Archive of Our Own

"That boy", Seokjin observes, watching Jungkook leave the bookstore with yet another ridiculously underpriced volume clutched to his chest, "Is going to bleed you dry."

"That's odd", Taehyung says absently, gazing at his retreating figure with a dreamy look in his eye, "Seeing as I'm the one who's the vampire."

It's pretty much a regular occurrence now- every week Jungkook clomps into Taehyung's dusty little corner shop, decked head to toe in seven shades of black. Three pocket cargo pants tucked into stomper boots with jagged soles, he looks like he's stepped out of a video game.

Very rarely does he stray from his typical attire of oversized solid t-shirts or dark hoodies, but there was one notable occasion where he traipsed in wearing a crop top, and his snatched waist had left Taehyung bawling on the floor.

Today is no exception- the boy is practically swimming in a sweatshirt that could easily house Tae, Seokjin and himself, with plenty of room to spare. Taehyung finds his dead heart reviving the moment he hears the familiar creak of the wooden floorboards, signifying the arrival of his favorite customer- and sure enough, it's none other than Jeon Jungkook.

He yawns as he browses the aisles, cheeks puffed with sleep.

"Long night?" Tae calls, craning his neck over the counter, even as he pretends to be busy.

Jungkook nods, rubbing at his eyes, his knuckles laced with a delicate cobweb of tattoos.

"I had a project that was due this morning and my partner bailed at the last moment. Ended up pulling an all-nighter", he halts in his tracks suddenly, as a book catches his eye. Peeking out from behind his fist, his eyes widen, and his mouth curves into an 'o'.

"But on the plus side", he says, as he pulls out the book, trailing a finger down the spine. "My professor was really happy.. and I found this!"

He holds up the book, grinning at Taehyung. "This seems legit, doesn't it? Vampyre. It's even spelt old-timey."

"Sure", Taehyung says, "I mean it does seem more professional than the last one. What was it called? 'V is for Vampire'?"

"Yeah", Jungkook skims through the pages- and that's technically against the rules, a ban Seokjin has been trying to enforce for months- but Taehyung knows Jungkook doesn't do it with malicious intent.

"Look hyung", he says, eyes shining with excitement as he comes across a detailed diagram of a badly drawn incubus.

Its fangs are too short and its dick is too large. Like, comically. The kind to make everyone in the room quietly shake their heads at whichever Joseon era artist illustrated it, because no person, living or undead, can possibly have an appendage that ginormous.

Or maybe that's just Taehyung being jealous of another being that seems to have caught Jungkook's attention?

He doesn't get time to dwell on his well-endowment- or lack thereof- because Jungkook is eagerly showing him the text written alongside.

"This- this is what I've been looking for! It's clearly listed- the physical characteristics of a male vampire. The wording is kinda archaic, but I can live with that. It does seem pretty well-researched, see?" He tugs Tae over, pointing out the lines that have captured his attention.

"Y-yeah", Taehyung stutters, slightly overwhelmed by their proximity. So close, he can feel the thrum of Jungkook's blood under his skin. So close, he can feel the heat of him, breathe in his scent, fresh like soap, with an underlying musk.

It's nothing he can't take, but while Jungkook fervently reads out the tips to recognize a vampire by their bodily features, Tae feels his treacherous fangs elongating, pressing into the insides of his lips. His throat feels parched, and he swallows, trying to fight the way his mouth waters.

He's not truly thirsty- he makes sure to drink his fill before he opens his place for business every morning, but being so close to the person he adores sends his hormones in a tizzy. He's been twenty-seven for centuries, but at the moment, he feels like a helpless teenager, fuzzy thoughts throwing off his balance and aggravating his bloodlust.

He doesn't hold it against Jungkook though. He knows he's in control and he'd never hurt the boy. It might be hard sometimes, reigning himself in like this, but the smile on Jungkook's face makes it worth it.

After all, it hadn't always been like this. The first time he'd seen Jungkook, the boy had scurried in through the door like a particularly timid mouse, hiding behind his pretty bangs, hands scrunched up into balls under his long sleeves. He'd barely said a word as he'd skulked through the shop and although Taehyung found him interesting, he was certain he wouldn't return.

But return he had, and then Tae had complimented him on his one sided snake bite, and Jungkook had offered him a shy smile, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Or, as Seokjin likes to say, had spiraled wildly out of control, because Tae would rather suck dick than blood.

Anyway, the fact of the matter is, it had taken time for Taehyung to get Jungkook to open up to him. And despite the distinct lack of dick sucking involved, the easy banter they now have is something he treasures. Having Jungkook actively seek him out and share things that are important to him, without fear of judgment is the highlight of Tae's week. Probably even his life.

If he has his own opinions with regards to the accuracy of the book, Jungkook doesn't have to know. It's the subtle bounce in his step and the brightness on his face as Taehyung hands over his purchase, that fills Tae's cold insides with an inexplicable warmth.

"My little boba ball", Taehyung sighs, melting into a puddle on the counter, as Jungkook leaves, the door swinging shut after him, "His face is just so round, ugh. How is he even real?"

Seokjin steps out of the shadows with elegance and flair, having lurked by the back door for a decent amount of time. He shakes his head with disdain at his brother, and then he shakes his head again, when he realizes his neck has cramped up from lurking around with such gusto.

He's not really built for all this lurking, after all. It makes him feel like he's a shady dude in a trenchcoat, selling counterfeit shit in dark alleys. Seokjin happens to pride himself on his image- it's not that easy to give off the approachable vibes he does, when one is actually a blood sucking monster. But Seokjin, shrewd businessman that he is, knows very well that people are more likely to buy their breakfast from a 'guy next door', 'my best friend's older brother', 'that one cute barista' looking dude, than someone who looks disinterested or predatory- in the literal sense.

That's not to say that Seokjin does not fit into either of the aforementioned categories, because he does, but it's just that he also happens to have a more practical side to him, that's allowed him to survive through the years. It's this very practicality that has enabled him to look after his brother for so long; in comparison, Tae is more emotionally driven and prone to making rash decisions, although he usually means well.

Luck, however, is not on Seokjin's side, for just as he thinks he's done with all the dramatic head shaking, he catches sight of the screen of Taehyung's monitor.

"You sold him a seventeenth century manuscript on vampire anatomy for the price of a McChicken? Are you nuts?"

Taehyung shoots him a glare, affronted.

"He's a broke college student who's got an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. I'm an undead being with several centuries' worth of creepy ass books that Namjoon hyung keeps dumping on me. It's a symbiotic business relationship."

Seokjin arches a well manicured eyebrow. "And what about the huge ass crush you have on the kid? I see you've conveniently left out the fact that he merely needs to blink those big bug eyes at you and your brain turns to dope."

"Doe eyes", Taehyung corrects, snippy. "And what can I say- he's the perfect combination of adorable and edgy. It's like someone went through my brain to pick out every single feature I could like about a person and molded them into him."

"The only good thing about his fashion sense is he's got enough silver on him to straight up annihilate a werewolf", Seokjin sniffs. "Can I borrow him for a day? Need to do some spring cleaning down the street."

"Hah! I knew it. For all your posing, you, hyung, have got boy problems."

Seokjin rolls his eyes. "You got that wrong. It's pronounced 'wolf problems'. Mutt works too."

"Tomayto tomahto", Tae says, rubbing his hands with glee. "You've got a little something something going on with the owner of Jack's Box, haven't you?"

"Rivalry is the word you're looking for. I despise that guy with every fiber of my being. Not only has he been stealing my customers, but he also presents himself as this effervescent, ever smiling puppy dog, when we all know he's a lunatic, lupine monster that steals hearts."

"Oh I bet he's stolen your heart, alright. And besides, hyung- in what way is his behavior all that different from yours?"

"That's exactly the reason I'm angry! Don't you see- that brat comes out of nowhere, opens up his little shop and copies my modus operandi. A sworn natural enemy, mind you. I'm gonna need to have your little boy toy march up and down the sidewalk as an intimidation tactic."

"Jungkook doesn't even wear silver", Taehyung tells him, "Some of it is stainless steel. Some of it is titanium."

"Why?" Seokjin folds in on himself, his face the picture of despair. "What is the use of wearing so much silvery jewelry if you're no use as a werewolf repellent."

"It's for the aesthetic", Taehyung says. "It suits his whole persona, you know? He actually makes me feel slightly feral sometimes."

"What I'm hearing is that your ideal type is essentially someone who dresses like a tiktok e-boy", Seokjin says, pinching the bridge of his nose with a weary hand. "Next thing you'll be telling me is he unironically plays air guitar to My Chemical Romance."

Taehyung blinks. "I mean I personally prefer jazz, but MCR does have some cool guitar riffs-"

"That's not the point", Seokjin cuts in, exasperated, "You know what? I can't handle this shit. I'm outta here. Let Namjoon deal with your sorry ass when this boy leaves you high and dry."

Sadly, he is not met with the level of agitation he believes his statement warrants, for Taehyung is already lost in a flurry of pictures of tapioca pearls on Pinterest, comparing them to Jungkook's cheeks and sighing dramatically.

Namjoon does drop by rather unexpectedly on the weekend. Technically, the shop is supposed to be closed but sometimes it gets too lonely in his little apartment, so Taehyung's lounging downstairs, pretending to clean.

He nearly trips over the large stack of ancient looking books his cousin has deposited on the floor.

"Oh hello hyung", Taehyung says, once he catches sight of Namjoon browsing through his collection, "It's been a while."

Namjoon nods distractedly, as he extracts a heavy tome from one of the wooden shelves.

"Yes.. yes, I do believe it's been quite some time."

He carries over the book to the only table Taehyung has in his store, setting it down with some struggle. There's a sort of rusted latch in place, and he carefully pries it open, but as he flips through the pages, a cloud of dust billows into his face, making him sneeze.

Belatedly, Taehyung shuffles over with his feather duster and makes a show of cleaning what must, most certainly, be a prized encyclopedia of some sort of magick or the other. It's not often that vampires are associated with magical studies, but Namjoon is always looking to learn, which is why he's amassed such a huge number of books. Since he's often traveling, however, he tends to forcibly donate the ones he's already read to Tae, but every now and then, he does pop up out of nowhere to leaf through them again.

Now, Taehyung peeks over his shoulder to look at what he's reading, and notes with surprise that it's simply a well-worn journal about caring for houseplants.

"My bonsai isn't doing too well", Namjoon tells him, "I take it everywhere with me, I never forget to water it. I don't know what happened."

Taehyung scratches his head. "How old is it, hyung?"

"It's not that old", Namjoon assures him, "It's just crossed.. oh."

Voice trailing off as he comes to a realization, he raises his head to look at Tae, expression glum, "I believe it's been five hundred years."

