Cicil let out a relieved laugh, lightly resting his head against Larson’s shoulder as he picked up the notes and skimming through. "Other than my last name followed by 'mr' no." He replied softly. "But I don't think I had intended to remember much from them anyways. They don't know anything beyond the accident. I want to keep it that way, for their sake." He carefully set the notes back off to the side away from potentially bring ruined by his work with the flowers. "I did see the rest of my tattoos this morning. There's something I can try and grasp at but nothing solid." He explained, straightening at the mention of home. He still didn't have an idea of what had once considered home, other than Larson, so any chance he got a taste of his life before the accident, he'd take. "I don't mind at all, thank you dear." He gently nudged aside the plants back towards where light was streaming but paused, feeling as if he had to do something but not quite grasping at what it was immediately. He turned back to Larson and nodded towards the window "did you want the shades closed?" He asked, not entirely understanding why the question came to mind in the first place but it somehow felt right.
Lars smiled and gently wrapped his arm around Cicil’s shoulders and kissed his forehead. “I understand. I was just wondering if any of the signatures jumped out at you.” he admitted with a nod. “And I agree that they don't need to know more about your accident. No need to worry them until we know more too.” His smile grew as Cici mentioned his tattoos. “You do have a lot. And there was… is a meaning and story behind each one. I always thought that was very sweet of you.” he chuckled lightly before matching his husband’s mood about the bags. “It's just a few things to make your time here more comfortable and easier. Though I did bring a couple of old photo albums if you want to look through them.” he blushed a little, hoping that the images might spark something. “Hmm? Oh, the sun…” he shook his head as he realized what Cicil was probably thinking of. “No. You can leave them open. It doesn't bother me too much. Just in the mornings because I stay up late. It doesn't burn me or anything… at least no more than others. If anything, I just need stronger SPF if we plan to spend a lot of time outside.” he explained with a smile.
"We really did live all these lives together, didn't we?" He marveled, finding a design of what looked liked stained glass on his arm depicting the streets of barcelona. Surrounding that were symbols of anatomy and math, connecting the stained glass piece to a more classic looking tattoo at his wrist, a bat in fleight towards his hand, just stopping shy of his palm. "I'm glad at least some part of our memories wasn't lost." He smiled softly, eyes brightening when he saw the albums. Perhaps something in there would be of help. Something about having a tangible photo to hold instead of something on a screen excited Cicil. He carefully put the album by his bedside and went through the rest of the items in the bag, finding well worn and loved clothes, a giant blanket, more photos and even some food. "Thank you my love." He murmured, setting aside the bag and hugging Larson, pressing a kiss to his hair. He stayed put where he was knelt beside his husband, excited to flip through the album but more than happy to stay here for as long as possible. "you're sure?" he asked, tilting his head back to look Larson, searching for any form of discomfort but finding none. "hm. if the sun is too much feel free to close them." He reassured, smiling softly. "i don't mind the dark, I suppose." He mused, slightly surprising himself. His mind was mostly dark yes, but the darkness itself, the night, was a silent comfort to him he only recently realized. If it weren't for his exhaustion and tired body, he would happily stay up at night, enjoying its peacefulness.
“We did.” he nodded, following his husbands gaze to the tattoo on his arm. “I believe that one is supposed to be when we first met.” Lars chuckled as he traced the image of the bat. It was funny but he always liked that little image. “I'm glad too.” he added with a soft smile, letting Cicil look through the bags. “Of course, darling.” he said, returning the hug and the kiss before letting go so he could look through the album. “I’m sure. I’ve gone to the beach with you before and still lived.” he chuckled. Even though he already knew that about his husband, it was still nice to hear it. “I know. Though that might be because of me a little.”
Cicil shivered at the cool touch but didn't shy away, instead following where Larson traced the bat and stained glass piece with his gaze. "I…" He paused, not wanting to get Larson's or his own hopes up with the sliver of familiarity he felt when he saw the images on his skin but also desperate to know more. "I know this is Barcelona." He said, moving Larson's so it rested on the larger piece. "I know I grew up there as a child. The building I don't remember." He frowned slightly and then glanced up when Larson opened the album. He took the blanket from the bat and tossed over them both as they flipped through. Many of the photos were clearly of them both but Cicil had no recollection of the events or the meaning behind them. Apparently they had gone everywhere in the world, beaches in the Caribbean, jungles in south America, villages in the secluded mountains, Europe, Canada, the states, anywhere imaginable. He breathed a laugh, glancing up at Larson as they paused on a page of photos where most were taken at night. "I'm assuming most vampires are nocturnal then?" He asked curiously.
