{series} Empire of Midnight: don't flutter by
don't flutter by
→ Jonghyun/Key, Onew/Minho, Minho/Taemin; PG-16
He lands in your heart, not a second late.
thanks siaht for the help & jecca-o9 for the beta :D
Jonghyun was in the library - a place he’d never let anybody catch him in. He needed some peace and quiet to finish his book so that Minho could shut up about how he never reads. Just when he found a comfortable spot in the back of the library, he heard footsteps in a nearby aisle. He was hoping it wasn’t a lustful couple trying to get it on because he didn’t feel like moving.
A few silent seconds passed and Jonghyun opened his book. To his dismay, the couple was shuffling and a body banged against the bookshelf.
“Fuck,” Jonghyun muttered under his breath. He was about to get up and move, but he noticed a scent in the air.
“What are you doing?”
“Shh. There’s no one here. Open your mouth.”
Jonghyun noticed two particular scents. One of them was a vampire, and the other...the other scent drove Jonghyun crazy. It made his heart race and his fangs throbbed against his tongue. He tried to calm himself. This was not what he needed right now.
“Stop! What the fuck?” Jonghyun saw the boy struggle under the vampire’s grasp.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make you feel good.”
It took Jonghyun a few more sniffs to understand what the other scent was. It was his perfect feeding source, ‘the perfect one’ as vampires would call it. The one with the ideal blood that matches the vampire’s. The vampire’s hunger would be satisfied with just enough blood to keep the person alive. It’s an eternal food source, at least until the person dies.
“Shit.” Jonghyun wasn’t going to let the wimpy vampire claim the boy.
“Come on Kibum.” The vampire forced the other’s head to the side, trying to gain access to the neck.
Jonghyun banged his book against the window. The vampire jerked his head towards Jonghyun’s direction, still clutching Kibum’s arms. Jonghyun banged his book again. This time, the vampire caught Jonghyun’s scent and started to retreat, his steps getting faster and faster. It didn’t take long for the vampire to disappear out of sight; he knew who he was dealing with.
Kibum fixed his shirt, faced flush red from embarrassment. He slowly walked towards Jonghyun, trying to seem normal and calm as possible. “Thanks.”
A wide grin surfaced on Jonghyun’s face. He liked what he saw, he was satisfied with his future feeding source. “You’re welcome. Be careful next time.” Jonghyun didn’t care if it was obvious that he was checking Kibum out. His eyes scanned the almond eyes to the defined cheekbones, trailing down to a pair of pink lips. Jonghyun made sure to check out latter half of Kibum.
“I will.” They stared at each other for what seemed like forever before Kibum decided to sit down next to Jonghyun. Something in him told him to stay, even it if was just for a while. “So, are you a student here?”
“Yeah. You?”
“Yup, fashion and dance department. Why night school?”
“Why? Um... I’m nocturnal.” Jonghyun was surprised how friendly Kibum seemed. No wonder he was attacked. “What about you?”
“I work in the mornings.” Kibum’s attention floated to Jonghyun’s blonde hair. His hand couldn’t help but smooth out a few strands that were covering Jonghyun’s eyes. “I like it, the colors.”
“Really? It doesn’t make me look like some tri-colored freak?”
Kibum laughed, head unconsciously tilting towards Jonghyun. “No, it’s unique. It fits you.” They nodded simultaneously, grinning like fools. Kibum glanced at the time on his watch and frowned, “I gotta go. I’ll catch you around?”
“We’ll see,” Jonghyun teased.
Kibum hopped off the table and smiled.
Jonghyun waited for Kibum to leave the library before getting off the table to follow him. He won’t let any other vampire claim Kibum. Kibum was too intoxicating.
Three weeks later, Jonghyun is walking on a cold city sidewalk. He keeps his distance, trailing behind to leave just enough space so that if the boy turns around, he’d seem like another stranger on the streets. Jonghyun zips up his jacket, not that the cold air affects him, he just feels that it lessens the embarrassment of this activity.
He eyes the boy, carefully tracing his every move. Jonghyun can’t let him out of his sight.
The boy stops and bends down to tie his shoe. Jonghyun jerks out his phone and pretends that he got a call, still watching him from the corner of his eye. This is the third week and Jonghyun feels silly. A man of his class shouldn’t be following a boy home. He shakes his head and corrects his thought; he is protecting him on his way home.
