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The water pushing against his face was pleasant; he was a little tired from all the swimming but he was excited. His tail kept swishing, pushing him forward while he continuously looked around, grinning widely at fish stopping to look at Yeosang zoom right past them.
It took a while to get near the beach, as he lived quite deep into the sea. Usually, or, well, a few months ago he had still swam at a reasonable speed but ever since the meeting, Yeosang had gotten even more excited for the daily meetings with the friendly vampire. That, of course meant that Yeosang always tried his best to get to the beach instantly when the sun set.
Of course his tail and other muscles protested but it wasn't like they were in charge of what they did. Besides, Yeosang always made sure to rest properly after every meeting. Yeosang's heart increased its rate (even further) when he saw the familiar rock that he used to circle around or lean against while he stared at the vampire in the distance.
If someone had told him that he would be this excited over a dangerous, cruel creature - a vampire - Yeosang would have definitely shrugged it off, let out an awkward laugh while feeling a cold shiver creep up his spine. But, here he was, blowing bubbles that floated onto the surface, his lip caught between his teeth while he watched the still empty beach.
Yeosang stopped his movements, turning around to float on the water on his back. The sky still had red hues in it, but it was definitely a lot darker than a few minutes ago. Yeosang turned around again, inching a little closer to the shore.
He had always kept a safe distance between himself and the vampire, Seonghwa, but he knew it was useless: if Seonghwa wanted, he could just dive forward and grab Yeosang tightly before Yeosang could even move a muscle to turn around. Yeosang had dropped that thought a long while ago, though, because Seonghwa was friendly. And, well, even if Seonghwa turned out to be bad, Yeosang would still accept his death: he hadn't been this happy in years, so even if he died, he would die happily.
"Yeosang!" Yeosang immediately shot his gaze up, seeing Seonghwa run towards him. His speed was unbelievable and, honestly, Yeosang was still not used to seeing Seonghwa run around with that speed.
Yeosang felt a wide smile forming on his lips as he said: "Hey!"
"Hi," Seonghwa grinned back, his teeth glinting in the little source of light around them. "You're early," he pointed out, plopping down onto the sand. He shifted around until he found a comfortable place to be in.
Seonghwa wouldn't have to stay seated on the sand for too long though, as he would eventually slide into the water and maybe decrease the distance between them. Or, that was what Yeosang hoped for every time but he would never voice his hopes out loud. He wasn't that brave yet.
"I am," Yeosang admitted at last. "I… was excited?" he explained. It wasn't just this time that he was excited, though.
Seonghwa's almost mad grin turned into a softer, fond smile, his teeth disappearing behind his stretched lips. "I wish I could come here earlier," Seonghwa said, more to himself.
"What even happens if you are out when the sun is still up?" Yeosang asked, curious. He hadn't gotten an answer to that, mainly because he had never had the time to ask that question.
Seonghwa let out a laugh before he answered: "Nothing, really. I mean, sure, I get sunburned but it's not like I'll die or anything." He paused. "At least I haven't died in the sunlight yet."
Yeosang narrowed his eyes at the latter comment but at the way Seonghwa started laughing, he figured that Seonghwa must have been joking. "So you could come here during the daytime?"
Seonghwa cleared his throat, letting out one last laugh at Yeosang's serious face. "Yes, I could but I won't. Mainly because there are other people here and also because I do get affected by the sunlight. I get a lot weaker and, as I said, I can get sunburned," he said. Yeosang nodded slowly. That made sense. "I've gotten sunburned a few times and… it's never too pleasant."
"Can't you put on that… thing?"
"What thing?"
"You know that thing that humans use," Yeosang tried to explain. "At beaches and things."
Seonghwa looked at Yeosang for a while, unmoving while trying to understand what word Yeosang was looking for. Yeosang was sure that Seonghwa knew what he was talking about because Seonghwa, despite him being rather lonely, spent most of his time with humans.
"Something you put on your skin or something?" Yeosang continued.
"Oh, sunscreen?"
"Um, I don't know what it's called."
Seonghwa covered his mouth, laughing again. Yeosang blushed. "That's cute," he mused quietly, although Yeosang was able to hear it. "I think sunscreen is what you're trying to say, though."
"I guess," Yeosang shrugged.
"It works but if I forget to take sunscreen with me and I'm out for too long I'll still get sunburned."
"Oh," Yeosang nodded.
"Is there anything else you want to know about my relation with the sun?"
Yeosang scrunched up his nose at Seonghwa's choice of words before he shook his head. "I'm good," he answered. After a moment of silence he added: "For now."
"Okay," Seonghwa nodded. "I'm always ready to answer your questions," he said, straightening up his back. "Can I ask something in return?"
"Sure."
"Okay, well, hmm," Seonghwa started. "This might be a stupid question but it's something I've been curious about for a while now and I haven't had the chance to ask you before."
"Okay…"
"So-" Seonghwa cut himself off. "Um, is there someone supposed to be behind you?" he asked, shifting uncomfortably. He was staring right past Yeosang.
Yeosang froze at that before he turned around, quite sure who it was even before seeing them. Yeosang was met with Wooyoung's narrowed eyes, a disapproving expression on his face under the water.
"Wait a minute," Yeosang said to Seonghwa who nodded, smiling sweetly at Yeosang.
Yeosang popped his head back under the water, Wooyoung immediately grabbing his shoulders. "Why?" he asked with a demanding tone.
"What are you doing here?" Yeosang asked instead of answering; he knew Wooyoung's answer though.
Ever since his technically first meeting with Seonghwa, Wooyoung had become suspicious. He had become suspicious of Yeosang's excited noises when he came back from the beach and Yeosang's unwillingness to share the happenings with him. Wooyoung was his best friend, after all. But Yeosang knew he would lose his shit if he ever told him about Seonghwa. He was about to do so now, as there was no way Yeosang would get out of the situation without telling the truth.
"I followed you, obviously," Wooyoung huffed. "Now tell me why you've been seeing a vampire."
Well, Wooyoung got straight into the point. "I didn't know he was one," Yeosang said, telling the truth. He hadn't known Seonghwa was a vampire until he had already decided to speak with him.
"Okay but it's been, what, three months."
"And?"
"And you should have stopped by now!"
"He's not bad," Yeosang mumbled.
Wooyoung sighed loudly, grabbing Yeosang's hands. "If he was all scary to you, would he get what he wants from you?"
Yeosang furrowed his eyebrows. "What does he want from me? He's not after my blood, you know."
"Would he get your blood if he said that he wanted your blood? Yeosang, think!" Wooyoung groaned. "This is why people always get what they want from you!"
"Wooyoung-"
"I'm expecting you to be home before the sky lights up again," Wooyoung said before he turned around and started to swim away.
Yeosang sighed, staying under the water for a little longer before he popped his head out, eyes immediately searching for Seonghwa who was still sitting in the same spot.
"Sorry," Yeosang said. "My friend…" he trailed off, trying to come up with an excuse.
"It's okay," Seonghwa smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes like it usually did.
