Chapter 3! I still feel like Rules To Bend only ended yesterday.
-YD-
"Careful sir, you're almost sounding like you care for the boy."
"He asked when his tutoring will start, I agreed to ask. Don't mistake that for sentimentality you moron."
"It depends on whether or not you are willing to have him tutored within your domicile. Otherwise we must acquire a new venue."
Vlad wasn't about to send Adam away daily, not if he had a choice in the matter. Even if the VHC wanted Adam alive and kicking to fill Vlad's 'lacking heirs' problem, it still didn't guarantee his safety. Not like Vlad and Ingrid could at the castle.
"So long as I know who, when and what they are teaching him, then it can be worked into my schedule. Write it up and have it mailed to me, I'll approve it if it's to my taste and we shall go from there."
Vlad left the VHC almost visibly happy to have something to say to Adam, who he had to fight not to just follow around desperately trying to learn more about him. His Council robes went in the laundry pile, his formal trousers traded for comfortable jeans and heavy boots for his comfortable Converse pumps.
Successfully changed and satisfied Adze was nowhere to be found in the castle, Vlad went in search of his son. Ingrid was with him, sat in the entertainment room exploring the TV, DVDs and games scattered around the place.
"Hi Vlad. How was Council?"
"Uh, boring. Always is. How's your evening been Adam?"
Ingrid watched them silently, mouth pouting out just enough that Vlad knew she was considering something or deep in thought.
"Mum said this room didn't seem to exist, so I was curious. I hope that's ok."
"It's fine. There's a trace of argentalium in the walls, so vampires don't feel the urge to come in. Keeps them from destroying this, since most vamps aren't big on technology. Even though there's high tech computers at the VHC now."
Adam chuckled, periodically pulling out DVDs to examine the back in a show of awe that said he hadn't seen them before. Vlad certainly didn't peg Ingrid for the type to own such things.
"Fair enough. Did you find out about my tutoring?"
"Kind of. They asked if it was going to happen here or somewhere else... I'm waiting on them sending me a schedule to approve."
"Thanks. I better go do my reading."
Adam turned and exited the room, which left Vlad, Ingrid and a tense silence. Vlad refused to be the one who had to leave the room first today, he needed to not keep losing to Ingrid's stares. It would help immensely if he didn't get painfully aroused by her, because then he had to leave before Ingrid scented him, mocked him or noticed he was hard.
"No other vampires visit here. So... you had to vampire proof a room just to stop your wife breaking your TV?"
Ingrid wasn't even looking at him, eyes closed and utterly at ease as she leant back in her seat. It offered Vlad an excellent freedom to let his eyes roam over her porcelain skin, all cheekbones and neck and practically begging for his mouth to explore...
Stop it.
"Pretty much."
His voice came out surprisingly strong considering his internal floundering, but Vlad could feel the warmth in his gut that said he had dwelled too long on looking at Ingrid. Eyes still closed, Vlad let his eyes fall lower, appreciating the cut of her dress and how it moulded to her curves, even her heeled boots that would serve to elongate those criminal legs when she stood. Vlad tore his eyes away, finding that hers were open, fixed on him.
Fuck, he had been caught.
It wasn't fair that Ingrid was so naturally good at this whole dance between them, where she knew Vlad still wanted her and she made it clear she hated him, but obviously got a kick out of teasing him.
And she had only been there for a week.
"I get why Adam was in here. Technology and young boys... but why are you in here still? Secretly want to watch TV?"
"As if. I just like watching you squirm."
"I used to make you do more than squirm."
Vlad didn't know where that came from, regretting it as soon as it left his mouth. He was supposed to be learning how to exist alongside Ingrid. Bringing up their past trysts was not the way to do it. She was surprised, he could see it just for a second before her usual cold indifference mask reappeared.
Then she was in his space again, forcing Vlad to back up against a wall. His spine hit brick, leaving him nowhere to go as Ingrid leant up close.
"And I bet you still dream about it."
Hellfire, she was so close Vlad could taste the blood she had drunk for breakfast. Her voice was low, laced with heat that coiled low in his belly. Her lips brushed almost across his, teasing the air nearby but Vlad knew it would take less than a second to be kissing her again, feeling that soft pout against his own. So tempting...
"I don't dream."
They were still so close Vlad's words must have vibrated across her lips, glad he didn't have a heartbeat to betray him. Though other body parts threatened to out his desire all the same. If only Ingrid would make the first move, Vlad would happily follow.
Footsteps sounded outside the door, too light and no-heels to be Adze. Ingrid pulled away, leaving a chill that had nothing to do with temperature in her wake as Vlad's erection made it known it was unhappy she had left.
"Mum? You still in here?"
Adam peered around the door, finding Ingrid 'still' in her seat and Vlad turned away to hide his inappropriate reaction to his sister. Feigning interest in a DVD, Vlad just listened.
