Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Is that necessary?”

Taehyung clicks his tongue as he draws the curtain back, allowing the sun to stream in and flood his surroundings. He ignores the question, focusing instead on the vampire strapped to a chair in the middle of the room. His skin turns red as soon as the sun hits it, his expression changing from smug to pained quickly, though he tries to stop himself from showing it.

“This is the third time you’ve disobeyed me,” Taehyung explains. His tone is calm though there’s a rage building inside of him that will burn hotter than the vampire’s skin does currently if he lets it control him. “I’m assuming you have a death wish?”

From the side of the room, hidden in the shadows, a member of his clan, Jin, sighs and shakes his head disapprovingly as he watches on. The vampire between them only snarls in response, knuckles turning white from how tight they hold onto the arms of the chair.

Taehyung has learned his lesson about how easily wood furniture breaks from a vampire’s strength. He’s gone with steel now, though he does not enjoy the sound of the vampire’s nails scraping over it. Even Jin cringes at the screech. 

“You are to only feed within the borders of this land.” Taehyung presses his lips together because he hears it in his voice, the anger slipping out. He snaps the curtains closed. “For your own safety. What is so hard about that to understand?”

The vampire hangs his head and breathes harshly. “My girlfriend -”

“Is dead,” Taehyung interrupts. Jin sends him a look, but he ignores that too. “Like I told you she would be if you did not learn to control yourself. Yet instead of listening to me, you’ve been eating through the neighboring towns.”

The vampire snaps his head back up, eyes full of rage. “Fuck you -”

Taehyung twirls his finger to open the curtains once more. The vampire growls out as his skin burns again, snarling so viciously that spit flies from his lips. He usually sympathizes with how difficult it is to learn how to fight off the urge to feed and feed at any given chance, but this vampire has pissed him off.

This is the fourth time he’s been brought to Taehyung after causing the death of another. He told him if didn’t regain control, he’d kill his loved ones next. His poor sire has been on his knees begging Taehyung for help each time, and instead of having gratitude that someone continues to have hope in him, he just keeps returning. 

If guilt and regret aren’t enough to stop him from killing a fifth, Taehyung will make sure he will be.

“I am fine with letting you fry,” Taehyung says as he crosses his arms over his chest. “It does require you to be beneath the sun for quite some time, but you’ll find that I am very patient.”

Jin clicks his tongue audibly. Maybe he’d argue that Taehyung isn’t as patient as he thinks he is, and maybe he’d be more right than wrong. “Do you really need me here for this?”

“Is there somewhere else you’d prefer to be?” Taehyung asks with only a glance his way. “Or someone you’d prefer to be with, I should ask.”

Jin rolls his eyes as he pushes off the wall. “Just kill him already.”

The vampire gasps out, head shaking. “Please, I’m sorry -”

Taehyung waves a hand and closes the curtains. “Bring Yoongi in, please. Look, you’ve gotten your wish.”

The annoyance that immediately comes off Jin is strong enough to cover the fear from the vampire. Despite this, he does as Taehyung’s asked, and twists open the door to call Yoongi in.

The vampire reacts the moment Yoongi joins them. His nostrils flare, he bares the fangs that are already out. He fights against the chair, the restraints, no longer because of fear but out of desire. 

Taehyung gently rubs Yoongi’s shoulder as he brings him closer to the vampire. He knows it makes Jin antsy to have Yoongi so close to one that is like this, but he should know by now that Taehyung would tear the vampire’s head from his shoulders before he could even get the chance to bite.

“Think about your girlfriend,” Taehyung says softly. Unlike Jin, Yoongi is calm. He’s the one that offered to help in these scenarios, wanting to keep his town safe as well. He tilts his head like a habit, eyes fluttering closed when Taehyung trails a nail down the thick vein in his neck. “How good she tasted, but what it felt like the moment you realized you sucked the life out of her.”

Yoongi hums when Taehyung cuts his skin, just enough to let droplets of blood appear. The vampire snarls quieter this time, more pained than angry. 

“Is the pleasure you feel strong enough to outweigh the pain?” Taehyung asks. He glances at the vampire before he moves a finger over the droplets of blood. “Was it worth it? Think about this pain you feel now. Not the blood.”

The vampire snaps at him when Taehyung brings his finger beneath his nose. It’s in his eyes, that glazed over look that comes with letting go of everything just to indulge, but he fights it. For once, he fucking fights it.

“You’ll lose a finger like that,” Jin mumbles when Taehyung jerks his hand away. He side eyes him and brings the finger to his own lips instead. 

“Please stop,” the vampire begs. “I’m sorry.”

“Was it worth it?” Taehyung demands to know. The taste of Yoongi’s blood makes him hungry as well. He can’t remember when he’s last fed. 

“No.” The vampire squeezes his eyes closed, mouth still open. He pants, scratches at the chair. “I just - I just can’t fight it.”

“Have you tried?” Taehyung snaps because he knows he hasn’t. His sire, Byungchan, has told him as much. “Because last time you were here, you told me it was what you were supposed to do. Feed on humans.”

The vampire whimpers out, distressed. Yoongi brings Taehyung’s hand back up to his throat and grits his teeth when Taehyung complies and cuts deeper.

“Think of her,” Taehyung instructs softly. His own fangs dig into his lip at the sight of crimson. It’s pretty against Yoongi’s pale skin, slowly dancing down the curve of his throat and towards his chest. “What was her name?”

The vampire doesn’t snarl, doesn’t fight. His eyes are distant yet focused on Yoongi’s neck. 

“Her name,” Taehyung insists. “Tell me the name of the woman you love.”

“Sooyoung.” He says it like the word rips up his throat in order to get it out. “Soo-young. Her name was Sooyoung.”

He closes his eyes, whimpers. His body seems to sag in on itself, head hanging. When he looks up and lets out a different kind of noise, his eyes are brown. 

“It wasn’t worth it,” the man gasps out. He looks to the side with watery eyes like he’s forcing himself not to look at Yoongi. “I was trying to prevent it from happening.”

Taehyung licks at his thumb to soothe over the open cut so it will heal. As much as he wishes to lick the trail of blood clean, he feels that would be too cruel to do in front of the vampire. He whispers a thank you to Yoongi and sends Jin a look that says the same.

He isn’t confident that they’re done, but it’s progress. “You felt the power of taking someone’s life, didn’t you?”

The regret is in his eyes. The pain. He nods weakly before his head falls back, hidden from Taehyung’s view, though it’s not pain he should be ashamed of. It’s his actions. He should show his remorse for it.

“I ask again. Was it worth it?”

The man’s bottom lip wobbles, anger flashing in his eyes. He kicks out but Taehyung stands up and steps aside so his leg only moves through air. “No! No, it wasn’t fucking worth it.”

Taehyung slips his hands into his pockets and studies the man. “Are you going to listen to Byungchan? He may be of my blood, but I have rules in place to maintain order. I will not help you a fifth time.”

The implication as to what would happen is there. Taehyung’s reputation is widespread. They know how strict he is when it comes to enforcing laws that it’s surprising that there’s still such insubordination. 

“Yes,” the man cries quietly. “Please, I promise.”

Taehyung nods and calls Byungchan in. He pats him on the chest, keeping him back from freeing his creation. “Do not bring him back here if he messes up again. I am thinking about retiring from taking care of newborns. My hair is going gray.”

The sire pales, but he nods. Taehyung side steps him and walks off, needing a fucking drink. 

“Don’t think I’m not aware that you haven’t fed in some time.”

“I’m not in the mood.”

“You’re in quite the mood, actually. I heard what you did to the poor bastard.”

Taehyung whips around, aggravated. While he likes to keep a cool head and not entertain the anger inside of him, it’s a little harder to do in the presence of his brother. Or maybe, he’s such a safe space that it comes out without Taehyung’s consent. 

“He killed four humans, hyung.”

He can feel Namjoon’s eyes on him as he paces. He doesn’t comment right away, but Taehyung knows him well enough to know he has plenty to say. Even if his expression remains blank, Taehyung knows him. 

“And don’t start on me,” Taehyung goes on before Namjoon can get another word in. “Third strike usually means death. I’m being lenient .”

The corners of Namjoon’s mouth quirk up, matching the glint in his eye. “You don’t think the knowledge that he killed the love of his life is enough of a punishment?”

Taehyung waves a dismissive hand at him. “Apparently not, no. And I did not decide the punishments. That was a collective decision made by the council. Law is law.”

Namjoon sighs and uncrosses his arms to rest them behind him on the table he sits on. It makes him look only slightly less judgemental. “You literally just said law says third strike, death. And yet -”

Taehyung whips his fingers through the air, aware of how petty he’s being when the papers on Namjoon’s desk go flying to the ground. “Any newborns brought to me will be immediately sent to you, then. I am done working with the young.”

Namjoon isn’t even bothered by the mess. How annoying. “But you’re the head of this clan, Taehyung-ah. The ruler of this sector.” His tone is mocking. Even more annoying. “It’s your responsibility.”