Jonghyun tucks his phone away when the boy gets up. He slows down his pace, seeing that they have almost reached their destination. The boy makes a right turn and enters a brownstone. Jonghyun doesn’t waste a second and runs across the street. He climbs the fire escapes to the rooftop, counting down in his head.
“3, 2, 1.” The lights turn on in one of the apartments windows across the street. Jonghyun smirks, proud of his always-perfect timing. He sits down, legs hanging over the edge of the roof.
The boy drops his bag and pulls his hoodie over his head. Although he looks like a black figure, Jonghyun can picture him clearly as he makes his every move. Jonghyun stares at the boy who is moving back and forth in his room. It takes a few vibrations of his phone to get him to notice that he has an incoming call.
“Yo.”
“Hyung, it’s me.”
“I know. Who else could it be at this hour?” Minho would always call exactly at 11.
“Are you still stalking-”
“I’m not stalking, I am protecting.”
“Ok.” Jonghyun can feel an eye-roll on the other line. “Protecting that boy?”
“Yes. Yes, I am.”
“Why?” Minho’s voice echoes into Jonghyun’s ear as a low hum, dancing around his thoughts.
“Because,” Jonghyun sighs, “because he- wait. Do you really have to ask me the same question every night?”
“You’re really slow sometimes.” Minho fumbles with his thoughts, trying to piece them together to form something coherent. “I think you’re stupid, you know, obsessing over this boy. How old is he? 18?”
“You shouldn’t be the one talking.”
“Fine, fine. I won’t lecture you, hyung. But is this Kibum kid really worth your time?”
“Minho, my time isn’t worth much. All I have is time.”
There is a moment of silence between them before Minho could think of something to say. “Are you still coming over?” Minho never wins this argument.
“Yeah.”
“Ok. See you later.”
Jonghyun slips his phone back into his left pocket. The lights turn off across the street - Kibum is in bed. Jonghyun takes one last look before heading toward Minho’s apartment.
“Where’s Jinki?” Jonghyun leans against the white walls, his pale skin almost blending in if not for his blonde hair.
“He went home.” Minho checks his clock. “Why don’t you come in?”
“It’s fine. I have to finish that composition due next week.”
Minho avoids looking at Jonghyun. He never stays when he offers. “So early?”
“Yeah, you know how long it takes for me to think of something good.”
Minho chuckles, “Yeah.” He walks to his kitchen and opens the refrigerator. “How much do you need?”
“Um... about a week’s worth?” There are sounds of closing doors and shuffling bags.
Jonghyun examines the apartment. It hasn’t changed much since last week, but every time he arrives, he is hit with a sense of novelty. Like Minho rearranged his plants, or the order of the paintings on the wall.
“Here,” Minho hands a white bag to Jonghyun, recalling his attention. “I put in extra just in case you get hungry.”
Jonghyun’s fingers lightly brush past Minho’s as he takes the bag. He tries hard not to look at Minho’s hopeful eyes. “Thanks.” He pushes himself off the wall. “I’m gonna head home.”
“Wait.” Minho mentally smacks himself for speaking before thinking.
“What’s up?” Jonghyun turns around to meet longing eyes.
“If all you have is time, then-”
“Minho.” Jonghyun looks straight at Minho, signaling that he doesn’t want him to continue the sentence. Jonghyun knows what the other boy wants to say. They went over this a long time ago.
“Then why can’t you spend that time with my time? All I have is time too.”
“Because. You’re holding onto past sentiments. Check your feelings before you start this with me again.” Jonghyun turns around. “Goodnight.” He walks out the door, leaving Minho frustrated in the dark hallway.
When the elevator doors open, Jonghyun he sees Taemin get off. “Hey hyung!”
“Oh, hi.” Jonghyun watches Taemin walk up to Minho’s door and knock.
Taemin turns to wave goodbye as the elevator door closes.
Kibum’s eyes shoot open, meeting odd-shaped shadows dancing on the white ceiling. He immediately sits up to look for his phone, scared that his genius will escape him.
Jinki’s leg straddles a pillow while the other is propped up against the wall. He’s trying to ignore his phone because it is too late in the night. Unfortunately, the ringing doesn’t stop - the other line is persistent.
