Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

It wasn’t often that Kim Coven was asked to check out a specific location for unruly vampires. The last time it happened was some few decades ago when they’d cleaned an entire sewer system of strays.

It didn’t bode well that someone else caught wind of unlawful activity in Kim territory before the man – vampire – himself. For starters it was just a bad look on principal, it made it seem as if their leader wasn't paying attention to his own lands.  Secondly, vampires were creatures of habit, none of them like it when someone acted out of turn.

This time it wasn’t a sewer which Hoseok was incredibly grateful for. Seokjin sent them to what appeared to be an abandoned building on the bad side Seoul. It was a typical sight but then again, vampires.

Usually Hoseok didn’t join these little trips. It wasn’t his specialty, as it were. He certainly could handle it, he was there for a reason, but his usual involvement in such cases happened behind the scenes. The few times he’d been sent out had happened when Seokjin had been sending in everybody and that never happened for anything good.

Again, Hoseok was glad this wasn’t a sewer system. He could still smell the damn place after decades.

But Namjoon was busy tonight and Yoongi wouldn’t be back home until a little later and Seokjin’s meeting was taking longer than it should.

That only left Hoseok to join Jimin and Taehyung.

Normally it was Namjoon on the babysitting duty on these expeditions. He had the physical strength for the job, he could defend himself and the two little ones if things ever went south. It never had so far but that didn’t mean this coven would let Jimin and Taehyung go out alone on such a mission. You never knew what was lurking in the shadows.

Hoseok wasn’t weak. He could handle this just as easily as Namjoon. It just wasn’t his job.

“I don’t hear anything from here.” Taehyung said.

“Me neither.” Jimin added and turned to look at Hoseok.

In any case it was good bonding time for them. It had been sometime between all the work since Hoseok had last spent quality time with their fledglings.

It was just past midnight, the moon shining bright high on the dark sky. There was an easy breeze blowing, it was a chilly late summer night.

There weren’t any sounds, or at least there weren’t any sounds that were important to them, but the wind made it easier for Hoseok to pick up on scents. Vampires had such a specific smell to them. This was the right place.

The silence could be an indication that the strays had perhaps left to hunt or maybe they caught wind of their arrival and jumped ship. Both options were highly possible.

“Keep an eye out.” Hoseok said and casually walked up to the broken front door. It wasn’t Jimin and Taehyung’s first little mission, they’d done this a few times already, but it was still a good learning experience. “Stay close, alright?”

Taehyung and Jimin were practically skipping down the halls, flitting from door to door to check different rooms, excited to be out on a mission. Hoseok watched them with a smile as they tracked down certain scents and pointed out things they noticed to him. It was a good way for them to sharpen their skills. They’re both very young, practically toddlers by vampire standards and still learning to adapt to their new undead lives. The fledglings chattered happily down the hall. Their footsteps were perfectly inaudible and pride swelled in Hoseok’s chest. His darlings were learning faster and faster, they’d be such a force to reckon with in a few decades.

The building was in horrible condition even by abandoned building standards. The moldy walls were covered in shitty graffiti, some of them collapsed or barely holding on. Everything was either broken or rotting to some degree, the floor creaking under their steps.

This place would have to be destroyed for safety reasons. Hoseok would make some calls when they made it back home.

But more important than sub-par building regulations, with every step Hoseok took deeper in it became abundantly clearer that this was indeed a vampire nest. Is – was. There weren’t any vampires here. He could smell them – the scent was clinging to the wall papers, heavy in the air. 

“I think they left in a hurry.” Taehyung said and looked over his shoulder towards Hoseok before kicking a ripped jacket on the floor. It was heavily damaged.

“It’s a big building.” Jimin said, eyes scanning the room they were in. “It can host a lot. If they all left in a hurry they must have known we were coming.”

“Maybe they were running from something scary.” Taehyung said.

“Kim Coven is the something scary.” Jimin chuckled proudly.

Hoseok huffed through his nose and smiled. Nobody in this city wanted a ‘wellness check’ from the very coven members that ran it.

“Look for evidence.” Hoseok nodded towards the shredded jacket. He had to steer this night, he didn’t want his fledglings to be too distracted.

“Race to the top?” Jimin asked with a grin.

Hoseok sighed dramatically as two shadowy blurs ran away from him. Should he reprimand them for the giggling? There wasn’t anyone here so it wasn’t a danger but their voices echoed – they should know better about making unnecessary noises in such places.

He let them win the race. It’s worth seeing the big smiles when he made it to the top floor.

Multiple things became clear as they began to investigate the building.

First of all; they had a hundred percent left in a hurry.

Not a single vampire, stray or feral or whatever, would ever leave behind a half-finished meal. No vampire would ever leave behind evidence that could get them in trouble.

Yet they found three different half-eaten bodies in what appeared to be the ‘dining’ room. The floor was covered in layers of blood. The smell was unpleasant to say the least.

While Jimin and Taehyung carefully looked for any identifiable marks on what was left of the bodies, Hoseok took pictures of everything. He’d compile everything they saw here onto a list and send it to their contact at the police station when they made it back home. He’d make an inquiry about missing people too.

Second, there were dead vampires left to rot on a different floor. Hoseok couldn’t tell why or how they’d died, there wasn’t much left of their bodies to inspect in such detail. However there were a couple of them in this room and that wasn’t a good sign at all. Even the weakest vampires were hard to kill, having this many lying around was highly suspicious.

Third, these were not vampires Hoseok knew.

Seokjin ran Seoul. Seokjin owned this city. They knew every vampire coven, big or small, that resided in their territory. They had a whole registry system dedicated to it. Vampires worked on bureaucracy and Seokjin was famed for his generosity. It made him a likeable leader in the underworld but also someone nobody wanted to cross – not when everyone knew how many vampires would rally behind him if push ever came to shove.

All the vampires who lived in Seokjin’s lands did it amicably. Be it coven members, strays, or loners. Nobody liked unnecessary fighting and Seokjin had managed to create a type of vampire democracy in Seoul. The rare few who pushed their luck with Seokjin’s generosity and kindness – well, at least they had served a fine purpose as being an example as to why people did not anger the famed vampire.

This many dead bodies, this many dead vampires…

Seoul was infested.

“Hyung won’t be happy.” Jimin mumbled under his breath as they made their way down to the basement. Hoseok glanced backwards over his shoulder. The fledglings both looked spooked, their shoulders hunched and eyes flitting around.

“He’ll be annoyed.” Hoseok replied easily. He’d give them hugs and kisses when they were home. It was uneasy for him to see this many dead vampires, all rot and decay, it must be creepier for a vampire their age.  “We’ll handle it. We’ve had runaways and murder happy vamps before, it’ll be handled quickly.”

Pests.

“They’ll either learn to play along nicely or –“ Hoseok froze, his arm shooting to the side to stop Jimin and Taehyung. The little ones immediately stood closer to Hoseok, all three of them on high alert now.

In the silence Hoseok heard it again. A barely audible whimper came from the basement. It was a small, pained sound.

There was someone in the basement.

It’s a trap was Hoseok’s first reaction. They’re underground – it would make the perfect sense to lure them here for an attack

The building is empty was Hoseok’s second reaction. They were the only ones in this building. Just them and –

Hoseok walked down the last steps and found himself staring into the darkness. The basement was a large room filled with dusty containers and other boxes, he could hear rats in the walls.

On the other side of the room was a door. 

And Hoseok could hear the ragged breathing behind it.

“Stay close to me.” He whispered and walked silently into the darkness with his head held high.

Hoseok’s eyes were laser focused on the beaten down door as if he could see through it. The whimpers were getting louder.

He stopped in front of the door. It was an old and rusty thing, looking like it could break apart any second. He tipped his chin just so and Jimin and Taehyung followed his silent order. They moved to the two sides of the door so if there was anything dangerous waiting for them the initial blow would miss them.

The handles nearly broke when Hoseok pushed open the door.

The smell of death hit him first, mixed with the stale air of this room. It was as dirty as the one before, everything in it covered with a thick layer of dust. It must have been some sort of storage or utility room at some point.

The only natural light source was a window on the side of the room where moonlight shone in over the body lying miserably on the floor.

The smell of death was strong but the person on the floor was not dead.

Hoseok cursed under his breath as he ran in, he dropped to his in front of the body. He carefully lifted the person’s head and – fuck.

The boy looked so young.

He made a pained sound when Hoseok moved him. His eyes couldn’t seem to focus on anything, looking at everywhere and nowhere at the same time. There was blood all over him. His hands were tied tightly behind his back with a silver handcuff which was used to chain him to the wall.

This was a baby. Hoseok couldn’t even get himself to call him a fledgling because he wasn’t old enough to be called that – Hoseok could still smell the scent of death clinging to him because it hadn’t been that long since he’d been turned. Maybe two, three days?

Hoseok was holding an infant of a vampire that’s tied up in silver and abandoned.

“Jimin! Taehyung! Come here!”

His little ones came running and skidded to a halt, knees hitting the floor next to him immediately. They cursed when they saw the infant on the floor and – yeah, that’s about how Hoseok’s feeling too.

“We’re taking him back to the penthouse.” Hoseok said. There were too many dead vampires in this building already. “I need light.”

“Here – “ Jimin pulled out his phone, fumbled a little bit before turning on its flash light.

The infant hissed at the sudden brightness, trying to pull away but also seemingly finding comfort in Hoseok’s touches. Hoseok made a calming sound and gently ran his fingers across the baby’s face.

“You will be okay, little one.” Hoseok said but – he wasn’t sure how much he believed in that.

With the light flashing down on the person it was clearer to see just how badly he’d been treated. His face was gaunt and there were dark bruises littered across the skin that was visible. He was far too pale even for a vampire. The skin seemed to be so thin that Hoseok was afraid any touch would harm him. Worst was his mouth. He had deep cuts on his lips that didn’t seem to be healing, his entire chin covered in blood.

Hoseok held Jimin’s wrist to move the light over the infant’s body to get a better look. His clothes were all ripped and dirty. He must have put up a fight. Hoseok’s heart squeezed in his chest. How terrified the poor thing must have been during his final moments.

There was a huge splash of blood painting his lower belly, a large hole that wasn’t just a rip of his shirt – the killing blow. He had a chunk of his neck missing. Whoever had drained him had done a messy job. Perhaps a feral?

The Infant was still making babbling, whimpering in pain. He didn’t have any blood left in him to bleed.

“We need to get out of here.” Hoseok finally said. “Call Seokjin and tell him we have an infant in horrible shape, he’ll need to feed.”

He reached behind the Infant and easily broke the chain attached to the wall with the flick of a wrist. He couldn’t touch the silver cuffs – silver cuffs on an infant what the fuck – without weakening himself and he needed all the power he could to take this little one to safety.

Taehyung moved around and ripped off the bottom part of his shirt then he used it to carefully tie it over the silver. It wouldn’t completely stop it from hurting them if they accidently came in contact with it but it would lessen the damage a little bit. Better than nothing. Hoseok gave Taehyung a quick nod before pulling the Infant into his arms.

Just as Hoseok was about to stand he stopped. The baby was pale as a ghost under the moon light.

Moonlight.

He looked down at the poor baby babbling incoherently in his arms, delirious from hunger and pain, and then followed the moon beams to the window. Despite all the dust and dirt in the basement, in the entire building, the window was practically squeaky clean.

They had tied this Infant with silver and had abandoned him in this room to be forgotten.

The sun would rise eventually.

Hoseok swallowed down the bile and rage building in him.

They’d left this baby to die.

They’d tortured this infant and had left him to die a horrible, painful, slow death.

“Hyung?” Jimin asked, a careful hand placed on Hoseok’s shoulder.

Hoseok watched the window before nodding and standing up. It could wait until later.

“Let’s go, quickly.” He said and looked at the Infant with a furrowed brow. “I’m not sure how long he can survive.”

“He made it this far.” Jimin said, almost sounding like he was trying to convince himself. “He can make it.”

“Let’s not test it.” Taehyung helped Jimin to his feet.

It was a good thing they’d came here by foot, Hoseok would have lost it if he had to drive a car back to the penthouse with a barely alive infant in his arms.

They jumped through rooftops, their silhouettes just a mirage against the skyline if any passerby were to spot them – just a mistake of the human eye and nothing more.

Hoseok was glad that Taehyung and Jimin were quicker than most fledglings their age, glad that he didn’t have to worry about them keeping up with him. He was still ahead of them, his nimble feet carrying him halfway through Seoul, but he knew that if he looked over his shoulder they would be right behind him.

The rooftop entrance of their penthouse was open when they finally made it. Hoseok didn’t slow down and ran inside, clutching the Infant close to his chest and murmuring softly to him despite how hectic his brain felt.

“Hyung!” he called out, his inner compass directing him to the person he needed.

Seokjin was in his study, leaning against his desk with an unreadable expression. He was still in his business suit although his jacket had been thrown to the side. His eyes fell on the Infant when Hoseok walked in, his brows shooting up in shock.

It was gone when Jimin and Taehyung ran in a moment later – almost as if it had never been there in the first place. The fledglings were already panicked, they needed to see that their elders were calm and collected even if that wasn’t the entire truth.

“Here.” Seokjin said and motioned towards the leather sofa, untying his tie and throwing it to the side. His voice was calm and collected as he unbuttoned his shirt to reveal the long line of his neck. He sat down of the sofa and opened his arms for the Infant. “Yoongi and Joon should be here any moment.”

“Careful.” Hoseok warned as he lowered the Infant down. “He’s got silver.”

Seokjin frowned and looked over the Infant’s shoulder at his bound wrists. He looked for a second before finding Hoseok’s gaze again.

“Why is a baby silver-tied?”

Seokjin’s voice was eerily calm as he spoke. Nobody had an answer. Or rather nobody had an answer that wasn’t nauseating. Hoseok watched as Seokjin ripped off the cloth covering the silver. Seokjin was centuries old – touching silver wouldn’t hurt him as much as it would hurt Hoseok.

The Infant whimpered when Seokjin touched near his wounded wrists, trying to curl into himself. Hoseok made a pained expression. He wanted to calm the poor thing, give him a hug, but taking care of the silver was much more important in that moment.

“It’s okay, I’m just taking these off.” Seokjin murmured gently and the next second there was a click before the broken cuffs flew to the other side of the room.

The baby gasped, his fingers twitching, and tried to pull his arms to his chest but the limbs hung useless next to his body. Hoseok gently shushed him and helped him move, crossed his forearms against his chest like one would do with an actual new born baby.

The Infants wrists were badly burned, the skin swollen and rash, the skin was practically gone where the silver had been in direct touch with. It was a gnarly sight. It would heal with proper care but Hoseok could only imagine how painful it must have been, especially for a baby like this one.

Under proper lighting the Infant looked even worse. The lacerations on his face were deeper than Hoseok had initially thought at the basement. Hoseok got a better look at the large bite on his neck too and – Hoseok swallowed thickly, there wasn’t much left on the left side of his neck. The giant hole in his belly wasn’t any better.

And still there were dark bruises on his skin, his right hand looking like it might be broken to some degree. Whatever sick fuck was responsible for this would pay for it in tenfold.

Seokjin sniffed around the Infant’s body, carefully taking in all the damage done to him. He stopped for a moment and then his face was pinched together, lips pursed. Hoseok didn’t ask, there wasn’t time for it.

It was gone the very next second anyway, the Coven leader’s face smoothed out into something comforting. He held the Infant in his arms the same way you would hold a real baby.

“You must be so hungry.” Seokjin crooned sweetly as a distraction and pushed back the hair sticking to the Infants forehead. Hoseok doubted Seokjin would have to use anything in his voice to get the little one to comply.

The baby babbled again, still pained but seemingly less scared. Seokjin had that effect on people and creatures a like. There was some focus in his eyes now. At least he was looking at the general vicinity of Seokjin’s face – and it was a good face. Hoseok would call that face angelic if not for what they were.

“I know little one.” Seokjin said, his eyes soft. He stopped for a second when the Infant keened in his arms, something … confusing in his eyes that Hoseok couldn’t read. Whatever it was, Seokjin pushed through it, replaced it with something fierce before it was soft again. He tipped his head to the side.

“Would you like to feed?” he asked. “You can have as much as you want.”

The Infants eyes turned a ruddy brown color, nowhere near as strong as it should be but Hoseok hoped that feeding would help him.

“He’s got a fighting spirit.” Seokjin commented, almost proud, and held the Infant by his nape to lead his mouth to his neck. “There you go, come on now.”

Seokjin closed his eyes and let the Infant mouth as his neck. Hoseok relaxed a little bit. The baby would have to figure out how to feed on his own – at least they had to let him try first before taking the matters into their hands. Seokjin was stroking the Infant’s legs with his free hand, humming a melody like this was a normal moment.

Further in the house the front door opened. Hoseok sat up a little straight before relaxing. It was just Yoongi and Namjoon.

“We’re in here.” he said calmly. He didn’t raise his voice at all. Hoseok could hear them walking their way.

The Infant kept mouthing and licking Seokjin’s neck but never biting down the way he should. The longer it took the louder the Infant got, whining against Seokjin’s neck and trying his best but unable to figure out how to do it.

“You got this.” Seokjin said casually despite a frown on his face. It shouldn’t take this long for any infant to figure out how to bite. Hoseok didn’t expect the baby to be an expert at this but this wasn’t normal.

Hoseok looked over his shoulder when Yoongi and Namjoon walked in, their expressions serious as they took in the sight in front of them. Hoseok gave them an odd smile, not knowing what else to do. Jimin and Taehyung were sitting side by side on the other side of the room, keeping a reasonable distance but never looking away, equal parts curious and worried. Hoseok would drown them in kisses before bed.

“Let me look at you.” Seokjin said when minutes passed and the baby was still struggling. He pulled the Infant away from his neck. Seokjin’s throat was covered in blood now from the mess that was on the Infant’s face. The baby snapped his teeth a few times, mimicking a snarl that should help him with feeding but clearly not working. “Oh, no, don’t cry sweet thing.” Seokjin cooed and wiped away the stray tears running down the Infants face, mixing with the blood. “It’s okay, I can show you how, just open your mouth. Say aaah.”

Seokjin wasn’t exactly delicate with how he pushed two fingers into the Infant’s mouth but there wasn’t much to be done about that. Either Seokjin would have to get the Infant’s fangs out ‘manually’ or having something forced into his mouth would upset the Infant enough to do it himself.

They watched silently, and a little awkwardly, as Seokjin moved his fingers inside the Infant’s mouth to try and get his fangs out. Hoseok was worried about the lacerations around his lips but he knew that Seokjin would be careful of those.

“Yoongi, can you take a look at this please?”

Seokjin voice was tight yet deceptively straight forward. His eyes were glued into the Infant’s mouth. The baby whined and wiggled in Seokjin’s hold but didn’t fight. Hoseok doubted he had the energy for it.

Yoongi walked closer and leaned over to get a better look. Seokjin pushed back the Infant’s upper lip to reveal his gums and teeth and –

Hoseok knew his boyfriends. He knew them very well. He’d been with them for years.

Hoseok knew what they looked like when they were purposefully keeping a blank expression.

Whatever they were looking at wasn’t good.

“Am I seeing correctly?” Seokjin asked. Professional. This was bad, this was really bad.

Yoongi sighed and straightened himself, expression pinched. “Yes, you’re correct.”

Seokjin nodded and pulled his fingers out, wiped them on the Infant’s already dirty clothes. He tutted gently when the baby whined in his arms.

They watched as Seokjin’s nails grew into claws. He reached for his neck and cut himself deep enough to bleed.

The Infant threw himself at his neck with a snarl, desperately clutching at Seokjin’s dress shirt as he gulped down mouthfuls of blood. Seokjin closed his eyes and leaned back against the sofa to get comfortable.

“Well, seems like you guys had an eventful night.” Namjoon said a little awkwardly and sat down next to Jimin and Taehyung. The two little ones immediately cuddled closer. Hoseok smiled at the sight of them.

Hoseok sagged and closed his eyes, listened the sounds the Infant was making as he drank.

“He’ll survive.” Yoongi said. His eyes were running over the baby, taking list of everything that was wrong. “God, what did they do to him?”

“They left him to die.” Hoseok hissed. “He was tied with silver in the basement. There was a window – a few hours and he would have been dust.”

Namjoon and Yoongi both cursed, fingers twitchy. The Infant was still drinking, making cute sounds. Hoseok huffed into a smile, at least he seemed to be feeling a little better. He’d survive. That was important.

“Why would you torture a fledgling like this?” Namjoon asked, incredulous. “What could he have done to them?”

“Not a fledgling.” Seokjin said calmly.

They stared at him in confusion and Seokjin sighed, his calm demeanor slipping into something uncomfortable. He adjusted his hold on the Infant, kept him close to help him feed better instead of wasting blood.

“Calling him a fledgling is generous.” Seokjin said. He looked over at all of them one by one and shook his head. “He can’t be older than a few hours at most.”

The study was filled with sharp gasps and curses. A newborn. This was a literal newborn.

And they had tied him with silver to die.

Hoseok looked at Seokjin. His odd reaction from a little ago made more sense now. He ran his hand through his hair, breathing in slowly to calm himself. Being angry right now wouldn’t help anyone. Hoseok watched as the Infant wiggled a little in Seokjin’s arms, the tense line of his back relaxing as he fed.

Just how much pain this one must have gone through in just mere hours?

The silver around his wrists, the trauma of dying and being reborn, the hunger he must have felt… and not to mention all the cuts and bruises on him.

“No one was there.” Taehyung spoke up. Heads turned to him. He looked at them and swallowed thickly. “The building was empty when we got there, just him left behind.”

“It looked like they left in a hurry, there were –“ Jimin stopped himself and looked at Hoseok, trying to see if it was a good idea to bring up details.

“They left their dinner behind.” Hoseok said.

“Must have been scared.” Yoongi said, eyes on the Infant.

“I happen to be scary.” Seokjin mumbled off-handedly. It was enough to let the room fall into an uneasy silence.

“What are we going to do with him?” Jimin piped up, looking more like a werewolf pup than a fledgling.

Hoseok pursed his lips and looked at the Infant. The boy was unaware of his surroundings, just focused on Seokjin’s blood. Hoseok’s gaze went up to Seokjin’s face. He’d been alive (undead) for some time now. He was yet to find a word to describe the otherworldly beauty that was Kim Seokjin.

“It’s a crime to harm a fledgling.” Yoongi said when Seokjin didn’t speak immediately. They let their leader gather his thoughts. “It’s also a crime to abandon one.”

“Are there any rules on torturing one?” Namjoon asked with rough voice.

“Well, no one ever thought anyone would be heartless enough to torture a fledgling you sired.” Yoongi replied even though he knew Namjoon wasn’t look for an answer.

“I need time.”

Seokjin was looking at the carpet, refusing to meet their eyes. He looked less like the famed vampire lord of Seoul and more like their boyfriend. There was something in his voice that disturbed Hoseok, flared his protective instincts, something unsure and insecure.

“Of course.” He spoke up. “This is different from other times – “

“No, I mean –“ Seokjin sighed deeply and closed his eyes like he had a headache. He shifted in his seat uncomfortably and adjusted the Infant again when the little one whined at the movement. “It’s going to take a few hours for him to feed fully.”

The room fell silent in confusion. Hoseok could practically hear everyone blinking as they tried to make sense of what Seokjin had said.

“A few… hours?” Taehyung tilted his head. “Are you – are you sure about that?”

Seokjin tried to find the right words to explain it, his mouth opening and closing a few times before he sagged into his seat and closed his eyes. When he opened them again he seemed a little bit more put together.

“I don’t think his sire fed him.” He said.

Hoseok’s eyes fell on the Infant, his jaw slack. A newborn fledgling, barely a few hours old himself.

All things considered it was fairly easy to turn someone into a vampire. There was a procedure to it, you had to follow a certain list, but it was easy. You drain their blood and give them your own – blood exchange. The human corpse didn’t even have to drink large amounts of vampire blood to be turned either.

The real trick came with keeping a newborn fledgling alive.

Or unalive. Whatever. Details.

Fledglings were delicate by design and precious for vampires. It was so easy for them to be hurt, so so easy for them to die again. Most vampires never let their fledglings leave their nests until they were stronger or they had designated babysitters. Even during times of high conflict and bloodshed enemies would keep fledglings unharmed.

“I don’t think they fed him anything beyond what his sire gave to turn him.” Seokjin said uncomfortably. He held the Infant closer to his chest as if to protect him from unseen forces. He looked at Hoseok, his brows pinched. “You said it yourself, they abandoned him. Why waste your own blood and weaken yourself if you don’t intend to keep your fledgling alive in the first place?”

Hoseok’s already cold body froze. His mind went back to the abandoned building full of dead vampires, the basement floor they’d found the Infant in – the clean window.

“He’s been bleeding though.” Jimin said worriedly.

There was a procedure to turning a person. You kill them, you drain their blood, you feed them your own. That’s all you need to make a vampire.

But to keep one alive the sire has to consistently feed the newborn with their own blood. It was a tedious process that left the sire weaker after the very first feeding. It’s the reason why fledglings were so precious, why there was such a close bond between them and their sire – they may be dead creatures but they put their heart into their fledglings.

Hoseok watched as the Infant gulped down mouthfuls of Seokjin’s blood.

“His wounds are untreated.” Yoongi said silently. His eyes were locked on Seokjin. “If you’re correct, hyung, then what little they gave him to turn him must have already bled out by now.”

“There was a lot of blood…” Taehyung mumbled.

Seokjin looked at Hoseok and shook his head.

“He wouldn’t have lasted until sunrise.”

Hoseok breathed shakily. If they had gotten the tip a day later then this little fledgling would have died all alone and scared without ever knowing the embrace of a loving coven. If Hoseok and his little ones had gone there just a few hours later he would have bled to death before being found, joining the other dead vampires in that building.

He ran his hand through his hair. What the fuck was wrong with people. Who could do such a thing to newborn?

“There is another thing.” Seokjin said like he wished he didn’t have to keep bringing up bad things. Hoseok had to steel himself for whatever information they were about to receive. Seokjin nodded towards Yoongi and the other vampire sighed.

“I’m going to need to take a better look after he’s feeding to confirm it.” Yoongi started. He was resting his chin in his palm and watching the Infant. He sucked on the inside of his cheek before shaking his head. “But I’m pretty certain they cut off his fangs.”

They gasped. Honest, loud gasps. Hoseok’s hands flew to his mouth but he wasn’t sure if it was from shock or if it was from an instinct to protect his fangs. His teeth felt all wrong. He snapped his head towards the infant and thought about the cuts around his mouth and how he couldn’t seem to figure out how to feed from Seokjin earlier.

How could someone hurt a fledgling like this? What kind of barbarian could ever do such things to a fledgling?

Hoseok looked back towards his little ones, Jimin and Taehyung were practically glued to Namjoon’s sides looking like they were about to throw up. Namjoon was holding them close, giving them comforting bites on their ears.

For a second Hoseok imagined what it would have been like if his little ones had been in the same situation this Infant had been if. If it had been Jimin tied with silver, if it had been Taehyung whimpering and bleeding out. It hurt his heart.

He looked back at the Infant when he made a content noise. He was further relaxing in Seokjin’s arms. His initial hunger frenzy must have passed. He wasn’t drinking like his life depended on it anymore, just happily sucking on Seokjin’s neck. He looked petite in Seokjin’s arms.

A few hours and they would hopefully have a healthier infant with them. Huh. Actually –

If the Infant hadn’t been fed properly after being turned, if the only blood he received was the whatever pitiful amount was used to turn him, and if he had been bleeding out since being turned –

Hoseok looked up at Seokjin, his brows pinched together as cogs turned in his head. Seokjin caught his gaze for a moment before focusing back on the Infant when he made a soft, distressed sound. Hoseok watched as Seokjin adjusted the Infant and murmured softly as he helped him drink better.

“He stays.” Seokjin said and Hoseok felt himself relax.

Why? The fledgling was a complete stranger to him. Yes, he was a newborn in distress but he was still a stranger, he had no connection to him.

He was a baby. Did he need any more reason than that? It had been the same when they had found Jimin and Taehyung.

“He’ll need a place to sleep.” Yoongi said and then turned to their fledglings before they could speak up. “And no, he can’t stay with you. He’ll be disoriented when he wakes up properly, I’m not risking any danger to you two.”

Jimin and Taehyung visibly deflated, pouty lips and all, but they recovered fast when Namjoon kissed the tops of their heads.

“We can prepare the guest room.” Taehyung suggested.

“That sounds like a good option.” Hoseok nodded.

“I trust you two to prepare it then.” Seokjin smiled at the fledglings. “That’s enough doom and gloom for the tonight. This one will be okay after being fed properly and we can look at his injuries then. He’ll be safe with us.”

“More importantly,” Seokjin started and then scrunched his nose in disgust, “You three stink.”

Laughter bubbled out of Hoseok’s chest uncontrollably. It was a shock to him – it’s not like Seokjin  said something hilarious or anything but after the night they’d had Hoseok needed it.

“Oh, you make a mess in my study and find it funny?” Seokjin asked with faux anger.

“I thought you liked it when we made a mess in your study.” Jimin teased, his grin too big for his face.

“Jimin-ah, my darling, look at this room.” Seokjin said, deadpan. “Look at my carpet. Do you think this is the mess I like?”

Jimin giggled as he shook his head, not sorry about the mess at all. Hoseok snorted and looked at himself and – yeah, Seokjin had a point. Between everything happening Hoseok had completely ignored the state he was in. His clothes were all covered in now dried blood, his pants especially ruined from when he’d kneeled in the Infant’s blood while initially looking at him.

And all that dirt and blood was tracked around Seokjin’s study. They were going to have to call someone to come clean all this up.

“We need a shower, sweet things.” Hoseok told his fledglings as he stood up and groaned. “Come on, and then you guys can prepare the bed for our new friend.”

Jimin and Taehyung stood up following him, their hands already laced together. They were about to move when Taehyung faltered and looked at the Infant, unsure.

“He’ll still be here when you’re done with shower and the bed.” Seokjin said, humored but kind. “It’s not like I can go anywhere else either.”

“We’ll be with them.” Namjoon reassured Taehyung with a pat on the butt.

Hoseok pulled out his phone and gave it to Namjoon.

“I took photos and videos of everything, made notes too.” Hoseok explained as Namjoon entered his password. “I was going to make a detailed file to send to our police contact”

“I can handle the file if you want.” Yoongi suggested. “I need something to do anyway to pass the time.”

 “Sure, suit yourself.” Hoseok shrugged. “Just share it with the class.”

“Of course.” Namjoon smiled at him, dimples and all.

Hoseok looked around the room one more time. Namjoon was already invested in the information in Hoseok’s phone, Yoongi was watching the Infant and Seokjin was – resting. Of course. An Infant needed a lot of blood to be healthy. Hoseok gave him a faint smile before dragging his two little ones out.

His fledglings were silent as they walked down the hall and they were standing closer to him than normal – which was impressive considering the two had a tendency to glue themselves to them. Hoseok couldn’t blame them, it’s not like he was in a chatty mood either.

“We shower together, right?” Jimin asked in a mumble and Hoseok smiled.

“Of course.” He said. “Helps with the water bill you know?”

They stripped in silence once they made it to the bathroom, the bloodied clothes making a pile in the corner. Hoseok considered burning them all instead of dealing with washing them. They weren’t in too bad of a condition though and it would be waste if he got rid of it.

Taehyung had turned the water scalding hot. Heat was a luxury to the creatures like them, they did what they could to feel it. Hot showers, sharing a bed – whatever made them feel warm for a moment before their skin turned cold again.

Hoseok stood under the water and let the grime and dirt and blood all wash down the drain, making space for Jimin and Taehyung once he was done. They had a large bathroom with a large shower but three people sharing it made it too crowded regardless of its size. Not that any of them minded anyway.

Especially considering that once they were all clean enough the two fledglings tucked themselves into Hoseok’s side with a little chirp. Hoseok laughed and hugged them close, finally feeling some semblance of safety since coming back from that damn building now that he was holding them in his arms.

Jimin and Taehyung were strong and skilled for their ages but they were still fledglings. They could still be harmed.

And their trip to the abandoned nest had done some emotional damage to his little ones.

Fuck, Hoseok himself was still reeling from what they’d witnessed, he could only imagine how scary it all must be for them. Dead vampires and a tortured infant. That was a clear sign of threat. Of course they were shaken.

But they were home now. Hoseok could breathe easy now that they were in the safety of their nest. Nothing could hurt is darlings in here.

“It’s alright.” Hoseok smoothed his hands down their spines as Jimin and Taehyung nibbled at his neck. He laughed a little, “What, are you guys hungry? Did you get jealous of the Infant feeding on hyung?”

Jimin snorted while Taehyung bit down a little harder.

“You can feed from me if you want.” Hoseok suggested. Jimin and Taehyung didn’t need to feed from them, they were technically a bit old for that now, but it was a good way to bond. Especially since it usually ended with them fucking.

They didn’t bite though. They just rubbed their noses across Hoseok’s throat and nibbled gently at his skin, letting out small chirps that were drowned under the sound of running water.

Hoseok took his time washing them first. Carefully worked the shampoo into their hair, helped them with body wash, made sure the water didn’t get into their eyes. In turn Taehyung shampooed Hoseok’s hair and Jimin rinsed it off in between chaste kisses.

They took their time, water bill be damned. Hoseok wanted to cherish each moment with his little loves. Maybe if he focused on how Jimin and Taehyung were splashing water at each other he would forget dead vampires rotting in the abandoned nest. Maybe if he focused on how Taehyung used Hoseok as a shield to keep protect himself from Jimin’s vicious attacks he wouldn’t be reminded of the infestation in their city.

How did Seokjin feel in his study feeding a newborn for the first in time his infant undead life?

When they got out of the shower they were pink from the hot water. They almost looked alive. Hoseok pinched Jimin and Taehyung’s cheeks and kissed their lips.

“We’ll go handle the bed.” Taehyung said, hanging on Jimin’s shoulder as they watched Hoseok apply his skin care products. Now with their hair dried they both looked fluffy in their sleep clothes.

“Just make sure he won’t be able to accidently open the windows.” Hoseok warned them. The last thing they wanted was the Infant dying from a sunburn after everything. “I’ll be with hyung when I’m done.”

“Okay.” Jimin kissed Taehyung’s cheek. “I’ll make hot chocolate for everyone.”

Hoseok took his time applying the moisturizer. Being somewhat immortal had its perks, he didn’t have to do this, but it was a daily ritual at this point in his life. It calmed him.

When he was done he sighed and looked at the mirror where his reflection should be. It wasn’t. It hadn’t been there in decades. He cleaned up his skin care set and made his way back to Seokjin’s study.

Namjoon was rolling up the carpet when Hoseok walked in. There was a mop and a bucket waiting on the side with a floor detergent. Yoongi was using Seokjin’s laptop with Hoseok’s phone in his hand, looking at the phone before typing loudly on the keyboard.

Seokjin was exactly where Hoseok had left him. The Infant was still drinking happily from him.

“You need help with that?” Hoseok asked Namjoon as he made his way to sit down. He tugged his night robe around himself to get comfortable.

“Nah, I got this.” Namjoon said as he lifted the carpet. “Just gonna clean the floor anyway. The carpet needs professional work.”

“That carpet is older than most of you.” Seokjin said with his nose held high. “You better find someone who is really careful with it Joon-ah.”

“Blood is the least disgusting thing that carpet has suffered through.” Yoongi added from the side as he kept typing. “If it came back squeaky clean after last month I’m sure it’ll be okay after some foot prints.”

Namjoon and Hoseok snorted – both at the memory of last month and the way Seokjin huffed and turned his face away from Yoongi dramatically. Yoongi had a point. The poor carpet had been through some traumatic events.

“How’s the little one doing?” Hoseok asked. He pulled his legs under him and got comfortable on the couch, watching the said vampling in question.

“He finally figured out how to drink better a few minutes ago.” Seokjin said, almost proud before grimacing. “The lack of fangs is really making the whole process harder on him – he’s wasting blood more than he’s drinking it.”

And the proof of it was running down Seokjin’s neck, painting his button up shirt red. Hoseok hummed in response while Namjoon started mopping up the floor.

“Is there anything we could do about that?” Hoseok turned to Yoongi.

The older vampire paused typing and looked at the Infant. He sighed and began typing again.

“I have to take a better look once he’s not on the edge of death.” Yoongi replied. “I need to see how the cuts were made and how deep they are – “

He stopped again and looked at Seokjin and the Infant, eyes narrowing a little.

“If there’s some part of the root left it might grow back.” Yoongi said. “Baby fangs are delicate and made to be replaced, if he’s lucky.”

“He’s been lucky so far.” Namjoon replied and Hoseok nodded.

“If there’s some left –“ Seokjin said and then cut himself to adjust the Infant’s position in his arm, hushing when the little one grumbled. Hoseok huffed into a smile as Seokjin hushed him. “I’m trying to help you drink, stop whining.” He mumbled but there was no anger behind it, just Seokjin complaining for the sake of it. “If there’s a chance his fangs grow back how long would it take?”

Yoongi leaned back in his chair, his eyes trained on the Infant. He gave a long sigh before shaking his head.

“Baby fangs are delicate.” Yoongi repeated himself. They all knew this, it was one of the few hundred reasons why fledglings were so doted on. “If they break it, it can take up to a year before they grow a new one, depending on their diet and environment.” Yoongi carried on. “I need to see how deep the cuts are and if the fangs were – “he made a face, “ – if they were cut from the root or something else. Dozens of fledglings break their fangs every year but I’ve never seen a case where a fledgling had their fang cut off.”

Hoseok winced at the reminder, his gums hurting at the idea of something cutting his fangs off. What sort of lunatic would do that?

“How long?” Seokjin repeated. The two eldest stared at each other for a moment before Yoongi licked his lips.

“If he has a healthy diet and a safe environment through the entire process?” Yoongi started. “Probably two or three years.”

Seokjin hummed and looked down at the Infant mouthing at his neck. He stroked the fledgling’s leg with his free hand and watched Namjoon mop.

“I’ll have to ask around.” Yoongi carried on. “Maybe someone else knows something but – I can’t say anything positive or negative before I get a better look into his mouth.”

“Can you do it here?” Namjoon asked as he straightened up. The floor was shiny and the room smelled like flowers now. “Or will you have to take him to the clinic?”

“I have some of my things here.” Yoongi replied. “Also I don’t think it’s a good idea to have him leave here anyway. I’ll take a look at his mouth and all the other injuries when he’s done feeding.”

“Hopefully the worst of it should heal by itself when he’s full.” Namjoon said and put the mop to the side. He walked over the Yoongi and picked up a small, see-through evidence package. He lifted it up and Hoseok saw that it was the silver cuffs the Infant had been bound with. “Currently I’m more worried about the damage this might have done to him.”

“It looks cheap.” Hoseok said.

“It felt cheap.” Seokjin snorted.

“You sure it didn’t hurt that bad?” Hoseok asked, his eyes glancing down at Seokjin’s fingers. The very tips of it where he’d touched it were pinkish in color – a light burn.

“I’m a couple centuries old, darling.” Seokjin gave him an endeared smiled and wiggled his pink fingers in the air. “It’ll be gone by sunrise. Like you said, cheap.”

“Still silver though.” Namjoon put the bag back down and tipped his chin towards the Infant. “And he’s not a couple centuries old, he’s barely few hours old at best. I’m worried about long term damage it might cause.”

“He’ll be more worn out than usual fledglings. “ Yoongi piped in. “Between his inability feed as well as a healthy fledgling and the silver, it’s probably going to take him a few months to feel normal.”

Seokjin carefully held the Infant’s hand that was still clutching to the front of his shirt. The Infant made a disgruntled sound but immediately laced his fingers with Seokjin’s. The older vampires couldn’t help but coo at the scene.

The cuteness didn’t last long when Seokjin lifted the Infant’s arm to check his wrists. The skin was badly burned, an angry red rash. There were burn blisters of various sizes that Seokjin avoided touching. The skin seemed almost melted where the silver had directly touched. They could see where the Infant had clearly tugged on the cuffs; the band had cut into the skin.

“Yeah, that’s – “Yoongi made a face. “That’s gonna take time to heal. We’ll have to keep an eye on his hands.” Seokjin placed the Infant’s hand back on his chest but the fledgling didn’t let go of him. Seokjin sighed and leaned back, let the little one hold onto him.

“I’m going to assume it’s gonna take longer than usual for him to be fed fully.” Hoseok said. “Since he can’t drink as well as other newborns.”

“It might take until tomorrow, honestly.” Seokjin laughed awkwardly.

Hoseok frowned in worry. Feeding a newborn until they were completely full and functioning was taxing on a sire – or, well Seokjin in this case but… yeah Hoseok would get back to that in a minute. It would have been hard on Seokjin even if the Infant could drink properly but since he couldn’t this would probably take twice the normal amount.

“We’ll get some blood bags for you.” Yoongi interrupted Hoseok’s train of thought. “You’ll be tired for a few days but I don’t think it’ll be that bad.”

“Of course.” Seokjin said. “I’m your hyung, I’m very strong.”

The door opened and Jimin and Taehyung walked in with a tray full of hot chocolate. Hoseok cheered and clapped for their arrival, sitting up straight when they served everyone their cups.

“Look how pretty you look without dirt and blood on you.” Seokjin commented as he took a sip from his cup.

The fledglings preened under the compliment before sitting down next to Hoseok, their eyes immediately focusing on the Infant. It must be a curious sight for them, beyond all the events of the night, to see a vampire younger than them.

Not just younger, a newborn. You rarely ever see an infant with how protective sires and covens get. Normally there would be festivities in a coven to celebrate such a big event but – it didn’t really fit the mood here.

“I have a question.” Jimin piped up after the silence only filled by Yoongi’s typing dragged on for too long. The older vampires all hummed in response. Jimin shifted in his seat a little bit and leaned into Hoseok. Seokjin looked up from the Infant to meet Jimin’s eyes and give him a nod to encourage him to continue. “So – he was only given enough blood to be turned, right?”

“Correct.” Seokjin replied.

“And nothing else.”

“That’s right.”

“And he – he bled out the vampire blood he was fed already.”

“U-huh.”

“And now you’re the one feeding him properly for the first time.”

“Yup.”

“So – “Jimin tilted his head, his brows pinched in confusion. “Wouldn’t that… technically make you his sire?”

And there it was. The infant shaped elephant in the room.

They all stared at Seokjin when the vampire in question made a pained sound and sighed. Dramatic.

“I mean – I’ve fed other vampires before –“ he started.

“Yes we are aware of your wet-nurse tendencies.” Namjoon snorted and ducked when Seokjin threw a pillow at him.

“This isn’t like that though.” Taehyung said and Seokjin sighed again.

“No, no it isn’t.”

The coven leader looked down at the Infant in his arms, his eyes thoughtful but soft. The fledgling was making little noises, still holding Seokjin’s hand. After all he’d been through Seokjin must be a great source of comfort for him – especially since Seokjin was his sire now.

It wasn’t unheard of but certainly it was mostly treated as – well, unnecessary, really, because why would any vampire go through the process of killing and draining and giving a person their blood without fully turning them?

It was mentioned in history books as something that can be done but, again, Hoseok doubted any vampire would allow their fledgling to be taken from them in such manner. The only times it had happened, historically, was either when a vampire stole an infant from a different sire or if it was life or death (or life and undeath).

Seokjin had created a peaceful life for vampires who resided in Seoul. There were simple rules to follow and everyone was more than happy to oblige. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you or whatever.

Seokjin was infamous for being charitable, for his hospitality. He was also, and he hated being called this but there was no other way to really explain, a bit of a wet nurse for vampires.

Seoul always had stragglers passing by through his lands, vampires in dire situations who didn’t have a safe place to go or a coven to look after then, vampires in terrible conditions.

Seokjin would find them and sometimes he would feed them. It was just enough to put them back on their feet, enough to make sure they wouldn’t die in Seokjin’s territory. There were many reasons why vampires in this city were so loyal to Seokjin – a good portion of them quite literally owed him their lives.

This didn’t mean that Seokjin was their sire or anything. It just meant he was kind enough to share his blood to keep someone alive. Once the vampire he helped was in good shape they would be free to go or stay in Seoul as long as they were a law abiding citizen. They could stay as loners or Seokjin could help find them a new home in one of the many covens that lived under his rule.

There were many vampires in Seoul. There were many vampires who would die for Seokjin.

But this – this wasn’t like that.

These series of events that led to the Infant feeding on Seokjin were different than any other time Seokjin generously offered his own blood. Hoseok thought about that momentary hesitation he’d seen earlier.

Seokjin had known. He’d known what he would be doing if he fed the infant.

There was a process to turning a human into a vampire; drain their blood and give them your own. An exchange, an oath.

If this Infant – silver bound, beaten, abandoned – bled out the blood his sire originally fed him then Seokjin’s would, for lack of a better word, overrule that claim.

“He’s yours.” Hoseok said. Simple.

“He’s ours.” Seokjin corrected and then softly added, “He stays.”

Hearing the confirmation, tension bled out from them in waves. Hoseok felt physically lighter now – how was he already this attached? He sipped his hot chocolate.

“The silver cuffs.” Yoongi steered the topic back. Seokjin visible relaxed at the change and Namjoon and Hoseok exchanged a quick look. “It’s cheap and all but silver handcuffs aren’t exactly items people have lying around. It’s cheaply made but this coven or their leader, whoever, knew to get a silver cuff and knew how and where to get one.”

“Only a handful of places sell silver items here.” Taehyung pointed out. “A few human ones and a few in the underworld. I doubt they’d try the hunter shops.”

“I’ll add it to the file.” Yoongi said, already typing in before he looked over the screen to Seokjin. “We should warn the other covens to make sure nothing is missing.”

“We should make sure no one is missing either.” Jimin said. “There were dead vampires in there.”

“Nobody reported any missing members.” Namjoon said. “And I doubt anyone would hide that they were missing someone. I’ll reach out, ask people to look after each other. We could use a patrol system for now. Between the dead vampires and the dead humans, we’ll have a problem if this reaches the hunters.”

Seokjin waved a hand, “The hunters won’t be an issue.”

“I don’t think the dead vamps were from the city.” Hoseok sighed, the images of rotting bodies were fresh in his mind. “Nobody looked familiar to me but – “ he shrugged, “I think whoever is running that group is just – not a good leader. There were a few dead there. You only get that many if they’re diseased or starving.”

“I don’t think any of them are from here.” Namjoon added before nodding towards the Infant. “We should make sure the little one isn’t diseased.”

“If he already bled out his original sire’s blood then Seokjin hyung’s blood will be enough to wash away anything unwanted in his system.” Yoongi said. “But I will check for it just in case later.”

“Remind me who was it that reached out to us about this building?” Seokjin asked.

“Ah, Lee Jonhgyun.” Namjoon said. “He sent me an email, didn’t really explain if he saw personally or if the word got to him.”

Hoseok narrowed his eyes, “You think he’s behind this?”

Lee Jonghyun was a vampire with a considerably power and sway in underground politics. He didn’t have a large coven, a handful he’d sired and a few he’d adopted from those Seokjin had saved. He wasn’t a person Hoseok enjoyed being around but the man lived in Seokjin’s territory amicably so Hoseok sucked it up for the sake of peace.

“No.” Seokjin said. “He’s dramatic but he wouldn’t be putting his own head at risk. He wouldn’t want to have murderous strays running around near his coven either.”

“You don’t think it’s some overtaking?” Namjoon asked and Seokjin snorted, clearly amused. Hoseok wondered what was funnier to him; Namjoon suggesting such thing or the fact that anyone would ever try it.

“No, Jonghyun hates paperwork.” Seokjin answered. It was as simple as that. “I’ll talk to him later. Until then, Joonie is right, we should have patrols out in the city. If we have a rabid, murderous coven out there then nobody is safe – which brings me to you two.”

Jimin and Taehyung looked up at Seokjin and then at each other.

“I don’t want you out there.” Seokjin said, serious. “Just because this group hasn’t attacked any vampires yet doesn’t mean they won’t. Two fledglings like you would make easy targets.”

They shifted uncomfortably in their seats, inching closer to Hoseok. Taehyung was staring into his cup while Jimin nuzzled into Hoseok’s neck.

It was the unfortunate truth; fledglings were beloved and fledglings were easy prey. There were rules in polite society, a general agreement that fledglings were to be left out of disagreements and fights and whatever discourse was happening.

But if a vampire was already breaking rules then why would they show mercy to any fledglings? If this coven had discarded an infant of their making then it was a clear sign that no other fledgling would be safe in this city until these pests were taken care of.

Jimin and Taehyung had a little bit more freedom than other fledglings around their age. Hoseok knew of fledglings that wouldn’t leave their coven until they were a hundred years old and even then their sire would keep a watchful eye on them.

In their case, Jimin and Taehyung were free to go out where ever they wanted as long as they told the older vampires beforehand. They almost always had someone watching over them from the distance, either a member of the coven or some of their underlings. Forbidding them from going outside felt too much like they were keeping them in a cage and they knew how boring that could be.

At least technology had greatly advanced in the last few decades, that was something.

“Honestly I don’t think I can go out alone anyway.” Jimin tried to give a little smile but it felt weird on his face. Taehyung nodded along.

Hoseok pulled them closer, his guts twisting knowing that his babies felt unsafe. They had all the reasons to be but it rubbed Hoseok’s instincts the wrong way. After all he was supposed to be their protector.

It wasn’t just him. It was clear as day on all the older vampire’s faces how it bothered them to see their fledglings like this. Jimin and Taehyung were adventurous by nature, little daredevils that liked to poke the hornet’s nest. It wasn’t like them to be so openly subdued.

“It won’t be for too long.” Seokjin added softly. “This whole situation will be handled quickly, I promise. These are my lands and I’ve had them for centuries, I’m not going to let some group of diseased vamps ruin our comfort.”

“Hyung is powerful.” Namjoon said with a sweet smile. “It’ll be over soon.

That seemed to be enough to relax their fledglings a little but they still stayed glued to Hoseok. He was more than happy with this.

“Hey,” he stage whispered to Jimin. “This hot chocolate is really good.”

Jimin smiled against Hoseok’s shoulder, “It has blood in it.”

“Of course it does.” Yoongi smiled from the desk. “The perfect secret ingredient.”

“What are we going to do now?” Taehyung asked, getting himself comfortable next to Hoseok.

“Well, I will be sitting here for a few hours.” Seokjin started. “You guys are free to do whatever, nobody has to stay here until this little one is done feeding.”

“I wanna stay.” Taehyung said and Jimin nodded along.

“I have to finish this.” Yoongi nodded towards the computer. “So I’ll be staying too.”

“Hyung let’s be honest, nobody is leaving this room until you and the fledgling does.” Namjoon chuckled and went to find himself a spot to sit.

“Attached at the hips.” Seokjin sighed dramatically. “Well, I suppose at least it’ll be more entertaining with all of us here.”

“We’ll have to clean him up before putting him to his bed.” Hoseok said suddenly. “The poor thing is just covered in dirt.”

“I’ll have to patch up all his wounds too.” Yoongi added. “We can do those when he’s done feeding.”

“He’s gonna be terrified when he wakes up.” Jimin said.

“Well,” Hoseok kissed Jimin’s cheek. “We’ll be here to make him feel better.”

The Infant made a noise almost as if he knew they were talking about him. They all fell silent to watch him drink. Hoseok blinked. Maybe he was making things up but in that moment the Infant seemed to fit perfectly in Seokjin’s arms.

Huh. They had a new coven member. There were seven of them now.

The study was filled with easy chatter through the night, unimportant topics being discussed like it were world ending revelations. Jimin and Taehyung fell asleep when the first rays of sunlight bled across the night. They weren’t old enough to resist that particular urge yet, their instincts making them sleep so they wouldn’t be burned. They looked adorable curled around each other as they slept.

The Infant kept feeding past the sunrise even though they could tell that, just like Jimin and Taehyung, the Infant was aware that it was daytime and he was highly bothered by it. They tried to make him feel better by draping a blanket over his head and it seemed to help somewhat.

By the time he let go of Seokjin’s neck it was the middle of the day. He popped his lips off and inhaled softly, hooking his chin over Seokjin’s shoulder and falling asleep right away.

Seokjin’s neck was a mess of blood, it was going all the way down the front of his shirt and even his arm. His eyes were sleepy and he winced when he moved to lift the Infant.

Namjoon stopped him and took the Infant from his arms while Hoseok and Yoongi immediately flocked to him.

“I’ll take care of the little one.” Yoongi told Hoseok and then nodded towards Seokjin. Without saying anything he and Namjoon disappeared into the penthouse with the Infant.

“I know he was trying to be sneaky but I totally caught that.” Seokjin mumbled. “You can’t hide anything from these vampire eyes.”

“That’s good.” Hoseok smiled warmly at his boyfriends and cupped his face. “I like it when you look at me.”

If he could, Seokjin would blush.

“Come on.” Hoseok said and helped Seokjin stand up. “Let’s clean you up and then you can sleep too.”

“Little one drank more than I thought he would.” Seokjin confessed, leaning on Hoseok as the younger vampire lead them to the closest bathroom. “That’s a good thing.”

“He’s got an appetite.” Hoseok nodded.

“If he can eat then he’ll live.” Seokjin added and then kissed Hoseok’s forehead. “You did the right thing bring him here.

Hoseok snorted, “I couldn’t leave him there, what kind of person would that make me? Now take your shirt off.”

“Hob-ah!” Seokjin gasped, a hand on his chest, scandalized. “Take me on a date first!”

“I’m a bad boy, hyung.” Hoseok chuckled as he worked on unbuttoning the rest of Seokjin’s shirt. As scandalized as he was, Seokjin did nothing to stop Hoseok from stripping him. Maybe Seokjin was a little naughty too.

The cut on Seokjin’s neck was already healing on its own. It was just the initial cut he’d made himself because, again, the Infant didn’t have the fangs for it. Hoseok wiped the blood with a wet cloth they kept for this sort of moments.

Seokjin let him clean him without making a fuss about it. It just went to show how tired the coven leader really was. Hoseok knew Seokjin would be back to himself completely in a day or two but he couldn’t help the growing sense of worry in his belly.

Two fledglings, an infant, and now a weakened coven leader. If things were to go south –

Hoseok shook his head. He wasn’t about to follow that train of thought. That was just his anxiety speaking. Nobody would dare to attack them in this city, not even rabid vampires. Even if they tried it was damn near impossible to get into their home. They were safe here.

“Hey, Hob-ah.”

Hoseok looked up with a raised brow. Seokjin smiled at him that small, precious type of smile and leaned in to kiss him. It was chaste, soft. Hoseok melted into it.

“We have a fledgling.” Seokjin murmured, amazed. Hoseok snickered.

“You sired someone.” Hoseok said, just as amazed. Seokjin groaned dramatically but his smile was wide.

“Imagine if someone had told us this yesterday.” Seokjin giggled and kissed Hoseok again. “I’d say they were a crazy person.”

“Yet here we are.”

“Here we are.” Seokjin repeated and ran his hand through Hoseok’s hair before cupping his cheek.

“Hyung.” Hoseok said, leaning into Seokjin’s palm. “Let’s go to sleep.”

“Jung Hoseok, that sounds delightful.” Seokjin smiled.

Tomorrow they would deal with a freshly awoken infant. Tomorrow they would call the other coven leaders and warn them of the danger lurking in this city.

But today, with sun high in sky, they went to sleep.

Chapter Text

Jungkook’s insides must be filled with sand, there was no other explanation as to why his mouth was so dry. His throat was itchy as hell and burning. Not only that but his entire body, bones and muscles, ached. He better not be getting sick, he couldn’t afford to miss his job.

It took great effort to open his eyes to the point Jungkook wondered the possibility of someone gluing his eyelids together. He smacked his dry lips together, tried to swallow whatever saliva in his mouth in a weak attempt to get rid of the uncomfortable dryness.

He kept staring at the ceiling as his eyes adjusted to the darkness of his room.

Jungkook frowned and tried to make sense of his location. The bed was far too comfortable and big to be his shitty second hand one. He tried to push himself up to his elbows but hissed when pain shot up through his body, his abdomen burning, and he dropped himself on his back.

His eyes adjusted to the darkness quickly and he could make out a lot of the room as he looked around no this was not his room at all.

Jungkook breathed in deeply and forced himself to sit up despite how much his body burned with pain. He reached for the bedside lamp and turned it on, blinking away from the flash of light.

He pushed the covers off of him and tried to get up. His body protested with every little move but Jungkook pushed through the pain, gritted his teeth and stood on a soft carpet despite wavering. His head was pounding and he knew he was off balance as he looked for a light switch. Somehow he found it without falling.

The room was huge. Bigger than his entire one-room flat. He was on a king sized bed, there was a dresser on the side, a painting on the opposite side, a flat screen TV hanging on the wall. Compared to Jungkook’s near claustrophobic flat this room was a house.

The interior design was warm but impersonal so maybe this was a guest room? A giant, house-sized guest room. People lived like this. There were people who had house-sized guest bedrooms while Jungkook was stuck in a hole-in-the-wall flat with mold on its walls.

There weren’t any clocks in the room, nothing to indicate what time it was. The windows were completely covered by curtains.

Jungkook clutched to his middle and took the smallest steps. He didn’t trust his body in that moment, everything felt wrong and wrong and wrong. What did he do last night? How drunk did he get?

He made it to the curtains without tripping but he was out of breath and dizzy. He took a moment to steady himself and held onto the curtains. He frowned. The curtains were weighted at the bottom? It wasn’t impossible to move, maybe it was just to make sure the fabric stayed in place?

He pulled open the curtains and stared at complete darkness. He blinked.

It was definitely a window. Full-length windows that covered the entire outward wall but it was tinted black, a reflection of the room shining on it. Was he losing it? Was this like a rich person thing? Weighted curtains, windows that were tinted?

Jungkook stared at the black window pane with growing confusion. Maybe he hit his head. He definitely drank too much. What even happened last night?

He reached out to touch window to – what, check? That it was a real window? – but froze when he saw thickly wrapped bandages around his wrist.

Slowly, Jungkook lifted his hand, looking at the neatly applied bandages. His hand didn’t look quite right either, dark bruising’s covered the back of his hand and it felt wrong beyond the light thrum of ache.

The bandages weren’t just around his right hand either, he had a matching one on his left wrist. Jungkook stared at his hands, at his wrists, mouth left slacking. What the fuck happened last night? Why was his entire body in pain?

Panic slowly filled his belly. He couldn’t remember anything from last night – what the fuck happened last night what did –

He clutched at his abdomen and then pulled his shirt – these weren’t his clothes, they were too big, these weren’t his clothes where the fuck was he – and found another large, square patch of bandage applied to there. As he tried to look down pain shot through his neck and Jungkook reached for it, his hand finding yet another bandage there.

His knees buckled and Jungkook fell on the ground, feeling nauseous. What the fuck happened to him – where was he – why couldn’t he remember anything what the fuck was going on –

He had to get out of here. He had to get back to his place – where were his things? His wallet, his phone, his keys?

Oh fuck was he kidnapped? Did he get sold to some sick millionaire? What the fuck happened last night?

He swallowed the growing panic. He had to get out of here. Now.

Jungkook pushed himself back to his feet despite the growing pain all over his body. He’d fucking crawl his way to a hospital if he had to later, he just couldn’t stay here. Even when he somehow managed to stand up he was swaying dangerously.

He gritted his teeth and looked at the door. It better not be fucking locked – Jungkook wasn’t above breaking it down if he had to.

Each step closer to the door was harder than the one before. It felt as if his body was breaking down. Fucking hell what if he was drugged – what if they’d stolen his organs holy shit –

He practically slammed against the door with a loud thud when his legs trembled. Jungkook groaned in pain, his face plastered against the wood, as he patted around for the handle. The door flung open with Jungkook’s weight on it, sending him flying to the floor.

Jungkook cursed as pain shot all over his body, clutching to his middle, tears burning at his eyes. He gasped for air and rolled onto his back, trying to calm himself down.

The door wasn’t locked. That was a good thing! Whoever kidnapped or bought him probably didn’t think he’d be strong enough to walk around after stealing his organs. And, well, he wasn’t in peak condition here, but he could get out. He could free himself. He got this – he got this, he got this he got this –

Jungkook sucked in a breath and got himself on all fours, using the wall to stand up. He leaned against the wall, trying to get a sense of this place he was in. He was standing in a dark hallway but there was light coming from the far end of it, he couldn’t hear anyone else so maybe he was lucky and the place was empty. He could get out of here easily. He just had to find the front door.

He forced his feet to move despite the fact that he wasn’t entirely sure if his legs were attached to his body. He just had to walk. One foot in front of the other in front of the other, he could do this. He could walk.

The pain he felt wasn’t important. He could cry all he wanted once he was back at home. It didn’t even hurt that bad – sure feet felt like he was standing on needles, and he had to hunch over from his much his abdomen flashed in pain, and his head was thrumming with one of the worst headaches he’d ever had but it wasn’t that bad. He could walk. He could do this. He could walk.

Sweat was dripping down his face from exertion. His legs trembled with each step, what little strength he had slipping from him. He could walk – he had to walk. He had to get out of here even if he had to crawl.

The hallway suddenly lit up and Jungkook froze. His heart was beating in his ears, he felt like his eyes were about to pop out of their sockets.

He was caught.

“Oh you’re awake!”

Jungkook shut his eyes tightly and his legs finally gave up. He crumpled to the floor and he could hear the stranger let out a shocked noise. Jungkook curled into himself when he heard the footsteps come closer, raised his hands to protect himself.

“Please –“ he choked out. “Please don’t hurt me – please –“

“Hurt you? Why would I hurt you?”

Jungkook almost laughed at the genuine confusing in the man’s voice. He was covered in bandages and couldn’t remember a single thing from the night before – why wouldn’t this man hurt him? He probably already had. But he didn’t say this out loud. He wasn’t brave enough to bite back, he didn’t want to risk angering the stranger and getting in an even bigger trouble.

“Little one, please look at me?” the man asked gently. “That’s all I ask, just look at me please.”

The man spoke with a soft voice. Jungkook knew it was a trap, knew the man was just pretending to be nice, but what other choice did he have other than playing along? Maybe if could trick this person then he could have another chance to run.

Jungkook sniffled and swallowed thickly. He opened his eyes and peered through between his fingers.

Everything came to a halt.

The man was beautiful. He had dark hair perfectly framing his face, soft round brown eyes looking at him with worry. He was wearing a white button down shirt and black suit-pants, kneeling on the floor in front of Jungkook with his palms towards him.

“I’m not going to hurt you.” The man said and fuck he had such pretty lips too. “I’ve been trying to keep you alive, little one.”

Whatever confusion he might have felt towards the pet name was swept away under the sheer awe he was feeling.

It was as if he was standing in the eye of a hurricane. The pain he was feeling was frozen – it wasn’t happening in his body anymore. This was a pause in the universe, just Jungkook and this beautiful man.

There was a pull in Jungkook’s chest, a small voice in his mind whispering to him that he should go to this man. He’s safe. You know he’s safe.

No. He didn’t know that. Jungkook had no idea who this man was.

“You might have opened a wound walking around.” The man carried on when Jungkook kept staring at him in silence. He spoke with an even voice, calm and collected, but to Jungkook he might as well had been reciting poetry. “I need to check your bandages, little one, to make sure you’re healing properly, alright?”

Jungkook nodded without thinking. He wanted a hug from this man – he knew he would get a hug from him if he asked. He knew he was telling the truth about –

Jungkook frowned and looked down at himself. The earth began to spin again and all those emotions and feelings that had been paused hit Jungkook like a freight train. Jungkook groaned in pain and sagged to the side, a hand shooting forward when the strange man made a move to get closer to him.

“I need to check your wounds, little one.” The man repeated himself. “I know you’re in pain, I can help with it.”

Jungkook was breathing heavily now, his lungs burning each time. He gritted his teeth through the pain.

“Who are you?” he asked. His voice broke. God he must look pathetic to this man. Sweating and crying in his hallway.

“Kim Seokjin.” The man answered and then tilted his head. “What’s your name, little one?”

Jungkook narrowed his eye and licked his lip. This man had him in his house and used a pet name on him but didn’t know his name?

“Jungkook.” He answered. Probably a bad idea but Jungkook had the feeling that he was dealing with some sort of blood loss here – especially if the man, Kim Seokjin, was right about him opening a wound.

“Jungkook.” Seokjin repeated as if testing the name on his tongue. Jungkook swore the shiver running down his spine was from all the pain. “What a lovely name, little one. I need to tend to your bandages now before you hurt yourself even more. Do you trust me?”

Seokjin offered him a hand.

I don’t know you. Jungkook wanted to say. I don’t know what happened. You didn’t even know my name.

“Yes.” Jungkook said. “I trust you.”

And it was the honest truth.

He shouldn’t. He shouldn’t trust this man at all but everything in Jungkook’s body was screaming for him to stay with this man. A complete stranger and yet Jungkook’s very essence trusted him.

Maybe he was drugged. Maybe all of this was an elaborate way to harvest his organs, maybe it was Stockholm Syndrome, who fucking knew.

What Jungkook did know was that Seokjin wouldn’t hurt him. He knew that Seokjin would keep him safe. He just didn’t know how he knew all this.

 He stared at Seokjin’s hand, at the pale skin and knobby fingers. He felt like Seokjin would be good at holding hands. What a stupid thought.

A shock of pain shot through his body and Jungkook keened like a wounded animal, sagging forward. Seokjin scooted closer and held Jungkook by his shoulders to keep him upright, worried eyes searching across Jungkook’s body.

“I know you’re scared.” He said gently. “But I can help with the pain, alright? Just let me help you.”

Go to him. He’ll keep you safe. You know he’s safe.

“P-please.” Jungkook begged with a wet sob. The spot on his abdomen was burning, he couldn’t even breathe through it.

Seokjin made a pinched expression almost as if he could feel just how much pain Jungkook was in. He slipped his hands to under Jungkook’s armpits and before Jungkook could ready himself he pulled them both up to their feet.

But the sudden movement made his already spinning head even dizzier and his legs weren’t working to begin with and Jungkook found himself falling into Seokjin’s arms with an ooof. Seokjin had a solid body, didn’t even flinch when Jungkook’s entire body weight was depending on him. Instead the man wrapped his arms around him and pulled him into a hug.

On instinct, Jungkook nosed against Seokjin’s neck and everything stilled again. Seokjin had a familiar smell to him – maybe his perfume or the detergent for his clothes? Whatever it was lit up faded memories in Jungkook’s mind, flashes of watercolor paintings like he was trying to remember a dream he’d had as a child.

He’d been here before.  He’d been held gently in Seokjin’s arms before.

The sound of a door closing brought Jungkook out of his daze, his muscles tensing in fear but Seokjin smoothed a hand down his spine.

“You’re safe here. No one in this building will ever hurt you. It’s just my family.” Seokjin said. “I’m going to pick you up now so we can take a look at your bandages, okay?”

Jungkook nodded. He was feeling light headed.

Seokjin picked him up like he weighed nothing. He let out a small yelp and wrapped his arms around Seokjin’s shoulders, gluing himself to the man. Maybe if he had been in a slightly better shape he would be embarrassed by his actions but in that moment, between all the pain and confusion, Seokjin’s existence was the only comfort he had.

“Yoongi!” Seokjin called out. “I think he pulled his stitches.”

Nobody replied and when Jungkook dared to look around there wasn’t anyone there. Seokjin was moving quickly though, careful to not jostle Jungkook too much. Jungkook vaguely tried to make sense of this place’s layout, tried to remember all the doors and hallways but his entire body was in too much pain to keep focus.

They entered a room where Seokjin carefully lowered him down onto a sofa and kneeled next to him. He pushed away Jungkook’s fringe from his face and gave him a smile.

“I think it’ll be better if you’re not looking, little one.” Seokjin offered. “Did you hurt yourself before I found you? I heard loud noises.”

Jungkook nodded but couldn’t get himself to talk.

“He’s in no shape to be walking around in the first place.” Another voice spoke and Jungkook flinched – and then hissed when his wounds flared up. “Sorry little one, I’m going to make sure you feel better, alright?”

Jungkook only nodded. He whimpered when they pushed his shirt up to reveal his torso, hid his face into the couch. Seokjin had a hand on his shoulder in support and it helped somewhat.

If they were maniacal millionaires stealing his organs at least they were sympathetic about it.

Jungkook winced a little when they started to remove the large patch of bandage on his abdomen, disliking how the sticky parts tugged on his skin.

“It’s not too bad.” The second man – Yoongi? – mumbled. “There’s nothing to worry about little one.”

Jungkook hoped he was being honest.

“Hurts.” He whimpered and swallowed, his mouth still dry.

“I know little one.” Yoongi said. There were other sounds, something metallic and some rustling. “You will feel better soon. I have to fix your stitches. I promise you won’t feel anything.”

Oh good, they were going to actually kill him. This was it. That’s why they were being so gentle with him – why else would Seokjin be petting his hair like this? At least he was being killed by people with some remorse, maybe his organs would even go to a good cause.

“We’re not stealing your organs, little one.” Seokjin said.

Oh.

“Yes, you’re talking out loud.”

Sorry.

“It’s fine.” Seokjin chuckled lightly. “I know this is scary but I promise to you we won’t hurt you.”

Jungkook stopped for a second and then turned his head towards Seokjin. The man was kneeling next to the sofa, keeping himself as level as he could with Jungkook. He genuinely seemed worried about him, his warm eyes flitting over his body as the man prepared to fix his stitches.

It was there again, this tug in his chest, those whispers in his mind telling him he could trust Seokjin. Why would he trust a man he didn’t even remember meeting? He licked his lips and nodded.

“Okay.” He said in a tiny noise.

Seokjin nodded back with small smile, his eyes glancing over to the other man before looking back up to Jungkook. He placed a hand over Jungkook’s face.

“He’s starting now.” He told Jungkook. “I promise you won’t feel a thing, Yoongichi has gentle hands.”

So Yoongi was his name then. Jungkook nodded and the closed his eyes. Seokjin’s hand was cool on his skin and it helped him calm a little.

The first thing he felt were Yoongi’s hands on his skin, carefully rubbing over where Jungkook had been bandaged. Slowly the skin began to numb until Jungkook could barely even feel his own body. It was odd – he could feel his legs and his upper chest but nothing in between. It was almost as if he was in two separate pieces. Yoongi must have applied some sort of numbing cream or something so he wouldn’t feel the needle when he fixed his stitches.

Seokjin kept talking to him in hushed tone, telling him that it wouldn’t take long, that he was doing a good job. It was – comforting. Having Seokjin there was probably the only thing keeping Jungkook calm and collected.

“And done.”

Jungkook blinked himself out of his mind, finding himself back in his body lying on the sofa. Seokjin gently petted his cheek before removing his hand away from his face. Jungkook immediately tried to push himself up so he could see what Yoongi had done but both men made an alarmed noise before gently guiding him onto his back.

“Sitting up is what pulled your stitches in the first place, little one.” Yoongi said. “You’re on bed rest, you shouldn’t be moving.”

“Didn’t know I’m on bed rest.” Jungkook lamely defended himself.

“Well, we didn’t have time to inform you about it.” Seokjin said, light-hearted. “Are you feeling better?”

Jungkook closed his eyes with a groan and tried to sort out just what was hurting in his body. The numbness was fading but it didn’t bring back any pain on his abdomen, maybe some discomfort from the newly applied stitches and bandages.

That was one thing down.

“I feel dizzy.” He started. “I feel sore, my chest hurt a lot, like I couldn’t breathe right.” He listed as best as he could. “I’m also really thirsty.”

Yoongi hummed in thought while Seokjin mumbled out a oh your poor thing. Jungkook didn’t know what to think of that. They both seemed to care deeply and genuinely about him, that was the most confusing part. They seemed to actually care that Jungkook was in pain, there wasn’t anything malicious behind the pet names.

“You overexerted yourself.” Yoongi explained it. “Between your wounds and everything else you need to rest for a long time, proper bed rest – “

“Well, he didn’t know –“ Seokjin cut in quickly.

“ – Now he does.” Yoongi spoke over him. Jungkook huffed out through his, corners of his lips turning. “You’ll feel better after resting. We can get you something to drink too. Will you let me look at your other bandages? I’m certain your abdomen was the only one bleeding but it’s time I changed those anyway.”

“Are you a doctor?” Jungkook asked.

“In a way.” Yoongi answered.

Oh – oh they were actually stealing organs.

“We are not stealing organs.” Seokjin said exasperated. “I told you this already. Yoongichi has training but isn’t technically a doctor.” He sighed and looked down at Jungkook fondly, reached out with a finger to bop at his nose. “Do you always talk out loud like this, little one?”

“No.” Jungkook said. “I don’t think so.” He turned back to Yoongi. “You can look at the other ones.”

Yoongi nodded and gently lifted one of Jungkook’s hands, taking it in his like he was afraid Jungkook’s entire arm would snap in half. His eyes snapped up to his.

“You might not want to look.”

Jungkook opened his mouth and then closed it, his brows furrowing together. His eyes fell to his wrist where the bandages were wrapped thickly almost to the middle of his forearm. He could feel the fresh patch on his abdomen tug lightly on his skin whenever he breathed and the one covering his neck felt a little tight whenever Jungkook swallowed.

He asked, silently, “What happened to me?”

Seokjin and Yoongi both stilled, their expressions became unreadable. There was a quick glance shared between them, a silent conversation Jungkook wasn’t privy to.

Oh. So it was that bad.

“We’ll explain once I’m sure all your wounds are healing.” Yoongi finally spoke.

Jungkook nodded and then closed his eyes so Yoongi could work. His skin felt a little odd when Yoongi started to undo the bandages but Jungkook tried to not focus on the feeling. Yoongi worked on his wrists one by one, undoing the bandages and checking for the damages. Whatever he used to clean up his wounds burned badly and Jungkook hissed, shutting his eyes tightly even when Seokjin reached out to comfort him. It wasn’t long before Yoongi was putting on new bandages.

Something had happened to him. He hadn’t just drunk too much. Something had happened to him. He had serious enough wounds on him and even the unharmed parts of his body hurt. Maybe he got hit by a car? Or maybe someone tried to mug him?

“I’ll be checking your neck now, please try to not move your head.”

But why wasn’t he at a hospital? He tried to keep still as Yoongi carefully started to undo the patch of bandages on his covering the entire side of his neck.

Maybe this would have been easier if Jungkook had been a little more out of it. He had a pounding headache that was steadily getting worse but he could still think. And nothing made sense. If only he could remember what the fuck had happened last night then maybe he could put the puzzle pieces together easier.

“Is it okay?” he asked quietly. The silence was starting to make him anxious.

“It’s healing as it should.” Yoongi answered easily.

Jungkook hummed. He wasn’t entirely sure what that meant or if it was even that good of a thing. At least it wasn’t in any worse condition.

“Can I have water?” he mumbled.

“Oh –“ Seokjin blinked. “Of course, of course.” And then he just –  “Can someone bring us water?”

Jungkook stared at him. Did – did rich people just shout their orders into thin air? Did that work?

“Can I sit?” Jungkook ignored Seokjin just demanding water from nobody.

“It’s better if you lay for now, at least until water is here.” Yoongi answered while cleaning up.

“Okay.” Jungkook mumbled and stared at the ceiling.

“How are you feeling right now?” Seokjin asked. “Are you still in pain?”

“It’s not like before.” He answered after thinking a little. “I just feel really really tired. It’s – I don’t know how to explain it, feels like I ran a marathon or got hit by a truck…” he narrowed his eyes and looked at the two. “Did I get hit by a truck?”

“Not to our knowledge.” Yoongi answered.

The door opened and two more men walked in. Jungkook couldn’t even panic about being surrounded by more strangers because he saw that one of them was carrying a small plate with a glass and pitcher on it – fucking shit, rich people honestly did call out whatever they wanted to thin air.

These two looked closer to Jungkook’s age, one shorter than the other. They seemed a little – skittish? It seemed as if they weren’t sure if they should get close to Jungkook or maybe they weren’t comfortable being around him.

“You asked for water?” the short one carrying the tray asked, eyes mostly focused on Seokjin.

“Yes, thank you darling.” Seokjin said and turned to Jungkook. “These are Jimin and Taehyung.” He said and Jimin – short one – and Taehyung – tall one – gave an awkward wave and smile. They didn’t really look like they could be part of an organ mafia.

“Hi.” Jungkook said, voice rough and weak. “I’m Jungkook.”

“And what’s your last name?” Yoongi asked.

“Jeon Jungkook.” He answered. He was this deep in shit already.

“It’s a nice name.” Yoongi said, a faint smile on his lips. “I’ll let you sit up so you can drink. Taehyung-ah, help me.”

Jungkook shut his eyes as the two strangers helped him to sit up, wincing when his neck and abdomen protested in pain. They put pillows on his back so he could sit more comfortably. Yoongi gave him the glass but didn’t let go of it – as awkward as it was to be practically holding hands with someone he didn’t know, Jungkook was glad for the help.

“Drink slowly.” Yoongi advised. “You don’t want to upset your stomach.”

Jungkook nodded and did his best to do as he was told but the water felt so good going down his throat. His mouth was so dry, his insides were so fucking dry. He gulped down the whole thing, a few droplets dripping by the corner of his lips.

“Oh you’re really thirsty.” The short man, Jimin, said.

“Where’s Hobi and Joon?” Seokjin asked while Jungkook was contemplating licking the inside of the glass.

“They’ll be here any moment.” Taehyung replied and then gave Jungkook an amused smile. “We can give you another glass you know.”

“Give it in a bit.” Yoongi cut in while Jungkook ducked his head. “I just said I don’t want him to upset his stomach.”

Taehyung gave Yoongi a huge, boxy smile. Huh.

Now that he wasn’t in terrible pain and able to actually process information – these men were fucking handsome. Jungkook almost felt inadequate to be sitting here in what appeared to be a study, covered in bandages and stitches, to be looking at them.

Seokjin opened his mouth to say something but then gave a pause, tilted his head just so before smiling and saying, “Oh, Joonie and Hobi are here.”

“How do you know that?” Jungkook asked because it was one thing to demand water from thin air and get it, it was another thing to just know when someone arrived.

“I heard them?” Seokjin’s answer sounded more like a question, like he wasn’t sure if that was an acceptable answer or not. Jungkook stared at him in awkward silence until the door opened and two more handsome men walked in.

Maybe he was dead. Maybe this was some weird heaven.

The first man was tall and muscular who gave a dimpled smile when he spotted Jungkook, almost relieved to see him. The second man was much smaller in frame in comparison and –

“I know you.” Jungkook said suddenly, his heart beating a little faster. The man paused and glanced at Seokjin, unsure as to what to do. “I know you.”

 The doors opened and Jungkook braced himself for more pain, whimpering and crying and begging for it to all end. It wasn’t pain that followed but gentle hands lifting his head –

“You were there – “ Jungkook tried to move despite how it aggravated his wounds, ignoring Yoongi telling him to sit still. “You were there, I remember you, you found me there –“

Flashes of memories hit Jungkook – memories of being tied up so tight his wrists burned, of being beaten and hurt, locked up in some weird room and terrified.

Jungkook looked down at his arms, at his bandaged wrists. He’d been tied up with his hands behind his back that forced his arms and shoulders into an awkward, painful position. An ache flared in his shoulders at the reminder and Jungkook could almost taste the stale air on his tongue.

“What happened to me?” Jungkook mumbled and then looked up, fear bleeding into his bones, “What happened to me?”

The men all looked at each other before their eyes landed on Seokjin. Jungkook didn’t know what to do with them, what their expressions means, and at this point he didn’t fucking care, he couldn’t handle any more cryptic silence.

“What the fuck happened?!” he yelled and attempted to get up despite just getting his injuries tended to. His muscles pulled uncomfortably but Jungkook pushed through, waving off Yoongi and Seokjin who tried to calm him down and sit him back on the sofa.

“I don’t know what the fuck is going on.” Jungkook spat, backing away from all of them. He had to hunch from the pain but he ignored it. “I don’t know who any of you are, I don’t know where the fuck I am – I don’t fucking – I was locked up in some weird fucking room and now I’m here covered in injuries.” Jungkook rattled on. “What the fuck is going on?!”

For a moment the only sound in the room was Jungkook’s heavy panting. Jimin and Taehyung had moved towards the back of the room, furthest away from him behind everyone else, almost as if they were afraid of him. Him. Jungkook was in some strangers home covered in injuries but they were afraid?

“I’ll explain the best I can but please sit down.” Seokjin said. His voice was different from before. Serious. There was still kindness laced in his voice but just barely. It still wasn’t rude or cold but Jungkook could pick up on the difference and it –

It hurt. It hurt something in his chest in a way he couldn’t understand – almost as if he was being rejected somehow, ostracized. Why did he care this much about the way Seokjin spoke? This was a stranger, Jungkook remembered the other man’s face more than Seokjin’s but he wanted Seokjin to hold him.

“No.” Jungkook said. “We can talk like this.”

“You’re hurt –“ Yoongi started but Jungkook cut him off.

“And I don’t even know why I’m hurt.” He hissed both from anger and from pain. He knew that they were right, he should be sitting down, and aside from his injuries his entire body was just tired.

Seokjin stood straight and waved one hand, a smooth movement that had the rest of the group shifting in their places.

“Alright.” Seokjin said. “How much do you remember?”

Jungkook took another step back so he could put his weight on the desk behind him. He looked around the room and took in the bookshelves and the warm colors, a professional setting. There was even a fairly big globe on the side, one of those antique looking ones. The curtains were open but the windows were tinted black here as well.

“I was –“ he licked his lips and frowned when the skin around it felt weird. It didn’t hurt but – whatever. Everything was fucking wrong, why would his mouth be right. He swallowed, “I remember I was in a room. Um, and I was tied up and everything hurt so bad.”

His body ached with phantoms pains, like saying the words out loud had reminded his muscles of what had happened too. Jungkook made a face, suddenly all too aware of all the bandages on him and remembering how he was – he’d been bleeding to death in that room.

“You were there.” He mumbled and tipped his chin towards the man. “I remember you. I don’t remember anything else.”

“You don’t remember how you got there?” Seokjin asked.

Jungkook shook his head. “I don’t – I don’t even remember going out.” He said, hands shaking as he became aware of just how much gap there was in his memory. He tried to find something, anything, but even the closest memory was faded around the corners. “The last thing I remember is – I was going home after my shift.”

Seokjin nodded. “Hoseok found you.” He said. “He was searching the building along with Jimin and Taehyung.”

Jungkook looked at the man, Hoseok, before looking at Jimin and Taehyung. He shook his head.

“I don’t remember them.” He mumbled.

“I’m shocked you even remember me.” Hoseok huffed into a vague smile. “You weren’t in a good condition at all.”

Jungkook looked at the three of them and bowed his head as much as he could without aggravating his beat up body.

“Thank you.” He said.

“Of course.” Taehyung replied. “We couldn’t have left you there.”

And despite all the pain and confusion, Jungkook knew he was being honest. He put more of his weight on the desk gave a small nod, not knowing what else to do.

“We don’t know how you ended up there.” Seokjin carried on. He was picking his words carefully, Jungkook realized. “I’d sent them there because we got a tip about odd activity in that building.”

Jungkook nodded. Hoseok, Jimin, and Taehyung being in that building was unrelated to Jungkook then – at first anyway. They hadn’t gone there because they’d known he’d be there. They could have completely missed him. He could have died.

“What are you not telling me?” Jungkook asked because it was obvious. Something was still missing in this picture and it had nothing to do with the fact that even this group didn’t know how Jungkook had ended up in that building.

“I really think you should be sitting down for this conversation.” Seokjin said and his voice was soft again. Jungkook knew he should sit, his legs were growing tired already even though majority of his weight was on the desk.

“We talk just fine on my feet.” Jungkook said. It was childish, he knew, but it was the one thing he could control.

Seokjin paused. He glanced sideways to Yoongi before sighing.

“You didn’t think this part through did you?” Yoongi asked.

“I didn’t think he’d wake up this early.” Seokjin hissed back in a stage-whisper.

Even with all the pain and confusion Jungkook couldn’t help the way his lips quirked into a faint smile. At least he wasn’t the only feeling awkward over this entire situation.

“We were sent there because we got word of unlawful activity.” Namjoon piped in. He had a deep voice that almost distracted Jungkook from what he said. He furrowed his brows.

“Like – drugs?” he asked and glanced at Seokjin. “Organ mafia?”

“For the last time – there is no organ mafia involved.” Seokjin pinched his nose bridge.

“I was found in a weird building and you guys were there because of odd, unlawful activity and now I’m covered in bandages.” Jungkook listed, a brow quirked. He then sighed because despite what little amusement he could find in this situation, Jungkook was still in pain and still tired. He was still in a room full of strangers. “Can you just – tell me? Tell me what’s going on?”

Seokjin dropped his arms and looked at Jungkook. It felt like he was staring into Jungkook’s soul, searching for something neither of them knew. Jungkook shifted uncomfortably. Jungkook could spot the very second Seokjin dropped the professional act – shifted into something more human and more direct.

“You were dying when they found you.” He said. “You were in the basement of the building and had been bleeding out for some when Hoseok got to you.”

Jungkook’s body froze. He swallowed thickly, trying to process what he was told. He knew he’d been in a bad shape in there, the one thing he could remember clearly was the pain and the panic, but hearing it and having it confirmed was –

“Why am I here then?” he murmured. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Why – why am I not at a hospital if I almost died?”

“I will tell you but I need you to listen to everything before you react.” Seokjin said. Jungkook stared at him for a second but then nodded. It’s not like he could do much else. Seokjin stood tall and there was almost a shift in his energy – different from the almost silly man that was trying to convince that the organ mafia wasn’t involved.

“We couldn’t take you to the hospital because the people who hurt you aren’t human.” Seokjin spoke, dead serious. “You were taken by a group of vampires who then abandoned you when they heard we were coming. We are assuming the person who did this to you was their leader.”

“And by this you mean…?” Jungkook muttered.

“By all means you were tortured.” Seokjin carried on, faltering only when Jungkook flinched at the word torture. “Your wrists, your abdomen, and your neck are the worst of it but you have other injuries too. Your right hand was mostly broken and your lips are cut –“ Jungkook reached to touch his mouth, fingers lingering on the scars, “ – and you were also badly beaten.”

“You were – “ Seokjin cut himself off, considering how to keep going. He exhaled and gave Jungkook a soft look. “They killed you.” He said. “They killed you and turned into a vampire before abandoning you in there to die again.”

Silence filled the room once Seokjin stopped explaining. Jungkook let the man’s words sink in. He stared at them one by one, trying to get an idea of what they might be feeling or thinking, but they were hard to read.

He opened his mouth but shut it immediately, shaking his head.

“Are you fucking with me?”

“I understand it’s hard to believe –“ Seokjin started but Jungkook cut him off.

“Is this like some fucked up prank?” he asked, voice rising. He had to put more of his weight against the table, trusting his legs less and less.

“I’m telling the truth.” Seokjin replied evenly. “And you know I’m telling the truth. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

Jungkook knew that. He knew Seokjin wasn’t lying, he knew Seokjin was being honest. He knew it the same way he knew he could trust him, something deep inside his chest knew it.

“You’re telling me a vampire kidnapped me and killed me.” Jungkook said instead. “And you expect me to believe it?!”

Seokjin lifted his hands defensively at Jungkook’s outburst, palms facing forward. It was a silent three seconds before Seokjin pointed a finger over Jungkook’s shoulder.

Jungkook stared at Seokjin’s finger with confusion. He glanced at everyone but they weren’t any more help. He followed where Seokjin was pointing towards; the black tinted windows.

It was the same as the bedroom Jungkook woke up. Jet black windows that reflected back the room they were in. There was nothing else other than the mirrored images of the furniture. That was it, just the reflections of the room.

Jungkook looked over his shoulder back to Seokjin in confusion but the man just tipped his head back towards the windows. Jungkook frowned and turned back to the window.

There was nothing. The reflection of the light, the sofa, the desk, the computer, bookshelves, the globe at the corner. There was nothing else to see. There was nothing.

There was nothing.

Jungkook exhaled shakily as he stared straight ahead. He leaned on the desk further so he wasn’t putting his entire weight on his already weak legs. He kept staring into the perfect mirror on the tinted windows. The sofa, the chairs, the bookshelves, the desk Jungkook was leaning on.

There was nothing else.

It reflected everything except for the people.

“I’m not expecting you to believe anything.” Seokjin spoke from behind him. Jungkook’s eyes glanced over to where Seokjin’s reflection should be on window. A foot step, two, and a hand rested on Jungkook’s shoulder. Jungkook’s knees buckled and hit the desk and he watched through the reflection as a pencil rolled off the table. “There’s nothing to believe. This is the truth.”

Jungkook slowly turned around to face Seokjin. He shook his head and looked back and forth between the empty windows and the room full of people before looking at Seokjin once more.

“You’re not –“ he trembled a little but Jungkook couldn’t tell if it was fear or his own weak legs. “You’re not lying to me?”

“I would never lie to you.” Seokjin said, honest, and his hand slowly cupped Jungkook’s face. “You’d know if I did.”

Instinctually Jungkook leaned into Seokjin’s touch even though he wasn’t sure what instinct he was following. It just felt good to have Seokjin touch him, to have him physically close. It was grounding almost, made it easier for Jungkook to keep himself above the water.

“I – I died?” Jungkook asked with a tiny voice. Seokjin’s face pinched together like hearing Jungkook say that hurt him.

“Only for a moment.” Seokjin said, knowing that it didn’t make anything any better.

Jungkook’s eyes burned and his throat felt tight. He tried to focus on Seokjin’s touch but –

He sat down gingerly on the desk.

“I – “ Jungkook swallowed. When he blinked a stray tear ran down his cheek. He looked at Seokjin and then at the rest of them. They all looked at Jungkook like they wanted to bow down and apologize, like they wanted to wrap him up in blankets, like they wanted him to feel better.

“You’re all vampires.” Jungkook finally said. It sounded wrong to his ears. He looked up at Seokjin and the man gave him an odd smile.

“I wish I could tell you that we are the organ mafia instead.” He said thumbed way Jungkook’s tears.

“You’re –“ Jungkook cut himself off and made a move to turn back at the window before stopping himself. He turned back to Seokjin and blinked up at the man. “Am I – I’m also a… - “ he couldn’t get the word out, “- like you?”

“Yes.” Seokjin answered. “You’re a vampire.”

Jungkook sat in silence. What else was he to do? A vampire.

“No but-“ Jungkook shook his head. “I’m still breathing and – and I can feel my heart –“ he shook his head rapidly and looked at everyone.

“Careful, you’re going to hurt your neck.” Yoongi called out gently.

Seokjin carefully cupped Jungkook’s face with both hands to stop his movement. Jungkook’s eyes fluttered shut at the gentle touch, shoulders relaxing.

“Yes, you’re breathing and your heart’s beating too.” Seokjin said. “You’re undead – not a corpse.” He added like there was any difference between the two. Maybe there was. “We can still breathe and have a beating heart, it’s just, oh this is harder to explain then I thought. It’s not something you need.”

“If I don’t need it then why even - ?” Jungkook sniffled a little, more and more tears were falling down his cheeks.

“Because you think you need it.” Seokjin said simply. “It’ll pause if you hold your breath or –“

“I don’t want that.” Jungkook said quickly.

“That’s fine.” Seokjin wiped away some of his tears. “Will you please sit on the sofa now? I know for a fact that table isn’t all that comfortable as a seat.”

Jungkook nodded and let Seokjin help him to his feet. Would it be okay if Jungkook hugged him? He really wanted to. He wanted Seokjin to hold him like before when he carried him, he wanted to live in Seokjin’s ribcage –

Kim Seokjin was a vampire.

That’s all he knew about the man but yet here he was desperate for his touch.

He was low key glad that Seokjin didn’t hug him and he got to keep some semblance of his pride. Seokjin gently guided him to the sofa and helped him sit down.

“You’re handling this much better than I thought.” Namjoon said with a kind smile.

“Am I?” Jungkook frowned.

“I nearly killed myself when I found out.” Hoseok piped in with a huge smile, barely holding back his laugh.

“You’re all…” Jungkook trailed off. He couldn’t bring himself to say vampire. His brain felt foggy. He turned to Seokjin. “Did you… make? Everyone?”

“Oh, no no no.” Seokjin waved a hand. “I didn’t turn anyone here. I just found them at some point in my life and they never left.” Seokjin snorted. “Like stray animals you feed.”

Jungkook looked at the other men who nodded along with small smiles, amused by the comparison.

“The person who did this to me,” Jungkook started. “They’re out there somewhere, right?”

“They won’t be for too long.” Seokjin said certainly. “This is my territory, no random vampire can disrupt peace on my land and get away with. Especially after what they did to you.”

Jungkook’s injuries thrummed at the reminder. It was all too much – he was kidnapped by vampires? He’d died? He became a vampire? What was he supposed to do?

So he just… sat on the sofa.

“Did you find my phone or my wallet?” he asked instead.

“Oh – no.” Hoseok answered and looked at Jimin and Taehyung. “Though to be honest we didn’t get to look at the room you were in that much, you were our priority.”

“Well, it wasn’t in any of the other rooms we looked at.” Jimin pointed out.

“I’ll be going there tomorrow.” Namjoon said. “I’ll make sure to look for it. Until then though, is there anyone you want us to call? Family, friends?”

His boss, probably, but Jungkook realized he didn’t give to shits about that man at the moment.

“I don’t have anyone that cares.” He just mumbled. He didn’t notice the silence that followed. “Are the windows always like that?”

“It’s on a timer normally.” Yoongi answered and Taehyung nodded along beside him.

“We had to make sure you wouldn’t accidently burn if you woke up during day.” Taehyung explained. “So we just made it black all the time for now.”

Huh. That was – kind of them Jungkook supposed.

“Wait, what time is it then?” Jungkook asked. “What day is it?”

“It’s about one am, Thursday.” Namjoon answered.

Jungkook stared. That couldn’t be right. The last clear memory Jungkook had was leaving work on a monday after a late shift.

“You’ve been sleeping for a while.” Seokjin said. “Which is completely normal.”

“Oh my boss will kill me.” Jungkook said staring straight ahead. He tried to ignore that he’d already died.

“Where do you work?” Namjoon asked.

“E-mart.” Jungkook answered. “The Yeoksam branch, you know the one nearby the Gangnam Severance Hospital?”

“If you’re really worried about it I can handle it.” Hoseok told him.

“Well I need the money.” Jungkook said. Not everyone could demand water from thin air.

“That brings us to the next thing.” Seokjin clapped his hands once as he spoke. Despite the cheeriness in his voice Jungkook could tell that he wasn’t excited about whatever it was that he was about to say.

“Let me guess,” Jungkook deadpanned. “I’m not allowed to leave?”

The silence was hilarious.

“I mean –“ Hoseok tried but Seokjin cut him off with a wave of his hand.

“Let’s try it this way.” Seokjin said. “If I told you right now that you are completely safe and free to go, would you do it?”

Dread filled Jungkook’s tummy. Whatever hurricane of emotion he was filled with tasted like rejection – does he not want me here? I don’t want to leave him – I can’t.

“Do you want me to go?” he asked in the tiniest of voices and – what was this? Why did he care so much? This was a stranger, a kind stranger who was a vampire, yet Jungkook didn’t want to be separated from him for even a second.

“I don’t.” Seokjin ran his hands through Jungkook’s hair. “But this ties into another important topic.”

“The person who turned you was probably the leader of this group.” Yoongi took over. “We call vampires who turn others into a vampire sires. The one who turned you wasn’t a good one.”

Jungkook mouthed the word feeling as if he was speaking an alien language. Sire.

“To turn someone there is a certain checklist to follow.” Yoongi said.

“I have to die.” Jungkook said. He’d died. It still didn’t feel real – maybe this was just a hyper realistic dream and he’d wake up late for work.

“Yes.” Yoongi said. Somehow his to-the-point fashion of talking was helping Jungkook keep his head on his shoulders. It wasn’t unkind in anyway. In fact Jungkook would even say this was Yoongi’s way of helping him. “You have to die and have your blood drained before being fed vampire blood.”

“And the person feeding me becomes a sire.” Jungkook tried to see if he was following correctly. Everyone nodded and Jungkook had to admit there was a spark of pride in his chest.

“Your original sire didn’t go through the process properly.” Yoongi said. “He killed you and drained you but he didn’t feed you properly afterwards. He gave you just enough blood to turn you but then he abandoned you. That is unforgivable.” Yoongi’s voice hardened. “That’s a death sentence for new born infants. Especially considering you were tortured under their care after being turned.”

Jungkook slowly nodded as he took in the information, thankful that Yoongi paused long enough for him to actually process everything he was being told.

“But I’m alive.” Jungkook slowly said.

“Just barely.” Yoongi replied honestly. “If Hoseok hadn’t brought you in when he had you would have bled to death.”

“You were fighting to stay alive even though you’d bled out what your original sire had fed you.” Hoseok said silently, eyes focused on the wood floor.

That was the second time they’d said that. Original sire. Jungkook licked his lips and nearly flinched when he felt the cuts on his mouth. Right, those were a thing he had now. He wondered how long it would take before it healed. How long would it take for everything to heal.

“So – “ He raised his head. “I was – I was killed.” He said. “And then that vampire, my sire, fed me his blood and turned me but he didn’t feed me enough and instead tortured me and left me to die.” He looked at everyone’s faces before focusing back on Yoongi. “Then how am I alive?”

“I fed you.”

Seokjin’s voice was warm and even, tender almost. Jungkook’s head snapped so fast that he winced at the way his muscles pulled under the bandages. Seokjin’s face pinched with worry as he leaned over, a hand smoothing over the injured spot.

“It’s not something that happens often.” Yoongi continued but paused, considering something before he said, “I know it’ll be hard to believe considering your experience but vampires are very protective over their fledglings. It’s something to celebrate.”

“Fledgling?” Jungkook mumbled, focusing on that instead of everything else, ignoring how his heart rate was picking up.

“It’s what baby vampires are called.” Namjoon explained and then pointed towards Jimin and Taehyung, “They’re also fledglings though they’re much older than you.”

“The bond between a sire and fledgling is special.” Yoongi said. “It’s easy to make someone a vampire – it’s hard to keep a fledgling alive.”

Jungkook swallowed. He couldn’t look at Seokjin. He didn’t know what he would do if he did.

“A sire will do anything to keep their fledgling alive.” Hoseok said. “What you went through is –“ he shook his head with harsh huff, “It’s unheard of. No vampire ever sires a fledgling and immediately abandons them. No vampire sire would ever think of harming an infant of their make.”

“But mine did.” Jungkook whispered.

“And he will be punished for it.” Seokjin spoke.

“You fed me.” Jungkook finally looked at the man in front of him. That pull he’d been feeling towards Seokjin seemed to get stronger. It almost seemed to grow into something tangible.

“I did.” Seokjin said softly. “You were dying when they brought you here, I couldn’t let that happen.”

“You had bled out what little your original sire fed you.” Yoongi repeated and then tipped his head towards Seokjin. “He fed you properly. He fed you until you were full, until you were alive again.”

“And since your original sire didn’t do it properly in the first place…” Namjoon said. “Hyung feeding you overpowered it.”

Jungkook looked at Seokjin. For once he truly looked at this stranger, at this vampire, this person who saved his life, and began to see. He saw how he was standing close to him but giving him space, how he was touching him without crowding him. How soft spoken he’d been with Jungkook, how gentle.

“You’re my sire?” he asked. He knew that he didn’t get the weight of that word just yet. Sire. There was a clear difference in how Seokjin reacted to it and how little Jungkook understood.

Seokjin nodded. He pushed away Jungkook’s fringe away from his eyes with a gentle move of his fingers, his eyes lingering on the cuts around Jungkook’s mouth. How bad were the cuts? How bad were his injuries? For how much of it did Seokjin blame himself?

“Is that why I can’t leave?” Jungkook broke away the eye contact and instead looked at literally anyone else.

“Do you want to leave?” Namjoon asked, judgment-free. “It’s not necessarily about what you can or can’t do. If you tell us you want to go back to your home then by all means. So, do you want to leave?”

Jungkook’s throat felt tight, like some invisible force was trying to choke him. It wasn’t safe out there. Jungkook’s neighborhood wasn’t the best to begin with but now knowing that there were vampires lurking in the shadows – the same vampires who had hurt him – and the very idea of actually leaving this place was nauseating.

“No.” Jungkook shook his head. “No, no.”

“Hey, hey, it’s okay.” Seokjin took a step closer and cupped Jungkook’s face with one hand again. Safe. “You’re okay, you’re alright.”

“Fledglings don’t leave the safety of coven for a very long time.” Hoseok spoke while Jungkook absentmindedly leaned into Seokjin’s touch. “It’s normal for you to feel fear in regards to going out.”

For a moment Jungkook thought that Hoseok was going to keep talking but he cut himself short. Maybe he should poke into what it was that was left unsaid but honestly, Jungkook just wanted a nap. A headache was starting to punch against his skull and he was already tired to begin with. He turned his head around so Seokjin’s palm was completely covering his face and ignored the embarrassment that burned across his cheeks.

 Sire or not – Seokjin was still a stranger and here Jungkook was practically melting into his touch and craving more.

“I think it’ll be better for you to take a nap.” Yoongi said. “You’re still exhausted and everything we told you isn’t easy to digest. Your wounds will heal better when you’re resting, too.”

Jungkook nodded meekly, still pressing his face into Seokjin’s palm. There was this aching weight on his shoulders that kept getting heavier by the second, it made it harder for Jungkook to keep his head up.

“We can have the rest of this conversation when you’re feeling better, little one.” Seokjin said. “Can you walk or would you allow me to carry you?”

If he wanted to Jungkook could probably force himself to walk. He didn’t want to though.

And it had nothing to do with the fact that his legs had failed him multiple times since he’d woken up.

He shook his head.

“Alright then.” Seokjin said. “Yoongichi –“

“I know.” Yoongi drawled. “Don’t worry about a thing.”

“I would never.” Seokjin replied – it was almost flirty. Jungkook wasn’t sure how he felt about that. “Alright, Jungkook, I’m picking you up now, tell me if it hurts somewhere.”

Before Jungkook could even blink, Seokjin had him in his arms. Jungkook yelped and wrapped his arms around Seokjin’s shoulder, blushing all the way to his ears when he realized Seokjin was bridal carrying him. He ducked his head – which honestly wasn’t any better but at least he wouldn’t see.

“Good night Jungkook!” Jimin and Taehyung piped up at the same time. Jungkook awkwardly waved a hand.

What do you do when you learn you’re a vampire and your sire is carrying you to bed?

Jungkook didn’t talk as Seokjin made his way down the halls. He half-heartedly tried to make sense of the layout of this place but knew that he didn’t need to. How weird, just a little bit ago he was trying to run for his life.

“Here we are.” Seokjin walked into the bedroom and gently lowered Jungkook down. Jungkook mumbled a thank you and Seokjin waved a hand with a dramatic pshh, “Of course, we’re more than happy to carry around fledglings in Kim Seokjin Airways.”

Jungkook huffed a smile at that. He was a bit of an oddball, Jungkook thought. Not at all what he’d imagine a vampire to be like. He’d been flipping back and forth between serious and comedic since Jungkook met him. He wondered which one was real and which one was put on.

“My head hurts.” Jungkook said mostly to himself but he wanted Seokjin to know. In this odd way he wanted Seokjin to look after him.

Again, the man was a literal stranger to him, and yet…

“Does it?” Seokjin hummed and pressed his cool palm against Jungkook’s forehead. “Do you feel hungry too?”

Jungkook nodded. He was suddenly very aware that was starving, actually. Maybe his body had put it on the less-important-things list while he’d been panicking.

“Well, it has been three days since you last ate.” Seokjin muttered to himself and petted Jungkook’s cheek. “Do you mind if I change here?”

“O-oh yeah.” Jungkook looked away. It’s his home anyway.

