#he cracked after just a week after trevor and sypha left the first time! he is very bad at handling loneliness!!!

[konakoro]

Oh god, Alucard outlived his polycule

[schrijverr]

Tender

Trevor has bruised ribs. He doesn’t think it a big deal, but Sypha and Alucard are more concerned about him being injured and show him that he is cared for and that hurting is a big deal.

On AO3.

Ships: none

Warnings: injury, insecurity

~~~~~~~~~~~

It was dark outside and a fire was crackling. They had been on the road for some time now, trying to help where possible with the night hordes, now left wandering with no one to steer them. It was nice and comfortable to be out there for a while even if Trevor was bruised.

“Ugh, I don’t think I’m ever getting up again, my everything is blue,” he groaned as he dropped gently to the ground after returning from gathering some firewood.

“Stop being such a baby, Trevor,” Sypha told him, throwing a log on the fire.

“I can be as much of a baby as I want to with the entire forest ground trying to dig into all these bruises,” he pouted, not really meaning it.

“For a big bad hunter you do whine a lot,” Alucard picked Sypha side, because of course he did. Not that Trevor minded, it was hard to hold a grudge against the dhampir after taking down Dracula together and Trevor had found to his horror that he quite liked Alucard.

That horror had faded quickly and he had rolled his eyes at his ancestors, before happily befriending the other more along with Sypha. So he took their friendly ribbing with grace. Well… his form of grace that was. “You’re all so mean to me, I don’t deserve this.”

“Ahw, did we hurt your wittle feelings,” Sypha exaggerated a pout and put on a mocking baby voice.

“Is your ego now bruised as well?” Alucard added and both laughed as his misery.

It wasn’t that bad, just some bruised ribs, maybe cracked, but nothing more. A common injury on his part that he could function with normally at this point. Still, in the wake of their teasing he played it up, cradling his midriff as he pouted at them, which only made them laugh.

Sypha pushed his side gently with her foot, making him catch his breath slightly as she hit his tender ribs. “We haven’t even traveled that much today.”

He glared at her halfheartedly then snootily sniffed: “You obviously can just shoot beams at monsters instead of getting thrown around all day. That horde was large. And I got thrown into a tree, for your information.”

What he hadn’t expected was for them to look guilty.

“Hey now, what’s wrong?” he asked in confusion when both stayed quiet and the teasing atmosphere that had been there dissipated. “Aren’t you two going to make fun if my brittle little bones or something?”

“You broke something?” Alucard exclaimed wide eyes of horror.

“No, just bruised, maybe cracked them at worst, but I don’t think so,” he shrugged, wincing slightly at the action and completely unsure what to do with the reaction he was getting. “It’s nothing really, happens all the time.”

“Why didn’t you say so?” Sypha practically demanded as she sat up, fingers hovering over his chest as if asking for permission to examine him.

“Guys?” He was now officially confused. “Guys, come on, you’re scaring me here. What happened? There is literally nothing wrong with me, no need to fuss. I’m fine. If it’s about the teasing that was fine too, I swear. I wouldn’t have gone along with it, if I was in any real pain, I promise. Just stop with those faces.”

Both immediately tried to school their concerned faces into something else as if to please him, but it wasn’t working and their concern was still prominent. Sypha broke first, recognizing in his face that he could still see the concern as she pleaded: “Can I at least check your ribs?”

“If that will help relax you again, sure,” he said, struggling into an upright position from where he had been slumped against his pack. In the corner of his eye, he saw them both wince with sympathy and he wondered why they cared now for something relatively routine.

The cross belts, once undone, were easily slipped over his head with minimum arm movement and pain and Trevor was glad his shirt buttoned at the front so that he could just slip it off, baring his chest to them.

When they saw they gasped. He looked down, but saw nothing too bad or out of the ordinary. His chest was obviously bruised, the outline of his ribs clear from where they had pushed against his muscle from the inside when he had hit the tree. It was swollen slightly, but it didn’t look too bad.

“Wow, it’s probably not even cracked. Nice,” he smiled, hoping it would lighten up his companions, but no such luck. They stayed passive, Alucard more so than Sypha, who looked upset. Still, she raised her hand to do what she had asked: examine the injury.

At the first press of her fingers he hissed. He couldn't help it and it was completely involuntarily, but she pulled her hand back as if burned nonetheless. He attempted a smile and said: “You won’t get to feel if it’s broken if you’re scared to touch. I can take it, Sypha, it’s fine. It’s probably not broken anyway, you won’t do more damage, promise.”

“How do you that?” she snapped, clearly upset.

Trevor didn’t know what to do with that. He had never seen her this upset over him and he tried to cheer her up, even if he didn’t know how. “I’ve cracked my ribs enough time to know what that looks and feels like. This is nothing. It just happens, no need to worry.”

“This happens often?” she yelled at him. Okay, so the comfort had not worked and he didn’t know what else could be wrong beside her thinking this was a bad injury instead of a regular one, so he looked helplessly at Alucard, hoping he would step in and save him.

Alucard was no help. “While I wasn’t a doctor, my mother was, and that looks pretty severely bruised. It will take four to six weeks to heal,” he said with a frown. “You said you bruise and crack your ribs regularly? Can you breathe okay?”

“What?” Trevor said, completely baffled. “I can breathe fine. A rasp or a stab here and there, but everyone has their aches and pains.”

“And pneumonia?” Alucard continued his interrogation as he crawled closer, now also examining Trevor’s ribs. “Are you easilysusceptible to pneumonia?”

“I would have died, if I got pneumonia regularly,” Trevor rolled his eyes. The dhampir must know hardly anyone survived that, especially since Dracula’s hordes has swept over the lands. The sigh of relief Alucard gave at his answer confirmed that the other was aware of that fact and had asked it out of fear that he did, which only served to confuse Trevor more.

“Then how have you treated this in the past? When was the last time this happened?” Alucard questioned him, hands ghosting over his ribs as Sypha watched along over his shoulder with great interest.

“I walked and lived on like a normal person,” he said, suddenly feeling very exposed under their heavy gazes and concern. “It’s literally just a bruise, we all have bruises constantly. I don’t- Can you fucking stop that?” he finally snapped.

Both froze with again that guilty, concerned look on their faces that Trevor was beginning to seriously hate.

“How many times do I have to tell you it’s fine? You’re both acting like I’m going to kneel over when it’s literally nothing. I’m injured all the time, this is just a little inconvenience to me and you two didn’t care before, so I don’t understand why you’re suddenly acting like it’s the end of the world that I got a little bruise now,” he ranted.

The gigantic bruise that covered a large chunk of his chest could hardly be called little, but those were not the details the others were concerned with in their reaction.

“You’re injured all the time?” Alucard frowned as Sypha exclaimed: “Of course we care!”

“Uh, yeah, I’m only a measly human, no regeneration for me and I don’t exactly get to stay out of the way of the big hitters. My whip may give me some distance, but it’s not really a shield,” he answered Alucard, because facing Sypha’s comment made him uncomfortable.

“Why didn’t you say so?” Sypha asked, genuinely hurt. “We wouldn’t have teased you, if we had known that you were in pain. And wounds need treatment, what if you got an infection? We could have helped, Trevor.”

“I- I-” What was Trevor supposed to say to that? That he was used to the hurting so much that it hadn’t registered as something notable? That he was used to pushing through alone? That he had thought they’d known, just hadn’t cared enough?

Something must have shown on his face, because Sypha’s fiery look softened as she gently took his hand. “Trevor, we want to know when you’re in pain. You’re our friend, we don’t wish to see you hurt.”

“Oh,” was his only stupid reaction to it.

“Indeed, oh,” Alucard said, before asking, “Can I look over your ribs? I trust you when you say you haven’t broken anything, but just to be sure.”

“Ye- yeah, sure,” he replied, still thrown off slightly.

