Hellsing Fanfiction - Blog Posts

Snippet Fic: Hellish Halloween

(My first fic on this account, something short and sweet I didn't have time to post before halloween ;-;. If y'all want more, just ask)

Premise: Alucard+OC banter

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The library was by far the quietest place in the whole manor, nobody came around here except when scrambling for extra research material they couldn't just find on the internet. This was quite rare nowadays, aside from old manuscripts or books with singular copies that were miraculously preserved in this place. It was peaceful, the only sounds being the turning pages and the soft crackling of the fireplace. 

After long days of looking into rather morbid or occult subjects, I liked to hide away in there, on the couch by the fireplace, reading whatever book caught my eye. Sometimes the books would bore me to sleep, other times I'd be so absorbed that I'd read until the book was over. A small slice of home to me.

There was only ever a slight hiccup, a certain annoyingly curious eldritch man. He visited when he came to inform me of someone else requesting my presence, or just to spout some asinine nonsense about immortality. I respected him in concept, but frankly, I could do without his presence.

So there I was, reading through a book all about oceanic life in the depths of the deepest trenches, while the outside world was only illuminated by the full moon. The only thing to interrupt that comfortable silence was the library door creaking open and a looming presence approaching.

"Why exactly have you come to pester my relaxation today, Alu?" I could practically hear his smirk as he approached without even glancing back at him.

"Miss Alice, do you know what day of the year it is? I think this should be the one day you don't coop yourself up in here." I glanced back at him, raising a tentative eyebrow.

"Its October 31st…surely you don't celebrate halloween" he merely chuckled at my statement.

"I quite like walking through the streets, barely worth a glance to celebrating youths" I could only scoff at him.

"Of course, everyone knows you always look like a halloween horror monster." He stepped closer to me, sitting himself down on the other end of the couch.

"I'll take that as a compliment, coming from someone like you." 

"Whats that supposed to mean?" I said as I set into a glare in his direction.

"Means what ever you want it to mean, Little Miss." 

"Don't call me that."

"Right Right, I'll try my hardest to refrain" he waved his hand in the air as he spoke "hows that new book?"

"Pretty boring and technical…I likely won't finish it."

"Oh well, Seras insisted on pumpkins for carving, if you want to take out some frustration on a helpless gourd."

I set my book down and stood "sure, i'll disembowel a pumpkin." 

He stood as well, and I followed him out of the library and down the hall to the kitchen, where Seras was already eagerly dumping out the guts of a pumpkin into a bowl. 

I barely spoke to him as i carefully removed the top of my own pumpkin, and dug out every bit of guts within.

"What kind of carving are you planning on?" Seras asked inquisitively, ever the chipper one of us.

"Just some 'spooky' stuff, bats, a cat, a moon…nothing particularly difficult" 

I looked over at alucards pumpkin, watching him stab a face into its front without removing a single bit of the insides, orange guts spilling out of its 'mouth' on to the table.

"I don't think that's how it's supposed to be done…" was all I could muster while staring at the sight.

"Doesn't it look far more interesting?"

"Yeah, its about as interesting as a crime scene" that made both vampires in the room give a small snicker.

"Yes, that seems to be true" was all he said, before we continued our tasks without another word.

Eventually, we all had completed our masterpieces,  taking them out to sit on the front porch. Seras, a relatively standard spooky pumpkin, smiling with a row of roundish fangs. Mine, a scene straight out of a classic halloween poster, with bats flying over a forest with a single cat at center stage. Then there was Alucards, a pumpkin with a twisted sharp fanged smile, its guts still spilling out of the cuts, and a noticeable gun carving on the side.

I stared at his creation "its…missing something" I looked up at him, snapping my fingers in realization.

"Need something li-" i swiped his hat, plopping it down on the pumpkin.

"There, now it's perfect." He let out an amused chuckle, ruffling my hair with his hand.

"I'll let it go, just this once." With how his voice darkened a bit, I could assume he wasn't  kidding.

I looked up at him, flashing a smile and a scoff, with no apology in sight.

"Well, I’ll be going on my walk now…do you want to accompany me Miss?" 

I glanced back, Seras seemingly already left to relay tonight's humorous events to Sir Intega.

"Fine, more interesting than deep sea fish."

With that, we set off into that lively dark night, as I rushed to follow his longer strides.

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A Night for Hunting Ch. 24- Gossamer Dreams

Alucard (Ultimate) x F!Reader, Millennium, hostage, canon-typical violence, medical trauma, unethical experimentation, implied torture, angst, pining, soul bond, OVA 4 WC: 5208

Happy New Year! Thank you for your patience and everyone's kind words. The lack of time and motivation and a plethora of distractions during a busy December caused the writing delay. On another note, I know people say not to write for stats, but we hit a new milestone! This story which was originally a 1.8k oneshot is now 100k words. The show of support has been incredible. I never thought I would make it here!

An excerpt under the cut

The sensation of being cradled steadied you. From the ether, an unexplained feeling of hope suffused your being, the feathery softness a tangible thing to get lost in. Within the haze of sleep, you reached through the bond to try touching it, but though you willed your arm to stretch out, you stayed frozen. Neither could you call out to that presence.

MOVE! You commanded your limbs to obey. Even your fingertips were immobile. You couldn’t flip around or wiggle your toes either. Unable to overcome the paralysis or bestir yourself into wakefulness, you could only spasm.

All that was left was to breathe and experience whatever this was. You found yourself eager to explore this phenomenon. Fear had no place here, so you relinquished reason and plunged headfirst into darkness. The space constricted around you in the abyss, swaddled by phantom arms that you somehow knew. 

Purring. A vibrating cage surrounded you. Despite the claustrophobic state, the tension of days past ebbed and finally you could relax in the solid embrace, like being wrapped in a weighted blanket inside the cramped nest of a coffin after a trying night. Claws ghosted over the nodules on your spine as words like smoke whispered into your soul. 

The velvet wings of a bat sheltered you. A bat? A dragon? You must be losing your mind, but as long as your dragon kept you safe under his wings, you would gladly stay there forever.

The creature drowned you in a sea of purrs. Fuzzy and delirious, you twitched and keened and basked in his glory, assured you were cherished and missed.

Everything was going to be okay. You knew this as though it was gospel. 

Time was strange, but under the trance of the rolling purrs and the promises for tomorrow that thawed the frightful iciness from inside out, you found peace, already fully surrendered to the world of dream and fantasy. 

He turned away. The dragon's mirage was starting to fade to translucency, slipping away with the likeness of water through stone. You scrambled after his silhouette which was growing less and less substantial by the moment. You would give anything to have another minute, another fraction of a second with him.

“Don't go! Alucard, please!” You chased the vampire to the edge of the plane before passing through him. 

He looked back at you. Warm burning cinders scorched your soul.

Wait for me, my little human. His buttery voice echoed.

“Don’t go!” Screeching desperately into the void, you begged him to stay as you clung to the lingering tendrils of dream. But trying to keep him there was a futile exercise, like attempting to catch mist that was passing through the threads of gossamer webs.

Your curdled screams were fruitless. Your brows knit together in a frown as you tried to sink deeper into unconsciousness to stay with him. You wanted to sleep forever. Because you knew instinctively that to sleep was to see your love’s face and waking would be to lose him again.

~To be Continued~

Ch.25 – Hope on a String

A Night for Hunting Ch.15 -A New Home

T/W: Alucard (Ultimate) x F!Reader, soft yandere, romance, Hellsing cast, mild sexual content, somnophilia, ‘blood drinking,’ depressed vampire @alastorhazbin On AO3 Words: 4989

Happy New Year! I have good vibes about this upcoming year already. Looking back, this account is now one year old! Crazy how everything I wrote under this name was done within the last year. I do think there is improvement between now and what I first wrote. Hopefully I will continue to get better as I write more this year!

The manor and its adjacent towers were constructed in the Victorian style. There was only one main building, but it was massive, with hundreds of windows lining a mansion of at least three stories tall. From outside, there may have been another top floor. Perhaps the sole purpose of this upper level was simply to grant greater ceiling height to the foyer or another central room, which seemed an aesthetic the wealthy aspired to. 

You continued to gawp at the scale of the place. It had seemed as if the forest stretched on forever when the manor suddenly came into view from behind a gargantuan fence. The coiffered lawn hugged a paved path on either side, ending elegantly in a line of manicured spruce trees.

You swallowed as you entered the foyer and stepped closer to Alucard. The entrance was every bit as stately as this building’s exterior, but your observations of the decor were cut short by an older gentleman who came to greet you. Silver cuff links adorned a neatly pressed dress shirt and the muted violet vest complimented his slacks well. Wisps of bangs escaped a shaggy ponytail, swaying as he dipped his head.

“Alucard,” he acknowledged the vampire before turning to you and you stiffened as he bent into a slight bow with an arm over his chest. “Young Miss, welcome to Hellsing.” He spoke with a polished lilt.

Your eyes widened and you almost flinched at the clipped words. You were not expecting anyone to bow to you, not even the posh butler. As quick to fluster as you were, you barely managed to squeak out a reply. “Y-yes! Thank you!”

The corners of the old man’s crow feet crinkled around slate grey eyes with the cordial smile. “You may call me ‘Walter.’ I am the Hellsing family’s butler.” He extended an arm towards you with the palm up and you snatched it up to shake.

“Nice to meet you too!” You stammered, clutching the worn hand between both of yours as you introduced yourself.

For a beat, no one spoke, but Walter’s teeth were now showing through the smile.

“Your jacket, Young Miss?” He clarified.

Of course he meant your jacket. This man was clearly a proper member of the English upper society. You nearly buried your burning face in your hands as the other man took your outerwear after you removed it, feeling Alucard mocking you while you decided to ignore him.

“If you would follow me,” the butler said as he turned on his heel and strode through the foyer, disappearing down a hall.

Multiple corridors passed by. This was no ordinary mansion. It was the headquarters of a secret organization that hunted vampires and ghouls for generations. How in the world was this vast organization and the existence of such creatures kept confidential? Perhaps ‘agreeing’ to stay here with Alucard was a mistake. What were you doing here? You had no business poking around with hunts for the undead.

Hold your head high, little one. You belong here as much as anyone.

How that could be was beyond you. You weren’t strong or dangerous like the few guards you glimpsed. Neither were you as sophisticated as the butler or the other members of staff you came across thus far. It was as if even the serving staff were selected for decorum. You looked as uncomfortable and undignified as you felt to be standing where you were. Your steps faltered and you let yourself fall behind, your eyes tracking Alucard’s retreating back up ahead with longing, knowing it would be unwise to seek his touch in the midst of watching eyes.

Rumbling laughter echoed as his touch brushed your mind once again. You are a human within a human organization. It is the police girl and I who are out of place, silly child.

His voice jolted you from your reveries and you rushed to catch up. You prayed Alucard was correct as you were ushered up a grand set of stairs in solid oak and into another room, forcefully straightening your back with the meek hope of projecting poise you did not feel.

--------------------

The stout door fell shut behind you, and with it went the last of your freedom. Your gaze fell on the lone figure by a sprawling wooden desk where a stoic blonde woman sat with her mouth hidden behind intertwined fingers. She wore men’s attire, complete with a cravat and cross at her throat. The outfit suited her demeanor well. The light reflected off her glasses and when the glint passed, you caught the brilliant calculating stare of crystal blue.

You immediately knew you were being evaluated. You let out a breath as the nervous weight returned, coiling heavily in your stomach and your gaze nearly fell from hers. Shifting your weight to your other foot, your fingers twitched as you fought the urge to stick your hands in your pockets. 

You only remembered to keep breathing when Walter put a closed fist to his lips and cleared his throat.

“You are looking at Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, head of the Hellsing Organization.” Walter swept forward and bent at the hips in a formal bow to address his master, then retreated into the shadows of the room. You could barely see the man once he settled against the wall by Integra’s side.

You didn’t meet Sir Hellsing’s gaze again for fear of appearing overly bold, but lowered your head in greeting. You licked your lips and nibbled the inside of the bottom, still trying desperately not to let out too many indications of your anxiety. It felt like you were being stripped bare. This was Alucard’s master. Her presence was just as commanding and words wouldn’t come to your now parched throat.

Long moments passed in silence as your heart hammered away. There was no slouch in your posture nor restless bounce to your feet. You would not allow yourself to present yourself in such a slovenly manner. Though you were under no physical threat, you may as well have been on trial at a cross examination.

Your silent judge took out a cigar and spoke at last.

“So this is the woman occupying my servant's time. And who inspired him to steal my jet for a night,” the master of the castle uttered casually with a raised brow and an unreadable grin. 

Walter stepped up to her side to light the cigar she dangled between her lips and she exhaled with a plume of smoke. The spicy aromas of tobacco and leather filled your nose. Sir Hellsing took another extended draw with her eyes closed before letting it out. The ghostly fumes trailed into the air in lazy tendrils and gradually vanished.

You too wanted to disappear under the scrutiny of so many intimidating people, but her words caught your attention.

You shot Alucard a dirty look. He stole it? But of course he did. It was exactly like how you came home one night to an empty apartment. The bat bastard had collected all your stuff for 'safekeeping' and announced it was time for you to move in with him. What about your human rights?! The asshole next to you cackled boorishly and appeared much too pleased with himself.

“Shut up about that! It isn’t funny!” You snapped at him before remembering yourself too late as you looked back at Sir Integra with mortification. “I mean–”

Surprise passed fleetingly by the other woman’s face until it was replaced by the faintest hint of a smile. “At ease,” she waved you off as the damn vampire interrupted.

“Delightfully feisty, is she not, Master?” 

"Alucard, the circumstances may be amusing to you, but do not forget that I gave you leave to bring a civilian here. Hellsing’s purpose is no trifling matter.” The woman reprimanded the vampire before her gaze settled on you. “You are his responsibility. However, you will undergo basic training. Do not make me rescind this demonstration of goodwill."

Your heart plummeted at the mention of training, knowing you would struggle under the tutelage of anyone who hunted monsters for a living. But you were permitted to stay with Alucard (even if you complained a lot). Not knowing what response was most appropriate, you stood even straighter at attention with your chin tilted up slightly. This was a military compound afterall. 

“Yes ma’am!” You shouted, though you felt no confidence from the declaration.

Her lips twitched as her expression softened a touch. Steel blue eyes continued to appraise you, yet the severe furrow to her brows eased. Her fingers drummed across the desk. Unexpectedly, she gave you her blessings. 

"Take care of him. He is little more than a sobbing child," she stated. 

Huh? Who was this woman to insult him so? You looked to Alucard, but the said vampire didn’t seem offended. Rather, he was grinning from ear to ear, appearing very pleased he was permitted to keep you. You were utterly confused by their dynamic.

“I expect as much from the woman who earned my wayward servant’s affections. You may leave.” She dismissed you.

