"You've just made that much of an impression on me." he replied. "Even if I lose my memory a thousand times over, I don't think I could ever forget you completely. Your touch, your voice, there are still things about you that are familair to me even without knowing exactly why."
_______________________________
Cicil glanced back when he heard footsteps approaching. He checked his bag and file of notes quickly just in case he had dropped anything when he had passed the group but everything seemed to be still with him. He stopped and waited until the vampire caught up. It was the same one who had thanked. All the warnings from his human friends and stranger alike suddenly came flooding back, never be caught alone with a vampire, humans can easily be manipulated by vampires, humans can easily fall to the whims of vampires, things like that. He should have kept going, ignored the wait and slip into an ally. Cicl knew the backstreets of Barcelona well enough to manage his way through allyways and back streets back to his home. So why did he wait? Why did he want to prolong their little interactions no matter how brief? He stifled the flutter of excitement and blinked in surprise. "I wouldn't want to keep you enjoying your night." He reassured, glancing behind the vampire at the group. "Besides I'm not heading anywhere eventful tonight, just back home." Somehow rejecting the vampire's offer didn't feel right. Despite what they were and the countless rumors surrounding vampires, Cicil didn't think the man in front of him would hurt him, at least not out in public. It more felt wrong in the sense of loneliness. Here was Cicil's chance to spend more time with the stunning vampire, perhaps get to know them even on a surface level and at best make a friend, and yet he was still refusing the offer. Cicil took a deep breath and gave a smile. "Actually, I would like the company if your sure your friends wouldn't mind your absence."
Lars chuckled and kissed his husband's forehead. “You don't know what a relief that is to hear.”
He had to admit he was glad that the human did wait for him, not that it would have been a problem to catch up either way. But he liked it better when they were receptive to him. “Oh, I can catch up to them later.” he smiled charmingly. “And you really shouldn't walk anywhere alone at night. Not all vampires are as friendly as myself.” Lars chuckled softly, rebutting both the man’s reasons. Though he would let him go if he was insistent on continuing by himself. “I am sure. They’ll be fine.” he nodded when the human changed his mind. “Larson Carter, at your service.” he grinned.
Cicil's gladly leaned into the gentle kiss, "I don't mean to worry you, dear." he murmured apologetically, gently toying with Larson's hand, feeling the most at ease with Larson close by.
Cicil gave a slight shrug as he started to walk again. "its not something I do often. The few times I do leave work late, I run into very few vampires. Though I suppose thats going to change soon, seeing that Barcelona is becoming a popular place for humans andd vampires alike. Are you from around here?" He asked, waving a hand to gesture around them. "Luckily I ran into you then, rather than someone less favorable." He wasn't sure if he should be worried at how easily he felt comfortable around the vampire or reassured that he Larson was seemingly harless but for the time being he didn't mind walking back home with the vampire. "Cicil Louissa," he exchanged, matching Larson's smile with one of his own. “I quite like the night life of Barcelona, of course save for the danger but if you know where to go, its quite beautiful.”
“I know you didn't.” he nodded. “And I don't blame you for what happened. But I still worry.” he admitted with a loving smile.
Larson hummed in agreement. “Yes, it is becoming quite popular for both. Though I must admit, I’m not used to the sun here.” he smiled coyly. Some vampires had a higher tolerance for sunlight than others. “Oh, no. I've been traveling lately and this was the next stop.” he answered truthfully. His smile grew as the human picked up on the joke and responded in kind. “A pleasure to meet you, Senor Louissa. Perhaps we should plan a meeting sometime and you can show me the best places to see this nightlife of yours?” he suggested, hoping the man would agree since he was already looking forward to it.
"Whatever in our past led us to be together, fate or merely just chance, I will forever be grateful." He said. "The best we can hope for is we find a way to get my memories back, and if that doesn't work out, then at least I can fall in love with you all over again."
