They made it to Oxford without any other disturbances.

After Mingi sold the second horse, they travelled along a big road that was busy with farmers returning to their homes outside of the main town, even during the night. No one made trouble so close to the big garrison in Oxford, so the group travelled smoothly across paved streets.

The many buildings of Oxford were foreign to Wooyoung, but to Hongjoong they meant home. Mingi had also visited before and commented this was a place of scholars instead of the sordid, grey slums of London, where the gap between rich and poor showed in every depressing corner.

Mingi preferred this place to do his business in, so he left during the morning already to make a few sales. After catching some sleep and waiting for sunset, Hongjoong and Wooyoung also dared venture outside. Wooyoung's employer looked nervous when they left their inn, wringing restless hands before his body. He looked out of place even now, odd before the rest of the evening crowd.

Of course, Wooyoung made sure he wouldn't feel too unwelcome.

He swung his arm around Hongjoong's shoulder, pulling his pale self close. Perhaps he was fearing people of his past, perhaps he was on the lookout for that vampire. Though Wooyoung wasn't ready to face down with a real vampire, if that was what Hongjoong wanted from him, he was sure to get answers soon.

"So, what are we looking for? Any places you missed? People to catch up with? Getting money at the counting house?" He offered some distractions and Hongjoong's eyes dashed to every person passing them. He looked frightened and distressed, likely overwhelmed by the bustle and noises of a city, but Wooyoung stuck close to him.

The streets were brightly lit, and some shops were open late. Plenty of people were out and about, so the streets didn't feel as unsafe as the field paths. Wooyoung rather liked the atmosphere. He would love to hop into a pub and get to know the locals, but Hongjoong didn't look up to dick. So instead, Wooyoung led him down the street like a stubborn horse.

"We could also find you some good food first. Maybe a drink? It's soo difficult to find a vampire between all these people, so you'll have to help me spot him. How about we blend in and have a beer while you describe the vampire and where he might be hiding? Should have taken Jongho along, shouldn't we..." Wooyoung babbled merrily as he dragged Hongjoong along. They peered into various shop windows together, Wooyoung smirked at a woman lingering in an alley with voracious eyes, and they listened to the crooked songs of people gathering in bars to celebrate another day finished.

It took him a while, but Hongjoong gradually warmed up when they kept walking the streets of his home and whatever haunting him didn't jump from the shadows.

Ultimately, he exhaled by Wooyoung's side. Their arms were firmly linked and drew some gazes, but people didn't bother with fellow night swarmers. Wooyoung patted Hongjoong's hand on his arm with mock compassion when he gave his best try at unwinding.

"There are only so many places a vampire might be hiding," Hongjoong mumbled privately between the two and Wooyoung nodded enthusiastically. Graveyards, perhaps? Churches? No, not churches, now that he knew crosses repelled them. He could swear he heard of vampires in churches before.

"Agreed, agreed. So, what do we do once we found him? Need I be prepared?" He asked, eager for the money now that he was so close to his riches. He could go back to Scotland and live in peace for a while once his coin purse was full.

Hongjoong gnawed on his lip. He didn't seem to be thinking of money yet, but Wooyoung would hold him to it. If Hongjoong planned to run off before paying Wooyoung, a blade would look nice on his neck. Wooyoung knew how to hide a body from the mutton shunters. Only Hongjoong was unaware of his criminal backstory.

"I... I just have something I need to ask him. I hope he talks since you are there," Hongjoong muttered, sounding both hopeful and dejected. So he knew his vampire; would recognise him. Old flame? Wooyoung's bet was on an old flame who got turned.

"If he attacks, I will do my utmost to protect you. Let me guess, he killed a family member? Did you swear vengeance?" He purred as they walked toward the city square since Wooyoung had no idea where to find his vampire, but maybe some sinister, bat-infested location sprung out at him. Honestly speaking, vampires looked just like people to him, especially during the night. But on the off chance this one donned a black cloak and raven feathers and a chalice full of blood, maybe there was hope.

Hongjoong made no efforts to search. He stared into nothingness along the cobblestones, just walking along with Wooyoung.

"Nothing quite so awful, no. I know he's... not mad. Not like those vampires we found out in the fields," he mumbled, and that much was a relief. So he might not be rabid. But then, how would they find him? Did he work in the counting house as well?

Tickling answers out of Hongjoong was a long-winded effort that Wooyoung usually wouldn't make for a client, but a lot of money was on the line here. So he was on his best behaviour. Once Hongjoong was done reliving the past and whatever frightened him here, he would be rich.

"I see, yes, very interesting. How about this? We sit down for that beer and you tell me some more about him and afterwards, we see what we can find. How's that sound? Hm?" Wooyoung was getting cold out in the streets and he wanted to try the local brews already. Surely, Hongjoong would see reason for blending in?

Wooyoung lifted his head to peer around to the nearest pub. There were a couple of inns around the square, a church, a smithy. Nothing sprang out as particularly welcoming for vampires.

"We can ask around in a pub. The locals might know if a vampire dwells here permanently," Wooyoung added and Hongjoong nodded with a sigh. Oxford was too big to search every nook and cranny separately. Before they didn't find a lead, they would be wasting their time.

