𝗆𝖺𝗋 @ccortisweb - Tumblr Blog

CRIMSON AFTER HOURS.

You're sent undercover with one goal: to prove that the recent string of murders is tied to a newly-opened bar that only opens after midnight—a bar meant for vampires. You managed to slip behind enemy lines while gathering evidence one drink at a time.

That's when you met him—the bartender, Nishimura Riki. A vampire who is too observant and dangerous for your own good. You know he sees through you. He knows you don't belonged here.

But instead of exposing or killing you, he chose silence and even aided you in your investigation. As nights blur together, trust forms but suspicion follows just as closely. Every lead pointed to him. Every instinct told you he's the one behind the murders.

Caught between duty and doubt, truth and deception, you're forced to confront the possibility that maybe, just maybe, the culprit was by your side the entire time.

word count: 21.8k

CONTENT: vampire! riki x human! detective fem! reader, set in the late 90s - early 20s, dark romance, blood, violence, thriller+mystery, explicit mature content, strangers to lovers (i guess), whiskey+blood play (trust me on this), unprotected sex, smoking, praise kink, degrading, major character death.

NOTE: banner cr goes to the amazing @yvampyr ! this fic had me ripping my hair out as i kept struggling on how to continue but hey, it's done so urm yes. i fear this isn't really my best work but oh well.

It was late at night but early in the morning—around one to two when your phone went off, rudely interrupting you from your much-needed sleep. Groaning, you pushed yourself up on your elbows, squinting through your half-lidded eyes as you blindly flailed your right arm about to grab your phone.

The device vigorously vibrated on the bedside stand on your right. It took you three minutes for you to grab it as you answered the call, putting it on speaker.

"Hello?" You croaked out, wincing at how hoarse and dry your voice sounds but the caller didn't care.

"(Name), we got another murder case on our hands. Come to the address I sent you," your friend and co-partner—Jake, said, not bothering with the pleasantries, jumping straight to the point.

His statement was enough to erase all ounce of sleepiness you felt in your body. You shot out of the bed, tripping over your feet as you scrambled to brush your teeth and wash your face.

You threw the first set of clothes your hands grabbed, not caring whether they were matching or not, snatching up your work bag that contained the proper equipment you need and dashed out of your house, slamming the door shut.

You hopped into your car and sped off, leaving nothing but a trail of dust and smoke behind in your wake.

It took you exactly fifteen minutes for you to arrive at the murder scene. Yellow tape was already set up, blocking off the area from the public. There were flashing red and blue lights bouncing off the damp pavement, painting the narrow alleyway in a harsh and uneven color.

As you stepped closer, the smell of metallic hits you—it was the pungent and all-too familiar smell of blood.

Bloodstains splattered everywhere, covering the two walls of the tall apartments. Some were on the floor while some landed on the nearby trash bins. There was also a long blood trail that started from further in the alleyway, like someone had tried—but failed, to crawl away.

The victim laid a few meters in, body covered by a thermal sheet that does nothing to hide the shape beneath it. One arm was twisted at an unnatural angle, fingers frozen in a half-clench, nails blackened with dried blood that doesn't belong to them.

You ducked under the tape, quickly flashing your badge to a man who attempted to stop you.

"Took you long enough. Forensics got here fast," Jake said, approaching you with a grim expression.

One look at his mismatched outfit told you he too, was asleep when he got the call. He stood near the edge of the alley, hands on his hips. His eyes tracked the scene like he was trying to memorize every detail at once.

"Too fast, if you asked me."

You followed his gaze. The forensic team was already hard at work—white suits carefully moving through the carnage, snapping pictures of every splatter and footprint. Someone was scraping samples from the wall into evidence bags. Another knelt beside the body, gloved hands gingerly lifting the victim's chin just enough to expose their neck.

And there it was—two puncture wounds. Clean and precise, similar to the previous three murder cases.

Your jaw tightened.

"No signs of struggling?" You questioned.

Jake shook his head. "Nope. The victim fought hard but not for long. Blood loss was massive. Whatever did this didn't rush."

A vampire.

The signs were there—forced entry, the lack of a weapon and the way blood sprayed everywhere, covering nearly the entire scene in the color red.

One of the forensic analysts glanced up. "We're finding traces of foreign blood being mixed in. It's not human blood."

That sentence confirmed everything you needed to know.

You crouched near the body, careful to not cross any marked boundaries as Jake observed from where he stood. The victim's face was pale, too pale, even when you accounted for the blood loss.

Their eyes were opened, glassy and staring at nothing. Fear was the last thing etched onto their expression before they became another unfortunate victim to a bloodthirsty creature.

Your partner sighed, frustrated. "This is the third one this month. Same method and same precision. I think we can confirm that it's done by the same person."

"And all of it took place in the same area," you murmured, eyes scanning your surroundings—the alleyway's exit, the nearby street and the security camera mounted uselessly over the bar two buildings down with its lens shattered.

The vampire didn't just kill. They planned for it.

You spent the next two to three hours gathering clues while discussing with the forensics and once you had gathered a decent amount of information, you decided to head home and catch up on your sleep. You headed back to where your car was parked with Jake following you, as you would be dropping him off at his place.

Only when the two of you got in was when you realized something that made you snorted out loud, earning a bemused look from him.

"What's so funny?" He asked.

You started the engine, hands on the steering wheel as you glanced down at his feet. "Didn't know you're the type to fuck with cute, fluffy dog slippers."

Jake let out an offended noise. "Hey! I got them at the store a few days ago and it was on a discount too!"

You rolled your eyes as your lips curled up in a faint, amused smile as you drove off. "I will never understand your obsession with these fluffy dog slippers. Also, did you not realized you wore them to a murder scene?"

"…Shut up and just drive."

~

The next day, you headed to one of the many meeting rooms in headquarters, ready to discuss about the results you had received from the latest murder scene. You were the last to arrive and someone else was also there.

The two men, who were deep in discussion, looked up at the sound of the door being pushed opened and they greeted you with matching smiles on their faces.

"Well well, look who's finally here. About time you show up," Jake called out in lieu of a greeting as you placed your laptop and bag down on the table, ungracefully plopping down on your seat.

"Shut up, it's too early for this," you groaned, rubbing your temples with your eyebrows furrowed.

"Alright Ms Grumpy Pants, we got work to do," the other man—Heeseung who's you and Jake's superior, sighed as he stood up.

He moved to where his opened laptop was, tapping the spacebar button twice and the screen behind him came to life. It showed the same few things you had seen before—pictures of the victims' dead and still bodies.

Jake sat across from you, leaning back in his seat as he absentmindedly spun a pen between his right index and middle fingers, clicking his tongue as Heeseung moved to the next slide.

The screen now shows close-ups of puncture wounds on their necks. They were always at the same spots, almost like the vampire had took the time to measure the distance before sinking their fangs in. The area around the two marks was perfectly clean and untouched. Whoever did this knew how and where exactly to bite.

"The angles are consistent," Jake informed, pointing at the images with his pen. "It has the same height difference. Same pressure points and even the same feeding time."

"I guess they're following the concept of consistency is key," you retorted, causing Heeseung to roll his eyes at how you had the mood to crack a joke despite you being cranky.

The next slide appeared, reflecting the blood analysis reports. Columns of data filled the screen—iron saturation levels far beyond human norms, traces of vampire blood mingling with the victims'. Among the data provided, one line was highlighted in red in all of the columns.

"And now we know it's the same vampire," your partner continued.

Heeseung hummed, slowly nodding his head with his lips pursed. "Which means this isn't random. They planned this.But we don't know how long they had been planning."

He pressed forward, now showing a city map replacing the photos. Red markers lit up the screen—four murders that was spread across different districts. At first glance, one won't think much of it. But as time goes on, with more and more innocent civilians falling victim, a pattern was starting to emerge.

Heeseung zoomed in by using the mouse, drawing a faint circle around the locations where the past murders took place.

"All of them fall within a three-kilometer radius. And it takes place late at night, mostly between midnight to five in the morning, before the sun rises. The murderer kills them at places with low foot traffic and poor surveillance, making it the perfect areas for him to kill without getting noticed."

That's when you noticed something that you weren't aware of, until now. "Wait, can you zoom in?"

Heeseung glanced at you, bemused but does as he was told. He zoomed in until you stopped him. You had to stand from your seat, moving towards the screen and pointed at a spot. It was in the middle and within walking distance of all of the crime scenes.

"Is there something here?" You asked, tapping twice on the spot where your finger lays.

Jake glanced at the copy of his own slides, furrowing his eyebrows before he spoke up. "Yea, it's a bar. It opened six months ago, same time period as the first body."

Heeseung's eyes widened in realization, like he had connected the dots together. "Any direct evidence tying the bar to the murders?"

"Nothing so far. We don't have footage or witnesses we can talk to. Every time we went there, people either didn't see anything or suddenly remember nothing," Jake admitted, faint frustration seeping into his voice.

You turned, looking at the two with your finger still on the screen. "That's enough to say something, doesn't it?"

Heeseung nodded in agreement, like he was able to read your mind. "Which is why we're changing tactics."

"What?" Jake blinked, not following.

Your superior turned to you, gaze locked onto yours. "You will be going undercover and your mission is to collect evidence that will show the bar is connected to the murders."

"Have you lost your mind!? That's dangerous! And you're sending her in alone!?" Jake exclaimed, his sudden outburst made you flinched, startled.

Before Heeseung could reply, you were quick to jump in. "Jake, I can take care of myself. I'm not some damsel in distress that needs saving."

"Yes, I know that with how you kicked me many times but this is different," he snapped and continued, cutting you off. "This bar isn't just like any other regular bar out there."

You frowned. "Get straight to the point."

Jake sighed, running a hand through his hair. "The bar is strictly for vampires. It's a vampire bar."

~

On the outside, it looked ordinary—like any other regular bar you had been to before.

No neon sign. No line and no noise spilling onto the street. Just a dark storefront tucked between two closed businesses. Its windows was tinted so heavily that they reflected the city instead of revealing what's hidden on the other side. If this was any other regular day, you would have walked past it without sparing it a second glance.

But here you are, at one in the morning, when you should be all cozied up in your warm bed.

Standing by the closed door, you fiddled with the hem of your jacket where your badge was removed but instead, where your weapon was, hidden from the public's view. Your heart was pounding against your ribcage. You weren't nervous. At least, that's what you told yourself.

After all, you were about to step foot into an unknown territory.

You pushed the door open and the world shifted the moment you entered, the door closing behind you, shutting you out from the outside world.

Red lights flooded your vision—deep crimson hues bleeding into every surface available. The walls and ceiling. Everything around you was bathed in a low, dimly lit red hue. Jazz music played in the background—slow, heavy and rich. The scent hits next—iron, smoke, whiskey and blood.

You took one scan of your surroundings, noting how every table was occupied. Some sat alone. Some were with their significant others while some were in groups, chatting, laughing and drinking away to their hearts content.

The number of pax doesn't mattered, not when all of their eyes glowed faintly in the dark, every movement they made was too fluid and smooth to be considered human.

Vampires.

A few glanced up as you entered. Not with curiosity but with assessment and calculation.

They were watching you—knowing you don't belonged here and was waiting for the right time to make their move. You forced your breathing to remain steady as you moved forward, heading to the bar counter situated on your left.

It stretched across the room in polished black marble, back-lit shelves glowing red with rows of bottles put on display. Some were labeled and some weren't, containing liquids that are definitely not alcohol.

And behind the counter, with his back facing you, was someone who works here. Someone whose profile stood out to you the most when you were doing your digging.

Nishimura Riki—the name of the bartender of the bar you're currently at.

The moment you sat down, he turned while holding a empty glass in his hands as he wiped it down. At first glance, he looked human. Too human. Abyssal-black hair except for a small portion, looking more like a beam of moonlight that perfectly fell over his eyes. His sleeves was rolled up just enough to expose his forearms.

The black buttoned-down shirt he wore hugged his frame nicely and just right, outlining his muscles. A pair of black-framed glasses rested on the bridge of his nose.

His eyes lifted and locked onto yours. The world seemed to closed in on you at that moment. The noise dulled with the music fading into the background until it became static in your ears. His gaze was sharp, assessing and unnervingly calm.

You felt it—the way he observed you without suspicion, but with curiosity and something else. Something that shouldn't happened this early on. When he barely knew you. When the two of you are just nothing but complete strangers.

Recognition.