Taehyung hums. That's what he'd suspected, give or take a few decades.

"You know", Namjoon says, closing his book with an air of finality. "I never considered the fact that I'd outlive a tree, or get so attached to one. But I guess that's what life is like for creatures like us; 'stability' seems to be the only 'ability' we lack."

"I thought you do like being a wanderer."

"It's always staying, moving on, staying, moving on. I keep repeating the same things again and again. Maybe it's time I settle down. It's been working well for you, hasn't it? This is a cozy little corner you've got here."

"It has", Taehyung smiles.

With Seokjin having opened his bakery a few blocks away, it's been a nice couple of years for them, so far. It's a university town, so his hyung's business has been booming, although they are not truly in need of a steady source of income, owing to the wealth they've accumulated over the past couple of centuries.

In contrast, Taehyung's shop, although surprisingly well stocked, caters to a more niche clientele. And while the few customers he has are dedicated, one in particular is loyal to a fault. However, Taehyung staunchly refuses to let him pay even half the price his books are worth, let alone overcharge him, thus effectively ruining Seokjin's carefully thought out business model.

Namjoon, on the other hand, has never led a sedentary life- the last Taehyung had heard of him prior to their current meeting was that he'd been fraternizing with a sect of monks from a secluded mountain temple, discussing philosophy and debating the meaning of life.

He produces a jute bag out of thin air, handing it over to Tae with a flourish.

"A little something for you and hyung."

Taehyung peers into it, cautious. There's only so many vamp hunting manuals a vampire can stomach without feeling queasy. To his relief, instead of another bundle of rescued texts ridden with bookworms, he's greeted by little pouches of matcha.

While vampires don't necessarily benefit from human sources of nourishment, most of them do occasionally indulge in the luxuries of a hot cup of tea on a rainy day. Namjoon, in particular, with his love for animals, and general appreciation for life, can often be found experimenting with what he refers to as 'vegan' options as well, infusing teas with nectar and sap.

Although Tae and his older brother usually stick to blood bags or the occasional willing human, where beverages are concerned, he accepts the token with gratitude.

Later, after he's brewed them a cup, Namjoon takes a thoughtful sip, apparently recollecting the purpose behind his impromptu visit.

"Seokjin hyung mentioned something to me- a human, I believe..?"

Ah. So Seokjin has made good on his threat.

"Um.." Taehyung falters, trying to decide how to phrase it.

Unlike Seokjin, who despite his nagging and his age, tends to be a chill dude- his roots in meme culture deeper than a certain someone's unfortunate bonsai's- Namjoon.. tends to operate on a different plane entirely. Taehyung is not sure how he'd react to the news of him basically handing out his carefully curated collection to.. some guy.

"I mean.." Tae says, eventually, "There's a boy."

Namjoon nods, confused but encouraging.

"Um. I uh.. I kind of have a crush on him."

"That's not unheard of", his cousin says, seemingly perplexed. "Is this truly the emergency that had hyung summon me from the Himalayas? I actually ended up having to travel on the back of one of my mountain goat friends for quite some distance, because hyung kept calling to say the yak wasn't fast enough."

"Yak..?" Taehyung echoes, "I.. I dunno. I guess hyung's fired up because I keep selling this guy books for cheap. But Jungkook- he's super sweet, y'know? He's a digital art major- you should really see the drawings he does- and he seems kind of fascinated with vampires. And it's not even in an obnoxious way, he just truly wants to study stuff, and.. and I want to help him."

Thankfully, Namjoon seems to agree in his own way.

"The pursuit of knowledge is always commendable", he says.

"Exactly", Tae is quick to agree. He can use this against Seokjin if it comes to it. "Very commendable. Laudable, really. That's what I told hyung."

"Are you planning to take the boy in? Form a blood bond?"

It's sudden and unexpected- so far, Taehyung has been content to simply make eyes at Jungkook from a distance. But a blood bond- now that's old magic. It's heavy stuff that binds a vampire and a human for life. Taehyung doesn't even have the balls to ask him out.

"I.. I haven't- I mean sure", he stammers, floundering in panic, "I don't know him that well yet, but.. huh. That's a thought. But he wouldn't- I mean I'm just me, but he's like super hot. Jungkook is.. 'big tiddie goth bf' is a term that comes to mind. Uh.. have you heard of that?"

"I have been told I have 'big tiddies', yes", Namjoon says.

Taehyung blinks. Namjoon is just full of surprises today, isn't he? He closes his eyes for a moment, shaking his head rapidly, as if to yeet away the mental image. No Home Sweet Alabama here, thank you very much.

"So", he says, trying to wrap up the conversation in a hurry, "Essentially, hyung. No blood bond. We're good right?"

"If you're not planning to bond, I would advise you not to reveal your identity to him." Namjoon says, "Knowledge is a powerful tool, as long as it isn't used for harm. Just because you think his artwork is exemplary.. or that his tiddies are large.. does not guarantee in any way, that he would not be affiliated to a group of hunters, perhaps, that might misuse your attachment to him to their advantage."

Taehyung shudders. "Hyung, let's.. let's just never speak of that word again, forget I ever mentioned it. Also- zipped lips, beware of hunters, knowledge is a strong power, thank you. Got it."

Namjoon casts a pensive look at the storefront after Tae hurriedly ushers him out. Compared to the rest of the signs down the street with their glowing neon, the board here is hand painted.

'Oddities:', it reads, in Taehyung's messy, sloping scrawl, 'Rare and Used Books'.

Shaking his head as he prepares to leave, Namjoon can't help but wonder if Taehyung will truly find stability with his venture.. and whether he will pay heed to his words.

A few weeks later, Taehyung happens to be idly painting his nails when Jungkook comes by. Startled, he nearly knocks over the bottle of nail paint, but in a strange turn of events, it's the human who ends up having quicker reflexes and prevents the paint from spilling all over him.

"T-thanks", Taehyung mumbles, embarrassed.

"Oh no, it's my fault for barging in like that." Jungkook is quick to apologize, polite as always. "I'm sorry if I scared you. I've been told my presence is a little creepy sometimes."

Taehyung frowns. "Creepy? What the fuck- no! Jungkook- who would say that? You're actually pretty cu- I mean- well. You're not creepy at all."

Jungkook shrugs, letting his usually smiling mask drop for once. "I don't know about that. Maybe it's the piercings? Or the tattoos? My mom seems to think I've overdone them and maybe she's right. I just got denied a part time job as a receptionist- apparently I look too intimidating."

Taehyung feels a sort of burning anger course through his veins.

"That's.. that's unfair. That's pretty messed up, actually. You're a really sweet person, I don't understand why someone would fail to see that."

"Thanks, hyung", Jungkook says, with a soft smile. "I didn't really care for the place, to be honest, but I just needed a job. You know how I keep buying stuff.. and well, here I am again, anyway."

He snorts, shaking his head. "I guess something about this place just draws me here."

"Maybe it's me", Taehyung jokes, although he is kind of hoping that really is the case.

To his relief, Jungkook's smile grows wider. "Maybe it is. You always cheer me up, hyung. Maybe, if you'd like.. we could hang out sometime?"

Taehyung nods, standing up, "Yeah, of course. I'd like that, definitely."

They end up simply looking at each other wordlessly for a moment, with matching grins, and Taehyung feels giddy, legs shaking with the need to do something. Is this a date? He wants to jump, he wants to run. His fangs seem to thrum within his gums, but he's careful to not let them slip through.

"How about you work here", he suggests, out of the blue. "I wouldn't mind your company."

Jungkook is quick to shake his head. "Oh no, hyung. I couldn't."

"Why not?" Taehyung asks, hurt at how fast Jungkook has shut him down. Has he been misinterpreting things? They'd just had.. a moment of sorts.. hadn't they? Surely, he isn't so bad at picking up human cues?

Jungkook seems to pick up on his emotions.

"No, I didn't mean it in a bad way", he hastens to reassure Tae. "There's.. You know I like being here, hyung. There's nothing more I'd like than to work with you. And it's really nice of you to offer. But it wouldn't be fair to you."

"Why wouldn't it be?" Tae frowns.

Has Jungkook.. finally put two and two together? Does he feel like having a human working here would be too much of a temptation for him?

"Well.." Jungkook seems hesitant to continue, but sighs, giving in once he takes in Taehyung's dejected expression. "Hyung- it's just that there's hardly ever anyone around, apart from me. So I don't want to make you lose money when I know you don't really need the help-"

"I do!" Taehyung cuts in, waving at the layers of grime clearly visible on the furnishings. "Look at all that dust. It needs dusting for sure, wouldn't you say?"

Jungkook eyes the dust, bewildered.

"Where did that come from? I distinctly remember you brandishing a feather duster the last time I came around."

Right. Of course Jungkook would remember that. Taehyung had chased him around the store, armed with his duster, determined to tickle his cute little nose.

"Iwaspretending", he mumbles, under his breath, but of course Jungkook doesn't let it go.

"What?"

Taehyung huffs a sigh. "I was pretending to clean. I do that sometimes when I'm bored. Did you really think I would brush your face with a dirty duster?"

"Yeah", Jungkook says, "I- obviously. That's why I was running."

"Well. Now you know, I guess. If you ever see me holding a feather duster, know that I'm just pretending to clean stuff. In all honesty, I don't think I've ever properly cleaned this place since I opened it."

"Huh", Jungkook gives the shop a once over, as if he's suddenly seeing it through a new lens. "I guess I could help out."

Taehyung takes advantage of the distraction to finally tickle him with a stray feather that's been lying by the cash register- a product of their tussle the previous week.

Jungkook's bunny nose twitches cutely, but he quickly launches a counterattack, tickling Taehyung's ribs with his deft fingers.

It's probably the hardest Taehyung has laughed in centuries.

"Hello, welcome to Oddities", Jungkook greets his first customer, with a respectful bow, "How may I h-"

"Wait- what the hell are you doing here?" Seokjin looks at Jungkook, scandalized. "Did I wake up in some parallel dimension or did you finally overthrow my brother and take over this place?"

Jungkook swallows, trying to maintain his posture, even though he desperately wants to do a runner. So this is what it's like, working in retail.

Taehyung had forgotten his phone at home and had zipped upstairs to fetch it. When the door had swung open, seconds later, Jungkook had put on his bravest customer service face and approached the stranger. Although his job didn't strictly entail entertaining clients, he'd gone out of his way to talk to the person. After all, Taehyung had been so good to him, Jungkook felt like the least he could do was help him out in the small ways he could.

Now, judging by the strange accusations that have been fired at him, he supposes he's met his first Karen, so to speak.

"Sir", he tries again, "Please let-"

"No", Seokjin holds up a hand. "Don't. You don't seem like the power hungry overlord kind, so I'm just going to assume I stepped through a portal or something. I'm gonna go out and walk in again. Wait right here."

