Who needed a better outcome for Alucard? Me. Who wanted to do a completely self indulgent crossover with my Lisa Lives AU? Also me. But who reads other fanfics as a way to hide from the stress of huge changes? (。-ω-)ﾉ
ahahaha...
That said, you don't need to read anything else before this. Just know Trevor and Adrian are in a relationship, and no one died in their universe. Enjoy!
"And how was I supposed to know there was a fucking infinite corridor down there when even you didn't?"
Adrian rubbed at his brows with his thumb and forefinger, sighing deeply. "The castle is a representation of chaos, a building made of almost only magic. Of course odd things will show up in the less traveled areas. I was not the one who went barreling into an unused room."
"The door was suspicious."
"Which is exactly why you shouldn't have entered. Honestly."
Trevor rolled his eyes. He had been expecting either an old, dusty room, or maybe a trap in disuse. He hadn't expected an upwelling of powerful magic, nor that he would fall straight through it. He supposed he had been lucky to have Adrian with him so that he didn't disappear without anyone realizing what happened to him. Granted...
"It doesn't look like we ended up that far away anyway," Trevor pointed out. They were still clearly within the castle, just closer to the main entrance than before. "Though I don't remember the decorations being so, uh."
Adrian lifted his head and offered, "'Tyrannical villain fallen on hard times'?"
Trevor snorted. "That works. Seriously, who changed this?"
Adrian frowned, his eyes roaming the halls. It seemed he thought it odd as well, but decided to move on to a new topic. "Perhaps we should do something about that portal. I'm not sure if we got lucky or ended up- Hm. We'll figure that out if it's true."
"You think we're somewhere else?" Trevor stared at the decor, wondering at the blending of old and new stone. "It's not hell."
"And how would you know?"
"No demons."
Despite a hum of contemplation, Adrian didn't disagree.
"I do know a good way to get rid of the portal though."
"...Let's hear it," Adrian said, trepidation in his voice.
"No faith in me. Look, only one of my ancestors came across a functioning infinite corridor. It was in some castle in [tk Laveria]."
"No."
"And she brought the- Hold on, did you say no before even hearing the idea?"
"She brought down several floors' worth of stone on it, didn't she?"
Trevor scratched at his neck. "The whole castle, actually."
"Oh, of course."
"Don't take that sarcastic tone! It's a good idea. One that will actually work."
"We're not bringing down my father's entire castle-which may I remind you is several hundred feet tall and magical-just to seal off access to one area of untamed magic."
"Dangerous magic," Trevor insisted. "What about just a few floors then?"
"No." Adrian looked somehow irritated and amused, the little twitch of his lips contrasting with his stern brow.
"C'mon. No one even goes to those floors, you said so yourself."
"I said they were less traveled, not that I condoned wanton destruction of the building we live in."
"It's not wanton destruction, it's purposeful and planned."
Adrian rolled his own eyes up. "Oh yes, that makes it so much-"
He froze, looking down the long corridor; Trevor followed his sight and couldn't help staring either. Because the man who just turned the corner was Adrian. And he appeared just as shocked to see them.
With careful attention, Trevor noticed a few details which were off, like the fact the other-Adrian wore clothes which were more simple in style than usual and looked more haggard around the eyes than Trevor had seen before.
Those same eyes widened in what seemed like fear, but when no one moved, they narrowed in contemplation, then wariness.
"What is your business here?" asked the other-Adrian, hands tightening over the baskets he carried. "Why do you take those forms?"
"These-? This is what we look like." Adrian gestured to himself and Trevor.
Trevor nodded. "Seriously, you're the one copying his looks." He hooked a thumb at Adrian.
Other-Adrian pulled a foot back like he was preparing to launch forward. Adrian himself tensed as well, though he didn't go for his sword yet. Trevor hovered his hands over where he kept his whip. For one long moment, silence reigned in the hall; They weren't even close enough to the outside to hear birds chirping. Trevor, surprisingly enough, had to be the one to break the silence.
"Since it looks like no one here wants to kill each other, how about we cut the bullshit and get right to the issue." Two identical pairs of eyes looked at him, and he swore internally. "Yeah, the fact there's two of you."
Other-Adrian calmed some, lowering his stance. Still wary in his movements, he walked a few paces closer, until they were no longer a hallway apart. Trevor did not enjoy seeing sleepless circles under eyes he was so familiar with. When he glanced at his Adrian, it appeared he was equally discomforted.
"Great," Trevor mumbled. They were all standing in the same hallway and not killing each other. A huge success.
"I will ask again then," other-Adrian said, voice rough. "What are you doing in my castle?"
Trevor couldn't help it-he laughed. Not long, or overly loud, but enough to send up the hackles on the worn version of Adrian. "That's awfully conceited, isn't it? It's clearly old Drac's castle, and Adrian knows that. I mean, the real question here is if you even are who you look like."
This time, rather than move into a position to attack, the other-Adrian bared his teeth, hissing out, "Enough."
Trevor wasn't scared-he'd seen enough of Adrian and fucking Dracula's fangs to stay calm. Though it was still disconcerting seeing them truly aimed at him in anger. He was glad when Adrian stepped in.
Actually taking a step forward, hands off his weapon as a sign of peace, Adrian placed himself partially between his alternate self and Trevor.
