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Chapter Text

The headquarters is silent with apprehension and buzzing with the kind of tension that feels almost foreign to a majority of the Huntsmen.  

Ant sits in one of the meeting rooms, wringing his hands nervously. They had been discussing the happenings of the day, trying to understand who it was who would have called in a fake Council meeting, when Sam had suddenly stood up and left the room in a hurry.

They had all waited in silence, until someone had come to report that Sam had returned, looking pale and worried, accompanied by the Demon and what looked like the corpse of his friend. The Spirit had silently banned everyone from the forest, and so they had all remained outside, in a confused silence.

A few Huntsmen had whispered among one another, trying to figure out what could be happening. Ant had clenched his fists together and he had left the small group, choosing to isolate himself in one of the rooms.

Something strange is happening. He just cannot put his finger on what. There is a strong energy emanating from the forest. The Demon and the Spirit are working together. Or at least, Ant hopes they are. If they are fighting, he isn’t sure which side he would support.

There’s a knock at the door, and Ant looks up to see Velvet opening it, giving him a concerned smile.

“Are you okay?”

Ant gives a small nod. “I’m good. You?”

Velvet doesn’t need to respond. They speak with their eyes only. They are both safe. Sam had looked extremely worried, and something bizarre is happening in the forest, but they are safe, and this is what matters.

“He-” Velvet licks his lips in hesitation. “Dream is dead.”

Ant stands up in surprise. “What?”

“Dream is dead,” the other vampire repeats, “I’m not sure how. Eret- Eret says that they Saw it but they looked a bit shaken, so I didn’t press for details.”

Ant takes a step toward the door – toward his partner. “What about the fledglings?”

Velvet pales up immediately. “Ant-” he says, a warning in his tone.

He knows exactly what Ant is thinking of- they don’t need to put words to it. This is about George and Sapnap. About the friendship they used to share. About how betrayed Ant has felt – still feels.

This is about the days he had spent, staring into the void, trying to understand the fact that the friends he had spent years mourning were still there, on this earth, and that they were enemies.

This is about the nights when Velvet had needed to hold him tightly to his chest, reassuring him, promising him that he hadn’t failed his best friends by not looking further into their disappearance.

“What about the fledglings?” Ant asks again. He doesn’t think he can pronounce their names. “Are they still there?”

Velvet blinks. “I don’t know,” he admits, “But you definitely shouldn’t-”

Ant doesn’t listen. He is already up, checking that his weapons are still attached to his belt, readjusting the cloak around his body.

“Ant,” Velvet insists, his voice gentle but worried, “This isn’t your problem to fix.”

“They were my friends.”

“ Were . You're the one who said that they’ve changed.”

“I need to see them.” He needs closure. He needs to see them again. He needs to see that they aren’t the George and Sapnap that he used to love.

“Ant, no…”

Ant lets out a long sigh. “I’ll be fine,” he whispers, “I promise, okay? I’ll just- I want to see it.”

Velvet doesn’t move from where he stands in the doorframe. “What are you going to do?” he asks, “When you see them?” He pauses. “Both the Demon and the Spirit said that they wanted them gone. What are you going to do? Stake them?”

“I don’t know,” Ant admits with a mirthless laugh, “I just- I need to see it.”

His partner is quiet for a long time before he nods, moving a little away. “You better be safe,” he warns, “If I see a single scratch on you-…” He closes his eyes. “Prime, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

“Be upset at the world?” Ant proposes with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood. “Kiss it better?”

Velvet gives a little laugh. “Yeah,” he says, “Yeah, maybe.” He takes a step closer to Ant and his hand cups his cheek tenderly, “No one’s allowed to scar this beautiful face.”

Ant hums, closing his eyes at the loving gesture. No matter what happens, Velvet will be there to support him when he comes back.

“Do you want me to come with you?” he asks, and Ant looks back to him, noting how his partner’s eyebrows are furrowed in concern, “I would.”

“No,” he responds, “It’s just- I’m just going on reconnaissance. I’ll come back if I need back-up.” Velvet nods. “Stay here. The Spirit may need some assistance.”

Velvet’s frown deepens a little and Ant feels guilty at the thought that he caused this. “This is all weird,” his partner whispers, “You feel it too, right?”

Ant nods. Whatever the two beings are doing, their power is seeping through the entirety of the headquarters. “Be safe,” he whispers.

Velvet laughs. “I should be telling you that. You’re the one going out.”

They smile at each other, and Ant moves in to press a chaste kiss to his partner’s lips. “Both of us, then,” he murmurs, as he pulls away, resting his forehead against Velvet’s. “We both stay safe.”

Whatever has happened to George and Sapnap, Ant won’t allow it to cause more harm to himself or those he cares about.

He doesn’t matter, he thinks, they died a long time ago.

He just wants closure.

* * *

Dream is gone and George’s world has been turned into chaos.

They have remained hidden for a long time, in the bushes near the cave, not daring to breathe, not daring to move. They had waited for Dream to come collect them, to sneer at them for hiding, and to order them back in the cave. They had stayed completely immobile, holding each other’s hand desperately.

They had watched as a light had shone through the cavern, indicating the Spirit’s arrival. They hadn’t moved an inch. Dream would come when the time was right.

Then the Demon and the Spirit had left.

Then three vampires had run into the cave. They had stayed there for a long time, but George and Sapnap had refused to move.

Eventually, the bigger one – the leader – had walked out, carrying the child in his arms, followed by the second vampire. The third one had left a bit more slowly. His eyes had looked through the forest quietly and had paused right where Sapnap and George were hidden. He had taken a step toward them, eyebrows furrowed in confusion, but had stopped when his Sire had called him.

“Phil? What are you doing?”

The vampire had blinked quietly before shaking his head. “Nothing. I just thought-”

“We need to get Tommy home,” the Sire had said, and the fledgling had obeyed.

As fledglings do.

They had all left and the cave had remained empty.

So, after another excruciating long wait, Sapnap and George had walked back into the cave.

There are ashes on the ground, on the red carpet that Dream had demanded they lay on top of the rough stones, and Dream is gone.

Dream is gone.

Dream is gone.

They stagger into the cave and fall on their knees next to the pile of ashes.

Dream is gone.

Dream is gone.

George cannot believe it. Dream is meant to be untouchable. George refuses to accept that he is gone.

Dream cannot be gone.

“George,” Sapnap rasps, “We need- We should go.”

George shakes his head. They can’t go. Dream is expecting them to wait here, for him. He didn’t tell them to leave.

“They’re going to-” Sapnap’s voice is hoarse and worried, “The Demon said that he wanted us gone. We have to-”

“We have to wait,” George says, “Dream will come get us.”

Sapnap’s eyes flicker to the pile of ashes on the red carpet.

“George-”

“We have to wait!” he roars. Dream will come back. He always does.

Sometimes, when they’ve been disobedient, he leaves them alone for a long time – for more days than they can count – until they are laying on the ground, begging for forgiveness, and begging to be fed. It has to be what this is about.

This is because George angered him, earlier, when he asked to drink from the child, instead of waiting patiently, knowing that Dream would provide for them.

Dream is angry at them, and this is their punishment.

But he will be back. He always comes back.

George clenches his eyes shut and he shifts a little bit on the ground. “Sap-” he whispers – he begs. His friend nods at him quickly and he comes to comfort him. They curl up around each other.

It is so dark. It is so cold.

They have to wait for Dream. Dream always comes back.

They just have to wait for him to let them out of the dark.

He has to come back.

Chapter Text

They wait for what seems like an eternity. Dream doesn’t come back.

They have to be patient, though. Sometimes, they have to cry and beg in the dark for him to be lenient and to deign to forgive them.

Something moves outside of the cave and George sits up, alert, his eyes wide. This doesn’t sound like Dream. He knows the sound of Dream’s breathing. He would recognize it anywhere. This isn’t Dream.

Sapnap’s hand tightens around his. They stay where they are, on the ground, holding onto each other, but their eyes are staring at the entrance of the cave.

A Huntsman walks in, quiet and on his guard. He holds a stake in one of his hands, and the other is brushing his belt, where George knows there is a set of daggers. This is where Huntsmen keep their weapons to apprehend rogue Undead creatures.

He knows, because he and Sapnap used to be Huntsmen.

He remembers it. He remembers their creed, and he remembers promising to protect humanity against rogue vampires.

They are rogue vampires. Both him and Sapnap. George knows it. This is what the Spirit would say. That they do not think anymore. That they cause pain on purpose or for their own cruel amusement. That they are a danger to the balance between the Living and the Undead.

That they must be killed.

The Huntsman is here for them.

He curls up a little around Sapnap. If they must go, George wants them to go at the same time. He doesn’t want to imagine being separated from his best friend, even for a second.

Sapnap snarls a little at the Huntsman, wild and afraid, but he doesn’t make any move to attack him.

Neither of them has the strength to stand and to attempt to defend themselves against the Huntsman. It is not worth the effort. Dream never taught them to fight back, and they have forgotten the fighting techniques they had spent years ingraining in their minds.

They are rogue vampires and so they must die.

They don’t know how to be rational vampires, anyway.

They don’t know how to be anything without Dream.

George bares his throat and closes his eyes.

There’s a shifting movement as the Huntsman comes closer and noises of fabric rubbed against itself. Then, the Huntsman’s breath is a little louder, as if he had removed his mask.

Sapnap lets out a gasp.

“Ant?”

* * *

Ant stares quietly at the two vampires that used to be his friends. He curses quietly when he notices the way his hands are shaking.

They look… bad. Ant had been too shocked by their reappearance to note it, back at the headquarters, when they had intervened to free Dream, but they look sickly. They are paler than even vampires should be, their faces are emaciated, and they look far too skinny. They look unhealthy.

They look dead , as ironic it is to put it that way.

They look nothing like they used to be where they were alive, but the difference is less in the color of their eyes and more in the absence of the glint there.

Sapnap’s eyes had always shone with amusement, defiance, or something – something lively. There’s nothing there. And George – George is baring his throat, as if he had already accepted his fate.

Ant feels like he is going to be sick.

He takes a shaky step toward them, and Sapnap lets out a warning hiss, his pale arms clenching around George, as if he would be his last protection.

Ant thinks back to the Demon’s words, to his comment that if George and Sapnap had changed, it was not because of their new nature as vampires, but rather because of something deeper.

The Demon had also told him of the likelihood of them being violent as a reaction to their Sire being hurt. Ant looks at the ground, at the pile of ashes right in front of the two vampires. Their Sire is more than hurt, he thinks. He is dead.

He came with a stake, and with several silver-coated blades, ready to defend himself.

They are not necessary, though, because neither vampire attempts to move. Neither of them tries to hurt him.

They just look broken.

Ant doesn’t know what to do. He expected violence, perhaps anger caused by grief. He expected them to act as smug and cruel as they had when they had first returned to the headquarters, to free their Sire.

He hadn’t expected this.

This doesn’t make sense. The death of a Sire is painful, of course, like the death of any coven member is. Ant remembers losing his own Sire to Slumber and the sadness that had followed. But death is a given, even for Undead creatures, and he had overcome his grief.

This – this brokenness that the two vampires exhibit – is not grief. It is something much more foreign. Much more serious.

He takes another step forward and Sapnap snarls, putting himself in front of George.

There is something wild in his eyes, something that Ant doesn’t recognize exactly. As if Sapnap were more controlled by his instincts than he is reason.

But it doesn’t make sense, though, because Sapnap and George have been vampires for decades. They are no longer younglings, subjects to their thirst and instincts. They are young vampires, by all degrees of understanding, but they are not recently turned. They shouldn’t look almost feral.

Ant has met hundreds of rogue vampires during his service to the Spirit, and none of them had looked as lost and wild as this.  

Prime. Had Dream never helped them conquer their instincts? Or has something happened?

He doesn’t want to drop his stake, by fear that they would take it and turn it against him, but he raises his hands carefully.

“Calm down,” he says, “I won’t hurt you.”

“Likely story,” Sapnap snarls, “We heard what your masters said. They want us gone. Both of them do.” He gestures to the pile of ashes with his chin, and his voice cracks as he continues: “They want us to be like him.”

George flinches in his friend’s arms, and Ant frowns in concern.

“What happened?” he asks, making sure to keep his voice calm and nonjudgmental.

George makes a teary sound but doesn’t answer. Sapnap glares.

“They took him,” he says, “I don’t know who did. The Demon, or the Spirit, or the group of vampires that came. I don’t- I don’t care. You all took him from us.”

Ant frowns a little. “You’d have to admit that he somewhat deserved it,” he says. He is trying to remain calm and neutral, but Dream, at the end of the day, defied both the Demon and the Spirit on their own territory. He played with very dangerous forces and got burned.

Sapnap hisses angrily. “You had no right to take him from us!”

“You-” Ant shakes his head disbelievingly, “Sap,” he whispers. The nickname comes out naturally and it burns. “What happened? You used to be… You used to be against people like him. The Sapnap I knew would have defended the kid in a heartbeat. He wouldn’t have allowed a child to come to harm like this.”

“Things change,” Sapnap says. “He changed us.”

“I see that,” Ant responds, and he tries not to let that fact hurt him. “Are you-” He hesitates. What is he meant to do? He promised Velvet that he would go back to the headquarters for backup if he needed it, but the two vampires don’t look threatening.

They look broken.

“If you’re going to kill us,” George says, voice low and subdued, “Make it quick.”

Ant freezes in his spot.

“What?”

Sapnap throws a worried glance in George’s direction before he looks back at Ant. “Don’t touch him,” he growls. “I won’t let you take him from me too.”

And yet, despite the threat, he doesn’t move an inch. Ant feels so incredibly lost.  

“What happened?” he asks again. This isn’t about the pile of ashes on the ground though. This is about his former friends’ behavior. None of this is normal. George wants to die, and Sapnap looks close to tears. This isn’t normal. He has never been trained for this.

“We needed him,” Sapnap says, “And you took him.”

Ant feels dumbfounded. “‘Needed’?” he repeats, taken aback. “You needed him?”

Sapnap lets out a mirthless laugh. “Of course we did,” he repeats, “He was our Sire. He provided for us.”

Ant blinks very slowly. “‘Provided’?” he repeats quietly.

Sapnap frowns at him. “Are you making fun of us?” he growls, giving a glare. “We don’t have- You’ve deprived us of our Sire. You…” He bares his teeth. “You fucking condemned us to a slow and painful death without him.”

George lets out a low sob and Sapnap is quick to hush him, his expression changing immediately from rage to concern and gentleness.

Ant is so incredibly confused.

“What are you talking about?”

“We won’t survive without him,” George chokes up. “So just-” He looks up, and his face is drenched with tears. Ant aches. George points at the stake. “Just do it now.”

“George, no,” Sapnap hisses angrily.

But George clenches his eyes shut again. “I just want- We should just let it be over now,” he pleads, “Sap, I don’t want- I can’t-” He lets out a shuddering breath. “I don’t want to just starve .”

Hold on.

What?

Ant stares at the two vampires. He realizes how pale they are. How sickly they look. He notices the small scars on George’s neck and the bruises on Sapnap’s arms.

What the fuck.

And then, there are the Demon’s words again.

If they changed, it was by no fault of the turning.

Shit.

This is so beyond him, so beyond everything the Spirit had taught him. This isn’t a job for a Huntsman.

It might be a job for a friend.

“Do you…” He licks his lips in hesitation. “How much do you remember me?” he asks.

Chapter Text

Ant says that he is their friend and that he wants to help them. George doesn’t believe it. He doesn’t think that he would trust anything but Dream’s words.

And Dream is not here to reassure him or tell him what to do and what to believe.

Sapnap had been tense and worried as Ant had walked them out of the woods, as if he expected Huntsmen to come and attack them at any second, despite Ant’s promises that they would be safe. George had held his best friend’s hand and remained quiet and subdued.

They had both been surprised when they didn’t end up in the Order’s headquarters but rather in a quiet part of the city, not too far from the port. Ant had unlocked the door to a townhouse and stepped in as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Both Sapnap and George had remained on the front porch, unable to move into the apartment. Ant had frowned when he had noticed that they weren’t following him.

“Oh,” he had simply said. “You- You both are welcome to come in. You’re invited in, that is.”

Sapnap had nodded and taken a careful step into the small house. George had followed silently. They had stayed next to each other, their shoulders brushing in a physical reminder that they were together. Dream was gone, but they still had one another.

Ant had welcomed them home , and Sapnap had scoffed, and George had said nothing. And, after a long and painstakingly detailed visit of the apartment, Ant had opened a small door.

“I guess you can stay here,” he had said, showing them to a small office space, with a writing desk and a few bookshelves. “We can get a cot and- I will talk to Velvet.” He had pressed his lips together. “Do you guys remember him?”

Sapnap had nodded wordlessly, and George had shrugged. He didn’t care much. He didn’t care what happened to them.

And so, Ant had left, after an awkward silence, and George had wrapped himself around Sapnap and cried.

Sapnap is gone now – not like Dream, though. He is just outside the room, in the kitchen, and George can still hear his voice as he talks to Ant. He had originally asked for him to come too, to talk to their (former?) friend, but George had shaken his head mutely.

He doesn’t want to do anything.

He wants Dream back.

He curls himself up a little more on the cot that Ant has installed for them and he tries to stay completely immobile. If he is very quiet and docile and obedient, maybe Dream will come back. He always hated when he or Sapnap would run their mouth. But maybe if George is good, Dream will come retrieve him.

He has to.

George knows that he is lying to himself, but he doesn’t know what else to do.

The office is dark and quiet, like the room had been. It feels familiar and reassuring, in a way that it shouldn’t be. George refuses to leave. If he stays in the dark, on the cot, he can pretend that he is still in the room, and that Dream will soon come with some human for them to feed on. If he clenches his eyes shut, he can imagine that his Sire will come back for him.

He doesn’t know what else to do.

He doesn’t know what else there is, in the world.

George cries silently.

* * *

“So…”

Ant’s voice is hesitant, and yet he is the one that keeps the discussion going, despite Sapnap’s glares and his clear refusal to actually engage in the conversation.

“So?”

Ant sighs lowly, and he gives him a look. There’s guilt, concern, and a little bit of frustration. Sapnap understands the frustration. He doesn’t understand the rest.

“Sap, I’m not responsible for your Sire’s death. I’m trying to help.”

“Tell me who killed him.”

Ant’s lips press together, and he shakes his head. “Even if I knew, Sap, I couldn’t tell you.” His red eyes fix on him. “You’re- I don’t know if I can trust you.”

“Then why the fuck did you invite me into your house?”

Ant stands up and he moves to stand on the other side of the kitchen counter. He doesn’t look scared, per se, but he doesn’t look reassured.

“Sap,” he says again, “I’m trying to help. You’re- You and George, you are both in a lot of trouble.”

Sapnap thinks of spitting on the floor. He looks at the comfortable blue rug and chooses otherwise. He glares at the other vampire.

“By your fault. Your lord rescinded his protection on us. Someone- One of your friends killed our Sire.”

Ant lets out another loud exhale. “And yet I’m here, making sure that nothing happens to you two. I’m-” He curses lowly. “Do you realize what I’m doing, Sap?”

Sapnap snarls. “Keeping me from avenging my Sire.”

Ant shakes his head. “This is ridiculous,” he whispers, “This is beyond ridiculous. He doesn’t need avenging. He was-” He cuts himself short, but not before Sapnap notices the way his red eyes flicker over the bruises on his arms.

“You know nothing,” he hisses.

The other man raises his arms in a surrendering motion. “Okay,” he says, “Okay. We don’t have to talk about that.”

“There is nothing to talk about.”

Ant’s eyes flash with pain. “Do you- I want to help,” he says again, “I really do. Do you remember our friendship, Sap?”

He shrugs vaguely. “I guess…” he mumbles.

It’s a lie. He remembers it fully. He remembers how he and George had become friends with a pair of vampires. He remembers Ant, specifically. He remembers their playful hunts. He remembers being fascinated by the vampire’s power and his history. He remembers their conversations. He remembers training tirelessly with Ant and Punz.

He remembers begging for Ant, when he and George had first been turned. He remembers Dream’s merciless look as they pleaded for Ant, Velvet, or Punz to come get them and to support them through the pain and the thirst. He remembers wondering if Ant had been through this much suffering.

And he remembers forgetting about him, forgetting about all previous friendships and allegiances in favor of serving Dream.

He remembers the feeling of the wooden stake passing through Punz’s body, and he remembers seeing his ashes fall on the ground.

He remembers the fear in Ant’s eyes when George had held him tightly, a stake against his back, ready to have him share Punz’s fate.

He remembers feeling guilty about it afterward – about the dread on Ant’s face, and the feeling of the ashes on his hands. He remembers telling Dream about it. He remembers the punishment.

He shudders.

“Sapnap?” Ant’s voice is full of concern – full of care. Sapnap deserves none of it.

He feels hands gently touch his shoulders and, though he flinches at first, he lets himself be walked to the living room and he sits down heavily on a chair. There’s a little blanket under him – it seems handknitted. Sapnap distractedly plays with the yarn instead of looking up at Ant.

“Sap, are you okay?”

He scrunches his nose a little. He wishes he could simply focus on the feeling of the yarn and the color of the blanket.

“I’m hungry,” he admits.

Ant frowns. “Oh.”

Sapnap bites his lip, and he chooses to focus on the hunger in his stomach rather than on his anger or on the feeling of being completely alone in the world. “George- he provided for George, but not for me,” he admits in a low voice. “I’m hungry.”

Ant looks a little panicked. “Okay,” he whispers, more to himself than to Sapnap. “Okay-”

Sapnap looks at him, notices the way Ant takes a step back and the way his eyes don’t leave him for an instant. “It’s fine,” he says quickly, “I’m used to- I’ve gone without drinking for much longer.”

Ant frowns even more, if possible. “Shit-” he whispers. “Shit.”

