[ He wants to kiss Alucard again. But Sypha does need to eat. So does Alucard, for that matter. He's the only one who's had a meal this morning. So he just nods, delighted. ]
[He doesn't. Not over the next few days, and not ever again. Alucard's careful when he cooks. Makes sure that Sypha's diet is rich in protein, with meat for one meal and then lentils or beans the other two. She gets snacks. Alucard writes down her progress once a day, and she gets to the point where she can contact her people.
But it takes time to beat back how close she was to death. When she rests, Alucard sees other patients again. Goes out sometimes, other times has some come to him. He's warm and familiar and as soft as he can be during those moments, even when the news is bad.
He's given affection in return. His patients pay in coin or in food or when they can. Old women come into his home fussing and then staying for tea, and Alucard introduces Trevor to them. My long term patient's companion and an old friend from Wallachia. It gets Trevor fussed over as well, as Alucard's grandmothers know how little he speaks of Wallachia.
In the evening hours, Alucard rests on his little sofa, but also against Trevor. The kisses are slow and cautious, but they're there and there's a quiet joy in every single one.
The week ends. The sun sets, and the last call to prayer echoes through the city. Alucard's routine for the week concludes with a last walk, one that he's taking Trevor on.
He made sure to explain the bathhouse's concept and etiquette earlier in the day. That you strip down, you walk into the baths with a towel around your waist, but most men drop it afterwards. That you don't stare, but you're free to be social - and Alucard often isn't.
Which means that here, now, Alucard's absolutely nude and lying on a warm marble slab in the bath's hot room. A beautiful domed thing with fine stone on every surface, there is a central slab where men congregate. Some washed. Others talking. And around the room are smaller little siloed areas with smaller stones to lie on, buckets of water under facuets, and fine fixtures.
It isn't the most beautiful of the hamams in the city, but it doesn't have to be. It's local, and Alucard has his little spot in one of the silos where he can lie down and let the week's grime shed itself.
His feet and their scars are obvious. But no one asks here.]
[ It's a comfortable routine. When Sypha is strong enough for it, and when they're certain beyond doubt that she can't infect anyone else, he lifts her and shows her around the surgery. Lets her look out of the windows at a strange city. She's trying to be brave and it seems to help, to give her things to focus on. The old ladies who visit are kind to him, even if one or two of them look at him like they know more than they're meant to. And when Alucard sits down to rest in the evenings they sit together. There are kisses. Tiny, careful ones.
Everything is careful.
He does try not to stare. Mostly succeeds, only failing enough to appreciate the ways things have changed and the ways they havn't. The burn scars healing into ugly things, as painless as they will probably ever be. The places where bones are still visible. The ones where they aren't anymore. There are no new scars, none that he can see that he doesn't remember seeing before, and that's a relief. ]
You've been safe here. [ He says, perched on the side of the slab. He still has his towel and hasn't quite got his head around how this place works yet, just sitting and enjoying the warmth of the room. ] I'm glad.
[Safer now, that he can just completely let go here. Alucard's usually more careful in the bath houses, aware that he's at his most vulnerable. It's a careful thing he does, making sure that he's safe everywhere he goes.
It's been easier with Trevor around. Not just thinking about safety, but moving around his own house. Resting just a little bit easier. Just...being.]
The scars hurt less after I'm here. Never figured out if it's because of the baths or just my own head.
[ He mimics the way Alucard lies down against the stone, looking up at the beautiful ceiling. It feels strange, if he's honest. The way the hot, dry air makes him sweat the protective layer of dust away from his skin. It makes him feel vulnerable in a way he doesn't really care for. But Alucard likes it here, so he tries it anyway. ]
Maybe it's the heat. [ It seems strange to him, that the heat would help with old burns. But then, he's not the doctor. And Alucard does use warm water to soak his feet. ] It doesn't matter, does it? If they feel better anyway.
[Alucard's own instinct is now to reach out for Trevor's hand. He can't, not in public, but it's still there. He's not sure how to feel about that but...well. He'll think about it later.]
You're right. The end result is the same, and sometimes we don't need to question it.
[He crosses his legs, then lets out a very happy sigh.]
[ He still doesn't understand the rules behind not being able to hold Alucard's hand when there are other people about. But he doesn't need to, really. All he needs to understand is that Alucard doesn't want to be touched in front of people.
It doesn't mean that he doesn't want to gather Alucard up in his arms and pull him close while he's being so soft and unguarded. It just means he doesn't do it. ]
Does this really make people clean? It seems like it'd just make them awfully sweaty.
