#van aifread

"No! Take this off! Zaveid! Uncle Aifread! Tell my brother to take this hideous thing off!!!"

Zaveid flinched, staring at the text he was reviewing at the moment. Aifread having leaned against him, holding a cup of coffee in his hands, seeming equally as confused, as he looked up from his phone. Across the room, sitting at their dinner table, Silva and Dezel looked up from Silva's homework, as Edna's voice rang through the entire house. Definitely very upset about something her brother had done again. Or rather was wearing. Which made the situation for Zaveid even more confusing because Eizen had a rather nice style. At least in his opinion, though he might be a bit biased in that regard. Aifread and Zaveid looked at each other, with Aifread shrugging his shoulders and going back to playing with his phone when nothing else came of it.

Not even that long afterwards, Edna stormed into the room, closely followed by Eizen. Silva had gone back to doing his homework, while Dezel helped him with that. Only Zaveid was still waiting for something to come of Edna's exclamation. And he did see it very clearly. Eizen wearing the most hideous sweater Zaveid had ever laid his eyes on. A fuzzy, forest green thing, with a brightly sparkling, too big motive on it.

Zaveid blinked at the siblings, before placing the sheet of paper down and raising his hands to rub his eyes. In no way convinced that Eizen would actually go through with wearing something like that. Zaveid would just really, really love to know where he had gotten that thing from. Because he knew he hadn't been around when Eizen had bought it.

"Please tell me this is a joke," Zaveid said.

Aifread looked up again at the same time, while Edna fled to Zaveid's side, glaring at Eizen. Soon enough was the room flooded by Aifread's booming laughter at what he was seeing. Hopefully at what he was seeing.

The situation was only made somewhat worse by the fact that Eizen seemed to be completely serious in wearing that thing. And that when he was supposed to drive Edna, Dezel and Silva to meet with the rest of their friend group. For a big Christmas sleepover.

"Zaveid, please drive you us to Alisha's place. If Rose sees him with that…that…thing on, she'll never let me live it down," Edna whined.

Just as Aifread started to calm down from his fun, Dezel looked up and started laughing as well. Zaveid still tried to make sense of what he was seeing. He knew he had some shirts lying around that weren't objectively speaking the nicest. Some shirts he had bought purely for the fun of it.

But Eizen wasn't like that. Even Aifread would once in a while buy something with such a hideous pattern that Zaveid contemplated throwing it out before he could wear it. But not Eizen. It was a pure rarity to find anything with a motive amongst his clothes.

"I have no idea what you two are complaining about," Eizen said.

Zaveid looked up at Edna, who in turn groaned and threw her hands over her head. Aifread just shook his head and put his coffee aside. He turned his full attention on Eizen now, definitely having decided to have his fun with this situation.

"Aw, come on, I think he looks quiet dashing, doesn't he, Zavi-babe?" Aifread asked.

Eizen glared at Aifread for a moment before sighing and shaking his head. Turning around to approach Silva and Dezel. Dezel grinning at him, while Silva had a hard time not to laugh. Definitely thinking the same as everyone else, except Eizen, about the sweater he was sporting. Silva turned back to his homework rather quickly, as Zaveid got up from the couch and stretched his arms over his head.

He definitely couldn't let Eizen do that to Edna. Not when Zaveid knew Rose definitely wouldn't let her forget about that atrocity Eizen was wearing. And that would only put Edna into a perpetually bad mood, for as long as Rose thought it was necessary to keep it up. Which could be a long time, If she felt like it. Zaveid didn't know wether or not Edna was still teasing Rose with something.

"Yeah, not really. Alright, I'm driving you kids," Zaveid said.

Edna's expression changed immediately, from the frowning glare she had looked at Eizen with, to a beaming smile she gifted Zaveid. Zaveid chuckled in turn and lightly patted her head. Just restraining himself enough to not ruffle her hair, and ruin her hairstyle she surely had spend quiet some time at.

Zaveid walked over to Eizen, pressing a kiss against his cheek, a shiver running down his spine, as his hand accidentally brushed against the rough fabric of the sweater. Not the good kind of shiver. He hated that fabric already. Yeah, he'd definitely make Aifread burn that thing, the moment it made it's way into the laundry bin.

