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After Heinrich had ensured that everything had been put into place, he finished packing his small bag to return to Germany. He made it seemed like one of his routine trips back to his fatherland with few people any wiser. 

When he was greeted upon his return, Heinrich pulled his second aside for a private conversation and once they were done, the man knew what was going to come and left to make sure preparations were in order. They had been preparing for this eventuality for awhile now and knew exactly what to do. The transition of the title was quick and Heinrich was soon able to leave his clan behind as the news of a new German Councilman was sent out to various corners of the world. 

It felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders when Heinrich finally stepped out of the large black building in the middle of Berlin that he had called home for so many years. This had been a long time coming, an eventuality that he had planned for and worked towards for at least a century. 

Heinrich made the final journey into the forests surrounding Bavaria, the closest approximation of where he might have lived when he was human over three thousand years ago. It felt apt to come full circle like this and Heinrich took his time through the trees that littered the snowy landscape.

The sun ring on his finger worked its magic in preventing his vampiric body from turning to dust as he found his way to the edge of the forest to take a seat with his back against a tree. Dawn was approaching judging from the way the colours were changing in the sky and Heinrich had never seen anything more beautiful when the reflection of sunlight on snow seemed to make everything come alive. 

It had been a very long time since Heinrich watched the sun like this, having not taken the time to stop and appreciate it when he was so always laden with work. 

He squinted against the ever brightening sky as his fingers played with the ring before his eyes slid shut. Germany would be fine. They would all be fine. Everyone he was leaving behind would eventually carry on just as the world would keep turning. It was only natural.

Heinrich’s fingers closed around the ring to slide it off his finger. For a moment, he almost believed that the sun was not affecting him, but he soon felt it warming his skin and that warmth soon turned to heat as Heinrich exhaled with a smile. He had believed it would be painful, but it was almost pleasant as he sat there and basked in the sun’s rays for the last time.

------------

A ring lands on the ground as a gust of wind weaves through the trees to carry ash and snow with it...

Raphael’s brows rose, dark eyes glinting with amusement at Heinrich’s offer. No doubt the other man was smart; Raph could certainly learn a lot from him. “I suppose that’s a fair agreement,” he replied, hooking an arm around the other man’s shoulder and guiding him towards the castle. “Why don’t we start with some blood wine and continue our discussion in private before we get into the fighting business? I’d love to hear more of your thoughts on the matter.” 

Leon rolled his eyes again at the comment, giving Heinrich another look in parting. “Whatever,” he responded back, relieved for the dismissal. 

For someone who claimed Leon grew up, Heinrich had always been good at making him feel like a child– for better or worse. Leon couldn’t deny Heinrich’s approval felt nice though. It was arguably the reason he tolerated the often well-meaning teasing . “See ya ‘round,” he added as he turned to leave, giving Heinrich a wave and making his way down to the Undercroft. 

-

Mathias laughed, “Once again, that was very cheesy”. To the necromancer, this was a start to something new, but little did he know that it was a goodbye. The blissful ignorance was necessary though, and Mathias was left unaware of what the next days would bring. “You know, I heard you’re supposed to christen a new apartment. So I hope you don’t have any plans”, he winked at Heinrich and kissed him again. Mathias ignored whatever dread he had when Seth spoke of his vision. For now, he believed that happiness was something he could truly achieve. He looked into Heinrich’s eyes one last time, “I love you, Heinrich”.

“I suppose the ones who allied themselves with us will have to find clever ways to avoid capture, won’t they?” Raphael suggested. It wouldn’t be hard, in his opinion. Volunteer to serve the castle as staff members or ingratiating themselves to their respective country’s councilman to avoid reaping. Somehow proving they were worth more than slaves before that happened. Raph believed in rewarding those who were outgoing and smart enough to get ahead of the game. 

He clapped the other man on the shoulder, his smile growing. “Well, I guess you’ll have to keep that out a little longer then,” he chuckled, giving the other vampire a playful wink. “Just in case. Besides, you look pretty good in it. Maybe you could teach me a few things in the event we ever need to march into battle again in the future?” Always a lover and not so much a fighter, Raph used his talents behind the scenes to aid his allies. But if Heinrich was right and more rebellions would follow, perhaps it’d be best if he learned a few things about physical battle. He was a councilman now; he ought to learn these skills as a leader. 

Heinrich knew that Raphael would be a difficult one to convince. Apart from being half vampire, the man was also half demon, a combination of species who thrived on power and control. 

mathias-attano​:

-

Matty didn’t know what to say. He didn’t think this would ever happen, but Heinrich seemed to admit it so effortlessly. The necromancer smiled slowly then reached up to hold Heinrich’s face in his hands, “…Well, it must have been a great two hundred years”. He chuckled then pulled the vampire in for one more kiss. “Do I get to jump you now?”

