Correct. Without access to magic, I can't call it up to reveal itself. It's a good thing I've had it in my head for as long as I have, but it's also what I mean when I speak of how magic connects me back to my family.
[It is so, so literal.
Alucard laughs softly, nudging his shoulder against Trevor's.]
It does. But that you're more focused on magic working here means a lot, Trevor.
I’d thought you meant something a little less literal, to be honest.
[ A warmth rises to his cheeks as Alucard brushes against him. He’s not sure if it ought to. Alucard and Sypha share one of the guest rooms now. He doesn’t object, of course he doesn’t. But it means moments like this are. Maybe not allowed. ]
I- can’t go with the two of you. So I can’t keep you safe the normal way. I figure- you know. You’ll be safer with magic than without it. And it gives me something to work on.
[ Both make sense. He's pretty sure it was Mathias' power that made the estate as it is, rather than Leon's. Leon had gained an understanding of magic over his long years, one that allowed him to work with the gates, but was hardly a natural.
He shakes his head. ]
S'fine. I'm best equipped if anything decides to try to come through the gate. And- I Wouldn't want to separate you.
[ He knew they were always glad to return to the estate, to warmth and food and safety. He’d thought of himself as an extension of that. Maybe Sypha needed him, in that she needed anyone around and who it was didn’t really matter. Alucard always seemed determined not to need to be around anyone. ]
I miss the both of you, too. Aurelius isn’t bad company, but he’s- you know.
[ A dog, and not the kind that’s actually really a vampire. ]
[ He can’t have heard that right. It’s- too easy. Surely it’s too easy. Leon said that they were monsters. Part monsters, at least. That if humanity were to tolerate them, it would be the result of a lifetime of work. He’s just- just been here. Just done what seemed right. It can’t work like that, that people just-
[ He does, and he wants to look happy but he doesn’t quite. He just seems confused, like his entire understanding of the world has been shaken. He wants to be happy, but he suddenly doesn’t know his place anymore. He didn’t realise until just now that knowing what he was and what he ought to do about it was one of the few things holding him together.
But maybe he doesn’t need that to hold him together anymore. Maybe the humans can do that from now on. ]
That's all it is. A soft kiss on the lips, easy to break, easy to push away from. But it is a kiss all the same, one delivered gently and with great affection, and Alucard cannot believe his first kiss with the Belmont is in Hell. Of all the things he'd anticipate? Not this. Never this.]
He didn’t realise until now that he’d been wondering. That he’d been staring at Alucard’s lips every now and then, thinking about what it might be like to kiss them. Nice. Nice is what it’s like. He doesn’t pull away, but doesn’t press forward either. Just moves enough to let Alucard know he hasn’t frozen and no more. And then he breaks the kiss and lifts the book, pushing it into his hands. ]
We have our answers. We- don’t really need to be here anymore. Let me take you home?
[ His own voice is a little unsteady. He's happy. He's so happy. But he's- a lot of other things, too. Things that have gone ignored since this began. He wants to kiss Alucard again. But more than that, he wants to pull him close and bury his face in his chest and maybe, maybe, just cry for a while.
But Alucard wants to show him something. And if it's something Alucard thinks is impressive, then he wants to see it. ]
[Alucard says nothing. Instead he seems to fingerpaint in the air, rough shapes and sizes. An impressionist work that as he withdraws his fingers, becomes into focus. Shows the old Tepes home as it originally stood. A small cottage rather than the regal mansion of boyars and other nobles.]
Hiding and revealing also means casting illusions. Or drawing from memories to show something.
[ He doesn't. Or he does, but he doesn't know why now of all times. This is good. This is nice. This is perfect. He's had hard times. He's had a month stuck alone with a fractured skull and he didn't feel half as weak as he does now. ]
I'm happy. I'm glad you showed me. I just-
[ Dams don't break cleanly. ]
Can I take you home? I don't want to do this here.
[ The den is back, and with it the colours. They're muted but they're there, and he's used to the constant brightness and ringing but it's boring into him now.
He'd probably like to keep carrying Alucard around for a happier time, if he was in the right place to make that decision. As it is, it gets them home faster. It means that Alucard doesn't have to make the agonising walk from here to the gate. The trip back will still be less than pleasant, but he can spare him a little.
He gathers Alucard up in his arms, making sure he has the book with him. ]
Cover your eyes. I'll tell you when we're at the gate, so you can brace yourself.
[Alucard is set to protest that he can walk, it's fine. But based on Trevor's mood? Clearly now is not the time. So he lets himself be carried about, and he strokes Trevor's hair gently. Something's wrong. Trevor just isn't saying what.
[ He just needs to last until they're through the gate. He can't be weak here. He cannot be weak here. ]
Just- just stay with me.
[ He keeps Alucard tight to his chest, and when Alucard's hands stroke through his hair, he feels like something's clamped around his heart. ]
Hang on. We're going through.
[ It's no more pleasant on the return. But it's over quickly. He takes a few more steps - unsteady, now, from the strain of moving between worlds - before placing Alucard down on the grass. A moment later, he lets himself collapse down beside him.
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[ He takes a moment to figure out what that means, then nods. ]
Oh, right. Hell has- kind of a bad reputation with humans, doesn’t it?
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[It is so, so literal.
