think, but the younger only holds on tighter, making Beomgyu keep choking on his neck.

His newborn instincts are spiraling again.

"Beomgyu... hyung..." Taehyun whispers shakily near his ear, almost desperate. "Need..."

Fuck, this is dangerous. He is getting lightheaded from the intoxicating blood and overwhelmed by his mate's needs, which he can feel deep within himself through the bond.

Beomgyu's fingertips dig into Taehyun's small waist, and the younger finally allows him enough space to pull back, pushing against Beomgyu's firm chest.

The view wrecks Beomgyu: he sees ruffled orange hair sticking to the young vampire's forehead, eyes blown wide and pleading, shiny lips parted around uneven breaths. Beomgyu could feel the bond screaming between them; and to put the final nail in the coffin of his self-control, he can feel Taehyun's penis painfully hard and heavy against own stomach, impossible to ignore.

“Your teeth hurt so good,” Taehyun murmurs, voice wrecked. “Mine hurt too, Beomie… please…”

Beomgyu closes his eyes for one terrible second, gripping Taehyun’s hips harder as he tries to hold onto whatever self control he has left, because one thing was becoming terrifyingly clear:

Taehyun was not going to back down easily.

“Beomie… please, I need... I need them buried inside your skin NOW.” he begs as he ruts against Beomgyu, moving his hips in small motions, cock now leaking precum enough to stain the pijama pants.

Beomgyu is losing his mind. Every instinct in his body screams for more, for closer, for Taehyun, and it takes every ounce of self-control he has left not to completely lose himself to it. He wants him so badly it physically hurts, but he refuses to let their first time together happen like this, with Taehyun blinded by newborn instincts and the bond running wild through both of them.

"Don't you dare do your eye thing right now, I swear to Satan, Taehyun," he growls, his voice rough and strained. "I'm already having a hard time not ruining you right now, and it's for your own good."

He tries to push Taehyun off his lap, to put some distance between them before this spirals further, but Taehyun grabs both his wrists and pins them above his head against the bed frame so hard the entire bed trembles violently under the force. And fuck, does that make Beomgyu's situation even worse. This little menace is going to destroy his whole damn room.

And then Taehyun, completely blinded by need and the bond snapping inside his head, tries to do exactly what Beomgyu warned him not to do.

Taehyun's eyes glow again, shining as though fifty thousand crimson stars are trapped inside them, and Beomgyu feels his whole body react instantly. His breath catches, his mouth falling open without anything coherent coming out; and Taehyun is still perched on his lap, rolling his hips slowly to chase the delicious friction both in his front and back.

Then he leans closer and closer to his face. Beomgyu feels completely spellbound, unable to move, unable to think straight, getting lost inside those huge, gorgeous eyes just like last time.

Taehyun doesn't say anything this time, thank god. The command never comes, but it almost feels worse somehow. Like he's testing the limits of the bond and his power without even realizing it, seeing just how far he can push Beomgyu before he finally snaps. And Beomgyu is dangerously close to snapping.

Taehyun slowly lowers his head toward the side of his neck, giving little licks at the skin before finally piercing it. Beomgyu doesn't fight. He is breathing hard, struggling to focus on anything except the overwhelming rush of sensations caused by the pain in his neck and the pleasure in his lower parts caused by the young vampire's hips. The moan Taehyun lets out thankfully covers the one escaping from Beomgyu's own lips.

He needs to stay in control here, and Taehyun is making that very, very difficult.

The little menace doesn't stop just because he's feeding, staying pressed close to him while Beomgyu tries to gather whatever remains of his self-control.

"Taehyunnie, kitten, ah— ah— let's talk for a second— ah, mmmgh— you're not in your right mind," he says between pants, not even sure anymore if he truly wants this to stop either.

Beomgyu has to twist his wrists and struggle against Taehyun's grip to create even a little distance before he gets completely drained, but every single time he manages to pull back an inch, the exact same scenario unfolds again and Beomgyu's mind goes blank. He is getting fucking manhandled by a newborn vampire. How ridiculous is that?

When Taehyun grinds down against his erection again while feeding from his neck, Beomgyu feels his principles crumble apart frighteningly fast.

“Taehyun—” he starts, voice wrecked, fingers flexing helplessly where they’re still pinned above his head against the bed frame, but the words die in his throat the second Taehyun lets out another pleased sound against his skin. His entire body feels overheated, every nerve ending burning with the bond and the blood and Taehyun all over him, and honestly he’s starting to lose track of where restraint is even supposed to begin anymore.

The whole thing crashes down almost as suddenly as it starts. Taehyun's movements become messy and desperate, little broken moans leaving him while he keeps rubbing against Beomgyu, completely overwhelmed by the blood and the pleasure burning through his undead body.

And then he stops sucking and hides his face in Beomgyu's neck with a wrecked whine as release hits him hard, cumming inside the silk pajamas like a horny teenager.

The feeling of Taehyun's dick twitching and the smell of his release alone is enough to completely obliterate whatever self-control Beomgyu has left. Seeing Taehyun like this, flushed, shaking, clinging to him while still half drunk on his blood pushes him over the edge frighteningly fast. He lets out a strained groan as he grabs the younger's hips, ruts his upwards to rub against Taehyun's plush ass with his cock. His head falls back against the sheets as he finally follows after him, filling his own shorts with semen.

Taehyun is panting in his ear, his body twitching from time to time in the aftermath. For a few long seconds neither of them moves. The room is hot, messy, filled with the scent of blood and roses, and Taehyun is still pressed on top of him.

Then reality slowly starts coming back into Taehyun's eyes.

"Oh my god," he whispers.

The younger gasps loudly and falls onto the side of Beomgyu's body like he's been burned alive, scrambling backwards across the bed so fast he almost falls off it entirely. "Hyung, I'm sorry— oh my god I'm so sorry, I didn't mean— I mean I did but not like—" He covers his face with both hands, mortified beyond belief. "Please delete the last minutes from your memory."

Beomgyu stares at him for a second before a disbelieving laugh escapes him. His wrists are sore, his neck is covered in bites, and somehow Taehyun still looks more panicked than him.

"I'm not mad at you, you menace," he sighs, sitting up slowly before pointing a finger at the younger with as much authority as he can still gather. "But you are absolutely banned from using your weird eye powers on me again."

Taehyun peeks at him through his fingers, crimson eyes huge.

"Even a little? I did not command anything though," he mutters.

"Kang Taehyun!"

The younger immediately covers his face again.

"Sorry."

"I'm serious."

"I know."

For a moment neither of them says anything.

Taehyun lowers his hands a little.

"I really am sorry, hyung." His voice is much smaller now. "I remember most of it. I remember you telling me to stop. I remember trying not to listen because I didn't want you to push me away."

The confession makes Beomgyu's expression soften instantly.

"My dear..." he murmurs.

"I wasn't trying to hurt you." Taehyun looks down at the blankets. "Everything just felt so intense. The hunger. The bond. You. It was like my brain stopped working."

"It kind of did," Beomgyu says half laughing.

Then Beomgyu reaches over and gently flicks his forehead.

"You are a newborn vampire. It was bound to happen, I'm just releived we didn't go all the way, I want you mind clear if you ever want to .. hum forget about it for now." he quickly adds, mentally face palming himself.

Taehyun groans and buries his face in a pillow.

"I am never recovering from this."

Beomgyu is relieved, his Taehyunnie is back.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

The next days pass in a blur of pillows, comfortable hugs, naps, feeds, and soft murmurs. The only things vampires truly need are blood and sleep, so in the end they only need each other.

Kai checks on them from time to time, offering company or teasing comments from the doorway, but the two others stay wrapped up in their own little bubble, only wanting each other close.

Beomgyu feels guilty about it sometimes, but he knows Kai understands, and honestly, he is grateful for that. Taehyun is by his side now, warm despite his cold skin, and his presence gives Beomgyu everything and more. Just caressing the younger's soft skin, kissing his temple while Taehyun half sleeps against his chest, inhaling the sweet scent that clings to him now after the turning, feels like paradise on earth.

They read together for hours, Taehyun curled against him with vampire books spread all over the bed while Beomgyu reads old novels, the room quiet except for the occasional sleepy comment exchanged between them.

Sometimes they talk instead, about their lives, secrets they never told anyone else, fears, dreams, stupid memories from university or decades ago depending on who is speaking. And slowly, naturally, the bond settles, stronger and steadier between them, no longer frantic like during the first days. Beomgyu doesn't even realize how empty his life had been before meeting the younger, but now the thought of going back to that loneliness feels impossible.

On the physical side, the older vampire gets resigned to being Taehyun's puppet as long as the other promises not to use his power on him again. They also both need a clear head before talking properly about feelings, intimacy, and the bond itself, so they agree on one rule: no real sex until Taehyun reaches the full vampire stage, and no kisses on the mouth either. It is safer that way for both of them, especially when feeding already turns their brains into complete mush.

If one of them — usually both of them — needs relief, and they do, a lot, since feeding between mates is such an intimate and sensual thing, then they have hands and flesh to take care of it. To be crude: jerking off together, jerking the other one off, frottage, and that is it.

No matter how hard it becomes to stop there sometimes, especially when Taehyun ends up flushed and needy after feeding, thighs spread on Beomgyu's lap while the older tries not to lose the little dignity he still has left. Still, somehow, they manage.

Barely.

