Archive of Our Own ^beta

In the quiet of the literature class, while everyone slept through the drone of Mrs. Choi’s passionate lectures on the gothic undertones in Edgar Allan Poe’s works, Taehyung was perpetually drawn to one lone boy who sat at the back of their classroom.

Jeon Jungkook.

With messy black hair that hung like a curtain of night framing his pale face, piercing eyes that looked like they held a universe of secrets behind them and an air of mystery surrounding him, Jungkook was the epitome of a broody, mysterious vampire from a poorly written novel.

And Taehyung, who fancied himself an amateur detective, was certain that Jungkook had fangs lurking behind those perfectly pink and pretty lips.

It had all started at the beginning of the semester, when Taehyung had first seen Jungkook and thought he was cute. Clad in a large hoodie pulled over low, with headphones on like a fortress blocking out the world around him, Jungkook had looked like he’d rather turn into a bat and disappear than be there — which had instantly drawn Taehyung in. Mysterious, cute guys were his type afterall.

But before he made any move, he had to do what any rational person with a minor (read major) crush would first do — gather intel on the guy. Which, considering his sleuthing skills during his aunt’s annual gathering where gossip flowed faster than the punch bowl — this wouldn’t be too hard. He had once uncovered a secret engagement, a fake promotion his cousin was flaunting and the mysterious disappearance of his uncle’s hairline, all before the dessert was served.

So yeah, a little people watching, lowkey stalking and casual eavesdropping? It was all child’s play to Taehyung.

The Taehyung who turned minor crushes into full blown FBI investigations. The Taehyung who dug six generations deep in Jungkook’s family lineage, had their zodiac compatibility chart half done and mentally came up with names for their two pet dogs before he casually approached Jungkook, like it wasn’t his plan at all.

With a pen and a notebook in hand, Taehyung had watched Jungkook, like a wildlife expert documenting the mysterious routine of an elusive, moody creature for National Geography or something.

However, after several days and even weeks of borderline creepy and careful observations later, Taehyung still had found nothing. 

No solid intel. No scandalous secret. Not even a crazy ex or an embarrassing incident from the past.

Jungkook’ record was spotless. Suspiciously so.

Or Taehyung was just bad at this — which, frankly, he swears by his precious Hirono figurine collection cannot be the case.

Because all that Taehyung had found were crumbs. Boring little crumbs.

Like how Jungkook always sat in some dark corner of their classroom like the sun had offended him. Or how he barely spoke to anyone, avoided eye contact like it was contagious and carried himself with a dramatic aloofness that screamed mystery.

And no matter the time of the day, Jungkook always looked tired; shadows under his eyes and eyelids drooping like he was perpetually waking up from a 300 year long nap in a crypt somewhere.

Not to mention, Taehyung never once saw Jungkook eat. The moment the bell rang and it was break time Jungkook seemed to mysteriously vanish. Just Poof. Gone.

And the most bizarre part? 

Despite it all, Jungkook still looked flawless. Skin so pale and pretty like he was carved out of marble, heavy-lidded eyes so dark and bottomless that he could probably drown in — Taehyung could understand why Jungkook was so out of reach. Cuz he was on a different plane of existence altogether. An otherworldly being.

Or an arrogant asshole, like some would call.

Or perhaps a socially awkward and shy little nerd, like others would suggest.

Or maybe…

Just maybe…

Taehyung had read enough fantasy novels and watched tons of late-night supernatural shows to recognise the signs.

Signs which were bold and glowing a metaphorical neon and so damn hard to miss.

Why would Jungkook avoid the sunlight like the plague? Unless, it burned him of course. Or he sparkled.

Why would Jungkook disappear during lunch? Cuz he couldn’t exactly pull out a flask of dark red liquid in front of everyone nor could he pretend to eat human food without throwing up. Poor guy. Must be hard being undead and thirsty. 

And why would he be that pale, that pretty and that stupidly attractive for? Clearly, to lure in unsuspecting victims for a midnight snack. (Not that Taehyung required any charming, since he would willingly go). 

Which is exactly how Taehyung's little theory — though bold and slightly unhinged, with 0% facts and 100% vibes — came into existence. 

Born during a painfully slow Wednesday class when the clock seemed frozen and Mrs. Choi rambled on about the symbolism of Wuthering Heights, Taehyung had simply stared at his little notes for something. Anything. Only for the answer to stare right back at him.

Jungkook was a vampire.

Obviously.

And Taehyung fully intended to prove it right.

***

It was the next day, when he was meeting up with Jimin in the cafe opposite their campus that he dropped the bomb. Voice low and leaning forward, he whispered his discovery like he was sharing a state secret.

“I think Jungkook is a vampire”.

Jimin, his best friend since diaper days and his platonic soulmate, who had been peacefully sipping on his bubble tea, froze mid-sip. 

Then he choked.

“Come again?” he sputtered, some of the liquid landing on the table. Setting the cup down, he slowly wiped at his chin as he looked at his best friend like he had sprouted an extra head.

Wiping the liquid with a napkin, Taehyung continued as if he hadn't just made the most bizarre claim. “You heard me. Jungkook is probably a vampire”.

Jimin snorted. “Right. And I'm a werewolf”.

Taehyung glared. “I'm serious”, he insisted. 

“Okay, so, let’s see your evidence then”. Jimin had just said that to humour him. But what he did not expect was to see Taehyung pull out a whole ass notebook with pages full of detailed little notes, complete with doodles and highlights even.

“He never eats. At least not that I've seen of. Avoids the sun, has the whole broody aesthetic and looks like he's been alive since the 1850s. Cuz he probably is”, Taehyung reads off the book, sucking the straw on his strawberry frappe extra hard to prove his point. “And he’s ridiculously attractive. Dangerously so”.

Jimin blinked. “...so, basically your type”.

Taehyung didn’t even deny. “Exactly. Which makes it worse. Cuz he could charm me into becoming a willing blood bag and I wouldn’t even fight it”.

Jimin knew that Taehyung had grown a crush on the dark-haired elusive boy from his Lit class. It was painfully obvious in the way he turned into a walking romance novel, from waxing poetry about his deep, dark eyes to the mysterious aura around him. 

But what Jimin didn’t know was that Taehyung, in a true Taehyung fashion, would go off on a tangent with it, like falling head-first into one of his ridiculous theories. Instead of talking and asking him out like any other normal same person with a crush would do.