Jungkook watches the man bizarrely walk out again. Strange, he thinks. Definitely stranger than his roommate, who's the reason he ever got himself involved in all of this in the first place.

Thankfully, Taehyung steps in right after, phone in hand.

"Found it", he grins, but then his smile fades as he notices Jungkook's morose face. "Jungkookie? What's the matter? You alright?"

Before Jungkook can answer, the back door swings open, and the strange man enters again, his eyes immediately falling on Tae.

"Aha!" he exclaims, "There you are! I'm back again."

He looks around the room, spying Jungkook right where he'd left him, and he turns to glower at him suspiciously.

"You're here again. Buying or selling?"

Jungkook worries his lip. "Um. I guess.. both?"

Seokjin emits a world weary sigh. "Why do I even try? Goodbye."

He flounces off, leaving Jungkook staring, mystified.

Taehyung laughs awkwardly. "Family, right?"

Jungkook is only supposed to work evening shifts every other day, so he has time to keep up with his coursework. Sometimes, though, he sneaks in anyway, with the excuse that he just simply happened to be passing through.

At some point, Tae hauls a chair down from his apartment and tells him to use the table as a desk. He expects Jungkook to use the time to read through more records detailing vampire sightings and testimonies, but more often than not, he finds the younger working on his assignments for his classes.

Taehyung brews him some of Namjoon's matcha.

"Thanks hyung", he says, his tone grateful as he cups the hot drink in his hands, laptop on the table before him. "This is good. Seems like high class stuff, not the kind you get at regular stores."

Taehyung hums. "It's a gift, from a cousin. Maybe you'll see him around some day."

"You've got a lot of family in the area", Jungkook observes. "You guys seem close."

"Yeah, I guess we are. But we're all we've got, really. It's just the three of us."

"Oh", Jungkook mumbles, clearly stricken. "I-I'm sorry. I had no idea."

Taehyung shrugs. "That's alright. I don't really remember the rest of my family now. It was a long time ago."

"What happened- if you don't mind me asking."

"Namjoon doesn't talk about his family- all I can tell you is we're not truly cousins, although we are distantly related. Seokjin and I- it was an accident, many years ago. He's done a lot for me, even before it happened, when we were younger. He might seem overbearing at times, but he's just kind of overprotective."

Jungkook nods in understanding, before quietly resuming his drawing. It's one of the qualities Taehyung admires in him- he doesn't prod.

Although he can be fairly talkative at times, now that he's comfortable around Tae, at the end of day, Jungkook prefers to work without chatter. The silence is amicable though, and Taehyung finds he enjoys it even more than he could have imagined. It's just the two of them, with white noise- the occasional rustling of pages and clacking of keyboards, Jungkook's pencil scratching on paper, a car horn in the distance. And of course, most importantly, the steady thudding of a beautiful human heart.

Jungkook doesn't mind background music though, so Taehyung, at times, plays him a compilation of his favorite music.

"What music do you like?" he asks, one day, having exhausted his go-to jazz tunes.

"I have this one playlist I've been listening to", Jungkook says, pulling it up on Spotify.

Tae, unable to contain his curiosity, openly peeks over his shoulder, reading through the list of songs.

"I don't know any of these.. Is there a theme?"

Jungkook beams. "Possibly."

"And I guess that Cheshire cat grin means you're not going to reveal it."

"Precisely."

Taehyung chucks a balled up wad of newspaper at his head. Jungkook neatly dodges it, but then the next one gets him good.

Eventually this evolves into a full blown paper ball fight which ends up with both of them on the floor convulsing with laughter.

When Seokjin walks in, Taehyung's got his head on Jungkook's chest, giggling so hard, there's tears welling up in his eyes. Jungkook is no different- he's quiet underneath Tae, but he's shaking, vibrating with silent laughter.

Taehyung is the first to spot their visitor.

"Hyung", he says, immediately sitting up, straightening out his clothes, "I didn't notice you come in. Lurking as usual?"

Seokjin studies the pair with an odd look in his eyes.

"You're awfully cheerful today", he observes, "I didn't know rolling around on the floor like pair of animals was all it needed to bring a smile to your face."

Embarrassment colors Jungkook's features, but Tae takes on the brotherly banter in stride.

"You should try it sometime, hyung. With that Jack guy, yeah?" he says, wagging his eyebrows lasciviously.

Seokjin makes a harrumphing sound.

"Please. Have you seen what he's done to the place? All that new fangled interior design with the checkered walls- that whole theme he's got going there, with.. with all the nail art and smiley flowers. He thinks he's doing something, but he's just another rabid beast behind that cute face of his."

"Ah, so you do admit he's attractive! Bet you want the beast in him to do some ravaging, eh?"

Taehyung snaps his fingers into double finger guns, to which Seokjin only sighs. He sets a box on the table wordlessly, and turns to leave.

Taehyung peers at the box from his place on the floor, seated dangerously close to Jungkook's lap.

"What's that?"

"Muffins", Seokjin says, rather gruff. "Banana walnut. Baked them this morning."

"Oh." Taehyung gives him a puzzled look.

While they do occasionally eat human food- either for appearances, or out of curiosity, it bears no nutritional value to vampires. Seokjin has dabbled in the culinary arts for ages, but he knows how unlikely it is for Tae to genuinely benefit from his cooking, despite his unwavering support. So for him to bring over baked goods like this, especially without reason, is definitely odd. It's not like him to simply let the products of his efforts go to waste.

"They're not for you", Seokjin clarifies over his shoulder, as he stalks off, "They're for him."

Taehyung slowly turns to Jungkook who blinks back at him, seemingly stupefied.

"Did your brother just bring me a box of muffins?"

"Huh", Tae eyes flicker towards the box and then back at his friend. "Banana walnut. I did mention your love for banana milk in passing."

Jungkook chews on his lip, teeth tugging at his ring.

"Is this a sort of apology gift for the other day, do you think?"

Taehyung has never seen his brother apologize with gifts over all the centuries he's known him. The most he's ever received is a 'sorry' note tucked into the umbrella of his blood cocktail.

"I dunno, Kook", he says, rising to his feet to retrieve the muffins. "I believe he's adopted you into our little brood. I think he likes you."

"Oh.." Jungkook, following him, with a look of awe. "That's good, right? If he likes me?"

Taehyung pouts, pouncing on him to cling to his back.

"I liked you first, though."

Jungkook chuckles, swinging him around.

"That's alright hyung, I like you the best."

"How did you get into all the vampire stuff anyway?" Taehyung asks one evening.

It's the middle of the week, so there's a lull in the traffic- not that the shop is ever all that crowded anyway. Jungkook has taken the opportunity to pull out rows upon rows of books from their uneven racks, so that he can wipe down the wooden ledges. He's found a book or two in the process, that seems to cater to his interests, and he's asked Tae to hold on to them until he gets his paycheck.

Jungkook looks up from his staring match with an unnaturally large and grumpy looking spider.

"It's a long story, hyung. Give me a moment, I gotta get Charlotte out of here. Do you have a glass?"

Taehyung doesn't. He tends to sip his drinks out of blood bags.

He rifles through the contents of his drawer.

"Um. I've got a bracelet. And a piece of paper. And.."

Jungkook glances at him, in the midst of fighting his way out of the web Charlotte seems to be attempting to entrap him in.

"And..?" he prompts, "Quick, hyung! It could be useful."

Taehyung tries to suppress the heat that flares up in his cheeks.

"I sincerely doubt it", he mutters. "It's lube."

"Lube?" Jungkook echoes.

Taehyung sighs, holding it up. "Cherry flavored. Sadly unopened and past its use by date."

"O-Oh", Jungkook says and even Charlotte appears to stop in her tracks, startled. Seemingly abashed, the spider promptly dives under his collar to hide.

"Hyung!" Jungkook yelps, "The paper!"

Taehyung runs over with the paper, eyes full of terror. "A-are you going to squish her? Please don't."

"No.." Jungkook says, grabbing the scrap to gingerly lift the spider. "I'll just let her out. Could you get the door for me?"

Charlotte seems disgruntled when she is unceremoniously deposited on the low lying branch of a nearby tree. She glares at her newfound nemesis with all eight of her eyes, before scurrying off into the leaves.

"You get the day off for being a national hero", Taehyung announces, as they head back. "I would have had to call Namjoon hyung to deal with her, and I bet the goats wouldn't want a repeat of last time."

He realizes the slip-up the moment the words leave his mouth, but thankfully Jungkook doesn't seem to notice.

"That was something", he says, turning back to glance at the tree. "I can't shake off the feeling that she's watching me."

Taehyung ushers him in. "You're afraid of spiders, and you willingly study bloodsucking monsters?"

Jungkook shrugs. "I always thought vampires were kind of cool, as a kid, you know? Spiders- well, I don't necessarily hate them, but they kinda give me the heebie jeebies."

"Cute", Taehyung laughs, reaching out to poke at his cheek. "Heebie jeebies. Why are the words that come out of your mouth so cute?"

"It's not cute, it's the truth", Jungkook asserts, "Creepie crawlies-"

"Creepie crawlies", Taehyung repeats, giggling, before placing a finger to his own lips. "Go on. I'll be quiet, I'm listening."

Jungkook regards him with a petulant look.

"Creepie crawlies are unpredictable. They're hidden in plain sight. You just saw how that spider tried to get under my collar. A vampire would never do that."

Taehyung raises an eyebrow. "You don't know that. A vampire could be right here under your nose. A vampire might want to really get under your collar and give you a hickey."

Jungkook gives him a weird look and he panics.

"I mean, haha. Of course- vampires are fictional. Nothing to fear, haha."

Slowly, Jungkook shakes his head. "I don't.. Hyung, promise me you won't laugh at me if I tell you something?"

"Of course not, Jungkookie. I'm all ears."

The boy takes a deep breath, before looking right at Tae.

"Hyung, I don't think vampires are fictional."

Taehyung's jaw drops open. All this while, he'd assumed Jungkook's intentions were harmless, that he was just a person captivated by supernatural lore. Sure, the guy was dedicated, but he'd never thought he'd be taking it this seriously.

Namjoon's words play in his mind. Has he been cultivating something dangerous by feeding into the human's morbid obsession?

Maybe the best, he thinks, is to be forthcoming.

"Are you a hunter?" he asks, voice guarded. "Do you- are you trying to kill a vampire?"

"No", Jungkook is quick to shake his head, "No, of course not, hyung."

"I told you, didn't I?" he says, a little awkward, "I.. I was kind of a vampire buff back in high school. I had posters of all the cringy romance movies plastered on my walls. I had a crush on Park Seojoon for that drama he was in."

"Everyone has a crush on Seojoon", Taehyung says, but he lets him continue.

