Chapter Text
Although he lived alone, Felix was never lonely. And although the only voice was his own, Felix never had to endure silence.
If the maple, birch, and cedar leaves weren’t shivering in the wind, the wildlife surrounding his home would call to each other, or even his own soft humming would often spill into the air.
Felix was truly content with his life. His happiness and fulfillment came from his home, his work, and his magic.
Crafted by hand, his home and surrounding gardens had taken years of labor. After finding his desired place—a half day walk and two hour ride from town and a three minute walk to a fresh spring— Felix had set up a simple camp and got to work. Each morning he would stand under a looming cedar tree and focus his magic. Plants bent to his will. Roots walked entire trees to the side, debris lifted up or crumbled away, uneven ground flattened.
The sheer amount of concentration it took to clear out a space left him dripping in sweat, his limbs shaking, and his mind aching. It took Felix two weeks to make an empty spot large enough for his plans.
Had the forest not been receptive to him, Felix would never have achieved his goal. But his connection to nature endeared the soul of the forest to him. The plants sensed a kindred spirit, a Forest Mage, and allowed him entry.
Each tree that fell was given a whispered thanks before it was stacked in a growing pile of lumber. His few friends from the village helped assemble the house. Changbin, a Stone Mage, was the only person Felix knew who had strength magic capable of lifting and fitting together logs to create the structure. Felix was lucky that Changbin’s husband, Seungmin, excelled in the finer details that allowed the log structure to become a livable home.
It took one year to build the house, and another year after that to make it into a home. His garden had taken root quickly thanks to his magic. The protective spells had taken weeks of research, but were well worth it to ensure his safety.
Felix lived far off the beaten path, but he had never been happier. He was mostly self-sufficient and thankful for it. He fed himself through his garden and his hunting. His garden also yielded herbs and plants that he dried in his workspace and sold to the town’s apothecary once a month. That money allowed Felix to buy clothing and other necessities he couldn’t make himself.
Felix’s life was simple, but it was perfect for him.
—
The waxing gibbous hanging amongst the stars told Felix that his night garden was nearly ready to harvest. So he went out on the full moon and collected the plants that thrived in darkness.
Felix spent the next several days preparing for a trip into town to sell and shop. Some plants were braided and hung to dry. Others were jarred in a preservative mixture that would keep them fresh until the apothecary put them out to sell. Once the plaits of herbs were bone dry he ground half of them into a fine powder and bagged them to be sold. The others he hung back on the ceiling to use for himself.
Once he had everything ready for sale he packed his wagon, hitched his horse, and headed to the village. He figured he would stay in town for two days to sell, buy, and visit friends.
The two days in town went by quickly. Felix used the first day to sell his herbs and shop for anything he might need back home. He spent the night and next day with Changbin and Seungmin before heading back home.
To some, Felix’s life might seem isolating and trying. But he never found his life a trial. Nor was he lonely.
Felix was content with his life, and he was content for it to remain as it was.
Life, however, had other plans for Felix.
—
Two nights after his return from town, Felix sat by his fireplace in his favorite chair. The shiny new needles he’d purchased rested near the spools of thread and his scissors. Mending was a task Felix found unfavorable but necessary if he wanted his clothes to last. He stitched the hem of a shirt—snagged on a bramble thicket while he was gathering blackberries—until the fire was dying.
The nights were getting colder as autumn reached its peak, so Felix put out the fire in the hearth and started one in the wood burning stove. The stove, while small, heated his entire home better than the fireplace and kept him warm even in the harsh winter. Once the fire was burning he went through his routine of checking the spells in and around the house.
Now ready for a quiet night of reading before bed, Felix brewed tea. Letting it steep, he lingered in front of his bookshelf. Just as he was reaching for an old favorite, Felix felt something shift.
His spine straightened as one of the many magical tethers he had to his land surged to the front of his mind. Normally the tethers faded into the background of his magical energy; the protective spells ran without needing his active attention. But tonight something, or someone, had come too close and triggered a spell.
Felix stood with his eyes closed and reached out with his magic. He was aided by his connection with the plants and used their senses to explore the area that had triggered. The grassy ground felt a heavy weight atop it. A stout birch tree heard labored breathing and a nearby oak made out a faint whimpering noise.
Eyes snapping open, Felix hurried to the door. His cloak was fastened with haste and his fingers found the handle of his dagger as he exited the house. He walked as fast as he could without running until he drew near the area. He slowed to a stop, keeping his breathing quiet.
