Closed RP Spot for loveinsideme/nachtvogel [NSFW WITHIN]

[heyhohey]

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[loveinsideme]

It takes him a few tries, but he manages, eventually, to do it. He pulls the thread through the needle, leaving a lot on the tail end so it doesn't fall out. "Well I'm exhausted now," he sighs, staring at his needle and thread. "How long did it take you to be able to get it right on the first try like that?"

[heyhohey]

Oh.

Cute.

Alfred tries his best not to stare as Herbert works to thread the needle, but watching him work so hard at it is...well, it makes him feel a little fuzzy inside. Is this how Herbert feels watching him do things?

"It takes a lot of practice," he admits, pulling out a suitably long piece of thread, holding both ends tightly between his fingers, and then cutting the spool end against his fang. Oh wow. That's much easier than with human canines.

"I've been sewing since I was just a little boy. Six, maybe." Going slowly so Herbert can see, he knots his thread over at the end, once, then again.

[loveinsideme]

"Six!" Herbert looks impressed, carefully concentrating on making his knot. He ends up making a few knots in a row and frowns, note sure where he went wrong.

"I was a hellion, at six. Always running around, getting into everything all the time. Always hanging at my mother's skirts, bothering her every moment of the day. Clinging to Father's ankles."

[heyhohey]

A fond chuckle escapes the younger man - he makes an extra knot on his own thread, then another, mimicking the problem. "It's okay - if that happens, just center one of the knots, and tie one on top to bring them together, like this."

Alfred looks to Herbert as he talks about his Mother, lips curled into a curious little smile. He really hasn't heard very much about Herbert's past - it feels wrong to press - and it's always a bit like a peek behind the curtain when he gets bits and pieces.

"I was just the opposite. I was a fussy little thing. Mother doted, but always tried to teach me to do things to occupy my time. Father taught me letters." A pause. "...I can imagine you being a handful, though."

[loveinsideme]

"Oh -- oh thank you." He tries to follow what Alfred's doing, turning his string of knots into one large knot.

"I've always been a handful. I spent a lot of time running around the garden while Mother was trying to plant things. My knees were always grass stained, my hands were always filthy. Father was constantly trying to catch me and clean me off.

I'm glad your mother taught you things, because now you can teach them to me."

[heyhohey]

"There - yes, just like that!" He leans forward to grab two scraps of fabric, laying them one on top of the other, pinning them together, and marking a little line at the hem with chalk. "Now you're going to weave the needle back and forth along this line. You can watch me do it first, on this little hole on your shirt here."

He slows his movements for demonstration - but it's with a well-practiced hand that Alfred takes up the garment, turns it inside-out, and begins to stitch. A sense of calm washes over him as he does so, an easy peace.

"I'm glad she taught me, too." A little smile. "I...lost her, a few years ago. She didn't always understand me, but I suppose it...helps me feel like I'm carrying on for her, just a little." Blue eyes flick upward to Herbert, checking on him. "Do you still like to garden? You remind me of-"

He stops short, reddening a little. He feels like he's been carrying on for ages, even if it's only been moments.

[loveinsideme]

"I..." For a moment, he concentrates on attempting a basic stitch. They're all different sizes, but the intent is there.

"I lost my mother, as well. Quite unexpectedly." He's not certain he's ready to talk about it just yet, but he can offer that at least. "It was sudden. But -- well. Now I have you to teach me these things. And that's wonderful."

[heyhohey]

Alfred doesn't say anything about the quality of the stitches - you have to start somewhere, after all. And he's trying! The fact that he's trying is wonderful enough.

At the words, he stills for a moment, looking up to Herbert with understanding on his face. "...I'm sorry." Soft sympathy, earnest concern plain in his eyes. "I'll teach you anything you want to know. I promise."

[loveinsideme]

"No, it's -- " He waves a hand vaguely, ignoring the few red drops that fall onto his scraps of fabric. He'd mourned his mother a long time ago. He's fine.

"I don't know what to want to know. I don't know what there is out there," he says, with just a hint of sheepishness. Suddenly very aware how lacking he is.

[heyhohey]

Alfred knows this tone of voice all too well, this sense of naivete - pursing his lips hard in thought, he shakes his head, reaching a shaking hand out to rest on Herbert's shoulder.

"That's why we're teaching each other, isn't it?" Gentle, no accusation, no empty pep talk. "There's a lot both of us don't know we don't know. So we take it a day at a time, just like I've been doing."

[loveinsideme]

"Sometimes I just wonder..." Herbert sighs and sets his hand on top of Alfred's on his shoulder, not quite looking at him.

"I wonder how I did anything to deserve someone so good as you. You're endlessly patient with me, and so kind. The sweetest boy I could imagine. And here you are, with someone like me."

