[Hector whispers, as if there's danger of being overheard. It just feels hushed in the dark cave of the ship's hull.
Of course Isaac would want some souvenir to lay as tribute at Dracula's feet, the insufferable suck-up. Hector wants to send the kraken to rend his ship asunder just on principle.]
You don't secretly know any curses you could lay on it, do you?
[He's not even that attached to this ship, but it's still a blow to his pride to have it stripped of the such a symbol.]
He is absolutely worth something that petty. You haven't met him. If you have something you could use and you are holding out on me, I won't forgive you.
[Ok, maybe they need to find a new air pocket, because Hector is maybe a little light-headed and getting loopy imagining Isaac cursed with scurvy or perpetually soggy boots or something.
He untangles his arm from the rope that has been keeping him steady and catches Alucard's coat in his fist. Cesar stirs in his arm and wags his little curl of a tail.]
Get us to the aft bulkhead. We should have more air there.
I'll beg forgiveness later too, if I remember something haphazardly.
[Alucard's far too focused on just getting through the next few hours. Survival is all that matters, and--
--yes. Different air would be good. Alucard adjusts to the weight of Hector on his coat, and takes a careful look at him and Cesar to ensure that they are secure.]
Understood. Hang on.
[Alucard waits until everyone has taken their last gulp of air, and then he dives under.
It has to be quick going. Alucard doesn't know how long Hector can hold his breath, and being a half-vampire doesn't negate his own need for air. The weight and drag of Hector slows him some, and Alucard prays that forcing vampire speed will assist a little. It...doesn't work as well underwater, but they move, and that's all that matters in the end.
The aft bulkhead has a bigger air pocket. Alucard gasps with relief when he surfaces there, followed by panting, terrifed breaths.]
[Alucard drags his two passengers to the back of the ship, and Hector does his best to keep himself streamlined and kick a little to push them along, but leaves most of the heavy lifting to the super-human.
He comes up and takes a deep breath before he cuts off Alucard's panicking.]
Shhh. I'm fine. I'm human, but I'm not delicate.
[He's known how to swim almost as long as he's known how to walk.
He gives Cesar's back a couple of quick pats, and the pug snorts out some water. He typically breaths, but it's not a necessity so long as Hector is nearby to sustain him.]
[Alucard's panicking splutters and then stops. Hector's right. He isn't delicate, and Alucard isn't about to argue otherwise. Hector is Hector and can manage just fine.
It doesn't stop him from letting out a soft noise of relief.]
Good.
[He's just going to pet Cesar now. To calm down his heart rate.]
The mers just checked in. It'll be a few more minutes yet. When that happens, we could possibly ask them to steer us through the wreck, rather than swimming on our own.
[It’s too dark for Hector to see now that he’s not working any magic, but they’re in close enough proximity that he can keep track of Alucard by sound and by the stirring of the water when he moves. He’s never out of arm's reach of Cesar, which helps.]
If I hadn’t been alright, would you have given me the kiss of life? You need to be in practice before your Speaker sails in to be your knight in shining robes.
[Because Hector’s options are fretting about their next moves while they wait in the dark, or shit talking Alucard. There’s a clear winner here.]
[Hector can't see the blush, but he can damned well hear it, and he vibrates with repressed laughter. It's probably partially from the exhaustion, to be fair.]
Because it's something to focus on that isn't impending doom. Don't worry, I'll try to get the ship raised as quick as I can so that you'll have somewhere to pretty yourself up before they get here.
[One day, Alucard is going to stumble upon something that he can tease Hector about mercilessly. Until that day comes, Hector is milking this for all it's worth.]
[Hector’s lived among vampire-pirates for the last couple of years. Each group independently is known for their depravity. When put together...well, there is little that shocks Hector now. Kissing a man as objectively handsome as Alucard isn’t something to balk at.]
Come on now, they joke that you are Dracula’s abstinent son, but that’s just the ‘not draining the blood of the innocent’, right?
This is how I die, isn't it? Not at my father's hand. Not from other vampires. It's going to be under a boat, slowly drowning, my last conversation having been about my extremly low levels of experience in life.