Lars smiled softly as he listened to Cicil's words and let him move his hand over the tattoo, nodding. “Yes. I believe you were born and raised there. And I do remember the glass… You took me there when I was just a tourist.” he chuckled fondly before cuddling closer as his husband wrapped them both in the blanket. Well, this brings back memories… he sighed a little as he pushed the thought away and focused on the pictures. “Yeah. For the most part, anyway.” he nodded. “It's because of the whole sunlight kills vampires' thing. It used to be true but we’ve adapted to just having a stronger sensitivity to it. When those really high SPF sunscreens came out, it was a really big deal to our community. And it gave me more opportunities to go out with you.” he added with a grin.
Larson smiled softly, "when we first met? I was bold enough to bring you somewhere with me right when we met?" He asked in surprise. "was this how we met?" he asked as he hugged Larson close, pausing in his search through the album to focus on his husband for a moment. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked, lightly brushing asked Larson's hair. "Have you been sleeping? eating?" He searched Larson's face, looking for signs of exhaustion, or hunger, or anything that would point to signs of anything other than mostly alright. "This can't be easy on you either." he murmured, lightly resting hi hand over Larson's and gently squeezing in reassurance. "I'll be home soon, wherever that may be as long as its with you. Then we can figure this whole thing out together." He reassured, pressing a kiss to Larson's cheek before focusing back on the album. "Then I'm glad things have come a long way since we were born. It gives people like us more of an opportunity live a more fullfilling life with each other, whether thats at night or during the day." He flipped through a few more photos, recognizing some from his phone while others were newer. Every so often he would pause and read a note here and there on picture, a date, or quotes either he or larson wrote underneath.
“Not quite.” Lars admitted. “But you’re close. I had been with some friends that night and you were walking home alone. With so many vampires around, that was pretty dangerous so I offered to walk you home.” he recounted, returning the hug with a soft smile. “But you did surprise me with a card to a club and we agreed to meet there another time.” Though he chuckled a little and nodded at Cicil’s concern. “I’m fine. Don't worry about me.” he sighed. “You’re right, it's not easy. But I don't want to make things harder on you so I’m taking care of myself.” he assured quickly before melting into the kiss and holding Cici’s hand. “I know you will and I can't wait for the doctors to release you.” he murmured as he pressed a kiss of his own to his forehead. “Yes. And I’m glad that we were able to be around for those changes. I still remember how far and quickly technology has evolved and improved so many lives.” he chuckled at the memories before pointing out a few examples that they had captured in their book.
Civil wasn't sure what to be more shocked at. The fact that he would bring someone to his home only moments after they just met, or offer to go to a club as a way to get to know each other. "Apparently I surprise us both." He laughed softly. "And we've been together ever since? Even after what I'm assuming was at the very least an award first meeting?" He watched Larson, still unconvinced. "My love, I don't have much to worry about considering I can't remember much. And there's not much we can do until I'm out of here. Preoccupying myself with thoughts of you and how you're doing at least gives me something to think about. And I rather like imagining countless scenarios of us together and happy." He smiled thoughtfully and rested his head against Larson's shoulder. "We'll be around for many more. He concluded softly, the thought of eternity with the man beside him sounded like absolute heaven to him: even if they would never die. They spent hours on the floor, curled up among the blanket and pillows looking at the photos. Well, Cicil mostly asking any and every question he could think of and only occasionally pausing when he felt a very slight tug at his subconscious. Usually nothing would come of it no matter how hard he tried to remember but he would make pause on some photos longer than others in an attempt regardless.
Lars chuckled with his husband and kissed his temple. “Pretty much. You were so intriguing, I had to get to know you better. It did take a little while before we actually started… courting. But after we started, it was so clear to me how I felt about you.” he admitted with a light blush.
The vampire sighed at Cicil’s explanation but nodded. “I understand. I do. And I like the idea of you imagining us together. But I want to assure you, at least, that I’m alright.” he confessed. “I miss you, I won't lie about that. If I could sneak in here at night, I would.” he added with a slightly mischievous smirk. However the expression shifted into something softer at Cici’s comment about how they still had so much time ahead of them.
