#ikevamp le comte

[memoria-99]

Ikemen Vampire: Guys before the plastic surgery

[ana-thedaydreamer]

I got the young trio purebloods here because they are all in top 5 of the category “Childhood” in the last election in Ikevamp JP 😭🥺🫶

[worlds-smallestviolin]

Comte: So you've met Vlad.

MC: Yes.

Comte:...

MC:...

Comte: He's weirdly sexy, right?

MC: Oh my God. Thank you. I thought I was the only one.

[ikemenscreenshotoftheday]

08/04 ❤️🫶🥺❤️

[koco-coko]

Modern au this modern au that

NOBODY is talking about what Comte would be doing if he had a computer

Aka he's going on every single dress up game there is. Every single one. Mobile, steam, flash, adobe, does not matter in his private time he plays dress up doll games I will not he taking criticism

[ceruleanwhore]

So I’ve seen a lot of headcanons and fics floating around the Cybird/Ikemen fandom spaces about pregnancy or having children, but I have yet to see any childfree content at all, as @sevenai pointed out in a post they made about ikevamp. As such, I’ve put together a list of childfree headcanons for all the ikevamp men for those of us who want such things.

Napoleon — After the tragedy of his only legitimate son’s premature death during his life, I think it’s perfectly plausible that he would not want to try to produce another child of his own. Besides, the children he teaches with Isaac do more than enough to fill the void and warm his heart. I imagine that, at some point, the topic of children would come up and, when his partner would nervously disclose that she doesn’t actually want to have any of their own, he would feel relief.

Leo — Being in a relationship with anyone at all (especially a human) is already more than enough heartbreak, I don’t think he could handle producing a child of his own that he would then have to watch die someday even though no parent should ever outlive their child.

Mozart — This man is obsessive about cleanliness and absolutely cannot tolerate noise. There’s no way in hell he’s ever having a kid.

Arthur — He had five children in his life and so I feel like, for him, he’s already done that and sufficiently fulfilled that desire, so now he doesn’t feel the need to do it over again in this second life. I think he’d be willing to give it a go if that’s what his partner wanted, but I also think he’d be just as content not to.

Vincent — I get that in ikevamp he’s a sweet boy, but he has a past full of tremendous mental health struggles, and I think he’d be afraid of passing that to any potential children. I also think he would be worried about his ability to care for a child.

Isaac — Dude’s already worried he’s going to snack on Comte’s ferret or something, like being in a relationship with a human is PLENTY for him to worry about. Also, he’s a good person who views himself as a dangerous monster, which means he definitely won’t be having kids any time soon. Plus, like Napoleon, he has their little gaggle that they teach and that is genuinely plenty for him. Yeah, I think he’d be perfectly happy to have his partner tell him that there is no desire for children on their part.

Theo — I think he’d be more apathetic about children, where he doesn’t really have a desire for them but he would be willing to have kids if that’s what his partner wanted. He already has his partner, his bother, and his career, and that is more than enough for him to be happy.

Jean — First off, Jean is 19. Secondly, he hates himself and what he is, like Carlisle from Twilight. Maybe he would’ve wanted kids in life, but there is no way in hell he’d want to create half vampire spawn.

Will — Given that he was always running away from his wife and kids in his life, I think it’s safe to assume he never wanted them, even before he died. I think, given the context of his real marriage with Anne, he would be grateful to discover that his partner doesn’t want to have kids with him and it would be another indicator to him that this relationship is actually a good match.

Comte — I think he has no desire of his own for children and I also think he is hella devoted to whoever he chooses to be in a relationship with and will do anything to make them happy, so even if he did want kids he still would 100% fold to a childfree partner. There’s also that element of tragedy like with Leonardo that we’ll also see with Vlad.

Dazai — He’s either actively suicidal or very recently got better and definitely does not feel like he has the capacity to care for a child. Also, someone who hates themselves so much they’d choose to become a vampire solely so they could live long enough to kill their infant self is definitely not going to want to reproduce. Like Isaac, he sees himself as dangerous and I don’t think he would trust himself with something like having kids and I think that being in a relationship is already massively stressful for him.

