Chapter 39
Previously:
“I’m not sure, but Radu’s not mad at some sultan who died centuries ago, he gets all hissy and wolf-eyed whenever someone mentions you– and also, I’m not one of the social genius people, but I’d say you’re feeling really very guilty about something. And you don’t hate Radu or anything- you defended him when we were trying to come up with a plan to kill him! And also he says you killed his wives and that so doesn’t sound like you. So, obviously, there’s a ton to the story I don’t know, and…” He huffs, scowls, shoves his hands into his pockets,
“I’m sick of it, honestly. I hate operating on bad information! Especially when it ends up with voivodes sitting on chandeliers and giving me half a heart attack and then let me argue with them and accidentally insult them and they don’t even try to kill me for it. So I didn’t need to have half a heart attack in the first place.”
“I can’t predict him. He is dangerous. Yes, most dangerous when I’m close.” Vlad’s voice grows quieter with every sentence, the last one only a whisper. “Yes, it is all my fault.”
“How?” Arthur asks, voice gentler but insistent. “And if you don’t tell me, just be aware that I’m pretty sure you’ll have Quincy in your face huffing and chewing you out in either case.”
“I deserve that. I wish Radu had done it.”
That makes Arthur cock his head. “Radu hasn’t done that?”
“Not the first time it was my fault. Not the second time it was my fault. And then the third time, he nearly killed me, and I wish I could have let him.” Vlad sighs deeply, eyes flicking from the ground to the sky for a moment.
“…That’s a lot of times…” Arthur allows. “But obviously, you’re sorry? But, uh… I think I’ve asked that before, but you’ve tried apologising, right? I mean, clearly you know you messed up. And… from the way he talked, I don’t know what exactly he said anymore, but from the way he talked, I don’t think Radu knows you know that.”
~
“Words cannot express the depth of my guilt, and all my words turn to poison the moment I dare open my mouth with Radu. I have tried to show him, but not even that is enough.”
Shaking his head, Vlad goes back to looking at the ground in front of him, uncomfortable with the entire conversation, but what does he have to gain from silence but further danger to his family?
Arthur takes a long moment to think this through. “So you haven’t said you’re sorry?” he asks then. “Like… just outright, can’t really be misunderstood ‘I fucked up and I’m sorry’?”
The sigh sounds nearly like a huff, and Vlad really wishes he could overcome that old habit for good at some point in his life.
“My brother and I have not spoken with each other in soon twenty years, we are incapable of being in the same room without… without his drac reacting.”
~
“…You could write him a letter?” Arthur offers, but has to concede that that makes things more difficult- Radu might not read a letter, after all. “…So it’s been only twenty years since you realized you fucked up?”
~
“No, it has been twenty years since I caused his worst descent into insanity yet.”
That is as far as Vlad can bring himself go with his admission. Cansu’s death still brings him close to tears, leaves the taste of ash in his mouth at how much he truly wished to let Radu end their feud that day.
Had he not found his own wife, he may well have let him.
~
“…But you already knew you were at fault before that?” Yes, it’s clearly prodding-the-upset-voivode day, but Arthur wants to get to the bottom of this! Radu hates… fears? Vlad- definitely was worried about their safety with Vlad. And Vlad is worried about their safety with Radu, and that means that on some level, both of them are on the same damn side.
And after seeing all that suffering just a little while ago, and thinking of all the suffering they’ve been through the last few months- have put Darcy through!… he’s just sick of it, of this feud.
~
This time Vlad merely nods, words seem too much, his perfect memory is a curse in times like these, when he can remember every word perfectly. The things he wishes he could erase from history, the things he wishes he had never said. It’s always words that betray him with his brother, at least when it isn’t his blind dedication and stubbornness that make him do the unthinkable.
“…And you didn’t say sorry then because… you didn’t think it’d come out right?” Arthur ventures.
“It never does. My words have hurt him too often., Vlad allows, head hung by now, fighting to keep the memories off.
