NB: I don't own Hellsing or anything else of worth.
First off. Thanks for the reviews. I really appreciate it.
Second, I have no idea what the hell I'm doing. That is why it took me so long to get this up. I was considering just forgetting about it, but that wouldn't be very nice. So I tried my best, and this is what happened...
Third...As much as I dislike her, I took some advice from one of my reviewers and added Integra's character. I wanted to add Anderson in my story somewhere too...but I decided that he is just way too badass for me to touch. I am not worthy. ^_^"
Well. Here it is. Chapter 3!
**
Integra didn't waste any time on pleasantries. She never did with Arucard.
"She is fond of you."
She didn't bother looking at him as she spoke. She simply stared straight ahead while she lit a cigar. Arucard stood by her side, looking out the window in the opposite direction. He chuckled at her words.
"An understatement."
Integra did not share in his amusement. She didn't want to think about the consequences of vampires having emotions. Especially when it involved Victoria's silly crush on Arucard.
She had been watching Arucard's minion. She had seen the way Victoria regarded her master, how it affected her. The girl probably hadn't 'eaten' in days. If she was getting any sleep at all, it was restless. Such things made people sloppy. Even if they were vampires.
"This is no place for childish love affairs. I will not tolerate Victoria's distraction from her work."
"It's a harmless infatuation," Arucard smirked. "Not worthy of attention."
"End it, Arucard," Integra commanded him quietly, exhaling noxious smoke from her nose. "Find your amusement elsewhere."
He chuckled again, making an overly elaborate display of bowing down to Integra.
"As you wish."
Integra gritted her teeth as Arucard vanished through the wall, laughing that sadistic laugh.
**
Celes woke up from what she decided would be her last tormented dream. Using her anger as motivation, she leapt from the confines of her bed. Wearing only her pajamas, Celes trod barefoot towards her door. //Nothing is going to stop me this time...\\
She didn't know how she could possibly forget that it was daylight outside. She did her best to stay away from the rare patches of sunlight that found their way into the hallways. If things went badly in the next few minutes, Celes ventured that she would walk into that sunlight with open arms.
But she wouldn't know until it was over. //Nothing is going to stop me...Nothing...\\
What would she say to him? //Apologize,\\ she told herself. //Just apologize for your disrespect. For not obeying him...anything to stop him from tormenting you.\\ She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists as she kept moving. //Anything but loving him. You will not apologize for loving him, in any way, shape, or form.\\
And if he refuses to forgive?
Celes nearly stopped, but she forced herself to continue, only pausing to hide from the view of others. She didn't want them to see her, to see where she was going. It was hard enough on her already, just knowing what she was about to face.
//Is he capable of forgiveness?\\ she asked herself, and not for the first time. //He will laugh in your face, he will scorn you, and he will hit you. What makes you think he'd forgive you after all that?\\
In a way, it didn't matter to her anymore. She knew she couldn't spend another night without speaking to him, without apologizing for any wrong she had committed against him. She could not spend another day with him in her dreams.
And if he rejected her again, she didn't think she could spend another day in existence. //I won't live like this,// she told herself firmly. //I am not alive. I have nothing to live for, and I will not exist in some meaningless hell, just so he can have a laugh.\\
Celes found herself rounding the corner of the corridor that lead to Arucard's chamber. She slowed her pace, but she kept herself moving steadily. When she approached his door, she did not rest her back against the opposite wall like she had before. She did not pause to think over her words, or consider her alternatives. She did not give herself a chance to get scared, to turn her back and run.
She nearly walked into his door, pressing herself against it as she raised a clenched fist to knock. Resting her forehead on the surface and closing her eyes, she let her fist make contact. Once. Twice. Three times.
There was nothing left to do but wait.
Celes had not even considered the possibility that he wouldn't be there. She didn't even know where else she would look for him, except to see if he was with Integra. Celes wasn't willing to approach Arucard in the presence of his master. She had noticed the woman watching her lately, assessing her every move, and not kindly. At first, Celes wondered if she had done something wrong. But then the horrifying thought struck her that maybe Integra knew all about Celes' dilemma, and her scrutiny was her way of telling Celes to step back in line.