The sounds of the other clan members whispering about them doesn’t go unheard. Their little comments about Taehyung being in a mood only further add to it. “I have decided to delegate my responsibilities amongst my most trusted. Aren’t you honored, hyung?”

He whips open the door to Namjoon’s study, ignoring the soft chuckle he gets in response before he makes his way out. He has many things to do today, but Namjoon is frustratingly right. He is in a mood.

And nothing worsens his mood more than Namjoon being right.

Descending the stairs to the ground level, Taehyung strides right towards the front door and out of it. The sun is starting to set, but still remains above the horizon. It does not bother him as he walks the short distance to their gates and out of them towards the thick line of trees. 

Before he even steps foot beneath them, he stills and breathes in deeply. He takes in the smell of the forest, of nature. It grounds him, calms him. He always feels at peace when he’s hidden away in the forest and always has. Since he was a young boy, running after Namjoon and listening to him speak about how they are just products of the Earth around them and how they need to appreciate the gifts Earth has given them.

When he was that young, he couldn’t differentiate between the hundreds of different smells that made up the forest, but it was still calming. Now he can. The different flowers, leaves, trees. The animals, the river, the blood -

Taehyung halts in his first step beneath the trees, head tilting as he breathes in again. His nostrils flare as he catches wind of it. It is not uncommon to come across the scent of blood here, whether due to an injured animal or one eating another. But this is different.

It’s strong. Not just a boar chowing down on it’s latest kill. It’s everywhere, a mix of fresh and old.

Byungchan and his sired have left, but he knows surely they wouldn’t be so disrespectful as to tear through his woods after Taehyung helped them. Not when his knees were shaking as he pleaded for help because he knows the rules, he knows how Taehyung takes them seriously. 

And everyone else knows what the forest means to the Kim brothers. It is off limits to the others except for passage. 

Taehyung bares his teeth in annoyance as his body naturally moves towards the source of it, winding through trees and over dead carcasses that he merely glimpses at with relief that they’re animals and not humans. That was his biggest fear, to deal with another human death when he just retired from the position of dealing with it. 

The last time they had to deal with a rogue vampire tearing through humans had been such a tiring and stressful affair that Taehyung was so close to throwing in the towel. It made the vampire he punished today look like a saint. They had lost so many and exposed themselves in a way that he has always tried to prevent. It had taken weeks to reverse the damage. His patience had failed him then because rogues can’t be taught, they already know what they aren’t supposed to do. They just don’t care.

It can be difficult to tell the difference between a rogue’s mess and that of a newly turned vampire. But the animals suggest it is the latter, a result of hunger rather than rebellion. Which would mean the vampire is quite young, as the first thing all sires teach their newborns is how not to let their hunger control them. They are to be kept somewhere private and safe until they can, not left to roam free through Taehyung’s precious forest.

This thought strengthens when Taehyung nears closer, as his other senses fill with more than just the scent of blood. The sounds of growling and sloppy eating. The taste of fear mixed in with the pleasure that comes off of vampires whenever they feed. 

Not again. The world must be trying to punish Taehyung for making him have to deal with this so soon. He believes in messages from the Earth, but he wishes to ignore this one. He does not want to deal with another baby vampire for at least a century. 

“You’ve got to be shitting me.” Taehyung pauses, a hand pressed to his forehead as he breathes in woodsy air. “Patience, Kim Taehyung. Patience.”

Taehyung’s position as one of the few ancient vampires that still exist comes with a lot of responsibility. He has a hand in enforcing the laws they’ve put into place to keep their kind from going extinct, creating communities where vampires can live without fear or needing to hide. Clans come to him in seek of help and advice, strays are sent to him for sanctuary. He is in charge of his own clan, his own home, one he needs to be sparkling clean and intimidating to keep up the reputation he’s worked so hard on to have and the one that naturally comes with his position.

These things are important to him, so he does not mind. However, he hates when it entails dealing with newly turned vampires. Those are who need to be taught most, to be kept safe, but as the years go by, it’s become more and more frustrating. 

He has advisors to keep him up to date with the trends and happenings in human society. He knows what memes are and has a streaming subscription that he wishes to indulge in more than he can. He has a pretty solid understanding of texting acronyms and is usually up to date with the current slang. Yet, whenever he meets a newly turned vampire, it is as if they are speaking a completely different language to him.

That, and they’ve become more resistant to being taught over time. More stubborn, more entitled. Taehyung and the few other ancient vampires have also adapted their laws to accommodate the change in society, but there are still some things that must remain in place to keep themselves safe. It’s important, yet each generation, the newly turned vampires require harsher punishments than the last because that’s what it takes for them to finally understand just how necessary it is for them to abide by these laws. It isn’t for control, but survival. 

It seems like such a simple concept to comprehend, but Taehyung pulls his head away and moves on towards the feeding vampire knowing it will not be. He braces himself for a fight. 

The vampire doesn’t even notice him, another sign that he is new. He isn’t aware of his surroundings, doesn’t react or pull away from the already lifeless animal in his hands when Taehyung steps around a tree and comes upon him. Taehyung only watches him, keeping his hands in the pockets of his long coat as he waits for him to realize that he isn’t alone.

His fear is just as strong as the smell of blood. It fills the woods around them and skyrockets when the vampire pulls his teeth back and stares down at the mess he’s made. It’s very rare for a vampire to be alone, they require companions and naturally seek them out, but Taehyung has a feeling this one is. 

There is a law in place, a very strict one that Taehyung himself created; that all vampires who sire another must teach their young the basics of being a vampire and the laws before allowing them to go on their own. Abandoning a newborn is outlawed, extremely dangerous, and Taehyung worries this is exactly what he’s stumbled upon.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” The vampire clutches the animal to his chest. His head tilts back, eyes up as if he’s staring at the streaks of sky between the trees above him. “Please stop. I don’t want to do this.”

Taehyung runs his tongue over his teeth in annoyance. The boy’s voice is broken, scared, a sign that he doesn’t even know why he has gone on a rampage in Taehyung’s woods. He takes a careful step forward, but makes sure it’s loud enough for the vampire to hear.

His head snaps to the side in an instant. He’s covered in blood, the bottom half of his face and neck stained red. Long fangs push into his bottom lip, eyes solid black. If it were any other situation, Taehyung would find him quite beautiful. He can’t deny how much he likes the sight of another vampire in their natural state, even more so when they look at him in terror. 

But he only enjoys that terror when it comes from his reputation. Not when the boy is petrified because of his now natural state. 

“Who are you?”

The vampire doesn’t respond, and Taehyung doesn’t expect him to. He scrambles back, baring his teeth further. He keeps himself small, crouched, lower away from Taehyung, though Taehyung doesn’t think that’s to do with the vampire knowing who he is. 

The man he dealt with earlier was afraid of him, of knowing what he was capable of. The differences between the two are striking. 

“No need to be afraid of me, unless you try to attack me, of course. You’re on my land, making a mess. I simply want to know who you are.”

The vampire doesn’t stop inching backwards until he hits the trunk of a tree. He shakes, visibly, breath coming out short and quick. “I - I - I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s - what’s happening to me.”

That annoyance inside of Taehyung sparks a little larger. “Tell me the last thing you remember.”

The boy doesn’t calm down, his breathing picking up in pace. He sweats, fingers clawing at the ground around his legs. He snarls, upper lip pulling back when Taehyung crouches before him, but the rest of his body speaks differently. His shoulders curl forward, his legs come up. He tries to move further into the trunk, tries to protect his body, though there’s nothing he could do if Taehyung were a real threat. 

As much as the young aggravate Taehyung, it’s moments like these that remind him why he has to help them. 

It’s an annoying thought, and he resists staring up at the sky to scold it for forcing him to so soon. 

Gently, Taehyung runs a finger over the boy’s jaw and guides him to tilt his head to the side. His turn mark is still present on the junction of his neck and shoulder, not yet scarring. The boy is very new. Maybe a few days at the most. 

“I can help you,” Taehyung murmurs, keeping his voice softer than he usually does so as not to scare the man more. “Help you with this craving you feel right now.”

The man whimpers, his upper lip curling once more. He is so tense that Taehyung wishes to grab his hands and keep them from digging into the earth, but he must be careful with his movements. Startling him may cause him to react, and Taehyung would prefer not to have to use force against him to protect himself. 

“Do not be afraid,” Taehyung goes on, his tone more demanding. The boy’s gaze flickers towards him and his lips relax. “Just tell me your name. Or the name of your sire.”

“I - I don’t know,” the boy whispers. He squeezes his eyes closed, shrinking in on himself before the first tear slips from between his tight eyelid. “Please help me.” 

Taehyung hovers his palm over the boy’s cheek and carefully wipes the tear that streaks through the blood staining his skin. The boy immediately jerks away, eyes flying open as he whimpers once more. “I will. I just need your name -”

“Jungkook.” It comes out as a gasp, a plea. “Jeon Jungkook.”

Taehyung clicks his tongue. He does not like not knowing the people on his land, and he has never heard of such a name. “Come with me, Jungkook. My home is not too far from here. We will clean you up.”

