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Today has been a long day.
Dazai, currently doing his PhD, usually stays late on the campus for his research, and as the professor’s assistant, free time isn’t really available in his dictionary. His day starts in the afternoon, reviewing papers online or writing reports on his laptop inside his dark room, and when the sun sets, he goes to campus for his class. While morning classes are reserved for mostly humans, evening classes are the supernaturals’ time to shine. They usually finish around midnight, and the university halls will be deserted when the sun rises yet again.
The time between midnight and sunrise is usually used by students for doing research in the library or doing homework at co-working spaces and cafes near the campus. For the past three months, Dazai has been spending time between the lab, library, and a 24-hour cafe in front of the campus – his only saving grace right now – with the speedy wifi and affordable treats.
The smell of coffee, milk, and a hint of blood welcomes his nose as Dazai enters the coffee shop, and his stressed nerves start calming down.
“Hello, welcome to Port Cafe,” the barista greets, snapping Dazai out from his muse. “What can I get you today?”
Usually, without asking, Atsushi would make his drink and all Dazai needs is to pay. Turning to face the… tiny barista, the fiery red of his hair and the shining blue of his eyes meets him, and a sniff of him is enough to make his mouth water.
Because who the fuck smells this good?
“I’ll have an-” Dazai gulps, his saliva pooling on his gums. “Espresso, with a dash of blood.”
“Blood type?”
“Anything you got. I don’t have a preference.”
He – Nakahara, the name tag says – grabs a cup and writes his order. “Can I have your name?”
“Dazai Osamu. Twenty-two, PhD student, and am hoping to get your number?”
Dazai gives Nakahara his most charming smile, but instead of a sweet smile or blushing cheeks, his delicious scent sours and a twitch on his eyebrows and lips confirms his annoyance. “Right, Dazai-san. I’m afraid my number is not something I give out to strangers. Is there anything you’d like to add for your order?”
Ah, so Nakahara is one of those hard-to-get humans. That’s okay. Dazai is willing to get his ass worked out a bit once in a while just to have a taste of Nakahara’s blood. If he already smells this good even with that long-sleeved turtleneck on, there’s no doubt that his blood would taste like a fucking gourmet.
“No.” Dazai shrugs, letting Nakahara go, and passes him his membership card. “Where is Atsushi-kun, though?”
Nakahara presses some buttons on the screen and gives Dazai his receipt. “Atsushi is now on morning shift.”
“So you’re working the midnight shifts from now on?”
“Yes.”
Before Dazai could ask him anything more, Nakahara turns his back to make his drink. His movements are systematic and nimble – those hands have at least a year more experience on the machines and liquids than Atsushi, who joined the barista team two months ago – and Dazai’s drink is finished in no time.
“Your drink, Dazai-san. Bloody espresso.”
“You used only a dash of blood right? I didn’t order a bloody espresso for a reason.”
Nakahara raises his eyebrows as he frowns. “Go ahead and have a taste to see if it’s to your liking.”
This cocky barista is proposing the Dazai Osamu a challenge, and like hell Dazai is going to back down. Looking at Nakahara straight in the eye, he takes a sip of his drink.
Damn. Dazai doesn’t know what magic, extract, or whatever that Chuuya adds through that drink, but it’s hella good. The bitterness of roasted coffee and the subtle tang from the blood dances on his tongue in perfect harmony. A hot, nice smelling barista with impeccable coffee-making skills? Dazai has scored himself a new crush.
A smirk replaces the frown on Nakahara’s lips. Was he being that obvious?
“You're welcome.”
The bell rings, taking away Nakahara’s attention from him, and Dazai is left hanging with a cup of coffee in one hand and his laptop in another.
“I swear, Odasaku, I’ve never smelled anything like that before!” Dazai exclaims, laying his cheek on the bar table as he holds his glass of whiskey. “Is it like... normal? Have you ever experienced something similar to me?”
“I don’t think so.” Odasaku takes a sip of his cigarette. “Why don’t you ask the seniors in our coven instead?”
Dazai makes a face. Asking some old centenarian boomers is the better option than asking a young vampire who’s only five years older than Dazai himself, but Dazai steers himself clear from their annoying, useless ass. Most likely, he'll be stuck with some three immortal old dudes, listening to their life stories and their unwanted advice for eight hours straight. “I don’t want to deal with those old hags.”
“Tell me more about this person then. What does he look like?”
“He looks like a pretty human. Long red hair, blue eyes, and short.” Dazai snickers. “But his smell… Odasaku, you know I’m not picky with my meals. Not even AB type, Rh negative bloods - which mind you, a delicacy here - smelled like that. I’ve-”
“Wait, you’ve tasted AB negative before?”
“Yeah?”
“Please don’t tell me you stole from the blood bank.”
