It was truly a wonder that Ryan survived the 8 hour flight back home, between Ari poking him every 2 minutes and the screaming kid 3 seats up he almost wished he'd stayed with Integra. Feeling a weight settle on his shoulder he grinned leaning over slightly to make his silver eyed 'sister' more comfortable. He really didn't see how she could sleep on a plane but when he thought about it he guessed any sleep she got was rare having become an insomniac after she turned 12. The only time she really slept was during a storm and even then she didn't like it because she enjoyed staying up to watch them. Closing his hazel eyes the ginger thought for a moment. Ever since he had known Ari, which was a long time being as their parents were best friends; she had always pushed people away. He really didn't understand what she saw in the fanger but he was hoping that Alucard could make her happy in the long run. Having sent a large amount of time with Integra over the past few months the redhead had had to get along with the Hellsing vampire as well. He seemed fine if you could look past the massively homicidal tendencies and necessity to drink blood to survive. Cole on the other hand seemed to be a tad obsessive in his pursuit of the raven, not that he had actually caught on to the fact that Ari was being courted by Alucard. The soldier still didn't like the fact that she hung around the undead thing as the private called him.
Seeing Ari clinch a little silver egg closer to her chest he rolled his eyes. Whatever the nightwalker had gotten her meant a lot, but if it really was a dragon egg Integra would be furious when the thing hatched. Alucard drove her crazy on a good day, Alucard plus a baby dragon on a bad day was a recipe for trouble. Made when they got back he could talk her into taking Alucard out so he could have some alone time with the knight. Nodding to himself he closed his eyes, yea that sounded nice, no bloodsucker to ripe his head off would be great.
Readjusting the red lensed wire framed sunglasses on her nose the teen looked around with a growl. Really her mother was 20 minutes late. Ryan's parents had been here when the plane arrived and had offered to stay until hers got there but she didn't want to trouble them, besides with Baskerville and Vladimir flanking her she doubted anyone would try anything, after all how many dogs had 6 eyes? A sudden gust of wind made her shiver, pulling her light jacket tighter around her she growled. Dammit she had forgotten how cold winter was in Indiana, Europe was pretty nice all year so she had been wearing shorts even in the upper 30 degree weather. She liked the cold so she didn't see the problem with it. Seeing the familiar blue Camry cruising towards her she picked up her bag and clicked her tongue to get her dogs attention. Lifting the trunk lid when the car stopped Ari tossed her luggage in before opening the back door letting both her wolf and borrowed hellhound jump inside. Luckily Baskerville could change his size at will, so now he was only a few pounds heavier than Vladimir. It made moving him a lot easier even if he was practically a giant puppy around her anyway. Sliding in beside her mother she waved grinning. "Sup mom?" Giving a smile of her own Susan pulled away from the curve heading back home.
"Nothing really Ben is happy your back. Why didn't you tell us you got another dog?" Turning to look at both mutts she tweaked their ears as they gave a happy tail wag.
"He's not really mine; I'm just taking care of him until I go back to London." Sighing the blond gave her daughter a look before turning onto the parkway.
"Well what's his name? I can't just call him dog for 2 weeks."
"Baskerville." Susan frowned glancing at the dog in her rear view mirror.
"You mean someone actually named their dog Baskerville?" Giving said dog a reassuring pat the teen frowned.
"What's wrong with that? I happen to like it." The women laughed rolling her eyes.
"Of course you would. Have you talked to your father lately?" Pulling her i-phone from her pocket Ari checked to see what day he had called.
"He called me last week. Why?" She shrugged ignoring the glare her daughter was giving her.
"No reason. So we've decided to celebrate Christmas while you were here so you could open your presents with us, how does that sound?" Ari hummed watching it snow.
"Fine but I'll need to go shopping for gifts before we do. Just a random question but what do you think a 6 century old vampire would want for Christmas?" Blinking at the question Susan looked at her child skeptically.
"I don't really know. I would think that he'd have everything he needed." Ari sighed slumping in her seat.
"Yea that's what I thought too." Feeling a sudden wind rock the car Ari was glad she had packed a few pairs of jeans Alucard had stuck in her closet, a little hint that he wanted to see her in them. The vampire did have some subtle ways of getting a point across when he needed too. More often than not he enjoyed being a drama king though. 'What the hell am I gonna get him as a gift? He still has the blood from his birthday, what else could he want?'
