Alfred watches this patiently, allowing the Count's words to meander off in whatever direction they are headed. He had gotten the picture, even the night of the ball, that he is a lonely person. And over the last few days, it's been...well, it's been evident that this place is quiet, without the ball happening.
He purses his lips, wondering what he should say, and then, drawing himself up as best he can (but still a little shrunken in on himself).
"...Not just Herbert, you know. You have me, too, Georg."
And then, impulsively, before he loses his nerve, he darts forward -
Wrapping his arms around the Count's body under the cape, pulling him into...a hug. Something still very human, indeed, but...something warm, and well-intentioned.
He freezes for a moment. Arms held out like he's forgotten what to do with them. Then slowly, carefully, he folds his arms around Alfred, engulfing the boy in his embrace.
"Thank you," he whispers, his voice choked with emotion. "You're a very sweet boy, Alfred. I'm glad you've come to be with us."
There is a moment where he wonders if he did the right thing - but when the embrace is returned, he relaxes, leaning his head against Georg's chest and tightening the embrace (but just a little - he knows he is stronger now, and his control of it is a little bit...shaky).
His voice is soft, the smile in his tone even though his face is obscured.
"...I'm glad to be here," he admits, resolute. "Thank you for...for giving me a home."
"I'm happy to have you in my home." His answer is just as soft. Perhaps a little befuddled. Not at Alfred, exactly, but at this entire show of affection. He and Herbert haven't hugged in -- years. Decades, perhaps. He can't remember the last time, if he's honest with himself.
He rests his cheek against the top of Alfred's head, running his hand over Alfred's back. "I... apologize for not being more attentive to you. For not guiding you more. I will, in the future, take you under my wing better."
Something like a little purr escapes Alfred, a pleased little rumble in the back of his throat as his back is rubbed. This is nice. His own father really hadn't been much of a hugger...in point of fact, his father had been chilly in demeanor, chiding his boy for wearing his heart on his sleeve as much as he does.
Maybe having the Count as a father figure wouldn't be so bad, after all.
"It's all right," the boy replies, turning his head so his cheek is resting against Georg's chest. No heartbeat. He's getting used to that, thanks to cuddling up to Herbert for the days. "You have...you have more than just me to teach. And Herbert really has been answering every question I've had. But I...I would...like to get to know you a little better, too."
"Get to know me?" Again, that surprised, slightly confused tone. He hadn't thought -- why would anyone want to get to know him? Of what interest is he?
But he supposes that, yes. If this boy is going to be courting his son, living with them, being a part of their lives, then... then yes. That makes sense.
"You may, of course, ask me anything you like. I will be an open book to you." After a moment, he remembers his manners and adds, "I'd like to know you better, as well."
Beyond the fact that they are to be living together - truth be told, at heart, Alfred is also simply interested in the Count. He may no longer be with the Professor, but he is still a researcher at heart...and here he is, embracing a man who has lived for actual centuries. He must have such stories to tell, and he must not have had anyone to tell them to for a very long time.
"Thank you." He chuckles at the attempt to reciprocate - not because it's clumsy, though. "...Well, you can ask me anything, too. But I'm not very interesting."
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2021-12-16 03:24 am (UTC)He purses his lips, wondering what he should say, and then, drawing himself up as best he can (but still a little shrunken in on himself).
"...Not just Herbert, you know. You have me, too, Georg."
And then, impulsively, before he loses his nerve, he darts forward -
Wrapping his arms around the Count's body under the cape, pulling him into...a hug. Something still very human, indeed, but...something warm, and well-intentioned.
no subject
Date: 2021-12-16 03:31 am (UTC)"Thank you," he whispers, his voice choked with emotion. "You're a very sweet boy, Alfred. I'm glad you've come to be with us."
no subject
Date: 2021-12-16 03:39 am (UTC)His voice is soft, the smile in his tone even though his face is obscured.
"...I'm glad to be here," he admits, resolute. "Thank you for...for giving me a home."
no subject
Date: 2021-12-17 12:13 am (UTC)He rests his cheek against the top of Alfred's head, running his hand over Alfred's back. "I... apologize for not being more attentive to you. For not guiding you more. I will, in the future, take you under my wing better."
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Date: 2021-12-17 12:52 am (UTC)Maybe having the Count as a father figure wouldn't be so bad, after all.
"It's all right," the boy replies, turning his head so his cheek is resting against Georg's chest. No heartbeat. He's getting used to that, thanks to cuddling up to Herbert for the days. "You have...you have more than just me to teach. And Herbert really has been answering every question I've had. But I...I would...like to get to know you a little better, too."
no subject
Date: 2021-12-17 01:27 am (UTC)But he supposes that, yes. If this boy is going to be courting his son, living with them, being a part of their lives, then... then yes. That makes sense.
"You may, of course, ask me anything you like. I will be an open book to you." After a moment, he remembers his manners and adds, "I'd like to know you better, as well."
no subject
Date: 2021-12-17 02:19 am (UTC)"Thank you." He chuckles at the attempt to reciprocate - not because it's clumsy, though. "...Well, you can ask me anything, too. But I'm not very interesting."