Chapter I
The Talk-Prologue
A/N: This is a serious canon-divergence and is a part of an Au, I'm creating, so this is kind of the first part.
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" Have you changed your mind, yet?"
Seras huffs, before chugging down a significant amount of ice, cold beer and contemplated whether or not to drink until she was too plastered to stand. She couldn't do this now or more like she didn't want to deal this now, it was childish of her, she knew, but! But! - UGH!
She just didn't know what to do. Her heart said one thing, while the more reasonable, sane, logical side of her brain completely argued against her acting on impulsive emotions.
" If you were human you probably would've damned your liver right about now."
She finally removed the glass from her lips, placing it delicately upon the bar table with a click.
She looked at him this time for the first time since they've been here.
Here, being a bar, a bar named Igor's, promptly named after the owner Igor, who was just as ancient as her former Master, except for the fact that he was of the werewolf variety, and except for the fact he did appear worn down by age, from the hard wrinkles by his eyes, the rigid scar that tore through his left eye sealing it shut and a strip of flesh ripped from the right side of his face, giving a grotesque view of his sharp, pearly white canines.
He was quiet, a type of no nonsense man, responded in gruff, grunts and growls and is an extremely large individual, standing a good two feet above her master. And speaking of her master, Igor wasn't his biggest fan and wasn't afraid to show it, since he busted up his bar in some petty fight. Breaking hundreds of bottles of expensive liquor and countless damages in infrastructure. Surprisingly, enough her master paid for the damages with 70% interest drawn from one of the his, probably many treasuries that he has hidden all over western Europe. He was a king before, at least she hopes that's where his money is coming from, either way she really didn't wanna know.
And grudgingly and beyond her comprehension, he let her master come back, he still didn't like him, but left generous tips, so he left it at that. From what she could tell her master seemed quite fond of the bar. It was small, cozy even and surprisingly, sit -spot clean and she also suspects that honestly what caught master attention the most was that it was pretty quiet, never too crowded and was simplistic in design. For Seras she could almost call it home, she found the place soothing to be in, many times she found herself on raining days, lounging about and reading one of the many novels she picked from her endless library. Not to mention Igor served more than booze and had an array of coffee and teas, much to her pleasure.
But she was getting off track here, trying to avoid the topic at hand.
From the looks of it he hadn't moved his gaze from her not once, and it unnerved her to know end, as he peered at her with half-lidded eyes and a passive gaze, which perturbed her more because of the ridiculous beard. He appeared so different…..with that thing on his face, and she desperately hid the urge to want shave it off his smug face.
" Your one to talk, that's your fifth glass of scotch." she nodded towards the shot glass in his left hand, while the other supported his chin. He was also, startlingly, dressed casual, a white dress shirt and black slacks, it was a breather, to actually see him in normal clothing, and not any of his tone deaf attire that he is, so fond of wearing.
" I don't get as drunk easily as you, my dear."
She stuck her tongue at him, mainly because he was right one beer was usually enough to have her slurring her words and giggling like a lune, but she'd be darned if she admitted that to him.
There was a moment of stillness occasionally sipping on their respective beverages, as they listened to the news which was currently splayed up the small television that sat at, well more like hung at an angle over the bar, it was cracked and had many wires sticking out of it, but apparently it's been working for years, seeing that not once did it short circuit, since they've been hanging out here.
Seras, barely paid attention, one thing that about being inhuman these days is that human politics have no effect on her anymore and second, British politics are hell rising or anything involving politics really, and lucky she didn't have the responsibility to vote now.
Alucard listened more closely, yet remained apathetic, it was all Greek to him, voting, elections, parliament, electoral colleges, primaries, it was all nonsense, it didn't make any sense to him, leave it to humans to make everything more complicated than it needs to be. Everything was better when the world adhered to monarchies and systems, everyone had a place and duty, where everyone stuck to it and didn't question things, like the good old days and none of this …...democracy?
" Why?"
" Huh." his attention snapped back to reality or to woman before him. She went silent, her brows raised and her fingers tinkering with her locket that hung from her neck and rested at the valley of amble chest. He knew this look, she was thinking, trying to pick and choose her words, so he gave her, her space which was alright with him as it gave him extra time to just - look at her.
She was wearing a short, black dress, which modestly reached her knees, the prude
And had long sleeves. Her nails and lips were painted a bright crimson and her hair was left untouched as he rolled down towards her waist. After, what, he honestly, couldn't remember, she stopped cutting her hair and just let it take a course of her own, he didn't know about her, but to him it was the best decision she made. He liked how soft and curly it looked, how it framed her face, how it made her look mature, like the draculina she's supposed to or more like is. However, despite this, her expression was sullen, her red lips were set in long frown, as she watched the drips of water slid down her glass.
" Master, how long have we've known each other?"
" Centuries. Why?" he was a bit taken back, out of all the ways he predicted this conversation, this wasn't one of them.
" Remember, back when I told you how I felt, I told you that I loved you and you rejected Me." it was more matter of fact than anything. She wasn't upset, because she knew the answer beforehand. She knew he would reject her, and it hurt, but not as bad as it would have been if she entertained the fantasy of him being in love with her. She had feelings, but she was also no fool. But, no so many decades later-
" Yet, after a this time, you love me, now. Why?"
She gazed back at him, her sapphire eyes filled with confusion.
He didn't break contact, as he took another swig of his scotch, revealing in the feeling of the clear liquid burning his throat, giving him the confidence to speak his mind, without hinges, without being vague about his emotions, but he was absolutely sure that by the time this conversation ends, he wasn't going to be sober, as motioned for another drink, this time straight vodka.
