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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[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.]

[Thoma's hand comes up to his chest, feeling the warmth that he normally exudes. He doesn't feel cold at all, just shocked and scared, for more reasons than he could possibly explain right now. So it's not like the movies, he just was bit and lost blood for Aether to feed on, almost as if he were donating blood at a blood drive...somewhat unwillingly.

He takes another deep breath, collecting his thoughts and forcing himself to calm down. He takes a moment- it must of just happened. Aether was fine before the weekend. And what he just told him, that's a lot.]

Okay, so you're a vampire now, and I'm guessing that you haven't really gotten to uh...feed much since the incident.

[The anxiety is still in his voice, and he's speaking a little quickly, but there's empathy there. It's hard to imagine Aether as "dead" right now when he's standing in front of him, speaking with him.]

L-Let's get cleaned up first. My neck is still bleeding, after all, and I need to get something over it so it doesn't get infected. You can get yourself cleaned up in the kitchen sink, and I'll lend you some of my clothes so you don't have to walk around in bloody clothing anymore. I'll be out soon, okay?

[It comes as a surprise to him that Thoma would want to keep him around, but he doesn't want to argue. Not now, when Thoma is still bleeding and really needs something for that wound. Aether gives him a look both guilty and worried, before nodding.]

Alright...

[He tries to retreat as fast as possible, to give his friend some time to process all of this. Aether also needs time and again, everything in him screams to just run away the moment he gets a chance. He's scared that he'll hurt Thoma once more eventually.

Taking a quick look around, he locates the kitchen and hurries there. He washes the blood away from his hands and face, and seeing the red mixed with water makes him feel even more sick than before. His body trembles as he leans over the sink, but what he can do? It doesn't seem like he'll be waking up from this nightmare.

Once he cleans himself, Aether sighs deeply and sits down on the floor, too worried that his dirty clothes will stain Thoma's furniture. He looks around, looking for a window and almost considering jumping through it. Would he die if he did that? Would he... finally wake up?

Somehow it feels like not the best course of action. Thoma would worry about him, he realizes. Or at least he would be scared that Aether would go out and hurt someone.

...But then what should he do? Is it really okay to stay here?]

[Thoma turns to head to the bathroom first, to clean his neck up and put some gauze on it. The holes left there aren't as large as he thought they'd be, cleaning it up quickly. That's good, though he's sure he might get a comment or two when he has to go to work with it bandaged up. He'll quickly go to his room too, changing his clothes and finding something fresh for Aether as well.

He wonders how his friend is doing. He's the one who's had to go through the terrifying experience of being transformed into a monster. He may of not believed it if he hadn't saw his fangs for himself, hadn't been under the powerful influence of Aether's newfound powers. Experiencing it all firsthand made him a believer immediately, and Thoma can feel his hands shaking as he picks up the spare t-shirt and shorts. He's got to keep it together, for Aether.

He knows that his friend really didn't mean to get him into this mess. And despite what just happened, he still wants to help.

Thoma enters the kitchen to find Aether on the ground, giving him a small smile and handing the clothes over.]

Here. The shorts might be a little long on you, but they'll do for now. Can you tell me more about what happened? And what about that guy you mentioned earlier?

[There's a lot to piece together...best to start from the beginning.]

[He stays unmoving for what feels like eternity and only Thoma's steps bring him back to reality. Again, Aether realizes that he can hear his friend's heartbeat. There's still fear in him, but it doesn't seem he's afraid of Aether anymore. He even offers him a kind smile and a set of fresh clothes. Aether accepts them, holding them carefully in his hands.]

Thanks...

[He pauses, staring at the clothing for a moment, before looking up at his friend.]

Are you sure about this? What if... What if I try to hurt you again...?

[His voice grows quieter but there's real worry in his eyes. He doesn't move from his spot on the ground either. It feels safer like this.]

Well...

[Thoma takes a moment to think about it. He has to see this from Aether's perspective, or else there won't be any real good way to deal with it. He's got a real, live vampire in his hands in the form of his friend. What needs to be done to help him immediately?]

What we could do is keep you from getting that hungry again.

[It's a scary prospect, that much he won't deny. But when Thoma calms himself and thinks about it, he can pinpoint what exactly happened.]

I don't mean to upset you by telling you this, but when you bit me, I was under some sort of power. The way I felt was that I would do everything to protect you and make sure you were taken care of- and in this case, it was because you were hungry. So I think if we give you the opportunity to get blood to drink, you won't attack anyone like that.

[At least, he thinks that stands to reason. Thoma ponders for a moment more.]

And, well, the bite on my neck actually isn't that bad, even if it did hurt a little. Maybe we can figure out a way that you can have some of my blood that doesn't involve you biting my neck again, haha.

[It's surreal to hear all of this. And to think that Thoma tries to stay so calm, help him, even offers his own blood. Aether stands up from the ground, free hand reaching out to his friend, but he withdraws it fast, as if burned. He shouldn't. He shouldn't touch Thoma or stay too close to him. He's a monster, the situation is difficult, he doesn't want to scare someone who's doing so much for him.]

