**CW: Kind of kidnapping, slight mention of parental abuse, mentions of blood**

            Callum let them into what had to be the nicest hotel suite Knox had ever seen, though that didn’t surprise him in the slightest. Vampires were known for being frivolous, their long lifespans affording them to accumulate wealth by the hoard. The suite was probably bigger than his apartment, and he briefly considered asking Callum what the square footage was as he took in the room, but quickly thought better of it. A plush bed was set as the focal point of the main room, set on a platform to boost its grandeur. Tasteful duvet perfectly made; pillows puffed up to perfection. Callum easily sat themself on a plush lounge, crossing one leg over the other, clasping their hands together and settling to give him a long stare.

Knox couldn’t help but fiddle awkwardly under their heavy gaze, looking at the minibar off to the side as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.

“Pour me a drink.” Callum ordered, voice soft but still demanding.

Knox’s legs moved as if compelled, and he found himself standing in front of the bar, obediently plopping square ice cubes into one of the short glasses and pouring in whatever amber liquid was in the decanter. He approached them, weary as though he were approaching a wild cat. Perhaps he was right to be apprehensive. Of the vampires, Callum was the one he’d spent the least amount of time around and were the hardest to read, though he suspected it was because of the lack of familiarity between them.

They took the drink with a small, polite smile. “Thank you, pet.”

His heart skipped a beat, “I’m not your pet.”

“Aren’t you?” They asked, lightly gesturing for him to take a seat opposite of them. “Word spreads quickly in the vampire world, the bunch of gossips. Half the population in this country probably knows by this point.”

“I don’t want to be owned.” He said, words stilted and awkward.

“If you’d rather get mauled, be my guest.” Callum shrugged, “Though that might be a small mercy for your short, miserable life.”

Knox rather liked his status as living, even if he’d never say so aloud. He didn’t move from his spot, watching as they took a delicate sip of their alcohol.

“It is rather peculiar though, how you continue to appear. Once was understandable, it was a brief stroke of luck you found August that day, and we did pay you back kindly. Then, August loses control of himself for the first time in months, and rather than running to the nest or our older bond mates, I find him with you, of all creatures. You’re injured though, so I didn’t think much of it, but now…” They hummed lightly, “It’s suspicious, that you’re here.”

Knox felt a shiver run down his spine as their sharp, red eyes bore into him. They wanted an answer, clearly, and he had no idea what to say. “I really wasn’t trying to intrude or anything, I was only in the shopping district for a space heater…” He trailed off. Why was this building here of all places anyway? A weird vampire hotel, so close to where humans frequent. Except not weird at all, judging by the way the doors were open, the inviting presence. Like moths to those electric blue bug zappers humans put out on their patios in the summer.

“What a strange place to search for a space heater.”

“I wasn’t looking for one here. I was just passing by and I just… felt compelled to walk in. Not like the place looks off limits anyway, with the doors open like that. Are you here to feed?”

Callum scoffed, delicate nose scrunching as if the entire notion was insulting. They took a long sip of their drink, head tilting back, adams apple bobbed when they swallowed. They set the now empty glass on the table in front of them, neatly on the obsidian coaster. “I don’t trust you.” They sighed, like his entire existence was a pesky thing they had to deal with, “The baby would be upset if you died though, so I suppose my hands are tied. We should return to the nest immediately, it’s only a matter of time before Nash hears of this, and he’ll be upset.”

“Can’t I just… go home or something?”

“You painted a target on your back the second you stepped foot in the building.” Callum said, standing up. They offered him a hand, eyebrow raising when he didn’t immediately take it, “If I hadn’t intervened, Edwin would’ve dug his dirty fangs in your neck and sucked until you were nothing but a bloodless flesh sack to dispose of. You should be thanking me.”

“Thank you.” He said, unable to keep the wince off his face at the visual the vampire had just painted for him. He had been closer to dying than he’d thought, “but I can handle myself.”

