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Avid knew that Scott hadn't meant to turn him. He wouldn't be staring down at Avid the way he was if he had. Avid had only let Scott feed from him because Scott had threatened Drift if Avid wasn't easy prey for him. Without any weapon on him and knowing he was outmatched, Avid agreed.

He was sure that Scott was going to drain him dry when Scott hadn't stopped once Avid wasn't able to hold himself up. This was worse. Much worse. The last thing Avid wanted was to be a vampire, but with the way Scott was looking at him, he suspected the change wouldn't last long.

Avid knows that Scott is going to kill him now. Avid is an unwanted responsibility, no more use now that the blood flowing through him went cold. Avid had heard from his partner that newly turned vampires were vulnerable and almost completely reliant on the one who turned them. It would only make sense for Scott to get rid of him before he could become a burden.

Avid is sprawled out on the ground, his legs unable to keep him up, Scott leaning over him. Scott's claws graze Avid's neck and Avid is frozen, a weak involuntary whine escaping his lips. All the new and sudden instincts pounding in Avid's head want him to submit to the elder vampire pinning him down and plead for mercy from his Sire. He feels emotional like this, tears already sliding down his cheeks.

He wants to be brave, to glare and spit in Scott's face, but he can't. His body trembles as Scott looms over him, pinning him down to the forest floor like a bug. Avid doesn't want to die. Not like this. Not before he's avenged his partner.

Another pleading whimper leaves him and Avid can't stop. The sounds are scared and vulnerable and all Avid wants is to be held. He doesn't even understand his own feelings, the urges pressing in on him foreign.

He's terrified of Scott. Scott is going to kill him. He wants Scott to hold him.

Scott sighs and Avid flinches, shutting his eyes as one more pitiful noise fills the tense silence. The claws clenching the back of his neck tighten and Avid's body goes limp in Scott's hold. Avid tries to get his arms to defend himself as Scott lifts him up, but he can hardly move at all.

Scott presses Avid to his chest, standing slowly with him in his arms. “Owen is going to be so annoying about this.” he murmurs, the words just barely audible.

Avid wants to struggle, to push Scott away before he can hurt him, but all his misbehaving body does is cuddle up closer to Scott.

It feels like his head is full of cotton, but panic is still buzzing just underneath the surface. It's like he's not in control of himself at all. Avid can't make any sound escape his mouth, and he can't breathe. There's a barrier between Avid's thoughts and his body. He knows he should be fighting, but his body is completely unresponsive.

Avid is trapped in his own head, unable to move and unable to scream. He knows it's Scott's doing, but he doesn't know what it is that Scott has done to him.

“Go to sleep, Avid.” Scott's voice breaks through Avid's thoughts. “This will be easier if you're unconscious.”

Avid tries to keep his eyes open, but he can feel himself drifting under Scott's command.

Avid wonders in a daze if this is the last time he'll ever wake up.

He wishes he knew the answer.

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When Avid becomes aware again, the first thing he registers is the feel of soft things all around him. The second is that he feels cold, a bone-deep chill setting in. Avid peels his eyes open slowly, blinking at the dim light in the room. He's surrounded by blankets, though the cozy material does nothing to alleviate the freezing hollowness in his chest.

Avid shivers, pushing himself up into a sitting position with some effort. His brain feels fuzzy, and he has no idea where he is. That was a problem, and he knows he should be feeling more panicked than he is. Avid shivers again, startling himself as an odd whimpering noise leaves his mouth. He feels like he's missing something important, but Avid isn't sure what it is. His mind is too muddled to process what's happening, and though Avid knows subconsciously that he's in danger, his body isn't getting the memo.

The sound of a door opening catches Avid's frayed attention, and he tries to fight against the fog in his head. He hears someone sigh above him, though he hadn't heard any footsteps approach. Another whine leaves Avid's lips as the other person speaks, the voice easily recognizable.

“Of course you're an exception to this. You really have to make everything harder for me, don't you?”

Scott leans down, sitting next to him in the blanket pile, pulling him forward and laying him down again to rest his head on Scott's lap. Alarm bells ring inside Avid's head despite his body melting into Scott's embrace.

