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I know I’m getting ahead of myself, assuming we’ll survive this. But-
[ “When this is done, you’ll find a way to be happy again. I know you will.” ]
When this is done, you’ll just be normal. A vampire and all, but a normal one. You’ll be able to just- do whatever it is you like doing. Whatever makes all of this better.
[ “When this is done, you’ll find a way to be happy again. I know you will.” ]
When this is done, you’ll just be normal. A vampire and all, but a normal one. You’ll be able to just- do whatever it is you like doing. Whatever makes all of this better.
Alucard had anticipated D needing to pause and think. Or going through several pages of paper. He was even looking away from the other dhampir to try and be as respectful as he could in closed quarters, but time passed and there seemed to be not much at all.
But then the scent of blood was in the air, and Alucard's head whipped around out of instinct. Not for fear of what might be happening, but genuine confusion. He hadn't had such a thing happen before. Not here at least, where there was only ever careful work.
His attention focused on D, and in the way the man moved there was something a little too familiar. When Dracula cast spells, his hands moved like that. Too faster. So very inhuman. Claws, not hands, fingernails impossibly long and sharp.
Fuck. Maybe his father did escape Hell by D's time.
The thought is sobering. Terrifying, but he says nothing. Only closes his eyes to try and find a place to settle in the sea of thoughts now churning in his brain.
But then the scent of blood was in the air, and Alucard's head whipped around out of instinct. Not for fear of what might be happening, but genuine confusion. He hadn't had such a thing happen before. Not here at least, where there was only ever careful work.
His attention focused on D, and in the way the man moved there was something a little too familiar. When Dracula cast spells, his hands moved like that. Too faster. So very inhuman. Claws, not hands, fingernails impossibly long and sharp.
Fuck. Maybe his father did escape Hell by D's time.
The thought is sobering. Terrifying, but he says nothing. Only closes his eyes to try and find a place to settle in the sea of thoughts now churning in his brain.
I think that's a bold assumption, but...
[It's not the fucking point and he knows it.]
Please know I appreciate the sentiment. Even if I struggle to show it.
[It's not the fucking point and he knows it.]
Please know I appreciate the sentiment. Even if I struggle to show it.
The lines of the pencil layered over and over, adding more and more detail to the image, past the point of a simple sketch as D seemed intent on thrusting his memory onto the page by force instead of the delicate hand of an artist.
The pencil caught and there was a sharp snap as it broke in two and D's fist tightened around the remains, shattering it further. He snarled at it, revealing fangs now several inches long and wickedly pointed, and his attention snapped to Adrian as though suddenly recalling he was even there.
He stared at him, gaze still a vivid red, and abruptly pushed himself away from the desk, his claws leaving a gouge in the surface. D retreated to the opposite side of the room and pressed his forehead to the wall, taking deep breaths until he felt himself returning to normal.
"Jeez, D, you gotta treat everything like it can be solved with force?"
The pencil caught and there was a sharp snap as it broke in two and D's fist tightened around the remains, shattering it further. He snarled at it, revealing fangs now several inches long and wickedly pointed, and his attention snapped to Adrian as though suddenly recalling he was even there.
He stared at him, gaze still a vivid red, and abruptly pushed himself away from the desk, his claws leaving a gouge in the surface. D retreated to the opposite side of the room and pressed his forehead to the wall, taking deep breaths until he felt himself returning to normal.
"Jeez, D, you gotta treat everything like it can be solved with force?"
[ Oh, but his eyes follow that fabric as it falls and remain at it for a while. Standing is a slow process and his eyes take the entire time to finally return to Alucard’s face. He sits on the edge of the bed carefully. ]
It is an honour, to be invited into this holy place.
[ And he takes Alucard’s hand, slowly kissing the pad of each finger. ‘All that he sees’ is going to take a while at this rate. Not that he minds. ]
It is an honour, to be invited into this holy place.
