Chapter Text
Park Sunghoon had a problem.
The past 2 years in university had been uneventful―just the way he liked it―and he had hoped it would stay that way. Unfortunately, a week before his Junior year, Sunghoon got a call from the admin office about his rooming arrangement. It was previously agreed upon that he would have his own room for his entire 4-year stay, but the apologetic lady on the other end of the phone explained that there was a mix-up due to some transfer students and, well, now he had a roommate. Great, maybe not that bad, but things didn’t end there.
The other thing was that Sunghoon was a full-fledged vampire, born from vampire parents, living peacefully among the humans. Years and years of taming and effort meant that vampires were no longer the bloodthirsty monsters that pop culture and media often depicted them as, although there were still people who viewed them that way. Rather than purely gaining energy from blood, vampires had found a way to harvest their source from other human interaction, thus resulting in much less death.
Mainly, even just skin-on-skin contact would help. Others who still needed some sort of fresh energy from blood often drank animal blood instead, legally obtained from suppliers.
Now, Sunghoon never had a problem with this arrangement.
He grew up normal enough, often posing as a human to avoid discrimination, taking human meals in front of his classmates, drinking pig’s blood when he got home―all of which were what most other vampires did―while heavily avoiding too much human interaction. The latter wasn’t entirely necessary, but a part of Sunghoon just didn’t want to get too close to humans. Maybe it was the effect of hearing stories about vampires attacking humans now and then. It helped to be careful, he figured.
Not having a human roommate was supposed to make his college life easier.
Then again, he was a vampire, and maybe the old saying that they were damned forever was accurate.
Anyway, Sunghoon had a problem, one that made Kim Sunoo nearly double over in laughter in the middle of the latter’s home bedroom the summer before classes started again.
“You don’t have to befriend your roommate if you wanna be an asshole about it,” the younger vampire said, smiling teasingly when he received a deadpan stare in return that was the exact opposite of his bright, sunny one. Sunoo continued cheerily, “I’m serious. I have a human roommate and so does Jungwon; it’s really not that bad.”
“Easy for you to say, you love human energy,” Sunghoon argued, thinking back to all the times he’s seen the other vampire with human friends hanging off his arms, or with their arms wrapped around him in a hug, or even simply just hanging out together. He didn’t know if they knew about Sunoo being a vampire, but if they did, the latter’s charming personality must have made up for it. Sunoo was the type who could talk his way into and out of any given situation.
The vampire smiled in agreement, “you will, too, if you actually allowed yourself to get closer to them.”
It wasn’t like Sunghoon had poor self-control; far from it, actually, since he’s lived without draining human energy for most of his life. There was just something about being a vampire and occasionally labeled as a monster by those who don’t know any better that made him wish he was born a regular, human boy. Maybe then he could have more freedom to actually do things he liked without fear of getting judged. Although vampires were becoming more accepted by society, there was still that stigma associated with them.
Being around humans just meant more chances of him being found out. It was bad enough that Sunghoon often garnered attention for being tall and handsome; all vampires were good-looking by default, which made blending in harder than it should be. Well, for vampires like him who would rather live peacefully, anyway. There were a few who had stopped caring or even some who would announce they were vampires from the start.
“You’re worrying too much,” Sunoo spoke up once he noticed the older boy becoming consumed by his thoughts.
“I’d like to think I’m worrying the right amount.”
“Look,” the brunette said, rolling his eyes at the way the other mumbled under his breath, “it’s not like you haven’t been living around humans this whole time, despite avoiding direct contact, like a weirdo. This is nothing new, Park Sunghoon. What difference does a roommate make?”
Sunghoon had an answered prepared, “when can I feed off blood bags if I have no private space?”
“In the bathroom like the rest of us,” Sunoo replied with a scoff.
✢
Jake Shim was positively vibrating with excitement as he stepped foot into campus. The air was fresh and crisp due to all the trees. The sun was shining brightly, but it wasn’t too warm. Maybe he was just far too used to the Australian heat that anything else seemed cooler in comparison, but that was the least of his concerns as a transferee. His first agenda before classes officially started the next day was settling into the student dorms.