Sapnap blinks at him. “It’s fine,” he says again, “I just thought-” Ant’s eyes are completely fixed on him, so he continues, his voice a bit lower. “I thought maybe you would… provide?”

Ant closes his eyes. “Sap,” he asks, “What the fuck does ‘provide’ mean?”

That wasn’t what he expected. He expected Ant to reject him, to remind him that he wasn’t his and George’s Sire, that he had no duty over them. And besides, even if he did, he and George had been terribly misbehaved. They hadn’t obeyed, so there was no reason for a Sire to provide for them. He shrinks a little and looks down.

“Sapnap?” Ant continues. The vampire kneels and Sapnap can’t avoid looking into his worried eyes again. “Did he not feed you?”

“He did!” Sapnap protests immediately, “He provided for us! He was a good Sire!”

There is nothing but uncertainty in Ant’s eyes, but he doesn’t protest. “All right,” he says softly, “All right. I’ll- Let’s wait until Velvet is home, and then we can get you food, okay?”

Sapnap frowns. “You live with Velvet?” he asks.

Ant laughs a little. It sounds more genuine. “Yeah,” he whispers, “Of course I do. I did even before you and Ge-…” He trails off and refuses to finish. His smile has fallen from his lips. “Yeah,” he says, “We live together.”

“Will he want to kill us?” Sapnap asks.

Ant frowns and shakes his head, gently squeezing Sapnap’s shoulder. “You’re safe,” he says softly, “I’ll keep you two safe.”

Sapnap makes a grimace. “This makes no sense,” he says, “We were- We’re rogue vampires. We-” His voice cracks. “I killed Punz. You should want to kill me.”

“You’re my friend.”

Ant’s voice is so full of sincerity and emotion that it threatens to drown Sapnap. He looks away, shrugging the vampire’s hand off his shoulder.

“So why do you-”

He can’t finish his sentence. There is the sound of keys clinking against each other, and then the door being unlocked. Ant freezes almost imperceptibly, and he moves to stand in front of him. They wait breathlessly.

Chapter Text

Sapnap cannot see Velvet enters, but he hears the grin in his voice.

“I am back home, my love, my sunshine, my dar-”

Sapnap hears the hiccup and sees the way Ant tenses a little more.

“Ant,” Velvet starts carefully, “Tell me you haven’t.”

“Velvet-”

“Tell me you’ve apprehended him. Tell me you’ve tied his hands back and you’re going to bring him to Sam.”

Sapnap glares and he raises both of his untied hands and waves them a little. He isn’t one to play with fate, but he won’t let the vampire discuss betraying him and sending him to a certain death at the Spirit’s hands without at least being a little disrespectful.

“Velvet-”

“Ant, what the fuck have you done?” the vampire asks again. There is clear panic in his voice. “He killed Punz. George tried to kill you.” There must be something on Ant’s face because Velvet hiccups again. “Is George here too?”

“In the office,” Ant whispers.

“Prime, Ant,” Velvet murmurs, “What are you doing?”

Ant is silent for a moment before he takes a few steps toward his partner. Sapnap freezes completely at the realization that a few good arguments from Velvet will get him and George staked at best. If there’s one person that can change Ant’s mind, it has to be his lover.

Sapnap had never been too close to the other vampire, but he remembers how much Ant loves him. He knows that Ant values his opinion, above all else.

Shit.

Ant doesn’t seem afraid, or angry, or anything besides concerned. “Velvet,” he whispers, “You don’t understand.” He lets out a long exhale before he reaches for his partner’s hands.

Sapnap watches the way their fingers immediately intertwine, and he feels his heart constrict with dread. If Velvet wants them dead, they are dead .

“You’re right,” the other vampire replies, a small incredulous laugh in his voice. “I really don't understand. Ant, what’s happening?”

Ant turns and his eyes catch Sapnap’s for a second. He gives him a small reassuring nod before turning his attention back to his lover.

“Not here,” he says, “Come with me.”

Velvet doesn’t argue, and the two vampires disappear into their bedroom. Sapnap remains on the chair, feeling like he might be sick.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Velvet has said that he wanted to hand them over to the Spirit. And Sapnap knows that the Spirit won’t be tender. They will be lucky if he doesn’t call in the Demon as well, so that the both of them can punish them. The Spirit can punish them for disavowing the Order, killing one of the Huntsmen, and capturing a child he had put under his protection, and the Demon can torture them for having followed a rogue vampire, one that attempted to steal what was most precious to him, and to take his place at the head of the Underworld.

Oh, Prime.

They need to go. He doesn’t want to be there when Ant realizes that they do need to be punished.

He stands up in a hurry, letting go of the small throw blanket. He hurries to the office, not bothering to knock.

The room is plunged into darkness, but he immediately sees George, listless on the cot.

“George,” he says, shaking his shoulder. His friend flinches a little at the touch but doesn’t react except for that. “George!”

“Dream?”

Sapnap bites his lips. “No,” he whispers, not sure what he can say or if he can even bring himself to tell his friend that their Sire is not returning. “It’s me.”

George lets out a small moaning sound and he curls up a little more upon himself, facing away from Sapnap.

“George,” he insists, “I need you to look at me.”

“I need Dream to come back,” George replies in a murmur. His voice sounds so hoarse and Sapnap wants to cry.

“George,” he whispers urgently, “Velvet’s home. He won’t be as nice as Ant. We need to go.”

George lets out a grumble and he curls up on himself a bit more.

“George!”

The other vampire blinks at him slowly. There is no fear on his face, just a profound lassitude. “I want Dream,” he says.

“Dream is-” Sapnap stops himself before he can utter the words that he knows would break his friends. ‘Dream is dead. He isn’t coming back.’ He knows that George knows, but he cannot make himself state it into the world. He lets out a frustrated groan. “George, they’re going to kill us.”

George stares at him in complete silence. He doesn’t move. He doesn’t seem to acknowledge the threat.

“George?”

“Maybe it would be better,” his friend whispers. “Maybe we should let it happen.”

“What?”

“Being dead,” George says. “Maybe that would be better.” He sniffles a little, and the sound threatens to break Sapnap’s heart. “It hurts so much…”

Sapnap feels like he could scream. He kneels to be next to his friend and opens his arms. “Come here,” he offers.

George lets out a pained sound before he moves to hide his face in Sapnap’s chest. Sapnap encircles his arms around him and holds tightly. He listens to George’s shaky breathing and tries not to tremble as well.

They have each other. This is what matters. Dream is gone, but they have each other. They can avenge him. Sapnap will prevent anyone from hurting George, they will avenge Dream, and then they will figure things out.

He doesn’t know what he will do afterward, but he knows there are two things that will keep him from falling into the same depressive state as George. First, he needs to protect George. He needs to make sure that nothing happens to him. Second, he needs to find whoever it was that killed Dream, and he needs to kill them.

It won’t bring Dream back, but maybe it will bring him some closure. Maybe he will be able to breathe again once this is done.

“George,” he says gently. “We need to go. We need to run.”

“I don’t want to run,” George protests in a quiet voice, “I am too tired.” He sighs. “I want to sleep.”

Sapnap frowns deeply. “Geor-”

He doesn’t get to finish. The door of the bedroom opens, and he hears Ant and Velvet walk back into the living room. There is an exchange of words, Ant’s voice coming a bit louder, a bit more worried, and then pacing.

Vampires are silent; he shouldn’t be able to hear their steps. And yet he does. As if they wanted him to hear them come. As if they wanted him to know that his death was approaching.

The door to the office opens, and Sapnap holds onto George a bit more tightly. He bares his teeth.

He knows he has no chance – not against two highly trained vampire Huntsmen – but he will at least try to protect George.

Only, neither of the two Huntsmen make a move. They both stand in the doorframe, completely silent. Sapnap can feel the pairs of red eyes on him. He shrinks a little, and George lets out a whine.

“Shit,” Velvet finally says, “You’re right.”

Sapnap’s head snaps up quick enough to see Ant’s grim expression as he nods. “Yeah,” he replies, “You see it.”

It looks like Velvet is shaking. Ant moves to gently touch his arm, and his hand caresses it down, until it reaches his partner’s hand. They intertwine their fingers without a word.

“Oh Prime,” Velvet whispers again, and he looks back to Ant. “Prime, Ant, what the fuck?”

Ant shakes his head. “Not now,” he whispers. He turns to look at Sapnap and gives him a smile that is so full of kindness and compassion that Sapnap feels like crying. “Did we-” He swallows thickly. “Did you want to check on George?”

Sapnap nods silently. He doesn’t know how to explain the fact that he had expected them to kill them both mercilessly. Not while Ant watches him with so much care and concern in his eyes.

“How is he?” Velvet asks, a small crease above his nose.

“Sleepy,” Sapnap breathes. The two Huntsmen look at each other as if he had said something incredibly dangerous. There are hundreds of words communicated through their eyes, until Ant looks back.

“Not now,” he says again. “Sap, you were hungry, right?”

Sapnap nods meekly. “Will you provide?” he asks.

Velvet takes a step back. “Prime-” he murmurs. “Prime, Ant, I can’t fucking-”

“Velvet.” Ant’s voice is firm. “Get your cloak.”

Velvet is not Ant’s fledgling, Sapnap knows that. And yet, the vampire immediately obeys. He moves out of the room in a flash.

Ant sighs and he kneels a little to look at Sapnap. “We’re just going to go outside for a little bit,” he says, “We’ll show you how to drink without causing too much pain, and how to know when to stop.” He pauses and looks into Sapnap’s eyes. “Does that sound good?”

Why is he asking him? What does it matter whether Sapnap agrees? He needs to drink to survive, and the two Huntsmen are able to provide.

He nods. “Yes,” he rasps, and gives a little bow with his head. “Thank you.”

Ant’s eyes shine with something that looks like sadness. “Sap,” he whispers, “Prime, Sap. Of course.” His eyes flicker toward George. “And George?”

“He’s tired,” Sapnap says, “But he- He was fed earlier.”

He shudders at the memory. He can’t forget the rage on Dream’s face when George had asked if they could drink from Tommy. And he also feels haunted by the pain on George’s face when they had come back from their hunt.

“I remember,” Ant says kindly. “Come on. Let’s let him rest.”

If Sapnap felt just a little bit more normal , he would laugh at the thought that two Huntsmen were leaving a rogue vampire alone inside their apartment. He is grieving, weak, and hungry though. So he just nods.

He looks at George again, frowns at the sight of his frail and listless body, and he walks out with Ant.

Chapter Text

Ant is worried. He knows that recovery is not meant to be fast or easy. He knows it. He acknowledges it. And yet, the fledglings are worrying him more and more every day.

George refuses to leave the office. He remains listless on the cot, eyes staring into nothingness. Anytime Ant asks him about something that might help him, that might make him feel better, he just pleads for Dream in that hoarse and tired tone that he has adopted ever since they settled in the apartment.

Sapnap is still up and running, but he is fueled by rage and grief only. Ant pretends not to notice when the younger vampire spies on him and Velvet talking, as if he were trying to collect all of the information that he could. He still wants to find whoever it is that killed Dream, Ant knows it. Sapnap refuses to acknowledge that there was anything wrong with the way he was treated, even when Ant comes and gently rubs some healing salves on his bruised arms.

They’re not recovering. They’re getting worse. Every day they spend away from their Sire, they are a little more dead . It makes no sense, because they are literally Undead, and yet Ant is witnessing them die again.

He cannot let them waste away, he tells Velvet over and over. And Velvet simply sighs and hugs him tight. Maybe this is too much for them. Maybe this is not something that they are meant to solve.

Maybe they cannot help them.

So Ant thought of someone who could.

He sits on a stiff red couch in a mansion that he rarely visits, and he tries not to shrink under the intense gaze of two of the oldest vampires he knows.

“No.” Techno’s response is categorical.

Ant’s head snaps up to him. “You haven’t even met them!” he protests. “They’re not- They’re not him.”

“They served him,” Techno hisses in answer. “That tells me everything I need to know about them.”

Phil looks less certain about the answer. He looks from his Sire to Ant, chewing at his lower lip. Ant swallows thickly at the gaze. He regrets not having agreed to let Velvet accompany him. At the same time, though, they had to leave someone at the house to keep an eye on the fledglings. Ant trusts them, they are his friends, but he also knows that he cannot trust them.

“They’re- He… Technoblade, the way they were treated is…” He shakes his head. “I can’t even imagine the things they went through, with him as their Sire.”

“I fail to see how this is my problem,” Techno drawls. His tone is low and bored now, a clear sign that he wants Ant out of his house.

“He was your Sire too.”

Techno’s eyes burn with rage. “Dream was never my Sire,” he growls. “He killed me, he turned me, and he left. He has no claim over me.”

Phil’s hand falls on Techno’s shoulder, a gentle reminder for the vampire to stay calm.

“He’s dead,” Ant says, and he tries not to think about the terrible contrast between the way Techno relaxes at the words, and the way George and Sapnap tense at the very thought of their Sire no longer being present for them. “He’s gone.”

Techno closes his eyes. “Maybe they should accept it, then,” he says, merciless.

“Techno…” Phil’s voice is strained, and the blond man is clearly worried, “They’re like your brothers… Maybe we should-”

Techno growls again and his fledgling cuts himself short immediately.

“I have nothing to do with them,” he states in a low and dangerous tone, “Their Sire does not matter to me. They tried to kidnap one of ours.”

Phil pales a little at the words and Ant shifts a little on the couch. Of course, Techno would bring up Tommy. Of course. Ant should have known that the two fledglings capturing the child would not be easily forgotten. 

“They did,” he says softly, “By Dream’s order.”

Techno shakes his head. “I don’t care,” he repeats, “I survived without a Sire for centuries. Maybe they should learn to do the same.”

Ant sends a pleading look toward Phil, who shakes his head lightly. There’s no helping this. There’s no changing Techno’s mind, not when he has been so hurt by Dream’s very existence. The fledglings will remind him of the Sire they share and, for this, he will resent them forever.

“Can you at least see them?” Ant asks.

Techno looks up furiously and, for a second, Ant thinks that the vampire is about to jump at him and attack him, regardless of the Demon’s laws. Phil’s hand saves him once again. It grasps firmly onto Techno’s wrist and holds it there. Techno lets out a long exhale.

“I don’t mean- Not as-” Ant licks his lips nervously. “Regardless of any relationship you have to them,” he explains, “You’re one of the oldest and most knowledgeable vampires. You could-” His voice cracks a little. “At least tell me what to do to help them.”

Techno’s eyes are hard. “Killing them would be a mercy,” he says.

Phil glares at him, and Ant sees the way the gigantic vampire seems to shrink a little in his spot. He says nothing. He has seen their behavior several times, but it is still beyond him how much Techno respects and values his fledgling’s opinion. They talk silently, with their eyes only, and Ant waits quietly.

Techno eventually lets out a long sigh. “Take them to the Council,” he says, “I’ll be there.”

Ant widens his eyes. “The Council?” he repeats, his voice a little too high-pitched. The Council is led by Bad and Sam, the two most powerful creatures in their world – the two beings who condemned George and Sapnap to death.

“What’s the problem, Antfrost?” Techno asks – it’s not a question, really, it’s a taunt. Phil watches carefully but doesn’t intervene. “Have you not told the Spirit of the two vampires you’re harboring?”

Ant’s sharp intake of breath is all the response they need. Phil’s lips press together in a thin line.

“Does the Demon know?” he asks. Ant shakes his head wordlessly. “Mate…” There is so much disapproval in the man’s tone that Ant almost feels like he is being scolded.

“I couldn’t tell either of them,” he whispers, “They both condemned George and Sap, along with Dream.”

Techno’s lips twitch. “Then maybe you should heed those words,” he proposes, “And let them face the consequences of their actions.”

“Techno.” Phil’s voice is firm. The tall vampire rolls his eyes like a child being lectured. Ant would laugh if the situation wasn’t so serious. Phil’s eyes turn to him. “Tell them,” he says, “You’re at your wits’ end; this is very clear. You need help as much as they do.”

Ant goes to protest but Techno interrupts him before he can begin:

“Phil’s right,” he says, “You can’t help them if you have to worry for their lives constantly.” He lets out a long sigh and fixes his gaze on Ant, who tries to ignore the judgement in the red eyes. “You’re betraying the Order for them. You’ll end up regretting it.”

“But-”

“Besides,” Techno continues, his voice a little bored now, “Bad is much more forgiving than he lets on.” He pauses and looks to Phil. “Did you know that he didn’t even smite the demon who captured Skeppy?”

Phil makes a faint smile. “Skeppy told him to spare him.”

“Ah,” Techno drawls, “That explains that.” He looks back to Ant. “The Spirit likes you. And they used to be Huntsmen, didn’t they?” Ant nods and Techno gives a shrug. “That’s it, then. Tell them.”

“But-”

“Mate,” Phil says gently, “They’re going to find out eventually. They probably already know…”

Techno scoffs. “From what I know about them, there’s no way they don’t.”

Ant feels frozen in fear. “So I just… tell them?” he whispers, “And hope that they’re in a forgiving mood?”

Techno blinks at him. “Yep.”

Ant leaves the mansion with more questions than he had entering it. But at least he has some semblance of a plan. Now he just needs to get Sapnap and George to agree to visit the two creatures who want them dead.

Chapter Text

George continues wasting away on the cot and Sapnap cannot bear it.

Every few hours, he goes and gently nudges his best friend. George almost whines, as if the simple motion was causing him pain, and he refuses to speak to him.

He refuses to do anything but letting himself waste away. He doesn’t speak, he doesn’t move, and he barely drinks. When he does say some words, it is always a plea for Dream to come back. Sapnap feels like he is going crazy.

They had to force-feed him a few weeks ago. Velvet had looked pale and hesitant, but he had given Ant a consenting nod, and the older vampire had forced his bleeding wrist right in front of George’s nose. George had scrunched his nose, but he had licked the blood obediently.

“It won’t feed him,” Velvet had told Sapnap with a gentle voice, “Vampires can’t be sustained by Undead blood.”

Sapnap had widened his eyes and he had tried not to think about Dream’s fangs piercing into his or George’s skin. He had attempted to chase from his memory the vision of Dream’s satisfied expression as he lapped at the wound in George’s neck. If vampires cannot gain sustenance from it, then would he have done that? Their Sire wouldn’t have hurt them without a purpose, right?

He had looked up to Velvet, voice a bit hoarse. “Then why?” he asked, almost pleading for an answer that would reconcile this new information with the idea he had of his Sire.

Velvet’s lips had pulled into a frown. “It helps with deep injuries,” he had said, “It somehow…” he had hesitated, “It lulls the pain. It gives vampires a burst of fabricated energy. It’s not real, though.” His eyes had fallen back on George. “He won’t survive on it. He'll just feel a bit more awake.”

Sapnap had frowned. “Then why?” he had repeated. Velvet had given him a questioning look and he had clarified: “Vampires only use it if they’re injured?”

Velvet had looked more upset, and his eyes had flickered to a small scar on George’s neck. “Yes,” he had said, voice firm, “This is the only acceptable reason.”

“But-”

“Usually, this is something Sires do for their fledglings,” he had added, “They offer their blood to help their fledgling to strengthen them. It’s a way to care for them if they’re wounded.”

Sapnap had felt sick and he hadn’t asked any other questions.

George had finished lapping up at Ant’s wrist and, when he had seemed strong enough to stand, Ant and Velvet had gently escorted him outside, holding onto him to prevent him from falling.

They had come back a few hours later, and there was a new light shining in George’s eyes and a red liquid tainting his lips, and Sapnap had allowed himself to hope.

Then George had curled back into his immobile state on the bed, and Sapnap had felt like his heart was being ripped from his chest.

He sits now, on the couch, and he distractedly listens to Ant and Velvet’s conversation. Every few minutes he forces himself to nod or to add something about his opinion.

He is doing much better than George, obviously, but the loss of Dream just burns through his chest every minute that he breathes. While George refuses to move from the cot, Sapnap feels almost consumed with anger. He is restless. He needs to do something, needs to hit something, needs to kill something. He wants, so desperately to avenge his Sire.

Maybe then, George will feel better.

“Sap?” Ant calls gently. He blinks back into focus and looks up to the two vampires’ concerned eyes.

“Yeah?” he says slowly.

“Would you agree to meet with him, then?” Ant asks patiently. Sapnap must look completely lost because he gives him an indulgent smile and explains: “Technoblade. Your Sire’s first fledgling.”

Ant doesn’t need to tell him who Technoblade is. He knows. Oh Prime, he knows. Dream had been obsessed with him, from the moment he had awoken and found out about the Agreement and Techno’s place in the Undead world. He had claimed that the vampire was his creation and that he had to see it for himself.

And once he had seen it, after they had sneaked around the vampire’s mansion and Dream’s lips had pulled into a sneer at the vision of his creation and his coven, he had decided that he wanted revenge. Dream had never explained what kind of revenge he wanted, but he had seemed mad at Techno’s success in the Underworld. And so George and Sapnap had stayed in the room, while their Sire remained fascinated by the first human he had turned.

He knows who Technoblade is. He resents him, somehow, for taking his Sire’s attention away from him and George for so long, without even knowing that he was doing it.

And yet Techno is perhaps the closest thing they have to Dream. He gives a shaky nod.

“Yeah,” he says, “Yeah, I want- Does he know about Dream?”

Does he know that someone killed him? Does he know that their Sire is no more?

Ant and Velvet look at each other, visibly hesitating.

“He does,” Velvet eventually answers, “He is-” He inhales loudly, “Just don’t expect him to be grieving, all right?”

Sapnap frowns. “Is he not-?”

“Techno never had a good relationship with your Sire,” Ant says gently, comfortingly, “He never had any relationship with him, per se.”

Sapnap says nothing but he feels a sense of superiority puffs through his chest. They, at least, had known Dream. Whatever Techno had meant to Dream, it hadn’t been enough for him to stay with him. He had killed him, turned him, and left. Dream had killed them, turned them, and he had remained. He had kept them by his side, like precious things, and he had valued them.