"But then I met someone.. and call me crazy, but I think.. I think that person is a vampire."

Taehyung's cold heart skips a beat. Does Jungkook know? He tries to align the time period in his head- the first time he'd walked into the store.. he hadn't actually bought anything. He had probably just been browsing. That was the first time they'd met.. And then, after that, he's positive Jungkook had embarked on his journey of vampire research.

"I'm not going to say anything outright until I know for certain", Jungkook continues. "But I'm pretty convinced. That's why I've been digging up all this content. I wanna be sure."

"Oh", Taehyung says, and then, "Oh.."

"Yeah", Jungkook says, and he looks slightly relieved, like a weight has been lifted from his chest. "H-He's a nice guy, and I see him every day, so I don't want to accuse him of anything and hurt his feelings."

Taehyung's heart lurches, as he accepts the reality- it is him that Jungkook is talking about. He's sure he hasn't done anything to reveal himself, but somehow it seems that he inadvertently has. Namjoon's warning rings in his ears like alarm bells, and perhaps he should flee, perhaps he should try to talk Jungkook out of it, but he can't.

The closer they've gotten, the more his crush has unfurled and blossomed within the depths of his dead heart, until the buds have spilled forth, branching from his ventricles, blood red and blooming.

It's too late to step back now, Taehyung is teetering on the edge of love, and every moment spent with Jungkook has got him losing his footing.

And so, he presses on, although his voice, when he parts his lips, comes out small and scared.

"Jungkookie", he says, "This doesn't change anything between us, does it? I don't.. I don't want things to be weird after this."

Jungkook gently bumps shoulders with him.

"Honestly, hyung? I was kind of afraid you would freak out. I don't want anything to change either. So I'm good if you are."

Taehyung leans into his warmth, able to breath, once again, with ease. A strand of his hair happens to tickle Jungkook's sensitive nose, and he sniffles, carding away the lock with his hands.

"You didn't say much, though", he mumbles, "You're really okay with all of this?"

Taehyung shrugs. It's only because Namjoon wouldn't approve of him blabbing their family secrets, that he's keeping mum. It should be fine if Jungkook is able to figure things out on his own.

"I don't really mind", he says, honestly. "I never realized that was the reason you've been buying all those books.. but I'm not going to discourage you."

"Thanks, hyung."

Tae smiles to himself, caught in a perfect moment. Six months ago, pining away for Jungkook from the other side of the counter, he wouldn't have imagined, in his wildest dreams, that he'd ever find himself in this position.

"Jungkookie", he murmurs, "I'll be waiting for you to draw your conclusion."

Things get easier after that. Jungkook seems to have opened up even more, and Taehyung, although unable to reveal as much as he'd like, doesn't bother keeping his defenses as high as he normally would.

"On one hand", Jungkook says, as he reshelves the books, "I've never seen this guy eat normal human food. That's a check on the vampire list."

The elderly lady flipping through an antique anthology of sonnets looks up at him with interest.

"But on the other", Jungkook tongues his ring, thoughtful, "I've never really seen his fangs. A vampire would have fangs, right?"

"Well dearie", the lady says, as she carries over her selection of romantic poetry to the billing section, "Vampires are rather old, aren't they? Perhaps he takes them out, like false teeth- I know I do!"

She chuckles at her own joke, but Jungkook seems to take it seriously, and Tae laughs softly as he sees the boy quickly jot it down in a tiny pocket notepad.

Taehyung and Jungkook do head out one night, after they close up.

"Wanna watch a movie?" Jungkook asks, with a sly grin. "There's a vamp flick playing- and the reviews say it's ridiculously bad."

Taehyung snorts. "Sure. Maybe we'll learn something new."

Jungkook doesn't have a car- so Taehyung ends up driving.

"I could drive you home, you know", he says, feeling a little concerned about Jungkook wandering the streets alone at night. "I thought you took the bus, or I would have offered earlier."

"Nah, it's alright. Walking is good for you, and it's not that far anyway. The buses always run late, and I don't have one that leads directly to my street anyway", Jungkook tells him. "Besides, with the way Jin hyung has been stuffing me up, I gotta burn those calories. I spend so much time at your place these days, I haven't been hitting the gym that regularly."

"I'm sorry for keeping you", Taehyung grins, clearly unapologetic, "But anyway- 'Jin hyung'? Should I be worried? Am I in danger of losing my place as a certain someone's favorite hyung?"

"Possibly", Jungkook says, nonchalantly, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Have you ever fed me anything?"

"Hey!" Taehyung whines, "I've fed you my love and affection, you ungrateful brat!"

Jungkook cackles, looking at home in the passenger seat.

"Hyung", he says after he calms down, matter of factly, "You are my best friend. I hope you know that."

Taehyung smirks as he parks. "Yeah, no kidding. Who else would take your twenty-five year old ass to a theater to watch some cheesy teen vamp film on a Wednesday?"

"Shut up", Jungkook groans as he slams the door shut. "You wanted to watch this as much as I did."

"No, you shut up", Tae singsongs, merrily.

"Ugh. And what if I don't?"

"Hmm.." Tae pretends to think. "I'll bite you."

Jungkook grins. "Maybe I'm into that."

Taehyung leers back. "Maybe I am, too."

Jungkook playfully shoves at him, stepping away to buy tickets and Tae is left on his own, tingling canines reacting to his little 'joke'.

The movie turns out to outdo all its predecessors with its predictability and cheap special effects. It's not surprising that almost all the seats are unoccupied and the people who are around seem to be uninterested and unbothered by the pair of giggling fools sitting somewhere in the last row.

"I mean I get it, some vampires might be kinda pale", Taehyung whispers, "But that dude literally looks like a fansite picture of an idol, with the way he's been whitewashed."

Jungkook struggles to keep the volume of his laugh under control.

"Nah but the way the other guy did a somersault mid air and turned into a bat, fuck. I nearly pissed my pants, the CGI was so bad."

"I kinda feel like the second lead is going to get it on with that werewolf girl. Seokjin hyung would hate this movie. I'm gonna make him watch this for his birthday."

"I'd like to be a fly on that wall. I don't know why he gets so mad about wolves, but it's hilarious."

"Oh, you can come over if you'd like, it's next Sunday."

"Cool, I'll- whoa! Hyung, did you see that?"

"Yes, Jungkookie I can clearly see what is happening on the very large screen in front of us. The question is- are you referring to bat boy bursting into a ballad mid-flight or-"

"Wait, what's happening? Did she leave him?"

"Huh. Wolf girl really left him for the other guy. Ooooh. A poorly executed fight scene. Love this for them."

"Go girl, give us nothing!" Jungkook cheers. "Vapid dialog and bad acting, yay!"

Despite their criticism, both of them end staring, transfixed as the climax approaches, Jungkook's hand frozen above the tub of popcorn.

"The vampire dude was kinda hot though." Jungkook says, as they head out, "Never seen the actor before."

"The guy with seven layers of foundation caked on his face, and a bare neck?" Taehyung asks, incredulously. "You can't be talking about him!"

"Hey, it's not his fault his make-up artist messed up!" Jungkook defends the nameless actor. "Or that the script was bad. He was trying his best."

Taehyung shakes his head. "You're too kind, Jungkookie. Too accepting."

Jungkook shrugs. "Anyway. Did you like the movie?"

Taehyung trashes his barely sipped coke.

"It almost got good after the twist, I was rooting for bat boy. The end was admirably shitty. I loved it."

Jungkook tugs him off in the direction of the parking lot, shit eating grin on his face.

"That, hyung- that is why I love you."

It's obvious Jungkook can't take his eyes off of the petite little demon that's just walked into Oddities. It's not even that Taehyung's being petty- the guy is literally an actual demon, with a set of two pointy horns and a sharp spaded tail, although he's probably keeping these details of his true form hidden from humans.

With his fuzzy beanie and tartan scarf though, Taehyung has to grudgingly admit that the demon does look rather cute. He's got a lilting walk, his steps light and graceful, a ballet dancer in the aisles of an old bookshop.

Jungkook looks absolutely captivated, and Taehyung feels something unpleasant fester within the cavity inside his ribcage, a strange bitterness that he tries not to breathe out.

He's got some bills to pay, so he keeps his head down and busies himself, but it's not long after that the newcomer sets a book in front of him.

Before he can react, Jungkook steps in, ringing up the demon's purchase.

"Jimin hyung", he says, with a slight nod, making the customer look up at him in surprise. "Hi.."

"Jungkook?" he gapes, "What- you work here?"

So they already know each other? Taehyung furrows his eyebrows as he tries to focus on his work, trying his best not to eavesdrop, but his heart is elsewhere.

Jungkook hums, sneaking a glance at his acquaintance.

"Nice scarf", he comments, raising an eyebrow, "But isn't it too warm for it?"

Jimin giggles, playing with the tassels at the edge.

"It is, isn't it? I kinda thought so too, but.."

"But?" Jungkook prompts. "One might almost think.. you were trying to, perhaps, hide something."

Jimin smiles, eyes fond. "It's a gift from Yoongi hyung. And he thought it was kinda chilly outside, didn't want me to catch a cold, so he insisted I wear it."

"Ah.." Jungkook says, knowingly, "I thought as much."

He tries to surreptitiously read the back cover of the book before he bags it, but balks, tips of his ears turning a shade of crimson. Tae peers over his shoulder and catches a rather scandalous line from the blurb: 'Tails? Teeth? Extra appendages? Mythology expert Professor Bang talks about the different ways supernatural beings have been thought to pleasure humans in bed.'

Huh. He wonders where Namjoon might have acquired that one, and whether he should have actually browsed through it, before putting it up for sale.

Once Jimin has skipped away, Jungkook turns to Taehyung with a conspiratorial face, and the vampire finds himself holding his breath. What exactly is the relationship between Jungkook and the demon? He's well aware that Jungkook has his own friend circle at college and stuff, but the way he'd been regarding Jimin with interest has him wondering if there's something more going on between them. The demon hadn't spared Taehyung a second glance, too caught up in his book and his scarf.. but Tae can't help but feel something nervous swirling around in his belly.

Demons are tricky things, some even older and more powerful than the strongest of vampires. Some are decent enough, but most tend to be adept at scheming, what with their manipulative charm and sugary sweet words.

Could the demon possibly be trying to seduce a human?

Could that human be Jungkook?

Maybe Taehyung is genuinely concerned.. or maybe he's just being a jealous crybaby. After all, it's not like he's Jungkook's boyfriend or anything. He has no right to feel possessive about him. And as far as he knows, Jimin seems like a nice guy, there's really no reason to judge him for being a demon. Sighing, Tae looks at Jungkook expectantly.

"At first I thought I was imagining things, but I'm pretty convinced now", Jungkook says, too caught up in his own investigation to pick up on the vibes Tae is giving off.