“I promise I usually take a person out for a date before changing in front of them.” Seokjin joked behind him and Jungkook really hoped he couldn’t hear how hard his heart was beating. This was cool – totally cool.

“So – uh .” Jungkook made a face. Eloquent. He could hear the rustling of fabric as Seokjin changed. “If you didn’t make the others into vampires… what are they?”

“What are they? They’re still vampires.”

“What are they to you.” Jungkook specified.

“I told you, they’re my family. They’re my lovers.”

Oh.

“They’re my coven.” Seokjin carried on. “I have many who work under me but everyone in that room are members of my coven.” A beat. “Including you!”

“Me?”

“Well, of course.” Seokjin said. “I’m your sire. That automatically makes you part of the coven.”

“Is that like – am I considered your child?” Jungkook made a face trying to make sense of it.

“Oh no.” Seokjin replied quickly, almost disgusted by the suggestion. “Nothing like that. You’re an infant vampire and I’m your sire. I’m not your father and you’re not my child. I know the terms are similar enough but don’t equate human relations to vampire ones. I didn’t birth you.”

“That’s – that’s good to hear, I guess.” Jungkook mumbled. His headache wasn’t helping him understand these at all.

“Besides, there are many different type of relations between a fledgling and their sire.” Seokjin started. “Some can be parental like that but a sire is a guardian. That is their most important role.”

Jungkook hummed. He was playing with the soft material of the bed cover. That made sense.

“Besides, many sires and up having romantic relationships with their fledglings, if it was a child-parent type of relation like you asked then it would be incest.” Seokjin said easily and then huffed. “Vampires are many things but we are not that.”

Jungkook flushed. Alright – that was – cool – Seokjin had like five lovers and – yeah, cool -

“So then what does –“ he cleared his throat. What was this? Why did he care so much? He literally just met this guy. “What does that make me to you?”

A hand patted the top of his head and Jungkook flinched. He only relaxed when he heard Seokjin chuckle lightly.

“It makes you part of my coven, little one.” Seokjin said with a smile. “It makes you someone I protect.”

Jungkook looked up at him with a slack jaw. There was an urge in his chest to just bury himself into Seokjin’s arms, wrap his arms and legs around him so that no one else would ever take him away from him. Jungkook frowned. These thoughts were getting a bit dramatic.

“I – I have a question.” He started.

“Shoot.” Seokjin said and walked around. He was wearing loose clothes now, baggy pants and a wide-necked pajama top that threatened to fall over one shoulder – it left his neck wide open and Jungkook suddenly couldn’t look away from it.

“I – uh. “ he blinked and shook his head. “Be honest, are you like using magic to mess with my head?”

Seokjin’s brows rose and he blinked back.

“No, I’m not.” He answered. “Why do you ask?”

“It’s – it’s nothing.” Jungkook shook his head and avoided looking at him.

“It’s not nothing if you’re asking.” Seokjin encouraged him on. “Why did you think so?”

Jungkook frowned and then he sighed. What was the point of avoiding it, he might as well learn something. It wasn’t any more embarrassing than being carried by a grown ass man in front of others.

“Whenever I look at you my head gets all fuzzy, I can’t focus on anything.” Jungkook mumbled as he played with his shirt. “Or – like – you’re all I can focus on would be more accurate.”

Seokjin hummed but Jungkook could practically see his smile, hear how amused he was in that short little hmm.

“You’re making fun of me.” He accused, eyes narrowed. Seokjin, the bastard, actually laughed.

“I’m not, it’s cute. You’re cute.” Seokjin replied – and Jungkook prayed that Seokjin missed the way he malfunctioned for a split second. “What you’re describing is completely normal. You’re a fledgling, I’m your sire, and you naturally gravitate towards me. It’s how everyone feels, I don’t need to use any power on you for that.”

“But it’s something you can do.” Jungkook narrowed his eyes a little.

“Yes, vampires have powers.” Seokjin shrugged casually. “You get stronger with age.”

“Huh.”

“Yup.” Seokjin nodded. “But what you’re experiencing is normal and, in any case, I wouldn’t have used any charm on you anyway. Now, you said you’re hungry?”

Jungkook nodded. His stomach was starting to hurt from hunger. All that panic and stress probably didn’t make it any better for him, especially if he’d been sleeping for three days.

He opened his mouth to ask what vampires even eat when Seokjin crawled into the bed, effectively freezing Jungkook where he was sitting at the edge. Seokjin fluffed up the pillows and arranged them nicely against the headboard before sitting and giving Jungkook an admittedly cute smile.

“What?” Jungkook asked. Because like – what?

Seokjin, just as confused, stared back, “What do you mean what?”

“I thought I was going to eat?” Jungkook asked. “Are you – are you gonna just call for food?”

The confused expression on Seokjin’s face bled into something so genuinely endeared that Jungkook’s heart skipped. For an undead vampire Seokjin was sure cute in his own way.

“Jungkook-ah.” Seokjin called sweetly. He was barely holding back his giggles, Jungkook could tell, but he was distracted by the familiar way he referred to him to care about it. “You’re a fledgling. I’m your sire. What do you think you’re going to be eating?”

Jungkook flushed pink at the way Seokjin spoke to him before his brain caught up to what Seokjin was actually saying.

Oh. Oh –

“Blood?”  Jungkook asked, bewildered.

“What else?” Seokjin raised a brow, smile growing by the second. At least one of them was having fun.

“Like – actual blood?” Jungkook asked again – and tried to ignore the fact that blood sounded appetizing to him.

“Actual blood.” Seokjin answered. “No ketchup.”

“O-oh.” Jungkook nodded and shook his head a little. “Yeah that – that makes sense, of course, what else would a vampire eat. Drink?”

“Hey.”

Jungkook blinked and looked up at the man. Seokjin was still smiling but it was a kinder one, his eyes warm. He reached out towards him with his palm up. It wasn’t an invitation Jungkook could refuse, not when his entire body craved to be near Seokjin.

He gingerly took Seokjin’s hand and let the man pull him closer, careful of his injuries, until Jungkook was straddling him. Jungkook’s cheeks burned red and he awkwardly placed his hands on Seokjin’s shoulders, avoided looking him in the eye because who knew what stupid thing he might do.

“You already had blood.” Seokjin explained softly. “It’s normal that you don’t remember it though considering everything that happened. It’s normal to feel weird, conflicting emotions.”

“Isn’t this awkward for you?” Jungkook asked in one breath, quickly, and then nodded in between them. “You don’t know me and I’m just – on your lap.”

“You have my blood in your veins.” Seokjin said. He said it so casually meanwhile Jungkook swore he had the air knocked out of his lungs. Seokjin fixed Jungkook’s hair and Jungkook shivered at the barest touch. “We are strangers for the most part, you’re correct, but you’re still mine.”

Mine.

“So, ah – h-how do I?” Jungkook stammered. He’d much rather drink blood than have to face whatever inner turmoil Seokjin’s words burned inside him.

Seokjin lifted one hand where he could see and Jungkook watched as Seokjin’s nail grew longer and sharper, and turned into elegant claws. Slack jawed, Jungkook didn’t even think as he held Seokjin’s hand with his own, fingers tracing over the veins as he took in the claws. He didn’t touch the nail itself, worried that he might cut himself, but he took this opportunity to just – he just wanted to keep holding Seokjin’s hand.

But Seokjin gingerly pulled his hand away from Jungkook’s, cooing when he pouted at the loss. Jungkook watched as Seokjin tipped his head sideways and bared his neck to him. His index finger trailed down the side of his neck until his claw caught on the skin and he cut himself.

Jungkook made a worried sound but choked on it a second later when a bead of blood spilled from the cut.

Jungkook’s mouth was on Seokjin’s neck between to heartbeats.

Seokjin laughed as if he was tickled and held Jungkook by the back of his head, keeping him close to his neck.

All Jungkook could focus on was the iron taste of Seokjin’s blood. It was so much sweeter that he’d expected. He gulped down mouthfuls while Seokjin pulled his legs so he wasn’t straddling him anymore but sitting sideways. One of Seokjin’s arms was stroking his legs.

“There you go, little one.” Seokjin crooned. “Drink all you want. You’re safe now.”

Chapter Text

It was the same foreign darkness that welcomed Jungkook when he woke up. His chest was filled with an uneasy sensation knowing that this wasn’t his home. He was somewhere strange and it lit up alarm bells in his mind before he shut his eyes again.

If he pretended that he didn’t recognize the darkness, if he pretended that he didn’t know this room, could he pretend the last time hadn’t happened?

Maybe he was stuck in an odd loop and now he would be bound to wake up in this same not-so-foreign room over and over again.

As Jungkook laid there contemplating his life choices that brought him to this moment, his body slowly caught up to the fact that he was actually awake. Awake enough to feel pain.

It was real. Jungkook could look away from the truth as much as he wanted, it wouldn’t change reality. The pain was the proof of it.

Jungkook closed his eyes tightly and groaned as a deep thrum of aches washed over his body. He didn’t feel any better than yesterday. If anything Jungkook felt worse in some ways. His body was hyperaware of everything wrong with him down to the smallest cut and there was nothing Jungkook could do to make it lessen.

He didn’t try to sit up this time. Maybe he wasn’t the smartest person around but he did learn from his mistakes – and his mistakes from yesterday were hurting. Was that even yesterday? Jungkook couldn’t tell how long he’d slept for.

Instead of trying to sit up Jungkook reached sideways to the bedside table to turn on the lamp there. Jungkook made a face at the light and stared at the object. Had it always been that close? He was pretty it’d been harder to reach last time.

There was a square piece of paper left on next to the lamp, a short note written in smooth handwriting.

I had to leave early but I promise I will come back soon. You aren’t alone, call for Jimin and Taehyung and they will look after you. Please don’t move around too much. Have a nice day!

Seokjin

Jungkook traced his fingertip over the letters, reading it over and over again.

He’d fallen asleep in Seokjin’s arms last night.

It wasn’t something he remembered, not really, but Jungkook knew it had happened. He could still taste his blood on his tongue.

That had happened. He actually drank blood. Because he’s a fucking vampire now. He’d sat in Seokjin’s lap and drank straight from the man’s neck – and he’d enjoyed it.

Jungkook made a face and just – no. He wasn’t going to think about this. He wasn’t going to think about the vampire stuff or the blood stuff or the fact that he was missing Seokjin – this was simply not happening.

There were more important things he could focus on like – like the fact that he was in pain and a little bit hungry.

Call for Jimin or Taehyung

This was so fucking stupid.

“Uh – “ Jungkook said and then cleared his throat, making a face at the ceiling. He stared at the shadows created by the bed side lamp. It wasn’t comfortable to lay on his back like this but he was scared to move and make the pain worse. “Jimin-ssi? Taehyung-ssi? Is – is anyone here?”

The room, shockingly, did not reply back.

At least not right away, anyway. After a few seconds of awkward silence the bedroom door opened.

“Good morning!” Jimin said cheerfully. “Do you want me to turn on the lights?”

“Sure.” Jungkook mumbled and immediately shut his eyes when the main light turned on. He blinked away tentatively to adjust to the sudden brightness.

“Did you sleep well?” Jimin walked in and turned off the bed side lamp.

“Yeah, I-  I guess.” Jungkook replied.

“Are you hungry?” Jimin asked quickly, almost as if he was going through a well-studied check list.

“Uh – yeah, actually.” Jungkook mumbled and Jimin’s face brightened with a big smile.

“Good! Tae and I actually made omelets – Tae!” he turned around and called out. “Bring a plate here!”

“I could –“ Jungkook tried to speak but Jimin waved a hand.

“Yoongi hyung told me to not let you move around so much.” He said and carefully perched on the edge of the bed. “You’re allowed to sit and walk when you have to but you’re still on bed rest.”

“Oh – okay.” Jungkook blinked at Jimin.

Jungkook had been distracted by sheer panic and pain yesterday to acknowledge just how pretty Jimin was.

He had long black hair with a few streaks of white through it that framed his face perfectly. His warm eyes were a dark color and his cheeks seemed so soft that Jungkook had to hold back the urge to just pinch the fat there.

The worst had to be his lips. He just had these plump, pink lips that were just so – Jungkook wondered what it would be like to kiss him and –

Jungkook closed his eyes. Nope. Nuh-uh. He wasn’t about to have a fantasy about a man he met yesterday. He wasn’t that hopeless of a romantic.

(He absolutely was. Jimin wouldn’t even be the first stranger he fantasized about kissing.)

“Are you still in pain?” Jimin asked softly and Jungkook opened his eyes to look at him. The angle was a bit odd since Jimin was sitting at the foot of the bed and Jungkook couldn’t really sit just yet – he hoped his double chin didn’t look too goofy.

“Yeah, actually.” Jungkook said.

“Better or worse?” Jimin asked, his face pinched with sympathy.

“I think it’s the same.” Jungkook replied. “I still feel I got hit by a truck.”

Jimin hummed, “I’m sorry. I can give you a pain killer after you eat but I’m not sure how much it’ll help. We’ll tell Yoongi hyung when he comes back, they won’t be out for long.”

“Would a pain killer even work?” Jungkook raised a brow.

“Sure, for a headache or something.” Jimin nodded but then looked over Jungkook’s battered body. “For what you’ve been through though…”

Jungkook wished Jimin didn’t look at him with so much heart in his eyes. Luckily, Jimin was distracted by a sound Jungkook didn’t hear until Taehyung was already in the room with a boxy smile.

“Morning!” he said and lifted the large tray in his hands. “I brought food.”

Jungkook found himself smiling back at the man without even knowing, “Thank you.”

“Let us help you sit up?” Jimin asked softly, his brows pulled together. “I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

Jungkook glanced between the two as Taehyung placed the tray on the bedside table. They both looked at him with such innocent eyes. Strangers.

“Yeah, that’d be good.” Jungkook said. Regardless of everything, he couldn’t move without hurting himself. He needed the help.

“Okay, we’ll do it gently.” Taehyung said.

They climbed in the bed on his two sides, silently coordinating between themselves how they were going to help him.

“No sudden movements, okay?” Jimin said as he got one hand on Jungkook’s back and his other carefully placed near the bandages on his lower belly.

Jungkook just gave a nod, not trusting his voice. A lot had happened since yesterday, emotionally and physically, and his brain wasn’t entirely sure how he should be reacting to having two strangers touch him so carefully.

“Three, two –“ Taehyung counted down and Jungkook let out a hiss as he was gently pulled into a sitting position.

Jimin immediately arranged the pillows to help him sit better while Jungkook leaned his weight to Taehyung.

“Did it hurt?” Taehyung asked in a murmur and casually fixed Jungkook’s hair in this familiar, domestic fashion.

“A little it’s just –“ Jungkook made a face as the worst of the pain faded into that usual thrum of aches. He didn’t lean into Taehyung’s touch but he didn’t pull away from him either. “It just flares when I move too much.”

There was this whisper in his mind, barely audible, that remembered the pain he’d been through even if Jungkook didn’t, and that whisper clung to Taehyung’s gentle touches as the man carefully set him against the perfectly fluffed pillows.

“There we go.” Jimin said and placed the tray Jungkook’s lap before taking his and Taehyung’s plates. The two man sat at the feet of the bed with matching smiles.

Jungkook bobbed his head in awkward thanks, not sure what this emotion he was feeling now that neither of them was touching him, and looked down at his plate. Omelet, an orange juice, toasted bread. A very western breakfast.

“Wait, can I even eat these?” Jungkook asked with a frown.

“Yeah.” Taehyung replied and furrowed his brows. “Why wouldn’t you be able to eat?”

“I don’t know, aren’t I –“ Jungkook’s voice died for a moment and he had to force it out of his mouth, “A – a vampire? I thought vampires don’t eat – I mean – this is human food right?”

Taehyung’s smile grew even wider while Jimin giggled. It wasn’t mean spirited at all – in fact Jungkook wished it had been mean spirited. That way he wouldn’t be sitting here in awe of how pretty they both looked.

“Well, that’s a valid question.” Jimin said and stuffed a huge bite of egg in his mouth.

“You can still eat human food.” Taehyung said. “Of course for you the blood of Jin hyung is the most important nutrition but you can still have human food too.”

“And garlic?” Jungkook asked as he picked up his fork.

“You can actually eat garlic when it’s cut and mixed well in food.” Jimin answered this time. “It burns a little but think of it more like really spicy food.”

“Garlic is only dangerous if it’s just garlic.” Taehyung explained. “And if there is a lot of it.”

“Oh.” Jungkook said. “Okay.”

Jungkook didn’t talk much after that, too busy devouring the food he was given. Jimin and Taehyung didn’t mind at all. They kept talking to each other and filling the room with easy chatter that made Jungkook feel included even if he didn’t speak.

It was the way Jimin scrunched his nose at him when Taehyung said something or how Taehyung rolled his eyes and looked at Jungkook when Jimin whined about something Taehyung had done. It didn’t feel like a conversation of people who met a day ago. It was as if they’d been friends for years.

Between listening to them bicker and finishing his meal, Jungkook had nothing else to do than just look at the two man.

They didn’t look that much older than Jungkook himself, maybe two-three years, but they were vampires so Jungkook supposed that didn’t matter much.

Taehyung had fluffy dark brown hair with gentle curls, almost reminiscent of ancient greek statues. He had the type of face that would inspire renaissance painters; handsome with a smooth, tan skin.

They were the opposite of each other, Jungkook noticed as he sipped his juice. Taehyung was taller while Jimin was shorter. Taehyung had this smooth baritone voice that complimented the bell-like pitch of Jimin’s giggles. Taehyung’s hand engulfed Jimin’s entirely when the taller man excitedly showed Jungkook the size difference between their pinkies.

It was their combined energy that made Jungkook feel oddly at home in that moment. He found himself laughing along or making a mumbled comment here and there the longer they kept chatting. Jungkook’s plate was empty and forgotten as they talked.

“Uh – what time is it?” Jungkook asked suddenly when there was a lull in the conversation.

“It should be like ten or something by now.” Jimin answered. “You woke up earlier than I thought you would to be honest.”

“What time did you think I’d wake up?”

“Tomorrow.” Jimin chuckled.

Jungkook made a face. Fair enough assumption. He looked sideways toward the windows. The curtains were pulled but the glasses still had that black tint to it that blocked the outside.

“When you say it’s ten…” Jungkook mumbled as he stared at the spot where his reflection should be but wasn’t. “Is it like… morning ten or night ten.”

“I guess at this point it’s a matter of perspective but it is night.” Taehyung answered. “Which is morning for us. The clock is flipped.”

That made sense. Vampires and all.

Vampires.

“Can you, uh –“ he waved an awkward hand towards the windows. “Turn on? The windows?”

Jimin and Taehyung both snorted but Jungkook could tell it wasn’t a malicious laugh. If anything they seemed - 

God, Jungkook, stay focused.

“Sure.” Jimin got up the bed and took the empty plates as well. He placed them all on the large tray and put the tray to the side as he made his way to grab a remote controller. “I can turn on the windows.”

“Don’t make fun of me.” Jungkook pouted but he didn’t feel mocked or anything, he knew this was just good natured fun.

“We’re not making fun of you.” Taehyung replied and put his chin into his palm, watching Jungkook with a quirk of his lips. “You’re just cute.”

Jungkook blinked at Taehyung. Alright. Okay. Cute – Jungkook could, he could handle this. No problem. Nope.

“Here we go.” Jimin said and pressed a button. “Ta-da!”

The black screens of the window slowly faded into the night sky lit up by city lights. It looked to be a cloudless night with moon shining brightly over Seoul. There wasn’t much to see other than the sky and some high buildings and Jungkook leaned over the bed to try to see better.

“Do you wanna get up and look?” Taehyung offered.

“Aren’t I on bed rest?” Jungkook asked. Won’t I get in trouble?

Taehyung shrugged, “You’ll be fine if we help you. Come on, I can tell you wanna see.”

It was a bit of a struggle for Jungkook to get in a position so he could be helped to his feet. They helped it through the entire process until Jungkook’s feet were dangling down the side of the bed. Even that was enough to make Jungkook breathe a little harder.

“You got this.” Jimin encouraged him as he wrapped one arm around Jungkook’s torso, he used his other hand to hold Jungkook’s free hand. On Jungkook’s other side Taehyung copied Jimin until the two men were certain they had a good grip on Jungkook. “Are you ready?”

Maybe it was a stupid idea to look out the window but Jungkook was desperate for it for reasons he couldn’t begin to understand. Ever since he woke up here things had been confusing, his memory was still gone, and the information he received only made everything worse.

He just wanted to look out.

“Yeah.” Jungkook gritted.

“One, two, three –“ Taehyung counted down.

Luckily Jungkook didn’t have any issues standing up. He was certain he did it on his own but knowing he had the safety net of Jimin and Taehyung holding him was reassuring. The big problem was walking closer to the windows.

For some reason he felt weaker than yesterday, his leg muscles aching and threatening to buckle with every timid step he took. Taehyung and Jimin were definitely helping him now.

“I’m worse than yesterday.” Jungkook huffed, annoyed.

“But that’s normal.” Jimin pointed out and then rubbed his thumb over the back of Jungkook’s hand. It was disappointing when he stopped a moment later. “You were already weak yesterday and you kept falling and hurting yourself. Don’t beat yourself up about it.”

“It’s annoying though.” Jungkook said petulantly. Jimin was right – Jungkook could feel extra aches in places that suspiciously didn’t hurt yesterday when he’d woken up.

“You’ll get better the longer you rest.” Taehyung said. “We’ll take care of you.”

You don’t know me.

But did it matter at this point? Jungkook had spent his morning (night? Night-Morning?) having breakfast with them and enjoying their chat. He could get to know them – he knew a little bit already.

“Look, you made it!” Jimin exclaimed proudly and Jungkook looked up, only now realizing how he’d been staring at the floor to make sure his feet were moving the way they should.

At a first glance there wasn’t much to see that Jungkook hadn’t already seen from his bed.

There wasn’t much until Jungkook looked down.

The city was bustling with life. Bright neon signs signaling what clubs were open, a sea of people the size of ants moving in every direction. Jungkook wondered how many of them were enjoying the night and how many of them were tired office workers who were trying to make it back home.

Up here everything felt so – so small. Jungkook had never been on anything this high before in his life, not a building or even a plane. The view was breathtaking. Was this why rich people always owned such tall towers? So they could feel like the king of the world?

“Nice, isn’t it?” Taehyung said with a wide, proud smile.

“It’s – it’s insane.” Jungkook said.

The people below looked so small. Insignificant, almost. It was just an army of people going about their lives. The clubbers, the drunks, the over-worked employees.

Jungkook was one of them. He’d been one of them until now. One of the little people who lived down there.

A sense of unease filled Jungkook’s chest. These people – the clubbers, the drunks, the over-worked employees – didn’t know what type of danger lurked in the night. Jungkook hadn’t known either.

“Let’s sit you back down before Yoongi hyung gets mad at us.” Jimin said.

It was a little harder to go back. Jungkook’s body wasn’t happy with his little ten-step trip to the windows. Jungkook was glad to have Jimin and Taehyung with him, especially when his knees gave up a little and they held him.

They were in some rich people high-rise residential building. These people were rich. He’d figured it out yesterday but having more evidence confirming it was odd, somehow.

“So –“ Jungkook started awkwardly, not really knowing what to say or if he should say anything at all. “You guys all live here?”

“Mhmm.” Taehyung hummed as he sat back at his spot at the foot of the bed. Jimin sat next to him as well, much closer this time.

“Isn’t it – I don’t know – “ Jungkook looked out the window again. “Aren’t you guys a bit crowded for this place?”

“Ah, well, you didn’t really get the see the whole penthouse.” Jimin said. A penthouse. Alright. Sure, why not. “We’ll give you a tour when you feel a bit better but it’s spacious enough for all of us.”

“And if we ever get tired of each other we all have our own places here so.” Taehyung shrugged. “Though honestly I never use my own place.”

“Wait.” Jungkook said. “You guys have your own places… here? Aside from this penthouse?”

“Well, Jin hyung owns the building.” Jimin said casually. “It would be a waste if we only made use of the penthouse itself.”

The entire building. A whole ass high-rise residential building. Seokjin owned this entire thing.

“You look so funny right now.” Taehyung cackled.

“I –“ Jungkook shook his head and snapped his jaw shut. “Just… not what I was expecting, I guess.”

“We have our own apartments in this building.” Jimin explained. “I mean, why would we live in entirely different places as a coven?”

“As boyfriends.” Taehyung added in proudly before kissing Jimin’s cheek. Jungkook wasn’t sure if it would be rude to stare or to avoid, so he just – looked out the window for a moment, acting real casual about it.

“It’s good for safety too.” Jimin added with a giggle as Taehyung kept peppering kisses across his face and now Jungkook couldn’t look away even if he tried. “Ah – Tae-ah, it tickles!”

I told you, they’re my family. They’re my lovers.

Seokjin’s words echoed in Jungkook’s mind. Jimin and Taehyung were boyfriends, they were dating. Not just each other but Seokjin as well – all of them were dating each other.

Jungkook couldn’t really wrap his head around it. How could you find six people to love and care for you? Jungkook didn’t have anyone.

“Safety?” he mumbled awkwardly when Taehyung finally stopped his vicious kiss attack on Jimin.

“Yeah, you know that whole thing about vampires needing to be invited into homes?” Jimin asked. Jungkook nodded. “Since hyung owns the building, any vampire who has to enter needs his permission.”

“Are there other people in this building?” Jungkook asked. “Aside from you guys?”

“Right now?” Taehyung tilted his head in thought and pursed his lips. Jimin wasn’t the only one staring at Taehyung’s lips. “Probably some, the bottom floors are more like work spaces.”

“Are they – like, are they part of the coven too?” Jungkook asked. It felt weird to use that term, it rolled awkwardly from his tongue.

“Technically, I suppose, but not like us.” Taehyung answered. “It’s more like actual employment than familial bond like us.”

“Good people though.” Jimin added. “They keep the building safe, do some work.”

Huh. That made sense. Rich people had people work for them and it was becoming clearer that Seokjin was very rich.

Rich people were usually powerful too, weren’t they?

“We’ll take you out to Han River when you’re feeling better.” Taehyung said suddenly, pulling Jungkook out of his thoughts. “It’s really pretty at night.”

“Oh, you don’t have to.” He mumbled but Taehyung waved a hand to shush him.

“No no, I made up my mind already.” He said and Jimin giggled. “You’re cute, cute people should see Han River at night.”

Jungkook really, really hoped vampires couldn’t blush because there was no way he wasn’t apple red. He made a few weird sounds, mouth slack, before looking down at his hands.

“So – uh –“ fuckfuckfuck “Where is everyone?”

Smooth.

Taehyung and Jimin, thankfully, took pity and ignored his utter stupidity and awkwardness.

“Jin hyung had a meeting and Hobi hyung went with him.” Jimin said. “Yoongi hyung had some other work he didn’t explain and Namjoon hyung went back to the building we found you in.”

Jungkook nodded along but instead of taking in the information, his brain zeroed in on where Namjoon had went to.

“You guys were there, right?” Jungkook asked silently. “When I was found?”

“Yes.” Taehyung answered.

“I don’t remember you two at all.” Jungkook said.

“It’s fine, you weren’t in any shape to remember us.” Jimin said with a smile. “It makes sense you remember Hobi hyung, he was the one who really helped you.”

“Right.” Jungkook said. “Uh. Did – did you guys find anything? About what happened?”

“We haven’t seen them since they left.” Jimin said. “And they didn’t text us anything either.”

“If anything important happens, we’ll know.” Taehyung said gently. “Since we didn’t get any urgent calls then nothing serious happened.”

Jungkook nodded but he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. At least the situation wasn’t getting any worse than it was.

“Hey.” Jimin called softly and Jungkook looked up. Jimin was leaning forward a little with the kindest smile on his plump lips. “It’ll be all okay, I promise.”

“I don’t doubt that.” Jungkook muttered. It was true. Deep inside his chest he knew that Seokjin would handle this. The others too, they seemed very capable in their own way as well. It didn’t change what had happened. “It’s just frustrating that I don’t remember anything at all.”

Taehyung and Jimin both hummed in sympathy. They even scooted a little closer and Jungkook was grateful for the small gesture. He was also glad they didn’t crowd him too much.

“You said you just remember leaving work, right?” Jimin asked.

Jungkook nodded, “Yeah, that’s it. Then I woke in this bed.” He said and the scrunched his face. “I think I remember some stuff from when you guys found me and brought me here but those aren’t very clear.”

“But nothing about the time before we found you…” Taehyung trailed off and glanced sideways to Jimin. It was quick, Jungkook almost missed it, but there was something in that look that he couldn’t decipher.

Jimin, however, either missed it or he was ignoring it on purpose.

“Maybe it’s a good thing you don’t remember.” He said instead and nodded towards all of Jungkook’s bandages. “I don’t think you’d enjoy remembering what they did to you.”

Jungkook looked down at himself. Jimin had a point, maybe his memory loss was a blessing in some ways. He wasn’t sure what type of wounds he had underneath the bandages and if he was being honest he was scared to look. The bruises on his skin and the general pain he felt in his body was more than enough to let him know that whatever had happened had been bad.

But there was still a part of him that wanted to know – no. Maybe it would be better to say that he wanted to remember what had happened.

Because he knew something horrible had happened to him. He knew this, he could still feel it.

Not remembering was worse, somehow. It left him with questions that couldn’t be answered.

“It’s annoying.” He mumbled.

“I’m sorry.” Taehyung said back softly. “Maybe hyungs will come back with some information that can help.”

Jungkook nodded again. What else was there to do?

Jimin looked like he was considering something but whatever it had been was wiped from his face a second later. Both men in front him sat up a little straighter before smiling at Jungkook.

“Yoongi hyung is home.” Taehyung said.

“He is?” Jungkook tried to hear any sound but got nothing. “I can’t hear anything.”

“You won’t for a while.” Jimin leaned back on his hands. “The – “ he cut himself off and Jungkook watched as he tried to find a way to explain himself.

“Vampire powers.” Taehyung chimed in instead with a large smile.

“Yes, vampire powers.” Jimin rolled his eyes dramatically. “It takes time to develop, so don’t worry about what you can or can’t do yet. It might be a slower process for you since you were hurt badly though.”

He didn’t say it out loud, especially since Jimin and Taehyung both seemed upset that it might take longer for Jungkook, but he was glad if that was the case. He still had a hard time believing everything even though he knew better at this point.

It was one thing to know and another thing to accept.

Jungkook would be glad if it took him forever to get whatever vampire power there was to be gained.

“How long does it take normally?” Jungkook asked. He didn’t like seeing Jimin and Taehyung upset like that and despite not wanting anything to change, he was curious about the whole ordeal.

“Well, there are different timelines for different abilities.” Taehyung said. “But usually the first sense to start develop is your hearing. It’ll be a few months to a year before anything changes for you though.”

“And it might take even longer since I was hurt.” Jungkook mumbled, trying to keep all the information together. Jimin and Taehyung nodded with matching frowns, unhappy with the reminder. “Why would it take longer though? It’s not like they beat my ears or something.”

“It’s –“ Taehyung started but stopped, sighed out. “It’s hard to explain, Jimin and I don’t fully understand it ourselves – “ he pouted. “Hyung, can you explain it?”

Jungkook jumped out of his skin when the door opened.

“Because the transformation makes a person delicate.” Yoongi said as he walked in. He was dressed in all black casual clothes that made him seem even paler. He put a small leather bag on the bed as he gave Jungkook a once over. “How are you feeling?”

“Very tired.” Jungkook answered quickly and tried to calm down his poor heart. “You scared me.”

“I’m sorry.” He replied genuinely and then gave a small smile. “It’ll take some time to get used to being around someone who can’t hear me all the time.”

“It’s okay.” Jungkook said. “Don’t worry about it.”

Yoongi nodded and then his expression turned into something more serious, something more professional. His eyes flitted over Jungkook’s body again, focusing on the bandages and on bruised skin.

“Feeling tired is to be expected.” He carried on. “Are you feeling any pain?”

“No, not really.” Jungkook answered. “Just really tired and achy. Like I worked out too much.”

Yoongi nodded again. “That’s good to hear.”

“What does being delicate have to do with hearing?” Jungkook asked this time.

Yoongi was harder to read than Jimin and Taehyung but Jungkook felt like he spotted something vaguely amused in the older man’s expression.

“Turning a person into a vampire is a simple process.” Yoongi started. “But the initial process being simple doesn’t change the fact that it’s still a supernatural process.”

“You still have to kill a person.” Yoongi said it so simply but Jungkook flinched at it and immediately hissed when his muscles and especially stitches screamed at him in protest. Yoongi frowned in thought and put a hand on Jungkook’s shoulder. The pain subsided a little before it melted into the normal aches Jungkook had been feeling since morning. “And no matter how carefully you kill someone, you still kill them.”

“And death is a big trauma to the human body.” Yoongi continued. “Even if you kill someone with the intention to bring them back, dying and coming back is a traumatic event both physically and mentally.”

There was something calculating in Yoongi’s eyes, almost as if he was testing Jungkook on something he didn't know about. It wasn’t mean or cold but Jungkook felt a little uncomfortable. Luckily Yoongi didn’t stare at him for too long, opting to focus on his wounds.

“Turning someone is easy, it’s just a blood exchange.” Yoongi said as he went through his bag and brought out a medium sized item that reminded Jungkook of a wallet. He opened it and put it on the bedside table where Jungkook could see what was inside. Jungkook wasn’t sure what they were actually called but he recognized dentist tools when he saw them. “Keeping a fledgling alive is the hard part.”

“A fledgling has to get used to being an undead creature.” Yoongi said. “They have to get comfortable in a body that behaves differently now. Regardless of how simple the initial turning process might be, it’s still a resurrection. It’s trauma. Fledglings are delicate.”

Yoongi’s almost monotone, deep voice had an oddly calming effect on Jungkook. It felt more like he was listening to lore from a tv show and not – not himself.

This was him. He was the delicate fledgling – Yoongi had emphasized it twice now. Still, Jungkook had a hard time taking what he was being told and applying it to himself.

Death. Resurrection. Vampires.

None of it sounded real. How could he have died if he was here with his heart beating in his chest? He knew on a factual level that it had be to true. If he was a vampire he must have died.

But still Jungkook couldn’t – his brain just didn’t accept it. Not yet.

“You are practically reborn. That’s why terms for fledglings are similar to babies. You’re as delicate as an actual newborn. You have to be fed, you have to be kept safe, you have to be looked after. You wouldn’t expect a baby to be fully functioning on their own days after birth, would you?”

Jungkook shook his head and Yoongi nodded. He glanced towards Jimin and Taehyung gave them a light smile.

“So, fledglings are delicate.” Jungkook said. “How does what happened to me affect my hearing?”

Yoongi’s smile faded and he looked out the window for a moment. Jimin slowly crawled towards him and nosed against his bicep. Yoongi ran his fingers through Jimin’s hair but didn’t say anything.

“Because now, instead of focusing on being a vampire, your body has to heal the damage dealt to your body. Normally vampires heal quickly but as a fledgling – “ Yoongi stopped and looked at Jungkook before correcting himself, “ – as an infant that wasn’t given the nutrition you need to function as a person again, the damage done is much more impactful. You wouldn’t expect a newborn baby to develop normally if it was beaten just minutes after birth.”

Jungkook made a face at the imagery, feeling a little nauseous at the implications of what was done to him. These were – these were long term consequences.

“And to add to it all, you were bound using silver.” Yoongi seemed to lose his control for a split second, almost spat out the word.

Jungkook looked down at his wrists, the thickly wrapped bandages. Underneath it his skin felt odd – wrong. There was a deep set ache there, different than what he felt around his neck and belly. He knew from movies and books that silver weren’t good for vampires but…

“How bad is that?” Jungkook asked in a near whisper.

A pause and then Yoongi breathed in evenly.

“For you?” he asked. “I’m afraid to say it’s really bad.”

Panic bubbled up Jungkook’s throat as he stared at Yoongi, trying to make sense of his expression. How bad was really bad? They all knew he’d been beaten, where did silver fall on the scale?

Taehyung crawled around the bed to sit right beside Jungkook and pull him into a side hug. Jungkook let himself be pulled, craving some semblance of safety and comfort.

“So what –“ he said in quick burning panic. “Are my – are my hands going to fall off or something?!”

“No.” Yoongi said. It was that same even, monotone voice. It was reassuring in an odd way and although Jungkook didn’t calm completely, it was enough to soothe some of his panic.

“Then what?” he asked.

“It will heavily stunt your development as a vampire.” Yoongi said. “I cannot tell you to what degree or how the side effects will show as time goes by but it’s almost certain that you will grow much slower than other fledglings.”

“But – “Jungkook frowned and looked down at his wrists. He raised his hands up to show the bandages to Yoongi – as if the man didn’t put them on Jungkook in the first place. “It’s just my wrists?” he tried lamely. “Why would it…”

Yoongi looked at Jungkook sympathetically and carefully sat down on the bed. He took Jungkook’s hands in his own and Jungkook wasn’t sure if he was only checking the damage or if this was something else.

“The longer something silver is touching you, the worse the damage is.” Yoongi started. He traced one delicate finger over the bandages on Jungkook’s left wrist. “Think about it as more like poison. This is the spot it had direct touch with your skin but it was left on for too long that the silver got into your system.”

Jungkook looked down at Yoongi’s hand, how it dwarfed his in comparison yet how careful he was when touching him.

“There is the actual physical damage done to your wrists which will also take time to completely heal.” Yoongi said and pulled his hands. Jungkook pretended like the loss of contact didn’t upset him. “But it’s the silver in your system I’m more worried about right now.”

“Do you know how long it’ll take?” Jungkook asked in a small mumble.

“To be perfectly honest with you, I have no idea.” Yoongi said and he sounded professionally frustrated. “This doesn’t happen.” He said, anger vaguely painting his otherwise even voice. He motioned toward Jungkook’s wounds. “Newborns are never treated like this. It’s a lot of educated guesses at this point but I hope to have clearer answers in the coming months.”

Months.

“Okay.” Jungkook said silently. What else could he say or do? He was tired to begin with but this conversation was giving him a headache.

“I promise you will be okay.” Yoongi reassured him and gently tapped his fingers on the back of Jungkook’s hand. “There is something I wanted to see though.”

“Hm?”

“Your teeth.”

Jungkook looked up from his lap and stared at Yoongi with huge eyes, quickly glancing towards Jimin and Taehyung.

“My – my teeth?”

“Yes, your teeth, little one.” Yoongi said, nothing mocking in his tone. Little one. “I’m sure you’ve noticed the cuts around your mouth.”

Jungkook lifted a hand to carefully touch the cuts, afraid of hurting himself. It felt like they were scarring already, the skin rough under his fingertips.

“When Seokjin hyung first attempted to feed you he noticed that you were struggling with it.” Yoongi explained. He opened his mouth but stopped, seemingly weighing his option as to what was the best way to explain this to Jungkook.

“Just say it plainly, please.” Jungkook asked silently. There was no point in being careful now, was there? Jungkook was already – he was something broken. Why wouldn’t he be even further broken.

“They cut your fangs off.” Yoongi said. Clean, straight-forward. It was a punch to hear but Jungkook had seen it coming at least.

He frowned, not sure what part to focus on – the fact that he’d had fangs or that they were cut off.

“You can cut them?” was when came out of his mouth, brows pinched together. At this point Jungkook was worrying this would become his default expression.

Yoongi sighed deeply.

“Yes.” He answered. “But – not with fledglings.”

“Because fledglings are delicate.” Jungkook tried, eyes narrowing to see if he got it right.

“Because fledglings are loved.” Yoongi replied. There was warmth in his eyes as glanced over Jimin and Taehyung. That warmth stayed in his eyes as he looked back at Jungkook. He then winked towards Jungkook and added, “And because fledglings are delicate.”

Yoongi tapped the top of Jimin’s head and Jungkook watched as Jimin dutifully opened his mouth wide. He pulled his lips back and two large fangs appeared. They were long and sharp, vaguely reminded Jungkook of snake fangs.

“The fangs are the last thing to develop for vampires.” Yoongi said. “And it always takes time for fangs to grow properly since baby-fangs are fragile. Practically every fledgling breaks a fang or two.” He stopped and then looked between Taehyung and Jimin. “Maybe more if you don’t listen to your elders.”

Jimin pouted dramatically while Taehyung chuckled next to Jungkook.

“I didn’t get a good look at your mouth when you were feeding.” Yoongi said. “If you’ll allow me, I’d like to see how it is.”

Jungkook looked at Yoongi for a moment. Taehyung squeezed his waist in comfort and Jungkook let himself be pulled closer into a hug.

“What are you gonna do?” Jungkook asked, glancing sideways towards those dentists tools Yoongi had put out earlier.

“I’m just going to look.” Yoongi said and showed the tools openly. “I’m not going to cut you or use a needle or anything.”

“Just look?” Jungkook asked again.

“Just look.” Yoongi reassured with a nod. “I can promise you won’t feel any pain, though it might be a little uncomfortable.”

Jungkook licked his lips and made a face when he felt the odd sensation of scars on his tongue. He sniffed a little and then nodded.

“Alright. Okay, you can look.” He said and nodded again towards Yoongi. “I trust you.”

Yoongi eyes warmed and he nodded back before picking one of the tools – the one that had the little mirror on top.

“Thank you, I will not ruin your trust.” He said in a mumble. “I will just be looking.”

“So – uh.” Jungkook shifted awkwardly. “How do we do this?”

“Just tip your head back.” Yoongi explained and climbed into the bed on his knees, towering over Jungkook in this position. “Not the most professional setting but we’ll make do.”

Jungkook dropped his head back, naturally finding himself resting his neck on Taehyung’s shoulder. It should be awkward but – Jungkook would be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy it to some degree. It was comforting.

Dentists were never Jungkook’s favorite and this wasn’t any different. At least he knew that Yoongi wouldn’t poke around with needles or something. Wait – when was the last time he got to brush his teeth? Oh his mouth must stink oh no -

“Good news is that the cuts are already healing.” Yoongi commented with a low hum. Jungkook relaxed a bit at that. One less thing to worry about. “This part might be a little uncomfortable but it won’t hurt. Do what feels natural.

Jungkook gargled out a positive sound but still tried to snuggle closer to Taehyung. It was just instinct – or at least that’s what he told himself.

He felt Yoongi’s fingers delicately press into his gums. Jungkook made an annoyed sound in his throat, not enjoying the intrusion in his mouth. It just – it all felt wrong. It felt wrong for Yoongi to be touching his gums like this.

Yoongi glanced at him for a split second before focusing back on Jungkook’s mouth. What was he even looking at? Sure, his fangs, but there had be something he was specifically looking for right? Was Yoongi even a dentist?

True to Yoongi’s word, nothing he did hurt. If he was being honest there was this light numbness to his gums. He could feel the pressure and feel something touching him there but that was it. It was odd but Jungkook didn’t question it.

But it was uncomfortable. He didn’t like that Yoongi had his fingers so close to his fangs – or well, where his fangs should be. It was oddly invasive in a way Jungkook had never felt before. He wanted to pull back or bite down or –

Jungkook hissed.

It was a proper one too, lips pulled back in a snarl, eyes narrowed; Jungkook instinctively trying to make himself look scarier.

Jungkook gasped and stopped it, this time trying to curl into himself as he became aware of what he’d done.

“Good job.” Yoongi said, unfazed. He put the tools to the side, almost proud of Jungkook. “We’re done. You did well.”

“I-um I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to –“ Jungkook started to ramble but Yoongi waved a hand and Jungkook shut his mouth.

“You have nothing to apologize for.” He said. “That’s a normal reaction from an infant, I wasn’t expecting anything less from a fighter like you.”

Jungkook stared, a little dumbfounded. A fighter like him?

“I told you, fledglings are delicate.” Yoongi said. “And poking around in your mouth like that is pushing through a lot of boundaries. It’s instinctual, please don’t worry too much about it.”

“But I –“ Jungkook tried but Yoongi once again cut him off.

“Honestly, you’re very well behaved in comparison.” Yoongi said off-handedly and Jungkook’s ears felt hot. “Taehyung nearly bit off my entire hand the first time.”

Taehyung laughed next to him and Jungkook could feel the vibrations of it on his skin as he jostled a little bit. He was nearly sitting on his lap with how close they were at this point. Jungkook just hoped Taehyung couldn’t tell how fast his heart was beating.

“Do you want the good news or the bad news first?” Yoongi asked and then paused. He raised a finger. “Ah, the others arrived, that’s good.”

Jungkook pouted a little and looked at the door. He couldn’t hear anything.

“Give me the bad first.” Jungkook said. Like ripping off a band aid.

“Your right fang is completely cut off from the root.” Yoongi said.

Jimin and Taehyung had a bigger reaction to it while Jungkook tried to understand what he was being told. Taehyung somehow pulled him even closer in a protective manner while Jimin gasped loudly, one hand flying to his mouth and the other resting over Jungkook’s ankle.

“And the good news is…?” Jungkook asked silently.

“Your left fang has some of its root left intact.” Yoongi explained. “Fledglings break and re-grow fangs all the time, I’m hopeful that your left fang will grow back though it might take longer than usual due to your contact with silver.”

“But the right one won’t?” he asked this time.

Yoongi looked Jungkook’s lips, his brows inching closer as he thought about it.

“I can’t say anything for certain.” He finally said as the bedroom door opened and everyone else spilled in.

Jungkook immediately let out a sigh of relief when he saw Seokjin walk in – and then tried to act natural because what the fuck type of reaction was that? He knew them for less than a day and here he was acting like this.

But it made him feel safer when Seokjin stood beside Yoongi, his eyes flickering over Jungkook’s body, looking at how he was basically cuddling with Taehyung with an amused little smile.

“I’ll talk with some people I know.” Yoongi carried on. “There is a chance that your body might completely re-grow your right teeth as well but like I said – fledglings usually break their fangs. Having one cut is different.”

“At least we know he’ll have one fang.” Seokjin said and patted Yoongi’s shoulder and left his hand there. Jungkook, being an adult, did not stare or pout at the action. “That’s better than zero fangs.”

“How are you feeling?” Hoseok piped up from the foot of the bed. He looked particularly small next to Namjoon – that one was Namjoon right?

“Feel the same.” Jungkook replied. “Everything hurts.”

“Hopefully with some proper rest you’ll be better.” Namjoon said with a dimpled smile. Fuck.

“Did you –“ Jungkook started in hopes of distracting himself from the dimples but realized he didn’t have a proper sentence and paused. Great, now he had to find something while everyone stared at him.

“Did we what?” Hoseok tilted his head.

“Um – I don’t know.” Jungkook mumbled. “Did you guys – find? Anything?”

That was practically a complete sentence. Nice.

“We didn’t find anything.” Seokjin said and then raised a finger. “Which is helpful.”

Jungkook frowned, “How is finding nothing helpful?”

“We didn’t find any other dead bodies, we didn’t find any missing person reports.” Namjoon counted. “We didn’t find anything in the underground.”

Jungkook wondered if the underground was literal or a metaphor.

“And that means…?”

“Whoever did this to you is aware that they fucked up.” Hoseok said easily. “They’d abandoned the building we found you in when we went there. Considering the fact that they –“ a pause “ – left behind evidence and have been sloppy so far, their sudden silence means they know they are being hunted.”

Jungkook nodded. That made sense.

“Maybe – “he glanced down to his bandaged wrists. “ If they’re scared maybe they ran away? Maybe they left the city?”

“A smart suggestion.” Seokjin said and leaned down to gently fixed some of Jungkook’s hair. Jungkook’s eyes fluttered close at the action and he relaxed against Taehyung. “We would have known if they’d left the city borders. There aren’t many safe passages for vampires to take without going through specific check points.”

Jungkook opened his eyes when Seokjin pulled his hand back, feeling a little dumb. It was almost as if he was waking up from a deep slumber when he only had his eyes closed for a second. Being near Seokjin made him like this now. He just hoped the others hadn’t noticed it.

“So they’re hiding somewhere in the city?” Jungkook asked silently, unnerved by the idea that whoever had done this to him was still out there.

“Yes.” Yoongi answered. “They’re trapped in our city and they will be brought to justice.”

Yoongi seemed so sure of it that Jungkook almost believed him. But people could always run away. He’d run off himself.

Jungkook tongued over his gums, suddenly hyperaware of the spots Yoongi had prodded around. There were small slits around his canines. He could feel the damaged flesh where he’d been cut. It reminded Jungkook of when he was a small child and had lost a tooth.

“You’re safe here.” Jimin said and tapped his fingers over Jungkook’s foot. “No one can get in this building.”

“Did – did any of you find my phone and stuff?” he asked. He wasn’t trying to ignore Jimin – he was just trying to push through with all this. The more they talked about it – his wounds, his cut off fangs, his health, everything – the more real it became to him.

It didn’t matter if he was safe or not – Jungkook didn’t want this.

“I went back to the building.” Namjoon said but shook his head sympathetically. “I didn’t find anything, sorry. I talked to a friend though and they’re looking for it.”

His phone, wallet, keys… Jungkook just nodded.

Seokjin sat down next to him and Jungkook had to fight back the urge to immediately snuggle against him.

“Do you remember anything?” he asked gently and Jungkook sighed.

“No, I don’t.” he answered, a little short on his fuse. “I told you guys I don’t remember.”

“Do you remember anything from earlier?” Yoongi asked, unbothered by Jungkook’s attitude. “Not the day you were taken but before. Anything out of the ordinary, like weird noises at night, feeling like you were being followed?”

“Creepy people.” Taehyung suggested.

“Does my co-worker count?” Jungkook snorted. When they seemed to take it seriously Jungkook shook his head. “I’m joking, I’ve seen him under the sun. He can’t be a vampire. And no, I don’t remember anything weird before, sorry.”

“That’s alright.” Seokjin said and gave a kind smile. “We can figure out who is responsible for this either way.”

“It’s just so frustrating.” Jungkook groaned. “It’s just – completely blank in my head. I know the memories can’t be anything good but –“

“I can help.”

Jimin looked like he regretted speaking up. Hoseok crawled into the bed to kiss Jimin’s cheek. Jungkook stared at Jimin with his brows furrowed.

“What do you mean help?” he asked and glanced around at others. Their expressions were hard to make sense of.

“Jimin has a power.” Seokjin started when no one else spoke up. His voice was casual despite everything. “He can help people remember.”

Jungkook looked back at Jimin and shook his head. That was a thing vampires could do? Play with people’s minds like that?

“You can?” he asked.

Jimin chewed on his bottom lip, avoiding eye contact when he nodded. Taehyung carefully pulled away from Jungkook to make his way to Jimin and Jungkook nearly whined at the loss of contact. His side felt cold without Taehyung there now.

“Then why didn’t you do it already?” Jungkook’s voice came out harsher than he intended and he snapped his mouth. He didn’t like being this angry. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

“If I make you remember, I can’t take it back.” Jimin answered. He looked small between Taehyung and Hoseok. He finally looked up at Jungkook and motioned towards his bandages, the dark bruises. “I don’t think you’d like it if you remembered what happened to you. Your brain made you forget it for a reason.”

“But…” his shoulders sagged and he swallowed. “If you want to remember I can try to help.”

Jungkook sat in silence and tried to understand. He’d been told too many things in such a short amount that his brain wasn’t sure which one to focus on and process properly. Delicate fledglings and broken fangs and fixing memories.

Lost and even more confused than before, Jungkook looked at Seokjin for a sense of direction. Seokjin was already watching him, his expression unreadable but warm. What did he see? What was he looking at when he watched Jungkook like that?

“It’s a rare ability.” Seokjin explained. “I’ve never met any other vampire that can do what Jimin can. It’s a very specific power. He’s very bright for his age.”

“I can’t control it that well.” Jimin added after Seokjin. “Hyung just thinks too highly of me –“

“It’s the truth.”

“Does it hurt?”  Jungkook asked. “If you can’t control it? What happens?”

“Nothing.” Jimin shrugged. “If I can’t do it then people don’t remember, simple as that.”

Jungkook didn’t miss the way Taehyung opened his mouth to say something before holding it back. Instead he let out a small chirp and nibbled at Jimin’s ear, making Jimin chuckle a bit and complain that it tickled.

“It’s not something I do a lot. It’s not something I can practice.” Jimin said. “Not a lot of people need their memories restored but – “ he tipped his chin towards Jungkook. “You do. So, if you really want to… I can try.”

“Think carefully before you make a decision.” Yoongi said. “Don’t rush this. If you remember, you will remember.”

Jungkook sucked on his bottom lip and stared down at his lap. His bandaged wrists were all he could see. His body was still hurting the same, that deep thrum of aches still making waves through his muscles. Some of them hurt worse than the others.

They had done terrible things to him.

“How will you find them?” Jungkook asked in a whisper.

“I have a lot of people working for me and a lot of people who owe me.” Seokjin answered gently. “Even if you choose not to remember we have our ways. Don’t make a decision based on us. This is your mind, your memories.”

Seokjin’s voice was soothing and Jungkook let himself leaned into him. He chewed on the inside of his cheek, his fingers twitching with anxiety. There were so many things they still didn’t know. Without any solid information, Jungkook’s imagination only came up with the worst ideas to fill the gaps.

Jungkook looked up at them, at Jimin.

“I want to remember.”

Chapter Text

Having an entire room’s undivided attention on him was harder than Jungkook thought. What made it even harder was the fact that it was so easy to tell that they actually cared about him. Jungkook couldn’t remember the last time he spoke to someone and had them listen to his words like this.

He worked at a damn E-mart, people didn’t look at him unless they needed something. Even in his normal day to day life Jungkook just… blended into the background. He wasn’t used to being treated as a person.

But in this guest bedroom he had everyone’s eyes on him. These strangers he knew for less than a day, really, listened to his every word like he was important. Jungkook’s throat felt a little tight but he ignored it.

“If that’s what you want.” Jimin said softly. “I can try.”

Jungkook nodded. He wanted to remember. Because left to his own devices and without any answers, Jungkook’s brain would try to fill in the blanks and he knew he wouldn’t come up anything nice.

“I have a small suggestion.” Seokjin started and then looked at Jungkook. “With your permission, of course.”

Jungkook blinked. There was something in his chest that he couldn’t understand.

“Yeah, sure.” He mumbled just so he could ignore whatever this feeling was.

“It’s been barely two days.” Seokjin started, sympathetic eyes locked on Jungkook. “We told you a lot of things that are very hard to digest. You don’t have to go through all this in one breath. Why don’t you take time to process what you’ve learned so far? I don’t want it to overwhelm you.”

There was an inhuman amount of care in Seokjin’s voice that Jungkook wanted so badly to cry. It wasn’t fair that they cared for him like this.

“I already have a headache.” He said instead, trying to divert his own attention and emotions. “I just – “

He paused and looked down at his hands. At his bandaged wrists. His right hand still didn’t look completely right.

“We don’t know what they did to me.” Jungkook started. “I mean we know they hurt me because –“ he motioned towards his entire body, “ – it’s a bit obvious… but we don’t know what they actually did to me.”

“You can tell what the most obvious injuries are because they’re obvious but what if they hurt me in a way that doesn’t show?” Jungkook said silently before meeting Seokjin’s eyes. “If I spend too much time not knowing I’m only going to come up with the worst answers. I want to remember and I want to do it now – even if it hurts.”

Seokjin listened like every word out of Jungkook’s mouth carried actual physical weight. His deep brown eyes soft and understanding, his brows just slightly pinched in thought. He nodded once and turned to Jimin.

Jimin caught Seokjin’s eyes and then looked at Jungkook, momentarily unsure.

“Again,” he started slowly. “I can only do this one way. If it works, you will remember everything and I mean everything. It’s not something I can reverse.”

They were giving him an out. It would be as easy as breathing to say he changed his mind. Jungkook was scared. Whatever had been done to him couldn’t be nice in any way – he was a vampire for fucks sake – but the alternative to all of this was to listen to his brain spew conspiracy theories and the last thing Jungkook wanted to deal with was himself.

“I understand.” He said. “I want to do it.”

Jimin’s expression was unreadable to Jungkook but he nodded and gave a light smile. Nobody seemed angry or disappointed by Jungkook’s decision. Maybe a little… protective?

No, that couldn’t be it. Jungkook was misreading it.

“So… uh.” Jungkook licked his lips and awkwardly looked around. “How do we – how do we do this?”

“Oh, right!” Jimin sat up straight suddenly, almost as if he’d just realized he would be the one doing this, and Jungkook found himself smiling at him. He was cute. “Just lay down, please.”

Seokjin and Yoongi both reached forward at the same time, climbing into the bed to help Jungkook lay back. It took a bit more effort than Jungkook would have thought but he ended lying on his back with his head resting on Jimin’s thighs.

He was totally cool with this. This was nothing. Just Jungkook with his head on Jimin’s shockingly firm thighs. He was the epitome of calm and collected.

He really, really hoped vampires couldn’t blush.

Jungkook stared up at Jimin while Jimin looked down at him with a smile. How the fuck did he look cute even in this angle? Upside down? He didn’t even get a double chin, how was that any fair?

“Comfy?” Jimin asked.

“Yeah your legs are nice.”

Jungkook shut his eyes the second the words left his mouth. Nobody bothered to hold back their snickering.

“That’s not what I –“ Jungkook started but Jimin cut him off by tapping his finger on Jungkook’s nose. Jungkook risked opening his eyes and found Jimin looking down at him with the same smile. His hair was falling down so prettily.

“Don’t worry. I hear that a lot in this house.” He winked.

“He has really nice legs.” Hoseok chimed from his spot somewhere in the room. Everyone hummed in agreement and Jimin ducked his head shyly. Jungkook never thought vampires could be cute but then again he never thought vampires were real to begin with.

“So!” Jimin clapped his hands together once and then looked back down at Jungkook. “Are you ready?”

“W-what – am I supposed to do something?” Jungkook asked quickly in a panic as he realized he didn’t exactly know what he’d signed up for.

He felt a familiar hand lace itself together with his and that panic subsided as Seokjin sat next to him on the bed.

“You’re not going to do anything. It’s all me.” Jimin said and slowly brushed Jungkook’s hair away from his face to reveal his forehead. “I just need you to close your eyes and focus. Think of it like you’re trying to fall asleep.”

“Will it hurt?” Jungkook asked.

“It won’t hurt you at all.” Jimin reassured him with a warm smile but Jungkook frowned.

“Will it hurt you?” he asked this time and Jimin paused. He pursed his lips and nodded to himself before shrugging with one shoulder.

“Only if I do it very wrong.” He explained. “It’s not something you have to worry about.”

“I won’t do it if it’ll hurt you.” Jungkook furrowed his brows. There was something protective rearing its head inside his chest. It was something foreign to Jungkook.

“I only get a headache.” Jimin said this time. “And that’s because I’m still a rookie.” He added before pausing for a moment. “I’m asking you one last time. Are you sure you want to do this a hundred percent?”

Jungkook held Seokjin’s hand tighter and nodded.

“Yeah. Yes, I want to.” He said.

Jimin nodded once and then carefully held the sides of Jungkook’s head. Jungkook instinctively closed his eyes.

“Just try to relax, alright? Like going to sleep.” Jimin spoke softly. “You have nothing to be scared of. We will be with you all the time. Nothing will harm you.”

Jungkook wanted to ask how he would know if it worked or not but his mouth felt too heavy to move. His eyes too, he couldn’t open them. He was still exhausted and the combination of Jimin’s voice and the comfort of his thighs made it easy for Jungkook to drift.

He wasn’t falling asleep though. He was in that odd in-between of almost asleep and he wondered –

Jungkook groaned as he left through the employee exit. His back was hurting so fucking badly. As he stretched his arms above his head his spine cracked loudly in three separate spots. If he focused on how bad his back felt then it distracted him away from how terrible his entire body felt. It wasn’t a victory by any means but Jungkook was trying this new thing called looking at the glass half-full.

He’d been pulling double shifts for the past full month. This wasn’t his regular schedule and if it went on for any longer Jungkook would –

What the fuck was he going to do? Complain to his manager? The same guy who gave Jungkook all shifts he possibly could? The one that was the reason he was half-asleep on his feet? At best he’d be berated by him at worst he’d lose his job. Jungkook didn’t want to risk either option.

He just had to endure until they figured out where the fuck Sungho had went without telling any of the managers. It was his fault that Jungkook was in this situation in the first place. He was covering for Sungho’s absence and suffering through multiple shifts because of it.

Jungkook wasn’t bothered that the guy was gone. Oh no, he was very glad that the creep was nowhere near him actually, but the very least he could have done was to tell someone before jumping ship.

Deep down Jungkook wished he could do what Sungho had done. He wanted nothing more to walk out the damn market and never go back without saying a single word. But he needed the money and this was the only secure job he had. He even had to cancel most of his random side gigs because of the position he’d been forced in. Jungkook would much rather babysit twin five year olds or walk dogs than be treated like shit on his feet for twelve hours.

Jungkook swung his heavy backpack over his shoulder and slowly made his way through the back alley to find himself in the main street. It was nearing ten o’clock but the night was young. Jungkook had finished earlier today at least, that was something. He’d even gotten himself some easy to make food for the night. A large pack of ramyun, frozen chicken tenders, some vegetables. There were very few perks of working in a huge market and … honestly this was the only one.

He made his way through the crowd. He’d learned the best ways to wade through people to be left untouched – for the most part anyway. He didn’t want to deal with drunkards or random men looking for a fight or people asking if he’d be down to a quick fuck.

It was second nature at this point anyway. If he could make it to the metro station without any incidents then today would be a good day.

He checked his phone to see the time. It would take him like thirty minutes to make it home, twenty-something minutes to make dinner. Then he’d be able to take a quick shower and sleep before midnight only to wake up at ass o’clock tomorrow morning. He dug through his wallet to take his metro card before going through his other stuff.

Shit, he’d forgotten his headphones in his locker fucking –

All the air in his lungs left his body as Jungkook got body-slammed into a person and fell on his ass. There were a few shocked sounds around him but nobody cared to stop and check on him.

Jungkook shut his eyes to try and deal with the pain shooting through his body – that tail bone was hurting like a bitch, it better not be broken – and readying himself for the inevitable argument that was about to break. He just hoped whoever he’d walked into was sober and could be reasoned with.

“Hey watch where you’re - ! Oh! Jungkook-ah!”

Oh no. Jungkook would have preferred a drunkard.

Jungkook got hauled back to his feet by an absurd amount of strength, he nearly tripped over his own feet. He winced when the sudden movement shot another wave of pain through his spine.

“Sungho-ssi.” Jungkook said. So he was alive. He just decided to let Jungkook suffer through these shifts.

“I told you so many times to call me hyung! Aren’t we friends?” Sungho, still slimy as ever, grinned widely. Friends… The very notion of being acquaintances was already pushing the boundaries.

“Ah, it just feels rude you know…” Jungkook mumbled to avoid any sort of familiarity with the man. That’s what he always did – dance around the conversation. The only time Jungkook ever had a long lasting conversation was when it was directly work related. Jungkook didn’t even like making small talk with the dude because he knew that Sungho would try to flirt with him.

Sungho looked… different. Maybe it was just the odd lighting of the night but this wasn’t how the man had looked the last time Jungkook had seen him a month ago. For starters he looked pale. Like, so pale that he might be sick type of pale. He also had deep purple bags under his blood-shot eyes.

“Non-sense!” Sungho boomed and slapped Jungkook’s arm so hard that it stung. “Where have you been? I missed hanging out with you.”

“At work.” Jungkook replied, brows furrowing. Sungho had a badly kept beard since the last time, his hair had also grown longer. He just looked so messy. “Where have you been? They gave all your shifts to me, if you’re not gonna work there you need to give them a notice you know...”

“Ah, right, right.” Sungho nodded. A deep sense of unease started to fill Jungkook’s belly. Something was off here. He never felt comfortable around Sungho but this was different. He held onto his bag strap tighter. Sungho snapped a finger. “Work, right, hyung’s sorry about that Jungkook-ah. Actually –“

Sungho stopped and looked back over his shoulder. Jungkook followed his gaze and found him staring at a group of people that looked as bad as he did. They all had pale skins, they all had unkempt hair, and most of them had rips on their clothing that definitely wasn’t a fashion choice.

Oh. Druggies. Sungho was doing drugs –

“It was nice to see you Sungho-ssi, I’m glad you’re okay. Please talk to the managers if you quit,” Jungkook started quickly and made a move to walk away but Sungho clasped a hand on his shoulder and stopped him.

“No no, I caused a problem for you by not telling people I won’t be coming didn’t I?” Sungho gave a dry laugh. “Let hyung apologize to you, come hang out with me and my friends, we’re gonna go drinking.”

“Ah, Sungho-ssi, it’s no problem really.” Jungkook used a respectful bow to get out of Sungho’s grip, faking a kind smile. He wasn’t about to anger the guy when he was out numbered. He didn’t know what type of drugs he was on or how it affected him. Sungho had never been malicious towards him but Jungkook didn’t want to risk it.

No, Sungho just had a tendency to crowd him at work and flirt with him no matter how many times he turned the man down. Jungkook wasn’t sure how old the man was but there was at least a decade between them and regardless of how lonely he felt he never got so desperate as to give Sungho a chance. The dude was a creep. And he wasn’t even good looking.

But Jungkook knew better than to risk his chances in that moment.

The group watching Sungho and Jungkook laughed loudly before stalking closer. Sungho looked back at them with an annoyed scowl but the expression turned into a too-wide smile when he looked at Jungkook again.

“No, I insist, Jungkook-ah.” And put his hand on the back of Jungkook’s neck. “Hyung’s paying for it. Come hang out with us.”

Jungkook’s arms dropped to his two sides and his head fell forward a little, his legs almost giving up if not for Sungho holding him and giving a mumbled stand command. There was nothing else. Jungkook didn’t think or feel; he just stared, blank.

“That took you a moment.” Said a girl with a bad dye-job in the group with a snort.

“Fuck off.” Sungho shot back before turning his gaze back on Jungkook with a sickeningly soft smile. Why was it sickening? Why would Jungkook be feeling that way? Why would he be feeling anything? There was nothing for him to do or think. “There we go, c’mon now. Hyung will take care of you.”

Okay. Sungho would take care of him. Okay.

No.

Sungho kept a hand on Jungkook’s neck as they walked to the group. They all gave Jungkook a once over, smiling like something was funny, before they began talking between themselves. Jungkook didn’t listen to them – he couldn’t keep up for some reason. Their words melded into just one giant mess. He could understand a sentence or two here and there but he never retained the information.

“Where’s the fucking car?”

“We need to be back by –“

“That’s not fair I want my own blood bag too!”

“You should have caught one earlier then.”

“Where’s the fucking car?!”

During all this Sungho held Jungkook close to himself.He just kept gazing at Jungkook’s face. Jungkook blinked at him. There was nothing else for him to do. All he could focus on was the tight hold on his neck.

“You know, this isn’t how I wanted to do this.” Sungho told him. “I was going to take you out to a lunch at that coffee shop near work.”

“Wait, this is the guy you were talking about?” someone said and then laughed. “No wonder he didn’t look at you twice!”

“Fuck off.” Sungho said. “He’s just shy and respectful.”

These words had no meaning to Jungkook. He couldn’t understand what any of it meant.

“A night out was a bit further down my plan but I guess we can make do.” Sungho told Jungkook again. “Ah, if you only agreed earlier Jungkook-ah, what a shame. It’s fine though, hyung isn’t mad or anything. We can make up for the lost time later.”

“Dude, you’re such a creep.”

“Fuck off.”

“The car is here!”

“Finally.”

Jungkook was led into a large black car and he – I shouldn’t be doing this why am I doing this this isn’t right something’s wrong – went in easily. Why wouldn’t he go easily? Sungho was taking care of him and Sungho was leading him into the car. Of course he went into the car.

It was cramped inside and Sungho made Jungkook sit on his lap. Then he slowly relaxed his hold on Jungkook’s neck. It was almost as if he was testing something but Jungkook couldn’t tell what. When he completely removed his hand he waited for a moment before putting his hands on Jungkook’s waist and pulling him back until Jungkook was pressed against his chest. Sungho kissed Jungkook’s shoulder and rested his chin over it.

This is wrong this is wrong this is wrong.

“You’re more fun when you’re this agreeable.” Sungho said and one of the girls barked out in laughter.

“Oh, agreeable!” she hollered, slapping her hands on the guy next to her. “Sure! Agreeable!”

Sungho’s hold on Jungkook’s waist tightened for a moment and Jungkook heard a hissing sound over his shoulder. He was scared. Jungkook was fucking terrified but he – no, he wasn’t. He wasn’t scared – why would he be scared?

He kept silent through the drive, staring with unseeing eyes. He didn’t know where they were going or what would happen. Sungho kept feeling his waist in slow up-and-down motions and Jungkook wanted to throw up – except he didn’t. He didn’t think… he did? Where was he?

After what felt like forever the car stopped and Jungkook was pulled out. Sungho put a hand back on Jungkook’s neck and led him into an old looking building. The building was falling apart as they walked in, the wood creaking with every step and the walls looking like they were seconds from collapsing.

If he could be, Jungkook would be scared, but he couldn’t be, so he wasn’t.

Once they were done climbing the stairs, Jungkook found himself staring into an open room. It had some tables and some chairs that looked like they were found from garbage, a sofa that was in tatters. There were bottles of alcohol and glasses placed on a large table. Something was playing music loudly but Jungkook couldn’t see what.

Sungho sat him down to a wooden chair and then sat next to him, pulled Jungkook’s chair close to his before pouring a bottle of something into a plastic glass.

“Here, drink this.” Sungho told him.

Jungkook did as he was told. Whatever it was burned and tasted horribly but Sungho poured him more and told him to drink so Jungkook drank.

This wasn’t a bar, Jungkook somehow realized, albeit belatedly. This was just some random abandoned building. He could see the other people moving about in his peripheral. There were some people that weren’t ghostly pale like Sungho’s friends. They looked a little drunk, a little out of it, a lot like how Jungkook was feeling.

Sungho held a large plastic cup to Jungkook’s lips, “Drink.”

Jungkook tipped his head and drank, gulping down mouthfuls as Sungho held the cup for him. It tasted odd, like beer mixed with something, and some of it poured down the side of Jungkook’s lips as he drank. Jungkook didn’t like it – he didn’t like any of this he wanted to go home this was wrong –

“Whoops, made a mess.” Sungho said and put the plastic cup down. “It’s alright, hyung will handle it.”

Sungho leaned in, smelling horrible, and licked the spilled beer over the side of Jungkook’s mouth.

It felt as if something record-scratched inside him and it shot through his veins, some sort of buzz being lifted from his brain until Jungkook was back in his brain.

Jungkook wanted to throw up. He wanted to punch Sungho and run and scream and get out but he couldn’t do anything. All he did was to sit and stare emptily as Sungho gave him an odd look and poured another drink.

All of Sungho’s friends were the ones handing out drinks to people who looked like Jungkook. They were the only ones who seemed to be in a good mood. Jungkook and the rest didn’t look like they were feeling anything – but Jungkook knew what he was feeling.

He tried really hard to move his fingers, his toes, he tried to do anything other than just fucking blinking. But whenever Sungho told him to do something he did it without wanting to.

Jungkook wanted to cry. He was so scared and he literally couldn’t do anything. He couldn’t move a single muscle. He couldn’t even cry no matter how much his throat was burning. What was going on? What did they do to him? It had to be some sort of drug right? Whatever he was drinking or – maybe before, when Sungho held him by the neck, maybe he had a small needle and injected something – this made no sense nothing made any sense he wanted to go home.

A hush fell over the room momentarily before chatter picked up again. Jungkook couldn’t even look, he couldn’t even turn his head. All he could see was whatever was directly in front of him; a table full of drinks and three people sitting opposite from them. Two of them had really pale skin, paler than Sungho even, and the one sitting in their middle stared at Jungkook the same way Jungkook was staring at him.

Sungho put a hand on Jungkook’s thigh and Jungkook’s muscles tensed under his touch. Jungkook’s eyes flitted down to his legs. Okay! That was progress! If he kept working he could do this, he could get out.

“Oh, s-sire –“ Sungho started, uncertainty clear as day in his voice.

Two fingers held Jungkook from beneath his chin and raised his head.

Jungkook found himself staring at an older man. He had a receding hairline despite his graying long hair. A sharp jawline with a five o’clock shadow. He was pale like the rest but he didn’t look sick like them. He didn’t have the bloodshot eyes or the dark bags under his eyes.

He moved Jungkook’s head to each side, taking in Jungkook’s face with a dramatically pursed lips.

“Well, you’re too pretty to be a blood bag.” The man said casually. “You’re especially too pretty to be Sungho’s blood bag.”

The people around him all laughed loudly. Blood bag. What the fuck did that mean?! Jungkook couldn’t even make expressions. He just sat there forced to look up at this man.

“He’s the one he keeps talking about!” a guy barked out in laughter. “The one from his job!”

The man raised a brow in shock and looked between Sungho and Jungkook before snorting into laughter as well. He still had his fingers under Jungkook’s chin and didn’t seem like he was going to let go of him.

“I guess the hopeless in hopeless romantic comes from you.” He joked. “Be serious now Sungho, did you seriously think someone like him would ever be interested in you?”

Sungho stammered next to him and if Jungkook could do anything in that moment, it would be to roll his eyes. Of course the damn creep was a loser even with drug addicts. That just checked out.

“It’s not like that, sire.” Sungho said silently but did not elaborate further. The man standing rolled his eyes – at least someone did even if it wasn’t Jungkook – and then looked back down at Jungkook and that was the moment Jungkook remembered that he was still in danger.

His hair all stood up under the strange man’s long, considering gaze. He looked like he was in charge of all these weird people, like he had authority over them. You don’t just randomly call someone Sire like a peasant out of nowhere.

“So you couldn’t get him to look at you before and now you went and got him as a blood bad?” the man tilted his head as he considered Jungkook, still looking down his nose. “He’s too fancy of a dinner for you, Sungho.”

“N-no, it’s not like that, sire.” Sungho seemed to have found his voice again while Jungkook tried to make sense of what the fuck blood bag meant. What fucked up drug term was that? “I didn’t bring him to be a blood bag, I mean to –“

“Oh.” The man cut him off with raised brows and finally looked away from Jungkook.  “I see. You mean to keep him then? You know he doesn’t feel anything, still, even with your lackluster thrall attempt. And you meant to do this without asking me?”

“Sire –“

Jungkook couldn’t even flinch as the man kicked Sungho straight in the chest and sent him flying backwards, far out of Jungkook’s line of vision.

In that split moment Jungkook gasped and flinched away from the danger, turning his head to see Sungho smacked against the wall and falling down with a groan. Jungkook looked down at his hands and flexed them, barely able to find any relief when he saw that he could move again before he had a hand on his shoulder.

He whipped his head around and found himself face to face with the stranger again, breathing heavily.

“Sorry for the creep.” He said. It was hard to tell if he was being genuine or not – Jungkook couldn’t focus with how close he was to him. “Ah, you seem scared, come now, I’ll keep you safe. Don’t be scared.”

The man tapped Jungkook’s shoulder and suddenly Jungkook could breathe easy again. An easy buzz filled his body like when he was a little tipsy. Must be all the stuff Sungho forced him to drink. Jungkook let the man hold him by the wrist and lead him away to a more silent spot.

He didn’t feel scared anymore just – drunk. He must be drunk. It must be the drinks Sungho gave him. This wasn’t the same as whatever Sungho had done to him, he could move, he could think. He just wanted to be closed to this man. He said he’ll keep Jungkook safe. Jungkook believed his word.

Why wouldn’t he keep Jungkook safe?

This part of the room wasn’t any different; the wallpapers were torn up and there was mold everywhere, the bricks were visible. The strange man handed Jungkook a large glass full of something and grabbed one for himself.

“Cheers.” The man mumbled and tipped the glass before drinking. Jungkook watched him for a moment before drinking as well. It would be rude right? If he didn’t? He was keeping him safe.

“Well, I knew Sungho was a creep but I didn’t think he’d be this pathetic.” The man said and Jungkook snorted. There was an easy lilt to the way he spoke that was almost hypnotizing. “Tell me, was he like this at your job too? That’s where you know each other from, yes?”

Jungkook stared for a moment before his brain realized that he had to actually give an answer.

“Right, right, yeah.” Jungkook tried. His voice sounded distant to him. Almost like he was speaking underwater, like the words he spoke didn’t even belong to him. “He kept bothering me.”

“Kept flirting?” The man asked with an amused smile and stepped closer. Jungkook, dazed, found himself smiling back.

“Yes, I just ignored him.” Jungkook said. He could feel the stupid smile on him but he wasn’t even sure why he was smiling.

“Good!” The man said with a nod and looked towards the rest of the room. Jungkook followed his gaze to see Sungho sitting on the floor sulking, angry but unable to do anything. “You should always ignore creeps like him.”

“Yes, I will always ignore creeps like him.” Jungkook parroted. Was this his voice?

The man smiled more and stood closer before looking back at the room, “Don’t fucking disturb me!”

Jungkook flinched and ducked away, closing his eyes. It felt like glass broke inside his brain and he wasn’t drunk anymore. He had to get out of here – he didn’t know any of these people, they were all some fucking drug addicts and they’d kidnapped him. He had to get out of there and quick –

“Oh, so sorry sweet thing.” The man put a hand on Jungkook’s shoulder. “That was rude of me, I shouldn’t be yelling around guests like that, what happened to my manners?”

Jungkook took in his apologetic smile, relaxing under his reassuring touch.

“You have nothing to be afraid of here.” The man drawled in a low murmur, forcing Jungkook to listen to him over the loud music. He stepped in closer until they were face to face, no personal space between them and Jungkook wasn’t even sure if he wanted any space between them anyway. “Isn’t that right?”

Jungkook felt buzzed. His brain and body all felt static; his own thoughts were slipping from him.

“I’ve nothing to be afraid of here.” He repeated in a mumbled, blinking sleepily.

“Right.” The man grinned, almost proud. Did Jungkook make him proud? He hoped he did. The man pushed away strands of hair from Jungkook’s eyes before cupping his face with one hand. “And why is that?”

“Because – “Jungkook started but his sentence died away the longer he stared. Words – he had to find words. He knew the answer to this. “Because you’ll keep me safe.”

“Correct.” The man smile grew even wider – that’s not right, this isn’t right – but Jungkook just blinked drowsily. The static in his brain grew louder, his head felt heavy.

He simply tilted his head when the man kissed him. He couldn’t get himself to kiss back – he couldn’t get himself to do anything. The man was pressing into him, walking him backwards without breaking the kiss until Jungkook felt the wall behind him.

Trapped between the wall and the man Jungkook just - He had nothing to be afraid of. This man would keep him safe. Jungkook let himself be kissed, let the man wander his hands over his body.

He felt a pinch of pain on his lips before the man licked over the same spot, sucking on Jungkook’s lower lip and tugging on it before finally breaking the kiss. He was still in Jungkook’s face and his cold hands were travelling down to Jungkook’s ass.

“Oh, you really are a sweet thing.” The man said but Jungkook was too dazed to understand. “You should just enjoy this, sweet thing, you’ll feel good. Right?”

“I should – I should enjoy this.” Jungkook babbled. It was so hard to speak. It was so hard to keep his head up. His body felt so heavy. “I’ll feel good.”

The man licked over Jungkook’s lips and then gave him an amused smile, tipped his head towards the rest of the people, “In any case, this is better than Sungho, hmm?”

Jungkook followed the man’s lead and smiled back. Right, this was funny. This was better than Sungho – what was he doing? What was better than Sungho? He was supposed to do something, he was just thinking about it –

“Just enjoy it.” The man murmured before capturing Jungkook’s lips with his and what little ability Jungkook had to form any thoughts was gone in an instead.

He’d just enjoy it. Enjoy how the man pushed him against the wall more and more. Enjoy how his hands grabbed his ass tightly and enjoy how he spread his legs apart.

It had been some time since Jungkook had been with someone anyway. This man would keep him safe, he had nothing to be afraid of, he should just enjoy it. He liked the way the man pushed his tongue in his mouth – no – how he pushed his thigh against Jungkook’s crotch. It was too hot and Jungkook hadn’t been with anyone in so long and he should just enjoy it –

It felt good. It felt hot and Jungkook was gasping into the kiss as moments passed by. He couldn’t even remember where he was anymore – just that he was against a wall and he was hard in his pants.

The man cupped Jungkook’s crotch with a hand, pressed his palm against Jungkook’s cock and made him moan loudly.

“Go on sweet thing.” The man mouthed against Jungkook’s jawline and teasingly rubbed his thigh between Jungkook’s legs. “Move your hips, I want you to taste even sweeter.”

Jungkook moved his hips. He should just enjoy it – this felt good. No. He didn’t think at all as he obeyed the command. Every roll of his hips against the man’s thigh had Jungkook throwing his head back with loud moans.

“I know you don’t care right now but ooh –“ The man snickered as he whispered against Jungkook’s ear, “Sungho doesn’t look pleased with this. He wanted you for himself you know… he’s greedy, he should be taught a few lessons, right?”

“R-ruh-right.” Jungkook tried to open his eyes but it all felt so good – he should just enjoy it. He didn’t care about Sungho and he didn’t want Sungho to be happy either. “L-lessons –“

Speaking was hard, his tongue was so heavy in his mouth.

The man just chuckled a bit more before kissing down the side of Jungkook’s neck. He moved Jungkook as he wanted and Jungkook let himself be manhandled – he should just enjoy it. He was getting close, he just needed a little bit more.

No

“If you were someone else I think I’d just fuck you in the middle of the room and be done with it so Sungho could see how to be a real man instead of being a pathetic creep but – “ He kissed Jungkook forcefully, drowning out all the little noises he was making. When he broke the kiss there was a line of saliva connecting the two of them. There was something animal in the man’s eyes, Jungkook should be scared but no, the man said he would keep Jungkook safe. He should just enjoy it. He should just enjoy it. He should just enjoy it.

“I think I’ll keep you to myself instead.” The man smiled and his teeth seemed sharper. No – Jungkook must be seeing wrong – everything was static – no – he should just enjoy it. “Keep working your hips, sweet thing, I can’t wait to see how good you taste.”

Jungkook was blindly chasing his orgasm, doing as he was told. He should just enjoy this – he should just enjoy all of this even if it was – what was it? What was this? – He should just enjoy it.

The man kissed down the side of Jungkook’s neck until his lips were mouthing over a pulse point. Jungkook could feel the man’s smile on his neck, feel the warmth of his breath and spit as he pressed his tongue over the spot.

He was so close – he should just enjoy it – he just needed a little bit more – he should just enjoy it –

Pain bloomed in his neck. A shockwave of hot-white pain shot through his body.

Everything went slow motion. Jungkook could hear his heart beat in his ears, a loud thrum that threatened to deafen him. His eyes were wide open.

There was a loud, guttural scream in the room. Jungkook had never heard a sound like that before. It was something inhuman.

Jungkook only realized the sound was coming from him when his throat burned with pain.

The spell was broken. Jungkook was back in his body, he was back in his mind.

The man was biting his neck.

The man was biting his fucking neck what the fuck what the actual fuck-

Jungkook tried to push the man off of him, tried to kick and punch and do anything at all but the man wouldn’t budge at all. Jungkook could feel his sharp teeth – sharp teeth?! – digging deeper and deeper into his flesh.

Would it be worse if Jungkook tried to pull away? He had to do something he couldn’t just let this man do whatever the fuck he was doing.

He tried. He tried everything he could. He tried to step on the man’s feet, he tried to knee him, he tried to hit him and push him.

“P-please –“ he wheezed out in pain, tears blurring his vision. “Stop it – stop it –“

The man only held him tighter by the waist. He pressed his thumb deep into Jungkook’s skin to the point that it could almost cut into him. A warning – behave.

Jungkook looked around the room for any hope of escape, for any kind of help. He couldn’t see through his tears and the pain was only growing. The other people didn’t even care. They were either watching with no interest in helping or making people drink.

Only Sungho seemed like he was upset but even he didn’t move no matter how much Jungkook cried in pain. Useless piece of shit.

Okay – okay he could – he just had to focus through the pain. He just had to ignore that a man was fucking biting his neck what the fuck what the fuck –

If he played along maybe he could have a window of opportunity. The man had to stop biting him and – Jungkook shuddered when he felt the man’s tongue press into his skin and then he was gulping and was he drinking his fucking blood what the fuck is going on –

“Please –“ Jungkook begged, “Please, please, stop, p-please – please – stop, stop –“

The man stopped. He chuckled a little.

Then he bit off an entire chunk of Jungkook’s neck.

Jungkook let out a blood curdling banshee scream as he felt muscles and flesh and skin be ripped off from his neck. Warm blood gushed down the side and Jungkook was just gasping. He reached with one hand to pathetically try and stop the bleeding but all he was touching was the inside of his neck – the tendons, the muscles. Jungkook wanted to throw up but all that came up from his throat was his own blood.

The man held Jungkook by his jaw and forced him to look at him. Jungkook gasped through the fire of pain but all the voices died when he was face to face with the man again. His eyes were burning red and blood was painting his lips. He had a piece of something hanging between his teeth.

It was Jungkook’s flesh. It was the part of his neck ripped out.

Jungkook watched in growing horror as the man started to chew and eat his skin.

The man ate and swallowed the mouthful of flesh and flashed Jungkook a smile that was far too wide on his face. His pointed teeth were all painted red with blood.

“I knew you’d taste good.” The man said. It didn’t have that melodic lilt to it anymore. The only thing Jungkook felt was all-consuming pain and fear. “Sungho would have wasted you.”

Jungkook shut his eyes and lips tightly when the man kissed him again but he forced his tongue inside Jungkook’s mouth anyway. Jungkook could taste the blood – his blood – mix with saliva in his mouth, he could feel it drip down his chin as the man licked and sucked on Jungkook’s lips.

Frozen with fear wasn’t enough to describe the dread Jungkook was feeling deep in his bones. He was shivering from pain and fright combined, his muscles locked up tight, and he was stuck. He had no opening where he could fight or run. He just pressed his palm against his gaping neck and prayed it was enough to hold some of his blood in him.

The man pulled back from the kiss and licked over his teeth. He held Jungkook still by holding his jaw.

“But there’s really no point in dragging this out for you.” He said. “It’s better for both of us to get on with this.”

Nothing happened at first. At least Jungkook didn’t think anything happened. He was struggling to breathe and trying to keep himself alive. The blood running down the side of his neck all the way to his foot was too much, it was slipping between his fingers.

It hit him a moment later. He could feel something in his abdomen.

He could feel something moving in his abdomen.

Slowly, oh so slowly because Jungkook knew he would see something horrifying, he looked down at himself. He should have known how bad it would be when the man let him move his head. He should have known it would be worse than he thought. He should have known.

Blood was gushing out from Jungkook’s abdomen where the man’s hand had penetrated his skin.

Jungkook stared. That couldn’t be – no way. There was no way. The man’s hand was wrist-deep inside of his abdomen, Jungkook could feel his fingers moving inside of him but that couldn’t be it. This couldn’t be happening – this couldn’t be real, none of this made sense what the fuck was going on –

The man pulled his hand out and Jungkook’s blood went splat on the floor.

That’s when the pain hit.

Jungkook opened his mouth to scream but all that came out was a cough of blood. Was it from the missing part of his neck or the hole in his abdomen? Jungkook was choking on his blood. He opened his mouth to let it spill from his lips, trying to breathe through the pain but it only got worse and worse and worse.

It burned white-hot over his entire body. Time was moving too slow and too fast and Jungkook couldn’t think through the pain. What was he supposed to do?!  This was too much blood, it hurt too much.

His knees buckled and Jungkook slid down the wall until he was sitting on the floor, gasping. Jungkook tried his best. He really did. He tried to keep pressure on his neck, tried to use his shirt to close the hole on his abdomen.

It didn’t work.

Blood spilled from between his fingers no matter how hard he tried to keep it inside of him. He tried to swallow when his mouth was filled with blood, he tried to spit it out, he tried anything.

The man crouched in front of him and tilted his head like this was normal, like Jungkook wasn’t –

Jungkook was dying.

Crying made everything hurt more but it was all Jungkook could do. Salty tears mixing with the mess of blood on his face.

“Now, now.” The pain said and placed two fingers under Jungkook’s chin. “It won’t be too long now –“ no “ – and I will be here when you wake up.”

Jungkook tried to pull his head away from him but instead he sagged sideways until he fell onto his shoulder. His vision was getting blurry.

He was dying. Jungkook was dying. He was bleeding to death in some random building with a bunch of cannibalistic drug addicts…

This was it?

Twenty years and this was it? This was how he died?

Jungkook didn’t want to die. He didn’t want to fucking die, not like this. Not here and not now – he didn’t want to die.

He spat out the blood pooling in his mouth. It only added to the pool of blood growing around his body.

It was getting cold. The only warmth he could feel was his own blood coating his body.

He didn’t want to die.

Would he be found or would his body just rot here along with the building itself? If he was found would people know how he died? Would they think he was just another overdose case? Would there be a case for him?

Would anyone care?

Oh – Miss Seunghee… Who would take care of her without Jungkook? Not her grandchildren… she would be so worried once she realized Jungkook was gone. Would she think Jungkook abandoned her too, the same way her family had?

… Would Jungkook’s family ever know?

Two years – never once called… Not for holidays, not for his birthday, not for anything…

It didn’t hurt anymore. The pain was slowly bleeding away. His breathing was getting ragged, shallow. It was hard to breathe while trying not to choke on his blood but at least it didn’t hurt anymore. His feet and hands were growing numb and cold – it was so fucking cold now.

Jungkook blinked.

On the other side of the room, behind the man, there was a lone figure watching Jungkook breathe his last moments on the floor.

Sungho.

Fucking asshole.

Never done anything useful in his life, of fucking course he would be the reason Jungkook got brutally murdered.

He didn’t want to die – Jungkook didn’t want to fucking die. Not here, not like this. Not so helpless.

But his vision was turning black and he couldn’t breathe anymore.

Maybe his parents would at least pretend to care for him once he was gone.

Blood tasted weird.

Jungkook gasped, eyes snapping wide open. His lungs burned as they were filled with oxygen once more. Jungkook’s back arched off the floor and he kicked his legs, hands slipping on the bloody floor as he tried to sit up.

“Calm down.” A voice drawled. “You’re disoriented.”

The man was crouched next to him still, unbothered. He watched as Jungkook tried to remember how to breathe again. He was light-headed like maybe he had a low blood pressure and he had a pounding headache.

Jungkook shut his eyes tightly. He was sticky and wet all over his body.

Wait.

Jungkook opened his eyes and looked at the man. He smiled down at him.

“Welcome to afterlife.”

Fucker.

Jungkook wasn’t an angry person. He wasn’t a confrontational person. Maybe he should have been, it most likely would have gotten him out of situations he didn’t want to be in in life but it simply wasn’t his thing. He didn’t like arguing and he wasn’t good at it.

But there was a blind rage in his chest.

He sucker punched the man straight in the face.

The man fell backwards with a shout.

Jungkook rolled to his front and pushed himself to all fours, snarling before attacking the man again.

He killed Jungkook. He killed Jungkook. He killed Jungkook. He killed Jungkook. He Killed Jungkook. He Killed Jungkook.

Jungkook would kill him back. Fair is fair.

That was the only thought in his head as he grabbed the man by his ankle and pulled him back. He dug his claws into the man’s skin before straddling him with a loud snarl.

Jungkook was good at throwing punches.

He wanted to make sure this man didn’t have a face when he was done.

There were shouts around him, quick footsteps and some screaming. Jungkook didn’t care. He was only focused on the way the man’s cheek bones cracked under his fists. Over and over again.

The man managed to grab a hold on Jungkook’s left hand but instead of stopping Jungkook just ducked his head close and bit into the man’s forearm, ripping out a giant chunk and spitting it out sideways as blood gushed from the man’s arm.

Fair is fair. Eye for an eye – bite for a bite.

The man cried out in pain but the sound was cut short when Jungkook punched him again. It was therapeutic almost. Jungkook wasn’t a violent person but maybe he was wrong because this was almost fun.

“The handcuffs!” someone shouted but their voice was muted. “Get the handcuffs!”

The man’s face was pulp now. The broken bones shifted under the skin, blood was covering everything. Jungkook was sure he’d knocked out at least two teeth.

It wasn’t enough.

There were hands on his shoulder, under his armpits, on the side of his body, everywhere. Jungkook realized belatedly he was surrounded and that they were trying to pull him off of the man. No. Jungkook wasn’t done.

He sunk his claws straight into the man’s chest. It was cold. Was that normal? Wasn’t the human body supposed to be warm on the inside? This man’s muscles were lukewarm at best. Jungkook dug his fingers in deeper. He wanted to rip his ribcage out.

Someone pulled him back by the hair and pain shot through his scalp. Jungkook forcibly let go of the man to defend himself. He moved backwards along with the pull to minimize pain until there was room for him to turn around and throw another punch. The girl with the bad hair dye-job let go of him to hold her broken nose.

He was outnumbered here but Jungkook didn’t care about all these people. He only cared about the man.

Sungho, that coward, and some other guy were helping the man back to his while Jungkook fended himself against the rest of the group. His face was unrecognizable by now; swollen and bloody and broken. Good.

But not enough.

“You ungrateful –“ the man started in a deep growl. It wasn’t a human sound.

Ungrateful? Jungkook was supposed to be grateful?! For his death?

Jungkook growled back – an equally inhuman sound – and launched himself at the man.

He wasn’t lucky this time.

It was hard to pinpoint what happened, who did what. Jungkook just knew that he was flat on his chest and they were pushing him down, keeping him down. Jungkook put his hands flat on the floor to push himself back up but he was outnumbered.

A heavy booth crushed down on Jungkook’s hand.

Jungkook let out a screech as the heel of the boot twisted, his bones cracking under its weight. His fingers were going in odd directions.

“Stay down you piece of shit.” Someone else hissed and slammed Jungkook’s head down.

Jungkook squirmed to break free despite all the hands – and boot – keeping him down.

The floors creaked with every slow, calculated step the man took. Jungkook couldn’t move his head an inch, his cheek was practically glued to the floor with how hard he was being pushed down. Still, he glared up as the man came into his view.

“After all I’ve done, this is the thanks I get?” he asked, fuming.

Jungkook bared his teeth and hissed, tried to break free.

The man pulled out a knife and crouched down, seemingly unfazed.

“We have rules here. You behave – or I make you behave.” The man said. Jungkook found some satisfaction in how the man’s face twitched in pain. He should have knocked out his jaw. “You have to be punished. Turn him over.”

Jungkook tried to use this opportunity to break free but the group was much more careful this time around. They knew he would try something so they didn’t give him an inch to move until he was flat on his back. They raised his hands above his head and pinned him down. Others were holding his legs.

The man straddled Jungkook’s chest and looked down at him with his fucked up face. His blood dripped on Jungkook.

They stared at each other. Music was still playing in the background. It was hard to read his expressions when the man didn’t have much of a face to show an expression but if his swollen eyes were anything to go by then he was very, very angry.

“I’ll show you what happens when you dare disrespect me.” The man said and wrapped his hand around Jungkook’s throat, squeezed. “I should’ve kept you as a thrall whore.”

Jungkook hissed in retaliation and the man used that moment to shove his fingers down Jungkook’s throat, forcing Jungkook’s jaw open. Jungkook’s throat squeezed, feeling like he was about to throw up with how deep the man’s fingers were in his mouth. He couldn’t even bite off the fingers.

“Keep his mouth open.” The man ordered.

Not a second later there were more hands around his face. Some were holding his jaw open, some were pushing in fingers and tugging his lips to the side. Jungkook fought the urge to throw up and tried to push everyone off of him.

It was no use.

There was nothing he could do other than scream as the man mutilated his mouth. Cut after cut, deep and reckless, pain so deep that Jungkook could feel it through his entire body. Even more blood filled Jungkook’s mouth and this time he couldn’t even try to spit it out or do anything, not with how many hands were forcing him to keep his mouth open, not with how many fingers were in his mouth.

So he laid there with tears in his eyes, unable to fight back, blood and saliva filling his mouth.

The man stopped, breathing raggedly and staring down at Jungkook, a sneer on his crooked face.

Jungkook flinched and shut his eyes, tried to close his mouth but the man was licking over the cuts, over Jungkook’s teeth, pushing his tongue deep into his mouth. His hands pushed up the tattered remains of Jungkook’s shirt, revealing his battered torso to the room.

He sat back up and slid down until he was straddling Jungkook’s thighs, taking in what he’d done to Jungkook. Broken, bruised, bloody. Jungkook tried once more to break free but the group only put more weight onto him.

“We could have had fun.” The man said and licked over his lips. “But you’re too much of a hassle.”

He punched his fist back into the hole in Jungkook’s abdomen. Jungkook howled in pain, his vision turning black.

“I don’t want to see his face.” The man said as he stood up and walked off. “Take him to the basement, tie him up. Let’s see how strong he is then.”

Jungkook was tired. He had nothing left in him to fight back with as he was dragged away. Where ever they were taking him was cold or maybe that was just him. Everything was cold now, always.

They dropped him on the floor and Jungkook blinked his eyes at… natural light? He turned his head to find a small window, a view out to freedom he wouldn’t get.

They bound his wrist together and Jungkook wailed.

The bite had hurt. The hand in his abdomen had hurt. The fight, the cuts on his mouth, those had hurt.

This wasn’t pain. This was something else.

Jungkook kept screaming, writhing on the floor and trying to break free from the handcuffs but it burned and it burned and it burned and it burned and it burned –

How long did he lay there screaming, delirious from pain? How long did it take until his throat was too abused to make sounds? How long did it take before Jungkook gave up?

Creaking of the door, footsteps? Gentle hands and a shout, not scary, a flash of something bright –

“You will be okay, little one.”

Jungkook woke up with a gasp, his legs and arms already kicking. He had to get out. Pain was still there, it was dulled but it was there. Hands – so many hands, always so many hands- reached to him but Jungkook pushed them off, crawling away in a blind panic and falling down instead.

He hissed in pain when he landed on his hip bone and pushed through the pain, dragging himself away –

Where was he – this wasn’t the basement, this wasn’t the broken down building – he just crawled towards the wall and away from all the voices – shouts? No, not that loud but voices.

“Don’t touch me.” Jungkook let out a guttural shout, wincing when his throat burned.

His heart was beating but no – that was wrong this was all wrong. His heart couldn’t be beating, its rhythm was wrong, it was all wrong this was wrongwrongwrong. The air in his lungs wasn’t enough – it wasn’t right this was wrong and he’s so fucking cold, always cold now – and his lungs were wrong –

He was dead.

Jungkook was dead. He’d died. He’d been murdered.

His hands shot up to his neck where he could feel a patch of bandages, fingers tugging lamely at it – someone called out his name, said something, but Jungkook didn’t understand it. His abdomen was the same, a large bandage covered where the gaping hole would be. Jungkook could feel the stitches across his skin. His mouth too, the cuts had scarred deeply.

“Jungkook.”

Everything stopped.

Seokjin was kneeling in front of him. His hands were palms up, unthreatening, and although his face was calm Jungkook could see the worry in his warm eyes.

“You’re in the bedroom.” Seokjin spoke carefully. “You’re safe.”

Jungkook’s breath hitched and he threw himself at Seokjin.

Seokjin arms enveloped him like a blanket, holding him tightly to his chest. Jungkook held him like he was a lifeline. He was something solid, something real. He was something safe he could depend on as sobs wrecked through his body.

“I died.” He cried out. “I died – I’m dead. They killed me.”

Yet here he was, speaking. Afraid and crying; those were living, breathing emotions, weren’t they?

“I know.” Seokjin said. He had one hand on the back of Jungkook’s head and the other one was wrapped around Jungkook’s waist. “I know, little one, I’m so sorry.”

Jungkook wept. He cried and he screamed and he wailed. He was dead. He was killed.

He could feel the man’s lips on him still, he could remember the burning around his wrists, the cuts on his mouth, the hole in his abdomen. That was torture, wasn’t it? It wasn’t just death, it wasn’t a clean death.

He was dead.

Seokjin held him like he was alive.

Jungkook only stopped crying when his body physically couldn’t keep crying anymore. He sagged into Seokjin, his muscles spasming sporadically. Seokjin was running his palm up and down the line of Jungkook’s spine.

“I’m going to pick you up, is that alright?” Seokjin asked silently. Jungkook made some sort of noise, he wasn’t even sure what, but Seokjin nodded. “Alright, up we go.”

Vampire.

Everyone in that building had been a vampire. Sungho, that man – sire. The other weird, drug addict looking people, all of them were vampires.

What about the people who’d looked like Jungkook? Those who had been sitting still and not speaking, not moving. What had happened to them?

Jungkook hoped they’d had a quicker end than he had.

Seokjin easily carried Jungkook to the bed and settled down. He loosened his arms a little when they were sitting, silently asking if Jungkook wanted to get out of his arms.

Jungkook nuzzled in closer instead. He couldn’t bear the thought of being separated. Seokjin hugged him again, pulled the covers over his shoulder.

Everyone else had left, Jungkook realized belatedly when the silence stretched.

“I don’t want this.” Jungkook whispered. His voice was hoarse from crying.

“I know.” Seokjin answered.

“Why didn’t you let me die?”

“You didn’t want to die.”

Jungkook fisted Seokjin’s shirt. No. He didn’t want to die but this wasn’t what he wanted either.

“I’m sorry I didn’t give you a choice in the matter.” Seokjin said. He was playing with Jungkook’s hair now. “But I couldn’t let you die again.”

Why did he care? Sure, now he was Jungkook’s sire – whatever that meant, Jungkook still didn’t fully grasp it – but when they’d first found him, when they’d first brought him in here… there was no reason.

Complete strangers had cared for him more than anyone else ever had in his life.

“Are you hungry?” Seokjin asked.

“No.”

“Would you like to feed?” Seokjin asked, like it was different.

It was, wasn’t it? There was a difference between eating and feeding now.

That man had drank Jungkook’s blood for that reason, hadn’t he? He’d fed on his blood and then he’d – Jungkook didn’t want to think about anything else. He didn’t want to think about what had happened before or after.

Seokjin was safe. Despite all his confusion and his fear, Jungkook knew that Seokjin was safe and that he would keep him safe.

He nosed over the column of Seokjin’s neck, “Please.”

Seokjin kissed the top of Jungkook’s head. Jungkook pulled back for a moment so Seokjin could ready himself. He watched as Seokjin’s finger nail turned sharp and cut a neat little line on the side of his neck.

Jungkook quickly dipped his head to lick the first stray droplets of blood before they could slip away and stain Seokjin’s shirt. It shouldn’t be wasted. Seokjin held him by the back of his head, his other hand rubbing up and down on Jungkook’s thigh.

It was still weird. It didn’t feel natural at all but Jungkook latched on the best he could. Seokjin’s blood tasted nice, at least. It tasted familiar.

The people who’d done this him were out there somewhere in Seoul. The sire, Sungho, all their weird looking group.

But in here, Jungkook had Seokjin.

Chapter Text

Every single thing that happened within the borders of Seoul went through Seokjin at one point or another. It was how the system was built, it was how the system was run. Not even a single fly could pass without Seokjin knowing about it. It had to go through him.

It did not matter if it was affairs of humans or vampires, Seokjin knew about it. It could be a council meeting, it could be a feud between covens. Seokjin knew what was happening in Seoul at any given moment down to what song was popular among street performers.

Seoul belonged to him.

Which was why it was all the more bothersome to Seokjin that there was an entire rabid coven running around his city. Not only was it insulting that Seokjin hadn’t known from the start, it was simply a bad look for him. This must be solved quickly and efficiently.

The last few days and nights had been filled with dozens of phone talks and emails and meetings that dragged on for forever and just – so many conversations. Seokjin was starting to have a constant headache.

It paid to be thorough with investigations but it also meant that Seokjin had to have a finger in every part of the investigation. He only had so many fingers.

The only positive side to this whole matter, if there could be any at all, was the fact that Seokjin got to see his city tackle it as a united front.

