Chapter Text
—Yeosang-
Yeosang grows used to the kindness and adoration his sires shower him in rather quickly. Almost two weeks since his awakening is plenty of time to get used to his new existence as a vampire, a creature of the night. His sires had explained his new existence to him in more detail once he was more cognitively aware, more present. They’d found him almost dead in a park and were ready to end his life, a mercy killing as they’d called it, when they realised he was their beloved and they gave him the bite instead. He’s truly thrilled they did, so thankful he gets to call them his sires and to be called their fledgling. He knows they adore him, would end the world for him and are so thrilled by his presence. If only he could say the same about the rest of the coven.
He could tell from the moment he met them that they weren’t pleased he was brought into the coven. They hated him, despised him and he knew it, they certainly weren’t trying to hide it. It hurts to be so deeply hated when they don’t even know you, when all you did was wake up and say hello and they immediately despised you. A part of him knows he shouldn’t take it personally or hold it against them but it still stings. His other five coven mates don’t extend the same love and adoration to Yeosang as his sires do and they’ve made that perfectly clear. He tries his best to stay out of their way even though his sires say the more time he spends with them the faster they’ll warm up to him, he doesn’t want to upset them but there’s no way he can comfortably spend time with the coven right now.
The first notable instance happened just days after he met the coven for the first time. After their first meeting he’d found himself unable to stop thinking about their cold gazes and unbelievably handsome faces, completely struck by them. His sires had explained that was their beloved bond, he knew they were destined to be together and wanted them more than anything, his heart and soul open and ready to accept them. A single tear had trailed down his cheek as he came to terms with the fact his soul mates hate him and don’t want to even look at him. Hongjoong and Seonghwa cooed at him and promised they would come around, they just needed time and patience, needed to be exposed to his gorgeous face and they’ll fall so completely for him he’ll never have to worry again.
He finds that hard to believe after the last two weeks.
It was three days after he’d met the coven and his sires were requested to dine with the coven, Yeosang was unsurprisingly not included in the invitation. He’d tried to insist they go without him, eager to show the coven he wasn’t being selfish or jealous and that he understood their need to spend time with the coven leaders too. Seonghwa had put an end to that option rather quickly, responding to the coven to say either Yeosang attends too or we won’t be able to. Yeosang had winced at the ultimatum, anxious to see how it would be received by the coven. He was certain they’d withdraw the invitation but after a few minutes they’d given in, begrudgingly extending the invite to Yeosang. They’d made their way to the dining room, Yeosang dragging his feet in reluctance, unsure of himself and his palace in the coven and manor. The room was filled with the soft hum of voices, bright laughter and casual conversations that came to a quick stop when they entered. He’d found himself being ushered over and seated at the large dining room table, five pairs of eyes glaring into him as his sires fretted over him. They’d greeted Hongjoong and Seonghwa kindly, excited to have them join the coven for a meal for the first time in a while but made a point of not extending their greetings to Yeosang. He’d hung his head in shame and disappointment until his sires had turned their attention back to him. The coven, of course, hadn’t planned for his attendance, so the only blood available was fresh from a pouch, decanted into extravagant crystal glasses. His sires had told him he couldn’t drink normal human blood just yet and that he needs to drink from them until they say otherwise. Without anything for the fledgling his sires had immediately found him a glass and drained their blood into Yeosang’s cup, the coven watching, scathing and irritated as Seonghwa and Hongjoong urged him to take a sip. Anyone would be able to see that he was an unwanted guest, unwelcome in their home.
And that’s what he is to them. An unwanted visitor. A temporary irritation.
He’d noticed Wooyoung glaring at the cup clutched in his hands, suddenly making him self conscious, knowing he’s the only vampire drinking his sires blood rather than the human blood offered. As he moved the glass side to side, swirling the blood around in the glass he was struck by how much he didn’t fit in. He couldn’t join in on conversations, couldn’t laugh at the shared jokes. No one other than his sires spoke to him and even then they were so caught up in the coven that they were just checking up on him every now and again. Yeosang had just smiled in what he hoped was a reassuring way but he knew it was wobbly and weak at best, could tell by the concerned look that had flashed across Seonghwa’s face. He’d been held a little tighter after that, his sires made more of an effort to bring him into their conversations but Yeosang didn’t want to speak anymore, he’d wanted to run back to the bedroom and hide away.
Eventually the coven had stopped chatting long enough to try their blood, the table lighting up with hums and words of enjoyment.
“What blood type is this?” Hongjoong questioned, a strange look on his face.
“AB negative.” Jongho said with a sharp smirk. The coven giggled, Wooyoung and San shaking their heads rather than directly laughing at the situation.
“The AB negative that was a gift from the Stray Kids coven for Yeosang to enjoy? His awakening gift?” Seonghwa seethed, voice angry as he’d glared around the table.
The coven quickly stopped laughing when they saw how angry their hyung was. Yeosang knew Seonghwa rarely gets angry with the coven and he’s sure he wouldn’t usually have a reason to but apparently Yeosang brings out the worst in people. Yunho clears his throat, obviously not thinking they’d get caught out. “Ah, hyung we-,”
“I’ll say this once and once only, there had better be some left for Yeosang or there will be huge trouble.” Seonghwa hissed, slumping back in his chair with a sigh as he’d glanced around the table, a disappointed expression marring his handsome face. “I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.”
With that his sires had stood up, collected Yeosang and their glasses of blood before storming out of the room, heavy door slamming on the silent room they’d left behind. They’d both apologised profusely but Yeosang had waved them off, understanding it must be hard to have him in their home. A complete stranger that came in and rearranged their whole lives in the space of less than five minutes. His sires had fed him, cuddling him close and whispering reassuring words as he fed, as usual being fed by his sires had calmed him massively. After his feed they were quick to turn in for the night, despite his exhaustion he’d laid awake pitying himself for a while before deciding he wouldn’t hold it against them. The extenuating circumstances have more to blame than the rest of them. After he’d come to terms with his emotions he’d snuggled into bed, confident in his decision to be kind to his coven mates and trust they’d warm up to him eventually.