You could say Taehyun is teething. He keeps wanting to bite Beomgyu all over, sometimes not even to feed but just to have his canines buried into whatever part of Beomgyu's body he fancies at the moment. "It's like cockwarming but with your fangs," Beomgyu teases once, earning himself an offended gasp before Taehyun immediately goes back to nibbling at his neck anyway.

The needy vampire would stay attached to him for hours sometimes, lazily biting at his wrist, shoulder, collarbone, or neck while half asleep against his chest, and honestly, Beomgyu kind of enjoyed the closeness and even the sting of pain in a weird way.

Sometimes he would look down from his book only to find Taehyun chewing absentmindedly on his sleeve instead because he had drifted off and missed his target entirely.

Other times the younger would wander into whatever room Beomgyu was in, and slowly melt against him like a cat seeking warmth. There was even one memorable incident where Beomgyu woke up from a nap to discover Taehyun attached to his shoulder and snoring softly.

There was something deeply satisfying about being needed like this, about feeling Taehyun cuddle against him after feeding, content and relaxed thanks to him. It made the bond feel real in the quietest moments too, not just during the overwhelming parts.

Beomgyu provided for his soulmate, and Taehyun sought him out instinctively every single time, like his body already knew where home was.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

After one week, Taehyun becomes a little more social again and finally accepts to leave Beomgyu's side from time to time, wandering around the manor with Kai, playing games with him in the living room, or taking slow walks through the garden wrapped in oversized sweaters while complaining dramatically about the cold morning air even though he cannot feel cold anymore.

But no matter what he is doing, he still manages to get his teeth into Beomgyu at every occasion he can.

And to be honest, Beomgyu is starting to lose his mind a little.

One morning, he wakes up on his stomach with a sharp sting of pain in his wrist, only to realize Taehyun has his canines buried there already, half asleep and happily attached to him like some human size bat.

Beomgyu lets out the most exhausted sigh imaginable.

"Taehyunnie," he groans into the pillow, his voice rough from sleep, "you cannot keep waking me up like this every morning."

The only answer he gets is a pleased little hum against his shoulder and Taehyun sucking harder just to be annoying. It stings.

"That is not a response."

Another hum.

"You're twenty-four years old."

Taehyun bites him.

"Ow."

Another bite.

"You're proving my point."

This time Taehyun finally lifts his head, hair sticking up in every direction, pillow marks still visible on his cheek.

"Mornin'," he mumbles before immediately latching back onto Beomgyu's wrist.

Beomgyu stares at the ceiling.

This is his life now.

But after more days of the kitty terrorizing him, he snaps.

“Fuck, Taehyunnie, my dear, I will file your teeth down if you don’t stop sucking on me,” Beomgyu groans as he pushes Taehyun away from his throbbing thigh this time, grimacing at the sting the younger’s sharp canines left behind on his skin. Taehyun immediately whines at the loss.

“But,” he pouts, “hyung, you’re the one who told me it was part of my charm. It’s not my fault my teeth only stop hurting when I use them, hyungie.”

“Yeah, well, I said that when you didn’t have your fangs all over my poor body,” Beomgyu sighs dramatically, already knowing he’s losing this argument. Taehyun knows it too. The smug look spreading across his face says enough.

“Those sharp little things can do a lot of damage. Look at me, I’m basically being hunted in my own house now. I can’t even take a nap without waking up with fresh bite marks.”

“You’re being dramatic.”

“I am covered in evidence.”

“You heal in five minutes.”

“That’s not the point.”

“It kind of is.”

Beomgyu points at him accusingly. Taehyun just smiles wider.

“Those sharp little things can do a lot of damage— ouch—”

Taehyun dives back in before he can even finish complaining, burying his teeth behind Beomgyu’s ear this time, right on another stupidly sensitive spot that makes the older vampire jolt under him. The younger hums happily against his skin before kissing the fresh bite all soft and sweet, little drops of dark blood staining the corner of his lips as he lifts his head again to meet Beomgyu’s gaze. His grin is so wide his dimple looks even deeper than usual.

“But you like it, hyung,” Taehyun murmurs knowingly, eyes flicking downward. “You’re hard right now, look.”

Beomgyu blurts out complete nonsense as he instinctively glances down at the very obvious erection betraying him under the sheets, and Taehyun immediately bursts into delighted laughter before leaning down to bite him again.

Beomgyu could never win this battle.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

By week 3, Beomgyu clearly needs help or he is genuinely going to get drained clean of his blood. Only one person can save him: Kai.

So this morning, knowing Kai is home because the cat café is closed, he slips out of bed carefully, moving with the precision of a man escaping a hostage situation, making sure not to wake up the demon kitty currently starfished across his mattress. Taehyun grumbles something in his sleep and instinctively reaches for the warm spot Beomgyu left behind, making the older vampire speedrun his escape before he gets caught again.

A few moments later, he knocks softly at his other progeny's bedroom door.

A sleepy little "yeah, come in..." answers from the other side, and Beomgyu enters like a ninja on a top-secret mission.

Kai is still buried under blankets, curled around some gigantic fluffy Pokémon plushie, hair sticking everywhere while he half yawns at him with zero elegance. Beomgyu immediately joins him on the bed with the most dramatic defeated flop imaginable.

Now, he has to play this smart if he wants Kai's help.

"My lovely progeny, my beloved child whom I cherish more than life itself, my precious—"

Kai cuts him off with a loud scoff before slowly lowering the plushie from his face. "Trouble in paradise, my lovely maker?"

And immediately, Beomgyu knows Kai is already making fun of him. Worse, he can smell the trap from miles away.

Shit. That smart little menace.

"You have no proof."

"You entered my room at eight in the morning and called me your precious child."

"..."

"You only do that when you're desperate."

Beomgyu groans and rolls onto his back.

Kai's grin grows wider.

"Oh my god. You're actually desperate."

"I need help."

The younger vampire sits up immediately, suddenly looking far too awake for someone who was asleep thirty seconds ago.

"This is the best day of my life."

"Kai."

"What happened? Did he bite you again?"

"Yes."

Kai gasps dramatically.

"On purpose?"

"Obviously on purpose!"

The gasp somehow becomes even more dramatic.

"Hyung, that's horrible. That's terrible. How will you survive?"

Beomgyu throws a pillow at his face.

"Okay, I am desperate," Beomgyu starts while petting Kai's messy hair before pinching his cheek, soft as fresh dough between his fingers. "I need help. Taehyun won't leave my side and I love him, Kai, but my dear mate is going to drain me of every last drop of blood at some point. And probably TMI, but my dick's gonna fall off—"

"And what exactly do you want me to do about that, huh?" Kai cuts him, already failing to hold back his laughter. The sight of Beomgyu begging for a break like this is honestly hilarious to him.

"Our Tyunnie is too much to handle for an oldie like yourself?" he teases, grinning mischievously. Really, his favorite hobby in life is seeing how far he can push Beomgyu before the older snaps.

"Well, I'm running out of options and I need your help, so I will graciously ignore that comment," Beomgyu sighs with fake dignity, though amusement still lingers in his voice. "But don't push your luck too far or I'll throw you in the dungeon."

Kai bursts into even louder laughter at that.

"I swear, you were never this needy as a newborn vampire," Beomgyu continues with a nostalgic smile. "You were so well-behaved. God, I miss that right now."

"Not like that cat I have as a mate. Kai, you should see him, he's grabby and touchy and I can't say no to him when he looks at me with those huge cute eyes and his pretty skin on display and—"

Kai immediately cuts him off by aggressively shoving the Pokémon plushie straight into his face. "Ewwww, hyung, too much information again. Please. Ew. Ew."

"Oops, sorry," Beomgyu mutters without sounding sorry at all.

Kai lowers the plushie again, still giggling. "I was sooo right to play matchmaker though," he says proudly. "You are unbelievably whipped, hyung. Like actually."

"Oh yeah? You think this is funny?" Beomgyu narrows his eyes at him. "You go handle him then." He dramatically grabs Kai's shoulders. "Please. Dad needs a break."

And honestly, how is Kai supposed to say no to that?

Beomgyu immediately takes his silence as victory and keeps going before Kai can change his mind. “I’ll go to the city for a bit, just handle him for me please. Tell him I’ll bring back treats or something if he starts fussing, and whatever you do, do not let him use his weird eye thing on you, okay? Baby cat is dangerous after all.” He points an accusatory finger at Kai like he’s giving him military instructions before standing up in a rush. “And call me if you need me. Now I’m leaving before he wakes up or I’m actually dead.”

Kai snorts loudly at that. “Hyung, you’ve already been dead for a very long time.”

Beomgyu slowly turns toward him with the darkest glare imaginable.

Kai almost folds in half laughing while Beomgyu mutters something about disrespectful children and finally storms out of the room.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

Kai is a brat, but he is also deeply loving, and honestly, he feels honored that Beomgyu trusts him enough to look after his mate. It means a lot. So of course he will make sure Taehyun stays safe and taken care of while the older vampire is gone.

Still, one specific thing keeps echoing in his head from their conversation; he said "I love him." Beomgyu said it so naturally earlier that Kai almost missed it. And now curiosity is eating him alive. He can't wait to get Taehyun alone for a bit and figure out if they are actually on the same page, because if those two idiots keep dancing around their feelings forever, Kai is genuinely going to lose his mind.

Since they apparently want to wait until the baby vampire phase is over before having serious conversations, then fine. Kai will simply investigate by himself.

He drags himself out of bed with a dramatic sigh, gathers a few plushies into his arms for emotional support, and heads toward Beomgyu’s room to assess the situation.