Every coven they reached out to, every loner vampire they contacted; everyone was willing to help. Seokjin didn’t like trouble in his city and neither did the people he was ruling over.

Vampires weren’t creatures that always got along so Seokjin felt like this was an odd Christmas.

He had multiple covens agreed together to set a patrol and even lone vampires were helping in their own ways.

Seokjin had woken up at six o’clock, before the sun had even set, and had been reading reports and approving council matters and just – there was so much happening even without their little pest problem. His eyes were hurting.

Now that they were all actively looking for it, there was evidence of alien activity in the city. The abandoned building they’d been tipped about wasn’t this coven’s first stakeout apparently (hah, stake-out) but so far there weren't any clues as to where they might have gone to.

At least no coven had reported any missing members and the loners were also all accounted for. There had been no vampire losses so far.

Unfortunately the same couldn’t be said for the human side.

Their contact at the police station had sent them files upon files of missing people reports. It was now up to them to see some sort of connection between all these poor people to figure out who had been taken by the vampires and who were victims to mortal crimes

The remains found in the abandoned building couldn’t be identified just yet but there was a team working on that particular issue. Seokjin hoped it would be solved quickly so they could help their families that were no doubt searching for them but also make sense of who was taken from where in the city.

Including Jungkook.

Seokjin frowned as the city zoomed by out his car window. It was somewhere around two am or something by now and Seokjin had just gotten the opportunity to leave his office. He didn’t like working at his office at the council – it was too cold and people didn’t leave him alone for him to work properly.

Also no one gave him kisses or blowjobs there so like…

Jungkook had been fast asleep when Seokjin left early in the morning. He hadn’t so much as moved a muscle since Seokjin had fed him last night after he got his memories back. It was a good thing, Yoongi had said, he needed the sleep.

Jungkook didn’t tell them what had happened to him and Seokjin wasn’t sure if prodding about it would be a good idea or not. It didn’t take a genius to look at his injuries and take in how he’d reacted once he’d remembered to know that whatever he’d been through was bad.

Jungkook’s screams still rang hollowly in his ears. It wasn’t a human sound, it was just – pain.

There wasn’t anything Seokjin could do to make it better. He couldn’t take it away, he couldn’t reverse what had happened.

Jungkook had died and he had died a terrible death.

All deaths were traumatic. Seokjin had been killed gently with the intent to be turned in and he had still spent years trembling in his sire’s arms when he’d remembered his moment of death.

Jungkook’s was beyond traumatic. Seokjin didn’t need to read a report on how exactly he’d died to know how bad it had been. It was written across Jungkook’s body and it was written on Yoongi’s face whenever their healer looked at the infant.

Seokjin watched the street lamps pass by. Baby steps.

They just had to make sure Jungkook survived his first month before anything else. He was feeding well and his strong appetite was a good sign but Seokjin knew better than to assume they were out of the woods just yet. Silver was poison to all of them. There was no way of telling just what kind of side effects could hit Jungkook.

And infants were oh so delicate to begin with.

Yoongi hadn’t spotted anything life threatening but Seokjin still had an entire medical team prepared on the side. Just in case.

The car came to a lazy halt and Seokjin got out easily, motioning for his chauffeur to wait.

He looked up to the Hanok and walked through the courtyard. His three-piece suit made him feel both over-dressed and under-dressed. That was an impressive feat for cloth. He knocked on the door using the lion-head shaped doorknob.

Dramatic but then again that fit with the owner of this Hanok.

The large double-doors opened slowly and a fairly small looking servant bowed her head in respect. Seokjin hadn’t seen this person before, must be a new hire.

“It’s an honor to have you here, Lord Seokjin.” The woman spoke, still bowed. “My master is happy to welcome you inside for this fine evening.”

Seokjin bowed back and hid his little smirk at the wording, “Thank you for having me.”

The woman led Seokjin through halls. It had been re-decorated since the last time Seokjin had been here – when even was that? It must have been a few years by now.

Seokjin was led into a dining room with a table filled to the brim with food. Seokjin sat down easily like this was his own house and suspiciously eyed the cutlery. Realistically he knew that these couldn’t be real silver but he also wouldn’t put it past the good lord of this house to pull a prank on Seokjin.

“It’s not real.”

Well, that settled it quickly.

Jonghyun walked in with his arms wide open and a giant, toothy smile on his face. His long black hair was tied in a sleek ponytail and he had some truly heavy eye-liner on.

“What’s this?” Seokjin laughed good-heartedly as they hugged. “What’s with the look? Are you going through a mid-life crisis?”

“Can’t a man just try new things just for the hell of it?” Jonghyun asked.

“So it’s definitely a mid-life crisis.” Seokjin chuckled. “Or is it mid-century crisis? How old are you again?”

“Younger than you!” Jonghyun shot back as he made it to his chair.

“Is this how you treat your elders?” Seokjin sat down. “Where’s my respect?”

“Ah, I’m truly sorry for my behavior, hyung-nim.” Jonghyun nodded slowly. Seokjin could see how hard he was trying to hold back a smile. “When did you have your mid-life crisis? Stone age?”

“I’m going to kill you.”

Jonghyun barked out in laughter.

“Where are your fledglings?” Seokjin asked he eyed over all the food. “It’s awfully quiet here and I know they’re a lively bunch.”

“They’re shy around you so I think they’re all hiding in the basement.” Jonghyun said fondly. “Nana is out though.”

Seokjin glanced up quickly before starting to cut his steak, “Are you sure it’s a good idea for her to be out?”

“Personally? No, I don’t think so at all.” Jonghyun said. “However she’s almost a hundred years old, she gets to choose. In any case she promised she would be in safe areas, apparently there’s a birthday.”

“She’s almost a hundred?” Seokjin whistled in awe. “Time flies, I remember when she was just a few weeks old.”

“She was such a cutie back then.” Jonghyun chuckled and then gave a look at Seokjin. “While we’re on topic, I suppose congratulations are in order.”

“Ah, thank you. I do wish it had been under better, happier circumstances but – he’s a sweet heart.” Seokjin said. “Is it that obvious?”

“Infants have such a specific smell to them.” Jonghyun waved a hand and grabbed his wine glass. “I know that death smell anyway. It’s like the vampire version of baby powder.”

Seokjin snorted and took a bite from his steak. It was perfect, a little on the raw side, perfectly bloody.

“I hate to make assumptions so I will ask straight on.” Jonghyun said and sipped his wine. “How bad is it?”

Seokjin paused for a second before cutting another piece from his steak. He was here for a reason.

“Hoseok found him silver-bound.”

Silence filled the room as Jonghyun processed what Seokjin said. On any other day, in any other circumstance, Seokjin would have found Jonghyun’s expression hilarious.

There was nothing funny about Jungkook being silver-bound.

“We don’t have the exact details down, so I’m unable to present clear information.” Seokjin continued. “He was only a few hours old when Hoseok found him.”

Jonghyun cursed loudly and placed his wine glass on the table. He looked properly disturbed by the news.

He wasn’t involved.

Seokjin had known this from the start but it was still nice to have confirmation. He ate another piece from his steak.

“What type of monster –“ Jonghyun started but cut himself off. He furrowed his brows. “How did an hours old infant even survive that?”

Seokjin hummed as he chewed his steak. Pride and anger mixed oddly in his chest. He wanted to brag that his little fledgling was a fighter but also rage that Jungkook had to be a fighter in the first place.

“He was horribly beaten.” Seokjin said. “Whoever turned him ripped off a good chunk from his neck, he has a large hole in his abdomen. His mouth has cuts – his fangs were cut off… Hoseok found him bleeding out.”

Jonghyun listened to him with growing horror and anger in his eyes. He cursed under his breath when Seokjin finally paused.

“Do we have any information on who did this?” he asked.

“We know it’s not a Seoulite.” Seokjin answered. It was the one question he could answer with certainty. “My fledgling wasn’t the only thing Hoseok found. There were many dead, humans and vampires.”

“And no one reported anyone missing.” Jonghyun sipped his wine. “How many dead vampires?”

“A lot.” Seokjin said. “I have team dissecting their bodies but we have no answers as to how they died yet. Could be hunger or a disease.”

“If they’re led by someone maniacal enough to silver tie a fledgling…” Jonghyun trailed off. He paused and then sipped his wine again. “At least the trial of this will be fast.” A beat, a look at Seokjin, “If they survive to their trial.”

“Of course they will.” Seokjin cut another square piece from his steak. “We have rules, laws, everyone abides by them.”

“Uh-huh.”

“However, I’ve noticed that our law does not possess any certain punishment for fledgling mutilation and torture.”

“Oh, we must amend that loop then?”

“I will personally handle it once the trial is over.”

After all this was his city. Jungkook was, now, his fledgling.

Jonghyun hummed, eyes narrowed in a calculated manner.

“I must say, my lord.” He started. “I find it interesting that you’re taking your time with this investigation.”

Seokjin glanced towards the vampire at the use of title before looking back at his food. This is why Hoseok doesn’t like you, he thought to himself.

“It always pays to be thorough in such delicate matters.” Seokjin replied easily. “The last thing I want would be to catch the wrong person.”

“Is that so?”

“Whatever it is that you’re trying to get at, get at it already.” Seokjin said and took another bite from his steak.

“The Kim Seokjin I know would burn a haystack to find a needle.” Jonghyun replied. “That is still a pretty thorough way to get through an investigation.” He shrugged and then gave smirk. “It simply amuses me to see you play with your food.”

Seokjin snorted. Kids these days –

“Whoever the leader of this coven is, they’re a proud one.” Seokjin said and grabbed his wine. “Breaking the law so openly in another lord’s territory… You and I know even the strongest, oldest of vampires wouldn’t dare such thing.”

“So it’s a young one.” Jonghyun concluded. “With their head filled with delusions of grandeur.”

“Possibly.” Seokjin said. “Regardless, they’re being reckless. Leaving behind their food, leaving behind a living victim… Even the way they’ve disappeared is reckless.”

“You’re luring them out.” Jonghyun said.

“Of course.” Seokjin said. “Why must I go through the trouble of going to them when they will come to me? They only need so little as a confidence boost before they do something reckless once more. In any case it’s not as if I’m sitting doing nothing, there are active search parties going on as we speak. Namjoon is helming a large portion of it, you know it’s only a matter of time.”

“It simply confused me, that is all.” Jonghyun said. “As a new sire to such an abused fledgling I thought you would burn this city down but it appears as if –“

Seokjin looked up from his plate. Jonghyun’s near constant smirk faded and he gave a small bow with his head.

“Do be careful with your words, Jonghyun.” Seokjin warned. “Any implication that I’m not looking after my fledgling will end badly. I wish to enjoy our dinner, we so rarely get to hang out nowadays.”

Jonghyung bowed again. For a few moments the only sounds in the room came from Seokjin cutting his steak and Jonghyun gulping down his wine.

“It’s easier to come in to the city than it is to leave this city for vampires.” Jonghyun finally found his voice again, almost if nothing had happened. “You would know already if they’d left but coming in, nobody would know.”

“All they would need is a well shaded car.” Seokjin agreed.

“Are we certain that the sire is a complete stranger?” Jonghyun asked. “It does warm my dead heart to think that we are all sophisticated neighbors in Seoul but are we ruling out that option definitely?”

“Yes.” Seokjin said. “No lord in Seoul would risk such a thing. You all know who I am.”

Jonghyun hummed in agreement and drank more from his wine.

“I will ask a few friends from other regions then.” He said and placed his glass on the table. “See if there had been similar problems in other cities.”

“Good –“ Seokjin started but both of them paused when a loud crashing sound echoed through the Hanok.

Seokjin grabbed his knife tightly and tried to follow the sound. It was coming from above them, something continuously slamming into objects throughout the house.

Jonghyun’s cold expression slowly turned into a confused one but before Seokjin could say anything the doors to the dining room flew open and a small bat threw itself at Jonghyun.

The little bat made panicked sounds, clicking and screeching as it tried to hide in Jonghyun’s chest. The smell of blood was filling the room as the battered bat kept screeching.

When Seokjin blinked, it wasn’t a bat in Jonghyun’s arms but a girl.

Nana had deep claw marks on her bare arms, her clothes ripped in multiple stops. She was shaking and crying and trying to make herself fit into Jonghyun’s arms despite how much larger she was as a person compared to a bat.

Jonghyun immediately pulled her in, kissed her face and trying to understand how bad her wounds were. Nana was openly crying against the crook of Jonghyun’s neck, curling into herself.

The next few moments passed by in a blur. Jonghyun yelled out for their in-house doctor and carried his shaken fledglings out of the room.

Seokjin knew better than to get close no matter how much he wanted to help both Jonghyun and Nana. This wasn’t the right time. Sire’s were temperamental about having strangers near their fledglings at the best of times, if Seokjin tried to get anywhere near Nana he would be practically asking for a fight.

So he sat awkwardly in the dining room and finished what was left on his plate.

Forty minutes later, Jonghyun came back. He was walking slowly and had the face of a man who’d had the fright of his life.

“Is she alright?” Seokjin asked silently as Jonghyun sat opposite from him once again.

Jonghyun took in a long breath and shut his eyes before nodding.

“Yes, thankfully.” He said. “Very surface level injuries, looks worse than it actually is. Nana is still very spooked though.”

“I’m sure she is.” Seokjin said. “Would you like for me to call Yoongi here? He won’t mind helping.”

“You’re very kind, my lord.” Jonghyun nodded. “But I do not feel comfortable having people out of my coven near her at the moment.”

“That’s understandable.” Seokjin nodded. “But the offer stands, if you think she needs the help, call for us.”

Jonghyun nodded and drank his entire glass of wine in one go, filled it to the brim and drank that as well.

“It was the same people.” Jonghyun said.

Seokjin narrowed his eyes.

“Nana said she was on her way back when she got jumped by a group of four.” Jonghyun explained. “She says they smelled fairly fresh, possibly fledglings themselves, but she thinks they’re feral. She managed to overpower them and they ran off afterwards and she came here.”

“I understand.” Seokjin said and stood up, walking towards Jonghyun.

“Take these.” Jonghyun pulled out a small, plastic evidence bag. It had bits of – things in it. Seokjin couldn’t understand what they were immediately. “It’s the flesh that was stuck under Nana’s claws.” Jonghyun explained. “Figured it would come in handy.”

Seokjin took the plastic bag and nodded.

“It will, greatly.” He said and squeezed Jonghyun’s shoulder. “Go be with her, Jonghyun. I can leave on my own.”

He was silent all throughout the drive back home. The entry of his building was lively with business, humans walking amongst vampires without a single clue. He rode the elevator up to his penthouse in the same silence.

The tv was on with its volume turned down. The living room lights were dimmed as well. Seokjin took off his shoes and tip-toed in.

Hoseok was sitting on the floor with his back against the sofa. Jimin and Taehyung were fast asleep on his legs, covered with blankets.

Seokjin couldn’t help but coo.

“I know, right?” Hoseok chuckled. “We were supposed to have a movie night but babies were too tired.”

Seokjin crouched next to them on the floor, watching with a huge smile. Taehyung had pulled his blanket all the way to his ears so all that was visible was the fluff of his hair and his eyes. Jimin had his face pressed into Hoseok’s tummy, all curled up under the blanket.

“Oh, sweet things.” Seokjin murmured. He wanted to pet them but didn’t want to risk waking them up. “How’s Jimin doing?”

“Good, actually.” Hoseok said ran his hand over Jimin’s body. “He had a headache earlier but mostly he was tired. And since he’s tired, Taehyung’s tired too.”

“That’s a relief.” Seokjin murmured. “I was worried when he got that nose bleed afterwards yesterday…”

“He says it’s because he hasn’t done it in so long.” Hoseok said. “It probably didn’t help that Jungkook woke up so suddenly without Jimin’s control.”

Seokjin hummed, eyes on the top of Jimin’s head. He felt a twinge of guilt for not being able to directly look after Jimin yesterday even though he knew that even Jimin would laugh at him for this. Jungkook was the one in severe distress, of course Seokjin would go for him first. Especially since Jimin had four other people to care for him.

“Yoongi hyung kept an eye on him since yesterday.” Hoseok said. “He’s alright, hyung.”

Seokjin nodded.

“Well, I suppose I have to leave you here.” Seokjin said as he stood up. Hoseok giggled.

“Oh, what a terrible fate!” he said dramatically. “Abandoned by my lover to be a pillow! How could you!”

“Easily.” Seokjin snorted. “I have a few things to handle in my office, give me a call if you need anything.”

“Sure!” Hoseok said. “I’ll be listening. Like a fly on the wall.”

“A very cute fly.”

“Damn right.”

Seokjin chuckled as he made his way down the hallway. A familiar jingle for a variety show started in the living room but Seokjin couldn’t remember its name. He opened the door to his office and sighed.

“You have to knock, you know…” Yoongi trailed off without looking up from the computer screen, furiously typing something.

“I have to knock to enter my own office?” Seokjin raised a brow.

“It’s basic manners, hyung.” Yoongi said. “The cute fly on the wall will agree.”

“The cute fly on the wall agrees!” came Hoseok’s muffled sound from the living room.

“The cute fly on the wall should shut up and watch his tv.” Seokjin grumbled dramatically as he walked up to his desk. “Anything important I need to know about?”

“Unless you’ve gained a fresh love for vampiric medical remedies then no, this isn’t for you.”

“Now you don’t have to be so rude using my computer.”

“I’ve been in contact with some friends in the field.” Yoongi said, eyes still on the screen. “We’re trying to see if anyone can come up with anything that can help Jungkook.”

Seokjin hummed and listened to the rhythmic click-clack of the keyboard. He took off his tailored jacket and hung it up before sitting down on the sofa.

“How’s he doing?” Seokjin asked silently. Yoongi paused.

“He didn’t call for us at all the entire day.” Yoongi said and then kept typing. “At first I thought he was just sleeping but when I went to check on him he was awake. He wants to be left alone.”

“That’s understandable.” Seokjin said. “He had to face the fact that he really did die and in such a horrific way too…”

Seokjin should have seen this coming when Jungkook had first woken up. He’d taken the news too well. But now with his memory restored there was really no way for Jungkook to ignore the truth.

“He hasn’t spoken a word about his memories.” Yoongi said. “He did ask for some paper and pencil when I brought him breakfast though.”

“Oh? That’s something.”

“He’s still eating well but I think he might need to be fed more often.” Yoongi said. “At least that’s what my colleagues and I have decided.”

“That’s fine by me, he can drain all my blood if he has to.” Seokjin said, not even a little bit dramatic about what he was saying. He sighed and closed his eyes, “Just – whatever it takes to make sure he survives his first month. Healthier fledglings have fallen in their first month, I’m not taking any risks with Jungkook.”

“And I will make sure nothing happens to him.” Yoongi said. “Speaking of which – when you go to him, see if he’ll be willing to have me change his bandages. He wasn’t in a good mood in the morning so I didn’t push but I have to see how his injuries are doing.”

“Of course.” Seokjin said and then reached into his pocket to pull out the plastic bag. “Here, catch.”

Yoongi caught it without looking, eyes still on the screen. Only when he seemed to realize he was holding an evidence bag did he furrow his brows and look at it.

“What’s this?” Yoongi asked, holding the bag in front of his eyes. “Skin?”

“Jonghyun’s fledgling was attacked.”

Yoongi stared at him.

“What the fuck?” came Hoseok’s muffled voice. “Which one? Are they okay?”

“Nana.” Seokjin answered. “And yes, luckily she’s alright. Those are bits of flesh that was caught under her claws. Hopefully it’ll be useful for us to identify this coven.”

“I’ll handle it.” Yoongi said. “… They’re getting reckless.”

“They always were to begin with.” Hoseok said. “I’m losing count of how many laws they’ve broken.”

“A lot.” Seokjin answered, steady. “Call Namjoon, tell him to look through tonight’s security cameras. Nana was supposed to be on the safe side of town, there has to be at least one camera that caught something.”

“I’m on it.” Hoseok said.

“I’ll be honest, I didn’t realize that the waiting game would end with them attacking the fledgling of a lord.” Yoongi muttered.

“I don’t even think they know what they’re doing is wrong.” Seokjin said. “If the sire is not from here and has no care for rules then he wouldn’t teach his coven anything either.”

“Actions have consequences.” Yoongi mumbled.

Seokjin hummed in agreement, “They’ll learn just like everyone else in this city.”

“Hopefully sooner rather than later.” Yoongi said with a sigh. “I don’t like walking around egg shells in my own city.”

Seokjin stood up and walked towards Yoongi. He leaned down to kiss his forehead, his nose, and then finally his lips.

“Promise it won’t take much longer, love.” He whispered against Yoongi’s lips. “All we needed was one slip and they gave us that.”

Yoongi nodded and then tipped his head to kiss Seokjin back.

“Go to the little one.” He murmured. “He missed you.”

“I missed him too.” Seokjin replied and stood up. “I’ll call if he’s okay with you.”

“I’ll be waiting.” Yoongi said before returning to his typing.

Seokjin bee lined to his bedroom to change into something comfortable. The suits were nice and all and he definitely looked very handsome in them but they weren’t exactly lounging material. He put a soft pajama bottom and a loose gray shirt with a wide scooped neckline so Jungkook could feed easily.

This was his life now, wasn’t it? He had an actual fledgling. It didn’t matter if Seokjin wasn’t the one who’d turned him, he was Jungkook’s sire now.

Seokjin was used to feeding vampires. As much as he hated the wet nurse jokes… Well, they were right in their own way. Seokjin didn’t want any vampire to suffer hunger, he didn’t want any of them to know loneliness the way he’d known it. Offering his neck for those less than fortunate wasn’t a big deal to him, really. At the end of the day those people never became part of his coven, they were never depended on him to keep them alive.

The closest thing to a sire bond Seokjin had up until this week was Jimin and Taehyung. Even then the duo was a special case. A tragic case. They were their fledglings yes but that hadn’t been the case at their birth. Seokjin still ached when he thought of how they’d ended together. So many things could have gone differently…

It wasn’t worth lamenting over the past, Seokjin learned this so long ago. Jimin and Taehyung were his now, that was all that mattered. But when Jimin and Taehyung joined the coven they were older, not depended on Sire blood to keep them functioning and alive.

Seokjin had still fed them regardless. Hell, to this day the two rascals ended with their teeth in his neck.

With Jungkook…

The bond felt physical. It felt tangible. It felt like something Seokjin could see between their bodies, an invisible rope tying them together even though there was nothing there. He could feel his blood in Jungkook’s veins. He could hear it in his heart beat.

Even now in his bedroom on the other side of the penthouse, Seokjin could feel a tug in the direction of Jungkook’s room.

Seokjin was a few centuries old. He’d never felt anything like this before.

He made his way to Jungkook. He made sure to start actually breathing, to get his heart beating again. It took him a few steps but he remembered how it was supposed to work. He didn’t want Jungkook to be constantly reminded of death.

He stopped in front of Jungkook’s door and took a deep breath. He couldn’t hear anything bad. That was good. No tearful hiccups, no painful wails. All Seokjin heard was the easy in and out of Jungkook’s breathing.

Seokjin steeled his nerves and rolled his shoulders. He was a vampire lord. He was the vampire lord.

And now he was also a Sire.

He totally got this. He knocked on the door.

“Jungkook-ah?” he called out gently. “It’s me, Seokjin. Can I come in?”

A moment of silence… two… three… Seokjin could still hear him breathe… Maybe he was asleep –

“Yeah.”

It was a whisper of a sound, so low that Seokjin nearly missed it under the ticking clock. He opened the door and walked in, closing it quietly behind him.

Nothing had changed in the room since Seokjin had left that morning. The windows weren’t tinted though and they had a clear sight of the night sky.

Jungkook was laying on his side with his back towards the door. If he hadn’t invited Seokjin in he would have almost believed that he was sleeping.

“Would you like me to turn the lights on?” he asked.

…

…

...

“Sure.”

Seokjin frowned but didn’t say anything. He turned on the lights but then dimmed it low so it wouldn’t bother Jungkook. Alright he just – he got this. He walked next to the bed and watched Jungkook for a moment.

“Would it be alright if I get in as well?” he asked, keeping his voice light, unthreatening.

“Please.”

Jungkook’s voice came out so weak, so broken. Whatever fears or confusion Seokjin had about being a sire disappeared in an instant.

“Oh, my darling.” He frowned, worried, as he climbed into the bed.

Jungkook practically threw himself at Seokjin’s arms, trying to make himself fit in despite his size. He nosed along Seokjin’s neck and pulled his knees to his chest until he was sitting sideways on Seokjin’s lap.

“Careful, careful, my darling.” Seokjin said gently. He tried to re-arrange Jungkook so he would be more comfortable in his arms. “You’ll hurt yourself, careful, I’m not leaving.”

Jungkook fisted Seokjin’s shirt and just – he just held Seokjin. He was making small little chirping sounds and it was so obvious that Jungkook wasn’t even aware he was doing it.

“I’m here.” Seokjin said and kissed the top of Jungkook’s head. “I’m here, little one.”

They sat in silence after that with Seokjin rocking them both side to side. Seokjin looked out the window, staring into nothing in particular.

“There’s this old lady. She’s my neighbor.” Jungkook spoke up out of nowhere. His voice was terribly hoarse. “She doesn’t have any family to look after her. She’ll be worried that I’m missing… can you do something?”

“Of course I can.” Seokjin answered. “If you give me the address I can have someone take care of her and let her know you’re alright.”

“I – “ Jungkook cut himself off to clear his throat. “I wrote the address.” He said. His voice didn’t sound any better. “On paper.”

Ah, so that’s why he’d wanted the pen and paper.

“Alright, I’ll have someone check on her in the morning. Is that alright?” Seokjin asked.

Jungkook nodded, “Just – tell her I’m sorry for scaring her, please.”

“That can be done.” Seokjin said. “Would you like to write her a letter?”

“… Maybe… yeah.”

“Alright.” Seokjin nodded.

It fell silent again. It wasn’t uncomfortable. If anything Jungkook seemed to find the most comfort in that moment. Every few seconds Jungkook would let out the smallest chirp – still clearly not realizing what he was doing at all.

Little baby bat chirps.

Regardless of how painful their situation was Seokjin smiled widely at the sounds. Every little chirrup was proof of just how young Jungkook was. Ignoring his lack of awareness about the sounds he was making, the sounds were weak. Like Jungkook, instinctually, wasn’t entirely sure how to chirp.

He’d learn. Seokjin would help him learn. Everyone else too.

“I know this isn’t something you’ll be happy to hear but –“ Seokjin started at some point, “- would you be willing to have Yoongi look at your wounds?”

Jungkook hummed, playing with Seokjin’s shirt.

“Okay.” He said, tiny, and then added, even tinier, “You – you’ll be here, right?”

“Of course I will be here.” Seokjin hugged him tighter for a moment, careful of his injuries. “Yoongichi, you’re allowed in! Please bring something for his throat as well.”

“It’s not that bad –“ Jungkook started but ended up coughing.

“It’s a little bad.” Seokjin smiled back even though Jungkook couldn’t see. “It’s alright though, Yoongichi will make it better.”

“Okay.” Jungkook mumbled and hooked his chin over Seokjin’s shoulder. A beat of silence and then he asked, a little awkward, “What – what did you do? Today?”

“Oh, let’s see.” Seokjin hummed a little dramatically, making a show out of it. He had to cherry pick what was appropriate. “Well, I had lots of boring meetings all morning. They’re really boring. Then I visited a friend for dinner and then I came home.”

“Did – uh – “ Jungkook cut himself off to clear his throat again. Seokjin already knew what he was trying to ask. “Did you – did you find anything about the… the people who did this to me?”

Poor thing’s throat was really fucked, he sounded like he’d been chain smoking for forty years.

“Actually, we might have found a clue.” Seokjin said. If having his friend’s fledgling be attacked could be counted as a clue. Watered down facts, Jungkook didn’t need to hear any more pain. “We have people working on it as we speak.”

“Okay.”

“I’m certain we’ll have something solid in the morning.” Seokjin added when it was clear that Jungkook wasn’t exactly pleased with his answer. He understood it perfectly. If their roles had been reversed and Seokjin had to be the one lying in bed all day knowing his attackers were out there somewhere, this answer would be less than satisfactory to him too.

But it was all they had for now and Seokjin wasn’t going to tell him what had happened at dinner.

Luckily for Seokjin, Yoongi knocked on the door and walked in unceremoniously. He had a mug of something warm in one hand and a first-aid kit in the other. He turned on the lights a little bit so it was brighter for him to work with.

“Drink this, it’ll help with your throat.” Yoongi said.

Seokjin had no doubt that Jungkook could hold the mug on his own but still he took it from Yoongi. Jungkook shifted in place and now that he wasn’t hiding Seokjin could finally see his face.

His entire face was puffy from crying last night, especially his red-rimmed eyes. He looked paler today, a little bit of purple under his eyes. The cuts around his mouth were starting to scab, the skin looking tight around them.

“What’s this?” Jungkook asked, his hands a little wobbly as he grabbed the mug.

“It’s tea with lemon and honey in it.” Yoongi said simply. His eyes were already skimming over Jungkook’s body. Seokjin wondered what he saw that Seokjin himself would never notice. “Sometimes the best medicine is what your grandmother would make.”

Jungkook made a little hum sound and took a sip from the tea… and then took a bigger sip. Seokjin smiled as Jungkook kept drinking sips. He was a cute little thing, this one.

“It’s nice.” Jungkook said, finally. “I like it.”

“That’s good to hear but please don’t drink so quickly. I don’t want you to upset your stomach. I’ll make a broth later too.” Yoongi said. “Now, how are you feeling? Better, worse, the same?”

“Everything hurts.” Jungkook mumbled and Seokjin had to fight the urge to hug him tight. “I’m… I’m not sure if it hurts worse or not but it’s constant. Sometimes it feels like – like it spikes? But then it hurts normal… I feel really, really tired. More tired than yesterday or the day before.”

Yoongi hummed, “That sounds about right.” He said. “I’ll give you some pain killers for it but –“ he sighed, “ – unfortunately there isn’t much I can do for that kind of pain.”

Jungkook furrowed his brows, “Which is…?”

“Pain of death.” Yoongi explained. “Pain of rebirth. It’s traumatic on the body, I told you this. The transformation takes a lot out of you, physically and mentally.”

And in Jungkook’s case that pain was doubled. All three of them knew what Yoongi wasn’t saying out loud.

“So it’s normal that I feel like I worked out for twelve-hours and then got hit by an eighteen wheeler every time I wake up?” Jungkook asked and Seokjin had told hold back his smile. That sounded more like the Jungkook he’d met the other day.

“Yup.”

“Damn.” Jungkook sipped his tea again.

“It’ll lessen over the days.” Yoongi promised. “Can I take a look at your bandages?”

Jungkook looked down at his wrists. After a long pause he nodded and handed his mug to Yoongi so he could work.

“I suggest you don’t look.” Yoongi said with a gentle voice. Jungkook paused again and stared at Yoongi. He glanced down at his wrists, his mouth opening to say something, but cut himself off and instead nuzzled into Seokjin’s neck once more.

Seokjin immediately put a hand on the back of Jungkook’s head, holding him carefully and giving him some well-deserved scratches, playing with his hair. It’s meant to be comforting but also in case Jungkook tried to take a peek at his hands.

They didn’t look good. At all.

Jungkook’s skin was still this angry red around his wrists, fading into a strong pinks and oranges away from where the silver had been. Most of the burn bubbles had flattened under the bandage but Seokjin could still spot a few.

Most horrific sight was the actual area where silver had been. Where the silver had dug into the skin. Seokjin was pretty sure that faint spot of pink-white was Jungkook’s actual bone peeking between his flesh.

The skin was more swollen now compared to two days ago. It was clearly too tender to touch, clearly still hurting.

But nothing smelled rotten. Nothing was leaking puss or oozing anything unwanted. It wasn’t infected. Seokjin breathed in relief.

“Is it okay?” Jungkook asked in a small voice, scared. Seokjin kissed the side of his head. Yoongi and Seokjin looked at each other for a split second.

“It’s healing.” Yoongi replied, evenly. “Your hands won’t be falling off.”

They might have, Seokjin suddenly realized. Yoongi was joking and Jungkook seemed in on the joke if his little huff was anything to go by but Seokjin couldn’t help but stare at the faint spot of visible bone. If they had found Jungkook any later the silver cuffs would have dug further into his skin, into his bone.

If they hadn’t found him, his hands would have fallen off.

“There aren’t any signs of silver poisoning on your wrists.” Yoongi said as he began to lather the skin with a thick cream. “That’s very good. Still, it will take very long for it to heal. This is the area silver had direct contact with, it will probably heal the last.”

Jungkook hummed, and then mumbled in a sigh, “That feels nice.”

Yoongi and Seokjin shared a small smile between them. Yoongi added more cream to both of Jungkook’s wrists until it was starting to be a bit messy but they both knew, even with Seokjin lacking the medical knowledge, that it was just barely enough to help the skin heal.

“It’ll keep your skin hydrated while also preventing infections and helping it heal.” Yoongi said. “Can you tell me how it feels?”

“The cream or just my skin?” Jungkook asked.

“Why not both?” Seokjin said, pinnacle of medical finesse.

“The skin feels… tight. Like it’s the wrong size.” Jungkook tried to explain. “It feels really weird around my wrists like – like – I don’t know, it’s weird.”

“Is it painful?” Yoongi asked as he began to carefully wrap Jungkook’s wrist with bandages, tight and secure.

“Not – not terribly painful. It just aches all the time.” Jungkook said. “The cream feels nice… it feels cold.”

“Just cold?” Yoongi started working on Jungkook’s other wrist. “Does it feel tingly or like its burning?”

“M-Maybe a little tingly? Not – not bad though, I don’t think.” Jungkook mumbled. Seokjin scratched his head, played with his hair. “It doesn’t burn at all, it’s just cold, feels really good.”

“That’s very good to hear.” Yoongi said and Seokjin could spot his shoulders relax a bit.

“Yeah?” Jungkook asked.

“Yes. It means there isn’t any infection or any silver left in this area.” Yoongi explained as he finished the other bandage and sat back for a moment. “That’s very good, little one.”

Yoongi was talking to Jungkook but Seokjin still felt like his lover was soothing him as well. Seokjin tapped the back of Jungkook’s head.

“He’s done but you can stay in my neck if you’d like.” He teased lightly.

Jungkook let out a weak chirp and pulled back but – again – he didn’t acknowledge that he’d made a sound. It didn’t seem like he was aware of it. Jungkook, sweet little thing, he was awkward around them. He was still crawling into his vampire body and in just two days Seokjin had seen enough of him to know that, if he’d caught what he was doing, he would show some sort of reaction.

It was cute. He was so terribly cute.

“Can you –“ Jungkook licked his scarred lips and looked down at his lap, leaning into Seokjin but not hiding. Yoongi and Seokjin both let him gather his courage, let him ask. He had to learn that he could always come to them, he could always ask them. “C-can you… look at my hand?”

“Of course, little one.” Yoongi answered. “You mean the right one, yes?”

Jungkook nodded, watching and letting Yoongi reach for his hand and hold it gently in his. Compared to everything else on Jungkook’s body, the hand was the least of their worries. It was shameful to admit it but comparing silver-bound wrists to messed up hand – well, there was a clear winner between the two.

The hand did seem to be in much better shape than it was when Hoseok had first brought him in. It looked like a hand, at the very least.

Yoongi held it in his palm while tracing his finger tip over the back of Jungkook’s hand. It was clear that there had been serious damage done to it. Some of his fingers angled just odd enough for it to be unnatural. There was a light dent to his hand, a deep dark bruise that would take time to heal.

“I’m going put some pressure on it.” Yoongi explained. “Tell me if it hurts and I will stop.”

“You can punch him.” Seokjin added like the helpful assistant he was. Yoongi rolled his eyes but it got a smile out of Jungkook so who was really winning here?

“Okay.” Jungkook nodded.

“Just breathe for me, little one.” Yoongi instructed.

Yoongi pressed his thumb over the muscles on the back of Jungkook’s hand and dragged it over from wrist to knuckle. He repeated the action for all the fingers, his brows pinched together in thought. Jungkook made little pained noises but didn’t speak up.

“Can you spread your fingers for me?” Yoongi asked and Jungkook did as he was told, grunting a little.

Seokjin wasn’t trained in this area but even he could see that Jungkook’s fingers weren’t exactly in good shape. His hand was also shaking a lot more on this side.

“Does it hurt?” Yoongi asked.

“Yeah – when I open it – “ Jungkook started and Yoongi gently held his hand again, closing his fingers. Jungkook immediately curled his fingers into a position that was painless for him, a loose fist. “Like – really bad pins and needles.”

“I can’t give you a certain diagnosis since I don’t know what happened but it’s already in the process of healing, which is good and –“

“They stepped on it.”

Yoongi shut his mouth, brows high on his forehead. Seokjin was sure he had a matching expression. Jungkook avoided looking at them, his eyes instead focused on his lap.

“They – they stomped on it.” Jungkook corrected himself. “And then I punched people after it was already – yeah.”

Yoongi schooled his face into something professional once more and nodded.

“Sadly I don’t have anything in this house at the moment that can help you with the pain.” Yoongi said. “I was going to say that your bones feel like they were either cracked or dislocated from their places but –“ Yoongi took Jungkook’s injured hand again. “ – It’s already healing on its own. The bones are moving back to their spot already. The pain you’re currently feeling comes from the muscle tissue. They’re healing at a much slower rate because of –“

“The silver?” Jungkook cut in. He sounded more like a first grade student trying to impress the teacher than anything else.

“Yes, the silver.” Yoongi smiled and ruffled Jungkook’s hair.

They didn’t mention the second half of what Jungkook had said. They didn’t ask who he punched. They simply didn’t. Jungkook would share on his own time.

“Now I need to check your neck and then your abdomen.” Yoongi said.

Jungkook nodded and shifted in place a little before leaning into Seokjin.

“I’m here, little one.” Seokjin murmured as he held Jungkook’s hair away from the area Yoongi would be working on. “It’ll be over before you know it.”

“Please don’t make any sudden movements.” Yoongi said as he began removing the bandages. Jungkook hummed in reply.

Seokjin’s angle made it hard to see the entirety of Jungkook’s neck but what he could see was rage inducing. Seokjin closed his eyes and breathed deeply through his nose, filling his chest as much as he could, listening to the beat of his heart. Jungkook made a little sound in response, something almost content in his arms.

Yoongi had done an incredible job patching Jungkook’s back together but it didn’t change the fact that there was an entire chunk of flesh missing from Jungkook’s neck. Jungkook’s skin hollowed into his neck. It looked like someone had used an ice-cream spoon to scoop out his flesh.

But no, Seokjin knew what bite marks looked like.

Yoongi’s stitches snaked along the side of Jungkook’s neck, bending and curving accordingly. The skin was irritated red and swollen with a glossy shine to the worst parts. It was easy to tell that, even with Seokjin’s lack of education on the matter, it would take Jungkook’s regenerative powers at least a year before it could grow back the missing meat – maybe even longer adding in the silver side effects.

Seokjin was just glad that Jungkook couldn’t see this.

“It’s better.” Yoongi said but Seokjin knew that better just meant that it wasn’t getting worse. “I’m going to apply cream again, tell me if it hurts, alright?”

“M-hm.”

Yoongi once again generously applied the cream, smearing it gently over the abused skin. Jungkook only sighed and relaxed in Seokjin’s arms and didn’t make a single sound until Yoongi had bandaged his neck again. Good. Good. Small victories.

It was a little tricky when it came to checking the injury on Jungkook’s abdomen, mostly because Yoongi couldn’t do it if Jungkook was all curled up like a kitten in Seokjin’s lap no matter how much comfort it gave to Jungkook.

Seokjin and Yoongi worked together to help Jungkook to lay flat on his back. Discomfort was clear as day on Jungkook’s face now that he wasn’t in the safety of Seokjin’s arms and – wow, those fledgling instincts came in fast and strong. Seokjin laid sideways with his head propped on one hand, as close as he could be, and smiled down at Jungkook.

“You’ll be back in my arms when Yoongi patches you back up, alright?” he said. Jungkook avoided eye contact but still inched closer to him, gave a small nod.

In his peripheral, Yoongi made a face as he removed the large bandage from Jungkook’s abdomen. Seokjin kept his poker face even though Jungkook had his eyes closed and couldn’t see it.

“I will have to re do the stitches here.” Yoongi said. “But other than that – you’re doing alright here too, little one.”

Seokjin took a peek. The stitches were messed up, some parts ripped and others threatening to burst as well. Considering the size of the hole the stitches were meant to hold together even the littlest imperfection could have grave effects on Jungkook.

But aside from the stitches Seokjin couldn’t see anything worrying. Oh, the skin was fucked, obviously, but not in any worse condition than before. It was, like the rest of Jungkook’s injuries, swollen and tender, red and pink in all the worst ways. This one in particular seemed to be more inflamed than the rest but since Yoongi wasn’t worried about it, neither was Seokjin.

“You’re gonna – “Jungkook gulped and blinked a few times, staring at Seokjin’s sternum. “ – with the needle?”

“I do need a needle to stich, yes.” Yoongi said, not in the least bit teasing or mean about it. Just confirming, gently. “But I promise you won’t feel anything.”

“Okay.” Jungkook mumbled but still closed his eyes tight. Seokjin held his hand and rubbed his thumb over the skin, gently shushing his fears away.

Yoongi was soft handed, clean in the way he worked. It helped that he had his little power too. The stitching was over before they knew it and Yoongi was applying the same cream, waiting for any response from Jungkook, and bandaging him again when Jungkook only relaxed.

“There we go.” Seokjin sat up. “All done!”

“Done?” Jungkook tried to lift his head to look down at his body but Yoongi immediately made him put his head back.

“You’re going to strain your neck like that.” He warned. “Just lay like this for five minutes so your body can adjust. Then you can climb back to hyung’s lap.”

Jungkook looked away, embarrassed at the reminder, but didn’t say anything as Yoongi pulled down his shirt to cover his torso.

“How long do you think it will all take to heal?” he asked after a beat. He tried to make it sound so casual, just a regular curiosity, but Yoongi and Seokjin could both hear the truth in it.

“On rough estimates?” Yoongi hummed in thought as he gathered the first aid kit neatly. “Your right hand will probably take a few months, bones and skin combined. Your abdomen will be minimum six months.”

“Six?”

“Your neck will take a year, minimum.” Yoongi carried on, methodical in how he spoke but not unkind. They were a doctor and a patient; one of them had to ask the questions and one of them had to give the upsetting answers.

“Your wrists…” Yoongi shut the lid of the kit and stared at it in deep thought. “Might take a few years to heal completely.”

Jungkook stared at the ceiling. Seokjin couldn’t read his expression, it was completely blank. There was nothing to see. So why did it hurt Seokjin’s heart so much?

“Of course, these are just rough guesses.” Yoongi added on a more positive note. “I have reached out to my colleagues and they are willing to help. You’ve been healing well in just these few days.”

What Yoongi didn’t say was what Jungkook didn’t need to hear.

No fledgling needed to hear how dangerous, how deadly, the first month of their new undead life actually was. How they were practically moments from dying again at any given time. Fledglings were delicate.

Jungkook wasn’t stupid. If he caught even a whiff of that information he would put together just how much risk he was actually in. He didn’t need that kind of distress in his already painful life.

These were just truths they left untold.

Even Jimin and Taehyung still didn’t know that fact.

“The papers.”

Seokjin blinked himself out of his head and looked at Jungkook. He was still staring at the ceiling, uncomfortable.

“Papers?” Seokjin asked, looking around in confusion.

Yoongi put the first aid kit to the side and looked around as well before spotting the papers on the bedside drawer. Seokjin had been so focused on Jungkook since he’d come in here that he hadn’t noticed it at all. Right, Yoongi had told him that Jungkook had asked for papers.

“One of them has the address.” Jungkook mumbled towards Seokjin. “And – and the other two are – ah –“

Yoongi looked at the papers slowly, his brows pulled together just so. He glanced up at Seokjin for a moment before looking back down at the papers. Then, without saying a single word, he handed the papers to Seokjin.

The first drawing was of a man with a fairly square looking face. His hair was drawn in a mess of wavy lines to indicate its badly kept nature. Deep lines of age around his small eyes, a potato-like nose, thin lips. The man looked like the type of person that would be called to HR for workplace sexual harassment.

The second one was a man with a narrower, angular face. Strong cheeks and a self-satisfied smile that got on Seokjin’s nerves even on a drawing. There were less details on this drawing compared to the first one but Seokjin still got the full picture.

A smaller detail he did notice was that the lines were wobbly. Jungkook’s hands were shaking.

“These are very well made.” Seokjin praised, his voice easy. “Are you an artist?”

“No. No, I’m not.” Jungkook said. “It’s just – just a hobby.”

Jungkook’s voice was a bit tight so Seokjin let it go for now. You’re too good for it to be just a hobby.

“Are these the people who hurt you?” he asked because there was no point in dodging questions when Jungkook had given them the opening.

“The creepy one is Sungho.” Jungkook said and Seokjin turned the first drawing to see if he got it right. Jungkook nodded and Seokjin handed the drawing to Yoongi so he could look again. “He’s my coworker. Creepy coworker. I ran into him the night – y’know… yeah.”

“You said you saw him under sun.” Yoongi said.

“I did.” Jungkook mumbled. “He was just gone for a month… he called the other guy –“ he nodded towards the paper in Seokjin’s hand, “ – He called him sire. So… I guess he got turned in the month he was missing.”

Seokjin furrowed his brows, eyes narrowing as he took in what Jungkook was saying. He looked back at the drawing in his hand with hand.

“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” He said gently and handed the paper to Yoongi. He ran his hand through Jungkook’s hair, holding back the urge to coo when Jungkook’s eyes fluttered shut. “Talking helps only when you’re ready.”

Jungkook hummed and then opened his eyes, shyly glancing towards Yoongi before licking his lips.

“Can I – Can I sit up now?” he murmured.

“Yes.” Yoongi replied with a faint smile, catching Seokjin’s eye for a moment before looking back at Jungkook even though the fledgling was avoiding both of their faces. “As long as you move slowly and carefully.”

Nobody mentioned anything as they helped Jungkook to sit up and then carefully, oh so carefully, helped him get back in Seokjin’s arms. He was more awkward this time but also so much cuter. Jungkook relaxed a lot more once he was nuzzling along Seokjin’s neck.

“I thought he was doing drugs.” He piped up suddenly with a snort, like it was a joke. “Sungho, I mean, and the people he was with. They were all pale and sickly looking, and Sungho definitely looked so much worse. They all had like bags under their eyes and their eyes were all red.”

Seokjin looked at Yoongi, their expressions matching each other. Now that Jungkook was content to just snuggle deeper into Seokjin he couldn’t see their faces, giving the two vampires a chance to communicate via expressions.

Pale was right but Seokjin wouldn’t necessarily describe vampires as sickly looking, not unless they were actually sick.

“Red eyes?” Seokjin asked with a gentle, curious voice. “Do you mean their eye color?”

“No no,” Jungkook shook his head. “They all had bloodshot eyes.”

Yoongi sat down, closer to them. Seokjin could practically hear him list through different possibilities. It would be hard to draw a conclusion without actually seeing it with tthemselves eyes but… sickly looking with bloodshot eyes… That didn’t sound like the description of a healthy vampire.

“By the way, why is Sungho a creep?” Yoongi said, lifting the drawing that was meant to be Sungho. “Aside from his very unfortunate face?”

“Because he is.” Jungkook said. “He kept trying to flirt with me and asking me out and stuff no matter how many times I said no. He’d like, corner me and stuff.”

“He does look like a creep.” Seokjin agreed. “Like someone who’d get reported to HR regularly.”

Jungkook snorted again, “You’re not wrong…” he trailed off and Seokjin could physically feel his good mood diminish. “I ran into him on my way home and he looked – wrong. Then I saw his friends and they all looked wrong too but… I just thought they were drug addicts not fucking vampires.”

Seokjin could hear the way Jungkook struggled to get the word out and how much he didn’t want to say it. He didn’t want to acknowledge it. If he did, well, it made everything real.

“He –“ Jungkook swallowed, his muscles starting to tense up. Seokjin kissed the top of his head for some semblance of comfort. This was the bad part. They all knew it was coming but it didn’t make it any easier. “He said I should go with them to drink but I said no. I tried to leave but he – I don’t know how to explain he like – put a hand on my neck and really insisted I should go with them and my whole body just – I just went blank.”

“What do you mean by blank, little one?” Yoongi asked gently. He brushed the back of his hands over Jungkook’s shin. Jungkook peeked from under Seokjin’s chin and licked his lips before hiding back into Seokjin’s neck.

“It felt like my brain completely shut down. I wasn’t thinking or doing anything, like I wasn’t in my body.” He started. “When Sungho told me to do something I’d do it but even then I wasn’t thinking, I wasn’t aware of what my body was doing… I – uh.” Jungkook licked his lips again. “Every now and then I felt like something was wrong though – I couldn’t do anything but I knew it was wrong. He told me he would take care of me and I believed him but I also knew that was – I knew that wasn’t right.”

Seokjin stared at Yoongi, his brows pinched together. Jungkook said this Sungho had been missing for a month and that he’d seen him under the sun before. That would make Sungho a fledgling as well – a fledgling that could thrall people?

That – that didn’t make any sense. Even Jimin and Taehyung still couldn’t even properly attempt to thrall someone. Nana, who was the oldest fledgling in Seoul at the moment, had a fifty-fifty success rate when it came to thrall.

A month old fledgling thralling someone? That was unheard of. That was impossible. Fledglings were just undead people at that mark.

“That sounds like a thrall.” Yoongi explained gently. Jungkook deserved explanations.

“A thrall?” Jungkook repeated, curling closer to Seokjin.

“Remember when you asked me if I was messing with your head the other day?” Seokjin started, waiting for Jungkook to nod. “Vampires have a few ways to control people. We can charm them or thrall them. A thrall is a very strong way of mind control.”

Jungkook paused. His heart was beating too fast.

“But you don’t use it on me.” Jungkook said.

“No, I do not.” Seokjin confirmed. “I never used any powers on you. What you’re describing however sounds like a thrall.”

“Anyway, he –“ Jungkook quickly started again and Seokjin and Yoongi both let him gloss over the fact that he’d be thralled. There was no need to distress him more. “He kept being weird like he was taking me out for a date. The others called him a creep though so I guess that’s something.”

“Man, imagine being called a creep by vampires.” Seokjin tried to joke despite knowing how fucked up it was that a group of vampires were calling Sungho a creep. That really spoke volumes on the type of bastard he was.

“They also called him pathetic.” Jungkook added. Seokjin could feel his little smile on his neck. “Um – we waited for a car, Sungho kept being weird, we got in the car and Sungho kept being weird again in the drive.”

“You remember what happened when you were thralled?” Yoongi asked with a tilt of his head.

“I mean – I guess?” Jungkook replied. “Am I not supposed to?”

“Not really.” Yoongi said. “But in this case it could just be a sign of Sungho not being strong enough to thrall perfectly.”

Jungkook looked at Yoongi and Seokjin and shook his head, “Jimin made me remember.” He pointed out.

“Yes, but that wouldn’t help with a thrall.” Seokjin said. “Jimin has fixed people’s memories before, people who had been thralled, and it’s more of a before and after effect. You remember what happened leading up to it, you know the feeling of it, you remember the after of it, but not during it.”

“Normally it would be a case of – I felt myself going blank, they took me somewhere, and then I woke up.” Yoongi tried to explain. “You remember what was being said, you remember Sungho still being creepy. You remember the small moments, you said you felt something was wrong.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“Not at all.” Yoongi said. “Just an observation.”

Jungkook nodded and leaned into Seokjin again, staring out the window.

“They took me to this building, the one you found me in.” he started again. “Sungho kept making me drink stuff. He’d tell me to and I’d do it.” He was mumbling now. “I didn’t it notice it at first but there were other people there. People like me. I don’t know what happened to them.”

“Hoseok found them.” Seokjin answered and said nothing else. Jungkook, either satisfied by that answer or aware of what he meant, just nodded.

“At one point I – “ He swallowed thickly. His heart was beating faster now. Seokjin hugged him closer. “Sungho kept making me drink stuff and I spilled some on my face and he – “ Jungkook breathed in. “ He licked it off my face.”

Jungkook’s voice came out in a shamed whisper. Seokjin hugged him like he could protect him from what had happened.

“It felt like everything stopped.” Jungkook sniffled a little. “Like, glass broke in my head. I could think again but I couldn’t control my body at all.”

Odd. That was odd. A thrall either took completely or it broke completely. There was no half-way about it. What Jungkook was describing was … it wasn’t supposed to happen.

Then again, so far Jungkook had described like three impossible things so maybe this was the reality Seokjin was living in now. Maybe pigs would start flying tomorrow.

“Oh – they kept saying blood bag.” Jungkook suddenly remembered. “I thought it was like, I don’t know, a weird drug term but uh… in hindsight it’s pretty obvious.”

“Then – “ Jungkook paused and nodded towards the papers. “The second guy came in.”

Jungkook had been uncomfortable explaining but now the poor thing was just terrified. His heart was beating like a hummingbird in his chest and his muscles were twitching.

“You can stop.” Seokjin said. “Don’t force yourself through it, little one.”

“No it’s fine I want to – I want to tell it.” Jungkook said. “Just – it’s hard.”

“We’re here.” Yoongi wrapped his fingers around Jungkook’s ankle, eyes softer than his voice. He shifted so he was sitting closer to them, creating a protective circle around Jungkook. “You’re safe now.”

“He looked at me and said I was pretty, that I was too pretty to be Sungho’s blood bag.” Jungkook mumbled. “They made fun of Sungho again, I guess he talked about me a lot? I don’t know they just – yeah. He said I was – too fancy of a dinner for Sungho.”

“And then Sungho tried to say it wasn’t like that, that he meant to do something else but they cut him off.” Jungkook licked his lips. “I guess he wanted to keep me or something, I don’t know. I don’t want to know either, but the sire got angry at that.”

“He – he kicked Sungho and then I could move again.” Jungkook said, breathing like he could physically feel it happening in that moment. “Then he, the sire, he just like – he just touched me once and I felt – I felt a bit like I was drunk.” A pause. “He told me he’d keep me safe and I believed him.”

“I did feel safe.” Jungkook mumbled. “He took me away from the rest and kept talking and it – it felt like we were just hanging out. I felt tipsy and just – everything he said made sense. But I felt like – like I wasn’t completely in control of my body. It wasn’t like – like what Sungho had done but it was – “ he shook his head. “I don’t know but he did something – I know he did.”

“That one sounds like a charm.” Seokjin said. “It’s another way of controlling people but it’s not as harsh as a thrall.”

“And you still remember it happening.” Yoongi tilted his head, eyes narrowed in thought. When Jungkook looked at him he nodded and explained, “With thrall there’s a before and after. With a charm however… you wouldn’t be able to remember it at all. You wouldn’t be able to know it happened in the first place. A charm is supposed to make you believe that whatever you’re being told to do is of your own accord. That it was your choice to do it, not something you were coerced into. Yet you’re telling us that you know he did something to you.”

Jungkook being able to remember through Sungho’s thrall made more sense, ignoring the impossibility of a fledgling being able to thrall at all. A weak vampire had a shoddy attempt at a thrall.

But Jungkook being able to tell that he’d been charmed, even if he lacked the knowledge and terms for it, when it had been done by a vampire old enough to sire?

Either the sire wasn’t as strong as they assumed or…

Seokjin adjusted his hold on Jungkook.

“I don’t get the difference between the two.” Jungkook said.

“A charm is harder to pull off.” Seokjin said. “It has a more delicate balance to it. A thrall doesn’t require the same finesse.”

“If a vampire thralls someone at a bar and takes them to a forest to drink their blood, their victim will remember being at the bar, feeling weird, and then coming to their senses at the forest once the thrall wears off.” Yoongi started. “If a vampire charms someone at the bar and takes them to a forest to drink their blood, their victim will believe they agreed to all of it even if they were brainwashed into doing it. You were aware of something being wrong both times.”

“And that’s… not normal.” Jungkook said.

“No, not at all.” Yoongi admitted. “I don’t necessarily think it means anything bad. Sungho and this sire might be weaker than we think. That’s a good sign.”

Jungkook nodded and remained silent. Yoongi and Seokjin let him digest it, exchanging a silent conversation through minimal facial expressions.

“He made me – “Jungkook started but chocked on the next word and oh. This was it. This was the bad part.

“I’m here.” Seokjin tried, knowing how little it would help. “I’m here, little one.”

“He kissed me.” Jungkook forced it out, trembling like a leaf in Seokjin’s arms now. “I didn’t – I didn’t really want to but he – I knew something was wrong but I couldn’t –“

Seokjin gently shushed him and smoothed a hand down Jungkook’s spine in hopes of calming him down. Yoongi shifted closer as well, one hand carefully cupping Jungkook’s face.

Jungkook swallowed thickly. He was breathing heavily now, trying to hold back from crying and Seokjin wanted to tell him that it was okay. He could cry. He deserved to cry.

“H- he told me – “ he sniffled, one hand fisting the front of Seokjin’s shirt. “That I should – I should just enjoy it.” Jungkook’ voice broke. “That’s what he said – he said – ‘You should enjoy this, you’ll feel good’.”

Stray tears were running down Jungkook’s cheeks no matter how much Yoongi thumbed them away. Jungkook’s nose were turning pink, his eyes red.

“A-a-and I knew that – that something was wrong but I couldn’t –“ he shook his head. “ – I couldn’t.”

Jungkook was trying to curl into himself, trying to hide deeper into Seokjin, trying to disappear. Seokjin let him. He held him tight like he could pull him inside his ribcage, keep him safe near his heart.

“He kept – he kept calling me sweet thing and just kept kissing me a-and – and touching and he made me –“ Jungkook shook his head. He didn’t have to say it, they understood it regardless. “H-he said he’d – that he’d keep me for himself and then –“

“Breathe, Jungkook-ah.” Yoongi said. His voice was gentle but it cut through Jungkook’s panic. “I need you to take deep breaths for me, little one.”

Jungkook looked at Yoongi with his tear-stained face and tried to do as he was asked. His breath was shaky and weak but Yoongi managed to get him to focus again.

Jungkook didn’t need this, not really. He was undead. He didn’t need to have a beating heart and lungs filled with air.

But Jungkook still functioned as a human, mostly, because he thought he had to, and so he needed human solutions.

“There you go.” Seokjin praised softly once Jungkook got his breathing back under control and away from an anxiety attack. “You did well, little one, just keep breathing like this. There you go, there you go.”

“He bit me then.” Jungkook said suddenly in a defeated voice. He stopped following Yoongi’s instructions and just made himself small between the two vampires. “It hurt – it hurt so bad.” He said and yeah – Seokjin had figured out that much considering the missing chunk of meat. “And whatever he did – the, the charm thing – it broke and I was me again, completely, but – I couldn’t do anything anyway. I tried –“

He stopped and glanced shyly at both of them.

“I tried to fight back.” He said, so small in Seokjin’s arms. “I really did – I tried.”

“I know you did, darling.” Seokjin tried to soothe him. “I know you did, you tried your best, I know.”

Jungkook looked at him for a moment, desperate, and nodded, comforted by Seokjin’s simple words. Poor thing needed all the reassurance he could get and Seokjin would give him the world.

“He – “ Jungkook face contorted in disgust and he touched his bandaged neck with a shaky hand. “He ate my neck.” He said. “He bit it off and he – he ate it.”

Yoongi closed his eyes to calm himself and – yeah. Yeah. Seokjin felt all that and more.

“T-then he –“ Jungkook swallowed again. “Guess he took pity and wanted me to – to die faster.” Jungkook’s voice cracked. “He put his hand – “ he touched his abdomen, wincing like he could feel it happen again. “His hand was in me, wrist-deep.”

Seokjin saw it coming. The moment Jungkook finally broke down for good. It was the way he parted his scarred lips, how his chest was filled with too much air. Everything came crashing down and Jungkook wrapped his arms around Seokjin’s shoulder.

“I died –“ he cried out. “They killed me – I died, I died, I- hyung they killed me – I didn’t wanna – I tried – I tried -“

All Seokjin could do was to hold Jungkook. What else could he do? He couldn’t take away the pain. He couldn’t bring him back to a proper, human life. If he could he would. In a heartbeat, he would give Jungkook his normal life back. But he couldn’t.

So he held him. He pulled him as close as he physically could and closed his eyes as sobs wrecked through Jungkook’s body. He held him like it was a promise, like it was a reminder. You’re not alone now. You’re not alone.

Jungkook died all alone. He died scared, confused, and in pain.

He had to know that he would never be alone again.

Jungkook was clutching to Seokjin in desperation, not knowing what to do with his hands, how to hold Seokjin. He just needed something solid to rely on, needed the reminder that he was safe.

Just two days ago Jungkook had been awkward about sitting on Seokjin’s lap. Now he was desperate to be held. He bumped his nose along Seokjin’s jawline, wrapped his arms around his shoulders. He tried anything to get as physically close to Seokjin as he could.

And once he found a position he deemed enough – Jungkook just wailed.

Seokjin closed his eyes, ignored the tight burn in his throat, and held Jungkook.

Time dragged on too slow. It was a torture in its own right to listen Jungkook cry so gutturally.

Jungkook sagged against Seokjin when he ran out of tears to cry. He was still shaking, his poor little heart beating against his chest. Yoongi and Seokjin both let the silence fill the room. There was nothing they could say that could help.

“I beat him up.”

Oh…. What?

“What?” Seokjin asked and opened his eyes, blinking at Yoongi.

“I beat him up.” Jungkook repeated and oh his throat was even worse now. It made Yoongi wince. “When I woke up.” He added. “I saw him there and just – saw red. So I beat him up.”

“You did?” Seokjin asked and tried to look at Jungkook even though the angle was impossible.

“I did.” Jungkook said. He sounded dead. Drained. Poor thing needed a good rest. “His face was all broken and swollen and bloody.”

“Good boy.” Seokjin said and squeezed Jungkook’s side.

A small sense of justice in the grand picture of things but it was something.

It did, however, raise yet another impossible question.

How did Jungkook beat up the sire moments after he was reborn. That was – that was losing a fist fight to baby. It didn’t matter how strong or weak the sire was, there was no way he would get his ass kicked by an infant.

Yoongi was clearly thinking the same thing because, aside from the swell of pride on his face, he also gave Seokjin this sideways glance.

“I lost when the other people got involved.” Jungkook said.

“Ah, they cheated.” Seokjin tried weakly to lighten mood as if a shitty joke could do anything against murder.

“Yeah… that’s when my hand got messed up.” Jungkook said. “One of them stepped on it when they were trying to get me down.”

Seokjin furrowed his brows at that but let it slide for now.

“He called me ungrateful.” Jungkook carried on, too emotionally drained to care anymore it seemed. “Said – ah, he should have kept me as a thrall whore or something. And then he –“ Jungkook paused and Seokjin could feel him wince. “He cut my mouth as punishment. Mouth, teeth… they were holding me down, I couldn’t do anything. And I was so tired – hyung I was so tired.”

“I know, little one.” Seokjin kissed the side of Jungkook’s head. He tried to ignore how his heart squeezed. Poor thing was just begging to be reassured, to be believed. Seokjin couldn’t even enjoy the fact that Jungkook was calling him hyung. “I know. You did all you could, I’m proud of you.”

“Then –“ he sighed, tired, “He kissed me again and said he didn’t want to see me and told them to take me to the basement. And then –“

Jungkook rubbed his nose along Seokjin’s neck and breathed out, somewhat relaxing.

“Then you guys found me.” He said, ending it like it was a story and not one of the most traumatic turning experiences Seokjin had ever heard of.

Seokjin pressed his nose against Jungkook’s hairline and breathed in deeply, pressing gentle kisses there. Jungkook let out the tiniest little chirp.

“Thank you for sharing this with us.” Seokjin whispered to Jungkook’s ear. “And I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

Jungkook just nuzzled into Seokjin’s neck with no intention of ever leaving. Good. Seokjin had no intention to let go of him either.

“You should finish your tea.” Yoongi finally decided to bring this late night – early morning at this point – to a somewhat normal level. “It’s still warm enough, it’ll be better for you to drink it now.”

Jungkook sat up a little, just enough to hold the mug and gulp down the tea. Seokjin wiped his face in between, his eyes focusing on the deep cuts on his lips every now and then.

Everything done to Jungkook had been done on purpose. Everything had been done to hurt him.

Seokjin would hurt them back.

Yoongi stood up and gave Seokjin a meaningful look.

“You should rest, little one.” Yoongi said as he gathered the kit, the empty mug, and the drawings along with the paper that had the address. “And promise me you won’t move too much, I don’t want to stitch you up every day.”

Jungkook gave a weak nod, almost shy, before hiding back into Seokjin. Yoongi cupped Jungkook’s head with one hand and smoothed his thumb over his cheek. Jungkook leaned into his touch momentarily before Yoongi pulled back.

“I’ll make broth tomorrow for your throat.” Yoongi promised. “Sleep well, little one.”

And with a final look at Seokjin, Yoongi silently left the room.

“You’ll – “Jungkook started shyly after a few minutes of comfortable silence, fingers absentmindedly playing with Seokjin’s shirt. “W-will you stay tonight?”

“Of course.” Seokjin answered brightly. He kissed the top of Jungkook’s head again. “How could I leave my little fledgling alone?”

“O-oh okay.” Jungkook nodded and there it was. The awkward Jungkook Seokjin was used to.

Used to. It’d been barely three days since Jungkook woke up. It felt longer than that though.

“You don’t – you don’t have to.” Jungkook added.

“But I want to.” Seokjin replied and then grinned when Jungkook squeaked. Not a vampire squeak but a Jungkook squeak. “You seem a little better.”

“Saying everything out loud felt – I don’t know.” Jungkook shrugged. “I don’t know how I’m feeling.”

“That’s perfectly fine, little one.” Seokjin said. “You’ve barely had time to process and we keep telling you more complicated things.”

“I wanted to kill him.”

Well that was a topic change.

“When I woke up and saw him there – I wanted to kill him.” Jungkook said, afraid. “I wanted to get even for what he did to me… I don’t – I don’t want that. I don’t want to be like that.”

“For what’s it worth I think it’s completely valid to want to kill the person who killed you.” Seokjin tried to lighten the mood a little. But Seokjin hadn’t been human in many centuries, his take on death wasn’t the same as Jungkook.

“Is – it being a vampire like that?” Jungkook asked. “Violent?”

Oh boy.

“It doesn’t have to be.” Seokjin said. “You aren’t a blood hungry murder machine just because your instincts wanted revenge on the person who killed you. You can have a peaceful life too.”

“… There was so much blood.” Jungkook said. “I didn’t know there could be so much blood in a person.”

Jungkook needed to talk himself through it, Seokjin knew this. Speak it out with his own mouth and accept what he’d been through, try to understand the severe trauma he’d been forced to survive. It didn’t make it easy to listen but it was the least Seokjin could do.

Every few minutes Jungkook would pipe up with another small detail. The blood, the smell, the music in the background, his missing backpack. It painted a sad picture.

“Jungkook-ah, if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?”

Seokjin wasn’t entirely sure why he was asking it. Maybe because Jungkook had spent so long talking that he had to even it. Maybe because Seokjin wanted to ask a normal question.

“Ah, I’m twenty.” Jungkook answered. “My birthday is September first.”

Twenty. Just twenty years old. Fucking hell.

Such a short life, such a macabre death.

“You got a young face.” Seokjin said instead. It was true. He was very round. Big eyes, big nose, completely adorable.

“How old are you?” Jungkook asked.

“Old.” Was all Seokjin said. He knew what type of existential crisis his age induced on people. He wasn’t about to let his already traumatized fledgling go through that.

“Like… eighty?”

Oh. Oh this one was going to his death.

“Sure, I was eighty once.” Seokjin smiled and then grinned even wider when Jungkook got out from his hiding spot and stared at Seokjin’s face.

“You don’t look old though.” Jungkook said, inspecting Seokjin’s face. His eyes flickered over Seokjin’s eyes and his forehead and his cheeks, pausing momentarily on his lips before looking out the window. He wasn’t very subtle about that but Seokjin let it slide.

“I have the perfect vampiric face care routine.” Seokjin joked and Jungkook actually smiled. It was small but still, a smile was a smile! Seokjin didn’t want Jungkook to go to sleep upset.

Jungkook looked back at him, shy but capable of keeping eye contact for more than a few seconds. His eyes trailed down to Seokjin’s chest and he raised a trembling hand. He had to ask Yoongi about that later.

Gently, Jungkook placed his palm on Seokjin’s chest, over his beating heart.

“It’s – can you really control it?” he asked. “Start and stop it?”

“Yes. Would you like me to show you?” Seokjin asked, endeared by Jungkook’s curiosity.

Jungkook nodded and Seokjin nodded back. He breathed in deeply and slowly concentrated his focus on his body. When he exhaled there was nothing left. No heartbeat, no breathing.

Jungkook’s brows pulled together and he shook his head.

“I don’t like it.” He said but didn’t pull his hand. “You feel – I don’t like it.”

Seokjin inhaled and reset his body. Jungkook went slack jawed when he felt Seokjin’s heart under his palm again. Jungkook’s eyes trailed around Seokjin’s body like he was trying to map out the path of his veins, trying to follow the blood and make sure Seokjin was actually beating.

His eyes, inevitably, ended on Seokjin’s neck.

“Well, it’s time I feed you little one.” Seokjin said and tipped his head. Jungkook’s was so focused on him, it was adorable. Seokjin cut his neck, clean and surgical, and watched as Jungkook’s eyes turned a weak brownish red color and he just threw himself at Seokjin.

“Easy, easy.” Seokjin caught Jungkook by his waist. “Food isn’t running away.”

Jungkook was trying to latch properly onto his neck. His instincts were guiding him better today but there wasn’t anything Jungkook could actually do without having fangs. He made a few annoyed noises that only calmed down when Seokjin ran his hand down his spine.

Even with the lack of fangs Jungkook was doing a splendid job figuring out how to feed. It took time to really get used to it and he was happy to see that just three days in Jungkook was already doing much better than his very first feeding.

Jungkook relaxed as his initial hunger passed, now drinking lazily, his lips closed around the cut on Seokjin’s neck, his tongue pressing over it. A few drops of blood spilled here and there but Seokjin had expected that. He was just happy that Jungkook found comfort in this.

Seokjin stared at the wall ahead.

There were so many things in Jungkook’s story that didn’t add up. Sungho was missing for a month but he could thrall. Jungkook remembered both the thrall and the charm. Jungkook had somehow fought back after being turned.

Of course, it was possible that Jungkook was remembering it wrong. Jimin fixed people’s minds but he didn’t change what a person thought they saw. A pile of clothes could look like a person in the darkness.

But if Jungkook was remembering it all correctly… These were concerning revelations.

The only one Seokjin could maybe explain would be Jungkook fighting after being turned. It wouldn’t be impossible for an infant to get hit by blood frenzy. Adding in how traumatic everything had been for Jungkook, it would make sense for him to get an adrenaline rush of sorts to push him through.

Still, it didn’t mean that Jungkook would be strong enough to fight a vampire old enough to sire. There were too many mysteries around this coven and their sire and Seokjin didn’t like any of it.

At least it gave them a time frame to work with.  Jungkook lapped greedily at Seokjin’s neck.

“Hob-ah?” Seokjin whispered.

“Yeah?”

“Were you listening?”

“Yes. The kids are still asleep.”

“Call people, search for missing people cases from a month ago from the day we found Jungkook. See what they find. Find more about Sungho, he worked with Jungkook, there should be paper trails.”

“On it.”

One month. This sire had been in Seokjin’s territory for one month at least. Seokjin did not enjoy being disrespected.

Jungkook eventually passed out in his arms, curled into a small little ball, but not before licking over the cut in an attempt to heal it. He was too stinking cute.

Seokjin could just lay them both down but he wanted to enjoy holding him like this. It was likely that Jungkook would go back to being too awkward to openly ask for touches like this come tomorrow and he wanted to soak it up while he could.

So he sat there, Jungkook snoring lightly in his sleep. The windows tinted black before the early morning sun could rise.

His phone vibrated on the bedside table. It was a simple text from Namjoon.

Got one.

Chapter Text

Yoongi forced down the yawn building in his chest. He didn’t sleep at all and he wasn’t in the mood to be lectured by Seokjin about his lack of proper sleep schedule, especially when the man was right about it.

It wasn’t like he’d stayed up for the hell of it. He did work. He read books. He was certain he found some medicine that could help Jungkook.

“I’m not saying anything.” Seokjin said.

“I’m thankful for it, hyung.” Yoongi replied.

“But you should know that I’m thinking it.” Seokjin said.

“I assumed you were, hyung.” Yoongi replied.

“Good. You should know my thoughts and feelings on important matters. It’s the foundation of a healthy relationship.”

“I know, hyung.”

“Yoongichi, your unhealthy relationship with your sleep schedule worries me. You can always come talk to me about it.”

“I don’t have an unhealthy relationship with my sleep schedule, hyung.”

“Did you sleep at all?”

“Yes, I actually did.”

“Was it more than ten minutes on an actual bed instead of my office chair?”

“Your original question didn’t include time and place specifications.”

“I can look into couple’s therapy for you and your sleep schedule. Hyung wants you to have a happy, healthy relationship with it.”

“I don’t have a sleep schedule.”

Seokjin gasped, “You two broke up.”

“Hyung.” Yoongi finally pressed his forehead against Seokjin’s arm in defeat. “I didn’t sleep enough.”

“The first step of healing is acceptance, hyung is very proud of you.”

“Fuck off.”

Seokjin chuckled heartily and wrapped one arm around Yoongi’s shoulders. They could keep this nonsense conversation going for hours but Yoongi actually was tired and it was too early.

“The elevator ride is long,” Seokjin pointed out. “Get some shut eye until we make it.”

Yoongi glanced at the elevator doors and then looked sideways at which floor they were going down. Seokjin was right. It was a long ride down.

The elevator worked so smooth that it almost felt like it wasn’t moving at all. Back when it had been first opened for public-vampire use it used to give Yoongi claustrophobia. It had reminded Yoongi of coffins – small and underground. It still did remind Yoongi of coffins but at least he wasn’t afraid of riding it anymore.

He must have actually passed out for a bit because Yoongi jolted when Seokjin kissed the top of his head.

“Five floors for you to look presentable.” Seokjin teased.

“I’m always presentable.” Yoongi grumbled. Still, he ran his hand through his hair to make sure it was good. Dressing in all black had its perks.

The elevator stopped with a barely noticeable hum and its doors opened unceremoniously.

Seoul wasn’t a big city. It wasn’t the smallest either. Despite its size, their beloved Seoul managed to keep secrets.

The Underground was one of them. It was an old building, reminiscent of cathedrals. High ceilings, wide rooms, hallways that snaked on for forever. An upside down version of Seoul above them.

It was fixed every few decades to make sure it was still safe. In fact if Yoongi’s memory was right it was due a restoration in a handful years. Despite all these restorations its design had barely changed from its origins. Better material was added and some decoration had been updated but it kept its classic vibe.

The Underground was as old as Seoul itself, it had grown along with the humanity living above it, a mirror image of the city.

Yoongi had the honor of being loved by the man who created it.

It was busier in here after the recent events. Aside from people who worked here there were the newly added vampires who’d taken refuge in The Underground to live safely until their pest problem was solved.

It was crowded on a good day, now it was a controlled chaos of people walking in all directions trying to reach their destinations.

Lucky for Yoongi, he was with Seokjin.

If he was being honest, Yoongi usually forgot who Seokjin was. To him Seokjin was just – he was some guy he had the misfortune of falling in love with some hundred years ago. Seokjin was a guy who made puns and screamed a lot. He was an inhumanly handsome man with a bright face and a bright heart, hard-working and caring, and usually just wore pajamas whenever he didn’t have to see people.

People parted for them like the red sea, either standing still and bowing respectfully or taking a chance to take a peek at the vampire.

Seokjin wasn’t just some guy Yoongi fell in love with. Sometimes it took moments like these to remember exactly who he was and what kind of power he had.

Walking a step behind Seokjin on his right hand side, Yoongi had to work hard to hold back his proud smile.

It didn’t take long before they were surrounded by a few of Seokjin’s assistant who each carried thick files. Yoongi didn’t have the luxury of tuning out what they were saying lest there was something important.

They’d reduced the number of missing person cases they had to sort through. There were more bread crumbs about where this coven had previously been before abandoning the last building. They had received a number of files from the coroner regarding the human victims – that was for Yoongi – but still no leads regarding their identity just yet.

“Have you received any new information about the dead vampires?” Yoongi spoke up then.

The assistant simultaneously flipped through the dozens of papers they had without missing a single step.

“No, sir.” Replied one of them. “They are still being, uh, tested.”

It was a kinder way of saying they were currently being dissected in some morgue but Yoongi appreciated the sentiment. In any case knowing that they were still being tested was answer enough in its own way. If it was taking this long to come up with a direct reason then it wasn’t something simple. It ruled out a lot of options on its own. Still, Yoongi would have to wait for an official report before making any assumptions.

Sometimes Yoongi forgot just how big The Underground actually was. Then he had to walk in it. He couldn’t even complain about its size knowing it was actually a bit smaller than it was supposed to. Vampire population was growing but you could only expand buildings underground at a small pace unless you wanted the city above to come crashing down.

It had been some time since Yoongi had last been to the interrogation rooms. It wasn’t his place unless he was specifically called in by someone.

Namjoon was waiting for them by the main doorway to the interrogation rooms, a lazy smile on his face.

“Good morning.” He said and opened the door like the gentleman he was. “One of you will get me breakfast.”

“I’m sure hyung will be happy to.” Yoongi said.

Seokjin rolled his eyes but didn’t reply because they all knew Yoongi was right. Namjoon led them down the corridor to a specific observation room. It was a little crowded with all three of them and all of Seokjin’s assistants but Yoongi had more important matters at hand.

“She’s a fledgling.” Namjoon crossed his arms. “Fell asleep the second sun started to rise. Slept through the whole day, woke up a few minutes ago.”

“I’m assuming that means you didn’t get her to speak?” Seokjin asked, head tilted as they looked through the one-sided glass panel.

“I learned she’s not a sleep-talker.” Namjoon replied.

“Get some blood bags here.” Yoongi said over his shoulder to the assistants. “Everything I requested is here, right?”

“Yeah, here.” Namjoon handed over Yoongi’s little bag. “You didn’t ask for much.”

“I’m a simple man.”

Seokjin nodded and then looked at his assistants, the ones who didn’t leave to get blood bags, “Take note of everything she says, I want a detailed transcript.”

“Yes, sir.”

Yoongi didn’t do interrogations. He wasn’t built for it, he didn’t have the qualifications for it, nor did he particularly enjoy it. It was part of Namjoon’s job and something Seokjin was good at from sheer intimidation factor.

Yoongi had the feeling that this wasn’t necessarily going to be an interrogation.

The girl looked young. Too young, almost, she must be barely twenty at best. Her bird’s nest of a blonde hair was the result of a real bad dye-job, patchy and wildly off color in places. She had fresh bruises and cuts on her pale skin. She was skinny. Too skinny, in fact. Too skinny for a vampire and for a human.

She was sitting in the middle of the room with her hands cuffed to the chair, dozing off. It was still too early for her to be awake – she was a very young fledgling.

Seokjin pulled a chair for himself and the noise woke her up. Her confusion immediately turned into panic and she jumped in her seat, almost falling sideways with her chain.

Now that she was looking up Yoongi could see how her cheeks were sunken in. She had deep dark bags under her bloodshot eyes. Her skin was too thin.

She was severely malnourished.

Seokjin sat down opposite from her, Namjoon and Yoongi standing beside him. There was only a small table to the side, nothing directly between them.

She was breathing heavily, her heart beating fast. That was a human reaction. She was so young, she couldn’t be all that much older than Jungkook. She still had that smell of death lingering on her.

Sungho had been missing for a month. This girl was clearly not much older. What kind of sire would let their infant fledglings out to the world?

“What’s your name?”

Seokjin’s voice wasn’t cold but it was definitely a far cry from his easy-going personality. This was his business voice.

The girl eyed all of them, shaky eyes flitting from one to the other. Sizing them up and knowing she couldn’t fight her way out.

“E-Eunjoo.” She said meekly. “My name is Eunjoo.”

“How old are you, Eunjoo?” Seokjin asked with the same voice, his face unreadable.

“I’m – I’m nineteen.” She mumbled, looking at the ground rather than them.

So young. Eunjoo and Jungkook both, they were so young.

“Do you know who I am?” Seokjin asked and Yoongi glanced towards him.

The girl looked at him at the question, searching Seokjin’s face for an answer she couldn’t give. She shook her head and looked back down at the floor. Her shoulders were all the way up to her ears, her muscles tight. She was trying to make herself smaller, less threatening. It was cute in its own way that she thought she was in any shape a threat to them.

“Do you know why you’re here?” Seokjin asked this time.

Eunjoo shook her head again.

“Did you attack another vampire last night?” Seokjin prodded and Eunjoo froze. She opened and closed her mouth a few times before shaking her head a little.

“I didn’t – I didn’t know she was a vampire.” She mumbled.

Seokjin hummed.

“How long have you been a vampire, Eunjoo?” he asked.

Eunjoo screwed her face and shook her head a little, “I wasn’t counting. Time’s all weird now.”

“If you had to make a guess?”

“Um – I don’t know maybe – “ she shook her head again, “ – maybe like, like fifteen days or something?”

Fifteen days… what the fuck was going on here…

“And why did you attack her?”

Eunjoo looked up at that, her brows pulled together in confusion, like she was trying to see if this was a trick question or not.

“T-to … to feed?” she answered.

“Does your sire not feed you?” Seokjin tilted his head, eyes narrowed.

Confusion painted Eunjoo’s face, “Why would he? We’re supposed to – we’re supposed hunt for ourselves.”

Yoongi was grateful for having a resting bitch for a few couple hundreds of years because otherwise he might have gawked at what she said. Fledglings hunting to feed themselves? No wonder Eunjoo was so skinny, so malnourished.

There wasn’t a law for what Jungkook had specifically been through – being tortured moments after his rebirth because no vampire would ever dare – but what Eunjoo said alone was a strong case for fledgling mistreatment. It hadn’t even been five minutes yet.

“Have you always hunted for yourself?” Seokjin asked. “Did your sire ever feed you aside from when you turned?”

Eunjoo paused, biting on her bottom lip. Shitty or not, he was still her sire at the end of the day, she would be feeling protective over him in her own little fledgling way. She was smart enough to know that Seokjin was asking specific question – and her lack of reaction right now gave a clear answer.

Seokjin leaned his forearms on his thighs, watching Eunjoo. It was silent save for the rapid beating of Eunjoo’s heart. It dragged on and on until Eunjoo shook her head.

“N-no but the others they – “ she licked her lips, “ – they like give me leftovers from their hunts so – y’know –“

Huh, there was a sense of community in this coven then.

“I see.” Seokjin said and leaned back. “Did your sire teach you how to hunt?”

“No we – we have to learn on our own.” She mumbled but there was something defiant in her voice now. “So we can be strong. I hunted before on my own and I got one.”

If the situation wasn’t what it was, Yoongi would have smiled at her. Little bat trying to be threatening. Like a puppy growling at a wolf.

“Your sire must have been proud.” Seokjin said. “Did he give you a gift for hunting successfully?”

What little bravado Eunjoo had disappeared.

“You must have worked hard for your hunt, surely he acknowledged it?” Seokjin tried this time.

It was mean. Yoongi knew it, Namjoon knew it, Seokjin knew it. It was manipulative and low-handed but it was needed. They could see that her treatment was abuse, she had no idea.

She gave a one shouldered shrug, “He – he didn’t.” she said, silent and upset but then shook her head, “But it’s not like he should congratulate us for things everyone should do, like – you don’t, you don’t say good job every time you flush the toilet.”

She knew it was a weak argument but they let her have it. It wouldn’t matter by the end of this conversation – because it really wasn’t an interrogation, not when their suspect was a victim herself.

“Good job.” Seokjin said, a faint smile on his lips that was gone the very next moment. “This is Min Yoongi. He’s a doctor. He will be treating you.”

He spoke in a voice that left no room for argument. Not that Eunjoo would argue with it, poor thing looked like she was about to pass out from fear.

Yoongi walked up to her and put his bag on the table. At a first glance she didn’t have anything too serious, the claw cuts were already healing on their own but Yoongi could tell Nana hadn’t retaliated in full power. She may be a fledgling still for a few more years but Nana was stronger than most.

Even if the wounds weren’t too serious, Eunjoo said she was only fifteen days old. Even if she was wrong about the exact date, adding or subtracting a few days would still make her less than a month old. The first month was dangerous.

There was a bite mark on her neck, still in the process of healing. Her sire clearly didn’t care to bite gently. That seemed to be a recurring theme.

“Promise it won’t hurt.” He said kindly but he supposed Eunjoo wouldn’t relax even if he was at his sweetest.

Yoongi opened his bag, took out his kit, and worked on the cuts first. Only one of the cuts needed a more thorough inspection but all in all she only needed simple patching up. Yoongi eyed the colorful bruises littered across her skin. They ranged from black-purples to sickly yellows.

“Have you always bruised easily?” he asked casually.

“I don’t know…” Eunjoo mumbled.

“That’s alright.” Yoongi replied. “Are you in pain in anywhere specific?”

Eunjoo glanced at him and then away. That was a yes. She was just contemplating whether to tell him or not – so it was probably somewhere under her clothes.

“My – on my ribcage.” She muttered, defiantly staring at the wall. “I got hit.”

“Would you mind if I take a look?” Yoongi asked. Eunjoo glanced at him and then towards Namjoon and Seokjin. The two vampires politely looked away. “Well, can I now?”

She looked at Yoongi again before looking at the floor, “My hands are tied. I can’t show it to you.”

It was a blatant attempt and Eunjoo knew it herself too but Yoongi appreciated the cheekiness.

“Luckily I have my both hands.” Yoongi said. “Which side?”

Eunjoo rolled her eyes but mumbled, “Left.”

Yoongi carefully pushed her shirt up, doing his best to make sure she wasn’t uncomfortable by his touch. The longer he looked the clearer it became just how unhealthy this infant was. Her skin wasn’t just pale; it had a sick, thin quality to it. Her ribs were showing uncomfortably against her skin. This poor thing was so malnourished.

The bruise on her rib was nasty. Nana had landed a good punch there, Yoongi could make out where her knuckles had hit. It was swollen, too, and when he touched gently he could feel two of her ribs were cracked.

There wasn’t anything he could do in that moment, she would have to be taken to a proper hospital with doctors that specialized in this but Yoongi wasn’t about to let her sit in pain either. He touched over the bruise and focused on the skin, almost feeling the pain of it himself, before he numbed the entire left side of her chest. Eunjoo breathed easier. It would last until they got her actual treatment.

“That’s better.” Yoongi said and pulled her shirt down. “She will need proper treatment.” He said over his shoulder and caught Namjoon’s eyes and mouthed blood bags. Namjoon nodded and left the room quickly, returning not even ten seconds later.

“I need to check a few other things.” Yoongi said. “Can you open your mouth for me?”

Eunjoo shifted uncomfortable in the chair, lightly tugging on the handcuffs, her mouth pressed together. It was an understandable reaction.

“I’m just going to take a look.” Yoongi promised. Eunjoo shifted a little more, her eyes darting between Yoongi, Seokjin and Namjoon.

“Fine but –“ she licked her lips, looking down. “I didn’t get to brush my teeth.”

“That’s fine.” Yoongi said. “I’m not a dentist.”

He wasn’t sure if that was comforting or not but it didn’t matter much. Eunjoo didn’t really have a choice here, she knew that. Her only options were to cooperate or Yoongi would get a look into her mouth anyway.

She licked her lips again but sighed and opened her mouth. Ah. That’s what she’d meant when she said she didn’t brush her teeth – Yoongi was pretty sure he was looking at human skin caught between some of her teeth at the back. It was the least disgusting thing Yoongi had seen in his life.

“Can you show me your fangs?” Yoongi said.

Eunjoo shifted uncomfortably again but closed her eyes.

Yoongi watched as two pointed tips slowly emerged from the slits on Eunjoo’s upper gums. They were long and white, sharp, strong. Eunjoo’s fangs were nothing like the brittle, almost translucent baby teeth infants had.

These were fully formed adult fangs. These were the fangs of a vampire that was a couple hundred years old.

Eunjoo was fifteen days old.

Sungho could thrall, Jungkook had fought his sire moments after his death, Eunjoo had adult fangs… not a single thing in this case made any sense – this wasn’t possible. For everything else Yoongi could try to find a sensible reason. Maybe Sungho just had a knack for thrall, maybe rebirth had pumped Jungkook’s body with adrenaline –

There was no explanation for Eunjoo to have adult fangs.

“You can shut your mouth now.” Yoongi said instead of throwing his hands in the air. “I’m going to draw blood now for testing, I promise it won’t hurt.”

“W-why?” Eunjoo snapped her mouth and looked at Yoongi with wide eyes. Nineteen years old, malnourished, fangs of a vampire hundreds of years old. Yoongi’s heart ached for the poor thing.

“To make sure you’re healthy.” Yoongi replied easily and made way to his bag. “You won’t feel it at all, it won’t even take a minute.”

Yoongi liked to work quickly to lessen the fear factor. Nobody liked being poked and prodded even if it was with good intentions. Yoongi had quick, soft hands and a fitting power for his profession gifted to him.

Eunjoo turned her head to the side, her body twisting away from Yoongi as he tried to avoid seeing what he was doing. Nineteen years old. Yoongi tied the tourniquet and disinfected the skin with alcohol. At least her veins were highly visible, it made his job easier.

Yoongi pressed his thumb right on the vein he chose until he had it entirely numbed under his touch. It was a quick work after that: insert the needle and draw blood. He put a pink band-aid on the spot when he was done cleaning it afterwards.

“There we go.” He said as he carefully took the vial of blood and put it into his bag. He put the used medical instruments into a small plastic bag to dispose of.

Eunjoo risked taking a peak, not believing what she was being told, only to relax when she saw that Yoongi was telling the truth. She kept looking at the pink band-aid like she was fascinated by it.

“Your results will come in a day or two.” Yoongi said as he gathered everything and went back to stand next to Seokjin.

Eunjoo just nodded, glancing down at the pink band-aid again before looking at the three of them.

“Can I – can I go now?” she asked, sounding so much like the child she was.

“Unfortunately, no.” Seokjin said. Yoongi wondered if Seokjin had ever thought that he would have be play a kind cop today rather than his usual Terrifying Cold Cop routine. “But you already knew that.”

Eunjoo bit her lip, “A-am I in trouble?”

“Depends.” Namjoon finally spoke up. He didn’t sound as kind as Seokjin did but he wasn’t rude either. “If you’re willing to cooperate than we can arrange something.”

“I don’t even know why I’m here.” Eunjoo pulled on the hand cuffs in frustration. “I just hunted! I’m a vampire, that’s – that’s what we do we hunt for food!”

“You learned that in fifteen days?” Seokjin asked.

Eunjoo paused, her mouth opening as she tried to come up with an answer. When Eunjoo failed to do anything other than a rather impressive fish impression, Seokjin laced his fingers together and crossed his legs.

“There are rules.” Seokjin said. “It’s a polite society after all, we all have rules and laws we must abide by. Tell me, did your sire teach you any of that? Did he tell you that there were rules?”

“He – “ she looked down at her feet. “I mean we have – he told us a few rules. Like – like we have to behave and we – we listen to what he says but… “ she glanced up for a moment to look at them and added in a small voice, “I didn’t know there were other vampires.”

Yoongi raised a brow, “At all?”

She shook her head.

“Eunjoo.” Seokjin said. “What did your sire tell you? He must have taught your and the rest of your coven something?”

“That we behave and we respect him and we do what he says –“ she repeated herself in a mumble and then breathed in deeply, like she knew what she was about to say would get her in trouble. “He said – he said we can do whatever. He said – I don’t know like we can just take anything and do anything. That we would be rich and stuff.”

“The vampire you attacked last night was the fledgling of a friend.” Seokjin said, a little colder now. Eunjoo’s eyes opened wider. “Attacking a fledgling is a criminal offense with severe punishments.”

For an adult vampire. She didn’t need to know that though.

“Look he never – he never mentioned any other vampires, alright?” she tried to stand up a little, holding onto the arm rests for her dear life, her breathing quickening. “He just told us to hunt for ourselves and that – that we can do whatever we want because we’re vampires and that’s it. I didn’t know there were other vampires! I didn’t know there was a law! I wouldn’t have –“ she shook her head, her eyes were teary. “I didn’t know – he told us we would be powerful, that’s all.”

“I believe you.” Seokjin said and Eunjoo seemed shocked. Seokjin nodded, “If you answer a few questions and help us then I can make sure you won’t be punished so severely.”

She wouldn’t be punished anyway. She was a fledgling, days old. The worst thing law could do to her was to put her on time out.

Eunjoo didn’t know that.

But still, she was a fledgling, and fledglings didn’t give up on their sire so easily. It was clear on her face how Eunjoo was struggling with what Seokjin told her. Consequences of her actions versus her loyalty to her sire – that wasn’t a simple bond, no matter how shit the sire might be.

“What’s your sire’s name?” Seokjin asked when the silence dragged on for too long.

“I don’t know.” Eunjoo mumbled. “We call him Sire, that’s it. He told us to call him just that.”

He was actively distancing himself from his fledglings, putting himself in a ruler position rather than a caretaker. No wonder they were out in the streets just days old.

“Alright.” Seokjin said and his expression softened. “Eunjoo, you know your sire better than I do. Tell me, honestly, do you think he will come rescue you from us? Take you back to the safety of your coven? Do you think he will treat your injuries?”

Eunjoo paused, her eyes growing big and tearful. It was mean to taunt a fledgling – an infant – by dangling the mistreatment of her sire in front of her face but the sooner they got her to realize she wasn’t being treated well the better.

Slowly, Eunjoo shook her head.

“Your coven left an abandoned building a few days ago.” Seokjin said. “You guys were clearly in a rush. What happened?”

Eunjoo sniffled a little and then cleared her throat, “There was – we had an emergency.” She said. “We had to go.”

“What was the emergency?” Namjoon asked. Yoongi wondered if he enjoyed not having to do interrogation by himself.

“Sire – he’d –“ she paused. Then she sighed. “We were there for a few days and Sire told us to – to prove ourselves and bring back blood bags – I mean –“

“Humans.” Yoongi finished for her.

“Y-yeah. Yeah.” She nodded. Her voice was shaky. “I didn’t – I didn’t catch anyone and I could! I could have!” she sat straight. Poor thing didn’t even realize she shouldn’t have had to hunt at all.

“I’m sure you could have.” Seokjin responded, kindly. A shy smile blossomed on her face and wasn’t that pitiful? That she was so desperate to receive any type validation, any kind of praise, that she was happy to get it from a vampire she’d met just minutes ago?  Seokjin hadn’t even said anything that special. It was just another thing to add her to case file. “Did everyone else all catch one?”

“No, it was like five of us or something, I wasn’t counting.  Majority didn’t get one.” She said. “But I could have! I really could have but we ran out of time!” she pouted. “Anyway we were waiting for the car and uh – this one guy got himself one the last minute and uh…”

“What’s his name?” Seokjin asked.

“Sungho.” Eunjoo said and made a face. “He’s creepy, I don’t like him.”

Yoongi couldn’t help but snort. There was a running theme here.

“Why is he creepy?” Namjoon asked. They knew the answers but it was needed to be written down. They needed a confession.

“He was like this older guy and he was – he was already there when I was – when I was brought in –“ Yoongi raised a brow at the way her voice wavered at the end, “ – but he always talked about this guy at his work that he was flirting with and stuff but it was all he would talk about like. No good morning or how was your day, he would only talk about this dude, it was so creepy. He’s like obsessed with him or something.”

“And he managed to catch him that night. I don’t know the guy’s name, I never paid attention when Sungho talked, I try to avoid him.” She said. “And he was like –“ she made a face, “ He like brainwashed him but kept talking to that guy like he was aware of what was happening like they were going on a date or something. It was so weird. He kept touching him weird and stuff.”

Hearing this story from Jungkook’s perspective had been rage inducing itself but hearing Eunjoo confirm just how much of a creep Sungho was – Yoongi took in a deep breathe, set his heart in motion just to have something to focus on. Getting angry here wouldn’t do anything.

“What happened when you were back at the building then?” Seokjin asked this time, poker face impeccable.

“Um we were all drinking and stuff.” She started. She sounded like the teenager she was now that she could talk freely, not some violent, frenzied murderer. “And Sungho was still being really creepy with that guy and like – I was trying to get someone to share their blood bag with me but then Sire came in and decided he wanted Sungho’s guy for himself.”

“Does he take from you usually?” Namjoon asked.

“Yeah, usually.” Eunjoo nodded. “We go hunt and if we hunt a really good one then he takes it.”

Yoongi narrowed his eyes. It was becoming clearer that Eunjoo, and probably the rest of the coven, were being trained into not seeing their victims as people but as things. Blood bags. The sire was training a degree of separation. Easier to do dirty work if you didn’t think about how horrific it was.

“Does he not hunt himself?” Yoongi asked. “Did he ever join you or others on a hunt?”

“Oh – um, I don’t know?” she replied. “I focused on feeding myself so I didn’t pay attention… “ she paused and made a face. “But I mean – he must be hunting, right? Because he told us strong vampires hunt so – and he has to eat too.”

“He must be.” Seokjin said but they knew better than that. No sire would take food from their fledgling. “What happened after your Sire took the person away from Sungho?”

“Um – well Sire kicked Sungho so it broke his thrall from that guy.” Eunjoo said and then pouted. “And um, that guy seemed scared for a moment but then he and Sire looked like they were getting along, they were talking and drinking together and stuff. Sire told us not to bother him.” She paused, embarrassed, and added in a mumble, “They uh – they like – um – they kinda had sex.”

Eunjoo didn’t know that Jungkook had been charmed, then. To her everything had seemed consensual. Would she have tried to help if she knew? Would she go against her sire? But then again it wasn’t shocking that she didn’t notice. Fifteen days old – she probably didn’t know the difference between a thrall and a charm.

“And Sungho was like super pissy about it and we kept making fun of him.” Eunjoo carried on. “And then – then Sire killed that guy and turned him and then it all just – “she paused. “It happened so fast.”

“How did he kill that person?” Seokjin asked, emotionless.

Eunjoo froze, what little confidence she’d gained over the last few moments disappearing. She looked down again and shook her head.

“I wasn’t paying attention they were – they were having sex.” She mumbled. “But I think he stabbed him or something to make it quick.”

Yoongi was always so fascinated by the bond between a sire and a fledgling. They already knew what Jungkook had been through, they heard the story from him first hand. But Eunjoo’s version almost sounded like it was being told through rose-colored glasses. There was no charming, no coercing, no awful death.

For her – they had sex and then her sire was kind enough to quicken Jungkook’s death.

“Sire turned him and then he – the guy came back to life and he just attacked Sire.” She said, shaking her head. “It was so scary, I thought he was going to kill Sire.”

He would have, probably, if he hadn’t been outnumbered.

“We – we pulled him off of Sire and then Sire punished him.” Eunjoo kept going, her voice silent now. “Then he told us to take him to the basement… his face was really bad and he was really angry the whole night he kept yelling at us – he beat up Sungho for bringing in that guy.“ she made a face, remembering it, “He made us leave the building after that, suddenly.”

Weak. The sire was weak and scared.

“What happened to the person you took the basement?” Namjoon asked.

“He – he probably died.” Eunjoo mumbled.

He would have. Just a few hours and he would have died.

“And where are you located right now?” Seokjin asked.

Eunjoo shut her mouth and blinked. Yoongi pitied the girl, it must be awful to deal with a tug of war in her head; being pulled by her sense of loyalty and her awareness that she was fucked if she didn’t speak up.

“You’re malnourished.” Yoongi said.

Eunjoo stared, her brows pinching together.

“You are severely malnourished.” Yoongi said. “It’s why your injuries aren’t healing like it should.”

“I- I’m still learning how to hunt – “she started but Yoongi cut her off.

“You’re not supposed to hunt, Eunjoo.” He said, kindly. “You’re a fledgling, your sire is supposed to look after you. Your sire is supposed to feed you. You’re not meant to be outside fighting for a meal you won’t be praised for.”

“But – b-but Sire said –“ Eunjoo started, shaking her head.

“Your sire is supposed to feed you.” Seokjin said. “He’s supposed to keep you safe. Instead he had you running around for impossible hunts.” He softened his expression. “How many died in that building, Eunjoo? Not humans, how many vampires?” he asked. “You already know he’s not coming for you. We raised security around in the city to see if he did, he didn’t even make an attempt. Now tell me, if we let you go, if you go back to him, how do you think he’ll react?”

Eunjoo swallowed thickly, her lips wobbly as she tried to hold back tears. Yoongi had to fight the urge to pull her into a hug. He had always been a sucker for fledglings and it pained to see one so mistreated, so manipulated. Fifteen days. She could be rehabilitated.

“What – “ sniffled, “What about – my friends? In the coven they –“ she cut herself off and stared at Seokjin, a wave of spitfire defiance in her eyes that barely hid the pain and fear. But the emotions on her face didn’t match the weak, almost whisper of her voice when she added, “They’re like – they’re like me.”

“Then we’ll help them too.” Yoongi said. “But we can’t help them if we don’t know where they are.”

“Sire will – he’ll kill me –“

“He won’t.” Seokjin cut her off. “I won’t allow him.”

“He’s strong.” She said instead of who are you?

“I can assure you,” Seokjin said. “I’m stronger.”

Eunjoo looked at Seokjin. At his styled hair, at his suit, at the fact that he was the one sitting while Namjoon and Yoongi stood. She was a smart girl, she must have figured Seokjin was something important even if she didn’t know who he exactly was.

“Up north.” She said finally. “Sewer system. I don’t know if they’re still there.”

Yoongi snorted. Hoseok was going to be so annoyed.

There was a knock on the door and Namjoon went to open it. Yoongi didn’t turn, his eyes still trained on Eunjoo. Her situation was nowhere as dire as Jungkook’s but malnourishment killed fledglings easily.

Yoongi narrowed his eyes. Huh.

Namjoon walked back in carrying a picnic freezer box and placed it next to Eunjoo on the floor. He glanced at Yoongi with a brow raised and Yoongi nodded. Eunjoo was looking curiously at the box – and kind of checking out Namjoon as well. Yoongi caught Seokjin’s eyes and the two shared an amused smile that was only there for a moment, just between them.

Eunjoo gasped as Namjoon opened the lid. The box was filled with blood bags, actual medical blood bags in a variety of different blood types.

Yoongi watched as Eunjoo’s eyes turned a weak red color, her claws growing and digging into the chair, her fangs out. It was about to be a mess.

Namjoon wasn’t fazed by it. He grabbed a larger bag and put a hand on Eunjoo’s shoulder, not even flinching when Eunjoo snapped her teeth together – territorial over food. Considering how she’d been treated so far it was no wonder.

Eunjoo nearly ripped the bag open when Namjoon brought it near her in her haste to eat. Namjoon had to hold the bag for her since her hands were tied and he made a face as blood splattered over his clothes with how much force Eunjoo used to bite down.

Eunjoo drank through the bags so fast Yoongi was worried she would throw up immediately afterwards. Blood was running down her chin, on her clothes, as she panted, searching for another bag.

She had a healthy glow to her skin now that she had eaten an adequate amount. It wasn’t comparable to sire blood but it would make do for now. Her eyes were getting droopy, tired.

“Get her an actual room with a bed here.” Seokjin said as he stood up.

Out the interrogation room was a few men who worked under Namjoon. They immediately got in the room and Yoongi listened Namjoon give them quick orders about her.

“Poor thing.” Seokjin said as they waited for Namjoon to finish, stepping to the side.