The next disaster happened the next day. He’d woken up feeling agitated, jittery. After trying to contain his energy for a good few hours he eventually broke and begged his sires to take him outside, eager to get some air and burn off some of this energy. They’d agreed easily, promising to take him as soon as it was dark enough for him to comfortably and safely go outside. He’d spent the next few hours on edge, desperate to do something, anything. His sires tried to keep him entertained, they’d found him a book, then they tried to read the book to him, eventually settling on taking him downstairs into the lounge to watch a little tv until they could go outside. San, Jongho and Wooyoung had been sitting in the lounge when they’d arrived, watching a comedy show, laughing and joking until they’d entered when the room quieted again. It was a soul destroying moment walking into a room full of laughter and being the reason it stops. He’d been fidgety and restless and he could tell he’d irritated Wooyoung and Jongho if the huffs and grumbles directed in his direction was anything to go by. He sat perfectly still after that, terrified of angering them and provoking their hatred any further. It was tense and stress filled, uncomfortable for everyone involved, that much was obvious. Statuesque and nervous as he glanced around the room, he’d wished time would just pass faster, the sooner the sun began its descent the sooner he could be freed from the uncomfortable situation.
Eventually his sires deemed it safe for their adventure outside into the gardens and Yeosang didn’t miss their eagerness to get him up and out of the room. It had filled him with a stomach sinking, deep sense of shame. He was so hated by the coven that his sires rushed to get him out of their presence, he made them that uncomfortable. They’d noticed his low mood, stroked his back and whispered soft words as they led him outside into the safety of darkness but it hadn’t softened the blow. He put a brave face on for his sires but it was hard to pretend it hadn’t hurt him. Eager to escape their worried glances and hushed whispers he’d run off in a moment of fake playfulness. It worked, his sires had laughed and called after him but Yeosang had carried on running, desperate for a moment alone to wallow in self pity. He’d continued running, desperate for some peace and quiet but quickly found himself becoming disoriented and confused.
A thick, dense fog had rolled in, obscuring his vision of the garden surrounding him. He could barely see his own hand when he held it out in front of him, his whole body engulfed by the heavy blanket of white, wispy fog. The haziness of the vast garden around him had made distance and location hard to fathom. He’d staggered around, bumping into bushes and fences as he tried to make his way back to his sires. Even calling out to them in the whistle haziness surrounding him, hopeful they’d hear him with their incredible hearing and come swiftly to his rescue. They hadn’t.
He’d almost worked himself up into a frenzy but quickly reassured himself he was just in the gardens, if he calmed himself and walked in the direction of the house he was sure he’d make it back eventually. Hand grasping one of the fences, he’d shuffled back in the direction of the manor, eventually spotting a dim light shining in the distance. The porch light! Yeosang had picked up speed after that, the fog losing some of its density as he stopped just before the steps up towards the front door. After taking a deep, relieved breath he’d rushed up the steps and grasped the door handle, pushing it down and expecting the door to open. Only it hadn’t. After trying again and again he realised it must have been locked from the inside and suddenly the hot panic from earlier set in again. He knocked on the door till his hand ached, begging for someone to unlock the door and let him in, crying out for help as he stood there shivering on the porch. Within minutes tears were falling down his cheeks and he’d all but given up when his sires came up behind him. They’d collected him into their safe arms and his tears stopped almost instantly, he knew they’d come save him.
His sires hadn’t even bothered to ask or wait for someone to unlock the door, simply forcing it open, the doorframe splintering as the door swung open and slammed against the wall. As they stepped into the foyer they were greeted by three rather pleased looking faces, Mingi, Jongho and Wooyoung sitting on the stairs grinning. Well they were until they saw their hyungs faces. Their smiles had dropped as they were met by two fuming sires and a rather upset fledgling. He’d tuned out the yelling, too tired to listen anymore but it certainly sounded like they’d been torn to shreds for their actions. Seonghwa had shouted behind them as they walked away to get the door fixed before huffing off. Yeosang had once again tried to convince himself that maybe it wasn’t on purpose, maybe they hadn’t realised they were outside? Even though he knew it wasn’t true it helped him fall asleep easier and that was all he could ask for at that moment.
Incident three still embarrasses him to this day. He’d fallen asleep beside his sires, carefully gathered up and held in their arms as he drifted off. Comfortable and safe, protected. He always sleeps so much easier when he’s being held. He’d had a peaceful, restful sleep and woke feeling refreshed and well rested, calm until he noticed the bed was empty either side of him. At first he thought that maybe they’d just slipped out of the room for a moment or maybe that they were in the bathroom. So he’d waited. Snuggled under the bed sheets, relaxed and warm he’d waited for almost half an hour but his sires didn’t return. At that point he started feeling panicked, frantic. His sires never left him alone, always at least one of them staying with him and if they couldn’t they were never gone longer than five minutes, they never left him alone longer than absolutely necessary. That thought alone had made him spring up in bed, his mind rushing to all the worst case scenarios that forced him out of the comfort of their bed.
He’d thrown some clothes on, uncaring of how he looked, simply desperate to find his sires and ask why they’d been gone for so long. Usually he never left the comfort of their bedroom anything less than immaculate, his sire Seonghwa made sure of that. Even when they were simply taking a trip to the garden his sire would carefully select his outfit and style his hair, much to his other sire Hongjoong’s annoyance. After slipping his feet into his fluffy slippers he’d pottered out of the room, slippers slapping against the hardwood floors. The house was silent, he couldn’t hear any of his coven mates, no talking, no laughter. Not until he reached the foyer.
After stepping down off of the last step he’d heard voices in the kitchen and immediately turned to make his way towards them. He couldn’t specifically hear his sires but he thought they were maybe just not talking at that moment in time, so after a deep, calming breath he pushed the door open and stepped into the kitchen. The conversation had immediately died, the room falling into silence as his coven mates, minus his sires stared at him. His sires weren’t in there. His five coven mates who hate his very existence were though.
