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Vlad despised snow, no matter how many good memories you made during snowy nights, there were always the memories that would cloud his ever so serene, crimson red gaze. Scars so deeply carved into his soul and heart, you wondered sometimes if there was a way to soothe this pain at all. You at least did everything in your power to ease his mind during these nights. As it was today, while the wind was howling outside, snowflakes danced outside of the large, colourful windows.
Inside Vlad’s room you had made space in front of the fireplace, spread out a comfortable carpet and gathered blankets. The fire gave off a gentle, warm glow and raising the temperature in the room to a cozy level. You settled in front of it, a blanket wrapped around your shoulders. Your eyes wandered up towards where the distorted portrait used to be, now replaced by an oil painting of a rose garden. Vlad didn’t need this painting anymore, since he had already found you. After so many years he didn’t look at the image with longing anymore but at you yourself.
A small sigh left your lips, before you heard the door open and Vlad came walking in, balancing a small plate in one hand, a cup in the other, kicking the heavy door closed with his foot. There was a smile on his face but you didn’t miss the slightly haunted look in his eyes.
“What’s this?”, you asked, an amused undertone in your voice. He settled down next to you, revealing what he had been carrying. On the plate was a piece of strawberry cake from this afternoon and in the mug was freshly brewed, steaming coffee, black as the night.
“Charles put aside some of the cake we had for tea this afternoon. And I also made you some coffee, since you said you were cold.”
While he spoke, you reached behind him, picked up another one of the blankets you had prepared beforehand and put it around his shoulders, wrapping him up similar to yourself. Vlad offered you a soft smile and handed the cup of coffee over to you. He really disliked coffee so the more you appreciated the fact that he made some for you anyway. You accepted the warm drink and as soon as it was out of his hands, Vlad picked up the fork and started eating the piece of cake.
With a smile you leaned carefully against his shoulder, eyes watching the fireplace as you took a sip from the cup. Comfortable silence fell between the both of you, only the storm outside and the noises of the burning wood filled the room. A sense of peace settled over your heart, but before it could spread throughout your mind, you remembered the haunted expression in his blood red eyes. Most would have missed it, but not you. “Vlad..?”
“Hm?” He directly turned around, fork still in his mouth, just eating a piece of cake.
You couldn’t help but giggle at the sight. The childlike excitement whenever he got to eat his favorite food was incredible endearing to you. For all his eternal grace, brave ambitions and majestic aura.. Somewhere in there was still a young heart excited for strawberries. It was then when you noticed that there was nothing but affection and peace in his gaze, the shadows of the past seemed to be leaving him alone..for now.
“Nothing.. Eat your cake.” The chuckle in your voice was clearly audible, no matter how much you tried to hide it. But Vlad only smiled and took the fork, picking up another piece of strawberry cake, holding it out to you. You looked up at him, head slightly tilted to the side. “You sure? You will not try to murder me?” It was a joke, of course, but you knew what he wanted to do to Faust before.
He nodded lightly, his expression growing serious for a moment. “I offered it to you. Unlike Johann, you would never steal my strawberries, yes?”
You eyed your lover for a moment longer and then accepted the strawberry cake gratefully. You hummed at the pleasant taste. Maybe you should go thank Charles for always bringing such nice treats back from town.
While you were still enjoying the sweet taste on your tongue, Vlad leaned over and kissed the corner of your mouth softly, followed by a soft, quiet laugh. You raised your eyebrows at him, but he just shook his head and pressed his lips to your forehead, before returning to the remaining treat which was still on his plate. You took a sip from your cup with a smile and cuddled up to his side. The storm outside was almost forgotten, the warmth in your heart matching the one from the fireplace.
If this was, what was needed for him to turn his eyes away from the trauma of his past, you would gladly sit with him here, enjoying each other’s company for however long he required or wanted it. After all there was an eternity together ahead of you.