Chapter 6: Fool
1691 Words
It had been a long time since Ethan last had such a nightmare—one so dreadful that, for the first time, he found himself unwilling to wake, even as darkness yawned before him like an abyss.
In his dream appeared the vampire he had once glimpsed as a child—nothing like Lucien. This creature was hideous and filthy, its twisted face drenched in blood as it tore into mangled human limbs. The scene was grotesque, nauseating.
Ethan watched from the shadows, unease growing with every glance, until his gaze caught upon a familiar mole on one of the dismembered arms.
Fear is a birthright of all living beings, and Ethan, as human as any, was no exception. Every instinct urged him to flee, yet the memory of his grandfather—dead these ten years—held him still.
Sensing his presence, the vampire lunged. Its blood-smeared fangs sank deep into his flesh, straight into the artery—
Don’t flinch. You’re not a child anymore.
Ethan struggled fiercely, desperate to see whose limb it was. But then, a sudden flash of light—everything vanished. A moment later, something warm and wet brushed against his neck.
He opened his eyes slowly, head spinning, body heavy as if pinned by a ghost. Staring blankly at the ceiling, he gradually realized—something was licking his neck.
Lucien.
The moment awareness struck, Ethan shoved the vampire off him and sat up abruptly. A sharp wave of dizziness hit; he braced his forehead with one hand, eyes shut, steadying himself.
Then came a snarl from beside him.
“Goddamn it, you dare shove me?!” Lucien rubbed his sore arm with an indignant glare. “Why so rough? It hurts, you know!”
What nonsense was this fool spewing? Ethan frowned. “Watch your mouth. My family’s had only one son for three generations—I don’t have an uncle.”
Lucien blinked, baffled, then tried again. “Then I damn you!”
Ethan: “…”
Having drunk several sweet mouthfuls of blood, Lucien still hadn’t slept enough. Content but drowsy, he kicked at Ethan irritably. “Get out. I’m sleeping.”
What an entitled creature. Ethan reminded him coolly, “This is my room. You’re sleeping in my bed.”
“So what? You woke me with your talking,” Lucien retorted, sprawling into a starfish pose across the mattress. “You should apologize for your rudeness—and get out.”
Ethan paused, then asked, “What exactly did I say in my sleep?”
Lucien muttered, “Forgot. Now leave. I’m tired.”
Thanks to the noisy fool, Ethan’s sleep was ruined. Feeling the sting on his neck, he sighed, pushing aside the remnants of his nightmare. Too much time spent with a vampire, he thought wryly.
He got out of bed and, before leaving, warned the sprawled creature, “Next time you want blood, ask first. No ambushes.”
For such words to come from a mere blood donor—Lucien nearly exploded. “That was yesterday’s fair exchange! You owe me! You wanna fight?!”
Still groggy, Ethan recalled the previous night—Lucien washing dishes for him. Clumsy work, but a favor nonetheless. So yes, perhaps he did owe one.
He quietly closed the door.
After a simple breakfast and hanging the laundry to dry, he intended to work on his thesis—only to find his laptop missing. He fetched a book instead and settled into reading downstairs.
Ryan had no classes on Fridays and stayed home. Ethan thought of going to the library, but the thought of leaving Ryan alone with Lucien made him uneasy. He decided to wait until the vampire woke—perhaps he’d vanish on his own by then.
No such luck. Lucien didn’t stir until three in the afternoon—just as lazy as yesterday—and immediately sought Ryan to play video games.
Ryan was no better: he’d woken at noon, ordered takeout, and was now shouting over ranked matches.
Ethan felt like a reluctant caretaker in a kindergarten. Lucien was yelling gleefully into his headset, Ryan laughing alongside him. Ethan considered buying another laptop, then dismissed it—why buy one for a vampire who might never leave?
Meanwhile, in the other room, Lucien whooped in triumph, showing Ryan his new ranking.
“How’s that? Impressive, right?”
“Of course,” Ryan grinned. “My student can’t be anything less. Seriously though, you’re amazing—this level in just a few days? Legendary.”
Lucien blinked. “What’s legendary?”
Ryan smirked. “Lucien, be honest—are you secretly from Japan?”
Lucien froze. His brother had once visited that country; the question hit too close. He couldn’t afford another human suspecting his identity—his brother would lecture him endlessly.
Just as he pondered whether to play along, Ethan’s voice came from the door.
“Lucien. Come with me to the supermarket.”
