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Alfred grins at this as he winds Herbert's hair around and around - tidy, even, graceful.
"I am...still getting used to the...ah...unusual relationships, here," he admits, slowly. "But at the end of the day...I am yours. And he is a good man, he just... he's stubborn."
A beat, and then -
"I...may have yelled at him. A little."
"I am...still getting used to the...ah...unusual relationships, here," he admits, slowly. "But at the end of the day...I am yours. And he is a good man, he just... he's stubborn."
A beat, and then -
"I...may have yelled at him. A little."
"Yes, it's all a bit tangled, isn't it? Especially with Sarah and Magda spending more time together, lately." Magda's quickly becoming a good friend of his, and tells him all the most interesting gossip around the castle. He makes a point to spend time with her at least once or twice a week to trade secrets. "But at the end of the day, I'm glad you're mine."
Then the last part hits him -- "You yelled at Father?" Herbert gasps, looking utterly delighted. "Oh Alfred I'm so proud of you. He needs someone to yell at him, now and again. He's stubborn, as you say.
Then the last part hits him -- "You yelled at Father?" Herbert gasps, looking utterly delighted. "Oh Alfred I'm so proud of you. He needs someone to yell at him, now and again. He's stubborn, as you say.
"It...is. But as long as everyone is all right, I...well. Anyway." It's still a bit of a strange topic, after all.
The praise actually makes Alfred giggle bashfully as he ties off the braid, setting it with a bow.
"Yes, he - you know I don't get angry, Engel, but he wouldn't listen, and I just...something gave. The...the fire all flickered, when it happened. It was so strange."
But he appreciates the pride, all the same - and he meets it with a kiss to the crown of Herbert's head.
"There! All tied up."
The praise actually makes Alfred giggle bashfully as he ties off the braid, setting it with a bow.
"Yes, he - you know I don't get angry, Engel, but he wouldn't listen, and I just...something gave. The...the fire all flickered, when it happened. It was so strange."
But he appreciates the pride, all the same - and he meets it with a kiss to the crown of Herbert's head.
"There! All tied up."
"You do such delicate work. You can't see a single stitch on anything you've tailored. You've quite the deft hand at it." He holds still for Alfred, finding he likes the sensation of the brush running through his hair.
"And at this, as well."
"And at this, as well."
It's meticulous, the way Alfred brushes out long hair. He's always so careful when he does it with Herbert, who takes such careful care...this is different. Georg has cleaned his hair, but that's...about it, it seems. It's pretty and strong, but...dry, tangled, almost dusty.
He applies a bit more oil, focused, voice settling into the calm that comes out of him when he's working.
"Thank you. It...comes with a lot of practice. The tailoring I've done for years now, and...I brush Herbert's hair almost every night."
He applies a bit more oil, focused, voice settling into the calm that comes out of him when he's working.
"Thank you. It...comes with a lot of practice. The tailoring I've done for years now, and...I brush Herbert's hair almost every night."
"That is exactly what I like to hear." Georg's lips quirk up in a slight smirk at the whimper in Alfred's voice. The delicious way it trembles, betraying Alfred's want.
He slides his hands over Alfred's biceps, smearing kisses over his collarbones. "Shall I take you into my mouth, then?"
He slides his hands over Alfred's biceps, smearing kisses over his collarbones. "Shall I take you into my mouth, then?"
"No one has brushed my hair for me in... quite some time. Herbert has tried a few times, but he doesn't have your patience. Your gentle touch."
Oh, GOD.
Just the thought of that makes Alfred whine, arching his back under the older vampire's kisses. His tone is breaking as he tries to respond, his hands twining in the bedsheets, Georg's hair, wherever they can find purchase.
"P-please...."
He's flushed deep from face to midriff, fangs still bared, a bit of animal in his eyes...but it's different from when he hadn't fed. It's still Alfred...it's just Alfred letting himself be a vampire, doing exactly what Georg has been trying to get him to do. Cast off the shackles.
Just the thought of that makes Alfred whine, arching his back under the older vampire's kisses. His tone is breaking as he tries to respond, his hands twining in the bedsheets, Georg's hair, wherever they can find purchase.
"P-please...."
He's flushed deep from face to midriff, fangs still bared, a bit of animal in his eyes...but it's different from when he hadn't fed. It's still Alfred...it's just Alfred letting himself be a vampire, doing exactly what Georg has been trying to get him to do. Cast off the shackles.
"Then I will. Since you asked me so sweetly." His fangs are bared and his skin is flushed and Alfred looks so beautiful in this moment. No wonder Herbert barely lets him out of bed.
