Archive of Our Own ^beta

Being a vampire came with some benefits. For example, enhanced senses and reflexes. Which means he knows with great accuracy the trajectory that the car skidding on top of the ice will take.

The human child across the street, running towards him with the unfathomable intention to save him, however, doesn't.

When the car crashes, and the child is thrown on the ground a few meters from him, he fears the worst. Soft, breakable humans, ephemeral like dandelions on the wind.

The silence in the wake of the crash is deafening, and Minho's senses focus on the tiny form on the asphalt, unmoving. Some human onlookers call for ambulances, and he feels raw anger at the slow speed of human vehicles. But he knows he can't move the child, can't pick him up and run with his vampire speed to the nearest hospital, lest it worsens his injuries.

Humans are fragile. Yet Minho, a vampire with otherworldly strength, feels powerless.

There's blood. On the ground, on the kid. And it smells like the most divine meal ever had on this earth. Minho is an adult vampire, so he knows perfectly well to ignore the call for blood. However, other vampires, younger vampires, might not. So he stations himself in front of the little human, hard stare and thin lips a second away from shaping into a snarl, acting as a guard so no one even dares thinking of getting close to the kid.

The ambulances arrive and take the kid away, and Minho hasn't yet decided when he begins following the vehicle to the hospital. But he's not family, and telling the nurses I'm the man the kid got hurt trying to save will not really provide the desired outcome.

So Minho leaves, and goes back to his cold apartment, and feeds his cats, but the following morning he goes to the hospital again.

He's still not let in but he learns that the kid is awake and doing well, so he buys flowers and chocolates to be delivered to his room.

The kid is only hospitalized for three days, and in multiple times he tries meeting the kid's parents to… Apologize? Say thank you? But they're never there when he visits.

Minho keeps busy with his Coven work, and while he's as meticulous as always in his tasks, thoughts of the kid are constantly in the back of his mind.

He doesn't get the opportunity of meeting the kid or his relatives. On the third day, the hospital receptionist tells him the kid has been discharged.

Minho has lived many years, experienced many things, known many people. He's tangentially aware of how the slow passage of time has hardened his heart. However, right now he feels the stiff muscle clench at the loss.

Months pass. He goes on with his monotonous life, just as he had before. 

Because now, there's a before and after .

He has completely convinced himself that the accident, and the kid, are a thing of the past. Which is why he didn't expect to smell that divine scent one day running a Coven errand on the other side of the city. His body becomes alight, and he hasn't decided it yet when his body moves on its own, immediately tracking the scent.

Minho finds him. Alive, awake, laughing, jumping around with other kids in the park. His feet falter, his heart squeezes. Definitely not emotionless.

Starstruck but still aware of his surroundings, he finds an empty bench with a clear view of the playground. He's secretly glad he's already wearing sunglasses because of his sun sensitivity, this way people won't think him suspicious of looking at a certain kid so intently. Still, he fishes out the book he's currently reading, and resolves to pass the time reading, but most importantly, watching the kid.

Because that's all he's going to do. As much as he obsessed over the kid who saved him, he knows he's effectively a stranger, and will respect the proper boundaries.

“Jeongin!” One of the other humans he's playing with shouts, and Minho feels giddy when the kid replies. 

Jeongin. 

Minho now has a name.

The vampire is pleased to notice that the kid seems perfectly healthy, well fed and with rosy cheeks, happily playing with his friends. And if he's also reveling in the wonderful smell, then that's no one's business. He hasn't bitten a human for centuries, and he's not going to start now. Not with a child, and not with someone who tried to keep him, a vampire, from harm.

Time always passes slowly for Minho, but that afternoon is gone in the blink of an eye. Jeongin’s friends are taken away by their respective adult guardians, but not Jeongin, who calmly says goodbye to them before turning and walking alone in another direction. Where are Jeongin's parents?

He can't think about it any further because Jeongin, while walking away from the playground, sees him . The kid stops short and stares at him for a long time, time where Minho has all muscles tensed and ready to flee if necessary. But Jeongin apparently recognizes him because his face breaks into the purest happiest smile and Minho's heart, which he thought iced over due to the time, melts. Jeongin waves at him, a whole body thing from how energetic he is, and Minho waves back with a helpless smile.

Jeongin turns away, walks away. And Minho's happy. He's happy. He's finally seen the kid who saved him, he's seen with his own eyes that he's safe and happy, so now he got the closure he needed after those unsettling days a few months ago. He was so glad to see Jeongin alive and well, even if later he felt like the most horrible being at having endangered such a pure bright life, achingly relieved there were no lasting consequences.

He's happy. Which is why he doesn't understand why he feels like his insides have been broken down and reassembled in such a way that the pieces don't fit properly anymore.

A car honks just in front of Jeongin, the sound jarring in the midst of the city chaos. Minho remembers the frozen street, the screech of tires. In the next second, Minho's moving. Eyes fixed on the kid's back, he keeps a healthy distance, but follows him as he navigates the city. Is Jeongin too young to wander this city unaccompanied? Human development and vampire development are different, and Minho feels a bit ashamed at his lack of knowledge about humans. Still, the other kids went home with their guardians, and Jeongin should not be less.

Together, at a distance, they cross streets, round corners, follow green pathways, all the way until Jeongin stops in front of a mid sized residential block and enters after ringing the bell.

Minho only stares after the closed door for a few seconds before he forces himself to leave.

His chest feels light.

Life goes on, because of course it does.

Minho was supposed to have his closure after seeing Jeongin at the park, alive and healthy, but as days pass he comes to terms with the fact that he'll always have a soft spot for the sunny smiled kid. The city is public, so really it's no one's business that he starts buying flowers for himself (cat safe, of course) at the corner flower shop near Jeongin's home every other week. It's also no one's business if, after a lucky coincidence one afternoon, he times his visits around Jeongin's school bus arriving.

He feels content just seeing him, even if from far away and not interacting. However, Minho thinks he should maybe re-evaluate his stealth tactics when, after only a couple of months following this routine, one day Jeongin notices him and waves at him like he did in the park. His smile is just as pure and radiant, capable of melting the iciest frost.

Minho waves back, a small smile curving his closed lips. He's smiling more often these days.

Spring comes with an increased flurry of non-human activity, making Minho have to miss some of his Jeongin-watching-routine due to his Coven functions. One day, after almost a month, Minho is leaving the flower shop with a beautiful bundle of white roses when he sees Jeongin heading home. A smile is beginning to form on his lips when he notices the kid’s demeanor. Where Jeongin is always all smiles, today the mirth is missing from the kid's face, head down and shoulders slumped holding a piece of paper. 

Something inside of Minho feels slightly heavy, but before he can recognize the feeling, Jeongin lifts his head and begins scanning the street for something or someone, until his eyes find Minho.

“Hi!” He waves enthusiastically, his smile back on his face.

Seeing the smile back makes Minho feel relieved, but it all vanishes when Jeongin begins walking towards him. He's across the street, and there's cars going in both directions separating them, and Minho panics thinking Jeongin might try to cross without paying too much attention because of him. So he does the only rational thing a vampire can do, which is to use his inhumane speed to cross the street, avoiding the cars, and plant himself in front of Jeongin in less than a second.

Jeongin seems stunned for a beat, and then begins laughing, the sound like twinkling bells in the wind.

“You're fast!” He squeals, still laughing.

“I'm a vampire,” Minho provides, helpfully.

“Hello, Mr. Vampire!” Jeongin greets and Minho feels more like softened snow than hardened vampire at the moment.

“Hi, Jeongin,” he returns the greeting, smiling with closed lips.

“Mr. Vampire, do you want to come to my school festival?” Jeongin asks, thrusting the paper to him with his small hands.

Minho grabs what seems to be a school informative brochure. “Your school festival? You want me to come?” He confirms, with uncertainty in his voice. While Jeongin is his savior, their interactions have mainly consisted in a handful of waves, this one being the first time they talk. Granted, he has a soft spot for Jeongin, but why would the kid want to invite him?

Jeongin nods frantically, and at the hint of clouds dampening the kid’s smile, Minho quickly agrees. “Okay, yes, I'll come.”

“Yay!” Jeongin cheers, then promptly goes away with a “Goodbye Mr. Vampire!” that makes Minho realize he forgot to tell Jeongin his name in his stupor at being addressed by the small human.

Oh, well. Mr. Vampire works just fine.

The school festival is held one month later, and Minho has it marked with pen and highlighter on the wall calendar in his kitchen. He dresses up, and even buys a small box of chocolates for Jeongin as a congratulatory present for finishing the school year. He doesn't know Jeongin's food preferences, but surely one can't go wrong with chocolate?