The moment he steps inside, he immediately spots Taehyun sprawled right in the middle of the gigantic bed, tangled in red silk sheets and wearing the cute pink Hello Kitty pajamas Beomgyu ordered for him a few days ago. The oversized satin shirt hangs loosely on his frame, one shoulder slipping out enough to expose skin marked with fading bites. Honestly, he looks ridiculously adorable.

Kai barely gets the door closed before Taehyun reacts.

He flinches, almost like an animal hearing danger nearby, then his eyes snap open instantly, glowing crimson in the dim room. Fully awake in less than a second.

And then he moves.

Kai barely has time to blink before Taehyun rushes across the room and slams him against the nearest wall hard. One arm cages him in immediately while the other presses flat against the wall beside his head. A low rumble vibrates from deep in Taehyun’s throat, dangerous enough to make Kai go very, very still.

“You’re not Beomgyu,” Taehyun growls softly, eyes burning red as they stare straight into his. “Where’s Beomgyu?”

Kai is so take aback that for a second he genuinely forgets how to react, but the moment his brain catches up, irritation explodes just as fast.

"What the hell, Taehyun?!" he yells back, shoving at the younger vampire's shoulders. "Snap out of it, it's just me, chill!"

And just like that, Taehyun's grip loosens.

The red glow in his eyes flickers, confusion replacing the possessive haze almost instantly, and it's like he finally wakes up for real. Then, without warning, he throws himself straight into Kai's arms instead. Kai barely manages to extend his arms in time to hold onto the young vampire, who wraps himself around him completely, thighs locking around Kai's waist while he clings to him like a koala.

"I'm sorry, Kai-ah," Taehyun mumbles against his neck, his voice muffled by the skin there. "I was half asleep when you came in... I'm good at controlling my emotions now, just... not when I'm half asleep."

He nuzzles closer with a pathetic little whine and honestly, Kai can't even stay mad at that. Now ge gets the reason his maker lets himself get thrown around by Taehyun. Little shit is cute as fuck. 500% more than he was before turning, since he wears his emotions on his sleeve now.

So he carries the both of them toward the huge sofa tucked in the corner of Beomgyu’s room and drops down onto it with Taehyun still attached to him.

"Your boyfriend went outside for a bit," he explains while rubbing slow circles into Taehyun’s back. "I’m on babysitting duty today."

Taehyun immediately pulls back just enough to look at him with the most betrayed expression imaginable. His lips part. His eyes go huge.

"B-boyfriend?" he repeats weakly. "Did he call me that or—"

The tips of his ears turn bright red.

Then the rest of the sentence catches up to him.

"Wait." His expression falls. "What?"

Kai watches the exact moment panic starts settling in.

"Beomi left me?"

Oh no. Those damn heightened emotions again.

The younger vampire looks genuinely devastated. His eyes dart toward the door as if expecting Beomgyu to walk through it any second. When nothing happens, his face crumples a little more.

"He left without waking me up?" he asks quietly.

Kai immediately regrets every decision that led him to this conversation.

"He didn't want to wake you."

"But he always wakes me up."

"He was trying to be nice."

"Why?"

"Because normal people let their partners sleep."

The answer somehow makes Taehyun look even more miserable.

Kai remembers very well what the newborn phase felt like, but Taehyun is clearly taking it to another level. So he gently rearranges the younger vampire until Taehyun is lying across the sofa with his head resting on Kai’s lap, and starts carding his fingers through his soft hair soothingly.

"He’s only gone for a few hours, Tyunnie," Kai murmurs patiently. "He’ll come back before you know it."

"He didn't even leave a note."

"He left me instructions."

"That's worse."

"Kinda, yeah."

"Kai!"

"I'm helping."

But even then, Kai watches a few tears slowly roll down Taehyun’s cheeks, disappearing into the pink fabric of his pajamas.

"You love him a lot, huh?" he asks softly with a small smile.

Taehyun immediately hides his face behind his hands before answering in the weakest little voice.

"So much, Kai-ah," he whispers shakily. "I love him so much it hurts."

Kai pets him until he gets sleepy again, and eventually the both of them drift off like that; Taehyun curled up on the sofa, shaken by silent sobs from time to time, while Kai softly sings him to sleep, fingers carding through his soft hair in slow motions.

Kai wakes up some time later because his legs are completely numb with Taehyun's head still resting there. He's kind of scared to wake him up after what happened earlier, but it seems like this time will be easier than when he got into the bedroom at least.

Taehyun is already stirring awake too, probably disturbed in his sleep by Kai shifting under him. He opens his swollen eyes slowly, blinking a few times before beaming up at Kai from where he lies, his dimple showing immediately.

"Kai-ah... you didn't leave me."

Kai laughs softly and ruffles his hair. "Of course not, my dear brother."

Taehyun sits up slowly, still half sleepy, but visibly calmer now. His mind still aches with the need to feel Beomgyu close, to smell him somewhere nearby, but he remembers what Kai told him; just a few hours. He can survive a few hours. Probably.

Seeing the lingering worry on Taehyun's face, Kai decides they need a distraction before the younger spirals again. He stretches his arms above his head and grins. "What do you say we go shower and then play some video games, Tyunnie?"

And honestly... that sounds really good right now.

Taehyun absolutely does not need Beomgyu every second of the day. He is his own person and can survive a few hours without him. This is now a matter of pride. He refuses to say that out loud though, because Kai would absolutely tease him again about acting like a clingy little cat.

First, the both of them wash up. Taehyun soaks in the big Japanese bath while Kai uses the shower on the other side of the bathroom; this way Taehyun still has some privacy, but Kai can keep an eye on the young vampire just in case. The warm water and steam relax Taehyun a lot, and by the time he gets out of the bath wrapped in a fluffy towel, he already looks more rested than earlier.

Then they decide to pick outfits for each other.

Kai absolutely takes his mission seriously. If Beomgyu is coming home later, then Taehyun has to look cute. That is simply common sense.

So Kai dresses him in an oversized cream hoodie with a simple white T-shirt underneath, baggy jeans falling low on his hips, and spends ten whole minutes styling his hair until the soft curls frame his face perfectly. Taehyun looks effortlessly pretty like that, cozy and boyfriend-like in a way that makes Kai feel weirdly proud of himself.

“There,” Kai nods dramatically once he is done. “Hyung is gonna lose his mind.”

Taehyun instantly hides his face behind his sleeves. “Kai-ahhh…”

“What? It’s true.”

Still blushing, Taehyun insists on picking Kai’s outfit too as revenge. He chooses black cargo pants, an oversized dark grey sweater, and forces Kai to wear a silver chain because apparently “it matches his vibe.” Kai acts offended the entire time but still puts it on.

When they are finally done, they stand side by side in front of the bathroom mirror staring at each other.

“…We kinda look like a couple,” Kai deadpans.

Taehyun chuckles. “Don’t let Beomgyu hear you say that.”

Kai quickly realizes that distracting Taehyun is both very easy and very exhausting. The younger vampire gets intensely competitive over absolutely everything. What starts as a calm afternoon of video games turns into Taehyun dramatically accusing Kai of cheating every ten minutes while aggressively mashing buttons on the controller.

“You are cheating,” Taehyun narrows his eyes suspiciously.

“I’m literally not.”

“You knew the map too well. Suspicious behavior.”

“Kang Taehyun, this is Mario Kart.”

Kai nearly drops the controller laughing while Taehyun sits there pouting, arms crossed like a deeply offended princess. Honestly, Beomgyu would combust if he saw this right now.

At some point they end up lying upside down on the huge carpet in Kai's room, plushies scattered everywhere around them after Taehyun insists they need “moral support.” He hugs the little cat plush Beomgyu bought him so tightly it looks trapped.

The room slowly grows quieter after that, the energy settling into something softer. Kai glances toward Taehyun, who is absentmindedly stroking the plush bat’s wings with a small smile on his face.

“So…” Kai starts casually, “how are you feeling about hyung?”

Taehyun pulls the plushie closer to his chest, his eyes dropping toward the floor. “I don’t know,” he admits quietly, which is already a lie because he absolutely knows. “Everything happened so fast.”

“But?”

“But…” his ears are starting to turn pink now, “when he leaves a room it feels wrong. When he smiles at me I feel insane. And when he touches me I forget how to think properly.” He buries half his face into the plushie in embarrassment. “It’s actually humiliating.”

Kai tries so hard not to laugh and fails miserably.

“You’re whipped too, huh.”

“I am NOT.”

“You literally cried because he went outside for a few hours.”

“That was newborn emotions!” Taehyun defends himself instantly before pausing. “…probably.”

Kai rolls onto his side to grin at him.

He stays quiet for a few seconds, his fingers still smoothing over the plushie fabric before smiling softly to himself.

“Yeah,” he murmurs. “I really do love him. I can’t wait to tell him after I’m 100% myself again.”

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

When Beomgyu finally comes back home later that day, Taehyun makes a very conscious effort not to immediately rush into his arms to prove a point.

On the opposite, when Beomgyu steps inside the house, his eyes land on Taehyun and he visibly short-circuits.

The oversized cream hoodie swallows Taehyun whole in the cutest way possible, the white shirt underneath slipping slightly at the collar, baggy jeans hanging low on his hips, and his hair—his hair. Soft, fluffy, slightly curled from Kai styling it earlier. He looks warm and cozy and heartbreakingly pretty standing there in the living room light.

Beomgyu almost faints on the spot.

