Chapter Text
To say that the last months had been life changing for Keigo would have been the understatement of the century. In a short span of time his life had made a 180 degrees turn and for the first time, the change had not been a bad one. Thanks to the fateful encounter in the train that day, Keigo had not only got himself a boyfriend, no he also had found lost friends again.
While the initial days after the reunion with Ren and Takumi had been awkward – his past scars still ached – it had slowly become better. All of them knew that while it was impossible to go back to the dynamic they had decades ago, especially because they had an addition to the group now, they found a new one to which everyone gradually got used to.
However, Keigo was still worried about Sukai.
While Sukai wasn’t as cold towards the world as he was before Ren’s return, there were still moments, that made Keigo feel worried about him. Both Takumi and Junki were sensitive topics for the younger brother, thus Keigo avoided introducing his boyfriend to him even though the human was curious about him.
Takumi, meanwhile, did his best trying to bond with Sukai, yet each time his attempts were met with coldness and rejection. It broke both Ren’s and Keigo’s heart to see it, but Keigo had witnessed how broken Sukai had been and how much be blamed Takumi for it. It was expected, yet he had hoped for everyone's sake that it would change one day. Still, he knew that not everyone could forgive 50 years of pain easily and even the oldest one of the vampires was surprised, how forgiving he was in the end.
He was pretty sure that the reason for it was the sun he had in his life now.
Every time he was with the human, he felt warm and content. He was able to forget that they were not of the same kind and even Junki’s intoxicating smell didn’t trigger his instincts anymore. He still couldn’t get enough from him or his smell, yet it wasn’t as dangerous as previously. Just like Junki couldn’t eat his beloved carbonara or curry rice every day, being exposed to his favourite scent made Keigo also used to it.
However, he was still a vampire, a creature that survived on human blood, thus he took some precautions like never meeting the human while he was thirsty. For some reason, Junki always know when it happened even when Keigo tried to be as discreet as possible about it. He didn’t want to scare his human boyfriend, showering afterwards and making sure there was no blood on his clothes, yet Junki seemed to notice and those nights were always a little different from their usual ones.
Junki wouldn’t be as affectionate as normally which in turn made Keigo awkward around him. On the one hand, he wanted to ease the other one, confirming to him that he was no danger to him, yet on the other one, he was still a merciless killer. To make sure that one deer was save, the wolf he was killed a bunch of other ones and it was normal for the deer to be scared. It was only natural that Junki was some kind of uncomfortable about that.
Also, there was another problem. While Keigo would have loved to spend 24/7 with Junki, he didn’t want to leave Sukai alone. Ren had his company and Sukai’s unwillingness to spend time with Takumi made the time limited that the brothers could spend with each other and Keigo felt bad about leaving Sukai all alone.
His presence might not have the same effect as Ren’s one on the younger, yet he knew that Sukai also needed him in some way. He tried his best to be there for the younger one, too, so it usually meant that spend the days together while his nights were spent with Junki. It was not ideal, yet best solution for the moment.
One day, all of the vampires excluding Sukai who was hunting at that time, sat together in Keigo’s and Sukai’s shared apartment.
“You know, I’m worried about Sukai. He is not the same.”
“You left him alone one day and didn’t return until 50 years later. Of course, he is not the same.” On the outside Sukai’s state had seemed static in those decades, but he had changed in all those years. His former boyishness had disappeared and while Ren had managed to bring some of it back, too much time had passed to repair all the damage.
“I know, I know.” When Sukai was the topic of their talks, guilt was often visible on the grey haired one’s face. While the sight wasn’t as satisfying as in the beginning, it still felt right for Keigo to see it in his face. “But even though I’m back he still seems so lonely?”
Ren was not wrong about that. After all that happened Sukai had become a loner. Keigo had assumed that it was due some kind of self-protection, not wanting to be left behind again.
“Maybe he needs a partner, too? Keigo has Junki and you have me, but Sukai is still alone.”
Takumi had a point, yet Keigo highly doubted that Sukai would ever admit that or search for a partner. Even before everything had happened, Sukai was never the one to actively approach people. If it hadn’t been for Ren, the two brothers would have never approached him either, and everything only got worse after the older brother had left. In fact, Keigo was probably the only person Sukai had spoken to until the reunion.
“A partner? He is still too young.”
The oldest one among them had to laugh about that statement. “Ren, technically your boyfriend and my one are both younger than him.”
“He is just 18 years old! That’s far too young to date.”
“Back in my days when you were not married by that age, there was something seriously wrong with you or your family.” It was funny how the times had changed since Keigo had been a human. While both his time and Ren’s time were equally considered historic in the current time period, there were some significant differences.