“Poor thing.” Yoongi repeated.

Seokjin sighed, smiling at Namjoon when he joined them. “That conversation went in a way I didn’t expect. I didn’t even get to ask some of the questions I wanted. I should have let you take the lead, Joon-ah.”

“You did fine, hyung.” Namjoon patted Seokjin’s shoulder. “Let’s go to your office, I’m hungry.”

“Ah, before we get going.” Yoongi said and waved at one of Seokjin’s many assistants. “Do me a favor, ask the team working on the cadavers if they can see how old the vampires were when they died. And get this,” he handed them the blood sample from Eunjoo, “ – tested.”

The assistant nodded and the cluster of them, including Namjoon’s team, shuffled out the hallway. They walked behind them in a slower pace out of the interrogation rooms and towards privacy.

Seokjin’s office in The Underground was a beauty to behold. It resembled a library more than an office. Everything in it was marble and old – very old – wood that oddly didn’t clash with each other or the flashes of modern technology. That being said, it lacked personality compared to Seokjin’s home office, the one he preferred. This room was part of Seokjin lord persona; old and cold.

The office back home had a dick statue.

“Food should be here soon.” Seokjin said as he sat down at his desk. He made a face at the thick files left for him to read.

Yoongi and Namjoon sat in front of him. There was a moment of silence where Seokjin had a staring contest with the files before he blinked and turned back to them.

“So.” He sighed and looked at Yoongi. “Thoughts?”

“Nana cracked her ribs, that’s the worst of her injuries. She needs someone can do something about it, which isn’t me.” Yoongi started. “You already know she’s severely, and I mean severely, malnourished. Blood bags are fine and all but that won’t be enough for her. She needs sire blood to actually heal and grow.”

“See if anyone is willing to foster, trusted people.” Seokjin said, eyes skimming over a file. Yoongi didn’t point out the fact that their resident wet nurse wasn’t offering to feed for once.

“There is something more troublesome than her malnourishment.” Yoongi said. Namjoon and Seokjin both looked at him. “She has adult teeth. She’s fifteen days old.”

Today was a day of long lingering silences it seemed. It was almost comical the way Namjoon and Seokjin stared at him, slowly processing the information he’d given.

“I don’t mean to question your expertise,” Seokjin blinked a couple of times, “but are you sure about that?”

“Yes.” Yoongi sighed. “She had a completely adult set of fangs.”

“… I was worried for her teeth when she was ripping through the bags.” Namjoon mumbled and then shook his head, incredulous. “How – how is that even remotely possible?”

“It’s not.” Yoongi answered. “It’s not possible. It shouldn’t be possible.”

“It’s as possible as Sungho thralling Jungkook.” Seokjin said, thoughtful. He raised his brows a little before adding, “It’s as possible as Jungkook doing serious damage to his sire seconds after rebirth that he spooked the sire into changing locations.”

“A sewer.” Namjoon huffed and pulled out his phone. “I’m sure Hoseok will be delighted. There is already a team prepared, they will be leaving shortly to search.” He glanced at Seokjin, “Catch or… ?”

“Catch.” Seokjin answered. “I’m worried that this coven is filled with a bunch of infants running around not knowing a single thing. If that’s the case we need to rehabilitate them… rough up the sire for funsies though.”

Yoongi hummed in agreement. Funsies. Seokjin was a couple centuries old. Funsies.

“Hyung.” Yoongi said, his mouth tasting weird. Seokjin looked at him and tilted his head. “If that’s the case, if this sire has a coven full of fledglings and we treat them as victims…” he paused, glancing at Namjoon as well, before uncomfortably adding. “That would include Sungho as well.”

Seokjin leaned his elbows on his desk, resting his chin on his palm, his bottom lip slightly pushed out as he thought. It was annoying how handsome this man was even in serious situations.

“According to law, if this is indeed a coven full of fledglings, they will be victims.” He said. “It’s not about how we treat them. Fledglings of neglectful sires are always victims regardless of the evil they may have done.” He said. “So, yes, Sungho will be included.”

“However.” Seokjin leaned back. “It doesn’t mean there won’t be ways of punishment in other ways. It just means that we will have to wait for the initial case to be finalized.” He then shrugged, “Who knows, he might die before then.”

Namjoon snorted, “Always cup half full with you hyung.”

“Someone has to.” Seokjin said. “I’m just shocked Sungho, if everything we know is true, survived his first month at all.”

“Just how much of a creep is this guy that everyone says the same thing about him. Jungkook, Eunjoo.” Namjoon started. “I sent some people to their work, even the other employees there talked about how creepy he was. Poor Jungkook-ah…” he frowned. “How is he doing by the way?”

“You were gone for a day and you’re already missing him?” Seokjin teased.

“I bet you miss him more than I do, Mister Sire.” Namjoon teased back with a chuckle. “But no really, how is he? What you guys told me is… rough.”

“Poor thing cried so much.” Seokjin muttered. “His throat was messed up. Yoongichi, anything you can do for that?”

“Aside from tea with lemon and honey and broth and soup? Not really.” Yoongi said. “It’s nothing serious though, it just because he cried so much, it’ll heal quickly. His other injuries though…” Yoongi closed his eyes. “More than anything I’m worried about how long he was silver bound and how much of it got in his system. I could see his bones at his wrists.”

Namjoon made a face like he could physically feel it while Seokjin shook his head and said, “I thought I was looking at his bones but I wanted to be wrong.”

“No, it’s – it’s bad.” Yoongi said. “But his injuries aren’t getting any worse so I’m hopeful that he will be fine. Eventually.”

“Yeah, about that.” Seokjin said. “The estimated numbers you gave Jungkook yesterday, the time it’ll take for him to heal, how true were those?”

Yoongi sighed deeply, “Those were the absolute best case scenario numbers. Nothing on his body will heal in less than a year at least and even that’s a generous estimate. I don’t want to scare him but – “ he shook his head. “He’s a walking, talking miracle.”

“We got a little fighter.” Namjoon mumbled, the corners of his lips quirking but there was sadness in his eyes. Fledglings shouldn’t be fighters.

“For now we have to make sure he feeds well. More than what you’ve been giving him.” Yoongi said to Seokjin and then added, seriously, “Which means you have to be eating incredibly healthily to be able to sustain all that.”

“I always eat healthy, Yoongichi.” Seokjin smiled at him but nodded. “Don’t worry, I don’t plan on having dizzy spells, I’ve lived this long for a reason.”

“He has to worry, that’s his whole thing.” Namjoon grinned.

“Yeah yeah, make fun of the guy with needles and drugs, that’ll work out great for you.” Yoongi deadpanned and then narrowed his eyes dramatically at Seokjin. “Don’t think I won’t tie you down and put an IV in you if I think you’re not eating enough.”

“Oh, you can tie me down any time.” Seokjin let out a hearty chuckle. “Ah, Yoongi-yah, you really know how to keep a relationship interesting. Sparks like the first time we met.”

“I’m going to break up with you.” Yoongi said.

“Yoongi!” Seokjin gasped. “Right after I became a sire? How heartless of you!”

“You know I’m glad these walls are soundproof or we’d have a scandal to explain to the entire vampire population of Korea.” Namjoon said and the door was knocked. Another one of Seokjin’s assistants walked in with two large bags of food, neatly placed them on Seokjin’s table, and left without saying a word. “Sometimes I get the idea they don’t like you much, hyung.”

“What do you mean? I’m a delight.” Seokjin said as he opened the bags and started handing out the burgers.

“Breakfast burgers.” Yoongi muttered.

“Yes, you’re very smart Yoongichi.”

“I swear I’m going to dump you.”

“You’ve been threatening him with divorce for a few hundred years now hyung.” Namjoon said as he picked a french fry. “I think you need to come up with a new threat, this one isn’t working.”

“I’ll think of something.” Yoongi said and took a bite from his burger. It was good breakfast burger.

“This entire situation is annoying.” Seokjin said through a mouthful of food. “Too many questions and not nearly enough answers. I don’t like my city in distress.”

“If Eunjoo was honest and the coven is still in northern sewer system then it won’t take too long.” Namjoon said.

“It still won’t explain how it got to this point. It easy to enter the city, sure, which is clearly something I have to change now, but it doesn’t explain everything else.”

“No,” Namjoon sighed. “It really doesn’t. Having the timeline reduced to a month is more helpful but it’s still a lot of garbage to wade through. And just because Sungho was missing for a month it doesn’t mean that’s how long this sire has been in town.”

“It’s a clearer starting point than the one we had before.” Seokjin said. “I talked with Jonghyun again last night after you texted me. I had a few questions I didn’t get to ask when Nana came in injured.”

“Anything useful?” Yoongi asked.

“Well, Nana is alright, for starters.” Seokjin said. “I asked where and how he’d gotten a tip about unruly activity and apparently he got the tip from Nana.”

“Oh?”

“Mhmm.” Seokjin sipped his coke. “You know how she likes to hang out with her human friends. Apparently there were all these rumors between high school kids about them seeing drug addicts and a few other new urban legends that got her attention. He said that Nana’s friends were talking about seeing a bunch of freaky people at that building and one of the humans said there was a post online claiming that they’d seen someone flying, another post about creepy people in general, parents telling other parents to keep an eye on their kids. “ Seokjin explained. “And Nana looked at all this and said huh that seems suspicious and told Jonghyun who sent it our way.”

“Gosh, she’s grown so much.” Namjoon said. “Remember when she refused to learn how to read because she didn’t see the point in it? Look at her now, playing detective.”

“We should send her a gift.” Yoongi said.

“What’s the best combined gift for ‘sorry you got attacked by feral fledglings and congratulations on being smart’ ?” Seokjin asked.

“Money.” Namjoon said.

“I was thinking chocolates but that works too.”

“So, what are we doing?” Yoongi said, licking the salt off of his fingers and ignoring how his boyfriends were staring at him. These were some good French fries. “I need to go back home to make sure Jungkook is alright. He’s most likely going to miss you when he wakes up.”

The reminder of the traumatized and horrifically injured fledgling broke Namjoon and Seokjin both out of their Yoongi-licking-his-finger induced coma they were in.

“Namjoon’s team is after the coven. They get caught, we will need many interrogations with the assumed fledglings in the coven and the sire. If we don’t get them, we still have a few hundred hours’ worth of files and camera footage to sort through.”

“Do you want us to be involved in the hunt?” Yoongi asked.

Seokjin shook his head, finished the last of his burger, “I don’t think we need to bring in the big guns for fledglings. Also, poor Hoseok already has sewer trauma, let’s not do that to him again.”

“My team will be fine.” Namjoon smiled gently.

“Well, have fun with all of that.” Yoongi said. “There isn’t much I can do until the reports from the vampire bodies are finished or Eunjoo’s blood sample is tested.”

“You’re just using that as an excuse to snuggle with the babies at home.” Seokjin accused him.

“The babies snuggle with me regardless.” Yoongi said as he stood up. Jimin and Taehyung cared so little for when and where they got their hugs as long as they got their hugs. “You.” He pointed a finger at Seokjin, “Drink at least two bags of blood before you come home.”

“Y’know I’m the lord of this city.” Seokjin started.

“And I’m sucking your dick.”

“Touché.”

Namjoon’s bark of laughter would have echoed through the entire Underground if not for the soundproof walls.

Yoongi’s ride home was boring. It was perfect for a nap.

And when he woke up and rode the elevator all the way up, there were two heads peeking out the front door with matching smiles.

It really wasn’t fair that Jimin and Taehyung were this cute.

How was he supposed to say no when they both had fluffy bed hair, their pajamas hanging loose on their frames. They pulled him in the house with matching giggles and when they hugged him their skin was still sleep warm.

Neither of them dared to step over the door’s threshold. His mischievous babies too scared to get out even though they owned the entire building. This matter had to be handled before the week ended.

Yoongi couldn’t even get a single word in before Taehyung kissed him and then Jimin kissed him – and then Taehyung kissed him again and then Jimin kissed him again and then Taehyung complained it wasn’t fair so he got a third kiss so of course Jimin also got a third kiss –

“Let him take his shoes off first at least.” Hoseok chided with a grin while Jimin was busy getting his eight kiss and Taehyung was inching in for his ninth. “Aish, look at you two, acting like hyung’s been gone for too long.”

“He has been gone for too long.” Taehyung declared dramatically and successfully stole his ninth kiss.

“He wasn’t here when we woke up.” Jimin said and immediately kissed Yoongi for his ninth kiss. “Also he’s not complaining.”

“If I ever complain about fledgling kisses then know that I got possessed by something unholy.” Yoongi said and kissed Taehyung for his tenth kiss.

“What’s unholier than vampires?” Taehyung giggled as he watched Jimin get his tenth kiss as well.

“Something that doesn’t like fledgling kisses.” Yoongi answered easily. “Did you eat yet?”

“We had some leftovers, we ate those.” Hoseok explained as Yoongi finally took his shoes and jacket off. “So are fledgling kisses the only kisses you like?”

“They are the superior kisses.” Yoongi drawled as he walked in, two fledglings hanging from his arms like they couldn’t physically bear to not be glued to him. Yoongi didn’t want to think about how scared they must be with everything going on that they were being this clingy. He eyed Hoseok’s lips and then tilted his head, “But who knows, I might change my mind.”

“Do I get ten kisses to change your mind?” Hoseok’s smiled something dangerous.

“It’s only fair.” Jimin said, his chin hooked on Yoongi’s shoulder. Taehyung was nodding furiously on his other side, both of them happy to have first seat tickets to the show.

“Ten kisses, then.” Yoongi said and he didn’t get to say anything else as Hoseok cupped his face and kissed him, far less chaste than Taehyung and Jimin combined. It definitely wasn’t a family friendly welcome home kiss.

It wasn’t ten kisses. Instead it was one drawn out kiss that had the punch of ten different kisses. Yoongi kept his eyes closed when Hoseok finally, gently, broke the kiss.

“Thoughts?” Jimin asked.

“Almost as good as fledgling kisses.”

Hoseok laughed and slapped Yoongi’s shoulder, ushering them to the living room. There were still plates and glasses on the coffee table, some drama playing on the tv. Yoongi let himself be manhandled by Jimin and Taehyung, finding himself in between the two fledglings on the sofa as they curled around him like cats. Their small, happy chirps filled the room.

“Is – is anyone here?”

They all paused, their heads tilting towards the source of the voice.

“Oh, he woke up.” Jimin said. “Should we - ?”

“Not all together.” Yoongi stood back up. “It’s been an overwhelming few days for him and I want him to take easy for a bit. I’ll go alone. Can you three make broth for him?”

Yoongi didn’t wait for too long, making his way to Jungkook while his boyfriends went to the kitchen. He knocked on the door for politeness sake before opening.

“Good morning.” He said as he turned the lights on. The window tint had gone and the city was shining bright as ever.

Jungkook blinked uncomfortably at the sudden brightness but then looked at Yoongi – and then beyond him, waiting for someone else.

“Morning.” Jungkook replied, his voice as hoarse as yesterday. “It feels weird to talk to air like this.”

“You’ll get used to it.” Yoongi rounded the bed at sat down near him. “How are you feeling?”

“The same.” Jungkook mumbled and then glanced around shyly. “Is – is Seokjin hyung home or…”

“He’s at work now.” Yoongi smiled. At least they didn’t have to worry about bonding. Yoongi wasn’t sure how good a sire bond worked when you adopted another vampire’s hours old infant, so it was comforting to know it was just as strong. “He shouldn’t be too long though hopefully.”

“Oh, alright.” Jungkook mumbled.

“Would you like to take a shower?” Yoongi offered. “We didn’t really have a chance to wash you when we first found you, just gave you a wipe down.”

“Oh – that’d be nice but,” Jungkook frowned, “I don’t think I can stand long enough to shower.”

“I can help you.” Yoongi said. “If you want.”

Jungkook blinked. He opened his mouth. He closed his mouth. Why were fledglings so cute?

“I mean – “ Jungkook managed to say finally but it still took him a moment to figure out the rest of the sentence, “Isn’t that – wouldn’t it – wouldn’t it be weird?”

“Why would it be weird?” Yoongi asked, holding back a smile. Jungkook was many things. Snappy and shy and, unfortunately, a fighter. Subtle wasn’t one of them.

“I-I mean you – you don’t know me that much and – and –“ Jungkook stared pointedly at the ceiling, “And! You have boyfriends! Isn’t that – that’s a bit odd.”

“I do have boyfriends, you’re right.” Yoongi replied. “But I also have been a doctor for a long time, little one. Bathing people sort of come with the job. They won’t mind.”

Jungkook looked at him, cheeks a little pink in that fledgling way, his lips parted open. His hair was a little oily and still dusty from his time in the abandoned building. They had done their best to clean him up but there was only so much they could do.

“Ah – well –“ Jungkook swallowed and looked to the side. “I do feel disgusting so… okay. Okay, yeah.”

“Alright.” Yoongi stood up and offered Jungkook his hands. “You need to be slow and careful.”

Jungkook eyed him for a moment, “Okay, not to be rude but –“ ah Yoongi knew what was coming, “ Are you sure you can help me walk? I mean – not because you’re weak or anything! But Jimin and Taehyung struggled and it was the two of them so – so yeah…”

“Trust me, I’m stronger than I look.” Yoongi replied. Sure, he wasn’t the strongest, that was a toss-up between Namjoon and Seokjin, but he wasn’t the weakest. “And I’m stronger than Jimin and Taehyung.”

If Jungkook didn’t particularly believe that, it was fine, he didn’t voice it. He kept his face professional as he helped Jungkook sit up. Jungkook had moved too much and too harshly the last two days in his panic, his muscles had been too tense, and now it hurt more for him to move. Hopefully a warm shower would be helpful.

When Jungkook was finally in a sitting position Yoongi offered his hands again and Jungkook, sweet, shy Jungkook, gingerly held his hands. It took little effort from Yoongi to pull Jungkook to his feet – though he did need to stop him when Jungkook lost his balance and nearly toppled over Yoongi.

“See, told you.” Yoongi teased as he wrapped one arm around Jungkook’s waist. “Now, don’t try to rush.”

“Okay.” Jungkook mumbled, eyes focused on the floor.

Luckily, the guest bathroom was close to Jungkook’s bedroom. The walk there still took long but Yoongi was proud to see that Jungkook was able to keep his balance even if he needed to pause and take a break every few steps.

“Someone please brings us clothes.” Yoongi called out gently when they finally made it to the bathroom. Yoongi put the toilet lid down and helped Jungkook sit down. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah.” Jungkook nodded, breathing a little heavy but not too bad for someone missing chunks of his abdomen and neck. “A little winded but I’m fine uh –“ he paused. “Do I – what do I call you?”

“You can call me hyung.” Yoongi ruffled his hair, smiling when Jungkook closed his eyes and leaned into his touch – and then immediately ducked down shyly when he realized what he’d done. Those fledgling instincts were working over-time. Yoongi wondered if Jungkook was more susceptible, more sensitive to coven dynamics because his initial experience had been so traumatizing.

He distracted himself from that sad thought by preparing the bath. Jungkook won’t be able to stand but they had a plastic bath stool for this reason. He made sure the water wasn’t too hot –

“Um – Can you –“ Jungkook started suddenly and Yoongi looked over his shoulder. “Are the soaps scented?”

Yoongi looked at the bottles, read their labels, “Hair stuff is all vanilla and coconut.” He said. “Body lotion seems to be peaches. Is that alright?”

“Y-yeah just –“ he tapped his nose, embarrassed, “I’m a little sensitive to smell so – yeah.”

Yoongi nodded. Noted, then. Little bat sensitive to smells. Why was that so endearing to him?

“Isn’t it like… I thought you’re not supposed to shower when you have stitches and stuff.” Jungkook asked.

“You’re fine after forty-eight hours and you won’t be taking a bath.” Yoongi walked up to Jungkook. “I wouldn’t offer a shower if I didn’t think it was safe.”

Jungkook blinked up at him with his huge doe eyes. His skin was pale but not necessarily sickly. There was some bruising, especially on one side of his face like maybe he was shoved into a wall or something, maybe during that fight, but Yoongi focused on Jungkook’s lips.

The cuts were deep. They were deep and hastily made – whoever had done this had no training in it so at least that was a clue of sorts. Yoongi gently held Jungkook by his jawline and tipped his head to get a better view. Jungkook made a soft noise and blinked his eyes a few more times before looking sideways. That was understandable, Yoongi wasn’t great with eye contact either and he was right in his face.

The cuts were at least showing more signs of healing than any other wound. They were starting to scab already and facial scars usually healed fast anyway.

“Do you know what he used to cut your lips?” he asked gently.

“It was just a knife.” Jungkook mumbled, his tongue peeking over his bottom lip like he wanted to lick it but stopped himself. “It wasn’t – It wasn’t silver though. It didn’t hurt like silver.”

Jungkook wasn’t a week old. He was so little, so young, yet he knew the pain of silver. He knew it good enough to compare. Yoongi thumbed over Jungkook’s cheek, swallowing down the shame of not knowing about this coven sooner, not taking care of it sooner, and watched as Jungkook looked up to him. The bathroom lights were shining bright in his eyes like little stars.

“That’s good, then.” Yoongi finally said. Jungkook nodded lightly and Yoongi smiled at him. “Now, this is the awkward part where I help you undress.”

Jungkook squeaked. He genuinely squeaked. And then he realized the sound he made and hid behind his hands with a groan. Yoongi, pitying the poor thing, tried to hold back his chuckle. Tried. It was hard not to laugh when Jungkook was this cute.

“It’s alright if you changed your mind.” Yoongi tried.

“No, I feel all icky.” Jungkook groaned. “Just, give me a second, please.”

Yoongi gave him a whole minute. He understood how awkward it was for Jungkook; to be stripped by a person he only knew for a few days.

“Yeah. Alright.” Jungkook swallowed and dropped his arms.

“I’m also going to remove your bandages.” Yoongi said. “I recommend not looking.”

Jungkook hummed and looked down at his wrists.

“I wanna look, though.” He finally said. “I know it’s bad but – can I see, please?” then he tried a lopsided smile to ease the hard truth of the matter, “I mean – it’s my fucked up body right, I think I’m entitled.”

“It doesn’t look good.” Yoongi warned. “But if that’s truly what you want then okay.”

“You don’t want me to look.” Jungkook said.

“No, I don’t.” Yoongi admitted. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

Jungkook hummed again. “I’m full of bad ideas so, y’know.”

“Alright then.” Yoongi said and got closer to Jungkook. “Are you okay with me removing your clothes?”

“Ah – yeah. Yeah.” Jungkook swallowed awkwardly.                                         

They had to move slowly to make sure they didn’t aggravate any of Jungkook’s wounds or put extra strain. The trickiest part was helping Jungkook get his arms out of his shirt sleeves, especially on the side where he had parts of his neck missing. But together they managed to get his shirt off of him finally, leaving Jungkook with just his pants.

“I’m going to assume you wouldn’t want to sit completely naked while I take off your bandages so I’ll do your bandages now and then help with your pants, is that alright?” Yoongi asked.

Jungkook, completely refusing to look anywhere near the vicinity of Yoongi’s face, made a noise in agreement.

Yoongi removed the neck bandages first. He kept his face straight as he checked the wound. It didn’t look any different than the day before, swollen and tender but not infected or anything. Ugly to look at but Yoongi knew it could have been much worse.

“Try not to move your head too much, please.” Yoongi warned. “Don’t look directly up or down or to the sides. Small movement is alright.”

Jungkook made a move to nod but stopped himself, “Okay. No moving.”

“Little movement is alright.” Yoongi repeated with a small smile.

The large patch on Jungkook’s abdomen was the next one Yoongi removed. The new stitches were still holding strong, luckily. It was swollen and tender like Jungkook’s neck, thought the inflammation was more obvious on his abdomen. The redness had spread further around the actual hole itself, there were some dark bruises around the hole from the trauma. There were some – inconsistencies about it though. Yoongi could see signs of this being a cut but he could also see signs of blunt force.

“I’m going to ask a very uncomfortable question.” Yoongi started but Jungkook snorted.

“Is it more awkward then all this?” he tried.

“Well, maybe.” Yoongi tried as well. Jokes worked even if it didn’t fit the situation. “That sire did this to kill you, right?” he said and gently touched a little above the stitches on Jungkook’s abdomen. Jungkook nodded. “Did he – did he cut or punch it open?”

Jungkook made a face and Yoongi cupped his face with one hand, a kind hush on his lips, “I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important, I’m sorry.”

“I don’t know how he did it the first time.” Jungkook answered with his eyes closed, brows furrowed. Yoongi wondered if he was trying to remember or if he was trying to ignore it. “I think he just –“ he swallowed thickly, looking a little sick. “He had claws I think so – I think he just pushed in his hand like that.” He licked his lips. “He punched it the second time thought.”

Yoongi raised his brows, face cold, “Second time?”

“Yeah, after he cut my lips.” Jungkook mumbled and leaned into Yoongi’s palm, breathing deeply. “Before they dragged me away he like, punched his fist back in.”

Well, that explained a lot.

“Thank you for answering.” Yoongi said. “And I’m sorry I made you remember it.”

“I made myself remember it first.” Jungkook mumbled and opened his eyes. “It’s okay.” He added and then, after a pause, he lifted his hands. “It’s their turn next, right?”

“Right.” Yoongi said and then warned again, “It doesn’t look good.”

“I know.” Jungkook nodded. “I know.”

Yoongi watched him for a moment longer before Jungkook lifted his hands up, offering them to him. Yoongi took his hand and very gently began unwrapping the bandages.

Jungkook’s neck was brutal and his abdomen was terrible.

Jungkook’s wrists were downright atrocious. It was a gnarly, nauseating sight. Yoongi’s mind still couldn’t compute how anyone could so such a nefarious thing to an infant. Jungkook was only a few minutes old when they did this to him.

In all sincerity, the longer he examined the damage done to Jungkook, the longer he wondered how the fuck his hands hadn’t actually fell off. Jungkook had made that comment in a panic and Yoongi had waved it off gently but – this little bat was full of miracles.

There wasn’t any skin left in the area where silver had been in direct contact. The layer of muscles as well. It was all burned off. Yoongi could see a sliver of Jungkook’s bone. Jungkook must have fought to get the cuffs of off him and the longer he’d struggled the deeper it had burned into him.

But Jungkook’s injuries weren’t just around where the cuffs had been. It was silver – it was poison – and it had spread like an allergy up Jungkook’s forearm, blotchy spots almost up to his elbows. The burn blisters were calming down, luckily.

Everything was a color of angry red or deep black purples or sickly yellows. A charred look to the most damaged parts, some parts were even pure white.

Yoongi had seen fire burns, chemical burns; silver burn always made him feel sick.

It was a miracle that Jungkook didn’t have silver poisoning. Oh, silver had definitely gotten into his system but he wasn’t actively sick from it. They were lucky to find him when they had.

Yoongi’s current worries aside from the obvious silver and its ramifications, was the clear sign of nerve damage.

Jungkook’s hands were shaking. It was a light tremor, yes, but it was there. Considering how deep the silver had dug in and how deep it had burned – honestly it was unreal that Jungkook had working veins at all. A ten minute difference and they’d be forced to amputate his hands.

Jungkook watched Yoongi remove the bandages with a blank face, taking in the sight of his arms. There wasn’t any obvious sign of healing on his wrists. It was just – flesh. Tender and swollen and burned and hard to look at.

Yoongi couldn’t get a read on Jungkook’s expression. He couldn’t tell if he was afraid or curious or angry.

“Water won’t hurt?” he asked finally. Yoongi didn’t have it in him to tell him that there were no nerves left there to feel hurt.

“No, it won’t.” Yoongi said gently and offered his hands again to help Jungkook to his feet. He hoped Jungkook hadn’t noticed the literal bone visible through the muscles. “Pants?”

Jungkook watched hands again, tentatively moving his shaky fingers, watching the tendons move along. Then he placed his hands on Yoongi’s with a nod.

Yoongi didn’t look as he completely undressed Jungkook and led him to the shower. It was big, big enough for him to stand in it while Jungkook sat on a bath stool. Yoongi rolled his pants up and took off his shoes. He knew he wouldn’t be completely dry but at least there was an attempt on his part.

“Let me know if anything makes you uncomfortable, alright?” he asked as he grabbed the shower head. He wanted to make sure the water wasn’t too hot.

“Hyung, I’m naked here with you.” Jungkook said.

“Well.” Yoongi nodded, “Anything more uncomfortable than being naked in here with me.”

Jungkook huffed through his nose and Yoongi caught a little bit of his smile, “Alright.”

Yoongi tipped Jungkook’s head back, mindful of his neck and making sure the angle wasn’t too much, before holding the shower head and getting Jungkook’s hair all wet.

Yoongi was used to this. Even beyond it being something he did as a doctor, this was something he did for his coven members at all. Jimin and Taehyung when they were being cheeky and needed bonding time, Hoseok whenever he wanted company, with Namjoon it was usually because he was horny, and even Seokjin when the lord had a long tiring day.

It only made sense that Yoongi would help Jungkook as well. He was theirs now, part of their little coven, their family, even if it was all new and confusing for Jungkook.

Yoongi handed the shower head to Jungkook to hold while he poured shampoo into his palm. Jungkook’s hair was pretty long, he noticed as he applied the shampoo in gentle circles. Yoongi had been so caught up in life threatening injuries and just how adorable Jungkook was to notice it.

The first rinse, the water came out almost brown with the amount of dirt. Yoongi didn’t mention it. He just applied the shampoo a second time, just as gently, and rinsed it again. Then he did a third time, a fourth time, a fifth time. It was on the seventh one that Jungkook’s hair finally looked actually clean.

Yoongi grabbed the conditioner and applied it generously, leaving it in while he reached for a loofah. There was no way he could scrub as hard as it was needed to actually clean Jungkook. No way. Maybe parts of his body he was more certain with – his back, his uninjured arm, his legs – but anything that was even slightly connected to is injuries Yoongi tended to gently.

Jungkook was skinny. Yoongi hadn’t noticed it with the over-sized clothes he was wearing. It wasn’t a dangerous amount, not in a way that had Yoongi worrying, but it was clearly a sign of the type of life Jungkook had had up until the night of his death. He doubted Jungkook got to eat a lot of healthy food on the regular. It was all the more reason for Yoongi to feed him.

Yoongi washed him carefully, rinsed the conditioner off, made sure the injuries were keeping up alright, made sure the heat didn’t affect Jungkook.

Once he was out of the shower and sitting back on the toilet in a robe, Jungkook looked fluffy. His skin was all shiny and pink, his hair poofy now that it was dry. Yoongi applied another thick layer of cream on his wounds before wrapping clean bandages around them.

Yoongi turned around as Jungkook picked through the outfits Hoseok had dropped off in front of the bathroom. Jungkook chose loose gray sweatpants, an oversized and worn out t-shirt with long sleeves, and an equally oversized sweatshirt, soft socks.

Yoongi didn’t mention that everything Jungkook chose belonged to Seokjin.

“We’ll have to change your bed sheets.” Yoongi said. “Would you like to hang out in the living room until then?”

Jungkook blinked – he did that a lot, used his blinks like they were punctuation marks, like it was some odd form of morse code.

“Sure.” He said. The sleeves of the sweatshirt were too long, only the very tips of his fingers were visible. “I’m not sure if I can walk all the way there though.”

“I’ll be with you.” Yoongi reassured him. “I won’t let you fall.”

The walk to the living room proved much harder. To his credit Jungkook walked mostly on his own for the majority of the hallway before his legs gave up on him. Yoongi caught him before Jungkook could even process that he was falling, holding him up.

“Good morning!” Jimin said, chipper, as they walked in.

“Hi.” Jungkook said awkwardly, out of breath.

A part of their L shaped sofa had been modified with extra pillows and blankets and Yoongi had to hold back his smile as he led Jungkook to it.

“See, you did it.” He said as he lowered Jungkook.

Taehyung and Jimin elbowed Yoongi out of the way, fluttering around Jungkook to help him lift his feet and to sit more comfortably, dragged a blanket over his legs once they were sure he was good.

Yoongi shared a look with Hoseok, not bothering to hide his smile. Fledglings looking after a fledgling. It was cute. It was very cute.

“Here, we made broth.” Taehyung said as he placed a tray on Jungkook’s lap. “Hyung said your throat was bad.”

“It’s not that bad.” Jungkook croaked and immediately closed his eyes. “Don’t say anything about it.”

“We won’t.” Hoseok smiled. “And you two, sit down already.”

Jimin and Taehyung got on the sofa, a reasonable distance from Jungkook, their limbs immediately tangled with each other.

“Is there anything you wanna watch?” Jimin asked.

“Not really.” Jungkook said. Yoongi watched the light tremors on his hand as he took a spoonful from his broth. “I’m fine with anything.”

“Feeling any better?” Hoseok asked as he sat down next to Yoongi, an easy smile on his face.

“Shower felt nice.” Jungkook admitted. “But everything still hurts.”

“We’ll handle the bed sheets.” Hoseok said.

Yoongi didn’t know what show was playing but it was half interesting to keep it on in the background. Jungkook didn’t join the conversation as much though he was listened intently. That was fine, Yoongi figured it would be overwhelming. Jimin, Taehyung and Hoseok spoke enough between the three of them anyway.

He had a big appetite which was just so pleasing to see. It was good that he ate and that he ate a lot. It was also pleasing to see from a personal point of view; Yoongi liked feeding his coven and even if he hadn’t made the broth himself, he found himself smiling watching him finish his second bowl.

Jungkook passed out around one am. His head was lolled to one side, his lips parted open as he made little sleepy sounds

“He’s cute.” Taehyung mumbled as Jimin pulled the blanket to cover Jungkook.

“He is.” Hoseok agreed.

“Is it a good thing he sleeps so much?” Jimin asked as he sat back next to Taehyung.

“It is. He’s healing.” Yoongi said. “Sleep is a good medicine.”

“I don’t know if sleep alone will be enough for him.” Taehyung worried his bottom lip.

“No.” Yoongi agreed, seeing no point in lying about it. “It won’t but that’s why we’re here. Also, think of it like this too; if he can sleep then he isn’t in excruciating pain.”

“I know, I know.” Taehyung nosed over Jimin’s cheek.

“I didn’t wanna ask while he was still awake so,” Hoseok mumbled, “What happened at work?”

Jimin and Taehyung turned to him. What hadn’t happened at work…

“Did you tell them about what happened to Jungkook?” Yoongi turned to Hoseok.

“He did.” Jimin answered instead. “Not a fun breakfast conversation.”

“It wasn’t a fun night conversation either.” Yoongi said. “Joon-ah and his team caught one of the people who attacked Nana – she’s fine, by the way – and it’s an infant. The girl was a fifteen day old infant.”

“What the fuck.” Hoseok frowned and looked at Jimin and Taehyung who had someone huddled even closer. “Fifteen days – and she was outside?”

“Outside and hunting.” Yoongi said, anger bubbling in his chest the more he thought about it. “Because apparently her sire, the guy who did this to Jungkook, made them believe that was normal.”

“What kind of psycho is he?” Jimin said, hiding under Taehyung’s chin.

Jimin and Taehyung were both pampered fledglings, even before they came to their coven. Hand-fed, dressed in silks, the whole thing. If they’d wanted to they’d never work a day in their lives but they were too mischievous to sit idly.

It was horrifying enough for Yoongi to hear how this sire treated his fledglings – his infants – he couldn’t imagine what kind of shock it must be for their little ones.

“Hey, come here.” Hoseok opened his arms and the two were moving in an instant.

Jimin curled into Hoseok’s arms and Taehyung found home in Yoongi’s lap. It was a little awkward, Taehyung was taller than Yoongi, but he was also stubborn enough that he’d figured out a comfortable position.

“We have a general area of where they might be. It won’t take too long now, I promise.” Yoongi soothed them. “Hyung and Joon-ah will probably have more to share when they come back.”

“I don’t like it.” Taehyung mumbled. He sounded like a petulant child but Yoongi was just glad he was actually voicing his emotions rather than bottling it up. Jimin let out an anxious chirp in agreement.

“Neither do I.” Yoongi said. “But I promise it’ll be all over soon.”

Taehyung nipped at Yoongi’s neck, right over a pulse point. He found that spot so easily now compared to the past where he had to mouth around for it. Yoongi tipped his neck just so in an invitation and Taehyung gracefully sank his teeth in.

It was more for comfort than anything else. Taehyung and Jimin had been both too old to be regularly fed by an older vampire when they’d taken them in but this was bonding for their kind. Yoongi just closed his eyes and relaxed with a hum, let Taehyung feed from him to ease his anxiety.

“Do you know when hyung will be back?” Hoseok asked. He was playing with Jimin’s hair but Yoongi couldn’t tell if he was doing it to comfort Jimin or himself.

“No. He shouldn’t be too late though.” He said. “If this coven is really filled with infants they won’t be able to put too much of a fight and they won’t be able to stay awake past sunrise.” Yoongi sighed. “There is one other thing though. The infant they caught, the fifteen day old one, she has full adult teeth.”

“What?”

“Full set of adult fangs.” Yoongi said. “She doesn’t have baby fangs, it’s not even like the ones you two have –“ Yoongi motioned between Taehyung and Jimin, who had those awkward in-between stage of fangs that were looking more like proper fangs but still broke easily if they weren’t careful. “She has complete adults fangs.”

“How is that possible?” Hoseok asked, pulled Jimin closer.

“I don’t know.” Yoongi said. “But I took blood sample from her so hopefully we might spot something in her blood.”

Taehyung grumbled into Yoongi’s skin but kept feeding, sucking gently because he knew how Yoongi bruised. Yoongi patted the back of his head.

“Isn’t that –“ Jimin started with a frown. “Isn’t that the second weird thing now? That S- “Jimin cut himself and glanced at Jungkook to make sure he was still asleep. Jungkook was snoring, cutely. “The Sungho guy could thrall, right? And now this?”

“And Jungkook fought his sire like minutes after being born.” Hoseok added. “Everything is so weird.”

“If pigs start flying…”Jimin trailed off. For a moment he sounded exactly like Seokjin.

“The most important thing right now is to take care of Jungkook-ah.” Yoongi said, eyes on the sleeping infant. “We really need to keep an eye on him. Infants are delicate as is and he was tortured with silver.”

It was a coded sentence, only a little bit. Jimin and Taehyung didn’t know how dangerous the first month was for a fledgling – they were still fledglings themselves, older ones yes, but they were just as delicate. Hoseok knew it though. It was his whole thing.

Almost as if he could read his mind, Hoseok gave Yoongi a smile and said, “That’s why I’m here, yeah?”

“Best babysitter.” Jimin snorted and kissed Hoseok sweetly.

 “I still can’t believe we have an infant.” Hoseok mumbled, almost in awe. Yoongi wondered how much of it was instinct for him. “Like, an actual infant sired by one of us.” A pause. “Not to say you two aren’t ours –“

Jimin laughed and even Taehyung momentarily slipped, blood trailing down Yoongi’s neck, before latching properly again.

“Hyung, we know what you meant.” Jimin poked Hoseok’s neck. “We’re not jealous or anything. It’s exciting for us too. The last infant I saw was Tae.”

Taehyung huffed through his nose, warm air sending goosebumps over Yoongi’s skin. He retracted his teeth and licked over his bites to heal the cut.

“Happy?” Yoongi mumbled.

“Very.” Taehyung replied. “Will you cook something tonight? I want meat.”

“I can figure something out.” Yoongi replied. Meat would be good for Jungkook too.

Taehyung and Jimin relaxed as the hours passed by and eventually they left Yoongi and Hoseok’s arms to cuddle on the sofa again – this time sitting much closer to Jungkook. There was still some time until Seokjin came back but Yoongi wasn’t sure if Namjoon would come home if his team was out tonight. That sucked, it always felt weird in the penthouse when one of them was missing

“Oh, by the way.” Yoongi piped up after a few hours, lazily watching the cheapest movie ever made. He masterfully held back his grin. “Guess where the coven is allegedly hiding”

“That creepy abandoned hospital?” Hoseok tried.

“Sewers.”

“Fuck off.”

Chapter Text

Someone was calling his name. It sounded underwater almost, so far away, but Jungkook recognized his name. They were calling to him so sweetly, so gently, that Jungkook found himself turning around to follow it in this odd almost-building he was in.

Where was he anyway? He almost recognized this almost-building he was in. There was no sound as he walked but he could remember the creaking of the wooden floor anyway. There was no one around him but Jungkook still felt a presence glued to him, a hand on his neck guiding him, forcing him.

“Jungkook-ah.”

He snapped his head around but there was no one there. It had sounded so close though, right next to his ear. Jungkook was walking without moving, maybe he didn’t even have a body to move with, finding himself trailing through these broken down maze-like halls.

The stairs that didn’t look like stairs led him down to darkness. There was nothing. It was just the stark white stair-like steps that looked wrong and the eternal abyss around him. He walked for forever, going down and down and down but nothing changed.

He walked down until there were no more stairs left and he was standing in the darkness. Suddenly, a bright light from above turned on with a sound but it – it looked like moonlight rather than something artificial. Jungkook blinked at the brightness and looked down.

The moonlight was focused on a mangled body lying in a pool of bright red blood.

This was how he’d died.

This was Jungkook.

Something dark bubbled in Jungkook’s chest, emotion so overwhelming that it threatened to consume Jungkook whole. It boiled in his veins, burned hot and angry and Jungkook’s lips sneered into a snarl –

“Jungkook-ah.”

Jungkook jostled awake with a gasp. This wasn’t the familiar-strange darkness of the bed room he’d gotten used to. The ceiling was too high and the room was too wide and this wasn’t the bed at all.

“Hey! Hey, you’re alright!” A voice called out and Jungkook looked around for the source of it, finding himself face to face with Hoseok. “You’re in the living room! You’re alright! You’re safe, little one!”

It was almost as if his brain could remember his surroundings now that Hoseok had told him. The room stopped being an unrecognizable cavern and became the - still pretty large – living room he knew. The tv was still on, he was still in the little nook they’d made for him on the sofa with the soft blankets and pillows.

Jungkook closed his eyes with a deep exhale, pressed his left palm to his face.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.” Hoseok said.

“No, no, it’s not your fault.” Jungkook said and swallowed. His throat still felt itchy. “I had a weird dream, that’s why.”

“Oh.” Hoseok’s brows pinched together. “Was it a bad one? Do you want to talk about it?”

“No. It was just weird.” Jungkook replied and dropped his hand. “Probably a good thing you woke me up to be honest.”

“I wasn’t going to.” Hoseok said. “I was just going to carry you to bed so you can sleep better but Yoongi hyung said you have to feed so… had to wake you up.”

Jungkook perked up a little at the mention of feeding, glancing around the room, “Seokjin hyung is back?”

Hoseok smiled warmly though there was something about it that didn’t fully reach his eyes. He ran his hands through Jungkook’s hair and Jungkook tried to lean into his touch.

“Sorry, no, he’s not back.” He said. “He’s actually going to be back late. I think they got something important, Yoongi hyung had to leave too.”

Jungkook tried to not look too disappointed. That’d be – weird, right? It had been like… what, four days? Jungkook wasn’t sure, time was all weird now, but it hadn’t been a full week since Jungkook met Seokjin, since he met this whole group. It was weird for him to be this… It was weird for him to be this depended on Seokjin, to search for him like this.

Also, Hoseok was right here. It was a little rude to look disappointed in front of another member of this group, another owner of the house Jungkook was currently living in.

“It’s not something bad right?” Jungkook said instead. Yoongi had been home and he’s like a doctor so if he was being called…

“Trust me, I wouldn’t be here if it was something bad.” Hoseok smiled. He wasn’t lying, Jungkook could tell, but it wasn’t the entire truth either. Still, Jungkook let go of it. He knew, he wasn’t sure how he knew but he knew, that Hoseok didn’t have any ill intentions by keeping information from him.

“Wait –“ Jungkook frowned. “If hyung isn’t here then how am I supposed to…?”

“This is going to sound creepy,” Hoseok prefaced and it was already creepy because of it, “But we have a bunch of hyung’s blood in the freezer.”

Jungkook blinked.

“You –“ he stopped. He hummed. Reconsidered his life choices up until this moment. They weren’t good choices considering how it all ended. He blinked again. “You guys just have that lying around casually?”

“Will it make you feel any better if I say hyung prepared it for incase he wasn’t around to feed you?” Hoseok tried this time.

There was this sneaking emotion in Jungkook’s chest that felt oddly like butterflies and no – no no no. God, Jungkook knew he was a bit starved in the romance department but no he wasn’t about to get fucking butterflies over blood.

… It was just – that was kind of him. It must be a hassle to like – draw blood or however the fuck you did that whole thing.

“I’m not sure how I feel about that.” Jungkook replied instead.

“That’s completely valid.” Hoseok chuckled. “Come now, we gotta get you to bed. Think you got it in you to walk?”

“I can try.” Jungkook said. “But I can’t make any promises about it.”

Hoseok giggled some more. It was a pretty sound. Jungkook kind of wanted hear it more. Hoseok was pretty himself, actually. He had this pretty nose and a pretty jawline. Dark hair and dark eyes, loose clothes.

“Come on.” Hoseok offered his hands. “Let’s see how much you can walk. Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall.”

Walking was miserable. Jungkook felt detached from his lower half, moving sluggishly. He knew he could do more, he could walk faster, and he could stand on his feet. These were things he could do, things he’d done for years since he learned how to walk.

But now there was a disconnection between his mind and his body. It wasn’t just that Jungkook got tired from walking. It was hard. Taking a step forward, keeping his balance, shifting his weight… it was too much to keep track of, too much to work through.

Jungkook leaned more and more on Hoseok as they made their way to the bedroom. By the end of it Jungkook was panting on shaky legs while Hoseok practically carried him to the bed.

Hoseok carefully lowered him on the bed and Jungkook groaned. His lungs were burning as if he’d been working out for a long time but everything in his body hurt like he’d worked out too much so at least his physical pain was consistent.

The sheets smelled nice, something flowery but not too heavy. Jungkook hadn’t even noticed how he’d been basically living in his filth the last few days. Then again, he’d been too busy with being undead to notice it so… yeah.

“Deep breaths, pup.” Hoseok carded his fingers through Jungkook’s hair again and Jungkook’s eyes fluttered shut even as he frowned in confusion.

“Pup?” he questioned in a mumble. “Am I not a bat?”

“You are a bat. You’re a baby bat.” Hoseok smiled. “Baby bats are called pups.”

“Huh. That’s a bit silly.” It was oddly cute too, though.

“It is.” Hoseok laughed lightly. “You catch your breath, I’m gonna go get the bags, I’ll be right back alright? Call for me if you need something!”

Jungkook watched as Hoseok power walked out the bed room. He inhaled deeply through his nose and held it in his chest, listening to his heart beat thrum through his ears, before exhaling. He repeated it again and again until his breathing was normal again.

He didn’t need this, his brain supplied suddenly, he didn’t need to breathe. Seokjin had completely stopped his heart yesterday and it’d felt so – unnatural. Dead. That’s what he was.

Or rather, undead. What did that even mean though? Everything he knew came from random tv shows and movies. He didn’t know that much beyond basic shit and even the basics he was wrong about considering garlic apparently wasn’t as deadly as it was made out to be.

Jungkook furrowed his brows. He didn’t want to remember that he had died. He didn’t want to remember that he was living on borrowed time, essentially. A second chance he didn’t ask for when his first one was snatched from him.

What did he do now? It’s not like he could go back to his shitty, moldy flat to live all by himself. It was weird to admit but Jungkook knew he didn’t want to leave this place – he didn’t want to leave these people he just met. They were safe.

How could he be this attached to people he just met? It had been just days and Jungkook had spent most of it asleep or alone in his bedroom. It was beyond logic but here he was upset because Seokjin wasn’t home yet.

Home.

Jungkook knew that if he asked for it they would let him go back to his tiny ass flat to live there by himself. He knew this, he knew that they wouldn’t keep in in this penthouse like a fancy cage. They wouldn’t be happy, Jungkook knew this as well, but they would let him go if he asked.

He didn’t want to go. That was the problem.

He shouldn’t be this attached to them. He shouldn’t be – Yoongi washed him just hours ago. The last two-three days he pretty much fell asleep in Seokjin’s arms.

They’re strangers. Handsome strangers but strangers still.

So why was the idea of not being with them choking him up like this?

“Here we go.” Hoseok sung to himself as he walked back in the room. He was carrying armful of medical blood bags. He glanced up at Jungkook for a moment as he was about to place the bags on the bedside drawer when he frowned. “Everything alright? You look sad.”

Frowning didn’t fit Hoseok. It didn’t look natural on his face.

“I don’t know.” Jungkook said honestly, suddenly filled with a sudden urge to just cry. “I don’t know.”

Hoseok made a soft noise and dropped the bags on the bedside table and sat down next to Jungkook. He cupped Jungkook’s face with one hand and Jungkook just – he just leaned into his touch and shut his eyes tightly.

Maybe it was weird to be this depended on them, maybe it was weird that he was just so accepting of everything they were saying and doing but fuck it. Jungkook had died. He died and Hoseok had such soft hands.

“It’s a lot, I know.” Hoseok said, his voice oozing with sympathy to the point Jungkook started to weep. “It’s all weird and confusing and very painful.” He said softly and wiped a stray tear rolling down Jungkook’s cheek with his thumb. “I can’t promise you that all these feelings will go away quickly but I promise we will be here with you through it all, alright?”

They wouldn’t.

Jungkook had heard that sentence before. Maybe not in exact words but every variation of it had had the same sentiment. He was used to promises and he was used to those promises being broken, repeatedly. From his childhood friends he grew up with to his gaming buddies who slowly distanced themselves to teachers to his parents. So many promises that were never fulfilled.

He knew that support only came so long as Jungkook behaved a certain way, if he did what was expected from him.

And Jungkook couldn’t do that. Jungkook couldn’t. He wasn’t good enough, he never had been. Maybe he was born broken or maybe something just went wrong at some point. It wasn’t like this when he was younger, he knew he used to be better but that didn’t matter now. This current version of him only succeeded in disappointing people

Eventually this group of people would see that, too. They would see that Jungkook wasn’t someone worth keeping around, they would see he was more trouble than anything else. Maybe it would take longer for them since they’re vampires or maybe it would take even shorter since they’re vampires but eventually it would happen like it always happened.

Jungkook turned his face into Hoseok’s palm. He’d already resigned himself to his fate. When the time came, and it would come, it wouldn’t hurt because Jungkook was prepared for it.

Until then though… he leaned into Hoseok’s touch.

Hoseok made a soft little noise and rubbed his thumb over Jungkook’s cheek.

“Everything will be alright, pup.” Hoseok said and Jungkook snorted at the pet name. It was cute though. “Now chin up, you need to feed.”

Jungkook begrudgingly pulled away from Hoseok’s touch and eyed the bags of blood. Huh, no wonder those people had called him that name in the abandoned building. It was a weird, sudden sense of clarity where his brain finally managed to realize the very obvious meaning in the name.

What else would blood bag mean? Jungkook was so fucking stupid.

“I figured you’d like it warm since that’s how you’ve been drinking it so far. I didn’t want to risk giving you a bellyache with cold blood.” Hoseok explained as he picked up one bag.

Jungkook looked at the jelly-like way the bag moved in Hoseok’s hand, his stomach starting to churn. That’s what he had been drinking the last few days. It was actual blood straight from Seokjin’s veins. He was drinking blood and he was actively enjoying it.

“You alright?” Hoseok put a hand on Jungkook’s shoulder.

“Yeah just –“ Jungkook made a face. “I just – it really hit me that I’m drinking blood. Like – actual blood.”

“Ah.” Hoseok said and then nodded along. “You get used to it. I thought about making it into a milkshake or hot chocolate or something like that but Yoongi hyung said you need to drink it raw to actually benefit from it so – “ a shrug, “ – next time!”

“Milkshake?” Jungkook tilted his head.

“Oh yeah! We cook with blood all the time. We can eat normal human food but it’s doesn’t really do much for us, especially the older we get.” Hoseok explained. “You can make cakes and drinks as well but like I said, you need all the vitamins you can get so you’re not yet allowed to have fun drinks.” Hoseok said. “There isn’t anything I can do for the mental block, unfortunately. You just get used to it.”

Jungkook wondered how much of their meals had been made with blood. The broth he had earlier definitely hadn’t had any. Vampires. He was a fucking vampire, right.

“It’s weird though.” Jungkook said.

“It is.” Hoseok smiled back. “It’s very weird but it’s part of the process. Everyone has that moment of holy shit its real blood at some point. Your brain will work through it, don’t worry about it.”

“I’m not sure if I want my brain to work through it.” Jungkook mumbled. His eyes were focused on the blood bag in Jungkook’s eyes. “I mean it’s – it’s blood.”

“I don’t think you will enjoy what I’m about to say but you need to hear it.” Hoseok said, voice warm and kind. He tapped a delicate finger on Jungkook’s forehead. “That’s the human part of your brain protesting. Blood is bad, it’s icky, yuck – that’s the human part.” His eyes softened and he patted Jungkook’s thighs with his free hand, giving a small smile. “You’re not human, Jungkook-ah, not anymore.”

Jungkook knew that. It was kind of hard to forget it when he so vividly remembered his death.

But there was a difference between knowing and accepting, right?

Jungkook knew he died. Jungkook knew he was brought back to life. Jungkook knew he was a vampire.

His brain couldn’t process the information. It defied logic – what do you mean Jungkook died and came back to life? That wasn’t possible.

But it was possible. It had happened. Jungkook was sitting here in a – in a fucking coven. Hoseok in front of him was a vampire. Jimin and Taehyung, where ever they were in the penthouse, they were vampires too. Seokjin, Yoongi and Namjoon too. They were all vampires.

And vampires drank blood. Jungkook had been drinking it for days.

Now he could just – he could actually see the blood instead of having the chance to ignore the reality.

“But that doesn’t mean you’re not a person.” Hoseok carried on gently when Jungkook stayed silent. “It’s normal to be weirded out by it. That’s the most normal response to everything. Honestly, it just means you’re not some type of maniac.”

Jungkook huffed through his nose and smiled a little. He was brutally murdered but hey! At least he wasn’t some sicko!

… It was oddly comforting to hear it. Especially knowing how he’d attacked that man who’d killed him. Jungkook never wanted to feel that type of anger again in his life – or the undead life, whatever was the correct term.

“Here, pick a color.”

Suddenly there was a rainbow arrangement of straws in front of Jungkook’s face. Hoseok was holding them neatly in a line. Jungkook stared dumbly for a moment, his brain trying to figure out where Hoseok pulled the straws from.

“Huh?” he said very eloquently.

“Pick a color!” Hoseok repeated himself. “I didn’t know why one you’d prefer so I brought one of each we have.”

“Right.” Jungkook said and looked at the straws. Straws. Because he had to drink the blood somehow.

He picked the purple one.

“Good choice.” Hoseok nodded and put the other straws on the bedside drawer and grabbed the purple one from Jungkook’s hands. “You need to finish at least four of these bags, doctor’s orders.”

Jungkook watched as Hoseok punctured the plastic bag with practiced ease, “Be honest, is Yoongi hyung actually a doctor?”

Hoseok cackled, almost falling off the bed. “He is!” he said. “He’s been a doctor for like a century now I think. He just didn’t get around to getting it renewed recently. I mean imagine having to take those exams all the time.”

“Oh wow.” A century. That was a normal, reasonable time span for a vampire.

“Yup. He’s a really good one, you don’t have to worry about his capabilities. You’re in safe hands here. Now,” he held the blood bag towards Jungkook, “Drink.”

Jungkook stared at the bag before tentatively reaching up to hold it with both hands because he didn’t trust himself. His hands didn’t function as well as they did before all this. The bag felt weird in his hands and Jungkook made a face, trying to not squeeze it too hard so it wouldn’t leak.

He glanced up at Hoseok to find him watching him already. He gave an encouraging little nod and Jungkook sighed.

His mouth was watering, was the thing. He wanted so badly to sink his teeth into the bag and just rip it apart like some beast. This is food, said his brain, sustenance. You need it to survive.

But he was so painfully aware that this was blood. It was hard to ignore the fact he had died when he knew that he needed to drink blood in order to survive now.

He closed his lips around the straw.

It was… different, somehow. It was Seokjin’s blood – and no Jungkook wasn’t going to get into just how he was able to tell it was Seokjin’s but he knew it was his – but it left an odd after taste in his mouth. The plastic of the bag, that’s what Jungkook tasted. The warmth of it was off as well. It was like having a really good restaurant meal microwaved after two days.

Jungkook pulled off the straw and smacked his lips. Half the bag was already finished.

“Feels weird.” Jungkook mumbled without thinking.

“Feels?” Hoseok repeated and tipped his head. “You mean the taste?”

“I mean the taste is weird too but it’s not bad.” Jungkook said, licking the inside of his cheeks. The plastic taste was odd but honestly Seokjin’s blood tasted nice anyway. He ducked his chin again, suddenly realizing why it felt so off to him. “I’m just – I guess I got used to drinking from – from hyung so… feels weird like this…”

Jungkook shut his eyes tightly and swallowed the groan building in his chest. Oh yeah it feels weird I don’t have my mouth on a grown ass man – what the fuck was he thinking?

“Oh, I can help with that.” Hoseok smiled and stood up, pointed towards the bed. “Can I?”

Jungkook nodded, chewing on the straw as Hoseok crawled into the bed and sat next to him. He made all these little sound effects with each move. Jungkook wondered if the noises were necessary. It was cute.

Hoseok wiggled a little next to Jungkook, repositioned the pillows behind his back and then he looked at Jungkook, patting his hands on his thighs.

“What?” Jungkook stared.

“Come.” Hoseok said and slapped his thighs again with a little bit more force.

“Um.” Jungkook kept staring.

“Come on, you’ve done this with Seokjin hyung. That’s what you meant, right? Let me do my job.” Hoseok smiled and tapped his legs again, this time on a cool beat. “Trust me?”

Jungkook stared. Weirder things had happened so why the fuck not.

It took a moment for Jungkook to figure out how to move without spilling his – drink. His drink. That was it. This was just his drink like – energy drink. It took a moment for him figure out how to move without spilling or hurting himself. The muscles pulled uncomfortably at his stitches if he wasn’t careful about it but he was pretty sure he didn’t bust open any again. Yoongi would be upset at this point.

Hoseok was much smaller than Seokjin. He had a lighter, petite frame, especially in contrast to Jungkook.

Somehow Hoseok felt like a giant in that moment. Jungkook found himself curling into himself on instinct to fit in his arms.

Hoseok had one arm around Jungkook’s back, his other arm under Jungkook’s knees, holding him close to his chest. It was a little awkward, emotionally and physically, but this was better.

“Just close your eyes and do what feels natural now, alright pup?” Hoseok said softly.

Jungkook hummed and shut his eyes, sipping on his drink. This was – this was so much better. Safer. This was safer. Jungkook pulled his legs up as much as he could without hurting himself, leaning against Hoseok’s chest. Under his ear, Jungkook could hear Hoseok’s heartbeat.

It was so loud, so comforting. Jungkook rubbed his cheek over Hoseok’s chest. Jungkook swore he could feel the blood travelling around Hoseok’s body under his skin. He tried to mimic the path but got distracted halfway through, instead finding himself nosing along Hoseok’s neck.

This was – this was familiar. This was how it felt with Seokjin, almost. Jungkook could feel the pulse point on Hoseok’s neck, on the same spot where Seokjin usually fed him. If he – If he just leaned a little into Hoseok and held his bag a little higher he could – like this he could pretend he was drinking straight from the source.

Jungkook’s shoulders relaxed and he sighed, content. This was just – so nice. This was so nice. Hoseok was rubbing his hand in these small, comforting circles over Jungkook’s body, and Jungkook was already tired to begin with.

He was only vaguely aware that Hoseok pulled the bag he was holding – and that was only because suddenly there wasn’t a straw in his mouth. It broke the daze he was in and he made frustrated sounds.

“Oh, that’s an angry chirp.” Hoseok mumbled, amused. Jungkook was blindly mouthing at Hoseok’s neck, trying to bite down at his pulse point but his teeth weren’t sharp enough – he needed fangs. “Very angry. Here you go, pup, drink it all for hyung, no need to be angry now.”

Jungkook made another angry sound but it was silenced quickly when Jungkook felt the straw touching his lips again. Maybe it was a mental thing, a placebo effect of sorts, but like this the blood didn’t have that plastic taste in it.

The process repeated itself. Whenever Jungkook felt like he was at the cusp of falling asleep, all cuddled up and happy, Hoseok would take his empty blood bag and replace it with another one.

It was so easy for Jungkook to melt into Hoseok, to let his eye lids grow heavier and heavier.

The building smells of mold and mildew and rot. The hallways never end – they never end and Jungkook walks and walks and walks and this doesn’t end well he knows but he walks to his death anyway –

There was a whispered conversation happening around Jungkook. Hushed voices talking back and forth. Hoseok’s jaw moved whenever he talked in a near mumble and it was that motion that gently rocked Jungkook awake.

The room was dark except for a night light somewhere in the room casting long shadows. Jungkook blinked and nosed along the underside of Hoseok’s jawline, these pitched noises bubbling out from his mouth with no control.

“Oh, oops.” Hoseok mumbled sweetly. “Seems we woke him up. Sorry pup, didn’t mean to.”

Jungkook yawned, stretching his legs as far as he could as he blinked droopily. He still had the after taste of blood in his mouth.

“Good morning, little one.”

Jungkook opened his eyes with a soft gasp. His body was moving before he even knew it, scrambling to get up but wincing when his injuries flared in pain. Jungkook made an annoyed sound, still trying to sit up at the very least, when a familiar cold hand cupped his face.

“Hey, hey, you’re going to hurt yourself.” Seokjin said softly. He sat down next to them on the bed. “You’re alright.”

Jungkook sighed happily. His body was buzzing with excitement, this odd energy he couldn’t really understand. He just knew he was happy that Seokjin was back with him again. He leaned into his touch and rubbed his nose into his palm, made these pitched noises that came natural to him.

And then Jungkook’s traitor of a brain caught up with him and suddenly Jungkook aware of how he was acting. Sitting in the lap of one man and practically melting into the touch of the other.

He flinched back so hard that the muscles in his neck tensed painfully and Jungkook hissed, one hand shooting up to the bandages. Hoseok and Seokjin both made matching worried sounds and held him so he wouldn’t aggravate his injuries anymore by moving too much.

“Shh, you’re alright.” Seokjin repeated himself. “It’s just us.”

Jungkook breathed through the pain, groaning lightly as it finally stopped throbbing. Oh, his body was still hurting, that wasn’t gone at all, but it was something at least.

“I know.” Jungkook mumbled. “I just –“ I’m just casually being held like a baby and being pet and enjoying it  “Just got confused for a moment. Sorry.”

“No need to apologize for that.” Hoseok said.

Jungkook nodded, taking the easy way out while he still could instead of getting into why he acted like that. He wiggled a little in Hoseok’s arms but made no move to get away from him. He was allowed. He’d died. He could enjoy some cuddling.

“You’re back.” Jungkook instead said, shyly, towards Seokjin.

“Of course I am.” Seokjin replied and patted Jungkook’s leg, not knowing how much it took for Jungkook to not squeak at the touch. “Where else would I go?”

Not come back to me whispered a part of Jungkook’s brain and he ignored it. He was used to being left behind but that whisper – that one was different. That one was heavier.

“I don’t know.” Jungkook mumbled instead and yawned again. “What time is it?”

“It’s noon.” Seokjin said and then added with a wink, “Vampire noon. So, like midnight.”

Jungkook frowned. That didn’t sound right. Jungkook already had his broth around noon. He turned to Hoseok, “But it was just noon?”

“Isn’t it wonderful how every day has its own noon?”  Hoseok smiled and then booped Jungkook’s nose. “Time passes quickly when you’re asleep.”

“Wait –“ Jungkook looked down at himself, how he was still curled in Hoseok’s lap, processing what Hoseok just told him. “Did you stay with me the whole night?”

Hoseok blinked, eyes wide, like the question was something weird, “Of course?”

“That –“ Jungkook swallowed whatever emotion was bubbling in his chest and instead said, “That must have been really uncomfortable…”

“Nah.” Hoseok smiled. “I’m used to it, trust me, you’re very well behaved in your sleep compared to Jimin or Taehyung so it was nothing.”

“You’re like a little baby angel.” Seokjin supplied with a chuckle. “Do you want to stay here or would you like to come to the living room with us? Yoongi made lunch, well, breakfast for you I suppose.”

“Sure.” Jungkook said without even thinking and then remembered how useless his legs currently were. “I can’t – I can’t really walk.”

“That’s why I’m here.” Seokjin stood up. “Come, let hyung help you.”

Jungkook was reaching for him before he knew it. Even with Seokjin and Hoseok’s combined help it was a struggle to get on his feet.

“I got you.” Seokjin said, so easily, once Jungkook was standing albeit swaying a little. Jungkook let out small yelp when Seokjin leaned down and picked him up bridal style. His arms immediately ended around Seokjin’s shoulders and this was – this was nice, actually. Embarrassing, yeah, but Jungkook kinda liked it. It was nice to be held even if it was just because he couldn’t walk. He’d take what he could.

Out of the corner of his eyes Jungkook saw the empty bags of blood from the night before. He didn’t even remember drinking them all. He nuzzled into Seokjin’s neck, feeling his pulse on his lips.

Hoseok and Seokjin chatted between them as they walked down the hall to the living room. It was bright, the tv was on again, the windows showing off the night sky. Jimin and Taehyung were tangled on the sofa with Namjoon.

“Jungkook-ah!” Taehyung sat up immediately with a big smile when he spotted them walk in. “Good morning!”

“Hey.” Jungkook replied, ducking his head, suddenly so very aware that he was being carried like a small child when he was very much so not a small child.

“Did you sleep well?” Jimin piped up this time. He had his head on Namjoon’s shoulder, a lazier smile on his lips but no less happy to see Jungkook.

“He better have, he sleeps for so long.” Taehyung joked.

“He needs to sleep.” Yoongi said as he walked into the living room, immediately checking Jungkook. “And he needs to sleep a lot.”

“He slept well, don’t worry hyung.” Hoseok said while Seokjin carefully lowered Jungkook to the spot that was made for him the night before. “Slept like a baby.”

“Aww.”

Jungkook felt hot all of a sudden. What was he supposed to do with all this attention? He didn’t have anywhere he could hide.

“Can you look at me, little one?”

Jungkook blinked and found himself staring at Yoongi who was crouched in front of him. He furrowed his brows a little but nodded.

Yoongi just gently held Jungkook’s face. Oh no. This was worse. Now he was under Yoongi’s direct and complete focus of attention.

“Alright.” Yoongi said before Jungkook unraveled where he was sitting.

“What is it?” Jungkook managed to say, his voice a little weak.

“It’s nothing, actually.” Yoongi said and sat down at the empty spot next to Jungkook’s feet. “I was worried since you didn’t get to feed from hyung directly last night. You’re alright, though I think you might feel a little hungry.” He glanced towards Jimin and Taehyung. “Be useful and help Hoseok with the plates will you?”

Jimin and Taehyung both snorted, Jungkook wasn’t sure what was so funny, but got up without saying anything and walked out to the kitchen – where apparently Hoseok had already disappeared while Jungkook wasn’t paying attention.

“I’ll make sure he feeds well tonight.” Seokjin said and sat next to Jungkook. He was still wearing a suit, Jungkook noticed suddenly. “Sorry I was late, little one.”

“Oh.” Jungkook blinked and turned to look at the tv for distraction. It was playing advertisements. “It’s – it’s fine. You’re busy.”

“I am, unfortunately.” Seokjin sighed. “I’m usually better at making time for my family though.”

Oh.

Oh.

“M-must have been important.” Jungkook managed somehow. His tongue felt so heavy in his mouth. Could vampires blush? Jungkook still didn’t know. He hoped they didn’t.

“It was.” Seokjin nodded and then scratched the back of Jungkook’s head. “I’ll explain when we’re done eating.”

Oh it was actually important then. Jungkook inhaled deeply.

Jungkook wasn’t so full of himself to think he was important – because he simply wasn’t, that was just a fact of life – but whatever Seokjin had to explain directly involved him. And there were only so many things that talk could be about. So unless Jungkook’s parents decided to suddenly care about him –

He exhaled slowly to calm down. Either it was a positive serious situation or a negative serious situation and Jungkook just didn’t do well with situations. And now he was in the middle of it.

“Hewe we awe!” Jungkook’s head snapped up towards the door as Taehyung walked back in with a large tray in his hands and a french accent that left much to be desired. He even had a little neck tie. “We bwing to yew ouw fiwnest cuiswine!”

Hoseok rolled over to the side laughing, clutching to his middle, as everyone burst into laughter. Jungkook just stared, laughing but also so fucking confused. Where did he even get the neck tie? He couldn’t laugh too much because it hurt both his injuries and his throat but it didn’t stop him.

Jimin trailed in after Taehyung, trying so hard to hold his laughter but his shoulders betrayed him, carrying a bigger tray. Yoongi immediately got up and grabbed the tray from his hands and Jimin doubled over in laughter.

“Is this the famed French-Korean cuisine I’ve heard about?” Namjoon said.

“Oui!” Taehyung replied as he placed the tray on the table. The noise he made – because it didn’t sound like a damn word – came so deep from his throat that it sent Hoseok rolling to the other side now. “Yew cannot-ah foind thiz meawl anywheee elze!”

“Oh, servour,” Seokjin called with a proper French accent, snickering. “Your accent is slipping there a little, love.”

“Ah – monsier – yew must be misheawing me!”

“Oh my god enough.” Yoongi said but his fake anger was so clearly a front to hide his barely held laughter that it didn’t have the desired effect. He was very pointedly not looking at Taehyung. “If he forces his throat anymore he won’t be able to talk at all.”

“Oh he’s very good at forcing his throat.” Jimin snorted between tears and oh this wasn’t funny to Jungkook anymore.

He didn’t need to know that Taehyung – pretty, pretty, sculpted by gods pretty Taehyung – was very good at forcing his throat he really didn’t need that visual and oh it was certainly a visual now and what are the percentages of vampires getting boners because –

“Are you alright, little one?”

Jungkook was proud to say he didn’t flinch when a tray was suddenly – gently – placed on his lap and Yoongi’s face appeared in front of him. He probably looked very stupid but! He didn’t flinch.

“Y-yeah just –“ Jungkook glanced around the room and thankfully it was only Seokjin and Yoongi looking at him while others kept laughing at Taehyung. “Laughed too hard.” Jungkook said. It wasn’t a complete lie. “It hurts to laugh so – y’know.”

“I see.” Yoongi said and ruffled Jungkook’s hair. “Eat as much as you can.”

“Okay.” Jungkook replied, his voice small because it was – it was kind of nice when they played with his hair like that.

Jungkook devoured his portion of the food. He even got second and third fillings, much to everyone’s delight. They weren’t shy to loudly compliment how nicely he ate. Jungkook wasn’t sure what to do with that so he just kept stuffing his face with more food.

Good, healthy food was a luxury to Jungkook. His diet for the last few years was basically whatever cheap frozen food he could afford and take-outs. Cup ramyuns were a life safer. Maybe it wasn’t very nice of him as a guest to demand so much but Jungkook had spent the last few years perpetually hungry and then he’d died hungry too.

Jungkook ate until he physically couldn’t eat anymore and leaned back with a groan. It was good that his clothes were all over sized. Seokjin patted his shoulder in between finishing his own plate. Jungkook closed his eyes to just – he ate too much alright? It hurt his belly a little. So he wanted to have a moment to just make sure he wasn’t dying from food.

The group kept talking amongst themselves, easy conversation filling the living room. Their chatter was nice to listen to, a constant background music he could get used to. They had such distinct voices that it created a natural harmony. It was almost a lullaby.

“Oh – not too loud, I think he’s asleep.” Jimin whispered and Jungkook peeped open an eye with a lazy smile.

“ ‘m awake.” He mumbled. “Ate too much.”

“Hyung is a great cook.” Hoseok smiled and nodded towards Yoongi. Yoongi just hummed in response, not looking up from his plate. Hoseok rolled his eyes and then stage-whispered, “He’s not good with eye contact.”

Considering that Jungkook had been in the other end of Yoongi’s stares he felt like objecting. Yoongi just rolled his eyes.

“If you’re feeling any better,” Seokjin nudged him with his shoulder, “There is something we need to talk about.”

Jungkook looked up at Seokjin, something uncomfortable brewing in his belly that wasn’t just the unholy amount of food he ate. Only so many ways this conversation could go and Jungkook just wanted it to be something good. For once. He wanted to hear good news for once in his life.

“Okay.” Jungkook nodded, steeling himself.

“Don’t look so scared, it’s not bad news.” Namjoon said with a smile that was equally warm as his voice. Jungkook stared, his lips parted for a moment, before nodding. Alright. Alright.

“Alright.” He said and looked at Seokjin. He tried to hold back the need to just bury his face in Seokjin’s neck. “Then…?”

“We know where the coven that hurt you is currently located. They will be in our custody come morning.” Seokjin said. “We considered going after them before then but we decided to carry out the plan like this instead. Namjoon has a highly trained team ready to handle this.”

Jungkook’s lips parted open. He stared at Seokjin as the words sank in. What type of person was Namjoon to have a highly trained team? Actually, scratch that, Jungkook didn’t want to know.

“Really?” Jungkook asked, holding hope at bay because he’d been here before. Promises after promises.

“Yes, really.” Seokjin smiled back and fixed Jungkook’s hair. Jungkook leaned in towards his touch. “Next time you wake up, Seoul will be safe from a rabid coven.”

“And you’re –“ he blinked. “You’re actually sure you will catch them? They won’t – they won’t run away? They won’t fight back?”

“They might fight back.” Namjoon said but shrugged. “They won’t win.”

“Don’t think they can fight back.” Hoseok mumbled to himself, unimpressed, and sipped his drink.

“What?” Jungkook shook his head.

“Before I start.” Seokjin spoke up. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and after a few swipes he held it up to Jungkook for him to see. “Is this person familiar at all?”

It was a photo of a girl with a bad hair dye and that was enough for Jungkook to start nodding. Her outfit was all tattered and she looked just as terrible as the first time he’d seen her. If anything, sitting on some medical table under proper lights made her look worse.

“Yeah.” He nodded. “Yeah, yeah, she was there. I don’t – I didn’t get to get a look at all of them but I remember her.”

“Alright, that’s good to know.” Seokjin said and put his phone down. “I went to visit a friend of mine the other day but my visit was cut short when his fledgling came in running, attacked.” He started. “Turns out she was attacked by four vampires, four fledglings, and this girl was one of them. We caught her later that day. We had a talk with her but some of the things we’ve learned is troubling.”

“Her name is Eunjoo and she is a fledgling like you. Only fifteen days old.” Namjoon said.

Jungkook looked back and forth between Namjoon and Seokjin, lost.

“Okay?” he asked.

“He’s not even a week old.” Hoseok reminded with a brow raised and a pointed look at Seokjin and Namjoon. “He’s not going to understand the weight of that.”

Jungkook frowned, “Weight of what?”

“Remember how we keep telling you that fledglings are delicate?” Yoongi spoke up this time. Jungkook nodded. “I know you won’t be particularly fond of the analogy but for vampires, fledglings are like our babies. They are creatures of our make, creatures we bring to life, creatures we give our blood to. Fledglings are precious to us. All of them, even if they aren’t of our coven or sired by us.”

“Most fledglings don’t leave their coven at all until they are a hundred years old.” Namjoon said and then motioned towards Jimin and Taehyung, “Or if they do they’re heavily watched and guarded.”

“A hundred?” Jungkook mumbled as he stared at Jimin and Taehyung – who weren’t that old yet. They were fledglings. That’s what they’d told him before. A hundred years old. Everyone else in the room was at least a hundred years old. Jungkook swallowed thickly.

“We just turned fifty.” Taehyung gave a little apologetic smile, almost like he could see how much these numbers were stressing him. Just fifty. Just fifty years old.

“Fledglings are pampered.” Hoseok said and pinched Jimin’s impressively soft cheeks. “They don’t hunt or anything, they’re never put in a rough situation. Think of it like super fancy, super loved sugar babies.”

Jimin made this chirping sound that was drowned by his giggling. The sound made something in Jungkook’s brain click into space and he almost tried to mimic it before swallowing down the urge. This wasn’t the time for – whatever the fuck that was.

“Wait –“ Jungkook said. “They don’t hunt?”

“Nope.” Hoseok said. “Fledglings are handfed for the most part. Hell, even after they turn a hundred years old we usually help them.”

“But –“ Jungkook shook his head and looked down at the darkened screen of Seokjin’s phone. “I mean – they were clearly hunting right?” I was the prey, right?

“That brings up our issue.” Namjoon said. Jungkook turned to Seokjin.

“All fledglings are precious, whether they are sired by us or another vampire.” Seokjin said. “And because they are so precious to us there are certain unspoken agreements between vampires. Such as the fact that fledglings are never brought into conflicts. They are never taken hostage, they are never taken advantage of. The same law doesn’t apply to fledglings as the one for adult vampires.” Seokjin counted off the top of his head, just to give Jungkook a general idea. “And fledglings are not attacked.”

“But this coven attacked your friend’s fledgling.” Jungkook tried slowly and almost broke into a huge smile when Seokjin nodded proudly.

“The problem is –“ Seokjin said, “My friend’s fledgling was attacked by another fledgling.”

“A fledgling that shouldn’t be hunting in the first place.” Yoongi added.

“Okay…” Jungkook said slowly, feeling lost.

“Fledglings aren’t beholden to the same laws as the adult vampires.” Seokjin reminded. “Meaning, in this case, Eunjoo technically didn’t break a law.”

Jungkook frowned, “That doesn’t – that doesn’t make any sense she was clearly hunting and she hurt someone – “

“The fault goes to her sire.” Seokjin said. “If a fledgling breaks the law, the sire is punished for not teaching properly. However it gets a little trickier in this case because Eunjoo is a fledgling and we found many evidence that her sire is very neglectful.”

“And that is a severely punishable crime.” Namjoon said. “There hasn’t been a case this bad as long as I can remember. Vampires take care of their fledglings, this sire had them hunting.”

This sire –

“He – “ Jungkook swallowed thickly and – fuck it. He pulled himself closer to Seokjin, practically hugging his arm. “He turned me. He – he’s the one…” Jungkook trailed off, shaky, and stared up at Seokjin.

Seokjin pulled him into a proper, one armed hug and Jungkook sighed in relief under his touch. Seokjin felt like a protective shield around him.

“And he will be punished for it.” Seokjin promised. “He will be punished for every cut on your body.”

In just the short few days Jungkook had known Seokjin, the man had always spoken with kindness. His voice was just naturally warm and soft whenever he was talking to Jungkook.

This was – different. Still warm but with power behind it.

Jungkook nodded. “Okay. Okay.” He swallowed. “That’s good, then, right?” he looked around the room.

“It is.” Namjoon said and Jungkook’s face dropped. There was a but – there was always a but –, “But.”

There it was

“Just to be sure.” Seokjin cut in again. “You said Sungho was missing for a month, yes? And you’re sure he saw him under the sun before that?”

“Yeah. I’m sure.” Jungkook said. “He was gone for a month and I saw him under sun light.”

Seokjin nodded, momentarily looking off the side. Jungkook frowned, his eyes flitting from person to person. Why even bring Sungho up if they were talking about the sire person who did this to Jungkook? He was going to be punished so –

Oh.

If Sungho was missing a month, and Jungkook had seen him under the sun before, and Eunjoo was fifteen days old – and Jimin and Taehyung were fifty but still fledglings -

“Sungho’s a fledgling.” Jungkook said, voice empty.

“Yes. He is.” Seokjin nodded. “So is Eunjoo. So are you.”

“And – and the law doesn’t apply to fledglings.” Jungkook swallowed. “S-so… Sungho won’t be punished.”

He hated how shaky his voice came out, how weak. Desperate. Hated how his throat was started to constrict and how his eyes were beginning to burn.

Seokjin made a noise and pulled Jungkook closer, kissed the top of his head. It would be so easy for Jungkook to just stay in this little bubble, in this safety Seokjin’s arms created for him. Life had never been easy for Jungkook though.

“At first.” Seokjin said. “There are other ways. We just have to make sure Sungho’s sire is punished first. There are ways. I promise. Sungho will get the end he deserves, I promise.”

“How are you so sure?” Jungkook said, swallowed back his tears.

“I run Seoul.” Seokjin just said. “And if there aren’t any laws that apply then I’ll make them myself.”

So many promises. Was it always this easy for Seokjin to make promises? Did he never worry about not being able to keep them? Did he never worry about breaking someone’s heart?

Jungkook shut his eyes. His head was hurting. He leaned his forehead against Seokjin’s shoulder and just stayed like that.

Seokjin was a good man. He had a good heart. He gave nice hugs and Jungkook liked it when he paid attention to him.

He wouldn’t be able to keep his promise. It was fine. It was okay, really. Jungkook was used to it and honestly, he didn’t think it would hurt as much as the other promises when it inevitably failed. Promises would break and this family would eventually move on from Jungkook and he would be alone again. That was fine. He was used to it.

So, just for now, under the pretense that promises would be kept, Jungkook let Seokjin hold him.

“Are you alright, little one?” Yoongi said, his voice much closer. Then there was a hand on his back, soothing down his spine. “Are you pain?”

“My head hurts.” Jungkook said. It was slowly getting stronger, like a drill behind his eyes. He rubbed his head against Seokjin’s shoulder, felt the nice fabric against his skin, “’m tired.”

“Let’s get you to bed, then.” Seokjin said gently. “Let me change my clothes first and then I’ll carry you, is that alright?”

“We can take him.” Jimin piped up. “You go change, Taehyung and I can help him.”

“Is that alright with you?” Seokjin asked.

He would have to be separated from Seokjin either way so – sure. He nodded along and Seokjin placed a kiss on Jungkook’s hairline.

“I’ll be quick.” Seokjin said and got up. Jungkook reluctantly let go of him.

Taehyung ended up carrying Jungkook back to his room, the three of them silent all the way down the hallway. They didn’t say much even when Taehyung carefully put him down to bed and Jimin pulled the covers over him.

Jimin opened his mouth like he was about to say something but paused, staring off to the side before saying, “Seokjin hyung is on the phone with someone.”

“Sounds important.” Taehyung mumbled and sat down at Jungkook’s feet. “How bad is your headache? We can get something for it if you want.”

“I’ll be fine.” Jungkook replied. “I’m just tired, that’s it.” He stopped and chewed on his lower lip. “You guys – you guys know what happened to me, right?”

Jimin and Taehyung glanced at each other, unsure, before nodding. Good. Jungkook had assumed that they would be able to hear it when he was telling Yoongi and Seokjin the other day. He didn’t want to keep repeating what he’d been through over and over again.

“Okay.” Jungkook nodded, awkward. Now what? He looked at Jimin, “You were alright after the whole – memory thingy, right?”

“Yeah!” Jimin smiled. “I was a little tired and all but that’s because I haven’t done this in some time.”

In some time… Before, Jungkook would have assumed – well, he wasn’t sure what he’d assume, he didn’t get to really process the fact that Jimin had a power to help people with their memories, but seeing how young Jimin looked he would have assumed that maybe Jimin had done this once or twice before, not that far apart.

Now he knew that Jimin was fifty years old. In some time could mean any type of time span to him.

“Yeah, just wanted to say thank you.” Jungkook said.

Jimin tilted his head with a smile, “Not sure if I deserve a thank you, those weren’t nice memories.”

“No, thank you.” Jungkook pressed. “If I didn’t know I’d just imagine the worst and – “ well, the worst had happened to him anyway, hadn’t it? “Just – thank you, really.”

Jimin smiled in a bashful way and that just wasn’t fair. No really, why was everyone in this house so good looking? Jungkook could handle one good looking person or two. Hell, maybe even three! But six good looking people? Who were all dating each other? What the fuck was he supposed to do with that?

“You know you don’t look a day over thirty for someone fifty years old.” Jungkook teased. He wasn’t even sure if this was a good idea but his head hurt and he was sleepy and Jimin was cute so fuck it. He wanted to know more about them.

Taehyung laughed loudly and slapped Jimin’s shoulder while Jimin rolled his eyes but it was clear he was doing his best to hold back a smile.

“Why are you laughing?” Jimin elbowed Taehyung. “We’re the same age.”

“You’re older than me!” Taehyung pointed out.

“By a couple of weeks!” Jimin shot back.

“Jungkook-ah, you should have seen Jimin-ah when he was an infant he had the cutest cheeks –“ Taehyung ducked away from a punch, “ – he was so cute I swear.”

“His cheeks are still pretty cute.” Jungkook tried. That was – that was an acceptable compliment right? Jimin did have squishy cheeks, it was a fact. Jungkook hoped he wasn’t overstepping boundaries.

“When we first came here hyungs would always pinch his cheeks.” Taehyung kept going, ignoring Jimin’s attempt at beheading him. Apparently vampires can’t really blush, physically, but Jungkook just knew Jimin would be apple red if he could.

Which probably meant that even if Jungkook couldn’t blush the others could tell when he was supposed to be blushing. Cool. Cool cool cool. Good to know.

“Wait –“ Jungkook stopped. “When you first came here? You’re not…” Jungkook frowned, trying to figure out how to word it. “You’re not from this coven?”

“Technically, we’re adopted.” Jimin said, abruptly stopping his mission to kill Taehyung. “Seokjin hyung took us in when we were about ten years old.”

“Ten?” Jungkook pinched his face together in confusion. “You were kids?”

“Oh, no no!” Jimin waved a hand. “We should have explained that better actually. We don’t add our human ages to our age. When we say we are fifty years old we mean we have been vampires for fifty years, not including how long we lived as humans. So we were ten year old infants when Seokjin hyung got us.”

“We were both twenty-five when we became vampires.” Taehyung added. “Didn’t we mention that we’re not from this coven?”

“I can’t remember, maybe?” Jimin turned to Jungkook but honestly the last few days had been so hectic that Jungkook barely remembered anything clearly. “But yeah, we weren’t sired by anyone in this coven. You’re the first!”

“Well, technically speaking it wasn’t Seokjin hyung who turned him but, eh.” Taehyung added casually but smiled at Jungkook. “You’re our very first fledgling! That’s exciting!”

Jungkook found himself smiling back, unable to stop it from spreading on his face. Honestly Jungkook didn’t really care if technically speaking he was turned by someone else, he didn’t want to ever acknowledge that that bastard had any connection to him. It was Seokjin. Seokjin was his sire, not anyone else.

Wait.

“Wait, what do you mean adopted?” Jungkook tilted his head. “What happened –“ he cut himself off. It could be a bad memory and he didn’t want to make them live through that if that was the case.

Jimin waved a hand as if he could read his mind.

“Our sire was a good sire.” Taehyung said while Jimin sided up to him. “He wasn’t a particularly good vampire.”

“He tried to start a civil war.” Jimin huffed through his nose and rolled his eyes. “Just because he wanted more power and thought he could use a conflict of that magnitude to his advantage. Hubris is everyone’s downfall.”

“When he was caught and judge and found guilty, we were left sireless.” Taehyung carried on. “We had a few – “ he paused and hummed, “I guess the best way to explain it would be older siblings, we weren’t our sire’s only fledglings. We were the youngest though.”

“Seokjin hyung decided to take the two of us in.” Jimin said with a soft smile, eyes a little faraway like he was remembering that day. “We’ve been here ever since. Honestly, I like it better here. Our sire was a good sire but,” he shrugged, “Hyungs here are better.”

“What happened to your other siblings?” Jungkook asked.

“They were given to other vampires.” Taehyung said. “I never kept up with them. Sibling is too generous as a word honestly. We were just turned by the same person. We never even met our sire’s eldest fledgling at the time and the only one we were friendly with was adopted by a vampire on the other side of Korea so…”

“And your sire?” Jungkook asked.

“He was executed.”

“Oh.”

“It’s fine.” Taehyung squeezed Jungkook’s ankle. “He did try starting a civil war. That wasn’t the only bad thing so – we figured it wouldn’t end well for him.”

There were so many questions Jungkook wanted to ask but it didn’t seem appropriate to do so. He couldn’t imagine losing Seokjin like that and being handed over to a different sire – no matter how nice the other sire might be.

“I’m sorry for your loss.” Jungkook mumbled awkwardly.

“Thanks.” Taehyung smiled. “It’s been forty years. You get used to it.”

“It must have been hard though.” Jungkook said.

“It was.” Jimin agreed. “The first few days, the first year, it was agonizing. Everyone here was kind and they were so good to us but there isn’t much to be done for that type of pain.”

“It was kinda weird to be adopted by Seokjin hyung too to be hoenst.” Taehyung said and snorted a little like it was an inside joke. “I mean – it’s a bit awkward to be taken in by the man who made the final decision on our sire’s death.”

“What.”

It came out of Jungkook without him knowing, something punched out of him.

Jimin and Taehyung both looked at him and gave a nod. There wasn’t anything on their face that seemed uncomfortable or offended.

“Seokjin hyung is part of the grand council.” Jimin said. “He’s a Vampire Lord, with capitalized first letters and all, he was part of the people who decided on our sire’s execution.”

“H-how –“

“How do we live with someone who was instrumental in our sire’s death?” Taehyung finished it for Jungkook, an amused little smile on his lips. He shrugged, “Even after everything our sire did, and he did lots of terrible things, war crimes, it was because of Seokjin hyung that he had a quick death.”

“Also, it’s impossible to hate hyung.” Jimin chuckled lightly. “I know that’s a lot to hear and a lot to process but –“ he licked his pillowy lips. He leaned forward, gaze serious and locked on Jungkook’s, “If there is one thing you can rely one, one thing you can trust, it’s Seokjin hyung. He keeps his promises.”

Jungkook swallowed.

He wasn’t stupid. Maybe he wasn’t the smartest person but Jungkook wasn’t dumb. He knew that vampires were, well, vampires. Even the best of them must have done some shit. Even this coven. He’d thought so when he’d first realized how rich they were – people didn’t get rich like this out of nowhere.

He wasn’t blind. Seokjin had been promising him revenge ever since Jungkook woke up here. Jungkook wasn’t stupid.

“Oh, hyung’s coming.” Taehyung piped up and turned his head just as the door opened.

Seokjin was wearing a matching pajama set this time but the top head a wide scooped neck like all the other pajamas he wore so far. Jungkook swallowed thickly as he gazed over Seokjin’s throat, gums itching.

“Oh good, you didn’t maul him to death.” Seokjin said as he shut the door behind him.

“He’s too cute to maul.” Jimin giggled.

“I’d much rather kiss him.” Taehyung said so fucking causally and Jungkook just-

Cool. This was totally – yup.

“Are you trying to give him a heart attack?” Seokjin scolded and then flopped his hands angrily, “Go, shoo shoo, Hoseok is waiting for you. Go, go.”

Jimin and Taehyung left in a bubble of giggles, hand in hand, but not before stealing quick kisses from Seokjin and waving back at Jungkook. It was oddly silent once they were gone.

“Is your head still hurting?” Seokjin asked as he rounded the bed.

“Yeah, kind of.” Jungkook nodded. “It’s not too bad though.”

Seokjin hummed and put two of his fingers under Jungkook’s chin, tipping his head up. Jungkook held his breath, felt his lungs expand as far as they could, and his eyes fluttered shut.

“Can I get in the bed?” Seokjin asked.

“Y-yeah.” Jungkook mumbled out in a whisper.

Dazed, Jungkook blinked slowly as Seokjin climbed into the bed and sat beside him, pulled the covers over his legs. Then they were just sitting there, side by side, in the same bed. Like – boyfriends, maybe.

They weren’t. They wouldn’t be, either. Seokjin already had five boyfriends, what need did he have for a sixth?

But Jungkook could pretend. In the safety of his mind he could play make-believe. This wasn’t that different from his one night stands, where he would lay awake at night next to some stranger at pretend that, just for that moment, he was with someone he loved.

“You’re thinking hard.”

Seokjin’s voice was warm. It was always warm and careful, almost as if he was worried if he spoke in any other fashion Jungkook would break apart. Maybe he would. At this point Jungkook wasn’t sure of anything.

“Yeah, ‘s just.” Jungkook licked his lips. “It’s a lot.”

“Yeah. It’s a lot.” Seokjin nodded. “I’m sorry there isn’t much I can do to make it all easier for you.”

“It’s fine, it’s –“ Jungkook fought the urge to lean against Seokjin and closed his eyes instead. “It helps just – knowing you’re here. It helps knowing you guys care.”

For now, Jungkook didn’t add.

“It will be over soon.” Seokjin said and reached out to squeeze Jungkook’s bicep. “Then it will be just a bunch of paperwork for me to deal with.”

Jungkook huffed through his nose a little, a small smile on his lips. He made it sound so easy.

“According to our resident doctor, you have to feed well today to make up for last night.” Seokjin said.

“Okay.” Jungkook said silently.

Seokjin paused before looking at Jungkook. Jungkook was looking down at his lap, at his bandaged arms, not saying anything. Was he supposed to say something?

“Hey.”

Jungkook risked a quick glance sideway, “Yeah?”

“I promise it will be okay.”

“Don’t –“ Jungkook started and immediately cut himself off, pressed his lips together so tight he could feel his scars rub against each other.

“Don’t what?” Seokjin asked gently. Always so gently.

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” Jungkook forced it out. It felt wrong to say it out loud. It felt like he was going off-script – he wasn’t supposed to tell people that. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. People were supposed to make promises and then they were supposed to break Jungkook’s heart.

“Jungkook-ah.”

Jungkook chewed on his bottom lip. He couldn’t give a fuck about the scars there. If anything that subtle burning pain was something he could focus on, it was a reason why his eyes were tearing up. He shook his head and kept staring at his lap.

“Jungkook-ah,” Seokjin repeated, so much gentler this time. “Please look at me?”

Jungkook breathed in shakily but lifted his head, eyes downcast as Seokjin carefully held his face. Slowly, Seokjin guided Jungkook and Jungkook let himself be moved, finding an odd sense of comfort in the fact that he didn’t have to worry about what to do with his body. He ended up straddling Seokjin, still avoiding looking at him, his eyes focused on Seokjin’s shirt instead.

Seokjin pulled the covers until they were over Jungkook’s shoulder. He held Jungkook’s chin again and gently lifted his head and this time Jungkook looked at Seokjin’s face.

Seokjin didn’t look that old. Even in comparison to Jimin and Taehyung or even Jungkook himself. He couldn’t be that old in human age, at least. Jungkook had no idea how old he could be in vampire years.

He looked kind though. He had warm eyes.

“I don’t make promises I can’t keep.”

He spoke with finality. He was so sure of it.

Jungkook shook his head, barely holding it together, “No – I – people say that, they always say that –“

Seokjin cupped Jungkook’s face with both hands, thumbing away stray tears that betrayed Jungkook.

“I’m not people.” Seokjin said. “I keep my promises.”

“You don’t know that –“ Jungkook hiccupped and oh, this was it, now he was crying like some baby. Seokjin’s brows pulled together and he shook his head, making soft noises to soothe Jungkook. “It won’t – it always goes wrong – “

“Oh, my darling.” Seokjin said as he shushed him. “You’ve been hurt so much.”

Jungkook cried harder. He couldn’t even be ashamed of it anymore, something in him just broke. Seokjin said it so gently. So fucking gently. Gentleness Jungkook was never shown in his life. Seokjin pulled Jungkook closer and kissed his forehead.

“You won’t be hurt here.” Seokjin said softly. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. You’re mine, my sweet fledgling, my precious little one. No one will hurt you.”

Jungkook fisted the front of Seokjin’s hands, not knowing what to do with his own body as sobs wrecked through him. Seokjin moved one hand down the length of Jungkook’s spine, pressing in to make sure Jungkook knew it was intentional when he pulled him closer. Jungkook wrapped his arms around Seokjin’s wide shoulders and buried his face against his neck, shaking as Seokjin hugged him.

“You’re safe now.”

Jungkook cried. He just cried and cried and cried until he physically couldn’t. Seokjin held him through it, murmured sweetly to him, pet him. When Jungkook hit his limit and sagged boneless against his chest, Seokjin kissed the side of his head.

Jungkook hoped he’d keep kissing him like this. It wasn’t romantic in the slightest but it just felt so nice. It made Jungkook feel loved in a way he’d never felt before. Cared for.

“You’re alright.” Seokjin mumbled against Jungkook’s ear, one hand drawing lazy circles over the small of Jungkook’s back. “You’re alright, I have you, you’re alright.”

Jungkook shut his eyes. He swallowed thickly and winced when his throat burned. It was fucked, again. What little the honeyed tea and broth had helped was messed again because Jungkook was such a fucking crybaby. What kind of dumbass cried because someone promised a better life? Jungkook, that’s who. Damaged beyond help.

Seokjin would see it too, eventually. He would realize he wasn’t worth the trouble.

But until that time came, Jungkook wanted to stay here in his arms. Seokjin had one hand resting at the back of Jungkook’s head, playing with his hair, his other hand on his lower back. Jungkook couldn’t remember the last time someone held him with so much care.

He could feel Seokjin’s heart beat against his chest. This close to his neck, he could almost hear his blood pumping through his veins. Jungkook nosed over Seokjin’s neck until he found the pulse point and absentmindedly mouthed over it.

“Ah, I almost forgot. How could I, bad Seokjinnie.” Seokjin talked to himself. “Come out for just a moment little one, I’ll give you what you want.”

Reluctantly, Jungkook did as he was told. His face felt cold now that he wasn’t pressed into Seokjin and he pouted. Seokjin wiped away the tear tracks on Jungkook’s cheeks, held his face with his hands again and gave a little smile.

“There you are.” He said. “You must be hungry.”

Jungkook nodded, his head bobbing like a ragdoll. Seokjin cooed at him, his eyes full of warmth. He raised a finger and cut a straight line on his neck and Jungkook latched on before he could even blink.

Seokjin’s blood tasted so much better when it was straight from the source and not in some plastic bag. Jungkook was making these little involuntary sounds as he drank, little yips and chirps, and he tried so hard to get even closer to Seokjin despite the fact it was physically impossible.

“There you go.” Seokjin whispered, one hand placed at the back of Jungkook’s head. “You’re getting better at this, little one.”

Jungkook hummed happily at the praise. He was good. He was a good fledgling, his sire was proud of him. It was – it was still hard. It was tricky. Instinct told Jungkook to latch but he wasn’t sure how he was supposed to do that. He just held himself as close as he could and sealed his lips around the cut and lapped up everything.

There was no time when Jungkook was like this. His brain happily buzzed, his body slowly relaxing. Safe. So fucking safe. When his head got too heavy for him to carry, Seokjin gladly did it for him, guiding him and holding him at his neck.

“Everything will be alright, little one. I promise.”

Jungkook sucked over the slit on Seokjin’s neck, mouth full of blood, and hope that just this once it would be true.

Chapter Text

Jungkook looked so much younger in his sleep. His cheeks seemed to be rounder than usual, his chin and jaw softer than when he was awake. His lips were just as pouty though. His eyelashes curved softly over his cheeks, his brows furrowed by whatever dream he was in.

Seokjin never thought it would be this hard to leave a sleeping infant behind. Instincts told him to stay with him, to look after him and protect him. He reminded himself that leaving Jungkook for a few hours to deal with work was also a way of protecting him. The sooner he got rid of pests the better for Jungkook.

“Hyung, the car is here.”

Seokjin hummed in response, his eyes focused on the way Jungkook’s face twitched lightly once, twice, and then again. Seokjin frowned and leaned closer to his little one, cupping Jungkook’s face with one hand and rubbing his thumb over his cheek with a silent shush until Jungkook relaxed and instinctively turned his face into Seokjin’s palms.

“That’s new.” Hoseok spoke up again from the door way, his gaze trained on Jungkook’s sleeping form.

Nightmares were the least of their worries. It was also the one they’d expected the most. A death as traumatic at Jungkook’s was bound to come back in some form.

Seokjin frowned. The sooner he left and the sooner he could return.

“Alright.” He said and walked to Hoseok. “Make sure he drinks from those blood bags, make up for the day I wasn’t here to feed him. A single day is enough to be catastrophic and Jungkook is already –“

“Hyung,” Hoseok said, somehow looking amused and a little offended at the same time. “I know.”

Seokjin paused and took in Hoseok’s humored expression with just a slight tint of annoyance under it. And beneath it all was something Seokjin dare not touch or mention in the slightest.

“Of course.” He said instead and pulled Hoseok for a hug. “I didn’t doubt you, Hob-ah, this is your area of expertise after all. Hyung is just stressed.”

“I know.” Hoseok hugged him back and gave him a kiss on his shoulder. “But let me do my job, yeah?”

Seokjin nodded, “Jimin and Tae are still asleep?”

“Yeah, it’s way too early for them.” Hoseok nodded. “I’ll make sure all three are well fed and pampered while you’re gone. Now go, Joonie and Yoongi hyung is waiting for you in the car.”

Hoseok pushed up to his tip toes to properly kiss Seokjin, sweet and chaste but Seokjin didn’t want it to end, leaning after him when Hoseok pulled back. Seokjin nodded and looked at Jungkook. He was barely visible under all the covers. He nodded again and then turned around.

The ride was silent. All three of them were trying to get a head start on the hundreds of emails they had to reply on their phone. Sometimes Seokjin missed when it was harder to communicate, when letters took days or weeks or even months to arrive. Now he had to get creative if he wanted to ignore annoying requests.

Because although this pest problem was Seokjin’s priority he still had a city to run. And Seoul was chock full of problems even on the easiest of days.

The Underground was working at full capacity. Seokjin hadn’t seen anyone lazing around since the day they’d found Jungkook. Everyone was running in all directions, everyone was always on their phones, everyone was always trying to connect the pieces together. Even those who weren’t involved with the case were always on their feet, picking up the workload left behind so the city didn’t come crashing down.

A nice monetary boost would be nice by the end of this case. They’d earned it.

The only people who didn’t immediately jump out of Seokjin’s direct path were his lovely flock of assistants with their hands full of files and notepads and pencils.  Seokjin had long learned how to keep track of what they were saying when they had a tendency to speak at the same time. Eventually they would learn to take turns.

“The catch was successful, my lord.” Said one of them. “Captain Choi has decided to place them all in the interrogation rooms instead of holding cells.”

“One by one or in groups?”

“One person per room.” Another answered.

“Did he report why?” Namjoon asked.

“Yes, they’re all infants sir.” Answered another one. “All except for their sire.”

“Were they given a medical check?” Yoongi asked.

“Yes but they will be checked again once they are all awake.”

They’re all infants. Of course they were all sleeping. So were Jimin and Taehyung and Jungkook. It had been barely an hour since sundown.

“Good to know your team successfully snatched sleeping infants, Namjoon-ah.” Yoongi deadpanned.

“They’re trained for any condition.” Namjoon replied with a matching tone. “You never know how vicious an infant can be.”

Considering that Jungkook was minutes old when he fucked up his original sire – that sentence had more truth to it than Namjoon’s joke.

“How many infants?” Seokjin asked.

“There’s twelve of them in total, including Eunjoo. The doctors’ didn’t find any serious injuries but they’re all severely malnourished.”

“I would be shocked if they weren’t.” Seokjin sighed. “Are blood bags ready?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good.”

Once upon a time Seokjin had been called ridiculous for having a large amount of interrogation rooms planned for The Underground. It was good to know that Seokjin being grumpy about having a lot of rooms hundreds of years ago finally paid off now.

Unsurprisingly the area all around the interrogation rooms was full of staff. Namjoon’s team was scattered here and there, the medical teams were standing by, security keeping a close eye on everything.

Seokjin gave them all a quick nod as he passed by in acknowledgement as he finally walked into the main hallway.

He slowed down his speed to look into the rooms through the two-way glasses. The rooms had been modified since the last time Seokjin was here, attempted to turn into something more welcoming than a cold interrogation room would be. There were floor beds and lots of blankets, new clothes prepared on the side and freezers full of blood.

