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The lines and shapes of the building began to blur, almost making it appear as if the structure was collapsing.
Kaveh set his pencil aside, closing his eyes as he rubbed them. Tiredness was wearing him down, but he couldn't stop now. He needed to finish those blueprints before tomorrow, but at the rate he was going he would pass out before he could.
Kaveh reached for his energy drink, desperately taking a big sip only to find the can completely empty. He didn’t recall when he had finished it, but he didn’t worry as he went to grab another. Except he did begin to worry when he found there weren’t any more. He sighed before standing up, quickly grabbing his wallet before rushing out of his dorm. If he didn’t have any, he’d just have to get more.
Luckily for him, the convenience store closest to the college was open 24/7.
Kaveh practically sprinted through the door, startling the poor cashier. He made a beeline for the energy drinks, grabbing a case along with some snacks before checking out. He apologized to the cashier as he rushed back out, determined to get home and drink one before sleep overtook him.
Though that plan was quickly foiled as Kaveh’s world spun. When it came into view he was in the alleyway next to the store with his back pressed against the wall. A man about his height stood before him, his features hidden in the darkness.
Sure it wasn’t the smartest idea to be running around by himself at 5 in the morning, but Kaveh thought he would be fine since Sumeru City didn’t have much crime. Though he should've known he of all people wouldn’t be that lucky.
The man leaned closer, his eyes glowing unnaturally red. His mouth opened, a faint ray of light from the streetlight glinted off his pearly white teeth. Correction—Kaveh realized as his heart sank—his fangs.
Even Kaveh’s half awake brain could recognize the stereotypical traits of a vampire. Though that was impossible as they were only myths.
That’s it… he must’ve been hallucinating due to exhaustion since there was no way that vampires were real. Kaveh prayed he was right, though he’s not sure if the alternative was any better…
Would death by fangs be worse or better than death by knife?
His question was quickly answered as the man bit his neck, though no sooner had the fangs pierced his skin, they retreated.
“Your blood tastes repulsive.” A strangely familiar voice spat, both figuratively and literally as the man spat out his blood onto the ground. “Do you not take care of yourself?”
The glowing red eyes spotted the energy drinks and snacks in Kaveh’s hands.
“That explains it. Or at least, part of it.” The man wiped his mouth, cringing at the bad taste left in his mouth. He thought for a moment before he spoke again. “It's mainly because you have anemia. You should be eating iron rich food instead of this junk food.”
Kaveh never thought he’d get a diagnosis from a vampire of all things.
He felt like he was going crazy, especially when his tired mind caught up and pinpointed the voice. Realization dawned on him that he knew this man. It was one he hadn’t heard in a year, one that he thought he’d never hear again, but it was one he would recognize anywhere.
“Alhaitham?!”
The vampire froze, most likely recognizing Kaveh’s voice.
“Shit.” Alhaitham quickly let go of him and backed away. Though without the support, Kaveh’s knees buckled. Alhaitham quickly grabbed him, though a lot less aggressive this time. “Sorry, I didn’t realize it was you.”
“...Is this why you disappeared?”
Kaveh and Alhaitham had been friends since the start of their freshman year of college. Sure they’ve had disagreements here and there, but they always made up in the end. Except for a month ago, the two had a fight over the project they were working on together and soon after Alhaitham disappeared. He wouldn't answer any calls or texts and Kaveh couldn’t find him anywhere. Not even Cyno or Tighnari could get ahold of him or find him. Kaveh had searched for him everywhere he could, but it was like the man had ceased to exist.
“...Let's get you back to your dorm.” Alhaitham avoided his question, but Kaveh wasn’t in the right state to argue. Exhaustion weighed heavily on his eyes and the blood loss—despite being such a small amount—was definitely not helping.
Alhaitham wrapped an arm around Kaveh’ waist, guiding his arm to rest on his shoulder. Pressed right up against Alhaitham, Kaveh felt like his face was going to melt off from how warm it felt.