Kai watches the entire thing unfold with the biggest grin imaginable while Beomgyu stands frozen near the entrance holding shopping bags, looking like his soul has just ascended. Taehyun, thankfully, doesn't seem to realize the full extent of the damage he is causing, otherwise Beomgyu would probably not survive the evening.

Instead, Taehyun simply walks up to him calmly, gives him a brief hug, and asks for the treat Beomgyu promised him earlier — courtesy of Kai, who absolutely snitched.

When Beomgyu hands him the little plush bat he bought in the city, Taehyun hugs it right away, kisses the top of its furry head, mumbles a soft thank you, and simply goes back to playing video games with Kai without making any more fuss.

No one is fooled though.

Still, it shows something important: Taehyun is almost completely out of the newborn phase. He is finally in control of his emotions again, no longer drowning in every feeling the second it appears. He doesn't spend the whole day whining for his mate or trying to crawl into Beomgyu's lap every five minutes.

Except for the little crying episode in the morning, everything has gone surprisingly well. And honestly, those tears are understandable; since the turning, they have barely spent even a minute apart. Taehyun could have reacted way worse than that.

Yeah. Finally, Taehyun is clear-minded again.

And that means one thing for Beomgyu: it is finally time to talk. About feelings, fears, hopes, the bond, and whatever the hell they are supposed to become now.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

Finally, Taehyun can go back to the cat café, and he is ridiculously happy to see Yeonjun and Soobin again. Of course, they have kept in touch while he stays at the manor, texting and calling regularly (Beomgyu nags about him using a phone, it is cute), but it is not the same as seeing them in person.

Still, he is a little nervous on the way there. His personality is back to normal, the newborn phase is over, but physically he has changed. His skin is paler now, his canines remain slightly longer even when he is not hungry, and his eyes sometimes look a little too sharp. He really hopes they will not be scared of him.

Kai comes along, partly for moral support and partly to make sure Taehyun is fine around humans. The concern ends up being unnecessary. The moment Taehyun steps into the café, he feels at ease, not wanting to launch himself at some humans to feed, and Sweet Potato launches himself onto him and starts purring so loudly that several customers turn around to look. The cat sniffs him all over first, clearly noticing something has changed, but then settles happily in his arms as if nothing else matters.

Seeing his cats again almost makes Taehyun emotional.

The afternoon passes quickly. Yeonjun and Soobin listen while Taehyun explains everything; the turning, his new life as a vampire, the bond with Beomgyu, even some of the more ridiculous parts of the newborn phase.

To Taehyun's relief, the two older men treat him exactly the same as before. Maybe with a little more teasing even.

And for that, he is incredibly grateful.

"So..." Soobin begins while cleaning a table nearby, glancing toward him. "You're going to go live with Beomgyu for real now, right? Since you guys are bonded and all."

Taehyun instantly feels heat creep into his face.

He replies with a shy nod. "If that's okay with you guys? I didn't ask Beomgyu yet but..."

Yeonjun immediately reaches over to ruffle his hair, making Taehyun complain.

"You go live your best life," he says with a grin. Then he pauses. "Well... best death, I guess."

Soobin snorts.

"Don't worry about us, Taehyun. You'll still come bother us here all the time anyway."

And just like that, it feels settled.

When he gets home tonight, he's going to tell Beomgyu.

Honestly, there is never really another option. There is no world where Taehyun would willingly live away from him now. He misses Beomgyu after a few hours; an entire day feels impossible. Maybe that is the bond talking, maybe it isn't, but if he is being honest with himself, he has been doomed long before the bond ever existed.

Even as a human, before the turning, before the link, before any of this madness happened, he found himself yearning for Beomgyu.

The bond didn't create those feelings.

It simply revealed what was already there.

So at the end of the day, Kai and Taehyun get home together after making sure they empty all of Taehyun's remaining things from the hyungs' apartment. They plan on surprising the older vampire.

"Don't be nervous, Taehyun-ah. Beomgyu will be ridiculously happy you're staying with us for real," Kai says as he parks the car in front of the big house.

The words help a little.

Not much.

Because now that the moment is actually here, Taehyun feels his stomach twist with nerves. This isn't just moving houses. It means something. It means choosing Beomgyu. Choosing this life. Choosing them.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

The front door opens before they even reach it.

Of course the brunette senses them coming.

He steps outside and immediately notices the bags and boxes in their hands. His eyes narrow slightly in confusion.

"How was your day, my dear? Everything went well at the café?" His gaze drifts toward the luggage. "...What are those?"

For a second, Taehyun forgets every sentence he rehearsed in the car.

Beomgyu is standing there bathed in the golden light of sunset, dark hair moving softly with the winter breeze, and suddenly Taehyun feels sixteen again instead of immortal.

"I..." He clears his throat. "Well..."

Kai physically has to stop himself from laughing.

Taehyun squeezes the strap of his bag.

"If it's okay with you..." he starts quietly. "I think I'd like to live here. For real."

Silence.

Then Beomgyu's mouth falls open and lets out the most undignified little squeak imaginable.

Kai loses his inside battle and starts laughing immediately.

Beomgyu doesn't even hear him; his entire world has narrowed down to the young vampire standing in front of him. He wants to live here with him. Not because of the baby vampire hormones. Not because he has nowhere else to go. Not because the bond demands it.

Because he wants to.

Because out of every place in the world, Taehyun is choosing him.

Slowly, like he's afraid any sudden movement might break the moment, he reaches for Taehyun's hand. Their fingers intertwine instantly, both trembling with emotion.

Taehyun's heart would have been racing if it still worked. The look Beomgyu gives him is almost unbearable. It is tender, so full of love. Like he is looking at something he never dared hope would belong to him. Like he is trying to memorize every detail of Taehyun standing there with bags in his hands and forever hidden inside those simple words.

I want to stay.

I choose you.

"Oh, my love..." he breathes. His voice breaks on the words.

The nickname hits Taehyun harder than any vampire ability ever could. His eyes sting instantly.

Then Beomgyu steps forward and wraps his arms around Taehyun's waist carefully, gently, like he's holding something precious. Something irreplaceable.

Something that came back to him after being lost.

"I would love that," he whispers into his hair. "I would love that so much."

And somehow that is what breaks them both.

The garden around them is quiet except for the soft rustling of leaves and flower petals dancing through the air. The winter breeze carries the scent of roses from Beomgyu's gardens, and for a long moment neither of them says anything. They simply hold each other.

Taehyun presses his face into Beomgyu's shoulder and closes his eyes. Home. The thought comes so naturally it almost hurts. Home smells like roses and tangerines.

They stand there almost sobbing against each other's shoulders while the petals swirl around them like a blessing.

A few steps away, Kai watches with a smile.

Then, knowing this moment doesn't belong to him, he quietly grabs Taehyun's bags and slips inside the house.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

After this, it's not that everything changes, but the way they are around each other becomes softer, gentler somehow. Taehyun feels like he is home. Beomgyu looks happier too, smiling more often, reaching for him without thinking, always finding some excuse to grab his waist or kiss his cheek. They behave like newlyweds without crossing the lines they promised they wouldn't until they talk everything through. The feedings go well, and Taehyun shows restraint. Beomgyu too.

The days settle into an easy rhythm. Shared breakfasts that neither of them technically needs. Taehyun stealing Beomgyu's sweaters. Beomgyu absentmindedly brushing his fingers through Taehyun's hair whenever he passes by. Little things. Domestic things. The kind that make forever feel possible.

Yet, their love cannot bloom entirely because of everything left unsaid, and now that Taehyun has completely settled, it is time. Every day they dance around the conversation waiting for the perfect moment, smiling too much, lingering too long, pretending they are not hopelessly in love

And Beomgyu has been planning for this exact moment. He wants to finally talk about everything, to tell Taehyun how deeply he loves him.

With Kai's help, he puts everything in motion while Taehyun is showering after work. He even picks out an outfit for the younger and carefully lays it on the bathroom counter so Taehyun will find it after cleaning up.

The second Taehyun steps out of the bath, wrapped in steam and smelling faintly of his peach shampoo, his eyes land on the neatly folded clothes.

And next to them sits a lilac envelope.

His heart immediately starts racing.

Taehyun dries his hands and opens it carefully.

My love,

Meet me in the garden behind the house, near the path we took on our first walk together. The place where I had the honor of learning more about you before your turning. The place where my feelings for you first bloomed and never stopped growing.

I will be waiting.

Yours,

Beomgyu.

Taehyun stares at the letter for several seconds then once more. His face feels impossibly hot.

"Oh my god," he whispers to absolutely nobody.

Beomgyu is a romantic, like, an actual romantic. A dramatic, flower-growing, letter-writing, soulmate-believing romantic.

Taehyun presses the letter against his chest and squeezes his eyes shut for a second.

"My Beomgyu."

The thought comes so naturally it almost makes him dizzy. The smile stretching across his face hurts.

A month ago he would have never imagined any of this. Now Beomgyu is everywhere. In his thoughts. In his days. In the bond humming softly in his chest. In every plan he makes for their future.

Hopelessly, completely, embarrassingly everywhere.

Quickly, before he can spend the next hour hugging the letter instead of getting ready, he turns his attention to the outfit Beomgyu has chosen for him.

And wow. The man really knows his style.

The cream oversized shirt hangs perfectly, showing just enough skin, paired with fitted jeans that make his legs look endless. It is effortlessly pretty. Soft. Attractive without looking like it is trying too hard.

Exactly the kind of thing Taehyun would have picked himself. The thought makes his chest warm.