Jungkook shakes his head. “Hungry.”

It’s all he manages to get out before Taehyung stands and grabs his arms to lift him to his feet as well. “Yes, that is very obvious.”

“I’m so hungry .”

Taehyung doesn’t let him go until he is on his feet, though he keeps his hands close because he does not want to chase him if he decides to run off. His day has been frustrating enough. “I have what you desire in my home. Just -”

The vampire snarls suddenly, that look in his eyes one that Taehyung is accustomed to in newborns. Taken over by the desire to feed, the mind focused on nothing but consumption. Unable to control it, to understand it. Just want .

Taehyung grabs his jaw firmer than he would like, forcing the boy to look at him, although his eyes remain distant. “I said, come with me .”

Jungkook growls weakly, but his body relaxes considerably. Relief fills Taehyung because he doesn't have it in him to deal with another vampire like the one from this afternoon. 

“You want help, then allow me to help you.” Taehyung sighs again. Doesn’t the Earth see that he isn’t in a good place to deal with this so soon? “I cannot allow an untrained vampire to tear through my land, but I would prefer you come with me without a struggle.”

The boy’s eyes widen as he draws back. He touches over his blood covered neck in panic, hand moving fast as if he’s in search of something on his skin. “Vampire?”

Taehyung cups his shoulder and drags him forward. While most humans do not know of their existence, there are hundreds of legends of creatures that crawl around at night that share the same name. And yet this boy asks it as if it’s a foreign word. “Yes, yes.”

If the boy had been afraid before, it is nothing compared to now. It spills off of him in waves, consumes the air around them. He shakes so badly Taehyung can feel it though they aren’t touching. “I - I -”

“For later,” Taehyung murmurs. He slides his hands to the boy’s neck next, palm covering his sweaty yet cold skin. Maybe the Earth is giving him a chance to pass off a newborn to Namjoon instead. He’s more pleased with that. “Try and think of who gave you that pretty little bite mark on your neck, and it may come back to you.”

Jungkook’s hand flies up to his throat, fingers gentle as they touch over the broken skin. He shakes his head so hard another tear spills. “I don’t know.”

There are many laws in place that Taehyung has created and passed, but one he’s never been able to gather support on is outlawing vampires turning those without consent. Without prior knowledge of what a bite like that will do. Taehyung does not know Jungkook’s exact situation, but he can’t help but grit his teeth and tighten his grip in aggravation at his suspicions. 

His position not only grants him a lot of responsibilities, but it allows him a freedom that many do not have. The power he has, the fear he has instilled within others. No one will stand against him if he punishes someone for doing something he doesn’t like, and Taehyung drags Jungkook back to his home while he imagines doing exactly that to whoever abandoned him. 

“I can’t,” Jungkook argues, trying to fight him off when they get close. “I have - I have to get home. My mother will -”

“Not be able to feed you the way I can,” Taehyung interrupts. He is strong, but the boy fights back and his feet fumble over the ground in his protest. Taehyung once more entertains the idea of carrying him. “Unless you wish to feed on her instead?”

Jungkook licks his lips, body twisting to try and break Taehyung’s grip on him. “I would never.”

It is promised that if Jungkook were to return to his home, any human inhabitants would be dead in no time. Taehyung understands it is a scary thought to try and process, so he keeps it quiet. The young never listen anyway. “You are safe with me, young vampire. Just come, now.”

Jungkook grunts. Taehyung wonders if he’s tired from all the fighting, but he doesn’t give up. “Don’t call me that.”

“It is what you are, no?” Taehyung asks. “Or did I not just stumble upon you draining all the blood from that poor squirrel?”

Jungkook lets out a sob, his frustration loud. He punches Taehyung’s shoulder, but he barely feels it. “Why did I do that?”

Taehyung ignores him and lets him go long enough to grab his waist and throw Jungkook over his shoulder. He doesn’t give Jungkook a moment to gather his bearings before he takes off full speed to his home. 

Fists pound at his back, but with the breakneck speed, Taehyung is at the gate surrounding his house in no time. He grunts as he yanks open the door with Jungkook wiggling over his shoulder, but doesn’t put him on his feet until they’re at the bottom of the staircase.

Jungkook fixes his bloodied shirt and has death in his eyes. His ears are red now, though not because he’s a messy eater. “Was that necessary?”

“I think so, yes. At the rate we were going, we would have spent the entire night in the forest.” Taehyung waves a hand towards his staircase for Jungkook to lead the way. “After you.”

Begrudgingly, Jungkook bounds the stairs. Each step is more of a stomp, and he huffs out through his nose when he’s at the top. Taehyung ignores him to rap his knuckles at the door before he secures his hand back to Jungkook’s neck and digs his nails in warning. 

The door opens, and Taehyung’s grip tightens. He anticipates the reaction from Jungkook the moment Yoongi appears. He does smell good usually, more so than most humans in Taehyung’s biased opinion. Even more so after someone’s fed off of him, the scent of fresh blood clinging to his skin. It’s often like that, and Taehyung wonders if Jin knows he makes Yoongi more enticing than not. Or if that’s why Jin has given him a soap that mixes with his natural scent in an unpleasant way. “Can you invite Jungkook in here, please?”

Yoongi looks over him with curiosity, one eyebrow quirked. He crosses his arms over his chest and haughtily says, “If you bite me, I’ll kill you.”

It’s unnecessary. They both already know Taehyung will kill him first. Jungkook jerks forward, nostrils flaring. “I’m sorry,” he growls out, the sound laced with panic. “I’m so sorry.”

Yoongi softens and waves a hand. “Come in, Jungkook.” He turns his gaze to Taehyung next, looking amused. “Back from retirement so soon, Lord?” 

Taehyung ignores the jab. The title is an old joke that has gone stale. He tightens his grip on Jungkook and doesn’t let him move until Yoongi departs with a laugh and the sound of his footsteps can no longer be heard. 

There are tears in Jungkook’s eyes as he breathes through his nose. He jerks back when Taehyung nudges him to enter, head shaking and hands turning to fists by his side.

“I won’t let you hurt anyone,” Taehyung promises. He loosens his touch and rubs at the muscle in Jungkook’s neck instead. He has no idea if he is soothing at all. Most would say he isn’t. “Please go in.”

Whether it is the knowledge that Taehyung is in a mood or how badly Jungkook reeks of fear that keeps any of his clan from showing themselves, Taehyung is grateful. They usually keep themselves scarce when a new, terrified vampire is here as not to overwhelm them. They have also seen when Taehyung has released his hold on his anger, however, never believing him when he says he’s gotten it quite under control.

“This is my home.”

“This is a mansion,” Jungkook corrects in alarm. “How cliche.”

The sudden amusement that swells up in Taehyung takes him by surprise. He shakes his head as he grabs Jungkook’s forearm and guides him further in. “You can explore later, if you’d like. Meet the others. But first, as promised.”

Jungkook’s eyes go black when Taehyung opens up the fridge in the kitchen and pulls out a bag that he rips open with his teeth. He sips from it first, hoping Jungkook will remain patient. He wants to see how long Jungkook can fight, even if he doesn’t last longer than a second.

More surprise fills Taehyung as he watches Jungkook struggle but not make a move to snatch the bag from him. It isn’t easy, it isn’t enough, but it is a good sign. 

“Drink slowly or I will take it away from you.” Taehyung hands him the bag without any expectation for Jungkook to listen. He doesn’t. “I said slowly.”

An actual growl leaves Jungkook’s mouth as Taehyung does exactly as he threatens. He hides the bag behind his back and tilts his head in question. 

He can see the struggle on Jungkook’s face as he steps back and rubs a frustrated hand down his face. Taehyung should be thankful that if the Earth is going to ignore his notice of retirement, it at least gave him a vampire that seems easier to deal with. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s happening to me.”

“You’re transitioning. I’m assuming, unless you can tell me how many days you’ve been like this,” Taehyung explains. He circles his fingers around Jungkook’s wrist to move his hand from his face so he can once more cup his palm to his cheek. He thumbs at his jaw, holding him in place as he guides the bag back to his lips. “It is always harder at first. This new craving, it’s all your body wants. Drink slowly .”

A vampire’s natural state is beautiful, and Jungkook is no different. The change from fear to wary to trust in one’s eyes is something Taehyung finds just as appealing as terror. He keeps his eyes on Taehyung as he drinks, his face contorting as if pained with the struggle not to down the bag in one go.

Taehyung hums in content when Jungkook manages it at first. His eyes flutter shut, a soft moan rumbling in his throat. But it only lasts a few seconds before Jungkook grabs Taehyung’s arm and digs his fingers in to demand more.

In return, Taehyung presses his thumb harder into Jungkook’s jaw. A show of his strength, his power. He’s sure the nail that cuts into Jungkook’s skin stings, but Jungkook doesn’t wince. 

“Slow,” Taehyung commands as he tugs on the bag like he might pull it away again. Jungkook relaxes instantly, his grip loosening and the anger leaving his eyes to glaze over instead.

