Chapter 3 of 5

the rest of this series is going to make me quite emotional so I don't think I can proofread them, please forgive any grammatical mistakes and the sort, I did my best portraying Devyn but @secretarykang has all rights to her, as always and again, I hope you enjoy <3

Saeclus' return with Dante's bandaged and half beaten body is less than a merry occasion. As always, Devyn had the good sense to have the capital's finest doctor at the ready for their arrival, with a room prepared just for them to take care of whatever injury he may have suffered.

Saeclus' magic had taken the worst of his injuries to a moderately better place by the time he made his way to the room with their son in his arms, but it was still a heart breaking scene for the family. And for the King - the capital's finest - who'd come at Devyn's behest to see to Dante's injuries.

None had ever seen Dante in such bad shape. Not after his squabbles with his brother, not after his sparrings with their grandfather, and not after his many fights with the third and sixth princes of the kingdom.

Silas and Aurora's shock and grief paled in comparison to the sheer agony in Devyn's eyes as she watched her husband lay their youngest onto the bed, Karl Heinz getting to work as soon as Saeclus gave him room to access Dante.

Tears streamed down Devyn's face, as they did Aurora and Silas', and they would down Saeclus' too, if he hadn't cried his heart out upon Nocto's back while shielding Dante from the cold.

He had spoken to his son too, though he didn't know if he could hear him. He had pleaded with him to not leave them. He had apologized for not going with him. He had regretted not trying harder to persuade him to stay. He had begged for him to fight for his life as fiercely as he fought for pride and honor.

Saeclus had exhausted his tears and his voice, and now he could only keep on channeling his magic to his son's wounds through one hand, to heal and revitalize him. And wait. And how agonizing it is to wait. Karl Heinz is focused on redoing the clumsy bandages, and adding any necessary medicine to the young man's wounds.

"Devyn..." Saeclus kneels by her side of the bed, and places his free hand upon her back, rubbing a soothing pattern. "Dearest, please..."

"This is our boy, my love. Our little boy..." Devyn's tears have not stopped, her voice hoarse from the cries and the grief. "How can I not cry? Why should I not weep?"

She turns to him, and buries her face into his neck as he holds her in his embrace. "I told him - I tried so hard to keep him from going. And look what's happened. Now all we can do is pray to whatever God that may be out there to spare us an impending tragedy..."

No other words would come from his mouth. How could they? She is right. This is their boy, their little spark and thunder, painted red with blood and burning with a fever that refuses to let up.

"There is no need for prayers, dear Devyn," Karl Heinz's voice causes Saeclus to force his eyes open to observe the King, "I will ensure that Dante sees the light of the next full moon."

Devyn's head turns in Saeclus' embrace to look at Karl Heinz. What expression does she make at him, Saeclus wonders... Is it an adoring gaze, one filled with hope, or is she furious at him for even presenting this opportunity in the first place? He dares not look down and see for himself.

His eyes have fallen to Dante's face, twisted in pain - from his wounds, the medicine, the magic, the burning fever. Saeclus curses himself once more for not leaving to observe his troops in secret, for letting the battle run its course and arriving at the last second to his son in such a state.

Aurora's voice rings clear across the otherwise silent room. "I wish to help, uncle Karl. I know how. You taught me yourself." And in an instant, she is by her parents' side, taking a new roll of bandages and carefully wrapping them around his calves - the bones have healed thanks to Saeclus' magic and Dante's own healing, but the nasty bruises have not.

Silas goes to Aurora's side quickly, and whispers something in her ear. The girl nods, and then speaks. "Alright, brother. Fill it with water and cool it. Bring a fresh towel with you."

Silas leaves her side at that, immediately going for the large basin with water from the bathroom. In minutes, he is back with a filled basin, chanting under his breath. Saeclus recognizes the spell as one that summons chill. Cold steam rises from the basin as Silas puts it on Dante's nightstand.

Before he can dip the towel into the water though, a woman's hand reaches for his wrist, garbbing it softly. Silas' gaze meets his mother's, as Devyn softly takes the towel from his hand. "I'll do that, my son."

She dips the cloth into the cold water, wretches it so it is only damp and not wet, and then folds it neatly, placing it on Dante's forehead. A satisfied groan leaves his throat at that - and at the feeling of his mother's touch, soothing and gentle as ever.