Alucard pressed where the bruising was worst, making him hiss, but the vampire didn’t stop. He just worked on steadily until he nodded to himself, before leaning down and instructing Trevor to breath deeply, which he did even if it hurt slightly.

When he leaned back, Sypha urged him immediately to give the verdict with a curious and anxious: “And?”

“He is fine,” Alucard told Sypha what Trevor had already deducted, “He should heal perfectly if we keep him still for as much as possible and put ice on his ribs two to three times a day. There is no rattling in his chest and the only out of place rib seems to be old and already healed.”

“I can make ice,” Sypha said happily at the same time Trevor frowned: “Keep still?”

“Yes, Trevor, keep still so that it can heal,” Alucard said. “It’s a miracle your ribs are mostly in the right place still. And we don’t want you to hurt yourself while walking.”

Trevor was quiet for a moment, he really appreciated their concern and the fact that they did care and hadn’t just ignored him being in pain, but he was also a realist and hardened by the road, both with them and all the years by himself. So, he tried to gently break it to them: “Alucard, I appreciate that you care and all that, but we’re in the middle of nowhere and the best we have is a shaking cart while we’re getting attacked regularly. I don’t think resting is really an option.”

“Then we’ll camp here for a few nights,” Sypha demanded sternly. “We can set up here as well as any other place so that you can rest. It might not be the full recovery time, but a bit. Until you feel better. Wallachia can wait until you’re in fighting shape.”

He would deny it to his grave, but he chocked up a bit at that. And while he thought their concern was a bit over the top, it felt nice to be cared for again, that someone was willing to put aside more important things for him.

So, despite his mind telling him it was unnecessary, he gave in: “Sure, yeah, okay.”

The smile he got in return was worth the guilt he would later feel over leaving people to their fate with the night creatures still roaming around and he let them help him back into his shirt as Sypha summoned ice.

The night was still dark and the fire now burning low. The temporary camp would have to wait for the morning and the road for later. It was nice and comfortable anyway, to be out there, even while Trevor was bruised, because he also had Sypha and Alucard and that made it better.

[spaceasianmillennial]

Part 1: Home

Summary: Trevor making his way back to the castle after defeating Death.

This is what it was, a shockwave, and then the sun pouring from the cracking skull.

I’ve done it. And so I give the world to Alucard and Sypha. 

And he was hurling through the multicolored cavern as if worlds whirled and orbited around him. This was his ascendancy, he figured, this was the multi-windowed passage toward the end, those countless levels of Hell his aunt told him about. He’ll see them all again, his father, mother, siblings if God wasn’t fucking around. What a story he'll bring to them.

But then his jaw was slammed rudely into the dirt. He lifted his head to breathe and cough out the grass blades and pebbles. A few seconds later, he squinted. Perhaps he was hurled into a circle Hell after all, perhaps taking down the Evil wasn’t enough to God. If he had the energy, he would have chuckled at the idea that God decided not to throw him in Hell.

When the haze faded and the numbness faded, he suddenly fathomed the sound of water. 

God must have flung me into the wrong Corridor. There was a sun, one that was clearly rising. It looked too nice, too serene.

Only then when he dragged himself to the water to dunk his red-welted arm and drink like a hungry beast and splash it onto his cuts and bruises did he suppose he was brought back to Earth. The spires were nowhere to be seen. This was not familiar territory. He looked for Sypha, for Alucard, but then remembering their two small shapes, the dark of Alucard’s cloak and blue of Sypha’s robes, outrunning the collapse of the bridge.

His family trained him to heal the overexerted body after the battle. Rest was important, reusing muscles in the intervals of rest was key. He turned himself over and laid on his back and let himself watch the clouds on the oranged dawn sky. How long did he hurl through the Corridor? It felt like a second and eons. It was night when he slayed Death--slayed Death, what a story for Belmont generations, he hoped to have landed in the corridor with then.

And so he was alone again.

He drifted off and awoke to blinding sunlight. He was still there. This was not a dream. After letting a few clouds pass his eyes, there was nothing to do but lug himself up and stagger forward. He looked at the direction of the river. He did not know this river but there’ll always be towns near rivers. So he followed it upstream.

When night fell, he was sleeping under trees again to settle his bones. In the mornings, he skimmed the grounds for trail mixes and non-toxic mushrooms and bushes for edible berries, thanks to old Speaker lessons, a blending of Belmont teachings derived from their recorded conversations with Speakers (Belmonts could document, Speakers could not), and a bit of the additional knowledge Sypha gave him.

What was that village again? Alucard was with a village headwoman. Perhaps it should have helped to ask before they had to run off to deal with the matter of the madman and the Rebis.

The river trails did lead him to empty villages, with burial grounds and hollowed huts and cabins. It took some deduction and a map he salvaged along with a black cloak to shield him from the hot sun. He did not stay on the path but kept it in sight as he walked through the secluded trees. If there were highwaymen or that damn “pirate of the road,” he didn’t have the energy to really deal with them. The thrill would be nice though.

From the map, he surmised that Danesti was that nearest village to the castle. He vaguely recalled it being nearly a stop when he set off on the road with Sypha. 

--

When he made it to Danesti, there were lumps of burial grounds and a ravaged fortress. But at least there were a few souls, loading wagons, perhaps moving to leave behind the memory of carnage and some that lingered near the burial grounds on their knees, paying their respects.

Trevor found another useful thing. Or it found him. A sturdy black horse with a white diamond on the forehead that nuzzled him when he entered the scratched open gates. It had a steady saddle and pouches. 

No soul around seemed to be interested in it. The horse probably lost its owner. Better not waste a ride. He summoned his strength and threw himself on, the aches rippled through this body, from head to toe, but it was worth it to not move his achy legs even if the road bumps popped waves of back spams.

He so looked forward to a bed, that bed in Dracula’s castle that he stayed in before he went off to adventure with Sypha. He and Sypha slept in different rooms then.

Sypha. He hadn’t talked about it with her. He had seen Belmont women spout curses at their husbands before they would ask God for forgiveness. It was probably a lucky guess the moment Sypha starting screaming curses, but he also noticed she refused her monthly rags and the smell of cooking meat irritated her--“Get that fucking frying pig away from me, Trevor.” It suddenly occurred to his brain that they weren’t as careful on that Lindenfeld bed. Damn it. He always took precautions with any one-night stand he was with. He had no interested in progeny, especially not ones hidden from his knowledge, for this was not a world for new Belmonts. For him and Sypha, an extra mouth to feed was just not in the cards. 

But now, it seemed that the possibility was closer. Death was defeated. 

He had to know if they would live through it all. Sypha probably knew it already of course, before he did. She would figure that out before it did. It was best if Sypha simply confirmed with him before they could have that conversation, if they could rejoin her caravan (Speakers had childbirth knowledge and ways to expel pregnancies) or lay low at the castle (Alucard ought to have knowledge as well). 

Sypha should have been the one to tell him. But he understood if Sypha wanted to murder him for not bringing up. 

He had to know they if would finish Targoviste, although god knows fuck what happened now that they had to abandon it. Every time they moved from troubled town to troubled village to follow the next reported human sacrifice, Sypha would mutter, "We cleared out the night creatures and vampires for them, but we have to trust the people now to save themselves the best they can."

If they had time in that castle... But of course, facing the slews of night creatures and then Death, it was his last and only chance to acknowledge his suspicion to her, regretting the conversation they’ll never have. She knew how to take care of herself and other people, so he had to bring peace to her mind to let her know that he knew--suspected--of something growing and existing within her and that he had faith that it would grow into something wonderful.

Now unless God was fucking with him and threw him into limbo, he’ll ought to find her. The Castle was the natural first stop, at least to talk to Alucard. But it had been, what, a few weeks? He surmised that it was enough time that she would be venturing to her caravan.

--

“Trevor, if you die, I’ll return to my caravan where I would mourn for you, my rude idiot. And I’ll give them every story, our victories and your idiocy.”