Most of the infants were still curled up and sleeping. Only three of them were actually awake – and glued to a back wall. None of the infants were tied the way Eunjoo had been. They were free to roam around the room though if the obvious fear in the three infants were anything to go by then Seokjin highly doubted they would get away from their makeshift beds.

All the rooms had three staff waiting in them for safety; a guard, a doctor, and an older Sire to hopefully keep the infants calm.

They all looked identical to Eunjoo. Too pale, too skinny, too sickly looking. Their clothes were torn and tattered, their hair all dirty and matted. Seokjin couldn’t get a good look on the infants that were soundly sleeping but he doubted they looked any better.

“Get them all tested.” Yoongi said. “Same tests as Eunjoo.”

“Yes sir.”

Seokjin’s slow pace came to a halt as he stared inside a particular window. It was the same scene as the others; the older vampires trying to calm the infant who was just waking up, confused and in a foreign room.

This one had a familiar face.

Seokjin should truly compliment Jungkook’s drawing skills because he nailed Sungho’s creep factor.

This is an infant. This is an infant, Seokjin. You can’t do anything until their sire is punished. Don’t kill the creep infant.

“Well, I’m sure they put up a mighty fight.” Seokjin commented off his shoulder as Captain Choi came closer with a quick nod of respect.

“They were heavy to carry, if that counts.” Captain replied with an easy smile. “We have a team collecting items from their hideout, everything should be brought here in a few hours. They’re being thorough with it.”

“Good.” Seokjin nodded. “And their sire?”

“Speedy fella.” Captain Choi said and then tipped his head down the hall. “He abandoned his fledglings and tried to escape. He sustained a few injuries in the chase.”

“It’s always a shame when you trip over your own feet.” Namjoon said.

Seokjin snorted and looked away from Sungho as he finally let the doctor take a better look at him. He made his down the hall to where Captain Choi had motioned towards.

“I want everything documented.” He said. “Everything the infants say, all their injuries, everything found in their hideout. I want it all on paper in detail. Make multiple copies of the documents to give to the judges. I want photos of all the injuries on the infants – and copies of those. If a single evidence is missed I will be quite disappointed in all of you.”

“Yes my lord.”

“Good.” Seokjin said and gave a quick look to Namjoon and Yoongi. “I’d like to be alone.” He nodded towards Namjoon, “You and your team can have him after.”

“All yours.” Namjoon said. “We’ll be in the observation room.”

Seokjin nodded again and pushed open the door.

Unlike the infants, the sire was handcuffed to a chair. His feet were also tied, his head hanging down. Seokjin’s footsteps were loud in the otherwise silent room. He sat down and crossed his legs, his hands politely gathered on his lap. He tipped his head to one side as he took in the sight in front of him.

The man didn’t raise his head. He didn’t move a single muscle. The silence stretched and stretched. Ah. So that’s how it was going to go. Sure, Seokjin could play along but he found a different type of joy in ruining well-rehearsed monologues.

“So tell me,” he started. “How long have you been sitting here with your head down like some orphaned foal waiting for the perfect moment to start talking? At some point your neck ought to hurt.”

Silence.

Seokjin smirked. He knew that silence well. It was a silence in which his audience had to recalibrate their now ruined act and come up with something just as effective without looking affected by Seokjin ruining their plan.

Silence dragged on once more but Seokjin enjoyed every second of it. Silence made it awkward after all but not for Seokjin. He enjoyed making feel people awkward – even more so when it was as someone as despicable as this sire. Let him try to salvage whatever speech he had prepared to seem powerful even in chains.

Finally, after long minutes of silence, a snort. A shake of shoulders as the man faked mirth.

“Well, isn’t it my lucky day then.” He said, voice rough. “Kim Seokjin, Lord of Seoul, in the flesh.”

“Is that really the best you could come up with?” Seokjin asked. “You’re not very good at this.”

A pause. Then the man lifted his head.

Jungkook’s portrait of Sungho was accurate. Seokjin couldn’t exactly say the same thing here because the man didn’t have much of a face to look at.

It was all swollen, deep splashes of purple so dark it was almost black. His nose seemed to be broken – at least Seokjin assumed so, it was hard to tell between everything. His eyes were swollen, his left one especially looking rough.

It had been a few days since they found Jungkook – this sire should have healed already…

“What fearsome beast did that to you?” Seokjin asked for fun though he kept his expression even.

The man sneered – or at least Seokjin thought he might have. It looked like a sneer attempt.

“That’s none of your business.” He said.

“I’m afraid that’s where you are completely wrong. It is my business. You know who I am, you already know this as well.”

“It was simply an unfortunate accident.” The man said this time, his voice betraying his emotions. Seokjin hummed in response.

“Well, I suppose I wouldn’t want to tell people I got beaten to a pulp by an infant not even a minute old.” He said casually, keeping his expression even when the man narrowed his eyes.

“So he’s alive then.” He said and sat a little straighter as if it gave him any advantage in this room. He sounded annoyed though surprised. It was hard to believe any infant could survive being silver bound. Seokjin was still trying to wrap his head around it and he lived with Jungkook.

This man was the reason.

This man was the one responsible for all the wounds on Jungkook’s body. He was the one responsible for the missing chunk on Jungkook’s neck, the hole on his abdomen. He was the one responsible for the burns on his wrists and his trembling hands, the one responsible for the cuts on his mouth, his missing fangs. He was the one responsible for his gruesome death.

“Despite your best efforts, yes, he lives.” Seokjin said.

The man tilted his head curiously and sniffed a little, “Ah. So that’s him on you. I was wondering why the good Lord of Seoul smelled so heavily of death.” He stretched a little bit, as much as he could with his bounds, and took in Seokjin. “You do have a tendency to take in runts.”

“Someone has to make sure orphans are taken care of when sires are incapable of it.” Seokjin replied.

The man snorted, “Is that how you justify killing sire’s to take their fledglings?”

Seokjin kept his expression even, not a single hair out of place, not single muscle twitching, just a lazy blink of his eyes. Seokjin’s reputation as a wet nurse was spread wide but he rarely ever took fledglings from others. The only instance that fit what the man was describing was what had happened with Jimin and Taehyung.

So – this man knew their old sire.

“I’m not sure what you mean.” He said instead. This man wanted to play smart, let him have his moment. It worked for Seokjin’s advantage if the man gave a monologue anyway.

“Sure.” The man huffed through his nose, something akin to a smile on his busted lips. “You don’t know me? Haven’t put it together yet?”

“Do you think I have the time to learn the names of every single vermin that plagues my city?”

He narrowed his eyes. Proud. Good, Seokjin could work with pride.

“My name is Oh Sangwook.” The man said and gave a mocking bow with his head.

“I’m afraid it’s not a name I remember.” Seokjin replied, his face still even and uncompromising unlike Mister Oh Sangwook who was barely containing his annoyance.

This man wanted to be someone. Vampires were proud creatures by nature but it was easy to see who was dancing too close to hubris. Seokjin had seen it over and over and over again during his long life span. It was easy to see the exact type of complex this man had.

“You might recognize my sire’s name then.” Sangwook said. His eyes flashed a weak red for a split second. “Lee Han-chool.”

Seokjin’s face didn’t betray his shock. The last time Seokjin had heard that name was when he’d done paper work to officially adopt his two young fledglings after sentencing him to death.

Killing sire’s to take their fledglings.

“If memory serves right, you weren’t around at the time of his death.” Seokjin said.

Sangwook flinched as if struck – ah. More puzzle pieces falling into places. It was almost too easy but then again Seokjin had been alive for too long.

“Oh Sangwook, sired by Lee Han-chool.” Seokjin looked down his nose at him, every bit the Vampire Lord he was. “Care to explain your actions?”

“Is it not obvious?” Sangwook replied.

Seokjin hummed, every bit theatrical as a vampire could be – after all he could play this game better than Sangwook could ever imagine. Sangwook wasn’t as mysterious as he hoped or was he smart enough.

“Your sire casted a shadow so long it still covers you decades after his death.” Seokjin started. “You’re feeling guilty for not being present at his execution, guilty for your strained relationship at the time. The fledglings I took in, I know for a fact you weren’t close with them in the slightest so I know this isn’t a plot to take them back. Your inner conflicts and turmoil manifested itself as reckless hubris which resulted in you being tied to this chair.

It was silent. Sangwook just watched Seokjin with his brutalized face.

Seokjin tilted his head, “It’s quite obvious, Oh Sangwook.”

Despite the bravado he was trying so hard to use as a shield, Seokjin could see through him now that he was in front of him. Sangwook was old enough to sire but not that old of a vampire. It had been about forty years since Han-chool’s little hissy fit and his consequent death. Sangwook must be around a hundred-forty years himself, give or take.

That was so young.

But youth and guilt were no excuse when it came to fledgling abuse.

“So, I ask again Oh Sangwook.” Seokjin said, colder this time. “Do you care to explain your actions resulting in abuse of multiple fledglings?”

Sangwook tilted his head, “Must I need a reason?”

“I suppose not.” Seokjin shrugged. “Your punishment will be the same regardless.”

Sangwook snorted again and – hm. That did not fit the profile Seokjin had made in his head. A man this proud wouldn’t take news of his death this easily – Han-chool hadn’t… unless that was his plan to begin with.

Ah.

A serpent eating its own tail.

Guilt and revenge eating Sangwook.

He didn’t care about his fledglings, he didn’t have a reason to, they were just a means to an end. Eunjoo, broken and abused but not knowing how badly she was being treated was still loyal to Sangwook, still had love for him through the fear.

Sangwook was here to avenge his sire. If Sangwook was executed then his fledglings would harbor guilt and revenge the same as Sangwook had.

What would be the best way for Sangwook to live up to grandness his sire had set up for himself? How could he apologize for their bitter end and also drag himself out of Han-chool’s shadow with one single move?

Sangwook was here to put the civil war Han-chool had failed to start back on track.

If he was killed then he would have minimum twelve fledglings ready to avenge him. Fledglings that were so desperate to prove themselves to their sire. Han-chool had had supporters during his initial crusade, it wasn’t a stretch to think Sangwook could rally them back together again despite lacking his sire’s charisma. This would just start a vicious cycle of death and suffering.

“You will not die here, Sangwook.” Seokjin said. “You will not be a martyr to your fledglings.”

Sangwook’s lips pulled back in a sneer, “What makes you think I want to die?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Seokjin tilted his head, not bothering to hide his self-satisfied smile when Sangwook scowled. Every moment spent together made it clear what type of persona Sangwook was trying to put on. Shame his youthfulness didn’t let him wear it as comfortably as he hoped to. “What I want to know is how are you so weak that an infant beat you and you still haven’t healed.”

The lights shined on the whites of Sangwook’s fangs. Pride. Sangwook was transparent enough on his own, Seokjin figured that he could get him to unravel a little more if he was enraged enough.

“Not to mention you ran off with your tail between your legs afterwards.” Seokjin tutted. “I cannot believe such pathetic actions belong to Han-chool’s eldest.”

“You don’t know anything.” Sangwook snarled.

Hot headed, too. Good.

“About you? I know just enough.” Seokjin changed the crossing of his legs. “I knew plenty of your sire though. He was a pain in my neck but oh, what a glorious man he was. His dreams of a civil war were a real threat. If not for his murderous streak he would have made a fine Lord. He had supporters, a charisma, everything a leader could wish for.” Seokjin listed and then he raised a fine brow and looked at Sangwook. “I cannot understand how such a force of a vampire sired such a fledgling.”

“Shut your mouth.” Sangwook growled.

“You’re not being threatening at all.” Seokjin countered, unbothered. “How can I be afraid of a man who was beaten by his own infant? How can I be afraid of a man who cannot stand tall to his own ideologies? You’re too afraid to even tell me your grand plan because you know it can fail. Han-chool and I had tea while he explained why a civil war was needed.”

“I’m not here to be threatening.” Sangwook spat. Seokjin was proud to see that he was taking the only turn he could take at this point. Sure, it wasn’t fooling Seokjin, but he enjoyed watching young vampires improvise and get better. “You can’t stop what I already put in motion. It will happen.”

“Will it?” Seokjin tilted his head.

“And that whore of a whelp you stole from me –“ Sangwook cackled, a little maniacal when Seokjin’s eyes hardened at the insult. “ – he’s a ticking bomb. Take good care of him Lord of Seoul, I want it to hurt when the inevitable comes.”

Seokjin uncrossed his legs and leaned his forearms on his elbows, watching as Sangwook’s manic laughter turned uncomfortable under his gaze. His voice was simple when he spoke;

“You will never feel the safe embrace of death as long as I live.”

Sangwook spat blood on the floor.

Seokjin got up and left. There was nothing more needed here.

“Get him tested. I want his blood.” Yoongi was saying as Seokjin walked up to them. Namjoon and Yoongi both turned to him when he stood by them. “That was an interesting turn of events.”

“It certainly was.” Seokjin said. “Someone contact Lord of Busan and ask him, respectfully, why the fuck they did not keep a track of Han-chool’s fledglings. And once you’re done asking that respectfully tell them to bring their ass here.”

“Yes sir.”

“It’s always so much simpler and yet so much more complicated than we assume.” Namjoon sighed. “I’ll make sure the team deep cleans their belongings, see if there’s anything.”

“Good.” Seokjin said. “Call Hobi too, I want extra security in and around our home. We have three fledglings with connections to him. What he wants is war. He won’t get it.”

“We’ll do it.” Yoongi said while Namjoon was texting Hoseok. “Now that you had your chat a proper interrogation will begin – “

“Are you saying my interrogation skills aren’t good, Yoongi dear?”

“You have a particular set of skills, hyung. You get the results you need.”

“How did you manage to make that sound like an insult?”

“I have my own talents.”

“Lord Seokjin.”

Seokjin looked away from his banter with Yoongi to find Jonghyun walking down the hall. He was wearing a long trench coat and too tight jeans. Once he was next to he gave them all a quick bow with his head.

“It seems it’s been an eventful evening.” Jonghyun looked around the hall slowly.

“I believe you made it just in time for the main event.” Seokjin said. “Namjoon’s team has caught the sire that is responsible for our pest problem. It’s Lee Han-chool’s fledgling.”

Jonghyun’s heavy-lined eyes widened, only for a moment. That was about the reaction Seokjin expected.

Seokjin had a tendency to… not ignore the weight of certain situations but just –

Lee Han-chool’s quest to start a civil war was one that had been avoided at the last second, barely. They had been at the very brink of a civil war that would have totaled a large percentage of South Korea’s population. It had taken covert opts and tedious planning to not only capture Han-chool but also bring his allies to their knees.

Seokjin was Seokjin.

He’d lived through the several wars, he’d lived through thousands of almost-wars. He didn’t see the point in bringing up dramatic and/or traumatic events. Forty years was barely the blink of an eye. Seokjin didn’t need to constantly remind himself how close they had been to a catastrophe.

So yes, while Seokjin had a tendency to gloss over the hardships of such events, others around him didn’t necessarily have the same thought. Then again, Seokjin was older than them all.

“That’s troubling.” Jonghyun said.

“Quite.” Seokjin replied. “What are you doing here?”

Jonghyun inhaled deeply, not because he needed but for the comfort of it, before waving a hand around towards the rooms.

“You know what they say; adopt don’t shop.”

The Kim Coven trio paused. It’s not like Jonghyun hadn’t taken in a few homeless fledglings and vampires before but – this was different. Taking in an abused, traumatized, and possibly ill fledgling was different. Seokjin had first-hand experience.

“Is that so?” was what he said instead, poised as always. “Paper work for that isn’t through me, I’m not entirely sure who it’s through actually. Not to talk about fledglings like they are actual pound puppies but have you picked one already?”

Jonghyun was a dear friend to Seokjin. That being said Seokjin was well aware that Jonghyun was also a person who would try and get under Seokjin’s skin. If he picked Sungho by chance or by purpose then –

“Eunjoo.”

The Kim Coven trio blinked. It was almost audible.

“You want the fledgling that tried to kill your fledgling?” Yoongi asked.

“Did I mention that Nana demanded I do this?” Jonghyun added, a little sheepish. “She’s doing great by the way. Completely healed already.”

“Nana wanted you to foster the same person who attacked her?” Namjoon asked this time. “The last time I saw her she was, well, a little bit blood thirsty.”

“Yes, I was shocked as well.” Jonghyun slipped his hands into his pockets. “She’s grown a heart over the last few decades, I’m very proud of her. I think hearing more about what’s happening made her feel bad.”

“Well, I’m not going to forsake a loving home from an abused fledgling.” Seokjin said. “Nor do I have power to do that but –“ Seokjin paused, his gaze softening, “Don’t forget they’re not in good condition, Jonghyun. Their odds for survival aren’t particularly spectacular.”

“I’m aware, my lord.” Jonghyun smiled back at all three of them. “But there was a call looking for fostering and, well, if I can at the very least give her a quality life before she dies again I think we will have done a good job. She deserves to know what a good coven life is like.”

He’s a ticking bomb.

“I wish you good luck then.” Seokjin said, swallowing down thoughts he’d rather not have. “There’s hefty work regarding fostering or – adopting, whichever you’re going for, and I have work to do. See you later, Jonghyun, do let me know how it goes.”

“Of course, my lord.” Jonghyun gave a small bow. It was almost a proper one. “Yoongi-ssi, Namjoon-ssi, it’s good to see you again as well.” He added, shockingly respectful, before trailing after a nurse.

Seokjin watched him walk away with the nurse, listening his various questions about Eunjoo’s current health. It wasn’t the first time Jonghyun had taken in a fledgling and it wouldn’t be the last. The man could get on Seokjin’s nerves at times but it was a fact that he looked after his coven like no other.

At some point during their trek to his office Seokjin ended up being all alone. Well, all alone with his gaggle of assistants. Namjoon had to go take care of his team, debrief or whatever, Seokjin wasn’t up to date with Vampire SWAT terminology. Similarly, Yoongi had answered a phone call and had subsequently disappeared.

“My lord.”

Seokjin paused in the doorway to his office, staring inside. He’d assumed he would be alone in his room as well but alas. He had company.

“Yoojin.” Seokjin said with a smile as he shut the door behind him. “I hope you weren’t waiting for long.”

“Don’t worry my lord, I’ve been here only for a few minutes.” Yoojin replied.

Her white hair was tied neatly into a classic braid with many jades tied into it, the wrinkles on her skin never aging. She was wearing her usual loose, dark gray robes, a size too big on her frail frame. Yoojin wasn’t an old woman – not by vampire years nor by the human year she had been turned – but she had an aura about her that gave her the impression of being older beyond her age.

Seokjin liked her friendship purely based on the fact that the latter half of their names was the same.

“I hope you’re caught up with everything so far?” Seokjin asked as he sat down on his desk, smiling happily at the tea that was already prepared.

“Of course, what kind of lawyer would I be otherwise?” she cracked a smile but her eyes were pained. “I’ve heard terrible things happen to fledglings, some by accident, some by war… I’ve never heard of a sire doing such vile actions.”

“And still uncaring about it as well.” Seokjin sighed and then sipped his tea. The tea cup set had been a gift from – ah – one of the kings. There were so many of them. Seokjin couldn’t possibly keep track of them all. Only a handful was important anyway. “However I called you here for a different matter, Yoojin.”

“Yes, my lord?” she tilted her head in question, holding her cup in her long boney fingers.

“The one who initially caused problems for my fledgling is currently held in an interrogation room..” Seokjin said but then his shoulders relaxed and he leaned forward. “Please tell me there is any fine print for any type of punishment, Yoojin.”

Yoojin leaned back, a deep thoughtful hum in her throat. Her eyes were focused on the steam trailing from the teapot.

“It’s a tricky situation we’re in, my lord.” She started. “One I’m sure you’re already aware. By law, all of Sangwook’s fledglings are victims and therefore protected by our government. From what I know, one of the fledglings was obsessed with your new precious one before turning, yes? Oh – congratulations of the new coven member my lord, such a shame we couldn’t celebrate it as it should be.”

Seokjin still smiled and nodded, “Thank you, Yoojin. And yes, Sungho harassed Jungkook, my fledgling, previously.”

“I will be completely honest with you, my lord, I’m afraid I cannot promise you anything until Sangwook is dealt with. There are loopholes and fine prints we can possibly use but – unfortunately we must first deal with the one who started this in the first place.”

“I understand. I don’t have the best grasp on the laws –“

“Didn’t you make the laws, my lord?” Yoojin teased.

“I made a guideline.” Seokjin replied. “It simply progressed from that point. But as I was saying, I do not have the best grasp on laws but I trust you. All I ask if any form of punishment for Sungho and if it isn’t possible – who knows, maybe then I will make another law.”

Yoojin gasped dramatically, her eyes burning with mischief, “My lord, what am I hearing? Are you suggesting using your power for corruption?”

“You say that as if it would be the first time.” Seokjin rolled his eyes. “I take care of what’s mine. Regardless, this case shows a fatal oversight. It does bring forth questions on just how much a fledgling can push for in such cases where the sire isn’t there to teach. I do not like having holes that can be abused.”

“Unless you can abuse them?” Yoojin raised a brow with a matching smirk.

“I never claimed to be a good man, Yoojin.” Seokjin drank more of his tea. “If I were I wouldn’t be a lord.”

“We all know you’re more than just a lord, Seokjin.” Yoojin said.

“Don’t remind me.” Seokjin mumbled.

“Sure.” Yoojin smiled teasingly before her expression shifted into something more professional. “I once again congratulate you on your fledgling, even though it’s under such unfortunate circumstance, but – “ she softened her expression. “ – You have to bring him here so we can get his statement on the situation. We also have to get him officially recorded.”

“Yes I know.” He said. “But I’m a little weary of getting him out of my coven, as you may understand. His health is – “ a pause. “His health is very fickle. He’s doing well so far but all the trauma he went through is – I’m afraid too much stress might be dangerous for him.”

“It’s painful to hear how much pain he went through so early in his new life. He isn’t even a week old yet, yes?” Yoojin asked in a mumble, her face pinched in worry. “I completely understand your worries, my lord. I do not intent to put unneeded stress on a fledgling as delicate as yours. Lucky for us, our court doesn’t work like humans. We know he’s guilty, it won’t be much of a trial, just picking an appropriate punishment. Your fledgling doesn’t have to sit in the large hall with everyone, it’ll be just me and maybe three more judges, just to take his statement, with you there as well. Something quick and painless for him. Then he can be properly initiated into your coven and into The Underground as well. He doesn’t have to be anywhere near that monster who hurt him.”

Seokjin nodded. The case couldn’t move forward without having the person who started the case giving a statement. Well, it could if Seokjin wanted it to, they had an entire interrogation floor of proof to use, but it would definitely be better to have Jungkook, personally, get justice for what was done to him.

This meant that Seokjin had to bring Jungkook here sooner rather than later.

“I’ll see how he’s doing tonight.” Seokjin said. “If Yoongi thinks he can handle it then I’ll bring him in tomorrow, he’s usually awake around noon. If Yoongi doesn’t approve then we’ll have to schedule it for a different time.”

He could offer to invite Yoojin and the other judges to his building but frankly Seokjin wasn’t comfortable with that idea. It wasn’t anything against the people but he liked to keep his work and personal life as separate as he possibly could.

“That seems perfectly fine by me. He can also get properly tested here.” Yoojin offered as a silver lining. “If he’s anything like other fledglings then he’ll be very curious about this building.”

Seokjin’s lips quirked into a smile. He could already see how Jungkook’s big round eyes would shine under the lights. He was nowhere near old enough to be constantly brought here nor did Seokjin think Jungkook would be comfortable with it but in a few decades…

“Yes, I think he might enjoy the change of scenery for a few hours.” Seokjin said. Jungkook was still too young, not even a week old, so there was a high chance that leaving the coven for the first time might feel too intense for him. Seokjin didn’t really want him to leave the safety of their home either but this was a necessity. It would take an hour or so at best anyway.

A quick rap of knocking and Yoongi walked in without waiting for an answer from Seokjin, holding a record file in his hand a thinly veiled worry on his face.

“Well, I must go back to my actual job, my lord.” Yoojin stood up, unbothered by Yoongi. She gave a quick bow to both Yoongi and Seokjin, a kind smile on her lips, and walked away in silence.

Seokjin waited until the door was shut properly to look at Yoongi, “What is it?”

“The dead vampires found in the building, they’re all fledglings, they were all barely a few days old.” Yoongi said tightly.

If Seokjin’s blood had run warm, it would have gone cold. Or maybe it would turn warm again from the boiling rage he felt.

“That’s not the only part. They all had - things they shouldn’t have.” Yoongi shook his head in confusion and opened the file, taking out a few printed papers and sliding it over the desk to Seokjin. “Adult fangs, adult claws, changes in their muscles that only happened in adult vampires, it goes on.”

Seokjin read through the file with a stoic expression. The photographs of body parts were clean, sanitized. The bodies had rotted enough that they looked less human and more vampire and – that was the problem. They looked like vampires with large fangs and claws.

These people did not look like dead fledglings.

“Yoongi, what’s going on here?” he asked silently and looked up at his boyfriend. “How is this possible?”

Min Yoongi was one of the smartest people Seokjin ever had to the honor of meeting. Seeing him look so lost hurt.

He opened the file again and this time handed the entire thing to Seokjin. It was Eunjoo’s file, high quality photographs of her baby claws and adult fangs. Her full name, age, date and place of birth were listed. Names of her parents, her close family, her school.

“Sangwook wants war.” Seokjin said slow as Yoongi dropped down on the chair opposite from him.

“They’re all sick.” Yoongi said silently like if he whispered it wouldn’t hurt as much. “All the fledglings in the interrogation rooms, they’re all sick. They all have adult fangs or claws or – “ he paused and closed his eyes.

“Sungho could thrall.” Seokjin said instead. “Eunjoo has fangs.”

Jungkook fought his own sire.

“It will take some time to get an extensive test done but the best we can currently tell is that these fledglings are developing too fast.” Yoongi opened his eyes, his shoulders sagging. “That’s why we found a room full of dead vampires; they’re developing too fast and their body cannot handle the trauma of it. Adding in the fact that they’re not fed properly, that they’re not taken care of at all –“ Yoongi cut himself off again once his voice got too growly to calm himself down. Seokjin fought back the urge to hug him. He knew better than that.

“Sangwook wants war.” Seokjin repeated himself while Yoongi breathed in and out evenly. “These are his soldiers.”

“Faulty ones.” Yoongi interjected. “I don’t have a single fucking idea what he did to achieve this but it’s not working properly. These are not soldiers.”

Was Sangwook that blinded by revenge? Surely he could tell that whatever this plan was wasn’t working? These fledglings were so weak and malnourished that they couldn’t even avenge Sangwook’s death let alone be super soldiers in a needless civil war.

… He must be. Seokjin had seen desperate people riddled with guilt before.

“Save them.” Seokjin said, more lord than lover.

“They need surrogates, fast.” Yoongi said. “Their best shot is having sires that genuinely care for them and a safe coven. We already sent out a notice, we should have candidates coming in before noon. The medical team will have to run extensive tests to really see what’s going on and that will take some time. In the meantime they’ll be fed from surrogate sires and a cocktail of vitamins.”

Seokjin nodded and pulled out his phone, quickly texting Namjoon to make sure his team dug through every hole and crevice of that sewer system and bring back everything and anything.

A pause.

“Yoongi-yah. What about Jungkook?”

His voice came out in a whisper.

What about Jungkook? What about the infant Seokjin left back home with silver burns all over his arms?

If all of Sangwook’s fledglings were ‘sick’ to an extent, uncared for and dying…

Yoongi leaned on his elbows, eyes sharp and smart, “My colleagues and I think that Jungkook being left for dead might have been a blessing in disguise.” He started. He was using his doctor voice. “He had already bled out what pitiful amount of blood Sangwook fed him and then you were the one to actually feed him properly. If these fledglings are sick due to Sangwook then Jungkook should – “ a pause, a quick shake of head, “ – he should have better odds than them, at the very least.”

“His fangs were cut.” Seokjin mumbled suddenly. “Do you think he had adult teeth? Sangwook cut them off for a reason?”

“Jungkook did a hefty amount of damage.” Yoongi said. “I didn’t think about how he could have possible done it but if he had adult fangs then it would explain it a little, at least. I haven’t seen anything abnormal on his body though, nothing beyond his injuries. It could be that he didn’t have Sangwook’s blood in his system long enough to start growing rapidly like the rest. We will have to test him.”

“Yoojin needs him here for statements and to be listed as well.” Seokjin sighed. “You can handle it the same day. Tomorrow, maybe, if he feels up to it.”

Yoongi nodded, his eyes carefully trained on Seokjin, “Go home, hyung.”

“There’s work to be done.”

“Work can be done without you.”

Yoongi stood up and rounded the desk, his steady hands coming up to cup Seokjin’s face. He was standing between Seokjin’s legs, they were as close as they could get without Yoongi climbing onto his lap. Seokjin closed his eyes and let Yoongi gently thumb across his cheeks.

“Go home.” He repeated, his voice a whisper. “Go home to our fledglings. This building has enough people in it to keep it running. Namjoon and I will be here. Go home, hyung.”

Seokjin leaned forward until his forehead was resting against Yoongi’s tummy, fingers of his one hand curling around Yoongi’s thigh while the other reached up to brush against Yoongi’s hand.

“Taking care of an infant is the most important thing. Taking care of a severely wounded and traumatized infant even more so. No one will bat an eye for you leaving. Honestly, they’re more shocked that you’re here at all.”

“Heh, bat an eye.”

“Hyung.”

Seokjin pulled back just enough to look up at Yoongi, taking in the way the corners of his lips were placed oh-so perfectly on his face. Yoongi carded one hand through Seokjin’s hair, his nails lightly scratching him, and Seokjin sighed.

“Alright.” He mumbled. “I’ll go home.”

“That’s a good hyung.” Yoongi’s voice was monotone but there was a quirk to his lips that betrayed the teasing nature of his words. “Go, take care of the fledglings. Joon-ah and I won’t take too long either.”

Seokjin stood up with a grunt – he didn’t need to grunt but sometimes it added a certain pizzaz to the situation and Seokjin was nothing if not dramatic – and once he was back to full height and peering down at his lover, he cupped Yoongi’s face in return.

It had been centuries since the two of them had met. It had been centuries since the first time Seokjin tasted Yoongi’s lips. Spoken language was seldom needed to convey what they were thinking. It was written in how Seokjin’s eyes softened looking down at him, it was evident in how Yoongi leaned into Seokjin’s palm as his eyes fell shut.

Seokjin leaned down to kiss Yoongi, quick and sweet, “See you home, darling.”

“See you home, hyung.”

It was easier said than done because at the end of the day Seokjin was the Lord. The second he took a step out of his office in his nice coat he was surrounded by his assistants like a flock of seagulls that Yoongi had to shoo away. The long walk back to the main elevator was a game of hide-and-seek where Seokjin could not hide at all and everyone could literally see him – so it was really nothing like a game of hide and seek but emotionally that’s what Seokjin thought it felt like.

The ride home was too long and too silent. The kind of silence that made it easy for dark tendrils of doubt to sneak their way into Seokjin’s mind. There was no point in trying to avoid these thoughts nor was there a point in actively dissecting them. Seokjin knew what he was ignoring while staring directly at it.

There was extra security at his building, guards placed in corners of hallways just out of sight but watching. Good. There was no guessing what Sangwook’s intentions were regarding the fledglings – if he had any intentions to begin with – and Seokjin preferred to be over prepared rather than under.

When the elevator came to his floor there was a certain lack of fledglings waiting at the door and Seokjin couldn’t help but snort.

“Do you guys hate extra security that much?” Seokjin said in an even tone as he shut the door behind him and took off his shoes.

“I just don’t like random people that close.” Taehyung’s voice came from his bedroom and then a quick pitter-patter before Seokjin felt a very familiar weight on his back. Arms wrapped around Seokjin’s middle and Taehyung hooked his chin over Seokjin’s shoulder, “You’re home early.”

Seokjin placed his hands over Taehyung’s, “I am.”

“Did something bad happen?” Taehyung asked. Curse him and his observation skills. Seokjin squeezed Taehyung’s hand.

“Not bad but we will have to talk about it.” Seokjin softened it.

Taehyung hummed before rubbing his nose up and down the length of Seokjin’s neck, cute little chirps bubbling out of him. It was impossible to tell if Taehyung and Jimin both had always been such chatty bats or if it was something they picked up from Hoseok. Regardless of the answer, Seokjin loved listening to them.

Out the corner of his eyes Seokjin spotted two more figures quickly walking towards him with matching smiles. Within seconds Seokjin was surrounded, overpowered, with hugs. Jimin’s chirps joined Taehyung’s as he pushed up to his tip toes to mouth along Seokjin’s jaw.

“Yes yes, I am home.” Seokjin feigned annoyance. He knew no one was buying it. “Let hyung take his coat off at least.”

“Fine.” Jimin grumbled dramatically as they all pulled back. “I guess you can.”

“What kind fledglings I have.” Seokjin replied.

“Joonie and hyung coming back too?” Hoseok tilted his head in question.

“Not yet but they shouldn’t be gone too long.” Seokjin answered as he took off his coat. Taehyung took it from his hands and hung it up. That’s when he noticed that Jimin and Taehyung were still in their pajamas, their hair still messed up. He ran his hands through their head to fix what little he could, “Have you had breakfast yet?”

“Yeah, we just cleaned up.” Hoseok answered. “I can fix something for you if you’re hungry?”

“No, no, I’m fine.” Seokjin said, his hands finding their place behind Jimin and Taehyung’s waists. “I should change.”

“Jungkook is fine.” Hoseok smiled.

“Ah, am I being that obvious?” Seokjin smiled back.

Jimin nuzzled back in, “A little.”

“It’s cute. Hyung’s cute.” Taehyung nuzzled in on the other side, a perfect mirror of Jimin.

“Go change.” Hoseok said finally. “Then go look at Jungkook so you feel better.”

Seokjin gave a quick kiss to Hoseok before making his way to his room. He didn’t want to waste time. He could hear Jimin, Taehyung and Hoseok talking between themselves in the living room, something about a movie they wanted to see.

He changed quickly, ridding himself from the suit to his comfortable pajamas. He made sure his top had a wide neck so Jungkook could feed easily if he wanted to. This had become almost a ritual; coming home and switching to clothes suitable to feed Jungkook. Jimin and Taehyung had been a bit older, not as depended on sire blood for sustenance. Not as injured.

Seokjin walked silently with his slippers – gifts from Namjoon – and passed by the living room where his trio of lovers were in a heated debate about what to have for dinner despite the fact they had just eaten.

It fell quieter the closer he got to Jungkook’s room – and it was Jungkook’s room now, wasn’t it? No longer the guest room they never used because Seokjin never trusted anyone that much. Standing in front of the door, Seokjin could hear Jungkook’s breathing if he listened carefully enough. It was strong, in and out, and it comforted Seokjin.

Jungkook was undead, he didn’t need to breathe at all, but he was also an infant and infants followed human instincts that they were used to, that they lived with. Seokjin took a moment to kick start his own heart. His respiratory and circulatory systems weren’t used to actually functioning, not more than some odd heartbeats or deep breaths whenever Seokjin felt like it. It was… odd, to say the least, to feel his blood move through his veins again but eventually his body settled.

The room was dark and silent, of course, just filled with the ever so light snoring coming from Jungkook. Seokjin turned on a night light. He didn’t need it to see better but he figured it would help Jungkook if he woke up while Seokjin was here.

Jungkook was still a cocoon of comforter and blankets, only the very top of his head visible. It seemed he hadn’t moved an inch after Seokjin had left him. Good.

Carefully, Seokjin lifted the covers and sat down next to Jungkook’s sleeping form. He wasn’t – honestly, he wasn’t sure what he was doing, he was just following his instincts and instincts told him to be close to Jungkook.

The bed dipped with Seokjin’s weight and Jungkook made a sound in his sleep. He turned around until his face was pressing into Seokjin’s hip. Seokjin smiled down at him.

Jungkook’s brows furrowed together and he sniffed at Seokjin’s clothes before he forced his eyes open.

“Good morning.” Seokjin said softly. “Sorry for waking you up, I tried to be careful.”

Big sleepy eyes blinked up at him and Seokjin could see the moment Jungkook’s brain caught up with him. Chirps bubbled up from his throat and Jungkook tried his best to sit up, his hands clawing at the front of Seokjin’s shirt.

“Slow down.” Seokjin chuckled, his hands instinctively flying to hold Jungkook in place so the infant wouldn’t hurt himself or damage the stitches. “I’m here, I’m here, slow down, I’m not going anywhere.”

It took a bit of gentle manhandling but Seokjin managed to get Jungkook to sit sideways on his lap without hurting himself. Jungkook was still chirping, his eyes shut, and then he started to aggressively nuzzle into Seokjin. He rubbed his nose over Seokjin’s cheeks, demanding chirps squeaked directly against his skin, a little ticklish when Jungkook dipped his head to get to Seokjin’s throat.

Seokjin barely held back his giggles both from being ticklish and – and from Jungkook.

It was obvious that Jungkook was too tired and functioning on instinct alone at that moment. He was too shy to do such things when he was lucid and himself. Selfishly, Seokjin hoped Jungkook would stay like this for a little longer. It wasn’t fair to Jungkook but Seokjin couldn’t help it.

Jungkook’s blunt (human) teeth gnawed on Seokjin’s neck and his chirps turned annoyed when he couldn’t get what he wanted.

“Ah, you’re hungry.” Seokjin said to himself. He doubted Jungkook was listening or even cared at that point. “Just hold on, little one, let hyung do it for you.”

It was a little hard to pull Jungkook away from his neck when the little one was so keen on sinking his teeth into Seokjin’s skin but Seokjin managed to gently drag him by the scruff to give himself a clean cut on the side of his neck. Jungkook’s eyes turned a brownish red at the sight of it and then even the sire himself couldn’t hold back the fledgling from feeding.

Seokjin chuckled to himself as Jungkook latched onto his neck semi successfully. It was a sloppier than the other day but Jungkook was mostly half asleep. Seokjin was still proud of him though, Jungkook was good at latching on despite not even being a week old. Despite not having the fangs to do it properly.

So, maybe there was blood spilling down the side of Seokjin’s neck, he didn’t care. He just cared that Jungkook was feeding. He only cared that Jungkook had an appetite.

If he was willingly feeding then there was hope for him yet.

Because the sad truth that Seokjin couldn’t ignore was that Jungkook could die again. Fledglings were delicate and Jungkook had been violated from the start. His odds weren’t –

Jungkook grumbled to himself and shifted a little in Seokjin’s lap.

He had an appetite. That’s what Seokjin wanted to focus on. He’d survived the impossible already when he was all alone, he had to have better odds now that he had a coven to take care of him.

But…

Seokjin wasn’t foolish enough to ignore the percentages. He wasn’t foolish enough to put his own hope above facts. Jungkook was severely injured. Jungkook was bound by silver. Jungkook hadn’t been fed properly during his turning.

It was a miracle that Jungkook was still alive. Seokjin wasn’t a doctor but he didn’t needed to be one to know better. The clock was ticking.

Jungkook gulped down greedily. He had an appetite.

Seokjin held him a little closer. He didn’t want to think about this. He didn’t want to imagine – He was already so attached to this one.

But he knew. He knew that Jungkook could die. It could happen tomorrow when Seokjin was at work or it could happen in weeks. It could happen now, with Jungkook in his arms. Seokjin wished he could scoff at the thought and declare that Jungkook would live for hundreds of thousands of years but… he knew. He knew better than to be so cocky.

Clock was ticking.

They wouldn’t know until it happened. Either Jungkook would overcome the odds or he would die.

And if fates made it so Jungkook died – Seokjin closed his eyes, listened to how Jungkook made little noises as he fed, how his fingers fisted his shirt, how his heart was still beating because Jungkook needed it to be beating.

If Jungkook died, again, then he wouldn’t be alone. He wouldn’t suffer. He would be loved.

And if Jungkook lived…

If Jungkook lived, eternally, he wouldn’t be alone. He wouldn’t suffer. He would be loved.

“I know you’re out there.” Seokjin said. “Just come in.”

The bedroom door opened silently and Seokjin met the sheepish faces of Jimin and Taehyung. Hoseok was a step behind them, amused.

“Figured it would be a good exercise.” He said, first one to step into the room. Jimin and Taehyung followed after him.

“You two are getting much better.” Seokjin praised.

“Yeah?” Taehyung piped as he carefully crawled into the bed, a bright smile on his lips. It was so easy to make the two of them happy with just words.

“Yes. So much better. You just need a little bit more finesse.” Seokjin said. “Soon you’ll be both sneaky little shits.”

“He’s feeding well.” Jimin commented, curious eyes on Jungkook. “That’s good right? Yoongi hyung said that’s good?”

“It’s good.” Hoseok replied. “It’s very good.”

Seokjin caught Hoseok’s eyes for a moment before turning his attention back to Jungkook. After Yoongi, Hoseok was the one who was the most knowledgeable about fledgling health. He was definitely the one who knew the most about fledglings, it was his job after all. If Hoseok wasn’t stressed yet then Seokjin wouldn’t be either.

“He’s really cute like that.” Taehyung mumbled, leaning to the side to get a better look at Jungkook. “He’s really cute in general.”

“He is.” Jimin nodded along like Jungkook’s cuteness was physically painful to him. “I don’t think he knows that though.”

“Well, we’ll make sure he knows.” Seokjin said. Jungkook was truly adorable. It would be a shame if he didn’t know it.

“So, what happened at work?” Taehyung asked. “You caught the people, right?”

Seokjin nodded, “Namjoon’s team handled it though I think saying ‘caught’ might be a bit execrated considering they are all fledglings.”

Jimin and Taehyung both made a face, wordlessly snuggling closer to Hoseok who kept his expression even. Seokjin could guess his emotions though.

“Their sire?” Hoseok asked instead with a brow raised.

“Him too.” Seokjin replied and then looked at Jimin and Taehyung, at their sleep-tussled hair and pajamas. He must have stared at them a moment too long because they both tilted their heads.

“What?” Taehyung asked.

“Did we do something?” Jimin asked.

“No, you two did nothing.” Seokjin said and then sighed. There was no point in avoiding it. “Their sire is Oh Sangwook.”

Jimin and Taehyung blinked.

“Are we – are we supposed to know who that is?” Jimin asked this time. “Because it’s the first time I ever heard that name.

“No, I didn’t think you would. I didn’t know either.” Seokjin said and adjusted Jungkook a little when he felt like the infant was slipping a bit. “You know Sangwook’s sire though.”

“Oh?”

“Lee Han-chool.”

It almost hurt to watch Jimin and Taehyung both sit straight at the name, their eyes growing wide, their jaws slack. Hoseok put a hand on the back of their necks, a soothing motion to anchor them.

Jimin and Taehyung were his now – theirs – but it didn’t change the fact that Seokjin had taken them from someone else. Seokjin was the one who’d killed Han-chool. He knew that Jimin and Taehyung were happy with them and their lives here but… It felt odd to mention Han-chool like this. Usually it would be Jimin and Taehyung who brought him up.

“Oh Sangwook.” Taehyung repeated the name, testing the syllables on his tongue. “So that’s his name.”

“We never met him.” Jimin added with a shrug. “But you guys knew that.”

“I did.” Seokjin nodded along. “It seems to me that Sangwook is following in Han-chool’s steps.”

“What do you mean?” Hoseok asked as he gently pulled the two fledglings back to him. It was subtle, natural.

“I think Sangwook is trying to start the civil war Han-chool failed to.” Seokjin explained. “And the fledglings are a – they are just an unfortunate casualty.”

“Why would he try what got Han-chool killed?” Jimin shook his head in thought. “I mean – if Han-chool failed to do it then how would Sangwook do it?”

“Hubris.” Seokjin answered. “He does seem a tad bit suicidal. Did Han-chool ever mention Sangwook? Or his older fledglings in general?”

“We knew they existed.” Taehyung answered. “We only ever met one of them. I don’t even know how many he had. But we knew that the eldest wasn’t happy with us being there. I don’t – I don’t remember where we heard that from, maybe one of the staff there.”

“Right, something about a fight he had with Sangwook.” Jimin mumbled, eyes narrowed as if he was trying to remember more. “I think he didn’t like that Han-chool was distracted with us or something like that. Just – annoyed by our existence in general.”

“I think –“ Seokjin started and immediately paused when Jungkook made the cutest grumbling sound. “You keep drinking, little one.” Seokjin mumbled and gave Jungkook’s back a light pat. “I think Sangwook is horribly guilt-ridden by how his relationship was with Han-chool before Han-chool died. I think he thinks he’ll be someone Han-chool would be proud of if he does what Han-chool failed to do – he’s just not capable of it at all.”

“And he’s just turning people for shits and giggles?” Hoseok asked.

“No.” Seokjin and looked down at Jungkook, at how he was holding the front of his shirt. “Yoongi’s team found some things. The pile of dead you guys found – they were all fledglings.” He paused for a moment when all three of them made an angered face. “Fledglings who are growing too fast.”

“I’m not sure how but these fledglings are – “ he shook his head, “They are Sangwook’s version of super soldiers but they’re faulty. They’re growing too fast and their body can’t handle it so they die. There were twelve fledglings caught today, they’re all sick in one way or another. The dead ones all had adult teeth and claws.”

It was silent before Hoseok shifted his weight on the bed.

“They’re all sick?” He asked and Seokjin knew what this was. He’d had this conversation just an hour ago.

“Yoongi thinks Jungkook being left for dead might have luck in hindsight.” Seokjin forced himself to be calm. He could feel Jungkook drinking, his mouth closed tight on his neck, his tongue pressing every few seconds as he gulped down mouthfuls of blood. “He bled out what Sangwook gave him and then I was the one who fed him. Yoongi thinks that should be enough to keep Jungkook safe.”

“I hope he’s right.” Jimin mumbled.

“I hope so too.” Seokjin said. “We’ll have to take Jungkook to the Underground so he can give a statement and be a recorded officially. We’ll have him tested too, just to make sure.”

“I haven’t noticed anything concerning so far.” Hoseok said, his eyes trained on Jungkook. “I mean, aside from the very obvious, he’s doing well. I’m just waiting for his death to catch up with his body so he sleeps for a few days straight though he might sleep for longer than that considering the damage done.”

“I’m taking that as a good sign.” Seokjin said. If neither Hoseok nor Yoongi had noticed anything dire or abnormal then that was good. Seokjin needed all the good.

“I still don’t understand why Sangwook is doing all this.” Jimin said with a frown. “Trying to start a failed civil war, create sickly fledglings without caring for them… Everything we know so far is so – messy. I don’t get it. I don’t get how he thinks this will end well for him.”

“He’s a sad man.” Seokjin said. “A sad man angry at himself for his shortcomings, angry at a past he cannot change. Grief rarely makes sense – I’m certain in his head it all makes perfect sense.”

“You think this is all him grieving?” Taehyung asked, a brow raised. “Jimin and I lost a sire too, the same sire, we’re not murderous.”

“You didn’t lose your sire after arguing with him though.” Hoseok pointed out. “Sangwook and Han-chool had a falling out, that’s important. He also knew Han-chool for a significantly longer time period than you two. You two were very little when Han-chool died and we immediately took you in, did some therapy. I doubt Sangwook had anyone around him to help with his anger and grief.”

“So he does the most reasonable thing of course.” Taehyung deadpanned.

“Your old sire was pretty well-known.” Seokjin started. “He had considerable amount of power and sway when it came to politics even without being a Lord. He was just a charismatic coven leader and he managed to rally a good number of people behind him. And he failed.”

“If Sangwook could do what Han-chool failed to it would bring him out of Han-chool’s never ending shadow, give him a sense of accomplishment, a sense of forgiveness, and it would also end with him dying.” Seokjin shrugged with one shoulder.

“He wants his name in the books.” Jimin mumbled and then sighed. “I’m just glad we were never close with him. Imagine how much more complicated this all would be.”

“I’m just glad vampires don’t use human family terminology.” Hoseok said. “Can you imagine the family tree between the three of you and Sangwook?”

Jimin, Taehyung and Seokjin all groaned dramatically – because of course they did – before breaking into giggles.

“Oh, it would make the holidays so awkward.” Taehyung chuckled. “By human relations, Jungkook would be our nephew? Since Sangwook would be our brother? But you killed our dad and adopted us and - ah this is already complicated.”

Jimin and Hoseok were just barely holding back their laughter, their hands gripping each other tightly while they kept glancing at Jungkook’s peaceful form in Seokjin’s arms. So far Jungkook didn’t seem bothered, still happily feeding on Seokjin.

“Enough with human family trees. We’re vampires.” Seokjin said with a dramatic flair that fooled no one – though it may have caused Jimin to choke on his own spit if the way he was coughing was any indication. It wasn’t even funny.

“So – we caught the bad guy.” Hoseok said after a moment of silent wheezing, there were tears in the corners of his eyes. Seriously, it wasn’t funny, but Seokjin loved it more when they laughed at absolutely nothing. “That’s the most important part.”

“It is.”

“The second important part is what we will have for dinner.”

“Oh that is indeed very important.”

Seokjin wasn’t blind. He could see Hoseok’s distraction tactic from a mile away, he wasn’t being exactly subtle about it. But if Hoseok was being so obvious about topic change then he must have decided that the conversation was enough for the fledglings. Jimin and Taehyung were older than Jungkook but they were still so young and Hoseok specialized in this.

Regardless of how obvious it was or not, Jimin and Taehyung began rattling off what they could have for dinner. It was a lot of meat, a lot of blood, nothing unusual from their regular diet.

Jungkook was a comfortable weight on his lap. He had to get used to having a fledgling sit on him for multiple hours a day every day. Jungkook wasn’t particularly heavy either – which was a problem they had to handle sooner rather than later, Jungkook was a bit too skinny. He had a tendency to wiggle a bit but it was cute so really it was a good thing.

No doubt there was a red patch on his shirt. Seokjin couldn’t look down to see but he could smell blood in the air. He’d get a clean shirt later when Jungkook was done but for now it didn’t seem like he was anywhere close to being full.

Taehyung crawled around the bed until he was sitting next to Seokjin. He carefully lifted Jungkook’s legs so they were resting on his lap and hooked his chin over Seokjin’s free shoulder, silently watching Jungkook. They all were. It was hard not to look at Jungkook.

“He’s a messy eater.” Jimin commented off handedly.

Seokjin hummed in agreement. It was cute though.

Taehyung hovered his hand above Jungkook’s where it was loosely fisting Seokjin’s shirt. Jungkook’s greedy slurping sounds were the only noise as they watched Taehyung gently traced a finger on the back of Jungkook’s hand.

Jungkook’s didn’t respond. He probably didn’t even notice it at all. Taehyung kept trailing his finger over the veins on the back of Jungkook’s hand. It was his good hand, the one that hadn’t been broken. It still had a light tremor to it even as it rested against Seokjin’s chest. The silver had done a significant damage.

If Seokjin hadn’t been watching like a hawk he probably would have missed it, that’s how light Jungkook’s movement was. Slowly, absentmindedly, Jungkook turned his hand enough that his fingers found Taehyung’s. Their collective gasps were almost too loud in the bedroom.

“Oh.” Taehyung blinked as he angled his hand so Jungkook could hold his hand and Seokjin’s shirt at the same time. “Oh.”

Taehyung’s hand was larger than Jungkook’s and despite being undead Taehyung had more of a honey tan to his skin compared to how pale Jungkook was. Their hands looked nice together, Seokjin thought. They should hold hands more.

There were still an uncomfortable amount of questions left regarding Sangwook and his plan; how had he came into the city, how had he created these ‘super’ powered fledglings, what was going on in that head of his. It made Seokjin all incredibly uncomfortable. He didn’t like his city having to deal with this and the looming notion that this could all turn into something far bigger rested heavy on Seokjin’s shoulders.

But for now…

For now he had an armful of Jungkook happily, messily feeding on him. For now he had his other two fledglings watching Jungkook with wide eyes. For now he had Hoseok keeping a watchful eye on all of them. For now he had Yoongi and Namjoon running everything in The Underground.

If Jungkook felt good tomorrow he would take him to The Underground so he could be properly listed and so he could give his official statement.

For now, however, Seokjin adjusted his hold on Jungkook’s lax body.

Just for now, they had time.

Chapter Text

“This is a really big elevator.”

Jungkook cringed to himself. Yeah that was – real smooth. The most perfect thing to say… but the elevator was huge so at least he was accurate. Jungkook didn’t even know they made elevators this size, it reminded him of hospital elevators that were made to fit hospital beds – except it was larger.

“It gets crowded here at certain hours so this was the optimal choice.” Namjoon replied from behind him.

“Is there only one elevator?” Jungkook asked, suddenly very interested in the blue prints of where ever the fuck he was being taken to. It was a nice distraction. The elevator was smooth gray, had nice little buttons on the side. Super interesting.

“This is the main one.” Yoongi answered. “It was the first one installed. People use this one the most so it gets special treatment.”

“Neat.” Jungkook said, not lamely at all.

If elevator talk could distract him from the sense of impending doom in chest then Jungkook would take it.

Seokjin had asked him yesterday – after he’d woken up in his lap all curled up like a kitten which was as embarrassing as it was comforting – if he’d feel up to taking a quick trip to The Underground. There was paper work needed to be filled, some medical checks Yoongi wanted to take care of, and of course the most important one being that Jungkook had to give a statement about what had happened to him.

He wasn’t thrilled to repeat what he’d been through again. It had been hard enough to tell it to Seokjin and everyone.

The man was caught. The man who had ripped his neck off was caught. He was in a cell somewhere in this Underground place. Sungho, too. They were all caught. Jungkook didn’t have any details about who this man was, not even his name, because he didn’t want to know and had told Seokjin as much.

But knowing that he was about to be in relatively close proximity to the Sire, to Sungho, it made Jungkook feel sick. He’d been feeling terribly anxious ever since they left the penthouse and what little excitement Jungkook had about going out for the first time after being confided to a bed for days dwindled out.

Hoseok said it was fledgling anxiety, that it was very normal for him to feel scared of leaving the nest, especially since Jungkook was so young. An infant. That was the correct term for him. Jungkook was a twenty year old vampire infant. What the fuck happened to his life. At least Jimin and Taehyung seemed a little uneasy about going out if the way they were clinging to Hoseok’s arms was any indication, though they looked more excited than Jungkook.

“There will be a lot of people.” Seokjin warned. “A large majority of them won’t bother us or come anywhere near us but they will be staring, unfortunately. The ones who will come close will be my assistants.”

“Why would they stare?” Jungkook mumbled. It’s not like he was something great to look at. He was sitting on a wheelchair with clothes that were a size too large on him with a blanket covering him. At least he had a bucket hat and a mask to hide behind, the blanket too. He felt pitiful. Maybe vampires liked pitying.

“Because you’re the fledgling of Kim Seokjin.” Jimin answered, his tone edging on proud.

“Right.” Jungkook mumbled again. “Because you’re a Lord, right?”

“Because he’s The Lord of Seoul.” Namjoon corrected. “Among other things.”

Jungkook glanced sideways just in time to catch Seokjin roll his eyes.

“They won’t bother you.” Seokjin assured him instead. “It’s rude to get too close to a fledgling, even more so with an infant.”

“Do – do people know I’m –“ Jungkook waved a hand. “ – like this?”

“Generally speaking, yes, they know you’re injured.” Seokjin replied. “But they don’t know details.”

“I think they’ll be shocked by how cute you are though.” Taehyung piped in.

Jungkook stammered a bit, looking down at his lap so his hat hid his face. He still wasn’t sure if vampires could blush or not and he didn’t even know if he wanted an answer at this point. How did they all say it so easily? Jungkook doubted they meant it for real. They were just – entertaining the traumatized fledgling. That was it.

“Do you have a preference on how you want to do this?” Namjoon asked.

“Ah – I don’t know?” Jungkook looked at Seokjin again in hopes that he had a plan.

“We can do it however you like. I know it’s not the most comfortable situation but we’ll do it how you want it to.”

Well that wasn’t – not the answer Jungkook was hoping for. Jungkook didn’t want to decide this stuff on his own, he didn’t want to be bothered with it. He’d hoped that Seokjin had it all planned already.

That being said Jungkook really, really didn’t want to deal with recounting what he’d been through so it’d be nice if that could be the very last thing they did.

“Can we do the, uh, doctor stuff first?” Jungkook glanced towards Yoongi. “And then – then we can do all the paper work, I guess.”

“We’ll get you checked up first then.” Seokjin nodded once. “You can fill the forms in my office while eating, that’s not a sort of official meeting like that, and we’ll have the statement later.”

That sounded nice. As long as Jungkook could avoid the statement part he was fine with anything. Well, not really, he wasn’t excited about getting tests done but Yoongi had been adamant this morning. That was – that was probably not a great sign.

… This was such a long elevator ride.

“Are uh –“ Jungkook’s mouth started without his permission. Too late now, everyone was looking at him. Fine. “The – the Sire and Sungho… they’re locked up right?”

Seokjin smiled down at him and put a hand on his shoulder, “They’re locked up tight, little one.”

“I can assure you that you’re safe here, Jungkook-ah.” Namjoon added from behind. “They are under constant surveillance. The Sire was transferred to a high security prison cell and Sungho is still in the interrogation rooms we re-fashioned into a makeshift fledgling wing. You won’t be anywhere near them.”

Jungkook let the words sink in as he chewed on his bottom lip. Before, when he was waiting in the penthouse, it made him uneasy to know that Sungho and the Sire were both out there. But now Jungkook knew exactly where they were and it – it didn’t make him feel any better.

“Last five floors.” Hoseok said. Jimin and Taehyung huddled closer to him. He smiled at Jungkook, “You ready?”

Jungkook looked at the doors and then back at Hoseok, “No. I don’t think I am.”

“We’ll keep you safe.” Hoseok promised.

The elevator doors opened. Seokjin walked out. Namjoon wheeled Jungkook after him.

The Underground was big. Jungkook wasn’t sure what he had been picturing when he’d been told he would be visiting what was essentially a gathering place for vampires but it wasn’t this. It resembled a cathedral, with its ceilings so tall Jungkook had to crane his neck to make out where the roof was. The halls were all wide and open, lots of space. There wasn’t anything like this above, how could it exist down below?

It was as busy as it was big and Jungkook felt like he was in Gangnam district during new year’s or Itaewon during any type of celebration.

There were this many vampires in Seoul.

And Jungkook only found out days ago.

How many times did he pass by a vampire after a late shift, making his way home? How many times did he risk fate? How many times did he get lucky until –

Jungkook swallowed thickly, eyes flitting from person to furniture to walls, trying to take in everything and anything. It was so loud, everyone was talking in this main entry way – was that what this was? Like a giant reception area?

No one seemed to pay attention to Jungkook. At least at first. They walked by a good amount of people in well fitted business suits, a few people in more casual outfits, and nobody noticed Jungkook.

They noticed Seokjin though.

Seokjin walked with his head held high, his long coat resembling a cloak as he took confident strides across the floor. He was almost bigger than normal, his shoulders seemed wider to Jungkook, walking in front of him like a protective shield.

People who saw Seokjin walking in moved out of his way with quick respectful bows, the conversation echoing in the air dropping in volume as every started take notice. One group of people dressed in matching suits and thick files in their hands were the only ones who immediately went to Seokjin instead of making space for him.

At least they were until they noticed Jungkook behind him and paused - and when they did suddenly everyone noticed that Kim Seokjin wasn’t alone.

Immediately, Jungkook looked down at his lap hoping that the hat and the mask was enough to hide him. He tugged on the blanket a little bit, counted to twenty to calm himself down.

He felt so – so vulnerable. He wanted nothing more to just hide under Seokjin’s coat or to go back home and fuck all this business. His heart was beating faster and faster the longer it went on. He could hear the buzz of conversation pick up again and he knew they were all talking about him. He should have asked for a headphone before leaving, fucking dumbass.

A hand squeezed Jungkook’s shoulder and Jungkook flinched, turned his head a little too quick and hissed when his neck flared up in pain.

“Hey.” Said Hoseok, a signature warm smile on his face. Jimin and Taehyung were clutching to him tightly, their eyes flitting from person to person. It – maybe it was mean but Jungkook was glad he wasn’t the only one who felt anxious about being here. “You’re alright, Jungkook-ah. Just take deep breaths for me, alright?”

Jungkook nodded, a little shaky, and tried to do as he was told. He kept his eyes on his lap, effectively hiding himself, and then closed his eyes. He tried to focus on his breathing, in-out, and the motion of his wheelchair being pushed. He was okay. He was okay. There were a lot of people but he was okay. He was okay.

“I’ll be taking these two to your office, hyung.” Hoseok said at some point.

“Order some food too.” Seokjin replied.

Jungkook didn’t look. He guessed that Hoseok was talking about Jimin and Taehyung. Right – because Jungkook was going to get a medical check-up… man it’d be nice if he could go with Jimin and Taehyung, if this was just a normal visit.

But it wasn’t and that was that. The bandages on Jungkook’s body suddenly felt a lot tighter than they actually were, the stitches being too obvious in his skin.

Breathe. In and out, in and out.

“You’re doing well, Jungkook-ah.” Namjoon spoke from behind. “We’re almost there, alright?”

Jungkook nodded and after a bit of consideration, decided to risk taking a peek from under his bucket hat. They were in a different place now, a smaller-yet-still-huge hallway with significantly less people crowding it. Jungkook breathed out, felt his muscles relax a little. It was safer here.

Seokjin still had a group of people surrounding him, keeping pace with him as they kept talking in a chorus. Jungkook couldn’t understand anything they were saying. He focused on Seokjin’s shoulders, on his unchanging frame that was solid and familiar among a sea of people. He breathed a little easier.

One by one the flock of people around Seokjin started to leave until it was just them in the hallway. Huh – there weren’t any windows but… well yeah, if they were underground then why would there be windows here?

There was a nurse waiting by a door, she had a kind smile on her lips, and she signed towards Seokjin to enter the room she was standing by. Jungkook fisted the blanket as he was wheeled into the room.

He wasn’t sure what he was expecting – maybe insanely advanced technological devices, maybe middle age torture instruments – but what he got was a perfectly normal looking examination room just like the ones he’d been to his entire life. Cream colored walls, a work desk with some chairs, an examination desk, lots of drawers. There was a metal tray with a few medical instruments already prepared that Jungkook very pointedly avoided looking at.

The nurse didn’t get in the room. It was just them.

Yoongi took off his jacket and threw it on the chair behind the desk, searching through the files on the table for whatever he needed.

“Is this your room?” Jungkook watched Yoongi pick a yellow file and open it.

“It’s the room I use here, yes.” Yoongi answered. “I don’t work here though. I have my own clinic.”

Jungkook nodded and glanced around the room. There wasn’t anything that really showed personality in the room. It looked like literally any room in any hospital.

“So – um – “ Jungkook glanced between the three vampires. “ What are we doing exactly?”

“Nothing scary, I promise.” Yoongi said and came back out from the back of the desk with the file in hand. “The worst thing is I have to draw some blood. How comfortable are you with taking your clothes off?”

Jungkook blinked, “Uh. All of it?”

“Preferably but just your shirt will do too.” Yoongi said, casual.

“Uh.” Jungkook looked down at himself, at the oversized layers of clothes he was wearing. “I mean I don’t – I don’t mind but I’ll need help.”

“I can help.” Seokjin offered easily.

“O-okay.” Jungkook mumbled. He didn’t mind being naked actually. It would be a bit awkward sure but it wasn’t that bad. It was just – the whole situation was weird. Jungkook couldn’t find his footing about anything happening in his life anymore.

So sure. He’s fine with being stripped. Why the fuck not? Yoongi already saw him naked anyway.

“We’re just going to check and document your injuries.” Yoongi explained in that usual almost-monotone voice of his. It was soothing in an odd way. Jungkook could almost pretend this was just a normal, routine check-up for him. “I’ll leave the needle for last, is that okay?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Jungkook said. He looked at the examination table and then back at the three vampires. “I’m going to need help getting up there.”

Namjoon and Seokjin both wordlessly walked up to him. They were gentle as they got a hold of him and Jungkook tried his best to ignore how close they were. This was normal. Totally normal. Just two handsome men manhandling – helping him get up. Totally normal, nothing out of the ordinary.

Jungkook winced when he stood up but managed to find his balance between Namjoon and Seokjin. Hell, he even managed to walk on his own to the examination table. Sure, he was still sturdily held by two men but he walked!

Jungkook avoided looking at anyone as they helped him take off his clothes. His large coat went first. Yoongi warned them about his injuries when it was time to take off his hoodie and shirt underneath. They moved slowly, making sure his arms didn’t get caught or he wasn’t stretching in a way that would tug on his stitches.

Before he knew it Jungkook was in his boxers sitting on the examination table.

He didn’t even own the boxers he was wearing.

Jungkook shivered. The room wasn’t cold but he was cold, all the time. He knew why he was cold. Of course he was cold. He didn’t want to remember it or focus on it any more than he had to.

Namjoon dragged out a small heater from under the desk and placed it as close to Jungkook as he could before turning it on. It wasn’t a great source of heat but Jungkook gave a small, shy bow of thanks to Namjoon anyway.

“It’ll heat in a bit.” Namjoon said with a dimpled smile. Life really wasn’t fair. How could such a tall and handsome man also have dimples? There had to be some higher power out there enjoying Jungkook’s suffering.

“Now what?” Jungkook asked as Yoongi pulled out a phone from his desk drawer. Jungkook frowned. It wasn’t the phone Yoongi used normally but it looked like a fairly new model.

“Now I take pictures of all your injuries to document them.” Yoongi said and put the yellow file next to Jungkook on the examination table, standing directly in front of Jungkook.

“Wait –“ Jungkook glanced down at the phone and then back up at Yoongi. “Vampires show on camera?”

“Some.” Seokjin answered with a pointed finger and sat down on Yoongi’s chair.

“I thought – “ Jungkook frowned again, “I thought vampires didn’t show up on that stuff.”

“We don’t.” Namjoon answered. “And we didn’t until very recently. Technology is incredible nowadays. If a camera – phone or security or whatever – is new enough, with latest technology, then there is a good chance that it catches vampires. Don’t ask us how that works, we don’t know how either.”

“We do have people researching it though.” Seokjin happily supplied. “But yes, since the past two-three years certain cameras have been able to capture us. Makes our lives a little easier and a little harder all at the same time.”

“Huh.” Jungkook blinked. That was actually really interesting.

Yoongi held up the phone, “Ready?”

Jungkook nodded, “What do you need me to do?”

“Just stay still.” Yoongi said. “I’ll tell you when I need you to move. Sit straight, please.”

Jungkook did as he was told. He tried to keep his face relaxed so the cuts on his face weren’t distorted at all and showed properly on camera. It was awkward to have a phone right in his face but Jungkook got used to it quickly. He opened his mouth when Yoongi asked him to, then tried to copy a snarl the best he could, then lifted his upper lip with his fingers so Yoongi could take a picture of his gums and the cuts there. Jungkook forgot that he was supposed to have fangs.

“Turn your head this way, little one.” Yoongi mumbled, tipping his head the way he wanted Jungkook to move. Jungkook followed. A few more clicks and Yoongi was done taking pictures of Jungkook’s face.

“Well, do I look pretty?” Jungkook joked.

“Of course you are.” Yoongi answered right away between scribbling notes on the file.

Jungkook blinked. It was hot in the room all of a sudden – the damn heater was heating.

Namjoon and Seokjin, both now using Yoongi’s desk and chair respectively to sit, snorted between them. Jungkook glared towards them but it had no power behind it. It really wasn’t fair, Jungkook was outnumbers and so easily flustered.

At least Namjoon and Seokjin had the decency to pretend they were chastised by Jungkook. Which – honestly Jungkook wasn’t sure if that was better or not. Cool of them to be entertaining Jungkook like this though.

Yoongi put down his pen and picked up the camera again and Jungkook sat up straight again, waiting for instructions. Yoongi took photographs of his bandages from multiple angles; his neck, his wrists, his abdomen, his right hand that still didn’t look right to Jungkook. He had to momentarily stand for the abdomen pictures, which Namjoon was more than happy to help him with.

“I will take off the bandages now.” Yoongi said.

“Alright.” Jungkook nodded, leaning into Namjoon’s hold to sit down.

Yoongi removed the neck bandage first and then it was the same process. Jungkook tilted his head this way and that under Yoongi’s instructions. Without the bandage Jungkook felt a little scared to move his head too much.

Then it was his wrists.

This time he didn’t look when Yoongi took off the bandages. He’d seen enough the other day in the shower. He held his arms the way Yoongi asked him to, turned his hands in and out so Yoongi could properly document the damage from all angles. Jungkook kept staring straight, unblinking.

He did have to stand again for the abdomen patch but Yoongi worked quickly so Jungkook was sitting down again before he knew it.

“Done?” Jungkook asked.

“Done with pictures.” Yoongi confirmed, writing on the file again. Jungkook didn’t bother trying to read it even though he easily could, Yoongi wasn’t exactly hiding what he was writing down. “It’s the needle part now, unfortunately.”

Jungkook made a face and finally looked at the little metal tray that had the packaged needle on it. It wasn’t very big but Jungkook still didn’t like it.

“I’ll be very quick with it.” Yoongi promised, his voice a little softer than before as he finished writing down. He put the file on the desk along with the phone. “You won’t feel a thing. Try to sit straight up until I patch you back up.”

“Alright.” Jungkook mumbled.

Seokjin got up from the chair and walked up to Jungkook while Yoongi prepared the needle, an easy smile on his handsome face. Jungkook pouted up at him like it was Seokjin’s fault that he was being poked with a needle.

“It’s almost over.” Seokjin said. “Then we’ll go eat and you can have some rest.”

Yoongi stepped closer with needle at hand, his eyes searching Jungkook’s face, “Ready?”

He glanced between the needle and Yoongi who was patiently waiting. Fuck it. Jungkook turned his head away from Yoongi and leaned his forehead against Seokjin’s chest. Seokjin didn’t hesitate to put an arm around him, his fingers coming up to play with the hair on his nape. Embarrassing or not, Jungkook hated needles more than feeling awkward.

He’d spent the last several days sitting on Seokjin’s lap, this was barely anything.

His right arm felt numb as Yoongi carefully held him. Jungkook focused on keeping his breathing even. It was a little childish to be this scared of needles at his age but it was what it was. He’d died, he was allowed to be like this.

Seokjin was his sire, right? He was allowed to be touchy with him, right?

“Done.”

“Really?” Jungkook hesitantly pulled away from Seokjin’s hold, checking his arm. He didn’t feel anything at all but Yoongi was holding two vials of blood. “Two?”

“Just in case.” Yoongi said and carefully put the vials in a sturdy looking box. “I didn’t want to bring you back here if more was needed.”

“Oh. Thanks.” Jungkook said as Yoongi put on a small band-aid over the needle puncture. “So – is there anything wrong with me?”

“Luckily, no. Your injuries remain the same which is very good considering your silver poisoning. I was afraid you might worsen over time but so far you have remained the same. You’ve lost some weight which is normal with how much you’ve been sleeping and there’s a little bit of muscle atrophy related to that but it’s nothing to be worried about. You’re doing really, really well, little one.”

It was hard to tell who was more relieved, Jungkook or Seokjin.

“I just have to patch you back up and then we can go.” Yoongi said. He grabbed the box with the vials in it along with the phone he took the pictures and the yellow file and opened the door. The nurse from before was still there, waiting, and she took everything before disappearing out from Jungkook’s line of vision.

Jungkook didn’t look down at himself until Yoongi was done with the fresh bandages.

“Can you try something for me?”

“Huh?” Jungkook looked at Yoongi with wide eyes.

Yoongi reached for Jungkook’s good hand – or rather his better hand, the one that shook less. Jungkook let Yoongi examine his hand while staring at Yoongi’s hands. It was hard to tell what Yoongi was looking for, he gave a light squeeze to each finger joint and pressed his finger pads to Jungkook’s blunt nails.

“This will sound silly probably,” Yoongi prefaced. “But humor me, can you try to get your claws?”

…

“My what?”

Namjoon snorted from the table, Seokjin had the decency to hold his chuckles. Yoongi, who was currently Jungkook’s favorite person, kept a straight face.

“Your claws.” Yoongi said and lifted one hand to demonstrate. Yoongi’s nails curved and grew into sharp points. “Like this.”

Jungkook hummed and focused on his left hand. He tried to imagine having claws like Yoongi’s, like Seokjin’s when he cut his neck to feed Jungkook, tried to imagine his nails growing sharp like theirs. Nothing happened. Jungkook pouted.

“That’s alright. You’re free to go.” Yoongi gently patted Jungkook’s cheek.

Jungkook held back from chasing his touch.

Getting dressed again was just as slow as stripping down. Jungkook was slightly out of breath when Namjoon carefully lowered him down on the wheelchair. Seokjin put Jungkook’s bucket hat back on his head and tucked in the blanket as well.

“Do you think it’ll be as crowded?” Jungkook asked.

“I can’t say.” Seokjin answered. “But there aren’t many people near my office usually. You did well the first round, little one, I’m sure you will fine now.”

Jungkook nodded. Seokjin sounded like he believed that and it made Jungkook want to believe it too. At least he knew what to expect, more or less.

“We can take the long way around if you want?” Namjoon suggested.

Jungkook wanted to be just done with it so, “No, no, let’s just go the short way.”

“Alright.” Seokjin said. “As you wish.”

Jungkook kept his eyes glued to the floor the entire time, not once giving into his curiosity to look around. The floor was very interesting anyway, all sparkly and shiny, janitors must work hard to keep it clean. Vampire janitors.

It was so clean that Jungkook could see the wheelchairs reflection. That was the only reflection he saw.

“Here we are.”

“That was quick.”

Jungkook looked up at Taehyung’s voice - oh wow this was a big room. Jungkook blinked around slack jawed as he took in the interior. Was everything in this place just big? Marble and wood perfectly blended together, professional.

It was cold, Jungkook noted to himself. He vaguely remembered the office-like room he’d been in the first time he’d woken up at the penthouse and that was warm. This office was cold. Unlike the office back in the penthouse this place didn’t have anything to indicate that a person actually worked here. The only sign of life were the jackets thrown on the back of the couches and the take-out that was already being shared to different plates but that was a disruption. It was because they were eating there.

If Jungkook took out all the people and everything that belonged to them, the only thing that reminded him of Seokjin in this office would be the messy piles of papers and files on his desk.

Yoongi and Seokjin both. They both had personal rooms devoid of their characters. Maybe it was because they had different places to go to – Yoongi’s clinic, Seokjin’s home office.

“Did the evil doctor hurt you too much Jungkook-ah?” Taehyung joked with a wide smile.

“He poked me with needles.” Jungkook replied with a dramatic pout. Taehyung and Hoseok gasped just as dramatically and Jungkook couldn’t help the smile on his face. They made it easy.

“Hyung how could you do such a thing?” Hoseok gave his best offended face but the brightness of his eyes betrayed him. There was nothing intimidating about it.

“It’s all part of my evil plan.” Yoongi deadpanned as he sat next to Jimin.

“What’s the plan?” Namjoon asked and wheeled Jungkook next to everyone else.

“Stealing cute fledglings.”

“That’s a good plan.” Seokjin said.

Jungkook was so distracted by how Yoongi wrapped an arm around Jimin and pulled him close to his side that it took him a moment to realize he was part of the cute fledglings Yoongi wanted to steal.

The food was so fucking interesting to look at. Jungkook had never seen such food in his life. All the texture and stuff. Mesmerizing.

“Here, hand these over to Jungkook.”

Jungkook looked up from the so-very-interesting food he was staring at to watch Seokjin hand a few papers to Hoseok who handed it to Taehyung who handed it to Namjoon who gave it to Jungkook. Jungkook to the papers and gave a quick look over.

Seoul City Fledgling Registration

It wasn’t that different from many files Jungkook had filled in the past. Name, age, date of birth – date of death and rebirth… Okay maybe it was different but it didn’t look like it would be difficult or take too long to finish.

“You can do it while eating.” Namjoon said with a smile. “And we’ll help if anything confuses you.”

Jungkook nodded, looking over the questions. He was definitely going to need help with some of these.

The lunch was casual. To the point that Jungkook had to stop and make sure that he’d never really hung out with any of these people ever before in his short life. Surely it wasn’t that normal that Jungkook felt so easy around them, right? It hadn’t even been a week yet since he’d met them – actually Jungkook’s sense of time was all messed right now so he wasn’t sure how long it’d been but… Jungkook barely got along with his co-workers. His co-workers were good people and aside from minor drama (and the creep Jungkook didn’t want to think about in the moment) Jungkook liked them well enough.

But he never felt this content with them. There was always a layer of distance with them, with his short lived college friends – he didn’t exactly have long-term friends to begin with.

Yet here he was casually eating chicken and writing down his full name – ignoring how shaky his hand writing was – with a group of men he really didn’t know and he didn’t… he didn’t feel tense. He didn’t feel hyper-aware of every little thing he was doing.

He was just eating chicken and filling a form. That was it.

“What’s the uh – the coven name?” Jungkook asked, chewing on a crunchy bit of chicken skin.

“Kim Coven.” Seokjin answered easily, stabbing his kimchi with his chopsticks like the dish had done something evil.

“That’s simple.” Jungkook commented off-handedly. “Are all coven names that simple? Last names? It must get confusing with all the same last names.”

“No one would confuse Kim Coven for anyone else.” Jimin snickered, a hint of pride in his voice, head resting on Yoongi’s shoulder.

“Coven names depend on the coven leader.” Namjoon explained. “It can be anything. Hyung just picked a simple one.”

Jungkook looked at the said coven leader as the man – vampire – stuffed his mouth with kimchi. Yeah, that checked out. Jungkook looked back at the form.

Name of Sire

Jungkook wrote Kim Seokjin with as little tremor as he could.

“What am I supposed to put for address?” he asked, his voice a little muted.

“Coven address is the penthouse.” Namjoon said. “But you can also write down your own place too if you want.”

For a group of vampires that were all a few decades old at the very least, they really weren’t doing a good job of looking uninterested at the moment. It made Jungkook feel a little better. He wrote down the address of his flat and then looked up.

“I don’t know the address for the penthouse.”

Hoseok nearly spilled his drink with how fast he sat up, a large smile as he gave him the address. Jungkook had to write fast to keep up with him but wow – Jungkook knew the penthouse was fancy but he hadn’t realized it was in a fancy neighborhood like that too.

He read the next question.

“Uh… Powers?” His voice pitched high as he read the word. He looked up, “I’m supposed to have powers?”

Seokjin sighed, “See I tell people that part’s not needed with fledglings but they never change the file.” He complained, answering absolutely nothing for Jungkook.

“You’re not supposed to have powers.” Yoongi answered. “Yet.”

“I can have powers?” he said and then glanced to Jimin. “Like Jimin?”

“Jimin is a special case.” Taehyung said proudly and Jimin tipped his chin down, almost hiding into Yoongi, bashfully.

“It depends.” Yoongi said. “In general the powers we get aren’t entirely special. Some might have some of our usual powers heightened like being much stronger than others –“ he nodded towards Namjoon,“ – but every now and then some of us get something a little bit more that the rest doesn’t.”

“Like what?” Jungkook asked, sitting up straight in curiosity. “Namjoon hyung is strong?”

“I am.” Namjoon said.

“He is.” Hoseok said with a slow, appreciative nod.

“In our coven the most interesting power belongs to Jiminie, helping with memories.” Seokjin said with smile. “His power manifested pretty early. Taehyungie doesn’t have anything for now, neither will you for a while.”

“Yoongichi can numb nerves but you might have figured that out by now.” Seokjin added and Jungkook blinked, his eyes immediately locking on Yoongi who was unbothered. He did wiggle his fingers towards Jungkook though.

That made… a lot of sense actually now that Jungkook thought about all the times Yoongi fixed him over the last few days. No wonder he was a doctor.

“Hoseok-ah is like Namjoon-ah in the sense that he doesn’t have something extra like Yoongi or Jimin but instead a normal ability being more powerful than the rest. He’s a speedy lil’ guy.” Seokjin explained while Hoseok waved a hand.

“He’s a babysitter!” Taehyung piped up with a boxy grin. “That’s special!”

Jungkook blinked, “A babysitter?”

Hoseok smiled and nodded but – maybe Jungkook was reading too much into things that weren’t there but this smile didn’t feel as warm as all his other smiles. It wasn’t fake but – something Jungkook couldn’t put a finger on it.

“Yup.” Hoseok said and ruffled Taehyung’s hair. “I’m an official vampire babysitter. Not many of those.”

“It’s not a power.” Namjoon helped Jungkook out. “It’s more like a – a biological rank, I guess. Rare, though.”

“Something like that.” Hoseok agreed with a wink but and still it didn’t feel right. Jungkook frowned. No one else seemed to notice it. Taehyung was practically sitting on Hoseok’s lap now, Jimin was giggling into Yoongi’s shoulder, Namjoon and Seokjin were both focused on their food.

Maybe Jungkook was just making it up. He had a tendency to over analyze everything anyway.

“That’s cool.” Jungkook said and then turned his eyes on Seokjin. “What’s your power?”

Seokjin, with a mouth full of rice, said, “Nothing.”

“No way.” Jungkook snorted, doing his very best to not stare at the singular rice that was stuck on Seokjin’s bottom lip. “Everyone here has something.”

“Except for me!” Taehyung said happily.

“Except for Taehyung.” Jungkook corrected. Paused. “And me.”

“No, I actually don’t have anything.” Seokjin swallowed and shrugged. “Vampiric evolution skipped me.”

“His power is that he’s old as fuck.” Jimin said.

“Yah!”

“I’m not even making fun of your age!” Jimin shot back. “That’s literally your power!”

“Well phrase it better then!” Seokjin yelled back. “Old as fuck doesn’t sound complimentary Jimin-ah!”

Jungkook stared as Jimin and Seokjin got louder and louder and their smiles became bigger and bigger. At one point they were just yelling non-sense to each other. Between all the shouting, Yoongi leaned closer to Jungkook.

“Vampires get more powerful with age. Faster, stronger, harder to kill.” He nodded towards Seokjin who was now threatening Jimin with a pocket of spicy sauce, “Hyung is old as fuck –“

“Et tu Yoongi?”

“Hence, he’s very strong.” Yoongi sat back, ignoring Seokjin’s dramatic monologue of being betrayed by his oldest lover.

That made sense. Survival of the fittest and all that, right? Jungkook eyed Seokjin as the man finally calmed down and began eating his food happily again. He didn’t look old but that meant fuck all with vampires.

How old was he?

“So, uh, what do I say under Powers then?” he asked.

“Not Applicable. Fledgling.” Hoseok helped him out. “Why is that question even on a fledgling file?”

“I keep telling them.” Seokjin complained.

“You’re losing your lordly powers.” Taehyung teased.

Jungkook dutifully wrote Not Applicable – Fledgling on the file. He frowned, his writing was getting worse. Not only that but his hand was starting to ache. He put the pen down and focused on eating his food for now, resting his hand. There wasn’t a hurry for him to finish the papers.

“I uh-“ he started and immediately paused when all eyes landed on him. They were easy eyes, non-judgmental, just honestly curious as to what Jungkook had to say. It wasn’t something he was used to. “The guy who did this to me. The sire.” He said and looked at Seokjin. “Who – who is he?”

Seokjin put down his chopstick. The air was uncomfortable suddenly. Maybe it was just Jungkook’s nerves.

“Are you sure? You didn’t want to know before.” Seokjin asked. His voice was the same as usual, caring and careful.

“Yeah.” Jungkook nodded. “Yeah I wanna – I want to know, now. Please.”

Seokjin regarded him for a moment before nodding easily.

“His name is Oh Sangwook.” Seokjin said.

Jungkook frowned, “I don’t know who that is.”

“Neither did we.” Seokjin snorted humorlessly. “However I know his sire, Lee Han-chool.” Seokjin said and raised a crooked finger to point between Jimin and Taehyung, “And Lee Han-chool was their sire.”

Jungkook blinked, taking in the information and trying to make sense of this odd, sire-based family tree.

“So –“ He narrowed his eyes in confusion and looked at Jimin and Taehyung, “They’re related to him?”

“Don’t think of vampires as humans, darling.” Seokjin reminded. “They were simply turned by the same sire.”

“We never met Sangwook in our lives before.” Taehyung offered quietly, almost shy, and that didn’t feel right to Jungkook. Taehyung was bigger than life.

“We knew our old sire had older fledglings but we weren’t really around them ever.” Jimin said.

Jungkook nodded slowly. He had a name but what did it even matter at this point? Oh Sangwook. A man Jungkook had never met before until he died. He wasn’t even sure why he wanted to know about him – to put a name to the face maybe.

“You killed Lee Han-chool, right?” Jungkook tried to remember. He tilted his head to the side in question, “Because he was a bad man?”

“Yes.” Seokjin answered without any hesitation. “He nearly started a civil war and I signed his execution.”

Jimin and Taehyung didn’t react. They might as well had been talking about the weather. Taehyung took a bite from his last chicken, Jimin sipped his drink.

Lee Han-chool was Jimin and Taehyung and Oh Sangwook’s sire and he been killed by Seokjin for his crimes so – so Sangwook was taking revenge, right? That was it? Jungkook couldn’t think of another reason but –

But he was unrelated to the story.  Jeon Jungkook never met Oh Sangwook until the night he was killed by him. Jeon Jungkook had never heard of Lee Han-chool until the other day. He didn’t meet Seokjin until after he died. Unlike the Kim Coven, Jungkook had no connections to the story.

Forty years ago Lee Han-chool was executed. Forty years later Jeon Jungkook died all alone in an abandoned building.

There were faint threads there, looming above him, but Jungkook had no connection to it. Jungkook wasn’t important in this story. His death was just a death. It was luck. It was bad luck.

Jeon Jungkook had just been caught in the crossfire. He was unrelated. There wasn’t a big conspiracy behind his murder in particular. He was killed because of happenstance. Because he was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

No.

Sungho.

The fucking creep that never took no for an answer. Who always cornered him in the back rooms where Jungkook had no clear ways of escape. Who didn’t even have it in him to defend Jungkook when he was being assaulted. Spineless bastard who watched him die and then beat him down.

Sungho was the reason Jungkook spent months of his life uncomfortably looking over his shoulder at work and Sungho was the reason Jungkook died.

Lee Han-chool, Kim Seokjin, Oh Sangwook – even Jimin and Taehyung – those names weren’t why Jungkook’s life had ended the way it had. Maybe, in some grand scheme, sure, maybe Jungkook was a random casualty in their politics. But.

But.

Sungho was the reason Oh Sangwook knew him at all. Sungho was the one who mind controlled him to the abandoned building.

“Jungkook-ah?”

The tunnel vision faded in an instant and Jungkook found himself scowling at his hands. Seokjin was crouched in front of him, his gentle hands carefully holding Jungkook’s wrists.

“What?” Jungkook trailed off, blinking until his vision got better. Everything was swirling. He shut his eyes for a moment with a grunt and focused on Seokjin’s cold touch.

“You got in a staring contest with your hands.” Seokjin explained.

“I think I lost.” Jungkook mumbled.

“Hands are notorious for not having eyes.” Seokjin commented back and Jungkook huffed a smile. So stupid. “Are you alright?”

Honestly? No. Suddenly Jungkook was very fucking tired. He had a vague headache and his shoulders weighed too heavy.

“I’m tired.” Jungkook said and slowly opened his eyes, sighing when the world didn’t spin. “I don’t know what happened. My hand hurts.”

“You are still heavily injured.” Yoongi reminded him carefully, trained eyes flickering over Jungkook’s body, trying to see what was hurting Jungkook. “This is the most physical you’ve been since turning, your body isn’t used to it.”

“Being out probably doesn’t help either.” Hoseok added thoughtfully. “Fledgling anxiety can cause physical symptoms. Also you were writing a lot now, maybe that’s why your hand hurts.”

“The answer is probably all of the above and then some.” Seokjin said and rubbed his thumb over the back of Jungkook’s hand. Jungkook nearly melted in his wheelchair at the touch. “You can take a nap if you want.”

“No.” Jungkook replied. “I wanna eat and – and finish all the papers.”

“Alright.” Seokjin nodded and stood up. Jungkook nearly clung to his arm but managed to hold still. He wasn’t a child for fucks sake and he was fine if Seokjin walked back to his seat. It was fine.

Namjoon scooted to the side and Seokjin sat to his place. Oh. Nice. That was nice.

Jungkook wheeled a little closer to the table – and just the table – so he could eat. It was just that. He didn’t do it to be closer to Seokjin. It was about food.

He spent the next hour split between eating everything and anything offered to him and finishing the questions. He had to take a break every few questions, his right hand hadn’t healed enough to write it seemed. Yoongi mentioned something about an x-ray and Jungkook pouted. He didn’t want to deal with anything hospital related for a long time.

Eventually he ate all the food and finished the questions and there was only one last thing on their schedule.

Jungkook was hiding again as Namjoon wheeled him behind Seokjin once again.

He could do this. He just had to repeat what had happened. It was fine. This was important. He could do it. He could do it.

The room they were in was pretty small, decorated in simple browns. It looked like a slightly fancy waiting room with a vintage sofa and armchairs, a mahogany desk in the middle. Jungkook glanced around quickly, a bit panicky maybe, before his eyes were on the three women in the room.

They had stood up the second Seokjin had entered, all three of the wearing matching smiles on their faces. Jungkook wondered if that was their normal smile or if they were trying to appear as non-threatening as possible.

“My lord.” The woman in the middle said and gave a bow to Seokjin. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“You as well.” Seokjin replied and stood to the side, gesturing towards Jungkook with one hand. “This is Jeon Jungkook, my fledgling.”

The woman smiled wider at Jungkook and then gave a formal bow to him, “It’s an honor to meet you, Jeon Jungkook.” She said. “I am Yoojin, these are my colleagues. We will be taking your statement.”

Jungkook awkwardly bowed back the best he could, nodding along while she spoke. She had her white hair tied neatly in a braid, bejeweled with jades. The woman on her left had a short bob cut and looked to be the youngest – though they were vampires, Jungkook figured how they looked had no relevancy to their age – and the one on the right had her hair in a ponytail. Jungkook glanced at Seokjin, took in the proud glint in his eyes, before nodding again.

“What do you need?” he asked.

“Sit, my lord.” Yoojin gestured, “You as well, Namjoon-ssi.” She added as she sat down on the sofa. Namjoon wheeled Jungkook a little closer before sitting down on one of the arm chairs while Seokjin sat closest to Jungkook.

“I understand that this is a highly sensitive topic.” Yoojin started. “I know you probably don’t wish to repeat what you’ve been through to us but we need to have an official statement to keep. All you need to is to tell us what happened that night with as many details as you possibly can. Soyou –“ the girl with the bob raised a hand at her name, “ – will writing down what you say and Jihyo – “the other girl raised her hand this time, “ – will be recording it. We can take as many breaks as you want.”

Jungkook swallowed and glanced at Seokjin.

“That’s it?” he asked. It seemed so simple. “Nothing else?”

“Nothing else.” Yoojin confirmed. “We already know Oh Sangwook is guilty, this is just a procedure we must follow. However if you feel overwhelmed please know you can stop.”

Jungkook pushed his tongued over his gums, felt the scarring that was still healing. Fangs.

“Yeah, okay.” He nodded. “I can do it.”

After a few minutes of Soyou getting the papers she needed and Jihyo taking out a recorder, the scene was set and the three women were looking at Jungkook expectantly. All that was left was for Jungkook to tell them what had happened – again.

He took in a deep breath and started.

He tried to distance himself from what had happened to him – it hadn’t happened to him. The Jeon Jungkook who was telling the story wasn’t the same Jeon Jungkook who had been murdered. That was a different person unrelated to Jungkook completely.

At least it felt better to think of like that, to compartmentalize every step he took to his death.

He told them about Sungho being missing from work and how he’d been working multiple shifts to make up for his absence, how he left work late but also earlier than normal. He told them about how he ran into Sungho on his way home and then everything else that followed.

Jungkook’s voice never wavered. His eyes were focused on a spot on the desk. Namjoon and Seokjin didn’t interrupt him. Every now and then Yoojin would pause his story to ask a question – What was Sungho like? A complete creep – before Jungkook continued.

He didn’t look up from that single spot on the desk as he told them about the abandoned building, the drink forced down his mouth, Sungho licking him, and the entrance of the Sire – Oh Sangwook – and what the man made him do, the things he thought were his own choice, until the moment he was murdered.

His neck ached. Jungkook could feel the phantom fangs there still, could feel his muscles rip apart. He took in a shaky breath.

Yoojin offered a break but Jungkook shook his head. He told them about bleeding to death, the weird taste of blood in his mouth, waking up in his own blood. The rage he felt when he attacked Sangwook.

He didn’t mention how good it felt whenever his fist connected with Sangwook’s face, how good it was when Sangwook’s bones broke.

He told them about being overpowered, pushed down to the floor, about Sangwook cutting his face, forcing his mouth on him again, Sungho watching pathetically, and being dragged to his second death.

“It’s hazy after that.” Jungkook mumbled, running out of fuel finally at the end of his story. “I vaguely remember being found and then I was in Seokjin hyung’s place.”

“I’m very sorry for what you’ve been through.” Yoojin said sympathetically. Jungkook didn’t want to see the pity on her face and instead looked down at his trembling hands. “I have another question for you. Do you remember anything that felt particularly odd to you?”

At that Jungkook looked up with a raised brow and a snort, “Weirder than being murdered by vampires?”

“Yes.” Yoojin nodded. “Anything that really stood out to you in between everything, something small, something big, something in the background?”

“I – “ Jungkook inhaled deeply and actually tried to remember. Had anything been any weirder than Sungho? “I – I don’t – no, I don’t think so. There might have been, I was a little, um, distracted with everything.”

Yoojin nodded again, “Understandable. That’s all.” She said and waved a hand. Soyou and Jihyo stopped writing and recording. “We have it all on record now, the rest of the job here doesn’t involve you, luckily.”

Soyou and Jihyo stood up and gave a quick bow before leaving. Jungkook watched them go with a frown.

“Are they late or something?” he asked in a mumble.

“No, they just know I want privacy for this next part.” Yoojin said, a distinct gleam in her eyes. “Their job is to record everything. If they hear it, they must record it.”

“If a tree falls and no one is there to hear it…” Namjoon trailed off, amused.

“What – “ Jungkook tried to will his heart to calm down and looked at Seokjin quickly.

“Relax, little one.” Seokjin said softly and reached over to hold Jungkook’s hand. “There’s nothing to be frightened of. This is just a private conversation that never took place.”

Jungkook licked over his lips.

“Okay. Okay.” He nodded, still anxious but ready for whatever it was that was about to be thrown at him. “So – what is this conversation that never happened?”

“This is about Sungho.” Yoojin said and Jungkook frowned. “It’s about giving him the punishment he deserves for his participation in what happened to you.”

Jungkook’s frown deepened, “He’s a fledgling though, right? And fledglings are protected?”

“Yes.” Yoojin nodded. “His fledgling status puts him under protection, especially with his abusive sire. However, there is always a fine print we can exploit.”

“Oh thank you.” Seokjin sighed dramatically. “I was hoping for it.”

“Your guideline is very sneaky.” Yoojin snickered towards Seokjin before looking back at Jungkook. “Before I say anything you must understand that nothing can be done to Sungho until Oh Sangwook is trialed and punished. And due to the nature of this case, the abuse all of the fledglings involved have been through and other oddities, we will have to wait until Sungho is healthy to take any action.”

Jungkook swallowed thickly, hanging onto every word from Yoojin’s mouth.

“But after – after all the waiting…” Jungkook said slowly, afraid to get his hopes up. “After all of that – there is a chance…?”

“There is an angle we can take.” Yoojin said and then leaned back on the sofa. “It’s admittedly a hard angle to take but the fine print is there – and it’s very much a fine print – “she said with a faux glare at Seokjin, “But there is something to be done here.”

“There are certain precautions against Sire’s freely turning just anyone. We are vampires but we have rules, mostly thanks to our good lord, Seokjin.” She said. “We have a certain rule about obsessive transformations; A vampire cannot simply turn a human just because they are infatuated with them. Of course the law itself isn’t that simple but you get the idea.”

“The fine print I’m willing to abuse it a little something like this; if we can prove that Sungho was obsessed with Jungkook prior to his transformation and then picked Jungkook as his victim solely because it's Jungkook, then we can aim to make a case against him.”

“It’s a little fickle, don’t you think?” Namjoon said.

“It’s the strongest option we have.” Yoojin said. “Especially if I’m willing to willfully bash a fledgling.”

“I take it you are willing to willfully bash a fledgling.” Seokjin parroted.

“Well, with the recent developments we have with this case, one could argue that none of Sangwook’s fledglings are fledglings.” Yoojin said, her voice conspiratorial.

“Tell me more.” Seokjin said and Jungkook stared at him. He’d never heard Seokjin sound so – in power. That wasn’t a demand, it was an order.

“All fledglings are protected.” She started. “But Sangwook’s fledglings are, for lack of a better term, super powered. Now tell me, my lord, can you call any vampire that can thrall a fledgling?”

Jungkook’s heart was beating in his ears.

“I suppose it’s an oddity.” Seokjin mused.

“It’s the perfect gray area.” Yoojin replied. “As a fledgling, he’s protected, and he will be protected even when we use obsession as a case. But if he weren’t a fledgling, if he was something more than the regular fledgling –“

“It’s an opening.” Seokjin finished, his eyes finding Jungkook’s. I promise.

“Not to be the devil’s advocate here.” Namjoon cut in and it was obvious in his voice that he really didn’t want to say whatever he was saying here. “But if we say that all of Sangwook’s fledglings are super-powered, wouldn’t they get a chance to defend themselves with accusing Jungkook of the same? He is, technically, Sangwook’s, and he beat him up. His defense will want to play the same game.”

“You’re right.” Yoojin said. “However Sungho spent weeks under Sangwook, Jungkook barely spent thirty minutes with the man. Lord Seokjin took him in, it’s his blood Jungkook carries, even if Jungkook manifested never seen before powers over night, it wouldn’t be the same.” And then she smirked a little, something mean in her voice when she spoke again, “Besides, who would want to stand against our good Lord here?”

“Trust me there are plenty of people.” Seokjin huffed through his nose. “Although none of them would care for court games, so.” He shrugged.

“This is currently the best option we have.” Yoojin said. “Of course the case is constantly evolving and who knows what type of change might happen in a few hours. I believe the fledglings are all being tested, maybe we can have something from the results. Regardless, we will have to wait until Oh Sangwook is punished and all the fledglings are healed to begin a case. If a better option presents itself I will be sure to take it.”

Seokjin turned to Jungkook, his eyes softening, “So, what do you think, Jungkook-ah?”

Jungkook stared, no doubt resembling a fish more than a person. It was a lot to take in and honestly Jungkook wasn’t sure if he actually understood everything Yoojin said but – but he knew that they were trying to get him justice. Even if it took time, even if it didn’t happen how Jungkook wanted it to. There was a chance.

Seokjin promised.

Maybe – just maybe – this time it would be a promise kept.

“I trust you.” Jungkook mumbled shyly. He gave an indistinct nod, “I – I trust you.”

“Thank you.” Yoojin smiled warmly. “It truly means a lot. I will keep you all updated about this but don’t forget –“

“This conversation never happened.” Jungkook finished it for her, his lips quirking a little, afraid to commit to a complete smile.

“Exactly.” Yoojin said and stood. “Now, if you’ll excuse me I have certain files to go over, certain books to read. It was a pleasure to meet you, Jungkook-ssi, though I’d much prefer it had happened under happier circumstances.” She gave a quick bow with her head to all of them, “Namjoon-ssi, my Lord.”

“Have fun.” Seokjin called after her as she left and shut the door behind her. “Well, that’s hopeful.”

“She always has something up her sleeve.” Namjoon agreed with a nod. “It’s a good thing she’s so aggressively on your side hyung.”

“She’s your friend?” Jungkook asked. It felt stupid to ask but Jungkook didn’t understand how vampire relations worked and couldn’t get what Yoojin was supposed to be.

“An old friend.” Seokjin agreed. There it was again, old.

How much time needed to pass for a vampire to consider it old?

How old are you?

“Well, that’s all the important stuff we had to deal with today.” Namjoon spoke up, distracting Jungkook from his thoughts. He looked at Jungkook and gave a sweet, dimpled smile. “You did a good job, Jungkook-ah.”

Jungkook hunched over a little, not knowing how to handle dimples, “I just repeated what happened.”

“You told a gruesome story.” Namjoon corrected. “It’s not easy to repeat how you died. I’m proud of you.”

“Ah.”

Jungkook scratched the back of his neck, mumbling a thank you – a thank you? Was that how you respond to it?

“There’s nothing else you need to do now.” Seokjin said. “I have some papers to go through, I think, but you can go home if you want to. Or you can stay here, I’m sure Jimin and Taehyung – “

“And Hobi.” Namjoon added with a snort.

“ – Would love to give you a tour of this place.” Seokjin continued with a snicker. “Or is there anything else you’d like to do?”

“Um.” Jungkook blinked. He didn’t necessarily want to go home – the penthouse, not his place – but he didn’t think his heart could handle the anxiety of being wheeled around this place either. Jungkook licked his lips, glanced at his bandaged wrists, “Actually, uh –“

This was stupid.

“Would I be able to see Sungho?”

Namjoon and Seokjin both stared at him for a moment, the silence stretching, before Seokjin frowned in confusion.

“Why would you want to see him?” he asked.

Jungkook opened his mouth and then shut it.

“I honestly don’t know.” He confessed. “But I just – y’know – “ he paused and then sighed, shoulders sagging. “I don’t know. I just want to.”

Seokjin listened before his eyes met Namjoon’s. Jungkook watched them have a silent conversation between each other, their expressions never once betraying their thoughts.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Seokjin started, “But if it’s really what you want then yes, we can take you there.”

“Really?” Jungkook said. “It’s a pretty stupid idea.”

It was easily the stupidest idea Jungkook had and he was so good at making dumbass plans but he just – he just wanted to see Sungho. To confirm that yeah, the creep asshole was actually a vampire, and he was the one who’d gotten him in this mess.

Maybe it was petty, maybe it was something else. It was probably some odd trauma response.

“It’s a stupid idea.” Namjoon agreed but his voice was kind. “I doubt Sungho will try to bother or harm you with hyung and I in the room with you.”

“I just want to – I just want to see him. In person.” Jungkook said. “Just for a moment, that’s all.”

“Are you sure?” Seokjin asked.

“Yes.”

“Alright then.”

Maybe Jungkook was reading too much into but it felt like Seokjin and Namjoon were walking much slower than before as they wheeled him around the halls this time. Jungkook was glad. Every few seconds anxiety would bubble up his throat before Jungkook swallowed it down.

He wanted to see Sungho. Fuck if he knew why but he wanted to.

Proof, he supposed. Something tangible. He couldn’t handle even the idea of seeing Oh Sangwook but Sungho… He put up with that man for so long, he can manage one more time post-mortem.

Heh. Post-mortem.

God he’s actually dead. Undead. Not human.

Because of Sungho and Oh Sangwook.

Jungkook played with his fingers the rest of the way there. Every now and then someone would approach Seokjin and Jungkook would watch their faces twist in a funny way when they realized Jungkook was right behind him and they had to make a decision on whether to still approach or leave.

Most of them left with a quick bow of their heads. Two of them approached and even then they kept their distance from Jungkook.

It’s like he had bodyguards.

Or very scary dogs.

It was hard to think of either man as scary – Seokjin’s face was too soft and Namjoon had dimples – but people here clearly had a different view of them. In any case, Jungkook was glad that their presence alone kept strangers away from him.

“It’s going to be a bit more crowded in a moment.” Namjoon warned him. “They won’t bother you though, don’t worry.”

Jungkook nodded, clinging to his wheelchair as they passed through a large door and surely enough, it was crowded. Not too bad, nothing like the entry after their elevator ride, but there was definitely more people here.