Sapnap knows it. Dream had loved them.

Ant doesn’t seem to notice how lost in thought he is, because he continues: “And then, Dream tried to take Tommy.”

Tommy. Oh Prime. The kid that had taken their Sire’s attention even more than Techno had. The small human who had seemingly consumed Dream’s thoughts. The child who had had one of the oldest vampires burning with a mix of anger and pure want . Dream had said that Tommy had been claimed by Techno’s coven members and that he needed him for himself instead. He had told them that he wanted to rip what Techno cherished right from his hands. He had added that the Spirit protected him too, and that, as such, stealing him would hurt them both. Both the vampire who had dared to challenge him, and the being who had been impudent enough to imprison him.

“We tried to take Tommy,” Sapnap corrects quietly.

Ant shakes his head. “By Dream’s orders,” he says, “You didn’t have a choice in the matter. He made you do it.”

Sapnap blinks a few times, “No,” he says, “George and I- We captured him. We waited until he was alone and without the Nook. And then we took him.”

“On his orders,” Ant repeats firmly, “You had no choice.”

Sapnap blinks. “Ant?” he asks, his eyebrows furrowing a little.

The vampire sighs. “Listen Sap,” he explains, visibly trying to keep his voice gentle, “If we see Techno, it is going to be at the Council, with the Demon and the Spirit.” Sapnap’s mouth falls open but he doesn’t interrupt. “They are all very likely to be angry at the two of you. Techno is mad that you two kidnapped Tommy, the Spirit is upset that you betrayed the Order and attacked the child he placed under his protection, and the Demon is still very angry about everything that happened with Skeppy and with your Sire challenging him.”

Sapnap exhales loudly.

“You can’t make us go,” he says, “They’ll kill us.”

Velvet raises his arms up, as if this was something he had been arguing for hours and finally got confirmation for. “See?” he tells his partner, “I told you!”

Ant closes his eyes and lets out a small frustrated sound, “And I told you that we do not have another choice. Techno knows. He won’t give us much time before he tells them himself.”

Sapnap lets out a little whine. “Are they going to kill us?” he asks.

Ant immediately focuses on him and he puts a comforting hand on his shoulder. “You’ll be okay,” he says quickly even though he cannot make that promise, “You used to serve the Order. And you- You have to tell them that you didn’t have a choice.”

Sapnap frowns. “But we did,” he whispers.

Velvet shakes his head. “You really didn’t,” he states, his face grim.

Sapnap doesn’t understand. He doesn’t want to understand. He always thought he made the choice to follow his Sire. So what if Dream was violent when they disobeyed? At the end of the day, George and Sapnap were his fledglings, and fledglings have to obey, just as Sires have to provide. He doesn’t want to think of not having a choice. He doesn’t want to imagine the ramifications of them not having a choice. He doesn’t want to think of it.

He just thinks of George, weak and wasting away on the cot, and he thinks that if anyone knows what happened to Dream, it will be the Spirit and the Demon.

“When do we go?” he asks.

Ant makes a determined expression. “Tomorrow night.”

Chapter Text

It feels strange, Ant thinks, to be the subject of a Council meeting rather than a participant. It feels weird, because he has to wait outside of the Council chambers, waiting to be summoned. Usually, he is the one charged with making whichever creature they judge enter. Today, he waits outside, his hand tightly clasped with Velvet's.

“Is this a terrible mistake?” he murmurs.

His partner swallows thickly but shakes his head. “You’re doing it for them,” he breathes.

It’s hard not to let out a hysterical chuckle. “I might be walking them to their judge, jury, and executioner.”

Velvet lets go of his hand and shifts a little to look at him, cupping his face in his hands. “You’re not,” he whispers, “Because you’ll convince the Council that they deserve a second chance.”

He clenches his hands into fists. “What if I can’t?”

“You will,” Velvet assures, “Both Bad and Sam trust you.” His hand finds Ant’s cheek and caresses it gently, “It will be fine.”

Ant lets out a shuddering breath. “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” he admits.

Velvet smiles. “You’ll be fine,” he says again, “I know you will.”

Ant looks into his partner’s red eyes. “Thank you.”

Velvet’s lips curve into a loving smile. “Besides, you’re doing it for the right reasons, Ant,” he reminds him. “You’re the kindest man I know.”

Ant chuckles. “And you’re the best man I know.”

Velvet lets out a small laugh, visibly reassured now that he managed to calm his partner down. “Strange coincidence,” he says, “I’m pretty sure my partner is the best man I know.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.”

They smile at each other like lovesick younglings. It’s funny how they never changed, even after all the time they spent together. They’re not as old as Techno, or even Phil, but they’ve spent centuries by each other’s side. And yet, every day, Ant falls a little more in love.

“I love you,” he breathes.

“And I, you,” Velvet replies, his voice solemn and gentle.

The large doors to the Council chamber open, and Eret pops their head out. “They’re ready to hear you,” they declare, “I told them that you two needed an extra moment, but you know how impatient some of them get.”

Velvet chuckles and he lets go of Ant. “Were you Watching us?” he asks, a pretend offended expression on his face.

Eret chuckles easily. “You know I don’t get a choice in what I See,” they reply, “Besides, you two don’t care if people actually see you. I wouldn’t imagine that it matters if I check on you.”

“Do you ‘check on us’ when we sleep?” Velvet teases, continuing to fake his shock, “Oh Prime, Eret, how much of our domestic bliss do you see?”

They cannot see Eret’s expression behind their glasses, but Ant can fully hear the hidden mirth as they deadpan: “Everything.”

Velvet laughs loudly and Ant turns his attention to the fledglings.

They’re both sitting down in a corner of the room, Sapnap holding onto George’s hand. Ant isn’t certain whether it is to comfort him or if Sapnap is trying to give himself enough courage to put up a front. George’s eyes are glazed over, and he stares into nothingness, completely quiet. It aches to look at him, and so Ant focuses back onto Sapnap, who at least looks alive . The second fledgling is moving the hand that doesn’t hold George’s, clenching it into a fist before stretching his fingers, over and over again. Ant sighs and he walks to them.

Sapnap flinches a little when he first perceives the figure and, for a fraction of a second, he looks a bit wild, like he is ready to attack him. He relaxes as soon as he recognizes him though.

“Is it time?” he asks, and his hand clenches into a fist again.

“It is,” Ant replies gently, patiently. Without realizing it, he has adopted the tone that the gentlest Sires reserve for their younglings, and he uses it every time he talks to his two friends. Velvet never mentions it and, if Sapnap or George realize it, they don’t point it out either. “Are you two ready?”

Sapnap throws a worried glance to George before he nods, “Yeah,” he affirms, “We are.” He hesitates. “Can I ask them questions?”

“Not immediately,” Ant tells him, “But once they are done with their questions and judgement, I’m sure they will be okay talking to you.”

Sapnap’s lips press into a thin line and he nods to himself, a determined look on his face.

“Ant?” Velvet calls from near the door, “Are they ready?”

Ant’s eyes flicker to Sapnap and George again before he nods to his partner. “Coming!”

He leans back down, lowering his voice to a non-threatening tone. “Georgie?”

George blinks back into awareness, focusing his eyes on him. As always, Ant feels like his heart is ripped apart when he sees the sadness in his friend’s eyes. He reaches gently to touch his cheek.

“We’re going to go talk to the Council,” he murmurs, “Are you okay with that?”

George shrugs. “Whatever,” he replies. Ant sighs a little but doesn’t comment.

He helps him stand up, but Sapnap is doing the majority of the work in helping George. He hovers by his side as if George was about to disappear at any seconds. Ant’s heart aches. He really, really needs this meeting to go well.

He tries not to think about how weird it feels to be on the other side of the Council as he steps in. He gives a small greeting nod to the Hunters and the representatives of the Undead – colleagues usually, jury today – before he focuses on the Demon and the Spirit, and the end of the table.

He kneels as soon as he catches Bad’s glinting white eyes, and he hears Velvet shuffle to do the same. Behind them, he hears Eret return to their seat. And nothing else. He turns a little to see George and Sapnap, still standing, almost mesmerized by the sight of the two most powerful beings in the world.

“Sap,” he whispers pressingly, “Knees.”

Sapnap blinks a little, confused, before he moves to give a small bow. It is nowhere near the level of respect that a vampire of his stature should give – it is disrespectful, almost. Ant hears one of the old vampires make an offended sound.

Neither Sam nor Bad say anything, though, so Ant continues breathing.

“Ant.” Sam’s voice is calm and low, and yet it is so incredibly loud in the room. “Velvet.” Ant continues staring directly at the ground. “Stand up, please.”

Ant immediately obeys the order, and he sends Sam a questioning glance. Is he meant to sit at his usual spot, or is he expected to remain at the other end of the table, where visitors usually sit? Sam looks to Bad, as if he heard the silent question, and the Demon gives a small shrug.

“Sit wherever you want,” he chirps.

Ant relaxes a little at the happiness in Bad’s voice. The Demon seems to be in a good mood, which is a good sign. He turns to look at Velvet, who gestures to the fledglings. That’s true. Even if he and Velvet get seated, George and Sapnap will remain in the middle, the entire focus on the Council members. He hesitates before moving to pull up some chairs. He offers them to Sapnap and George before settling next to them, Velvet by his side.

Sam observes quietly, a knowing glint in his eyes. Ant tries not to think about the fact that he has been knowingly harboring rogue vampires, those whom, according to his oath, he must seek to destroy. The Spirit doesn’t look angry though. Just curious.

“So-” Techno drawls, and Ant flinches before focusing on him, “Those are Dream’s fledglings…”

Ant gives a small nod and opens his mouth to respond but Bad interrupts him.

“Wait,” he protests, “We’re still waiting for Skeppy before we start serious matters.”

Ant blinks a little, noticing the empty chair next to Bad.

“Is he okay?” he asks, and Bad smiles brightly.

“Of course!” he responds, “Just looking for some snacks!”

“Some things never change,” Techno grumbles, and Ant notices the way Phil nudges him a little, as if to scold him.

Sam hums in agreement. “Except we cannot start without him, now,” he comments, glancing at Bad who shrugs nonchalantly.

“He’ll be there soon,” he promises, and Eret nods at that.

“He is about to enter,” they inform them.

And Skeppy does exactly that. The grand doors open and Skeppy clatters inside, still wearing way too many pieces of jewelry.

At least the familiarity is comforting.

Skeppy blinks a few times, staring at the assembly who looks back at him. “Oh,” he says, “I’m late. Whoops?”

Bad giggles, and Techno lets out a long sigh. Skeppy shrugs it off, making a few jewels fall off his shoulders. He pays them no mind and moves to the other side of the table, setting down his grapes with a satisfied expression.

“You do realize that you no longer need food, right?” Techno rumbles. Skeppy blinks before shrugging the comment off again, sticking his tongue towards the vampire.

“You’re jealous ‘cause I only share with Bad,” he teases, and Techno sighs a bit louder.

“Whose idea was it to make him a permanent Council member?”

Sam tilts his head a little. “We voted on it,” he says, “And he was always going to be here anyway.” He pauses while Skeppy clatters around to find a chair, settling it against Bad’s before sitting down. “Besides, he has more than enough power to warrant his presence among the Council members.”

Skeppy sticks his tongue out a bit more enthusiastically, and Bad giggles and leans against him, letting out a purring sound.

Ant rubs his eyes a little at the sight. This is the first time that he sees Skeppy since the Incident. Since Dream killed him and Bad defied death itself to bring the human back. It is strange. Skeppy no longer smells like a human, but he is clearly not one of them either. He looks healthy and happy, as if nothing ever happened to him. He feels stronger too. His aura feels more powerful. This is strange.

This is not the most bizarre thing, however. Skeppy doesn’t look exactly the same. After centuries of seeing the human around, Ant had become accustomed to his presence, and he had learned to accept the diamonds that grow on his skin as something completely normal. Now, however, his almost fully blue arms are being tainted with hints of purple. Some gemstones are growing there that are not like the diamonds that Ant is so used to. They're purple. Darker. Different.

He puts that detail on the side of his mind and reminds himself to ask Velvet what he thinks of it. This is unusual. Century-old vampires are used to monotony, and this is a strange change.

“Skeppy’s presence is not the subject of this meeting, though,” Sam continues, bringing Ant’s attention back to him, “Rather, we would like to discuss the subject of Dream’s fledglings.” His green eyes turn to George and Sapnap and his tone softens a little. “My former Huntsmen.”

Ant takes in a deep breath. Here they go.

Chapter Text

Ant bites his lip nervously and looks to Velvet before he speaks:

“George and Sapnap died in your service,” he informs Sam, “Dream turned them while they were out inspecting a crypt.”

Sam nods tranquilly. “I know this,” he replies calmly.

“Yes, we know how they came into existing as vampires,” Techno agrees, “What I’m wondering is why they chose to stick around with Dream.”

Phil raises an eyebrow. “Obviously, he wanted some fledglings to serve him,” he says, “Which is why they were the ones to capture Tommy.”

“On Dream’s orders,” Ant points out firmly. He wants that detail to be clear. This is the only defense they have. He has to make sure that they all see that neither Sapnap nor George got a choice.

Bad’s lips twitch a little. “Which they obeyed,” he says, crossing his arms, “And not only did they kidnap one of Techno’s, they also participated in holding Skeppy captive.”

Ant closes his eyes. This was a terrible idea. This entire thing was a terrible idea. He hears Velvet shuffle next to him and feels a hand take his and squeeze gently.

“So-” Bad continues, “The real question is why exactly are they not dust already?”

Ant freezes completely and he hears a small hissing sound coming from his left. He opens his eyes. Sapnap is baring his teeth, keeping himself very close to George.

“I suggested that they come,” Techno states in a low voice, “Phil insisted.” He sighs before looking back at Sam and Bad. “You two are the ones who declared them not to be under your protection. I thought that you deserved a say on what happens.”

“But they went after Techno’s coven,” someone – Karl, Ant thinks – pipes up from the side of the table.

“And after Skeppy,” Bad insists.

“My point is that Techno should also get a say in their punishment,” Karl replies calmly, “It goes according to the rules. Vampires are territorial, and if someone touches their territory, they are allowed to seek retribution.”

Bad lets out a small sigh and shrugs vaguely. “Fine,” he says, waving the issue off. He doesn’t sound exactly happy about it, though, and he leans a bit more against Skeppy, as if to seek comfort. “But I shall decide on whether the punishment is appropriate.”

Sam makes a small nod. “It seems that there are quite a lot of laws that George and Sapnap infringed upon and quite a lot of crimes that they committed.” His green eyes move to Ant. “Would you be okay with me listing what is brought against them before you explain the reason for your visit?”

Ant gives a nod. He knows that this isn’t an offer he is meant to refuse. The Spirit will do as he decides, and Ant’s opinion matters very little in the balance. Velvet tightens his hold on his hand, and Sam stands up.

“First,” he says, “Sapnap and George broke their oath to the Order and to me by choosing to follow a rogue vampire.” Ant squeezes his eyes closed. “Let us skim over the humans that they killed during their time serving Dream, though I am certain that Eret could enlighten us on that matter.” Eret looks up and gives a vague shrug but does not interrupt. “Secondly, then, they chose to directly defy my authority and attempted to break Dream out of his imprisonment. Third is Punz’s staking, which both Bad and I considered an attack. Not only did they go after one of my Huntsmen, they also went after an Undead.”

Ant shudders a little. Oh Prime. This was a terrible idea. Coming here was a terrible idea.

“Let’s continue,” Sam proposes calmly, “We must then address the issue of Tommy’s kidnapping. He is a human whom I officially placed under my protection, and who is also protected by Technoblade’s coven.” The Council members nod solemnly. “They took him during the fake Council meeting that Dream had organized, making the most of Technoblade and Phil’s absence.”

“And they let Dream take Skeppy too,” Bad adds, his lips pulled into a frown.

Skeppy groans, “Bad,” he whispers, “I’m fine. They didn’t do anything to me…”

There is a fire burning in Bad’s white eyes. “They could have.”

“They could have,” Sam agrees. “They participated in holding both Skeppy and Tommy captive until Bad intervened to save both humans.” He nods toward Bad, then toward Techno. “And until Tommy put an end to Dream’s existence.”

Ant vaguely hears the way Sapnap’s breath hitches in his throat and there is some shuffling behind him. No one says anything though, so Ant doesn’t turn. Instead, he keeps his gaze on Sam, waiting breathlessly.

“And then,” Sam continues, “Antfrost found them and harbored them inside his and Velvet’s home, until Technoblade convinced him to bring them to the Council.” He looks around, raising his eyebrows. “Will that suffice as a summary of the situation?” he asks.

Karl, who has been scribbling in a diary in complete silence, gives a little nod. Sam smiles, satisfied, and he turns to Ant.

“Shall we now hear about your proposal as to their treatment, Antfrost?”

Ant would protest the use of his full name in any other situation, but he knows that this is definitely not the right moment. He licks his lips nervously.

“I want-” He presses his lips together, “I would like to demand mercy for them.”

Bad lets out a small humming noise. Not exactly a growl, but it is not reassuring either. “Mercy?” he repeats, narrowing his eyes.

Ant looks down. “I would like for the permission to kill them to be rescinded,” he breathes out.

Bad leans back in his chair, fully squinting now. He doesn’t look happy. Ant holds his breath.

“And why, pray tell, should we show mercy?”

Ant bites the inside of his cheek. “They didn’t get a choice,” he whispers. “They had to obey Dream.”

Techno presses his chin into the palm of his hand. “Dream gave me an order once,” he comments. “And I resisted it.”

“You gave in, mate,” Phil reminds him in a soft but firm voice. “And the Nook had to intervene to save us.”

Techno lets out a small grunt. “Still. They could have at least attempted to resist his control.”

Sam sighs and turns to look right beside Ant, at the two vampires on his left. “Did you serve Dream willingly?” he asks calmly.

Ant turns to look at them, and he pales at Sapnap’s glare. He is staring directly at Techno. “I would have laid down my life for our Sire,” he growls.

Oh Prime. Ant feels Velvet tense beside him, and he freezes when George gives a nod. He doesn’t speak, but his agreement is clear.

Ant wants to scream. This was the one thing they tried to make clear with Sapnap: they needed to prove to the Council that Dream had forced them into all of this.

Prime.

Techno scoffs, and gestures vaguely in the direction of the fledglings, as if they had just proved his point.

“Well,” Bad says calmly, though his voice is a lot colder than Ant has ever heard it, “Demonstration over.”

Sam doesn’t say anything, but he has sat back down. Karl scribbles furiously and the rest of the Council members observe silently.

“I think the situation is clear,” Bad continues. “They willingly worked with a rogue vampire, endangered the balance we seek to maintain, and I am not seeing them express any remorse.” He pauses and looks around the table. “They are too dangerous to be left free.” His eyes flicker to Sam. “And I do not want to attempt to use the Vault again.” The condemnation is clear in his voice. The fledglings are to be killed.

Sam shrugs easily. “Any contestation?” he asks in a calm voice.

The silence is damning.

“Dream fed off of them!”

The words are past Ant’s mouth before he can even think about the impact of his declaration. The vampires of the Council look up, wide-eyed, but all members are clearly shocked.

There is a long moment of silence, until Bad speaks up.

“Once?” he asks.

Ant shakes his head, feeling the emotions crawl through his throat and threaten to make his voice crack. “Regularly,” he says. “For fun. To entertain himself.”

Bad freezes and exchanges an alarmed look with Sam. Techno is completely pale and he has almost subconsciously reached for Phil, who presses a calming hand on his arm.

“You can check,” Ant continues, swallowing thickly. “George still has the scars from it.”

Velvet moves quietly besides him. He stands up and goes to George’s side, speaking in a soft and calming voice. He gently pushes George’s shirt off his shoulder, revealing the bite mark on his neck.

Phil pales visibly and one of the other vampires lets out a choked sound.

“Fucking leech ,” Techno growls, his eyes burning with rage.

Ant hiccups in surprise at the term. It is one thing for any of them to curse in the presence of the Demon, it is something completely different to use a term so demeaning amongst the vampire community. This sort of comparison is almost taboo.

“Language!” Bad protests, horrified, but no one pays him any attention.

“Did they consent?” Sam asks, his voice very calm, very serious.

“They didn’t know any better,” Velvet replies grimly. “I told Sapnap about it and he didn’t know about the meaning of it at all. He thought-” He scrunches his nose. “I think that they believed it was normal.”

“ Leech .” Techno repeats, full on snarling now.

“Techno,” Bad says warningly, “Take a walk.”

The vampire turns furious eyes toward the Demon. “What?”

“This conversation is upsetting you,” Bad states calmly. “Step out for a minute.”

Techno clearly hears the order in Bad’s voice because he stands up, still glaring. He walks out and slams the doors behind him.

Phil stays immobile for a few seconds before he turns to Bad. “My lord-?” he asks slowly. He doesn’t have to continue. Bad gives him a nod and Phil is out of the room, rushing after his Sire.

Chapter Text

They are all quiet for a moment after Techno and Phil’s departure. They are all shocked into silence, both by the reveal that Dream had taken advantage of his fledglings and by how upset one of the strongest vampires had looked. Sam clears his throat. Ant exchanges a worried look with Velvet, but his partner smiles at him reassuringly. The Council members are shocked and concerned. This is good for them.

“Is there something else?” Sam asks calmly. They all hear the emotions in his voice, though. This is a grim and serious matter.

“I’m not sure,” Ant admits lowly. “They don’t- Neither of them talks about it.”

Sapnap growls. “Dream was a good Sire,” he protests. “None of you understand.” Velvet moves to help him settle down but Sapnap snarls at him. A look from Sam, however, is enough to subdue him.

“Eret?” the Spirit asks.