"Haha. Also, I'm not going to die."

“If I die, join my caravan. Gain knowledge, exchange it. You don’t have to have the Speaker robes or the mantle. But you won’t be lonely and you’ll be around my family.”

That was the backup plan. She discussed this under the blanket, her cool bare skin against his torso. 

“And what if I rather be alone than with Speakers?“

Her answer surprised him. “Go home, to the Belmont Hold. And you can be lonely there then.”

“Are you forgetting who occupies the Hold?“

“Exactly. You two can be alone together.”

--

She was being generous to make a plan for him. But truth to be told, he would have been happier to wander alone again. At least that's what he told himself. He realized, if Sypha was gone, if her bare flesh wasn't against his right now, if God decided to snatch her from him, he thought about what he would do. She wasn’t wrong. He realized he would have been drawn home to curl up in that tree, and this possibility would also come with seeing Alucard again to break the news.

The spires. The castle.

He could see the spires of the castle now. Alucard that asshole better have that soft bed ready. And with luck, Sypha would be still there or he’ll have to rest to find her.

She probably left. 

As he rode closer to the castle, Trevor could hear people, wagons, horses clopping, and the sawing of wood and clinking of hammers. How long has it been again? Perhaps the refugees were still here, practicing caution in case the demons came back for their village.

Feet scurried close. He was quite ready to fall now. Quite ready to let the Earth be his mattress. The horse came to a halt. He could let the generosity of humans do the rest from here.

The aches yanked him down, two gentle hands graced his back, softening the blow. He squinted as the hood fell and the sunlight poured. He recognized the feel of those small hands as one feels when putting on old clothes.

It was just his luck. There were her big blue eyes, and he was more lost in those seas than he ever was in what his aunt called the “countless levels into Hell.”

“Hello Love.”

--

Next up: Sypha’s angst during those two weeks.

--> PART 2

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[sellyoursoulforagoodfic]

Hiding Things to Save Them Chapter 4

Trevor Belmont x reader

Summary: So you can apparently fight, and by the way he’s not the last son of the house of Belmont . . . 

Word Count: 1628

For almost three weeks he’d been in the little village staying with a woman he still wasn’t convinced wasn’t just a dream. With the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded her little house, it was easy for Trevor to start calling it ‘home’. The two of them had become close from their near-constant conversations that neither wanted to dwell on the fact that their time together was quickly coming to an end.

Unfortunately, a forced reminder came by way of about seven men cornering Y/N as she was leaving the market. She’d gone to gather groceries for the next few days while Trevor went to the tavern for a cask of ale for the pair to drink with dinner. As soon as she realized the strange men were following her, Y/N started subtly veering into an alley away from the busy people of the village. Either these men were bandits and she could handle them before they went after anyone else, or they were tailing her because of Trevor. Of course, the men took the opportunity provided by the narrow path to trap her, forcing her to stop.

Cautiously, Y/N set her few bags on the ground off to the side to free up her hands. “Can I help you?” Her hand drifted to the small of her back where a curved dagger rested in its sheath.

“Father Fredrick has been hearing rumors about you housing a drifter of a rather unsavory sort,” the one directly in front of her replied, fingers tightening on his own sword. “Sent us to talk to you about it.”

“I would think the good Father would be proud of my hospitality. That’s what he teaches, isn’t it? We should be accepting to travelers?” she did her best to sound innocent.

“That would be the case,” a man to her left said, “but there are other concerns about your . . . hospitality.”

“Many,” this one was behind her, “are saying that you’ve been having an affair with the man. I’m sure you know that it’s frowned upon to have an unmarried woman with a man staying in her home unsupervised . . . Rumors could be rumors, but you’ll understand if we air on the side of caution.”

“I don’t have to defend my honor to the Church’s thugs. I have done nothing wrong, and the lot of you cannot tell me what I should or shouldn’t do in my own home.” Her blade was now at her side, drawn from its sheath and clenched tightly in her fist.

As if taking that movement as a threat, the first man cracked his neck and raised his blade. “The most concerning matter, however, is the talk that the Father has heard about just who this drifter is. Several say they recognized the crest on his chest when he first arrived.”

“So the man is from a known family. All the more reason to be welcoming,” she shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 

“Then I assume you will be surprised to learn that he has reason to believe this man is a Belmont.”

“I will believe no such thing,” she lied smoothly. “That man introduced himself as a Louis, and I would sooner believe him than the rumors of uneducated housewives looking for the latest gossip.” And with that, she struck.

~

“By the time I found her, she’d downed all but one of those men,” Trevor was saying. “When I struck down the last, she was half crazed from her wounds and fear and didn’t recognize me. She lashed out and caught me off-guard. I was damned lucky I didn’t lose my eye.”

“Hold on, are you saying that she was the one that gave you that scar?” Alucard asked.

Trevor’s hand raised to trace the old wound of its own accord. “Yes. Once she came to her senses, the woman panicked for hours. She literally dragged me back to the local healer. They managed to close it the same day, but you wouldn’t know it based off how much she apologized.”

“Wait, they had a healer that skilled yet left them alone but came after you?”

“It . . . was not a good town. And they weren’t that great of healers, don’t be fooled. It was closed, but in case you haven’t noticed they left a pretty nasty scar behind. It didn’t matter, though; she moved right after. We were more cautious once she got settled a few hours away in a new village.”

“So you kept visiting her?” Sypha spoke up.

“Whenever I can,” he nodded. “Few times a year for as long as I can get away with without people figuring out who I am.”

It was odd, Sypha decided, to hear him talk about this woman in the present tense. Usually, when he referred to his family it was in the distant past, so it seemed strange to know that this woman was still out there.

“About six years ago we got married,” Trevor decided the blunt was to drop that bit of information.

Alucard chuckled. “As Trevor Louis, I presume?”

The hunter groaned. “God no. I fucking hate that name. I love her with all of my heart, but that woman cannot think of names in a hurry.”

“Then how . . .”

“It required a fair bit of travel, but she managed to track down an unbiased priest that was still loyal to my family. As far as their goddamn God is concerned she is a Belmont. As far as anyone else knows, she is a Monbelt.”

Sypha couldn’t stop the hysterical giggle that tore its way out of her throat. “Monbelt?! You give your wife a hard time, and that’s the best you could come up with?!” She dissolved into a fit of laughter that brought a light blush to Trevor’s cheeks.

“Indeed,” Alucard was smirking. “An anagram? I know you are not the brightest, Belmont, but I assumed you could do better than that.”

“Alright, we’re both terrible at making up names,” Trevor muttered, crossing his arms. “Either way, moving on with the story, that priest hid the real paperwork deep in their archives.”

“Now that is uncharacteristically wise,” the dhampir mused. “It prevents the nonsense of accusing her of impropriety, hides her true involvement with the Belmont family, yet if they demanded it they could feasibly find the real documentation . . . Though in the current climate of the church, perhaps it’s a good thing they won’t stumble across that paperwork . . .They seem to be torn between wanting you dead or worshipping you as a second messiah.”

“I do have a question, though,” Sypha started, still smiling residually from her little laughing fit.

“If it’s more about the name thing, I think we’ve talked about that enough.” Though Trevor sounded annoyed, both of his companions could see the amused smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“No. I was just wondering . . . If your wife is such a fearsome warrior, would she not have been helpful in the fight against Dracula?”

That question had Trevor choking on his own saliva after a surprised sharp inhale. “That’s--I’m--” he couldn’t come up with the words.

“After what he’s said about the woman, I rather doubt our valiant hunter would put the woman he loves in that kind of danger regardless of how . . . as you said, fearsome she might be.” Those golden eyes flitted back up to Trevor. “Although, none of his explains your repeated insistence about your status as the last Belmont.” His head cocked to the side. “You have a child. Don’t you?”