"What's up son?"
"You normally come sit with me when I'm reading."
Vlad felt his heart stutter hearing Adam reaching out for care and comfort from Ingrid, with no fear of ridicule or rejection in his young voice.
"I was talking to Vlad" that was one word for it "but you're quite right."
"Vlad can come too if you guys are still talking. I don't mind."
Hope sparked in his chest, but Ingrid crushed it.
"We were just finished anyway, let's go."
They both left the room and Vlad waited a good minute or two to leave himself, finding the nearest bathroom to relieve himself of the tension left by Ingrid. Blood, he was pathetic, having to rush and jack off in the bathroom like an adolescent with no control over his hormones. Then again, he hadn't had sex in eight years and Ingrid was... Ingrid.
Zipping his jeans back up, Vlad washed his hands and figured lunch was a good idea. Something to take his mind off how badly he wanted to go and touch Ingrid, demand an explanation for why she felt it ok to torment him more than she already did.
Adam was either an exceptional actor or just didn't pick up on the tension between Ingrid and Vlad, which he personally felt was so thick it could be cut with a blunt stake. The boy chatted away between mouthfuls of lunch, then asked hopefully if he was allowed to help make dinner that evening. Ingrid scowled behind his back, but allowed it all the same. She seemed more swayed when Adam beamed and thanked her.
Vlad was still in amazement to see Ingrid the mother, her life clearly revolving around her son without it being obvious. Presumably she had been raising him by herself and he was polite, intelligent and well-mannered. He couldn't fault her in the slightest, Adam wasn't afraid to seek her affection and love the way Vlad and Ingrid had been raised not to try for with their own father.
All the same, Vlad ached to be a part of his life, contribute to his upbringing. He was, in a way already by having the boy in his residence, feeding him but it wasn't the same as actively engaging with him. That would change that evening though - Ingrid allowing him to teach Adam to cook. It was an allowance he hadn't expected, small as it was- Ingrid wouldn't have said yes if Vlad asked.
Unsurprisingly, Adze still didn't come home that night. Vlad needed to see her soon, knowing there was a function coming up where he would need his 'trophy wife' on hand. He wondered if she would stake someone with her shoe again for asking how Vlad was in bed. Or there was always the chance of someone bringing up their 'failure' to conceive an heir.
Sighing to himself, Vlad started on the pile of suggested constitutional amendments towering on his desk. The ones involving biting breathers again had the suggesters name written down, then the paper itself went on a fire. He hated his job so much, but without Vlad he knew the ceasefire would never hold. Only his Chosen One powers kept half the vampire world in line. The others either agreed with him, or were complacent enough to do what kept them from being ritualistically staked.
Leaning back against his chair, Vlad sighed and cast his mind back to one of the reasons he fought so hard for the ceasefire in the first place.
Erin.
She hadn't known about Ingrid, never knew Ingrid would crawl into his coffin some days and press a hand to his mouth to muffle his sounds, ensure nobody knew what was going on in his room. Vlad wasn't sure if it was really cheating - he had been having sex with Ingrid before Erin came into their lives. He supposed technically that made Erin the affair, but Ingrid never brought her up.
He hadn't seen Erin since before the wedding either. Vlad hadn't been brave enough to look for her - what would have been the point? He was married and everyone knew it. Too many knew Erin was human. It wasn't worth the risk for a relationship he knew, deep in his dead heart, he wouldn't have been able to keep.
Forgetting Erin was impossible, but Vlad found that even now, missing Ingrid topped that. Even if he didn't love Ingrid where he did love Erin, the intensity only his sister was capable of more than made up for that. Looking at the scant amount of work he had finished, Vlad gave up. His mind wasn't on it and if he wasn't careful he could legalise werewolf baiting or something.
Checking his watch, Vlad satisfied himself that it wasn't long before he could reasonably start dinner and spend time with Adam. The boy was engaging, excitable and did as he was told - an excellent kitchen aide really. Vlad resolved to do this as much as Ingrid would allow, feeling warmth bubble in his chest whenever Adam smiled at him. His son... Vlad was still adjusting to that.
"Mum's your sister right?"
"That's right."
Adam nodded to himself, licking a bit of tomato from his thumb like a vampire with a paper cut.
"I don't have brothers or sisters. Well... I guess I could, mum said my father could have kids, she doesn't know. She doesn't like to talk about him, so I don't ask."
"That's very respectable. Our childhood wasn't much different, our mum was in and out of our life. We have a little brother, only he's not so little anymore."
"Do you get to see him?"
Vlad sighed, shaking his head.
"He's half werewolf, and Adze hates them even though we're at peace. He turns into a wolf at night, and I can't go anywhere in the day."
Adam listened to every word, even as he started to help clean up while Vlad turned up the oven. His big blue eyes were full of thought, chewing his little Dracula lip.
