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Have you ever wondered why there are so many stories about humans falling in love with supernatural beings; gods, monsters, or mysterious creatures? Turns out, the tales that get passed around from mouth to mouth might hold a little more truth than we think.
Lee Minhyeong never expected to become part of one himself, until the day his boyfriend revealed a secret that changed everything: he was a vampire.
Yes, a vampire. Those mythical beings of the night who drink human blood and are said to be vulnerable to sunlight, garlic, silver, and holy artifacts. But vampires, like all living things, evolve. Over the centuries, they’ve adapted to survive just like any living beings. They're no longer entirely dependent on human blood and have developed the ability to digest animal blood instead. Their resistance to sunlight has grown stronger, and though they remain sensitive to certain weaknesses, they are far from the fragile monsters of legend.
According to Sanghyeok, vampire society has nearly vanished. Their population has dwindled over time, not because of hunters or war, but because of their nature. Vampires are inherently solitary, territorial, self-sufficient, and reluctant to form communities. They prefer to live alone, hidden among humans or deep in the shadows, and that isolation has slowly driven them toward extinction.
Lee Minhyeong found it amusing how the modern problem of individualistic culture could apply to both races. When Sanghyeok told him he was a vampire, Minhyeong's first thought was that everything suddenly made sense as he connected the dots. The reason why Sanghyeok always using an umbrella whether it was sunny or rainy, his pale features and the mysterious aura that surrounded him, his habit of taking late-night walks, and his preference for bland dishes despite being an excellent cook.
He still remembered the moment Sanghyeok first caught his attention. It was back when he was working part-time at a small café. He would came with yellow umbrella and always ordered the same thing, a cup of Earl Grey tea. Then he’d sit on the bench outside, under the shade of a tree, with a book in his hands. He’d spend his free time there until the sun went down.
Whenever he drank his tea, he did it so gracefully, with such proper etiquette, that Minhyeong couldn't help but wonder if he was the son of some wealthy family. His features were neat and well-kept. Thin lips, round cheeks, and slanted eyes hidden behind round glasses. They were common features, nothing out of the ordinary, the kind you'd see on plenty of people. And yet, there was something about him, something that kept pulling Minhyeong’s gaze back, especially to those red, thin lips that somehow felt so striking.
It wasn’t even like Sanghyeok was trying to be noticeable, if anything, he seemed like he was trying not to be. And yet, somehow, he was impossible to ignore. There's something that made Minhyeong can't take his eyes off him. Because of that, Minhyeong tried to strike up some small talk, mostly under the pretense of good employee trying to make the customer feel comfortable to satisfy his curiosity, and it turned out his guess might be right. Sanghyeok casually mentioned that he had enough savings to enjoy his free time without much worry, which Minhyeong found pretty remarkable.
Somehow the universe keep making them run into each other. Imagine Minhyeong’s surprise when, one day, he was locking his door, and Sanghyeok stepped out of the apartment right next to his. He’d seen him around the bus stop a few times, sure, but he never imagined they lived in the same apartment complex, let alone just a wall apart.
And just like that, their life as neighbors began.
Not much really changed, except that Sanghyeok started to acknowledge him, no longer just the tall, energetic part-timer from the café, but now the young guy living next door. Their relationship didn’t exactly have any progress. It was mostly just polite greetings whenever they crossed paths… until one moment that changed everything.
There was a period of time when Minhyeong’s insomnia got really bad, mostly from the pressure of college. He was struggling to keep up with his studies, constantly worrying about deadlines, expectations, and what his future was even supposed to look like. Sleep didn’t come easily, so instead of tossing and turning in bed, he started walking around the neighborhood at night, hoping the quiet would help clear his mind.
And somehow, he’d always run into Sanghyeok.
At first, he thought nothing of it. Just a coincidence. They’d nod, maybe exchange a few words, and go their separate ways.
But then it kept happening. Night after night. Same streets, same timing.
One night, on impulse, Minhyeong invited him to walk together and to his surprise Sanghyeok said yes.
