InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Tonight we dine in Hell!!"

j. нarĸer, eѕqυιre (businesslike) wrote in valarlogs,
@ 2015-12-15 21:26:00

Entry tags:

!complete, dracula, jonathan harker

Who: Jonathan & Vladcula
What: Vlad is human because of ~wishes~
Where: Their house
When: Today!
Rating/Warnings: This time Jonathan is the creepy vampire, sry
Status: Complete

Vlad doesn’t wish on stars. Vlad doesn’t really wish in general, it’s more that, at times, he tends to muse to himself. He must have simply been musing at the right time, or something like that, because he goes to sleep feeling normal - well, normal - and he wakes up that evening … Not.

It’s a way he hasn’t felt in many months. He’d almost forgotten it, what it felt like to breathe, have air fill his lungs, feel his heart beating in his chest. And the warmth. The only way he even realizes how warm he is the distinct icy chill of Jonathan’s skin pressed against his own. And everything seems muted. The bedroom was abnormally dark. Vlad found he stumbled a bit with the absence of his nocturnal sight, seeking out a robe to pull on. There was only one test he needed to undergo. It was a short walk to the bathroom, and, light switched on, Vlad found himself staring back at his own face.

He noted the colour in his cheeks, the absence of fangs. His teeth had always been fang-like, but compared to what he had grown used to, they seemed hardly anything. It brought a frown to Vlad’s otherwise stoic face. What had happened, to turn him human but keep Jonathan undead? He decided he wouldn’t bother waking Jonathan now. It was likely that his absene from bed would rouse Meeeeessstaaaarrr Haaaarkaaaarrr shortly, as well as the sounds of Vlad moving about the house.

Instead, Vlad would go to the kitchen. He was hungry, a hunger that wasn’t quite as easily satisfied as the other one, and fortunately they kept some sort of real food around. Though as he eats an apple, he realizes he’ll need to stock up on more than fruit and potatoes.

Jonathan noticed the absence - very keenly, in fact. He was attuned to the presence of Vlad next to him, especially now that they’d moved in together (new house, new beginning?) and were keeping the same hours. For the most part, anyway - the trial Jonathan had been involved with started at 9:00 in the morning every day and that was was an exercise in scheduling, not to mention keeping himself alert. But he’d done it.

He awakened now as he always did - a fluid rise from the confines of covers, only this time the space beside him was empty. Vlad was up, and now Jonathan was too. Also sort of dressed, nerdy plaid pajama pants that were sometimes borrowed by his other half to take Felix out, and he threw on a t-shirt as well - but what was different? Something was different.

The heat was everywhere. He noticed it at once; there was a scent unlike anything he’d ever inhaled before, all around, riding the air, seeping in through his skin. Instincts kicked in, much to his displeasure - but he couldn’t help it, couldn’t help that the roar of his partner’s heartbeat and the scent of him were the cures to his own hunger, one that afflicted him.

Within him, the animal tossed about in curiousity.

“Vlad?” Jonathan stood in the doorway to the kitchen, looking cautious - even as garnet eyes tracked his movements. Human movements.

Coffee was boiling in its Turkish pot on the stove. Vlad was just starting his second apple, watching his reflection in the window, still unblinkingly, still keen, but not as sharp as what most would be accustomed to. He’d always thought his human self wasn’t all that different from his non-human self, but now seen side by side, he feels … Strange. Still graceful, but not fluid.

At the sound of Jonathan’s voice, Vlad turned. He watched his other half. He noted Jonathan’s wariness and uncertainty, and it made his lips curve up into an amused smirk.

“Of the two of us right now, I think, for once, it is I who should be suspicious of you, and not the other way around.” But Vlad knew it was like, to struggle with a monster inside with a constant human presence on the outside. And also that this was just strange, with nothing to attribute it to. He held out his hands, a show of goodwill. “You may come closer. I am sure your curiosity is unbearable.”

Jonathan wasn’t sure, because while Vlad had smelled good to him before (as...odd as that sounded) now with enhanced senses it was like sweet devil’s smoke beckoning and trickling into his pores. But he could control himself...

Maybe Vlad would let him have a nibble - wait, what, no, that was awful to think.

But still. Maybe.

He stepped closer, taking the hands that were outstretched as the tip of his tongue touched one ravenous fang. A telltale quirk that indicated hunger and consideration. “What happened?” he asked, leaning in to skim his nose along Vlad’s jawline - the pulse in his throat was so strange; Jonathan was fixated on it, nuzzling there too. “How are you human all of a sudden?”

It was a strange situation to be in. Never in Vlad’s dreams had be been the human opposite a vampire - well, save for one brief moment in the mountains of Transylvania - but like then, he wasn’t scared. He had little reason to be, even despites Jonathan’s young state of mind. Death and Vlad were old friends now. He let Jonathan nuzzle and nose, like a curious puppy learning something new, and he shrugged.

“If one could answer such a question, they would be the most valuable citizen in Orange County.” He took another bite of his apple, thoughtfully chewing. “I recall thinking not long ago about wanting it.” There had been a meteor shower and Vlad knew many people wished on falling stars. He had wondered what he might wish for, if such things were real. It wasn’t entirely implausible. A frown crossed his face. “I think I am going to need to go find real food.”

Oh, Orange County. You never ceased to thrill and amaze. Jonathan smirked lightly, thumb running over the pulsepoint he was so fascinated by - then he went to hold Vlad’s chin, looking at him with those nightmare-fuel eyes; speaking of food, that sounded like a decent plan. “Probably a holiday present, then?” he hummed, dropping his hand. “What else do you want to do, while human?”