Your vampire turned, hiding you from prying eyes and murmuring words only meant for you. "This is now your home, little dove." He caressed the crown of your head as you stared at him with huge eyes filled with uncertainty. His eyes snapped to a younger blonde girl standing by the wall who you did not notice prior and she stumbled awkwardly to attention with a salute.

“Ah, y-yes, Master!”

You left the chamber accompanied by a young changeling and the warmth of her sire’s gaze lingering on your back.

--------------------

Seras, the relatively new fledgling, was your tour guide. A part of you still wanted to dislike her, but she was just too sweet. It was nice to have someone normal to talk to who didn’t make you feel like you were strapped to a dissection table.

“Soooo…you came here with Master?!” She ventured after half an hour of meaningless banter and showing you around the training grounds.

“Yes I did.” You were uncomfortable with the prospects of having to explain your relationship to anyone since you've never had to, but the feeling was particularly intense with Alucard's changeling.

“How did you meet?” She asked while turning back to you with a chipper smile.

Gosh, this was getting so awkward you almost wanted to scratch your own head.

“...We ran into each other one night after I was done at work…” Your thoughts raced. Could she smell the half-truth? Seras seemed naive and kind of cute, but she remained a stranger you just met. How much could you tell her? How much did she already know?

“Oh! I hope you were okay! Master would insult me if I did something like that,” she casted her eyes to the side and pouted, nearly deflating with her attestation. 

You chortled with laughter, empathising with the young girl as you stated with a vacant stare, “He laughs at me all the time.”

At that she cheered up and the tension in your thoughts released as the two of you found some common ground while venting about Alucard’s indiscretions.

You walked side-by-side. The blonde vampiress rambled on as she took you through the main features of the manor. Hall after hall passed as she led you between each room you would need.

Wainscotting, coffered ceilings, gilded crown moulding, crystal chandeliers, plush carpets, rare marble tiles. Every lavish upgrade you could think of, you saw somewhere in the residence without it appearing gaudy. It was stunning, but…strangely gloomy. And just like the way Shangri-la was not you, you were a fish out of water here as well. The feeling only grew stronger the further you went. You scoffed at Alucard’s assertion that you belonged here, sorely missing the warm coziness of a home that was no longer yours.

As you toured the premises with Seras, it became apparent that there were way fewer servants of the kind you expected, the ones who would help run an estate of this size. Sure there were cleaners and workers in the kitchen and the manor was tasteful and clean. But oddly, it was soldiers who made up the bulk of the visible staff.  

You and Seras passed another patrol as she showed you to your bedroom on the second floor. 

--------------------

You bid her goodnight and sighed with relief when you were at last afforded the luxury of privacy.

Your jacket hung in an open closet. All your belongings were there in the room, packed into boxes in a neat corner. That was the entirety of it? Your possessions were certainly humble when juxtaposed into a room as spacious as this. After exploring your storage options, you began the tedious work of unpacking.

A wealth of information was delivered to you today. You were reeling from whiplash. Even if Alucard previously broached the topic of moving in, the abrupt relocation into this organization was overwhelming. 

Your new ‘home’ was beautiful, yet…everything about it was dreadfully formal and you got the sense that this compound operated under a rigid hierarchy and set of rules. 

This was no simple rich person's playground and getting used to this authoritarian setting was going to be beyond difficult. You tossed around in bed as your thoughts wandered. Did your place here depend entirely on Alucard and Integra’s favour? You knew your vampire would not allow you to be mistreated, yet you did not know your standing without Alucard by your side nor what was expected of you. What would become of you? 

They said it would be easier if you slowly transitioned to a nocturnal lifestyle if you were to live here, but you were exhausted by everything you saw. As you rolled into the soft satin sheets to try and sleep, you sighed. The opulence that was present even in your new bedroom was entirely foreign. 

Everywhere you went, the people you encountered were pleasant, but the stares and whispers followed closely on your tails. They knew. Everyone knew you came with Alucard and of the sudden delivery of a stranger’s belongings before you were brought here. And guessing your relationship was no challenge. 

You had barely seen Alucard since you arrived. Instead you were escorted from one oversized room to the next as Seras stuffed your head with random facts you’d need to know. As you were thrown flailing headfirst into the world of the supernatural (which you didn’t wholly ask for), the simmering doubt bubbled into a seething boil.

They said Alucard stayed in the basement. Some familiarity would be much appreciated right now. Would you be in trouble? You wanted to see him more than anything to know that everything will be okay. To sit in his lap and stare into the sunset as he soothed away your fears with the lull in his words and gentle touch.

You stayed on your toes to muffle unnecessary noise as you slipped out of your room and traced your path back to a hidden entrance in an unassuming hallway, which was where Seras told you he stayed during your tour. 

With careful hands, you pulled at the door, which didn’t budge until you put your weight behind it and yanked. You winced at the unoiled creak that groaned louder than thunder in the silence. 

It was a staircase.

You saw only as far as four steps down before it became pitch black. You walked in anyways and closed the door behind you so no one would be privy to you sneaking around. 

You couldn't see anything. There was no moonlight or wall lights. Just the nothingness that swallowed you whole as you shut yourself in. 

Alucard. You called him.

No reply. 

He must be here. His signature was ubiquitous, a welcome oppression that gave density to the air you inhaled. You felt around blindly, and softly, softly, in the shadows, one tentative step at a time, you made it to the bottom of the stairs while remaining close to the wall. Your fingers brushed a plaque and you traced the letters tentatively. 

...T-O-R…TORTURE?

Surely that must be wrong. Unease rippled through your mind as you gulped. You hugged yourself and rubbed your ears. Without the whisper of your steps, the silence became deafening as well. With nothing to see or hear, you stood alone in a void, but he was here. You knew it in your soul. 

You stayed put to try letting your eyes adjust to the lack of light, but even that was hopeless. You couldn’t even differentiate if your eyes were open or closed. This was the kind of place where spidery demons of legend ambush their prey from the shadows. There was an almost imperceptible draft blowing past you and the air felt wet. Your nose curled with revulsion as you imagined what this place must look like. 

The darkness and silence and moldy dampness gave you the creeps, but this was his lair. Monsters and whatnot may lurk in this world, but the scariest of them all…was your lover. You were invincible here. Nothing could harm you. 

You let out an audible breath to remind yourself that you have only temporarily lost your senses. Sightless, you kept shuffling along, staying close to the walls to help guide your way. Whether this place was cramped, you could not tell, not even if it was a hallway or an open cavern. Your flesh prickled into chicken skin from the eeriness. 

While everyone else stayed in the lavish manor above, Alucard lived here? 

Minor interactions from the day welled up and you recounted how uneasy others were around him. Were you once the same? Realization dawned and your chest squeezed tight. He gave his services to this organization, but they treated him like…a monster to be caged, ostracized, and feared. Your lips pressed together in a taut line as you picked up the pace to rush to your vampire.

You ran out of wall to follow. You must have arrived at a turn. Or it could be a wall ending within a spacious room.

Alucard? You reached for him in your mind.

Still he did not answer. You stumbled over your feet and dithered where you were. Perhaps coming here uninvited was a bad idea, but before you could decide which direction to walk next, you heard him. 

This is no place for a sweet human like yourself. Turn back.

"Why bring me all the way here only to turn me away now?" 

Speaking out loud was equivalent to screaming into the abyss, shattering the engulfing silence. It reverberated and your words echoed off into the distance for you to voice your question over and over. "You invited me to live with you. I came to Hellsing for you. I chose to be here with you."

A pregnant pause after your words faded. When there was nothing for several more moments and you were about to march forward blindly anyways, he answered. 

Very well. Come to me, he whispered.

Alucard lit the way. Hundreds of thousands of eyes opened along the stones, guiding the path to him. You now saw you were in a long corridor, the end of which was not visible. 

You followed his macabre lead, feeling his pull more as you neared, a tyrannical energy that grew more potent with each step. The blanket of power was so welcome.

He had such a flair for theatrics. He could just come out and greet you like a good host. Chuckling bounced around your head. 

There is no fun in that, little one.

You snorted, but sobered up as you studied your newly visible surroundings. The basement was not yet finished. It was bleak and indeed dank with mildew. Something dripped in the distance.

Alucard lives here? This was no home. This repugnant hole in the ground was more like…a dungeon.

”How unseemly for a lady to come seeking a monster’s company at night,” the vampire murmured, pressing behind your back with his hands wrapped around your waist. You gasped at the unexpected presence, then sighed in relief and leaned back into him.

"You aren't a monster," you said softly while reaching back to pull him against you by the thighs. It was true that you hadn’t truly thought of him as one in a very long time. His chest rumbled from purring as he nuzzled into the side of your head. “Your home is so lonely.” You pushed your forehead to his as he continued to nudge against you, closing your eyes to breathe him in as a wave of sadness washed over your senses.

As you basked in his solid presence behind you, the darkness lost its foreboding. You were now wrapped in the safe blanket of night. His darkness, which hid and protected you, unweaved the intricate web ensnaring you with fear. He disappeared as you made your way into a clearing, but your fright was already banished. Knowing Alucard was right here with you gave you peace of mind.

Meagre torches came on one by one and you followed the garish light that made you squint. Everywhere your eyes fell, empty blood bags were illuminated by each consecutive lamp alighting, leading to a massive throne that occupied the middle of the room. There Alucard sat in solitude with his chin on a fist. Blood splattered the floor where the drained packets lay. 

“I have been famished lately,” he rumbled, his bangs shielding one gleaming eye from view.

“What’s new? Do you always gorge yourself like this? Such a messy eater.” You replied with a cringe, then looked away from the littered floor. “I couldn't sleep, so I decided to pay you a visit.”

The King smiled a toothy grin and extended a hand to you. “Come here, little one.”

Tiptoeing gingerly around the blood sacks, you reached the King, who pulled you into his lap. As you leaned against him, your tension from the day melted away from the physical contact and you yawned.

You lay your head on Alucard’s shoulder, then peered up at him through lidded eyes.

“A lot of things happened today,” you mumbled.

“...”

“I was shown so many rooms and told so many things, I doubt I’d even remember all of it, especially the arbitrary rules. I’m sure I’d get lost though.”

“...”

“There’s a hallway with these classical paintings, the ones with the fancy gold frames. They look like they might be originals! It was really weird how they were all just a bit tilted though. Is that something rich people just do for rich people's reasons?”

You were rambling. He must already know the random trivia when it came to this mansion, but you continued to blab about the various things you were shown in the Hellsing manor as your lover quietly listened to you unload. Your heart quivered, the stress from the move at last catching up.

"...Why me, Alucard?" You whispered against his chest as you fiddled with the hem of your shirt.

"You are a fool if you must ask."

He plucked you from his lap and took you through another room, where you spotted a palatial bed to the side, fit for a king, but he brought you to his coffin instead. It was an enormous wooden box, glossy black with engraving that you couldn’t discern in the poor lighting. The lid floated off by itself and you peeked inside.

It looked like a velvet mattress padded with cushioning on the sides. If it weren’t for the knowledge that it was a coffin, it wouldn’t be too bizarre at all. You glanced over and saw Alucard looking at you as if he was waiting for you to freak out. You got in instead.

It was surprisingly spacious inside, until Alucard joined and crowded you. Clearly these were made for single occupation! The lid closed and darkness engulfed you. This was supposed to be creepy, but you found yourself remarkably unbothered as the vampire rearranged the two of you until he was under you with the silken fabric of his cravat against your face. 

No heartbeat. The dead silence of his chest was well-known to you. Up so close to the one you wanted most the entire time you were here, you began to drift.

That you braved the dark to seek him for comfort gave Alucard great pleasure. Now locked in with him, there was no way to escape the coffin unless he allowed it. He let his mind wander. A balm to his battered soul, that was what you were.

“My Darling, if there ever comes a time you are in danger and I am absent, hide in this coffin. It will provide you with some measure of protection.”

You mumbled something in reply and burrowed into him, but your vampire wasn’t ready to let you fade away.

His hands roamed your body, his erection pressed taut against your stomach. He dragged you up by the armpits as you squealed until his lips met yours. Smooth lips tugged at you and you groggily let him in, distantly wondering what you would do if copper filled his mouth.

It didn’t. He tasted, as always, of vintage wine, and you melted into him with the yearning of a day spilling over. Suckling his tongue, you shyly brought his hands from your back to your chest and pressed his fingertips into the fat pads there. He was happy to massage you, making you squirm when he rolled and pinched your peaks.

Through a closed-eye grin, you giggled, "You’re freezing, but I'll keep you warm when you sleep from now on."

The vampire's cock twitched. Vibrant orangey-yellow irises narrowed slightly before swirling with affection as he squeezed you to his chest with extra limbs.

You slipped towards sleep with a smile on your face. At last, while you lay in a cramped wooden box underground on top of a living corpse, you were comfortable to be where you were.

--------------------

Pain.

You gasped. The shocking sensation seared your nerves, yet you found it impossible to remove yourself from the terrible feeling. It passed immediately as the pain numbed, then melded into pleasure unlike anything you’d ever experienced. Your mind went blank as another wave rolled through simultaneously with a distant pull at your neck. Have you gone mad? If people abused drugs for ecstasy such as this, you too would go delirious from addiction. 

Blood feeds blood.

Your body jolted feebly under a weight that would not give way, forcing you to remain immobile and endure the electrified sparks up your spine.

Alucard.

His teeth sank deep into your throat as he took that lengthy drag. Your essence funnelled into him while you spun, intoxicated from desire. 

Blood calls blood.

Excruciatingly enticing.

You tilted your head to grant him access to your soul.

Blood is, and blood was,

You didn’t even wince this time as slick pooled from blazing loins and your back arched. More. You needed more.

He was inside you. Thick and delicious and somehow you were accommodating him despite his immense size, the siren-song of his whispers in your ears, rending your existence apart with sultry thoughts and promises of eternity.

And blood shall ever be.

He was pounding you into the plush cushions of a coffin. Making you whole. An angel found her wings.

Daughter of the Night.

Pain and pleasure were the same. Coherent thought escaped as you became one. The only certainty was that this was meant to be–

--------------------

The Bird of Hermes is My Name

Eating My Wings to Keep Me Tame

You woke with a start panting, sweat clinging to your brows and soaking your back. You were indeed lying on plush cushions and still inside the coffin with your crotch soaked in juice. There was suddenly so much room? 

No, you were not alone. Alucard was on top of you as a weighted blanket of shadow. His hand was tight on your mound. 

"Such indelicate fantasies you hold, my Dear." 

You may have been in absolute darkness, but you heard the smirk in his voice. A giant eye opened, hovering where you assumed the coffin’s lid was, examining you with a wild gaze as invisible hands palmed your body. Your sopping pussy throbbed as she recalled the dream.