" People change, Seras."
" Meaning?"
" Meaning, that I have long since stopped viewing you as just my loyal servant. You're -you're more to me than just that."
" More to you?" she should be ecstatic, yet caution was the only thing blaring through her thoughts. She knew her master and knew him well, both the good and the bad, well more bad than good.
" Seras, look, I know our relationship has been-"
" Rocky."
" I was thinking tense, but I guess rocky works. But anyways, what I - what I'm trying to say is that I'm interested in courting you."
Courting was such an odd word then again using the word dating, when referring to herself and Alucard was even stranger. Romantic interests or lovers sounds infinitely better - Wait? She wasn't no - it's just.
" Seras?"
" Huh-yes."
" Will you."
" Will I what?
" Will you let me court you?"
" Master, I-"
" Vlad."
" What?
" That's my birth name. I want you to call me by it from now on." he raised, a cautious hand, a bare hand, relieved of his gloves, to push a strand of golden hair behind her ear, gently brushing his knuckles against her cheek.
Seras bit her lip, what was she to say? What should she do? She felt the beer she drank want, desperately, to make an encore.
" Vlad, I -I don't know." she whispers, peering down at her locket, again, twirling it between her slender fingers.
" Why?" he had to stop himself from saying more, before he was starting sounding desperate.
" What you said before about people changing."
" Yes, what about?"
" Vlad, sometimes…...sometimes….. People don't change. Especially , people like you."
" What's that supposed to me?" He should of taken offense to that, but the stinging pain of hurt was the only feeling that consuming him at the moment.
" I know what you are. I'm not blind.
Please, don't look at me like that, I'm not saying that to hurt you, trust me.
I love you, I really, really do. Sure I can deal with all your bizarre idiosyncrasies, but that was only because our relationship was- well was master and servant, I could live with that then. But, now, now I don't know if I can. Your impulsive, rude, I can never anticipated your moods sometimes, your fickle when you want to be ,not to mention cruel and bloodthirsty. How do I know you're going to be committed, and not just one day get up and leave without so much as a single word. How do I know this isn't all a game to you. How do I know that you truly want to love me and be my equal, if you keep shutting me out all the time or pushing me away when you don't feel like being bothered. " She paused moment, looking him dead in the eye to make sure she got the point.
"I can't do this, I can't be with you, if you're going to act that way. I can't." she didn't want to cry, she told herself, lectured herself not to cry, but the tears involuntary came forth, warm, as well as unwelcoming, burned a pathway down her face.
He was stunned silent for a while he didn't know what to say, his mouth felt uncomfortably dry, like sand was just poured in his mouth, but try to wipe her tears away with his thumb.
" Seras. Seras look at me." he lowers his voice, to attract her attention. She wiped her nose and face with the back of her hand, sniffling as, she tried to gain the courage to look at him.
" Yeah."
" You speak the truth, people don't change, especially people such as I, we never do nor ever will, but for your sake I'll do anything you wish of me, I promise you that at least.
I know I'm more monster than man, and I can never be what you truly deserve, but I can do what I can, if you'd be mine." he voice was, yet, more importantly sincere, more sincere than she could bare at the more and impulsive need to wrap her arms tightly around his neck and kiss him senseless was overpowering and that's why she needed to leave. To leave, so she could think rationally and thoroughly.
" Vlad. Vlad can you give me some time to think about?"
" Of course, I'll walk you home-"
" No. That's alright I want to walk by myself tonight, if you don't mind."
"Are you sure."
She nods her head in affirmation, slowly sliding off her seat, to leave, however, another wave - call it a need or maybe want, but whatever it was made her lean over and press her lips to his. It was chaste and he certainly wasn't expecting it, but he returned it with fervor, pulling her closer, and gently biting bottom lip, as she held onto his shirt for dear life. He wanted more, he wanted her, yearned for her taste and her touch, her scent alone, smelling of honey, drove him mad, but in the most delightful ways, he wanted to continue, but was suddenly interrupted, by loud grunt. Seras immediately pulled away from him, her cheeks flushed, and bottom lip swollen and her hair in slight disarray, she looked absolutely tempting - but the dirty look Igor gave him kept him doing anything further.
"Sorry, about that." Seras smiles apologetically to the old bartender. He only tips his head in acknowledgement, quickly turning back to washing glasses.
She glances back him a shy expression kisses her lips " Good night, Vlad."
" Good night, Seras."
" Alright, see you later." she waves, as she particularly skips out the front door, the bell up top signaling her departure. He sighs as leans back, having zero intention of leaving anytime soon.
He jiggles his empty cup devoid of anything, but halfway melted ice.
" Do you have anything stronger than Vodka?"
" Why do you want to know."
" Because I'm going to need it."
" Haven't you drunk enough."
" Not until I put myself into a coma that'll hopefully last until the morning."
" I have a bottle of Everclear in the back."
" How much?"
" 95%."
" Excellent."
TBC
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A/N: Is this chapter a bit too sappy, I don't know maybe. I'm just wanted to write a Aluseras fic, where alucard doesn't act like a grade A- A-hole with no redeemable qualities and for absolutely no reason, which I see an abundance of in a lot of fan fictions concerning this couple, note that I have nothing against anyone who does write these kind of fics, nothing personal, just not my cup of tea.
Anyways, can you believe it took me a whole day to write this, not to mention on a horribly upset stomach, ugh, it was the only way to keep me distracted from the pain.
Well, that's it for now, Comments are always welcomed.
