Chapter Text
“Here it is”
In front of her stood a tall scarlet-colored door, the same door she had seen in practically every hallway since she first arrived, without Sebastion’s help it would be pretty difficult to find her way around the mansion. Since Vincent’s room was thankfully located in one of the corners of the mansion it hadn’t been too difficult to find, being far from the center of the mansion it was clear why he had chosen this room as his studio. Not only was it perfect for him to paint in solitude, but it would also help keep the sounds of the outside world out allowing him to concentrate more in a quiet cozy environment. MC lightly knocked on the door clinching close the sun scented jacket he had lent her the night before.
I need to thank him properly for protecting me last night…
Yesterday had been one of the most, if not worse nights of her life. One minute she was admiring the arts Paris had to offer and the next she had found herself back in time with a few of history's most important and well-known figures. She was able to somehow come to terms with it all, but after she told Sebastion about a horrible nightmare that had woken her from her sleep MC was faced with a terrifying truth. At first, she thought he was joking, Vampires really? Being thrown back in time to 19th century France was enough now she had to believe that every resident in the mansion was a blood-sucking vampire from children's stories of course she couldn’t help but laugh. But after Arthur had made it incredibly clear that it was no joke, the fear in her had caused her to run off. Thinking back now MC couldn’t help cringe at her stupidity, was she really so blinded by fear that she had forgotten what time period she was in, it was a miracle Vincent had stopped those two men when he did.
Who knows what would have happened if he didn’t step in when he did and yet…
The sudden memory of Vincent’s troubled looking face from last night had flashed inside her head. MC was so flustered and stupid last night at her whole situation that without even thinking she had jerked away from his hand when he was only trying to help. Even after she had acted so rude towards him he still went out of his way to offer her his jacket to keep her warm. MC wasn’t sure how or what she would do to make up for his kindness that night, but she knew whatever it was she’d end up saying or doing she’d do it looking at him properly in his eyes.
“Is he not here?”
It had been a while since she had first knocked but there had still been no answer, maybe he was out, then again Sebastion would have probably told her if he had. Knocking again this time resting her hand against the door MC noticed too late the door was slightly ajar jumping a bit as it swung open from the weight of her hand. She was greeted with the sight of a beautiful room with a very large window that took up almost one of the walls letting in gentle sunlight. It was obvious by all the rainbow-colored paint splatters that decorated the wooden floor that this was a painting studio, that and all the other tools that lay scattered around the room. Her eyes fell at the easel set up in the center of the room with a canvas and in front of it stood Vincent. He was clearly focused on his painting as his sleeves were rolled up, which was probably why he hadn’t answered the door.
I shouldn’t distract him, I'll just leave his jacket in here somewhere and thank him later
Quietly MC stepped into his room making sure not to trip over one of the many tools scattered around the floor. As MC made her way to the side of the room the painting that Vincent was working on came into view, it seemed to be a beautiful, bright sunflower. The moment her eyes landed onto the canvas she was greeted with the familiar and world-known “Vincent van Gogh style”. It was at that moment MC was suddenly hit with the realization of just who was standing in front of her so focused on his work. The sunlight seemed to grow bright and filled the room with its glow changing the atmosphere completely. Vincent was in such deep concentration that he didn’t seem to notice her at all which just added more to the atmosphere of the room, it felt almost like this room was somehow cut off from the rest of the world and they were part of some special moment in time no one else would ever get to witness. Maybe it was because of how beautiful the painting was or maybe it was the room and its vibe, but at the moment MC was so moved that she couldn’t help and let out a loud gasp clutching his jacket tightly.
“...Hm?”
Without wanting to, her loud gasp had caused Vincent to snap out of his concentration, completely destroying the beautiful and mystical atmosphere MC knew she’d never get to experience again. Placing down his brush he slowly turned around which caused her to gasp again only this time it was for a completely different reason. Her heart started to race once MC saw Vincent’s face, dropping his jacket onto the floor letting she let out loud blood-curdling scream surprising and scaring Vincent in the process.
“W-What?!”
There’s blood all over his mouth!!!
“MC? What’s wrong!?”
He took a step forward which made her stumble backward into the floor as she tripped over one of his art tools from the floor. Frozen in place eyes wide like a deer in headlights MC could only tremble on the floor staring at him.
“Your shaking…” he looked behind him as if looking for something. “Did something frighten you?”
The sudden thought of the blood being from one of the many bottles of Rouge Arthur a had shown her earlier today crossed through her mind, maybe he had been drinking one before she had come in? But the fear of the unknown let her rooted on the floor terrified to move. MC watched as he kneeled in front of her anxiously looking as he bit his lips reaching out towards her.
“Are you alright?”
MC could see one of Vincent’s fangs sending fear down her spine causing her to scream once more.
“Wahh!!”
MC’s sudden scream had caused him to fall backwards onto the floor as well in a fright. The doors suddenly bursted open turning both their heads as Theo came in panting as he rushed inside.
“What’s wrong Vincent! I heard screaming!” he said out of breath
“Theo!... Something seemed to have frightened MC! She started screaming suddenly! She’s even trembling. I feel terrible for her!”
“...Mijin broer”
Vincent gave his younger brother a confused look
“She’s frightened by your face”
“My face?” he blinked in confusion
“Hey. Girl.” MC tensed as Theo looked her way. “ Take a closer look at my brother's face”
“I….”
“It’s not what you think it is” he shook his head and sighed.
“What are you talking about Theo?”
“She thinks there's blood on your face, Vincent” he points at the mysterious substance MC had thought was blood
“Huh?” he brought his fingers towards his mouth and looked down at them, suddenly breaking into laughter. “No MC you got this all wrong! It's paint, not blood!”
“Rose madder, to be exact… you two yelled so loudly the whole mansion could hear you”
MC shot up flustered at the thought everyone would be aware of her misunderstanding.