Sebastian — He has a terminal illness, so there could be concern about passing whatever it is to any future children. He also probably would just not want to have to subject children to dealing with his inevitable, premature death. Even without all that, like if he can get magically cured by Faust or something, I don’t really see him actively wanting to have children, like I think he’d be more of a “travel the world with your partner in a delightfully comfortable DINK arrangement” kind of guy.

Vlad  — Yeah I think he’d 100% just be a “whatever you want” guy who values his partner above all else, including potential people who don’t exist yet.

Faust  — He’s kinda weird with kids tbh in a way that reminds me of myself — uncomfortable but kind of nice and gives in easily to whatever they want — which makes me think he doesn’t really like them and doesn’t really want them. I could see him kind of wanting to reproduce with a human as an experiment, but I really don’t see him genuinely desiring to have children.

Charles  — I get the vibe that he’ll be a very possessive yandere once he’s in a relationship and won’t want to share his partner with anyone at all, including potential children of their own. He actually gives me the impression that even if his partner came to him and shared that they genuinely wanted to have children with him, he might insist they not because of this trait of his.

[kissmetwicekissmedeadly]

[chirp-a-chirp]

Arthur: Let’s play a word association game. Sugar.

MC: Daddy!

Arthur: Big.

MC: Daddy!

Arthur: *Smirks* Who’s your—

MC: Daddy!

Arthur: I can now conclude you love Le Comte.

MC: What gave me away?!

[sunshineyuuji]

Surprising Facts

IkeVamp suitors with an s/o who randomly says interesting facts

Characters: Leonardo Da Vinci, Isaac Newton, Arthur Conan Doyle, Le Comte de Saint-Germain, Johann Georg Faust

Warnings: maybe ooc since I don't know their personalities well, bad English (?), some facts may be a little disturbing (Isaac's part), gn!reader/fem!reader.

Notes: hello~! It's great to write again! I hope you're all taking care. This is the first time I write anything that has to do with the Ikemen series, so I hope you like it (╥﹏╥). Also, this is a tiny bit too much inspired by things I say to my friends and family so enjoy this little random facts I know, te-hee~.

Leonardo Da Vinci

"Did you know that Samuel Morse, the creator of the telegraph and Morse code ran for mayor of New York, but was against Catholics and immigrants?"

"I beg your pardon?"

It's really fun to have them around, though he sometimes doesn't understand some of the facts they throw at him and asks them to explain.

He learns more about future events through their random facts than asking the other residents.

He gets caught off guard by some of the facts his s/o throws at him though.

"Nutmeg is a hallucinogen."

Sometimes tries to ask them things that he thinks may be difficult for them to know, but he always fails.

"Actually, Sudan has more pyramids than any other country in the world."

His s/o never fails to impress him and he loves that.

They’re just cute darlings full of knowledge! They’re pretty and smart!

Secretly wishes to surprise his s/o with something they don't know.

Perhaps his unconditional love for them.

"And did you know, tesoro, that I love you dearly?"

I'm sure they didn't know that one, did they?

Isaac Newton

"Did you know the human stomach can dissolve razor blades?"

"Y/N, please, PLEASE stop with the creepy information."

Look, he's glad they’re drenched in information, but WHY do they choose to tell him the creepy ones?

He knows some of the facts his s/o tells him, others are more modern so he asks them information about it.

But when it comes to the creepy ones...

"Acids can dissolve a body more completely than lye, liquefying even the bones and teeth."

"And why do you need this information?!"

Let's face it, it's a bit weird that they know that, but they’re full of information!

Although they always have one or two that make him smile.

"Did you know the world's longest marriage lasted 86 years?"

Isaac looked up at his s/o with intrigue.

"Why don't we break the record?" they smiled at him and laughed when they noticed his cheeks blush.

Arthur Conan Doyle

"There are four law books bound in human skin at the Harvard University Library."

"Bound in what?!"

It feels like a competition.

He wants to outsmart them in saying something they don't know, but never finds anything.

"Video cameras were invented in 1891."

"Mmm that was the movie camera called Kinetograph, but in 1888 Louis Le Prince invented a single-lens camera that created the first and oldest motion video in existence."

"Bloody hell, Y/N!"

Don't worry, there is one thing he can do that leaves them with no answer.

And that is at flirting.

