Welcome to Regenerator. There's some things I need to establish before the fic can begin. First of all, this is really a fanfic of a fanfic. This is based on the fanfic 'Succession' by Maroongrad, with full permission from her. Due to that, I'm going to include a synopsis of her work so you guys aren't completely LOST by what I'm doing here. Please, please, please go check out her work. Her writing is really amazing and her version of Alucard makes me want to cuddle up to him in a warm corner, even with the likelihood he'd rip my face off while I do it…or seduce me as he tries to terrify me. I might be okay with the whole seduction thing. *grin*
In Succession, Integra has grown old and become ill, about to die with no heir to take mastership of Alucard. Alucard *needs* a master because, without being bonded to a human mind, he will fall prey to the madness that his powers bring on. Therefore, he is a willing participant in the bond with Hellsing, although he constantly tests his bonds because he will not bow to a master that is weaker willed than he. It is based on the animeverse, so Paladin Anderson is still living. Integra looks all over for someone to recreate the ritual that originally bonded Alucard to the Hellsing family since she cannot produce a blood heir. The only one she can find that she thinks might be able to hold Alucard's reins is Paladin Anderson.
Naturally, Anderson and Alucard both are not completely in line with this idea, but with the release of Alucard's powers at stake, Anderson agrees. In bonding with the vampire, he discovers a whole new side to Alucard, a side that *needs* his master to keep the insanity at bay and needs company and companionship as much as any human, if not more so. Although Alucard will willingly and gleefully rip through ghouls, vampires and even other humans that get in his way, he is fiercely devoted to his master and anyone he considers 'his'. After losing so many masters to age and human frailty, it is something of a relief to find himself bonded to a regenerator whose life may very well stretch in years to equal his own.
As for Anderson…considerably older and beginning to feel the effects of immortality himself, he has mellowed, becoming more open minded and wiser. He can understand and appreciate Alucard's loneliness and need for companionship, and even finds himself enjoying the companionship of the vampire and the bond he has with him.
So, I definitely recommend reading Maroongrad's Succession, perhaps even before this fic, but I think the synopsis details it relatively well. Feel free to PM me with questions or leave them in reviews. I look at ALL reviews and will do my best to respond.
Disclaimer: I do not own Hellsing and I do not own Maroongrad's Succession. Sadly, she also does not own Hellsing, but we still have fun playing in the universe.