Vlad stood by a window, looking out over the dying and hibernating plants. The forest would bloom again in a few months time, but for now, he appreciated the cooler air and quiet serenity of winter. The warmth that wrapped around him from behind might also have something to do with his mood.

"What are you watching, my love?" Lisa asked.

"Our boy." He was too far down for Lisa to see properly, but Vlad could hear and see the bickering and teasing between his son and the Belmont boy. Belmont had almost fallen straight off a tower, the fool.

"I don't understand what he sees in him." His wife must have understood who he meant, as she didn't question him; She simply ran her hands up and down his arms.

"Yes you do," Lisa said, assured, "Otherwise you would not spend so much time speaking with him."

Vlad sniffed. "I do not do it for pleasure. The boy requires it."

"Really, my husband? Then your offer to meet him in the coliseum the next time he tried to fight one of the servants was purely for his benefit then?"

"He is obviously lacking in formal training." Besides, the threat had stopped the Belmont from taunting Vlad's attendants. A fine bonus, though he was still prepared to go through with his promise, if necessary.

"And when you said you would tuck him in each and every night the first time you found him wandering around after dark?"

Vlad had no response, and his wife giggled.

"You enjoy tormenting me," he said, turning towards her and returning her embrace.

"You enjoy my teasing," she said as a rejoinder.

Vlad couldn't combat that either, so he leaned in for a kiss instead. Kissing Lisa was something he could never grow tired of, so long as he lived. She was soft and sweet, and her lips were chapped and salty from the cold air. He pushed away any thoughts of her mortality. She was here.

After she finished their kiss with several more pecks to his cheeks-as she always did-she spoke.

"There is something that has been bothering me, my husband."

"Oh? Tell me. You know I will assist you in anything." This earned him another peck.

"It is about my other friends and colleagues in Wallachia." Vlad frowned, but Lisa plowed on. "If the church came for me, when we took every precaution to avoid superstition of black magic, the other doctors I know will be in danger, as well as the alchemists, and they do not have such a strong husband as you to protect them."

Vlad sighed at the obvious attempt at flattery, but it did not stop his lips from curling up. "And what would you have me do, my wife? I would not spirit them away from their homes to come here, nor would many of them wish to go with a monster."

He held up a hand to stall her protesting. "It is true, my love."

"I... Yes, you're right." Lisa's lips curved down. "But that is not what I am asking."

"Then what?"

"I have told our son I wish to warn them. To travel about and at least give as many as I can warning of the corruption within the church and unrest it brings to the people's hearts."

"No." Vlad tightened his grip on his wife. "You were in enough danger and only just escaped it. In that, I can give the Belmont credit." He closed his eyes and gave a long-suffering sigh. It was the only thing he was willing to credit the boy for, no matter how attached his son and wife had gotten to the little brat.

"I am not going to let fear deter me from doing what is right," Lisa insisted. "My friends' lives are at risk, and I could never forgive myself if I hid safely away while they burned."

"Lisa, my love-"

"Vlad Dracula Țepeș." His spine straightened as his wife's eyes bored into his own. How she managed so intimidating a demeanor looking up at him was still a mystery. "If you are so worried for my safety, then I shall not travel alone. But I am going."

He could not stop her. Not with that righteous fire burning so brightly in her soul. Vlad took a moment to weigh his options.

The first was that he travel with her to warn her colleges. It would satisfy her, and keep her safe. However, it was possible, no matter how slim, that Lisa or himself would be recognized. Lisa was wanted by the church as the "bride of Satan," and no doubt word had spread to smaller churches in the area around Târgoviște, if not further. He was not as well known, himself-ironically the church had seen to that-but he had made a presence in a few places. It might be dangerous to return to them with his wife in tow.

The second option was that he let Adrian travel with Lisa. Adrian was strong, intelligent, and cared deeply for his mother. He was also a shadowy figure to the Wallachians, known only by the pseudonym "Alucard" and not his looks. Vlad took a moment to mentally scoff at the ridiculous name. Regardless it was an option that still put Lisa in danger.

