Chapter Text
The event was getting dull fast. Scott had only decided on attending to get caught up on the latest gossip about the rest of the vampire elite, but everyone was being close lipped.
He's sure it has something to do with Lord Holden's mopey attitude. The man was the one hosting the event, but he looks like he would rather be anywhere else. Scott has no interest in Lord Holden or whatever is causing his bad mood, but his eyes keep straying over to him regardless. Or rather, over to the human trailing behind him.
It was clear the human was one of Holden's blood bags, if the healing marks on the young man's neck were any indication.
Scott wouldn't usually be interested in whatever human Lord Holden decided to bring with him, but this one stood out. He was pretty, with wide blue eyes and reddish brown hair.
He was cute, in the same way a kicked puppy was cute.
The poor thing was shadowing Lord Holden with a miserable look on their face. The event has been going on for hours now, and the human hasn't been given a single break to eat or drink anything.
It was bordering on cruel, and while Scott wouldn't normally care, he has a weakness for cute things and the pitiful look on the human's face was getting to him.
It's that reason alone that Scott lingers after everyone else starts to leave. Scott smiles as Lord Holden notices him staring, beckoning him over. He doesn't look happy at being called over, but with their difference in social standings Scott knows he won't complain. The human scurries behind Holden as the man makes his way over to Scott.
"Lord Goldsmith. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Scott smirks, crossing his arms and resting his cheek against his palm. "I have a proposition for you."
Lord Holden pauses at that. "A proposition?"
Scott lets his eyes move back over to the human behind Holden, watching as they shrink under his gaze. Their nervous expression reminds Scott of the kicked puppy he compared them to earlier, all big sad eyes and quivering lips.
Scott gestures over to them. "What's this one's name?"
Lord Holden looks confused, but entertains the change in topic. He turns, murmuring something under his breath that makes the human pale. They step forward, bowing their head. Scott watches them clasp their hands to keep them from trembling.
"My name is Pyro, Lord Goldsmith."
Scott tilts his head, humming quietly. He meets Lord Holden's questioning gaze. "What would you want for them?"
Pyro's head darts up, but Scott keeps his eyes on Holden. He would have plenty of time to admire his new human once he got them away from this place.
Holden blinks, glancing at Pyro and then back at Scott. "You want me to give them to you?"
Scott smiles easily. "That's what I said, isn't it?"
Silence stretches for a moment before Holden nods. "Get me an invite to one of your banquets and they're all yours."
It was an annoying request, though it didn't harm anything. Lord Holden is one of the vampires Scott wants least at one of his parties, but at the cost of getting what he wants…
"You have a deal."
Scott turns fully now to face Pyro, who's gone from nervous to terrified. Their eyes are planted firmly on the floor and their posture is rigid.
Scott wants to coo at the expression on their face, but he holds himself back in front of the current company. "Do they have any belongings they need to get or shall we head out now?"
Holden hums, grabbing Pyro's chin roughly and jerking their head up. "Go get anything you can't live without and be quick about it."
Pyro's throat bobs. "…Yes, sir."
The human walks off in as civil manner as they can, but Scott can tell they want to run.
Holden speaks up again as Pyro leaves to grab their things. "Can I ask why you're interested in them?"
Scott hums pleasantly. "You cannot."
Scott walks to the entrance without another word. He doesn't have to wait long before Pyro comes down the hall, clutching a small notebook to their chest. They stop in front of him, their shoulders hunched up.
They flinch when Scott presses his hand to their back, eyes darting back up as if expecting to be reprimanded. Scott smiles at them, pressing them forwards. Pyro looks anxious as they approach the opulent carriage, glancing at Scott every few moments.
Once inside, Scott takes the opportunity to learn more.
"Pyro."
The human lifts their head, their eyes glassy. "Yes, Lord Goldsmith?"
Scott reaches his hand out between them expectantly. Pyro stares for a moment, their expression twisted like they're on the verge of tears, but obediently hand over their notebook.
Scott flips through it as the carriage starts moving, his eyebrows raising at the neat notes and detailed diagrams inside. "Are these your drawings?"
Pyro fidgets with their sleeve, nodding their head. "Yes, sir. I— I studied infrastructure in university."
Scott hums, finding himself a little impressed. He smirks. It was his luck that the pretty little human he got was also smart.
He looks through a few more pages, but the longer Scott holds onto the notebook the more anxious Pyro looks. They look cute all nervous and teary eyed, but Scott's feeling generous.
He offers the notebook back to them, and Pyro carefully takes it back into their hands, cradling it close to their chest again. It's a minute expression, but they shoot him a small grateful smile.
It's adorable, and Scott decides then and there that he's going to pamper his new human as much as he can. Scott loves being able to spoil his friends, but there's something especially satisfying about the thought of caring for Pyro, who will be entirely reliant on his decisions and orders.
A fragile little human that's all his.
He can't wait to get to work.