As much as you were tempted to turn around and walked out of the bar, you couldn't. Not when you were here for a mission. Hence, you forced yourself to sit in front of him, able to feel his eyes tracking every movement, gaze unblinking.

You didn't say a thing first, letting your eyes aimlessly drifted about as you take in the view, fully aware with how he was still looking at you, like he had never seen a human before.

Well, maybe not a human who willingly stepped into a vampires bar.

He set the glass down on the polished, sleek and wooden surface of the table, giving you his fullest attention with a white, damp towel that he uses to dry his hands.

Red lights cut across his face in streaks, further sharpening his features. You caught the way his eyes glowed faintly—reminding you what he is and how he wasn't afraid to show it to you. You knew what he was doing and when you showed no ounce of fear, calmly and bravely meeting his gaze, he smirked; impressed.

You weren't sure why the sight of that made your heart fluttered but you shoved the ridiculous thought out of your mind, forcing yourself to focus.

"So, what will it be?" He asked, voice low, velvety smooth and it even has the perfect amount of roughness that made a small part of you wondered how it would sound in a completely different situation.

Clearing your throat, you did a quick scan of the menu behind him, eyes skimming through the list of drinks until a familiar name caught your attention. You can only hoped it doesn't have human blood in it.

"I'd get a Sex on the Beach," you said, voice firm and calm, like you know what you want.

For his record, Riki didn't show any ounce of reaction at your order, merely nodding as he prepared your drink. You watched as he grabbed a tall and slim glass, filled it with a generous amount of ice. He didn't look at the labels of the bottles he grabbed, adding in vodka and peach schnapps without measuring, going with his guts.

He then added in orange and cranberry juice—the two colors of red and orange mixing together, creating a mesmerizing and gorgeous combination. Under the red lights however, it came off as purely red to you.

The vampire added the final touch in the form of placing two cherries on top, letting it float on the surface, along with a slice of orange that hung on the rim of the glass.

He even added a plastic, transparent straw and slid it towards you. "Here you go."

You blinked, eyes darting between him and your drink. "…That's fast."

The bartender raised an eyebrow, cocking his head to the side. Something akin to amusement glimmered in his eyes. "You ordered the easiest drink."

You crossed your arms, maintaining eye contact with him. "Are you insulting one of your customers right now? God forbid me from ordering something simple."

Riki stared at you and the barked out a laugh, earning the attention of the customers seated near you. But they were quick to return to minding their businesses, chatting among themselves.

Riki leaned forward, resting his left arm on the counter. Shivers ran down your spine at how his lips curled upward in a slow, deliberate sly and knowing grin, like he knows something you don't.

"So what if I am? I know what you're really here for, human," he purred, voice low but audible enough for your ears to pick up.

Your body stiffened up, invisible alarm bells going off in your mind. Out of everything you expected, you didn't foresee yourself getting exposed this early in your mission.

Not when you had barely gathered any form of information yet. Not when all you did was to enter the bar, sat down, ordered a drink while trying not to lose your mind.

But, Riki had managed to outsmart you, with how he was able to easily reveal your true identity without batting an eye.

Surprise must have shown on your face with how his grin widened, knowing he had caught you red-handed and how he had hit bullseye. Instead of doing anything that you thought he would do—like telling the rest of the bar or causing a scene, he merely straightened himself, removing his elbow from the counter and tossed the damp towel over his right shoulder.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, detective. Your secret's safe with me. In the meantime, drink's on the house," he paused for a second before he continued, "hope you enjoy the night."

And just like that, he disappeared backdoor without waiting for your response, leaving you there— seated by the bar counter, rendered speechless as you wondered just how were you going to tell Heeseung that your cover had already been blown.

Once Riki was out of your sights, you spent the next fifteen minutes taking slow sips from your cocktail, savoring the bitterness of the vodka and sweetness from the fruit juices mixed together, creating a rather flavorful combination.

You let it sat on your tongue before swallowing it, feeling the smooth liquids sliding down your throat.

You let your eyes roamed the bar, jumping from one face to another. The weapon wasn't the only thing you had brought with you. You didn't want to let the night go to waste as you pulled out a small notebook and a pen that was hidden in the breast pocket of your jacket.

You finished the rest of your drink, fishing out a few notes as you left it on the counter, despite how Riki had mentioned it was on the house.

You didn't want to make him think you will be owning him—a vampire, in the future.

Getting out of your seat, you approached the nearest table where there was only a woman there as she sipped her drink while looking at nothing. You chose her out of everyone else, praying she was someone easy to talk to. Well, someone who won't go on a rampage when a human is near them.

"Uh, excuse me, Mam? Would you mind if I were to ask you a few questions?" You called out to her, holding your notebook and pen before you, like those two items would be able to shield you from any danger.

The vampire turned to you, flashing you a warm and friendly smile as she gestured for you take a seat. The sight of it startled you, as you were mentally prepared to receive anything but a welcoming smile, like she was part of the customer service staff and you were a curious customer. Nonetheless, you obliged and sat across from her.

"So, what do you wanna ask?" The woman—vampire, asked, genuine curiosity seeping into her voice.

You spun the pen in your left hand as you chewed on your bottom lip. "Have you noticed anything weird or suspicious for the past few months?" You questioned.

She chewed on the tip of her straw, eyebrows furrowed in deep thought as she pondered over your question. "Not really, but I've seen some people walked into alleyways, only for them to never come out again."

That caught your attention. You quickly jotted it down in bullet-point format. "Never come out again?" You repeated. "Have you seen it before with your own eyes?"

She shook her head. "No, but that's what the others on the streets are saying."

You nodded, jotting that down as well. "I see. Then, what do you know about the bartender who works here?"

The other paused, owlishly blinking at you before she playfully wriggled her eyebrows and you could feel an impending wave of dreadness heading your way.

"What's this? Are you another fan of Riki?" She teased, unable to hold back her laughter at how you physically recoiled, like her words had damaged you.

"What? NO!" You exclaimed, unable to control yourself.

Your sudden outburst caused the nearby vampires to glance your way before looking away, leaving you sitting there, face as red as a tomato as you tightened your grip around your pen until your knuckles turned white. You didn't know why but the thought of being a fan of Riki made you sick to the core.

However, your reaction only egged her further. She rested her chin on the palm of her left hand and chuckled, dismissively waving off your words with her right hand.

"Rightttt," she drawled, obviously not buying your words. "But, don't worry. I won't tell anyone. Good luck trying to get him to notice you, though. I've seen many girls foolishly shooting their shots, only for them to get rejected. I won't try it if I were you. Riki's a hard person to crack."

You scrunched your nose in both disgust and horror. "I'm not a fan of him. First of all, I barely know anything about him. I only know he's an asshole."

Your last sentence was a lie but no one needs to know that. The sooner you gathered as much information as you could, the sooner you could go home and sleep.

The woman hummed as she slowly nodded her head. "That's what everyone says here, darling. If you're curious, I can tell you a few things about Riki."

As much as you wanted to say no and just leave, you couldn't. Not when Riki is your main suspect of the investigation, leaving you no choice but to resign to your fate. Internally sighing, you nodded and gestured for her to start speaking.

The vampire giggled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "You're pretty so allow me to help a girl out. Girl-to-girl talk."

You merely stared at her, impatiently waiting for her to get straight to the point. You knew better than to convince her that you weren't a fan of Riki as that had made you avoided any form of suspicions about your identity. The lesser they knew, the better it is for you.

She playfully her cheeks at the lack of reaction. "Jeez, you're no fun. But fine, I'll tell you," she leaned forward, lowering her voice, like she was about to whisper a sacred secret to you.

You had to lean forward as well until you were on the edge of your seat, pen already poised, ready to jot down whatever she was about to say.

She raised her index finger, like she had a made a list in her mind. "Firstly, Riki joined the bar six months ago."

Six months ago… That's also when the first murder was reported…

You wrote it down in another line and the woman continued, elaborating her point.

"I don't know if you know this but, the owner of the bar isn't around most of the time. He has his own business to handle and this bar? It's more of a side hustle to him, something he started because he was bored. He ended up passing the ownership to Riki so he's techinally the boss now," she explained.

So there's someone else behind this. Whoever they are, are they an accomplice of Riki?

You wrote it down in cursive handwriting—a handwriting only you could decipher.

"Secondly, Riki doesn't drink."

You paused, not raising your head.

"He serves, pours and smells it. But he never, ever feeds here. Not on humans or regulars. I'm a regular myself but I've never once seen him took blood inside the walls of the bar," she explained.

That doesn't sit right with you. A vampire bartender who doesn't feed in a place where blood was readily available felt deliberate. Controlled. Either he had incredible self-control or he was hiding something.

You jotted it down and even underlined it, highlighting the importance of the newly-discovered information.

"Thirdly, every time something bad happens, like when another body was discovered, Riki isn't here," she whispered until only you were able to hear it.

Chills ran down your spine.

"He's always not at work. Always gone after three in the morning. He's always gone for exactly four hours. And when he comes back the next day? He looks clean and different. Like he went somewhere else and returned."

You tightened your grip around your pen, forcing yourself to finish writing it. When you were done, you stared at what you had wrote.

Patterns, intentional absences and precision.

You numbly thanked her, closing your notebook and tucking it into your breast pocket as you got out of the seat, heading to the door. Countless thoughts were already running through your mind at the speed of light as you found yourself starting to spiral.

Riki wasn't just connected to the murders. He was orbiting around it—close enough to feel the inevitable but distant enough to remain untouched. And that alone made him far more dangerous than a monster who left blood behind.

For once in your life, as someone who had solved cases deemed to be impossible and been in far more dangerous situations than this, you were nervous. Nervous of what you would encounter during your current mission. Nervous of what Riki would do.

You knew that when he discovered your identity within the span of five minutes after he had seen you, this was just the tip of the iceberg.

~

The next day, you were the first to arrive—a rare sighting for Jake and Heeseung, who came in an hour later. Only for them to see you already waiting for them in the meeting room, with your finished breakfast that was discarded to the side.

They shared a bewildered look and Jake rubbed his eyes, furiously blinking them, thinking he was seeing things.

"Who are you and what have you done to (Name)? The (Name) I know doesn't come to work at," Jake paused, raising his left wrist to look at his watch, "seven in the morning."

You let out a long and heavy sigh. "Trust me, I didn't want to be here either but I got some information that might be helpful for the case."

That caught the two's interest. They were quick to settle down and you spoke up once their eyes were on you, giving you their fullest attention. You pulled out the notebook you brought with you, flipping to the page where you had scribbled down.

"I've managed to ask around the bar and according to a witness, she mentioned that Riki joined the bar six months ago," you started off, pointedly leaving out the fact that your identity was exposed by him.

You didn't want Heeseung to pull you out of the investigation, knowing how protective he can be when it comes to you.

Your partner's eyes widened, making him resemblance a startled golden retriever as recognition flickered across his face. "Six months ago? Isn't that the—"

"—the day when the first murder case was reported? Yes, you're right. That alone is already suspicious. But here's where it gets interesting," you finished for him.

"Riki doesn't drink."

You paused to let the words sink in. The two men glanced at one another again and this time, Heeseung was the first to speak up.

"Huh? What do you mean, 'he doesn't drink?" How is that possible?" Your superior asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"The witness wasn't lying. She's a regular at the bar and she had been there longer than Riki. According to her, she stated that Riki doesn't drink from humans or blood bags. It's either he has good self-control or he's hiding something," you replied.

Jake snorted, leaning back into his seat. "Him? Having good self-control? Yea right, like I believe that. I don't know about you, but you can't trust vampires."

Heeseung slowly nodded his head, pondering. "I have to agree with him. But if what she's telling is the truth, then there's a possibility he's hiding something."

Nodding, you continued, eyes darting down to read out the final point.

"Lastly, he's always gone after three in the morning. When he came in the next day, she mentioned that he had became a different person."

"The fuck does that mean? What did she mean by became a different person? Is she referring to his appearance or?" Jake inquired, bemused.

"No clue and that's all I have," you shook your head and closed your notebook, hands loosely crossed across your chest.

Heeseung hummed, something akin to approval glimmered in his eyes. "Well, I think you should continue visiting the bar for the next two months."

Both you and Jake had different reactions at his words.

"What?"

"Hyung! We talked about this!"

Heeseung shot the younger a warning glare, making him shrink into himself, acting like a puppy that got caught red-handed for chewing on the owner's shoes without him knowing. Your superior turned to you, a rare and unusual serious expression appearing on his face, like he was interviewing you for your job interview.