But now, it's Georg's turn to explore Alfred's delicious body for himself. He stretches out between Alfred's leg and licks at the crease of Alfred's thigh, his cheek grazing against Alfred's cock lightly.
But now, it's Georg's turn to explore Alfred's delicious body for himself. He stretches out between Alfred's leg and licks at the crease of Alfred's thigh, his cheek grazing against Alfred's cock lightly.
For a moment, Alfred is quiet again. Thinking. Trying to figure out what to say.
"...Well, then...I'll have to do this from time to time. To keep up with it. You have - you have such beautiful hair, Georg. You mentioned ravens...your hair has the same sort of cast as their feathers. Almost blue, in some lights."
"...Well, then...I'll have to do this from time to time. To keep up with it. You have - you have such beautiful hair, Georg. You mentioned ravens...your hair has the same sort of cast as their feathers. Almost blue, in some lights."
That's such a sensitive spot for Alfred, that crease - he hums high-pitched in his throat under the attention, unable to stop himself from rocking his hips a little bit. With Herbert, he's gotten used to topping, to being in control; even when his lover goes down on him, it's still clear that he's got the reins.
Giving them up is...new. It's different, and it makes him feel different. Georg makes him feel...wild.
When he feels that chilly, delicate cheekbone graze against his shaft, he hisses, a shudder running through his whole body.
Giving them up is...new. It's different, and it makes him feel different. Georg makes him feel...wild.
When he feels that chilly, delicate cheekbone graze against his shaft, he hisses, a shudder running through his whole body.
"Well you certainly did something. I think it's wonderful. I hope he listens to you more, in the future."
Herbert fluffs his ribbon a little and reaches behind him to steal one of Alfred's hands to kiss it. "Let's head down, then! If you're ready, I'm ready."
On the way to the ballroom, his father pulls him aside and tucks a handkerchief into Herbert's sleeve while saying Just trust me. Cryptic, and odd, as usual, but Herbert takes it in stride because it's his father and he's used to that sort of thing.
Herbert holds Alfred's hand as they make their entrance, and gives him a bit of a twirl, just for fun. Then they move to the side to allow Georg to give his usual welcoming speech.
But much to Herbert's surprise, he pauses in his speech and says, "Before we present our meal for this year, I would like to give the floor over to Alfred. I believe he has something very important to say."
Herbert turns to Alfred, looking surprised but expectant. Looking forward to whatever he has to say.
Herbert fluffs his ribbon a little and reaches behind him to steal one of Alfred's hands to kiss it. "Let's head down, then! If you're ready, I'm ready."
On the way to the ballroom, his father pulls him aside and tucks a handkerchief into Herbert's sleeve while saying Just trust me. Cryptic, and odd, as usual, but Herbert takes it in stride because it's his father and he's used to that sort of thing.
Herbert holds Alfred's hand as they make their entrance, and gives him a bit of a twirl, just for fun. Then they move to the side to allow Georg to give his usual welcoming speech.
But much to Herbert's surprise, he pauses in his speech and says, "Before we present our meal for this year, I would like to give the floor over to Alfred. I believe he has something very important to say."
Herbert turns to Alfred, looking surprised but expectant. Looking forward to whatever he has to say.
"I hope so, too."
And then, before he knows it - they're off.
When Georg pulls Herbert aside, Alfred takes that moment to allow himself his nerves, a bit of panic, blue eyes darting around the room. The coven, hissing and twitching...it brings back memories. Difficult ones.
But then his eyes fall on Herbert.
And he's Sure, all over again, just like that.
He grins as he's spun, keeping in step with ease, watching as Georg begins his speech...but this time, he's not pretending to belong. He does belong, Herbert's hand soft where their fingers are laced together.
But then he is being signaled...and he draws a long, steadying breath, letting go, striding forward, shoulders back and head held high. It's time.
He can swear he feels a gentle hand at his back, softly shepherding him forward.
"Thank you," he murmurs to Georg...before turning on his heel, raising his voice to echo through the ballroom.
"One year ago, I stood in this room as what I thought was a stranger. One year ago, I was scared to death, walking among you and not knowing if I was going to make it out alive. One year ago, I was lost, and I didn't know what I needed to find. I thought I knew, but...I was wrong.
One year ago...I was found. And one year ago...was when I really saw the moonlight for the first time."
He turns towards Herbert, holding out his hand beckoning for him to come forward.
"MY moonlight."
And then, before he knows it - they're off.
When Georg pulls Herbert aside, Alfred takes that moment to allow himself his nerves, a bit of panic, blue eyes darting around the room. The coven, hissing and twitching...it brings back memories. Difficult ones.
