#vampire taetae

I never asked for this anyways. I was just a simple college student, doing my best not to fall into too much debt. That's why I had been out late from working the closing shift at 'sugar daddy,' a bakery near the college. It was perfect, (well except for the name) especially considering it was smack dab in the middle of the campus and was almost always filled with cramming and sugar-addicted students. Which was why I ended up out so late. Some stupid freshman couldn't decide which jelly donut they wanted to buy. In turn, causing me to stay an extra 20 mins late after the store was supposed to close. So after I had gotten all my stuff and locked up, it was well after sunset. Walking out in the dark wasn't strange for me but usually, there were other people outside and the campus tonight felt like a ghost town. The air chilly and moon sending a glow that barley led me through the dark. Light layers of frost covered the browning grass, and besides the crunch of the paved sidewalk under my black converse, it was deadly silent. Until a strangled scream shocked me out of my journey back to my dorm and a patronizing hush following the sound. My breath stopped as the sound came from my right near the science building, eyes widening and curiosity getting the best of me, I approached the back of the building. Holding my breath as I peeked around the corner, hair standing on edge and hand covering my mouth to stop the gasp from escaping as I saw the scene unfold. A student who looked a few years older than me, face shifted to the side so all that I could see was his hands gripping a middle-aged man's throat. The older man's feet dangling in the air like a rag-doll. The worst part of it was, the boy looked so normal-nothing like the fables of undead ghost skinned creatures, with pointed ears and grey slicked-back hair. He was like a regular guy-well almost. Besides the fact that his pale skin seemed to glow in the moonlight, black messy hair pointing in all directions. He looked like a normal, attractive college student. Until two fangs sprouted from his front teeth and were plunged into the older man's neck. I stared in horror and disbelief, what was I watching? My mind froze and all I could think about was that vampires were real and I was watching one suck the blood of a human being. As if the man was a grape but the vampire had wanted a raisin. Before I could get my bearings and run, the man dropped to the floor, a satisfied hum sounding from the vampire as he hit the ground followed by a sickening crunch as if every bone in the older man's body was breaking. This time, I couldn't hide my shock, a gasp escaping from my mouth as I watched the lifeless body. The vampire turned to me, and that's when I got a good look at his facial features. He tilted his head up, a bored look plastered on his face, crimson blood dripping down his plump lips. He raised his heavy lids and stared at me through dark red eyes. The boredom from his face immediately disappeared, his lips turning up in a cocky smirk and his head tilting to the side. Taunting me, as if saying, 'what are you going to do?' That's when my mind started going into overdrive, and before I knew what I was doing my legs were carrying me in the opposite direction as fast as humanly possible. It wasn't until I had reached my dorm did I take a sigh of relief, even then I had grabbed some minced garlic and a flashlight and took refuge in my bed. My mind not even in the headspace to worry about the Physics homework I had due tomorrow.

The next day I had classes all mourning to distract me from the horrifying images from last night. The best way to get over it, I decided was to detox. I took an hour-long shower, scrubbing my body with lavender and washing my hair with honeycomb as if I could wash off the feeling of goosebumps as his red eyes flashed through my mind. I dressed casually for class, a pair of black leggings and a comfy sweater along with fluffy white socks and my black converse. Grabbing my backpack and coat I walked into the chilly air and heading towards my physics class. It was going to be okay, I thought. Who cares if I didn't do my homework, I watched a man die last night. I wondered if that was a viable excuse, 'sorry I didn't do my homework last night, professor, I watched a vampire suck the blood out of a human being.'

If the vampire had wanted to kill me he would've, he was clearly stronger and faster than me. But then, why didn't he kill me? I froze in my steps, the sirens hitting my ears as if they were a punching bag. The flashing blue and red lights, adding to the crowd around the science building causing a shiver to trail down my spine.

"(Y/N) did you hear? Our physics teacher died of a heart attack last night." Emma, my best friend since I came to the university who also conveniently worked at ‘sugar daddy’ said, rushing up to me. Her words came out slow and slurred, blood was rushing to my ears and the world around me slowed when I saw a police officer cover his body with a sheet. How had I not noticed that my professor was the one being killed, maybe it was just a coincidence. Maybe my professor and the guy from last night were two different people. Wouldn’t the authorities clearly see the wound on his neck, and notice that he had no blood in his body?

“I can't believe he's dead, I need to go find hoseok I'll be right back.” She motioned to her boyfriend on the other side of the crowd and I simply nodded watching as she walked away.