“No, no! You know I stopped doing that years ago,” Dazai says, recollecting the memories from when he was fourteen. Being the naughty, adrenaline-seeking, undead teenager he was, he liked to sneak out from his coven and stole some blood packets from the humans’ blood bank to make a statement for his ancient seniors. He got punished and scolded a lot by his coven’s higher-ups, who got stuck in doing the dirty work of making amends with the humans because of his behaviour, yet it didn’t stop him from doing so until he got bored of the blood bank’s shitty security system that didn’t pose as a challenge anymore. “I got the privilege of tasting it from one of my one night stands. She smelled and tasted unique - a delicacy indeed - but no, nothing like this Nakahara guy.”
“So you’re trying to lure him into the bed now?”
“Exactly! You know me so well, Odasaku. Ah, I wonder if I can have a taste of it this month…”
Unlike Dazai - or most vampires, really - Odasaku prefers to have his meal from ready-to-eat blood packets instead of feeding fresh blood from animals or humans, something to do with his principle of ‘not hurting them if he can help it’.
Odasaku stays silent with his eyebrows furrowed and a small frown on his lips.
“...Dazai. Are you sure that he’s human?”
“I’m 95% sure. There’s nothing about him that seems off. I would’ve known if he’s a fae or something. I mean, I know Ango is one when we met, even in his human form.”
Without sugarcoating his doubts, Odasaku nods.
“Just… Be careful, okay? I’m just a bit concerned because humans don’t usually work midnight shifts. You know some of the others could have poison in their blood.”
Warm bubbles erupt as a smile on Dazai’s lips. At the tender age of twenty-two, still considered as a baby in the vampire community, Dazai is renowned as ‘Demon Prodigy’ with his brilliant mind and abilities, feared by lots of creatures alike - and there’s Odasaku, who still frets about him like a mother hen to its child.
“It’s not like some poison could kill us, Odasaku! You don’t need to worry about me,” Dazai grins, posing him a victory sign. “You know that, right?”
“Yeah. Still feel like I need to remind you, though.”
“I know.”
“Tell me about it later, then.”
Odasaku smiles, turns off his cigarette, and leaves the bar to retire for the morning.
What the fuck.
It’s Chuuya's first day working in the midnight shift - exchanging his morning shift with Atsushi since he has night classes now - and a shitty (and handsome, but Chuuya will not talk about it) pureblood vampire is flirting with him already.
He introduces himself as a 22-year-old, and when it comes to the vamps, there are two meanings: either he’s literally a baby 22-year-old vamp, or he’s 220 years old. Physically, there’s no way to tell them how old they actually are. But Dazai doesn’t carry himself like an old dude, doesn’t wear those pompous 1800s coats or kimonos those old farts love so much and doesn’t smell like aged wood from their coffins - so Chuuya believes the shitty vampire, for now.
Unfortunately, Dazai is a regular here, and Chuuya has the misfortune of meeting the vampire in every. Single. Night.
The bell rings, and the bane of Chuuya’s existence skips his way inside, greeting him with that annoying sing-song voice. “Nakahara-kun~!”
“No, I will not give you my number.”
“But I’m not even going to ask for it today?” Dazai replies, smiling too innocently for Chuuya’s liking, and the mischievous glint that flashes through his eyes doesn’t go unnoticed by Chuuya. “Nakahara-kun thinks too highly of himself, doesn’t he? Hm, what a terrible service, I should call the manager to complain about this behaviour.”
“Go ahead and give it a try, if you like.” Chuuya rolls his eyes. As if Ane-san would spare some of her busy time for this stupid inconvenience. “Usual order?”
Dazai nods as he looks over the menu above. “Yes, and one more thing…”
“How rare. You got more money on you this time?”
“I’d like to know your name, Nakahara-kun.”
Oh. Well, that’s unexpected.
“I’m sorry?”
“Usual order, with an additional of your name, if you may.”
Chuuya stares at the man in front of him in disbelief. Dazai’s fangs are visible from his smirk, and this annoying vampire has just made Chuuya’s heart skip a beat.
How frightening- this attitude of a resident playboy. He knows his charms and plays his cards well. Must have played and slept with humans regularly.
However, one variable Dazai’s missing out on is that Chuuya is not human.
The knowledge of vampires have been ingrained in him ever since he was born (mostly the bad stuff and how to kill them), and while many humans fall for their natural appeal, this advantage does nothing for werecreatures like Chuuya.
And if it’s just his name… well, Chuuya has always preferred to be called by his given name rather than his surname, so maybe there won’t be any harm in giving Dazai his order.
Not like Chuuya’s going to give in just like that, though.
“My name? You’ve been calling it all this time, haven’t you?”
The smirk on his face deflates a bit. Good.
“C’mon, you know what I’m talking about.” The bastard has the audacity to whine , even. “Your given name, Nakahara-kun.”
Laughing, Chuuya turns to the back and makes Dazai’s order. “Trying to be on a first-name basis already? I don’t even know you. Don’t you think that’s too much to ask?”
“ Seriously, now?” Dazai says, obviously taunting him. “You’ve never dated before, now have you, Nakahara-kun? Not even a name?”
He knows Dazai is doing this on purpose. He knows, yet Chuuya can’t help but get pissed. “Eat shit, asshole. I don’t owe you anything.”