Shit.

Taehyung pushes out the first thought that enters his mind to focus on Jungkook instead. “Good boy. Just like that. It tastes better when you savor it.”

Despite following Taehyung’s instructions, the bag is empty too soon. New vampires always need to feed more than older vampires, who can tame that insatiable craving and go weeks without blood, yet Jungkook seems even more ravenous than normal. He isn’t quite sure. It has been a long time since he’s been in the presence of someone so recently turned. 

“Tell me how long you’ve been like this,” Taehyung requests as he digs out another bag. “And how you ended up on my land.”

Jungkook pants as he falls back into Taehyung’s touch. He maintains eye contact as Taehyung touches the bag to his lips, which fall open instantly. “Two - two night falls. Feel better at night.”

Taehyung’s lips quirk at that. “Well, you are now a creature of the night. It will take you a long time to adjust to the sun. Your skill will burn.”

He is unsure if Jungkook hears him as he drinks again. Once more, Taehyung has to command to stop him from drinking too quickly, and once more, worries about how quickly Jungkook relaxes when he does. Even if it doesn’t last.

Taehyung doesn’t let him finish it this time. He pulls the bag away after a moment and rubs at the blood that drips from the corner of Jungkook’s mouth. They should get him cleaned up, but he is a sight to see, and Taehyung is sure his destroyed shirt is the last thing on his mind. 

“I woke up here,” Jungkook gasps out, eyes latched onto the bag now. “I don’t - don’t remember much. Just hunger.”

Typically, vampires have a sire to bring them out of the haze, to get them to remember what happened before they died. Taehyung does not know if they have to be told in order to remember, or if it will come back to them once their brain can focus on something other than feeding. 

Whoever sired Jungkook is from his land, or a stranger that has dumped him. It would be a perfect way for Taehyung to get out the frustration inside of him to punish another for committing such a crime, but he’s now unsure if it would be worth another judgmental conversation with Namjoon. 

“How old are you?” Taehyung asks instead. Small questions, hopefully easy answers, can get Jungkook’s mind going. 

“Twenty-three.” Jungkook licks his lips, head inching closer to the bag. He moans again when Taehyung rewards him with another sip. “Please let me have it. I need it.”

Taehyung is immune to begging. He takes the bag away, pleased that Jungkook doesn’t try to grab it and yank it back. “What is the last thing you remember?”

Jungkook’s eyes follow after the bag as Taehyung steps away from him. He doesn’t move a muscle. “Uh, I think leaving the airport.”

The airport. There isn’t one close to here, not close enough for one to leave there by foot and accidentally stumble into Taehyung’s woods. He thinks over the distance to the closest one as he pulls out two glasses and pours the bag into them instead. “Where were you coming from?”

“Las Vegas. Crime Con.”

Taehyung twists around at that. He wonders if that is another new age slang term that he’s yet to learn. “‘Crime Con?’”

Jungkook only nods but doesn’t explain. He takes a step forward, his hand jerking up before turning into a fist by his side. “Why do I feel this way?”

“It’s natural,” Taehyung explains. He brings a glass up to his nose and breathes in the sweet scent. “Normal. Vampires consume blood, crave it. When you first turn, the sensation is overpowering. You must learn to control it.”

Jungkook fidgets. “This tastes better than - than -” 

He struggles, his expression pained once more. Taehyung returns to him and let’s Jungkook breathe in the smell as well. “It’s human.”

The noise Jungkook lets out is pained too, but it doesn’t stop him from wrapping his hand around Taehyung’s to tilt the glass so he can drink from it. Guilt and disgust mixes with the other load of emotions coming from Jungkook, but it contrasts with how desperate he looks.

“Your sire should have taught you this,” Taehyung whispers as he steps back without letting Jungkook drink. He does himself, emptying the glass. “Try your best to remember, hm?”

Jungkook glares at him in frustration. He paces back and forth, eyes constantly going to the blood bag on the counter before he rips them away with a loud huff. “I don’t fucking know, alright? Just - just feed me like you said or I’m going back to the forest.”

Taehyung laughs, but it’s unamused. He steps in front of Jungkook, standing between him and the entrance of the kitchen though Jungkook doesn’t actually look as if he’s going to run off. With how upset he was when Taehyung found him, he supposes it’s an empty threat. “Oh, I’m afraid you’re not going anywhere until you learn to control yourself or remember. I do not have the time or patience to train a newborn, but I cannot take the risk -”

His words are cut off when Jungkook surges forward. He barely closes the space between them before Taehyung has his hands on him to force him up against the wall. 

“It is that or be killed,” Taehyung grits out. “I tend to favor the taste of vampire blood over human. I will enjoy draining you.”

Jungkook glares at him. He presses his fists to Taehyung’s chest to put some space between them, but he isn’t strong enough. Taehyung doesn’t budge. “I can’t control it.”

“You can,” Taehyung assures him, softer this time. He releases Jungkook some, but continues to hold onto him to keep him in place. “It will feel easy to do once you’ve learned how. My clan will teach you, but you must listen. You do want to remember what happened to you, yes?”

Jungkook knocks his head against the wall. He swells with emotion, and Taehyung makes a mental note to teach him that vampires can sense those things, though he doesn’t do much to hide it on his face either. 

“You’re confused. It is difficult, I know. But you will find help here. Everything you are going through right now, the others here have too. They will show you how to get through it.”

Jungkook glances at him a few times, looking unsure. “You’ve gone through this?”

Taehyung lets him go and nods. “Mm. Though, to be honest, it has been so long that I don’t remember much of it anymore.”

As soon as Taehyung’s hands are off of him, Jungkook runs his own over where he had touched. Taehyung’s eyes drop to the movement, taking in the veins that trail up his forearms and over his knuckles. He is hungry himself, and how good Jungkook smells has not gone unnoticed by him. “How long?” 

Taehyung grins in anticipation for Jungkook’s reaction, though he takes his time in filling another glass to take a sip from before he responds. It does little to truly satiate the need within himself to feed, but it is enough for now. “Well.” He shrugs and pretends to contemplate. “About two thousand years now? Give or take.”

He’s expecting shock, maybe a laugh of disbelief. Jungkook just crosses his arms and glares at him further. “You don’t look a day over twenty.”

Taehyung wiggles his brows. “Thank you. I was twenty-five when I was turned. One of the firsts, and the youngest of my first clan. Have a taste of what keeps me looking so young. Remember to go slow.”

Jungkook’s nostrils flare when Taehyung offers him the glass. He’s tense again, a look of determination on his face when he brings the glass to his mouth.

Beautiful, Taehyung thinks as his eyes fill with black. His arm shakes, and Taehyung isn’t surprised when the glass shatters and sends shards to sprinkle the ground before Jungkook can finish. 

“Good,” Taehyung hums. He takes the broken glass from Jungkook’s hand to inspect the damage. It’s minimal, just a cut. One that Jungkook doesn’t react to when Taehyung runs a finger over it. “Blood makes you strong. Heals you. But don’t let it control you or you will not survive.”

It’s true, it gets easier. But when the craving hits, it hits just as hard as the first time. It just becomes more manageable, easier to fight. He can lose himself to it and pull himself out of it just as quickly now.

The sight of blood trickling over Jungkook’s palm has Taehyung’s fangs tearing from his gums like he’s a newborn as well. The craving hits him harder than it had with Yoongi, the smell delicious. He wishes to bring his palm to his mouth, but he simply waits for Jungkook to see how his wound closes up on it’s own.

When he looks up, he’s not sure if Jungkook even watched as he finds his eyes latched onto him and his own black eyes. 

“There are rules,” Taehyung says to get Jungkook to focus but his eyes are distant again. “Ones you must abide by in order to survive. We will teach them to you, and everything else you need to know.”

Jungkook nods, his tongue digging into the corner of his mouth. “Can I have more?”

Taehyung rolls his eyes. “No.” He grabs Jungkook’s shirt and wiggles it for him to see. “You should clean up first. If you give into the craving every time it hits, you will never control it.” 

With a stomp in his step, Jungkook follows him through the house towards their guest quarters. His anxiety increases the deeper they move into the mansion, warding off what Taehyung knows is a curious clan. 

There’s a variety of scents lingering in the air in the visitors’ quarters. Remnants of those who recently stayed with them, old blood, laundry detergent, and for some reason, chocolate. Jungkook’s nostrils flare not so subtly as he steps around Taehyung just to quickly stand right behind him.

“No one is here,” Taehyung assures, assuming. He waves a hand towards the corridor door so it shuts behind them. “Feel free to roam.”

Jungkook only hesitates and sniffs once more a moment before he does. Curiously peeking around with his hands moving out here and there though he doesn’t touch anything. 

“You can help yourself to anything in the closet, and the bathroom is here,” Taehyung explains, pointing to each separate door. “I hope for now, you understand there will be another vampire in near you at all times until you learn to control yourself from biting Yoongi.”

