Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The thing about this land is there were never any clear guidelines to what was inherently ”good” or ”bad”. Sure, there are sides. There are always sides. Though none of them were pure on either front. In a place where magic swells and creatures lurk, the lines are never just drawn. No, these lines are alive and they move about between your feet. Slithering like snakes and preparing to draw blood. This land, these lands, are not for the faint of heart nor the weak of spirit.

No matter where you reside, the World is dangerous. You must fight to live, you must fight to survive. Though, perhaps, you may have to fight to die, as well. If you cannot fight, then maybe you can be blessed to be protected. But protection is never free, and allies are scarce. Rarely will you find someone genuine enough to care.

To care and to love, those are luxuries few can afford.

.・。.・゜✩・.

The School of the Wolf has seen much blood, and so much hate. It is unsurprising that the Witchers who come from Kaer Morhen are cold, untrusting and often silver tongued. Though somehow, when Chan came out of the School, he was all of those things, but he was also so much more.

Chan is a Witcher of tall stature, a broad back with muscular arms, and a heart big enough for all of his brothers that lie beneath the ground. Smart, calculating, and quick, he takes down his targets with precision and care. He is kind to them, once slain. These creatures hardly ever choose the life they are given, the role that they must play. So Chan executes with love.

There is vengeance there, however, a rage for the lives that have been forcibly taken; these feelings are what start the hunt for him. The driving force to kill and claim his prize, but there is also much sadness. Chan will do what is needed, will do what he can to get people to see that he is not the enemy they think him to be, but the end is always the same. They give him his money, then run him out of town. A sack full of gold and hands covered in blood, and fresh nightmares that keep him up longer than necessary.

He has stories, plenty of them that can make skin crawl and cause goosebumps to form. Chan keeps them to himself. Doesn’t wish to suffer reliving them again, but he also does not wish to burden anyone with the knowledge. So when he dreams, they crawl out of his subconscious. Memories that smack their lips together, looking for a fresh meal of Chan’s sanity. When he wakes, he is filled with too much adrenaline. He runs, he gets Berry from her stable and rides her to the next town in search of a new hunt.

.・。.・゜✩・.

The medallion around his neck vibrates with an intensity, thrumming along the skin inside of his shirt. It sings to him, telling him how close he is to the bruxa, but he would know even without the medallion. You see, a bruxa can be hard to identify at first. Fair of skin, with dark hair, beautiful to anyone with a working set of eyes. They tend to be in secluded areas, easier to lure out those who wander too far off the path. A vampire, by all accounts. A vampire that currently has her teeth in the neck of a young boy.

Chan takes a deep breath, and holds the silver sword in front of him. He has slain many bruxa in his time, knows immediately when one is near, but something is off about this one. He knows she can hear him, but she does not move. Only continues to feast. He takes a few steps closer, and when she lifts her head, he halts. Still.

Did you think I would be that easy?

Her voice rings through his head, but no outer sound is heard.

“No.”

Chan does not say more than he needs to. The bruxa continues to sit with her naked back towards him. She is a powerful one, that much is obvious, but her actions are odd. The man who paid Chan to execute her was cute, dog-like in nature, and gave him way more gold than Chan thought reasonable. He never once looked afraid, more curious than not. He thinks this scene might be more fabricated than initially thought.

The bruxa stood up and spread her wings. Stretching out before glancing over her shoulder. Chan prepared himself for the scream that never came.

You are a handsome one. Young. I would bet that you taste divine.

Chan doesn’t answer this time, but plants his feet on the hard ground as she lifts herself up. Fast, much faster after feeding, she hurls herself at him. Claws outstretched and mouth open wide. She is fast, but Chan is too. He sidesteps it and swings his sword after her. Not a killing blow, barely a wound, but a Bruxa can still bleed.

She yells in anger, and dives towards him again. This time Chan does not move. She slams into him, knocking his breath away, claws punctured deep into his shoulder, but his sword goes through her torso. She thrashes, screaming out powerful sounds, but Chan holds his grip, and stands his ground. Soon enough she slows, and Chan uses his strength to pull the sword up and out through her shoulder. Her body not quite in two, but severed still. She falls, and her breathing stops.

Chan keeps the sword drawn. His medallion is no longer singing, but another presence is nearby. He stands, and he waits. Five, maybe ten minutes go by, he has not moved. A statue. But then he hears it, soft footsteps, and a ginger scent.

“That was beautiful, really. She’s been feeding off of the nearby village for some time now.”

The man who paid him stands next to Chan, basic clothes, dark hair, and a blinding smile. Chan does not respond.

“Now that she’s dead, they can be at peace. Or, well, they can have as much peace as exists here. Until the next magical creature crawls from the depths.” A pause. “Witcher, will you help me?”

Chan glances at the man, still not speaking.

“See, I need a vial of her blood and some of her hair, but the blood must come from her heart, and your cut is on the wrong side.”

Chan raises an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Why not?”

The man shrugs and grabs a dagger from his belt. He cuts a few hairs off of her head and puts them in a small glass tube, then looks up at Chan, still smiling.

“Are you a mage?”

“Oh, dear, no, not at all. Just a curious man.”

Chan figures that he’s not going to get a straight answer out of him, but he decides to keep him talking.

“Your name?”

“Seungmin.”

Chan stares openly, then brings his sword down to the bruxa, cutting shallow enough not to damage the heart too much.

“Ah! Thank you, Witcher!”

“Chan.”

“Thank you, Chan.”

Chan watches Seungmin squeeze some blood from the exposed heart and then put the vial in his bag. He observes the other man. Lean, with some muscle, tall, and very unassuming. He looks both very soft, yet hard at the same time. His edges are hiding something.

“Are you a resident of this village?”

“No, but I heard they were trying hard to get enough money to hire one of your kind, but crops have been slow and all of the young men were being killed, they were at the end of their rope when I passed through. I only offered to help.”

“Out of kindness or motive?”

“I’d like to think a little of both.”

An interesting man, this Seungmin was. Chan merely shrugged, and started to walk back to the village. Seungmin trailed after him. Once they entered the town, a heavy-set man with fear in his eyes met them.

“Is.. Is it taken care of?”

Seungmin spoke before Chan was able to get a word in.

“Oh, yes! Chan did a wonderful job of slaying the bruxa, but it seems he got injured in the process. Do you mind if we have some medical supplies?”

Chan had nearly forgotten about the wounds in his shoulder. He tends to heal fast, so he never really receives any medical care, but the other man leads them to a little home, and enters. The door shuts in their faces for all of a few seconds before the man is back and shoving alcohol and bandages at them.

“Thank you for slaying the beast, but you must leave now!”

The man's face was red, afraid. Afraid of Chan. Chan sighed and walked away from the man and Seungmin. Noticing that no one else was around. Seungmin still trailed behind him, holding the medical supplies in his arms.

Chan got to Berry and untied her from the stable, taking a rag from the bag on her saddle, and wiped down the sword, as well as his hands. He led her out of the town, Seungmin still there like a shadow.

“Are you going to continue to follow me?”

“Only until you let me clean your wounds.”

“They will heal, you know. Faster than a normal human.”

“I know, but they must not feel too good at this moment.”

Chan grunted, but stopped moving, and turned towards Seungmin.

“Do you need something from me?”

“No.”

“Are you not afraid of me?"