Thankfully, he was given a quick tour a few days prior and even informed that he would have a roommate.
The excitement he felt slowly transformed into nervousness as he stood in front of the door to his room, one hand clutching at his chest in an attempt to calm down his beating heart.
What if his roommate didn’t like him? What if he didn’t like his roommate? They were going to stay together for the whole year and maybe the next, all things considered. Jake didn’t want to end up not being friends with his own roommate. That sounded a little pathetic and not entirely like him since he was friendly enough. A little shy, definitely a nerd among most of his peers, but he was friendly. He was nice. Things should be fine.
He slid the key into the lock and entered, plastering a smile on his face.
“Sorry for just entering―“
The brunette felt the words die in his throat as he went in and ended up face to face with―not to be dramatic or anything―a boy who was too handsome to be real. Even from just a quick glance, his roommate was obviously visually blessed with a great face and even greater proportions, glowing skin, and a vibe around him that immediately felt untouchable. Jake attempted to swallow down the large lump forming in his throat as he closed the door behind him awkwardly, unable to break eye contact.
“It’s fine,” the dark-haired boy said softly. “You must be my new roommate. Please excuse the mess in the room, I just got back here some time ago.”
Jake looked around the room only to find nothing that looked even close to being a mess. Both beds on either side of the dorm looked like it had a fresh change of sheets, while the shared study table in the middle had a pile of books and notebooks off to one side, perfectly separated to occupy just half of the space. It looked like his roommate had already managed to clean up since it barely looked like anybody lived in the room. There were no chairs with random piles of clothing, which his own room back home often had around.
“What mess?” Jake replied with a grin, hoping to ease himself out of the awkwardness from earlier. “Anyway, my name is Shim Jaeyun, but please call me Jake!”
He extended his hand out in front of him in an effort to get a handshake.
Instead, he was met with his roommate’s eyes flicking down for a split second and then back up towards his face, promptly ignoring the offered hand.
“I’m Park Sunghoon,” the other boy said instead, bowing slightly.
“Oh, sorry, I forgot the culture here must be different,” Jake said in a rush as his hand immediately fell to the side. He bowed his head in return, hoping Sunghoon didn’t find him rude or anything. He knew bowing was a big thing, really, he just thought handshakes weren’t weird either. Thankfully, Sunghoon didn’t seem to look annoyed or anything, just generally passive about everything as he said that it was not a problem.
That was where their interaction ended.
The room was quiet, disturbingly so, especially for someone like Jake who often thrived with some sort of conversation happening. Park Sunghoon retreated towards his bed and had drawn the curtains surrounding it shut shortly after the introduction, without another word. Maybe he did do something wrong? The brunette sure hoped not. It was either that or Sunghoon just wasn’t the friendly type. At least he didn’t straight up ignore Jake the whole time.
Still, Jake thought to himself as he began to unpack his belongings, being friends would be nice. He shook off the idea that Sunghoon was anti-social and went with the idea that the other boy was just shy, like most people were, even if he had been living in the dorm alone. Shit, then again, maybe the other boy really didn’t want a roommate and Jake was invading his personal space? There was a reason he was living alone this whole time, right? Should he change rooms?
Should he ask?
No, that didn’t seem like a good idea either. The brunette spent a good five minutes just sitting on the edge of his bed, most of his luggage still unpacked, just wondering whether he should try and start a conversation once Sunghoon emerges from his bed. He could ask about the other’s class schedule, right? That was a normal topic. Maybe they even had a similar class. Maybe they were even taking the same course.
It probably wasn’t that big of a deal, Jake convinced himself, finally getting up to place his belongings where they should be. The room was pleasant to be in nonetheless with a clean floor, clean walls, and a window right in between their beds that offered some natural light. It was perfectly symmetrical as well, save for the door to the bathroom on his side of the room. He enjoyed taking note of his new home for the next few years. It also helped that Sunghoon kept both areas clean since he couldn’t spot a single speck of dust anywhere, even on his side.
So the other boy was considerate, at least. Jake noted that in his head as something positive.
There were more chances to get to know each other, the brunette repeated in his head.
He’ll get there eventually.