Jungkook hovers a hand over an antique table tucked to the wall of the corridor. He flinches back when he nearly touches it as if he can tell how expensive and old it is. “There are other vampires here?”

“Three, other than myself, who permanently reside here. Others come and go -”

He continues to explain how his home works as a sanctuary, how older vampires come through to discuss politics, but Jungkook doesn’t seem to be listening. He traces over the table once more before he lifts his head and frowns.

“You’re saying I can’t leave here?”

Taehyung crosses his arms. “Well, no. Not until you show you can control yourself or if you can remember the sire I can release you to.”

If Jungkook is upset by this or not, Taehyung can’t immediately tell. The frown stays in place, his anxiety doesn’t grow or lessen. Taehyung has never had to force someone to stay who hasn’t willingly come in the first place. He doesn’t know what to expect, though he wouldn’t be surprised if Jungkook is how all young vampires are.

Combative.

(Although, in this case, Taehyung thinks it would only be natural for anyone to put up a fight when they’re being forced to remain in a stranger’s home. Even if it’s for everyone’s safety, including Jungkook’s.)

Taehyung softens his stance. “It is only to keep you and others safe.”

Jungkook’s entire demeanor turns defensive, eyes narrowing as he takes a step closer to Taehyung. “And what if you’re a murderer?”

Well, many people could make a good, valid argument that he is. Especially a human. Taehyung considers saying as much, but decides not to. “You will be if you do not learn control.”

At that, Jungkook takes a step back. He pales and twists around, giving Taehyung his back. “You’re right. I should clean up.”  

As soon as Taehyung hears the sound of running water and the shower door shut, he relaxes. He hasn’t noticed how tense he is until now, when it releases. He only gets a moment to fall down to the edge of one incredibly uncomfortable couch, only a few seconds to inhale deeply and catch his bearings and attempt to process the evening’s events before he’s face to face with a member of his clan.

Park Jimin. Turned seven hundred years ago. Close companion, sneaky devil. He is one of the few that is able to approach Taehyung undetected, though they’ve been side by side for so long that Taehyung swears he would be able to tell Jimin was around if he were unconscious.

“Who’s the newbie?”

Taehyung’s eyes stray to the closed bathroom door. “Jungkook is his name. He’s very scared, so be gentle.”

Jimin rolls his eyes, lips formed into a grin. “I’m incredibly gentle.”

It’s true. Taehyung pats the space on the couch beside him, but Jimin is already moving towards it. He doesn’t say anything, doesn’t explain what Jungkook is doing here or how he came across him. He just sits and finds warmth in the person beside him.

Warmth isn’t something vampires often feel. It’s been so long that Taehyung can’t truly remember what it’s like, if that’s even the best way to describe the feeling, but he craves it enough to pretend that it is if it isn’t. Even when he is beneath a stream of hot water like Jungkook is now, it never feels as if the heat goes past the surface of his skin.

“I have a meeting with the council in an hour. Would you perhaps be willing to help him?” Taehyung turns to Jimin, eyes wide to support his plea, though he’s sure Jimin has grown immune to it now.

“It’s why I’m here,” Jimin says with a nudge of their shoulders. “Namjoon hyung called and asked me to remind you, though you never forget a meeting. You know how he is.”

More than anyone, Taehyung thinks. “Where is he? He was here when I left?”

Jimin shrugs. “Didn’t say.” He perks up when shower shuts off and claps a hand to Taehyung’s shoulder. “He gets sulky when you storm out. Probably went to go breathe in a tree or something.”

Taehyung laughs lightly. That’s exactly what he had been planning on doing, more or less. “You know he doesn’t believe in punishing those for giving into their natural instinct, even if he too wishes to protect the humans.”

There is a long list of reasons why, and Taehyung sympathizes with all of them. But they have tried enforcing laws without the force, and it hasn’t worked. Humans died by the hundreds, vampires too. Part of the reason there are rumors of the night creatures are because they were unable to keep vampires in check. 

“He supports you more than anyone,” Jimin tells him, though Taehyung doesn’t need the reassurances. He knows. Namjoon has been by his side for hundreds and hundreds of years. “Sounds like your new friend doesn’t like his attire.”

Getting Jungkook to pick out something to wear had been a bump Taehyung wasn’t expecting to trip over. He refused to touch anything until Taehyung had to get something for him and make him take it with a promise that it was okay to do so. 

He hears him now whispering about them under his breath, about how he can’t possibly wear them for some reason.

Leaving the couch, Taehyung gently raps his knuckles on the door. “Is there something wrong with the clothes?”

Jungkook mumbles again, and Taehyung has the feeling he thinks he can’t be heard. “I can’t be a vampire. They’re too bougie.”

Taehyung looks to Jimin in question, unfamiliar with the term, but Jimin only responds with a hand pressed to his mouth that does very little to quiet his laugh. He gives Jimin a look of accusation because he is one of his companions who usually keeps him up to date with new words, but it only makes Jimin giggle again.

“I can find something less bougie for you to wear,” Taehyung replies through the door. He’ll search up the term on his phone then. “Are jeans still the cool thing these days?”

The scent of Jungkook’s blood grows stronger, but not enough to suggest that he is bleeding. Taehyung taps against the door in request of a response.

“I - no, these are, um, fine.”

He sounds embarrassed. 

Jungkook shuffles around then, his movements quick. He grunts at one point, worrying Taehyung, but before Taehyung can ask if he’s alright, the door flies open. 

“Done,” Jungkook blurts, his cheeks red as if the blood stained his skin permanently. He fidgets with the shirt, adjusting it over his shoulders. “Thank you.”

Taehyung looks Jungkook over, wondering what is wrong with the clothes. They seem to fit well and are simple, black slacks paired with a white button up that hugs Jungkook’s chest but is loose everywhere else. It looks really good on him actually, complimenting the shape of his body, but Jungkook picks at the organza cuffs with a nose so wrinkled it seems painful. 

“This is my companion. He will help you -”

“Jimin,” Jimin interrupts, suddenly leaning his shoulder onto Taehyung’s. He too gives Jungkook a once over, his expression growing brighter by the second before he turns those gleaming eyes onto Taehyung. “You gave him your clothes? That’s a surprise.” 

Jungkook takes a step to the side, eyes wide and hesitant as he takes in Jimin. “Are you -”

“Mhm.” Jimin grins. “You pull off that outfit better. Could eat you right up.”

Taehyung sighs, reaching out when he realizes Jungkook is about to move. He gently secures a hand to Jungkook’s arm and is thankful he does so because the way the blood rushes out of Jungkook’s face makes it look as if he’s a second from running.

“I said be gentle,” Taehyung chides tiredly. 

“It was a compliment,” Jimin murmurs, his tone a touch amused. “Jungkook, is it?”

Twisting slightly, Jungkook grabs onto Taehyung’s shirt so tightly the material digs into his other side. He doesn’t respond, but moves closer as if he’s trying to hide against him though they are roughly the same size. 

“It’s alright.” Taehyung tries to pull himself away but he’s afraid Jungkook will tear his shirt right off. “Jimin won’t actually eat you.”

It isn’t the right thing to say. Jungkook inhales sharply and tears his claws right through Taehyung’s shirt. The sound echoes through the room, but Jungkook doesn’t stop until Taehyung forces him to. He bites his tongue and holds back his comment when he sees shredded pieces of cloth between Jungkook’s clenched fingers. 

“Please don’t,” Jungkook gasps. “Can’t I stay with you?”

It is only normal to be afraid, but Jimin is just standing there and Jungkook trembles.

“I have stepped aside from helping newborns. I am afraid my patience is not what it used to be. But, you’ll be in good hands with Jimin. I give you my word.” 

Taehyung waits for a moment, assessing whether Jungkook will put up a fight. He doesn’t, his body locking up as his eyes drop to the ground between them. Taehyung holds back his sigh of relief and his whisper of gratitude to the Earth for allowing him to pass this onto someone else. 

“Call for me if you need me. I’ll hear you.”

Good thing he didn’t express his gratitude out loud, Taehyung thinks as he barely gets to the corridor entrance before he hears the rush of heavy steps behind him. A moment later, Jungkook’s hands are back onto his ripped shirt and his breath kisses the back of Taehyung’s neck.

“Please. Don’t leave me.”

Most newborns find Jimin comforting. Taehyung was sure someone as afraid as Jungkook would as well. But there are other vampires in the house. Taehyung can delay his meeting slightly longer to find someone Jungkook is more comfortable with.

Hopefully. 

“Let’s try Hoseok.”

There have been many vampires that have come through Taehyung’s land, who require assistance and need to stay at his home. Only few stay for a long time, and even fewer that he knows will be with him for forever. Those are his closest companions, those he trusts more than himself. 

Other than Namjoon, they were all once young newborns that Taehyung watched grow. He’s watched them struggle, seen them overcome and teach others to do the same. He has complete confidence that they also have the ability to help Jungkook, but he’s not so sure Jungkook will let them help. 

Hoseok doesn’t go well. The moment Taehyung knocks on his studio and opens the door to reveal the other vampire with blood on his chin, Jungkook hightails it out of the hallway without warning.

