He's right. It's horrible logic to consider, but no part of it is wrong either. If she's angry, she's home. In the end, home is really the only part of this that matters.
Alucard's arms reach out and latch onto Trevor. The hug the Belmont is pulled into is an expression of all the remaining fear in Alucard's body, and the way he clings betrays exactly how much he knows he's taking a dive off a terrifying precipice.]
You're right.
[The inappropriateness of the arrangement sails over Alucard's head.]
[ Oh. Oh. This is no more close than they have been before, but Alucard’s always been clothed before. Clothed and also not warm and damp.
Slowly, suddenly very conscious of himself, he brings his own arms around Alucard. Hands in his wet hair, every nerve focused on the feeling of his chest rising and falling against him. The heat of the bath makes him warmer than usual, almost human. ]
She could never hate you. Hate what you did, maybe. But not you. Nobody could.
[Alucard's not considered optics. All he knows is that after his father leaves tomorrow, Trevor will be the only person he can rely on. No vampire can be trusted. Their neighbors, as polite as the mages have been, will wait only a little while before playing with politics. It'll leave Alucard so very alone.
So he clings tighter. Murmurs into Trevor's skin:]
I need you.
[And as for the rest he can only hum in agreement.]
Always will.
[Mortality is a nightmare, after all. Alucard knows his parents have argued that point before. Never has Alucard wondered what might happen if he and Trevor never needed to part until now.]
[ He pulls Alucard closer, just for a moment, and then tugs away. He wants to be here for Alucard, of course he does. But he needs to not be doing this. To be somewhere else, very quickly, before Alucard looks at him too hard. ]
I better make sure I don't die of cold, then. [ With one last stroke of his hair, he lets go entirely. ] Let me change into dry clothes, I'll be back once you're out and dried off.
[Alucard lets go, but it's with deep reluctance. His arms slough off, and then that's that.]
Then in just a few minutes.
[They'll have to keep this kind of behavior to themselves after Dracula leaves, even more so than they do now. It's that awful thought that gets the vampire up and out of the bath tub when Trevor's gone. He dries off quickly, the towels all too fluffy. When he emerges from the bathroom, it's in his bathrobe, but nothing underneath save for the towel.
[ He hurries back to his own room. Just- deal with the situation quickly and furtively, get changed, be back before he's missed. Easy enough.
And then partway through this task there's a knock. Well- shit. ]
One- [ fuck. ] -One moment!
[ He's been meaning to change into his night clothes, but instead has to practically dive into his formalwear from the night before, so quickly that he's only just finished lacing the shirt with his teeth when he opens the door. His trousers are on backwards, but that's what we call present Trevor's problem. The neck armour has been left on Alucard's dresser, because he didn't think he'd need it. ]
Sir.
[ On the bright side, that first problem has resolved itself remarkably effectively. ]
[Dracula is as he always has been. Impossibly tall and towering, projecting presence and authority with so much might that the use of compulsion is unnecessary. His eyes move down to Trevor, considering his....
...well.
Measured and considering, he begins:]
I clearly interrupted your evening routine. I'll give you a moment to adjust your trousers.
[ He backs into his room, closes the door, and quickly rights himself. This was already the worst day and is swiftly becoming the very worst day. He's more put together when he opens the door, even though it can't have been more than a minute. ]
[Dracula nods once for Trevor to follow him, then begins to walk. He knows he'll be followed, because Trevor has been a part of this house for long enough. Lisa would consider him an adopted son by any definition after this duration of time, but she's not here. Hasn't been. She'll be satisfied enough by Alucard's protective nature of the Belmont, and that they have looked after each other.
He leads them both to a side room, one with soft furnishings and no fire in the fireplace. Dracula himself stands at the window, not quite brooding but edging close to the definition. When the door is closed, Dracula begins.]
Are you prepared for what will be asked of you in my absence, Belmont?
I am prepared to protect him with my life. To see his enemies dead. To- [ and he only pauses for a moment. ] -see him choose the paths that will see him and your lands safe, even those that he might find... at odds with his mother's wishes.
[ Even those that might be unbelmontlike, he means. He doesn't sit, because he knows better than to believe himself on casual enough terms with Dracula to do so without leave. ]
But I can't say yes to that question. Not without knowing what more you'd ask of me.