He dresses quickly before moving to the mirror.

A little blush, a little gloss; just enough to make his lips look softer and tempting.

His fingers comb through his hair until the strands fall exactly how he likes them, framing his face in messy waves.

His fingers brush over the folded letter one last time.

Then he practically runs for the garden.

Because Beomgyu is waiting. For him.

Taehyun, smelling good, looking good, and feeling good, practically skips downstairs. Kai is waiting for him by the front door, hands in the pockets of his hoodie, and for a moment they simply look at each other. There is something sacred about tonight. More than the turning, more than the bond. This is a choice. A beginning.

Without a word, Taehyun steps forward and hugs him. Kai hugs him back immediately, squeezing him tight before resting his chin briefly on the younger vampire's head. For a second neither of them says anything.

"He's waiting for you," he murmurs softly.

Taehyun nearly melts on the spot.

God, he feels loved. By Kai. By Beomgyu. By this strange little family that has somehow become his own.

Kai smiles and opens the door for him, giving him a gentle push between the shoulder blades.

"Go."

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

The evening air is crisp against Taehyun's skin as he steps outside.

The small path leading to the back garden has been transformed. Tiny lanterns and candles line both sides of the stone walkway, their golden glow dancing across the flower beds. Little fairy lights have been woven through the branches of the trees and around the bushes Beomgyu loves so much, making the entire garden look like something out of a dream. The flowers seem brighter tonight too, petals shimmering softly beneath the lights as if they are reaching toward the sky.

Taehyun follows the trail in a daze.

And then he sees him. Beomgyu.

The vampire sits on a large ruby-red plaid spread over the grass beneath the old willow tree. Cushions are scattered around him, lanterns hanging from the branches overhead and bathing everything in warm gold. The scene feels impossibly intimate, like a secret carved out of the world just for the two of them.

For a second Taehyun forgets how to breathe.

Maybe it is the beautiful setting or the way Beomgyu looks at him. Or maybe it is simply Beomgyu himself...

Dressed all in black, dark hair falling into his eyes, silver jewelry catching the lantern light every time he moves, he looks unfairly beautiful. His gaze softens the moment it lands on Taehyun, caramel eyes warming with something so fond and open that it makes the younger vampire's chest ache.

Beomgyu lets out a quiet laugh. "There you are, my dear."

He pats the cushion beside him. "Come here."

Taehyun obeys immediately.

As he crosses the last few steps, he takes everything in at once: the cold winter air, the scent of flowers and damp earth, the glow of the lights, the way Beomgyu's eyes follow his every movement.

By the time he sits down, his blood is pumping so hard in his veins that he is convinced Beomgyu can hear it.

The older vampire smiles, a little shy despite all the effort he has clearly put into this.

"I made a sort of winter picnic," he admits, rubbing the back of his neck. "Or... whatever you want to call it."

"I just wanted to celebrate us" he adds "Living together.. Being together."

Beomgyu reaches out and carefully brushes a curled strand of hair away from Taehyun's forehead.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it, hyung," he says, dropping onto the soft cushion next to Beomgyu.

Playfully, he adds, "A picnic, you say? I don't see any food, hyung."

That backfires real quick when the older vampire leans toward Taehyun's neck, pressing two fingers against his carotid. His face hovers dangerously close to the younger's skin as he murmurs, "You're the food, my love."

Taehyun shivers from the closeness, from the way Beomgyu's deep voice affects him all the way down to his stomach and makes him feel hot already.

Beomgyu chuckles at the effect he has on him. "Remember, I feel what you feel, my love."

"I won't be able to even look at you if you keep feeling this way."

Taehyun pushes him away like a stubborn cat, but he loves the banter nevertheless.

"Shush, hyung, don't embarrass me," he mumbles, blushing.

Then, a little more quietly, he adds, "Also... y-you've been calling me love a lot more these days, and I really, really like that... just so you know."

Taehyun suddenly looks vulnerable, and Beomgyu no longer feels like teasing.

"It's because I do love you, Taehyun." His voice is soft, steady. Certain. "I love you."

And even if Taehyun already knows, hearing Beomgyu say it like that makes something melt inside his chest. He can feel the truth of it all the way down to his bones. Like a promise.

"I love you too, Beomgyu."

Taehyun brushes a hand against the brunette's cheek, and the loving look in his eyes makes something inside Beomgyu sway.

"I fell for you the second we met, Beomi." He smiles softly. "Not that it's a secret. After all, our bond only came to be because you loved me already, and I loved you too."

His thumb traces Beomgyu's cheekbone.

"But I want to say it now, properly, now that all of this is behind us." His voice grows more vulnerable. "I'm so in love with you, Choi Beomgyu. The way you smile. The way you take care of Kai and me without ever asking for recognition. The way you treat life and death. The way you move through everything so gracefully."

His gaze drops briefly to Beomgyu's lips before returning to his eyes.

"You're smart. Kind. Beautiful."

His fingers lightly brush across Beomgyu's lower lip.

And then it's Beomgyu's turn to be shy.

"Taehyun..." he breathes, eyes shining. "You're everything to me. I felt it the second I laid eyes on your pretty face."

Taehyun lets out a watery laugh, mostly to stop himself from crying.

"You're clingy, needy, cute, adorable, and I don't think I ever want to be separated from you again." Beomgyu smiles, his voice trembling around the edges. "You keep me grounded. You make me want to be better, for you. I love you so much."

Then Taehyun whispers, "Will you be mine then? officillay"

Beomgyu's smile softens tenderly.

"I will. And will you be mine?"

Taehyun leans closer. "I already was, my love."

The distance between them is ridiculous now. Barely a breath. Close enough for Taehyun to see every detail of Beomgyu's face, the tiny beauty marks he has memorized, the way his lashes tremble slightly, the warmth shining in his eyes.

Close enough to feel the same anticipation thrumming through both of them.

Beomgyu's hand rises almost hesitantly, fingertips brushing Taehyun's cheek as if he still cannot quite believe this is real.

"My love," he whispers again, sounding awed by the words.

Then they finally close the distance and let their lips seal the confession.

Taehyun's lips are impossibly soft and plump, just like Beomgyu imagined, and boy had he imagined them more than a few times over the last few weeks.

They kiss slowly, moving against each other without deepening it right away. Only soft sounds escape them. Beomgyu takes Taehyun's chin between his fingers, guiding him to tilt his head slightly to the side. The new angle lets them sink further into the kiss naturally.

Taehyun lets out a small whimper when the older vampire brushes his tongue against his lower lip, and the tiny gap it creates is enough for Beomgyu to deepen the kiss. Taehyun is so receptive to every touch that it makes Beomgyu smile into it. A second later, he feels Taehyun doing the exact same thing, the younger vampire securing the position by tangling his fingers in the hair at the nape of Beomgyu's neck as though he never wants to let him go.

It is a delicious kind of torture.

Weeks of stolen glances. Weeks of restraint. Weeks of sleeping beside each other and pretending they weren't hopelessly in love.

Now, finally, they don't have to pretend anymore. They can let their desires run free.

With their eyes closed, they can feel each other even more. What started sweet and tender is slowly becoming something warmer, something harder to ignore. When Taehyun climbs into Beomgyu's lap, knees settling on either side of him, Beomgyu can't help biting lightly at his bottom lip.

They are both ready to go further, but Beomgyu still has things he wants to say. He breaks the kiss and chuckles when Taehyun instinctively tries to follow his lips.

"I have a gift for you, my love. I picked it after seeing those gorgeous red eyes when you fed from me for the first time."

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small jewelry box.

Taehyun's eyes widen as Beomgyu opens it and reveals the necklace inside.

The charm is incredibly beautiful. An ornate silver pendant hangs from a delicate chain, its frame covered in intricate filigree and tiny decorative details that make it look almost antique. At its center sits a vivid crimson eye, bright as fresh rubies beneath the lantern light. The slit pupil cuts through the red like a blade of black ink, giving it something both elegant and slightly dangerous. It looks like it belongs in an old vampire legend, mysterious and beautiful all at once.

For a moment, he cannot even speak.

Beomgyu helps him fasten it around his neck, and the look on Taehyun's face tells him everything he needs to know.

"I don't have a ring... yet," Beomgyu says softly, fingers brushing over the pendant once it's in place in its rightful place, on his mate's chest, "but this represents how much I love and cherish you, my dear."

"Thank you so much. It's gorgeous, hyung..." Taehyun murmurs, still touching the charm. "But I... I didn't get you anything."

Then his gaze darkens with mischief, and that familiar crooked smile appears, showing just one side of his pretty teeth.

"I have an idea. I'll make you one right now, hyung."

He reaches for the top button of Beomgyu's shirt and undoes it before leaning down, gently pushing Beomgyu back onto the soft blanket beneath them.

Still straddling him, Taehyun presses a trail of kisses along his collarbone, lingering over the pale skin there. The necklace rests against his own chest now, the crimson eye catching the lantern light every time he moves.

Realization slowly dawns on Beomgyu.

"Oh, shit," he breathes, his hands immediately finding Taehyun's impossibly small waist.

Taehyun only smiles against his skin.

"You'll be the death of me, Kang Taehyun."

"That's the idea," Taehyun murmurs, looking far too pleased with himself.

Taehyun is lying on top of Beomgyu, carefully making him a blood necklace as promised, making sure to space the bites evenly so it looks pretty.

