[It is out of instinct that the vampire also moves towards Trevor. His words still sting (Go. Home.), they'll sting for some time to come, but Sypha has it covered. And now he can't wonder if any of this was worth it , because too much has been done to try and make this so.
He exhales, like that might take some of the situation's tension away.
It fails, and all he can do is nod.]
Yes.
[His eyes are on Trevor and Sypha when he takes Leon's hand. That hand trembles, because Leon is still a nightmare.]
Alucard doesn't know if he's allowed any closer to the other two. But he moves closer all the same, his hand reaching out to rest on Trevor's shoulder.
It's a feather light touch. One that can be shrugged off easily.]
[ There are tears in his eyes, by now, from difficulty breathing. He's unhurt, of course. Just afraid. Just more afraid than he he's been in his life. The next cough brings up a few moths, the one after that a few more, and they're momentarily stunned by the impact of it before they fly away.
He looks up when Alucard touches him, then flinches away. He looks the way he did after that first encounter with Dracula's wards and Lisa's presence. Terrified, but more than that betrayed. ]
You didn't tell me. You knew there was nothing I could do. You knew your father was asking the impossible. You knew that she could have died, and it would be my fault. And you didn't tell me.
[ His tone starts at terror. It moves though fury and sorrow and ends at nothing at all, flat and lifeless. Another cough releases a few more moths as his body tries to turn itself inside out in his desire to be anywhere but right here. ]
[Because until they made their decision, Alucard was not allowed to argue for. Or against. Or anything.
He's seen Trevor come undone before, and in the past there was a sense of security from it. Now? Now with that flinch there is nothing worse than this moment. Not for Trevor's words and their truth, but because if their roles were reversed, he'd feel the same way. Sypha? Sypha's more important than either of them.
Alucard backs away. He's not welcome here. All of this may be settled, but he isn't welcome, so he should leave.
He's a wolf with just another step. A wolf that turns, heading towards the cave's mouth.
[ Sypha gives chase, one hand on Alucard's back for just a moment before Trevor gives one last cough and moths flood from his mouth, his body withering away into nothing. She sighs out something uncharacteristically vulgar as the plauge of moths leaves the cave. ]
Tomorrow. [ She says, running fingers through Alucard's fur. ] Come back tomorrow. We'll try again.
[He does not return tomorrow. Or the next day. Or the third.
It is only after sunset on the fourth that Alucard comes back, and he does not dare to enter the space willingly, or as a person. There is instead just a white wolf that appears, and it settles down at the mouth of the cave, careful to avoid the large mud puddle that is beside him.
But he does no more. He may still be unwelcome, and that would be within their rights to do so. Being back at all is terrifying. He can't even articulate how scared he is to even be trying again, and it's why he has settled on this form rather than being a human at the moment. Things are...they're easier like this.]
[ After the first day, they take the medicine. Nothing. It's happened before that they've been unable to reach him in dreams, but never so consistently. By the time Alucard does meet with them, what belongings are in their little cave are packed away. They're preparing to move on. To go back to the heart of Wallachia instead of out here on the borders, to go and find their fucking boyfriend.
Trevor is weaving, his moths crawling over one of Sypha's old robes and patching holes. He can tell Alucard is there, but he doesn't look up. It's Sypha who takes notice of him first, breaking the heavy silence of the cave first with a happy 'You're back!' and then turning back to Trevor. ]
Stay there. Put down the robe, but don't leave and don't turn into anything else.
[ There's steel to it. An order. His hands move mechanically, putting the robe aside and finally looking up, staring at Alucard through the fire. ]
[Alucard doesn't move from his spot. The most he does is lift up his head and shift so that he is looking at Sypha. There's a tilt to his head, the kind any dog makes when they're confused, unsure, or trying to angle their ears better so that they can hear.
He had refused them in dreams because he needed his own space to digest that disaster of a night.
There's a soft snuffle that soon follows, one that roughly translates to are you both sure? He noted Trevor's muted reaction, pointed not looking. If that's how it'll be, then he refuses to be a person again.]
[ There's a note of warning to her voice, betraying upset beneath her welcoming. She walks over to Alucard, stroking his head and trying to lead him into the cave. Trevor doesn't move. Just when it seems like Sypha's going to have to drag words out of the both of them, he speaks. ]
He gave me an option - to see that you don't see me again for as long as you live, and she won't suffer for any of my failures. If he threatens her again, I intend to take it.
I wouldn't. But it's already clear to me that while I can account for obvious harm, I look over implicit or insideous threats. That is worse.
[Every word makes the dhampir sink lower. He hurts. Every part of him is screaming now, and all he can do is look to Sypha. The end is the end. He'll leave in a few minutes, but it's wrong to only have the two of them speaking when this involves all three.]
