insurmountable | we'll try again // when we're not so different

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we'll try again // when we're not so different

[Ah, it's a boring day at work today.

But Thoma doesn't mind. In between customers, he's been tidying the place up. It always seems to be a mess when he comes back from a day off, at least in his eyes. The boba shop sparkles now, garnering praise from Ayato, the man who owns the business, and he really couldn't be happier for the praise. Though he hopes that his boss doesn't come back the next day with a "reward", which usually comes in the form of free lunch for Thoma, but somehow Ayato manages to find the strangest food for him to try.

And of course, he's far too nice to decline. It would be rude after all, to not eat the lunch that he's brought for Thoma, eating it and trying not to pull a face at some of the flavors that hit his tongue.

But despite that small inconvenience, Thoma likes his job, and it's even better from a certain someone who frequents the shop. His ears perk up when the door opens, a small bell ringing from the momentum of the door when it closes. A familiar head of golden hair enters, and Thoma's face brightens at the sight.]

Hey! I almost thought you weren't going to stop by today!

[Grinning, he quickly takes his place at the counter.]

What'll it be? The usual? Or do you want to try one of our new specialties today?

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[Aether always enjoyed the sense of adventure and new challenges. Maybe this is why he never hesitated to move out from his hometown in order to pursue higher education. Living with other students has been quite fun, even though he can't quite call the room he's staying at his own.

Still, he's so close to graduating! And wouldn't it be nice if he managed to get a job that would allow him to travel, meet different people, see other cultures beyond the things he's learned during the classes? He dreams big.

...But at the same time he doesn't fool himself. He knows his big dream will require a lot of work and time. But frankly? He's happy with the life he has now. He knows that no matter what fate throws at him it'll be worth it in the end.

Especially if he can meet people like Thoma.

Aether enters the shop that he's grown so fond of and instantly grins when he hears Thoma's voice. There's so much warmth in the other and Aether would lie to himself if he claimed that he didn't come here mainly to see Thoma again. He just really enjoys his company, yet he's never really got a chance to ask him if they could hangout outside of the boba shop. It would be... kind of embarrassing to ask, actually.]

Hm, what new specialities do you have? I could definitely give it a try.

[He smiles some more.

He really is happy with the way things are right now.]

Well...

[He gestures to the menu, but reads it off regardless. He's pretty sure Aether will find something there that he'll like.]

We just got this new oreo flavor in, and we also got a strawberry boba for the summer months. I personally like them both, though I wasn't expecting oreo of all the flavors in the world.

[He grabs a cup for Aether, ready to make it.]

How about this? You're here a lot, so it's on the house this time. That way you don't have to worry about which one to spend your money on.

[Aether's gaze follows Thoma's, but he's not even a bit surprised when the other reads the menu for him. He's always so kind. Aether beams.

...And then his eyes go wide. Yes, Thoma is kind and always does various little things for everyone but the boy never thought he'd be offered a free tea.]

Wait, wait. I may be a poor student but I can definitely pay for it! There's no need for you to get in trouble because of me.

[He's pretty sure Thoma should not be giving out free drinks to customers. He can't help but worry!]

Oh, don't worry about that.

[He waves a hand, not seeming to be worried at all about it.]

My boss knows that you come in here every day, and he's really appreciative of you too...it's the least we can do to show you how much your patronage matters.

[Thoma's very confident that Ayato won't care. And if he gets in trouble over five dollars to one of their best customers, then maybe this job wasn't as great as he thought.]

Go on, let me know which one you want to try first. And, you should tell me on which dog you ended up choosing to adopt!

[Aether looks a little uncertain at first but eventually he smiles and shrugs.]

Well, if you insist... how can I say no to free tea?

[He chuckles.]

Let's go with oreo. You really got me curious about the taste of that one.

[Thoma really is too nice to him.]

As for the dog... [Aether's expression changes slightly.] I don't have my own place yet, so I have to wait a bit, until I graduate. [Just a little more, he tells himself.] But once I do, I want... a fluffy dog. [He laughs.] I just can't decide if I want to adopt a small or a big dog. I guess it depends what kind of apartment I'll be able to afford...