Perfect timing—the match had just ended. Lucien bounded up eagerly, trailing after his blood donor, but not before calling back, “Ryan! I’ll be back—teach me that new mode later!”
“Sure!” Ryan called after him. “Bring me some chips and cola—plain flavor!”
“I don’t have money!” Lucien shot back. “Ethan’s paying!”
Ethan: “…”
Outside, night had fallen. Instead of heading to the supermarket, Ethan led him into a quiet alley. His tone dropped low. “Do you want humans other than me knowing what you are?”
Lucien shook his head immediately. “Didn’t you say we were going to the store?”
“Then listen carefully,” Ethan said, cutting to the point. “If you’re curious about something, ask me—but don’t go around acting like a fool.”
Lucien’s eyes darkened. “Who are you calling a fool?”
Under the dim streetlight, Ethan regarded that exquisite, almost ethereal face and deliberately said, “In human terms, your behavior is that of an i***t—the lowest kind.”
Lucien’s temper flared. “Screw you, you pathetic mutt!”
Ethan’s gaze swept the alley, voice turning cold. “Yell any louder, and you’ll draw a crowd. Want them to see how vampires curse?”
Lucien fell silent.
Ethan continued, “Creatures like you—humans would love to study. No matter how strong your kind is, you can’t stand against billions of us.”
Lucien had no retort. Ethan was right. His proud bloodline, for all its might, had survived only by hiding from humans. The rules were ancient and unbreakable.
Seeing him lower his head like a scolded child, Ethan wondered if he’d been too harsh.
He softened his tone. “It’s fine around me. But when you’re with Ryan—or anyone else—watch your words.”
“Hmph.” Lucien turned away, sulking. Inwardly, he fumed: Why should the mighty blood race hide from humans? If I had my brother’s power, I’d show them.
The fool was angry again. Such a temper.
A chill wind swept through. After a pause, Ethan said, “Tomorrow I’ll buy a new laptop. Want one?”
Lucien blinked, instantly suspicious. “What’s your game? Are you teasing me?”
Ethan sighed. “I need one too. Mine’s four years old—slow as hell. I’ll get you a gaming laptop. For games.”
Lucien eyed him warily. “Really? Is there a catch?”
Ethan nodded slightly. “Yes. Stop swearing.”
Lucien brightened. “Fine! No swearing. Now buy it!”
“Tomorrow,” Ethan said.
A minor issue settled, he took Lucien to a nearby convenience store for Ryan’s snacks. While Ethan paid, he noticed Lucien wandering the aisles. “Want anything?” he asked.
“I don’t eat you peop—” Lucien caught himself. “I mean, I don’t want snacks.”
At least he was learning. Ethan felt a flicker of pride. No tantrum, no insults—progress.
“Hurry up,” Lucien urged. “I want to get back and try the new mode.”
Ethan: “…”
“Oh, and by the way,” Lucien added, “what does legendary mean? Ryan didn’t tell me.”
Ethan: “…”
Lucien: “???”
Ethan sighed. “It means ‘amazing.’”
Lucien grinned. “Then I’m already legendary.”
Ethan: “…”
That night, just like before, the man and the vampire played until late. Ethan ignored them—washed the dishes, folded the laundry, worked out, showered, and went to bed.
He was just drifting into sleep when the door opened. Something heavy bounced onto the bed, rolled once, and settled beside him.
“Tired… need rest,” came the sleepy mumble.
Ethan turned away, giving the bed-hogging vampire his back.
There was an empty room upstairs—but no bed. He wasn’t used to sharing, and Ryan was staying over again tonight.
Tomorrow, he decided, he’d buy not only the laptop, but another bed. Just in case.
The next morning, the lazy pig actually got up with him, bright-eyed and uncharacteristically tidy, having even changed clothes with magic. Ethan thought it was the laptop that had him excited, but before he could speak, Lucien declared, “When I’m back, I want to see my new computer.”
“Where are you going?”
“Hiking with Ryan. Don’t forget the laptop.”
Ryan’s voice echoed from below. “Lucien! You ready? Let’s go!”
“Coming!”
Ethan had expected this. He threw on his coat and followed. Ryan blinked. “You’re coming too?”
Ethan nodded.
“Perfect,” Ryan said cheerfully. “You’ll protect us, then.”
Once outside, Lucien caught up to Ethan, lowering his voice. “What did Ryan mean by that? Protect us from what?”
Ethan’s tone was cool. “From vampires. One punch, one kill.”
Lucien bristled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Ethan’s lips curved faintly. “It means I’m legendary.”
Lucien: “…”
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