"You may be a little know-it-all, but you're still my cute dove, aren't you?" he chuckles. "Oh yes, I always win in the game of seduction."

Always uses the little random facts they give him on books.

Like that one time when his s/o told him that hydrogen peroxide dissolves blood!

Comte de Saint-Germain

Let's be clear, this man knows quite a lot thanks to his time travels.

But that doesn't stop his s/o from saying a thing or two.

"It's interesting how people often paint you as a time traveler and an immortal being without knowing they're right. Isn't it ironic?"

Asks more about future events like wars that are soon to come or any type of information that calls his attention.

"In your time, which is the most famous book?"

"Currently the Bible. It's the most recognizable and famous book that has ever been published."

He always has this soft smile whenever they tell him anything out of the blue, either because of amusement or because he loves how they smile whenever they tell him any random fact.

It's adorable to say the least, and he will make sure to always make them feel proud of their knowledge.

"Ma chèrie is very smart and knowledgeable. I sure am a lucky man, aren't I?"

Johann Georg Faust

Let's be for real, he's a smart ass.

He knows quite a lot about alchemy and other stuff.

But what about modern stuff?

"You know, I wanted to watch the play that goes by your name. I read it though! Very tragic indeed."

"What are you talking about?"

Yeah, yeah, he’s smart and stuff.

Really cool.

But his face when they tell him something he doesn’t know?!

Priceless.

Even if he does know, he’s more surprised on the fact that his s/o knows that type of stuff.

For example:

“Did you know that injecting 35% hydrogen peroxide can cause inflammation of the blood vessels at the injection site? The oxygen bubbles that block flood flow and lead to gas embolisms, leading to the destruction of red blood cells.”

“May I know why you know this information?”

Secretly likes it. I mean after all, his s/o isn’t just some pretty face.

Doesn’t stop him from teasing you though.

“Your knowledge won’t help you get away from me now will it? Hm, thought so. Now come here before I make you regret it.”

Will make a quiz full of questions regarding history out of spite.

They pass flawlessly. (Yeah, just with random facts from the internet. Leave me alone, I did that once.)

“You are proficient with your little data. Well, I can't expect less from my partner.”

[ikeromantic]

IkeVamp Boys React to Tattooed MC pt 1

Le Comte, Leo, and Napoleon!

Le Comte de Saint-Germain

"What's this?" He slips a hand beneath the edge of your blouse, lifting it up to see your back. "A flower?"

You blush. "Y-yeah. I just really liked the design, the colors. Is it - do you like it?"

His fingers trace the edges of the ink. "It is like finding artwork within a work of art." Le Comte leans close, his breath ghosting against your skin. "I wonder what other surprises you are hiding."

Leonardo

"Cara."

You look up from your book to meet his warm gaze, lips turned up in a slight, wry smile.

His hands grip your leg gently and extend it from your curled spot in the chair. Calloused fingers peel your stocking off, and send a little shiver through you. "Is this a bird?" Leo turns your leg to look at the tiny tattoo just above your ankle.

"Erm. Yes. My friend and I got matching ones when we graduated? It means freedom. Flying high. Going places." You try to explain, but it's hard to think with his thumb stroking little circles over the ink.

"I see." He lets go and stands.

"What are you doing?"

Leo glances at you over his shoulder as he rummages on his nightstand. "Going to design you something. For us."

Napoleon

He's been looking at your wrist tattoo on and off all afternoon. Ever since he noticed it in the kitchen, when your sleeves were rolled up. Exasperated at his open curiosity but complete silence, you finally bring it up.

"So. What do you think?" You hold up your wrist, displaying the tiny, colorful butterflies there.

Napoleon examines the tattoo, brushing his fingers over it. "I didn't want to pry but . . . were you a sailor?"

You laugh and shake your head. This only seems to concern him more.

"A prisoner then?"

"No! Oh my God no! Why would you even think that?" You laugh, somewhat horrified by the question.

"Then . . . how were you marked?"

You explain this was something you got because you loved the design and the meaning, transformation.

Napoleon listens intently, nodding along. "I think I understand," he says when you finish. His lips press gently to the spot, as if sealing it with a kiss. "Change should leave a mark behind, a symbol of what was and what could be."