"Please, ignore his idiot mouth-" Trevor protested loudly but was ignored. "-We aren't here to cause any trouble. We hope the same is true for you?"
Other-Adrian slowly closed his mouth, expression more contemplative, even as he looked between the two of them.
Trevor raised his hands in a kind of surrender, or a shrug.
"Then explain yourselves."
"We fell through a hole." Trevor yelped as he received an elbow to the side.
Other-Adrian looked on, appearing more baffled by the moment.
"We encountered what we believe to be an infinite corridor in the lower areas of my father's castle." The subtle intonation on 'my father's' did not escape notice, but other-Adrian did not address it with more than a look.
"An infinite corridor," he murmured to himself. "I hadn't thought there was an opening here."
Adrian nodded. "Neither did we. Yet they can be very unpredictable."
Other-Adrian relaxed more, though Trevor thought he looked far more tired like that. He spent a few more moments looking the two of them over, a look of contemplation and... hesitation on his face. Trevor wondered if he would have seen it had he not spent so much time with his own Adrian.
Other-Adrian cleared his throat and stood straighter, projecting polite neutrality. "It seems that, perhaps, you have stumbled out of your own time, or your own version of this dimension. A place I presume you would wish to return to?" He waited for their affirmation before continuing. "Since none of us appear to have an exact understanding of the situation at the moment, I would... invite you to share lunch."
Trevor's stomach growled.
He caught the brief smirk on Adrian's face before he said, "Agreed. We can discuss possibilities afterwards. Thank you."
Trevor cleared his throat, partially to get their attention on him, but also to poke just a bit of fun at other-Adrian. Seemed like he needed it. Actually, he couldn't keep using that name, could he?
"But what we should definitely discuss before is what names we're using," Trevor said, putting just enough energy into his tone to sound like an annoying shit. "Because I'm not using the same thing for both of you. Maybe the both of you should figure out who wants the nickname."
He smirked, arms crossing over his chest in [tk fulfilled conclusion/triumph]. Adrian looked like he was either going to sigh or hit him again. Trevor hoped for the latter; It was more fun that way.
Before he could do either, the alternate Adrian was speaking up. "Call me Alucard," he said.
Trevor and Adrian both blinked. Trevor knew that name was a sore spot for Adrian, wouldn't it be the same here?
"What?" Adrian asked. "You don't have to-"
"It's the name I've chosen for myself," Alucard said, voice unyielding.
Adrian stared, fingers curling in on themselves, jaw moving as his face pinched in frustration. It didn't seem like he'd be speaking up anytime soon.
So Trevor asked, "Why are you using that name?"
He tried to make his statement neutral, but even he could tell it sounded bewildered, pleading. Adrian had told him of the honestly unfair expectations which came with the name-almost a title. Expectations of being "good," better than his father, more kind, a helper to humans rather than a killer. And while they weren't bad in and of themselves, they were roles foisted onto Adrian without any knowledge of his person, nor that of his father.
It was one of the many things Trevor agreed with Lisa on: Adrian was his own person, should be able to make his own life, his own path, without having his blood or societal expectations decide it. Trevor needed to know why "Alucard" was using a title with such weight.
Alucard, however, didn't look at Trevor as he answered. Instead, he focused an unnatural amount on Adrian.
"Because," he said, "The worst has happened."
Adrian, already pale, lost even more color from his face, looking like a statue in a medusa's lair. Trevor looked back and forth between the two of them, heartbeat ratcheting up at the tension.
"What?" he asked, already tense in frustration. "What's the worst that could happen?"
It's not that Trevor felt he lacked the imagination, oh no, he had plenty of his own traumas to pull from, but this was something specific to Adrian, and it had happened to now-going-by-Alucard. What was the worst thing Adrian could think of? What haunted his nightmares?
As close as they had gotten, Adrian and Trevor hadn't exactly brought up "worst-case-scenarios" as a good speaking topic.
"Where are they?" Adrian spoke in a quiet voice, something sharp running under his shaky tone. "Mother and Father, where are they?"
Alucard said nothing. Trevor thought he saw pity in his eyes the moment before he turned and began walking away. Adrian clenched his fists, shoulders slowly hiking up as he stared at the back of his doppelganger. Trevor reached out just as Adrian looked like he was going to sprint after him. Adrian stopped, but when their eyes met, Trevor was almost floored by the sheer panic he saw there. It swirled in the golden depths, dancing with anger.
Trevor said nothing, just squeezed his shoulder. Adrian took several deep breaths.
"Better?" Trevor asked. He ignored the glare he was getting, motioning down the adjacent hall where Alucard had slowed his pace. "He's not going to talk about it. Not now. You know how hesitant you are about things."
"Yes... but-"
"I know." And Trevor did. Having information dangled in front of him, life changing and terrifying, was one of the worst kinds of torture. Especially when you wished desperately whatever you were going to hear wasn't true, that you could force someone to confirm none of your fears had come after you. Even so, Alucard was probably hurting the worst of all. "Just... later, maybe. We have to think about getting back home too, right?"
Adrian lowered his head, hair spilling past his cheeks. "I... yes."