Oh, there are actual baths here too. Usually you lie down, let the sweat happen, and that helps remove all the oil and dust build up from...whenever the last time you bathed was.
[Alucard's explanation of public matters had been simply it's against cultural norms. He'd love to put his head in Trevor's lap right now but it isn't a good life choice yet.]
You'll understand when we leave. You feel amazing when you leave.
[ He says that, but he doesn't make any attempt to move. He wants to be here, with Alucard while he's so content and warm. Also the answer to how long it's been since he bathed in the human sense? Probably a long time ago. ]
[ He doesn't touch Alucard but he lets his hand hover close to his shoulder. A gesture that would be pushing him softly back down if he were to make contact. ]
I won't. I'll stay as long as I can, and then wait for you outside.
[ He does leave before long, in the end, moving to a cooler adjoining room to wait for Alucard. The loss of dust isn't too bad - nothing dangerous, so long as he doesn't need to hunt within the next few hours. Less protecting him from the cold, but it's not exactly a cold place. He probably couldn't fly if he needed to right now, but then he wouldn't be doing that while disguised as a human anyway. The only real change is feeling a little more vulnerable.
And the only real effect of that is wanting to bury himself in Alucard's arms when he emerges. He doesn't, but oh, he wants to. ]
[Alucard takes less time than he might normally for this bath. When Trevor leaves he goes into the pool, washes himself properly, then comes back out. His long hair is so very wet, and the rest of him still warm and a little sweaty.]
I am.
[There's such an instinct to take Trevor's hand. But he doesn't.]
[ The bath itself might be strange and a little uncomfortable, but he thinks he likes Alucard like this. All warm and flushed and content, with water dripping down from his hair, relaxed completely.
He’s seen him happy a lot over the last few days, but it hasn’t lost its wonder. He looks around carefully, then leans in to whisper. ]
Alucard knows he's blushing. He's warm all over but warmest in his cheeks. So he's blushing.]
Yes. I'd like that.
[A lot. A lot. So they get their things, which also means clothes, and meeting the cool night air. They're far from the waters in this part of the city, but tonight the breeze has moved very well up the harbor.
Alucard's hair flutters in that breeze as he walks them both back home, as do his clothes. Sypha ought to be asleep by now, and there's no greeting when he unlocks the door. Just soft snoring.
[ The walk back is pleasant, the night air feeling cool for once after the heat of the baths. He still feels heavier than usual, weaker, but not unsafe. Just a little more open. A little more vulnerable. Less invincible, in comparison to the delicate humans here.
And so the moment the door is closed, he's close to Alucard. It feels safer that way for both of them. As Alucard trails off, he brings a hand up to his flushes cheek, smiling.
And then he leans in to kiss him. There's no taste of honey, this time, and no soft dusty texture to his skin. But it's still soft. Still careful and affectionate. ]
[There's nothing but happiness when Alucard leans in, bridging the gap between them both.
What he isn't is guarded. At least he's less guarded than he's ever been before, because one hand rests on Trevor's hip. His mouth opens just a little, coaxing. Saying that this is okay. He's ready for something just a little bit more.]
[ He's nervous about more. He's done this before, a few times, but usually with his own kind who are, as a rule- things go a lot faster, with them. It makes it altogether unclear when kissing things stop being kissing things and start being sex things, and the last thing he wants is to go too far.
But a little further, maybe a little further is fine. He leans in closer. Places a hand on Alucard's back to press them both together. Presses his lips more firmly against Alucard's, using them to push his mouth open further. ]
[Alucard knows this is his own limit for now. But it's a good limit to have, because he does press against Trevor. Grips his hip a little tighter, opens his mouth more. Angles it so that his hair brushes over the hand on his back and oh, oh he hasn't felt his heart hammer like this in years.
[ He doesn't deepen the kiss further, but when he breaks it it's to bend down and lift Alucard, holding him against his chest. He's warm. He's so warm and his hair is just slightly damp still and he smells of clean water and night air and he doesn't think he wants to let go. ]
Let me stay with you? Just- just stay. Not anything else.
[This is perfect. All of it. The way the kiss breaks. The way Trevor scoops him up, and the way Alucard's head finds itself settling against Trevor's chest. He loops one arm around Trevor's back to make himself comfortable, and the other rests on Trevor's shoulder because it can.]
I'd like that very much, I think.
[There's a kiss on Trevor's cheek for that. Just a reinforcement that this? This is wanted.]