“Ah, it seems that Nakahara-kun has always been a sad single man all his life.”
“What’s so bad about being single, huh?” Chuuya snaps, slamming the cup on the counter. “At least I don’t stoop as low as you just to get a name.”
A bitter laugh escapes from Dazai’s lips. “You know, Nakahara-kun, I don’t know whether I like you or hate you.”
“I don’t really care, shitty pureblood. Enjoy your drink.”
“And you know how to differentiate purebloods and halfies? Now things are getting more interesting.” Dazai says, a tight smile on his face, and turns his back away. “You’re quite fascinating for a human, Nakahara-kun.”
Chuuya scoffs, counting the seconds inside his head-
One, two, three, four-
“Oh, you sneaky little human.” Dazai turns back - practically sparkling right now - and Chuuya almost wants to laugh upon the stark difference from his previous evil-intimidating-dark-lord aura. “Chuuya-kun. Chuuya. What a befitting name for a chibi like you.”
Chibi? Did this annoying asshole just- “What did you just say?”
“I said, you’re a chibi, Chuuya! And you have a customer waiting in line!”
Chuuya glances at the cashier where a dwarf is waiting and quickly drowns the curses on the back of his tongue, composing himself back and giving the customer his best customer service smile.
Chuuya will keep his plan of killing Dazai for later.
“I regret changing my shift with Atsushi. Fuck, this was a terrible mistake.”
Albatross, the guy owning the bar and one of Chuuya’s pack mates, pours another glass of wine into Chuuya’s empty glass. “Then just change your shifts back? Nothing too hard?”
“Problem is, we can’t change our classes until next semester. So I’m stuck on either midnight or evening shifts. But that asshole gorgon refused to exchange shifts with me.”
“You mean Fyodor?”
“Who else? There’s no other gorgon working in the cafe other than him.”
“I had a class together with him,” Albatross says as he wipes a glass dry. “I think that dude has some kind of unfinished business with the vamps or something. You have lots of vamps in the cafe late at night, right?”
“Yeah, and speaking of the vamps... I was going to tell you about this pureblood who frequents the cafe. This is going to sound crazy – or rather, this vamp is the crazy one, that bastard – but that pureblood keeps flirting with me.”
“Oh~ Well, isn’t that interesting?” Albatross wolf-whistles. “Wait until the others hear about this, oh my god–”
“He thinks I’m a human, Alba. Ane-san’s potion works like a charm,” Chuuya mentions, burying his face in his palms. “I swear, he has some stupid magic or charm on him because I can’t believe I gave him my name yesterday.”
Albatross laughs, loud enough for other patrons to look at their way. “I know you know that’s not true, Chuuya. Their charm doesn’t work on us, unless…”
Chuuya dares himself to peek from his fingers and immediately regrets doing so upon Albatross’ knowing eyes and smirk. “You have a crush on him, don’t you? My~! Our youngest bro is all grown up now! Is he that handsome? We all know you’re a sucker for tall, handsome guys. Wait, I have to tell them about this-”
Swiftly, Chuuya attempts to take Albatross’ phone away and fails. Fuck Albatross and his superpowers to avoid attacks when it comes to spreading gossip. “Don’t–!”
The sound of their group notification beeping from Chuuya’s phone voices out his defeat. “Fuck you, Alba.”
“You’re welcome! Now tell me about this guy!”
Groaning, Chuuya lies his head on the bar, succumbing to his defeat. He silences his phone to prevent the flooding notifications soon to come from disturbing other patrons. “He’s an infant. Didn’t believe it when he said he’s 22, but he didn’t smell like he’d been six feet under. Smart too, if his proclamation as a PhD student is the truth. Tall, handsome, acts like your local womaniser. Obviously want me in his bed, and well, honestly speaking, I’m quite interested too since I’ve never slept with a vamp before. What do you think, Alba? Should I go for it or not?”
“If you both are up to it, what’s holding you back? Just go for it and have fun.”
“I’m just concerned about how vamps drink blood when they have sex. What if he finds out? I mean, my appearance can fool them, but not my blood.”
“It’s not like he can do anything about it. If he finds out, you can just knock him out.” Albatross shrugs. “Why does he sound familiar, though? What’s his name, Chuuya?”
“Dazai. Dazai Osamu.”
Albatross’ eyes widen as he slams his palms on the bar, shocking Chuuya in the process. “Chuuya. Believe me, go for it.”
“You know something.” Chuuya narrows his eyes. “What? Who is this Dazai Osamu?”
“Look, I don’t know the whole detail, but he has a name within the vamps,” Albatross whispers, hunching close to Chuuya’s ear. “Rumours have been circulating around the pack and the others too. Something about him being a ‘Demon Prodigy’ because of his incredible talent, and he’s one of the upper-ranking vamp. The geezers are livid about it.”
An image of Dazai skipping into the cafe with visible eyebags and rags as clothes (ha, and they say vampires always look immaculate?), begging for Chuuya’s name and phone number pathetically comes up on his mind. Really, there’s no way Chuuya would believe any of those intimidating rumours.
