Chapter 41
Previously:
It’s some hours before Quincy’s voice drifts ahead of him, clearly in a good mood. A moment later, he appears through the door, waving with his free hand, the other once more holding Radu’s, who is clearly back to himself, no more wolf eyes or ears, but instead is… blushing? Arthur blinks, because he wasn’t sure vampires could blush, but Radu’s cheeks are definitely pink, and his eyes flick to the side when he spots Arthur. He looks definitely embarrassed, even Arthur can tell, and it takes Quincy pulling on his hand for him to come closer.
Arthur raises an eyebrow at that, because that seems very different from Radu the day before… He greets them, then asks Radu, after only a little hesitation: “Are you feeling better?”
~
“More in possession of my non-dracial faculties, at the very least. My apologies for having been ridden so hard by it.”
Radu gives Master Lancaster a slight bow although he still feels terribly flustered. Does not think he will overcome this any time soon now that he remembers what his drac did last night, or rather, does not fully remember but still feels himself unable to regret. He allows himself to let Quincy pull him to a nearby sofa. It takes him a moment to notice that he is giving Quincy half a pleading look as he lets go of his hand. The best he can do is flick his eyes down to the ground again.
Angels, he swears he is trying to control the tension in his shoulders, is trying to push his drac’s head down harshly for its utterly uncivilised territoriality, when Quincy leans in to kiss Arthur on the cheek.
“Good morning, Arthur.”
~
Arthur blushes a little- he doesn’t think Quincy’s kissed him in front of anyone else so far, even on the cheek, and, well… It makes him think of that other kiss, which he’s avoided so far.
Actually, he’s kind of almost forgotten about it. Well, not really, but he’s forgotten he wanted to think about it. It… wasn’t bad?
But anyway, this is not the time, either.
“Good morning, too- or good afternoon, as the case may be.” To Radu’s apology, he says: “…Sorry to have dragged you into something that hit you so hard?”
“It will end soon.” Radu gives Arthur a slight smile, but then turns resolute. “May I have something to write so that I can convey all the information I gathered before my drac took me off the course to return here?”
“Of course.” Arthur gets some papers and a pen, and holds them out to Radu- makes very sure he doesn’t lean into his space, leaves it up to him to take them from him.
~
There is consideration in the way that Master Lancaster moves towards him, and Radu did not expect it. That gentle demeanour makes him smile a bit wider.
“You have my thanks, for both.”
More importantly, he takes the offered items and relocates himself to one of the desks. Nevertheless, he notices the way Quincy follows him with his eyes, chin leaned on a hand, propped up on the armrest of the sofa, and seems lost in just looking at him with a soft smile.
Allah, but what has he done, what has his drac done, what has he allowed himself to become entangled in? Or rather, what has he not stopped immediately?
The way dearest Quincy looks at him should make him worry for the young man’s safety, and still, all Radu feels is the gentle presence of Quincy’s drac, the likely utterly imagined first tingles of a connection.
The hope of not being alone with his horrid drac in his mind.
It takes him a long moment to focus back on the writing, he knows he got lost in looking at Quincy’s eyes in return, there.
~
Arthur remembers what Mariam said- hopes Radu really isn’t listening in on his thoughts anymore, because… he does think Quincy does really look pretty smitten there…
He even sighs as he turns to him and takes his hand, and then giggles and turns back to Radu for a moment, doesn’t say anything out loud but their eyes meet, and Quincy wags a finger that has Radu almost… pout? before he goes back to writing. So clearly, that was some mental communication there.
“How are you feeling, honey?”
Caught up in watching the interaction between Quincy and Radu, the question catches Arthur by surprise. It pulls his attention to Quincy’s face, and now he notices that Quincy’s eyes are rather more pinkish than his usual lavender colour.
That makes him blink for a moment- then he vaguely remembers something about the dhampir book saying about dhampir metabolism, and he thinks that must mean that Quincy had some unusual blood to drink- and, well, he can kind of guess what kind that was.
“Um- I’m fine, thanks. Much better for getting some quiet time this morning.”