"Ha! As if! You put those delusions in my head!" 

The vampire chuckled at the retort. 

It felt so real. You could almost feel his phantom teeth in your vein and your lifeblood leaving the warm confines of your vessel to mingle with his. You could almost feel him moving through you, filling you. You shuddered with craving for that completeness again.

But what was that? 

You grasped through the haze searching for something you didn't know. All you had were fragments of a barely remembered dream that made no sense.

The coffin lid lifted and you drank in the new air.

His shadow rippled and slid around you as if he was your sleeping bag. “Perhaps I went too far. Back to sleep, Dear. There are long days ahead of you.”

You chucked it down to Alucard being Alucard and putting strange ideas in your mind. His eye was so red and lustrous, almost like a prized ruby, though it shimmered even without light. You shifted however much you could and relaxed. It really had been a long day and night. You were so drained, you knew you would fall asleep the moment your eyes closed. Your confusion dissipated as you settled and it was apparent you could barely move in his embrace. 

Alucard wrapped you snugly. Reassuringly.

For the first time since coming to Hellsing, you felt a sense of belonging within the claustrophobic confines of a vampire's coffin, something akin to being at home.

You slept like a newborn until midday.

Yours.

~To Be Continued~

Next chapter: Just Another Day in Paradise -------------------- Notes: (Please read)

A modified version of this chapter (with a sort of “happily ever after”) was originally intended to be the end of this story. But after a reader asked about whether Millennium will feature, I think yes, since the relationship between Alucard and his Reader would be incomplete without delving into some of Hellsing’s enemies. And so this fic continues again haha.

Now that we will be covering canon events and the main cast is finally featured, I’m honestly full of trepidation. Whereas when it was only Alu and Reader, I felt I was allowed to do whatever I wanted (to some extent). With Millennium coming into the picture also brings the issue of handling triggering/sensitive content. I am super scared I’ll screw up the story from here on out. There is an outline for most of the upcoming chapters, but the story will not be fully canon-compliant. Rather, it will only be inspired by canon events and I will take some liberties with how vampire things work.

But know that the story gets darker and the rating will change to “Explicit” (possibly even DD:DNE due to the chapters with Millennium). Please heed the tags and warnings when the time comes.

I hope you guys don’t mind the references to other popular media and works, of which there are a number throughout this fanfic. Fantasy is my favourite genre and my favourite author (Brandon Sanderson) loves to incorporate references to his other books within his epic fantasy world, where all of the different planets are linked by common origins, magic principles (even if the magic systems themselves differ), and an unseen war between their gods spanning millennia. The storylines and characters are starting to collide in Sanderson’s “Cosmere.” Whenever I spot some of these ‘Easter eggs,’ I feel so self-satisfied and like I’m such a good fan. I hope you smile too if you see one of my references to a song/movie/novel/play/anime/musical/etc.

P.S. You sweet summer child. You don’t bring up “human rights” with Vlad the Impaler :D

A Night for Hunting Ch. 13 -Stargazers in Romania

T/W: Alucard (Ultimate) x F!Reader, sexual harassment, romance, some angst and then fluff, courtship, the 'great outdoors' @alastorhazbin On AO3 Words: 4231

Thank you for your patience while my husband and I went for our LONG-awaited honeymoon! It was everything we needed and more! EXHAUSTED from it and the catching up with life once we got home. Excited to write another ‘dating’ chapter for our favourite comfort vampire! Even he deserves some happiness. Forgive any formatting errors and typos. This chapter was half-written on my phone during our flights and train rides. Partially inspired by the glorious mountain landscapes during hikes on my own honeymoon.

You took your hand from the glass and turned from the pitch black nothingness outside towards your company.

”Did you know, when I said I’d like to see your old homeland one day, I wasn’t asking to be packed onto a plane in the middle of the night again for a vacation to Romania?”

Alucard sat across from you with his legs crossed bearing a face-splitting grin, twirling a glass of wine. You rode together in a luxury SUV, with wide plush seats and a privacy screen separating you from the driver.

Glittering feline eyes roamed your exposed legs and shoulders with an appreciative glint. "Your night clothes suit you well. How would you like to move in with me and be my home chef and meal partner?" The grin got too wide for his face.

You choked on spit with a sputter that sent you into a hacking fit. Bristling with indignity at the chauvinistic comment, you retorted after regaining your wits, "And what kind of 'stay-at-home chef' would I be?" You crossed your arms high over your chest to provide coverage that the lacy nightgown didn't to shield yourself from King 'Leer.' The shameless brute licked his lips as he stared pointedly at your core, hidden behind your crossed legs.

Swine!

He sipped the burgundy drink.

Riling you up was ever the game for the royal arse… although… perhaps you did purchase these clothes hoping to wear them for the vampire one night. Oops...secret's out. You glanced up in horror.

Alucard's eyes were nearly slits with the self-congratulatory smirk as he maintained the lecherous leer.

ARGH! HE REALLY WAS READING YOUR MIND! Why did he have no concept of privacy?! Get out!

He chortled merrily at your plight.

The dog insisted on landing at Bucharest Airport before departing by car to wherever the destination was, but if you had to guess, it’d be somewhere of great sentimental value to him. Why didn’t he simply make some jet pilot take you there directly? Inconveniencing others was well within his usual mode of operation.

You sulked. Would you ever bring this arrogant, irreverent man to heel?

"You would prefer I cradle you while I bring us to our destination at speed instead?” He asked smugly, forcing you to remember the last time he stole you away for a 'date,' and you grit your teeth.

He continued speaking. "This is not a Catholic land, so there was no issue with Integra granting transportation assistance." The legs of the wine trailed sluggishly down the sides of the glass after he took another sip.

What do the Catholics have to do with anything? Denmark was not heavily into Catholicism either, but it wasn't like Alucard's words always needed to make sense. He spoke in riddles, but was correct in assuming you’d rather sit comfortably while you were chauffeured instead of getting tossed around mid-air.

"And you also didn't have to scare my friend off again like that to get me on the plane earlier," you complained, referring to the neighbour who had a crush on you. Alucard was with you in shadow when he appeared and invited you over for a movie. The vampire silently turned to murky sludge and hovered behind you to stare the mortal down from his solidified spectral-state, which you only realized after the man ran away screaming.

"Insolent boy. Your brave young suitor had already forgotten so quickly and required a reminder." His voice was butter, but 'brave' sounded more like he was referring to the guy’s stupid audacity when Alucard spat out the word. “He was fortunate I did not end him.”

You huffed at the needless territorial display as if Alucard was a beast in rut. At least the ‘insolent boy’ was human, and any human relationship would make more sense than what you and the vampire have. Being with Alucard will not be easy. You were stuck on how to present your relationship to the world. Alucard did not expect you to cut your ties to the human world to be with him, so you kept up with visiting with family. He was not someone you should introduce to them (neither had he pushed for this), even if they kept pestering you about who's making you smile. You were different species and thoughts about the future were fraught with obstacles.

The heat in his gaze was different from earlier. The vampire stared unblinkingly, still as a statue. He was far too bold to only steal glances in your direction and it was at times difficult to keep looking at him. That otherworldly gaze was too knowing, his unnatural beauty so striking. You observed the perfect facial symmetry, the angular cut of his jaw and the unblemished skin that was smoother than white marble and just as cold.

Gulping, you looked away first, as always. He was equally stunning in his other forms. You never managed to figure out what Alucard said to you back then. Romanian was such a foreign tongue and the phrases he uttered were so short, they were over before you knew it. You didn't even have the first idea of what words to put through a translator.

He had been silent for the last while, gazing out the window with a wistful expression. You turned your attention to the darkness outside and wondered what he saw. Only the occasional flash of light from buildings raced by to illuminate the scenery, which was also punctuated by periodic street lights. You flipped your gaze back at the soft, forlorn look on his face and frowned.

Then you were passing through a sparsely populated city. Barely even a town by your standards. From time to time, antique structures came into view that were prettily lit, but they were mostly spaced out by homes, open roads, and what you assumed to be countryside. Quaint. You could feel the passage of time as you drove by. 

You took the opportunity to scrutinize Alucard further while he wasn't paying attention. His face was propped up on a fist, dimpling his cheek around the lip like it would with humans. Despite the luminescent crimson eyes and the hint of fangs behind his lips, the resemblance was startling. At first glance, the vampire's appearance really was breathtaking. It was almost enough to make you believe in Lucifer, the most beautiful fallen angel. When coupled with his unsettling demeanour and haunting aura, everything about him was just wrong and it set you off.

You were entering the city proper now, into a residential area littered with small street shops. Bright red roofs adorned pale buildings. The additional light allowed you to see him better.

The longer you spent with him, the more apparent it became that the vampire wasn't wholly terrifying. Neither was he an empty beauty without substance. Time and again, he proved his merits –he was well-read and open to delving into the more modern series that you enjoyed, then held engaging conversations regarding those works. He was interested in your opinions about happenings around the world, whether those were political or not, and partial to discussion, frequently providing well-rounded and thoughtful old man insight.

His charisma was such that you were unable to remain angry with him despite his frequent indecorous words and outrageous actions. Nope, you weren't only interested in Alucard for his good looks, you told yourself.

"Studying me?" His eyes curled with levity as his gaze found yours again. "I was human."

"I know that," you muttered. "You're just… unlike anyone I'd ever imagined myself involved with."

"Hn. There is no one else quite like myself." He returned to his surveillance of his former home.

Again with the ego.

The vehicle made a slight right turn to leave the boulevard behind and a sea of lights flooded your vision. You whirled to see what the source was. History was before you. A series of partially crumbled stone walls lined the path, culminating in a massive tower sitting atop a squat, square base.

“What are those buildings?” You asked with excitement as you twisted in the seat to see the vampire smiling lightly at you.

“You are looking at the old Royal Court and Turnul Chindiei (Sunset Tower),” he stopped, lost in thought.

He lifted a lock of your hair and let his fingers run down its length before he finally kept speaking. You weren’t ready. 

"I was in Somerset recently on an assignment. Little one, I created a new fledgling... a police girl." Vermilion pinned you intently, making you squirm, but nothing hit harder than the shock as the meaning of his words settled in. You gasped.

The mood shifted abruptly.

There was another woman, a virgin whom he drank from. You sat silently with disbelief, at a loss for words, but should you have felt that way? Who did you think you were? As if you were the only one he'd ever have? Or even special? The jealousy that spilled into your mind and tainted your thoughts was instinctive and uncontrollable. Rage at his betrayal battled with unspeakable hurt. Why were you surprised at this confession when your partner was basically a Demon God, who could have anyone he wanted for himself? Tears came to your eyes. It was only mere months ago that he offered you a place by his side, and now he gave it so easily to another?!

"Little human, nothing has changed between us."

LIES. You couldn't even speak as your mind spiralled somewhere darker with your pain. Every cheater made excuses. How could he do this? Why was he telling you this now as he took you somewhere out of the country, where you'd be reliant on him? That was the intent.

Your companion was quiet with the guilt of his admission. No...you brushed away the stray tears that fell with the back of your hand and looked again. He was wearing the face he made whenever he was being affectionate with you. It was so tender.

You didn’t want to look at him anymore.

The tension was thick as the vehicle continued towards your destination without you replying to his previous words. You sobbed and scrubbed away more liquid salt. He gave you space. You let him into your home and fed him! You looked forward to his visits even without him doing those things to you because you enjoyed his company! You hiccuped while thinking back to all that transpired between you.

You were a grown woman and not some freshly pubescent teen. 

Neither did you fall into romantic relationships easily. Despite his many shortcomings, you chose your vampire for a reason and Alucard had not yet given you one to regret your decision. You two were stronger than this.

Why...? You nearly asked him. But as you recalled his behaviour earlier, the answer was right in front of you. You’ve known for a very long time. You thought back to his longing expression as he stared out at the Romanian countryside and how he lost his human life an eternity ago. Alucard was immortal and you did not agree to stay by his side forever. This time it was your turn to see through him. Your ancient vampire was lonely beyond words.

Your chest ached as you snivelled.

"Even now, you weep for me?" He whispered, pulling you into his lap to hold. How was it possible for the pure-hearted like yourself to exist in this disgusting world? To remain untainted despite everything, including being with him.

“What does this mean for us?”

“I have a duty to my fledgling until she matures into a full vampire, but I will continue to visit albeit with less frequency. You are my darling little one and nothing will ever change that, no matter what the future may bring.”

It was impossible to shake the feeling of uncertainty about yourself, but you were the one Alucard came back to for years. You pressed a soft kiss to cool lips and relaxed into your lover's embrace before twining your arms around his torso. Again you accepted him as he was. Vampire and human sat quietly together, providing tranquil comfort to each other in their mutual pain.

“Unless you want to come with me.”

You glanced up through wet eyes at the sudden comment with a confused look.

“Sweet, I meant it, come live with me at Hellsing.”

--------------------

Centuries had passed and though his city had modernized, the land itself was unchanged. Those were the same peaks and cliffs, the same game trails and twists in the river. The landmarks he used in his last life to mark the way remained as they were.

His human was wondering where the two of you were headed as you stumbled after him before bouncing off his back when he came to a stop. He steadied you with a gloved hand. “We will camp here. I will bring you sustenance and you will rest the night.”

“We are only going to be eating and sleeping tonight?” 

“Is there more you would prefer?” The teasing was obvious in his tone.

Extracurricular activities were not what you were insinuating. Of course a vampire would take any opening to veer the conversation towards sex. Seduction was in his nature and this vampire would gladly accept any opportunity to lay between your legs.

As with the first time he abducted you for an overseas date, Alucard had provided clothes appropriate for the autumn weather. You were too glad to cover yourself from his lustful gaze.

“Tomorrow we will make for Poenari. It will not be an easy walk for you.”

You perked up at last and fixed a saucy Cheshire grin his way. “Oh? You’re bringing me to your old castle for a date and you’re letting me hike during the day? You’re almost being romantic and sweet.” 

The vampire was flippant. "Your feeble human eyes cannot see any of the land's splendor in the night." 

Your smirk turned sour. "Gee thanks." 

--------------------

Something was approaching, dragging across the ground with a steady, rhythmic murmur that made the foliage rustle. It sounded similar to… your heart stopped. Could it be a ghoul?! 

You rushed to your feet and tottered backwards as you seeked your vampire’s presence for protection immediately. No twin scarlets were to be seen. You were alone in the middle of nowhere in Romania with barely any moonlight. Nothing except blackness and the symphony of nature after dark for company. 

Alucard?! 

A million thoughts raced through your mind. This mountainous place was inhospitable to a city dweller such as yourself. It was frigid at night. The insects surviving in this weather wanted to gorge themselves on you along with other predators that were certainly present in land this wild. The surroundings were teeming with cliffs and a single misstep could lead to your demise, though there was water all the way down there. If you somehow made it through the night, the sun would likely scorch you too. Hell, even with GPS, you could still find yourself lost at times in London.

