Author's note: I do not own Hellsing or its characters. This is for the 30 Kisses challenge using list theta. Theme 28: Candlelight Vigil. This set right in Integra's first year of running Hellsing. Integra is thirteen years old.
Over My Head
Integra lay awake in her bed, watching shadows on her ceiling. She could not sleep. Every time she shut her eyes, she was assaulted with images of failure and death and blood. Nightmares were nothing new for the girl, but these ones were particularly bad. A mission today had ended in tragedy, in part because the commanding officer wouldn't listen her orders. The carnage had been the worst she had seen yet. Integra was getting used to the violence and aftermath that came with her duty. She hadn't been exactly sheltered before, but her father had not allowed her any part of the fieldwork.
If Integra was honest though, she would admit that the violence and is aftermath didn't bother her as much as failure did. Her worst nightmares weren't really about death. They were about failing. Failing her duty, failing her country, failing her queen, failing her father. There were times when Integra wondered if Richard would have been a better leader simply because he wouldn't have to deal with all of the stigmas she did. He wouldn't have to fight to be respected and listened to just because of who he was.
With a sigh, Integra pushed back her covers. The girl slipped out of bed and wrapped a robe around herself. She was not likely to find sleep here again, and she had very few options. She could sit here in bed all night not sleeping like she was at some sort of candlelight vigil or she could do the one thing that allowed her to get any rest after nights like this. Integra sighed again. She really needed some sleep.
Silently, Integra made her way through the halls of the manor and down to the basement. The stone floor down here were cold on her bare feet, but her slippers made too much noise to wear. She quietly entered her monster's domain, making her way over to the closed coffin. Integra lifted the coffin lid and climbed inside. She elbowed the vampire inside sharply to make some room for herself. A pair of crimson eyes popped opened. Integra glared at him.
"Not a word, Alucard. I need to sleep, and the only place I get any sleep after the nightmares is here. And keep your teeth away from me."
"Yes, Master."
His meek tone put Integra's instincts on edge. But she really needed sleep. The vampire beside her shifted suddenly, and Integra found herself cuddled against his chest and trapped in his arms. Alucard pressed a kiss to her forehead before tucking her head under his chin.
"Sleep, Master. You can shoot me tomorrow."
