There was something so oddly satisfying, being able to provide the most basic things for your Beloved. Watching Theo explore the entirety of the menu of the Italian restaurant was a treat and the owners didn't have any issues with offering half portions so the twins could sample more.

Vlad chuckled when his eyes flitted between the two brothers, a look shared between Alaric and him showing that the vampires shared the exact same sentiment. While Theo had some experience with Italian cuisine, Abel had none yet both of them were eating like toddlers just discovering a tasty meal.

The mental visual of the twins as pups, digging into their spaghetti and shoveling it in their mouths by a chubby fistful was subconsciously shared with Alaric, who nearly choked on his drink and drew the attention of both their Beloveds.

Vlad didn't quite know where to look as both of them were a glorious mess. Cheeks puffed out as they were stuffed to the limit with food, a stray lick of tomato sauce streaked over Theo's chin and Vlad was pretty certain there was a dusting of powdered cheese on his Beloved's nose.

Abel wasn't much better and seemed to debate whether choking on the food forcing down his throat was worth shoveling more into his mouth. "You both do know that nobody is going to take your plate away, right?" Vlad asked with a low chuckle, gaining two huffs from Theo and Abel before the pair focused back on their food.

"You're both acting as if we've never fed you." Alaric hummed yet belied his words by gently scooting the bread basket closer to the pair and watched enraptured as the bread and garlic spread vanished before his very eyes.

Plate after plate was meticulously cleaned and stacked neatly at the head of the table, where the waitstaff could pick it up and return with even more food. Vlad and Alaric raised their brows in unison as they observed the twins reach for their glass in complete synchronisation, downing it as if their lives depended on it.

What made it even better was the Italian grandmother observing the pair from the kitchen with an ever growing smile, sending out more dishes without them being ordered just to experience the joy of someone obviously enjoying her cooking.

"Good thing Abel got used to eating rather quickly." Vlad remarked dryly, ordering himself a coffee to watch the show. "Either way, you're on clean up duty if he barfs. Try and keep the car clean or Alurea will have our heads."

"Same goes for you." Alaric grumbled, though he didn't protest against cleaning up in case his Beloved did get sick. Neither of them had the heart to physically stop their Beloveds from eating to their hearts content, unwilling to refuse them this simple happiness.

Abel and Theo shared a look before Abel choked down his mouthful and cleaned the mess that clung to his lips. "Uh so, kinda forgot to ask before we ordered and ate it but... y'all good on garlic?"

A heavy silence filled the air for a brief moment, dread clear in both Theo and Abel's gaze as the silence grew before Alaric and Vlad choked in near unison on their drinks. "Fuck me-" Vlad coughed as the coffee went through his nose on the way out, burning horribly before his supernatural healing took care of it.

"Garlic is merely a superstition humans spread as they believed the purifying abilities of garlic meant that a vampire's tainted blood would be cleansed; thus killing the creature." Alaric explained whilst Vlad was busy cleaning up his mess of spilled coffee.

He couldn't help but smirk as he added "Ironically, it had the opposite effect. Garlic is a natural anti-coagulant so it makes it easier for vampires to drink from someone. Not to mention the fact that it basically clears their blood for a cleaner taste."

"Same for silver and stakes. The mirror thing was based on the fact that the back of old mirrors was made of silver and it's also one of the main materials for religious products like crucifixes. Which-" Vlad pointed at the space above the doorway, indicating a small crucifix as he continued "as you may have noticed, neither of us burst into flames the second we went inside."

Alaric gave Vlad a look, lips tugging in a slow smirk as his brother drawled "Though I do remember you shitting your pants as a young vampire when you walked into a church for the first time after turning."

Theo and Abel both listened intently as Vlad sighed, rubbing both his hands over his face in exasperation. "Do I need to remind you we were both raised with the idea that vampires couldn't touch hallowed ground or they'll turn to dust?"

"Uncle Vlad told us it was all superstition. It wasn't based on real facts-"

"Then explain why it felt like I was getting stung by bullet ants the entire time I was in church?" Vlad grumbled, holding his palm out to Alaric, "I know now that it's to do with the age of the vampire; the younger the fledgling, the weaker their control over their powers and the higher influence the rules have on them."

A waft of freshly made pasta and garlic flowed through the air, setting off both Theo and Abel's stomachs with a loud grumble. Vlad's brow rose incredulously as his eyes flitted at the literal pile of plates that was being taken away by the waitress before multiple plates filled their table once more.

Abel had the good grace to blush, shrugging slightly as if it was to be expected. "Hisoka did mention that homunculi require more sustenance than normal people." He murmured awkwardly before his eyes flitted towards Theo, a natural born Omega who had not the same excuse to hide behind.

Not that Vlad was ever going to point that out, knowing damn well that anything Theo had loved or craved, had been taken away from him or manipulated in such a way he didn't dare risk eating it.

Which only made sense why the poor Omega was now latching onto anything he craved, as if fearing it would be physically ripped out of his hands if he didn't finish his plate within seconds.

Instead of allowing the pup to even feel a smidge of shame, Vlad simply grinned and pushed the plates of food closer to the pair. "I've never been one to fake being full from a salad to begin with. Not to mention you are werewolves and not humans. Even regular wolves can eat twenty pounds in a single sitting."

Alaric cleared his throat at that with a pointed look at their Beloveds. "Though I wouldn't recommend trying to eat that actual amount. That's usually done while shifted and even then you'd be stuck in your wolf shape until your stomach settles somewhat."