From there, they started talking more. At first, it was just small stuff. Hard headed professor, annoying classmates, which best tea on the cafe; but over time, those little chats started to feel like something real. Like a quiet understanding between two people who just happened to find comfort in the same silence. It became a routine without either of them ever really saying it. Just a silent agreement; if they happened to be out at night, they’d walk together.
Sometimes they talked, sometimes they didn’t. Some nights were filled with laughter over the dumbest things, like Minhyeong’s caffeine-fueled essay disasters or Sanghyeok’s weirdly strong opinions about certain snack brands. Other nights, they walked in comfortable silence, their steps in sync, the quiet hum of the city filling the space between them.
Minhyeong started looking forward to those walks more than anything else in his day. It wasn’t just that it helped him relax, it was Sanghyeok. The way he listened without interrupting. The way he spoke in that calm, low voice like nothing could ever really bother him. The way his eyes, always slightly hidden behind those round glasses, seemed to actually see him.
One night, when the air was just cold enough to make their breaths visible, Minhyeong finally asked, half-joking, "You’re always out this late. Don’t you ever sleep?"
Sanghyeok paused for a second, then smiled faintly. "I could ask you the same thing."
"Yeah, but I’ve got the excuse of being a stressed-out student. What’s yours?"
There was a beat of silence. Not awkward, just... thoughtful. Then Sanghyeok shrugged.
"Guess I’ve just always been more of a night person."
Minhyeong chuckled. "You and me both."
They didn’t dig any deeper than that. Not that night.
But from that moment on, something shifted. A quiet, invisible thread between them pulling just a little tighter.
They began spending time together not only at night, but also on the days Minhyeong had free time from his studies and part-time jobs. They did mundane things. Wandering around the park, discussing books, trying out new recipes. And always, the image of that beautiful man with an alluring smile beneath a yellow umbrella remained a constant presence on Minhyeong’s sight.
One evening, as autumn coming near, after one of their late-night walks, Minhyeong decided he could no longer keep his feelings hidden. He wanted to hold that slender body in his arms, press his lips against Sanghyeok’s, and whisper every buried affection into his ear.
So, standing in front of their apartment door, he confessed.
"I like you," Minhyeong said, voice low but firm. "I don’t want to hide it anymore. I want to hold you, kiss you… I want to be with you."
"Minhyeong…" he began, his voice low, tinged with something that sounded like sorrow. "You don’t know what you’re asking."
"Yes, I do."
Sanghyeok shook his head faintly. "No, you don’t. Because I’m not what you think I am."
Minhyeong stepped closer. "Then tell me."
A long silence stretched between them. Then, in a voice as soft as falling leaves, Sanghyeok said:
"I’m a vampire."
"A what?" Minhyeong blinked, trying to process the words.
"A vampire," he repeated calmly, and his words start to settled in.
Sanghyeok always has unreadable expression, making it hard to predict whether he's joking or not. But this time, Minhyeong could feel he wasn’t trying to joke. Under the flickering light above the doorway, Minhyeong then saw Sanghyeok's eyes gleaming with a deep red glow, like embers in the dark. And as he stepped forward, the glint of sharp, white fangs peeked from behind his lips.
Strangely, Minhyeong didn’t feel any fear, only fascination and thrill. Sanghyeok, in his true form, looked even more beautiful, so much that it made Minhyeong’s heart beat faster and his cheeks flush red.
Sanghyeok stepped closer and wrapped his arms tightly around him. Minhyeong shivered as Sanghyeok’s cold hand traced gently down his back, sending goosebumps across his skin with each motion. Minhyeong closed his eyes, letting himself be held, intoxicated by the closeness.
"If you truly mean it, are you willing to take the risk?" Sanghyeok whispered into his ear.
There was no hesitation.
Minhyeong nodded.
Then came the sharp, burning pain, piercing his neck like twin needles. A gasp caught in his throat, but before he could even speak, everything around him began to dissolve as his consciousness began to dissapear.
