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As far as traditional vampires go, San is not a very good one.
He's been a vampire for far longer than he wants to admit, seeing the changes of time and the ruin of man plenty of times over. Yet, he's only ever bitten anyone once. And that was at a time where he was too delirious to realize what he was doing, so he's not even sure that counts. For the rest of his vampire life, he has survived by sheer willpower and whatever nefarious ways his sire has used to collect blood for him. Now that vampires have become known to the general society though, he has cheap access to blood bags and his sire doesn't need to worry about him anymore. It's great.
Of course, San knows that what determines a vampire’s worth is not how many people they’ve sucked the blood out of, but it does bring with it some status. It seems as though the vampires he has met, have all been aware of his less than violent tendencies and think of him as weak. Nowadays the most prominent vampires use their superhuman strength to do anything from creating vampire fight clubs (it is as terrifyingly hilarious as it sounds), or to help build houses for those in need. San uses his strength to carry more books to their shelves in the bookstore he works at. An important job too, at least if he wants to stay on Hongjoong’s good side, but maybe not that great in comparison.
Since supernatural creatures started integrating into human society, vampires quickly gained the most political power out of all the supernatural species. Vampires are prominent in many governments all over the world, both as advisors and ministers. More vampires are successful models and actors due to their looks, and many own huge businesses. Once again, San can’t say the same for himself. Not that he cares though.
Being a vampire, San finds, is a decent way of living. He doesn't need to eat but finds himself going to BBQs with his friends anyway, or eating a piece of cake at a birthday party. Freedom of choice. He also doesn't necessarily need to work, having accumulated plenty of wealth to sustain him at least a few more human lifetimes, but he still chooses to help in Hongjoong's bookstore.
Since San is not a very good vampire, he decided almost a century ago, that it would be more fun to just hide it. Luckily his fangs are retractable, and the red in his eyes can easily be hidden by a pair of expensive coloured contact lenses. His milky white skin is also not an issue. Vampires don't die from being in sunlight, but it does cause some nasty burns if they stay there too long. Plus, San doesn't even like being in the sun for extended periods of time. It's too hot. So since he doesn't go outside a lot, curse his heightened risk of serious sun damage, he can always use it as an excuse for why he's so pale. And if he does choose to walk around during the day, he covers up as much as he can and wears SPF 150+. So it's truly not that hard to explain the ivory tone of his skin.
Right now, as he is listening to the ramblings of a regular customer, (and, regretfully, also San's friend) he does not reconsider hiding it. The young man is a student who often brings in his books and computer to sit at the small tables they added to the store a few years ago. San is still not sure how much he actually gets done when he's there: he brings his study books, yes, but there's also always a pile of fiction books on his table, that he seems much more interested in. Plus, if San's not busy doing actual work, he spends most of the time with San.
The man's name is Jung Wooyoung. He's quite the charmer if you ask him, and San finds him adorable. Incredibly demanding but also adorable. Wooyoung has a smile that seems to cover every part of his pretty face, visible in the crinkling of his eyes, the roundness of his cheeks and the way his nose sometimes scrunches if he's laughing hard. Sometimes San thinks he can see the way his giggles form in his throat before they stumble past his lips and it's fascinating.
Wooyoung is bold and loud but still respectful to other customers. He has even become close friends with a few of the elderly ladies who like to read crime novels and gardening books. Some of them go straight to his table if he's there, petting his hair and pulling his cheeks while telling him about their grandchildren. Wooyoung doesn't seem to mind at all, softly giggling when they coo over him. The butterflies in San's stomach when he sees it makes him want to puke. It should not be that cute.
Now there is one thing San would've liked to have known before befriending the guy, and especially before falling in love with him.
Wooyoung has an obsession with everything supernatural. Including vampires.
No, he is not aware that San is one. Nor does San plan on telling him anytime soon.
It's not that he thinks Wooyoung would react badly, or be upset that San hasn't told him. It's just that, well, Wooyoung is annoying enough about it already and San is really not interested in answering a million questions about things he frankly doesn't know very much about.
And maybe that's the most important part of it. He's a little embarrassed over how little he knows about being a vampire, despite having intimate knowledge of what it's like, and he doesn't want to admit it to Wooyoung. Wooyoung probably knows more about it than San does anyway. So he has decided not to tell him. He has convinced himself it's better that way.
Sometimes he regrets it though, especially at times like the present, where Wooyoung has apparently found an online forum for vampires and decided to go undercover. San is surprised the forum is even still active.
Undercover may be stretching it a bit though; he has just created a username on the site and is now pretending to be a vampire. But Wooyoung treats it like a mission, so San must too. Unfortunately, there are only a few other customers in the store, so San has no way of saying no when Wooyoung asks him to help.
The guy has been rambling for the past 15 min about the new things he's learned about vampires, some including that they can actually eat human food ("I wonder how they digest it? Do you think it just passes straight through? Imagine eating noodles", "Wooyoung that's disgusting, why would you have me imagine that"), that there are vampires who can alter their appearance to look whatever age they want, and that some use coffee as a substitute for blood. San thinks a college student messing around definitely wrote the last one.
San stays mostly silent, not wanting to debunk or clarify anything in fear that Wooyoung will question how he knows. Eventually, Wooyoung concludes his mini-lecture and looks at San with a determined look on his face.
"I have to infiltrate to learn more."
San quirks an eyebrow, "It's an open forum where anyone can write whatever they want. What exactly do you think you will be infiltrating?"
"Hush dear student, let me show you how we experienced folk gain knowledge."
He clicks on a recent post about a new bar opening in a city close to theirs, where they apparently serve blood wine. San is intrigued. Wooyoung scrolls through the comments, before clicking back and looking through the other posts. He has apparently befriended a few of the users that comment a lot, pointing out a few usernames he's become familiar with.