[There's a soft noise of acknowledgement when Trevor says at odds with his mother's wishes.]
The topic of the day, it seems.
[And why wouldn't it be? This is all for her sake.]
You will need to be his eyes and ears for the machinations of others, more than you are presently. I do not doubt that those beyond our borders will conspire should my absence drag on for more than a month or so. You already spirited that Speaker in and out with great skill to derive information from her.
[Congratulations Trevor, you're head of the royal intelligence agency.]
[ Well, he knows. Time to employ the strategy of just being mostly honest. ]
I met with her again today while your party were hunting. With your leave, sir, I mean to invite her into the castle. She wishes to document your son's period of interim rule, and has offered her magic and her people's knowledge of the affairs of our neighbours as payment.
[There's no reprisal for letting her in. Just a cold and flat refusal.]
Permitting a speaker into this house will anger too many people, both of this kingdom and our neighbors. That is an unacceptable risk, Belmont. Employ her as a spy if you must, but she cannot be anything but a visitor for several hours at most.
I will know if you let her remain. Her scent is distinct.
[ Well shit. He's going to have to come up with something else. Or just do anyway. ]
I am prepared, then. Only- [ A slight pause. ] -should I have to decide between the keep of your lands and his own wellbeing, I will choose the latter. I hope that is acceptable.
[There's a note of weariness in that. Trevor's getting all the Dracul men vulnerabilities.]
Following my departure the castle will guide you to your intelligence office. There will be a list there of those who you can more likely than not trust and those to put no faith in. There is a list of safe houses should you have to prioritize his well being.
This is a part of your primary work, just in a different manifestation.
I am also aware that he views you as essential to success. Try not to die, Belmont.
[ Okay so maybe attempting one (1) joke at Dracula isn't the best way to not die. But he's been overly formal for so long now and he has- whatever situation he has to return to with Alucard. He needs just one moment of not being entirely serious. ]
You have. [He's not dismissed though.] The circumstances will be more intense from here on out, Trevor Belmont. Do as you have, and know that up until now, I have never had quarrel with how you have carried out your duties.
[It's as close to a good job, Trevor that Dracula has ever uttered to him.]
Go and do as you see fit to ensure my son survives in tact. Yourself as well. We will not speak alone again until I return.
[ Holy shit. He isn't sure how to feel about that. He's visibly caught off-guard when Dracula almost-compliments his work. He doesn't like to think he cares much about Dracula's approval, beyond it being necessary for survival. But- shit. His work is a massive part of who he is, and Alucard hates defining him by it. It's a whole part of him that he's pretty sure this is the first time anyone has ever said anything nice about.
Well. Shit.
He makes to leave, then turns back. ]
I spoke to Adrian earlier. About whether his mother would care for the methods by which her safe return might be obtained. [ It's a dangerous topic, oh god. But, you know. He's trying. Trying to be nice to Dracula. Trying to figure out how to WORD THIS without it being approval. His life got weird. ] I doubt she will. But she can approve or disapprove from the safety of home. Bring her back.
[That's as much acknowledgement to those words that Dracula can manage now. The rest might ruin this strange fragile thing that has settled in the air. So Dracula says nothing to Trevor at all. No words of dismissal, no reply, just that noise of acknowledgement and the quiet hope that Trevor will now depart.
Alucard is in bed whenever Trevor returns, piled up in his furs and arms around one of the much too fluffy pillows.]
[ He's in his nightclothes when he returns to Alucard, and dawn is threatening to break. Normally, he'd just go to his own room when Alucard is already in bed, or at least go to his chair in silence. But he knows there's no way that he's actually asleep.
He sits on the bed, looking down at the vampire burrito. ]
Am I still invited in, or are these your blankets now?
[ He climbs in under the thick furs, but doesn't immediately grab on to Alucard. That's as good a test as any for whether he's in trouble for the long wait. And for the hurried exit, for that matter. ]
[It's hard to be angry when a Dracula summons is the reason for the delay. Alucard immediately moves himself so he's flush against Trevor, but he instead holds onto the Belmont like he used to when Trevor first arrived. Arms around him. Protective. Wanting to hiss at anyone who might come near.
