Work Text:
Changyun groaned again when his head collided with the headboard of his bed. He rubbed his new sore spot and frowned. He grabbed his phone and realised he was gonna be late for work. He rushed out of bed, tripping because his feet were all tangled up in the sheets. He quickly had a shower, found the suit that was ironed and pressed by his god of a roommate, and rushed to the kitchen to make himself some toast. Said roommate was already in the kitchen, a mug of hot coffee warming his hands.
The redhead looked at him. “I heard a thud earlier. Did you fall out of bed again?”
Changyun turned to him after buttering his toast, “No, I did not Hyojin.”
“Really?” the man folded his arms.
“Okay, yes. My blankets were tangled around my legs. Why are you awake so early?”
“Seungjun’s picking me up early so we can work on something for our showcase.”
Changyun faulted at the name drop.
“Seungjun’s coming here?!” he exclaimed with his toast dangling from his mouth.
“Yes…”
Changyun watched as his roommate’s face turned scarily devious. “Hyojin, I swear to god-”
“Why haven’t you confessed to him yet?”
He took the toast out of his mouth before replying in a rant. “Are you kidding me? Have you seen the man you are referring to? He is quite literally Sunshine personified.”
“I’m aware that he’s blindingly brilliant. But come on dude! You’ve had a crush on him since we were 1st-year seniors!”
“I’m me. I do not deserve to be with a man that is the depiction of god.”
“If that’s your way of saying you worship him, I’m going to be thoroughly disturbed.”
“Of course, it’s not!” He checked his watch. “I’m gonna be late for work.” He grabbed his briefcase and rushed to the door. He opened the door “That’s enough on the- Hi Seungjun!” he awkwardly held himself up in the doorway. “Good morning.” He couldn’t stop his eyes from flicking down to check how Seungjun was dressed. “You look great as always. I really need to go, you know work and all that.” He awkwardly maneuvered around Seungjun and sprinted down the hallway.
Seungjun raised a questioning brow as Hyojin walked up to him.
“Did something happen this morning?”
“He fell out of bed again.”
“Ah!” Hyojin grabbed his bag and jacket before closing and locking the door.
Changyun luckily made it to work before his boss arrived. Being able to make it to the morning meeting without breaking a sweat. The meeting went smoothly and everyone was dismissed back to their work areas. His friend and co-worker nudged his arm lightly.
“Why does it look like you’ve seen a ghost?”
“Jaeyoung, I may have seen my past, present, and future on my doorstep this morning. But I’m fine.” Jaeyoung stared at him.
“I- it’s- forget it.” Changyun sighed and went to make himself a coffee. He got startled when Jaeyoung appeared in the doorway, not aware that the younger had followed him. “God, what is it with you two scaring the shit out of me this morning?”
“Two?”
“Yes! You and Seungjun. Do you live on a freaking wavelength as best friends or what?”
“Did you get out of the wrong side of the bed this morning?”
“For your information, I tripped out of bed thank you very much. And as I was leaving the apartment Seungjun appeared in the doorway, while Hyojin and I were talking about said man.”
“I doubt he heard anything.”
“Oh my god…”
“What now?”
“That thought hadn’t even occurred to me! Now I’m not gonna stop thinking about it all day.” He whined.
Jaeyoung slowly backed out of the coffee room. “I’m just gonna walk away.” Changyun groaned as he leaned against the bench and waited for the kettle to pop. Once he was back at his workstation with his coffee, he gnawed on the barrel of his pen as he waited for it to cool.
He sent Hyojin a text message and asked him to see if Seungjun had heard their conversation.
“You know, you’ve been in love with my best friend for years. Are you ever going to grow a pair and ask him how he feels about you?” Jaeyoung inquired.
“And you're in love with my best friend so no, now please leave me alone.”
“We’re already dating, you have no foot to stand on.”
“Just do your work, Jaeyoung.”
“Yep.”
Changyun put his head down on his desk.
‘...last night. A young man in his early twenties, completely drained of blood and left for dead in his car…’
“Another vampire attack?” “We pay tax money so those hunters will do their jobs! Why are more people turning up dead each week?” “Are they turning people again?” “It’d breach the treaty.” Changyun tried to block out the office chatter and focused on his work.
Changyun stretched his tired arms and back when he had finished the last bit of paperwork for the day. He looked over to see if Jaeyoung had finished.
“Did Seungjun drop you off this morning?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll drive you back to mine. I can guarantee he’s still with Hyojin.”
“Fair enough, I do have to talk to the boss man though. Mind hanging around for a bit?”
“I’ll be downstairs then.” Jaeyoung nodded and walked away. Changyun sighed and turned off his computer. He received a message from Hyojin saying Seungjun was at their place and wanted him to come home safely. He texted back that he’d be fine and is bringing Jaeyoung. Hyojin replied with I love you and Changyun felt creeped out. He walked to the elevator and hit the button for the basement once he was inside. His car was close by and he made it there quickly. When he was seated comfortably in his vehicle, his phone rang.
“We’re ordering dinner. What do you want?” Hyojin asked. Changyun froze when he saw a black shadow zoom by. “Changdol?”