[ And he takes Alucard’s hand, slowly kissing the pad of each finger. ‘All that he sees’ is going to take a while at this rate. Not that he minds. ]
[Oh. Oh.
A soft, breathy sigh leaves Alucard as Trevor takes his hand, the kisses soft and slow and fuck he might have signed up for too much.
His hand goes over to Trevor's hip, slowly angling so that he can sliiiide Trevor onto his lap.]
Over here. The only thing I cannot do is warm hearths.
A soft, breathy sigh leaves Alucard as Trevor takes his hand, the kisses soft and slow and fuck he might have signed up for too much.
His hand goes over to Trevor's hip, slowly angling so that he can sliiiide Trevor onto his lap.]
Over here. The only thing I cannot do is warm hearths.
It wasn't until the pencil snapped that Alucard opened his eyes, turning to D slowly. There's a measured care to the movement, one that betrays how unsure Alucard is about what may happen next. There has never been a reason to think that any of D's nature is similar to his own, but this? It simply threw it all into sharp contrast.
So quietly, carefully, once that pencil snapped, Alucard met D's eyes. The red? That was of no concern. Alucard had seen it before in other vampires. In his father. The fangs too, although that D's could extend was a thing Alucard found himself slightly jealous of.
Yet here they were.
Carefully, without moving from his spot, Alucard asked: "What do you need?"
Not how can I help.
So quietly, carefully, once that pencil snapped, Alucard met D's eyes. The red? That was of no concern. Alucard had seen it before in other vampires. In his father. The fangs too, although that D's could extend was a thing Alucard found himself slightly jealous of.
Yet here they were.
Carefully, without moving from his spot, Alucard asked: "What do you need?"
Not how can I help.
"Distance." The word is slightly slurred from fangs too large for his mouth right now, the ache to sink into something almost overwhelming and making it difficult for him to focus on much else.
"Or something to feed on," the parasite adds, a harsh bark of laughter that's far from amused coming from it.
"Hard to resist, huh, D? That heartbeat so close? All that fresh, hot blood right there for the taking--"
"Shut up."
"Or something to feed on," the parasite adds, a harsh bark of laughter that's far from amused coming from it.
"Hard to resist, huh, D? That heartbeat so close? All that fresh, hot blood right there for the taking--"
"Shut up."
"How well can you control your drinking habits, and do you believe my blood would be effective?"
The questions are calm and straight forward. Nearly clinical.
The questions are calm and straight forward. Nearly clinical.
"It doesn't matter, it won't happen." His voice was less distorted now, starting to shift back to the icy calm it normally was. "It would hurt you no matter the usefulness and you wouldn't enjoy it.
"And if I lost control, I don't know if you could stop me."
Admittedly, he hadn't seen Adrian fight or even handle a weapon beyond their initial meeting. But he struck D as someone who'd try too hard to spare him and he was well aware that if he ever did lose his control and turn on others, any hesitation could mean the end for him.
"And if I lost control, I don't know if you could stop me."
Admittedly, he hadn't seen Adrian fight or even handle a weapon beyond their initial meeting. But he struck D as someone who'd try too hard to spare him and he was well aware that if he ever did lose his control and turn on others, any hesitation could mean the end for him.
"Don't worry about the last part."
Alucard is certain about that. His eyes remain on D though, and the next question is just as simple.
"Capsules. Where are they?"
Alucard is certain about that. His eyes remain on D though, and the next question is just as simple.
"Capsules. Where are they?"
Perhaps Adrian has a point in that, considering what he had been driven to do for his own father, but D is slightly relieved at the second question. He doesn't protest, simply nods towards the door.
"The room you gave me. The pack."
It isn't 'his' room in his mind, and has been barely touched even in his time here. It serves to keep his supplies, such as they are, but its difficult to tell if he even sleeps in there or has just treated it as storage.
If Adrian chooses to go himself, D will take the opportunity to seat himself on the floor, meditating to regain his calm and waiting until the other man returns. Although he also wouldn't fault him for taking the opportunity to send him away now.