"So, for other topics, we just have to wait." Trevor used his free hand to carefully brush some long hair aside. Adrian seemed fearful still, shocked, but closed his eyes and visibly calmed himself.
"I cannot believe you are the one preaching patience," he muttered.
"I am offended you think me incapable," Trevor retorted.
Adrian snorted, but straightened and ran a hand through his hair. "Thank you." Trevor nodded and gestured towards the end of the hall.
It wasn't a solution Trevor liked, but he couldn't push Alucard for more information. They technically didn't even know each other, so Trevor had no idea what sort of relationship Alucard might even have with him, if any. Did he know a Trevor here? The idea made goosebumps spread across Trevor's arms. Would it be better or worse if their alternate selves had, in fact, met?
As they traveled through the empty, eerily quiet halls, Trevor was strongly thinking worse. The silence and stillness of the place was unnatural, something Trevor hadn't thought the castle could be more than it already was. But he'd apparently grown used to a more lively environment-servants moving about, electrical lights humming, water pumping through the walls, little creatures flying or climbing walls and... and people. Whether technically alive or not, there should have been people living here, bringing laughter, or shuffling, or anything to the gaping maw of silence.
But nothing else moved in the castle. It's air was as still as a tomb, and only their group of three walked within it.
Further, there were visual discrepancies which disturbed Trevor. It wasn't just the fact there were walls falling apart, or broken mechanisms, or dust on many surfaces; So much of the damage looked new, created over a short time, not long years of disrepair.
Trevor's heart sank further. His theory was seeming more likely with every step; The Belmonts were involved, they had to be.
Nervous energy tickled at Trevor's nape, and he covered it with a hand, looking to Adrian for some reassurance. Instead, he saw his own worries reflected back at him. Adrian had noticed, too. No way either Drac or Lisa would leave things in a broken state, not if either were... around.
As they passed by a door, not too different from the others, Adrian paused.
His eyes tracked the damage in the door-the clumsy way the splintered wood had been wrested just into place to cover the cracked entrance-hand reaching out as though in a trance. Trevor knew the room was Adrian's, a remnant of childhood which old Drac held on to, even though his son no longer slept in that bed. Adrian's fingers shook, inches from the dented handle, when Alucard spoke up.
"Do not," he hissed. He didn't turn around. "You do not want to see that room. It's not what you remember, anyway."
Adrian frowned, but pulled his hand away. Alucard resumed walking. Trevor, noticing the sad and lonely hand, proceeded to fill it with his own. Because he was a good friend like that.
Adrian squeezed it and gave him a thankful look, so he figured he must have done good.
Even so, the anxiety Trevor felt reflected in the stillness of Adrian's expression. Neither of them liked the way the clues were adding up, it seemed.
Adrian had always been somewhat reserved. It was funny, when Trevor thought about it, since he had constantly reached out to Trevor, physically and emotionally, trying to make him comfortable and happy. But there were topics which Adrian seemed determined to keep to himself, for the most part, such as his dual nature or anything related. It made sense, so Trevor let Adrian talk when he wanted and just kept him company when he didn't.
Alucard... even just going by the name had sent up red flags. But then he refused to talk about his family, and he kept a room with special meaning off limits. All that plus the damage gave Trevor just one conclusion: The Belmonts-one or more-had killed Dracula.
Nothing else made sense; It explained the severe damage all over the castle. Who else would have the power to do so? Was it him, an alternate version? Had there been others? Alucard was staying in the castle, and didn't look worried about being actively hunted, so where were the others who had caused the destruction?
Trevor couldn't keep his mind from running through scenario after scenario, and with no alcohol to stop them, and the silence pressing in, Trevor finally blurted one out, just to get it out of his head.
"Not on good terms with me?"
Alucard made no indication he'd heard.
"Or the other Belmonts...?"
Alucard slowed, slightly, and glanced over his shoulder. "There are no other Belmonts." His statement held a hint of questioning, curious in a way.
"Ah." Trevor wasn't sure why it bothered him, knowing this world wasn't so different from his. It was a stupid hope anyway. "Just wondering."
Alucard turned back around. Dammit.
However, Adrian must have had his own questions brewing in his mind, because he spoke up after only a few more moments had passed.
"Is he sleeping, then? I can't imagine father would leave this-"
"Enough." Alucard hissed it out, but Adrian's shoulders started to rise, their frustration mirroring each other.
"Then what is the year?" Trevor shot him a confused look which went unacknowledged. "How long has it been? Where is she?" The last words were quiet, but all the more intense.
They all continued walking. Alucard gripped the baskets so hard they began to creak and splinter. The next time, when Trevor looked at Adrian, the dhampir was already looking back, face just as confused, but with more desperation. Mother, he mouthed. Trevor offered a terse nod. Trevor hadn't even considered the fact she might've died in this world, especially of age. Alucard looked the same age as Adrian but... it could be he'd always keep those looks. Stomach flipping in distress, Trevor pushed the reminder to the deepest reaches of his mind.
"You could at least-"
"No." Alucard spun around almost violently, glaring. "No, I am not going to do anything, because you are utterly incapable of imagining what has happened here. I don't know what's happened in your timeline, nor you mine, so I would thank you to leave off."