The event is carried out in the school’s courtyard, where many chairs have been set up so the students’ relatives can sit. Since Minho is not technically family, he stands in the back with other people who haven't found a free seat or choose to stand. He tries not to stand out, not to feel too much out of place in the midst of all these humans. Jeongin invited him, so he's there. Nothing more, nothing less.

While he waits, he re-reads the festival brochure to confirm the information he already knows by heart. Each school year will perform a musical, dance or theater number. 

Jeongin comes onto the stage in the third group. He's grinning widely as he follows the whole dance routine along with his classmates, and Minho feels something akin to proudness. He wants to film it with his phone to remember it, but at the end of the day he's just a stranger, so he decides against it.

After Jeongin's performance, the rest of school years also do theirs, and although Minho is slightly amused by them, they're not Jeongin.

When the performances are finished, the children start mingling with family and friends, and everything is full of smiles and laughter. Minho thinks this might be a gift in itself too. He sighs and begins getting ready to leave, when a tiny child barrages into him.

“You came!” Jeongin says, face against him, arms around his middle.

“Of course I came. You invited me,” replies Minho, awkwardly trying to pat Jeongin to return the affection in what he hopes is humanly passable.

“Thank you, Mr. Vampire,” Jeongin says, pulling back, a smile illuminating his face.

“It's Minho,” he informs the kid, although to be honest, if it’s Jeongin he's fine with being called vampire. “Where are your parents?” He asks, looking around. Jeongin should be with his family, like the rest of the kids here, not with a stranger like him.

“Busy. Couldn't come,” Jeongin mutters, lowering his eyes, and Minho feels horrible at dampening the child's smile. But at the same time, there’s something that doesn’t sit well with him about his parents not being able to come to such an important event for their son. He reminds himself that he’s just a stranger, and doesn’t know the full circumstances. 

So he’ll just have to do whatever he can. He’s so glad he decided to come after all.

“Here. Congratulations on ending your school year,” Minho says, changing the subject and handing him the box of chocolates to distract him from the somber mood. 

Just the sight of how happiness transforms the kid’s face is more than enough for Minho.

“Thank you, Mr. Vampire!” Jeongin squeals, immediately trying to open the box to get to the sweets.

Minho doesn't have experience dealing with human kids, but he has more than enough experience raising his cats, so it's only instinct that has him reaching out to open the box for Jeongin, lest he hurt the chocolates or himself trying to open them. Jeongin gives him another of his angelic smiles, and Minho thinks it's very much worth it.

“Now, what? Do you want to stay with your friends, or are your parents coming to take you home?” Minho asks Jeongin as he's devouring his third chocolate.

“Nope. Home!” Jeongin says, munching merrily.

“With the bus?” he asks, taking the box from Jeongin's hands. “Save the rest for later or you'll get a stomach ache,” he softly chides, and is proud to know he can resist Jeongin's cute pout.

“Walking!” Jeongin answers, wiping his hands on his clothes.

After confirming that the kid indeed doesn't have anyone to walk him home ( I'm old enough to walk home alone! ), Minho decides to do it himself. And when Jeongin takes his hand to lead him to his home, he does his best to ignore the warm feelings blooming inside him.

The walk home is expectedly longer than the quick bus ride, and Jeongin takes the opportunity to chatter non-stop about his school, his classmates, his class pets. Minho carefully listens to the kid's happy rambling and safely walks the kid home. The human will not be getting so much as a scratch under his supervision.

“Are your parents home?” He asks when they finally stop in front of the familiar building.

“Nope!” Jeongin replies, playing with his feet.

“Alright. I was thinking I should meet them, to… introduce myself,” He adds, although he feels a bit silly because a child would not understand.

Jeongin doesn't say anything, just keeps looking at his feet, and Minho recognizes a tricky subject when he sees one.

“You know you shouldn't accept sweets from strangers, right? Or any type of gift for that matter,” He checks with the kid, double-guessing his own present choice, even though Jeongin was so happy with it.

“But I'm your savior! Not a stranger,” Jeongin says quickly, enthusiastically.

“That you are,” Minho acquiesces, brushing Jeongin's hair fondly. He hums, turning over what he’s been thinking for a while, and finally decides. “If there's any other school festivals where your parents are too busy to come, I will, okay? Just tell me and I'll be there.”

Minho doesn’t want to think badly of Jeongin’s parents, but it’s been too many coincidences. He wishes he could do more. He wished for it when Jeongin saved him, and he wishes for it now. Back then, he didn't like the feeling of not being able to do anything to repay Jeongin, but at least he can do this. And Jeongin's beaming smile is both an answer and a gift.

Minho is somewhat proud to say that his florist trips have been greatly reduced upon entering the Festival Agreement with Jeongin. Maybe he wishes he could see the kid more often, but even he realizes how it toed the line of stalker-ish.

He feels bittersweet, however, when at the following year’s school festival he sees how much Jeongin has grown. More of a boy than a child now, Minho thinks this is how a proud family member must feel.

This time he brings a human invention that supposedly makes bubbles as a congratulatory gift.

“No chocolates, because you shouldn't take food from a stranger,” Minho kindly reminds him, staying strong at the face of Jeongin's pouting face.

“I'm not a child anymore!” Jeongin tries pleading for his case.

“You'll be a kid to me until you surpass my height,” Minho calmly states, to which Jeongin huffs.

“One day I'll be super tall! Much taller than you!” He declares, and Minho just smiles, fondly.

He will be the luckiest person if he’s able to see it.

Jeongin, for all his pouting, has a terrific time playing with the bubble making device with a few of his friends. Minho is more than content to watch him play until Jeongin has enough and grabs his hand to go home.

Yes. Minho could get used to this.

Luckily for Minho, he doesn't have to wait a full year to see Jeongin again. Apparently there's a sports club exhibition open to families, and Jeongin invites him, so of course Minho notes it down on his calendar and makes sure to attend.

This time Jeongin is more nervous than happy, and Minho quickly sees that even if Jeongin is very much dedicated to the task, maybe sports aren't his forte.

He's glad he had the foresight of bringing two kinds of gifts, and gives Jeongin the box of chocolates while he keeps the stuffed fennec fox toy for a future event.

“Have you ever tried music? Singing, maybe piano? Or maybe even theater?” Minho softly encourages Jeongin, holding the box for the kid to feast on.

“Haven't!” He replies after swallowing, considering his words.

“If you want, think about it,” Minho says, softly brushing his hair. “Just try and see how you like it.”

The next year, Minho almost can't contain his excitement when Jeongin invites him to his first music recital, where after taking Minho's advice, he'll be singing.

So far, Minho has followed his decision of not taking pictures or videos of Jeongin. But he'll be damned if he won't be recording the kid's first recital. Because Jeongin has a few soloist lines and he sings like the literal angel that he is.

This time the gift Minho brings Jeongin seems tiny in comparison to what Jeongin gifted by inviting him.

Apparently he has become a familiar face in these end of school year festivals, because this summer some parents approach him to exchange pleasantries. He adopts his most charming face and engages them in a way that he hopes doesn't scream I'm-a-300-year-old-vampire. He thinks he succeeds. When they ask him who he's here for, he points to Jeongin, chattering away merrily with his classmates. He's taller with a little bit less baby fat on his cheeks. Still very much a baby by Minho's vampire standards though.

“Are you perhaps the elusive father?” The woman asks, curiosity in her eyes.

“Godfather,” Minho corrects, internally feeling a bit hysterical at the (self assigned) title. The implications, however, are essentially true.

“Right! It's so great that you can be here for Jeonginnie. What with his parents always away, they never come for any school activity. I’ve only seen his mother, years ago” The woman easily accepts his title, but Minho is suddenly fixated on what she is saying.

He's known Jeongin for four years now and never met his parents, so of course he knows they're not around as much as the regular family. This woman, however, seems to have information about the situation. He's spared from thinking of an ingenuous way to ask for details when another woman asks her about it.

“Messy divorce, you know how it is,” the woman explains, tone lower than before. “Both have new families now and seem to be prioritizing them over their own kid.”

The words haunt Minho for the rest of the event. Just how absent are Jeongin's parents? Has he failed Jeongin in his attempt to keep a respectful distance?

They walk home hand in hand, as is custom now for every year. This time, Minho has to ask.

“Are your parents often away from home?” He asks Jeongin, who immediately closes off with a cloudy frown. Not a good start. He stops walking and gets down to match Jeongin's height. “It's okay. I won't tell anyone. I just want to know if maybe I could do anything to help you? Just me” Jeongin continues saying nothing, not looking at him. “Hey. You saved me, remember? I owe you a life debt. I just want you to be safe and happy.”