Wooyoung's idea of going undercover and learning more about vampires on the forum consists of making enough comments on different posts until all the actual vampires are used to seeing his username everywhere. Wooyoung hopes that it'll make him gain their trust and that they'll want to be more honest with him if they've seen his username before. That way, when he then later starts asking questions, they'll be more responsive, and won’t question his behaviour. Since he's already on a first name (fake first name) basis with a few of the frequent posters, it seems to be going quite well.
San has decided to just sit and watch when Wooyoung scrolls past a post that immediately makes him tense.
He moves Wooyoung's hand away from the mousepad, ignoring his loud complaint, and clicks on the post.
The headline is "Vampires wanted for testing". At first, it sounds innocent enough. There's a description of the recruiters at the beginning, a group of college students wanting to study vampire physiology and the changes the transition causes the body. They plan on taking different samples and scanning the subjects, and comparing the results with that of some human subjects too. It's towards the end of the post that San realizes his first suspicion was right.
After the description of what samples will be taken from both vampires and humans, there's a note: "One experiment will also research how the effect of hunger differentiates in both species." San almost hisses before remembering that Wooyoung is right next to him.
Wooyoung senses that something is wrong though, placing a hesitant hand on Sam's knee, "Everything okay?"
"Can we report this post?"
"I mean, yeah, but I can't guarantee they'll remove it." He says, looking confused.
"Why the fuck would they want to purposefully starve a vampire? That can only be dangerous. It's like letting a tiger go a week without food and then expecting it not to attack you if you walk past it covered in blood."
Some idiot is gonna think this is an easy way to get paid for not really doing anything, not realizing how much that hunger will affect not only their body but also their mind. And if those students don't have a room locked with a strong metal door they're gonna be in serious danger.
He knows that someone will get hurt if they carry out that part of the experiment and not only that, but vampires have worked so hard to not be an issue for the rest of the population. For decades they've argued their case, made themselves seem less dangerous by accepting rules and legislation placed on them by humans, in order to get permission to exist. San is quite sure humans will be a little pissed if a vampire kills a group of college students. He doubts they'll care about the unethical aspect of starving the vampire though, or how the students should have known that such an experiment would be dangerous.
He wants to tell Hongjoong about it already. Or maybe track down the students by himself.
Wooyoung is silent next to him, and San realizes how weird this sudden change in behaviour must be for him. He's staring at San with wide eyes, head tilted at an odd angle.
So much for keeping it a secret.
He tries anyway.
"I mean, I can imagine that anyway. Aren't vampires, like, super strong? You've told me that a few times, I think. Can't imagine what they're like when they're starving." He tries but his voice is uncharacteristically shrill.
It's obvious to San that Wooyoung can tell he's lying. It's also obvious to San that Wooyoung can't tell exactly what he's lying about, so San thinks he might just get away with it.
Wooyoung doesn't say anything for a while before seemingly coming to an agreement with himself. He gives San an odd look again though, and for a second San thinks he might ask about it.
"Yeah, you have a point, I guess," he moves San's hands away from the computer again, "Since I'm basically undercover as a vampire right now, I might as well answer right? I'll just write that it's a bad idea. At least the starvation part."
San breathes a sigh of relief. He knows he isn't off the hook yet; Wooyoung's suspicions won't be lost for a while. But he's safe for now, and he only hopes that the student chooses to rethink their experiment. Just in case, he'll let Hongjoong and Seongwha know though, so he sends them a quick text.
Wooyoung finishes writing the response, asking San a question about how to phrase a few of the sentences but otherwise not saying a word. He shuts the computer off when he's done, placing it in his bag, before turning to San.
"Is Hongjoong closing? Wanna get an early dinner today?"
They've been doing it a couple of times the last few months. Around 2-3 times a week, Wooyoung stays late, and since San usually has the closing shift, he'll be there too. Wooyoung will wait for him to close up, sometimes even help out by cleaning the tables and sweeping, and they'll go find a place to eat.
San loves those nights. As much as he will also complain about Wooyoung to anyone who wants to listen, he adores him (whipped a voice in his head says. One that sounds a lot like Yunho). He misses his laugh and his presence when he isn't in the store, and it feels a little unsettling.
San hasn't been in a proper relationship since he was turned. He's had short flings; mostly just casual hookups that stayed for breakfast a few times, but what's the difference. And it's not that he doesn't have admirers; vampires are naturally more attractive than most humans, and even though San may not be a good vampire in the traditional sense, he definitely looks the part. So throughout the centuries, he's been undead, he's had multiple people express interest in him. He's just never had an interest in them.
Enter Jung Wooyoung. A walking vampire encyclopedia, with no sense of personal space and a personality that fills up a room. With just the right amount of bickering and care, he's made himself an ever-expanding room in San's formerly beating heart.
Wooyoung pokes his tongue past his reddish lips. It looks like he's wearing a lip tint.
"I know I'm pretty, and I don't mind you staring, but I am hungry." he pouts and presses his hands to his cheeks in a pose that San thinks is supposed to look cute (it is).
San ignores the action before getting up from the chair he's been sitting on for the past half hour.
"Don’t flatter yourself. “ San says. “What do you want to eat? I want meat skewers." Wooyoung is also an exception to the whole "I don't eat human food" thing because 1. It's nice to eat with him, 2. It'd be suspicious if he didn't.
It's definitely more the last part.
"Why do I even ask? But yeah okay, the market it is then. Will I ever see you eat a vegetable?"
Gross.
"Don't count on it."
Wooyoung has tried to make him eat it many times, once even slapping his cheeks until he opened his mouth, but San refuses. Meat feels good to eat, vegetables are useless and taste weird.
"I was supposed to close today, but since Hongjoong is here anyway I'll just ask him to do it alone," San says.
"It’s fine, I don't mind waiting. I'll just sit here." Wooyoung demonstrates by slumping in the chair and placing his right leg on the chair next to him. It doesn't look very comfortable.
San shakes his head fondly and walks towards the register where Hongjoong is looking at his phone.
"Do you mind closing alone tonight?" San asks.
Hongjoong looks at him and then at Wooyoung, still slumping weirdly in the chair. He smirks and wiggles his eyebrows, "finally asked him out?"