Trevor’s first response was a shaky nod. Admitting his fears was something his father had trained him to avoid at any cost, so he chose to keep his mouth shut. All his aimless drifting kept his family safe. The drinking made people think he was idiotic, incapable of having any sort of relationship let alone something serious. And it had the added benefit of numbing the pain of being away from them. He hated it whenever he went home and saw how much his child had grown during his absence; it just reminded him of what he missed being there for. Needless to say, it was more than a little terrifying that someone else was learning about his little family since it made all that time he’d missed completely worthless.

“And with that, I think we’ve passed Trevor’s threshold for storytime,” Sypha spoke up upon seeing the distraught look on the man’s face.

“Belmont,” Alucard removed his arm from around the magician in order to lean forward, elbows resting on his knees. “I hope you realize that my offer still stands. Very few people are as . . . good as you and Sypha. Times like these, I find myself thinking like the man my father was around my mother; I want to protect the both of you. If this woman has captured your heart, she is clearly of the same caliber as you. It will likely never be safe for the lot of you out in the Wallachia that wants the Belmonts dead. Bring them here. We are atop the library that belongs to them, to your child, and the land that belongs to them. They should be here anyway; the fact that this is the safest place for them is . . .” Alucard smirked as he chose his next words, “a luxury we can most definitely afford.” The little taunt pulled a tiny smirk to Trevor’s lips too.

Sypha absolutely beamed at the offer.

All at once, Trevor’s usually-tense body seemed to sag into the couch in utter relief. “Thank you, Adrian.” The use of his real name surprised the dhampir. “I suppose . . . I should go fetch the missus.” He winced, biting his lip. “Don’t tell her I called her that; she’ll kill me.”

From there, all three fell into laughter.

[just-castlevania-imagines]

Traded Secrets- Alucard x Fem!Reader

Alucard and Trevor always have banter but when Alucard pushes the envelope too far, Trevor uses a secret Alucard told him against him.

“This trip is going to be what we all need.” Trevor said, cracking his knuckles and packing the covered wagon. Alucard chuckled, tossing a couple bags in himself. “Honestly, I don’t see why we need to travel. I have a lot fo work to do with the castle still-” “But when’s the last time we were all together?” Trevor said, “Take your head out of your ass for a minute and appreciate the company.” “Fuck off, Belmont.” the vampire said with a giggle. He stopped his task for a moment to look over towards the castle, seeing Sypha and You talking to one another. Your hair was blowing lightly in the wind and your smile making the day brighter. Alucard let out a loving sigh, not realizing that Trevor was looking at him. He raises a brow and looked to see what the vampire was looking at. “Staring at her ass?” “Oh please. Not even close.” “I was.” “Pervert.” “Oh like you have room to judge me... I mean, Just look at her,” Trevor said with a playful growl. “Those eyes.” “Those lips.” “Her smile.” “Her voice.” “Those hips.” “God, Yes those hips.... Belmont are we bonding?” “No, Of course not.” “Good.” He said,  getting up in the wagon and sitting on the edge. “She’s so beautiful.” “She’s mine though,” Trevor said confidently. “We’ve gotten pretty close in the past few weeks we’ve been travelling.” Alucard opened his mouth to say something but paused for a moment instead. He looked at Trevor, cocking his head to the side slightly. “....Wait you were talking about Sypha?” “You weren’t?” “N-no.” “Oh... well good.” Trevor said awkwardly. “...So.... Y/N?” “We are never going to talk about this again.” “Agreed.”

You all piled into the covered wagon, all sitting in a circle inside as the horses trotted along. “This is going to be fun.” Sypha said sweetly, “We go to a few towns, spend some times relaxing and enjoying local sights and shops. It’s the break we all needed!” “It’s great to have everyone together again.” You said, putting a hand on Alucard’s shoulder. He noticibly tensed and Trevor gave him a knowing wink. Suddenly the vampire regretted being so open with the hunter.  “So where to first?” He asked cooly, happy his nervousness didn’t show. “There’s a little town not far to the west I’ve been hoping to visit. They have a bar.” “Oh, A bar!” Sypha said excited. “Trevor’s only taken me to one.” “Well, I didn’t think you liked going.” Trevor admitted. “Let me tell you though, I learned Sypha can drink me under the table-” “Don’t listen to him, I had 1 beer-” “Oh you did not.” As trevor and Sypha continued to argue you giggled, leaning over to whisper to Alucard. “They sound like an old married couple.” “She can do better.” Alucard said, with a smirk. You smiled, ready to defend trevor when the wagon suddenly stopped. you all sat up, some of you grasping at weapons.  Trevor peeked his head out of the wagon first and let out a small chuckle which put you all at ease. “What happened?” Sypha asked. “We came upon a small pond. the horses stopped for water. Nothing serious.”  “Well, We’re about 20 minutes out from teh next town.” You said, “Let’s get out and stretch our legs while the horses eat and drink.” “Good idea.”

“So... Y/N?” “Belmont, I thought we weren’t going to talk about this.” Alucard said exhausted, listening closely to make sure you and Sypha were still tending to the horses. The wagon was in the way, keeping him from seeing you directly but he was pretty sure you weren’t listening. “I’m just curious.” Trevor defended. “I told you how I feel about Sypha.” “And I told you we weren’t talking about this.” “I mean... It’s not the worst choice.” Trevor said. “I mean, Sypha’s got a better ass but-” “You’re blind, then.” Alucard commented, unable to hold his tongue when defending you. “Have you even seen  Y/N’s curves?” “She does have nice figure.” “Can you imagine,” Alucard said breathlessly. “that body writhing in my bed.” “Consensually, Right?” “You’re not funny.” “Nice tits, too,” “Oh they’re fucking perfect.” He practically growled. “I want to sink my teeth into them.” Trevor smirked, enjoying the fact that he was able to actually get the vampire to let his guard down. He was a little unhappy that it required him to get him hot and bothered about you but leverage is leverage. “She’s flawless.” “I’m hearing pure lust. Do you love her or just want to sleep with her?” “I don’t see why I can’t do both.” “Point taken.” Trevor shrugged. “ So...What would you do to her?” “And why should I tell you-” “It’s cute how you’re dangerously unaware of how much you’ve told me already.” Alucard gasped, looking at Trevor with a peircing glare. “..Y-You wouldn’t dare-” “What? Tell her that you want to ram her into your bedpost? Give her little 1/4 Vampire babies? Leave bite marks all over her breasts and make her your wife? No, No, I would never.” “You’re testing me-” “That’s one word for it.”

When you finally arrived to the town and the bar you noticed that Alucard and Trevor hadn’t spoken to each other since the impromptu stop. You wanted to ask but decided against it, simply sticking close to Alucard. He seemed nervous, always glancing at Trevor and then back to you. When you all were seated you finally asked. “Alucard, Are you alright?” “I’m Fine.” He answered quickly. Sypha noticed, pouting a little. “Are you sure? If you aren’t feeling well-” “I just need a drink.” “Now we’re talking.” Trevor said excitedly, “I’m partial to that table over there in the corner. Let’s get a couple mugs filled and take a seat.”