Alucard laughs softly, nudging his shoulder against Trevor's.]
It does. But that you're more focused on magic working here means a lot, Trevor.
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[ A warmth rises to his cheeks as Alucard brushes against him. He’s not sure if it ought to. Alucard and Sypha share one of the guest rooms now. He doesn’t object, of course he doesn’t. But it means moments like this are. Maybe not allowed. ]
I- can’t go with the two of you. So I can’t keep you safe the normal way. I figure- you know. You’ll be safer with magic than without it. And it gives me something to work on.
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[Alucard doesn't miss that look on Trevor's face. He smiles at it, perhaps a little too kind.]
We should switch you out at some point. Travel with Sypha or myself, just for a little while.
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[ Both make sense. He's pretty sure it was Mathias' power that made the estate as it is, rather than Leon's. Leon had gained an understanding of magic over his long years, one that allowed him to work with the gates, but was hardly a natural.
He shakes his head. ]
S'fine. I'm best equipped if anything decides to try to come through the gate. And- I Wouldn't want to separate you.
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[They'd never be in this situation to begin with. Alucard sighs and--
--oh.]
We miss you, you know. When we're away.
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[ He knew they were always glad to return to the estate, to warmth and food and safety. He’d thought of himself as an extension of that. Maybe Sypha needed him, in that she needed anyone around and who it was didn’t really matter. Alucard always seemed determined not to need to be around anyone. ]
I miss the both of you, too. Aurelius isn’t bad company, but he’s- you know.
[ A dog, and not the kind that’s actually really a vampire. ]
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[He understands. But then Alucard stops, letting out a very shaky breath.]
You know we both love you, right?
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[ He can’t have heard that right. It’s- too easy. Surely it’s too easy. Leon said that they were monsters. Part monsters, at least. That if humanity were to tolerate them, it would be the result of a lifetime of work. He’s just- just been here. Just done what seemed right. It can’t work like that, that people just-
-just love him. ]
...why?
[ He hasn’t done anything. ]
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How can we not?
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[ Just. You know. Two specific humans. Who he just happens to adore. ]
You don’t have to, you know. Love me. Things won’t change if you don’t. I’ll still- I’ll still be happy to have you both.
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Look at me for a moment.
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But maybe he doesn’t need that to hold him together anymore. Maybe the humans can do that from now on. ]
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That's all it is. A soft kiss on the lips, easy to break, easy to push away from. But it is a kiss all the same, one delivered gently and with great affection, and Alucard cannot believe his first kiss with the Belmont is in Hell. Of all the things he'd anticipate? Not this. Never this.]
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He didn’t realise until now that he’d been wondering. That he’d been staring at Alucard’s lips every now and then, thinking about what it might be like to kiss them. Nice. Nice is what it’s like. He doesn’t pull away, but doesn’t press forward either. Just moves enough to let Alucard know he hasn’t frozen and no more. And then he breaks the kiss and lifts the book, pushing it into his hands. ]
We have our answers. We- don’t really need to be here anymore. Let me take you home?
[ home. ]
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Hmm, I think I owe you slightly more elaborate magic first.
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[ His own voice is a little unsteady. He's happy. He's so happy. But he's- a lot of other things, too. Things that have gone ignored since this began. He wants to kiss Alucard again. But more than that, he wants to pull him close and bury his face in his chest and maybe, maybe, just cry for a while.
But Alucard wants to show him something. And if it's something Alucard thinks is impressive, then he wants to see it. ]
What is it?
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Hiding and revealing also means casting illusions. Or drawing from memories to show something.
[He smiles at Trevor, a little more wistful now.]
This was where I really grew up.
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He watches in awe as the illusion forms around them. That alone would be something, but what Alucard's showing him? What he's trusting him with? ]
It's beautiful. No wonder-
[ No wonder it made you. He catches himself before saying something stupid, voice tight with emotion. ]
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[He caught that. Alucard's definitely aware that something else is happening, and he's so worried in that moment.]
What's wrong?
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[ He doesn't. Or he does, but he doesn't know why now of all times. This is good. This is nice. This is perfect. He's had hard times. He's had a month stuck alone with a fractured skull and he didn't feel half as weak as he does now. ]
I'm happy. I'm glad you showed me. I just-
[ Dams don't break cleanly. ]
Can I take you home? I don't want to do this here.
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Let's go then.
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He'd probably like to keep carrying Alucard around for a happier time, if he was in the right place to make that decision. As it is, it gets them home faster. It means that Alucard doesn't have to make the agonising walk from here to the gate. The trip back will still be less than pleasant, but he can spare him a little.
He gathers Alucard up in his arms, making sure he has the book with him. ]
Cover your eyes. I'll tell you when we're at the gate, so you can brace yourself.
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He's quiet, and closes his eyes as asked.]
Okay. Do you need me to do anything else?
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Just- just stay with me.
[ He keeps Alucard tight to his chest, and when Alucard's hands stroke through his hair, he feels like something's clamped around his heart. ]
Hang on. We're going through.
[ It's no more pleasant on the return. But it's over quickly. He takes a few more steps - unsteady, now, from the strain of moving between worlds - before placing Alucard down on the grass. A moment later, he lets himself collapse down beside him.
And for a moment, he just seems lost. ]
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