Chuuya scoffs. “Such big words for a pathetic bastard.”
“It’ll work in our advantage if you manage to snatch that pureblood.” Albatross beams. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll find love from your sex escapade with him, get married, and end this stupid, eons old of rivalry!”
Albatross is a nice friend – he really is – but sometimes, Chuuya can’t keep up with his… delusions. Deadpanned, Chuuya replies, “It’s not that simple.”
“No, Chuuya, it really is that simple. Our species have been stupidly fighting without reason because the elders hate each other. We youngsters just need to shove it on their faces that vamps and weres can be best friends. Or heck, lovers. Or more like reluctant lovers, I guess. You know, like Mori-san and Fukuzawa-san.”
Fukuzawa-san, the alpha of his pack and a high-ranking member of the supernatural council, has some kind of an on-and-off relationship with another high-rank council, Mori-san, who’s also the leader of Yokohama’s vampire clan. Thanks to them, centuries worth of tensions between vampires and werecreatures gradually tones down, and they can befriend each other without having the elders gnawing their teeth on their backs.
“Whatever, Alba.” Chuuya sighs, rolling his eyes. “It’s not a big deal. I’m just going to get a taste of a vamp’s dick and be done with this one night affair. End of story.”
“Okay then. Whatever you say, Chuuya. Don’t come running to me if you happen to fall in love with the pureblood.”
“I won’t.”
Two months into knowing Chuuya and all Dazai knows about the chibi is that he’s the same age as him, likes hats that make him look stupid, adores dogs (much to Dazai’s chagrin), is studying his master’s in quantum physics and has morning classes, and he has a talent in charming and befriending supernatural creatures.
Unbelievable.
If it was other people, Dazai would’ve slept with them within days, secured himself a girlfriend (or occasionally, boyfriend), got dumped within the maximum of two weeks, and he would repeat the cycle all over again.
Chuuya is more or less interested in him. It’s just, Chuuya is extremely hard to persuade from his principles or whatever that are holding him back from jumping into Dazai’s welcoming arms. There’s no hiding how he plays with his long and gorgeous hair, how he fiddles with his gloves, and how he looks at Dazai with those flirty eyes when they talk, despite his extensive use of curse words.
Today, however…
“You look shittier than usual, shitty Dazai,” Chuuya greets the moment Dazai steps into the cafe. “And I thought vamps aren’t affected by stress.”
Taking a deep breath, Dazai relishes in the sweet, peculiar scent of Chuuya – works like a charm to calm his nerves down – before sighing. He hasn’t been sleeping lately to continue working on his research inside his sunlight-devoid room every morning and noon. Vampires don’t really need to sleep, but hours in front of the monitor and reading journals is draining, and by sleeping, he can run away from his studies for a moment - no matter how much the elders call the younger generations ‘pathetic weaklings’.
“We will if you’re stuck in the lab for twelve hours straight for five days in a row looking at a bunch of microscopes and dead guinea pigs.”
“Ugh, good luck on that.” Chuuya grimaces, and Dazai almost feels touched by the empathy. “The usual?”
Dazai scans the menu. “No thanks. Do you sell blood other than human?”
“We have some merfolk and centaurs blood.”
“Not a fan of those. Just… give me the usual then, with an additional four shots.”
Chuuya tilts his head to the side as he works on Dazai’s receipt and cup. “Does caffeine even work in your body?”
“No, but the bitter taste keeps me from going insane.”
“Okay then.”
Without prolonging their conversation, Dazai quietly takes his cup of coffee and snuck into the couch on the corner. The table is big enough for four people – wide enough for Dazai to slam a stack of papers, messing his binder notes up, and put his laptop and tablet to work. Mori-san has been hurrying him into finishing his degree, driving him into a slave of journals, case reports, and teaching his juniors because he’s an asshole, and Dazai swears he would kill his superior and professor using his goddamn diploma when he graduates. The only reasons he’s still maintaining his sanity are Odasaku and Ango as his support systems, who keeps cheering him on; Kunikida who suffers with him (which goes double for Kunikida because Dazai relishes in the joy of pranking him), and of course, the feisty redhead working behind the counters.
Too engrossed in his work, he doesn’t realise how long he’s been working until the sun starts peeking on the window, slowly giving colour to the dark sky.
“Shit,” Dazai mumbles, frantically throwing his stuff in his bag to leave. His place is fifteen minutes away from the cafe, and there’s no way he would arrive safely without getting sunburned. Another reason why he should kill Mori sooner or later. On the bright side, he’s this close to finishing his work.
Dazai is about to use his powers to dash as fast as he can towards his place when someone grabs his wrist. Fuming, Dazai is ready to snarl and scare this person away but stops immediately when he sees the red hair.
“Look Chuuya, as much as I like to talk with you, the sun is rising and I turn into crisp if you hold me outside longer.”
The barista stands close to Dazai and tiptoes, placing a black floppy hat on his head. He opens a large umbrella that’s wide enough to cover two people and tilts his head to the side, smirking.