The plants had sensed at least one figure, possibly two. Felix had no idea if he was about to walk into danger or what he’d come face to face with. He knew it couldn’t be wildlife, as his spells weren’t triggered by common forest animals. Human or creature? Magical or non magical? Dangerous or friendly?
Felix could hear the whimpering now that he was close. It was a high pitched, wounded sound that tugged at him and he almost ran towards it on instinct. He forced himself to hold back. For all he knew it could be a poacher who had gotten caught in his own trap, or a more sinister creature feigning injury to lure him closer.
Felix peered out in the dim light of the moon, waiting as his heart pounded in his chest. He finally saw a shadow move, then another. It was two figures, one laying in a heap and the other crouching. The cold autumn wind whipped Felix’s cloak before dying down just enough for him to make out someone speaking.
“Chan,” croaked a voice. “Channie, we have to keep going.” A pained whine answered the voice. “I know you’re hurting, but we have to keep moving.”
The voice begged his companion to get up. The prone figure rolled into a hunched position and leaned against a tree. The moment his skin touched the bark, Felix felt a flash of emotion that shocked into his core.
Intense pain, consuming exhaustion, and a deep, petrifying fear that barely concealed a frenzied terror.
Whoever was leaning against the tree was in dire need of help.
Compelled to act because he couldn’t bear not to, Felix conjured a yellow ball of light and illuminated the area.
Immediately, the crouched person lurched towards the fallen one, his body spreading out to shield the other. It was a desperate act, one meant to protect even if it meant self sacrifice.
Felix stared, frozen to the ground, as he took in the sight. A lean body clad in dirty white furs shuddered, his tangled black locks hanging down over sunken cheeks.
The body underneath was large in stature, his furs black and ripped in several places. His hair was black as well, but short and curly.
“Please,” the raspy voice came drom the crouched man. Red irises blurred with tears and a peak of fangs flashed from underneath his split lip. “Please don’t hurt us. Don’t hurt him.”
Facing down a vampire was something Felix had never anticipated.
Facing down a terrified, pleading vampire was anticipated even less.
The man clearly thought Felix was there to hurt them. By the look in his eyes, Felix knew the vampire was certain he was about to die. He also knew that the man was prepared to die to save his companion.
In a rush to declare himself as a non-threat, Felix shook his head. His lips stuttered around the words before he swallowed and spoke. “I’m not going to hurt you.” He stuck his dagger in his belt loop and raised his arms to the side, palms up.
The vampire didn’t relax, but he didn’t make a move to attack either. The man on the ground whimpered and Felix took a step closer. “I’m a forest mage,” he said unsteadily. “These are my woods. Your friend sounds hurt. I can feel through the tree that he’s wounded. I promise I won’t hurt him. Can you let me see him?”
The vampire stiffened, his eyes darting from Felix to his friend. “You’re a vampire, right?” Felix asked.
The man nodded.
“Listen to my heartbeat, my pulse. You can tell if I’m lying, can’t you?” Felix knew that a vampire’s heightened senses allowed them to perceive many things about a person. He hoped the adrenaline wouldn’t interfere with his true intentions.
The vampire stared at Felix for a long moment and inhaled deeply. Felix wondered briefly if something in his scent told of his desire to help. The vampire gave Felix another searching look before carefully removing himself.
A gasp escaped Felix’s lips as his eyes landed on deep gashes running across the man’s belly. They were like claw marks, like someone had tried to maul the man.
Felix fell to his knees by the man and raised his hands. He looked at the vampire. “Can I touch him?” Felix had no desire to have fangs ripping into him because he acted without giving the vampire proper warning. “I’m a pretty good healer,” he added quickly. “Your friend is losing blood.”
The vampire’s eyes filled with panic as he saw the blood seeping into the ground. He nodded and Felix turned the injured man onto his back. Besides the claw marks on his stomach, the man had several abrasions along his torso and even a few bite marks. Canine bite marks.
Working fast, Felix shed his cloak and pressed it against the wounds with one hand. His other hand traveled along the man’s hairline until it met contact with something warm and sticky. Felix cursed under his breath as a sense of urgency filled him.
“We have to hurry,” he said. “My home is close by. I don’t have what I need to help him out here, and if I don’t stop the bleeding he could die.”