Trevor shuffled his feet, which drew Alucard's ire. "It is nothing as simple as a vengeful family, nor-" He turned to Adrian to continue. "-A timed demise. The situation here... It brought out the worst in- in everyone."
His scowl softened into a frown then, eyes staring as though looking into the past.
Trevor and Adrian shared another significant look, and Trevor felt Adrian would truly leave it alone. Trevor shrugged to show his support. As much as he couldn't stand seeing Alucard in such a poor state-knowing he was Adrian in a way-he also knew when questions were unwelcome. Keeping his mouth shut was, well, not a specialty exactly, but he could do it when important. They would just have to leave the mystery alone.
Awkwardness trailing the small group, they finally made it to the kitchen. Once there, Alucard immediately set to work unpacking the food from the baskets and grabbing cooking supplies.
Bewildered, Trevor took a seat at the table, just watching.
Adrian, apparently not as willing to let awkwardness get in the way of his manners, offered to help Alucard. The two stared at each other for a moment before Alucard granted him free range over the fresh roots.
"You can cook?" Trevor asked. He meant it for Adrian, but got a questioning look from both dhampirs.
"Of course I can," Adrian answered. "Just because I live in a large castle doesn't mean I don't learn various skills."
"Huh."
"What?" Adrian made a face at him, as though he'd caught something in Trevor's tone.
Trevor watched as Alucard efficiently built up a proper steaming pot for some fish, and thought his answer over. "Never seen you do something this, erm... complex."
Adrian scoffed. "Of course you haven't. The only time I've cooked we've been on the road."
"Hmmm." Trevor scratched at his chin. "Can you bake?"
"Are you asking for something in particular?" Alucard's cheeks lifted as he began arranging the roots in a metal cooking pan, covering them in some oil before he went looking through various drying herb bundles. "I'll have you know baking is a lot like science. If you don't have the proper ingredients in the right amounts, as well as the specific technique for your recipe, it won't come out well."
"I wasn't asking for anything..." Trevor crossed his arms, slumping in his chair. Adrian hummed as though he didn't believe him at all. How unfair.
With someone else around, the quiet which settled in was not as peaceful as usual, even if the someone sharing it should have been intimately familiar. Trevor's thought led to him watching the other two, Alucard and Adrian Țepeș, noting the differences and similarities.
They both worked fast and efficient. Clearly they had the same skill in the kitchen, preparing food.
They moved the same way as well, precisely poising their hands as they worked, each finger always in place for the task. Their brows furrowed when concentrating, and they tossed their heads if hair threatened to get in the way of their sight.
But so much was different.
While Adrian would go from concentrating to quietly pleased with his work, looking seconds away from humming, Alucard kept a near constant frown, the wrinkles on his forehead accenting the dark circles under his eyes.
His skin held a greyer tint to it than Adrian's, as well, as if Alucard wasn't feeding properly. His hair, though still nice looking, appeared slightly limp with accumulated oils.
Adrian was always so meticulous about his appearance-Trevor couldn't imagine Alucard being any different. Yet there the man stood, in a condition which said he had lapsed in his care routine.
Of course, Trevor also noticed how they watched him.
Adrian, used to his presence, would occasionally glance at him and share a smile, but otherwise kept himself occupied with the food. They had spent time together, he and Trevor, and they didn't need to fill silences or keep each other's attention as reassurances. The quiet moments were nice too.
Alucard, on the other hand, kept giving Trevor... odd looks. Trevor didn't know what to make of them. They weren't upset that Trevor could tell, but they were searching, desperate in a way. What Alucard was looking for, or if he found it each time he looked, Trevor didn't know.
When most of the items were cooking, and there was nothing else to do but wait, Alucard began shifting from foot to foot.
"I... will go obtain some wine," he said. Then he immediately flicked his eyes over Trevor and Adrian, expectant. Trevor didn't intend to disappoint.
"Yes. Definitely. Absolutely." Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose, but Trevor continued. "I will have double of whatever you're having."
His statement did seem to affect Alucard, if his raising brow said anything-something between expected disdain and... relief? Maybe? Trevor filed it away with his other observations and very specifically did not turn his head to watch the dhampir leave. The door closed, and Trevor waited even longer, a minute past when he could no longer hear his footsteps. Then he immediately turned to Adrian.
"Well? What do you think? 'Cause I've definitely noticed something," Trevor said.
"Fascinating," Adrian drawled.
"Shut up. Look, he's hiding a lot, but he's not good at hiding he's hiding something, and I've got a feeling I know what it is."
"Do you?"
"I can't tell if you're impressed or mocking me."
"A little of both. Depends on if you're right."
Trevor laughed, strained. "Right, well, let me get all the way through it?" He waited for an agreement before saying any more. "He doesn't look like he's taking care of himself. Definitely not enough color for a good feeding, though I guess he might do that while getting 'wine.' I think his family is dead."
At this Adrian twitched. His voice was uneasy as he asked, "...What makes you think that?"
"It's... a number of things. He's not keeping himself as clean as he should, for one, plus the state of the castle, and the look in his eyes-" Trevor trailed off. Shook his head. Kept his eyes pointed to the floor. "Well. I know that look when I see it." I've worn it myself.
Thankfully, Adrian didn't disagree or ask for further explanation in Trevor's reasonings. He just said, "Alright."
