"I've...noticed." Alfred giggles a little at the face - but more because it just goes to show that vampire family dynamics are still family dynamics.

His heart still aches for what brought him here, it's true. But he's finding that he's glad he came, even if the process had hurt.

Something warm is blooming in him, and he smiles at Herbert. It had taken a long time for the undercurrent of anxiety to leave that smile.

But it's all gone now.