It was silent between them, with Seonghwa looking at Yeosang with an unreadable expression and Yeosang too caught up in his own feelings to try and break the silence. He was considering Wooyoung's words but for once he wanted to make his own decisions.
Sure, Wooyoung was usually right but so what if Seonghwa was nothing more than interested in his blood? It wouldn't kill him - but the thought of Seonghwa only being attracted to something that was only a little (but important) part of Yeosang and not Yeosang, made him sad, disappointed.
"I wasn't trying to eavesdrop but it just happened," Seonghwa said, instantly snapping Yeosang out of his own thoughts. What?!
"How did you hear us?"
"I told you I have a really good hearing," Seonghwa said quietly, playing with his fingers. It seemed like he was on the verge of apologizing, which, in all honesty, made no sense.
"But- but underwater?" Seonghwa nodded, lifting his head up to look at Yeosang. "Wow."
A small smile attempted to tug up onto Seonghwa's lips before they fell into a straight line again. "I think… your friend, Wooyoung, is right. We shouldn't do this, see each other."
Yeosang silently looked at Seonghwa, processing his words. He felt how his mind grew restless and his tail seemed to move a little more rapidly. "But you're not dangerous, so why?" he asked, trying to stay calm.
Seonghwa sighed. "I'm a vampire, of course I'm going to be dangerous."
"But- but-" Yeosang exhaled slowly. "But right now- you are not. You're not trying to kill me, right?"
Seonghwa gasped. "Of course not!"
"Yeah, so we can keep seeing each other! Why would we ever stop? I haven't made a new friend in ages." Yeosang felt how his own heart protested at what he had said but he told it to stop. Seonghwa could very well make out the movements of his heart and right now he needed no more things to think about other than the problem in front of him right now.
A frown visited Seonghwa's face before it disappeared. "You live in the water, I live on land. You'll end up hurt either way."
"Seonghwa-"
"No, Yeosang," Seonghwa shook his head. He was already starting to get up, although a little hesitantly. Yeosang felt how panic washed over him. "I've been distracted by my own happiness to realize that. I don't want to hurt you."
"Seonghwa," Yeosang tried. "Listen- We… we can find a way!" he yelled. Now he definitely didn't sound like he wanted to keep a friend by his side.
Seonghwa was unrolling his pants; the loose slacks fell down, leaving his ankles bare. He smiled at Yeosang. "Yeosang, I'm sure you can find a better friend than me," he said. "Someone you can be with all day," he added. "Like Wooyoung?"
Yeosang felt like he had just swam hours and hours when in reality it had only been a few words from Seonghwa. His muscles ached, especially his heart, and his breaths were quick.
"I'm happy with you." He swam closer to the shore. Seonghwa's arm twitched at that but he stayed silent. "I won't mind doing this."
"You will eventually. I shouldn't have-" Seonghwa let out a frustrated sigh. "We have to stop seeing each other now. It'll hurt less now," he explained, squatting down.
"Seonghwa," Yeosang mumbled. "We haven't even tried yet, how would you know?"
"Think about it," Seonghwa said. "How do you expect it to even work? Sure, we're both pretty much immortal but that only makes things harder," he paused to look at the way Yeosang's eyebrows furrowed. "You can't live without water. And I can't live in water. It just won't work."
Yeosang didn't want to bring his hopes up but there was no way Seonghwa was talking about a simple friendship, right? As much as Yeosang wished that he was right, it still didn't help the sorrow he was feeling. Even if their feelings towards each other were the same, it would mean nothing if Seonghwa insisted on to stop seeing each other.
"Isn't everything possible if you believe in it?" Yeosang challenged instead.
"Nope," Seonghwa sighed. "Unfortunately not. I'm older than you: I know how the world works better than you. I wouldn't want to do this but I'll only hurt you further if we keep seeing each other."
Yeosang had so many things he wanted to say to Seonghwa, so many things he wanted to prove Seonghwa wrong because Seonghwa was wrong. In this world nothing was impossible, so they would find a way to be together - even if it meant sacrificing. And Yeossng was ready to sacrifice for Seonghwa.
Yeosang was sad, devastated, of course, but somehow all of that had now turned into determination and anger to make Seonghwa change his mind. What would Seonghwa know if he didn't even try? What was wrong with them only seeing at nights? It would work if they wanted it, wouldn't it?
Yeosang's heart ached as Seonghwa got up again, ready to leave. Yeosang felt something horrible bubbling up, yet he pushed it back down with sheer will. He wouldn't let Seonghwa go this easily.
It made Yeosang angry that Seonghwa had charmed Yeosang so effortlessly and now he was just leaving Yeosang alone to suffer. He knew Seonghwa was a better vampire than that. Seonghwa hadn't even gotten anything from Yeosang - that was if Seonghwa even wanted anything from Yeosang in the first place. So it didn't make sense why Seonghwa would leave now.
"You don't want my blood?" Yeosang snapped, putting as much emotion as he could: rage, sorrow, disappointment - anything to make Seonghwa realize that Yeosang didn't want this.
Seonghwa's eyes widened at that. "No, I never wanted it," he said softly. "I made it clear when we first spoke, didn't I?"
"Then why did you talk to me in the first place?" Yeosang asked quietly.
"I-" Seonghwa started, meeting Yeosang's eyes. He shook his head. "Let's just go in our own ways," he ended up saying. He turned around starting to slowly walk away, which was rather strange because he never walked.
Yeosang's heart squeezed uncomfortably as he tried to come up with something to say. "Seonghwa- please," Yeosang begged, looking at Seonghwa's back. "I swear- do not leave right now!" Seonghwa stopped walking. Something else woke up in his chest and he inhaled deeply. "You-" Yeosang stopped. "Come back tomorrow," he ended up saying, defeated.
What more was there to say? Seonghwa was stubborn but so was Yeosang. If Seonghwa wanted to disappear now then so be it. It wasn't like Yeosang wouldn't be living on this planet for countless centuries, so there was no way they wouldn't cross paths again. Seonghwa would eventually come back and by then Yeosang would have learned how to attach himself completely onto a stupid vampire and never let him go.
Seonghwa stared at Yeosang with a hundred emotions flashing in his eyes, making Yeosang stare right back into them. He would wait and he would prove Seonghwa wrong.
When Seonghwa gave Yeosang one last smile, genuine yet sort of final, the vampire turned around, disappearing into his insane speed. Somehow he had looked even more beautiful and he had glowed more under the moonlight than usual. He had looked… inhumane which he was but… it was different, for sure.
Yeosang blinked, looking into the distance, seeing a white dot that he guessed was Seonghwa. Or maybe it was just a seagull in the distance. Were seagulls even awake at this hour? Yeosang laughed at his own thoughts.
"You didn't even ask me that question you've been so curious about," Yeosang muttered, sure that Seonghwa had heard it. Maybe he let out that sweet laugh of his at that.
Yeosang disappeared under the water, letting the coldness wrap him in itself. He sighed, his emotions one big mess threatening to burst out. He felt oddly calm.