San thanks the devil that he can't blush.
"Stop that. We're just going out for dinner. As friends do. "
Hongjoong is still wiggling his eyebrows, "Been doing that a lot lately, huh? It's cool, I'll close up.”
San mentally prepares himself for the favours Hongjoong will want in return but before he can even promise to do the dishes, Hongjoong looks at him with a shit-eating grin on his face and asks: “Still haven't told Wooyoungie that you're a filthy bloodsucker?"
Hongjoong is also a vampire.
"First of all, please never say that again. Second of all, no, but he's bound to find out eventually."
"Honestly it's weird that he hasn't already," he says, staring at Wooyoung intensely.
San agrees. With the amount of knowledge Wooyoung has about vampires, both true and insanely false, it's a wonder he hasn't realized that San is a part of the said species. Or maybe he has, and he's just not sure how to bring it up.
Nah.
He leaves Hongjoong at the register and walks back to Wooyoung. The chair has pulled Wooyoung's shirt up a nudge, exposing soft, pale skin. It's only spring now, but San knows Wooyoung will get a lovely tan once the sun truly announces her presence in a few months. San pulls the shirt down, trying to ignore the way his fingers tingle at the touch of skin.
Wooyoung looks at him quizzically, "You’re back already?"
"Yeah, Hongjoong is closing for me." He pulls out Wooyoung's chair, ignoring his screech. "Let's go eat."
It doesn't take long before they're ready to go. The evening air is pleasant in spring; not too warm, yet warm enough to wear a light jacket. A soft breeze welcomes them as they exit the store and San feels contentment settling into his bones.
Wooyoung looks nice tonight. He's dressed casually, like usual, but his hoodie tonight is new. Or at least San hasn't seen it before. It's a deep navy blue, with a bright yellow sunflower in the middle. His pants are wide and beige, fluttering a little around his ankles when he skips ahead. Cute.
In a perfect world, San thinks he would be holding his hand. He hopes they'll get there one day.
Way too soon, a delicious smell of food floats through the air. The market is not as busy as usual since it's only Tuesday. San likes it; he likes that he doesn't lose Wooyoung in the masses all the time. Right now, his eyes follow him as Wooyoung greets the people working at the different stalls. Most of them know him by now. Wooyoung is magnetic. San knows that. He's still a little jealous when Wooyoung's attention isn't on him though.
Eventually, Wooyoung is done with his initial round of greetings and they find the way to the place San wanted to eat. It's a small stall, run by an old gentleman who pinches both their cheeks and tells them to eat more, every time he sees them. He always has at least 10 variables of meat and vegetables on his grill, and San has no idea what spices he marinates the skewers in, but if he could replace the blood his system needs with anything, that would be it.
Today, San chooses a few random ones. He doesn't care what they are, as long as they're mostly meat, and settles down to watch Wooyoung decide. His lips are pursed and he looks to be carefully thinking about which ones to choose as the old man talks about his two new options. If Wooyoung was on the menu, San would choose him, he thinks, and immediately slaps himself because wtf? So much for not being a stereotypical vampire.
Wooyoung looks at him at the sound, laughing at the conflicted look on San's face. For some reason, it seems to help him decide what to choose as he sits down across from San a moment later with his own plate.
"Bug on your face?"
"Something like that."
The elderly man brings them a few extras, and some beer and they thank him profusely for always taking such good care of them. When he leaves, Wooyoung clears his throat and looks at San with an expression much more serious than what he's used to.
"So," he starts, "what was with the weird reaction earlier today? You've never seemed to care much about that sort of stuff. "
Well shit. San knows that he could probably explain his reaction earlier as just a general worry for the safety of the students, but he also knows Wooyoung will still start getting suspicious. He realizes that he can either tell Wooyoung the truth, or he can dig himself in deeper. None of those options sounds great, but he knows he can't hide it from Wooyoung forever, so he decides that it's time.
San should've known Wooyoung wouldn't let it go so easily. There's no use in trying to lie to Wooyoung again now since he clearly didn't believe him earlier anyway. The whole thing sort of feels like coming out again. Except for this time he'd been hiding in a coffin, not a closet.
(The coffin was a recent addition; Mingi had found it on eBay and thought it was the most hilarious thing in the world. San didn't use it, preferring his bed, but the massive thing was still in his room.)
He takes a sip of the beer to calm his nerves, except it just makes him feel a little sick.
Fuck it.
“Please don't freak out, but I'm actually a vampire."
Of all the things he expected, Wooyoung bursting out laughing is not what he thought would happen. He keeps laughing, eventually sounding more like he's hyperventilating, and San feels odd. He's a little embarrassed and also upset that Wooyoung won't believe him. Luckily, Wooyoung seems to notice his expression, quieting after a few breathing exercises.
He wipes a tear from his eye, "I'm so sorry San! I just wasn't prepared for that at all. Shit, it completely caught me off guard."
San huffs and looks at the table, but Wooyoung brings a hand to his wrist and gently folds his fingers around it.
"No I'm serious, I shouldn't have laughed at you. Let's start over okay? Tell me about being a vampire."
San eyes him suspiciously. Again, it's not what he expected. He expected immediately being bombarded with questions ranging from reasonable to bizarre, not a casual " Tell me about being a vampire." He's also not sure how the hell he's supposed to answer that.
"It's fine, I guess? Not that different from being human."
"Except the bloodsucking part."
San shrugs, "Except that, yeah. But I only use blood bags."
"Can I see your fangs?"
San feels oddly naked. Wooyoung is staring at him with a gaze so intense it reminds him of stepping into the sun without sunscreen.
San eyes the elderly man working the food stall. He notices San staring and smiles at him, wrinkled face making San think of his own grandparents. They're long gone, but he still misses them.
He swipes his tongue over his teeth, feels his fangs reveal their presence at his calling. It's magical the way they appear out of thin air, forming a sharp edge to the milky white teeth he usually shows. He leans in close to Wooyoung, not wanting the old man to see.