"The room you gave me. The pack."
It isn't 'his' room in his mind, and has been barely touched even in his time here. It serves to keep his supplies, such as they are, but its difficult to tell if he even sleeps in there or has just treated it as storage.
If Adrian chooses to go himself, D will take the opportunity to seat himself on the floor, meditating to regain his calm and waiting until the other man returns. Although he also wouldn't fault him for taking the opportunity to send him away now.
Alucard leaves without another word. He knows where D's room is at all times, because if his guest needs help or if something goes truly awry, then he can respond. It's important, having that information, and it has paid off here and now.
He moves fast. The speed of a vampire, because that's important to use right now. This? This is an emergency.
Once in that room, he does find the pack. The capsules. Takes two, then runs back to D with the capsules in hand. He doesn't even stop to get a cup for water. He simply goes until he returns to the lab.
"--Here."
Alucard is quick to interrupt the meditation, hand lowered, offering the capsules.
He moves fast. The speed of a vampire, because that's important to use right now. This? This is an emergency.
Once in that room, he does find the pack. The capsules. Takes two, then runs back to D with the capsules in hand. He doesn't even stop to get a cup for water. He simply goes until he returns to the lab.
"--Here."
Alucard is quick to interrupt the meditation, hand lowered, offering the capsules.
[So, Hector's not sure precisely what he is doing here, but here he is, knocking on the door to a broken magic castle. He'd grown accustomed to indoor plumbing when he'd lived here under Dracula's rule, and it is by far the thing he's missed the most.
Also, by this time, he and Alucard are basically co-parenting one undead pug. He has no idea where they stand with one another.
So he's going to roll in and use one of the castle's many ornate tubs to see if 'grave dirt' is a scent that is in his skin or if it is a part of his very aura. If its the latter, it begs the question of whether his profession was something he chose or if it was inevitable.
He leaves Cesar home for this trip. He's not sure why, exactly, but he is here to consult with Alucard, and bringing Cesar will absolutely distract his focus. So Alucard is going to have to deal with one necromancer sans emotional support dog.]
Also, by this time, he and Alucard are basically co-parenting one undead pug. He has no idea where they stand with one another.
So he's going to roll in and use one of the castle's many ornate tubs to see if 'grave dirt' is a scent that is in his skin or if it is a part of his very aura. If its the latter, it begs the question of whether his profession was something he chose or if it was inevitable.
He leaves Cesar home for this trip. He's not sure why, exactly, but he is here to consult with Alucard, and bringing Cesar will absolutely distract his focus. So Alucard is going to have to deal with one necromancer sans emotional support dog.]
Of course Adrian returns faster than expected, and D cracks an eye open that is still stained with bloody light to look at him. But it isn't the capsules that draw his attention.
He can see the pulse of blood beneath the surface of Adrian's hand, the thicker lines of arteries pulsing up his wrist and tracing elegant lines up his arms. Human enough to be appealing despite all his careful control.
His arm moves slowly, held by a single-minded focus not to just grab Adrian's arm instead of the capsules, and his claws catch at Adrian's skin briefly despite his best effort.
"...water."
He can see the pulse of blood beneath the surface of Adrian's hand, the thicker lines of arteries pulsing up his wrist and tracing elegant lines up his arms. Human enough to be appealing despite all his careful control.
His arm moves slowly, held by a single-minded focus not to just grab Adrian's arm instead of the capsules, and his claws catch at Adrian's skin briefly despite his best effort.
"...water."
[You know what? It's a very good thing that Trevor and Sypha aren't here. They can barely manage the fact that Cesar is being co-parented with Hector, and it's only Cesar's endless charms that the matter is tolerated. Trevor loves dogs. Even undead ones.
As far as where things stand with Hector, it's...Alucard's own emotions haven't decided. Just that he's better kept close rather than away, because keeping him close means Carmilla won't dare to come near.
