Chapter Text
Night had already fallen over the small town of Makochi. The sky was cloudless, allowing the stars to be seen in all their splendor. It was these small details that made him appreciate where he lived now; compared to the large cities he had once visited, this was one of the major differences he had come to love.
The cool night air was pleasant, and he could say with certainty that it had been a good day. He had fulfilled his duties with Fuurin today without too many problems, aside from a few idiots who wanted to start a fight, but it was easily handled.
For Sakura, the only real nuisance was the sun. Although it couldn't kill him, it irritated his skin, causing an itch and even raising welts. Suo had once joked that he must be allergic to the sun. In a way, he wasn't entirely wrong. It served as a good cover story without arousing suspicion from others.
Sakura had gone along with Suo's idea, adopting it as a convenient cover. This led his classmates to recommend various types of sunscreen, knowing that suggesting sunglasses or hats would be useless. The news even reached the third-years, and it wasn't long before he received gifts from Tsubaki and the twins, who even explained the skincare routines for the products they gave him.
He wasn't lying,the creams had helped a lot. Such modern advances always surprised Sakura, as similar creams had never worked on his skin in the past, leading him to give up on them. He appreciated his classmates' concern, though it could sometimes be a bit much, especially when it came to his part-time job.
He worked at a small 24-hour convenience store that needed someone for the night shift. It was perfect for him. Despite his friends' worries, he only managed to calm them down by explaining that the place was close to his apartment. He could tell they weren't entirely convinced, but they dropped it, knowing they wouldn't be able to change his mind.
He understood their concern, but he would be a fool not to take advantage of one of his abilities: his lack of, or nearly non-existent, need for sleep. He could go for days, even weeks, without suffering the consequences a normal human would. He could possibly go even longer, but a promise to himself had set a firm limit.
After finishing his shift as the store manager, he closed up and headed home. Most of the shops, with the exception of a few bars, were already closed, and the streets were empty.
But knowing that an empty street didn't always mean a safe one, he decided to patrol for a while, just in case. Just because Fuurin mostly operated in the morning didn't mean he couldn't do it at night.
Surprisingly, there were no threats that he could see or sense. He decided that it was enough and that it was better to head home to rest for a while. Maybe he could eat some of the free food that the people of the town gave him, even if he knew that it would not quiet his real hunger; it hit him with a deep, piercing ache that made his body hurt, a thirst that only animal blood could sate.
If only for a couple of weeks, that is, before the pain started again, but he couldn’t risk being discovered. The thought of going back to his store to get the blood from the raw meat they sold crossed his mind, but he dismissed the thought as quickly as it came.
This craving would not be calmed as it would on a normal day, and unfortunately, today was one of those days. Repeating the mistakes he had made when he was part of his old clan and a newborn vampire would torment him even more.
But perhaps fate hated him and was still punishing him, because the moment he opened the door to his apartment, a familiar scent washed over him,almost… intoxicating. And was that spices he could smell?
He quickly identified the source of the smells when he looked up. The reason?
Endo Yamato.
Of all the people who had to visit today, of course, it was him.
He was cooking in Sakura's kitchen without a care in the world, as if this were a normal, everyday occurrence, while humming a tune Sakura couldn't quite place in his current state of confusion, anger, and a flicker of warmth that he stubbornly refused to name.
Since the war between Fuurin and Noroshi, as some called it, Endo and he had talked frequently and even gone out together, as Endo had promised him that night. Sakura refused to call them dates, as Endo did, even though a small, hidden part of his mind had started to feel that way. The mere act of admitting it, even in his thoughts, made his face grow warm, and he couldn't stop it.
Why couldn't he be a normal vampire from the stories, pale and unable to blush? he thought with irritation. Yet the stubborn warmth in his chest persisted, undeniably tied to Endo's presence in his space.
He was still getting used to the idea of having humans close after being alone for decades, living in solitude. Of course, he had interacted with them at times, but never like this—getting attached, forming bonds of friendship to the point where he was sure he would kill for them and defend them from any of the monstrous things that lurked in the darkness.
His presence alone acted as a ward, preventing other beings like him from approaching, a clear sign that Fuurin had become his territory. That thought was unsettling. But Fuurin was more than just a territory; it had become… his family.
It had taken him a long time to accept that fact, though he wouldn't be telling them those words anytime soon. After losing everything due to his curse of long life, he thought he would never feel this way again. Even in his past, he hadn't been so appreciated; he could count the people he could trust and care for on one hand and still have fingers left over, due to his appearance and the beliefs of that time which, surprisingly, had nothing to do with the bite he received back then.
Despite his limited experience with humans, he knew that entering someone's house without permission was not normal at all. He could hear his teeth grind, and he crushed the slight happiness he had felt moments before to confront the person in front of him.