You hold as much sway as either of us here. What is your take on all of this?
I should think I hold more sway than anyone, if I am the one being discussed here.
[ Has Sypha been just waiting to be asked her opinion? Absolutely. ]
I think I am a grown person, and perfectly capable of deciding to take my own risks. I want you to stay. Whatever consequences come of it we face together.
[He's lived with that fear his entire life. Alucard knows it's why his parents act the way they do, part of why his father is....just like this. He aches because all of this comes from a place of truly good intent. It'd be impossible for him not to.
But his doubts and concerns aren't as important as Trevor's. So he remains quiet so that what Trevor needs is given to him. Sypha knows the Belmont better than the dhampir, after all. She's far better equipped for this moment.]
And whatever I need to learn to make up for past failings, I will learn quickly.
[ Trevor's response is just a quiet grumble. Sypha releases his chin to instead jab a finger at his cheek. It's mostly playful, though there's a little annoyance there at both of her stupid boyfriends acting like she's made of glass. ]
You need to speak up. My fragile mortal ears didn't quite catch that.
[ He doesn't repeat himself right away, so she jabs at him a few more times. ]
I said I can't fucking move! So either you need to let me go over there or he needs to come over here!
(She is made of glass in comparison to the two of them, but they will always argue about it. It isn't important now.
Alucard rises, but he moves slowly, still unsure. When he reaches Trevor, he stands closer to Sypha, like that might deflect any more negativity if it comes.)
[He's stiff for a moment. Unsure. Terrified. But it melts away all at once, and with that one of Alucard's arms is wrapped around Sypha's shoulder, the other slung low around Trevor's hip. He's found a way to rest his forehead against Sypha's head and Trevor's chest at the same time, and this is...
...exactly what he's wanted for some time now, isn't it?]
[ This is all any of them have wanted since the dreams began. It’s perfect. In the absence of everything outside of it, it’s perfect. He leans down to kiss the top of Alucard’s head. Sypha nuzzles fondly at his cheek. ]
You don’t need to be sorry. Just promise that you won’t let him hurt her.
[This stupid cave is full of far too many emotions. Fear is one of the strongest, but it's settling now. Allowing the much more proper ones to take root, and for that, there is a soft sight out of the vampire.
He tries to draw himself closer to them both. He probably fails. That's just fine.]
[ And he lays back, pulling the both of them with him. It's- a little less perfect in real life, in truth. Dream logic allows for things like ignoring how bony Alucard is, how Sypha's robes always find a way to end up inconveniently and uncomfortably wrapped around some limb or another.
But it's also real. It's real, at last, and whatever price they have to pay for that later might just be worth it. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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He exhales, like that might take some of the situation's tension away.
It fails, and all he can do is nod.]
Yes.
[His eyes are on Trevor and Sypha when he takes Leon's hand. That hand trembles, because Leon is still a nightmare.]
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[ And he boops the vampires’s nose before pulling his hand away. Because of course he does. ]
It is done.
[ With that, he’s gone. The three of them are alone again. ]
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Alucard doesn't know if he's allowed any closer to the other two. But he moves closer all the same, his hand reaching out to rest on Trevor's shoulder.
It's a feather light touch. One that can be shrugged off easily.]
...Trevor? Sypha?
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He looks up when Alucard touches him, then flinches away. He looks the way he did after that first encounter with Dracula's wards and Lisa's presence. Terrified, but more than that betrayed. ]
You didn't tell me. You knew there was nothing I could do. You knew your father was asking the impossible. You knew that she could have died, and it would be my fault. And you didn't tell me.
[ His tone starts at terror. It moves though fury and sorrow and ends at nothing at all, flat and lifeless. Another cough releases a few more moths as his body tries to turn itself inside out in his desire to be anywhere but right here. ]
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[Because until they made their decision, Alucard was not allowed to argue for. Or against. Or anything.
He's seen Trevor come undone before, and in the past there was a sense of security from it. Now? Now with that flinch there is nothing worse than this moment. Not for Trevor's words and their truth, but because if their roles were reversed, he'd feel the same way. Sypha? Sypha's more important than either of them.
Alucard backs away. He's not welcome here. All of this may be settled, but he isn't welcome, so he should leave.
He's a wolf with just another step. A wolf that turns, heading towards the cave's mouth.
Go home.]
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Tomorrow. [ She says, running fingers through Alucard's fur. ] Come back tomorrow. We'll try again.
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It is only after sunset on the fourth that Alucard comes back, and he does not dare to enter the space willingly, or as a person. There is instead just a white wolf that appears, and it settles down at the mouth of the cave, careful to avoid the large mud puddle that is beside him.
