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2025-11-12
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2025-11-13
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we are fine even though we just might cross the line

Summary:

He just barely lived.

And he wouldn't have come back. They had a stake. They wanted him dead.

Avid lets out a broken sob. He had nowhere to go now. Scott, their leader — surely he'd believe the other two core brood members over him. Maybe Shebly would believe him?
-----
or,
avid just manages to escape owen and pyro.

Notes:

spoilers for session seven!

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter 1

Chapter Text

It was instinct.

He shifted into a bat, feeling like he was going to throw up. Owen and Pyro locked him in a small room — but they left the ceiling a bit too high for them. And so, his Avids tiny little bat claws, he tears the cobble bits down as fast as he could while blabbering and begging for them not to kill him.

Avid's never been more thankful that his bat form was tiny. He squeezed his way out of the crypt, tears running down his face as his body throbs from the gouges the other two put into him. He just made it out. 

He just barely lived.

And he wouldn't have come back. They had a stake. They wanted him dead.

Avid lets out a broken sob. He had nowhere to go now. Scott, their leader — surely he'd believe the other two core brood members over him. Maybe Shebly would believe him?

He drops a few feet in the air before he continues flapping his wings. He doesn't have anywhere else to go. Shelby and Drift were his last chance of having some form of normalcy. 

Almost on instinct, Avid finds himself outside the castle. Owen and Pyro were probably already back through the beacon. Already talking to Scott, convincing him to kill Avid too.

"Why, hello there, darling," Scott's voice said behind him — where the forest used to rest. Avid jolts in the air, shaking. Scott's eyes shot up, before raising a brow at him. "What's up? What's got you all riled up?

Avid's voice catches in his throat. "I—" His voice cracks before the dam releases. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he blabbers, letting Scott pick him up and hold Avid in his hands. Scott wouldn't kill him, right? But he didn't think Owen or Pyro would— but Scott's also his biggest defender—

Scott ran his hand over Avid's head, and it… it was grounding. He still shook like it was the middle of a harsh winter, but he wasn't hyperventilating anymore. Quietly, Avid eventually manages to whisper it out, "Owen and Pyro tried to kill me."

"What?" Scott seems baffled, staring at him. "Why would they do that?"

"I— I don't know— they said they needed help at the Crypt, that you told them to get me and help there," Avid sniffled, looking deeply at the lines in Scott's hands. "They trapped me in the pit with cobblestone. Anything else and I don't— I wouldn't— they had a stake, Scott—"

Footsteps from inside the castle approaches, and Avid tenses. They're back— They're going to finish the job— Scott brings Avid close to his chest, protecting Avid with his hand. "Oh— Scott! Just the person I wanted to see! I need to talk to you, I think Avid's in danger! We need to get to—"

"Ah, it's alright. He's right here," Scott says, moving his hand slightly so Shelby could see him. "How did you know he was in danger?"

"Oh thank god! Avid, it's okay, you're okay," Shelby mutters, stepping close to Scott and him. "And I just— I got this feeling, like— memories, but they weren't mine? And I felt it, like it was happening to me."

Scott hums. "So that means it is true," Scott mumbled to himself, voice monotone, something neither of the fledglings had heard before. 

"Y— Yes! It is true, I wouldn't lie about this!!" Avid says, eyes wide as he stares up at Scott. 

"Who even managed to trap you, Avid?" Shebly asks, holding out her hand for Avid to move onto. Just in case Scott did end up agreeing with the others. 

Avid opened his mouth to speak, but Scott to it before him. "Owen and Pyro."

"What?!" Shelby's mouth drops open, and Avid lets out a help as she almost drops him. "Why???"

"I don't… know. God knows there's no reason to go after each other." Scott places a hand on his hip as he speaks. "I'm going to have a long chat with both of them next time I see them."

Scott sighs. "I thought I could trust them. Owen, ehh, less so but I figured he wants the same goals. But Pyro?" Scott looks towards the castle, then to Shebly. "As of right now, fledgling, you are the only one I can trust. You two go downstairs into the tomb, I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Okay," Shelby says with a nod. She cups Avid in her hands, which he normally would hate — the claustrophobia — but can't find it in himself to care. Thankfully the castle seems to be empty as Shelby opens her room door, locking it behind her.

"Holy shit. Are— are you okay, Avid? Uh— here." She pulls out a couple of bottles of blood, setting them on her bed next to Avid.

Avid let out a shaky laugh, followed by another one and another one. Between giggles, he manages to force out, "they tried killing me. For good."