The Hunter gives a small shrug. “I did not See anything,” they say, “I apologize. My Eyes never focused on them until they took the child.”

Skeppy hesitates before he shifts a little, sitting up from the way he had been cuddling up to Bad in a comforting manner. “I know more,” he says, his voice full of hesitation.

Bad’s expression shifts from pure anger to concern.

“Skeppy?”

“I’m-” The man crosses his arms a little, as if he were trying to hug himself. Ant recognizes the behavior from having observed it in Sapnap anytime they seemed to trigger some unhappy memories in him. “When he was holding me…” he begins, and there’s a crack in his voice. Bad moves immediately to be closer to him, a black hand finding its way to Skeppy’s cheek.

“Hey,” the Demon whispers gently, looking into his best friend’s eyes, “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to…” From Bad’s tone alone, Ant gets the feeling that this is a discussion that they have had a million times.

“No,” Skeppy protests, “I have-” He hugs himself a bit tighter and Bad looks so incredibly concerned. “When I was in the cave, they-” He takes a deep breath, “One of them- George I think- he asked to drink from Tommy. And the-” It seems hard for Skeppy to say Dream’s name. “And he- He hit him. Like…” He trails off and looks away. “They were so clearly terrified of him.” He lets out a laugh that sounds so incredibly false to Ant’s ears. It’s a heartbreaking sound. And he knows, in the way Bad tenses, that the Demon hears it the exact same way. “They were almost more scared than we were.”

“Skeppy…” Bad’s voice is full of so much concern, compassion, and pity.

Skeppy shakes his head. “And he- He took George hunting. And when they came back…” He shudders. “It looked like George had been beaten…” He closes his eyes. “I don’t like to remember…” he says, and his voice cracks.

Bad is embracing him in a second, hushing him and whispering reassurances that only Skeppy is meant to hear. Ant doesn’t dare to breathe.

“Bad.” Sam sounds gentle and concerned. “Go to the Glade, the both of you.” He looks around the table. “We will reconvene after a short recess.” There are a few nods from Council members, but Ant only watches as the Lord of the Undead gently escorts his friend out of the room, keeping him against him, where he is safe and protected. His heart aches.

He turns to look at the fledglings and freezes when he sees the Spirit in front of them. Sam didn’t bother to walk, apparently. Ant stands up and joins the small group, ready to plead George and Sapnap’s case.

Sam, though, does not seem angry. He is looking at the two vampires with tenderness and melancholy in his eyes.  

“Hello,” he says simply, and Sapnap trembles a little as he looks up at the being whom he used to serve.

Ant bites his lip nervously, but he knows better than to intervene.

“Hi,” Sapnap replies, eyes narrowed, both of his hands holding onto George protectively.

Sam sighs a little. “I understand you have been through a lot of distressing experiences and have known a lot of adversity.” He pauses. “I shall not condemn either of you for defecting from the Order.”

Sapnap blinks a few times, shocked into silence.

“I have missed the both of you,” Sam continues, “I want to apologize for not seeking you out. I failed in my duty to protect you.” He inclines his head, and, for a fraction of a second, Ant sees the gigantic stag and the beautiful antlers. He feels breathless.

Sapnap looks shocked too and, though he doesn’t bow in response, the tremor in his voice speaks volumes.

“We… We were okay.”

Sam’s lips pull into a frown. “You weren’t, young ones,” he whispers, “But I do not blame you for thinking that you were.” He smiles, gentle and compassionate, “It will take time.”

Hope is fluttering in Ant’s chest, and he is so incredibly scared of it being squashed down when Techno and Bad come back. He feels something touch his hand and, without thinking, he links his hand to Velvet’s. His partner squeezes comfortingly.

“I shall do my best to support you in your recovery,” the Spirit declares in a soft voice.

Ant is scared to hope.

Sapnap hiccups a little. “We don’t need to recover!” he argues. “We just-” Sam raises an eyebrow and the protest dies in Sapnap’s throat.

“You’re grieving,” Sam says, “I shall not blame you for your outburst.”

His hand reaches down and gently caresses the fledgling’s face. Sapnap is frozen in his spot. Sam lets go easily and he moves a little bit, kneeling to look at George.

“And you…” he whispers, his voice full of kindness, “Your mourning is causing you much pain.”

George lets out a small sound that sounds like a whimper. He doesn’t respond, however, and Ant doesn’t intervene. His friend doesn’t sound too distressed yet.

“I apologize,” Sam says, “I wish I could ease your suffering.”

“I just want him back,” George murmurs, voice hoarse.

“His absence hurts you immensely,” Sam nods, “But his presence caused you even more distress and suffering.”

George furrows his eyebrows. “I don’t-”

“You will realize it in due time,” Sam promises in an appeasing manner.

Sapnap lets out a little incredulous laugh. “That’s it?” he says, “You’re not going to hurt us?” Ant wants to scream. Is Sapnap trying to purposely aggravate the Spirit? Does he not see how lucky they are, right now?

Sam’s lips press into a thin line. “You’re already hurting,” he responds, “Whatever I do would not solve the situation.” He sighs before giving a small smile. “Besides, I’ve learned a long time ago that violence is not always necessary.”

“I don’t understand,” Sapnap says.

“I know,” Sam replies calmly, “That is okay.” He finally looks away from the fledglings and toward Ant and Velvet, but he continues speaking to them. “Killing you would only cause more grief,” he adds, and Ant recognizes the knowing glint in the Spirit’s green eyes.

“What about-?” he begins.

“Bad and Technoblade?” Sam interrupts him as if he already knew what he was going to ask. He stands up and comes closer, pressing a firm hand to Ant’s shoulder. “Trust me.”

Ant closes his eyes and chooses to obey, the very way he always obeys the Order and the Spirit.

The hand is removed and, when Ant opens his eyes again, Sam is gone. Velvet looks back at him, an incredulous expression on his face. Still- he is smiling.

This might work out.

They sit quietly, holding onto each other’s hand and staring at the fledglings. Sapnap looks shell shocked and George talks to him quietly. This is a minor miracle in itself. George hasn’t spoken more than a few words in weeks. Having him speak of his own volition – not only respond to questions but rather willingly engage in a conversation – is absolutely incredible. Ant feels like he could cry.

Before he realizes it, the Council is called back into session. The Council members trickle back into the room. Techno looks abnormally pale, but his expression is determined. A smile is back on Skeppy’s lips and he sing-songs, swinging his and Bad’s hands playfully. Bad lets him, with the kind of indulgence that he only grants to Skeppy, but he still looks a bit concerned. Ant isn’t certain what happened between the Demon and the one he protects, but he feels relieved to see that Skeppy is clearly being supported.

The man rose to George and Sapnap’s defense, after all, so Ant feels like he owes him. Despite what was clearly a traumatic experience, Skeppy attempted to put in a good word for the two vampires. Ant feels grateful.

He holds a bit more tightly onto Velvet’s hand, and he prepares himself for the rest of the meeting.

Chapter Text

“Welcome back,” Sam calls, and the room immediately falls into silence. “Please take your seats.” The Council members obey quietly and, once they are all settled, the Spirit continues speaking. “I have taken a decision regarding Dream’s fledglings’ fate. I wish to share it with you and for Bad and Technoblade to share their view on how the situation should be handled. We shall then proceed to a vote.” He pauses. “Any comments or objections?”

Ant sits completely still, and he watches as Karl writes down the proceedings carefully while the other Council members shake their heads.

“Excellent.” Sam turns to look back toward Ant, Velvet, and the fledglings. “It is my opinion that the fledglings have been punished enough through the loss of their Sire, whom they saw as their sole support in this world. Taking more from them would be needlessly cruel.” There are a few gasps around the table, but no one speaks up. “Dream’s actions were unforgivable, but justice will not be served by punishing his fledglings.” He turns to look toward Bad and Techno. “I understand the thirst for vengeance, but it is a dangerous course that you would be taking. And I can guarantee you that your wish for revenge will not be sated with the death of these two.”

Bad hums unhappily but gives a slow nod.

Sam raises his eyebrows. “Well?”

“I agree,” he says slowly, almost reluctantly, “Skeppy told me that-” He shakes his head and does not finish his sentence. “They are not responsible for Dream’s crimes.” He looks to his left, right where Skeppy is sitting, and Ant notices that their hands are tightly clasped together. “They didn’t kill Skeppy. Dream did.”

“So?” Sam’s voice is patient and gentle.

Bad lets out a sigh. “They are my subjects now,” he tells the Spirit, “Even though they used to serve you.” Sam inclines his head in agreement. “I-” He presses his lips together. “I want there to be surveillance on them. To make sure that they do not go down the same path as their Sire. But I won’t ask for them to be killed.”

Ant lets out a long, relieved sigh. Sam nods and looks at Techno. “Technoblade?” he asks, still as calm as ever.

“Phil convinced me,” the vampire rumbles. “Whatever Dream did to them, it wasn’t…” He scrunches his nose. “He isn’t worthy of being called a Sire.”

Ant notices the way Sapnap tenses at the words, but the fledgling doesn’t interrupt.

Techno continues: “I don’t understand their choice of following him. And I am certainly not happy with the action they took against mine.”

Bad sighs and he looks a bit worried. Ant sees him and Phil exchange a look and nod at each other. He says nothing.

“What Techno means,” Phil interrupts, “is that we won’t pursue any punishment against them.”

“But-” Techno interrupts immediately. He shifts a little so that his eyes are on Bad, “I request the permission to chase them if they approach mine or my territory.”

The Demon winces but doesn’t argue. The demand makes sense, after all. “Granted.”

“Good,” Sam comments. “On the decision of sparring Dream’s fledglings, are there any objections?”

His green eyes watch the Council members, slowly going around the table and taking on everyone’s presence. When the room has been quiet for a few, long seconds, he speaks again.

“Excellent,” Sam says with a smile. Ant feels his shoulders relax a little. He doesn’t speak though, because it is clear that the Spirit is not done. “Now. These fledglings need recovery and rehabilitation. Any suggestions on how we may best provide support to them?”

Eret speaks up. “Both them and Techno were Sired by Dream,” they begin, “It doesn’t seem incongruous to me to suggest that he takes responsibility.”

Techno groans. “I acknowledge no relation to them.”

Karl raises an eyebrow. “There are plenty of cases where the earliest turned fledgling took on a leading role in a coven,” he says, “And you three are technically brothers.”

Techno grimaces. “If anyone refers to Dream as anything close to a father figure to me again, I will leave this Council.”

Skeppy nods emphatically. “I agree with Techno,” he immediately says, “It’s completely unfair to imply anything like that.” Techno turns to him, looking a bit taken aback by the support. Then, Skeppy’s expression turns into a smug one. “Everyone knows that Phil is Techno’s father figure.”

Phil chokes up a laugh, and Techno lets out an extremely long sigh, closing his eyes. “Skeppy, your visitation rights to the mansion have been revoked.”

Skeppy grins a bit wider. “Tough luck, old man. I’m not a vampire. Your lack of invitation means nothing to me.”

Techno sighs again, but this is clearly for show this time. A smile tugs at his lips. “My lord,” he says, looking at Bad, “I would like to file a formal complaint against one of your subjects.”

Bad giggles but he doesn’t get a chance to reply. Skeppy is almost climbing over him to point his finger toward Techno.

“Hey, I’m not a subject!” he protests, “I’m more like…” He hums and looks at Bad, who gives him a smile and a shrug, “A co-ruler?”

Techno slams his head on the table. “Oh Prime, his ego just keeps on growing.”

Ant lets out a soft chuckle. It is rare for the Council to be derailed, especially given how serious a majority of the members are, but is not too uncommon for Techno and Skeppy to bicker. Even before Skeppy was officially given a seat at the Council, these scenes weren’t unheard of.

Familiarity is good.

“Please,” Sam calls, “May we return to our discussion?”

Skeppy grimaces but returns to his seat like a child who has just been scolded. Ant squeezes Velvet’s hand.

“Well,” Techno says, crossing his arms, “You will have to find a different place than the mansion to host them. We share a Sire, but that is all.”

Phil sighs, clearly not fully happy with his Sire’s decision, but he doesn’t protest. “We have the humans too,” he adds, and Bad gives an understanding nod.  

“The humans?” Sam repeats, and Ant hears the way the Spirit emphasizes the plural. Techno looks away, and Bad sighs.

“Later,” he says. Sam’s lips pull downward, just a little, but he nods.

“Fine. Any other suggestions for the fledglings?”

“I could take them in,” Karl says, giving an easy shrug, “My place is more than big enough, and Quackity and I wouldn’t mind the company. They can help me write a little.” He pauses and tilts his head. “I’m sure we would find things to talk about.”

Sam looks around the table before shaking his head lightly. “I am grateful for your offer, Karl, but it would be better for them to be with their own.” He raises a hand at the way Techno opens his mouth to protest. “Not their relatives,” he cuts immediately. “Just other vampires.”

Ant shifts on his chair, opening his mouth, but the Spirit doesn’t give him a chance to express himself, continuing on with his thoughts:

“Are there any candidates you can think of, Bad?” he asks, tilting his head, “Connor?”

Techno snorts. “Connor should not be trusted with feeding himself,” he jokes, “Let alone taking care of two mentally unstable fledglings.”

Phil lets out a very small snicker before he contains himself and hides his amused expression behind his hand, resuming his dignified posture.

“Aww, you care about the fledglings’ well-being!” Skeppy teases, “You’ve grown soft, Technoblade!”

Techno rubs his temples with his fingers, letting out a long sigh. “Please remember that you are not a human anymore, Skeppy,” he rumbles, “Which gives me fewer reasons not to attack you.”

“Bad would never let you!” Skeppy laughs, halfway hiding behind his best friend.

A smile plays at the Demon’s lips. “Maybe I should,” he murmurs, earning an offended screech in reply.

While Ant might have joined the laughter on another occasion, he feels a bit frustrated and focuses on the grounding contact of Velvet’s hand in his. This is a serious discussion they are having, and he so desperately wants them to focus on George and Sapnap’s best interests first and foremost.

It seems that Sam shares his frustration, because the Spirit stands up again. “Please,” he calls, “Order.” Skeppy quietens down, a pout on his lips, and the other members of the Council focus their attention back on the Spirit.

“What about Ponk?” a vampire proposes.

Sam shakes his head. “They killed his fledgling,” he replies immediately, “This is probably the worst solution.” He looks at Bad again, raising an eyebrow. “I’m leaving that decision up to you.”

Bad frowns a little and looks back to the fledglings. Then, his glowing white eyes fix on Ant, who fully stops breathing.

Chapter Text

Ant is completely frozen in his spot, and it feels like the glowing white eyes are looking through him, straight into his soul. He feels the fledglings shift nervously behind him, but he doesn’t move.

“You have never Sired anyone,” Bad says, matter-of-factly. Ant nods slowly, careful not to look away from the Demon.

“I haven’t, my lord,” he says, his voice strained.

Bad blinks, calm and observant. Ant barely notices the way Skeppy shifts to sit closer to him and whispers in his ear.

“Any reason why?” the Demon asks, tilting his head.

Velvet squeezes his hand reassuringly and Ant gives a small head shake. “No, my lord.”

Bad hums pensively and turns his gaze to Velvet. “Your coven is… unconventional,” he says. There is no judgement in his voice. It is simply a statement.

Velvet chuckles. “It is,” he agrees, “I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world, though. I’m happy to be with Ant.”

Bad’s eyes twitch a little. “You wouldn’t change it?” he repeats.

Velvet freezes and Ant feels the way his partner’s hand tenses a little against his. He tightens his hold wordlessly.

“Not from what it is right now,” Velvet says, and Ant relaxes imperceptibly at the save.

“You already consider them to be members of your coven?” Skeppy intervenes. If Bad is surprised to have the other become involved in the discussion, he does not show it. No one does, actually – not a single Council member bats an eye.

Ant hears the way Velvet clears his throat.

“If Ant wants it,” his partner says, “Then we will acknowledge them as full-fledged coven members.”

Karl scribbles furiously but does not interrupt. Bad hums and stands up tall.

“Is this something you two have discussed?” he asks.

Ant shakes his head, and he feels Velvet do the same. “We don’t-” He licks his lips and turns to look into his partner’s eyes for a second. Velvet nods at him. “We don’t need to,” Ant says, “We already agree.”

Bad lets out a small humming noise before he nods. “I will need to talk to you more about this,” he declares. “The both of you.” Ant inclines his head. “This is a commitment you’re taking, Antfrost.”

Ant bows his head a little. “I know.”

“We have discussed this before,” Bad adds. “I take it you have found an answer to your questioning?”

“I have, my lord,” Ant replies. “They are still my friends. They went through…” He swallows thickly and takes a look at the way Techno grits his teeth and Skeppy immediately looks down. “They went through something horrifying.” Bad nods silently. “But they’re my friends. They- They need help, and if you permit it-...” He trails off, but he doesn’t need to continue.

“I do,” Bad says, his voice extremely gentle. He moves his head very slightly. “Skeppy?”

The man covered in jewels is silent for just a moment. His blue eyes move from Ant and Velvet to the fledglings and then back to them. “Yeah,” he says, his voice uncharacteristically serious, “Yeah, I think this is the right call. They need to heal.”

A faint smile makes it way on the Demon’s lips. “Good,” he says, “Sam, they are your Huntsmen too. What do you say?”

Sam shrugs, and his green eyes are so full of wisdom. Ant is almost certain that the Spirit knew exactly how this entire session would go. “As long as this does not affect your work with the Order,” he declares.

“It won’t,” Ant promises immediately.

“Then so be it,” the Spirit says. He stands up again and claps his hands. “Are there any objections to this decision?”

The room is completely quiet, and Ant allows himself to breathe.

Sam smiles at him. “Congratulations on the expansion of your coven,” he says, his green eyes shining with mirth.

Ant feels nothing but relief.

* * *

The Council members are slowly vacating the room, and Ant finally turns back to George and Sapnap, giving them a small smile. Sapnap gives a shrug in response and George nods at him. They’re completely silent and yet Ant’s heart sings at the small communication.

They might get through this.

He stands up and walks to his friends, offering them yet another smile.

“How are you two?” he asks.

“Sleepy…” George mumbles, but he looks more awake and present than he has in weeks.

“I’m…” Sapnap’s lip twitches a little, as if there were so many things that he wants to say. “Does that make you our Sire?”

Ant frowns. “What? No. Dream sired you. I can’t take that away.” Even if he wishes so fervently that he could. “I’m just- I’m your friend. And they’re entrusting me to help you.”

Sapnap makes a small grimace. “Do we have to obey you?”

Ant sighs and he throws a worried gaze toward Velvet, who just shrugs in answer. “You don’t,” he murmurs, “You don’t have to do anything that you don’t want to, okay?”

Sapnap doesn’t look exactly convinced but he gives a nod.

“All I’m asking is that you keep in mind that whatever I may do, it is for your best interests.”

George pipes up at these words. “He said that too,” he informs him in a neutral voice. It isn’t aggressive or even challenging. It is just an observation.

“He-” Ant sighs. “I don’t think that I have the same vision as Dream as to what goes toward your best interests,” he responds. “But I- Velvet and I want to help.”

Sapnap lets out a laugh. It is mirthless, almost mocking in a way. It isn’t against him, though. It seems like Sapnap is laughing at himself, laughing at the situation. “It’s not like we have another choice.”

Ant’s stomach curls up uncomfortably. “I’m sorry,” he says, “I wish-”

He doesn’t get the time to express everything he wants to do or say – everything he wishes could have happened to his friends, rather than the suffering they are currently going through.

The Demon interrupts him.

“Ant?” he calls, “A word.”

Ant freezes completely and he takes an instinctive step to place himself in front of George and Sapnap. “My lord?”

Bad sighs a little, as if he had noticed his movement, but he doesn’t comment as he walks closer, followed by Skeppy who clatters next to him.

“You have nothing to fear,” the Demon says, “I won’t touch them.”

Ant relaxes immediately. He trusts his lord fully. He knows that Bad tells him the truth.

“You don’t have to kneel,” Skeppy says, and Ant’s head snaps to the side to see the way Velvet had bowed gracefully at the presence of the Demon and his companion. Ant blinks a little. It is, once again, quite surprising to see Skeppy take such an important role next to Bad, rather than simply be present by his side, like he used to. He doesn’t say anything.

Velvet stands back up, and Ant turns his attention back to the Demon.

“I’m proud of you,” Bad says, and his white eyes shine a little. Ant isn’t sure if it is magic or simply the pride that the demon speaks of.

“My lord?”

“You did good,” Skeppy explains, “You- I remember you wanted to kill them, originally.” Ant’s lips press together in a thin line, and he gives a silent nod. “But you didn’t. You figured out that something was wrong with them and you’re…” He shrugs. “I guess ‘showing humanity’ isn’t the right term, but you’re being…”

“Compassionate?” Bad suggests.

“Yeah that.”

Bad smiles and looks at Ant again. “I trust you,” he says. “You were always one of my most loyal subjects.” Ant nods, a bit strained, and Bad reaches for him. “If anyone can help them, I know it’s you.” He turns his head a little and smiles at Velvet. “And you too, of course.”

Velvet bows his head a little in acknowledgement.

“Now,” Bad continues, “The decision you two have taken is a serious one.” His eyes move between Velvet and him and he does not start speaking again until they’ve both nodded. “They are not your fledglings per se, but they will depend on you. They never had a proper Sire.”

“I know.”

Bad’s lips pull into a grimace. “Whatever Dream has done, it gave them a certain idea of our world. You’ll need to rectify it.”

“And you’ll need to help them recover,” Skeppy adds. “He abused them.”

Bad exhales through his nose. “That too,” he agrees. “This won’t be easy.”

“I know, my lord,” Ant says.

“If you ever need any help or advice, you know where to find me.” Bad’s tone is gentle, but firm. Ant nods.

“I do, my lord.”