Each mark is placed with ridiculous concentration, as though he is working on a piece of art instead of decorating his mate's collar. Every time he pulls back to inspect his work, he immediately leans in again to adjust something, determined to make it perfect.

Beomgyu whimpers beneath him with every new bite, and Taehyun feels a strange sense of pride at having the older vampire at his mercy like this, enjoying every second of it.

"Hold still, hyung," he murmurs seriously.

"I'm literally not moving."

"You sighed."

"I am being attacked."

Taehyun snorts and presses another kiss beside one of the marks before admiring the pattern across Beomgyu's collarbone.

"There," he says proudly. "Much better."

Beomgyu lifts his head slightly to look down at the result and immediately groans.

"My dear, you've turned me into a canvas."

"A beautiful canvas."

"Hm."

Taehyun beams. He knows the marks will fade quickly, but for now he marked Beomgyu as his, and he loves it.

Beomgyu's breathing is heavy beneath him as he looks up with a loving yet aroused gaze.

The moment gets heavy; the simple bites turned both of them on so much that their lower halfs get deliciously pressed together from the position Taehyun put them in earlier. The most natural order of things is to finally consumate their bond.

But for just a moment, as Beomgyu look sat him with lust, Taehyun lets his worries take over.

"I've never done this with anyone," he murmurs quietly. "but I want to, with you."

"Just let your body feel," Beomgyu says reassuringly, caressing the side of the younger's thighs. "We'll go as slow or as fast as you need, my love."

Taehyun lets himself get wroshipped; le lies again on top of Beomgyu, whose hands slowly leave Taehyun's thighs to find their way beneath his cropped shirt, resting it between his shoulder blades before pulling him a little closer. His fingers trace comforting patterns along his back while Taehyun remains curled against him, unwilling to put any real distance between them. Their lips found their way again, and they lazily make out.

After a moment, Beomgyu helps the other vampire shrug out of his zip-up hoodie, leaving him in only the cropped top underneath. The sight makes something warm bloom in his chest.

"You're so beautiful, Taehyun," he murmurs.

Taehyun sits back slightly, lips parted, shiny and tainted dark from Beomgyu's spit. He's so pretty like this. His eyes bright and unfocused from the whirlwind of emotions and want running through him. A faint flush colors his cheeks as he looks down at Beomgyu, suddenly shy beneath the intensity of his gaze.

Beomgyu reaches for him, letting his hand rest lightly against his side and then palms at his tense abs. The simple touch draws a soft moan from Taehyun, who bites his lip and tilts his head back for a second, overwhelmed by how much pleasure can be conveyed through something so small. His cells are sreaming to be owned by his mate.

The garden feels impossibly quiet around them except for Taehyun's little sounds, the lanterns swaying gently overhead while they remain wrapped up in their own little world.

Beomgyu reverses their position. In half a second, Taehyun is underneath him, and a large palm covers his mouth to muffle the moans escaping him. The dark haired vampire stops pressing there for a moment, now hovering over Taehyun's pants instead.

"I'm barely starting my love, and you're a whimpering mess already? What will I do with you mmh?"

Taehyun already looks completely out of it, panting hard, kissing and licking at Beomgyu's palm in search of something, anything.

The older vampire unbuckles both their belts as best he can with one hand, failing miserably at not pressing himself against Taehyun's body in the process. The younger vampire lets out a muffled whimper and instinctively chases the friction.

Taehyun's beautiful face is somehow even more gorgeous under the soft orange and yellow lights reflecting on his skin, making him look tanned like caramel. Beomgyu practically foams at the mouth when he catches a glimpse of that color on his abs.

He lets his hand slide to the side of Taehyun's neck, circling it with his fingers as he towers over him, and damn, he could come from just watching Taehyun like this, so pliant beneath him.

He presses his fingers into the soft flesh, and Taehyun smiles, compliant, his.

"Can I take off your pants, my love?" he asks, wanting to make sure Taehyun was still okay despite the push-and-pull game between them.

As his reply, Taehyun lifts his hips, making it easy for Beomgyu to slip the fabric off.

And then he chokes on air.

Taehyun is wearing pretty white panties with strawberry prints.

If Beomgyu wasn't dead already, he surely would be now.

The fabric does a very poor job of hiding anything, really. It's almost translucent, and Taehyun's cock is hard as can be, the length too long to be entirely covered, the head peeking past the elastic of the lingerie. The fabric is completely transparent in some places where precum leaked through; parts of him are so visible that the veins can be seen. Taehyun had also clearly shaved for this, and Beomgyu was so gone already.

Beomgyu wants to put his mouth on that cock, but he wants to take it slow, make Taehyun feel good. So he gulps and takes the rest of Taehyun's pants off, tossing them to the side.

Taehyun is looking at him with wide, expectant eyes.

"You're beautiful, my love. All of you," Beomgyu says as he teases at the cockhead for just a second, thumbing at it to spread some precum there, making Taehyun jolt and buck his hips, before taking his own pants off, followed closely by his shirt.

Beomgyu strips entirely, and Taehyun almost faints at the sight.

Pale skin, a lean body, shoulders sharp as fuck, pretty brown nipples, defined abs. And his cock. Oh, he definitely hit the fucking lottery, didn't he?

Beomgyu's gaze on him is almost predatory now, his eyes darkening with lust.

Beomgyu's cock is longer than his, thicker maybe, and the tip is a very pretty shade of deep red-purple. After all, vampire blood is darker than human blood is, so it makes sense. Taehyun decides it's his favorite color from now on.

He's still laid out on the soft covers, now wearing only his crop top and panties, while Beomgyu is completely naked. Somehow, Taehyun is grateful the other exposed himself first.

He almost wants to jerk off to the view; Beomgyu is so fucking sexy he needs something, now. And he knows Beomgyu is trying to take it slow, but this was not going to be okay with Taehyun.

So he tentatively uses one hand to make the shirt ride up above his nipples and takes the fabric into his mouth, putting his abs on display, flexing them to see how far he can tease before Beomgyu breaks out of whatever spell he's under. His other hand sneakily presses against his cock, still constricted by the panties. It's wet all over; precum has made a mess. But Taehyun likes it wet and messy, so it was more than perfect.

Beomgyu just stares, then slowly drops a hand to grab his own erection, looking into Taehyun's eyes as he does. It makes the younger whine and press his palm harder against himself, hips thrusting upward to chase friction.

And then Beomgyu finally breaks.

He slowly crawls back toward Taehyun, and the younger immediately stills. Beomgyu peels the delicate lingerie off him, gently putting Taehyun's hand aside in the process. Taehyun lifts his legs to make it easier, and there's a soft wet sound when the underwear lets his dick break free.

His penis slaps against his stomacj, and Taehyun is just so ready, so wet for Beomgyu.

If Beomgyu had no self-control, he would simply give in to the urge and penetrate him on the spot, but not this time. Not for their first time.

So instead, he discards the panties, takes Taehyun's hands into his, and pins them above his head.

"You'll be a good boy, right, Taehyunnie?"

Taehyun feels a wave of heat travel through his body. Who knew he would be the type to love praise? But fuck, he does.

He nods eagerly.

Beomgyu smirks and leaves a quick kiss on his forehead.

"Don't look at me. Close your pretty eyes and focus on what you feel."

Taehyun does exactly as he's instructed.

He feels Beomgyu tug the crop top up slightly.

"We're leaving this on," he says in a breath.

Then he leaves a trail of wet kisses down his body, starting at his neck and moving lower.

Taehyun feels the older vampire's teeth graze against his skin and yearns to be bitten, but Beomgyu doesn't. Instead, he leaves hickeys, kisses, and slow licks, and Taehyun's head spins. He's left panting, trying his best not to make too much noise.

When the older vampire reaches his nipples, he sucks on them, and Taehyun forgets every little bit of resolve he had left. His hands fly to Beomgyu's hair, he moans, he ruts his hips upward, and then he feels Beomgyu grab those hands and pin them down again, harsher this time.

"I thought you were a good boy, but I guess I got it wrong," he smirks.

Taehyun's whole body heats up even more.

As punishment, Beomgyu positions himself so that their erections press together, and Taehyun's entire body jerks from the sensation. Beomgyu places a firm hand on Taehyun's stomach to keep him in place.

"Nuh-uh. You don't get to move, my love," he murmurs. "This is punishment, not a reward."

Taehyun bites his lip, but his eyes remain wide, expectant, and shiny with want.

Beomgyu thinks he's in real trouble if Taehyun is this responsive to his kinks. Pet names? Check. Restriction? Check. Praise? Check. Punishment? Check.

Fuck.

Taehyun is perfect isn't he?

He wanted today to be slow and loving, but clearly there was potential for a little twist after all.

Taehyun's cock feels amazing against his. Both of them are dripping like crazy, so just moving one against the other is incredibly hot and feels so good. So Beomgyu keeps doing that, watching Taehyun shake beneath him, never breaking eye contact.

He moves slowly, deliberately, and Taehyun is a mess. He does his best not to move and just take it, but the whines grow stronger and stronger, and his eyes start to water. The tips rubbing together drive him completly insane and he love it.

He bites his lips until they bleed, and only then does Beomgyu think he should reward the younger.

He keeps grinding against the other's cock, the lengths making wet sounds as they move smoothly against each other. But now he's lying on top of his mate. He caresses Taehyun's arm, leaving goosebumps in his wake, and then his fingers move to Taehyun's jaw. Centimeters apart, Taehyun tries to tilt his head to the side, maybe ashamed of the noises he's making while Beomgyu continues grinding against him.