“Ah, I'm so sorry!!!”
Theo sent Vincent to change and wash his face as he took MC towards the kitchen, she couldn’t meet his eyes the whole walk there. No sooner had they gotten to the kitchen did Vincent enter behind them.
“I’m sorry I startled you, MC,” he said looking a bit guilty
“Please it’s my fault! I’m so sorry for screaming in your face like that!!”
“Talk about being overdramatic. Can’t you tell the difference between blood and paint?”
Your right… I got so caught up in the moment I didn’t even look long enough to notice. My mind really is somewhere else lately… Now I made an even bigger mess! I just wanted to apologize to Vincent about what happened last night!
MC let out a sigh knowing she had made the situation worse for herself and probably had made him feel worse about himself, suddenly Vincent leaned forward studying her face.
“MC… Thank you for coming to my room earlier”
“What?”
“You wanted to return my jacket, didn’t you?” he slightly smiled at her before continuing. “I just wanted to say thank you”
“O-Oh yeah… I did”
The sound of his tender voice when he had thanked her had sent MC’s heart to do flips. Knowing she had to make it up to him for last night and today's incident as well MC looked straight into his sky blue eyes.
“I should be the one thanking you, Vincent. You saved me last night and even let me borrow your jacket. Thank you so much and again I'm so sorry for scaring you like that”
“I’m also sorry for what I did last night but sorry won’t make up for the pain I saw in your eyes..”
She held out her hand in front of him
“I’ll be staying here for a while.. A-And I hope… no, I really like to get to know you better, Vincent”
A bright and warm smile spread across his face that suddenly reminded MC of the sunflower she had seen him painting earlier. At that moment MC felt as if that once magical moment they both had unknowingly shared was back, but as quickly as it had appeared it disappeared again. She remained momentarily speechless trying to process her feelings she had just felt.
“... I’d also like to get to know you better”
“R-Really?”
“Yes really”
The sound of a sweet distanced melody suddenly filled the room and MC struggled to focus her hearing on the mysterious melody.
“What’s?”
“Ah… Mozart must be playing the piano”
“It’s such a beautiful song…”
Vincent shook her hand exchanging smiles with her as they gave one another a handshake yet somehow MC couldn’t help shake off the feeling of loneliness Mozart song had given her.
“Let’s start over. It nice to meet you, MC”
“Yes… It’s nice to meet you, Vincent! I’m sorry in advance on whatever trouble I cause you”
“So she shows up out of nowhere, causes a huge commotion, and then you just welcome her with open arms? Honestly, you’re too nice to her Vincent”
I comepletly forgot Theo was even here….
“I can’t believe le Comte just let another human-” he paused mid-sentence staring MC down before starting over. “No, a hondje- wonder around the mansion”
“H-Hondje?”
“It means mutt” Vincent said besides her
“Did you just call me a mutt!?!”
“Is there anyone else in the room? You’re the only one howling and barking at me right now besides… you got the face of a lost puppy”
Theo flashed her a devilish smirk as he reached out lightly tugging one of MC’s cheeks.
“Lucky for you, my favorite animal just so happens to be a dog. So if you're really nice and behave I just might give ya a treat.”
“L-Let go!”
MC felt her face begin to grow red from embarrassment, but no sooner did Theo grab her face did Vincent jump in to scold his brother.
“Schei uit, Theo. Let her go! You can’t just go around and grab a woman as you please.” Besides his shock expression, Theo didn’t make any moves to release her cheeks. “I mean it, Theo. How many times have I told you not to be so rough with girls?”
A sheepish look crossed Theo’s face as he finally released MC’s cheeks that were now a bit sore from his pinching and pulling. Vincent now stood in front of her giving her another worried look, it seemed that every time she was looking at his face did he looked unpleased.
“I’m sorry about him MC. He’s actually a very sweet boy once you get to know him he just has trouble showing it at times. Please forgive him.”
“N-No harm done…”
Sweet? The only s-word to describe Theo I can think of is Sadist! Looks like the history books weren’t lying when they said Theo and Vincent were close he seems to be the only one he listens to.
It was pretty amusing watching Theo back down and lower his gaze after being scolded by his brother, for a guy who looked like Theo she didn’t expect him to back down so fast. MC couldn’t help but smile to herself at the sight of these two brothers, she also found it pretty funny at just how fast Theo backed down considering his attitude towards others.
They really must be close
“Everyone's here already? Sorry for being late?”
“Ah, Monsieur Napoleon…?”
“Oof… Don’t just suddenly stop at the doorway like that!” Isaac stood behind him looking a bit flustered after running into him.
“Pouting again, Newt? This is exactly the reason why I tease you all the time you know that right?”
“I haven’t the slightest idea what I do that irritates you so much, Arthur”
“Now, now. Everyone just hurry and take a seat. I bet poor Toshiko is waiting on our account”
Even Dazai is here…. But why are they all filling into the dining room?
MC despite trying her best couldn’t seem to hide just how surprised she looked, it’s not every day she’d be able to see so many famous faces in the same room. Theo must have been the first to notice her surprised expression as he glanced over her speaking in a rough tone.
“My brother insisted we have a party to welcome you”
“He did?” she turned to look at him
“Nothing fancy we’ll all just be eating together is all” he smiled at her warmly. “But I was hoping it would also help you to get to know everyone better!”
His words sent MC’s heart into flips, how was Vincent so sweet to her after all the trouble she had caused him? After tonight she just had to find a way to thank him properly but for now a simple thank you was all she could manage.
“Thank you, Vincent! And thank you to everyone here for coming”
“You’re welcome, MC but please no need to be so formal. We all want you to feel comfortable and make yourself at home.”
“Still I really appreciate it”
“Of course”