“No. In fact, I find you fascinating.” He said with no hesitation.

“Did you help those people just to meet someone like me?”

“Not intentionally, but I wont say I was not excited by the prospect.”

Chan eyed him. Looked him up and down, and landed back on his face. He seemed ordinary, if not extremely odd, but he seemed to be telling the truth. Without a word, Chan took Berry’s reins and led her off the road, toward a small creek. The sun had set some time ago, and the moon held fast over the sky. Chan sat at the bank, and motioned for Seungmin.

Chan could feel his smile before he saw it.

“Come on, shirt off.”

Chan complied, and Seungmin faltered.

Chan glanced up at Seungmin, who was looking down at his chest. Ah. Humans are predictable sometimes, but this is hardly a reaction someone like a Witcher gets. Chan couldn’t help but let a slight smirk show.

Seungmin visibly shook his head and got down on his knees, dumped some alcohol on a clean rag, and started to clean the wound. Chan sat stone faced, and watched the water move lazily. He cannot remember the last time someone else had dressed his wounds. Seungmin’s hands were soft and careful, but a little timid.

“Can you move your medallion? I need to patch up by your neck, and honestly it kind of scares me.”

Chan reached up and removed it, keeping it tight in his fist. Fear did not seem like the correct emotion Seungmin was displaying, but Chan was craving a soft touch, so he said nothing.

“Thank you.” The smile was discernible.

Seungmin continued to clean and dress the wound, humming when he was done. Chan lifted his head to look at Seungmin and thank him, but as soon as Chan met his eyes, Seungmin’s smile turned more into a sly smirk. Playful, if anything, but there was a sinister air about him now. Chan squinted his eyes, preparing himself.

“Do you often work alone, Chan?”

“...Yes. People do not flock to Witchers, nor do other Witchers like to share in rewards.”

“Interesting.” A pause. “Do you wish to continue to be alone? You don’t strike me as someone who enjoys the quiet, the loneliness of this life.”

“I do not mind it. It can be nice, serene.”

“You are absolutely correct, however, you didn’t answer my question.”

“Are you asking to travel with me?”

“Yes, actually. You are fascinating, and being with someone like you can help me gather research materials faster.”

Chan raised his eyebrow. It was his turn to ask questions. “What kind of research?”

“Like I said before, I’m just a curious man. I’ve had time to travel and time to work, time to ponder about the Conjunction of the Spheres; but now I want to know more about the world around us, and especially about the creatures that inhabit it.”

Chan considered him. It might be nice to have a travel companion, and it’s not like this man could harm him without giving away his intentions first.

“How are you conducting your research? What are the materials for, exactly?”

Seungmin smiled at him brightly, like he’s been waiting to explain his research fascinations to someone.

“So, specifically, with the bruxa blood, I want to see what happens when it starts to coagulate. Or if it will simply turn to dust. Part of me wants to taste it but that’s probably not a good idea.” He shook his head in disgust. “I know it’s flammable… I could run some tests on just how flammable, since usually bruxa like to burst into flame. The hair, I want to look at side by side with human hair. I also want to test it against different types of metals.” He ended by shrugging and tilting his head to the side, looking just like a dog.

Seungmin watches Chan for a reaction, but he does not give one.

“You know these things have already been studied, and are probably in a book or scroll somewhere.”

“I know. I’ve read them. I just want to test more theories. There’s too many gray areas and not enough answered questions.”

“You’ve read them? All of them?”

“Of course.” He says it as if the answer was obvious.

Chan is skeptical at best and impressed at worst. Seungmin was definitely piquing his interest, and he didn’t seem to be afraid of him. That alone was something that made Chan question him. Though it felt nice, it was odd, and extremely out of the ordinary. But Chan craved warmth. Craved companionship.

So.

“Fine. But I’m not a bodyguard, so if I tell you to stay, you stay. If I tell you to hide, you hide. If I tell you to run, you–”

“Run, yeah I got it, Chan.”

Seungmin rolled his eyes, but he was still smiling. Chan couldn’t help it, but he let out a small chuckle.

“I am serious though, stranger or not, I will not have your blood on my hands.”

Seungmin studied him.

“How cute. I am capable of protecting myself, maybe not to your abilities, but I’m not as helpless as you may think.” Seungmin pulled his knees to his chest and rested his chin on them, making him look impossibly small. Completely negating what he had just said. “And we won’t be strangers for long, I hope. I think I make good enough company, most of the time, anyway.”

Seungmin extended his hand, and Chan took it. “Kim Seungmin, 23 years old, by human standards, not sure how that works with Witchers, honestly.”

“Bang Chan, 26, I guess, by appearance. I lost track of my actual age.”

Seungmin’s eyes lit up, and a whirlwind of questions were thrown his way. This puppy-like man was odd, unfiltered, and caring. Chan only smiled and answered his questions to the best of his ability.

They fell into comfortable conversation, until Seungmin yawned. Chan looked to the stars, and determined it was much too late, or too early, to be awake, and told his new companion to sleep. Chan grabbed his blanket off of Berry and handed it to Seungmin, who thanked him, and promptly fell into a slumber.

An odd day for a Witcher, but perhaps a brighter future will lead him through tomorrow.

Chapter Text

Seungmin really could not believe how incredibly lucky he was. To be able to travel with Chan was nothing short of a dream. They’ve been in a few monster fights at this point. Nothing too big, much to Seungmin’s chagrin. He longed for the bigger beasts, to study them, to watch them.

To see Chan fight them.

Now, that was a new development. Seungmin had always been fascinated by Witchers, but Chan was a breed of his own. Not as one with solitude, and so very friendly. The man was sweet like fresh honey, oozing its way through Seungmin’s entire being.

He would be lying if he said that Chan didn’t make his ears turn red, or his cheeks heat up. This was an entirely new beast of its own. So, instead of ruminating on these facts, he stored them away, and continued with his research. There was no need for distractions, and Seungmin considered emotions an incredible disadvantage. They’d never helped him out in any other situations, so he put them on the backburner for the time being.

However, of course, he continued watching.

.・。.・゜✩・.

Seungmin sat inside of an old inn, drinking lukewarm beer as Chan was out fighting some small chicken thing. Chan had called it a Cockatrice. He said it was just a little thing, something he could take care of and be back in no time. Seungmin was not worried about Chan’s abilities, but he did not trust the human he was with.

These creatures were in this man’s basement, which is odd enough on its own. Seungmin had questions, but he also had a pretty good intuition. So, when Chan told him to hold tight, and stay at the inn, he had complained. Rather loudly, in fact. But Chan gave him that look, the one where he tilts his Chin up, making him seem taller, setting his jaw and pinching his brows. A handsome look, truly, but one Seungmin could not really fight against. Chan had told him to stay, so here he stays.

He waved the barkeep down to his side of the bar, and asked for another shitty beer, and to put it on the Witcher’s tab. Seungmin had his own money, but he was sulking. Everything would probably be fine, but he couldn’t help the nagging in the back of his head. It kept telling him to go find Chan and to do it now. At war with himself, per usual. If everything was actually fine, and he went in search of Chan, then he would be disappointed in Seungmin, and that sounds a little too brutal. But to find him, and something was actually wrong…

Seungmin downed the last of his shitty alcohol, and stood up from his stool. He made it out the front door, and about five yards when Chan came barrelling towards him. He wasn’t wounded, at first glance, but he was winded, eyes wide.