“Uhhh...hillo?” Jinki loosely holds his phone to his ear, still trying to sleep and hoping the caller would go away.
“Jinki!” The loud scream of his name causes Jinki’s eyes to shoot open. “Jinki, Jinki. I got it!”
Jinki shuts his eyes, hearing that it was Kibum on the other line. “Whaaaaaaaaat? Kibum? What do you want from me at,” Jinki checks his phone, “at 3:37am in the morning? What?”
“I thought of the theme for the Halloween party!”
“You’re calling me for that?”
“Well, what else are you good for?” Kibum sucks his teeth, annoyed that his genius is not being appreciated.
Jinki is too sleepy and half of the things he is hearing sound like hums and buzzes. “Is that all?”
“No.”
“Can I sleep now?”
“I said no. I need a model for my photo shoot!”
“Ok, then I want two eggs with that.” Jinki nods to himself, smiling at the picture of an extravagant breakfast in his head.
“Shut up. Listen, I need a model. My pants won’t fit on your chunky thighs, definitely not on Taemin’s skinny ass, and can’t cover your boyfriend’s or whatever abnormally long legs.”
“He’s not my boyfriend. And I don’t have chunky thighs!”
“What. Ever.”
“Why don’t you ask Jonghyun?
“Who? What? Who?”
“Ugh forget it. I’ll get you a model.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Really, really?”
“Yes. Now leave me alone.” Jinki waits for a reply, but Kibum hung up already.
Similar to lunch time at a regular school, night schools have dinner time. Minho would usually stick with Jinki to feed while Jonghyun would keep Taemin company. But Taemin is often persistent with his demands, insisting that he is enough for Minho.
When Minho leaves Jinki for dinner with Taemin, he’s left with Jonghyun and the dinner made for him.
“Are you sure this is edible?” Jinki stares at the red goo oozing out of the sandwich.
“Eat it or give it to Taemin. I think he needs it more than you.”
Jinki protectively covers his sandwich with his hand. “No, I’m good.” He bites into the sandwich and shakes his head. “Taemin doesn’t need this. He’s eating dinner with Minho.”
“Oh…sorry.”
“No, I’m fine.” Jinki nibbles on the crust, eyes staring at the plastic Ziploc bag in his lap.
“You know, you don’t need to let Minho do this. He doesn’t need human blood to survive.”
“I know. I want to.” Jinki looks dubious as he chews on his food. “Are you sure this isn’t blood?”
Jonghyun narrows his eyes, leaning forward to inspect the sandwich. “No. I’m not sure.” Jonghyun pretends to give thought about it, rubbing his chin. “Actually, it is blood. Pig blood. Sorry.” Jonghyun pouts and looks at Jinki, ready for his reaction.
Wide-eyed, Jinki tries to cough up what he already swallowed. “What!? Why would you do this to me?” Jinki points to his mouth, his other arm flailing up and down, violently coughing up nothing.
Jonghyun slaps Jinki’s thigh, laughing with tears in his eyes. “Just kidding, just kidding! It’s cranberry sauce.” He pushes the sandwich to Jinki’s mouth as he tries to control his breathing. “Now eat it.”
Jinki attempts to make his angriest face at Jonghyun, but Jonghyun just laughs even harder. Jinki ignores his attempt, focusing his taste buds on the sweet taste of the sauce.
“Oh yeah. Jonghyun, do you know Kibum?”
Jonghyun stops laughing and stares seriously at Jinki. “Who?”
“Kim Kibum? He’s about your height, black hair with a tint of purple. Likes to wear eyeliner. Half the time, won’t shut up about how his hair is being ruined by humidity.”
“Um.....sorta?” Jonghyun is amazed that Jinki knew Kibum. Jinki sticks to Minho half the time he’s at school.
“Well, he needs a model for his pants who he can photograph. And he’s too picky to use me, Minho, or Taemin. I think he wants somebody of your size.”
“Really?” Jonghyun’s too intrigued to be bothered by Jinki’s sad attempt at insulting his height. “Tell him, I’d love to.”
“Ok, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. He can be a big bitch.”