After 4 days of wearing shorts Artemis couldn't take the cold anymore so she broke down and finally slid into a pair of blue jeans with an expensive label across one back pocket, not seeing the point in wearing a regular t-shirt when she was already making the effort to wear the jeans she slipped on a black long sleeved top Alucard had also picked out. Tugging the shirt up to save a little self-respect she guessed the Nosferatu had planned on her wearing these clothes just for him and not out where other males could see her. Being sort of sadistic herself she found it quite funny when he threatened to maim someone just for checking her out when she did take him for an enthusiastic walk. Although she was slow most of the time she had her moments of genius, one was figuring out that Alucard liked low shirts on her because he could see down them without trying. Another moment of genius was when she finally remembered to make Baskerville leave the room when she changed, no dog stares that hard at something that isn't a T-bone steak. Cracking the door to her mother's guest room open she smiled seeing both her black mutts waiting patiently. Being as it was nearly 3 in the afternoon there meant it was around 9 in London so Alucard was up and probably watching through his hellhounds eyes. "If you'll give me a minute to get food boys I'll take you out so you can feed, Baskerville." One of the good things about hellhounds was they ate ghouls and other low level supernatural creatures, since they were in the middle of nowhere low level creatures were plentiful. Peeking into the kitchen Ari sighed seeing her mother gathering ingredients for dinner, deciding to get it over with she plastered a smile on her face and walked in. Glancing at her daughter the blond did a double take frowning deeply.
"What are you wearing?" Fidgeting with the hem of her shirt the teen looked down very self-conscious. "When did you start buying nice clothes? Or have enough money too?" Narrowing her eyes she tossed her phone on the bar ducking into a cabinet to grab a cookie before answering.
"I didn't buy them, Alucard did. And I have nice clothes; I just don't wear them often." Setting her mixing spoon down Susan turned really looking at the name brand mark.
"Who is this Alucard guy?" Blue-grey eyes lightening she remembered something. "Oh a few weeks ago I called your phone and a man answered. He hung up on me before he would tell me where you were. Who was that?" Tilting her head the silver eyed female tried to remember that far back, chewing her cookie.
"Did he have an extremely deep, sexy voice that made you want to jump him?"
"I don't know about that but it was deep." Nodding the college student tossed half of her treat to Vladimir who snapped it out of the air.
"That was Alucard, sorry he was having a bit of a hectic night, and I was….. a little busy when you called."
"A little busy going what?" Blinking she couldn't think of anything.
"Umm…. Bathroom?" Raising an eyebrow the blond scowled.
"Want to try again?" Tapping her chin Ari smiled,
"No not really. If I tell you, I have to kill you. You know how it goes." Looking down when Baskerville rubbed against her leg she met crimson eyes that held more intelligence than normal. She wiggled her fingers knowing Alucard was watching and listening.
"I'll let that go for now. Why would this Alucard buy you expensive clothes? I thought you were with Tim?" Breaking eye contact with the canine she blinked over at her mother.
"No I'm not still with Tim. Alucard is 'courting' me, that's why he bought me a closet full of these." She gestured to her garments casting a meaningful look towards the watching hellhound. "I've told him a thousand times he didn't have to but like most men he doesn't listen." Waving her hand out to stop her daughter Susan frowned.
"Well Tim will be here any minute. You have a man who wants to buy you expensive things, why are you telling him to stop? What the hell is wrong with you?" Leaning against the kitchen table the teen folded her arms.
"I don't want him for his money, mother. I want him because I'm quite fond of the royal pain. Plus he kinda didn't give me a choice at first."
"I don't think I like this Alucard boy. What are you going to do when you move back here for good?" Jumping as Baskerville growled she turned just in time to see the hellhound's eyes go hazy before he blinked and the scarlet orbs were clear again. A yelp ripped from the teen's throat as her phone rang beside her on the counter. Touching the screen and turning on the speaker she sucked in a breath to say hello but was cut off by a whining voice.
"When are you coming back? Your apartment is so boring without you here." Blinking wide eyes at the phone she checked the number, it was a London area code.
"Alucard?" She could practically see the stupid grin on his handsome face.
"Yes, my love?" Seeing her mother move closer from the corner of her eye she moved the phone over so the blond could hear better.
"You have a phone?" A deep laugh echoed from the cellular device making a shiver run down the girl's spine.
"Yes my master deemed me big enough to have one." Ari snorted earning a weird look from her mom.
"Red you're over 6 and a half foot tall you're big enough for anything. What you lack is the maturity." Picturing the cute pout on his lips she smiled.
"I resent that. I'm plenty mature…. When I need to be. While I'm talking to my mate is not one of those occasions. You never answered my question, my dear." Shaking her head she sighed.
"I don't really know sometime in the next 2 weeks for sure. What do you want for Christmas by the way?" The vampire paused thinking.
"I would request you in my coffin in one of the rather revealing teddies I purchased, but your mother is standing beside you from how loud her breathing is. Let it be a surprise, Ari. I do so enjoy those." Hearing her mother suck in a breath she grabbed her phone and ran outside saying hi to her step-father as she came up beside him on the porch. Ben nodded watching as Vladimir and Baskerville ran over to play with Buddy her mother's own gray pit bull.
I've wanted to type that phone conversation for a month now. It was probably funnier in my head though. Oh well it'll do. I think Alucard would get bored quickly without Arz there to annoy and cuddle. After nearly 5 months he's used to her always being there I would think.
5 Please!