Flipping through the albums and reminiscing like this was so familiar and comforting… even if they were in a hospital and not back home in front of the fireplace. Every once in a while, Lar would glance at Cici, hoping to see even a slight sign of recognition from these memories. But, other than those moments of pause, it was hard to tell. I really should call Finn soon…
Cicil looked up at Larson, an amused smilecrossinghis face as he passed in his studying of the photos. "A human intrigued a vampire?" He asked, blush rising to his cheeks again. He could imagine himself being intrigued by Larson, in fact he was right now so back then he must have been enamored but a human somehow catching a vampire's interest seemed more surprising. He sighed softly but nodded, not wanting to nag too much. "Very well, If you're absolutely sure. If by any chance that changes before I get home, the window will always be open." He laughed at the smirk, and shrugged "seeing how nervous the doctor was I doubt they'd do much if they somehow found you here earlier than visiting time." He went back to looking at the photos for a while, deciding to simply enjoy the pictures and imagining their past lives together. He peeked up and smiled softly when he saw Larson watching. "I'm trying, dear." He murmured, setting the book aide for a moment. "Not much is coming back but there are…feelings? Or some sort of familiarity." He tried to explain.
"Well, why not?" Lars shrugged, matching Cicil's expression. "Many vampires, myself included, used to be human. Some chose to remember that but forget what it was like so they actually enjoy spending time with humans while others try to forget and don't like humans because they remind them too much." he explained, perhaps over simplifying a bit. He smiled softly at the sigh and kissed his husband's cheek. "I'm sure. But now I'm even more tempted to sneak in and see you." he chuckled at the idea of the window being open. Though he had to agree that there was likely not much that the doctors could do to stop him.
The vampire sighed a little, somewhat embarassed that he had been caught, but nodded. "I'm sorry. I believe you that you're trying and I'm glad that some of these feel familiar even now." he admitted. "I guess that I was just hoping that something would trigger a memory. I'm sorry if I was… making things… uncomfortable." he apologized, stumbling over the last word.
Cicil nodded in slight understanding, at least conceptually he understood. It made sense to want to be reminded of what you once were. Actually getting himself to wrap his mind over said concept, immortality, vamipires ect, was a bit harder in practice. But Larson was living proof. Cicil himself was proof. The photos in his hand all pointed to the very real possibilty of their immortal existance, even if he couldn't imagine what had innitially drew Larson to him in the first place. He leaned into the kiss, smiling fondly and making a note to himself to crack open the window ever so slightly when night fell after his final check in of the day. "The bed isn't as uncomfortable as I make it seem." He joked lightly. His soft smile remained even as gently nudged Larson's shoulder. "You're not." He reassured gently, gently squeezing Larson's hand. "Very much the opposite actually. You're one of the only comforts I have at the moment. I know this can't be any easier on you than it is on me. I'll keep trying, I promise, for both our sakes. Tomorrow when you visit we can call this Finn the doctor mentioned together." He reasoned. "if theres someone in this world that is referenced in these situations, that means we're not the only ones to go through this, right? Which means he has had to fixed whatever is going on now, before. We'll find whoever has my memories sooner than you think."
Lars chuckled softly at the joke and shrugged. “I never actually spent much time in a hospital bed before. Never really had much of a need to.” he admitted. “But I do feel like those beds just look more uncomfortable than they are.” he agreed, once again tempted to sneak in and see his husband after visiting hours. He gently returned the assuring gesture, relieved by Cicil’s words. “You’re right. It's not easy. But I can't imagine what you're going through…” he tried to explain. But he nodded at the plan to call Finn the next day and the logic that if someone could help them then maybe something like this could have happened before. “I certainly hope so. Though I don't know if it's assuring or sad that there's an “expert” who can help with memory problems like this.”
"I'll admit I'm eager to finally sleep in a regular bed but this'll do for now. At least now I have some comforts from home." He hugged the excess blanket piled around them and pressed his face into its warmth. He took Cecil's hand and pressed his lips to the back of it, leaving it to linger even as he said "I hope you never have to." He thought for a moment, wondering just how many people lost their memory and needed to seek out Finn to retrieve them. How many people didn't find Finn in time and lived the rest of their lives without remembering? "Both I guess. There some hope in knowing retrieving memories is achievable. The reason why they need to be retrieved at all is the sad part. Its still baffling to me how people can just take memories so easily."
Lars smiled warmly and gently pulled his husband closer, thinking how adorable he was as he snuggled against the blanket. Though the smile faded a little at the soft words and kiss. Honestly, he hoped the same but… “I still wish that you didn't have to go through this either.” he sighed.
“Yes. That is concerning.” he nodded thoughtfully, obviously agreeing with Cicil about both sides of the situation. It was a bit of extra comfort that he could still understand Lars like that. “I don't remember hearing about something or someone with that kind of ability before. Spells and witches perhaps but I don't know how many there are left… Seems like I need to reconnect with that side of our community.” he mused.