Trevor and Sypha finished telilng a story about their travels, you and Alucard smiling and laughing politely. He continued to glance at you at odd times and his gaze would always return to Trevor. As Trevor and Sypha argued about a minor detail to their story, you whispered to him. “Alucard, what’s wrong.” “Trevor is annoying me. That’s all.” “Well, do what you do best. Annoy him back.” You said sweetly. Alucard raised a brow but it seemed he suddenly got an idea. He had divulged a lot of information, sure....but so did Trevor. “Sypha,” Alucard started, a cocky smile on his face. Trevor didn’t care for it, immediately tensing. “ Are you enjoying travelling? With Trevor?” “Yes!” She said excitedly, “It’s so liberating to be on such an adventure, protecting the people from monsters and demons.” “Is he being good to you? Keeping his hands to himself?” “I don’t think I like what you’re implying.” Trevor cut in, his eyes twitching a little. “Want to tell me what you mean by that?” “Well, I know how.. perverse you can be.” The vampire taunted, “Sypha is a very attractive woman.” “Watch it.” Trevor warned. Sypha was a bit confused by his sudden aggitation, pulling on his shirt sleeve. You simply sipped your beer and kept watching whatever the hell was going on. “You’re getting a little to close to the fire.” “I’m simply stating a fact. Does my interest in Sypha offend you-” “You’re being an asshole you bloodsucking fuck-” “Trevor, Please.” Sypha begged. “What has gotten into you?” “N-Nothing it’s just...” Trevor took in a harsh breath and glared at the vampire, noting his cocky smile hadn’t faltered. Alucard took a sip of his beer and Trevor shifted his gaze... to you. “Y/N,” Trevor started sweetly, once again dramatically shifting tone. Alucard panicked, putting his mug down immediately.  “Belmont, don’t you da-” “Alucard wants to fuck you.” You and Sypha just froze. even Alucard seemed to have a hard time processing what just happened. Alucard went from shocked to absolutely pissed in a minute. “..Um,” You started. “What?” “He wants to sleep with you-” “That is enough.” Alucard warned. Trevor simply ignored you. “Yeah, He wants to just ram his cock in you, told me himself-” “Belmont-” “Just completely destroy your body and cover you with love bites-” “Outside. Now!” Alucard whispered harshly, his eyes irradiating pure anger. You were just taking everything in and Sypha was... just so lost. “Oh, and somewhere in there you’re bearing is children-” “Coming from the man that bragged about Sypha’s perfect ass!” “Excuse me?” Sypha said, turning to Trevor angrily. He immediately stood, putting his hands up defensively. You sipped your beer, watching with bated breath to see where this drama was going. “Now hold on, it’s a compliment-” “Ah yes,” Alucard said, “You said she’s ‘practically yours already’.” “He said what?”  “Sypha please,” Trevor cut in. “It was harmless.” “I don’t know what’s going on but both of you are acting like children-” “He started it.” Trevor whined. “going on about fucking Y/N into the ground-” “Trevor, I said, Outside. Now.” “And what makes you think I want to go outside and talk with you?” “Oh, We’re not going outside to talk.” Alucard threatened, making your spine shiver. “Guys, You may want to tone it down a bit.” You warned in a low sing song voice. The other patrons of the bar were looking at your table and a faint glow came to Sypha’s cheeks. “..W-We should go.” “The hell is your problem, you prick-” “Trusting you. Trusting you was the problem-” “Well mabye if you were’s such a fucking shitbag-” “Will you both stop it!” Sypha whispered sharply. “ You’re making everyone look at us.” “Oh, he probably likes it when people watch,” Trevor teased. “It’s probably a guilty pleasure-” Trevor was cut off with a merciless puch to the jaw, sending him backward and tripping over his own chair. A few people in the bar chattered on and simply watched. Sypha had had enough and grabbed you, taking you with her as you both left them to their little fight.

The wagon ride was silent as your little adventure was cut short. The battered and bruised combatants were sitting next to one another, looking in opposite directions while Sypha scolded them both. “We can never go back to that town again, do you understand that. After that ridiculous display!” They said nothing, letting her get all her anger out. You sat on the sidelines, trying to catch Alucard’s eyes. He wouldn’t look at you. You let out a sigh, trying not to let it upset you. It seemed like he sensed your sadness, finally looking over to you and catching your eye. He was frozen in your gaze, a blush creeping into his cheeks. You gave him a light smile and it seemed to put him more at ease. He smiled back. “But Sypha-” “No, I want you both to go on seperate ends of the wagon and think about what you did.” “We’re not children-” “You’ve been acting like it all day!” Alucard didn’t say anything, simply getting up and walking to the end of the wagon and dangling his feet off the side. As he passed by you he motioned for you to join him. You followed, sitting beside him and staring at your feet as the hung over the moving road. “I’m sorry,” He started. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble back at the bar... but more importantly I didn’t mean for you to be so disrespectfully dragged into it.” “..It’s okay.” “No... It’s not. I should have never spoken about you like that and I deserved to be humiliated by you finding out like this.” He didn’t look at you, keeping himself focused at the ground. You smiled, putting a hand on his and holding it firmly. “Alucard... I’m so flattered that you feel that way about me...and I...don’t mind honestly.” He finally looked up at you, a mix of hopeful and confused. “Actually.. could you... tell me yourself anything you’ve ever said about me?” Still confused. He just stared at you for a moment, probably unable to process what was happening. He then suddenly gave a wicked smile. “My Lady, I’d be honored. Just scoot a little closer and I’ll tell you everything.”

[aquilaofarkham]

morning sun

Alucard can’t believe his eyes. For a moment, he thinks it’s a trick as he stares down from the top balcony. The castle still keeps some magic that hasn’t fully died out and is using it to toy with him. Making his way down the steps, Alucard struggles to remain composed. Please be real. Please let them be real...

“Sypha? Trevor?”

After spending a month as the sole occupant of both Dracula’s castle and the Belmont Hold, Alucard receives a much needed visit from his two closest and most loved friends. Contains major spoilers for episode 8 of Castlevania season 2.

rating: general

word count: 2,536

AO3

--

Alucard is used to the silence. He had no other choice; it was one or the other. Allow his loneliness and grief to swallow him whole or find comfort in solitude. Every day he loses himself in books, test tubes, and scientific devices, trying to focus his mind on something else. Anything else. A scrap of history thought to have been lost to the ages or a medicine that can cure even the plague. While every night he buries his tearful eyes into his pillow. There are times when the feeling is just as painful as it was that first day alone. Then there are others which are quieter, leaving him numb and disassociated.

It has been like this for nearly a month now. The steps leading up from the Belmont Hold creak every time Alucard puts his foot down. There’s still much work to be done in repairing most of the staircases, but he’s light on his feet. He only needs one to take piles of untranslated books and manuscripts back up to the surface. Alucard finds himself spending more and more time in the library than within the castle. Perhaps because unlike the other, one fills him with happy memories that don’t send aches through his chest.

Upon reaching outside, the dhampir is greeted by a clear blue sky and the smell of rain that’s come and gone. The weeks leading up to spring have always been his favourite. Brighter mornings, softer rains, and the promise of better things to come. Something to look forward to.

Alucard is always in need of things that help him look forward rather than back.

--

“You think he’d still be there?”

“Why would he not?”

“Well, you know... he could have gotten bored.”

Sypha scoffs. “With all that knowledge surrounding him and with so much to do? I doubt someone like him would get bored so easily. You on the other hand might.”

“That’s not true.”

“Is that why you entrusted him with your own family’s history instead of yourself?”

“It was a gift! You kept telling me to be nicer in the first place.”

They play, they jest, but deep down both Trevor and Sypha share the same fear. That in their absence, their friend has vanished. Wandering just as his father once did or shutting himself off from the outside world. While they were off having adventures they only dreamed about, creating new stories for themselves, they left Alucard to pick up the pieces. Sypha loses sleep over this thought; Trevor mentally tortures himself but doesn’t let it show.

So, as they drive their wagon down a familiar path, the two of them hide their fear behind harmless banter. It works - for now.

--

The work never seems to end. There’s always something else that needs Alucard’s attention, another antiquity that needs to be preserved, translated, and studied. Even the artifacts that made up his past life hold new discoveries. At least there’s some distraction, no matter how temporary it may feel at the end of the day.

Looking over his newest finding, Alucard can’t help but left out a brief chuckle. He remembers teasing a certain hunter over his family’s affiliation with the occult and magic. Now Alucard has even more proof: a couple of dusty 9th century grimoires as thick as his arm. Though his satisfied glee isn’t out of pettiness.

He barely cracks the spine on one before he hears the massive castle doors open. Despite being tucked away in one of the many studies, he can still sense it. Confusion bubbles up within him, then suspicion. 

Then hope.