"What the hell are you doing in my apartment?!" Sakura yelled, his eyes narrowing as a near-growl escaped that he couldn't completely contain. It possibly sounded harsher than he intended, but given that Endo had entered his home uninvited, that tone wasn't entirely misplaced.
Endo wasn't fazed by his anger in the slightest. Instead, he responded with a smirk that could also be sweet, a combination that made his heart give a traitorous leap, which only fueled his irritation. "Hello to you too, Kitten. Such a lovely surprise to see you."
The expression on Endo's face showed no ulterior motive, but Sakura couldn't help but notice how his teal eyes looked more beautiful, or how his black wavy hair moved with his light movements. That might just be the light and my tiredness playing tricks on me, he thought.
Trying to avert his gaze, he glanced at the subtle movement of Endo's hands over the pan. He noticed it smelled like fried rice? He wasn't entirely sure.
The other's calm composure only aggravated Sakura more. What kind of human broke into someone's home and acted like they owned the place? But a small part of him couldn't help being happy to see him. It had been weeks since they'd last seen each other, apart from texting, but right now? He couldn't show such emotion.
"Surprise!? This is my home; why are you even here, especially at this hour!" He could hear his teeth grit, trying to restrain his fangs from being more prominent. Perhaps another day he could handle Endo's behavior, but right now? He needed some alone time; he couldn't let his guard down any further with the other man in his house. He knew how perceptive Endo could be, and that scared him.
For as long as he could remember, he had kept his true feelings to himself. He still blushed at physical-romantic interactions and tended to get flustered on occasion. He didn't know whether to be happy or annoyed that such human reactions still existed in him, but showing vulnerability was one of the few things his clan had forbidden him from showing.
Since arriving in the city, the walls that once protected his inner self had begun to crumble, letting people into his world. With the warmth of the town, it was inevitable that they would fall at some point. But to expose that part of himself to Endo? Of all the people he knew? He must be losing his mind after all these decades. He knew why he was letting Endo see him like this. It had taken him time to accept it, but the truth still scared him.
Falling in love with a human was the first rule he was taught not to break. Not that he ever followed orders or took them to heart, but perhaps he should have listened.
"Falling in love with a human means you will love them forever, for better or worse. A vampire's emotions function differently from a human's. Remember that, Sakura."
That's what his teacher had told him years ago. But the idea of him falling in love, or a human falling for him? He couldn't wrap his head around it.
Endo said he loved him, but Sakura knew human emotions could change at any point in their lives. He couldn't chain Endo to him, yet he still wanted to blame someone, blame Endo for being attractive, for being charming, for never judging him and seeming to appreciate every part of him. It was annoying, but the logical part of him knew the fault lay not with Endo but with his own weakening resolve.
It didn't help at all that Endo's blood was… special. Compared to the other townspeople, whose essence he could ignore and turn a blind eye to without issue.
But with Endo? His scent had a sweet aroma that attracted him. He didn't know how he had resisted sinking his fangs into his neck to sate his thirst. Every time the thought crossed his mind, he just clenched his fist until he could feel his nails biting into his skin.
He had heard stories of vampires from the past having this problem, how a specific person's essence seemed to call to them.
He had called that bullshit back then.
But perhaps he could have listened more to their stories. Even if he knew how most ended, they might have offered insight on how to resist and not kill a human, especially if that person was important to him, no matter how much he annoyed him.
He didn't know if the reason was that he had fallen in love or if it was something else, but regardless of the reason, he was stronger than he was back then. He had to control his instinct, he had to, at least long enough for Endo to leave.
Who seemed to ignore his outburst from before and go back to finish his cooking.
His eyes couldn't help but flicker back to the body that was in front of him. Furthermore, he couldn't deny that Endo looked gorgeous with his sharp features and teal eyes that would make you get lost if you looked long enough, and he didn't know when he had stopped seeing his personality as charming rather than annoying.
He sighed in defeat and went to put his jacket back in his closet, closing it with a soft thud. A deep sigh, which should have helped him relax, only made things worse because Endo's scent was the only thing he could smell at the moment. He leaned slightly forward, resting his forehead against the cold wooden closet door for a moment.
“You know, just because you're cooking for me doesn't mean I would forget that you broke into my apartment, right?” He muttered, still trying to sound nonchalant.
Endo just laughed at him while he put the food on the table with a smooth movement. “Broke in? Kitten, the door was unlocked. I can fix that for you free of charge, although I don’t mind accepting a different type of payment from you if you know what I mean.” The last word was said in a deep, husky voice that made Sakura shiver and blush.
The reaction was not lost on Endo, but he refrained from saying something else. For now, that is.
Sakura could only roll his eyes at that. “Yeah, right, and so you can keep a copy for yourself? No thanks." His gaze shifted back to Endo, who turned to drop something in the sink.