Did Seonghwa mean nothing to him? No, that wasn't it. He was devastated that Seonghwa had left just like that, with a smile and no goodbye but he couldn't deny that something that told him this wouldn't be the last time he would see Seonghwa. They were immortal in a way, so it shouldn't be long (for them) that they would meet again.
And with that relieving thought Yeosang let go of the barriers that were keeping his feelings locked in. He let the horrible feeling bubble up and finally burst out, buckets and buckets of liquid rushing out of his eyes, blurring his vision. Yeosang squeezed his eyes shut, yet the tears kept spilling out.
His sniffles were quiet but his whole body shook. There was nothing to lean against and he sobbed exceptionally loud when a shoal of red fish started to circle around him, clearly fascinated by his glittering tears floating around and trying to get onto the surface.
Yeosang made the mistake of glancing down at his own tail (after seeing the colour of the fish looking familiar) and his weeping got louder. Seonghwa always found his tail beautiful despite its simplicity. Who would now keep Yeosang in the belief that his tail was pretty enough?
Yeosang started to unconsciously swim back towards home, the fish following him for a while before they lost interest and went away. Yeosang's cries were still rather loud but he was far away from home and no one was awake at this hour except for him.
He couldn't go back looking like this, with his whole body, including his hair, sparkling, so he quickly swam to the familiar rock. Sure, it made Yeosang let out a few more loud and pitiful sobs but at least it offered some physical security, as Yeosang could lean against it if he felt like it.
The surface of the sea must have looked beautiful illuminated by the moonlight: merpeople's tears were sparkly and ended up floating on top of water. Usually someone who knew the value of merpeople's tears cleaned the whole sea of them but if no one fancied them, the tears would eventually evaporate like water leaving no traces behind.
-
Yeosang didn't leave from the rock until the sun was already quite up in the sky. Somewhere along the night Yeosang had fallen asleep with another shoal of fish by his side.
Yeosang was woken up by the same fish. They kept poking at him with their faces and Yeosang had eventually been tickled awake. He felt horrible. There was no other way to describe it.
Adding onto the empty feeling of Seonghwa leaving, his head hurt, his eyes stung and, of course, his heart ached. Yeosang would have loved to stay by the rock but if he didn't get going, Wooyoung would jump into a conclusion and think that Yeosang was dead - not that he probably hadn't already.
So with the fish still by his side he started to swim back, feeling how his muscles protested. He sighed, rubbing his eyes, grimacing at his glittering hand. For the entire way back to home he kept rubbing his face and trying to get all the shiny stuff off his face; Yeosang knew it was useless, as Wooyoung would notice the second Yeosang was back.
When Yeosang heard loud chattering echoing around the depths of the water and when he saw the colourful plants decorating the entrance of the neighbourhood he lived in, he gave the unfamiliar fish, that had kept him company, pats on their heads (with his index fingers), smiling a little at the way they fluttered their fins.
Yeosang watched as they swam back towards where they came from. They were friends but not quite like Wooyoung, or San, or Mingi. Or Seonghwa. Definitely not like Seonghwa.
"I thought you were dead," Wooyoung greeted him. When Yeosang turned around, he was met with Wooyoung's narrowed eyes again. They widened, though, probably, most likely at Yeosang's appearance.
Before Yeosang knew it, he was in Wooyoung's embrace, breathing in his scent and bathing in his warmth. Wooyoung had always been oddly warm, even during winters like now. Yeosang shuddered at the sudden warmth but leaned closer nonetheless, seeking for more.
Yeosang had pondered quite a lot when he was coming back. He had thought about how everything was Wooyoung's fault but… it really wasn't. Maybe Wooyoung made Seonghwa realize that they shouldn't, couldn't see each other but it still wasn't his fault that Yeosang was feeling sad.
It was entirely Yeosang's own fault for getting attached to someone like Seonghwa. He should have known that getting too close with people living on land was a bad idea, which he did. He just didn't listen to the words Wooyoung had told him years ago.
It wasn't Seonghwa's fault either. Of course Seonghwa was the one to leave him but Yeosang could have gone after him if he had legs, if he didn't have a tail, if he wasn't bound to live in the damn water.
All the blame on people and things he put eventually circled back to him. He could only blame himself, yet he didn't seem capable of letting off the slight hatred he had built towards Wooyoung who he was tightly hugging right now.
Instead of never going back to that beach at night, Yeosang had done the opposite. He had gone to observe that intriguing vampire from afar every day and been noticed by the vampire. Instead of swimming back home quickly when the vampire started a conversation, he willingly threw himself fully into the conversation. Instead of stopping whatever had been going on between them, Yeosang had continued it because the vampire had too.
If Yeosang had used his brain for once, he would have saved himself from shedding so many tears and he would have saved himself from this awful feeling that kept turning and turning around in his chest.
But then again, the time spent with Seonghwa had been the best in months, years. He now had the memories of spending time with Seonghwa and he could dig them up, replay them and experience them in his mind again whenever he desired.
Wooyoung squeezing him harder brought him back to reality. "Did he hurt you?"
Yeosang nodded. "Yeah," he mumbled out. That was a lie because it was Yeosang who hurt himself. Wooyoung immediately tensed up. "No," he quickly said.
Wooyoung pulled away grabbing Yeosang's shoulders and looked at Yeosang's neck, bare chest before he turned Yeosang around to inspect his back. "Great try," Wooyoung muttered.
"He didn't hurt me and not like that," Yeosang sighed.
"Then how? And if he didn't hurt you then who made you cry like this?" Wooyoung demanded, patting Yeosang's cheek before he shoved his glittering hand in front of Yeosang's face.
Yeosang shrugged. "I guess it was my own fault."
"That he hurt you?" Wooyoung asked. "Are you crazy?!"
"You don't get it," Yeosang sighed. "But it's okay. Can we talk in a few days? I'm tired," he mumbled, shrugging Wooyoung's hands off him before he started to slowly swim to his own house, avoiding others' stares.
Yeosang let out a big sigh when he got into the safety of his own house which, actually, was a rather small cave. Yeosang liked it, so it was enough. He laid down onto the pile of soft moss and other plants before he shut his eyes and let sleep, once again, take over.
-
"Wooyoung, I think I know what he was after," Yeosang said the moment he let Wooyoung into his little cave.
Yeosang had slept well - maybe a little too well, as his stomach had actually ached at its emptiness - but he had also had time to ponder about everything that had happened. He felt refreshed and ready to face whatever Wooyoung might ask him. He would be shameless and tell him the truth.
"Good morning," Wooyoung said instead, clearly trying to hide his eagerness to squeeze every bit of information out of Yeosang. Yeosang guessed it was fair. "You've eaten?" Yeosang nodded. "Alright, then, tell me everything."
So, Yeosang told him everything. At least everything that he could remember right now. He left out some details like the dumb questions Yeosang had asked Seonghwa about vampires that he definitely should have known and the comments that Seonghwa threw at him and made him blush.
Wooyoung was listening attentively (for once) and he kept gasping and murmuring to himself while Yeosang talked. It was quite funny to see Wooyoung so into Yeosang's business but Yeosang didn't really mind.