Another option was that Trevor be allowed to accompany Lisa, and Vlad threw that away almost immediately. While the boy had saved her life once, he was not as quick or powerful as a vampire, and had in fact been captured during the rescue. Not to mention the fact that he was even more well known than Lisa at the moment. Everyone seemed to know of the last surviving Belmont who had "summoned demons" to escape a burning by the church. Whether they believed it was illusions or true black magic, the church and everyone they convinced now believed Trevor to be a wicked sorcerer under the Devil's influence. No, he could not let the only two humans in the castle wander off alone.

That left only the last possibility. He turned and eyed the two boys below as they entered a lower hall after their newest attempt at flirting. "What children," he said. But he felt the warmth from his wife sinking into his bones.

They would likely not get along perfectly for some time. And even then, Vlad had a sneaking suspicion that they would always tease each other. Like he and his wife. But the thought only strengthened his decision.

"Adrian and I have actually already spoken on the matter."

"Have you?" Lisa asked. "And what did you come up with, my love?"

"The Belmont boy has been growing restless, now that he is healed. I understand you and our son both had concerns about where he would go, now that he is hunted directly by the church and has no family to protect him."

Lisa nodded, shuffling in her husband's arms until he gave her another hug. "But you suggest he leave?"

"With Adrian," Vlad clarified. "Our son keeps his attention, and should be able to keep him out of trouble." At his wife's raised eyebrow he amended, "Too much trouble."

"I don't disagree, but I still will leave as well. They are my contacts, and know me best."

"I thought you might say as much. I shall accompany you, my love. This way, with two groups, we may reach them more quickly, and no one shall be left vulnerable."

Lisa thought, a finger held to her chin, and nodded. "Yes. I agree. Thank you, Husband."

Vlad hummed and ran his own hand along her jaw. "No need to thank me. Though I will not say no."

"Is that so?" she breathed, and yanked his face down with a hand she had threaded through the back of his hair. Vlad rumbled low in his throat, now eye to eye with his love. "I can think of a few ways to thank you, though I regret losing the gift you so graciously brought me."

"Gift...?" He muttered, entranced by her lips moving along his own. It took a few embarrassingly long seconds for him to understand, though Lisa's hand firmly grabbing one of his wrists jolted the memory back.

A fine rope woven from silk threads, soft but sturdy.

"Hm. Perhaps we could find a way around that, for now," Vlad growled, low and soft.

"Perhaps," his wife echoed. "It's about time for you to rest anyway, isn't it?"

"It is," he said. The corner of the castle he had watched from would not stay cloaked in shadow for long.

"Then I shall see you to bed," Lisa said, and met their lips in a passionate kiss.

0-o-0

Lisa walked down the halls, her arms simultaneously dragged down by exhaustion, yet buoyed by the lightness in her soul. It was not often she and her husband had time to spend together; She could almost thank the recent catastrophe. Almost. Her family was all together after what seemed a lifetime, and she had met a wonderful young man-who felt almost like another son to her. Despite those facts, she was worried enough over the church's actions to forsake sharing the warm bed with her slumbering husband. For now.

Adrian and Trevor had been wandering towards the bottom of the castle last time Vlad had seen them; Thus, Lisa slowly descended, hoping to find them near the entry hall. A warmth filled her at the thought of her boys getting along, and learning more about each other. She hated to interrupt, but the restless feeling in her bones drove her onward. They would get more time to bond as they journeyed together. If Trevor agreed, that is.

When she reached the hall, she looked around, noticing some conspicuous wet patches trailing along the red carpet and away into a stone hall. Following them, creases pulled at her face as she discovered clumps of mud in increasing frequency.

She had a sneaking suspicion about who was responsible for creating such a mess, and was subsequently torn between amusement and frustration. Lisa decided frustration would get more productivity out of the boys when she came across bickering in a laundry room, the voices spirited enough to float out the door and down the hall.

