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The streets were quiet, the sidewalk dimly lit by the distant street lamps lining the deserted road. It was late enough in the year that the wind bit at Y/N’s exposed neck, causing her to pull her coat tighter around her shoulders. She didn’t venture far enough into the outskirts of the city often, but her mother had fallen deathly ill and Y/N was desperate to find anything that could heal her.
She had heard whispers of a man who lurked in the dark shadows of the alley ways past Chinatown, close to where the mountain met the edge of the city. If you went looking for him, he would find you. His appearance was said to be frightening, a stark contrast to his calm personality. Y/N would be lying if she said she wasn’t equal parts scared and excited.
As she left the light of the street lamps and stepped deeper into the shadows, she began to hear small noises. Distance foot steps. Faint metal scraping. Coughing. Y/N quickened her pace, turning down the next road and running straight into someone’s chest. She fell back, about to tumble to the ground, but was caught around the waist at the last moment, left hovering above the ground.
“Are you alright?” the man who was holding her asked. His voice was a little gruff but held genuine concern.
“Thank you,” Y/N said as she gazed into the deep black of his eyes. He smiled and pulled her up, letting his hands linger for just a moment.
“It’s not safe for a lovely woman to be walking alone at night,” he replied. “No telling what’s lurking in the shadows.” His words should’ve sent a chill up her spine, but something about his smooth timbre set her nerves at ease.
“I just got a little turned around,” Y/N said with a light chuckle.
“Are you looking for something?” he asked.
Y/N observed the man, taking in his tailored black suit that hung loosely in a purposeful way, almost creating a cloak draping from his shoulders. His long black hair fell over his shoulders, a few strands obscuring half of his unshaven face. He had a sharp jaw and stood comfortably, nothing about his stance ringing alarm bells in Y/N’s head.
Objectively, he was handsome. And in the rays of the moonlight filtering into the alley he was practically glowing.
Finally, the man stepped back and gave her a curt bow.
“Perhaps our chance meeting was fate,” he suggested. Y/N gave him a confused look. He smiled. “You’re looking for me, right?”
“You– you’re him?” she gaped. The man raised an eyebrow at her, causing her to flush slightly. “I mean, you’re just not what I expected,” she rushed to explain.
“How so?” he asked smoothly.
“You’re quite handsome,” she said without really thinking.
“You’re not too bad yourself,” he shot back with a small smile pulling at the edge of his lips. Y/N’s face grew warm, and she nervously swung her foot back and tapped the toe of her shoe against the ground.
“So, how does this work, umm…” she trailed off, waiting for his name.
“Shouta,” he offered.
“How does this work, Shouta?” she asked nervously.
“Tell me what you’re looking for, why you came here,” he commanded softly. As he asked her, she saw a faint red glow pulse in his iris. Y/N felt a comfortable warmth settle beneath her skin, as if she were submerged in warm water and still able to breathe.
“My mother, she’s very sick,” she explained. “Doctors can’t figure out how to help her, a-and they say she only has a few weeks left,” Y/N choked out. “I heard of a man who could heal any injury, and I thought… maybe, just maybe…”
“You don’t know what I’m offering, yet,” he pointed out.
“She’s going to die if I don’t try something soon,” she said softly. “I’m willing to try anything if it has even the slightest possibility of healing her.”
Shouta studied her for a long moment, eyes calculated. Then, he extended a hand.
“I’ll give you my blood, but I can’t guarantee it will heal her since I don’t know the exact nature of her illness,” he said.
Y/N looked at him with wide eyes.
“Your blood?” she asked.
“Yes, my blood.” he repeated evenly.
“How will that help?”
“I’m what you might consider… well, the people in this neighborhood call me a vampire,” he said with a laugh. “But, regardless, my blood has healing properties when ingested by normal humans. It’s been known to cure many patients.”
His hand was waiting.
“So she just has to drink some of your blood… and she’ll wake up?” Y/N asked again.
“Just a few drops on her tongue and you’ll know if it’s worked soon enough,” he assured her.
Y/N smiled and took his hand, shaking it firmly.
Shouta pulled out a small vial from his coat and handed it to her. She accepted it and reached for her wallet. Shouta held out a hand to stop her.
“You don’t need to pay me,” he assured her.
“I can’t just take it for free,” Y/N countered. “You’ve been nothing but kind to me.”
Shouta smirked. “If the blood works, meet me at the cafe by the park on 7th street tomorrow night around 9pm. If not, you owe me nothing.”
“Deal,” Y/N agreed. Shouta took a step back and sank into the shadows.
