▪︎=|A Human Pain|=|JiKook|=▪︎
▪︎=|Vampire|=▪︎

°•●•°

A strong built. Defined muscles underneath a thin layer of fur. The softest nose, and the kindest of eyes. Jungkook's hand glides along the neck of his horse, patting at the shoulder as he ties the reins to the post around Seoul's city center.

He got a letter a few days ago from the mayor, asking him to meet up and discuss the rules of his attendance at the party of the following night.

Jungkook was an outlaw. A criminal caught after in many other cities. There was a delectable price on his head, alive or dead. One that many people, if they knew who he was, would yearn to take.

Outlaws never work alone, and the mayor understood that very well. Their first meeting a week ago was by no means under peaceful circumstances. With Jungkook's gun blasting through the skull of one of the Daegu men.

Criminals versus the law. The police were after them wherever they went.

The mayor was their primary target before they were ambushed, and killing the mayor became a less important priority than getting rid of the cops that had been chasing them ever since the murder fest Jungkook had helped Hoseok out of.

That man was hungry for blood and revenge. So much so that it blinded his vision more often than not. Jungkook was the one that pulled him out of it.

With the sun far below the horizon and the stars high in the cold night, Jungkook leaves his steed by the small patch of grass in front of the manor, running a hand through his messy black hair before placing his wide-rimmed hat back on and passing the metal gate.

Lovely. Discussing a party with the mayor who was still on their hitlist.

He was liked among the citizens, he heard. A kind man who often sacrificed his own time for those of others. Jungkook would call that stupid.

Knocking on the large white doors, Jungkook takes a step back, hands in his pockets, waiting for the door to open.

He tilts his head when it does by a man he hasn't seen before. One dressed the same as every other rich asshole in town.

"Oh. It's you." The man snarls, frowning as he eyes the outlaw up and down, scoffing at his dirty shirt and jacket. "Come in. Wipe your shoes on the mat, please."

"Sure."

Jungkook takes a step inside, sliding the bottom of his boots over the harsh textured mat, not bothering to take off his hat.

He's here for business. Nothing more, nothing less.

"Follow me."

"Sure."

"Is that the only thing you say?"

Jungkook shrugs, glancing at the man with a slight grin.

"The mayor is expecting you."

"Yeah. I got his letter."

"Good to know you're not a complete poor soul."

"I may not have money, but at least I have manners."

The man scoffs and shakes his head, muttering under his breath as he leads the way to the stairs, passing many paintings and vases filled with colorful flowers until they reach the study.

A room with many bookcases and a desk, where the mayor sits with a few papers in his hands and a pen at the ear.

"Sir."

"Yes, Taehyung?"

"The outlaw is here."

"I appreciate the kind words." Jungkook sneers with a smile, stepping past him and leaning his hands onto the wooden desk with a sigh. "Business, Mister mayor."

"Of course."

"But sir-"

"You are dismissed."

Taehyung, the butler, scowls, but nods and fixes up his jacket, shutting the door behind him. It leaves Jungkook to glare at the kind man in front of him.

"Business, Mister Jeon."

"Yeah, yeah. Get on with it."

"I'm hosting a party tomorrow night." The mayor crosses his arms. "And I'll be inviting a rival of mine. A landlord at the edge of the city. I have suspicions he's going to bring some... hirelings, to care of me and my title."

"You want me to be your bodyguard?"

"You, yes, and a few of your friends."

Jungkook frowns. The only one who could smile at the mayor was their leader. Namjoon. A man who often chose deceit and kind pusuasion to get his way.

"Fine. How much do we get paid?"

"If I live, I'll give you five thousand gold coins."

Jungkook quirks a brow. A whole five thousand gold coins? They could run away with that. He sighs, tapping his finger on the wooden desk. "Who should we look out for?"

"A man by the name of Park Jimin. He's a very rich man, you see, you shouldn't be able to miss him."

With a simple nod, Jungkook tips his hat and walks out, saluting Taehyung a lazy goodbye.

He shuts the white doors behind him with a deep sigh, running a hand through his messy hair and observing his hat.

It's covered in dirt. No way he can wear this. Namjoon will know what to do.

He quickly returns to his horse, patting his shoulder and quickly riding back to camp. Avoiding the law if he can.

°•●•°

"No."

"Hoseok, come on, you're the best gunslinger we have."

"I won't go to some stuck-up asshole's homecoming party." The chestnut-haired man snarls, rubbing the oil along the metal barrel of his gun. "I already gave up some of my share of the last heist for Bum's wife."

"And that was incredibly sweet-"

"Don't fucking say it, Joon." He growls and sighs. "If I go, will you stop nagging me?"

"Of course."

"You manipulative piece of shit."

"You love me."

"Barely."

Jungkook grins at their bickering, patting Hoseok on his shoulder. He feels for the guy. Namjoon thought that just two wouldn't be enough for a party of that size.

And so Hoseok was the victim. A man who is a savior with a gun depending on whether he likes you or not. A man covered in scars and pain.

He was jailed all too many times, being broken out by Jungkook and Bum when he was put on execution's row.

"The shit I do for you..."

Namjoon sighs and smiles. He trots over to his tent, his smile fading into a frown.

"Boys?"

"Hm?"

"We might have to go into town."

"Why?" Jungkook rolls his eyes. "We're already going tonight. Do we need more law on our ass?"

Namjoon's frown turn into a smile once more, spreading his arms wide. "We have nothing to wear!"

"Oh fuck off!"

°•●•°

Hoseok scowls at the taller, his sharp eyes glaring daggers at their leader as Jungkook fixes up his cuffs. "I hate you."

"Love you."

"Hate."

Namjoon chuckles, rubbing down his own suit. "We can afford some money on looking good for Sir Kim."

"I'd have gone in my jacket."

"Perhaps you'll finally meet your good wife."

"Over my dead body."

Jungkook grins. "You'll be dead alright."

Hoseok can't help but scoff and cross his arms. It's not that he hates it. He just despises it. Suits, parties. The only good thing is the smell of smoke and alcohol.

At least there would be expensive alcohol.

"We leaving?"

"Yes, we are."

Jungkook glances out the window, feeling Namjoon's hand giving him a reassuring squeeze. The sun had gone down, and the tailor wasn't far from the manor they were headed towards.

The stars had more hope than he had. If anything, he agreed with Hoseok on this one. He's in it for the cash, but he couldn't give a single shit if the mayor just so happened to die.

Obnoxious rich bitch.

There's a cold wind outside, sending a shiver down his spine with their horses hitched to the side.

The sound of voices in the backyard surround them before the rose arch, and Namjoon looks back at the two with him. He smiles, sliding his hand into his pocket enough to reveal the handle of his gun, hiding behind his suit.

"Let's go."

"I better keep my share."

Jungkook rolls his eyes, annoyed at the feeling of his gun stuck in between his waist and the tight hem of his fancy pants. His holster was so much better, even though it looked like it was about to fall apart.

The garden is filled with guests, all dressed like snobs. Hats, suits, flowers in their breast pockets and jewelry as far as the light would shine.

Hoseok grins. He's quickly changed his mind. "Lovely. Who's this... landlord? Manor... guy?"

"We were going to recognize him." Jungkook shrugs, resisting the urge to find a pair of pockets to stick his hands in.

"Let's mingle." Namjoon smiles, running a hand through his newly styled hair, roughing it up a little and his smile pulling when he realizes the gel is stuck to his fingers. "We're here for a job. I have Sun on standby."

"Sun?" Hoseok frowns. "The lady? From the fire?"

"The fact that you don't know her name after she's traveled with us for five weeks is concerning to me, Hoseok."

"Eh. I don't look at ladies."

Jungkook scoffs at his reply, shaking his head and trotting down the small flight of white stairs into the garden. "I need a drink."

In the crowd of people, there were butlers. Hired men and women holding trays and pouring champagne and wine for the rich.

Even Taehyung was there, standing close by the mayor himself, eyes glued onto them.

Almost like a group of outlaws couldn't he trusted. How rude.

Jungkook sips the bubbled drink, wincing at the texture and quickly setting the glass back down. He's a beer guy.

He can't find Hoseok anywhere in the crowd. Knowing him, he'd either be pickpocketing the snobs, or drinking until he slurred.

This rich asshole that the mayor is so concerned about... Where was he?

All he's seeing is men, dressed in suits and sipping their disgusting red wine and beige champagne. Women in their sparkly dresses, conversing about... flowers and whatnot.

"You're not much of a people-person."

"No."

"You don't strike me as one."

Jungkook turns his head, quirking his brow at the blonde man beside him, sipping his red wine with a soothing sigh. He's dressed in a red corset, his black blazer rested on his shoulders, struggling to stay on with every lift of the arm.

Peculiar. Jungkook's eyes fly up and down to stare, turning back to the crowd after having seen enough.

There's nothing to discuss. Not between a rich snob and him. An outlaw. One who could steal everything he owned.

"Are you here with someone?"

"All due respect, none of your business."

The man chuckles at his cold response. "I'm asking because it looks like my friend lost a very important ring of his, and the man who's walking around with it has been glaring at you like a hawk."

Jungkook's body tenses. Surely not. Hoseok wouldn't just blatantly steal everything. He's not Bum. He's never been good at stealing, he's been good at gunning.

Why didn't they take Bum? It could've been so much easier.

"Am I correct that you two came together?"

"No."

"You came alone?"

"No."

"Are you always this rude?"

"Probably."

The man laughs, setting his glass down on the table and pulling at Jungkook's shoulder, turning to face him.

There's no smile on his face. Annoyance, or irritation is a better word to describe his tightly pressed lips. Unable to stand the smell of the red wine.

"A delightful pause in this gathering of the rich."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"My friend-"

"Don't call me that."

"My friend," the man snarls with a smile. "You have such a refreshing aura around you. You don't care what people think. You ride. A steed's scent never parts from its rider."

Jungkook rolls his eyes. All this fancy language is not for him. Did his horse rub off on him? They did ride into town. Did he stink?

"Or perhaps it isn't your steed that sets you apart from this crowd."

He sighs. "Who are you?"

A question most unusual for the rich. One that the snob isn't different to. His eyes are wide, lips parted at the hesitation. Jungkook merely crosses his arms, waiting for a response.

"My name is Park Jimin. Landlord, owner of a few men at the edge of town."

Oh. Shit. Was this the guy? Is he a slaver? Jungkook tilts his head, eyeing him up and down. There were three landlords at the border, knowing who was the right one is a challenge he hadn't thought of until now.

"I... assume you've heard of me?"

"Yes. Of course." Jungkook nods slowly. "Trader, right? Selling manpower to the government? Lots of weed."

Jimin laughs, his eyes shrinking to a soft crease, taking another quick sip of his wine. "Plantage. Yes. I make quite the profit."

"Hm." Jungkook scoffs. Making money off drugs was almost as bad as they were. Stealing from the rich was something he loved. Something he couldn't pull off.

"Kook!"

"For fuck's sake..."

Jimin's lips quirk up into an amused grin. An arm wrapped around the man's shoulders and a nearly wasted brunette by his side.

With him is another man. One dressed in full black, contrasting his pale white skin.

"You are lovely company." Hoseok slurs, waving his hand to the pale man, who merely nods. "Such a good listener-" he hiccups, "you could learn from that Kookie."

Jungkook pushes Hoseok's arm from his shoulder, letting the man nearly drop to the ground.

"I see you've met my good friend!" Jimin smiles. They don't touch.

The man in black stays put, hands behind his back and a posture straighter than a pencil. He has eyes, glaring at them like daggers.

"Yoongi, don't be rude, say hello."

The man sighs.

"So that's your name!" Hoseok laughs. "Yoongi! Yoongiii! Yoongles! YoongleDoodle."

The man scrunches his nose. "I'll tear your throat out."

Jungkook nearly flinches at the harsh tone in his voice. The threat. The growl that follows his already husky sound.

"Hey. That's not nice."

"I never said I was."

"Yoongles don't be ruuude!"

Jimin pats his friend's shoulder. How could these two get along? They seemed polar opposites. Not like him and Hoseok got along. He hates the guy's guts.

"Hey, Hobi. Hobi."

"Yeah?"

"Go find Joon."

"What why?" Hoseok's big eyes frown, lips forming a pout. "You're more fun! Namjoon makes me do things I don't like! I don't wanna go hunting anymore!"

In the corner of his eyes, Jungkook sees Yoongi quirk a brow, when Jimin speaks.

"Hunt?"

