cryptsleeper | 20s AU Post

20s AU Post

Current Carmilla plot outline
--Post-fire, Carmilla and Mr. Peanut team up mostly to use each other. Carmilla's spent the past several months (since November, it is now February 1925) networking, and it's clear to her that Alucard's not suited for the position and that the other two are the obvious weakness. Mr Peanut needs something back, so this is perfect on her end. Mr Peanut can only imagine the joys of vampire blood in his work, and he'd like an army of vampires for his own ends.
--Shit stirring from Mr Peanut (all of March?)
--Mr Peanut also begins to sell mis Miracle Serum, which has vampire blood in it.
--Gang is very much trying to murder Mr Peanut during this.
--Start of April, vampire gets a call from one of the blood bank contacts that 3 patients have come in and are displaying some bizarre signs. Investigation yields the fact that they're in process of turning, and they've all taken the same serum.
--Additional investigation reveals O FUCK IT MR PEANUT
--Meanwhile Carmilla's been made aware of a familiar she didn't sire, so she knows something's up. Big fight with Mr. Peanut and thus Mr. Peanut is left depowered
--Gang commits a murder
--Carmilla's well sured up on her contacts now, and it's time for open rebellion (mid-April)
--In a more subtle attempt to let Alucard just step aside, she cuts the breaks on demon car and shows up to gloat/suggest he not pull a dad and go to deal with his grief quietly while she runs the city. The how he wants to do it is up to him (black widow joke goes here.) Treffy and Sypha walk in.
--1 week of straight up rebellion; feedings, no help from allies, need to do damage control instead of fight carmilla, every dracula rule is
--MEANWHILE IN GRAVITY FALLS, triangle shows Vlad what's up to try and psyche him out, somehow this finalyl snaps Vlad out of his depression and he heads home
--Just in time for Alucard and Carmilla to be tearing each other to bits in one of the bayous, it's not going well
--Vlad coming in means the king of vampires is accosted by a belmont with a pair of blessed knitting needles and a speaker with a fucking gun and he's just like what the shit happened to the world while i was gone
--Wards around the fight means that only demon car can break the wards, everyone has to pile in.
--Carmilla gets her ass kicked AND SENT TO THE JUSTICE DIMENSION

THEN THERE WERE FAERIES.
--Prior to all of this the vampire and Sypha have done a shit ton of research on how to get their Belmont back
--Sypha has also been practicing debating with dad, which leaves everyone Very Tired.
--When Trevor is actually snatched up (1 year after marriage, it takes fae effort. Taking Arn's shape fails, so it's a lot more kidnapping by force), Sypha and Alucard go into Faerie
--But they're playing this as politics, not as heroes rescuing their damsel, so that means the faeries are just "wait what now excuse u?"
--There are 3 gates and 3 trials (the particulars we're still bullshitting.) Each is asked to sacrifice 3 things. (Alucard: voice, his titles as bestowed upon by his father and his people, i forget the third; Sypha: her human form (she's a birb), fuck what were the other two)
--They enter the court at the end of the third trial. After LITERALLY ALL THE TITLES Sypha declares she Speaks for Trevor Belmont
--Claim debate over Trevor, turns out that the rules are in Sypha's favor.
--But that means debating to leave Fae without giving up what they've chosen.
--Sypha lawyers it all out, Alucard is a safety deposit and hangs out with Fae!Trevor
--In the end, safe passage out of Faerie consists of Sypha giving up her memory of the necromancer (billed as a great mage she studied under), the vampire gives up his immortality, and Trevor is replaced with Carmilla (dad was aware of this option and OK with it), but Trevor has his ability to swear taken. He now soundslike a rubber ducky when he tries
--Everyone gets home okay, except for the AU of this AU where the gang fails, but Trevor's on their doorstep like a bat out of Hell because time doesn't work right and he's been in Hell for a WHILE.

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If the're home before sundown it's going to be a miracle.

[He just. Shakes his head. The demon car is truly a nightmare.]

Mm. It would've been expressed and boiled over differently.

[None of it is better. It's just this particular taste of normalcy has helped more than it ought to.]

She'll be covered head to toe in soot again by the time she's home. Thus, the needing to wash before she gets here. Not sure the pipes'll survive it to let you wash after.