"I tried to, well, ask him to stay but he just left," Yeosang said, shrugging. Oddly enough, it didn't hurt that much to think about their meeting a few days ago.
Wooyoung was nodding, though he had a concentrated expression on his face. His brows were furrowed and lips pursed. Yeosang didn't know whether he was satisfied or angry.
"But I now think I know what he wanted from me," Yeosang said, making Wooyoung raise his eyebrow.
"Yeah?"
"It's definitely my tears!" Yeosang announced, maybe a bit more excited than necessary. He was just happy to find an answer by himself.
Wooyoung looked at him with disbelief. "What the hell does a vampire do with your tears?"
"Sell them! Obviously," Yeosang clicked his tongue as if Wooyoung was dumb. "They make lots of money, I've heard."
"I doubt a vampire like him needs any money," Wooyoung mumbled. "I still think he wanted your blood."
Yeosang sighed. "Well then he would be really stupid. He didn't even get my blood before he left."
"And what exactly makes you think that he isn't stupid?"
"I- He's been alive for a century, I would believe he's smarter than that."
"Just wait, he'll come back and get your blood."
Yeosang couldn't deny that that didn't sound tempting. He would cling onto Seonghwa and never let him go.
"Or then he just wanted my tears," Yeosang mumbled, tired of this pointless conversation.
There was a small part of him hoping that maybe Seonghwa had befriended him and talked to him because he wanted him. Not a part of him but just him as a whole - as a friend or more. But that part always got stomped and kicked until it shut up.
"And do you have any good explanations for that?" Wooyoung asked. He swam out of the small cave.
Yeosang followed, groaning at the sunlight filtering through the water. Wow, he was becoming a vampire, he thought. He let out a snort at his thoughts, earning a concerned look from Wooyoung.
"Well- think about it," Yeosang said, sitting down on a bench (a flat rock). "He befriended me, made me get all attached and things," Yeosang started. Wooyoung started to brush Yeosang's hair with his own comb. "Then he just leaves with no good reason."
"What were his reasons?" Wooyoung asked. Right, Yeosang had spared the details of that day's meeting.
"Well, he said that I live in water and he can't live in water," Yeosang hissed when Wooyoung's comb got stuck in a tangle in Yeosang's hair. "And also something that I should find a better friend than him. And that he's a vampire, that it's natural for him to be dangerous."
"I think those are very good reasons," Wooyoung said.
"No, they're not. I said we could make it work if we wanted to and he just denied it, saying that because he was older, he knew it," Yeosang sighed. "And he did tell me he didn't want to kill me and that he didn't want my blood - never did. So what else would he have wanted?"
"Your scales."
"Wooyoung," Yeosang groaned. "The same problem with him wanting my blood occurs. Also, have you seen my tail? They wouldn't be worth anything."
"He did say he found your tail beautiful, though. Maybe he wanted it as a decoration. And just because your tail is not that pretty, the scales are still scales. I have to say I still agree with that vampire. You have a pretty tail."
Yeosang rolled his eyes. Wooyoung definitely didn't have the effect Seonghwa had on him when he complimented his tail. "Why would he want my scale as a decoration?"
Wooyoung stayed quiet while he brushed Yeosang's hair. He eventually let out a defeated sound. "Fine. But, seriously, tears?"
"What's wrong with tears? People are willing to pay for our tears," Yeosang mumbled. "I bet he stayed and went to scoop up my tears after I left," he continued.
"Fuck," Yeosang suddenly said after a long pause.
"What?" Wooyoung asked, perked up. He had stopped brushing Yeosang's hair and he was now gripping his comb tightly in his hand.
"I left in the morning," Yeosang said. "He probably got sunburned," he mumbled to himself. "Oh no."
Yeosang heard Wooyoung laugh and he smacked the other one's arm. "He really charmed you?"
"Shut up! I'm gonna cry," Yeosang muttered, fighting the itch to let out more tears. It probably wasn't appropriate to cry this deep in the ocean, especially not in front of others' houses.
"Wait a minute, I'm gonna go put my comb back," Wooyoung told Yeosang and quickly swam into his own cave.
It was a lot bigger and a lot prettier. Yeosang had never found it necessary to decorate his little home but maybe he should. It was fun to swim around Wooyoung's house and ogle at the pretty pearls and rocks laid out onto a flat piece of rock.
"Come on," Wooyoung grabbed Yeosang's hand, leading him away from their neighbourhood.
"Where are we going?" he asked.
"Away from here, so you can cry in peace."
"I don't wanna cry!"
"It's not good to hold it in either."
"It's literally the middle of the day."
"And?"
"And people are gonna see!"
"We're not going that far," Wooyoung assured.
"I can't believe you're bringing me to somewhere where I can cry. This is so-" Yeosang cut himself off, shaking his head. "I'm seriously not feeling like crying anymore."
"Okay. Let's swim around then," Wooyoung shrugged.
Yeosang stared at his friend with adoration wrapped in disbelief. There were many things about Wooyoung that Yeosang wished he had. His tail was beautiful, the definition of a merman's tail in a human's eyes; his attitude towards life was just… unique. Just like right now: he had somehow made everything sound so nonchalant, like they hadn't left to find a place where Yeosang could cry but then changed plans to just swim around.
"There was a place filled with cute fish," Wooyoung continued, not noticing the way Yeosang was staring at him. "I swear there were fish the colour of your tail. They're your little babies!"
"Ew!" Yeosang yelled. "That sounds so disgusting. Don't ever say that again," he muttered. "I think I know which shoal you're talking about though. I saw them a few days ago."
"Where?"
"By the shore."
"Oh. They had wandered there? The place I'm talking about is right here," Wooyoung mumbled, zooming forward and swimming in front of a cave. "Here," he grinned as he went inside the cave and came out with a bunch of colourful fish following him.
"Oh, these were the ones I met," Yeosang gasped as a red fish nudged his arm. "There were also yellow ones when I was on my way back home."
"Here," Wooyoung pointed at his own arm.
Yeosang shook his head. "No, they're not from here," he said.
There was a pout on Wooyoung's lips before it turned into a grin, laughing coming out of his mouth. There were so many fish swimming around Wooyoung, that it was hard to make out where his friend was exactly.
Yeosang smiled when he noticed the same red fish from a few days ago circling around him. They seemed happy, so Yeosang let them do so. It wasn't like they were bothering him. Sometimes they bumped into his tail and Yeosang would let out a surprised squeak or two but… he found it quite fun - and distracting, for sure.
-
Time didn't mean much to Yeosang, not really. He was old enough to know that a month passed by in a blink, a year even faster. Yet he couldn't help but feel that his days were stretching into forever when he didn't have anyone waiting for him at the beach.
Yeosang had continued to go to the beach, hoping that Seonghwa would be there. Wooyoung hadn't given much of a reaction to that. Maybe he knew that what Yeosang was doing was useless anyway. But Yeosang knew that Seonghwa would eventually come back.