"We like to make authentic foods." Jungkook quickly covers Hoseok's drunken confession. "We often ride through the country."

"Ah, yes. So then, why are you here? On this lavish party?"

Jungkook has to hold back a sigh. "I'll get Namjoon." He grumbles under his breath. "Don't fucking move."

Hoseok grins, a mean glint in his eyes. He knows better than to leave that asshole alone, but with the appearance of this ghost, he couldn't lose sight of their potential target.

So, with his heavy feet dragging along with him to the mayor and his leader's entertained laughter, Jungkook still feels the eyes of the two men on his back.

He frowns, brows furrowed in thought when Namjoon looks at him.

A quick nudge does the job, with the taller apologizing for leaving the conversation, taking Jungkook's shoulder, and following.

"I think we found the ass."

"Who is it?"

"Some guy. Park Jimin and his friend, Yoongi."

"The platain owner?"

"Yeah."

"Yoongi who?"

"Don't know, don't care."

Namjoon sighs, rubbing his forehead when he sees Hoseok, not being able to half stand by the table without looking for another glass to drown into.

The other two are indeed interesting. Namjoon puts on his signature smile and bows to them, feeling a tinge of irritation when the raven-haired man stays still.

"Gentlemen. It's a pleasure."

"The pleasure is all mine." Jimin returns his smile. "Mister...?"

"Kim, Kim Nameun."

"The fuck are you doing?" Jungkook whispers through bared teeth.

"You didn't want more law on our ass."

"Fake names?"

"Got a better idea?"

Jungkook sighs and shrugs, watching the two shake hands and converse in boring conversations about rich stuff.

He glances at the drunkard next to him, taking a deep breath as he hoists him up from the table and drags him over the pebbled path.

"You gotta sober up."

"I'm fine..."

"No you're not." Jungkook hisses, pushing him through the white doors to another empty room.

All the riches on display. Gorgeous paintings. Vases. Sellable items...

He continues to guide the man to the large bathroom just by the stairs, immediately pressing his face into the sink and turning on the faucet.

Hoseok sputters, shaking his head and flinching at the cold water on his head, finding his grip on the edge of the white marble sink.

"Fuck-! Jungkook!"

"You awake now, bastard?"

"Yeah! Yeah! I- Shit! I'm awake! Turn that shit off!"

Jungkook chuckles, patting his cheek before turning off the cold water.

The alcohol was still hot in his system, but at least the fog had cleared. It didn't matter if he could think. It mattered he could see.

Hoseok pants, wiping his lips and shaking his head, flinging the water on his clothes and the mirror.

He tilts his head, eyes squinted. "Kook...?"

"Hm?"

"The door."

Jungkook turns around, frowning at the adjacent door. He closed it... right?

He slowly goes to open it wider, his hand hovering over the handle when something sharp jabs his jaw.

The impact is a shock. A painful shiver of lightning that runs along his spine, to his every muscle.

"Jungkook!"

"Joon?"

"Stay put."

Namjoon stands there, across the hallway, forced into a corner with a shiny gun pointing at his face. The man in the corset, Jimin, is holding it, a curiously tilted head.

"You think your drunk fool and egotistical servants will help you out?"

"We can talk about this." Namjoon tries with a smile. "Lower the gun, Mister Park."

"Unlike you," Jimin's finger twitches at the trigger. "I don't die so easily."

Namjoon's smile drops into a frown. This wasn't ideal. He was just following to see where his friends had disappeared to, but he ended up face to face with the potential murderer when Seokjin had passed him to his office.

That mayor was something...

Now, Yoongi stood between him and his team, and a bullet between them all.

Jungkook rubs his jaw, shaking his head at the strong jab Yoongi had given him, shaking his wrist and elbow with a satisfied grin.

"Oh you fuckbag..." Hoseok grumbles, pulling out his gun from his pants. "I may be drunk but I can still shoot you."

"Hoseok! Don't!"

"You're always on my ass Joon!" Hoseok screams. "Not anymore! Not when it's him and me! Not when it's you who is powerless in a snob's house! A snob you have the hots for!"

"This is not a conversation for now!"

"FUCK OFF!"

Jungkook scowls at the brunette, watching as Yoongi slowly tilts his head. He's unarmed. One well-placed gunshot would end him.

One well-placed bullet, if the man hadn't been so crazy fast.

Yoongi avoids the shot as it's fired, ducking down onto the floor and lunging for the gunslinger with a loud laugh.

With Hoseok having barely any time to react, he quickly tries another shot, missing again as Yoongi's fist hits his stomach with a force that could bring him to sickness.

There was a gleam in his eyes. In those sharp, satisfied eyes. One that seemed to glow at the opportunity of a murder.

Jungkook quickly grabs him by his arms, pulling him back and slamming the pale man against the wall.

There's another shot outside, and Hoseok stumbles out to see Namjoon and Jimin engaged in a tense gunbattle, barely avoiding each other's bullets.

"Shit..."

"Hoseok! Watch out-!"

"FUCK!"

Hoseok screams outnin pain, blood drawn from his skin as Yoongi's nails dig into his waist, teeth digging into the skin of his exposed neck.

A shiver runs down his spine, attempting to push the man away, to get his teeth out of his skin.

"SHIT! LET GO! Freak!"

"Freak?" The pale man chuckles, pushing Hoseok forward to the stone tiles floor of the hall with a smile, wiping the blood from his lips. "Or just better than you?"

"You bit me!"

"And that means I'm done here."

"What...?"

Jimin scoffs, slowly lowering his gun. The fight hadn't lasted long at all, but it seems even he hadn't expected his friend to go to such extreme resorts.

The silence is killing, and with a hesitant growl, Jimin puts his gun away, grabbing Yoongi's wrist and pulling him with, running from the manor like they had never been.

Some of the vases had shattered, paintings littered with holes and the bathroom covered in water and bloodspecs.

Namjoon and Jungkook had been unharmed, but the party had gone silent.

With a quick conclusion, they follow the footsteps of their attackers and escape the manor, with Hoseok's continued whining about the freak who bit him.

°•●•°

The blonde sighs, running his hand through his hair with a quiet smile, tending to the pale man's arm.

"I didn't mean to..."

"I know."

"He was just annoying. A mess."

"Yoongi, I get it."

They share a glance, with Yoongi's being full of fog. A regret. He's in thought. A trail of memories and voices that don't quiet down about the small mistake.

They were never meant to fight. Just to get that stupid mayor killed.

But that tall asshole had to get in the way, pushed Jimin's buttons wrong. You don't mess with a pureblood that way. How could they have known? They couldn't. That thought sunk in a bit too late for both of them.

"Sir?"

"Not now, Mina. I'm slightly occupied."

"I know, but there's an issue by the gate."

Jimin sighs again, placing the final wrap of the bandage around Yoongi's arm before standing up.

He pats his shoulder, shutting the door behind him.

Yoongi is left alone, with the sun avoiding his skin by the windows. He frowns, looking down at his hands in his lap.

The bullet passed his arm. Only slightly. Enough to make it bleed.

This was never the way it was supposed to be. He was supposed to scout. Find victims at best. Not be clung to a drunk brunette with the patience of a dog.

He runs a hand through his hair, tugging at his strands. He's only thirty, living under someone else's wing and watching as the world goes to shit.

As people die from starvation, poverty is at an all time low, and innocents die for the benefit of others.

Those fucking outlaws.

Jimin thought differently. He wants power. The better the title, the more puppets to his name. The same way he was given a higher title than just a marionette with a scar.

No. This wasn't his place. This was none of their places.

Jimin wasn't worthy of standing so high. He wasn't worthy of being beneath him, just because he wears his mark.

The same way that drunkard now wears his.

They weren't different. Not much more powerful than one another.

Then again, patience is rewarded. He had it well, with Jimin. Being cared for and fed, having his own place on his land. His earned privacy for having done his bidding for ten years.

Ten incredibly long years.

°•●•°

"That looks..."

"Bad?"

Jungkook gently dabs the cotton on Hoseok's neck, still finding specs of blood on the soft surface.

"He bit you hard."

"That's what happens when you don't bring a gun." Hoseok scoffs. "Why'd I shoot this asshole...?"

"You missed every shot."

"I was drunk!"

"And look where that got you."

Hoseok sighs. It hurt like a bitch. He's reminded of it every time he moves his shoulder. There sure was something about that man.

He appreciates the help. Even as his shirt can't cover the wound, and there's deer to be hunted.

There's a tension during his ride. Even his horse knows it, listening worse, stubborn as a mule.

It takes an hour at least, tugging at the reigns to control the beast beneath his legs.

"I'm not going all the way back to Gwangju, but I fucking will to return you to the slaughterhouse if you won't run!"

His horse breezes, annoyed, lifting it's front legs bit by bit with every forceful kick of Hoseok's boots.

Agitation. The pain and the memory of the night before was enough as it was. Now his horse acting up? That's something he doesn't need. Nor the fragments of that pale ghost in every shadow.

Everywhere he looks. Speaking to another man, the shadow-filled trees, mountains and land, stretched out before him. A road carved by hooves. Grass grown diseases, a human heart dragging along this human pain.

A shattered mind. One that can't be mend.

Is he sick? Was the man feral?

Was he finally dying?

Hoseok laughs at the thought, patting his wary horse and dismounting them, guiding them to the river.

Why was there so much thought now? When there was nothing different but a snob party.

How's that mayor doing anyway?

Hoseok sighs, sitting down on a rock by the river, letting the reigns loose as the apaloosa steps through the water.

On the other side sat the large manor that belonged to the blonde asshole. He can see the shadows of people, slaving away for him.

He looks at his horse, frowning in thought. He slowly stands up, patting their shoulder before turning his body to the sandy shores, and dragging his feet.

Maybe he's just getting ill. Let's hope Hyunjae can help him. Going to the doctor back in Busan sounds expensive.

His horse slowly trails behind him, nudging his shoulder.

Hoseok chuckles, patting her shoulder, weak for the soft nose on his arm. He could never stay mad at her.

°•●•°

He can't stand doctors. He hates them. Hoseok flinches when the needle sinks into his skin. A painful reminder of the sharp teeth.

Hyunjae tried her best, but had told him that a human bite this bad could be a much bigger problem than she could fix. She handed him some money she'd collected from the box. Stolen from Namjoon.

Just so he could see a professional...

She was too kind. She always had been. She was a nurse before being accused of killing a man on purpose. She admitted to it with them, only because she knew him and how abusive he was to his child.

Hoseok had a special place in his heart for the young girl. Like a daughter. Which is why he took her advise to see a professional. Not in Busan, but in Daegu.

It was a while away, riding for nearly half a day.

His horse was still stubborn, but happier to ride along the flat lands in a gallop she could exhaust herself with.

How Hoseok enjoyed letting go of the reins and feeling the chills of the wind in his clothes. That's why they rode. The freedom.

But when he arrived in Daegu, he found the clinic.

Daegu was a grumpy, sad village. Full of elders and people who refused to go past their porch.

The doctor was no less depressed.

Hoseok walked inside, showed the bite, and was slightly horrified to find his skin pulsating at the bite, twitching and burning red around the scars.

Tests were done, and with every touch, it hurt even more. The gun in his holster had been tempting to use. But he feels like shit.

It's like constant wasp stings, all throughout your shoulders and chest.

"I'm afraid there's nothing but to wait."

"What?"

"I've never seen this before. I pray it's not a new decease." The doctor grumbles. "Where do you live? I will send you the results once they're in. Perhaps another check up."

Hoseok stares at him, lifting his coat into his arms. "I'm twenty-eight... I can't be dying now because of a bite!"

The doctor steps back at the scream. "I'm a man of science. Forgive me. I will do what I can."

The brunette sighs deeply, crouching down by the table of medication. "Shit..." He could cry if it weren't for the confusion. "Yeah... address. Erm..."

What address. He lived everywhere and nowhere.

"Just send it to the Busan post office. Please." He murmurs. "I currently don't have a residence..."

The doctor's glare softens, his stern lips parting with the hesitation to speak. Right... Those people existed too.

He nods, patting Hoseok's shoulder and sending him on his way.

Just before he leaves the office, Hoseok fumbles in his bag, taking out the green paper bills. "How much?"

The doctor hesitates. "Half. This would normally not be enough for something this serious, but considering the situation, I'll only take half."

Hoseok frowns. That's... Why? He doesn't answer. Simply dividing the stack and handing half of it away.

This is fucking horrible.

He runs a hand through his hair, hesitantly grazing the wound.