They just stared at him, glaring and scowling as he stood there in the doorway like a deer in headlights. After a moment of awkward, tense silence Yeosang had managed to find his voice, speaking softly as he twisted his fingers together anxiously. “Do- do you know where my sires are? They’ve been gone a long time and I can’t find them.”
Silence.
No one had said a single word to him. Wringing his hands together anxiously, he’d waited. Hopeful they may eventually take pity on him only to be left even more distressed when they didn’t. All he received were, ‘don’t know’ before being shooed away or dismissive shrugs. They simply wouldn’t speak to him. After a few minutes he’d grown even more distressed, the worry and pain of being away from his sires beginning to take hold. He was hungry and scared, anxious for his sires return and beginning to allow his mind to wander to places he knew it shouldn’t. Maybe they were sick of him, maybe they aren’t coming back is all his brain could tell him at that moment in time.
“P-please? I’m-I’m not used to being away from them, I’m scared…” Yeosang had whimpered, eyes welling with tears as his hands shook even harder. They all ignored him for a little while longer until the first tear fell down his cheek. Even in his distress he hadn’t missed the way most of their faces had changed from smugness to well veiled concern.
With a sigh San had taken mercy on him. After sending him a pitiful glance he’d spoken calmly and clearly, as he stared at Yeosang. “They aren’t here Yeosang, I’m not sure where they’ve gone but I haven’t seen them all morning. Maybe you’d be best waiting for them in your room, hmm? I’m sure they’ll be back before you know it, they won't leave you for too long.”
“Now run along fledgling.” Wooyoung urged him off, waving his hand in a dismissive, shooing gesture. San had glared at Wooyoung and hissed something under his breath that made Wooyoung roll his eyes. Yeosang nodded as a sob escaped his throat, stuttering out a weak thank you before he turned on his heel and escaped the room. He’d managed to make it as far as the middle of the foyer before breaking down completely, crumpling to the floor as he cried his eyes out. New fledgling instincts telling him his sires had abandoned him, even as his brain assured him they wouldn’t. His fledgling instincts told him to go back to his coven mates for comfort, promising they’d protect him but it had been obvious that wasn’t an option. They had no interest in caring for him. Didn’t want anything to do with him on the best of days, nevermind when he’s sobbing and blubbing about his sires abandoning him.
He’d sat there for nearly five minutes, though at the time it had felt like eternity, sobbing and despairing for the loss of his sires, hungry and beside himself. He’d thought of his sires and why they’d abandon him. He was a good fledgling, always went to sleep when they asked him to, drank when they asked him too, he behaved himself and wasn’t hard to care for, so why did they leave him? He’s a good fledgling, why didn’t they want him?
Fat tears rolled down his cheeks, deep, chest heaving sobs escaping his throat as he cried and cried for his sires, completely forgetting that the blood red necklace around his neck pulsed with the promise of his sire being close by. At that moment the main doors to the manor had swung open, slamming against the wall with a window-shaking bang. Yeosang had glanced up through his tears and saw the blurry outline of his sires standing in the doorway. His sobbing had only gotten worse at that point, deep and breath stealing as he panted and whimpered, hands reaching out and grabbing for them. His reaching out had broken them from their shocked daze and they were beside him before he could even blink, gathering him close and pressing him securely between them, Hongjoong kissing his cheeks as Seonghwa stroked the back of his head. Yeosang continued to sob heavy, heart breaking cries, overwhelmed with the relief and safety of his sires returning to him. After brushing the wet, sticky tears off of his cheeks Hongjoong took the fledgling’s face in his palms, cupped his cheeks and gently turned the fledgling to face him.
“Why didn’t you go to your coven mates, my treasure? They would have cared for you till we returned!” Hongjoong questioned, voice full of concern and thoroughly distressed. Yeosang had opened his mouth to speak, ready to spin a story to ensure the coven doesn’t get in trouble, unwilling to give them another reason to hate him. He’d been ready to make up a similar story about how he couldn’t find them and collapsed in the foyer after being unable to find the coven too but his coven mates beat him to it.
“He did hyung, we turned him away.” Yunho’s voice had called from behind the distraught fledgling, nervous and guilty. The air had turned heavy and thick, dangerous like the static air before a strike of lighting. Though on this occasion the danger wasn’t lightning or a natural disaster, it was his enraged sires. He could feel it. The anger that radiated from their every fibre, a low growl slipped out of Seonghwa and Yeosang had shuddered, easily allowing his sires to cuddle him closer and believe it was the cold that caused the reaction.
“He came to ask where you both were and we told him we didn’t know, because we didn’t! And then we sent him on his way…” Wooyoung had tried to reason with the coven heads but they were obviously beyond angry. Hurt and stressed, deeply worried for their young baby and disappointed in their older mates. Yeosang had whimpered at the deeper, guttural growl that Hongjoong let out, instantly being cooed at and soothed by his sires as they held him tightly.
“You, you-,” Seonghwa stammered, unable to find the words he wanted at that moment. After taking an attempted calming breath Seonghwa had cupped the side of Yeosang’s head and pulled him to rest against his neck, sighing in relief at the sensation of his fledgling nibbling at his skin in an attempt to comfort himself. After a moment his calmer but still blisteringly angry sire had found his words again. “I can’t talk to any of you right now, I’m deeply hurt by your actions. No matter your feelings towards the situation, I thought you were kind enough to care for someone in distress, a fledgling in distress but apparently I was wrong.”
“No sire! That’s not-” San protested, voice loud and tense with the need to defend himself, defend them. But Yeosang was there, he was the one they treated cruelly, how could they defend their actions? They knew he was panicking but left him anyway, dismissed him with a wave of their hands before going back to acting like he never went to them begging for help. San was kind in a way, but even saying that is a stretch.
