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Lilia, who didn’t have club practice today, watched happily as Silver and Sebek rode together. They practiced riding their horses in perfect synchrony, the same way they would need to do when they were official guards of Malleus.
And despite how frequently they bickered like children, they worked really well together. When Silver turned his horse to the left even slightly, so did Sebek. Sebek sped his horse up a little bit, so did Silver. They remained perfectly in sync. The sight made a smile cross Lilia’s face.
The peaceful sight was interrupted by a sharp whistle cutting through the air, startling both horses. They both reared up, Sebek managed to keep a strong enough grip on the reigns to stay in the saddle, But Silver’s grip slipped, and he fell to the ground.
Silver tried to catch himself, and he did, but one of his wrists made a sickening ‘pop’ sound.
A pained cry escaped Silver’s lips as he held his now dislocated wrist.
Sebek quickly dismounted and kneeled beside his injured friend. “Silver?!” Sebek asked as he cradled Silver gently.
Lilia quickly hopped over the fence and rushed to Silver, only to freeze as the scent of blood caught his nose. Silver’s blood.
Lilia’s pupils narrowed into slits as his eyes caught sight of Silver’s hand. Small scrapes littered the young human’s palm, blood slowly accumulating on his palm.
Riddle rushed over to the two, holding a medical kit and carefully examining Silver’s hand and wrist.
Lilia slowly backed away from them, hiding behind a tree and leaning on it. He reached up and covered his mouth with his hand, feeling drool pooling in his mouth.
Great sevens
Silver’s blood smelled divine.
Did Silver’s blood always smell so good?
Lilia knew that the more pure of heart someone was, the better their blood smelled and tasted. But Lilia had never fathomed that Silver was that pure of heart. His blood smelled better than anything Lilia had ever had in his seven hundred years of life.
Lilia felt a wave of hunger, so intense it made his legs tremble, and his stomach feel painfully empty.
Then he felt a wave overwhelming guilt. One that made him want to crawl into a hole and die.
How could he be thinking something like this about his son?
The same boy that he had promised himself that he would never hurt, no matter the situation.
Lilia knew of his instincts as a vampiric fae. He didn’t necessarily need blood, it was more of a good treat every now and then than an actual necessity for him to survive. Though if needed he could survive off of it. But even so, sometimes his instincts went haywire when it came to blood, especially when he hadn’t had in a long time.
And he hasn’t any blood since he took Silver in.
Lilia had promised himself that he’d be better about feeding on the living when he’d chosen to adopt Silver. How could he even think about going back on that now? And why? Just because Silver’s blood smelled better than anyone else’s blood that Lilia had ever encountered?
Sevens Lilia felt like the savage monster he was back during the human-fae war, drinking some of his opponents dry for a meal.
Lilia forced himself to breathe steadily. Only to immediately regret it when he caught another whiff of Silver’s blood again.
Lilia nearly toppled over from the scent.
Lilia couldn’t help but look back over to where Silver, Sebek, and Riddle were. Riddle was carefully bandaging Silver’s hand and wrist after setting it back into place.
Would it really be so bad to take just a little bit of blood?
Lilia immediately shook the thought off. He couldn’t do that, not to his son. his son was too precious.
What made it worse was that Lilia knew if he were to ask, Silver would most likely let Lilia feed on him. Knowledge that only made Lilia’s guilt worse.
He’d raised his son to be kind to everyone. Though he didn’t even really need to teach that to Silver, it came naturally to the boy.
Silver saw the good in everyone and everything. He was kind to everyone, no matter the circumstances. Lilia saw how Silver helped others at NRC day in and day out, even when he was busy.
Lilia knew that if he so much as uttered the question or let it show that he thought Silver’s blood smelled good, Silver would likely flat out offer it to him. Because that was just the kind of person Silver was.
Lilia needed to stay away.
At least until Silver’s hand was no longer hurt, that way the scent of blood would be gone.
Lilia had never purposely avoided Silver before, but how hard could it be?
~*-------------------------------*~
Okay, so as it turns out, very hard.
For the past week Lilia had been trying to avoid Silver as much as possible. However, that proved to be difficult as the two usually did quite a lot together.
They usually guarded Malleus together, a duty that Lilia had to avoid under the guise of being busy with schoolwork. He knew Malleus hadn’t bought the blatant excuse, but Silver had. Of course he had, Silver trusted his father with everything. So Silver had wished him good luck and accepted that he needed to guard Malleus on his own.
Lilia had, had to sit away from them at lunch, instead he sat with Kalim and Cater. He had told them that it was because he didn’t spend enough time with them, which they thankfully accepted. Lilia had told Malleus, Sebek, and Silver that he wanted to spend more time with his music club friends and that they were simply working overtime on a new song. Which was only partially a lie.
Lilia felt like he was going mad.
He had never purposely avoided Silver like this. He missed his son badly.
How did normal parents deal with this when their children naturally drifted away?
Lilia knew that this was necessary. It was necessary so he didn’t hurt his son. Or worse, scare Silver away from him.