If he's dying, he might as well spend his time killing the guy with the unbrushed teeth. That's a risky bet.

How was that mayor doing anyway? Or Namjoon? He was held at gunpoint...

Dammit.

Hoseok gives his horse a quick cuddle, slowly riding back. He wouldn't be back before sundown. Hopefully they'll have some dinner left for him.

He's hungry.

°•●•°

Jungkook huffs, slurping at the spicy stew that Hanna had been so generous to make.

He wasn't a fan, but you can't be picky. Not in their situation at least.

"Where's Hoseok at?"

"Didn't you hear?"

Jungkook shakes his head.

"The doctor." Hyunjae smiles, sinking down on the wooden log next to him. "He came to me for that bite."

"Oh? What of it? I cleaned it today."

"It was bleeding like a gunshot wound when I saw it."

Jungkook sighs. "Did he kill himself?"

"I sent him to Daegu." Hyunjae says softly. "To the doctor." She glances at Namjoon, who is too busy with his stew and consulting with Bum. "Gave him some cash."

"You what?!" Jungkook hisses through his teeth.

"I can't help him!" Hyunjae snaps softly. "That wound is bad! He's hurt bad, Kook! I don't want him to die, but I don't know what he's got."

Jungkook purses his lips in thought. Shit. Shit! He glances back at his horse, at the empty spot at the grass where Hoseok's mare had made her territory.

"If he's not back in two hours, I'm going out. Find him."

"What if he..."

"It's Hoseok." Jungkook grumbles, hesitantly shoving a bowl behind his back. "He always comes back."

°•●•°

What... the... fuck?

Hoseok can't stop twisting his head, wiping his lips, rubbing his hands on his shirt and constantly turning his body every which way.

"Fuck off!"

Why isn't it going away?

Why isn't it getting off?

"FUCK OFF!" Hoseok screams, grabbing his gun with shaky hands.

Surrounded by men who all look the same. The same shadow he's been seeing in the trees all day. The one that looks exactly like his aggressor.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Nothing happens. The shadow stays standing, only keeping his hand on the trees.

Hoseok slowly looks up, tilting his head when he notices. They aren't moving at all. Sure, they're shadows. Smoke shaped like a human he feels like he's supposed to know.

He inches closer, every step feeling like weights in shallow water.

The shadow merely looks down at him with its hollow red eyes, and Hoseok flinches when it reaches out to him.

"What the fuck do you want from me..."

He got lost. He forgot his lantern. But these shadows are brighter than the moon.

Hoseok hesitantly lays his hand in that of the shadow's, gasping when it disappears in an instant, dropping into a trail that shoots up his arm, swirling around his limbs, touching and squeezing his chest as it forms another figure.

With the shiver of the shadow still on his spine, Hoseok flinches, shaking from the impact. Every breath is heavy, his lungs tightened.

This can't be normal. Not even when dying. Is he schizophrenic now?

Hoseok squints his eyes. The shadow looks familiar too... Not the same man, but someone closer.

Namjoon?

It can't be. The shadow has white eyes instead of red, fading in and out as if it blinks.

It points, out of the forest and towards the water. There's the path. It's guiding him home.

But why?

What is happening to him?

°•●•°

When the moon has risen a bit further, Hoseok finally arrives back at camp, finding his friend just about to mount his horse.

Jungkook looks at him, eyes wide as he stumbles down, taking the reins from the tired looking man, who slowly slides down.

"Hoseok!"

"Hm..."

"Hey! Wake up! Dumbass! What happened?" Jungkook pats his shoulder, hoisting him up. "Talk to me."

Hoseok looks up at him with an all too familiar smile. "Sorry."

"For what?"

"Being an ass." Hoseok grumbles. "I... I might actually be dying."

Jungkook pauses. No. No. They've had deaths. From guns, wounds, and old age. Not Hoseok though.

"Is it the alcohol? Did someone drug you? Was the guy deceased?"

Hoseok shakes his head, patting his mare as she goes back to grazing on her beloved patch of grass. "The doctor doesn't know."

"What?" Jungkook is stumped. A professional. A trained doctor doesn't know what's wrong? "So now what?! I'm not just gonna let you die!"

Hoseok scoffs, laughing at him. "Don't be dumb, Kookie. I'm gonna find the guy that bit me, and shoot him in the fucking skull!" He smiles. "And the results will be sent to Busan's post office. So I'm gonna have to move back and forth a few times."

"No. Not while I'm still here. You look like shit, Hobi."

He rolls his eyes.

"Rest. Please. No more errands."

"Ah, fuck off."

"I'm not kidding." Jungkook snarls, helping him towards his tent. "Please. For me, for Hanna, for Hyunjae." He carefully hands him the cold soup, which Hoseok takes with a thankfull scoff. "Rest."

Hoseok sighs. "Fine. Will you... Will you check the post office for me tomorrow?"

Jungkook nods, smiling down at him, patting his back before hesitantly making his way to his own tent, flinching when he's face to face with a grumpy Namjoon.

Not grumpy. Concerned.

"How is he?"

"Like shit."

Namjoon shakes his head. He was expecting the answer. "It's my fault, you know."

"What? No." Jungkook grumbles. "Don't blame yourself."

"I was the one who chose to bring him." Namjoon snarls. "I should've protected him!"

"Not in front of his tent." Jungkook hisses. "Come on. Let's go for a walk."

Namjoon sighs, nodding. It's very clear he's not in his right mind. He's bothered by it. Normally he was so calm and collected, rarely was he ever nervous.

But this bite. This wound.

"I discovered something." Namjoon says softly, trailing away from camp with the raven-haired beside him. "Jimin's residence."

Jungkook looks up at him. A shiver runs down his spine at the idea of coming after them. It's tempting. But they know nothing about him or how many people he has.

"I want you to infiltrate it."

"You just said you feel bad about what happened to Hoseok."

"I did."

"Now you're sending me to the one who did it?"

"We know nothing about this bite." Namjoon replies. "Perhaps Jimin might know more. And you're the least recognizable out of all of us. Lend some of Bum's clothes. Rags. Ditch your stallion by the river at the edge of Busan. I will take him home."

"You really got this all figured out..."

He nods. "We ride together. We meet up at nights by the same place at the river. Any information you get, share it. That's our best bet."

Jungkook frowns. "Hoseok might die."

"I know."

"You're sending me there?"

"I am."

"Why?"

"You're our best hope." Namjoon frowns. "The only one I trust with this mission."

Jungkook sighs, reluctantly accepting the mission. "Fine. Tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning."

°•●•°

Uneasy. It's a feeling similar to being uncomfortable. For Jungkook, those two were nearly one and the same.

Namjoon takes his horse by the reigns, smiling at him. "You look good in rags."

"Take a hike, asshole."

"Find out whatever you can." Namjoon says quickly, ignoring the insult. "Hoseok is a bitch, but I care for him like a brother."

"I know." Jungkook mutters. "I'll keep you posted. Don't forget the post office. Let me know how he's doing."

"Will do." Namjoon pats his shoulder from atop his mare, sending the boy on his way. "Be safe."

Jungkook nods, patting his friend's waist and watching as his own horse is taken into a stubborn trot, back through the city to their hideout.

He'd miss them both, but he's doing it for Hoseok. With a sigh, he stumbles along the shores to the large landhouse in the distance.

The water is calm in the early mornings. Therapeutic almost.

Jungkook looks out at the land across the sea, the sand finding its way into his boots. Bothersome.

"Excuse me?"

With a quick glance to the right, Jungkook rolls his eyes. There's a young woman running towards him with a smile, wearing a simple white blouse and a red corseted skirt with a stained apron.

One of his workers no doubt.

"This is private property! I must ask you to leave."

"I'm new." Jungkook manages a grin. "I'm supposed to meet Jimin but... I got lost."

The woman frowns. "Master Jimin doesn't do his own familiars like that. You'd have to be with Yoongi or Taehyung for that!"

Who now?

Jungkook's smile drops. Shit. He knows that name.

"Sir."

"Yes, Taehyung?"

"The outlaw is here."

Holy shit. It's the mayor's bitch.

"Are you okay?"

"Taehyung, where is he if I may ask?"

"Oh," the woman smiles." He's barely ever home! He wants a job, like most of us have. I can't understand why! He's so powerful!"

"Powerful? I'm afraid you've lost me."

"You know...? Did you apply for the donor position like the rest or...?"

"... Yes...?" Jungkook smiles again, slightly more awkwardly, and holds out his hand. "It's my first job since I got fired a year ago and this was my one opportunity. I took it without much preparation."

"I'm sure Master Jimin will be very pleased with another neck!"

The more this girl talks, the more freaked out Jungkook gets. He thought this was for weeds and slavery. Not... donors and necks.

But nonetheless, he chooses to walk with the woman, ignoring the glares from those working on the fields and nodding to those inside the house, until they arrive at a large wooden door.

This guy isn't crazy. Surely he'd recognize him. Jungkook was planning on just blending in with the other workers.

"Master Yoongi?"

"You know what to call me, Jaehee."

"We have a new donor!"

"... What?"

The door opens harshly, tugged at the handle before a pale man glares him down. Jungkook's eyes widen at the sudden tense rush down his spine.

In the same outfit as the party, the man that opened the door is the very same that bit Hoseok. The aggressor.

There's a fire in Jungkook's stomach. One that burns brighter when he's let inside and the door shuts with an echo.

The man clearly hasn't forgotten him, by the way he crosses his arms and eyes him up and down.

"How's your friend..."

"The fuck do you care?!" Jungkook snarls. "Are you infected? Parasitic? Deceased?!"

The man frowns. "Rude." He sighs and takes a seat behind the desk in the room, nudging his hand to one of the other seats across from him. "Let us talk. I'm sure you have questions."

"You fucking bet I do." Jungkook snarls, slamming his fists onto the desk. "My friend is dying. Suddenly. What did you do?!"

The man hesitates, eyes darkening beneath his lashes. "Sit yourself down."

"Answer me!"

"Sit your fucking ass down!" The man yells, pushing him back. "It's not like I did it on purpose! I never meant to hurt him!"

Jungkook scoffs, landing into the chair with a huff. It seems they both hit a nerve.

The room is dark, with the curtains shut only to let in the faintest light. The man himself has dark bags under his eyes, with the name Yoongi attached to the notebook in front of him.

"Why are you really here?" The man asks softly. "We aren't supposed to get new donors until September, when these are emptied."

"Yeah, tell me about that." Jungkook snarls. "Donors? Necks? I thought you did slavery. Drugs."

Yoongi shrugs. "We do. But we can't do that without sustenance. We don't... I'm not sure..." He sighs. "We don't sell to humans."

Jungkook quirks a brow.

"We infuse our products with... well, blood. Not for you, and not for medical reasoning. It's for bliss. The same way one would smoke a cigarette."

"And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

"Those donors give us blood. Willingly. For it to stay on quality, we have to renew our donors. Every six months."

"And... Jimin?"

"He runs the donors." Yoongi frowns. "Makes sure they are fed and give the perfect quality."

"And you?"

"I do the rest."

Jungkook manages a nod. But he's still confused. Why would they need drugs with blood? And to who else would they sell?

"I... We, Jimin and I, we... bite... the donors to check the quality. I've been on a punishment diet for a few months so, I guess that's why your friend is doing the way he's doing."

"Is he gonna die?"

"Probably." Yoongi shrugs. "Not forever though. We all come back from the dead. Where is he anyway? I looked for him by Daegu but I couldn't find him."

The hopeful look in the guy's eyes was something Jungkook hadn't really expected.

"I... He's at home. Resting."

"That's good..." Yoongi smiles. "You might wanna bring him here. Preferably tonight. There is no doubt he'll cause some chaos with no one to hold him back."

"I'm really going to need some more context." Jungkook growls. "You attacked us that night. Your friend held my friend at gunpoint!"

"We were trying to get rid of that pesky mayor!" Yoongi snaps back with a mean hiss. "We need more manpower and with that asshole holding the quill, we can't do shit."

"What are you trying to do?!"

"I want to get the fuck out of here." Yoongi snarls. "I used to be a damn criminal. Hunted, but free. Now I'm hunted and trapped under the name of some rich vampire asshole who wants the whole city to himself! And don't get me wrong, I appreciate what he's done for me. But I can't take being starved any longer!"

"It's been... one day?"

"One month."

"Oh." Jungkook murmurs. "I thought you were punished due to Hoseok."

Yoongi frowns, tilting his head. "No. I made a mistake like this before. A month ago. I'm pretty sure I won't be fed now until next year."