Seonghwa had told him that he had never met merpeople before. He had seen one or two but never gotten the chance to talk to one, which was understandable. Vampires weren't too liked in the community of merpeople and even humans were approached with caution.
When Seonghwa ran out of money and needed more merpeople's tears he would come back. To make Yeosang believe that he was something to Seonghwa and leave again to get more tears he could sell. But once Seongwa came back, Yeosang wouldn't let him go. At least not with an explanation. Yeosang still wasn't sure how he would make Seonghwa stay but he had time to think about it, as it would take years to even spend all the money gotten from his tears - probably.
Winter passed huddled with Wooyoung (because he was warm) while hoping for Seonghwa to come back and time to pass faster. It had been an exceptionally cold winter but luckily Yeosang had Wooyoung to stick onto. Yeosang didn't know how Wooyoung's body had enough fuel to keep his temperature so high all the time but Yeosang wasn't complaining.
On days where Yeosang didn't have enough strength to swim all the way to the shore, he slept, so he could spend the next day with Wooyoung. Yeosang often found himself unable to fall asleep though and he ended up tossing around in his bed.
Yeosang always quietly watched Wooyoung make bracelets; it was soothing to let his eyes stay on Wooyoung's skillfully moving fingers. Yeosang had never really understood how Wooyoung made those pretty jewelry and he had never bothered to learn. Wooyoung was a bad teacher anyway.
It didn't take much time for the seeds of plants and trees to float on top of the water. It made Yeosang more reluctant on going to the beach but he still went there rather often, thinking that maybe Seongwa would be there.
It was starting to get warmer and Yeosang started to sleep in his own house more. Wooyoung didn't mind it too much, as his bed was still small despite the size of his house. Instead, Wooyoung visited more often, which was nice: it made Yeosang feel less lonely and distracted him from thoughts that brought him into an endless loop of what ifs.
It felt weird to not see Seonghwa every day. Sure, there were times when Seonghwa came later than usual because he had to eat but there wasn't a day where Yeosang didn't see Seonghwa. He had started to miss the vampire's fang-filled smile.
Yeosang missed the nights where he would go to the beach with excitement, his whole body vibrating with adrenaline. He missed the conversations they eventually had to reluctantly stop when the sky started to light up. He missed Seonghwa.
Yeosang told himself that Seonghwa was bad, that he had only wanted Yeosang for something but it was hard to believe his own thoughts. He wanted Seonghwa to be good because he liked him. It was natural for him to wish so.
Sometimes Yeosang lay on his bed, listening to the excited chatter outside while he dug up some sweet moments he had had the chance to experience. He would smile a little at the reminder that Seonghwa liked his tail - or, at least he had claimed to do so. But Seonghwa wouldn't lie. Yeosang believed in that.
Spring came and passed; Yeosang hadn't done much other than thinking and spending time with his friends. It had been nice to catch up with his friends but he yearned for the warmth only Seonghwa offered him (which was quite ironic, considering that Seonghwa was an ice cold vampire).
Yeosang liked summer a lot. His birthday was then and although he had never considered his birthday too important, Wooyoung never missed the opportunity to bring attention to him. It was really warm during summers. He could float on the surface for as long as he wanted without feeling the need to go back underwater. It was nice.
"Yeosang," he heard Wooyoung say behind him.
"Hi," Yeosang replied, swimming to him.
Wooyoung had a smile on his face. "It's your birthday today," he announced happily. "So, happy birthday," Wooyoung said, giving Yeosang a tight hug.
Yeosang slowly wrapped his arms around Wooyoung's waist, squeezing tightly. "Thank you," he mumbled quietly.
"Here," Wooyoung pulled away, giving Yeosang a bracelet. "I hope you like it. I tried my best to make it pretty."
Yeosang nodded as Wooyoung tied the bracelet around his wrist. It was pretty with red stones and some pearls. Wooyoung had given him countless bracelets before but this was definitely the prettiest.
"Thank you," Yeosang said again, hugging Wooyoung.
"Hmm, it's nothing," Wooyoung laughed. "There's something I wanna talk about, though."
Something about the tone of Wooyoung's voice made Yeosang tense up slightly but he told himself that it couldn't be anything bad. "Okay," he said. "What is it?"
"I just wanted to apologize," Wooyoung mumbled. "I've been thinking and… that vampire didn't seem that bad. I'm sorry. I feel like I overreacted," Wooyoung said, grabbing Yeosang's hands.
Yeosang bit his lip. He felt… weird. "It's okay," Yeosang shook his head. "I'm not blaming you, you know."
"I still have to apologize. If I hadn't rushed in like that, maybe you two would have something beautiful between you," Wooyoung sighed, looking down. "I can't help but feel protective over you though, you know?"
Yeosang nodded. "I know but there would have been no beautiful thing going on between us."
"Why not?" Wooyoung tilted his head. "You clearly seem to like him. He was probably really intrigued too."
"Like he said, I live in water, he lives on land."
Wooyoung rolled his eyes. "Now you believe him? Where did your 'We can make it work if we want to' -mindset disappear?"
Yeosang shrugged. "I don't know. He was after my tears anyway," he mumbled. "Even if I meet him again, I don't think I'll hold onto him like I used to think I would. It feels dumb."
"No, Yeosang. You really have to hold onto him. Literally. Physically. I know you like him. Don't hurt yourself."
"That's why I'm not going to hold onto him."
Wooyoung sighed. He turned to look at Yeosang. "You are hurting right now."
"I'm not," Yeosang protested.
"You are. You used to go out all happily to greet everyone and swim around. Now? Now you only stay in your little cave and go to the beach. I know you're hurting here," Wooyoung placed his hand on top of Yeosang's heart which twisted and squeezed.
"I'll get over it," Yeosang assured. "Really. I like him but he is too different."
"So what? Haven't you ever heard of vampires and humans dating?"
"They both live on land. It makes sense. We - me and Seonghwa - don't make sense," Yeosang mumbled, looking down. Their conversation wasn't enough to make him cry but it kept an uneasy feeling hanging around. "Can we stop now? I'm tired."
Wooyoung sighed again. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make your birthday like this. Go to sleep now, I'll come here in the morning, okay?"
Yeosang nodded, pulling Wooyoung in a hug again. "I'm sorry for being so difficult."
"You're not," Wooyoung patted Yeosang's back. He squeezed Yeosang before he whispered: "Your tail is beautiful."
It reminded him of Seonghwa but it didn't bring the same effects. It only brought him a little closer to tears. "Thank you," he answered, sniffling. Oh no, he was crying. "Okay, I'm- I'm gonna sleep now," Yeosang mumbled, letting go of Wooyoung and swimming back to his own house while squeezing his eyes shut. He even covered them to prevent his tears making everything messy.
-
His birthday had been memorable, although the first few hours had been rather tiring for Yeosang. Crying had never been the nicest thing Yeosang knew of but it sure did ease him a little.
He had spent his birthday with his friends, playing around and eating. He couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to spend his birthday with Seonghwa. Would Seonghwa give something Yeosang had never seen before as a gift? Maybe he would stay a little longer with Yeosang, put on some sunscreen and all.