“Seungmin, go grab the bags and meet me at Berry’s stable. Now.”

Seungmin didn’t ask questions, not with Chan talking to him in a voice that was hushed and urgent. He made his way back to the inn, grabbed the two bags from the room, and left. The room had been prepaid for, but fuck it. Something was wrong.

He rushed over to the stables, when suddenly he was being lifted and thrown on the back of a horse. He had the wind knocked out of him, but had enough sense to know that he was now on Berry.

Seungmin righted himself and placed his arms around the Witcher, holding on tight as Chan ushered Berry as fast as he could. The weird man had already paid them, so that was great, but now Seungmin was really worried. He smelled blood on Chan, but it did not smell like his own. No outer wounds could be seen, and he let that hold him over for now, he’ll ask questions once they’ve reached their destination. Wherever that may be.

.・。.・゜✩・.

They rode for what felt like a few hours, maybe less. They reached what looked like a mostly intact farm house. Chan led Berry closer, and tilted his head to the side, like he was listening. Seungmin didn’t sense anyone in the home, so he gathered it was safe enough. Chan hopped off of Berry, and held his hand out to help Seungmin off. Seungmin gave him a soft smile, and grabbed their bags while Chan led Berry to the side of the building.

Seungmin waited for Chan before going inside. He figured Chan would like that, and he’s been right about things like this before. So, he held the bags and listened. There definitely wasn’t anyone inside, and he didn’t sense any other creatures, just Chan’s footsteps coming closer.

“It seems quiet. Shall we go inside?”

Seungmin gave Chan a bright smile, and waited as Chan forced open the door. Long rusted shut, with some vines creeping along it. The home was not in such terrible shape. It had looked like part of the roof had caved in from the outside, but it had not crashed all the way through the home. The main room held a large fireplace, with some old musty furniture. Chan immediately began moving the furniture to the side and assessing the fireplace.

Seungmin watched him for a moment, admired the muscles in his arms, and dropped the bags off near him. He watched for a moment more, before visibly shaking his head and turning away. The house wasn’t that big, a main room, a kitchen area, and what looked like a single bedroom. Seungmin made his way into the bedroom and assessed the bed. It was large, dusty, but otherwise seemed usable. He tore the blanket off of it, and the mattress itself was in nearly perfect condition. He lifted the corner of it, no water damage, no bugs. Acceptable by all accounts. The room itself seemed to be in good enough condition, like this half of the house was kept in a tomb.

He heard a loud snapping noise, so he made his way back to Chan, who was snapping the legs off of a chair. Chan glanced at him, and continued, reading the confused look on Seungmin’s face.

“Firewood.”

“Ah.”

Seungmin made himself comfortable on the floor, and watched Chan get a fire going. It was spring, so the weather was steadily getting warmer, but the fire felt nice, cozy. Chan let the fire go for a few minutes, before making his way to Seungmin, and sat next to him.

“Want to tell me what happened, Chan?”

Chan turned his head towards him, keeping his face blank.

“Nothing much, but you were right.”

Seungmin hummed at that, he loved knowing he was right. His intuition should be studied. But in this case, the joy did not last long. Knowing he was right about the freaky human…

“Ok, what part was I right about?”

Chan shrugged, and went to his bag, pulling out a fist full of odd feathers, and held them out to Seungmin.

“Ah! Skoffin feathers! Is that what a Cockatrice is? A Skoffin? How interesting.”

Seungmin made grabby hands at Chan, who smirked at him. He began to neatly arrange them on the floor in front of him, taking in which colors, and sizes he had. His brain was already thinking about what he could do with them, what types of little experiments he could conduct. He glanced back up at Chan, who was just watching him.

“Thank you.” Seungmin paused, giving Chan a small smile. “And you don’t have to tell me what happened, but are you alright? I would at least like to know if you are injured.”

Chan sighed and sat back down, facing Seungmin.

“I am fine. The Cockatrice’ were there, that much was real. But I sensed it when he was giving us the information. You were right to be wary of him. I should have listened…” Chan took a deep breath. “Once in the basement, I could hear the door lock behind us. He did not just lock me in, but he was there as well. I took care of the creatures, but when I turned he had a dagger aimed at me. Laughable, really.”

Chan let out a humorless laugh, he sounded pained when he continued.

“He lunged at me, I do not know what his motive was, but he lunged and I reacted.”

“Oh, I see.”

Seungmin immediately understood. Chan had killed a human. And he was blaming himself for taking a normal life, circumstances meant nothing here, not with Chan. But Seungmin was not about to let him sulk.

“Chan, you know what I’m going to say.” Seungmin made it a point to always be up front and honest, especially with Chan.

Another sigh. “Yes, but that does not make it any better.”

Seungmin could not help rolling his eyes. His thoughtful, sweet Witcher, Chan really was one of a kind.

Seungmin got to his knees and reached his hands out, cupping Chan’s face. His body seemed to move without his permission, his ears turned red, but it was too late to back down now.

“Chan, you did what you had to do. He would have killed you.”

Chan looked up into his eyes, and Seungmin could see the fear and loathing that swam deep beneath Chan’s thick outer shell.

“My life is not worth nearly as much as a humans.”

Seungmin scoffed. “Your life is worth a hundred human lives, and I will not hear anything otherwise.” A stretch, but he was sure Chan could understand what he meant.

Or maybe not.

Chan didn’t reply, but Seungmin still held onto his face. He might have to spell this out for him.

“If you had died, how many others would have perished due to that man’s obviously psychotic hands? How many would die to more creatures? You have saved countless people by being alive. Killing one bad human does not make you an evil being, Channie.” The nickname slipped out, but he continued on. “You are an absolute light in the darkness of this World, please do not ever think you are less.”

“You are too kind to me, Seungmin.”

“You deserve kindness.” He said with no hesitation.

Once again, Seungmin’s body moved without him allowing it, and he pressed his lips to Chan’s forehead. A quick, barely there kiss, but one nonetheless.

Seungmin backed away before his cheeks could burst into flames, but Chan had a small smile on his face, so he counts this as a win. He started fiddling with the feathers again. Needing to change the subject for him, and for Chan.

“Skoffin feathers are quite remarkable, you know? They make better quills, much easier to sharpen, more sturdy.”

He turned to look at Chan, who still had the small smile, but was otherwise emotionless.

Not good enough.

Seungmin grabbed at the feathers, and plucked one right into Chan’s curly locks.

“What are you doing?”

“Experimenting, Chan, obviously.” Seungmin scoffed.

Chan quirked this eyebrow up at him as he stuck a second feather into his hair. Seungmin was smiling a little too wide.

“And what is this experiment trying to prove?”

“How many Skoffin feathers can fit into one Channie’s remarkably curly hair.”

Chan scoffed at him, and eventually was full on chuckling by the fifth feather. Seungmin sat back on his heels, simply giggling at Chan. He tried to cover his mouth with his sleeve covered hands, but it really was doing nothing. Chan grabbed onto his wrist and pulled it away from his face, laughing with him.

“Is this a successful research adventure, Seungmin?”

“Oh, absolutely. A smiling Chan is the best kind of Chan.”

Chan huffed at him, plucked one of the feathers from his own head and stuck it onto Seungmin’s. It stood tall for a moment, and then gracelessly flitted to the floor.