Memories from earlier return, and the fog has lessened around Avid's brain. He can think now that it doesn't feel like he's underwater, but his body still fights him as he forces it to push him away from Scott. It's a vain effort, because as soon as Avid so much as twitches, Scott's hand pushes him down. A scared, frustrated noise leaves him but it's quickly shushed by Scott.

Scott runs his hand up and down Avid's back in circles. “Quiet, Avid. I'm not going to hurt you. You're safe.”

Avid doesn't believe that for a second, but the tension in his body loosens without his consent. He knows Scott is lying, but he still can't do anything other than squirm in Scott's hold.

Scott sighs again. “Quit that. Even as a fledgling, you aren’t easy to deal with.”

The words are mumbled, but Avid hears them anyway. Frustrated tears burn in Avid's eyes and he doesn't have enough control of himself to stop them from falling. More whimpers escape from Avid's lips and he wants the ground to swallow him up. He feels pathetic and scared, and something in him is screaming that he's supposed to be safe, but Avid knows that isn't true.

He can't be safe when Scott is near him, and yet, the emptiness in his chest disappeared as soon as Scott pulled him close. It was confusing, and Avid was too overwhelmed to parse through it all. It only makes him cry harder.

Scott's fingers brush away the tears running down his cheeks, and Avid leans into Scott's hand with another whine.

Scott continues massaging circles into Avid's back, his voice quiet and exasperated. “Fledglings are supposed to sleep for the first twenty-four hours, but not you. Of course, you're awake and having a meltdown.”

Avid wants to yell at him, but all that leaves his mouth is more stupid whimpers. Scott had turned him without his consent, even if it was an accident. Avid hadn't asked for any of this, but he's still stuck dealing with it. Scott hadn't killed him yet, but it was only a matter of time until the older vampire decides that Avid is too much to deal with.

Elle would be so disappointed in him.

It's that thought that breaks the floodgates, hiccuping sobs shaking Avid's frame.

Scott shushes him gently, more gently than Avid expected Scott could be, and runs his fingers through Avid's hair. “So dramatic,” he mutters. “You really are going to be more trouble than you're worth.”

Avid sniffles, a sad little sound leaving his mouth. Scott pets his hair, tucking it behind his ear. “You're fine, my dear. I'm here.”

That was the issue, but Avid can't communicate that. The fog is settling back in, his mind getting more and more distant the longer Scott sits with him.

The last thing Avid hears before drifting off again is Scott's voice telling him to rest.

It's all Avid can do to listen to him.

Chapter Text

Avid is starving.

His mouth hurts, and his teeth feel sensitive and uncomfortable in his mouth. His stomach is empty and aching, like a swirling void in his gut. Avid whines quietly, the sound weak and hoarse. He's so hungry it hurts. He can't focus on anything other than the hollow feeling in his stomach.

Someone hums above him, and Avid's brain instantly calms. His Sire is here, propping his body up against their chest effortlessly. Avid whines again, trying to communicate that he's starving.

Avid startles as something soft and wet is pressed against his mouth, his eyes widening at the taste of something sweet and metallic hitting his tongue. Avid's teeth sink into the softness, a pleased noise leaving him as he drinks. Soon, the terrible hollowness inside his stomach lessens, the delicious liquid filling his belly. Avid whines when the liquid is pulled away from his mouth.

A quiet voice murmurs in his ear, causing a shiver to run through him, a confused whimper leaving his lips. “I know. I'm so mean, taking away your meal.” Gentle fingers run through his hair, and Avid leans into the contact. “You'll get more later.”

Avid nods slowly, curling up into the strong arms of his Sire. He's not quite processing the words, but they sound nice.

A hand rests on the back of his neck, the pressure of it making Avid's body loosen. He presses his face against his Sire's shoulder, an unfamiliar purring sound building up in his throat.

His Sire coos at him. “I wish you would stay this sweet when you're awake, my dear. It would make this process so much easier for me.” Avid's Sire sighs, taking their hand away from his neck. “We'll just have to wait for you to mellow out, hm?”

Avid whines again at the loss of pressure, tears pricking at his eyes. Why would his Sire take away their hand? Do they hate him? Did Avid do something wrong?

“You really are so sensitive like this. It's almost cute.” The hand returns to his neck and Avid relaxes, the purring starting up again in his throat. "Maybe this won't be so terrible after all."

Avid hums softly. He's being silly. Of course his Sire doesn't hate him.