“Hmm, you have a distinct smell of sugar and honey, no matter how much lavender you use.” I stiffened as a nose pressed into the crock of my neck, goosebumps creasing over my skin when his deep voice spoke. “You smell so sweet, I wonder what you’re blood would taste like?” I sharply turn around, gasping at the boy I found. His eyes weren't red like last night, instead a deep, dark brown. But he was clearly the same person considering the cocky smirk that painted over his features. I wanted to scream as soon as he flashed his sharp canines at me,

“get the fuck away from me.” I mumbled, stepping back from the man, not sounding nearly as confident as I wanted too.

“Aww, sweetie are you scared?” He titled his head to the side in a taunting way, but before I could respond someone was calling my name. I abruptly turned around as Emma waved me towards her. I turned, only to find that the vampire was gone.

Working that night at the bakery was horrible. All of my coworkers had called out so I was closing. Again. By myself. The entire shop was empty and it took so much self-control not to eat another white chocolate, hazelnut cookie. So like most young adults, I decided to play cookie crush on my phone, instead of watching the clock for another fifteen minutes. The pitch of the bell, however, did not cause me to look up, too engrossed in the game to even pay attention to the customer.

“You’re such an interesting little human.” I jump at the voice, my phone slipping from my hands, the loud crack making me flinch as it comes in contact with the marble floor. The music from cookie crush comes to a halt, and I come face to face with crystal red eyes, two pearly fangs sticking out from below his top lip. His smirk only widens at my own shocked expression, as if he’s proud of my misfortune. In my shocked, and panic-stricken state I do the first thing that comes to mind, protect myself. And that consists of throwing a blueberry fluff cupcake at his face. The boy's eyes widen, the color of his pupils shifting back to a brown color as he catches the large treat. A boxy smile breaks on his face, a boyish laugh escaping his throat, and it's terrifying. Because he sounds like a normal human, and he's anything but.

“Did you just throw a cupcake at me?” I don't answer his question, too caught up in how quick his reflexes are. He raises the marshmallow frosting up to his lips, his teeth sinking into the pastry as he lets out a hum of delight. “This is delicious.” He brings his thumb up to his lip, wiping some of the frosting off his lip. Suddenly he appears at my side, his thumb brushing past my lower lip as I unconsciously lick the frosting he's put on my lips. His eyes following my mouths every movement. “But I bet you’d taste better.” His words cause my heartbeat to increase and before I know it, I'm rushing out the first thing that comes to mind. “I bet I taste like dog shit.” He recoiled at my words, his smirk morphing into a shocked expression. “I highly doubt that, little human.”

“Can you stop calling me that! Why are you here anyway? Are you going to kill me just like you killed that helpless professor?” I asked, shocked at my confidence that had come forth all of a sudden.

“The pedophile? I'm so sorry that I killed the man who was looking up girls skirts and harassing them in the back of his car.” I stared wide-eyed at him,

“What?”

“You were his next target.”

   “What?” He chuckled at my questions and offered a hand out to me.

“I can prove it.” I stared questionably at his hand, looking back up at him. Only to realize I didn't even know his name.

   “I don't even know your name.” His figure stiffened for a moment, before his shoulders relaxed, his teeth retracting back to normal and a pleasant brown spreading over his eyes like watercolor.

   “My names Taehyung.”

And just like that, I took his hand.

The newly discovered Vampire whose name was revealed as Taehyung led me to the Science building to prove that my professor was a pedophile and wanted to sexually assault me. Never, in my entire life did I think I would ever be in a situation like this. If my mother could see me now….she’d be so proud.

To fill the silence between me and Tae, I decided to ask him as many questions as possible. Deciding he wasn't a threat, at the moment. “Sooo, do you like, sleep in a coffin?” I questioned while he turned and gave me a ridiculous look. “Of course not, I sleep on silk sheets.”

“Can you turn into a bat?” We approached the back of the building, Tae sliding an ID card that was not his, past the regulator. “No.” He held the door open for me and I quickly walked into the building, his hand landed on my lower back as he led me through the dark, empty hallways. An overhead light provided some solace from the dark, and suddenly I had an idea. “Come here,” I mumbled, grabbing Tae by the arm and dragging him under the light. I stood on my tiptoes, inching closer to his skin as I watched for any abnormalities. His deep voice broke my train of concentration,

“Are you checking to see if I sparkle? Because I do, with my shining personality.” After realizing that he indeed, did not sparkle I finally allowed him to bring me into the professor's office. He led me towards his desk, breaking open a cabinet with ease and pulling out several vanilla folders. All labeled with different last names, one of them being mine. Tae looked up at me, the roles reversed because of the nervous look on his face. “You don't have to open them if you don't want to. But I wasn't lying to you (Y/N).” I didn't question how he knew my name since I had never told him but ignored that, and instead opened the file to find numerous photos of me. Some at work, college parties, in dresses. There were also several sticky notes and index cards recording personal details of my life.