Jeongin thinks about it a bit more, before relenting.

“They live home,” He begins, still resolutely not looking at him. “Just not all week.”

Okay. Minho can work with that.

“That's good,” He tries soothing Jeongin. From his frown, Jeongin doesn't seem to share the sentiment. “How many days are they home, usually?”

Jeongin takes some time to reply once again.

“Four…? Three? Mostly weekdays. They're always away on weekends,” Jeongin explains, and Minho's heart, which hasn't been hardened by ice for some years thanks to the kid in front of him, hurts. “But it's okay. They're busy, I understand! And I'm old enough.”

Minho doesn't deign that with an answer. He feels as if he lost his footing. But this is not about him, this is about Jeongin, and his very potential lack of essential support. He wants to hug the kid, but still feels like he shouldn't. He despises this situation. At an impasse, he does what he hopes is middle ground. He turns his back to Jeongin and offers his back.

“Hop on. I'll carry you.”

Jeongin remains silent for a while, so much that Minho begins fearing he'll be turned away, when he feels tentative hands on his shoulders as the kid, who weighs like a feather by vampire standards, hops on his back.

Minho exhales, relieved, and grabs the kid tighter before he retakes the walk to his home. He doesn't know the full extent of Jeongin's situation even now, and he maybe can't hug him yet, but he'll offer all the comfort he can even if it's just for a little while. He thinks Jeongin, clutching him tightly with tiny hands and not saying anything, probably does.

There's one more thing, however, that he has to make sure before he leaves Jeongin. When they near his building and he lets him down, he takes the opportunity.

“Do your parents leave you meals? To eat?” He checks, even if he hates the now too familiar cloudy frown on Jeongin's face.

“Sometimes,” Jeongin mutters, evasively.

Minho feels something burn in his chest, but he ignores it and focuses on Jeongin. He thought he had been helping Jeongin until now. Maybe it’s time to really help the kid who saved him.

“I always cook a lot of food. Is it okay if I bring leftovers? Occasionally?” Nevermind that he's a vampire and most certainly does not cook human meals. But for Jeongin, he'll do anything.

“If you want…” the kid says, still not looking at him.

“Great. Weekends is okay? I'll just drop the food and go, I won't stay or anything,” Minho reassures him.

“Okay…” Jeongin says, meekly. “Friday?”

“Friday after school,” Minho confirms. He will make sure he has no Coven commitments any Friday for the foreseeable future.

They part ways again and this time it's a bit harder than previous times. However, Minho has a goal now.

Minho was born a vampire, so he never had to worry about human food. Now he has to worry about it, which means he buys books, watches video tutorials, and enrolls in classes. He'll be the best cook and give only the most nutritious dishes to Jeongin. He feels somewhat happy that the only ones who can judge him silently are his cats.

They begin this kind of arrangement. Thankfully, Jeongin seems to like the food he prepares, even if he continues studying to improve even more. It's actually fun, like a new hobby, and Minho thinks he might be getting good at it. Jeongin's smiles are a very positive bonus.

Summer comes and goes and even with this arrangement, Minho still has never met the kid's parents. Jeongin had told him they were away all weekends, but still, Minho worries. He unhurriedly starts looking at housing near Jeongin's home.

Jeongin begins his last year of elementary school, and Minho has all school event dates marked on his wall calendar once again.

By the end of autumn, he moves into his new apartment, which is two floors above Jeongin's. He's particularly proud of this find. 

However, he doesn't know how to break it to Jeongin, still conflicted about their relationship's limits. Hell, he'd adopt the kid if he could, but he wants to prioritize the Jeongin’s peace above everything, and this would go against it. He knows he should talk to Jeongin's parents, but he never catches them.

Jeongin keeps growing. Maybe not in height just yet, but he keeps losing baby fat and his gaze changes, less soft. Minho egotistically wishes he could stay a happy child forever, but is otherwise fond of seeing his favorite human grow into a young man. He's got a way to go still, though.

Jeongin is more perceptive, less of an ingenuous kid, and that's how he finds out that Minho now lives in his same building.

“You didn't tell me you moved here, Mr. Vampire,” he says, with just a bit of bite. He cornered him in front of his apartment door just as he was leaving on Coven business.

“It's very recent,” Minho tries to justify to the tiny young human. “Besides, I still give you food like always.”

Jeongin's parents continue being absent, so Minho continues making food for Jeongin. It's been some time since their arrangement began, so Minho asks if they ever noticed it.

“I just told them we did it in cooking class. It's not like they know what I do in school,” Jeongin explains, and it's such a simple statement yet so sad hearing this from him.

Christmas season nears, and Minho one day finds Jeongin to ask what the kid is doing for the festivities. He's relieved to hear he's going away to spend some days at his grandparents’, across the country. Minho doesn't really do anything for Christmas, but he wanted to make sure the kid would not be alone. Over his undead body.

This year, instead of spending the holidays alone, he reaches out to some longtime vampire friends to have friendly dinners. It's agreeable enough, they haven't met for many years and recounting past events is decent enjoyment. If his friends find his kind of friendly behavior a bit out of character for Minho, they don't comment on it.

The snow thaws and flowers bloom, and Jeongin keeps growing.

One summer day, weeks shy of Jeongin's elementary school graduation, Minho is typing away on his computer doing Coven work when the bell of his apartment rings. Multiple times.

He's on the door in the blink of an eye, and when he opens it he finds a disgruntled Jeongin.

A disgruntled Jeongin with a swollen, red cheek.

“What happened?” Minho demands, trying very hard to keep calm and not go out and hunt whoever hurt Jeongin.

The kid shoves past him into his apartment, and even if it's his first time inside, he goes and plops himself on the sofa. Minho lets him, and closes the door softly before going to sit in front of Jeongin.

“Will you tell me what happened? Are you okay?” He inquires, because Jeongin's safety is his utmost priority.

“Told mom about you,” Jeongin huffs, and that's certainly not what Minho was expecting. But the kid is here, so it has to mean something.

“Did she get angry?” Minho prods, carefully.

“Kinda? She told me to stay away because you could be dangerous,” Minho swallows instinctively. “I told her she was wrong,” Jeongin adds, and grabs a cushion and hugs it to his chest.

“And then?” Minho asks.

“I was angry. I saved your life, of course you're not dangerous,” Minho appreciates the kid's sentiment. “And you've been helping me for so long. You went with me to the festivals so I wasn't the only one without family. You recommended I start singing. You have been making me food for forever!” Jeongin lists, exclaiming. Minho's heart does a funny thing.

“And why did she slap you?” Minho cuts to the chase. He's calmed down since he opened the door but his blood is still boiling at how someone raised a hand against Jeongin.

“She wouldn't listen. I told her just because she was incapable of raising her child didn't mean others weren't,” Jeongin finishes explaining, lips pouting.

“Oh, honey,” Minho sighs, softly. 

For the first time, he gives into the urge and brings Jeongin into his arms, hugging him tightly. His heart melts completely when the kid hugs him back.

“Did she hurt you anywhere else?” Minho checks, resting his chin on top of Jeongin's.

“Just the slap. I left right after and came here,” he says, with a tiny voice.

“Your parents shouldn't raise a hand against you. If they ever touch you, you come to me. I mean this very seriously, Jeongin,” Minho says, voice firm.

“Okay,” the kid concedes. Minho hugs him more tightly.

They stay like that for a long time, until one of Minho's cats decides to reward them with his presence. Jeongin is elated to find out Minho owns two cats, and spends much of the afternoon playing with them when they deem him worthy of their attention. Smart cats.

Minho’s done with waiting, though. 

He goes to Jeongin's apartment to meet the kid's mother, but of course she's already gone. Fed up, Minho asks Jeongin for her phone number. He wanted to talk in person but he won't delay this anymore.

The call goes as well as one would expect. Jeongin’s mother is incredibly wary of him at first, which is reasonable. Minho explains how he's the one Jeongin saved all those years ago, how they met coincidentally, how Jeongin asked him to go to the school festival, and how he began sharing “leftovers”. Minho doesn't know if he convinced Jeongin's mother or she simply became tired of listening to him, but she doesn't put up more objection and soon after says her farewells and hangs up.

Minho is sincerely conflicted between feeling happy at the semi-approval or appalled that a parent could care so little about their son. Jeongin, however, is ecstatic. He jumps around Minho's living room (scaring away the cats in the process) and he plops himself on the sofa again, proclaiming that today is movie night.

