Returning to Oxford had been tough for Hongjoong. The tension kept rising the closer those familiar roofs drew. He expected to be recognised on the street, to run into the vampire who turned him or to break down in despair when he found his old self gone.

Wandering those streets was exactly that, yet different. Hongjoong didn't dare show himself to anyone who once knew him. Didn't want to risk people questioning what happened to him that night. He yearned to go home, to assure his parents that he was alive and would return to them, but could he really? Maybe it was possible for a vampire to live among humans, but for how long? As Hongjoong caught himself more and more often thirsting for blood and finding the thought of it less repulsive by the day, he knew he would endanger everyone around him.

Still, he missed his home. Hoped he could go back after he got answers from that vampire. And he might, if there was a cure somewhere out there.

He didn't see any family members or old friends while wandering around town with Wooyoung. Neither a vampire. Just streets that were the same as always.

It was... hard. To let go. To roam the roads of memory and realise his home never changed, only he did.

There was no going back. He would never be the same unless that vampire could help him. Such a brittle sliver of hope.

Seeing the world go on as before and not crumble without him there was sobering. His existence was so insignificant and while his family might mourn him, Hongjoong was one of many. He was the only one who lived this life upside down now.

He mourned what he lost. Prayed he might be able to go home one day and explain to his parents what happened to him.

But most of all, he appreciated breathing this familiar air with a friend by his side. Today he felt... almost human again. As if he were playing around like any other person. Walking freely, even if only in the shade. It was refreshing. Healing. And it was all thanks to Wooyoung. He distracted Hongjoong's gloom and brought confident smiles with him.

Hongjoong rarely had friends to spend time with before. Seldom found people to laugh freely with. Wooyoung messed with his feelings, made him unsure what was going on and he smelled so good, but who would have thought a vampire could be such a good friend?

Hongjoong appreciated it; a lot.

"Thank you for today," he said once they returned to the inn, finding it only just that Wooyoung knew his efforts were appreciated. Hongjoong would need time to feel normal about the places he played in as a child. That boy was dead now. But still, it was nice to be here, not alone.

There might be no happiness and normalcy for him ever again, just blood lust and the eventual demise through Jongho's weapons, but for today, someone was with him to help him through the flood of memories and grief that robbed Hongjoong's breath.

Wooyoung just finished washing his face and patted it dry with a towel. He looked up with a light grin, so warm and easy-going. Hongjoong was glad it was he who accepted his proposal. They were so unlike each other, but thanks to Wooyoung's knowledge, they made it work.

"Hm?" He asked, wiping down the water trailing along his neck. Hongjoong wished it was just a tad darker in colour. It would look so pretty against his tan skin, wouldn't it?

He ripped his gaze away. Wooyoung should feel safe around him. Though Hongjoong might not be a real threat to him since he was a vampire, he didn't want to hurt his friend.

Instead, Hongjoong wrung nervous hands in his lap. He was already seated on his bunk and the shutters were drawn tightly. They were ready to sleep through the day and continue their search in the night.

"We didn't find anything yet, but... It was nice to be out with someone. I had fun," he mumbled, even if he might not have seemed fun, swamped by memories and pain. The city was overwhelming since he smelled it, how he never smelled it before, wanted to dig his teeth into the soft bodies of the women sauntering past and spotted convenient victims alone in alleys, just like that vampire did to him.

It was scary to drift among humans, knowing he was a monster who could slaughter them all.

But Wooyoung was by his side as a reminder he could be more than that. A beast forever, yes, but one that remembered its roots.

Wooyoung's grin broadened when he caught his meaning. The towel was carelessly flung onto the dresser.

"Oh yeah? Tá fáilte romhat."

Hongjoong peered up at him when Wooyoung crossed the room to stand before him. His head tilted playfully, dark hair wet around his face and that mole on his lip stretching with his smile.

"What does that mean...?" Hongjoong asked him shyly, not too versed with the northern dialects, but they sounded beautiful from Wooyoung's lips.

"That you're very welcome, darling," Wooyoung breathed at him and Hongjoong curled into himself, giddy. His head was a fuzzy mess, aware of Wooyoung's scent so close, but overwhelmed with the gratitude inside his heart that seemed to be beating again today.

"Oh! Yes. Thank you for being here with me. I know you came along for the money, but I didn't think a vampire would be such a good friend to me. Not meaning to judge based on race, of course. I uh-" His stuttering stopped when Wooyoung was suddenly right in front of him, crouching on the floor. The deep V of his shirt exposed his chest, the lean muscle of it. His dark hair curled around his neck and the stare from his eyes was both challenging and fiery, making Hongjoong forget what he was going to say.

He smelled so good. Life thrummed in his veins. Just one bite... A little sip. Surely, he would understand?

"Are you going to seal your gratitude with a kiss?" Wooyoung asked him when he didn't run away and Hongjoong's fingers clutched the fabric of his pants. He couldn't think. Barely registered the words offered to him through the ache of his gums and the scratchiness of his throat.

When he finally realised what Wooyoung said, his shyness crashed into him twofold.

Wooyoung wanted a kiss? Right, they had been there once. So close. And he was attractive. Hongjoong liked him. Felt his dead heart stir for him time and time again.