Cicil nodded slightly, chewing his lips slightly in thought. "Is it odd that I hope whoever took my memories are okay? They must have been so scared something would happen to them if they felt the need to take away memories of the event. Maybe they took too much when they fled the scene." He said softly. Oddly enough, in the few days he's stayed at the hotel, he hadn't felt angry for what had happened to him. Of course he was scared and confused but never really angry towards this other person.
Cicil looked up, not being able to help the wonder in face. He was just wrapping his head arou d immortality and his husband being a vampire. Witches and magic, other being entirely was all fascinating. "Do we know any personally? Other creatures I mean?" He asked
Lars blinked at the question and gave a reflective hum. “Honestly, I hadn't thought about that much. I suppose I want them to be alright too… especially if we need to find them to get your memories back, but I hadn't asked myself why they did this or what was going through their head.” he admitted, a little embarrassed by that fact but also awed that Cicil had. “That's an interesting theory though, love.”
He couldn't help a soft chuckle at his husband's expression at the mention of the supernatural community. “Well, I kissed a Siren once.” he laughed. “And, of course, I remember the vampire who bit me. He was something of a mentor for my early years. Which actually was before the whole werewolf/vampire feud. But it wasn't really as big of a deal as some made it out to be.” he explained. “But I’ll have to check our contacts to see who we both know.”
Cicil tried his best to recall what a siren or other vampires looked like, mostly recalling fantastical versions of them from childhood rather than what he assumed were people more like Larson. He wondered if he tutored or taught any creatures other than humans, if they were just as facinated by an immortal human bonded to a vampire as he was in them.
"If anyone can lure a siren I'd imagine it'd be you, dear." He laughed, reaching up and brushing aside Larson's hair to find this own bite mark. "I'm glad that he was at least good to you. I'd imagine that claim on some else would pose somewhat of a problem." He mused softly. He nodded slightly, signing as he began to move the plants back into place and setting the album back on the side table to look through later. "Maybe they'd be able to help as well, whoever knows us we'll, or even knows about memory loss."
Lars laughed and shook his head. “I didn't really lure her. It was a more of an oxygen exchange thing really.” he explained. “I was on a ship and got thrown overboard in a storm. She recognized that I wasn't human and tried to save me but I wasn't really in danger. So she just pointed me in the direction of land.” Though he smiled as Cicil touched his bite and nodded. “He was good to me. Something of a mentor/second father figure to me. But you have to re… I should tell you that it was over 900 years ago so…” he shrugged, catching his phrasing before he said something awkward. “Maybe. Maybe they can help.” he nodded again as he watched Cici put everything away. “Are you tired, darling?”
Cicil laughed lightly and nodded "900 years likely doesn't seem so long for someone who's immortal. Did something happen to him?" He asked as he reluctantly untangled himself from the little nest of blankets and pillows they had made for themselves. He shoved everything on the bed and slowly pushed himself up, careful not to put too much strain on his still-healing body. Eventually, he managed to sit on the edge of the bed, slightly breathless but more comfortable than on the hard floor. After managing the tangled chords around him, he settled himself back in bed, wrapping the blanket around him and replacing the hospital pillow with the one from home, finding it infinitely more comfortable. "Not necessarily, no. Usually, the nurses come in and check in around now. Finding us on the floor most likely would cause some alarm." He explained with a chuckle, opening his arms in invitation.
“Oh, I just meant that I was turned that long ago. So a lot of things were different then, including society and education. The old man is still around but we haven't been in touch much recently.” Lars shrugged nonchalantly. “That's just how it is with vampires. After a couple centuries, we don't need our “parent” as much and go off on our own.” he explained as he carefully helped Cici up and into the bed with the blankets and pillows from home. “Ah, that makes sense. Don't want to scare the nurses.” he chuckled as he sat beside his husband, accepting the invitation happily and gently returned the embrace.
Cicil nodded slightly, his brows furrowing in concentration. "Do you think he would know anything about memory loss in immortals? or in general? He's been around for so long, perhaps this is not the first time he would have heard of this happening." He reasoned. "If it would be alright with him, perhaps we could find a time to fianally reconnect." He chuckled lightly, trying to imagine a younger? more teenage version of Larson. "Did he know about us?" he asked, wondering how Larson's vampire parent would think about his relationship with a human. "Well, scare them more. You seem to have a certain affect on the doctors." Cicl wrapped his arms around Larson, closing his eyes for a peaceful moment. "What are we normally like?" He asked softly against Larson's hair. "I would have imagined being immortal can get monotonous but from the photos and even just now, immortality seems to just bring us closer." He smiled, pressing a soft kiss to Larson's temple.