“I’m glad to hear it, but I meant about last night. Any nightmares?” Running his fingers gently over Arthur’s, Quincy keeps smiling at him.
“Oh,” Arthur says, shakes his head. “Not that I can remember. I mean, I was pretty tired… but also we helped, so… I’m not feeling too freaked out by it.”
Putting his other hand on Arthur’s cheek, Quincy looks relieved.
“We did, and I’m sure, with Moonshine’s information, this is the last village we need to see ourselves. The Lemurians can take it from here.”
“That’d be a relief,” Arthur agrees. “I like helping, but… it’s hard to see.”
~
“Agreed, especially when helping a society that views our gender as not cut out for such work,” Radu adds as he stands back up from the table to hand Arthur the first page, stepping close enough for Quincy to have to scoot back a bit.
That’s surprising for his skittish drac.
Wait just a moment!
Quincy realises what’s going on and stands up to glare at Radu, because, oh no, he doesn’t like that kind of guy behaviour.
“No, bad drac, he is my boyfriend and you don’t get to play jealous like that.”
Ah yes, there is that nigh pout again from Radu, but he does take a half-step back, flicks his eyes first towards Arthur, then away, and returns to the table. Much better. That drac better remember that it doesn’t get to shove him around. Quincy isn’t scared of it, and really, Radu wouldn’t want him to be. Which just means Quincy sits down again and makes a point of sitting close to Arthur.
~
Arthur looks in confusion between Radu and Quincy, because… that was jealousy? …Radu is jealous of him? That thought feels like it’s tying his brain into knots, because… big scary voivode jealous of him…?
He decides that’s too much to deal with and instead nods a thanks at Radu for the page and gives it a quick read.
~
Arthur probably is impressed by the organisational chart, (never mind that one of the upper level member’s name is stricken through,) Quincy is more impressed with the writing and whistles in appreciation.
“Moonshine, your writing is as beautiful as your drac!”
Good, that seems to placate the jealous thing. While Quincy has no interest in jealous squabbles, he wants Radu to remember that he is dear to him. That he really, really likes to see the smile stealing back on his face. And, oh yes, that stolen, bashful glance at him. Voivode around his little finger.
~
It is indeed very pretty writing, but Arthur’s going to leave the complimenting thereof to Quincy.
“Do we think the Lemurians will be able to find these people without our help?”
~
“Like any state, I suspect them to have informants among your people. It may be easier for them with our help, but as you pointed out, this is a politically dangerous position for this household to be involved in. I would counsel, if I may be so bold, to minimise contact.”
Even while talking, Radu continues writing, tries to cleanse his own mind of the memories by putting them to paper, only to feel the nudge against his drac again.
Of course his dearest Quincy immediately noticed him being upset, even in the slightest.
Nothing escapes his keen sense of connection, and there is the blush again.
Connection, Allah but what has his drac done, and how could he possibly follow in its track right this morning? But, angels, the look in Quincy’s eyes, the feel of his mind against him, that sincere wish for him, for closeness. His drac may be the one who seeks shelter with him, but Radu knows he cannot withstand, knows that he is in emotional turmoil about what he is doing, knows the very similarity to his reaction to Darcy, and yet, he feels himself powerless to say no.
Both to Quincy and to his drac… and, if he is honest, to the sweet taste of that blood on his tongue and the sense of safety and hope it brings.
~
…If he may be so bold? Radu definitely is sounding a lot different than he did the day before, Arthur thinks. There isn’t any of the… posturing? defensiveness? assertiveness? that he’s pretty sure he remembers.
“I’m sure Mariam agrees,” he says in reply. “Something about us not running into ruin.” He chuckles- she does have a point.
~
“Easily done when one has more powerful political forces to manoeuvre around, and I will not allow it.”
Yes, there may be emotional turmoil and confusion, but he knows one thing, he will not let any harm come to Quincy. That social prodigy who, of course, must see the changed expression, and more, can feel Radu’s drac growl and wrap itself around his own. The purr Quincy gives him has Radu flick his eyes down, but yes, he feels terribly pleased.