Wooyoung's breath hitches. San can hear the way his heart speeds up.
San is almost close enough to touch Wooyoung's nose with his own when he spreads his lips in a wide smile. Wooyoung's eyes widen in wonder and San sees him lift a hesitant hand towards Sam's face, placing it on his cheek. San nods, silently giving Wooyoung permission to touch.
He carefully moves his thumb to San's left fang, tracing the pointy edge, breathing in when he realizes just how sharp it is. San prays he doesn't press hard enough to draw blood, not wanting to know how it'll affect him. Wooyoung moves his thumb to the other side doing the same, before slowly removing his hand from San's face entirely. San misses the warmth as soon he does.
For the first time since San met him, Wooyoung is speechless. He's staring at San in quiet wonder, his mouth forming a little 'o'. But he also looks a little lost; San notices the way his eyebrows scrunch towards the centre of his face. San sits back in his chair, moving away from Wooyoung, and it seems to pull Wooyoung back to reality.
"They're cool," Wooyoung says, and even though San thinks that's perhaps the lamest comment Wooyoung could have ever thought of, he doesn't say anything. The silence stretches out between them, and San distracts himself from the intense way Wooyoung is looking at him, by eating the rest of his food.
He attempts to start up the conversation again, but it is clear that Wooyoung's mind is too occupied and before long they've both finished eating. San throws out their plates and once again thanks the owner for the food. He gets a warm smile in return and San already looks forward to coming back again. Hopefully, Wooyoung will come too.
Wooyoung doesn't say anything when they're leaving the market, and San is wondering whether telling him was a stupid idea after all. Maybe Wooyoung is just upset that San hadn't told him before. San hopes so, hopes that they can go back to normal as soon as possible. He misses Wooyoung's laugh already, the loud, bright noise always calming him.
When they reach the bookstore, Wooyoung wraps a hand around his wrist again.
"I'm sorry I've been a little out of it. Can I make it up to you by inviting you over on Thursday? I'll make dinner." He says with a gentle smile.
San smiles back automatically. They'll be okay.
Maybe he won't though, because he's never been to Wooyoung's apartment, and it feels like a big step in the right direction. Immediately thoughts swarm his brain and he wonders what he should wear, if he should bring a present, what Wooyoung’s place is like, what they’ll do, and if it’s okay if he invites Wooyoung over to his place soon too. He’ll have to get rid of the coffin first though.
He nods his head, "It's okay, I should have told you before. But dinner sounds great, thank you."
"Good."
"Great."
"Amazing."
"Splendid."
Wooyoung laughs, releasing San's wrist, and San knows he'll feel Wooyoung's touch for the rest of the evening.
Thursday afternoon, San is stressed. Despite being friends for months and spending hours together at both the store and multiple restaurants around town, San has never been to Wooyoung's apartment. Wooyoung had sent him the address in the morning and since then, San had been worrying about everything. Should he bring a present or would that be too much? Should he wear something casual or dress up a little? Should he stop making such a big deal out of a friendly dinner and just relax? Yes, but that's difficult so he won't.
Eventually, he decides on a casual outfit; a loose t-shirt and high-waisted trousers. He also buys a bottle of wine on the way, just to bring something.
Wooyoung lives in a newly renovated apartment a few streets away from where San lives. If he'd known earlier, he might have walked Wooyoung home a few times after dinner. His treacherous brain brings pictures of them holding hands while walking along the now-empty sidewalks and Wooyoung kissing him goodbye by the door. When Seongwha turned San he most definitely also turned him into a lovesick fool, what the hell.
When Wooyoung opens the door, the first thing San notices is his arms. Lean but defined and most importantly clearly visible because of the muscle tee Wooyoung is wearing. San is suddenly reminded of the fact that Wooyoung is not only cute but also devastatingly handsome. He knows it’ll be a struggle not to stare all night.
Wooyoung’s apartment is small and cosy, filled with everything that makes Wooyoung, well, Wooyoung. In his bedroom, there are marvel figurines on a shelf over his desk which is covered in notes and drawings. His bedroom walls are decorated with posters of idols that San doesn’t recognize and pictures of him and his friends. It looks tidy but lived in and San smiles thinking about Wooyoung sitting there working when he’s not at the bookstore.
The kitchen and small living room are similarly cosy. In the living room, there’s a dark grey couch and a tv. Next to the couch is a basket of what San guesses must be blankets. Before he can get a better look at the living room though, Wooyoung calls him into the kitchen.
There’s just enough room in the kitchen for a small dinner table, and tonight it is filled with food. There's a large pot of stew in the middle, and all around it, the table is covered in colourful side dishes.
One of the side dishes is garlic abalone. There’s also pickled garlic. There's also definitely garlic in the stew. On the kitchen counter lies a few cloves. He wouldn’t think anything of it if Wooyung wasn’t staring back and forth at him and then at the garlic. He's not sure what Wooyoung is doing.
San knows there's a misconception about garlic keeping vampires away, but he thought that idea was long gone, dismissed and buried as superstition. Apparently, Wooyoung has decided to test it out though. Garlic doesn't hurt San or keep him away (Wooyoung would also need a hell of a lot more than a weak little vegetable to succeed in that). It can make a human's blood taste a little funky, according to those with more experience than him in that field, but that is likely due to the smell more than the taste. San also knows that if he eats too much it can hurt a little when he retracts his fangs. But that's it.
Wooyoung keeps looking at him with an unreadable expression. He's not eating the food in front of him and San is starting to feel uncomfortable. At the same time though, he can't help finding the whole situation hilarious. Wooyoung could have easily just asked.
Finally, Wooyoung starts talking, "I have some stew without garlic in if you'd rather have that?"
It's so hard to keep the laughter in and he's sure the amusement must be visible in his eyes at least. He shakes his head, "That won't be necessary, thank you."
Wooyoung squints his eyes and doesn't say anything. Luckily, he soon starts eating. San is still a little confused about what Wooyoung had thought, or hoped, would happen, but knows that Wooyoung will mention it when he feels like it.