"You're alive, you're okay," Shelby reassures him, petting his back with a finger. "I won't— I won't let them kill you."

"This is the only place I have left," Avid says quietly, holding back his tears. "If they kick me out— you and Drift are the only people I have anymore. I can't— I can't lose you guys, too."

"I wouldn't let Scott do that. He likes you more than he wants to admit. And if he does— we'll leave. Me, you, and Drift. Make our own, uh— brood. Just the three of us."

Avid lets out a wet giggle, using his wing to wipe away a few of the tears. "Okay," he says, voice barely audible, "okay."

A knock on the door startles both the vampires. Shelby quickly lifts the blanket for Avid to crawl under while saying, "just a moment! I'm getting changed!"

"That's an awful bold move, but you do you," Scott's voice says behind the door. "It's just me, Shelby."

She giggles nervously as she unlocked the door for him. "I was just trying to be safe." 

Scott pats the top of her head. "Smart girl." She locks the door behind him again, pausing as Avid crawls out of the blanket.

With a poof, Avid shifts back into his vampiric form. Almost instantly, Scott pulls him forward into a hug, running a hand through Avid's hair. "I had a… discussion with Owen and Pyro," Scott said, causing Avid to flinch. Shelby looked like she was ready to run.

"I told them that neither of them are to be alone with you, and that they both have lost my trust and any privileges connected to me. Once the humans are gone and the beacons are turned, I never want to see either of their faces again."

"You… Scott, you didn't have to go that far," Avid weakly mutters out. The elder shook his head. "No, I did. They both crossed a very fine line. We said you had to pick a side— the town, or us. You picked us. And time and time again, you proved that loyalty. To have them lead you out, knowing that you are weak right now, using my name? Those are not people I am going to associate with."

The trio sat in silence for a moment. "Thank you," Avid whispers, leaning into Scott. "I don't— I don't know what to say. Thank you."

Scott hummed, glancing at Shelby. Suddenly, Avid felt Scott's lips gently press against his hair, leaving a small red spot from Scott's lipstick. He's glad he was a vampire right now, lord knows how red his face would get from that one action alone.

He tried to clear his throat, but his voice still came out squeaky as he spoke, "how— how do we know that they're gonna— y'know, stick with the whole leaving me alone thing? Who's to say they won't break in here right now and stab me with a stake?"

"Well, you cannot be alone anymore. And while Shelby still has my trust, she isn't much of a fighter— no offense."

"None taken," she chuckles lightly. Avid feels bad agreeing — although the memory of her claws tearing through his flesh was still relatively fresh in his mind, brought back closer after the experience with Owens.

"So, I'll probably have you stick near me. Never out of ear distance, not until they leave my home."

"What if they both attack you?"

"They're both fledglings," Scott says dismissively, waving his other hand to emphasize the point. "I can take either of them."

Shelby offers a small smile. "It's okay, Avid. It's not like you'll be alone, me and Drift can hang out with you lots! Uh, if Scott doesn't mind."

"None at all."

A small bubble of warmth rises through Avid's chest. They— they still cared about him. They're doing so much for him, just so he can stay safe. Scott kicked out the other two oldest vampires for him, offering to sacrifice his time to watch over him—

He just needs to outlast the humans. Once they're all dead, he shouldn't have to worry anymore! He'll— he'll finally be safe!

"Well," Scott finally says after several silent minutes, "I did have some other plans I wanted to get done. Care to join me, Avid?"

"Oh, yeah-! Yeah, I can." Avid stands up, hands wringing themselves together. "Um, what are we gonna do?"

"Abolish killed all our animals earlier," Scot says, rubbing his hands over the creases in his clothes. "Me and Cleo still had some eggs so I can get some help relocating them." Avid nodded as Scott talked, helping Shelby stand up from her chair.

"I'm gonna— I'm gonna go find Drift," Shebly whispers. "Tell her what um, what happened. Talk to you guys later?"

"Oh, yeah! Okay, yeah. I'll see you later!"

Chapter 2

Summary:

Drift smiles, putting her arms above her head. "Oh, yeah! Us and Shelby. We're gonna help Avid once we can leave, and then we'll travel to places. I've always wanted to explore across the oceans, y'know?"

"Oh?" Scott hums, looking at Avid. "What do you have after this before you're truly free?"