Bad is quiet for a while longer before he speaks again. “Be careful,” he warns, “If the fledglings go down the same slippery slope as their Sire, neither Sam nor I will be able to intervene on their behalf again. They breached the Agreement once. The Council won’t be as merciful next time.”

Ant takes a deep breath. He doesn’t turn to look at George and Sapnap, but he knows that their eyes are on him. And their well-being is in his hands. “I understand,” he whispers, a lump in his throat.

Bad’s eyes shine with compassion. “Be safe,” he breathes. “Be prudent.”

“I will.”

The Demon gives in another smile before he walks past him and towards the fledglings. Exactly the same way Sam had done it, Bad kneels in front of them, to be able to look at them in the eyes.

“I would like to apologize,” he breathes.

“Apologize?” Sapnap sounds like he is about to let out a hysterical laugh.

“Dream was one of mine,” Bad continues calmly, as if he hadn’t been interrupted, “He turned the both of you against your will, and he forced you to join a world that was foreign to you.”

“We were Huntsmen,” Sapnap says, “We knew the Underworld.”

“Not like that,” Bad replies with a smile, “And I should have been there to welcome you into our world. I wasn’t. I failed you. I apologize.”

George frowns as if he were trying to figure out something. “But-”

Bad continues. “One of my subjects put you through an unimaginable amount of suffering. It lasted decades. I should have known. I should have intervened.” He bows his head. “I’m sorry.”

Ant cannot breathe. He watches as the ruler of the Underworld presents the back of his head to two fledglings and he remains completely immobile, eyes wide.

The silence lasts a few seconds, until Bad stands back up. His eyes immediately seek Skeppy. The human gives him a nod.

“Good,” he whispers so low that Ant knows that he isn’t supposed to hear that. Bad smiles at him tenderly.

The Demon turns his attention back to the fledglings – specifically to George. His white eyes search his face for a few seconds before he sighs.

“He has been tired, hasn’t he?” he asks.

Ant nods grimly. “He mostly lays in bed all day,” he admits.

Bad’s lips pull into a frown. “I see.” He brings a black hand to George’s cheek and cups it gently. “You are clouded by Sleep,” he whispers.

George lets out a small sob. If it were anyone else who had caused the sound, Ant would have intervened. But it is Bad, and Ant trusts his lord. He stays there, eyes wide.

“I can help with that,” Bad informs them all. He closes his eyes, and Ant can feel the energy that emanates from the Demon’s body.

He allows himself to feel hope. And then-

And then, Skeppy whimpers.

“Bad,” he says, his voice tight with fear. “Bad. She’s here. She’s here again. She’s back.”

Bad moves away from George in a second, his entire focus on Skeppy. Ant frowns at the way the purple gemstones on the man's skin seem to glow a bit brighter, and Skeppy’s breathing accelerates.

“She’s back. She’s back. She’s back. She’s ba-”

Skeppy’s voice is muffled into Bad’s chest, as the Demon brings him against him, wrapping his arms around him and squeezing comfortingly.

“You’re safe,” he breathes, “You’re safe. You’re with me. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Ant hears the man let out a sob. “My lord?” he calls nervously, ready to fight to defend the leader of the Undead.

Bad shakes his head. “We are safe,” he says, “It’s just…” His white eyes fix on Skeppy again, clearly full of concern. “He sees things. It’s okay.”

Ant wants to ask more, but he hears in the Demon’s tone that this is the only information he will get. He nods.

“Go home,” Bad says, “And take care of yours.” He smiles tightly. “I shall visit you in a few days.”

Ant nods, and the Demon is gone. 

Chapter Text

They’re freer now.

The Demon and the Spirit know that they exist, that they’re still there, and that Ant and Velvet are watching over them, so both Sapnap and George are relatively free to roam. Ant has asked them not to leave the house alone, though – for their own safety, he says – so they aren’t fully free. They are glorified prisoners.

George doesn’t care though, because he doesn’t want to go outside anyway. He hadn’t needed to when Dream was there, so he will continue surviving without doing it.

He leaves the cot a bit more often, just to see the relief in Sapnap’s eyes. He doesn’t really want to move around – he doesn’t have anything he wants to do, nothing that seems interesting enough to warrant being awake – but Sapnap’s pleas sometimes get to him.

So he stands in the living room, and he watches the street from the window. He tries to imagine facts about the lives of the humans he sees crossing the road. He wonders what coerced them to get out of bed too. He thinks about what they would do if they knew about the Undead creatures that roam around the streets at night.

He remembers being human and walking down the avenues with Sapnap, laughing and joking around, and living.

“We could go out, you know?”

Ant’s gentle voice comes, right next to him, and George flinches a little bit. He hasn’t gotten used to how silent everyone in the household is. Dream had been silent, of course, but that was expected. None of the human servants had had the ability to completely hide the sound of their footsteps like Dream did. And Sapnap – Sapnap had never left his side.

He shifts a little. “I don’t want to.”

Ant sighs. It isn’t an annoyed sigh, though. He doesn’t even look frustrated or angry. Ant just looks worried.  

“I know,” he says. “And you don’t have to do anything that you don’t want to. But maybe…” He bites his lip. “Maybe it would do you some good?”

George shrugs. “I don’t want to,” he repeats, and Ant lets go of the conversation.  

“All right,” he replies gently. “That’s okay.”

Everything is always ‘okay’ for Ant, and that’s infuriating. George is waiting for the vampire to snap, for him to yell, the way Dream often did, but he doesn’t. He never does. Sometimes, when it looks like George’s apathy is too much to bear, Ant just stands, whispers in Velvet’s ear, and leaves the room for a moment.

He always comes back later, apologizes for leaving in a hurry, and checks on George’s well-being.

Ant always comes back. Dream still hasn’t.

George knows that he won’t, but he can’t help but keep waiting, keep staring out of the window for Dream to come retrieve him. He knows he won’t, but George doesn’t know what to do but wait.

“Do you want to help me bake a cake?” Ant asks, keeping his voice light and friendly.

“We don’t need to eat,” George comments, raising an eyebrow.

“That doesn’t mean that it isn’t enjoyable,” Ant replies easily, “Velvet likes cakes.” He smiles and very gently nudges George. All of Ant’s gestures are always so careful – he barely brushes against his skin, as if he were afraid to hurt him if he were a little bit more insistent. “Come on. We can make it a surprise for Sap and Velvet when they come home.”

George shrugs but he moves from the window. He doesn’t respond to Ant’s bright smile, but he feels a little warmer at the sight of his friend being so incredibly happy.

It seems so easy to make him happy. It hurts, in a way. It reminds George of Dream, and of how hard he had tried to please his Sire. It is so easy to make Ant happy, and it had been near impossible to do so with Dream.

It hurts.

What hurts even more is that even Sapnap seems to find some semblance of happiness. Sometimes, when George talks to him, Sapnap’s eyes shine with something that looks like joy.

It isn’t fair that everyone can feel happy but him. He doesn’t understand why it seems so easy for them, and so impossible for him.

Maybe that connects him to Dream, in a way.

George sniffles a little and turns his eyes to Ant. “What do you need me to do?” he asks.

Ant smiles brightly. “Would you just get me some eggs?”

George shrugs and he moves around the kitchen, picking up the ingredients and carefully following Ant’s directions. It feels a bit cathartic, in a way, to obey instructions, even if Ant doesn’t mean them as orders. George doesn’t have to think. He just listens and acts.

He is stirring the ingredients in the bowl when the door slams open and Velvet comes in, quickly followed by Sapnap. George frowns. It looks like Sapnap is sulking.

“Prime,” Ant says, tapping the flour off his hands, “There goes our surprise, George.” He doesn’t look upset though. His smile only fades when he sees Velvet’s serious expression.

“Velvet?”

“Ant,” the other vampire sighs. George’s frown deepens at the absence of pet names, “Can I talk to you?”

Ant blinks a few times, his eyes quickly flicking to George and Sapnap, before he gives a nod. “I- Yeah, of course. I’ll be right back, George.”

George gives a small shrug and he watches as the two older vampires quickly move into their bedroom. He turns to Sapnap, raising an eyebrow.

He doesn’t have to ask anything. Sapnap sighs deeply and lets himself fall in a chair.

“I may have fucked up,” he says.

George says nothing. He just nods and keeps his eyes on his best friend, waiting for him to continue.

“I tried- I tried to attack a human.” George frowns. This is not the whole story; he can see it in Sapnap’s eyes. “Do you remember Dream’s maid?”

Dream had had many servants, but George immediately knows which one Sapnap is referring to. There had been one human who had remained at his service for all the years they had spent at the mansion. She had been clearly terrified of him, but she had stayed. Neither George nor Sapnap had liked her. She had been like them – always afraid, always on edge – but she was nothing like them. She was alive , when they were Undead. She had the option of leaving, when they knew that their future was linked to Dream’s.

She had obeyed Dream because he was ‘the master,’ and because he had threatened her life many times; they had obeyed him because he was their Sire, and everything they had in the world.

George gives a tiny nod. He remembers her. He remembers that she had been the one to open the door and let the child in, that fateful day, when Dream had been taken away from them – taken by the Spirit and locked into his vault. He remembers that she had been the one tasked with distracting the Demon and inviting him to a fabricated Council meeting, while pretending to be a Hunter. George and Sapnap had been unable to go, knowing that the Demon or his human would recognize them, and so Dream had threatened her and made her go.

She had come back a few hours later, eyes filled with unshed tears, and she had promised that it had been done.

Dream had sent them to capture Tommy, and that had been all.

George doesn’t want to remember what happened next.

“Yeah,” he says, “I remember her.”

“She’s alive,” Sapnap spits, “She’s still there.”

“There?”

Sapnap gestures vaguely. “Around. Alive.”

George frowns. “I don’t understand,” he whispers.

Sapnap buries his head into his hands. “I don’t-” He lets out a small growl that has George both wanting to lean in to check on his friend and recoil in fear. He doesn’t move. “I saw her and I-” He trails off.

“And you?”

“It’s her fault that Dream’s dead,” Sapnap says.

George furrows his eyebrows a bit more. It makes no sense. Of course, she had been part of the plan to get the Demon and Technoblade away and to capture Skeppy and Tommy, but she hadn’t been directly involved with any of the later half of the plan – with any of the things that had gone oh so terribly wrong.

“Is it?” George asks in a low voice.

Sapnap curses and the laugh that comes out of his mouth is devoid of any joy. “I don’t know,” he admits, “I just- It doesn’t feel fair. Why is she alive and free and he’s-…?” His voice cracks. “She should be dead too. Like him.”

“Sap…” George knows exactly where this is going.

“I saw her and I- I saw red. I tried to attack her.”

George widens his eyes. “Velvet stopped you?”

Sapnap shakes his head. “A Huntsman did. A human. I didn’t recognize him. But he knew who I was and he-” He makes a grimace. “He threatened to have the Spirit called. To have me…” He trails off and shrugs, not wanting to voice the threat.

George shudders at the thought of his best friend leaving him all alone in the world. He doesn’t think that he’d be able to take it.

“Velvet intervened,” Sapnap continues. “He calmed him down. They- Well, they knew each other, obviously. And Velvet said I was with him. That I wouldn’t- He convinced him to let us go.”

George clenches his hands into fists.

“Are you in trouble?” he asks.

Sapnap lets out a breathy laugh. “I don’t know. Prime, George, I don’t fucking know.”

George gestures at the bedroom door, behind which Velvet and Ant are probably having a very serious conversation. “So that’s why…?”

Sapnap nods. “Yeah.” He pauses and there’s a flash of regret in his eyes. “I hope they don’t get in trouble,” he whispers. “Ant has been nice to us.”

George swallows thickly and he looks down at the bowl and at all of the ingredients for the cake. “He has…”

Sapnap looks away again. “I just- George, I can’t do this…”

George frowns even deeper. “This?”

“Playing family,” Sapnap says. He gestures at the kitchen table, at the baking utensils on the counters. “It’s not- This is not what Dream would want. It’s not…” His voice cracks, and it is much higher when he continues “It’s not going to bring him back.”

George presses his lips into a thin line, and he clenches his eyes shut. He doesn’t want to cry again.

“Nothing…” he breathes, “Nothing will bring him back.”

Sapnap lets out a keen. “I know…” he says, “I just- I don’t want- I can’t-…” He shakes his head and swallows thickly. “George, I want to avenge him.”

George stops breathing. “What?”

“They took-” Sapnap bites his lip. “They took him from us. We deserve-… He deserves to be avenged.”

“Sap…”

“Think about it!” Sapnap continues, “We- Maybe if we-” He lets out a dry laughter. “Maybe it will give us closure…”

George shakes his head. “You heard the Spirit,” he breathes, “Vengeance is a dangerous thing.”

“He deserves it. It is worth the risk.”

“The Demon said that they won’t help if we…” He gestures vaguely, “If we slip up.”

Sapnap’s eyes are shining with unshed tears. “Does it matter?” he asks desperately. “George, you don’t- You don’t get out of this place. You barely get out of bed. Does it matter what happens to us?”

George shrugs. “I’m tired,” he murmurs.

“George, please!”

He stands up, refusing to look at his friend. “I’m going to go rest.”

He doesn’t listen to Sapnap’s plea and he flees the room, leaving his best friend all alone.

He feels sick. He is so, so tired.

Chapter Text

Ant watches carefully as Karl settles on a chair and focuses his attention on the fledglings who curl up to one another on the couch. He feels almost like a lioness, ready to protect her cubs with her life.

Except George and Sapnap are not his fledglings and, besides, Karl is trustworthy. Both the Spirit and the Demon trust him enough to let him onto the Council and to allow him to record everything he wants.

He knows Karl won’t touch the fledglings, but it’s still hard for him to trust anyone besides Velvet near them.

They’ve been hurt so much. They are his friends, his responsibility. He owes it to them to make sure that they are safe and comfortable.

They are pearls. Precious and so incredibly valuable. But also fragile. They are soft, easily damaged. And Prime, have they been damaged. 

Ant wants to protect them forever, keep them safe from anything that could scratch them, or hurt them, or diminish their iridescence.

But he knows that he doesn’t have a choice in the matter. George and Sapnap are free. He is here to protect them, not shelter them away from everything. 

“Quackity didn’t come with you?” he asks, crossing his arms as he observes the scene. Karl has pulled up a little notebook and he is exchanging smiles with Sapnap, who glowers. The man turns his eyes to him.

“He was a bit busy,” he responds with a shrug, “Just…” He waves his hand vaguely, “He played some pranks on humans- shapeshifted a bit. The Spirit isn’t too happy with him.”

Ant lets out a small chuckle. “I see.”

Karl hums in response. “I don’t know what else he would expect of him.”

Ant’s smile is a bit less strained. “Can’t imagine either,” he says, sitting down on a chair and keeping an eye on the scene. “You wanted to talk to George and Sapnap. Here they are.”

Karl nods and his entire focus shifts from Ant to the fledglings.

“How are you both?”

Sapnap shrugs a little, disgruntled, and George shifts to be closer to him. They depend on one another now, Ant reminds himself. “Sleepy,” he mumbles.

Karl makes a small smile. “Don’t sleep enough?”

“He sleeps all day,” Sapnap replies, his lips pulled into a frown. Ant almost intervenes – to remind Sapnap to let George deal with his mourning however he needs – but Karl doesn’t skip a beat.

“Well, he isn’t sleeping now, is he?” he asks, a smile on his face, “And look at us. We’re talking. We’re making friends!”

Sapnap lets out a small growl and he bares his teeth. “We don’t need friends.”

“Sap.” Ant makes his voice firm and warning, though his eyes remain gentle. “If it’s too much, you can leave. But you can’t put it on Karl.”

Karl shrugs it off. “No worries, Ant,” he replies, his smile wider, “It’s better for us to all be honest.”

Sapnap’s face twists into a scowl but he doesn’t respond nor stand up to leave. George, however, has looked up.

“What do you want then?” he asks, “Honestly.”

Karl laughs, as if George’s rude comment was the funniest thing he had ever heard.

“Got me there, pal,” he says, offering him a grin, “I write books,” he explains, “Sometimes tales, sometimes retelling of historical events.” He shrugs a little. “Sometimes I write about our world.” He pauses. “Have you read my treatise ?”

The fledglings seem pensive for a minute before George nods. “A Treatise of the Vampyre,” he quotes, “Required in the Huntsmen curriculum.”

Karl hums a little in answer, giving a nod.

“Wait,” Sapnap frowns, “You’re the Karl Jacobs?”

Karl grins. “Himself.”

Sapnap blinks a few times, incredulous, and George nudges him. “Ant told us about him coming to visit! He told us about him.” he reminds his friend.

Karl’s eyes shine with interest and laughter. “You did? Aww, Ant, are you an admirer? Are you a fan? Should I sign a few copies of my books for you?”

Ant sighs, giving him a look , and Karl raises his hands in defense. “I’m just kidding,” he reassures quickly.

Ant rubs his temples. “You spend too much time with Quackity.”

Karl laughs again. “Maybe he spends too much time with me. Have you considered that?”

He lets out another sigh and looks away. “Focus on the fledglings,” he says, “You came here for them.”

Karl’s smile doesn’t disappear, per se, but it looks a little less bright. “Of course,” he responds, “I wanted… There are a few questions I wanted to ask you two,” he tells Sapnap and George.

“For your book?” George asks, eyes narrowed.

“For my book.”

George and Sapnap look at each other, clearly communicating through looks alone, until Sapnap gives a small nod.

“Go ahead,” he says.

Karl takes in a deep breath. “There are a few things,” he admits. “I want- Your Sire was one of the oldest vampires still awake. I wanted to ask you two about him.”

Ant’s head snaps toward the fledglings, noticing the way they have both completely frozen on the couch. This time, he is the one who snarls.

“Out of the question,” he growls, “Dream is out of their life. I won’t allow anyone to distress them by bringing him up.”

Sapnap raises a hand. “It’s fine, Ant,” he says, and Ant hiccups. It is the first time Sapnap goes directly against something he says – perhaps it makes sense that it would be in a matter regarding his Sire. The fledgling turns his attention to Karl. “What do you want to know?”

Karl pauses for a second, throwing a hesitant glance towards Ant, who shrugs helplessly. If the fledglings want to talk to him, he won’t stop them.

“Just a few things,” he says, “I already have some notes about him, about his actions…” He shrugs. “Can you tell me about him waking up?”

Sapnap shrugs a little. “We were sent on a reconnaissance mission,” he says, “Just to check a crypt. There were… roses.” He squints a little, as if he were trying to remember.

“Three black roses,” George fills in for him, “On his coffin.”

Karl nods. “And you removed them?”

“Yup.”

Ant wants to cry. He should have been there. He should have been there with them. If he had taken the assignment too, he would have known not to touch the roses. He could have prevented his friends from going through so much suffering.

“And so, he woke up?” Karl asks. He frowns a little, tapping his pencil to his lips. “The roses are a good detail… Does that mean that he hadn’t gone to Sleep…? I had assumed…”

George frowns at the words and looks back at Ant. There is recognition in his eyes. Karl mentioned Sleep with so much carefulness – the exact way Ant and Velvet do. Ant freezes a little.

“Sleep?” George repeats.

Karl frowns. “Is that not part of the Huntsmen curriculum?” he asks.

Ant scrunches his nose, shifting uncomfortably. “It’s not really- We don’t like talking about it,” he breathes, “Usually, Sires tell their fledglings about it. And humans… They don’t need to know.”

Karl hums in answer and scribbles on his notebook.

“Guess you’ll have to give George and Sapnap the Talk,” he chippers at Ant.

Ant really wants to be annoyed but, at the same time, he feels a little grateful for Karl’s joke. It melts the tension in the room, and George’s intense gaze shifts away from him. Ant breathes out.

“Don’t so upset, Ant,” Karl jokes, “I’m sure you and Velvet do plenty of sleeping .”

Ant throws a cushion at him. Karl dodges expertly, as if it was a move he had practiced for years – and given by the fact that he lives with Quackity, he must have – and the cushion lands on Sapnap instead.

Ant is about to apologize profusely when he hears Sapnap’s burst of laughter.

It lasts a second, but Ant feels like he will cherish that sound forever.

Sapnap winks at him, mischievous. “I got you, Ant,” he says, and he throws the cushion back, hitting Karl in the stomach.

Ant never felt so happy to hear a fellow Council member make a pained sound.

George makes a little rumbly sound that sounds somewhat like a repressed chuckle and Ant feels like crying with relief.

The atmosphere tenses back up when Karl asks his next question.

“So… when did he turn you?”

Sapnap frowns a little. “Immediately?”

Karl blinks a little. “He woke up, and immediately turned you two?”

George nods. “He drank from me, then Sap, then gave us his wrists to drink from.”

Karl has completely frozen. “Hold on, hold on, hold on,” he repeats, throwing an incredulous look toward Ant before focusing back on the fledglings, “He gave you his wrists?” He receives twin nods and lets out a shaky exhale, “And you two drank at the same time?”

The fledglings nod, once again, looking a bit lost, and Karl’s head whips back toward Ant.

“Did you know about this?” he asks. This is his serious tone now. There’s no teasing, no joking, no laughing in his voice.

Ant shakes his head. “I mean… I thought they were close, but they…” He frowns. “They always were, even as humans. And I thought the trauma made them closer…”

He cannot believe what he is hearing. Twin vampires – humans who were turned at the exact same time and share an unbreaking bond – are so incredibly rare. Did Dream know what he was creating when he turned them? Did Dream intend to… use them?

He shudders uncomfortably.

Karl bites his lips, “You’ll need to report that to the Demon and the Spirit.”

Ant bares his teeth. “They don’t need to know,” he growls.

“Ant…” Karl tries.