Eizen pulled his mouth down into a pout, before he sighed and crossed his arms in front of his chest. Still not seeing what was wrong with the sweater he was wearing. Or maybe he was, and was putting on a show, to annoy or amuse all of them.

"I love you, Eizen, but please by the time I'm back, get changed, alright?" Zaveid said.

He supposed that was enough of a cue, for both Dezel and Silva to wrap it up as well. From the looks of it, did Silva seem pretty done with his homework too. Thankfully, or else Zaveid would have been rather uncomfortable letting him go. He didn't need to hear another rant about Silva being too slow to keep up with the homework, when Zaveid knew full well he just needed to take his time once in a while. His kid was a smart one after all, of that he was sure.

Eizen rolled his eyes and looked away, grumbling something beneath his breath. He turned around and assumed Zaveid's place on the couch, to which Aifread just scooted away slightly, fully immersed in his mobile game again. Zaveid clapped his hands and nodded, walking into the hallway to put on his shoes.

"Is it that bad?" he heard Eizen's voice.

Zaveid let out a sigh, as Edna just screamed 'Yes', to which Dezel and Aifread burst out into laughter again. Zaveid chuckled as well, as did Silva, when he joined Zaveid in the hallway.

"Whoever gave it to you hates you, Eizen," Zaveid said.

He raised his voice loud enough so Eizen would be able to hear it hopefully. He still wondered a little bit when exactly Eizen had bought that thing, and why none of them had been around to prevent him from that. Zaveid knew he would have for sure. And for as much as Aifread liked to tease Eizen, he definitely wouldn't have let him walk out of a store with that as well. Neither would have any of their kids. Well, Silva maybe, though only because he would have been to polite to actually say something.

Zaveid flinched when Eizen came up behind him, wrapping his arms around him. He was glad, that he had just finished putting on his jacket, and thus couldn't really feel the scratchy fabric anymore.

"Alright, I change. But only because it's you," he whispered.

That send another shiver down Zaveid's spine, though this time definitely the good kind of shiver. Maybe he would make something nice for dessert and pick up Eizen's favourite whisky on his way home after dropping the kids off. Just so placate his wounded heart, after all, all of them had bullied him out of his brand new sweater.

Zaveid turned his head to give Eizen a peck on his lips, softly smiling at him. Yeah, he'd definitely do that. And then he would get it out of Eizen why he had thought it was a good idea to buy that thing.

"Good, I'll just drop the kids off and then I'm right back with you two, alright?" he said.

Eizen nodded and let him go. There was something of a mischievous glint in his eyes, which confused Zaveid quiet a bit. He couldn't really place it at all. Had Eizen planned this, so he wouldn't need to drive the kids around? Even when he normally would do it gladly, just to know Edna got to her destination save and sound?

Zaveid shrugged his shoulders and got the car out of the garage. Aifread's car that was. Zaveid wouldn't touch Eizen's old rust bucket if his life depended on it. And he liked Aifread's car more. While it was old, Aifread always made sure to keep it in perfect shape. Unlike Eizen…

As he waited in the car for the kids to come out, he already thought about what he would make for dinner. With the kids out he had much more liberties. And also could spend the evening on the couch, with Eizen and Aifread. Cuddling with them, while watching shitty romcoms and laughing about how bad they were. Especially the Christmas ones that were on everywhere right now. For dinner he had already planned to make pizza, the dough was already rising in a warm place after all. Zaveid could make something with the puff pastry he had frozen for dessert. Whipping up a cream, or he could make some cream puffs and fill them with some liqueur cream. He could prep the dough while the pizza was in the oven, and then they could bake while they ate.

And afterwards he'd finish them off, and they could enjoy those as nice snacks over the evening. Zaveid nodded, thinking about the plans while the kids talked about the movies they would watch in the back seat. A nice evening with just the three of them was something Zaveid looked forward to more than he'd like to admit. He loved his boys, just like he loved Edna, but sometimes he just wanted some alone time with Eizen and Aifread. And tonight was such a night.