Alhaitham’s disappearance hurt Kaveh especially hard, as not only were they good friends, but Kaveh had feelings for him. Though he never even attempted to confess, too scared of ruining their friendship to even think about admitting his feelings aloud, let alone to the man himself.
Kaveh’s eyes finally closed, no longer able to keep them open even a second longer. The last thing he felt was his body being lifted into the air. He didn’t struggle, in fact he leaned into the embrace wrapped around him.
There was no warmth—in fact, it was cold—but it felt like home.
When Kaveh awoke, it was still night. At least it seemed like it, judging by his pitch black room.
Kaveh wanted to brush off last night as a dream, but the two small indents in his neck would always be there to prove him wrong and remind him that it was real. He could feel them, even underneath the small bandage covering them.
That along with the cause of said marks standing in his small kitchen cooking.
“I thought you were a hallucination caused by lack of sleep.” Kaveh confessed, fighting the urge to go over and touch the man just to be certain he was really truly here.
“Good morning.” Alhaitham greeted him as it was a normal occurrence. And maybe in a different life, it could’ve been. He noticed Kaveh’s confusion and explained. “I’m a bit… allergic to the sun now so I closed all your windows tight.”
Kaveh didn’t know what to say so Alhaitham spoke for him.
“The sun was starting to rise by the time I got you into your bed so I had no choice but to stay here. I promise I’ll be gone as soon as the sun sets.”
“That’s fine…” Kaveh cleared his throat. “I’m more confused why you’re cooking?”
“You’re anemic so I’m making food that’s rich in iron.” Alhaitham replied, as if that explained everything.
“But that doesn’t explain why you’re doing it when you don’t have to, nor why you vanished without a word.”
Alhaitham went quiet, focusing on the food on the stove. When he showed no signs of responding, Kaveh went on.
“You owe me an explanation at least, Alhaitham. You had me worried sick!”
Kaveh felt like screaming, the stress of the past month catching up to him like a tsunami pulling him underneath its waves. It felt like he was drowning, he couldn’t breathe, he—
“I’m sorry.” Arms wrapped around him, cold yet comforting, familiar yet different. “I promise I’ll explain, but first I need you to breathe. Follow me.”
Alhaitham breathed in and out, the movements almost robotic, as if he was no longer used to the action. Regardless, Kaveh followed along, each breath bringing him closer and closer to the surface until he was above water again.
“Sit down, I’ll explain as you eat.” Kaveh sat while Alhaitham finished the food and brought it over. It was much grandier than what Kaveh usually ate, as he never had any time to properly cook; he just grabbed whatever was fastest and scarfed it down. He took a bite, the food warm and delicious on his tongue. But Kaveh didn’t care about the food at the moment, he cared about the answers.
Alhaitham sat down across from him and finally explained.
“A week before I left, I was attacked by a vampire out of nowhere. The change wasn’t immediate, it took time. I thought I was sick until I couldn’t stand in the sun anymore. I finally realized what I had become when I felt the urge to bite your neck. After that, I decided to leave so that I couldn’t hurt anyone. I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself if I had hurt you. I’m… sorry for leaving without a word, but I did it to protect you and everyone else. I’m not the same man you knew, I’m a monster—”
“Did you ever stop to think about how we would feel?” Kaveh’s eyes felt wet. He thought he had lost the ability to cry after the first few months, having shed so many tears mourning the loss of the man he loved. “I thought you were dead—!”
“I am dead!” Alhaitham’s voice boomed. He stopped, taking a deep breath before continuing in a softer voice. “I did die, and then I came back as a monster.”
“You’re not a monster!” Kaveh argued. “Before you knew it was me, were you planning on killing me?”
“No, of course not.” Alhaitham frowned. “I was only going to drink a small amount.”
“A monster would’ve drank my blood and sucked me dry like a
Capri-Sun without a second thought.” Kaveh pointed out. “A monster wouldn’t have just taken what they needed before leaving. A monster wouldn’t have let me live.”
Alhaitham didn't respond. Kaveh couldn’t see his expression, as his head was lowered and his bangs were covering his eyes.
“It would’ve been so much easier if you hated me.” Alhaitham finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. “I tried so hard to make you hate me.”