“No.” Ant’s answer is firm and definitive. He knows that neither Sam nor Bad would purposely hurt the fledglings, but he likes the fact that they have both left them alone. That Sam hasn’t demanded that they return as Huntsmen, and Bad hasn’t requested to see them or asked whether they would faithfully follow him. George and Sapnap are free. It won’t be the same if people were to find out that they are twin vampires. It is too rare an occurrence for the Demon and the Spirit not to look into it. Not to think about ways to use it. “I said no.”

Karl sighs. “They’ll find out eventually…”

“Let them.”

Ant crosses his arms and refuses to engage anymore. Karl lets out another long sigh before he focuses back on the fledglings.

“Okay,” he says, “So… I have compiled some information about Dream from what Techno told me, but obviously-”

“Techno knows nothing about Dream,” Sapnap interrupts. Karl looks to him, inquisitive, and Ant holds his breath.

“Really?” Karl probes gently. “He was his first fledgling.”

Ant refrains from rolling his eyes. Everyone knows that Technoblade never had any relationship with his Sire. The vast majority of Undead ignores when and how exactly Technoblade even turned. They just know that he popped out, one day, hungry but in control . Everyone knows that Techno was an orphan, a fledgling whom his Sire never claimed.

Not everyone knows that his Sire was Dream. There are hear-says about how Technoblade had come into being Undead, and some rumors link to Dream, but there are no official confirmation. Sam and Bad know, of course, and the Council members were entrusted with that knowledge when Dream resurfaced.

So Karl knows. Karl knows that Techno is almost as clueless as they all are about Dream. And yet, he is telling the fledglings that Techno gave him information about Dream.

What is he playing at?

“Techno was a failed fledgling,” Sapnap growls.

Karl’s eyebrows raise up in interest and Ant watches, breathless.

“Oh?” Karl says, scribbling down something in his notebook.

“Dream never kept him!” Sapnap spits, and Karl nods silently, continuing to write. “He wasn’t good enough for Dream to keep him by his side! Not like us!”

Ant stands up very slowly. This isn’t good. None of this is good. But Karl is merciless. He just hums quietly and continues to write.

And, as if he had needed to speak his piece for a long time, Sapnap continues. “Techno wasn’t obedient like we were! So, Dream didn’t keep him. He wasn’t good like us! He told us so!”

“He wasn’t obedient,” Karl repeats quietly, docilely, as he writes the words down.

Sapnap nods emphatically. “He was a failed fledgling,” he repeats, “So Dream didn’t keep him! But he kept us! We were good! We obeyed him, just like fledglings must!”

Karl pauses in his writing, but he keeps his eyes on the page. “Like fledglings must...” he repeats slowly.

If Ant were clenching his fists a little tighter, he’d be drawing blood. He can feel the way his nails press painfully on the palm of his hands.

“He told us that’s how it works,” George says, sending Ant a supplicating look. He is waiting for him to confirm, and Ant feels sick. “Sires provide, and fledglings obey.”

Ant presses his hand to his mouth. He doesn’t know if he is going to scream, or cry, or both, but he cannot do any of this.

“Fledglings obey,” Karl repeats, though he hasn’t resumed writing, “And Techno didn’t obey?”

Sapnap shakes his head furiously. “Techno was a bad fledgling. That’s why Dream didn’t keep him. That’s why he threw him into the streets. But he kept us. He kept us. He kept us.” It becomes a litany, until Sapnap meets Ant’s horrified eyes. “We were good,” he promises, as if he were trying to convince Ant of that fact. “We were so good. He fed on us because we were-”

He doesn’t get a chance to finish. Karl’s pencil snaps in his hand.

Ant knows he is going to be sick. This isn’t a feeling anymore. He can feel the sickness crawling in his throat. Prime. Prime, what had Dream done to his best friends?

“Oh,” Karl says, and Ant is surprised at how composed his voice sounds. But again, Karl isn’t a vampire. He has spent years around them, but he isn’t one of them. He understands the ramifications of a vampire feeding on another vampire – the extreme consent, affection, and trust that is necessary for it – but he hasn’t experienced it. The knowledge that Dream did so without their knowing consent doesn’t affect him as much as it does Ant. “What else did he do, then?” he asks, “As your Sire?”

“He…” George hesitates and throws a look at Sapnap, “He taught us hunting…?”

Ant relaxes a little bit at the words. That, at least, was a normal thing. He imagines that the lessons had been much bloodier than anything expected from vampires per the Agreement, but at least it is more natural.

He blinks.

George and Sapnap don’t know how to hunt. They always need Ant or Velvet to activate their Thrall first. And they barely know how to drink properly.

“Hunting?” he repeats. He is scared of asking.

“We had to catch him,” Sapnap says. There’s a crease between his eyebrows. Something that seems to indicate that even he doesn’t like what he is saying. “And if we did, he would provide. And if we didn’t…” He trails off.

Ant leaves the room.

Chapter Text

No one talks about the discussion with Karl.

Ant discusses it at length with Velvet when he comes home from his assignment, of course. He cries and Velvet holds him tight against him.

He is sure that George and Sapnap speak about it together too. He hears George’s stifled tone and Sapnap’s pleas.

But they don’t talk about it together. They pretend it never happened.

George sometimes looks at him with a questioning expression, and Sapnap looks a bit less angry, a bit more confused, but neither of them raise any questions.

So Ant doesn’t answer any.

He is afraid of discovering more. He is so terrified of not being able to give his friends the support they so desperately need. He feels inadequate. He feels scared.

So he doesn’t prompt them, they don’t ask, and he doesn’t answer.

It works, in a dramatic and probably unhealthy way.

Bad had come, a few days after Karl’s visit, and he had looked at the fledglings for a long time, his white eyes full of questions that he didn’t ask. He had nodded, eventually, and had approached them slowly, gently. He had kneeled to be able to look at them in the eyes, and they had spoken for a long time.

At some point, he had stood up and invited the fledglings to follow him in the office - in their bedroom. They had quietly obeyed.

Ant had recognized the dismissal from the very small gesture Bad had made with his tail, and he hadn’t tried to argue it. The demon was his lord, and so he had obeyed.

George and Sapnap had come out of the room eventually. Sapnap had looked pensive and George… George had looked awake. The Sleep that had clouded his eyes was almost gone, and Ant had rushed into the room to thank Bad.

The Demon was gone, though, and Ant had remained in the room, alone, and he had smiled to himself.

George and Sapnap had looked like they had truly benefited from the discussion with Bad, so Ant, after hours talking it through with Velvet, had decided to let them explore the city by themselves. They’d be right behind them, they had promised. Just a few streets away, just close enough that they would be able to intervene if any problem arose, but far enough that George and Sapnap could feel independent.

It was healthy this way, Velvet had told him.

So Ant had tried not to feel bad as they had wrapped their green cloaks around themselves and quietly followed the fledglings.

He had not said anything when the both of them had chosen to walk away from their usual path. The fledglings want change, want something new, and that’s okay. That’s healthy.

He hadn’t said anything when they had left the part of the city that he and Velvet have claimed as theirs. They aren’t hunting tonight, simply walking around. So, it is okay to be on another vampire’s territory.

Besides, most vampires in the city are at peace with one another. Ant and Velvet truly have no discord with anyone, and it wouldn’t make sense for-

Oh Prime-

“Velvet,” Ant says, very calm, though he can feel the panic rise in his stomach, “Whose territory are we on?”

Velvet hums a little, removing his arm from around Ant’s shoulder. “This is Ponk’s, isn’t he?” he begins, “Why are you as- Oh.”

They look at each other, red eyes widening at the same time.

“Guys?” Ant calls loudly. He hears a few muffled protests from the apartments, but he truly doesn’t have the time to deal with disgruntled humans. “George? Sap?”

No answers.

Shit.

Shit shit shit shit shit.

“Ant.” Velvet is very clearly trying to make his voice reassuring. “Ant, Ponk isn’t stupid. He won’t-”

“They killed his fledgling!” Ant cuts him, feeling a bit hysterical, “That’s not stupidity, that’s- He’s got a right of retribution.”

Velvet curses under his breath. “We need to get them,” he says quickly. “Now.”

Ant looks around, blinking scared tears away. “Where?”

Velvet pauses, clearly trying to listen for the sound of the fledglings’ voices. He shakes his head after a second. “You go left, I go right,” he instructs.

Ant nods quickly. He feels lips press against his forehead for a brief moment, and Velvet is gone. He runs.

The scene he finds is one of nightmares.

George is against a wall, a small silver dagger an inch away from his neck, and Sapnap watches, completely paralyzed.

Sapnap is an excellent fighter, Ant knows it firsthand. He was outstanding when he was a Huntsman, and the few demonstrations he has done since then have proven that the fledgling can certainly count on muscle memory to save him. He isn’t helpless at all. He simply cannot move because George, his best friend, is threatened.

Ant steps in immediately.

“Which one of you,” he hears Purpled hiss, “Which one did it?”

Sapnap hiccups in fear. “Did what?”

Ponk takes a step forward. “He wants to know who killed his brother,” he says, “Who killed my fledgling.”

Ant catches Ponk’s eyes and he takes in a shuddering breath. “Ponk,” he says quickly, “It wasn’t them.”

“Was it not?” Ponk asks, raising an eyebrow, “Are you calling the Demon a liar?”

“They didn’t- They weren’t in control,” Ant says rapidly, “You know it as well as I do.”

“They killed my fledgling,” Ponk responds calmly, “I’ve got a right of retribution.”

Ant bites back a curse. “You don’t want to do this,” he breathes.

Ponk laughs a little behind his scarf. “You’re right,” he replies, “I don’t. They’re chill with me. Punz left my coven a long time before he died.”

“Yeah,” Purpled says, his voice strained, “But I’m not fine with it.” He brings the knife a little closer to George’s throat. “Which one did it?” he asks again, his eyes shining a little, “I don’t have to kill the both of you. I just want Punz’s murderer.”

Ant looks back to Ponk, eyes wide.

“Ponk-”

“I promised him,” Ponk says, raising his arms, helplessly. “I gave him my permission to avenge Punz.”

“To avenge us,” Purpled corrects, not taking his eyes away from George. “I won’t ask again. Who did it?”

Sapnap shudders at the question, and George makes a very faint smile. “I did,” he whispers.

Ant stops breathing and his eyes meet Sapnap’s equally surprised gaze. They both know this is a lie. Sapnap was the one who drove the stake through Punz’s heart. George had been threatening Ant, at the time.

Prime.

Ant recognizes the way George’s eyes cloud with Sleep and he wants to scream.

“George, no!” Sapnap says quickly.

“It’s better that way, Sap,” George says, his lips quivering a little in the smile, “I'm fine with it.”

“No!”

Purpled shrugs a little. “I really don’t want to stay for that argument,” he admits, his tone almost bored now. “You killed Punz, yeah?”

“Yes,” George says, at the very same moment Sapnap shouts a “No!”

Purpled’s eyes twitch, just a little.

“Does it matter?” Ponk asks, leaning against a wall, arms crossed.

“I want to get the right one,” Purpled replies, not moving his knife. It brushes against George’s pale neck and almost touches the mark Dream left from when he had bit his own fledgling.

“I did it,” George says, his tone certain. It almost commands respect. “Ask Ant.”

Purpled’s eyes shift to Ant. “Well?”

Ant moves before he can even realize it. He doesn’t even know how a stake ended up in his hand, but he supposes that the rigorous Huntsmen training has something to do with it. His hand shakes around the wooden weapon.

“If you touch either of them,” Ant hisses, “I will kill you both and tell the Spirit that you became rogue.”

They all wait a beat in complete silence. Time seems frozen. Purpled doesn’t move, but his focus shifts from George’s neck to the stake Ant is holding. Ant doesn’t step forward but his muscles are bulging with anticipation.

Ponk frowns from his spot, a bit away. “Hey!” he protests, “That’s cheating! That’s lying! You’re not playing fair, Ant!”

Ant bares his teeth. “I don’t care,” he breathes, “If you touch them, you’re dead.”

Purpled moves away, just a step. “You’d betray your oath to the Order for them?” he asks, eyes narrowing a little.

Ant represses the growl that comes crawling through his throat. “In a heartbeat,” he promises.

Ponk scrunches his nose. “You can’t lie to Sam,” he points out, crossing his arms.

“Then I’ll call my right to retribution.”

Purpled’s gaze shifts to George, then Sapnap, before it moves back to Ant.

“They aren’t your fledglings.”

“They might as well be,” Ant replies, low and dangerous, “They are my friends.” ‘They are mine ,’ a voice in his head whispers, but he doesn’t voice that thought.

“That won’t hold in front of the Council,” Ponk says, stepping forward from where he had been leaning against a wall. “You wouldn’t do it.”

“Try me.”

Ponk frowns a little. “Purpled,” he instructs very calmly. His serious tone is so far from the joking one he usually adopts. “Step away from him.”

“But-”

“I’m not kidding,” Ponk insists, “He is a Hunter. He would win.” Purpled looks like he might protest again but Ponk speaks again, his voice is imbued with his Sire authority. “I command you to step away.”

Purpled does, and both Sapnap’s and George’s attentions are drawn to the Sire, recognizing the authority from something they must have experienced a thousand of times with Dream.

Ant breathes only when George moves away from the wall, and comes to join Sapnap, his eyes wide. He moves to stand in front of them.

“Thank you,” he whispers, looking at the Sire.

“Oh, no, don’t thank me,” Ponk immediately says, crossing his arms, “I’m bringing that up with Sam.” There is certainty in his voice, and Ant freezes. Sam has a soft spot for Ponk; they were friends when Ponk was a Living, and Sam had been the one to ask Bad to keep the friendly man around, as a vampire. So Sam will hear Ponk out. That’s just a fact. “He won’t be happy to hear that you were ready to betray your oath.”

Ant doesn’t dare to move.

Purpled comes forward a little. “And the Demon won’t like the fact that you tried to disrespect Ponk’s right of retribution.”

“The Demon calls bullshit.”

Ant’s head whips back and he stares as Skeppy appears in the alley, followed by a breathless Velvet.

Chapter Text

Skeppy stands, his silhouette looking small and fragile in the dark alley, and yet all of the vampires can feel the way he has not only been claimed by the leader of the Underworld but is also adored by him. They sense that he is no longer a Living but that he is also not one of them. Bad made him something different. They all freeze in their spot.

“Couldn’t find George and Sap,” Velvet pants, “I thought-… I got help.”

Ant almost feels like crying. It takes everything for him not to just step in, sweep his partner in his arms, and kiss him breathless. Instead, he just stares at his lord’s companion.

“You did good,” Skeppy says, crossing his arms as his blue eyes scan the scene. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Where is the Demon?” Ponk asks, a clear frown on his face now.

“Busy,” Skeppy replies tranquilly, “I’m stepping in for him.” It sounds definitive, like he isn’t willing to hear anyone question his position. Skeppy made his stance clear. He is standing in for Bad.

Skeppy looks at the fledglings and Ant notices the way he has to repress his recoil. Ant suddenly remembers that George and Sapnap were present in the cave, right where Skeppy was tortured – right where he died. Still, the man doesn’t look too afraid. “What’s happening?” he asks again. He turns to look at him. “Ant?”

“They want to- It’s about Punz,” Ant replies quickly. Skeppy’s lips pull into a frown.

“I’m calling my right of retribution,” Ponk says, “My fledgling was murdered. By them.”

Skeppy scrunches his nose. “Dude, that’s just boring,” he whines. “It’s not even actual infighting if you’re using the rules…”

Purpled lets out a small scoff. “Are you not taking this seriously?”

Skeppy’s eyes immediately flick to him. “Of course, I am,” he replies, “Bad’s trusting me with it.”

He doesn’t say the other words: ‘Bad is trusting me with everything,’ but they all hear it loud and clear.

“Then you know about a Sire’s right of retribution,” Purpled states, “You know we are within our right to avenge our fallen coven member.”

“Yeah,” Skeppy says, “I know that.”

Ant bites his lips, and he extends his hand just enough for Velvet to notice it and immediately step next to him, grabbing his hand and squeezing reassuringly. They stand beside each other, both ready to jump in to protect the fledglings.

“Then the Demon has no business intruding on our affairs,” Purpled says, baring his fangs.

A hint of panic flashes across Skeppy’s face at the display of anger before he immediately controls his expression. “Oh wow,” he comments, voice calm, almost warningly so, “Aggressive much?”

He takes a step forward, coming closer to the scene, and he looks at George and Sapnap with something that almost seems like curiosity. Purpled is almost shaking with anger.

Skeppy hums. “I think you'll find that this is his business, since the fledglings are under his protection. Also, he is your lord and, therefore, anything he wants is his business.” He pauses. “And mine.”

“But Ponk’s right of retribution…”

It almost seems like Skeppy’s eyes shine a bright purple. The gems on his skins seem to glow. Ant blinks, incredulous and, when he looks back, the man looks completely unchanged. He looks exactly like a mortal. And yet, the energy that emanates from him is otherworldly. It’s dangerous.

“I said no,” Skeppy growls, “And you’d do good to listen to me.”

Purpled snarls a little at the words but Ponk’s hand is on his shoulder in a second. “Purpled,” he says softly, “Back off.”

“He is a human!” Purpled protests, still holding onto his dagger. “A Living! It doesn’t matter if the Demon took him under his wing. He doesn’t have the authority to tell us what to do!”

Skeppy’s eyes shine again. “Drop that,” Skeppy orders, his focus on the weapon. He lets out a sigh and stretches a little, seemingly unbothered by the aggressive vampire. “And, honestly, I’d rather not have to do you the whole spiel but their Sire-” he gestures at George and Sapnap “- killed me. But I’m not fucking dead anymore. I’m…” He scrunches his nose. “Not Undead… Unliving, I guess? And I’m Bad’s co-ruler.” He smiles cordially and tilts his head. “Does that answer your question?”

“His co-ruler?” Ponk repeats, a bit incredulous. “That’s unheard of.”

“Bitch, I’m unheard of.”

Ant hears Velvet suppress a laugh. “He wouldn’t like you swearing that much,” his partner teases softly.

“Nah,” Skeppy replies lightly, a faint smile playing at his lips, “Swearing is just forbidden for everyone else. Not me. I don’t count.” He turns his gaze back to Purpled. “Drop the fucking dagger, now.”

Purpled looks frozen for a moment. Skeppy's eyes shine once more. The fledgling scoffs but obeys.

“Now,” Skeppy says, “Let me just make one thing clear. These kids are victims of abuse. I am rescinding any permission to hurt them.” He pauses and crosses his arms. “Which means that the Demon will agree.”

Ant feels almost frozen in his spot at the pure display of authority. Skeppy who, a few weeks ago, was a mere human, is demanding respect from a group of powerful vampires.

Ponk bows his head a little. “All right,” he says slowly. “We hear you.”

“Is it…” Purpled frowns a little. “Isn’t that considered taking sides?” he asks, “The Demon is supposed to be impartial. Isn’t this favoritism?”

Skeppy laughs. “Oh Prime, no!” he replies, “They were my fucking captors.” He glances at them and his smile fades. “I’d rather they stay as far away from me as possible.” He scrunches his nose and his blue eyes flick to Ant. “No offense.”

Ant lets out a shaky exhale. “None taken?” He knows it sounds like a question. It is because it is. He doesn’t know how to respond. He doesn’t know how to act. This is crazy. Are they actually going to get out of this unharmed?

Skeppy lets out a small sigh, and his entire posture relaxes. “Prime,” he grunts, “How does Bad do that every day? I don’t like having to be actually mean.” He pouts. “Pranks are much more fun.” He stretches a little before looking at Ponk and making a worried grimace at the lack of understanding in his eyes.

Ant feels almost hurt for him. Ponk lost his fledgling – couldn’t even say goodbye – and now his right to get closure is taken away from him. It is completely different, but Ant knows he would try everything to avenge George, Sapnap, or Velvet if something were to happen to any of them. It feels unfair to take that right away from Ponk’s coven.

Skeppy must think the same thing, because he speaks again, his voice calmer:

“Ponk,” he whispers, “There’s a lot you don’t know about Dr-” He cuts himself off, paling a little. Ant had noted that before. Skeppy doesn’t seem willing to pronounce Dream’s name. “About their Sire. About the way he treated them.” He sighs. “You’re a Sire. You would- You’ll understand when you hear about it.” He makes a very tight smile. “Come see me and Bad, okay?” He hesitates before looking to Purpled. “You too. We’ll talk.”

Ponk gives a small nod. “All right,” he breathes. “We’ll do as you wish.”

Skeppy lets out a small exhale. “Good,” he says, offering them a small smile. He turns to Ant and Velvet. “Bring them home. Keep them out of trouble, okay?”

Ant bows his head lightly. “I promise.”

Skeppy sticks his tongue a little, clearly wanting to melt the tension in the air. “Perfect! Glad we all agreed!” He smiles again. “Now, I’ve got a big fucking panther to go cuddle.” He smirks. “See ya, losers.”

He disappears.

“Did…” Ponk blinks a little. “Did Sam do that? He is the only one who can teleport, isn’t he?”

Ant shrugs. “Prime if I know,” he mumbles. But it sounds right. The Demon flies, and he isn’t certain what Skeppy is capable of. Teleportation, though, is something that only the Spirit seems capable of doing.

Velvet chuckles. “Dramatic bastards, the three of them.”

Ant laughs.

They all move apart quietly. George and Sapnap move away from the wall, where they had remained immobile, and they quickly join Velvet. Purpled steps back to be by his Sire’s side.

Ant catches the way Ponk looks at him and they nod at each other. The tension is still very present, but they know that no one will get hurt. Ponk tries a shy smile, which is reflected in his eyes, even though Ant cannot see his mouth.

“Congrats on the fledglings,” he eventually says, “You and Velvet will be great Sires.” He hums. “A bit unconventional, but who can judge, really?”

Ant shrugs. “I’ll…” He turns his head and looks at the way Velvet is leading George and Sapnap away already. “I’m sorry about Punz,” he says, “I know…” He chuckles and shakes his head. “No. I don’t know how much it hurts. I guess… I can imagine it.” He bites his lips. “I thought I had lost them when they didn’t come back from their mission… It was… excruciating. It took me years to mourn.” He sighs. “I’m sorry.”