“Now that’s not true, is it?” It was phrased like a question, but it wasn’t one. Callum didn’t think he could take care of himself. Nor did Valentine, nor Nash, nor August. Not even Flint really thought he could either if his theories about their friendship were correct. Maybe his parents thought he could, but that was more out of negligence than actual trust that he was a self-sufficient adult. “I’m not actually asking, pet. Either you come willingly, or I drag you there.”

“Fine.” He took the proffered hand, even if he didn’t want to. Callum looked small, but he knew not to underestimate vampiric strength. In a fight, Callum had a supernatural advantage that he unfortunately lacked, so he had no choice but to follow them.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆

August was only in a pair of boxer briefs.

It seemed like the youngest vampire was always in compromising situations, whether it be lasciviously feeding from his nestmates or parading around his house in his underwear. Knox tried not to stare at the expanse of his long legs, or the trail of red hair under his navel. There were freckles spattered against the tops of his shoulders, though they were considerably paler than they might’ve been when he were human, but still darker than the rest of his skin. They hadn’t even made it through the foyer before the younger had appeared with a smile on his face, and it grew even larger when his eyes landed on him.

“Callum, you’re back early!” he exclaimed, leaning down to give his mate a chaste kiss. Callum hummed into the kiss, clearly pleased as August’s big hands gripped the dip of their impossibly thin waist, and not for the first time, Knox felt as though he were intruding.

“Baby bear,” Callum breathed as they parted, lightly pushing at his chest, “You’re not decent. At least go put a robe on.”

August sent them a pout, “I was naked until I heard the front door opening. Besides, Knox likes it.”

“What-?” He choked on his own spit in his haste to get his denial out. Callum already didn’t like him, the last thing he needed was for their dislike to turn to jealousy. “No, that’s not- I mean of course August is very nice looking, but I’m not-“

“Don’t hurt yourself.” Callum said, smile clipped. “Go put on clothes anyway, my love. Val and Nash should be home soon, and I doubt they’ll be in good moods.”

“Why?”

“I’ll explain in a bit.”

Callum looked to him as August slinked out of the room. “Come with me.”

“Will they be mad?” He asked as he trailed after them. The layout of the nest was becoming familiar to him, much to his dismay. Not that it mattered much now.

“Without a doubt,” They entered what he knew to be Callum’s bedroom. It was exactly how he thought it might look, with soft, light colors and lots of lighting. They sat at a large vanity that held an enormous array of makeup. Pallets and bottles and tubes of products that he had hardly any hope of identifying. They pulled open the drawer to their right, taking out a packet of makeup removing wipes. “They’ll be upset with me, though I’m not sure what they’ll do about your new status. Ultimately, it’ll be up to Valentine.”

“…What is there to do?”

“Decide whether or not to protect you or throw you to the proverbial wolves.”

“Is it really that big of a deal?”

“Ahh, I’ll just have Nash explain,” They waved as if they weren’t talking about his life, “I’m not much for politics.”

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆

As Callum predicted, Valentine and Nash were quick to arrive to the nest.

He wasn’t sure if Callum had contacted them or they were due to be home, but before the door even opened Callum and August straightened up with considerably solemn looks out their faces. He would have commented on it, but suddenly the two elder vampires were standing at the entrance of the living room. Knox hadn’t even heard the front door open and close.

They were both in formal wear, much like Callum had been earlier. Nash was in a completely black suit that was tailored nicely, fitting perfectly around his wide shoulders, blond hair pulled back into a bun. His arm was linked with Valentine, and the clothing the patriarch was wearing made Knox’s jaw drop. He was in a skintight dress with thin sleeves that showed off much of his chest and arms. A dainty necklace sat against his collar bones, the clear-cut pendant contrasting against his dark skin. The impassive look on his face only cemented his untouchable image, as though he were some sort of royalty.

“My loves,” He moved toward Callum and August, placing chaste kisses on their heads. August’s eyes were wide as they looked around the room.

“What’s going on?” He asked, hand grasping Valentine’s before he could move away. The older vampire smiled, bringing their joined hands up to kiss his knuckles.

