When he arrived back at earth something seemed different. It was dark, how long had he been away? Long enough for Kyuhyun to leave angry text messages:

Why aren’t you here?!

When will you be here?!

CHANGMIN GET HERE NOW!

He gave a sigh. “I’m in trouble,” now he would have to hurry. The moment he was outside Joohyun’s, the force of a fast moving being came towards him almost knocking Changmin off his feet.
“K-Kyuhyun what gives?”

“Where in the devils name have you been?” Kyuhyun’s voice shook with anger, “do you have any idea of what time it is?”

In the rush of things Changmin hadn’t bothered to check. Taking out his phone Changmin read the time.
“Seven forty five pm,” he began when Kyuhyun glared at him. “Hey it was your damn idea for this watch, roster, whatever it is!”

“You really are the most inconsiderate vampire around.”

“Look who’s talking!” He stopped; Kyuhyun closed his mouth and nodded as if accepting defeat.
“I’ve said goodbye to Joohyun so you can find somewhere close by to watch.” Changmin glanced around. “Would a roof work?”

“Provided you don’t get caught,” Kyuhyun said. “But very well, provided its close.”

“On second thoughts, would there work?” Changmin had his eye on an upper class apartment block with balconies. “I could get to and from with ease.”

Kyuhyun agreed. “Fine, but keep your phone on you at all times.”

“Ok, are you going to keep nagging me? I want to get this over and done with.”

~~~

When the coast was clear Changmin took a large leap and jumped onto a balcony located on the second floor. Fortunately through a keep peak into the glass, nobody was seen at home. As he leaned against the railing his eyes zoomed in to Joohyun’s house through a window that went into the living room.

Joohyun just sat where she was on her worn couch, reading a book. Changmin had to lean forward slightly to get a glance at its title.
“A tale of two… Wait isn’t that English?”

This discovery dumbfounded him. She must be really intelligent to be able to read a book in another language without a Korean to English dictionary close by.

Everything about her seemed sophisticated and maybe a little dignified. Her upright posture showed no signs of hunching or slouching. Her hair hung down, long, chocolate brown in small waves gathered neatly. She was like a living doll, an example of how someone he used to know looked before their transformation. Changmin wondered if her outward appearance was what got Kyuhyun besotted with her.  

An hour went. Two hours went. Three went and Changmin was afraid that he would slip into sleep mode. To try and pass time he peered around the streets, checking he hadn’t been discovered. Only a few people walked down the street but they were occupied with their partner, phone or Walkman.

Joohyun stayed in her spot except for a few times; one to do something else for a bit and the other to get a glass of water. To Changmin’s relief she put the book down but picked up something else. Upon closer glance he spotted the faint shapes of heads, faces on bodies.

(Sound track)

It was a photo album, he imagined she was reminiscing. Her gaze lingered on the pages without moving. She must have each image memorised in her head with perfect recollection.

Changmin checked the time on his phone. “Ten forty five, this is a waste of time. The girl doesn’t do anything!”

A loud screech came and a cat bolted down the street before disappearing. Changmin glanced around to see if he could figure out what caused the disturbance however it was futile.  

Remembering his initial priority he focused on Joohyun’s room and where she was.  Her eyes were on a large photograph. She the faces of two people, swallowing along with it. As she closed her eyes, Joohyun turned her head away from the album as if the pictures were blinding her.  

He blinked; something about this didn’t feel right. What was it that humans could do so well that vampires weren’t able to? The answer came with a blink and the faint line of water down her cheek.   

Taken back by this, Changmin clenched the railing tighter. What happened? What caused her to cry? Why did this affect him? He glanced around anxiously, uneasy for once.

“What do I do?” He glanced around, taking out his phone, going to messages. He pressed ‘create’ and started to type. Changmin stopped. What would Kyuhyun be able to do? Would he know what was upsetting her?

Before he had even finished typing it out, Changmin closed the message and put the phone away. He was going to act without much thought. He jumped off the balcony, landing several metres away in a garden. Checking that no one saw him he left through the gate, strolling towards her house.  

As he went through her garden he checked the signposts to find any hidden wisdom. The one that stood out this time said ‘even the straw shoe has a mate’.

“Humans are so weird,” he murmured before knocking on the door.  A moment later she came out, her eyes red but dry.

She smiled with a slight stiffness to it. “Changmin-ssi, what brings you here?”

“Um,” great now a lie would have to be used. He scratched the back of his neck. “Just walking by so I decided to come say hello, um are you ok?”

She indicated to herself. “Me? Oh yes I’m fine thank you. D-do you want to come in?”

Changmin froze; he hadn’t expected her to ask. Was one to accept or decline?
“Umm, are you sure?”

Joohyun nodded, “of course, did you want a drink or anything?”

“I don’t need one,” a moment later there was the delayed, “thanks.” For now Changmin could be thankful that Kyuhyun wasn’t there to hit him.

Hmm  *starts singing Mystery by B2st* I hope the longer length makes up for the lateness XD.