Like that time when Taehyung had believed the boogeyman was real and lived under his bed and they were friends. Or the time in middle school when he was convinced that their Chemistry teacher was a Russian spy working in disguise.

So, Jimin, having heard this tale before, simply gave him a look. “You’ve been watching Twilight again, haven’t you?”

“That’s irrelevant”.

“Taehyung”, Jimin sighed, “just because someone’s pale, broody, and mysterious doesn’t mean they sparkle in the sun”.

Taehyung narrowed his eyes, “But what if he does sparkle in the sun, and that’s why he avoids it?”

Well, Jimin had no answer to that.

“Dude, you’re not serious, are you?” Jimin asked, chuckling yet doubtful, knowing Taehyung's past shenanigans. “You're not gonna start wearing a garlic necklace to classes are you?”

Taehyung looked surprised, like he was seriously considering it. “Now that you mention it, I might just do it. Need all that protection”.

Jimin gave up, shaking his head at that. Once Taehyung had decided on something, there was no turning back. “I regret being your friend”.

Well that went alright.

Instead of actually being detered, Jimin’s talk had only managed to fuel Taehyung's determination to get the damn evidence. And to prove his claims right before he went on to confront Jungkook.

***

Hence, Operation Fangs began.

It started out small.

Taehyung decided that the best way to gather actual evidence on a possible vampire skulking at the back of the literature classroom was, naturally, to sit next to him. Face the danger head-on. Probably like Bella Swan, but a little more unhinged.

And so, one bright Tuesday afternoon, armed with a tiny vial of holy water tucked discreetly in his backpack and muttering prayers under his breath for extra measure, Taehyung made the long walk down the aisle, like a man on a mission. In this case, he was. And promptly took the empty seat next to Jungkook, who was resting his head on the table.

Clearing his throat, Taehyung prepared himself, as well as anyone could, to face the possible undead immortal.

What Taehyung didn't expect when he turned towards the left was seeing Jungkook wide awake, dark eyes already looking at him, curious and intense. 

That strangely made Taehyung nervous, as his heartbeat sped up and his mind blanked. God, Jungkook was already handsome, but this close, he looked unreal and all Taehyung could do was stutter out a “H-hi”.

Jungkook blinked once, like he was waking up from a long nap. Then flinched, as their hands brushed ever so slightly when Taehyung adjusted his notes on the table. As if Taehyung’s presence had physically startled him. 

What’s worse is, he then shifted. Away. An inch or so. But an inch nonetheless.

Woah, Edward Cullen much?

Rude. But it only served to strengthen his point.

From that day on Taehyung made it his personal mission to sit beside Jungkook. Every. Single. Day. Whether Jungkook liked it or not.

And no, Not because he had some repressed crush on the boy.

If constant side-eyes, soft sighs and mild scooting were any sign, Jungkook definitely did not like it. 

But did that stop Taehyung?

Nope. He just smiled, opened his book and happily scribbled away another point in the growing list of supernatural evidence.

• Doesn’t like human interaction. Cold skin.

***

After several weeks and three near-death encounters involving some garlic, the holy water and a crucifix keychain — Taehyung became fairly certain that he had slowly grown on Jungkook, like ivy on a brick wall.

Jungkook didn't look like he was on the verge of bursting into flames in his presence anymore. Or didn’t recoil like Taehyung was some garlic-laced stake. Instead he had even almost smiled — if you consider his lips barely twitching at the corners — when Taehyung accidentally tripped on his own feet while on the way to his seat one day.

Jungkook was warming up to him. The signs were all there. Only if you squinted hard enough.

So, it was time to move on to the next test.

The classic textbook mirror check.

Vampires didn’t have reflection. Or more like, they couldn’t be seen in mirrors.

So naturally, Taehyung carried his dusty old compact mirror along with him. Ten minutes into the class, Taehyung opened it in the guise of fixing his fringe. Angling it ever so slightly, he squinted into the glass…

And nearly screamed.

Because there he was. Jungkook. Crystal clear in reflection. 

It wasn’t the reflection that startled him, but the way Jungkook was staring directly at him. And when his lips curled around a slow smirk, Taehyung’s soul left his body.

Taehyung’s pulse tripped over itself, obviously from terror, not because Jungkook’s smirk could melt a holy cross.

He jerked the mirror away so fast, he nearly dropped it. He quickly slammed it shut and shoved it into his bag like it was cursed.

“Checking your hair?” Jungkook leaned in close, voice low and smooth. “Or just looking for a better angle to admire me from?”

Taehyung malfunctioned. Blinked, gaped, scrambled for a response that wasn’t a panicked screech. But all he could manage was “What— I— no– mirror— reflection—” 

“Kidding”, Jungkook mumbled, as he chuckled and looked away, ears turning pink. Like actually chuckled.

And all Taehyung could think was—

He flirts.

Vampires flirt.

Was Jungkook trying to charm him? Seduce him? 

Was this how he lured the poor victims before feeding?

And for the first time, Taehyung wasn’t sure who was testing who.

He frantically wrote in the notebook again.

• Has reflection?? Possibly an illusion? A vampire evolution?
• P.S. The vampire flirts. Stay cautious.

***

From that moment on, things got weird.

It was like a switch had been flipped — one second Jungkook was the quiet, mysterious boy Taehyung was investigating for mythical purposes, avoiding him like the plague and the next, he had started noticing him.

Jungkook had actually started looking at him.

Not often. But enough for Taehyung to notice. A glance in the hallway. A nod in the classroom. 

And God help him, that slow half curve of his pretty lips. Something about it not only made his knees weak but also disconcerted him.

It felt deliberate. Almost like…

He knew.

He probably knew about Taehyung's investigation.

And this was him testing his prey.

Right?

It was the reason why he had suddenly gone from i-am-mildly-uncomfortable-in-your-presence to silent acquaintances of sorts?

Right?

There was no other explanation.

“New perfume?” Jungkook had asked one morning, leaning close enough that Taehyung could count individual eyelashes.

Taehyung jerked away. His brain, usually so sharp and ready to connect (nonsensical) dots, promptly crashed, unable to form a single coherent thought, except, “Wh— what?”

Jungkook shrugged, casually. “You, umm.. smell different”.