“Yes, I’d like an explanation. Preferably from Callum.” Nash piped in. He hadn’t moved from his spot in the entryway, mouth fixed in a hard line.

“Are you cross with me?” Callum questioned instead. They’re leaned back against the lounge they seemed to prefer, wearing matching, pale green sweats that were probably designer, “I was just protecting the human.”

“I’m beyond cross, Callum. That was such a stupid, ill prepared decision you made that will have an impact-“

“You pushed me to go to that gala because you wanted me to start publicly representing the nest, and now you’re upset because I didn’t behave how you wanted?” Callum stood abruptly, lips twisted into a scowl as they glared at Nash, “That’s not fair.”

Nash scoffed, “Fair? What isn’t fair is making a choice that negatively affects the entire nest, especially without consulting anyone first.”

“What do you propose I did then, Nash?” Callum’s voice became just a bit higher, pitch rising along with the loudness of their voice, “I didn’t want to be there in the first place, and one of those northern vagrants was about to eat him, and we’ve been protecting him up until this point. What was I supposed to do?”

“Redirect their attention from the human, claim him as untouchable without an explanation, leave him there to die. Frankly, anything would have been better than announcing him as some primitive, outdated practice and telling others to spread the word.”

They had gotten closer as the argument had progressed, like they were unconsciously pushing into each other’s space. Knox sat frozen from his spot on the couch, feeling out of depth in this sort of situation. He was no stranger to arguments, his own parents fought all the time, but it wasn’t like he could go hideaway in his room until the storm blew over. He was stuck here, listening to two vampires talk about whether it was worth it socially that he’d been spared. It had been his own fault that he was in danger anyway, his impulsive nature luring him into a mysterious place. He did seem to have a penchant for putting himself in ridiculous situations.

"Keeping humans wasn’t an issue in my old nest.”

“And what happened to your birth nest, Callum?” Nash asked, harsh coldness tinging his tone, and the smaller vampire flinched.

August, who Knox hadn’t been paying much attention to over the past minutes, made a pained noise in the back of his throat. He had only managed to turn his head when something, or rather someone, slammed into him, and suddenly he had a lap full of the youngest vampire. It was uncharacteristically clumsy how August tucked himself into Knox, knocking his knees and elbows into him as he tried to get comfortable, and he was too stunned to stop him. He somehow managed to fold himself so that his arms were trapped between them, face tucked dangerously close to his neck. Knox was convinced he was going to bite him, but August only sniffled loudly as wet tears fell onto his skin.

“You good?” He managed to whisper after a few moments, unsure of what else to do. August wasn’t particularly warm, but the pressure of his body weight was surprisingly soothing. Knox watched as Valentine finally stepped in to break up the argument, encouraging the angry vampires to go to their rooms to cool off.

August only made a sobbing sound in response, so he patted his back sympathetically. He felt the same way.

Valentine stepped back into the living room a few moments later. His amber eyes bore into him much like they always did, the eyes of someone who had seen too much, and Knox was just another thing he’d experience and forget in his long life. Like he already had him all figured out, no words needed.

“I’m not looking for any trouble.” He decided to say, feeling weird with the only noise being August’s sad crying, “I can just like, go home. I’ll forget about all of this.”

Valentine sent him a small, tired smile. He still wasn’t sure just how old Valentine was, but he was sure his age far surpassed his physical appearance. A lot of a vampire’s strength was closely related to age, according to the stuff he’d read, so he wondered if, at this point in Valentine’s immortal life, he was capable of becoming physically tired. If he was mentally tired.

“As much as I’d like to give you what you want, little one, that’s not an option at the moment.” His eyes fell to where Knox’s hand was on August’s back, how he was rubbing circling into the smooth plane of his shirt. “Your safety is at stake, and Callum’s effort would be all for naught if I let you roam the streets on your own.”

“So, I’m your hostage this time around?”

“I’d like to think of it as reluctant guest, but it’s within your rights to be pessimistic about it.”