San avoids the side dishes with only vegetables and feigns innocence when Wooyoung starts pushing them towards him. The food he does eat though is absolutely incredible. San doesn’t need to eat, and he knows Wooyoung wouldn’t find it odd if he only ate a little, but he can’t help going for a second portion of the stew. He also delights in the realization that Wooyoung blushes when complimented on his cooking abilities.
“No but seriously! Where did you learn to cook like this?
“I’ve been taking a few classes when I’ve had the time.”
“Oh, so that’s why you’re never around on Wednesdays.”
A mistake. A horrible, horrible mistake he realizes at the smug look Wooyoung sends him. It shouldn’t be as hot as it is, and when San tries to look away, Wooyoung folds his hands under his chin, flexing his arms at the same time, and San realizes he has truly been caught now.
“Huh? Aww Sannie I can’t believe you noticed!” Wooyoung lowers his voice. "Y’know, if you missed me that much you could have just said so.”
“And fed your ego even more? No thank you.” San says but it’s clear even to him that his voice is a little strangled. Luckily, Wooyoung lets it go, and starts telling San about his failed attempt at dumplings during the last class.
After they’ve finished eating, and San has helped Wooyoung clean the kitchen, they decide to watch a movie. Wooyoung suggests Hotel Transylvania and San slaps him. Wooyoung grins at him though, seemingly proud of his dumb suggestion, and San falls a little in love with the expression on his face. In the end, they decide on rewatching a historical drama they’d both watched a while ago, both too tired to browse for something else.
Wooyoung's couch is not exactly big. It's big enough for both of them to sit comfortably on without anything other than their feet touching. But when one of them tries to stretch or move their position, it becomes a little awkward. Eventually, Wooyoung sighs, blush evident on his cheeks, and lifts his arms, motioning for San to lay down.
San knows he should probably do a show of hesitating a little, but he ignores the voice telling him to play hard to get, and eagerly crawls into Wooyoung's awaiting arms.
"Big baby," Wooyoung murmurs and lifts a hand to San's black hair. Wooyoung carefully threads his fingers through the soft locks, enjoying the way they feel between his fingers, and then he slowly massages San's scalp. If this is a dream, San hopes it’ll be eternal.
A nagging thought in the back of his brain keeps reminding him that he has no idea what their relationship really is. It’s not like cuddling inherently has to be romantic, but there’s something about the way Wooyoung holds him close, that makes San think it could be. He knows he told Hongjoong that they just went out for dinner as friends, but what would it be like if they went as something more? And what about today? Yes, maybe Wooyoung just wanted to test out the garlic hypothesis when he invited him over, but he's quite sure there's no superstition about vampires being cuddly. Or liking movies.
The thought that maybe Wooyoung likes him too makes him feel giddy. But at the same time, he doesn't want to get his hopes up: Wooyoung is a people’s person. He likes everyone, everyone likes him, and he's probably super cuddly with all his friends. When he befriended San, he’d been keen on skinship pretty much from the get-go as well.
Still, for now, San will let himself enjoy the warmth of his body behind him and the steady movement of the hand in his hair, without worrying about anything else. It can wait.
When he leaves that night, after Wooyoung has yawned at least 20 times during the ending of the episode despite insisting he's not tired, San suddenly stops on his way out the door. Wooyoung is about to ask what he forgot when San leans in and places a gentle kiss on his cheek.
San is gone before he can see Wooyoung's reaction. He's not sure where the courage to kiss Wooyoung’s cheek came from, but he hasn't dug out enough of it to stick around for Wooyoung's reaction.
When San sees him again a few days after, he doesn't mention it. San pretends not to be a little hurt, but he's also not sure what he expected to come out of it. A confession in the middle of the store? No. How awkward.
At least Wooyoung isn't acting strange. He's his usual loud, giggly self, and even gives San a hug like usual when he sees him, so maybe it's all good. They're good.
The day after though, Wooyoung is definitely acting strange, but for a different reason. He's dressed like usual: cute and cosy in a grey sweater and a pair of dress pants. But today he's wearing lots of jewellery. Silver jewellery to be precise. It doesn't take long for San to realize what he's trying out today.
Hongjoong laughs at Sam's expression when he sees him looking at the rings on Wooyoung's fingers.
"I can't tell whether he believes you're a vampire and is testing out the shit he’s read online, or if he still doesn't believe you and this is his way of seeing whether it's true or not."
San has no idea either. He’s also not sure which option is worse.
Silver can burn a vampire, and in some cases even kill them, but it's worse for newly turned vampires, and the silver content has to be quite high to have a real effect. San hopes that Wooyoung bought the jewellery for cheap, or from someone who scammed him into thinking there was more silver in it than there is.
Wooyoung hasn't noticed him come over, so he taps him on the shoulder before sitting down in the cushioned chair in front of him. He eyes Wooyoung up and down, giving him an unimpressed stare and lifting his slitted eyebrow. He reaches out to take Wooyoung's hand in his, but Wooyoung hurriedly moves it away.
"Wait no! Don't touch me!"
"If you wanted me to leave you alone you could've just said so. " San says, trying to ignore how much the idea of Wooyoung not wanting to see him hurts. He places his hands on the chair's armrests, intending to leave Wooyoung alone for now.
Wooyoung immediately reaches out for him before remembering the jewellery on his fingers and pulling back. He starts taking off the rings one by one, placing them in his bag.
"It's not like that," he mutters, removing the last of the rings on his right hand before doing the same on the other hand, "I didn't want to hurt you or have you leave me alone. I just wanted to see if you'd say anything."
"What, so I'm like your test subject now? The garlic the other day was also a test right?"
Wooyoung at least has the galls to look embarrassed, wincing at San's sharp tone.
"Why?" San asks.
Wooyoung is looking everywhere but at him, fiddling with his fingers now in his lap, "I just wanted to see if you were telling the truth, I guess."
Wooyoung is talking so quietly that San barely hears what he says, but when he realizes that Wooyoung doesn't think he was telling the truth, he is confused. The truth about what? He's never tried convincing Wooyoung that vampires can't have garlic, or touch silver so why did Wooyoung want to test that?