“Excuse me,” Taehyung apologizes. He twists on his heel and sniffs until he catches wind of the sweet scent of Jungkook. He didn’t go far, and if Taehyung weren’t so tired maybe he’d be amused that he finds him hidden in the linen closet.

Jungkook’s knees give out when Taehyung eases the door open, and his attempts to keep himself up by grabbing a shelf of towels doesn’t work. He sinks low and tucks his body to fit beneath the lowest shelf.  It looks incredibly uncomfortable the way he has to fold his body to fit. 

“He’s terrifying.”

Taehyung runs his hands down Jungkook’s arms to cup his elbows and help him stand. It takes a use of force to get him to move. “He isn’t terrifying. He’s Hoseok.” 

Jungkook protests with a shake of his head but finally stands. He doesn’t have a choice. “I don’t want to go near him.”

It is difficult to resist the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose and groan in annoyance. “I have an important meeting. Someone needs to keep an eye on you.”

Jungkook twists his fist into Taehyung’s shirt again, eyes wide and pleading. Taehyung was going to put on a new one, but he doesn’t want Jungkook to tear through everything he owns. “Please. I’ll be quiet.”

“It is not noise I am concerned will be distracting,” Taehyung replies. “I cannot keep an eye on you and help you through your need to feed.”

Jungkook still looks desperate. “I’m working on it.”

That Taehyung laughs at. It’s said so surely like they’ve been practicing for hours rather than just the one time.  “Hoseok will not harm you.”

“He looks like he would,” Jungkook whispers. He glances warily over Taehyung’s shoulder though Hoseok had not followed them when Jungkook ran. “He’s a vampire.”

Taehyung brushes the back of his hand over Jungkook’s now clean face. “As am I. And much older. I have killed many more than Hoseok. If there is anyone you should be afraid of here, it’s me.”

Jungkook shakes his head, which tilts into Taehyung’s touch. He doesn’t think it’s a conscious movement. “Please, um, sir.”

Not knowing who may have turned Jungkook puts Taehyung on edge. Over the course of his life, he’s made enemies here and there. He has learned to be precautious to the point of paranoia to keep himself safe from them. He is careful what he shows Jungkook, and he cannot have him listening in on his meeting.

Nor has he given Jungkook his name yet. He is very well known, though his face isn’t, and Taehyung wants to assure Jungkook is being honest in case he’s here for him. 

“‘Sir?’ You make me feel old, Jungkook-ssi.”

Jungkook doesn’t hesitate, eyes still wide. “You told me you were over two thousand years old.”

It’s only been a few hours, but Taehyung can already tell Jungkook is a bit of a brat. As afraid as he may be, it hasn’t stopped him from making witty comments. “Hoseok is a historian of sorts. He can tell you where we came from and why we were created, and answer any other questions you may have. We simply walked in on him feeding, which is what you wish to do, no?”

As soon as he steps back, Jungkook grabs him. “You said vampires drink vampire blood, what if -”

Taehyung plants a finger to Jungkook’s lips, which immediately close like he could sense the touch was coming. “I said I prefer the taste. It is not common, and Hoseok usually takes the animal route like yourself.”

Jungkook furrows his brows, eyes going black. Just the mention of feeding does it for him. “Please, sir.” 

Taehyung was teasing earlier, attempting to distract Jungkook from his fears. He really likes Jungkook calling him sir, especially when it’s said in a plea. “Hoseok will bring no harm to you as long as you do not attack him.”

Even then, Taehyung doubts Hoseok would hurt him in any way. He’d restrain him at most, if he had to. Hoseok has a weakness for cute things. 

“Or you can stay with Jimin,” Taehyung adds, though that meeting hadn’t gone well either.

Jungkook shakes his head. “He literally said he could eat me.”

Taehyung grins. “Well, I can assure you he didn’t mean ‘eat’ in the way you’re taking it.”

Warmth spreads over Jungkook’s face, his nose wrinkling. The scent of his blood grows again, just slightly, from the rush of it to his cheeks. “I’m hungry again.”

With another eye roll, Taehyung pulls himself from Jungkook’s grip and takes off. He has a feeling Jungkook will follow, and he does. More suspicion creeps into Taehyung’s mind but he shakes it off.

Jungkook must just feel safe with him because Taehyung found him and fed him. However, he wasn’t patient and kind enough for Jungkook to be so much more trusting of him than any other stranger in the house. 

If Namjoon isn’t here, his only other option is Jin, who may be more than happy to take Taehyung’s place after today’s events. He attempts it, but the moment he gets to Jin’s section of the house, he smells Yoongi’s soap, body odor combo and quickly grabs Jungkook’s arm to get him away before he smells it too.

He doesn’t lead Jungkook to the kitchen like Jungkook probably suspects, but up the winding staircase to the third floor. Jungkook jumps and clings onto his back when Hoseok catches up with them, eyes expectant, but Taehyung waves him off with a promise to explain later. 

He can feel Jungkook’s breath on his neck because he doesn’t let go even when Hoseok is gone. He doesn’t put space between them the entire time they walk, not even when Taehyung guides him into an empty section of the house so he can relax.

“Sit,” Taehyung orders, waving a hand to a plush chair surrounded by bookcases. It’s one of the many libraries in the house, though much smaller than the others. “Do not disturb me. I won’t take long. I will reschedule just this once.”

Jungkook does so without protest. He curls his legs beneath his butt, hands flat on his thighs, but he doesn’t remain still for so long. As Taehyung is on the phone, he fidgets, constantly rubbing his hands over his legs and readjusting them beneath him. He pants, eyes black, fights himself until his brown irises appear again. His fangs appear, and he looks feral, beautiful, distracting.

Taehyung watches him close his eyes, eyebrows furrowing and nostrils widening with each deep breath until his fangs retract. It is making progress, and Taehyung feels a little pride burst inside of him when Jungkook succeeds.

“I unfortunately have received an unexpected visitor today that I must tend to. I apologize for cutting the conversation short, but if you can send the documents over, my brother and I will look over them together,” Taehyung apologizes. He perches himself against the edge of a desk, phone pressed to his ear, as he continues to watch Jungkook. “And I look forward to seeing you at the summit.”

The moment Taehyung pulls the phone from his ear, Jungkook looks at him. He cocks his head to the side, ear twitching and face scrunching in confusion. “I can hear them.”

Taehyung hums, but doesn’t try to figure out who Jungkook is listening to. He can hear every member of his clan, but he’s gotten so used to it over time that it’s usually background noise unless he focuses his attention. “It’s one of the gifts of becoming a vampire. Supernatural-like hearing, vision, speed, strength. The list goes on. Some of us have abilities that others do not, but these heightened senses take some time to get used to.”

Jungkook listens more, hands stilling over his thighs when Taehyung sits on the edge of the chair beside him. “They are wondering who I am.”

“As am I,” Taehyung says. “It is illegal for a sire to leave a newly turned vampire on their own. It is why I hope you remember who turned you.”

Jungkook’s shoulders fall as he looks at him. “I can’t remember anything after leaving the airport.”

It’s not a good sign. The worst case scenario is Jungkook was attacked when he left the airport, turned, and then abandoned. The thought pisses Taehyung off. “You will remember. Death is a traumatic experience.”

The laugh Jungkook lets out is awkward. He plucks at his sleeves a little harshly, a sign that he will ruin another one of Taehyung’s shirts. “Well, good thing I don’t remember it then.”

Taehyung is compelled to touch Jungkook, though he does not think he is comforting in any manner. He can’t help but brush the tips of his fingers over the length of Jungkook’s jaw in an attempt to be. “You are safe here, Jungkook. With everyone. As long as you do not bring harm, none will come to you.”

Jungkook lifts a hand just to let it fall back onto his lap. “Is it possible to feed without killing?” 

The question doesn’t surprise Taehyung. He thinks about how he found Jungkook in the forest, pleading up to the sky though the sun is no friend to him. “Very much so, yes.”

Jungkook nibbles on his bottom lip. “Will you teach me? Just you.”

Taehyung doesn’t quite understand why Jungkook is so apprehensive of the other members. They are just as much strangers as he is. “Not only am I the head of this clan, but I advise the council that has been set up to enforce and create the laws of our kind. I am very busy, and will not be able to teach you myself.”

The protest is clear on Jungkook’s face, and Taehyung stops him as soon as he opens his mouth. “Would you like to feed now?”

It’s instant. Jungkook’s eyes turn black, turn eager. All attempts at fighting the craving gone. He grips onto Taehyung’s knee tightly, squeezing down as his fangs extend from his gums. “Yes, please .” 

Taehyung is immune to begging, but he likes the sound of it from Jungkook. He taps his jaw before he stands and gently instructs him to remain where he is.

There’s a stash behind one of the bookshelves that Taehyung isn’t supposed to know about. He can smell it every time he ventures into this library, though he is unsure who is hiding it away. He supposes Namjoon, who is a bit paranoid like himself, though so far, they’ve never suffered with a shortage. He has just mentioned being terrified that one day they will, and he will be forced to feed off unwilling participants to survive.