Jungkook crosses his arms. "And you don't sell to humans. You import blood drugs. I'm pretty sure you're just high and starved."

Yoongi's frown quickly turns into a scowl. He stands up from his seat and glances at the blinded windows. Jungkook quirks a brow, watching as the pale man slowly steps towards them and hesitantly pulls one of the curtains back by the fabric.

There's a small ray of sunlight that passes through, hitting Jungkook's eye with a whine.

"Jesus. That's bright..."

"Sorry."

"You don't control the damn sun."

Yoongi shrugs, brows furrowed in thought before he raises the sleeve of his blouse. His arm is covered in soft healed scars, a sigh nestled on his lips as he places the skin in sight of the ball of fire in the sky.

It doesn't take long. His face pulls from the pain, fist clenched and shaking. Smoke rises from his skin, tainting the pale surface in a grey sizzling edge that looks like it's about to burst into flames.

The grey quickly turns to black, spots of a burning red breaking through as blood drips down his arm from the broken skin.

Instead of a calm trail, the blood splashes onto the floor like water, pooling beneath the window and leaking out on the wooden floor.

A minute passes before Yoongi closes the curtain again, glancing at the dirty floor with an apologetic sigh.

Jungkook has scrawled at deep into the chair as he possibly can, not parting his eyes from the man who calmly grabs a bandage from his desk drawer.

"Vampires can't go without sustenance for long," Yoongi says. "Our blood runs thin, lacking the proper vitamins to keep us alive. The longer we wait to feed, the more our hearts work overtime and starves." He sits back down. "And thus our body as well."

There's a tense silence in the room. Jungkook doesn't dare say anything just in case he cusses him out and ends up getting himself killed.

That... thing. Or man. Vampires?

He knows blood, he's seen blood, he's shot countless people. That's not the way blood is supposed to be. And Yoongi is deathly pale.

Yoongi quirks a brow, scoffing, slightly amused at the sudden silence of the never-ending slur train from the outlaw's mouth.

"And now that you know," He continues. "I believe you understand why I need your friend here. With me. Before he turns to kill all of you."

Right. Hoseok was actively dying. On his deathbed. Jungkook looks up at him. "Will he become... you?"

Yoongi chuckles, a small smile playing on his lips. "No. But he will become a vampire. And I'm sorry I bit him." He sighs. "Vampires rarely have venom. Only when they feel endangered."

"Like a snake?"

"Sort of."

"Why did you feel threatened?"

"He shot at me."

"Oh... right." Jungkook smiles sheepishly. He forgot about that. "Will he still remember us? Be our friend?"

Yoongi scoffs. "Becoming a vampire doesn't just reset your brain. What do you take us for? Monsters?"

Jungkook would rather not answer that honestly.

There is a soft knock at the door, and Yoongi's face immediately drops into its usual frown.

He sighs again, more deeply and exhausted, as he slowly strides towards the door and opens it.

He's pushed aside, the door swinging against the wall.

"Oh my Lord! I can't believe it! Can you believe it? The bitch!"

"Sir, can we discuss it later? I have-"

"Yuna quit on me!"

Jungkook shrinks into his seat. The blonde has stormed into the office, no regard for the wall or the door, nor Yoongi's covered wounded arm.

"That bitch! She ran. A donor for three years, her blood was the best we've been able to use!"

"Sir, please-"

"Who else are we gonna use?!" Jimin screams. "We haven't had enough blood to begin with ever since you slaughtered half our supply!"

Yoongi frowns even deeper, lowering his head.

"How's the thirst?"

"Managable."

"Are you sure?"

Yoongi nods.

Jimin pats his shoulder before finally turning to the new head in the room. "Now, who's this rose petal?"

"Ugh..." Yoongi growls. "He's a new farmer."

"Pity." Jimin huffs, watching with an amused smile as Jungkook scowls at him, following his every move like a hawk. "He smells nice."

Jungkook has to resist the urge to punch him in the face. But he is thankful for Yoongi taking the hit for him.

"Transfer him as a donor instead."

"No."

"Excuse me?" Jimin glances at his friend, eyes sharp as daggers. "You have no choice."

"He's sick." Yoongi quickly mutters. "His blood is contaminated."

"And he's aware of our work conditions?"

"Not yet. I was about to explain them."

Jimin sighs, rolling his eyes. "Fix it. We have a few donors left and not enough weed to infuse. Get him on it."

Yoongi watches, a small bit of relief in his eyes when Jimin slams the door shut, leaving them in a tense silence.

Without another word, he grabs a contract from one of his desk drawers and slides it forward, handing Jungkook a pen.

"You work evenings. From six in the evening till six in the morning. I'll get you a place close to the edge of the farm. During the day, Jimin sleeps. Get me Hoseok."

Jungkook gulps, nodding and writing down his signature with shaky hands. "And... what do I do?"

"Tae will inform you."

"Taehyung?"

"Yeah. It's a miracle Jimin didn't recognize you. Maybe you were too far away for your scent to hit."

Jungkook shrugs, slowly signing the contract. Yoongi folds it, laying it in a separate drawer.

What did he get himself signed onto now? Perhaps a deal with the devil... Oh, who's he kidding, a deal with the devil would be kinder than this.

°•●•°

"Fuck this shit..."

Taken by fucking horseback because he can't ride the damn beast himself.

"Joon, why'd you take me? I'm tired."

"Jungkook asked me to." Namjoon answers softly. "In the morning. I waited until he came. Told me to bring you as soon as I could. That they might be able to save you."

Hoseok scoffs, glancing at the water. "I hope he's right..."

His condition had worsened pretty badly. Just one night and Hoseok looked like he was about to drop dead. With his pale complexion, lack of appetite, snappy responses. Those were nothing new.

But at the look of the large house, the miles of farming land, those small... barely one-person-sized bungalows lined up beside them.

It's depressing.

Namjoon was dressed more like he usually was. Formal, without his hat, and clean. He was probably gonna visit the mayor at some point again...

There's a smile on Hoseok's face when he sees Jungkook again, waiting for them by the gates, dressed in the clothes every worker was. A white shirt tucked into blue jeans and black high boots, covered in dirt.

Just like the both of them, he's relieved.

"I didn't think you'd be alive."

"Takes more than an ass to kill me."

"Hurry. I got you a room. You can be treated here."

There's urgency in his voice. One that's very clear when he takes Hoseok's arm and hoists him down from the horse, nodding for Namjoon to take off.

It takes a few minutes. Until the two of them are inside and well before Namjoon slowly turns to trot back to the city.

He'll visit by the next morning.

"Yoongi! Tae?!"

"Who?"

"Jackass!"

"You don't have to shout."

The voice that comes from across the hall is the very same grumpy voice Jungkook has grown to tolerate.

Yoongi hadn't received any blood from Jimin yet. It showed on his greyer skin and habit of hissing through his teeth.

He opens the door wider as Jungkook drags the sickly man onto the chair he had once sat himself.

The poor vampire forced himself to stay awake so he could take over the task of caring for the dying outlaw. The very same one who squints his eyes, wrecking his brain to figure out where he saw him before.

"... You..."

"I would've preferred a gun to my skull." Yoongi mutters. "Not only can you not aim, but neither can you keep your liquor under control."

"You little-"

"How much time do we have?" Jungkook interrupts him. "Jimin has been on my ass last night and I'd like it if he weren't."

"Why?" Yoongi frowns. "He has no business with you. The farms are my region."

Jungkook shrugs, crouching down by Hoseok's arm.

Jimin, now that Jungkook knew the full truth, was even more terrifying than he seemed to be at the party.

He didn't care for his farmers, only the donors who gave enough quality blood to keep the business going. And those who wanted to become one always had to prove themselves in some way.

The guy was ruthless, constantly watching his every move when he was told what to do and how to care for his section.

Even when Yoongi had left to take care of paperwork, Jimin just... stood there. Watching him.

"Get to bed."

"No."

Yoongi scowls at him. "I wasn't asking. Go to bed."

"And I'm not leaving." Jungkook snarls back. "I'm not just leaving Hoseok here."

"Trust me. You don't wanna be here for it."

"Try me."

Yoongi rolls his eyes. He knows better than to allow him to stay, but he's frankly too tired and too hungry to deal with it.

Jungkook grabs onto Hoseok's hand. "Is there anything we can do?"

Shaking his head, Yoongi looks the man up and down. "He's too far gone for anesthetics or drugs. It wouldn't help the pain. The best we can do for him is let him die."

"What?!"

"I already explained this to you, he's not dead." Yoongi hisses.

"I know." Jungkook snaps back. "But there is nothing we can do?!"

Yoongi looks at him, slowly shaking his head. He doesn't say anything, just patting Hoseok's head as the dying man rolls his eyes at the ruffling of his hair.

He doesn't have enough energy to deal with this. His lungs are full of ash, or so it feels and tastes, his tongue burns the roof of his mouth every time he tries to move it. All he can do is glare at the pale man with a scowl.

So much for killing him.

Jungkook lays his head on his fist, a small grin on his face every time Hoseok squeezes his hand. His grip has gotten weaker, and Yoongi's frantic searching for something didn't lighten the mood at all.

He was rushing from drawer to drawer, tugging it open and slamming them shut.

"What are you looking for?"

"Medication." The vampire answers shortly.

"Why?"

"You didn't want to leave." He snarls. "And I haven't fed in a month."

Oh. Right. Oh shit.

Now that it's been mentioned, Jungkook can't help but feel stupid. He's seen from the two of them how mean they could be to one another when it came to their territory. With Hoseok pretty much dying and hopefully coming back to life later, there was bound to be fighting.

He didn't know a vampire's strength, but he'd seen Yoongi give Hoseok a punch in the gut that left a lasting stomach ache for days, and even he had felt the pain in his jaw.

After a few minutes of mindlessly searching and Hoseok's breathing hitching, Yoongi turns to the outlaw. "Are you still sure you'd like to stay? I can't promise it'll be pretty."

The silence doesn't say enough. Jungkook's mind is rushing with all kinds of thoughts. Those of concern for his friend, and also the fear of losing him, not to mention the slight amount of lingering rage for the vampire that brought this upon them. As of now, though, he's their only hope.

Then, once he's made up his mind, he stands up, letting go of his friend's hand after tightening his grip.

"Wise choice."

"Fuck off..."

"You wouldn't be as lucky as he is."

"I wouldn't call Hoseok lucky."

Yoongi mindlessly shrugs, handing him a key from his pocket. "This is the key to my room. I have a spare one. Tomorrow morning I need you to come by. Check up on the both of us. I won't be there tonight to check on you for obvious reasons. If Jimin asks, you know of nothing. Understood?"

Jungkook glances at the silver key, hesitantly taking it and nodding at the question. He knows far too well to play stupid with the other vampire.

He didn't trust him. That... rich, manipulative perfectionist.

Jungkook stumbles along back to his cabin, huffing when he walks past his plot of work-land. He gives it a frustrated kick, messing up one of the sprouts.

He can't sleep now. The sun is still high and his heart is racing at the thought of losing the asshole he's grown attached to.

With a need for a clear mind, Jungkook walks to the edge of the mansion's land. He wasn't allowed to go past the barrier of the gates. He couldn't care less.

The lake was nearby, less than 100 steps from the prison he was now stuck in until Namjoon told him otherwise.

It's not like he doesn't like it there, he just hates it. The people he works with on the farms are quiet people who clearly have no other options, and those who follow the vampires are just people with a heavy desire to be loved.

Jimin did show them some love. In one extremely messed up way or another. The curtains to his office were never shut, and Jungkook had witnessed first hand how one of donors were tested.

It looked weird. Insane at best. It was so strangely sensual without any context, as if Jimin had wanted those on the farm to die from jealousy at the woman in his arms.

In a way, he was. The warm room inside would be so much more comfortable to stay in, even at night. And only two days had passed. He was still here for at least another week by the contract he had stupidly signed, or until Namjoon came to pick him up.

They never even told him when to come back. Maybe tomorrow? If he kept to a schedule.

Jungkook freezes in his steps. By the lake, just in the grass that parted with the pebbles of the shore, sat a familiar blonde.

What's he doing awake? Now out of all times...

With a sharp twist of the heel, Jungkook prepares to bolt.

"You can stay."

A fearful shiver runs down Jungkook's spine, slowly turning his head. The vampire hadn't looked at him at all. He spoke, out to the water as if he were by himself.

