Morning light filtered in through silken white curtains.
Han Li's body was sore all over. The familiar sounds of the city coaxed him out of sleep and he found that his throat was parched, his head heavy and throbbing. Groaning, Han Li rolled over, burying his face in fluffy white covers. The mattress below him was heavenly but it was not enough to stave away the bruising soreness that infested his bones.
He kind of felt like puking.
Dark brown eyes slowly opened to an unfamiliar bedroom. It was spacious and decorated with a clean, modern flair. A black and white abstract painting hung above the bedpost, complementing the theme of the room. A large flat-screen TV sat at the foot of the bed looking so shiny and new as though not a single fingerprint had ever graced its edges.
Where was he again?
Oh right…
A groan of dread escaped his lips as he wiggled under the bedsheets. The memories of the prior night came back to him in shambled bits, flashes of embarrassing things littered his mind, from friendly teasing to unsolicited groping. For some reason, Han Li found that he was very aware of the shape and outline of Graham's bicep.
What was he even doing…?
But that wasn't even the worst part.
No, that came in the sobering flash of memory he recalled at the end of the night, the unraveling of his carefully curated human appearance. The last time that happened was over a year ago and this time he wasn't even around blood so why?
The question flitted around his head, going in circles without any means of being productive. That was when the memory of the kiss slowly seeped into his awareness, painting his cheeks and ears red with morbid embarrassment.
Gods, he thought with a sigh, Graham was a damned good kisser.
And though it was beyond embarrassing, Han Li was thankful that the man was able to suppress his demonic energy. In fact, the familiar soreness that boggled down his limbs was likely the result of holy power constricting his nature.
That was good, but it wouldn't last forever.
With a pained groan, Han Li finally pushed the covers aside. There was a glass of water left on the counter next to the bed and a neatly folded tissue. Curious, Han Li unfolded it to find two familiar pills left inside. Ah, sweet old painkillers. It won't do much for the soreness in his bones but it should at least reduce the awful throb in his head.
After the pills washed down his throat, he noticed something carelessly left on the other side of the counter. It was suspiciously the only thing that seemed out of place the entire room, beckoning his attention.
He looked around, putting his ear against the closed door to listen for anything on the other side.
There was shuffling, a light metallic clang, and the low thrum of classical music. Graham was likely busy downstairs, from the sounds of it. Feeling satisfied, Han Li tiptoed back to the folder and peeled it open.
The contents inside made him frown right away.
It was a commission.
Issued just yesterday and boasted a C ranked rating. The target was suspected to be a vampire, corrupted blood. The subject was to be neutralized, wanted dead or alive. But there was an added bonus for apprehending the target and bringing them into the Bureau intact.
Why was Han Li even reading the file? He closed the offensive folder, a scowl forming on his face. This was obviously something Graham picked up for Han Li. A real S rank hunter had no business of picking up C rank work.
With his newfound annoyance, Han Li stormed out of his room, his feet pattered down the circular stairwell that led into the lobby, belatedly realizing there was actually an elevator. What the hell?
Han Li decided to ignore that as a power waft of sausage and eggs assaulted his nose, making his mouth water almost instantly.
"You're awake." Graham's appearance was already deadly before but now fitted with a white apron on top of a black, fitted turtleneck only raised the levels of devastation even further.
In fact, Han Li could practically hear all his thoughts coming to a stop and exploding into a bunch of tiny pieces.
Seriously, what was he thinking about again? He had something he wanted to say to Graham, didn't he? But it was no use, all he could utter was, "Oh. Shit. My life has officially become an embodiment of cliches."
Maybe he was still dreaming after all.
Graham raised a brow but said nothing. He prepared a plate of what looked like a classic Britian breakfast. "It is a little late for breakfast," Graham said apologetically, "But I find it best after having too much to drink."
"Oh. Well, aren't you considerate," What meant to be sarcastic ended up sounding a bit sincere. But there was drool hanging off Han Li's mouth as he climbed into the stool by the kitchen counter, eagerly joining Graham for a meal.
They ate in silence, giving the pain killer enough time to chew through Han Li's headache. He sighed, feeling pleasantly full after the meal and eagerly gulped down a glass of milk as well. "Why are you a good cook on top of everything else? Isn't the Male Lead aura a bit too strong?"
"…I've had a lot of time to practice," Graham said as his eyes raked over Han Li's form. He was still wearing yesterday's clothes and no doubt was not looking his best. "How are you feeling?"
Han Li shrugged, "What do you think? I'm hungover as shit. But the pain killers helped. Thanks."
"Your body—"
"Is fine. I guess I have you to thank for that too huh?" Han Li smiled wryly, "Don't tell me you're trying to rake up debts to force me into a life of servitude or something because that's messed up."
"No such thing," Graham said as he casually strolled over. Without a warning, his hands crept to Han Li's lower back. Though the touch was feathering, a telling bloom of soreness had Han Li go still, hunched over the counter as a pathetic sound left his lips.
"You— Can't you warn a guy first?"
"You're unstable," Graham noted, completely ignoring Han Li's words. "Do you not have a spell or amulet to seal your demonic nature? I find it difficult to believe you are without any form of protection."
A distant memory made itself known, one that Han Li preferred not to recall.
Yeah, there had been a seal in place to withhold his demonic nature, but he had broken it on an impulsive decision; one that he still couldn't decide if he regretted or not. Since then, no other amulets took.
"No," he bit out, "They don't work."
The only thing that temporarily worked was suppressing everything with heavy doses of holy power. Not only was the entire ordeal awful but the orphanage didn't have the money to purchase that much holy water just purely for his consumption.
"It is likely they are not properly tuned to your body," Graham noted, "Half-demons cannot be suppressed in the same way as a normal demon."
"Geez, way to make a guy feel like some sort of abomination."
"Hm. Do you know what kind of demon you take after? I will find you a temporary amulet to help repress your nature."
This wasn't a topic of conversation that Han Li was ready to indulge in. It made him feel cagey and the telling itch of wanting to flee had his leg shaking. But Graham was offering a free amulet. Even if those things didn't last, it was better than nothing. "Wrath," Han Li admitted with a small voice.
"Stay here." Just like that Graham was gone behind one of the many rooms that littered the penthouse.
Han Li almost took the moment to run away. But he didn't and before long, Graham had returned with what looked like a silver chain with an intricate ring that dangled from it. It featured a beautiful ruby gemstone and the tiniest, most delicate silver dragon that caressed the center jewel. The item looked like it belonged in a museum or something.
"Um," Han Li stammered, as Graham fitted the necklace around his neck. "What will happen if I break this?" Which he likely will, as destined by the various holy amulets he was given in the past.
"Then I will get you a new one."
Han Li made a face, "You're really doing the most to win me over, huh?"
Graham raised a brow, "Is it working?"
Only a bit. "No."
"A shame."
But was it really? Han Li's opinion of Graham was still uncertain. There was no way that the hunter was doing all this out of the kindness of his heart and Han Li wasn't ready to trust him. But the ease he felt when touching the cold steel of the amulet was one that he hadn't had in a long time.