[Hector shakes his head. Alucard may not be able to see it, but Hector puts that exasperation into his voice so that he knows.]
We're not letting you die without even kissing someone before. That would be too pathetic to suffer. If we go down, get to the surface, turn into mist, and get out of here. Don't worry about me, I've at least lived during my short, mortal life.
[Because it's obvious to him that if Alucard did have some sort of experience to refute Hector's accusations, he would have presented it to save himself this teasing.]
Didn't the two of you stab one another when you parted ways? Forgive me if I'm skeptical that Daddy's approval was the deciding factor.
[Hey, this is filling the time until they can try to surface the ship, so Hector is happy to keep up the debate. He's not the one being ruthlessly teased. Hector would be tempted to offer to remedy the situation, except Alucard is so besotted with the Speaker and is probably saving himself for their marriage.]
I am serious, though. If it comes down to a situation where only one of us can live, I won't fault you for leaving me behind. It's astonishing that we've made it this far still alive.
[Alucard would give Hector a shove, but he's carrying very precious cargo in the form of Cesar. That's more important than his total lack of dignity. Look Hector he won't say no to that suggestion.]
I will try all routes available to avoid having that happen, Hector. Besides, if I leave you behind, that means Cesar's left behind too. Unacceptable.
Soon, then. Once he and all of his creatures are well away. The bastard is probably rushing straight to your father to show off his prize.
[Not that Hector is bitter about that. Nope, not at all. He has been trying to keep his breathing shallow so they don't waste air, but he has to heave a sigh at that.]
When I start to raise the ship, have the crew position themselves near the holes. They'll need to plug them up as soon as the water drains.
[Undead limbs will work as stoppers until they can do the actual repairs on the ship's walls.]
Keep an eye out, then. As soon I can raise us, the better.
[It would be a hard job any time, but especially when he is running on fumes like he is now. No rest for the wicked.]
It's not tormenting, it's teasing. [The difference being that the source is a friend, not a foe. It's the kind of thing Alucard might not get, with his lack of experience.]
Perhaps just a little more, and then I need to conserve the rest of my energy. Come here and take Cesar for me.
[And when Alucard is drawn close to take the dog, Hector will seize the collar of Alucard's jacket and tug him down to touch their lips together. Just, you know, in case they die, so Alucard's sad deprived ghost doesn't haunt the seas.]
I'll give it about ten more minutes, just to be sure. Or when we run out of air. Whichever seems to come first at this point.
[Alucard's sure that the air can last, although he's looking forward to being less soggy in the near future. He'd kill for his own ship's hair dryer once they're surfaced, warm air drying soaked skin and hair. All that's going to happen in the next few hours is he's going to be a salt encrusted mess.]
It seems to me a very subtle difference. [Yeah, nailed it there.
But you know, taking care of the dog. That's important, and Alucard's hands are out to take the pug when--
--well.
As first kisses go, the circumstances are extraordinary. Very salty, low on air, there's a dog in the middle, and an additional bit of force. Which actually feels about right for the point where Alucard is in his life.
No one should be surprised that while Alucard doesn't quite kiss back, he's let out a soft surprised noise when he pulls away. There's an undercurrent of delight in there too.]
[Hector didn't really think it through before he did it (which is par for the course in terms of his plans), and in the darkness, he can't see Alucard's face to judge his reaction. All he has to go on is the little noise he makes, and the fact that Hector doesn't feel fangs or claws tearing into him in the aftermath.]
There, now you're a man of the world. It's not like your father can want to kill me any more than he already does.
[Back to teasing, so that neither of them dwell on the moment and overthink it. Hector paddles back a little bit and finds a hand-hold so he doesn't have to expend more energy than necessary keeping himself above water.]
[Of all the responses to that, it feels like the only response is to very gently send a splash of water in Hector's direction. It isn't malicious either, just a very soft retaliation that comes with a weak laugh.]
Flawless logic, really.
[Except now Alucard has an armful of pug. And one particular question.]
Was that particularly luke warm in terms of skin contact?
[It feels like the kind of thing one should be aware of in general for the future.]
[He can't see anything anyways, so he lets his eyes close. It relieves a little of the tension of his brain struggling to map the darkness.]
