#vampire!n

His sharp eyes noticed everything: how you licked your lips after taking a sip from your mug of coffee, how your teeth grazed against your plump bottom lip as you looked over your notes, how you tucked the same strands of hair behind your ear when they’d fall into your face every few minutes -- and he counted the seconds between. Hakyeon did not miss one detail of your movements. He didn’t want to miss a detail, either. You were his mate, he could stare at you until the universe finally imploded and he wouldn’t get bored for even a millisecond.

Over time, he’d learned things about you. You’d been coming to the 24-hour cafe for a few weeks now since he started working there (three weeks and four days, but who was counting?) and he’d always wondered what the deal was. Why would some human show up almost every night to drink copious amounts of coffee? Well, the answer was simple: you worked the night shift since you were a student during the day. You went to college, then you worked all night. He didn’t know when you ever slept, though he didn’t see any signs of not getting enough sleep. Apparently you managed your time well, which pleased him. He liked that about you.

Over those three-ish weeks, Hakyeon had learned your major, your regular order, your job, your friends, and your overall living situation. And it wasn’t just from speaking to you, it was from following you. The imprinting pull made it easier than ever to find you, but he sometimes had to force himself to stay away.

Hakyeon, being an newborn vampire, had trouble controlling himself a lot of the time. He’d been getting better since he first turned just over a month ago, but the urges and instincts were still too strong sometimes. Especially with you. Your blood smelled the sweetest, you looked the warmest, everything about you appealed to him. You might’ve been his mate, but that only made the urge to taste your blood even worse because you were still human. But he always managed, no matter how close he felt to leaping over the counter just to sink his teeth into your soft flesh.

Sometimes he wondered if that was the reason for his obsession; his need to have you. Was it because he was a newborn so his instincts were so much stronger? Was it just because of the imprinting pull? Would it be like this even if he wasn’t a newborn? He didn’t know, but what did it matter? This was how things were, and they’d been like this ever since he started working here. For all he knew, it would stay like this.

Either way, you were going to belong to him one way or another.

The feet of your chair scraped softly against the floor as you pushed away from the table, putting your belongings in your bag before standing and slinging it over your shoulder. He watched your every move as you downed the rest of your coffee, his eyes zeroing in on the way your throat slightly bobbed as your head tipped back and you swallowed.

He unconsciously licked his lips, feeling his fangs start to poke at his tongue. What he wouldn’t give to just lick up the column of your neck before finally pressing his fangs into the soft skin. He bet you tasted sweeter than any kind of blood he’d had in his short time as a vampire. He would give his immortality just to have a taste...

“Thanks, Hakyeon!” you chirped, your musical voice pulling him from his daydreaming. “Have a good night!”

He sat up straighter from where he was leaning over the counter, his chin rested in his hand, “Are you leaving already?”

“Yeah, it’s almost midnight,” you chuckled.

“Time flies when you’re having fun, or something,” he muttered, glancing at the clock. It was fifteen minutes until midnight already, just as you said. But his eyes went straight back to you when he heard you walking toward the door. “Will you be okay?”

You paused as your hand pressed to the door, your head turning to face the cafe worker. He’d never asked you that before, “What do you mean?”

“Well,” he began slowly, “it’s just really late, and I know you don’t work too far from here, but I...just sometimes get...worried when you leave.”

It was the first time Hakyeon had ever admitted anything like that. Sure, it wasn’t maybe a big deal -- who wouldn’t get nervous for a girl walking around alone at night -- but he was still nervous about scaring you away somehow.

However, you gave him a soft smile, and he swore he’d be blushing if he could be.

“It’s okay, Hakyeon,” you told him. “I have to walk alone, anyway. I appreciate you worrying, though.”

As you pushed the door open and had one foot out the door, he blurted, “I can close!”

You stopped again, turning to look at him as he continued. You’d never seen Hakyeon this flustered before. Sure, he sometimes got a bit...twitchy, but he’d never been like this.

“I can close for a little bit to walk you,” he explained. “Hardly anyone comes in this late, so it’ll be fine. You work just down the street, don’t you? At that diner?”