Oh.
It's not the garlic or the silver Wooyoung doesn't think he's telling the truth about.
Wooyoung doesn't believe that he's a vampire.
For some reason, it makes San way more upset than he thought it would, "Why would I lie about that?"
"I don't know? It just seemed weird that you hadn’t mentioned it earlier. Plus, you just don't have that much of a vampire vibe." Wooyoung says, gesturing to the bright pink sweatshirt and white pants San is wearing.
"A vampire vibe? Wooyoung, what? Style has nothing to do with being undead. How do you want me to prove it to you? Bite your neck and suck your blood?" San says, genuinely annoyed at Wooyoung thinking his outfit of all things is what makes him less believable as a vampire.
Wooyoung immediately turns a bright red.
Oh no.
" Well, n-no!" He stutters," there's no need for that, unless.. "
" No. "
" But!"
"Wooyoung I am not going to bite you."
Wooyoung pouts. San sighs. He swears he hears Hongjoong laugh.
Wooyoung is just about to say something when someone pokes San on his shoulder. He turns around and is fully ready with a scowl on his face to tell whoever it is to let him have a few more minutes with Wooyoung. He softens at the sight of large, worried brown eyes and a wobbling lip.
It's a small child, probably no more than 6 years old but San can't be sure. He's now holding on to San's shirt saying, "I can't find my mum."
San immediately sits down on his knees, taking both the boy's hands in his. "What's your name?"
"Minjun." the boy says. San smiles at him, hoping to calm him down.
"Hi Minjun, I'm San. Where'd you last see your mother?"
Minjun points at the busy street outside the bookstore. Shit.
"I just wanted to look at the dragons and then she was gone," Minjun says and his voice breaks as salty tears start running down his cheeks. San puts an arm around him, whispering encouraging words to calm him down. He’s a little confused about the dragon part before he remembers the fairytale painting they’d hired a local artist to paint on their window a few weeks ago.
"We'll find her, yeah? Let's go outside and try to call her. Can you do that with me?" San asks and Minjun nods. He releases the boy from his embrace and takes his hand in his while getting up from the floor.
He looks at Wooyoung, "Can you tell Hongjoong what's going on? We might have to call someone if she's not out there." San whispers the last part, not wanting to worry Minjun even more.
Wooyoung nods and pets Minjun's hair before jogging to where Hongjoong is helping another customer. San notices that Wooyoung's cheeks are still pink.
He crouches down to the floor again, suddenly coming up with an idea.
"Why don't you get on my shoulders? That way your mum might be able to see you."
Minjun enthusiastically agrees even though he’s still crying and San lifts him up. When Minjun wraps his small legs carefully around San’s neck, San takes his hands in his again. Before they leave the store he looks over at Wooyoung again. He looks worried, frantically pointing at San, while Hongjoong looks at him a little confused.
They exit the store and San needs to bend a little to get out the door. As soon as they're out, he moves to the middle of the street so that they are in the line of vision of anyone who might walk past them and recognize Minjun. He slowly spins around so Minjun can get a good look at the crowd, and it's not long before a relieved voice yells out to Minjun, and San spots a middle-aged woman sprinting towards them. Minjun waves excitedly, eager to see his mum again, and San puts him back down.
The lady pulls Minjun in immediately, wrapping her thin arms around him, holding him tightly. She then relaxes her hold and checks him for injuries, while Minjun complains that she’s still squeezing him too hard.
"Sannie helped me, mum,"
"He was very brave," San says, and she laughs a little, clearly having noticed Minjun crying earlier. She sends San a warm smile but she looks surprised when her eyes land on his face. For a second, she studies him carefully before she appears to realize something:
"Oh." She stands up, "You're a vampire."
Someone walking past them hears them and steps further away, looking at San in barely concealed awe. San feels like he should maybe just go back to the store or at least come up with an explanation, but he doesn't even know what to explain. He has no idea what she saw on him that made her realize it; his fangs aren't out, he definitely would've felt it if he had lost his contacts, and his skin is covered by his long-sleeved shirt and long pants. When he opens his mouth to ask how she knew, he realizes that her smile is just as gentle as it had been before, although her eyes look sad.
"Minjun's dad was also a vampire. He's been gone for a few years, and I'm not sure where he is." She looks at her son. "Thank you for helping my son. Is there anything I can do to thank you?"
San is not even sure what to say, still confused about how she even knew but quickly shakes his head. There's no need to thank him for doing what any decent person would do, and he tells the woman as much.
Minjun lets go of his mother and wraps his arms around San's legs. San pets his hair, and Minjun looks up at him, "Can you tell me about vampires when we come back?"
His mother lovingly laughs at him. San takes his hand, "If it's okay with your mum, we could start by finding you a fun book about us? Would that be okay?"
She nods, "If it's not an inconvenience."
"Not at all," San says, and Minjun pulls him back inside the warmth of the bookstore. He's much stronger than San imagined of a child, and San almost stumbles. Must be the vampire genes.
When they enter the store he gets eye contact with Wooyoung who visibly relaxes upon seeing the woman behind them. Wooyoung smiles at San and Hongjoong sends him a thumbs up when he notices who Wooyoung is looking at.
San guides Minjun to the children's fantasy section. He has just the right book in mind and it takes him no time to find it. The cover has a silly looking vampire on it; it's a cartoonish drawing and its fangs are much larger than they normally would be. But San has read it before (for research on what children are being taught about vampires obviously) and knows that while it's not the most accurate thing in the world of literature, Minjun will love it.
He hands it to him, "Promise me you'll come back and tell me what you think once you've read it?"
Minjun nods eagerly, already opening the book to take a peek. His mother pulls out her wallet, asking how much it is.
"He can have it,"
"Oh no you've already done so much, please let me pay!" She says, grabbing a random note from her purse.
San smiles at her and politely hands it back to her, "I insist. Just bring him back once he's read it and that's all the thanks I need."