Karl Heinz finishes his work on the torso and one leg just as Aurora finishes her task, and he smiles at Aurora in acknowledgement. "I see you have learned very well."

"I had a great teacher." Aurora mumbles. She tries to, but can not force a smile today. Her face seems to ache if she so much as attempts to do so. Her eyes trail to her twin's face, watching as he seems to have calmed.

"His fever will cease within the hour. The medicine I have given him is potent."

"I thank you, my liege," Devyn caresses her son's face softly, hoping her touch would keep him grounded, and show his spirit that he is safe and among his kin, "it must not have been easy for you to make it on such short notice."

"Nonsense, Lady Kang," Karl Heinz rises to his feet, an amicable smile on his face - as it ever is with Devyn, oh dearest Devyn, who remains close to him despite all that has transpired between them, "I am ever happy to assist you and your family's affairs."

Devyn does not reply to him. Saeclus wonders quietly if she is simply too preoccupied with Dante to bother, or if the two of them have no need for more words between them. He wonders why he cares so much, after all these years and all the tribulations that he and Devyn have overcome side by side.

It is foolish to be anything but grateful to Karl Heinz right now.

Or is it?

A colder, crueler thought passes through his mind as the Vampire King exits the room for a change of clothing - would any of this have happened to begin with, if he had not stoked the fires of jealousy between their two sons? Would any of his help be needed if he had not presented Dante an offer only a fool would refuse?

No, he concludes, none of this would have happened if it weren't for his existence.

Outside, gone to fetch some clothes for his brother to replace his bloodied and torn ones, Silas' thoughts are no less cruel to the Vampire King. And meeting him in the grand mansion hall on his way to his brother's chambers only serve to further foul his mood and mind.

"Silas."

Silas' lips almost twist themselves into a frown, and bile raises to his throat as he forces his tone to remain neutral. Be your parents' good boy, be the pride of Houses Sanguine and Kang, do not let your emotions cloud your better judgement...

Chapter 1 of 5

this is written as a continuation of greener than the first grass of spring, a fic by the wonderful @secretarykang. the two of us discussed this and decided to turn this into a full on series of fics that will delve into future events that their family plays a role in, as well as shining some light on the inter-personal relationships of the kang sanguines

and, as always, i hope you all enjoy <3

"Dante." The voice of his father from behind his chamber doors snaps the young man out of his thoughts, before he turns to see his father standing behind the half open doors. "May I come in?"

"Of course, dad." He stands as his father enters, and Saeclus smiles softly, hand motioning towards the chairs by the window. A cue for them to sit and talk.

"Do not be so alarmed. I only wished to speak with you briefly."

"Oh, let me guess." He mocks as he sits across from his father, almost plopping down onto the soft cushion in frustration. "It's about the war campaign."

"Correct." His father has never been one who beat around the bush, and Dante huffs as he can sense his scolding coming. Arms crossed and with an annoyed pout on his face. Had he not been too preoccupied with his frustration, he might have noticed how his father smiled fondly at his adorable posture.

"Mother must have told you."

"She has indeed - she also said how you stormed away after her talk with you, saying you would return victorious." Saeclus almost sighs remembering the worry and annoyance on Devyn's face as she told him of the day's events.

"And I will." Dante insists.

"Dante-"

"Why are you both so adamant in keeping me from going anyway?!"

"Son, if you would listen-"

"If only you would also listen, dad! Didn't you always say that opportunities for growth will come in their time? And that we should be aware of them so we could take them?"

"Indeed, I did."

"Then why are you holding me back now?!"

"You said it yourself, son. All will come, in due time. This is not the right time."

"Oh, come on, dad! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!"

"Dante, you are young. Your experience pales in comparison to the Generals of Vibora Land. Not to mention you are unfamiliar with the terrain of the battle and troops you will be leading. All of which are essential to chase the victory you so wish for."

"And I suppose Silas could have done this, easy. And no one would refuse to allow him on the battlefield."

"Oh, my boy, what has your brother done to deserve the disdainful words which you speak?" Saeclus sighs with closed eyes, then reopens them to look into his son's. Dante has no reply for his father's words.

