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[Homecoming has rituals these days. When Trevor and Sypha arrive home, they embrace the dhampir and fail to let go of each other for an hour or more. Usually more. Then someone mutters about being tired from the road, someone else comments about smell, and the three head off in their own directions. Inevitably Alucard goes to the kitchen to prepare an overly elaborate dinner, well aware that Trevor and Sypha haven't eaten as well as they should have while away. Dinner is followed by collapsing into bed, but usually no more. Being worn from the road means sex is off the table and better for when energy has been recouped.
The morning after is lazy. Languid. Liable to turn into making out and then some, but not always. It isn't until that evening or even the next morning is there joyful reconnection, all tangled limbs and satisfied groans, the three secure and snug in bed together.
Much of the week is dedicated to resting or else Alucard making up for lost time. He and Sypha sit in the hold for hours, cataloging new things and researching new spells. With Trevor he sits and records all of the adventures, and then they go out onto the grounds to hunt for dinner or else simply to walk. Or the afternoons are taken for the lazy thingss they are and greater intimacy flourishes.
That's the plan this afternoon. Alucard's draped himself over the sofa that sits near the fireplace in the trio's bedroom, aware that he's taking a small risk. He's never dressed specifically for the act, but the idea thrilled him enough to try. All he had left to do was wait for Trevor, and it shouldn't be long. He had asked Trevor to come to bed in the afternoon to kill time. That made the intent very clear.
Lounging, Alucard closes his eyes. If Trevor fails to appear, he can at least sleep for a time.]
The morning after is lazy. Languid. Liable to turn into making out and then some, but not always. It isn't until that evening or even the next morning is there joyful reconnection, all tangled limbs and satisfied groans, the three secure and snug in bed together.
Much of the week is dedicated to resting or else Alucard making up for lost time. He and Sypha sit in the hold for hours, cataloging new things and researching new spells. With Trevor he sits and records all of the adventures, and then they go out onto the grounds to hunt for dinner or else simply to walk. Or the afternoons are taken for the lazy thingss they are and greater intimacy flourishes.
That's the plan this afternoon. Alucard's draped himself over the sofa that sits near the fireplace in the trio's bedroom, aware that he's taking a small risk. He's never dressed specifically for the act, but the idea thrilled him enough to try. All he had left to do was wait for Trevor, and it shouldn't be long. He had asked Trevor to come to bed in the afternoon to kill time. That made the intent very clear.
Lounging, Alucard closes his eyes. If Trevor fails to appear, he can at least sleep for a time.]
Oof, she may have overstepped there. She hasn't yet fully worked through the nuances of Alucard's...situation. He isn't just a nineteen (twenty?) year old who can pass as older, he's matured at a completely different rate from humans. How much of that was physical versus mental? Vice versa? Or does a human baseline even stand as a point of comparison?
"I'm glad you found something for the both of you," she says, by way of apology.
It isn't until his touch returns to her scars, rasping over them like the edge of an autumn leaf, that Sypha realizes this particular insecurity is smaller, quieter, more close to home and all the more vulnerable for it. Concern tugs at the corners of her mouth.
"We love you, Alucard." Best make that as plain as can be. "And yes, your father did try to kill us, but you are your own person. You've proved that with your own pain. Don't...don't cause yourself any more, please."
"I'm glad you found something for the both of you," she says, by way of apology.
It isn't until his touch returns to her scars, rasping over them like the edge of an autumn leaf, that Sypha realizes this particular insecurity is smaller, quieter, more close to home and all the more vulnerable for it. Concern tugs at the corners of her mouth.
"We love you, Alucard." Best make that as plain as can be. "And yes, your father did try to kill us, but you are your own person. You've proved that with your own pain. Don't...don't cause yourself any more, please."
[ Trevor may not always be one to take a hint right away, but when Alucard asks him to the bed for "killing time", he has a pretty good idea what that means and so, of course he comes to join him.
It takes him a bit to make his way there but, miraculously, he does show and no, not smelling of stink and sweat or covered in any sort of dirt from outside; he'd been doing a bit of clearing around the Hold... and castle. He's removing his gloves when he makes his way into the room and when he catches sight of the blond draped across the sofa in that... well, Trevor just can't help but stop and stare because... what else does one do when greeted like that?
He smiles, perhaps a it sheepishly and with a shake of his head and teeth dragging over his lower lip, he can't help but chuckle then as he makes his way into the room. ]
You know, when you said you wanted to kill some time together, I'm starting to wonder if you actually meant kill me.