Cicil chuckled "I imagine not. Thankfully Barcelona is equally as beautiful at night as it is during the day. I have no doubt you'll find something here that'll peak your interest while you adjust." He reassured, eyes widening in intrigue. "Ah so you're a traveler. I imagine being a vampire can be stagnant at times. You must have enough time on your hands to travel anywhere you'd like." He mused curiously. "I aspire to travel the world one day. Perhaps that's unachievable in only one life but maybe a few holidays here and there every few decades would be just as nice. I think you'll be my motivations from now on. If an ageless vampire can travel the world for eternity than I can travel to a few countries and have just as good of a time." He reasoned, giving a hopeful smile. “Please, call me Cicil. And the pleasure is all mine. I'll admit I'm a bit surprise by the offer considering you seemed to be traveling with a more lively bunch before but if you would still like to, I can show you around our beloved city.” He agreed, allowing a shy smile to cross his features.
“I hope so too, my darling.” he admitted. “I won't lie, I want the first option very much but I can live with the second if it comes to it.”
Larson nodded along as the human told him of the town. “I take it you’ve lived here long?” he asked, already half expecting a confirmation. “Traveling does add a nice change when you live alone. At least I have others to keep in touch with when I'm not traveling.” he admitted with a light shrug. When he thought about it too much, it was pretty lonely. There were options but… “Well, I’m flattered if you would think of me as an inspiration and I hope you get a chance to travel as much as you can.” he grinned. “Alright. Cicil it is, but only if you call me Larson.” he nodded, enjoying the conversation. “Oh, yes, they’re friends and I do enjoy their company but sometimes a break is just as nice. And admittedly, my friends are travelers as well. I think there were a couple of humans who live here in the group and at least one older vampire who’s traveled here before. But it's still nice to have some one on one time with a local who knows the city well.” he explained.
"we'll be alright, love. No matter what happens." He murmured, glancing up as the doctor came in. He scooted up in bed a bit as best he could while gently squeezing Larson's hand.
Cicil nodded "all my life. I was born in Barcelona and never really left. I adore the city but I think a nice change for a bit is needed." He nodded ethusiastically "and making connections of course is quite fun, expands ones little world by quite a bit." Any chance Cicil got to share his love of travel and dream of seeing the world he would, even if he ran into very few people that truly understood the thrill of adventure. He smiled but relented quite easily. "Very well, Larson it is." He tipped his head, already going through a mental map in his head of the city, of all the secret little restaurants and store fronts he had discovered through his countless trips around the town. He also had to take into consideration the places that were open late enough for Larson to be comfortable being outside. "If you're up for a bit of walk, I think I have the perfect place in mind for our first tour." He suggested, finding an old business card among his notes and files and passed it to larson. "Madre Karenine. Brothel and Bar" "Its a little hole in the wall bar but they serve amazing food and drinks." He said, rounding a corner and pausing by an old building. "What nights will you be free?"
Lars smiled lovingly at his husband and kissed his temple as the doctor finally arrived. “You are amazing.” he whispered before turning to the doctor.
“Very true.” he said, agreeing with Cicil’s comments about meeting people on traveling. “I’m not complaining about what I am but it can get a little boring with just the same social circle for too long.” he admitted with a shrug. And honestly, that was part of the reason why he was traveling so much. The people were nice enough, most of the time, and interesting but any friendships made… didn't often last. “I don't mind walking.” he assured with a casual smirk as he accepted the card. “My, my… I was not expecting you to know of a place like this.” he commented as he read what kind of establishment it was. “But I'm free most nights. I rarely make many long-term plans on where I’m going when I travel.”
Cicil laughed softly, despite his body's protest to sudden movement, it felt good to laugh. "Thank you my love, as are you, more so in fact for dealing with all this mess." He praised, squeezing Larson's hand before focusing on the doctor and the nurse as they checked his vitals.