Silas has never truly done anything to wrong him - quite the contrary - and yet, the example he has set is a suffocating one. Even if his parents do not hold him to such standards, emphasizing individual differences between the two of them and Aurora, the rest of their world is not so open-minded.

Nor are they gentle about their opinions. All anyone can ever talk about is how Silas has impeccable memory, outstanding manners, a commanding presence and supreme dominance over all forms of ancient magic.

And Silas has a tongue that stings when it means to, he can be just as venomous as he is sweet. His words from their last bitter argument still echo in Dante's head, giving way to frustration and concern.

"If only there would be anything worth noting of you."

"Silas would not be seen on that battlefield of his own accord, and even if he wished so, I would do my utmost to prevent it. Just as I do to you."

"Uncle Karl would not have stopped me."

For once, in a long - long, long - time, Dante sees his father's gaze narrow towards himself. And for a moment, he feels as though he has come close to feeling the wrath the demon world has dreaded for so long. Yet his father's eyes go back to their serene, patient gaze as fast as they had narrowed.

For a moment, he chooses silence. Perhaps that makes his next words more impactful than they would have been otherwise.

"I suppose it is a blessing, then, that he is not the one who has any decisive say on the matter."

Dante looks down to the floor. Indeed, uncle Karl may be his mother's best friend - and once, her lover and admirer - but he is not a part of this family. For some incident that took place before he was ever born caused a rift between him and his father. An incident he has never been privy to the details of. He suspects he never will be.

"What about me then, dad? Do I get a say?"

"Of course." Saeclus' response is immediate, unhesitating. His hand reaches for his son's, and Dante does not pull away when his father gives his hand a reassuring - and worried - squeeze. "I would still ask of you to not go, but if you wish to persist despite it all, I will not lock you up in your own house."

"Dad, believe one thing." Dante grabs his father's hand back, and holds it in his own firm grip - his hand is almost as large as his father's now, and almost as calloused from years of training. Training that he means to put into use now.

"I will make you, mama and uncle proud. My reputation will be as grand as grand papa's, and the world shall know my name."

A soft smile appears on Saeclus' face, and he speaks his next words with a characteristic warmth. "Oh my dear boy, we have never not been proud of you."

Dante presses his lips together. His father may mean what he says, but he himself feels undeserving of this pride. He has done nothing to earn it, after all - and his father himself has always said that all things in the world that are given must also be earned.

"When I return," he lets go of his father's hand and stands, brushing his hair out of his face as he begins to tie it back, just as his grandfather often does, "you and Silas will have something new to add to your grand history books dad. Look forward to it."

Without another word, he leaves the room in a flash of darkened red, and Saeclus is left alone to sigh and silently wonder if in trying to avoid his parents' mistakes, he has done harm in other ways.

In which Saeclus and Dong Hwa discuss the future and its possibilities - two men who've outlived all their peers, away from all audience.

Dong Hwa belongs to @secretarykang and is Devyn's father, which makes him the dilf of vampire- AHEM, I hope you all enjoy ❤️

"Who would have thought?"

"Of what, pray tell?"

"Of our two houses being joint and bonded." Dong Hwa raised his glass of wine - Feurrot wine brought by the man at his side from deep in the Sanguine manor's chambers. "I mean, look at us - sitting side by side again like at one of those damned Peace Gatherings that supposedly symbolized unity and concord."

This is talk from thousands of years ago - not even Karlheinz has lived to see one of these moments of time. The last of the wise Founder Kings died long before the White Dread ever saw life - or undeath.

"Except this time we don't have to deal with useless chatters and veiled threats that resulted in nothing except more deep hatred. All that useless preaching had me in tears from boredom. And-"

"In tears? I remember you sleeping rather loudly by the older Lord's side as he desperately tried to wake you without alerting the whole room."

"Hey! I don't recall you - with all your discipline and manners - doing more than sketching invisible lines onto the table."

Saeclus could not help a light chuckle. Indeed, he was right. Even the older, more mature Saeclus would not hold much value in those gatherings. For there was none in them. "I jest, Dong Hwa."

All he got in reply to that was a somewhat quiet hum, as if the other was willing to drop the matter in favor of more important things to speak of. "As I was saying, and - now we have another point of shared interest...