[tothestraycats]

I sometimes wonder who are the poor workers that have to write the epilogues, like "hey, you’re in charge of writing the mc getting dicked down today"

The middle aged salary man that had to do overtime to write that first person pov threesome with Comte and Leonardo:

[ana-thedaydreamer]

Art appreciation to my sub oc x canon cps for New Year 🥰

It's been forever since I draw them orz 🫠

Abel x Madeline

Vlad x Odette

[worlds-smallestviolin]

MC is feeling depressed:

Napoleon: Have you tried sleeping it off?

Mozart: Uh, can you do that someplace else?

Leonardo: *follows MC everywhere* Have you cheered up yet?

Arthur: Well, you know what always helps me? 😏✊️👈💢🤕

Theo: Walk it off.

Vincent: *saw MC being sad* *got sad himself* *MC ended up comforting him*

Isaac: I don't know what you want me to do. Here's an apple.

Dazai: You should go to the beach. It won't cure your depression, but it will make it tropical.

Jean: Try holy water.

Sebastian: *flicks her forehead* * ineffective* I can't help you.

Shakespeare: So... How about you play a main part in my next play?

Comte: Get in, loser! We're going shopping!

Charles: Well, you know what always he... 💢🤕 MC: I am not having sex with you.

Faust: I have a perfect solution. Try these mushrooms 🍄 😈

Vlad: Oh, you just miss your grandma? Well, here. *vampire grandma enters the room*

[art-of-love-and-war]

Hi!!! This is the first time I've EVER requested anything, so I'm super excited to be asking you. Would it be OK if I could have headcannons with some of the ikevamp boys? If you're comfortable with it, could I have Arthur, Comte, Isaac and Leonardo with and mc who has ADHD? I completely understand if you don't, feel free to completely ignore me. Thank youuu 😊😊😊❤❤❤

Characters: Arthur Conan Doyle | Comte De Saint Germain | Isaac Newton | Leonardo Da Vinci x GN!Reader  Rating: General.  Word count: 819 words  Warning/s: Reader has ADHD, mentions of procrastination, hyperfocus, not enough focus. Author note: Hello! Sorry this took so long, I’ve had this on my mind for a very long time, and I even thought about doing Isaac’s route to write him more accurately but work has been killing me so I didn't get to open the DSM-V collecting dust in my shelf for this one :c

[୨୧] — Arthur Conan Doyle

There are quite some things he can understand about your symptoms. The main thing being procrastinating. 

Listen, he is a writer, and he is not perfect, and there are moments where inspiration poofs out and he is forced to stop with his writer's block, or sometimes he feels stuck in a sentence and decides to do everything except finish his next chapter, so he can empathize when you go through periods where you keep pushing certain activities until the last minute.

He still worries about your well-being, even if he is not a doctor anymore; he is curious about the treatment you had back at your time and home. 

He is sweet and understanding, despite having some pet peeves, he does his best to understand how it's something that is part of you and can work with support. And he wants to be that support.

Arthur also finds relatable the moments where you are stuck with your hyper-focus periods, and you happen to do your and Sebastian’s chores for the day on your own, though he is hurt by you mostly ignoring him those awful days when he wants nothing but to pamper you.

[୨୧] — Comte De Saint Germain

He is a wonderful and understanding man.

I can imagine him having a lot of pet peeves with people getting distracted too easily or drifting off and, part of loving you is the imperfections you embrace of each other and, they make you perfect for him as anyone. 

He is careful of the periods where you either procrastinate too much or hyper-focus too much to not exhaust yourself with the chores you take or by making you overwhelmed by taking care of the mansion and its inhabitants. 

He will listen to your weekly obsession without trouble. Do you want to tell him about 30 crow facts you learned? Tell him. Did you find a new way to make Sebas flick your forehead? He frowns. Do you want to tell him about your comfort fanfic you know by heart because you can’t read it anymore? He will listen.

If you fidget too much, and if you ask, he will get someone from his multiple contacts to make a “replica” of the fidget toys you used to have back at home.

[୨୧] — Isaac Newton

I have been seriously thinking of this since I got this ask because it seems too funny even if I haven't read his route: Consider, you don’t shut up.

Isaac strikes me as the type who wants to study in peace and quiet.

So maybe your relationship is quite a bumpy ride at first. 

