Hunted

[vaguelynormal]

Title: Hunted 7/?
Author: vaguelynormal
Pairing: Jaejoong/Yunho, Changmin/Yunho, Junsu/Yoochun/Yunho
Rating: NC-17
Warning: supernatural AU, blood
Summary: Yunho is just doing his job; sometimes that makes him a target.

Previous chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6



The vampires pack everything up within two days, Jaejoong asking him more than once if he’s sure. He doesn’t know exactly what they do with a lot of the furniture but it steadily disappears as he rests in bed, even the many carpets are rolled back. They rug him up one morning after a big meal though the weather isn’t too testing that day, winter still another couple of weeks away but Yunho doesn’t protest as he’s shuffled into the back of a large and expensive looking car.

‘Is this a rental?’ Yunho clambers into the spacious back, plush leather benches covering each of the walls.

He takes a seat beside Changmin, drawing his quilt around him, the breeze from the open door chilling his skin. Jaejoong takes a seat across from him, next to Junsu and Yunho looks around for Yoochun.

‘It’s mine,’ Jaejoong informs him coolly.

Jaejoong notices him spotting Yoochun in the driver’s seat as Junsu yanks the door closed, handing Yunho a pillow from the bed. Yunho thanks him and places it to the side, out of Taepoong’s reach, the puppy rolling along the bench.

‘How long is the drive going to be?’ he asks hesitantly, noticing the store of food and water on the floor.

‘A day or two,’ Jaejoong replies. ‘Don’t worry, Yoochun’s always had a thing for cars, he drives well.’

Yunho’s surprised to find this out, Yoochun flashing him a smile in the rear-view mirror before starting the engine. It sounds smooth, nothing like the shitty cable cars he’s used to catching and it glides easily out onto the road. Not long into their drive and Yunho realises they’re heading out towards the upper highway bridges, the kind only the rich can afford to travel on with all the expensive tolls and Yunho almost climbs over Changmin to stare out the window. The very few cars travelling along the road are incredibly beautiful, the likes of which Yunho’s never seen up close and it’s almost surreal.

‘Holy shit,’ Yunho takes in an aerial view of the upper-class suburbs below, beautiful green parklands framed by mansions.

The vampires chuckle and Yunho stares enviously at the magnificent houses before he pulls away from the window and distracts himself with the sleeping puppy beside him.

‘You’ve never been to this part of the city?’ Junsu asks curiously.

‘Once,’ Yunho reminisces. ‘There was a painting I think that was lifted from a gallery. I delivered it to the head of the mafia, or rather, his wife. But it’s hard to get through without setting off a scanner and then you get police attention because everyone assumes you’re out to rob houses. I had to take the sewerage tunnels to get in.’

Changmin and Jaejoong wrinkle their noses in disgust but Junsu grins.

‘Sounds fun. What’s it like down there?’ the young vampire enthuses.

‘Dark,’ Yunho answers and Changmin snorts. ‘There are weird creatures living in the tunnels. It’s like there are bunkers down there and deeper tunnels that I’ve never known to exist.’

‘Hybrids most likely,’ Jaejoong picks some of the puppy’s fur from his black fitted shirt.

‘I thought they were just the stuff of children’s stories?’

‘All stories have some truth to them,’ the vampire reasons. ‘I think you’ll find a lot of your human stories are cautionary tales intended to keep you well behaved for your demon masters.’

Yunho scowls, hating the idea of his treasured childhood fables being centred around egotistical demons and their ownership of humans. It’s frustrating that the vampires still seem to share this view, making Yunho feel worthless.

‘More like warning us to be wary of pigheaded demons.’

‘Don’t get upset, it’s not as though I wrote them.’

Yunho sulks, wrapping the quilt around him and Taepoong, cuddling her close. Junsu shuffles to sit on his free side, lifting the pillow into his lap and gesturing for Yunho to lie down and rest his head. Begrudgingly, Yunho does, the puppy resting in the curve by his stomach. Changmin tugs at the quilt, lifting his legs to rest across his lap too, holding him gently secure in case the car jolts suddenly. Yunho curls up, laying his head on the soft, cool pillow, Junsu’s hand petting his hair comfortingly.

‘I think it would be interesting to meet a hybrid,’ Junsu’s soft, husky voice soothes Yunho.

‘They’re dangerous,’ Jaejoong says warningly.

Changmin chuckles, rubbing Yunho’s calves, ‘don’t mind Jaejoong, purebloods tend to have a lot of prejudice.’

‘Like you’re any different,’ Yunho mutters, temper flaring as he remembers the horrible things the vampires have said about his species. ‘Humans are inferior to you.’

Yunho sits up grumpily, picking up Taepoong and the pillow and shuffling his way to the bench furthest away in the car. Building a nest in the corner from the quilt and pillow, Taepoong looks up at him happily, her tail wagging excitedly as he lies down beside her, scratching behind her ears. They curl up together tightly, Yunho refusing to meet the vampire’s eyes.