“I’ll tell him,” Arthur decides, apparently lifting his chin in resolve. “If he’s mad at you, that’s his right, but if it means anything at all to him that you’re sorry, I’ll make sure he knows. I don’t want there to be any more fighting than necessary- you care for Darcy and Quincy, and he cares for Darcy and Quincy, so it’s not like you don’t have anything in common, or like you have to be enemies, at least not over them!”
For a moment, Vlad stares, then his brain decides where his priorities on incredulity lie and he asks: “He cares for them?”
~
That makes Arthur sigh. “Probably I should stay paranoid and suspicious longer- it’s only been a day!” he acknowledges. “And, really, I’m taking Quincy’s word for where Darcy’s concerned. But…” He remembers Radu crying about the selkie and hugging Quincy, those wolf ears of his screaming to the whole room how genuinely scared and upset he was, and how he clung to Quincy when he got back- with his fangs, okay, but still…
“With Quincy, I believe it. He- I mean, Radu, he’s been just so… vulnerable and emotional and… direct, I suppose… There isn’t really room for a con there, you know? That’s just… that’s just not what it looks like when someone’s pretending. So, yes, I believe that he cares for Quincy, so it’s not that implausible when Quincy says he cares for Darcy, too.” He glances at Vlad. “And Radu said something about how he’s worried you’re the one who’s a danger to us, so really… you’re worrying about the same thing!”
~
Putting his palms together and pressing them to his lips, Vlad tries to sort his emotions and thoughts because… dare he hope?
“Dracs are direct. If Quincy is touching his drac, the part that misses… some people, then maybe there is something to this. And, I can see how he would declare me the dangerous one. I give you my word that I have no ill-intent towards any of you.” Despite his words, he deflates. “But he would truthfully tell you that that is no guarantee.”
~
“No guarantee for what?” Arthur asks, sensing they’re circling back around to whatever Vlad fucked up again. And he still doesn’t know what that actually is, and he doesn’t really want to put Vlad through what’s clearly an emotionally painful topic, but on the other hand- he wants the information to make up his own mind, not rely on the judgement of two clearly very biased voivodes.
~
“For not being dangerous to you.”
That’s all he wants to say, truly, he is not comfortable being this open with somebody he does not know very well, much as he senses the frustration, much as he understands it. But the matter remains, he is a private person, he does feel neither prepared nor that it is the right thing to make confessions to his darkest misdeeds on the road to a young man he barely knows, who isn’t even of his own blood.
~
“…But you’re not the one liable to snap at a wrong move,” Arthur points out.
Vlad’s tone tells him that he’s unlikely to get more details out of him- fine, then, he decides. He’ll ask Radu- carefully. Or find some other way to research this. Information-gathering is what he does, and he’s sick of being stuck between two powerful forces without a proper idea of what’s going on.
“And as long as you’re not actively plotting something… or I suppose not just… not paying attention, not thinking about how your actions might impact us… Well, there’s never any guarantees,” he points out. “Bad things happen sometimes even if you do your best.”
He thinks of Gregory- the ritual, all the things he apparently did wrong in his friendship with Darcy- and he still feels bad for not seeing any of it, but… he did do his best. And it wasn’t good enough. And that hurts, but there’s nothing he can do about it except learn to do better going forward.
~
“I give you my word that I am not plotting, neither actively nor by negligence, for anything bad to befall you. I am paying attention and I have tried to be more cognisant of the impact of my action on more than my tactics.”
The last one hurts to say, it is the closest to a confession Vlad is willing to come. He is not denying his fault, nor the error of his ways. He hopes he has mended them, but whether he can trust himself is another question.
“Do you truly believe it is safe for me to return to the Court and leave you with Radu?”
~
“Thank you,” Arthur tells him for his promise- it does mean a lot to him that Vlad would give his word. He doesn’t miss the implication that Vlad didn’t always consider the consequences of his actions on things other than his tactics, either.
He gives Vlad’s question the proper consideration.