[ Because with how Alucard is dressed? Might as well put a stake through his own heart. Jesus. ]
It takes him a bit to make his way there but, miraculously, he does show and no, not smelling of stink and sweat or covered in any sort of dirt from outside; he'd been doing a bit of clearing around the Hold... and castle. He's removing his gloves when he makes his way into the room and when he catches sight of the blond draped across the sofa in that... well, Trevor just can't help but stop and stare because... what else does one do when greeted like that?
He smiles, perhaps a it sheepishly and with a shake of his head and teeth dragging over his lower lip, he can't help but chuckle then as he makes his way into the room. ]
You know, when you said you wanted to kill some time together, I'm starting to wonder if you actually meant kill me.
[ Because with how Alucard is dressed? Might as well put a stake through his own heart. Jesus. ]
He can’t. Not unless you invite him. The deal isn’t void just because I fucked up.
[ Look at them, actually talking about a problem and working it out. Amazing. He smiles. ]
I am going to have to put you back into the bed at some point. But if you want to leave that for later, I’ll find you a blanket.
[ Look at them, actually talking about a problem and working it out. Amazing. He smiles. ]
I am going to have to put you back into the bed at some point. But if you want to leave that for later, I’ll find you a blanket.
...How does it actually work, given the circumstances?
[THEY'RE DOING SO WELL.]
I'd like to sit and look at the room from a slightly different angle, please. The bed is comfortable, but even I have limits.
[THEY'RE DOING SO WELL.]
I'd like to sit and look at the room from a slightly different angle, please. The bed is comfortable, but even I have limits.
Of course.
[ He moves the chair so that it's facing in a new direction. There are a few visible seams at first, pieces of the room only part-formed and not meant to be seen from this side, but they quickly right themselves. ]
You're sure you don't want a garden? It'll take me a little while, but it'll be somewhere else for you to be. And my sister always needs more places to put dogs.
[ He moves the chair so that it's facing in a new direction. There are a few visible seams at first, pieces of the room only part-formed and not meant to be seen from this side, but they quickly right themselves. ]
You're sure you don't want a garden? It'll take me a little while, but it'll be somewhere else for you to be. And my sister always needs more places to put dogs.
There's little more than a hum of acknowledgement for the apology. Sypha didn't know. Couldn't have known, because how would anyone bond with their half-vampire son? It was an open book of a thing, and there's no need to dwell on it.
"I love you both as well." It's a response that is automatic these days because it is a simple truth. He loves them both and they only get a single lifetime together. To hesitate to say the words is stupid. Selfish in it's way, for all he can think of is how many more years he'll go without saying them to Trevor's and Sypha's faces.
"And you know as well as I that that's easier said than done."
He doesn't quite laugh or smile, but there's an approximation of it. That and some real warmth from within, because she cares and Alucard knows she knows it's a challenge. "But I will continue to try."
"I love you both as well." It's a response that is automatic these days because it is a simple truth. He loves them both and they only get a single lifetime together. To hesitate to say the words is stupid. Selfish in it's way, for all he can think of is how many more years he'll go without saying them to Trevor's and Sypha's faces.
"And you know as well as I that that's easier said than done."
He doesn't quite laugh or smile, but there's an approximation of it. That and some real warmth from within, because she cares and Alucard knows she knows it's a challenge. "But I will continue to try."
Oh?
[A little of the self-consciousness slips away at that, replaced instead by a thin and knowing smile. This was a good idea.]
Well if that's going to happen, I'd rather you be on top of me for it instead of just standing there.
[Delicate vampire nostrils? Those detect no stink on Trevor which feels like a bit of a blessing in and of itself. Just some cleaner and his natural Belmont-y musk.]
[A little of the self-consciousness slips away at that, replaced instead by a thin and knowing smile. This was a good idea.]
Well if that's going to happen, I'd rather you be on top of me for it instead of just standing there.
[Delicate vampire nostrils? Those detect no stink on Trevor which feels like a bit of a blessing in and of itself. Just some cleaner and his natural Belmont-y musk.]
[A new direction. Thank goodness.
Watching the seems right themselves is genuinely interesting. Alucard tilts his head as he watches it happen, then hums with a very quiet satisfaction. The world is weird and wide and wild, isn't it?]
I'll think about it. [However.]
Maybe one of the dogs can visit now?
[Dogs have generally been the kindest to him over the years.]
Watching the seems right themselves is genuinely interesting. Alucard tilts his head as he watches it happen, then hums with a very quiet satisfaction. The world is weird and wide and wild, isn't it?]