Official looking people. Jungkook spotted nurses and doctors, few people in security uniforms standing at certain points with watchful eyes. Those who noticed Seokjin – and Jungkook – gave quick bows before going back to what they were working on. A few eyes lingered on Jungkook but only for a second.

They stopped in front of a door and Seokjin turned around. He looked around the room, his sharp eyes softened once his gaze landed on Jungkook. He crouched down and put one hand over Jungkook’s.

“Are you sure you still want to do this?” he asked lowly.

Jungkook looked over Seokjin’s shoulder to the door and licked his lips. The scars were rough against his tongue. He could say no. Seokjin and Namjoon would happily turn around and wheel him back to the office – or better yet, take him straight to the penthouse.

But, unfortunately for everyone including Jungkook himself, he wanted to see Sungho.

“Yes.” He said. His voice wavered but neither Seokjin nor Namjoon pointed it out.

“We’ll take you out the second you want out.” Namjoon put a hand on Jungkook’s shoulder. “You’ll be safe, he won’t try anything.”

Jungkook nodded. He knew. He knew he would be safe. He trusted Namjoon and Seokjin to keep him safe – and he knew Sungho was too much of a coward to do anything.

“My lord?” a petite voice called out from the side. “How may I help you?”

It was a nurse with a little clipboard in her hand, standing a respectable distance from Jungkook with a professional smile on her face. Seokjin stood up and positioned himself so he was mostly covering Jungkook.

“Is the fledgling in here in good enough health to have visitors?” Seokjin asked.

“I think it’ll be fine.” She said and looked down at her clipboard. “He was fed an hour ago by a surrogate sire and his vitals were fine. I’m sure a visit will be alright.”

It was weird to listen to the nurse talk about Sungho like he was a victim but – he was. Jungkook knew that. If he distanced himself from the entire ordeal, Sungho was a victim as well. Mistreated by the same sire that killed Jungkook.

The only difference was that Sungho brought Jungkook straight to Sangwook’s lap.

No matter how much Jungkook knew about the sire and his mistreatment he couldn’t get himself to feel bad for Sungho. Sure, it was bad what happened – Sungho was killed and brought back the same as Jungkook – but Sungho harassed Jungkook for months.

Jungkook still didn’t know why he wanted to see Sungho so badly. Maybe to actually see that Sungho was a victim in his own way. Maybe to see that Sungho was hurt. Maybe Jungkook just wanted to feel better that he wasn’t the only one who got fucked over in this.

“Jungkook-ah?” Namjoon called. “Do you still want in?”

He took in a deep breath, “Yes.”

Seokjin looked him deep in eye, his expression something Jungkook couldn’t read. Then he gave a short nod and opened the door. Namjoon wheeled Jungkook in before stopping a quarter of the way so he was a careful distance from everyone.

Jungkook wasn’t sure what he had expected going in but he was a bit off. The room seemed bare bones, there was a floor bed in the corner and a small fridge on the other side, a few chairs and a small desk. It reminded Jungkook of his own shit hole flat just without the mold.

There was a man sitting on the chair in a well fitted suit that stood immediately when he saw Seokjin and gave a proper bow.

Sitting on the floor bed in clothes that were the wrong size was Sungho.

His hair was still disheveled but it looked like he’d taken a shower since the last time Jungkook saw him. There was a slight, almost healthy shine to his skin now, but barely. He still looked the same other than that; a mess.

“Jungkook-ah?” he called out, confused, his brows pinched together.

Right. He probably thought Jungkook was dead.

Because he was there when Jungkook was dragged away to the basement. He helped them drag him to the basement. He left him there.

The man in the suit said something to Seokjin but Jungkook didn’t hear it – couldn’t hear it.

All those months being cornered in the back rooms while carrying boxes, all those months being touched when he didn’t want to, all those months when Jungkook couldn’t do anything to defend himself because he’d been too afraid of repercussions.

All those months leading up to Sungho disappearing and leaving all the work load to Jungkook, making him work shift after shift, until he was losing weight, dead on his feet.

And then –

And then.

There was a ringing in his ear. Everything else was mute. He could see Sungho’s mouth moving, he was speaking, but Jungkook didn’t hear any of it. His lungs felt too big for his ribcage, filled with too much air, a hot wave washing over his entire body.

Something bubbled in his chest.

He put his feet on the ground.

Seokjin was speaking casually, Namjoon said something too, towards the man in the suit. Sungho was speaking too, to Jungkook, maybe apologizing. Spineless bastard. All these months of obsession and he couldn’t even have the decency to stand up and protect Jungkook.

He died in a puddle of his own blood.

Something dark bubbled in Jungkook’s chest, emotion so overwhelming that it threatened to consume Jungkook whole. It boiled in his veins, burned hot and angry and his lips sneered into a snarl –

Jungkook slammed Sungho into the wall. His claws dug into Sungho’s chest, feeling the muscles rip apart as Sungho cried out in pain. Jungkook growled, a deep sound that reverberated in his chest, and punched Sungho square in the jaw with his free hand. The resulting crack of bone wasn’t satisfying enough.

There were shouts, hands on Jungkook trying to pull him back but Jungkook planted his feet securely to the floor, fighting back.

Sungho did this to him.

His veins were boiling.

Jungkook opened his mouth wide in a snarl – no fangs, they took his fangs, they cut off his fangs – and sunk his blunt teeth into Sungho’s neck. He dug both of his claws into Sungho’s sides to hold him in place, feeling the cold muscles flex around his fingers.

“Jungkook – let go.”

No. No. Fuck everything, Sungho did this to him – he’s the reason –

He resisted the hands pulling him back until an arm was wrapped around his middle and he was hauled back – with a mouthful of Sungho’s neck.

Jungkook was seeing red, fighting the hands dragging him away from Sungho’s slumping body. The man in the suit ran to Sungho, as well as a few nurses and doctors.

“Jungkook.”

The rush in veins faded in an instant and suddenly Jungkook was just – so tired. He was so tired. Everything hurt. It all hurt, everything hurt so much. Tears filled his eyes, his vision going blurry. A splitting headache shot through his brain.

He was dying again, he was sure of it. He let out a choked sob, clinging to the hands. His legs buckled and if not for the hands he would have fell. Instead the hands lowered him gently, leaning him against the wall.

“Jungkook-ah, darling, look at me, look at me sweetheart.”

Gentle hands cupped Jungkook’s face and suddenly he was face to face with Seokjin’s worried face.

“Look at me little one, just look at me darling.” He said, his voice calm and soft. “All you have to do is look at me, darling. You’re doing so well already, now breathe as deep as you can.”

Jungkook tried. He really tried but everything was too much. The light was too bright, the sounds were too loud, his body hurt too much.

His mouth tasted weird. His face, his chin down to his throat, was all wet and sticky.

Blood.

It was blood – it was fucking –

“No, sweetheart, you need to breathe alright?” Seokjin said, holding Jungkook’s head upright. “Keep your eyes open, you’re doing so well –“

Seokjin moved a little. He was looking at Jungkook, maybe trying to see where Jungkook was hurt – everywhere, Jungkook was hurt everywhere – but for a split second he moved to the side just enough that Jungkook saw what was behind him.

Sungho was slumped on the floor opposite to him. There was a trail of blood on the wall and a growing puddle around him. Deep, bloody holes on his torso. A missing chunk of his neck. There were nurses and doctors around him.

A piece of skin was stuck between Jungkook’s teeth.

Jungkook barely managed to break free from Seokjin’s hands and lean over to the side before vomiting everything in his stomach. The combination of acid and blood and food burned horribly in his mouth and it all just hurt so much.

What did I do? What did I do?!

That boiling heat in his veins was gone and now everything was so, so cold. Jungkook was shaking – from cold, from pain, from fear. He knew Seokjin was talking to him, a soothing hand on his back as Jungkook retched painfully, but he couldn’t make out the words.

“Just get it all out, it’s okay, you’re okay, just get it out.” Said Namjoon – at least it sounded like Namjoon. “You’re okay, Jungkook-ah, you’re okay, we’re here.”

From the corner of his eye Jungkook could make out the small gathering of people around Sungho – there was so much blood there. So much blood. It was in Jungkook’s mouth, all over his face, his hands, it was all over him – he did this.

He did this to Sungho. He attacked him – he did this. He did this.

Jungkook tried to push himself up, put his hands on the floor – his hands looked weird, why did his hands look weird? – but there was no strength left in him. Hands steadied him, kept him from face planting into his own vomit and pulled him back into a sitting position.

The movement rocked Jungkook’s world, his vision tilting. Everything was fuzzy and spotty, Jungkook opened and closed his mouth, crazed eyes flitting around the room.

Where even was he – he attacked Sungho he tried to kill Sungho he tried to kill someone – everything hurt so much his hands were killing him, his head was pounding –

For one split second, everything came to a halt.

The very next, Jungkook’s eyes rolled back.

A familiar darkness welcomed him.

Chapter Text

There was a certain kind of irony in having a vampire attached to a heart monitor but Namjoon wasn’t in the right mood to find the humor in it. Every steady beep was a harsh reminder of what had happened just mere hours ago.

He shifted in his seat, the leather making far too much noise in Yoongi’s examination room.  The monitor kept beating.

It was the lifeline he was holding onto. As long as the monitor kept beating then Jungkook was fine. Namjoon didn’t understand the numbers on the screen nor did he particularly want to, all he needed was to focus on the constant beeping.

Jungkook was breathing just fine. It had to mean something.

Yoongi didn’t normally hold patients in his room, not like this, but of course he did now. Nowhere else they would even think of taking Jungkook now – Yoongi’s actual clinic was too far, any hospital with a vampire wing was too risky, they didn’t want him in the medical wing of the Underground either for purely selfish reasons.

In just a few hours Yoongi’s room had changed. The regular examination table had been removed for the time being to make space for Jungkook’s proper hospital bed they borrowed from the medical wing, an IV pole next to him, the heart monitor on the other side.

Jungkook looked smaller.

It shouldn’t be possible. Jungkook was already so small to begin with and yet the bed engulfed him, the hospital blues of his blanket bringing out how white his skin had become. His faced was sunken in, his cheeks hallow and his eyes purple, the red scarring around his lips stark against the pale skin. The nurses had cleaned off the blood to their best abilities but there were still small spots left.

The heart monitor kept beeping and it was the only thing that kept Namjoon from thinking that Jungkook was dead – again.

The monitor kept beeping, so Jungkook was alive.

Namjoon’s tired eyes slid from Jungkook’s frail figure to Seokjin’s hunched one. The older vampire had picked the most uncomfortable plastic chair available and had dragged it as close to Jungkook as he could, his face unreadable as he stared at Jungkook’s sleeping form.

Namjoon wanted to pull Seokjin into a hug, to hold him, to tell him it would be all alright but – not now. Now was not the time. Seokjin wouldn’t react well now. In a few more hours, tomorrow or the day after, when they all had time to process their emotions, Namjoon would pull Seokjin into the safety of his arms then, not any time before.

Seokjin may be the Lord of Seoul – and a lot more than that – but he was still Namjoon’s lover and the urge to take care of him never faded even though Seokjin was much, much, older. If anything, at times like these, it only intensified.

The clock ticked painfully slow, creating an odd beat when it mixed with the beeps.

Namjoon enjoyed watching people. He’d spent so long watching humanity. Despite his job and what people thought of his job, Namjoon wasn’t a violent person. Protective, yes – he’s security after all - but not violent. He didn’t really have to be when Seokjin existed, anyway.

Namjoon enjoyed watching his lovers too, during the silence of night when it was just them, he knew their expressions, could figure out their thoughts. Seokjin’s face might be devoid of any emotion but Namjoon knew exactly what the man was thinking.

“There’s no point in self-flagellation.” Namjoon finally broke the silence.

“People do it for a reason, there must be some point to it.” Seokjin replied without missing a beat, voice lacking its usual charm.

“There’s no point in self-flagellation when Hobi will whip us anyway.” Namjoon tried this time. Just a hint of humor. Hoseok had snatched Jimin and Taehyung home the moment he’d heard what had happened – if he could, he would have taken Jungkook as well.

Seokjin snorted. His eyes never left Jungkook. He was tired.

For once, Kim Seokjin looked his age.

Namjoon opened his mouth at the same time as Yoongi walked in, carrying files in one hand, his brows pinched together, his lips set in a frown. Seokjin and Namjoon both sat up straighter at his entrance – something uncomfortable made its presence known in the pits of Namjoon’s belly.

“Blood test results of the other fledglings.” Yoongi said and lifted most of the files before raising his other hand and showing the single manila file, “Jungkook’s results.”

Namjoon fisted his hands, nails digging into his skin. If his heart still beat then it would be going off in triplets. Seokjin stood up for the first time in hours and walked next to Yoongi’s desk.

Yoongi had done some additional work while Jungkook was sleeping. More blood tests, x-rays, a closer look into all his injuries.

“Sangwook did something.” Yoongi said as he flipped through the files belonging to the fledglings, leaving them open as he switched between them. “He didn’t feed them his blood enough, we were right about that, but he gave them something. Their levels are all – they’re all off. And not because of the lack of sire-blood. Something else is causing this, I have no idea what it is. They still carry whatever blood Sangwook gave them, and it’s not enough, but they have something different in their system that we’re currently unable to figure out.”

“It’s not a type of blood?” Seokjin asked.

“No, it’s not.” Yoongi replied. “Whatever it is, it’s messing with their vitals.”

Namjoon read through the files Yoongi discarded, trying to take in all the information.

“It’s different for all of them?” he asked, comparing Eunjoo’s file with another fledgling. Numbers were nowhere close to each other. “How does that even work?”

“Poorly.” Yoongi hissed. “It’s not Sangwook’s blood. Whatever it is, it clings to their system. My colleagues and I are theorizing that this is what’s causing the rapid growth in the fledglings and the difference in percentages shows how the fledglings evolve. Fangs versus thrall versus speed, you get the idea.”

Seokjin looked over the files, his finger tracing over the lines and the numbers.

“And Jungkook?” he asked, silent.

Yoongi pushed all the files to the side and opened Jungkook’s with a sigh.

“I can give good news and bad news.” He said. “He doesn’t have any of Sangwook’s blood left in him. He definitely has whatever the mystery ingredient Sangwook used and in high amounts.”

Namjoon leaned closer to read Jungkook’s file. The numbers were still all over the place but they seemed –

“His are more stable?” he asked, trying to see if he was reading it right.

“Yes. I think it’s the combination of the fact that he bled out and was given Seokjin hyung’s. It naturally balanced itself.”

Seokjin looked up from the file, “But?”

Yoongi looked down at the table, his expression pinched, annoyed.

“He has it far more than the others, combined. We are missing information.” He said. “I can’t say anything until we figure out what Sangwook gave them. Jungkook is the most balanced, most stable one out of all the fledglings. He’s also the only one that lost control, twice.”

They all looked over to Jungkook’s sleeping form. One could imagine he looked peaceful in his sleep if he didn’t look so dead.

“I read the interviews, the other fledglings didn’t go through such thing.” Yoongi muttered. “Nothing here is adding up. I don’t understand how he’s the most stable one while also being the one to go berserk. I don’t like it.”

More silence. Too many unknowns, too many variables.

Namjoon watched Jungkook’s chest rise and fall.

“Sungho?” he finally asked.

“Dead.”

Namjoon closed his eyes.

Approving Jungkook’s wish to visit Sungho was a terrible idea. It wasn’t even a hindsight thing, Namjoon and Seokjin had both known it was a bad idea the second Jungkook had asked for it. He wasn’t even sure why they accepted it – nothing good could have come from it and it ended in the worst way possible.

Maybe, childishly, Namjoon wanted Jungkook to have a moment of power. He wanted him to be able to choose for himself after he’d be forced into situations for a week straight. He didn’t choose to be thralled, he didn’t choose to be turned, he didn’t choose for Seokjin to save him. But he could choose to see the person who antagonized him on his own terms.

So naïve of them to think it would go well.

But Namjoon couldn’t ever imagine it would go so bad.

It all had happened so fast Namjoon still wasn’t entirely sure what had happened. One second they were standing, the next they were trying to pry Jungkook off of Sungho.

And Jungkook hadn’t budged.

The same skinny kid that could barely stand on his own two feet had managed to hold back against Namjoon and Seokjin. It was only for a moment, yes, but that moment shouldn’t be possible. Not with a barely a week old fledgling against someone as strong as Namjoon, not with someone as old as Seokjin.

Namjoon’s eyes slid down to Jungkook’s hands. They were normal hands, still with a slight tremor to them even as Jungkook slept.

A few hours ago those hands had transformed into talons as he’d clawed into Sungho.

A physical transformation – not just nail growth.

“He cracked Sungho’s skull.” Yoongi said, professional, clean. “His claws punctured his lungs and he bit off the jugular veins in Sungho’s neck. Between the injuries and his already weak system, there wasn’t anything that could be done to save Sungho. They tried though.”

Namjoon wasn’t sad. Maybe it made him a terrible person that he couldn’t force any sense of pity for the dead fledgling – because without emotional attachment to either Sungho or Jungkook, they were both victims – but Namjoon just didn’t care for Sungho.

Yet he couldn’t be happy about it either. Not because of any sentiment towards Sungho but because he had an inkling of how Jungkook would react once he woke up and realized what had happened, what he’d done.

It wasn’t a conversation he was looking forward to.

“He can only do it in short bursts of power.” Namjoon said suddenly, his mouth moving without him knowing. He needed to do something. Fix this mess for Jungkook. “He managed to hold hyung and me off for a moment. If he’s that strong, he could have easily wiped out Sangwook and all the fledglings. That was - what, ten seconds? Fifteen?  Before he passed out. It’s not something he can sustain.”

“Faulty super soldiers.” Yoongi mumbled and sat down, his eyes fixed on Jungkook. “It still doesn’t make sense – Jungkook was only a problem for fifteen seconds, you can’t lead a civil war with fifteen seconds.”

“We’re missing something.” Seokjin said, his voice near a growl. Lesser men would drop to their knees at the sound. Namjoon –

Well, so would he, but for different purposes.

“Okay, let’s just –“ Namjoon said and slapped his palms on his thighs. “Let’s try to simplify it. Go one by one from the very start, list what we know and what the possibilities are.”

“Sangwook and Han-chool had a rocky relationship when Han-chool was killed, this was likely the trigger that set Sangwook off.” Yoongi started right away. “Sangwook presumably spent the last forty years planning this – there has to be a reason why he couldn’t start this earlier. Maybe he was missing something?”

“I’d rather not work off of assumptions,” Seokjin said, “But I agree, it doesn’t fit Sangwook to wait this long. He’s not happy I have Jimin and Taehyung but I don’t think they’re actually connected. They didn’t know each other. It’s vaguely tied together but in the grand scheme of things that isn’t why this started – he would have come to take them back first thing if that was it.”

“Forty year gap – and he probably didn’t start testing this here, possibly in Busan?” Yoongi raised a brow.

“My flock of assistants are busy bothering Lord of Busan, they’re also going through missing people reports there, they’re in contact with the corresponding team in Busan. If there are connections, we’ll find it soon.”

“Forty year gap, possible test run in Busan, a need to prove himself to his dead sire.” Namjoon listed. “But it doesn’t explain why his weapons are a bunch of diseased fledglings. That’s not an army. He doesn’t even care for them.”

Seokjin’s eyes were on Jungkook, soft and pained.

“It’s possible that he spent the forty year gap looking for –“ Yoongi waved a hand, his mouth forming a thin line as he looked at the fledgling files, “ – whatever the fuck this magic ingredient is.” He finally let out. “It’s not something we know, it would have pinged the database, and we would have recognized it.”

“Wait!” Namjoon snapped his fingers and pointed at Seokjin, suddenly under complete attention of both men. “Remember what Jungkook said? When he was taken to the building under thrall? Sungho kept him drinking – maybe it wasn’t just a drink? Maybe that’s why there’s more of it in his system, it wasn’t Sangwook doing it.”

Yoongi blinked, “It could be, actually.” He said. “Something he feeds them before turning that makes their bodies more susceptible to change?”

“And if it’s something that important, something he uses to turn them in his war, then he wouldn’t abandon it. Especially if he spent forty years looking for it.” He pulled out his phone, typing quickly to his Captain. “I’ll ask the team if they found anything in the sewers.”

Yoongi flipped through the files, his eyes quickly scanning through the interviews, “They were all drunk when they died – they all said they were drinking. This could really be it. Maybe he puts something in the drinks.”

“That would explain one problem.” Seokjin said. “It still doesn’t explain why Sangwook’s is using sick fledglings that are dying. If we go with assumption they will all end up like Jungkook then they – they can’t fight for more than a few seconds, their body can’t handle it so why –“

He cut himself off and Namjoon immediately looked up from his phone. He caught the way Seokjin’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Jungkook, he could practically hear the cogs turning.

“What is it?” Namjoon asked.

“Ticking bomb.” Seokjin said. “That’s what Sangwook said. Jungkook’s a ticking bomb. I thought he meant it in that he’s sick and dying but – “ he tilted his head. “He knew. He knew Jungkook would go berserk.”

Realization dawned on Seokjin’s face, his features softening just a little bit.

“He was betting on it.” He said. “He doesn’t need an army. He doesn’t need a healthy, strong army at all.”

“What?” Yoongi asked, not following Seokjin’s thoughts.

“I’m known for being a wet nurse.” Seokjin finally said and Namjoon couldn’t even find it in him to laugh at the fact that Seokjin admitted to it. “I feed vampires, I find them home, I make sure fledglings are safe – Sangwook knows this. I took Jimin and Taehyung. He knows I took them. He knows I’m a bleeding heart for any vampire that needs a place, especially for fledglings.”

“What will I do if I find a group of sickly, abused, dying fledglings?” Seokjin asks, rhetorically.

“You find them a safe coven.” Yoongi answered anyway. “And the safest options are –“

“Lords.” Namjoon started. “Politically strong covens like Jonghyun. Vampires who can’t sire their own, covens who suffered loses, covens that know how to handle sensitive fledglings.”

“He doesn’t need them to be healthy – he doesn’t need them to be strong.” Seokjin stood up. “He needs them sick. He needs them weak, he needs them at deaths door, so we find them homes. He doesn’t have to feed them properly for turning, he doesn’t need to keep them safe as fledglings, he doesn’t need to explain them the rules – he needs them in the worst shape they can be. Because they’re all ticking bombs – and they will explode in the faces of Lords and whoever else I deemed safe to take them.”

Namjoon listened carefully, finding himself watching Jungkook’s sleeping face.

“Lord of Seoul gave his subjects murderous, berserk fledglings.” Yoongi mumbled. “It would be more than enough to ignite distrust.”

“It would be more than enough to start a civil war.” Seokjin said, standing next to Jungkook.

Namjoon sat in his chair as the words sunk in. The emotional recoil of fledglings turning on their adoptive sires would be devastating. It would be the same as adopting a human toddler and having it blow up in the living room.

And Seokjin would be the one to blame because it’s Seokjin’s job to keep this city safe. It’s Seokjin’s modus operandi – Seoul was balanced precariously on peace that only existed because Seokjin insisted on it.

It would cause irredeemable damage on the trust Seokjin spent centuries building at best – at worst… Sangwook would get his war.

Seokjin whirled towards the door and pulled it open in one quick move, so sudden that both Yoongi and Namjoon flinched at the movement. Namjoon couldn’t see the assistant waiting outside but he knew that was who Seokjin was talking to.

“Has any fledglings been cleared to be sent to new covens?” he asked, quick and sharp. Lord.

“N- no, my lord.” Came the squeaky reply. Namjoon couldn’t blame the girl for it. “No one is cleared.”

“Good. They’re not to be sent anywhere until I allow it. Keep the fledglings on lock down, raise the security in the fledgling wing. Now.”

The assistant ran off quickly, her feet barely making noise as she disappeared down the hall. Seokjin returned to the room and shut the door behind him, his eyes finding Jungkook again.

“What about him?” he asked after a beat and looked at Yoongi.

Yoongi sighed deeply.

“The rage kick-started his long sleep.” He said. “I’m not sure how long it’ll take until he wakes up… if he wakes up.”

“He will.” Namjoon cut in.

“Hoseok-ah might have a better idea regarding that.” Yoongi carried on. “He’s more knowledgeable regarding fledglings anyway. Other than that there really isn’t anything I can do right now. It’s a waiting game.” Yoongi licked his bottom lip. “I think I figured out what caused his hand tremors though.”

“Yeah?”

“When Jungkook told us what happened, I operated under the assumption that he was physically human at the time.” He nodded towards Jungkook. “He transformed his hands into actual claws with Sungho, not just nails. The x-ray I took is in line with this. He must have transformed his hands when he attacked Sangwook, they broke it while it was still transformed, and when Jungkook inevitably reverted back, his bone alignment got even more messed up. Of course, a broken hand will look fucked regardless, but the x-ray shows that he definitely had claws when they broke it. Afterwards, between the silver and everything, it would double the nerve-damage done to him.”

Seokjin swore under his breath and Namjoon shut his eyes. Every detail they unraveled made everything sit heavier in his stomach.

“No other fledgling turned on Sangwook.” Namjoon said randomly. “He probably didn’t expect Jungkook to attack him. Jungkook had the element of surprise and strength on his side.”

“If we are right about the drink – Sungho was the one forcing drinks on Jungkook, not Sangwook.” Yoongi said. “If he messed with the dosage of whatever it is, maybe that can explain why Jungkook’s the only one that attacked Sangwook right off the bat. Sangwook wouldn’t have any reason to think his fledglings would attack him, they’re weak by design.”

“Is this his gift or something else?” Namjoon asked. “The other fledglings; they have fangs, claws, thrall, physical improvements that a fledgling cannot have. But if they’re ticking bombs then all of them have the potential to go berserk.”

“There’s no way for us to determine if it’s his power or not.” Yoongi answered. “But… It’s highly possible that Jungkook’s fangs weren’t baby fangs, he just transformed his hands into actual claws. Jungkook’s the most stable fledgling but he has the highest percentage of the mystery ingredient, it would explain why he’s the only one to go berserk. Twice.”

“The others are grenades, Jungkook’s something nuclear.” Yoongi concluded, the words heavy on his tongue.

“If all fledglings are meant to blow up, then this going berserk thing isn’t probably a Jungkook thing.” Seokjin said. “The high percentage might be why Jungkook keeps losing control – twice in less than a week. He’s still, for lack of a better term, faulty.”

“He’s the most stable one in comparison to the others.” Yoongi said with a deep sigh. “That doesn’t make him actually stable.”

“So – we have a fledgling with extreme anger issues.” Namjoon summarized simply. “Fun.”

“That’s one way to put it.” Seokjin sat back down to his rickety chair. “How long till we can take him home?”

“A few hours.” Yoongi answered. “I want to make sure he’s as stable as we can have him before moving him. There isn’t – “ Yoongi paused, licked his lips, and then looked down at Jungkook’s file before he continued in a murmur. “ – There isn’t much I can do now.”

“We have a Hoseok.” Seokjin said in an attempt to comfort Yoongi. Then he paused and looked straight at the blank walls. “Who will most definitely try to kill us when we go home.”

“A deserved death, to be fair.” Yoongi teased with a completely flat voice. “Seriously, what were you thinking taking him to Sungho?”

“We weren’t, I guess.” Namjoon mumbled.

“I thought it would help Jungkook.” Seokjin confessed. “He doesn’t ask us for anything and when he asked to see him so much I thought – I don’t know, I wanted to see it as progress. I knew it was risky but I didn’t think it would be like this.”

“Even centuries old vampire lords can make bad calls.” Yoongi tried. “Don’t beat yourself up for it. Hobi will do that for you.”

Seokjin snorted, “That’s what Joon said.”

A knock on the door silenced them all. They glanced between each other.

“Yes?” Yoongi called out.

The door opened and Jonghyun leaned in, his heavily lined eyes narrowed with confusion. He took a second to look at Jungkook before looking at Seokjin.

“Yes, very sorry to disturb family time,” Jonghyun started quickly. His hair falling over his shoulder as he leaned in a bit more. “The court has been called in.”

Seokjin blinked, just as confused, “By who?”

“Not you.” Jonghyun said. “It was already filled when I passed by the room so –“

Namjoon groaned as he stood up while Seokjin kept staring at Jonghyun. The court was never called in by anyone other than Seokjin. It could be, certainly, but no one ever actually did. The fact that the room was already full and Seokjin was the last one hearing about it did not promise anything good.

“Well then.” Seokjin stood up. He fixed the rumples on his pants and straightened his back. “Let’s see what the fuss is about.”

“I’ll stay with Jungkook.” Yoongi said as he fixed the mess of files on his desk. “Get everything ready for transportation. Try not to kill anyone.”

“I’d never.” Seokjin said.

Namjoon, Yoongi, and Jonghyun all raised a brow at him.

“I’d never without a reason.” Seokjin corrected himself.

“I’ll take it.” Yoongi replied.

“Call for us if anything –“ Seokjin paused and looked at Jungkook for a second. “If anything happens.”

“I will. Now go, see who called in the court.”

Namjoon followed Seokjin and Jonghyun out Yoongi’s room, a step behind on Seokjin’s right side. Seokjin was in no hurry so neither were Namjoon and Jonghyun.

“People have been chit-chatting the last few hours.” Jonghyun said casually. “From the state of your fledgling I’m assuming it’s true?”

“I’ve been busy the last few hours. I didn’t have time to keep track of work gossip.” Seokjin replied.

“Something along the lines of a fledgling murdering another fledgling.” Jonghyun shrugged. “I don’t know who spread it though.”

“Wanna bet it’s the same person who called in court?” Namjoon huffed humorlessly.

“Why bet on something so simple?” Jonghyun snickered on Seokjin’s left. Their footsteps echoed in the hallway. “Will he be alright?”

A pause.

“Only time will tell.”

Seokjin’s voice was distant. Namjoon fought the urge to grab Seokjin by the hand and take him home. Him, Yoongi, Jungkook, all of them. He wanted to drag them back home and away from everything.

But Seokjin was Seokjin and there was work to be done. Just a few more hours. Namjoon could hold it in for a few more hours until they were home.

“My lord!”

Namjoon looked up just in time to see one of Seokjin’s many assistants running down the hall. Or at least attempting to, her heels were clearly not made to run. Must be a newer addition then, Seokjin’s team knew better than to wear anything that wasn’t practical.

“The court has been called in.” she came to a skittering halt and nearly bumped into Seokjin, immediately walking beside him and trying to keep up with the pace.

“Yes, Jonghyun has told me.” Seokjin said and eyed his assistant. “Were you just informed?”

“Yes, my lord.” She said, still out of breath.

“Pray tell, who called it?” Seokjin asked.

“Sir Lee Namgil, my lord.”

Namjoon snorted.

“Did he now?” Seokjin mumbled. “You can go back to your work now or take a break. See if Yoongi needs anything.”

“Yes, my lord!” she squeaked before running back off in the opposite direction.

“Isn’t it funny how the troublemakers are always the ones you give second chances to?” Jonghyun asked.

“If by funny you mean irritating then yes, sure.” Seokjin replied. “Lee Namgil. Not as smart as his pride will have him think.”

“This would be his, what, second offense? Third? Tenth?” Namjoon asked. “I can’t keep track of everything he does.”

“Only the second one that matters and one too many.” Seokjin answered. “Needs to go down a peg.”

“At his height there are only so many pegs he can go down.” Jonghyun mumbled and Namjoon snickered.

“Six feet under might be fitting.” Seokjin commented.

“Remember your promise to our dear Yoongi-ssi.” Jonghyun said.

“Namgil has given me plenty of reason.”

Namjoon eyed the back of Seokjin’s head.

Just a few more hours. Then they would be home and Namjoon would kiss Seokjin until all the tension bled from his shoulders.

The rest of the walk there was silent save for Jonghyun’s one sided conversation. Namjoon rolled his shoulders as they rounded the corner that led to the grand meeting hall. There were a few ways this could go but Namjoon had an idea on which way this would definitely go.

Jonghyun and Namjoon both slowed down naturally until they were a few steps behind Seokjin.

Seokjin always loved his dramatic entrances.

The cacophony of chatter died when the doors opened and Lord Kim Seokjin walked in, his coat trailing behind him like a cloak, his head held high, his eyes sharp.

Namjoon didn’t like politics. He didn’t enjoy the song and dance of faux pleasantries and too wide smiles, he didn’t like how everyone was always playing an angle. Seokjin always said Namjoon could be a politician, that he had the brain for the, the talent for it, and sure Namjoon probably could, but he didn’t want to. He didn’t like the game.

Seokjin didn’t particularly like it either but he played it all the same. After all, in this part of the world, Seokjin made the game.

And part of the game was this; You do not anger Lord Kim Seokjin. Everyone knew he had the final say. Everyone knew his particular game was above their level. Everyone knew to keep the peace.

Everyone knew to shut up and stand up in respect when Lord Kim Seokjin walked in.

Namjoon stood halfway in the room while Jonghyun slinked around to a seat.

Kim Seokjin, Lord of Seoul, stood tall and proud in the middle of the room, his eyes scanning each and every individual in it.

“Who will offer an explanation?” was all he said.

Too kind, all things considered.

Seokjin looked around the room expectantly, waiting for anyone to speak up, but a hush had fallen over his subjects.

It was always one thing to plot and another thing to stand in front of Lord Kim Seokjin.

It didn’t help that everyone could see that he was already in a foul mood and made no attempt to hide it.

Everything Lord Kim Seokjin did was with a purpose. The distance between steps, the tilt of his head, the carefully constructed sentences. Lord Kim Seokjin was perfection. The fact that his bad mood was visible was a warning.

The silence dragged. From the corner of his eye Namjoon could see Namgil shift in his place.

“Alright, let’s try this again.” Lord Seokjin spoke. “Will anyone explain why I was the last person informed about my court being called?”

It was almost amusing to watch a room full of centuries old vampires glance between each other like scolded students.

Seokjin wasn’t in the mood to be amused.

Everyone kept standing awkwardly, looking at each other in hopes that one of them would be brave enough to voice an answer to their oh so beloved Lord.

Finally, a lady from the corner took a step forward. Namjoon vaguely remembered meeting her once but couldn’t remember her name. She gave a curtsy, her dark hair falling forward, before putting on a brave face.

“We were summoned by Sir Lee Namgil, my lord.” She said, side eyeing the sir in question. “I was under the assumption you’d asked him to bring us here.”

“No, I did not, my lady.” Seokjin replied and slowly turned to Sir Lee Namgil. “Well, good sir, why have you summoned us all here on this good day?”

Lee Namgil didn’t look much different than the last time Namjoon had seen him. Still short although he’d lost some weight, his weird moustache somehow looking weirder. He looked more like a cartoon banker than a real life vampire.

That being said, Lee Namgil wasn’t doing too good pretending he wasn’t intimidated by Lord Seokjin. What even was his plan? To blindside Seokjin into this meeting and hope it throws him off balance enough? To somehow humiliate Seokjin to his subjects who couldn’t look at him straight on?

Sometimes Namjoon wondered just how Seoul kept itself alive when it was these morons running the underbelly of it.

He glanced at Seokjin.

Well.

“My lord.” Namgil started with a bow that was nowhere near as aesthetically pleasing as the lady before him. “We all know about the pest problem Seoul has been having and its recent developments, the fledglings and their sire being brought here, disrupting our lives and work flow.”

Namjoon didn’t like Namgil’s growing smile.

“Word has been going around today that something horrible has happened.” Namgil said. He widened his eyes a little, “My lord, is it true that your fledgling killed another fledgling?”

This little piece of shit.

“It’s true.”

Seokjin’s answer didn’t skip a beat. He didn’t hesitate, his expression didn’t betray anything. Namgil’s smile dropped off his face. Namjoon fisted his hands. Jonghyun smirked.

“However I don’t see why a single question required a meeting of this level.” Seokjin raised a brow, unshaken. “You know you can always come to me for a personal meeting, Namgil, you did not have to bother all the good lords and ladies of my court. Especially since your lives and work flow has been already affected.”

“Well, yes, my lord, but you see.” Namgil said, glancing around the room. Namjoon followed his gaze, memorizing every person who he made direct eye contact with. Namgil would never have the guts to do all this without having support. “Between the events of this week and this new fledgling – incident. Some have been questioning if – “

“If?” Seokjin cut in like a knife. A well placed comma.

It had the desired effect. Namgil paused for a second too long.

“If, my lord, you are too emotionally invested to properly handle what your rank demands of you.” Namgil finished.

The meeting room was dead silent.

Jonghyun’s smile was predatory.

Seokjin allowed the silence to drag, let the weight of it droop down their shoulders, let them think about their life choices.

Namgil at least had the spine to keep standing in front of Seokjin, to stand by what he’d said, despite the fear starting to show in his eyes.

Finally, Seokjin tilted his head just so.

“This has been a week long operation filled with sick and abused fledglings.” Seokjin’s voice was so cold the dead would shiver. “Including my tortured infant. Now tell, Sir Lee Namgil, what kind of person would I be if I wasn’t emotionally invested in this case?”

Namgil opened his mouth but Seokjin took a step forward.

“Do you know what these fledglings, these weeks old infants, have been through?” He raised a brow. “Have you read the reports?”

“Yes, my lord – “

“Infants who were not fed beyond their turning.” Seokjin cut Namgil off again. “Infants who were forced to hunt for themselves. Infants suffering from rapid growth due to a maniac’s science experiment. I have an entire wing full of dying infants, Sir Lee Namgil, of course I am emotionally invested.”

Seokjin’s voice turned inhuman the longer he spoke, it became something of smokes and shadows, of growls and hisses. Something monstrous that should not exist in God’s green earth.

Namjoon watched the crowd. Noted who lowered their eye, who kept watching; who was respecting, who was afraid, who was terrified.

Seokjin took in a deep breath, exhaled in a simple puff.

“Their sire is Oh Sangwook.” He spoke normally, humanly. “His sire was Lee Han-chool.”

A few hushed murmurs here and there marked who’d read the reports and who hadn’t. Namgil stayed ramrod straight.

“Oh Sangwook is experimenting on infants for his crusade.” Seokjin added, his eyes never leaving Namgil. “They’re made to fall apart, to go berserk and attack anyone. Infants.”

The murmurs grew louder, shocked and angry.

An elegant hand was raised and Seokjin finally broke his gaze away from Namgil to look back at the lady from before, giving a nod.

“May I ask why you took your infant to the other one?” she asked. She sounded straight enough, an honest curiosity.

“We believed we could compare stories about their abduction.” The lies spilled from Seokjin tongue so easily that Namjoon believed it for a moment. “They knew each other before they were turned. However, seeing each other triggered my infant. It’s was a horrible moment, these infants must be saved.”

Sometimes Seokjin was more of a fox than a bat.

Infants. One thing vampires couldn’t ignore – a shiny bait.

“I watched an infant that could barely carry his weight turn into a berserker.” Seokjin looked around the room. “My sweet infant that didn’t want to leave our coven in fear or strangers, who wanted to help us solve this mystery, turned into something I couldn’t recognize.”

Tugging on heart-strings. Foul. Affective. Namjoon kept his face neutral.

“A week old fledgling.” Seokjin added. “Now he’s lying on a bed with no knowing if he will ever wake up. A fledgling who died all alone at the hands of a psychopath may now never know the love of a coven.”

Vampires did not get teary eyed. Not in public. They were too proud as a breed to show weakness.

But an entire court watching their Lord so clearly show his pain? Now that was different. That just showed how serious the situation was.

Seokjin stood tall.

“Doctor Min Yoongi and his team have discovered that Oh Sangwook has given all the fledglings an unknown toxin which we believe is causing their rapid growth. It’s not something in our database. These infants were made to be sick.”

More murmurs between vampires, some theorizing, some shocked.

“So yes, Sir Lee Namgil, I am emotionally invested.” Seokjin said calmly. “For if I am not then there are a dozen of infants who will die needless deaths.”

“Of course, my lord.” Namgil gave a small curtsy – still unimpressive – his voice slimy. “I do hope you do not misunderstand my meaning. This is a highly sensitive case and high emotions might – “ a pause, a testing glance at Seokjin, “ – cloud ones judgment.”

“Sir Namgil!” shouted a male voice from the crowd, followed by other protests, all of them reprimanding the vampire in question who showed not an ounce of shame.

Seokjin raised a hand and silence followed.

“What may cloud my judgment are not emotions, Sir Lee Namgil.” Seokjin said the man’s name in a hiss. His brown eyes turned red and then turned gold, his irises slits like a cats. “But the undead who think they know better.”

“Remember where you were, remember where you came from.” Seokjin spoke in that same inhuman voice. “Remember you are alive only by the grace of me. Remember you are in my city only because I’ve let you. I remember whose side you were on forty years ago, Sir Lee Nam-gil.”

Seokjin put one elegant finger under Namgil’s chin, his nail growing sharp and cutting into his skin. Shadows were starting to emanate from Seokjin’s body, his smile far too toothy to be human.

Around the room, some dropped to their knees to bow, some froze in their place. Jonghyun lowered his head in respect.

Namjoon wanted to kiss Seokjin.

“I do not take disrespect, Sir Lee Namgil.” Seokjin’s mouth was full of fangs. “I warned you once. One too many.”

Seokjin wrapped his hand around Namgil’s throat, squeezing gently. Namgil’s hand flew to his neck, trying to pry himself free with no success as Seokjin raised him up to the air, golden eyes glowing between the shadows.

“Perhaps I am truly too emotionally invested, Sir Lee Namgil. After all, I do not think a reasonable man would do this.”

Sir Lee Namgil dropped dead to the floor, his neck sticking at an odd angle.

“Do Keep In Mind Who I am. Do Keep In Mind These Are My Lands. Do Not Make Me Repeat Myself.”

The voices echoed through the walls in a storm. Then, slowly, the shadows disappeared and Seokjin’s golden gaze turned back to normal. He watched Namgil’s corpse for a moment longer, waiting to see if it would dare to come back to life.

A death by a Kim Seokjin.

The corpse did not move.

Vampire politics.

“The meeting has ended.” Lord Kim Seokjin called. “I apologize for disrupting your day.”

Nobody moved. Nobody dared to.

Jonghyun stood up, reminding Namjoon too much of a snake, and gave a curtsy. He looked at Namgil’s remains and smiled. Then, without a word, he walked away.

That broke the frozen spell everyone was in. One by one all the members skittishly bowed at Kim Seokjin before skittering away.

Namjoon waited by his spot, watching people leave, watching the same lady from before approach Kim Seokjin as they had a quick conversation.

Yuna. Lady Yuna, Namjoon remembered now. Namjoon gave her a nod as she walked past him.

Before they knew it, it was just Namjoon, Seokjin, and Namgil’s corpse left in the room.

“That was dramatic.” Namjoon said in a hushed tone, looking over his shoulder towards the door even though he knew no one would be here. Seokjin needed the release, needed a punching bag, Namgil was kind enough to offer himself on a silver tray.

“I’m known to be dramatic.” Seokjin replied easily.

This was Namjoon’s Seokjin. Not Lord of Seoul Kim Seokjin. This was Jin hyung. His Jin hyung.

“Home?” Namjoon offered. They could pass the time in Yoongi’s room until everything was ready to go.

“Sounds lovely.” Seokjin replied.

Namjoon stood much closer to Seokjin on their way back. No one dared to look in their direction.

The assistant from earlier was still waiting in front of Yoongi’s door. She had different shoes on now. Smart girl.

“Do me a favor, will you?” Seokjin started like he wasn’t her boss. “See if anyone is willing to have to make Oh Sangwook talk about what he fed the fledglings.”

She gave a sharp nod and went off running again. Seokjin and Namjoon watched after her until she poofed into a bat form.

“She learns fast.” Namjoon commented.

When they walked in, Yoongi took one look at Seokjin and sighed.

“It was Lee Namgil.” Seokjin defended himself like a petulant child.

“Ah, at least it was Lee Namgil.” Yoongi snorted and went back to his files. “Two more hours and we can go. Didn’t want to speak with Sangwook yourself?”

“I need him alive so he can suffer for what he did.” Seokjin sat down on the same uncomfortable chair next to Jungkook. “If I go, he won’t stay alive.”

“At least you know yourself.” Yoongi replied.

“One death per day.” Namjoon joked. “A good limit.”

“Toxicology will be testing the bloods again now that we know something is wrong.” Yoongi explained. “I can’t tell if they’ll find anything concrete or how long it will take. It would be helpful if Sangwook spilled.”

His guts. Namjoon would love it if Sangwook’s guts were all over the floor.

“He won’t, not willingly.” Seokjin replied.

“So, torture?” Namjoon asked, maybe a tad bit too hopeful.

“Namjoon-ah, what type of person do you take me for, do I look like someone who would resort to inflicting pain to get what I want?”

Yoongi and Namjoon both stared, sharing a cat-like blink.

Seokjin rolled his eyes, “I killed one person, can’t go about torturing all willy nilly that fast. I asked someone else to do it for a reason. You act too much of a boogeyman and the fear loses its effect.”

He was right, of course. Seokjin had had centuries to perfect his craft. Sometimes Namjoon wondered what it was before – years before Namjoon met him. Before Hoseok, before Yoongi met him.

Kim Seokjin was the thing that went bumping in the night.

Kim Seokjin hadn’t been always so humorous. He hadn’t been always so forgiving. Kim Seokjin’s name was written in blood.

At some point in his life Seokjin grew a conscience.

Kim Seokjin was the Lord of Seoul only because he learned to be humble.

With his eyes, Namjoon traced the outline of Seokjin’s round eyes, the slope of his nose, his plump lips.

“Any changes while we were gone?” Seokjin asked. Namjoon watched how his lips moved when he spoke.

“No. His breathing is very strong, his heart beats too.” Yoongi said. “I’m taking it as a good sign. He just needs to sleep a lot now.”

“So we wait.” Seokjin said.

“We wait.” Yoongi confirmed. “Another few hours, then we will take him home.”

So they wait. Namjoon kept his eyes on Jungkook’s chest, comforted by the steady beeps of the monitor once more. They talked every now and then, a comment here and there, nothing turned into a complete conversation.

They didn’t talk on the way home either. The car ride was silent, the elevator ride up to their penthouse was silent. Jungkook looked small carried in Seokjin’s arms.

Hoseok was waiting by the door. He was wearing a zip up hoodie with his arms carefully wrapped around himself. His brows were pinched together in worry.

“Is he okay?” was the first thing out of his mouth, pushing up to his toes to get a better look at Jungkook when Seokjin walked in the door.

“His heart beat and breathing is stable.” Yoongi was quick to soothe his worries. “So far this is a normal sleep.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” Hoseok mumbled. “We prepared –“

“I’ll be taking him to my room.” Seokjin cut in.

“ – Your room.” Hoseok finished his sentence, unimpressed, and raised a brow.

Seokjin paused and closed his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Hoseok-ah.” He said, genuinely. “It’s been a long day.”

It looked like Hoseok had a comment to make about it if his expression was anything to go by but then he decided to keep it to himself. In any situation Hoseok was the level-head. He was being too kind to them, really.

“We prepared your room.” Hoseok repeated himself without being cut off.

“Thank you, Hoseok-ah.” Namjoon said. “Where’s Jimin and Tae?”

Hoseok unraveled one arm from around his torso and Namjoon realized he was actually balancing something with his arms, not hugging himself. Hoseok carefully pulled down his zipper to show two little bats curled into each other against Hoseok’s breast bone.

“It stressed them out.” Hoseok said in a gentle murmur, his eyes soft as he looked at the two fledglings. He pulled the zipper back up, business face back on. “Come on, let’s get Jungkook-ah comfortable.”

Seokjin moved carefully down the hall to his room. Namjoon couldn’t remember the last time Seokjin had actually stayed in his own room and not with Jungkook – not that he actually knew, Namjoon had spent majority of the week at the Underground, but he had an idea.

It had been some time since they’d had a proper fledgling nest in their home, haven’t had one since Taehyung and Jimin had overgrown theirs, and seeing one again made Namjoon’s chest ache in a good way. If only it had been under better circumstances. The many pillows and blankets brought back happy memories for him.

“Here, careful with his head.” Hoseok said as he rounded the bed, pointing at the spot made for Jungkook.

Seokjin lowered Jungkook accordingly, the bed dipping under their weight. Namjoon could almost believe that Jungkook was just sleeping. He was an infant, infants slept a lot. But the truth was evident in Jungkook’s pale face.

Hoseok, with one hand supporting the two little bats in his hoodie, leaned in close until his nose was right behind the hinge of Jungkook’s jaw. He sniffed there, his face dipping lower on Jungkook’s neck, before taking in everything.

“He’s fine.” Hoseok’s shoulders relaxed. “He’s okay.”

There was a for now in that sentence that Hoseok wasn’t vocalizing that they all heard but Namjoon exhaled in relief anyway. Jungkook was fine. He was okay.

Hoseok unzipped his hoodie again, this time unlatching Jimin and Taehyung from his shirt and shushing the squeaky chirps of protest, before gently lowering the two bats to Jungkook’s sleeping body. Still half asleep and clearly disoriented, Jimin and Taehyung didn’t argue about being separated from Hoseok and instead curled together right above Jungkook’s collarbone.

In his sleep, Jungkook tilted his head towards the furry warmth.

It was the first clear movement from him other than his twitching hands.

Namjoon couldn’t be embarrassed by the sound he made watching the interaction; the sheer relief was too much to be dignified about it. He wasn’t the only one anyway.

“They’re too cute.” Yoongi mumbled, almost angry about the cuteness.

“They are.” Seokjin agreed.

Hoseok climbed into the bed, his fingers trailing over Jungkook’s body, checking for signs only he would know to look for while the three other vampires hovered uselessly.

“I don’t see anything scary.” Hoseok said finally. “He really is okay but I don’t – “ he paused and then looked at Seokjin and Namjoon in a glare. “What happened?”

Right.

Namjoon and Seokjin glanced at each other, a silent conversation to see who would start first. Neither of them wanted to.

“Let me try that again, why did you think it was a good idea to take Jungkook to the guy that harassed him for months? The guy that kidnapped him?”

Namjoon wasn’t used to Hoseok’s voice being so sharp, he could almost feel the cuts on his skin.

“I wanted him to have a choice, for once.” Namjoon said, guilt laced with each word. “This week was hell for him, I thought maybe he’d feel a bit better if he could choose to do something.”

“I thought that it could help Jungkook.” Seokjin said. “That if he saw Sungho with his own eyes he could – he could start processing everything better. It’s one thing to hear that Sungho is a vampire, another to see with your own eyes.”

Hoseok stared at them like they were morons.

They were.

Hoseok narrowed his eyes. He got out of the bed, quickly fixing what was disturbed in the nest, before rounding it down until he was staring down the both of them.

“Sometimes what people want isn’t what they need.” He said, sounding a lot nicer now despite Namjoon feeling like he was about to be decked in the face. “You two should have known better than that.”

“You’re right, Hoseok-ah.” Seokjin nodded, chin dipped to make himself look as sorry as he could. A far cry from the Lord Namjoon had witnessed hours ago. “We made a mistake.”

Hoseok was still tense, his eyes unflinching on Seokjin. It was coming. This was the moment Hoseok would rip them a new one – metaphorically if they’re lucky, literally if not. This was the moment they would learn to never endanger a fledgling ever again even if it was done in good gesture.

Hoseok shook his head and in the blink of an eye, his stormy expression crumbled.

“I can’t –“ Hoseok’s voice cracked and Namjoon faltered. “Don’t make me – I can’t do that again.”

Yoongi recovered faster than Namjoon and Seokjin – both of whom had been ready to be whipped back in shape, not this, never this – and pulled Hoseok into his arms, a quick kisses being pepper the side of Hoseok’s face.

“No, no, you said it yourself, he’s good, he’s okay.” Yoongi soothed Hoseok.

That was the moment Namjoon and Seokjin shook out of their shock. They stepped forward to hug Hoseok as well, careful to make sure they weren’t smothering him. Hoseok wasn’t crying but his shoulders shook like he did, using all the power he had to stop himself from breaking down in front of his precious fledglings.

Because Hoseok didn’t get to keep them. Hoseok never got to keep them. Hoseok lost too many.

“Seokseok-ah.” Seokjin said the nickname sweetly and cupped Hoseok’s face, his hands tender like he didn’t deserve to touch Hoseok, like Hoseok was something holy. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I put him in danger like that, good intentions or not, I’m so sorry, my darling.”

I’m so sorry for doing this to you went unsaid.

Hoseok’s lips were trembling, he was trying so hard to not cry where his fledglings could see, but he nodded, closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath. Seokjin leaned down to kiss his eyelids, to kiss his nose and his forehead, murmuring apologies to his skin.

“You guys should change your outfits.” Hoseok finally said. His voice still shook but he rolled his shoulders and stood straight. “I don’t want the nest to smell like outside. I’ll change Jungkook’s clothes too, clean him up a bit more.”

Let me have my moment with Jungkook.

“Alright.” Namjoon said with a nod, caressing Hoseok’s cheek before walking out the door. Nobody pointed out that they were in Seokjin’s room, that his clothes were there. Seokjin walked out behind Yoongi and Namjoon, following Namjoon to his room and stealing some of his clothes.

They all took their time changing, giving Hoseok every extra second they could. The silence was a little awkward in Namjoon’s bedroom but Namjoon tried to ignore it all to take in how pretty Seokjin looked in his gray sweatpants and loose shirt.

After a moment, Namjoon opened his mouth, “What did I tell you about self-flagellation?”

Seokjin snorted humorlessly, “Well, Hobi didn’t flog us so…”

Namjoon walked up to Seokjin, interrupting the man from folding his button down shirt with dried blood over it, and cupped his face the same way he had done to Hoseok. It was silent momentarily between them as the two vampires, two lovers, looked at each other.

“It’s not your fault –“

“Namjoon-ah I let –“

“People make mistakes.” Namjoon cut him off. “We tried to do something good for Jungkook-ah. It was stupid and dangerous but we wanted something good for him.”

“I should have known better.” Seokjin insisted.

“Being a centuries old vampire lord doesn’t stop you from making mistakes.” Namjoon countered. He rubbed his thumb over the softest part of Seokjin’s cheek.

Seokjin sighed and closed his eyes, leaning into Namjoon’s palms, leaning into the soothing pattern Namjoon’s was drawing with his thumb. Slowly, Namjoon pulled Seokjin into a hug, that short few inches of height difference suddenly felt gargantuan as Namjoon held Seokjin’s skinny frame in his arms. He tangled one hand in Seokjin’s hair, the other one tight around Seokjin’s small waist.

This was the Kim Seokjin the world didn’t get to see. They would never get to see him like this, this was for the coven only. This was reserved for the lovers. They swayed where they stood, an almost dance that never went anywhere.

“It’ll be okay.” Namjoon mumbled against the side of Seokjin’s face and gave him a light kiss there. “We’ll figure it out.”

“I love you.” Seokjin mumbled silently.

“My Kim Seokjin, I love you too.” Namjoon replied.

Seokjin pulled back with an embarrassed groan, like he wasn’t the first one to say it first. Namjoon let him slip from his arms, a smile growing on his face as he watched Seokjin dramatically complain about romantic relationships and how Namjoon was too cheesy.

“He was a poet when you found him, what did you think you’d get?”

Yoongi was leaning against the door frame with one brow raised in amusement. He looked extra small in his fluffy home clothes and cat slippers – gifted to him last Seollal by Taehyung.

“Something less cheesy.” Seokjin retorted. “His poems were better back then.”

“Hyung you wound me.” Namjoon put a hand on his chest, over his unbeating heart. “Is this what I get for loving you?”

“It’s what you get for being cheesy.” Seokjin huffed.

“Are you done? Can we go to the fledglings now?” Yoongi tilted his head. “I love to watch you pretend you don’t like it when Namjoon’s being cheesy but I kinda want to see the cuties.”

“I don’t like it when Namjoon’s being cheesy.” Seokjin frowned.

“Sure you don’t hyung.” Namjoon said and held Seokjin’s hands. “C’mon.”

Seokjin complained about how much he really, actually hated cheesiness and that it was just something he put up with. Yoongi and Namjoon both knew what this was. Seokjin wasn’t subtle when it came to distracting himself, especially at the comfort of their home. They let him rattle on and on, poking and prodding with jokes when needed.

Hoseok had managed to change Jungkook’s clothes with one of Seokjin’s pajama sets and had cleaned the remaining dried blood. Jimin and Taehyung were still wrapped together on Jungkook’s chest, rising and falling every time the infant breathed. Hoseok had pulled a blanket over them, had added a few more extra pillows that were normally in the living room.

“It’s a good thing hyung has such a giant bed.” Hoseok mumbled to himself as they walked in. “We’ll all fit in.”

“Would it be alright for us to go in?” Namjoon asked. Jungkook looked so fragile.

“He needs it.” Hoseok answered. “Our presence in the nest will be good for him. Just be careful.”

Absolutely nobody moved. All of them were too afraid to. Hoseok rolled his eyes but there was some light-heartedness to it.

“C’mon, just get in.” Hoseok said and slowly crawled in the nest.

Namjoon watched Hoseok’s movements, the feather-like quality he had as he sat at Jungkook’s feet. Namjoon wasn’t like that. Namjoon was heavy handed, feet hard on the floor when he walked, clumsy to no end.

Still, he did his best to imitate Hoseok lightness as he crawled in, the bed dipping under his weight. He kept a watchful eye on Jungkook and the two little bats, before sitting next to Hoseok.

Seokjin and Yoongi crawled in similarly, too scared of their own movements. At least Namjoon wasn’t alone in his fear. Seokjin sat as close to Jungkook as he could, Yoongi in between him and Namjoon, a half-circle around their fledglings.

They filled in Hoseok about everything; the mystery toxin found in the fledglings, Seokjin’s theory that Sangwook made the fledglings sick on purpose, Namgil’s uneventful death. Hoseok took all of it with a straight face, his tired eyes on Jungkook’s body.

Namjoon watched Hoseok’s profile.

“Hey, c’mere.” He said and tugged on Hoseok’s arm.

Hoseok protested for a second, more because he didn’t understand what Namjoon was trying to do, but let Namjoon pull him to his lap all the same. They ended sitting with Namjoon’s chest to Hoseok’s back, his arms around Hoseok’s torso. Slowly, Hoseok relaxed in Namjoon’s arms and dropped his head back to rest it on Namjoon’s shoulder.

They watched Jungkook in silence. Namjoon could almost pretend that their youngest was just asleep. He could almost pretend that he was worn out after a very tiring day. Jungkook slept a lot anyway.

But then the paleness of his skin stood out too much. The purple bags under his eyes were too deep. The cuts on his lips were too red. His hands trembled too much. Namjoon could pretend but the truth never let go.

“One week.”

“Huh?”

Hoseok lolled his head towards the clock.

“One week.” He repeated as they all looked at the clock. “Jungkook-ah is officially one week old.”

Namjoon stared at the clock. Sun would be rising soon. One week.

One week ago Jungkook walked out of his work and never made it home. One week ago Jungkook ran into his creep co-worker and was kidnapped. One week ago Jungkook was taken advantage of. One week ago Jungkook had died alone and afraid.

One week ago they’d found Jungkook.

One week later, Jungkook was sleeping in their bed, looking as dead as he’d been when Hoseok had hauled him into Seokjin’s study.

Had they given him a second chance at life or had they only prolonged his death.

“I was going to get a cake so we could celebrate.” Hoseok said in a mumble.

“We can celebrate when he wakes up.” Namjoon kissed Hoseok’s shoulder. “We can have a small party then, when he feels better.”

“We’ll order all his favorite food too.” Seokjin said.

“I can cook for him.” Yoongi said.

“Jimin and Taehyung can do decorations.” Seokjin said. “We’ll get him gifts too.”

“We’ll celebrate when he wakes up.” Namjoon repeated himself and rubbed the side of Hoseok’s torso. Hoseok hummed.

“Hyung, can you cut your finger and put it in Jungkook’s mouth?” Hoseok asked instead of replying to Namjoon. “I need to see if he has the infant instinct.”

Seokjin looked up in confusion but cut deep enough on the pad of his thumb. Carefully leaning over, Seokjin pressed his thumb on Jungkook’s lower lip, waiting patiently. Hoseok’s body tensed as seconds passed by without Jungkook’s reacting.

Seokjin gently smeared the blood on Jungkook’s lower lip, his brows furrowed.

Jungkook latched on to Seokjin’s finger.

Hoseok practically melted in Namjoon’s arms with a deep exhale.

Seokjin angled his arm so Jungkook’s could suck on whatever pitiful amount he could from his thumb but neither of them seemed bothered.

“That’s good.” Hoseok finally said. “That means we can still feed him even though he’s asleep.”

“It’s a good thing, right?” Seokjin asked. Because despite their ages and life spans, none of them had ever taken care of an infant before. Hoseok was the one with experience and expertise.

“It’s a very good sign.” Hoseok nodded, relief heavy with every word. “If he didn’t react we would have had to IV him and that doesn’t really help the same way. He has his instincts and reactions, that’s good. That’s good.”

There was a chance. Jungkook could survive.

One week old.

“I don’t know how long he will sleep.” Hoseok finally said. “This isn’t a normal situation. He could sleep for a week or for months. We will have to monitor him.”

“We’ll be here.” Yoongi said. “We’ll look after him. He’ll be okay.”

Hoseok nodded and put his hands over Namjoon’s hands. The difference in size was ridiculous. Namjoon kissed the side of Hoseok’s neck.

“Will there be any issues about…” Hoseok trailed off, trying to find the right words. “About what happened? Legally?”

“Crimes committed by fledglings are punished through the sire.” Seokjin said. “I’d like to see who’d try to punish me.”

“Bit of a dictator, aren’t you?” Yoongi joked. He was absentmindedly rubbing his palm on Jungkook’s leg as if to have proof that Jungkook was real.

“Compared to everyone else? I’m an angel.” Seokjin replied. It wasn’t wrong. Vampire Politics. “In any case, Yoojin caught up with me, she’s already got a plan in place if anyone does try anything.”

“Well, at least she won’t have to read through the fine print to find punishments for Sungho now.” Namjoon said. That entire conversation felt a life time ago. “I’m sure she’ll be happy about that.”

“I’m sure she won’t be complaining about it.” Yoongi agreed. “What a long day it’s been.”

“Too long.” Seokjin said. “Far too long. We should sleep too, you know. Sun’s about to rise. Just because I can ignore the effects doesn’t mean I enjoy staying up.”

“You’re just old, I think.” Namjoon said.

“I’m going to beat you up, I swear.”

“You’d break your hip.”

“When he wakes up,” Hoseok cut in, timid. “We need to get him a really big cake.”

Namjoon kissed the top of Hoseok’s head, breathing in his shampoo, while Seokjin and Yoongi looked at him, giving small nods.

“We’ll get him the biggest cake.” Seokjin promised.

“And we’ll throw nice party too.” Hoseok added. Namjoon kissed the shell of his ear. “Nothing – nothing too tiring for him. Something nice.”

“Of course.” Yoongi agreed. “I don’t think he’d like a massive party anyway. He’s a shy one.”

Hoseok nodded and fell silent after that, trying to get comfortable in Namjoon’s arms. Yoongi, Seokjin and Namjoon all shared a quick look over Hoseok’s head.

“Let’s sleep.” Seokjin repeated, he even yawned. “Everything will be better tomorrow.”

Namjoon desperately needed tomorrow to be better.

But until tomorrow came and made it better, he held Hoseok in his arms, knowing he would fall apart if he didn’t.

Chapter Text

Goosebumps spread down Jungkook’s skin in the cold of the night. His feet were moving without his control, a command he could not fight against. The hallways stretched on forever, a heavy hand on his shoulder – on his waist – on his back – leading him down the path.

Jungkook could hardly make out what was in front of him, just the never ending hallway and the broken down walls.

This was a march to his death. Jungkook recognized it. He remembered it.

Still, he walked. He could only walk. Slow, robotic steps that echoed through the creaky wood floors.

There was no light. It wasn’t darkness. Still, he couldn’t see.

The hand on his shoulder – on his waist – on his back – on his nape – kept a tight hold on him that Jungkook couldn’t be free from. He couldn’t fight it, he couldn’t even begin to fight it.

He walked. Step after step, to his own mangled corpse lying in his own pool of blood illuminated by the pale moonlight.

Jungkook’s breath hitched. His blood – in his veins, on the floor – was cold.

The hand on his shoulder – on his waist – on his back – on his nape – on his face – on his chest – on him – always touching him always touching alwaystouchinghimalwaystouchinghim –

Jungkook kicked and it landed on something. He trashed away from the hands, from the touches, his breathing turning ragged –

“Jungkook-ah!”

Jungkook kicked and pushed and clawed and cried and begged but he was drowning – no, he was choking. He was choking on his blood because the maniac bit his throat off – because he was dying.

No. No. He didn’t want to die. He didn’t want to die –

“Jungkook-ah, Jungkook-ah, sweetheart –“ a sharp hiss – “Jungkook-ah.”

The smell of blood –he was dying, he was dying – hit his senses and Jungkook thrashed harder. His neck was throbbing in pain – the bite, he was bleeding to death, he bit of his neck, he was dying, he was dying, he was dying – and Jungkook couldn’t get away from the hands. Always too many, pinning him down, holding him down.

“You’re hurting yourself – Jungkook-ah! Wake up, sweetheart, c’mon –“

He had to get out – he had to go back home – but his legs were caught in something and he couldn’t move, the hands, there were too many hands – the blood, you need it – he had to get out. It wasn’t safe here, he was going to die, he had to run, he had to run –

“Jungkook-ah!”

His back arched off of where he was laying as he gasped for air, the movement burning through his muscles. His eyes shot open and Jungkook found himself staring at the ceiling with a blurred vision. There was a ragged wheezing sound in the room, pitchy and pained – that was him. That was Jungkook breathing, it was him trying to breathe while his lungs failed him.

“Look at me, sweetheart, Jungkook-ah, I’m here.”

Jungkook tried. He tried his best. The voice speaking was so sweet, so kind, it cut through the confusion like a lighthouse on a stormy night, leading Jungkook to safety. A hand pushed Jungkook’s chest back down until he was lying down again, limiting his movements, but instead of panicking again Jungkook let himself be. He knew this was safe. He knew who it was, he knew it in his bones.

He blinked, eyes burning, and his vision slowly turned to normal, the black edges finding color again, until he wasn’t staring at the ceiling but at a person.

“I’m here, little one.” Seokjin soothed softly. “You’re okay, it was just a bad dream, and you’re okay. You’re okay.”

The muscles in his neck burned when Jungkook tilted his head to look better at Seokjin. He grimaced and stopped, whining in pain. Why didn’t Seokjin do something to take away the pain? It hurt so much, Seokjin would make it better. Everything hurt so much.

“Shh, I know, sweetheart.” Seokjin said and placed his palm on Jungkook’s chest. “Breathe for me, alright? Deeply – I know, oh darling, I know, I know it hurts – just breathe. Slowly, come on.”

Breathe. Okay Jungkook could – he could do it. He could try. If Seokjin was asking, then he could try. He sucked in a sharp breath and choked out in a cough, his muscles tensing involuntarily. Jungkook shut his eyes with a pained keen, fisting the soft material around him.

“Slowly, sweetheart, I’m here.” Seokjin spoke, his voice ever gentle. “You must breathe slowly, it’s hard, I know, but try for me? I’ll count for you, alright? Now breathe, one – two – three –“

Jungkook tried again, ignoring how shaky he was. He breathed in slowly as he was instructed, and then exhaled just as slowly along Seokjin’s counting. It became easier after the fifth or sixth one, his lungs remembering how to function, and somewhere around his fourteenth attempt he was breathing normally.

“Good job, little one.” Seokjin said. He tapped his fingers on Jungkook’s chest, a light little beat, a reminder. Something physical Jungkook could latch on to. “There you go, I’m proud of you.”

Jungkook swallowed thickly, his throat still burning. His eyes were heavy but Jungkook fought against them to open them. He had to see Seokjin. He had to make sure.

He’s proud of me.

It took too long – minutes? Hours? – before Jungkook was blearily staring at Seokjin’s face again. His eyes were burning too, he was so tired. Everything hurt and everything hurt and everything hurt and he was so tired.

“Hello there.” Seokjin smiled, a light little tug at the corners of his lips but the warmth showed in his eyes.

Jungkook let out a pained, tired sound. It was pitchy. Seokjin’s brows pulled together.

“I know. It hurts, I know.” He said. “Yoongi will make it go away in a moment, I promise. “

Yoongi? He was here too? Jungkook attempted to look around but stopped when the pain flared again.

Seokjin ran his hand through Jungkook’s sweaty hair, pushing it away from his forehead, smiling again. “Don’t move, alright? Just breathe. It will all be over soon. I promise.”

There was a cut on Seokjin’s cheek. Jungkook’s brows pinched together in confusion and in worry. Who hurt his Seokjin? He’d kill them for it. No, not just one cut. Three long lines ran down the side of Seokjin’s cheek, a little bit of blood reddening the pale skin. It made Jungkook’s blood boil. Who hurt his sire? Jungkook chirped in question and Seokjin blinked.

“Oh, this?” he turned his head a little so the cuts weren’t as visible. “It’s nothing, I promise. I’m not hurt, sweetheart.”

Jungkook frowned deeply and made a sound but Seokjin just smiled at him.

All Jungkook could do was to stare at that smile. As seconds – minutes, hours, days – passed staring at Seokjin’s smile, Jungkook’s body slowly came back to him. The pain was the most obvious. It wasn’t just his neck, everything hurt and it hurt terribly. His legs were tangled in the bed sheets and Seokjin was holding one of his hands.

Seokjin’s fingers were knobby and crooked but it only made their hands fit together better, Jungkook thought. His hand was trembling – always trembling now – but it steadied in Seokjin’s hold. Warmth was building between their cold skins.

Jungkook focused on his touch to ignore the pain.

“Okay, I’m ready.”

Jungkook flinched at Yoongi’s voice, hissing when everything in his body burned with pain. Seokjin shushed him gently, still, thumbing over Jungkook’s knuckles.

“It’s Yoongi, sweetheart.” Seokjin said. “It’s just Yoongi, you’re safe.”

Jungkook blinked. The bed dipped with the added weight and suddenly Jungkook could see Yoongi as well, the man positioned on his other side.

“I didn’t mean to scare you, little one, I’m sorry.” He said. “Can you tell me where it hurts?”

Everywhere. It hurt everywhere.

Maybe it showed on his face, maybe Yoongi was a better doctor than Jungkook gave him credit for, but when Jungkook failed to make any semblance of an intelligent sound, he just nodded and ran his hands through Jungkook’s hair.

“You’re gonna feel better in a moment, I promise.” He said, speaking in a tone that had Jungkook do his best to focus on the words. “I’m going to make you drink something, alright? It won’t taste great, probably, but it will take away the pain.”

Jungkook nodded. They could feed him gasoline and Jungkook would take it if it meant that the pain went away.

“Alright, alright, hyung, lift him a little.” Yoongi said.

Seokjin didn’t hesitate to snake one arm under Jungkook’s neck and carefully raise him. Jungkook was dead weight but it didn’t affect Seokjin at all. No matter how careful Seokjin was it didn’t stop Jungkook’s entire body from protesting in pain, red hot pain flaring all over him and making him cry out a broken sob.

“I’m sorry, just for a little bit and then it’s over.” Seokjin said quickly, adjusting his hold so Jungkook’s neck was resting on the crook of his elbow under.

“Here,” Yoongi came back into view – when had he even left?, “I need you to drink this slowly, alright Jungkook-ah? Can you do that for me?”

Instead of nodding Jungkook blinked his eyes twice at Yoongi. Even that took tremendous effort. His mouth was so dry, his lips chapped.

Yoongi placed the glass gently against Jungkook’s lips, tipping it lightly until he was sure Jungkook could drink it without spilling it or choking on it. It tasted earthy, medicinal. Nothing terrible but not the best thing Jungkook drank in his life. He took small sips, pulling away from the glass to take a break every few seconds to rest and breathe through the pain.

The position he was in put a noticeable strain on his neck. Jungkook swore he could feel his stitches pulling. It took forever before the glass was empty and Seokjin was lowering Jungkook.

“Good job.” Yoongi said lightly. His eyes were flitting all over Jungkook’s body, his expression impossible for Jungkook to read. Why was the room so dark? “Good job, little one, just lay down for now alright? You don’t have to do anything else. Why don’t you go back to sleep?”

Sleep. Jungkook blinked. That’d be nice.

Yoongi carefully held Jungkook’s left arm, his hands never coming too close to where Jungkook was bandaged. Slowly, his arm went numb, and so did the pain.

“Jungkook-ah, sleep.”

He tried to respond. He thought about it, at least.

It was pitch black. Painless. Jungkook drifted so easily.

He was floating among the stars, free from everything. It was just him, the stars, and the moon. He didn’t have to worry about his rent, he didn’t have to worry about the bills. He wasn’t afraid of waking up to go to work in the morning. Those things didn’t exist. Just him, the stars, and the moon.

Why hadn’t Jungkook floated before? Why had he never left everything behind before?

No – he had. He already did that.

No – was it floating away if he was kicked out?

That’s how he ended up like this. Alone and afraid with no one he could trust and a job that gave him panic attacks every morning. It wasn’t even a bad job it was just –

Sungho. It was Sungho. Every day, all day. Jungkook had even been nice to him during his first day there, thinking he was just misunderstanding the situation.

No. It was Sungho. Every day, all day. It was Sungho standing far too close. It was Sungho smiling too wide. It was Sungho touching him.

Red. Everything was red and red and red – Sungho was red and choking on the red and it was Jungkook. Jungkook’s hands were red and his clothes were red and it was blood on blood on blood.

“Jungkook-ah!”

His foot connected hardly with something when Jungkook kicked in a blind panic. He trashed away from the touches – holding him, who was holding him? Sungho? His friends? Who was it, who was it –

Jungkook’s eyes were open but he couldn’t see, flailing and kicking like his life depended on it. (It did and he failed because he died. They killed him. He was dead and dead and dead -) The taste of iron in his mouth was making him nauseous.

“Jungkook-ah! Careful, careful!”

The world slipped from under Jungkook and he fell hard on his shoulder, a painful cry booming from his overworked, decaying lungs. The pain of his shoulder bled together with the pain of his neck. There were more shouts – him? Others? Danger? – and then more hands. Always more hands, he could never get away from hands –

“Jungkook!” two hands grabbed him by the face, gentle and dominating at once, “Look at me!”

Everything came to a pin point stop. Jungkook’s vision came back to him, his breathing loud and ragged in his ears, his heart beating harshly.

Hoseok was sitting in front of him. His brows were pinched together, his mouth downturned in a way that didn’t fit him. His brown eyes were sharper than what Jungkook was used to.

“You’re safe.” Hoseok said, his head bobbing a bit to convince Jungkook. “You’re safe, you’re safe.”

Jungkook blinked and suddenly came back into his body. He was on the floor, on his knees, a sweaty mess of aching limbs. The throbbing pain of his neck and abdomen was pulsing through his muscles and he hated that he was growing used to that mind-numbing pain.

Seokjin was right next to him. Yoongi was standing behind him. Worry was clear in their faces. Where was he – a bedroom? Had he been here all this time? No that couldn’t be it… he was at the building before – he was at work before – he was everywhere and nowhere.

His brain picked up on the rotten taste a second too late. Jungkook gagged, leaning sideways and watching as blood spots painted the floor. God, was he dying? Did he – did he hurt someone? He always hurt people he always did this, that’s why people always left him and now he hurt someone again –

“Hey, hey, you’re okay.” Hoseok said quickly, wiping away Jungkook’s mouth with his hand. Jungkook made a face at how the blood smeared over his face. “The cuts on your mouth opened, that’s all, you’re okay.”

“It’s – “ Jungkook gagged again, throat raw. There were tears forming in his eyes but Jungkook had no way to know if it was from pain or the nausea. “ – Tastes horrible.”

“It tastes bad?” Hoseok asked. “It’s your own blood – Jin hyung’s blood.”

“Tastes –“ Jungkook spat out a mouthful of blood, watching a stringy bit of it cling to his lower lip. “ – rotten.”

“Would you like to feed on hyung to wash away the taste?” Hoseok asked. He ran his hand through Jungkook’s hair and Jungkook let his eyes close.

He nodded. Anything to make the taste go away.

“Alright, let’s get you back into the bed, okay?” Hoseok said. “You don’t have to do anything.”

True to his word, Jungkook didn’t move a single muscle. The three vampires easily maneuvered Jungkook between them before Seokjin lifted him up and placed a quick kiss to his forehead.

“Are you still in pain?” he asked as they sat back down.

Jungkook just made a sound in response, drooling out the rot-tasting blood because he didn’t want it in his mouth at all. Nobody seemed disgusted by it. Yoongi just wiped it all with wet wipes, murmuring soft encouragements.

“I’m sorry about that.” Seokjin said.

“Here.” Yoongi said. “Drink this, it’s the same as before –“ before? “ – it will make you feel better.”

Jungkook forced himself to keep his eyes open. Everything in his body felt too heavy. Yoongi was holding a glass near Jungkook’s face. Jungkook didn’t even think before drinking it. The taste of it mixed awkwardly with the rotten blood in his mouth but Jungkook forced it all down anyway.

“Good.” Yoongi patted his head when he drank it all. “That’ll help you, little one.”

“C’mere.” Seokjin said, adjusting his hold on Jungkook until Jungkook was comfortable on his lap. “Do you still want to feed?”

Jungkook nodded. His brain was sloshing around in his skull. He needed to wash away this awful taste lingering in his mouth. He nipped at Seokjin’s neck until Seokjin chuckled and cut a clean line. Jungkook didn’t even wait long enough for blood to bead at the cut before his lips were on it.

“There you go.” Seokjin said softly. He played with the hair at Jungkook’s nape with one hand, the other tracing small circles at Jungkook’s ankle. “It’s okay, you’re alright.”

Jungkook couldn’t remember how to do this properly, awkwardly suckling at Seokjin’s neck in a desperate attempt to wash away that awful taste. It took a few mouthfuls of blood before it was gone and he could enjoy it.

He relaxed into Seokjin’s arms. Safe. He was safe. He wiggled a little to get comfortable, one hand clutching to Seokjin’s shirt.

Between one dull heartbeat and the next, with his mouth full of blood, Jungkook was asleep.

It was a dreamless, pitch-black sleep.

And when he woke up, it was without screams or punches.

He simply opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling.

The pain was still there, throbbing numbly through his entire body. His neck hurt the most out of everything, a sharper, hotter type of pain. He was so tired. He was so, so tired.

“Jungkook-ah?” came Seokjin’s kind voice from next to him and Jungkook realized he wasn’t alone in the bed at all. “Oh, you’re awake.”

Jungkook just hummed vaguely in response, blinking his eyes to get it adjusted to the light – or the lack of – in the room. He was too scared to move his head, afraid of how much his neck would hurt if he dared to do so.

Luckily he didn’t have to move at all. Seokjin came into his vision, leaning over him. His hair was all messy and his eyes looked tired.

“Are you in pain? Do you need anything?” he asked. “You should really try to go back to sleep.”

Jungkook groaned. He wanted to sleep. He opened his mouth and a pitchy squeak came out instead of words. Seokjin nodded anyway.

“I know.” He said and fixed some of the stray strands of hair in Jungkook’s face. “I’m here. We’re all here. You’re safe, sweetheart. You have nothing to worry about.”

Jungkook blinked lazily. Safe. Yes. He was safe. He knew this.

Weakly, Jungkook lifted his right hand in an attempt to hold Seokjin. He ended up gently brushing the back of his hands against Seokjin’s chest but Seokjin grabbed him quickly, laced their fingers together. Jungkook watched their hands, how they fit each other. He liked this. He liked holding hands with Seokjin.

He opened his mouth again and more squeaks came out. Seokjin smiled at him, warmer than before.

“You really like cuddling, huh?” he mumbled, mostly to himself. “Alright, whatever the fledgling demands.”

Jungkook was a complete ragdoll as Seokjin picked him up in the gentlest fashion. It didn’t take long before Jungkook was back home in Seokjin’s arms, sitting sideways with his nose tucked into the crook of his shoulder.

“There we go. That’s all better, isn’t it?” Seokjin said and Jungkook chirped in response. It’d be rude not to. Seokjin began rocking gently to side to side. “Go to sleep, sweetheart. You really need to rest.”

Jungkook wanted to. He was exhausted. But despite the burning in his eyes and the slowly growing headache from lack of sleep, his body refused to let him back to sleep.

“Can’t.” he found the words finally.

“Can’t?”

“Can’t.” Jungkook repeated. “Too – too tired to sleep.”

Seokjin cooed, “Is that so? Poor thing.”

“ ‘s nice.” Jungkook blinked. He rubbed his cheek over Seokjin’s shoulder and let his eyes fall shut. “Safe.”

“That’s right.” Seokjin said with his warm voice. He ran his hand down Jungkook’s spine. “You’re safe. I’ll keep you safe. Can you try to go back to sleep?”

“I am trying.” Jungkook pouted.

“Oh, my poor baby.” Seokjin cooed again. He pulled Jungkook slightly closer to his chest and gave the top of his head a kiss. “I know you’re trying. You’re doing your best. I’m proud of you.”

Something in Jungkook’s chest tightened. How long had it been since he’d last heard those words? He nuzzled in as deep as he could, feeling Seokjin’s pulse on his lips. It was a strong and steady beat right under Seokjin’s skin.

Jungkook nipped at it.

Seokjin snorted, “Hungry?”

Jungkook chirped, blunt teeth uselessly trying to bite through Seokjin’s flesh. Seokjin laughed again, a hearty sound that vibrated through his body, and he rearranged his hold on Jungkook.

“Here, let me do that for you.” Seokjin said and gently forced Jungkook’s face away from his neck. Regardless of intention, Jungkook whined and fought to nuzzle back in. Seokjin’s nail grew sharper and he cut a neat line across his neck.

Jungkook was drinking the very next second like a man starved in the desert.

Seokjin said something and Jungkook was fifty percent sure he was speaking to him but he had no power in him to focus on both drinking and listening at the same time. It was hard enough as it was to drink without making a mess – and he could feel a trickle of warm blood escape down his chin – he wasn’t about to make it harder on himself.

Not that Seokjin seemed to mind. His sire kept talking above him with one gentle hand petting Jungkook’s hair through it all.

Jungkook was starving. He tried to pierce in deeper into Seokjin’s flesh with fangs he didn’t have, whining when he only made a mess of the blood. He shouldn’t waste it – Seokjin was giving it to him. It was special. Jungkook licked from the bottom of Seokjin’s neck to all the way up to the cut to clean up his mess before focusing back on the cut itself.

The ache in his body, that dull pain shot across his entire system, seemed diminish with each mouthful of blood Jungkook swallowed. He drank until he was drunk off of it. He drank until he couldn’t anymore, until his veins were full of Seokjin. He smacked his lips together and then licked over the cut to help heal it, a silent thank you the best he could.

No – that wasn’t good enough. Jungkook really needed Seokjin to know how grateful he was. It was important, Seokjin had to know.

So Jungkook gave him a little nip above the already healing cut. The little nips became easy presses of lips. That should do the trick. Jungkook shifted until he could face Seokjin properly. His vision was a bit blurry and thoughts were hard to form but he had a mission.

“All done?” Seokjin asked and oh – Seokjin didn’t notice the nip-kiss? Maybe he thought Jungkook was still trying to feed. No no.

Jungkook kissed Seokjin’s nose.

Seokjin blinked once. Twice.

“Oh.” He said. There was a red smudge on his nose now. “Well, thank you, sweetheart. We should get you back to sleep, huh? You look really tired.”

Jungkook was beyond tired but he had a mission. It was an important mission. He gave another kiss to Seokjin’s cheek, then a little higher, then a little lower. He just – he just had to make sure Seokjin knew. He had to know. Jungkook’s mouth didn’t work the way it should and words were failing him so this, the kisses and the chirps, was the best thing he had to offer.

So he kept peppering Seokjin’s face with blood-stained kisses. Across the bridge of his nose, his cheeks, his forehead, his brows. Anywhere he could reach without hurting his neck he left a kiss even as what little energy he had drained from him, until he could barely keep his eyes open.

Jungkook couldn’t even tell what spots he was kissing. He hoped Seokjin understood.

And then, unceremoniously, Jungkook tucked himself into Seokjin’s neck and let sleep over take him.

Seokjin’s face was wet.

He wasn’t even sure what had just happened but Jungkook was happily curled in his arms and, most importantly, Jungkook was sleeping.

Seokjin’s face was wet.

He could feel the wet warmth of his own blood smeared all over his face in the shape of Jungkook’s pouty lips. He could feel it on his cheeks, his nose.

He could feel it on his lips.

Tentatively, he licked over his bottom lip to check and, yup, sure enough, that’s the taste of his own blood on his lips because Jungkook kissed him.

Seokjin’s face was wet.

He wasn’t stupid. He knew what this was. Jungkook may be his very first fledgling but Seokjin wasn’t completely ignorant when it came to fledglings and their care – and his instincts were going haywire anyway. This was a fledgling – a highly traumatized fledgling – showing his love to his sire. Nothing more, nothing less. Jungkook wasn’t in the right head space to be aware of what he was doing. Seokjin doubted Jungkook would ever be so bold if he was fully awake.

This wasn’t a thing. Jungkook was in pain, mostly delirious, full of new emotions and sensations, and to his instinct-driven brain Seokjin was the only source of comfort. This wasn’t a thing. This was just – this was just fledgling-sire connection going a little off-course with everything going on. Nothing more.

So it would be splendid if Seokjin’s emotions could catch up with his logic.

Seokjin’s face was wet.

He let the blood stay on his face, on his top lip.

“Should I be worried?”

Seokjin nearly flinched out of his skin. It was a miracle that Jungkook didn’t wake up.

Yoongi was standing by the door, his arms crossed and a brow raised, his amused smile way too wide on his face while Seokjin swore at him.

“Wow.” Yoongi snorted. “How deep in your head were you?”

Far too deep if he didn’t hear Yoongi open the door and come in. It had been some time since anyone snuck up on Seokjin like this. He couldn’t even remember the last time.

Yoongi walked up next to the bed and held Seokjin’s chin between two fingers, turning his head from side to side to take in all the bloody kisses. He tapped his thumb on Seokjin’s chin.

“So, I’m asking again, should I be worried about you leaving us with a younger lover?” Yoongi asked, a grin on his lips.

“I’m not leaving you.” Seokjin answered. “Besides, if you want to be worried about anyone, it should be Taehyung. He’s half-way in love with Jungkook I think.”

“He loves easily.” Yoongi said before leaning down to capture Seokjin’s bloody lips with his own. Seokjin let him have the lead, tilted his head up and shut his eyes and let his beautiful lover kiss him however he deemed worthy. He sighed happily when Yoongi eventually pulled back from the kiss, barely inches from his face.

“Your blood tastes better like this.” Yoongi said.

Like this, like on his lips? Or Like this, like from Jungkook’s mouth?

Seokjin knew the answer.

They were all so weak and predictable, weren’t they?

Yoongi stood straight and turned Seokjin’s face again, this time for an entirely different reason. His eyes narrowed into a professional sharpness as he angled Seokjin’s face properly to get enough light on his face.

“You’re healed already.” Yoongi said. “Barely a scar left, it’ll be gone by the hour.”

“Of course.” Seokjin said. Jungkook had landed a good scratch when Seokjin had last expected it. The cut of it had burned but it wasn’t a serious injury. Hell, Seokjin forgot about it.

“You healed.” Yoongi repeated. “Sangwook hasn’t. He’s barely any better.”

And if Seokjin healed, then Sangwook’s unhealing injuries aren’t due to something related to Jungkook. Seokjin looked down at the sleeping infant in his arms, the vague semblance of peace on his face.

The bloody kisses on his face were starting to dry.

“Sangwook is sick.” Yoongi said. Voice even, professional. Seokjin hummed.

It made sense. From their chat with Eunjoo they knew that he didn’t hunt for himself, didn’t feed the fledglings, took from their hunts. It would make sense if he was sick.

“I’d asked my team to do some tests on him. Those results came back.” Yoongi explained. “He’s very sick. I’m not able to tell you what he’s sick with but his symptoms line up with severe silver poisoning.”

Seokjin huffed through his nose. It was only fair after what he did to Jungkook.

“How severe?” he asked.

“He should be dead by now.” Yoongi answered. “Not sure why he isn’t, but he’s definitely suffering from it. It explains why he isn’t healing, why he couldn’t fight Jungkook.” Yoongi explained. “I also asked for a more detailed toxin report for Jungkook, to see if they could break down the mystery ingredient.”

Seokjin looked at Yoongi, “Was it successful?”

“It’s not something we know but, they were able to break down some of it.” Yoongi said and pulled out his phone, tapping the screen and scrolling until he found the report. “It’s not exactly – well, it’s not something I was expecting.”

Seokjin frowned. Yoongi wasn’t panicked so it couldn’t be something bad but confusion didn’t suit Yoongi either. Then again, everything related to Jungkook was confusing so why not one more thing.

“This isn’t – it’s not medical.” Yoongi said tightly, annoyed. He looked back at his phone. “When you break it down its – “ he sighed, “It’s an odd concoction of mustard seed, buttercup, moss, holly leaves, hounds-tongue, trout lily, poppy seed, knotwood, wormwood, ivy, nuts, blueberries, Alacosia Baginda, tarragon, wolfsbane, hemlock, honeysuckle, yew, foxglove…”

No wonder Yoongi was so annoyed.

“That’s a witch’s brew.” Seokjin said. “It’s – the magic ingredient is literally a magic ingredient?”

Yoongi sighed deeper this time and sat next down on the bed, dropping his phone on the mattress like looking at the toxin report was physically hurting him. Considering how it defied everything he worked for, it might as well. Doctors never liked spells.

“It would explain the forty something year gap in between Han-chool’s death and Sangwook starting this mess.” Yoongi said. “It’s not easy to find a witch, let alone get something from one.”

“If it’s a spell… there might be a way to reverse its effects.” Seokjin said. He adjusted Jungkook in his arms.

“Sure but we still have to find a witch and then get them to agree to help – deals with witches never end well.” Yoongi said.

“I know one witch. She owes me.” Seokjin replied.

The entire house went silent.

“Of course.” Came Namjoon’s voice from the other end of the penthouse. “Of course you know a witch who owes you.”

“That’s so cool.” Taehyung said.

Seokjin wondered how long they’d been listening in on them.

“How do you know a witch?” Hoseok asked.

“I’m old.” was Seokjin’s simple answer. In his defense, his age was really the only answer he had for most things. “And I don’t know a witch, I know the witch. If there is anyone who can help us it would be her.”

Yoongi gave an odd look that Seokjin couldn’t decipher. It wasn’t angry or curious or anything easy to read. Then it dawned on him – Seokjin knew a witch. The witch.

Witches weren’t the type of supernatural you know. You were either unlucky enough to come across one or just never met one ever in your lifetime. They kept to themselves and there were so few of them to begin with.

Seokjin was old.

And – actually… speaking of witches and their dislike for interacting with any person…

“How did Sangwook find a witch?” Seokjin asked, his brows furrowed. He could hear light footsteps down the hall. The rest of the coven was coming in to have this conversation face to face instead of through the walls. “How did he even get one to agree to a deal? What did he pay with?”

“I don’t like witches.” Jimin declared as he walked in the door.

“You never met one.” Taehyung pointed out, one step behind Jimin as usual.

“I read a lot about them.” Jimin shrugged. “They’re creepy.”

“They are.” Seokjin agreed. He patted the bed with his free hand. “Come here, Jungkook sleeps better when you two are close.”

He gave a quick glance to Hoseok to make sure their resident fledgling master approved of the decision and was relieved when he nodded along. He’d told them that it was the fledgling bond between them that helped Jungkook, like an older puppy guiding a younger puppy. It was good for them to bond and Jungkook needed everything he could get from them.

Normally they would let the three of them be together all the time but Jungkook’s nightmares made him prone to lashing out to defend himself from ghosts – he got Seokjin good on his face, they didn’t want to risk anything happening to Jimin and Taehyung.

Jimin and Taehyung climbed in the messed up nest and made their way to the either side of Jungkook. Taehyung ended on Seokjin’s left side where Jungkook’s head was tucked to his neck and Jimin on his right where Jungkook’s feet were.

“Did he give you kisses?” Taehyung looked at Seokjin’s face.

“He sure did.” Seokjin answered. “I think he was a bit blood-drunk, so.”

Jungkook was just blood drunk. He was just tired. He was traumatized and running on instincts. Nothing more, nothing less.

“That’s cute.” Namjoon smiled with a huff and sat down at the feet of the bed. “Sangwook isn’t talking by the way.”

Seokjin inhaled, “We’ll make him.”

“So this witch thing?” Hoseok raised a brow, arms crossed. “You know a witch? They can help?”

“She owes me one, she has to help.” Seokjin said. “At the very least we can learn if this is an actual witch spell and if anything can be done.”

“And we won’t be in any trouble with the witch?” Jimin asked this time.

“No. We won’t. She’s – well, not a friend, but like I said, she owes me one. Witches are serious about that.” Seokjin said. “What I want to know is, if Sangwook actually did find a witch to make a deal with, what did he pay with? Witches don’t work for money.”

“Maybe they get a part of whatever Sangwook’s end goal is?” Namjoon tried. “The aftermath of a civil war sounds like the type of chaos a witch could use.”

“Possible.” Hoseok nodded. “Or maybe the fledglings are the deal? The witch needed sick vamps?”

“What about –“ Taehyung hummed. He was playing with the curly ends of Jungkook’s hair. His bottom lip pushed out adorably. “Yoongi hyung, you said he’s sick right? What if that’s it? He wanted sickly, unnatural fledglings, paid for it with his own health?”

“That sounds like the type of irony a witch would love.” Seokjin said. Witches rarely accepted normal payment – they found far more enjoyment in oddities. “That just might be it, Taehyung-ah.”

Taehyung beamed under the praise and cuddled closer to Jungkook.

“Yoongichi, did you get a report back about the other fledglings?” Seokjin asked. “About the – well, apparently about the potion? Is it the same thing for all of them?”

“Yes, they all have the same thing.” Yoongi answered. “Though, like I said before, Jungkook’s system has it in a ridiculous amount, far more than all the rest. Sangwook doesn’t have it though, so that’s one thing we can write off.”

“However, now that we have the breakdown, I think it will be easier for my team to really see how the spell and the changes in it affect the fledglings. Maybe we can see why some of them got adult teeth or the others got thrall and so forth. You get the idea.”

“They all have different percentages, right?” Hoseok asked with his brows furrowed. “I know we theorized that maybe Jungkook got the – “ a slight pause, the quickest glance towards the fledglings, “ – well, the short stick, but what if it wasn’t just Sungho messing up?”

“Did we find the drink by the way?” Seokjin quickly asked now that he remembered it.

“Still searching, Sangwook doesn’t talk.” Namjoon answered back.

“Alright.” Seokjin nodded, rocked Jungkook a little, and looked back at Hoseok. “What do you mean?”

“The percentages are messed up for all the fledglings’ right? It’s not just Jungkook-ah or one or two, none of the fledglings have numbers that match?” he asked to Yoongi.

“That’s true.” Yoongi said. “Jungkook has it the most but it was all over for all of them.”

“I mean, I don’t know how witch brews work but if it was just one brew, wouldn’t it be the same for all of them? Sure, let’s say Jungkook got unlucky and took more than he should have, then why don’t the rest match with each other?”

“That’s… right, actually.” Yoongi narrowed his eyes, as if only just now thinking about it thoroughly. There was a reason why they had six (now seven) people in this coven. “If it was just one brew Sangwook was using then there wouldn’t be any differences, it would come from the same source.”

“Witches aren’t generous.” Seokjin supplied.

Even if their theory about Sangwook trading his health for the potion was true, it didn’t mean that the witch would give him more than what his health was worth – and health rarely meant anything to witches.

“If he has say, one vial of this thing, one witch-made vial, that wouldn’t be enough for all of the fledglings.” Hoseok said. “What if –“ he paused and licked his lips. “What if he tried to recreate it? To make more and have more fledglings? That’s why he was testing so much? To see if he managed to copy it successfully?”

“… What if Sungho gave Jungkook the real thing?” Jimin asked in a silent voice.

Seokjin kissed the top of Jimin’s head. He was too tense.

“Yoongi-yah, is there a way for you to test for that?” he asked.

Yoongi scratched his chin with a thoughtful hum, “I’ll ask them to do one even if we can’t.”

“If the other fledglings were fed the fake stuff and Jungkook got the real deal, it would explain why we’re unable to find it.” Namjoon pointed out. “If I made a deal with a witch, traded my health for it, and got a singular vial for it, I’d keep it incredibly safe. Nothing to keep safe if it’s gone.”

Something heavy made itself home in Seokjin’s stomach. He looked down at his sleeping fledgling, for once at peace.

Jungkook deserved better.

“We’re making a lot of assumptions.” Seokjin said instead of anything else. “Our theories could be all bullshit. Yoongi, see what can be done, Namjoon, get Sangwook to talk.”

“Sir, yes, sir.” Namjoon drawled, already typing on his phone, and Yoongi gave a sharp nod.

“And Jungkook?” Taehyung piped up. “What are we gonna do about him?”

Seokjin swallowed down everything unsavory building in him.

“We take care of him.” He answered simply.

“Speaking of…” Hoseok trailed off, not wanting to actually talk about Jungkook because they rarely had anything good to say about his situation.

“What about it?” Jimin asked, almost a dare. Seokjin wrapped his fingers around the back of Jimin’s neck and gave a quick squeeze. Misdirected anger born of fear wouldn’t do anyone any good. Jimin had a tendency to blow hot when he was scared – and he was so obviously freaked about everything happening.

Luckily, Jimin relaxed under Seokjin’s hold and gave an apologetic look at Hoseok before cuddling into Seokjin’s side.

“Sorry.” He mumbled.

“Apology accepted.” Hoseok winked with a tired smile.

“This isn’t good, right?” Taehyung spoke this time. “The nightmares and stuff?”

All eyes trained on the one expert on fledglings and Hoseok let out a long sigh.

“Nightmares aren’t the problem.” He said. “After everything he’s bound to suffer from nightmares. I’m worried about the fact that he keeps waking up. This is supposed to be his long rest, he shouldn’t be able to wake up.”

“I was preparing myself for Jungkook to sleep a month straight with all the injuries he has.” He carried on. “Not this. I didn’t even think it was actually possible for a fledgling to wake up during this time. He just had a horribly traumatic death and rebirth, he must be so tired. He needs to rest so his body can adjust but…” he waved a hand towards Jungkook.

It had been barely two days since Jungkook passed out – since everything with Sungho happened. Jungkook’s longest lasting sleep had been after he initially blacked out and he was brought home. That had been what, some eight hours or something? Seokjin had been too stressed to really keep track of it.

The first nightmare had caught them all off guard. Jungkook actually waking up, however disoriented he was, had been a shock. After that Jungkook barely slept more than four hours uninterrupted and it didn’t take a genius to see that it was starting to take a toll on Jungkook’s already fragile body.

His skin was paler, his cheeks hollow…

“What does it even mean that he’s waking up?” Jimin asked this time. He was playing with the hemline of Jungkook’s (Namjoon’s) pajama pants.

“I don’t know.” Hoseok said. The words were heavy on his tongue and heavier on his sagging shoulders. Yoongi pulled him into a one armed hug. “Maybe it’s the fucking spell or whatever that’s messing with his system. We don’t know what it does, not really, other than it clearly fucks them up. My best guess right now would be that because the witch’s brew is what makes them develop faster as vamps, it’s also trying to speed through the resting period but it doesn’t – it just doesn’t work like that so now Jungkook’s stuck in between. He’s not waking up but I doubt he’s getting any rest either.”

“He’s feeding a lot.” Seokjin said. The spot on his neck felt like a brand.

“It could be his body’s way of naturally trying to balance itself.” Yoongi theorized.

It could be a lot of things. It could be a lot of good things and a lot of bad things. Seokjin should go to his witch as soon as he could – even if it meant that he had to leave Jungkook for a few hours.

“I’m worried about how much he’s hurting himself when he has a nightmare.” Yoongi said. “All that thrashing and trying to defend himself…” he licked his bottom lip. “The stitches on his neck were destroyed the first time. He doesn’t even have much of a neck to begin with.” Jimin and Taehyung both made pained sounds and snuggled closer. Yoongi gave a sorry look to the two of them. “He hurts himself every time he has a nightmare and he can barely heal to begin with. He’s making himself worse.”

“What do you suggest we do then?” Namjoon asked. “It’s not like we can tie him up.”

“I don’t know.” Yoongi said, defeated. “I don’t know.”

“We can’t restrain him. That’s how we found him, it’ll set him off more.” Hoseok said. “We can’t put an infant into a coffin either.”

“He woke up normally this time.” Seokjin said, blindly hoping that it meant anything.

“We can’t really bet on him not having nightmares.” Hoseok said. “He woke up like a dozen of times and only one of them didn’t involve a nightmare.”

“He seems fine now.” Taehyung said. He was looking down at Jungkook, inspecting at odd angles to see better.

“He relaxes for a while after feeding.” Seokjin said. Then he furrowed his brows a bit and turned to Hoseok, “I know you said it wasn’t anything to be worried about but are we sure we shouldn’t be worried about Jungkook saying his blood tasted rotten?”

Finally faced with a question he can answer, Hoseok gave a light smile, “That’s completely normal. Fledglings never like the taste of their own blood, especially as infants. Most infants also don’t have injuries like Jungkook so they rarely have to taste it. I can assure you it’s a normal fledgling thing and not sign of something ominous.”

“At least we have that, then.” Namjoon said. He then poked his face and gave a cheeky smile to Seokjin. “You, ah, have something on your face, hyung.”

Seokjin, face straight and covered with dried kiss marks, “You must be mistaken.”

“No, I don’t think he is hyung.” Taehyung grinned and poked right under a kiss mark. “I think you have something here… and here, here, and here too.”

“Over here, too.” Jimin added and then poked Seokjin’s bottom lip. “Oh, here too.”

“You all are just jealous I get bloody fledgling kisses and you do not.” He retorted.

“I actually am.” Taehyung said. He pouted his lips and everything. “I want fledgling kisses.”

“You are a fledgling and you get plenty fledgling kisses from Jimin.” Namjoon said.

“Then I want Jungkookie-fledgling kisses.” Taehyung said.

“How was the fledgling kisses hyung?” Yoongi, looking like the cat that caught the canary, asked.

Seokjin couldn’t blush. He lost the ability many centuries ago. He felt warm though and Yoongi smiled like he could tell that, if it could, Seokjin’s ears would be tomato red. Bastard.

“The fledgling kisses were very polite and given through an instinct-driven haze.” Seokjin remained polite and political. He was a bureaucrat. He didn’t want to give his boyfriends the satisfaction of throwing him off kilter.

“Did you like the polite, instinct-driven fledgling kisses?” Hoseok pressed. His brows were raised all the way up to his hairline and his smile was way too wide and way too heart-shaped. Somehow, the heart-shape made him look evil. That’s what Hoseok was. Evil. Evil sunshine.

“I did not dislike it.” Seokjin answered. Perfectly neutral. “Fuck you all.”

When laughter filled the room it was as if a weight had been lifted off of all of them. Just for a moment they could just be. Like it was a little over a week ago and they were getting ready for bed and arguing over which bed they would sleep in.

Before they met the bundle of trauma that was Jeon Jungkook.

Seokjin licked off the dried blood on his upper lip and let Jimin plaster a wet kiss over a dried mark on his cheek. If there was any consolation for Seokjin it was the fact that he knew that the entire coven was on the same Jungkook-shaped boat.

They were all so easy, weren’t they? Barely a week and they were all down for the count when it came to doe-like eyes.

The laughter came to an easy silence and all eyes landed on Jungkook’s sleeping form. They watched wordlessly as he breathed in and out, twitchy fingers loosely holding the front of Seokjin’s shirt.