"I, uh… I had a partner. A— A monster hunter partner. She, um… her name was Elle. She went out for a while, and after a few weeks she returned." Avid's voice seemed way to calm for how he felt, the grief flooding through his body again as he retold his most horrible memory. "She… She attacked me. I don't know why, but… I staked her. I thought she was a vampire. After that, I ran too— ran to Oakhurst. That's… That's why I was acting like that before."

---
or, avid has a time.

Notes:

i wasn't originally planning to write a second chapter, but here we go! hope you guys enjoy :D

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

It's been over twelve hours since Avid nearly died.

Twelve hours since Avid saw Pyro or Owen.

Avid feels like he can finally calm down, like they weren't going to turn the corner and jump him any second. Plus, it helps that he hasn't left Scott's side at all.

Avid's hand's currently intertwined with Scott's own. They were walking through the forest after desecrating the Lake beacon, chatting to Drift. 

"You two are gonna go traveling after this?" Scott asks, interjecting into the conversation for the first time. 

Drift smiles, putting her arms above her head. "Oh, yeah! Us and Shelby. We're gonna help Avid once we can leave, and then we'll travel to places. I've always wanted to explore across the oceans, y'know?"

"Oh?" Scott hums, looking at Avid. "What do you have after this before you're truly free?"

"I, uh… I had a partner. A— A monster hunter partner. She, um… her name was Elle. She went out for a while, and after a few weeks she returned." Avid's voice seemed way to calm for how he felt, the grief flooding through his body again as he retold his most horrible memory. "She… She attacked me. I don't know why, but… I staked her. I thought she was a vampire. After that, I ran too— ran to Oakhurst. That's… That's why I was acting like that before."

"Oh, Avid," Scott's voice dripped with sympathy as he paused, bringing Avid's hand up and placing a single kiss on his hand. "I'm sorry you had to do that."

Avid is so thankful that his heart no longer could pump the blood up to his face. "I—" His voice catches in his throat, voice starting to waver. "Thank you," he whispers. Drift bumps into his shoulder.

"We'll hold a proper funeral for her, Avid," she says, hand on the shoulder. "We'll always be there for you." A smile broke on Avid's face. The trio move forward, sticking in the shadows of the remaining forest. 

Right before the three stepped out of the forest onto the trail to the castle, Scott paused. 

Avid was giggling, his free hand covering his mouth. He paused as soon as he felt Scott's hand stop being him. 

"Is everything okay?" Drift asks, her skin starting to sizzle as she stands just outside the shadows. Scott shakes his hand, pulling Avid closer to his chest. Avid lets out a very normal sound, thank you for asking. 

"Someone's here," Scott says, voice flat as his eyes scan the trees. "I heard a fourth pair of footsteps." Avid gulps, his heart pounding as he looked around — or, well, the phantom memory of it. Either way, he was scared, okay? 

"You have good ears, Goldsmith." Owen's voice seems to echo from everywhere in the forest. "Though, you seem to be keeping my prey."

Drift's hands tense, her claws ready to be used. "We're not afraid of you!"

"Oh?" Owen's voice circled around them, and Avid started shaking in Scott's arms. "I don't think that's true, Drift. Did Avid not tell you how he begged for his life?"

"I specifically told you I do not want to see you around here again, did I not?" Scott's voice was flat — deadly. Waiting to strike. Avid looks up to those blood-red eyes, seeing the absolute predator that was being held back. At this moment, Avid could not see Scott — but just the hunter instinct over something they own. Something they protect, or lay claim. "Leave."

"I have… unfinished business, before I can do that." Avid flinches as Owen's voice is right in his ear, and he hears Scott growl. "Who are you to deny a hunter his prey?"

"Avid is under my protection. He is in my coven, my brood. He is not your prey because you have grievances."

Owen hums before claws slash down Scott's back. He spins around, claws striking through open air. 

Avid yelps as he was pulled backwards by an invisible force, the collar of his shirt choking him as he's pulled back. Drift shouts, tackling the invisible vampire, and Avid gags on the air. His eyes are wide open, darting around everywhere as he takes a large leap backwards. Without even thinking, he felt himself transform into his bat form. 

He lets out a cry once more as someone slashes at his wings, cutting through the thin skin of the membrane. Somehow managing to slash at Avid, despite the amount of bats that appear when he transforms. 

Avid was grounded, now, unable to even use his own claws to defend himself. He latches himself onto Drift's legs as she fights, and Avid catches Scott nodding at her. Not even a moment later, Drift takes off. "We have to help Scott!" Avid shouts as he climbs up her leg, now looking over her shoulder. He sees Scott between them and Owen and Pyro, fighting both of them off while they escape.