“I don’t have any classes today. Let me walk you home?”
The neurons inside Dazai’s brain short circuits, leaving Dazai wide-eyed and gaping. After all of the attempts to take Chuuya into his house, the only thing he needs to do is show up stressed, overworked, and looking like shit?
How… perplexing , this tiny, beautiful human.
“...Yes. Yes, of course. Is it fine if I carry you so we can go back faster?”
“Okay.”
Dazai scoops Chuuya off his feet in a swift motion, earning a squeak of surprise from Chuuya (which sounds really cute). Holding Chuuya up in a princess carry, their eyes meet, and time seems to stop - both dazed in each other’s eyes with no words spoken as if they were caught under a witch’s enchantment.
A ray of sunlight peering from the trees breaks the spell. “Hold tight and close your eyes, Chuuya.”
Chuuya nods. Using his powers, Dazai dashes through the street, jumping from one shadow to another, over fences and slipping through small alleyways. The hat and the umbrella Chuuya is holding over them protects Dazai from the deadly sunrise, and as they arrive at Dazai’s apartment building, Dazai jumps over a rooftop and holds his footing on a metal pipe, kicking a window open, and hops inside. The sun has fully risen, but thankfully, Dazai returns back to his room without getting any sunburn. He closes his curtains and turns on the lamps all together through a snap of his fingers.
“Do you always enter through windows?”
“Most of the time. Don’t wanna meet the others.” Dazai shrugs, removing his hat and coat. “You can put your shoes on genkan. ”
“...Okay.”
Having a human in a one-bedroom apartment is somewhat a daily occurrence, so Dazai has everything humans need for them to stay the night – water, canned drinks, some instant noodles, and even a bottle of mouthwash. Taking a human into a vampire’s abode is easier than taking a vampire into a human's house - unknown variables like crosses, garlic, and silverware are common inside the human households, and it could literally kill him. As much as Dazai likes death, he prefers not to die through those painful methods.
“Ne, Chuuya, tell me,” Dazai says, relaxing on the couch. “Why the sudden change of heart?”
Chuuya scoffs, climbing to his lap, and undoes Dazai’s tie. “You look like you need it, and I could have the fun.”
“Is that the only reason?” Dazai asks, running a hand to Chuuya’s ass and squeezing the plump flesh. “Why am I not sure about it?”
Chuuya puts Dazai’s tie aside and starts unbuttoning his shirt. “Fine, you got me. I’ve never done it with a vamp before, so…”
“So you wanna try doing it.”
“Yes.”
Grinning, Dazai’s fangs distend as he inches closer, tasting Chuuya's lips in a kiss, and sucks on his bottom lip playfully. “I hope I can meet your expectations, little human.”
“Shut your damn mouth and prove it to me.”
Bringing Chuuya closer to him, Dazai deepens the kiss, relishing in the natural warmth Chuuya’s human body exudes against his stone-cold lips. Chuuya reciprocates Dazai’s kiss with an equally burning passion - like he’s also been waiting for this to happen - and his invigorating scent heightens, crawling into Dazai’s senses and making him drunk in Chuuya’s intoxicating aroma. Carrying Chuuya to his bed, Dazai removes every article of clothing covering their skin, leaving his bandages attached, and continues leaving soft kisses along Chuuya’s jaw until he reaches his neck where the sound of Chuuya’s beating heart and blood rushing inside his carotids thrums against Dazai’s eardrums.
Gathering every single restraint he has left, Dazai mumbles, “Can I drink?”
“You still need to ask?”
Chuuya’s confirmation is all Dazai needs for his fangs to penetrate Chuuya’s skin. Warm blood pours out from Chuuya’s neck as he moans, pleasure running through his veins the moment Dazai’s fangs enter his flesh, and Dazai takes his fill.
Luscious taste of iron mixed with ambrosial sweetness bursts on Dazai's tongue. Chuuya’s blood isn’t like any humans’ blood Dazai has ever tasted, taking Dazai aback with its power and vitality – nothing can come close to this phenomenal, out of this world flavour. Dazai sucks on the blood like he has never eaten in ages – the desire to drink become his only thought in mind – as his conscious mind is taken over by his deepest base instinct to feed.
Dazai sucks, sucks, and sucks until he's completely full and satisfied. When Dazai returns to his sense, Chuuya is whimpering underneath his hold, body limp and pliant, and only then does Dazai realise how much he fed. At least one litre of blood is sucked out from Chuuya, guaranteeing him death if he doesn’t get his fluids replaced at the hospital, but bringing Chuuya to the hospital with the sun outside would be impossible. Getting help from the other vampires next door is also not an option.
Dread pools in his stomach, and Dazai starts panicking.
Fuck.
He’s about to commit murder of an innocent human, and he’s going to get into big, big trouble.
A hand pulling his head back to where he was feeding breaks Dazai out of his mind, and he automatically pushes his body away from Chuuya.