[ Easy enough to fix, but probably beyond everyone's collective energy levels tonight. ]

That was a pretty shitty boiling over, honestly. You just got kind of floppy. I was at least hoping for you to throw me across the room or something.

[ Your vampire emotion fit wasn't vampire-y enough, boo. It's warm and teasing and normal. ]

Well, it looks and smells wonderful.

[Also wonderful is the way he's moving, she observes — much better than he was even two days ago. His healing really is quick, it seems, and effective, too.

And thus, they both get seated.]

And...um. Here we are. It was kind of you to do this for me.

You forgot the part where any attempt to fiddle with that car's mechanics means she reeks of sulphur for a full day. [He. Hates. The demon-car. So much. Especially because most of the day is going to be spent as a wolf and that means his nose is going to be offended to the heavens.]

I'll finish the dishes then I'll go.

[But the next bit of commentary? That just earns a sour face.]

Don't joke.

[Too raw, Treffy. Too raw.]

None of that will mean anything if it tastes awful.

[There's still a chance he could fail. Alucard followed every instruction of the recipe to the letter. That doesn't mean that failure isn't an option, especially if it's a bad recipe. He settles in, his seat next to Sypha rather than directly across. Closer to the stove in case there's a demand for more.]

Think nothing of it. I enjoyed the challenge.

[He loved the distraction.]

Are you going to be more specific with that? You know I can only communicate in joking and self-deprecation, so if you're going to ban one entirely-

[ That is, in itself, sort of a joke. He finally stands again, moving closer to Alucard to squeeze his hand. ]

Sorry. Won't happen again for- at least a day or so. Promise.

Thank you.

[Gallows and gallows-adjacent humor is not funny in Alucard's book. It is less funny when anything edges against the fact that right now you yourself are the gallows.

He squeezes back. Just a little.]

I will be primarily not-person shaped today. Just so we're clear.

If you're with us in any form, it's better than before.

[ Also spending the rest of the day petting dog is hardly a terrible thing, regardless of the reason for it. ]

I'll finish the Potatobrands and leave them on the rug by the fireplace while you're washing. And I can read this stupid fucking book about scientists kissing werewolves to you and you can destroy Potatobrands and then when Sypha comes back we can shove her into the bath with whatever soap will make her least offensive to you.

[ It'll be- not normal. But better. ]

[Alucard pauses as he makes his way back to the sink, because...okay. The first part's fine. The last part is also fine. It is the middle part that gives him pause, and Alucard tilts his head at it.]

We have a book with that particular story in this house?

[Who bought the thing???? He didn't. Doesn't sound like a Trevor or Sypha purchase. Or a dad one, for that matter.]

About twelve of them, actually. Just lying around in the guest rooms. Not from the castle's library, not from the city's.

[ He goes back to the table and his knitting bag, pulling out a Potatobrand that just needs the yarn that makes up its hair unraveled a little to make it look bigger and poofier. ]

They're very entertaining. Sypha and I have been going through them for the last few days. She's been making corrections and everything.

There's no book plate or any identifying mark? That's very strange.

[Alucard focuses on the dishes. That's easy enough while contemplating strangely appearing books.]

Are they all about werewolves, or are there other creatures involved as well?

Oh, lots of others. The first one I found was a ghost. But his evil long-lost brother was a werewolf. There's one with a fish monster that we've not got to yet.

[ But of course, the important question- ]

We're saving the vampire ones for when you're back with us properly.

The fish monster sounds particularly promising, come to think of it. Everything else has been done before.

[Trevor, he wasn't even thinking it but...]

In a few days then. I'd rather explore this fish nonsense first.

[ He might not have been. His two humans absolutely were. It's important to check the accuracy of vampire romance novels. ]

Fine, fine. You can destroy potatobrands and I'll read the fish monster kissing book for you.

[Aren't they the greater authorities on vampire romance in this case then???

Oh.

Oh no that book may give Ideas instead.]

Thank you. That's as good a Sunday spent as I can think of.

[ Ideas is why they're waiting for their vampire to be theirs again before they start on the vampire books. It's important to embarrass him properly.