It was impossible to not love Jungkook.  

Jungkook stirred awake like he could feel the eyes on him, like he knew they were talking about him, and immediately let out fussy chirps. Seokjin doubted he even had his eyes open but Jungkook was already nibbling on Seokjin’s neck with a demanding chirrup.

The coven did a poor job at holding back their endeared chuckles.

“Alright, alright.” Seokjin mumbled. He snaked a finger in between Jungkook’s face and his neck to give himself a cut and Jungkook almost threw him off balance when he latched on with a force he lacked previously. The first attempted bite stung a little bit and Seokjin made a face. Then Jungkook seemed to remember that he didn’t have the fangs to do what instinct was telling him to do and he resigned to drinking easily but not without chirping angrily about it.

“He’s so chatty.” Hoseok smiled.

“He is, isn’t he?” Jimin said, now sitting on his knees to get a better look at Jungkook. His fangs were pressing against his lower lip and he didn’t seem to be aware of it at all. Seokjin glanced sideways to Taehyung and, yup, sure enough there was a pair of shiny fledgling fangs visible there too.

“You two seem hungry.” He teased and poked Jimin’s lip with his free hand. Jungkook immediately whined about it though so Seokjin put his hand back on his knee where it was before. “Oh, jealous are we?” he mumbled.

Jimin’s hands flew up to his mouth. Taehyung just licked over his fangs to see if they were there – they indeed were.

“I’m not hungry.” Taehyung said, casual but a little embarrassed. “It’s the –“ he waved a hand towards Seokjin’s neck. “It’s the smell.”

“Sure.” Yoongi replied. “But if you are hungry, we have a few spare necks you can choose from.”

And because Seokjin’s boyfriends are all low-key assholes, the older vampires all tilted their heads just so at the same time.

Jimin poofed into a pile of clothes. The pile of clothes chirped angrily.

“Now see what you guys did?” Seokjin tutted, not even remotely angry and not even bothering to hide his smile as he used his one hand to detangle the little bat Jimin from his clothes. “That’s just mean, isn’t it Jimin-ah?”

Jimin, now in the form of a bat small enough to fit into Seokjin’s palm, squeaked angrily.

“Manners, Jimin-ah.” Seokjin said and it was a struggle not to coo when Jimin nipped at his fingers. “Didn’t we teach you –“

Jungkook made a questioning sound.

Everyone paused.

Jungkook licked over Seokjin neck and then ducked under Seokjin’s chin to get a look at the source of all the chirps. Jimin, a fluffy little bat with a few white stripes over his back, stilled on Seokjin’s palm.

Two sets of large brown eyes stared at each other.

Jimin broke the staring contest first and let out a small chirp to test the waters.

Jungkook nuzzled in closer to Seokjin – who couldn’t see his face at all but had an idea how the sleepy fledgling might look like – and then chirped back. It was smaller than the sounds he made previously, shy and unsure, but it was an answer.

Jimin tilted his head and chirped again. This time louder. It wasn’t a communication sound but it didn’t really matter. Jungkook wouldn’t be able to consciously differentiate between the sounds anyway with the way he currently was.

Jungkook tugged on Seokjin’s shirt and chirped back in a perfect mimicry of Jimin’s sound.

There was soft gasps and whispered oh my gods filling the room. Seokjin just watched, afraid to even blink.

More courageous now that Jungkook was actively responding, Jimin sat a little straighter in Seokjin’s palm and chirruped back, a longer, louder sound. Jungkook hummed first, tired and sagging into Seokjin’s chest, but repeated the sound like before – if not a bit weak.

Jimin hopped down from Seokjin’s palm and landed on Jungkook’s lap, a little off balance like he always was in his bat form, before climbing up Jungkook’s torso. He made it all the way up to his chest and put his hands on Jungkook’s chin, squeaking and chirping up a storm directly in his face and licking at his bloodied lips.

“That’s not fair.” Was all Taehyung said with an impressive pout.

And then there were two little bats chirping on Jungkook’s chest.

Jungkook faltered between which chirps to mimic, which bat to respond to, but kept his squeaks going. It was obvious that he was tired in how he slowly turned his body to Seokjin, careful to not crush Jimin and Taehyung between their bodies or how his breathing was calming down.

The others carefully climbed into the bed and sat in a semi-circle around Seokjin. Their eyes were practically sparkling as they watched their fledglings, silent but with huge smiles on their faces. For the first time in what felt like forever, all of them were relaxed.

It felt right. It was right to have Jungkook with them.

Seokjin had never sired.

He fed plenty of strays and saved vampires down on their luck. He had Jimin and Taehyung.

He never sired anyone.

It was on purpose.

Seokjin was old. If he was being honest, one of the reasons why he never answered how old he truly was was the fact that he didn’t remember how old he was supposed to be. Years bled in together and Seokjin had been alive for too long. He had a general idea, modern historians loved to put everything in order and Seokjin could track his age down to a specific era at the very least.

Seokjin was old. Seokjin never sired anyone.

It was on purpose.

There was a reason people were afraid of Seokjin. There was a reason why no one wanted to cross Lord Kim Seokjin of Seoul.

Seokjin was old and people didn’t get to his age by living peacefully.

Seokjin’s hands were soaked with centuries’ worth of blood.

And he could never bring himself to hold something as precious as a fledgling, his fledgling, when his hands were this bloody. How could he ever hold something as precious as a fledgling and paint it red?

Seokjin was old. Seokjin never sired anyone.

Jungkook was his, now.

Jungkook was his and he was too skinny and too pale and too hurt and too scared and he was curled happily in his arms with Jimin and Taehyung like he was home.

(Seokjin remembered curling around his own sire when he was a fledgling, scared of anything but her.)

(He missed her terribly, still.)

(There were so many reasons Seokjin never sired.)

Taehyung put one winged arm over Jimin and both of them snuggled under Jungkook’s chin. Jungkook nuzzled against Seokjin’s neck and was asleep in seconds. Jimin and Taehyung weren’t, not yet anyway, but they settled comfortably as well.

Seokjin had all three of his fledglings happy in his arms. They trusted him.

“In the morning I will visit my witch.” Seokjin spoke with finality. “Then I’ll visit Sangwook. Yoongi, you see what you can find with the blood, anything at all. Namjoon keep looking for Sangwook’s possessions. Hoseok, I trust you with the little ones.”

The older vampires all gave a nod, their eyes laser focused on the fledglings.

Yoongi furrowed his brow and looked up at Seokjin.

“Jungkook’s been feeding a lot. Have you had anything to drink?” he asked.

“I mean –“ Seokjin started and he was definitely not avoiding eye contact. “It’s hard to really feed yourself with a traumatized fledgling clinging to you.”

“Hyung.” Yoongi tilted his head, disappointed. Then he sighed and straightened himself before standing up. “I’ll go get you something before you pass out.”

“Please don’t pass out on the fledglings.” Namjoon pleaded with the just the right tone of sarcastic.

“I’m not gonna pass out on the fledglings.” Seokjin sighed. He gave Yoongi his best puppy-eyes before his lover left the room. Since he was still alive, it must have worked.

“We need to keep a close eye on Jungkook.” Hoseok said. His voice was tired but not terrified. “Closer than we already do, anyway. I don’t know what it means for him to be waking up like this, I don’t know if he’s resting at all. I know that drink Yoongi hyung made is helping a bit but – “ he sighed and rubbed his temples, leaning into Namjoon. “He really, really needs the rest.”

“Would it be dangerous to give him something that would keep him asleep?” Namjoon asked. “Going with the assumption that it’s the witch’s brew’s side effects that’s waking him up and messing with his body’s system, would it mess with him more if we made him sleep?”

“I don’t know.” Hoseok said. “And honestly I’m too afraid to try. He’s so fragile to begin with…”

And nobody wanted to experiment on a fledgling to begin with. That was how they ended up in this mess to begin with.

“Let’s see how long he sleeps now.” Namjoon suggested. “Let’s try to keep track of his sleep cycle the best we can. Maybe there’s a connection we can find. Maybe hyung is right and he sleeps better when he feeds. We don’t need to have all the answers. We have more than enough threads to follow and questions that need answers. Let’s work on those first before taking on more.”

“This is why I love you, Namjoon-ah.” Seokjin said. “You’re so sensible.”

“That’s the least romantic thing I’ve heard in this house.” Yoongi walked back in with a small portable freezer and a beer glass full of blood. There was a tiny umbrella in it. “Drink all of this.”

Being a man of certain intelligence, Seokjin didn’t argue with his boyfriend and dutifully drank his blood.

“Oh this is fresh.” He commented.

“Killed a guy for you.” Yoongi responded casually and climbed back in the bed.

“Romance.” Seokjin said and sipped his blood.

A comfortable silence fell over them after that. Seokjin drank his blood – and oh he truly needed it, he hadn’t realized just how much Jungkook had fed from him – and his three lovers sat and watched their pile of sleeping fledglings.

Centuries ago Seokjin had refused to be close with anyone. He refused to have friends, lovers, he refused to have people around him. He’d been hurt before and he’d refused to be hurt again like that.

Anger had been easy. Seokjin’s fury burned bright in the dead of night.

Seokjin’s fury burned bright and ran red through the evolving streets of Korea. It painted him red and in return everything Seokjin touched was painted red.

Sometimes, when he held his loves, he saw that blood on them.

Namjoon with a handprint on his neck, Hoseok with blood on his chest, Yoongi’s face painted red, Jimin and Taehyung with matching slaps of red across their arms.

Jungkook came to him drenched in blood.

Seokjin put his empty glass to the side.

“Come here.” He mumbled softly. The dried spots of blood on his face were tugging on his skin as he spoke. “You’re all too far away.”

He barely held his chuckles to himself at the sight of them carefully crawling towards him. Yoongi sat on his right and pulled Jungkook’s legs over his lap, Hoseok sat on his left and gave a quick kiss to Seokjin’s shoulders, and Namjoon sat next to Hoseok with one arm reaching over as far as it could behind them. It was nice to be all huddled together like this.

Seokjin relaxed now that he was surrounded by his coven.

Jungkook made a noise in his sleep, his brows furrowing together, and Seokjin let out a gentle shush and rocked him lightly until his face relaxed. Jungkook nuzzled in closer and breathed in Seokjin’s scent and didn’t wake up.

“He has no idea, does he?” Namjoon murmured.

“No. He really doesn’t.” Yoongi answered.

“That’s fine.” Hoseok said. “We have an eternity together. He’ll learn.”

Seokjin hummed and watched his three littlest ones sleep in his lap. He kissed the top of Jungkook’s head and rubbed the tip of nose a little bit.

“Everything will be alright, little one.”

Hopefully, he wasn’t lying.

Chapter Text

The last remaining lights of the day had just disappeared over the skyline. Yoongi yawned loudly in the passenger seat, watching the outside world whizz by through the heavily tinted glasses. It was true that the sun didn’t make older vampires sleepy like it did with younger ones but Yoongi had barely gotten any decent sleep last night. It was early even for him. The night had barely just started and they were almost to their destination.

“We need to talk about your sleeping habits Yoongichi.”

“Please shut the fuck up.”

“You’re grumpy when you don’t get enough sleep.”

“We had this conversation already hyung.”

“Clearly it didn’t help, look at the state of you.”

Yoongi actually glared at Seokjin. The bastard man Yoongi was in love with wasn’t fazed by the glares.

“I’m sorry I’m not chipper at ass o’clock in the morning.” He deadpanned.

“It’s not that early –“

“The sun just set.”

“And the view was pretty!”

“We can’t look at the sun and the windows are impossibly tinted.”

“Yeah but I bet it was a pretty sunset. Sunsets always are pretty.”

Yoongi hadn’t seen sunsets in centuries. His imagination wasn’t creative enough to remember it either. Did Seokjin remember sunsets?

“They were pretty when I was alive.” Yoongi said.

“They were pretty when I was alive, too.” Seokjin said as the car came to a halt at the red light. “I’m sure they’re still pretty. There are still living people that look at it after all.”

Yoongi hummed, somewhat comforted by the thought.

“So what’s the plan for when we meet your witch?” Yoongi asked.

“We talk, and hopefully we only have to talk, and we find something useful.”

Yoongi hummed again, thoughtful.

“You didn’t plan anything, did you?”

“I’ve learned that planning is hardly ever useful when it comes to witches.”

“How many witches do you even know to say that?”

“Only the one.”

Yoongi snorted but after all, between the two of them, Seokjin was the one who had any experience with witches, so who was Yoongi to judge?

Being a supernatural creature didn’t automatically make a person know all about every single other supernatural creature. Every creature was too busy trying to figure out how their own breed worked to be bothered by other creatures. Sure, you get to know the basics but Yoongi was certain that human hunters had more knowledge about the things that bumped in the night that the actual monster that did the bumping in the night.

What Yoongi did know about witches – and witch-adjacent creatures – was that you had to be careful. Even good witches were witches. It wasn’t a good idea to anger a person that could change the fabric of reality. There were very few magical creatures that could simply make what they want into reality and witches were one of those few.

Any supernatural creature that worked with deals was a dangerous one.

“We just have to see if she can help in anyway at all.” Seokjin said.

“And you’re certain she will?”

“She owes me one.” Seokjin said. “At the very least she has to let me in her house.”

Yoongi hummed again. Having a singular bullet point for a plan wasn’t ideal to meet a witch but they were quickly running out of options – they had run out of options. They were so out of options that Yoongi had brought with him a vial of Jungkook’s blood in hopes of the witch being able to use it somehow to help despite how uncomfortable the idea of giving a witch something as powerful as blood was.

Yoongi watched another car pass them by and eyed the sunless skyline.

Jungkook…

Their fledgling had been in a deep slumber when they’d left home. Possibly the best sleep he’d had ever since the incident with Sungho. Before that though he’d still woken up screaming himself hoarse, fighting figures that weren’t there until one of them managed to break through his blind panic and he passed out on them. Hoseok had to remove Jimin and Taehyung away from Jungkook, something nobody was happy about but their safety came first.

It did seem like Jungkook slept a bit better after he was fed but not by much, or not for too long. His nightmares were still horrible and Yoongi was worried about the stress on Jungkook’s body. He’d survived this long, Yoongi needed him to hold on for just a little longer.

“Yoongi-yah, when we get there, be careful with your wording.”

Yoongi glanced sideways at Seokjin and nodded.

Yoongi wasn’t certain where a witch might live in modern day Seoul. He would have probably guessed the suburbs, out of the city and a tad closer to the nature – as close as one could be with nature here. Evidently, he would have been wrong, as Seokjin drove away from the louder parts of the city to the residential areas that housed middle-income families.

Here he was in an elevator going up the apartment floors that Seokjin seemed over familiar with. It was an older building, less technologically advanced than the newly made buildings but it wasn’t some rat infested apartment. It was just a building. It didn’t stand out, it would be easily forgotten. Maybe it made perfect sense that a witch would live here.

That being said, Seokjin stood out too much with his perfectly tailored three piece suit.

Yoongi could hear the muffled sound of life through the building. There were children playing, a couple arguing over a forgotten birthday, a TV loudly playing the news segment with one of the politician ranting, a glass being broken followed by a shocked gasp. The building was alive and it warmed Yoongi’s dead heart.

In the middle of the hallway they were walking through was an older woman with shock white hair. She was fumbling with her door keys, mumbling angrily to herself, before she finally managed to unlock her door. She picked up her grocery bags when she noticed their presence and gave a smile to Seokjin before quickly stepping inside the threshold of her front door and shutting it close.

Yoongi looked back over his shoulder as they walked by.

“Old friend?”

“I wouldn’t say friend.” Seokjin lead them down the hall. “But you know it’s hard to forget a face like mine.”

“Harder to forget since it doesn’t age.” Yoongi commented as they turned a corner.

“I’d like to think it’s because I’m handsome.”

“I’d like to assume it’s because all old people know each other.”

“You’re so lucky I love you.” Seokjin said before stopping in front of a door.

It was just a door. The hinges looked a little old for wear and its cream color was fading but it was just a door.

Seokjin stood straighter, his shoulders pushed back and his chin lifted just so as he leveled his expression.

It wasn’t war. If everything went well, this would only be a quick chat. But Yoongi had never met a witch and Seokjin had – if the old lady recognized him, he met this witch enough. If this was how Seokjin readied himself then Yoongi wasn’t about to be caught unprepared.

Seokjin rang the bell. It was almost comical to hear such a classic ring come from a door that belonged to a witch.

Yoongi noticed, belatedly, that he couldn’t hear anything coming from inside.

One… two… three… four… five… six... seven… eight… nine… ten… eleven… twelve –

The door pulled open and a woman stood in front of them. Her dark brown hair was tied up into a messy bun, her face was completely bare. She was wearing a fuzzy robe.

“Oh!” she said looking between the two of them. “Well this is a nice surprise.”

Seokjin gave a well-mannered bow, “It’s rude of me to come here unannounced, I know, but its important business.” He cocked his head up, still bowing, “Remember how you owe me one? I need to use it, finally.”

A small huh escaped from her lips and she looked between the two of them again. There wasn’t anything about her that suggested that she was a witch, much less the witch that Seokjin spoke so highly of, but then again most vampires didn’t look like vampires until it was too late.

“Well then.” She said, far too casually for a person with two vampires at her door step, before standing to the side. “You are welcome in for the night.”

They took of their shoes in the foyer and walked in with their socks.

For all intents and purposes, this was just another apartment room in Seoul. A classic floor-plan that was popular when this building was made. A decently sized living room, hallway leading down to the bedroom and bathroom, nothing Yoongi had never seen in his life. There were discarded mugs on the coffee table and the TV was playing a drama. It looked perfectly lived in.

Nothing witchy.

“I’ve met Seokjin plenty of times but can’t say I’ve seen you before.” She said as she flopped herself down to her couch. She motioned with one hand to the armchairs and, following Seokjin’s lead, Yoongi sat down, trying to be as comfortable as he could.

“Min Yoongi.” He introduced himself. Names have power but Yoongi would rather not annoy a witch trying to be smart.

“Hyewon.” She introduced herself with a gentle bow her head. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“We apologize for the late hour but like he said, it’s important.” Yoongi said.

Hyewon nodded, “It really must be if Seokjin’s using his one freebie.” She said. “And it’s not that late, or early for you guys I suppose, I haven’t even done my skin routine yet.” She reached for the remote and lowered the TV’s volume. “So,” she slapped her hands on her lap, “What is the problem, old friend?”

“How much do you already know?” Seokjin asked.

“Oh, something about a vengeful vampire running around turning people.”

Seokjin began explaining everything in detail from the start. The notice they got about odd activity, Hoseok and their fledglings finding Jungkook, the severity of his injuries, Sangwook and Han-chool and Sungho. He told her about Jungkook – sweet, darling Jungkook – and what had been done to him, how he was barely resting now. Seokjin explained everything one by one and Hyewon’s expression was one of deep thought.

“And you require my help in what way?” she asked after a long pause of silence.

“In any way you can.” Seokjin replied. “Truth be told, I’m not sure to what extend you might be capable of helping with our problem here but you’re the only person I know who can actually help.”

“If I were to give you a sample of Jungkook’s blood, would you be able to confirm if what’s in it is a potion?” Yoongi asked. “We ran the tests but I’d feel much safer if you can say so.”

Hyewon extended her arm, palm up, and wiggled her fingers.

Yoongi carefully reached into his bag and brought out the safety container carrying Jungkook’s blood. It was so stupid to give blood to a witch but – this was all they had. Yoongi glanced at Seokjin and when the Lord nodded, he stood up and carefully placed it in her hand. She held the vial up, twisting her wrist this way and that as she looked at the red liquid.

“We have too many questions and barely any answers.” Seokjin said.

“What are your other questions?” she asked.

“Anything you can do to help –“ Seokjin started but Hyewon tched. Seokjin paused, his face impassive but Yoongi knew when his lover was annoyed.

“No, not to me. I already know what you want of me.” She said and oh – right. Witch. It was her voice now. Yoongi didn’t understand what changed, for all intents and purposes, nothing had. She was still sitting the same way, her voice hadn’t switched, but there was something around her now. An aura.

Yoongi fought the urge to shift in his seat.

“What questions do you have?” she asked again.

“Where are Sangwook possessions?” Yoongi said. “What is his goal? Why –“

“And will these questions help?” She asked.

“Huh?”

Hyewon hummed to herself and one by one her fingers let go of the vial. Yoongi’s unbeating heart skipped in his chest and he made a move to reach for Jungkook’s blood but –

The vial didn’t drop and shatter. It floated. Bobbing up and down like it was in water.

“You wish to know what happened in the past that we are in this current present. Why did he do this? How did he do this? What does he want?” she said. “But does it really matter? You wish to heal the fledglings – it doesn’t really matter how the fledglings were harmed.”

Seokjin’s brows pinched together, “It would be helpful if we knew what was hurting them. It would be helpful if we knew the details.”

“Will it change anything?” she asked. “Even if you know the why and the how and the when – what is done is done. The fledglings are sick and dying and you have the off-spring of a would-be dictator in your cells.”

“It could change their chances.” Yoongi argued.

“Could.” She said. “Or maybe not. Life is full of disappointments – you will be disappointed if you don’t know the answers and you will be furious if you know the answers. Neither will help the fledglings.”

“Legally – I need concrete proof.” Seokjin said this time. “If I want Sangwook punished. I need to know how he did everything.”

“Do you?” She tilted her head the other way, amused. Yoongi didn’t like her smile. Yoongi didn’t like being here. “You’re Lord Kim Seokjin – I know what you are. You know what you are. You never need a reason for why you do what you do. No one can stop you.”

“I’m trying something new here.” Seokjin shrugged.

“Then ask Sangwook.” Hyewon shrugged in a perfect mirror. “Fools love to talk.”

The vial uncapped itself and flew closer to Hyewon’s face. She closed her eyes and sniffed the air. Her eyes flashed purple when she opened them again.

“I can confirm this is a witch’s brew.” She said.

“Can you confirm what the spell does?” Yoongi latched on, fingers almost touching something promising for once.

“It’s an enhancement potion.” Hyewon answered. “Makes you stronger, faster, you get the idea.”

“It is a correct potion, right? Actual, witch-made potion?” Yoongi asked again quickly. He didn’t know what way the whims of a witch may bend and he wanted to make good on the time they had.

Hyewon raised a curious brow at that and tilted her head to the side.

“What other kind could there be?” she asked.

Yoongi paused momentarily before deciding there was no use in hiding information from their currently most reliable source. He pulled out his phone and quickly searched through his e-mails.

“We have reason to believe that Sangwook took an actual potion from a witch, this one you see in Jungkook’s blood, and then tried to replicate it himself.” He found the mail with the correct files and tapped on it before handing it over to Hyewon. He didn’t know if Hyewon would understand the information written on the files but he hoped that she could translate it. “He failed, of course, but instead of super powered soldiers he ended up with a bunch of faulty, dying fledglings.”

“Interesting.” Hyewon drawled. “Certainly not the first person to attempt such thing but he just might be the first to fail so spectacularly.”

“Can you reverse it?” Yoongi asked, his voice coming out tinted with desperation he couldn’t bother to hide. How many questions were they allowed? “Is there a way to save the fledglings?”

“The universe has rules. Everything has a life span. Stars are born and burnt.” Hyewon said. Her eyes weren’t unkind but there weren’t any sympathy in them either. “These fledglings weren’t given a witch potion, they drank what a man made. There’s nothing for me to reverse. Their biology has been sped up, they were made quick, they were grown quick, and they will die quick. That is their fate. They cannot be saved.”

Yoongi’s dead heart dropped to his feet, a gasp stuck in his airways refusing to move. The silence stretched out in Hyewon’s apartment.

No. No, this couldn’t it. This couldn’t be it. There had to be a way to save the fledglings there had to be something – Yoongi was a man of science he had to be able to do what a witch couldn’t there had to be something –

“There has to be something –“

“I’m a witch, not a miracle worker.”

“Is there a difference? There has to be something that can be done-“

“What about Jungkook?”

Seokjin’s voice was even, calculated. It created a bubble of stillness before Hyewon turned her eyes on him. She moved like a serpent.

“What about Jungkook?” Hyewon repeated.

“The fledglings were given a concoction of Sangwook’s making. You confirmed that what Jungkook has in his blood is witch-made. Can you reverse what’s been done to him?”

Seokjin spoke with clear enunciation.

The witch’s lips curled into a sharp smile, all teeth and amusement. There was too much joy in her crescent eyes. Yoongi instinctively sat up straight, the hairs at the back of his neck standing up, a chill running down his spine. For the first time since coming here, his instincts were telling him to run.

He wasn’t sure if he could run fast enough.

“There you are.” She murmured, too loud in Yoongi’s ears. He gripped the chair tightly. “No matter how much you play pretend, we both know what kind of predator you are, my dear. Play the doting, loving Lord all you want, you always only care about what is yours.”

Yoongi’s face twisted, “Who do you think you are to –“

“Hush, child, the grown-ups are talking.” Hyewon’s eyes bore into Yoongi’s and he froze, self-preservation instincts over powering his protective rage at her insults.

“Can you heal Jungkook?”

Seokjin was sitting ramrod straight, proper etiquette as always, his voice betrayed nothing about how he might be feeling about what she said. The witch and the vampire lord stared at each other, neither of them blinking, neither of them backing down, neither of them scared by the other.

Yoongi swallowed thickly, uncomfortable in his own skin. This living room wasn’t big enough.

It didn’t happen often but every now and then Yoongi remembered how old Seokjin was.

And right now, he knew, he was sitting between two ancient creatures.

“I have to see Jungkook to answer that.” Hyewon finally spoke.

Seokjin narrowed his eyes, “And if I bring him, would it be to see a friend, or would I have to make an appointment?”

Hyewon grinned, “Ah, Seokjin-ah, I only owe you once.”

“The fledglings will die because they consumed a man-made potion.” Seokjin said. “Will Jungkook have the same effects?”

“He shouldn’t.” Hyewon said and Yoongi hated how she said.

“I understand.” Seokjin nodded and stood up. Yoongi stood up quickly as well, taking his phone and the Jungkook’s vial of blood.

“Wait.”

Hyewon scrambled up to her feet and disappeared down the hallway, leaving Seokjin and Yoongi to stand all by themselves in the living room while sounds of clattering echoed in the flat. It wasn’t long before Hyewon returned to them with a vial of her own.

“Don’t say I never do anything for you, friend.” She said and handed the vial to Seokjin. It was a diamond shaped vial and the liquid inside was a pale lilac.

“What is it for?” Seokjin asked.

“You mentioned your fledgling can’t sleep.” Hyewon said and tipped her chin towards the vial. “This will help him sleep. I know how important a proper rest is to vampire newborns.”

Oh – oh this was – This would help tremendously -

“Thank you.” Yoongi said in one quick exhale. “Thank you so much.”

“I can’t let my friend go home empty handed.” Hyewon said. “I hate being a bad host.”

With great care, Seokjin handed the vial to Yoongi and he quickly put it in the container next to Jungkook’s blood. This was huge. If Jungkook could get proper rest without waking up with nightmares, without undoing all his stitches, then he could maybe start to actually heal.

Maybe he’d have a better fighting chance.

“Thank you.” Seokjin said and offered a hand. Hyewon took his hand with a smile and gave a firm shake. “Once again, my deepest apologies for disturbing you this late.”

“Oh please, you can come anytime.” Hyewon waved a hand before leading them to her apartment door. “If I’m being honest, I’d love to see Jungkook.”

The euphoria of having a glimpse of a better was cut short by Yoongi’s instincts going haywire. It was absolute dread at the pure thought of Hyewon meeting Jungkook.

 “I need time to think.” Seokjin said instead as they crossed the door and got out of the witch’s den. He gave a bow and because Yoongi wasn’t stupid, he was bowed as well. “Thank you for having us.”

“Always a pleasure.” Hyewon’s eyes flashed purple and the door shut itself.

Yoongi watched the door for long few seconds before allowing himself a deep inhale of fresh air. He let it fill his rusty system and stretched out his fingers in an attempt to de-escalate the adrenaline rush coursing through his body. Impossible amount of flip flopping emotions in such a short time.

Yoongi hoped he wouldn’t have to meet anymore witches in his life.

Without a word, Seokjin turned on his heels and walked back down the hallway to the elevator. Yoongi watched him walk – head held high, shoulders squared – and sighed out his breath before trailing behind him.

They stood side by side. The dirty elevator mirror reflected nothing.

Yoongi glanced sideways.

“She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.” Yoongi said.

Seokjin said nothing.

Yoongi closed his eyes.

The elevator bumped as it moved through the floors.

“She knows enough.”

Yoongi opened his eyes.

“I know enough, as well.” He replied. “If knowing enough gives her words any weight, then mine should balance the scale. You’re not the same person you were hundreds of years ago, hyung.”

Silence engulfed them again.

Yoongi side stepped closer until his arm was pressed against Seokjin’s. They were cold creatures and any semblance of warmth was welcomed.

Seokjin needed the reminder, sometimes. Yoongi laced their fingers together and held Seokjin’s hand tight. Sometimes Yoongi wished he could get into Seokjin’s brain to hear what he was thinking so he could explain to him in detail why he was wrong. 

“I have work to do at the Underground, meetings I can’t ignore.” Seokjin said and this time he sounded more like himself. “Lord of Busan has finally arrived and apparently wishes to be on my good side.”

Yoongi nodded, “I’ll take a look at the fledglings again. Then I will talk with Sangwook, maybe he’s feeling chatty today.” He said.

Seokjin snorted and, for just a moment, squeezed Yoongi’s hand.

“Then?” Seokjin asked. “What about lunch?”

“Lunch sounds nice.” Yoongi nodded and squeezed Seokjin’s hand back. “And then –“

“And then?”

Yoongi exhaled air that didn’t exists in his lungs.

“I guess I’ll have to work a miracle and save the fledglings.”

“You’re not a witch.”

“No, I’m a doctor.”

Seokjin laughed and finally Yoongi’s shoulders relaxed.

He knew that this wouldn’t be solved with just one joke. Seokjin’s mind worked in an endless figure-eight and they would repeat this conversation properly when the right time came. Yoongi couldn’t change the past but he knew how hard Seokjin worked to change himself. He would remind him over and over again however many times Seokjin needed to hear it.

The car ride was mostly silent but the radio was playing music neither of them were really into so they got to make fun of stupid lyrics and questionable beats and it was almost like they’d never met with a witch.

The Underground was just as busy as any other day. Sometimes Yoongi wondered just how in hell there were this many vampires in Seoul alone but then again, the supernatural world was always bigger than they thought.

As always, people parted ways when Lord of Seoul walked by. No words were exchanged between the two of them as they separated to their own ways.

It was lucky that Yoongi didn’t have too much work to do in his office, two shorts meetings and answering some mails that could possibly help them. When he had a moment to take a break he sent a quick text to Namjoon, telling him to check in on Seokjin. The man might be a Lord and everything but he was their boyfriend first.

Yoongi yawned and stretched with his arms above his head, his chair creaking along with his cracking spine, before he slumped backwards.

He had to check in on the fledglings again. He had to find some sort of cure before they died. Enhancement potion. What kind of a moron was Sangwook thinking he could re-create something like that?

Maybe if Yoongi could break down what specific enhancements which fledgling got then he could work on something that could heal them, special to the fledgling instead of a cure-for-all. Hopefully, now that they were being properly fed and taken care of that it would give them a fighting chance but…

No. He didn’t have time to have doubts.

He had to check the fledglings.

Fools love to talk.

Yoongi grabbed everything he needed and made it out of his office.

The fledgling-wing, as they came to call it, was the same as usual with crowding doctors and nurses flitting from room to room and security standing guard at every corner. There were a few more new faces here – there had been increases in vampires interested in adoption after Seokjin’s… show with Lee Namgil. Of course, no one was permitted to leave The Underground with their adopted fledgling as of yet out of fear of something bloody happening.

It was nice to see them united in such manner.

Yoongi gave a quick nod of acknowledgement to his colleagues before entering the first fledgling cell and immediately pausing.

“Ah.” Said Jonghyun, sitting on the floor bed arranged for the fledglings. “I wasn’t expecting to see you, good doctor Min.”

“I wasn’t expecting to see you.” Yoongi said but then again, “I should have, considering.”

Eunjoo had her head on Jonghyun’s lap, snoring lightly in her sleep. Her hair was spread all over him, the trashy blonde dye clashing with the natural brown of her roots. She had a healthier glow to her skin now, her cheeks just a little fatter. She was clean in baby blue pajamas that were still slightly too large on her frame.

She wasn’t the only fledgling though. Hanging from Jonghyun’s shirt was a large, sleeping bat. Yoongi was so used to Jimin and Taehyung’s little forms that Nana’s considerably bigger form looked massive.

“She seems to be doing better.” Yoongi said, not specifying which bat he meant but there was little difference.

“She is.” Jonghyun replied just as vague. He threaded his fingers through Eunjoo’s hair. “She’s been sleeping longer and longer, not a full fledgling sleep but I’d say she’s getting there. The other doctors here say she’s picking herself up but –“ He gave Yoongi a long look, “ – why am I getting the feeling that you’re about to give me bad news?”

“The fledglings here were given a drink made by Sangwook when he tried to replicate a witch’s potion. He failed. Seokjin’s witch contact is unable to do anything about it.” He paused. “She says the fledglings will all die quick.”

Jonghyun’s hand stilled.

“She says so?”

“Yes.”

“And what do you say, Doctor?”

“I say bullshit.” Yoongi set his belongings on the table to the side. “I may not be a witch, I don’t know spells, but neither does Sangwook, I’ll be damned if I don’t try and find a way to save them.”

Eunjoo stirred in her sleep and tugged on her rabbit-themed blanket. That was a new addition. Jonghyun looked down at his fledgling with a fond smile and tucked in Nana closer to his chest.

“That’s good.” He said with a small nod. “The team here said that she was progressing well, still underweight and all but doing better than before. So why are you here?”

“I need her blood, again.” Yoongi answered as he took out a needle.

“You can’t use what you already took?” Jonghyun asked. Protective but not malicious. Yoongi couldn’t blame a sire for it.

“Unfortunately not.” He said. “My colleagues and I are also considering getting bone marrow tissue samples from the fledglings, we think we might have a better chance at solving what they were fed with that.”

Jonghyun made a face, “Isn’t that an… uncomfortable procedure?”

“Most medical procedures are uncomfortable.” Yoongi replied as he kneeled next to bed and pushed the blanket to reveal Eunjoo’s slender arm. Her skin tone was still a tad too sickly yellow but it was so much better than the last time Yoongi had seen her. “If we do it, I’ll have the fledglings under anesthesia, you don’t have to worry about pain.”

“Anesthesia won’t stress their bodies?”

“Not as much as you’d think.”

Yoongi numbed the area before quickly drawing blood. He kept his hands gentle, glancing at Eunjoo’s sleeping face to make sure she wasn’t feeling anything. He was done quickly and put the blood sample in a safe box.

Once he had the box locked Yoongi took a moment to pause.

“In all my time working in The Underground and beside Seokjin, I’ve never seen Lee Namgil grow a spine to such degree before.”

Jonghyun snorted.

“Now, he’s always been a sniveling, conniving, cowardly bastard who thought too much of himself, and we know what side he was on when Han-chool was on his crusade, but to think he’d ever actually speak the way he did to Seokjin…”

“You weren’t even there.” Jonghyun said, clearly amused.

“No, I wasn’t.” Yoongi agreed and looked at Jonghyun. “But vampires are such gossipy creatures. Also Namjoon was there.”

“Yes, he was.” Jonghyun nodded.

“Namgil would never paint himself such a target without knowing he had friends to back him up.” Yoongi carried. “Namjoon, of course, has found out these individuals.”

“Ah, problem solved then!” Jonghyun cheered.

Yoongi actually laughed at that.

“Right, and how long did it take for you to push them together like that?”

“The council being called wasn’t my doing if that’s what you’re asking. Even I’m not that disrespectful.” Jonghyun chuckled. “I’ve spotted a few rats and thought it would be best to get them dealt with. It just worked out that Seokjin was in a bad mood and needed a distraction. Can’t a man have hobbies?”

“U-huh.”

“Seokjin is my friend.” Jonghyun said.

“Seokjin is my lover.” Yoongi countered. “Gift wrapping rats is generous but how can I be comfortable knowing you’re pulling strings the way you do?”

Jonghyun smiled, warm and poised.

“Fair enough.” He said with a nod. “It’s true I push the boundaries, I toe the line too much, however I owe Seokjin my life. It’s a debt I can never repay. I may be annoying but I’m not here to overthrow the delicate government he’s created. I don’t want that – I don’t want that power.”

Yoongi hummed. Not convinced but hearing the sincerity in Jonghyun’s speech. Jonghyun was Seokjin’s friend, not Yoongi’s – not their coven’s either. Hoseok didn’t like the man. There was a past between Seokjin and Jonghyun that no one else was privy to. Yoongi trusted Seokjin’s judgment.

“Also – can you imagine the paper work I’d have to deal with if I killed the all-powerful Lord and took his place?” Jonghyun huffed dramatically.

Yoongi rolled his eyes good naturedly.

“If nothing else then I can trust you hatred of paper work.” Yoongi said.

“Now what?”

Yoongi looked over his shoulder with a raised brow. Jonghyun carded his fingers through Eunjoo’s hair, his other hand carefully curled around Nana’s bat form.

“You go and do your tests. You find results. Good or bad, you find results.” Jonghyun listed. “What now?”

Yoongi watched the way Eunjoo’s eyelids flittered as she dreamt, he watched the easy rise and fall of her chest as she breathed.

“Now you love them.” Yoongi said. “You make sure the time you spend with them counts.”

Jonghyun hummed, his eyes never straying from his fledglings.

“I suggest you do the same, Yoongi.”

There was too much finality in that sentence. Yoongi didn’t like it.           

What he didn’t like, he didn’t accept.

Yoongi had become a doctor in his life, before the word ‘doctor’ existed, because he refused to accept the fact that his parents were dying of illness. Yoongi had saved the lives of people in his small town because he refused to let them suffer through a plague. Yoongi had invented medicine from scratch in absolute poverty, he had travelled miles and miles to find rumored flowers that could heal, all because he refused to accept the reality sitting in front of him.

A witch was a witch and Yoongi was Yoongi.

He flitted between fledglings’ cells, gently drawing blood from the young ones and moving on. Once he had a sample from all of them he handed the box carrying the vials to one of the nurses with very clear instructions before facing a final door.

It led him far away from the holding cells, deeper into The Underground. Sangwook had been removed to a high security cell after his meeting with Seokjin. A dozen of guards were on duty until their time was up so another team could replace them, as well as a patrol team going around at all times. None of them bat an eyelash as Yoongi walked through them.

Yoongi didn’t need to be guided. He knew this area like the back of his hand. Once upon a time he’d spent weeks in these hallways for work. He knew where he was headed.

Walls were sound proof here.

Oh Sangwook’s face had gotten... not worse. Yoongi couldn’t use the word ‘better’ in good conscience. The swelling had gone down a considerable amount that he could see that Oh Sangwook did have a human face but he was still too bruised and battered to consider it healing. His nose was definitely broken, something he’d noticed when Sangwook had been first brought in but never gotten a chance to confirm it. His skin was still tender and puffy and still swollen at parts, still bruised purple and black.

Did Sangwook have any regenerative powers? It had been over a week since Jungkook did this to him and the man was just starting to show the smallest of progress.

Sangwook was tied to a metal chair with thick hand-cuffs. His wrists, ankles, torso, and legs were all tied with heavy chain which was then attached to the ground that had dried blood on it along with a fresh puddle.

He was shirtless.

Namjoon’s team had done some work on him.

Sangwook opened one eye – mostly because he couldn’t open the other – and huffed into what resembled a smile but Yoongi wasn’t too sure if that was what Sangwook attempting.

“Is this Lord Seokjin’s idea of a bad cop good cop play?” he asked. “Torture for answers, send in the doctor when it fails?”

“You gravely misunderstand Lord Seokjin’s idea of a bad cop.” Yoongi replied before setting his belongings to the side. There were cabinets and a desk and lots of drawers that held the many instruments used in this room. Yoongi’s were kept in a cabinet on the other side.

Sangwook didn’t speak back to him. Instead he watched him like a hawk, doing his best to appear unbothered but Yoongi could spot that combination of curiosity and fear from a mile away. He’d spent too much time in these rooms. Not as much as Seokjin but enough to know.

Regardless, he wasn’t here for that. He wasn’t here for Seokjin and he wasn’t here Namjoon or his team. He wasn’t even here for himself.

He was here for Jungkook. He was here for the fledglings.

Yoongi wasn’t particularly skilled in interrogations – or rather, he was skilled in a certain type of interrogation. A doctor’s precision and knowledge of the human anatomy worked in his favor sometimes.

However this wasn’t one of those times. He wasn’t here to cut Sangwook. Namjoon’s team had done it plenty until now and hadn’t gotten anything out of the man, there was no reason to keep using the same tactic and expecting a different outcome.

And those interrogation sessions hadn’t been completely useless. At the very least it informed them that Sangwook had a high pain tolerance and the mental fortitude to withstand being tortured. It just might be the most impressive skill Sangwook had shown so far – a detail that hadn’t gone unnoticed by Seokjin and their coven.

People weren’t just naturally good at being tortured. It was just another thing they had to dig around about.

Yoongi prepared his instruments next to Sangwook without making a show of it. He was a doctor now and his patient was in less than stellar form.

“If you think I will talk because you patch me up then you’re severely mistaken.” Sangwook said this time.

“I didn’t think you would.” Yoongi was perfectly honest. He pulled over a stool and sat down, facing Sangwook properly. “Now, tell me which one hurts worse.”

Even then Sangwook wasn’t particularly chatty but lucky for him he didn’t have to actually tell Yoongi what hurt the most, Yoongi could just look.

Yoongi took his time cleaning the deep cuts and the blood, observing the wounds carefully. They were obvious injuries: sharp knife cuts made by a person who knew exactly how to inflict pain. That wasn’t what Yoongi was looking for, anyway.

He watched how Sangwook hisses in pain or groan when he applied saline solution to his wounds, how he screwed his face in pain when Yoongi applied pressure. He purposefully didn’t use his power to numb Sangwook.

Sangwook felt pain. Maybe he felt a bit too much of it.

Aside from Sangwook’s very obvious cuts and places he’d been beaten – the man was skinny. Not in the same hungry way his fledglings were but not dissimilar either. They had talked about Sangwook being weak when Eunjoo had first told them that he made them hunt for themselves and then took their dinner if he liked it enough. Yoongi eyed the veins on Sangwook’s arm, how obvious the blue of it was against the patchy, almost yellowish tone of his pale and thin skin.

Even without the recent test results it was clear as day that Sangwook was sick. Yoongi just had to figure out what it was. The symptoms lined with severe silver poisoning but severe silver poisoning would have killed Sangwook by now. It had to be something else.

Yoongi made nonsense, one sided conversation as he stitched Sangwook back together with a care the man didn’t deserve but – he was a doctor. He had certain rules he had to abide by. Sometimes. Sangwook didn’t say anything back.

His body said enough. Yoongi kept a track of all the bruises, all the cuts.

Sangwook wasn’t healing, not with his illness and not with his cuts, this much was obvious. Yoongi just had to figure out why.

Ah, fuck it.

“If nothing else I think Han-chool would be proud of you withstanding torture.”

Through the pain, Sangwook snorted, his face contorting between actual humor and discomfort. His wounds weren’t infected at least.

“You never met him, did you?” Sangwook asked.

“I heard plenty of him.” Yoongi answered as he finished one stitch and moved onto the next one. He’d have to bandage a lot of these too, his body was an entire mess. “But I only saw him twice before he passed away.”

Yoongi kept away from the political side of things. It didn’t interest him and rarely ever served him to begin with. The only reason he knew what he knew was because of Seokjin. Whatever Seokjin had to keep track of eventually became something that Yoongi had to keep track of – in solidarity if nothing else.

Long before the attempted civil war the name Han-chool had been one that popped up consistently. This man that wasn’t a lord gaining more power as days passed by, someone Seokjin was keen to keep an eye on when his supporters grew. That keen eye had saved them.

The first time Yoongi had actually seen Han-chool in person had been when Seokjin himself had dragged him through the doors of The Underground. His clothes had been tattered, blood all over him as Seokjin loomed over his figure.

The second time, and coincidently the last time, had been at his execution. Han-chool had been dressed impeccably, hair gelled and stance poised. Yoongi remembered how his head had rolled on the marble floors.

Yoongi thought about the comment Sangwook made for a moment as he decided on the best way to stitch a large gash on his chest.

“So you’re saying I got his personality all wrong?” he fished for it as he began stitching again. The needle went through the skin easily.

Sangwook grunted painfully but didn’t say anything else, gripping the arm rests.

Yoongi paused and glanced up at him, “It’ll hurt more if you tense up like this.”

“I noticed.” Sangwook hissed. “Why are you doing this? Your work will be undone tomorrow.”

Yoongi shrugged, “Then at least you’ll feel better until tomorrow.”

He started stitching again after that, taking note that Sangwook was trying to relax. He was only half successful but it didn’t matter anyway. He finished the second stitch in silence, bandaged a light cut, before taking on a third deep cut that needed stitching.

“What was he like?” he mumbled out the question.

Sangwook tensed and Yoongi paused. He didn’t look away from the cut as seconds passed. Eventually, Sangwook relaxed, and Yoongi continued his stitching.

“Why do you care?”

“I only know one version of him.” Yoongi replied. A version of him that had committed war crimes. “Clearly you have better insight than I do. Got curious, that’s all.”

“And you said this wasn’t a bad cop, good cop routine.” Sangwook scoffed. He shifted in his seat and looked away sideways.

Sangwook may be a hundred-and-something year old vampire but his youthfulness and general lack of experience showed.

“It isn’t. Although I suppose it’s true that this is a good way to gather information.” Yoongi agreed. “Knowing more about Han-chool won’t help me. He’s gone. He isn’t the one in this chair being questioned.”

No, what Yoongi needed to know about was Sangwook’s motives. What Yoongi needed to know about was what Sangwook had used in his attempt to replicate a witch’s potion. Instead here he was nursing the bastard who had raped and killed Jungkook and having small talk with him.

Honestly, Yoongi didn’t even know how he kept his hands from shaking with rage.

He needed answers. He was desperate enough to do all this.

Jungkook needed help. The fledglings needed to be saved.

Sangwook rubbed his left thumb and index finger together, staring off into the great nothing of the walls. Yoongi held back the urge to sigh and continued his work. Namjoon’s team had fucked up Sangwook good so at least he had another thirty minutes to figure out something to get answers.

“He was a good sire.”

Yoongi nodded, “I’ve been told.”

“Right.” Sangwook said lazily. “What are their names again? The two Lord Seokjin took?”

“Does it matter?” Yoongi looked up. If he didn’t know their names already then Yoongi wasn’t about to tell him and potentially paint a target on their back. “If you cared enough to know you would’ve learned by now.”

Sangwook hummed, “No, I don’t care about those two. Never have.”

It wasn’t something in Sangwook’s voice that caught Yoongi’s attention. He wouldn’t be able to describe what it was – honestly Sangwook’s voice was fucked up and Yoongi wasn’t entirely sure what had caused it, screaming or lack of water – but he heard it clear as day.

Jimin and Taehyung had told them many times that they’d never met their sire’s eldest fledglings. They’d only gotten along with one and they’d been ignored by the older fledglings in their coven.

So he believed when Sangwook said he didn’t care about them – but he knew there was something more in that sentence he had to dig out.

“You weren’t interested in them at all?” Yoongi asked. “In my experience older fledglings are at least curious about newborns.”

And sure, Yoongi didn’t have too much of an experience, but Sangwook didn’t need to know that detail.

“Why the hell would I be curious about two whelps he found off the street?” Sangwook sneered and there was just too much anger for him to not care about Jimin and Taehyung.

Or rather, maybe he didn’t care about Jimin and Taehyung as people, but their existence obviously bothered him. Hell, Han-chool hadn’t even found them off the street. Still, Yoongi kept his expression impassive.

“For someone who doesn’t care about them you seem greatly bothered by them.” He decided to voice his thoughts. “But yes, they always mentioned Han-chool being a good sire. If their stories are anything to go by of how Han-chool treated his youngest fledglings, then I suppose you must have been severely spoiled as his first born.”

This seemed to have caught Sangwook off guard. His brutalized face softened as the man was lost in memories. Yoongi held the urge to roll his eyes. Great. Now the psychopath was having a moment.

Sangwook swallowed his emotions, “He was a good sire.”

Yoongi swallowed his rage, “Yeah?”

Sangwook hummed and gave a small nod, lost in thoughts and trying to put them in order. Yoongi was begging to a god that wouldn’t hear his prayers that something in that fucked up brain of Sangwook’s would be useful to them.

“He gave me a heavy sleeping pill before turning me so I wouldn’t get scared of dying.” Sangwook started. Yoongi had to admit, it was one the more considerate turnings he’d heard of. It was certainly so much better than what Jungkook had been forced through. “He’d set the dinners out in the grand balcony so I wouldn’t be afraid of the night. He’d give me a gift for every successful milestone. If I ever ask for something then he’d give it to me no questions.”

This was something Yoongi already knew about. Jimin and Taehyung had told them plenty about what a good sire Han-chool had been, an exemplary sire.

But it wasn’t what Sangwook was saying that caught Yoongi’s attention. And when Yoongi chanced a look up, it was written clear as day on Sangwook’s face.

Ah.

This – this made more sense, now. The small bits of information they’d gathered tied together neatly.

“You love him.”

Sangwook looked down at him with a momentary confusion on his face, like he was just realizing that Yoongi hadn’t known.

“You were lovers.” Yoongi sat up straight, stopping his stitching.

“We were.” Sangwook said. “We had been for – for decades until –“

“Until you had a fight.” Yoongi finished it. He remembered Jimin and Taehyung’s stories, things they knew and things they’d heard about. “And you left.”

Sangwook made a face, left arm pulling at the hand cuff tying him down. Yoongi didn’t flinch. He didn’t fear Sangwook. He narrowed his eyes.

“Why did you fight?” he demanded more than asked. Sangwook didn’t seem to notice the difference, instead he showed his teeth.

“Because he couldn’t keep his promises.” He hissed like he didn’t want to speak at all.

Yoongi raised a brow, “You said he always gave you what you wanted?”

“Not the one thing I really wanted.”

Yoongi narrowed his eyes. Sangwook loved Han-chool, they were lovers. He couldn’t keep his promises –

“Did he cheat on you?” Yoongi asked.

“No.” Sangwook spat. And then, much calmer, “No. No he didn’t cheat on me. Would’ve been much easier if he had.”

Ah fucking hell come on –

“What was it then?” Yoongi had to force his voice to come out natural and calm. He had to make it seem like he was just curious. He was curious – but this wasn’t a regular conversation. “What was the promise?”

Sangwook swallowed thickly and fisted his fucked up hands (Good. Eye for an eye, hand for a hand).

“I asked him to not have any other fledglings.” Sangwook finally said. “I made him promise. He promised. He promised after every single fledgling he made.”

“That’s why you fought, after the last two.” Yoongi said, still avoiding Jimin and Taehyung’s names. The two of them were only months apart. If Han-chool had promised not to have any more fledglings only to get another one just weeks after…

Sangwook snorted humorlessly, “We fought after the first time. We fought after all of them.”

Yoongi refocused on stitching to let everything sink in. One small, key information and everything they knew had to be shifted to fit the new narrative. Sangwook wasn’t doing all this in an attempt to get out of Han-chool’s shadow. He was honoring him.

“It was the final straw.” Yoongi concluded with a mumble, talking more to himself than to his audience but Sangwook was more than welcome to listen. “The final fight was too big to recover from, too big to be looked over with gifts and pretty words and promises. So you left.”

“You left. He died.”

Sangwook didn’t flinch. Sangwook didn’t blink. He simply stared dead-ahead at the wall.

Acceptance.

Sangwook blamed himself. This they got right the first time.

The needle went through skin once, twice –

“Did you know of his plans? When you left him?”

Thrice.

“No.” Sangwook replied. “I wouldn’t have left if – “

“If you knew he was planning a civil war.” Yoongi finished it off for him. He twisted the needle to make sure the stitch was in place – “Of course, you wouldn’t have left him alone with such a dangerous plan if you had known. Fledgling or lover, you wouldn’t have left.”

Yoongi glanced up at Sangwook through his lashes. He moved onto the next deep cut.

Yoongi was a doctor. Sometimes he was a surgeon. Precision was his forte.

“It’s interesting to think forty years ago the outcome could have been completely different.” He said casually. “You never know how the dominoes will fall.”

Butterflies flapped their wings forty years ago and Jungkook died alone.

The fledglings…

“That explains the way you’re treating your own fledglings.” Yoongi commented. “Do you truly not feel a connection with them? Is there nothing there?”

“Connection.” Sangwook scoffed. “What connection am I to have with them? They’re just a means to an end.”

“Right.” Yoongi said. “You felt no remorse feeding them a botched potion, making them sick, and abusing them.”

Sangwook rolled his eyes, “You’re saying like it’s all that terrible. You know their lives sucked before I got to them right? They would have lived miserable lives anyway.”

“So you gave them miserable deaths too.” Yoongi said. “And it wasn’t enough that you gave them miserable deaths, you had to turn them into failed test subjects. What made you think you could ever replicate a witch’s spell?”

A momentary pause filled the room as Sangwook finally seemed to listen to Yoongi’s words and notice that they were aware of his science experiments. It was a backwards way of working but Yoongi was glad to have confirmation about it anyway.

“They’re just fledglings.” Sangwook hissed like the word itself burned him.

“Of your own making. IF you hate fledglings so much then why make them.” Yoongi said. “How long did it take for you to realize you were failing, huh? How many fledglings burned because of your ego?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Yoongi hummed.

“I suppose you’re right.” He said. “I simply assumed you hated Jungkook in particular since he bested you within a minute of being reborn –“ Sangwook grunted angrily “ - but if your hatred goes all the way back to Han-chool’s fledglings… well, no wonder why you don’t like your own.”

“What would you have done?”

Yoongi hummed his questioning back, glancing up at Sangwook before looking down at the sickly skin under his fingers. Sangwook wasn’t a healthy person at all.

“If Lord Seokjin broke his promises to you, over and over again, what would you have done?”

Sangwook wasn’t subtle at the very least but then again, why would he need to be? Yoongi had him in an emotionally confusing though spot.

“I can’t say I know the answer to that.” Yoongi replied. “Seokjin isn’t my sire like Han-chool was to you. Seokjin also never broke a promise he made.”

Sangwook barked out a laugh and Yoongi lost his precision on his stitch. Now one of them was slightly lopsided.

“Never?” he asked, his shoulders shaking with laughter. “Never?”

The next cross of the stitch was perfect.

“Never.” Yoongi easily answered. “In all of the centuries I’ve known Seokjin, he never broke a promise he made.”

Some said it was Seokjin’s most honorable quality. Others said it was his most terrifying.

Sangwook’s swollen and bruised skin contorted grossly as his lips curled into a toothy smile that reached all the way up to his eyes. All Yoongi could focus on when Sangwook started to laugh were the few missing teeth in his mouth. Was that Namjoon’s team or Jungkook’s doing, Yoongi wondered. Hopefully it had been Jungkook.

“I bet he promised revenge.” Sangwook’s shoulders shook as he laughed. “Some nicely wrapped revenger for his freshly acquired fledgling, right? What grand dreams did he sell that whelp? My slow and painful death? My immortal rot in some jail?” a pause and then a snort, “Happiness?”

“You seem entertained.” Yoongi mused and finished the stitch.

“Thrilled.” Sangwook replied. “There’s a first time for everything, you know.”

Yoongi looked up from his work with a mouthful of replies but paused halfway.

Sangwook had moved his head to the other side now. Just under the hinge of his jaw there was a mostly unblemished area of skin – not beaten or bruised or covered with blood like the rest of Sangwook. Mostly unblemished. There was a faded scar the size of Yoongi’s thumb on this small part of Sangwook’s neck. The type of cut that left a scar after it healed – the same type children get playing outside or adults get being dumb.

It was a healed scar.

Seokjin’s perfectly smooth skin flashed in Yoongi’s mind.

Sangwook could heal. He had the ability. Sangwook healed the way humans did.

Did Sangwook need the enhancement potion for something else before finding his fledglings?

“There is a first time for everything.” Yoongi agreed. Fledglings with adult fangs and claws and their sire that healed the way humans did. Yoongi remembered the blood test results. Sangwook’s results. “Like a newborn beating his sire.” Yoongi said. “Now tell me, did that happen because you fucked up the dosage you gave him or are you just that weak?”

Sangwook’s laughter got caught in his throat and turned into a growl, his fucked up hands digging into the arm rests.

“I didn’t do shit –“ Sangwook forced out, “Fucking Sungho –“

Bingo.

He took in a deep, not-so-calming breath and closed his eyes.

Yoongi could take over from this point, smooth and easy, as he still kept stitching.

“Fucking Sungho found the actual magic potion.” Yoongi stated. “That’s the thing about having fledglings is that you have to keep an eye on them or when they start copying you they pick up bad habits, like not checking the labels. He used the entire thing on Jungkook, didn’t he?”

Sangwook’s anger was barely contained but contained nonetheless.

“Went through all that trouble to find a witch and to get a spell and he wastes it all.” Yoongi said.

“Shut up.”

“I’ll drop the subject.” Yoongi said instead. He glanced up at the faded scar once more. Would Sangwook be even willing to talk after this point? Yoongi had antagonized him a touch too much to remain a ‘positive influence’. He had to try, anyway.

“You’re sick.” He said. “You’ve been sick.”

Sangwook looked at Yoongi down his nose, the whites of his eyes (what little Yoongi could see, at least) were bloodied.

“Is that what you’ve been trying to figure out all this time?” Sangwook asked, in a slightly better mood than seconds ago. “I heard such good things about you but it took you this long?”

“I knew it when I learned that a seconds-old fledgling beat his sire.” Yoongi countered and ignored how Sangwook fisted his hands at the mention. “I knew it when I learned that you steal kills from your fledglings. I knew it when I read the results of your blood tests. You’re sick.”

Yoongi had mastered the art of keeping his voice monotone and still putting enough grit into his inflections. He’d learned it from watching Seokjin, yes, but Yoongi was proud of his version. Sometimes the lack of emotion did more than growling and hissing.

And it certainly added more when Yoongi did soften his voice into a curious one to say, “What I don’t know is what you’re sick with.”

One step removed, a curious scientist with a shiny test subject. Yoongi could do so much dehumanizing with so little.

Humored, or at least doing an admittedly fine job at pretending to be so, Sangwook shrugged one shoulder.

“Well, you’re the doctor.” He said. “Figure it out.”

Yoongi tilted his head, “You want to be healed?”

Sangwook huffed a small laugh, “Who wouldn’t want to be healthy? But I’m not stupid enough to think you would make me better.”

“I would.” Yoongi answered easily. If it meant that Sangwook would suffer the rest of his undying life, then Yoongi would heal him. “But like I said, I don’t know what you’re sick with.”

“No theories either?” Sangwook asked.

“The results I got lines with the effects of silver poisoning.” Yoongi said. “But silver poisoning lasting this long would kill you.”

“It would.” Sangwook nodded in agreement. Yoongi narrowed his eyes. “Do you have any other theories?”

“Currently, no.” Yoongi answered.

“Shame, then.” Sangwook said and closed his eyes.

Neither of them spoke another word as Yoongi finished stitching and bandaging all the cuts on Sangwook’s body. Tomorrow, Namjoon’s team would unleash a brand new torment of Sangwook. Yoongi hoped his stitch-work would be inspiring for them.

Yoongi left Sangwook tied to his chair in that holding cell with an urge to scream and punch everything in his way.

He didn’t do this.

Instead he soldiered his way through the halls, barely noticing how people stepped away from him, to Seokjin’s office. Seokjin might not be able to ignore all his important meetings but Yoongi sure as hell could barge into them as he saw fit.

The newest addition to Seokjin’s gaggle of assistants raised a hand in an attempt to probably say something along the lines of sir but Yoongi burst through the doors before she could open her mouth.

Lord of Busan jumped in his seat and snapped around to face Yoongi, his shock and anger at being disturbed morphing into barely hid frustration as he recognized Yoongi. Seokjin handled being interrupted far better than Lord of Busan, at least on the surface, with only a raised, questioning brow as proof on his face. Yoongi caught how he tightened his hold on his pencil though.

“Sangwook’s been sick.” He cut to the chase. He gave a quick bow to the Lord of Busan, “My lord.”

Lord of Busan, Mister Lee Jee-hyun, was a man stuck in his middle ages. Highly respectable in his own way and mostly very good at his job. One of those vampires that’s been around for a long time and got respect for their age alone.

Lee Jee-hyun’s face screwed together in confusion but Seokjin beat him to speaking first.

“We knew this?” he asked with a tilt of his head. “The test results?”

“We knew that he is sick.” Yoongi corrected Seokjin. “I’m telling you he’s been sick. He has a healed scar on his neck, faded into a thin white line. It’s at least a decade old.”

Seokjin’s cheek was smooth and pale – the scar Jungkook had given him was just a memory now. Vampires didn’t get to have old scars. It was incredibly rare and most of the vampires who did have scars got them before their rebirth or during their rebirth, or if it was inflicted with silver or something holy.

“I visited Sangwook.” Yoongi started. “Sangwook and Han-chool were lovers and the fight they had before Sangwook left for good was over Han-chool having fledglings. He did give his fledglings botched spells and it was Sungho who fed Jungkook the real potion. Sangwook’s been sick. He couldn’t have traded his health for the potion like we theorized.”

Seokjin blinked. “Are you sure you don’t want a position in Namjoon’s team?”

If they’d been alone Yoongi might have made a joke about being positioned under Namjoon but since they were in the polite company of another Lord, Yoongi did no such thing.

“I understand this will sound as if I’m questioning your expertise but –“ Jee-hyun leaned forward in his seat. “Are you sure Oh Sangwook is sick?”

Yoongi properly walked inside the room and took a seat opposite Lee Jee-hyun. He wasn’t bothered by the question, it was obvious the man had no ill intentions with it.

“When we captured Sangwook and the fledglings I had all of them tested. The fledglings took priority, of course, so it took some time before Sangwook’s results arrived. I’m not sure if you’ve seen Sangwook’s current look but he was badly beaten by Jeon Jungkook – one the fledglings he turned who is now under our coven’s care – and he has just started showing signs of minor healing. In the same way, the results of his blood test show that he has some sort of sickness. The symptoms of it line up with severe silver poisoning but he wouldn’t survive silver poisoning like this. So – while I’m at a loss for what sickness he could have – I’m hundred percent positive he’s sick.” A pause. “Especially since he agreed he’s sick.”

“Then we have yet another complication in this story.” Jee-hyun said as he flipped through the many files in front of him until he picked one. “As, per his registration file, Oh Sangwook’s power is healing.”

Jee-hyun held out the manila file in the confused silence of the room. Yoongi took the file and opened it, glancing over the boldly written titles of Busan City Fledgling Registration and Busan City Coven Registration to find the parts that they needed.

And sure enough, right there written with the same bold caption, was Powers: Healing.

“Sangwook’s healing and general regenerative abilities have been well documented in the past.” Jee-hyun continued as he handed Seokjin a different thick file. “He gained his ability early on as a fledgling, which is quiet a common factor for most of Han-chool’s fledglings. I suppose it was a, uh, a quirk of Han-chool himself to have special fledglings.”

“How does a man with impeccable healing ends up this sick?” Yoongi mumbled the question. “What are we missing?”

Seokjin set down the files in his hand with a deep hum. His brows were pinched together in thought as he stared at the words on the file.

“Lord Jee-hyun told me about the information he’s gathered in Busan.” Seokjin said. “My lord, if you could please share with Yoongi as well.”

“Of course, of course.” Jee-hyun said before going through the files again. “Once we were contacted and informed about the situation I started a team. Through co-operation with the police departments and morgues, we’ve found a number of corpses who match with the photographs of the deceased fledglings you sent us.”

Yoongi read through the files he was handed while Jee-hyun explained it. Sure enough, the bodies found in Busan matched almost perfectly with the bodies they’d found in the abandoned building they’d found Jungkook in. Twisted bodies that look more vampire than they should.

“So he started testing in Busan like we theorized.” Yoongi said. “Do we have a time line on these bodies?”

“In the files you currently have, the oldest body we found is six months old and the DNA matches with a missing person report from seven months ago. The newest one is fourth months old and the missing person report is five months old.”

“Quick deaths.” Yoongi mumbled. Quickly reading through, he could see that every fledgling listed died approximately a month or so after being turned. The longest one here would have been alive for two months only. He looked up from the files towards Lord Jee-hyun, “But these are the files I have… are there others?”

Jee-hyung handed over a different, thicker file with a sigh.

“Unfortunately a large majority of these bodies are far too decomposed to properly test and can’t be identified a hundred percent. However, they are of vampiric descent and what we could test did line up with all the other bodies found. Adding everything we have together, Sangwook started about two and a half years ago in Busan.”

Yoongi turned to Seokjin, “Did anything important happen two and a half years ago?”

“Nope.” Answered Seokjin, popping the p, in a very lordly manner.

Yoongi exhaled loudly and, defeated, sprawled all over the couch he was sitting on. Jee-hyun gave a similar sentiment as he threw the files on the desk.

“Every time I think we have some sort of lead, we end at step one.” Yoongi complained.

“We have some threads we can follow.” Seokjin replied. “We now know that Sangwook had healing powers and, at some point, he seems to have lost it. He’s also sick.”

“These two points got to be connected.” Jee-hyung said. “For my sanity, at the very least.”

Yoongi felt that deeply.

“Okay. Okay.” He sat properly again. “Let’s just – the things we know for sure. We know that Sangwook did make botched potions and fed them to the fledglings. We know that Sungho fed Jungkook the actual witch potion. We know that Sangwook had healing and now he can’t.”

“Unless Sangwook was travelling with a mini science kit at all times then he must have carried his failed potions with him somehow.” Jee-hyun said and turned to Seokjin.

“We’ve been searching for it since Sangwook was captured. It’s not in any place we know he resided in and he’s not exactly chatty.” Seokjin sighed.

“If we could find those I might be able to reverse engineer some sort of – “ Yoongi paused and shook his head, “I don’t know, miracle cure for the fledglings.”

“Namjoon and his team are running all over Seoul.” Seokjin said. “They will find something.”

Needle in a haystack but Namjoon was the right kind of stubborn to search for such things. If anyone could find it, it would be him and the team he trained.

Silence filled the room. There was so little they knew. Every time they found an answer it came with a spider web of more questions.

“What could make a vampire sick?” Seokjin asked after a moment.

“What could make a vampire with super healing sick?” Jee-hyun asked. Both their eyes ended on the resident doctor.

Yoongi gave an exasperated gust of sigh and waved a hand, “There isn’t anything.”

Because there wasn’t. Vampires could get sick, to some degree, but catching a cold wasn’t the same as whatever Sangwook was suffering from. The most common sickness came from vampires eating too much garlic with their food because everyone wanted their food to be tasty but nothing Yoongi knew matched with what Sangwook had.

His only clear base point was that Sangwook’s tests results looked damn near identical to a silver poisoning case – but that would kill Sangwook. Touching or being exposed to silver hurt but silver poisoning, severe silver poisoning like Sangwook’s, killed. Nothing sort of a miracle could save a vampire at that point.

What even was there that could produce the results that Yoongi got? There were only a handful of things that actively hurt vampires like this. Maybe he drank a fucked up potion himself? But that didn’t really fit with the barely-there timeline they had. Sangwook had to be sick for at least a decade and, at the point, they knew he only started with the fledglings two and a half years ago so – Yoongi fucking sighed again as thoughts raced through his mind.

It just didn’t make sense. Did someone attack Sangwook? Did someone purposefully make him sick? Did he fucking just chug silver -

Yoongi furrowed his brows and sat up straight. Jee-hyun and Seokjin both mimicked his movement, hope tinted in their eyes.

“My Lord,” Yoongi looked at Jee-hyun, “After Han-chool’s death, do we have information on when we lost track of Sangwook?”

“Ah, yes –“ Jee-hyun searched through the many files in front of him until he found the one he was looking for. “It says here that the last time he was seen is roughly five months after Han-chool’s death… though I cannot tell you why this wasn’t reported properly. Sangwook shouldn’t have been lost.”

The man seemed genuinely bothered by the office-work competence of the people under him and Yoongi could spot the second Seokjin decided to not drag Jee-hyun more about this.

Either way, Yoongi was following a thread of thought that he hoped could bring them some answers… It was just a theory and maybe Yoongi was trying to force puzzle pieces that didn’t belong together but at that very second it was the only idea he had to offer.

“What is it, Yoongi?”

Seokjin’s voice called Yoongi out from his mind. He took a second to gather his thoughts into proper sentences.

“Sangwook and Han-chool were lovers.” Yoongi said. “And they frequently had fights until the last one blew up too big and Sangwook left.”

Jee-hyun frowned, “Are you… suggesting that Han-chool did this to Sangwook?”

“No.” Yoongi said. “They had a one final fight and Sangwook left, and we don’t know how long they were separated, until Han-chool died.” He paused and then looked at Seokjin before repeating. “They were lovers.”

Seokjin’s eyes lit up with understand and even Jee-hyun caught up on what Yoongi was saying.

“When you first interrogated him, we talked about how he didn’t look like he wanted to survive this. We said he’d be a martyr for the cause – that wasn’t it. He isn’t doing this for revenge – or he isn’t doing this just for revenge. He fought and left his lover and then Han-chool died.”

Yoongi paused and licked his bottom lip.

“I would have to confirm it but –“ he shook his head. “If Sangwook tried to kill himself by poisoning himself, it’s very possible that his healing powers saved him. Instead of dying, it’s possible that his healing powers made it so that his body neutralized the threat – now he’s not dying of poisoning but he can’t heal either. He’s chronically sick with silver poisoning.”

“Han-chool died and Sangwook tried to kill himself. He’s not planning on surviving any of this. He hasn’t been for decades. This isn’t a deeply thought out master plan. It’s just the final Hail Mary of a grieving man.”

The results I got lines with the effects of silver poisoning. But silver poisoning lasting this long would kill you.

It would.

Everything they’d seen from Sangwook from the beginning made sense now. Sangwook loved Han-chool still. Putting himself in Sangwook’s shoes… Yoongi wasn’t sure if he’d react any differently.

“It… it does make sense.” Jee-hyun said in a low, thoughtful voice.

“Still, we’d need proof of it.” Seokjin replied. Then he nodded towards Yoongi, “I think you’re right though.”

“But Sangwook found a witch. Wouldn’t he try to get himself fixed instead of getting a potion he didn’t even get to use?” Jee-hyun asked.

“He’s a dead man walking.” Seokjin said. “I don’t think it matters to him much. He wants us to suffer the way he did.” He looked at Yoongi. “Would the silver poisoning of this level cause weakness in powers? Could this be the reason why Jungkook is able to remember being charmed by Sangwook even when he didn’t understand what was being done to him?”

“It could be but I’m not a hundred percent sure.” Yoongi answered. “Silver poisoning of this level causes death. I don’t have a verifiable way to answer this. It is a possibility though it wouldn’t explain how Jungkook is able to remember Sungho’s thrall on him.”

“An over-powered fledgling is still a fledgling, it could be that Sungho didn’t have complete control over his powers.” Jee-hyun suggested.

“But charms and thralls aren’t abilities that work half-way through.” Seokjin reminded. “It either goes all the way or it doesn’t work at all. If Sungho didn’t have control, he wouldn’t be able to control Jungkook at all.”

“You’re correct, of course, but these are super powered fledglings.” Jee-hyun said respectfully. “If I had to list everything that was against the laws of our nature then it would take a good ten minutes. Perhaps they can do things half-way…” he paused and then sighed, “Or, I don’t know, maybe Jungkook was just too stubborn of a human before his death.”

Yoongi wasn’t sure if he wanted to smile at that or not. Jungkook was stubborn. He had to be to survive what he did. And, with everything that was happening with this case, Yoongi wished that this mystery would have a simple answer. Jungkook was too stubborn. Sungho was too weak. Something easy for once, please.

They didn’t have a way to test or track this either. Sungho was dead. They couldn’t test him for it and even if he had been still alive – fledglings using any vampiric powers were based on luck more than actual skill. They wouldn’t get any results that they could rely on.

“Let’s just continue tracking what we have a good grasp on.” Seokjin said. He looked at Jee-hyun, “Continue investigating the missing person reports, I want a definite timeline. I also want answers as to why Sangwook’s disappearance wasn’t reported properly.” He turned to Yoongi. “The fledglings are the priority, work on them first, we can de-tangle whether Sangwook attempted suicide or not later.”

Yoongi and Jee-hyun agreed with sharp nods.

“It’s a very complicated case we’re dealing with but we have good people working on it.” Seokjin reassured them. “We just need to press on a little further and be smart about it. The answers will come to us eventually. Our biggest hurdle is for Namjoon and his team to find Sangwook’s missing possessions.”

Quick succession of knocks on the door interrupted them. Seokjin called them in and when the door opened it was one of Seokjin’s male assistants. He gave a quick bow before standing still.

“My apologies, my lord.” He said. “But there’s something that needs your immediate attention.”

“What is it?” Seokjin asked, one brow raised.

“Oh Sangwook, my lord. He wishes to speak with you.”

Huh?

Yoongi turned around to look at the assistant and when everyone in the room was staring at him in confusion, the assistant dropped the professional act for a second and gave an exaggerated shrug and shook his head just as confused.

“Well,” Seokjin tapped his hands on his desk. “We mustn’t make our guest wait.”

“I’d like to join you if it’s alright.” Lord Jee-hyun said.

“Of course.” Seokjin stood up, as did Jee-hyun and Yoongi. “The more the merrier.”

The walk (back) to the holding cell was at a much slower pace than Yoongi’s previous one. It was also much  more crowded than Yoongi’s previous one. Seokjin’s assistants all flocked to them at once, speaking at the same time but saying different things that Seokjin seemed to have no issue keeping up with.

There were also slightly more on-lookers this time around. Lord Seokjin was a common-place sight here, he owned it after all, but seeing two Lords, two big Lords, was enough to make people stop and openly stare as they passed by.

Yoongi could do without being gawked at but he’d gotten used to it over the years. It was just part of being in Seokjin’s coven, it was part of being his lover.

The guards saluted Seokjin, and to some extend Lord Jee-hyun, as they walked passed them. They didn’t offer to escort them through the deeper halls nor did they speak a word. Soon enough, Yoongi was in the same halls he was in only twenty minutes ago.

Seokjin entered first. Jee-hyun and Yoongi two steps behind him.

Sangwook was sitting, legs spread and shoulders worn down, staring at the stitches on his right fore-arm. Seokjin slipped his hands into his pockets and tilted his head.

“Did summoning me here give you the satisfaction you thought it would give?” he asked. “A tad weak for an attempt at regaining control but I don’t dislike it.”

Sangwook wasn’t good at hiding his annoyance or the fact that his ‘ulterior’ motive had been uncovered. Really, it wasn’t that different from their very first meeting together.

“Not as much as I hoped.” Sangwook answered. He looked up at them and regarded Jee-hyun with an impressed rise of his brows. “Two Lords in my presence? I’d curtsy but –“ he opened his palms upwards and jiggled the cuffs and gave his best shrug, “-  a little tied up.”

“I’ll make do.” Jee-hyun said, as monotone as Yoongi knew the Lord to be.

 “As much as I’d like to sit and chat we are busy cleaning up your mess. So –“ Seokjin nodded towards Sangwook, “- do get on with it.”

“Lord Seokjin of Seoul.” Sangwook said. The words came out well-practiced. “The most reasonable of Lords. The most amiable of Lords. Can’t I plead to you?”

“There’s no amount of begging you can do that will get you out of here.”

Seokjin’s voice wasn’t cold but it lacked any human emotion. Yoongi glanced at the wide line of his shoulders. Just how much was he holding back to not eviscerate Sangwook to shreds right then and there?

“I thought this was a democracy? Isn’t a plea bargain my right?”

“It’s a democracy as long as I allow it be so.” Seokjin said without missing a beat. “Your crimes are beyond forgiveness.”

“I don’t want forgiveness.” Sangwook said like the idea of it was ridiculous even to him. Suicidal. Sangwook wanted his execution. “I called you her because I think you might agree to this. A sweet plea deal that makes everyone happy.”

“And what exactly it is that you want here?” Seokjin asked.

Sangwook leaned back in his chair and sat as proper as he could with all the chains bound to him. He was only looking at Seokjin.

“I will confess.” He said. “I will confess to everything and I will tell you everything you need to know. I’ll tell you how I found the witch, I’ll tell you which witch helped me, I’ll tell you why I’m doing this all, I’ll tell you where to find all my items that I know you are searching for. Every question you ask will get an honest and truthful answer. Of course, only if you promise to keep up your end of this deal.”

The offer was too good to be given so easily. It didn’t take a genius to see a trap. But they were here and they had to test all their options and Seokjin wasn’t stupid.

Seokjin whistled, impressed.

“Mighty offer you got there.” He said. “And what do you think you’ll get in return? To be acquitted of your crimes? A grand pardoning of Han-chool? A nice last meal?”

“No, no. Nothing like that.” Sangwook said. “I don’t want any of that.”

“Then what would it be?”

Sangwook brutalized face was serene.

“I wish to meet our fledgling.”

Chapter Text

Whoever came up with the notion that supernatural creatures like vampires must have fascinating lives would be devastated to know the truth.

If one needed to be more descriptive of the situation; Taehyung stared at the ceiling and periodically scrolled through Twitter in hopes of beating the absolute boredom he was in. Next to him, Jimin was doing the exact same thing. Neither of them had spoken a word in hours. They just kind of hoped something interesting would materialize from thin air.

They didn’t get to play with Hoseok since he was watching over Jungkook. It wasn’t like Taehyung was upset, this was literally Hoseok’s job, but Hoseok didn’t want them too close to Jungkook in case he had a nightmare and hurt them.

Jungkook had a lot of nightmares, some of them violent, but Taehyung didn’t think Jungkook would hurt them.

Hoseok was usually never this strict, so they dutifully stayed away from Jungkook.

So, here they were, bored.

It didn’t help that even Jimin wasn’t doing anything interesting. He wasn’t even kissing Taehyung!

Noooo, Jimin was lying right next to him staring at the same ceiling and not entertaining Taehyung. Honestly, it was very rude. That was like Jimin’s number one most important duty in his life.

Taehyung plopped his phone carelessly next to him. He stretched his arms above his head, a small grunt squeaked out of him as his back arched off of the bed before dropping himself back down. He turned on his side to stare unblinkingly at Jimin who was staring unblinkingly at the ceiling.

It was unfair how beautiful Jimin was. The easy curve of his nose, the plump lips. The line between his brows was messing it up. Taehyung didn’t like that small line. It only appeared when Jimin was thinking too hard on something.

“Jimin-ah… what’cha thinking about?”

Jimin’s lips parted silently for a moment before he answered.

“Han-chool.”

Ah… ah.

“Ah.”

“Sorry.”

Taehyung frowned, “No, don’t be sorry. You have nothing to be sorry about.”

Jimin turned on his side to lay facing towards Taehyung, mirroring him, and the two of them completed each other.

To say that the topic of their sire was a sore spot would be a severe understatement. It was a complicated burden they had to carry and neither knew how to really handle such a weight. Either they spoke about him in hushed fleeting moments or they spent hours going on about it.

It wasn’t easy to talk about. Neither of them ever knew how to start, where to start…

Their sire was killed and they were dating the man who killed him.

How do you talk about that?

They didn’t, most of the time.

In moments like these they didn’t get much of a choice of ignoring their past.

Taehyung remembered cuddling with Han-chool when he was first turned, scared and confused and latching onto his sire with all his strength. He remembered how Han-chool would play with his hair every time Taehyung fled to him scared, how he pressed kisses to his forehead and said everything would be fine.

Han-chool had been the only person Taehyung had seen during his first week as a little fledgling. Day in and day out, Han-chool had been with him to help him through the process. Taehyung had been very sick during his last days as a human and it made him a weakly vampling that Han-chool doted on relentlessly.

Taehyung remembered being lonely.

Han-chool had been with him whenever he could but he’d been a busy man and work didn’t stop for fresh fledglings and their sires. Han-chool had done what he could to ignore his responsibilities and the time spent with him was the best but it had always ended. More often than not Taehyung had wandered the long, empty hallways of Han-chool’s mansion in hopes of finding someone other than the staff who always ushered him back to his nest. It had seemed to Taehyung that no one wanted him to be seen if Han-chool wasn’t personally chaperoning him around his house.

So Taehyung had stayed in his room, in his nest, and counted minutes until his sire came back to him. Hours were too long and Han-chool wasn’t with him enough.

Taehyung remembered meeting Jimin.

Beautiful, beautiful Jimin illuminated by the pale moonlight lying in their sire’s bed. His hair had been a halo around his face, his pouty lips parted in his state of half-asleep. If Taehyung closed his eyes now he could take himself back to that singular moment where the universe had paused long enough for Taehyung to witness Park Jimin for the first time.

That giant mansion wasn’t so lonely suddenly. Just a single Park Jimin was enough to fill it with life.

A single Park Jimin was enough to breathe life back into Kim Taehyung.

Sure, Jimin had tried to kill Taehyung but honestly that was on Taehyung for scaring him. Jimin hadn’t even known Taehyung was living in the mansion – that’s how separated and lonely it had been. The two of them had lived in the same house for weeks without knowing of each other’s existence.

Two hours after Taehyung saw Jimin and Jimin tried to kill Taehyung, they had been sneaking around in the hallways carrying pieces of Taehyung’s nest to Jimin’s room. They hadn’t been very sneaky, all jittery new-born energy and no grace, and they’d been caught by the very disgruntled staff.

Han-chool never gave them a straight answer on why he never told either of them about the existence of the other beside some off-handed comment about how he considered they could have been a potential danger to each other but he was more than happy to oblige to their demands to be allowed together.

From that point on Taehyung and Jimin had been attached at the hips. Rarely had been there a moment where they weren’t together. Han-chool even fed the two of them at the same time despite how it would tire him.

All in all… Jimin and Taehyung had had their own little world inside the walls of Han-chool’s mansion.

No one ever prepared you for the pure, horrifying loneliness that came with being a vampire. No one could prepare you for losing everything you ever knew in one swift bite of fangs. One moment Taehyung had had a family, a home, a life; the next he had nothing.

All Taehyung had had, after, was Han-chool and Jimin.

Then, all he had as Jimin.

They didn’t talk about Han-chool in this coven unless Jimin or Taehyung initiated the conversation. It was better this way, Jimin and Taehyung preferred it this way. Sometimes Taehyung clung to Seokjin weeping with an unbearable sadness that he couldn’t understand. Sometimes Jimin hid under the beds in a fearful trance, waiting for the wrong sire to bring him a sense of safety.

Sometimes… sometimes they did talk about it.

Seokjin didn’t kill Han-chool out of a personal vendetta. It was an execution, not a murder. And they had known even back then that their loving sire wasn’t all that good of a person.

They never knew of his plans. Han-chool kept that part of his life – honestly, ninety-five percent of his life – hidden from them. If Taehyung was being honest, he wasn’t sure if he would have done anything if he had known of his plans. Could he have?

What could he have done? Would he have stood by Han-chool’s side while he committed war crimes in his quest for power or would he have opposed his sire?

Taehyung didn’t know. Taehyung wouldn’t know, anyway. That’s not what happened and it would never happen.

Han-chool left for work one regular day and didn’t come back for a week.

At the end of the week, Taehyung and Jimin woke up to the sounds of staff running amok in the mansion, ransacking and fleeing with whatever they could carry.

At the end of the week, Kim Seokjin was at their door.

It was only then did Taehyung and Jimin understood what the sudden, bottomless empty feeling in their core meant.

The connection between a sire and a fledgling was more physical than one would imagine and its lack of presence wasn’t something you could ignore. Once, Taehyung could walk completely blind in any direction and know that he would find his sire. Now…

The tether was cut. It led to nowhere. The emptiness it created couldn’t be filled with anything.

The Kim Coven was made of incredible people that Taehyung loved more than anything but it didn’t change the fact that, at the end of the day, none of them were their sires. There was nothing to be done about it. They couldn’t take away the lingering cold of losing a sire. It was physical, it was always there. It wasn’t something Taehyung could ignore or forget.

“It sucks.” Jimin said finally when the silence filled too much.

“It sucks a lot.” Taehyung agreed.

They couldn’t say anything more than that because they didn’t know how to. They didn’t know what to say. Nothing helped with the pain of losing a sire.

Taehyung wished Jungkook never learned that pain.

He gingerly lifted a hand to trace his fingertips across the soft fat of Jimin’s cheeks. Jimin’s eyes fluttered shut with a gentle sort of hum and relaxed into the mattress.

“Jungkookie will be fine.” Taehyung said. He didn’t know how he was so sure but he was. Jungkook would be okay, eventually.

When Jimin opened his eyes there was something pained in them, in how he furrowed his brows together.

“Do you – do you think –“ Jimin cut himself off. Taehyung kept tracing his fingers over his cheek. When Jimin opened his mouth again, he was speaking in a hushed tone. “Do you think this is because of us?”

“No.” Taehyung was quick to shut that thought down, his voice coming out firmer than he expected it to be. “No, it’s not.” He said and this time he pulled Jimin into his arms. “We didn’t even know Sangwook. We never met. We never knew Jungkookie either. And how could he have known that Jungkook would survive what he did and end up with us? No. No it wasn’t our fault.”

It couldn’t be. Taehyung hadn’t even known about the existence of Han-chool’s older fledglings until weeks later and even then he’d only met one. Hell, if it came out of that the older fledglings in question never even existed then Taehyung wouldn’t be shocked.

Taehyung never met Sangwook. He knew Jimin didn’t either. They had no connections to Jungkook prior to all this.

Jimin relaxed a little in Taehyung’s arms and gave a small nod in agreement.

“I just don’t want Jungkook-ah to hurt anymore.” Jimin mumbled.

Taehyung made a face, “Yeah… yeah, neither do I.”

It was hell whenever Jungkook woke up screaming and thrashing. Taehyung understood why they weren’t allowed to be with him but he hated it. He hated waiting out the bedroom listening Jungkook banshee scream in absolute terror, he hated being unable to help.

Those moments when it was deemed safe enough for Jimin and Taehyung to be with Jungkook were a relief to Taehyung’s damned soul. They never lasted long enough but Taehyung soaked up what limited time they had with a peaceful Jungkook.

It’s why Taehyung was annoyed that he was here with Jimin instead of being cuddling with Jungkook. Jungkook had been asleep for a good while now but Hoseok hadn’t called for them, meaning they couldn’t go in there. It was bullshit. How badly could Jungkook hurt them? He was injured in practically all parts of his body and could barely sit up straight.

They should be with Jungkook. Like when they were bats. It had calmed Jungkook down, it was helping, and Taehyung knew it.

“No one’s called for him.”

Taehyung kissed the top of Jimin’s head. It smelled of strawberries.

“His neighbor knows he’s fine.” Taehyung tried.

“Not what I mean.”

Taehyung sighed. “No… I know.”

No one had called for Jungkook. No one had searched for him. Jungkook had no one looking for him. No friends, no co-workers, no family. No one had tried calling Jungkook’s phone. No one had gone to the police.

Jeon Jungkook disappeared off the face of earth and no one cared.

Jeon Jungkook died and had no family to mourn him.

During his last year as a human, Taehyung had been alive enough to be slowly dying by a disease that no doctor could cure. Taehyung remembered travelling from hospital to hospital, weak and hurting but surrounded by his family through every step. He remembered the washed out brown headscarf his mother wore, he remembered the once-blue button up shirt his father had, and he remembered how they held his hands every time the doctors came with needles, injections, or bad news.

They stood by him as his health deteriorated rapidly, clutching to his too-cold and too-bony hands in desperation. Jokes had dwindled, the spark in his parents’ eyes had disappeared, and Taehyung had been so tired.

For all that they were with him, they missed Taehyung’s death.

Han-chool hadn’t.

Taehyung didn’t know what Han-chool had done that he’d taken Taehyung out of that hospital. He didn’t know if he did anything at all, if the hospital just let him take Taehyung away. He didn’t know what they told his parents.

But he’d watched from a distance as his parents sobbed over an empty casket, with his mother clutching a letter that had miraculously appeared in her handbag.

Taehyung had worked hard on that letter. A final goodbye to a family he could never go back to.

Han-chool had had people keep tabs on his family for Taehyung and every now and then he would get an update from his family. Seokjin did the same, too. Last Seokjin had checked, they were alive.

They were alive and so very old and still mourning their son after fifty years.

Jimin… well… well.

Jimin was, at best, secretive about his life before being turned. At worst he was a complete guard dog lashing out at the first sign of someone else sniffing in too close for comfort. Taehyung was lucky in the sense that, since they were soul mates and all, he could poke the bear a little more than the rest and be allowed to keep his hand.

Still, Taehyung barely knew any more than what their coven knew.

The story of Park Jimin went a little something like this;

Park Jimin was one child out of a dozen. Park Jimin was the runt of the litter. Park Jimin’s family didn’t have much – if they had anything at all. Park Jimin lost most of his siblings at some point in his life. Park Jimin’s mother was consistently pregnant and Park Jimin’s father was consistently drunk.

However there were details that even Taehyung wasn’t sure about.

Park Jimin was one child out of an unspecified number. Park Jimin wasn’t the youngest. Park Jimin lost his siblings because they died or they went missing. Park Jimin’s mother was a drunk and Park Jimin’s father was a gambler.

Park Jimin was either kicked out of his family home or Park Jimin ran away from his family home.

The inconsistencies in the story stopped only at one point; No one called for Park Jimin when he went missing.

Not his unspecified amount siblings. Not his drunk and pregnant mother, not his drunk and gambling father. No one called, ever, and no one read the letter Park Jimin left for them after he was reported dead.

Park Jimin didn’t get a funeral.

Park Jimin had been abandoned.

No one had searched for Park Jimin.

No one was searching for Jeon Jungkook.

Taehyung pulled Jimin closer.

Jimin didn’t talk about what had happened to him in between the time he’d been kicked out/ran away from home. He didn’t talk about how he survived, if he’d had a place to live in, if he’d had friends, if he’d been safe. He didn’t talk about how Han-chool found him.

“It’s only been a little over a week.” Taehyung tried this time. He snuck one hand under Jimin’s shirt and ran his palm over Jimin’s spine in what he hoped was a soothing motion. “A week isn’t that long for someone to think something bad might have happened. They might call later.”

“Maybe.” Jimin relented.

Taehyung would take it. For now, he had to make do with this.

He rubbed his nose over Jimin’s crown and huffed a little. Jimin wiggled half-heartedly in his arms but did nothing to break free. He tapped his fingers over Jimin’s spine, not tickling but definitely achieving the intended purpose when Jimin giggled and pop went all the tension.

Taehyung’s fingers got greedy and Jimin’s giggles turned into proper laughter while his weak attempts at shoving Taehyung away turned into actual pushes to break away from Taehyung and his ticklish hands. Taehyung had the advantage though and Jimin suffered a truly terrible tickling.

“St – ah, ahaha! Stop! Tae-yah!” Jimin kicked him in the shin, twisting at the waist to turn away. Taehyung used the opportunity to get a bite at his neck. A nibble, really, but Jimin kept giggling and giggling. “Tae! “

Taehyung meant to say what?

It came out as a muffled waff?

It was so hard to talk with your mouth full. Hoseok always chided them for it but in Taehyung’s defense he wasn’t biting hard enough to draw blood, his teeth were barely in, and it was Jimin’s neck.

“Stop it!” Jimin trashed against the bed. Taehyung had an iron grip on him. The demand could have been fiercer if Jimin wasn’t laughing up a storm. Probably. “I’m – ahaha! – se-serious!”

Taehyung stopped biting him and blew a raspberry on the spot he left fang marks. He did not stop tickling Jimin.

“W-wa-wait – “Jimin shimmied a little in a new attempt to break free. “Do yuh – he- hear that?”

Oh but it was a cruel trick to use Taehyung’s innate curiosity against him. Taehyung had to focus to hear better and he had to stop tickling to focus. Mean. Taehyung did stop but he didn’t let go.

The sound of Jimin’s heart going off was deafening at first but Taehyung had good teachers. The loud engines of cars below them came to him first and he ignored it. Through the walls he could make out the gentle hush of Hoseok’s voice as he spoke to Jungkook but not the words he was saying.

And slowly, so slowly, he began to pick of on two rhythmic noises – pat pat pat pat – coming from out of the house. Footsteps!

“Jin hyung.” Taehyung opened his eyes and sat up straight, unceremoniously pushing Jimin to the side. His soul mate went flying with an undignified yelp but didn’t fall of the bed. Instead he shot Taehyung a nasty glare.

“Yoongi hyung too, I think?” Jimin tilted his head as he tried to hear better. “And Joonie hyung, the heavier steps, right?”

Taehyung squeezed his eyes tight. He could hear the rough stomping of Namjoon but Yoongi’s feet were completely missing for him.

Jimin and Taehyung were skipping down the hall before the front door opened.

The older vampires were taking their shoes and jackets off in silence. It didn’t take a genius to figure out Seokjin was in a bad mood. It was in the tight hold of his shoulders, the rigid movements as he hung his long coat. The most obvious one being that he didn’t immediately look up at his two fledglings rushing down the hall to greet him. That one was a crime in Taehyung’s opinion but he was forgiving.

Luckily, Taehyung and Jimin were the perfect solution to Jin’s bad moods. They had this perfected down to an art form. Because, honestly, in Taehyung’s very humble opinion, how they moved in tandem was nothing short of art. The type Namjoon would wax poetic about for hours.

Taehyung went to Seokjin with a happy little chirrup, and nuzzled under his throat. Being the same height sometimes made it a tad awkward but Taehyung had learned to make himself small to fit into Seokjin. It was no problem for him to duck his head low and lazily wrap his arms around Seokjin’s torso.

It wasn’t even a second before he felt Seokjin’s entire body relax under his touch.

Big scary vampire lord, yeah right. Kim Seokjin was a teddy bear.

Seokjin shifted his weight, testing Taehyung’s strength – he was strong, thankyouverymuch – before leaning on him entirely and going boneless. Taehyung held him up easily, rubbing his head cheekily against the side of Seokjin’s head.

“Seems like you guys had a long day.” Jimin commented from his side. He was happily sandwiched between Namjoon and Yoongi, chirping when Namjoon nipped at his shoulder.

Yoongi let out long sigh, “Yeah, yeah, you could say that.”

“Gonna share with us?” Jimin asked.

“In a minute.” Seokjin answered. His voice was muffled against Taehyung’s shoulder.

Taehyung was so good at his job.          

Namjoon smiled at them and ruffled Taehyung’s hair as he walked past them further into the house. Taehyung kept an eye on him, took in how he was walking, how he was holding himself. He looked fine enough. Taehyung would have to drape himself over Namjoon as well, later, just to make sure.

Jimin and Yoongi were already starting to bicker in between kisses so that was all sorted out.

Taehyung refocused on the over-grown octopus of a man Seokjin had become over the last minute. He ran his palms up Seokjin’s back until his fingers were tangled in his hair, nails lightly scratching his scalp. If possible, Seokjin relaxed even more into Taehyung.

The fancy cologne Seokjin put on was starting to wear off and the suit he wore wasn’t nearly comfortable enough to be doing this but Taehyung ignored it. Instead he kept playing with Seokjin’s hair, rubbing his cheek over the side of Seokjin’s face, letting out little chirrups.

For such a complicated person, Kim Seokjin was a simple man.

Yoongi kissed Taehyung’s bicep as he was dragged away by Jimin without missing a single snappy reply to the fledgling holding his hand. Taehyung grinned at him and made a kissy face after him.

Taehyung turned his attention back to Seokjin.

“That bad, huh.” he murmured. Not a question but Seokjin hummed back in response anyway. Taehyung kissed the side of Seokjin’s head again. “Jungkook’s been asleep for a good while.” He offered.

There was a pause and then slowly Seokjin found his footing and pulled away from Taehyung, actually carrying himself. He cupped Taehyung’s face with both hands, eyes so tired, and smiled at him.

If there had been any air in Taehyung’s long-dead lungs, it’d be punched out of him at the sight of Seokjin’s smile.

“You’re too good, you know that?” Seokjin asked, one thumb rubbing under Taehyung’s eye.

I’m the best, was what Taehyung wanted to say, cocky and flirty all at the same time.

What came out instead was a pitchy chirp because Seokjin looked at him like that and honestly Taehyung wasn’t strong enough to deal with it so he just stared at Seokjin like an idiot in love because he was in idiot in love.

Seokjin chuckled and gave him a proper kiss, one that was almost human-warm.

“Come on.” Taehyung smiled against Seokjin’s lips. “Let’s go see the baby.”

The baby in question was being fussed over by Yoongi and Hoseok when the duo walked into the bedroom. Neither of them looked particularly worried about the fledgling so Taehyung relaxed as he pushed Seokjin toward the bed.

“He’s been asleep for a good bit now though.” Hoseok finished explaining as Yoongi started to carefully examine Jungkook’s bandages.

“Not great.” Jimin commented from where he was perched on Namjoon’s lap like an overgrown cat, “But it’s not worse either.” He waited a minute and then his confidence wavered. He looked between everyone, “Right?”

“I’d say so.” Hoseok answered. His hair was disheveled and Taehyung reached out to fix it, finding a small speck of comfort when Hoseok leaned closer to let him help.

“These look good.” Yoongi finished checking the bandages. “No infections.” He looked at Jimin and nodded, “Not great but not worse. I suppose that’s going to be repeating far more often than we think.”

Seokjin carefully sat down on the bed, slowly inching closer to Jungkook. He hand his hand through Jungkook’s face, his lips quirking into a faint smile when their fledgling instinctively followed his touch. Jungkook was still asleep but Taehyung dared to say he looked happier now that Seokjin was with him.

“So.” Taehyung said. “Jimin and I had a super boring day so we don’t have any fun stories to tell.” He shrugged. “How did it go with the witch?”

“I never want to meet a witch ever again.” Yoongi answered, his lips pressed tightly as he fussed over Jungkook some more.

Taehyung watched him for a moment longer to really take in how stiff and jerky his movements were, how he was going over bandages he’d already declared as ‘good’. Taehyung frowned. This witch must have rattled Yoongi and not many things ever did.

“I’m pretty sure we’re not supposed to like witches anyway.” Jimin replied, tone harder than usual. He was lazily playing with Namjoon’s hair and Taehyung knew him enough to know he wasn’t even aware of it. Namjoon looked perfectly happy by it.

“We got some answers today.” Seokjin started and Taehyung already hated the faint tint of politician in Seokjin’s voice. “Sangwook had a potion and he was trying to replicate it: that’s why we have faulty fledglings. Sungho made Jungkook drink the real potion instead of the fake ones. The witch confirmed this.”

“Sangwook spoke?” Namjoon asked with a raised brow.

“Our Yoongichi is a man of many talents.” Seokjin said with a bright smile.

Yoongi snorted and sat down on Jungkook’s other side, he looked at Namjoon and said; “I fixed him up a little bit. It’d be nice if your people didn’t completely butcher my handiwork but I understand if it can’t be helped.”

“I like keeping your artwork around.” Namjoon smiled with a shrug. “I’m glad you got something useful out of him, dude’s a stubborn fuck. What else?”

“The witch says the fledglings will die.” Seokjin said suddenly.

“I say bullshit.” Yoongi fired off.

There was nothing Taehyung could do hold back the bark of laughter that exploded from him. He slapped a hand on his mouth when Jungkook stirred at the loud noise. Luckily, their fledgling eased back into sleep when Seokjin shushed him.

“Did the witch say that all the fledglings will die?” Hoseok asked slowly, every word coming out forced and afraid. His eyes fell on Jungkook before moving back to Seokjin.

“She said Jungkook should be fine since he was given the actual potion.” Seokjin ran his knobby fingers through Jungkook’s hair. “She said that they were made quick, so they would die quick.”

“They won’t.” Yoongi grumbled. “I’ll figure something out.”

Taehyung smiled at him. It was just like him to attempt to cure what a witch said was incurable. He didn’t doubt that Yoongi would find a way.

“So – so Jungkook is fine then?” Jimin asked with barely hidden desperation. Namjoon ran a hand down his back to calm him.

Yoongi and Seokjin glanced at each other before Seokjin answered.

“We used our one freebie to confirm what was in Jungkook’s blood.” He said. “From here out her help comes with a price.”

“She did give us a parting gift though.” Yoongi got up and got his bag, carefully pulling out a vial with lilac liquid in it. “She said it would help Jungkook sleep.”

Hoseok raised an unimpressed brow, “And you couldn’t bring it home earlier?”

Seokjin and Yoongi glanced at each other once more. This time, a lot more guilty looking.

“Well – y’know.” Said Yoongi.

“U-huh.” Said Hoseok.

Seokjin, being a very smart man, said nothing.

Hoseok took the vial from Yoongi with a pointed look at their resident doctor before squinting at the liquid like it might blow up.

“We trust this?” he looked between Yoongi and Seokjin. “It won’t turn out to be poison?”

“I trust her.” Seokjin answered. “She has no reason to lie.”

Hoseok nodded and handed it back Yoongi, who knew how to best keep the vial safe, “Okay, then. If we get just the one then I’d rather keep it for a bad day.” He said. He aimlessly fixed the covers over Jungkook.

“So – “Taehyung started, watching Yoongi carefully put the vial back in his bag, “Did she actually say anything about Jungkook other than he should be fine?” he asked. “Because ‘should’ isn’t filling me with a lot of confidence here.”

Jungkook should be many things. He should be healing. He should be sleeping. He should have little baby fangs. He should be dead.

(Jungkook should be alive.)

Jungkook wasn’t any of these. Jungkook wasn’t healing and Jungkook wasn’t sleeping, Jungkook was missing fangs and chunks of flesh. He was, against all odds, somehow, refusing to die.

Seokjin’s face was marble-blank as his knobby fingers treaded through Jungkook’s hair. Taehyung watched the repeated movement with a slow blink, his stomach turning as each second stretched further and further before Seokjin finally opened his mouth.

“I asked her if she could heal Jungkook.” He finally replied. “She said she’d have to see him to answer that. I asked if Jungkook will have the same fate as the other fledglings, to that she said that he shouldn’t.”

Taehyung chewed on his bottom lip. Fairy tales and folklore were full of warnings.

If Seokjin’s trustworthy witch was being vague, then they were in deeper shit than they thought.

“Do we risk it?” Namjoon asked.

Jimin blinked, “Risk what?”

“Have the witch take a look at Jungkook.” Namjoon said. He immediately put a hand on Jimin’s shoulder when Jimin hissed in protest. “Hey.”

“We can’t have a witch in here!” Jimin pulled from Namjoon’s touch, his shoulders pulling up. “It’s a witch! Who knows what tricks it might pull! It might try to hurt Jungkook!”

“Look,” Namjoon pulled his hands up in surrender to try and placate Jimin’s outburst. “If we have a relatively friendly witch who can give us some answers and help Jungkook, then it sounds like a risk we take.”

“A friendly witch is still a witch!” Jimin hissed. “We don’t even know if it can help or not!”

Taehyung slipped off from the bed towards Jimin who was starting to shake in his spot. It wasn’t anger, Taehyung knew instinctively, decidedly. He pulled him into a hug even as Jimin continued yelling at Namjoon, making quick eye-contact with the older vampires before biting Jimin’s ear.

“It’s a suggestion.” Taehyung said, holding Jimin tight. “Let’s just listen.”

“It’s stupid.” Jimin hissed again but grabbed to Taehyung like a drowning man might hold a life-line. “It’s reckless at best and – and suicidal at worst.”