[ This? This is all that he's wanted for a long time. For seven years. Since he stole a human from a fire and decided that he wanted to play house with it. But the wanting has changed. It had been selfish and stubborn, before, no matter how graceful he managed to be in not getting what he wanted. He'd been told that there was something he couldn't have and so, naturally, he would have done anything to have it.
Now - Alucard is not a 'something', for a start. He's brilliant and kind and when he smiles the air feels lighter, so much so that until now all of this has seemed to be second to making him smile more. It's only now that Alucard is in his arms, rested against him chest, that it becomes painfully clear that he never stopped wanting it. Just started wanting it for different reasons.
Alucard's lips touch his cheek, and he turns his head quickly to catch them with his own. Only briefly, before squeezing him tighter against his chest. ]
Should I- upstairs?
[ Very eloquent. He could just sit down on the and it wouldn't be quite so potentially-too-much, but then he'd eventually have to move to allow Alucard to go to bed. It seems more efficient to remove that middle step entirely. ]
[ It might be too small, in truth. But what is that other than an excuse to pull Alucard tighter to him, to be as small as possible? He starts up the stairs, pausing every few steps to press tiny kisses to Alucard's face. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Hurry up, before you get all skinny again.
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[He doesn't. Not over the next few days, and not ever again. Alucard's careful when he cooks. Makes sure that Sypha's diet is rich in protein, with meat for one meal and then lentils or beans the other two. She gets snacks. Alucard writes down her progress once a day, and she gets to the point where she can contact her people.
But it takes time to beat back how close she was to death. When she rests, Alucard sees other patients again. Goes out sometimes, other times has some come to him. He's warm and familiar and as soft as he can be during those moments, even when the news is bad.
He's given affection in return. His patients pay in coin or in food or when they can. Old women come into his home fussing and then staying for tea, and Alucard introduces Trevor to them. My long term patient's companion and an old friend from Wallachia. It gets Trevor fussed over as well, as Alucard's grandmothers know how little he speaks of Wallachia.
In the evening hours, Alucard rests on his little sofa, but also against Trevor. The kisses are slow and cautious, but they're there and there's a quiet joy in every single one.
The week ends. The sun sets, and the last call to prayer echoes through the city. Alucard's routine for the week concludes with a last walk, one that he's taking Trevor on.
He made sure to explain the bathhouse's concept and etiquette earlier in the day. That you strip down, you walk into the baths with a towel around your waist, but most men drop it afterwards. That you don't stare, but you're free to be social - and Alucard often isn't.
Which means that here, now, Alucard's absolutely nude and lying on a warm marble slab in the bath's hot room. A beautiful domed thing with fine stone on every surface, there is a central slab where men congregate. Some washed. Others talking. And around the room are smaller little siloed areas with smaller stones to lie on, buckets of water under facuets, and fine fixtures.
It isn't the most beautiful of the hamams in the city, but it doesn't have to be. It's local, and Alucard has his little spot in one of the silos where he can lie down and let the week's grime shed itself.
His feet and their scars are obvious. But no one asks here.]
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Everything is careful.
He does try not to stare. Mostly succeeds, only failing enough to appreciate the ways things have changed and the ways they havn't. The burn scars healing into ugly things, as painless as they will probably ever be. The places where bones are still visible. The ones where they aren't anymore. There are no new scars, none that he can see that he doesn't remember seeing before, and that's a relief. ]
You've been safe here. [ He says, perched on the side of the slab. He still has his towel and hasn't quite got his head around how this place works yet, just sitting and enjoying the warmth of the room. ] I'm glad.
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[Safer now, that he can just completely let go here. Alucard's usually more careful in the bath houses, aware that he's at his most vulnerable. It's a careful thing he does, making sure that he's safe everywhere he goes.
It's been easier with Trevor around. Not just thinking about safety, but moving around his own house. Resting just a little bit easier. Just...being.]
The scars hurt less after I'm here. Never figured out if it's because of the baths or just my own head.
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Maybe it's the heat. [ It seems strange to him, that the heat would help with old burns. But then, he's not the doctor. And Alucard does use warm water to soak his feet. ] It doesn't matter, does it? If they feel better anyway.
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You're right. The end result is the same, and sometimes we don't need to question it.
[He crosses his legs, then lets out a very happy sigh.]
Thank you for coming with me.
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[ He still doesn't understand the rules behind not being able to hold Alucard's hand when there are other people about. But he doesn't need to, really. All he needs to understand is that Alucard doesn't want to be touched in front of people.
