Chapter Text
To Chwe Hansol, Boo Seungkwan was a lot of things. His best friend of three years, the first person in his contact list, the smiling face that greeted him every morning when he unlocked his phone. Seungkwan hated nothing more than being left on read, cried when the main characters argued in the drama they were watching and then made Hansol promise under threat of death not to tell anyone about it. Once Hansol had called him in the middle of the night because he was having a nightmare and Seungkwan had dropped everything and ran across half the city just to comfort him. Another time Hansol had almost got himself fired for leaving in the middle of his shift to give Seungkwan the spare key to his old apartment after he had locked himself out. It was safe to say that Seungkwan was the most important person in his life and Hansol was deeply, embarrassingly in love with him.
To other people, Boo Seungkwan was primarily one thing: A vampire.
As a child, Hansol had been deathly afraid of vampires. He had grown up in a small, rural town and they never had a large population of vampires. The few that had lived there had usually kept to themselves and so his only contact with vampirism were the horror stories his grandparents loved to tell, stories where unsuspecting victims were assaulted in dark alleyways and left as cold, bloodless corpses. Or worse, turned into a creature of the night themselves.
Then he had moved to Seoul for university and had been forced to actually interact with some of the vampires there through his newly acquired roommate and friend, Jisoo. Jisoo wasn’t human and neither were most of his friends, a fair few of them vampires. Hansol had quickly realised that they were nothing like the bloodthirsty monsters his grandmother had described to him. Sure, some of them liked to dress eccentric and the first few times he had had to watch Seungkwan stab a blood bag with a straw he had recoiled, but it had taken him less time than he first thought to get used to it. Honestly, the fact that they had had to soundproof their bathroom because Jisoo sometimes couldn’t keep himself from singing in the shower and his siren’s voice nearly drove Hansol insane once bothered him more than the blood bags they kept in the fridge.
In hindsight he felt bad for all the prejudice he had let his family instil in him without questioning even a bit of it. His family wasn’t even entirely human themselves, even if all they had left after generations of watering down their fae heritage were some telekinetic abilities. Not enough to be considered dangerous, but useful nonetheless.
“Would you please stop that?” Seungkwan asks from the other side of the table, shooting an annoyed look at the pen Hansol keeps spinning around in the air. “You’re driving me insane.”
Seungkwan had shown up on his doorstep unannounced a few hours ago, a stack of books under his arm and claiming that his neighbours were being too loud for him to concentrate on studying in his own apartment. Hansol knew that it was a lie, but he also knew that Seungkwan would rather die than admit that he couldn’t stand studying alone. But he was more than happy to keep him company, had been so for the last few weeks while Seungkwan studied for this semester’s finals.
“You’re one to talk.” Hansol shoots back now, but lets the pen drop down onto the table. His friend hasn’t sat still for more than ten seconds since he got there, either anxiously spinning his own pen between his long fingers or tapping his foot underneath the table.
Seungkwan glances up from his books again and sighs when Hansol raises an eyebrow at him. He runs a hand through his blonde hair and then dramatically buries his head in his hands.
“Sorry.” He mumbles after a moment, voice muffled. “This stupid exam is just really stressing me out.”
“Why though?” Hansol asks and leans back in his chair. “It’s not like you need the degree.”
They had met at freshman orientation, when he had found Seungkwan freaking out in the men’s bathroom over a dark red stain on the sleeve of his otherwise pristine baby blue sweater. Hansol, who had instantly decided that he would do anything for this unrealistically beautiful stranger, had offered him his jacket without hesitation. Seungkwan had thanked him with a bright smile and Hansol promised himself that he would do anything in his power just to make him smile like that again.
It was a promise he hadn’t broken once throughout the years, not even when Seungkwan had told him he was a vampire a few weeks after they had first met, which had freaked Hansol out so bad that he ran out of the coffee shop and was already halfway to his apartment when Seungkwan caught up with him, his jacket and wallet in hand.
Do I scare you? He had asked, the sad look of someone who had had to deal with this exact reaction before on his face.
Not really. Hansol had answered without hesitation, surprising himself. Seungkwan had smiled at him and he realised that it hadn’t even been a lie.
“I know, but I still want to do well.” Seungkwan’s voice brings him back to the present and Hansol sighs and leans forward, grabbing the other by the wrists.