Avid snuggles closer to his Sire's chest, his eyes heavy. Something in the back of Avid's mind is yelling at him that something is wrong, but it's hard to figure out what it means when he's so tired.

“Go to sleep, fledgling. We'll talk when you're aware again.”

Avid nods again slowly, his hand lifting up to hold onto his Sire's cloak. If his Sire is telling him to sleep, then it must be okay.

Avid slips into unconsciousness, curling up on his Sire's lap.

It feels safe.

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Avid wakes up in a daze, his senses cloudy. He curls up further against the comfortable pillow he's laying on, only realizes that something isn't right when he hears a familiar voice speaking to him.

“Are you awake now?” Scott asks, his fingers tracing lines along Avid's back. Avid's eyes dart open, widening as he realizes that he's cuddled up to Scott's chest. Scott looks amused at Avid's wide-eyed look, his red eyes gleaming with mirth. “Took you long enough.”

Avid scrambles backwards, but is unable to get far as Scott's hand wraps around his ankle, pulling him back easily. Avid whimpers fearfully as Scott readjusts him in his arms, flinching when Scott smiles down at him, fangs on display.

Scott tilts Avid's chin up so that their eyes meet. Avid swallows at the feeling of Scott's claws so close to his vulnerable throat, thinking about how easy it would be for the elder vampire to slit him open. He's trapped in Scott's arms and completely defenseless.

His brain is scattered, one part of him wanting nothing more than to curl up against Scott and let himself be held, the other wanting to run and hide until it's safe. And no matter what the stupid voice in the back of his mind says, he isn't safe. Safe would be being as far away from Scott as possible. Safe would be back in the town with Drift.

The thought of Drift makes his chest ache. Scott turned him. He's a monster now. He can never go back to the town as he is.

Scott brings him out of his thoughts by sighing dramatically. “You really were so much sweeter when you were in your instincts. Now you're looking at me like you're halfway to your second death.”

Avid glares weakly at Scott, but the look falls flat with how much he's trembling. He tries to struggle in Scott's hold, but freezes when Scott's claws lower to his jugular. A high, terrified whine escapes him, his eyes squeezing shut. This was it. He annoyed Scott and now Scott was going to kill him for it.

Avid flinches when something rumbles under him, a low sound filling the room. It takes a moment for Avid to process that Scott is purring at him. The sound makes Avid's head go all fuzzy and the tension drains out of his body without his permission. Avid shakes his head, trying to push away the sense of artificial calm that's come over him.

He presses his hands over his ears. “Stop it!”

The sound breaks off abruptly and all the overwhelming emotions he was feeling come rushing back in.

Scott gazes down at him disapprovingly. The look makes him feel like he's being scolded. “Don't be difficult, Avid. You're lucky I'm here with you. I don't have to stay in the nest with you at all.”

Avid frowns hard, his eyebrows furrowing. He squirms in Scott's arms. “Then leave! I don't want you here.”

Scott's eyes narrow before he pushes Avid off of his lap and stands. As soon as Scott pushes him away, a cold miserable ache forms in Avid's chest. It feels suddenly like his whole body is buzzing with panic, though this is what he wanted.

“If you're going to be ungrateful for my generosity, I'll go give it to a more receptive fledgling.”

Avid's eyes water and before he can stop himself, another pathetic pleading whimper leaves his lips. The loudest part of his brain is insisting that he's being abandoned, despite the fact that Avid told Scott to leave. It's incredibly overstimulating. All Avid wants is for Scott to be away from him, but on a desperate level he feels that he'll die if Scott actually goes away.

He tries to tell himself that he'll die if Scott stays, but it doesn't stick. The new, insistent part of him is pounding in his mind that Scott is safety.

Scott raises an eyebrow at him, crossing his arms. “You're the one that told me to leave. You don't get to act all sad now.”

A sob escapes from Avid's mouth. He's so overwhelmed with everything. He doesn't want to be sad and afraid that Scott's leaving him. It isn't fair.

Scott huffs out an exaggerated breath before walking back over to Avid and sitting down. Avid can't control the way his body instinctively crawls over to Scott, allowing himself to be held again. Scott wipes the tears from Avid's face. “You're so temperamental right now. You just can't decide what you want.” Scott tucks Avid's hair behind his ear. “Your instincts are all messed up, huh?”