But nevermind any of that right now! What if a ghoul was stalking you?! There was no way you’d survive by yourself. 

Alucard?! You threw the thought out there again in panic with a head full of doom. Where was he? You trusted the vampire enough to accompany him to his homeland. How could he abandon you in the woods like this, even if his absence was probably intended to be brief?

“I recall you enjoy venison.” The Shadow King cleared the vegetation hauling a dead deer by a leg. Glowing orbs watched the tension dissipate from your posture. You let out a sigh of relief at the sight of your scary vampire.

When did he leave to hunt a deer? Mere seconds had passed. How quickly could he kill something…

“Did you truly believe I would leave you to be devoured by lesser predators? You are mine.” 

Your lips flapped.

He took a seat and began to butcher the animal, staring into your eyes as he skinned it. Blood pooled under the vampire. You cringed as he flayed it open, then expertly cleaved and dismantled the body into neat quarters –legs and ribs. He let the innards drop from the body cavity into their own pile. A campfire assembled itself. The knife passed through the carcass with practiced hands repeatedly, turning it into proper cuts which he cooked over fire before offering you the best strips. 

You accepted his offerings with thanks, but stayed hyper-aware of the surroundings. You believed yourself unafraid of the dark, but outdoors, everything set you off –the sounds of nature abounded with rustling branches, even the howling wind was more sinister. Your eyes darted around and you peeked behind with worry as he continued grilling your meal. 

Scuttering closer to the vampire, you whispered, "What was that? Did you hear that?" 

"Only animals humping in the undergrowth." His expression was full of amusement as his hands stopped for a moment. "Night is my domain. I will provide for you, little one, so that you may relax and enjoy yourself. I told you before that you are safe when you walk the night with me." 

Licking your lips, you looked at Alucard with wide, worried eyes, even when you knew it to be true. So you stayed in close proximity to your protector. Strange. Normally, you were a feast for nasty critters and mosquitoes once the sun set. Up against him like this, there was nothing. It seemed even the most insignificant lifeforms knew to steer clear of this creature, even more so than with the fire. 

It crackled and dancing shadows flickered through the clearing, the resulting light throwing those regal features into sharp contrast. Fragrant aromas of meat cooking mingled with the sounds of snapping and sizzling. You watched one another eat. The inky pool –blood from the deer– was trailing towards Alucard and disappeared into him. Somehow it was natural to you, even mesmerizingly intimate to watch him drink.

Crack!

You launched into his arms with a terrified squeak as he once again laughed at your jumpiness. You scrambled to sit upright against him, not leaving his side only because you didn’t feel like feeding biting insects anymore. It wasn’t because you needed his proximity in this frightening gloomy forest.

Alucard was warm. He felt most alive when he was with you, almost like a normal person. He tilted your chin and leaned in. “You scaredy cat. I suppose you will have to follow me into the dark,” he noted with a faint grin.

“For this trip only!” you quipped. Picking up a piece of cooked venison, you shoved it between his lips. “Now shush.” Then you settled in on your side next to Alucard with your head on his thigh.

The melody of rushing water far below soothed away your fears and the clarity of the night sky allowed the stars to peer through. A billion pinpricks of light witnessed a pair of Stargazers alone in the world, one red and one white. 

You sighed with contentment as your eyelids grew heavy. Drooping, you caught yourself and tried to ward off the sleep. 

“I am watching. Sleep.” The rumbling baritone left you in a daze.

“But what about you? I’ll be okay…” your head lolled the other way.

Cool fingers took your chin. "I do not require sleep. Much less would I do so at night. Prideful little human, rest." 

The flames licked at the chill air. Warmth and security suffused you as you drifted unconscious on a belly filled with the food your lover prepared, your head cradled by his lap. Your vampire remained by your side the entire night to watch over you.

--------------------

You woke to soft petting massaging your scalp and weaving through your locks.  Lifting your head from its comfortable pillow, bleary eyes found the first signs of dawn on the horizon and you were grateful for some visibility at last. The twinkling stars faded into hiding for the day once again.

After washing up with the water Alucard brought, his palm landed once more on the crown of your head. 

"My little human,” he crooned. 

You looked away shyly and smiled to yourself at his sweet nickname of habit for you, making quick work of tying the scarf around your neck. 

“Come.” He led you uphill through the dark until the row of giant conifers broke apart.

The scent of fresh pine filled your nose and you gasped as the subtle rays of sun revealed the misty splendor below. You two were perched by the edge of a cliff that plunged to unseen depths. Fortunately the heights and narrow ledge did not cower you –there was no way Alucard brought you all the way here only to let you tumble to your death. What took your breath away was the formidable castle ruins below nestled in a blanket of rolling peaks and valleys that were fed by a winding river. Wisps of mist floated by, shrouding tracts of the dramatic slopes in mystery, a living painting of epic proportions. 

Wow. 

“Your country is beautiful, Alucard. It's so magical I almost don't want to hike down and lose this view.”

“Isn't it splendid?” He grinned. Was that pride in his face? He stood there glowing in the ambient light like a seraph, quietly staring out at the ravine before he turned to you with a gleam behind orange lenses. “I suppose daybreak too possesses its own charms much like twilight,” he added. 

You smiled fondly at his words, mentally somersaulting with happiness from this concession, before turning your attention to this banquet for the senses that demanded to be committed to memory.

As the sun climbed the horizon, the veil of mist gradually receded and the shadows were beaten back, casting the land in dreamy golds and pastel beauty. Boundless nature surrounded you from each direction, backlit by pink and orange skies. 

The heavens slowly brightened and the fiery mirage of the spectacular autumn foliage came into sharp focus. A pair of falcons soared the rosy sea above and screamed their shrill cries to each other. You pondered the hike through such extravagance, immediately deciding it would be worth the brutal terrain.

You got as close to the ledge as you dared, as if being mere inches closer would help with absorbing the experience better. Yet how often did a mere mortal get to be this close to divinity? Your eyes sparkled with glee as you unknowingly clutched his sleeve with one hand while you edged over. Alucard sensed your awe as you took in the grandeur of heaven and earth –your parted lips and wide eyes were a testament to your wonder. His gaze skimmed your delicate features, pausing to narrow his eyes as they focused upon your lips, so soft and luscious they begged his attention.

He was aware you were self-conscious when with him in public. Thus you enjoyed his company most when you were alone out in nature together, far from civilization with no one else present to stare at you as a couple. No prying eyes or uninvited whispers. Such trivial matters, but the King preferred for you to savour your time with him, as he with you, without your unwarranted concerns detracting.

You caught him staring. The brazen vampire did not pretend to be doing anything but. He was taken by your curious, trusting expression, your foot right at the rim of the cliff with no more room for folly. Another step and you would fall to your proverbial death. But you came here with Alucard. He was your safety net. You leaned into him and met his lips gently. Cupping his face with both hands, your thumb trailed down that nose which always pokes your cheek as you kiss. He nuzzled you with it and exhaled with a faint rumble. If anyone told you a few years ago that you’d be watching the sunrise at Dracula’s castle with the accursed demon himself, you’d have laughed in their faces.

The remnants of the fabled castle loomed over a narrow ravine, imposing and severe. You studied the buses rolling in from a much higher vantage point. There were many more people than you expected milling about. Probably tourists. They were tiny and distant enough to resemble ants. So distant, they might as well not exist. 

You smiled and curled into a king's embrace with a million subjects at your feet, composed of ancient evergreens and the flaming kaleidoscope of deciduous reds, oranges, and yellows. The breeze rustled the royal mantle that was his duster and it swayed gently. His tresses framed his features with silk as the light of day hit his eyes. 

Everything was perfect whenever this vampire swept you away. Alucard had a way of making it seem as though you were the only ones in the world and it belonged solely to you and him. Your problems were just as far away and non-existent as the people below.

The warmth of the blazing palette inspired a giddy optimism and it blossomed in your gut. What would the future with Alucard bring? You weren't sure either, but you knew as long as you were together, it felt as though nothing could come between you.

~To Be Continued~

Next Chapter: Interlude II

Notes: Yes, Alucard takes her down there and they hike to the castle together with a magnificent autumn backdrop. He shows her around the ruins of his castle and lets drop a few memorable snippets of his old life. The parts of the trip through the past (passing through Targoviste and the castle) are partially for himself and not her. A reminder to himself of how he failed (his perspective) his people. But I didn’t feel up to (or want to) getting into all that and felt this was a good place to end the chapter.

The chapter is my little attempt at symbolism. Alucard is revisiting his old life's transgressions and failures and putting them aside to watch the sunrise with his Reader. He is a creature of the night, but even if he detests the sun and believes himself beyond redemption, the light he found in her was beautiful and he has hope for a new beginning with her as they grow ever closer. And in floral language, red is for romance and white is for innocence. You may cringe now.

Alucard is lonely AF in his immortality and Seras was a spur of the moment turn for him when the opportunity arose during an assignment. He didn’t expect her to refuse his blood to become free of servitude. Reader however, is the one who he truly wants at his side, even if it isn't for eternity. He wants her to come to the decision to turn willingly.

Ahem, what the vampire king finds romantic can be different from a ‘normal’ person, but he wanted to take care of her. That was what I was trying to get across. Yup he sliced and diced a dead animal into pieces while looking into her eyes, telling her she’s his, getting massively bled on, and then slurped up the blood that was soaked into the earth. #LetHimCook (not dropping Sukuna references here, nope!)

A Night for Hunting Ch.10 -What Makes a Meal?

T/W: Alucard (Ultimate) x F!Reader, sexually suggestive content, but also some fluff. Romance, Riocard, shapeshifting. Smitten human with a crush. Seductive vampire troll, ‘dating.’ Comedy but not really? (things are amusing for Alucard at least).  Words: 5026 On AO3 @alastorhazbin

Thank you all for the birthday wishes! 

This chapter ended up longer than anticipated. Guess I was having fun too! I think it’s needed before the plot gets a bit more serious later.

I received a new shipment of orchids to add to my modest collection and I’ve been obsessed, if you can’t tell with my plant references.

Please read the note at the end of this chapter.

Alucard insisted on taking your number before you left for vacation with your closest friends. It was only a short trip away from home, but it was what you could manage. You ended up travelling to Scotland and visiting all the attractions of interest to your group, including Edinburgh Castle and the Isle of Skye. The landscape at the Isles was truly the stuff of legends. The soft light of late winter painted the sky deep pinks and purples during sunrise, the dusting of frost atop mountains were glittering diamonds in the morning sun before it melted into a shimmery dew, a series of picturesque waterfalls cascaded into the crystal clear Fairy Pools. It was a land of magic and enchantment more suited for a world of fantasy than reality. You almost wished Alucard was there so you could show him the beauty of the land and those spectacular sunrises. You captured countless photos to preserve the memory.

During a hike, your group’s passage disrupted a colony of hibernating bats, sending them fluttering in a noisy, chittering swarm. You scuttered away with your friends, yet you grinned even while squawking as everyone else did. These bats, however, did not possess scarlet eyes. Neither did they want anything to do with roosting in your hands as another bat did. 

He was at the back of your mind the entire time. Ever since you accepted your attraction to your immortal suitor, you thought of him frequently in increasingly fond terms. He was absolutely charming. It was frightening how quickly he came to occupy your conscious faculties. You hoped he’d appreciate the small gift you were bringing back to him. 

The vampire phoned at night on several occasions. Unfortunately, he did not allow you to elude him with only texting, stating that it was no proper way of communication. Once again, you were pleasantly surprised by the conversation with him. He was the most attentive audience as you excitedly recounted the adventures of the day, then he agreed with your hotel roommate as she teased you about ‘your boyfriend’ in the background of your calls. Curse his vampire hearing. You trembled at the deep voice on the other end. Between them, they had you tumbling into a flustered puddle of stutters and you terminated the call, telling him to let you be and that he was being an idiot.

You fell back on the mattress and pulled the sheets over your head so your friend wouldn’t see the stupid grin on your face. The butterflies in your stomach fluttered again as you recalled the smile you heard in Alucard’s voice during the call. --------------------

At last you were home in England. Considering the circumstances on how you met, the eagerness with which you wanted to see Alucard might be astonishing. His dastardly ways were mostly unchanged, yet his hunting of you for sport was long ago. Your current relationship was decidedly warm. 

There was no way you could treat him to a fancy restaurant, so you invited him over for dinner. It seemed like an excellent choice of activity until Alucard expressed his excitement about the prospects of you feeding him, only for you to repeatedly remind him he was not drinking from you again.

Sweet, I have arrived.

You fumbled with the lid to the pot before catching yourself and safely setting it down. You rushed to the entrance with a huge smile and pulled it open, only to stop dead in your tracks.

Huh?

Your smile dropped at the bizarre sight. It was undoubtedly Alucard on the other side of the door. You would never mistake those fiery eyes, the immense stature, and arrogant demeanour for anyone else. Yet he was different. His thick tresses revealed his hairline and fell straight past his rear. He wore a tailored black suit that fit him to perfection and a conceited smirk that matched the enthralling sunset gaze. There was something about his appearance that made him feel more unsettling and dangerous than usual.

You knew the vampire was a shapeshifter, yet you edged backwards when faced with the unfamiliar. His eyes glittered with mirth at your hesitation and his fingertips landed on your cheek with a delicate touch.

“Surely you have not forgotten me in a mere week, Dear?” He jested, rattling you out of your stupor.

As if that was possible. You shut your mouth. Yup, this was certainly Alucard. “I –I could never.” You meekly stepped aside to let in your guest and stared at him as he strode in like he owned your home.

“This is a gift for you,” he pronounced, setting a basket of yellowish, fragrant orchids in your hands. “It is known as ‘The Lady of the Night.’ It suits you.” It was a living arrangement of the whole plant, not just the cut flowers, and you shook your head at the vampire’s double meanings with a sigh. 

“Thank you. They are lovely.” You accepted the gift graciously and took a quick whiff of the citrusy fragrance that was to die for. The door shut and locked behind the vampire.

Alucard was in excellent spirits. He scented your excitement from behind the door and in truth, he was equally eager to see you. It smelled divine, the aromas of home-cooking and your nervousness mingled to tantalize his senses. He took in the sight of you standing awkwardly beside him, wondering if you were supposed to offer to take his coat, and grinned fiendishly. How adorable without even knowing it.

“Sweet, you should know the physical form I assume is meaningless. I may appear as whatever I desire.” 

His handsome countenance suddenly melted into whispering shadows. You gasped as his snakelike tongue lolled before he warped into a bipedal horned monster leaking darkness. His body stretched and broke open to reveal smooth bone, before sinewy muscle fibres formed over skeletal limbs and were encased in fresh skin. Those overly long, disproportionate fingers dripped of the night and you held your breath. You weren’t sure if you were afraid, but you couldn’t tear your eyes away from the grotesquely fascinating transformation. 