Minho stares after him, fondly, and gives into the kid’s whims. He lets the kid free reign over the TV, and he doesn't complain when Jeongin cuddles him while hugging the cushion again. If parental affection is what the little human is seeking, Minho will give it to him.

Now that the cat's out of the bag, Jeongin starts spending increasingly more time in Minho's apartment. As a consequence, his apartment changes bit by bit. Human food snacks appear on his fridge, and on his cupboards, so Jeongin can replenish his energy after school or after a day playing outside. New squishable cushions, which are more big plush toys than cushions really, appear on the sofa, ready for whenever Jeongin comes over and craves the extra comfort of hugging something. Now Minho has cutlery, so Jeongin can eat at his apartment if he wants (he always wants). 

At one point, Minho realizes that Jeongin has changed him so much, he would not recognize the vampire from 6 years ago.

Jeongin graduates elementary school and Minho brings flowers, chocolates, and records the whole thing. It feels like the biggest event in Minho's three hundred years of existence. Above everything, he's so proud of his tiny human savior.

After graduation, summer vacations come with a change of pace. Jeongin goes to a summer camp that lasts two full months, as planned by his parents. It's a clever way to have the kid dealt with for most of the summer, he supposes. 

Minho makes sure Jeongin takes everything he needs in his small suitcase, and sees him off at the bus stop. Jeongin is nervous because none of his friends are going, but he's a cheery kid with a sunny smile so Minho knows he'll be fine.

Minho does indeed miss Jeongin during those months, but he pours away in Coven work, making the necessary arrangements so that next school year he can be more involved should Jeongin want him to.

The kid that comes back to him after summer camp ends is two centimeters taller and multiple shades more tan, but his sunny smile remains the same and Minho enjoys all the stories Jeongin shares for the remainder of the day.

Middle school is hard. It's a new school, bigger and with more students. Jeongin is a happy kid with a sunny smile, but kids are still kids. 

Minho does whatever he can for Jeongin. He fully embodies the role of Jeongin's guardian and helps him with anything he needs, be it school materials, food, or just unconditional comfort. At one point he even begins reading up on the subject of raising children. If he has a human kid at home every day of the week, might as well learn how to raise him.

Minho is delighted when Jeongin announces he'll be taking singing classes here as well. He eagerly waits for the school recital’s date, marks it down on the calendar and records the full thing. Jeongin's voice is angelic, like always.

Jeongin has known for a long time that Minho is a vampire. But it becomes explicitly clear one day when Jeongin finds his blood bags in the fridge while rummaging for snacks by himself. Not that Minho was hiding them from him, since all civilized vampires feed the same way through a government program. Jeongin doesn't seem to mind, just grabbing his snack, but later at dinner he requests that Minho have dinner too.

Minho hesitates, but at the kid’s continued request, he complies and eats his meal, contained in an opaque tumbler with a metal straw, with a very pleased Jeongin. It becomes their new norm, eating together.

Eating is just one more side of being a family. For his part, Minho researches family bonding activities, determined to have Jeongin live his childhood as normal as possible. His primary source of material are movies, and the Internet does the rest.

Their first outing is to the aquarium, and Jeongin is thrilled. He tells Minho all about the different animals he's learnt at school, and squeals every time they see a new species. He takes pictures and some videos of the various creatures, and well, if he records some of Jeongin's enthusiastic reactions then it's no one's business, really.

As one more proof of how Jeongin is seamlessly integrating himself into Minho’s life and apartment, Jeongin starts marking his height on the kitchen’s doorframe. Minho finds him one day, shoebox and marker in hand, doing some elaborate gymnastics that the vampire doesn’t really understand. After Jeongin explains what he’s doing, Minho offers to help him and pencils in the kid’s height, and after Jeongin’s pouting, he marks his own as well. He can’t deny how cute Jeongin is, staring at Minho’s height mark like it’s a personal challenge.

“One day I’ll be taller than you!” He declares, confidently. Minho chuckles, endeared.

“Keep dreaming, kiddo,” Minho says, softly rubbing the top of Jeongin’s head.

Jeongin’s answer is to puff, and Minho laughs. The vampire knows he’s not particularly tall, so surpassing him wouldn’t be too difficult.

He looks forward to Jeongin growing more.

For all the time Jeongin has spent at Minho's apartment, he has never spent the night, preferring to sleep in his own room.

That changes one night after they finish a movie Jeongin selected. The movie, even if it was clearly marked for children, was maybe a tad bit dark for Jeongin, who seems spooked and won't let go of the squishy manta ray cushion. Minho internally thinks he can be scarier than anything that happened in the movie, but he won't tell Jeongin any time soon.

When it's time to leave, the kid hesitates for long moments in front of the door. Minho patiently waits until Jeongin makes a decision.

“Can I… sleep here….?” Jeongin asks, with a weak voice and big doe eyes. Minho never stood a chance.

“Of course you can,” Minho agrees with a soft smile. “You have to tell your mom, though. So she doesn't worry.”

Jeongin snorts at that last sentence, but complies and sends her a message under the watchful eye of the vampire.

Minho sets Jeongin up on his own bed, while he prepares to sleep on the sofa. As a vampire, he doesn’t require much sleep, and he’s fine sleeping anywhere as long as Jeongin is comfortable. Everything goes well for a while, until Minho hears soft feet padding into the living room.

“Do you need anything?” Minho asks him, quiet voice in the quiet night.

Jeongin doesn’t answer, and averts his eyes, face conflicted.

“Should I sleep with you?” Minho softly asks.

Jeongin nods furiously, and Minho smiles at him so he knows it’s okay. The vampire takes some of the sofa cushions in case they help Jeongin rest easier.

The kid is out like a light as soon as he closes his eyes beside Minho.

It gets colder with each passing day of his life with Jeongin, until it becomes cold enough for their next family bonding activity; ice skating.

Jeongin seems delighted by it, and tells Minho he's gone a couple of times with school. Minho never has, and is determined to be there for Jeongin, so he secretly goes on his own just to practice. He's embarrassingly stiff at first, but luckily for him his vampire reflexes seem to help and he's seamlessly gliding through the ice after just a few minutes.

Skating on his own was okay, but skating with Jeongin is so much more fun. The kid seems determined on trying difficult maneuvers that will end with him meeting the ice, but Minho is nothing if dedicated on his mission to keep Jeongin safe, so he catches Jeongin on each and every time. It's good to exercise his reflexes, and the whole activity revolves around Jeongin, so he honestly cannot complain.

After their skating time is finished, Jeongin only accepts leaving once Minho has promised that yes, they can come again in the future.

They do go once more, before Jeongin's family whisks him away for Christmas. Neither Jeongin nor Minho seem thrilled by it, but family is still family, so Jeongin goes.

Minho, without the human to distract him, meets with his old vampire friends again, who seem happy to have a repeat of last year. This time, Minho has the courage to tell them about his current situation with Jeongin. Of course, they immediately ask to meet him, the human who has completely taken over their icy friend. Minho's not comfortable with them meeting now, but maybe in the future.

“Can I see your fangs?” Jeongin asks one day out of the blue, the picture of innocence while putting away the week’s groceries in Minho’s apartment.

Now, Minho knows for a fact that children are curious little things, and Jeongin is nothing less. He understands that one thing is knowing Minho is a vampire, and the other one is seeing it. It's not like Minho uses his super speed or strength for daily mundane tasks, and even if he hasn't deliberately avoided showing his fangs to Jeongin, he's used to talking with closed lips. The most vampiric Minho acts is drinking blood from his tumbler and wearing sunglasses when they go out around midday. So it's really no wonder that Jeongin is curious.

“Jeongin…” Minho starts.

“Please, please, please…” Jeongin pouts, and Minho knows he's completely defeated.

“You can see them, but you can't touch them, okay?” Minho declares.

Minho, as a three centuries old vampire, has good control over his instincts. However, Jeongin's blood has always smelled special. Different. Like it was created to appeal to him. So while he is confident in his self control, he will not risk it.

“Yay!” The kid cheers, unaware of Minho's inner turmoil.

Minho redirects him to the sofa, sitting down and patting the seat next to him.

“Come here, you'll see better this way. But no touching. I'm serious, Jeongin.” Minho insists as Jeongin sits down.

“Yes, okay,” Jeongin replies, with a careful voice but sparkles in his eyes.

For added measure, Minho grabs the kid’s hands before opening his mouth, baring his fangs to Jeongin’s curious stare. There's a loud gasp from the kid, and then silence, and then.

“You're so cool,” Jeongin says in wonderment.

Minho can't help but laugh, patting Jeongin’s head.

“You understand why I want to be careful, don't you? I never want to hurt you,” Minho says, back to being serious.

