Wooyoung never asked for children. In general, because he had no skills with them and found their slobbering, babbling, loud existence unbearable, but also because he wouldn't have any time to take care of a brat. Adventure called to him, always, and even when it didn't, he made money by scamming people. It was all too easy to get tangled with the wrong people or to be captured and thrown back into jail.

And yet here he was, babysitting the odd character that had become his new contractor.

Usually, Wooyoung dealt with seedy figures right off the street, with sailors intending to smuggle private ware through the ports or even nobles who wanted to hide their dirty little secrets. Wooyoung did the nasty work for the nasty people. He claimed no moral superiority, he merely claimed the money he got in return.

This fellow was different from any he worked for before. Miserable and someone with a fancy job at the same time. Jumpy like those who just committed the most dreadful of deeds and needed someone to hide the evidence. And foolish like all of them combined.

Something about him was off, however, and Wooyoung couldn't quite put his finger on it. When Hongjoong returned to him, washed up and freshly shaved, he looked younger and quite pretty, for a man. A bit pale, maybe, but that might just be the weather. He did go through a lot, coming up all the way from Oxford on foot.

But Wooyoung didn't get paid to snoop around the secrets of his employers. So he just beamed at him in greeting when Hongjoong appeared, still withdrawn between his shoulders but looking much more like a person.

"Looking good. Now, to shop?"

Hongjoong was about to follow him, but he withdrew from the door. Still nervous to show himself around other people. Wooyoung was more curious than ever about what he might be running from, but he wasn't one to ask questions. Instead, he tilted his head so Hongjoong would speak up.

"Should we... Take the ferry at night? It's better for you because of the sun, no?" He checked in, his voice a wince.

"Why? Oh. Aye, of course. We'll take the last one during sunset." Wooyoung kept being reminded that he was supposed to play a role. Vampires burnt in the sun. He needed to get that into his mind before he went frolicking during the day.

Nothing better than a covert roleplay with a bonnie during the night.

Relieved, Hongjoong invited him to the sitting room to waste some time. They dashed outside in the afternoon, once the clouds darkened the skies and rain thrummed on the cobblestones. Some vendors around sold clothing, nothing fancy like the rags on Hongjoong's boney shoulders, but proper clothing.

Wooyoung sacrificed himself to pick out some things. Subtle greys and browns so they wouldn't stand out. Hongjoong was a similar size as him, and Wooyoung also bought him a hat. Who knew who Hongjoong angered, but Wooyoung definitely couldn't be caught by the bobbies.

They returned to that old lady's home so Hongjoong could change and tell her his goodbyes. He seemed attached, and she offered him to come back after his business was dealt with. Depending on what he wanted from that vampire, he might be breathing his last breaths, but Wooyoung didn't mention that. He pocketed just one pendant from her jewellery box, insurance for his hard work.

Afterwards, they made their way to the harbour. The shadows of the evening shrouded them, hid their identities from any passersby. Wooyoung would miss the rural hominess of this place, but he also looked forward to making some good money in the city.

They paid the ferryman their fare and stood at the railing of the ship while they waited to depart. The wind tousled Wooyoung's hair and Hongjoong seemed mesmerised by the first twinkle of the stars. No one recognised them. Soon, the bells chimed as they departed and escaped into the night.

Since the journey to the mainland took a while, Wooyoung soon sat down to get comfortable. Hongjoong followed suit, copying him even when he was the one calling the shots and maybe working with him would be easier than ever. A little air head, he was. So easily convinced.

The ocean rushed around the ship cutting through the dark water. Other people were inside, sharing drink and music, but Wooyoung was content out there, looking to the horizon.

Hongjoong was fiddling with the strings on his clothing as he asked him a mumbled question.

"How do you deal with... the hunger?" He wondered and Wooyoung threw him a doubtful glance.

"I eat...?" He replied, unsure what quiz this was but certain that Hongjoong had a few screws loose up there. It came in Wooyoung's favour though, and his face was still pretty to look at, so he didn't complain.

"So you hunt animals for their blood?" Hongjoong deducted and once more, it dawned on Wooyoung. Right, Hongjoong was as curious and bewildered by vampires as he was. Wooyoung needed to give enough of an answer to assure him, but not go into too much detail since he knew a rat's ass about the blood suckers.

"Oh, you mean blood. Uhh, yeah, animals are enough for me. I wouldn't harm a person," he explained heroically. Did vampires even drink animal blood? Damfino. Wooyoung would just have to hope Hongjoong never ran into a proper vampire while they were together. As soon as he met that person he wanted, Wooyoung needed to escape with the money.

Easy for one like him.

"Right... You're a good person," Hongjoong muttered against his chest. The lantern above them threw shadows over his face, but hope and sorrow mixed in his eyes.

Invested, Wooyoung leaned back on his elbows, spreading out on deck.

"Am I?"

"Yes. You came to aid a stranger in need. Now you risk getting your secret exposed for me. I know you get paid, but still. It means a lot to me that you do this for me." Hongjoong shyly bit his lip in the dim light when he said it and Wooyoung couldn't help his smirk.

