starmark | IC Inbox | prismatica

so are there like
rules for courting
or are we just making this up as we go

i'll make sure i'm home when you get here
do you want me to have anything ready
i know you don't really eat but I could cook something anyway
or pick up mochi or something

ha
usually valentines just means a bunch of screaming girls shoving chocolate into my locker and hoping it'll make me want to confess
but
i never really had a reason to want anybody's choco before now
so i guess it'd be okay

my birthday's right after, too
the sixteenth

There are technically expectations. Not really rules exactly.
However, considering our circumstances, I'm not exactly expecting anything strict.
And this is admittedly the first time I'm courting anyone anyway.
Who's going to tell me that I'm wrong?

I haven't had mochi in awhile.
That would be nice.

So. You do like chocolate, right?
Just to be sure.

I see. This is going to be a busy month.
I'll have to consider Valentine's, your birthday, and Dragobete. Which is fine, I would like chances to show you how much I care.

tell me the expectations anyway
why the hell not
besides you're like some kind of vampire prince or something right
gotta treat the royalty with respect and all

yeah i like chocolate
i guess i'm not really picky about it
i like it with nuts or with caramel or with fruit
but sometimes just plain is good
put it in your mouth and just let it melt

oh that reminds me
speaking of being busy doing stuff
i'm the best man in a wedding now i guess
are you ok with weddings and do you want to go to one if you are

You're full of shit. Treat royalty with respect.
A courtship would, specifically, be done under the approval of each other's families. That isn't truly an option for us.
I would give you a token of my dedication. This could mean something different depending on one's origins. I wouldn't say the gift I'm giving you today would count as a token unless you perceived it that way.
But ultimately, the idea of courtship is to gain your approval. Your love. For you to know how loyal I am to you above all else.

I'll keep in mind about chocolate.

Oh yes. For Avdol, correct? I spoke to him about it for a bit.
I would go to the wedding for both of you. Although I realize I may not truly know anyone attending there.
I know I'm not the most social or warm person.

fuck you i'm respectful as hell
anyway
doesn't sound that different to some of japan's old traditions honestly
stuff like that used to be arranged most of the time
mom's american though so i think it was a lot different for her

i think
i want to do the token though
if you want it too
it's like having a piece of me no matter where you are, right
i want to do that for you

if you wouldn't like it you don't have to go
even for me
but if you do go i won't let you be lonely
promise

In the case of vampires, it is seen as romantic. To woo and court, but if we are refused it is considered respectful to accept it. Pushing harder for acceptance afterward is disgraceful.
Unfortunately, some vampires do not take well to rejection.

I will make one for you, then.
One you can have with me, even if we part ways.
And I would like one from you.

I want to go. But especially for you both.
I apologize if I end up being at your side almost constantly for it.
What manner of dress is appropriate for the occasion?

huh
so none of that romcom bullshit like oh i shot you down but really i just wanted you to try harder to win me over
pretty smart of vampires really
so how many have you rejected prince adrian

good
no time limit on getting the token together though right
i mean no pressure or anything
do it when it feels right

fuck if i know how they're going to dress at this thing
avdol's probably going to wear something traditional egyptian
and his boyfriend will probably wear some kind of goth feathery thing
i guess just be yourself?

maybe try to be a little uglier somehow
i hear it's bad manners to be more attractive than the people getting married
so you might have to wear a bag on your head or something

Six times.
They were all courtships of vampires only interested in power, not in me.

Precisely. Go with your instinct. There is no timeframe.

Such a flattering suggestion.
Perhaps you wear the bag and I will wear a mask.
What a fine couple we make.

In any case, I'm outside your door now. Let me in?

[No answer comes via text, but that's only because the faint sound of footsteps can be heard from inside the apartment, drawing ever nearer until eventually the door opens to reveal Jotaro, looking immensely comfortable and utterly relieved about it in a big sweatshirt and soft sweatpants with absolutely no tail or scales in sight.]

Why do I have to wear the bag?

[WHO NEEDS HELLOS WHEN YOU HAVE THIS]

Because you suggested it and I refuse to.

[Tucked under Alucard's arm is evidently a canvas. He leans in, kissing Jotaro's temple.]

You look well.

[ANYWAY. Gonna just. Hand this over.]

I took up painting again. As you suggested.

I'm not the one who needs the bag. Nobody's gonna stare at me and get distracted. Hi.