Changmin sighs heavily. ‘We’ve been through this before, Yunho.’

‘Yeah and just when I begin to think you demons are okay, you have to go and prove me wrong,’ Yunho says quietly, burying himself in the blankets and willing back tears. ‘You have no respect for me.’

He wonders if he hasn’t made the wrong decision to leave with them. Yunho’s well aware he must appear petulant but the nerves twist into acid in his gut, making him feel ill and panicked like a cornered animal. He’s never felt quite as isolated and alone, his body aching for their comforting touch. In a new city, Yunho is at a disadvantage to ever regain his freedom if he changes his mind.

‘Is Yunho alright?’ he hears Yoochun call from the front, undoubtedly catching sight of Yunho in his mirror.

Jaejoong mumbles back a reply but Yunho doesn’t pay attention, sulking to himself, Taepoong’s wet nose pressing against his cheek. Soft, warm fur is something Yunho finds comforting and he nuzzles the puppy, trying his best not to let regret or anxiety eat away at him.

Yunho must fall asleep because at some point they stop and pull over in a town he’s never heard of. They shuffle him out of the car, Changmin and Jaejoong guiding him by the elbows as though he’s a prisoner requiring an escort, and into a small western style diner. Yunho is told to order whatever he wants off the menu and feeling vindictive, decides he wants three mains from the laminated menu. The vampires say nothing as he picks his way through the food, barely touching some of it before he excuses himself to the bathroom.

The bathroom is horribly lit by fluorescents, the tiles worse for wear and the walls a dirty blue but Yunho relieves himself quickly, washing up in the tiny sink. He splashes his face with cold water, patting it dry with a rough paper towel and then stands on the tips of toes to peer out the bathroom window overlooking the parking lot. Junsu is out by the car, playing a game with Taepoong that involves chasing the pup around the parking lot and laughing loudly. The sight makes Yunho smile despite his bad mood and he returns to the booth, dousing his pancakes with syrup before downing them, wolfing down the omelette. He eats without any refinement, aware of the eyes on him but uncaring, he’s never had to impress the vampires.

When he begins to feel slightly sick from all the food, Jaejoong guides him out again, Yoochun following along whilst Changmin pays. As soon as they reach the car, Yunho tugs his arm free angrily, climbing inside with Yoochun and Taepoong. Jaejoong and Changmin soon follow, Junsu taking the wheel and steering them back onto the highway.

‘You don’t need to grip me like that,’ Yunho says crossly, glaring at Jaejoong.

‘When you stop having these mood swings, I’ll consider it,’ Jaejoong remarks coldly.

Yunho growls, temper flaring and Jaejoong launches at him so quickly he doesn’t have time to flinch, the vampire suddenly pinning him down to the seat. Taepoong barks loudly as Jaejoong covers Yunho’s body with his own, tension rising between them as they lock eyes. Even Changmin and Yoochun seem startled by the change of atmosphere.

‘I know you’re having a hard time adjusting to all this, but you’re going to have to calm down,’ Jaejoong hisses, eyes flashing darkly and it terrifies Yunho. ‘You’re constantly fighting me, the head of your family and that goes against instincts and hierarchy. Not just because you’re human, but because you’re the youngest and newest addition.’

‘Fuck off,’ Yunho grits his teeth, attempting to push the vampire off him.

Jaejoong’s weight pressing him down is unrelenting, ice-cold hands capturing his wrists and pinning them above his head.

‘You’ve bonded with us, your mind and body are already changing but it’s going to hurt if you don’t let go and go with it,’ the vampire tells him. ‘There’s more to come, you have to relax and let the change consume you.’

‘What change?’ Yunho panics. ‘What’s going to happen to me?’

Jaejoong’s eyes soften. ‘The connection will strengthen.’

‘But you said I can’t feel the connection!’ Yunho protests.

‘Not in that sense,’ the vampire releases his grip on Yunho’s wrists, allowing Yunho a little bit of breathing room. ‘It will become stronger the longer you are with us, tying your body and soul to the family. You’ll feel us in the sense that your body will ache for us; you’ll miss our touch and the bite. Your place will be within the family and without us near you’ll feel bereft.’

It’s too much for Yunho to take in, more emotion than he’s prepared to feel. He remembers the overwhelming sensation and sentiment when Junsu and Yoochun traced the connection back to him, leaving him painfully distraught, crippled with grief when it was broken. Yunho can’t stand the thought of being so incredibly vulnerable.

‘I can’t do it, take it back,’ he begs, twisting hands in Jaejoong’s shirt.

‘Shh,’ Changmin hushes him and Yunho realises he’s crying, choking as his breath gets caught in his throat. The tall vampire pulls Jaejoong back by the shoulder, helping Yunho sit up and enveloping him in long arms. ‘You know we can’t. We chose you. You’re so special, Yunho.’