“Marriage and dating are two different things, especially considering the different periods we grew up.” Ren seemed to be displeased just by the thought of his brother dating which was kind of funny to Keigo. The thought of Sukai doing exact the same as his older brother was amusing, yet Keigo knew that it was literally the least likely thing to happen.
“Keigo has a point, Ren. Sukai is not a kid anymore and it might be better for him if he finds someone, too.” Takumi took Ren’s hand and squeezed it lightly. On the spot, Ren’s features became softer.
“It was your idea anyway.”
“But how do you want to find a partner for him? Unless for hunting or visiting you, he doesn’t leave the apartment and we all met our partners by accident. Also, you know how much Sukai likes humans.”
“We could look for other vampires and introduce them to Sukai.”
“Ren, you know that most other vampires are merciless killers. As long as Junki is still a human, I won’t let any other vampire near to him.”
“Still a human? Did you decide already?”
“Not yet.” Since their talk Keigo and Junki hadn’t spoken about changing the human anymore. They haven’t even spoken about the whole vampire topic at all. But Keigo knew that while the human loved him, his nature still made him uncomfortable. When they talked about their lives, they both avoided the obvious differences as much as possible. It was alright for the time being, they still had a lot of time left.
Later that day when Keigo went over to Junki’s place, the human seemed to be distraught by something. When the vampire tried to comfort him, he even flinched before allowing Keigo to touch him. “Are you alright, Junkichi?”
The human hesitated for a moment before he started to speak. “There was a murder two streets away. The body was found bloodless.” His voice was like a whisper which was so unlike his usual loud voice. “Do you know something?”
Sukai had been hunting earlier, yet not to blow their cover they always made sure to hide the bodies in some way. Usually it meant either burying them into the ground or throwing them into the Tokyo bay. Sukai might dislike Junki, but Keigo was sure that the younger one would prefer to keep everything low. Even that one night when he went on that amok after smelling Ren for the first time in decades, he had returned to hide the bodies. In a big city like Tokyo however, it was more than likely that there were other vampires around. The thought caused some anxiety in him and that was a worse feeling than doubting his brother like friend. “No, I’m sorry.”
“So, it wasn’t the one who doesn’t like me? Sukai?”
As much as he hated lying to his boyfriend, in that moment it seemed to the better option to make him feel safe. “I was with him earlier. He was not the cause.”
“It was someone else? Do you think they might go after me?”
“No, you are safe.” Usually if the smell of one vampire was dominant in an area, other ones would stay away from that territory, but there were other who didn’t care about such things, even thinking of that as a challenge.
“But you said I smell good.”
“Yes, for me. But that doesn’t mean your scent is equally attracting for someone else. Not everyone likes carbonara as much as you for example.”
“But you and my boss fought because you both liked the smell of his boyfriend.”
It hurt Keigo to see how terrified Junki seemed because of his kind, but he pulled him into his arms anyway. He wanted him to feel save at least around him, to an extent around his friends, too, so that they could have a chance for a shared future. “I will protect you. No one will hurt.” The vampire showered his boyfriend with butterfly kisses in the hope of showing him that his kind could be gentle, too. He made sure to gently caress each one of the countless moles in the human’s face. It took some time, but eventually at least Junki's heartbeat slowed down.
Even if Junki decided against becoming a vampire, Keigo wanted to have a future with him. He knew it was a dangerous path, not just because of other vampires or human diseases, his instincts also could take over again at any minute if he didn’t stay careful, but he was more than willing to walk that path with Junki until the very end.
Compared to the period he had lived already, he only knew Junki for tiny fraction, yet during that time the human had become so important to him that he was willing to do everything for him, even when it went against his own wishes. In moments like that he would change him into one of his kind, just for the sake of protecting him, yet at the same time he wanted Junki to decide it for himself. Unlike him he wanted to give his boyfriend the gift of choosing his own fate.
Bit by bit Junki eased more into his arms and pressed himself closer to the vampire as if he wanted him to be his tower of strength. “Can you tell me more?”
“About what? Vampires?” The request came as a surprise for Keigo. He had expected the topic to be silenced again.
“Yes... How did it happen? How did you become one?”
“It’s gonna be a long story, Junkichi. Grab yourself some snacks.”
Eventually they moved to the bedroom, but unlike other times, Keigo just hold his boyfriend while he ate some snacks. Due the anxiety the murder had caused Junki hadn’t eaten much that day.