Trevor's shoulders slumped. But then Adrian sat down in a chair nearby and kept speaking.
"What do you think he's hiding, then? Surely not just that... What you said."
Trevor's heart pinched at the hesitation and pain in Adrian's voice, and he rubbed at his neck in discomfort. "Ah, right, well. Obviously it's not a topic many would want to talk about. But the castle... It's torn apart. You noticed, right?"
Adrian nodded.
"Not just falling apart, but like magic and weapons hit it, like a battle took place here. Recently."
"You think, think they died in battle?"
"I know it's a long shot-"
"Practically impossible."
"But there is that small possibility!"
"My father would not stick around, or allow my mother to, if they were truly losing."
"And you don't think that's possible." Trevor crossed his arms in front of him.
"I simply don't think it would happen so easily. Or even with a great effort. He has lived for centuries, gathered immense knowledge and skill in battle, sciences, and magical arts. There is a reason boyars have not attempted to take whatever land he claims."
Trevor nodded. "Which is why I don't think it was, uh, ordinary humans."
"You think... the Belmonts?" Adrian asked, some surprise in the question.
"I mean, who else would be insane enough to come up here and challenge him, and strong enough to, presumably, win?"
"I take offense to the idea a handful of hunters, even Belmonts, could take my father down."
"You don't know what they were like back in the day, my family." Something brittle worked its way into Trevor's voice, and he heard Adrian's soften in response.
"No. I don't. And I suppose it does, at least, account for all the damage."
"Hey!"
"You wanted to bring down several solid floors not even an hour ago," Adrian reminded him, teasingly.
"For a reason, though. Anyway, all I'm saying is that maybe the Belmonts in this world had something to do with whatever happened. There were odd scorch marks here and there, looked like magical weapons. Besides," he said, powering through any logical objections, "he kept looking at me."
"Looking at you?" Adrian repeated, incredulousness in every word.
"Yes, like he was expecting something from me. He wasn't at all shocked at my presence, or my family crest, or my weapon. And he kept trying to watch me when he thought I wouldn't notice."
Adrian's brows raised, but he brought a hand to his chin and hummed contemplatively.
"So?" Trevor asked. He was almost vibrating in anticipation.
"Perhaps you're right. On some accounts."
Trevor snorted and rolled his eyes. He could never get a 'Oh you're absolutely right Trevor, how brilliant!' There was always some small detail Adrian would point out. No, can't bring down stone floors on a portal, because it would 'cause damage,' or no, can't bathe in alcohol-even though it cleans wounds-because it 'doesn't take dirt from the skin.' Ridiculous.
"However, I feel there's something more going on."
"A hunch?"
"You aren't the only one who has them." Adrian sniffed imperiously. "As for Alucard, How would you explain how he acted towards you? He watched you, alright, but if the Belmonts had truly been the cause of his sorrow, wouldn't he have been more antagonistic towards you? Less trusting? He turned his back on you within ten minutes of having met you."
Trevor blinked. He hadn't thought of that. He was so used to having a trusting relationship with Adrian that Alucard trusting him hadn't even registered as something worth notice.
"That... is odd," Trevor muttered to himself. He stood up and began pacing around the kitchen, occasionally taking a whiff of the food spreading scents through the room. Well, he was hungry too, not just curious and confused. He hoped Alucard came back soon; At least alcohol and food made sense.
"But, when you say he, he lost his parents, do you-? Are you certain?" Adrian's voice was hesitant, but Trevor nodded.
"Yes." It was all he could say. Couldn't bring himself to explain it.
Adrian hummed, sounding as though he was trying to piece everything together.
"Why?" Trevor asked.
"It's just... it's worrying. Seeing how he, how Alucard, acts, if that is the case."
He said no more, and Trevor didn't push him. Instead, he took note of the kitchen: the sounds of bubbling water in a pot, the scent of crisping herbs, the feel of old, worn wood under his fingertips, and the... sight of a jar lid askew? While possible Alucard had missed the way the jar didn't entirely close, he figured the man would be upset if he came back one day and found whatever was inside had gone rotten. Besides which, he thought he could see something pushing up, as though it didn't fit.
So Trevor, being the kind person he was, lifted the lid to get it settled. Being the curious person he was, he took a peek inside to see what had pushed it out of place. Being the sort of person who still wasn't used to surprises, froze.
It was, well it was a doll. That was the only thing Trevor could think of. A little leg had been smashed under the lid, and a small spoon stood in place of an arm, he assumed. But there was something disturbing about it-perhaps that it was hidden, or that it was hidden in the kitchen used by Alucard. Trevor couldn't stop himself from picking it up, then wishing he hadn't.
It was- it was him! The doll was Trevor.
He turned it around and around in his hands, but shoddy stitching aside, there was no mistaking who it was meant to represent. It had his hair, his scar, buttons the color of his eyes, and even a tiny whip.
"Um." Trevor looked back at the jar, mind whirling, and saw another little doll still inside.
For one heart-stopping moment, he believed it was one of Adrian-and God would that be creepy, more than it already was-but no, the doll looked like a speaker. Trevor actually thought he might recognize them, but then again, he didn't know a lot of speakers.
"What are those?" Adrian asked from behind him.