I'll think about it. [However.]
Maybe one of the dogs can visit now?
[Dogs have generally been the kindest to him over the years.]
[ He sits down on the bed. Still watching Alucard, gaze still soft with fondness, but with all of that tempered at least somewhat by the knowledge that this isn't his.
A garden. A garden. If he brought plants from the human wold to grow there, would they count as the fruits of this place or of the human world? He makes a note to himself to ask Enid. ]
If you're happy to have a dog inside. I'll ask when I take these books back.
A garden. A garden. If he brought plants from the human wold to grow there, would they count as the fruits of this place or of the human world? He makes a note to himself to ask Enid. ]
If you're happy to have a dog inside. I'll ask when I take these books back.
Thank you.
[It's still uncomfortable, Trevor's look. Alucard doesn't know how much he trusts this conversation and it's follow through, but at least it's something. For now, the fae seems to understand, and that? That's actually a first.]
How many siblings do you have? The stories never mentioned anyone outside the main two.
Three sisters. I'm the youngest. I think we were all from after the deal.
[ Oh right, the deal. Alucard asked about that. ]
Nobody ever put to paper the consequences of breaking it. I don't think anyone ever foresaw all the- fires. But it'll be less for me than it would have been for my father. It would have been less still if it were indirect, but that didn't work.
[ Oh right, the deal. Alucard asked about that. ]
Nobody ever put to paper the consequences of breaking it. I don't think anyone ever foresaw all the- fires. But it'll be less for me than it would have been for my father. It would have been less still if it were indirect, but that didn't work.
Probably. It was only ever Leon and Sara that I heard of/
[Alucard leans forward a little, trying to snatch another blanket from the bed.]
...How were you attempting to be indirect? I don't recall much.
I wanted to make a deal with him. Make him forget you. But I couldn’t be this shape in the church, and he never left. So I put the plague in him.
[ That’s. A hell of a thing to say. ]
I thought he’d realise he was sick and that you could help, and he didn’t. And then I tried dragging it out again to show everyone what the real monster was, and they just started the fire anyway. And then I ran out of ideas and just stole the stake. I thought if I just dragged the stake off, maybe it wouldn’t matter that you happened to be attached to it. But- even if that would have worked, it didn’t seem like it would fix anything to leave you alone like this.
...I have it, if you want it. It’s mostly there.
[ That’s. A hell of a thing to say. ]
I thought he’d realise he was sick and that you could help, and he didn’t. And then I tried dragging it out again to show everyone what the real monster was, and they just started the fire anyway. And then I ran out of ideas and just stole the stake. I thought if I just dragged the stake off, maybe it wouldn’t matter that you happened to be attached to it. But- even if that would have worked, it didn’t seem like it would fix anything to leave you alone like this.
...I have it, if you want it. It’s mostly there.
You gave him plague?
[There's disblief. Alucard then shuts himself up and keeps listening.]
I'd be dead. Which was the original intent. [Well. His only way out. Alucard's finger hooks onto a blanket and he drags the whole thing over.]
It's probably best you destroy it.
Only a little! To scare him! [ That makes it okay, right? ] And I dragged it back out of him again. It’s fine.
[ He looks over Alucard, at that. Almost a little hopeful. ]
You don’t think you’ll need it?
[ He’s been worried. ]
[ He looks over Alucard, at that. Almost a little hopeful. ]
You don’t think you’ll need it?
[ He’s been worried. ]
[Somehow it's the defense of only a little! that gets Alucard to laugh. Actually laugh, although the volume of it is fairly muted.]
Perhaps a man like that was better off with the plague in him.
[He's just saying.]
I think you wouldn't allow it even if I said I did.
[ He's laughing. He's laughing and it's quiet and no less anemic than his smiles but the sound of it is wonderful.
It's enough that he doesn't wilt at the new topic. ]
I won't stop you. Not once you're well enough to go. I don't think I can. Not unless I keep you locked here forever. And I think you wouldn't like that.
It's enough that he doesn't wilt at the new topic. ]
I won't stop you. Not once you're well enough to go. I don't think I can. Not unless I keep you locked here forever. And I think you wouldn't like that.
No, you're right about the last part.
[But he understands that Trevor would rather not. Alucard sighs, tucking himself in a little more in the blanket he's grabbed.]
I suppose that the agreement never forbade them from keeping an eye on us, did it?
[But he understands that Trevor would rather not. Alucard sighs, tucking himself in a little more in the blanket he's grabbed.]