Taehyung’s grip failed, his pen tumbled, and his heart followed right after.

And no. It’s definitely not because Jungkook was so close Taehyung could see the enticing mole under his plump lips that was giving him feral (read horny) thoughts. But because he had smelled him.

Is he sniffing me because he’s hungry? 

Do I smell…. enticing?

The situation only spiraled further, when he started noticing Jungkook everywhere. From the library, in the quad and even in the music room.

Coincidence? Taehyung thought not.

Jungkook was probably onto him.

And Taehyung was his prey.

***

“It’s getting serious Jimin”, Taehyung suddenly exclaimed on a Saturday night, sitting upright on the couch, like he’d just discovered the way to Narnia.

Taking his gaze off the movie playing on their television, Jimin turned to him. He had a vague idea what this was about; as he had seen Taehyung literally hide behind pillars and creepily take notes.  “Oh god. What now?”

“I think Jungkook is tracking me”, Taehyung muttered, voice low, as he nervously chewed on the sleeve of his oversized hoodie.

“And why would you think that?” Jimin asked.

“Becuase he’s everywhere, Jimin. Literally everywhere”, Taehyung said wide-eyed and exasperated. “The library, the Math building and even the music room”.

“You mean the library that’s literally open to every student on campus? Or the chess club in the Math building that you suddenly joined — even though you don’t have any inkling about the rules?”

When Jimin put it like that, he did sound a little delusional. His worries sounded silly even. But Taehyung couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was definitely up.

“That’s exactly what he wants me to think”, Taehyung pointed out. “Classic psychological warfare. Reverse stalking”.

Jimin blinked, trying to make sense of his words. Then he slowly spoke, tugging at Taehyung’s sleeve and freeing it from his worrying teeth before he chewed the edges off. “Or maybe…. because you’ve been following him around campus for two months and he’s noticed?”

Taehyung shook his head vehemently as he spoke, “Or maybe he’s studying his prey”.

Jimin shakes his head. “You’re insane”.

***

Taehyung spent that night laying in bed and staring at the ceiling, his little notebook clutched to his chest like a dramatic heroine with a secret love letter.

Sleep was impossible to come. Not when his brain was staging a full-blown soap opera. Every time Taehyung closed his eyes, he could picture Jungkook’s dark gaze on him, as it followed him when he thought he wasn’t looking; the soft chuckle or his nonchalant comment about his scent.

Taehyung couldn’t stop himself from thinking about that comment on his scent, or that soft chuckle, or Jungkook’s dark gaze as it followed him when he thought Taehyung wasn’t looking. 

Like a predator sensing the prey, Jungkook probably knew about his investigation and was trying to test him, intimidate him.

The more Taehyung had watched Jungkook — from across the room, from behind his textbook, even from a totally normal place like from under a bench — the more he couldn’t tell if his heart was racing from fear…

…or from something worse.

Because what kind of sane person wonders what it would feel like to be bitten? To be caught? To be chosen by something so dangerous and beautiful?

The thought scared him.

Scared him enough that he decided he was quitting.

Because no amount of curiosity was worth him dying.

Operation Fangs was officially over.

***

It happened on a Friday. The day Taehyung almost died.

Okay, maybe not “died” died, but at least mildly concussed or emotionally scarred for life.

The Literature Department had been roped into a friendly inter-department volleyball match. Taehyung, whose natural habitat was gossip clubs, libraries and art studios, and certainly not fields where round spherical objects flew at terminal velocity, had every intention to stay out of the action. 

Only that, fate, that fickle gremlin, had other plans for him.

He was sitting by the lower bleachers, peacefully sipping on his cold lemonade and watching the game when it happened.

One moment Taehyung was surprised and drooling over Jungkook who not only happened to be present in the indoor stadium, but also playing for the opposing team (the Business Administration department) and the next, someone toward his left was yelling “BALL”.

Taehyung did not have time to comprehend the meaning, just enough time to see death in the shape of the volleyball hurtling straight toward him.

This is it, Taehyung thought. This is how I die. Struck by a rogue ball in the midst of having gay fantasies about his not-so vampire classmate.

But the impact never came. There was a whoosh of air, a blur of motion in his peripheral vision.

And then….

Silence.

When Taehyung was sure he hadn’t ascended to heaven, he slowly opened his eyes only to see Jungkook standing in front of him. One arm outstretched, gripping the ball, like a hero who had saved the world in some superhero movie.

He then slowly turned around, dark hair falling into his obsidian eyes as he spoke in a soft, low tone that made Taehyung's knees tremble. “You okay?” 

Although his mind remained that he had quit and not to jump into detective mode, he couldn't stop it.

Taehyung just stared, heart pounding in his chest. “You— you just– you appeared”.

“I ran”, Jungkook simply answered without wasting a beat.

“No”, Taehyung insisted. “You, you were over there”, he gestured wildly, “literally ten meters away. And now you’re here? You… teleported”.

Jungkook raised a brow, the corners of his lips quirking up in amusement. “You look a little pale, Taehyung. Why don’t you sit down, yeah?”

Sit Down? No. Taehyung’s mind was racing like a goddamn freight train off the rails.

Taehyung was definitely sure that Jungkook was out there on the court when he last saw him. But within a matter of mere seconds he was in front of him catching a death sphere all the while looking like he stepped out of a Calvin Klein ad?

No way.

That was undoubtedly his vampire strength. Had to be. And so he mentally made a note.

• Has superhuman reflexes.

***

Taehyung had told himself— quite firmly, in fact— that he would stop meddling with Jungkook,  stop trying to prove that he was a vampire and maybe find a new hobby, like crocheting, pottery or literally pine after someone more.. mortal.

However, his resolve lasted exactly for one day.

One single, flimsy, godforsaken day.

Because how was he supposed to stop?

Especially after watching Jungkook play, all tightly corded muscles, sharp focus and sweat-slicked skin, like a beautiful war god sent to slay both the game and Taehyung's sanity?

When he was seconds away from begging Jungkook to rough him up like that ball. Or mindlessly bare his neck in invitation for him to suck him dry. 

How could Taehyung stop? 

Especially after the stunt Jungkook pulled that evening. Making his stomach flip; dizzy from both excitement and nerves.