But then his eyes fall on Herbert.
And he's Sure, all over again, just like that.
He grins as he's spun, keeping in step with ease, watching as Georg begins his speech...but this time, he's not pretending to belong. He does belong, Herbert's hand soft where their fingers are laced together.
But then he is being signaled...and he draws a long, steadying breath, letting go, striding forward, shoulders back and head held high. It's time.
He can swear he feels a gentle hand at his back, softly shepherding him forward.
"Thank you," he murmurs to Georg...before turning on his heel, raising his voice to echo through the ballroom.
"One year ago, I stood in this room as what I thought was a stranger. One year ago, I was scared to death, walking among you and not knowing if I was going to make it out alive. One year ago, I was lost, and I didn't know what I needed to find. I thought I knew, but...I was wrong.
One year ago...I was found. And one year ago...was when I really saw the moonlight for the first time."
He turns towards Herbert, holding out his hand beckoning for him to come forward.
"MY moonlight."
"Oh, mon cheri," Herbert chirps happily, walking towards Alfred with both hands outstretched to take the hands of his beloved.
He kisses Alfred lightly, nudging their noses together. "A year ago, I saw the sunlight for the first time in centuries. My sunlight, my Alfred."
He kisses Alfred lightly, nudging their noses together. "A year ago, I saw the sunlight for the first time in centuries. My sunlight, my Alfred."
Oh, Alfred has been trying so hard not to cry - but the sweet words, that little kiss...no, there's no sense pretending he isn't emotional. He grins sweetly, sniffling, nuzzling at Herbert's nose with his own.
"In you, Herbert, I have found everything I didn't know I was looking for. You have the other half of my heart, my soul... everything that I am is yours, Engel. Flesh, bone, and blood. And so...so...."
Now or never. In a motion he had practiced over and over and over again in his room, Alfred smoothly reaches into his pocket, pulling the ring box out as he drops down to one knee. His eyes sparkle as he looks up at his lover, expression full of love.
"...Herbert Von Krolock. Will you be mine, in return?"
He opens the box - inside is a ring, simple in make, but elegantly done. A moonstone sits glistening in the center, shining in the candlelight. The setting looks centuries old in style, an echo of another time, another life.
"I love you, Engel. Will you marry me?"
"In you, Herbert, I have found everything I didn't know I was looking for. You have the other half of my heart, my soul... everything that I am is yours, Engel. Flesh, bone, and blood. And so...so...."
Now or never. In a motion he had practiced over and over and over again in his room, Alfred smoothly reaches into his pocket, pulling the ring box out as he drops down to one knee. His eyes sparkle as he looks up at his lover, expression full of love.
"...Herbert Von Krolock. Will you be mine, in return?"
He opens the box - inside is a ring, simple in make, but elegantly done. A moonstone sits glistening in the center, shining in the candlelight. The setting looks centuries old in style, an echo of another time, another life.
"I love you, Engel. Will you marry me?"
Now Herbert can see why his father had given him the handkerchief. He pulls it out now, dabbing at his eyes and trying to gather himself together.
It's a beautiful ring. An even more beautiful proposal and Herbert nods enthusiastically, hands fluttering until they finally land against his chest.
"Oh Alfred, mon cheri, my beloved. Of course I'll marry you. I belong to you completely already, but yes -- gods, yes."
It's a beautiful ring. An even more beautiful proposal and Herbert nods enthusiastically, hands fluttering until they finally land against his chest.
"Oh Alfred, mon cheri, my beloved. Of course I'll marry you. I belong to you completely already, but yes -- gods, yes."
Choking back a little sob of joy, Alfred wastes no time in taking Herbert's hand to slide the ring onto his slender, graceful finger - and then he's practically jumping into his arms, grabbing him to pull him into a deep, enthusiastic kiss.
This is perfect. A perfect moment, and he didn't even mess it up.
Pulling back, he grins breathlessly, wiping away his own tears.
"...For eternity, Engel. I promise never to leave you, ever, ever again."
This is perfect. A perfect moment, and he didn't even mess it up.
Pulling back, he grins breathlessly, wiping away his own tears.
"...For eternity, Engel. I promise never to leave you, ever, ever again."
"For eternity," he sighs, pulling Alfred into a tight embrace. "We'll have each other forever."
Georg applauds, prompting some scattered clapping from the rest of the coven. But they are hungry, and Herbert needs to celebrate with his new fiance.
So he pulls Alfred into the next room and kisses him again. Long and deep and sweet, one hand coming up to stroke his cheek. When he finally pulls away, he holds up his hand to admire the way the ring looks on it. "Oh Alfred, it's perfect. Everything is perfect."