'Lukewarm'? I was trying to make sure you didn't fall into a maidenly swoon from the shock. There's practically a language of kissing. That was 'hello', not 'take me now.' If you want a real lesson, you'll need to ask nicely.
[Hector frowns a little into the darkness, hoping that Alucard doesn't presume that that was his best effort.]
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[Hector whispers, as if there's danger of being overheard. It just feels hushed in the dark cave of the ship's hull.
Of course Isaac would want some souvenir to lay as tribute at Dracula's feet, the insufferable suck-up. Hector wants to send the kraken to rend his ship asunder just on principle.]
You don't secretly know any curses you could lay on it, do you?
[He's not even that attached to this ship, but it's still a blow to his pride to have it stripped of the such a symbol.]
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[Okay. Maybe he is. But Alucard's trying to be a mature adult and override terrible impulses.]
Think about larger scale revenge for later instead.
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[Ok, maybe they need to find a new air pocket, because Hector is maybe a little light-headed and getting loopy imagining Isaac cursed with scurvy or perpetually soggy boots or something.
He untangles his arm from the rope that has been keeping him steady and catches Alucard's coat in his fist. Cesar stirs in his arm and wags his little curl of a tail.]
Get us to the aft bulkhead. We should have more air there.
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[Alucard's far too focused on just getting through the next few hours. Survival is all that matters, and--
--yes. Different air would be good. Alucard adjusts to the weight of Hector on his coat, and takes a careful look at him and Cesar to ensure that they are secure.]
Understood. Hang on.
[Alucard waits until everyone has taken their last gulp of air, and then he dives under.
It has to be quick going. Alucard doesn't know how long Hector can hold his breath, and being a half-vampire doesn't negate his own need for air. The weight and drag of Hector slows him some, and Alucard prays that forcing vampire speed will assist a little. It...doesn't work as well underwater, but they move, and that's all that matters in the end.
The aft bulkhead has a bigger air pocket. Alucard gasps with relief when he surfaces there, followed by panting, terrifed breaths.]
Hector?
[He's louder than he intends.]
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He comes up and takes a deep breath before he cuts off Alucard's panicking.]
Shhh. I'm fine. I'm human, but I'm not delicate.
[He's known how to swim almost as long as he's known how to walk.
He gives Cesar's back a couple of quick pats, and the pug snorts out some water. He typically breaths, but it's not a necessity so long as Hector is nearby to sustain him.]
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It doesn't stop him from letting out a soft noise of relief.]
Good.
[He's just going to pet Cesar now. To calm down his heart rate.]
The mers just checked in. It'll be a few more minutes yet. When that happens, we could possibly ask them to steer us through the wreck, rather than swimming on our own.
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[It’s too dark for Hector to see now that he’s not working any magic, but they’re in close enough proximity that he can keep track of Alucard by sound and by the stirring of the water when he moves. He’s never out of arm's reach of Cesar, which helps.]
If I hadn’t been alright, would you have given me the kiss of life? You need to be in practice before your Speaker sails in to be your knight in shining robes.
[Because Hector’s options are fretting about their next moves while they wait in the dark, or shit talking Alucard. There’s a clear winner here.]
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--Alucard's pretty sure his blush can be seen in the dark right now.]
Why would you even joke about that in this moment?!
[Uh.
Shit he just implied both parts were valid, didn't he?]
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Because it's something to focus on that isn't impending doom. Don't worry, I'll try to get the ship raised as quick as I can so that you'll have somewhere to pretty yourself up before they get here.
[One day, Alucard is going to stumble upon something that he can tease Hector about mercilessly. Until that day comes, Hector is milking this for all it's worth.]
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[Maybe that will shut him up???? Maybe?!]
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[Hector’s lived among vampire-pirates for the last couple of years. Each group independently is known for their depravity. When put together...well, there is little that shocks Hector now. Kissing a man as objectively handsome as Alucard isn’t something to balk at.]
Come on now, they joke that you are Dracula’s abstinent son, but that’s just the ‘not draining the blood of the innocent’, right?