He didn't know what had happened after that. What he had answered when he was asked if he was alright. Just remembered that he had whimpered. Like a fucking kitten in heat. Before he had run out of that stadium.

And now, hours later, when his brain wasn't filled with  Jungkook’s , and he was laying in bed with his little notebook open again,  he couldn't stop to think.

About his cold skin.

About the impossible speed, like borderline teleportation.

About the comment on smell.

About him seeing Jungkook nearly everywhere.

Taehyung now felt certain that Jungkook knew. Especially with all that tension in the air, it definitely felt like he was hunted.

Being the prey.

But it didn't scare Taehyung. Not really.

It, instead, thrilled him.

Which was even worse.

He groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “I need therapy”.

Or garlic. 

Or a wooden stake.

Or maybe Jungkook's lips on his skin, teeth puncturing holes in his neck.

He was spiralling again.

If Jungkook was truly something else and Taehyung was already tangled up in it or part of whatever game they were playing, then he needed to know the rules and then some answers.

A good detective doesn’t give up on the investigation just because the subject is otherworldly handsome and makes him feel… things.

Or so Taehyung reasoned.

Hence, Operation Fangs was back in business. 

And this time, Taehyung wasn't stopping until he found the truth. Or got bitten trying. 

***

Dressed in an inconspicuous dark attire, full with a bucket hat and shades on, with his trusted notebook, the small vial of holy water and a cross for some little extra measure, Taehyung was officially back in business. Trying to prove his classmate is a vampire, like a detective on a cold case and not some spiraling Lit major with a possible vampire kink.

Okay, sure, maybe all that he had jotted down in his notebook wasn’t solid evidence, like Jimin had tried to point out once when he had caught Taehyung hiding behind a bush while staking out the vampire; and Jungkook had some possible explanation for most of it. 

But Taehyung wasn’t buying it. 

His instincts were never wrong.

Except…. For all the times they were wrong before. Which, to be frank, were more than a few.

But that was besides the point.

Something about Jungkook didn’t add up. And Taehyung, here, was trying to prove it. To himself and Jimin.

Hence the reason he was now with Jimin, both of them hiding behind a pillar.

Taehyung was walking to the cafeteria, thinking about the upcoming college fest and what their department was preparing, when Taehyung spotted them.

Jungkook talking to someone else (which never usually happens, according to Taehyung and his little stalking). Someone else who was pale, sharp-eyed, dressed in all-black and had the general aura of someone who slept in a coffin lined with velvet.

Taehyung froze mid-step. 

Then, immediately, like he was struck by lightning, threw himself behind the nearest pillar.

Two pale and broody men, standing in the shade and whispering something secretively? It could only mean one thing.

Coven business.

Just then a voice behind him said, “Why are you hiding behind a pillar now?”

Taehyung jumped, startled. “Jesus, Jimin”, he whisper-shouted. “Don’t sneak up on me like that when I’m in the middle of a supernatural investigation”.

Jimin sighed, “Again?”

This was perfect. He could now show Jimin what he saw, the undeniable proof.

“Look”, Taehyung pointed out at the two lone, pale figures standing under the shadowed corner of the quad, talking. “That’s Jungkook with another vampire. Most probably, a step-brother”.

“That’s Yoongi”, Jimin deadpanned. “He’s from music production and definitely human. Totally not related to your Jungkook”.

Taehyung didn't question how Jimin knew so much about this Yoongi guy, but nevertheless gasped dramatically. “That’s what they want you to think Jimin. It’s the same as Twilight. They are adopted by a crazy good-looking and rich vampire couple".

Jimin rolled his eyes. “Just because he’s pale and talks to Jungkook, doesn’t mean he’s a vampire, Tae”.

“Denial is the first stage for being lured in and bitten”, Taehyung reasoned.

Jimin just facepalmed. There was no way to reason with Taehyung once he had decided on something. “You need some help and likely a new hobby”, he muttered.

But Taehyung, being Taehyung, happily ignored the comment and made a mental note to add to his list of evidence against Jungkook being a vampire.

• Vampire brother? 
• Possible vampire coven in vicinity.

***

The final nail in the coffin (pun intended) came one fateful afternoon at the campus swimming pool.

Jungkook, by some miracle or twisted fate had been roped in to volunteering with the swim club’s training session as informed by his friend and senior from psychology class, Namjoon, who was a member of the said club. Naturally, Taehyung was there at the indoor pool in the guise of documenting the “new training regimen” for the student paper, only that the paper didn’t even have a sports section.

The scent of chlorine was thick in the air, the sound of splashing water, the coach’s whistle and quiet chatter filled the area. And Taehyung observed diligently from the sidelines as the members practiced and trained.

The moment Jungkook emerged from the pool — dark hair slicked back and water droplets sliding down across the pale, milky skin of chiselled torso — Taehyung forgot how to breathe.

Under the fluorescent lights, every droplet clinging to Jungkook’s skin seemed to shimmer, making him actually glow – like some kind of a sea god rising from the chlorinated depths.

Or a vampire with glittery skin.

Taehyung immediately turned to his best friend, with a frenetic excitement, eyes wide with pure horrified awe, like he had just discovered that Santa Claus didn't exist or the earth was in fact round — very obvious and made a lot of sense. “He sparkles, Jimin”, he declared. “Just like Edward Cullen”.

Jimin, who had been dragged unwillingly to keep him company, didn’t even look up from his phone. “That’s called being wet. And it’s just water Tae”.

“No, that’s called being immortal”, Taehyung whispered under his breath.

As if that wasn’t enough, Jungkook, the audacious immortal, looked up right then, caught him staring and smiled.

A soft and amused smile that revealed, in Taehyung's horror stricken mind, two perfectly white and slightly pointed teeth.

And Taehyung gasped.

Fangs.

Tiny, sharp and deadly fangs.

“He smiled at me”, Taehyung whispered, voice low. 

“Okay, congrats”, Jimin said flatly.

“No, you don’t get it. I saw his fangs, Jimin. Actual literal FANGS”, Taehyung insisted, slamming his book shut and clutching it to his chest as he muttered about needing holy protection and silver.

While Jimin just groaned, after losing his last remaining brain cell. “Those are just regular canines, you delusional idiot”.

But it was too late.

Taehyung had all the proof he needed now.

Jeon Jungkook, the mysterious, brooding and beautiful boy from his Literature class was definitely, 100%, a vampire.