What amazes him is your capability of telling him about 100 things that interested you in the span of a single week.

Your conversations flow at random, so he would often be working on his stuff to suddenly be whisked away by you to tell him about that one thing you found out about hedgehogs for 3 hours. 

Sometimes you are the cause of some of his frustrations. Last month you started knitting? He found some yarn with a texture you like and bought it as a gift, thinking you could make something for yourself.

He came back to find your knitted sweater half done and forgotten, and now you are learning how to bake. 

And it is an ongoing cycle, but he finds a bit of happiness in you trying new things, as you often drag him along, which means spending more time together.

Maybe your relationship is the answer to what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.

[୨୧] — Leonardo Da Vinci

ADHD? 

Avoid tasks? Hyperfocus? Not enough focus? This man is a master at all those (and at dozing off)

He doesn’t mind you procrastinating, he has been avoiding to clean up his room for the last century, so he can’t complain. 

Now, if you forget or get distracted about other things, now that’s a different story. Did you feed Lumiere in the evening and forgot to tell him, and then he fed him that same day, and now you have a chubby cat? 

That’s funny, but no. 

Aside from that, he doesn’t have trouble with your condition; he is still a loving man. He always is and has been when it comes to loving you. 

And he likes your energy and how you keep him awake, in a sense, always making him try new things together, like dancing! Which he is not the best at, but he doesn’t mind trying your interests. 

If you take an interest in one of his multiple areas of expertise he’d definitely teach you and not be bothered if you happen to drop your interest in the activity, in fact, he invites you to try other things.

Beware, he is a strict teacher, so he doesn’t want your attention wandering off too often.

He enjoys…, grounding you, lets say. 

[goddesswitchmother]

Ah! Just picturing my faves as a daddy 🥰I know it's been a few weeks 🤫also the tiny toes are melting my heart so cute! I don't even like toes but little baby anything gets me every time.

[koco-coko]

Cain & | Ikemen Vampire Fic

-> Two halves of a whole, seperated by fate.

Tags/Warnings <--> Past Relationships, Fluff and Angst, Vlad/Comte, Comte/Leonardo (not a threesome), Longing, Grief, Comte is babygirl-coded in this, Spicy Scenes (nothing graphic so viewer discreation advised), Heavy Spoilers for Vlad and Comte!!!

Word Count: 1,981

A/N <--> I wanted to post this on valentines, but then I realized maybe a tragic love story wouldn't be great for valentines... but i mean someone needs to bring down the mood right

i think they might like this: @natimiles @yanderepuck and @azulashengrottospiano (I thought you would like seeing comte be sad and moody and also vlad being silly soo) @drewadoodle

“Hello, Abel.”

Is that what Cain said the morning before he killed his brother?

God always favored Abel. No matter what Cain brought, God always favored his brother. So, enraged, Cain killed his brother Abel. And there was no turning back from that, was there?

The smell of cigarillos and book pages forever clung to the man next to him. The light snores he made were all too familiar. Comte knew the five senses of Leonardo better than he knew his own, really. They were ever-comforting in their mundanity.

As he finished buttoning up his shirt, pants still missing (mysteriously lost in the sea of the wood floor, in the tide of other discarded clothes), he turned to Leonardo and threw his arm over the man’s broad chest. (Though Comte did squint when he  realized Leonardo was already asleep– it hadn’t even been five minutes! How was he meant to take this man seriously…) 

Ah– he smiled. He knew that feeling, too; the steady beating of his heart, the rising and falling of his lover’s chest. It was all so normal to him. Homely, domestic, all sensation he craved for.

Though, one wouldn’t be able to tell that from the quickly-healing scratch marks on Leonardo’s back, nor the many bruises on Comte’s collarbone and waist.

As le Comte snuggled closer to the Renaissance man, a vision hit him like a stray carriage. He’d been here before, but the senses of familiarity were much different. There had been plentiful bottles of wine that night, too. There had been affection, pleasure, warmth… but there were a few sensations that were unique about that night.

The firelight traced Leonardo’s face in such a romantic way, the pureblood couldn’t help but lean up and kiss his cheek. Comte tried to exude such images from his mind. The past only brought sorrow and longing, and yet… The fireplace crackled.