Seonghwa had just raised a hand, effectively silencing the others' protests. “All you had to do was sit with him! Reassure him we’d be back and call for us! That’s all! I truly don’t think that’s too much to expect of five vampires who are all over four hundred years old! You’re better than this, you're old enough to know better! I-” Seonghwa trailed off, stopping himself from saying anything further. With a deep sigh he’d scrubbed a hand over his fake and shook his head. “Please don’t talk to me right now, I can’t even bear to look at you and if you push me too much I worry I may say something I don’t truly mean.”
With that his sire had stood with Yeosang secure in his arms. Seonghwa stormed past the coven, Hongjoong rushing ahead to open doors for him as the coven stood in the foyer with their heads hanging in shame. They’d quickly pulled the duvet back and settled in bed, laid side by side with Yeosang cuddled up on top of them, the fledgling’s face pressed between their necks. They held him close, hands running up and down his back soothingly as they slowly calmed him down. Yeosang remembers feeling compelled to try and get closer, eager to worm his way close enough to be under their skin, desperate for the closeness, for the feeling of being held, wanted, cared for. His sires of course more than offered those reassurances, whispering to him gently, cooing about how much they adore him, how much they love him, how they’ll always be safe with them. Yeosang had just snuffled around their necks, nibbling and biting at their necks and shoulders to soothe himself, fingers twisted into their shirts, clinging to them as if he were scared they’d leave him again.
They’d cooed at him, reaching up and nicking their necks as they gently urged Yeosang to latch on. The comfort and security of drinking from his sires was immense and immediate. It had been the reassurance he needed that they loved him, they were still here to care for him and that his survival was safe for another day. He wouldn’t starve. Once full they’d pressed kisses to every inch of skin they could find as they whispered to him gently and calmly. They’d comforted him into a deep, exhausted sleep and held him the whole time.
That scare left him anxious and terrified of being alone, constantly worried they’d leave him and not come back. His fledgling instincts had convinced him they’d left and that he’d starve slowly without them, alone and cold and even despite them returning and caring for him so well when they came back, he didn’t manage to shake those fears for a good week or so after the disastrous situation. It was hard to move on from the situation, even he and his heart of gold struggled to come to terms with the coven's hatred of him at that moment. He tried to understand where they were coming from, acknowledged that they must be hurt by his sudden and unwanted appearance but even if he hated someone he would always help someone who was distressed. The hurt was soul deep and all encompassing but he’d smiled through it, unwilling to make his sires any angrier with the coven. All that would have done is upset the coven and his sires even more and make his coven mates hate him even more than they already did. So he smiled through the hurt, pretended he was fine and continued being a sweetheart despite the aching hurt in his heart.
Convinced that part of the reason they hate him so much is that he took most of the eldest's attention and time when they changed him and brought him home, leaving little time for the coven to be alone with them, he tried to encourage his sires to spend more time with them. His sires were obviously reluctant, especially after the events that occurred not too long ago but Yeosang did his best to appear truthful as he promised he’d be ok alone for a few hours. They’d begrudgingly accepted but had insisted Yeosang call for them if he needed them and that if he changed his mind they wouldn’t be angry but Yeosang knew his coven mates needed time with them too. Yeosang may be their fledgling but Hongjoong and Seonghwa were also most of the covens sires and he knew that they needed time with the others too.
It was hard and he regretted ever suggesting it in the first place as the door closed behind them and they left Yeosang alone. The second the door closed he’d thrown himself into bed, buried himself under the covers and began crying. Silently of course so they didn’t come back straight away. It was hard being so close but so far away. At one point, eager to reassure himself they were still here just downstairs, he’d crept to the top of the staircase and leant over the bannister. As he stared down he could see the door to the living room was open and could hear the happy voices floating out, laughter echoing around the manor and for the first time Yeosang heard his coven mates laugh real, truly happy laughs. And it was because he wasn’t there. They were able to laugh, unrestrained and loud because he wasn’t there making them miserable. They were only able to be happy when he wasn’t around. That thought alone had nearly ruined him.
It felt like his body had shut down as he made his way back to the bedroom. The door closed behind him with a soft click and he moved to the soft bench in front of the window, opening the curtains to let the dark of night into the room as he simply sat there, cold and numb. He didn’t cry anymore that night, didn’t move, didn’t breathe. Just sat there and wallowed in the darkness. He felt left out, unwanted, hated, ugly. He was the reason for the coven's misery. They hated him, truly hated him and it was clear why. He drained all the happiness from their lives, made them angry, sad, hurt. Took their coven leaders, their sires and monopolised their time. He was a selfish and unkind person who needed to learn how to be better. Learn how to be less needy and misery inducing.
After an hour or so his mind supplied the information that his sires would be back soon so he’d staggered over to the bed, slipped under the covers and pretended to be asleep, hiding his face so they couldn’t see his tear stained cheeks. His sires had ever so slowly opened the door, tiptoeing into the darkness and undressing before one closed the curtains and the other locked the door. Yeosang’s heart had broken all over again at the sensation of them slipping into the bed either side of him, kissing him tenderly as they settled into the bed. He’d heard them whispering above him about how he was due a feeding but he kept his eyes closed, hoping they’d accept he was tired and feed him in the morning. The thought of taking more from them made his stomach churn even as hunger clawed at his stomach and throat. He’d laid awake the whole night, hungry and filled with self-hatred, praying for the morning to come so his sires could feed him and release him from one of the agonies wrecking his frail body.
Unfortunately it continued to happen.
And it truly was Yeosang’s fault because instead of talking to them like a mature adult he bottled everything up, forced a smile on his face and promised he was ok. Promised he didn’t need them for the three to four hours they’d be gone. Promised himself he could cope. Would cope, even if it felt like agony to do so. Every time he’d tell himself to find something to do, to entertain himself so time passed faster and he wouldn’t think about it so much. He didn’t. He sat by the window each and every time, feeling sorry for himself and inevitably making himself feel even worse when he’d tiptoed near where the coven was, listening to the sound of them having fun and being happy without him.