"Well, for however long or brief your stay is in Barcelona is, I hope your bordom is quenched." He smiled and gave a casual shrug. "I'm not their conventional patron. That doesn't mean I'm aloof to what goes on in those types of place just more that I focus on the bar aspect of the business rather than the brothel portion. Thats not to say the ladies and the gentlmen there are poor company though. Perhaps you'll find someone that strokes your fancy." He offered, nodding his head and passing Larson a second card. "As soon as you find a suitable night to explore our city, send me a message and we'll head out on a bit of a late nigth adventure." He found the keys to his apartment in his bag as well and nodded towards the building. "This is my stop, Senor Larson. I think this is where we part ways until we meet again, my hopes are soon."
(do you want to be the doctor?)
Lars chuckled softly and returned the squeeze gently as he watched and waited for the doctor to speak. He knew he had been the one to hit the call button but he didn't want to interrupt at this point. And he was having a hard time trying to get himself to say the words.
“I’m sure it will be but I haven't decided how long I’m going to stay yet.” Larson smiled coyly. To him, a “brief visit” could last a decade or two. But he nodded politely as Cicil defended himself well. “I didn't intend to sound harsh. It's your business what you do when you go there, not mine. However, your information does make the place sound very much like my kind of style. Perhaps we can go together sometime.” he suggested, still smirking. “I certainly will, Senor Cicil. And I also hope our paths will cross soon.” he nodded.
The doctor cleared his throat softly, flicking his gaze between Cicil and Larson, a bit nervous both because of the situation and due to the vampire's precence. "Mr Carter, Mr Luissa. I am Dr Yousiff Valdi. I have been following Mr Luissa's progress since his accident." He explained, opening Cicil's record folder. "You'll need a while to recover from all the broken bones and the broken arm as well as the innitial shock from the accident." He paused, glanced as his nurse and closed the records. "As for the memory loss, at the moment I have very little information about that. Mr Luissa, there's nothing you can recall at all before the accident, perhaps a person or description of the other driver?" The doctor asked to which Cicil shook his head apologetically. "No, nothing, ssave for a few childhood memories and even those are vague."
"you did not." Cicl reassured brightly, eye narrowing playfully as Larson insisted on goign together but he had been the one to suggest the brothel in the first place. It wasn't necessarily the idea of going out that made butterflies flutter in Cicil's stomach but more so the little smirk the vampire gave, the vampire himself intrigued Cicil, moreso than the typical crowd he ran into in his everday life. Cicil dipped into a little bow before. "Goodnight, Larson. May the night keep safe and sound as you continue your adventure through our dear city." He smiled softly before unlocking the door to his apartment and stepping inside, giving Larson a final wave before closed his door with a click.
Lars sat still and listened to the doctor’s explanation, though he held Cicil’s hand the entire time. “Thank you, doctor.” he nodded. “Do you think there is any chance of recovering those memories?” he asked, wanting to hear it was possible even though he was still going to try regardless of the answer.
Larson smirked, glad that he hadn’t offended the man, and returned the bow. “Good night, Cicil. I look forward to seeing you again.” he replied before the human went inside for the night. He smiled to himself at the thought of his new acquaintance and casually strolled down the streets to rejoin his friends. He couldn't wait to tell them about the charming man he had met.
The doctor hesitated for moment, looking between the couple. "There is." He confessed. "but theres still some risk and you'd still need to find the person who took Cicil's memories but if you do, theres this specialist I can recomend. They go by FInn. THeres not much information on him but I've heard from returning patients that they seem to specialize specifically in memoriy loss."
Cicil stayed by the door for a few moments after he had closed it behind him, letting his heart calm to a more reasonable pace. Now that the innitial shock and awe of meeting and making plans with Larson had faded a bit, Cicil actually considered what making aquantences with a vampire outside of his students. Was it safe? Cicil hadn't felt in any danger when he had walked home with Larson, in fact it had felt quite normal, he liked their little conversation, planning an evening together. It hadn't occured to Cicil that he was bringing a stranger directly to where he lived instead of a street or two off just in case Larson was someone dangerous. Even if he tried, Cicill couldn't picture Larson as someone to be feared, and maybe that was the point, to lure in naive humans like Cicil into a vulnerable place emotionally before showing their true intentions but somhow, Cicil wanted to trust Larson was better than that.