"-And just because we're inside now doesn't mean you won't get ill." That was her son speaking. Perhaps Trevor was the one who'd gotten wet and muddy then?

"Look, if it bothers you so much, find something dry. I don't know where the blankets are." Yes, that was Trevor. "And until then, I'm keeping my pants on."

"I never insisted you get naked- Just-" Adrian made a sound of frustration. "Look, there are perfectly good towels and sheets in here, just pick something."

Trevor grumbled inaudibly for a bit before saying, louder, "You're the one who said I shouldn't go up to the rooms for fresh clothes."

Lisa frowned, her steps subconsciously slowing. Why had Adrian not wished to go to the rooms if Trevor was as soaked as he'd said? She thought of the mud dotting the hall, and wondered if he was simply being considerate of the cleanup. Not that it had ever stopped him before; He'd sprinted through the halls as a muddy wolf plenty of times.

"You know exactly why we can't go up there right now," Adrian hissed.

"Scared of your parents?" Trevor asked, tone taunting. Lisa's frown deepened.

"I am not!"

"You absolutely are!" Trevor crowed. "You're worried what they'll think."

"I'm not," Adrian protested, weakly, "But what are you going to do if Father finds you wandering about in nothing but a bed sheet?"

"You're the reason I'm wearing one!"

Lisa realized she had paused outside of the door, listening intently. Her son must have been completely occupied to not have heard her approach. Now that she was paying attention, she realized there was the sound of scrubbing on cloth.

"Yes, well, I'll get you a change of clothes as soon as I get the mud out of my coat."

"...You want me to sit here, in the nude, while you wash out your coat."

"You're not nude, Trevor."

"You don't know that."

"...I'm not looking."

"I didn't tell you to!"

Adrian sighed, haggard, and Lisa felt it a good time to step in.

As soon as she was in sight, feet planted in the doorway with arms folded and eyebrows cocked, both boys froze. Lisa looked at her son first, arms suspended over his dark coat, part way through scrubbing it clean of the generous amounts of mud along the back and sleeves. She noticed a fair amount on his pants, boots, and hair as well, slowly drying off and flaking in some places. Adrian's eyes fixated on hers, the look on his face reminding her of the times he was caught on the roof of their house as a child.

Trevor, on the other hand, while also surprised, looked more resigned. It was a look Lisa herself had worn on occasion, when things in life went exactly as expected: poorly. His own clothes were scattered, either in a pile on the floor or hanging haphazardly over random drying racks. The Belmont himself was wrapped up in multiple cloths, with towels over his waist, hung around his neck, and draped over his head. The rest of him was all wrapped up in a blue bed sheet.

Lisa wasn't sure what had happened, or whether laughter would be appropriate and helpful, so she kept her face still, tapping her fingers over her arm.

"Well? Who would care to explain?"

Adrian, the rascal, seemed to be getting used to her tactics, and answered, "Hello Mother. How unexpected." She noticed the nervous swallow afterwards, however.

Trevor, when her stern look turned on him, crumbled immediately.

"Ah, yes, Lady Țepeș," he said, simultaneously tugging his bed sheet tighter and running a hand along his neck. "We were, uh, just cleaning. You know how it is when you go outside and..." He glanced at Adrian, who shook his head, nearly imperceptibly. "...Trip. Backwards. He's really clumsy, you know?"

Her son glared at Trevor.

"You boys were fighting," Lisa said firmly. Their winces confirmed it.

She looked Trevor over with a doctor's eye. No blood she could see, but his feet peeked out from beneath the sheet, paler than the rest of him. The furred boots on the floor were soaked through, with the nearby pile of pants, socks, and belt cloth in a similar state. Even the new cloak-hung to dry-had water soaked into the bottom. Lisa sighed and gestured Trevor towards her.

"Come on. We're getting you a new set of clothes and some warmth."