The fireplace…

The fireplace crackled. “A-And– And-!” Abel hiccuped, a drunken grin on his face while he wobbled about on the floor. It had been a while since he drank so much, wine bottles as old as them littered about the floor. Vlad was barely conscious at this point, giggling like a madman at every word his companion said.

“She didn’t,” Vlad cooed, barely staying upright in his seating position. He leaned against the fireplace several times, his cheeks flush and his forehead beaded with sweat as he reached for Abel’s bottle.

“She did!” he laughed. Then, a short whine as he tried to take the bottle from Vlad’s grasp. When Vlad tugged again, Abel tumbled to the ground next to him. They both couldn’t stop laughing, far beyond the lines of sobriety. 

When the cackling died to loose giggles, Abel looked back at Vlad through teary eyes. “My, it truly has been an eternity since I’d seen you,” he said, wiping his wet eyes. 

When he looked back, all he saw was a pale red staring at him. The man before him was… entranced, even. Maybe it was the drinks getting to him. Maybe they really were just a bit too drunk. Maybe this was a mistake that he’d regret all his eternal life.

But the next thing Abel knew, his back was against the fur rug and his lips were smashed against Vlad’s. Liquor and Rouge blended into a terribly sweet, terribly addictive taste. A hint of strawberries in there, somewhere. “I missed you, too,” Vlad whimpered, his hands roaming across Abel’s hips. It was just a glimmer, but Abel saw some indescribable sorrow behind the vivid crimson. 

Abel opened his mouth, but all words were cut off when Vlad pulled his collar down and peppered kisses across his neck. Abel giggled nervously, his fingertips gliding across Vlad’s back. “You know…” he started, “Despite my ‘prestigious’  reputation, I haven’t–”

Abel’s breath hitched as a bite was placed right on the side of his neck. His fangs didn’t penetrate, though he could tell that the way they graced his skin was intentional.

Vlad lifted himself up, caging in Abel beneath him. His face was flush with alcohol and affection, but that boyish smile seemed stolen straight from the days long gone. “Me neither,” he chuckled, “It’s been awhile since old men like us have done something new, hasn’t it? Tonight seems like a good opportunity.”

It was strange, Comte thought, how he could barely recall anything else about that beloved night. The night he discovered Vlad still lived, that those years spent longing for him weren’t for naught… That the tears he shed may not have been completely useless… It was all just a blur. 

Perhaps it was the alcohol, fogging the memory of inexperienced touches and passionate kisses, tongues tying only to break apart so the other could giggle at a mishap. Belt buckles and shoes seemed so hard to take off at that time, filled with silly jokes and laughs, plenty of fiddling, everything felt so… new. Experimental, even. It was rare Abel felt particularly young but never unwelcome.

It may also have been Vlad’s touch, gentle and delicate, but so enticing. He was dedicated to him, as if he were painting a fine masterpiece. Each caress came with passion, though their experience was clear as day. Porcelain fingertips traced their way towards Abel’s face and gently covered his eyes, a soft mantra repeated and infested. A rose field appeared in his mind’s eye, a single whisper from the man on top of him. “Dragă mea…” Sharp fangs sunk into his neck with tender care, a soft caress on his side.

From there, it was a blur of pure bliss.

Comte crawled out of bed with a slight sore in his back, though he knew he would dissipate in minutes. Only once he stood up and searched the floor for his pants did he figure out that his shirt was a size too big. The cigarillo musk was just as prominent despite leaving Leonardo’s side. Ha, really, was his lover so possessive as to hand him his own shirt? Comte shook his head fondly as slid his pants back on.

Comte went about cleaning the area, folding up lost clothing articles and picking up the empty bottles of wine littered across the floor. Maybe they overdid it tonight, but sometimes it was nice to recreate their rebellious and reckless phases from bygone days. 

When Comte gazed at the fireplace, memories swirled through his head. It was vivid and blurry, amorous and lonely, everything and nothing. He spent years mourning Vlad, sobbing into his mother’s arms when the news of the Draculęsti family’s death arrived. He remembered acting out constantly, he remembered the longing, the primal need to see him smile one more time.

Abel sighed dreamily, the rose field in front of him seemingly endless. Snow-tipped flowers swayed back and forth like tides on the sea. Despite the wonderful sight in front of him, all he could focus on was the golden pocket watch in his hands, caressing it like a lover. “Is it naive of me to say I’m excited?”