"Jimin hyung is involved with a vampire."

Taehyung doesn't really see it. Nothing about Jimin seems to indicate anything like that, and he's pretty sure he would've heard about it from Seokjin hyung, if any of the local vampires were hooking up with a demon. It's definitely uncommon.

But Jungkook seems pretty sure of it, and he doesn't want to burst his bubble, so he doesn't vehemently oppose the theory. Besides, what does he know? There could be some new couple in town, trying to keep their relationship under wraps.

The demon could be involved with a dragon for all he cares. He's just relieved it isn't his human.

"What's a marceline?" Is the first thing Taehyung hears when he walks into the shop one morning. Jungkook is on break from college and he's started opening up sometimes, in the mornings.

But that's not Jungkook's voice that he's heard.

He rounds a shelf only to be graced by the most unexpected sight- Jungkook and Namjoon are standing by the counter, hunched up over something. That something turns out to Jungkook's forearm and it becomes evident once Tae steps closer, that they're discussing his tattoos.

Jungkook points out his latest one- a drawing of a pointy-toothed, dark haired girl with some sort of instrument in her hands.

"A character from a cartoon show- she's kinda cool. I hope I can create something nearly half as good once I graduate."

Namjoon nods in understanding. "I see. And does this tattoo hold some special meaning to you?"

"I guess.. I mean it's nothing that deep or anything, but I just kind of relate to her, I guess? She's basically a vampire, and bi and she plays bass.. And not the vampire thing, obviously, although I'm kind of a vampire buff, but my minor is music production, and I'm bi.. and I guess I just like the kind of edgy but cute aesthetic or whatever?"

He laughs. "My parents were completely against me getting any more tattoos, but Taehyung hyung was all like, 'you should do whatever you want'. He even came with me, held my hand and everything, in case I was scared."

"Hmm", Namjoon observes, "I suspect you weren't all that scared? Seeing that you seem to have a full sleeve already?"

Jungkook laughs softly. "He doesn't need to know."

Taehyung clears his throat at that, making his presence known.

"Good morning. Kook- I see you've been getting chummy with my cousin."

Jungkook grins, gesturing towards the coffee on the counter. "Seokjin hyung dropped by too. Early bird gets the worm."

Taehyung pulls a sad face. "Why do I feel like I'm being replaced? I used to be the baby of this family. What does the late bird get?"

Jungkook smirks, leaning over to squish his sleep swollen cheeks. "This."

It's a Saturday afternoon and there isn't much to do. Jungkook has invited Taehyung over for the first time and they're planning to game or maybe hang out with Jungkook's roommate, if they can lure him out of his room. It seems like a plan, but before they go, Taehyung has the bright idea of rearranging some of the furniture, to make room for a new display.

They're in the middle of shifting a heavy wooden bookshelf, when disaster strikes.

"Move back", Tae instructs, "Slightly to the right."

"Your right or my right?" Jungkook asks, the shelf tipping dangerously as they grip the two ends of it, staggering around with its weight.

"Mine. Wait- no, that's too far. Set it down-"

"Are you sure? Okay, I'm setting it down."

"No, wait. Ow. Oh fuck."

Jungkook stumbles over at once, "What's the matter? Oh shit. It's on your foot, fuck! Wait, let me…"

He lifts the edge enough for Tae to free his foot, but it's too late and it's clear that there's some impact.

"I'm so sorry, hyung", Jungkook cries, getting down on his knees to examine the damage. "Does it feel broken? Can you move it? I think we should get you to the ER."

"O-oh no." Taehyung shakes his head, alarmed. It does hurt a little, but being a vampire, he'll heal quickly, on his own. "It's fine, I don't need a doctor. See?"

Jungkook doesn't seem convinced. "It's definitely going to bruise. Let me take you home. You don't wanna strain it further."

"Your home?" Taehyung asks, hopeful, but Jungkook shakes his head.

"That can wait. You're in no condition to drive. I'm taking you upstairs and I'll help you ice it. And if the swelling doesn't go down, I'm going to call Jin hyung and take you to the hospital."

Taehyung gives him a meaningful look. "You know.. some of our kind do heal pretty fast. I just need a drink, maybe."

It doesn't hurt that bad. A few sips from one of his bags and he should be good as new. Surely Jungkook has an idea about that, from all his studies.

Jungkook rolls his eyes. "All you're getting is a painkiller and my company."

Taehyung shrugs, hobbling towards the door.

"Your company, huh? That doesn't seem like a bad offer. I'll take that."

"Yeah, no", Jungkook holds him back, cuffing him by the hood of his jacket. "I'm not letting you climb those stairs with an injured foot."

Taehyung snorts. "I can't magically transform and fly, if that's what you're implying."

"I'm not", Jungkook says, easily scooping him up, bridal style. "I'll just carry you."

"Oh", Taehyung swallows, warmth rushing through his cheeks at the sudden proximity, his head resting so close to Jungkook's firm chest. He can clearly hear the thudding of his heart, and it seems erratic. Either Jungkook is agitated because of the accident, or maybe he's affected by an armful of Taehyung as well.

"I'm sorry, hyung. I should have been more careful." Jungkook says, once again, and Taehyung's heart breaks as he notices the way the younger's eyes seem to glisten.

"Hey", he says, reaching out to gently cup his face. "Jungkookie, look at me. I'm really not that hurt, honestly. It's alright."

Jungkook nods, but makes no move to lower him.

"I hope so.. But hyung, let me do this. I don't want to risk it."

In the end, Taehyung lets himself be carried.

Walking into Taehyung's apartment, Jungkook wonders out loud, "Is the whole thing about vampires having to be invited to enter a house legit? I mean I used to believe it, but what if the human is living with a vampire. Does the same rule still apply?"

Taehyung feels his cheeks heat up. What exactly is Jungkook imagining? He's not suggesting... cohabitation right?

"I suppose it wouldn't apply if both of them had co-ownership."

"Where's your bedroom?" Jungkook asks, closing the door with his hip. "I'll set you down on the bed so you can keep your leg straight."

"Nothing about me is straight", Taehyung mutters under his breath, making him chuckle.

They finally do reach the bed, but when Jungkook sets him down, Taehyung's limbs seem to be unwilling to let him go.

"Don't tell me you've turned into one of those creepy crawlies, hyung", Jungkook giggles, trying to detangle their bodies. "Or do you just like me that much?"

"I.. uh. I do. Like you, that is", Taehyung admits, releasing him and falling back onto his mattress, arms spread out wide. "A lot."

Jungkook stands by the edge of the bed, eyeing him with disbelief.

"Hyung", he says after a beat, "Are you sure you didn't hit your head too?"

Taehyung stretches his good leg towards him, trying to dig his toes into his side in retaliation.

"I just confessed my feelings, dickwad."

"Maybe I bumped you against the door frame when I was carrying you in?" Jungkook suggests, stifling a laugh, his tone teasing, "You did seem a little out of it back there. Maybe-"

"It's not a concussion!" Taehyung cuts in with a whine, sitting up, unable to keep the words from bursting out. "I've been in love with you for ages!"

There's a brief silence as both of them absorb the impact of the words Taehyung has inadvertently uttered.

"Hyung", Jungkook says, softer. "Do you really mean that? Because- goddammit, I really hope you do."

"Jungkookie", Taehyung murmurs, reaching up for him, "How could I not?"

Jungkook lets himself be tugged close, sitting down on Taehyung's pretty blue sheets.

"I thought.. I thought you were just messing around. When I said you were the reason I kept coming over- I meant it. I had a crush on you back then. And it just kept growing more and more, especially when we got to know each other better. You've always been so good to me, hyung.."

Taehyung pulls him closer, until they're sitting cross-legged, face to face.

"You've been even better, Kook. I can't imagine a day of my life without you around. Even if you're just sitting around doing your own thing- it just makes me happy. I just.. I like being with you. You make me feel warmer than I have in centuries."

"Me too", Jungkook says, leaning in to rest their foreheads against each other, "I didn't.. I never thought you felt the same way, or I would have told you sooner. I was kind of worried about scaring you off.. which in hindsight, seems dumb, because you've always accepted me the way I am."

"It does seem kinda dumb", Taehyung acknowledges, airily, "But it's alright, because you're pretty."

"Hey!" Jungkook protests, tackling him, "Are you calling me dumb?"

"I also called you pretty!" Taehyung squeals, when Jungkook begins to tickle him as punishment, "Ah! Stop- you're just proving me right, attacking me like some big, dumb brute!"

He doesn't expect the tickles to cease so unexpectedly, but Jungkook sits back up on his haunches.

"You're right- I almost forgot. You're injured, hyung. Let me get you some ice."

"I'm fine!" Taehyung cries, "Don't leave."

"I'm not leaving, hyung, I'll just- woah!"

Taehyung switches gears, wrapping his legs around Jungkook's waist to prevent him from getting up, and with the abrupt yank, Jungkook falls on top of him, arms braced on either side to hold himself up.

"Okay", he breathes, face inches from Tae's. "I get it. Not leaving the bed."

"I was promised your company", Taehyung says, primly, "The ice could never compare."

Jungkook laughs, gently lowering himself, to bury his head into the crook of Tae's shoulder.

"No one I've met could ever compare to you, hyung."

The weight of him is comforting, and Taehyung's arms rise of their own accord to hold him closer. It's overwhelming, having Jungkook with him like this, two hearts beating together, chest against chest.

Some instinct within him recognizes the warm body in his arms as prey and his fangs threaten to elongate, craving for a taste of his blood, but Taehyung contents himself with patting Jungkook's soft hair and rubbing patterns on his back.

Tomorrow, his sheets will still smell of Jungkook. It's a strange thought, but it warms Taehyung to the core.

Jungkook walks in, looking like a drenched cat.

"I didn't have an umbrella", he says pitifully, water dripping off of him, a little puddle gathering by his feet.

"Ah, shit." Taehyung rushes over. "Jungkookie, why didn't you call me? I would've picked you up."

"Didn't want you to have to close the store and lose business", Jungkook says, and promptly sneezes.

Taehyung sighs. Perhaps it's time to tell him.

"Baby.. this store.. It's more of a hobby for me. It's not my primary source of income. I don't really care how much I make on a day to day basis."

Jungkook shakes his head, laughing even though his body has begun to shiver. "Yeah, and you're actually loaded, right? You don't have to-"

"You could say that, I guess", Taehyung interrupts, feeling awkward, "I.. I do have enough to live off. The same goes for the hyungs, really."

Jungkook blinks. "Was your family.. rich?"

"They were well off, I suppose. And Seokjin hyung has been smart about investments and stuff."

"Oh. That's.. wow", Jungkook says, and then he sneezes again. "Do you have a tissue?"

