A Tiny Error

Bonus Chapter: Fallacy x Encre

'Besides painting of course,' he thought, an amused smirk tugging at his skeletal lips as he trudged down the halls. 'If there was a way to blot out the sun, even for a day, I would do it in a soulbeat.'

Meanwhile, Encre was struggling to focus on his painting. Fallacy doesn't usually visit during the day, especially not when he's painting. Encre painted in the mornings, when the sun was able to provide him the maximum amount of natural light possible. In the afternoons, when the light was beginning to wane, he'd stop and cover up his projects, feeling satisfied with his work. But there was the nagging sense of feeling as if he wasn't where he wanted to be that sometimes pulled away from his work. He sometimes wandered the castle, bumping into Suave or the other servants as they performed their duties. He would wonder what Fallacy was up to before ultimately opting to search for him. Often, he would find the vampire king asleep in his room, dozing in his study, or reading in the library. Encre knew that Fallacy was losing sleep to spend time with him, and the longer the behavior persisted, the more concerned Encre felt about it. He knew it wasn't healthy, at least not for a mortal. He knew that Fallacy was likely compromising his sleep schedule to be awake while Encre was awake.

So, what does he do about it?

He could adjust his own sleep schedule. But Fallacy would immediately take notice. He could stay up longer, spend more time with Fallacy while he was able to be awake. That, too, would attract Fallacy's attention, and more than likely his concern as well. It was one thing for Fallacy to sacrifice his sleep to spend time with Encre; the artist knew that if he tried it, the vampire king would insist he go straight to bed and go to sleep, and stop trying to bargain away his physical health in favor of spending time with Fallacy. He didn't have to, as Fallacy would put it, put the vampire before himself.

'And yet that is exactly what he's doing,' Encre huffed, putting his painting supplies away. He pulled a sheet over his painting, then left his art studio. An uncomfortable feeling settled in his chest as he thought back to the way Fallacy had looked. There were dark circles beneath his eyesockets, and etched into his face were telltale signs that he hadn't been sleeping. And when he had to go out to patrol his hunting grounds for unruly vampires, he came back looking more haggard by the day. He knew there was a solution to this, a more permanent one. But was he really ready to take that step?

He stopped Suave in the hall leading to the entry, asking where Fallacy had gone.

"I believe he was headed for his study," Suave answered distractedly, a blush on his face. Encre shook his head in amusement as Suave bowed and excused himself. "My apologies, but I must go!"

Encre watched him walk away briskly. He guessed that either Jasper had been flirting with him again, or that Suave was running away from the vampire prince's attentions. He was unaware that the prince and his butler were officially dating, but that could be expected, given that he hardly ever sees Jasper. He figured that the prince had other things to do, and he didn't really like Encre anyway. It was saddening, but the artist chalked it up to Jasper trying to come to terms with his father's new... partner? That didn't sound quite right to Encre, but at the moment, he didn't have a better label for their relationship. Acquaintance sounded too impersonal, and lover was just ridiculous! Friend was more middle ground, but their soulmate bond drew them closer than just "friends." It was confusing.

Encre strode to the study, where Fallacy was reading over some documents. The artist contemplated knocking or asking permission, but Fallacy beat him to the punch.

"If you are waiting for me to invite you inside, there is nothing stopping you."

Encre's brows rose slightly. He almost sounded... distant. Closed off. Encre hesitated, nervously withdrawing from the doorway. "I-if you're busy, I can come back later-"