Vlad, laying on his lap, while he played with the split tail of his long coat, merely hummed in vague amusement. “May I ask why you wonder this?”

Golden eyes flitted between the watch and the pureblood snug on his thighs, smiling fondly at each. “It’s nothing, really. Though, often I wonder if my psyche is too human. A newly built home for us both, the expecting of children… I feel like a newlywed wife!” he laughed, his free hand running through Vlad’s silky white hair.

Vlad quickly took Abel’s hand, reverently laying pecks across his fingertips. “I think it’s beautiful. Humans, vampires… I’ve never been able to distinguish us so easily. Well, until that day…” A pause came. Vlad’s smile remained ever gently, not even a flicker in his expression. “No matter, I feel the same, though perhaps I’m too old and jaded to act as giddy,” he chuckled. “Is there anyone you’ve had an eye on, Abel?”

Abel looked out into the sea of roses. A gentle breeze made his long, golden hair sway across his face, though Vlad was quick to sit up and remove it. In this new position, lazy pecks were put against his neck and shoulders. Those everlasting roses, this everlasting love…By any other name, they would smell just as sweet.

“I’ve always had a liking to the works of Shakespeare.”

A yawn elicited Comte to return to his bed, only having a quick tug-of-war with Leonardo for his blankets back. Usually it took longer… He quickly realized that his partner’s relent was due to the arm thrown around his shoulders, forcing Comte close to Leonardo’s chest. He sighed contently as he nuzzled close to his lover.

Comte had never been a fan of the past, at least in recent years. The present was far more constructive, more real than the years he lived. He was never one for reminiscing, and yet, even with his dearest, the man he’d given his heart to, beside him… His mind betrayed all logical thought.

Was it foolish, even moronic, of Abel to sit alone in his room and cry that day? The years of longing and grief had been for naught. Vlad had returned and died again. The mournfulness seemed to infect the halls of the mansion, each wall and painting mocking him. The mansion used to be so warm, so full of expectation and hope.

Now all that lingered was the never-wilting flower, alone and abandoned. Vlad had died twice. Abel’s mourning period seemed to know no end.

Comte desperately tried to purge the memories from his mind. First with Will, his firstborn son, and then the others who followed. Leonardo had been a constant figure, someone to rely on. While a love with Vlad was youthful, Leonardo’s affections were much more mature. Ha! Mature, Leonardo? What an oxymoron, Comte thought.

Still, he couldn’t deny the truth. He was carefree with Vlad by his side, making love whenever the time was right and sharing kisses and cuddles whenever it felt right. They were teenagers in love, hanging on by the loose idea of a bright future with one another. Vlad was the eternal honeymoon.

But Leonardo… The eternal marriage. Affinity was much more subdued. Deep, longing gazes and the lighting and sharing of cigarillos had replaced the passionate and messy kissing. Amorous exchanges only for private viewings replaced the rather indecent affection Vlad would perform close to the public eye. Not to say these things were gone from their relationship, their intense tryst tonight proof of such, but even these impulsive acts were done meticulously, years of trust and deeply-rooted adoration in their every thrust and rub.

With the arrival of the other residents, the mansion had suddenly grown warm again. Perhaps his giddiness over reviving historical greats as his own was a more specific issue of his, but the fact couldn’t be denied: a void was filled. The mansion, the home he had built with Vlad, was now filled with laughter and friendship, bonds between great men (and a woman) that would most certainly last their long lifetimes. The mansion was as it was meant to be: the floors painted with life, the walls etched with memories.

The castle was cold. Quiet, empty. The walls were etched with unwanted, disgraceful memories. Abel had only visited once, and never returned. He couldn’t bear seeing his oldest companion reanimated, yet possessed by a different soul. Vlad had died twice, in Comte’s eye, yet never buried.

“Hello, Abel.”

That’s what Vlad said the morning he killed Abel. 

Comte rose from his ashes, staring at the friend he once knew. “It’s been an eternity since I’ve seen you.”

He looked so lonely as he bore an ephemeral smile. “I’ve missed you, too.”

Comte sighed, unable to respond to the stranger before him.