Taehyung hands him one, and guides him over to the stairs.

"Get your ass straight into the shower. I'll just lock up over here."

"Hyung, are you sure-"

"Yes. Now go, and make sure the water's hot."

Jungkook plods away, and Tae makes quick work of putting up the shutters, before following him to his apartment.

By the time he reaches his place, Jungkook is already in the bathroom, so Taehyung rummages around for a spare towel, and clothes. Luckily, most of his clothes are loose fitting, so he's pretty sure the sweats and tshirt he picks out will fit Jungkook well.

Once he's let Jungkook know, he heads out to the living room, shooting off a text to Seokjin, letting him know the shop is closed, in case he decides to drop by. Then, turning up the heater, he brews a cup of lemon tea as he waits.

He doesn't have to wait too long, because Jungkook soon enters the kitchen, toweling off his hair, clad in Taehyung's clothes.

"Feeling alright?" Tae asks, handing him the steaming cup.

Jungkook nods, holding the cup close to his chest, as if to warm himself. "Thanks. I feel much better now."

"Still cold?"

"A little."

"Let's get you a blanket." Taehyung says, seating him down on the couch.

Jungkook obliges, and then reaches underneath himself, "I think I just sat on the remote. Should I put something on?"

"Sure", Taehyung tells him, stumbling back from the bedroom, arms laden with definitely more blankets and pillows than necessary. "Would these be enough?"

He can't quite see where he's going though, with the huge wobbly tower stacked up in his arms and he trips over the rug, showering Jungkook with a rain of cushions and comforters.

"I'm not usually this clumsy", he says, when he emerges from the layers.

"I know", says Jungkook, and kisses him.

It's a sweet kiss, the softest, most fleeting of touches, but it's adorable, it's wholesome, it's everything Taehyung could have ever wanted and more.

There's a bunny patterned quilt around Jungkook's shoulders, and Tae pulls it up, over his head, like a hood.

"Cute", he declares. "I'm going to wrap you up in this like a burrito."

"If you can", Jungkook smirks, immediately taking it as a challenge. "Try to catch me."

He dives into the mess of blankets and Taehyung ends up wading after him, TV long forgotten.

This is what he's been looking for all these years, he realizes, mid tussle. They're barely one kiss into this, but there's something in Taehyung that just knows. Jungkook is it for him. This bond that they've got, the heartfelt affection, the playfulness, the passion.. there's no one else he could ever want to spend the rest of his life.

There's a sharp nip at his calf and Taehyung is roused from his thoughts, all of a sudden. To his surprise, he finds Jungkook grinning at him, teeth glinting in the cozy light.

"Jeon fucking Jungkook.. did you just bite me?"

Jungkook giggles. "And what if I did? You looked lost there, you weren't paying attention to me, hyung."

"Oh really? Well, best be prepared, cause I am going to cuddle the shit out of you now."

Jungkook yelps and the playfight starts all over again.

When the doorbell buzzes, things have quietened down considerably. All the sleep things have been neatly arranged to form a pillow fort of sorts. With the blankets draped above their heads, Jungkook and Taehyung lie on the rug in the center of the room, lazily making out.

"I love you, hyung", Jungkook mumbles, between kisses, holding Tae close like he's something precious. "Love you so much."

Taehyung makes a soft sound at the back of his throat and burrows into his side.

"So pretty, hyung." Jungkook strokes his hair, brushing it out of his face. "I've always wanted to hold you, like this. I still can't believe you're mine."

He kisses Taehyung's eyelashes, then trails down, lips mouthing at his cheekbone, and then kissing the tip of his nose.

"Jungkookie", Taehyung tilts his head, lips yearning for his mouth, even though his eyes are still closed. "M-more.."

Jungkook peppers a few more stray kisses down his jawline, before moving on to his neck. It's a sensitive zone and Taehyung finds his toes curling at the sensation, mouth growing increasingly desperate.

His hands bunch around the neck of Jungkook's tee, drawing him closer and Jungkook finally leans in, indulging him in an open mouthed kiss that makes him feel as though his soul is slipping out of his body. Floaty and dreamlike, he feels Jungkook's hardness brush against his own, through the fabric of his gray sweatpants.

"B-baby", he moans, hips canting upwards, undulating against the younger's, "Let's just.. yeah?"

Jungkook grinds into him, lazy but purposeful. "Like this? That feel good, hyung?"

"Y-yeah, please.. Harder, babe."

The doorbell rings again, even more shrill this time.

"We should probably check who's here", Jungkook says, even as his hips continue to rub against Taehyung's, tantalizingly slow.

"Ah, ahhh.." Tae whimpers, unwilling to stop chasing the tempting high that eludes him. His brain feels fuzzy, clouded with physical desire and bloodlust, with warm fluffy feelings to top it all.

The doorbell blares a third time, and they finally pull apart, defeated.

Taehyung tries to ignore his boner as he cracks open the door in annoyance.

"You look like shit", Seokjin says, by way of greeting. "I thought Jungkook was the one who was sick."

"I- yeah", Taehyung says, pausing to clear his throat, when his voice comes out rough. "Yeah, he got caught in the storm. Soaked through and through. That's why we're closed today, so he can rest."

"Right", Seokjin says, suspicious, "So where is he?"

"I.. um. I dropped him home", Taehyung tries, but his older brother has known him for no less than two hundred years.

"Yeah, right. As if you would leave him on his own if he wasn't feeling well. And I can smell him on you. He's here, isn't he?"

Taehyung sighs, opening the door all the way. His boner has been killed, he might as well let him in.

But one look at Jungkook, lounging by the fringes of their fort and Seokjin's perceptiveness seems to kick in.

"I didn't know you two were banging", he states, choosing not to beat around the bushes.

"We're not", Taehyung mutters, "We might have been if you hadn't barged in. What do you want, hyung?"

Seokjin gives him the stink eye. "Jungkook wasn't well and you're trying to seduce him? You're no better than an incubus."

"It just happened.. and he's feeling alright now", Tae protests, "And this.. it's not a one time thing, okay? We did talk about things. We're.. we're in love, hyung."

He steels himself for an onslaught of unwanted brotherly advice. Seokjin, however, seems to pay no heed, having turned his attention towards his new favorite. He beckons Jungkook over.

"I heard you were feeling under the weather, so I made you some soup."

"Thank you so much, hyung", Jungkook gushes, touched. "But you really shouldn't have! I'm not that sick.."

"Nonsense", Seokjin says, glancing at his brother. "I don't know what Taehyung has been telling you.. but you're one of us now, Jungkook. You're part of our family. We look after each other."

Jungkook accepts the container, doe eyes shining. It's evident that this conversation is not just about the soup.

"Thank you hyung. I won't let you down."

Seokjin pats his shoulder. "You're a good kid, Jungkook. I know you won't."

And after Jungkook has stepped away, presumably to set the soup in the kitchen, Seokjin ruffles Tae's hair as he turns to leave.

"I'm happy for you, Tae, I really am."

Jungkook wears shorts and a pale pink shirt to their picnic date and Taehyung nearly breaks down crying. His watermelon crushing thunder thighs have got Tae feeling light headed, and the pretty shade of his shirt- so unusual for him- matches his lip gloss, making the vampire want to sit right down in the grass and write him poetry.

His cute little cheeks look especially round and lovely, and Taehyung makes sure he kisses both.

"I thought I'd dress a little different for the picnic", Jungkook says, shyly, "I hope it looks okay."

"You look adorable", Taehyung assures him, "You always do. Also, I love you."

"Me too", Jungkook says, kissing him, "I'm so happy right now. The weather isn't super sunny, but I couldn't care less."

The weather forecast said it would be somewhat cloudy, but not too overcast. Taehyung has brought along his sunglasses, just in case. While the sun doesn't actively harm him, the glaring sunlight is harder on his eyesight than it would be for other beings. Vampires avoid going out on extremely sunny days, but unlike the stuff of legends, it doesn't actually make them go up in flames. It's more of a hindrance, because they can't keep their eyes open for long, if unshielded.

Jungkook, it seems, is a budding cook, and with some guidance from Seokjin, he's managed to assemble quite a feast. Sadly, it won't taste that appealing to Tae, but he feels excited all the same. Sappy as it seems, it's been crafted with love, and that's what makes it meaningful to him.

As he munches on a particularly juicy looking strawberry, Jungkook seems to spy someone he knows.

"Who's that?" Taehyung asks, as his eyes follow Jungkook's gaze to a figure standing by the entrance of the park.

"That's my roommate", Jungkook says, "Yoongi hyung."

Taehyung nods. He's definitely heard Jungkook mention him before.

"Hyung", Jungkook says after a bit, "You know how books or shows portray vampires in different ways.. Like their reaction to the sun, for example?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, one of the books I read- the Vampyre one, remember? It said vampires would burn under direct exposure. Which doesn't seem to be the case. I guess that would be pretty inconvenient.."

"Yeah, I'd say that's right."

"Well there's books where vampires supposedly sparkle- no, stop laughing, hyung-"

"Jungkookie, baby.. Twilight is hardly a legitimate source of information."

Jungkook flushes. "I'm just saying. On the other hand, if you look at Vampire Diaries, for example, vampires can walk around in daylight if they wear jewelry made out of lapis lazuli. Which seems more reasonable, if you think about it."

"Yeah, I guess."

Jungkook doesn't get a chance to expand further on his theory, because a familiar voice calls out his name.

"Jimin hyung?" Jungkook turns- and oh! It looks like Jimin and Yoongi have laid out their blanket right next to theirs.

Jimin waves, excitedly, and Yoongi smiles too, although he seems a little less enthusiastic. At first glance, at least, Taehyung doesn't think Yoongi is being impolite- perhaps he feels the situation is awkward. Or perhaps he's just shy.

They end up exchanging pleasantries, and Taehyung feels a thrill and a sense of pride at being introduced as Jungkook's boyfriend. He also finds out that the demon, Jimin, has been with Yoongi for more than three years. It explains why he'd been so attached to the scarf, back then, and the reason for him buying the book on interspecies relationships. This time around, he seems to notice Tae properly, recognizing him as a vampire, and they even trade numbers.

It seems like Jimin, being unlike the other demons Tae has heard of, does not have many non-human buddies in the city. Maybe they can be friends.

After the couples have returned to their respective spots, Jungkook lowers his voice, subtly gesturing towards their neighbors.

"That's him", he whispers, "Yoongi hyung- he's the vampire."

And oh- Taehyung suddenly remembers how Jungkook had been convinced Jimin was involved with a vampire. But Yoongi is most certainly human. Neither is he some kind of hybrid, nor does he give off the scent of a claimed human with a blood bond. He's just a regular guy.

There's definitely some confusion here.

"He doesn't look like a vampire to me", Taehyung frowns, but Jungkook shakes his head, determined.