Then why was he hesitating.
Lilia’s fingers hovered over the send button of his text messages with Silver. He and Silver made it a point to watch a movie in Lilia’s room once a week. They curled up in a blanket fort they made together with a bowl of popcorn – made by Silver while Lilia picked a movie – and watched a movie. Afterwards they’d usually cuddle until they fell asleep. Or, well, Silver usually fell asleep towards the end of the movie, so Lilia simply curled up with him and fell asleep as well.
Lilia had typed out a message that he had to cancel this week’s usual movie night tonight, but he hesitated in sending it. Silver was still injured.
But…
Due to the healing magic of the medics at Night Raven College, Lilia had heard that Silver was almost completely healed. He only had to be bandaged up for another week or two, depending on how much he managed not to strain it.
It wouldn’t be so bad to have their regular movie night… right?
Lilia made up his mind. He erased the initial message, instead sending:
Bat dad: Can’t wait for our movie night tonight :)
Lilia waited for a moment to see if Silver would reply. After a moment, a message popped up.
Sleepy son: Same. Usual time?
Bat dad: Yep, ten O’clock.
Silver sent a thumbs up emoji, making Lilia smile slightly. It would be fine. Everything would be fine.
~*-------------------------------*~
Not fine. Not fine. Not fine.
Lilia sat beside Silver in their blanket fort, the Mulan movie playing on the little TV Lilia always dragged in for their movie nights.
Unfortunately, the scent of blood still clung to Silver. It was subtle, too subtle for any normal human to detect, likely even too subtle for Malleus to detect. But it was there. And that was enough to be setting Lilia’s mind and instincts off.
Silver was right next to him, barely even awake. He could just wait until Silver was asleep and-
Lilia swiftly shook the thought off, resisting the urge to slap himself for the idea. He would never betray Silver or use his son’s condition to his advantage like that.
Then the idea that Silver would most likely agree to let Lilia drink his blood willingly came back full force, filling Lilia with a guilt induced nausea.
“I’m going to go to the bathroom, I’ll be right back.” Lilia said, not even waiting for Silver’s response as he quickly hurried to the bathroom.
Lilia locked the door and turned the faucet to the sink on, splashing his face with cold water. The sharp sensation of cold water on his previously warm skin was enough to momentarily distract from Silver’s blood’s scent.
Lilia leaned on the sink, forcing himself to take deep breaths. He needed to get ahold of himself. He couldn’t, wouldn’t, hurt or scare Silver. He refused.
Lilia dried his face with a towel and braced himself before opening the door to the bathroom. Only to see Silver standing there with a worried expression on his face, the movie that they had been watching paused.
“Silver? Is something the matter?” Lilia asked, worried. Had something happened while he was having a mini crisis.
“Are you alright father?” Silver asked, staring at Lilia with an intensity that Lilia wasn’t used to seeing on his son’s face.
“Of course I am! Why wouldn’t I be?” Lilia said with mock cheerfulness. He couldn’t tell Silver what was wrong.
“Are you sure? You’ve been avoiding me recently…” Silver said, looking away at the last part. Lilia felt his heart clench painfully at the reminder. He had been hoping Silver wouldn’t notice. But of course he did, Silver was oblivious but also painfully observant when it was inconvenient. “Have I… Done something wrong?” Silver asked, looking back up at him with worry and seemingly guilt filled aurora eyes.
Lilia felt his chest clench painfully at that. Silver had done nothing wrong. It was Lilia who was in the wrong.
Before Lilia could answer, Silver spoke again. “If I have, please just tell me so I fix it…” Silver said softly.
Instead of doing something smart, like assuring Silver that he had done nothing wrong, Lilia did something stupid. “You can’t fix this.” Lilia said, his voice colder that Lilia had hoped and intended.
Lilia saw the way Silver flinched slightly at his words and tone, making Lilia’s heart break. He hadn’t meant to say that. Much less for it to come off as mad. He wasn’t mad at Silver, he was mad at his own stupid instincts for wanting blood.
“Are you sure? Y-you never know unless you tell me, I can try to fix it.” Silver said.
Something in the way Silver spoke let Lilia know that Silver wasn’t going to let this go until he learned the truth. Honestly, Lilia swore that Silver had gotten his stubbornness. Something Lilia had been proud of right until now.
Lilia sighed, walking over and sitting on his bed, patting the spot next to him. Silver looked confused, but complied with Lilia’s silent request, sitting next to him on his bed.
“You… You’re aware of my fae nature, yes?” Lilia asked.
Silver just looked even more confused. “Of course I know you’re fae.” Silver said.
Lilia couldn’t help but smile at his son’s misunderstanding. “No, I mean habits unique to certain types of fae. Like how Malleus hoards treasures due to his draconic nature.” Lilia explained.
Silver blinked in surprise. “Oh… In that case, not really… Should I?” Silver asked, rubbing the back of his neck his neck that would be perfect to sink his fangs into nervously.
On one hand, no Silver shouldn’t. Again, Lilia didn’t want to risk scaring the boy away from him. Lilia’s heart could barely handle the mere thought. But on the other hand, it would be better if Silver knew.
