[Hector can’t help but smile into his lunch at Alucard’s enthusiasm for book shopping. Hector’s interests are...niche, to put it delicately, so he often goes away from booksellers disappointed. Seeing Alucard so hopeful and excited...it makes the world feel like a kinder place than Hector has experienced.]

Books before our bath? If you want to spend more time here, we could delay our departure another day.

[He knows Alucard is eager to be home and assure his parents of his safety, but Hector doesn’t want him to go away having missed out on anything.

It’s totally just that and not also the niggling fear that Dracula will take one look at him, know he’s been kissing his son and heir, and put a clawed fist through his heart.]

Do you want me to order the dogs not to eat your snacks?