Closed RP Spot for loveinsideme/nachtvogel [NSFW WITHIN]

[heyhohey]

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O Tennenbaum

[heyhohey]

For a few nights in a row, Alfred has been very busy rummaging through the storerooms. He's gathered bags of decoration, more colorful candles, bits of dried fruit potpourri to repurpose - like a man possessed, he has toiled, and all for one reason:

Christmas is coming, and the Krolocks have indicated that they have no idea about it. And that just won't do.

Now, while Herbert is hunting, he has come outside as well...and walking far enough away that he will not scare away any prey, he has found a large, full, beautiful tree. It's going to be perfect, and he knows it - he WANTS it to be perfect. He has his coat off, his sleeves rolled up, and he is thankful that he doesn't feel the cold so much anymore as he brings the axe hard into the bottom of the thick trunk, over and over again.

It's one of those moments, no doubt, where he looks effortlessly handsome, almost rugged - grunting softly with exertion, muscles engaged with every swing.

He's not really thinking about that, though. He has work to do.

[loveinsideme]

Herbert had been busy carrying a deer back to the castle; something that will last the four of them a few days at least. And Koukol will certainly have a feast on his hands, to boot.

What he was not expecting was to see Alfred in the woods, muscles rippling in the moonlight, chopping down a tree. He frowns, faintly confused, and sets the deer down for the moment. "I was just bringing back dinner. And you are -- what are you doing?"

[heyhohey]

"I am - mmph - cutting - HHH - down - this-"

With a series of loud snaps, the trunk starts to give - and dropping the axe, Alfred hurries to place himself under the break point, catching it and straining, fangs bared, to bring it down to the ground gently. With every feeding, the young vampire's already notable strength has...certainly grown.

With that done, he huffs in relief, pushing his hair out of his face.

"...I am getting us a Christmas tree," he finally finishes, a little exhilarated by the effort and the reason at the same time. "For the castle."

[loveinsideme]

Oh, oh my. Herbert's hand goes to his chest at the sight of Alfred wrestling the tree to the ground. He feels flustered.

And then -- oh if he didn't already want to kiss Alfred for his show of strength, he certainly does for his sweetness. "A Christmas tree? I don't think we've ever had one before. That's very lovely of you, Alfred."

[heyhohey]

And as usual, Alfred is oblivious to how he looks - he does know that Herbert likes seeing him use his strength, though, so his smile turns sheepish as he approaches his partner, reaching up to tuck a stray lock behind the older vampire's ear. Little affections, happening more and more often the longer he spends at the castle.

"I thought it would be fun - liven things up a little, maybe. I know you haven't celebrated, but I...well, I've always been fond of it, so...." There's a little part of him that wonders if this is too presumptuous - but he has been repeatedly told to make himself at home, after all, and...maybe this will dispel a little gloom.

He even has a little menorah for Sarah, if she wants it. The days are wrong, no doubt, and she's hardly about to pray these days, but...well, the sentiment is there. A vague little olive branch.

[loveinsideme]

"I think it's wonderful." He cups his hand over Alfred's cheek and kisses him softly. "You'll of course have to show us how everything is done. The decorations and all of that. But if I know you, and like to think that I do, you have all that squirrelled around somewhere. You've been planning, you sneaky little thing."

[heyhohey]

The kiss is sweetly reciprocated - he's well past the point of jumping and flinching now, and has really come to enjoy the way the two of them never seem to be able to keep from touching each other for very long, in kisses, in the holding of hands.

...Alfred's smile also grows a little wry, slightly snaggletoothed fangs glinting in the moonlight. "It's hard to hide much of anything from you, Engel. I'm...I'm still not great at being silent, to begin with. But I do have plenty to ask your help with, if you're willing?"

[loveinsideme]

"I like that you're not so sneaky as you think, sometimes. I think it's adorable." They rarely pass each other without touching in some way, which Herbert adores. He loves everything about holding Alfred's hand, or taking his arm, or sweeping him into a kiss. He loves that Alfred will let him do that, now.

"Yes, of course I'm going to help. I want to make this a glorious Christmas for you. For all of us."

[heyhohey]

"It just means I've done really well if I catch you by surprise." But he does redden, just a little, expression fond.

"I'm glad. It...means a lot to me, that you're willing to try new things with me." Looking back towards the tree, he reaches out and gives a brief squeeze to Herbert's hand before moving towards the trunk. He slings the axe in a little holder on his back, evaluating the best way to tackle this.

"We should get both th-th-the...deer...and this inside, then."

[loveinsideme]

"Well you seem to have a good handle on the tree. I can handle the deer. I'll bring it to Koukol, and he can take care of it." Koukol is very talented at bleeding out and breaking down the animals they bring home. Making sure he can get as much use out of each animal they bring back for him.