Thinking Taehyung didn't notice, Jungkook then waved at him — a friendly and harmless gesture.

But Taehyung, in his theory filled brain, knew it for what it was.

He was next.

• Sparkles under the fluorescent light. Possibly Vampire evolution.
• Has fangs. Possibly warning the prey. A.k.a, ME.

***

Now that Operation Fangs had come to the near end and Taehyung was certain, like 99.999999% sure that Jungkook was a vampire — there was only one thing left to do.

Confront.

Sounds easy right?

Ha. Nope.

Taehyung couldn’t exactly walk up to Jungkook and be like, “Hey, I’ve been low-key stalking you for months and I found your secret. You’re a vampire”. That would be a one way ticket straight to getting a restraining order or checking himself into a comfortable room in a mental asylum, or worse comes to worst, becoming Jungkook’s midnight snack and being drained like an expired juice box.

None of those options sounded particularly appealing. 

What Taehyung needed was a plan before making a move. A meticulously studied and carefully crafted plan. One that didn’t involve being legally restrained, socially exiled or fatally bitten.

He had been working up a strategy for a couple of days on how to best approach Jungkook, with whom he had a weird sort of cat and mouse game going on (all in Taehyung’s head), when the universe finally decided to take pity on him and threw him a bone.

It was a late Friday afternoon and Mrs. Choi had just announced their next assignment which was a group project. The topic being a study on the rise of gothic literature through the Victorian era. Talk about the irony.

Before he could even open his mouth to suggest they pair up, Jungkook beat him to it. 

“Wanna be partners?” He asked in his calm, low voice that made Taehyung's stomach twist in knots. No, not because it made his knees shake. 

Taehyung blinked, caught off guard. “Oh.. uh… yeah. Sure, let's.. uh.. do it”.

“Cool”, Jungkook said, leaning back in his seat. “We can start working on it at my place tonight then”.

Taehyung froze. His place?

“Your place?” he echoed, half fear and half anticipation swirling in his gut.

“Yeah. It's close by and less noisy", Jungkook casually shrugs, as if he hadn't just set a trap for his prey. “Why? Is that not okay with you?”

Less noisy? Did that mean there would be nobody to hear him even if he screamed “BLOODY VAMPIRE” or worse killed?

Taehyung gulped. Every cell in his body screamed at him in self preservation, but his mouth apparently had other ideas.

Taehyung shook his head. “No, no. It's perfectly okay. Uh.. more than okay. Tonight works”. He laughed, trying to sound casual, but failed when his voice went a pitch higher. Totally not weird at all. “Absolutely fine with me”.

Jungkook's gaze lingered on him a moment longer, something unreadable flickering in them before he quickly nodded. “Great. I'll text you the address”.

Once they had exchanged numbers and the class had been dismissed, Taehyung sat there in mild panic, replaying what had just happened.

He had been invited straight to the vampire's lair.

***

Standing in front of Jungkook’s door, Taehyung clutched his backpack like a shield. It was too late to turn back now. Whether it was extreme bravery or plain stupidity that led him here, only time or in this case, the hastily scribbled obituary on a napkin would tell.

Taking a deep breath, Taehyung rang the doorbell. One sweaty hand holding a single clove of garlic, he braced himself for the worst; red eyes, crooked nails, fangs, anything. 

Instead the door swung open to reveal Jungkook in a soft hoodie, hair mussed up, blinking sleepily and mumbling a quiet, “Hey, c'mon in”.

Taehyung didn’t know if he should be endeared by his sleep-ruffled features or to be vary, as vampires did sleep during the day.

With a hesitant sigh, Taehyung slipped the garlic into his pocket (for now) and stepped inside.

Jungkook’s house was… normal.

Suspiciously so.

No cryptic paintings of himself through the decades of his life. No creaky floor boards. Not even dusty cobwebs or ancient relics.

Late evening sunlight spilled in through the large windows in the decently sized living room, illuminating the couch and a table to the side, while a small bookshelf stood at the other corner. He even saw some plants thriving near the window sill, giving the house a cozy vibe.

But Taehyung had to stay vigilant. Vampires were cunning. And all this decor could be a front.

“Uh.. Taehyung. Is something wrong?” Taehyung didn’t know he was simply standing in the middle of the living room gawking like an amateur detective in a low budget movie until Jungkook called his name.

“No, nothing”, Taehyung blurted, averting his eyes. “Just.. nice apartment”.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, but simply nodded at him before turning to guide through the hallway that led to his room.

Taehyung took this chance to look at the house, eyes darting every nook and cranny for any clues. For hidden coffins, suspicious dark stains or even a blood bag inconspicuously labelled as ‘Fruit juice’ or something in sight.

Unfortunately, Jungkook had either cleaned up very well or..  was a perfectly normal human being.

Which was impossible.

Jungkook’s room was apparently even more normal. With a study desk, a game setup and even a double sized bed.

Jungkook sat at his desk, his laptop open to a blank document while Taehyung, having no other choice, took to the bed. Scanning the entire room like a nosy aunt for anything out of the ordinary.

“So..”, Jungkook said, breaking the silence, “what book should we pick for the assignment?”

“Umm…”, Taehyung cleared his throat, pretended to check his notes before replying, “I was thinking.. maybe… Dracula? Since, it's both victorian and gothic”.

Step one - bait the vampire. Now he simply had to wait for the reaction.

Except Jungkook looked at him and smiled. Smiled. “Dracula? That’s a great idea actually”.

Was he playing it cool?

Was he mocking now?

Taehyung was confused, but nevertheless just powered through it.

Half an hour later, Taehyung was 75% sure that Jungkook was pretending to breathe.  His brain was fried from over-analyzing every micro-expression, every twitch. Was that a fang flash? Was he affected by my scent? He had afterall applied two extra spritz of his favourite perfume.

It was like waiting for a bad punchline that never came. Or for a bomb to go off, except it was his overactive heart ready to jump out of his throat.

So, Taehyung proceeded onto the next step.

“Hey”, Taehyung called, faking a yawn and rubbing at his tummy, “I’m kinda hungry. Is there.. uh.. anything to eat?”

Hah. Got you, Taehyung thought. Vampires didn’t stock human food.

