[ 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.]
[Alucard sits up carefully after Trevor lets go. There's that warm already starting to fade, and that's the worst part about insisting they part. The rest? He can live with that.
They'll have tomorrow. Alucard consoles himself with that as he climbs out of bed, looking at Trevor's clothing pile.]
It was a late night.
[Forgive yourself he means, and then Alucard goes about a more usual routine: robe on, slippers, and then off to the kitchen.
Trevor's not wrong about the amount of leftover food. There's human food a plenty because there were human guests, and so he starts with that. Frying already cooked potatoes after warming some of the beef roast. A little bit of the greens.
He comes back with two plates that should be dinner for most, but they need something heartier given the day ahead. There's a nook near one of the windows that Alucard has long since taken his meals at, and that's where he goes.
Moving about with the food, he's happy. Or at least as close to it as he gets most days.]
We really need to figure out what we call meals if we're going to be sticking to your father's schedule. Traditionally, one doesn't eat breakfast an hour before sunset.
[ The room is in more of an acceptable state by the time Alucard returns. The bed is made and the fancy robes hung up and displayed like the precious things they are rather than left aside like the unwanted weight that, in all honesty, they also are. His own clothes from the celebration are gone, presumably in his own room, but his nightclothes are folded on the chair. He's dressed in his hunting clothes, and that armour is set down on the dresser next to the crown.
He takes a seat at the table, drawing back the curtain to fill the room with what remains of the light. ]
But then we have to account for the meals that follow. In truth, I've been considering rising at three in the afternoon so we still catch some sun.
[It's one of the smaller parts of the whole affair that Alucard dislikes. To be on Dracula's schedule means nights only with no enjoyment of the sunlight, and with it being winter, it's so very worse.
He settles down in his seat, already aware of how the space has transformed. It's respectable again, rather than just his room. A space that's held to standards just like the rest of the castle.
It feels wrong still being in bathrobe and pjs whereas Trevor is not. Alucard's own clothes have to be more considered given what is expected of him tonight.]
We may have to just refer to this as breakfast and pretend that the schedule isn't bothersome.
[But for now, there's food. Alucard eats quietly, his foot brushing against Trevor's for lack of any other way to touch him while eating.]
I don't know. I'm not sure what we should do about her.
[ He eats efficiently, somehow managing a decent balance between wolfing the meal down and still making sure that it all goes into his mouth rather than around it, on his clothes or on the table. It's a long way from the near-starved boy who fell upon food like an animal, ripping and tearing at meat and bread and getting vegetables up his nose. Efficiency means all his focus is on is food for the brief time that it's there on his plate, and so he doesn't respond to the foot brushing against his.
After a remarkably brief period of eating in silence, he puts down his cutlery. ]
We can allow her into the castle, let her go with your father or restrain her here until he's gone too far to follow and then turn her loose. I was intending to do the latter, but the choice is yours.
He won't like her. Not with those words in her mouth.
[Alucard's pace is slower. Not languid exactly, but trying to savor the taste of everything. He's a vampire with the luxury of taking human food this way. He's never looked that gift horse in the mouth.
But of course Trevor eats fast. He has too much to do and not enough time to do it.]
I dislike the idea of restraining anyone. What happens if you hear her out first, discuss, and waylay her like that? See how much information she freely gives.
[ He goes quiet at that for just a moment. He doesn't like that response, he doesn't like how he feels about that response, and he doesn't like not liking how he feels about that response.
It's irritating that Alucard wants to take the high road, to somehow do this without causing any distress to anyone. It's not realistic, and it's another thing to worry over when they already have so many. But then he wants Alucard to remain as he is, as compassionate as his father is ruthless. He doesn't want this appointment to make him colder or crueler.
And yet it would be so, so very convenient if it did. It would be safer for him if it did. It wouldn't need to be sad, just a slight hardening of the heart. ]
I'll tell her that we're aware of the threat. Knowing of it will be enough to change her grandfather's vision. Maybe she'll be willing to return to her people with that.