Devyn."

Of course. Sweet, darling Devyn - with flowing gold hair and the most charming smile he's seen in a thousand or more years - who's her father's treasure and pride, and the source of all joy Saeclus has found in the past few years.

"I know you and your family - you had a reputation even back in the Founder days, to have family and duty of equal value to your knowledge and histories. So I'm just gonna say this..." Dong Hwa then puts his glass down, and turns to face the golden eyes of the man who'd soon be his daughter's husband.

"Devyn's love doesn't come easy or without a price - so be prepared to stand against whatever comes, to not lose her."

Saeclus' voice is firm when he speaks. "I will."

"I know." Dong Hwa's words come fast as well, eyes staring into Saeclus' own. "I may not have known you well, but I trust her judgement. And you have given me very little reason for doubt."

"Then can I presume these were words of a concerned father, more than the Commander in Chief of the Vampires?"

"You'll know the feeling, when your own children come by." Dong Hwa pours himself another glass of the Feurrot, and then exclaims his last point. "Bring me a grandchild or two when you return from your manor with Devyn, would ya?"

Much easier to do than the fics, art pieces and stuff I have planned for these two, glad to have more Devyn and Saeclus on the dash ❤️

Send my character a ★ and I’ll bold everything they feel toward your character.

I like you // I love you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’d kill you if I got the chance // I want you to like me // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I pity you // I respect you // I trust you // I feel protective of you // I’d invite you with me to parties // I’d lend you my money // I’d borrow your money // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun // You’re boring // I’m upset with you // You’re nice // You’re mean // I’m envious of you // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I look up to you // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better

The Saeclus Sanguine Experience

A glimpse at Saeclus Sanguine

Being Best Friends with Saeclus Sanguine

Physical Headcanons

Why he became the Timeless

OC interview

Modern Saeclus Sanguine

Him, in: a painting

𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲

𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬

Devyn Kang: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 / 5.1

Devyn through Saeclus' eyes - Saeclus through Devyn's eyes - His initial thoughts on Devyn - Relationship headcanons - Their relationship in: three words , three songs , an aesthetic

Their children: Silas, Aurora and Dante

𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬

The Sakamaki Family

The Mukami Family

Ruki through Saeclus' eyes - Ruki and Saeclus

The Tsukinami Family

Dong Hwa Kang

Dong Hwa and Saeclus' history

Kauze Bridgerton

Kauze through Saeclus' eyes - Kauze and Saeclus

𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬

His home - His wardrobe

𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞

Fury blinds you - Saeclus

A child's dreams - Saeclus, Carla

With Sincerity and Faith - Saeclus, Devyn

Glory in Slaughter - Saeclus

Spring Blossoms and Autumn Leaves - Saeclus, Aurora

The Promised Lake - Saeclus, Devyn

Raindrops against the Window - Saeclus, Devyn

Crossroad of Destiny - Saeclus, Aphaeleon

At death's door - headcanons

🦇- Trying to feed off of your muse!

The wedding had been absolutely beautiful, a mix of cultures between the two species, and the afterparty had been something that everyone in attendance would remember for centuries. But the dead hours of the night had approached now, and the couple had excused themselves to their room.

Saeclus' hand had been placed on Devyn's waist the whole night, and it would remain there even as they approached their room. He had a smile on his face the whole night, as he always would when Devyn was with him.

Feeding off your spouse is a tradition that goes back generations in the Demon World, and they had no plans of skipping on that. Saeclus could feel his fangs ache as he closed the door to their room, a faraway feeling to the ancient First Blood.

"Goodness, darling, your scent is already enough to make my more demonic side show itself." He turns around with a smile, observing her reaction. "Does that disappoint you?"

1. saeclus’ point of view in that whole meeting and like after meeting thoughts about dong hwa ( that i think you kinda did in the perceive for dong hwa and this might be a stupid ask)

2. your take on a friendship between sae and dong hwa that would’ve started when they were younger and how do you think that would affect his current relationship with devyn

love you <3

Hello again, love! I would absolutely love to answer it all for you <3

Saeclus and Dong Hwa

For some context, I will refer you to this ask.