Things aren't normal again. Things aren't healed. Even healed properly, they're going to leave horrible scars yet. But they're closer than they were before. The process has started. And they spent last Sunday afternoon exploring a murder house, so it's an improvement over that. He tosses a finished potatobrand at the back of Alucard's head. ]

I'll be nice. Maybe I'll earn permission to joke again.

[ He'd expected trouble.

In fairness, he had every reason to expect trouble. The world had his name, now. The announcement had been a very deliberate flavor of understated. There had been no great fanfare, no suggestion of what a Belmont acting as the sword arm of the city's ruler would mean. Theodora's new years party had an announcer give the names of guests as they entered. All they had done was give him the name 'Trevor Belmont' to read out.

(She had been warned, of course. And she had been delighted by the quiet, deliberate dramatics of it. She had business of her own to attend to, business that would be easier to go about with all of her guests sent wrong-footed by the announcement.)

There is no trouble. He speaks politely and softly (Three commands, Sypha gave him, to keep him safe tonight. Be polite. Drink nothing. Take orders from nobody but Alucard and I.) to the few vampires who approach him. Allows Sypha to take those who try to start fights aside to discuss just how little their host would appreciate that. Everything goes as perfectly as it could possibly go. A new year comes, and Sypha grabs the both of them, pulling Trevor's face into the side for her own as she kisses Alucard in an attempt to kiss both of them on the stroke of midnight. And slowly, slowly, guests start to filter out as the night becomes very early morning.

He's still on alert. Still expecting some sort of response. Damien is at the opposite side of the room. He came up to gave his regards earlier, before midnight made certain elements of their relationship with each other very clear. He glances over every now and then, always from too far away to read his expression. It's not the only thing that's keeping Trevor on edge, but it isn't fucking helping.

He's tired. He's tired and he feels raw and vulnerable and he can't drink to take the edge of it, just in case of trouble. ]

[New Year's had felt...right, in the end. New Year, new order, new reminders of what lies ahead if anyone is stupid enough to pull shit again. Alucard dislikes parlaying either of the two as anything but themselves, but well. True names and all their attendant bullshit. If things were going to be announced, then this was the way to do it.

(Theodora had also made it clear that being power move this was the exact kind of drama she'd be happy to support if it was Adrian bringing along two dates. And then yelled at Alucard for not letting her know about this sooner because she could have been planning this build up for months? How dare he?

It was discussions like that that made Alucard slightly relieved Theodora wasn't in his place. The drama would be a little much.)

Most of the evening was light on work. Alucard had made that clear by focusing on the other two more than anyone else. Gently bullshitting theories on how exactly the instruments on stage were playing by themselves, entertaining conversation with others that related to nothing at all in terms of the city unless it was to say, bitch about public works or debate decisions made by the zoning and planning board. (Work was allowed for talking about the new hospital being built and how to get involved in it for all the obvious reasons.) A night off, as much as it could ever be.

He's on alert the entire evening, of course. Someone will eventually say something about a Belmont being there, and at that point it's posturing. Damien is also there, and that means commentary from the peanut gallery will be inevitable.

There's more freedom as the night draws to a close though. Fewer people to see something that might telegraph as a hedonistic indulgence, but it's really just checking in. Alucard's at Trevor's side, hand wrapping around his waist. A gentle squeeze to ask if he needs anything.]

[ He doesn't flinch. Can't flinch. There are Rules for how this has to go, and the stronger he appears, the stronger Alucard appears. The stronger Alucard appears, the less likely another incident like the one from a month ago becomes. But he lets out a long breath when the contact turns out to be from Alucard, offering him a worn, tired smile in the place of the carefully mastered look of stern disinterest that he's been wearing most of the evening. ]

Barely any trouble at all. Almost disappointing.

[ All that work, sewing pockets for knives into the lining of his jacket without adding to its bulk, and no need to use them. ]

Mmm.

[He kisses Trevor's temple. Brief and quick, but it's there for anyone watching. Easily read as possessive and posturing, although what it really is is an apology for the evening. For forcing him to join in all the slight of hand that being in public demands, and any humiliation as well. (That last part is the one Alucard frets about the most. For either of them to feel that way because of him or something he's asked them to do.)]