“Hm. It looks like it doesn’t work with such smooth hair.”

“Oh woe is me, I can’t match my big, strong Witcher.”

Chan smirked as Seungmin once again hid his face. The moments where he was showing his embarrassing side to Chan were getting extremely too frequent for his own good. He might suffer a heart attack, as strange as that would be.

“Um, anyway, there is a bed in the bedroom, it seems completely fine and safe to sleep in.” Seungmin spoke without looking at Chan.

“Then you should take it. I will be fine out here.”

Seungmin whipped his head towards Chan. “Absolutely not. It’s more than big enough for the both of us.”

Chan quirked his eyebrow again. Seungmin had amazing intuition, and could sense things with extreme clarity, but by the Gods, did he wish he could read minds. Chan was so hard to gauge sometimes.

“I just mean… There’s no reason for you to sleep out here, Chan.”

Chan seemed to hesitate before he spoke. “Alright.”

Seungmin smiled warmly, and rummaged through his bag. He pulled out some bread, and gave some to Chan.

“Managed to swipe some as I was leaving the inn earlier.” Seungmin smirked and began to eat.

Chan chuckled and ate his own portion. In all honesty, it didn’t taste right. He wasn’t too fond of thicker foods like this. He’d be damned if he let Chan view any more of his weaknesses, though. The full moon was coming up in a couple of weeks, anyway. He could deal with his small cravings then, celebrate another cycle.

Somehow.

Seungmin got up and checked the door, and the windows. They were all solid, easily locked. They had planned to take a couple days rest before hunting down the next creature lead, anyway. No reason they couldn’t stay here for a while. He met Chan in the bedroom, who was just standing there.

“You don’t have to, you know, share the bed with me if you’d rather not. I was just thinking that you deserved a warm bed, and I do not mind sharing.”

Chan met his eyes then, they were gentle, holding a curiosity in them.

“I can even stay alllllllll the way over here.” Seungmin sat on the farthest end of the bed, kicked his feet up, and laid his head back. “See? Plenty of room for me and one freakishly large Witcher.”

Chan really laughed at him then, and got onto the other side of the bed. With both of them on it, there really was maybe a few inches in between them. Seungmin turned his head and found Chan already watching him.

“If you are sure. You are not… Uncomfortable?”

“You could never make me uncomfortable, Chan. Sleep now, it’s been a long day.”

Chan hummed, and Seungmin faced away again.

This would be fine. He would be fine. Seungmin kicked his boots off, and curled into himself. He heard Chan doing the same, and before long, Seungmin had drifted.

Chapter Text

Chan awoke with a start. Feeling like he had been burned. His medallion vibrating and chiming alarmingly. He breathed in slowly, and opened his eyes, trying to make out any sounds, or anything that could key him in to whatever was lurking around their little corner of the World.

But he could not sense anything, could not hear anything. His medallion was continuously going off, and he could feel Seungmin start to stir. At some point in the night, the puppy-like man had managed to curl into Chan’s side. Chan looked down, assessing. A shallow fear grew in him as he looked down at his medallion.

It was resting near Seungmin’s hand, barely touching him, but nonetheless, still grazing his skin. Seungmin began blinking his eyes open, and Chan would have thought it was cute if he was not struggling to grasp the situation. Chan watched Seungmin come into clarity. He looked at Chan with a puzzled expression, then down at his medallion that was still going off, and immediately backed away, as if being struck by lightning.

Seungmin sat up quickly but Chan was faster. He jumped up and blocked the door. Seungmin only scoffed and grabbed his boots, putting them on as if this was any normal morning.

“Yes, fine, hello, good morning, no need to act like I’m going to kill you at any moment.” He sounded almost hurt, but Chan could not process that right now. There were more pressing things to handle.

Chan stood like a statue, taking in the sight of Seungmin. His hair was a mess from sleep, and his movements were still sluggish. Chan felt like he was seeing someone else for the first time.

“What are you?”

Seungmin was still sitting on the side of the bed. Not looking at Chan, but staring at the feathers that rested on the side table.

“Does that matter?”

“You’ve been lying to me, so yes, it matters.”

Seungmin looked up at him then. “I really don’t think it is such a big deal. And I never lied. Not once. You… You never asked, so I didn’t tell.”

“I am asking now, Kim Seungmin. What are you?” The question came out laced with pure venom.

Seungmin flinched, he looked pained, sad in a way. “Fuck, Chan, can we just let this go? Please? I’ve never harmed a human, not in the way that would make me your prey. The last time I killed anyone was centuries ago.”

Chan kept his eyes on Seungmin, walking back to his side of the bed and putting his own boots on. He took in Seungmin’s words. Thinking.

“You have not set off my medallion, in the entire time that we have been traveling together. Only when you touched it, did it go off. Why?”

“You’re not going to let this go, are you?” Seungmin’s voice came out small. He hesitated, and then sighed again. “I am a vampire.”

Chan immediately burst out laughing, humorless and strained. “No, I have fought many vampires, and non–” He cut himself off, face falling. “You’re a High Vampire.”

Seungmin winced. “Yes.”

Chan huffed angrily, and left the bedroom. Seungmin followed behind him.

“I did not lie to you, I have never lied to you, Chan.”

“But you did not tell me the entire truth.”

“No, but I really am just a scholar. I want nothing more than to learn. I’ve sulked and walked in circles for decades upon decades, Chan. I set out to learn. I very rarely drink any blood, and even then it’s from a willing participant.”

Chan scrunched his face in utter bewilderment. A million questions ran through his mind. He knew Higher Vampire’s did not need blood to survive, but even thinking about this man, his companion, his friend, biting a human and drinking blood made his skin crawl.

He also knew that Higher Vampire’s could control other, lower vampire breeds. His eyes widened. Pieces of this Seungmin shaped puzzle were connecting very rapidly.

“The bruxa. Did you plan our entire meeting? Were you planning on feeding from whoever took on the task?”

“No! I- Kind of.” Seungmin looked hurt. Like even talking about this was causing him great pain. “Yes, I told the bruxa to lure someone powerful in, but only because I needed a powerful companion. I was not expecting a Witcher, nor was I ever expecting someone like you.”

Chan scoffed and rolled his eyes.

“I’m being entirely serious right now, Chan. I am giving you nothing but the truth. I needed someone powerful to help me with my research. I may be a Higher Vampire, but I am not so skilled in way of combat. I can hold my own, but not to the level that I was needing. I was using the bruxa to weed out potential people. I was never planning on feeding from them. I had never planned on feeding from you.”

Chan listened to his words, but he was still angry. Hurt, was the better word. He had been traveling with Seungmin for weeks now, and to think he was one of the creatures that Chan had been trained to kill. But, on the other hand, if Seungmin was telling the truth… Did he really classify as a monster? As someone that needed to be taken out for the better of humanity?

Just based on these little research projects… Seungmin has notebook after notebook full of things that he has found out, and things that he wishes to learn more about. That sounds like something that could better humanity, in a way. But he was immortal, undead, and could potentially kill hundreds of people. Then again, was that not what people thought of Chan, himself?

“I don’t want to hurt anyone, Chan, especially not you. I could never live wit—”

Seungmin was cut off by a loud crashing sound. Something had charged the wall. Chan held fast, and grabbed his sword. He didn’t even notice his medallion going off again, still too angry with Seungmin to realize. He held his arm out, signaling for Seungmin to stay put. He listened.

