Chapter Text
The sky was clear. Stars hanging from the dark tapestry, the moon full and bright. The night air fresh, filled with the smell of cinnamon from the bakery on the corner. The streets filled with light, and sound and life…
Every single detail feels like a blessing to Jungkook, it’s been a long time since he had the opportunity to experience a night out of that dreadful dungeon, where the moonlight never reached and the air was always stale.
Everything around him seems different, and for the past week he has sat down in the same bench he is sitting now, to observe and learn about the world around him.
So much has changed and he is intrigued by every little detail that he has missed.
The first night he sat at the bench, a girl with purple hair had approached him and he almost had a heart attack by the lack of clothing she was wearing. Her legs were completely exposed by a what looked like a minuscule skirt and a ridiculous top garment that was like a second skin showing every curve on the girls body. He has to admit it took him an embracing long moment to grasp that that is what people now a days call fashion.
Then he noticed all the magical mirrors that produce images and sounds. Everyone carries them around and apparently they come in all kinds of sizes and he has overheard people calling them all sort of things: phone, tablet, laptop…? He feels that he is not ready to delve into that just yet.
He was completely unaware that magic was now normal amongst humans.
So he has spend hours upon hours just observing the people come and go, hoping he could understand more, hoping to learn a thing or two.
No one ever approaches him, and Jungkook his glad about that. He doesn’t even know how to greet people properly and he doesn’t want to offend anyone by saying something he shouldn’t. He has heard several ways of greeting this past week but they are all so different from each other, that it’s hard to know what will work. When he was alive it was easy, you just had to follow the rules of politeness and that was that.
But apparently today was the day his luck runs out. It had only been a couple of hours since he had claimed his spot for people watching when a cute boy with silver hair claimed the spot next to him on the bench.
Jungkook immediately feels himself tense up. He takes a discrete whiff of air, and he is surprised to smell that the blood form the boy sitting next to him is not human. He can’t quite identify what the boy might be, which only intrigues him further.
He never had the opportunity to mingle with other supernaturals, so like many other things in his life right now, he does not know the proper protocol to engage with other creatures.
Luckily the boy next to him does not have such qualms, “I’m sorry to intrude, but I have seen you every day for the past week during my nightly run, sitting here, just watching.” He pauses as if giving Jungkook the space to say something, when it doesn’t happen the pretty boy continues, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude, but it’s weird to find a vampire just lounging around.”
“How do you know I’m a vampire?”
The boy laughs, a beautiful melodic sound, like wind chimes. “Well, you are all broody for starters, it’s always a telltale with vampires, even if Hyung loves to deny it.” This draws a chuckle out of Jungkook, “And then there is the eyes, they might seem black at first but it’s hard to conceal the crimson that shines through, the pale skin, the way you can sit still like a statue… I mean, I could go on and on, but it’s pretty obvious you are a vampire.”
Another chuckle, “And you are?”
“I’m Park Jimin, nice to meet you.” The silver haired boy smiles at him, his eyes turning into crescent moons, “And you pretty boy?”
Jungkook instantly feels the small amount of blood left in his body flow towards his face, giving him a rosy tint in his cheeks, at the boldness of Jimin. “I’m Jeon Jungkook, a pleasure Sir.” The silver haired boy instantly burst into laughter, wrapping his whole body over the bench.
Once Jimin manages to calm his hysterics, “You are funny Jungkookie. So, can I ask what do you do here every night?”
“I like to people watch.”
“Have you found what you are looking for?”
The vampire turns to look at Jimin to find him already staring at him. His eyes a lovely match to his hair, like liquid metal his eyes shine silver under the moonlight. Jungkook is starstruck. “I… don’t think so… everything is so confusing, I can’t even seem to grasp the easiest of concepts.” The vampire furrows his nose, making him look like a cute bunny wiggling his nose. “I don’t even know how to greet people. Which is fucking pathetic if you think about it!”
“I think a simply hi is enough must of the time.” Jimin beams at him, it makes Jungkook feel lighter, almost like his problems can resolved that easily. “Anyway, you seem in a desperate need for something sweet and a comfort drink. If you want, I know a perfect place, it has the best pastries in the city! Also hyung brews only the best of the best. Can I take you there?”
Jungkook can’t really eat but this is the first interaction he has had in a while, and he feels a strange sense of joy that he doesn’t want to lose just yet, so he nods making the silver haired boy smile. Something inside the vampire warms up and he thinks to himself that he could easily become addicted to making Park Jimin smile.
They walk side by side, neither breaking the comfortable silence. Jungkook notices that he is taller than the boy. He also notices that said boy skips every few steps, it’s fucking adorable.
For the first time he takes notice of Jimin’s appearance, he is delicate. A lithe body with strong muscles underneath. His straight silver hair hanging around his face, giving a perfect frame for his crescent moon eyes and plump lips. He is wearing running shorts and a tank top. The vampire can’t help but admire the way the shorts hug Jimin’s thighs and ass…
He chides himself. Jimin is just being nice and he is acting like a total creep.
They come to a stop in front of the quaintest shop he has ever seen, the outside is preserved like a traditional Hanok, the windows allow the vampire to peek into a warmly lit room, the smell of spices escaping from the inside, just the right amount to lure him inside.
Jimin opens the door and gestures to Jungkook to enter the place.
“Hyuung! where are you?” Jimin’s scream startles Jungkook.
“I’ll be right there love! Give me a sec.” The answer comes from the back of the store.
Jimin guides the vampire towards a couple of colorful mismatched sofas besides the fireplace where they take a seat, allowing Jungkook to fully admire the inside of the store.
The back wall is all dark wood with small niches, each filled with a container. Each one with a unique name that looks like tea blends. In the middle of the tea wall is an arch leading to the back of the store, the wooden frame is carved with what looks like vines and flowers. It looks like a piece that should be in a palace not in a caffè in the outskirts of Bukchon.
In fort of the tea wall a heavy looking wooden counter, that matches perfectly the niches. Most of the surface of the counter is filled with a variety of pastries, from cookies to tarts. Jungkook misses the sweetness of such treats.
The rest of the caffè is decorated with an array of mismatched furniture. No piece is the same as other, each pice unique. It brings personality to the space, making it feel cozy and lovely.
The walls are filled with different paintings, Jungkook does not fully understand them but they make him feel kind of comfort he didn’t know he was capable of feeling. All of them a similar style, one that the vampire can only assume is modern. He feels he could stare at the forever.
“Do you like the place?” Jimin’s voice is soft, like he doesn’t really want to burst the vampire’s assessment.
“I love it, its gorgeous.”
“Thank you darling, we have worked hard in creating a space we all love.” A different voice answers him, the same that had answered Jimin a few moments ago.
Jungkook stiffens, his body becoming rigid as his instincts kick in, he is ready to run.
The voice belongs to another vampire.