Trevor turned and held up the dolls, face doing something incomprehensible, even to himself. How was he supposed to feel about this?
At least Adrian didn't seem certain either, if the way he blinked indicated anything. "Oh." Trevor tossed them across the table into Adrian's waiting hands. He examined them, spinning the fabric dolls about, forehead furrowing as he went. He ran a finger over the messy stitches making Trevor-doll's scruff and coughed a laugh.
"It appears he knows who you are, at the least. Is this one the speaker we met...?"
Trevor sighed as he settled back into his own chair. "I don't know." He thought those words encompassed everything he felt at the moment. What the fuck would he actually know at this point?
Adrian set the dolls down on the table, side by side. Neither said anything for a few long moments, until Adrian spoke up. "I'm not getting a good picture out of all of this."
"Oh yeah? Was it the doll of me that tipped you off?"
Adrian frowned at him. "I mean, he spent time on a skill-which apparently neither of us practice-to make something representative of the Trevor in this world. It indicates he knows you, fairly well, even."
"Right, fine. Except he then stuffed me and the speaker in a jar."
"Which means he didn't want you in sight..." Adrian ran his fingers over the dolls again, his 'thinking face' on. "But he could have rid himself of the dolls entirely."
Trevor groaned. "I don't know. Let's just agree he's as unnecessarily complicated in his feelings as you are."
Adrian rolled his eyes and shoved both dolls at Trevor. He took them, if for no other reason than to get them off his face. At exactly that moment, Alucard came back with a bottle of wine. Both he and Trevor froze at the sight of each other, and their eyes flicked across what the other was holding.
Alucard narrowed his eyes and Trevor cleared his throat.
"They looked uncomfortable," he managed to say.
"Just- don't look at those," said Alucard, a mix of weary and admonishing.
Trevor wanted to make a snarky comment, but this wasn't Adrian, so he held his tongue and stood to place the dolls on the [tk side table], next to the jar rather than in it. Alucard didn't comment about them again.
With the other two finishing the cooking in silence, Trevor set up the table, pouring a generous amount of wine for each of them. "God knows we'll need it," he'd said in his own defense.
The meal threatened to be just as quiet as the cooking, so Trevor made exaggerated noises over the wine. It was good, everything in Drac's castle was-even if apparently it wasn't his castle anymore-but Trevor could admit he played it up just to drown out the silence. Adrian, bless him, caught on and began teasing Trevor.
When Trevor noticed their quiet and contemplative companion being, well exactly what Trevor had called him, he tried to include him in the conversation.
"And I guess I should thank you," he said around a piece of fish. He smiled internally at the way Alucard wrinkled his nose. Yep, that was the same disgusted face Adrian made. "Never would have known he was such a good cook."
"You are enjoying it, then?" Alucard asked, voice too neutral.
"Absolutely," Trevor said, shoving some of the garlic root in his mouth. "Goes great with the wine." He was usually a beer and deer man, but he could appreciate other things as well. He did still have taste buds, despite how Adrian teased him.
Speaking of which, Adrian himself was keeping his eyes on Trevor, voice flatter than the plate he ate off of. "The great Belmont has proclaimed the food worthy of being served with his alcohol. What an honor."
Trevor narrowed his eyes, but couldn't help the little smirk which escaped his control. Oh, he knew the game Adrian was playing. Normally he would just do a simple rebuttal, but not this time. This time he would play along.
"Absolutely," he agreed. He kept his tone as pompous as he could possibly make it, trying to imitate the patterns Alucard and Dracula used. "As my taste buds are impeccable-" He ignored the snort he got. "-Consider me... impressed."
With pointed movements, he turned in his seat, lifted his feet, and set them squarely on Adrian's lap. Ignoring the shocked and glaring eyes on him, he took a long, long sip of his wine, one elbow on the table to keep his balance as he leaned back, relaxed.
"Oh my god," Adrian said. Trevor lowered the wine glass to look at him, and caught his mouth opening, ready to say something. Nothing came out. At least, until Adrian bent over and began laughing.
He leaned on the table, arms supporting him as his eyes screwed shut, little tears forming at the lashes, and fangs clearly visible as he drew great gasping breaths between his laughs.
A clearly bewildered look on his face, Alucard glanced between the both of them. Trevor rather thought he could get a better reaction, even if they didn't truly know each other; He wiggled his eyebrows.
Alucard took in a breath which sounded like it could have been a gasp or the beginnings of laughter, but by the way he brought up a hand to cover his own mouth, Trevor was willing to bet on the latter.
Satisfied, Trevor leaned back again and drank some more wine. Mission accomplished.
Of course, he should have remembered Adrian never let him truly win. A moment later and he was tipped back onto the floor, chair on its side and legs held up in the air by a dhampir's grip. Damn those quick reflexes. Since he could still hear little chuckles though, and he hadn't hit the floor hard, he was willing to let it go with only minor complaints.
The rest of the meal went much the same, though with less intense teasing and jokes. Alucard looked less at his meal and more at the pair of them sat across from him. Trevor was still having trouble reading some of his emotions, unfamiliar with the mask Alucard was using, but he hoped there was something happy, enjoying the company.
God, he was so sappy. He blamed Adrian.