He couldn’t help but notice the way Endo's sleeves were rolled up, some of his tattoos peeking out, the curve of his shoulders as he leaned slightly forward. It was too much, but his thoughts were interrupted by a shout of pain and the aroma of blood.
"Agh, Shit!"
He felt his body freeze at that, but he forced his body and mind to react normally and to concentrate on the problem that was in front of him.
“Hey, are you alright?” He could hear his voice wavering and cursed at his weakness, but Endo seemed to not pick up on it and instead looked for a tissue to press on the wound.
Endo just looked back with a playful smile. “Just a small cut, sweetheart; nothing your little head should be worried about, but if you want to help me feel better, perhaps a kiss could work,” he said as he lifted his finger toward his face.
Sakura's eyes glanced at the blood that was still leaking, and his body moved before he could think. He leaned forward, his fingers brushing slightly against Endo's hand, and he licked the blood from Endo's finger as if it were honey. The metallic taste was like nectar on his tongue, unaware that Endo was frozen with shock and that his mismatched eyes started to emit a low glow.
His attention was solely focused on the flavor; no blood had ever tasted so sweet in the 100 years he had lived. He desired to consume more and he continued to lick until the wound was clean. He couldn’t help but feel sad once he noticed that the wound had started closing.
A gentle palm on his face abruptly roused him from his dreamlike state, making him realize with dread what he had just done. He quickly pulled back and noticed a different tension between them, one he couldn't decipher at the moment. He was avoiding Endo's piercing gaze; it was almost suffocating.
The silence was broken by Endo. “I guess I am quite a treat, huh?” His tone was still flirty and playful, but Sakura could detect something more, questions Sakura was not ready to answer.
And before Endo could even make another comment about what happened, he stepped away with a speed that no normal human should possess, but he didn’t care in that moment; he just needed some distance away from Endo and darted back to his bathroom, closing the door with too much force, making it rattle.
Every instinct screamed at him to run, to tear the door off its hinges and flee. But he knew what would happen if he stepped outside. He could already smell the faint traces of human blood drifting through the building, a reminder that he was not alone, that one mistake could turn him into the very thing he despised. His fingers trembled against the cold tiles, and he bit his lip hard enough to taste iron, forcing himself to back down and concentrate on his breathing. But he could hear the others' blood rushing through their veins, too inviting; he could feel his throat burn.
He forcibly looked up, and what he saw made him almost throw up. His reflection was staring back, but not quite his own. The lights of his bathroom flickered, just like his reflection did.
A wave of terror washed over him. His once normal pupils narrowed to slits and his fangs became a little more prominent. His chest rose and fell in sharp, uneven breaths. He grasped the sink; he could feel it crack, but he didn’t care.
He couldn’t take it anymore, and his hands shot forward before he could think, shattering the glass with a violent strike. The mirror exploded into millions of shards. He didn’t even flinch when cuts appeared on his skin.
He fell to his knees, trembling with a million thoughts crossing his mind.
A little blood shouldn't be enough for my human side to begin to disappear. Was this the reason why Endo's blood was so enticing? Or was it something else?
He was trembling with desire and fear; he had so many mixed emotions he couldn’t control. But a smooth and almost gentle voice reached out to him from across the door.
“Sakura, please open the door.”
Sakura could just shake his head, as if the other could see it. “GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!” he shouted. A sound of despair could be heard in his voice.
He still heard his name again, softer if that was possible. It made his chest ache, but he stayed silent. He refused to go outside and confront the situation he never wanted to have in the first place. He can’t lose what he just gained.
Moments of silence passed, almost making him believe that Endo had listened to his words, but he could still smell him on the other side of the door. He didn't know if that was good or bad for the situation they were in.
Endo leaned his forehead against the wood, frustration clawing at his chest at not knowing how to help the love of his life, the person who had captivated him and whom he suspected felt the same way. Many ideas were coming to his mind, some of them absurd, but the more he thought about it, the clearer the answer became. So many clues that he hadn't connected, but now they were starting to make sense like a puzzle. But now he needed to focus on making Sakura listen to his words and come out of his hiding place, knowing that if he didn't, Sakura might think about running away.
He wouldn't make it easy for him. Endo could only clench his fist. He’s not going to let me in, he thought with frustration, and made up his decision as he took a step back.
Sakura's breathing had gotten under control, but he was still refusing to go outside. It was a good thing he was away from the door, because at that exact moment the door of his bathroom was kicked down, crashing with a loud bang!
He was taken aback by the sudden action and didn't move fast enough when a hand grasped his and dragged him forward out of the bathroom until he made contact with a firm chest.
“Sorry to disappoint you, Love, but you're not getting away from me so easily,” Endo murmured next to Sakura's ear, maneuvering their bodies until they fell onto Sakura's futon with a soft thud. His voice was low with a teasing tone but still warm as his arms wrapped around Sakura's waist and he pressed his body against him.
