Then I will make you a promise: when my mother is returned, I will permit you safe passage back through these doors to collect the rest of the story. Until then, stay with your people. Pass on this first portion, because if you do not survive this night, the tale will not be told at all.
[Alucard doesn't flinch at the threat. He can't, because he's Practiced now.]
[ She looks down at her hands, sighs, and looks up. ]
You know of my people, yes? How our ancestors hear the stories we tell? My grandfather heard one such story ten years ago. A year from now, Dracula returns to this castle and declares war upon all living things. He wishes to prepare by protecting as many people as possible, but I- I have to know why.
[ He takes that as permission to take over. Not to throw the speaker out, at least, but to step between her and Alucard. ]
Go, get out of his earshot.
[ She's about to complain, but he shakes his head and continues. ]
Come tomorrow morning, once the hunting party has left and had time to make distance. We'll discuss this then. You're not going to learn shit if Dracula kills you.
[Alucard relents. Trevor knows when to step in, and nine times out of ten it's emotional things that he needs help with, rather than the physical. (Not that there hasn't been the rare moment of assassination attempt.)
He steps back to allow Trevor more room. Nods to show he's fine with this arrangement.]
Until then, Speaker.
[There. He doesn't retreat, because Alucard needs to make sure the Speaker leaves. But after that? Then he's going right to bed.]
[ He leads her out in relative silence, and the castle slams its doors behind her. The second it does, Trevor turns. He extends his arms, waiting and tensing them, ready for Alucard's weight to fall into them. ]
[His room. It's the only place where this kind of a gesture is allowed, and Alucard falls into Trevor's arms so easily. Wraps his own around Trevor's mid section and just pulls himself in close, his forehead resting against Trevor's neck.
He's warm. Warm is a good place to start, and they've stood like this time and again, trading off the role of comforter. It's the foundation of everything rather than the bullshit gifting that Dracula had arranged. They look after each other. That's all it is in the end.
This is just bigger than most of the gut punches from over the years.]
[ He wants to say that she's lying. But speakers don't. Part of his wants to take this to Dracula himself, because whatever might trigger such an outburst is surely something he wants to avoid. He doesn't. He knows better than to come before Dracula with word of what he might be fated to do,knows better than to imply there's some force in the world more powerful than him.
He just holds Alucard. Holds him tightly, so that even though his voice doesn't betray any shock, Alucard can feel it. ]
The speaker has the right of it. Whatever happens, happens either here or with the hunting party. If it happens with the hunting party, your father is there. If it happens here, I'll protect you.
[Of course it isn't a lie. Speakers don't do that, especially not with stories. But this is the worst kind of omen one could recieve at the outset of such a precarious matter. It casts a long shadow.
They're both unnerved. He hates it.]
Mmm.
[It's honest consideration as much as it is acknowledgement that Trevor's as steadfast as he could ever be.]
I'll spend time with him before the group departs in the evening. [Alucard is expected to go, after all. The first kill will be his, as is expected. They've heard tell of a village that has been harboring a priest. That will be the only kill Alucard makes.]
Stay for the night?
[In his own bed, he means. Where it'll be warmer, and another heartbeat will be as soothing as anything amid the panic.]
[ Which is to say that whatever happens, he doesn't want to see it. He doesn't like it. The men who killed his family they may be, but they're also the men his family fought for. He doesn't like it, and more than that he doesn't like what Alucard has to do.
But his grip softens and he bends to lift Alucard, up and into the bed. ]
Of course. [ And he leans forward to kiss Alucard's forehead. ] My light.
[Alucard usually fusses if Trevor lifts him at this age. It was funnier when they were teenagers, Trevor eager to show off his strength and getting a good laugh at the vampire's reaction. These days it feels childish but...
right now it's fine. Fine except for one element, and Alucard nudges Trevor gently.]
[ He's an idiot. He's an idiot and it's been a long night and he probably shouldn't have even tried at this point. He's lucky he didn't end up accidentally stabbing one of them. He scoots back to give Alucard space, hastily being rid of his sword. And the ceremonial shoulder armour that Dracula has him wear in the presence of other vampires. And his boots. And- there are a lot of things he shouldn't be wearing in bed, really.
[At least that gets a laugh. It's weak and tired but it's there all the same. It also means Alucard has to get off the bed to replace his own sword where it ought to be (under the bed and hidden under a glamor so no assassin tries anything). The robe is returned to it's place in the closet, and while in there, he takes out Trevor's spare set of bed clothes. He's learned to keep them there for nights like this.
He places them beside Trevor without a word. Then he gets into bed properly, bundling himself up in the furs until all that can be seen is his head and his hair. It's a ridiculous thing, but it's how he sleeps during the coldest months.
There's a lull in watching Trevor get ready for bed. Alucard doesn't know why. The routine of it, perhaps.]
[ He's usually tidier than this, has an efficient way of folding and putting aside his clothes, but he's usually nowhere near this tired. Everything just goes on the floor, and he barely even attempts to fasten the buttons of his pajamas. Just gets them onto his person in the quickest way he can manage and turns back to lie on the bed, poking at the bundle of furs. ]
Were you intending to let me in there?