Turns out Sanghyeok was performing a ritual, an ancient, secret rite practiced only by vampires of the old blood. A ceremony where a vampire leaves their mark, a burning brand or sacred symbol, on the one they choose as their familiar… or their mate.
The mark wasn’t just physical. It was a spiritual connection, forged in blood, binding their essences together across time and flesh.
That’s what Sanghyeok explained, his voice low and calm, as he sat beside him when he woke up in Sanghyeok's bed. The mark on his body still aching with a dull, pulsing heat.
"It links us," Sanghyeok explained, brushing his fingers over the spot gently. "Blood to blood. Soul to soul. You're part of me now, and I, became part of you. There's no going back."
And as he lay there in Sanghyeok’s bed, listening to Sanghyeok's explanation, he realized that the situation is more grave than what he had expected. This wasn’t like dating another human. This wasn’t something he could walk away from after a few awkward conversations.
This was forever.
And the other person in this equation? Wasn't just some guy.
He was a vampire with real power. The kind that made others bow their heads when he walked by. The kind that could probably kill someone with a snap of his finger.
He had all the control. All the power.
And him? He was just… him.
No ancient bloodline. No supernatural power. Just a regular guy, burdened with too many questions, struggling through college, and hopelessly smitten by a beautiful human-turned-vampire.
Still, he couldn't help but admire Sanghyeok’s decisiveness. He could’ve erased it all. Could’ve used his powers to rewrite the night, to make him forget. One snap of his fingers, one quiet whisper, and all of this could’ve been never happened. Instead, he chose to reveal his secret, placing his trust upon him.
And that... meant everything.
It meant belief. It meant commitment. It meant he mattered to him.
So he smiled, soft and a little dazed, reaching out across the space between them. He took Sanghyeok’s hand gently and brought it to his lips, pressing a quiet kiss to the back of it.
He’d give all of himself. Heart, soul, and whatever future he had left to him.
Sanghyeok then began to explain more about his origins. He was a pureblood vampire from a prestigious house that had existed for centuries.
Minhyeong, still trying to process everything, asked, "Is there a reason why you ended up as my neighbor?"
Sanghyeok smiled softly and reveal his backstory a little bit more.
He explained that vampires like him actually resided on a hidden, protected island somewhere in the world, concealed from humans by a powerful barrier. Since they chose to live in peace, they avoided entering what Sanghyeok called "human territory."
"But I got bored," he admitted with a shrug. "I’ve lived long enough to see everything on that island twice over. Everything was the same, over and over again. And to make it worse, the elders in my house kept pressuring me to marry another noble-born vampire."
Not wanting to be controlled or forced into anything, Sanghyeok confessed that he had secretly escaped to this country, a move that sounded like something straight out of a manhwa.
But with Sanghyeok sitting beside him, undeniably real, Minhyeong could only forced to swallow the truth.
Sanghyeok then stood up and left the room for a moment, only to return holding two delicate golden rings in the palm of his hand. He slipped one onto Minhyeong’s finger, then placed the other on his own. "Why are you giving me this?" Minhyeong asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I just thought it would look pretty on you," Sanghyeok replied with a soft smile, his gaze lingering on the ring. But Minhyeong still curious about Sanghyeok decision on choosing him despite his reluctant attitude and uncooperativeness about the matter of choosing his mate.
"Why did you choose me?" he asked with his voice trembling slightly. He still couldn’t understand why someone like Sanghyeok would pick a mere human like him.
Sanghyeok’s eyes softened, his voice low but sincere. "Don’t you know? I like you too." He stepped closer, while staring at him intently. "Would you stay with me, Minhyeong?"
And as Minhyeong met those jet-black eyes, full of expectancy with faint smile on the curve of his lips, how could he refuse the tempting invitation?, not when everything in him wanted to say yes.
His life hadn’t changed much after moving in with Sanghyeok, at least, not in the ways people might expect. The insomnia still clung to him like a second skin, and the endless list of tasks still drowned him day after day. His duty, his stress, his sleepless nights, those things didn’t just disappear.