Avid blinks up at him, confused by Scott's forgiving behavior. He had expected Scott's annoyance to turn to violence, but Scott was being oddly gentle with him.

Scott always seemed to find pleasure in his suffering before, so Avid thought it was clear the elder vampire disliked him. Scott's behavior now was only making everything that much more jumbled in his head.

This wasn't fair at all.

Chapter Text

Scott continues holding him until his tears dry, his hand tracing shapes along Avid's back. “Are you done with the waterworks now?”

Scott's tone isn't unkind, but his words still make Avid wince. He hadn't meant to break down in tears. Avid had always been an emotional person, but never has he felt so utterly consumed by his feelings. He is tired again now, as if all the energy has been sapped out of him.

Scott lifts Avid's chin up, his expression unreadable. “We do need to talk now that you aren't throwing a fit.”

Avid hides his face against Scott's chest, ashamed of his emotional outburst. He's still scared and he doesn't trust Scott at all, despite what his new instincts keep telling him. But Avid also knows that right now, he needs Scott to care for him. He may have worked with Elle to hunt monsters, but he wasn't nearly knowledgeable enough to fend for himself as a vampire.

He wouldn't be able to fight Scott off like this anyway. Especially now that he knows Scott can voluntarily make his brain go to mush with comforting sounds. Not to mention the hand on his neck thing that makes his whole body go limp, like a scruffed kitten. Avid would be useless in a fight against that.

“Avid.”

Avid startles a little as he's brought out of his thoughts by the sound of his name. “...Yes?”

Scott pulls away from him slightly, an action that makes the new part of him whine. Scott huffs out an amused sound at his distress, resting his hand on Avid's head. “I'm not leaving. I'm just moving so we can face each other.”

Embarrassment coils in Avid's gut, ashamed again by his body's new involuntary reactions.

Scott settles opposite him, looking down at Avid with a tilt of his head. Avid fidgets under Scott's gaze, nervous beneath such an intense stare. At least every part of him could agree that the tense silence was uncomfortable.

“I suppose I'll start then,” Scott says, breaking the silence. “You're a vampire now.”

Avid scowls. “Was that not already clear?”

Scott's eyes narrow at Avid's sass, the look sending a chill down Avid's spine. Avid ducks his head, averting his eyes away from the icy glare. “S-Sorry.”

Scott hums flatly. “Don't speak to me that way. I tolerated that kind of disrespect when you were human, but I won't take it from my own fledgling.”

Avid slowly lifts his head, his fingers pulling at a loose thread on his vest. “Fledgling?”

Scott's expression relaxes into something less intimidating. “Yes. I turned you. That makes you mine.”

Avid frowns at the wording, but after already receiving a scolding, he doesn't want to push his luck. Not when he still doesn't know how this is going to end for him. “What does that mean for me?”

“Elaborate.”

Avid swallows dryly. “I mean… Are you going to kill me?”

Scott raises an eyebrow at him, a curious look on his face. It does nothing to make Avid feel any better. “Why would you think that?”

“You said you don't like work.” Avid doesn't meet Scott's eyes, his nerves heightening at the question. He didn't want to give Scott more reasons to want to kill him.

“...I'm a responsibility. And… And you didn't even mean to turn me.”

Scott leans his head against his hand, shaking his head in a condescending manner, as if Avid were being silly. It makes him bristle. “So that's what you've been so worked up about.”

Scott leans forward, guiding Avid to rest against his side. “I'm not going to kill you, Avid. That would be counterproductive.”

Avid leans into Scott easily despite how much he wishes he were anywhere else. “You hate me.”

Scott scoffs. “Hate you? No. You're much too entertaining for me to hate. Besides, you can be useful to me.”

Avid glances up at Scott, uncertainty creeping in. “Useful…?”

Scott smirks. “Of course. You're more than just a cute face, aren't you?”

Avid squeaks at the unexpected compliment. He's sure that if he had warmth still flowing though him he would be bright red. “Cute?”

Scott turns Avid's face towards his, cupping his cheek. Avid shivers at the proximity. “You're smart too. I'm sure you'll be a quick learner.”

Avid blinks at Scott, his eyes wide. The new part of him preens at the praise. “You think so…?”

Scott smiles kindly.

“Of course, my dear.”