The monster dropped onto all fours, the horns elongating into antlers and with a series of crunches, the beast moulded itself into a giant elk that took up all of your living space. The metamorphosis was disturbing, but Alucard remained the most majestic creature, even as the elk sprouted eyes along its snout and down its hide. It stared into you for the longest moment and you didn’t look away, then it shrank into a dog, though the extra eyes remained.

And suddenly he became your Alucard again. 

The jagged shadows lashed about before flowing back and forming his familiar face, the darkness rippling around him with a crimson glow. It seemed the magic show was over and you were both silent. You finally released your bated breath. Instead of feeling terrified by the gnarly sight of Alucard remaking himself as if he was liquid, you giggled, then laughed out loud in wonder. You approached him to caress his hands, inspecting the digits that were reformed without any sign they were any longer mere moments ago. You stroked his cheeks, then went to the top of his head. No remnants of horns either.

Alucard’s brow lifted at your reaction. You were…excited by the prospect of having your own petting zoo? Yet he was not affronted by your debasement of his abilities as a Nosferatu. He made you laugh again and he basked in the sound. Tucking a strand of hair behind your ears, his smile matched your own toothy grin that showed your canines peeking through, so tiny compared to his fangs. 

You kept giggling, tucking a strand of imaginary hair away, unconsciously mirroring his actions and your eyes glittered as you lunged to embrace him. Such an unexpected and gratifying response you welcomed him with. His expression softened.

“Welcome back, little one,” he murmured, wrapping an arm around your waist.

Your lips parted and then closed. And opened again. You buried your face in his chest. “I missed you too, you jerk,” you mumbled, burrowing deeper when you felt the vibrations of his laughter. “I have something for you too, from Scotland.” Holding out something furry with both hands, you presented to your vampire a little stuffed toy bat. 

His brows raised before the orange pools spun and the light caught their golden flecks. He took the bat and studied it with a toothy grin, flicking a fond glance at you before tucking it away in his duster. “Delightful.”

You beamed bashfully and pulled apart. “Come on in, vampire, dinner is ready.”

You led your guest inside and seated him at the table. The seats were set and everything was just about cooked. All that was left to do was to plate the dishes and pour the drinks. You excused yourself briefly to use the bathroom.

Alucard settled into his seat while you used the facilities, listening to the sounds of your bodily functions, enjoying everything that made you human. Everything that was a normal life. His eyes opened as you returned and finished your preparations, materializing beside you to assist with preparing the beverages and floating the entrees over, making you shake your head in glee at his ‘magic tricks.’

He tugged at a chair to slide it across the floor with a hushed whisper, then tucked you back into the table once you were seated. “Dig in!” You proudly announced, quickly layering your bowl with an assortment of goods. 

As you tore into the deer, you peeked up at him in confusion. He made no moves to serve himself. You almost snorted. He may be your guest, but was he so insufferable he was expecting you to serve him like he was a king?

“You aren’t eating? Go ahead.” You pushed a dish at him and dabbed at the escaped sauce from your lips, not missing the way those predatory eyes followed the movement. 

“I will eat,” the vampire replied cryptically.

“You should while it’s hot. It’s venison stew, perfect for this weather! It’ll warm even you up,” you snickered, plopping a sizable serving into his bowl.

He didn’t reply.

This was getting awkward. You tried to chew quietly as your head spun. Was this some archaic vampire ritual where he was supposed to allow you to finish eating before he began? Did you mess up the dish somehow? Perhaps he preferred his meats more undercooked, bloodier? You somehow doubted it was because he didn’t consume meat. There simply didn’t seem to be a hint of a vegetarian in Alucard.

“The meal is perfectly divine, little one.”

The reassurance didn't help. “Then why…” You trailed off. The vampire was enamoured by the process of you eating. You set down the spoon as you finished swallowing.

“Alucard, you’re getting creepy again. You were expected to eat too, you know, not just stare at me.”

He chuckled. "You still wish to feed me?" 

“That was why you were invited.”

“As you wish, little one, but you are not feeding me.” 

You fixed the flattest, blankest stare in his direction. The quietness was nearly deafening. You made him a feast that blanketed every inch of the table. What game was he playing at now?

Sunset eyes got brighter and that grin grew wide. 

“Oh hell no. You’re a grown ass man! I’m not spoon-feeding you like you’re a toddler!”

“That is the only way I will eat human food.” He licked his lips.

“Then don’t eat! See if I care!” You huffed in disbelief, shoving in another bite to chew angrily. All that time spent preparing this plethora of dishes to perfection for this uncivilized beast. More for you, whatever. There will be plentiful food for the week.

The minutes stretched as you ate in silence by yourself. Childishly, you sliced the already tender morsels with more force than necessary to make a point. Several times, your gaze flickered up to check what your infuriating guest was doing, whether he was bluffing or if he truly expected you to demean yourself. An uncanny stare scrutinized every aspect of the way you consumed your food and suddenly you couldn’t remember why you missed him.

Grinding your teeth, you at last threw your hands up in frustration. “You really are insufferable!” You scooped up a slice of deer and shoved it at Alucard’s annoying mug.

The vampire's grin split even wider with his victory and the meat slid into his mouth. He started purring. “Heavenly. Were I still living, I would have appointed you a chef in my castle.”

You rolled your eyes at his grandiose words of praise. Even if he was a Duke or a Count or anyone of enough importance to warrant living in a castle, his manners were clearly plebeian. His appreciation for your efforts would be more apparent if you didn’t need to basically beg him to eat it.

“Come here, sweet one.”

“I am here,” you deadpanned.

“Your obstinate struggles against my will, as entertaining as they are, will always be fruitless, little human. Come here.” He scooted back in his chair and placed a hand on his lap. 

The audacity! This was your home. 

You had half a mind to demand he leave, but what were you going to do? Try shoving him out the door? He’d just phase through and mock you, if he even let you move him. If sitting in an ancient vampire’s lap to feed him dinner was the only way to expedite the process, so be it. Begrudgingly, you grumbled and plodded over to drop onto one of his thighs, only for him to scoop up your legs and drape you sideways over his lap.

You pouted and glared at him to show your displeasure.

“You really are charming when irate,” he purred, sticking his nose to your throat to nuzzle it. He inhaled. “For the aromas.” He chuckled when you tensed. “I am ready to eat, Sweet.”

You leaned away while pushing at his jaw to create distance, feeling the twitch in the corner of an eye as you picked up the fork and lanced the first piece of deer from Alucard’s bowl before lifting it to his lips. They wouldn’t part.

Not like that. His voice appeared in your mind, immediately followed by an image of yourself holding the cut to his lips between your fingertips.

“You really are going too far.”

“Humour me and you will find your freedom sooner.”

Picking up a slice of stew meat, you shoved it at the beast as you blazed with fury. He accepted the offering instantly, cool lips closing around your fingers to suckle. You squeaked in horror and yanked your hand back while he swallowed what you gave him whole.

“What the hell?!”

He smacked his lips and leered at you through lidded eyes. “Next.”

Gulping down your apprehension, you raised the next piece to his mouth and looked aghast as that scandalous tongue made a reappearance. Alucard made a show of licking your hand, beginning at the palm with a tickle and wrapping around your sauce-coated fingers. He lapped slowly at your fingertips as his eyes flashed, before gingerly taking the deer between sharp teeth and sucking it back with a wet slurp.

The hair on your arms stood on end, making your skin tingle. Your eyes met and his hand tightened around your waist. The other stroked up your thigh and squeezed your hip. Something else like appendages rubbed your shoulders and feet and held you tighter to him. He crooned and licked your jaw before capturing your lips to nibble on. The lounging beast sighed happily as your eyes bulged and you squirmed with discomfort on his lap.

“For the added seasoning,” he murmured against your ear.

That was just rude! 

The vampire cackled and flicked at your bottom lip again, making you flinch. “There exists no seasoning superior to your own taste.”

Piece by piece, you fed the old vampire by hand while he held you hostage in his lap. Despite feeling thoroughly harassed, eventually you couldn’t help but feel slightly flattered about your culinary abilities that elicited a response like this. If he liked your food so much, you supposed you could just cook for him again but skip this degenerate’s feeding kink, although being perched on his lap was not too bad. Neither was his touch wholly unwelcome. 

You pet his cheek while he chewed, his expression the face of pleasure. Nuzzling into your palm with a moan, his eyes opened to slits when you brushed up one side to investigate the pointy earlobe. He kept purring as loud as an engine.

Your eyes focused on the dancing shadows that surrounded him. They floated and twirled and seemingly pulsed at times. So mesmerizing.

Your unoccupied hand dipped cautiously into the shadow tendrils flowing around Alucard. He shuddered and growled, so low it was nearly imperceptible. A single wisp wrapped around your hand and you held onto it. Making contact with it was the strangest experience. Alucard's shadows were just that –not really tangible, yet you were able to physically touch his darkness. It buzzed in your hand with arcane energy that rippled through your being and tickled your spirit. Finally, you let him go, unable to bear the sensation any longer, and dropped your head on his broad shoulder to rest.

The heat was probably too high in your apartment after so much cooking. Your shirt clung to musky armpits and you fidgeted on Alucard’s lap as the undead cat finished another bite. He inhaled deeply, heavy purrs rumbling through his chest and vibrating through you. What a pervert. Always too suggestive. Always too attractive.

You absentmindedly gave him another piece, nipping on your lips and staring everywhere except at him when he started licking again. Something hard slid against your finger, catching your attention. The goddamn vampire was dragging the side of a fang against your ring finger. You held your breath, but again, it wasn't fear you felt, only curiosity at where he was going with this when he plainly stated he had no intention of biting you.

You caught the wicked smirk and glint in his eyes, now a deeper shade than at the onset of the meal. Again with the teasing. The air was heavy, the aura of mystery and danger swirled. His hair was longer and the locks fluttered despite the lack of a breeze. The lights dimmed before coming back on, throwing contrasting shadows across the pale profile you enjoyed looking at so much.

This smug vampire knew he was magnificent.

Your body responded aptly. After being subjected to hearing and feeling him purr all night, as well as the sensation of having his hands on you all night, you fell victim to his allure… the devilish monstrosity was simply irresistible. It felt like you were sitting in a furnace when you lowered your gaze from his triumphant one.

There it was, the scent of arousal. Alucard inhaled loudly, nostrils flaring as he absorbed his victory, ensuring you knew he was fully aware of your state of restlessness. Human food may be disgusting, but the taste of your skin was sweet ambrosia. For it to be finally paired with this ravishing perfume? Alucard believed he would never have enough of this gourmet delicacy.

The vampire was rock hard. A stiff shaft prodded your rump, large enough to make an impression even through fine wool and the awkward positioning. Your wide eyes lifted slowly to meet his, your shock at odds with his amusement.

The hands returned, the touch now lewd compared to the gentle exploration earlier. A shadow hand massaged your breast, alternatively kneading the mound between its palm and fingers. He traced circles around the tip to create a pebble before he pinched it. Your guest took your lips, prodding insistently until you yielded to his demands. Cold muscle delved into your mouth and he growled as he slid around to conquer and explore. Something firm held the back of your head when you attempted to escape. Another hand. His hands were everywhere, stroking and grabbing until you writhed in his grasp.

Your musk got heavier as your underwear became saturated with fluid. Even you smelled it. Alucard keened and encouraged you to touch him. A strange energy embraced you, leaving you gasping and he smirked with satisfaction. 

Curiously, you rested a palm on his chest. He had no heartbeat. Your heart was pounding, but there was nothing beating in his, nothing to show that you weren’t the only one hot and bothered. A moment of trepidation flashed by and passed. Resting your forehead to his chin, you trailed down his torso to rest lightly on the front of his pants. It was held up with steel that strained the smooth material into an indecent tent. You cupped it width-wise, its girth taking up most of the curvature your hand created, and tentatively ran your palm down the length. Down and down and down your hand travelled, until the end ran under your leg and disappeared.

Sweet Jesus, how big was this monster?

He hissed in pleasure as he made another show of licking your fingers, sucking them into his maw one by one. The devil held you spellbound through glowing vermilion orbs. No…you searched within your consciousness…the ancient vampire wasn’t hypnotizing you. This was all you. The revelation was more frightening than anything.

You shivered.

“What say you? Shall we search for nirvana this fine evening for dessert?”

“E-excuse me?”

“As I proposed, I will mount y–”

“I know how the mechanics work!” You screamed, your face on fire as you suddenly found yourself free of your prison and you scrambled off of him in an uncoordinated tangle of limbs, tripping over yourself and landing on your rear by his feet.

Alucard threw his head back and roared raucously as he leaned back to watch you. Eyes opened on the ground and curled in laughter to join in. The extra extremities disappeared. As did your desire –in just these few seconds, your libido jumped off a cliff and died, to be replaced by total mortification.

Not knowing how to recover, you picked yourself up from the floor as the vampire shook his head and chuckled. Stomping down the hall, you turned and hollered, “Time for you to leave! I’m going to bed!” Nevermind the fact that you just ate. 

The door slammed behind you and you crumbled to the floor in a panting heap, the mind racing to process what happened. A vampire, you were about to lay with a marauding predator of the night. Sinfully beautiful, but a ruthless murderer nonetheless. You hugged your legs and tried to calm yourself.

It was futile. You too craved his presence.

“...”

You sat alone longer at the edge of a precipice, the distance providing some much-needed clarity, until you finally stood shakily with your fingertips lingering on the door knob, about to flip the switch when you stopped yourself. If you were to be honest with yourself, you didn’t detest this vampire anymore. You would not mind if he stayed the night. 

…The bedroom door was left unlocked.

-----------------------

You stirred, sticking out a leg and kicking over to the other side of the bed, the cotton sheets brushing softly against your naked skin. With an arching back, you stretched the entire length of your body, from the tips of your fingers to the bottoms of your feet, and yawned. The muscles in your legs cramped from being perched in one position last night. Your toes poked out from under the blanket.

“I bid you good morning, little human.”

You sat up abruptly and found the unblinking crimson set of eyes in the corner of the room. For a moment, fear shot up your spine, the terrifying recollection of being at the mercy of a red-eyed monster who wanted to rip into you on another occasion made your blood run cold. 

But there was no need for alarm this time. Your heart raced even as the fright dissipated.

There he was, sitting on the grey loveseat with his legs crossed and a frown marring his features, his fingers loosely intertwined. Shooting a panicked glance over to the window, you saw there was indeed light filtering around the edges of the curtains, illuminating the bedroom with the gentle rays of morning. But the sun! Why wasn’t he going off in flames? Did he just watch you sleep the entire night? 

“Why are you here?” You asked dumbly.