Changmin muffles Yunho’s sobs against his shoulder, rubbing soothing circles over his back. Yunho inhales heavily, Changmin holding him tightly as he tries to ease his fears, taking in the vampire’s words.

‘We won’t leave you,’ Changmin promises him. ‘We’ll take care of you; we love you. Trust us to look after you.’

Yunho’s breath hitches, tears reduced to a slight hiccup. No one has ever told him they love him before. It sparks something warm and hopeful in his chest, though he’s still a little disbelieving. Fingers curling into Changmin’s jacket, Yunho lets out a small whimper, pressing his face into the vampire’s chest.

‘You don’t know how it feels,’ he mumbles in Changmin’s shirt.

The vampire wipes the mess of tears from Yunho’s face and it makes him feel like a small child throwing a tantrum. ‘Of course we do,’ Changmin strokes his hair comfortingly. ‘We feel it every moment of everyday and it will only grow stronger. The bond is sacred, not a burden.’

‘You do?’ Yunho looks at all of them in shock.

Yoochun smiles at him, nodding and Jaejoong raises an eyebrow at him as if to imply Yunho should have already known. ‘What would be the point of building a family if we couldn’t? When I first tasted your blood, I knew I had to have you and that first bite was the most thrilling and perfect moment I’ve felt in centuries.’

‘Can you make it sound less like I’m a collectible item?’ Yunho pouts, wiping his face dry.

‘The connection has made it more of a need than a simple desire or want,’ Jaejoong replies.

‘Doesn’t it scare you?’ Yunho asks and then remembers his conversation with Changmin on the rooftop, the vampire struggling to come to terms with Yunho’s mortality. He knows the others must feel the same, constantly guarding him, worrying for his health and feeling compelled to care for him and keep him safe. Yunho’s main fear is not for his life, but rather, his heart and he needs to keep himself from being too vulnerable. The idea of being loved is almost too excruciating to contemplate, something Yunho has never experienced and the yearning burns in his throat.

‘Yes,’ Jaejoong answers honestly, his expression open for a rare moment and Yunho gets a chance to glimpse the vulnerability hiding there. ‘But the fear is easily overcome when I consider the reward.’

Yunho swallows hard, still wrapped tightly in Changmin’s arms. ‘And what is the reward?’

‘A family, you, your body, blood, love and trust,’ the vampire says softly.

It’s an immense relief to hear those words from the demon directly, but Yunho’s still wary. He grumbles, shifting to lean against Changmin’s side, the man’s arm around his waist possessively and pulls Taepoong up onto the bench. She burrows her head in his lap and Yunho pets her absentmindedly.

‘You have to earn those things,’ he tells the eldest, eyes determined.

Jaejoong chuckles, smiling warmly and raising a hand adorned with countless silver rings to cover his mouth. ‘Yes, I can see that.’

‘You’ll be patient with us, right?’ Yoochun leans closer, his smile revealing dimples Yunho finds endearing. ‘I’m going to get better at biting.’

Yunho offers a small smile back, feeling slightly bad for rejecting Yoochun’s easy affection before. The man is charming, handsome and considerate despite his painful biting technique, Yunho finds he does like Yoochun’s often quirky personality. When Yunho thinks about it, he likes Junsu’s bubbly personality too, Changmin’s quieter, yet possessive nature complimented by the small things he does for Yunho. It’s Jaejoong whom Yunho really struggles to get a handle on, seemingly aloof one moment and possessive and affectionate the next. He’s only just beginning to understand the eldest’s motivations for starting a family and it’s not just about him, it’s about Junsu and Yoochun too, otherwise he would never have paired up with Changmin. The pureblood desires a family to surround him, to care for and in turn keep him company through his long life. Yunho thinks he might be able to share that dream.

Yunho nods at Yoochun, letting himself rest against Changmin, his full stomach and the steady travel of the car making him feel sleepy. The world as Yunho’s never seen it before goes past their windows and Yunho watches it all in a daze. He doesn’t feel sad leaving behind his old city, though he thought he would. Speeding along the highway as the sun sets over the dirty skyline, silhouettes of buildings Yunho’s too familiar with and he chooses to look at the houses instead, counting the number of swimming pools and tennis courts to keep amused.

He must fall asleep like that, pressed to Changmin’s side because when he opens his eyes it’s pitch black outside, faint light throwing shadows across the vampire’s faces. The quilt has been drawn around him and Yoochun is driving again, Junsu sitting quietly with his eyes closed and Taepoong in his lap. It’s quiet in the car and he feels them pull to a stop gently, Yunho tensing as he realises they’re at a checkpoint, officials milling around beside the windows. They knock on the glass and Yunho flinches, covering himself with the quilt as Junsu puts the windows down. An official shines a torch through the backseat, blinding him and Yunho hides himself behind Changmin.

‘Our scanners registered a Jung Yunho with your party?’ the official asks gruffly.

Jaejoong calmly confirms and Yunho peeks out from around Changmin’s shoulder, worried they’re suddenly going to take him away.