Yeosang smiled at his own thoughts as he made his way slowly to the shore. It was a day after his birthday and he was happy. The bracelet he had gotten from Wooyoung was still around his wrist, reminding him of the conversation he had had with him yesterday. It stirred emotions in Yeosang.
He wanted Seonghwa but it would be impossible to be with him. Even if they were to find a way to make it work, they would eventually get tired of each other - Seonghwa would eventually get tired of Yeosang.
Right now, Yeosang would rather have nights with him spent with quiet conversations under the moonlight than to date him, kiss him under the moonlight. That sounded good too but he would rather have Seonghwa in his life as a friend for longer than as a lover for a shorter time.
Yeosang was early again. Or, he would have been early if he were to meet up with Seonghwa. Yeosang was often early. It made him feel good to be the one to see Seonghwa first rather than the other way around.
What he didn't expect, however, was to see a lump sitting on the sand, staring into the distance - or, actually, into Yeosang's eyes but to an outsider it would have seemed like so - with those legs of his bare and glowing. Yeosang stopped abruptly, forgetting how to breathe for a moment as he took his time to stare at the blob in the distance.
Yeosang was still far away, he could turn around if he wanted to. But he didn't want to. He had been waiting for this moment, right? Yet he couldn't bring himself to swim closer and confirm that the person sitting on the sand was, indeed, Seonghwa.
Yeosang wanted to cry again. He felt drained from all the crying he had done in the past few months but there were still tears left. He rubbed his eyes, looking at the lump that was still there. He wasn't seeing things and wait, why was the lump getting blurry?
Yeosang let out a laugh as he cried silently. There were no sounds coming out of his mouth but the tears flowed freely out of his eyes. At least Seonghwa would get what he wanted now.
Why was Seonghwa here anyway? There was no way he had spent all of his money already. Maybe he was waiting for another merman or mermaid to appear so he could get their tears. That would have made sense since all merpeople's tears had slightly different effects. Yeosang wouldn't have been surprised if his tears were useless and worth no money.
He quickly willed himself to stop, drying his tears onto the back of his hands (not that it mattered, as he was under water anyway) before he started to swim closer. If Seonghwa was here, Yeosang would talk to him even if it hurt Yeosang more.
But when Yeosang was at the appropriate distance from Seonghwa again, nothing happened. Seonghwa continued to stare into Yeosang's eyes while Yeosang let his eyes explore the familiar features of Seonghwa. His nose, brows, cheeks, lips, chin… Yeosang dared to wonder how they would feel under his fingertips for the first time.
Yeosang looked at Seonghwa's black shirt covering every inch of his skin, his pants soaked in water. He hadn't bothered to roll them up, which concerned Yeosang. His hair was just as shiny as Yeosang remembered it being, maybe a little longer than before. It covered his eyes but it didn't matter: his eyes sparkled nonetheless.
Yeosang wasn't brave enough to pop his head out of the water so he stayed there, looking at Seonghwa with wide eyes. He looked a little skinnier than before too. But he was probably seeing things: where would vampires gain weight from anyway?
"Yeosang," Seonghwa said, seemingly a bit surprised at how smoothly his name came out of his own mouth after several months. "Hello."
Yeosang blinked slowly. And fuck. He was crying again. He inhaled exceptionally loud, stopping the tears from flowing once again.
"This is what your tears look like?" Seonghwa asked, a little fascinated. He got up to lightly touch on the sparkly liquid floating on top of the water.
Yeosang was slightly confused. Was this Seonghwa's first time seeing his tears? "You haven't seen them before?" Yeosang asked, furrowing his brows.
Seonghwa quickly snapped his gaze back up, eyes big. He shook his head. "Where would I have seen your tears?"
So Seonghwa hadn't scooped up his tears after leaving him? "Nevermind," Yeosang mumbled. If Seonghwa had no idea about it, Yeosang wouldn't bring it up - yet. He was confused and curious though.
It felt oddly cold between them. Yeosang hated it.
"I'm sorry," Seonghwa said at last. He was sitting on the sand again, drawing patterns into the sand while he looked at Yeosang with sincere eyes. "First I was only focused on my own happiness, then I was focusing on not hurting you but I still hurt you. I'm sorry. I'm not expecting you to forgive me and maybe you shouldn't even forgive me-" Seonghwa let out a laugh. Yeosang had missed hearing that. "-but I'm really sorry."
"It's okay," Yeosang said quietly.
"I'm sorry for hurting you, for not thinking about your feelings and for just leaving like that. I'm sorry," Seonghwa repeated.
"I said it's okay. I forgive you. It's not your fault."
"It is," Seonghwa whispered so quietly, that Yeosang barely caught it. "I'm sorry," he sighed. "I was so lonely," he mumbled, "that I came here. And you were here but I was too scared to talk to you. It took me months before I could open my mouth. You were just there, sitting and looking at me so curiously."
Yeosang swam a little closer. He was feeling calm and he was starting to believe that maybe Seonghwa didn't have any bad intentions at all. Maybe he just wanted a friend.
"And I wondered why a merman would ever look at me," Seonghwa said. "I was curious too. I wanted to know why. So I eventually said hi to you. It took me a while to get you to say anything back," he smiled a little at the memory.
Yeosang could see their interaction in front of him too, gulping despite the lump forming in his throat. He had been so excited but so conflicted: a vampire was dangerous but this vampire had been nothing but calm and quiet. Yeosang was glad he hadn't run away.
"But I think it was worth the slight challenge. I was so happy. You were such a good friend," Seonghwa continued. Something about Seonghwa's words made Yeosang's heart squeeze. "And then somewhere along the way I wasn't only feeling… platonic love. Yes, Yeosang, I love you."
Yeosang looked at Seonghwa with his mouth ajar while he tried to process the other one's words. Seonghwa loved him? Seonghwa loved him not platonically? Seonghwa still loved him not platonically?
It was shocking to hear those three little words coming out of Seonghwa's mouth. Sure, Yeosang had been aware that he meant more than a friend to Seonghwa but to hear Seonghwa really say it was different.
"And then, of course, I had to go ruin it," Seonghwa sighed. "I understand if you're opposed to the idea I'm about to propose or you don't feel the same way anymore but…" he trailed off. He looked at Yeosang again before he asked: "Would you like to try this out? I know I was the one to say that it wouldn't work but after some thinking I've realized that it would definitely be worth the try at least."
And Yeosang? He felt the hot tears escaping his eyes again while he desperately tried to turn around. He was sobbing, uglily and loudly, and he couldn't look at Seonghwa's hopeful face.
Fuck, Yeosang thought. That little part of him had been right all along and Wooyoung had been right again. Yeosang let out a loud sob, the sound echoing around for a little while. Yeosang aggressively rubbed his eyes but this time nothing worked, nothing made his tears stop.
"Yeosang?" came Seonghwa's soft voice behind him. It sounded like he was closer too but it was definitely his ears tricking him. "Can I come closer?"
"Y-yes!" Yeosang cried out. He would have been embarrassed if he wasn't so happy and relieved.