"You vampires are always so stubborn," She says and San is not prepared for the fondness in her eyes. San wonders what Minjun's father was like. If he was a better vampire than him. He's starting to wonder what it even means to be a good vampire, because surely, Minjun's mother would not have had a child with someone who frequently bit other humans and flaunted his strength, like the supposedly "good" vampires in San's mind.
After more insisting on San's part, they leave the store. Minjun gives him a big wave as they walk through the door, promising they'll come back soon. San can’t wait.
Wooyoung comes over when Minjun leaves, and puts his arm around San's waist and rests his head on his shoulder.
"You're good with kids," Wooyoung says, his voice uncharacteristically quiet. San hums and lays his head on Wooyoung's, using his hair as a pillow.
"His father is a vampire apparently."
Wooyoung tenses and his fingers push almost painfully into San's waist. It's only for a second though, and then he relaxes again. San looks down at his face but with his position, he can only see the curve of Wooyoung's nose and the way his eyelashes are pointed towards the floor.
"I didn't know vampires and humans could have kids," he whispers. San has resumed his position with his head on Wooyoung's so when he nods, he feels the soft hair caress his cheek.
"I’m not sure how the science behind it works, but it's not as rare as it used to be.”
“But do the vampire then start ageing too?”
“No. Usually, the vampire will end up turning their family at some point if they are willing. Or leaving when it gets too painful to see their family grow up without experiencing any changes themselves. I think that's what Minjun's dad must've done."
He hears Wooyoung mutter that it's mean to leave one's family, but he starts wondering how it must've felt. Both for Minjun's dad and for his mother. To have someone she loved so dearly leave out of the blue, and how it must've hurt his dad to do so. He wonders if he gave them an option. A warning at least.
"There are also those that choose to stay and then commit suicide when their family dies," he says and as soon as he finishes his sentence, Wooyoung brings his other arm around him, turning San around to face him.
His eyes are determined and with a pleading voice, he says, "Promise me, Choi San, that you'd never leave out of nowhere or do anything without saying something first, okay?"
San nods. He's not sure why it matters so much to Wooyoung though.
Wooyoung seems satisfied with his response and places his head on San's chest. San wraps his arms around Wooyoung's figure, rubbing circles into his back.
Wooyoung looks up at him, "Do you want to come over when you're done with work today? We could watch something."
San accepts the invitation, secretly hoping that another movie night will lead to more cuddles on the couch. The butterflies in his stomach seem to have multiplied around Wooyoung recently. Even though he doesn't have a heartbeat, he's convinced that Wooyoung will instead hear the flutter of fragile wings inside him.
He reluctantly lets go of Wooyoung, when Hongjoong comes over, asking him what happened.
Wooyoung leaves the store soon after. It's only 5 p.m. when he leaves and San won't be off until 7, so he sends Wooyoung home despite his protests. San has things he needs to get done, books that need to be ordered, and shelves that need to be organized. And as much as he adores him, Wooyoung is a massive distraction. Plus, he'll see him soon anyway, San remembers, ignoring the knowing look Hongjoong sends his way as he smiles to himself.
Time passes by way too slow when you're excited though, so despite distracting himself with tasks, the next 2 hours feel endless. When he's finally free to go he almost runs out of the door.
God, he's so in love it's embarrassing.
Wooyoung's pretty face greets him as he knocks on his door, having speed-walked the whole way there. If Wooyoung notices that he's here earlier than expected, he luckily doesn't say anything. Instead, he just lets him in and tells him that the Ramyun is cooking but will be ready soon. Like a lost puppy, San follows him to the kitchen where he sits down on one of the kitchen chairs.
He realizes he likes watching Wooyoung in the kitchen. Wooyoung has the same concentrated expression on his face as when he's reading the heavy books in the bookstore. His nose scrunches sometimes if he's really focused, and San has also noticed that sometimes, his mouth will move a little, almost as if he's mouthing the words. San loves discovering those small habits. He doesn't ever want to stop learning more about him.
Wooyoung turns around with two steaming bowls in hand and places one in front of San. The right side of his mouth quirks when he realizes that San has been staring at him again, and he winks when they get eye contact. San looks at the food instead of him. He's usually confident but Wooyoung makes him act like a teenager who's fallen in love for the very first time.
There are significantly fewer vegetables in his bowl than there are in Wooyoung's thankfully, but the man has still managed to sneak a few in there. It's only a few so it's fine. Wooyoung will probably be happy if he eats them anyway.
"I'm sorry about the silver thing. And the garlic for that matter. I should've believed you." Wooyoung says after they've eaten in silence for a while.
San doesn't know what comes over him, but he puts his hand on the table, palm up, waiting for Wooyoung to place his hand there. Wooyoung luckily does but only when San is just about to retract his hand. He carefully laces their fingers together. There's a small smile playing on Wooyoung’s lips despite the apologetic expression on his face.
"It's fine. I know how crazy it must've sounded."
"What, that the person you've been spending time with almost daily for months, mostly talking about your obsession with the supernatural, suddenly reveals that he was a vampire all along? Not at all." Wooyoung says pointedly.
San winces. When he says it like that, it doesn't great.
" It's not like you would've believed me anyway though. Hongjoong has told you multiple times, and you still reply with 'that's a funny joke'. "
Wooyoung grins, "Hongjoong is just hilarious to make fun of. Have you seen the way he reacts every time? I swear I've never seen anyone look so frustrated."
San has to agree with that. Hongjoong generally doesn't get easily upset but every time Wooyoung calls him a liar, San can see him pout around the store afterwards. Honestly, if San was in Wooyoung's position he'd probably do the same. He'd never encourage teasing, but in this case, Hongjoong might be the exception.
“I’m glad you told me though,” Wooyoung says, squeezing their hands together.
“Me too. Now you can finally stop creeping people out on the forums.”
Wooyoung squawks, “I was not!”
“You literally answered every single question there with an even more personal question and kept asking people for their names. Don't you find that a little strange?”