Trevor hesitated, and Adrian said, "Mother, it's really not-"

"It is absolutely necessary my son. Trevor has clearly been wading through freezing water, and he needs to be warmed up." Trevor stood up and moved towards her, looking sheepish. Lisa softened her eyes when she addressed her son again. "Adrian, leave the coat for the servants. Go clean yourself. No arguing."

Adrian closed his mouth and swallowed whatever his argument had been. He nodded, looked furtively at Trevor, and said, "I'm sorry for the mess. We'll help clean it up."

"Very good. Thank you, my son."

Lisa gestured Trevor to her once more and left the room, listening for footsteps to follow behind her.

"What exactly were you two trying to hide?" she asked. When she looked behind herself to Trevor, he cleared his throat, still gripping the sheets.

"Ah... well it wasn't my idea," he said, but offered nothing else.

"Trevor..." She slowed down. Lisa wasn't sure if he hid what happened because he was nervous for himself or her son. "I don't want either of you to feel that you need to hide things from us. We aren't going to get upset over a little mud."

The humor she put in her tone seemed to work, as Trevor chuckled. "Honestly it's... probably my fault."

"How so?"

Trevor sighed with a wordless noise. "It was- it was a joke, you know, but he seemed to take it pretty seriously so..." Trevor shrugged, nonchalant, but the flush on his ears told Lisa everything she needed to know.

"Oh...?" Trevor and her son had gotten closer than she had expected, and so quickly, too. "So you were 'fighting.'"

"...Yeah."

"And I suppose he was embarrassed about the way it started. Or ended."

"Sure. I mean yes."

"And you?"

Trevor eyed her, then shrugged. "I don't care."

"About your 'fight,' you mean?"

"It happens, you know, sometimes. We worked it out." He shrugged again, looking more self-conscious. His words were measured, like he was still being careful not to say exactly what happened. "I don't think it's anything to get all worked up about..."

Lisa hummed to herself, then let a smile creep across her face. "You two are old enough to make your own decisions on the matter."

Trevor's forehead furrowed in confusion. "Wait, it doesn't bother you? I mean, he's your son, and I wasn't really planning on-"

Lisa patted his arm and shook her head. "Of course not. So long as it's a mutual agreement, and especially if it makes the both of you happy."

Trevor seemed to think for several long moments. "Alright. I'll- I'll keep that in mind?"

She hoped he would. Trevor and her son deserved a little more happiness.

"But next time," she said, voice teasing, "Try staying inside. There is plenty of space here."

"Wait, really?"

"We'll stay out of your way." Lisa brought a hand to her lips to press her giggles back. "I'll make sure my husband is amenable."

"Seems like that might be difficult," Trevor muttered, scratching along the bottom of his facial scar.

Lisa let out a short laugh. "Perhaps. But as I said, I want the both of you happy."

"Really." Trevor wasn't looking at her anymore. "What makes you think that would make him happy?"

Lisa stopped, pulling Trevor with her. The man looked so unbearably despondent, Lisa reached out to wrap her arms around him in a firm hug. He didn't reciprocate-partially because of the bed sheet, Lisa was sure-but she held him regardless.

"I know my son," she said. "But you can also talk to him about it."

When no answer was forthcoming, Lisa let go and directed Trevor up towards his room. Discussing any journeys would have to wait. It would take time, of course it would, but Lisa was determined to see the young man enjoy happiness without fear.

Trevor and Lisa are thinking on completely different wavelengths right now. ^^; Hehe. Boy, Lisa is harder to write than I remembered. Thank my roommate for the length of the chapter. She insisted it be posted together, despite the separate POV.

Ah, before you ask! I can fill in the uh, time skip there. ( ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡°) I did not in this chapter for several reasons: It's not written, it would have interrupted flow, and I would need to post it on AO3. Remember FFnet hates it. Idk, are y'all interested in something like that? How many people wanna see Vlad and Lisa's love life? Raise hands!

Other than that, I'll continue to get my huge mess in order, haha. Laters~