He didn't usually play with men. Preferred the softness and warmth of women. But Hongjoong was cute enough. His fidgeting adorable like that of an inexperienced country girl, and his features delicate enough that he could pass for a fae.

They would be stuck with each other for quite some time. No one would blame Wooyoung for having some fun.

"You're pretty charming when you say things like that, Mister Hongjoong. Tell me about yourself. You're from Oxford? Are you married there?" Wooyoung put that purr into his voice, that hint of something sultry. It was working, because Hongjoong didn't dare look at him anymore, not preaching any more praise. He was lonely and clearly didn't have too many friends back at home either if he didn't realise Wooyoung's slick tricks on him. How did no one else amuse themselves with that innocence?

He stared at Hongjoong from the side, enjoyed how he squirmed under his gaze. Wooyoung only pretended to be a vampire, but somehow he wanted to dig his teeth into this guy. Watch him kick and squirm.

An interesting new observation about himself, but not unwelcome.

"N-No. Not married. I only recently started my schooling to work as a teller in the counting house. It's good work; my parents are proud of me. But I ran into trouble, so now I have to find that vampire," Hongjoong babbled, easily spewing so much relevant personal information.

A banker. That meant good money. If Wooyoung cosied up to him, he might get more out of this than they agreed on initially. But his parents were around, so Wooyoung had to be careful not to become too friendly, or else those parents might realise he was a fraud. Hongjoong might have ties with some government workers who could get Wooyoung into trouble, but since he ran, he might be presumed missing.

What trouble with vampires could one have? Did he miscount one's money?

"I see. A diligent one," Wooyoung said instead, wise enough to keep his observations to himself. His fingers played with the rings adorning his hands, stolen goods of heavy silver he kept for an emergency. They always came in handy when he needed a quick alibi and could convince nearby women to help him out by whispering in their ears and slipping one of his rings over their fingers.

Or that one time when he took a married woman away from her husband upon her request, but that was another story. Dear Roselyn. She probably still thought about him. She offered to join him on his adventures, was ready to give up everything for a lawless life by his side.

As always, Wooyoung stole away during the night with some of her jewellery, never to be seen again.

Some might call him flighty, but Wooyoung would disagree. He knew a good deal, and he knew when to pack his bags. His skilamalink was honest once one knew the patterns.

"W-What about you? What do you do? You speak Gaelic, so you must be from here?" Hongjoong asked him and Wooyoung studied his face under his hat. The rounded eyes, the bow of his lips. He had small hands with short fingers that nervously played with the hem of his jacket, boyish yet clearly old enough to know what Wooyoung cheeky wink meant.

"You're a smart one. But nothing much to say about me. I am safe out here and I know the people. We trust one another," Wooyoung easily brushed off the topic. He belonged nowhere, really. One home becoming unsafe just meant he would find another. He had no attachment to any of them. Sure, his birthplace was Scotland, but that was as much nostalgia as he allowed himself. The house of his parents.

Hongjoong smiled at him, as if understanding why he wouldn't want to share. Naïve dimwit. But such an adorable one.

"About how you got turned-" He began, but the ring of the ship's bell interrupted him at Wooyoung's convenience. The sailors yelled orders to each other and Wooyoung lifted his eyes to the view of a port at night. Shining lights framed the streets and the ways to the nearest pub. The mainland bustled with life even at this time, whereas the Isle of Mull had already quietened down for the night when they departed.

A teller marched around the boat to inform the travellers of the protocol.

"We are docking, please stay away from the edges of the ship!" He called in a litany and Wooyoung hopped to his feet. He held out his hand for Hongjoong to take and his companion gladly accepted. His skin was kissed by the cold wind, but he didn't complain after gods knew how long he spent rolling around the dirt.

"Come on, time to get on land and find a lodge for the night," Wooyoung grinned at him with the promise of warmth. Food, a soft bed, an easy recipe for seduction. Hongjoong might not be aware he was attracted to Wooyoung, but Wooyoung could tell from his shy glances. Butter him up a bit and the coins would rain out of his pockets.

"The day, you mean," Hongjoong muttered and Wooyoung smoothly played it down as they stepped back from the railing until the ship had docked. Wooyoung could feel the shrimps and he was quick to escape them. The bustle of people getting off washed them along and they smoothly blended with the crowd to dip into the lively streets of the city. Wooyoung kept Hongjoong close, not about to let his savings go missing.

"Do you know your way around?" Hongjoong asked him, even when the people seemed to distract him. He looked at them with some yearning in his eyes, probably missing the life he had given up after that thing in Oxford happened. And he could go back to that life soon. As soon as Wooyoung emptied his pockets and ditched him without getting caught.

"Trust me," Wooyoung grinned as he wrapped his arm around Hongjoong's shoulders to keep him close. He noticed him stiffening in his arms, but he confidently led him through the alleys where the ladies of the night batted playful lashes at them, making poor banker Hongjoong blush and squirm.

"I know the best spots."