‘You’re leaving the city?’ he directs the question at Yunho, beckoning him to the window. ‘You’re going to need to come closer,’ the official orders and Yunho shakily complies, nodding his head.

‘There shouldn’t be a problem,’ Jaejoong infers coolly.

‘We have to check for stowaways,’ the official explains, grabbing Yunho by the arm and running a scanner behind his hip, reading the chip. ‘And that he’s travelling of his own volition- lot of slave trade at the moment, humans are the most at risk.’

‘It’s my decision,’ Yunho says quietly, wanting to pull away from the official but knowing how risky any protest is this close to a government checkpoint.

There’s a reason they all carry guns, even if it’s not protocol to use them.

‘Your microchip is out of date,’ the guard reads the scanner. ‘No registered address, or contacts, no medical checks on file.’

‘I only got it three years ago,’ Yunho protests.

‘It’s old, we require you to check in every year,’ the man says gruffly, his eyes devoid of any compassion.

He holds Yunho’s wrist firmly, bringing a large gun into view through the window and pressing it to his arm. Yunho panics, instinctively drawing his arm back but to no avail, yelping as something hot and metallic pierces his skin, digging in and implanting a small chip beneath his skin. It’s over so quickly, the device efficient and leaving only a small trickle of blood behind and the tiny bump amongst Yunho’s veins. The man releases Yunho’s wrist.

‘You’re going to need to step out for a medical before you can travel any further,’ the official orders.

‘Surely this is unnecessary,’ Changmin protests, taking hold of Yunho’s hand. ‘He’s perfectly healthy.’

‘Sir, your party’s paperwork is fine but unregistered humans are a criminal offense and the board of disease control requires us to check them before allowing them to travel,’ the guard says uncompromisingly. ‘We’ll overlook any previous offenses but he’ll have to come with us and register properly now.’

The door opens and Yunho tries not to stumble as he’s pulled from the car, the vampires climbing out behind him.

‘Isn’t there a way around this?’ Jaejoong stares hard at the guard, his aura intimidating.

The guard however, is unaffected and Yunho suspects a demon of equal power. ‘Humans are the main spread of disease, this one hasn’t any record to his name. We can’t allow him to travel, be thankful he’s not thrown in quarantine.’

A slim green disk is slammed onto a table at the checkpoint before he’s dragged off by the wrist and Yunho realises it’s the vampires’ registered details. Of course Jaejoong is rich enough to circumnavigate the chipping policy. The family watch him disappear into the medical rooms behind the checkpoint with worry and frustration on their faces, Jaejoong angrily storming over to argue with officials.

Yunho hates to admit that he’s more terrified of these officials than he ever felt when he first met the vampires. This strange mix of demons and their position of power seems to make them a little delusional and merciless, treating humans like cattle. Yunho knows better than to fight them, stripping when he’s told to and allowing himself to be led to a quick, bacterial cleansing shower. It’s cold and he’s shivering as he’s lead to the exam room, taking a seat on the provided bed as ordered. They check his heart rate and blood pressure, a dentist coming in to quickly and degradingly check his teeth, the taste of rubber gloves lingering in his mouth long after he’s gone. Yunho sits still as his blood is taken and tested, but cries out when shot after burning shot is administered to his upper arm. If this is what inoculation feels like, Yunho is glad he’s avoided it until now.

He shakes as they poke and prod at his naked body, unsure what they’re even looking for as they dig fingers into his stomach. They give him an STD test, despite his protests and a prostate check, taking a urine sample and they administer yet another shot, this time to his backside. They shuffle in officials to interrogate him whilst they run through various tests and Yunho finds it hard to concentrate on their questions. Yunho understands what they’re angling for, they want to know why a human is with four vampires and once again he’s left to wonder how high in status Jaejoong is to create such a stir of suspicion. The words don’t come to him easily; Yunho should say that they’ve abducted him, made him theirs, tainted him in ways that can never be restored but his throat locks and tightens, a strange impulse to protect and defend their actions stifling anything he has to say. Somehow, in this situation, Yunho’s mentality switches his alliance fully to the side of the demons whom he’s spent the better part of this journey resenting. Yunho finds himself justifying their actions inside his head, unable to admit the sins they've committed against him and he realises he can’t bear the thought of being torn away from them and returning to his old life, a constant tedium of trying to survive on his own. His cheeks flush red, shame like flames licking at his skin as Yunho lies through his teeth to the officials and they record his words on their files.

Eventually, he’s manoeuvred brusquely and roughly, the official watching coldly the entire time Yunho’s examined and eventually tossing Yunho back his clothes when the main doctor confirms they’re done. Yunho’s legs almost give out as he slips off the edge of the table, pulling his clothes back on and feeling thoroughly violated. It would appear that he’s given a clear bill of health and is dismissed, the guard gripping his upper arm mercilessly where he took the injections. He’s marched out quickly, the official muttering under his breath about dirty humans, calling him a whore before Yunho is brought back to the checkpoint, Jaejoong still arguing with the guards there. Yunho feels relieved to be near them again and he can sense their relief too, their hands gentle as they guide him back into the car.