Ponk shrugs. “There’s not much I can do,” he responds. “The Demon… Bad said that Punz betrayed the Order.”

Ant sucks in a breath. “The Spirit said so too,” he admits. The truth hurts, but Ponk deserves to hear it. “He was the one who let Dream out.”

Purpled takes a step forward to stand closer to his Sire who is looking down. “Then maybe it was better,” the fledgling murmurs. “I would have been really mad at him. And I know you didn’t like it when we fought.”

Ponk laughs a little and he brings an arm around Purpled’s shoulder. “Let’s go home,” he suggests with a chuckle.

“That works,” Purpled hums. He starts moving away and Ponk remains behind, clearly not done with their discussion. Ant waits patiently.

Ponk clears his throat. “And Dream’s fledglings…” He visibly hesitates. “I don’t know what he did to them, but if you need… If you want advice from a Sire, I’m…” He shrugs. “I don’t want to talk to them. Not when they’ve killed Punz. But I’ll talk to you, Ant. You’re chill.” He frowns to himself, scrunching his nose. “Wait, you kind of threatened to kill us, didn’t you?”

“You were threatening my…” Ant bites his tongue. “ The fledglings.”

The other vampire gives a small laugh. “I know, I know,” he says, waving his hand. He doesn’t raise the slip up, and Ant feels grateful for it. “I’m just giving you a hard time!” He nods at him, and there is a smile in his eyes. “Take care of your fledglings.”

Ant nods. “I will.” And it is as much a promise to Ponk as it is one to himself.

Chapter Text

George is feeling bad again.

George is feeling bad, and Sapnap is desperate.

Ant and Velvet call it Slumber; they say that George wants to Sleep. Sapnap hears the capital letters in their tone and the tremor in their voices. They are completely out of their depth; he can see it clearly.

They keep reassuring him, telling him that George will be okay, that he just needs some time to adjust to Dream’s death, that they all need to be patient and understanding.

Sapnap understands very well. They’re lying to him. They’re worried. George isn’t okay.

He suspects that George won’t be okay.

But they won’t tell him anything. They’re liars. So Sapnap has to take the matters into his own hands and seek the truth himself.

After making sure that George is deep asleep, he sneaks out of the office – their bedroom – and walks to Velvet and Ant’s bedroom, listening on to their conversation. He focuses on their worried tones and he tries to learn everything he can.

“You should try to talk to Bad again,” Velvet’s voice comes, concerned but trying to be appeasing.

“He already came,” Ant protests, “He already did everything he could… What else is there to do? George is depressed… He doesn’t want to go on.”

“Then we have to convince him that there is more to life than a Sire! You survived yours going to Sleep. Mine died to a Hunter and I was fine! He can- We just have to speak to him.”

There is a mirthless laugh. “I keep talking to him… I keep trying to offer him distractions, or-”

“I know.” Velvet lets out a long sigh. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap.”

“He won’t listen.” Ant’s voice is trembling now. “He doesn’t think we understand. He doesn’t think anyone understands.”

“He could at least talk to Sapnap.”

“I don’t want to put that on Sap. He’s- He’s doing… He seems to be doing better than George, but he… You’ve seen him.”

“He’s angry,” Velvet replies, “The incident with the maid.”

“Yeah…”

“You don’t think that was a one-off, do you?”

Ant lets out a long sigh and Sapnap hears something that sounds like a sob. “I’m so scared…” Ant breathes.

There is a long moment of silence. Sapnap comes a little closer and he hears the telling sound of cries.

He bites his lip and moves away from the door. With steps that seem heavier and heavier, he walks back to his and George’s bedroom. He locks the door behind him and lays down on the cot, curling up to George. The other vampire lets out a small grumbling sound and unconsciously shifts a little to be closer to Sapnap.

Sapnap closes his eyes and focuses on George’s steady breathing. It’s regular; it’s calming. George is still there, with him, and Sapnap won’t allow for anything to separate them.

* * *

George wakes up alone, as usual. He looks out of the window. It’s nighttime.

Time doesn’t make much sense. It didn’t, back with Dream – they hadn’t known whether it was daytime or nighttime, back in the room. Time still doesn’t make sense, even with Ant. Vampires don’t need to sleep, but George feels oh so tired, so he sleeps, regardless of the time. He wakes up groggy and disoriented, and unsure how long he slept.

All he knows is that if the sky is dark, Sapnap is most likely gone. He sighs deeply and crawls out of bed. The room feels a bit too warm, and it’s very dark. He pauses, listening for the sound of voices, but it seems like both Ant and Velvet left to accompany Sapnap outside.

He is alone.

He stretches a little, moving around the room in complete silence.

And then, there is a small tapping sound against the window. George freezes and takes a few steps back.

The knocking continues, very gentle and regular. It comes by waves of three.

George freezes completely, and he thinks of Dream – of what he had told them about the way he got in touch with Tommy back when the child was in Technoblade’s mansion.

He feels almost dizzy as he moves forward, toward the window. He doesn’t think he is breathing well enough. Another few shaky steps, and he presses his palm to the wall, using the other hand to pull the curtain.

This isn’t Dream.

He stares into the two red eyes, and wonders whether he feels disappointment or relief.

This isn’t Dream. Instead, it is a different vampire - one dressed in elegant green clothes and who offers him a kind smile.

“Heya, mate,” the vampire says in a friendly tone, as if he wasn’t perched on top of his window in the middle of the night. He has to speak loud enough so that George can hear him through the glass. “Mind opening the window for me?”

George shakes his head quickly. There aren’t exactly rules that Ant put into place, but he knows better than to let a vampire into his friend’s home.

“Aw, mate,” the vampire pouts. He doesn’t look angry, just a bit concerned. “I won’t be able to come in anyway. I’m not invited. Just open the window so we can talk?”

George wants to scream for Ant to come chase him away, but he knows that they are all gone. He isn’t certain whether the vampire could get violent, the way Dream sometimes did when he didn’t get what he wanted. He could break the window, if he wanted, George thinks. Obedience always worked to at least limit the expanse of Dream’s anger. So, he very slowly opens the window. As soon as it is done, he scurries backward, far enough so that the vampire cannot reach for him.

“What do you want?” he snarls.

The vampire tilts his head. “Well, to start with, I’m glad to see you again.”

George frowns. “Again?”

The vampire presses his lips together. “You don’t remember me?” he asks, “I was at the Council. And at…” He trails off. “My name is Phil.”

George narrows his eyes a little but doesn’t respond. Phil gives him an indulgent smile.

“I’m Techno’s fledgling. Wilbur’s Sire.”

That does ring a bell. George gives a curt nod. He remembers that. He remembers Dream scoffing at the thought that his first fledgling had a coven of his own. He crosses his arms but does not reply.

Phil makes a small smile. “I’m not surprised you don’t remember me, mate,” he says gently, “You seemed very-” It seems like he hesitates on the word. “- sleepy , at the Council.”

George scrunches his nose. “I remember that your Sire doesn’t want us,” he responds, “What are you doing here?”

Phil lets out a long sigh. “I guess we can do it the direct way,” he says, “I’m- Ant and Velvet are worried for you. They went to seek Techno’s advice.”

“And let me guess, he rejected them because he is so much better than us?” George replies bitingly.

Phil lets out a small chuckle. “Something like that,” he admits, “He doesn’t really… Techno doesn’t like hearing about Dream.” He pauses and licks his lips in what seems to be a nervous manner. “But that wasn’t- He also didn’t have a real answer to give them.”

George frowns, but he doesn’t argue back. He sits back on the cot, his eyes on the vampire in his window.

“They say that you want to Sleep,” Phil says, his voice calm, almost compassionate.

George shrugs. “They say a lot of things.”

Phil sighs and he sits a bit more comfortably on the windowsill. “Has Dream taught you about the Slumber?”

George shakes his head. Karl had mentioned it, and Ant had commented that it was something taboo, that Sires had to tell their fledglings about. He imagines that Dream never got the opportunity to do so.

Phil’s red eyes shine with concern. “Can you invite me in, mate?” he asks gently, “I promise I won’t hurt you.”

“Not doing that,” George says, “You can speak from where you are.”

Phil lets out a small sigh, but he doesn’t argue against it. “All right,” he says gently, “That’s okay with me.” He hesitates. “Would you like me to tell you about the Slumber?” he asks, “Or would you rather if I let Antfrost do it? Sires are usually the ones who tell their fledglings about it.”

“Ant isn’t my Sire,” George replies almost automatically. “My Sire is dead.”

Phil’s lips pull into a grimace. “I know, mate,” he says, “I’m sorry.”

“You’re not,” George responds. “He tried to kill your fledgling. He captured the child you all protect. You’re happy he is dead.”

Phil sighs deeply. “I’m not… happy,” he says, “I’m relieved that my coven is no longer in danger. That’s true. But I’m not…” He bites his lips a little. “I know it’s causing you a lot of pain.”

“Congrats on realizing the obvious.”

Phil flinches a little at the biting tone, but he doesn’t comment on it. Dream would have punished him severely for that kind of insolence. George misses him. And yet, he is relieved to be away. To be allowed to speak his mind.

“I haven’t lost my Sire,” Phil states. “But I- I am afraid I will.” He looks a bit grimmer as he continues. “To the same disease that is eating you away.”

George frowns. “The Slumber?” he asks.

Phil gives a strained nod. “Vampires aren’t meant to be eternal,” he tells him, “We just… We are able to live on forever, but we… Most of us don’t want that.” He presses his lips together. “There is a point where we no longer find a purpose in being around. So, we go to Sleep.”

George nods very quietly. He doesn’t interrupt. Phil’s tone is gentle, but serious, and they haven’t looked away from each other. There is something like deep pain in Phil’s eyes.

“Your Sire,” Phil continues, “was one of the oldest vampires still awake. Most vampires don’t survive this long.”

“He would have survived much longer,” George responds bitterly.

Phil nods indulgently. “Maybe he would have,” he says, “He was a powerful vampire.” He looks at George, and there’s something that looks like compassion in his eyes again. “He wasn’t a very good Sire, though, was he?”

“I don’t-”

“George, I’m- I’m a fledgling and a Sire myself,” Phil explains softly, “I see it both ways. Was Ant telling the truth when he spoke about the way Dream treated you?”

George finally breaks their eye contact. He glares at the ground. “You don’t understand,” he says.

“Maybe I don’t,” Phil admits, “Maybe I’m missing a lot of the key pieces of the story. But what I’ve heard isn’t painting a very nice picture, mate.”

George blinks rapidly. He won’t cry in front of this man.

Phil sighs. “I just-” He bites his lips, “I’ve Sired Wilbur a few years ago. I am going to Sire his brothers very soon. I just want you to know that I would never ever imagine raising my hand to any of them.” George presses his lips tightly together and doesn’t answer. “And I know that Techno would never think about hurting me, or the kids.”

“Dream was- We weren’t obedient,” George says.

“You don’t owe your obedience to a Sire,” Phil says quietly, “No matter what he told you.”

George lets out a shuddering breath. “But-”

“No buts,” Phil says, “There aren’t any reasons for a Sire to purposely abuse his fledglings for years.”

A whimper crawls its way up George’s throat and past his lips. Phil looks like he is about to cry.

“Mate,” he says again, “Can I- Can I come in?”

George doesn’t look at him, but he gives a small, almost imperceptible nod. It takes him a second to realize that vampires need verbal consent to be invited into a house. But then, Phil is right in front of him, smiling sadly.

“Can I hug you?” he asks gently.

George sputters a little. “How did you come in?” he asks.

Phil’s eyebrows furrow a little. “I- Ant has invited me in a long time ago,” he admits in a murmur, “But I wanted your consent.”

George feels like he could cry. He blinks his tears away as quickly as he can, and Phil presses his lips together.

“Can I hug you?” he asks again, “You don’t have to say yes. I just-”

George sniffles and nods quickly. He doesn’t have the time to change his mind. Phil’s arms wrap around him and bring him to his chest. It’s cold, and his heart is unbeating, and yet George has not felt so safe and warm in decades.

For the first time in his life, he cries in the embrace of a Sire.

* * *

George cries for a long time. Phil doesn’t shift, doesn’t complain, even when the minutes turn to hours. He keeps his arms around George. He keeps him securely against his chest.

When George finally collects himself, they speak more. In hushed tones, they discuss the Slumber. Phil talks about Techno feeling weary and he shares his fear of being away from his Sire, just like George is, right now.

George relaxes as Phil repeats that he doesn’t blame George for wanting to Sleep, not when his entire world was turned upside down. And then, Phil tells him that he, too, is planning to follow his Sire into his Slumber. But he won’t go to Sleep until his fledglings are strong enough to fend for themselves, he adds, because he doesn’t want to leave them alone. There is no judgement, only kindness in the vampire’s voice when he states that leaving Sapnap all alone would be cruel. George shudders and nods.

And then, they talk about Dream. Phil very gently tells him that going to Sleep for Dream would be a mistake. That Dream isn’t the sort of Sire who deserves this honor. He talks about the way Dream turned Techno and left him for dead in the gutters. He speaks about the fang marks on George’s neck and calmly describes what it means, to all of them, for a vampire to feed on another vampire. George trembles and he speaks about Dream’s violence.

Phil takes him in his arms again and hushes him softly as he cries.

He repeats, over and over, that Dream wasn’t a good Sire and that they deserved so much better.

And George hurts, but he believes him.

Chapter Text

When Dream last visited Technoblade’s mansion, it must have been very quiet and tense, Sapnap thinks. It isn’t now. The mansion is full of life and happiness.

Tommy is shrieking with laughter as he runs on the lawn, another child chasing him down.

The kid seems so happy, so full of energy and joy, and it is so incredibly unfair.

George isn’t this happy.

Sapnap isn’t this happy.

Tommy killed Dream. He shouldn’t be this happy.

Sapnap watches from the shadows. He vaguely wonders if Dream stood in this exact spot when he had been looking for Tommy, a few months ago.

It feels like it has been an eternity.

The loss of his Sire is still burning through Sapnap’s chest, and he knows that he won’t be able to grieve properly until Dream is avenged.

Tommy killed Dream. The Spirit said so at the Council meeting. Tommy was the one who put an end to Dream’s existence.

Tommy is responsible for the pain that spreads through Sapnap’s stomach, and for the way he sometimes feels like he cannot breathe.

Tommy is guilty.

So Tommy deserves to die.

And when Tommy dies, Dream will be avenged. Sapnap will be able to breathe again and maybe – maybe – George will smile again. They were hurt, and Sapnap wants revenge.

He has read through Ant’s books. He carefully selected those written by Karl Jacobs about the functioning of the Council, and he skimmed the texts until he found the mentions of the right of retribution – the one Ponk and Purpled were so adamant about.

He knows that the right of retribution only applies to a Sire avenging his fledglings and may only be called if the fledgling’s death was unprovoked. So he knows that the Council will regard Tommy’s death as a murder, rather than the act of justice that it is.

But Sapnap needs for Dream to be avenged. He needs the nightmares to stop plaguing him.

He needs Tommy to die.

He may end up in the vault, exactly where they placed Dream after he threatened Techno and his coven, or he may even be killed. Maybe they will allow him to die by the same dagger that took his Sire away from him.

He doesn’t care.

Dream deserves vengeance, and Tommy deserves to die.

He watches, as Tommy keeps laughing and falls on the grass, right next to the other kid, and he lets the absolute indignation of it all fill his heart.

This isn’t fair. Tommy caused them so much suffering. Tommy killed Dream, and he is slowly but surely killing George too. He doesn’t deserve to be laughing on the grass.

“Tubbo?” The call is from a rumbling voice that Sapnap immediately associates with his Sire’s first fledgling. Technoblade. He freezes and hides a little more in the shades. “Tubbo, can you come here a minute?”

The other kid – Tubbo? – stands up immediately. “Coming!” he chirps excitedly. He smiles brightly at Tommy and leans down to ruffle his hair. “I won!” he claims.

“Pfft, no, I let you win. You wouldn’t have caught me otherwise.”

“You’re out of breath, big man.”

“Meh meh meh meh,” Tommy imitates him, his eyes shining with laughter.

Tubbo rolls his eyes. “See you in a few minutes?”

Tommy shrugs. “Yep.”

Tubbo smiles again before he runs back toward the mansion.

Sapnap holds his breath. Tommy is all alone. This is his chance.

He goes to take a step forward, when he notices the way Tommy’s face falls. The expression of pure bliss is gone in a matter of a second. The moment the door to the mansion closed, Tommy’s smile had simply faded away.

The child moves to sit up and he brings his knees to his chest, encircling them in a position that reminds Sapnap of George, when he sits on the bed and stares into the nothingness. Tommy does exactly that. His bright blue eyes seem dulled – almost grey, and the mirthful light is completely gone.

The kid trembles a little and his lips quiver. He doesn’t make any sound, but the little creature that stands on his shoulder lets out a few concerned chirps that Tommy fully ignores. He stares silently, and Sapnap feels a tug at his heart.

He doesn’t let it stop him though. He had to sneak away from the house when both Ant and Velvet were out on an assignment. He won’t get a chance like this in a very long time. For neither Ant nor Velvet to be home, and for Tommy to be completely isolated? This has to be a sign.

Tommy has to die.

He steps out of the bushes.

Tommy’s eyes immediately fall on him and he completely freezes, an expression of fear on his face. He gets to his feet in a matter of seconds, but he looks too terrified to be able to truly escape. His eyes are shining with pure terror. He looks like a wild rabbit about to be killed by a hunter.

“No…” Tommy whispers breathlessly – it’s a plea – “Not again, please…”

Sapnap takes another step forward. “No use running,” he says, “I’m much faster.”

The kid lets out a whine. “Please,” he tries again, “Please… He’s gone. He’s dead. Please…”

Sapnap swallows thickly. “And whose fault is it that he is gone?”

Tommy shudders and hides his face in his hands. “He’s gone,” he repeats, as if it was a reassurance to himself. As if it was something that the vampires of his coven tell him, at night, to help him sleep. “He’s gone, he’s gone, he’s gone, he’s gone.”

It is a litany – almost a prayer – of a fact that haunts Sapnap. Every repetition is a bit more painful.

“Shut up!” he roars, “He’s gone!” This time, it isn’t a reassurance; it is a curse. “You took him!”

Tommy whimpers. The little creature on his shoulder lets out a warning hiss, but Sapnap ignores it.

“You took him,” he continues, “You took him from us. You’ve-” He lets out a bitter laugh. “You took the one thing we held precious.”

Tommy takes a step back. His lips quiver as if he was going to cry. Sapnap scowls.

“Are you crying?” he asks, “Are you going to cry about my Sire’s death? When you are the one who caused it?”

“I didn’t have a choice,” Tommy chokes, “I never wanted any of it.”

Sapnap snarls. “And we never wanted to be orphaned! We never wanted for Dream to leave, and you…” He lets out a growl but does not finish.

Tommy doesn’t say anything. He just watches him, completely silent. The small creature held in his arms hisses and shows its teeth.

“He won’t have the time to intervene,” Sapnap says, and he pulls a knife from under his cloak, “I don’t care about dying. I just- I’ll avenge my Sire.”

The child looks like he wants to run away but thinks better of it.

“Why?” he asks.

Sapnap lets out a bark of laughter. “Why?” he repeats. “Why do I want to avenge my Sire?” Tommy makes a very small movement of his head in affirmation, and Sapnap wonders if this is a distraction technique. The mansion is still completely silent though. And even if someone was to get out, he and Tommy are far too close for anyone to be able to intervene in time. “He was everything we had,” he says. Tommy blinks. “He- He turned us, and he stayed. For us. He trained us. He fed us.”

Tommy’s lips pull into a grimace. “He… Did he train you with a staff?” he asks, and there’s something like bitterness in his tone.

Sapnap freezes a little at the memory. He remembers the bruises on his and George’s newly pale skin. He remembers the cries and the pleas for the pain to stop.

“What would you know about it?” he mocks.

Tommy bites his lip. “Enough,” he admits in a breath. Their eyes meet and, for a second, Sapnap thinks of simply Thralling the child and killing him. It would be easy enough. It would be quiet. It would be done in an instant.

He doesn’t. He watches him. “He would have turned you,” he says. “You could have let him. You could have joined him.”

The child shudders and shakes his head, looking down. “I think I would have rather died,” he admits in a low voice.

“And instead you killed him.”

Tommy meets his eyes again. He looks determined now. Resolute. “Yeah,” he breathes, “I did.” Sapnap lets out a low growl from the back of his throat, and the kid continues: “I don’t- He wasn’t a good person.”

Sapnap snaps, and he grabs Tommy by the collar of his shirt. “What should I do?” he snarls. “Bleed you dry? Or stab you the very same way you killed him?”

Tommy lets out a hiccup, but he doesn’t even try to fight it. He doesn’t struggle in Sapnap’s hold. He goes limp. The little creature on his shoulder hisses angrily and reaches to claw at Sapnap’s face, but he throws it away without a look toward it.

It will take the Nook a few seconds to grow and be ready to attack him. That will be enough.

He holds the hilt of the knife tightly in his fist.

This is easy. He just has to stab. Just once. Dream told them hundreds of times that humans are so pathetically fragile. It doesn’t take much to kill one. It would just take one quick movement of his wrist, and Tommy would crumble to the ground.

He looks…

He looks dead already. His eyes have glossed over, and he isn’t trying to fight any of it.

He is limp in Sapnap’s hold, as if he was just readying himself to take it.

As if he was just accepting it.

And, in a second, Sapnap is transported back into the room, back when Dream was still around. Back with his anger, his jealousy, and his violence. He remembers simply accepting his fate. He remembers he and George submitting fully to their Sire, baring their throats, and letting Dream do as he pleased.