He sighs, other hand stroking through Trevor's hair.]
[ It's been a long time since Alucard attached himself to him like this. Or in this particular way, at least. And he never really knows how to react when he does. He's not really made to be protected. It leaves him caught off guard, a little uneasy. But also desperately, desperately wanting to be sure that Alucard won't let go. He lets his arms settle over Alucard, not even close to holding him as tightly, just making his presence clear.
And god, that's an awkward question after the incident earlier. ]
Of course. [ But how can he say no to such an earnest request? ]
[Alucard angles his head just so, his lips catching Trevor's. For all intents and purposes, this is a chaste kiss. Closed mouth and innocent, just another way for Alucard to express how important Trevor is and how dearly he is needed.
But there's all his fear and desire to not have things change in there, along with a note of want. Undefined want, but want all the same, and so it is that the vampire's lips linger for too long, arms wrapped around Trevor in the vampire's bed and no one else to observe.
It is intimate. They've been that way for some time by virtue of Trevor's work. But Alucard's never done this.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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He's right. It's horrible logic to consider, but no part of it is wrong either. If she's angry, she's home. In the end, home is really the only part of this that matters.
Alucard's arms reach out and latch onto Trevor. The hug the Belmont is pulled into is an expression of all the remaining fear in Alucard's body, and the way he clings betrays exactly how much he knows he's taking a dive off a terrifying precipice.]
You're right.
[The inappropriateness of the arrangement sails over Alucard's head.]
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[ Oh. Oh. This is no more close than they have been before, but Alucard’s always been clothed before. Clothed and also not warm and damp.
Slowly, suddenly very conscious of himself, he brings his own arms around Alucard. Hands in his wet hair, every nerve focused on the feeling of his chest rising and falling against him. The heat of the bath makes him warmer than usual, almost human. ]
She could never hate you. Hate what you did, maybe. But not you. Nobody could.
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So he clings tighter. Murmurs into Trevor's skin:]
I need you.
[And as for the rest he can only hum in agreement.]
Always will.
[Mortality is a nightmare, after all. Alucard knows his parents have argued that point before. Never has Alucard wondered what might happen if he and Trevor never needed to part until now.]
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[ He pulls Alucard closer, just for a moment, and then tugs away. He wants to be here for Alucard, of course he does. But he needs to not be doing this. To be somewhere else, very quickly, before Alucard looks at him too hard. ]
I better make sure I don't die of cold, then. [ With one last stroke of his hair, he lets go entirely. ] Let me change into dry clothes, I'll be back once you're out and dried off.
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Then in just a few minutes.
[They'll have to keep this kind of behavior to themselves after Dracula leaves, even more so than they do now. It's that awful thought that gets the vampire up and out of the bath tub when Trevor's gone. He dries off quickly, the towels all too fluffy. When he emerges from the bathroom, it's in his bathrobe, but nothing underneath save for the towel.
But there's a knock, along with Dracula's voice.]
Belmont. I would have words.
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And then partway through this task there's a knock. Well- shit. ]
One- [ fuck. ] -One moment!
[ He's been meaning to change into his night clothes, but instead has to practically dive into his formalwear from the night before, so quickly that he's only just finished lacing the shirt with his teeth when he opens the door. His trousers are on backwards, but that's what we call present Trevor's problem. The neck armour has been left on Alucard's dresser, because he didn't think he'd need it. ]
Sir.
[ On the bright side, that first problem has resolved itself remarkably effectively. ]
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...well.
Measured and considering, he begins:]
I clearly interrupted your evening routine. I'll give you a moment to adjust your trousers.
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[ He backs into his room, closes the door, and quickly rights himself. This was already the worst day and is swiftly becoming the very worst day. He's more put together when he opens the door, even though it can't have been more than a minute. ]
You wanted to speak, sir?
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[Dracula nods once for Trevor to follow him, then begins to walk. He knows he'll be followed, because Trevor has been a part of this house for long enough. Lisa would consider him an adopted son by any definition after this duration of time, but she's not here. Hasn't been. She'll be satisfied enough by Alucard's protective nature of the Belmont, and that they have looked after each other.