Lars blinked at the suggestion but gave a slight nod. “I can't believe I didn't think of that. He might know something, I mean there is a chance. I’ll call him.” he assured, a little nervous because of how long it had been since the last time they spoke. “Oh, yes. He knew, he knows. He was at our wedding.” he smiled. “And had met you a couple of times before. He thought you were too good for me. And I remember you were surprised when I first introduced you because he was younger than you imagined.” he added with a fond laugh. Which only grew when Cici told him about the doctors. “Oh, really? I always thought I was quite charming.” he teased, not really bothered by the information as he nuzzled into his husband’s arms and gently held him in return. “Honestly, we’re a lot like this. It can be a bit repetitive at times but we always find things to do. Often together.” he admitted softly, humming at the kiss before returning the gesture. “It definitely brought us closer.”
Cicil was relieved when hearing he had met Larson's mentor before and seemed to have a good relationship, even if he was a human. He hoped the familiarity would ease his nerves when meeting him later for the first time again. "that I was too good for you?" he asked in slight disbelief. He eyes Larson teasingly "What kind of person were you when we first met for him to think me too good for you, dear?" Cicil laughed softly, positive no matter who they were lives ago, he would have fallen for Larson just as easily. "Oh, you most definitely are. At least you are to me. Perhaps they're not used to seeing a vampire." He shrugged, closing his eyes contently as Larson settled beside him. It was comforting to know this was normal for their relationship, that Cicil had come to trust and love someone so deeply and seemed to never have that love fizzle out. He didn't think nor did ever want to be bored of Larson but he imagined that a vampire being with a human would feel uneventful after a few decades. He wouldn't be surprised if vampires were known to have more than one partner, though he was secretly and perhaps a bit selfishly glad Larson was solely his.
Lars chuckled a little at the question and shrugged. “In the centuries after I adapted to being a Vampire, the old man called something of a hedonistic rapscallion.” he admitted shamelessly. “And in hindsight, he wasn't exactly wrong. I enjoyed all the time I had and the fact that I had so much time and was hard to kill, made me a little reckless for a while, but once I met you… well, I started taking things more seriously again.” he smiled adoringly at Cicil. “You have a point there. Vampires don't really have a need to visit hospitals, except the occasional ‘blood drive’.” he nodded thoughtfully. “Maybe I should talk to them and assure them.” he suggested as they held each other close, kissing his husband’s forehead.
"Hedonistic rapscallion?" Cicil questioned with a laugh. "how did I every tame such a reckless beast?" he mused, gently running his fingers through Larson's hair. "I'm glad then, that we found each other when we did, in a time where it seemed that we needed each other the most. I suspect you brought me quite a lot of excitement and something very new into my life and I hopefully brought to you something a bit more stable."
He shrugged slightly, "no I suppose not. Does that come with being a vampire? getting hurt less? or at least an aversion to wounds?" he asked, resting against Larson. "i'm sure they'd understand. Are human and vampire relationships not as common as I thought?"
Lars blushed a little as Cici laughed but continued to smile as his husband played with his hair. “This probably helped.” he joked. “But I agree. You definitely helped me settle down and I like to think I brought you plenty of adventure.” he chuckled.
“Oh, we can still get hurt but the method of how is more particular than your average human. And we heal fairly quickly as long as we take care of ourselves.” he admitted with a brief shrug. “Ahh… they’re not uncommon but they might still be more rare than people expect because of all those romance novels.” he sighed, rolling his eyes at the thought.
"ah so it was this simple? I find that hard to believe when you've been called a rapscallion." He smiled softly as he continued to gently card thro ugh Larson's hair, even massaging him a little. "From the photos we've taken it seems that you very much did." He mused, hoping that if the worst came to pass and his memories were not able to be recovered, that he'd have a chance to visit these places again. He nodded slightly, "I'll admit being a vampire in this moment may be a bit more useful." Cicil tilted his head in amused confusion. "There are romance novels about us?"
“I said that it helped, not that it was the only thing.” Lars smirked, his eyes fluttering a little at the massage. “If you ever want to go on another adventure, you just have to ask. We can go anywhere, do anything, you want.” he assured. Even if it was something they did before, times had changed, it would still be an adventure. He chuckled softly at Cici’s comment about being a vampire but shrugged. “Physically, it might have… but who knows what would have happened to your memory then.” he sighed. Depending on the cause of Cicil’s memory loss, there was a chance that they still could have been lost. “Oh, yeah. There’s a whole genre about romances between a human and some… “supernatural creature”. Some more flattering than others and some that are just outright absurd.” he informed, trying not to think of specific examples.