“I’m pretty old already. I was born in a period you call the Warring States period now. My family was an aristocratic one, but we weren’t not that important, so most of the time we were left alone. You could say I grew up peacefully. But alliances were everything during this time and my father somehow managed to mess up. I was pretty happy that I didn’t get some random bride, but it was the downfall for my family. One night an assassin entered our estate and you can guess what kind of assassin he was.”
“A vampire?”
“You are so smart.” With a smile Keigo kissed Junki’s forehead before continuing his story. “Back then vampires were popular assassins, because they did the job effectively and were cheap – they got the payment while doing their job. For some reason, he didn’t finish me off, so once I regained conscience, I was a blood hungry vampire surrounded by my dead family. I had no idea where to go, but war was everywhere it was at least easy to survive.”
“So, you are about 500 years old? Oh no, I’m dating a grandfather.” Junki took the story surprisingly well and jokingly made a disgusted face about Keigo’s real age.
“But you are dating a hot one.” In moments like those, Keigo thought that it might have been destiny that he was changed so that he had the chance to meet Junki. Under normal circumstances they would have never met, but now they were laying in each other's arms.
“And my boss? And his brother?”
“They are much closer to your age. Ren and Sukai have no idea how everything happened in detail, but one day they were dying in the hospital because of the Spanish flu and the next day they were vampires. They guess someone had taken pity into them and their bond and changed them. We’ve met some years afterwards.”
“They were close until you’ve met my boss’ boyfriend?”
“Yes, I liked to call them the fox brothers because they were playful and smart like foxes. Even I who was with them for years couldn’t understand them at times, so when Ren eloped with Takumi it was a huge shock for both of us, but Sukai changed completely afterwards. From what I know, there was never a time before that the brothers were apart from each other.”
“And that’s why he hates me. Because he is afraid that you would do the same.”
“Don’t take it personally. It was a huge trauma and he only started to heal recently.” Keigo couldn’t help but to defend Sukai. In this whole thing he had been the most innocent but also the most affected one.
For a while Junki didn’t say anything, munching his snacks while holding Keigo’s hand with his free one. From the face he made the vampire could tell that his boyfriend was thinking about a lot of things and he wanted to give him the peace. It was vital for their relationship that Junki accepted what he was and his history. If he did not... Keigo had no idea how he would feel.
Too hard he had fallen for the human already, too addicted to the drug that Junki was, too used to warmth he radiated. His life had become a one-way road with no way of turning back. The last question that was left was how long that road was. He still hoped for the eternal one, yet he wasn’t the driver of the car, it was the human in his arms.
“If I wanted to become a vampire, would you do it?”
“It’s my fault, so of course.” He tried to make a confident smile in that moment although he wasn’t confident about it at all. While he got used to Junki’s scent, he wasn’t sure how he would react the moment he tasted his blood. There was still the chance for his instincts to take over. But he was the one who had caused everything in some way, thus making it his responsibility.
“Good. I wouldn’t want it to be anyone but you.”
Keigo knew that Junki was still conflicted about everything and he hadn’t made his final decision yet, but it was alright for him. As long as they were together, he could wait. Junki was still young and they had time.
At least that was what he assumed.
One day, Junki had called him that he shouldn’t come over that night. He had gotten sick and his voice truly sounded awful. Keigo had offered to come anyway because human sicknesses didn’t affect him, yet his boyfriend didn’t want him to see him like that. He wanted to sleep the whole time anyway. Keigo accepted it reluctantly. Back in his human days, a cold had been something dangerous and while he knew that it wasn’t that dangerous anymore, he couldn’t help but worry. Ren and Sukai also had nearly died on something similar to a cold, but unexpectedly Ren was the one who assured him that Junki would be fine. “He will be fine. He needs some days of rest and then you have your boyfriend back.”
At first, Keigo and Junki continued to exchange messages every time the human was awake, but gradually the period between the messages became longer.
Together with Keigo’s worry, Sukai’s annoyance about his behaviour grew. Junki had no answered Keigo for 15 hours, 57 mins and 28 seconds and the older vampire was beyond worried.
“Just go to him. Seriously, if you keep pacing through the apartment like that, I’m going nuts, too.”
“But he said...”
“Since when do you care about that?”
The younger vampire had a point. However, Keigo felt bad for leaving his friend alone for his boyfriend again. “But I might stay longer.”
“Humans are damn fragile and you are damn obsessed with this one.”
“Is it okay for you?”
“I don’t need a babysitter. Go to him. I can see that your worry is eating you.” Then for the first time in several decades, Keigo saw a smile directed in his direction.
Keigo couldn’t help but hug his friend. ”I will return. Don’t doubt me.”