It was self destructive. Cruel and torturous but he couldn’t put an end to it now. His sires and coven mates were finally mending their bonds, resolving the tension and soothing the hurt, how could he now ask them to stop? He couldn’t. Didn’t want to but wanted to so desperately at the same time. Didn’t want to be selfish but also surely he could be selfish for once in his life? He’d never been selfish before, couldn’t he do it now? No. Not when five other people needed his sires too, he’d swallowed the hurt, pushed back the words that sat on the tip of his tongue as his sires left him alone in the bedroom and forced back the sobs that threatened to echo around the house.
It was the fourth time that everything came to a head. His sires had been worried about him for a few days and for good reason. His body seemed to shut down, the bond he felt to his sires felt dull and numb, he wasn’t hungry, wouldn’t feed from them despite knowing he should be starving by this point. He felt weak and alone. He didn’t tell his sires of course, just waved them off as they left the room before flopping back on the bed as soon as the door closed, dragging himself under the covers. Deep, uncontrollable sobs had forced their way out as he laid there and cried cold tears of scolding hot misery. Sure he’d have at least a few hours to cry his eyes out he hadn’t noticed the door swinging open and his sires rushing in. They’d obviously been too concerned about their fledgling’s wellbeing to leave him longer than half an hour, only joining the coven to gulp down their usual blood pouches, plus a few extra, sure Yeosang would overcome this ‘fledgling flu’ he was experiencing and expecting him to be absolutely starving when he did. They’d rushed back after finishing their blood and having a chat with the coven and in his despair Yeosang hadn’t heard them even as they called his name, only jotling to awareness as they clambered onto the bed and crawled over to him. They’d pulled him close, desperation and worry obvious on their handsome faces and all Yeosang could do in that moment was cry.
So he cried and cried until he physically couldn’t anymore. His sires were beside themselves with concern, throwing suggestions over his head, even going as far as calling their sire to ask what could possibly be the problem. He half remembers a deep, calm voice telling them he didn’t have the symptoms of the ‘fledgling flu’ and that as he sounded healthy it must be emotional. That’s when everything seemed to connect for them and Seonghwa asked the question, ‘would our leaving him to spend time with the coven cause something like this?’ only to be met with silence before the deep voice spoke again.
“I think you’ve answered your own question Seonghwa. Fledgling’s are sensitive little things at the best of times, they rely on their sires for survival and not having them there feels like certain death. Then factor in your fledgling being weaker than others and needing you more than any other fledgling, can you imagine how much being left alone must hurt? How scary must it be? His body has probably shut down in preparation to lose his sires.”
“No…” Seonghwa had sobbed out, voice tight as tears rolled down his cheeks. “H-he told us he was ok though, that he was managing without us.”
“Of course he did. He knows the rest of your coven hates him and I imagine he probably didn’t want to tell you, make you stop seeing them and them hate him even more. Poor little thing. Do you need us to come around and help care for him? If you need time to be with your beloveds and mend your bonds, that's fine but Yeosang can’t be alone. We can either take him here to our home or we can come to you. He sounds like such a sweet fledgling, it’d truly be no issue for us to take him for a couple of weeks, just until you… resolve the issues at home. It’s been a long time since we had a fledgling around, the coven would be thrilled.”
“No sire, thank you but that won’t be necessary.” Hongjoong declared, voice wobbly but stern. “We’ve made an error and we haven’t cared for him the way we should have but we’ll put it right. We can care for him alone, he’s our responsibility and our precious fledgling.”
“Well if you're sure…?” Their sire had questioned, disbelief obvious in his voice.
Hongjoong was quick to interrupt and speak softly but confidently. “Yes, thank you sire. We-we’ll fix this.”
“Sigh… ok boys but if you change your mind or decide you need the help we can be there in twenty minutes ok? We’d be more than happy to step in as his temporary coven until he can return to you.” They ended the call quickly after that, throwing the phone away and cradling Yeosang in their arms. They begged him for forgiveness, begged for him to accept a feed, pleaded with him. He couldn’t face it though so turned his face away which looking back now was rather cruel of him. A loud guttural sob had torn itself from Seonghwa’s throat as scrambling hands attempted to pull him impossibly closer, hiding the fledgling’s wet face in one of his sires necks. The next half an hour or so had been filled with comforting reassurances, that they love him, adore him, and need him. That they aren’t going anywhere ever again and they’ll never leave him alone again. Making promises until they were breathless and Yeosang began to feel a little less numb. Eventually he came around enough to nibble questioningly at Seonghwa’s neck, hopeful and hungry. His sire had immediately made a deep, long cut over his jugular as his other hand cupped the back of Yeosang’s unruly, blonde hair covered head and tugged him into the bubbling cut. His sires had cried out in relief when he finally latched on, the fear of the fledgling’s days without a feed finally dissipating as Yeosang took deep, desperate mouthfuls of rich blood.
“Yeosang darling,” Hongjoong had whispered from next to him, waiting for Yeosang to acknowledge he’d heard his words before continuing. “Please promise you’ll tell us if something isn’t ok in the future. There’s no need for you to be lonely and suffer, it was our fault, we should’ve never agreed to leave you alone but please, please tell us if you are hurt or sad in the future and sires promise to never leave you alone again. One of us will always be with you whenever possible, we won’t leave you alone to spend time with the coven again, ok? We adore you treasure and only want to make sure you’re happy and healthy, that’s our main priority in this unending life.
Yeosang agreed easily. It was obvious how his lies about his emotions had caused this issue and he never, ever wanted to be alone again. Not in those circumstances anyway. From then on they would ensure one of them was always by his side, doting on him and spoiling him rotten.
That’s where the next issue came from.
His sires had obviously stopped leaving him alone to spend time with the coven after his breakdown and to say that wasn’t well received is an understatement. Now that at least one sire is with him all the time it means they can’t see the coven together without Yeosang being there, which as you can imagine is a bit of a sensitive point. It was probably stupid for him to suggest they spend time alone with the coven in the first place, surely having it only for it to be ripped away is worse than not having it at all? His episode meant that the coven heads had to begin seeing the coven alone, one at a time whilst the other doted on and cared for Yeosang until they could accept Yeosang’s presence and be pleasant. Which everyone knew wouldn’t happen for quite a while if ever.
