Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Pyro glares from behind a tree, watching Avid complain loudly about Scott's antics to an exasperated Drift. He can just barely hear Drift's reassurances from his hiding spot outside the walls of Oakhurst. An ugly, hurt feeling brews inside Pyro's chest. It's unfair that Sire pays Avid so much attention, when Avid isn't even appreciative of it. Pyro would give so much to be able earn his Sire's attention for even half the time Scott gives Avid.

His Sire only sees fit to give Pyro his attention when he thinks Pyro's earned it. Or if Scott thinks it will be entertaining, or he's angry with Pyro and feels the need to express it. Sire always finds entertainment when spending his time with Avid, even if it's only because Avid's reactions to his teasing are amusing to him.

Pyro scowls down at the ground, turning back around into the forest. He bats away the branches in his way, annoyance buzzing underneath his skin. He makes his way towards the river, trekking to the water and sitting down on a rock by the bay. Pyro pulls his knees up to his chest, resting his chin on them as he looks out onto the murky river.

Pyro admired Scott greatly, just as much as he feared him. It wasn't his place to monopolize his Sire's precious time just because he was feeling insecure. Still, it feels personal that the one that turned him gives more time to a human than to his own fledgling.

Scott was his Sire. Not Avid's, or anyone else's. He felt as if that should mean something, but clearly it didn't to Scott.

Pyro picks absently at his claws, running his thumb over the sharp nail. He winces only a little as the razor edge slices the pad of his finger. Pyro stares down at the bead of blood that slowly trails down his hand, wiping it away before it can stain his sleeve. There still wasn’t a way to properly clean their clothes, and Pyro wanted to look put together.

Not only would it help deceive the humans if Pyro didn't have odd blood stains on his clothes, Scott also liked nice things. If he thought Pyro was unpresentable he might avoid him for even longer, and Pyro didn't know how much more loneliness he could take. He hated silences. Being alone felt oppressive and his mind always had a way of overwhelming him with anxious thoughts.

Pyro had to be his best self if he didn’t want his Sire to abandon him.

Pyro is startled out of his thoughts by a hand landing on his shoulder. He jumps, looking up and blinking at Scott with wide eyes. “Sire?”

Scott's eyes crease as he smiles. “Hello, Pyro. What are you up to?”

Pyro swallows dryly, and if it were still possible, he thinks he might blush. It was way too embarrassing to admit that he was sulking over Sire's lack of attention. “I… I was just watching the water, Sire. It's pretty, isn't it?”

“It is.” Scott crosses his arms, looking over the dark river. “What are you really doing? I know when you're lying, Pyro.”

“I wasn't lying, Sire! Not– Not really,” Pyro averts his eyes, his next words almost a whisper. “I was just thinking.”

Scott sits down beside him with a flourish of his cape. “About what?”

Pyro worries his fang against his lip. “I missed you, Sire.”

Scott's eyebrows raise. “I saw you yesterday.”

Pyro clasps his hands, tapping his fingers together. “You haven't spent any time with me for a week,” his voice lowers to a hiss without his permission. “You've been too busy with Avid and the other humans.”

Scott stares at him blankly for a moment before shaking his head and chuckling in amusement. “Are you jealous, Pyro?”

Pyro looks away. He knew that it was selfish of him to want to take his Sire's attention, but he couldn't help but feel inferior when Scott went to bother Avid instead of spending time with him. He was still new to the whole vampire thing, and he longed for his Sire to teach him how he was meant to do things.

Pyro presses his face to his knees. “I'm sorry, Sire. I don’t mean to be. I know I don't have a right to tell you who to spend your time with.”

Scott tuts, lifting Pyro's chin and making him meet his eyes. “Don't apologize. I'm not mad at you.”

“You aren't?”

Scott shakes his head again, a smirk pulling at his lips. “Of course not. I think it's cute. Though you are right that you aren't in charge of who I decide to give my attention to.”

Pyro swallows, nodding his head. “I know.”

Scott hums. “I know you do. You're good at knowing your place, most of the time.”

“Does this mean that I can stay with you today, Sire?”

Scott tilts his head. “I guess so. I wouldn't want you to be feeling neglected.”

Pyro smiles. “Thank you, Sire.”

“You're welcome, Pyro.”

Pyro pushes himself up, offering Scott his hand. Scott takes Pyro's outstretched hand, pulling himself to his feet and scowling lightly as he brushes dirt off his outfit.

“I wish you had chosen somewhere cleaner to sit.”

Pyro bows his head to hide his smile, still basking in his Sire's attention. “Sorry, Sire. I wasn’t expecting anyone to join me.”

