Chapter Text
Techno knew exactly what was happening. He wasn't stupid even if his father thought otherwise, he had found the pamphlet that his father left forgotten on the couch a few weeks ago. It was a pamphlet for the youth program Blood Cells, a nicer way of calling children who are adopted by vampires for the purpose of having a bag of blood without the need to resort to agencies or breeders.
He had heard it on the phone, with the lady who managed the program, they talked about the sum he would receive if what he said about his son with golden blood was true...
He was going to be sold
Not to some stranger on the street, not to someone who was just looking to take advantage for a while. No, he would sell him to a vampires coven. Techno didn't need to hear the entire conversation to understand it; Just a few random words, like deal, Corvidae, and golden-blood, had been enough.
And it's not like his father tried to hide it, it's not like he cared what Techno thought or felt. His father has never loved him and the only reason he was born was to trap his mother in a marriage she didn't want.
But, the change in his behavior was confirmation. Suddenly, Techno was getting three meals a day, as if his health suddenly mattered. The clothes were no longer dirty, nor did they smell musty. His father even gave him hot baths, something that had previously seemed like an unnecessary luxury.
And then there was that stupid ribbon.
It was a light blue color, which matched the appearance of his eyes, and gave him a more fittingly youthful appearance. Because despite his father's attempts the signs of abuse were evident on Techno's pale and emaciated body.
After all, the abuse would not disappear overnight.
So his father tied it around his neck in the afternoon, adjusting the ribbon until it looked “cute”. He didn't say the word out loud, but Techno felt it anyway. He wasn't a child to him, just a well-groomed pet to be given to his new owners.
“Now you're presentable…” his father murmured, patting him on the head. It wasn't an affectionate gesture, nothing he did was. He supposes it was just a way to release some pent up energy, he hasn't hit him since the deal started so that was the less violent replacement for that.
Techno just looked down. There was nothing to say and nothing he could do.
When Calvin arrived with his briefcase full of weird things, Techno didn't even ask questions. He extended his arm without being asked. He knew perfectly well what he was there for: his blood had to be “clean” for the exchange. As the band squeezed his arm, he stayed silent, watching the veins stand out under his pale skin.
It didn't hurt that much. Dizziness was the only thing he really felt, but even that was becoming normal.
Later, while trying to sleep, he heard the basement door creak. It wasn't his father and his friends playing a game of pool. Not this time.
The door to the hiding place opened with a loud bang, and there was his father, accompanied by Calvin. The voices felt far away, as if someone was speaking from the back of a cave.
“…fed…looking better…” Calvin whispered.
“… presentable… looking for adorable… pets…” His father seemed pleased, as if he were admiring a well-polished object before selling it.
“Lady Death… more than satisfied…” Calvin sounded almost impressed. And Techno, now too tired to continue listening, let his eyes slowly close.
The cold was still there, clinging to his skin like a second layer, but the blankets were warm, deceptively comforting.
And sleep came in fitful fragments, too light to be rest, too deep to stay awake. Every time his eyes closed, distorted images filled his mind: long shadows, cold hands, and voices murmuring words he didn't fully understand.
When he woke up, the ribbon was still in place. He felt it pressed against his throat, like a gentle reminder of what was going to happen. He didn't need a mirror to know that his father had “fixed” his hair while he slept; he could feel the locks arranged with unnatural precision, as if he was a doll that needed to look perfect.
The basement door was open. That was never a good sign.
Steps, heavy, but controlled. The sound of expensive shoes hitting the floor, followed by a lighter shuffling: Calvin. Techno knew his rhythms, his way of walking, as if it were part of the background noise of his life. But there was another sound, something he couldn't quite identify... An echo that didn't belong in the house.
“You woke up just in time,” his father's voice cut through the silence like a blade. He approached, adjusting his ribbon with cold hands. “Today is a big day for you, you know? You are going to be part of something much more… important.”
Techno didn't respond. There was no reason to do it.
His father crouched down, leveling his eyes with his. He smiled, but it was not a smile of joy. It was a hollow smile, with no real emotion behind it.
“You should be grateful. Your new coven are… influential . You will be well taken care of. Better than I ever could.”
Liar.
Before he could say anything “Not that you meant to,” Calvin walked over with a small black box in his hands. He carefully opened it, revealing a small glass vial filled with a translucent liquid that glistened in the dim light of the room.
“This is to keep him stable before delivery,” Calvin explained, though his voice sounded like it didn't really matter whether Techno understood or not.