Once he’s pulled the bag from its hiding spot, he returns to find Jungkook still sitting. Even as he approaches and the smell of blood grows strong, he doesn’t move. 

He only opens his mouth the moment Taehyung has sat back beside him, his eyes glazing over when Taehyung guides the bag to his mouth. He still struggles, though Taehyung doesn’t expect him to learn in only a day, but at least now he’s aware that he needs to try and control it. His hands claw into his own thighs, he growls low in his throat, eyes focused on Taehyung the entire time.

The moment he looks as if he may snatch the bag, Taehyung pulls it away and waits for him to breathe before bringing it back to his lips. 

Progress, definitely. Now Taehyung just needs Jungkook to get comfortable with the others in the house.

“Thank you,” Jungkook moans in relief before his eyes fall closed. His fingers are firm on Taehyung, just holding him, though they flex tighter when he struggles. “Thank you, sir.”

For some reason, Taehyung finds he wants to apologize. To tell Jungkook that he’s sorry that this has happened to him, that he’s struggling so much, but he swallows it down. He’s confused by how strong the need was for a moment. “You’re welcome, Jungkook. I believe you will learn quite quickly. You listen well.”

“I’ve never met a more stubborn baby vamp in my life.”

Taehyung looks up from his paperwork as Jimin crashes into his office with a huff. Despite the energy around him, he closes Taehyung’s door behind him gently. 

“He bit me,” Jimin explains, throwing his hand up for Taehyung to see. Blood drips down his unmarked skin. “I tried to take the cup away from him, and the fucker bit me.”

Taehyung rubs a hand over his forehead and suppresses a groan. Jimin is the best at teaching new vampires. The most patient out of all of them, the warmest. He knows how to be with people, how to get them to feel comfortable quickly. Whether it’s to be tender, teasing, strict, he knows what different people need. And if he doesn’t, he learns very quickly. “He’s afraid.”

“It’s been a week, and no one has tried to hurt him,” Jimin gasps, sounding exasperated. “Not even when he stumbled upon Yoongi alone. We’re making no progress here, Taehyung. Have you found his sire yet?”

They’ve been making a lot of progress, Taehyung thinks, but keeps it to himself. Jungkook hasn’t quite gotten a grasp on controlling his eyes or his snarling, but it isn’t as aggressive as it was. When his eyes glaze over, he still seems aware of Taehyung’s voice and follows his instructions. His fighting back has lessened, and the time that goes by before he struggles with his cravings has grown. 

When it comes to his memory, however, there’s been no progress. Jungkook still doesn’t remember anything after leaving the airport, and with the help of Namjoon, they’ve started investigating those who occupy their land, but so far there’s been nothing. Not even Byungchan saw anything suspicious when he left the manor and traveled through the woods. It shortens the time frame Jungkook could have arrived, but there still are no leads. 

Taehyung says as much, tiredly. “He will learn without his sire. If I remember correctly, you bit me when you were young.”

He has a feeling Namjoon so eagerly offered to go across the land to avoid being forced to take care of Jungkook. They haven’t even met yet. The few times he has returned home, he’s avoided Jungkook and hid himself. 

Jimin crosses his arms and glares at him. “You were being an asshole then. I’m being nice now.”

Taehyung doesn’t actually remember what led to a very young, starving Jimin to bite him but it hardly matters. “He’ll come around, Jimin-ah.”

It isn’t enough, isn’t as reassuring as he means it to be. He can see it on Jimin’s face and how he doesn’t leave, but continues to look at him like he has more to say.

The air shifts, and Taehyung sighs as he leans back in his chair and tosses his pen aside. For many decades, they have joked that Jimin has the ability to read minds because he always seems to be on the same page as Taehyung. Even when he hasn’t voiced his worries or made it obvious that he’s noticed something, Jimin always brings it up like he can tell somehow. 

“He only listens to you,” Jimin starts, and Taehyung considers asking him to leave. Even if it would make him feel bad. “Only you, hyung, can keep him focused.”

Taehyung chews on the inside of his cheek as Jimin releases his hold on himself and tentatively steps forward. “It’s only been a week.”

“Mhm.” Jimin nods and rests his hands on the edge of Taehyung’s desk to lean forward. “But he’s been listening to you from day one. Feels a bit like how a baby vamp would be with their sire, don’t you think?”

Taehyung turns his head and looks to the wall instead. The thought has been sneaking into his mind here and there, whenever Jungkook complies without hesitation. He hasn’t wanted to think too much about it though, because that’s the last thing he needs. “He simply trusts me because I found him and brought him to safety.”

A glint appears in Jimin’s eyes as he sucks his bottom lip into his mouth. “You’re the first vampire that we know of that he saw after he turned. You took his fear away, cleaned him up. Now you’re teaching him how to control himself, and he only can when you’re with him. Sounds a bit -”

Taehyung holds up a finger to cut Jimin off. “Do not go there.”

More amusement shines from Jimin as he wags his brows. “Think you accidentally got yourself a sired vampire, babes. And he doesn’t even know your name .”

Taehyung glares at him. He wants to grab his pen and chuck it at Jimin, though he knows it’s because Jimin doesn’t sound too far off. It’s just rare for a vampire to be sired by anyone other than the one who turned him. “That is nonsense.”

He wants to explain in detail why it is, but he hears the sound of Jungkook outside of his office. He hasn’t tried to master a vampire’s ability to go undetected yet. With the others, Taehyung can sense them or smell them, but with Jungkook, he’s noisy. 

A soft knock comes, and before Taehyung can get up, Jimin rips the door open and stands in the entranceway with his arms crossed.

Jungkook looks sheepish. He hangs his head, and Taehyung can’t see much of him with Jimin standing between them. “I’m sorry.”

It’s quiet, mumbled. A sigh follows before Jungkook lifts his head, though he avoids eye contact as he repeats himself. 

“I am sorry for biting you. I didn’t mean to nor did I want to. I understand if I should go,” Jungkook goes on, eyes darting everywhere but Jimin and Taehyung. “Because I am pretty sure I will do it again. I’m quite sure, actually.”

Taehyung curls his hand over his mouth to hide his smile and clears his throat to mask his huff of amusement. “I’d advise you not to. Jimin might bite back.”

Jimin turns his body so Taehyung can see how Jungkook holds his hands in front of himself. He has a sneaking suspicion Jungkook isn’t as sorry as he’s trying to come off. “I wouldn’t,” Jimin says, with narrowed eyes at Taehyung. “I’m just trying to help you.”

Jungkook glances at Taehyung and quickly hangs his head. “I know. I apologize again.” 

“Tell him not to do it again, and he can stay,” Jimin asks. Taehyung is sure he’s the only one that sees it as a challenge. 

Taehyung’s jaw locks as he looks over them. “Don’t bite anyone here, Jungkook. Though, we wouldn’t kick you out for that. If we had that rule, this house would end up empty.”

With a breath of relief, Jungkook jerks his head in a nod. “Yes, sir.”

“Don’t bite anyone without their consent,” Jimin corrects with a wiggle of his brows. He claps Jungkook on the chest, causing Jungkook’s head to snap up as he snarls. 

The fear is there, again. Taehyung thought Jungkook was adjusting better with everyone, but he’s still afraid when they come near. 

The only one he isn’t afraid of is himself. Even when Taehyung snarls back at him, Jungkook doesn’t flinch. He doesn’t have to anymore because Jimin is right, Jungkook only seems to be able to hear him when he’s in a hunger haze. 

Fuck.

Jimin pulls his hand away and raises it in peace. “I’m the only nice one here, little vamp.”

Taehyung stands up then. He is exhausted, and his brain is fried from all the papers he has read in the last few hours. “Would you like to take a walk with me, Jungkook? The sun is setting now, and I think both Jimin and I could use a break from work.”

Jungkook perks up at that. “Yes, sir.”

He maybe likes the sir a little too much. While it isn’t the reason Taehyung has yet to tell him his name, it’s a plus. 

He sends a glare over his shoulder when Jimin pats his ass when he walks by, his face full of mischief. He’s glad to see Jimin isn’t truly upset with Jungkook, though he knows it takes a lot to truly upset Jimin in any way. He’s actually one of the people that keeps Taehyung level headed and calm when he is angry. 

He never holds grudges either, but Taehyung wants to make sure Jungkook gets to the point where he doesn’t bite anyone else again. Sire or not, it seems like the only one Jungkook can safely train with is himself. 

“Any luck on remembering since we last spoke?” Taehyung starts casually. He slides his hands into his pockets to resist the urge to hold Jungkook’s arm. He tends to do it too often when they walk together. 

Jungkook shakes his head and sucks on his tongue. “No. I’m sorry. I am trying really hard though, without needing my sire’s help.”

The urge to grab his arm grows. Taehyung turns his hand into a fist in his pocket instead. “You’re doing well. As there are no vampires in search of you, I’m afraid you’ve been abandoned. I’m more concerned about finding them to assure they do not do the same to another.”