Hongjoong had to give in. He trailed his eyes around the square, observing every person about in the warm light of the street lamps, but his vampire didn't stand out by coincidence. Ultimately, he admitted defeat and followed Wooyoung to the most attractive sounding place. A welcome sign conveniently spared them that headache and a while later, they were seated at a table with a beer and some snacks which only Wooyoung was eating. He was curious about the people here, the difference in dress and hairdos. They seemed stiffer than the people up north, tenser, but they drank just the same.

"So, tell me everything you know about that vampire. I need every detail so I can find him for you," Wooyoung addressed Hongjoong after some people-watching. His companion looked tense still, clutching his mug for dear life and barely taking a sip, but coming back to the home he lost must feel alienating. Surely, he would settle back in quickly? Or was he too afraid of that vampire?

Though Wooyoung patted his hand on the side of his cup, his employer didn't bat a lash this time. He stared into the void again, unflinching to Wooyoung's flirtations.

"I met him at night. He was walking freely and blending with the people. I remember a chequered brown suit, blond hair. Glasses, maybe. I didn't even realise at first that he was a vampire."

By now, Wooyoung was genuinely dying to know what their relationship was. Hongjoong was so shaken by it, so lost in thought whenever the vampire was mentioned. It was almost maddening.

"I doubt he'll wear the same suit when we meet him. Anything else?"

"His features were beautiful. Frighteningly so. Carved as if out of marble. A strong jaw, fathomless eyes. Young and put together. He was every painter's dream," Hongjoong mumbled to himself, barely thinking as he spewed all his preciously guarded information.

And yeah, absolutely a past lover.

Blimey.

Wooyoung sunk back into his chair to gnaw at the nail of his thumb.

What now? Hongjoong was here to find his lover, past or current. He would be more concerned with that man than Wooyoung. Or Wooyoung might even be in trouble if the vampire turned out to be the jealous sort.

Did he have to hurry? Seduce Hongjoong to his side so he could be sure of his bonus? Or would any fleeting flirt crumble anyway for this person of his past?

Who was stupid enough to play around with a vampire?

Wooyoung shouldn't be surprised by his naivety. It was the whole reason he landed this ridiculously well-paid job. But if the past caught up with Hongjoong, Wooyoung's offers might just be for naught.

Should he risk it? Or risk his entire pay altogether when Hongjoong's vampire lover realised Wooyoung was a fraud?

While Wooyoung argued back and forth with himself in his mind, Hongjoong gathered himself enough to ask the important questions.

"Where could we find out more about him? I met him on the street. Are there places vampires frequent?" He asked Wooyoung and in his haste to come up with a witty reply, Wooyoung brushed his crisis aside for later.

"Vampires like to hide away in the shadows, of which there are plenty in this town." That much wasn't even a lie. "Jongho might have known how to find them if they don't want to be found. I imagine it's different in a city with so many people. You didn't happen to meet him during work?"

As if Wooyoung would know. Oxford was overwhelming and big and full of life. Personally, if he were a vampire, he wouldn't risk staying here. Or did the crowds provide anonymity?

"No... In an alley," Hongjoong mumbled into his cup. He mindlessly took a sip and made a face and maybe his issue had just been the alcohol all along.

"I see. Well, perhaps we can ask around and see if there is a notorious vampire who hunts here. Chances are he doesn't dwell here permanently and hides in the forests instead or he was merely posing as a traveller," Wooyoung offered him his theories and Hongjoong just looked more desperate at that idea.

Still, they slipped from their chairs when their mugs were empty and carried them back to the counter. The evening was chilly outside and Wooyoung tugged his coat tighter around his body. Hongjoong would also need warmer fabric to cover up with soon.

They walked Oxford's streets mindlessly. They were in no rush to find the vampire, so Wooyoung actually had some time to look around town.

"This was the place where I worked," Hongjoong told him when a seemingly irrelevant street turned out to house relevant banking buildings. Hongjoong stood before its grand facade for a while and Wooyoung admitted it looked fancy, though terribly boring and restrictive to work in.

Did Hongjoong no longer consider this job?

They also visited the street where he once lived, but Hongjoong didn't dare venture down the road to show him his home.

"My parents are still there," he said, as if that explained anything.

"Would you like to visit them?" Wooyoung wondered since he picked up on the lost gaze in Hongjoong's eyes. The hesitation to leave.

But Hongjoong shook his head. He turned around to disappear back into the shadows and Wooyoung followed, albeit confused.

They visited Hongjoong's favourite bakery even if he didn't want anything from there. His favourite hat shop, whose teller was an old friend of his. But it was closed already.

They even wandered into a park, where some dogs and pigeons were about in search of a meal. A place where Hongjoong once spent his free time.

Wooyoung accompanied him and offered uplifting words from time to time, but he knew that expression on Hongjoong's face. That forlorn look.

It was the expression of one who lost his home and couldn't dare hope to return. Wooyoung lost plenty of favourite places during his career.

So what held Hongjoong back?

He got no answers tonight. When they walked back to their tavern, Hongjoong was calmer. As if he got to find closure. He hugged Wooyoung's arm again and smiled a wistful smile as he gladly continued their search for the vampire the next day.