"You know, competitive human eaters actually can eat all that in a sitting." Vlad smirked, pointedly looking at the plate of garlic prawns that simply vanished into thin air. Hell he was pretty certain that if either he or Alaric so much as raised a finger towards the food, they would be wondering where the food went and why they were suddenly bleeding from the offending digit.

"Yeah Vlad and guess what? They are trained to do that. Abel has recently grown accustomed to eating and Theo is only now able to get access to proper meals without it being ruined by those-" Alaric paused, pinching the bridge of his nose before releasing a sharp exhale. "Neither of them are used to eating so much."

That made Vlad shrug, no longer caring about the lecture his brother had in mind. The vampire was more interested in observing his Beloved as Theo started slowing down on his meals. True regret settling in his eyes as the pup realized he wouldn't be able to finish the delectable plate of food in front of him.

"I doubt they'll be bothered if we ask if we can take the leftovers with us." Vlad mentioned casually before grinning when both pups seemed to gleam with joy. "Not to mention that they have excellent desserts that we can order along."

Now that made both of them reach for the menu to decide what desserts they were going to bring home with them, because Vlad doubted it was going to be just one dessert. By the time they arrived back at the Council, both Theo and Abel were knocked out cold from overeating yet somehow refusing to release their individual boxes of take-out.

"You know, now I just wanna take them out to see their reaction to all the different types of cuisine." Alaric murmured softly as he lifted Abel effortlessly, watching as Vlad did the same with Theo.

Now there's a plan. Vlad could already imagine how the twins would react to authentic good food and not cheap takeout from a local place. Those pups would love to explore the entire culinary world and decide which dishes they favoured most.

Just imagining going to China for some authentic Mapo Tofu and watch Theo experience the mind-numbing heat of the dish made Vlad grin widely, vowing to take them both on a trip around the world to do just that.

A soft breeze brushed past the pair as Vlad hummed, lifting Theo just a bit higher so his Beloved would be more comfortable. "Think we'll have to go to auntie's place first. There's a difference between going to one restaurant just because we wanted to spoil our Beloveds or going to all different places and pretend she wouldn't want to meet our Beloveds."

"True. Speaking of, did you send her a message to assure everything is okay with Theo now?" Alaric's voice lilted teasingly as if already anticipating his brother's answer.

Vlad froze in the middle of the doorway, cursing in his native tongue as he realized his mistake. Undoubtedly Dracula had already informed Silvia of Theo's existence and the state he was found in. Which was only natural as the man had nothing to hide from his Beloved.

"I think she'll understand, given the circumstances." Vlad couldn't quite believe the words as they slipped from his lips, sounding more like a hesitant prayer than a statement. "How about you?"

"Unlike someone, I already informed Auntie Silvia and sent her a picture." Alaric's smugness made Vlad kick at his brother's ass, who zipped ahead to avoid the hit. "How very mature of you."

"You went running to Matusica (Auntie) Silvia to brag about your Beloved and throw me under the bus by not informing her of the current situation. How exactly is that considered mature?"

A long exhale made both of them freeze, wondering if they had disturbed their Beloveds with their playful bickering. Luckily neither Theo nor Abel stirred as the two vampires quietly zipped towards their respective rooms.

Vlad gently changed Theo's clothes to a more comfortable outfit to sleep before tucking him under the blankets of the bed. Sitting on top of the covers, the vampire stared at the slumbering Omega with a soft smile playing on his lips before eventually, he had to tear his gaze away.

Kinda creepy if he woke up to someone just staring at him while asleep.

Yet Vlad couldn't help but listen to the softest sounds Theo made, tuning in to how deeply he was asleep or the slight discomfort of an overfull stomach that disturbed a restful slumber.

The second Vlad's fingers reached out and gently brushed over Theo's forehead, he was rewarded by a soft smile whilst the pup's breathing deepened, fully submitting to a deep sleep. "You are going to be a handful, you know that?" Vlad murmured to himself, long black hair shrouding them both like a curtain as he leaned forwards to press a single soft kiss on Theo's forehead.

It was hard to imagine how such a soft and kind-hearted soul could have him wrapped around his fingers with little effort.

His past self might've scoffed and called him whipped for caring so much about a single person. Neither Vlad nor his vampiric instincts cared about that any longer; the man would gladly collar himself and wear a leash, as long as that leash was firmly placed within those soft and gentle hands of the pretty little Omega that was his Beloved.

The Beast purred at the idea, not caring that it required to submit to someone who was younger and weaker than him on all fronts. Who cared about such small, insignificant details?

He would be shackled down if need be. Bark on command if it was asked. Make the world burn and devour the fuming ashes of those that harmed his Beloved if he was unleashed. But for now, those more basic, raw instincts were going to simmer to a low boil and wait ever so patiently.

Nah, the Beast was more than willing to sit in an unlocked cage and grin at whichever idiot was willing to tempt and rattle the bars.

Licking his fangs, a dark smirk slipped over Vlad's features as he remembered the stench of fear that permeated the room he left Theo's parents in. Karma was a cruel and utter bitch that could wait for years before it lashed out.

As an immortal being, Vlad had the time and patience to wait. Because the next time those bastards fucked up or any of the pack set a single toe out of line, the vampire would rather ask for forgiveness than beg for Theo's permission.