Jonghyun pats Jinki, giving him an assuring rub. “I’ve dealt with enough bitches in my life time. I can handle this one.” He stands up, still smirking about this perfect opportunity. “If Minho looks for me, tell him I’m in the piano room.”
Jinki is left alone with his sandwich and another serving of it in the bag on his lap. He begins to contemplate about why the sandwich is so addicting. Jinki lifts up a piece of bread to check for drugs, but he finds none.
“Mr. Sandwich, why are you so tasty? What did Jonghyun put in you?”
A voice scoffs from the door, catching Jinki’s attention. “Please tell me you weren’t talking to a sandwich.”
Jinki looks away, guilty of Kibum’s accusation.
“Why are you alone?” Kibum pulls a chair up next Jinki. “Where’s yo-”
“Your model just left five minutes ago.”
“Oh? Where’d he go? I wanna meet him.” Kibum looks up, scanning his schedule in his head. “Never mind, I don’t have the time to meet him now. What’s his name again? John?”
“No, Jonghyun.” Jinki unwraps the second sandwich and takes a big bite. “I can’t believe you don’t know him. He’s like you except, he’s a vam-ohhhhh nocturnal. Nocturnal.”
Kibum looks at Jinki like he’s the dumbest thing alive. “What? You mean he’s like Minho?”
Jinki can only draw a blank face. “You know about Minho?”
“Duh, I’m not stupid. I have eyes. I know there are vampires here. This one tried to get at me too. That asshole.”
Jinki sighs, relieved that he doesn’t have to explain to Kibum. He isn’t very good at explaining things.
Kibum leaves Jinki because he started to talk about the sandwiches in a very frightening way. As he makes his way to pick up film, a melody catches his ear. His feet bring him to a piano room, but it was dark and it seems like no one was inside.
The music stops and Kibum thinks he was just hearing things. But when he takes a step back, the melody comes back. Kibum slowly eases through the door, thinking that loud noise would stop the music. His fingers grope for a light switch.
“Don’t turn it on,” Jonghyun orders. Kibum’s heart skips a beat. “I don’t like the light.”
Kibum walks to the tune, eyes still adjusting to the absence of light. He keeps walking until his knees bang against something hard. He almost trips, but a strong hand grabs his arm and pulls him into a seat.
“Hey...” Jonghyun whispers into Kibum’s ears, almost as if their existence in the piano room is forbidden. “Wanna help me with my song?”
“Sure...” Kibum doesn’t know why he agreed; he doesn’t even know who the other voice is. But the whole atmosphere captured him and he is now entranced.
Jonghyun’s heart is beating fast again, no different from the first time they met. He tells himself to breathe and to play his piece for Kibum.
Jonghyun’s fingers dance over the keys on the piano and Kibum slowly rests his head on Jonghyun’s shoulder.
“Are you the one I met three weeks ago, the tri-colored freak?”
Jonghyun smiles, satisfied that Kibum still remember their little conversation. “Yours truly.”
“I never learned your name.”
“That’s not important.” Jonghyun starts singing to prevent Kibum from asking more questions. Kibum’s inner hopeless romantic is pleased with the dark atmosphere coupled with a romantic song sung by a beautiful voice.
Jonghyun holds himself back from biting Kibum’s naked neck. He takes Kibum’s hands and guides them to the keys as he gets up to stand behind him. Their fingers play Jonghyun’s song and he finds himself planting soft kisses down Kibum’s neck. But Kibum doesn’t protest, his eyes close and he’s biting his lower lip to prevent moans from escaping.
“Fuck,” Kibum grunts at the vibration of his phone, disgruntled that this moment has to end. “That means I have class now.”
Jonghyun smiles into Kibum’s neck and steals a kiss from him before releasing his hands. “We’ll meet again sooner than you think.”
He leans against the piano as the scent of Kibum fades until it’s gone.
“Very soon.”
A few days later, Minho leaves Jinki again for dinner with Taemin. Jonghyun is locked up in the piano room so Jinki eats alone until Kibum shows up.
“Jinki,” Kibum says with a stern face.
“Ca-can you not look at me like that? I’m scared.” Jinki shrinks into his chair, hugging his bucket of food which catches Kibum’s eyes.
“Ugh, you shouldn’t eat fried chicken at night. It’ll go to your thighs. They’re big enough.”