The frown turned upside down and the vampire cackled, two rows of jagged teeth gleaming like a bear trap. “You invited me in, little one.”

“But you stayed the night?”

“Watching you breathe,” he purred, “listening to your heart beat.”

Creepy, psychopathic behaviour, but then again, this was Alucard you were referring to. You held the sheets closer to your chest before remembering to check on your state of undress beneath. You were the same as how you went to bed, crotch still clammy from the devil’s seduction last night.

“I meant the sun. How are you alive? Shouldn’t you be a pile of ashes?” 

He smiled. “Your legends generally do not apply to a true vampire like myself.”

Indeed, Alucard actually looked fresh and well-composed, as if he didn’t spend the night sexually harassing a young woman and then ogled her as she slept. The fog in your mind slowly retreated. A true vampire… There was so much you didn’t know about the supernatural.

You rubbed your eyes and blinked at him. "So the sun doesn't hurt you?"

"No more than it harms you, though I may despise the day."

"Then how about garlic?"

He snorted.

"Crosses? Holy water?"

"Mere irritations."

"Silver?"

"Ah– that may cause injury." The vampire closed his eyes and snickered. "So curious about my existence, little one. You want me dead?" Hellfire bore through your soul.

Dead?

You froze, unsure of how to respond. Did you want him dead? Vampires were a menace to society, a scourge. Wouldn't the world be better off without demons like him wandering it? “You are already dead. But…I can’t say I want you gone for good anymore…”

Silence. The fire burned warmly in those molten pools. "You are such an intriguing creature," he murmured.

You shuffled in bed and propped up a pillow behind your back, being careful to keep the sheets draped over your chest, thoroughly conscious of your nakedness. A million questions bloomed in mind as you sat quietly across from this ancient creature a few paces away, who witnessed the eras come and go. Was it okay to ask now?

“So…how did you become a vampire?”

He sat back and tilted his chin up in thought before staring down his nose at you. “At the end of my human life, I chose vengeance and hate."

You perked up. To be or not to be. "So your sire gave you the option to become a vampire?" You recalled his reaction the last time you inquired about his sire. Hopefully vampirism wasn't a fate that was forced upon him.

Alucard didn't respond immediately. "I have no sire, little human."

You were mildly confused. That was how vampires were born though, wasn't it? Vampires created vampires, as they also gave rise to ghouls. Alucard himself told you so. It seemed the more you learned from him, the less you knew. There was always another secret.

You blurted it out, much more directly than the last time you broached this topic months ago. "...Do you ever regret it?"

He looked sad, wistful, and your heart churned for a demon. What was this feeling? His gaze dimmed, turning downcast as the frown returned.

"Cherish your humanity, child."

Not knowing what to say, you reached for him and he came to you immediately, kneeling by the side of the bed and resting his face in your hand. You ran your fingers through the silky hair you adored and the vampire sighed against your touch.

You pondered Alucard's words as you pet him. So many questions. "Then what about that vampire you shot? Is he like you? Are there other vampires like you who don't bite?"

Alucard tensed before smiling slightly, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m not something so vulgar and cheap. And I do bite.” A hand shot up to grasp your wrist by his face.

You were undeterred. You put your other hand to his chest and once more noted the lack of comforting beats. His touch wasn’t gross like with the other vampire. In fact, physical contact with Alucard no longer made you feel the need to shower. His aura no longer urged you to run and hide, or face mortal peril. Actually, this was quite pleasant.

His face came within inches of yours and you felt his icy breath as he spoke.

“If you can kill me, I would gladly die by your hands.” He purred at you, pressing your hand hard into his chest, leaning heavily into your touch and lowering his head to rub noses.

To be or not to be. You snorted, “As if that’s even in the realm of possibilities.”

“Only a human can kill a monster.”

“You are not making any sense.” You’ve seen what he can do. He had superpowers while you were a normal mortal. Kill him? What a joke.

Alucard chuckled, “No, I suppose not.” A gloved finger bumped softly against the tip of your nose and he closed the gap between you. Luminescent irises whirled, his gaze affectionate. You stared back into the balmy gaze as you let your lips and foreheads touch in a tender meeting.

Minutes had passed when you pulled apart.

“Okay, you got your show. Time for you to leave.” You sighed, brushing a thumb against his cheek one last time before dragging your sheets with you to keep yourself modest as you rose from bed to pull open the curtains.

He was gone from your room when you turned back.

~To be Continued~

Chapter 11: Interlude I Chapter 12: The Feeling of Safety

Notes:  For those of you not familiar with Shakespeare’s work, Hamlet, “To be or not to be, that is the question” is probably the most well-known line from his play. This infamous soliloquy is referring to the decision “to live or not to live,” something Hamlet pondered as he discussed how painful living is and how death may be preferable, if it weren’t for the uncertainty of what came afterwards. Hamlet was suicidal. It is deeper when Alucard said it because he wasn’t merely referring to his ‘cowardly’ decision to turn (“to be a vampire”), but also how by choosing ‘to be,’ he ended up damning himself to an eternity of unlife instead. Alucard wants to die.

While I think Alucard wasn't constantly shagging everyone prior to meeting us, I headcanon that he is normally open to sexual relationships with humans should they be interested (and if they interest him). And if Alucard is sexually interested in someone, he will certainly at least try to seduce them. Alucard is extremely suggestive, very sensual, and the type to take a mile if you give him an inch. If you let him in your pants once, he'll be seeking opportunities to charm them off again. He knows he's attractive, good in bed, and that we’re hot for him. 

So now I feel like I kind of lied when I said "no smut" in this story's initial tags (hey it was supposed to be a oneshot), but I think I actually can't avoid some racy content if we're to get to the point where we want to give Alucard all of ourselves. This fic had mature themes from the beginning, so I believe most readers won’t have too much issue with more sexual content, but explicit smut scenes will be mostly in the interludes from this point on. It is now officially “eventual smut/NSFW." Things will be spicier here and there. The Interludes can be skipped and readers will (probably) not miss too much. Just FYI, they eventually do pretty much everything except fuck “all the way,” ie. P-in-V sex. BTW, next chapter is an interlude. It features period blood and is really not for everyone (but hey, our dear monster is a vampire), in which case I hope you’ll enjoy Ch.12 more!

Above: Brassavola nodosa, The Lady of the Night. Not my orchid, but one I eventually want to add to my collection. I wasn't aware of this, but apparently in some cultures, it represents the connection between the living and the dead. Only at night it is fragrant, releasing a smell that is described as citrusy or like gardenias.

OMG I'm on the list?! I'm so flattered and happy I could cry!!! Thank you for reading it!😵😭 AND THANK YOU FOR THE OTHER FIC RECOMMENDATIONS!!! 🥰

Babe! Quick question; what are you’re favorite Hellsing fanfics? I need new fics! I’m afraid my well has gone dry😢

You KNOW I'm boutta take this opportunity to plug the homies

If you haven't read Revelations by the homie @neet0 yet, you're missing the fuck out. This fic totally overhauls the Hellsing setting, like, entirely, as well as Alucard's backstory, and turns what you think you know about these characters on their heads. But it's probs my favorite Hellsing fic and also cough cough may or may not have a lil crossover episode situation coming someday in the future featuring our two blorbos....... TL;DR this is a fun read.

You should also definitely be following @ofwraithsandwords with their work Plutonian Sun. Their prose is gorgeous and simply a joy to read.

I'm also really enjoying A Night For Hunting by @madarasgirl - easily my favorite Lulu/Reader fic active right now!

Honestly those are the recent few that have really left a mark on me in terms of extended stories, unless you want raw smutty stuff in which case I dig this, and also this.

EDIT: idk why those last two won't link so I guess we're going without??? EDIT2: fixed lol

A Night for Hunting Ch.8- The Currency of the Soul

T/W: Alucard (Ultimate) x F!Reader, thirsty vampire, seduction Words: 2459 On AO3 @alastorhazbin

The smoke was thick in a somber, cavernous room which was only illuminated by moonlight through colossal windows. It twirled lazily before dissipating to join the silvery haze shrouding the rest of the room.

A lone figure stood by the immense desk, taking an extended draw on the cigar she then rolled between two fingers. Her exhale cut through the silence. What a massive headache her bureaucratic position brought. Nearly nothing was made easier by her servant. Sure, loosing him on enemies brought a quick demise to anyone who opposed Hellsing, but the Vampire frequently created almost more trouble than he was worth.

“You summoned me, my Master?” A deep, inhuman voice appeared from nothing and resonated through the space. 

An inky puddle of shadow emerged from the carpet, writhing and twisting into an overly long figure, one with pitch black hair that fell straight to the floor. Lanky arms reached past its knees as it removed its fedora hat in a courtly bow. A gleaming vermilion stare pierced the darkness to regard the one who earned its respect long ago and now commands its loyalty.

Integra’s eyes narrowed at the creature before her. As dramatic and unsettling as ever, but some things will never change. 

“You are to explain your actions last night, Alucard,” she demanded with the dignity of royalty.

“Protecting London."

“Your rampage was not sanctioned. Do you know how much damage you caused the area around an important architectural treasure?”

He shrugged with a nonchalant expression. “Tower Bridge was not compromised.”

She stabbed out the cigar on her desk, crushing it in the process of creating a new circular burn on the sumptuous wood. “Then do you realize how many civilians heard the commotion?! We at Hellsing operate under the guise of a paramilitary organization. We depend on the public’s ignorance of the supernatural and you are inciting them to furor–”

"Do you order me to cease my activities?"

“...”

Her brow twitched in irritation. Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing was certain she would die one day from a ruptured aneurysm due to her servant’s actions and not via any interaction with other lesser undead. She took out another cigar to help compose herself and her butler lit the end.

"No. A vampire’s nest was successfully exterminated. Do as you will, as long as your activities do not detract from your assigned missions."

Dracula grinned. "As you wish, my Master," he hissed in satisfaction.

--------------------

He came to you again one night when you were preparing dinner at home. There was knocking at the door and you put the ladle down in surprise when his voice touched your mind.

Permission to enter, Sweet?

It was him. You tugged the door open and awkwardly stood there staring at him, not knowing how to act since the truth that he did in fact save you came to light. You still experienced insomnia and night terrors from what you went through that night, but remembering the way Alucard kept you safe and tethered to reality afterwards made it more bearable. You shivered at the recollection of how you woke up earlier today.

“Permission to enter?” He repeated himself. 

His question jolted you from your reverie. Turning demure doe eyes from his crimson, you stepped aside and let him in before shutting yourself in with a vampire.

He held a bouquet. Show-stopping lilies in red and white with orange stardust speckling the petals opened to the heavens, which were offset by the romantic whorls of the red rose. Red really was his colour. Dramatic. Like he was loudly making a declaration. 

You blinked and commented without a hint of a sardonic tone. You were genuinely curious. “I recall you had disparaging words to say about flowers and bouquets.”

His grin was less eerie and off-putting than you remembered. "You seem to favour the living dead, thus I decided that I too will try my hand."

He really was proposing what you assumed. You loved flowers, but your favouring of the living dead? Memories resurfaced of a terrifying ordeal, where a monster from hell with razor sharp teeth hunted you through deserted streets, except it was with Alucard’s face. There were gunshots and bleeding. There was death and you sat in the midst of an extremely sad scene of pain and suffering. Wait, it was long ago, but the creature in front of you did chase you for sport once upon a time. After what he did…

He wasn’t the same monster as that other one. It seemed more apt to say that the living dead had a way of finding you.

With slow, hesitant hands, you accepted his gift and set it in a vase with fresh water. The vampire made a sound of satisfaction and headed over to ‘his’ seat. He took out his guns, which caught your attention and your eyes tracked his deliberate movements. He removed the magazines and set them down on the coffee table with a heavy metallic thud before leaning back to observe you.

He was disarming himself? As if he needed his weapons to threaten you. But at least you now knew why he possessed guns. After another moment of staring back, you turned away to continue preparing your dinner.

“I’m making pumpkin puree soup with stuffed chicken tonight.”

“Sounds appetizing.” 

Strange, perhaps vampires did eat human food unlike what the legends said? “I suppose I have enough for two if you’d like to try some.”

There was one food item for Alucard in the vicinity. She was standing right in front of him offering to feed him chicken instead. He chuckled. “I am well-sated tonight, little one.”

Did Alucard have a home chef prepare his breakfast of bloody gourmet dishes? Trying to picture this was mildly comical for some reason. Maybe he bit random people on the street before he came here? Or perhaps he had arrangements with a private blood bank where he ordered his favourite blood types. Why were you spending so much time considering his meal habits? Whatever they were, the answer probably wasn’t something you wanted to know anyways. And no, you weren’t upset that a vampire wasn’t interested in eating your homemade food.

“Suit yourself,” you replied flippantly. 

Soon enough, you became immersed in your cooking and forgot about your company and his hobby of watching you go about your night. You stuck an immersion blender in the pot to puree the soup. You started humming songs you couldn’t vacate from your head lately. After checking the temperature on the meat and taking it out to rest, you rinsed the garnish and prepared to chop it.

The melody was soothing. Ahh…the innocence of a lily indeed. They suited you well. Alucard tracked you around the kitchen and relaxed into his seat.

You suddenly remembered who you were with and lifted your gaze to catch your guest’s, which was of course already fixed in your direction, staring with lidded eyes, his posture and expression at ease.

…The darkness was oozing out of him and flowing along the wall and floor. The jagged shapes danced, the red-rimmed patterns constantly shifting in evolution between one moment and the next. It was actually quite mesmerizing and beautiful. What felt like several minutes passed. It was almost like the old times when he first visited, except this current experience was much less scary. He suddenly spoke. 

“Smells heavenly, sweet human.”

You jumped at his unexpected voice and the knife passed deep through the membrane of flesh between two digits where they connected. You could probably hear the sound of a pin dropping as the energy in the room shifted. Neither of you said anything.

You saw his pupils dilate and his gaze following the ruby rivulets trickling down your hand where the flesh was cleaved open almost down to the knuckle. The sharp pain didn’t register. You were too focused on the way he watched the flow and your heart began to gallop. You shielded your injury with the other hand as the drips pooled on the cutting board.

“Umm.”

"Sweet, allow me to assist with that." 

He was before you in an instant, taking your wrist into his grip and licking his lips. You gasped in shock and attempted to pry your arm from him unsuccessfully, wincing at the searing pain. A vampire faced with a banquet of blood. Danger. The stench of your fear quickly permeated the air and you glanced up in distress. 

"I promise I will not bite. I will only take what your wound gifts me," he told you softly, though those glowing scarlet orbs betrayed his excitement. 

You looked on with your heart in your throat as Alucard lowered his towering frame to his knees and peered up at you as his tongue slid out. It was unnerving to have the cold, wet appendage laving leisurely up the trail of your life essence from the wrist to your wound, where it dipped lightly into the broken flesh and circled around, making you hiss in discomfort. 