“Yes,” Jeongin agrees. “You said you never bite people. Is that still true?” He asks after, eyes darting around the room.

“Yes,” Minho says without skipping a beat. “I have no desire to bite anyone. I get all the food I need from the government programs, and I'll never bite you or anyone.”

Jeongin nods softly, and throws himself at Minho to hug him.

“Your fangs are still the coolest,” the kid adds, smiling, and Minho returns the hug and combs fingers through his soft hair.

He loves his tiny human very much.

Jeongin's 12th birthday is coming up and Minho is absolutely delighted. First there's cake and candles, then presents, and finally they go to an amusement park because Minho found it as one of the top kid activities on Google, and Jeongin agreed to go enthusiastically.

They ride on the attractions that Jeongin likes, and Minho finds he likes the speed ones the best. It's a good break from the usual turtle-paced human velocity.

There's so many people in the park that Minho is not surprised to encounter some fellow vampires among the humans. They're all civilized, which means there's only a shared quick glance before going back to ignoring each other.

Jeongin ends the day with rosy cheeks and a tired smile, and quickly falls asleep on the car ride home.

Minho deems it a success.

Jeongin's father, more elusive even than his mother, moves away to another city the following summer. The kid assures Minho he's fine, and while he does seem unbothered by the new development, the vampire keeps a watchful eye on him the following days.

Jeongin is 13 when he has an encounter with a rogue vampire.

In today's day and age, most everyone, including non-human creatures, are civilized, regulated under government programs that safeguard them in exchange for following the laws that keep everyone living in harmony. However, there's always individuals who do not abide by laws. Rogue vampires are those who feed by force on humans, sometimes killing them in the process. There's both human and non-human forces that specialize in guarding against and neutralizing rogues, but in cities with such a big population there's bound to be some slips here and there.

It happens by chance, one day on his way home after having gone out to buy some cat food. He decides to take the shortcut home through little alleyways, and when he turns a corner, he sees two figures. He immediately knows that the tall figure is a vampire, there's just something to non-human creatures that makes them clearly distinguishable. And then he smells the smaller figure’s scent.

Jeongin .

His blood boils and deafens his hearing.

“Get away from him,” he demands, voice guttural and hackles raising in a way he hasn't for many, many years.

The rogue startles and leans slightly away from where he was curved above Jeongin, who looks petrified. Minho's heart squeezes but centers his attention on the source of danger first.

“Oh! So he's your meal?” The rogue asks, nonchalantly. He looks unkempt, even when only wearing black clothes, and has an eerie smile on his face. “Care to share with the people?”

“Get. Away.” Minho snarls, cat food bags forgotten on the ground. Jeongin is beginning to hyperventilate, frozen in his spot just before the wild vampire.

“Come on, no need to be st—” the rogue doesn't get to finish his answer, because in talking he got distracted and Minho barrels into him at the first opening, clashing against him at full vampire speed.

The two slam against the nearest building, creating a small dent from the impact alone.

“Jeongin. Go home.” Minho orders, eyes not leaving the rogue who's struggling against his chokehold.

Jeongin doesn't move for a long time, and just as Minho begins fearing if the kid got injured, or was paralyzed by shock, he finally hears the sound of small steps leaving towards the main street. His heart hurts, but he'll deal with that later, after this vampire stops being a danger to Jeongin's life.

“What's your deal? The boy had vampire smell all over him, so obviously he's your feedbag. If you didn't want to share you could just say so!” The rogue vampire chokes out, still fighting Minho's hold. But he's a fledgeling, barely a few years old as a vampire, and Minho has centuries on him.

He slams the rogue’s head against the wall to shut him up, and then pulls out his Coven-registered non-human taser to take him out. Minho wants to go home to Jeongin (he hopes he heeded his advice and went home), but first he has to deal with this creature so that he won't be a threat in the future. When he's sure the rogue won't be moving any time soon, he shackles his hands and calls his Coven so someone can come pick up the creature and deal with them.

The whole thing doesn't take too long, but it feels like forever later when he's taking the elevator towards his apartment. He fidgets all the way, wondering about Jeongin. Will he be in Minho's apartment? Or on his own? Will he want to see Minho? Or will he need some time apart from the vampire after such a bad experience? Will Jeongin refuse to see him anymore?

Minho can't help the worst case scenarios jumping around in his head. But even if worse comes to worst, Minho resolves to keep supporting the kid as much as he can. He can keep providing meals, class supplies, toys, or whatever Jeongin needs via mail if necessary. Jeongin is his priority.

He stops in front of his apartment door and keys it open, his heart stopping when he finds it’s already unlocked.

“Jeongin?” Minho asks, voice as soft and calm as possible. He’s aware that he must have been a bit scary when confronting the rogue, and wants to appear as harmless as possible. “It's me, Minho,” he says before entering and letting the door fall closed behind him, quietly.

He stops short when he sees Jeongin seated on the sofa, with a fluffy cushion squeezed between his arms. Minho feels instant relief at seeing the kid there, although his heart hurts anew when he notices the red rimmed eyes.

“Hi, Jeongin. Are you okay?” Minho asks, softly, not moving at all.

They stay like that, staring at each other, for a while. Minho trying to appear as non-threatening as possible, and Jeongin sniffling every once in a while and hugging the cushion.

Finally, Jeongin breaks the standstill.

“Hug…?” He asks simply, setting aside the cushion and opening his arms with tentative movements.

Not using his vampiric speed to reach Jeongin must have been one of the hardest things Minho has ever done. Instead, he takes slow steps towards the sofa and sits down, all the while looking at Jeongin so he can read in his eyes that he's not a threat.

Middle school is hard, but high school is harder . The books on human child raising that Minho read warned him about adolescence, but it feels like even that wasn't enough.

Jeongin grows some more centimeters, and his sunny smile is dampened by cloudy mood more often than not. Minho doesn't comment on it, doesn't force him to appear happy, and instead supports him in anything Jeongin needs. Even if that's picking up Jeongin at ungodly hours of the night after a party with his classmates.

Jeongin’s mother all but moves away, stopping by the apartment barely once a month, and Jeongin seems not to mind it but his mood visibly sours for a few days. Minho makes up excuses to buy him chocolates, prepare his favorite dishes, and rewatch his favorite movies. The cats are also on their best behavior, cuddling Jeongin at every opportunity. Minho can't even be angry at being cheated on by his own pets.

The apartment has an extra room that was originally intended as the cat's room. However, as Jeongin stayed more time in his apartment, he began moving things around, bringing the cat's stuff to the living room and buying new furniture for the proper guest room. Or, well, Jeongin's room, when he decides to start spending the nights more and more often until he practically begins living with Minho.

The vampire doesn't mind, and instead feels accomplished that he could do this for Jeongin. So he can have a safe space to comfortably grow up into the young man he was shaping to be.

That Christmas is the first one they spend together. Minho has never really celebrated it other than his small vampire reunions, much less decorated it, but he relents at Jeongin's insistence (one day he'll become immune to Jeongin's puppy eyes, but that day wasn't it).

“You know there are cats in this apartment,” Minho reminds the boy, cart already full with multiple Christmas motive decorations.

“That's why we'll place everything high out of their reach,” Jeongin grins, all mischievousness.

Minho laughs softly.

Decorating the apartment in a cat-safe arrangement is not easy, but the afternoon quickly becomes one of his favorite moments spent with Jeongin.

“Will your family come?” The boy asks, arranging the tiny star figurines. Jeongin had told him a few days ago that he wouldn't be going anywhere this season, so of course, they would celebrate it together.

“No, they're not really in the picture,” Minho replies, gathering Soonie in his arms to move him away from the tiny Christmas lights he was eyeing. “I sometimes celebrate Christmas with friends though,” He adds, before Jeongin can feel sad for him.

“Oh! Will they come then?” Jeongin turns to him, excited.

Minho blinks.

“They're vampires… Do you want them to come?” Minho asks, voice neutral. He had been thinking of introducing Jeongin to his friends, but after last year's nasty experience with the rogue vampire, Minho had completely discarded the idea.

“If they're like you, then yes!” The boy answers without hesitation.

“Okay then,” Minho agrees, smiling. “I'll ask them if they want to.”

Jisung and Felix are, unsurprisingly, ecstatic.

On Christmas day, both of them arrive at the apartment early and with bags full of presents (for Jeongin mostly).

“You didn't tell us he was this cute!” Jisung exclaims, immediately going mother hen mode over the boy.

“He was cuter six years ago,” Minho chuckles, entertained at Jeongin's ruffled feathers at being called cute. He's growing to be a young man after all. “He looked like a literal angel.”