“Follow the main street East for three blocks and you’ll arrive at the train station. It should get you home safely,” he instructed.
“Thank you, I–” Y/N cut herself off, seeing a small movement in the shadows. When she stepped forward, there was no one there, “I… guess I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
In the light of the day, Y/N wasn’t so sure about the vampire blood. She held the vial up to the window, catching a ray of early morning sun to illuminate the viscous, deep crimson liquid.
She shook her head and put it in her coat pocket, then set out for the day, making her way to the train station. She traveled across the city in the crowded train car, clutching her jacket pocket the whole way.
The streets in the main part of the city were bustling as Y/N walked the few blocks from the train station to the hospital her mother was at. She dodged between businessmen and made her way to the front doors, waving at the receptionist as she approached.
“Hey, Y/N! Here to see your mom again?” she asked sweetly, passing Y/N the sign in clip board.
“Yeah, I wanted to spend some time with her, maybe read her a book today,” she said as she filled out the form and passed it back to the woman behind the desk. “Thanks!”
Y/N rode the elevator to the fifth floor and made her way down the hallway, coming to a stop outside her mother’s room. She reached in her pocket, fingers curling around the vial in her pocket and giving it a reassuring squeeze before opening the doors and walking inside.
“Hey, mom,” she said softly. “I have some really hopeful news today.” Y/N approached the bed and sat on the edge of the mattress, bringing her mother’s hand into her own. “I met someone, and they might be able to help you. You’ll have to trust me, okay?” She reached into her pocket and fished out the vial, popping off the top. She grimaced. “This might not… taste great.”
Then, she tilted her mother’s head and gently pushed the opening to her lips, letting the red liquid slowly drip down into her mouth. After a few drops had fallen in, Y/N pulled back and quickly put the vial back in her pocket, and resumed her grip on her mother’s hand.
She waited, unsure if anything would happen immediately, or if it would take a while to set in. After a full two minutes, she grew restless. She watched her mother’s face and considered how thick blood must be on a dry throat. Y/N got up and poured a cup of water, bringing it to the bedside table and taking her seat back on the bed.
She gave her mother’s hand a squeeze.
“Please, Mom,” she whispered.
Then, she felt the warm grip in her hand tighten as her mother squeezed her back. Y/N’s head shot up.
“Mom?” she asked softly. Her mother’s eyes cracked open, a beautiful blue shining brightly in the afternoon light.
“Hey, kiddo,” she said, voice scratchy and pained.
“Oh, here–” Y/N grabbed the cup of water and helped her mother sit up enough to take a few drinks. She pressed the button to page the doctor and set the cup down. Y/N leaned forward and wrapped her mother in a tight hug. “I can’t believe you’re awake,” she said with tears in her eyes.
“I’m so sorry I made you worry,” her mother said softly. Y/N pulled back and let a watery smile spread across her face. She looked at her mother, the vibrant color returned to her cheeks and the life back in her eyes.
“I’m so glad you’re back,” she said.
“You’ll have to tell me what I’ve missed,” her mom joked.
“Funnily enough, I think I have a date tonight?” Y/N said with a laugh.
“A date?” her mom perked up. “Who’s the lucky man?”
“His name is Shouta, and–”
The door to the room opened as the doctor entered. He had a smile on his face that reflected Y/N’s.
“I’m so glad to see you’re awake, Ms. Y/N,” the doctor said to her mother. “We’ll have to run a few tests, but if you’re truly in good health you may be able to go home this evening and sleep in your own bed for the first time in eight months!”
“I think I’ve done enough sleeping for a while,” her mom chuckled.
Y/N stepped back and let the doctors do their work.
“I’m going to grab some food for us,” Y/N said to her mom. “I’ll be back!”
By the time Y/N got back the doctors had left and her mom was watching the news. They dumped all the food on the table at her bed and dug in.
“So, tell me about Shouta,” her mom said slyly.
“Well, I just met him, but he seems like a gentleman,” she said with warmth growing in her cheeks with each word. “We’re going to a cafe I’ve never been to later tonight. I’ll head out after I drop you at home.”
“You’ll have to tell me all about it when you get home!”
“You should be asleep by the time I get home,” Y/N scolded.
“Honey, I’ve slept enough. I’ll probably be wired,” her mom replied.
By late afternoon Y/N’s mother was dismissed from the hospital and they were riding the train home. It was a short ride, and they chatted about Y/N’s past few months in school.
“I can’t believe you changed your major again,” her mother groaned.
“I know, but I really like the coursework and I think I really found the major for me this time,” Y/N explained.
“If you’re happy, I’m happy,” her mom agreed.
