Catch All

[cryptsleeper]

Comments

[miraclewhip]

[ Trevor takes his seat back, clapping his hands on his thighs. The sleeping dog immediately perks up and rushes over to clamber into his lap and immediately doze off again, and the smaller stockier one just determinedly trying to put his hand in its mouth as he equally determinedly tries to pet it. ]

She's missed you. [ A pause. ] Eight, I mean. I don't think my sister is capable of missing anything with two legs.

[cryptsleeper]

[Two handed petting is not easy! But it is impressive. All Alucard does is keep petting Eight, until he declares fuck it and moves onto the floor to snuggle her properly instead.]

In fairness, she has raised some very good dogs. [The best dogs even! The fluffiest and loveliest and right, Leon's still watching all of this. Alucard looks up, and this time holds eye contact in spite of his blushing.]

Did you want to join us in dog petting?

[miraclewhip]

[ Leon just laughs. It's what early morning sunlight must sound like, soft and warm and full of promise. Trevor remains on his chair, now pinned there by the sleepy dog.

And Eight? Eight is overjoyed. Snuggles! Proper snuggles! She's all fluff and wagging tail, now, and seems determined to be as attached to Alucard as possible. ]

I think I will let her have you to herself. I know better than to try to separate the dear eighth from her loves.

[cryptsleeper]

Thank you. For that and....this. It felt right to do it, but thank you.

[Alucard is mostly talking through the density of Eight's fluff now. It's good fluff. Fluff that is going to always love him and goodness that's a thought to keep in mind.

He mushes his entire face into the fluff, sighing happily.]

[miraclewhip]

You are more than welcome.

[ He bows. ]

You may stay here until nightfall, if you wish. But no longer.

[cryptsleeper]

[Wait.

Alucard tilts his head, not unlike Eight.]

I thought I was also meeting....?

[miraclewhip]

You are. It’s just-

[ Trevor stops trying to pet the dog for a moment, so it starts slobbering all over his hand. His attention is on Leon. He almost seems concerned. ]

You will be visiting your mother tonight, yes? [ Trevor nods, almost nervously, and Leon’s smile turns sad. ] Once night falls, he will take you to her.

[cryptsleeper]

...Location change. I understand.

[He only knows the vague elements of how this all works. Leon is only available in the day, Sara the night. But until then....]

You absolutely should pet Eight at least once before you leave.

[Eight fixes everything.]

[miraclewhip]

Yes. The Midnight Castle moves constantly, as midnight itself does. And we cannot exist in the same space.

[ He reaches out to touch Eight. She boofs. ]

Ah, my dear snowflake. So lovely. So good.

[cryptsleeper]

--Anything we should pass along to her?

[Love letters, he's assuming.]

[miraclewhip]

[ Trevor is making 'nope, nope, don't offer to do that' motions in the background. Leon shakes his head. ]

I fear that by now, all of my children have refused to bear words to my Moonlight. [ Because it's embarrassing! ] We have found other ways to speak, never fear.

[cryptsleeper]

Understood.

[Alucard definitely has missed Trevor's motions, but based on that term of endearment alone? He isn't surprised.]

I guess we'll see each other again.

[miraclewhip]

We will, I am sure.

[ He bows and leaves, leaving them alone in the sunroom with a pile of dogs. Trevor sighs, shoulders sinking. ]

You okay?

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard's response is to just place his entire face into Eight fluff.]

Your father is very intense.

[miraclewhip]

He- yeah. They all are.

[ And he is, but. You know. He's not acknowledging that. He lowers himself to the ground very carefully, trying to do it without jostling the dog on his lap. ]

Thanks. For this. It means a lot to him.

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard tries not to laugh at the balancing act. It's amazing to witness, and he does manage to keep everything under control.]

You don't have to thank me. It was the right thing to do.