Your other fist balled up with apprehension. You forgot to release your bated breath as the vampire repeated the motions around his chosen path. Your jaw clenched as that muscle continued to extend and he pressed more of its length against the tear.

The licking stayed gentle.

You were still tense as you distantly noticed the pain retreating. And then there was purring. Heavy purring, the likes of which you’d never heard from this creature before.

"You...are a virgin," he breathed. He lapped at your blood again in wonder, though your scent alone was already unmistakable. 

"What's that got to do with anything?" You asked with a tiny voice, attempting half-heartedly to tug your hand from him again. 

Alucard’s interest was piqued. He had a taste last year, but that was only a miniscule amount compared to what he received from you now. You were so lovely, how was it that you remained untouched, unplundered? He nearly couldn't believe you were still a virgin. He was correct to call you “sweet.” The ambrosia coating his tongue invaded all his senses. His eyes travelled down your frame with a lascivious leer, his gaze darkening. 

But your anxiety was thick.

"Don't be afraid, little one. I will not hurt you," he promised with another purr. He kept licking at your wound with purposeful laps to help the flesh heal. It was getting difficult to contain his fangs. He sensed the blood under your skin rushing to your face. You were flustered. He smiled.

You were wet from the feeding. A brief fantasy flashed by. He was on top of you, your naked bodies entangled in passion. What would it feel like for him to plunge his stiff organ through your heated walls? Or his tongue? It was so long. A flush of heat raced to your groin.

You tensed and reprimanded yourself, but it was already too late. That grin looked extraordinarily pleased. It seemed he was made aware of your mind’s fancy. Oh no. 

The cursed creature made a show of inhaling and gave your hand back. The skin was bright pink where the cut was. If it weren’t for the numbing effect of the vampire’s doing, the wound would certainly still be tender.

Alucard rose gracefully to his full height with a suggestive, glittering stare. “That need not remain a mere fantasy,” he whispered, the lights once again catching his features in all the correct ways. His nose was tall and aristocratic. His tongue came out to clean up any escaped blood from his lips with agonizingly slow licks.

You clutched your hand and stared at his lips, fully aware this was also part of his ploy to seduce you. Ancient vampires like him were probably supposed to be alluring. You stood frozen like a deer caught in the headlights.

Alucard wanted you regardless of whether you had experience, but after tasting you and knowing there had never been anyone between your legs…he growled. He was used to bedding humans. He will make your body sing from this debauchery, such that you will never seek another partner.

“All your needs and desires will be fully realized. Let your darkest dreams descend.” His voice was deadly quiet, but somehow you heard it booming through your consciousness all the same.

The rumbling growl stirred something. Again, the image of Alucard moving through your core while your legs entwined blossomed in mind. Another string of nectar dribbled from between your petals to pool within your underwear. His eyes flashed.

That mysterious energy unfurled once more and his power engulfed you. You could hardly breathe as you took in his tented trousers and blown pupils. He must be fully erect.

How Alucard wanted to tempt you into depravity with him. He picked your hand back up gingerly. "Allow me to return this favour," he murmured. "You will enjoy what I do."

Everything in this moment was crystal clear. It was like Alucard’s presence sharpened your awareness, heightening the sensation of everything around you. You knew the vampire’s touch was supposed to be frigid despite the gloves, but he was like fire. His crimson gaze was molten flames, hot and erotic. Your skin was set ablaze while your loins roiled with heat. 

What was happening to you?

His purr vibrated again. No, it was more a cross between a purr and a growl. Your legs shook from the sound.

You were flustered by his beguiling appearance, the noises he made, and his eccentricities. You were conflicted by the conundrum that was this devilish beast. He looked like a man, but his mannerisms were at times more animal than civilized. Still, you found him attractive. 

When did these dark desires come to secretly possess you?

You recalled when he was last in your kitchen and he propositioned you for sex then too. That was the first time you noticed how exquisite this monster was.

But he didn’t manage to fully melt away your defences. "I don't want to," you whimpered and clenched your eyes. “Please stop this,” you begged.

A pause.

Alucard sighed, but his smile returned quickly as he straightened out to his full height. 

Where were his manners? He hailed from the Middle Ages after all. He should not forget his courtly manners and press a lady for intercourse without doing his due diligence. He will have to win your affection and earn the privilege of bedding you. 

His grin was brazen as he caressed the back of your injured hand and stooped into a proper formal bow as if he was still a human nobleman, pressing a delicate kiss to your hand.

"My Lady, then please allow me the chance to court you properly."

~To be Continued~

Next Chapter: Courtship

Notes: To be honest, Alucard should be able to tell that she’s a virgin with just a whiff and a taste from last year when he licked up the scrapes to her legs in Chapter 1, but let’s just say he needed a larger quantity of blood to be certain, for plot’s sake.

The next chapter has been rolling around in my head for months! It should be fun.

A walk through a park in my city last autumn

A Night for Hunting Ch.7- Fear

T/W: 18+, Alucard (Ultimate) x F!Reader, memory loss, horror, violence, gore, angry feral vampire, comfort, eventual romance Words: 5066 On AO3

I'm back! This chapter taught me that I have a long way to go as an amateur hobby writer! Action scenes are hard. Hope you enjoy anyways!

You thought about him on your stroll home after dinner, that vampire that hid in shadows, that delighted you with an adorable colony of furry bats, yet who could also summon a writhing sea of vile centipedes. He terrorized you endlessly and was the cause of many sleepless nights. He was like a tempest that upended everything in his path, leaving destruction in his wake, though his majesty was breathtaking. He made you beyond angry. 

But then he unexpectedly took care of you that time when you were drunk and alone. The way he looked at you when he wasn't being an infuriating ass hat…he also physically threatened you the last time you met.

He scared and confused you. 

To your chagrin, your thoughts lingered on him, and the longer they did, the more conflicted you felt. Several weeks later, he still hadn’t visited. Part of you was glad he was finally gone for good. Another part of you had gotten somewhat used to the routine of entertaining this uninvited guest and his extended absence was beyond odd. Yet you would also be unsure about seeing him again after the way you parted last time. 

You were right. All you needed to do was endure him until you earned your freedom. It was about time he got bored and moved onto his next victim.

--------------------

A breathy moan rang out from around the corner and you got ready to dodge the careless person who was right there as you rounded the corner.

Holy shit.

They were a corpse, their skin was sloughing off, hollowed eyes glowed with a ghostly violet light. You cried out in shock and stumbled back at the last moment as the thing's arms reached out for you.

What is this new devilry?

Your head pounded, but now wasn't the time for a migraine. You jerked your shoulder back again to avoid its flailing grasp. Its fingers looked like shrivelled sausages where dried up leathery skin was pulled taut over knobby bone.

Multiple people have disappeared after dark in London over the past months –by the popular tourist attraction Tower Bridge, at an abandoned factory, and even in Soho. The sirens of emergency vehicles have been much more frequent lately. The news reports of recent mysterious occurrences you once dismissed as irrelevant freak incidences slowly gained salience. 

Haaaa. Haaaaaaa.

Your skin crawled at the raspy breathing and you took off at a sprint. The slobbering zombie followed at a fixed pace and the stench of gangrene hit you. The walls blocking off suppressed memories were peeling back layer by layer to unveil the obscure truth within. That disgusting smell of rot…triggered the forgotten experience of being tailed by a homeless woman, who walked with an unnatural jerking stumble according to the tempo of a metronome. Her face was grey and she might as well have been dead. Your heart clenched with remembrance. What were these memories? They were yours? 

You ran blindly in terror-stricken confusion with the wind in your face, taking numerous turns before finally fleeing down a flight of stairs lined with trees while slapping away the offending branches that were in the way. 

You were hastily running through a park, the one where Alucard last chased you through, where the foliage became shapes of shadow that took on a demonic life of their own.

The soft murmur of flowing water whispered into the night. The lifeblood of London glided solemnly through its path, indifferent to the woes of the people who inhabited its banks. Oh no, you inadvertently came to the Thames River. 

You gasped for breath. Historic buildings painted the river’s face in sparkling gold streaks, the image of the capital city at night reflecting radiantly on the calm surface. It was awe-inspiring. And completely at odds with how you were feeling at the moment. If you weren’t this rattled, you would have paused to marvel at the sight where the beauty of nature met the sophistication of man-made architecture.

The fetor of decay invaded your senses once more. Calm down. Tower Bridge wasn’t too distant, but this was in the heart of a tourist area. On a Friday night, it should be bustling. And there was no way you could be that unlucky.

The riverside wasn’t deserted, but it was hardly bustling either. Where were all the people?

Glancing behind to confirm that the thing earlier hadn't caught up yet, you turned to go home, only to walk directly into a solid chest. You yelped, having completely missed this person’s presence. For a moment you panicked. It was impossible for that fumbling zombie to arrive here so quickly! You looked up and breathed a sigh of relief. It was just a normal man.

“A-apologies. I wasn’t looking where I was going. E-excuse me,” you stuttered, your eyes were wide and you looked away.

The man raised a brow and smirked. 

“There is no issue, Miss,” he told you with a sweet voice and gave you a quick once-over. “But if you’d like to express your sincerity, allow me to take you out for a drink tonight.” 

“I…that’s not a good idea. I need to go, I apologize.” You were skittish and checked behind you again. There wasn’t anyone else except another couple by the riverbank watching the lights.

An iron fist gripped your wrist and you went cold at the glacial touch. “I insist, Miss. Please allow me to show you an excellent night.” His leer turned cocky, revealing a razor sharp grin. You stared in disbelief. 

Attempts to pull your hand back were in vain. Unwanted fingers flitted across the palm of your hand and he sighed, “You are very warm. I was hoping you would share some of it with me…” Your skin crawled from his touch and goosebumps formed from the seeping chill. Everything about this was wrong.

…Vampire…the word tickled the back of your mind.

Your head went into overdrive to think of a way to escape your predicament. If you were right, the ‘man’ was much stronger and faster than you. He can see and smell better than you as well. What could you do when you were completely outclassed?

You started shaking. This experience was way too familiar. Not again! You stared at him in anguish, frozen to your spot when you came up with a blank.

“I-I’m sorry sir, I don’t drink!” You whispered weakly, hoping against all odds he would let you go.

His lips curled and he took a step closer well into your space. “...Unless you believe yourself too good for me?”

You inched away despite being unable to break free and thought about screaming for help before stopping yourself. Piece by piece, the puzzle was falling into place –the mind conjured up an image of red-rimmed shadows digging into a body’s crevices, snapping bones and ripping up its limbs in a dark alleyway.

If this man was the same, you doubted any human interventions would be of assistance to you. You were completely, utterly screwed.

“Is this man bothering you?” The two women who were holding hands by the river came closer with a frown, one of them with a hand on her phone looking like she was about to call for help.

No…don’t get involved…You thought helplessly.

“Tch. You two aren’t my type. What’s this?”

–A severed forearm holding a smartphone dangled from his other hand. The phone dropped from the lifeless hand, its screen shattering upon impact with the pavement.

“AHHHHHHH!!!!!” One of the two women howled in agony as blood erupted from the stub where her arm was moments ago. 

“Hahaha. Shh…quiet down bitch, or else you might summon the ghouls.” He let go of you and faster than any of you saw, the next thing he ripped out of the unfortunate woman was her throat. You will never forget the scene. Even years later this night will come to haunt you. 

With her remaining hand, the woman held the gaping hole in her neck where jagged wisps of flesh still held on like chicken skin. She was in shock, as were all of you. Surprisingly, she wasn’t instantly dead. For several seconds, she remained standing while blood shot out in pulsing squirts. All too soon, it was like someone turned on the faucet at full blast. Her forcibly severed carotids exsanguinated, multiple ropes of blood exploded out of her throat for only another couple seconds until she collapsed on the ground with a gut-wrenching gargle as her life essence continued to empty from her vessels in powerful jets. 

The thick pool spread beneath her rapidly. It sprayed everywhere. It painted your face and filled your mouth with copper as you looked on in horror. It dumped into her open windpipe and she drowned at the same time as she hemorrhaged. The gargling was the same…as that time. You remembered now. Not long ago, you witnessed someone else drowning in their own blood beneath a monster of lore.

This monster revelled in the pandemonium and smacked his lips. “AB+ is my favourite blood type, did you know that? Much more flavour.” You weren’t sure if he was asking you.

Already drenched from head-to-toe, her girlfriend wailed with a hand pressed to her mouth. “AHHHHHH!!!!” 

“Gah, shut up, will you? She’ll be back soon enough and you can join her.” The vampire bore a sadistic smile framed by wicked teeth. He thoroughly relished killing some helpless woman.

No…

He spun around to face the second woman who remained bolted in place staring at her now-dead lover twitching on the ground. He strutted towards her.

You had to leave. Closing your eyes in guilt briefly, you knew you had to go now. There was nothing you could do to save the other woman, if you could even help yourself. When your eyes opened a mere moment later, she was already dead. Her mangled body hit the ground with a thud. Too fast. You couldn’t keep up with the pace of everything that was happening. One foot inched backward, then your other foot followed the first.

“You still aren’t interested in sharing a drink with me, love? They weren’t my type, but you are. I’ll be nice to you, I promise.” His voice travelled and reached your ears. What a twisted joke.

With a breathless wheeze, you rushed from the nightmare in front of you. All you ever did was run, but you knew there was no way you were getting away this time. Tears of desperation fell down your cheeks. 

Golden lights streaked by in the periphery of your vision in a blur. There was no comfort in the beauty of the Thames. London was your home, but for all its old-world elegance, it was as callous and uncaring of its inhabitants as the river this city depended upon. This city will offer you no aid. No, two people just died trying to help, but what can anyone do in this situation?

From beneath your consciousness it bubbled up –a flash of the floating sensation on a night you fell asleep to a familiar purr while warm golden orange orbs kept vigil as you faded away. Your eyes widened in recognition. It was too late now to do anything with the truth.

I'm scared…Alucard…

"Smells like a terrified bitch." He already caught up and took a deep whiff of the air. Red eyes regarded you with a sinister gleam while you sobbed. You stared at the monster with frantic, despairing eyes, wondering how exactly you will be meeting your end. “That’s an excellent expression!” The vampire snickered as he cracked a knuckle.

You twisted around him and kept going back the way you came from. He chuckled, wearing a demented expression baring two rows of spiked teeth. This was too much like old times. You never escaped Alucard until he decided to allow you to leave. There is no reason this will be any different, but you will try until your body gives out.

Two figures stumbled towards you up ahead. You wanted to warn them to run too, that they were in mortal danger, but the breath wasn’t available.

They were wearing the same clothing as the two women earlier. They were the two women earlier. One was missing an arm and her throat, the other’s head was split open, dripping brain matter on the ground. Her chest cavity gaped through dismantled ribs.