[He wants his future puppy to be able to live comfortably! Aether crosses his arms over his chest, thinking.]

...Cats are nice, too.

[It's so hard to decide!]

[While Aether talks, Thoma is busy whipping up his oreo boba. Still a strange flavor if you ask him, but that's the specialty. He presents the drink as Aether finishes, sliding to him from across the small counter.]

Why don't you get one of each? Then they'll have each other to play with when you're not around. And, if you get them both when they're young, they'll end up being best friends.

[The thought of Aether with a cute puppy and kitten...it warms his heart.]

You've got to let me come see them one day. I love animals, they're so cute and friendly and I could pet them all day...

[Aether takes the drink in both his hands examining it for a moment, before smiling bright.]

Thanks. And... I think that it sounds like a nice idea!

[A kitten and a puppy... he would do whatever it takes to make sure they're happy and cared for.

A small chuckle escapes him. If Thoma comes over, then it's another thing to look forward to in the future.]

I can't wait. [He confesses.] Oh, but actually... maybe you could come with me and help me choose? [There's a note of shyness in his tone, but a smile remains warm on his face.]

Sure!

[There's nothing more he'd like to do than go with Aether and help him pick out a puppy and a kitten. Honestly, that sounds like a great time, especially since he'll get to play with every single one they look at...he can't wait.]

I guess that means I should give you my number.

[Aether's a customer, but he's here so much that it doesn't feel weird that they could start hanging out outside of Thoma's job. They get along really well, why not? He scribbles it down the back of a scrap piece of paper and hands it to Aether.]

Honestly, I don't know how we haven't hung out already. I know picking out and getting some pets is a little far off, but let's go get lunch sometime, okay?

[His... number?

Aether blinks slowly and stares. Then he receives the piece of paper with Thoma's number on it and stares at it instead. His heart is beating fast in his chest for some odd reason and soon a big, almost silly smile spreads on his face. Aether leans forward.]

Sure! I'm going to call you soon, uh... I should have the weekend free! I'll let you know!

[He holds the piece of paper close to himself and it's hard to miss how excited he is about meeting Thoma outside work. The boy then grabs his drink and waves.]

I gotta go now, but see you soon! Thanks so much, Thoma!

[Without waiting for an answer, Aether runs out of the shop and only when he's around the corner he looks again at the piece of paper he received. It feels like a dream come true... even if he can't really point out why he feels this way.

Suddenly, Aether stops in his tracks, realizing something very important. He forgot to give Thoma his number!]

Ah... B-but I can't go back there now...

[Embarrassed, Aether decides that it's not a big of a deal. When he'll call Thoma or write to him, the other will have his number anyway.

...But days go by and Aether never calls or writes. He doesn't show up in the boba shop either.]

See ya-! Oh...he's gone already.

[Thoma lets down his half-wave to let his arm fall back to his side, happy to see how happy Aether was. He was gone in such a hurry though, but either way, he's looking forward to getting a call or text from his friend. Even now, he starts wondering what they could plan. Maybe he'd take Aether somewhere fun? Or they could just lounge around at home and watch something or play video games.

He's not sure what he's into, but that's the point right? They can find out and enjoy it.

Except he never gets that call, never gets a text. Not that Thoma didn't find things to do, but he feels a little down that Aether never got a hold of him. Maybe he was too forward, maybe he didn't actually feel comfortable hanging out with him. Perhaps he didn't read the room right and all Aether wanted was a friendly face at the local boba shop, and for it to be nothing more than that. It doesn't help that Aether doesn't show up at the shop, during the normal time that Thoma's used to seeing him.

Sighing, he cleans up right before his shift ends, feeling a little down. Exiting, he starts playing on his phone as he starts to walk home, but he can't just go home. Maybe getting a little fresh air will help him feel better, and get his mind off things. Thoma decides to take a detour, one that uses a few alleyways to get further downtown faster. There's a shop there he'd like to get some food at, so he begins his journey.