‘Are you okay?’ Junsu asks, Changmin swaddling him in the quilt and offering him a bottle of water.

Yunho drinks from it, trying to ease the shake in his hands. He gives Junsu a small smile, closing his eyes to push aside the pain of the inoculations in his arm. Hands cup his face and lips are suddenly pressed fiercely against his own, surprising him and then as quickly as it started, it’s over, Yunho opening his eyes to find Jaejoong retreating, climbing into the driver’s seat. The car starts smoothly and Jaejoong eases them into the tunnel that must cost a fortune in tolls to travel on, lights illuminating the path projecting distorted shadows inside the vehicle. Yunho suspects he’s speeding because they cover far too much distance in ten minutes, the checkpoint far behind them.

‘Jaejoong’s pissed off that anyone touched you,’ Changmin eyes the eldest with sympathy.

‘I didn’t want them to either,’ Yunho says weakly.

‘It’s not your fault,’ Yoochun reassures him, rubbing his back soothingly, whilst trying to calm an anxious Taepoong. ‘Jaejoong doesn’t blame you, he wishes he could have protected you.’

Changmin kneels in front of him, taking Yunho gently by the wrist and Yunho almost jumps when a small penknife appears. The tall vampire studies the new chip carefully, pressing around the edges of the small lump until he finds the entry point, slightly sealed from cauterisation, leaving a small pink line.

‘What are you doing?’ Yunho asks.

Changmin gives him a grim smile, lips pursed in a flat line as he presses the tip of the knife to line. ‘Jaejoong would probably be better at this but I’m going to remove it. I don’t want to ever see this in you.’

‘Wait,’ Yunho urges, ‘Jaejoong, pull over.’

Jaejoong does as he asks, slowing the vehicle to a gentle stop though he makes no move to even look at them behind him. Yunho nods, wanting rid of it too, gesturing for Changmin to go ahead, gritting his teeth. He cries out as point digs into his skin, reopening the skin and Yoochun holds him in place, his hand woven with Yunho’s. It’s not as easy as they had hoped and Changmin has to curve the knife under his skin, tearing through the flesh the chip was embedded in before it finally pops out. Yunho drops Yoochun’s hand immediately, applying pressure to the wound and trying to breathe through the pain. Changmin tries to remove his hand but Yunho tucks his arm against his chest, refusing to let the vampire near it.

‘Let me heal you,’ Changmin growls in frustration.

‘You can’t, they inoculated me,’ Yunho grimaces, pushing down hard on the wound and willing it to stop bleeding.

Changmin tugs his arm free as delicately as he can, holding his hand. ‘That doesn’t matter, I’ll survive it.’

‘I’ll survive this,’ Yunho says pointedly.

‘I don’t want it to leave you with a scar, let me heal you,’ Changmin demands.

Begrudgingly, Yunho extends his arm, removing his hand and the vampire quickly laps up the blood, the skin knitting uncomfortably beneath his tongue. Yunho grunts as the skin melds flawlessly, as though there was never a cut at all and he wipes his hand off on a handful of tissues Yoochun gives him, Changmin then depositing the tiny transmitter still attached to bloodied remnants of flesh into the tissues and bundling it up.

‘What will you do with it?’

‘Toss it in a river or run over it later,’ Changmin shrugs dismissively. ‘Turn around and lie over Junsu’s lap, I’m going to remove the other one.’

Yunho makes a face. ‘Can’t we just leave it? It really hurts,’ he complains.

‘I’d rather take it out than have them trace you and do that again,’ the vampire scowls and the others murmur in agreement.

The vampires seem more shaken up by the turn of events at the checkpoint than Yunho and he wouldn’t have thought that possible.

‘Junsu can distract you from the pain,’ Yoochun offers thoughtfully.

‘No offense, Junsu, but I don’t ever want to associate this moment with arousal,’ Yunho sighs, laying his torso over the young vampire’s lap.

Changmin pushes his shirt just up over his hips, fingers squeezing and isolating the small lump. Junsu holds both his hands tightly and Yunho makes a louder noise this time as his skin is pierced, Changmin flicking the knifepoint under the microchip, scraping it free of the tissue until it pops out the small incision. It throbs painfully, even as Changmin licks at the spot, skin and tissue repairing one microscopic layer at a time. He knows that it’s healed, but the pain lingers and Yunho wishes he had some alcohol to numb his senses. He lets Yoochun pull him up, straightening his clothes and tucking him back into the quilt, propping the pillow in the corner so that he can lie down. Taepoong licks at his face when he does and Yunho laughs, kissing her on the forehead before she burrows into the folds of the quilt, curling against him affectionately. Changmin opens a window to spit out of it and Yunho realises the vampire is disposing of his blood, wiping his mouth clean with the back of his hand before giving Jaejoong the go ahead to start driving again. The tall vampire flops back onto a bench, head cushioned in Yoochun’s lap and he closes his eyes as though to sleep as the car begins to move.