The castle doors open for Hector. He is a friend of the house, allowed until Alucard says otherwise. And Alucard is there too, actually doing some mopping up of the main entrance.]
Did you have a bathroom preference? You know this place has too many bath tubs.
As far as where things stand with Hector, it's...Alucard's own emotions haven't decided. Just that he's better kept close rather than away, because keeping him close means Carmilla won't dare to come near.
The castle doors open for Hector. He is a friend of the house, allowed until Alucard says otherwise. And Alucard is there too, actually doing some mopping up of the main entrance.]
Did you have a bathroom preference? You know this place has too many bath tubs.
[Hector steps inside the castle and looks around. The feel of the place is different under Alucard's ownership than it was for his father. It is not just the result of the ongoing repairs after the battles within.]
Yes, there's a bath that I used when I lived here. It faced the east and had windows, so the vampires couldn't use it.
[He heads across the entryway and up the steps in the direction he remembers the room to be. It's a testament to Dracula's overconfidence that his castle has so many windows. If Hector's one weakness was sunlight, he would avoid them in his architecture, but Dracula had claimed he liked the view from them in the moonlight.]
Things haven't...moved around, have they? It used to be near my lab, if the layout is the same.
Yes, there's a bath that I used when I lived here. It faced the east and had windows, so the vampires couldn't use it.
[He heads across the entryway and up the steps in the direction he remembers the room to be. It's a testament to Dracula's overconfidence that his castle has so many windows. If Hector's one weakness was sunlight, he would avoid them in his architecture, but Dracula had claimed he liked the view from them in the moonlight.]
Things haven't...moved around, have they? It used to be near my lab, if the layout is the same.
Hm. I think that'd be the third eastern wing?
[Alucard's aware of how things has changed. Some of it has been repairs, but the curtains? Those are drawn back these days. The castle is full of natural sunlight, and with less murder happening in the castle in general, it is inevitable there might be something well, nicer in the air.
As for moving around...]
I haven't changed the layout. There was a side room next to that lab, correct? I'll meet you there.
[Alucard's aware of how things has changed. Some of it has been repairs, but the curtains? Those are drawn back these days. The castle is full of natural sunlight, and with less murder happening in the castle in general, it is inevitable there might be something well, nicer in the air.
As for moving around...]
I haven't changed the layout. There was a side room next to that lab, correct? I'll meet you there.
Yes, that should be it.
[Hector and Isaac had been given quarters that could take advantage of those windows. Hector had chosen the east. For someone on a mostly nocturnal schedule at the time, he had enjoyed watching the sunrise at the end of his work 'day'.
Hector didn't bother bringing his own soaps or towels. The castle had always been well-stocked with supplies.
He doesn't know why Alucard needs to meet him there, but he nods. His feet carry him up the stairs and through the familiar hallways. There is a stillness that was never there in previous days, when the castle practically thrummed with bloodlust.
...maybe this is how Castlevania felt when Dracula's wife had lived.
He reaches the lab, now empty of all of his tools of the trade. Through the empty room to the bathroom.]
[Hector and Isaac had been given quarters that could take advantage of those windows. Hector had chosen the east. For someone on a mostly nocturnal schedule at the time, he had enjoyed watching the sunrise at the end of his work 'day'.
Hector didn't bother bringing his own soaps or towels. The castle had always been well-stocked with supplies.
He doesn't know why Alucard needs to meet him there, but he nods. His feet carry him up the stairs and through the familiar hallways. There is a stillness that was never there in previous days, when the castle practically thrummed with bloodlust.
...maybe this is how Castlevania felt when Dracula's wife had lived.
He reaches the lab, now empty of all of his tools of the trade. Through the empty room to the bathroom.]
[ Hey, Alucard’s the one who said he wanted worship. Not Trevor’s fault he took that seriously. He kisses along each joint of Alucard’s fingers until he reaches his palm, bowing his head in reverence before kissing softly at its centre. It’s just before he reaches the wrist that he pauses to rearrange himself so he’s sitting in Alucard’s lap, warm against Alucard’s cooler body even through layers of clothes. ]
How lucky, then, that I bring offerings of warmth.