“No, I suppose not… I’ve never told you after all.” Lilia said softly.
Silver rested both his hands in his lap, fidgeting with the bandages over his wrist absentmindedly. “Is that what this is about…? That I don’t know your nature as a fae…?” Silver asked hesitantly, seeming guilty about not having researched the matter.
“Not…Exactly.” Lilia said hesitantly. Lilia could see the confusion on Silver’s face and sighed softly. “I have a more… Vampiric nature due to my fae type.” Lilia explained honestly.
Lilia could practically seeing the loading screen over Silver’s face as he processed the information. “Vam…piric…?” Silver asked, as if confirming to himself what he’d heard.
Lilia wasn’t surprised, he had never acted like the vampire’s in Silver’s old storybooks.
“Yes.” Lilia said, and now that he had admitted something he had learned to be ashamed of, the entire dam broke. “I’ve been avoiding you because when you got hurt last week I realized how heavenly your blood smells- so I avoided you because I didn’t want to accidentally feed off you or scare you.”
Lilia saw the way Silver’s eyes widened slightly. “My… blood?” Silver asked.
Lilia simply nodded, ashamed.
“Why didn’t you just tell me? I would’ve let you feed from me.” Silver said.
“I know that!” Lilia practically shrieked, making Silver flinch in surprise, but Lilia simply continued. “I knew that you would most likely let me feed from you, which is exactly why I didn’t explain this sooner. It’s not your job to look after me, blood isn’t even a necessity for me.”
“I know, most fae with impulses like that don’t require whatever their instincts make them do. But I really don’t mind, I want to help you. And given that I don’t know when the last time you had blood was, it might help your instincts to indulge.” Silver said softly.
Lilia… hadn’t thought of that.
Lilia knew that the longer he went without blood, the stronger the urge to feed was, especially when he encountered someone with blood like Silver’s. A part of Lilia wanted to agree and take the out, take Silver’s blood. Another part of him was still hesitant.
“That’s… true… But I don’t want to loose control or hurt you.” Lilia said worriedly.
“You won’t, I trust you father.” Silver said, his voice soft yet filled with a certainty that Lilia almost believed as he tilted his head to the side.
Exposing his neck was a clear sign of trust, and very much an invitation for Lilia to feed.
Lilia scooted closer until his nose was pressed against Silver’s neck. Lilia opened his mouth, pausing before he actually bit down. “Are you sure?” Lilia asked. If Silver said no then he would pull away immediately. He didn’t want to do anything against Silver’s will.
“Yes, I’m sure.” Silver said truthfully.
Lilia hesitated for only a few seconds longer before sinking his fangs into Silver’s neck. Lilia heard Silver wince, his breath stuttering and he paused, waiting for Silver to get used to the sensation.
After a moment, Silver breathing returned to normal, and Lilia took a small swallow of his blood, immediately feeling his son’s blood fill his mouth.
Great seven.
Silver’s blood tasted divine. Just as Lilia thought it would. Lilia swallowed, feeling Silver’s blood go down his throat smoothly.
Lilia continued drinking, enjoying the taste more than he had anticipated. He had drank the blood of many humans, as well as animals and even some fae criminals. But none of them could hold a candle to how Silver’s blood tasted.
It was only when Silver’s uninjured hand came up and rested on his chest, gently pushing ever so slightly, that Lilia snapped back to reality. Lilia swiftly let go of Silver’s neck, making the boy wince at the sudden movement, and pulled away slightly.
Silver was paler than he should be, paler than he usually was, and swaying ever so slightly. Silver’s breathing was quickened just enough to notice, his eyes closed as he tried to calm himself.
“Silver! Seven- are you okay?! Did I take too much?!” Lilia asked worriedly, quickly cupping Silver’s face in his hands.
“Yeah… I’m okay… just, dizzy…” Silver said softly, leaning into Lilia’s hands.
Lilia swiftly shifted himself and Silver so that he was leaning against his bed’s headboard, Silver practically laying in his lap, his head against his father’s chest. Thankfully, even with the scent of Silver’s blood now prominent in the room, Lilia’s instincts had shut up enough for Lilia to remain close to Silver.
“It’s okay…” Lilia said softly, combing his fingers through Silver’s hair comfortingly, the same way he’d done when Silver was little.
Silver yawned, leaning farther against Lilia, before abruptly falling asleep.
Lilia blinked in surprise, before smiling.
Of course Silver would fall asleep after something like that. It was honestly kind of adorable.
Lilia used his magic to someone a cloth and bandage. He gently took the cloth, cleaning the bite on Silver’s neck with as much gentleness as a monster like him could muster. Lilia then gently bandaged that area on Silver’s neck, wanting to make sure that nothing got in the wound.
Once he was done taking care of Silver, he laid himself on his side, still holding Silver against his chest. “Night Silver, sweet dreams, my little human.” Lilia said softly.
Lilia let his eyes slip closed as he fell asleep beside Silver.