His father nodded. “We don't want him to panic and try to escape.”
The needle entered his arm without ceremony. It didn't hurt. Techno only felt a soft burning that quickly faded, replaced by a strange feeling of calm… a stillness that was not his. His body relaxed on its own, his thoughts became slow, heavy, as if he were sinking in thick water.
The voices became farther away, but a few words slipped through the mist:
“…they will arrive at dusk— ” That voice was Calvin, without a doubt. “…good condition- fair price…” His father's response was just a harsh murmur.
Everything was fading away in a whirlwind of exhaustion. Darkness took over his mind and without realizing it, Techno fell into a deep sleep, as if he were slowly fading away.
When he woke up, he was restrained by a seat belt. It took him a second to understand where he was. The seat he was sitting on was too soft, like velvet, and the interior of the car was wrapped in a luxurious shade of wine red. The tinted windows made everything outside seem dark, although, from the small glimpses he could see, it must have been night.
It was strange. There were no cages, no chains. Just a comfortable car with the heater on. This is not what he was expecting...
He moved his fingers slightly, surprised to feel no restriction beyond the belt. He could have taken it off, but... for what?
“Oh, you're awake!”
The sudden voice made him tense. He hadn't realized he wasn't alone. He turned his head slowly and there he saw her: a woman with fluffy white and brown hair, bright red eyes, and a soft weird smile.
It was Dr. Puffy.
He had seen it in the brochure his father had leafed through for days. She was the director of the program. The one who, according to that role, was in charge of “providing a better future” to children who, like him, had been forgotten by the human world.
“How do you feel, honey?” she asked in a warm voice, without pressuring him. Techno looked away, not knowing how to respond. The kindness was more disconcerting than the silence he was used to.
“…fine” Was all he could say, his voice hoarse with sleep.
“I’m glad” her smile widened with tenderness, her fangs showed a little, they were shiny, but without becoming something disturbing “You must be confused, but you don't have to worry.” The kindness in her voice didn't sound fake, in fact she seemed kind, it wasn't what he imagined a vampire would be like.
“But before you go to your new family, we have to make sure everything is in order.”
In order? The phrase made his stomach turn. He knew what it really meant. Did they want to make sure that he was functioning well, that he was not "damaged"? Or maybe they just want to make sure that what his father said is true.
The car slid silently down the road. Puffy didn't speak again immediately, giving him his space, which only added to Techno's discomfort. He didn't understand why she didn't force him to talk.
Finally, after a few minutes, the vehicle stopped in front of a strange building, with dark glass walls and soft lights that illuminated the entrance. It was not the mansion he expected... It was something more clinical, colder, but no less luxurious.
Puffy got out first and, with a delicate gesture, unbuckled the seat belt.
“We have arrived at the facilities. You will meet your assigned nurse and she will take a sample of your blood ” Miss Puffy explains it completely naturally, as if it were the most normal thing… but Techno couldn't help but feel nervous.
The door opened, and the cold air hit his face. Behind the glass walls, he could see several people moving around in white coats. They didn't seem like cold or distant scientists; there were genuine smiles and soft conversations. It was like they really wanted to be there.
Puffy crouched down to his height, “I know you've been through a lot. But this will be better than that” Techno hesitated, but in the end he nodded slowly. Not because he believed those words, but because there was something in the way she looked at him, like she really cared.
The automatic doors opened with a soft hum.
"Come on." She said with a smile “It will just be a little checkup, and then you can rest before meeting your new coven.”
They walked through long, silent hallways, with walls full of children's drawings. Despite the welcoming colors, white and crimson red predominated, subtly reminding him why he was there.
Finally, they arrived at a waiting room. Puffy motioned for him to sit down.
“Miss Nikki will be coming for you in a moment. She is your assigned nurse and will be watching over you, even when you leave here.” Her tone was reassuring. “Now” she stood up, gently adjusting her clothes. “I must sign some papers for your arrival. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
Techno nodded, silently watching her walk away. The room was designed to look cozy, with drawings on the walls and posters about self-care. One in particular caught his attention: it explained how vampires donated their venom to be used for medical purposes, a substance that prevented pain in procedures such as blood extractions.
Time passed slowly until a woman with bi-color hair reaching just below her shoulders approached him. She wore a white uniform with red trim, but unlike the others, her eyes didn't have that cold vampire glow.
"Hello there! You must be Techno, right? I’m Niki, your assigned nurse.” The woman introduced herself with a smile. He just nodded sheepishly.