“Safe enough,” he decides. “He’s still a powerful and volatile voivode, but I truly believe that if something happened, it would be an accident. And I think he’s least volatile around Quincy- Quincy can calm him down. Whereas you being there would agitate him,” he says, tone apologetic.
Gaze wandering to the castle, Vlad sighs.
“I am well aware that it would, which is why I kept my distance. I shall henceforth knock from the London house rather than entering the castle proper. I cannot chance upsetting Radu and endangering you with it.”
“Thank you for looking out for us,” Arthur says, gives him a small smile.
Acknowledging that with a nod and small smile himself, Vlad answers: “You are my son’s and granddaughter’s friends, I will protect you as best I can. Which, I am afraid, means leaving again, against every urge to not abandon Quincy alone with another vampire.”
Shaking his head, Vlad still clearly is worried. “Is there anything else I can assist with? Any further books?”
“Quincy has him well in paw,” Arthur assures Vlad, can’t help a little grin- because it’s true, and it is a bit funny- just the contrast to how things stood just 24 hours ago compared to now.
“I’m not sure where our research is going to go from here,” he admits, then turns shy as a thought occurs to him. “Uh, for me personally… is there any chance of some books on more powerful healing magic…?”
Vlad mutters under his breath what very much sounds like ‘not a knight’, but smiles at Arthur.
“I confess to not being versed in magic, but I am sure the librarians will be able to guide me towards some books on the topic. I shall return with them tomorrow night.”
“Thank you!” Arthur says, shyness turning into a bright beam of a smile at a request for himself more than the group as a whole not being denied.
~
“Very well, now please, return to the others before my brother grows suspicious. You have my thanks for updating me as to the situation. I would appreciate a more extensive briefing tomorrow.”
With that, Vlad inclines his head and strays off the road, wanders into the darkness to transform in peace and race back to the Court to help with whatever he left in Lucy’s lap by rushing over.
~
Arthur nods, yawns, and waves to Hannibal to take his nose out of the ditch he’s snuffling in so they can finally get inside- with the conversation over, he notices how cold and clammy he is and how much he wants back into a warm bed for another few hours. If anything, it’s getting colder and clammier. He rides Hannibal back through the gate and around the house to the stables, puts him away, grimaces at the fact that Hannibal clearly found some kind of snack in the ditch and now he gets to clean blood and bits of fur from the bit, then he trudges back into the castle.
And realises as he does that he’s alone. It’s not exactly a jolt of fear, but a definite creeping dread up his spine.
It’s fine, he tells himself. Radu is in the castle and Quincy said Radu would be able to tell.
Radu is also not exactly fully present right now, last he saw.
So he speeds up his steps and heads upstairs and makes for Quincy’s room. He doesn’t want to intrude, but… he’s got boyfriend privileges, doesn’t he? So surely he can check in to see if everything’s alright? And not be by himself? With a nod to himself, he knocks quietly on the door.
After a few moments he hears Quincy answer, slightly muffled. “Yes, honey, but gently please.”
Arthur opens the door as quietly and with as much care as he can, only sticks his head through. “Um, I just wanted to check in…”
And not be alone.
“Over in the bathroom, Arthur,” Quincy’s voice drifts over, then he starts humming soothingly again.
Arthur enters the room, and, just as carefully, opens the bathroom door to see what’s going on- well, Radu was covered in blood, so presumably, he needs to get clean… which is clearly what Quincy is trying to do: A towel on the sink, one hand carefully cupped around the white rat, the other one holding a tiny washcloth and gently, with one finger, trying to get the dried blood out of Radu’s fur.
Arthur, unexpectedly, has to suppress the urge to coo- but what can he say? He knows being in rat form doesn’t take away any of Radu’s powers, but… it’s still small and furry and cute.
“Um… are you okay?” He asks, glances at Radu again. “…Both of you?”
~
“Better than last time.”
Quincy sighs, hums again for a bit.