Except, Jungkook just smiled, something small and shy, that made butterflies flutter in his stomach. “Yeah, of course”, he said, getting up, “Give me a sec, I’ll go get something”.

Taehyung was doomed. Jungkook was either well prepared, expecting all his shenanigans or no.... there was no or.

He needed to act. Fast.

It was now or never.

While Jungkook was gone, Taehyung decided it was time to bring out the big guns. He quickly got to work, unbuttoning his shirt halfway — purely for strategic purposes, of course — exposing his slender neck adorned in a silver necklace, his beautiful clavicles and dare he say a part of his toned chest decked in a silver bodychain. 

It was all part of his brilliant idea, one which Jimin had called stupid and straight up told him to confess, but who cares? He was the one being hunted for blood and needed every ounce of protection he could get. 

Although, honestly  speaking, Taehyung was the one to get himself into this situation too. 

Anyway, back to Jungkook’s room, where Taehyung sat half-naked with silver on him. It was clearly a trap. If Jungkook was tempted — which he definitely will be, cuz who can resist Kim Taehyung and his clavicles? None — and decided to bite, the silver would burn him, turning him into a crisp. Thus proving Taehyung’s theory.

And so Taehyung waited.

When he heard footsteps near the room, Taehyung sat up straight and tried to look casual, which was hard, considering he looked like he was about to shoot a steamy scene for an indie film.

Jungkook just froze in the doorway, snack plate and two cans of soda in hand.

Fanning himself, Taehyung spoke, “Wow, it’s hot in here, isn’t it?”

Jungkook’s eyes flickered to him sitting on the bed, they lingered, taking in the sight of his bare throat and collarbones down to his chest. Adams apple bobbing as he visibly swallowed before he immediately looked away, as if suddenly interested in a blank corner of the wall.

Taehyung’s brain short-circuited.

Oh my God.

Oh my God.

If that wasn’t Jungkook being tempted? Feeling the urge to feed. If that wasn’t his hunger? Wanting to bite into him right now.

The evidence was undeniable.

Kim Taehyung had solved the single most elusive mystery.

“Yeah, a little”, Jungkook answered, setting the snacks and sitting down.

They work in an awkward silence, Taehyung waiting for his eyes to turn red or the fangs to pop out any moment.

But when it didn't happen even after a few minutes, Taehyung couldn't wait anymore. He snaps the laptop shut with a snap and is onto Jungkook in an instance. 

He leaned close, eyes gleaming with a shine like he'd won the lottery as he whispered, “I know your secret”.

“What?” Jungkook's neck snaps up at that, eyes wide with... fear? anticipation?

Oh, I got you. Got you good huh?

Taehyung crossed his arms, lips curling into a smirk, hopefully, because he was mentally panicking at this point. “Don't play dumb Jeon Jungkook. I've been watching you for a while. So, I've seen the signs”.

Jungkook blinked, eyes wide like a deer caught in the headlights.

Taehyung took it as a sign and continued.

“You’re so pale and your skin.. it's cold to the touch. I noticed it the last time we accidentally brushed hands”, Taehyung crossed his arms as he started to list off.

Jungkook stood frozen.

“And”, Taehyung continued, dramatically pointing a finger at him, “You— you avoid sunlight just like you avoid any eye contact. You flinch when I get too close..”,  Taehyung leaned forward just to prove his point when Jungkook instantly stepped back. “I've never seen you during lunch, but then I see you stare at me like I'm your next meal”.

Jungkook looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole. While Taehyung readied himself for the inevitable — uncovering the supernatural or dying as a dramatic and mortified idiot.

Taehyung took a deep breath, heart pounding like a tribal drum in his chest before blurting out—

“You're a vampire”.

“I like you”.

—the same time Jungkook spoke.

Silence.

Thick, heavy and stunned silence.

Taehyung’s mouth practically fell open.

Jungkook gaped, eyes wide.

For a moment, both stood there trying to process what they had just heard. Snacks long forgotten and the quiet hum of the laptop between them.

Taehyung blinked first. “W-what?”

Jungkook blinked right back. “What?!”

They stared at each other for one horrifying, one eternal moment before Taehyung’s mind rebooted, surprise and hysteria kicking in. “Wait.. what did you just say?”

“I.. uh.... you said you knew my secret, so I thought.. ”, Jungkook's voice trailed off, looking like he wanted to uninstall from existence. He groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Oh my god. Forget it.”

Taehyung’s eyes narrowed. “No, no, no. What secret did you think I meant?”

“That.. I like.. you?” he mumbled, face growing crimson.

“Oh my god”,  Taehyung gasped, horrified. “You actually admitted it.”

“Admitted what?” Jungkook asked, utterly confused.

“That you like me. My body, my skin, my scent and my blood”, Taehyung whispered, clutching at his silver necklace like it would ward off evil.

Jungkook looks somewhere between panic and amused. “No! I mean... I like you, literally just you,  not.. your skin, not your blood. I know you're ridiculous and dramatic, and probably the weirdest person I've ever met, but you are also beautiful, determined and funny. And I couldn't help falling for you”.

Taehyung blinked at that. His brain, usually prone to jump to unhinged conclusions, lagged to process what was happening.

Jungkook had gone on with his passionate monologue, only for Taehyung to say, “Of course you'd say that. It's the vampire seduction tactic. You lure me on with your sweet words and charm only to go for my jugular”, he nodded knowingly. “It would've worked on others, but you can't fool me”. 

“I— what? No..”, Jungkook sputters, “I meant, I like you, like.. romantically. As in dating, not draining your blood”.

“So.. you don't want to suck my blood?” Taehyung asked slowly.

Jungkook groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Oh my god, no, Taehyung”.

Taehyung’s shoulders slumped. Not knowing  why he felt a sudden trickle of disappointment in him upon hearing that.

“Not even a little?”

“No”.

Taehyung tilted his head, “Then why did you sniff me that one time?”

“I didn't sniff you. I said, you smelled nice”, Jungkook said, his ears turning pink with each word.

“I smell nice because you like my blood”, Taehyung argued.

“How did you even come up with that?” Jungkook’s jaw dropped. “And for god's sake, I'm not a vampire”.

“Okay, then. If you're not a vampire.. then how did you stop that volleyball from smacking me in the face? If not with some vampire super speed or something” Taehyung raises an eyebrow in question.