He felt the water ripple around him and a distant voice told him to swim closer to the shore. So Yeosang pushed himself back slightly while he shook by the force of his sobs.
"Is it okay if I touch you?" Seonghwa asked. Yeosang tried his best to nod. He didn't know what it would feel like. It would be cold for sure but Yeosang was feeling so hot right now that it would definitely do him some good. God, he just really wanted to touch Seonghwa.
Yeosang turned around just in time for his face to crash into Seonghwa's cold and hard chest. Yeosang leaned closer, crying harder. Yeosang felt how Seonghwa walked backwards, bringing them closer to the shore again. Vampires probably didn't even like water.
"I'm sorry I-"
"Shut up," Yeosang hiccuped as he tried to desperately wipe his tears away. He looked up at Seonghwa through his tears and let out another round of tears at his surprised face.
Luckily Seonghwa listened to Yeosang and shut his mouth. His hands were awkwardly supporting Yeosang's back, not quite sure where he should put them and how. Yeosang was a little too distracted with his own feelings to truly care about it - besides, he liked the way Seonghwa held him just fine.
Yeosang was gripping the soft material of Seonghwa's shirt, sobbing his heart out while he pressed his ear on top of Seonghwa's heart. It beat slowly, just like Seonghwa had told Yeosang months ago when Yeosang had asked almost everything he had ever wanted to know about vampires.
It was such a contrast to his own which beat like crazy. Yeosang knew Seonghwa could hear it and if the way the vampire's nails slightly dug into Yeosang's skin said anything, he probably was listening to his heartbeat right now.
When Yeosang opened his eyes again, Seonghwa's shirt was completely drenched and sparkled under the growing moonlight. His tears were even more apparent on Seonghwa's black shirt. Yeosang let go of the material of Seonghwa's shirt, hissing slightly at the uncomfortable feeling surrounding his knuckles.
Seonghwa was sitting on the sand again with Yeosang laid halfly on top of him, his tail still swaying in the water. Yeosang shifted, trying to reach Seonghwa's face with his fingers. He could only let out a frustrated huff when he all but succeeded. He kept slipping back into the water.
Seonghwa quickly noticed what was going on and he helped Yeosang to fully cling onto him. Yeosang wrapped his arms around Seonghwa's neck, face a bit too close to the vampire's to come off as friendly.
Yeosang flushed a little under Seonghwa's sharp yet curious gaze. He closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his thoughts. How should he admit his own feelings? How should he ask about Seonghwa's initial intentions if there were any?
Seonghwa was understanding and stayed quiet, rubbing his hand on Yeosang's bare back soothingly. Yeosang's heart kept doing an unnecessary amount of work while his fingertips itched. Yeosang looked up at Seonghwa again.
"I love you too and please, let's try this," Yeosang ended up saying slowly as if he hadn't been considering his words for a good amount of time already.
Seonghwa stiffened under him (if that was possible - he was already quite stiff), his hand stopping in its place. He stared at Yeosang in awe, an expression so painfully familiar.
"R-really?" he asked. "I don't want you to think that you are obligated to say-"
"Seonghwa," Yeosang cut him off. "I'm being serious. Trust me."
Seonghwa let out an exhale which was a mix of a laugh and a sigh. "Oh," he breathed out, this time actually, completely unmoving.
Yeosang hit his chest when Seonghwa had been staring into the distance with an unreadable expression without breathing for way too long. Seonghwa jerked his head to look at Yeosang again, a smile plastered on his face.
Seonghwa inhaled while Yeosang inched his other hand up. He hesitated, making Seonghwa chase Yeosang's hand. Yeosang flinched at the sudden coldness. Why and how was Seonghwa this cold?
"I'm a bit colder than usual because I have to feed soon," Seonghwa explained quietly. He placed his own hand on top of Yeosang's, gazing at Yeosang with adoration.
Yeosang hummed, touching Seonghwa's hair. It was soft, clearly well taken care of. He let his hand explore Seonghwa's face, his other hand soon joining in. It was so nice to actually feel what Seonghwa's skin was like. It was smooth, only a few bumps here and there.
Yeosang blushed, his whole face heating up when his fingers seemed to linger on Seonghwa's surprisingly warm lips. Seonghwa had gone still under him again. Yeosang quickly shot his gaze up at the vampire, locking his eyes with Seonghwa.
Seonghwa's lips parted slightly as if he had been in shock too. Yeosang smiled, embarrassed, and tried to retreat his hand. Seonghwa quickly pressed his hand against Yeosang's, though, keeping it there.
Yeosang gulped. "Um," he mumbled. "Can I ask you something?" Seonghwa nodded slightly. "When you first talked to me… Why?"
"I said, I was curious. But I was also genuinely interested. I wanted to befriend you," Seonghwa replied slowly. His thumb ran across the back of Yeosang's hand lightly.
"No ill intentions?"
"No," Seonghwa said firmly, something in his eyes shifting. "I would never," he continued.
"S-so you left me because you were scared of hurting me?"
"Yes. I swear that was the only reason. I would never hurt you. Well, physically," Seonghwa said the last part quite sheepishly. "I'm sorry. I thought I was being smart but- I- I can only apologize to you. My intention was never to hurt you, yet I did it."
"Seonghwa," Yeosang mumbled. The vampire's eyes met his own again. "It is okay," he started. "I said it's fine. I forgive you. I now know you didn't mean to hurt me."
Seonghwa's brows furrowed slightly. "I love you. Thank you," he whispered.
Yeosang was suddenly aware that the warmth on Seonghwa's lips was still spreading onto Yeosang's fingers. Yeosang glanced down at those red, plump lips. He bit the inside of his lip.
When he looked up at Seonghwa again, Seonghwa was a lot closer, their noses almost touching. Yeosang let out a shaky breath as he said: "I love you too. So much."
Seonghwa smiled, closing his eyes. "Is it okay to kiss you?"
"Y-yes," Yeosang let out, letting darkness take over his vision as well by closing his eyes.
Yeosang felt Seonghwa cupping his face, freeing Yeosang's hand. Yeosang hesitantly placed his hand on Seonghwa's shoulder, waiting. It had been years since he had last kissed someone and now that he was doing it again, it was with a vampire. A vampire with teeth - with fangs.
Before Yeosang could freak himself out too much, Seonghwa closed the gap between them, softly placing his lips on Yeosang's. Yeosang involuntarily froze, his heart picking up its rate again.
"Relax," he heard Seonghwa murmur against his lips.
Yeosang slowly registered Seonghwa's words and gripped the other one's shoulder a little harder, trying to gain control over his own body again. Seonghwa tilted his own head slightly, moving his lips ever so slowly.
Yeosang furrowed his eyebrows, reciprocating the movement. He tried to fully savour the feeling and try to convey his true feelings to Seonghwa through the slow drag of their lips. He sighed a little when Seonghwa's tongue swiped over his bottom lip as if asking for permission for something more.
Yeosang slowly parted his lips, taken aback by the sudden attack of Seonghwa's tongue. He let Seonghwa do however he wished, trembling at the way Seonghwa dragged his tongue along Yeosang's.