Swinging around a corner into one of these said alleyways, he doesn't notice at first the sight that's in front of him, his nose buried in his phone. It's not until he looks up that he sees a familiar face, and Thoma almost drops his phone in shock.]

[Life can never be perfect and Aether didn't expect it to be, but the sudden turn for worse made it difficult for him. One day he's fine, happy, holding a phone number to someone who he had always wanted to get closer to. Another day he collapses out of the blue. He's rushed to the hospital, treated then told terrible news. It all feels like some sort of nightmare, but he's determined to pull through.

He has to. He has so much to do.

On that fateful day, he's waking away from people, wanting to piece his thoughts together in silence of the alleyways and finally the stress of the past days crushes him. He collapses on his knees, his entire body bending. The reality hits him stronger than he would ever ever wanted to admit.

Suddenly, another attack. He barely got out of the hospital, it can't be so soon... and not in this place where no one will find him! Coughing and in pain, Aether tries to reach for his phone, to get help but everything hurts so much. He feels like he's suffocating.

Someone's approaching. The boy reaches out, trying to beg for help.

"P-plea... se..." He mutters. Everything hurts.

The man kneels down to take a look at him, considers something an agonizingly long moment, before lifting Aether up and leaning closer. And biting. Sharp teeth pierce through his neck and he can't move, can't fight, he barely can breathe! He's going to die here for sure, but he doesn't want to die...!

...His world goes black. Then red. There's pain and agony and a taste of something metallic against his lips.

I'm dead. Aether thinks to himself and his heart is full of regret. He couldn't even call Thoma, he never got to tell him how much he enjoyed his company, his warm smile, his kindness... how badly he wanted to get to know him better...

This can't be the end.

The moments of agony seem to last into eternity, but Aether refuses to give in.

Then with a desperate gasp of air he opens his eyes. He's not dead, nothing hurts. In fact he feels strange, like he can see more, hear so much more. Frantic, he takes a look at his hands and clothing and there's blood all around him. Blood on his lips, on his neck, on his hands. Red and warm and for some odd reason so strangely tempting. The boy gives the man a horrified look, but the man doesn't say anything, only looks into the distance. There's a sound of steps.

"We shall talk later." The man says and Aether can see elongated teeth and only then realizes that there is also blood on the other's lips. A vampire?! But aren't those only in legends? And this thirst for blood... Is Aether a vampire, too?

Before he gets to ask any questions or even get up from the ground, the man is gone and Aether is left alone on the cold ground in the alleyway. Then the steps get louder and again, too confused and terrified, Aether never manages to move from his spot.

This is when he sees Thoma.

"...W-what..."

What should he do?

[There's blood everywhere.

It feels like time has stopped, like he's witnessing something he shouldn't see. That he doesn't want to see. But it's undeniable; that's Aether, sitting there on the ground with blood covering his face and neck. It looks like something right out of a murder scene, and he can't believe that this is real. It can't be.]

Aether-!

[He runs to his friend, not knowing if he was hurt or dying or what...all he knows is that there's blood, and that's never a good sign. Thoma can barely parse what he's seeing as he gets closer.]

Are you okay? Hold on...let me call an ambulance...

[He fumbles with the phone in his hands, as if he's forgotten how to call emergency services. What if he has to do CPR? He can't even remember how to do that right now.]

[He's terrified. In this very moment he can hear so much - Thoma's voice, his footsteps, his panic, his heartbeat. It's overwhelming. Meanwhile, Aether grows increasingly aware that his own heart does not beat in his chest, that his hands quickly loose any warmth, that there's some sort of hunger gnawing at him.]

No... Don't!

[Without thinking he pushes himself up to grab onto Thoma, smearing blood over his clothing. When he realizes that, Aether withdraws his hand and backs himself up against the closest wall.]

I-I... Please, don't call for help. They can't help me...

[It's a nightmare, isn't it? He'll wake up soon, right?]

[The terror in Aether's face gets him to stop immediately, his hands clammy and numb. Thoma doesn't even notice the blood that's smeared across his body, as Aether grabs him. It's not until he backs off that Thoma looks down at the blood on his body, shocked and confused as to what was happening.]