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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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[ It’s hard to argue when Alucard is like this, all soft and warm and loving and so, so very far from the Prince of Vampires. ]
No need to make food. There’ll be something left from the ceremony, no doubt.
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[Want being the key word. He likes being able to cook for Trevor. It's a modest attempt at repaying the Belmont for so many things he does.]
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If you insist. I-
[ He pauses as he starts to get out of bed, looking down at his proper dress clothes all strewn across the floor and tutting at himself. ]
-really ought to take better care of my things. Go ahead, I'll clean this up and get dressed.
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They'll have tomorrow. Alucard consoles himself with that as he climbs out of bed, looking at Trevor's clothing pile.]
It was a late night.
[Forgive yourself he means, and then Alucard goes about a more usual routine: robe on, slippers, and then off to the kitchen.
Trevor's not wrong about the amount of leftover food. There's human food a plenty because there were human guests, and so he starts with that. Frying already cooked potatoes after warming some of the beef roast. A little bit of the greens.
He comes back with two plates that should be dinner for most, but they need something heartier given the day ahead. There's a nook near one of the windows that Alucard has long since taken his meals at, and that's where he goes.
Moving about with the food, he's happy. Or at least as close to it as he gets most days.]
Trevor? Breakfast.
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[ The room is in more of an acceptable state by the time Alucard returns. The bed is made and the fancy robes hung up and displayed like the precious things they are rather than left aside like the unwanted weight that, in all honesty, they also are. His own clothes from the celebration are gone, presumably in his own room, but his nightclothes are folded on the chair. He's dressed in his hunting clothes, and that armour is set down on the dresser next to the crown.
He takes a seat at the table, drawing back the curtain to fill the room with what remains of the light. ]
Supper? Dinner?
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[It's one of the smaller parts of the whole affair that Alucard dislikes. To be on Dracula's schedule means nights only with no enjoyment of the sunlight, and with it being winter, it's so very worse.
He settles down in his seat, already aware of how the space has transformed. It's respectable again, rather than just his room. A space that's held to standards just like the rest of the castle.
It feels wrong still being in bathrobe and pjs whereas Trevor is not. Alucard's own clothes have to be more considered given what is expected of him tonight.]
We may have to just refer to this as breakfast and pretend that the schedule isn't bothersome.
[But for now, there's food. Alucard eats quietly, his foot brushing against Trevor's for lack of any other way to touch him while eating.]
How long do you expect to take with the Speaker?
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[ He eats efficiently, somehow managing a decent balance between wolfing the meal down and still making sure that it all goes into his mouth rather than around it, on his clothes or on the table. It's a long way from the near-starved boy who fell upon food like an animal, ripping and tearing at meat and bread and getting vegetables up his nose. Efficiency means all his focus is on is food for the brief time that it's there on his plate, and so he doesn't respond to the foot brushing against his.
After a remarkably brief period of eating in silence, he puts down his cutlery. ]
We can allow her into the castle, let her go with your father or restrain her here until he's gone too far to follow and then turn her loose. I was intending to do the latter, but the choice is yours.
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[Alucard's pace is slower. Not languid exactly, but trying to savor the taste of everything. He's a vampire with the luxury of taking human food this way. He's never looked that gift horse in the mouth.
But of course Trevor eats fast. He has too much to do and not enough time to do it.]
I dislike the idea of restraining anyone. What happens if you hear her out first, discuss, and waylay her like that? See how much information she freely gives.
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[ He goes quiet at that for just a moment. He doesn't like that response, he doesn't like how he feels about that response, and he doesn't like not liking how he feels about that response.
It's irritating that Alucard wants to take the high road, to somehow do this without causing any distress to anyone. It's not realistic, and it's another thing to worry over when they already have so many. But then he wants Alucard to remain as he is, as compassionate as his father is ruthless. He doesn't want this appointment to make him colder or crueler.
And yet it would be so, so very convenient if it did. It would be safer for him if it did. It wouldn't need to be sad, just a slight hardening of the heart. ]
I'll tell her that we're aware of the threat. Knowing of it will be enough to change her grandfather's vision. Maybe she'll be willing to return to her people with that.
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