Scott hums in response, walking back up the riverbank as Pyro follows close behind. Pyro stays beside his Sire as they walk back through the woods towards the castle. The silence isn't nearly as terrible with someone beside him, especially when that someone is Scott. As scared of making his Sire mad as Pyro is, he wants his Sire's favor and affection more than he's afraid.

Pyro has never been anyone's first choice, but with Scott he had a chance to at least be approved of.

It was enough for him that his Sire deemed him worthy enough to turn and spend an eternity with. That he gifted Pyro with an immortal life.

Even if he could never leave, he could learn to be happy like this, with Scott by his side.

That had to be enough.

Chapter Text

Scott watches Pyro trail after him from the corner of his eye. Pyro follows eagerly, and would be practically clinging to his side if they didn't seem so nervous about annoying him. Scott had anticipated early on that Pyro was going to be an easy fledgling, what with his constant chasing after Scott's approval. He hadn’t quite guessed just how desperate Pyro would be for his attention however.

Not only was it adorable, it was also a helpful development that Scott could use to his advantage. Pyro held a healthy amount of fear for him already, and it did nothing to lessen his eager to please attitude. If anything, it might have amplified Pyro's desire for Scott's acceptance.

Scott had been angry when Pyro stole his meal with Shelby, disappointed that he had misjudged how much Pyro respected him. Pyro, however, had quickly made it clear with their fearful apologies that he didn't need to worry. It was a lapse in Pyro's control rather than a lapse of Scott's judgement.

He was glad now that he hadn't punished them too harshly in a moment of upset. It had clearly worked in his favor.

“Sire?”

Scott glances back at Pyro, pushing down a smirk at their wide eyed expression. “Yes, Pyro?”

Pyro fidgets under his gaze. “Are we going back to the castle?”

Scott nods his head. “We are. I need to work on the walls. Those pesky humans are venturing into places they aren't meant to. I don’t need them sticking their noses where I don’t want them.”

Pyro returns Scott's nod, continuing to follow behind. “Can I help you, Sire?”

Scott hums, offering Pyro a kind smile. “I certainly wouldn't mind the company.”

Pyro brightens, easy to read as always. It was useful that Pyro always seemed to wear his emotions unmasked. It made it so much easier to keep him under control.

Scott slows as they reach the ruins of his castle, beckoning Pyro to stand beside him. He gestures towards the ruins. “This will be our home once we build it up.”

Pyro's eyes widen, his posture straightening. “Our home, Sire?”

Scott notes the air of wonder in their tone when they speak, smiling easily at them. All it took was a few well placed words, and Pyro was wrapped around Scott's finger. “That's what I said, didn't I?” Scott gently ruffles their hair, his eyes creasing at the open adoration in Pyro's gaze when he does so.

“I'm going to be counting on you to help me make this a safe place for us. Can I do that?”

Pyro looks at Scott with determination and awe, nodding his head quickly. “Of course, Sire. I'll do whatever you need me to.”

Scott grins. “Good. I knew I was right about you.”

Scott leads them into the ruins, and with some minor complaining about the manual labor, they start working together on the walls. Scott is glad he decided to allow Pyro to accompany him. It was a lot easier when he didn't have to do the heavy lifting. Pyro did the work well anyway, much too happy with Scott's praises to complain.

It starts to get dark quickly enough, and Scott can sense that Pyro has something he wants to say as the sun sets its last rays down on them. Deciding to end their day of work, Scott sits down in one of the chairs left in what remains of the grand hall.

Pyro stands awkwardly to the side, fidgeting again with their hands. As much as Scott appreciates the obvious tells of emotion, Pyro's nerves were starting to grate on him. Still, Scott keeps his expression open, raising an eyebrow in Pyro's direction. “You have something to say, Pyro?”

Pyro tenses a little at being addressed, but nods.

Scott waves his hand. “Go on then.”

Pyro seems to steel himself. “I was wondering if I could stay with you tonight, Sire? I know I shouldn't impose myself, but I…” They slowly trail off, averting their eyes. “I've missed you.”

Scott stays silent for a moment, giving Pyro a minute to stew in his own emotions before responding. “I guess you could stay with Shelby and I for now. Will Apo question it?”

Pyro beams, shaking his head. “She won't. She minds her own business for the most part.”

Pyro takes a hesitant step forward, kneeling down on the floor beside Scott's seat. They look up at him with a nervous sort of hope. “Can I really stay with you, Sire…?”

Scott rests his hand on their head, petting their hair. “I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it.”

Pyro looks down sheepishly as Scott runs his fingers through his hair, looking pleased if not a little embarrassed. “I know, Sire. I didn't mean to question you.”

“I know you didn't, Pyro. You're good like that.”

Pyro leans into his hand, melting into the affection Scott is giving him. “Thank you, Sire.”

Scott lets himself smirk at the ease in which Pyro gives in to Scott's graciousness.

“You're welcome.”