He leads them both to a side room, one with soft furnishings and no fire in the fireplace. Dracula himself stands at the window, not quite brooding but edging close to the definition. When the door is closed, Dracula begins.]
Are you prepared for what will be asked of you in my absence, Belmont?
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[ Even those that might be unbelmontlike, he means. He doesn't sit, because he knows better than to believe himself on casual enough terms with Dracula to do so without leave. ]
But I can't say yes to that question. Not without knowing what more you'd ask of me.
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The topic of the day, it seems.
[And why wouldn't it be? This is all for her sake.]
You will need to be his eyes and ears for the machinations of others, more than you are presently. I do not doubt that those beyond our borders will conspire should my absence drag on for more than a month or so. You already spirited that Speaker in and out with great skill to derive information from her.
[Congratulations Trevor, you're head of the royal intelligence agency.]
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[ Well, he knows. Time to employ the strategy of just being mostly honest. ]
I met with her again today while your party were hunting. With your leave, sir, I mean to invite her into the castle. She wishes to document your son's period of interim rule, and has offered her magic and her people's knowledge of the affairs of our neighbours as payment.
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[There's no reprisal for letting her in. Just a cold and flat refusal.]
Permitting a speaker into this house will anger too many people, both of this kingdom and our neighbors. That is an unacceptable risk, Belmont. Employ her as a spy if you must, but she cannot be anything but a visitor for several hours at most.
I will know if you let her remain. Her scent is distinct.
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[ Well shit. He's going to have to come up with something else. Or just do anyway. ]
I am prepared, then. Only- [ A slight pause. ] -should I have to decide between the keep of your lands and his own wellbeing, I will choose the latter. I hope that is acceptable.
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[There's a note of weariness in that. Trevor's getting all the Dracul men vulnerabilities.]
Following my departure the castle will guide you to your intelligence office. There will be a list there of those who you can more likely than not trust and those to put no faith in. There is a list of safe houses should you have to prioritize his well being.
This is a part of your primary work, just in a different manifestation.
I am also aware that he views you as essential to success. Try not to die, Belmont.
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[ Okay so maybe attempting one (1) joke at Dracula isn't the best way to not die. But he's been overly formal for so long now and he has- whatever situation he has to return to with Alucard. He needs just one moment of not being entirely serious. ]
Am I dismissed, sir?
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[It's as close to a good job, Trevor that Dracula has ever uttered to him.]
Go and do as you see fit to ensure my son survives in tact. Yourself as well. We will not speak alone again until I return.
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Well. Shit.
He makes to leave, then turns back. ]
I spoke to Adrian earlier. About whether his mother would care for the methods by which her safe return might be obtained. [ It's a dangerous topic, oh god. But, you know. He's trying. Trying to be nice to Dracula. Trying to figure out how to WORD THIS without it being approval. His life got weird. ] I doubt she will. But she can approve or disapprove from the safety of home. Bring her back.
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[That's as much acknowledgement to those words that Dracula can manage now. The rest might ruin this strange fragile thing that has settled in the air. So Dracula says nothing to Trevor at all. No words of dismissal, no reply, just that noise of acknowledgement and the quiet hope that Trevor will now depart.
Alucard is in bed whenever Trevor returns, piled up in his furs and arms around one of the much too fluffy pillows.]
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[ He's in his nightclothes when he returns to Alucard, and dawn is threatening to break. Normally, he'd just go to his own room when Alucard is already in bed, or at least go to his chair in silence. But he knows there's no way that he's actually asleep.
He sits on the bed, looking down at the vampire burrito. ]
Am I still invited in, or are these your blankets now?
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He refuses to think about his father. Instead he moves the pillow and lifts all the furs.]
Get in here.
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He sighs, other hand stroking through Trevor's hair.]
May I kiss you?
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And god, that's an awkward question after the incident earlier. ]
Of course. [ But how can he say no to such an earnest request? ]
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But there's all his fear and desire to not have things change in there, along with a note of want. Undefined want, but want all the same, and so it is that the vampire's lips linger for too long, arms wrapped around Trevor in the vampire's bed and no one else to observe.
It is intimate. They've been that way for some time by virtue of Trevor's work. But Alucard's never done this.]
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