MIX-UP (JossGawin)

Chapter 10

Tong whistled a jaunty tune as he strolled toward the old warehouse, the echo of the festival's lively chaos still thrumming in his veins. 

Lanterns, laughter, and too much cotton candy—it had been a good night. But now it was back to reality. Specifically, the reality of dealing with his perpetually brooding vampire roommate.

As he reached the warehouse's rusted door, he fished out the key, his thoughts already drifting to the experiments he'd been planning with Joe and the others. The lock clicked, and he pushed the door open, calling out cheerfully.

"Hey, Mark! I'm back. Time to—"

The words barely left his lips before Mark blurred into view, slamming into him with a force that knocked the breath from his lungs. 

Tong stumbled back, his spine hitting the doorframe as Mark's lips crushed against his with a hunger that was anything but human.

"Mmph!" Tong's muffled protest was swallowed in the onslaught. Mark's hands gripped his arms like steel, pinning him in place. 

The kiss was fiery, frantic, and far too close to something primal. Tong could feel the sharp scrape of fangs against his lips, sending a jolt of fear—and something uncomfortably thrilling—coursing through him.

"Mark, what the hell?!" he tried to say, but the vampire wasn't listening. Mark's fingers dug into his shoulders, his breath hot and ragged as he pressed Tong further into the door. 

The kiss deepened, stealing what little air Tong had left. His heart hammered in his chest, adrenaline fighting to keep him upright as his strength ebbed away.

"Stop—ugh, you're literally—sucking the life out of me!" Tong gasped between stolen breaths, his voice barely more than a hoarse whisper.

Mark growled, low and feral, his glowing eyes locking onto Tong's with an intensity that froze him in place. "You taste too good," Mark murmured, his voice like silk wrapped around a blade.

 He leaned back in, teeth grazing skin, lips devouring with reckless abandon.

Tong's frustration finally ignited. He summoned every ounce of strength he had left and shoved at Mark's chest. "Damn it, Mark! Let me breathe!" he snapped.

At last, Mark pulled back, licking the faint trace of blood from his lips with a slow, deliberate motion. His eyes smoldered, a mix of satisfaction and hunger that hadn't quite abated. "You're intoxicating," he said, his tone both teasing and reverent. "I can't help myself."

"Well, try harder!" Tong shot back, swaying slightly as the room tilted around him. He braced a hand on the door for balance, glaring daggers at his roommate. "Warn a guy next time! You nearly turned me into a damn husk."

Mark chuckled, soft and dark, the sound curling around Tong like smoke. "Maybe you shouldn't have stayed out so long. I get... impatient when I'm left alone."

"Impatient? You're like a starved leech with attachment issues," Tong muttered, rubbing his sore lips and shaking off the lingering haze. "Next time, keep your fangs to yourself until I've had coffee."

Mark's smirk softened, just a touch, his predatory edge giving way to something almost tender. "I'm sorry," he said, the words uncharacteristically quiet. "But your blood—it's not like anyone else's. It's... irresistible." 

"Yeah, yeah. Save the flattery for someone who didn't almost pass out from it," Tong grumbled, straightening up. "We've got places to be. Joe's gonna flip if we don't show soon."

Mark nodded, stepping back to give him room. "Lead the way," he said, a glint of mischief returning to his eyes. "But don't think I'll let you leave me for that long again."

Tong rolled his eyes, shaking his head as they exited the warehouse. "Right, because being chewed on is such a highlight of my day."

But as they walked, Tong couldn't shake the strange warmth settling in his chest. Annoying as Mark was, there was something about their bond—complicated, infuriating, dangerous—that felt electric.

And maybe, just maybe, he didn't mind it as much as he pretended.