“I know, Boo, and you will.” He says as he pries the hands away from his face, forcing him to look at him. “Besides, you are 200 years old, you’ll survive a bit of calculus.”
“It’s not just a bit of calculus. ” He huffs indignantly, but the corners of his lips turn up in a smile. “And I’ll have you know I’m actually 186 years old, not 200.”
“Yeah, ‘cause those 14 years make such a big difference.” Hansol says with a grin, playing up the sarcasm.
“They do, thank you very much.” Seungkwan replies with a roll of his eyes and pushes at his face but there is an undeniable smile on his own. “Now get out of my face and let me finish my bit of calculus .”
Hansol lets go of his hands with a sigh and returns his attention back to his own work. Thankfully, he doesn’t have to study for any exams this semester but he really should try and get this essay finished. It’s hard to focus though, with Seungkwan only a few feet away from him, head buried in his work, giving Hansol ample opportunity to stare at him. He’s always found it hard to look away from Seungkwan, but it’s gradually been getting worse these last few weeks, the words I’m in love with you on the tip of his tongue more than once. It doesn’t help that Seungkwan seems determined to spend every free minute at his side recently.
They work in silence for another half hour or so, before Seungkwan snaps his book shut and leans back in his chair, eyes closed as he tips his head back. Hansol stares at him for a moment, watches the slight rise and fall of his chest, the slight bobbing of his throat when he swallows. His eyes are drawn to the two circular scars at his neck and he dimly wonders if getting bit hurt, what it would feel like if he let Seungkwan bite him.
“You done?” He asks, before his mind can run wild with that particular train of thought, heat creeping up his neck as it still does. Seungkwan cracks open an eye to look at him and Hansol sends a silent prayer to anyone who’s willing to listen that his cheeks don’t look as red as they feel.
“For now.” Seungkwan sighs, running a hand through his hair. “How about you?”
Hansol blinks a few times, captivated by a single strand of blonde hair sticking up from his head. It takes all of his willpower not to reach out and smooth it down.
“Yeah.” He says when Seungkwan raises an eyebrow at him after a few more seconds of silence. His cheeks are seriously burning now and he pushes his chair back hastily, fleeing to the kitchen.
“You hungry?” He calls, trying to sound like his heart isn’t currently trying to climb up his throat.
“Kinda.” Seungkwan calls back, accompanied by the sound of a chair scraping over the wooden floorboards.
Hansol opens the fridge and pulls out the drawer where they usually keep their small supply of blood bags, only to be greeted with emptiness.
“Shit.” He mutters, sliding the drawer shut again.
“What’s up?” Seungkwan appears in the corner of his eye, peaking over his shoulder.
“We’re out of blood.” Hansol responds and shuts the door again with a sigh. “I gave the last bag to Seungcheol before we went out last Friday.”
He had actually made a mental note to restock when he had handed the bag over to Seungcheol, but had then promptly forgotten about it the second Seungkwan had walked in with a pair of ripped skinny jeans.
He glances down at his watch.
“The nearest store that sells them should still be open.” He says, already patting the pockets of his pants for his wallet as he turns towards Seungkwan. “We can go and get some more.”
“It’s fine.” Seungkwan waves him off, looking up at him.
“You sure? I don’t mind going to the store.” They’re so close that Hansol can almost feel Seungkwan’s fake breath on his skin. He had asked him about it once, curious if he actually needed to breathe.
Force of habit . He had responded with a shrug and a smirk. It helps blend in as well. People tend to freak out if you don’t breathe around them, even if they don’t consciously take note of it.
“I’m not that hungry.” Seungkwan says, ripping him out of his thoughts for the second time in less than an hour. “I’ll be fine until tomorrow.”
“Okay.” He replies, drawing out the syllables. He knows Seungkwan has a habit of downplaying his hunger, but he decides not to press it right now. They stare at each other for a second before Seungkwan suddenly steps back.
“Come on, let’s continue the drama we started yesterday.” Seungkwan calls, turning around to leave the kitchen. “I know you’re more invested than you want to admit.”
Hansol grumbles as he follows him out, grabbing his laptop off of the table before sliding open the door to his room.
Seungkwan throws himself down onto the bed, pulling out his phone as he waits for Hansol to set up the TV, only scooting over to make room for him once he pushes at his shoulder.
“This is still my room, you know?” Hansol asks as he presses play, leaning back against the backboard of his bed frame.
