Chapter Text
Vampires—the great legend that almost everyone knows. People believe they are nothing more than mythical creatures whose existence can never be proven.
Vampires are known to be cruel. They are blood-sucking creatures who would never hesitate to sink their fangs into someone's neck. They would forcibly drain their prey dry. And people believe they can live for hundreds of years.
Yeah...
That’s what everyone believes.
"Finally! I get to see Kenma again, Kageyama!" Hinata shouted excitedly as he stepped off the Karasuno bus.
"Hm."
"Aren’t you excited?!"
"I am."
Hinata narrowed his eyes while staring at me.
What does he want?
I frowned back at him.
"What’s wrong?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" I reply shortly.
"Your skin looks paler than usual."
I stiffened slightly upon hearing that.
Damn, since when did he become this observant?
"Are you sick, Kageyama?" he asked, looking worried.
"No, I... just haven’t slept enough."
"Do you want to rest for a bit? We can stop by the infirmary.
We were already standing in front of the gym entrance. I shook my head slowly. It wouldn’t make any difference whether I rested or not.
"You sure?" He asked again.
"Yeah."
Hinata sighed before smiling faintly. "If you’re sick or something, tell me, okay?"
"Kay."
I said that, but I can’t tell him the truth.
Because the reason for my pale skin is self-protection to keep myself from burning under the harsh sunlight.
My skin would burn if I didn’t inject UV solution into my body.
Or, in human terms...
I guess it’d be easier to call it sunscreen. Yeah, something like that.
Weird, isn’t it?
When I think to myself, I use the word humans instead of people.
Umm...
Well, you could say I’m a little different from ordinary humans. If humans can withstand sunlight, then I’d be roasted alive.
If humans need sleep to function the next day, I don’t.
If humans need food for energy, then what I need is blood.
Yeah...
I’m just a little different.
Because I’m a vampire.
As I stepped inside, my eyes wandered around the gym. Not bad actually. The place was spacious and could fit multiple volleyball courts.
Unlike Karasuno.
"Oya?"
My steps halted. I turned toward the person shaking hands with our captain.
"Karasuno! You’re finally here! Have you seen the real SkyTree yet?" the man asked Daichi with a grin.
Daichi smiled back. "Ah, yeah.. us country folks finally got to see it."
"Must’ve been exciting seeing it in person, huh?"
"Of course..."
I frowned.
Their interaction felt strange. Like there was something hidden underneath. They were smiling but the smiles looked forced.
Weird.
When they released the handshake, the man’s gaze immediately landed on me.
My body froze slightly. Something about this guy was strange. Ever since our first practice match with Nekoma, he kept staring at me.
"Oi, King!"
I immediately looked away and turned toward Tsukishima. "What?"
"Come on. Aren’t you going to put your stuff down?"
"Oh... okay." I followed after Tsukishima. As we walked, I could clearly feel eyes on my back. A chill crawled up my spine. Still, I tried to ignore it.
"Stop staring at him, Kuroo."
Kuroo jolted and grabbed his chest dramatically. "Kyanma! You scared me!"
Kenma kept playing his handheld game, only glancing upward. "You’re just going to scare him off before you even get close."
"Hm?" Kuroo tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"Stop acting dumb. I know you’re interested in Karasuno’s setter." Kenma returned his attention to the game.
"Am I really that obvious?"
"Very obvious, even Lev knows."
Kuroo chuckled and shook his head. "What can I do, Kenma? Didn’t you see him yourself?"
"He’s really... cute."
"And those blue eyes?"
"For some reason, I feel like I’ve seen them turn red before."
"And honestly..."
"...that’s kinda hot."
Kenma look at this friend disgusted. "Stop hallucinating, Captain."
"I’m not hallucinating!"
At night, After Practice
"Kageyama?" Kuroo asked awkwardly because Kageyama suddenly approaching him after the practice ended.
Kageyama nodd his head and said, "Tsukishima said you kept staring at me."
He's so blunt. Kuroo immediately shot Tsukishima a glare.
That bastard.
"Ah—no! Nothing! I just... um..Do you want to practice with me?"
Kuroo swore he could see stars appear in Kageyama’s eyes.
"Please take care of me, Kuroo-san!"
He accepted?!
Kuroo smiled immediately. "There are plenty of gyms in Nekoma. Come on, let’s find somewhere quiet."
"Okay!"
.
.
.
.
.
They practiced until evening. No one interrupted them. As if the world only belonged to the two of them.Again and again they kept practicing. Until sweat soaked through their shirts.
"One more!" Kuroo shouted breathlessly.
"Ha'i!"
Just as Kageyama tossed the ball,
the gym door opened. A tall blond entered with an irritated face.
"Finally found you, Ou-sama."
"Oh, Tsukishima. What is it?"
"Have you even looked at the time?!" Said Tsukishima with angry tone.
Kageyama’s eyes widened. Like he did something wrong. "Ah... Right."
He turned to Kuroo apologetically. "Sorry, Kuroo-san... I think practice ends here."
Kuroo smiled despite his disappointment. "It’s okay, Kageyama! You must be tired too!"
Kageyama nodded. "Then, see you at dinner, Kuroo-san!"
He waved.
Kuroo stared after him. Hand unconsciously pressed against his chest. "...Damn. He’s way too cute."