Jinki frowns and hugs his bucket tighter. “Meanie. My thighs are hot.”
“I love you too,” Kibum says with a cheesy smile. “Now, as I was going to say. I think,” he pauses to make sure Jinki is paying attention. “I think I’m in love.”
Kibum waits for a happy response from Jinki, something like ‘congratulations’ or ‘yay!’ but Jinki just stares at Kibum.
“Ok, let me repeat myself. I’m-”
“No, I got it the first time,” Jinki says with a chicken leg in his mouth. “I’m just not surprised.”
“Why not?” Kibum wrinkles his nose.
“Because, you’re always in love with someone or something.” Jinki throws a bone in the trashcan while nodding to himself.
“I’m serious this time. Cross my heart,” Kibum makes an ‘x’ on his chest. “He gives me this feeling. I don’t even know how to describe it. I figured it’s love.” He frowns, “I don’t know his name though.”
“Now that’s surprising.”
“He’d never tell me,” Kibum frowns while checking out his nails.
“Are you sure you’re not just imagining this person?”
Kibum lightly smacks Jinki, “No! I’m sure he’s real. He goes to this school.”
“Oh? And Mr. Gossip Queen doesn’t even know his name?”
“Oh my god, go away,” Kibum rolls his eyes. “He has a lot of colors in his hair. Probably in the vocal or music department. His body is pretty toned and-”
“Wait, how do you know that?” Jinki narrows his eyes at Kibum.
“Long story. But yeah, he can sing very well. Has big eyes. He’s really really hot.”
Jinki picks up a napkin and wipes his mouth. “Well...he sounds like Jonghyun except for the hot part.”
“Jonghyun?”
“Yes, your model.”
“Are you serious?” Kibum pushes Jinki with more force than he meant causing Jinki to almost fall out of his chair. “Oh my god, oh my god!” He starts to flail his arms. “This is so perfect.”
Jinki groans, regretting what he said. “You can stop hitting my arm now.”
Kibum digs in his bag and pulls out an envelope. “Here, give this to him.”
“What is this?” Jinki wipes his hand before stuffing it in his bag.
“It’s an invitation to the party this weekend.”
Jinki pouts, “How come I don’t get one?”
“I”ll give you 10 seconds to realize,” Kibum glares at the other boy.
“Ohhhh,” Jinki laughs at himself. “I’m helping out.”
Kibum scoffs and steals a sip of Jinki’s soda. He looks up and sees Minho by the doorway. “I’ll see you this weekend, Jinki. Bye bye.” Kibum gets up and leaves, passing Minho with a smile.
It’s a lazy Friday night and Jonghyun has no class. He spreads out his body on his king sized bed, clad only with a pair of boxers. He likes to sleep while feeling the cold air dance on his skin.
He hears a knock on his door and rolls over on his side. There’s another knock and soon his phone is ringing.
“Ughhhhh.......”
“Open the door.”
“It’s too early in the night for me to get up.”
“Fine, I’ll stick it under the door. You’ll be happy to see it. It has to do with your obsession.”
“Wait, what is it?”
“An invite. Jinki told me to give it to you.”
Jonghyun counts the days in his head. “Who’s coming over tonight?”
“Taemin.”
“Ok. Thanks, I’ll call you later.”
Jonghyun drops his phone on his bed and pulls the cover over his head.
Later in the evening, Jonghyun opens the envelope and unfolds the paper. He skims the invite and looks for his phone to call Minho.
“Hello?” The voice is sharp, so Jonghyun figures it’s not Minho.
“Um..Taemin?”
“Oh hi hyung. Are you looking for Minho?”
“Mmmhmm. Before you get him, did you get checked up?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Taemin smiles. “The doctor told me to just take iron pills and rest more.”
“That’s good. Sleep earlier, ok?”
“Ok.” Taemin puts down the phone to get Minho.
“Hey.”
“Minho, a masquerade?”
Minho laughs, “Not my idea.”
“Are you going?”
“Yeah, Jinki insisted.”
“What the hell am I gonna be? I don’t wanna buy a costume.”
“Hyung. You’re a vampire.” Jonghyun realizes this fact and feels stupid. “Just throw on a cape, protract your fangs, get a mask, and you’re good to go.”
“Right, you’re very right.”
“Well then,” Minho chuckles, “I gotta go.”