‘Are you okay?’ Yunho asks.

Changmin gives him a dismissive wave, eyes still firmly closed. ‘I just need to rest.’

‘Is it because of me? The drugs?’ he feels guilty suddenly.

‘There weren’t enough traces to effect me too badly, I just need to relax and feed when we arrive at the house.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Yunho says quietly.

Changmin opens his eyes to look his way, offering him a smile. ‘Don’t be, even tainted your blood tastes delicious.’

Yunho blushes at the suggestive look he’s given, cuddling into his blanket. He feels special in that moment, all of the demons concerned for his well being and willing to sacrifice themselves to help him. He tugs at Junsu’s hand, pulling the man down for a quick kiss pressed against soft, pillowy lips before closing his eyes to try and rest, hoping to sleep through the journey, lulled by the motion of the car. Junsu kisses him once more, brushing his hair gently and then moving away to settle on a free seat. Yunho wishes they were back in the warehouse, curled up on the large bed and surrounded by the vampires.

Yunho doesn’t sleep well, restless to stretch his legs and worried about Changmin. He plays games with Yoochun and Junsu, winning at cards until Taepoong starts trying to eat them and Jaejoong pulls over at a small diner next to a park in the early hours of the morning. Jaejoong disappears almost as soon as they arrive, leaving them in the car, Yunho unwilling to leave Changmin to go eat despite the tall vampire’s protests. Yoochun takes Taepoong out into the park, feeding her and letting her run wild whilst Junsu watches, leaning against the bonnet, Yunho still inside the car, helping Changmin sit up. Changmin is colder than usual, skin incredibly pale though he appears in good spirits, teasing Yunho like he normally would.

When Jaejoong returns he has several donation bags in a cooler bag and passes them out. Yunho takes the bag of blood from him, sitting beside Changmin and pecking him on the lips before holding the bag up to the vampire’s mouth. Changmin pierces it without is usual finesse, blood trickling down his chin as he drinks heavily, fingers curled into the plastic. When he’s done, Jaejoong holds out another and Changmin takes it, tossing aside the other bag to sink teeth into the new bag and drain it dry.

‘You don’t normally drink this much,’ Yunho comments, feeling guilty that he’s made the vampire ill.

‘Vampires can’t really purge,’ Jaejoong informs him, calmly switching the empty bag for yet another full one. ‘This is the best method.’

‘Will it take long?’

‘He didn’t drink that much of your blood, it shouldn’t take more than a day or two,’ Jaejoong answers, wiping Changmin’s face clean of blood with a cloth.

‘It doesn’t hurt,’ Changmin tells him with a smile. ‘It just slows me down. I won’t be taking my turn to drive,’ he chuckles.

Jaejoong convinces Yunho to go and order at the diner, promising to stay with Changmin. Begrudgingly, Yunho goes in, immediately using their bathroom and performing his morning absolutions in there whilst Junsu orders his food. He washes up as best he can in the sink, not feeling the freshest after sleeping in a car for over a day, changing into clean clothes in a cubicle. Junsu smiles warmly at him as he slides into the booth upon returning, reaching out to brush his smooth chin now that Yunho has shaved. Yunho smiles back, beginning to eat his plate of eggs and they both watch Yoochun run with Taepoong through the park out the window.

‘Changmin’s going to be okay, you know,’ Junsu says congenially, tasting a smear of tomato sauce from Yunho’s plate and grimacing. ‘He’s probably even playing it up a bit, hoping you’ll dote on him.’

Yunho smiles despite himself, Junsu really is too cute to be an Eros demon.

‘I didn’t think it would have this effect, it’s perfectly safe for humans.’

‘He’s fine,’ Junsu waves it off, apparently unconcerned for Changmin’s health.

It makes Yunho feel a little better.

‘How long until we get to the house?’ Yunho asks.

‘Not long,’ Junsu looks out onto the empty streets before smiling at the waitress who pours Yunho another cup of juice. ‘We should get there after lunch, in time for a quick tour. Jaejoong’s called ahead to ask the servants to prepare you a room.’

‘A room? We’re not going to share?’ Yunho’s not sure why he feels upset by the news.

Junsu nods, ‘I’ve only been there briefly but we each have a room to rest in.’

Yunho mumbles a response and lets Junsu lead him the park, joining Yoochun in a brief jog before they all climb back into the car, Jaejoong taking the driver’s seat again. Yunho lets Changmin lay his head in his lap as Jaejoong speeds smoothly through the street, taking bridges and highways that are vast and virtually empty except for a few of the elite.