Kaveh was confused, until the pieces of the puzzle all clicked into place.
“You staged the fight?!”
Alhaitham hesitantly nodded.
“You asshole!” Kaveh’s tears finally fell and he desperately tried to wipe them away. “Do you know how I felt, having my last words to you be that I hated you and never wanted to see you again before you disappeared?!”
Arms wrapped around him again and Kaveh leaned into him. No matter how upset or mad he was, he couldn’t deny how much he had missed him.
“I’m sorry. I promise I’ll make it up to you. And I promise I won’t leave this time.” Alhaitham assured him. He chuckled, attempting to cheer the blonde up. “ I can’t leave even if I wanted to. Someone has to manage your iron levels since you’ve done such a poor job at it.”
Kaveh punched him in the shoulder—light enough it wouldn’t hurt a human, let alone a vampire—but he laughed. He wiped the rest of his tears on his sleeve, thanking Alhaitham when he handed him a tissue.
“And who’s fault is that?”
Kaveh meant it as a joke—even though it was practically true, he probably developed the condition since he hasn’t taken very good care of himself since Alhaitham’s disappearance—but Alhaitham answered with a seriousness that startled him.
“Mine. But I take full responsibility for it.”
Alhaitham’s now fully red eyes—another new feature Kaveh would have to get used to—stared deep into his own. His gaze was intense, conveying his determination to make things right. Alhaitham leaned closer, the air tense in between them. He—
Kaveh’s alarm went off, alerting him that his class started in 10 minutes. The sudden noise startled him, but he took the opportunity to break Alhaitham’s gaze. Any longer and Kaveh might have done something he would regret.
“Sorry, I need to go.” Kaveh rushed to gather his stuff, quickly packing up his blueprints from last night. Hopefully his teacher would understand if he explained he worked himself to death trying to complete it on time. He certainly couldn’t explain that his missing friend/crush had suddenly reappeared as a vampire. “Feel free to stay as long as you want, I’ll be back as soon as my class is over.”
Alhaitham nodded and with that Kaveh was gone.
Alhaitham was still there when he returned from class. And when Kaveh returned from his next class. And the class after that. Even when the sun had finally set, Alhaitham showed no signs of leaving. For lunch, Kaveh returned to find a meal waiting for him. And for dinner, the same thing. Each time Alhaitham prepared him a meal, and each time he ate it as the two talked and caught up.
Alhaitham returned to the college—helped by the fact he had formally resigned instead of leaving classes without a word, a fact Kaveh would not let Alhaitham live down—and became Kaveh’s roommate in his dorm. Thankfully the school had agreed to their request, otherwise it would’ve been much harder to conceal the fact a vampire was attending the college.
Cyno and Tighnari looked like they had seen a ghost when Kaveh invited them over to show them Alhaitham was back. The two were just as pissed off and understanding as Kaveh when Alhaitham explained the situation.
After that, Alhaitham and Kaveh quickly fell into a routine.
Kaveh would wake up and Alhaitham would make him breakfast before he left for classes. Then Kaveh would return to eat the lunch Alhaitham made before going to another class. Alhaitham would prepare dinner for him before he left for his own classes, thankful that there were plenty of later ones so he could avoid the sun.
After that he would come home and the two would spend some time together before Kaveh went to bed. After Kaveh fell asleep, Alhaitham would sneak out for his own dinner. He was careful to hide it from Kaveh, probably still worried about being seen as a monster. But the blonde was more than aware. After everything that had happened, he wouldn’t be able to stand it if he lost Alhaitham a second time so he wouldn’t fall asleep till he heard him come home and go to bed.
Kaveh wasn’t sure whether to be offended, relieved or jealous that Alhaitham never tried to drink from him. Sure his blood tasted bad, but surely it's gotten better over those past few months? He himself has certainly felt better since Alhaitham started cooking for him, not feeling as tired or having as many headaches as he used to. He almost felt like how it had been a year ago, as if nothing had changed, as if Alhaitham had never left. Surely that meant his iron levels were improving?