“Hey!” Jeongin says to him, disgruntled.

“Photos. Now ,” Jisung demands and Minho laughs, loud in a way he isn't totally used to.

Lunch is finished as Jisung and Felix both coo over the photo album Minho and Jeongin have been slowly filling over the last years.

Both guests both adore Jeongin, and Felix has the boy on his lap in a permanent hug in no time.

“So this is what changed you,” Jisung corners Minho when he's cleaning the dishes, Jeongin and Felix playing video games in the living room. Felix might be a century old, but he still has the innocence and illusion most usually seen in kids.

“Changed me?” Minho asks, raising an eyebrow at his long time friend.

“Don't play obtuse, Minho. I've known you my whole life,” Jisung chides, and Minho laughs.

“It is,” he concedes.

Life, when one can live centuries while almost everyone around them lives only decades, isn't easy. Minho has worked many jobs, lived in many cities, had many friends. And losing friends to old age not once but many times had hardened his heart, unconsciously pushed people away in an attempt to protect what was left of it.

He hadn't realized how much of a husk he had become until Jeongin. And yes, the boy was human as well, but even more reason why Minho has and will dedicate the rest of his life to him.

His tiny (not so tiny now) human savior.

“I'm glad,” Jisung says, softly, patting his back since he knows Minho has never been a tactile person. “I've missed you.”

Minho tries his best to ignore the burning in his eyes.

Felix becomes a fixture in their life, becoming one of Jeongin's best friends, whisking the boy away for their videogame playing dates. Minho probably should have seen it coming.

The vampire busies himself in his now Jeongin-free weekly time, working for the Coven, or home improvement, or even continuing his human research.

Which led to Jeongin volunteering at the local animal shelter.

Which led to the current situation.

“Come again?” Minho asks, stopping his task of rolling up the kimbap.

“I want to adopt a cat,” Jeongin says from the sofa, staring intently at Minho with hands grabbing his crossed feet tightly.

“We already have two cats,” Minho replies, with a pointed look at Soonie currently traipsing the top of the sofa just above the boy, and Doongie snoozing peacefully at his feet.

“Yes but—” Jeongin starts, gesticulating in frustration. “He's so small, and doesn't like the shelter crates, and no one's adopting him,” the boy finishes, huffing.

Minho's not used to denying the human almost anything, but pets are serious business. However, Jeongin usually never asks for extravagant or impossible things.

“Can you come to the shelter, to see him?” Jeongin pleads with Minho. “And then you can decide.”

Minho's lips curve in a half smile. Maybe unknowingly, but the human just knows how to get his way.

The shelter is downtown, just beside a park. Minho and Jeongin go together, and Minho feels a pang in his chest when he sees Jeongin interacting with fellow shelter volunteers. The human is more young man than a kid now.

They hear the kitty way before they enter the cat section of the shelter. Meowing up a storm, trying to climb the crate, anything to get out and away. If the cat’s sad cries weren't enough, when Jeongin opens the tiny door to get him out and pet him, Minho positively melts at how the kitten curls up in Jeongin's arms. The tiny cat then stops meowing, instead settling down purring up a storm, staring at Jeongin and blinking contentedly.

Minho and Jeongin have three cats now.

The vampire is careful with introducing Dori to his resident two cats, explaining everything to Jeongin about cats sharing spaces, scents, meals and playtime. The adjustment is quick, however, and soon enough Soonie and Doongie adopt Dori, which means tolerating the young kitty’s endless playtime energy while periodically wrestling him down to lick him from top to bottom or forcing him to settle down for cuddles.

Jeongin is as obsessed with Dori as the kitty is with him. While the boy's camera quickly fills with Dori’s photos at literally every occasion, Minho’s fills with the boy and cat together.

When Jeongin is sixteen, he's all sharp edges and gangly arms. Minho, of course, still thinks he's the cutest kid ever. Even if Jeongin's height marks on the kitchen door frame are coming dangerously close to Minho's.

“That's it. You can stop growing, Jeongin,” Minho says, eyeing Jeongin's newer mark with his breakfast tumbler on hand while he watches Jeongin pack his bag to go to school.

“You wish,” Jeongin replies scathingly, and Minho chuckles at the boy’s newly found sharp tongue. His human is just adorable. “You’ll see, I'm going to surpass you any day now.”

“Then you better go to sleep early every day. Playing with Felix until ungodly hours won't help,” Minho replies with a smirk.

Jeongin only laughs and leaves for school after giving Dori a few chin scratches, all under Minho's fond gaze.

The vampire has been enjoying seeing his human's growth, even if there were some bumps along the road like the books warned him about, even if Jeongin spends increasingly less time at home and more outside with friends or extracurriculars. 

Music has stayed as a constant in Jeongin's life, even through high school. However, Minho does nothing if not observe Jeongin to the tiniest detail through the years they've lived together, so he's seen how Jeongin has been expanding in terms of after school activities and hobbies. He doesn't want to pressure Jeongin into anything, just watch over him while ensuring his safety, so he's resorted to investigating activities on his own and leaving various brochures on top of the living room table.

The child monitor brochure was a stroke of luck, really. Jeongin had been taking care of a couple of neighbor kids for extra pocket money, and always seemed to return with a bigger smile and many stories. So when he saw the announcement and brochures on a city council visit, it made sense to pick it up and bring it home for Jeongin.

When the boy decides to apply for it Minho secretly thinks this is children taking care of children, but still the vampire is happy as he watches a new form of joy enter Jeongin's life.

That summer Jeongin gets his first job as a child monitor at a summer camp. Minho misses him as much as he did when he went as child himself, but as always, he's proud of how much he grows in a short time.

“I think I want to be a teacher,” Jeongin comments over dinner the same day he gets back.

Minho smiles at him, fondly.

Jeongin will be a great teacher.

In his last year of high school, Jeongin's voice drops, which makes his singing classes a bit more difficult, but still he keeps singing.

“Your voice is still like an angel,” Minho tells him, making sure there's no room for doubt.

“Not my face, but yes my voice?” Jeongin asks, cheekily.

“Keep smiling and maybe you'll change my mind,” Minho returns, smiling as well.

Jeongin huffs and returns to his book.

The boy is more usual than not in his room, studying, but he still finds some time to spend with Minho, even if it's just studying in the living room.

“Here. Don't forget to take breaks,” Minho gently says, placing a small plate with snacks and fruit juice so Jeongin can replenish his energy.

“Thanks, mom,” the boy replies, immediately munching on them.

Minho brushes his hair, fondly.

Coven work keeps Minho entertained while Jeongin pours away with school tasks. And when he's not at work, he keeps busy with small house improvements for both them and the cats, who enjoy the new array of cat tree construction along the far living room wall.

“I'm taller than you now,” Jeongin says one day, looking at the most recent mark on the kitchen door frame, sharpie still on hand.

“Really?” says Minho, outwardly unimpressed. Inside he's proud, of course. His tiny human has grown so much. “I'm short, so it's not a big deal. Come on, eat another serving so you get even taller.”

“I'll tower over you one day, just you wait,” Jeongin gloats, but still sits down at the table again. “So much that they'll think I'm the older one of the two.”

Minho laughs at that, loudly. Doesn't really see Jeongin's fond stare at his outburst.

“Looking forward to that. Should be fun.”

“How old are you again?” Jeongin asks non-chalantly.

“Three hundred thirty seven,” Minho replies, sipping his tumbler. “I'm basically dust.”

Jeongin huffs.

“But… What would be the equivalent in vampire years?” Jeongin pushes, moving around the food on his plate.

Minho blinks.

“Twenty five… Twenty seven? Something like that,” Minho finally replies, after thinking it over. It's difficult to calculate when vampires have such a long timespan.

Jeongin hums, and finishes his food complatively.

Jeongin officially decides to pursue a degree in education shortly after New Year's. His parents, even completely out of the picture, have kept paying for Jeongin's education, and one curt call to his mother confirms that they'll pay for university classes as well.

“This way they can forget about me without a guilty conscience,” is the only comment Jeongin makes before going back to study.

Minho makes sure to bake the boy’s favorite pastries that evening.

While Jeongin looks up prospective universities, Minho looks up prospective apartments.

Jeongin celebrates his eighteenth birthday going out with his classmates, and Minho buys him a new laptop to replace his old turtle-speed one.

“You're going to need one that works properly for university,” Minho reasons, smiling softly.

“Still. Isn't it too much?” Jeongin asks, eyes unable to leave the sleek surface of the new device.

“Nothing is too much if it's for you,” Minho says, sincerely.