“When you put it like that, I guess,” Wooyoung pouts. “Was anything I learned true?”
“Not really.”
Wooyoung’s pout gets sadder.
In an attempt to make Wooyoung smile again, San utters the words he had been dreading before telling Wooyoung the truth, “Don’t be sad. You can ask me anything, okay? I’ll try to answer as best as I can.”
It works. Pout fully gone, Wooyoung now looks more like he’s been given permission to open his presents a day early.
San’s noodles get cold as Wooyoung interrogates him. The more Wooyoung looks at him with eyes wide in wonder, the more San regrets not telling him sooner.
San tells him about when he was turned. About how Seongwha had saved him from an early death from a mysterious disease by turning him. About how confused and upset he’d been in the beginning and how much everything had hurt. About slowly losing everyone around him he cared about. Wooyoung holds his hand the whole time.
Wooyoung laughs along with him when he tells him stories of the vampires he’s now friends with. Yunho, who must look even less like a vampire than San does based on Wooyoung’s vibe thing, since his hair is pastel pink and he always wears bright colours. Mingi, who dances with Yunho and who makes San laugh like no other. And of course, Seongwha and Hongjoong, who act as much as his mentors as they do annoyingly doting parents.
They leave the uncomfortable dining table chairs once they’ve both finished eating and settle on the couch. San rests his legs on Wooyoung’s lap and Wooyoung uses his thumb to rub soothing circles right below his knees.
At some point, there’s a comfortable lull in the conversation, and Wooyoung sees an opportunity. "Can I see your fangs again?" he asks.
"Sure. But I'm still not biting you." San says as he lifts his legs off of Wooyoung’s lap so he can move closer to him.
"Oh wait, I almost forgot!" San exclaims: suddenly remembering that Wooyoung has also never seen his real eyes. He turns away from Wooyoung and carefully removes his brown contacts and places them on the table beside them. It's only after he's taken them both out that he realizes that his eyes really can't have been what made Minjun's mother realize he was a vampire. Maybe the contacts had moved a little? No, he would’ve felt that. He has no idea what she saw, but he has more important things to worry about now. Like Wooyoung.
Said man hasn't said a word since San turned away and started removing his lenses. For the fun of the reveal, San keeps his eyes closed as he turns back around.
"Help me a little?" he asks, as he tries to turn around without accidentally kicking Wooyoung. Wooyoung scrambles to help him, and he ends up with a knee on each side of Wooyoung's thighs, straddling him. With his eyes covered, it’s as if his hearing gets a little better and he can clearly hear the way Wooyoung’s heart beats faster in their new position. It’s nice to know that he’s not the only one affected.
When San removes his hands, Wooyoung gasps.
“They’re beautiful, San.” He whispers and slowly brings his hands up to San’s face.
The way Woooyung touches his face reminds him of the night he'd told him about being a vampire. His eyes are brimming with awe, his mouth seemingly stuck in a small circle. Like the other night, his hand is careful as he caresses San's face. He places a hand on San's cheek and moves his thumb to San's lips.
San expects him to touch his fangs again like he did the other night, but instead, Wooyoung carefully swipes along his bottom lip, before gently cradling his jaw.
The shirt Wooyoung is wearing has slipped down a little, showing his collarbones and hinting at a firm chest. Wooyoung isn't even his yet San wants to mark him up, claim him, make Wooyoung forget he'd ever wanted anyone else. Luckily, with the way Wooyoung is staring at his mouth, San thinks Wooyoung might want that too.
Wooyoung swipes his tongue over his bottom lip before whispering, "Can I kiss you?"
San answers him by surging forward, desperately connecting them in a kiss as he moves his hands to connect behind Wpoyoung's neck. San has only truly starved once in his life, but the way it feels to kiss Woooyung makes him think he might have been starving up until Wooyoung's lips met his.
Wooyoung's lips are so responsive: moving, separating, complying with San's every wish, and San wouldn't mind drowning in him. He's past the point of no return he realizes; Wooyoung has him trapped, and he's enjoying every second.
"I really, really like you Jung Wooyoung," he sighs and kisses him again, softer this time. He wants to feel every movement, note down every sound and reaction Wooyoung has, and never stop again. San places kisses all over his flushed face; his pronounced cheekbones, perfect nose and the little star he has under his one eye. He moves his research to Wooyoung's jaw, kissing him where his jaw meets his right ear and then he nibbles further down his neck. He knows he's teasing but he can't help it, so he opens his mouth and grazes the pale skin on Wooyoung's neck with his fangs. Wooyoung shudders before he cradles San's face in his hands and reconnects their lips.
Without separating them, Wooyoung lifts San up a little before changing their position. San ends up with his back on the couch, Wooyoung between his legs. He grunts as Wooyoung grinds down on him while pulling San's lower lip between his own.
Wooyoung pulls back a little, giggling when San chases after him. "I think I've been wanting you since the moment I saw you," he admits, and San melts. "And then luckily you finally started talking to me, so I could stop feeling like a creep for just staring at you all the time."
"It's not like me talking to you made you stop that though."
Wooyoung leans down next to his right ear. He moves one hand under San’s shirt, while the other grips his thigh, "Can you blame me though? I've never stood a chance."
San moans, but he can’t help but nudge Wooyoung just a little more, “Bet you only want me because I’m a vampire. That’s what the obsession has been about this whole time right? Your little biting kink?”
He’s expecting Wooyoung to take the bait, to continue the game. Instead, Wooyoung pecks his lips. Softy. One, two, three times.
"You being a vampire is definitely a fun plus, but I fell in love with you way before I knew that.”
San knows. Of course, he does. But it’s still nice to hear it. Looking at Wooyoung now, cheeks rosy but face relaxed in a loving smile, San realizes he never stood a chance either.
"I know, baby. Still not biting you, " he teases and Wooyoung tightens his grip on his thighs.
"You sure? Bet I'm real tasty."
"You're an idiot."
"You love me."
"Yeah."
San is not a great vampire. Wooyoung doesn't care though.