The coven understandably found it hard to accept. Having normalcy teased in front of your face only for it to be ripped away must be hard and Yeosang felt incredibly guilty for it. The coven finally had their world straightened out, even just for a few hours every couple of days and in their minds Yeosang threw a fit and ruined it for them. He didn’t need a coven or beloved bond to know how they felt about him, surely it was nothing but pure hatred.
He heard something he shouldn’t have one day when it was Hongjoong’s turn to spend time with the coven and Seonghwa was on fledgling babysitting duty. They knew the first one after they had to change their time together from both leaders to just one would be tense, complicated but they knew it had to happen. Hongjoong went down before them, pressing a kiss to both Yeosang and Seonghwa’s lips, asking for wishes of good luck before leaving and softly closing the bedroom door behind him. Yeosang and his sire had sat for a moment, giving him enough time to get downstairs and into the room before they made their moves. Seonghwa promised to take the fledgling outside for some much needed enrichment time now he was feeling strong enough after his half a week long hunger strike but he was firm in the fact he wanted to avoid any run-ins with the coven in fear of their cruel words towards the fledgling. After a minute or so Seonghwa gave the go ahead to make their way outside and Yeosang all but bounded out of the door and down the stairs much to Seonghwa’s amusement. His sire had let out a fond chuckle before catching the bouncing baby vampire by the waist, slowing his venture down the grand staircase.
“Careful now baby bat, we don’t want any tumbles down the stairs do we?”
Yeosang grumbled and complained but allowed his sire to guide him down the stairs at a much slower and safer speed. Seonghwa had tugged him close to his side, wrapping a long arm around his waist as they walked through the foyer towards the front door. As they passed the lounge a loud voice carried through the sliver of a gap in the door. If Yeosang had to guess it sounded like Jongho but a very tense and irritated Jongho. “Oh he’s finally released you to us has he? And how long do we have the pleasure of your company for today? Thirty minutes, an hour? How long before you go running back to him?”
“Now that’s not fair. You know why only one of us can come at a time. Yeosang’s body began shutting down in preparation for losing his sires, we were away from him for too long and of course that would hurt a fledgling.”
Another voice, one Yeosang wasn’t quite able to put a name to spoke up. Voice worryingly calm but tinged with something deeper, something less than pleasant. “He’s selfish and needy. He let you spend time with us for a couple of hours then he threw a tantrum and restricted our time with you again.
“That is ridiculous, I’d like to have seen any of you be away from your sires after only being awake a few weeks. Either stop or I’ll leave, I’m not going to sit here and listen as you insult me and Yeosang. I want to be here with you but your behaviour makes it more and more unpleasant, either you want me here or you don’t, make up your mind.” Hongjoong had eventually snapped, voice full of irritation as the room went quiet. He and Seonghwa had frozen unknowingly, listening to Hongjoong defend them in their absence. A part of him had been so relieved that Hongjoong had defended him, defended his actions and his needs, protected his character but the other part wished he’d just agree with them for once. It was obvious it would have been easier to just agree and move the conversation along, make the right noises in the right places even if it meant agreeing with some less than pleasant comments. At least then their time together wouldn’t be filled with agitation and an unpleasant atmosphere. He’d already prevented them from seeing the coven heads together and now he was ruining the time they did spend with them. The logical side of his brain whispered how it was the coven’s fault, how instead of enjoying their time together and making the most of it they chose to try to put him down, chose to bring the mood down and irritate whichever hyung they were with. As much as he tried to reassure himself it wasn’t his fault the coven clearly believed it was which wasn’t unsurprising. He’d curled in on himself, wrapping his arms around his waist as he fell into a pit of self hatred. Seonghwa had pulled him closer, held him tighter and began leading him away just as another voice spoke up.
“We want you here hyung, I apologise for their behaviour, please don’t leave.”
“Fine then, I want to be here too but no more of this hateful behaviour ok? I want to spend time with my beloveds, I want us to have a good time together and we can’t if you act like this.” Hongjoong pleaded, voice desperate but tinged with exasperation. He was obviously tired, eager to fix their relationship but also unwilling to accept their nastiness.
“Not to worry darling, let's get outside hmm?” Seonghwa had whispered as he turned Yeosang back towards the door and gently urged him forward. Yeosang didn’t hear the rest of the conversation as Seonghwa ushered him through the door as quickly as possible. He’d forced another brave smile onto his face even as he desperately wanted to just burst into tears and sob. All he’d wanted in that moment was to cry until he couldn’t anymore, cry until all the negativity swelling in his body had escaped. He knew he wasn't a burden or needy, his sires had reassured him of that after their last disaster. He can feel it in their bond and he trusts their words without a doubt so it wasn’t those comments that hurt. It was the constant hate, the harsh words, the glances and glares. It had begun to wear him down, exhaust him. All he wanted was for them to like him, to accept them. He was drawn to them and their energies but they hated him and it was beginning to take its toll. He could only put a brave face and happy smile on for so long before he well and truly fell apart. All he could do is hope they come to accept him before he reaches that point
He just needs to be kinder, more understanding and forgiving.
It hadn’t worked.
They hated him just as much a few days later as they did when he first awoke. Avoidant of the fledgling and almost disgusted by his presence. He’d been cuddled up with his sires on an unassuming Monday afternoon when one of their phones chimed, then again and then again. Exasperated they’d switched the device to silent and settled back down, pressing a kiss to Yeosang’s temple as they sipped on blood pouches. A good five minutes went by before the phone started up again, buzzing on the coffee table relentlessly. Even switched to silent the noise was unbearable and Seonghwa had snatched the device up and stormed out of the room. Yeosang had glanced up at Hongjoong, seen the tense expression on his face and decided in that moment that silence was the best option. They’d never get angry at him but he really didn’t want to cause them any more stress than whoever was on the other end of the phone already was. He’d sat in silence until Seonghwa had returned, his sire walking in and releasing a deep sigh before throwing the phone down on the couch and resting his hands on his hips.