“Come with me, we'll do some quick tests. I promise it won't hurt” They entered a smaller, brighter room, with a padded chair in the center. Nikki prepared her instruments with quick but careful movements.
“Have you had your blood drawn before with vampire venom?” She asked as he cleaned his arm.
“Not with vampire poison-” His voice was barely a whisper. “B-but they have drawn my blood before.” Techno stuttered, he was nervous, he didn't know if saying it was the right thing to do.
"Okay! It's not much different than normal... you'll just feel a little tingle” he could only nod, the truth is he expected this to hurt, he was used to that. But Techno only felt the cold tingle on his skin as the nurse applied the poison… and then, just gentle pressure as the needle entered. There was no pain.
He could see how a small vial was filled with his blood.
“Have they told you why you are here?” Nikki asked as she filled the jars.
He hesitated before answering.
“They are going to sell me”
Nikki's movements paused for a second before continuing.
“They're not selling you! It’s just- it's like foster care, only with vampires” He didn't answer, he knew how easy it was to lie and break promises, he barely knew Miss Niki... he wouldn't believe her without knowing whether she's telling the truth or not.
When she was done, she put a small band-aid on it. It had a small crown… he liked it, it was pretty.
"Ready. You are very brave, you know? Not all children are so strong.”
It's not bravery if you're already broken inside. Techno thought, but it wasn't worth complaining if this was how his life would be from now on.
“Puffy will come pick you up soon. In the meantime, rest here for a while.”
Techno stayed silent, staring at the soft lights on the ceiling, wondering if things would really be different this time.
Time passed slowly in the living room, but not the way it did at home. There was no fear here, no expectation of a blow or a cruel word. Only silence and, curiously, peace.
Techno leaned his head against the back of the chair, his fingers playing with the edge of the band-aid on his arm. The sensation of the poison still left a slight tingle, but it wasn't unpleasant, just… weird.
The door opened gently, and Puffy walked back in, her smile as warm as before.
"How did it go?" she asked, sitting on the edge of the table in front of him, hands clasped in her lap.
"Good." His voice was low, but at least he sounded stable.
“Nikki says you were very brave.” Puffy's gaze was soft, without that air of condescension he usually felt from other adults. As if she really believed what she was saying, “Now we'll take a little tour of the facilities before you can get some rest.”
Techno nodded slowly. Not that he had much of a choice.
They walked through hallways that felt too clean, like no one really lived there, like it was only out of obligation. But unlike hospitals, there wasn't that smell of antiseptic or the cold that seeped into your bones. Here, even the lights seemed softer, more designed to calm than to monitor.
"You know" Puffy started as he walked. “Many of the children who come here have not had an easy life.” Techno thinks that's an understatement considering everything someone had to go through to wind up here of all places… “The program exists because they deserve a chance to start over… with people who really care for them.”
Techno clenched his fists silently. He knew those words were just that: words. But he also knew that if he showed any emotion, he would be punished for it. But here… he wasn't sure if it was the same.
“And the covens?” he finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Puffy paused for a second, as if thinking carefully about her answer.
“The covens that participate in this program are chosen very carefully. They must be responsible, offer a safe environment and…” her smile became a little melancholy “Well, some of them know exactly what it feels like to be alone. Sometimes they just want some company beyond-” the woman makes a strange gesture with her hands, as if she was trying to find a suitable word… he didn't think it would be difficult for a vampire to mention blood “beyond the obvious”
Although knowing what she meant didn't stop Techno's chest from tightening a little, although he didn't say anything. They just continued walking... ignoring the awkward silence that hung in the hallways.
“Here we are.” They stopped in front of a door with the program's symbol, a drop of blood surrounded by black branches. Puffy rested her hand on the doorknob before opening it. “This will be your room until it's time for you to leave.” The room was small but cozy. A bed with soft sheets, a small shelf with books and some drawings on the walls. Everything was too clean. Too perfect for his taste.
But it was certainly better than his father's basement.
“Everything here is yours… and we were hoping you would take it to your new home” Techno must have really made a strange face because Puffy looked at him sympathetically “They are mostly basic things that a human needs to exist… although your coven will grant you more things of course” he looked at his- the room (it wasn't his... so he shouldn't name it as such) and thought about what to say or ask next.
“Is this mine? The books even?” It sounded crazy, because who would want to spend so much on children? “Yes, everything is yours… well except the furniture and the sheets. President J asked that we give the best of the best to the children here, that includes meeting their needs.”