Chapter Text

Avid was hungry, but he didn’t know how to broach the topic with Scott. He was still held against Scott's side, but they had both descended into silence a while ago. Avid didn't want to be the one who broke it.

He was still wary despite Scott's nice words. Avid knew already that Scott was charming. He also knew that Scott was a practiced liar. It was hard to remember that when all the new part of him wanted to do was accept and obey any word that came from Scott's mouth. It was disorienting, to have so little control of himself when in Scott's presence. It was dangerous.

Scott was dangerous, even if he was choosing to take care of him. Scott had said it himself before. Avid was his now. It was possessive, and while that sort of response from Scott pleased the voice in the back of his mind, it terrified Avid.

It left so much more room for him to mess things up and end up hurt. He had no way of knowing at the moment how far that possessive behavior would stretch. Would Avid ever have control of his life again?

All it took was for Scott to make him as compliant as can be was a hand pressing to the back of his neck. Avid couldn't even trust himself anymore. Not when half of him wants to cling and give in to whatever Scott wants.

“You're shaking, Avid.” Scott remarks softly, looking over his face closely. “Are you hungry?”

Avid swallows dryly. His stomach is cramping and it feels black hole in his gut. He is so hungry it hurts. He doesn't tell Scott this, turning his head away from the elder vampire.

He can hear more than see Scott's displeasure at his refusal to answer him. “Are you going to be difficult about this as well?”

Scott sighs dramatically at his continued silence. “So stubborn. Are you really going to make me force feed you? That won't be fun for either of us.”

Avid glances back at Scott, even more on edge when he sees that the elder vampire is serious. Avid is quick to shake his head, unwilling to let the fear that thought brings fester in his mind.

Scott hums flatly, forcing Avid to face him again and bringing his arm up to Avid's mouth. “If you don't want to be force fed, you're going to eat willingly like a good fledgling should.”

Avid's eyes dilate as Scott slices a small cut along his forearm. He wants to pull away, to refuse, but it's impossible to tear his eyes away from the dark blood dripping down. He swallows hard, trying to resist the urge to bite down. Scott looks unimpressed with his refusal, his eyes narrowing.

“Drink or I will make you, Avid. This isn't a choice.”

Avid whines quietly, but he knows that there isn't any other option. Being stubborn about this will only make Scott angry and Avid doesn't want Scott to force him. He's sure that that wouldn't be a pleasant experience.

Avid opens his mouth, slowly sinking his fangs into the bleeding spot on Scott's arm. As soon as the blood hits his tongue, Avid purrs happily. It's hard to think when delicious sustenance is filling his mouth. Scott lets him drink for a minute or so before pulling away.

A weak involuntary hiss escapes Avid as the food is taken away from him, but he's quickly startled back into awareness and fear as Scott bares his fangs at him. Avid lets out a scared whimper, shrinking into himself, flinching when Scott tilts his head up. Scott stares into Avid's eyes with a stern glare.

“We aren’t doing that. You don't get to be territorial over food with me.”

Avid whines again, and even his instincts agree this time that he has a reason to be afraid. “I-I didn't mean it.”

Scott's glare dims. “You should know better than to hiss at me, my dear. You'll learn quickly why challenging me isn't a good idea.”

Avid's eyes widen fearfully. “I wasn't trying to challenge you, I promise!”

Scott sighs again, ignoring his flinch as he brushes his fingers along Avid's jaw. “Back when I was a fledgling, no one would dare go against their Sire, unless they had a death wish. You're lucky I'm letting it go this time because you aren't in control of your instincts.”

Avid nods quickly. He hadn't even meant to hiss at Scott, but it was clear that it was something he was going to have to figure out how to control. He only hopes he can learn to stop before Scott decides he isn't feeling so forgiving.

“On another note,” Scott starts. “I have things that need doing, so I'm having someone watch you while I'm gone. I don't trust you not to do something stupid.”

Avid feels panic bubble up inside him at the notion of Scott leaving, but he pushes it down. “Who–?”

It's then the door opens, Avid jumping at the sound.

Avid turns, shrinking into Scott's arms as soon as he sees the figure in the doorway.

Owen.

Chapter Text

Avid hides his face behind Scott's shoulder, his hands clenched in Scott's cloak with a white-knuckled grip. Scott wasn't seriously going to leave him alone with Owen, was he?