“Yeah whatever. Just go now.”
Because he expected Junki to be sleeping, Keigo entered his apartment like he did when he still consideredthought that the human would become his prey. The window was open and it was easy for someone like him to enter this way. He found Junki in his bed and he could feel the heat the human radiated even without checking the temperature. Fever made his body burn and he was barely conscious.
Keigo hoped to cool him down by putting a wet towel on his forehead and removing the blanket. Normally, Keigo would have enjoyed the sight in front of him – Junki was only wearing his underwear – but there were red spots all over his body. Even he knew what that meant: measles, a disease that was dangerous to adult humans.
He had to call a doctor, but right in the moment he wanted to do it, Junki started a coughing fit. It sounded horribly and he wasn’t stopping which made Keigo panic. Yet it was not even the worst part. Suddenly, Junki made a strange sound as if he wanted to throw up but instead of puke, utter silence followed. Keigo wasn’t even able to hear breathing sounds anymore and when he took a closer look, Junki’s chest had stopped moving. The heartbeat also got weaker with every second and the realisation what was happening hit Keigo take a train.
It was like his worst nightmare had come true and it happened far too soon. He had thought he and Junki still had years to decide the human’s fade, yet a small virus had taken that decision from them. Keigo knew he had to act now, if he wanted to save his beloved. He had to decide his fate and it horrified him. Seeing the person, you love die in front of you was horrifying and the last sounds Junki had made still echoed inside of his mind. Yet he had to act, if there was still a chance for a future.
His whole body was shacking when he crouched down next to Junki. “Junkichi, don’t give up. Don’t hate me for what I’m doing to you now, but I don’t want to lose you without saying good-bye.” Tears ran down on Keigo’s face and mixed with sweatbeads that still stuck to Junki's neck when the vampire moved closer to it. ”I love you. I love you so much. Please don’t let it be too late.” Keigo was sobbing when he bit into the neck.
When the first drop of blood entered his mouth, Keigo was close to lose his last remaining sanity. It tasted overwhelmingly, yet he tried not to suck. He let the poison which was meant to either paralyse or change his victim, flow into the neck of his boyfriend, praying to all the gods the humans knew that it wasn’t too late.
Most likely he used more than it was necessary, but he wanted to make sure that there was a chance for him to survive. After he pulled away from his neck, he continued to stay by his side and hold his hand.
Junki’s hand had gotten colder, he wasn’t burning anymore, but he wasn’t cold. Keigo took it as a good sign as he had no idea about a change. He had never witnessed one and he was unconscious during his own one. “Junkichi, don’t die. If you won’t want to become a vampire, tell me it. Hate me for it, but please don’t die.”
He didn’t know how long he sat there holding Junki’s hand, but the hand never got cold. He ignored all calls on his or Junki’s phone – it was most likely Ren calling – waiting for his boyfriend to wake up. His eyes were glued to him and he could see the red spots disappearing from Junki’s body yet he wasn’t convinced yet. It only happened when he saw the first movement and the tears returned but this time out of happiness. “Junkichi, can you hear me?” The question was stupid, but Keigo needed the last conformation that the other was truly awake.
“Keigo?” With a confused expression Junki raised his head. “What are you doing here? And why I am so thirsty?”
It was normal for new-born vampires to be thirsty. The change required a lot of energy which the body needed back. But instead of explaining this Keigo pulled Junki towards him and sobbed harder than before. “It worked... it worked... You are alive.”
“What’s going on? What are you talking about? I was just sick...”
“The sickness nearly killed you. I had to save you in the very last moment.” Keigo knew that his boyfriend probably only understood half of what he said, but he took his face into his hands and kissed him long before continuing to explain. “The sounds you made... I did not want them to be the last ones I’ve heard from you. Even if you hate me, it’s okay. You are alive and that what matters.”
“I... You..” The new born vampire did not pull away from him, but Keigo saw how confused he was. “Yes... I feel different. It’s hard to explain.”
“You will get used to it.”
“I guess I have to.” But then Junki closed the distance between them again. “Thank you for saving me”, he whispered before kissing him.
Junki was extremely thirsty but they agreed to wait for the rest of the group to arrive before they started his first hunt. Keigo could only vaguely remember his own first one, but he knew that it had been quite messy. Thanks to Takumi, Ren had some knowledge how to handle new-borns and it felt just wrong to left out Sukai. Now that Junki was one of them he hoped that Sukai could be friendlier towards him.
However, Keigo had not told them why he had called them. He wanted to make it a surprise and luckily Junki had agreed to it. Thus, when everyone arrived, they seemed worried.