It doesn't mean that he doesn't want to gather Alucard up in his arms and pull him close while he's being so soft and unguarded. It just means he doesn't do it. ]
Does this really make people clean? It seems like it'd just make them awfully sweaty.
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[Alucard's explanation of public matters had been simply it's against cultural norms. He'd love to put his head in Trevor's lap right now but it isn't a good life choice yet.]
You'll understand when we leave. You feel amazing when you leave.
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[ He says that, but he doesn't make any attempt to move. He wants to be here, with Alucard while he's so content and warm. Also the answer to how long it's been since he bathed in the human sense? Probably a long time ago. ]
One time can't hurt. I'll try.
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[Alucard sits up at that, mortified.]
You don't have to be in here then, I didn't realize-!
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[ He doesn't touch Alucard but he lets his hand hover close to his shoulder. A gesture that would be pushing him softly back down if he were to make contact. ]
I'll leave if it gets difficult.
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Okay. Okay. But don't stay for a minute longer if it's bad, okay?
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[ He does leave before long, in the end, moving to a cooler adjoining room to wait for Alucard. The loss of dust isn't too bad - nothing dangerous, so long as he doesn't need to hunt within the next few hours. Less protecting him from the cold, but it's not exactly a cold place. He probably couldn't fly if he needed to right now, but then he wouldn't be doing that while disguised as a human anyway. The only real change is feeling a little more vulnerable.
And the only real effect of that is wanting to bury himself in Alucard's arms when he emerges. He doesn't, but oh, he wants to. ]
You're all clean?
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I am.
[There's such an instinct to take Trevor's hand. But he doesn't.]
Let's get our things and head home?
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[ The bath itself might be strange and a little uncomfortable, but he thinks he likes Alucard like this. All warm and flushed and content, with water dripping down from his hair, relaxed completely.
He’s seen him happy a lot over the last few days, but it hasn’t lost its wonder. He looks around carefully, then leans in to whisper. ]
May I kiss you? When we’re home.
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Alucard knows he's blushing. He's warm all over but warmest in his cheeks. So he's blushing.]
Yes. I'd like that.
[A lot. A lot. So they get their things, which also means clothes, and meeting the cool night air. They're far from the waters in this part of the city, but tonight the breeze has moved very well up the harbor.
Alucard's hair flutters in that breeze as he walks them both back home, as do his clothes. Sypha ought to be asleep by now, and there's no greeting when he unlocks the door. Just soft snoring.
He looks to Trevor once he's closed the door.]
Where would you like to...?
[He can't even think the word without going red.]
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And so the moment the door is closed, he's close to Alucard. It feels safer that way for both of them. As Alucard trails off, he brings a hand up to his flushes cheek, smiling.
And then he leans in to kiss him. There's no taste of honey, this time, and no soft dusty texture to his skin. But it's still soft. Still careful and affectionate. ]
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What he isn't is guarded. At least he's less guarded than he's ever been before, because one hand rests on Trevor's hip. His mouth opens just a little, coaxing. Saying that this is okay. He's ready for something just a little bit more.]
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But a little further, maybe a little further is fine. He leans in closer. Places a hand on Alucard's back to press them both together. Presses his lips more firmly against Alucard's, using them to push his mouth open further. ]
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He's never felt it hammer for a good reason.]
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Let me stay with you? Just- just stay. Not anything else.
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I'd like that very much, I think.
[There's a kiss on Trevor's cheek for that. Just a reinforcement that this? This is wanted.]
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Now - Alucard is not a 'something', for a start. He's brilliant and kind and when he smiles the air feels lighter, so much so that until now all of this has seemed to be second to making him smile more. It's only now that Alucard is in his arms, rested against him chest, that it becomes painfully clear that he never stopped wanting it. Just started wanting it for different reasons.
Alucard's lips touch his cheek, and he turns his head quickly to catch them with his own. Only briefly, before squeezing him tighter against his chest. ]
Should I- upstairs?
[ Very eloquent. He could just sit down on the and it wouldn't be quite so potentially-too-much, but then he'd eventually have to move to allow Alucard to go to bed. It seems more efficient to remove that middle step entirely. ]
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[It's a little tight. It's a little much. It's fine. It's perfect.]
The bed won't be too small for you, will it?
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[ It might be too small, in truth. But what is that other than an excuse to pull Alucard tighter to him, to be as small as possible? He starts up the stairs, pausing every few steps to press tiny kisses to Alucard's face. ]
You'll be there, so it'll be perfect.
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