He smelled so good... If he came close enough for a kiss, then maybe... Just a little taste of his blood. It smelled so good, had to be extra delicious. Because he was a vampire?

Hongjoong couldn't think.

"Is that what you want?" He somehow got out. Wooyoung's hands were sneaking closer, gliding up the legs of Hongjoong's pants and to his knees. He balanced himself on them, peering up at the squirming vampire. The effect of his face, his handsome grin were too strong and Hongjoong easily drowned in his pull.

Idle fingers caressed over his knees. Wooyoung acted coy, as if he were so hard to get despite proposing it in the first place.

"Well, I want you to find your vampire and be at peace, no more, no less," he promised, caring more about Hongjoong than he ever could have hoped. Mingi definitely didn't care as much about his goals. Was the difference the vampirism? Or was Wooyoung just that kind-hearted?

"However," Wooyoung continued with a sly grin as he easily tugged Hongjoong's knees open. They parted trustingly, allowing Wooyoung to shuffle up beneath them until his shoulders filled the space between Hongjoong's legs and he could hover close. Feeling his warm body against his thighs, witnessing that playful grin kneeling below him, it filled Hongjoong's mind with inappropriate thoughts. He fidgeted, glad he couldn't blush anymore because his face would be burning red right now otherwise. Completely inexperienced in matters of genuine romance, Hongjoong always feared failing at any seduction in his life.

It worked with those strangers who helped him forget, but he could submit to desire then. With Wooyoung, it was different. It was chaotic and untamed like a summer storm. Hongjoong didn't know how to deal with these feelings, but he liked it. Liked how he didn't have to fear for Wooyoung since he was a vampire.

This might be the only chance he got at romance. Since anyone else might run from him if they found out about his secret.

Wooyoung's eyes peered up at him, reading the frazzled emotions from his face. When he leaned his head against Hongjoong's thigh to bat his lashes at him, it was so hard to resist him.

"I would never deny a kiss from a pretty boy. I like you, Hongjoong," he admitted and Hongjoong's thirst was forgotten. He had to clutch his hands before his lips to stifle an embarrassing noise and then kept them there because his face was being weird and making expressions he never made before.

Wooyoung snickered at him, calling him adorable with his eyes. He pushed himself up, leaning close, but only Hongjoong moving down to his level could unite them. Since he was insecure, Wooyoung left him the last step.

"So, what do you think?" He offered, waiting so patiently.

Hongjoong was sure he liked him too. This excitement in his chest, this nervosity; it was unlike anything he felt before. He felt alive. Seen. Wooyoung wasn't just a diversion. He was Hongjoong's sole friend in this world.

And he offered to be more.

Nervous fingers held on to each other for dear life. Hongjoong wasn't sure what was the right thing to do. Could he really get involved with Wooyoung before he knew Hongjoong was also a vampire? Surely, there wouldn't be a problem, right? Maybe Hongjoong should tell him first.

And he might have had the courage today. But Wooyoung's face was so close, his scent so sweet. It would be so easy to lean in and give him that kiss. To thank him for being with Hongjoong when nobody else was.

Hongjoong's focus waned. He was transfixed on Wooyoung's mouth, on the attractive smirk pulling on his lips. How would they feel under Hongjoong's? Soft? Firm? What of their taste?

Hongjoong's hands moved by themselves. They found Wooyoung's nape, settling there lightly as if Hongjoong had to keep him in place or else he might startle away. The draw between the two was magnetic, beyond Hongjoong's powers, even as a vampire in disguise.

He felt himself leaning in, ducking lower toward Wooyoung's expectant expression. He didn't rush Hongjoong, but he squeezed his thighs with his large palms as if to encourage him.

They were so close now. It would be so easy to just accept it. But Hongjoong was as if frozen in place.

So sweet, he smelled so sweet. He could just dip a bit lower. Trap Wooyoung with his legs since he submitted himself to Hongjoong already. Bite that long, veiny neck and suck it dry of its life force.

Hongjoong's gums hurt how they never hurt before. He felt the pressure of his teeth, the upper canines, which were sharp like razor blades in his mouth now. They tried to squeeze forth, would follow their instinct even when he had no idea how to do this.

The beat of Wooyoung's pulse had Hongjoong salivating. He felt his fingers tighten their grip, keep his prey pinned in place.

Bite, bite, bite!

With a jerk, Hongjoong brought himself away. He had to lift his hands from Wooyoung with force, unclenching the vise grip with effort. His hand came up to press against his lips, hiding his teeth. Terror consumed him.

He almost bit Wooyoung. Almost gave himself away. Did he see?

Hongjoong never hated himself so much.

"I-I can't. Sorry. It's not because of you, I just-" he stuttered as he curled up on his bed, helpless and frightened, and Wooyoung sighed. He stretched as he lifted to his feet.

"All good, I understand. Let's sleep, bonnie. Long day tomorrow," he offered with a smile, but he had to think he was the issue. That Hongjoong didn't want him.

Hongjoong wanted to kick himself. He withdrew in time, but he could never get that close again. He couldn't trust that hunger.

Though he mourned the opportunity he lost, he refused to endanger Wooyoung. Maybe he would understand. Hongjoong would apologise to him and explain everything soon.