Namjoon took a step closer, ducking his head make himself smaller, less threatening. Taehyung could sense Yoongi and Hoseok also moving around where he couldn’t see them.

“You’re right.” Namjoon said. “Everything you’re saying is right. Witches are dangerous creatures and in any other case I would be the first to refuse such a thing.” He started and then softened his voice as he explained himself. “But if Seokjin hyung trusts this witch to even go to her lair in the first place, then I have to risk it. If there’s the smallest chance that she can help Jungkook-ah, then I’ll make a deal with her.”

Jimin was still trembling as Namjoon gently cupped his face in his hands and kissed his forehead. Taehyung let out a small chirp in hopes of calming him down, though he didn’t think it would work.

“It’s stupid.” Jimin said again with much less force. He just sounded scared this time.

“It might help.” Taehyung mumbled. He rubbed his hands over Jimin’s arms in an attempt to both warm him up and to ease his shaking. “I mean, they met with her today and nothing happened, right? She even gave them a gift.”

“Witches don’t give gifts.” Jimin whined and it would be almost cute in any other situation if he wasn’t shaking so hard. He was almost pleading when he turned to Seokjin and added, “It has to be some sort of trick or trap hyung. Witches don’t just give out of the goodness of their hearts.”

“Jimin-ah.” Seokjin said gently, standing next to them in the blink of an eye. “Listen, I didn’t make any negotiations with her because I wanted to discuss it with everyone first.”

Jimin immediately started shaking his head in protest, pulling out from Namjoon’s hold but not Taehyung’s

“No –“

“Listen.” Seokjin said, a little more forcefully but not mean, never mean. “I know how dangerous witches are first-hand. I know exactly what they can do, I’ve witnessed it with my own two eyes. You don’t have to convince me how evil they can be, I already know.”

Carefully, trying his very best to be not noticed by Jimin, Taehyung maneuvered them both so Jimin ended closer to Seokjin, rested his arms a little looser despite how much he wanted to hold his Jimin close to his heart. If Seokjin wanted he could pull Jimin to his own arms.

“I know, my sweetheart.” Seokjin said, carefully. “I know what they are.” He caressed Jimin’s cheek with the back of his knuckles. “I also know that Namjoon is right. If anyone can help us, it would be her, but I’m not making this decision myself. We’ll decide together, alright?”

Jimin swallowed thickly and shook his head, “We shouldn’t.”

“I’m afraid we’re past the point for what we should or shouldn’t do, sweet thing.” Seokjin smiled ruefully. “But, that’s a vote for no from Jimin. Anyone else?”

“Would this witch betray us?” Hoseok asked. “Jimin’s right about the gift."

“She knows better than to betray me.” Seokjin answered. “It’s not poison.”

“We’re going to bet on your reputation?” Jimin asked, wary but not rude. Tired, if anything. Taehyung nuzzled in because he didn’t know what else to do.

“My reputation got us this far, didn’t it?” Seokjin tried to joke but then sighed and then nodded, “She was there when I got my reputation. She won’t cross me.”

Yoongi made a noise from his spot and Taehyung had to awkwardly twist himself to spot the displeased frown on his face as he watched Jungkook.

“You don’t think that’s enough?” Taehyung asked.

Yoongi sighed and waved a hand dismissively, “No, no, I think hyung’s right about that.” He said and shared a quick look with Seokjin. His gaze was as unhappy as his frown and when Taehyung looked between the two of them he knew they were having a continued conversation none of them were privy to.

“I was in that room with the two of you.” Yoongi said. He looked at Jimin for a moment before continuing, “I wanted to run away the entire time.”

A cold shiver ran down Taehyung’s spine and he found himself standing straighter at the implications.

Yoongi licked his lips and sat down next to Jungkook and Taehyung found himself watching their baby vampire with the same intensity.

“Jungkook was given an enhancement potion. I can’t do anything for that, I’m a doctor. I can’t fight spells or curses.” He spoke lowly. Then he looked back at them. “She was terrifying.” He said. “So was Seokjin hyung.”

Namjoon snorted, “Is that a compliment?”

“It is what it is.” Yoongi said and then he tilted his head, his voice dropping into a soothing timbre as his eyes found Jimin’s. “I was there, Jimin-ah. I was stuck in that room. They’re equally powerful, she has no reason to attack us, the same way we have no reason to attack her.”

“Mutually assured destruction… isn’t as comforting as you think, hyung.” Taehyung said with a wince. He could see the reasoning behind it though. Taehyung forgot sometimes that Seokjin wasn’t just any old vampire.

Lord of Seoul versus The Witch.

Neither had a reason to attack the other and neither would give the other a reason.

“It might be our best chance, Jimin-ah.” Taehyung murmured.

Jimin made a frustrated sound and ripped away from Taehyung’s arms, walking away from them to stand against the other wall with his arms crossed, lips threatening to pull into a snarl. He looked too much like a kicked stray dog forced into a corner to be scary.

Taehyung forced down the urge to go to his Jimin. He knew that he wouldn’t take it well right it that moment, so he went to Namjoon instead.

“We can’t take Jungkook anywhere.” Jimin said anxiously, eyes wide. “So we- what, invite a witch in here?”

“If we decide to go with this plan, then yes, we would invite her here.” Seokjin said. “I know she won’t attempt anything.”

“You trust that witch too much.” Jimin grumbled.

“Maybe.” Seokjin conceded. “Which is why this is a coven decision, love.”

“What would she want as payment?” Hoseok asked and casually made his way to Jimin, holding out a hand for him. Taehyung’s shoulders relaxed when Jimin took it. “I doubt she’d want money.”

“She’ll want a favor.” Seokjin answered easily. “She’s a witch.” He nodded in Jimin’s direction.

“I’m sensing that this is how you ended up with a favor yourself in the first place.” Namjoon said, squinting his eyes suspiciously even as his lips quirked into a smile.

Seokjin waved a hand, “It was years ago, let’s not get into that.”

“Well now I want to know.” Taehyung pouted. Knowing Seokjin, years meant literal centuries.

“Maybe I’ll tell it some other time.” Seokjin poked at his lower lip.

“So –“ Hoseok shifted in his place, his brows pinched together thoughtfully. “We ask for her help, we get Jungkook healed, she gets a favor from us.”

“She gets a favor from me.” Seokjin corrected. “She won’t care about any of you.”

“Harsh.” Taehyung said.

“It’s better that way.” Seokjin said. “I don’t want her to be interested in you guys anyway.”

“She was interested in Jungkook.” Yoongi pointed out.

“See!” Jimin latched onto it. His fingers dug into Hoseok’s skin even as the older vampire tried to calm him. “Hyung it’s a trick –“

“It’s not.” Seokjin said, walking up to Jimin but making sure he wasn’t crowding him.

“What if it steals Jungkook?” Jimin said in a rush. “What if – what if it’s working with Sangwook?”

“She isn’t.” Yoongi answered this time. “We talked about it all there.”

“And you believe it?” Jimin asked, incredulous. “It can lie, you know!”

“She wasn’t lying about it, Jimin-ah.” Seokjin tried again. “She’s interested in Jungkook because he’s an anomaly. If anything, that works in our favor, she’ll want to figure out everything about him.”

Jimin hissed, lips pulled back to reveal his – frankly impressive – baby fangs, pulling away from both Hoseok and Seokjin and pressing further into the corner he was in. Taehyung swallowed thickly. Everything in his body was shouting at him to go comfort him, help him, but he wasn’t sure he wouldn’t get decked if he tried touching Jimin right then.

Jimin was terrified and Taehyung didn’t understand it.

Okay no, sure, he understood it. Witches were witches. Taehyung was scared by the idea himself, he knew the rest were too. Yoongi had just admitted to it.

Jimin’s outburst was different.

Taehyung swallowed again, trying to hear what Seokjin and Hoseok were murmuring to Jimin in hushed tones but his heart had decided to pump loudly in the last minute. All he could hear was his own pulse in his ears.

Taehyung was scared of witches because of what he’d read. He was afraid of witches because of the warnings.

Jimin was panicking like a man who’d suffered one before.

That – that couldn’t be. Jimin would have told Taehyung, wouldn’t he? They spent almost every day together after being turned, Jimin couldn’t have met a witch under Han-chool’s care. Their sire would have never allowed a witch anywhere near them. They hadn’t even known Seokjin knew a witch until yesterday.

But – but before that. Before Seokjin and Han-chool and Taehyung. Before everything.

Park Jimin and his ever-changing family.

Taehyung finally moved forward. Each of his steps were purposeful and strong despite how shaken he felt. He snaked between Hoseok and Seokjin’s bodies easily and without giving Jimin a moment to lash out, pulled the smaller vampire into a tight hug.

Jimin trashed in his arms, cursing and hissing and kicking without any real power behind his actions. He could feel Jimin’s heart beating in triplets through his ribcage, his muscles shaking from how tense he was holding himself.

“It’s okay.” Taehyung said softly. “It’s okay, it’s okay.”

“No.” Jimin grunted, half feral and half terrified.

“We’re just seeing our options.” Hoseok tried this time. Taehyung could feel him stand a little closer, trying to calm Jimin and make sure Taehyung wasn’t hurt.

“No – no you all made up your minds already.” Jimin snarled and Taehyung could almost believe he was angry instead of terrified. Almost – if he didn’t know Jimin better.

It had to be obvious to all of them at this point. Jimin wasn’t arguing for the sake of arguing, he wasn’t being difficult. Jimin was simply scared out of his minds at the suggestion of working with a witch.

“You were okay with hyungs going to her.” Taehyung tried this time.

“I wasn’t – That’s different.”

“I don’t like witches.”

“You never met one.”

“I read a lot about them. They’re creepy.”

“Hyung said we wouldn’t be in any trouble because she owed him.” Jimin finally manage to grit out. He stopped fighting and sagged against Taehyung, letting his soul-mate carry his weight in full. He nuzzled into Taehyung’s neck. “That was different.”

Seokjin moved around until he could kiss the top of Jimin’s head and rub his nose against his scalp, a gentle chirp following the action. He ran his fingers through Jimin’s now vaguely sweaty hair.

“Can you look at me, sweetheart?” Seokjin asked kindly.

It took a beat, then two, where Jimin shifted his weight uncomfortably, before moving his head just enough to peak over Taehyung’s shoulders with a sniffle. Taehyung cooed and chirruped, hugging him tighter to himself.

“There’s my baby.” Seokjin said. “Nothing’s decided, do you understand love? We’re just seeing our options. If we’re not all in agreement then we don’t do it, it’s that simple.”

Jimin sniffled some more, his fingers clutching onto Taehyung now instead of trying to push him away.

“It will trick us.” Jimin’s voice was muffled against Taehyung’s shirt. “We can’t trust witches, we can’t trust it.”

“We can’t trust witches.” Seokjin nodded. “But I do trust this one. I’ve known her for a very long time Jimin. At the very least, I know that she won’t hurt us for no reason at all.”

“What if it already has a reason we don’t know about?” Jimin challenged. “What if this whole thing was a – what if it was tricking you from the very start.”

“Then I’d say she’s very dedicated.” Seokjin said. “But I don’t think she has any hidden agenda, sweetheart. She wouldn’t have let us in her house and give us a parting gift.”

“It could be a trick.” Jimin tried again in a frustrated whine.

“Today,” Seokjin started. “Sangwook called us to make a deal.”

Impossibly, the tension grew thicker with the sudden change in topic, despite how soft spoken Seokjin was. He was looking into Jimin’s eyes almost pleadingly.

“A deal?” Jimin bit out, shakily. “What kind of deal?”

Seokjin opened his mouth, Taehyung heard his inhale as he readied to answer, but the sound came from across the room. A pitched, pained moan from the bed where their fledgling was sleeping.

They all surrounded bed in a moment, before Jungkook could cry out a second time. His brows were pinched together in distress, his face contorting in pain. His breathing was coming in shallow and he had sweat forming on his temples.

“He’s having a nightmare.” Yoongi said as he checked for physical symptoms. He carefully nudged Jungkook, too gentle to actually wake him up, while Seokjin was already sliding into the bed.

“Is it better if we wake him up?” Namjoon asked.

“He’ll wake himself up anyway.” Hoseok said ruefully. “We should wake him before he hurts himself.”

Seokjin seated himself by Jungkook, doing his very best to rose the fledgling from his troubled sleep without scaring him. Jimin was glued to Taehyung’s arm.

“Little one?” Seokjin called out gently in between Jungkook’s fitful sleep. He put his palm on Jungkook’s forehead, pushed back his hair. “Jungkook-ah, darling, it’s okay.” Another grunt. “Wake up, little one, come on, I know you can hear me.”

With a gasp and a shockingly well aimed punch, Jungkook woke up, missing Seokjin’s face only because the older vampire was faster.

“Hey hey hey,” Seokjin caught Jungkook’s limp, bandaged wrist with a gentleness that seemed second nature to him. “It’s just us, you’re safe, you’re safe sweetheart.”

Jungkook didn’t seem to understand anything, he was breathing heavy with unseeing eyes, keening in a pitch that had become far too familiar to Taehyung over the last few days. It ate him up inside to be so useless in moments like these. He pulled Jimin closer to himself, held him tighter like it would help their fledgling.

After a few minutes of reassuring Jungkook that he wasn’t in grave danger, somehow, he actually calmed down. His big brown eyes were staring at the ceiling, ignoring both Seokjin’s and Yoongi’s calls now.

“Would it scare him if we get in the bed, too?” Taehyung asked lowly. “I mean if we like, snuggle with him? It kind of worked the last time right?”

Hoseok hummed in thought, his eyes flicking between all of them and calculating possibilities. Taehyung hated the crinkle of his brows.

“He’s so out of it that I can’t tell if he’d see our presence as a threat or find peace in it.” He finally said. “Seokjin hyung, do you think you can feed him? Maybe the smell of blood will bring him back to reality a bit.”

“We could use the potion to let him sleep.” Yoongi pointed out even as he helped Seokjin slip a hand under Jungkook’s neck to get him into position. “If we’re lucky enough something that strong will actually keep him in deep sleep.”

Two things happened simultaneously:

Jungkook’s big, tired brown eyes turned an angry, rusted red.

Namjoon yanked Taehyung and Jimin away with a force that sent them flying into the wall.

Jungkook snarled viciously, his jaws nearly snapping around Yoongi’s wrist. He kicked and thrashed against Hoseok. A deep, unending growl was building up from his chest and reverberating in the room, the base of it Taehyung felt in his core.

“Jungkook-ah!”

Seokjin managed to push Jungkook flat on his back but struggled to hold him there – Seokjin struggled to hold him – until Yoongi threw a leg over and, as careful as he could be, straddled Jungkook.

“Hey! Careful!” Hoseok bit out, evading a kick in the face. Namjoon managed to pin down Jungkook’s other leg.

“Jungkook-ah!” Yoongi shouted over the snarling and snapping of teeth. “It’s us! It’s just us, little one, Jungkook-ah, come on, look at me.”

Taehyung bit down on his lip and rushed to the bed side, catching Jungkook’s left claw right before he could hurt Yoongi. Jimin was beside him a moment later and it was their combined effort that pushed Jungkook’s arm back on the bed. It was a struggle to keep it there.

“You two should back off.” Seokjin grunted from his side.

“You should shut up.” Taehyung said.

“Fuck off.” Jimin said.

Jungkook trashed under their combined weight, still fighting the six of them. His lips were pulled back, the barely healed cuts starting to bleed once more, blood starting to seep from the bandage on his neck, red eyes locked on Yoongi with a hatred Taehyung couldn’t have ever imagined seeing on Jungkook’s face.

“He’s hurting himself!” Taehyung grit out.

Ignoring Jungkook’s teeth, Yoongi cupped his face in an attempt to stop him from moving head so much, looking him dead in eyes.

“Jungkook-ah.” He pleaded once more, “Little one it’s us, it’s us sweetheart.”

Jungkook snarled and Jungkook kicked and Jungkook hissed and spat clawed at the sheets.

Just as suddenly as he’d attacked, Jungkook went limp. Like a marionette with its strings cut off. He was panting heavily and as far as Taehyung could tell, looking at Yoongi but not seeing him. His eyes lost their coloring, the red slowly bleeding back into the dark brown, losing his sharp gaze with the angry focus.

The rage had gone, leaving in its place a broken body.

Taehyung tentatively loosened his grip on Jungkook’s wrists, glancing between his coven members who had matching expressions of apprehension. None of them were holding Jungkook down anymore but none of them could risk completely letting go of him either. Yoongi had pushed himself up to his knees now to not put any weight on Jungkook’s skinny, weak frame.

A weak keen filled the room. It’s pitch impossible to ignore. Not a sound of pain or fear.

Taehyung found himself staring at Jungkook with dread in his bones.

Jungkook’s mouth was slack and the sound was coming out of him involuntarily, subconsciously.

The unmistakable sound of a fledgling begging for help.

And suddenly Taehyung found himself staring at the picture of them. He looked between all of them and took in their positions; all of them holding down Jungkook’s limbs (so he wouldn’t hurt himself), Yoongi straddling him (so he wouldn’t hurt others), Jungkook pinned down by bigger, stronger vampires.

This was Jungkook’s death.

Jungkook keened again, weaker but still calling for help.

Still calling because he didn’t recognize them. He didn’t know that it was his coven holding him down. The help was keeping him pinned.

“We’re scaring him.” Taehyung let go of Jungkook’s arm as if burned. He stepped away until his back hit the wall. “He died like this. We’re scaring him.”

If Taehyung could look away from Jungkook then maybe he could have spotted the slow spreading horror in his lovers’ faces. But he couldn’t. His eyes were fixed on the blood that was trickling down from Jungkook’s lips, the ever-growing spread of blood on the bandages, the complete surrender of his body.

He missed the low spoken orders given by Yoongi as he got off of Jungkook, he missed them letting go of Jungkook. He didn’t miss that Jungkook never stopped calling for help.

“Taehyung-ah?”

Taehyung blinked and Namjoon was next to him. He had a bruised left eye that was already healing – Jungkook must have gotten in a good kick.

“Are you hurt?” Namjoon asked. His eyes were already moving over Taehyung’s body.

“No, no, I’m.” Taehyung paused. “I’m not injured.”

Namjoon nodded with a tight smile before giving him a hug, “That’s good.”

“Jungkook’s not okay.” Taehyung mumbled. He felt dazed, like he wasn’t exactly in his body.

“No, he’s not.” Namjoon nodded and kissed crown of his head. “But we’ll have him fixed up. We’ll help him.”

“We scared him.”

“We did.” Namjoon answered with a sigh.

“We scared him, hyung.” Taehyung’s voice wobbled. He wanted to cry and he wanted to shout but he didn’t actually want to do any of that. He wanted Jungkook to be okay.

“I hate it too. But he would have hurt himself. He would have hurt us and himself.”

Taehyung had so many things he wanted to say but it was all cut short when he heard a famiiar chirrup come from Seokjin. His head snapped up in instinct, his body relaxing at the sound of promised comfort. It took his brain a moment to realize the call wasn’t for him – or Jimin – but for their fledgling who’d been calling for his sire.

Jungkook stopped, too. He blinked lazily, once, twice. Tentatively, he called out again and Seokjin answered, the sound of his chirps assuring and safe in a way only a fledgling would recognize. Jungkook’s brows pinched together and blinked again.

Taehyung swore he saw the exact moment Jungkook became aware of his surroundings. Between one worried, pained chirp and the other, between one lazy blink of beautiful brown eyes and the next, between fluttering heart beats.

“I’m right here, little one.” Seokjin kissed Jungkook’s forehead. “I’m right here. We’re here. You’re safe.”

Jungkook looked at Seokjin with wide eyes, disbelief written all over him, shocked that someone had ‘come’ for him.

(They were the reason for his desperate calls for help, Taehyung swallowed the thought, they were the help.)

“Hyung?” he whispered.

“Yes, little one.” Seokjin said softly. If Taehyung didn’t know him better he’d think Seokjin was completely unaffected by what had happened. Taehyung knew better. He knew how perfectly Seokjin could switch between masks if it was for his coven. “We’re all here with you, you’re safe.”

“Safe?” Jungkook blinked and tried to look around only to hiss out in pain.

“No, no, sweetheart.” Seokjin fumbled only for one second before gingerly placing his fingers on Jungkook’s chin to keep him from moving. “You’re still hurt, remember?” he said. “Don’t move so much.”

Jungkook hummed in apparent understanding, “Yuh- Y-Yoongi…?”

“Yes, sweetheart.” Seokjin answered, elated to have proper recognition from their little fledgling. “Yoongi will help you get better, you’re right. See, he’s right here.”

Yoongi sat down next to Jungkook on the bed and looked down with a soft smile and softer eyes. Taehyung watched his eyes flutter all over Jungkook cataloging his injuries.

“Hello, little one.” Yoongi said gently like he hadn’t almost lost fingers to Jungkook’s jaws just minutes ago. Jungkook made a pitiful little sound, pained and tired, and Yoongi shushed him in sympathy. “I know, it all must hurt so much right now. I’ll take it away, alright little one?”

Jungkook chirped weakly in response.

“I have to touch you a bit.” Yoongi explained and held up his palms. “Just with my hands, nothing else, is that okay?”

Jungkook chirped again, although the sound had to be forced out of him.

“Alright, and look, Jimin and Taehyung are here too.” Yoongi said suddenly. It was only the did Taehyung remember that he was, in fact, a person in the room. “Do you want to see them, little one?”

Namjoon nudged Taehyung forward and Hoseok had to help Jimin into the bed but suddenly, they were sitting on Jungkook’s either side exactly where he could see them without straining himself. Taehyung glanced at Jimin because he had no idea what to do – he’d wanted to be with Jungkook the whole time but now that he was actually with him he didn’t know what to say.

“H-hey, Jungkook-ah.” Jimin sounded startled to find himself speaking. “Bad dreams?”

Jungkook chirped weakly in agreement.

Taehyung hummed, his eyes watching Yoongi’s fingers trace through where Jungkook would be hurting, watched him discreetly wipe away some blood from his chin.

“Yoongi hyung will make you feel better.” He said, finally finding his voice. “He’ll make it stop hurting.”

Jungkook blinked tiredly. His shoulders were relaxing against the mattress as Yoongi’s magic numbed away the pain. He looked pacified just seeing them with him.

“Do you think he can drink this?” Hoseok asked in a hushed tone from the side while Jimin babbled on. He was holding the sleep potion.

“Aren’t we saving it for a bad day?” Taehyung asked in a murmur.

Hoseok looked at Jungkook and all his bloody bandages, “This is a bad day.”

“He fed before.” Yoongi said and nodded between all of them. “I’m sure if we help him he can do it. A straw would better though.”

“I’ll go get it.” Namjoon said and stood from where he was seated at the foot of the bed. How long had he been there? Taehyung had missed it.

“Jungkook-ah.” Seokjin said sweetly. “We need to sit you up so you can drink some medicine, alright love? It’ll help you sleep. Can you do that?”

Jungkook looked dazzled whenever Seokjin spoke to him. Taehyung swore he could spot sparks in his eyes. Jungkook chirruped in an affirmative.

It took all of them to get Jungkook into a semi-sitting position leaning against Seokjin. The hardest part was keeping his head still as to not rip the stitches on the gaping hole on his neck that was barely holding together. So now Jungkook’s head was leaned back against the bedhead while also being balanced on the sides by Hoseok and Seokjin.

“Alright.” Yoongi held up the vial with a ridiculously large straw in it. “Drink slowly, alright?”

Jungkook tried to nod, failed with the hands holding him still, pouted from his still bloody lips, and chirped in answer.

Taehyung watched each sip anxiously, waiting for something to go wrong. Jungkook could choke on it, he could get spooked, he might be reminded of bad memories; a hundred thing could happen.

Instead Jungkook dutifully sipped down the lilac liquid with drowsy eyes.

Before they knew it the vial was empty and Jungkook was dead asleep. He was even snoring a little.

“It worked.” Jimin said, shocked. He was still watching Jungkook, still waiting for the other shoe to drop, but as minutes went on Jungkook only slept.

For the first time since he’d been killed, Jungkook was having a peaceful sleep.

“Now let’s hope he doesn’t wake up when I’m stitching him back together.” Yoongi said. He reached to Namjoon so they could exchange Yoongi’s tools and the empty vial. “Keep holding him –“

Yoongi cut himself off.

They watched as the vial started fill itself back again with the lilac potion. In a matter of seconds it was full as if Jungkook had never finished it.

“Oh.”

Yoongi looked at Seokjin, who looked just as surprised, “I guess that’s what she meant by gift.”

“I suppose so.” Seokjin mumbled.

“Be careful with it, Namjoon-ah.” Yoongi warned. “Just put it in my bag, I have a little pocket for safekeeping. I’ll take it somewhere safer when I’m done.”

It took the better part of an hour for Yoongi to patch Jungkook back together. He’d thoroughly destroyed all of his stitches while wrestling with them. The worst had been his mangled neck – Taehyung swore he felt his own neck throb in pain when Yoongi had peeled the bandage off to reveal the damage he’d suffered.

His wrists were just as fucked from transforming into claws and then back into humans hands. Yoongi had muttered under his breath about ligaments and nerve endings and Taehyung had watched the never-ending tremor of Jungkook’s fingers.

Luckily, somehow, the whole in his abdomen had suffer the least damage. The stitches had been pulled but Yoongi dealt with it quickly.

Through it all, Jungkook didn’t once stir.

Sleep potion was working.

“There we go.” Yoongi said, already standing and cleaning up the remains of the bloody bandages and his suture kit. He looked at Hoseok and Seokjin, “You can lay him back down now.”

“I’d like to have him in my arms.” Seokjin said. “If it won’t bother his injuries.”

Yoongi gave a soft look, “Of course, hyung. It’s better for him to be near you, anyway.”

Taehyung helped with moving Jungkook until he was cradled safely in Seokjin’s arms, tugging the covers over him as much as he could without smothering him. He looked peaceful. For once, Jungkook was peaceful.

“I should get test results from the lab soon.” Yoongi started. “I’m hoping it will give me something to work with. I’m not giving up on the fledglings. As for Jungkook –“

“Call the witch.” Jimin was watching Jungkook sleep. He was tired when he said, again, “Just call the witch, hyung.”

A pause,

“Are you sure?” Seokjin asked. “We don’t –“

“Call the witch.” He repeated with more force. “Let’s just get over it.”

Seokjin nodded slowly and looked around the room, “Is anyone against it?” he asked. No one replied. “Alright, then. Can someone get me my phone.”

“Isn’t it weird to have a witch on speed-dial?” Namjoon asked in an attempt to ease the tension in the room.

“It’s a bit silly.” Taehyung agreed.

In between blinks, Jimin poofed into his bat form. Taehyung smiled fondly at the angrily squeaking form as he freed him from his fabric prison. He chirped in answer and held Jimin against his chest, taking a minute to work his heart up so Jimin would have something to ground him.

“That’s adorable.” Seokjin smiled, his phone held between his ear and shoulder. The smile lessened a moment later, Taehyung decided to not listen to the other side, “Hello, sorry for disturbing you again so soon. I require your help. Yes. Yes. You know where – of course, silly me, it’s been stressful, you understand… Yes… Yes.” Seokjin looked down at Jungkook. “Yes, as soon as you can, please. Thank you.”

Seokjin closed his eyes with a deep sigh when the conversation ended, carelessly throwing his phone to the side.

There was a knock on the door before the phone landed on the bed.

Chapter Text

Last ten minutes played on a horrible loop in Namjoon’s mind. Jimin’s frightened anger amplified in the theatre of his brain along with the lashing of Jungkook’s murderous, misdirected rage. Rinse, repeat, start the scene again. Jimin aggressively defensive in a way he’d never been before, Jungkook’s eyes flashing a dangerous red. Rinse, repeat, start the scene again.

Maybe it was a trick of the light but Namjoon swore the dimly lit hallway seemed to bend and stretch itself longer with every step he took.

He could have handled the interaction better from the start. He knew this. He should have handled it differently from the very beginning. Now that all was said and done, Namjoon was filled with dissipating adrenaline and regret.

Two more steps.

He should have said literally anything else. He’d noticed Jimin’s out of character agitation and instead of trying to understand his feelings Namjoon had bulldozed over them completely in what he’d thought was a rational conversation.

Rational wasn’t always the best option though and Namjoon knew this. He knew this. Yet he repeated the same mistakes he always made in the past; pushed down his emotions, of which he had too many, and instead focused on cold logic.

Namjoon rubbed a hand on his temple, sensing an oncoming headache. He hadn’t slept more than a few hours combined since Jungkook became theirs to love and protect. It was a small price to pay to bring their fledgling the justice he deserved but not if it came at the cost of his boyfriends’ tears.

He’d apologize to Jimin in private. He had to. How could he have acted in such a way? Namjoon wanted to beat his past-self into a pulp.

There was more to Jimin’s anger than simple hatred of witches, that much was obvious to everyone in the room. Jimin guarded his life story from them like a dragon would with its hoard. They never pushed him more than he was comfortable sharing and what he’d shared with the coven was barely anything substantial.

Still, Namjoon had thought Taehyung would know more than them. His reaction had made it clear that this outburst had come out of left field for him too. It was something to investigate some other time, when Jimin was less likely to bite their heads off.

If Jimin ever felt like sharing it with them.

Mind going a mile a second, Namjoon couldn’t stop replaying the moment Jungkook’s jaws snapped dangerously close to Yoongi’s fingers. Jungkook’s vicious snarls still echoed in his ears. The moment Jungkook gave up fighting them and began calling for help. It all played on repeat.

It had taken the six of them to hold him down.

That was an impossible feat. No matter what magic potion Jungkook was fed he shouldn’t have been able to fight four grown vampires and two older fledglings. Hell, just one of them should have been able to hold him down.

Seokjin should have been able to hold him down.

But Jungkook had done the impossible. Again.

Namjoon walked down the hallway like a man walking to the gallows. He extended his hearing to focus on the mumbled chatter in the bedroom, to use their voices to center himself. He inhaled slowly through his nose and muscles that had gone unused for decades burned at the stretch, before exhaling just as slowly. His heart didn’t even remember to beat.

Namjoon rolled his shoulders back and stood straight like a soldier. Best to get it over with. He opened the door.

Witches were solitary creatures who imitated humans as good as vampires did. This witch with her brown hair and brown eyes and sweatpants and a hoodie looked no different than any other Korean woman out in streets of Seoul.

“Kim Namjoon.” He gave a respectful bow. “Thank you for coming here on such short notice.”

The witch smiled wide and pretty, “It’s no bother at all. Anything for Seokjin. I’m Hyewon.”

“Still, we are thankful.” Namjoon said with all the politeness he could muster. “Please come in.”

Hyewon took off her shoes once inside, she had Garfield socks on, her curious eyes taking in the scenery. Namjoon didn’t feel anything from her. Nothing felt off about her, nothing triggered his fight or flight instincts. This was a witch that mimicked humans perfectly. How terrifying. Seokjin sure knew how to find the worst-best options.

Namjoon had never met a witch in his life before, both alive and undead. When he’d been human witches had been nothing more than a cautionary tale with way too many people going missing in the woods. When he’d turned undead witches became something he actively avoided.

So maybe it was hypocritical of him to suggest working with a witch when he knew damn well how dangerous one could be but –

Namjoon was desperate. He wouldn’t admit it out loud where the younger members could hear it but they were running out of options when it came to helping Jungkook. Namjoon could find all of Sangwook’s hidden safes and track down his movements in the city and every little secret he ever had but he wasn’t sure if he could do it before something happened to their Jungkook. His health was strung by a thread as it was.

If they were in possession of a witch, the witch, that Seokjin trusted? Well, then it was a risk he had to take. Maybe this would lead to nothing or maybe they would get horribly tricked, but before then they had to consider all their options.

He would apologize to Jimin once this was all over. He’d take him to a date to his favorite restaurant and buy all the ridiculously priced clothes and kiss him silly and beg for forgiveness.

“All of our fledglings are in the same room.” Namjoon warned with the same polite tone.

“I will do my very best to not spook them.” Hyewon winked like it was an inside joke. “I wouldn’t want Seokjin to be angry at me.”

She had moles, even. Namjoon nodded stiffly.  It was time to face the music. “This way, please.”

It seemed the hallway had shortened itself this time around because unlike the unending death march Namjoon had taken to answer the door, the walk leading Hyewon to his coven members barely lasted more than a blink.

Seokjin was still on the bed with Jungkook cradled against his chest, sleeping peacefully for once. Hoseok had clearly positioned Taehyung (and the little bat-shaped Jimin curled against Taehyung’s breastbone) to sit as far away from the witch as he could, standing a few steps in front of him. Yoongi was standing in the middle of the room, equal distance from everyone.

“Hyewon.” Seokjin dipped his chin and adjusted his hold on Jungkook, “Thank you for coming.”

“Anything for you.” Hyewon’s eyes sparkled as she walked in. She didn’t even look at their fledglings. Namjoon trailed in after her and found his spot to stand sentinel on the beds other side. She stood by the beds foot in similar fashion, tilting her head to side. “So, this is the little fledgling causing all this fuss.”

“It’s everything around him causing a fuss.” Seokjin said and then added, not bothering to hide his desperation. “Please tell me you can help out.”

Hyewon hummed and then tapped the bed, “Can I come closer?”

Seokjin nodded and Hyewon crawled gracelessly onto the bed until she was on her knees next to Seokjin and Jungkook both, peering at the fledgling with open curiosity.

“My, my.” She mumbled, “What a pretty thing he is.”

Namjoon reminded himself that Jungkook was the safest in Seokjin’s arms. He repeated this fact to himself over and over again. It did very little to ease the anxiety budding in his rotten lungs.

“I already informed you about what happened, earlier.” Seokjin said. Then he quickly added in what happened ten minutes ago in detail; how Jungkook woke up again and how he turned berserk, how it took the six of them to hold him down.

(He didn’t tell her that Jungkook called for help – for their help – while they held him down.)

Hyewon whistled, impressed, and raised a brow as she took in the information, “What a fussy little thing he is.”

“He’s not fussy.” Seokjin grumbled and Hyewon laughed.

“I’m not insulting your baby, don’t get so defensive.” She grinned. “But an infant that can fight six vampires is certainly worth examining. Kim Seokjin bested by a baby, that’s funny.”

“I certainly hope you still find it funny when he wakes up and attacks you.” Seokjin said.

“You gave him the sleeping potion, you said.” she waved his threat-concern away dismissively. “He won’t wake up. He won’t even know I’m looking over him.”

“It would have been nice if you told us it would re-fill itself.” Seokjin pointed out. “We almost didn’t use it to save it for a bad day.”

“Where would be the fun in that?” she smiled just a tad too wide for a human. “That vial will always end up full. Now,” she looked down at Jungkook before looking at the older vampires, “What exactly do you want me to do?”

Namjoon got a small whiplash to suddenly being included in conversation, like his brain had forgotten he was in the room.

Yoongi walked up to the bed with a thoughtful frown, his hands in his pockets to hide his nervous twitching. He opened his mouth once but immediately shut himself up before speaking, his eyes focused on Jungkook before he spoke again.

“I admit I’m not entirely sure what I am allowed to ask for, I wouldn’t want to ask for more than it is permitted.” He said.

“Ask for the stars.” Hyewon smiled that too kind, too wide smile of hers again.

In Namjoon’s mind Jimin’s panicked, frightened voice echoed out in cries of it’s a trick hyung, it has to be, it will trick us.

Subtly, he glanced over his shoulder to look at Taehyung and Jimin, forcing himself to not feel sick at the sight of how tightly Taehyung was holding Jimin’s shaking form to his chest. He caught Hoseok’s eyes for a passing second before turning back to the witch.

Namjoon didn’t trust the witch. He trusted Seokjin

“Can you heal him?” Taehyung piped up.

Namjoon fought instinct to not snap his head around to look at Taehyung, he fought the instinct to position himself between their fledglings and an old witch. He forced himself to look at Taehyung as casually as possible only to find Taehyung staring down the witch with no fear in his eyes. Dread and pride filled Namjoon in one go.

Hyewon’s dark eyes lazily trailed over Taehyung’s body, taking in the fledgling in his human form and the bat in his arms. Taehyung didn’t even blink.

“Could you undo the effects of the potion?” he asked when he didn’t get an immediate answer.

Hoseok decided to step in between them at that moment, cutting off direct eye-line of both parties. Namjoon got the distinct sense that Taehyung would get a stern talking to once there wasn’t a witch in their home.

He also got the distinct sense that Taehyung didn’t give a fuck now nor would he give a fuck after Hoseok’s lecture.

“If we’re jumping the gun,” Yoongi drawled, pulling the witch’s attention away from their fledglings. “I would like to know what’s causing his distress. You confirmed that he was given an enhancement potion but we don’t have answers for why he wakes up with terrors, how he can wake up at all through what is supposed to be his fledgling long sleep. His injuries aren’t getting worse but he’s not healing either. Any answer you can give us, I will take it.” He nodded towards Taehyung, “If you can heal him or if you can undo the potion itself.”

Hyewon hummed theatrically and looked back at Jungkook, “Well, let’s take a closer look at this little trouble-maker and see what he can tell us.”

The witch placed a manicured finger on Jungkook’s forehead and closed her eyes. Namjoon swallowed thickly, looking at his boyfriends and then back at the witch. This was the moment of truth. 

There was no bright lights, no chanting of dead languages echoing in the room. Nothing caught on fire and nothing broke down. Hyewon simply kept humming to herself, her brows pinching together as she concentrated on her work.

Slowly she slid her finger from his forehead down the slope of his nose, she trailed it down his cupid’s bow and over his scarred lips. Her finger flew down on a straight line under his chin and over his throat, careful of the bandages there, before she rested her palm on Jungkook’s heart. His chest was rising and falling in a lazy beat.

A sudden gust of wind forced Namjoon backwards. He barely managed to keep his footing, his hands coming up to cover his face from it. Pieces of thrash and paper flew around the room, the curtains rattling against its rails like they were about to snap.

The wind disappeared just as suddenly it came. Namjoon struggled to find his balance at the sudden change. He looked around the room in a panic. Yoongi was further away from the bed now, his hair a mess, meanwhile Hoseok was holding Taehyung and Jimin tightly to his side. All of them looked at each other in wide-eyed glances, taking in the mess in the room.

If Seokjin was affected at all, it didn’t show on his face. He fixed Jungkook’s hair and tugged the blankets around him, “So?”

Yoongi inched closer to the bed again and shared a wary look with Namjoon.  It was second nature to follow Seokjin’s cues at this point and if he was proceeding to act like everything was normal, then so would they. It did very little to calm down the rattling in Namjoon’s chest though.

Hyewon kept humming, her hand still over Jungkook’s heart. When she opened her eyes there was a purple glow to them. It disappeared when she blinked. She wasn’t smiling anymore.

“Well,” she said, voice heavy. “I can confirm, definitely, that he was given an enhancement potion. A very well made one at that too. That orphan must have paid a pretty price for it.”

Members of the Kim Seokjin coven frowned. Kim Seokjin himself did not. It didn’t take a genius to feel there was something she wasn’t telling them.

Hyewon watched Jungkook’s sleeping face for a moment longer and sighed before looking into Seokjin’s eyes. The ancient vampire lord and the ancient witch shared a conversation the rest of the coven wasn’t invited to. Namjoon swallowed thickly.

Never let it be said that Namjoon would trust a witch’s ruse blindly but the way Hyewon looked at Seokjin almost seemed apologetic. Her hand was still on Jungkook’s chest but Namjoon wasn’t sure if it was to keep a connection or if she wanted to feel his heart.

“I get the distinct sense you are about to say something that will upset me.” Seokjin said.

She looked at Taehyung ,“I can remove the potion from his body if you want.”

“But.” Namjoon interjected, his mouth acting faster than his brain.

Hyewon glanced at him and then back down at Jungkook. Namjoon wanted to say he was reading too much into Hyewon’s expressions. His desperation was clouding his judgement and making him see his own emotions reflected on this witch’s face. It had to be.

It had to be because otherwise Namjoon had to admit that the witch looked mournful. She met Seokjin’s gaze without blinking.

“It would kill him.”

There was ringing in his ears.

Once upon a time Namjoon had been a human. This was a long time ago. So much time had passed that Namjoon didn’t remember much of it. Some memories were brighter than the rest but Namjoon liked keeping those memories closer to his chest.

He’d lived in a small farming village in a forgotten corner of the then mighty kingdom where they’d had a river that over flew in the fall and a mountain range that was rumored to be haunted with ghosts and goblins.

Namjoon remembered his uncle carrying him across the paddy fields on his shoulders and how the sun hard burned his nose and shoulders all day. He remembered his mother scolding him for being late for dinner when he’d played outside with his friend, scaring him by sayings monsters would steal him in the dark. He remembered his father teaching him how to read and write by candle light and his fond laughter when Namjoon had spilled ink all over his only good pair of pants.

Namjoon never listened to his mother when he warned him about the monsters lurking around. She’d had a monster for everything; monsters waiting by the river and the monsters that lived in the mountains.

The real monsters had come on horseback in the dead of night.

A large raiding party with bows and swords and armor.

Namjoon remembered it vividly. He remembered the blood on the dirt floors, he remembered the arrow that went through his uncle’s throat and swing of sword that cut his father across his back. He remembered the desperate grip of his mother’s hand in his as they ran through bloodied streets. They’d almost made it out until arrows made wings on his mother’s shoulders.

Namjoon had spent the night in a daze, cradling his mother’s body in his arms as his village burned to ashes around him.

There’d been a ringing in his ears then, too.

It had drowned out the sounds of his screaming friends, the neighing of horses and their hooves, the fighting. All of it had bled into nothing along with his mother in his arms. His ears had rung the entire night until dawn.

The ringing now drowned out the pained gasps of his lovers, it drowned out Yoongi’s immediate questions, it drowned out Hoseok’s panicked chatter, it drowned out Taehyung’s shouts, and it drowned out Jimin’s shrill bat-screams.

His vision went white around the corners of his eyes and all he could see was Jungkook. Sweet, darling Jungkook asleep peacefully in Seokjin’s arms.

He swallowed thickly, his mouth working oddly when he tried to form a sentence but his mind was empty. A burning village, a fledgling doomed to die.

In a broken whisper he managed to say, “No.”

A gentle hand on his arm managed to pull him back to his body but it was Hoseok’s careful calling of his name that actually overpowered the ringing in his ear.

“Namjoon-ah.” He murmured carefully. Namjoon blinked and looked down at him, finding himself face to face with two little bats in Hoseok’s arms. Hoseok maneuvered himself until Namjoon grabbed Jimin from his arms and rested him against his heart. He even remembered to get it to work this time.

Namjoon swallowed and shut his eyes tightly. Get yourself together, he chastised himself, freak out when the witch is gone.

“What do you mean?” Seokjin asked coldly. It was enough to get Namjoon out of his head. He stood closer to Hoseok. “You’re a witch. You can’t heal him?”

“Healing and removing the potion all together are two very different options. I can heal his injuries, if you want.” Hyewon responded, unthreatened by Seokjin’s building anger.

“If you had been anyone else, I would have healed him already and left you to deal with the fallout.” She explained. “You and I have too much respect for each other for me to do that, so I will not. I’m being honest here, no tricks.”

“I don’t –“Yoongi intercepted this time. He closed his eyes and swallowed whatever he really meant to say, shook his head before looking at Hyewon. “Can you just explain yourself? Please?”

Hyewon looked around the room taking in their distress. In any other situation Namjoon would hate showing their hand so easily, he would hate giving a stranger –witch – an obvious upper hand they can exploit.

Right at that moment he was too agitated to care.

And maybe he was still imagining non-existing emotions on Hyewon’s face or maybe the witch was just that good at mimicking human expressions when she needed to but she looked to be sympathetic to their pain.

How terrible of a situation were they in that the witch pitied them?

She ran her free hand across Jungkook’s hair and cupped his cheek in a loving manner, “He’s not meant to exist.”

“Hyewon –“ Seokjin hissed, not in anger but in desperation.

“Your fledgling is an abomination.” Hyewon cut him off. Her voice was stern but not unkind. “That foolish orphan created something that should not exist and now this foal-legged baby is suffering the consequences of it.”

“Abomination?” Hoseok clutched to Taehyung in his arm and Namjoon at his side, his face twisting in panic and anger. “He’s just – he’s a fledgling. Ours. Sure they, they gave him that potion but he’s still a fledgling.”

“He is a fledgling and he is not.” She answered.

Anguish bleeding into irritation, Namjoon growled out, “What the fuck does that mean?”

“I assume this is case for all the other faulty fledglings in your care right now.” Hyewon carried on, entirely unbothered by Namjoon’s growing anger. She looked at Seokjin and then Yoongi.

“They were made quick and they will die quick.” Yoongi parroted, dull. “But you said Jungkook should be fine because he was given the real potion.”

“Should.” Hyewon emphasized. “And he won’t die like the rest. No, he won’t suffer the same way those poor creatures are suffering but I’m not sure if you will like this any better.”

Namjoon bit down his tongue to hold back from lashing out. His patience thinned with every word she spoke. Did witches have to be so chatty? Couldn’t she just give yes or no answers?

“Speak plainly, Hyewon.” Seokjin said and Namjoon silently thanked him. Maybe the man could really read minds.

Hyewon blinked, unimpressed, at Seokjin. She tapped her fingers on Jungkook’s chest.

“This here is a nuclear bomb in the body of a sick baby.” She said. “He’s a fully grown vampire and he’s a barely over a week old. He’s weak and he’s tremendously strong. He’s sickly and he’s healthier than all of you. He’s all of these simultaneously.” She rattled off in quick succession. She looked at Hoseok at the end when she said, “He’s an abomination because he shouldn’t exist.”

“Not only does he have to adapt to being a new-born fledgling, he has to also adapt to being a full-fledged one. He has to adjust to being a tortured new-born, he has to adjust to having powers of an adult one.” She said. “He isn’t just figuring out how to be a fledgling, he’s figuring out how to be an enhanced vampire. He’s a walking, talking paradox.” Then she added, almost loving, “He’s an atrocity."

Silence grew heavier with each passing second as Hyewon’s words sunk. They had known that Jungkook was pulling off impossible feats and they’d also known that these new fledglings made by Sangwook were all faulty but… Hearing it all as a fact from the mouth of a witch made it all worse.

Was this it? Jungkook was doomed to a life of suffering?

“You –“ Hoseok stopped, despondent, and couldn’t continue speaking. He hugged Taehyung tighter to himself. Both of their bat-shaped fledglings were dead silent in their hands.

“Is there truly nothing you can do?” Seokjin asked in a somber tone. “He’s an abomination, alright, but can’t you heal him? Ease his pain a little?”

“I can.” she said. “I’m trying to tell you that you don’t want me to do that.” She sighed. “He is enhanced, yes, but he is still a baby who is adjusting to being undead. A traumatic death, a traumatic rebirth… His body is adjusting the best it can. I can heal him but it will send his body into shock.”

“Healing him will?” Namjoon asked.          

“It would be similar to pulling him out of boiling water and dumping him into ice.” She said. “Sure, he won’t be burning but now he’ll freeze.”

“So it’s like re-feeding syndrome, in a way.” Yoongi mumbled in deep thought.

Hyewon nodded, “Yes, that is a better example. Healing his injuries won’t kill him but he will be worse afterwards. He won’t know how to handle having a body that’s not suffering. He’s in such a delicate state that even if I healed him gradually it would have harsh, long lasting consequences that I don’t want to risk.”

“And – “Yoongi wet his lips and tilted his head, “And if you remove the enhancement from his system, it will kill him. That’s what you said.”

Hyewon blinked slowly and placed a hand of Jungkook’s chest. They all watched as his ribcage rose and fell with each unnecessary breath he took.

“De-fanged, tortured, brutalized, silver-bound, left to bleed out whatever measly blood was fed to him… Jeon Jungkook was never meant to survive the night he was turned.” Hyewon spoke with the gentleness of a breeze. “He’s alive because of the enhancement potion.”

She met Seokjin’s gaze without blinking, “If you want me to remove the potion from his body, you’re better off asking me to just kill him. At least then he can have a quick, painless death.”

Namjoon stared with unseeing eyes. The damn ringing was back in his ears. He tried to focus on Jimin’s soft fur but he barely felt like he was in his own body to begin with.  This was it? Their only chance was to just let Jungkook suffer through a nightmarish existence until… until when?

“Can he –“ his tongue felt too heavy in his mouth, too dry, too big. “Can he get better on his own?”

Hyewon hummed thoughtfully.

“Eventually he’ll adjust to his own existence. I cannot estimate how long it might take him but…” she squint her eyes at Jungkook, “The enhancement potion itself might kick in down the line and speed up the process but I’d wager that it would take a few decades at the very least. It might take until he’s an actual adult vampire.”

Namjoon couldn’t stomach the thought of Jungkook spending another day like this let alone decades. One week had been too much… a century of suffering… and that was if Jungkook was lucky.

Maybe it depended on whether or not they could call Jungkook lucky after everything he’d been through. Was surviving so far luck or punishment?

“Even then,” Hyewon added, “There is a potential that Jungkook might remain, for lack of a better term, disabled. I don’t know how the enhancement will work on a creature that’s not supposed to exist. It might heal him completely or it might not work at all. This might be as good as it gets and Jungkook might have to live with only the potion keeping him alive.”

Yoongi hid his face behind his hands, standing stock still before his shoulders started to shake and then the room was filled with mirthless laughter. Everyone except for Hyewon turned to him, Jimin and Taehyung squeaking out in confusion.

“That fucking – “ he shook his head, face still hidden but his manic, fanged grin showed between fingers, “ – he doomed Jungkook to the same fate.”

Hoseok looked at him, his expression worried, “What are you talking about, hyung?”

Yoongi dropped his arms to his sides and tilted his head back to stare at the ceiling. His laughter had stopped but he was still grinning a too wide smile – too toothy, too predatory on Yoongi’s face. His dark eyes had an almost red tint to them and Namjoon knew the only reason he hadn’t ripped the room apart was because, no matter how angry, Yoongi hated scaring their fledglings.

“Sangwook’s been sick.” Yoongi said. “We didn’t get around to sharing that earlier when Jungkook woke up.”

Yoongi’s head lolled down like it was too heavy for him to carry it, like Yoongi was on the edge of losing it but forcing himself through sheer willpower to keep it all contained.

“He doesn’t heal and he’s sick, we knew this from the start; he’s weak enough to be stealing kills from his fledglings.” He said. “He’s been sick for at least a decade – he has a faded scar on his neck.”

“Sangwook and Han-chool were lovers, they argued about the fledglings, and then Sangwook left and Han-chool died.” Yoongi explained this part quickly. “Sangwook gave the fledglings fake potions, Sungho gave Jungkook the real one by accident.”

“Sangwook started showing signs of healing but it’s barely anything to even notice. He’s sick. He’s so sick that his symptoms line-up with severe silver poisoning.” He said. “This should be impossible because Sangwook’s power is healing.”

Taehyung squeaked in Hoseok arms and stubbornly climbed over to Hoseok’s shoulder where he got a better look at Yoongi. The demanding curious squeaks might have been adorable in any other situation. Namjoon rubbed Jimin’s soft fur, worried about how silent he was being.

Yoongi glanced at Taehyung, his manic grin finally melting into a tired frown.

“Sangwook tried to kill himself.” He explained. “He tried to kill himself but his healing powers made it impossible. Now, instead of dying, he’s severely, chronically sick.”

Yoongi paused for a moment and shook his head.

“Sangwook can’t die but he can’t heal either.” He closed his eyes. “And now Jungkook’s suffering because of the enhancement potion but he’s alive because of the potion too. That fucker doomed Jungkook to suffer the same consequences of his own Faustian deal.”

“But –“ Hoseok stopped. “But Sangwook had an enhancement potion? Why would he go through the hassle of finding a witch if he wasn’t going to use it on himself? What was the point?”

“Enhancement potion wouldn’t have saved him.” Hyewon commented idly. She shrugged when everyone turned to her. “It only would have made his sickness worse but –“ she tipped her chin to Yoongi, “If his power is healing even that wouldn’t have killed him. It would have just turned him into a lame vampire.”

Namjoon frowned, “I doubt the witch he got the potion from would have told him that, so did he figure it out on his own?”

“I think he just changed tactics.” Seokjin said. “He wanted die, failed. He wanted to heal but changed his mind. His plan was to make us suffer but it blew up in his face.” He mumbled towards the end. “But that’s not all, actually. There’s another thing we didn’t get to talk about before.”

Jimin twitched in his arms for the first time and Namjoon placed a kiss on top of his head. He shifted in place as he took in Seokjin’s unreadable expression. It was as severe as Yoongi’s.

“Sangwook wants to make a deal.” He started. “He will confess to everything on one condition; he demands to meet with Jungkook.”

Nothing could have prevented the heavy engine-like growl that came deep from Namjoon’s throat. Jimin and Taehyung both hissed in anger, their tiny ears pressed flat to their heads, as ferocious as they could be as bats the size of a palm. Still, Namjoon’s growling and the fledglings’ hissing was nothing compared to Hoseok’s eerie silence.

“You did not agree.”

Hoseok’s voice was ice cold and his eyes were even colder.

“Of course not.” Seokjin answered, exasperated, and for a moment he looked more like a scolded boyfriend than a feared vampire lord. “I made that mistake once with Sungho, I’m not about to repeat it.”

“At least you learn.” Hoseok mumbled. “Why does that asshole want to meet our fledgling after he abandoned him then?”

“Our fledgling,” Yoongi said suddenly, “That’s what he said, I wish to meet our fledgling.”

“He’s wishing for my fist in his face.” Namjoon growled. Jimin kept fussing in his arms, too angry for his tiny body to contain, frustrated chirps filling the room. Taehyung was no different.

“He obviously wants his death.” Seokjin said. “Jungkook nearly killed him once and that was minutes after turning. He knows Jungkook got the real potion, he must be betting on triggering Jungkook to get himself killed.”

“What a silly plan.” Hyewon murmured to herself while watching Jungkook.

“Once Jungkook goes berserk he will inevitably end up hurting himself.” Yoongi said. “Like how it went with Sungho. Sangwook must know that Jungkook can’t keep it up for too long, just enough to kill him, and he knows that Jungkook being in pain will hurt us.”

“Still, what a silly plan.” Hyewon said. “There are easier ways to die.”

“Regardless of Sangwook’s planning qualities, he’s not getting what he wants.” Seokjin said firmly. “Anything he can confess we can already find by ourselves.”

“You’re still playing by the rules?” Hyewon raised a brow.

“I made the rules.” Seokjin said. “I’m sticking by them.”

Hyewon pursed her lips, “You’re an odd one. Just kill him and be done with it.”

“If I pick and choose when to abide by my own laws then that gives way for others to play as they wish.” Seokjin said.

“All it takes is a handful of deaths to fix people acting brave.” Hyewon said. “It’s nothing you haven’t done before.”

“I’m trying out democracy.” Seokjin said.

Hyewon grinned, animal-like, “You’ll grow tired of it.”

“Enough.” Seokjin said. “We need to get back to what’s important; Jungkook. Removing the potion will kill him and healing the injuries will result in him being worse off. Is there anything you can do to make it easier on him?”

Hyewon breathed in deeply through her nose and watched Jungkook for another moment.

“Here’s what I can do – what will not have any negative consequences on your little abomination.”

“Stop calling him that.” Hoseok gritted out.

“I can heal the cuts on his mouth.” She ignored Hoseok and tapped Jungkook’s chin. Then she looked at Yoongi, “I can stop him from getting simple illnesses until his health stabilizes. I can also ensure he doesn’t suffer infections, it’ll reduce the stress on his body and maybe he’ll heal a little better on his own, but that is extend of what I can do here.”

Namjoon raised a brow, “What you can do here?”

“If I were to take him back to my place I can get an even better look at him.” She answered serenely, “I have my books and my herbs and my potions there, my powers are limited to my body here.”

“As kind as you are,” Seokjin interfered before Namjoon could cuss her out, “I think we should keep that option for a different day. Please do what you can here.”

Hyewon smiled, “Of course.”

Namjoon swallowed the urge to fight the witch and instead positioned himself so he was standing between Yoongi and Hoseok (and little bat Taehyung). He shared a quick look with all of them and although it wasn’t as comforting as he thought it would be to see that they were just as uncomfortable, at least he wasn’t alone in it.

Taehyung jumped from Hoseok’s shoulder and clumsily caught onto Namjoon, squeaking until he was cuddled to Jimin. Namjoon smiled faintly at their fledglings and held them secure against his chest.

While Namjoon was momentarily distracted with his youngest two boyfriends, Hyewon cupped Jungkook’s face and leaned down and down until her lips were inches from Jungkook’s.

For one horrible moment Namjoon feared she’d kiss him.  Instead she opened her mouth and something lilac and slimy spilled from her tongue. She sat back up and coated Jungkook’s lower face with the disgusting … liquid thing. It sure as fuck wasn’t spit or saliva.

She clasped a hand over Jungkook’s mouth and closed her eyes, muttering under her breath in a language Namjoon didn’t know. When she removed her again the lilac substance was gone – along with the scarring over Jungkook’s lips.

Without the horrible cuts and scarring, it was easier to see just how pink Jungkook’s lips really were. Namjoon wanted to trace his fingers on the outline of his lips to commit the shape to memory.

“That was disgusting.” Seokjin commented.

“Witch.” She shrugged.

Then she place one hand on the middle of Jungkook’s chest and then her other hand over it and rose over her knees. She looked up at all of them and nodded.

“This is going to look a little scary but don’t worry.”

Namjoon worried.

He especially worried when she compressed her hands down hard like she was performing CPR and her eyes flashed a deep purple. A loud crack was followed by golden lights flickering through Jungkook’s veins.

The golden light simmered down to a warm glittery glow under Jungkook’s skin. It made him look as if he was painted with fairy dust. Hyewon lifted her hands from Jungkook’s chest but kept it facing palm down above his body. Her eyes lazily turned back to its brown color when Hyewon sat back down with an air of satisfaction.

“There we go.” She said. The glow on Jungkook’s skin disappeared as well. “You won’t have to worry about infections or petty illnesses now. Anything more than this puts him at risk.” She smiled around the room. “Y’know, if you allow me to inspect him in my home I could possibly –oh“

Hyewon cut herself off. Her brows rose up to her hairline and she pursed her lips together tightly.

“What…” Jungkook growled out, “Did you do to me.”

They all stared with matching dumbfounded expressions at him. Namjoon’s instincts made him want to climb into the bed and glue himself to Jungkook, he wanted to place himself between their fledgling and the witch.

His mind was too shocked to give out any commands though so Namjoon stood there like an idiot.

Hyewon blinked, “How – how are you awake?” she asked.

It was clear that it was taking Jungkook everything to keep his eyes open. And, honestly, to say he was ‘keeping his eyes open’ was an exaggeration. He was squinting angrily at best, his big eyes reduced to small slits. He had a matching pouty frown to go with it.

Jungkook seemed annoyed to have a witch in his face.

“You all –“ he smacked his lips. “Keep talking.” He complained. “What – what did you do to me?”

 “Huh.” Hyewon, The Witch, said eloquently. She sharply looked at Seokjin, “You said you gave him the sleep potion.”

“We did.” Seokjin answered. He was staring at Jungkook with the same surprised expression though he remembered to hide it when Jungkook grumbled unhappily in his arms. Seokjin adjusted his hold on him and gently shushed him.

Seokjin looked at Hyewon. Hyewon looked at Seokjin.

“Did you –“ Seokjin paused. “Did you give us the wrong potion by any chance?”

“I certainly did not.”

“… I see.” Seokjin looked down at Jungkook. Jungkook blinked slowly, still angry at being woken up. Seokjin looked up at Hyewon. “Did you shirk off with the ingredients? Maybe you undercooked the potion.”

“I don’t undercook my potions.” Hyewon hissed. For a moment less than a heart-beat they almost looked like siblings. “I put the right ingredients, cooked it the right amount, and gave you the right potion. My potion isn’t the problem here!”

“What did you do to me?” Jungkook asked again petulantly. His eyes were wider open now but still, just barely.

“Nothing bad.” Hyewon waved off his question. She stared at him intently and Namjoon spotted sparkles of purple in her eyes. Jungkook stared back at her without blinking. “How are you awake?”

“You’re loud.” Jungkook complained.

In any other circumstance Namjoon would find this absolutely adorable. Hell, he did think this was adorable. Jungkook’s adorable face all scrunched up like a grumpy baby. It was giving him cuteness aggression, for real.

But Namjoon could only focus on the elephant in the room;

Jungkook was awake despite drinking a sleeping potion.

“Well, I apologize for waking you up.” Hyewon gathered herself together and wiped the shock off of her face. The curious cat look was still in her eyes and it put Namjoon on edge every time a purple spark unceremoniously flashed in her gaze. “But you see, I was only talking so casually because it’s impossible for you to wake up.”

“I’m up though…” Jungkook mumbled.

“Yes,” Hyewon said with a widening smile, “Yes, you are. How?”

“How would he know?” Hoseok said darkly. He was shifting his balance from foot to foot and his fingers were twitching on his sides. Yoongi pulled him in for a one-armed hug and held him there, watching the interaction with sharp eyes.

“What did you do to me?” Jungkook asked again, sharper. “You did something. I-I know you did. I felt it.”

“You felt it.” Hyewon repeated with a hum. “I healed the cuts on your mouth and then made sure your injuries won’t get infected and that you won’t have petty sickness to deal with.” She answered and nodded towards Seokjin, “With permission from your Sire, of course.”

Jungkook made a small sound and tipped his head back to look at Seokjin. Namjoon pin pointed the moment Jungkook realized where he really was from how he melted into Seokjin’s chest, how his eyes softened up and his lips quirked into a shy smile.

“Hello, there.” Seokjin smiled back at him. “We didn’t mean to wake you up darling, I’m sorry for that.”

“‘s okay.” Jungkook mumbled, clearly lost in Seokjin’s eyes. Namjoon couldn’t hold back the smile on his own face, nor could Hoseok or Yoongi. Jimin and Taehyung fussed about in Namjoon’s arms to get a better look, chirping and squeaking.

“Are you in any pain, little one?” Yoongi walked around the bed to ask, standing where Jungkook could spot him over Hyewon’s shoulder.

“Everything hurts.” Jungkook whined. “All the time.”

“I’m sorry sweetheart.” Seokjin replied and glanced at Hyewon. “Anything you can do?”

“Nothing that will last.” She shrugged. “He will be in pain, Lord Seokjin, there’s nothing to be done about that. I’m not a painkiller.”

“Tylenol, then.” Yoongi said easily, still observing Jungkook. “This will be over soon and then you can go back to sleep, little one.”

“I was sleeping.” Jungkook sulked and glared tiredly at Hyewon. “You guys woke me up.”

“This shouldn’t have been possible.” Hyewon commented. “But it seems you pull off miracles on a daily basis, little vampire.”

“What did you do to me?” Jungkook repeated, his annoyance growing, and Namjoon frowned at the repeat question. “You – you did something, I felt it – you did something.”

“I answered this already.” Hyewon said. “I healed your lips and I made sure you won’t get infections or illness.”

Jungkook’s irritated, tired expression slowly turned into one of confusion. He chewed on his bottom lip, brows pinched together in thought.

“Oh – right.” He mumbled. “I – you did.” He blinked and nuzzled into Seokjin’s chest, “I’m tired – why’d you wake me up? I wanna sleep – I’m tired.”

Seokjin cradled him closer with a gentle had on the back of Jungkook’s head, hushing Jungkook’s worn out complaints.

“Why don’t you go back to sleep, darling?” Seokjin ran his fingers through Jungkook’s hair in an attempt to soothe him. “We’re all here with you and you’re safe, just close your eyes.”

Jungkook grumbled angrily , “You’re all so loud.”

“We’ll be silent, then.” Seokjin said sweetly and then looked at Hyewon, not-so-sweetly.

“The confusion is to be expected, before you even ask. He’s somehow fighting off a sleeping potion – my sleeping potion. It’s normal that he’s confused when he should be so deep in REM even an apocalyptic event couldn’t wake him.” She paused. “Well, as normal as I can estimate, I never met anyone that overpowered a sleeping potion... or any potions for that matter.”

“So this is just –“ Namjoon made a face as he tried to make sense of the facts at hand, “Is this because of the enhancement potion then?”

Hyewon sat up with a curios look in her eyes. “Before you go back to sleep, would you mind if I take a peek into you?”

Jungkook clutched onto Seokjin’s shirt with his shaking fingers, his worn-out frown deepening as he took in the question.

“D’you mean – like –“ he smacked his unscarred lips and squinted, “ – like my organs…?”

“No, no!” Hyewon laughed good-naturedly, waving a hand around. “Nothing like that at all. I’m limited in what I can do here without all my handy-dandy tools but I want to see how you’re awake.”

“You already looked into him though.” Hoseok frowned. “He’s not a science experiment.”

“You asked questions and I looked for the answers.” She said. “Now there’s a different question and I must look for a different answer.”

Jimin squeaked indignantly and flapped his wings, nearly falling from Namjoon’s hold. He only stopped when Taehyung nosed under his chin and calmed him down. Hyewon didn’t even glance in their direction.

The vampires all looked at each other in silent communication. It was a good idea in theory to find answers for the never ending questions but Namjoon didn’t forget that there was a cost to be paid. How much was all this racking up to? He hated that Hyewon was suddenly so interested in Jungkook but at the same time maybe it as better that a witch was actually searching for answers even if it was a plot to satisfy her own curiosity.

“Shouldn’t Jungkook decide?” he asked. Jimin and Taehyung chirped in agreement.

They’d made the decisions so far because Jungkook had been unable to but since he was, grumpily, awake, it only made sense that Jungkook should make the call for himself. Namjoon paused. Or – or did he just put too much stress on an already fragile fledgling? Would it have been better to let Seokjin decide again?

Exhaustion heavy eyes stared at Hyewon. Namjoon regretted speaking up about this. He didn’t want to take away Jungkook’s choice away from him when he’d had so very little to begin with, but it was clear as day that waking up was taking its toll on him. Maybe they could rearrange this meeting but – Namjoon glanced down to the bats in his arms – no, that wouldn’t do either.

“Will it hurt?” Jungkook asked.

“How did it feel before?” Hyewon asked back. “You said you felt what I did. It shouldn’t be any different than that.”

Jungkook worried his lip. The motion caught Namjoon’s attention like he’d drawn blood, suddenly incapable of looking anywhere else other than the spot Jungkook’s bunny teeth pushed into his lower lip.

Bad Namjoon, bad, that was for a different time. They had far more important things to do.

“Fine.” Jungkook said, reserved. “But – but be quick about it, okay?”

“I will not dilly dally.” Hyewon marked an X on her chest and winked at Jungkook. “Shall I begin then?”

Despite the obvious apprehension on his face, Jungkook nodded and closed his eyes tightly like he was bracing for a punch. Pain was all he’d known for the last week and Namjoon was filled with the urge to hold him, to tell him he was safe and sound in their coven.

He held his tongue and watched Hyewon place her hands on Jungkook’s head and close her eyes.

Instead of flashing lights and harsh winds, this time all that happened was a soft, warm glow emanating from Hyewon’s hands against Jungkook. With each passing second Jungkook relaxed even if the worried pinch of his brows never really disappeared.

A single spark, like miniature lighting, set off between Hyewon’s fingers. Then, a few seconds after, another one set off. For a good fifteen seconds it remained calm until a third spark went off. Hyewon didn’t react to the sparks and Jungkook didn’t even seem to notice them.

The glow diminished and Hyewon pulled her hands away, sat back down, and stared at Jungkook with a growing smile. Jungkook opened his eyes as well, looking more tired now, waiting to see what Hyewon had to say.

“I can’t say I’ve ever seen anything like you before, little abomination.”

“Don’t call him that.” Seokjin warned.

Hyewon lowered her head in acquiescence, “My apologies, little vampire, I meant no harm.”

Jungkook barely looked like he was following the conversation let alone understand it enough to be offended. Still, he made a vague noise, and tried to bury his face into Seokjin.

“So?” Yoongi asked, “Did you find anything?”

“Oh boy, did I…” she said with a Cheshire grin. “You got something impossibly rare in your arms here, Lord Seokjin. “

“Well, do share with the class, please.” Seokjin said.

“Of course but before that,” she looked at Jungkook, “Tell me, were you trying to fight me?”

Jungkook scrunched up his face, “What? No, how would I fight you?” he rubbed his cheek on Seokjin’s chest, exhausted. “I jus’ wanna sleep, I’m tired.”

“Incredible.” Hyewon smile turned wider, somehow. She looked at all of them and said;

“He’s magic resistant.”

Namjoon blinked.  

What.

“What?”

“He’s magic resistant.” Hyewon repeated. “He’s strong enough that he offset me from looking too deep into him by pure instinct.”

“Magic resistant?” Seokjin asked. “Is that even… possible? I’ve heard of spell that can create magic-resistant objects or temporarily protect a person from magic but…”

“It’s a tall-tale even among us supernatural creatures, y’know?” Hyewon said excitedly, like she was sharing the latest gossip and not an important detail of their fledgling’s life.

“What are you talking about?” Hoseok asked, his eyes laser focused on Jungkook’s tired face. “Is it not related to the enhancement potion?”

Hyewon shook her head. Her smile seemed bigger than her face.

“I don’t know what he is!” she said happily. “I have never seen anything like him before!”

Namjoon’s stomach fell to his feet.

The Witch didn’t know. The Witch had never seen anything like him before. The Witch was grinning like the cat that got the cream at their fledgling.

“Wait – wait a minute.” Yoongi said, shaking his head. “If he’s magic resistant then… doesn’t that mean your spells won’t have any effect on him?”

“He’s magic resistant not magic-proof.” Hyewon clarified. “These are two very different things. Best I can tell, he’s using it purely on a defense based instinct. He didn’t overpower the sleeping potion until he felt me cast a spell on him. He had no way to tell what type of spell it was nor does he have the power to combat it, so he did the next best thing; he woke up.”

“Just now too, even though he agreed to it he’s naturally afraid of what he doesn’t know, so he stopped me from looking in too close. All on instinct.” She grinned. “Fascinating.”

Namjoon felt uneasy the longer Hyewon smiled. He didn’t know how to weigh her. It would be easy for him to decide she’d snatch Jungkook from them but from what little he’d seen Hyewon seemed to be genuinely curious.

A curious witch and the source of her curiosity barely awake in front of her.

Seokjin would never let anything happen to Jungkook. Namjoon knew this. It was a fact. Seokjin would protect Jungkook from everything. Namjoon repeated this in his mind and forced his body to relax. It did very little to calm him.

He was no good to anyone if he didn’t get himself together. He mentally shook himself and focused on the weight and feel of Jimin and Taehyung in his arms.

So, Jungkook was magic-resistant. Namjoon had never heard of such a thing in his undead life. He watched Jungkook struggle to stay awake, stubbornly refusing to fall asleep despite how much he obviously needed it. He nuzzled deeper into Seokjin’s neck but his tired eyes never left Hyewon.

Namjoon blinked.

“Wait.” He said. All the eyes turned to him – except for Jungkook. “The night Jungkook was kidnapped, when he told us, he remembered being thralled by Sungho and then he remembered when Sangwook charmed him. It’s impossible to remember either of those but he knew for a fact something was wrong.” He looked at Hyewon. “Is it possible this is why?”

Hyewon’s eyes lit up in near joy when Namjoon spoke and she nodded along.

“Oh, that’s incredible.” She turned to Jungkook, “You’re incredible.” She looked at Namjoon again. “Yes, that sounds exactly like what just happened to me.”

“How fast would the enhancement potion take effect?” Yoongi asked. “Right off the bat?”

“No, no potion ever works that fast and if anyone declares otherwise they’re a scammer.” Hyewon laughed.

“Your sleep potion worked immediately.” Hoseok pointed out with a raised brow.

“Because I made that potion.” Hyewon answered proudly. She even wiggled her shoulders happily. “However the potion given to Jungkook is also well-crafted,” she looked sideways at Seokjin, “If you ever need to search for who made that potion you will need to look for older witches.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Seokjin said. He was half distracted with Jungkook’s unhappy grumblings.

“I’d say it would have taken a minimum of two hours for the enhancement potion to truly settle in Jungkook’s body.” Hyewon said. “Why do you ask?”

“Because if it took two hours… It’s not that big of a deal if he saw through Sungho’s thrall. He was barely a month old.” Yoongi tipped his chin towards Jungkook. “But that means he fought off a grown vampire’s charm purely by his own strength.”

“That also means –“ Hoseok started and paused. He looked at Hyewon. “Is he resistant to just spells and potions?”

“He’s sensitive to everything supernatural.” She answered. “It doesn’t have to be limited to magic.”

Hoseok chewed on his bottom lip. His complexion was paler than moments ago and he had something sickly to his expression.

“Then…” he mumbled, “… he also fought off the silver by himself, too.”

Namjoon’s gaze immediately fell to the thick bandages wrapped around Jungkook’s wrists where he knew the damage done was bone deep. Namjoon’s knowledge was deeply limited compared to Yoongi but the silver cuffs on Jungkook had been a concern of priority. Yoongi had practically deemed it a miracle that Jungkook still had his hands and that he hadn’t ended up with silver poisoning.

Beside him Yoongi made a strangled noise and palmed his face.

“I should have known.” He gritted.

“How would you have known?” Hyewon tilted her head with a single raised brow. “I didn’t know until a minute ago and I’m me. This little one here is practically a myth.”

It did very little to ease Yoongi’s guilt but it was enough for him to at least nod in acknowledgement that he couldn’t have figured it out himself and for that alone Namjoon was willing to ignore some of the bad thoughts he had about Hyewon.

“What must be done now?” Seokjin asked.

“I suggested you kill Sangwook and you don’t want to.” Hyewon said.

“I mean Jungkook.”

“Who knows? Your guess is as good as mine now.”

“That’s it?” Hoseok asked. “We called you here for help –“

“I helped you.” Hyewon said coolly. “You asked questions, I answered. A magic-resistant person is unheard of. I can’t help you with what I don’t know.”

“This is the extent of your capabilities here.” Namjoon repeated. “We’d have to bring Jungkook to your home for you to get a detailed look into him.”

“Correct.” Hyewon smiled.

“But you might not find anything else.” Namjoon pointed out.

“Correct.” Hyewon smiled wider.

“I think this is enough for now.” Seokjin cut in. “I’m grateful for your help, Hyewon, as always. I think it will be better if Jungkook rests now, he clearly can’t fall back asleep with you here, and we can monitor him for a few days.”

“Sleeping is the best medicine for him now.” She nodded in agreement. She crawled off the bed as gracelessly as before and walked towards the door. “I’ll find my way out, no need to escort me.” 

“We can discuss the matter of payment later in a private setting.” Seokjin said.

Hyewon paused with her hand on the door handle and looked over her shoulder. She watched Jungkook struggle to fall asleep, complaining in small grunts and squeaks. There was no apparent expression on her face but Namjoon swore he could feel her joy through her deep, unnatural brown eyes.

For the first time since her arrival, this was the moment Namjoon truly felt like he was in the presence of a witch.

“I think the discovery was enough payment in itself.” She said sweetly and her eyes slid to Seokjin, “As I swear on my mother’s name and pride, Kim Seokjin, there is no debt to be paid.”

Namjoon didn’t hear anything when Hyewon shut the door behind her.

“What the fuck, what the fuck.” Hoseok sat on the bed like a puppet whose strings were cut, swearing under his breath.

Jimin and Taehyung both jumped off of Namjoon and climbed onto Hoseok’s shoulders, squeaks of worry filling the room. Hoseok sat up straighter and pulled the fledglings to his chest and shut his eyes tightly.

“I’m fine, I’m okay.” He said despite the obvious shake in his voice. He kissed both Jimin and Taehyung on their foreheads and rubbed his nose against theirs. “It’s all okay.”

Namjoon got the feeling he wasn’t saying it for their fledglings’ sake.

A third squeak, an unpracticed sound, filled the room.

Jungkook was peeking from under Seokjin’s chin confused and worried. His bottom lip was pushed out in the most adorable pout and his eyes were barely open. Seokjin kissed the top of his head when Jungkook chirped again.

“Ah, Jungkook-ah.” Hoseok twisted around and the smile on his face seemed genuine. Namjoon shared a look with Yoongi. “Sorry, we’re being loud aren’t we? Here –“

He rounded the bed with practiced ease and carefully placed Jimin and Taehyung on Jungkook’s chest. The two bats protested being switched only for a moment before both of them snuggled in under Jungkook’s chin, one bat on each collarbone.

Jungkook blinked lazily, his frown teasing into a faint smile, and nuzzled Jimin and Taehyung the best he could in the awkward angle.

His eyes landed on the door before look at the older vampires. He smacked his lips for a few times and worked his jaw oddly before he could speak.

“W-who… Who was that?” he asked.

“A witch, little one.” Seokjin answered.

“A witch?” Jungkook’s eyes widened and Namjoon smiled at the sight. Seokjin hummed in reply and fixed Jungkook’s hair, gently pushing his head down to rest on his shoulder.

“A witch.” Seokjin said. “She’s gone now so you can sleep. It’s important that you sleep.”

Jungkook squeaked weakly in response and shifted in Seokjin’s arms until he was comfortable. Instead of falling asleep like he was told to he instead stared at the three vampires standing by the bed and squeaked again in what was very obviously a call sign.

It was a very petulant, very adorable call sign.

(It was miles and leagues different from the torn out, scared, begging call from just half an hour ago.)

“Well, he’s a fussy one.” Yoongi scoffed but there was a real smile on his face now, his eyes were softer.

“Give the baby what he demands then.” Seokjin pat the empty spot beside him. “Come here, all of you.”

Yoongi went climbed in easily and found his spot next to Seokjin, hooked his chin over the older vampire’s shoulder and pulled Jungkook’s legs over his lap. Jimin and Taehyung both chirped happily but neither moved from their coveted spots.

Namjoon was about to round the bed to get in when he realized that Hoseok was frozen in place with a tight smile.

“I’ll clean up a little and come back then, okay pup?” Hoseok said. He was already fleeing the room before Jungkook, practically asleep already, even understood what was said, “I’ll be back before you know it!”

Normally Hoseok was so silent that only Seokjin could hear his movements. His footsteps were as silent as an elephants as he ran across the penthouse to the furthest bathroom available.

“I’ll take care of him.” Namjoon said.

“We’ll give you privacy.” Seokjin nodded and then poked both Jimin and Taehyung who squealed angrily, “That means no listening you little brats, keep your ears to yourselves.”

Namjoon gave a final smile at the protesting baby bats and left the room.

Hoseok was kneeling in front of the toilet retching out whatever he had in him. Namjoon made a face in sympathy and shut the door behind him when he entered the bathroom as Hoseok threw up the final remnants of his meal.

He rested his forehead on the toilet and that was as much of a red flag as one could get. There was no way Hoseok would do something like that, ever, and any other day Hoseok would already be talking about hygiene.

“Feeling any better now?” Namjoon put a hand on Hoseok’s shoulders.

“No.” Hoseok answered miserably.

“C’mere, up-up.” Namjoon said and carefully pulled Hoseok to his feet. “Wash your face, brush your teeth.” He urged, flushed the toilet when Hoseok followed his orders. “There you go.”

Once Hoseok was done he leaned on the sink and let his head hang down, his eyes shut. Namjoon ran a hand down Hoseok’s spine and back up in a steady move, let his nails drag over the fabric, until Hoseok started his heart and let the beat of it match Namjoon’s movements.

“She’s gone.” Namjoon said.

“It’s not about her.” Hoseok replied.

“I know.” Namjoon said softly. “I know.”

Hoseok inhaled deeply and Namjoon felt his ribcage extend under his hand. He never stopped moving his had up and down Hoseok’s spine.

“Jungkook’s not dying.” Namjoon reassured him firmly. “He’s sick and he’s in pain but he’s not dying. That’s what’s important right now.”

“He could.” Hoseok protested weakly.

“So could any of us.” Namjoon said and Hoseok’s heart skipped a beat. “The world we live in is dangerous and we all know this but Hob-ah, Jungkook’s not dead and he’s not dying.” He squeezed Hoseok’s shoulder. “He’s not okay either but that’s our job. We’re here to make him okay, to heal him.”

Hoseok gave a barely-there nod but Namjoon knew he wasn’t getting through to him just yet. That was fine. This was beyond just Jungkook, he knew.

“I just –“ Hoseok shook his head and then pushed himself off the sink to stand up, eyes downcast.

Namjoon pulled him into his arms and Hoseok came willingly. He easily pressed his face against Namjoon’s chest, his fingers loosely holding Namjoon’s shirt on his back. Namjoon hugged him, he kissed the top of Hoseok’s head, and held him close.

“I know.” Namjoon said. “I know, Hoseok-ah.”

“I really can’t do this again.” Hoseok confessed in a whisper. “If – If something goes wrong and Jungkook – “ he choked on his words.

“Nothing will go wrong.” Namjoon said. Fake it till you make it, that’s what they say, right? He hugged Hoseok tighter like he could fuse their bodies together. If Hoseok would be safer in his ribs so be it.

“Hob-ah, listen to me, okay?” he started. “You saved Jungkook’s life that night. You saved him when you rescued him from that basement, you saved him when you brought him to Seokjin hyung. You already saved his life once.” He kissed Hoseok’s hair. “This isn’t your fault. Nothing about this is your fault.”

A pause,

“None of it has ever been your fault.”

Maybe it was a coincidence. Maybe it was the fact that Hoseok hadn’t been sleeping well either for the past week and always keeping a watchful eye on not only Jungkook but also on Jimin and Taehyung. Maybe it was the fact that Hoseok had been spending his free time reading both Yoongi’s and Namjoon’s reports regarding the case at hand. Maybe all of these put an extra weight on an already worn down Hoseok. Maybe it was the reminder of Hoseok’s past, of ghosts that haunted him.

Maybe it was a combination of all of that or maybe it was just a coincidence but that was the moment Hoseok finally broke down.

Namjoon held him and stood strong in his stead, uncaring of how Hoseok’s tears were wetting his shirt. Each violent sob from Hoseok broke a piece of Namjoon’s heart.

There was little he could do to ease Hoseok’s pain and Namjoon knew the best was to be a source of comfort for Hoseok.

It wasn’t a shock for Namjoon that Hoseok broke down now and it wasn’t a shock for Seokjin or Yoongi. They knew him inside out. Hoseok was a kind-hearted and Hoseok was strict and Hoseok was scary and Hoseok scared easy and Hoseok loved with all his undead body.

Hoseok was a babysitter by nature and fledglings are oh so prone to dying.

Namjoon waited until Hoseok’s wailing calmed down to pitiful sniffling, kept tracing a hand over his delicate spine, kept kissing his soft hair.

“There are three fledglings waiting for you.” Namjoon said when Hoseok finally calmed enough to stop crying but not enough to stop hiding into his chest. “Two little bratty vamplings and one little infant that are all in desperate need of love.”

“More importantly –“ Namjoon cupped the side of Hoseok’s face and tipped his head back until their noses were inches from each other. He looked into Hoseok’s glassy, red-rimmed eyes and kissed his nose, “ – there are three dumbasses that need your help looking after those fledglings.”

Hoseok huffed through his nose, the warm air tickling Namjoon’s face, and gave a timid smile. Namjoon thumbed over the tear tracks on Hoseok’s cheeks and something burned deep inside him when Hoseok closed his eyes and leaned into his palm. No power on earth could stop Namjoon from kissing Hoseok then.

He kissed Hoseok’s lips and his nose and his chin, he kissed his cheeks and fought the urge to lick the salt clean off of his face. He kissed his lips again and again until Hoseok huffed in annoyance – fake fake fake, Hoseok was kissing him back – and then placed a final kiss to his forehead.

“Feeling any better now?” Namjoon asked.

There was still pain in Hoseok’s eyes. Namjoon knew that the type of hurt and panic Hoseok was feeling wouldn’t disappear after crying in the bathroom once and getting a pep-talk and some kisses. But for now, at least, Hoseok nodded and pushed up to his tip-toes to give Namjoon a quick peck on the lips.

“Much better.” Hoseok said and Namjoon knew it wasn’t a lie.

“Then let’s go back to the nest.” Namjoon said. “We have a very demanding baby who wanted all of us with him.”

Namjoon kept an arm around Hoseok’s waist on the way back. It was a silent walk, both of their steps lazily taking them to where they needed to be. Where they wanted to be. Hoseok always needed time to himself to gather himself together after an emotional moment and Namjoon was more than happy to let silence do the work.

The fledglings were all long asleep when they got back in the room. Jungkook was even snoring a little bit. Yoongi opened his eyes in a cat-like manner to get a look at them before nuzzling back into Seokjin while the Lord of Seoul was lovingly gazing down at the three little bats in his arms.

No one spoke. No one needed to.

Namjoon gently dragged Hoseok around the bed and picked him up by the armpits to place him on the bed. Hoseok rolled his eyes at Namjoon but there was a smile on his lips, so Namjoon just crawled in after him.

Hoseok glued himself to Seokjin’s free side and nosed along Jungkook’s hair, his shoulders relaxing further by the second. Seokjin turned around to give him a kiss while Namjoon made himself comfortable on the bed.

“We have a lot to discuss.” Seokjin spoke softly. “But it can wait until the morning.”

It took time for Namjoon to fall asleep mainly because it took forever for Hoseok to fall asleep but eventually they were all lulled into their first completely peaceful, undisturbed night of sleep since finding Jungkook.

At least until Namjoon’s phone rang its irritating jingle.

Namjoon groaned and patted around the bed for it, fighting a mouthful of bat fur – why was Jimin sleeping on his face – before managing to find it. He squinted at the too bright screen and frowned at the name flashing.

“Yeah?” Namjoon tried to answer silently but his voice came out too growly. He shot an annoyed sideways glance when Seokjin snorted, because of course he woke up to the sound.

“My apologies for disturbing you at this hour, sir.” Captain Choi said.

“It’s fine.” Namjoon said. He picked Jimin by the scruff and cradled him to his chest to sit up, taking in the sleeping forms of his coven. Seokjin raised a brow from his spot. “What is it?”

“We found where Sangwook made the false potions.”

Chapter Text

“Lee Yunjin, twenty-fire year old, SNU student.”

Namjoon looked at Lee Yunjin’s maggot infested corpse with a straight face.

“She was studying bio-engineering, considered a top student. She was reported missing by her family three weeks ago.”

At a quick glance Namjoon estimated that Yunjin had died well before her family went to the police. He’d dealt with an absurd amount of corpses before and while he was no expert, Namjoon was confident of it.

The stench in the room was unbearable.

They were in an abandoned warehouse, as was typical of their kind, which was located far out west of Seoul, surrounded by trees and nothing else, but Namjoon wasn’t there to discuss the values of clichés so who was he to judge what was clearly a home-made meth lab?

Or at least it used to be one before it was repurposed into meth-vampire experiment-lab.

Captain Choi had informed them that the police had shut down the warehouse about a decade ago due to safety reasons after busting out the drug dealers.

Ignoring the many OSHA violations in place, Namjoon gazed around the room once more. For a warehouse basement locked down a decade ago it was shockingly well kept. Sangwook had somehow re-built an entire lab here. Test tubes, beakers, burners and many more gadgets Namjoon didn’t know the name of lined up the tables around them; majority of the equipment were left half-used and dusty after Lee Yunjin’s death.

Clearly Lee Yunjin had been the only person who was educated enough to operate from here.

Regardless, Captain Choi’s team was already packing up everything in appropriate evidence boxes, stepping around Lee Yunjin’s corpse like she wasn’t even there.

Namjoon looked at the corpse that was more bones than flesh. He looked at the skull with large fangs and he looked at the hands with sharp claws.

“In the last interview conducted by the police her friends said Lee Yunjin had told them she was going on a vacation with her boyfriend that her family didn’t approve of. When Lee Yunjin stopped contacting her friends they immediately called her family.” Captain Choi explained. “Our forensic team says she’s been dead for almost a month.”

“Do the police have any leads on the case?” Namjoon asked. The last thing he wanted was to have their case interfered by humans. It always complicated things.

“According to our connections they have been trying to ping her location through her phone but had no luck with it.” Captain said. “My guess is the warehouse itself is blocking it; the basement is pretty deep underground.”

“So we have time to investigate ourselves.” Namjoon said, his shoulders relaxing a little bit. “Though I think you did that part already?”

“Well, the team is efficient, sir.” Captain Choi smiled. “We will of course need a deeper dive back at the HQ but as we stand here I can confidently say that Lee Yunjin was turned by Oh Sangwook and became a co-conspirator in recreating a witch potion.”

“Before calling you we learned that Lee Yunjin met Oh Sangwook through a friend of hers who lived in Busan. Kim Jungha, who was studying chemistry, has been missing and presumed dead for about six months now. She was in the files given to us by Lord of Busan, whom we are forever grateful for.”

“Now, now, you’ll get me jealous praising another Lord that way.”

Lord of Seoul was standing with his hands in his pockets as casual as one could be. His face betrayed no emotion and perhaps those who did not know him well would assume that the Lord was disinterested in the tragic corpse before him.

Namjoon knew him better.

“We’ll keep the ass kissing to a minimum.” Captain Choi said, good-humored as always. He, too, had worked with Seokjin long enough to tell apart Seokjin’s moods. “There are a string of students who have gone missing in the files shared with us. We have reason to believe that they were all Oh Sangwook’s victims. We also have reason to believe these students were the ones making the false-potion concoction Oh Sangwook fed his victims, although so far we are unable to find where he made the first batch.”

“A bunch of dead science students…” Namjoon looked around the room again to the computers. “They must have written down detailed reports.”

“Yes, they have.” He nodded. “We’re taking everything back to HQ. The team in Busan is searching Kim Jungha’s house, as well, so we’ll have those too.”

“Pull in Yoongi’s team as well.” Seokjin ordered. “Send a copy of everything to Yoongi. If there’s a way to reverse the effects of the false-potion then this is our only hope.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I don’t want police interference, Captain.” Seokjin said and started walking around the room. “We can leave Lee Yunjin’s body somewhere to be found once all is done.”

“Of course, sir.” Captain Choi said. “The police have made no progress. We’ll make sure it stays as such. There is another thing I must add.”

“Well, if you must.” Seokjin said with an easy wave of his hand.

“The police aren’t a problem for us but I’ve reason to believe hunters have noticed something’s afoot.” Captain Choi said. “Citywatch has noticed increased activity.”

Seokjin rolled his eyes dramatically and Namjoon bit back a smile.

“Of course, why wouldn’t they be in this mess also?” Seokjin mumbled, irritated. “It’s like everyone has decided to get on my nerves at the same time. What have I done to deserve this – that’s a rhetorical question, all of you.”

Every vampire in the room guiltily looked away and carried on with their work.

“Hunters, always getting into the fray after the crime is done.” Seokjin sighed. “I can never make them happy and I have tried to make them happy!”

“I know.” Namjoon said.

“Either way,” Seokjin looked at Captain Choi. “Ensure that humans do not meddle with our business, I have enough of a headache without having to deal with them. If not, I’m eating the first hunter I see… no, actually,” he tilted his head in question, “Do we have any friendly hunters in the region or have they all died?”

“There’s one or two.” Namjoon answered.

“Get in contact with them, see if anyone has lost a cheap silver handcuff.” Seokjin said. “And if one of them has, scold them for not taking better care of their equipment. Hell, pin the blame on them too while you’re at it. It would make me very happy, my good Captain.”

“I will do as you wish, my Lord.” Captain Choi smiled and fished out his phone, already typing something. “Our priority is the false-potion. We will also work on making out a detailed timeline of Oh Sangwook’s movement and the dead students. Luckily it seems our Lord of Busan is more than happy to help with the case.”

“Do you have a crush on Lee Jee-hyung? Is that it?” Seokjin asked with a frown. “Am I losing my own team to Lee Jee-hyung?”

“How could I ever go for Lee Jee-hyung when Lord of Seoul is right in front of my eyes?” Captain Choi flirted with absolutely zero sincerity to his words and the biggest smile on his face.

“Careful there, Captain,” Namjoon threatened with a matching smile and zero sense of jealousy, “Keep flirting with him and I will eat you.”

“That sounds like flirting. I don’t like it.” Seokjin said. “Is there anything else, Captain?”

“No, sir. We have it from here.”

“Good.”  Seokjin turned on his heels and walked out the room.

Namjoon stayed behind to exchange a few more details with his Captain regarding the case before following behind Seokjin up the basement stairs. Namjoon’s crew was carrying boxes of documentation and evidence into black vans with tinted windows.

Seokjin walked off to the side where there was an opening, far away from everyone, and stood there, looking up into the night sky.

Namjoon watched Seokjin for a moment. Illuminated by the pale moonlight, Namjoon was reminded of the night they’d met. Wide shoulders and a handsome, inhuman face. Namjoon couldn’t help but wonder just how many historic, anonymous poems were written about Kim Seokjin.

Namjoon walked next to Seokjin. He didn’t bother being silent – Seokjin would hear him regardless. They stood shoulder to shoulder and watched the ever changing face of the moon and the stars.

“We should go home.” Namjoon murmured without taking his eyes off of the stars. It had been easier to make out the constellations just a measly hundred years ago. This far out of the city and light pollution, Namjoon could barely see some of the older stars he used to watch.

Seokjin hummed noncommittally and made no move. He was as still as the corpse he was, that they both were. Sometimes Namjoon forgot they were undead creatures, forgot his existence was a damned one. Seokjin filled their lives with so much joy that it was easy to forgot they weren’t alive.

Death’s a minor detail; Seokjin had once said when Namjoon had pointed it out over a hundred years ago.

You make our lives seem so normal when we are all dead and damned, hyung. Namjoon had said on a night like this, because all nights were like this, under the unreachable stars, and Seokjin had laughed that bell-like laughter of his and Namjoon’s undead heart had skipped a beat.

Death’s a minor detail, Namjoon-ah, aren’t we enjoying our death?

There really was nothing else to do but to enjoy death when they were what they were. Namjoon glanced sideways to his lover, who once hadn’t enjoyed death but rather had haunted the whole of Korean peninsula, and hummed back.

He took in the slope of Seokjin’s nose and the line of jaw, how his full lips were just so damn kissable. Namjoon took in the dark eyes and the night sky reflected in them. It wasn’t often that Seokjin looked his age but sometimes Namjoon caught a glimpse of it.

“There is one more thing I have to do.” Seokjin said, business-like. “But you can go home ahead, I’m sure Yoongi and Hobi are worried.”

“I’ll come along with you.” Namjoon replied easily. “I doubt they are awake at this hour and, if they are, I think they’d be more worried if I showed up without you, anyway, hyung.”

Seokjin’s lips almost tugged into a smile and that was a victory within itself.

“Alright, then.” Seokjin said. He glanced sideways, “See if you can keep up.”

Before Namjoon could ask, Seokjin had already taken off running. With a huff and a smile, Namjoon followed.

There was no “keeping up” with Seokjin, he was very spry for his old age. The only reason Namjoon kept Seokjin in his sight at all time as they raced to Seoul was simply because Seokjin allowed it.

Seokjin barely had hair out of place when they both entered the elevator taking them to the Underground. Namjoon couldn’t say the same for himself though. He spent the whole ride down fixing his hair and his clothes.

“You look fine.” Seokjin reassured him.

“That’s a lie.” Namjoon answered.

“Calling me a liar… how hurtful, Namjoon-ah.”

Namjoon tried to gauge just how serious Seokjin was with that comment. His tone was humorous enough, sure, but one could never take things at a face-value with Seokjin. And in that moment, Namjoon found that he couldn’t tell if Seokjin was just joking or if he was being truthful.

“You have many great qualities, hyung.” Namjoon eased into it. He was still trying to fix his hair. It was hard to do with no reflection and a boyfriend who loved to wax poetic about him. “But considering you once complimented how good I looked covered in bodily-fluids, you have to understand why I’m finding it hard to believe you.”

Seokjin snorted, “It’s not my fault you look good covered in bodily-fluids. You should be covered in them more often. Here, let me fix you.”

Namjoon took a step closer and dutifully stood still while Seokjin fussed over him. For a man who had just claimed Namjoon looked fine, he spent a good amount of time fixing Namjoon’s hair and correcting his clothes.

Either that or Seokjin needed a reason to grope Namjoon’s chest. It could have been anything, really.

Regardless, Namjoon enjoyed being pampered, and if some lingering touches meant Seokjin would be in a better mood, too, then even better.

“Did you sleep at all?” Namjoon asked.

“I rested my eyes.” Seokjin answered, fixing the same part of Namjoon’s hair for the third time.

Namjoon hummed and tilted his head according to Seokjin’s fussing. He should scold Seokjin for not sleeping but not only would it hypocritical, it would also make it seem like Namjoon didn’t get it.

After the day they all had, Namjoon understood Seokjin perfectly.

How did you go to sleep when you had public enemy number one locked up in the basement? How did you go to sleep when that enemy demanded to see the fledgling he’d abused and abandoned?

How did you go to sleep when your infant fledgling had berserker strength in a frail body? How did you go to sleep when a witch gave you all the wrong answers? How did you go to sleep when your infant was a mistake of nature that should not exist?

You didn’t. So Seokjin hadn’t.

“You need proper sleep, hyung.” Namjoon tried. “You and I both. We’re no good to anyone if our heads aren’t working right.”

Seokjin kissed Namjoon on the nose and ran his hands down Namjoon’s shoulders and arms. Maybe it was to fix his clothes, maybe it was to reassure Namjoon, or maybe it was to feel Namjoon’s muscles.

“When we’re done here, I promise I will go back home and get into that nest and sleep as long as I need.” Seokjin vowed.

Namjoon squinted, already going through that sentence again. Namjoon didn’t like the sound of that ‘as long as I need’ tacked on at the end there, but there were some battles that were better off not fought. If it meant Seokjin would willingly get in a bed and at least pretend to sleep, Namjoon would take it.

“Deal.” Namjoon said and kissed Seokjin back on the nose as well. “You haven’t told me what we’re here for.”

“It’s nothing important.”

Namjoon knew exactly why they were for.

The elevator doors opened and Seokjin walked out, Namjoon dutifully following on his heels like the guard dog he was. There was nothing he could do to stop Seokjin and, really, he had no incentive to stop him either.

Who was he, a humble undead citizen, to say anything to their good Lord of Seoul?

Even at this hour Underground was plenty full. Capitalism didn’t stop when you were dead. There were office workers dragging their tired feet around, interns running with coffee and files in hand, annoyed citizens searching for an employee to complain to.

Seokjin walked with his held high and his long coat trailing after him like the cape it so badly wanted to be. People stepped out of his way with a quick bow, some vampires that didn’t come down here as often tried to catch a glimpse of Seokjin. A moment later Seokjin’s gaggle of assistants appeared down the hall. They surrounded Seokjin as always, their hands full of files and all of them speaking at the same time.

He answered one assistant and then gave an order to another one, calmed down the third one freaking out about some deadline Namjoon knew nothing about, and complimented the fourth one on his tie. Just as quickly as they had surrounded him, the assistants all flew in different directions to complete their tasks, and Namjoon and Seokjin were left alone.

“I don’t understand how you keep track of them.” Namjoon commented as they took a corner and began walking down a hallway that was seldom used by others.

“It’s really not that hard.” Seokjin replied and didn’t elaborate any further.

Underground security had been increased since Oh Sangwook’s capture, first with the sick fledglings and then with Sangwook himself. It made their esteemed Lords and Ladies feel safer.

Namjoon never understood how some vampires became so pampered but – he looked at Seokjin’s tailored suit – who was he to talk about that, really?

It all boiled down to mind games with their kind nowadays. Sometimes Namjoon couldn’t help but wonder if things had been simpler before Seokjin put his fist down and forced democracy on them. At least vampires had just fought and killed each other back then without using compliments.

(Han-chool had used that as a talking point when he’d started his crusade. Of course, the irony here was that Han-chool had been one of the biggest two-faced bureaucrat’s to ever exist.)

The guards increased in number the closer they got to their destination. They all gave curt nods when their Lord passed them by.

Once they walked through a heavily guarded door, Namjoon was met with familiar faces of some of his team. They were clearly taking a break in the hallway, cigarettes in bloody hands, their sleeves pushed up their elbows.

They stood up when they saw Seokjin walk in but Seokjin dismissed them with a wave of his hand, walking ahead.

“Got anything?” Namjoon slowed down his pace.

“No, sir, but it’s good to let out some steam, y’know?”  Yerin said. She had flecks of blood in her freshly blue dyed hair.

“How come Yoongi got more than you guys?” Namjoon scoffed.

“Good Doctor has the magic touch.” Hakyun answered easily. He nodded after Seokjin, “Should we be worried about being out of a job?”

“Only one way to find out.” Namjoon said and followed Seokjin, his two team members after him.

They managed to catch up to Seokjin’s even paced strides in silence. Namjoon practically tasted the blood thirst coming from Yerin and Hakyun. He understood where it came from – there was nothing quite like watching a master work at his craft.

Namjoon’s team learned how to interrogate from Namjoon but Namjoon had learned from Seokjin.

Hakyun only stepped ahead to open the holding cell for Seokjin, grinning at the Lord.

Sangwook, somehow, looked worse off than the last time Namjoon had seen him. There were fresh cuts all over him, blood lazily spilling into shallow pools on the stone floor. Namjoon was happy to see that most of Yoongi’s stitching had survived.

Sangwook barely managed to lift his head, his hair sticking to his bloody face. For a man half-dead, he still had the audacity to open his mouth.

Everything happened in glorious slow motion.

Seokjin’s hand-made leather shoe connected with Sangwook’s ribcage and the bones cracked. Sangwook, instead of a witty remark, only managed to let out a pained gasp and a cough full of the blood in his lungs. The chair he was bound to tilt back on its two legs as Sangwook took the full force of Seokjin’s kick, the chains creaking and creaking until all of them snapped.

Speed returned to normal when Sangwook (and his chair) went flying across the room, into the stone wall, then through the stone wall and through the next multiple holding cells.

The very foundations of The Underground shook as stone walls collapsed beyond Namjoon’s line of sight. There was a giant hole in the wall where Sangwook (and his chair) flew through. Namjoon and his two henchmen coughed and waved away the dust and debris while Seokjin stood unmoving, waiting until the sounds of falling stone stopped.

When all was silent, save for pained groans coming deep down the dark holes, Seokjin walked through the manhole he created without saying anything.

For a good while all they heard was the easy, rhythmic click and clack of Seokjin’s shoes.

Then it was an agonized banshee scream. Long, pained screams and chokes and the sounds of chains rattling, of flesh being torn.

This, too, was all they heard for a good long while.

Namjoon waited for Seokjin to finish with his hands in his pockets while Sangwook’s screams echoed throughout the Underground. Yerin and Hakyun were restless where they waited with matching hyena grins on their face. Not very professional but then again – a particularly loud scream down the hole – not a lot of things were professional about the case at hand.

Minutes passed by agonizingly (literally) slow. Each minute dragged itself on and on like time itself was aware of what was happening and wanted it to play on for as long as possible.

How long had it last for Jungkook? Had it been slow this? How long had Jungkook suffered before being dealt the killing blow? How long had it taken for him to actually die and find momentary peace before Sangwook yanked him back into misery?

Namjoon only knew how long they waited because his instincts began warning him to seek shelter, to fly back to his coven, because sunrise was approaching.

Eventually the screaming stopped and turned into pained groans.

Impulsively, Namjoon’s lips curled into disgusted sneer. He wanted to Sangwook to suffer for the rest of his life but he would be a liar if he said he didn’t want the man dead. Listening to the pitiful sounds only reminded Namjoon of what Sangwook had done to their Jungkook and the fate he’d forced Jungkook into.

When Seokjin calmly walked back through the hole he was covered in blood and gore and some other… things Namjoon couldn’t identify. His hair and clothes were all sticking to his body with blood that dripped to the floor in rivulets.

It was clear Seokjin couldn’t care less about the mess.