"(Name), you're the only one I can trust to accomplish this mission without failing," he said, unaware of the wave of guilt and shame that hits you when you heard it.

You wanted to tell him but how do you even do that? Surely you couldn't just go, "Oh right, I forgot to mention but Riki already knew I went there undercover but he didn't kill me yet. So the mission's still ongoing."

You knew both Heeseung and Jake would flipped the moment they heard it. Instead, you made the wiser choice of simply nodding while keeping your lips sealed shut. Once the meeting ended, it was close to lunchtime—your favorite time of the day.

It's a routine for the three of you to head out together but Heeseung had another meeting to attend, much to his annoyance. Jake, being the kind-hearted man he is, agreed to help Heeseung buy lunch and the two of you were out.

"To the usual spot?" He asked.

"You don't even need to ask," you answered without missing a beat, grinning at how his eyes animatedly lit up, like he was a real-life cartoon character.

You two walked from headquarters to the restaurant that was located a few blocks away, chatting and laughing along the way. It was a Japanese ramen restaurant, a place that held special memories for you.

As expected, it was packed with people and it was a struggle searching for vacant tables and chairs. Thankfully, a couple was getting ready to leave after you stood around, letting you and Jake take over instead.

No menu was provided as the restaurant only sells and serves one dish—Chasu Ramen, along with some options for side drinks and drinks. Of course, there were also options to add more noodles, eggs or anything else but the most of the time, the portion was generous enough to be eaten on its own.

You placed your order, helping Jake and Heeseung's—for takeaway, to order as well and even ordering a plate of Gyoza and two cups of Iced Lemon Tea to be shared between the two of you.

"Man, I remembered bringing you here on your first day and you were so shy back then," your partner randomly commented, letting out what sounded like a nostalgic sigh.

You shot him a weird, judgmental look. "Are you alright? Did the old age get to you?"

Jake's jaw dropped, shooting you an incredulous look. "Hey! I'm only two years older than you! I'm not like Heeseung hyung."

You snickered, resting your chin on the palm of your right hand. "Yeah yeah, and I'm telling him you called him old."

"Betrayal from someone who I considered as one of my closest friends," Jake dramatically sighed, resting a hand on his chest.

You merely snorted and at that moment, your food has arrived. The fragrance of the noodles that had soaked up the flavorful broth made your mouth watered. You wasted no time in digging in, practically shoving it down your throat, acting like a famished wolf. Jake, on the other hand, stared at you with a mixture of disbelief and horror.

"Damn, you're starting to make me wonder if we ever get paid at all," he commented, yelping when you delivered a rough kick to his left ankle underneath the table.

"Shut up and eat," you warned him, causing him to nervously gulped.

"Yes, mam."

The two of you ate in silence, both too hungry to converse with one another and then, you felt something in the air shifted. Like a certain someone had entered the restaurant. Someone who wasn't supposed to be here in the first place—blending in and pretending like they were part of the human society. Someone who is not human.

Everyone, even Jake, around you minded their business, completely unaware of how someone who is the main suspect of the horrifying series of murder cases was now in the same room as them, breathing in the same air as well.

You continued eating but your pace was way slower, as compared to before. It was only when a shadow moved past you without stopping was when you felt something being slide into the pocket of your jacket you were wearing.

Your eyes darted up and you choked on your half-chewed noodles at the sight of none other than Nishimura Riki—the vampire venturing further into the restaurant with an unfamiliar man.

You tracked their movements with your eyes, watching as they sat by an empty table. From where you were, you could get a clear view of the vampire's face without anyone blocking you off.

No one else knew that someone, who is the prime suspect of the murder cases, was now close to them. No one else other than you knew. Jake paused mid-chew, looking up from his bowl with a worried expression.

"Everything alright? You look like you've seen a ghost," he pointed out, oblivious to how Riki made eye contact with you, well-hidden and in Jake's blind spot.

Riki arched an eyebrow—the eyebrow that has an eyebrow slit when you continued staring at him, like you were a secret admirer of his. The thought of that was enough to shake you back to reality as you looked away, hating how you could still see him in your sights and how amused he was with your reaction.

"I…" Your voice trailed off, unsure if you should tell him but you decided not to for reasons you couldn't explained or make sense of. "I'm fine, don't worry about it."

Jake eyes you warily, obviously not buying your lie but he didn't prod further. When it was time for you to leave, you pointedly avoided the vampire's gaze that followed you. It was only when you stepped out was when your shoulders loosened, finally able to breathe without feeling suffocated.

You shoved your hands into the pockets of your jacket, fingers brushing against something smooth in your right pocket.

Curious, you pulled it out, revealing a neatly folded piece of paper. You unfolded it while slowing down your steps from Jake, who had answered a call.

Whoever the caller was, they seemed to be someone important, with how he straightened himself and was talking more politely—something he only does when he's around Heeseung or your boss.

Rolling your eyes, you noticed a short and simple handwritten message:

Meet me at the bar at 8.30pm tonight. There's something I want to discuss with you.

No initials was left behind. Not that it was needed in the first place. After all, there was only one person who would write such a straightforward message. You tucked it back into your pocket, fingers crushing it into a paper ball and left it there, quickening your pace to catch up with Jake.

You weren't sure why but your instincts was telling you that whatever the sender wants to discuss, it was something bad and grave.

~

The rest of the day passed in a blink of an eye, with you actually working and being productive. However, the note was already implanted in the back of your mind. You couldn't stopped thinking about it, like it was an annoying mosquito that won't leave you alone.

It was a sheer miracle that you managed to get through the day. You left work on the dot, as there wasn't anything urgent required to be submitted or requested, much to your relief.

You went home, took a shower and made a simple dinner for yourself. By the time you were done, it was close to eight, meaning you only have thirty minutes left before you have to meet with the mysterious sender.

You grabbed your weapon, hiding it beneath the barricades of your clothes, grabbed your notebook and pen before heading out, locking the door behind you.

It didn't take you long to arrive at the bar. You paused when you recognized the 'PAUSED' sign hanging on the front door, making you frowned.

"Uh, hello? We're not opened yet."

An unfamiliar male voice spoke up, making you flinched as you spun around, nearly pulling out your weapon. Only for you to pause when you realized it was the man from before—

He's the guy from before.

The man blinked once. Twice. "What? Do I know you?"

Heat crept up the back of your neck when realization hits you that you had said it out loud instead of keeping it to yourself. You opened your mouth, about to say something, anything but he beat you to it.

"Oh, you're the one Riki mentioned earlier," he casually said and that made you felt unsettled.

You defensively crossed your arms, raising your chin slightly higher. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, don't worry about it," he waved off your words and concern, although that didn't make you feel any better.

"You can head in first. Unless you want to stand outside then be my guest," he jutted at the door behind you.

You glanced behind you and then back to him. "Isn't the door locked?"

"No, it's not. Did you try to push it open in the first place?"

You didn't dare to answer him, knowing you didn't. You silently headed to the door, giving it a gentle push and true enough, the door wasn't locked. You swore you heard a faint amused chuckle behind you as he entered as well before heading to the back area, leaving you alone. This was the first time you were seeing the bar before opening hours.

Vacant tables with chairs being placed on it, making the bar looked more spacious than it already was. Your ears registered a pair of slow and heavy footsteps heading your way from you right, causing you to turn towards the direction and there he was. He carried himself with nothing but confidence, demanding for attention without saying it out loud.

Your eyes drifted from head to toe, noting how he wasn't dressed in the standard uniform. Instead, he wore a white inner buttoned-up shirt with a brown vest donned over it. The sleeves were rolled up, neatly folded around his elbows to reveal a delicious pair of lower arms.

A long, slim black pair of pants covered his long legs, making him looked taller than usual. Your eyes trailed off, lingering longer than usual on the familiar glasses that was perched on the bridge of his nose. Multiple silver studs covered both of his ears.

You hate to admit it but he is good-looking.

"Done staring?"

Your eyes snapped up, meeting Riki's signature and quite frankly, infuriating smug and cocky look, like he knew you were checking him out. You scowled, attempting to regain some of your remaining self-dignity, despite the fact that you were caught red-handed.

"I wasn't staring," you fired back.

"Right, sure you weren't."

The vampire chuckled, already turning while beckoning for you to follow him with the two fingers gesture. You hated how he made such a simple and plain-looking gesture looked attractive. You obliged, leaving at least three steps between you as he brought you to a private room located further back into the bar.

He stopped before a closed, sleek and neat-looking door, opening it as he moved to the side, with one hand out. "Ladies first."

"Wow, such a gentleman. Didn't know vampires have manners," you sarcastically said but he didn't take the bait, merely waiting.

The room was dimly lit, a mixture of orange and yellow lights covering the inside. There was two long couches occupying both sides of the room. A square and short table was situated in the middle.

You took your seat on the couch on your right while Riki sat opposite of you. Unlike you—who was all tense and would flee at the first sight of danger, the bartender was laid-back.

He leaned back into the soft, comfortable cushion behind him, one arm thrown onto the back of the couch with his legs stretched out.

At first, none of you said a word with you letting your eyes roamed about while Riki stared at you, a predatory glint in his eyes.

"I have to admit, I'm surprised you actually came," he started off, voice low and smooth.

"And as far as I'm aware, there wasn't an option for me to say no," you retorted, fingers fiddling with the hem of your jacket. "So start talking. Stop wasting my time, Nishimura."

He faintly smiled, amused. "Straight to the point. I like that."

His words or praise sent shivers down your spine. You could feel your body heating up too and you chose to blame it on the temperature in the room, despite how the air-conditioner was turned on. He cocked his head to the side, eyes still on you—intense, firm and unwavering, to the point that it was enough to make you squirmed about on the couch.

You weren't sure why but something about his gaze felt like he was able to read your mind and thoughts, diving into the deepest and darkest corners, tearing you down, bit by bit to find out who you really are as a person.

"I do. But, there's something I need to know first."

You raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"

Riki shifted, leaning forward with his elbows now on his upper thighs, fingers intertwined together before him. "Are you here as an investigator or as someone who still doesn't know what they're looking for?"

Your blood ran cold as you struggled to meet his eyes. "Those aren't mutually exclusive."

He softly laughed, returning to his previous position. "Fine, you got me there. Moving on, what you're chasing is a pattern. Dates and locations. You're thinking if you stack enough facts together, the truth will eventually come to you."

You remained silent, listening.

"But monsters like me," he continued, tapping his fingers on his knee at a slow, steady rhythm, like he was talking about something as casual as the weather. Like he wasn't talking about innocent people getting murdered, "we don't always neatly fit into your reports."

You hummed, readjusting your position. "So what I'm getting is, you're calling yourself a monster now?"

"No, I'm calling myself honest. And you humans always prefer it when someone's being honest, don't you?" He fired back, a sly grin on his face.

Something about the grin and his words made your stomach flipped, in nervousness. You cleared your throat, deciding to grab hold of the conversation before it was completely out of your range and control.

"You didn't bring me here to act like a therapist. What do you know about the murders?" You questioned, slipping into your work mode.

"I know they're being careful," he replied without missing a beat, making your jaw tightened at how easily he answered you.

"They don't rush or feed for pleasure. And they don't leave evidence behind, making it the perfect crime," he continued, effortlessly listing them, like he had thought of this, preparing what to say.

Like he had rehearsed for this.

"And how would you know that?" You asked.

He stared at you and smiled but it didn't reach the look in his eyes. "Simple. Because if it was me, I would've done the same."

You stared at him, trying to decipher his vague but seemingly straightforward answers. You knew Riki was playing a game with you, trying to make you doubt him and your current investigation. Whatever he was doing, he was doing a great job.

"But you're not," you quietly said, sounding like you were surrendering to him, like you had just admitted the vampire right before you isn't connected to the cases.

At least, that's what he wants you to think.

"No. If I was the one behind it, you won't be doubting yourself right now," he murmured.

A chill crept up your spine and goosebumps formed on your skin.

Riki leaned forward, still murmuring to you—like the things he wants to say is a secret meant for just the two of you. "Someone's using restraint to camouflage themselves. Blending in to make themselves looked like a vampire."

You narrowed your eyes, now deeply conflicted. You didn't know if you should trust him, should take his words to heart or not.

"Why are you telling me all of this? What are you trying to do?"

Riki's eyes flicked down to your fingers that was busy tracing the hem of your jacket before back to your face. "Because you're looking at the wrong vampire. And the one you're supposed to be looking for, is watching you."

