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Ingeras shrieked.
Vlad looked up, ready to spill blood- only to find Simon holding his son upside down and both of them grinning like madmen.
Vlad relaxed even as Simon carefully began to spin.
His son worked so hard to be a good prince... it was wonderful to see him getting the chance to play like any other child.
“I remember when I used to do that for him,” Alucard said quietly, but with a small smile.
“Vampire strength,” Vlad reminded him, “you might be able to do it still.”
Alucard chuckled. “I think he’s a little too old to enjoy it though.”
“Father, help me!” Ingeras called.
“No one can save you now, little prince!” Simon bellowed dramatically, giving Vlad a meaningful look.
Vlad winked in return, then turned into a cloud of bats, and flew several by the hunter's face, causing him to flail dramatically and then drop Ingeras, with enough telegraphing that Vlad had more than enough time to catch him.
Ingeras laughed and happily clung to his father. Vlad hugged him back, reminding himself to be gentle, gentle-
"Curses!" shouted Simon, waving his fist in the air. It might have been intimidating, if he hadn't been grinning.
"If you're done playing, the stew is done," Alucard called from the campfire.
Only the humans ate it, of course, while both vampire fathers watched and encouraged them to eat more.
After eating, Ingeras was coaxed into napping, and Simon offered his fur and tucked the boy in while he leaned against him. Simon was, after all, the only other warm body around. Ingeras drew much comfort from his father's presence, but was also enjoying the hunter's friendship.
“I think he’s proven he would've been a good big brother to the siblings he kept asking us for.”
Vlad rested a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“He doesn't have much time to play,'' Vlad said quietly, looking at his son, slumped against Simon Belmont, the hunter's fur tucked around him like a blanket.
“Simon had to grow up fast as well,” Trevor admitted.
“But he’s grown up well.”
“He has. I'm so proud and I know his mother is as well.”
They lapsed into an easy, companionable silence, waiting for Ingeras to wake up and for Alucard to return.