“They were adequate,” Heinrich smiled. “Got better after we met again.” He returned the kiss and wrapped his arms tighter around Mathias’ waist. “And yes, I suppose you do.” Heinrich reached down to lift the necromancer up into his arms to continue. He was resolved to show Mathias just how much if this was going to be their last moments together.

leonblagden​:

Leon’s rolled his eyes, mood shifting at the comment.  “You’re hilarious for an old man, you know that?” Heinrich always knew how to get under his skin with the simplest of comments– the curse of knowing someone for so long.  He turned, loudly mumbling, “Try and say one serious thing… And I get fucking mocked. Of course.

“Look… That was all I wanted to say. Don’t let it go to your head that I’ve had some… I don’t know– massive change of heart about the whole thing. I still think the castle was the right move… probably… Minus the fact so many have arguably gone soft due to them. I just was thinking there was more to it back then and I shouldn’t have rushed to come to my own conclusion on it before thinking on it more. That’s it.”

“I know I am,” Heinrich grinned, amusement dancing in his eyes before his expression turned more serious as Leon continued to speak. 

“You’d be right about soft,” he said again through the remnants of the smile on his face. Heinrich would have admitted that he was soft himself, but he knew that he had been all along. He was just better at hiding it than most. “I appreciate this, Leon. I really do,” the older man smiled before he finally decided to cut his friend some slack. “Now run along. I can’t stand watching you squirm.”

“The ones who have sided with betrayed their own kind for whatever reason they had to align with vampires,” Raphael mused. Intelligence, self-preservation, power. Those were a few that first came to mind. However, it didn’t sit entirely right with Raphael. If they were willing to go against the ideals of their own species, who could say they wouldn’t do the same to the vampires down the road? “If they’re truly loyal to vampires, they can have the opportunity to prove it. Perhaps by willingly working for us at the castle and continuing to join our side.” 

He turned to smile at Heinrich raising his brows. “It could keep things interesting though, couldn’t it?” he chuckled, His demon half thrived on chaos like war. “What? Were you looking to hang up the old armor for good after this, Heinrich?” 

“Yes, but the proposal is to capture indiscriminately from those who have also allied themselves with us anyway.” And how was that fair? It already rankled at Heinrich’s nerves to be treating their enemies in such a manner, what more their allies. Heinrich’s solution was to work out a truce with their enemies, no matter how long it took, but so far there were very few on the Council who even wanted to entertain that thought. Not after such a long and arduous war. 

mathias-attano​:

-

“I’m aware of that, Heinrich”, Mathias laughed. 

“Well it’s funny cause I’m almost thir—” The necromancer stopped talking suddenly, realizing what Heinrich said. He stared up at the vampire, wide eyed as he tried to make sense of what he heard. “Feeling is mutual?…” For so long Mathias made peace that whatever he felt towards Heinrich was one sided. It was painful, but he could never force Heinrich to feel anything for him. That just wasn’t fair. But right now, it seemed like that it was no longer one sided. His heart pounded in his chest, “Y-You…Love me?”

“Is it surprising?” Heinrich supposed it was since he rarely if ever expressed his emotions, but it was now or never and Mathias deserved as much. He was not going to say those exact words, but this was more than enough. “You could say that I’ve known you for two hundred years.”

leonblagden​:

“Hey now I never said anything changed,” Leon countered defensively, tone light. “I guess I’d just forgotten what I was like back then… during the war. It’s put some shit in perspective, especially comparing it to now. Concerns I have now versus then… Things that seemed important or obvious at the time.” His gaze shifted, looking off to the side as his voice tapered off some. “I guess I’ve realized it’s not all so… black and white.”

"Right,” Heinrich smiled, glad that he was still around to witness a change in Leon. It had been what he hoped for the other man, but he also knew that the younger vampire was not one to be easily swayed unless he came to certain realisations himself. “Good to know that you’ve finally grown up,” he chuckled because what else could he say? “I guess that spell has done us all some good.”

Seth nodded, pressing his lips together and looking somewhat frustrated by that. He should have figured. That either made his job here easier or harder, depending on whichever item he happened to discover first. 

He smiled crookedly at the other’s warning. Now that sounded familiar from the Heinrich he knew in the present. There was a strong temptation to call him “dad” here, but Seth had a feeling that wouldn’t go over well. A couple hundred years too soon. “I will,” he promised, “I guess I’ll see you later then…Heinrich.” 

Seth exhaled a breath of relief, pleased it seemed that Heinrich believed him. He shouldn’t have any doubt, really. A man of his age who’d seen it all probably wouldn’t have been so surprised to hear about time travel magic at play. 

“It’s Seth,” he introduced himself, grasping the vampire’s hand with his free one to shake, “Seth Harper. So…” He withdrew his hand, raising a brow. “You wouldn’t happen to know where I might find another councilman, would you?” Mathias had already found Heinrich’s journal, that one was out of the question. 

Seth Harper. Heinrich would remember that name for some time to come. “Most of them would be heading back to the castle. Just...” the vampire looked back at the looming shape of Castle Athizia behind them before turning back to the witch. 

leonblagden​:

Leon’s shoulders relaxed some as Heinrich spoke, feeling slightly embarrassed over how easily the older vampire reassured him. “Fair, Sir… But I still felt it owed,” Leon explained. “I guess… I’ve been doing some thinking lately about things we’ve been… discussing, and who I was then… Well– I wish I’d thought more on what you said at the time, versus brushing it off.”