“I know.” Jonghyun smiles bitterly. “Don’t let him sleep too late.”
Jonghyun hangs up and leaves to go buy a cape and mask.
It’s Halloween and Kibum’s party is the hottest one in the city. People are lined up to enter the club and Jonghyun’s trying to squeeze his way up front. He hands the bouncer his invite and the door opens.
As he makes his way through the crowd, scantly dressed girls try to dance on him. Jonghyun elbows every female that comes crawling on his body. He digs out the invite, reading the clues that Kibum wrote especially for him.
He’s your top-notch goddess, so divine.
His white angel wings spread out open wide,
As your love, crimson red spreads out for him,
Your scarlet desire fills to a brim.
“Ugh, so he’s an angel?” Jonghyun looks up and sees a crowd filled with angels, devils, nurses, vampires. “Well, this is going to be fun.” He figures there won’t be that many male angels so he shoves away all the female ones aside.
After about 30 minutes, Jonghyun is pissed off and tired from fending off girls trying to grind on him. He sits himself down at the bar, pulling out his phone to text Jinki. As his finger lingers over the send button, a flash of light hits his eyes and he follows it. His sight lands on a boy dressed in black with black wings who’s trying to push off another man.
Jonghyun rushes over and takes the boy by his hand and leads him to the lounge.
“Kibum,” Jonghyun stares at Kibum’s eyes through his mask as he pushes their bodies together.
“Took you long enough.” He wraps his arms around Jonghyun’s neck and smiles.
“Too many people in this club, too many girls trying to get in my pants.”
Kibum smugly smiles, “I know who you are.”
“Oh?” Jonghyun leans in to whisper, “Who am I?” He plants butterfly kisses down Kibum’s neck, resisting his urge to bite.
“Kim Jonghyun.” Kibum starts to grind against Jonghyun to the beat of the music. “Also my future model.”
“Kibum,” Jonghyun pins him to the wall. “There’s something I really want to do to you right now.” His tongue makes wet circles on Kibum’s neck, his hand gliding up Kibum’s shirt.
“You can bite me if you want.”
Jonghyun stops and pulls away, hands still pinning Kibum down. “What did you say?”
“I said you can bite me if you want to. You can claim me.” Kibum pulls Jonghyun back, his almond eyes staring straight into Jonghyun’s.
“You know about me?”
Kibum nods, “I know about Minho and Jinki made a slip.”
“Wow...this makes everything easier.” Jonghyun throws his head back with a smile. “So I can skip the whole courting process?”
“I think you’ve already courted me with your little damsel-in-distress rescue and that song. That was about me, right?”
Jonghyun shyly looks down, “Yeah.”
“Wow, you’re kinda cheesy. I can’t believe you called me a butterfly.”
“You don’t like it?” Jonghyun pouts, his big eyes blinking in front of Kibum.
“No, I love it.” Kibum bites his lower lip, not wanting to smile so big that he’d look like a fool. “You know, this side of you is pretty cute.”
Jonghyun wraps his arms around Kibum’s waist and a huge grin is plastered on his face. “So you’re mine?”
“I guess you can put it that way.”
Jonghyun is all just all smiles as his lips meet Kibum’s.
Jonghyun is walking on a cold city sidewalk, but no longer keeping his distance. His fingers are laced with Kibum’s and they’re heading to Jonghyun’s apartment.
“Hurry up, I’m hungry,” Jonghyun whines.
“For blood or for sex?”
“For you,” Jonghyun asserts. Now let’s pick up the pace.”
Jonghyun is almost dragging Kibum along up the stairs when they arrive. He fumbles with his keys and finally opens the door. He pulls Kibum into the bedroom and is too needy to head over to the bed.
“You look deprived.”
Jonghyun makes no reply, but shuts Kibum up with his mouth and their tongues dance. His fangs protract sooner than he thinks so he plants kisses down to Kibum’s neck. Jonghyun bites down and receives moans from Kibum. He drinks just enough to satisfy his hunger and licks the wound.
“Now,” Jonghyun looks up at Kibum whose face is flushed red. “Let’s fuck.”
---
This fic is all thanks to comments made about my sonnet by my English teacher :D
I most likely will write a side story about Minho's drama, any thoughts?
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