The room felt smaller now, like the walls were growing in on you. You stood up, unable to tolerate another second being in the same room as him.

"And why should I trust you?"

Riki smiled and to you, it was completely unreadable.

"Because if I wanted to kill you, you would've died on the day we first met."

You left the room without saying anything else, the door automatically closing behind you. You then realized that the bar was already opened.

The chairs that were stacked on top of the table was now placed on the floor. It wasn't crowded yet, with only a few vampires spread across the bar as they drank a familiar dark red liquid that you knew it was blood.

You pointedly avoided eye contact with anyone, making it your goal to leave without getting noticed. You were so close to the door when someone called out to you, causing you to stop walking, back facing them.

Looking over your shoulder, you see a group of men—no more than five as they approached you with matching lewd grins, not even bothering to hide the way they shamelessly checked you out.

That was enough to make your stomach recoiled as you fully turned, hands resting by your sides while your fingers twitched, tempted to pull out your weapon. But the last thing you wanted was to cause a commotion in a public place.

"What?" You snapped, pure hostility evident in your voice.

One whistled while whispering something to his friend, who snickered without looking away from you. The ringleader—the man in the middle stepped forward, crossing your invisible boundary line and you boldly met his eyes, tilting your chin up, not showing any ounce of fear.

"What's a pretty thing like you doing here all alone, hm? Not to mention, your blood smells good," he cooed, reaching his hand out.

But before he could get any closer, you had slapped it away, like it had personally offended you and in a way, it did.

"Hands off, you fucker," you hissed, eyes blazing in anger and disgust.

But the man was unfazed, having the audacity to laugh in your face. It seemed like your reaction only spurred him further.

"Woah, someone's a little feisty. What? Did Nishimura not satisfy you at all? Poor thing, how about you let a real man handle you? Bet you'd sound go—"

SLAP!

Silence.

Everyone watched from their seats at how you had slapped the man on his right cheek. The sound was piercing loud, gaining everyone's attention.

The man's right cheek had turned red, the stinging pain lingering behind with his face turned to the side. His expression made him looked like he had been frozen in time—wide and dazed eyes in shock, like he couldn't believed you had slapped him in public.

His friends—minions, were the first to react.

"You bitch!" The same man who whispered something to his friend roared. He lunged at you, left arm thrown back with the intention of punching you.

However, you were faster and more agile.

Ducking, you stepped forward. You had a vice-like grip on the man's upper-arm and shoulder-blade. The size difference didn't faze you as you flipped him over your shoulder like he weighed nothing.

Slam!

The man landed on the polished floor of the bar loudly, flat on his back. It was a miracle there wasn't a crater left behind due to the impact. For a moment, everyone was silent and stilled, unable to believe what they were seeing.

And then, the rest except for the ringleader moved together.

You had no choice but to defend yourself—dodging and deflecting every attack thrown your way but you can only do this for so long. You weren't even aware that you were moving backward until your back hit the steady, smooth surface of the wall behind you. You glanced behind, cursing under your breath and that was all it took.

One of the man roughly kneed you in your stomach, drawing a pained wheeze from you. You bent over, hands instinctively clutching your sides. Another man grabbed your hair, harshly tugging you upward and the ringleader, having regained his composure, was now standing before you.

He sneered down at you as you glared at him, defiant and brave. "Women like you need to be taught a lesson on how to behave."

With that, he raised his right hand that was clenched into a fist. You couldn't do anything, not when you were cornered and how your body felt heavy, leaving you no choice but to squeeze your eyes shut, mentally bracing yourself for the incoming pain.

But, there was none.

"What's this? Fighting in my bar? You must be bored as fuck."

You opened your eyes, to see Riki standing behind the man who was about to punch you in the face. Riki was taller than all of them and he used his height to his advantage. The man turned, scowling and glaring at him.

"The fuck do you want? Can't you see we're busy here?" The man snapped.

"Oh, I can see that. But what I can also see is how you and little goons are harassing a woman, which you think it's fine when it's not," he paused, tightening his grip on the man's shoulder until his fingers were practically digging into the man's shoulder through the thin fabric of his shirt.

You watched as the man's expression became twisted as he struggled to push Riki away but it was futile. Riki was way stronger than he is, even when both are vampires. The ringleader's precious minions shared a look among themselves, nodding their heads in unison.

The man who previously kneed you in your stomach swung at Riki, only to be calmly blocked with his free hand without even glancing his way.

The bartender pursed his lips. "I think it's you guys that need to be taught a lesson," he said.

Two of them rushed at him and Riki moved.

It wasn't fast or frantic. But rather, it was smooth and controlled. He ducked under the first strike, pivoted on his heels and drove his elbow into another's man side, hard. The impact was sickening. He flew backwards, back roughly colliding against a wall as he slumped down, groaning and moaning in pain.

The second man barely had time to react when Riki grabbed him by the throat and proceeds to slam him against the wall—the very same wall where you're still being held against. Riki held him there, feet dangling inches off the ground and his eyes glowed a threatening shade of red—a warning.

"How sloppy. You sure you're vampires?" He commented, sounding almost utterly bored.

Riki released the man, who ungracefully toppled to the ground like it's dead weight. He turned to the other two minions, who made the wise choice of fleeing from the scene, invisible tail hidden between their legs as they abandoned everyone else, leaving only the ringleader, who was still standing.

Riki turned to the man and cocked his head to the side, still cool and collected, like he didn't just fought two vampires without breaking a sweat. The ringleader gulped and he stepped away, backing up until when he was far enough, he turned and fled, not caring about the fact that two of his men were still left behind.

The vampire sighed, rolling his shoulders like he had just woken up from a nap. He turned to you, features softening with his eyes returning to its usual color. Riki stepped closer until he was near you. He reached out but his hand dropped in the middle, like he wasn't sure if he had the permission to touch you or not.

You hated how you nearly made the choice for him—wanting to step closer and feel his hand on you.

"You alright?" He asked softly.

"..Yeah, I'm fine. I had it handled," you replied.

The bartender snorted, running a hand through his hair. The movement caused the rings wrapped around his long and slender fingers glowed, catching your eyes temporarily. You turned, ready to take a step forward, only to let out a wince when a wave of pain shot through your body.

Hearing this, Riki was instantly by your side, one hand on your shoulder while the other rested on the left side of your hips without hesitation, personal space temporarily forgotten.

"You're not fine. Come on, let me take a look at it," he murmured, catching the way you hesitated and how you wanted to come up with an excuse.

"Please."

You paused, taken aback at how he said the word 'please', like he was begging you to let him help you. The rational part of you was screaming no, you should leave unless you're asking to get killed. But the irrational part of you was saying you can take this chance to observe him closer, to see whether he's lying or not.

You looked at his eyes, which proved to be a big mistake with how he was giving you puppy eyes. He even went the extra mile by jutting his lip out in a pout. You felt your resolve trembled and it was washed down the drain.

"Fine, but don't do anything stupid or I'll kill you," you relented.

"Of course, detective. I won't dream of it," he replied, face brightening up as he led you to the back, bringing you to a room that has a sign hanging on the door which says 'STAFF ONLY.'

He pushed it opened, revealing what seemed like a private office. It was clean, neat and polished—something you didn't expect to find in a bar. There were many files located behind the chair and you made a mental note to check the room out during your next visit. Riki made you sat on the small single couch while he grabbed the first-aid kit from the table. He moved to stand in front of you before getting to his knees.

"I'm gonna need you to lift your shirt for me," he said, looking at you expectantly.

"In your dr—"

"You can't expect me to see your injury through your shirt. I may be a vampire but I don't have the ability to see through things," he cuts you off.

You scowled, hating how he was right. "..Fine, but I swear if you—"

"—do anything stupid, you'll kill me. Yeah yeah, I heard you the first time," he waves off your words.

You moved, shedding your jacket as you placed it on the armrest of the couch, leaving you in your loose, black shirt. You could feel Riki's eyes on you, watching as you gingerly grabbed the hem before lifting it up, until it was high enough to reveal the bruise and your stomach. Riki sharply inhaled, muttering a curse under his breath as he scooted closer to take a better look.

"Jeez, that looks ugly," he commented, reaching out to brush his fingers against the bruise, causing your stomach to sink into itself and a soft whimper to fall from your lips.

Both of you stilled.

None of you moved an inch. The room was so quiet that if you strained your ears, you could hear your own breathing. But vampires don't need to breathe, not when they were already dead in the first place. His fingers hovered in mid-air, brushing against the bruise. You looked up, only to end up making direct eye contact with him.

Goosebumps formed on your skin at how his eyes—not glowing red, had darkened a shade. How he looked like he was fighting himself, trying not to lose his control and mind. You nervously swallowed, tongue darting out to lick your lips.

Your action drew his attention. Your stomach tightened at how his eyes followed the movement, jaw's muscles tightening.

For a moment, you thought Riki would do something. But, he closed his eyes and didn't say anything as he forced himself to withdraw his hand. Dropping the hand onto his thigh, he reopened his eyes and they were no longer dark, like he had returned to normal.

"Keep your shirt up and don't move. This might hurt a little," he said, breaking the silence while pretending that whatever just happened did not happened at all.

His sudden change of behavior gave you whiplash. But before you could say anything, a pained hiss left your lips as you visibly flinched when something cold was applied against your bruise. The sudden cold sensation against your gradually warm skin sent shivers own your spine.

"Ow! What the fuck?" You snapped at him, acting like a ferocious cat with your invisible fur standing upright.

Riki rolled his eyes as he continued, focused on the task at hand. "Calm down, detective. I'm just applying the cooling cream so you won't feel any pain. Your shirt's gonna get sticky later but I doubt you care when you're gonna head home after this."

"How do you know that? Did you stalk me or something?"

The vampire's eyes flicked to you, unimpressed. "No, it's already the next day an unlike us vampires, you humans need to get your beauty sleep. Unless you want to stay and question my customers, asking them about me."

Your face lost all forms of color. "How did you know that?"

Riki paused, having finished applying the cream and something akin to amusement glimmered in his eyes. He closed the lid, screwing it tight before dumping the small, round container of the cooling cream back into the first-aid kit.

Your breath hitched in your throat when he moved—rising from his kneeling position to now leaned over you.

His taller frame shielded you from the dim ceiling light, casting his shadow over you. Riki rested one hand on the arm-rest while the other was braced on the back of the couch, effectively caging you in. Not that you had anywhere to run off to in the first place. Riki bent over at waist-level so your faces are at the same level.

The corners of his lips tugged upward in a faint, sly and knowing smirk.

"Oh, I know whatever happens in my bar, detective," he purred, voice low, smooth and downright sinful, like he was tempting you to fall with him.

Riki continued, leaning closer so he could whisper into your left ear, savoring the way you involuntarily shivered at how close he was. "I have to admit, it's cute watching you moving from one table to another. The way you furrowed your eyebrows. The way you fiddled with your pen. The way you chewed on your lips."

The hand on the arm-rest moved, now gently cupping your chin with his thumb resting on your bottom lip. He pressed down on it, the smirk stretching wider across his face at how pliant you became in his grip.

"Lean back for me," he commanded softly.

You weren't sure why but your body moved before your mind could catch up. You obeyed, leaning back until you were nearly sinking into the couch. Quiet satisfaction glow in the vampire's eyes at your submission.

"Good girl," he said, thumb further pressing into your bottom lip as he tugged it down, forcing you to part your lips.

And fuck, the way he said it—slow and all-knowing, like he knows the effect he has on you, the way he already had you wrapped around his fingers despite not doing much was embarrassing. If anyone were to see you like this—in the same room with Riki, the vampire standing in between your legs with him tilting your head back until your head's on the back of the couch.

"Open up."

That was an order, a demand where there's no room for objections. You could only obey him, fully opening your mouth. Riki hummed, his free hand now moved. He curled all of his fingers except for two—his index and middle fingers that has a ring wrapped around the middle. Without warning, he shoved it down your throat.

Your eyes widened, tears prickling them as your throat constricts around the sudden invasion. You could feel his fingers hitting the back of your throat.

Heck, you could feel the smooth, cold surfaces of his rings bumping against your teeth. Riki paid you no mind as he moved his fingers in a scissors-like motion, ensuring that every inch of your small and warm mouth was touched by him.

"Look at you, takin' my fingers so well," he crooned, no doubt pleased with how obedient and good you were to him.

"You like this, don't you? Like being used like a plaything?" He continued, pushing his fingers further down your throat until his rings were resting on your bottom lip.