“What- oh, I mean. Are you ordering pizza?”
“Probably. Any preferences?” He saw it again and didn’t hear Hyojin’s question. “Changyun, are you okay?”
A knock on the passenger window broke him from whatever he was feeling. He looked over and saw Jaeyoung standing there. He unlocked the car and Jaeyoung jumped in.
“Why was it locked?”
“I thought I saw… Nevermind.” Changyun put his phone down and turned on the engine and drove out of the parking lot, handing Jaeyoung his phone.
“Hello?”
“Jaeyoung!” Changyun rolled his eyes at Hyojin’s now excited tone.
“Tell him, I’ll eat whatever. I’m not in the mood to be fussy.”
“You heard that?” Jaeyoung asked over the phone.
“I heard... Is he okay?”
“I don’t know.” Jaeyoung looked over at Changyun who kept his eyes firmly on the road and grip tight on the steering wheel, all the way home.
“I need everyone out, now. Right now! Everyone needs to leave!” Changyun ordered as soon as he got through the door. Seungjun gave him an odd look, Hyojin was confused. "Please, I'll explain later. Just, please leave." Hyojin grabbed his things and he and Seungjun stepped out of the apartment and into the hallway.
"Changyun-" Hyojin was about to say something but he was cut off when the door was shut in his face. Changyun leaned against the door, his breath heavy. He yanked his tie off and unbuttoned his shirt. He rushed to his room. To the mini fridge and grabbed a wine bottle. He uncorked it and the scent immediately hit him. He felt his fangs extend and he quickly tipped the bottle back, the liquid contents rushing out and into his mouth. He closed his eyes, revelling in the taste. He drained the whole bottle and finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling slightly normal again. He sat down on his bed when he heard a knock on the front door. He didn't move, hoping the knocker would go away. The knock came again. He debated answering, he could still feel his fangs with his tongue.
"Changyun, it's okay!" It was Seungjun. Changyun froze. "Just come to the door." Changyun took a deep breath and stood from his bed. His fangs were still digging into his lip. He slowly approached the door. "Are you here, Changyun?"
He reached the door and placed his hand on the wood.
"I'm here…" He pressed his forehead against the door. "Why are you still here Seungjun? I told you to leave."
"Come on, Changyunie. Why would I leave you?"
"I can smell you."
"I don't care. Open the door."
"It's not safe." Changyun held the door knob. "I don't want to hurt you…" He whispered.
"We’ve been through this before. You won't hurt me. I know you won't."
"Seungjun…"
"Just let me in, please." Changyun wanted to argue it was too dangerous. That Seungjun was crazy…
Seungjun was the only person who knew this side of Changyun, the monster. It’s part of what made Seungjun so special to him.
Seungjun just didn’t know Changyun’s feelings toward him.
His hand turned the knob and slowly opened the door to see Seungjun with worry written all over his face.
Changyun chuckled at the irony, “why would you worry about a monster like me?”
“Because I care about you. You’re not a monster Changyun.” He held out his hand. “Permission to enter?” Changyun looked at Seungjun’s pale hand before looking back into his eyes. Seungjun then waited. He didn’t say anything else nor pushed his way inside. The ball was entirely in Changyun’s court.
Changyun stepped aside allowing Seungjun his entrance.
“Normal people would be running for the hills if they knew.”
“Are you saying I’m not normal?”
“Yes, you’re a freak. But not a monster like-” his words were cut off by Seungjun’s hand on his mouth.
“Say you’re a monster one more time and I’m going to hit you.”
“But I am, Seungjun. Every time an innocent dies at night, it’s because of monsters like me.” Changyun rested against the back of the sofa.
“Are you the one killing them?”
“No-”
“Then it’s not your responsibility. You can’t put what your kind does all on your own shoulders… you’ll collapse.”
“I just don’t want anything to happen to you guys. To Hyojin or Jaeyoung, Yuto or Minkyun… and you… especially… you.” Changyun’s tone got lighter towards the end of his sentence. He had to look away from Seungjun, purely because he felt embarrassed.
Seungjun just smiled softly. His feet were light as he quickly closed the distance between them.
“Is that why you’ll never tell me how you really feel? Because you’re scared this side of you will hurt me?” Changyun looked at him with surprise. “Hyojin’s the oblivious one remember.” Seungjun smiled again, but this time it was warmer and reassuring. “If I tell you how I feel instead, will that make a difference?” he asked shyly, his cheeks becoming a soft dusty rose.
Changyun was at a loss for words. He simply nodded.
Seungjun’s smile became brighter as he took both of Changyun’s cold hands. His were warm and Changyun could feel the heat on his skin. “I liked you before I knew this side of you, I still like you after knowing this side of you. So, I will hold your two hands …” he shook their hands gently “... you don’t have to worry about me changing too , my feelings for you that is.”
“Seungjun…” Changyun felt a tear in his eye. Seungjun’s smile was the brightest it could be as he brushed the tear from his eye. Changyun let go of Seungjun’s hands to pull him in for a hug. “Thank you…” He sighed into his sweater. Seungjun wrapped his arms around Changyun, holding him tight.