Where he would cuddle with them, and just spend time with them, being content. Being happy, that his life had taken a turn for the better, after some rough years. That he had been able to fall in love with not one but two wonderful man, and was able to enjoy them loving him in turn. The more Zaveid fantasised, the more the warm feeling within him spread and he couldn't wait to drop the kids off. They would be in good hands with Alisha and her parents.

On the way home Zaveid stopped by the store to pick up the rest he needed for his plans and rushed home, barely within the speed limits. He really just wanted to be done with it. And really, really hoped Eizen had actually changed into something more acceptable. If not, Zaveid would pout at him until he did. That usually helped. Because he refused to cuddle with Eizen, when he was wearing that thing, and now, after having thought about it the entire drive, he really wanted to cuddle with his lovers!

Though the moment Zaveid entered the house again, bag in hand, closing the door behind him with his foot, something seemed…off. The lights were off, except for the Christmas lights they had put up, and some softer light coming from upstairs.

"I'm back!" Zaveid called.

He craned his neck to see if Aifread and Eizen were still in the living room, only to see nothing. Shrugging his shoulders he walked to the kitchen, a slightly weird feeling in his stomach. As he turned, he did hear hushed voices from the living room. So they were there.

Zaveid sighed and shook his head, smiling to himself. He'd let them surprise him then, he supposed. He had made some plans on the fly as well after all.

"I changed…"

Zaveid chuckled as he put the snacks away and placed the whiskey, as well as the rum he had decided to get on a whim on the counter. Eizen's voice had dropped into that low kind of tone again, that cause Zaveid to heat up all over. For now he only hummed to acknowledge him, pretending to be busy.

Zaveid turned around, curious about what Eizen had changed into, only to stop immediately upon seeing him. Smirk on his face as he still was wearing that horrible sweater. Only that horrible sweater. Zaveid's eyes widened at the sight, blood rushing to his face as well as his nether regions immediately. Aifread came into sight only a little bit later, similar smirk on his face, matching sweater on. Once again, only the sweater.

That was when Zaveid realized that this really had been a plan all along. To get Zaveid to drive the kids to Alisha's place. So Aifread and Eizen could prepare that. And that they had planned that together. Because this was the first evening in weeks they had to themselves.

"So? I still think we look quiet…nice, don't we, Zavi?" Aifread asked.

He had placed an arm around Eizen's shoulder, effectively hanging off of him, while grinning at Zaveid. Who was just standing in front of the kitchen counter, words stuck in his throat, as his pants got tighter by the second. Here he had planned for a nice, cosy, warm evening. Well, Zaveid was sure he'd get quiet hot as the evening progressed.

Eizen was the first one to approach him, and Zaveid finally tore his gaze away from everything that was not the sweater. Looking away, his face unbearably hot.

"So, I suppose you won't help up get rid of those…hideous sweaters?" he asked.

His breath hot against Zaveid's ear, as Aifread chuckled at the visible shiver running through Zaveid's body. A low chuckle, doing things to Zaveid. And both of them knew exactly what they were doing.

"Oh, please, I'm sure he'll lend a…helping hand," Aifread said.

Zaveid turned his head to look at him. Bad mistake he realized. Though he hadn't stood a fighting chance from the beginning anyway. And even less as he saw Aifread having wrapped one hand around his half hard cock already.

Zaveid let himself get pulled out of the kitchen, up to their bedroom. He supposed he could go along with their whims, as long as he got his cuddles afterwards. And Zaveid knew he would.

_________

"I'm home, Zavi~!"

Zaveid was sitting by the window, well in the shade he chose to hide himself in, as he watched the humans outside go about their tasks. His smile grew fonder as he heard Aifread's voice. The window he wasn't exactly facing the entrance way of his mansion, so he hadn't really seen him coming. Zaveid looked to the door, as Aifread walked in.

"Welcome back," he said.

Aifread walked over to him, still in his entire get up. Zaveid looked him up and down, glad that he had at least taken off his boots already. So at least he wouldn't have to scold him for that, it seemed.