W-What are you talking about Aether, you're bleeding...a doctor can help.

[Was it his blood though? It has to be. He's the only one here. There's a inexplicable chill that runs down his spine, his instincts telling him to run, but Thoma remains frozen on the spot. He can't run. His friend is hurt, in danger...but at the same time he can't shake this feeling.]

Let's just go. I don't know where, but we need to get you cleaned up, take you to the hospital...

[Hospital, people, more blood...

Aether shakes his head when his thoughts start going in that direction. His eyes are shut tight.]

No, no... You need to go! I can't... I can't go anywhere. If you stay here, you'll be in danger...

[He presses his hands over his ears, trying to muffle the sound of Thoma's heartbeat. Everything is so loud, everything is telling him that he's hungry. If this keeps going, he has no doubt that he'll hurt Thoma!

...He'll hurt the only person that is trying to help him. A person that he cares about so much. Just how cruel is that?]

P-please...

[He's still panicking, not knowing if he should listen to Aether or not. He doesn't want to go to the hospital, and he wants him to go. But he can't leave him here, he can't.

So Thoma does the next best thing- he grabs Aether by the arm, whether he likes it or not, and starts to try to drag him away from the wall he's up against. Where, he hasn't decided, but it's clear that something is really wrong with how his friend keeps covering his ears.]

We have to go.

[He says strongly, yet inside his whole world feels like everything is falling apart.]

We're going to my house.

[If Aether fights him, he'll tug on him with more strength than before...or at least he'll try.]

[He tries to resist, even thinks about pushing Thoma away, but suddenly he remembers the tales of vampires and how much stronger than humans those creatures were. Is it like this in real life, too? If he tries to fight Thoma, will he hurt him instead?

He's shaking, looking almost like he's on the verge of tears but decides to follow his friend and attempt an escape when the other will let go of him. It feels like a safer option.

At the same time, Aether can still hear the pulsing blood, the sound of heartbeat and it makes his stomach twist, both with hunger and disgust towards himself.

He needs to escape... fast.]

[He's glad that Aether doesn't seem to resist, pulling him through the city streets towards his own apartment. It's not terribly far from the boba shop, and it was a little bit of a challenge to keep Aether out of the sight of prying eyes of people they passed. He thinks they've managed to avoid that small catastrophe, as Thoma jambs his keys into the lock, turning it to grab Aether and pull him inside.

The door is shut behind, locked, and it's now that Thoma allows himself a moment to breathe.]

Aether, I don't know what's going on, but let's go get you cleaned up. You look horrible.

[First things first. Do that, get him some fresh clothes, and then they can talk about it. If Aether will even talk at all.]

[The moment he steps into Thoma's apartment, Aether feels a little dizzy. He's always wanted to come visit him one day, but not like this. What a horrible nightmare...

And it gets worse. Thoma speaks to him and yet Aether can barely make out what he's saying. The hunger is eating at him, making it so difficult to focus on anything else than his friend's heartbeat. Aether doesn't know when exactly he stepped closer and when he grabbed Thoma's hands. He doesn't know how he pulled him close into his arms and settled his mouth against the other's neck.

He was in a daze and before he knew, his teeth sink into the skin, blood flowing freely.

It's so warm. He was so hungry...]

[There's a strange aura coming from Aether, and it's completely inexplicable to Thoma. He gives him a strange look as his friend steps forward, and he begins to feel lightheaded once his hands are taken. It feels like his mind is being scrambled and rearranged, before he begins to look at Aether in a different light.]

Aether...

[He's pulled in and doesn't fight it, his neck arcing to give Aether more purchase as his head settles into it. That is what his friend wants, and all Thoma's mind can process is how he'll allow it to happen. Whatever Aether wants, he can have. Whatever the master wants.

Pain races through his body as the fangs of the vampire sink into his neck, but it's nothing in comparison to the power that holds Thoma there, letting Aether feed on his blood freely. Thoma's hand comes up to softly settle in the back of Aether's hair, urging him to continue to drink to his heart's content. He can sense how hungry he was, and all Thoma wants now is for him to satiate that hunger.]