"Or I could bring the deer in and come back to help you with the tree, if you'd like an extra set of hands."

[heyhohey]

"You know, I...I think I can handle the tree?"

Experimentally, he stoops down, suspenders straining against his back as he leverages the trunk from the ground. It takes him a moment of adjustment...but then he rolls it up, bracing it against his shoulder. He looks very amazed at himself - surprised that he has passed the greatest test of his own strength yet. It's hardly a small tree, large enough to adorn the castle's massive ballroom.

"...Mmhmm, I've got it. We can walk back together."

[loveinsideme]

"Well, look at you. I'm impressed at your strength, as always, my dear Alfred." Oh, he's going to make those muscles work later tonight. To show his gratitude, of course.

Once he drops the deer off with Koukol, he joins Alfred in the living room to see the tree being put up. "Oh Alfred, that looks lovely. And it smells magnificent."

[heyhohey]

If he's honest with himself, the look on Herbert's face is making him want to put his strength to use just as badly. He clears his throat, flushing a little. "...I'm...still figuring it out," he chuckles, just a little timid, thoughts elsewhere.

And then he walks, carrying the tree gleefully across the terrain.

-----

By the time Herbert enters, Alfred is on the ground under the lowest boughs, bolting the tree into the stand. It's formidable, looking, as all trees do, so much larger inside than out.

Once it's secure, he smiles up from the floor, holding out a hand in a silent but polite request for help up. "It will smell even better with the garlands we'll put on it."

[loveinsideme]

"Oh?" It certainly looks majestic, here in the living room. Intimidating, almost. But delightful, certainly. "And what sort of garlands will we put on it, oh expert of Christmas?"

[heyhohey]

Once he's up and brushed off, he grins up at his handiwork, then at Herbert in turn.

"Well, we'll make some. I can do ribbon ones, and you can help me string dried fruit, and - popcorn, probably, but we'll have to make some. Whatever we don't use, I'm sure Koukol would enjoy eating."

[loveinsideme]

"Popcorn?" He tilts his head a little, frowning in confusion. "I've heard of corn, but never popcorn. But it's something you can eat, you said?"

[heyhohey]

Alfred blinks.

Oh.

"Well, I found dried corn in the store room, and - I can show you, we'll need it anyhow. I just need a big kettle, and some oil, and one of the hearths...."

If Herbert really hasn't heard of popcorn before, why ruin the surprise?

[loveinsideme]

"I'm certain Koukol has that sort of thing in the kitchen. Is this going to be a fun surprise? It sounds complicated."

[heyhohey]

After a quick moment of focus to beseech Koukol for a little help - Would you please be lovely and bring a kettle and some oil to the living room hearth? Thank you so much, I'll be making you a snack! - he turns to Herbert with a smile, nodding.

"I think it's fun! It's not complicated at all, really. Simple science."

[loveinsideme]

"If you think it's fun, mon chaton, then I bet it is. I've enjoyed everything you've taught me so far. And now I get to learn about popcorn! And all sorts of other Christmas things."

He takes Alfred's hands and kisses the back of both of them. "It's going to be a delight."

[heyhohey]

If there is one thing that Alfred appreciates about all of this - it's Herbert's willingness to try. Even if he doesn't understand, he trusts Alfred implicitly. Has anyone ever done that before?

Flipping the vampire's hands over after the kisses, he reciprocates, eyes sparkling.

When Koukol brings what he asked for, he thanks the servant fervently, moving to the hearth. He places the corn in with the oil, puts the lid on, and beams.

"Now we wait a minute...."

[loveinsideme]

After a minute or two of Herbert trying not to stare at the kettle over the fire, there's a popping noise. And then another. And then many.

"Oh!!! Oh? What -- what's happening in there, what's going on?"

[heyhohey]

"It's okay, that's why it's called popcorn!" He shakes the kettle around a bit as he speaks - it's big, and heavy, but he's more than strong enough to handle it as though it were more of a saucepan.

"Steam builds up in the kernels, and then it explodes a little bit - the corn sort of...turns inside out, and gets bigger."

[loveinsideme]

"Explodes a bit?" His hands flutter a little before he clasps them at the chest, eyeing the kettle warily.

Koukol also hangs back, unsure how he's meant to eat the exploding things.

[heyhohey]

"Yes, just a little. You'll see!"

While Alfred mans the kettle, he idly wonders what the Count must be thinking, hearing the sounds from wherever he is. If Herbert is reacting this way, it's plain this concept is alien to the whole house.

So it's with no small amount of glee that he lifts the lid once it's all done, showing how the two cups of corn had expanded out to fill a substantial amount of the large kettle.

"There it is!"