Seonghwa had tilted his head back before speaking. “The witches need us, something to do with a meeting about some issues they're experiencing. It was set for next week but it's become urgent and they’ve asked us to go now instead. Chan and sire will be going too so we can’t really say no.”
Hongjoong’s brows had pulled together into a deep frown as he leant forward in his seat, head in hands as he scrubs his palms over his face, obviously frustrated. “But we have a fledgling! We can’t take him with us, it’s the middle of the day, never mind he doesn’t need to be exposed to that crazy group of people. We can’t take him, we can’t leave him alone so what do we do?”
“One of us could go?” Seonghwa suggested quietly. Yeosang stayed silent, unsure of what was happening and what the issue was. If they couldn’t go surely they could just apologise and stay at home?
“We’re both the heads of the Ateez coven Seonghwa, you know what’ll happen if only one of us attends the meeting.” Hongjoong replied sharply. Ah, so that’s why they couldn’t just say they wouldn't be able to attend…
“Well we can’t just not go!” Seonghwa had hissed, hands clenching into fists as he grew increasingly irritated.
Hongjoong glanced up sharply before throwing his hands up in the air, deep frustration creeping into his voice as he spoke. “I know that-!”
Yeosang had taken that as his hint to step in, clearing his throat before speaking softly. “It’s ok sires! I’ll be fine alone for a while.”
“No baby bat, don’t worry about it, sires will think of something.” Seonghwa cooed, gathering Yeosang into his arms and holding him tightly.
“Honestly sire, I’ll be ok for a few hours!”
“Little dove, we can’t leave you, not after last time-” Hongjoong protested, voice soft as he smiled gently at the fledgling.
“I’ll be fine, sire. I know where you’re going and that you’ll be coming back. Try to come back within a couple of hours and I’ll be ok!” Yeosang insists, voice firm and calm.
Seonghwa’s face grew increasingly concerned as he spoke softly. “Yeosang, baby, are you sure? Sires don’t have to.”
“But you do sire, this is part of your responsibilities and you do this to keep the coven safe. You need to go.” Yeosang laughed lightly, unsure himself of whether he’d be ok without them but reluctant to keep them from their duties. He knew where they were going and why, he knew they’d be back, that alone should prevent him from panicking and becoming distressed.
“Oh sweetheart… ok, we’ll be back before you know it. An hour at most we promise.” Hongjoong had agreed reluctantly, standing and pressing a deep kiss to Yeosang’s lips before rushing out of the room. Seonghwa had walked over, pressed a pouch of his and Hongjoong’s blood into his hands before leaving tender kisses up the fledgling’s neck, across his jaw and finally one on his lips. They’d left rather quickly after that, eager to get back as fast as possible, worried about their fledgling being alone after everything that happened recently. Yeosang hadn’t been too worried though, he’d told himself he’d stay in the lounge, out of the way of the others, he’d entertain himself and mind his business. If he did that he was certain there’d be no way any problems could arise. He had, of course, once again been very mistaken.
He’d grown bored so quickly. He couldn’t find anything interesting to watch on the TV so he turned it off after ten minutes, he didn’t have a phone or any other electrical devices so he couldn’t doom scroll like he would have previously, he’d just finished reading a book and didn’t want to start a new one. There were so many things he could do but so few he actually wanted to. At the thirty minute mark he’d killed five minutes by sipping at his sires blood until the pouch had run dry but after that he truly started becoming antsy. By the forty minute mark he was up and on his feet heading straight for the door. He couldn’t sit there any longer, his mind was too loud, his body too jittery. He always became like this without his sires there to calm and settle him. He’d decided to just take a brief wander around the manor, hopeful it would draw out some of his excess energy and allow him to settle back down until his sires came back.
He’d walked through every room downstairs, poked around in the kitchen, library and drawing room before heading upstairs, the bedroom set as his final destination. Just as he was walking down the hallway, in a mind of his own taking in the art and the delicate, almost lifelike statues a noise behind him made him jump. He’d spun around and not expecting to see Yunho standing behind him (more like looming over him) he’d staggered back, straight into one of the statues on display. The world froze in that moment, everything around him went still. He felt sick, anxious with worry, mind reeling and heart thumping in a phantom rhythm. Yunho hadn't said anything which was even more concerning, he’d convinced himself that maybe the taller vampire didn't care! Maybe he’d just reprimand him and tell him to be more careful and to clean it up. That had been wishful thinking.
All at once he’d erupted, spewing hateful nasty words that he screamed in Yeosang’s face. “What the hell? You can’t even fucking walk properly now, can’t see where you’re going?! How the fuck did you manage this? What is wrong with you, why do you ruin everything?”
Yeosang had promptly burst into tears, terrified of the huge vampire leaning over him and shouting at him. He’d cowered into himself, wrapping his arms around his waist in an attempt to comfort himself. He was shaking as Yunho continued to tear him to shreds, desperate for someone to turn up and help him escape this situation. Thankfully, the rest of the coven were in the house and though they weren’t keen on Yeosang, they came running when they heard the commotion. Wooyoung had arrived first, freezing for a moment as he took in the sight of them before rushing to stand between them. He’d pushed on Yunho’s chest and forced him away from the fledgling, urging Yeosang back.
“Ok, Yunho, that’s enough! It was quite clearly an accident!” Wooyoung shouted back at the taller vampire. He’d obviously heard and seen enough to understand what had happened and was quick to defend Yeosang. The rest of the coven arrived at that moment, San rushing over to Yeosang, his hands fluttering around the sobbing boy as he tried to decide how best to comfort him. In the end San had settled for rubbing between the fledgling’s shoulder blades with one hand as he moved to block Yeosang’s view of Yunho.