The first time they met was at the meeting where Dong Hwa was introduced internationally. This was in the rising of the subclans, but the First Bloods still held most of the power.

As such, this was the first time he and Saeclus would meet in person and eye to eye.

The fact that Dong Hwa arrived late and still had the audacity to act up to everyone he met in the room was as off-putting to Saeclus as it was delightful.

On one hand, he didn't enjoy what - he assumed to be - a lack of dedication to deadlines, and on the other, watching him demean those arrogant fools who thought they were hot shit despite their many failures was also so fun.

He sat at his table, waiting for the round to be made at his turn quietly while he sipped on some wine. His eyes followed the newly appointed High General thoughtfully, smiles appearing on his face every time he saw the way he treated people who were truly not worth their station.

When it was his turn to meet with Dong Hwa, he smiled and greeted him as he would a peer. Not so high and mighty as to seem snotty, but also not soft enough to seem like a push over.

Surprisingly - and fortunately - Dong Hwa decided that he would rather sit with Saeclus rather than the other men in the room.

They were rather close in age, worth their whiles, and Dong Hwa said that Saeclus didn't smell like a hot pile of garbage, so that was nice. For the first and last time, the other generals saw Saeclus chuckle on his wine during a meeting like this.

Dong Hwa and Saeclus had entirely different outlooks on life and goals, but that was what kept their conversation interesting and going the whole night.

Saeclus also found it funny that Dong Hwa got a little frustrated over the fact that he was becoming tipsy but Saeclus didn't seem affected at all, even though they were drinking the same amount.

Saeclus would complain about corrupt officials and Dong Hwa would trashtalk theirs and say how he was gonna put them all in their place. It was kind of inspiring to Saeclus honestly.

Despite how different the two of them are on so many levels, they found a common ground in the fact that they both hated corrupt and worthless authorities and wanted to change their respective kingdoms for the better.

Saeclus definitely knew about Dong Hwa and Walburga - may or may not have made a few jokes about Dong Hwa's playboy tendencies coming to an end - and supported Dong Hwa regardless of that.

I think they had a long period during which they were distant due to multiple reasons though.

For one, I think that after Walburga's death, Dong Hwa wasn't big on seeing or speaking to any First Bloods for a while. And Saeclus, while available in case he needed him, decided to give him the space he needed.

And with the growing power of the Vampires, and the other subspecies but mostly the Bat Clan, Saeclus was expected to keep to the First Bloods and he tried to have them establish more diplomatic relationships. Which didn't go well because he is working within a systematic hierarchy of useless douchebags but anyway.

Regardless, he was expected to keep away from the Vampires, both for his own sake and for others.

And the first Great Demon War just made everything a whole lot worse.

And by that point, they had been distant enough that Saeclus didn't even find out who Devyn is or ever get to meet her until she was a fully fledged adult working in court.

omg interesting question because I actually had to think about it for quite a bit. Divided by before knowing Devyn and after. Hope you enjoy, love <3

So, I'm betting half a grand that Saeclus knew about Dong Hwa even before the Vampire Clan rose into power.

The Sanguines are very much walking, talking history recorders and knowledge seekers. That's the reason why their libraries and treasuries are so kept away from the rest of the world. There are records from the very dawn of the First Bloods dating to this very day.

And since Dong Hwa played a key part in the establishment of Vampires, he definitely fell on the Sanguines' radar and was recorded into their historical scrolls.

All this to say, Saeclus had an idea of what to expect when meeting Dong Hwa Kang. He would be ruthless and unflinching, with an air of great dignity and self assurance. Charming yet intimidating.

And that's exactly how Saeclus viewed him for the longest time.

Until Devyn came into the picture. And then, suddenly, this fellow military general from the old old days is about to become his father-in-law.

Now, Saeclus isn't intimidated by Dong Hwa - he never has been - but he is nervous about meeting him in a setting other than a meeting between clans or a war council.

And Dong Hwa isn't really into the thought of Devyn marrying Saeclus, as he always wanted her to marry Karlheinz. But as long as she's happy, he won't interfere.

Doesn't mean he goes easy on Saeclus though. At all.

It starts out being a little awkward, but when they get to talking - especially about the old, old days - they start to feel at ease.