Aifread leaned down, Zaveid meeting him halfway for a kiss, before he turned back to watch the humans. It was a beautiful day outside. Fresh white snow glistening in the day sun. Not a cloud in sight. And while the sun was blinding him a little bit, Zaveid ultimately couldn't find himself to mind.

"So, what are the humans out there up to right now?" he asked.

Zaveid listened as Aifread removed his hat. Afterwards, the rustling of the fabric told him he was removing his coat as well. Just before, he sat down behind Zaveid, wrapping his arms around him, pulling him back a little bit. Causing the small bit of his face which had been exposed to the sun to be shrouded in shadows again.

"Don't stay so close. Even if you're special, the sun still isn't good for you, Zavi," he whispered.

Zaveid hummed and leaned against Aifread. He raised a hand to his face, his own hand pleasantly cold against the slight burn his skin had already suffered. He hated how right Aifread was.

Furthermore, he was a special one, even amongst vampires. After all, the sun didn't really cause him more than a rather unpleasant sunburn and a headache if he was exposed to it for too long. But it still was hindering in the ways he was able to interact with the humans. Humans he had sworn himself to protect from any and all harm. After all, the village of Stonebury had been nothing but accommodating to him. And he had sworn to do the same for the entirety of his immortal life.

Zaveid smiled as he saw some of Aifread's crew join the villagers in their doings. Which had first been, bringing a large tree into the town centre. Perfectly visible from Zaveid's current seat, and then starting to decorate it. He wasn't exactly sure what kind of tradition this was, but he was enjoying it nonetheless.

"I'm not really sure, but they seem happy," Zaveid said.

He wasn't as well versed with human traditions as he probably should be. Considering that he had been living and protecting this settlement for a few decades now. But this was the first time that they had been done something like this. He supposed it had something to do with some of the young adults who had gone out into the world for a few years, and had come back recently.

Though Aifread didn't seem any wiser to the traditions as well. And he was out much more often these days than Zaveid. Zaveid was happy to stay put for a bit longer. His life was long enough. Having spent much of it either on the run or travelling, these recent decades of tranquillity had been nice. Though, Aifread wasn't one to be that interested in current human tradition. Not when it had been a human sorcerer having cursed him.

Zaveid looked back to him, only to see Aifread watching the humans, as well as those of his crew having joined the villagers, with a fond expression as well. Zaveid smiled as he watched him. He reached behind himself with one hand, pushing some hair back, before he scratched his scalp right behind his ears.

"Wolf again?" he asked.

Aifread looked at him, smile morphing more into a grin, as his ears twitched slightly, before laying flat against his head. Blending in perfectly with his messy, brown hair. He responded by snuggling his face into the crook of Zaveid's neck. He hummed in agreement and closed his eyes, as Zaveid scratched his scalp again, before retracting his hand.

"Wasn't feeling like sylphjay at the moment," he mumbled.

Zaveid chuckled and went back to watching the outside. Zaveid moved his hands to rest on Aifread's. Zaveid would be more than happy to stay like this for a lot longer. But at the same time he also knew that Aifread soon would want to go again. To travel with his crew and cause whatever mischief got into his mind. And he also wanted to find that human. Who had put both of them through so much misery. Who had been granted to use Zaveid as a lab rat for his own sick pleasure, and who had curse Aifread.

And while Zaveid had long since stopped wanting to meet him. Stopped wanting to know where he was and take his revenge, after meeting him, Aifread only had double the reason to want to take him down.

"What do you think they are up to?" Zaveid asked.

Aifread shook his head and mumbled something Zaveid couldn't quite catch. He knew the gist of it enough, though. He had absolutely no clue what was going on outside. Zaveid closed his eyes and relaxed against Aifread. He had been awake the entire night to fend off any daemonic beasts that had even dared try and close in on Stonebury. And now buried and his love's warmth and scent, Zaveid was more than ready to fall asleep.

At least for a little bit.

———<3———

"I see. Thanks, Benwick, you can go to sleep now," Aifread said.

"No prob, Captain. I guessed you two would be curious. Good night, then."

