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The storm raged on, the trees swaying wildly as rain cascaded through the dense forest. Kaoru's blond hair clung to his face, drenched and disheveled as he stumbled through the undergrowth. His phone was dead, the path he'd been following now lost to the storm’s fury. Through the thick mist, the silhouette of a grand, towering mansion emerged, its windows flickering with light. Relief washed over him. Shelter.
Kaoru hesitated at the door. It creaked ominously as he pushed it open, stepping inside. The air was warm, and the faint scent of lavender lingered. The mansion wasn’t what he expected—it was spotless, with glowing chandeliers, polished furniture, and a roaring fireplace.
“Someone must live here…” he murmured.
Cautiously, he ventured up the grand staircase, each step muffled under thick carpeting. The hallway stretched endlessly, its walls adorned with antique paintings. Finally, he reached a door slightly ajar. Pushing it open revealed a bedroom in disarray. The bed was unmade, clothing scattered across the floor.
Before he could step inside, the lights flickered violently and went out, save for the dim glow of a single candle.
The door slammed shut behind him.
“Wha—!” Kaoru’s voice was silenced by an icy hand clamping over his mouth.
Darkness swallowed him.
---
Kaoru’s head throbbed as he awoke to the soft flicker of candlelight. The scent of burning wax filled his nostrils. A face hovered dangerously close to his, sharp features illuminated by the warm glow.
“Hakaze-dono.”
Kaoru’s groggy mind struggled to process the voice. His eyes adjusted to the dimness, and there, before him, was Souma Kanzaki.
“Souma-kun?! W-What… Why are you—” His words trailed off as realization struck.
Souma’s violet eyes glimmered unnaturally, and his lips curled to reveal sharp fangs.
Kaoru froze. “Y-You’re a—”
“A vampire,” Souma interrupted, his tone flat and unbothered. “And you, Hakaze-dono, are bleeding.”
Kaoru’s hand shot to his neck, feeling a sting where a faint trail of blood trickled down. “S-Souma-kun, I… Look, I know we don’t exactly get along, but maybe we can just—”
“Silence.” Souma’s cold gaze pinned him in place.
Kaoru gulped. “You’re… really cute—wait, no, I didn’t mean that! I-I’m straight!”
Souma raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Disgrace. You’re rambling.”
“I’m not rambling!” Kaoru protested, stepping back. “Souma-kun, please, let’s talk about this. Can’t we, I don’t know, negotiate? Or—ah!”
Before he could finish, Souma’s hand gripped his wrist, pulling him close. “You have blood. I need it.”
Kaoru’s heart pounded as Souma leaned in, his fangs grazing the soft skin of his neck. “Wait! At least ask first—”
The sharp pain silenced him, followed by a strange warmth as Souma drank.
---
Minutes later, Souma stepped back, licking a stray droplet of blood from his lips. Kaoru staggered, placing a hand over the bite.
“Finished,” Souma declared, his voice void of emotion.
Kaoru blinked, unsure of what to say. “Uh… thanks? I guess?”
“You can leave now,” Souma said, turning away.
Kaoru hesitated. “What if I don’t want to?”
Souma glanced over his shoulder, his expression unreadable. “Why wouldn’t you? I just hurt you. You could die.”
“Yeah, but…” Kaoru trailed off, looking down. “I was lonely, okay? That’s why I ended up here. And, well… you’re not terrible company. Sometimes.”
Souma tilted his head, genuinely confused. “What does that have to do with me?”
Kaoru sighed. “Just forget I said anything. I’ll go—”
“Wait,” Souma said, his voice softer. “You… can stay. But don’t touch anything. Especially Kamegorou.”
“Your turtle?” Kaoru asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes.” Souma walked off, leaving Kaoru alone in the bedroom.
---
Kaoru lay sprawled on Souma’s bed, his mind racing. Why am I still here? He could have left hours ago. But something about Souma—his calm demeanor, his sharp wit, his… fangs—kept him rooted.
Souma returned moments later, freezing in the doorway. “What are you doing on my bed?”
Kaoru flushed. “Can we… cuddle?”
Souma blinked, his usual composure faltering. “Even after I bit you?”
“Actually, forget I said that,” Kaoru stammered, sitting up.
Before he could leave, Souma grabbed his wrist. “No. It’s… only fair.”
Kaoru’s cheeks turned a deep red. “R-Really?”
“Disgrace,” Souma muttered, lying down and opening his arms begrudgingly.
Kaoru didn’t waste the opportunity, settling into Souma’s side. Despite the awkwardness, he found comfort in the vampire’s presence.
“Do you ever think—” Kaoru began.
“Usually, yes,” Souma interrupted.
“That’s not—ugh, never mind.”
Souma smirked. “Disgrace.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Kaoru mumbled, burying his face in Souma’s chest.
As the storm raged on outside, Kaoru felt, for the first time, a strange sense of peace.