"That sucks."
"Yep. You should go get changed, bring your dirty clothes back and I'll put them in the wash."
"Thanks Vlad."
Adam skipped off, leaving the father he didn't know about filled with tumultuous feelings. It had been a very emotional day, between Ingrid's torment, thoughts of Erin, thoughts of Wolfie and then the whole "newly discovered son" thing. Vlad needed a lie down.
Ingrid materialised during his jaunt through his own headspace, almost making him jump in surprise. Clamping down on the shock, Vlad continued cleaning up, brushing bits of vegetable off his hands over the sink. Before Ingrid could decide to torture him, or Vlad could open his mouth and say something stupid, Adam came back in his lounging t-shirt and jeans, holding the ones covered in cooking mess.
"Hey mum. Where should I put this Vlad?"
"Basket in the corner. Dinner will be about half hour."
Adam seemed content to wait, perching himself on a chair with a book and occasionally pointing out pictures in it to his mother, who always responded immediately even though Vlad felt like her eyes were on him the entire time. Glancing at the calendar, he cringed seeing that it was his birthday soon. That meant only one thing - a party. Two events in under a month where he had to pretend Adze wasn't the worst mistake of his unlife, she had to feign desire for her husband and Vlad had to rub capes with haughty, stuck up biters ten or twenty times his own age complaining about the 'youth of this century'.
Nobody ever seemed to remember that included him.
"What you looking at Vlad?"
"Just my social engagements. There's going to be a party held here in a couple of weeks, but don't worry, they won't be anywhere near your rooms."
"A party? What for?"
"My birthday. Because of my job, its a massive deal. Apparently."
"Can't we come to your birthday party?"
Vlad didn't want them at that party... he would rather no party, just spending the day with some fantasy Ingrid who didn't hate him, and Adam who seemed to enjoy his company at least a little bit.
"Yeah Vlad, why can't we come to your party?"
Ingrid's sarcasm was thick enough to almost drip from her words, knowing Vlad couldn't stop her turning up if he tried.
"I didn't say you couldn't, but there won't be many kids there under transformation age, and its really not very exciting. Everyone drinks too much blood, someone gets staked for hitting on a waitress and I almost stake myself out of boredom."
That didn't seem to deter Adam, who looked to Vlad with hope written across his young face.
"Please let us come?"
"Alright. But don't complain to me when you realise how dull it is."
Adam grinned, setting the bubbles off in Vlad's chest again and he had to turn away not to smile dopily back at his son. Ingrid stayed silent, but he could feel her eyes on him. Thankfully, their food was done not too much later, breaking the silence with plates and bites and chewing. Adam was almost knocked out by the heavy meal, barely lasting an hour before he yawned, bade them goodnight and went to bed.
Vlad felt his heart stutter in his chest again when left with Ingrid, the tease of that almost-kiss earlier still tingling in his memory. He looked away from her porcelain skin, decided to be a grown up and left to ensure the kitchen was clean, even though it was a cleaner day the next day and someone would come do it for him.
Forcing himself to focus, Vlad didn't notice Ingrid follow him in. Not until he turned and found her blocking his way, pressing up against his body with no space between them and Vlad forgot every word he could possibly have said. Words were lost anyway, because Ingrid finally kissed him and holy hell it was even better than he remembered.
One hand fisted in his shirt, the other knotted into his hair and held him firm in place for her tongue to ravage his mouth and Vlad was certain he made some manner of embarrassing sounds. Ingrid hadn't lost those little whimpering gasps in the back of her throat that always drove him insane with need, didn't stop Vlad sliding hands down her back to wrap around her hips.
When Vlad was certain he could take no more, dizzy and drunk on the taste of Ingrid's kiss, she backed away. Pressure on his groin eased, making Vlad painfully aware just how aroused he was. Ingrid looked the picture of debauched, eyes dark and lips swollen, lipstick smeared at one side and Vlad could feel it stuck to his own mouth. He stepped forward, wholly intending to resume the fiery lip-lock but Ingrid held her hand out, lazily but solidly holding Vlad in his place.
"Now tell me you don't dream about me. Sleep well."
And with that and a taunting smirk, Ingrid slid from the room, leaving Vlad confused and hot and more confused. Ingrid had done that just to get at him? It seemed so genuine, at least for those few seconds where she whimpered softly and gripped his hair tight, knowing she absolutely could feel him hard against her stomach. Blood, he was so hard he could barely stand, but Vlad shook his head, considered going after Ingrid for a second before it occurred to him that was suicide, then practically flew back to his own room.
Bats, Vlad wasn't going to survive a decade of Ingrid like this, playing and teasing without giving him a single hint of where he stood or why she did it. He would be amazed if he lasted one year, never mind ten.
-YD-
Dun dun dunnn... actually, it wasn't really that dramatic.