--

There’s no need to knock for the doors open all on their own. Sypha looks over at Trevor with their arms full of baskets and parcels. All they can do is shrug and assume the castle must do that for everyone now.

“Anybody home?” Trevor calls out, his voice echoing through the main hall. A much different place than when they last left it. Still empty and quiet, though. Perhaps a bit too empty. Trevor’s stomach feels tight while Sypha’s eyes shift around nervously. Their steps become slower the further they walk.

--

Alucard can’t believe his eyes. For a moment, he thinks it’s a trick as he stared down from the top balcony. The castle still keeps some magic that hasn’t fully died out and is using it to toy with him. Making his way down the steps, Alucard struggles to remain composed. Please be real. Please let them be real...

“Sypha? Trevor?” His voice shakes as he reaches the bottom step. Sypha is the first to notice him. Discarding everything in her hands, she runs forward. She exclaims his name before colliding into the dhampir, her arms wrapped tightly around his body and her cheek planted firmly against his chest.

“We missed you so much!”The sudden physical contact surprises Alucard, but he doesn’t dare escape from it. He embraces Sypha as closely as she does him. 

“I missed you too.” He looks up to see Trevor sauntering towards them, a familiar crooked smile on his lips.

“You’ve redecorated.”

“You combed your hair.”

The two men laugh as though nothing has changed. Suddenly, the castle feels less empty. “Where did you two run off to?”

“Too many places to name at once,” Trevor replies.

“We brought presents!”

“I’d like to hear everything.”

“How much free time do you have?”

Alucard smiles; for them, he has all the time in the world.

--

“You disguised yourselves as plague doctors?”

“It was the best idea at the time. We needed to get out of the city without the merchants seeing and then chasing us with the tips of their swords right up our arses.”

“I thought you were going to help people.”

“We were helping people!”

“But Trevor, as always, couldn’t keep his mouth closed around the wrong people.” Sypha remarks, taking another sip from her glass. The dining table is a mess of half eaten food, chicken bones stripped of all meat, and unwrapped gifts as fresh wine stains blend with its dark wood. Charming trinkets and clothes from every corner of Wallachia lay scattered amongst the plates and candles.

“Don’t act so innocent, you pissed them off as well.”

Alucard slips another grape into his mouth. He hasn’t talked much since Trevor and Sypha returned, only because he’s far too busy listening to them speak. As soon as all three of them sat down, they bombarded him with stories of their adventures (or rather misadventures). Every person they met, every city they helped, and every evil they stamped out engrosses Alucard. They’ve been filling his head for hours and he hopes it never stops even though it will have to eventually.

“How are the Speakers?”

“They’re all well.”

“Sypha’s quickly become the most popular Speaker in all of eastern Europe.”

“I certainly do not doubt that.”

“Thank you.” Sypha holds her head high, proud and knowing that every bit of praise directed towards her is well deserved. “Although my efforts to keep Trevor out of trouble have been… unsuccessful. Sorry to disappoint you, Alucard.”

“That I also did not doubt. By the way, do you still call him ‘Treffy’?”

Trevor almost chokes on his drink. “You remember that?”

“How could I not… Treffy.”

“Stop that.”

“Come to think of it, it oddly suits you.”

“See?” Sypha side-eyes Trevor with a sly grin. “At least someone agrees with me.”

“I have a chicken bone and I’m not afraid to use it.” Despite his mild annoyance, Trevor laughs alongside his two companions. “So, how goes your new life as scholar and protector?”

Alucard’s smile lessens. He knew that very question would get brought up. He tells them the truth – a gentle version of it. “It’s solitary. But it has kept me occupied. There’s so much hidden within this castle and your family’s hold, I uncover something new every day.”

Sypha’s eyes sparkle with intrigue. “That sounds incredible. You have to show us.”

“She has a point. Why keep all that knowledge to yourself? Why not release out into the world? You’d be doing a lot of people some good favours.”

“I have… considered it. My largest concern is how the larger population will react to such a burst of new information.”

“The Speakers would absolutely welcome it. You should have seen their faces when I told them of what we found in Trevor’s home.”

“But not everyone thinks like you and your family, Sypha. How will humans cope with knowing that the world they live in is dominated by science, magic, and their worst superstitions come to life? Opposing forces coexisting with one another and have been for centuries now. You don’t think people will be overwhelmed, terrified, or even furious?”

Trevor raises an eyebrow. “So, what you’re saying is if people weren’t stupid this wouldn’t be a problem for you.”

“Ignorant. Sheltered. Comfortable with beliefs they’ve held for most of their lives. What I’m also worried about is what they’ll do when they eventually realize where this knowledge is coming from.”

Sypha and Trevor are silent. Alucard’s concerns are not unfounded or irrational. They don’t need a reminder of what happened to Lisa and the Belmont family.

“Alucard…” Sypha begins, nervously holding her glass. “Can I ask you about something?”

“Of course.”

“After everything that’s happened… how do you feel about humanity?”

Alucard doesn’t respond right away – he doesn’t give much of a reaction at all. He thought he had the answer long ago. When it came to humanity at large, he shared his mother’s love and compassion for them. The belief that they were capable of good coupled with the desire to help those who needed it. That compassion remains but it’s since been mixed with different emotions. Suspicion, anxiety, caution. Self-preservation. There were days, painful lonely days, when Alucard wanted to reverse his decision and go back to Gresit.

Then there were the things that stopped him. His books, his work, and the thought of two humans.

“I don’t know,” he mutters. Once again, the gentler truth. The silence of the dining room grows thick with no one knowing what to say next. Until Trevor takes initiative.

“Shall we talk about something else?”

Sypha quickly jumps at the opportunity. She talks about Bucharest and the beaches of the Black Sea, of castle ruins and untouched wilderness. Trevor talks about dancing with her while wearing flower crowns and entertaining Speaker children with stories to keep them up at night.

Alucard, as always, listens.

--

Dusk comes sooner than anyone expects. The sky turns a warm orange and golden hue while the winds settle down. Alucard stares out the window of his study with a hand resting against his chin. Below sits Trevor and Sypha’s covered wagon just outside the castle entrance. Come morning, they’ll return to it and head off on another grand adventure. Alucard is happy for them; Wallachia seems too small for a Speaker magician and a vampire hunter. Of course he wishes they would stay for a bit longer, but he wouldn’t force that upon them.

“Go to sleep, Trevor.” He says without turning around. “You have a long journey ahead of you tomorrow.”

Seconds pass before Alucard hears footsteps coming into the room. “How’d you know it was me?”

“I know everything.” There’s a hint of playfulness in his voice, which amuses Trevor. “Having trouble sleeping?”

“You could say that. All that good food and drink. I also wanted to see what else you’ve done with this place.”

“Really?”

“Actually, I… got lost.”

“Colour me not surprised.”

After Alucard has a good chuckle, Trevor’s expression softens. “It’s good to see you again, you bastard.”

“The same to you as well.” Alucard turns around, expecting Trevor to continue wandering the castle in a confused daze. Instead, he joins the dhampir by the window. “I know I said this before but… thank you.”

“For what?”

“For giving me the Belmont Hold. It doesn’t happen often, and you may not realize it, but you have a hidden skill for generosity.”

“I’m flattered. And you’re welcome. As long as you’ve been keeping it in good shape.”

“I am, there’s no need to worry about that. I’ve spent so many days down there, it truly has become my second home.”

“And the caskets full of vampire skulls don’t bother you anymore?”

“Well… no, they still do. But I should apologize. Your family history is so rich and fascinating, I feel guilty about all the things I said the night we went down there.”

“You’re actually apologizing? I think some dust from the library must have made its way into your brain.”

Alucard rolls his eyes. “Where do you and Sypha plan on traveling to next?”

“We’re not sure. But we have a couple days to figure that out.”

“What do you mean?”