“Fuck, fuck– this wasn’t supposed to happen! Chuuya, you need to go to a hospital now. ”
“Stop panicking, you shitty vampire.” Chuuya growls, clicking his tongue, and Dazai can’t believe his ears. “And I thought you’re a genius. Turns out you’re fucking stupid.”
Dazai gasps incredulously. “You’re the dying one here and you’re calling me stupid?”
“Idiot.” Chuuya rolls his eyes, sits up, and pulls Dazai back to bed. “I’m not human. Losing this amount of blood won’t kill me. Now, get your horny ass back and continue what you’ve been doing, bastard.”
“...Okay. Okay.”
Taking deep breaths, and under Chuuya’s kisses against his chest, Dazai starts to calm down. Everything starts to make sense. Working in midnight shifts, all chummy and friendly with non-human creatures, and how he smells and taste like a fucking gourmet. How Chuuya masks himself as a human, though… Only potions brewed by powerful, high-grade witches and wizards can disguise a creature into a human. Potions can conceal their unique scent, bloodlust, and physical characteristics, but blood never lies.
Whatever species Chuuya is, Dazai has never drunk from this creature before, and after tasting this...
He’s not sure if human blood will do anymore.
“What are you, Chuuya?”
A smirk answers his question. “Not telling.”
“Oh c’mon, Chibi. You got me already. I just… I never tasted anything like that before.”
“I can tell,” Chuuya mutters, running his hand down to Dazai's stomach. “The guessing game can come later. Now let’s continue where we left off, shall we?”
Chuuya's hand teasing his erection makes Dazai moan before he can argue.
Looks like Dazai won’t be getting his answers just yet.
Chuuya gets out of Dazai’s place through the window a few hours after their hot sex session and goes straight to Albatross’ bar.
“Whoa, I haven’t seen you that bright in ages.”
“Take a guess of what I did.”
“You smell like bloodsuckers, so you must’ve gone to that pureblood’s coffin.”
“Believe it or not, this one doesn’t own a coffin inside his house,” Chuuya points out, sitting in front of the older werewolf. “If I were to say, it looks exactly like a human’s apartment. Well, minus the garlic and silvers.”
Albatross grins, closing his bar for the day, and grabbing two cans of beer, he takes a seat beside Chuuya. “So? What do you think of them bloodsuckers’ dick?”
“I feel ashamed of saying this but…”
“But?”
The teasing curiosity in Albartross’ voice sends a wave of warmth creeping up to his face. Recollection of their previous intercourse is still fresh on Chuuya’s mind, and hands down, that was the best sex Chuuya has ever done in his life – excluding Dazai’s moment of panic. All the blood-sucking was unexpectedly hot and sexy and pleasurable, the cold temperature of Dazai’s skin sent sparks to him in every touch, and Dazai knew how to please someone in bed.
“Now I understand why Aniki and Fukuzawa-san choose to be with leeches over us.” Groaning, Chuuya covers his face inside his hands. “Urgh. It’s better than doing it with our kind. Fuck.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I wish I am.”
Both of them go silent as they drink their beer. Albatross scratches the back of his head and laughs sheepishly. “Well… At least he enjoyed it too, didn’t he?”
Oh, how Dazai did. He left bite marks all over Chuuya’s body, kissing it over and over, and didn’t hold back with his moans.
“He invited me to come over again sometime. I refused.”
“What? If you enjoyed it too, then why?”
“I didn’t outright refuse him. I just told him to find out what I am first before we can continue. There’s a chance he wouldn’t want to meet up again.” Chuuya grimaces. “He loathes dogs.”
“Ah. That’s reasonable.”
Comfortable silence fills the room once again, until the sound of ominous typing distracts Chuuya from the peaceful atmosphere.
“I bet you ten thousand yen he’ll crawl back to you.”
His group notifications beep, and when Chuuya opens his messaging app, the others have pooled on a bet on him and Dazai: three bets on Dazai asking him out, and one bet on Dazai ending their rendezvous.
Gripping his phone hard on his fist, a vein pops up on Chuuya’s forehead. “Assholes, all of you. Except for Iceman.”
“He’s gonna lose so much money.”
Albatross’ laugh fills the quiet bar as Chuuya pounces on him.
Humming to his double suicide song, Dazai skips his body freely into bar Lupin where Odasaku is waiting for him.
“I swear I just had the best meal I ever had in my short life, Odasaku.”
The older vampire gives him a side smile, passing a glass of Dazai’s favourite drink – whiskey on the rocks – he ordered before Dazai arrives. “Congratulations.”
Dazai hums, taking a sip of the alcohol, and sighs dreamily.
“You’re right. He’s not human. But have you ever had something like this before?” Dazai asks. Remembering the taste of Chuuya’s rich blood, still fresh on his tongue, is enough to make him salivate. “It tastes multiple times stronger than any humans’ blood. There’s this sweetness that makes it so addicting, and it’s like- It makes you feel alive. It’s like his blood has a life on its own and it feeds the deepest part of our soul. I don’t think I can drink any human blood from now on.”
Odasaku frowns. His concerned expression is not what Dazai has in mind. Why isn’t Odasaku happy for him? This is good news, right?