Kageyama and Tsukishima walked through a quiet hallway. Tsukishima clicked his tongue.
"How many times have I reminded you?"
"I know, Kei." Kageyama lowered his head.
Tsukishima glanced at him. Seeing the guilt on Kageyama’s face over losing track of time, his expression softened slightly. "It’s already time for you to drink, Tobio."
"Can’t it wait a little? What if I go back to the room and there are too many people..."
"Don’t joke around. You’re terrifying when you’re hungry." He roll his eyes. "Besides, I already disguised it as tomato juice."
"...Okay."
"I brought it with me. Come on, let’s go to the garden."
When they arrived, they found a bench large enough for two. Tsukishima handed over the can and sat beside Kageyama.
Kageyama accepted it with a slight pout.
"What?" Tsukishima asked.
"Where’s my milk?"
Tsukishima chuckled. "You’re a vampire but still drink human beverages, huh?"
"You know I like it, Kei!"
"Finish that first. I’ll buy you some later."
Kageyama opened the can and took a sip. His blue eyes instantly turned crimson the moment the liquid slid down his throat.
"What blood is this?" he asked after swallowing, licking the corner of his lips.
"Do you like it?"
A spark appeared in Kageyama’s eyes. "Mhm! It’s good!"
"Kuroo's."
"What?!" His red eyes immediately shifted back to blue and widened. "Y-you—! Where did you get his blood?! You know I can’t drink human blood!"
Tsukishima smiled faintly. He reached out and wiped the corner of Kageyama’s mouth with his thumb. "I’m kidding, Tobio."
Then, he licked his thumb. "Mnn... not bad. By the way, it’s cow blood."
"The one you usually give me is chicken, right? I like this one more. This tastes good."
Tsukishima watched him for a moment before nodding. "If that’s the case, I’ll prepare this one from now on."
The two leaned back against the bench in silence. The sky above them had begun turning orange.
"By the way..." Tsukishima started.
"What?"
Kageyama looked up toward the sunset. Tsukishima continue, "What do you think about Kuroo?"
"..."
"Ou-sama?"
Tsukishima turned when no answer came.
Kageyama was frowning slightly. Then he muttered, "He’s weird."
Tsukishima blinked. "Weird?"
"I..."
Kageyama hesitated. "I don’t know how to explain it. But yeah... weird. I don’t mean him, but.."
He turned toward Tsukishima. His eyes had turned red again. His lips parted slightly revealing two sharp fangs. "...My body wants to taste him."
The alarm bells inside Tsukishima’s head rang immediately. Without hesitation, he pulled Kageyama into his arms and covered his mouth. "Shh, Someone’s coming," he whispered.
"Tsukki?"
Tsukishima turned. Relief washed over him when he saw Bokuto approaching.
"What are you doing here, Tsukki?" Bokuto’s gaze dropped to Kageyama in Tsukishima’s embrace. A grin spread across his face. "Ohooo..."
He covered his mouth dramatically. "You’re alone with Kageyama, huh?" Then he turned around.
"Oi, Kuroo! Come here! Tsukki’s with his boyfriend!"
Tsukishima cursed internally as he watched Kuroo jog over. His arms instinctively tightened around the small raven in his lap.
"Oh, who is—"
Kuroo’s smile disappeared instantly. His eyes widened slightly at the sight before him.
"Look, Kuroo! Aren’t they perfect together? Even Tsukki, who hates being touched, is holding Kageyama like that!" Bokuto said not understanding what Kuroo felt when he saw the scene in front of him.
Something bitter crossed Kuroo’s expression. "Ahaha... yeah. You two really suit each other, Tsukki."
Tsukishima scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Can you two idiots leave? You’re interrupting my time with Ou-sama."
"Eh?" Bokuto wiggled his brows. "If we leave, what are you planning to do with him?"
Tsukishima glanced at Kuroo—whose eyes remained fixed on the raven in his arms. Then he replied flatly, "Nothing like what you’re imagining. Now leave. Shoo."
Bokuto pouted. "You’re no fun, Tsukki."
"Whatever."
Bokuto dragged Kuroo away.
Tsukishima felt a slight pang of guilt seeing Kuroo glance back several times.
When they finally disappeared, he released Kageyama. Checking his face immediately.
His eyes were blue again. No fangs.
Kageyama lowered his head. "...Gomen."
"For what?"
"Earlier..."
"As if you haven’t done worse."
"...But we almost got caught."
"And yet we didn’t."
Kageyama sighed. Then looked up. A faint smile appeared on his face. "Tank you."
Tsukishima blinked repeatedly. "For?"
"For always staying loyal to me."
"Wow." Tsukishima looked genuinely stunned. "In the 350 years we’ve lived together..."
"...that’s only the second thank you I’ve received from you, Ou-sama."
Kageyama’s face immediately flushed red. "Why do you keep count of things like that?!"
Tsukishima smirked. "How could I not?"
"You’re the most ungrateful person in the world."
"So, for a mere servant like me..."
"...to hear those words directly from Your Majesty..."
"...these ears feel blessed."
"And this servant’s mind shall remember it forever."
"URUSAI!" Kageyama shouted, face burning red from embarrassment.
And Tsukishima only laughed quietly beside him.