“She didn’t tell you? We’re staying here for the next little while. You can’t keep that library or laboratory all to yourself forever, you know. And Sypha needs more things to impress the other Speakers.”

Trevor talks about it so casually while Alucard is left wide eyed and stunned. He turns away, his face basking in the sun’s dying light, in case he cannot stop the tears. “Thank you…”

“No need to thank us. Isn’t that what friends d–“ Trevor quiets down as soon as he sees the dhampir trembling. When he carefully places his hand upon his shoulder, his suspicions are proven true. “Um… is everything alright?”

“Yes.” Alucard lifts his head, forcing a smile through the first tears. “Yes, I’m fine.”

“I’ve never seen you cry. Didn’t think it was possible.”

“It is possible.” More than possible. Despite his weeping, Alucard’s voice remains soft, low, and gentle. “I’ve cried so much, I keep believing that I will drown or drain myself completely dry.”

“What do you cry over?”

“So much… too much.”

As the tears continue, Trevor cups Alucard’s wet cheeks in both palms. He’s never been good at comforting – both Sypha and the dhampir know this all too well – but he can try. He can always try.

“Why are you doing it now?”

“… because I’m happy. I haven’t felt this happy in a long time. And I know it will not last, but… I’m sorry.”

Trevor draws Alucard in, letting him rest his face in the crook of his neck. “Stop apologizing. And stop crying, you’ll make yourself sick.”

“Always so considerate.” Alucard’s comment resembles something like a laugh and a sob. He clings to the hunter, savouring his warmth for as long as he can. For once, he doesn’t mind Trevor’s musky smell. In a moment, he feels calmer. He can finally breathe easy. His head still feels heavy and when he pulls back, Alucard can’t stop himself from resting his forehead against the hunter’s. Trevor lets him – it’s the least he can do. He just hopes the dhampir doesn’t notice the heat radiating from his cheeks.

“Come on, bat boy. Let’s get you to a bed.”

“Yes, Doctor Belmont.” With his arm around Trevor’s shoulders and the hunter’s arm around his waist, they leave the study, walking out into the hallway.

“Uh… why don’t you lead the way.”

[chalabrun]

whatever happens

Word Count: 2,738 Pairing: Syphacard Rating: T Warnings: Some suggestiveness Summary: The Greeks have a philosophy: what we consider beautiful, we are terrified of. Alucard never understood what it meant as a child. But after falling in love, he finally did.  A/N: Huge thanks to mercytxt for helping me with the scenario premise for this! 

( READ ON AO3 )

He looked at her the way Greeks did their philosophy: beauty was terrifying. When his mother had first read the phrase in some old tome that smelled like cobwebs and warmth and old parchment, he had looked at her quizzically, not understanding. Mama, why was beauty terrifying? He didn’t understand and had forgotten about it. Once, he’d asked his father, but all the old Count could explain was that it spoke of being in love and what it could do to people, its beauty, and what one would do to keep it. And still, he didn’t understand. Lisa had laughed because he was too young. He laughed, too, and Dracula smiled in amusement.

Alucard was much older now, and he understood. His father had killed for love, for Lisa’s beauty beyond the physical. He saw how terrifying it became.

Across the fire where they’d sought shelter from the winter interlude, again he understood—another chapter. Beauty was terrifying. Beauty was a kind smile and gentle, sky-blue eyes and hair like maize or pale gold. Eyes that drank in books more voraciously than blood, that stood before nightly terrors and declared, I’m not afraid! 

He couldn’t stare for too long at the Speaker, Sypha animated as she spoke with such a mesmerizing candor that he soaked it in like sunlight. But, this couldn’t be love. Not when the sole thing louder than her bewitching conversation was the pulsations, the beat of her heart that rattled the very air and agonized him in temptation. Blood his fangs lengthened yearningly for, wanted red and livid.

That wasn’t love. That was bloodlust. The yearning of a beast.

Brows furrowing, Alucard numbly excused himself for a moment as an reason to recoup; a piss-poor excuse. Claiming to be patrolling the perimeter of their camp when it was needless due to his extrasensory perception that could sense anything that stepped within a ways of its borders. But, it was time distracted, watching as people sleepily submitted themselves to their tents until Sypha was the last one left.

Somehow, there was a God he’d have to thank for that.

“Oh, Adrian, I was wondering where you went off to,” the scholar greeted sleepily as she brought her knees to her chest, opening a wing of her heavy blanket invitingly to share in her warmth. As always, he was too much a fool to think of refusing. Not when it gave some paltry excuse to be close. “The night’s so beautiful, isn’t it? The others are right; maybe I am risking a cold, but it’s almost too beautiful for me to care.”

Did she realize her own wonderment was far more beautiful than the sky could ever be?

“Yes, it is.” His eyes were nowhere near the stars. “Perhaps you should heed their words. I can keep watch, Sypha.”

The blonde snorted openly at that. “Are you kidding? After they made us dinner and let us stay in their encampment? No, kindness has to be repaid with kindness. Besides, isn’t the view a bit of a bonus?”

He wanted to agree, but when Sypha scooted marginally closer he could feel warmth creeping along his sides, the nape of his neck, like he’d been burned by the loveliest fire. Her fire. “I— Surely their kindness must extend to me as well,” he protested, but it was weak. Empty words and emptier wants when her sweet scent was so intoxicating he wanted to drink her in like water. Like a man crawling on the desert sands and finally able to slake his thirst after so long.

“Sorry, Adrian, but you’re outvoted here. It’s the view and their kindness versus…well, that kindness applying to you only. I’m afraid it’s majority rules,” Sypha reasoned with a short laugh, certain as not to awaken the others. She wrapped her arms around her knees again, seemingly oblivious to Alucard’s incremental closeness.

“It’s funny, isn’t it?” He perked up at this, genuinely interested. “The stars are so far away and cold… And it’s winter here. It’s cold here, too. Do you wonder if one of those stars is a place like this with people gathered around somewhere warm? Do you think they look at us and wonder what we’re doing?”

“They might. It’s hardly implausible to wonder,” Alucard answered neutrally even though his heart warmed tenderly. She bore so much of the same intelligence his mother had. It made him ache and yearn all at once despite being barely millimeters apart. “Although, I doubt those people could fathom someone such as yourself. You’re one of a kind, Sypha.”

Sypha blushed; he could feel it with wan, secret delight. “I hope you mean that in a good way,” she teased placidly. There was no offense in her voice, just a genuine wonder.

“Why wouldn’t I? Do I have reason to lie?” He could see flashes of her neck. Flashes like dreams. Bathing still in her warmth.

Sypha’s brows furrowed, smiling wryly at him. “I should hope not, I—”

The scholar never had the chance to finish as Alucard suddenly craned downwards to gently capture her lips in a kiss. There was nothing overbearing or forceful about it, just a shy passion that bubbled to the surface. Against her own awareness, coming as easily as instinct, she leaned into it while Alucard hummed warmly. A hand touched her waist, holding by the small of her back while she leaned into him without even thinking twice. Her hand curled into a fist by the lapel of his jacket, pausing once to catch a breath while she felt the prominent well of an eviscerating loneliness and despair and grief well profoundly in him.

With a gasp did they part, Sypha breathing hard and staring at the dhampir in mute shock. It felt accusing, even if it wasn’t, Alucard swallowing down a breath and just as shocked as she at what he’d done almost subconsciously.

“Adrian—”

Wordlessly, guilt opening a black hole in his heart, he sat up quickly and fled the incriminating scene in ground-eating strides, not giving time for the blonde to digest what had just happened between them.

A week passed, maybe more. She hadn’t seen Alucard since that incident, even Trevor wondering where he’d gone. Not in Castle Dracula, the Hold’s library, or anywhere else she could think of. Not the places she thought, and even exploring that treacherous palace yielded little. Guilt wracked her heart and her mind, spiraling into confusion she hid behind a studious and chipper exterior even Trevor hadn’t caught on to. That…kiss, it was just a fluke, right? Maybe he’d mistaken her, or—God, she didn’t know. All she did was she’d returned it, Something she shouldn’t have done, especially considering it was just an accident, right?