The vampire made a choked noise, his eyes filling with tears. He nodded and Felix tried fruitlessly to lift the fallen man into a sitting position. Felix was strong, but the man was big and packed with dense muscle. The vampire must have sensed the dilemma because in a flash he had the larger man in his arms. As he was lifted, the injured man opened his eyes just enough for Felix to catch a glimpse of startling silver-blue.
Felix stood and jogged towards the house. He led the vampire forward, still keeping his hand on the now blood-soaked cloak. Felix reached the door and shoved it open. He ran with the vampire into his workshop and directed the injured man be laid on a raised table.
The vampire deposited the man with a gentleness Felix wouldn't have associated with someone of his kind, then stood holding his hand tightly.
Felix dashed around the room gathering bottles and pouches. He sent his magic out and several towels soared into the room while a cauldron thunked into the fireplace. Felix knelt to light the fire and pour water into the cauldron. As the water heated he gently peeled the ruined cloak away. His heart sank as he saw the inky purple of poison staining the skin around the wound and mixing into the man’s bloodstream.
Felix kept into action. He grabbed his mortar and dumped a series of herbs into it. Then ground them down then added spoonfuls of water until he formed a paste. He brought the bowl to the table and scooped some into his fingers and spread it over the gashes. The powder-green poultice turned black within seconds of contact with the infected wound.
“How is there so much poison?” Felix asked under his breath. He shoved the bowl into the vampire’s hands and ignored the stunned look he got in response. “Keep applying the poultice,” he ordered. “When it turns black, wipe it off with a cloth then reapply. I need to make more and we can’t stop trying to draw the poison out.”
The vampire immediately did as he was told, his fingers trembling. Felix mixed up a larger bowl of poultice and gave it to the vampire. Then he darted to the cauldron and ladled hot water into a large cup. Powders, liquids and leaves mixed in the cup and Felix returned to the table.
The vampire had followed Felix’s instructions precisely. The poison seemed to be drawing out of the man’s blood and torn skin. He could only hope that it wasn’t too far into the bloodstream for the potion to work.
Gently, Felix lifted the man’s head, careful to avoid the gash at the base of his skull. Felix coaxed the man to drink, an impressive feat as he was almost completely unconscious.
Next he examined the head wound. He was immensely relieved to see it was shallow and had stopped bleeding. He’d dress the wound when the man was out of immediate danger. He went back to the belly wounds and gently prodded the skin around them. The skin was still purple, but no longer had the concentrated color of ink.
Felix breathed out, somewhat relieved. “The poultice is working,” he told the vampire. “The potion I gave him will help stop the spread of poison further into his bloodstream. I don’t want to close the wounds until I’m sure all the poison is out, though.”
Seeing that the paste was almost gone again, Felix made yet another batch. This time he applied it himself and let it remain for longer. He finally turned his attention to the smaller abrasions and bite marks. Thankfully none of them were infected.
Felix grabbed a small bottle and filled it with the discarded poultice. He held it up to his eyes and wondered what exactly was in the poison. He’d figure that out later, if time allowed. He then turned to the vampire. The slender man was hunched on a stool, his hands gripping one of the injured man’s hands as if it were a life line.
“Can I see if you’re hurt?” Felix asked softly. The vampire jerked up, eyes wide as if Felix’s question was something unfathomable, as if he wondered why Felix would ask or even care.
“I…” the man didn’t seem to know how to reply. “I think I’m fine.”
Felix frowned. “I know vampires heal faster than most creatures, but I’d still like to make sure. Can you tell me if anything hurts? I have to wait for the poultice before I do anything else for your friend.”
The vampire’s brows furrowed as he seemed to take stock of his body. “My ribs…I think,” he said finally.
Felix approached as he might a frightened animal caught in a trap, his hands out and palm up like he had before. “May I touch you?” At a nod, he reached out and gently pushed the white furs aside.
His skin was cool to the touch and slightly clammy. Felix ignored the dirt caked on as he gently felt along the man’s ribs. A sharp intake of breath told Felix what he needed to know.
“Your ribs are broken,” Felix murmured. His eyes narrowed as they caught on a few partially healed bite marks. “Your regeneration is stalling.” He looked up at the vampire. “When was the last time you fed?” The silence that followed his question suggested it had been far too long since the vampire had consumed enough blood for his body to function properly.
Felix removed his hand and took a step towards the door. “I’ll be right back,” he said. He pointed at the unconscious man. “Yell if something happens.” Then he slipped out of the room.