What in the world was going on?! 

You heaved with over-exertion and managed to skid to a stop well before you ran into them. Zombies. You were literally looking at the walking dead. Somehow, the vampire did this?! 

You were so stupid. Why did you come back this way? Even if the two ladies stayed down, there was still the one chasing you from before. Three zombies blocked the way up ahead while you were trapped down by the river with no way back up its bank without access to the stairs.

You whipped around at the guffawing murderer. There were now dozens of undead behind him. They hobbled around in an identical manner as the ones you met previously, with arms out, their corpses at various stages of decomposition. You were surrounded by a whole den of zombies. 

As if you were just going to give yourself over to your fate. 

You panted as your eyes darted about. The creatures closed the last gap in the circle around you. Tears turned your vision into a blurry mirage. There was nowhere left to go, but even if you were brutalized and died screaming, even if you didn't know how to fight, you were going to resist them, no matter how useless it was.

“Did you know that power is both a blessing and a curse? I can do stuff like this now,” he decapitated one of his undead companions and you flinched. “Yet the ladies never seem to favour me until they are my pets.”

He studied the blood trickling down his fingers, pressing his thumb and middle digit together before pulling them apart. He bursted out in laughter. “I’ll be very good to you when you become my pet, even if you’re an unappreciative whore.”

--------------------

The surroundings exploded and you squealed in fright. It was suddenly bedlam. The menacing figure draped in crimson stood with his back to you. A massive firearm pointed out to his side and he snarled, the tails of his coat rippling as if they were immaterial tassels. You knew him immediately. 

Alucard!

The clash evolved into a symphony of horror. It was almost like you were in a shooter game with him, except he never missed. One after the other, zombie heads became popping balloons, spilling more gore in a splatter of blood and brains. Each shot exploded and left a hollow in the stone wall behind the felled zombie. After the heads were gone, he shot the corpses more for good measure. Arms, legs, bodies, nothing was spared. But he never missed the mark.

You were deaf from the gunshots. As your ears rang, all you saw was the butchery of Alucard unleashed for the first time. He spun and his guns went pointing in every direction. He was a tempest, the eye in a storm of flying iron and carnage. It seemed like even those monsters couldn’t react in time. Bodies fell at his feet in pieces. The squelching sounded like when you blended your minced meats with spice and seasoning by hand. He cackled again with glee, a glint of madness in the glimpse you caught of his visage.

He resembled the time you were reunited after you moved to this part of London. His demeanor screamed of bloodlust. This was a massacre.

You flinched and covered your head when a shot found its mark closer to you and pieces of a crumbling wall scattered nearby. Forked shadow tendrils formed a barrier encircling you that pulsed with dense, arcane power. Nothing got past it. Not zombies, bullets, nor fragmented stone.

“A sorry excuse for a vampire. What will you do now that your ghouls are dead and your weapons empty?” That was Alucard? His voice was guttural and nearly unrecognizable.

“W-what are you? You m-monster!” The other vampire sounded miserable.

“That is correct,” You heard the smile in Alucard’s voice. “I’m a monster. Where are your familiars? Turn into bats or mist! Fight me like a real vampire!" He boomed.

…"Tch. Pathetic. You do not even know what you are."

Too bad Alucard’s shadow didn’t shield you from sound. Your ears weren’t working properly. The buzz was getting louder and it was difficult to hear anything else despite straining. That might as well have been a watermelon crunching. Your eyes fell shut.

-------------------- Alucard saw red. The scent of blood suddenly blossomed in the air earlier. It was miles away, but it was so pungent and strong, the odour travelled far. He rushed to investigate the occurrence, only to discover the unmistakable stench of ghouls and a lone vampire that was ubiquitous in this area once he was close enough. And then he caught the overwhelming scent of your fear. He hoped he’d make it.

--------------------

He was on one knee in front of you with his head bowed when you braved peeking out again. Something was squashed under his hand, which took a moment to work out what it was. It was what was left of that vampire’s detached head, flattened into paste on the ground with splinters of skull coming through around a mush of brain. The rest of the body convulsed off to the side before he shot it without needing to look. Right in the heart.

You winced at the bang as bile came up and filled your mouth. You retched up the remains of a half-digested meal of ramen and broth. The festering flesh and your puke, as well as the thick metallic flavour, breached your nose. It stank like putrefying meat soaked in foul blood that should be crawling with maggots. You threw up again. 

The dead vampire’s blood seeped through the cracks in the pavement and trickled towards you, causing you to crawl back against a tree and gaze around. Everywhere you looked, body parts were strewn about. Who even knew which leg belonged to which body. There were no longer identifiable heads, only viscous pools of liquefied matter that oozed from the source body stumps. Some of that stuff dribbled from the leaves of an ash tree.

A wretched whine you didn’t recognize as your own crept from your throat and you hurled yet again. Your hand landed in the puddle of vomit as you bent over for your stomach to turn itself inside out.

You lifted a tearful gaze. Through midnight bangs, a pair of blood-red eyes watched you with an unworldly blaze. You whimpered.

--------------------

Aggression and the thirst for more violence thrummed through his undead veins, but there was unfortunately no one left to take it out on. The feeling of possessiveness left him berserk. How dare anyone else touch you. How dare anyone frighten you. How dare anyone threaten you.

Your distress saturated the air. He scented the other vampire on you and growled low.

He was this close to letting you get hurt. This close to losing you. The vampire king reached for you.

“!!!” You gasped in terror and pressed against the stone wall at the craze and blood thirst in his eyes, the breathy intake morphing into a fearful squeak at the sight of organic matter dripping from the hand that approached.

The tang of your fear tainted the air even more heavily, so thick it could probably be cut with a knife. Alucard recoiled as if you struck him. 

"You are afraid of me?" He whispered, drawing back from the discovery. 

He came back to himself and realized how he must appear to you. Like a bloody murderous monster dripping in the viscera of his foe. It took all his control, but he calmed himself. Irises swirled from raging crimson into a familiar orangey-gold.

Alucard was confused, he gleaned no pleasure from your terror. He strangely found he didn't want it anymore as he took in the sight of you cowering from him with your limbs drawn up tightly against your body. Even your small sandaled toes curled away from him. 

He said your name softly. No response. “Little one?”

Your lips pressed together and you clenched your eyes, shrinking further from him.

Alucard had been away from London for several weeks on a mission for his master Integra, which culminated in an assignment out-of-country. He almost didn’t make it back in time to rescue you from the ghouls and vampire.

"I will not harm you little one. That has not changed."

You stayed huddled against the wall in the fetal position, your gaze distant as you stared blankly at the soaked ground. Alucard couldn’t pick out any coherent thoughts from your head right now, only the unadulterated fear that was absolute and all-encompassing.

You couldn’t move or object as he bent down to pick you from the ground, taking care to cradle you in a comfortable position. He took off for your home.

-------------------- Alucard arrived on your balcony. Both of you were soiled and covered in filth, yet the balcony was no place to remain. He quickly considered his options before opening the latch with a thought and floated to the bathroom. He sat in the wide shower stall with you nestled into his chest.

…He was to report on the incident tonight as soon as possible, however…he watched your stiff posture and lack of expression. Alucard flipped open his phone and placed a call to Hellsing before putting it away after giving a concise report.

“Nest of ghouls and a vampire by Tower Bridge. Targets eliminated.” He hung up before the unfortunate sap who would relay his message to Integra could say a word.

He took another look at you and sighed. He detected no spilled blood of your own on your clothes, which was encouraging. He however didn’t know how to mend your other scars, besides wiping your memory clean again. It probably wasn’t something he should do repeatedly, especially with how traumatic this experience was. But if it will spare you this hell…

Your gaze tentatively crept up to his. Your pupils were fully dilated, your eyes so wide the whites were showing around the irises. The stench of fear permeated the air all over again and you made a tiny, shrill whine. You started quivering, then all at once, you collapsed into his arms, choking on your cries with your fingers tangled in his suit.

You were completely beside yourself in shock. Air came to you in lurching breaths you couldn’t control. Alucard remained still while you came apart, unsure of how to comfort you without utilizing his supernatural abilities.

“Ahhhhh…” You moaned softly, piteously. And still you sobbed, sending wave upon wave of your confusion and panic to wash over the vampire king’s senses. His hand drifted up with hesitation. It hung in the air behind you.

Again you looked up at him frantically, desperately beseeching him for something. Your fists tightened in his lapels. The tears dripped non-stop, leaving clear tracks over your blood-stained face.

“Ahhhh…” Your voice was so small. You were small sitting there helplessly in his lap. Your face landed in his chest, smearing putrid filth over yourself, but you were uncaring of your state of cleanliness. Your hands shook as they gripped their anchor with need. You were safe now, you somehow knew this, but everything that happened was too much to bear. You couldn’t just get over what transpired tonight. You needed…

A cool, bare hand landed lightly around the back of your head, bringing you back to the reality that you were alive. Another arm draped over your shoulders gingerly.

Your loose limbs spasmed against a solid frame that surrounded you. It remained steady no matter how much you quaked. Its sturdiness became the only thing that was definitive, the only thing you were certain you could depend on to hold you up and not harm you. 

You held on tightly to your lifeline.

-------------------- It felt wrong to touch you with his soiled hands even though both of you were stained from top to bottom. He figured it wouldn't make a difference, but he removed his bloodied gloves before making contact with you.

Then he sat with you for hours until your tears stopped. Eventually the sharp draws of air evened out as well and you were able to form words once more.

"Oh God, what did I see tonight?" 

"It's no use praying to God, my Dear, He will not offer salvation. But I will do what I can for you," Alucard muttered, feeling subdued now that your cries finally died down.

“What were those things?” You whispered.

“...The things that chased you were ghouls, the undead spawn of the lone vampire who set his sights on you.” He was hesitant to tell you much more. You were a creature of the day, a daughter of sunlight, and wholly unsuited for the violent way of life at Hellsing.

After tonight, you felt you shouldn’t even be surprised anymore at finding out that not only vampires, but other damned creatures of fable also existed. The obvious question of whether Alucard can create ghouls as well didn’t cross your mind.

“Are they common? Ghouls and vampires?”

How much should he tell you? His lips flattened. After your admirable show of strength tonight, where despite the hopelessness of your hellish situation, you remained steadfast and never gave yourself up…he supposed you deserved some answers.

“You will not encounter them every night, but they are more common than you assume. Lately they have been more numerous than in past times, but they have been exterminated from your old neighbourhood.”

The night is dark and full of terror.

Understanding unravelled over the course of this night like the queen of the night’s bud in bloom. Your prior encounters with this vampire were not as random as they had seemed. Everything suddenly made sense.

“You said you were employed…what do you do?” The silence stretched out, but you had to hear it for yourself.

Molten pools of lava flashed. “I hunt vampires and ghouls.”

Everything now made sense, but the revelation that dawned tonight still shocked you, especially after what had passed. You studied his face curiously, your voice now hoarse… “All this time…you were protecting me from the shadows?”

“...” The liquid pools continued to twirl lazily as this vampire studied you quietly.

"Alucard, I-" 

You were quaking again. You threw your arms around him and buried your face in his chest in relief. In spite of everything he did to you, by some miraculous stroke of luck tonight, you were alive, all thanks to Alucard. “Thank you,” you told him with heartfelt sincerity.

His eyes narrowed. The Nosferatu was not an altruistic being. Your gratitude was undeserved. You were right –he was selfish. You told him clearly that you wished for no further involvement with him, yet he didn't want to stay away. 

He had dedicated abundant time to patrolling your former neighbourhood. Ghouls and lesser vampires were non-existent these days in your old area as a result of his efforts. After your move to the other side of London, Alucard had to make nightly hunting trips to pave the way for your safety. 

He visited you on multiple occasions. One recent night, he had to dispose of a ghoul and vampire that stalked you. As he stood on your balcony to check on you after the fact, you tried fruitlessly to sleep, your fear so biting, he could taste it outside from the balcony. 

Somehow it was wrong to him. He enjoyed your fear for the better part of the year, but for you to fear for your life when nasty ghouls and lesser vampires hunted you, it wasn’t the same as when he did it. 

He growled, the unpleasant sense of having his territory encroached on pervaded. No one else was permitted to make you feel that way. He worried about what would have happened to you if he hadn’t arrived when he did tonight. It was why he dedicated so much time to following you home these last months.

Alucard shifted to move you from his lap, but you tightened your grip on his back. "No! Don't go!” Your words surprised you. “...Please don’t leave me alone tonight." 

The vampire was tense. His first instinct was to remove himself, to self-extricate from this baffling experience. Instead, he tentatively wrapped an arm around your side while you eased back into his chest. He was confused from the mixture of your emotions roiling through his sinuses. You felt good in his arms, and he was somewhat pleased with you seeking comfort from him, but you remained frightened. After the battle, he was disoriented to find he still no longer relished your fear. 

He put another hand behind your head to massage your scalp gently. This felt right. For the first time ever in memory, you trusted him. How strange it was to be needed by another person for something that didn’t involve putting a bullet in someone's head. Such an alien experience.

Time passed late into the night. 

Eventually, you sat up in his lap with your body away from his as you stared at each other. The showerhead let loose a drop of water from its nozzle.

Drip.

Alucard backed you against the wall and bent down to claim your lips, to make sure for himself you were unharmed and safe with him. You must have been entranced too. Or possessed, whatever. But your initial instinct wasn’t to flee from this vampire.

Your vision landed on the specks of gore marring his attractive face. Sharp fangs peeked out from behind smooth lips. An image of that twisted monster who promised to do horrid things to you reappeared. He too had dagger-like canines like Alucard’s.

Before your lips met, your eyes widened and your breath hitched, and finally, you shied away from him. He let you go, brushing off the tinge of disappointment. 

Much had happened tonight.

He may be a trigger-happy killer, but he can be a patient beast too. 

~To be Continued~

Next Chapter: The Currency of the Soul

Notes: Yes this whole time in Alucard’s mind, his creepy stalking was just his way of protecting us from the other night critters he hunted during your rendezvous. He was just having some 'fun' with us while doing so.

He may still believe that what he's feeling is a mixture of obsession and possessiveness, but it's been more than that for awhile.

Now that some "misunderstandings" between us are cleared up and he's in better standing with us, the relationship with our favourite No Life King will escalate! I'm quite excited about the next few chapters!

The queen of the night is a cactus that blooms nocturnally for only one night. The flower is huge and very fragrant. It’s most commonly white and hence also called the “moonflower.” Because of its short flowering time, it is seen as a gentle reminder to cherish the important things in life because they may not last until tomorrow. In some cultures, getting to see this rare flower bloom is very lucky and considered a sacred experience. The queen of the night attracts pollinators such as bats and produces dragon fruit.