“Oh, I’m aware.” Seungkwan answers with an overly sweet smile, slipping his phone back into his pocket. “Don’t pretend like you actually mind, Sollie. ”
The nickname sends the heat rising back into his cheeks and he quickly turns his attention towards the TV, pretending not to hear Seungkwan’s cackle as he slumps over to lean his head against his shoulder.
Hansol would rather eat nails for breakfast than admit it, but Seungkwan did have a point when he accused him of being invested in the drama earlier. It’s always Seungkwan who suggests something to watch and Hansol always ends up just as invested in it as him, if not more.
“Oh, come on. ” He yells in frustration, as the TV screen transitions into a still mid-argument two episodes later, the outro music swelling up and filling the room. “This is so dumb, why can’t they just talk to each other like normal people?”
Seungkwan doesn’t reply and Hansol realises that it has been eerily quiet for the last episode and hasn’t returned to his usual spot of leaning against Hansol’s shoulder after he had returned from the bathroom. He turns slightly and sees Seungkwan staring at the TV screen, face blank, knees drawn to his chest.
“You alright?” He asks and reaches out to put a hand on his arm when he doesn’t get a response. “Boo?”
Seungkwan’s head whips around so fast it makes him flinch. His pupils are blown wide, almost hiding the red tint to his iris.
“Sorry.” He mumbles after a second, turning down his eyes to stare at his knees. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“You’re hungry.” Hansol states before Seungkwan can think of another excuse for his behaviour. Seungkwan’s hands tense around his knees, giving him all the response he needs. He checks his watch with a sigh.
“Why didn’t you say something earlier? We could have just gone to the store.” It’s not meant as an accusation, but Seungkwan still starts gnawing at his lips, something he always does when he feels guilty.
“Sorry.” He says, voice small. “I didn’t think it would be this bad.”
Hansol sighs again and then takes a deep breath to calm himself. Getting angry is not gonna do either of them any good right now.
“When’s the last time you’ve eaten?” He asks and watches as Seungkwan continues to bite at his lower lip, intently staring down at his hands. “Boo?”
“Yesterday.” He mutters and looks up again. “I think.”
“You think? ” He raises an eyebrow and Seungkwan only shrugs in response. He keeps avoiding his eyes, staring off into empty space somewhere to Hansol’s left, but he can still see the flash of guilt in his eyes.
“Why didn’t you eat anything?” Hansol asks, trying to sound as gentle as possible. Seungkwan gives him another shrug before he folds in on himself again, hiding his face behind his knees.
“I was so stressed about my exam that I kinda just…forgot.” He mumbles, barely audible. “Honestly, the thought didn’t even cross my mind until you mentioned it earlier and then I didn’t want to worry you. I’m sorry.”
Hansol takes another deep breath, because this is also Seungkwan. Always so focused on worrying about others and their comfort that he usually forgot to worry about himself. According to Seungcheol it had always been that way and at this point Hansol had given up on trying to argue with him about it.
“It’s alright.” He says, even though it really isn’t. “But you do need to eat something.”
A sigh is all the response he gets as Seungkwan slowly unfolds himself again, stretching his arms over his head before he stands up.
“I’m gonna have to leave then.” He states and then turns around before Hansol has a chance to answer. “I still have some food at home.”
He slips on his shoes and Hansol watches him with a knot tying itself in his stomach.
“Why don’t you just drink from me?” He asks, his heart leaping up into his throat. Seungkwan, halfway out of the door already, stops dead in his tracks.
“What?” He asks, slowly turning back around, hand already on the door handle.
Hansol can feel his face burning under his gaze but he doesn’t back down.
“Why don’t you just drink from me?” He repeats, doing his best to keep his voice as casual as possible. “It would be more convenient than you having to go back home now.”
They stare at each other, Seungkwan still awkwardly turned at the hip to look at him. Hansol tries to give him a smile that he hopes doesn’t look too much like a grimace. The TV changes from the ending still of the drama to the screen saver.
“Are you-” Seungkwan stutters, voice low. His eyes are wide open in shock, but there is something noticeably darker, undeniably hungry behind them. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah.” He responds and shrugs, miserably failing at nonchalance. “It’s not a big deal.”
It sounds like a question to his own ears, but Seungkwan takes a few tentative steps towards him and sits back down at the edge of the bed.