Lars nodded, letting out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding at the news. It gave him a little more hope for their situation. "Thank you, doctor. If we did find the person, how would we find this Finn?" he asked somewhere between wanting and needing to know. He wasn't going to give up on the chance of finding the person responsable unless he had to.
(Sorry it's short…Should we end the flashback here or do you want to keep going?)
(No worries and yeah we can end the flashback for now, maybe bring it up a little later)
THe doctor set the file down for a moment and found a scrap piece of paper to write down an address. "Its a bit out of the way from here but he should be staying here for the time being. He's known to move around every few years or so I suggest finding him soon, at least to explain your situation even if you can't find the person." He handed the paper off to Larson. "I genuinely do hope you find your memories, Mr Luissa. I can't imagine losing something so vital to who you are so I'm hoping for the best outcome for you both." The doctor checked Cicil's vitals once more, asked a few questions about how he felt and then departed quietly, leaving the couple alone to rest and talk.
"There's a chance then," Cicil said softly, as if saying too loud would suddenly make that small chance dissapear. "we can get them back." He looked up at Larson, tentative but hopeful.
(Sure! Thanks.)
Lars smiled softly as he accepted the paper. “Thank you again, doctor.” he said for what was probably the sixth time. But so far this man had been very helpful with their whole situation. Now that he had Finn’s information, he was already planning on seeing them to explain and hope they would be able to stay in touch.
“Yes. There is a chance.” he nodded, matching his husband’s tone and thought of hope. “I’ll stay with you until visiting hours are over and visit every day I can until we can get you home.” he promised.
Cicil nodded slightly, not liking the idea of being left alone for the night but knowing Larson had to go home, wherever that was, and that soon he'd be able to head back too. "THank you," He murmured softly, rubbing their linked hands together as a comfort. "BEfore you go, can you tell me more about us before the accident? What we were doing before everything happened or just something we would routinely do?" He asked, not wanting to ask about larger events since he would feel more guilty that he forgot something so important. Recounting their everyday events would at least seem less daunting and easier to picture in his mind.
Lars smiled lovingly and lifted Cicil’s hand up, pressing a soft kiss against his knuckles. “It… wasn't a routine thing that day.” he admitted. “At least, it started out that way. You made breakfast and woke me up since I still have nocturnal tendencies.” he chuckled softly. “We had planned a date for that evening. No special reason other than just us wanting to do something special together after you finished teaching for the day.” he smiled before looking around the room. “Your students sent most of these flowers for you. After I told them and the school about the accident.” he swallowed as if getting the words out was more difficult than it should have been. “You were on your way home when you got hit… it took me a while to realize what happened and, I’m sorry for this but I have a tracker app on my phone. I used it to find you and it lead me to the hospital.” he admitted.
"I don't know if I'm more devastated over losing my memories or missing out on the date." He laughed softly, if not a bit sadly knowing he had something so drastic happen on what was supposed to be such a perfect day. "When I get back home and settled in we'll make up for the date." He promised, lifting his head slightly and looking around at the flower arrangements scattered around thr room. "I'm grateful, both for such a loving husband and for the people in my life, even if I can't remember them." He murmured softly, taking a deep breath to keep from crying again. He returned his attentions to Larson as he began getting choked up and gently pressed a kiss to his hand, shaking his head slightly. "you don't need to apologies, love. It helped you find me, right? I'm assuming on what you've told me about our relationship, you're not someone who would do something to cause me harm or anything like that. If you needed to use the tracker to find me, it was for good reason and a last resort kind of thing."