He can feel Jungkook’s eyes on him as they walk. “I truly didn’t mean to bite Jimin.”

“But you know you’d do it again?”

There’s no hesitation. “Yes.”

Taehyung smiles and turns to look at Jungkook. “For now, you are learning so it isn’t seen as a true attack. But you should stay away from biting vampires that you cannot fight. It would be much too easy to kill you.”

As to prove his point, Taehyung twists and moves in a flash. Pinning Jungkook to the wall, his fingers pressing over where his heart rests inside of his chest but not using enough strength to break through skin and bone.

Jungkook exhales sharply, his hand flying up to wrap loose around Taehyung’s forearm. He doesn’t relax, though Taehyung doesn’t sense fear from him. “You’re not as scary as you think you are.”

Taehyung leans in and breathes Jungkook in. He smells sweet. “Vampires can sense emotions from others. I can tell when you’re afraid.”

“I’m not.” Taehyung knows. Jungkook’s gulp is audible. “I heard what Jimin said. About you having a sired vampire.” 

Taehyung tuts his tongue in disapproval. “Another vampire rule, don’t use that ability of yours to breach someone’s privacy.”

The corners of Jungkook’s mouth lift. “Is it illegal?”

Taehyung narrows his eyes at him. “No. It’s called being polite.”

He removes his hand from Jungkook then, though Jungkook doesn’t unpin himself from the wall. “Do you think it’s true? Or could be?”

“I do not know,” Taehyung answers honestly as he turns. He needs fresh air. Though the sun no longer hurts him, it’s more comfortable being outside at night, and he’s been waiting all day for the sun to fall. “Perhaps. It is not my blood that runs through you, but a sire bond’s strength is due to loyalty and gratitude. You may feel this way because I offered you another way to feed other than one that was causing you so much pain.”

He hears Jungkook suck on his tongue again as he takes off. He doesn’t tell Jungkook to come, now wary that Jungkook will follow like a command.

But Jungkook’s heavy footsteps sound after Taehyung is a small distance away.

“I like animals a lot. More than people,” Jungkook admits in a whisper. “I keep seeing it in my head. The - what, you know, um, the moment I -”

Taehyung turns and offers a hand to Jungkook. Jungkook stares at it for a moment before he takes it into his own. “The moment you took its life.”

This time, Jungkook’s shaky exhale does come with fear. “Yes. I don’t want to feed on them.”

“Guilt can control you just as badly as blood can, and they can go hand in hand. If listening to the others does not help you in stopping your want for blood from consuming you, fight through it with your desire to feed without hurting.”

Jungkook squeezes his hand, staring straight ahead as Taehyung leads him out into the spacious backyard. The sun has mostly set, the sky now a dark blue. Taehyung prefers when it’s later, when the yard is lit up by just the bright moon and the glow from the windows.

“Um, when the others guide me through it, it’s like I can’t hear them? But with you - with you, it’s much easier to focus on your voice.”

Taehyung looks over Jungkook. He’s nervous. If he weren’t holding Taehyung’s hand, he’s sure he’d be touching over himself in some way. It’s a habit Taehyung has come to realize, one he doesn’t think Jungkook is even fully aware of.

“I am difficult to refuse.”

Jungkook huffs out and rolls his eyes. “No, it’s just, it’s clearer in my head, I guess. Your voice.”

Taehyung peers out to the sky. He’s already been thinking about it, and he should discuss it with Jungkook. Especially if others have noticed, then it isn’t all in his head.

“Every one of our kind can be traced back to a small clan of vampires. The first ones to be turned, who are responsible for our entire race. I am one of them.” He looks over Jungkook, but finds no surprise on his face. He looks attentive, curious, instead. “It is possible yet difficult to resist the command of a vampire my age, though over the years I have learned the difference between a tone that is difficult to ignore and one that is easy to. I have used it on you, to get you to calm down.”

He sits on one of his favorite benches and pats the spot beside him. Jungkook eyes it as his feet shuffle over the ground before he falls beside him.

“Many sired vampires say they find comfort in the presence of their sire, that the sound of their voice grounds them. Others say they feel it is their duty to listen, whether it’s out of gratitude or a desire to appease their sire. I do not know if it’s different for all or if people just look at it differently.”

Jungkook shifts beside him, shoving his hands beneath his thighs as he leans forward. “Have you not sired a vampire before?”

“I have turned very few. My bloodline is the smallest, though its size has grown due to those with my blood in them and not myself.” It’s been over a century since Taehyung has turned a human, but he doesn’t often think about it. “Namjoon’s is the largest. If you want to talk to anyone about guilt, he is your best bet.”

Jungkook turns back to the house. “You’ve mentioned him often but I’ve yet to meet him.”

“He is out going through the towns and looking for anything that may help us track down who turned you, and I have a feeling he is avoiding me,” Taehyung explains. “Maybe when he returns, you can speak with him and call your mother.”

Jungkook jerks at that, eyes wide before his shoulders fall. He looks like he did that first day. Small. “How did you know?”

Taehyung reaches for his hand again. “You mentioned her the first day we met, but not since. You’re afraid of yourself and disgusted. I am only assuming that may influence you not to call her since there is plenty of access to telephones here.”

With a heavy sigh, Jungkook threads his fingers through Taehyung’s. He remains quiet for a long moment. “I do feel comfort in your presence. And it wouldn’t be wrong to say your voice grounds me either.” 

Avoidance. Taehyung doesn’t judge nor will he press Jungkook into doing anything. He already knows so little about him, and he isn’t going to skip everything else and dive headfirst into family issues. 

“I thought maybe it’s just because you got this whole hot intimidating thing going on.” Taehyung’s gaze rips to Jungkook, who stares at their clasped hands. “Or because your voice is that sexy kind of deep. But when you explain it like that -” Jungkook licks his lips, hesitates. He shrugs and peers up at Taehyung again. “I don’t know. Sounds kind of right.”

Taehyung has no desire to be a sire. But when Jungkook looks up at him with wide, vulnerable yet trusting eyes, he thinks he wouldn’t mind. Even if young vampires give him a phantom headache, Jungkook has been abandoned and left in such a scary and overwhelming circumstance. It’s been so long since Taehyung went through it too, but he understands.

And so far, he’s been easier than the other newborns Taehyung has dealt with. The most frustrating thing about him is he only listens to him, but it is good that he listens.

“Works for me if that means you do not try and bite me the next time I pull a bag away from you.”

The bridge of Jungkook’s nose wrinkles. “I hate when you do that.”

Taehyung hums that he knows. “It is all donated. You don’t need to feel guilty when consuming it. Once you’ve gotten control, you might be able to ask Yoongi if you desire to drink from the source.”

The disgust on Jungkook’s face worsens. He shrinks back, letting Taehyung’s hand go. “I don’t want that.”

“You will,” Taehyung assures. It comes out like a promise because it is one. “And it’s okay. There are humans who like it, who want it. Just ask and make sure first. Oh, and, don’t kill them.”

Jungkook’s expression remains the same despite Taehyung’s teasing. He adamantly shakes his head. “I don’t want to.”

It takes a while, more than a week, not just to learn how to handle the new things that have changed but to relearn the things one has always known. Blood drinking is typically frowned upon among human society, and it isn’t easy to unlearn that even if the body craves it. Even if it’s pleasurable to feed. Taehyung has seen new vampires get sick every time they fed, cry while they moaned in pleasure and gave into the craving.

It was difficult to watch, and he’s sure even more tortuous to go through. He doesn’t want it to happen to Jungkook, especially if he’s responsible for how he adjusts into becoming a vampire.

“You should talk to Namjoon,” Taehyung replies. “When he returns. He is my brother.”

Jungkook’s eyes widen slightly before he turns his head. He secures his elbows to his knees to clasp his hands between them to rub his fingers together. “Will he tell me your name?”

Taehyung takes in Jungkook’s profile and thinks he wants to stay out here so he can see how the moon looks shining down on him. “No.” 

“Why?”

Taehyung shrugs and mimics Jungkook’s pose. “I want you to keep calling me sir.”

Jungkook grunts, annoyed sounding. “I guess I’ll have to. Seeing you’re old and all.”

With a gentle push against Jungkook’s shoulder, Taehyung tells him. He only considers Jungkook is a trick sometimes, but he’s more apt to believe that he isn’t. Just an abandoned vampire, desperate for help.

And accidentally sired to him.

“It’s Taehyung. Kim Taehyung.”

There is nothing on Jungkook’s face that suggests he recognizes his name. He just smiles, and while it’s small, it shines in his brown eyes. “Taehyung. It’s nice to meet you, though I wish it were under different circumstances.”

Taehyung doesn’t reply because the silence that follows feels like a pause. And it is one, because after a few moments, Jungkook sighs out and breaks it.

“I don’t want to be a vampire.”

It’s quiet, pained. Taehyung reaches over and forces Jungkook’s hands apart to hold onto one. He squeezes it firmly. “I know.”