But he does no more. He may still be unwelcome, and that would be within their rights to do so. Being back at all is terrifying. He can't even articulate how scared he is to even be trying again, and it's why he has settled on this form rather than being a human at the moment. Things are...they're easier like this.]
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Trevor is weaving, his moths crawling over one of Sypha's old robes and patching holes. He can tell Alucard is there, but he doesn't look up. It's Sypha who takes notice of him first, breaking the heavy silence of the cave first with a happy 'You're back!' and then turning back to Trevor. ]
Stay there. Put down the robe, but don't leave and don't turn into anything else.
[ There's steel to it. An order. His hands move mechanically, putting the robe aside and finally looking up, staring at Alucard through the fire. ]
Come in, come in!
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He had refused them in dreams because he needed his own space to digest that disaster of a night.
There's a soft snuffle that soon follows, one that roughly translates to are you both sure? He noted Trevor's muted reaction, pointed not looking. If that's how it'll be, then he refuses to be a person again.]
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[ There's a note of warning to her voice, betraying upset beneath her welcoming. She walks over to Alucard, stroking his head and trying to lead him into the cave. Trevor doesn't move. Just when it seems like Sypha's going to have to drag words out of the both of them, he speaks. ]
He gave me an option - to see that you don't see me again for as long as you live, and she won't suffer for any of my failures. If he threatens her again, I intend to take it.
[ His voice is quiet, emotionless. ]
I won't sacrifice her for you.
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Somewhere in all of that, a flick of his ear perhaps, he is human again. He is still listening.
When Trevor finishes, he nods.)
Nor should you.
(He is so still.)
Is it worth me staying then?
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[ He hangs his head. ]
You let him cut you open. You let him drag her into this stupid trap. If he hurt her, would you let him?
[ And he finally looks up, managing to meet Alucard's eyes. It's difficult. ]
If you would let him hurt her, you should leave. I was wrong. You've had a cage all this time, and you should go back to it.
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[Every word makes the dhampir sink lower. He hurts. Every part of him is screaming now, and all he can do is look to Sypha. The end is the end. He'll leave in a few minutes, but it's wrong to only have the two of them speaking when this involves all three.]
You hold as much sway as either of us here. What is your take on all of this?
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[ Has Sypha been just waiting to be asked her opinion? Absolutely. ]
I think I am a grown person, and perfectly capable of deciding to take my own risks. I want you to stay. Whatever consequences come of it we face together.
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If my presence is a problem, I can try to ensure you simply don't see me in the evenings.
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[ He can't move closer, so he just curls in upon himself uselessly. ]
I'm terrified. I don't care if he kills my sisters or I- we'll come back. Even if we don't, this is what we were born for. But Sypha's-
[ She's special. She's mortal. She deserves better. She's moving over to lift his chin to force him to look her in the eyes. ]
You don't control me, Belmont. This is my choice to make.
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[He's lived with that fear his entire life. Alucard knows it's why his parents act the way they do, part of why his father is....just like this. He aches because all of this comes from a place of truly good intent. It'd be impossible for him not to.
But his doubts and concerns aren't as important as Trevor's. So he remains quiet so that what Trevor needs is given to him. Sypha knows the Belmont better than the dhampir, after all. She's far better equipped for this moment.]
And whatever I need to learn to make up for past failings, I will learn quickly.
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You need to speak up. My fragile mortal ears didn't quite catch that.
[ He doesn't repeat himself right away, so she jabs at him a few more times. ]
I said I can't fucking move! So either you need to let me go over there or he needs to come over here!
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Alucard rises, but he moves slowly, still unsure. When he reaches Trevor, he stands closer to Sypha, like that might deflect any more negativity if it comes.)
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I love you. We love you. Even if your dad is an ass.
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...exactly what he's wanted for some time now, isn't it?]
He is. And I'm sorry.
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You don’t need to be sorry. Just promise that you won’t let him hurt her.
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He tries to draw himself closer to them both. He probably fails. That's just fine.]
I promise you both.
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[ And he lays back, pulling the both of them with him. It's- a little less perfect in real life, in truth. Dream logic allows for things like ignoring how bony Alucard is, how Sypha's robes always find a way to end up inconveniently and uncomfortably wrapped around some limb or another.
But it's also real. It's real, at last, and whatever price they have to pay for that later might just be worth it. ]
Sorry for being an ass about it.
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[Alucard likes how Sypha's robes catch. That Trevor's softer than he thought is nice too, and everything else is...
this is good.
Better than dreams, because it isn't confined to that space.]
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