"Look at him, hyung. He's pale, and he doesn't seem to age. I've never seen him eat a proper meal. And the day Jimin hyung came over- remember how he wouldn't take off his scarf? I suspect he was hiding bite marks."

"Bite marks?" Taehyung shakes his head, "It could be a hickey, maybe. But I think he was just wearing it because it was a gift from Yoongi, like he said."

Jungkook plays with his lip ring. "Well, what about that book he bought? That was clearly odd. Something about vampires sleeping with humans."

"It wasn't just vampires.." Taehyung trails off, unsure of whether he should be revealing Jimin's secret. In any case, this is hardly the right time and place to discuss sensitive topics like that.

Jungkook is watching the other pair again, so Taehyung turns towards them as well, hoping Yoongi will do something that will clear Jungkook's suspicion. While Jimin is chattering away, they see Yoongi reach into his pocket, and pull something out- something that he makes sure to keep out of Jimin's line of sight, hidden behind a large wicker basket.

It seems to catch Jungkook's attention, and even Tae finds himself curious about what it is that the man is holding so protectively. As they watch, Yoongi carefully slips something out of a tiny box- a glint of metal, a hint of blue.

"Lapis lazuli!" Jungkook yells, so loud that Yoongi fumbles and drops the ring into Jimin's glass of punch, and birds flutter off the branches of the tree behind them in fright.

"Ew!" Jimin exclaims, when he hears the plop. "Did a bird dropping just land in my drink? Just give me a minute, hyung, I'll go throw this away."

"No, Jimin!" Yoongi shouts, scrambling to his knees, grabbing onto Jimin's trousers when he gets up. "Don't throw that out."

Jimin laughs warily. "What are you saying, hyung? You can't expect me to drink this."

Jungkook rises to the occasion.

"Hyung- that wasn't a dropping", he says, matter of factly. "That was lapis lazuli."

Jimin looks between Yoongi gripping his pant leg with desperate urgency, and Jungkook's clear excitement.

"I don't understand what's going on. Lapi what?"

"It's a stone used by vampir-"

"It's nothing", Taehyung cuts in, clapping a hand over Jungkook's mouth. "I think he's had a little too much to drink. Just ignore us, I'll take him home."

"Hemwh amwh vamphwhpire", Jungkook protests from under his palm, but Tae laughs loudly to cover it, awkwardly packing their things with his free hand.

"You guys carry on. We'll hang out again some other time", he tells them.

Only when Jimin and Yoongi have their attention back on each other, does Tae ease his hand off Jungkook's mouth.

"What was that for?" Jungkook grumbles, clearly pissed. "I was clearly onto something. I connected the two dots."

"You didn't connect shit", Taehyung sighs, "I love you and everything, but take off that tin hat of yours for a moment and look at what's going on."

Jungkook seems angry, but he looks back at his friends.

"What? Yoongi hyung is still on his knees. Jimin hyung's holding his ring. What's so- ohh! Oh shit."

He turns to Tae with wide eyes. "Fuck. Fuck he's proposing! Okay, you were right. I was wrong. What do we do? Should we fuck off? Do we film them?"

Taehyung chews on his lip. "They're your friends. Do you think they'd like to be filmed?"

Jungkook pulls out his phone, misty eyed. "Yeah. I mean Jimin hyung definitely would. And Yoongi hyung is whipped for him. Shit, I'm so happy for them. I can't believe I almost messed it up."

"Hey, it's okay", Taehyung says, pressing a kiss to Jungkook's forehead. "You didn't. Now let's do this. You film, I'll take pictures, yeah?"

"Thanks hyung", Jungkook murmurs. "Thanks for being here."

"Vampires are super pretty, aren't they?" Jungkook says, as he works on his digital painting.

They're lounging in his room. His latest assignment for his illustration class is to reimagine someone around him as a mythical being, and it's no surprise that he's chosen Taehyung as the model for his art.

"Oh, I don't know about that", Taehyung shrugs, "Maybe it's just me."

"You are exceptionally pretty", Jungkook tells him. "But I'm kinda drawing you as a vampire, and.. well. Haha."

"Do I look unbearably hot?" Taehyung teases, "Is drawing me turning you on?"

Jungkook won't allow him to see the portrait until it's finished, but he's been fidgeting for the past half hour.

"I.. uh. Yeah." Jungkook admits finally, pushing his laptop away with a groan. "You're just sitting there pretty much naked, and I'm supposed to focus on the lines and planes of your body. And draw you with like thirsty eyes and lethal canines. This is impossible."

Taehyung laughs. "Want me to help you with that?"

Jungkook sighs. "As much as I'd like that, I should get this over with. Besides, I don't wanna keep you sitting in your boxers all day. The heating here isn't as good as your place. We can take a break, if you're cold."

Taehyung mock pouts. "I am cold.. so very cold, I'm practically freezing my ass off. Would you warm me up, babe?"

Jungkook rakes a hand down his face, even as the tent in his joggers grows prominent.

"This was a bad decision. I should have asked Yoongi hyung to model for me. I know you don't think he's a vampire, but I still have my doubts.. so I guess it would be easier to draw him."

"So what you mean is, it wouldn't be so hard for you to draw Yoongi?" Taehyung snickers.

Jungkook chucks his iron man plushie at him.

"Hyung still gives me that vampire vibe, you know? He operates at odd hours of the day, rarely comes out of his room. He can be kind of fierce sometimes.. and he never tans, never ages. He supposedly turned twenty nine this year, but he just grew hotter."

Taehyung waggles his eyebrows. "You think your soon to be married roommate is hot?"

"Objectively", Jungkook shrugs, and Taehyung has to agree. Yoongi and Jimin do make a cute couple.

"He's my friend- I don't see him like that", Jungkook continues, seriously, "And besides, why would I want him when I've got you, hyung?"

"Cause he apparently has the features of an objectively hot vampire?" Taehyung teases.

Jungkook laughs. "I'd never date a vampire."

Taehyung's heart lurches to a sudden halt.

"What?"

"I could never want a vampire", Jungkook repeats, all casual, and Taehyung's foolish heart derails, skidding off track, meeting with a painful crash.. but he still can't believe what he's hearing.

Dreams going up in smoke, he chokes out a single word through pale lips.

"Why?"

"Why?" Jungkook gives him an odd look, "I don't know. Why do you think I would? Yes, I've been interested in studying them.. because of Yoongi hyung. but that doesn't mean I'd want to date someone just cause they were a vampire."

When there's no response from Taehyung, he goes on to add, "I won't say I don't find fictional vamps attractive, but say I run into one in a dark alley.. I'm pretty sure their first instinct wouldn't be to ask me out, you know?"

"But what if one did want to date you?" Taehyung asks in a small voice.

Jungkook shrugs. "I'd tell them no."

Taehyung feels very cold and very naked. He rises from his chair on shaky legs, grabbing his clothes.

Jungkook doesn't seem to get it. He holds up the edge of the covers invitingly.

"Snuggle?" he asks, hopefully, but Taehyung feels like he's going to throw up.

He places a hand on the wall for support, breathing in and mustering enough strength to get dressed. This was a bad idea. This was incredibly stupid of him. Of course Jungkook just wanted to toy with the idea of vampires and shit. Of course he wouldn't want to be seriously involved with one. Humans tend to have self preservation instincts after all, something that Taehyung seems to be severely lacking in.

Both of his hyungs had warned him, but he'd been so carried away, falling for Jungkook's sweet words and gentle touches. And now.. now he's even gotten his family attached. How would Seokjin feel if he came to know the human he's been treating as a potential brother-in-law, having overcome his preconceived notions, did not wish to be with a vampire at all?

The tears spill forth unbidden as he struggles with righting his shirt, which is, frustratingly, inside out.

"Hyung?" Jungkook scrambles over, his foot getting caught in the sheets as he tries to make his way to Taehyung.

"Wait- are you crying?" he says, worrying his lip, arm outstretched, "Hyung, wait. Where are you going?"

But it's too late. Taehyung is gone.

Taehyung holes himself up in his apartment, feeling pathetic and sorry for himself. His phone buzzes with unread texts and calls, but he's got nothing to say. As he thinks things over, it becomes clearer to him, in fact it becomes rather glaringly obvious- he'd been mistaken. The person Jungkookhad suspected to be a vampire, the one that had made him dive into his research, the one he saw every day.. that was not Taehyung, that was Yoongi.

Jungkook may very well like Taehyung.. but that's only because he has no inkling of the truth. Unlike what Taehyung had believed, Jungkook does not know he's far from human.

And the worst part is- Jungkook has just said, with his whole chest, that he'd never want a vampire.

Taehyung wraps himself up in the bunny patterned quilt and sobs his heart out on the sofa, stupid and heartbroken. Vampires shouldn't even feel that cold, but he finds himself shivering, perhaps from grief or longing. His dead heart aches with phantom pains, heightened when his mind carries him back to the silly fort they'd constructed, right about where he's sitting. And then later, when they'd heated up the soup and he'd wrapped Jungkook up in warm layers and fed him spoonfuls through his protests and laughter.

For the first time in a century or two, he wishes he was human. It's an odd wish, he knows. If he'd been human he'd have lived out his life ages ago, and would have never crossed paths with the person he's come to love. But he can't stand the idea of facing Jungkook and spilling his truth, only to have him reject him for who he is.

Taehyung ends up spending his nights watching reruns of Seojoon's dramas and shoveling his face with ice cream and blood popsicles.

There's a point, eventually, where he runs out of blood bags, but when Seokjin comes around, banging on his door and threatening to tear it down, he fails to mention he needs stuff, fearing his brother will think he's starving himself on purpose. He assures Seokjin he's alright, and promises himself he'll make a run to his supplier that very evening.

But in the evening, Taehyung receives a teary voice message from Jungkook, and he sounds so confused and desperate that it leaves Tae feeling like a jerk for not replying. There's nothing he wants more than to fling himself into Jungkook's open arms, but the fact remains that he is a vampire. It seems there is no solution to this problem and Taehyung ends up crying himself to sleep, way earlier than he's used to.

He's awoken by a strange grating sound, and a persistent tap tap tapping. Rubbing his eyes, he rouses, glancing around the room, but there's no sight of anything that could possibly explain the noise.

Then it repeats again, and Taehyung whirls towards the window, suspecting it's the branches of the tree under it, grazing against the panel with the breeze.

He does a double take when he sees Jungkook pressed up against the glass.

Taehyung just stares at him for a moment, taken aback, but then Jungkook's face grows fearful and he mimes something that Tae doesn't quite understand. Worried that he might be in danger of falling off, he quickly opens up the window, letting him in.

There's a bit of a gap between the branch and the building, and Tae refuses to let go of Jungkook, once their hands meet. He ends up pulling him in and they collapse into a heap on the floor.

