6. Working (1/1)
and so we reach the end of this weird little piece. hope you enjoyed it!
disclaimer: none of this is mine.
the count had been told that bertrand's return was a complete mystery; bertrand and vlad had therefore been given the perfect excuse to research it all the time. sometimes, they even opened a book during these intensive research sessions. since that first desperate reunion, when they'd clung to each other as if they were doing far more scandalous things than simply kissing, they hadn't spoken of bertrand's staking, or of his return, not to each other. nor had they discussed their feelings for one another, preferring to express them with actions rather than words. now, though, weeks later, bertrand looked up from his own reading to find vlad standing in his coffin-room doorway with a book.
"i found out a little more about the way you came back."
bertrand didn't look as if he wanted to hear about it, but the chosen one pressed on."it says... the few recorded cases of people trying it before have almost all failed. the blood has to be willingly sacrificed by one who has need of it - erin, i suppose, when she helped free sethius, and i was thirsty when i dropped the necklace, no wonder it absorbed the stuff. the sweat has to be from an utterly devoted vampire - it says a half-fang, because of the loyalty, but it looks like if you're loyal enough it will work with full vampires. and the tears have to fall from the eyes of one completely devoid of hope." he passed the book over as he finished reading. "you cried for the book, bertrand, was it really so terrible?" bertrand stared down at the text, suddenly vulnerable-looking."before i met you... it was worse than being without purpose. i had a purpose, but no way of reaching it... after a few centuries, i was just going through the motions. i thought i'd never find you. i began to doubt you even existed." he looked up suddenly, curious. "you
ought me back; what happened here that left you so inconsolable?"
vlad shrugged."i was standing here, when the finger caught my tears. i was standing here, surrounded by your things, and knowing i could never have you back and that it was all my fault. i suppose it's not as good a reason as yours, but... things had no meaning without you, bertrand.""you still think so?" bertrand frowned as if this was surprising. "i assumed that i was merely a physical outlet-""you're wrong. bertrand, blood, i thought you knew. i love you." he pulled his tutor from the chair and pushed him up against the wall to reduce him to incoherent mumblings. it took bertrand several minutes to push him away for long enough to form actual words."vlad, i love you, but-""but nothing. shh.""but you don't owe me anything.""i owe you everything, bertrand. but that's not why i love you."
a few more minutes passed before bertrand reluctantly pulled back again."just... trust me in future, please?" vlad stepped away from him, deflating."i knew you couldn't forgive me that easily, even you-""i forgive you, vlad, but i don't want either of us to end up dust again. i'm on your side.""i know." vlad wanted nothing more than to kiss him again, but he stood there feeling guilty, instead, until bertrand grabbed his shirt and dragged him back towards him."that's alright then." he pressed a gentle kiss just below the ear he was murmuring into. "stop beating yourself up about it all and kiss me."
vlad didn't argue. he liked this new, demanding bertrand, so strangely reminiscent of the stern, bossy tutor who'd trained him to be the best vampire he could be.
he was glad to have him back.