You... really are too kind...

[He breathes out, then turns around.]

You know... before all of this happened I really wanted to call you, meet you outside of your work... just hang out. But I never did. I ended up in hospital first and then when I barely got out, I collapsed in that alleyway.

[He pauses.]

That man that found me... I think, maybe he tried to help me, but the only way he knew how to do it was turning me into a monster. [He laughs, it's a hollow, pained sound.] Or maybe he wanted to give me a lesson. "Be careful what you wish for"... that kind of thing.

[He shakes his head, then suddenly he remembers something else and his eyes widen.]

...He told me that we will talk later. [He realizes, but now that Aether is here, will that vampire show at Thoma's footsteps? Would he hurt Thoma? Suddenly dread makes Aether's stomach curl.]

[It's not as if Thoma didn't know that all this was something Aether was coping with at the same time. How unfortunate was it that he'd happened to discover his friend almost immediately after he'd been turned into a vampire- or maybe, how lucky it was Thoma of all people who found him instead of someone else. There's a measure of understanding that Thoma has as Aether speaks, figuring something had happened and that's why Aether never called him. He'd always figured he was a nice guy, not one to just ghost on him as if he'd given him some bad vibes or anything.

And admittedly, it's terrible to hear that this was the reason why he never called. Thoma feels his chest tighten with dread and sadness all at the same time. It sounded like...like Aether was going to die, if that man hadn't helped him. That realization hits him hard, as if someone had taken a solid brick and thrown it right at him. Aether almost died. And now...]

Did he leave you a phone number, or any way of contacting him?

[He asks, wondering how that would all work. Even if it's another vampire, that's a lead to figuring out this whole mess...though it scares him too. That means there's even more of them out there. Maybe even a whole civilization of vampires that live right here in the city.]

Cheer up, Aether. If there's anything that'll help us deal with your situation, it's having more information about it. Let's just look at the bright side of things for now, and deal with the rest as we come to it. Everything'll work out, I'm sure of that.

[To Aether, all of this still feels like a bad dream and he continues to pray in his head that maybe soon he'll wake up and he'll be human, he'll be able to hang out with Thoma just like he planned...

He breathes in at the question.]

No... He just left after telling me that. [He doesn't even hide how much it worries him.] Maybe... he knows how to find other vampires? Or just me?

[It's so hard to tell and frankly, Aether is scared of the answer. But then Thoma stays so positive, despite the fear that Aether can so clearly sense in him. It makes a tiny smile finally bloom on his face.]

...You really are amazing.

[He's always known that. Maybe it was a bit of a crush, but Aether always thought that Thoma was amazing. So positive, calm no matter the situation. And now, even when facing this crazy mess, the other still tries his best, still searches for ways to help Aether.]

Thank you.

[He's touched, so much so that he feels like crying a little.]

[The compliment sends a blush across Thoma's face, smiling back at Aether. He doesn't feel like he's amazing or anything special at all, and it's clear he's flattered by it. That and it's nice to see Aether smile, and that's really what he cares about right now out of all of this.]

Hey, it's nothing, I just want to help is all.

[Really, that's the truth, he could never let someone in need go without help. And he considers Aether a good friend, someone who he's always wanted to get to know better for one reason or another. He's a cute, kind, honest person that he's always been at least a little attracted to.]

Let's just stay here for a while and relax a bit. I've got the next few days off of work, and maybe tomorrow we can work on figuring out more. I got a feeling that guy is going to show up soon. I was the reason he fled so quickly, right? He didn't want to be discovered.

[But if Aether stays with him, he can't hide forever, right?]

[It's nerve-wrecking to think that you may bring chaos into someone else's life, even put that person in danger, especially when said person has shown you nothing but kindness. But when Thoma talks like this, his optimism seeps into Aether and makes him want to believe that tomorrow will be better.

He gives the other a firm nod, before glancing down at the clothes in his hands.]

I'll... go change, okay? Can I use the bathroom?

[He should probably get himself properly cleaned. He can still smell blood on himself.]

And... I can sleep on the couch? Or the floor... it's fine either way.

[Do vampires even sleep? He's not sure.

Aether sighs, trying to smile.]

I really owe you so much...

[Maybe he will find a way to make it up to Thoma.]

Please! Go clean up in the bathroom. If you need to take a shower, you can go ahead and use it. I'll take care of sleeping arrangements for you while you're in there, okay?

[With that out of the way, Thoma relaxes. He can distract himself with being a good host and cleaning up the place to give Aether somewhere to rest. It's a good first step forward to figuring out this entire mess, and where to go from here. He's just got the nagging feeling that this isn't over, and it's going to get more complicated than just Aether returning to his normal life.]

I'll be waiting out here, take your time. You really don't have to feel like you owe me anything, I'm just doing what any friend would do.

[Sort of. Not everyone has a vampire friend, but mentioning that won't help.]

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

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