"It's not uncommon for farmers to run or escape." Jimin chuckles softly. "I've even had some donors run on me."

Seeing the man like that was a sight the outlaw thought he'd never see. Calm. Almost at ease. In his white blouse that was neatly tucked into a pair of black dress pants.

"Come. Sit."

Did he really ask him that? Instead of going for his throat? Jungkook hesitantly steps towards the rock that the vampire sat on, taking a seat with as much distance as he can possibly have without falling off.

The only sound around them is the water sloshing against the pebbled shore, a gentle breeze blowing past them as the birds make their appearance known.

It's a tranquil sight. One that doesn't make the raven haired feel so bad about being there.

"We're losing profit." Jimin says after a long pause. "You were a surprise. But you came at the perfect time."

"What do you want?" Jungkook's voice is cold. He wants nothing to do with the bloodsucker.

"I know that you aren't aware," Jimin smiles, "but you smell amazing. And I've seen you plow. You're strong, and I believe you can earn us back what we lost."

Jungkook glances at him. He doesn't know what it means, but a gut feeling tells him it's no good.

"Follow me tonight. Let me tempt you into becoming one of my dolls."

"Over my dead body." Jungkook snarls. He doesn't need to think it over. "I'm not and I won't ever be your doll. I'm here to work, not to be flaunted around by the damn window for all the lower workers to see."

"That's what you think I do?"

"I've seen it. The way you glare down at us when your fangs are lodged into some innocent woman's neck."

Jimin frowns. "I assume it must look that way from down there." He stands up, wiping down his pants. "Come with me. Let me show you what it really looks like from my perspective."

With him? The vampire? The one who held a gun to his boss's head and let his little blood toy kill his friend?

But there was a curiosity. Jimin's face was soft, and he has the silver tongue of a siren with the eyes of a monster.

What else did he have to hide...

Jungkook slowly stands up, a little amused at how the vampire's frown deepens at the discovery of his worker's taller frame.

And so, he leads. With Jungkook not far behind him, Jimin guides them along the very halls Jungkook had just been for another bloodsucker.

His eyes trail the door, catching Jimin's chuckle.

"Yoongi's office. Him and Tae never got along that well."

"Are they in there?" Where was Hoseok?

"Must be." Jimin shrugs. "They're the only vampires I know to hiss at each other at every opportunity."

But Jungkook hadn't seen Taehyung come home at all. He'd have caught him. Did Hoseok wake up?

The journey continues to the room with a mahogany door, with Jimin's name carved into the wood with an elegance that deceived.

"Do not mind the mess."

"Mess?"

Jimin chuckles and unlocks the door to his office, allowing Jungkook to shut it behind him.

A shiver runs down the outlaw's spine. On the desk stood multiple types of glass bottles, each topped with a cork and a label with a handwriting Jungkook can't make out.

There's... at least twenty of them all around, and on shelves besides the door are even larger versions of the bottles, these filled with a thick red liquid that sloshed around at the sunlight.

"Blood is reactive when it ages." Jimin comments on his tense stare. "It's quick to anger."

"Is that why Yoongi can't handle sun?"

He had already explained, Jungkook remembers, but he needed to know more. This room, this vampire, with this large of collection and losing profit? There are worse vampires around.

Jimin nods. "He got mad a little over a month ago. His partner had gotten terminally ill, and I wouldn't let him bite her. So, he thought he could take out the rage on four of my best donors." He stands by the window, looking out over the farm. "He was wrong."

"But... won't he die?"

"At some point, yes. But I won't let it go that far. Three more days. Then, I'll have a feast for us all. That blasted mayor won't be sitting for much longer."

Jimin beckons the raven to come closer, and hesitantly, he does.

The view over the farm is incredible. With the sunlight hitting every leaf so brightly it seems transparent. Not to mention the fences that suddenly shone white, as if they had been recently painted, instead of the dirty grey he knew from below.

Jimin lays a hand on his shoulder, pulling him in front. "This is why I love it here. Now, imagine this view, all powerful, looking down on the lesser, as your body is warm with the feeling of pure ecstacy. A short sting, like a tingling sunburn,"

As the vampire's fingers trail along Jungkook's neck, a shiver runs down his spine. He had always lived as the lesser. Looking down on people is something he didn't want. But the feeling of it was different from anything he knew.

"When you feel the blood dripping down your back and your body yearns for a taste of what you can become. That is when the blood is good. Perfect, even."

"What?"

"Blood changes. Its taste too, according to the emotion. Confidence, envy, it all plays such an important part into being a donor. But most just wish to become a vampire, as we are, or be married to us like fools."

There's a soft snarl in his tone. Jungkook quietly looks over his shoulder, meeting the vampire's sharp gaze. "I was afraid, when I first saw you."

"Liar." Jimin grins. "You made conversation with me. You had no clue who I was."

Jungkook squints, brows furrowed. He'd expected him to know sooner or later. After Yoongi's comment that he hadn't recognized him, it was bound to happen one way or another.

And with Jimin nearly pressing up against him, he'd have been stupid not to think the man would recognize.

"You think of me as a fool?" Jimin hisses. "I'm not stupid, boy. But I respect you. Your efforts were... amicable. And you've performed well enough. You probably feel bitter about your friend and their death."

"He's not dead."

"Yet."

Jungkook scowls at him. "I don't know what you want from me, but Hoseok is alive and hopefully well. I just want to know what that bite does. You're vampires, not some ordinary lunatic."

Jimin sighs and crosses his arms. "You're right in that. Sit."

"But that's yours?"

"Sit. I won't say it again."

Without another word, Jungkook sits down, leaning back with stretched legs. It's a pretty comfortable chair, but still wooden under his ass.

"When a vampire bites a human," Jimin starts, his fingers tracing along Jungkook's neck, "one of three things can happen."

Jungkook flinches when Jimin's fingers wrap around his throat, lifting his chin with a tight grip. He'd let his guard down for a second too long.

"The first is common, it happens to almost everyone. Death. You get sick and die."

"Hoseok would never."

"The second," Jimin hisses, digging his nails into the outlaw's skin, "is becoming a vampire. It's uncommon, and often happens only when a vampire hasn't bitten anyone in too long, or the vampire has control over the venomous glands."

So Hoseok would be alive. According to all the information he'd heard from Yoongi, that would mean Hoseok would turn. Live.

"And the third is insanity. Hallucinations that become so painful that the human is more tempted to kill themselves rather than live on."

"And... turning?" Jungkook mumbles, twisting his head. "How does that work?"

"Why?" Jimin grins. "Would you want it?"

Jungkook's scowl deepens. "I'd rather die."

"That's good. At least you know your priorities."

With a soft sigh, Jimin let's go of his chin, lifting him up from his chair and pushing Jungkook towards the window.

"Would you fuck off?"

"Kindly." Jimin snarls. "But you've been getting on my nerves."

"So what?"

Jimin smiles. A small, mean grin that plays on his lips. "I prefer you stay quiet. People are asleep."

Jungkook frowns. What would that have to do with anything? Is he finally allowed to go? He should look for Hoseok if that's the case.

The outlaw whines when Jimin pulls at his shoulder and pushes him forward. For a small vampire, he's insanely strong.

With wide eyes, Jungkook freezes in his place, his voice forcing out a loud pained scream. Shit. Shit, shit, shit!

There's a heavy fear pounding in his throat, one that slowly fades with every tug on his skin from the vampire's fangs.

He wasn't expecting it. He should have. But he didn't.

Everything Jimin had described when he came in here was an experience.

Looking down on the farm, the tinging of his skin where Jimin had pierced his fangs was dying down into a soft burn, his body sharing the heat. All he can think about is what he had been told.

It is the feeling of ecstacy. Almost like a drug. The panic in his body was disappearing as his breathing had calmed, only slightly annoyed at the vampire's hands on his waist.

"Get off..."

There is no response. Jimin doesn't move.

"Get off of me..."

The heat in Jungkook's body is quickly going from a pleasant heat to an agonizing burn, and he manages to push the vampire away with a harsh jab to the stomach.

He's free. For now.

The door opens, and in runs a familiar brunette, dressed in the grey uniform Jungkook knows.

"Kook?!"

"Tae."

"Out of all the people he'd bite to death I thought he'd keep you living for longer." Taehyung jumps forward and quickly hoists the human on his shoulder, preventing him from falling and giving Jimin a mean scowl. "What fucking gives?!"

"He knew too much." Jimin grumbles, wincing at the bruise. "The fucking criminal."

"Look who's talking." Jungkook snarls. "You vampire asses think you have the power over us. Over the people working for every single penny you give them. You treat them like shit too! Staring me down when it's Yoongi who owns the fields! You gave him that!"

Taehyung rolls his eyes when Jimin takes a moment to compose himself and sits down in his chair. Snob.

"Yoongi," Jimin hisses, "is my spawn. I gave him the gift of vampirism because he asked for it. He owes me. That means that I can take what I want, when I want, and how I want it. Even if it is his."

"I should kill you where you sit."

"You're very welcome to try. But don't be surprised when I come back to bite you."

Jungkook nearly breaks from Taehyung's tight grip, hissing when he feels the pain in his muscles at the wound. It's a horrible, long-lasting burn that courses throughout his entire body like lightning. He tenses, stiffening from the sting.

"Shit- YOONGI!"

"Busy." Jungkook hisses, dropping to his knees. "With Hoseok."

"Who?"

"Fuck..." Jungkook sighs, grabbing onto the wood of the desk, his nails digging into the dark oak with a loud cry, arching his back as another rush of the pain hits his neck. "Fuck!"

Taehyung is quick to kneel down at his side, giving Jimin a mean glare, only meeting his cold eyes.

The vampire is unamused, crossing his arms and watching the outlaw flinch and twitch from his bite. "He had it coming. But he won't die."

"Yeah. I got that." Taehyung sneers. "Why? It's not like Busan is empty of vampires."

"He's a rider." Jimin responds, indifferent. "It's not about how many vampires we have here. No more than twenty at best. But our contact with Gwangju is limited. We need a rider. I know you, nor me, nor Yoongi knows how to ride a horse or a carriage."

"I can ride." Drowsy eyes and an annoyed husky tone come from the doorway. "You just never let me. The farm can't go without me, you say."

When Jungkook turns to look at the one bloodsucker that could bring him any comfort, the sight is a shock. His face is beaten. His nose is actively bleeding, dripping down onto the floor and his blouse, with a sharp cut along his cheek. The bandage on his arm had torn, leaking down his hand. He leaves a trail down the hall, one that doesn't smell the best.

"I'll apologize to Sanna later." He mutters. "Hoseok is fine. He's awake." It's a relief, and Yoongi's tired frown turns into a very small smile at how Jungkook's tense body relaxes. "And strong. He's got a lot of pent-up anger. I put him in the time-out zone."

"The what?"

"My room." Yoongi clarifies. "I locked the pretty boy in my room."

"Pretty." Jungkook scoffs. "At least he beats this asshole at beauty." He snarls at the cold-blooded vampire, who merely smirks at the insult.

Jimin frowns, slowly standing up from his seat. "Unlike my dear Yoongi, I know how to control my venom. And the punch didn't help. If you weren't sure about the pain being death or an infection, you made the final decision when you hit me."

Well. Double fuck. Where the chance of death was 50-50, it was now with a hundred percent certainty he would stand back up from the dead. Or go insane.

As his tongue swipes along the top row of his teeth, Jungkook can't imagine his fangs enlarged, sunken into someone's skin. It was like thinking of his enemy, if it were himself, with a thirst for blood.

"But don't be afraid," Jimin smiles, pushing past Yoongi. "You'll be under my wing until you can deliver."

"Absolutely not." Yoongi growls. "He was my worker, he will be my spawn."

"But he bears my mark, Yoongi. A criminal cannot train another outlaw to be a prince." As he turns his back, Jimin waves them off. "Bring him to my room once he's close to passing. I'll deal with the rest."

With that, he walks away, footsteps echoing in the halls as Jungkook grinds his teeth not to chase and strangle him.

It's Taehyung who holds him back, running his cold fingers through his tangled hair and holding the other on the burning wound to cool it down.

Sure, it hurts. It's unbearable. But his body isn't drowning in fire anymore, and from all the rage, there's a sudden sadness.

This is what Hoseok went through. The bite, this immense pain, and he shrugged it off with a whine. He'd die, the same as Hoseok would, would fight the same he would and maybe even lose who he is in the process.

If he were unlucky, he'd succumb to the monster Jimin had showed him he could be. An all mighty, power-hungry menace with fangs, one who would long and yearn for the obedience of those undeserving of his holy presence.