Felix’s cellar was well stocked thanks to his recent hunts and his trip to town, but he didn’t know if he had any raw meat. He spied a package wrapped in brown paper and thanked his past self for the rare moment of laziness that had caused him to freeze a hunk of raw meat instead of preparing it to be dried. He hauled the slab to the main floor and set it on the wooden stove. It thawed quickly and he walked back into the workroom once it was in a bowl.
The vampire’s eyes dilated the instant he caught the scent of meat. The red irises seemed to deepen and his fangs poked out from under his upper lip.
“It’s not blood,” Felix said apologetically, “but it’s raw and still pretty bloody.” He handed the bowl to the stunned vampire who took it gingerly. Felix saw the hesitation, the reluctance to hope in case it was dashed to prices. “Eat it,” Felix coaxed gently. “It will help you heal faster.”
Slowly, as if he thought Felix would change his mind, the vampire began to eat. Felix busied himself to give some semblance of privacy and began to wipe the poultice off the other man.
He bent close and analyzed the skin for any sign of purple. He was amazed at the poultice’s work and the lack of poison he saw.
“It worked,” he said softly. “Thank goodness. I guess I can close the wounds now.” The thought made his stomach squirm. He had only stitched up someone once before, and it had not been a pleasant experience. It would be very painful, but it was necessary if the man was to recover.
At the very least, Felix could make sure the man was unconscious and numbed a little. He moved to his work area and made a potion with the last of the water from the cauldron. Then he found the suture needle and thread.
He went back to the table to find the vampire done with his meal. To Felix’s pleasure, the bite marks on the vampire’s skin were healing and the ribs seemed to be knitting back in place.
“I have to close the gashes now,” Felix said, trying to hide the trembling in his voice. He cleared his throat and held up the potion. “This will make your friend completely unconscious and numb the pain a little. But…but I’m going to need help.”
The vampire’s eyes sharpened with awareness and he looked from the needle to Felix and back again. Finally, he nodded.
Felix let out a breath and took in another. He was dreading this. “I need you to hold him down. I’m hoping he won’t register the pain because of the potion, but you never really know.”
“I can do that,” the vampire said. Then after a pause, “He is a werewolf hybrid. Will the potion still work for him?”
“Um, yes. It should.” Felix probably shouldn’t have been surprised given the silver-blue eyes and tightly packed muscle, tell-tale signs of a werehybrid. He shook himself from his thoughts and helped the werewolf drink the potion.
“It needs to settle in him before I start.” Felix used the time to clean the room, his magic helping him here and there.
A soft voice broke the silence after a few minutes. “Hyunjin.”
“Hm?” Felix turned around with a quizzical look on his face.
“My name, it’s Hyunjin. This is Chan.” He nodded down to the werewolf.
For the first time that night a genuine smile curved Felix’s lips. “Hi, Hyunjin. I’m Felix.” Hyunjin nodded and Felix felt just a little bit lighter.
“Ok,” he said, steeling himself. “If you could put your hands on his shoulders.” Hyunjin obeyed. Felix picked up the suture needle and swallowed. He really hated stitches.
He tended to Chan with the utmost care. The werewolf was deep enough under the potion’s influence that he didn’t flinch. By the time he was done Felix’s fingers were cramping. He took care of the needle then found a bandage.
As he worked he noticed the crease between Chan’s brows. Felix’s heart broke for the two men. He had no idea what led them to his land, or what or who caused their pain. But Felix knew the pain that had been inflicted. It was evident in their bodies and eyes.
Felix was a good herbal healer, but his magic was not healing magic. He couldn’t physically heal the wounds, nor could he take Chan’s pain from him. But he dearly wished he could. Felix would do it in a heartbeat.
With gentle hands Felix applied a healing salve and wrapped bandages around Chan’s belly. All the while, Hyunjin watched in silence.
Felix let out an exhale when he finished. Feeling thoroughly drained he dropped into a chair. The adrenaline had faded and the anxiety, worry, and stress of ensuring Chan’s survival had him feeling weak and shaky.
Hyunjin was still holding on tight to Chan’s hand. The vampire was shaking, tiny sobs escaping through tightly clamped lips.
Once again, Felix’s heart ached. He stood despite his shaky legs and approached Hyunjin. He didn’t touch him, but he stood close enough to offer comfort.
“He’s going to be ok,” Felix said gently. “The poison is gone. That was my main worry. I’m going to need to watch over him for a good week to make sure the wounds start to heal properly and no complications pop up.”
