Musebox

[petcromancer]

A home for PSLs.

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[petcromancer]

[Hector snorts.]

I do have some self-control, you know. That won’t be necessary.

...unless you want belly-rubs too.

[cryptsleeper]

It was more about emotional well being rather than self control, but very well.

[Belly rubs later. Spoil the dogs now.]

[petcromancer]

[Hector shakes his head slowly.]

I'll be fine. You don't need to worry about me.

[He would pat Alucard's head, except they're doing the space thing.]

[cryptsleeper]

It's worth asking.

[He smiles, feeling the awkwardness of the situation to begin to well and truly settle in. Alucard's gaze shifts to the floor, and he tries to shift and settle into this.]

...If you had plans, we could do them tonight and then enforce this tomorrow.

[petcromancer]

[Oh, Alucard, this is the path that is going to get both of you hurt.]

There is a long list of lessons I’d like to teach you. But if you’re uncertain, we’re going to let these dogs, eat our baklava, and then we can go over my Latin until you’re ready to sleep so I don’t look like a bumpkin in front of your genius parents.

[Because as much as Hector wants to smooch, he’s not going to push any more unless Alucard is 100% on board.]

[cryptsleeper]

[Yes. But the good news is? Mentioning parents is a sure fire way to bring Alucard back to sensible reality. So he nods, the proposed plan far smarter.]

The second one then. Although you won't look like a bumpkin, of that I can assure you.

[petcromancer]

[Hector rubs Cesar's paw pads, trying not to let any disappointment show. He'd rather be kissing Alucard, of course, but unless Alucard pursues it, rather than just letting himself be worn down by Hector, it can't happen.

And he likes talking with Alucard, as friends. It's preferable even to being able to cuddle the wolf.]

You say that, but you haven't heard my accent when I try to speak it. My only saving grace is that the language is dying.

[cryptsleeper]

Well, then show me.

[Alucard considers this, and he shifts his entire body so it's facing Hector.

His next words are in Latin.]

I doubt it is as bad as you claim.

[petcromancer]

I can muddles through the basic, but to speak about the sciences is harder.

[He’s sure he’s flubbing some of the declensions, and his vocabulary doesn’t get him as technical as he can go in Greek or Romanian. He knows his hosts will be equipped to communicate in his native tongue, but he’s also got thoughts turned to that promised library.]

I may be hopeless.

[cryptsleeper]

The sciences are hard anyway, especially with my father's level. He invents half the vocabulary.

[Alucard's smile is soft. Trying to be reassuring.]

All will go well. At least when it comes to language.

[petcromancer]

[Ominous. Alucard's smile more than his words help reassure Hector.]

I suppose I should stick to Greek, then. That's the only chance I have of keeping up.

[He shouldn't be so nervous. He knows Dracula. But it'll be different when he reaches the castle as a guest. Especially when he is going in knowing he has deflowered his host's son....]

What about etiquette? What do I need to know before we arrive?

[See, they can fill their evening with things other than kissing. They just...need to keep busy, so they aren't tempted. Everything will be fine and not awkward.]

[cryptsleeper]

I...will be honest, I'm not sure about etiquette. It won't surprise you to learn that we rarely have long term visitors in the castle - or that my mother disdains most formalities.

[EXTREMELY HELFUL DHAMPIR RIGHT HERE. Alucard shakes his head.]

What as it like when my father visited you?

[petcromancer]

[SO HELPFUL.]

When you father came to stay with me, I was the host. By mutual agreement, we were loose with the laws of hospitality.

[Mostly, they'd been too busy geeking out having scholarly discussions, and they hadn't wanted to waste time on formalities.]

You truly think your mother won't care? Offending her is the worst thing I could do.

[Both Tepes men think she hung the moon, and getting on her bad side would get him kicked out in a heartbeat.]

[cryptsleeper]

I believe it will be much the same, given that you're coming here to study and take advantage of my father's vast libraries.

[UR GOING TO BE NERDS please chillax.]

My mother is...hm. How shall I put it? She may have derided my father for his lack of hospitality when she first knocked on his door, but in doing so she threw those same laws aside, dressed him down, and...well, I'm here.

[petcromancer]

[How did two kick-ass rebels make this straight edge child?]