You recalled telling him this before, one of the first nights Hakyeon had started working. The coffee at the diner just didn’t cut it for you. You’d found this little coffee shop just down the street -- it was the opposite way from where you came, so you’d never seen it before -- and you’d been coming here ever since. Then Hakyeon showed up, and since you had befriended the old night shift barista, you decided to talk to Hakyeon a bit to help pass time. 

He was always nice, albeit a little bit shy. He also had a thing about personal space, so he was always extra careful when giving you or any other customers that stopped by on rare occasions their coffees. He’d place them on the counter and make sure he got his hand away quickly before the customer got their cup. He was an odd character, but definitely interesting -- and good to look at, you’d admit.

Hakyeon was, well, pretty perfect-looking. His skin was completely flawless -- no wrinkles, blemishes or otherwise. His hair was dark, sometimes falling into his almost black eyes as he poured coffee into mugs and travel cups. His lips looked soft and were a pretty pink color that didn’t stand out too much from his skin, but still added some color to him. He was just a godly figure that you enjoyed peeking over at from time to time when you were bored of studying or when you were waiting for your travel cup of coffee before you made your way home.

You didn’t know it, but he always saw when you looked at him, and he swore his heartbeat somehow picked up. He swore on his immortality that you really did bring his dead heart back to life, and it grew stronger with every glance you blessed him with.

“Won’t you get fired?” you frowned slightly, not wanting to be the cause of Hakyeon losing his job when you’re only acquaintances, and he just got the job a few weeks ago.

He quickly shook his head, already discarding his apron and walking out from behind the counter to follow you, “Nobody will know.”

Due to the closeness of Hakyeon, you exited the shop, turning when your feet hit the sidewalk to see him flipping the open sign to closed before locking the door. He turned to you, a warm smile on his face as he pushed up the sleeves of his black sweater.

“Let’s go!” he chirped. “Wouldn’t want you to be late.”

“You know, you really don’t have to,” you told him even though your feet were already moving toward your destination with Hakyeon easily falling in-step beside you.

He just shrugged, jamming his hands into the front pockets of his jeans, “It’s fine, ___. You’re worrying too much about me.”

But truthfully, he was relishing the fact you were concerned for him. He didn’t think you’d really give a shit since he was just some barista you only shared small talk with -- though he knew more about you than you knew he did. Just the fact you worried over him was enough to make him want to grab your hand and whisk you away to his house and keep you there forever.

The fact he was so close to you wasn’t helping, either. His senses were attacked with everything you, and it was enough to have his cold heart racing as if he were a lovesick teenager. He couldn’t stand not reaching out to touch you, hold you, taste you. He just wanted you.

The two of you made small talk as usual until you reached the small diner. Like the cafe, it was open all night, and it was your source of income. But luckily, you didn’t completely hate the night shift. You had a few coworkers you enjoyed -- one more than the rest -- and a few regulars that you were kind of fond of. Besides, money was money, and if it got the rent paid...

Hakyeon’s heart dropped as soon as the two of you stopped in front of the door, his brown eyes looking up to the neon sign, “Guess this is your stop.”

“Wanna come in?” you offered, one hand already on the door handle. “Maybe get a burger or...a shittier, cheaper cup of coffee? It’s kinda cold out and maybe you could warm up before walking back?”

Hakyeon didn’t eat. He could do it -- he’d throw it all up later -- but he didn’t need to. However, he’d pretend all he had to if you were the one offering the gross substances to him. Especially with that sweet smile and those beautiful eyes looking up at him. Fuck, he’d walk to hell and back for you if you asked him.

“Sure,” he nodded.

You opened the door before strolling into the diner, the familiar scent filling your nose. Behind you, Hakyeon walked in and looked around tentatively. It smelled awful in his opinion because of the food, but he could still smell the wonderful scent of humans, so the scent was bearable.

A heavier, middle-aged woman was standing behind the counter where three men were seated a few seats apart. Even from how far away he was, Hakyeon could tell the name read “Mary”.

“Right on time, as usual,” she commented as you walked further into the diner, the boy trailing behind you. “Who’s your friend?”