“...Is something wrong?”
“I wouldn’t say that exactly.” Odasaku sighs. “This is why I told you to be careful. It’s dangerous to drink blood from someone whose species are still unknown to us. Some of them have compounds that can cause addiction.”
“Like ogre’s blood?”
“Exactly. You know what it’s like.”
Three years back, Odasaku inadvertently got a taste of ogre’s blood by injuring one in a fight during a mission, and he almost became an addict if not for Dazai and Ango keeping close tabs on him. Dazai has seen vampires who became addicts – they will never be full and satisfied even after drinking litres of blood from humans, merfolks, and other creatures alike. While humans have their medicine to help them with withdrawal, those chemicals don’t work on vampires. Only potions made by witches or wizards could help, but the herbs needed for the potions are limited in stock as they are rare.
Dazai has seen the sight of those vampires succumb to madness as they slowly die ever since he could remember, and that is not a method Dazai would want to die in.
However…
“I tried a lick of ogre’s blood, you know,” Dazai mumbles, resting his chin on his hand. “But Chuuya’s blood is different. The power his blood carries is like a punch – you don’t get that from an ogre’s blood.”
“Wait, Dazai.” Odasaku turns to him, eyebrows wrinkling, a slight scowl adorning his lips as he contemplates. “Blood that tastes powerful like a punch. I think I’ve heard of this before.”
“You do?”
Odasaku raises two of his fingers. “Two possibilities. Lots of creatures has blood stronger than humans, but werecreatures and faeries hold the top spot. I personally think it’s better for you to do research on Chuuya's background first.”
Relationships between vampires, weres, and faes are brittle. Things have gotten better over time, but lots of old grudges and prejudice still adhere to them, and when it comes to weres and faes, Dazai can’t investigate without any preparations.
“Out of any other species, this idiot chibi must be one of the troublesome ones.” Dazai rolls his eyes. “Thankfully, our other good friend is a fae!”
“...I’m not sure Ango will agree.”
“Ango can be persuaded,” Dazai smirks, giving Odasaku a thumbs up. “I’ll manage.”
“Absolutely not.”
“What? What do you mean, no?”
“You heard me,” Ango says, pushing his glasses up. “It’s too dangerous. You know faeries blood can intoxicate vampires, Dazai.”
So do werewolves, right?
“Oh c’mon, Ango! Just a teeny-tiny taste? I’m on a very important mission here!”
Leaning to his car, Ango folds his arms on his chest as he raises an eyebrow. “And what could that mission be?”
“A mission to find out what kind of creature of my potential double suicide partner! He doesn’t want to come over again until I figure out what he is.”
“Is this about Nakahara Chuuya?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t have anything to do with him, do I?”
“I know, I know. But his blood was incredibly powerful, and only weres and faes has so much potential in it. I don’t know what weres and faes’ blood taste like, so I don’t know which species he belongs to.”
Scrunching his eyebrows together, Ango stares at Dazai and stays silent. Dazai returns the stare with the best innocent smile he can muster, and finally, Ango sighs.
“Fine. Just a drop, okay?”
“A drop is enough.”
The nails of Ango’s fingers protrude, forming sharp claws, and Ango punctures the tip of his index finger to draw blood. Dazai’s fangs automatically descend upon the smell of blood and sticking his tongue out, a single drop of Ango’s blood falls. A powerful punch meets his senses, similar to Chuuya’s own but…
Chuuya’s blood doesn’t have the fruity and minty taste Ango’s blood holds. Ango’s blood doesn’t have the addicting sweetness Chuuya’s blood is packed with.
That leaves Dazai with one option.
“So…?”
“...A were,” Dazai mutters. That’s why Chuuya doesn’t want to enclose his species. “Werecreatures. Damn .”
Ango huffs, watching Dazai in amusement. “Now that you’ve found out what he is… What are you going to do now?”
Personally speaking, Dazai’s aversion towards werecreatures is not related to the centuries-old grudge between the species. He just thinks that werecreatures are wild, uncultured, and uncouth – especially when in the full moon where they run across the forests under the rain and mud like disgusting dogs or cats they are.
Then again, there are those like Atsushi – and of course, Chuuya…
“I’ll proceed according to plan.”
“Good luck with it, then.” Tapping Dazai on the back, Ango smiles. “When the time comes, introduce him to me and Odasaku, will you?”
The butterflies in his stomach send a flutter to his chest, and returning Ango’s smile, Dazai says, “I will.”
At midday noon, after Dazai finishes all of his projects, he turns on his personal laptop and works. He mastered hacking a few years ago, and this skill always comes in handy to break into databases outside of the vampires’ – not like anyone else knows about his ability because he doesn't want other vampires to tell him what to do – so he strictly uses it for personal entertainment. Every species has its own server containing its member’s information, and every one of them has heavy protection to prevent other people from gaining access to their confidential information.
