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He doesn't know where he is.
Pyro woke suddenly, with no memory of how he ended up in forest he's in. It isn't the woods surrounding Oakhurst, but that's all he knows about his location.
It's the height of day, the sun scorching his skin as makes his way through the trees. He freezes when he comes across a large divide in the earth, a huge lake centered in the middle. There are buildings all around it, in various different styles and sizes.
Pyro sticks close to the line of trees, nerves twisting in his gut as he looks over the settlement. It's obvious people live here, and he has no idea who they might be. He shrinks back when against one of the nearest trees when he notices a figure walking down the dirt path, a big black and red parasol held above their head.
Trying to conceal his presence, Pyro lowers himself to the ground, pressing close to the tree trunk beside him. He can hear the person humming to themself, though they stop abruptly.
Pyro swallows dryly, throat tight. The figure steps forward, towards where Pyro is trying to hide. They stop a little ways away, a familiar cadence in the way they speak that sends a shiver down Pyro's spine.
"I can see you over there. Show yourself now, and maybe I won't kill you."
He moves slowly, standing up and lifting his arms in surrender as he steps into the other person's view. He freezes at the sight that greets him.
The man in front of him looks like Scott, but he doesn't seem to recognize them. The man's clothes are a different style than Scott wears, though they look no less expensive than the outfits he usually wears. Something is wrong with the picture, not to mention that they aren't in Oakhurst.
Pyro flinches when the Scott look-alike steps towards them, his eyes flickering over their face. It's instinctive, the way their knees hit the ground in front of the man, their body remembering pain and fear from a similar figure.
The man blinks at their movement, before a pleased smirk crosses his lips. He lifts their chin, sharp claws tracing just under their eye. "You're a vampire as well, aren't you?"
Pyro throat bobs as they swallow, their voice trembling. "…Scott?"
The man stares at them, his eyes narrowing. "How do you know my name? I've never seen you before."
They wince as his nails press dangerously against their skin, a quiet whine escaping their lips. "I— I think I'm in the wrong place. You aren't my Scott…"
The man tilts his head, though his expression loosens, his claws lightening their hold on Pyro's face. "Your Scott?"
He considers them. "Come inside with me. Let's talk."
Pyro can do nothing but nod their head, stumbling to their feet as they're pulled along to the closest building.
-
They sit quietly at the dining table, nursing a wine glass of blood. They can't make themself drink it, no matter the hunger squirming in their stomach.
Scott sits opposite them, watching them with intent. "This is not how I expected my day to go." He swirls his glass, sipping at the blood inside. "You said you know me, but not me."
Pyro nods. "…I don't know what happened. I was in the castle crypt one moment, then I woke up here."
Scott hums. "Well, I don't have any castles around here, so you've managed to end up quite far away."
Pyro's ears wilt, a miserable whine building in their throat.
Scott coos, standing from his chair and walking over to where they're sitting. He pets their hair, and Pyro can't help but lean into it.
"Don't look so sad, fledgling. You can stay with me until we figure this out, alright?"
They nod, melting under the attention. This might not be their Scott, but it's still Scott, and he's being so gentle with them.
It's more then they've ever gotten before.
Scott takes the glass from their hand, pressing the rim to their lips. "Drink up, darling. You're obviously starving."
Pyro does as they're told, gulping down the blood obediently. The pleased look on Scott's face warms something inside their chest.
He continues petting their hair as they drink. "I haven't seen another vampire for a long time, let alone a new turn like you. Your Sire must be worried sick."
They finish off the glass, wilting a little at the mention of their Sire. They know that worrying about them is the last thing their Scott will be doing. He might even be glad they aren't around, if he even notices they're missing in the first place.
Scott tilts his head, frowning lightly. "Is that a no?"
Pyro flinches, a familiar mix of fear and misery creeping in at the question. It might be the truth, but their Scott would be offended that Pyro isn't being grateful for what he's given them. It doesn't matter how much attention he gives them. He hasn't killed them for their mistakes, so they shouldn't be complaining.
He's told them enough times that they aren't his responsibility.
Scott's frown deepens. "Poor thing. It seems that your Sire isn't up to par, hmm?"
Pyro shrinks in on themself, fidgeting with their fingers. "He's been good to me. I shouldn't complain."
Scott sighs, making Pyro shrink into themself further.
"Come with me. I think it's time for you to get some rest."
Pyro nods, letting Scott lead them up the stairs. Their eyes flick around the room, tensing at the sight of heads hung up on the far wall.
Scott notices their stare, chuckling to himself. "Don't worry. They wronged me first."
Pyro nods again, trying to avoid looking over again. Would they lose their head if they offend this Scott?
They hope not.
Scott pulls out a large blanket, spreading it out on the floor, before doing the same with a number of pillows. Pyro watches him curiously, not daring to move any closer until they're told they can.
Scott looks over at them, smiling. "Come here, fledgling."
Carefully, Pyro steps over, sitting down in the comfy pile.
Scott joins them, guiding them to lay their head down on his lap. They stay very still as he starts petting them again.
"This is what a good Sire does," he murmurs, brushing their hair out of their face.
Slowly, they curl up closer, purring softly under his hands.
Their Scott had never given them a chance to prove themself.
Maybe this Scott would.