[ The sword mistake has stripped away a little of the impersonal respect that he likes to use as a safety blanket. ]
[Alucard lifts the blankets, shaking his head with fondness. These moments when Trevor slips, is more friend than professional? They're precious to him. A reminder that Trevor was really meant to be a friend instead of this.]
Please, as if the air in there's ever warm before I get in.
[ He pulls himself closer to Alucard, getting into the blanket bundle and wrapping his arms around his waist. He could say a lot of unflattering things about Dracula, if he were in the mood to do something so stupid and dangerous, but his being gifted to Alucard? It was the best thing that could have happened to him.
Something to protect. Something worth living for. He pulls him close. ]
I'll be here, and I won't let anything happen to you.
[He huffs it with a joking sense that he doesn't truly feel, and then? Then Alucard just curls right up in Trevor's arms. There's a single kiss planted to Trevor's neck (only Alucard can touch that spot, and it is never to do harm) and then? Then he closes his eyes. Holds onto Trevor tightly.]
I know you won't.
[There's been so many close calls over the years, but Trevor has never let anything come to pass.
It's a thought that manages to send the dhampir into a light sleep. It's better than not sleeping.]
[ He strokes Alucard's hair for a while, but he doesn't last long before falling asleep himself. And unlike Alucard, he sleeps like the dead. He usually does, when they're like this, even thought he sleeps so lightly in his own bed.
The sun is still glowing behind the curtains when he wakes. He squeezes his arms tighter, craning his neck forward to kiss. ]
[Alucard's been awake for a little bit while Trevor's slept. It's hard for him to sneak out of bed - Trevor registers it automatically - so it means no bringing breakfast up for the both of them. Or even getting out of bed to cook.
But who cares? It's so good, resting snug and secure against Trevor. Listening to his heart beat, wrapped up in all his body heat. He could die happy like this if an assassination attempt ever took.
He's awake. Alucard presses a soft kiss to Trevor's neck, feather light and adoring.]
[ He pulls Alucard closer against him, so far as that's even possible, sighing with contentment at the tiny kiss. ]
We have- [ He pulls away reluctantly to look up at the glow at the window, then immediately moves back. ] -maybe an hour before you'll be needed. Stay here a little longer?
Alucard's the one who cooks. He learned from his mother, because they were the only two in the castle who ever needed to cook. In the past his father had hired cooks as needed for banquets and visiting human guests, but the staff had never been full time. Lisa insisted it remain that way when they began to date. When Alucard was born, she insisted more. Her son should be able to take care of his needs, no matter what.
It was important, when Trevor moved in. Was even more important when Lisa disappeared, because cooking soothed Alucard. Brought him closer to her in a way, and it's been that way ever since.
He stays close to Trevor though, hardly moving.]
In the next few days, maybe you should just remain in my bed.
[ Which is apparently, based on Belmont logic, a good thing??? He'll wake easier if there's an attack, and that's important to him, even if the vampire's emotional wellbeing should be just as important.
But he doesn't make any moves to leave the bed right now, reaching up with one hand to comb his fingers through Alucard's hair. ]
He doesn't leave for two more days. [It isn't a protest. Just an observation.] Just tonight then?
[One extra night of sound sleep, then he can keep watch.
Alucard relaxes as hands move through his hair. It's soothing. A true comfort. It gets a happy sigh from the dhampir, one that shows that for now he is as happy and relaxed as he could ever be.
He breathes out Trevor's name, soft as a summer wind.]
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[Alucard doesn't flinch at the threat. He can't, because he's Practiced now.]
Do we have an agreement?
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If I leave, I leave with Dracula and his party.
[ Okay, that's enough of that. Trevor looks to Alucard, frowning. ]
Do I have your leave to throw her out?
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[Alucard looks to Trevor. The blink he offers is the in one more moment response.]
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[ She looks down at her hands, sighs, and looks up. ]
You know of my people, yes? How our ancestors hear the stories we tell? My grandfather heard one such story ten years ago. A year from now, Dracula returns to this castle and declares war upon all living things. He wishes to prepare by protecting as many people as possible, but I- I have to know why.
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Alucard meets Trevor's eyes. Trevor knows Speakers better than this, but...it's worrying. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.]
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Go, get out of his earshot.
[ She's about to complain, but he shakes his head and continues. ]
Come tomorrow morning, once the hunting party has left and had time to make distance. We'll discuss this then. You're not going to learn shit if Dracula kills you.
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He steps back to allow Trevor more room. Nods to show he's fine with this arrangement.]
Until then, Speaker.
[There. He doesn't retreat, because Alucard needs to make sure the Speaker leaves. But after that? Then he's going right to bed.]
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He's warm. Warm is a good place to start, and they've stood like this time and again, trading off the role of comforter. It's the foundation of everything rather than the bullshit gifting that Dracula had arranged. They look after each other. That's all it is in the end.