Because fledglings must obey.

He swallows thickly. He feels like he is back in the room. Only, he is watching from his Sire’s eyes, and Tommy, the child who is ready to accept death without a fight- Tommy is acting exactly like them.

He wants to cry.

He has to kill Tommy.

He has to kill the kid. Because this is the kid who killed their Sire. It is because of him that Sapnap hurts, and it is his fault if George doesn’t want to be awake anymore.

He has to kill him.

But…

He is just a kid.

His hand trembles around the dagger. His breathing comes a bit shallower.

Tommy took their Sire away from them, who condemned them to an eternity without the man who had turned them and provided for them.

He killed them in a way.

He blinks. Tommy took away the man who caused the tears of pain on George’s face. The man who fed on them. The man who caused them so much distress.

He freed them.

Sapnap lets go of Tommy and takes a few steps back. The dagger falls to the ground with a low thump.

Tommy blinks at him, clearly still terrified. He looks like he is still waiting for death to come claim him.

“Go,” Sapnap rasps, his voice hoarse. He feels like he is about to start crying.

“What?” The kid sounds disbelieving.

“Go!” he snaps. “Now!”

Tommy stares at him for a second before he scampers away and into the mansion.

Sapnap breathes heavily. He falls to his knees.

He feels lost. Completely lost. He had been striving for one thing, and one thing only: to kill Dream’s murderer and get revenge.

What does he have left now?

A hand falls on his shoulder and he jumps in surprise. It is warm and tender. Paternal, almost.

“Good.” This is the Spirit’s voice. Sapnap curls up onto himself and waits for a punishment that doesn’t come. Instead, he hears Sam’s gentle tone address the Nook. “Go back to him,” he says, “I know you’re worried.”

He hears a chitter and then the sound of little paws scurrying away. Sam’s warm hand remains on his shoulder. It squeezes lightly.

“You did good,” the Spirit states. “Let’s get you home, now, shall we? Your friends are worried about you.”

Sapnap blinks, and he is back in Ant’s apartment. Sam’s comforting hand does not leave.

He looks up and, before he can realize it, George is wrapping his arms around him, burying his face in his neck and trembling lightly against him. Sapnap remains immobile for a second, dumbfounded, before a small squeeze from Sam’s hand prompts him to respond. He slowly wraps his arms around his best friend.

“Hey Georgie,” he whispers. He feels like he could cry again. George shakes against him. “You’re up.”

“Yeah,” George murmurs, a bit muffled. “I’m up. And you’re so fucking stupid.” He sniffles. You’re back.”

Sapnap chuckles a little. He isn’t sure how much they know, but it is clear that the Spirit was aware of what he had been doing, what he had tried to do, and had shared some of it with them all. And yet, no one seems angry.

He moves to rest his chin on George’s shoulder. “I’m back,” he breathes.

He looks around, and he sees Ant and Velvet, standing in the kitchen and looking at him. He meets Ant’s worried and affectionate eyes. There is no anger in his gaze. No judgement. Simply relief.

“Welcome home.”

Chapter Text

Ant sits at the kitchen table and he stirs the cake ingredients in a bowl. George is sitting next to him, carefully weighing the butter and the flour, his eyes focused on the menial task.

Sapnap is dozing off on the couch, looking more relaxed and happier than he has in months. Ant notices the way George keeps looking back toward him, as if to check that his best friend is still there, still safe, but he doesn’t mention it.

Recovery is not easy. It doesn’t happen immediately, and neither Sam nor Bad can simply snap their fingers and take all of the hurt away. George and Sapnap still depend upon one another and there are still days when George looks incredibly sad and Sapnap’s voice is a bit too irritated.

There are still nights when they admit that they feel lost without their Sire.

Recovery is not easy, but they are on the right path.

After Sam had brought Sapnap home, looking dumbfounded and lost, they had all talked for a long time. Sapnap had spoken of the fear on Tommy’s face, the very same dread that he had felt for the decades he and George had spent serving Dream. George had trembled a little and he had discussed Phil’s visit and his slow realization that they had been hurt beyond comprehension. Ant had told them about losing them once decades ago, then a second time when he had learned of their fate. Velvet had just wrapped his arms around Ant’s shoulder and hummed an appeasing tune.

They had all felt wet around the eyes, but no one had truly cried. They had each other. They were safe. They were healing.

And then, there had been the visits. The amends.

It must have been something that the fledglings had spoken about together because, although George was the one to bring up the idea, Sapnap had nodded emphatically next to him. And Ant has grown way too attached to his friends – to his fledglings – so he had accepted.

And he’d come with them, of course.

* * *

The first visit is to Ponk and Purpled.

Ant scowls as George and Sapnap bow deeply – much, much deeper than they should, much deeper than Ponk’s position demands it. Their shoulders are extremely tense with stress, and he sees the way their eyes flicker around nervously, even as their gaze is fixated on the floor.

He doesn’t like seeing them so apologetic, so submissive, but he knows that this is a step they need to take.

“I’m sorry,” Sapnap says, his voice tight with emotion.

“You’re sorry?” Purpled repeats, blinking slowly and throwing an incredulous look toward his Sire. Ponk doesn’t say anything.

“I killed Punz,” Sapnap continues, “I’ve killed- I staked someone who used to be my friend, and I’m-” He clenches his eyes shut and Ant notices the way George’s hand discretely comes to meet Sapnap’s. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry doesn’t bring Punz back,” Purpled responds, his jaw clenched.

Ponk scrunches his nose at that. “Purpled,” he chides, “C’mon. Chill.”

Purpled lets out a long sigh and waves his hand a little. “Whatever. You don’t have to bow, or anything.”

His tone sounds a little gentler, and Ant smiles as George and Sapnap straighten up.

“We’re sorry,” George says again, “We caused your coven a lot of pain.”

Ponk hums a little. “Don’t worry about it,” he eventually says, offering them a smile, “I’ve talked to the Demon. I-” He nudges Purpled with his elbow. “We understand.”

Purpled looks to his Sire. “Are you sure, Ponk?” he murmurs.

“Yep!” Ponk pops the ‘p.’ “These guys are chill.” He smiles again. “Not chill enough for me to share my pastries with them, but they’re getting there.”

Purpled lets out a small laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Hey!” Ponk protests, laughter in his voice. “See how you like not having any pain au chocolat either!”

Ant relaxes as the Sire and the fledgling bicker, and he looks at George and Sapnap, noticing their incredulous expression. This is what they could have had, he thinks. A healthy relationship with their Sire.

He takes his time to leave. He wants them to see it clearly. He wants them to understand it all.

* * *

Their second visit is to Skeppy.

Well, technically, it is meant to be to Skeppy. Realistically, it is to Skeppy and Bad. The Demon looms over his best friend and, though he doesn’t look aggressive, he also seems reluctant to take his eyes off him.

It makes the entire situation a bit tenser, Ant thinks. Not only do they have to apologize to a man they helped hold captive, they also have to do so in the presence of their lord.

Bad doesn’t look angry, though. He watches them carefully, and there’s something that almost seems like compassion in his eyes.

“You look more awake,” he tells George. “I’m glad.”

“Phil visited me,” the fledgling tells him. “We talked.”

Bad hums thoughtfully. “Phil does know quite a lot about the Slumber,” he comments.

“I know a lot about trumpets,” Skeppy pipes in. He keeps his tone joyful, but Ant notices the way his hands are clenched around the armchairs. He isn’t happy to see the fledglings. He doesn’t seem reassured. In fact, he looks anywhere but directly at their faces.

“I- We can come back later…” Ant proposes hesitantly.

Skeppy shakes his head emphatically. “No. I can do this.” Bad’s black hand moves to his shoulder and squeezes gently. The man relaxes at the touch.

Skeppy’s blue eyes focus on the two fledglings and Ant holds his breath. “You were hurt,” he says, “By Dr- By him.”

George and Sapnap look at each other before giving a small nod, their expression grim.

“He hurt me too,” Skeppy continues. He swallows thickly. “Probably not for as long as he did you, but he-” He looks away and lets out a mirthless scoff. “He killed me.”

Ant notices the way Bad tenses at the word. The Leader of the Undead leans in so he can whisper in Skeppy’s ear. They hold a hushed conversation and Ant pretends not to be able to hear. Vampires have excellent hearing, but they also have tact.

When Skeppy looks back at them, his eyes are a bit wet.

“It wasn’t your fault,” he says, “I know why you came here.” He looks back at Bad and the demon gives him a nod. “You don’t have to apologize.”

Sapnap looks incredulous. “But-”

Skeppy shakes his head. “You obeyed him. Sapnap kept watch and George had to hold Tommy back while he drank from me, but you… You had to obey him.”

George swallows thickly and Ant almost wants to ask for the entire meeting to be called off. The fledglings do not look comfortable at all, and he wants to take them away from the hurt. But this is something they asked for. They wanted to have a chance to make amends.

“We want to apologize,” George says.

“You don’t have to.” Skeppy’s tone is definitive.

Sapnap lets out a mirthless laugh. “You’re scared of looking at us,” he points out.

Skeppy flinches. “That’s my own issue.” He looks at Bad, and then back at his arms, which are slowly getting more and more covered in purple stones. Of course, the diamonds are still the vast majority there, but the purple is more noticeable than it was at the Council meeting. “I seem to have a lot of those.”

Bad sighs. “Skeppy…” he begins.

“Regardless!” Skeppy interrupts. “I won’t hold you responsible for what your Sire did.” He tilts his head back toward the Demon. “Neither of us will.”

Ant relaxes almost imperceptibly. They had seen Skeppy, of course, when he came and stopped Purpled and Ponk from killing the fledglings, but it still feels good to have him actually say that he doesn’t resent them.

He sees the way George and Sapnap relax as well, and he smiles to himself.

They are slowly getting closure.

* * *

The third visit allows them to kill two birds with one stone. They visit both Tommy and Technoblade.

Ant pretends not to feel anxious as he remains in the back of the room and watches Technoblade’s entire coven sitting around their living room. Tommy is huddled to Wilbur, and there is another kid by his other side. Techno sits next to them, as tall and impressive as ever, and Phil has contented himself with the lone armchair, from which he observes the scene.

Ant notices the way George meets the blond man’s eyes and relaxes visibly. He will need to send Phil so many flowers.

The entire room is silent as they all wait for the oldest vampire to speak.

“So,” Techno drawls, “Dream. What a bastard, am I right?”

Wilbur lets out a tiny snicker and Phil sends his Sire a warning – but amused – glance. “Techno…” he sighs.

“I’m telling it like it is,” Techno protests, and Phil rolls his eyes.

“Mate. Tact. Subtlety. Empath-”

“Dream was a bastard.”

Phil interrupts himself and his head snaps toward Sapnap, who just spoke. Ant observes, eyes wide. George and Sapnap have been making progress, and they have been working toward acknowledging everything wrong that Dream has done to them, but they never were that blunt in their reflection.

Techno laughs a little. “Heh,” he says, “Maybe I was wrong about you two.”

George swallows thickly. “He… He wasn’t a good Sire.”

Techno tilts his head, and he looks mildly amused. “Understatement of the year,” he drawls.

They fall into silence, and Ant watches, breathless. The ball is in their camp. Wilbur looks the most upset, out of all of them, but pity shines, even in his eyes.

“We captured Tommy,” George says in a low voice.

“You did.” Wilbur crosses his arms. “You tried to take my brother away from me.”

“Will.” Phil’s tone is firm. “Dream made them do it.”

“They still did it!” Wilbur protests. “He almost died! He has nightmares because of what they did!”

“Will.” Phil doesn’t glare, per se, but he looks grim and serious. “You didn’t- You weren’t at the Council.” He stands up. “Come with me.”

Wilbur’s eyes flicker to Tommy, who is still huddled up to him. “But-”

“Wilbur.” Phil closes his eyes for a second. “Please.”

Wilbur lets out a long sigh and stands up, giving Tommy a gentle smile. “I’ll be right back,” he promises.

Tommy nods, and Phil and his fledgling leave the room.

There is another moment of silence. Ant exhales heavily, and he is about to speak when Sapnap looks up.

“I tried to kill you,” he says, and he stares directly at Tommy. The kid flinches. “I’m sorry.”

Tommy lets out a small chuckle that sounds a little hysterical. The other child nudges him gently.

“It’s okay,” he breathes. “Techno’s right here. I’m right here.”

It’s funny, the way he mentions that. As if a human child would be enough to protect Tommy from the wrath of a vampire. It seems that the kid believes it, though, because he grabs his friend’s hand and clenches desperately. He doesn’t say anything, and Sapnap sighs.

“I’m not expecting forgiveness,” he says, “I was… angry. Very angry. I thought- I thought that hurting you would make me hurt less.”

Ant almost wants to cry. Sapnap has grown so much, in just a few weeks, and he feels so incredibly proud of him.

“Surprisingly,” Techno comments in an almost bored tone, “Slaughtering people doesn’t exactly make you feel better.”

Sapnap lets out a small, mirthless laugh. “I realize that, now,” he says. There’s a small pause, before George speaks:

“And Dream didn’t deserve us avenging him.”

Techno hums agreeingly and he presses his chin in the palm of his hand.

“I’m sorry,” Sapnap says again, his eyes on Tommy. “We caused you…” He grimaced. “We caused you so much fucking pain.”

Tommy looks down. “He was… Dream wasn’t a good person,” he breathes.

“Are we having an understatement competition?” Techno asks, raising an eyebrow. That gets a laugh from the other child, and a chuckle from Ant. Tommy is still looking at Sapnap, his expression serious.

“He wasn’t,” Sapnap agrees.

“He… He was… possessive of me, wasn’t he?” he asks.

George lets out a small laugh. “He was,” he confirms, “He was… obsessed with you.” He looks in Techno’s direction. “And you.”

Techno growls a little. “Should have killed him when I had the chance,” he grunts, “Bad be damned.”

The other kid laughs a little. “He is the Demon, ” he quips, “Isn’t he damned already?”

“Hey,” Techno warns, but there is mirth in his eyes, “Don’t get smart with me, now, Tubbo.” His smile falls a little when he looks back at the two fledglings. “Is that why he took Tommy, then? ‘Cause he thought he had laid his claim?”

George nods wordlessly and Sapnap makes a grimace. “He… He resented your coven,” he says, “From the moment he woke up. Because you were…” He shrugs. “I don’t know. More successful?”

“Because I survived,” Techno growls, “Because I became better than he ever was.”

Sapnap bites his lip and nods. “And then, he said that you…” He gestures toward Tommy. “That you took him.”

Tommy hiccups and brings his knees to his chest. The other child – Tubbo? – is quick to come closer and try to get his friend’s attention and comfort him.

Ant watches breathlessly, especially when Techno stands up and walks around the couch to stand right behind Tommy. He leans in so he can be closer to the child.

“He’s gone,” he says, “He won’t ever touch you again, kid.” Tommy relaxes a little bit, but it doesn’t seem to be enough to satisfy the vampire. “Go see Will,” he says. His eyes meet Tubbo’s. “The both of you. Tubbo, make sure he doesn’t get lost.”

“Hey!” Tommy protests, but the enthusiasm seems to be faked. “I have a great sense of direction!”

Techno rolls his eyes. “Go.”

The kids leave the room, and Techno remains alone, staring at the two fledglings. Ant stays against the wall, but he watches more intently.

“You two aren’t my brothers,” Techno begins, “I want to make that very clear.” He gestures toward the door with his head. “I have all the family I need.” His eyes finally meet Ant’s, and he gives a small nod. “And so do you.”

“Yeah,” Sapnap says, “We weren’t really hoping for a brotherly reunion. Just to…” He sighs and looks away.

“We wanted to apologize,” George says, “For harming your coven.”

Techno huffs. “Apology heard,” he says. “I’ll let this go, because you both apparently realized that Dream was an absolute leech.” Ant stiffens a little at the term, but he doesn’t comment.

George and Sapnap relax a little. “Thank you,” George breathes.

“Yeah. Whatever.” Techno sighs. “We’re not going to have family dinners every weekend. Let’s just acknowledge that we all had the misfortune of being Sired by Dream. And let’s leave it at that.”

Ant smiles a little. That’s all they could hope for, he guesses. And, by the way twin smiles form on George and Sapnap’s lips, it is clear that they know it too.

Chapter Text

Their last visit is to the Spirit.

The stag watches them, his eyes shining with wisdom, and Ant falls to his knees in front of the being he has sworn to serve. In front of him, George and Sapnap do the same.

The creature takes a few more steps forward them before, in a blink, he shifts back into his human appearance.

“Young ones,” Sam says, and there is so much care in his voice, “I am glad to see you safe.” He smiles at Ant before his green eyes focus back on the fledglings. “You look well,” he continues, “You look better.”

Sapnap bites his lip a little before he gives a small nod. “We feel better,” he says. Ant sees the way he keeps his eyes on the Spirit but reaches blindly for George. They lean a little against each other.

Sam smiles. “I am glad,” he says again, “I am proud of you.” He smiles at the fledglings before looking back to Ant. “All of you.”

Ant inclines his head in acknowledgement, and his chest feels so warm at the praise.

“You’re doing well,” Sam continues, “You are on the path to recovery.”

“It’s not-” Ant stutters a little. “It’s not easy.”

Sam blinks slowly and he gives him a comforting smile. “It is not meant to be,” he replies calmly. “It is going to be much more challenging than even your training was.” The wind picks up a little in the Glade. “But you are doing well. And I shall help you however I can.” He smiles at George and Sapnap. “I know you well. I’ve kept you under my protection all this time.”

Ant sees the nervous expression on George’s face as he speaks up. “About that…” he begins. He doesn’t finish, looking back to Sapnap for support.

Sam presses his lips together in a tight smile. “I know,” he says. He looks a bit sad, almost defeated. “I know what you two want to say. I know that you aren’t coming back to the Order. I understand.”

Sapnap throws a worried gaze toward Ant, who just shakes his head. Sam will not hurt them.

Resignations aren’t exactly common, in the Order. Most Huntsmen enter the ranks and die in their service to the Spirit. He waits breathlessly.

“You’ve known far too much violence in a short life,” Sam continues, his tone gentle and compassionate. “All I can wish you is to heal and find peace.” He smiles at them and steps forward, until he is close enough to press his hands to their shoulders. He holds them like that, caringly, as if they hadn’t attempted to betray him for their Sire’s sake.

Sam is forgiving. He has always been. He has to, Ant thinks. He watches the humans destroy each other over and over again, and yet, his love for them never wavers.

“I am not retracting my protection,” Sam continues softly. “You two can feel free to come to me.” He smiles. “I know that you belong with the Underworld now, but you will always have a place with me.”

Sapnap looks like he is about to start crying. Sam’s hand moves up and caresses his cheek gently. “If you ever feel angry and lost again,” he breathes. He looks to George and squeezes his shoulder. “Or if you cannot find your purpose…” He smiles. “I’ll be there.”

George nods and he clenches his eyes shut. “Thank you…” he whispers.

The Spirit hums in an appeasing manner. “And who knows?” he says, and his eyes shine with mirth again, “Once you have healed and recovered, and once you have learned what it is to live in the Underworld, I’ll be happy to take you back if you so wish.”

Sapnap bows his head. “Thank you,” he murmurs, imitating his best friend.

Ant looks at the being and mouths the exact same words.

Sam smiles at them all. “Go home now,” he says, and his eyes find Ant. “Be with your friends. You’ve earned it.”

Ant feels like he could cry. He bows deeply, and Sam chuckles. There is a flash of light and, when Ant straightens up, they are back at the apartment.

* * *

They are healing, Ant thinks. Every visit served to mend a little piece of their soul that Dream had ripped to pieces during decades of abuse.

It is not going to be that easy, of course. There is still much progress to be done and, like the Spirit warned, many challenges to face.

But he thinks he can take it. His friends are back with him, and they are learning to be happy again, slowly but surely. And Ant is ready to do anything to support them through it all.

George nudges him gently and gestures to a bowl of flour. Ant nods at him and George starts pouring it into their bigger bowl as Ant continues stirring.

Sapnap mumbles a little on the couch, and George snickers.

“He’s always talked in his sleep.” Ant comments with an amused smile. “It was insufferable during Huntsman training.” George snickers and nods.

Ant hears him take a sharp exhale and he takes his focus away from the bowl and looks back to his friend. George is watching him with something indescribable in his eyes. He looks happy, Ant thinks.

“Hey Ant?” he calls. Ant hums softly, giving a nod. “Thank you.”

Ant feels a little wet around the eyes. “For you, George?” he says. He turns and looks to Sapnap, asleep on the couch, a blissful expression on his face. “For the two of you? Anything.”

* * *

“Cake?” Velvet asks as he enters the apartment and takes in the smell of the baked goods. “Again? What did I do to deserve such a thoughtful partner?”

He grins when Ant smiles at him, soft and content. “George pretty much made it himself,” he replies, “I just supervised.”

Velvet chuckles. “And Sapnap?”

Ant shrugs a little. “He took a nap,” he says, letting out a small laugh. “He helped in spirit.”

Velvet feels himself soften at the sight of the smile on his partner’s lips. Ant looks happier. Healthier. He had been worried for a while, right when George and Sapnap had reappeared and Ant had been convinced that their defection was his fault. But Ant is healing, the very same way the fledglings are. He smiles wider and laughs louder, and Velvet falls more in love every day.

“Where are they, now?” he asks, taking a few steps to join him in the kitchen and wrap his lover in his arms.

Ant smiles and melts into the embrace. “Just taking a walk,” he responds, “They’ll be back in time to have some cake with us.”

Velvet hums, and he swings them softly. This is so incredibly domestic, he thinks.

They never had a conventional coven, the two of them. They ignored the comments and the looks, and they made their life together. George and Sapnap are part of that life now, and Velvet couldn’t be happier about it. They make Ant happier, they make him happier, and they fit perfectly into their unconventional coven.

Velvet wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.