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Light. Near blinding even through her closed eyes. It was the first thing she noticed upon waking, groaning in realization that she had left her blinds open all night. Slowly opening her eyes, not wanting to bombard them with sensory overload, Rose winced at how harsh the sun truly was. She was through the worst of it, no longer needing help to complete her daily tasks or physical therapy to ensure her organs were functioning properly. All of the surgeries and…the Blood had done wonders for her. More than she had thought humanly possible.
Squinting as she picked up her phone, she whined, even though no one could hear her, at the fact that it was already noon. She’d slept through the morning already, which made sense as to why the sun was so bright. Even though she had no agenda, no concrete plans, she still wanted to prove herself to the people here. To show them that she was more than just a liability or a charity case. They all knew her ‘uncles’, and she could see how often she was being sized up against Lestat specifically. All of the scientists and doctors and nurses were kind to her, but she sensed their curiosity about her. No one was more curious than Viktor. While she tried to be respectful to him, to be grateful that he had kept vigil by her bedside, she also wanted him to ask her the questions that she could see in his cool eyes.
Support bars along the walls were installed, a guide for her to hold onto and grip in case her headaches became overwhelming. Luckily the days of walking with a cane in case she fell were over, but she could still stumble, her vision growing blurry as the blood did its work to heal her further. She was still receiving small doses, the blood most likely coming from Seth, as he was older and more powerful. With each dose she began to crave it. Food lost its vibrant taste, the sun grew more harsh, and a low craving took over her soul. Indescribable for a human who hadn’t experienced any Blood at all, a wholly unique hunger.
Though it was inadvisable to shower without a nurse there, to steady her, she ignored protocol, wobbling as she tried to clean herself. Dressing was only mildly easier, and she was simply relieved that she hadn’t given herself any new bruises after exerting herself so. Now that she at least felt like a shadow of herself, she headed to the kitchen.
The large windows brought in so much natural light that it still surprised her that this was a home of Vampires. If that was what they indeed called themselves. It was lunch, but the staff here tended not to eat in the main kitchen. That was reserved it seem for Viktor and herself. So it wasn’t entirely surprising to find him there, fixing himself something, but she didn’t nose in to try and see. His warm smile felt inviting, and yet, it felt standard, not entirely genuine.
“Good ‘morning’, Rose. I was just preparing a small salad, would you like some?”
Viktor’s voice carried that same tone of mild insincerity, but Rose tried to tell herself she was imagining things.
“No, thanks. I think I’m gonna have something bad for breakfast. Break all the rules. Maybe not go so far as having dessert but…” she rifled through the pantry, grinning with the colorful box held in front of her, “some Lucky Charms ought to do nicely. I still can’t believe they never let you have this stuff.”
“Yes, well, it wasn’t healthy. Not optimal for a nutritious diet.” While she poured out the cereal he continued with his cutting and mixing, seeming very attentive to his preparations.
“Well, now that I’m here, and under doctor’s orders to eat whatever I want to feel better, that’s gonna change. It’ll be only sugar and fried foods for you from now on. Besides, there’s only so much kale chips and gross smoothies your body can take before it rebels against you.”
Slyly stealing a halved cherry tomato, she popped it in her mouth and shoveled in a spoonful of marshmallows, as if to prove her point.
“If I’m to be…in this body for eternity, then I have to take care of it properly. And that starts with a good diet and working out regularly. That’s just science.”
“Phience?” Swallowing her mouthful, Rose continued, “You’ve been raised by supernatural beings, and you talk about science? I mean, I guess it makes sense. But not to me. What’s the point of living if you’re not going to indulge every once in a while? I’m not saying to replace all of your meals with 2000 calorie options, but have some cookies every so often. Come on, where’s that Brat Prince spirit! They’re not gonna kill you. And it’s not like they will let you die anyway.”
The expression on Viktor’s face was tinged with confusion. He obviously hadn’t had someone be so candid with him about his lifestyle, as she doubted he told his classmates at Oxford all about his strange childhood. When he spoke he sounded distant, lost.
“No, I don’t suppose they would. If anything happened to me, they’d save me. In the only way they know how. Though they might try and patch me up, like they did to you. Fix what’s broken but leave me…human.”
She realized she touched a nerve, but he had her on a roll, and she wasn’t about to let him go that easily. Besides, she would rather not think on how Fareed and Seth saved her life.
“No hint of rebellion in you at all. You’re less like a son of Lestat…but you are a prince in your own right. More Prince Charming though. All prim and proper and tight laced and with a face that is gonna melt hearts for centuries. Like dear old dad.”
Her tease had little bite, though she wondered why she was flirting with Viktor. Was she even ready to begin flirting with anyone, much less the guy who shared a father with her? Putting that aside, she watched him continue to work, ignoring her, though she was able to catch his hidden smile.
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Weeks later, with her head on Viktor’s shoulder, she smiled down at his sleeping face. Kissing his skin, she curled closer to him, but winced as another thrum of pain passed through her. It was what woke her up, before him for once, but she tried her best not to wake him in turn. Let him sleep, at least one of them should be coherent come morning. They’d been told they were going to New York soon, that everyone was gathering there. On one hand she felt excitement, but she also was worried. Viktor was hers, and hers alone for now. And she didn’t want to have to relinquish him to the others.
So she held tight, her fingers idly running across his torso. For now he was hers. That was all that mattered. Rose whispered, unable to stop her words, as soft as she could, “You’re like my prince. My own. My Prince Charming.”