“I know that you’ll always protect me, Moonshine.”
~
Arthur wonders whether this would be an opportune moment to bring up Vlad- protection and all, but… he’s not sure of Radu’s mood.
~
Standing up and stepping next to Radu at the table, Quincy leans down. And yet again, the slight tensing, the feeling of his drac taking notice at a man leaning over him such is all it took for Quincy to project his own sweet drac at him again. The overlap of shelter and closeness wipes Radu’s worry away.
Also, and Radu feels debased by the thought but cannot hold against having it, like this Quincy will be closest to him, not Arthur, even when he waves Arthur over.
“Do you have a map I may be able to mark these villages on? The list of names may not be enough for the Lemurians.”
~
Arthur nods, and brings over one of their maps- still makes sure not to approach too close, and to do it from where Radu can clearly see him.
Even when Radu’s eyes aren’t on him, there’s a slight sense of touch to his mind. Not intrusive, just a sort of brush he can he can feel against the defenses of his bracelet. Radu keeping track of where he is at any moment, Arthur thinks.
In contrast to that, when Quincy leans himself completely on the table, face close to the map to be able to read even the smallest names, Radu doesn’t shy away from him at all, not even when Quincy reaches blindly, touches Radu’s hand to take the pen to mark a spot.
All that causes is a slight blush.
Arthur can’t help it, that… is kind of really very sweet. So he keeps his bit of distance, and points out map locations from memory, where Radu and Quincy don’t find them first.
Once they’ve marked everything, Radu writes one more list: The doctors, both the ones that train the women and the ones that process the tonic.
“I cannot know if it will be possible to track the sold women, but this may give them a chance.”
~
“Thank you, Moonshine. You did enough. What would you like as a reward for all that upset you so willingly let us cause you?” Quincy’s voice is gentle, as is his smile, when he takes Radu’s hand. He wants to be gentle, although in all fairness, the smile wavers into a slight grin because the decided touch clearly flusters Radu.
All the emotions, for him, Quincy has to keep a giggle in. Tries to focus on the words as Radu waves the need for any reward away, it is his pleasure to help those he can. But then he adds, low and with his eyes flicked away: “And there could be no greater reward than your drac.”
Okay, fine, now Quincy has a moment of giggling. Of course he is the greatest reward, but also, bloodbond, he’ll get one, soon, even if it isn’t Cycy’s, but he’ll have another drac see to this furry thing in there. He’ll have another Draculesti drac, those have to know how to deal with his own!
Arthur looks at the map, and the list, and lets out a big breath. “I certainly hope that puts an end to this nastiness- for good!” Then he gives Quincy a little smile. “I think you’re the one who likes rewards.”
“I’m sensible like that, obviously! What does one have a boyfriend, a contract, and a beautiful drac for?”
~
When Quincy grins at first Master Lancaster, then him, Radu did not think he could get more flustered than he was before, but truly, why must his brain give him a thought like this? Is ‘beautiful drac’ not enough of a show of care?
Why must his drac growl that there is more, that he has his own form of contract with the dearest part fae?
His cheeks turn hot with a blush, which truly, his blood is not warm enough to cause this, so he wonders if it is a mere memory, but it feels real and he clutches tight on Quincy’s hand, can’t stop himself from giving Arthur a slight glare as he tugs Quincy closer to himself.
~
“Trust you to be greedy,” Arthur quips back at Quincy, notices the glare and… finds himself biting back a smirk.
…Maybe there is something to this ‘cute puppy’ business after all, because somehow… somehow he thinks he should be scared of being glared at by Radu, but… but Radu considering him glare- and jealousy-worthy just doesn’t make him terribly threatening. Much more like that puppy Quincy called him who’s unsure of his place and therefore shows his teeth to the other people in the… uh, pack?
~
“I’m worth it and you know it!”
This time the giggle isn’t high, it’s just Quincy feeling back in control, then he blinks, because why does he feel like that? He completely overlooked it! Ah! How did he overlook that?!