Jeongin looks up then, and they look at each other for long seconds that could very well be minutes. Finally, Jeongin raises to hug Minho. The vampire, while surprised at first, quickly returns the hug. As was expected, Jeongin became less outwardly affectionate with age, so it had been a while since the boy last hugged him. Minho treasures this moment, as he has treasured the past ones with his favorite human.

University entrance exams are brutal. Minho tries not to hover and just let Jeongin do his thing, but he worries more than he lets on. They both hold their breaths until the results are out, confirming Jeongin will be able to study education at his preferred university.

“Have you thought about whether you want to live on your own? In a university dorm, or in your own apartment?” Minho asks him, after the high about the results has eased.

Jeongn becomes rigid, and Minho's heart clenches.

“You want me to move out?” He asks, grave voice suddenly weak.

“No,” Minho says quickly, resolutely. “No, Jeongin. I like living with you. I'm only asking in case you are tired of living with me, or want to try living on your own. Some people are more eager than others to be independent.”

Jeongin keeps his eyes down, seemingly thinking, and Minho lets him have his time.

“I want to keep living with you,” Jeongin says, lifting his eyes and lowering them shortly after. “If you want. If you don't think I'm a bother.”

“You'll never be a bother,” Minho quickly shots down that thought. “Never, Jeongin. I also want to keep living with you if that's what you want. I just don't want to limit you, or shackle you down. You're becoming an adult and you're free to choose your life, that's all.”

Jeongin nods, still quiet and somber. “You'll tell me if I'm ever a bother, right? If I'm the one shackling you down?”

“Come here,” Minho requests, leaving towards the sofa. “Sit down.”

When Jeongin does, Minho retrieves Dori from where he was taking a nap on the cat tree by the window, and promptly deposits him on Jeongin's lap. Dori, even though disgruntled by the handling, rapidly settles down and starts purring under Jeongin's hands. Minho sits down at his side. Takes a breath. And tells Jeongin about his story. About his friends, different generations of them, and of losing them. About becoming indifferent, cold. About being alone. And then he tells him about that time a human kid got hurt trying to save him. By that time, Jeongin is blinking rapidly, hands still on Dori. Minho continues telling him about being drawn, about the need to provide whatever he needed, how it felt like time suddenly was running again after being stale for decades.

“You're not a bother. And I don't want you to leave.” Minho finishes. He's never been open or talkative about himself, but he couldn't live with himself if Jeongin still had any doubt.

Jeongin sniffs, and slowly moves Dori to his side before he crosses the short distance between them and hugs Minho. The vampire accepts him, caressing his back to soothe the boy as much as possible.

Jeongin keeps living in Minho's home.

If Minho thought he was happy and proud at Jeongin's middle school graduation, it can't be compared to his high school graduation.

Above all, he's thankful for Jeongin.

To no one's surprise, Jeongin flourishes in university. As expected of his sunny kid young man.

They both need a period of time to adjust to Jeongin's classes being all over the place, but Jeongin is happier than ever studying education so really, that's all that matters.

University comes with a wider spectrum of students, and Minho isn't surprised to hear there's a few other vampires in Jeongin's classes. Minho doesn't mind. Too much. But still makes sure to tell the boy about proper vampire etiquette. He has no qualms about employing his Coven power to keep some fledgelings in check.

Months pass, and Jeongin continues living with Minho, even when presented with the option of going to live with his new friends during the second year. Minho's happy to have him, and misses him during the summers when he goes to work at summer camps, continuing that even through university.

Jeongin eventually stops growing, leaving him a few centimeters taller than Minho (to whom he gloats to appropriately). He doesn't get any taller, but after he begins joining his classmates at the gym, he starts gaining muscle, leaving the boy he was far behind. Minho is amused at his human's new hobbies, but he slowly modifies Jeongin's meals so that he has more protein to sustain the activity.

Third year begins, and Minho grows fonder of the man Jeongin is growing up to be. He's surprised that even if Jeongin has tight friendships with his high school and university friends, with its due social life, he still likes spending time with Minho. The vampire expects him to leave him behind in the next future, but Jeongin remains there, with him. He's glad, if he's honest with himself. Jeongin has become such a vital piece of his life, his heart hurts just by considering living without him.

As Jeongin’s physique changes due to the hours spent at the gym, he becomes bolder, more sure of himself. Which is the reason why Jeongin is strutting in the living room without a shirt.

“You'll catch a cold if you run around half naked,” Minho muses while working on some spreadsheets on the living room table.

He's a bit ashamed of how his eyes were drawn to Jeongin's defined torso. He convinces himself it's out of admiration for how much the human has grown, nothing more.

“It's already spring though,” Jeongin smirks. Smirks . Minho wants his sunny kid back.

“Still cold enough to catch colds,” Minho counters, undeterred, eyes fixed on the computer screen.

Jeongin huffs. “I run hot,” he mumbles as he goes back to his room.

Oh, Minho knows that well. As a vampire, his body temperature is colder than usual, which makes him crave warmth and hate the cold. Further demonstrated that night, when Minho falls asleep when he was watching a series with Jeongin, unconsciously curling into his warm, bigger body. He blames it on his sleepless nights preparing for a work deadline.

His sleepy self happily leeches warmth off Jeongin, who doesn't seem to mind that Minho fell asleep mid episode, and instead brings an arm around the vampire's body to bring him closer. Minho sleeps through the rest of the episode, through Jeongin turning the TV off with his free arm. He even sleeps through Jeongin slowly extricating himself off him only to pick him up, oh so carefully, and carrying him to his room.

Minho does wake up then, immediately bringing his arms around Jeongin's to hold on for dear life.

“It's okay. I got you,” says Jeongin, his voice rough and low in the quiet apartment.

And he's really become strong, because he carries Minho the rest of the way to his room without trouble or even seeming affected by Minho's full weight on his arms. Further proved by how slowly and carefully he deposits the vampire on top of the bed. Minho quickly gets inside, craving the sweet oblivion and rest of sleep, and shivers a little at how cold the bed is. He thinks Jeongin might be rubbing his arms over the duvet, but he falls asleep before his mind can form another thought.

“You really should buy one of those bed heating pads,” Jeongin comments the following day over breakfast.

Minho blinks. Multiple times. 

There goes his hope of yesterday being just a dream.

“It’s fine. I've lived this long without them,” Minho says, discretely turning away from Jeongin so he doesn't see the internal freak out while remembering last night.

Jeongin's naked torso. His warmth. His strength. His care.

Jeongin only huffs in reply, and Minho laughs softly.

Jeongin's bare upper body makes more appearances, and Minho's not happy to admit that instead of growing used to the sight, something inside of him wants it more. Even if every time he forces himself not to stare.

He's grown tired of telling Jeongin to wear a shirt after his answers began being just smug laughter. For a twenty year old human going against a three century old vampire, he's certainly bold.

The snuggling on the sofa also happens again, while reading, watching TV, or just winding down for the day. It's not Minho's fault that nights are still crisp and cold, and Jeongin is a valuable source of warmth. It's also not Minho's fault when it's Jeongin the one to reach out and wrap an arm around him, drawing him in. If Minho enjoys it more than he probably should, then that's his issue to deal with.

As these new changes develop, Minho doesn't mean to, but he starts becoming hyper aware of any physical contact with Jeongin. Like when Jeongin taps his shoulder to leave, or when he nudges his leg over some light dinner discussion, or when he grabs his arm to catch his attention, or when he holds his waist just in passing in the narrow section of the kitchen.

Minho chides himself.

It all comes down to a head one lazy Sunday afternoon when they're discussing Soongie’s potential birthday presents on the sofa.

“I still think the soft bed might be the best option, you know Soongie loves…” Minho is saying when he trails off at the feel of Jeongin's fingers, softly brushing his unruly hair out of his eyes.

And it's so tender . Minho blinks, eyes locking on to Jeongin's, who's already watching him intently. Minho doesn't know what it is, but it's like holding Jeongin's gaze causes something in his chest to crack open. His core, most usually iced rock, now feels like warm, molten gold. He suddenly doesn't know how to breathe properly.

Jeongin brushes his hair once more, his fingertips feeling so good against Minho's skin, and in bringing his hand down, his knuckles stop to caress his cheek lightly for a few timeless seconds. 

Minho exhales silently once Jeongin isn't touching him anymore.

“Sorry,” Jeongin apologizes, voice soft and quiet in the still room. His eyes, however, are so full. Full of fondness, of intent.

Minho has to remind himself to breathe.

“No, it's…” the vampire blinks, mind scrambling to get back on track after his world has been seemingly turned upside down.