But now, there was Sanghyeok as his lover.
That was the difference.
Sanghyeok was by his side, listening to his worries, offering comfort through gentle hugs and soft kisses which he could never dare to imagine it back then.
When the world quieted and most of the city had gone to sleep, they would slip out just like before, walking through empty streets, their hands lightly brushing or fully entwined. There was a magic to those nights. The world felt softer, less demanding. The vast sky full stars above them blinked like sparkling dust, and the moon seemed to follow their steps.
It was only at night, in those quiet hours, that he felt truly free. When there were no expectations, no schedules, no deadlines, only them, together, as if the universe had temporarily forgotten about everyone else. As if they were the only two people who existed become the ruler of the night, sharing stolen time beneath the sky.
But of course, not everything was perfect.
The food he ate had become noticeably more… plain. Garlic had quietly disappeared from every recipe, banished from the kitchen without ceremony. Sanghyeok could withstand it, but he prefer to avoid those dishes, making him had to adjust his meals. Sanghyeok told him that they could have separate dishes, but Minhyeong stubbornly refused to. He wanted them to share everything. He didn’t want them eating different things, like strangers sitting at the same table. Steak became a regular thing, along with blood-based dishes (which took some getting used to on Minhyeong’s end), and lots of rare meat, just barely cooked enough to not raise eyebrows. Not exactly your average couple’s dinner, but it worked for them. Somehow, those weird little meals turned into one of the most intimate parts of their day.
And then there was the second refrigerator.
Tucked away in the kitchen corner, sleek and cold, it was stocked exclusively with Sanghyeok’s blood packs. Neatly labeled, color-coded, and sealed, they sat silently on the shelves like something out of a hospital, a quiet reminder of the difference between them. Sanghyeok had once mentined that eating regular food was more of a performance for his kind. Their true sustenance came from blood, but he still enjoyed indulging in delicacies now and then.
In the grand scheme of things, he hadn’t expected life with Sanghyeok to feel so… normal.
But it did.
The society had become more progressive and tolerance with odd things. In the old days, anyone caught in a relationship with a supernatural being would’ve been branded a heretic, hunted down, or forced to spend their life hiding in the shadows. But now? Things had changed. People were more open-minded. The government even had an official department dedicated to supernatural affairs, basically a cross between immigration services, social welfare, and paranormal crisis control.
He didn’t even know that existed until they went to register their new "status."
Sanghyeok had explained that it was important to keep everything on record. "It helps us live peacefully in the human world," he’d said, like it was just common knowledge.
At first, the place looked like any regular government office. Sterile walls, plastic chairs, overworked staff. Nothing out of the ordinary. But when the officer glanced at Sanghyeok’s ID, something shifted. The guy paused, nodded slightly, then stood up and told them to follow him.
He led them through a plain-looking door in the back, and just like that, the vibe completely changed. They stepped into another room, full of people busy doing their things.
Or, not people. Not exactly.
A werewolf in human form stood at the counter arguing about property paperwork, tail twitching behind him in agitation. A spirit hovered silently near a magazine rack, transparent and slightly glowing, her fingers passing through the pages without turning them. A dryad sat curled up in a corner seat, bark-like skin etched with moss patterns, sipping something green from a reusable cup.
They were real.
They existed.
Just like Sanghyeok.
That thought echoed in Minhyeong’s head the entire way home, looping on repeat like a song stuck in his brain. Even though they’d already finished everything, filled out the forms, submitted the documents, even gotten a small welcome packet from the supernatural department, his mind is still processing that hidden room full of beings he never imagined he'd see outside of books or stories.
Noticing his dazed expression, Sanghyeok let out a soft chuckle and leaned in, gently cupping Minhyeong’s cheek. "Don’t be too surprised yet," he said with a warm smile, his voice calm and soothing. "There’s still so much more for you to discover."
Minhyeong blinked, snapping out of his thoughts just enough to look at him. A small smile tugged at his lips, and without saying a word, he reached up and took Sanghyeok’s hand in his, lacing their fingers together.