Owen glares down at Avid's quivering form in annoyance. Scott turns to face him, rendering Avid's hiding spot useless. “Owen.” Scott greets mildly. “Don't glare at my fledgling.”

Owen huffs, walking further into the room before pausing at the edge of the blanket pile. Owen looks uncomfortable for all of a second before his expression shifts into a sullen frown. He looks down at Scott in question, seeming now to be ignoring Avid's presence entirely.

Scott nods at Owen, smiling pleasantly. “Go ahead.”

Owen scowls, but does take a seat in the far corner of the blanket pile. Avid watches Owen cautiously, all of his senses heightened with alarm. The voice in the back of his mind was screaming danger, and Avid was inclined to listen to it this time. Owen was dangerous and violent, and he hated Avid with a passion. It wasn't a good mix, especially not when Avid was so vulnerable already.

Scott runs his hand through Avid's hair, playing absently with the mousy brown strands. The action comforts him, and for the first time since he woke up, all Avid wants is for Scott to stay. Scott might be merciful to Avid because of him being his fledgling, but Owen had no such obligations. If Scott left him, Owen wouldn't have to hold back.

Owen's scowl deepens as he looks down at Avid. “Your fledgling is staring at me like I'm going to eat him.”

Scott chuckles, though Avid doesn't find anything funny about the statement. “Can you blame him? You haven't been the most friendly.”

Owen scoffs. “You can't talk.”

Scott presses a hand to his chest, an arrogant smirk on his lips. “I'm plenty friendly. It's not my fault that people take things I say the wrong way.”

“Sure.” Owen drawls, looking done with the conversation already.

“Moving on from that," Scott continues, waving a flippant hand. “You already know what you're doing, so I guess I'll head out now.”

Scott stands, and Avid tries to muffle the whine that leaves him, but Scott notices. “Aw. Don't fret, my dear. I won't be too long.”

Scott stops at the door, glancing back at Owen. “Owen?”

Owen looks up at Scott with a frown. “What?”

Scott's demeanor darkens, his tone possessive despite the smile still on his face. “If you hurt my fledgling, it will be the last thing you do.”

Owen averts his eyes, fidgeting with the bandages around his hands. “I know. I'm not stupid, Scott.”

“Good.” Scott brightens before turning to Avid. “I'll be back soon, my dear.”

Avid flinches as the door closes behind Scott, the noise sounding like a death sentence. Avid pulls one of the blankets in the pile around his shoulders, watching Owen nervously.

Owen stares right back at him, though he looks like he would rather be anywhere else. That makes two of them, Avid thinks. The last place he wants to be is trapped with a vengeful vampire who hates his guts.

The silence weighs heavily around them, and Avid is just waiting for it to break apart. Owen might have said to Scott that he wouldn’t hurt him, but Avid doesn't trust that for a minute. Avid would be stupid to take Owen at his word.

Avid shivers, the miserable ache in his chest returning. He misses Scott already.

The thought makes him sniffle, the ache worsening.

“Are you crying?” Owen asks, sounding both incredulous and annoyed.

Avid shrinks into the blanket he's hiding under, wiping the wetness from his eyes. “...No.”

Owen stares at him blankly which only serves to make Avid more upset. As much as he hates it, Avid wants Scott to come back. Being alone with Owen when he's all emotional and vulnerable is making everything worse.

He sniffles again, trying to muffle the sounds into the blanket. Owen looks increasingly uncomfortable the longer Avid cries, wincing when a whimper escapes Avid's mouth.

Owen shifts forward, making Avid flinch hard, more tears falling down his cheeks. A fearful whine starts to leave his mouth, but it's cut off when a blanket is thrown over his head.

Avid blinks, slowly pulling the blanket down to peer at Owen in confusion. Owen, who looks completely out of his element.

“Stop that.” The words come out harsh, but Owen looks more uncomfortable than angry. “If he comes back to you bawling your eyes out he's going to blame me.”

Avid stares at Owen. “...Did you just throw a blanket over my head to stop me from crying?”

Owen shifts backwards, discomfort radiating from him. A snort escapes Avid, before he's full on laughing.

Owen looks at him, his brows furrowing. “Don't make fun of me.”