You couldn't speak, not when your mouth was stuffed full of his fingers. You could get the faint taste of something sweet—probably when he was preparing drinks, lingering on his fingers. Heck, there was even drool trickling down the corners of your mouth. It was downright filthy and obscene, filthy enough to make your panties soaking wet.

The vampire couldn't looked away from the mesmerizing sight—how you were gagging around his fingers, how tears formed in the corners of your dazed and half-lidded eyes and how you were so so good for him.

The thought of you—someone who knew how to hold her ground, not being scared of him, only to be reduced to a flushed and squirming mess beneath him, made him felt something in his stomach.

It's enough for his cock to harden and twitch against the restraints of his boxers and pants. Riki glanced to the clock that was on his left, to see he had been away for nearly an hour.

Their peak period was approaching soon, leaving him no choice but to withdraw his fingers from your mouth. An audible "pop" sound was heard when his now damp fingers were out of your mouth.

He snickered at how you made a disappointed sound of protest while straightening himself. But Riki didn't move away. Instead, he raised the two fingers and what he did next made your heart slammed against your chest. Without breaking eye contact, he popped them into his own mouth, just up to the first knuckles respectively.

Your breath hitched in your throat and you rubbed your thighs together, desperately craving for some form of friction. Riki glanced down, smirking knowingly and he pulled his fingers out.

His thick and plump lips were glowing underneath the dim lights, drawing your attention and you were tempted to get a taste, wondering how it would feel against your own.

The bartender took note of your silence and flustered face but he didn't point it out. Instead, he used his thumb to wipe at his bottom lip, tongue flicking out to lick at the finger pad.

"You can leave or stay. The choice's up to you," he said, already making a beeline to the door, hand on the knob as he turned it down. Riki was about to leave when he paused, remembering something.

"By the way," he started, looking at you over his shoulder with a teasing smirk, only continuing his sentence when you looked at him, "you taste sweet. Hopefully I can get another taste soon."

Your face instantly heats up, turning as red as a tomato. "You—!"

He didn't wait for you to finish your response, laughing at your flustered reaction and stepped out, closing the door behind him, leaving you alone.

You sat there—on the couch, feeling like you were on fire and might spontaneously combust at any given moment. You sat there for the next ten minutes, only getting up once your heart rate had slowed down, returning to its usual pace.

Your legs buckled when you stood up, forcing you to grasp onto the arm-rest of the couch to stabilize yourself. Thankfully, Riki wasn't around to tease you.

You grimaced at the uncomfortable feeling of your panties glued to you. Your mind moved before you knew it—thinking back to the short but intense moment you had with the vampire.

The way he had you obeying all of his commands. The way he looked at you, eyes dark and filled with nothing but desire and lust. The way he could had killed you right there and then but he didn't. Sighing, you ran a hand through your hair—the simple action doing nothing to ease your troubled mind and heart.

You stepped out of the room and looked around, feeling a pang of disappointment settling in your stomach when Riki was nowhere to be seen. Shaking your head, you cursed yourself for feeling that way.

Why should I care where he goes? It's none of my business.

With that, you left the bar and headed home while wrapping your jacket around yourself to remain warm. It was only when you had removed your shoes was when it hit you—you didn't investigate the room.

Why?

Simple. It's because you were distracted by the walking menace known as Nishimura Riki.

~

The very next day, you arrived at work as per usual. But on the inside, you were more tired than usual. You couldn't stop thinking about him. Couldn't stop thinking back to the moment you shared. You couldn't help but wonder—what would had happened if Riki didn't have to leave? Would he had done more? Would you have let him?

"(Name)! There you are! I've been calling your phone but you weren't picking up," Jake's voice snapped you back to reality and you looked up from your desk, seeing your partner approaching you at breakneck speed.

"Wha—!?"

You didn't finish your sentence as the man grabbed your wrist with a vice-like grip. He tugged you out of your seat, not caring that you tripped over your own feet as you struggled to match his pace. Some people glanced at you as you walked past them, like you were rushing to somewhere.

It was only when Jake brought you to a certain spot that was well-hidden and isolated from anyone's curious views was when it hits you.

It was another murder scene.

At first glance, everything looked the same as the previous scenes you had visited. Yellow tapes cornering it off. Forensics team was already searching for any forms of evidences that could aid in the investigation. Both you and Jake stood near the yellow tapes, watching with matching grim expressions.

Until someone from the forensics team approached you.

"Detectives, sorry to interrupt but we discovered something that you need to see," she informed, faint urgency seeping into her voice.

The two of you shared a glance before following her, ducking underneath the yellow tapes. You were careful to not step on anything that could ruin the scene or any evidence that were laying around.

The woman brought you further in until she stopped before a wall. She turned to the two of you but her eyes was on your face.

"I think you should take a look at this," she said, gesturing to the wall behind her.

At first, it looked nothing more than another smear, another violent splash among the countless stains. But as your eyes gradually adjusted, you saw it, making your heart stopped beating and your body froze up.

Blood.

It wasn't randomly splattered about but instead, it was written.

The message was short, blunt and straightforward. The letters were uneven, like it was dragged into the brick from someone who used the victim's blood to write it. You stepped closer to get a better look, noting how the strokes were thick and whoever it was, they didn't rushed and were merely taking their time.

'(NAME), YOU'RE TOO LATE.'

That was what you managed to make-out from the uneven and frankly speaking, creepy writing. The world flipped upside down. A cold, heavy and unsettling weight settled in your stomach. You felt nauseous out of a sudden, having the urge to vomit despite you haven't eaten.

You felt your pulse in your ears, loud and disorientating, like your body was trying to run away before your mind could catch up.

It wasn't a signature or anything careless.

No, it was done with purpose, with the intention of forcing you to find out.

Your name and identity had been carved into the scene like a claim, a challenge. The blood had already darkened, indicating that it had been engraved onto the wall after the victim died. But what made chills ran down your spine was how the killer knew you were coming. Knew you would be here—staring at the message while trying not to lose your mind.

You swallowed hard, ignoring how your instincts were screaming at you to step back, to put some distance between you and the wall. Between yourself and whoever had been watching you long enough to know how to reach you. Jake swore quietly under his breath, taking over when he saw how shaken you were.

"They're watching you and probably even now, as we speak," he muttered, subtly glancing around, trying to spot any suspicious person but it was futile.

Your throat felt too dry for you to formulate a response. This wasn't just a series of murder cases anymore. This was something else. Something far more dangerous than what you thought it was. It was a taunt, written in blood without showing any shred of humanity or sympathy for the victims.

Whoever was behind this was inviting you closer to them and that itself made them more dangerous than anyone else you had faced in your life.

The rest of the day passed with you being physically present at work but mentally, you were gone. You couldn't stopped thinking about the message, about how the murderer knows your name. About how they had been possibly stalking you too, watching your every move.

You left work on the dot, heading to where your car was parked and got in.

You drove off, making a quick stop to pick up dinner from your favorite fried chicken restaurant you loved since you were a child. You returned home, jumping into the shower to take a quick shower and spent the next three hours relaxing—eating fried chicken while watching a random show you ended up picking on the streaming platform.

When you were done, the time was already nine at night. You paused when you saw the notebook that was temporarily forgotten on the nightstand.

You didn't know what took over you. Your limbs moved before your mind could processed it. You grabbed it, threw on the first jacket your hands landed on, slipped on your shoes and stepped out of your house, slipping into the still silence of the night.

It only took you forty-five minutes for you to arrive at your destination. Just like before, you stood outside, not entering immediately. You weren't sure why you were even here in the first place.

You could had been at home, all warm and comfortable in your bed. But here you were, dressed in your home clothes with the hood of your hoodie pulled up to hide your hair, without a weapon as well.

Why am I even here?

Sighing, you turned, ready to walk away—

"Detective, fancy seeing you here."

You stilled, body automatically turning to fully face him, like you were a puppet being controlled by the puppet-master—Riki himself. He stood by the entrance of an small alleyway located just beside the bar.

The kind of place where you wouldn't noticed it if it wasn't for the vampire. Riki was dressed in the standard uniform and the familiar smell of the cigarettes hits you, causing you to scrunch your nose in disgust.

"Didn't know vampires smoke," you commented, pointing at the lit cigarette held in his right hand.

Riki hummed, taking another puff from it and exhaled the thick, heavily-scented smoke. He did all of that without breaking eye contact from you. Somehow, you found the gesture attractive. Or maybe, it's because this is Riki and everything about him is attractive to you.

Not that you dare to say it out loud.

"I'm already dead, so smoking won't kill me. Want one?" He reached into the left pocket of his pants and pulled out a box of cigarettes, offering it to you.

You shook your head. "No, I'm good."

"You don't smoke?"

Once again, you shook your head. Riki hummed, not disappointed as he shoved it back into his pocket. "Pity. Think you'd look good smoking. But what brings you all the way here, detective?" He paused for a second, lips curling up in a teasing smirk.

"Unless you miss me?"

You crossed your arms tightly, fingers gripping onto the sides of your jacket, thumb caressing the fabric beneath it. "No, why would I?"

The vampire raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. His hand shot out, grabbed your wrist and tugged you towards him. You staggered, letting out a startled gasp as you were pinned against the wall, followed by a sharp inhale when you felt the damp, smooth and even surface behind you. Riki towered over you, left hand situated on your side.

"What are you doing?" You hissed, eyes darting between the entrance that was a few feet away and his face.

The bartender chuckled, the sound low and deep. "Relax, detective. I'm only helping you out. You won't want anyone else to find out you're a human, do you?"

"I don't need your help," you fired back.

"I know you don't. I know you're a very strong girl, capable of taking care of herself," he drawled, tapping the middle of his cigarette as ash fell from it, landing on the ground.

"Then let me go."

"Nah, not yet."

You narrowed your eyes, scowling at him with anger coursing through your veins. "I swear to god, Nishimura Riki. If you don't let me go this fucking instant—!"

Before you could utter another word, Riki sprung into action. He didn't drop the cigarette he was holding, using his left hand to tilt your chin up, tilting it to the side while using his body weight to properly pin you against the wall, chest-to-chest. He crashed his lips against yours, efficiently silencing you.

You froze, eyes wide and mind blanking out. You were able to get the faint taste of smoke mixed with the sweet, bitter taste of alcohol from his lips.

The kiss ended before you could react, with Riki pulling away but he was still close enough for your noses to brush against one another. He smirked at how quiet you went, index finger tapping on your right cheek.

"Has anyone ever told you you talk too much?" He murmured, his hot breath grazing against your lips with every word he spoke.

"You!"

You half-hissed and half-shouted. Riki merely chuckled, jerking his head back to take a puff. But this time, it was longer, like he was planning something. He didn't release his grip on your chin. And then, he dropped the cigarette, extinguishing it with a stomp from him.

Riki tapped your right cheek twice. You parted your lips on instinct, submitting to him. The vampire's eyes gleamed in approval. He closed the distance, leaning in and opened his mouth, exhaling the smoke into your mouth.

Your eyes stung at the smoky stench invading your senses, nearly choking on nothing. You should push him away but you didn't.

Not when a small, traitorous part of you wanted this.

You weren't sure who moved first. The next thing you knew, you were kissing him again. The only difference is that you were more than prepared. You kissed Riki like your life depended on it, like you needed him to survive. Riki was quick to take over, further pressing you into the wall until you were sure you could blend into it.

He cupped the back of your neck with one hand and the other firmly grabbed onto your hips. You made a startled sound into his mouth at how cold his hand felt. He took the chance to part your lips with his tongue. The wet, slimey muscle slides in, tongue exploring and licking every corner. His teeth—fangs, nips at both of your lips.

Your ears faintly registered the lewd and loud smacking sounds of the kiss but you didn't care. Not when you felt like you were floating. Your mind was spinning as you struggled to keep up. Both your lungs and heart were begging for oxygen. But whenever you try to lean away, to break the kiss, Riki was quick to follow, like he couldn't get enough of you.

You let out a muffled and mortified shriek when Riki's fangs sank into your tongue. The prickling sensation made your body jumped on the spot. Metallic taste soon invaded your mouth. The vampire groaned into your mouth as he greedily lapped away in your mouth, not caring how your legs buckled.

It was filthy—with Riki drinking your blood from the two small wounds he made on the upper-side of your tongue. You raised your hands, grabbing a fistful of his shirt but you weren't sure if you want to push him away or pull him closer. Drool and blood trickled down your mouths. Some slid underneath your shirts while some dripped onto the ground.