When they arrived at the house Y/N busied herself with cleaning out her mom’s room one last time, just to get the dust off of everything, if nothing else. They sat in the living room together and watched a movie that was airing for the holidays until it was time for Y/N to head out.
“Make sure to text me when you get there,” her mother instructed. “Even if he seems nice, you just met him, so don’t let your guard down.”
“Got it, mom. Love you,” Y/N said as she wrapped her arms around her mom in a warm embrace. They parted ways and Y/N set out.
The cafe was fairly close to her house, so she was able to travel by foot and get there within half an hour.
The storefront was lit up with Christmas lights despite the holiday having recently passed. When she entered she was greeted by a blast of warm air that had her itching to take her jacket off. She fished her phone out of her pocket and shot a quick text to her mom.
Y/N: Made it to the cafe!
Mom: Have fun! But not too much fun.
Y/N chuckled as she pocketed her phone. The cafe was mostly empty with three patrons sitting near the back of the room and one sitting at the bar by the window. The figure by the window was familiar.
“Hey, Shouta,” Y/N called as she approached him. He turned to greet her with a smile.
“Hey, I’m realizing I never got your name,” he replied.
“Oh! It’s Y/N, sorry about that!” She apologized.
“No worries. I already ordered if you wanted to go ahead and grab a drink,” he said, hopping off the stool and guiding her to the counter. Y/N was steered to the register and looked up at the large menu hanging on a wooden board on the wall. The selection was overwhelming.
“Anything you’d suggest?” she asked her companion.
“Can’t go wrong with lavender and honey,” he offered. She sucked in air through her teeth.
“I’m allergic to lavender, so maybe hazelnut instead?”
“Their coffee is never bad, so I’m sure you’ll like whatever you get,” he reassured her.
She smiled and stepped up to the counter, ordering her latte. Shouta stepped forward and paid before Y/N had a chance to process the exchanging of cash. She tried to argue, but Shouta just laughed and walked back to their seats by the window. She sighed and followed.
“So, how’s your mom?” Shouta asked.
“She’s awake,” Y/N said with relief heavy in her tone. “It’ll probably take her a minute to readjust, but she feels good as new!”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Shouta said honestly.
“Thanks. I told her about you, by the way,” she added.
“There’s not much to tell,” Shouta replied.
“Not yet,” Y/N countered.
“Are you saying you’d go on a second date with me?” Shouta asked playfully.
“So this is a date!” Y/N exclaimed. Shouta laughed.
“Sorry if my intentions weren’t crystal clear,” he responded.
Y/N’s coffee was called out and she thanked the barista as she grabbed it off the counter. Shouta stood up too.
“Let’s go for a walk,” he suggested.
“In this cold weather?” Y/N asked incredulously. Shouta took off his scarf and wrapped it around her shoulders, then removed his hat and tucked it onto her head. Y/N’s face grew pink.
“That should help,” Shouta commented.
“Thanks,” she mumbled. Shouta took her hand without question and pulled her out of the cafe and into the night air.
“I picked this spot because the park is really nice at night. Not many people are out in this part of the town past sunset,” Shouta explained. Y/N was trying to focus, but the cold pressure of Shouta’s hand in her own was all she could think about. They walked down a block to the entrance of the park, where the little iron fence parted for them to enter. Shouta pulled her along, under the tree branches and towards a fountain at the center of it all.
They took a seat on a bench near the fountain, Shouta still holding her hand softly. It was hard for her to ignore the chill to his fingers and control the urge to try to warm them up. She had a feeling it wouldn’t work.
“Have you ever been here before?” he asked.
“No, but I live close by, so it’s surprising I haven’t,” she replied. Shouta chuckled.
“You’d be surprised how many hidden treasures are only a hop, skip, and a jump away from the pond you call home,” he commented.
“I guess I haven’t had a lot of time to go out much,” Y/N realizes.
“Been holed up at home?” Shouta asked.
“More like working non stop to pay for mom’s medical bills,” she said with a laugh. “It’s been a rough year.”
Shouta unlaced their fingers and slid his arm behind her to rest his hand gently on her shoulder. She leaned into the touch, sighing, allowing herself to be pulled a bit closer.
“Hopefully this new year will bring kinder things into your life,” Shouta says quietly. She smiles.
“I think it already has.”
Shouta hummed, rubbing small circles into her shoulder with his thumb.
True to his word, there was no one in the park aside from them, the air crisp and quiet. It gave Y/N the space to let herself decompress and finally let thoughts aside from her mother occupy her mind.
“So, if people call you a vampire, what do you call yourself?” she asked.