Last time, he had Cycy and John hold him, now he’s calming himself down by way of taking care of Radu. Strongly taking care of him, he better get his drac back in there, because, yes, Radu’s snout turns towards Arthur but the rest of him leans away, both small hands holding on to one of Quincy’s fingers. Quincy better make sure that the poor thing doesn’t get any more upset, and there’s nothing better than having his drac stand over him, even though it means burning even more blood and he’s getting hungry, here.
“He is still not back to his human mind. That’s alright, I have him.” The smile on Quincy’s face is soft, he knows it, and frankly, he really enjoys it. Fae aren’t soft like that. He might have a rush from the contract with John and the amount of power Radu is giving him here, but it’s a loving rush. So no, gaze and voice soft and definitely not taking his eyes off of his little ward.
“I’m here, Moonshine, right here, my beautiful drac.”
“Um… I better leave you to it? Or is there anything I can do?” Arthur asks and something is scratching at the outside of Quincy’s awareness even while he has his focus on Radu. Wait. That idiotic ‘um’. The sure-fire way to catch Arthur out on not saying what he really wants to say. He better look over to see what’s going on there. He’s still smiling warmly, only soft thoughts and emotions right now, upset voivode and all that.
Okay, inconclusive on facial expression but definitely needy, oh be still, yes yes, we like being needed, shush.
“Honey, just because he’s skittish doesn’t mean I don’t want to know what you need. Out with it.”
~
“I, uh…” Arthur can feel himself blushing, ducks his head. “I kind of really don’t want to be alone right now, still.” He looks up again. “But I can see that me being here makes Radu more upset, so, uh… I’ll be fine? He’ll still notice if Gregory shows back up again, right?”
~
For one tiny second, Quincy has the insane idea to wonder if he can maneuver Arthur, Radu, and his darling all into the same bed, that would solve his trouble here, but he knows full well he might just as well ask Llew to be nice. Same likelihood.
What can he do here? Can he get John and Arthur solved in one go? Because he knows one thing, Radu is not going to be happy with more men around. It’s a very reaffirming miracle that he is this trusting with Quincy as is. Although, now he feels like he has Radu’s blood’s taste linger on his fangs for a moment.
Divine, he started a bloodbond!
Later, not the right moment to go bouncy about that. Anyway, where was he? Right, Arthur not wanting to be alone, John very likely wanting to be.
Oh, duh. Easy, he has another option for Arthur.
“You will be fine, because I’m sending you over to Art. The man is bad at hiding that he wants to dad badly, anyway. And he is a big softie underneath that brick wall exterior, he just might appreciate not being alone, either. So you’ll do him a favour. Sorry, honey, I would love to cuddle up with you, but I have no idea how long Radu will need to calm down, and I still have to find him a spot where he can sleep.”
~
Arthur blinks. Art? That… “Oh,” he says. “That would’ve never occurred to me.”
But Quincy is right, isn’t he? Art does like to dad on them, and while he’s not one of the people with a Gregory detector, he’s still a hunter.
“Um, yeah, okay. Thanks.” He offers Quincy a smile. “I’ll go look for him.”
~
“Just a moment.”
Still smiling, and honestly, kind of wanting to check on everyone himself, Quincy closes his eyes and feels for the touch to the fabric of existence. He’s sure Radu could do this in the blink of an eye, but he can’t really ask him so, no, he has to and can do this.
John is the first to stand out to him, down and a good bit away, entrance hall, he thinks.
Why?
Then he realises that there are too few people on his radar. Mariam is missing, oh, John is probably waiting on her, but he’s not pacing, so that should be okay, whatever it is. He’ll trust his manly man to handle it or yell for him.
Arthur’s bracelet piece, Radu’s layered piece of soft silk and fur trim, both right close to him, obviously.
And there, ah, yes, finally, there’s the warm piece of pewter like a dented coffee cup. Art, down, but not as far, pretty much where he would expect him.