Whatever was out there was big. Chan breathed in deep, and listened. It was approaching fast again, charging the outer wall.

“Get back!”

Chan yelled for Seungmin, and he complied.

“Chan! It’s a Cyclops!”

“Wha–”

He was cut off as the wall crashed down, a giant figure pushing through. Seungmin moved fast, and tumbled off to the side. Chan cast Quen, keeping the small shield around him as the giant kept moving forward.

Seungmin stood behind the Cyclops, the monsters focus entirely on Chan. Chan swung out, barely catching onto the giants arm. The giant roared, attempting to charge in the small space of the house. Chan jumped out of its way, and watched as an arrow struck the giants shoulder. He glanced at Seungmin, who had a crossbow primed to shoot again.

The Cyclops turned and set his eye on Seungmin, who ran out of the hole in the wall, leading the giant out of the tight space. It charged after the man, and as he tried to parry, got his leg grabbed.

Chan yelled his name, but it sounded like he was yelling through a tunnel. Time slowed as he ran his fastest towards the Cyclops, who was lifting Seungmin towards his mouth by his leg. He lept, stabbing his full sword into the giants spine. It roared, and dropped Seungmin, who rolled out of the way of the staggering giant. It tried to swat at its back, trying to dislodge Chan, but his arms could not reach.

Chan slid down with each teetering step the giant took, moving his sword lower and widening the cut on its back. Chan used his dagger to climb higher, ripping his sword out and stabbing into the thick skin again and again, until he reached its head. He held onto it, and swung his sword forward, striking the giant eye in the center of its head. It belted out, but it slowed and slurred until no more sound was coming out. It stumbled forward, only a few steps, before it collapsed onto the ground. Chan leapt off, and immediately ran towards Seungmin.

“Seungmin!” He slid to his side, he was sitting up, but holding his leg. “Are you ok?”

“Crushed my leg. I’ll be fine but I need you to listen to me, ok?”

Chan hesitated, but nodded.

“We should be about half a days travel away from my home. I need you to get me there, and then I need you to leave.”

Chan gave a confused look, he did not understand.

“It will take me a few days to heal this, but when I awake, I’m going to be weak. I will not be entirely myself for a day or two. Chan, I do not want to bite you.” Seungmin was pleading with him. A tone that Chan had not heard before.

Chan understood and nodded. He was not entirely sure if he was actually going to leave Seungmin. He was still angry, but he also knew this man. Knew him more than anticipated. And the thought of just leaving him, during a time where he will be in such a fragile state… It left a bad taste in Chan’s mouth, but for now, he agreed. He ran into the crumbling building, grabbing their bags, and running around the back to get Berry. She was, thankfully, unharmed.

He returned to Seungmin, who was seemingly dozing off.

“I am fine. If I fall asleep before we make it there, just throw me on the couch or something.”

Chan scoffed, but listened to the directions Seungmin was giving. He carefully lifted Seungmin on Berry, and then got on himself. Seungmin had rested his head on Chan’s back, and as he ushered Berry on, his anger simmered low, and turned into concern.

.・。.・゜✩・.

Chan pushed Berry as much as he reasonably could. Seungmin had fallen asleep some time ago, but Chan had a general idea of where his home was located. The vampire had described it as being somewhat of a cottage. Something deep into the forest, a full days travel to any surrounding towns.

Chan had found his thoughts drifting to the words Seungmin had said to him. He was, by all accounts, a monster. But wasn’t that what people had thought of Chan? Witcher’s were not a part of the natural world, much like vampires. Much like Seungmin. He wondered how long Seungmin had been alone, before he cracked and decided to travel. He wondered about how he was turned, and how he had become a Higher Vampire. Chan’s mind was restless, going around in circles and trying to make sense of the situation at hand.

But did it have to make sense? He wasn’t entirely sure about that either.

What he was sure of, was that he cared about Seungmin. Chan couldn’t imagine traveling without the other man. Having someone that did not look at him like he was a ruthless killer felt really nice. He could call Seungmin his friend. He could talk about anything, and the conversation flowed naturally. He could reach his hand out, and Seungmin would take it, no questions asked.

Chan couldn’t account for before they met, but while they were together, Seungmin had not harmed a single human. And… And Chan had. Wouldn’t that make him worse than Seungmin?

Seungmin was kind, and he cared so much. He always made sure Chan ate something, always made sure his wounds were dressed, and kept tabs on if Chan had slept recently. He was a very powerful vampire, but that should not define him. Just like how being a Witcher should not define Chan.

He decided that he needed to apologize.

.・。.・゜✩・.

Chan slowed Berry down upon entering a clearing, a little stream ran through it, and he could see a small house on the edge of it. It was… Quaint. A little spooky, covered in trees and vines. But there was a little garden, fruits and vegetables growing in neat little rows. Some wildflowers growing along a few stepping stones. He could feel it all around him, the closer he got to the little home. The whole area just radiated Seungmin.

He couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. It really was a beautiful little space. Perfect for someone as bright and alluring as Seungmin.

Chan could feel him breathing slowly, hugged tight to his back. He brought Barry to a stop in front of the house, and carefully got off of her, making sure Seungmin didn’t fall. He carried the smaller man, keeping his head tucked into his neck, and approached the door. He braced himself, not entirely sure what he would be walking into, but when he opened the door, he stopped short.

He was not sure what he was expecting of a High Vampire’s home, but it certainly wasn’t this.

Shelves lined almost every wall, books and journals were neatly tucked into every one. A plush couch sat in the center, a pretty patterned rug below it, a cute little fireplace in front. Little trinkets were lined up on the mantel, and… a cat. A cat stretched from its perch at the window, and sauntered over to Chan. It sat a few feet away, and watched him. A little orange thing, with a little strip of leather around its neck.

Seungmin made a little noise in his sleep, and Chan surmised that he should get him to bed. Chan made his way through the little home, down a little hallway with paintings on the walls, and found a room with a big four-poster bed in the center. It looked entirely too fancy for the room it was housed in, and it made Chan grin.

He placed Seungmin in the bed, removed his boots, and pulled the covers over him. The blankets were a deep sage color, with light white curtains lining the four posts. Chan closed them halfway, and left the bedroom, making sure to shut the door behind him.

He walked back out of the house, and stood before Berry. He pet along her face, and hugged her. She made a huffing noise, making Chan chuckle.

“I know, girl, I don’t want to leave him either.”

He sighed, and stayed with Berry for some time. At war with his own mind, going back and forth. Should he listen to Seungmin, and leave? Or should he do what his heart is screaming at him to do, and stay? He did not want to leave the man he had grown so close to, it broke his heart just thinking about it.

So, for once, he did the least Witcher-like thing he could. He grabbed the bags, made sure Berry was secured, and walked back inside.

He stayed.

.・。.・゜✩・.

Seungmin had slept for just over four days. Chan busied himself with reading, tending to the little garden, and exploring the area. He never went too far, not wanting to leave Seungmin so vulnerable.

He thought about what Seungmin would be like when he woke up, but honestly, Chan didn’t think he was going to be that different. Seungmin was a man who was very set in his ways, cool and calculating, but also incredibly smart, and so beautifully caring. Chan was not afraid, and he was not angry, he still had questions, but nothing could make him truly dislike Seungmin.