You said I'll be the first long-term guest. I... don't want to be the last.

[He doesn't want to embarrass Alucard ruin this scholarship opportunity for future generations of magically-gifted humans.]

[cryptsleeper]

[With Dracula's dick.

And by being very adoring parents and Alucard wanting nothing more than to please them.]

Let them just set the standards when you get there. I can only guess at this point.

[petcromancer]

[Loving parents. No wonder Hector is confused.

He sighs. So much for his plan to keep himself distracted. This is making him even more nervous about reaching their destination.]

If I have nothing to brush up on, what should we do until bed?

[cryptsleeper]

[Well Hector they'll probably adopt you at this point, so.

Crap. They have run out of things, haven't they? Alucard sighs, then shakes his head to admit that he has no idea.]

I could turn into a wolf and you could treat me like one of the dogs.

[BELLY RUBS PLZ.]

[petcromancer]

[He KNEW you wanted those rubs. Fucking called it.]

Alright. Just for tonight.

[He doesn't want the wolf to become a crutch for them. They already have two support dogs.]

He moves over to the mattress and pats the space beside him.]

[cryptsleeper]

[THEY FEEL NICE OKAY?!?!]

I'll probably nod off earlier.

[However, sleeping isn't as important as belly rubs. In a moment, Alucard is in his wolf form, and he's quick to trot over and flop in a neat pile of limbs, stomach facing towards Hector.]

[petcromancer]

[He likes givin' 'em too.]

That's fine. If you fall asleep on the mattress, I'll take the hammock tonight, but we're switching tomorrow.

[He lets Cesar settle back into his lap and Antonius rest his head on one thigh so they don't get jealous as he leans forward and starts giving Alucard the royal belly-rub treatment.]

[cryptsleeper]

[There's a very agreeable snuffle from Alucard, and then--

--ah. Yes. This is what relaxation feels like, and the wolf's tail wags languidly. He's far too happy like this, closing his eyes and absolutely luxuriating here.]

[petcromancer]

[Hector doesn’t mind. He lives for spoiling his pets.

He settles his back against the wall so he can keep mindlessly petting into the night, until the dogs are all asleep.

Of course, then he’s trapped, unable to get up and head to the hammock without waking them. It’s fine, he’s slept worse places. He leans his head back and lets himself doze.]

[cryptsleeper]

[So the voyage goes. Alucard shifts between his forms, playing with the dogs to help tire them out, and then sitting with Hector to advise him of things like how the castle requires very strong legs because of all the stairs. He speaks a little of his parent's current research, and soon enough, they reach their destination.

From ship to carriage, from carriage to walking on foots into the forests of Wallachia, where the castle waits for them both. Within it's walls, the castle moves high into the Carpathian mountains, and Hector is properly welcomed.

For people who have not hosted guests in...well, never as a couple dealing with a human, the whole affair is pointedly low on formalities. Lisa is the warmest thing a room, asking Hector after his work and his personal life (and petting the dogs), with Vlad just beaming. Alucard listens, and then?

Then the work begins. Alucard doesn't have a need to be hovering with his father and Hector, and his own pursuits turn inward towards architectural design. He sits in his own work spaces, drafting, stopping for meals or to hunt for food, or to greet Cesar when the little dog pokes his head in.

Working with Dracula demands a night schedule though, and it's only now, a week in, that Alucard has well and truly seen Hector go past his own rooms. At that, the dhampir sticks his head out, an arm full of pug.]

Hector?

[petcromancer]

[The journey has been a whirlwind. Hector tries not to have a hopeless crush on Alucard as they travel together, but Alucard makes it difficult, by being Alucard. It's terrible.

At least when they get to the castle, Hector is too nervous, then too busy getting settled in to dwell long on his feelings. Dracula really is a genius, and Lisa has a way of making him want to do great things to impress her. He needs their parental approval, so sue him.

Hector's always kept strange hours, but getting onto a regular nocturnal schedule is tricky. He feels like he is just now getting his footing.

And he immediately loses it the moment Alucard calls his name. Literally, he misses a step and has to flail to regain his balance. Smooth. So smooth.]

Alucard, there you are. Your mother said you'd be up here somewhere.

[Maybe Alucard didn't see. With his superhuman eyes. That are looking right at him.]