Chapter Text
Elliott was doing his work of the day, tending to his paradise bar before going back home to tend to his ill mother. He had already lost his brothers to who knows what and now his mom hardly even remembered him? It hurt. A lot. But it's why he helped her. Because even if she doesn't remember him some days, she smiles. And he enjoys her smile. Even if it never was fully directed at him anymore.
Somehow, what hurt even more was being called one of his brothers. It was mostly Ricky or Roger, but it still hurt. Some nights, when she would wake from her dreams, it would end up being his father's name. It pissed him off in a way, to be called a man who he never really met. Elliott would brush it off and move on, but it still hurt. All of this hurt. He wanted to make his mom better.
It's why he believes this.. thing.. did what he did that night. Walking home, he decided to take the long way through the back alleys of town. It was weird.. he was dressed in what looked like gold with a rather sexy girl on the back. Not exactly his type, but how would he turn down something so comfortable to wear? He walked through the alleyways, avoiding the people who smoked in it. Why he took this way, he didn't know. But eventually, he was alone. It was.. quiet. And dark. Not dark enough for a flashlight, but enough for eye strain. It was difficult to see, which only made his growing anxiety rise, "Alright, Elliott.. Y-You'll be.. okay.. Breathe.." he tried to tell himself this, but it didn't work.
More so as soon as he heard movement in the alley. He froze and turned to the spot, but nothing was there. Had he taken a wrong turn? Something about these didn't look right. It didn't look like the way home. He silently beat himself up about that, but he would have to dwell on that later. For now, he needed to focus. Something was here with him and he didn't like it. With a shaky sigh, he continued on walking, his pace rather quick.
Though, as he walked, he just heard more noises. Each noise, he got faster. Faster and faster until he was running through the dark alleyways. After turns and turns, he finally paused, figuring he had lost whatever he heard. But from right behind him, he felt a breath tickle his neck. He tensed. He couldn't move. Fear had completely taken over him, "Wh-What.. do you want?" He tried to sound brave, but the stutter changed that. Frowning, he felt a pair of hands turning him to look the other way and he was met with someone that, under the moonlight that began to shine, didn't look fully human.
His skin was a tint of blue grey, his eyes pale white blue. He stared down the other man, a hand coming up to grab his jaw and give a squeeze. But no words came. It was normal to see druggies in the alleys, or even delinquent runaways. But he.. didn't look like either one of those. No.. he looked like a vampire, yet not. Perhaps a creature of the seas. But why here? And why Elliott? He didn't know. And it wasn't for after a moment that the thing spoke, "You will work."
"Work?! Excuse me?!" Elliott pushed his hand away, shaking his head, "Yeah, I don't think so. What even are you, anyways? You can't just go up to people and do that to them!"
"..Oh."
"What do you mean 'oh'?!" Elliott furrowed his brows, watching as the thing leaned forward and forced him to be still, "What are you-"
"Shh.. I am hungry.. It won't hurt you, ingan," with that, he leaned into his shoulder and just barely bit into his neck. Elliott just gasped, letting out a more so shocked sound than one of hurt or pleasure. It didn't.. hurt. It felt funny, but it didn't hurt. When the other pulled himself away, all he did was stare at the other, his eyes twinkling. It caused the other to blush. This all happened so fast that he wasn't exactly sure on.. how to feel, "I am.. sorry. Perhaps I should have said something. You look.. woosy. Oh, gods, I didn't hurt you, did I?!"
Elliott wanted to be angry, he wanted to shout. But he wasn't exactly sure how much blood was taken. Obviously enough to make him dizzy. It felt like the world was spinning. He let out a groan, shaking his head, "I-I'm fine.." he wasn't fine. Within seconds, he was down on the ground.
The creature frowned, moving to kneel and scoop the now unconscious man into his arms, walking out of the alleyway and going on the hunt for this poor man's home. He'd woken Elliott a few times to ask, just getting bits and pieces. But it was enough to get him home and into bed through the window of his room. He set him to rest, tucking him in and allowing his hand to brush the hickey his feeding had left, "I am sorry.." he looked around the room, his eyes meeting with a poster with his name, "Elliott Witt.. Witt.. Witt.." he repeated his name, just for remembering sake, before pulling his hand away.
However, it was stopped by Elliott's own, grabbing as his eyes opened and he just stared, "Why.. me?"
"You.. were there, ingan," he shrugged before moving his free hand to his cheek once he leaned to get closer to him, "Get some rest, Witt. We will talk when you wake up."
"You're going to stay?" Elliott whispered, subconsciously leaning into his touch as his eyes began to flutter. The creature nodded, his thumb rubbing his cheekbone, "Okay.. Oh! Uh.. Do you have a name?"
He laughed a bit and nodded, "Tae Joon. That is my name. Now, please rest. I'm sorry for giving you something so.. serious," another laugh left his lips as Elliott also laughed. Obviously he wanted to say something, but he ended up passing out again. Tae sighed, shaking his head as he glanced away and muttered, "Sorry for lying. But I can't stay.. I must leave.."
And, in the morning, Tae truly wasn't there. But he did leave a letter. Elliott rubbed at his eyes, glancing around the room before looking at the mirror and blinking a few times. The hickey was still there. It was real. He weakily got out of bed and went to the letter.
"Elliott Witt,
I am sorry for having to leave on such short notice, but I can't stay in one place for too long. Too many people want me for what I am. I hope the gods allow us to meet again, but until then, please forget about me. I cannot get attached again. I've lost too many. So forget about me. Just know that if we meet, I owe you my life for allowing me the chance to eat after so long.
-Tae Joon"
He blinked a few times and set the letter back on the desk, glancing out the window with a small smile as he adjusted his jacket that he was left in to sleep, "Tae Joon.. I'll assure us meeting again. I promise."