It had taken Chan a moment to fully grasp the things he was feeling, but he had the time to think about it. He chose to stay, and that was the first sign that told him that this was different. The second sign was how worried he was. He checked on Seungmin multiple times, adjusting his leg and making sure he was comfortable.

The third sign was the cat.

The cat, whose name was, curiously, Minho, was a lean orange cat, with bright yellow eyes. The strip of leather around its neck was a deep green color, with his name embroidered in gold thread. The first day, Minho did not like Chan. At all. You would think they were sworn enemies, and maybe they were. Chan did bring his owner back in not so great shape.

Chan thought that as the cat had watched him care for his owner, that the feelings had gotten lighter as the days went on. Minho was a miraculous hunter, which Chan had assumed was the reason Seungmin had kept him around. The cat had brought several rodents and large bugs to the door of Seungmin’s bedroom. It made Chan smile, and he slowly began to talk to the cat. Telling him that he would make sure that Seungmin was going to be alright, that he was not going to let anything happen to him.

Chan had told Minho about their little adventures fondly. And it really seemed like the cat listened, and understood what Chan was saying. Maybe he was getting a little stir crazy without Seungmin to speak to, but the more he spoke to the cat, and interacted with him, he realized that his first assumptions were wrong. Minho was not just here to hunt.

Chan had wandered through Seungmin’s home, not necessarily snooping, but looking, and seeing what type of person Seungmin really was. What he saw was so glaringly in his face; the cat was loved. There were little hand made beds scattered around here and there, beautiful dishes holding its food, and they even seemed to be enchanted, never fully emptying. Little stuffed toys and feathered balls, a set of little empty shelves that seemed to be exclusively for Minho.

Chan was positive that Minho started out as a practicality for Seungmin, but had ultimately become his companion, and it warmed Chan’s heart to see. Seungmin had so much love to give, even to the smallest of creatures. He had proved it, time and time again. Collecting the items for his research, he always did it so delicately. There was always a caring nature to it, and Seungmin always had little facts and tidbits that he would share with Chan. He had never looked at the Witcher with disgust, or malice, only quiet interest and fond smiles.

The reason why Minho was Chan’s third sign, was because the cat had shown him just how big Seungmin’s heart was. Chan had found a book, it looked old, and inside it was a very long note. The note itself was full of love, adoration, something from a long time friend, or more. It had been signed by a Lee Minho. Chan did not read further, he closed the book, and gently put it back in its home on the shelf. He figured that the cat reminded Seungmin of this person, and seeing how loved it was, well, that told Chan everything he needed.

The fourth, and final reason that Chan had discovered, wasn’t as grand or as big as his earlier revelations. It was just as it was. A simple fact of the matter. Everything with Seungmin was different, because Chan’s heart beat for him. He could not see himself ever being without Seungmin. Could not imagine another companion, another soul.

Fate had brought them together, and that was the end of it.

He decided that once Seungmin woke up, he would apologize, and he would give the man his heart. Truly, it was already in Seungmin’s hands, but Chan would let the other man decide what he ultimately wanted to do with it.

Chapter Text

Seungmin woke up slowly. It felt as if each one of his bones had to wake up on its own before his brain could restart. In his long life, he has only had to heal like this a couple of times, and it is never easy. It never hurt, he rarely felt true pain anymore, but it felt as if he was trying to breach the surface of a thick puddle of mud. He felt sluggish, foggy, and his leg was stiff.

His senses came back just as slowly.

Touch. He could tell he was in his own bed. He had made sure to splurge on it, he had collected too much money over the years anyway. The bed was one item that he would always make sure was top tier. A soft place to come back to was not only a comfort, but an extreme luxury that few could afford.

Taste. His mouth tasted rancid. He desperately needed to find a toothbrush. He did not know how long he had slept for, but judging by his mouth, it was a few days. It felt like cotton and garbage was stuck between his teeth. It was enough to get his eyes blinking open.

Sight. He blinked rapidly, getting used to the sunlight streaming in through his windows. The curtains had been drawn to about halfway, just letting the sun beam strike him. He sat up, and groaned. Leaving his bed was never an easy task.

He made his way out of his bedroom before his body was entirely back to him, made his way to his little washroom, and grabbed the toothbrush. He had a paste that he had made out of some mint leaves and some other ingredients. It made his mouth feel fresh and clean. If his mouth felt dirty, the rest of him felt dirty. He would have to bathe soon, but just as he turned towards the large basin in the room, he smelled it.

Scent. It was delectable. He’d never smelled anything quite as divine as this. He wasn’t even sure what it was. A masculine scent, with a hint of vanilla, and underneath it… Blood. Fresh blood pumping through veins. He couldn’t always smell someone's blood like this, not as clear as he was currently. He could live without it. Could survive and thrive without blood, but after healing, well, he craved it. He could feel his teeth with an intensity, almost like they were pulsing. Could feel them getting sharper as he inhaled. A shaky moan left his lips, and then his hearing came to him all at once.

Sound. Footsteps, moving closer to him. The sounds of blood pumping through arteries. The wind as it rushed around his home. His name, falling from a beautiful mouth. A couple of knocks on the wooden door, separating them.

And just like that, Seungmin was completely back to himself.

“Chan?”

.・。.・゜✩・.

Chan immediately opened the door. Seungmin’s voice sounded so small, so weak, and the need to make sure that the other was alright was too strong. He was not afraid of Seungmin, he just wanted to be cautious, but that plan had clearly gone out the window. The second Chan made eye contact with Seungmin, he ran to him, and enveloped him in his arms.

Seungmin may have had a little bit of height on him, but Chan was broader, wider. He held tight until he felt Seungmin pull back. Chan’s happy smile faded instantly. Seungmin looked… angry.

“I told you to leave. I told you to leave me here and go away.” His voice came out strained, like he was barely holding himself together.

“Seungmin, I couldn-” Chan was cut off. Seungmin pushed him out into the hallway and shoved past him. Chan’s back hit the opposite wall, knocking one of the paintings down. The vampire was hiding some strength.

Chan chased after him, calling his name, and followed him out the front door. Seungmin did not stop walking, he had a slight limp with each step. Chan caught up and grabbed his arm. He pulled, and struggled, but Chan held fast.

“Seungmin, please.” He didn’t know what he was asking for.

“Chan, I told you to leave! You didn’t listen and now.. And.. now.” Seungmin trailed off, repeating the last word in a whisper. His eyes were bright with unshed tears. Glaring in the sunlight, and giving him this glow that reminded Chan of a kicked puppy.

“Seungmin, I was never going to leave you.” Chan held the sides of Seungmin’s head, softly, but with purpose. “Please let me help you.”

“Chan you don’t understand.” He whined. “You smell, fuck, Chan you smell so good.” Seungmin inhaled deeply, his eyes dilating and a shiver running through his body.

Chan understood immediately, he shrugged one of his shoulders. He had thought about this, more than a few times over the last couple of days. “So bite me.”

Seungmin backed away quickly, shaking his head. “No.” He stomped around Chan, and went back towards the house. He yelled as he walked. “I’ve told you before, I will not hurt you Chan.”

Chan exhaled harshly, and followed once again.