"Let's get you cleaned up."

"Don't let me into his room."

"I don't have a choice." Taehyung says sadly. "I came for a pick-up, I'm not off the job. And it seems Yoongi needs a shower of his own."

The pale vampire nods. "I can't leave Hoseok alone for too long either. I'll check up on him first-"

"Let me stay with him." Jungkook begs softly. "Don't put me in that asshole's room alone. Don't make me."

Yoongi hisses at him through his fangs. "He's dangerous. Your friend. You could die sooner than we'd like and then we'd have a whole other situation on our hands."

"Why?"

Taehyung shakes his head, lifting him up. "I'll explain on the way. You'll stay in my room for the time being. I don't use it anyway."

Jungkook nods, and Yoongi stumbles along with them, back to his own room, where the sound of glass is quickly heard shattering and the pale man rolls his eyes with a mean snarl.

With the pained human guided to another room, Taehyung slowly begins to talk.

"Vampiric venom spreads at its own pace. The body adjusts to it, trying to fight it until it can't. If you die before then, from a bullet, or anything else, the venom won't have enough time to settle. You'll awaken incomplete. Like a madman. Probably in the middle of turning. The pain is horrible. You'll see shit. Attack anything in sight. With broken fangs and the mind of an animal."

"And you know this...?"

"Because I died that way." Taehyung growls. "And I would never wish that upon anyone. It's one of the reasons why I still work. I don't have to. Humanity is a blessing. Dying is a blessing."

°•●•°

"Back for a round two, fuckface?"

"You broke my urn."

"It looked smashable."

Yoongi growls under his breath. There's dust all over the room, glass and broken pieces of wood from his bed and the walls.

"I expected you to be insufferable." Yoongi hisses angrily. "But this is far from sane. I helped you when you died, and you repay me by breaking my room?"

"May I kindly remind you that your bite caused this?" Hoseok sneers. "You deserve every bit of pain coming your way."

Yoongi is quick to grab the newborn by his arm before he can run off to wreak more havoc. The hiss he gets in return is nearly funny as well as adorable, barely sounding like a threat at all.

The boy's fangs hadn't come through yet. Not much at least, and until he was able to get his first taste of something through those, he'd be an obnoxious add to his room decoration.

With those stubby ends, all he could do was scrape the skin at best. He was acting like he'd beaten the number of people Yoongi had bitten, getting an eyeroll from the older.

He hates that it's his fault. He hates that he keeps losing his mind over his lack of blood.

Truth is, he's jealous. Incredibly jealous. This roughhouser of a man looked like he lived in the forest, his clothes and hair a mess.

He was free to go and kill whoever he pleased, and Yoongi wasn't going to hold him here. He didn't deserve that.

"Hungry?"

"Fuck you."

"I'd prefer you answer instead of cuss at me."

Hoseok only bares his fangs, or rather lack thereof, immediately shown the door by the other vampire, who grabs his jaw and pulls him forward.

Hoseok merely greets him with another rude scowl, with wide eyes that glint with a shimmer of desire.

A desire of what, Yoongi couldn't tell. But he liked it. That fiery passion to live in Hoseok's bright eyes and the tension that stood in his muscles. He could see the veins popping at his arms as his hand clasps his own wrist, his pudged lips quircking up into a satisfied smirk.

"Bite me." He snarls, his voice a messy mumble. "And do it hard." His hand slowly crawls onto Yoongi's hand, grabbing his palm and tearing his fingers from his skin. "Before I get my fangs into your pretty pale neck."

Yoongi let's an amused chuckle escape him, allowing his hand to be pried. "You think my neck is pretty?"

The outlaw doesn't answer. He just meets his eyes. "Wanna take a ride?"

To say it took the vampire by surprise was an understatement. He couldn't go out in the sun. Not yet. He'd need at least three people worth to get him to survive sunlight before he'd turn into a vampire crisp.

Hoseok frowns at his silence, looking at the lightly healed scars on his arm, ignoring the fact that the man was pretty much bleeding from every other crevice he had.

Perhaps it was the blood that made him say that...

"I can't." Yoongi finally answers him. "I haven't ridden in... years. The sun would kill me-"

"So we go at night." Hoseok shrugs, slowly getting up and stuffing his hands into his pockets after wiping his nose. "I'll take you to hunt. We'll see who's faster. Who has the strongest bite."

Yoongi looks out at the window. It was tempting. To ride again. In his dirty clothes that he'd missed after being in suits and blouses for a decade. It itched him. The blood that soaked it was like water that reminded him of his time at the lake of Ilsan.

He didn't come from far. He came from Daegu himself and got himself tangled in Jimin's business after killing one of his pets that was out to hunt him. Now he hunted people like them for sport.

How ironic.

"I'll go." He nods. "But we return before sundown, and we feed on humans."

"As if my appetite would allow me a bunny."

"Go fuck yourself." Yoongi scoffs. "I'll bite you again."

"I dared you to, didn't I?"

"As if I'd ever open up my neck to you."

Hoseok shrugs. "I made you bleed."

"Tonight." Yoongi sighs, refusing yo entertain the newborn much longer. He was exhausted. "Please, behave. Go see Jungkook if you wish. He's in Taehyung's room, most likely dying as we speak."

Hoseok looks up, eyes wide with fear this time. "What?"

"Jimin bit him." Yoongi answers his growl, before shutting the door behind him. "With the purpose of being his."

°•●•°

Shit. Fuck. Everything hurts. Everything burns. Jungkook can't keep a straight face before he pulls back from the pain.

This can't be what Hoseok felt... Right?

He's bedridden, attempting to get up every damn time he gets tired of staring at the ceiling and then immediately regretting it.

He really, really badly wants to shoot Jimin right in between his eyes and watch those red orbs roll to the back of his head. He also really badly wants to gnaw on something.

He's already been biting on his arm and the inside of his cheek, hating the slimy texture that stuck to the flesh.

Being a vampire must suck.

The door slowly opens with less noise than it looks like it would. If Jungkook didn't feel like dying he would jump up.

But he recognizes that tuft of chestnut hair anywhere, even from the corner of his eyes, and a big smile crawls on his lips.

"Hobi..."

"Kook? Fuck man, you look like shit."

"You look... dead."

Hoseok shuts the door behind him, flinching when he takes a step closer. He quietly takes a deep breath and quickly goes to stand next to his friend. He does look dead.

His skin is much paler than before, having lost its sun-kissed edge, and his eyes were hollow, even with that passion.

"You smell... different." Hoseok hisses softly. "I didn't know what Yoongi meant. Your scent... it's dead."

"I don't follow."

"Before you smelled of... pine. When you helped me to Yoongi. You smelled of the forest. Now you smell of nothing. Only of flesh and blood."

"Must be nice for you, bloodsucker."

"I wish." Hoseok hisses. "But you smell like competition."

"Not yet." Jungkook glares at him. "Not until I wake up from a long desired nap."

"You'll die."

"Preferably in my sleep."

"Will you wake up?"

"According to Jimin..." The outlaw mumbles, still salty. "I'll be a vampire too."

Hoseok stays quiet for a bit before smiling. "When you're awake, let's race. Like the old times. From here to Gwangju."

"Two days riding?"

"You and me." Hoseok smiles, a bit more gently. "Just us."

Jungkook pouts his lips, but nods. He didn't need to think it over. He loved riding with Hoseok, even though he pretty much hated his guts before this. Him and Hoseok weren't so different.

"Sure."

"I'll win."

"In your wildest dreams."

Hoseok bares his stubby fangs with a light laugh, patting Jungkook's head and ruffling his hair, stuffing his cold hands into his pockets. "Taehyung warned me I couldn't be here long."

"Hm." Jungkook nods again. "Something about you killing me."

Hoseok confirms the statement with an amused shrug. "Good luck, kid."

°•●•°

Taehyung was right in some way. Not the way he'd prefer, but right nonetheless. Jimin reaches for the gun against his hips, brows furrowed from the impatience.

If he wanted to be mayor, he had to take a stand now. With or without them. He'd get what he wanted. And with the brunette vampire at home, there was no one to stop him.

No Jungkook to talk back to him, no Yoongi to scold him and roll his eyes, no Taehyung to protect this mayor's ass.

Jimin frowns, glancing around at the lobby. Everything he'd broken before was gone, the pedestals empty and the walls hollow of its paintings.

He'd specifically waited for sundown, but even at dusk, the remaining sunlight couldn't make the empty hall any prettier.

Taking the gun into his hand, Jimin twists his finger around the trigger with a roll of his eyes at the stairs, taking his first step up those marble plates.

He flinches as soon as the door opens, turning around to face the ones he just shut to suddenly stand face to face with the man he's trying to kill.

Fumbling, Jimin quickly hides his gun behind his back.

"Sir Park...?"

"Mayor."

"How did you get in?"

"The door was unlocked." Jimin says with a smile. "I thought you were upstairs."

"I was out." The mayor comments. "With a friend."

Jimin twitches, a frown etching his face when he sees another figure passing behind. There's no hiding them now. The man was an outlaw. His guns were exposed, shown without a care.

Messy, unruly brown hair like he'd just been in a fight, a bruised lip and the knife at his thigh bloodied, dripping through the loose leather holster onto the fabric of his pants.

"Weren't you the guy who tried to kill me?"

"Play it off like nothing." The vampire growls. "How are you, Nameun."

"I fear I've lied to you, sir." The outlaw chuckles. "My name isn't Nameun. You did take a friend of mine. Jungkook. How is he?"

"Good." Jimin grits his teeth, forcing another smile. "Thriving."

The mayor sighs, patting the outlaw's waist to grab his attention. "Namjoon, do me a favor, clear out the house. I have three more things to sign before we open up another bottle of wine."

Jimin bites his tongue, stepping against the wall as he passes, glaring daggers at the outlaw who quickly shares his gaze, crossing his arms.

There's a minute of silence before Namjoon takes a step back. "I'll give you the chance to leave on your own, asshat."

"Why? I have business with the mayor."

"I know better from our last meeting."

Those criminals would ruin everything he wanted. Why hadn't they moved yet? Outlaws never stay in one place for too long. They should have left after the party. Why were they still here?

Jimin merely forces another smile. "Surely you must not like the mayor as much as you seem to. Adoration doesn't get you anywhere with him and your problems with the law."

"Seokjin is a fine man." Namjoon answers. "He offered us a place to stay. Me and my friends. I'll be damned if I let you take that offer."

"You could get a small house for all of you," Jimin snarls, "or, get a mansion. Perhaps a house for each of you. Are you really letting status speak over money?"

"Yes." Namjoon chuckles at Jimin's confused glare. "Because status hides us from the law. We won't be safe in a house when theres police coming for us."

Shit. Jimin gnaws on his bottom lip. He himself was lucky that he could strike deals with the law. People worked for him, he'd pay them. It wasn't truly slavery if you ignored the death punishments. His status was based on bribery.

"You said Jungkook belonged to you." Jimin mumbles. "Correct?"

"No." The outlaw frowns. "He's my friend. We ride and die together. He's not my slave or servant. I don't own him."

Jimin shrugs. "That's quite a shame. He's a good employee. Stubborn, but ambitious."

Namjoon's frown deepens, his fingers wrapping around the hilt of his gun. Looking at the man, there was nothing trustworthy about him. In these very halls he'd been threatened, he knows the man's skill with a gun.

"I'd like to keep him."

"Absolutely not."

"I thought you didn't own him."

"He's part of my family." Namjoon snarls. "You won't have him, nor Hoseok, now get the fuck out!"

Jimin quirks a brow, tilting his head. "Hoseok? The drunk? I thought he was dead."

"Not yet. I won't say it again."

Jimin rolls his eyes, slowly stepping down the stairs and hesitating when passing the criminal. He'd dyed his hair, badly, his roots were all over. A big mess.

"Did you do it yourself?"

"What?"

"Your hair." Jimin sneers. "It's a mess."

Namjoon remains quiet, averting his eyes, his hand hovering along his gun. Instead, he changes the subject. "What are you? What was your friend?"

With a curious head tilt, Jimin meets Namjoon's eyes. He didn't know? With the amount of sneaking the kid had done on his farm, he'd assume that his leader would know.

"Why should you know?"

"My boys work for you now. Temporarily." Namjoon shrugs. "I wanna know if they're in good hands."

Oh. Jimin frowns, dropping his shoulders. He... cares for them. Of course he does. They're criminals and traveled together for months, maybe even years. Their bond of water runs thicker than any blood bond he knows.