“Moonshine! It’s not howling! You made it stop howling! Oh you, ugh, why can’t I kiss you? I want to kiss you! Well, your loss!”
With that he turns to Arthur and stretches his arms towards him.
“Honey, can I kiss you instead, please? Will you make your boyfriend very happy?”
~
“Uh,” says Arthur, and now it’s his turn to blush and dart a look at Radu, because that does not sound like it’s a cheek kiss Quincy is asking for.
He hesitates, but… it wasn’t bad the other time. Or gross, or anything. And Quincy is saying it would make him very happy…
“Okay?” he squeaks (Good thing he’s already embarrassed and blushing.) “I think? As a try?”
His heart is definitely beating fast, because… what if it’s gross this time? What if he freaks out?
~
Score! Both for managing to get Arthur to say yes and for seeing, and feeling, Radu both being deeply jealous of Arthur and terrified and confused at the jealousy.
Oh yes, he’ll get there yet, but first, one hand in Arthur’s hair, keep him calm like that, the other protectively around his shoulders and… oops, he totally kissed him yesterday and didn’t even notice.
Okay, sweet now, even though he wants to be exuberant and passionate and everything. No, soft and as chaste as he’s ever kissed anybody but with a little scratch of fang to show Arthur that this is about emotions. His, yes, happiness to be allowed, but also his deep relief from his drac not howling, his triumph and affection. Yes, that’s a good mix.
~
Oh, okay. This is okay, Arthur decides. Dry and soft and warm. Just skin on skin. A bit odd, because he doesn’t usually touch skin with his lips, and of course it’s different from his cheek, it is more… intimate, but… but no, he’s okay. A bit nervous, breathing a bit fast, but there’s no discomfort or revulsion or anything like that.
And then there’s Quincy’s emotions, and they’re so… nice, so positive, that he can’t help be uplifted by them. They settle his nerves, and when Quincy pulls back, Arthur finds himself smiling at him.
“Okay!” he says. “That was, uh… not bad? Nice? Not scary?”
~
“You hear that, Moonshine?”
Digging his fingers into Arthur’s hair to massage him, Quincy decides he is in a fantastic mood now and that does mean he is a little bit of a bitch.
“If either of you feel like I’m too much you can always support each other!”
Actually, there’s more here he could do, and he feels nearly, nearly bad for poking, but this could just work.
“I mean, what is a poor dhampir supposed to do if both his men let him down; I’ll have to go down to the harbour…”
~
He is still terrified and confused at the jealousy, and Quincy is a man! A man! But Radu builds himself up and his fangs are out.
“No! There will be no casualness that puts you at risk!”
Only then does it sink in what he just stipulated. It had been so natural, so normal. It is a rule he cherishes and insisted on with all his… his… and now his drac is overwhelmed after all, because if he really lets himself say or think the word he nearly did, then that’s… no, he can’t, he can’t, he’s… scared.
~
It wasn’t exactly what Quincy was hoping for. Radu clearly is freaking out, but seeking shelter with him again, not away from him. That’s what matters.
Getting his mindcraft back up, and how easy that seems now, so much easier since that first bite, his drac is there for Radu’s. Snout to snout, a gentle touch to go along with the humming, the soothing he wants to give his wonderful drac, because, no, he doesn’t share Radu’s fears, and he wonders why he himself isn’t freaking out at the chain.
But then, he’s holding it. He’s not in it. He wants it, and it feels right. He wants Radu, maybe not the same way as Darcy, but close enough.
~
Arthur was about to tell Quincy that that’s fine by him, but at Radu’s reaction, blinks at him.
“…Are you actually more freaked out by the topic than me? …That’s a first…”
~
“Arthur, don’t be insensitive like that. You know he has trauma. And then here I am stirring it all up.” Quincy huffs at him but makes sure to gently guide Radu back into the chair, only holding his hand, not pushing for more touch, as much as he really wants to.
Instead, he uses his drac again, the part of him that Radu not only allows him to touch him with, but very obviously craves.
