MIX-UP (JossGawin)

Chapter 20

The night was dark and still, the kind of stillness that amplified even the faintest sound. Ming stood outside Joe's apartment building, cloaked in shadows, a long-lens camera in hand. The lens pointed directly at Joe's bedroom window. 

He allowed himself a small smile of triumph—he was inching deeper into Joe's life, weaving himself into the fabric of trust. Every moment he captured felt like a victory, one step closer to what he wanted.

Inside, Mark lay perfectly still in Tong's room, his vampire senses attuned to everything around him. He didn't need to look to know Ming was lurking outside, camera in hand, but he indulged anyway. With his heightened vision, he focused on the distant figure and smirked.

"Pathetic," Mark muttered, his voice barely audible in the quiet room. 

Amusement danced in his eyes as he turned his attention to Tong, peacefully asleep beside him. Ming's futile surveillance was more entertaining than bothersome.

"Seeing it up close is always more satisfying," Mark whispered, stretching out beside Tong. 

His eyes traced the young man's features—relaxed, vulnerable, unaware. A soft chuckle escaped his lips. Ming could watch all he wanted from outside. Mark had the front-row seat.

Tong stirred, murmuring something unintelligible, and Mark's expression softened. Despite the oddity of their situation, there was a strange comfort in this routine. 

Mark brushed a stray strand of hair from Tong's face with an unexpected tenderness.

"Good night, Tong," he whispered, settling in as the night unfolded around them.

MORNING --- Tong woke slowly, warmth pressing against him. 

His mind groggy, it took a moment to register the weight draped over him. His eyes shot open, and panic set in as he realized he was wrapped in Mark's arms, curled up together on the sofa.

"What the hell?" Tong muttered, wriggling to break free. 

"Mark, what's going on?"Mark opened his eyes lazily, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. 

"You walked over here, collapsed into my arms, and fell asleep. Very romantic."

Tong glared, his voice sharp with disbelief. 

"Bullshit. I don't sleepwalk."Mark shrugged, clearly relishing Tong's discomfort. 

"Believe what you want, but that's exactly what happened."

With a groan of frustration, Tong finally extricated himself from Mark's grip, running a hand through his tousled hair. 

"You're full of it," he snapped. "Next time, shove me back into bed."

Mark chuckled, leaning back against the cushions. 

"If it'll make you feel better, sure."

Despite himself, Tong felt a smile threatening to break through. 

He shot Mark a glare that lacked any real venom. "Creep."

---In the kitchen, Joe was already up, cradling a cup of strong coffee and surrounded by a pile of journals. The aroma of coffee filled the air as he lost himself in the dense research articles. 

The peace was shattered when Tong stumbled in, looking rumpled and annoyed.

"Morning, sunshine," Joe teased, glancing up with a grin. 

"Rough night?"Tong collapsed into a chair, scowling. 

"Don't start. I woke up on the sofa with Mark, and he's trying to convince me I sleepwalked into his arms."

Joe raised an eyebrow, fighting back a laugh. "Did you?"

"Hell no," Tong grumbled, crossing his arms. "I don't sleepwalk. He's just messing with me."

Joe chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee. "Well, look on the bright side. At least he's not drinking your blood anymore."

Tong snorted, the corners of his mouth twitching with reluctant amusement. 

"Small victories, I guess."

Joe grinned. "Small victories add up."