You turned to look behind you, making sure Hakyeon was still following. As soon as you looked at him, his wandering eyes went right to you.

“This is Hakyeon,” you introduced him. “He works at the cafe I go to before and after work.”

“Ah,” Mary nodded before smirking toward Hakyeon. “Nice to meet you, stranger.”

“Hakyeon, you can go sit wherever you like,” you told him with a small smile. “I’ll be right over.”

He just silently nodded before going to sit in a booth over by the large one in the corner. You waked behind the counter and grabbed an apron from off the hooks.

“Is Minseok here already?” you asked, already knowing the answer.

Mary sighed with a nod, “Of course he is, ___. You know he comes in two hours before you do.”

“And leaves two hours earlier, too,” you frowned as you tied the strings around your waist.

Hakyeon’s eyes narrowed at the menu in front of him as he listened to the conversation. Who was Minseok and why did you want to know if he was here? You didn’t mention having a boyfriend, and he never saw anybody go into your apartment. Maybe it was just a coworker? Hopefully not one you were too close with.

You grabbed your notepad and pen before walking over to Hakyeon’s table, leaning against it with one hand with a natural smile he’d never seen you wear. You really were in your element in this place. The confidence you showed as soon as you were in your waitress uniform was something he’d never seen. He loved it.

“So,” you began with a toothy smile, your tongue poking out playfully, “anything you want?”

‘You,’ was all he could think, ‘you, you, you, you.’

“Burger sounds good,” his mouth said -- thankfully.

“How do you like that done?” you asked on instinct.

“Rare,” he said quickly.

“Still mooing,” you nodded with a chuckle, jotting it down, “got it.”

As you were writing, Hakyeon noticed a man in his peripheral vision. He was walking toward you, carrying a plastic tub of dirty dishes. As he walked by, he playfully slapped your ass, making you gasp and turn to face the culprit as he carried on his way.

“Minseok!” you giggled, your face turning a cute pink.

But it wasn’t a cute pink caused by Hakyeon, so he didn’t like it. Or the giggle. Or the way you looked at him, and the way your mouth curled around his name like it was your favorite thing to say.

Clearly, you were in love with this guy.

“Sorry, baby!” Minseok called over his shoulder, his shaggy, black hair falling into his eyes. “Couldn’t resist!”

As you turned to go after your apparent boyfriend, Hakyeon growled lowly to himself. How could his mate be in love with someone else? You were his and only his. He was the only one that could make you happy, not some short busboy! He was going to do something about it, but he had to act fast. He’d have to plan how to get you to belong to him, even if you didn’t want to. He knew what was best for you, it was in his instincts.

You reached the counter, giggling and joking with Minseok. You went to put the order on the line of them hung by wooden clips but you realized you forgot to ask what Hakyeon even wanted on his burger.

“Hey, Hakye--” you stopped, looking over to his table only to see that Hakyeon was gone.

-

Hakyeon took the next few days off to study you. He didn’t need sleep, so he could follow your every move. He watched you leave the diner that night, following you all the way home from the safety of the shadows. He watched you sleep after climbing the fire escape like he’d always done but this time maneuvering your window open to stand in the corner of your room. He followed you to school, and even watched you go to the cafe and study before going to work again. And he did that every single day for five days. He saw everything you did in between, from brushing your teeth, to getting dressed, to getting off at night with Minseok over the phone.

God, he couldn’t stand Minseok. He wanted him dead, and he wanted to be the one to do it. He wanted to enjoy the little show you put on for him unknowingly, but he couldn’t because it was with somebody that wasn’t him. He had to get rid of your boyfriend once and for all, and he would do it tonight, he just wanted to do it in a new way. He didn’t want to drink his blood and drain him of life -- why would Hakyeon want his blood in his system? No, he was going to do this another way.

You had worked your usual shift at the diner, but Minseok wasn’t in. He hadn’t been texting you, and Mary said he hadn’t even called out. You didn’t understand what the problem was. Had you done something wrong? Was he sick? You had no idea.