Theodora would agree with that, I suspect.

[Because what would be better drama than someone picking a fight with a Belmont on New Year's?]

Half an hour more. Then we're going home.

I hope not, Sypha's been threatening anyone who tries to start- trouble [ Shit, he means. He has to not swear. This is hard. ] -with her disapproval.

[ In truth, he finds he doesn't really mind it being posturing so much. It isn't just that it works, but in a place like this, it being read as possessive means safety. And perhaps it should chafe at his pride, the fact that in the eyes of everyone here he and his family name are nothing more than very impressive possessions, but with Alucard it doesn't. It can't. Not when he knows how much Alucard hates all of this.

So it's just safety, without any of the baggage that comes with it. And he's only realizing since coming here just how much safety means to him. It means a lot, and he leans into Alucard, just a little. ]

I think I can manage that much longer.

As eager as I am to see how she'd translate that, and I really mean those words, I'm happier to go without.

[There won't be any major parties for a while. The smaller covens of witches in the area will have Beltane in May, but from January until May, major events are few and far between. This event will be the last one anyone remarks upon, and whatever happens, it will stick. So better for nothing at all to happen and leave no sourness about the surname of Belmont now being a part of the city's landscape.

Being leaned into feels like permission to just press another kiss to the same spot as before. Which Alucard does without any hesitation.]

Mmm.

[Alucard feels Damien's eyes on them. Which means he shifts, whispering into Trevor's ear.]

Behaving counts as following my lead, yes?

[ There are stares, just a few. Less than there had been at midnight. The Belmont (a Belmont, technically, for news has not yet spread that he is not one of many, and that message is going to be both powerful and dangerous) is in the possession of the city's new ruler, and that it worth staring at. He doesn't care. He doesn't care that that's going to be the opinion of the entire city, because if anything it's the best of both worlds. All the safety that comes from being too dangerous to touch. All the authority that being an extension of Alucard's will lends him. And none of the indignity, because Alucard and Sypha are the only ones in this room whose opinions he gives a shit about anyway and they know the truth.

Damien is watching. Trevor only sees him out of the corner of his eye, not willing to give him the satisfaction of proof that he's still wary. ]

-follow you anywhere. Behaving or not.

[ His response is half mumbled. Tired sounding, but all the more sincere for it. ]

Good, because I really, really want to be a petulent ass at the moment to one person in particular.

[Alucard's free hand moves up, running slowly and carefully under Trevor's jaw for just a moment before tilting it back to just the right angle. Optics are important, and a gloved hand over bare skin is just one aspect of it. The hand on Trevor's waist tightens, tugging at the fabric of suit jacket and trousers. (Alucard didn't try buying him any new clothes for the night. No one around would know what Trevor's church clothes look like, and if there's a faint smell of incense, let that be a reminder too.)

He's slow as he leans in to kiss Trevor properly. Making goddamn sure Damien's watching, and then turning all his attention to Trevor and Trevor alone. There's zero chasteness involved like Alucard might otherwise insist on for public events. He's found a way to be slow and aggressive as he puts his lips to Trevor's. Holds still for a reaction, as to not threaten any fangs into the equation.]

[ And smell of incense they do. Though it slowed somewhat after boxing day, the holiday season has meant a lot of time in various services at the church, from mass to carol services to helping with children's performances, and no amount of washing can leave the smell of it undetectable to vampire senses. Nobody needs to know that the scent of the inside of a church comes not from some holy power but from evenings spent helping Agatha wrangle a group of six year olds in angel costumes though dress rehearsals of off-key attempts at carols.

He was expecting dramatic-but-chaste. This is only one of those things. He can't see Damien's expression right now - even if he were close enough, Alucard's hair is between them - but he hopes that it's either dumbfounded or furious. And that's the last that he thinks of that asshole, instead focusing entirely on Alucard. He leans back, not to be away from Alucard but to be below in in a way that feels right, to let Alucard lean over him so there's less of him exposed to the world of things-that-are-not-his-vampire, trusting him to take his weight. And he kisses back. It's not a match for Alucard's intensity, softer even than usual. It's soft, delicate, almost as if he's murmuring prayers against his mouth. ]

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Page 27 of 141

20s AU Post

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