At one point near the end of the meal, Alucard began speaking up more. He answered a few inquiries thrown at him, and input his own opinion when Trevor or Alucard were discussing something within his interests. Trevor was glad they seemed to run along the same lines as Adrian's did; it gave him a good frame of reference to use.
They wandered topics from the food, to the current season, to the beauty of nature, to art. Trevor was lost amongst the debates of Leon Battista Alberti and Filarete, and other great artists of the city-states of Italy. Even so, the conversation quickly devolved once Trevor stuck his nose in it, derailing it to a series of dirty jokes once Trevor had gathered that at least some of the models in the paintings and sculptures were scantily clothed or nude. Trevor mentally thanked Donatello for his good taste. Of course he was the only one laughing, even though he was hilarious.
Adrian had given him a scathing glare-though Trevor was certain some of the heat was of a different sort, one which aligned with Trevor's jokes.
However, voice caustic, Alucard said, "Of everything you've contributed to the conversation so far, that has been the most... Trevor thing to come out of your mouth."
"Oh yeah?" Trevor's curiosity peaked. This world's Trevor hadn't come up, so he couldn't help but latch on to any information.
It seemed Alucard did not mean to reveal anything, since he swallowed and averted his gaze to a far wall. Trevor almost believed he wouldn't speak again until, softly, Alucard said, "It is incredible, really, how similar two people can be in different circumstances, even with blatant differences. It is- it's quite clear you are the same Belmont."
"I hope so?" Trevor looked to Adrian for understanding, but he only saw his own confusion mirrored back.
Adrian decided to take control of the conversation then, clearing his throat. "Now that we have finished with our meal, perhaps we should discuss the circumstances which brought us here."
"Yes, I agree," Alucard said, a bit too quickly. "How did you arrive in this place, exactly?"
Trevor was of half a mind to see what other annoying comments might count as "Trevor-like," but didn't get a chance to speak.
"We were in a rarely used part of my father's castle," Adrian started, shooting Trevor a serious look. "Where, really, some of us shouldn't have been."
Trevor took a large drink of his wine, unapologetic. He then immediately ran out. Dammit.
"The door which we stepped through was stuck fast to begin with. Once opened, we found a powerful magic with a gravity to it which we could not escape from. We were pulled in and, apparently, dropped off here. I had been unsure if it was more than a simple portal spell gone wrong, left unmaintained for too long. Trevor, however-"
"I recognized it," he said. He couldn't help the proud note in his voice, despite the flat looks he garnered. "One of my family ran into one-not that long ago either. It was an infinite corridor."
"We think," Adrian stressed. "After all, his ancestor didn't have much interaction with it, and didn't use it, and it is outside my field of study."
"And let me guess," said Alucard, swirling his glass in one hand, "Belmont's ancestor caused it to explode in some manner?"
"No." Trevor did not allow his lip to push out into a pout.
Alucard did not seem convinced.
"She dropped a castle on it."
"Adrian!" He was smiling as he ratted Trevor out, the bastard. "Look, it led to hell, it had to be closed and- quit that." Trevor batted at the hand which patted his cheek. How Adrian managed to make simple motions condescending was still a mystery.
"Point being," the bastard said, "We do not have information on how, exactly, we arrived in this of all places, nor how we might return."
"Which we would like to do," Trevor added.
Alucard had the furrow in his brows which indicated he was thinking, and muttered as he did so. "Yes, it would not do to assume it would work just from proximity, or that it would send you back to the right world rather than drop you off in a new one."
"Maybe the next version of you would appreciate beer," Trevor wondered to himself as he contemplated his empty beverage.
"Unlikely," Adrian and Alucard said in unnerving harmony.
As Trevor tried to hold back both laughter and a shiver, Alucard cleared his throat and stood. "This may be something which requires more research. The materials in the castle are in a state of, ah, disorganization at the moment, but we can check the hold first and see if there is any useful information there. Perhaps Trevor simply missed an ancestor."
"...What?" Trevor wondered if he'd somehow missed a step in the conversation, because several things which Alucard mentioned did not add up.
Adrian didn't seem to have any more understanding than Trevor, but stood up, ready to follow his clearly sleep-deprived duplicate. Trevor sighed, but got up as well. He was used to not getting answers right away, considering who he spent time with these days. There was so much fucking drama with vampires.
He was grumbling about mystery when he exited the door to the kitchen but stopped when Adrian put a hand on his elbow. The squeeze was reassuring enough he allowed himself to be led without further complaint.
Alucard looked back at them a few times, eyeing their hands but not saying a thing. Anything Trevor might have thought of to bring up as a conversation halted when they finally made their way outside.
There it stood, looking new and old and like Trevor's life flashing before his eyes all at once. The Belmont home.
The stone was new, with no wear, perfectly shaped and placed, and with almost none of the architectural decor placed along it. But still, it was built up further than it had been the last Trevor had seen it, crumbling and dusty ruins it had been, with plants attempting to overtake it. It had stood as a memorial, a grave, and a reminder of human failure. Lives taken too soon and childhood stolen away. Protectors slain by those they protected. Yet here it stood, rocks laid upon hefty wooden frames, scaffolding indicating it was still being worked upon-there was only one who could have done it.