On the other hand, the two weren’t dating so he had no claim on Alhaitham. Besides, him biting people didn’t mean anything, he was just eating. That would be like if Alhaitham got jealous of the hamburger Kaveh ate. It made no logical sense, but feelings never did. Try as he might, Kaveh couldn’t get the thought out of his head.
So he decided to do something about it.
Kaveh stopped Alhaitahm before bed, grabbing his wrist before he could leave to feed.
“...Would it be easier if you drank my blood?”
Alhaitham froze at his words.
“...You knew?”
“After what happened, I can’t sleep until I know you’re here...” Kaveh confessed, feeling his face growing warm. “But that's besides the point! You’re always feeding me, shouldn’t I return the favor?”
“I don’t feed you because I want to drink your blood.” Alhaitham frowned. “I do it because I care about you.”
“I know. And I’m not suggesting this because I feel like I owe you something. I want to help you and it would be easier than hunting down someone random.”
“You don’t have to.” Alhaitham pulled his hand out of Kaveh’s hold.
“But I want to.” Kaveh admitted a little too quickly. He cleared his throat. “I want to help.”
Alhaitham didn’t respond, his face blank but Kaveh has known him long enough to see the conflict swirling in his eyes.
“I’m not scared of you. There’s nothing you could do that would make me think you’re a monster.” Kaveh reassured him. “I trust you with my life.”
“...Why?” Alhaitham asked, sounding so uncertain that Kaveh’s heart twisted. “How are you so certain? How could you ever trust a monster?”
“Because I love you.” The words slipped out before he could even think about it, let alone stop it. It felt so natural he didn’t even realize what he had said until he say Alhaitham’s surprised face. “ Shit. I—”
Kaveh had no time to even attempt to dig himself out of the hole he had buried himself in, as Alhaitham’s lips were pressed against his own. The kiss was gentle and unsure, as if he expected Kaveh to push him away any moment. Kaveh wrapped his arms around him, eagerly returning the kiss. It lasted only a few moments, but it was full of years of longing and love.
“I love you too.” Alhaitham confessed. He didn’t need to say anything else, Kaveh could see the affection in his red eyes. His gaze was so soft that Kaveh couldn’t take it.
“Now hurry up and bite me, I’m tired.” Kaveh huffed, turning his head to the side and offering his neck. It was certainly not because he was flustered. And Alhaitham certainly couldn’t tell by the blush that spread all the way down to his neck.
Alhaitham chuckled as he leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to Kaveh’s skin before he bit down. Kaveh flinched, the piercing fangs hurting but thankfully only for a brief moment. Perhaps there was something in vampire salvia that helped to numb pain? It certainly made sense for them to evolve such a trait.
Kaveh’s eyes fluttered closed, enjoying the strangely pleasant sensation. Alhaitham held him close—his grip firm in case he fell like last time, yet gentle like he was made of glass. Alhaitham drank his blood much in the same way, making sure he didn’t hurt him anymore then he needed to.
Kaveh wasn’t sure how long it was, but eventually Alhaitham pulled back. He licked the blood that remained to clean it.
“So?” Kaveh asked.
“So…?” Alhaitham raised his eyebrow.
“How does my blood taste? Is it still repulsive?”
“It tastes as sweet as you.” Alhaitham pressed a soft kiss to Kaveh’s lips before he left to grab a bandaid, leaving a red faced Kaveh frozen in place. He returned a moment later, bandaging up the small mark before pressing a kiss on top.
The two then went to bed, cuddled together in Kaveh’s bed. Kaveh fell asleep easily, happy in Alhaitham’s embrace.
The next morning Kaveh forgot about the bandaid in his rush to class and so his friends definitely noticed the new addition.
“I take it you and Alhaitham had a fang-tastic time last night?” Cyno joked as he did with his deadpan expression.
“It's too early for this.” Tighnari groaned, covering his ears.
“What? It's a good thing that their night didn’t suck.”
After that, scarves became a new part of Kaveh’s everyday wardrobe—even if it was hot as hell outside .