“Taehyung, you were sitting closest to the court and I was literally 5 steps away from you. Plus, I'm an athlete and I have good  reflexes”, Jungkook tried explaining slowly.

But Taehyung's mind was already spinning a new angle.

“That's what Edward Cullen said. Classic misdirection”, Taehyung clapped his hand like he had solved the most difficult puzzle in the world.

Jungkook just stared, somewhere between exasperated and losing it. “Taehyung, I’m not—” he started, but stopped when he saw Taehyung jump back from him, clutching a pencil in his hand and posing dramatically. “Why are you holding a mechanical pencil now?”

“That's a wooden stake”, Taehyung replied, "At least in theory.”

“And I'm arming myself against your evil seduction plans, although I don't understand why it's working on me”, Taehyung admitted, softly, eyes averted and cheeks red. 

That shut Jungkook up. His face went red—beautifully, traitorously red—and Taehyung’s heart gave an entirely inappropriate flutter.

Panicking, Taehyung scrambled. He had set out to catch a vampire, but instead, the vampire had confessed to him. Really confessed.

It was vampire code for saying ‘you’re mine now’ right?

He was so dead.

***

Jimin stared at Taehyung from across the table, the straw to his caramel macchiato hanging limp between his lips.

After the absolute train wreck that was the confrontation (in Taehyung’s opinion) last evening, Taehyung had made an excuse and literally fled from Jungkook’s place like his ass was on fire.

So when Jimin texted him this morning, “did the vampire bite you yet?” complete with a winking emoji, Taehyung hadn't hesitated. He had called for an emergency meeting for crisis management, in this case, his very much unstable life, and here they were now.

“So..”, Jimin started, pinching the bridge of his nose to physically stop himself from losing it. “You're telling me that you went to Jungkook’s house with an entire supernatural investigation planned, carried garlic in your pocket and stripped like..”, he paused to hold himself back, “like some kind of a seductive priest trying to perform an exorcism”.

Taehyung threw a napkin at him. “It wasn’t like that, okay?”

Jimin easily dodged it. “Oh really?”, he smirked. “You unbuttoned your shirt, flashed him your neck and chest, wearing a goddamn body chain because apparently, if Jungkook was a vampire and he bit, you’d just… what? Burn him into confessing?”

“Techinally, yes”, Taehyung muttered.

Jimin choked. “Techinally? My sweet Tae, you literally offered yourself as vampire bait and you expected him to do what?”

Now that Jimin was saying it like this, Taehyung was feeling stupid. Utterly mortified. “I expected him to show his true self, like the immortal undead he is. Not…”, he looked away embarrassed. 

“Not what?”, Jimin prompted.

“Not for him to confess that he likes me”, Taehyung whispered, cheeks growing warm as he stared at his half-eaten cupcake.

There was a moment of silence before Jimin lost it, eyes turning into crescents and wheezing with laughter until he almost fell off his chair. “Oh my god”, he sputtered, while Taehyung sat glaring at his best friend.

Sometimes Jimin questions why he is even friends with Taehyung. But again, he is reminded of their promise when they were kids and can't help but smile. After all this was all part of the deal he'd signed up for. 

It's hard for Jimin to maintain a straight face when he hears Taehyung's logic. Nevertheless he lets Taehyung explain away Jungkook’s excuses (perfectly sane answer) to all his gathered evidence. 

“So, let me get this straight”, Jimin said slowly, “you accused Jungkook of being a vampire, he tried to explain himself like a normal human being, and you”, he pointed at Taehyung, “you somehow think ‘I like you’ is some vampire code for ‘I will drain your blood’ and all this is a part of some ancient seduction ritual?”

“I—”. Taehyung gapes. “When you put it like that, it sounds—”. 

“..insane?”, Jimin offered. “Yes, because it actually is, Tae”.

Taehyung scowled. “It’s not insane, it’s called being speculative. And I panicked, okay?”

“Panicked?” Jimin repeated, nodding as if diagnosing a patient. “So your natural fight-or-flight response was to accuse your crush of being immortal. Totally reasonable”.

Taehyung’s head shot up. “Crush? I don’t—”

“Oh please”, Jimin leaned back with a sigh. “Tae, you literally made a scrapbook of his habits like you were documenting a rare species”.

Taehyung frowned. “I— what?”

“You’re hiding feelings behind fake research,” Jimin said, taking a deliberate sip of his macchiato. “I’d say that’s a classic Taehyung move. Trying to play Sherlock Holmes when you like someone”.

“I’m not hiding anything”, Taehyung huffed, crossing his arms. “I just needed solid evidence. Which, might I remind you, I had plenty”.

“Right”, Jimin said, ticking things off on his fingers. “One: He avoids sunlight”.

“Exactly”, he chirped.

“No, because he has light sensitivity and gets migraines, like he explained to you”, Jimin shot back. “Two: He looks tired all the time”, Jimin continued on mercilessly.

“Cuz he hunts at night”, Taehyung supplied, while Jimin deadpanned him with a look that shut him up. “That’s cuz the boy games all night. Or did you think the gaming set-up you saw in his room was for decoration?”

When Taehyung didn’t answer, Jimin already got the answer. “You’re unbelievable”.

Jimin angrily chewed on his doughnut and holding up his fingers as he spoke, “Moving on.. Three: He caught a volleyball midair and saved your dramatic ass from getting smacked in the face. But you go and call it superhuman speed”. 

“What else can it be? He teleported”.

Maybe the volleyball should have hit Taehyung, that would have smacked some sense into him.

“He RAN”, Jimin groaned. “You were daydreaming about his arms or whatver and you missed it.”

Taehyung blinked, processing that. His voice dropped to a mortified whisper, the weird fluttering in his tummy back again. “I— I wasn’t… daydreaming”.

Jimin smirked. “Sure you weren’t, Rapunzel”.

“Four: His so called fangs”

“You saw them. He flashed it at me”, Taehyung argued. This was undeniable since even Jimin saw it.

“They are your normal canines. And for god's sake, he smiled at you”. Taehyung was about to open his mouth, but Jimin held a hand up before he could talk about another nonsensical theory. “Yes, smiled, because he LIKES you”.

Taehyung’s head snapped up, stubborn. “He doesn’t like me”.