It’s fascinating to watch a world Yunho has never experienced fly by the window and it helps ease his restlessness for the trip. Another city comes into view, this skyline clean and new but Yunho knows there’s always a downtown in every city, some are just better at disguising it amongst the beginnings of new constructions. This time they ease through checkpoints without so much as slowing down, leading Yunho to wonder when they disposed of his microchips but thankful none the less. He’s still used to tensing whenever they pass the armed guards. Changmin distracts him from these moments, pulling him down for a kiss or holding his hand and Yunho’s relieved that a little colour is returning to the vampire’s face, his skin absorbing Yunho’s body heat. He ends up falling asleep on Junsu’s shoulder, completely missing their arrival and feeling disorientated as Jaejoong shakes him gently, easing him into his arms and carrying him out of the car.

Yunho wakes enough to realise there are strangers surrounding them- all in simple uniform- and shifts, Jaejoong putting him on his feet. Behind them looms an impressive manor and Yunho’s eyes widen as he takes it all in. Jaejoong discusses matters with his servants, ushering Yunho along the gravel drive and into the house. It’s decadence at its finest inside, everything from the mahogany furniture to the Persian rugs and Yunho feels incredibly out of place in his tight t-shirt and sweat pants. It’s partly old fashioned yet modern and Yunho thinks it’s strangely more western than he had imagined in style, huge bay windows lighting the rooms. All the colours are rich and vibrant combined with clean-cut design, and there are too many rooms and antiques to count.

The other three vampires seem unfazed by it all, not even blinking an eye as Taepoong runs excitedly through the halls, jumping on expensive furniture. Yunho decides he best adopt the same attitude, following along like it’s not the most impressive building he’s seen in his life. It’s an eclectic mix of styles but it is somewhat homely and Yunho thinks it’s a good deal better than Junsu’s horrible yellow kitchen back at the warehouse. He can see himself getting used to the house and all its decadence, especially when there are deliciously warm fireplaces lit in almost every room. The gardens are also magnificent, but by the time Jaejoong leads them outside, Yunho is tired from exploring the vast floors of the house.

He eats dinner with a few of the humans on staff. They treat him kindly but Yunho can tell they’re wary of him and probably feel as though he’s infringing on their time off. He vows to make the vampires keep him company at his next meal as he makes his way up to the second floor where the vampires’ rooms are. True to Junsu’s word, Yunho does have his own room but he has no desire to spend his night alone in a new place and manages to find Jaejoong’s room to barge into.

The vampire looks up at him, the slightest hint of irritation on his features at being interrupted, papers spread over an impressive desk. Yunho sidles over and perches on the edge, wanting the demon’s full attention.

‘Can I share with you tonight?’ Yunho asks, spreading his thighs a little and holding back a smirk when Jaejoong’s eyes immediately linger over his thighs.

‘I hadn’t planned on resting until much later,’ the vampire says softly, gesturing to the work on his desk.

Yunho leans over the papers, skimming a few lines before he straightens and presses against Jaejoong’s back. ‘Is it important?’ he asks curiously. ‘You’ve been driving too long, you must be sick of sitting down. Can’t it wait until morning?’

Yunho digs fingers into Jaejoong’s shoulders, even though he’s not sure if vampires get muscle strain. The demon’s back is broad and taut with muscle under his hands, radiating strength and Yunho wants to worship the pale skin he knows is under Jaejoong’s shirt with his teeth and tongue. Instead he massages firmly, easing thumbs beside sharp scapulas, working the tight muscle. Jaejoong rolls his head back to stare up at him, eyes calculating and they pierce right through him.

‘It can wait,’ the vampire says bluntly. ‘What do you want?’

Yunho feels a little put out by Jaejoong’s tone. ‘Are you really going to make me say it?’

Jaejoong’s face remains cold and impassive, his eyes unusually dark as he merely blinks in response.

‘You’ve barely acknowledged me since the incident at the checkpoint,’ this time Yunho feels Jaejoong tense beneath his hands. ‘I was so scared, not that it would hurt but that they might take me away from all of you.’

‘It’s natural, with the connection-‘

‘I don’t want to hear about the connection,’ Yunho snaps. ‘I know what I felt, so how long are you going to try and ignore me for?’

Jaejoong sighs and then stands to face him. ‘I thought you wanted some distance from me. I seem to irritate you the most and I asked you to trust me and then failed to protect you, you must be disappointed in me.’

‘Changmin probably pisses me off more but that’s partly his intention,’ Yunho scoffs. ‘And you keep going on about the connection and how important it is to be close - why would I want you to leave me alone?’

‘There are the others,’ Jaejoong points out.

‘Yes, and none of them could have changed what happened either. It’s over now, I just want to forget about it,’ Yunho wraps arms around the vampire’s waist, drawing him close.

He buries his nose in Jaejoong’s hair as the demon embraces him back, holding him tightly and breathing him in. Yunho feels at ease with himself, pulling back to kiss the vampire gently, pressing against soft lips.

‘I’m not disappointed. I’m tired and sometimes even amongst the four of you, I feel lonely, so I really can’t take it if you ignore me,’ Yunho admits.