"R-Riki—ah, s-stop," you slurred out between the kisses, unable to complete your sentence.

Riki smirked against your lips, sensually gliding his tongue along your upper teeth, drawing a mewl from you. "You sure? You're already humping me like a dog in heat."

True to his words, you glanced down, to see you were seated on his right thigh that's deliciously placed between your legs. Not even your sweatpants could save you from the heavenly friction as you moved your hips, moaning into his mouth at how good it felt. Your panties was already thoroughly soaked, sticking to your pussy.

"P-Please," you whimpered.

"Please what? C'mon, use your words and tell me, (Name)," he purred, voice lowering an octave, sending shivers down your spine and heat pooling in your stomach.

He knew you couldn't speak properly anymore, with how you were breathing against his lips, how you were letting him drink your blood in such a lewd but arousing way. And most importantly, he could feel how wet you are. He groaned when you used his thigh to get yourself off.

You are so cute in his eyes. Desperately chasing after your orgasm just by using his thigh. Riki's mind began to wander—if you were this wet just because of a kiss, how wet would you be when he's feasting on you? When he had you reduced to a begging, moaning and shaking mess underneath him?

He purposely flexed his thigh, drawing a breathless moan from you. You ended up breaking the kiss, head tilting back to reveal your neck. It was only right for him to accept the unspoken invitation, ducking his head to trail kisses and leaving hickeys behind—a physical claim. A marking to show you belonged to him.

You felt your climax coming as you grew more shameless, letting out a series of moans that gradually grew louder and louder. Riki had to tear his fangs away, cupping the back of your head and shoved you down so he could kiss you again, swallowing your sounds. He doesn't want anyone to see you like this—a sight simply meant for his eyes only.

"F-Fuck, I'm gonna—"

You keen but the voice died when Riki decides to lend a helping hand, using just one hand to guide you in slow and deep motions.

"Wanna cum? Then cum for me, pretty girl. Show me how desperate you are," he demands, voice slightly muffled, low and raspy and that was enough.

You cum so hard that your entire body was shaking like a fallen leaf, whining and moaning into his mouth. Riki continued guiding you through your orgasm until you've soiled your panties. When you went pliant and leaned against his chest, he stopped, running his tongue along the seam of your lips before pulling away.

And he was greeted with the most breathtaking sight of you.

Your lips were swollen and bruised, making you looked like you were mauled by a ferocious beast, which couldn't be far from the truth. It was also coated in a light shade of red from your blood and the nasty kiss.

Your eyes were misty and dazed off, with faint tear tracks left behind. The thought of you crying all from a kiss and dry humping makes Riki want to kiss you again, but he held himself back.

He didn't lower his thigh, not caring how there's a stain left behind as well. Thankfully, he was wearing black pants so no one would be able to notice it.

No one except him, just the way he likes it.

"You good?" He asks softly, reaching out to tuck some strands of hair behind your left ear. The action was oddly soft and intimate, considering how he had you riding his thigh a few minutes ago.

You wordlessly nodded, unable to meet his gaze. Rki chuckled at your flustered state. He moved, one arm wrapped around your waist while the other was hooked underneath your knees. He didn't warned you, carrying you in his arms, like you weighed nothing. You let out a squeak, surprised and threw you hands around his neck, clinging onto him for dear life.

"Relax, I won't drop you," he reassured you, only for him to continue when he felt you loosened up.

"Fuck you."

"Oh? You'd want that, don't you?"

"Riki!"

~

After that intense make-out session in the alleyway, you couldn't stop thinking about him. It's like your mind was constantly filled with Riki, Riki and Riki. His plump and soft lips. His low, deep and guttural groans and moans. The way he held you possessively. All of that does something to you.

You had been pulling all-nighters, spending more time in the office than your own home, slouching and slaving away at your desk. The picture of the message had been resting on your desk ever since you received it, which was four days ago.

Four days since your name was written in blood. Four days of you struggling to find any new possible leads that could bring you one step closer to figuring out the murderer. But no matter how hard you stared at the papers spread out before you, your mind had officially reached its limit.

You knew you should be focusing on the case. As the sooner you can piece them together, the sooner you can get them arrested, before more and more innocent people loses their lives.

But that was easier said than done, especially when you have a walking menace who made it his responsibility to keep distracting you.

Riki kept appearing everywhere you went, which wasn't good for you. It didn't help that he was needed at the bar two hours before it opens. This allows him to spend the entire morning and afternoon following you, like a duckling waddling after its mother.

He was always there when you clocked out from work, dressed casually but he kept receiving double glances from passerby.

You hated how you disliked that. Disliked how other people noticed him too.

But you shrugged it out of your mind, scolding yourself for how ridiculous it felt. Riki doesn't belong to you. You don't have the right to act like a possessive girlfriend, not when you're not even dating to begin with. But there was something that had been bothering you.

"How you know where I work?" You questioned him one day, as he easily matched your pace, walking beside you.

The way he purposely positioned himself so you were walking on the inner side of the street didn't went unnoticed by you. You hated how such a simple action made your heart fluttered at how thoughtful he was.

Riki smiled, but it didn't meet the look in his eyes. "I have my ways."

You blinked, tightening your grip on the strap of your work bag. "That sounds creepy. You sure you're not stalking me?"

The vampire shot you an amused glance, lips curling upward in a grin but didn't say anything else and you left it at that. It became a routine—with Riki walking you home every day after you ended work. It doesn't matter how long he had to wait or he was late for his shift. He doesn't mind waiting outside, even when it was late.

You questioned him once about this but all he said was, "It's dangerous for a pretty girl like you to walk home late at night. Besides, I'm the owner of the bar. What are they gonna do? Fire me? I'd like to see them try."

This routine didn't went unnoticed by Jake, who was no doubt concerned for your safety. One day, when you had finished packing up, about to take your leave when Jake stopped you, blocking off your route.

"(Name), I've been meaning to ask you something but don't get mad at me, alright?" He started off, sounding unusually serious and you nodded your head, warily eyeing him.

"What is it, Jake?"

He inhaled and exhaled, plucking up the remains of your courage. "Are you dating someone?"

Silence.

You stared at him. Blinked once and twice.

"What?"

Jake continued, unfazed with your reaction as he nodded his head with a solemn expression on his face. "I know we're just friends but as someone who's supposed to look after you and I even considered you as one of my closest friends, it hurts me that you didn't thought of telling me—"

"Jake—"

"After everything I've done for you, treated you lunch, helped and guided you with your investigations, raised you like you're my own child—"

"Ok, that's a bit too much—"

"And you didn't think of telling me you have a boyfriend!?" He finished by letting out a dramatic cry, like you had committed the gravest sin. His sudden outburst alerted the people nearby, who glanced at you before returning to mind their business.

You rubbed the space between your eyes and let out a long, heavy sigh of frustration and exasperation.

"Sim Jaeyun."

"Oh god, not the full government name—"

"Shut up and let me talk," you cut him off and he made a motion of zipping his mouth, "I don't have a boyfriend and I'm not seeing anyone. He's just a friend. That's all."

"Right, that's what someone with a secret relationship would say," your partner deadpanned, only for him to back up when you threatened to swing your bag at him.

"Alright, damn! I was kidding! Fine, I believe you," he exclaimed, shielding his face with his arms, in case you were about to swing at him.

You merely rolled your eyes and readjust the strap of your bag. "Whatever, you can believe what you want. Bye, Jake. Don't let Heeseung catch you slacking."

He let out an offended squawk, ready to defend himself but you had already stepped out. As expected, Riki was outside waiting for you. He pushed himself off the railings he was leaning on as you approached him. You glanced at the watch strapped around your left wrist, frowning at the time reflected.

"Aren't you supposed to be at work now?" You asked.

Riki shrugged his shoulders. "Nah, it's an off day today."

"And you decided to spend it with me?"

The vampire stepped closer, close enough for your elbows to brush against one another. "Yea, why not? Who else would I spend it with?"

Your heart fluttered at his words and how he replied without hesitation. Forcing yourself to remain calm while hoping Riki couldn't see how your ears flushed red, you faced the front to avoid his attentive and unwavering gaze.

"Do you say that to everyone in hopes of getting into their pants or is it just me?" You dryly retorted.

Riki's eyes gleamed in interest, curiosity and something else. Something you refuse to acknowledge, not wanting to give yourself false hope. He stepped even closer, the distance grew smaller, making your heart stuttered. It didn't help that he was taller than you, forcing him to bend slightly so he could hear you.

Or maybe, it was just an excuse for him to see the effect he has on you.

"What do you think it is?" He returned your question with his own, deciding to play the guessing game with you.

You turned to him, eyes scanning his features—his sharp nose, his puma-like eyes and the mole on his face that makes you want to reach out to poke it. You forcefully looked away, not wanting to look like you were checking him out. Your shoulders tensed up as you ran your thumb along the leather surface of the strap.

"I think you're just fooling around," you answered evenly, not wanting to give anything away.

Riki stared at you with that signature unreadable look on his face as he straightened himself. He didn't say anything for the rest of the walk, until you arrived at the front door of your home. You were about to enter when he stopped you by grabbing your left wrist. The sudden contact made you looked at him, bemused.

"For what it's worth, I'm not fooling around. Not when it comes to you, detective," he softly said, eyes filled with nothing but utmost sincerity.

You didn't know how or what to reply, simply staring at him like he had spoken in another language. Riki released his grip and you entered your home, closing the door behind you without sparing him another glance, shutting him out of your sight.

~

"Riki, we need to talk."

The bartender didn't stop what he was doing—making a drink for a customer nor did he bother to acknowledge his co-worker's sudden presence, who managed to appear behind him without making a sound. Something vampires are perfectly capable of doing. Riki didn't turn around until he was done, sliding the glass across the bar counter before fully turning around.

"About what, hyung?" The taller vampire inquired, crossing his arms while holding the damp, white towel in his left hand as he leaned against the bar behind him.

Jay narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. "You know damn well what I'm referring to. Or, who I'm referring to, in this case. Like that little detective of yours you've been hanging out with."

For the record, Riki didn't show any ounce of reaction at the indirect mention of you, choosing to remain calm.

"Oh," he drawled, dragging the word, "her. What about it? You interested in her?"

The shorter but older vampire scoffed, rolling his eyes. "No, I'm not. She's all yours for all I care. I'm only telling you this because Sunghoon knows about your… whatever your relationship is with her. If you're not careful, you're gonna get caught."

Riki stilled at the mention of Sunghoon. His creator. The vampire responsible for turning him in the first place. Even when decades or centuries had passed, he could still vividly remembered Sunghoon standing before him, looking down at him with cold eyes and an unreadable gaze.

He remembered Sunghoon offering him a chance. An opportunity to start a brand new life but at the cost of his humanity.

At that time, Riki was desperate. He didn't want to die, not when he still have a long life ahead of him. The process of turning from a human to a vampire wasn't painless. It felt like he was being reshaped into something else. His heart no longer beats. His senses were enhanced to the point he could hear, smell and see things humans couldn't.

His mouth felt weird, especially his upper and bottom lip area. The four corners of his mouth felt longer and sharper, allowing him to easily break through the thin barricades of skin and muscle. He's able to move silently, footsteps and presence concealed, giving him the privilege of scaring Jay—his number one favorite victim to his endless list of pranks.

"What do you mean by that?" Riki asked, keeping his voice even and steady.

Jay eyed him with a pity look. "He knows what you're up to, Riki-ah."

The vampire felt colder than before, if that was even possible to begin with. Sunghoon rarely make his appearance in the bar, due to him constantly moving from one country to another. Up to today, Riki still doesn't know what Sunghoon was doing, not that he has the courage to ask his creator either.

After all, the older vampire rarely make his appearance, unless the situation calls for his presence.

Riki forced a smile onto his face, hoping that Jay won't be able to see through it. Although, can vampires even feel nervous in the first place? He shoved the thought out of his mind, noting a customer waving at him from where they sat.

"Hyung, don't worry. I'll be careful," he reassured Jay, who frowned.

"I hope so. You and I both know how Sunghoon can be if he were to find out his precious pet got arrested by the authorities," he pointed out.

Riki shot him a pointed look at the usage of the word 'pet' but didn't comment on it. He walked around the bar counter, heading to the table, internally grateful for the distraction. After taking down their orders, he returned and get back to work. However, his mind couldn't help but wander off—thinking about you.