I suppose that the agreement never forbade them from keeping an eye on us, did it?
Only from interfering. We could always watch.
[ ...that sounds worse than it is, doesn't it? He's not been stalking you, promise! ]
-I've not been, though. Watching, I mean. Not much. There's no sense in it, if there's nothing we can do to help.
[ ...that sounds worse than it is, doesn't it? He's not been stalking you, promise! ]
-I've not been, though. Watching, I mean. Not much. There's no sense in it, if there's nothing we can do to help.
No, I suppose not.
[Alucard's snugged up and comfortable now. With that, he lets out a soft sigh.]
If you want to take a second chair rather than sit on the bed for the bit, I think that'd be okay. I'm going to rest my eyes.
[Alucard's snugged up and comfortable now. With that, he lets out a soft sigh.]
If you want to take a second chair rather than sit on the bed for the bit, I think that'd be okay. I'm going to rest my eyes.
[ He shakes his head, standing and moving a bedside table over beside the chair, so that he can put water and books where Alucard can reach them easily. ]
I'll head out for a little while. You going to be okay there for a couple hours?
I'll head out for a little while. You going to be okay there for a couple hours?
Yes, I think so.
[Water and books. That'll do. There's a moment's exhale, and then Alucard closes his eyes entirely.]
Thank you.
[Water and books. That'll do. There's a moment's exhale, and then Alucard closes his eyes entirely.]
Thank you.
[ He only needs a little by now, just in case something comes through the gate and he needs to drive it back. A few drops every now and then. They still alternate who he takes blood from even though the amount isn't enough to warrant it. It only seems right. He's theirs. And if it can be achieved, it's only correct that he be equal parts both of them. Last time it was Sypha, and it had been the first time they did this since the three of the became three. Which meant that what was meant to be a task of a few minutes how ended up taking the entire afternoon and evening.
They've not been sharing any details with Alucard, because sometimes being mean to him is fun. Not in the immediate aftermath, not when he joined them in the bed later, not in the entire time the two of them have been away and not in the few days that they've been back. There's the occasional hint whenever they think he might have forgotten that he's being left out but nothing more. It's tempting to make the next feeding a straightforward, completely chaste affair, just to keep it up. But it's significantly more tempting to not do that. And maybe they shouldn't go too far with it, because sexy mind games can easily turn into unsexy mind games. ]
Adrian. [ The humans are in the library. Of course they're in the library. He has to use food or breasts to lure them anywhere else. ] Is this a good time?
[ For the feeding, he means. And he is trying to act cool. Like it'll just be a normal, unhorny thing. ]
They've not been sharing any details with Alucard, because sometimes being mean to him is fun. Not in the immediate aftermath, not when he joined them in the bed later, not in the entire time the two of them have been away and not in the few days that they've been back. There's the occasional hint whenever they think he might have forgotten that he's being left out but nothing more. It's tempting to make the next feeding a straightforward, completely chaste affair, just to keep it up. But it's significantly more tempting to not do that. And maybe they shouldn't go too far with it, because sexy mind games can easily turn into unsexy mind games. ]
Adrian. [ The humans are in the library. Of course they're in the library. He has to use food or breasts to lure them anywhere else. ] Is this a good time?
[ For the feeding, he means. And he is trying to act cool. Like it'll just be a normal, unhorny thing. ]
Hmm?
[Alucard is reading. Of course he is, curled up on the sofa with a soft blanket draped over himself. He doesn't need it, the place is perfectly fine and warm and lovely, but it still feels nice.
Of the three of them, Alucard's both the best and worst at dating. They both trust him. He listens well, but that's just a part of being an alchemist-doctor who in spite of everything spent too many years treating patients at his own peril. He likes being made to feel safe in exchange for it, but there are still moments where he's convinced he's anything but.
Still. He's here, in the library, whereas the other two have been doing something that feels like teasing. So he's resolved not to let it get to him.]
[Alucard is reading. Of course he is, curled up on the sofa with a soft blanket draped over himself. He doesn't need it, the place is perfectly fine and warm and lovely, but it still feels nice.
Of the three of them, Alucard's both the best and worst at dating. They both trust him. He listens well, but that's just a part of being an alchemist-doctor who in spite of everything spent too many years treating patients at his own peril. He likes being made to feel safe in exchange for it, but there are still moments where he's convinced he's anything but.
Still. He's here, in the library, whereas the other two have been doing something that feels like teasing. So he's resolved not to let it get to him.]
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