[HEAD KISSES speaking of distractions. It's nice to not have the horns anymore, either. Nice to just be a guy. Nice to not have claws that might rip the —

holy shit look at this painting.]

...You did this...? That's a humpback whale.

[Trust Professor Kujo to recognize it instantly, even in oils.]

You can tell because of the head. Humpbacks are usually the ones that jump like that, too. Where did you see a humpback whale?

I did.

[Alucard smiles fondly, watching how Jotaro determines the type of whale immediately. Of course he could. He'd expressed his interest in aquatic creatures before.]

Quite sometime ago on my travels. Before the Church found Mother. I remembered how it looked, breaking out of the water. There are so many fascinating creatures in the sea, many that I'm certain even Dracula never found. I wanted to share that memory.

You're incredible. I can't believe you just...

[He's holding the painting out at arm's length, unable to take his eyes off of it. Everywhere he looks, he notices some new detail that captures his attention all over again.

But finally, he looks up at Alucard, open wonder reflected in his expression.]

You're incredible. You know that, right?

It is easy to see the wonder in others rather than what is in ourselves. You're a remarkable man who deserves every bit that I can give.

...That is to say, I'm glad you like it, Jojo.

You're gonna paint more, right?

[He sets the canvas down carefully, propped against the edge of his couch for safekeeping, then turns more fully toward Alucard and reaches up to brush a hand through a stray fall of his golden hair.]

It's not just that you have talent. Painting makes you happy, doesn't it?

It does. But it helped to have your encouragement.

[He reaches for the hand touching his hair, and he presses his cheek into Jotaro's palm.]

Art and culture is so important. It says who we are. And I would rather create than destroy.

Whatever it takes, you can have it. Paint. Canvas. Brushes. I can pay for it. I just want you to have it.

[He runs his thumb lightly over Alucard's cheekbone, stroking a stripe across his skin like it's a paintbrush, itself.]

I want to see who you are with the way you paint. I want to see what you say. I want that.

You would get all of that for me.

[The hotel. The gift. Now this.]

You know... you don't have to buy things to make me happy. But if it's your way of showing affection, I also don't mind. I just want you to know that.

[He blinks, surprised, like it hadn't even occurred to him that that's pretty much exactly what he's been doing, but once it's pointed out to him, he has to take a minute and chew on it for a bit.]

...It makes me happy.

[His brow furrows slightly, and he says it like he's having a not-altogether-pleasant revelation of his own, more to himself than to Alucard.]

Makes me feel good. Like I'm doing something right...

[Ah. Hmm. So that's what it is — well, part of it, anyway.]

...Like I'm not a fuckup, I guess.

Jojo.

[There's a pause, then he reaches out to place his arm around Jotaro's waist, gently touching him into a small embrace.]

I think I understand, a little. We both feel like we have things to make up for, or at least trying to find something we feel accomplished at.

It's all right. I didn't mean it as a criticism, just an observation.

[The moment Alucard makes contact, he steps gratefully into the hold, drawing close enough to rest his head on Alucard's shoulder.]

I just realized I haven't felt sad in a long time. Feels like a long time. Even after we went in those VR pods...you cheered me up.

[He closes his eyes.]

What if I let my guard down, and it comes back?

Then you let someone else be your strength. Even if you don't want it, or think you need it. You let them.

You have people who care about you besides me. Rely on them. You're allowed to.

Yeah...

[It's easier said than done. Far, far easier said than done. But it's also not the first time someone has counseled him in precisely that direction, and every person who's said it has been someone he trusts.

He's quiet a minute, and then he huffs softly, a wash of hot breath against Alucard's neck.]

I think the bank made a mistake. All of a sudden I've got a ton of money. A lot more than I had a week ago.

Isn't it what you would tell me? Or something like it. Falling into the pit of despair is something I know too well. Enough that I am like a cold spot in the room.

[He closes his eyes and leans against Jotaro as well, but has the strength to hold them both.]

...Would it be more after, say, you and I were together last?

...Yeah, actually. I think I checked it at work the next morning. But...I mean, it always goes up after we...we mess around — [His fumble here sounds flustered, not ashamed.] — but never that much.

[It's nice to relax against Alucard. Let someone else be your strength, he'd said. It's easy when it's Alucard; he knows full well he's more than strong enough for the both of them.

But something still nags at him, flitting around in his mind demanding attention, and it takes him a little while before he works out what it is.]

...Someone told you that. "A cold spot in the room." Those aren't your words — you say it like you heard it from someone else.

IC Inbox | prismatica

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