"Don't be shy, baby. I love seeing you like this. So gorgeous and so wet, all for me."

Taehyun releases his bottom lip and lets a deep groan escape. Beomgyu takes the opportunity to lick at the blood there; the cuts made by Taehyun's own canines are deep enough that blood still flows steadily. Beomgyu starts sucking at the wounds, feeding from the younger with content little sounds.

Taehyun can't think anymore. He's sensitive everywhere, and Beomgyu is all over him, owning him. His hands are still pinned, strong fingers wrapped around both his wrists. He feels like he's about to burst from the friction in his lower part. Everything is slippery between them, and now the motherfucker is sucking on his lips.

He never knew such pleasure could even exist.

He can hear himself making pathetic noises, but he couldn't care less.

And Beomgyu's presence vanishes.

It's fortunate though, because he was about to come just like that. Maybe Beomgyu felt it and stopped? Panting, he looks up and sees Beomgyu smiling at him.

"My perfect baby," he says. "What shall we do with you now?" He licks his lips as he speaks. He is now lying beside Taehyun on his side.

Taehyun doesn't reply. Instead, he approaches his lips, wanting to taste himself in Beomgyu's mouth and feel those heavenly soft lips again.

"Kiss me, Beomgyu."

Limbs tangled together, they kiss like it's their last day on earth. Taehyun can taste the metallic hint of his own blood as their tongues meet. They kiss sloppy, fast, hungry for each other.

It's all hands reaching for whatever part of the other they can touch, caress, and hold, as if they want to disappear inside each other.

After some time of that, Beomgyu breaks the kiss and looks deep into the younger vampire's eyes as he pushes a finger into Taehyun's mouth.

Taehyun opens obediently but gives him an interrogating look.

"Lubrication," Beomgyu winks.

Taehyun is so surprised that he bites down on Beomgyu's fingers, deep enough to draw blood.

The older vampire curses, but laughs a second later.

"Damn, kitty, your fangs are sharp."

Taehyun immediately looks apologetic, but Beomgyu reassures him quickly.

"It's okay, love. I startled you, didn't I?" He smiles softly. "It's fine."

Then his expression turns playful again.

"Let's just use this as lube then."

He licks lightly at his fingers to close the cuts, but leaves the dripping blood untouched.

Taehyun feels his cock and rim twitch in unison. God, was he insane for finding this hot or what?

But before he can even process it, Beomgyu is kissing him again, and then he feels a finger press against him. He moans shamelessly into Beomgyu's mouth as he feels the thick liquid spread around his rim, and then a finger slowly enters him.

He is so ready and wants so much more. A little pain doesn't scare him, so he pushes back against the finger, making it slip in deep, and pleasure bursts through his whole body.

Making sure not to let the finger slip out, he pushes Beomgyu beneath him, shifting their position so the older vampire is now underneath again. With the finger still secured inside him, he proceeds to slowly ride it while Beomgyu keeps moving in time with him.The older was in awe under him.

"More, Beomgyu. Put more inside. I fucking need this so bad."

It's like the words leave his mouth on their own, but he's far too gone to care that he sounds needy and desperate.

Beomgyu giggles but obliges and slips two more fingers inside his lover's hole, and Taehyun arches his back in pleasure. Fuck, he'd wanted this for weeks now. He had fingered himself open in the shower every chance he got, horny from all the feeding, and not having Beomgyu inside him had put him on edge more times than he could count. Now he could finally have the real deal. He wanted Beomgyu's cock to split him in half, he wanted—

Oh shit.

Beomgyu is looking at him, somewhere between surprised and completely insane.

"You... Kang Taehyun, you want me to split... what?"

Oh fuck. He said that out loud, didn't he?

"Hyung, oh my God, I was thinking only, ah—"

But then Beomgyu moves his fingers again, hitting that sweet spot Taehyun could never quite reach by himself, and suddenly he doesn't give a fuck anymore.

"Yeah, Beom-ah, fuck," he gasps. "Just, fuck. Fill me up with your cock, now."

"I've wanted you between my legs since you injected that venom weeks ago, hyung."

Beomgyu smirks.

"Are you sure you're loose enough?" he teases, clearly playing dumb.

"If you don't fill me up right now, I'm walking away," Taehyun hisses.

"Very well, my love."

Beomgyu slowly withdraws his fingers, and then he switches their positions again.

He positions himself between Taehyun's legs, gently spreading them apart and meeting no resistance. He takes Taehyun's hands into his own, interlocking their fingers.

"Relax, baby. Hyung will make you feel good, yeah?"

Taehyun smiles at that, letting his legs relax and his back melt a little further into the soft blanket beneath him, though he keeps his head lifted so he can watch Beomgyu.

After placing a sweet kiss on top of his knuckles, Beomgyu lets go of his hands and grabs Taehyun's small waist instead. It almost feels like Taehyun's skin is burning wherever Beomgyu's fingers touch him, and he craves more.

Taehyun props himself up on his elbows, determined to have a front-row seat to what Beomgyu is doing. He bites his lip and licks over it while watching the older vampire, unable to tear his eyes away.

Taehyun whines when Beomgyu finally puts his dick close. He's embarrassingly ready, but Beomgyu takes his time, making sure everything goes smoothly.

Taehyun groans as Beomgyu begins pushing inside, then breathes heavy once the tip is fully in. The stretch isn't bad at all, yet Taehyun still clenches his fists, trying to show some restraint and not beg Beomgyu to keep going right fucking now.

He can feel his body trying to pull Beomgyu closer, hole sucking his penis in, and the older vampire lets out a loud moan at the sensation.

The sound alone makes Taehyun feverish.

Beomgyu is gripping his waist hard enough to leave bruises, and he loves it.

"You can go deeper, Beom-ah," Taehyun whines.

So Beomgyu does.

"My pretty angel..."

The words die on his lips as he lets his lenght get sucked in until it completely disappears, leaving the both of them are left breathless.

Pearls of sweat have gathered on Beomgyu's forehead, and he looks unfairly sexy like that, jaw clenched as he focuses on making sure Taehyun feels good and doesn't get overwhelmed.

In some ways, it only makes Taehyun want to push him further and make them both fall apart.

So Taehyun lifts his hips, deepening the angle, making Beomgyu choke back a sob.

"My love, I'm having a lot of trouble staying in control right now, so please stay still."

Taehyun is having none of that, though.

He does it again, knowing exactly what effect it will have on the other man.

Beomgyu's gaze darkens, and he finally loses control.

Torturously slow, he pulls out until only the head remains, then thrusts back in without giving Taehyun a second to breathe. The reaction is immediate, and Beomgyu, evil as he can be, wraps a hand around the base of Taehyun's cock, squeezing firmly so the younger can't come from it. He himself is very close to his release, but somehow manages to hold on.

Taehyun, after crying out from the overwhelming mix of sensation, is absolutely shocked that Beomgyu denied his orgasm.

"What the hell, Beomgyu?"

"You're a tease, my love, and you need to be taught to respect me a little more."

Taehyun opens his mouth to reply, but he's cut off immediately as Beomgyu repeats the previous action even more harshly.

The ginger throws his head back against the soft blanket, his whole body jerking helplessly beneath Beomgyu's powerful thrusts inside of his ass. His moans turn into cries, and those cries grow higher-pitched with every passing second, covering the squelching sounds all the fluids make.

Beomgyu looks sinful like this above him, no longer asking but taking, and it's everything Taehyun wanted. Beomgyu's balls are slapping the younger's ass at every thrust, and everythings feels wet and hot.

"You're taking me so well, Tyun-ah. Should I let you come now?" the vampire moans out.

But Taehyun is too far gone to answer. Spits covers his chins, his mouth is open in a silent cry, he's so out of it it makes Beomgyu release an evil laugh, proud of his work.

A few moments later, Taehyun only manages to blurt out between broken breaths,

"Please... come inside, hyung... come inside...COME INSIDE- AAAH"

Everything crashes down at once as Beomgyu pounds into his at a frenetic pace now.

Beomgyu does just what he's asked, releasing in spasms inside Taehyun's guts; the younger's legs shake uncontrollably from the pleasure of being filled to the brim and Beomgyu finally lets go of his abused cock.

Taehyuns explodes over his own stomach and Beomgyu's fingers, crying out from the intensity of his orgasm. Beomgyu drops on top of him from the shock, burrying his face against Taehyun's neck while Taehyun trembles beneath him, completely overwhelmed.

For a long moment, neither of them can do anything except cling to each other and breathe.

Beomgyu keeps moving slowly inside the younger savoring the aftermath and overstimulating him. Taehyun lies spent beneath him, barely able to breathe, sweaty and shining under the soft lights.

"You did so good, my love." the older murmurs. Then Beomgyu presses a kiss to the tip of his mate's nose finally pulling out.

Taehyun lets out a weak moan, every muscle feeling loose and exhausted.

Completely wrecked.

Completely happy.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

Beomgyu takes care of him afterward, cleaning the cum out of his leaking hole with his tongue, and the younger whimpers from the oversensitivity, yet still thanks Beomgyu in between sharp breaths. Beomgyu is mesmerized by how much sperm keeps slipping out every time Taehyun breathes, pushing the warm liquid back out.

Now he is marked inside and out. Beomgyu feels possessive and proud.

Taehyun lets out a frustrated groan Beomgyu's tongue and lips leave his hole and instead places butterflies kisses all over his inner thighs.

Beomgyu immediately looks up.

"Are you okay my love?"

Taehyun hides his face in his hands.

