Chapter Text
The moon filtered through the stained glass windows lining the empty hallways, so late at night that everyone was tucked away into their beds. Well, mostly everyone. Allegra emerged from the staircase to the caverns, shutting the old wooden door softly behind her with a sigh. It had been another long night of gathering reports on the ghouls. Hours of chasing down their vampire characters and following up on previous reports, she was utterly exhausted now, but there were only a few tasks left to complete.
Adjusting the files in her arms, she started down the hallway. Taking in the serenity of her solitude, Allegra’s eyes absently looked to the stained glass around her, once again admiring the images above. A moment later she stood outside an ornate door propped open just a couple of inches. Warm light peeked through the crack, but she paid it no mind and pushed the barrier open, stepping into Frater Imperator’s office as she normally did to leave the reports for the morning.
“Oh.”
She froze in the doorway, staring at the man sitting behind the desk. Both were a little taken aback by the others’ appearance. Copia stared at her, looking as exhausted as she felt, his paints smeared a bit – likely from rubbing his eyes throughout the night.
“Allegra,” he finally croaked out, sitting up straight as he composed himself. “You’re up late.”
She chuckled softly, stepping forward. “I am a vampire, Frater. I’m always up late.”
“Ah, right… right.”
Stopping in front of his desk, Allegra carefully set the files down before him, her eyes sweeping over the mess of paperwork he had laid out. A small frown tugged at her lips as she looked up at his face once more, watching as he fumbled to try and tidy up his desk.
“Why are you still awake?”
He paused, hand mid-reach for a book. Silence followed for a few awkward seconds before he continued, picking it up to place elsewhere on the desk.
“Well, I’m busy, you know. Being Frater is an important job. There’s lots to do!” He chuckled nervously, gesturing vaguely with a hand. “I still have to approve those plans for the new Ministry, the renovations, and getting everything in order to move.”
Her eyes followed his gloved hands as he continued, noticing the slight quiver to them. Without much thought she reached forward, grasping his hands gently as he made to grab the files she had brought him. He inhaled sharply, tensing before trying to pull away. She held fast. Time seemed to freeze momentarily, and when she knew he wouldn’t pull away anymore her thumbs gently brushed over the backs of his hands.
“Why are you still awake?”
Allegra stared at him closely, noting the way his eyes flicked nervously from their hands to the side, before meeting her gaze. He swallowed, his fingers twitching slightly. Satanas , the look in his eyes tugged at her unbeating heart. Sadness. Exhaustion. Fear.
“I… I couldn’t sleep,” he admitted quietly. “I haven’t been able to for a while.”
Nodding in understanding, she gave his hands an affectionate squeeze. “Got a lot on your mind?”
“...Yeah, something like that…”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
He hesitated, lowering his gaze to their hands. After a slight pause he sighed, slipping his hands from hers. “No… I’ll be fine.”
Allegra let him pull away, her own hands slowly falling to her sides. Quiet examination of him made her shake her head, and she rounded his desk to stand beside him. He flinched slightly in surprise, but she ignored it as she set about tidying his papers for him.
“Allegra, no – I can do this!”
“I know you can, but I’m here to help whether you ask for it or not.”
He stammered, but she had already cleared most of the wooden surface, placing everything in neat piles. Straightening again she turned to look at him, a warm smile on her lips. His eyes swept over the desk before looking up at her, a shimmer of appreciation behind his glassy gaze. Allegra raised her hand, brushing his hair back from his face.
“I know you probably don’t hear this enough, but I want you to know I’m proud of you. You’re doing a wonderful job as Frater, but don’t forget that you aren’t alone…” Her hand fell to his shoulder, giving a firm squeeze. “Okay?”
She saw a tear finally escape and quickly, gently, brushed her thumb over his cheek to wipe it away without smearing his paints. His lips curled into a tired smile, a silent nod of agreement. Leaning down she kissed the top of his head and stepped back, walking around his desk to the door.
“Allegra?”
She paused, hand on the doorknob as she looked over her shoulder. “Yeah?”
“I…” He shifted in his seat, hands resting on the wooden surface. “Thank you. For everything.”
“What are friends for?” she replied simply, flashing a sweet smile. “Don’t stay up too late, alright? Tomorrow’s another busy day.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. Goodnight.”
With a final bow of her head, Allegra stepped into the hall. She left the door open a crack, as it had been when she’d first arrived, before heading down the empty hallway towards her private quarters. Drawing in a deep breath, she slowly exhaled, the image of his exhausted, sad and fearful expression imprinted in her mind. Resentment began to bubble in her chest, but she pushed it aside. Instead she would focus on how to help him and ease his worries to the best of her abilities.
She would not fail him.