But again, it didn't matter. Celes' dilemma was with Arucard, and Arucard only.
After a few moments without answer, Celes made to knock on his door again. This time, she applied more force. If he was beyond the door, he would definitely hear the sound.
Celes had to wait several more moments before she heard the latch of his door release. She stood there, waiting for the door to swing open, but it didn't move. For a few seconds, Celes wondered if she had only imagined the sound of his door releasing, but upon testing the theory, she found his door swung easily inwards.
Only darkness came to greet her. She stood at the threshold of his chamber, trying to focus on what lay beyond, but she couldn't see anything.
"Master?" She stepped forward timidly. //Is he even here? Did he open the door for me or did I force it open?// Celes thought she could feel her heart racing, but knew it wasn't possible. //Is he still playing with me?\\
As she stepped further into his chamber, the features of the room began to reveal themselves. //Why is it so dark in here? I should be able to see...\\
The stone floor felt like ice under her feet, and Celes felt herself moving forwards simply to lessen the contact. If she had known she was to be trapped, Celes never would have crossed the threshold of his room.
At the sound of the door slamming behind her, Celes spun and ran towards it. Her resolve immediately vanished and she wanted nothing more than to be back in her own room...but she could not open the door.
"Are you lost?"
At the sound of his amused voice, Celes could not suppress her startled outburst as she turned to look at him. Everything came into light and focus, and she saw Arucard sitting in his shirtsleeves, hands in his pockets and booted feet on a table. He wore neither hat nor glasses. Celes could see his crimson eyes glaring at her through strands of black hair that fell over his face. He was smirking.
"Don't -" Celes started, but couldn't find her voice. With angry determination, she tried again. "Don't scare me like that!"
Arucard's smirk pulled back into a bared-tooth grin, and Celes could hear his deep chuckle.
"Have you come here to give me orders, Policewoman?" His jeering tone caused Celes' anger to rise. She took a deliberate step towards him, though she suddenly wished she was covered in more than just her pajamas.
"I -" she began, her voice hard, but Arucard cut her off.
"You need to know your place." He was no longer grinning. "And know that it isn't here!" He removed his hands from his pockets and his feet from the table. Celes could see that he was no longer interested in mocking her.
And if she could have commanded the forces of nature, she would have willed for the sun to break through Arucard's ceiling and incinerate her sorry being. But she could only stand there, unable to speak.
"That was your cue to leave me, Celes." His voice was hard, but it held no amusement, no scorn. "Do not provoke me."
Celes stepped back, seeming defeated. He would not even hear her apology, much less forgive her. And yet, despite her apparent submission, she would not let Arucard push her away. Not yet.
"Like you provoke Integra?"
//Oh God...\\ She hadn't meant to say that.
Celes watched the rage dance across Arucard's features as the words left her mouth, but she couldn't stop. A part of her that she never knew existed was beginning to surface. "Or is your master so gracious and accepting towards you that no one else matters."
Celes continued to move backwards as Arucard began to advance. His eyes flashed, and his grin once again dominated his features. //He's going to kill me...\\
"Though, to be honest, I can't imagine you being so bitter and un-accepting yourself if Integra actually gave you the time of day."
Arucard stopped his advance, and Celes took the opportunity to turn her back and attempt to leave. But she should have known better than expect him to let her leave after she had uttered her poisonous words. She had said far more, far worse words than she had intended, and she should have expected his wrath in full force.
Yet she was surprised when, having barely turned around, she felt their bodies contact. She did not see his arm move around her, his hand gripping the back of her neck painfully. He was forcing her to look up at him, while at the same time, crushing her against his body in a way that, if she had been alive, she wouldn't have been able to breathe. Celes thought he might break her neck, though she didn't know if it would kill her.