“I am not going to bite you. I am not going to feed from you!” Seungmin walked through the cottage, and over the glass from the painting in the hallway. Chan could hear a sob before more yelling. “You best clean up this glass and then leave, Christopher Bang Chan!” He yelled, and slammed his bedroom door.

Chan was not going to leave, but he did find a broom to clean up the glass.

Minho followed him to the door, sat down and watched him clean. Chan brought the glass to the garbage, and sat in the hall next to the cat. He knew Seungmin would know that he was there, waiting. He would not push, would not force the other to speak, or even drink from him. He only wanted Seungmin to be happy, healthy, and to understand just why Chan had stayed.

So, for now, Chan sat on the floor, Minho curling up next to him, and they waited for their loved one to come to them.

.・。.・゜✩・.

They did not have to wait long. Chan could hear Seungmin pacing in his room. It was not his usual stride, more hobbled. The Witcher wondered if his leg had still hurt, it was clearly not healed completely.

Chan crossed his legs, pulling them close to himself. It jolted Minho, who promptly meowed at him in irritation. A small, barely audible chuckle came from the door in front of them. Chan let himself crack a smile. Minho took Chan’s distraction as an opportunity, and crawled into the Witcher’s lap. Chan practically held his breath as the cat made himself comfortable.

Chan didn’t move for some time, already practiced in the arts of being a statue, and patience. When he deemed it safe, he lifted a hand and slowly pat Minho’s head. The cat started to purr, so he continued. Beyond the purr, the room behind the door grew increasingly silent. Chan heard some reluctant footsteps come closer to the door, stop, and then what sounded like Seungmin sitting down.

It was silent for a while, but Chan saw this as progress. Seungmin wasn’t yelling at him to leave, and as far as Chan could tell, he seemed to be holding himself quite well.

“You know…”

Chan whipped his eyes to the door. Seungmin sounded so small.

“He’s never really purred to anyone but me. But, I guess, even that took some time.”

Chan could work with this. He was talking to him, and that was a gift in and of itself.

“This is the first time I’ve been able to touch him at all.”

Seungmin chuckled, and though it was dampened by the wooden door, it still sounded like music.

“When he was first…” A pause. “When he first came to me, I thought I had been the one cursed. He kept destroying my things, knocking things over, clearing tables. He got over himself eventually.”

Another chuckle, and this time Minho meows loudly at the door, as if he understood that Seungmin was talking about him.

Chan could hear Seungmin tapping on the wood lightly. Like he was trying to figure out how to say more. The Witcher could wait.

“Um. In the spirit of not lying to you… A little after I was first turned, I met a man. An insufferable man, infuriating, even.” A forced laugh. “We became close very fast. His wit and ability to bounce words was something to behold. I loved him, in a way.”

Seungmin took a shaky breath, and paused. Minho loudly meowed again, and Chan heard Seungmin genuinely laugh.

“Yeah, yeah you smug idiot.”

Chan could hear the smile fade from Seungmin’s words.

“Anyway, we were friends for some time, before he caught onto what I was. Too smart for his own good, sometimes. He was angry, too, like you. I had lived in a small village at that point, and had thought that I was going to be hunted down and slaughtered. I kind of hoped it would happen.” Seungmin said that last part in a whisper, and it broke Chan’s heart. “The mob and torches never came, but one day Minho did. Yelled and yelled, and then grew silent as I poured myself out to him. We were closer after that.”

Chan was still petting Minho’s head, but he had stopped purring.

“One day… I was careless. Was goofing around and throwing words with Minho, someone overheard me make a joke about being undead. Brought it to the Lords of that land. At first, nothing happened. I didn’t even know I was in danger… Didn’t know that they would use Minho to get to me. Honestly, they took the wrong person. Minho was… Is. Has always been, excruciatingly strong-willed. Wouldn’t tell those fuckers anything.”

Minho meowed again, as if confirming his strength.

“A sorcerer cursed him to be a beast for eternity. Turns out that beast was just a common house cat. Something lowly, and insignificant. Little did this sorcerer know that Minho would take up this new form quite well. Little fucker chewed out the sorcerers neck. Was an absolute horror and a delight to witness. Then the mob and pitchforks came, you know, after that. We’ve been together since. I wanted him to travel with me at first, but he’s always been a homebody. So, he became king of the cottage.”

Minho got up from Chan’s lap, and walked closer to the door. The little cat seemed to ponder, and then let out the loudest meow Chan had ever heard.

“Yah, I get it, shut up, shut up.” Seungmin yelled through the door. Minho crouched and stretched his paw under the crack, grabbing onto some fabric that looked like Seungmin’s shirt. “Hey! Minho! Cut the shit, I get it already, just… give me a minute.”

Chan smiled at the little spat. It was cute. Almost felt like his Seungmin had come back to him.

“Chan… My senses are… Heightened right now. My leg isn’t healed fully. I can smell you as if you were right in front of me. Can hear your blood flowing through your body, albeit, a little slower than that of a standard human.” Seungmin shuddered out a breath. “Chan, I would never be able to live with myself if I hurt you.”

“You won’t.” Chan knew without a shred of doubt.

“You don't know that. You… You can’t know that.”

“I do, though.”

“How?”

Seungmin sounded so small, so scared.

“I know… I know, because I trust you.”

Seungmin huffed darkly. “Could have fooled me. You didn’t seem to trust me a few days ago.”

“I was hurt, I will grant you that, but I did not ever lose my trust in you. When we fought, I turned away from you. Do you think I am so careless as to show my back to someone I did not trust?”

Seungmin stayed silent. Minho turned his little head to look at Chan, as if urging him to continue. Chan understood why Seungmin had said that the cat was too smart for his own good.

“You mean a great deal to me, Seungmin.” Chan hesitated, and Minho meowed, but before Chan could continue, Seungmin spoke again.

“I’m not so shortsighted to think that Witcher’s did not have emotions, no matter the stories that humans spread around. But I do not think… I’m…” Seungmin trailed off. Chan could tell that he was about to say something self-deprecating.

Chan didn’t think that his words were going to do him any good here. He could wax poetic about the feelings he has for Seungmin, but that would not get through Seungmin’s own self-loathing. That was an emotion that Chan was intimately familiar with. So, he acted instead.

Chan didn’t think about it, but he felt his body stand up and go directly to the door. He rapped his knuckles against it, knocking twice. Something in him was positive that Seungmin would answer this time. He heard Seungmin stand, but there was hesitation before the door opened.

Seungmin stood before him, his eyes had a red tinge to them, and he was breathing heavily, but he did not scare Chan. The Witcher was afraid of a lot of things, though he was not one to admit his faults so loudly, but Seungmin could never instill fear within him. Chan reached his hand forward, and caressed the vampire's cheek. It was damp, as if he had been crying.

“Please, do not misunderstand, Seungmin…”

Seungmin was nuzzling into Chan’s wrist, and his eyes had changed once more.

“Bite me, feed and regain your strength, and then we can talk more. I can show you the truth behind my words and intentions, but right now, you are not entirely present. I need you to hear me, and to understand me. So, bite me.”

Chan unbuttoned the top few clasps on his shirt, and presented his neck. Seungmin visibly shuddered.

“What if I can’t stop?”

“You will.”

“But what if I can’t, Chan?”

“I told you, I trust you.”

Seungmin hesitated some more, at war with himself, until he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“Come… Come here then.” Seungmin led Chan into the bedroom, and sat him down on the bed. “Sit up against the headboard. If you get light headed, you won’t fall.”