Seonghwa slowly pulled away, first retreating his tongue before he put some distance between them again. Yeosang immediately licked his lips, his heart threatening to just beat straight out of his chest. Seonghwa tilted Yeosang's head up, maintaining eye contact.
His lips - beautiful, plump and soft lips - stretched into a smile, his fangs poking out slightly. Before Yeosang could fully process what had just happened, he was in Seonghwa's embrace again.
Oh, Yeosang thought. He was so, absolutely and completely in love with this silly vampire that his hands trembled slightly, his eyes moistening up. He sniffled, squeezing Seonghwa weakly.
He held in his tears, distracting himself by focusing on the way Seonghwa's fingers ran through Yeosang's still wet hair. Yeosang sighed, content and relieved. Nothing had ever felt as right as being in Seonghwa's arms right now.
The hug was broken after a few long moments. Seonghwa had a curious look in his eyes. "Are you mine now?"
Yeosang blushed. "Huh?"
"You're my merman. My boyfriend?"
Oh. Yeosang liked that. He nodded. "T-then, my… vampire?"
Seonghwa grinned. "If you want," he answered before their lips were pressed together again.
This time Seonghwa parted his lips, inviting Yeosang to tentatively poke his tongue around. Yeosang hissed slightly when he touched one of Seonghwa's sharp fangs. They weren't sharp enough to draw blood but it did sting a little.
Yeosang guessed it couldn't be helped and ended up quite enjoying the way he had to dodge his teeth to tap the tip of his tongue softly on Seonghwa's tongue. Seonghwa smiled into the kiss before his lips were suddenly around Yeosang's tongue, leaving Yeosang helpless.
"You're fine?" Seonghwa asked after he pulled away. "My teeth- your tongue," he explained.
Yeosang nodded. "All good," he smiled. "They're not that sharp," he teased.
"You know they turn sharper when I need them to," Seonghwa mumbled, catching Yeosang's bottom lip between his. He smirked, sucking on it before letting it free. "What do you want to do?"
Yeosang sighed, placing his ear against Seonghwa's chest again. "Stay like this for a bit longer?"
Seonghwa hummed, the vibrations tickling Yeosang a little. "I missed you so much," he murmured, one hand keeping Yeosang on top of him, one hand brushing Yeosang's hair.
Yeosang laughed a little. "Me too," he said. "I kept thinking about you."
"Me too. I was wondering how you were doing."
Yeosang hummed. He played with Seonghwa's hair, sighing at the softness of the strands. He let his eyes slowly slip shut, hands stilling. It was such a peaceful night and for once his mind wasn't a mess of millions of thoughts racing to win whatever competition they were having.
Instead, his thoughts were organized, his heart content. He was more than happy to lie - Seonghwa had lain down with Yeosang now draped over him - in Seonghwa's arms, a reassuring coldness surrounding him. Without much difficulty, he fell asleep, calm.
The next time he was conscious of the coldness pressing against his body was in the early morning, hours later. Seonghwa lay under him without moving. He wasn't breathing nor were his eyes open and Yeosang would have thought that he was sleeping if it weren't for his hands slowly rubbing Yeosang's back.
Yeosang shifted slightly to get a better look at the sky, his mood dropping a little at the yellowness of it. He turned back to look at Seonghwa whose eyes were now open, a smile already beginning to bloom. Yeosang hugged Seonghwa tighter.
"I don't want you to go yet," Yeosang sighed.
Seonghwa chuckled. He placed a peck on Yeosang's temple. "Me neither."
"But you have to go."
"But I have to go," Seonghwa agreed. "I'll come back tomorrow, okay?" Yeosang hummed. "I might come a little bit later. I really have to eat."
Yeosang pursed his lips. "Okay," he mumbled. "Be careful."
"Of course," Seonghwa said fondly, slowly sitting up.
Yeosang stared into Seonghwa's gentle eyes for a little longer before he leaned in to kiss Seonghwa shortly. "Eat well," he smiled.
Seonghwa laughed. "Okay. Thank you."
Yeosang kept gazing at the other one. Suddenly a thought occurred to him. "Wait- before you go," Yeosang started, earning a small nod from the vampire under him. "When we last talked, you were about to ask me a question about us merpeople. What is it?"
Seonghwa stared at Yeosang with an emotionless face and for a moment Yeosang thought that he had asked the wrong question. However, Seonghwa soon burst out into laughter and Yeosang could only blink in confusion. What was so funny?
"You're so cute," Seonghwa mused in between his laughs.
Yeosang whined: "What is it? I've been dying to know."
Seonghwa grabbed Yeosang's hand, squeezing it. After he had stopped laughing, he answered with a smile: "I was going to ask if you guys can cry. But I think I got the answer already."
Yeosang stayed still for a moment, pushing down the urge to cry again and kissed Seonghwa again. He was pretty sure he could never get used to the feeling of Seonghwa's warm lips on his while Seonghwa's cold hands held him in place, pressed against Seonghwa's freezing body. But he liked it - of course he did.
"Can't wait to do this millions of times more," Seonghwa sighed after they parted.
Yeosang hugged Seonghwa. "Me neither," he whispered. "Go now. And be careful, please," he continued. He let go of Seonghwa reluctantly only to be pulled into another hug.
"Be careful too. Is- is your friend… okay with this?"
Yeosang's heart flipped at the mention of Wooyoung; he couldn't wait to tell his best friend about this. "Yes. I would like to say he is more than okay with this now."
"Good. Wouldn't want to leave you another time," Seonghwa mumbled. A moment of silence later, the vampire continued: "I'll get going then. Get some sleep, okay? We'll see at night."
Yeosang nodded. Seonghwa pulled away from the hug, standing up and picking Yeosang up in the process. Right, vampires were ridiculously strong. Seonghwa lowered Yeosang into the water.
"Seriously, get some sleep okay?"
Yeosang hummed. "Yeah, yeah," he replied. "You too."
Seonghwa smiled fondly. He squatted down. "Of course."
Yeosang pulled Seonghwa slightly closer by his shirt and placed another kiss onto his lips. "I love you. See you later," he breathed out.
Seonghwa ruffled Yeosang's hair. "Yeah, see you. I love you too, Yeosang."
Yeosang blushed as a reply, watching as Seonghwa got up again. The other one dusted off the sand from his pants. They were wet below his knees but Seonghwa didn't seem to care.
Seonghwa sent one last smile to Yeosang before he turned around to run back to the safety of his cottage. Yeosang sighed, feeling his lips curling up without his permission. He let out a laugh before they developed into giggles.
When Yeosang had thought that they would eventually meet again, it definitely wasn't only a few months after their last meeting but he, of course, didn't mind it. Instead, he was happy that things had turned out the way they had - of course he was.
How could he not be when he now understood that Seonghwa had been after him the whole time? How could he not be when he now knew that he could and would meet with Seonghwa every day, every night? How could he not be when Seonghwa sincerely loved him just like Yeosang loved him too?
Exactly; he couldn't.