Zaveid's eyes fluttered open. His surroundings were dark, yet also not. He hadn't changed positions, though. Still on top of the cushioned windowsill, being held and leaning against Aifread. Enjoying his warmth and scent. He faintly heard steps moving away, and he woke up again. Zaveid raised his hands to his eyes to get rid of the last of sleep clinging to him.

He hadn't even planned to sleep for a long amount of time. Though it must have been a few hours, evident by his stomach demanding something to eat from him. His mind caught up with the voices he had heard as well. Aifread had talked to someone. Benwick…right…

"Do you need to leave again, Van?" he mumbled.

His voice was still slightly slurred by sleep as he tried to make sense of what he had heard before. Benwick was Aifread's second mate. The only one of Aifread's crew who would without a fail sleep in the mansion whenever they were in the settlement. Even if Zaveid always offered the possibility to all of them.

Aifread snuggled closer against Zaveid's back again, as Zaveid fully opened his eyes. Turning towards the window again. The night was illuminated by the large pine tree the villagers had been decorating all day. Candles and even some mana stones glowing brightly on it. Zaveid's eyes widened at the sight.

"Don't worry, I'll stay for a while, my heart," Aifread whispered.

Zaveid chuckled at that, though his eyes were still enticed by the glowing lights outside. Causing the normally scary night to become truly dreamlike. And in the middle of it that large tree.

"I asked Benwick to report what the villagers were up to," Aifread added.

Zaveid nodded and looked at him over his shoulder. He was waiting for Aifread to go on. Tell him what Benwick had said. Right, that kind of context would make sense to, with what snippets Zaveid had heard from the conversation.

Aifread chuckled, most likely at what he would call again, that childlike expression on Zaveid's face. He couldn't help it though. The villagers had looked so happy as they had decorated that tree. After he had drank something, he would definitely drag Aifread outside so they could have a closer look at the scenery.

"He said, the villagers talked about how in some other town it was a tradition to ward of evil spirits. A holy tree of sorts. The people here decorated it with protective charms, to protect their Lord Vampire, whenever he went out to keep them save," Aifread explained.

Zaveid's expression had darkened at the first half of the explanation. Before he probably had started to flush a bright red at the second half. He looked outside again at the tree, as a soft smile spread on his face. Again and again Zaveid noticed how much he adored those villagers. All of them. And he would continue to protect them. Because this village. This small, growing village, budding to become a town build for artistry and so much more.

He would need to see what he can to repay them for this. Even if he knew they would treat it as something natural, he owed those villagers as much as they owed him. Even if it had been decades, most of those elders, and their children, who by now had long grown into fine adults, were amongst those who hadn't driven him out when he had stranded at the borders of the village. Who had helped him move into his mansion for nothing more than a little bit initial protection from bandits who had roamed the lands. Bandits Zaveid had made quick work of. And then he had stayed. And he had kept protecting them. And they had accepted them.

"If you want we can put a little one of those in the study. Decorate it and such. I'm sure the villagers would love to know you want to honour this tradition as well. Want to help them establish it."

Zaveid flinched and looked at Aifread again, before his eyes widened at the idea. That would be the perfect thing to give them back. He would stay alive for centuries after those who occupied the village right now were long gone. He would see their children and their children grow up. And then he could pass this on. Cause it to form into a tradition passed on for generations upon generations.

He beamed at Aifread and quickly nodded his head. They probably wouldn't do that tonight, but he would do it first thing in the morning. Before the sun came up, he would go out and see if they could find a smaller tree outside. And then he would ask some of the villagers how they decorated it.

"I love that idea! Let's do that!" Zaveid said.

Aifread chuckled and placed a kiss against Zaveid's forehead. Zaveid tuned to look back outside, chuckling to himself to as he saw some kids running around outside. Playing around the tree. They turned towards him and waved at him, to which Zaveid just waved back, causing the children to laugh as they kept playing.

Just for a little while longer he would sit with Aifread. Then he could see if he still had enough… nutrients in storage, though Aifread would definitely insist that he take some from him. And then he would look at this sight from up close. The irony causing Zaveid to chuckle again.