After spending what felt like a long time (by his own standards) beside Lee Sanghyeok, he concluded that he was the luckiest person alive to have been chosen as Sanghyeok’s mate. Every day, he never forgot to thank God for allowing him to be born in this era, and he also gave thanks to his ancestors for continuing the bloodline that led him to meet Sanghyeok. How could he not be thankful when gets to enjoy such a gorgeous view? Lee Sanghyeok, with his soft smile and skin glowing with a pinkish hue under soft light of the sun, always looks so serene. His sharp, slanted eyes, which might seem cold at first glance, hold a warmth that only reveals itself to those who look long enough.
"I wish I had drawing skills like my sister," Minhyeong blurted out, making Sanghyeok raise an eyebrow. "Why?" he asked, gently caressing Minhyeong’s hair, which rested on his lap. "Because it feels like a waste not to immortalize your looks in a painting," Minhyeong replied, eyes still locked on Sanghyeok's beautiful face. Sanghyeok chuckled softly at his words. "Well, someone already did," he reminded him, causing Minhyeong to pout his lips and avert his gaze.
It was true. Someone had been so mesmerized by Sanghyeok's beauty that they’d asked him to be the muse for their painting. The result had been stunning, but Minhyeong’s mood darkened when the artist shamelessly suggested Sanghyeok to become his lover, despite the fact Minhyeong was right there beside him, their couple rings still on their fingers. Sanghyeok, ever the gentleman, only smiled politely, showing the artist his hand with the ring attached on his finger, making Minhyeong smile internally at the quiet display of possessiveness.
"Are you upset?" Sanghyeok asked, noticing the shift in Minhyeong’s expression. "My love?" he added, his voice gentle. Minhyeong met his gaze. "You said that since we're tied, you can feel my emotions and even read my mind, right?" he asked again. Sanghyeok nodded. "Then… you know what I want right now, don't you?" Minhyeong's words were playful, making Sanghyeok responded with a soft giggle, leaning down to capture his lips in a tender kiss.
Sanghyeok always had been so gentle every time he kissed him. He would softly nibble on his lips and guide him to open his mouth. Minhyeong then would comply obediently, opening his mouth for Sanghyeok to explore. Tongues colliding, saliva getting mixed. Under the full moon night, it's always the time when they unleash their desire. Sangyeok once told him that when the full moon was coming, the vampire would get thirsty, and since he had his mate right now, his thirst would get quenched after Minhyeong gave him his blood to deepen their bond. When that time comes, he always thinks that Sanghyeok looks so ethereal, making him feel breathless figuratively and literally. As their tongues wrapped around each other and the heat spread through their bodies, Sanghyeok then guided him to lean on the sofa. While Minhyeong's head lay on the armrest, Sanghyeok began to positioned himself between his thighs. Sanghyeok's slender fingers and cold hand, which was placed on top of him, began to caress his chest while trying to throw his shirt on the floor. The kiss continued, messy and raw. Sweat trickling on their body as they collided to reach the highest pleasure. Minhyeong pinched and held Sanghyeok's small waist tightly, while Sanghyeok bounced on top of him, holding his shoulder with trembling hands, trying to steady himself. The sweet moan and whimper that comes from Sanghyeok's red, opened mouth makes Minhyeong unable to control himself, pushing him to unleased it inside Sanghyeok while he took Sanghyeok hand, intertwined their fingers as the other hand hugged Sanghyeok pale and thin body. Sanghyeok weakly collapsed and panted hard on his embrace. His eyes blurry, then changing into red hues as the warmth of love filled his stomach and spreading inside his body. Still high on pleasure, Sanghyeok then bent down and bit his neck hard, while Minhyeong not bothered by the pain, caressed his soft sticky hair, caused by their passionate activity earlier. Distracted by the glint of reflection on his finger, he then glanced at the ring on their intertwined hand. He didn't know what kind of future awaited him, but as long as Sanghyeok by his side, everything would be alright.