President J… was one of the first kids in the program, he ended up in a good coven, and one of the most powerful. Thanks to them he was able to reach the very top in life and grow as a person and as a politician. Vampires love them for everything they have done to benefit them, and the majority of humans, those who were born after the introduction of vampires to society, also approve.
Of course there are people like his father who call him a traitor to his own people, and who hate him along with all vampires.
Techno never really had an opinion of him... but he appreciates the things that have been given, thanks to him.
The president has made sure that all the children in the program have good things, better than what he had at the time.
Techno walked a little further into the room - there was a good smell in the air, it was cozy and pleasant, it was what a home should smell like (he thinks it was a stupid thought)... it made something deep inside him warm up.
“Rest for now. Nikki will come see you in a bit” the woman smiled warmly at him, her fangs glinting under the light “We'll talk about what's next later, okay?”
Techno nodded again, and Puffy carefully closed the door on her way out.
For the first time in a long time, he was alone in a room that didn't smell musty or bad… he took off his shoes and felt the soft carpet under his feet, it was warmer and softer than anything he had ever felt before.
He fell onto the bed, looking at the pearl-colored ceiling. The sheets were incredible, they weren't paper thin, nor rough like sandpaper, they were perfect and comfortable.
The room was silent.
Techno blinked slowly, feeling the weight of exhaustion in his bones.
It was comfortable.
Too comfortable.
The mattress under his back was soft, the carpet muffled any noise, and the air had that clean, fresh smell he had never associated with home. There was no humidity, no oppressive weight of darkness, no distant squeaking of rats digging between the walls. He didn't have to hold his breath when his father opened the door. He didn't have to cower in a corner, hiding anything even remotely valuable that could be taken from him.
And yet the fear was still there, burning under his skin like a fever he couldn't shake.
He slowly sat up in bed, feeling the pressure of something invisible squeezing his chest.
He sold him.
His father sold him.
He knew it was going to happen. He had felt the echo of that reality for months, in every calculated gesture of his father, But a part of him—the stupidest part, the one that was still a child—had hoped that something stopped this from happening.
Maybe a miracle.
Maybe he just wasn't worth as much as his father believed and he would be left behind.
But he wasn’t.
He was valuable.
He was special.
Not enough to be loved. Not enough for anyone to choose him for what he was and not what he could offer.
But enough to be sold to a program that is dedicated to delivering vulnerable children to vampires.
Techno tightened his arms around his body, breathing heavily.
His lungs didn't want to expand fully, his chest felt like someone was pressing down hard on him, sinking invisible claws into his flesh. His heart was beating too fast, too hard.
The heat in the room no longer felt welcoming. It felt suffocating.
His thoughts swirled like a whirlwind: the ribbon his father tied around his neck with sickening precision, as if he were wrapping a gift; Puffy's soft words, laden with a sweetness he couldn't process.
His throat closed.
He couldn't cry.
He couldn't cry.
If he cried, his father would say he was being ungrateful. If he cried, it meant he was weak.
But his father wasn't here.
He was never going to be here again.
And he missed him… he was stupid enough to miss him.
Techno doubled over, pressing his hands to his face. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't think.
It was real.
All of this was real.
He had never had a choice.
And worst of all, this place was better than his home.
He had sold him like cattle, and yet this place was better.
He made a strangled sound, something between a gasp and a suppressed sob. His fingers trembled as he dug them into the crimson sheets, as if he could anchor himself to something, to whatever it was.
Because if he let go, if he let himself fall into complete despair, what was left of him?
Nothing.
Just the weight of his own existence, sold and packaged with a pretty ribbon around his neck.
Techno tried to breathe, but the air didn't quite fill his lungs.
There was something stuck in his throat—a lump, a scream, a sob that she couldn't allow himself to release. His hands were cold, his skin tingled, and the warmth of the sheets beneath his fingers felt too far away, like the whole world was moving away from him.
Everything was wrong.
His chest ached, his heart beat in a frantic, erratic rhythm, like a trapped animal banging against the walls of its cage. The air in the room became heavier, denser, suffocating in a way that made no sense.
It was too much.
He tried to move, to force himself to do something anything, but his body felt alien, as if it didn't belong to him. A dull ringing filled his ears, drowning out everything else.
He knew what was coming.
He had felt it before, on the worst days, when his father denied him food for too long or when the fever took away what little energy he had left.
His vision blurred, the edges darkening like ink spilling onto paper.
He couldn't breathe.
He couldn't—
The world tilted violently, and the last sensation he had before everything went black was the softness of the sheets wrapping around him as his body gave way completely.