“This is...horrible. How could he do this?” I looked through several other files, finding other girls in the same scenario as me. All falling victim to a horny older man's secret desires.

“I didn't kill him for fun (Y/N). That’s how I found out about you, your name, from him. I find people who are doing horrible things, and if they don't change then I-” Tae parted his mouth, his eyes closing and his teeth sharpening as he threw his head back. “God, I can still taste him. He tasted like tofu. I fucking hate tofu.” He growled out, the bitterness in his words causing a shiver to run down my spine. “Hey,” I spoke up, successfully getting his attention. “Have you ever seen the movie Dracula.”  

The time was well past eleven, but instead of sleeping I was leading a Vampire boy up the staircase towards my apartment. “You know, I watch Dracula movies to make fun of how dumb humans are.” He said, matter-a-factly as we entered the floor of my apartment. “Well, that's valid. Humans are easy to make fun of.” I pulled out my keys and just as I went to unlock the door Tae staggered next to me. “Wow, are you alright?” I asked stepping closer to him, only for him to hold out a hand to stop me. “I'm fine, it's your smell. It’s really strong now that I'm at your apartment.” I cocked an eyebrow at the man, going back to unlock the door as he composed himself. “Well, I hope I don't smell like tofu.” I joked, not thinking anything of it until a hand was roughly grabbing at my shoulder. Flipping me around so my back was slammed against the door. I gasped at the impact, but my attention was drawn to the vampire in front of me. “Don’t insult yourself like that. Your the best thing I’ve ever smelled, don’t even compare yourself to tofu.” His lips hovered dangerously close to mine as he spoke, his breath fanning over mine as his eyes traveled to my lips than to my neck. “Can I bite you?” Before I could even comprehend his question he was pulling away from me, staggering away from my touch as if I had burned him. He gaped at me, eyes unsure and slightly pleading, for what? I couldn’t tell. “God damn it, I'm so sorry (Y/N).” I stared helplessly as he ran from me, disappearing as if he was never even there.

I was late, fuck I was so late. That was the only thought in my head as I ran across campus in December, in nothing but a black skirt and a yellow sweatshirt because I had woken up late. I didn't have classes that day so I forgot about all responsibilities, too focused on how I kept seeing Tae during the week. Getting glances of him, only for him to send me a smile then disappear. I hated when he did that. But what I hated, even more, was the freaking rock in my way, that I, of course, tripped over. I tumbled to the ground, pavement scratching against the bare skin of my knees and hands, the rocks on the ground just scratching my cheek. Enough that it started to sting. I paid no attention to the embarrassing scenario, getting back up and rushing towards the store. A pair of arms suddenly wrapped around my waist, spinning me around till I came face to face with dark, beet red eyes. “Fuck,” I mumbled as Taehyung licked his lips, dragging his lower one between his teeth. He pressed me closer to the wall behind me, what I could only assume was the back science building. “You’re bleeding…”

“T-Taehyung.” I stuttered out, my phone beeping in my pocket as I cautiously pulled it out.

‘Don't worry girl. I got your shift covered. I know how stressed you've been lately. Love you!’

                           -Emma

I gulped at the message, just as gentle hands slowly took the device away from me. “Blood stains your flesh so prettily.” His hands crawled up towards my cheeks, gently cupping the skin as some blood from the cut dripped onto his thumb. Tae, all of a sudden harshly pulled away, a growl reverberating from his throat. “Shit, I can't control it-”

“Tae.” I took both his hands in mine, my voice firm as I watched him try to slither away from me in pain. “Bite me,” I mumbled, watching as his body stopped.

“Say it again.” He hissed, making sure this was what I really wanted, and it was.

“Bite. Me.”

He smirked at me, eyes turning a shade darker and body become more confident as he pulled my hips flush towards his body. My breasts pushing against his chest in a way that made me flush.

“Oh, little human.” He cooed, his tongue straying over his lips as he made eye contact with me.

“Why am I not surprised?” He shakes his head disapprovingly at your honest admission, and you feel the anger starting to build up on the pit of your stomach. Months of repressed frustration at his growing disinterest on your friendship that you had managed to keep bottled up inside were now threatening to set loose.

“What’s your fucking problem, Tae? Are you mad you’re not the smartest one despite being 500 years older than the whole class?” You mutter through gritted teeth; but he just rolls his eyes. 

“Just so you know, I’m only 487 years old so there’s no way I’m–”

“Oh, I know exactly how old you are... What I don’t know is why you’re being such an asshole.”

“I’m not being–”

It’s not even necessary for you to say anything, your fierce glance is enough to make him abruptly stop mid-sentence. He sighs and crosses his arms, now visibly irritated.