"Are you crazy?!" Drift says between breaths, leaping over the gaps in the bridge. "Do you think we could really take them? You're a bat right now, Avid!"

"We can't just leave him!"

"Dude, you can't even fly right now. They tore through your wing. You really think you can fight?" Drift sighs, gently picking Avid up and holding him in her hands. She looked so large, in his small bat form, like a guardian angel meant to protect him. After a moment, Avid shakes his head. "Exactly. I'm sorry man, but we need to be alive first."

"They know we're at the castle, though."

"We need to go to another beacon, one not here. I just needed to — to get away." Drift is panting as she talks. "Let's go to the Obelisk." 

"Okay."

Avid needs to calm down his racing heart. He's fine. He needs to focus, put all his energy into finding himself at the Obelisk beacon. He takes deep breaths, practically gulping the air to try and calm himself. He's fine. He's fine. Drift's fine, and Scott will be fine.

He takes a deep breath, closing his eyes. The Obelisk. 

Sunlight shines behind Avid's eyelids, slowly blinking them open. "Oi, what the fuck?!" Avid snaps out of the brief moment he had, head whipping around to see Martyn and Ren at the beacon, consecrating it. 

"Sorry, sorry!" Drift and Avid both shout, jumping at the sight of the humans. The second Martyn pulls out his silver sword, Drift transforms into her bat form, picking Avid up by the scruff of his neck before flying off before another fight could start. 

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh, Drift, they were there!" Avid lets out a nervous giggle as Drift lands on a nearby tree. She places him on the leaves, a wing over Avid's tiny form.

"What are the chances?" Drift says, looking at them. "Like, man! The first time I did this and Martyn was there!"

"At least it wasn't Abolish," Avid replies. He leans into Drift, trying to stop the shaking. The two fell into silence for a while, watching as the beacon was neutralized. 

The two were too far away to hear what the humans were saying, but watched as the two of them decided to leave after neutralizing it. Avid feels something disconnected — a sudden loss of a feeling Avid didn't even realize. A vampire is dead.

He looks at Drift, and he could tell she has the same feeling. "You don't think?"

She shakes her head. "No. He couldn't have. There's no way."

"Should we go back to the castle?" Drift shakes her head again. 

"Nah," she says, "me and Shelby said to meet here if anything happens. I was gonna tell Scott, but, uh… Haven't gotten the time yet. But we just need to wait and hope she comes."

Avid nods. "Okay," he lets out a breath. "I hope he's okay."

"He is. If Scott's dead, we don't have a chance. Any of us."

Avid leaned into Drift further. Scott has to be okay. He takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Quietly, he whispers to her, "I can't believe they came back to try and kill me."

"You're gonna be okay," Drift hugs him tighter, "we'll always be there to protect you."

They stay outside like this for ten minutes, then twenty, then thirty. At this point, both Avid and Drift both had shifted out of their bat forms, simply just sitting on the tree. Finally, they see a reddish brown flying towards them. "Guys!" Shelby lets out a breath of relief as she lands on the tree next to them, transforming back. "Avid, are you okay? Scott told me about the ambush."

"I'm fine," Avid said, breaking off of Avid to latch onto Shelby. "Scott's okay? Did you feel that earlier?"

"Oh, yeah!" Shelby says. "Scott killed Pyro. He said Owen ran away once Scott was pulling out stakes."

Avid wishes he could bring himself to care, even though they attacked him. Was Avid already losing his humanity, his empathy? He shook his head. "I'm glad you're okay, Shelby. I'm glad that you're okay."

Shelby lets out a breath, tightly holding Avid. "I'm glad you're okay, too. I'm sorry I wasn't there." She looks at Drift, dragging her into the hug as well. "We're gonna be okay, okay? The three of us. I promise you guys that."

Avid could feel tears forming in his eyes from happiness. "I love you guys," he says, voice shaking as he speaks. "I'm glad I have you."

"We love you too," Drift replies, holding both of them tighter. As if she lets them go, they'd disappear. And Avid's okay with that. He doesn't mind the slightest.

Notes:

thank you for reading! HOPEFULLY drift is still in character as i haven't gotten around to watching her pov, but i hope you guys enjoy this! if you liked it please leave a comment :D they make my day and i try to respond to all of them ^-^

Notes:

i hope you enjoyed! i wrote this fic at like 3am sunday night and i havent really looked over it since i wrote it so i hope it makes sense GIGGLING . if you liked it please leave a comment! they truly make my day :D okay have a good one