“Look, Adrian, next time you fuck off for a week could you at least tell either one of us? Throw a brick through a window or something,” came Trevor’s familiar, exasperated grouse. It was the voice she heard that caused her to internally retreat.

“You seem to forget I am in no need of permission for affairs that concern me. In any case, I was investigating something at Styria’s borders. A lead to find Carmilla.”

“Ugh, whatever. Do what you want,” Trevor murmured dismissively before espying Sypha, feeling her nerves constrict her throat as he clapped her on the back and smiled crookedly. “Ah, the voice of reason. Maybe you can talk some sense into him.”

Sypha smiled half-heartedly. “Ah, yes. I certainly can try, Trevor…” Though, her voice tapered off, leaving an enormous gulf only she and Alucard occupied. Almost ready to flee again, she instead steeled herself. “Adrian, may I speak with you?”

When she stood face to face with him, it was being struck by lightning. That same, lonely gaze that thawed from behind his frigid exterior caught her off guard, made her resolve nomadic. Still, she couldn’t run away. Not now. She’d fought hordes of evil, for the love of God! “…I needed to apologize. For what happened last week. I cannot know what brought it on, but—I did wrong by prolonging it. And for that, I’m sorry.”

If that was true, then why didn’t it feel like a fluke? Like something lighthearted and funny between friends? Why did it feel like someone had dumped lead in her heart and left it there to hang and tear? She felt a hot sting in the corners of her eyes, averting them from that honeyed gaze of the dhampir she knew could strip her to the bone if it wanted. Where were the gamey jokes, the teeming laughter at an understanding of that kiss’ nature?

Alucard watched as Sypha crumpled into herself, murmuring another apology as she mistook his silence for mortification.

Wait. No, I wanted to kiss you. I want to, please. Don’t feel this way.

But, he couldn’t bring himself to say it. Instead, Sypha’s retreating back was all that filled his vision, that crippling hunger and the sickly sweet yearning for her that boiled with the sting of self-admonishment: how could he be such a colossal fool? Ground-eating strides followed her in hot pursuit. “Sypha, wait!” he barked after her, catching her by the bicep as the blonde sagged and he thought he heard her choke on a sob. “I wanted that. I wanted you.”

At that, Sypha whirled around, flushed and sobbing messily. “I’m not a little girl, Adrian! You don’t have to indulge this foolishness. Not even for me!” She shook back a sob, voice cracking. Why was she so heartbroken by this?

Not another word could be spoken as Alucard suddenly framed her face with his hands and brought her lips to his own, this time no passion disguised, unbridled and roiling. Sypha was stock still in shock before she found herself succumbing to the kiss, those hands replaced around her waist and back, bringing her flush against his form while breathing became a forgotten practice as he kissed her woes away, even if new ones took their place.

“Sypha, I know what I want. And it isn’t to reject you. No…I want you.” There was a marked vulnerability in his voice, so rushed into the present that she saw how it evaporated the chilly exterior of control he wore like a mantle.

It wasn’t enough. Not when hers was a dam near overflowing. “Adrian, why—I, I don’t understand!” Was what it that made her heart hot and cold all at once, reveling in the kiss while despairing in it in one breath?

A heart blind to the love it was in.

“Sypha, you know me. I do not act upon capricious whim. Especially not in affairs of the heart. …The kiss, I don’t know how else to say that I’ve fallen in love with you. What else would you have me do?”

“What would you have me do, Adrian?!” Sypha demanded brokenly as she extricated herself from his arms, cheeks still awash in tears. “Do you…see yourself? Know what other people see? There’s a sadness in you and it’s so deep I feel as though it could swallow me whole! I saw it in you, and in your father when we defeated him. And if I became to you what Lisa was to Dracula, what would that mean if I died? If something happens to me? We haven’t seen the full extent of your power and I’m afraid of what you could unleash if it came to that! What…horrors could be done all for the sake of revenge! Adrian, I don’t want to be the thing that makes you into a monster!”

Sypha sniffed and calmed herself somewhat, eyes shining as she gazed on him, imploring, stricken. “I saw what he was capable of. How could it be any less true of you, dhampir or not?”

That stunned him into a silence unprecedented. He remembered overhearing snippets of her conversations with Trevor shortly after they’d discovered the Hold, of the bottomless despair and mourning prominent in his character like a black hole that swallowed every good thing it touched. How it was different from Trevor’s, fathomless. Though he couldn’t say a word in reply, rendered speechless by such an astute and eviscerating observation, he gathered one of her hands to place a tender kiss upon. He wished she’d say something else, a clear cut distinction. Anything but this grimness.

Sypha shivered, but not unpleasantly. “Adrian…don’t let me become your weakness. Don’t let me become the reason you’d lose your humanity. Even if our enemies used me against you, please—promise me.”

“Never. I promise.” he swore in a harsh, adoring whisper, imploring and clinging to her every word. So much fear and longing in his gaze, so contradictory, even as Sypha bumped their brows together that he leaned tenderly into.

Saying nothing more, he wrapped his arms around her, Sypha surrendering to his embrasure.

They needed time after that, to simply process everything that had been said, this tumultuous proclamation of love. Now, for the first time in ages, he understood what all the love poets meant by love that was never easy, filled with strife and sorrow for every moment of happiness and beauty. It truly was agonizing, wasn’t it?

He was alone in one of the Hold’s many alcoves, perfect for a solitary reader such as himself, before Sypha found him in their shared silence. It was an uncanny thing that made his heart throb adoringly.

Wordlessly, she curled into his side and he gladly made room for the small woman, struck by how petite she was when the blonde nestled into his flank and wound an arm over his middle and buried her face into his chest. Surely, she heard the way his heart beat a little louder, apparent by the way he felt the weight of her head against his chest. His lips grazed the crown of her head and he gladly held her where she lay, breathing in her sweet scent.

This was the weight of the war they’d waged, he realized. She was only human. And sometimes, she didn’t want to have to be strong and invulnerable, but small and pliant and held.

“…I’m sorry about what I said earlier. It wasn’t right for me to compare you to your father. You’re nothing like him, Adrian.”

It had hurt, it was true. But considering how he feared his own nature like a reaper, such sentiments were unavoidable. “It’s only rational to at least wonder after such a thing, Sypha. In fact, I forgive you totally. Considering all we’ve been through, I can hardly blame even an impasse.”

Sypha sat up some, lower lip worrying. “You can’t just let me off the hook like that! I understand, maybe some of him is in you. It is! It’s inevitable, but—you don’t use what he’s given you to the ends he went, to the means to an end that he tried!” She deflated considerably, sighing deeply. “I know you. You’re not like that.”

He didn’t know what to say to that other than she was right. How his very alias was an axiom, a reminder of what he’d always be: the exact opposite of what his father had been. Even so, a relationship between them wasn’t guaranteed to be easy. Not when there was so much opposition ahead, not when there were enemies stacked against them still. Those vampire generals alone commanded legions, and those loyal would thirst for vengeance.

A soft sound of disquiet was uttered when he felt Sypha try and maneuver him into her arms, something he submitted gladly to. He nuzzled into her bosom and sighed contentedly when he pressed his cheek against her heart, against her softness while her arms cradled him near. It was a tender moment, one that made him shudder before melting into a warm haze.

“Adrian?” she asked after a long moment. “Can you promise me something else?” Sypha paused for a beat, one gold eye cracked lazily open that met hers. “I want to be your strength. I don’t want to be the reason for your weakness in any capacity. Can we try and do that, please?” Her voice was thick with sentiment, something that made her throat bob with it.

Though, his eyes sank closed again, nestling anew into her embrace.

“Yes,” he murmured drowsily, “I promise