Sakura could hear Endo's heart beating loudly. His mind was screaming at him to push him away, to run, and to keep Endo safe from him. But just as he was about to move, the arms around his waist tightened even more, stopping his efforts.
The action made him look up with fear but also with resolve. Turquoise eyes met with his. He saw no fear in them, only a soft patience on the handsome face, seeing no grin on it, making the situation feel more real.
He was rarely afraid of humans, when small things could kill them, but he couldn't deny their strength. The first time he saw Endo, he could sense the madness and the force he possessed. Sure, people would consider him dangerous or terrifying, but not him, not in this moment, not now.
He felt himself calm just with his presence, perhaps even feeling a safety he had not felt in years. But he also felt desire, and that scared him.
“You're shaking,” Endo's hot breath brushed against his ears. He felt Endo's other hand gently grasp the back of his head. He could feel his body start losing control.
Endo, with a small movement, exposed his neck, never showing fear or any indication of it.
Sakura could only swallow hard. “I…can’t. I won’t do it. You are not thinking right; you need to know this is not simple.” He pushed against Endo's chest slightly, still trying to pull back, still trying to salvage the situation.
A brush of fingers around his waist made him freeze. The delicate act caused a deep blush to spread across his face.
Endo's gaze darkened. “Perhaps I'm not, but right now you need it. I can feel it and see how you're looking paler. I don’t mind at all… I trust you.” Endo whispered, his voice soft and without a doubt. Sakura's mismatched eyes flickered back to Endo's teal eyes to make sure, noting the certainty he emitted, making his own eyes flicker back to Endo's neck.
He could feel his lips tremble. With a simple movement, he passed his tongue over Endo's neck, making soft movements, trying to let his saliva numb that part to make it as painless as possible. His actions made Endo's breath hitch for a moment out of surprise. He could feel and hear Endo's pulse, the heat he emitted so different from a vampire's body. It was intoxicating. He could feel his fangs begin to lengthen and feel the world around him go into slow motion. His mind was focused solely on this moment.
And with a gentleness he didn't know he was capable of in such a situation, he broke the skin of Endo's neck, letting drops of blood begin to slide down to his shoulder, staining the tattoos he so loved to observe.
The blood was like nothing he had ever tasted. He knew that after this taste, he would never let him go, that things would never be the same again, but he didn't care. He licked the drops that escaped, almost reaching the other's chest, savoring every drop without wasting any, while his hands slid over every part of Endo's body he could touch, lost in his desire to have more. But he couldn't help but notice how the arms around his waist began to tighten more and tremble. Thinking that he might have hurt his beloved, he stopped his movements and decided to pull away, but a hand on his neck stopped him and Endo's voice halted him.
“D-don’t stop. It’s fine. You can take all of me if you want.” His voice wavered, a soft moan escaping his lips as Sakura moved on top of him, making both groan at the pleasure.
Sakura couldn't help but look down and see how Endo's eyes had wide pupils and a flushed face.
He looked delicious.
But he knew he had to set a limit, or he could lose the control he felt slipping from his hands, no matter what the other said.
“I- we should stop.” His tone was serious, but the blush on his face suggested he wanted something more.
Endo, despite feeling his body growing weak, didn't let the other go. “Should we?” His voice was a little hoarse, but the playful tone was there. “Because it feels like you don’t want to.”
Sakura's eyes were only focused on him. He could feel Endo's piercing gaze as if he were seeing his soul, in a different way than when they fought the first time. He could feel the lust, the desire from Sakura towards him. Sakura's eyes seemed to grow brighter, if that was possible.
Beautiful, strong Sakura, capable of burning his path if he wished, yet he remains gentle. Now knowing what he was capable of, that he could devour him in this moment but did not.
Although if this were his end, he wouldn't complain, Endo thought. But he could see the fear the other was emitting.
How Sakura's arms trembled, and despite his eyes being full of desire, he could see the fear.
“Please, let me just heal you…and then we can talk,” Sakura whispered hopelessly. Endo met his fiery and cold eyes, eyes he could get lost in, but accepted with a shaky nod. His body felt weak; he didn't know if it was because of Sakura's bite or the adrenaline leaving his body. He couldn't stop the moan that escaped him or how his back arched at the feeling of Sakura's hot tongue when it licked his fresh wound.
He could feel the pain leaving that spot, and could only feel how Sakura's hands traced his tattoos slowly, almost as if to make him focus on something else.
He couldn't help but look again at Sakura's face and observe how his lips were covered with his blood, or how the other licked his lips as if it were the best food he had ever tasted.
Sakura got off his body and decided to lie next to him, still touching but not like before.
It was going to be a long night for both of them, that was for sure