With his heart pounding in his throat, Jimin gulps away the slight jealousy. Namjoon was a beloved leader, protective and possessive, but free and caring.

He knows he'd never be a leader like that. He runs his empire on fear and desire. The simple wants and needs of humans and their natural fear of death.

"If I told you," Jimin says softly, "you would never look at us the same."

"Then why attack Seokjin?" Namjoon snarls. "Why?"

"Do you think I like being who I am?" Jimin sneers back with a sharp hiss. "They call me a monster behind my back. They call me a tyrant on the streets. And yet people come to me to be bit. No one wants to work for me, Namjoon. I make it tempting for them. I'm what you people call, a liar."

Namjoon furrows his brows, scowling at the sudden snap from the smaller. Nothing made sense about him. "Then why attack Seokjin?" He asks again.

Jimin sighs, running a hand through his hair. "There's no hiding anything from you..." He grumbles. "I want people to desire me in their lives." In a quiet voice, Jimin turns his head towards the door. "I just don't know how to do it the way you seem to do."

That's not an answer Namjoon was expecting. Before he can even give an answer, the door clicks shut. His eyes chase the blonde outside, watching him leave the premise.

The silence is killing, until he flinches at the hand on his shoulder.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah." Namjoon grumbles. "He just left..."

"Thank you." Seokjin smiles at him, patting his shoulder. "If you need a place to stay, I have a spare room."

With a singular nod, Namjoon rests his free hand on top of Seokjin's, still thinking over the strange man's words.

Hopefully his friends will be safe. If they got harmed, neither him, nor Jimin, will have to worry about people desiring him.

°•●•°

Light. It couldn't be a less welcoming sight.

"You look like shit."

"Fuck off..." Jungkook's voice is hoarse, barely croaking from his lips.

"Don't get up yet." The vampire's voice mutters besides him. "You've been out for a few hours."

Jungkook frowns, glancing to his right with as little movement as possible, finding the worker sitting on the bed, wrapping a bottle with something.

"Tae? I thought... It's day. Shouldn't you work?"

"I took a day off." Taehyung answers, giving him a short smile. "Jimin came back to check on you. He stayed with you for a while."

"That fucker."

"Surprisingly, he kept his mouth shut."

Sighing, Jungkook turns his head back to look at the ceiling. "What did he want?"

"To feed you."

Taehyung's words hit like a truck, the realization slowly sinking in that he couldn't probably never face his friends the same way he had before.

With a hesitant thought, Jungkook reaches for his lips, parting them to feel the top row of his teeth. Nothing seems to be wrong... Was he okay? Did the transformation fail?

As his thumb passes, the vampire looks over at him. "There's a reason we can live among humans so well." He smiles.

Meeting his gaze, the outlaw groans, limply dropping his arm onto the bed. He'd hoped it would fail. That he'd still be normal. All he feels is pain, overwhelmed by his senses and the confusion. He's supposed to crave stuff, so why is it not kicking in?

Taehyung chuckles softly at the reaction, lifting the man's hand and placing a cold glass into the wear digits.

It's wrapped in bandages, as if it'd shatter in Jungkook's hand.

"Drink." He mutters. "It's not the same as hunting, but I'd prefer you not go insane when Jimin comes to feed you."

"He's coming back?"

Jungkook groans again, louder and more agitated when Taehyung nods. "Hoseok and Yoongi have started conversing like normal people. He's not too bad, your friend."

"He's an ass." Jungkook mutters. "But he cares."

With the vampire's help, Jungkook manages to sit up, the glass having spilled onto the sheets with the clumsy rising. Not to mention the sudden never-ending slur of cusses that leave the outlaw's bloodied lips.

He didn't know it himself. The many hours Taehyung had watched him were nearly his end. Jimin was furious to find that the criminal was resting on the wrong bed. It took a sharp claw to the throat to get him to back down from picking Jungkook up and moving him.

That wasn't the first time Taehyung talked back to the allmighty. Thankfully Jimin knew better than to continue a spar.

He watches, nervously fidgeting with the sheets, his free hand resting underneath Jungkook's elbow as he lifts the glass to his mouth.

His reflection in the wine was dead, it isn't until his lips touch the rim that the smell hits.

That's not wine.

His eyes meet Taehyung's for a second too long, watching the vampire's expression go from a patient gaze to a worried frown.

"Is something wrong?"

Jungkook's tongue has yet to touch the liquid, fingers trembling around the bandage. A tighter hold, refusing to reach out to his new foodsource, and also refusing to set it down.

He doesn't know what to do. The smell is so similar to wine that if he hadn't sniffed it twice, he would've had it without a second thought. But this was thicker and heavier. It seemed as if a single drop would clot onto his tongue.

Jungkook flinches, nearly dropping the glass when Taehyung takes it from him and raises his chin.

"You remind me of him."

"Who?"

"Jimin."

Jungkook can't help but sigh at the mention, rolling his eyes. "I'm not him."

"Did I ever tell you that Jimin was a vegetarian?"

"What?" Jungkook frowns, turning to look. "A what-now?"

Taehyung laughs, softly wiping his thumb past the corners of Jungkook's lips, raising them to look past the barrier. "A few years ago, twenty or so, Jimin became tired of hunting. He refused to drink human blood or even animal blood. He held it up for a while, but then lost his mind during a bar fight."

Jimin? In a bar? Jungkook scoffs. Right. The rich asshat in a bar fight.

"No, really." Taehyung smiles. "He fought a lot. Has the scars to prove it. He would've been shot otherwise. He had no choice."

"And the guy? Who held him there?"

Taehyung grins. "Got the fangs."

Confusion drowns him, until Taehyung slowly lays his hand on his neck, rubbing along the wound. Two dull marks rest in the middle of his throat, barely hidden.

"I got so mad at him." He chuckles. "When I woke up, I was treated by the doctor. I woke up too soon, and I barely remember anything from then. It was Jimin who found me, broke me out of jail, and helped me get back on my feet. In order to do so, he had to give up trying to be a vegetarian... again."

"And... this business?"

"He began it with Yoongi. Pulled me into it before he began craving power. It was a way to stop feeling bad about taking human blood and a way for Yoongi to round up people he was hired to kill. I just wanted to work and return to what I knew, so Jimin got me a place as the mayor's assistant. I didn't know he was planning to kill him at that point."

Jungkook frowns, watching Taehyung's fingers twitching around the glass, taking a sip from the red liquid with a deep sigh chasing it.

"I like my job." Taehyung continues. "But I don't like what Jimin's become. I thought your dumb attitude could bring something back to him. From the bar."

His frown softens, looking up at the vampire.

"I thought wrong."

Jungkook shakes his head. "You can't force someone to change." He grumbles. "I learned that a long time ago."

Taehyung sighs and shrugs, setting the half empty glass down onto the nightstand and getting up from the bed with a slap to the knees. "I should get back to work. It's nearly dusk, and I still have to get some groceries in." As the vampire moves to the door, Jungkook's eyes follow. "Don't open the door for anyone who smells off. They're donors."

"What?"

Before Jungkook's question is answered, the door shuts, and the vampire has left him alone with a glass of blood.

What is he supposed to do now? Die again? Lay until Jimin comes to pick him off like the runt of the litter?

He looks at the window, the open curtains, and watching the sun set with dazed eyes. How long until the night is over? How long until he goes insane?

His reaction to the venom was so different from Hoseok. He heard it. The fighting, the crashing of stuff in the office, the violent hissing and the scratches that covered Yoongi's body.

Why was he so calm? What was wrong with him...

It isn't until a knock at the door shocks Jungkook from his confused trans. There is no voice asking to come in. Just a knock that becomes heavier by every touch.

The blood in the glass seems to echo in his ears, the small hit against the table being enough to send a ringing through his eardrums.

He just swung his legs over the bed. Covering his ears, Jungkook stops the glass from shaking, understanding why the bandage had been wrapped.

"I'm coming." Jungkook grumbles. "Stop pounding..."

Every step feels heavy. Every breath feels troubled. The sun is hot on his skin, even as it sinks beneath the horizon.

The knocking doesn't stop, having Jungkook gnaw on his bottom lip out of the rising frustration to the loud noise. Fucking vampires and their manners.

With his hand to the cold handle, his eyes fixate onto the metal. That wasn't a vampire. And that wasn't knocking.

That's the scent of blood. Heavier. Richer. A calling. A heartbeat.

"Master Taehyung?"

Jungkook can feel his heart pounding in his throat, frozen in fear. With just a single breath he can taste whoever is on the other side. Regretfully so.

That scent was a lot better than the one in the glass.

Whoever stood there probably didn't know what they smelled like to a vampire. Or maybe it was different for everyone.

His fingers twitch, turning his head away with a whine and quickly covering his nose and mouth with both of his hands. He walks, pacing the room with his eyes squeezed shut.

It's like the scent has a leash on his throat, pulling him towards it. It hurts to pull away. Like the chain tightens on him and takes his breath.

The knocking of the human's heartbeat persists. They're not planning on leaving. Shit. Shit!

Jungkook's eyes scatter around the room for anything. Anything at all.

The glass. Stumbling forward, he reaches out to half empty glass that he was offered earlier that had been left on the nightstand, shaking when the newborn claws at the wood to take it.

Both of his hands squeeze the glass steady, kneeling down onto the floor to pour the liquid into his mouth with an even shakier hold.

He misses, most of it never entering his throat, dripping and spilling down to his chin and the wooden floor.

The taste is off. It's thick, like syrup, with an earthy flavor. It's bitter. Jungkook drops the glass, shattering it on impact.

His mouth hurts. Other than the blood he just swallowed, his gums hurt. The person on the other side of the door smells sweeter. Like strawberries and cream.

That's what he wants. He desperately wants something that tastes better than the mess of just now. He knows better. He should know better.

He flinches, looking towards the door when the handle moves. The fear jumps into his throat. They shouldn't be coming in without permission. They should be leaving him alone!

"You made a mess."

The sight is almost pathetic. The newborn is sitting against the nightstand, glass shards and blood spilled onto the floor next to him, shaking hands and eyes big with worry.

"What are you doing here?"

Jungkook doesn't respond. He crawls as far back as he can, remembering the burn in his neck as if it just happened.

The vampire tilts his head. "Did you lose your tongue with your humanity? Speak."

"Fuck you."

"There it is." Jimin grins, shutting the door behind him. "I sent her off. It seems you were bothered."

"What do you want?!" Jungkook snaps, avoiding the man's gaze at every turn. "You got what you wanted, didn't you? Another pet."

Jimin frowns. "Is that what you think you are to me?"

"What else would I be?" The outlaw snarls, raising his knees to rest his bloodied hands, wrists leaning onto his limbs. "You pulled Tae and Yoongi into your game. I heard you say it yourself; that I'd become your rider. A post pigeon for vampires."

It takes a few seconds for Jimin to answer him properly, shaking his head lightly. Jungkook glances up at him when he takes a step forward, lips twitching.

"Don't tell me you've been sitting in those dirty rags all day. The bed is all dirty. Let me help you-"

"Don't fucking touch me." Jungkook snaps, gritting his teeth. He quickly gets back up, his legs shaking. His body is weak. He wouldn't be able to fight back even if he wanted to.

Jimin sighs, crossing his arms. "I'm not here to hurt you. You look terrible."

"You expect me to believe that after you bit me? Get out."

"This is my house."

"And it's my room."

"No it's not." Jimin chuckles, kneeling down. He's quite a bit away from the newborn, but tilts his head. "Are you that afraid of me?"

Jungkook scowls. "I'm not afraid of you. I'm mad at you. Get out."

Well, that's a statement Jimin could understand. So, with a shrug, he gets back up and walks towards the closet, feeling the pulas's eyes burning in his back.

"You'd fit this. I'll be waiting for you downstairs whenever you're ready."

Jungkook's scowl only deepens when the vampire turns around, neatly folded clothes in his arms that he places on the edge of the bed.

Jimin looks at him for a moment before walking to the door, shutting it behind him with a soft click.

This wasn't new. When Yoongi turned, he was just as stubborn. Even though he asked for eternal life, he was naive. The consequences weren't on his mind back when he was at risk of being shot every second of every day.

Now that the people who hunted him are dead, he's grown. Jungkook was no different. A closed heart with walls higher than China's.

With the clothes Jimin had picked for him, he'd look like he was hiring an assassin. Someone to do an evil job for him.