Chan did as he was instructed, and got comfortable. He thought for a moment and decided to completely forgo his shirt. He threw it to the floor and set his eyes on Seungmin.

Chan has caught Seungmin staring a time or two, every time their eyes would meet, the younger's cheeks would glow a bright pink. The Witcher had teased him about it, in their more carefree moments.

Seungmin was staring now, too. Chan watched his eyes dilate impossibly further. Seungmin made his way to Chan’s side.

“Can I…” Seungmin trailed off, but was looking at Chan’s lap. In lieu of an answer, Chan grabbed onto Seungmin’s waist, and pulled him onto his legs. He was properly straddling the Witcher now. Chan kept his hands on the vampire’s waist, and suppressed his own shudder. He knew Seungmin had a tiny waist, had seen it with his own eyes, but feeling it, even over his shirt, was intoxicating.

Seungmin tentatively placed his hands on Chan’s shoulders, before slowly traveling them around his neck. Chan lifted his chin to give him more room to explore. Soft hands held on to his throat, fingers twitched to his pulse points, palms slid around to cup the back of his neck, pulling him closer.

Chan kept eye contact until Seungmin lowered his head to his neck. Chan was not tense, not afraid, but he was incredibly turned on. He liked having his hands on Seungmin, and liked having the other boy in his lap. Wanted to keep him there forever. On the other hand, the emotional aspect was what was really getting to his head. Seungmin cared so deeply, and Chan could feel that surrounding them.

Tentative lips came to his pulse point, softly kissing him. Chan might not have been afraid, but Seungmin was. He was afraid of what he could do, but he also trusted Chan. Seungmin kissed his skin a few times before Chan felt sharp points, not pressing in, not biting, just… Placed there. Chan removed one of his hands and brought it up to the back of Seungmin’s head, and lightly started smoothing it down. Like he was petting a timid puppy.

Seungmin relaxed, took one more deep breath, and pierced skin.

Chan could not suppress the erotic moan that came from the depths of his throat. He had a vice grip on Seungmin’s waist, his other hand tangled in dark brown hair. His legs tensed and it pushed the vampire further into his lap. Chan bucked at the new friction. He felt more than heard Seungmin moan into his neck.

Seungmin thrust his hips down, and Chan shuddered at the feeling of his hardening cock rubbing against his own. Everything felt too good, too fast. His head was cloudy, but he knew he had to get a handle on the situation.

Seungmin kept his hips moving, and tightened his arms around Chan’s shoulders. Chan felt him remove his teeth, but replaced them with his lips. He was still attached to the Witcher’s neck, kissing and sucking and nibbling. Not breaking skin again, just enjoying himself.

“Fuck, Seungmin…” Chan had half a mind to let the other man continue, he felt so good.

Having Seungmin on his lap, against his chest, on his neck, was everything that Chan had wanted and so much more, but he had to make sure of a few things before they continued.

“Seungmin, baby, wait, slow down.”

Chan gripped Seungmin’s hair hard enough to pull him away from his neck, and the whine that the other let out went straight to his dick. Seungmin loosened his arms and leaned back. His face instantly turned red, he looked mortified.

Seungmin covered his face in his hands. “Shit. I’m sorry, fuck, I’m sorry.” He kept repeating his apology and made to move off of Chan’s lap, but Chan held him still.

“No, no, hey, Seungmin, look at me, baby.” Chan lightly grabbed his wrists, and pulled them from Seungmin’s face, his eyes were full of unshed tears, and he had blood stained around his mouth. He was breathtaking.

“Don’t misunderstand, I want this. I want you so bad, Seungmin.”

“...but?” Seungmin’s voice was small again.

Chan gave a soft smile.

“But I don’t want this to just be an in the moment thing.”

Seungmin tilted his head, like a curious puppy. “What do you mean?”

Chan rubbed his hands up and down Seungmin’s arms.

“I don’t want you just once. I don’t want you twice or three times. Seungmin, I want you every time, all the time.” Chan took a deep breath. “I stayed, because I love you. I’m in love with you.”

Seungmin froze, like a statue had replaced him. He stayed like that for more than a moment. Then all at once, Seungmin’s lip trembled, he sobbed, and the tears spilled over. Chan grabbed his cheeks and wiped lightly with his thumbs.

“You… You can’t love me Chan, you can’t.” He looked so vulnerable.

Chan must have shown his confusion on his face, because Seungmin continued.

“I am a- a monster, Channie, you hunt things like me, you kill them.” Seungmin took a shuddered breath in. “You should have killed me the moment you knew what I was. I’m sorry for lying to you. I’m sorry for tricking you and for- for feeding from you and-”

Seungmin was spiraling and Chan did the only thing he could think to gently calm him down. He gently placed his lips against Seungmin’s. Chan kissed the boy in his lap over and over again, just soft pecks, until the tears stopped falling. Chan kissed both of Seungmin’s cheeks, and then his nose, and one more peck on the lips before he pulled back.

“You are the least monstrous person I have ever met, Minnie, and neither you nor I can predict or change the hands of fate.” Chan held onto Seungmin’s face, not letting him hide or turn away.

Seungmin took another breath. “Unfortunately.”

“No, there’s nothing unfortunate about this. I love you, I want you, I hope you are by my side for eternity.”

Seungmin visibly relaxed and a smirk graced his face. “Sap.”

Chan chuckled. “There he is.” And kissed him again.

“You should rest some more. Let your body finish healing.”

“Ok, but only if you stay with me. Something tells me you didn’t get much sleep the last few days.”

“Alright.” Chan smiled, and let Seungmin remove himself from his lap.

They shuffled down further into the bed, and Seungmin curled into Chan’s side. He pulled the blankets over them both, and got comfortable.

Chan could feel Seungmin’s breath get shallower as he relaxed more. He didn’t know if he would sleep, still too wound up, but he would not leave Seungmin. So he held him tight, and let his mind rest for once.

“Oh, and for the record, I love you too, my odd Witcher.”

Chan felt his entire chest burst with warmth. His smile felt too big for his face. He rolled over on top of Seungmin, and held him down while laughing, and kissed obnoxiously all over his vampire’s face.

Seungmin laughed, and Chan made a promise right then and there, to himself, that he would always strive to make that sound come from his love.

“Ok, ok, you dog, I get it!” Seungmin laughed in between words and Chan pulled his face back, but only a little bit. They held eye contact for a moment, it was charged, but not overwhelmingly so. Chan kissed Seungmin once more, on his lips.

“Sleep, little vampire, rest.” Chan rolled off of Seungmin, but pulled him into his chest.

“Just because I’m the little spoon, doesn’t mean I’m a ‘little vampire.’” Seungmin yawned.

Chan did not bother with a response. He was sure Seungmin could feel him smiling, anyway.

Chan felt at ease, felt his mind slow down, and felt adoration fill his veins. This was what he was put on this World for, not to be a hunter, a Witcher. Those were things he ended up being, obstacles that lead him to this strange High Vampire.

He could tell when Seungmin had finally fallen asleep, and he made sure to stretch his bad leg out so it would heal properly. They still had a lot more to talk about, more truths to be shared. For one reason or another, fate and destiny had brought them together, but the reasons did not matter. They were together, and as far as Chan was concerned, that was the only important circumstance.