[He drinks and the warmth of Thoma's blood pulses through him. It fills in holes in his very being, makes his own body recover the warmth that it was missing. It feels wonderful and all he ever wants is to keep the other close, enjoying the way he tastes on his tongue.

The trance is broken the moment hands start brushing his hair and it finally occurs to Aether that Thoma should be fighting him, pushing him away, not melting into his embrace and obeying him. Is this... something a vampire can do, too? He's not only hurting Thoma, but controlling him as well?

Horrified with his actions, Aether pulls away, hands over his mouth and eyes wide.]

T-Thoma, I-I...

[He wants to cry so badly now, but he can't. There are no tears in his eyes, even though he feels a little more alive now than before. The realization makes him feel sick and he trembles. The only reason he feels "alive" is because he's drunk Thoma's blood...

...He's a monster. A real monster.]

[The moment Aether breaks away in horror is when Thoma comes back to his senses, the wound on his neck throbbing and blood spilling down his neck and chest. It takes him a moment to take it in, as surreal as it was to feel himself be willingly compelled to allow Aether to bite him.]

What...what just happened? Did you bite me...?

[His hand comes up to wipe some of the blood from his skin, holding two fingers in front of him as he gazes at his own blood. Aether's mouth has blood all over it, fresh from the wound. His eyes dart from his fingers to Aether, and back again.]

H-Hey, what's going on here...

[His eyes widen, horror starting to strike him. Confusion fills his thoughts, his mouth dropping open. It's all too much. He feels frozen to the spot he's standing in.]

Aether, what did you do to me...

I... I'm a monster.

[The fear he sees in Thoma is crashing, paralysing even. Aether quickly cowers, gaze averted and he still covers his mouth, not wanting the other to see blood on it, even if it seeps through his fingers.]

I never wanted to hurt you... I'm so sorry, Thoma... You only wanted to help me... I'm so sorry.

[He backs away further into the apartment, hating every moment of his now cursed existence. He has no doubts that Thoma is terrified of him and that he regrets ever knowing him. Aether, on the other hand, eaten by despair finds it hard to think of a solution right now.

He needs to run, he needs to make sure no one else is ever involved with him.

It hurts so much.]

[At first, it takes several moments for Thoma to process all of the events he's experienced in such a short amount of time. There's no doubt that Aether's different, and that his friend had just utilized an otherworldly power and used it on him. He can feel himself start to shake, but Thoma quickly takes some deep breaths to try to calm himself. He's not so sure how well that's working, but he's trying.

He knows, deep down, that Aether is truly apologetic, but it's difficult not to scream in terror. He's living in a horror movie, one where a vampire is real and he was just bitten by one. He vaguely wonders if this is it for him.]

Am I going to die?

[He asks his friend, terror on his features. He's seen movies like this, where the friend gets bitten and then the good guys have to end up killing them. Except now it's real, it's so real and yet so surreal at the same time.]

I'm going to become a vampire too now, right? Just like in the movies? Aether?

[Aether is stunned by that question and it doesn't help that Thoma's fear is so painfully evident to the boy. He takes a deep breath, trying to think about it and to figure out this terrifying question - is Thoma going to die? Then it hits him that he can hear his friend's heartbeat and it's fast, but fairly normal. He's scared, but not dying.]

I... I don't think so.

[He tries to recall what happened to him in that narrow alleyway, when he was turned into a vampire.]

...I was dying when it happen. [He says, still not looking at Thoma.] I was desperate for help and then suddenly someone showed up. A guy... a vampire. [He pauses for a moment. Complicated emotions flow through him when he remembers all that.] He bit me and... I don't know, maybe I died there. I was cold, my vision went black. When I woke up, I still felt very cold and I could taste blood in my mouth...

[Did the vampire give him his blood? Or was it someone else's? Aether isn't sure what exactly had happened when he was out, but at the same time everything in him tells him that just biting someone will not turn them in a vampire or kill them.

He's not sure if this kind of uncertain info will be enough to reassure Thoma... Aether isn't even sure if he trusts himself either.]

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