“Really?” He asks and the doubt and concern in his voice is starting to eat at Hansol’s confidence.
“I wouldn’t have offered it otherwise.” He says quickly, before he can change his mind again. “I trust you, Seungkwan.”
He holds out his arm and Seungkwan reaches for it carefully, wrapping his slender fingers around his wrist. His skin is cold and Hansol suppresses a shiver. His heart races in his chest as he watches Seungkwan slowly raise his arm, leaning forward ever so slightly.
“Can you- “ He mutters, awkwardly hovering a few inches away from his wrist. “Can you like…look away?”
“What, you can’t go if someone’s watching you?” He asks with a nervous laugh but turns his head when Seungkwan shoots him an annoyed glance, eyes peeking out from behind his fringe.
Hansol stares at the changing pictures of the TV’s screen saver, forcing himself not to pay too much attention to the movement in the corner of his eyes.
Cold lips ghost over his skin and then there’s a sudden sharp pain somewhere near his pulse point. He winces quietly but it’s gone almost as soon as it started, replaced by the odd sensation of not all of his blood reaching his fingertips. It oddly reminds him of the few times he had gotten his blood drawn at the doctors.
They sit like this for a few moments and Hansol regrets not turning the TV back on, because in the silence he can hear every little sound Seungkwan makes as he drinks, can hear him swallow. It makes heat creep up his neck, his whole body feeling like it was slowly being set on fire. He shifts awkwardly.
Suddenly, a tongue runs over his wrist and he nearly jumps, snapping his head around to look at Seungkwan just as he raises his head off of his wrist again. Their eyes meet and for a split second Hansol feels like he’s about to faint, his whole view zeroing in on the way Seungkwan runs his tongue over his lips, his teeth still stained red. He blames it on the blood loss and tries to blink the haze away.
“Thank you.” Seungkwan says after a few more agonisingly awkward seconds of silence and gives him a shy smile.
“No problem.” Hansol croaks, at a sudden loss for words at the sight in front of him. Seungkwan’s skin seems to glow in the low light, the dim lights of the TV reflecting off of his hair and giving him a ghostly halo.
“Wait a second, I’ll get you a glass of water.” Seungkwan is gone before he can really register the words and maybe the blood loss is making him feel a little dizzy after all, now that his heart rate has started to slow down again.
He can faintly hear the tap running in the kitchen and then Seungkwan is back, a glass of water in one hand and a granola bar in the other. Hansol’s hands shake as he takes the glass from him and Seungkwan gently steadies them with his own as he drinks.
“First time can be a bit overwhelming.” He murmurs, setting down the glass on the nightstand before sitting down next to him. He rips open the granola bar.
“You should eat something.” He gently says as he breaks off a piece.
Hansol nods, knowing all too well that raising an objection would be useless and lets Seungkwan feed him the first few bites before he takes the rest from his hands. He feels noticeably less dizzy now, a deep, but not entirely unpleasant exhaustion settling into his bones. He lets himself melt into it, leaning his head against Seungkwan’s shoulder and stretching out his legs.
“You want to watch another episode?” Seungkwan asks, shifting so he can rest his head on top of Hansol’s.
“Sure.” He mutters, although he can already feel himself drifting off to sleep, fingers curling into the soft fabric of Seungkwan’s shirt.
***
He wakes up to someone pulling a blanket over his shoulder and a hand gently tucking his hair behind his ear.
“Boo?” He asks, cracking open an eye to look at the dark silhouette hovering over him.
“Go back to sleep, Sollie.” A whisper, a cold finger running over his cheek. He fumbles for the arm in the darkness, fingers circling around Seungkwan’s wrist.
“Stay.” He tugs at the arm, but all he gets is a soft laugh in return.
“I have work today.” There is a slight hint of regret in Seungkwan’s voice.
His fingers are gently pried open but he refuses to let go, lacing their hands together in an attempt to get him to stay. Another soft laugh rings through the darkness.
“Make sure you eat something when you wake up, okay?”
Hansol is trying his hardest to stay awake, fighting the urge to just let himself slip back into the warmth of his blanket with all of his might.
“Stay.” He mutters again, but both his consciousness and Seungkwan slip from his grasp.
“I’ll be back after I get off from work.” He promises, running his hand through his hair once again. Hansol isn’t quite sure if he only imagines him pressing a kiss to his forehead afterwards.