Lars chuckled softly with his husband at the little quip, though he didn't blame him for either of the events. “Once you're feeling better, we’ll have a very nice makeup date at home.” he nodded, smiling at Cici's promise. Though he let out a sigh of relief when he admitted that he wasn't mad at what many people would consider an invasion of privacy. “Thank you. Yes, it did help me find you but I'm sure that the hospital would have contacted me once they identified you.” he confessed, blushing a little. “But you’re right, it was a last-resort thing that I don't usually use. I was just so worried. I needed to know what happened.” he sighed.
Cicil nodded enthusiasically, glad to have an at home date. He wasn't apposed to going out but home seemed safer than the outside, at least for now. And home was also where answers were. He could find memories there, even if there wasn't an attachment to them yet, he'd know more about himself soon. He chuckled softly, "Clearly not soon enough so I'm glad you had it in this instance." he gently brushed the back of his hand against Larson's cheek at seeing the blush. "I'll be alright no matter what. We've lived a very long life together right? this is merely a bump in the road." He assured. "What do you think of this Finn person?" he asked, wondering how they would even start finding his memories, find the person who took them, then finding Finn in time to get them back.
Lars hummed softly, nuzzling against his husband’s touch. “You are truly the most amazing person I have ever known. I can't think of anyone else who would be so calm and accepting in this situation.” he admitted with admiration. “I don't know this Finn myself but if the doctor is recommending them, then I’ll take that as a good sign.” he nodded. “I’ll probably see if I can get in touch with them and find out what I can. When I can’t be with you.” he added with a smile.
"Accepting, perhaps not. I don'tlike the idea that someone stole all my memories of my life but theres not much I can do about that. As for calm, I'd say more restricted." He teased, though he did really hate being stuck in bed with limited mobility, unable to even help himself by doing the most minimal research. "I can't thank you enough, my dear. For just being here, even if I remmber nothing. For going out of your way to tell my students the situation, for being so calm yourself even if its most likely more painful for you than it is for me." Cicil knew this hurt Larson deeper than he was letting on, even if he couldn't understand the depth of their relationship, he knew there was someone ageless between them, something that had been disrupte dby the loss of his memories.
He glanced up and nodded slightly "Thank you, my love but remeber to rest, please. Don't overwork yourself. I'll try and do some research from here as well on my phone as much as I can when I'm not asleep or during your visit." He reasoned, already feeling the new round medications kicking in and tempting him to sleep.
“Of course not.” Lars shook his head. “I meant accepting of me. Of us. Anyone would be understandingly upset at losing their memories. But I can't imagine too many people being ok with suddenly having a spouse. Not to mention a Vampire.” he admitted. Though he chuckled a little at being called calm. “I will always be there for you, amore. I know how much you love those kids and teaching them. Of course I would tell them.” he assured with a loving smile. He couldn't help but laugh again at the familiar way Cici was watching out for him even now. “I will. I should be able to rest better now that I know you are going to be ok.” he promised. “But you should try to rest as well so you can heal.”
Cicl shifted the best he could in the hospital bed so as to not be sore in the morning and gave Larson's hand a gentle squeeze. "You're familair to me," he tried to explain, though the more he tried to focus, the more his already foggy mind became more fuzzy. "I can't remember why but I know you. Or at least I'm not as surprised by your presence in my life than I think I could be. I'm glad though, that I'm not alone. As for you being a Vampire," he shrugged and laughed softly. "I don't mind. I can't remember if there's anyhing I should be worried about when with a vampire so you'll get to teach me all over again what there is to know. I'm assuming most is pretty good, considering we are married and lived with each other for so long." He felt a sense of relief, knowing that the people important in his life at least were aware that he was alright, his guilt for worrying so many people easing a bit. He nodded, still looking Larson over, not only to make sure he was alright but to also commit his appearance to memory to dream of him later. "I will, one way or another." He genly lifted his other hand and nodded towards the IV in his arm. "I'll call you once I wake up."
