#lecomte

~ Le Comte de Saint Germain ~

 You’ve been living at the mansion for quite a while now and have grown to love the atmosphere that the 19th-century has to offer. But growing up having to learn your way through the customs of the 21st century you thought was hard enough even though your access to therapy, resources, and proper support was a lot easier. Suddenly being thrown into the 19th century and having to learn life as a noble was a whole other can of worms. But Le Comte was as loving and as patient as ever. The etiquette lessons were tiresome and you were a curious one always questioning things and when prompting people as to why all these rules existed; not being satisfied with the answer “that’s just how things are”. Although you can’t deny that the lessons had paid off and with the wardrobe of a stylish Parisian princess you had made your debut into high aristocratic society. Le Comte had always made sure you were safe and comfortable before, after, and during these events always around you, not a far distance away from your side, and always willing to tell off an inconsiderate noble if need be. You noted that ever since your developing years exposure therapy has been a good tool to strengthen your social skills and everyone you get used to enjoying your presence. You didn’t mind these gala’s but they had a reputation for lasting all through the night; into the light hours of dawn, and by the middle of the event, you were ready to go home and rest in your bed to recharge.  It had been almost 3 hours since you and the count had arrived and tugged at the comforting textured fabric of the sleeve of your dress that he himself picked out for you knowing your textile preferences. You were already forcefully tugging to keep the smile on your face and suddenly everything was too noticeable, to the smell of the food and desserts,  the certain lighting of the ballroom, to the feeling of your feet fitting uncomfortably in your shoes, to the necklace on your neck, to the multiple conversations all dulled around you; you needed a break. You quickly excused yourself, not making eye contact, and strongly made your way to the balcony. Feeling the cool air hit your face and all the sounds of loud conversation dissipating made you feel calmer and less overstimulated. A chill went up to your spine as your body ticks and you wish you had one of your modern fidget toys with you to soothe you and give you something to focus on and to occupy your hands. Although you wouldn’t change anything about yourself, these expectations and rules were hard on everyone but especially you. The people although formal and nice for the most part weren’t as understanding as Comte and your family at the mansion. You didn’t need to explain yourself but the thoughts swirled and spiraled in your head as you feared embarrassing the count and wondering if you were deserving and worthy of his praise and attention. Suddenly the sound of gentle, graceful footsteps approached from behind you as you easily recognized the pattern of them and knew who it was. “Is everything alright ma belle?” A golden honeyed caressing voice spoke from behind you. “Y-yeah I’m alright I’m fine I’m alright, just tired.” You stuttered. “Ah I see, may I give you a hug ma Cherie?” he politely asked “um okay,” you say cracking the first genuine smile of the night as he wraps his warm arms around you and draws some soothing small circles on your back. “T-thank you, I-I’m sorry, you must be so tired always looking after me.” you choked out, tearing up slightly. He pulls back slightly to see your face as his expression turns to more of concern as his lips purse for a second and his brows crease. He wipes away the few stray tears as his gentle voice filled with nothing but love and true admiration for you, speaks “Ma cherie you have nothing to apologize for, you are the bravest most courageous, most loving person I’ve ever met, and having the honor to love you and be in your presence is nothing short of a blessing.’ whoever made you feel like a burden is absolutely in the wrong and a soul like that, their opinion doesn’t matter.” soaking in his words it takes you a second to reply you hug him strongly back in return sniffling and smiling feeling safe and secure in his arms as he smiles widely and kisses the top of your forehead. Deciding not to say anything as you felt you didn’t need to, the graceful pureblood speaks again; “I love you too, let’s go home ma cherie.” You lay sound and secure in his bed sleeping comfortably in his sheets. Before he joins you in the land of dreams he makes a note of what resources, tools, and gifts he can provide you with from his next visit to the 21st century. 

~ Leonardo ~

The sunlight of late afternoon filters through the windows of the mansion as you had finished all the chores required by Sebastian for the day. You are in a highly energetic mood today as you happily strum through the halls only to almost trip on your boyfriend sleeping against the wall. Usually, that would wake him up but he seemed to be truly out as you disappear for a split second to retrieve his blanket from his room to put over your sleeping beauty of a boyfriend. Lumiere nuzzles softly against your legs which makes you smile as you’ve always found an easier comfort in animals than in humans. It gives you an idea, what if you helped clean his room! It would be a monster of a task, but it would help you to keep busy and burn through all this extra energy you have and you’d enjoy it, as cleaning actually satisfied you. It would be less of a deep clean though as you would leave some areas untouched as you know your boyfriend thrives off organized chaos. But being able to see the actual hardwood floor and a bed with actual room to sleep on wouldn’t be too much of an invasion of privacy, now would it? You get to cracking, humming the repetitive choruses of catchy pop songs you used to listen to back in your time. You finally near the end of putting the books back on the shelves, organizing, and doing some much-needed dusting. Although you made progress and it looked like a more livable space, you breathe a sigh of relief as you realized this was not a task to be done on impulse ever again. That’s when you noticed on the table something that shined in the dusk light of the sun going down. Looks like Leonardo was working on one of his famous tinkering “pulling something apart only to put it back together again” type projects. It seemed to be a lightbulb, although you’re familiar with modern electricity, it’s still considered new at the mansion and the intricacies of a newly invented lightbulb were as mesmerizing as ever. As you stepped closer, losing sight of your surroundings as you subconsciously pick it up to put it closer to your face. You should’ve known to leave it alone as you failed to remember your lack of coordination and grip strength. You stood silent and still as the lightbulb shattered in front of you, although you remained uninjured a few shards of glass landed at your feet, as you became re aware of where you are. The sudden scent of musk and cigarros filled your nostrils as you hear “Cara mia?” as he enters the room confused at the sudden cleanliness then his eyes become wide as he realizes the broken glass that has you frozen in place. “Cara Mia step away from the glass! What happened?” He didn’t mean to be louder than usual, he knows your hyperawareness and sensitivity to volume, he was just worried about you and the jack of all trades charismatic facade broke faster than he intended. And before he could properly control himself. Although, with all the sudden trigger of events that’s all it took for you to ball your fists so tight that your fingernails dug into your skin and your teardrops began to hit the floor mixing with the broken metal and glass. “I-I’m sorry” you hoarsely mutter out unable to speak with the heaviness of a rock in your throat. “Hey cara mia it’s okay,” he says as he carefully approaches you and moves you away from the broken glass and the shards the fell on your shoes. “Shh you have nothing to apologize for you’re safe” he gently speaks as he calmly moves you towards the bed to ground you. “B-But I broke it,” you say through hiccups as you curl up on the bed & in his lap. He pays careful attention to your expressions and caresses your hair. He chuckles “ I know, but you also cleaned my room, gave me a blanket, and graced me with your presence so I think it balances out.” he says in a slightly joking tone. That earns a slight smile from you and still sensing anxiety he continues “besides more than one lightbulb exists and I was pretty much-done tinkering with it anyway.’ i can deal with losing an object but what I can’t deal with is you getting hurt so please Cara mia do not fret, this isn’t an end all be all.” he says the last part in typical Leonardo fashion. Being soothed and reassured by Leo’s presence and a day’s worth of hard work catching up to you, you felt your eyelids go heavy and muttered an “Okay” before falling asleep to Leonardo’s touch and the timeless rhythm of his heartbeat.  Leo’s eyes look around the mostly pristine room, back to the women he’d do anything for tuckered in his arms as he smiles and breathes out “My silly Cara.” 

 ~ Arthur ~