Hyunjin’s head snapped up. He blinked rapidly as if trying to comprehend what Felix had said. Felix could practically see the words “a good week” roll through Hyunjin’s mind.
Finally, Hyunjin spoke. “You…you aren’t going to kick us out?” The words were spoken with a fragile edge, like they’d shatter if pushed an inch.
Felix’s heart clenched in his chest. “No,” he said firmly. “I’m going to make up the extra room for you and Chan. And then I’m going to get you both a change of clothes and a shower.
Hyunjin’s eyes widened. “A shower?”
“Well, yes.” Felix managed a tiny smile. “I’m sure you can’t feel good with all that dirt on you. Your friend can’t shower, obviously, but I can sponge him down easily. You’ll have to change him, though. Since I’m not strong enough.”
Hyunjin opened his mouth and then closed it. This repeated a few times as the vampire tried and failed to find words. Felix could see the doubt in his eyes, the fear to have hope.
“I know you’re scared and probably don’t trust me,” Felix said softly. “But all I want to do is help.” He beckoned Hyunjin to follow him. “Chan will be safe here until I come back. Follow me.”
Hyunjin glanced from Chan to Felix and stood. He squeezed Chan’s hand and pressed a soft kiss to the werewolf’s forehead before following Felix out of the workroom.
Felix led Hyunjin down the hall to his spare bedroom. The bed would be big enough for both men, and Felix knew Hyunjin would be careful not to jostle Chan and irritate his injuries. Felix rummaged through the wooden dresser across from the bed.
“My clothes are too small for you both,” he said as he searched. “But my friend and his husband stay here on occasion. I think Bin’s stuff will fit Chan. Seungmin is a little shorter than you, but not by much.” He found what he was looking for and straightened with a little ‘aha’. He pointed towards the adjoining bathroom and held out a set of clothes. “Towels and everything you need are in there. While you’re showering I’ll clean off Chan and then you can get him changed.”
Hyunjin took the proffered clothes and nodded. He still seemed stunned at what Felix was offering. Felix gave him a gentle smile and left the room with another bundle of clothes.
Back in the workroom he set another cauldron of water to heat. When the water was warm he peeled off Chan’s matted black furs and began to clean him. Each wipe of the cloth revealed skin marred by scars. Some were tiny nicks and others were long and jagged. It was clear to Felix that Chan had been through hell and back more than once. Hyunjin probably had, too, although his regeneration meant there was no permanent evidence.
Felix carefully wiped the grime off Chan’s face. The man was gorgeous, Felix admitted to himself as he worked. A strong nose and sharp jaw made Chan look powerful and intimidating, even unconscious on the table. He was finishing drying Chan with a towel when Hyunjin walked back into the room.
Oh my, Felix thought, staring at Hyunjin. The vampire was, quite frankly, one of the most beautiful people Felix had ever seen. His hair was glossy and shiny now that it was clean and it highlighted Hyunjin’s high cheekbones and flawless complexion. Felix looked from Hyunjin’s full lips to the tiny mole under his eye and fought to keep heat from rising to his face.
“Feel better?” He asked Hyunjin who nodded. Felix gestured to the clothes on the table. “I’ll let you change and carry him to the bedroom.” He turned his back to give the two privacy and only looked when Hyunjin murmured he was done. He watched Hyunjin lift Chan with ease and carry him down the hall.
Hyunjin laid Chan down on the bed with evident care. Felix couldn’t help his soft smile as he watched Hyunjin’s painstaking effort to keep Chan comfortable. “My room is just down the hall,” Felix told Hyunjin. “Knock if you need anything.” Hyunjin nodded and Felix bade him goodnight.
He shut the guest bedroom door and walked to his own bedroom. He went through the motions of his own shower, his mind trying to make sense of the night’s events. He couldn’t help but wonder what happened to the men who had turned up on his land. It wasn’t anything good, that much was painfully obvious. Felix knew it wasn’t his business, but he wanted to know. And he wanted to help.
He didn’t quite know why his desire to help was so strong. Changbin often commented on Felix’s selflessness, saying that Felix would let himself starve before seeing someone go hungry. It was in Felix’s nature to help, to give. But something deeper than his innate desire to help was at the root of his actions tonight. He just didn’t know what that deeper thing was.
Completely and utterly exhausted, Felix dried himself and collapsed into bed. He’d figure out his next steps in the morning, for now he needed sleep. Burrowing under the covers, Felix closed his eyes. As he drifted off, images of red and silver-blue irises watched over him in his dreams.