“No reason to search, he’s back in his room. Still awake, I think. Best I can tell without this one’s help.” He gently brushes a finger over Radu, who’s still giving Arthur unsure looks, and Quincy wants to do nothing more than to lean down and put a kiss on his little head, but he won’t, obviously.
~
Well, that’s even better, now Arthur won’t even need to be self-conscious about Art maybe being back asleep already and all.
“Alright, thanks again. I’ll see you later in the morning, then.” He hesitates, then adds for Radu: “Feel better.”
With good nights exchanged, he heads off to Art’s room. He has a moment of doubt when he stands in front of the closed door, but… but Quincy knows social stuff, and he said that Art might even like not being by himself as well, so Arthur makes himself knock.
~
That doesn’t sound hard enough for Mariam. And he didn’t really think she’d report in, she seemed to just want to get the last task of the night done with. Art gets it, that village, damn, he’s seen some… okay, a lot of, fucked up shit in his life, but he’s thinking something he doesn’t want to think: He’s glad the insane voivode murdered the lot of them.
Still, he very much hopes that’s not Radu at the door. Heaving himself out of his comfy chair, Art considers extinguishing his cigar, but he only just started it, a little bit of comfort to help him sleep, so he just takes it with him to open the door.
“Yeah?”
Oh, it’s Arthur, looking pretty small and unsure. “Hey, son, what’s going on?”
~
There is a definite little bubble of warmth in his chest at hearing Art calling him “son”, Arthur is aware. Art does that all the time now, but he thinks it’s going to be a long time until that wears off, if ever.
“Uh, I kind of don’t want to sleep alone, but Quincy’s looking after Radu and he said you probably wouldn’t mind if I borrowed your couch…?” he offers, hopeful.
~
“Be glad you are a grown man,” Art starts to joke while he steps out of the way to let Arthur in, “then again, Darcy jumped into bed to cuddle me without a second thought, so hey, up to you to decide what you are too old for. But sure you can stay the night. It was a lot. Want to sit a bit first? It’s okay to just be quiet together, or, hey, you know, I’m here for you if you want to talk.”
Last time they were in a smoking room, Arthur didn’t grab anything, and Art’s pretty sure he’s not seen him take any alcohol, either, so he doesn’t offer, but it’s on the table anyway, just in case it’s enough of a shit night that the kid needs a bit of a pick-me-up.
~
Arthur gratefully lets himself fall into an arm chair, because: “It sure was a lot. How can so many things happen in one day?”
It’s a rhetorical question, but it reminds him that he hasn’t actually told anyone about Vlad’s visit, yet, but also, he thinks maybe he’s going to keep it that way and not think too loudly about it, what with Radu being all… all drac and little reason.
~
“Don’t ask me, I was ready to call it a night after Radu showed up. That was enough excitement for me.”
Getting back into his own chair, Art takes a long drag from his cigar, and just exhales slowly, shaking his head. “Yeah, too much, way too damn much. I’m getting too old for this.”
~
Curling up in the arm chair, Arthur relaxes, lets himself have a chuckle.
“Well, maybe Radu’ll make our other problems go away and then we can finally relax? For a bit? That would be nice…”
~
“We got a bit of a list there, but sure. Right now, I’m all for just calling it a night with the thought of problems going away.”
For the moment, he’ll leave it unsaid that him and Mariam didn’t even make it out of the telegram office after their message because they got an answer immediately. Clearly, the Order isn’t kidding when they advertise themselves to be the most alert policing body in the country.
But Art isn’t sure if that would upset Arthur or make him feel safer. Bit late to find that out, maybe he’ll tell him tomorrow. He for sure is glad to know that Galahad is already after the demon.
~
They sit quietly for a while longer while Art finishes his cigar, and then they wish each other a good night and Arthur curls up on the couch. (The idea of cuddling a parental figure in bed is really, really weird, as far as he’s concerned.) Art tells him to wake him, or try to, anyway, if there’s anything else, but thankfully, Arthur doesn’t have to put that to the test, because he finally gets to sleep for the rest of the night without interruptions.
*
Next: