Making Monsters of Men {Dracula}

[Vlad Dracula]

He had struck a nerve, he could see. Good, that was as he had intended. Zeroing in on a person's insecurities, their desires, fears, needs...that was the key to driving them towards what you wanted without alerting them to the fact that you were doing it. And Dracula had been around long enough that he knew what to look for.

The wolf. Ah, that explained some things, filled in some missing pieces. Dracula moved in front of him, directly in front, the toes of his shoes nearly touching Will's, and looked him in the eyes.

"Don't ever say that," he said, fiercely, putting both hands to the sides of his face this time, thumbs resting at Will's temples. "Don't ever apologize for wanting to be yourself. They will try to put that fear in you, they will try to keep you terrified of who you are, you cannot let them do that."

He didn't let go, he kept his eyes on Will's, searching for the reply he wanted. "Do you understand me? You must embrace the person you are, with the gifts you have. When they try to tell you to control it, or suppress it, or pretend you're someone else...you have to look them in the eyes and you cannot flinch, you cannot back down and let them make you ashamed."

[William Fenris]

The touch is electric. Eyes facing Vlad's directly, unable to tear himself away. The want to flee -- it was gone, it was replaced with something else. This man was telling him everything opposite that his family ever had. He could even hear his father's voice, fierce in his head like a hammer.

And then all he can see is Dracula. Those kind empowering phrases, blasting into his mind.

"Yes...." he breathes. "Yes, sir, of course...I will, I must...thank you."

He's trembling, but it's not from fear, it's all very overwhelming, and Dracula's hold is not only comforting, but it's powerful, like he has more power than he's ever had in his whole life with those words.

[Vlad Dracula]

Spectacular. He hadn't even had to use the slightest hint of suggestion on the boy, and he was agreeing to everything, buying into every word. He left his hands where they were, thumbs stroking over Will's temples slowly. He could have said you don't have to call me 'sir' but a little respect never hurt anyone, so he left that unaddressed.

"I need you to understand," he said gently, "that there are people here who will pretend to be your friends, they will be kind to your face, and they will tell you that everything is as it should be. That the lighter sides of magic and power are all you will ever need to know. You can let them think that, for the time being, but when it comes to it, I believe you have it in you to stand by my side and do what needs to be done."

He leaned forward, and pressed his lips to Will's forehead in a chaste kiss. "The night is often the only ally people like you and I can truly count on. Don't let them chase it out of you."

[William Fenris]

"I understand."

Be on your guard, not everyone is actually going to be your friend. Was that what Vlad meant. Maybe the others were just being nice now, but what if they really found out about the wolf, about his family, about the name he has. What if they found out that sometimes he really did enjoy raw meat? What if they found all that out.

They'll see a monster.

Vlad didn't see a monster, though, did he?

Will took in everything that was said, every action. It was soothing, and imposing, and a little bit more than terrifying. His eyes are actually watering now, all the pressure of these last years, they're falling apart. He hates himself so much, what he represents, and here is Vlad, telling him he can be whatever he wants, to accept it. He doesn't see what he's trying to do, he only sees someone caring about him.

Even the kiss on his forehead though, a surprise, is like sealing that deal, whatever Dracula had intended from tonight, he'd probably got more.

"I'm..." he doesn't stammer this time, like he has before, eyes flickering to look at the taller, empowering figure. His benefactor.

"I can never repay you for this. I've not felt so....safe in a long time."

[Vlad Dracula]

Vlad Dracula did not like the word monster. That was in large part due to the number of times people had shouted it at him after he'd drained one of their friends or relatives dry, or as he was about to do the same to them. He didn't see himself as a monster, he saw himself as a survivor, as someone and something worthy of continued existence, and it was not the place of other people to deny him that.

"You will always be safe with me," he said earnestly. "You will never have to be afraid when I am here." He ran one hand back through Will's hair to cradle his head, holding him there for another beat longer. "And if you need me, you need only say so, I have my ways of knowing where I am wanted."

He dropped his hands to his sides finally, pushing them back into his coat pockets, then looked back up at Will with a smile that, were he anyone else, one could almost call shy.

"Provided you do, in fact, want me."

[William Fenris]

If Will had known the truth, of how similar his family members and Vlad really were, this situation would have been very different indeed. Instead, here he stood, comforted by the old man telling him that he would always take care of him.

"I --- who wouldn't?" he asked, quietly. He copied Vlad, hands in pockets, the same stance. It was like he was trying to imitate him but wasn't even aware of it. "It's me I'm worried about. I....I should probably get back to the dorms, the others....they might worry."

He gave a smile, "And, there's still lots of cleaning up to do in the town...I should try and be brave and help. Even with....with all the terrible things around."

[Vlad Dracula]

"You'll be fine," Dracula assured him, giving him another kind smile. "Don't worry, you'll make it back in plenty of time. I'll give you a little time to think on your own. I know it's a bit overwhelming, finding out that you're not as alone as you thought you were."

He didn't want to push his luck here, didn't want to go so far overboard with the reassurances that they sounded trite, or like he was trying to prove something, so he was through laying on the compliments and the promises. Better to leave someone wondering, to let their imagination fill in the pieces, than to provide too much information and find they didn't like what you'd told them.

"Let me know when you need me. I'm never too far away." And with that, he took two steps back, retreated into the form of a bat as black as the night itself, and flew away into the darkness.

[William Fenris]

Will nodded. Watching Dracula fly away, he felt wonderful. A true smile on his pale face. The young man could feel a new sense of belonging in his chest. If he had Vlad, if he had the others, maybe this wouldn't be as difficult as it originally seemed. This place, to be here at the school was such a privilege, and now he was sure Vlad had been the one to bring him here he was determined to be himself, to not be the wolf everyone thought him to be. That's what he had taken it as anyway.

And if he needed anything, he knew he had an ally in his corner he could run too.

"Thank you!" he called again to the deep and lovely dark, and headed back towards the school, with a more confident stride in his step.

(fin!)