Depraved

Love Too Late

Minho woke because he smelled food.

The shock of being in Chanyeol's room blasted through him first, and he wondered- not for the first time- if he'd dreamed Chan and his entire coven up. Then, as usual, he remembered the healed mark on his stomach from Chan licking at the brand and as soon as he spotted it, he felt better.

The smell came again, and he looked around to find the source. Kyungsoo was staring at him from the open door, a small bowl of soup in his hands.

Minho instantly wished that he was still asleep. The sharp-eyed vampire scared him almost as badly as Kai did.

He stepped in, and a shocked whimper slipped its way out of his throat. The sound made the vampire pause, but he soon came closer, taking even, unhurried steps until he was standing over him. The bowl steamed in his grip, and even through his terror, Minho could feel his mouth watering.

Kyungsoo sighed. "He's down in the pit again. I think he'll be there most of the night."

"P-please."

"Are you listening to me?" Oh no. That was anger in his voice. Minho flinched at a rustle of movement, but it was just Kyungsoo sitting down next to him. "I'm going to feed you."

It could be a trick, but it smelled so incredible- and Minho was so hungry. Even a few bites might be worth a punishment.

"Are you going to be good?"

That reminded him of Chan. Everything reminded him of Chan. God, he'd been so stupid when they first met. Wasting all their time together being wary and afraid. And now that time was gone. Minho nodded, since Kyungsoo was still waiting for his answer. "Yes. I will be good."

Tenderly, the vampire spoon-fed him, cooling each bite by blowing on it, his dark expression less unnerving the longer they sat together. Too soon, the bowl was empty. Kyungsoo reached forward, making him flinch again, but he just swiped his thumb under Minho's bottom lip, catching a stray drop of broth and wiping it on his pants.

"I'm sorry about Chanyeol."

His heart sped up so fast it made him nauseous.

Kyungsoo sighed, his shoulders slumping. "He... he NEEDS Suho. The direction that our coven head supplies- it keeps him from spiraling. Or at least, it did. You might know, you were here when he announced his departure."

A bad night for Minho. David had beaten him within an inch of his life.

"I'm not making excuses for him. I just..." he sighed again "I'm only telling you this because we received a letter. Your coven... well... they're trying to get you back."

The feeling in his chest. It was bad- because it was so good. HIS coven. His loving Channie. His innocent Felix. His caring Hyunjin and sharp-smiled Seungmin. HIS Jisung. Even the thought of Innie and Changbin being his- it filled him with golden light.

The idiots. They were going to come after him.

Kyungsoo shook his head slowly. "That. Don't do that. Don't smile. Chanyeol hasn't heard yet, because the letter was addressed to Chen but when he does..." the vampire stood "I really hope you live. I want you to be... free. This coven owes you for being there... for him. We should've watched him more closely. Just, try to keep your head down. Don't fight him so much. I'll come and check on you more often."

The vampire was gone.

Minho could feel the places where he was hurt. He didn't have to look down at his body to know that it was littered with bruises. Didn't have to feel his hole to know it was achy and sore. It had been a very long time since he'd had faith in anything, and he was so tired of trying. But if Chan was coming...