“Soft bed for Soongie's birthday then?” Jeongin supplies helpfully, the softest of smiles on his lips.

“Yes. Let's go with that, yes,” Minho agrees hastily, turning his attention to his phone, where he was browsing through a pet shop website.

Jeongin leans back against the sofa with an audible exhale, and Minho resists the urge to look at him, knowing Jeongin is probably watching him.

Minho, usually cold, feels heat rise to his neck and cheeks.

The vampire does his best to keep the recent developments out of his mind, and instead pours over their regular weekday routine.

Jeongin just happens to have different ideas. The boy is reviewing his notes after dinner in his room when Minho goes to check on him.

“Don't stay up too late. Remember that TED talk I told you about last week that more sleep improves memory,” Minho reminds him, stopping by his side to encouragingly stroke his head.

Jeongin, instead of ignoring him like always, inclines his head, as if chasing Minho's touch. Minho chuckles softly, endeared by this affectionate side of the boy. Minho lowers his hand, but when he tries stepping away to go finish cleaning the kitchen, muscled arms come around his waist, effectively holding him in place.

Minho pauses, uncertain at the close proximity, but after a few beats he lets his heart win, now using both hands to brush Jeongin's hair. The boy makes a soft sound and nuzzles Minho's stomach, tightening his grip. 

“Ah…” Minho breathes out, something fluttery awakening in his chest. “Jeongin, I should go finish… the dishes,” Minho says, when the fluttery things threaten to pour over. He would be lying if he said the feeling didn't scare him.

“I have something to tell you. On Friday, okay?” Jeongin says, voice a bit low and rough.

“Of course,” Minho agrees, even if the fluttery feeling morphs to something more nervous instead of glittery.

Jeongin finally lets go, quickly going back to his notes, and Minho goes back to the kitchen. While he is cleaning and preparing to go to sleep, he cannot stop remembering the feel of strong arms around his waist.

On Friday, Jeongin makes him sit on the sofa, sitting slightly in diagonal so he can see Minho better. The boy grabs his hand, like he needs something to fidget with, or contact to reassure.

The time it takes for him to start talking feels like forever and nothing at all.

“These days… months… I've been thinking a lot,” he begins, stroking Minho's fingers delicately. Fragile human fingers appreciating strong, unbreakable vampire ones. The contrast almost makes Minho smile. “You know… I've never been interested in relationships. You've probably noticed it,” Jeongin continues, slowly finding his voice. And it's true, as much as he tried not to hover, Minho had know as a fact that Jeongin one day may start talking about girlfriends or boyfriends, and maybe even bring a partner home, if Minho was lucky enough to be trusted to that side of Jeongin's life. But it never happened, and Minho never pried. Jeongin saying he wasn't interested in relationships is perfectly fine of course, after all, love is a spectrum. “My friends are nice, they're all wonderful, but I've never been interested in… more. And maybe I've started to realize why,” Jeongin says, and he pauses, now stroking the back of Minho's hand. “What if I said I think I like you, Minho? I think that's why I was never interested in anyone else.”

And there it is.

Minho feels as if he's been shocked with electricity, the current alighting all the cells in his body. Outwardly, he blinks, and then blinks again. It feels difficult drawing breath.

“Are you sure? That it's like like, not just family affection?” Minho asks, has to make sure.

“I want to kiss you, Minho,” Jeongin declares, direct and strong.

Minho's throat dries, and he drops his gaze, unable to hold Jeongin's intense eyes. The statement made something unexpected curl in his belly, and he blinks, and he wants .

But that's the thing, isn't it? He can't want that.

“Jeongin, I don't think…” Minho starts, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of thoughts that is his mind.

“I know,” Jeongin cuts him. He sounds sure, but sadness fills his eyes. Minho's heart clenches, he never wants to be the reason why Jeongin looks sad. “I know. I just wanted to let you know. And, maybe, you can think about it,” Jeongin finishes, and lets go of Minho's fingers to stand up.

The vampire feels the urge to grab him, to make him stay, make him stop looking sad. But there's too many thoughts running through his mind to decide on any action, and doesn't stop Jeongin as he goes to his room. The human leaves the door open though, like throwing a line.

Minho has never been so unsure about what to do.

The following morning, while Jeongin goes to the university library, Minho decides to visit Jisung. The human seemed fine this morning, and even if their interactions had a certain tension underlying them, Minho's relieved that Jeongin didn't avoid him. He really needs to do something to solve this situation.

“Jeongin said he likes me,” Minho cuts straight to the chase once he's seated in Jisung’s living room, Felix having joined in as well.

“He said what ?” Jisung exclaims, voice pitched high in surprise.

“About time,” Felix says, simply.

“What do you mean, about time?” Jisung whirls to him before Minho can question the youngest vampire.

“Jeongin has been looking at Minho like a lovesick puppy for the past months, if not years,” Felix explains, as if it were an obvious thing. “I'm surprised you didn't notice,” he says to Minho. “Can't say the same about you,” he adds, about Jisung.

“Hey!” Jisung says, affronted.

“But I raised him since he was six. I'm basically his parent,” Minho says what's been plaguing his mind since yesterday.

“I mean yes, no one can deny that your past story isn't unusual. But the truth is that this is happening now . When he's twenty one and you're… well, also an adult,” Felix says, calmly and without a doubt. Somehow, his steadfastness is more reassuring.

“Even if that's true. What about me? How do I know my affection isn't just family love?” Minho says, frustrated. He wants only the best for Jeongin, but he doesn't want to cross a line that may impact the human negatively.

“Well that's easy. Try to imagine this scenario,” Jisung begins, a mischievous smirk in his lips. “Imagine Jeongin and Felix, close together, holding hands,” he waits until Minho gives a tiny nod. “Now imagine them kissing.”

Minho does and there's such an intense sensation of wrong , of rejection, that he turns his head away from his friends, blinking to dissipate the bad feeling.

Jisung and Felix both laugh at him.

When Minho returns home after spending most of the day with the pair of vampires, he finds Jeongin sprawled on the sofa, game console in hand.

“Hi,” Minho greets, taking off his shoes and hanging his coat.

“Welcome back,” Jeongin greets back, still concentrated on the game that's playing on TV.

Minho goes to his room to change into more comfortable clothes, but after a few moments, he resolves to stop stalling, and goes back out to the living room. Game sounds keep playing softly from the TV.

“I went to Jisung's today, Felix was there too,” Minho starts, keeping his voice even. Jeongin hums, acknowledging his words, but attention still on his game. “I asked for their opinion, as someone external to us both.” At this Jeongin tenses, and quickly pauses the game, turning to center his attention on the older.

“External, why? And what did they say?” Jeongin asks, carefully, his eyes searching.

“Because I more less took the role of parent to you, Jeongin. I was afraid of crossing a line I shouldn't,” Minho answers truthfully.

“I'm twenty one now. I'm not a kid anymore,” Jeongin refutes, voice a little stronger.

“That's true, and it's also what Felix said,” Minho concedes, then grabs Jeongin's hand, much like the younger one did the day before. Jeongin's breath hitches. “I do have… feelings, for you,” Minho finally confesses, and can't help smiling at how the words transform Jeongin into an oversized excited puppy. “But I want to take things slow. And I want to be careful. My last relationship was centuries ago, and you're a human. What I have with you now, it's the most precious thing I've ever had. I'm not opposed to trying this, but the last thing I want is for it to ruin what we have.”

Jeongin nods enthusiastically. “We can do that. We can do slow.”

And there's so much hope, so much warm molten emotion in Jeongin's eyes, that Minho is helpless to the feeling blooming inside his chest. He smiles at Jeongin, and he must see the fondness in his own eyes, because his gaze turns impossibly softer.

“Okay,” Minho concedes.

“Okay,” Jeongin agrees.

They laugh then, a soft and quiet thing. And Minho can't contain the fluttery thing in his chest pushing him to sit up, to lean towards Jeongin, to kiss his cheek. The heat in his neck tells him he must be blushing visibly, but he can't find it in himself to care. Jeongin looks like he just gave him the world. 

The younger one leans forward, closing the distance slowly, leaving Minho ample time to block him or move away, but he doesn't. Jeongin's forehead meets Minho's, and the vampire shudders at the intimate position.

“Can I… can I kiss you?” Jeongin breathes, and Minho's eyes flutter at feeling Jeongin so incredibly close.

“Yes, just…” he begins, then trails off, mesmerized by Jeongin's lips.

“Just?” Jeongin prompts, smirk curving the corner of his lips slightly.

“Careful with the fangs,” Minho finishes, before Jeongin closes the distance between their lips.