What were you doing now? Are you sleeping? Or are you still trying to crack you head over the case, while remaining painfully oblivious to how the culprit you had been chasing after was near you the entire time?

Riki could perfectly imagine your reaction once you were to discover the truth. How your face will turned pale, losing all forms of colors. How your eyes will widen and how your lips will part. Speaking of your lips, his mind drifted down the gutter before he could stopped himself.

He traced back to the how sinful you sound in the alleyway, how obedient you were while letting him do as he pleased, treating you like you were a rag-doll. Something meant to fulfill his pleasure.

The vampire is dying to know just how much further he could push you until you break. Until you had no other choice but to lean on him. Until he has you completely wrapped around his finger.

~

One day turned to two. Two turned to three. Five days turned to two weeks. You didn't visit the bar anymore. Your routine was simplified to only two locations—office and home. Rinse and repeat. Riki stopped walking you home too and you didn't know why. But you pushed the thought aside, not wanting him to further distract you from your investigation.

Not when you were very close to figuring out the identity of the culprit.

Everything made sense to you after three weeks of holing up in your office. You had been surviving on nothing but energy drinks, caffeine and instant noodles. To say your desk was a mess would be an understatement. You didn't even have the space to place your laptop, let alone rest your elbows on it too.

It was close to four in the morning when you had consolidated the clues and every bit of information you knew or had access to. You stood before the board that was covered in multiple sheets of papers with your arms crossed, lips pursed and furrowed eyebrows. Riki's portrait was placed in the middle—with him being the main puzzle piece holding everything together.

The more you stared at the portrait, the more you were convinced that the murderer was none other than the very same vampire, who was staring back at you.

You ran a hand through your hair once you realized you had hit another dead end. Just when you thought all hopes was long, you remembered something.

The files located in the room.

You know they are important and the detective part of you is dying to find out what the files contained. Needless to say, you quickly packed your things, hurriedly shoved them into your workbag and left your office.

You didn't bother going home to drop off your things, simply driving straight to the bar that was packed with people or vampires, in this case.

No one paid you any mind as you entered the bar. You didn't bring your gun or badge, making you come off as a mere, clueless and vulnerable human who had willingly walked into the lion's den. Some vampires took notice of you but they didn't do anything. Instead, they backed away. Like you belong to someone.

A certain someone who was standing behind a bar counter and is mixing drinks without batting an eye to his surroundings. You did one quick, fleeting scan, squeezing your way through the sea of people until you found yourself at the back of the bar—the area that only staff were granted access to.

You were able to easily locate the door as there was only two doors. You entered the room, going the extra mile by locking it as well. The room was still the same as how you first seen it. Nothing about it was misplaced.

It's like everything you were seeing now has its own purpose. You knew you only have so much time before someone finds you here, in a space you're not meant to be in.

Walking around the table, you stared at the two tall shelves filled with files before you. You randomly picked one, pulled it out and flipped it open. What you saw made your eyes widened and your blood ran cold.

The first page you flipped to was a profile page—similar to the profiles you received that contains information about the victims. Your world flipped upside down when you recognized the full name imprinted on the page, staring back at you—taunting and mocking you.

Why?

Simple.

Because the name matches the name of your first victim from your very first murder case.

Your breathing grew ragged. Your fingers turned cold, losing feelings in your limbs. Your stomach twisted into itself. Your heart sank. You couldn't believed what you were looking at. The fact that this alone was enough to confirm the clues and information you had gathered. The fact that you were right from the very start.

You forced yourself to move, flipping to the second page which shows another victim.

And guess what? It matches the name of your second victim.

Bile rose from the depth of your throat. You forcefully and dryly swallowed it down. You weren't aware that your hands were quivering or how someone else had entered the room, despite you locking it behind you.

Countless thoughts ran through your mind at the speed of light with your mind reconnecting everything and a certain, familiar face appeared in your brain—

"Didn't take you as the type to trespass into other people's property, detective."

You slowly and robotically turned and there he was, casually leaning against the door with his arms loosely crossed across his chest. The bartender wasn't wearing his signature glasses anymore and unlike before, when he carried himself with confidence, this was different.

The way he looked at you, like he was a predator and you were a prey, helplessly cornered with nowhere to run, sent shivers down your spine.

You gripped onto the file you were holding until the transparent plastic binder was scrunched up, leaving faint folds and your nails imprints behind. Riki's eyes flicked down.

Clicking his tongue, he appeared before you in a blink of an eye, moving faster than what a naked eye could follow. You gasped, instantly stepping back but the vampire merely followed.

With every step you took, Riki kept moving forward. This went on until your back gently collided against the wall behind you. He was quick to use his arms to barricade you there, resting on both sides of you, cutting off any possible escape routes. You clutched onto the file, acting like it could shield you from any attacks.

"You're the murderer," you stated, voice quivering as you locked eyes with him.

Riki wasn't unfazed with the sudden statement. He simply tilted his head to the side, his eyes glowing red as he opened his mouth slightly, revealing the sharp, pointed edges of his fangs protruding from his upper lip.

You knew he's a vampire early on but now that it's been confirmed he's the very same vampire behind the heartless murders only made you feel nothing but fear.

To make matters worse, your weapon was left behind in your car, which was parked away from he bar. All you had was your fists but you knew vampires couldn't get injured via physical force.

Sensing your fear, Riki's smirk stretched wider across his face. However, instead of closing the distance, he straightened himself, turned around and walked around the desk.

You stood there, watching with wide eyes as he opened the small storage box located underneath the desk to pull out a closed bottle of whiskey.

One look at it told you the whiskey was old. It might even be older than Riki himself. He easily removed the sealed tight finish of the whiskey bottle with a loud 'pop' sound. He placed it down on the table and turned to you, raising an eyebrow when you were still standing there, rooted to the ground.

"What are you doing? I'm letting you have a drink of the finest whiskey I have to offer," he inquired, lips curling up in a faint, amused smile.

Like this whole thing was funny to him. Like he wasn't about to kill you right there and then.

You swallowed, still clutching onto the file. "..Aren't you going to kill me?"

The vampire hummed. "No, I won't. I told you before, didn't I? I like you, detective. And this," he briefly paused to gesture at the bottle, "is me offering to show how serious I am about you. Call it a gift, if that's what you humans see it as."

You owlishly blinked. "A gift?"

Riki nodded, looking as sure as he could be. "Yup, a courting gift. You can have the honor of having the first sip."

You eyed him warily, unsure if you could trust him. You tried to sense if there was any hidden intentions behind his words but there was none. All you felt was nothing but pure and genuine sincerity. You hesitated, slowly approaching the whiskey bottle while you kept glancing at Riki, shoulders tensed, waiting for him to attack you when your guard was down.

But he didn't do anything. He stood there, watching you with an expectant look on his face. You stopped before the opened whiskey bottle.

You were able to get a whiff of something fruity—citrus mixed with apple along with a pinch of woodiness. You never had whiskey before, for you considered yourself as a social drinker, only drinking whenever you're with Jake and Heeseung.

You looked around, furrowing your eyebrows when you noticed something was missing.

"Wait, how am I supposed to drink?" You inquired.

"Just drink from the bottle," he replied without missing a beat.

You stared at him, flabbergasted. "…What? No! That's unhygienic! I don't know how long you had the bottle here and there could be all sorts of bacteria and dust on it!"

Riki narrowed his eyes, something akin to irritation flickered in his eyes before it was gone. With a loud, heavy and long sigh, he grabbed the bottle and chugged a good amount of whiskey without breaking eye contact from you.

Your eyes unconsciously zeroed in on his pale, clear and unblemished neck.

He didn't swallow the liquor, leaving it sitting on his tongue as he placed the bottle back down on the desk. Invisible alarm bells rang off in your mind when Riki pulled you towards him, his grip tight on your wrists. He didn't give you time to react, slamming his lips against yours without warning.

You went still, mind blanking out.

The file dropped from your hands, landing on your feet with a loud 'thud' sound but you didn't registered it. Riki tugged you closer, one hand now firmly wrapped around your waist while other cupped your chin, forcing you to tilt your head upwards.

The angle was awkward and painful as you needed to strain your neck, your muscles protesting in pain.

You made a muffled, startled sound when something wet, sticky and sweet slipped into your mouth. You choked on it, coughing and wheezing but Riki didn't let you go. Instead, he held you tighter until you're pressed chest-to-chest.

He continued feeding—forcing you to drink the whiskey directly from his mouth, not caring that you were struggling to breathe and how you were choking on the liquor.

You repeatedly whacked at his firm chest but the vampire didn't budge an inch, like he was made out of stone. To him, Riki could barely feel your weak, futile punches. He groaned at how you ended up parting your lips, granting him permission.

His lips parted slightly, causing the remaining whiskey left in his mouth to trickle down both of your chins, with how your lips were interlocked in the messy and sweet kiss.

Riki broke the kiss, using his tongue to lick the whiskey trail up, grinning at how you grasped onto the front of his shirt and how he could smell your arousal. He licked his way up at an infuriatingly slow pace, slow enough to tease and edge you.

Your right hand moved to grab a fistful of his hair as you tugged at it from the roots, drawing a groan from the vampire.

"Stop teasing me and do something," you hissed, attempting to look intimidating but it was hard when you were flushed all over and how your eyes were half-lidded and clouded with lust.

Riki lowly chuckled, angling his face so you were eye-level. He leaned in until he was close enough to brush his thick and plump lips against yours, which wasn't faring any better either. He was so close you could feel his breath grazing against your lips with every word he spoke.

"Why so impatient, detective? What's the rush? You gonna run out, take your gun and shoot me? You won't do that," he cooed in a condescending tone that made your blood boiled.

"Don't test me, Nishimura Riki," you snarled.

Riki's eyes gleamed in both interest, awe and something else. Something far more twisted and darker. Like he was enjoying this game he's playing with you. He didn't say anything else, pushing you towards the desk and effortlessly lifted you up onto the desk.

You sat on the very edge, breath hitching in your throat at how he sank to his knees while grabbing the opened and half whiskey bottle.

"Off," he demands, tapping on your pants.

His voice was firm, leaving no room for objections. You could only compiled, raising your hips slightly to shimmy out of them. Riki was generous enough to help remove them when they pooled around your ankles, tossing it to the floor, leaving you wearing your panties. He attempted to pry your legs but you resisted—which proved to be the wrong choice.

Riki's eyes darted up, narrowing them in a warning. "Do that again and I'll tie your legs down."

Heat pooled in your stomach at how he sounded—pissed and furious. It makes you want to push him further but you didn't. Instead, you obeyed him and reluctantly parted your legs for him, revealing the visible stained spot between your legs. The vampire's eyes locked in on the sight before him, running his tongue along his fangs.

"All wet already? And from just a kiss? Pathetic," he sneered, words dripping with disdain. His crude words made you whimpered and he took that as the green light.

A loud rip echoed in the four walls of the room. Looking down, you were both embarrassed and speechless to see the vampire had ripped your panties into shreds.

You opened your mouth, wanting to tell him off but the words died in your throat at the first hot and sinful contact of his tongue against your entrance to your clit.

Your head fell back, mouth dropping open to form a silent 'O' shape with your eyelids fluttering shut. His tongue darted out, licking along the seam of your folds while collecting your slick, using it as lubricant while he spreads it over your clit, just like how one would calmly spread butter across a slice of bread for breakfast.

You slapped a hand over your mouth to stifle the cries threatening to leave your lips but Riki caught it. His eyes flicked up as he pulled away—his lips glistens underneath the lights with his bangs slightly shielding his eyes.

They darkened a shade when he noticed what you were doing. Without breaking eye contact, he lifted the whiskey bottle and poured the hard liquor onto your throbbing and aching pussy.

The smell of fruitiness and woodiness wafted in the air. You gasped, thighs twitching as you instinctively attempted to close your legs.

But Riki was faster.

He dived in without hesitation, his large hands firmly holding you down by your thighs. He alternated between flat stripes and fast kitten licks, the difference of speed giving you whiplash.

You had to resort to biting your index finger to silence yourself but it was futile. The pleasure you were getting was simply too much for you to handle.

You couldn't help but grimaced at the uncomfortable and unusual feeling of whiskey trickling down the paths of your inner thighs. Some landed on the wooden floor while some were greedily slurped up by the bartender himself. Breathless moans and whimpers endless spilled from your lips as he spread your fat pussy lips apart.