It's not like he had much of a choice. The blood is sticking to his chest and it's getting more annoying as the seconds passed.

So, Jungkook slides the curtains shut, leaving him in the dark, and hesitantly peels the bloodstained shirt from his chest.

The dark was like a comfort. A warm hug in the cold night. In the mirror close to the closet, he can see the deep set marks in his neck.

He was pale, even with such little light, he could see his skin in the reflection, whereas his eyes had almost fully disappeared with the dark.

It was like a movie. One of the black and grey ones for the fancy folk.

Jungkook takes a strand of his tangled raven hair, rolling his eyes at the mess. He's always been a mess. A controlled mess, but a mess nonetheless. Now, he'd belong to a rich asshole. Behave like one. He'd have to learn manners and how to hunt for him.

Donors run out at some point. Even if you have to pick them off the streets.

He grabs the shirt, fingers gliding along the cotton fabric. It was light, barely weighing anything in his hands. It was a black button-up. One that every man had laying around in his closet for any formal occasion.

Pair that with your standard asshole rich black pants and you have a recipe for an instant eyeroll.

It couldn't be helped.

°•●•°

The workers were fine from above. Every plant would grow its leaf, eventually. Jimin was sure that at least a few would notice that their new friend was missing.

No matter. If they lost loyalty he could just kill them.

He'd been watching them for a while. From sundown till the midnight rise. He had left Jungkook be, after twenty minutes of no response, he figured the newborn was either killing himself, or fell asleep.

Yoongi had disappeared, as did Taehyung. They would come back, he was certain.

Jimin himself wasn't so sure anymore. He thought he knew what he wanted. That he had everything he needed to become the true meaning of power. After all, living centuries gets boring.

All the movies and stories tell of vampires as rich, well-mannered beings. Those of high status and often feared. Jimin was just missing the status. Why he desired it, he didn't know.

Even for a vampire, the answers to life were mysteries that he was too impatient to unravel.

"I want to see my friends."

"I won't stop you." Jimin shrugs. "You'll return eitherway. Unlike when you worked for me."

"For one day." Jungkook snarls, adjusting the sleeve of his new blouse up to his elbows. He never liked long-sleeved. "And my horse isn't with me. I want him back."

"As you wish."

The newborn tilts his head. Jimin hasn't even looked at him. He hesitantly walks forward, grimacing at the marks in the wood of the vampire's desk. Suddenly, that bite doesn't seem so numb.

"Does the scar ever fade?:

"Physically, or mentally?"

"You know what I mean." Jungkook huffs. "Asshole."

Jimin shakes his head, finally turning to face his spawn. "No. It's a perment scar." His eyes fly the newborn up and down, a small grin surfacing on his lips. "You look better."

It was true. Jungkook got back a healthier color on his face. His hair was wet. Dried, but not enough to fluff up. He was rid of the dirt and blood on his face and finally found his shoes.

"I showered."

Jimin observes him for a few more seconds, noticing the constant moving of the outlaw's tongue, poking the inside of his cheek or licking his lips.

"You're bleeding."

"No I'm not."

"I can smell it. Don't lie to me."

Jungkook rolls his eyes, crossing his arms. "So what?" He snarls. "It's not like you ever cared for my health."

"I don't need you making a mess out of my office, darling."

"Don't fucking call me that."

The vampire mocks his eyeroll, grabbing Jungkook's chin once he's close enough and pressing his mouth open.

He gets the nastiest glare he's yet received from the outlaw, his lips parting for a sharp gutteral growl. Hiding behind the barrier are two stubby fangs, chipping away onto his tongue.

"You're doing well, but you'd best wait with seeing your friends until you've fed properly." Jimin says with a small smile. "You'd kill half of them if you were to go now."

"What? Why?" Jungkook huffs. "I'm fine. I'm not thirsty, and I'm surrounded by blood."

He gestures to the bottles atop the shelves, and Jimin answers with a shrug. "Aged blood is for pleasure." He gently pulls his hand away, allowing Jungkook to fix his jaw. "It's not to feed you. It's alcohol. The same as you'd drink wine at a party. You can drink this for longer, but it won't make you thirsty or still your thirst. I take it with me to events for other vampires."

Jungkook tilts his head. "So you make... drug infested blood?"

"As you've already been explained, yes."

"But I didn't think I'd have to take it literally."

"Vampires want bliss too, Kookie."

"Don't fucking call me that." Jungkook growls again. "I'll slit your throat."

"With what?" Jimin bares his fangs with a hiss. Unlike Jungkook's, his were clean and sharp. Actual weapons he could do serious harm with. Jungkook echoes his hiss, showing his own, hoping for just a little bit of intimidation.

With a sigh, Jimin turns back to the window. Even from a distance he could see the gates.

Was that Yoongi?

"What the hell...?" Jungkook follows his gaze, tilting his head. "Hoseok?"

"So that's your friend?"

"The guy Yoongi bit. He looks much healthier than before." Jungkook mutters.

"He must have fed." Jimin shrugs. "What I'd like to know is why Yoongi's leaving. His shift is starting in twenty minutes."

"Maybe he's tired of your shit."

"I'll just give you his shift."

"I'd be useless. Besides," Jungkook growls, "Hoseok rides, I ride. I'm going."

Jimin turns to look at him, eyeing him up and down before his eyes soften. Only slightly. But it's not long until his lips finally form into a genuine smile. "Have fun. Let me know how your friends are doing."

No backlashing? Jungkook squints his eyes, slowly stepping back. Jimin doesn't show any signs to stop him. He just gives him a gentle nod.

Hesitantly, the outlaw returns his nod, running down the stairs as soon as he turns the corner as the realization sinks in that he doesn't have his horse.

Shit. He can't outrun a horse. What was he thinking?

"Stables are to the right of the house. Take Nane. He's gentle."

Jungkook looks up, back to the top of the stairs where Jimin stands, arms crossed, with his familiar cocky grin.

Without another word, Jungkook leaves the manor.

°•●•°

"You know I hate you."

"I'm not here to change your mind."

"I don't need you to." Hoseok grins.

Yoongi is still stiff and tense. It's very clear that he's struggling with everything. His thirst, a new vampire in the house and what to do with them, and how Jimin will react to him.

Neither of them really know what to do about it aside from ignoring it. Hoseok has missed riding, but he's upset it's not his mare. Hell, he's still upset with the girl he bit.

She was a donor, Yoongi said, but Hoseok will never forget the way she hissed when his fangs cut through her skin. The way she squirmed and tensed up. She seemed to hate it.

Sure, he ended up feeling better, but did he actually feel better about it? No. He had taken blood, just like that. As if it were nothing. He knew the pain of fangs, but the pain he knew was of malice. With hurt.

Even when he tried not to hurt someone, he ended up causing harm. As if being a vampire itself meant to be a punishment. It doesn't really surprise him.

"How'd you end up with this blonde asshat?"

Yoongi snorts at the mean nickname that the outlaw gave to his friend. "Simple," He grins, "he turned me, I owed him. I was dying. You of all people should know the difficulties that come with being a criminal."

Hoseok shrugs. "Eh, being shot here, stabbed there. The usual."

"Exactly. So, when Jimin found me, his first instinct was to leave me dying. I convinced him to let me live, which, at that time, seemed like the best idea I'd ever had. Little did I know I'd be searching for constant contracts for seven years straight while under his wing."

"Your way of hunting was... bounties?"

Yoongi nods, taking a short break to pat his horse. "No one would miss them. It was the dead or alive part that intrigued me. No one cared if they died, as long as they were brought in to burn. Jimin watched it turn into an addiction before he forced me off. Killed me by law, then made sure no one would fall victim to me again."

"And Jimin?"

"That's not my story to tell."

"But he turned you, right?"

"That doesn't mean I have to tell his story to you." Yoongi growls. "Some things we tell, other things we don't. You don't need to know everything about who I was or what I did and where I lived. I'm a simple man with simple desires."

"Blood addicted." Hoseok grumbles. "I... I get that."

Yoongi merely nods, a silence falling between them.

Every detail seems so small when you live longer. You appreciate so little. But Yoongi can feel the way the light breeze hugs his body, watching the grass move and Hoseok's messy hair. He hadn't even showered.

"Hobi!"

The vampire squeaks, whipping his head around with bared fangs. The scream was exaggerated when he sees the familiar outlaw trotting up to them.

"Hobi! Thank fuck, you're okay."

"Why wouldn't I be?" Hoseok tilts his head, making space for the other to ride between them. Slow and steady.

Jungkook huffs, annoyed. "Jimin could've gotten to you."

He should stay strong in his boots. The vampire wasn't suddenly less of an asshole because he treated him like a normal person after using him as prey.

Yoongi quirks a brow, eyeing the man up and down. He was clean. "Those are Taehyung's clothes."

"Jimin grabbed them for me."

"Keep them." Yoongi shrugs. "He gets new ones from the mayor every week. He gets paid plenty."

Kindness. If anything, it just confused Jungkook more than anything. He was a vampire now, technically. They weren't... human. They looked the same, but they'd be drinking from them.

As if human life became livestock.

A shiver runs down his spine, looking out at the city that's quickly coming closer. He hasn't even fed yet.

Oh god...

"I have to go back." He mutters softly, shaking his head and tugging at the reigns. "I can't see anyone."

Yoongi sighs. "I thought you looked pale. Have you drunken anything at all?"

The outlaw shakes his head again at the question.

"How you were allowed outside the gates mesmerizes me." Yoongi growls. "Go back home. Drink something."

Drink something. Blood. Another heavier shiver runs down his spine. Feeding on humans... Could he feed from animals instead? Would that classify him as a vegetarian vampire? Weird.

But Yoongi was right. He had no clue what he was like without blood, and though he felt fine, the same couldn't be said for when he came across a human.

What would happen if he stood in front of one? Having smelled the blood, felt the heartbeat just from beyond a door. How safe would humans be. How safe would he be?

He hated the mansion that the vampire thrived in. But he also knew it couldn't be easy. How was it for Jimin? To have been turned and needing to learn how to live again. Maybe he was even born this way and he'd been raised to be a tyrant.

Slowly, Jungkook watches the two vampires ahead, having halted before to think, his horse tipping his hind hoof.

"Yeah... Yeah boy, we're going." He sighs. "Let's head home."

°•●•°

Jungkook couldn't decide whether to feel shame or guilt. He came back to a place he couldn't call home, placed Nane back in his stables, and was now stumbling past the fields where people he just worked with were now glaring him down.

He avoided those eyes as well as he could, as well as their smell. He wasn't happy with this outcome either.

When he looks up, he can see that same man who partially ruined his life staring down at the fields. His usual smile had faded. His brows are stuck in a frown, arms behind his back.

Who knows what he was thinking...

All that he can think of is the terrible few minutes of drinking blood he's going to have to endure. And how he's going to have to ask him for help.

So, inside he goes. Up the stairs, grumbling under his breath, his feet dragging behind him on the carpet that crumpled under his kicks.

"How was he?"

Jungkook has barely even opened the door, already annoyed at the tone that the vampire puts up at him. It was small, but judgemental. Like venom crawled between Jimin's teeth as he worded it.

They share a glance, and Jungkook can't help but bare whatever fangs he has. "Sent me home." He answers. "Blood."

"You sound so afraid." Jimin mumbles. "I remember my first hunt. I was scared too. It ruined me."

"So then why bring that pain to me instead of keeping it to your rotten self?" Jungkook snarls.

"Vampires aren't so simple. Evolved creatures. It's not like we feed off blood by choice."

"Lucky me." Jungkook crosses his arms, glancing up at the jars, sighing a reluctant breath. "I need help."

Jimin turns to face him, observing his pale skin. After all that happened in such a short time, the outlaw still stood strong and proud. He still had that same stubbornness in him.

In this moment, when Jungkook faces him, Jimin can't help but feel that pang of guilt shooting across his spine as he asks him for help.

"I don't wanna drink from people..." Jungkook whispers softly.

"People aren't your only option." Jimin says quickly. "We have animals, hospitals if you wanna make it difficult, and our jars. I could always use your help in aging them."

Jungkook bares his fangs again, whatever he has, but then hesitantly closes his mouth and shrugs. "As long as I don't have to suck it out of them... You never know where they've been."

Jimin chuckles, nodding quietly. "Yeah... You never know."

▪︎=|THE END|=▪︎

Questions of the Chapter:

What are ways vampires can feed?

Why did Jimin aim for the mayor?

What happened with Hoseok in the forest?

Why does Taehyung work?