Georg applauds, prompting some scattered clapping from the rest of the coven. But they are hungry, and Herbert needs to celebrate with his new fiance.
So he pulls Alfred into the next room and kisses him again. Long and deep and sweet, one hand coming up to stroke his cheek. When he finally pulls away, he holds up his hand to admire the way the ring looks on it. "Oh Alfred, it's perfect. Everything is perfect."
As sweeping as the gesture had been, Alfred is relieved to be out of the spotlight again - so he noticeably relaxes when he is pulled into the next room, where they have a moment of privacy. The kiss is reciprocated, one slender hand running softly down Herbert's back, holding him close.
He giggles when they pull apart, smiling sweetly at his - his fiance.
Oh, that's nice.
"I'm - I'm glad. I was afraid I would...make a mess of it, somehow? But I...I wanted to do this here. It felt right." He looks at the ring, laughing softly. "...And I want you to know, that ring was...well, I was trying to think of what to do for a ring, and...someone...told me where he had hidden this." From his pocket, he pulls the little box, so that Herbert can get a better look at it.
The inside, where the ring had been nestled, is cushioned with soft, dyed green wool.
He giggles when they pull apart, smiling sweetly at his - his fiance.
Oh, that's nice.
"I'm - I'm glad. I was afraid I would...make a mess of it, somehow? But I...I wanted to do this here. It felt right." He looks at the ring, laughing softly. "...And I want you to know, that ring was...well, I was trying to think of what to do for a ring, and...someone...told me where he had hidden this." From his pocket, he pulls the little box, so that Herbert can get a better look at it.
The inside, where the ring had been nestled, is cushioned with soft, dyed green wool.
Herbert presses his hands to his mouth, himself getting choked up again. Solin had lead Alfred to this ring. Given them his blessing, essentially. To be together. To be happy.
"Oh, my love. Thank you. Thank you for telling me." He wipes at his eyes with the handkerchief again, not wanting to get bloody tears on his best suit.
-- and then he laughs, remembering who had given it to him. "Father handed me this before the ball," he says, gesturing with the handkerchief. "Did he know?"
"Oh, my love. Thank you. Thank you for telling me." He wipes at his eyes with the handkerchief again, not wanting to get bloody tears on his best suit.
-- and then he laughs, remembering who had given it to him. "Father handed me this before the ball," he says, gesturing with the handkerchief. "Did he know?"
Somewhere inside, Alfred feels the echo he has come to know as Solin - a knot forming in his throat at the reaction. Herbert has the right of it, of course. That's precisely what it means.
Grow. Move forward. Heal. The form may have changed, but the heart is still there. The love is still there.
Alfred laughs too, seeing the handkerchief.
"Yes. I...I asked him, if I could do this tonight. He was pleased, that I asked. And that I... I'm going to be taking your name." He grins,lopsided as ever.
"What do you think? How does Alfred Von Krolock sound?"
Grow. Move forward. Heal. The form may have changed, but the heart is still there. The love is still there.
Alfred laughs too, seeing the handkerchief.
"Yes. I...I asked him, if I could do this tonight. He was pleased, that I asked. And that I... I'm going to be taking your name." He grins,lopsided as ever.
"What do you think? How does Alfred Von Krolock sound?"
"I think he sounds like a king. Certainly the king of my heart." Alfred Von Krolock sounds wonderful, even if he would have been just as happy to be Herbert Schrieber. It means a lot to him, to know that Alfred will be part of their family.
"I think it's absolutely precious and wonderful and perfect that you asked Father before you proposed. How delightful."
"I think it's absolutely precious and wonderful and perfect that you asked Father before you proposed. How delightful."
"I don't think ravens have quite as much grey in their feathers as I do in my hair, but you're kind to say so. I..." He does his best to think of a way to simply accept the compliment, but he can't quite make it.
Instead, he lands on, "I don't mind the comparison."
Instead, he lands on, "I don't mind the comparison."
"Some do."
In spite of himself, Alfred sort of laughs a little at the reply - it's not a cruel sound, though. It's progress. It's something.
"Once I have it brushed...would you like for me to braid it for you? Or would you like to keep it down?" Leaving the option to Georg. Baby steps, all of this, because he...knows it's hard. He can feel the uncertainty.
In spite of himself, Alfred sort of laughs a little at the reply - it's not a cruel sound, though. It's progress. It's something.
"Once I have it brushed...would you like for me to braid it for you? Or would you like to keep it down?" Leaving the option to Georg. Baby steps, all of this, because he...knows it's hard. He can feel the uncertainty.
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