"I still feel hot all over, Beomi. Your tongue felt too good, mmmghhh."

Of course.

After everything they had just been through, Taehyun was still needy... And very hard, apparently, as the older vampire glances down at Taehyun's crotch. His cock is hard as wood, veins standing out, looking more than ready for another round.

Taehyun's cheeks turn bright red as he buries his face deeper into his hands.

"This is embarrassing."

"It's a little cute," Beomgyu admits.

"Hyung!"

The older vampire only laughs harder before moving to lie beside him.

Taehyun swats weakly at his chest before curling up against him again, seeking warmth and closeness. They remain tangled together beneath the soft lights, the garden around them quiet except for the distant rustle of leaves in the night breeze.

Eventually, Taehyun lifts his head and studies Beomgyu's face.

There is so much affection there.

So much tenderness.

He doesn't want to ruin the moment, yet he really needs to be stuffed full again.

"I'm not kidding, hyung. I want to feel you even deeper this time," he says, looking deep into Beomgyu's eyes, and he knows he's already won this battle.

With a little encouragement from Taehyun's wet mouth, Beomgyu gets hard again. Taehyun absolutely loves feeling Beomgyu grow again in his mouth and licks at the lenght with gusto. Even the taste of it was perfection, and he wraps his lips around the leaking tip and licks at it like it's the best lollipop he ever had. His tongue naturally digs into the slit, making Beomgyu whimper.

The younger is skilled at what he does despite it being his first time sucking a cock, and soon Beomgyu urges him to pull away before he cums again.

Taehyun takes it as his cue to take what he's been aching for, and hops on the brunette without wasting time; he's still wet from Beomgyu's saliva, and he takes the hard penis under him in his hand, teases for a few second by letting the pretty tip slip against his entrance, and then he lets his hole get stretched by the large cock again, slowly letting gravity do the rest of the work for him.

He feels exposed but free like this, on top of his beloved; he he loses the T-shirt that is a little too damp with sweat for his liking.

Sitting completely on his lover offers a new kind of deepness, and Taehyun experiences pure bliss as he starts lifting his hips up and down and all over again, Beomgyu's fat cock brushing his prostate every time he dives down.

Beomgyu gets the show of his life; Taehyun is shining from sweat, jumping on his cock frantically, losing himself in his own pleasure. The young vampire's walls are hugging his dick tight, and his moans, gradually getting louder as he starts approaching orgasm, make Beomgyu wish this would last forever.

Taehyun is so close to his release, he can feel it too; and he is now mumbling fucks and aaahs and shit, omg deeper Beomgyu I love your cock so much, and then – white; Taehyun comes untouched, cumming so hard his load reaches Beomgyu's chin and neck.

He lets himself fall toward Beomgyu's torso, still impaled on his cock, and licks his own sperm clean from Beomgyu's skin. His eyes are glowing like crazy and he silently asks for permission to feed from his lover under him. Which he gets.

Beomgyu hasn't come yet, but as Taehyun bites on his neck, he pierces the skin of the younger's shoulder and feeds on him too. The ecstasy of drinking from his mate's blood and having Taehyun's twitching hole squeezing him and spasming from the orgasm aftershock makes him come again, putting a second load inside the younger who bites even deeper in retaliation.

Eventually, the intensity fades into softness and content.

The lanterns are still glowing around them, the little lights swaying gently in the night breeze while the garden settles back into silence.

Taehyun is spent, sprawled on top of Beomgyu with no intention of moving anytime soon.

"My love," Beomgyu laughs softly, voice an octave lower from its usual after moaning for so long "At least let me put some clothes on you before you fall asleep out here."

Taehyun only hums and presses his face deeper into his chest.

Beomgyu eventually manages to sit up enough to pull his own shirt over Taehyun's head.

The result is ridiculous.

The black shirt is far too big for him, the sleeves hiding his hands completely and the collar slipping off one shoulder.

Beomgyu absolutely loses it. "Oh no."

"What?"

"You look even more boyfriend-shaped than usual."

Taehyun immediately hides his face in the oversized sleeves.

"Beom!"

"You do!"

Taehyun tries to look offended, but ends up giggling too.

A few moments later they are curled up together over the blanket, Taehyun tucked against Beomgyu's side while the older vampire absentmindedly plays with his hair.

The younger tilts his head up. "I love you."

The words come easily now.

Beomgyu smiles and presses a soft kiss to his forehead.

"I love you too."

Silence settles comfortably between them.

Taehyun smiles so hard his dimple appears.

The young vampire absentmindedly plays with the necklace around his neck, fingers tracing the charm Beomgyu gave him earlier. Every now and then it catches the lantern light and sparkles.

"I still can't believe you got me this," he murmurs.

Beomgyu smiles.

"You deserve it."

He looks down at the pendant, then back at Beomgyu. "I can't believe any of this."

The older vampire tilts his head.

"You took me in. You taught me about this whole vampire thing without making me feel stupid. You gave me a home. Kai too." His voice softens.

Beomgyu's expression immediately melts.

"My love..."

Taehyun shakes his head before the other can interrupt.

"No, let me finish."

He shifts closer until their knees touch.

"I know forever is a long time. Especially for us. But when I think about the future now, I don't feel scared." His fingers tighten around the pendant.

"Because you're there."

Beomgyu looks dangerously close to crying.

"So are you."

Taehyun laughs softly.

"Good. Because it'd be awkward if I was making plans by myself."

"What kind of plans?"

The younger vampire suddenly looks suspiciously innocent.

"Oh, you know."

"No."

"You know."

Beomgyu narrows his eyes.

"Taehyun."

"What if one day I find a necklace for you too?"

Immediately Beomgyu understands.

The silence lasts exactly three seconds before both of them start laughing.

"My love, we confessed our feelings approximately twenty minutes ago."

"I know."

"We are not planning a wedding."

"I'm not planning a wedding."

"You literally are."

"I'm planning matching jewelry." Taehyun's dimple appears.

"I think you'd look pretty wearing something from me."

Beomgyu hates that he instantly pictures it.

"...I would."

"I knew it."

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

Eventually they make their way back inside the house. Halfway there, a new thought hits Taehyun.

"Do you think Kai is still there?"

Beomgyu freezes.

The two of them look at each other.

Then burst out laughing.

"No way."

"You think he left?"

"I think he ran."

"Immediately?"

"Im'sure."

Taehyun gasps.

"My dear, that's my progeny. He absolutely folded and ran away the second things became embarrassing."

They continue arguing all the way to the front door.

When they finally step inside, the manor is completely silent.

No Kai. No lights. No sign of life. The two vampires stare at the empty entrance hall for one second. Beomgyu is laughing so hard he has to hold onto the wall.

"We're asking him tomorrow."

"Oh, definitely."

And somewhere in the city, Kai suddenly gets a terrible feeling that his peaceful evening at Soobin and Yeonjun's place is about to become the subject of a very embarrassing interrogation.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹

Epilogue

Several months later, the manor had changed.

Not enough for strangers to notice, but enough that Beomgyu sometimes stood in the doorway of his bedroom and smiled. Their bedroom.

The charcoal and ruby bedding had disappeared in favor of softer colors. A cream blanket permanently stayed at the foot of the bed. There were fluffy cushions now, far too many according to Beomgyu, though he was usually found sleeping on them.

Small plants had appeared on shelves. Fairy lights had somehow invaded the bookshelves. There was a framed picture of the three of them next to the bed and a ridiculous bat plushie occupying a place of honor among the pillows.

There were university books stacked on the desk, hoodies hanging from every chair despite Taehyun having plenty of space for them, and half the bathroom shelves had been conquered by skincare products and beauty supplies. Beomgyu had complained exactly once before Taehyun looked sad, and then he had immediately folded. The room felt lived in now. Warm. Loved. Home.

Life had settled into an easy routine. Taehyun still worked part-time at the cat café with Yeonjun and Soobin, who continued treating him exactly the same.. He was also finishing his degree in vampire studies. Now he had a family, a home, a mate, and an eternity ahead of him. The thought should have been terrifying. Instead, it felt comforting.

Of course, the manor had gained a fourth resident in the meantime: Sweet Potato.

Nobody really knew how it happened. Taehyun had asked if the fluffy orange cat could stay for a few days. Beomgyu had instantly agreed. Kai had instantly refused. Somehow, despite that, Sweet Potato now ruled the house. The orange menace could usually be found sleeping on expensive furniture, stealing food wrappers, or destroying Beomgyu's flowers while looking completely innocent. Every morning started with Kai complaining about the cat's latest crime, Taehyun defending him, and Beomgyu pretending not to laugh while secretly taking both of their sides.

One evening, after dinner, Taehyun found himself sitting in the garden with Beomgyu, their shoulders touching as they watched the flowers sway in the breeze. His fingers absentmindedly played with the necklace around his neck. Across from him, Beomgyu wore one too. Not the same one, but one Taehyun had picked out himself a few months earlier. The older vampire had cried when he received it. Kai still brought it up whenever he needed blackmail material.

"You know," Taehyun said quietly, looking around. At the house. At the garden. At the lights glowing through the windows where Kai was probably arguing with the cat. At the necklace resting against his chest.

"I think eternity is going to be too short now that I have you."

The smile Beomgyu gave him was the same one that made him fall in love all those months ago.

"Forever isn't nearly enough to love you my dear."

Taehyun leaned against him, and for the first time in his life, the word didn't sound frightening.

It sounded like home.

 ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . THE END  . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