“Alright then. Apology accepted,” Heinrich replied, saying the words in case Leon needed to hear them. 

“That’s good to hear. It’s never too late to start,” the older vampire smiled. “What changed?” he asked, curious as to what it was that had Leon changing his mind.

mathias-attano​:

-

Mathias laughed, “Good to know you’re still a grump”. Right now, the necromancer wondered if this was what it was like to put his happiness first. It was nice, and he didn’t know why he kept putting others before him. 

“That might be the cheesiest thing you’ve ever said, Heinrich…” He liked this affectionate side of Heinrich though. The vampire wasn’t good with words, but it was good enough for Mathias. His eyes slipped closed during their kiss, feeling time stand still for a moment. When the necromancer pulled back, he ran his hands through Heinrich’s hair, “Hey, I just realized something. I told you how I felt back during the past. That means I’ve been in love with you for two hundred years. That’s kinda funny isn’t it?”

“Well, I like switching things up a bit,” Heinrich smiled at the feeling of Mathias’ fingers in his hair. 

“Why is it funny?” the vampire asked. He had known of the necromancer’s feelings for him for the last two centuries, but to Mathias it had not been that long. “If I say that the feeling is mutual, would it still be funny then?”

“I can’t promise that,” Seth replied, managing another small smile. Heinrich hadn’t even left yet and it already hurt. He would miss him dearly; no other person had such significant impact on the witch’s life as the vampire standing before him. He doubted anyone else would ever be able to do the same. 

He swiped at his cheeks and nose again with the back of his hand, sniffling. “I won’t,” he promised. “Your secret’s safe with me.” He knew that Mathias would take this just as hard as he would. He knew how the necromancer loved Heinrich and would do anything for him, including reviving him from the dead. He would prevent Matty from doing that, from going against what Heinrich wanted for himself. No amount of love or happiness would be able to change how Heinrich felt about his time here. The man deserved that much – one final act for himself – after all his kindness and generosity towards the two of them over the years. 

The witch moved for the door and stopped, turning back to look at Heinrich one last time. He watched him carefully, wanting to memorize everything about the other man; he would be a hard one to forget. “Hey, uh…” He closed his fist, gently bumping it against the frame. “Hope you have a safe and quick trip.” The last thing he would want was for Heinrich’s ending to be filled with suffering; he hoped it’d be painless, peaceful. Giving his former master and beloved father figure one last little smile, Seth walked out the door to go back to his suite. 

Heinrich looked up at Seth when the man turned back. “Thank you, Harper,” he smiled and he watched as his former slave turned to leave the suite, closing the door behind him.

“Of course.” Yip made a light shrug as he placed the pieces in position. “And we are old, my friend. They shall be the next people who decided the future of the world, not us.” He smiled, “Oh, Heinrich. You are never one with mountain of words. One never needs many. It’s not the counts of words that send the message.”

He moved a pawn, leaned back and waited. His eyes lingered at the other man, relived the memories they shared in his mind.

“……”

There were many things that could be say. He could tell Heinrich that he will miss him. That he loves him as a friend and brother. That he was one of the greatest man he has ever known.

He could tell Heinrich that he will remember him until the day he walks up that same journey the man is about to undertake. But none of these words were something Heinrich hasn’t already known.

It’s not the counts of words that send the message.

He smiled, leaned in to play his next move.

“One can only hope it will be a good one. And, no, I never was,” Heinrich chuckled as he reached out to move one of his own pieces. He had never been one for words, preferring his actions to speak for him more than anything. Yip knew him well enough to know that about him given their years and years of friendship and Heinrich was glad for it. 

He moved his knight, using it to take one of Yip’s pieces when he started speaking again. “I appreciate this, Yip. Nothing like getting my ass beat one last time,” he joked. 

Heinrich’s last words had Seth completely breaking down now, mumbling more thank you’s in between sobs. It felt good to hear the other man was proud of him – actually proud – after everything. Heinrich had seen something in him, which Seth had tried to live up to. Be it with enchanting tents for peace and quiet from parties, sharing visions of a faerie invasion, making special charms, aiding each other on a battlefield, and lord knew whatever else. At least he lived up to what Heinrich saw in him, that “useful” thing that tempted the man to claim him in the first place.

He clung to the back of the other man’s shirt tight, freely crying while holding onto him for what seemed like forever. Seth would never have this opportunity again so he took advantage of it, hoping Heinrich wouldn’t mind some stolen time. He only pulled away from their embrace when it felt like he had no more tears left, wiping away at his eyes and cheeks.

“Goodbye, Heinrich,” Seth said, the corner of his lip quirking up in a small, crooked grin. “I’m gonna miss you, dad.”

“Goodbye, Harper.” The corners of Heinrich’s lips tugged upwards at that word when they finally parted and the vampire reached a hand out to pat Seth’s on the shoulder.  It had been a good run these last few years with Seth and Mathias and the time in their suite and everything that followed. Heinrich would not have traded it for the world. 

“Don’t miss me too much,” he added somewhat mischievously before he moved to close his suitcase.