This is just bigger than most of the gut punches from over the years.]
Shit.
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He just holds Alucard. Holds him tightly, so that even though his voice doesn't betray any shock, Alucard can feel it. ]
The speaker has the right of it. Whatever happens, happens either here or with the hunting party. If it happens with the hunting party, your father is there. If it happens here, I'll protect you.
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They're both unnerved. He hates it.]
Mmm.
[It's honest consideration as much as it is acknowledgement that Trevor's as steadfast as he could ever be.]
I'll spend time with him before the group departs in the evening. [Alucard is expected to go, after all. The first kill will be his, as is expected. They've heard tell of a village that has been harboring a priest. That will be the only kill Alucard makes.]
Stay for the night?
[In his own bed, he means. Where it'll be warmer, and another heartbeat will be as soothing as anything amid the panic.]
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[ Which is to say that whatever happens, he doesn't want to see it. He doesn't like it. The men who killed his family they may be, but they're also the men his family fought for. He doesn't like it, and more than that he doesn't like what Alucard has to do.
But his grip softens and he bends to lift Alucard, up and into the bed. ]
Of course. [ And he leans forward to kiss Alucard's forehead. ] My light.
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right now it's fine. Fine except for one element, and Alucard nudges Trevor gently.]
Wait. Wait. Swords.
[They both have theirs on them after all.]
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[ He's an idiot. He's an idiot and it's been a long night and he probably shouldn't have even tried at this point. He's lucky he didn't end up accidentally stabbing one of them. He scoots back to give Alucard space, hastily being rid of his sword. And the ceremonial shoulder armour that Dracula has him wear in the presence of other vampires. And his boots. And- there are a lot of things he shouldn't be wearing in bed, really.
He really didn't think that through. ]
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He places them beside Trevor without a word. Then he gets into bed properly, bundling himself up in the furs until all that can be seen is his head and his hair. It's a ridiculous thing, but it's how he sleeps during the coldest months.
There's a lull in watching Trevor get ready for bed. Alucard doesn't know why. The routine of it, perhaps.]
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Were you intending to let me in there?
[ The sword mistake has stripped away a little of the impersonal respect that he likes to use as a safety blanket. ]
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Hurry, before all the warm air gets out.
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[ He pulls himself closer to Alucard, getting into the blanket bundle and wrapping his arms around his waist. He could say a lot of unflattering things about Dracula, if he were in the mood to do something so stupid and dangerous, but his being gifted to Alucard? It was the best thing that could have happened to him.
Something to protect. Something worth living for. He pulls him close. ]
I'll be here, and I won't let anything happen to you.
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[He huffs it with a joking sense that he doesn't truly feel, and then? Then Alucard just curls right up in Trevor's arms. There's a single kiss planted to Trevor's neck (only Alucard can touch that spot, and it is never to do harm) and then? Then he closes his eyes. Holds onto Trevor tightly.]
I know you won't.
[There's been so many close calls over the years, but Trevor has never let anything come to pass.
It's a thought that manages to send the dhampir into a light sleep. It's better than not sleeping.]
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The sun is still glowing behind the curtains when he wakes. He squeezes his arms tighter, craning his neck forward to kiss. ]
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But who cares? It's so good, resting snug and secure against Trevor. Listening to his heart beat, wrapped up in all his body heat. He could die happy like this if an assassination attempt ever took.
He's awake. Alucard presses a soft kiss to Trevor's neck, feather light and adoring.]
You slept.
[It's so delighted and warm.]
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[ He pulls Alucard closer against him, so far as that's even possible, sighing with contentment at the tiny kiss. ]
We have- [ He pulls away reluctantly to look up at the glow at the window, then immediately moves back. ] -maybe an hour before you'll be needed. Stay here a little longer?
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[Real food.
Alucard's the one who cooks. He learned from his mother, because they were the only two in the castle who ever needed to cook. In the past his father had hired cooks as needed for banquets and visiting human guests, but the staff had never been full time. Lisa insisted it remain that way when they began to date. When Alucard was born, she insisted more. Her son should be able to take care of his needs, no matter what.
It was important, when Trevor moved in. Was even more important when Lisa disappeared, because cooking soothed Alucard. Brought him closer to her in a way, and it's been that way ever since.
He stays close to Trevor though, hardly moving.]
In the next few days, maybe you should just remain in my bed.
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[ Which is apparently, based on Belmont logic, a good thing??? He'll wake easier if there's an attack, and that's important to him, even if the vampire's emotional wellbeing should be just as important.
But he doesn't make any moves to leave the bed right now, reaching up with one hand to comb his fingers through Alucard's hair. ]
We'll figure it out.
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[One extra night of sound sleep, then he can keep watch.
Alucard relaxes as hands move through his hair. It's soothing. A true comfort. It gets a happy sigh from the dhampir, one that shows that for now he is as happy and relaxed as he could ever be.
He breathes out Trevor's name, soft as a summer wind.]
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