[ Okay, that’s stupid enough that he almost breaks character and laughs. But he manages, and it’s easy to fall back into his role when he takes Alucard’s hand again and continues, his lips finally brushing over the pulse at his wrist. ]
How lucky, then, that I bring offerings of warmth.
[ Okay, that’s stupid enough that he almost breaks character and laughs. But he manages, and it’s easy to fall back into his role when he takes Alucard’s hand again and continues, his lips finally brushing over the pulse at his wrist. ]
Yeah, probably. ‘All we need to do is stop Dracula’. Like it’s easy.
[ He has humour enough left in him to make fun of himself, at least. ]
Sniff around for other vampires, then rest. Nothing that we can do anyway until she can track your blood and the castle. May as well rest while we can.
[ He has humour enough left in him to make fun of himself, at least. ]
Sniff around for other vampires, then rest. Nothing that we can do anyway until she can track your blood and the castle. May as well rest while we can.
One of the hardest things in the world.
[Alucard is morose, but he does start to move in the direction of the door.]
I'll meet you back at the room. Somehow I suspect it'll be more comfortable for her, at the very least.
[Alucard is morose, but he does start to move in the direction of the door.]
I'll meet you back at the room. Somehow I suspect it'll be more comfortable for her, at the very least.
[The contrast of all the fabric on Trevor against Alucard's bare chest is everything. A content noise follows when Trevor moves onto the dhampir's lap, and then Alucard's arm wraps around Trevor's waist to hold him snug and secure. More than that, it lets Alucard stroke his fingers against the very base of Trevor's spine - something that's a teaser of where this is meant to end.
He smiles as lips brush over his wrist.]
An offering happily accepted.
He smiles as lips brush over his wrist.]
An offering happily accepted.
There'll be soap and towels.
[Because there always are. Every bathroom is stocked. Every bed has sheets on it. It is a matter of hospitality, but also a matter of pride for the dhampir. Doing right, making sure the house can welcome guests. It's what his mother would want, and it's easier, running the place with that thought.
Alucard's not sure how long Hector will be in the bath. Doesn't matter, and perhaps it will be a while. He may want to luxuriate in having running water again. All Alucard knows is that half an hour later, he makes his own way up to the third east wing, and settles in that side room.
It's small. Just a fireplace and a sofa, two windows to let in the light. He settles at one end of the sofa, then closes his eyes. Just a little. Just to rest them.]
[Because there always are. Every bathroom is stocked. Every bed has sheets on it. It is a matter of hospitality, but also a matter of pride for the dhampir. Doing right, making sure the house can welcome guests. It's what his mother would want, and it's easier, running the place with that thought.
Alucard's not sure how long Hector will be in the bath. Doesn't matter, and perhaps it will be a while. He may want to luxuriate in having running water again. All Alucard knows is that half an hour later, he makes his own way up to the third east wing, and settles in that side room.
It's small. Just a fireplace and a sofa, two windows to let in the light. He settles at one end of the sofa, then closes his eyes. Just a little. Just to rest them.]
It's a miracle the claws don't draw blood.
"Water."
There is a sink in the lab. Alucard pauses only to grab a glass, which is to say he opens one of the cabinets beneath them and takes out a piece of lab equipment that can hold water. Filling it up takes no time at all, but every second feels like a life time. D's restraint is remarkable, but this is no time for such comments.
He walks back over. Holds both out, steady and calm.
"Water."
There is a sink in the lab. Alucard pauses only to grab a glass, which is to say he opens one of the cabinets beneath them and takes out a piece of lab equipment that can hold water. Filling it up takes no time at all, but every second feels like a life time. D's restraint is remarkable, but this is no time for such comments.
He walks back over. Holds both out, steady and calm.
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