“Hush, Moonshine, it’s alright. We can talk about the clauses of our contract, it’s alright. I’m not tricking you, my beautiful drac.”
His admonishment makes Arthur look sheepish, of course.
“Sorry,” he says to Radu. “I didn’t mean to be insensitive.”
~
“Not your fault.”
It is weak and distracted and Radu looks at Quincy, eyes large, and his dastardly wolf ears must be back out.
He is fighting contradicting instincts, wants to cling to Quincy and is just as afraid of touching him.
A man, a man, like…
NO!
He rips his hand from Quincy’s to press both against his temples.
No, no, no, Quincy is nothing like him! No, he will not allow that memory to taint this.
He won’t, he can’t, if he lets himself he fears for Quincy.
“I don’t want to hurt you. Please, please, please!”
~
“You won’t.”
Quincy kneels down next to Radu, unconcerned, reaches up to gently touch both hands.
“I know you won’t, your drac isn’t afraid of me. I’m standing between you and him. Look at me, not that memory. Look at me, Moonshine. Look at me with your mind. Come back in, you are safe here, sheltered from the storm out there. From all the hurt. You are safe in our haven, we’re building it, have a little patience. Just a little patience.”
~
Arthur decides it’s prudent to give Radu more space at the moment, gently eases himself back- still where Radu can see him, not sudden enough to startle him with movement, returns to the couch he was sitting on.
~
Radu’s focus is on Quincy, how could it not after that offer? His eyes are locked to his as he trusts him to not say that for nothing. Yes, he feels safe, he can tell that this time, Quincy doesn’t even startle back as he steps inside his mind. It feels so different when he is let in, he wants to be gentle. He remembers, his drac remembers what it felt, what Cansu and Irmentrud and Virág felt like.
And there… there is a new glowing memory here, the memory of his own blood, of the night and morning they just spent. Quincy’s mind dedicated that to him, one of the cornerstones of who he is, and it’s his blood and attention.
Radu’s cheeks, yet again, blush, he had forgotten how to even blush and now he cannot stop, not with this intensity of trust and care, not with this fierceness of standing up to his drac’s fears, not with everything Quincy gives him and allows to give him. A man… yes, a man… A drac… Yes, he loves dracs, doesn’t he?
Virág was more drac than person. He spotted Darcy’s potential for being like this, too, and he felt drawn. Maybe if he just allows himself to see Quincy’s drac rather than the body he fears?
Because there it is, strolling through Quincy’s own mind, this apparition of strength and trust and shelter.
Yes, it’s alright. It’s alright, he’s safe. Eyes closing, making both him and Quincy sigh as their deep connection fades, only for a little bit, yes, patience, he can have a bit of patience until the… oh angels, until the blood bond takes, until he’ll always be safe in Quincy’s mind. Radu leans back, smiles at Quincy.
“Thank you, căldură mea.”
~
Arthur’s not sure what’s going on between Quincy and Radu, but whatever it is- clearly it works, calms Radu down again. …Also makes him look at Quincy about as smitten as Quincy looked at him earlier, if Arthur’s any judge. Which, granted, he might not be, but still…
~
“Always. When you can’t deal with the howling, when you are scared, my mind is your shelter. I’ll care for you, you’ll protect me.”
Quincy slowly, very slowly moves, puts the whisper of a kiss on one of Radu’s hands, smiles at the instant slight whimper. “And you won’t need to whimper once you can feel me all the time, just my drac nuzzling yours.”
~
“Yes… and my apologies for not realising that, yes, you are part fae. It was an egregious oversight to not formulate out our contract more substantially. It will be my…” Eyes flicking away again for a moment, Radu’s voice hitches up slightly, but he only just stepped out of that beloved mind, he does not want to falter so soon, not when his drac still feels so safe so he says it: “…deepest pleasure to serve your sensibilities and wishes better.”
~
Arthur’s not sure whether they remember he’s still here, but he’s feeling very superfluous now, so he gets to his feet. “Uh… I’ll give you two some privacy?”
~
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