[heyhohey]

"It isn't what I ever pictured either, Herbert," he murmurs,resting his gaze where the cold, delicate hand sits atop his. They look so different, still.

"But I can't imagine anything else, now. And...besides...I like who you are. You're better than you think you are, I think."

[loveinsideme]

"I don't think anyone has told me anything like that before. That I am -- that I could be better than what I am." He takes the hand on his shoulder and kisses his palm lightly. "You're a good boy, Alfred. You've been a ray of sunshine in my life when it was very badly needed."

[heyhohey]

"I...know what that's like. But...well....

That's just it, Herbert. There isn't anything wrong with what you are. It's just... there's always space for all of us to learn. I suppose that goes on forever."

He's a little sheepish as the hand is kissed - but then he slides forward in the grip, running his fingers on impulse through Herbert's hair.

"...I try to be. But... I'm not perfect either. I think we need each other. Sunshine doesn't really mean anything without moonlight."

Oh.

Corny. And a lot.

He reddens a little at the sentiment, trying not to cringe away.

[loveinsideme]

"Oh, you magnificent boy. Are you calling me your moon?" He can't quite -- no, he can believe that Alfred would say something like that about him. Because that's the sort of person Alfred is. And there's an earnestness in everything he says and does that makes Herbert want to believe him.

[heyhohey]

Well...if Herbert liked it, then...maybe it's not SO corny. Or it's at least okay.

"Yes, I am." Very softly. "You...remind me of the moon, the way you sort of...rise and glow at night."

He smiles, sheepishly, but honestly.

[loveinsideme]

"Then you be my sun and I'll be your moon." He takes Alfred's hand and kisses his fingertips. One at a time. And then his palm. "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me, I think. Certainly the sweetest and most poetic."

[heyhohey]

Alfred reddens a little, but...he manages not to flinch, not to pull away. His smile is sweet and a little sad - not because of this, no, but because...he understands.

What it is not to be told you are worth it.

"It's a deal, then. I...I definitely have needed your guidance to get through the nights."

A pause.

"I...I like poetry. I'm glad you like it, too, so I don't have to...to hide it."

[loveinsideme]

Oh, that nearly shatters his heart.

"My darling, I do love poetry. But even if I hated poetry, I would never, ever, want you to hide that you love it. Or sewing. Or painting. Or any of the things you enjoy doing. Think of this castle as your freedom. You are completely free to be just as you are, no questions asked, no judgements made."

[heyhohey]

Oh. That...that thought strikes him harder than he would have expected. Freedom. Being himself. Doing what he loves, without the threat of disapproval.

It's slowly and thoughtfully that he speaks again, returning his hands and his eyes to his mending as he processes his own words.

"... It's sort of weird for me, you know. Being told to...to be as I am. Because I...don't really know who that person is? People have told me that I am sweet, or good, or...or nice, but...I don't think anyone in my life before could really...tell you one thing about me. One detail about what I like. Everything I have ever done, I have done for other people."

His turn for a tear to hit the fabric he's working with. He scrubs at his eyes with the back of his hand, glancing to the older vampire.

"...Until now, I mean."

[loveinsideme]

"Well. If you'd like to make a list of all the people who have forced you to be who don't want to be, or who you aren't. And we can find then and eat them." It's a casual enough suggestion, and he bites his lip in concentration, one fang catching the edge of his lip as he tries to improve his stitching.

[heyhohey]

At that, Alfred stops short, glancing up in surprise, mouth hanging a little open. And then...he makes a new sound.

He laughs.

It starts small, a little giggle...and then erupts into something deeper, truer, screwing his eyes shut and sending him leaning helplessly against Herbert's shoulder as he struggles to find composure. The sound isnt a cruel one... it's fond, if the way he instinctively rests a hand on the vampire's chest is any indication.

[loveinsideme]

Oh! How wonderful. Herbert laughs with him, setting his sewing aside and wrapping both arms around Alfred to hold him close and rub his back lightly. It's delightful, to hear Alfred really let go any laugh like this. To hear him be truly joyful.

"I'm -- " He giggles. "I'm serious. I'll eat anyone who has hurt you in any way."

[heyhohey]

It's comfortable, leaning there in Herbert's arms. It takes him a little while to calm enough to speak, but it's thoughtless when he does, reflexive:

"I know, I know you're serious - haha - it's just - hee - you're so cute...."

[loveinsideme]

"Oh I know, I'm adorable," he agrees, nuzzling into Alfred's hair and giving him a squeeze. But he would happily drain dry any bastard who'd ever made Alfred feel less than. Who made him feel like he couldn't wholly be himself. There's a reason why Herbert doesn't leave the castle overmuch; it's hard for him to hide the way he is, to try and be less like he is, and people can be cruel.