He spends a moment thinking about this - about how doting Herbert has been, about how he's never come first in anyone's life before. Has anyone ever actually told him they want him to be happy? Not his parents. They always told him what would be best, not what would make him happy. Not the Professor. He concerned himself with what would be best for HIMSELF, not for Alfred. Never poor, forgotten, scared little Alfred.

But here, of all people, is a vampire. A male vampire, telling him he has a lovely smile. That he wants to make that smile happen more often.

He starts to move back to the canvas, but pauses - and turning his head back to look at his subject, he draws a breath and speaks, directly, calmly: "You know...I'm still afraid, Herbert. I think I can never really be completely unafraid. I don't think I have it in me. But...I think...."

A tear runs down his face, still young, still clear.

"I think I'm...happy, here. With you."