Mingi and Jongho had jumped into action after that, wrapping their hands around Yunho’s arms and pulling him even further back from the fledgling, eager to give him some space from the furious vampire. San and Wooyoung stayed by Yeosang’s side, both whispering words of reassurance to him as tears continued to stream down his face. He’d been truly terrified in that moment, Yunho’s handsome face had been unbelievably scary as he leaned over the smaller, glaring and spitting with anger as he screamed in his face. The tears just wouldn’t stop, it was like everything he’d bottled up and kept hidden inside over the last few weeks had bubbled to the surface, spilled over and he couldn’t stop it. He’d cried and cried, heartbroken sobs that shook his body.
“Don’t worry Yeosang, Yunho is just having a bad day. You didn’t do anything wrong.” San tried to calm him, one reassuring hand resting on the small of his back, gently stroking as Yeosang cried.
“Where are your sires, Yeosang?” Wooyoung asked, even the vampire that was usually vocal in his dislike and distrust of the fledgling was trying to comfort him. Granted it hadn’t been the most comforting as he patted his shoulder like the blonde would infect him just by touching him. But he tried and that was all Yeosang could ask for at that moment.
Mingi and Jongho were having a hushed but tense conversation with Yunho just a few steps away. Yunho still looked so angry it made Yeosang shrink into himself and flinch away from the taller. San and Wooyoung went with him, following his retreating form as they continued to try and comfort him. He’d continue to sob loud and uncontrollably for the next five minutes or so, terrified and inconsolable, unable to speak.
Seonghwa and Hongjoong had arrived at that moment, all but skidding to a stop in front of them, stressed as they took in the sight of the situation waiting for them. “What on earth is going on?”
“What does it look like?” Yunho snapped at them as he gestured wildly towards the shattered statue on the floor.
“I-I Yunho-ssi made me jump and I knocked it over! It was j-just an accident, honest!” Yeosang had wailed, voice wobbly and weak as he sniffled and sobbed. His sires had tugged him close, attempting to soothe him.
“Ok, ok sweetheart! Let’s calm down, deep breaths.” Hongjoong murmured against his temple, voice calming as he pressed soft kisses to his tear-dampened skin.
“He doesn’t need to breathe hyung…” Jongho quips, a smile obvious in his voice. Yeosang huffed a soft laugh at his words finding his coven mates sarcasm funny.
“Yes, thank you Jongho, I am aware of that.” Hongjoong sighed, voice tense but filled with restrained laughter.
“Just making sure!” Jongho replied, voice teasing as he stepped away and walked back to his bedroom.
“Thank you everyone, we’ll take Yeosang and calm him down. Yunho, we’ll talk later.” Seonghwa declared, voice loud as he thanked the majority of the coven and admonished Yunho. Yeosang whispered a thanks of his own to San and Wooyoung, voice quiet as he scrubbed a hand over his eyes.
His sires herded him away after that, sweeping him up into their arms and hiding him away in their bedroom. Seonghwa had undressed him before tenderly slipping him into a pair of soft cotton pyjamas and urged him into bed. He’d settled for a while, allowed them to fuss and fret over him, accepted a feeding when they offered but even with their calming reassurances he still couldn’t shake the heaviness weighing down on him. They're obviously cold towards him, they can’t stand him and their actions since he awoke prove it. A question had sat on the tip of his tongue and he’d managed to hold it off for a few minutes but eventually the worlds tumbled out before he could stop them. “They hate me don’t they?”
Seonghwa froze next to him and the trio were covered in silence as his sires considered their next words carefully. “Ah, baby bat… they don’t hate you, it’s just complicated.” Seonghwa had promised, voice uncertain.
“Well they certainly don’t like me.” Yeosang pouted as he flopped back down onto the pillows.
“You’re lovely darling, the most perfect fledgling and beloved, there's nothing not to like.” Seonghwa promised, voice stern and firm.
Hongjoong pressed kisses all over his face before speaking, voice low and dejected. “We are sorry baby, you don’t deserve this and we feel awful that we can’t do anything to stop it.”
“It’s not your fault! I’m fine and we can’t really blame them. It must be a huge upheaval for them, change is never easy, especially when you aren’t expecting it. They haven’t been… awful?” Yeosang had winced at the uncertainty in his own voice. He couldn’t even convince himself of the words he was saying, nevermind his sires.
“You’re not fine though sweetheart, you’re constantly stressed and crying because of the coven. We never seem to be in the right place at the right time and we keep letting you down because of it.” Seonghwa muttered, quietly scolding himself as he frowned down at his hands.
Yeosang had spun to face them at that point, lips turned down as he pouted at them. “You haven’t let me down, you saved me. You’ve given me more love in the short time we’ve known each other than I’ve received in my whole life! I’m nothing but grateful for you both. I love you both and I can only hope that one day the rest of the coven accepts me.”
“They’re threatened by you my darling, you’re new and shiny, beautiful and heartbreakingly sweet. The coven has been the same for hundreds of years and you’re the first big change the coven has experienced together and they aren’t taking it well.” Seonghwa stated as he gently stroked a hand down Yeosang’s spine.
“It doesn’t help that we’ve always been vocal about wanting to share a fledgling, to sire a baby vampire together and we finally have you! They know how important you are to us and they’re worried we won’t love them as much now that we have you. That is of course ridiculous. We adore them just as much as you, but they don’t see it right now.” Hongjoong spoke up again, continuing to explain the coven’s less than pleased reaction to his sudden appearance.
“We’ll work harder to keep you safe, Yeosang. We won’t let them hurt you but we can’t force them to act or feel any way that they don’t. We just need to be patient and you just continue being your perfect self, they’ll fall for you before long.” Seonghwa promised, a gentle, reassuring smile on his face as he stared at Yeosang adoringly. They’d both pulled him close, pressing fluttering, ticklish kisses over his face and neck till he was laughing uncontrollably, mood lifted and sadness replaced quickly.
Yeosang hadn’t said anything after that. He’d smiled to himself softly and settled into his sires arms, content to fall asleep after getting those heavy thoughts off of his chest. That day felt good, other than Yunho the coven tried to help him, cared about him in some way and comforted him. As far as he was concerned that proves they’re on the way towards calmer water. Things could only improve from here.