Trevor turned, throat feeling suspiciously full of emotion, and looked at him, at Alucard. The man who looked like Adrian, but barely acted like him. He who stood tense with frosty stares, his smiles sarcastic and brief.
Yet, the Belmont home stood before Dracula's castle, and no one else was around.
Families which were enemies stood side by side, if not in person than in the remnants of their legacies-Their homes, their children.
Trevor had to turn away, stare back at the large doors of the castle hall they'd exited from, swallow down whatever was choking off his words. He needed to be rid of it or nothing but embarrassing noises would come out, he was certain.
"Trevor?" Adrian stood by him. His voice was comforting in the way a favorite blanket was, soft and warm and familiar.
Trevor shook his head and blinked, hard. "Fine," he managed.
Adrian didn't say, "No you aren't," but he did wrap an arm around his shoulders.
After a few moments, still looking at the sturdy wood-even that had some scorch marks and water damage, what happened here?-Trevor managed to speak. "How long...? Has it...?" He couldn't do it. Couldn't finish a sentence. Fortunately, Alucard picked up the conversation, sounding suspiciously disinterested.
"The castle no longer moves. It hasn't for about-" He paused for too long, then said, "Anyway, I'm caring for the Belmont home and hold now. Protecting them."
"Why?" Trevor asked in a whisper.
"...You- Belmont asked me to. Bequeathed it to me or some such."
His answer punched the breath out of Trevor, what little had remained. Bequeathed it? Gave Alucard the Belmont home and hold and everything that implied? Trusted Alucard to protect everything within? How close were they in this world? A glance over at Adrian showed some moisture gathering in his eyes as well. It was more than Trevor thought he might have, especially to give away to his- his closest friend? Lover? Yet...
When he turned just enough to look, Alucard's face was as far from contentedness and love as Trevor thought he could get. There was barely restrained emotion there, but it seemed far too sad. A rush of anger, hot and burning and unexpected, flew through Trevor's veins.
Why was Alucard all alone? Where was the Trevor who had gifted such a large piece of himself? Where was he when the man who tended and built and cared for his legacy, his home, had sleepless nights and hid the grief of his lost family? Missed him and made pale reminders out of fabric?
Trevor was suddenly and overwhelmingly angry at himself.
It felt as though a storm raged inside him, pulling him in gusts as each new emotion and thought burst to life in him. He felt as though he could sprint to wherever in Wallachia this Trevor was-hopefully not dead too, Jesus-and drag him back by the collar without stopping or losing breath. How did he leave such a strong and faithful man behind?
Instead, all the strength in him propelled him forward. He was so close to just wrapping Alucard in a hug, but he didn't want to make him uncomfortable. Even so, he couldn't stop his arm from shooting out and grasping him with the strength of his emotions.
Unfortunately, it seemed to startle Alucard, since he pulled back, eyes wide. Trevor breathed, chest still full and tight and near to bursting. Slowly, with more tenderness than he'd expected to be able to show when so worked up, he trailed his hand down to meet Alucard's, grasping it with a gentleness which pulled a quiet gasp from the dhampir.
Trevor opened his mouth, changed his mind and swallowed. Then he made sure his eyes were looking right into Alucard's dazzling gold-he needed to show his sincerity.
He almost backed off at what he felt when they met gazes. Alucard's confusion and fear swirled so tempestuously with hope Trevor felt tears filling his eyes and throat. But Belmonts did not back down.
So with a heart and throat so full of gratitude they nearly spilled over, Trevor said the only two words which mattered, "Thank you."
Alucard looked as breathless as Trevor sounded. Neither broke gazes, but their hands curled closer, skin pressed together for a few moments longer. When the world seemed frozen under the bright rays of the sun, Trevor breathed again, trying to let the hot, earthy smell of late summer calm him.
"I mean it. It's... amazing." It felt like every word from him was another gust of sheer disbelief and gratefulness to the man before him.
Alucard moved slowly, looking down at their hands, then over at the Belmont estate. "It's really-" He stopped. When he shook his head and turned to face the building, Trevor allowed his hand to slip away. "It was something to do."
The words sounded weak, shaken, but Trevor didn't rebut them. Instead, he and Adrian followed Alucard when he led the way again. Hand-in-hand, Trevor allowed Adrian to calm him.
Since he knew he couldn't process the enormity of what he saw and felt at the moment, he slowly pushed them aside for later; maybe for the night, when he could stare at a ceiling with Adrian and just think without speaking, their arms creating a safe cocoon around each other.
My booooyysss. ;u; They deserve some happiness, really. And we'll get there, for sure.
This version of Adrian and Trevor are from a little further past the timeline of my fic No Matter the Roads, so they're closer and more comfortable with each other. I wanted to show Alucard a really good possibility for his future. (just with more Sypha of course haha) I hope they still seemed in character, considering they came from an overall happier place than poor s3 Alucard.
I had fun writing this, and it's not done yet! I just didn't want to wait any longer before posting what I had so far. Please tell me what you think, or what you liked, or what might happen, or anything really. :3
I've been enjoying all the comments from you guys on my works, and they makes me so happy. (๑ˊ͈ ॢꇴ ˋ͈)〜 ॰ॱ I could not do this without you guys, seriously.
Everyone, be kind with yourselves