Jaejoong gives him an understanding look, caressing his cheek delicately. ‘Let me put you to sleep,’ the demon offers, taking his hand and leading him to the bed.

He helps Yunho undress, placing small kisses to unusual spaces, warming his chilled skin. The sheets are soft and cool as Yunho slides between them, Jaejoong adding another log to the fireplace before stripping off too, body aglow in the amber light of the fire as he calmly puts away their clothes in a wardrobe. The lights are switched off and Yunho feels a little thrill of anticipation run through him as Jaejoong walks toward him, naked and proud, climbing in beside him.

Yunho turns toward his body, pressing against Jaejoong’s naked flesh with his own flushed skin and feeling his cheeks heat further. ‘Will you sleep with me?’ he asks somewhat shyly, embarrassed by his own attraction to the vampire.

‘I already am,’ Jaejoong replies simply, draping his arm over Yunho’s hip.

‘Not like that,’ Yunho pouts.

Jaejoong shows him a small smile. ‘I know what you meant, but Changmin will be here soon.’

‘Can you sense him?’ Yunho asks curiously.

The vampire nods. ‘And I can hear him. He’s coming to feed.’

‘On you?’

Jaejoong smiles at him calmly. ‘It’s perfectly normal when he’s weakened like this to drink from a fellow vampire. Of course, the older, stronger and purer the heritage the better, hence why our young Junsu and Yoochun won’t do.’

Yunho makes a face. ‘Why do you need me then? Why not cut out humans entirely and drink solely from demons?’

‘My blood is merely mildly restorative and doesn’t have an appealing taste overall. Your blood is sustaining and nourishing,’ Jaejoong smooths his hair comfortingly. ‘And besides, demons have always enjoyed the pleasures and virility of human companionship.’

‘You mean keeping them as pets or slaves,’ Yunho scoffs. ‘I read that book.’

‘Well the sentiments involved haven’t changed, even if the entitlement has,’ Jaejoong defends, sitting upright as Changmin enters the room.

‘Do you two ever plan to stop bickering?’ the tall vampire remarks, wide mouth quirking into a grin.

‘Give it a few decades,’ Jaejoong teases as Changmin climbs on the bed and startles Yunho by smothering him into the bed.

Yunho squirms beneath Changmin, unable to contain his laughter as Changmin presses lazy, wet kisses along his neck. It’s Jaejoong who pulls him off of Yunho, reminding Changmin of the task at hand. Yunho watches as Changmin’s expression sobers, Jaejoong tilting his neck willingly as the taller vampire shifts closer, grasping pale shoulders. There’s a small sound as Changmin’s teeth pierce Jaejoong’s skin, quickly muffled by the seal of his mouth and Jaejoong expression is much more peaceful than Yunho thinks he must look when the vampires bite him. His breath hitches when Jaejoong’s cool eyes suddenly meet his and Yunho’s body burns with desire.

Yunho sighs and breaks the gaze, as much as he’s enthralled by this strangely erotic display in front of him, he knows it will do him no good to get aroused over it with no chance of release. Something tells him the vampires will know if he jerks off too and he curls sulkily onto his side. The smell of blood hits him hard as the vampires finally lie down beside him and Yunho tenses so as not to flinch, Changmin pressing against his back.

‘Are you jealous I didn’t feed from you, pet?’ Changmin teases, voice low and husky in Yunho’s ear.

Yunho’s cheeks heat as he realises it’s partly true- he is dejected that the vampires can feed from each other and that he won’t be the one to feed them tonight. It makes him feel slightly inadequate in his role in the family, unable to provide them with healthy blood and already having weakened Changmin.

‘Yes,’ Yunho admits quietly, Jaejoong’s soft fingers stroking his cheek tenderly, eyes burning with a muted passion.

Changmin wraps arms tightly around him from behind. ‘I wish I could bite you too, beautiful,’ the vampire presses a kiss to his nape and nuzzles there comfortingly. ‘Jae doesn’t taste nearly as good.’

Jaejoong scowls at Changmin. ‘I’m not sure it’s fair to make comparisons. My blood is from the purest of demons,’ he says vainly and Yunho chuckles as he realises the vampire’s pride is injured.

‘No one’s disputing that,’ Changmin points out and Yunho laughs fully, clutching his stomach.

‘And you told me off for bickering with Jaejoong,’ he remarks dryly, his laughter somewhat muffled into Jaejoong’s shoulder.

It’s silent suddenly and Yunho can tell Changmin is scowling grumpily at his back and places his hand over the one resting near his stomach, squeezing gently. He curves back to kiss Changmin quickly before leaning in to press his lips to Jaejoong’s too, settling back in between them. He’s tired and horny and feels like he does nothing but sleep lately, though Yunho knows it’s pointless to resist the urge to rest, oddly content in his new home as he closes his eyes to sleep.

A/N: ugh, I’ve had it with this fic, only one more chapter and no more Yunho being a whiny, temperamental brat, just sex.