Avid shakes his head, not having meant to laugh so hard. It was just ridiculous. Owen was so stone-faced and intimidating, but he panicked over the first sight of tears.

Avid still flinches when Owen moves forward, fear racing back in as Owen sits closer to him. He knows that Owen senses his fear because his frown deepens. “Stop it with all that. I'm not going to hurt you.”

Avid pulls the blanket further around himself. “I don't believe you.”

Owen rolls his eyes. “I may not like you, Avid, but I'm not an idiot. Scott will take it out on me if something happens to you. I'm not stupid enough to take on an elder vampire.”

Avid presses his face against his knees, letting the conversation drop. The silence is awkward, and Avid is still scared, but it isn't the worst ever.

He still wants Scott to come back as soon as possible, but maybe sitting with Owen isn't the end of the world.

Chapter Text

An unknown amount of time passes and Avid is starting to get restless. Owen keeps glancing over at him whenever he shifts in place, trying and failing to get comfortable. Avid can tell that it's annoying the older vampire, but he can't stop. Avid had never been good at staying still in the first place, and with the added layer of discomfort and general misery that he's feeling without Scott present, it makes it all the harder.

Avid curls up on the blankets before shifting back. He's about to move again when Owen grabs his arm. Avid flinches at the movement, shrinking under Owen's glare. “You're getting on my nerves, Avid.”

Owen allows Avid to pull his arm back, which Avid holds close to his chest. Avid buries himself under the blanket around his shoulders, forcing himself to stay still even as his body begs for him to move. Angering Owen is about as good of an idea as angering Scott would be, so Avid pushes the discomfort he's feeling down.

Luckily, Avid doesn't have to wait much longer, because the door opens. Scott steps into the room, and Avid scrambles up to meet him at the edge of the blanket pile. It's embarrassing, but when Scott smiles down at him and sits in the nest, pulling Avid into his arms, it's hard to care. Avid knows he should be more cautious, but Scott had made Owen promise not to hurt him earlier and that protection felt like shield to Owen's irritation.

Avid knew that it didn't really mean anything. That it could change quickly if Scott got annoyed enough with him. But his mind insists that Scott will protect him regardless, and when he's already overwhelmed and on edge from spending so much time with Owen, Avid clings to the reassurance.

Owen speaks up behind him. “See? Your fledgling is still in one piece.”

Scott hums, petting Avid's hair and cooing softly. “Good. You did well, Owen.”

Avid glances back, catching Owen nodding his head, looking uncomfortable again as he watches Avid cling to Scott. He stands, retreating to the door quickly. “I'm going to leave now. You can handle your fledgling on your own.”

Scott doesn't respond, continuing to hold Avid close. It's more comforting than it has any right to be and Avid can't stop himself from purring as he cuddles into Scott's arms.

“You're back in your instincts, aren't you? I guess I was gone a little too long.” Scott says, though he doesn't look the least bit surprised.

Avid can only focus on the way the terrible ache in his chest leaves when Scott holds him. It's a relief that loosens Avid's tense posture.

“You're so sweet like this, my dear. I wish I could keep you like this forever. You're so much more tolerable when you act like a proper fledgling should.”

Avid tunes out the words, focusing his attention on the affection his Sire is giving him. Why was Avid so afraid again? He didn't need to be, not when his Sire was looking after him so kindly.

“Get some more rest, my dear. You'll be more yourself again when you wake up.”

Avid nods sleepily, slipping into unconsciousness almost as soon as his Sire stops speaking.

As Avid falls asleep, nightmares creep close behind.

Chapter Text

Avid is running, his legs trembling under him as he sprints through the dead forest. He can't hear anything apart from the wind in his ears and the pounding of his own footsteps. Avid can't see him, but he can still sense that he's being followed. He can see the shadows shifting unnaturally around the decaying trees, and Avid knows that Scott is watching him.

Avid feels panic bubble up as the shapes in dark morph. He can hear now the intentional crunching of leaves behind him, but for all Avid tries, he can't turn around. His feet are glued in place. It feels like everything apart from the slowly approaching sound of steps is in slow motion.

Avid can't even move his body enough to muster a flinch when a cold pale hand lands on his shoulder, the fingernails sharp as knifes.

“Avid, my dear. Did you really think you could get away from me?”

Avid hands clench by his sides and it's all the response he can manage. He swallows thickly, his throat bobbing with the motion.