So, after work, you walked to Minseok’s house. You knew he would scold you for it -- he hated you making the short walk from the diner to your apartment building alone at night, let alone walking to his place -- but you had to know why he wasn’t answering you and why he didn’t show up for work. You had to make sure he was okay.

“Minseok?” you called upon entering his house with the spare key under the mat. “Minseok, it’s me! Are you okay?”

Despite the fact all the lights were on, the house was completely silent. Well, until you heard something clatter against the floor in the kitchen.

“Minseok!” you gasped, hurrying down the hall. But as soon as you saw the kitchen, you froze.

Everything was red. Blood was covering the floor, the cabinets, the counters, and the walls. There was a large pool of it surrounding Minseok, who was laying lifelessly on the floor. His eyes were wide open, the light in them completely gone. There was multiple cuts in his work shirt, which was completely covered in red as well. And beside him on the floor, was the knife that caused all of this.

But the scariest thing of all was the man knelt in front of him, shaking so badly he was practically vibrating. You watched as his hands clenched and unclenched as he just sat there, staring down at Minseok.

A hand shakily went to your mouth, wanting so badly to scream or cry or make some sort of noise for help, but everything was caught in your throat. You couldn’t believe this was happening, it all felt like some awful nightmare you would wake up from. But you wouldn’t wake up because you were already awake, and this was all reality.

The man on the floor suddenly moved, his head whipping around to face you. The first thing you saw were the bright red eyes at looked at you wildly. But then you finally took in the features, recognizing Hakyeon, his face and body covered in Minseok’s blood. His mouth was open, letting out jagged breaths. You could see sharp fangs that poked his bottom lip.

“W-Wha-- Ha--” you couldn’t even form words, not knowing what to say. You couldn’t wrap your head around any of this as tears dripped from your eyes, down your cheeks, and off your chin onto the floor.

“You don’t belong to him,” he said, his voice deep and sultry which contrasted his appearance. His hair was sticking out in all directions, and his shirt was torn and stretched and wrinkled. Yet his voice was so steady. “You belong to me, ___. I didn’t want to share.”

“I-I’m not yours,” you whispered, shaking your head. You didn’t even understand what this had to do with anything. “Hakyeon, I-- I want you out of this house.”

“No, you’re mine!” he insisted, standing up and getting in front of you so quickly that you didn’t even see him move. His hands gripped your upper arms so tightly it was uncomfortable. You squirmed to get away but he didn’t even struggle or flinch. “You are my mate, ___; you belong to me!”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” you cried, just assuming he was crazy. But between the weird eyes and how cold his skin was against yours and the fangs, you could already make the assumption. But you thought it was all fairytale bullshit. “Hakyeon, this doesn’t make any sense!”

“Don’t play dumb,” he growled threateningly, “I know you know what I am now. I imprinted on you, and you’re my mate. Minseok was just in the way.”

“No!” you continued to violently thrash in his hold. “I don’t want to be! I don’t want you!”

“You can’t deny me or I’ll die.”

“Then rot in hell!”

Hakyeon’s eyes narrowed, his nails digging into your skin so hard it made you bleed. You whimpered, continuing to try to fight him as you shouted for help, but you didn’t know if anybody could even hear you.

“I’m not dying,” he snarled. “You’re either mine, or you’re nobody’s.”

Before you could say anything else, you felt a sharp pain in your neck. You had merely blinked, and Hakyeon’s face was buried in the crook of your neck, his teeth sinking deep into your flesh. You cried out, shoving against him, but he easily held you in place.

The taste of your blood was even sweeter than he imagined. He practically moaned at the taste, drinking, drinking, drinking to his heart’s content. He swore his heart was swelling just from the taste of his mate’s sweet blood. It was addictive. He couldn’t stop.

He couldn’t stop.

Still being a newborn, he couldn’t control himself. His lips never left your neck, even as you grew weaker and weaker. Your hits and shoves became nothing more than light jabs and pokes before you started to go limp in his hold. But fuck, he couldn’t stop. You were too delicious, and his newborn instincts pushed him to go until he couldn’t go anymore.

And so he drained you of your blood, and your life. But he wouldn’t die, and nobody else could have you.