It takes time, but Dazai finally succeeds in breaking into the werecreatures’ database - every werecreature who lives in Yokohama has their profiles kept in here - and he types Chuuya’s name in. A file pops up on the screen and clicking it open, Chuuya's profile information shows up, complete with two photos of him: one in his human form, one in his transformed wolf form.
Like Dazai, he’s also high up in the hierarchy. But unlike vampires, werecreatures hierarchy is established almost purely by power. For Chuuya to be a part of the sentinels – weres who keep the pack safe – and holds the title of Delta at such a young age… It's safe to say that he’s not to be underestimated.
“A werewolf, huh…” Dazai mutters. Scrolling down through the page, more and more questions pop up in his mind, and a wild grin appears on his face.
“Always so interesting, this stupid chibi.”
Full moon is coming, and Chuuya files in for monthly one-day leave to Ane-san. Along with the members of his pack, they go to the forests and transform, spending the whole night running, howling, and playing in the woods until the sun replaces the moon.
Chuuya has just finished cleaning himself up that morning when a message comes in from Dazai.
morning chibi(≧▽≦)
u work today?
Wait, he didn’t remember giving Dazai his number? The bastard must have stolen his phone and saved his own number when Chuuya went to that bastard's place.
You bastard what did you do with my phone??!!
Yes I will so why don't you do me a favour to not come
His messages instantly go on read, and Chuuya receives his reply.
nothing
i just saved my number and my handsome face there
good!
im coming to see u today~
Chuuya glares at his screen, types in a reply of stop bothering me, and locks his phone to go to sleep, ignoring the notification of an incoming message.
When Chuuya clocks in that night, early to his shift, he finds a bandage-wasting machine sitting in front of the staff door.
“What the fuck are you doing out here?” Chuuya asks, demanding explanations as he folds his arms. “In case you’ve gone blind, this is the staff door, idiot.”
Dazai keeps his stare straight to Chuuya’s eyes, and without a twitch on his neutral expression, he states, “I know what you are.”
“So?” Chuuya says, keeping his cool – he was sure Dazai would find out sooner or later, but he didn’t expect it to be this quick. “Let’s hear about it, then. Business goes after.”
“A Delta wolf working in this humble cafe, using potions to cover up his tracks.” Raising his eyebrows, Dazai smirks. “That’s quite something, isn’t it? What are you up to exactly, Chuuya?”
Chuuya narrows his eyes in return. His promotion to Delta only happens recently – not even the whole pack knows about it yet – so how come a vampire knows about it first?
Just like him, there’s something about Dazai he’s not telling Chuuya.
“Rest assured, nothing that has got to do with the vamps. Or any other species, in fact. It’s internal.” Chuuya squats down until he’s face to face with Dazai, assessing the man from up and down, on guard with his hearing and smell, his fangs showing as he growls. “Now you tell me, Dazai. What are you up to exactly?”
“Chill, Chuuya. I mean no harm.” Raising both of his arms in the air, Dazai grins gleefully. Despite the annoying, unthreatened persona Dazai gives off, he knows better than to challenge Chuuya in this position. Good. “I accessed your files in the database, that’s all. You promised me another meeting if I found out who you are, right?”
Dazai’s answer catches Chuuya off guard. His brow creases, and with his mouth twisted, his fangs retract back to place, and the bloodlust filling the atmosphere dissipates.
“You. You’re telling me you hacked into the system?”
“I did.”
Now Chuuya’s confused. Every species’ personal database is strongly protected, and yet, this shitty pureblood…
“Wow. I don’t know if I should be pissed or amazed.”
“You should be amazed, of course.” Dazai hums, lowering his arms, a grin still plastered on his face. “So? What do you think? Is it enough to woo your prude ass, chibi?”
“Who are you calling a prude ?” Chuuya gasps, throwing a kick to Dazai only for him to avoid. “And stop calling me chibi!”
“You are a chibi. A small bad wolf!” Dazai laughs, avoiding yet another attack. This vampire knows how to dodge, damn. “C’mon Chuuya. Yes or no? If you want, I can even help you with this internal affairs you’re working on.”
Exasperated by his failed attacks, Chuuya facepalms and groans. He knows what kind of answer he’ll give Dazai and if Dazai really can help him find this goddamn rogue… That’s more than enough as reassurance, right? And if Dazai tries anything weird, well, it won't be the first time Chuuya hides a corpse.
“I don’t have morning classes this Friday.”
Dazai’s dark eyes lighten up, and before Chuuya realises it, a soft peck touches his lips. “It’s a date.”
Heat rises up to Chuuya’s cheeks upon the sudden intimacy, scrambling back up to his feet to move away from Dazai. The annoying vampire only laughs as he walks out of the dark alleyway, looking back as he waves to Chuuya.
“I’ll wait for your shift to end, Chuuya.”
Chuuya is left alone and dumbfounded in front of the back door, wondering what has just happened, until a shout breaks him off his thoughts.
If you’re done flirting with your boyfriend, hurry up and take over my shift, Chuuya-kun~!”
Dazai is not officially his boyfriend yet, but the words make Chuuya’s heart flip nonetheless.
“Fuck off, Fyodor!”