Lars sighed, resting his head against Cicil’s hand. “I am so glad that you do remember me at all. But you don't have to strain yourself.” he assured before chuckling at the idea of teaching his husband about vampires again. “But yes, I think that it was pretty good over the years. I'm not saying it was perfect, we definitely had our fights but we learned from each one.” he smiled. At the mention, and reminder, of Cici needing sleep he nodded with a slight laugh. “Alright. We can talk more later. I’ll let you rest and see you later.” he agreed as he stood up and kissed Cici’s forehead.
"I think you're worth the strain." He murmured, gently leaning into the kiss on the forehead before letting his head rest on the pillow. "Hm, tomorrow." He agreed, nodding slightly and letting his eyes fall shut.
The next morning, awoke to nurses moving around him, silently checking vitals. He stretched the best he could, groggily answered their questions and started looking through their phone for more information. Looking up his name he found his history as a teacher and various institutions, some articles putting junior or numbers, assuming he was a relative. He smiled slightly still confused at how their immortality worked but finding it entertaining at the least.
Lars had set multiple alarms so that he could work on cleaning up the house a bit before taking care of himself so he wouldn't look as miserable as he did yesterday. He knew Cici wouldn't be coming home today but he at least wanted to get a head start on making the place look nice and not embarrass himself with how he let things slip. Granted it was because he was so worried he had been but…
As soon as it was time for visiting hours to start, he was already at the hospital with a couple of bags for Cicil. Though he hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door and peeking in.
After vitals were checked and rechecked, Cicil was helped up and out of bed with the help of the nurses and allowed a shower, now attached to a moveable IV drip. As much as Cicil appreciated the help, he had to admit to being slightly uncomfortable with the constant vigilance. Thankfully he was granted a few moments alone for his personal care so long as he was unbelievabley careful. Cicil took the moment of solace to check himself over, lightly tracing over the tattoos that marked his body, surprised that there were so many, more than he had innitially seen in photos, all telling a story he, for the lives of his, could not remember. Regardless it was nice to sit and wonder what the symbols and intricate images could mean to him. He already assumed some if not most had to do with Larson, considering hte one on his neck focused on their marriage and bond. He smiled to himself before carefully getting dressed, eventually calling for help when he gave up on trying to put on much of anything what with his injured arm and still healing body.
Finally managing to get into his new clothes and settle back in bed, Cicil went through another round of questions, this time by the doctor, as well as another check of vitals before he was left to rest. which is exactly what Cicil didn't do. Instead, making sure he was completely alone, he gingerly stood back up again and settled on the ground among the flower arrangements he had been gifted that had been placed by the window. He knew he needed rest, and ultamately, it would be good for him but he couldn't sit still, not when he had so many questions in his mind with no way of getting answwers. So instead, he worked. He put his mind to concentrate on something else for bit instead of his guilt and memory los even if tending to the flowers was slow progress with only one good arm. He carefully placed the pinned notes off to the side after reading them over and started to gently pluck off dying petals and leaves from the arrangements, making a mental note to himself to get fresh water the next time a nurse came back. He jumped and looked up as a knock came to his door, slightly confused as to why the nurses would come back so soon but then realized it most lilely wasn't a nurse. He pivoted slightly in his spot, brushing aside the leaves he had gathered in his lap. "Come in," he called, a relieved smile appearing on his face when he saw that it was Larson. "Hey," He greeted softly, "I'm okay, just restless." he reassured quickly, realizing maybe a bit too late that finding him on the floor instead of bed would be alarming at first.
“Hey.” Lars smiled back before walking in and taking a seat on the floor next to Cicil as if it were the most normal thing in the world. “It's ok. As long as you’re alright, I won't tell the nurses.” he chuckled, looking at the “gardening” his husband had been doing. “Read anything familiar?” he asked with a nod towards the notes that had come with the flowers. Even though the vampire hadn't had the chance to talk to Finn yet, he was still hopeful that some of Cici’s memories would come back. “Oh, and I hope you don't mind but I brought a few things for you from home.” he added as he brought the bags around.