Because it wouldn’t last. Or would it? That might become...awkward, if it did. And also ironic in a way that made Jonathan want to flip tables.

“You’re so warm though. I might attach myself to you more than usual.”

Vlad didn’t mind the touching or the staring. He’d done it all himself, when Jonathan had been human. It was hard not to be stirred by the feeling or the sound of someone’s heart, particularly someone you felt close to. Despite it all, though, Vlad’s human body was not yet accustomed to the chill in Jonathan’s touch, and it sent a shiver down his spine.

“I do not know. There is not much different I do when I am myself.” because being a vampire, that was what he was, that was his true self, “than when I was a human. I think I may sleep more. And spend too much time in front of the mirror.” Vlad smiled, his humoured little smile that was hardly anything at all. “But first, I will get dressed, then go stock up our cabinets.” It was hard to say how much food he’d need. He decided he’d get enough for a few days worth, and go on from there. “Would you like to join me?”

“Shaving with a reflection is always a bonus too,” Jonathan laughed - he would still have to rely on Vlad to do that, since he didn’t quite trust his own skills to not make himself look tragic while grooming and being unable to see what he was doing. “Alright, but yes, I’ll come with you. Been awhile since I’ve been....shopping. For real food. Maybe Midna can bring some more creampuffs, but watch out or you’ll get kummerspeck.”

Teasing, of course, as he poked Vlad in the side, where he tended to be ticklish. And that was a secret which did not fall upon anyone else’s ears, you see.

Then he stepped back to disappear in a blur, and find clothes of his own. Maybe attempt to tame his hair even if he couldn’t see what he was doing there either.

The sad part was, Vlad didn’t even have the reflexes anymore to stop Jonathan’s poke. He huffed - fond, always, - and followed down the hall. Vlad felt slow. He knew, in the back of his mind, that he was walking at a normal pace, but after almost a year of settling into his vampire speed, he felt lagging. This was going to be an exhausting endeavour.

Inside the bedroom, Vlad turned on the light. He snorted at the sight of Jonathan messing with his hair and let him be. Clothes came first, after all. Then he went to smooth down a particularly rebellious tuft of Harker hair. “Handsome, as you always are.”

Jonathan laughed a little, having given up on his hair. He could just feel it being rebellious, certain fluffy parts never quite settling. It had a mind of its own. But at least he was dressed now, pressed pants and a very nerd-dapper sweater. “So charming,” he rumbled, turning to slide his arms around Vlad and kiss him. Now that he’d calmed his pesky vampire instincts enough, he felt better about doing it - difficult as it was, to live with such a presence within.

But even that presence knew Vlad, knew Dracula, knew that Jonathan wouldn’t want to hurt him. His own fingers went to take a pass through Vlad’s hair, thoughtfully, as he considered both how long it had gotten and....other things. “Do you think maybe you should, ah...freeze some?” he asked all of a sudden. “In case we want children. Someday.”

A human woman and a vampire male made a dhampir, according to legends and folklore. But human traits, those...seemed to be best. It might be nice to have the option, though.

Despite the mental link, Vlad found himself quite frequently not understanding exactly how Jonathan’s brain seemed to work. He blinked. For once, for a very small period of time, he was momentarily speechless.

“Really. I am human now for all of an hour and that is what you come to think of.” Talk about being blindsided. Even before the vampirism, Vlad had never given much thought to the children thing. Leave it to Jonathan to take care of that for them. Vlad rubbed a hand over his eyes.

“That is rather a lot of question to spring suddenly on a man.” Which was all he would say on the subject. For now. He walked through the house, looking for his coat and keys.

Jonathan thought quickly. His mind was a superhighway of connections and observations, one after the other, everything often mingling and colliding - but he was adept at piecing it out, could keep up with the flow. Vlad knew that, he’d been inside Jonathan’s head enough times. He also knew that children (a child) were something he wanted, perhaps, someday - since he fondly remembered having a son, and he often considered that again in this life. But of course it wasn’t only his decision.

“I’m not saying to do it now, Vlad, I’m just saying it’s something to think about.” And if they were going to get married, the conversation would inevitably come up. In a blink, Jonathan was by the door, waiting for Vlad to finish getting his things. He folded his arms behind his back, leaning there. “Why don’t you go ahead, then? I should catch up on work here anyway.”

Would it inevitably come up? They were going to be immortal, live forever (assuming Vlad didn’t stay this way, in which case he’d hope Jonathan would have it in him to turn him). Vlad was certain kids would factor very easily into it. It was a conversation for another time. After all, there wasn’t much of a legal way they could get married yet. So one thing at a time. Instead, Vlad snorts when he finds Jonathan at the door.

“I think, Mister Harker, you are showing off.” He wonders vaguely if he’s somehow upset Jonathan. Vlad knows that sometimes he can be crass or careless without entirely meaning to, and Jonathan is a sensitive sort. How they ended up together is entirely beyond him. “Very well, I will see you shortly.” He pressed a kiss to Jonathan’s chilly cheek, and patted the other one.

Jonathan grinned a bit, crookedly, catching Vlad’s hand and giving it a squeeze. It was true, they were vastly different - Jonathan the sensitive sort had a tendency to surround himself with people who had the emotional maturity of toenail clippings sometimes, but he loved them anyway. Loved Vlad with everything in him.

“Maybe,” he admitted, then moved out of the way so his other half could go and stock up on real food - which was something they didn’t have much of in the house. A little, for the occasional guest, but nothing which would sustain a human for however long this lasted for Vlad. “I’ll help you bring things in when you’re back.” No need to tell him when, his sensitive hearing would pick up on it no problem.