“Fine, maybe I am. I just don’t think it’s right that you put absolutely no effort into studying and still get the best mark while others study for hours and stil–”

You snort loudly and point your index finger at him, pressing it against his chest accusingly. 

“Oh come on, you didn’t study either... and you got the second best mark of the whole class!”

“That’s only because I was alive during World War II.”

“Well yeah, but, I mean–” you start to stumble with your words, in a failed attempt to appease things. “It wasn’t my intention to get the best marks; I didn’t try to–”

"No, see...” he starts furiously, cutting you off. Then he makes a long pause in which he tries to calm down, his chest agitated and quickly going up and down, his eyes firmly pressed shut and his eyebrows almost painfully furrowed. “That's the fucking problem; you don't even try! You never do!” By the end his voice sounds disheartened, nearly dismayed. 

You try to reach out and grab his arm, but he quickly takes it away as if your mere touch could be enough to burn him. You’re not sure if he can see the hurt in your eyes; but if he does, he chooses to ignore it. 

“Excuse me?” You manage to whisper, feeling tiny and more conscious than ever of the height difference between the two of you.

“You’re just... you’re just so effortlessly good at everything you do! It’s not fair.”

Your brain is working at its maximum capacity, at no avail, to comprehend what he’s trying to say to you; what’s the hidden meaning behind those apparently simple words.

“And what’s your problem with that?”

“What’s my–” he lets out a sardonic laugh, stripped off of any humour, that sends a shiver down your spine. “My problem is that you ace every test without studying. My problem is that you look stunning no matter what. My problem is that you’re funny without intending it. And... and my fucking problem, Y/N, is that you’ve made me fall in love with you; and everything without even trying!”

At his words, you let out a breathe you didn’t even realise you were holding in. 

“What does th–”

“I’m the hot vampire guy” he interrupts you, looking almost distressed, as if he was trying desperately to understand how that could’ve happened; his eyes slightly more opened than the norm, “and you’re the pretty teenage girl. You’re supposed to hopelessly fall in love with me! Not the other way around!”

“Tae did... did those words actually come out of your mouth?” You chuckle to yourself but instantly regret it, seeing the look he gave you. “I’m not letting you anywhere near my Twilight DVD’s again.”

Taehyung lets out a frustrated growl and runs a hand through his hair.

“Y/N.... I’m being serious.”

“I know, I just... I don’t understand why you’re so mad about it; I love you t–”

“No! Don’t. Don’t say it. Please, you’re only making it harder. Please, don’t say it or I won’t be able to stay away from you” his voice is almost broken and so is your heart.You’re not capable of comprehending why is this such a huge deal to him; but when you try to get near, he only takes steps back.

“But I don’t want you to stay away from me.”

“Don’t you understand?!” His voice comes out louder than what he intended and he sighs, lowering his tone. “I can’t... I shouldn’t be in love with you. I’ve been through this so many times... I can’t lose you; and I know will. I always do. I’m condemned to it. I’ll have to go on living forever without you and I can’t–”

“Tae. Listen to me,” you demand with a soothing voice. After a long pause he finally connects his eyes to yours and you’re able of seeing all the pain and heartbreak in them. “I love you. I love you, and you’re not going to stop me. Not from saying it nor from showing you. I love you, and that’s a fact. And yes, I am perfectly aware that I will eventually perish. Would you rather let me die without properly using all the years we have left?”

“A couple of decades is nothing compared to all what I’ve lived and all I have yet to live...”

You sigh, slowly, almost cautiously getting closer to him, in fear that he’d back away again. You smile to yourself when he doesn’t, and you place one hand upon his shoulder, squeezing slightly.

“You know, for someone who’s 487 years old, you’re pretty fucking blind.”

“I would have gone with hot, but okay? What’s your point?”

You let out a soft chuckle.

“My point is that can’t see that no matter how hard you try to push me away, I won’t go. I love you, and I know you love me, so... instead of running away like a scaredy cat we could be utilising every second we have to be together.”

He looks at you; his eyes barely containing all the love and devotion in his heart, but then something in his expression flickers, and quickly, mischief takes over his entire face as he finally understands that his words were not having any effect on you. You were stubborn as a mule and, even if he tried to deny it; he loved you for it. So he gave up. 

“I have a good idea of how we can start putting our time to good use.” He announces. He then takes a step closer to you, eliminating any distance in between your bodies. He gently strokes your cheek with one of his hands, while the other wanders and reaches the small of your back. “I could kiss you right now” he whispers sweet and softly, but with the most annoyingly over-confident smirk on his face. 

And just like that he was back; the same old Taehyung you had fallen in love with.