“Do you remember what I said, Avid?”

Scott's claws caress the side of his neck, tracing the veins. Avid shudders.

“You're mine now.”

Avid can barely manage a croak, tears escaping down his cheeks, before those claws slice into his neck, dark blood flowing down the wounds and staining his clothes.

“You don't get to escape.”

It's the last thing he hears before it all goes black.

Avid startles awake, his hand darting up instinctively to his throat, coming back dry and intact. Panic buzzes under his skin, but his heart and lungs stay still and stagnate in his chest. Avid shivers, his eyes darting around the room as he realizes he's alone.

The lingering images from his nightmare flash in his mind, taunting him with the violence Avid knows Scott is capable of. Avid whimpers at the phantom sensation of claws digging into his neck, shaking his head hard to clear the feeling.

Scott's absence after such a graphic dream should be comforting, but as Avid is learning, nothing about his new instincts is logical. He wants Scott there to protect him as much as he never wants to see Scott again. It's conflicting and confusing, and Avid thinks he almost would have rathered Scott had just killed him so he didn't have to deal with this overwhelming situation.

The door opening makes Avid want to hide as much as it makes him want to dart up and meet Scott where he is. The scent of blood fills his nose as Scott enters the blanket pile and Avid can't decide whether to cry or reach out for the bottle in Scott's hands.

“Good evening, Avid.”

Avid trembles at the sight of Scott's face, the snapshots of sharp claws burned into the backs of his eyelids when he closes his eyes. “...Good evening.”

Scott leans down beside him, tilting his head as Avid shifts away from him. “What's wrong, my dear?”

Avid swallows dryly, his hands occupied with a loose string on the blanket covering his legs. He should lie, but when Avid meets Scott's eyes and patient smile, the words come spilling out. “I had a nightmare.”

Scott hums knowingly. “Was it about me?”

Avid averts his eyes, though he knows that the action is an answer in and of itself. Scott takes Avid's hand into his own, ignoring Avid's flinch as Scott runs his thumb over Avid's knuckles. “You don't have to share if you don't want to, my dear, but remember that your dreams don't reflect on reality.”

Avid knows that Scott is right about dreams not having an impact on reality, but Avid's fear is still very real. Avid has no way of escaping Scott, not with his new instincts holding him under Scott's thumb. Avid knows that Scott wouldn't let him leave anyway. If Avid tried, he's sure there would be severe consequences to suffer though.

Avid makes himself meet Scott's eyes again. “I know.”

Scott guides Avid to lean back against him, wrapping his arm around his waist. “I won't hurt you, Avid. Have I done anything to make you think I would while you've been here?”

Avid slowly leans his head against Scott's shoulder. “You haven't.” Avid admits.

“You have nothing to fear. It hurts me that you would doubt that.”

Avid's lowers his eyes, an unexpected wave of guilt festering inside him. Was it ungrateful of him to be scared? Scott terrified him, but he also hadn't actually done anything since Avid was turned. He had been remarkably kind, if anything. Was it unfair of him to have doubts?

“I'm sorry.”

Scott smiles at him, petting his hair. “I know you are, my dear. I forgive you.”

Scott lifts his hand not currently holding Avid then, bringing the bottle Avid had spotted earlier into view. How Avid had gotten distracted when that heavenly smell was wafting through the room, he didn't know. “I know you're going though a lot, Avid. I also know that you're probably pretty hungry by now.”

Avid swallows hard, hesitant despite his hunger. “What is it?”

Scott offers him the bottle, which Avid takes into shaky hands. “It's cow blood. You've been drinking from me for the past few days, but it's better to get you used to other types early on.”

Avid glances at Scott, encouraged by the easy smile on his face. He brings the bottle to his lips, sipping slowly at first before swallowing down the contents in big gulps. It's refreshing, and Avid feels significantly better than he did.

Scott tuts at him, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiping gently around Avid's mouth. “Messy eater. We'll have to break that habit.”

Avid nods sheepishly, embarrassment at his own eagerness creeping in. “Sorry.”

Scott lets out an amused huff. “It's fine, my dear. You'll learn quickly, I'm sure.”

Avid nods again, leaning back against Scott. “Thank you.”

Scott's smile widens.

“You're welcome, Avid.”