“Keigo, what happened? Why did you call us?”, Ren asked concerned.
Takumi seemed to be equally concerned, while Sukai was annoyed to be dragged along.
“It wasn’t just a cold. Junki had something worse...”
“Oh. Did you come too late? Keigo, I’m-”
Before Ren could finish the sentence, Junki appeared at Keigo’s side. “I have no idea why, but I’m kinda pissed off. Can we go drinking now? Please?” When the new vampire spotted the new arrivals, a hiss left his mouth which surprised everyone including himself. The territorial instinct was especially strong in new-borns because they needed the blood the most.
“You changed him?”
“Or he would have died.”, confirmed Keigo.
“Can we go now?”
Everyone agreed that it was better not to let Junki wait any longer, so they took off. However, the area where the apartment of the newest vampire was located wasn’t ideal for a hunt – too many potential witnesses. They agreed to move to the harbour area.
Junki’s irritation grew with every second and when they finally arrived, he attacked the first human he spotted. Because of the suddenness of the attack, the human stood no chance and while his technique was still clumsy, he managed to have his first meal without problems. Occasionally, he hissed at his audience – not knowing how to control his instincts yet – but they took it lightly.
“Takumi was even worse. We were in the mountains and he wanted to push me off a cliff.”
“Reeeen, I’ve told you a thousand times that I’m sorry.”
“You two are horrible.” Yet contradicting to his words, there was a small smirk on Sukai’s face.
Once Junki was done, Keigo was at least able to approach him again. Together they threw the bloodless corpse inside the water. “I’m sorry.”, Keigo heard his boyfriend muttering while they watched the body sink towards the bottom of the ocean.
“You had to do it. It’s either you or him.”
“I know.” Keigo could understand him. Everything was still new for him and not too long ago, Junki could have been the meal of another vampire.
However, everyone agreed that before they returned to an area where a lot of humans dwelled Junki needed to drink again – better safe than sorry.
After the second fisher met his demise, the other three vampires were able to approach Junki, too.
“Welcome to the family.” Takumi was the first one to hug Junki. “If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. Those grandpas don’t remember anything anymore.”
“When did you get this cooky, strawberry?” Ren was next. “Well, you know me as your boss already, but I guess you don’t need that job anymore. So, feel free to call me just Ren now.”
“I’m Sukai. Take care of Keigo. He is stupid but nice.”
That was a warmer welcome than Keigo had expected from Sukai which made him happy.
Just in time when they decided to return to Junki’s apartment, the sun started to rise in the distance. It felt not only like the start into a new day but like the start into a new life not only for the newborn vampire but for everyone. Although they were creatures of the darkness, their future seemed to be as bright as the new day.
Eventually, there were some difficulties on the way of adjusting Junki to his new life. The main difficulty was his family. They had no idea what had happened to him and he also preferred not to tell them. However, because vampires didn’t age, one day they would notice sooner or later, so Keigo and Junki decided to fulfil Keigo’s dream of going to Europe together.
The night before their departure all five vampires decided to hunt together one last time. Junki still had trouble controlling himself once his instincts took over, thus making additional security helpful. Also, Keigo wanted to spend a little more time with his friends. He felt a little bad of leaving Sukai behind, yet Ren and Takumi had promised him to watch over him. Sukai had also told him that he didn’t need Keigo to babysit him anymore, thus Keigo’s dead heart was eased a little.
However, when they were in the middle of searching for potential victims, they came across the smell of fresh blood. They decided to investigate it, hoping that it might be an easy target for Junki, yet the sight made even the newborn vampire feel nothing but pity.
A knife was stuck in the belly of a boy with brown wavy hair who looked younger than Sukai.
To everyone’s surprise it was also Sukai who approached him. “Hey, what happened?” His voice sounded soft which was so unlike his usual hunter-self.
“Someone robbed me.” The voice of the boy was full of pain and he was breathing hard.
“What’s your name?”
“Sora and you?”
“Sukai. Seems like we were both named for the sky.”
Ren was the first one to understand what was going on and he tried to make everyone else leave the scene. Yet everyone was to fascinated by what was going on.
“You won’t survive this wound, Sora.” Sukai sat down next to the boy and stroke his hair. This gentle action was the confirmation for the rest of the vampires about what was going on in that moment.
“I know.” Tears rolled down the boy’s face.
“Do you want to live?”
“Yes.”
Finally, the other vampires left the scene, giving the two boys their moment alone.
“Now, you can leave in peace.” Junki took his hand and smiled at him.
“Yes, our little brother won’t be alone anymore.”