"Shut the window, quick!" Jungkook says, from somewhere under Taehyung's leg, and Tae complies immediately, sensing the urgency in his voice, although he can't make out anything dangerous lurking in the shadows. He's probably the scariest thing around in the neighborhood.

"Jungkook?" he asks once he's slammed it shut, "What happened? Was someone there? Were you being followed?"

Jungkook sits up, leaning against the wall, with a tired sigh.

"I didn't realize at first.. That's Charlotte's tree, remember? The spider we extracted from your store?" he glances at the window, and sure enough, there's the large spider, staring menacingly through the glass. "She didn't appreciate me encroaching on her territory for the second time."

Taehyung yanks the blinds closed, effectively cutting off Charlotte's death glare.

"Are you okay?" he asks, giving Jungkook a hand. As he does, he's suddenly aware of the scent of blood in the air.

"You're hurt." It's not a question.

"Not really", Jungkook says, "It's just a few scrapes and scratches from climbing the tree. Nothing serious. There were a lot of creepy crawlies though, I kinda freaked out when some bug slithered up my shirt."

He gently swings their joined hands. "I feel a lot better now. Safe."

Taehyung loosens his hold, pulling away. "You're wrong about that, you know. Your judgment seems clouded. I.. I'm more dangerous than you give me credit for. You'd run the other direction if you knew."

Jungkook follows the movement of his hand with a broken looking gaze, and when he laughs, the sound is raw.

"Hyung- you definitely are dangerous. I don't know what went wrong, but the way you've made me fall for you so hard.. the way you seem to be trying to end things.. the way I somehow know I'll never be able to live with myself if I let you go so easily.. I'm fucked, hyung. I've never felt this way before, and I doubt I ever will."

He reaches out to caress Taehyung's cheek, but the scent of the blood beading up from his palm makes the vampire feel dizzy. He hasn't fed in a couple of days, and while that isn't enough to cause any serious harm, in the closed room, with the emotionally charged atmosphere, and his own bleeding heart, it's overwhelming. Taehyung sways, taking a step back.

"Jungkook- just clean up. There's.. blood on you. Just.. take a shower or something. Take whatever you need."

"You're all that I want", Jungkook says, although he seems to shrink in on himself, as he realizes he's being rejected. "Hyung, I don't need anything else. I'll get out of your hair if you want me to, but.. but can you tell me what happened? I want to fix things but I don't know what I did wrong."

His eyes meet Taehyung's, with a sudden surge of defiance. "I love you, hyung. Nothing's gonna change that."

Taehyung deflates. All he truly wants is to fall into Jungkook and never let him go.

"I.. I love you too, Jungkookie", he murmurs and Jungkook's eyes fill with tears of desperate relief.

In a flash, he's gathering him up in his arms, pressing his face into Tae's hair.

"Thank fuck", he whispers, voice shaky. "Fuck, hyung. You really scared me. It's okay. We can still fix this."

Taehyung sobs into Jungkook's chest, carefully composed mask breaking as his emotions get the better of him.

"J-Jungkookie", he heaves, ugly crying now, "I don't wanna lose you. I love you so.. so much. And you're my best friend. You're.. you're everything that's good about this world. It's.. I'm just so cold without you."

"I'm not.. I'm not leaving you", Jungkook murmurs into his hair, stroking it, and pressing kisses onto the top of his head. "Work with me hyung, tell me what went wrong. I'll make it better, I promise."

Taehyung tries to calm himself down.

"You said you wouldn't be interested in a vampire", he says, looking at Jungkook with tear stained cheeks.

"Did I make things weird with the vampire thing? I promise it's not a kink or anything", Jungkook says, perplexed. "And I've already got you, hyung. Why would I want to date a vampire?"

Taehyung sniffs. "What if you were already dating one?"

"W-what?" Jungkook emits a strangled laugh. "Hyung, what do you mean? If this is about Yoongi hyung, I would never-"

Taehyung shakes his head, but the words tumble out of Jungkook.

"And I really thought about it, you know, after what you said and.. he is human. Jimin hyung has a bunch of his baby pictures, and he's even had a surgery before we started rooming together. And there's always tangerine peels in the trash, so I bet he eats those as well. I think.. I got too caught up in my imagination. Vampires aren't real, of course they're not.

Taehyung steps back, lifting Jungkook's hand with his own.

"Baby", he repeats, "What if you were already dating a vampire?"

Jungkook seems to really hear him this time, the words sinking in.

Still, to put away any traces of doubt in his mind, Taehyung brings Jungkook's hand to his mouth, urging him to nudge at one of his canines with a fingertip.

"Touch", he says, voice rough, "See what happens."

Pretty eyes wide and round, Jungkook gently prods at the tooth and gasps when it elongates to about thrice its length.

"H-hyung", Jungkook stammers, mouth curving into his typical little 'o' of surprise. "You're.. All this time.. I've been so stupid. You're the one who's the vampire."

Taehyung turns away, readying himself for the accusations, for Jungkook to take back all his love and empty promises.

"I am", he says, simply. "Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you. You can go now."

There goes his heart, breaking all over again.

But instead of retreating footsteps, he's jostled by a pair of arms wrapping around him, hauling him backwards, until his back bumps against a warm chest, and someone's breath tickles against the nape of his neck.

"One-", Jungkook says, kissing the shell of his ear, "I told you ages ago- I'm scared of creepy crawlies, not vampires. Two- let me clarify once again- the reason that I said I wouldn't date a vampire was because I already have you, and it would also be shallow to date someone simply for being one."

Taehyung twists around, the corners of his mouth gradually turning up in a hopeful smile.

"Is there a number three?"

"Three-" Jungkook says, pulling him flush by the hips, "Is that I love you hyung, vampire or not. It doesn't change who you are as a person, or what you mean to me. I love you, Kim Taehyung, and you having extra pointy teeth is not going to change that."

And then he's kissing Tae, lifting him up into his arms and spinning him around and around and around.

Inevitably, Jungkook crashes over at Tae's. There are several unanswered questions he’s got, queries about his boyfriend’s past, and the vampire nerd side of him rearing its head as always, bubbling over with pieces of lore he wants to confirm.. but all that can wait. That’s what mornings are for, aren’t they?

"You can take the bed", Taehyung says, trying to be responsible, even though the last thing he wants is to get up from his boyfriend's lap.

"You aren't trying to pull an Edward and 'protect my virtue' or whatever?" Jungkook asks, mouthing along Tae's spine and making him shudder. "Because that ship sailed long ago. We don't have to do anything, but I don't mind sharing a bed."

"It's not that. I just.. I haven't fed in a few days. So I don't want to risk being around you when I'm semi conscious."

Jungkook frowns. "A few days? That can't be good."

"I make sure that's not the case when I have to be around humans.. But I kind of ran out of supplies. It's alright, really, but I don't want to test my control."

"Sleepy soft Tae accidentally latching onto my neck while we cuddle", Jungkook teases, "Hmm.. why do I not find that mental image unappealing?"

Taehyung wiggles, embarrassed, "It's not that cute. It would hurt, at the start, before the venom kicks in and makes it feel pleasurable. You saw my teeth- pretty sharp, right?"

"I don't mind hyung", Jungkook steadies him, nosing along the curve of his neck. "Wanna take care of you. Wanna make you feel good."

Taehyung is nothing but putty in his hands.

Jungkook ends up taking care of Tae in more ways than one.

It's been a long, long time since Tae has fed like this, directly from the source, but Jungkook is warm and willing, and under the fluffy quilt with all the bunnies, it feels more like they're just another couple snuggling on a winter night.

Jungkook has shed his shirt for easier access, and Taehyung tucks himself close, soaking in his heat. Jungkook's hands rest at the small of his back, one of his legs slotted between Tae's thighs. Taehyung trails an exploratory finger along his chest, mapping his abs and pecs.

Moving higher, his slender fingers dance along Jungkook's neck, tracing the artery he's looking for. Breathing him in, Tae feels cozy, loved, secure. Feeding has never felt like this for him before.

"You sure?" he asks as he sucks onto the soft skin.

"Go ahead", Jungkook encourages and Taehyung sinks his teeth in, the glide silky smooth.

Jungkook tenses momentarily, but then he relaxes, patting Taehyung's hair to show he's fine. Hot blood floods Tae's mouth, sweet and delicious, and he swallows mouthful after mouthful. His venom infiltrates Jungkook's bloodstream, making its effect known with the breathy moans Jungkook lets out.

Taehyung raises his head briefly, lapping up the flow of red that trickles down.

"You okay?"

"Y-yeah", Jungkook mumbles, "S'good. Hyung, I'm.. fuck."

Taehyung can feel his hardness rubbing against him, and he gently rubs at him through his trousers, making Jungkook throw his head back with a groan. His hands slip down Tae's pants, squeezing his ass.

"More?" Jungkook urges.

"Just a little", Taehyung says, bending down again, suckling at his neck.

"Hyung", Jungkook says, a little breathless, "I'm.. Tell me I'm the only one you'll drink from now."

Taehyung nods as he laps his bite shut, sealing the wound with his venom. Namjoon's suppositions about blood bonds don't seem nearly as far-fetched now.

It's not long after that Taehyung finds himself on his back, legs parted, with Jungkook between them, taking care of him yet again.

The wet heat of his mouth around his dick makes Tae whine, hands scrabbling in the sheets as he tries to reign himself in. He can feel the metal of his ring rubbing against the underside, against the sensitive vein and it makes him twitch. Jungkook slides off with a pop, choosing to make out with the head, licking and sucking at it with fervor, while his nimble hands run along the length, jacking him off into his mouth.

He's already been playing with his hole too, opening him up, finger by finger, drenching him with lube. Taehyung's prostate throbs, as he feels his orgasm building up.

"Jungkookie.. please", Taehyung pants, eyes hazy, fangs slipping out as he loses control, despite having fed just moments ago.

Jungkook gazes at him with dark, lidded eyes.

"What do you want hyung? Want me to suck you off? Wanna cum in my mouth? Or do you want me to fuck you?"

Taehyung makes an unintelligible sound.

"What's that?" Jungkook asks, hands continuing to play with Taehyung, another finger reaching down to rub at his opening. "Use your words, hyung."

"B-both", Taehyung whimpers, "I want everything."

"Hmm", Jungkook says with a grin, tasting the precum leaking from his slit with his tongue. "That sounds like a plan."

"I hope you're planning to bond with that boy", Seokjin says, watching Jungkook leave the bookstore the next day, healing bite mark on his neck, "I swear I'll kick your sorry ass out of this world if you suck him dry."

"That's odd", Taehyung mutters to himself, gazing at his retreating figure with a rather dopey face, "Seeing as he's the one who went down on me."