Jimin’s eyes twitched. At this rate, he will be aging like leftover milk and getting premature grey hair, before Taehyung gives up on his stupid theory. “Oh, for the love of all things ” Jimin groaned. “He told you he likes you, Tae. In a normal human, romantic way. And you..”, he poked at Taehyung's chest with the straw, “you responded by clutching a pencil and screaming about eternal damnation”

“I did not scream”, Taehyung muttered. “I was being defensive”.

Jimin sighed. Setting the cup aside, he looked at Taehyung like he's talking to a dumb little puppy. “Defensive? Why? Surely not because you're terrified he's a vampire. Cuz you were ready to let him bite you. No. You were terrified because for once, someone actually liked you back”.

That shut Taehyung up.

The air between them went still, heavy with the realization Jimin had just dropped like a nuke. Taehyung’s brain stuttered, rewinding the entire confrontation like a badly edited movie montage —Jungkook’s flushed face, the nervous laugh, the way he’d looked away mid-confession. None of it had felt like a vampire seduction. It had felt... human.

Painfully, awkwardly, heart-achingly human.

Now that the realisation was slowly settling in, the embarrassment of his actions weren’t far off. And like the absolute fool that he was, Taehyung had panicked and called him a vampire. Jimin, for the first time, was right. But Taehyung wouldn’t tell him that. Or he’d never hear the end of it for all of the damn eternity.

Taehyung groaned, dropping his face into his hands. “Oh my god. I’m an idiot. Aren’t I?”

Jimin looked amused as he sipped on his drink. “Congratulations, genius. You’ve just confessed to plotting your own romantic demise over… nothing”.

Taehyung peeked up, cheeks red. “Do you think I should tell him?”

“That you’re an idiot? He already knows”, Jimin grinned. 

Taehyung glared. “No, that I like him too”.

“Yeah, you should. Before you decide he’s a werewolf next”.

***

Next day, Taehyung showed up at Jungkook's apartment empty-handed. No more garlic. No holy water. And definitely no more silver accessories, unless he wanted Jungkook to bite, and no, not in the vampire sense, as Jimin had pointed out.

Jungkook opened the door, a little surprised and looking a lot like he was expecting to be doused in holy water or probably an exorcism to be performed. “Hey”.

Taehyung froze. The sight of Jungkook with all his dark hair, confused big eyes and shy but unsure smile  — it made Taehyung's stomach clench in a good way.

“Hi”, he squeaked out. Embarrassed, he tried again. “Hi, umm.. Hello, not so immortal Jungkook. Wait, I mean— human Jungkook”.

At this point, he was setting himself up for the world’s most spectacular social suicide, so Taehyung shut himself up. He had already taken the crown for the most disastrous love confession when he had accused Jungkook of being a vampire. And he was here to correct that. Not to take another for the home.

“Right. Sorry. That sounded weird. I just.. uh.. needed to talk to you”, Taehyung said in

a rush, his hands gesturing wildly as if trying to physically grab his dignity out of thin air. “About yesterday. The whole... vampire misunderstanding”.

That was putting it lightly.

Jungkook tilted his head, trying not to smile. “Yeah. That”.

“I may have... overreacted”, Taehyung continued, voice small and fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. “Like, a little”.

“A little?” Jungkook repeated, eyebrow raised, “You called me a creature of the night and threatened to stake me with a mechanical pencil”.

Taehyung turned wonderfully red at that, wanting the ground to swallow him whole. “In my defense”, Taehyung quickly added, “you have very pointy teeth and you look so handsome and ethereal, it’s hard to believe that you actually exist”.

And this time, it is Jungkook who goes painfully shy and red. Cupping his neck, as a small smile broke across his face watching the heart-warmingly weird but beautiful boy stand in front of him and struggle to talk.

Taehyung swallowed hard. It was now or never. 

“I didn’t just come to apologize”, he blurted. “I came to tell you I like you too. Like, actually like you”.

“Oh”, Jungkook exclaimed, stunned. “So, you don't think I'm seducing you for blood?”

Taehyung shook his head. “No. But even if you did, I'd let you bite me”.

Jungkook huffed out, laughing, “You're insufferable”. 

Taehyung grinned, “At least I’m not a vampire”.

Jungkook snorted. “You’re definitely the type to date one, though”.

Taehyung tilted his head, teasing. “Guess we’ll find out.”

***

Months later, Taehyung had come to terms with three very important facts.

One: Jungkook was, in fact, not a vampire.

Two: Jungkook found that extremely disappointing.

Three: Jungkook now used that knowledge to torment him daily.

Case in point…

“Jungkook, I swear to God, if you bite me one more time—” They were sitting on the couch, watching a movie when Taehyung yelped, as Jungkook pulled him closer and wrapped his arms around him from behind. 

A muffled laugh cut him off as Jungkook buried his face in Taehyung’s neck, lips brushing his skin. “I’m not biting”, he said, voice far too innocent. “I’m… appreciating”.

“You’re teething” Taehyung accused, swatting him with the nearest throw pillow.

Jungkook only laughed harder, catching Taehyung’s wrists before he could escape. “You started this, remember? You’re the one who thought I was an undead vampire who sleeps in a coffin”.

“Yeah, and I also thought silver would protect me”, Taehyung shot back, glaring half-heartedly. “Look how that turned out”.

“Yeah. You in my bed as my boyfriend”, Jungkook teased, teeth grazing his collarbone in a mock bite.

“You’re impossible. I did not sign up for this”, Taehyung tried to sound stern but failed miserably, when Jungkook pressed closer.

“Admit it,” Jungkook murmured against his skin. “You like it”. 

Taehyung opened his mouth to deny it, then promptly forgot how to speak when Jungkook’s lips replaced teeth, soft and slow and insistent.

It started as teasing, but somehow it turned into a kiss that made Taehyung’s heart do cartwheels. Lips moving in sync, occasional nipping and warm wet tongues tangling. 

When they finally broke apart, breathless and smiling, Jungkook looked far too smug.

“Still think I’m not a vampire?” he asked, voice low.

Taehyung huffed, pretending to think. “No. You’re worse. You’re a menace in human form”, he said dramatically. 

Jungkook smirked. “And you love it”.

Taehyung rolled his eyes but grinned anyway, tugging Jungkook back in. “Unfortunately for me”, he said, kissing Jungkook again, “I really, really do”.