You shivered, clenching down on nothing but thin air when he pulled away to stare at the lewd and erotic sight before him. Your cute pussy stares back at him, begging him to do something or put something in—be it his tongue, fingers or cock. Riki watched, mesmerized and smug at how more slick trickled out.

"Look at you, acting all tough but you're all putty the moment I touch you," he sneered, running his fingers along the edge of your entrance, teasing and edging you.

You let out a pathetic, needy whine as you pushed your hips forward but he merely clicked his tongue.

"Ah ah, stay still now. Only good girls get what they deserve. And from what I've seen," he paused for a second, leaning forward to blow hot air at your weeping entrance. Riki smirked at how your body visibly flinched at his action, "you've been a very disobedient brat, haven't you? Snooping into other people's private property, acting like you own the place?"

You gasped, thighs quivering when he pushed just the tip of his index finger in. But it wasn't enough. You want more, dying to feel more of him. As if he was able to read your mind, the bartender let out a low, deep chuckle as he stopped moving, letting the tip of his index finger lightly pressed against your entrance.

"Can feel you trying to suck me in. You're desperate, aren't you?" He taunted, readjusting his finger so he can cupped your pussy with his large hand as he gently pressed down on it, grinning at how easily soaked his palm was.

You whimpered, struggling to get the rest of his finger in but Riki was stubborn. He simply won't let you do as you pleased, maintaining his position while he watched you squirmed about on the spot, like the weak, vulnerable and helpless human being you are. His eyes trailed down, senses kicking in at how sweet your blood smells.

Ever since he had a taste of your blood, he couldn't stopped thinking about it. To him, your blood was on a league above the rest. No one else's blood could ever compare against yours.

And for Riki, what he wants is what he will get, no matter the cost.

One quick glance thrown in the clock's direction told him he has roughly thirty minutes left before he needed to head back to work. For someone as skilled as Riki, thirty minutes was more than enough.

Which was why he pushed two fingers in without warning, groaning at how your walls instantly clamped down on his long, slender digits.

The vampire expertly curled his fingers, making you see stars exploding behind your eyelids as he was able to reach places where you thought it was impossible to. Riki lowered his head, letting his fangs peaked out as he slid his tongue in as well.

The double penetration from both his tongue and fingers made you let out a shameless, high-pitched cry. You weren't even aware that you started rocking your hips against his mouth, eagerly chasing after your incoming climax.

"Ngh! F-Fuck, don't stop hah," you moaned, eyes rolling up to the back to your head.

Riki took the chance to give a light but painful nip to your outer lip, easily breaking through the thin barricade of the skin and muscle, drawing blood from the small, minor wound he made.

You didn't register the fact he was drinking your blood from your fucking pussy or how once this was over, there was a chance you might be a vaginal infection.

If you were still alive, that is.

Riki groaned, the sound muffled as it sent vibrations into your dripping pussy. And that was enough to tip you over the edge. Violent and body-length shivers ran down your body as you cum with your entire might, letting out what was probably the most embarrassing high-pitched moan you had heard in your entire life.

Riki didn't stop. If anything, he continued pushing you through your climax. The room was filled with the loud and obscene shlick shlick sound of his fingers pumping in and out of you, causing your slick to spray everywhere, like a broken tap.

He continued until your body was a shaking and overstimulated mess, with you already leaning back while using your elbows to prop yourself up.

After what felt like decade, Riki finally withdrew, revealing his thick and plump lips covered in a thick and generous layer of a mixture of your slick, blood and the leftover whiskey.

You felt like your breath was being punched out of your lungs with how downright filthy the sight was—Riki, a vampire who had lived longer than you, who willingly get to his knees and had just gave you what was probably the most amazing climax you had, made your stomach twisted.

Riki rose and crashed his lips against yours, giving you a taste of yourself. You moaned into the kiss, obediently parting your lips for him, granting him entrance.

Your ears registered the sound of him unbuckling his belt followed by the sound of the zipper pulling down. Hearing it made your heart skipped a beat in anticipation for what's to come.

You wanted to remove your blouse but Riki stopped you, breaking the kiss but he remained close enough for your lips to brush against one another.

"Don't take it off. Wanna fuck you with your clothes on," he murmured against your lips and you could only nod your head, still in a daze—the aftereffects of your climax.

Riki made quick work of his belt, pants and boxers. He tugged them down enough to free his cock, which sprung free from the constraints. Your throat dry up at how huge he was.

You may had your fair share of one-night stands (if sleeping with two different guys counts) but they were humans. Here you are—about to probably get the best fucking of your life from an attractive vampire bartender.

The tip had turned an angry shade of reddish-purple due to the lack of neglection and attention. You couldn't tear your eyes away, watching as he used his fingers that were previously inside of you, which was still dripping slick to wrap it around himself. Riki gave a few pumps, using the slick as lubricant before he aligned himself against your entrance.

You instinctively wrapped your legs around his waist as you fully laid down on the desk, until your head was dangling off the edge. It was an awkward and a punishing position for your neck the next day but right now, you couldn't care less about it.

You gripped onto the edge behind you with your right hand while your left hand fiddled with the hem of your blouse, heart beating rapidly against your chest.

Riki didn't go slow. He sheathed himself in in one hard, long thrust, not caring about comfort—not that he has the luxury to do so in the first place.

"Oh god," you cried out, back arching off the desk at how you were being split apart on his cock.

Your gummy and velvety walls was struggling to accommodate to the grith of his cock as you continued sucking him in. Heck, you swore you could feel him hitting the back of your throat with how big he was.

There was a stinging pain at the sudden intrusion but it gradually melted, being replaced with nothing but pure pleasure as he began moving, starting off with a ruthless pace. Riki's mind was spinning. He felt light-headed, like he was floating.

"Shit, you're so tight for me. Never let anyone fuck you before?" He groaned at how you squeezed him as he pistoned his hips against yours, creating the loud sound of skin slapping against skin in the room.

You couldn't reply, getting intoxicated on the feeling of him sliding in and out of you, reshaping your insides to fit the outline of his cock. You were so wet—both from your previous orgasm, the whiskey and blood that the glide was smooth without creating any form of friction. Riki smirked at how your mind was already long gone, with how you were mindlessly babbling.

"Hear that? Hear how wet you are? You're made for me. Made to take my cock," he snarled, the sound almost beast and animalistic-like. His eyes glowed red, fangs growing longer as it protrudes further out from his upper lip.

"F-Fuck, more, pleasepleaseplease," you chanted, throwing your head back to reveal your neck to him, unaware of how you were only further testing his limits.

Riki hissed, tightening his grip on your waist until his fingers is digging into your skin, leaving indents behind. He chased after your neck like he was hypothesized, about to deliver the final blow.

But if anything, Riki was patient.

After all, he had waited for you to walk into his life ever since he first saw you appearing at the scene of the first murder. He was intrigued with how firm and composed you were as you walked around, unfazed by the violence and cruelty that surrounded you. The more he observed you, the more fascinated he was by you.

The longer he continued observing you, the higher his temptation was. The temptation for you to be his next muse. His next art to be displayed to the world, to implant fear into the human society and most importantly, to show what vampires are truly capable of.

"R-Riki, fuck—g-gonna cum," you warned him, voice already hoarse as you loudly panted, breathing growing ragged once you felt the familiar tightening sensation in your stomach.

"Yea? Then cum for me, detective," he demanded and that was it.

Your second climax was just as intense as the first one. Your body violently shuddered as your pussy spasmed violently around his cock. You faintly remembered chanting his name like a sacred prayer, like he's some sort of God when he was the furthest thing from that.

Riki was quick to follow suit. He released his thick and hot cum deep inside of you, painting your walls in the shade of his cum.

You whimpered at how full you felt, your stomach being bloated. Riki's movements eventually slowed down until he came to a stop but he didn't pull out.

The first sign you should have noticed was how unusually quiet Riki was and how his eyes were still glowing red.

The second sign was how he kept staring at your neck, like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Uh, Riki…?" You called out to him, voice trailing off when he leaned over, caging you against the desk with his chest touching yours.

You felt him outlining your neck with his nose, trailing down and down until he lingered on a certain spot—the spot where your blood tastes the sweetest. Invisible alarm bells went off in your mind when Riki sank his fangs into your neck.

He bypassed the thin barriers of both skin and muscles, his sharp canines allowing him to accurately puncture your bloodveins.

Your eyes widened, chest rising slightly. You raised your hands, attempting to shove him away but he pinned them to the side, holding both of your wrists down with one hand.

His other hand tilted your chin up, not giving you a chance to look at him as you were forced to stare at the ceiling or the wall opposite of you while your life was gradually slipping away.

You could feel your strength leaving your body as every second passed. You were losing feeling in your limbs as Riki continued drinking, taking more of your blood. The last thing you saw was nothing but the plain, muted yellow wall along with a final thought:

Would things have turned out differently if you arrested him early on?

Riki, on the other hand, felt his mind blanking out as he gets lost in the sweet and addictive taste. To him, it felt like it was some sort of drug that he had seen humans taking.

Except in this case, your blood was way better than drugs.

Riki continued drinking from you, ensuring not to let a single drop go to waste. Once he was done, he withdrew his fangs from your neck, leaving two small, circular wounds on your skin. It was the exact mark he left behind on his three other victims and now, you were the fourth victim.

The bartender straightened himself, slowly licking his lips, moaning in satisfaction at how heavenly your blood tasted. He wiped the remnants away with his thumb, bringing it to his mouth so he can licked it clean.

When he was done, he tucked his now softened cock back into his boxers and pulled his pants up, not caring about the fact that your now dead body was laying on the desk.

Knock knock.

"Yo, are you done with whatever you're doing? Your loyal customers are asking for you to make their drinks," Jay called out after knocking.

"Yeah, give me a few minutes and I'll be out. Need to clear the mess," he answered.

"Fine, but hurry up. Don't keep them waiting," the other vampire replied and his footsteps turned softer until it was silent.

Rolling his eyes, Riki was generous enough to pull your pants up again before carrying you bridal-style. He opened the door, stepped out and headed to the backdoor where Jay had oh so generously already opened it for him.

Only for him to freeze in his tracks when his eyes recognized a familiar silhouette waiting for him.

"So you did it," Sunghoon said, eyes flicking down to the dead body Riki was carrying before back to the younger's face.

"…What are you doing here?" Riki asked, keeping his voice even and steady while trying not to let any form of feelings show.

Sunghoon pushed himself off the wall he was leaning on, approaching the other at a slow, languid pace—like he was taking a walk in the park until he stopped before Riki, leaving some distance between them.

"I wanted to check in on you, to make sure you weren't catching any feelings," he replied.

Riki narrowed his eyes, swallowing down the sudden temptation to snap at him. "I don't do feelings. You know that, hyung."

Sunghoon slowly nodded his head, lips pursed. "I know. But that doesn't mean you won't fall for their schemes. Humans are crafty, Riki-ah. And I'm only looking out for you."

"Whatever. Are you done now? I need to do something," he snapped, impatience seeping into his voice.

His creator arched an eyebrow, curious but didn't say anything. Instead, he merely stepped to the side, allowing Riki to walk pass him with you laying limp in his arms, your right arm dangling in the air as it swayed side to side with every step he took.

~

"Hyung, you need to see this, now."

Jake said the moment he barged into Heeseung's office at eight in the morning sharp without knocking. His sudden entrance startled the older man, who nearly spilled his cup of hot coffee on his keyboard. Heeseung looked up, placing the cup down as he turned to Jake, only to pause when he saw how pale and horrified his friend was.

"What? Why?" Heeseung inquired.

Jake didn't answer him, turning his phone around to reveal the screen. Heeseung had to lean forward to get a better look. What he saw made his stomach flipped upside down and bile rose in his throat.

It was a recording from someone in public—who had the unfortunate luck of walking past what is the most disgusting crime scene one had witnessed. A woman's body, still dressed in her work clothes, was pinned on a wall of a random apartment building.

At a closer look, Heeseung was able to see that whoever the murderer was, had impaled a long metal rod into the palms of her hands, using it to pin her on the wall, allowing her to dangle in the air. Her hair shielded her face, leaving her identity anonymous but Heeseung was able to recognize the person without hesitation.

"Don't tell me…?" He asked, voice dying as he looked up, making eye contact with Jake's petrified and trembling eyes.

"Yes, it's (Name). She's dead."

tags: @yvampy, @lolliloopsy, @dollhoonki, @sweethoons, @v4mpriki, @fancypeacepersona, @baedreamverse, @matcha-mageee, @rikifishh, @rikisoup.

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