“Their description isn’t inaccurate,” he replied. “But I can survive on things other than human blood.”
“But you do drink it, right?” she asked with a silly smile.
“Only when offered,” he told her. “Which isn’t often.”
“You can have some of mine,” she said before her mind caught up to her words. Shouta laughed and gave her shoulder a small squeeze.
“I think you have enough on your plate right now, you don’t need some creep biting your neck.”
“I happen to think you’re quite nice, actually,” she interjected.
“Glad to know I made a memorable first impression,” he laughed.
“I’m serious!” she exclaimed, pulling the scarf down a bit. “You’ve helped me so much, a little blood isn’t asking much.”
“Do you want me to bite you?” he asked evenly. She flushed and glanced away, mulling over her next words. “It would be a bit uncomfortable for you.”
“I’m not squeamish,” she said proudly. “A little bite won’t bother me.”
“You don’t have to offer me your blood.”
“You gave me yours.”
“That was different.”
“In what way?” She countered.
“Your mom was sick, it was a life or death situation,” he pointed out.
“If you need blood in your diet then it can be life and death for you too!” she shot back.
“I told you I can survive fine without it!”
“Just let me do this for you,” Y/N insisted. “I want to.”
Shouta sighed, seeing the earnest gleam in her eyes and accepting his fate.
“Fine. But just this once,” he amended. Y/N smiled.
“Do you want me too–”
“I got it,” Shouta said. He carefully removed his scarf and set it in her lap. He turned to her, bringing a hand up to trace along the edge of her jaw and tilt her head at an appropriate angle. “I’ll try to make this as painless as possible,” he said, leaning in and ghosting his breath along her neck.
“Like I said, I can take it,” Y/N insisted.
“Okay, okay, just take a breath and try to relax.”
Shouta closed the distance and pressed his lips to the soft skin of her neck. He parted them, tongue gently sliding across the pale flesh before his jaw widened and he sank his teeth into the warmth.
He sucked lightly, most of the blood flowing easily into his mouth, washing over his gums and slipping down his throat. His eyes fluttered close as the metallic taste washed over him and flushed his body with warmth once more.
Y/N let out a soft exhale that some might call a moan, but no one was around to comment.
After a few moments, Shouta lapped at the wound, helping the blood flow slow before pulling away. When he looked at her face he saw her eyes were closed, lashes dusting her cheeks.
“Are you okay?” Shouta asked softly. Her eyes opened slowly.
“Y-yeah, that was…”
“A little hypnotising?” he offered.
“Yeah, I feel like I’m floating,” she commented. Shouta laughed and brought the scarf back up to wrap around her. “Wait, I don’t want to get any blood on it–”
“I’m really good at getting rid of bloodstains,” Shouta said.
“You know what, that tracks,” she admitted, allowing him to secure the fabric around her and begin storing her warmth once more.
“Let’s sit for a moment longer, let yourself adjust from blood loss.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” she agreed softly.
Shouta put his arm around her once more and pulled her close to his side, using his opposite hand to reach across and pull her hand into his lap so he could lace their fingers together once more. Y/N’s head fell onto his shoulder as she let out a contented sigh.
They sat like that for a while, enjoying each other’s presence in the calm night air.
Eventually, Y/N’s eyelids began to grow heavy and her head began to sag.
“Let’s get you home,” Shouta said softly. He helped her stand and slid his hand into hers once more as they made their way out of the park.
He walked her home, down the vacant sidewalks illuminated by the glow of the street lamps. They took their time, talking about whatever came to mind, laughing and basking in the comfort of the night air.
All too soon they arrived at her doorstep.
“Will I see you again?” she asked, a hopeful warmth to her words.
“I’d like that,” Shouta said with a smile.
“Swing back by on New Year’s Day, or I guess New Year’s Night, since you can’t come out during the– never mind!” she said with a laugh. “Come by on the 1st, I’m sure my mom would like to meet the man that saved her life.”
“I think I’d like to meet her too,” Shouta replied.
“Then it’s a date,” Y/N said happily.
“It’s a date.”
Shouta took a step back, dropping her hand as he bowed.
“Have a good evening, Y/N.”
“See you late, Shouta,” she called as she opened the door and stepped inside. The door shut softly behind her, and she leaned back against it to catch her breath.
The night felt so surreal, her neck radiating warmth from the injury while sending a rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. She could hardly believe the events of the last two days, all of it too good to be true.
As she finally composed herself and took off her shoes she realized she was still wearing Shouta’s scarf and hat. She smiled and placed them on the table near the entry way, making a note to return them on their second date.
Their second date.
It couldn’t come fast enough.