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[That's all the answer you're getting Hector!
he's never kissed anyone]no subject
We're not letting you die without even kissing someone before. That would be too pathetic to suffer. If we go down, get to the surface, turn into mist, and get out of here. Don't worry about me, I've at least lived during my short, mortal life.
[Because it's obvious to him that if Alucard did have some sort of experience to refute Hector's accusations, he would have presented it to save himself this teasing.]
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[Alucard's own tone is just as exasperated, just in the different direction.]
Also frankly Hector, do you believe my father would view anyone as good enough for me to kiss, never mind enter an actual relationship with?
[Is he trying to defend himself here? Oh yes.]
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[Hey, this is filling the time until they can try to surface the ship, so Hector is happy to keep up the debate. He's not the one being ruthlessly teased. Hector would be tempted to offer to remedy the situation, except Alucard is so besotted with the Speaker and is probably saving himself for their marriage.]
I am serious, though. If it comes down to a situation where only one of us can live, I won't fault you for leaving me behind. It's astonishing that we've made it this far still alive.
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[Alucard would give Hector a shove, but he's carrying very precious cargo in the form of Cesar. That's more important than his total lack of dignity.
Look Hector he won't say no to that suggestion.]I will try all routes available to avoid having that happen, Hector. Besides, if I leave you behind, that means Cesar's left behind too. Unacceptable.
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[Hector's not a noble man, but he's not so selfish he'd drag his dog down with him.
He turns his head to listen for an ambient noises, but he can't catch anything.]
Have Isaac's creatures gone? Are we safe to move?
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[The dog is important than most people.]
Let me check.
[Alucard is quiet for a moment, reaching out and--]
He's turned his boat around and is departing as we speak.
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[Not that Hector is bitter about that. Nope, not at all. He has been trying to keep his breathing shallow so they don't waste air, but he has to heave a sigh at that.]
When I start to raise the ship, have the crew position themselves near the holes. They'll need to plug them up as soon as the water drains.
[Undead limbs will work as stoppers until they can do the actual repairs on the ship's walls.]
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[Is that being over-paranoid? Sure is! Does Alucard care right now? Nope!]
But understood. Do you wish to continue tormenting me?
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[It would be a hard job any time, but especially when he is running on fumes like he is now. No rest for the wicked.]
It's not tormenting, it's teasing. [The difference being that the source is a friend, not a foe. It's the kind of thing Alucard might not get, with his lack of experience.]
Perhaps just a little more, and then I need to conserve the rest of my energy. Come here and take Cesar for me.
[And when Alucard is drawn close to take the dog, Hector will seize the collar of Alucard's jacket and tug him down to touch their lips together. Just, you know, in case they die, so Alucard's sad deprived ghost doesn't haunt the seas.]
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[Alucard's sure that the air can last, although he's looking forward to being less soggy in the near future. He'd kill for his own ship's hair dryer once they're surfaced, warm air drying soaked skin and hair. All that's going to happen in the next few hours is he's going to be a salt encrusted mess.]
It seems to me a very subtle difference. [Yeah, nailed it there.
But you know, taking care of the dog. That's important, and Alucard's hands are out to take the pug when--
--well.
As first kisses go, the circumstances are extraordinary. Very salty, low on air, there's a dog in the middle, and an additional bit of force. Which actually feels about right for the point where Alucard is in his life.
No one should be surprised that while Alucard doesn't quite kiss back, he's let out a soft surprised noise when he pulls away. There's an undercurrent of delight in there too.]
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There, now you're a man of the world. It's not like your father can want to kill me any more than he already does.
[Back to teasing, so that neither of them dwell on the moment and overthink it. Hector paddles back a little bit and finds a hand-hold so he doesn't have to expend more energy than necessary keeping himself above water.]
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Flawless logic, really.
[Except now Alucard has an armful of pug. And one particular question.]
Was that particularly luke warm in terms of skin contact?
[It feels like the kind of thing one should be aware of in general for the future.]
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'Lukewarm'? I was trying to make sure you didn't fall into a maidenly swoon from the shock. There's practically a language of kissing. That was 'hello', not 'take me now.' If you want a real lesson, you'll need to ask nicely.
[Hector frowns a little into the darkness, hoping that Alucard doesn't presume that that was his best effort.]
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