"What do you want from me?" Arucard hissed down at her, and when she didn't reply, he began to laugh. "Such bold words," he spat. "And for what? You can't say it." He loosened his hold on her just enough so that he could bring his face close to hers. "Do you want me to hold you, policewoman?" He jerked her by the neck, and Celes cried out. "Do you want me to say nice things to you? Tell you how extremely fond I am of you?" He laughed again, the malice tearing at Celes' heart. "Perhaps I could give you little gifts, to remind you of how enamored I am."
"Stop it," Celes whispered, trying to push away from him. He would not let her move.
"What do you want from me?" he demanded. "What could you possibly imagine me having to give?" He jerked her again, but she gripped his shirt to keep herself steady. She found herself unable to say anything. She couldn't think of a single thing that would help her out of the situation. She could do nothing but wait for him to release her.
But he didn't. He removed his hand from the back on her neck only to flatten it between her shoulder blades. His face was so close to hers that it caused her flesh to tingle. She found her own grip on his shirt lessen, and her hands flattened against his chest. She didn't realize she was still pushing against him, until the resisted pressure cause her hands to slip up to his shoulders. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around his bent neck, trying to press herself fully against him.
He wouldn't let her. He kept her so that that her face was always inches from his. He raised his free hand to brush hair from her forehead, and Celes found it so akin to a caress that she closed her eyes and exhaled.
"Are you going to voice your answer, Policewoman?" His fingers trailed down the side of her face, along her delicate jaw line. He watched her eyelashes flutter as she arched her neck. "Or are you going to make me tear it from you."
The force of his words startled her out of her daze, and before she could open her eyes, his lips were upon hers.
It was not the savage, painful kiss of her dreams, nor was it delicate. His mouth was harsh against hers; invading, but he did not hurt her. She tightened her grip around his neck, afraid he would slip away, but when she responded to his kiss, he didn't evade her. He remained with her, allowing her to match his force, match his hunger.
His lips moved from hers and she felt him move down her neck. She felt the lightest touch of his teeth, and she entwined her fingers in his hair, prolonging the erotic caress.
"I will not dote on you, Celes," he said against her neck, his hands moving up her body. "I will offer you this, but I will not dote."
His lips were on hers again, and she pulled at the red tails of his tie. She undid it, pulling it from the confines of his collar. Her hands ached to feel the skin beneath his shirt, and her fingers worked clumsily at the buttons.
Arucard pulled away from her slightly, and he laughed at the dazed expression on Celes' face.
"Are you accepting my offer?"
Celes tried to pull him against her again, but he kept the distance.
"Answer me!"
She closed her eyes, and he allowed her to press her the side of her face against his chest.
"Yes," she replied. She felt incredibly empty and betrayed, yet she could not turn away from him. She could not turn down the only offer of closeness he had ever given her. She would take anything, even if it was only physical contact. Anything, as long as he would not turn her away.
As Arucard's arms encircled her, she felt his deep, cruel laughter resound from around her and from within her, as if he had taken over her very being. She allowed herself to be led where she knew she might never go again. She allowed herself to be taken, in the smallest hopes that Arucard would ease the emptiness that was eating her away.
"You are going to cause me a lot of trouble, Policewoman."
**
Well, there you have it. I hope it was at least a tiny bit worth the wait. I apologize if I missed any errors.
First off. Thanks for the reviews. I really appreciate it.
Second, I have no idea what the hell I'm doing. That is why it took me so long to get this up. I was considering just forgetting about it, but that wouldn't be very nice. So I tried my best, and this is what happened...
Third...As much as I dislike her, I took some advice from one of my reviewers and added Integra's character. I wanted to add Anderson in my story somewhere too...but I decided that he is just way too badass for me to touch. I am not worthy. ^_^"
Well. Here it is. Chapter 3!
**
Integra didn't waste any time on pleasantries. She never did with Arucard.
"She is fond of you."
She didn't bother looking at him as she spoke. She simply stared straight ahead while she lit a cigar. Arucard stood by her side, looking out the window in the opposite direction. He chuckled at her words.
"An understatement."
Integra did not share in his amusement. She didn't want to think about the consequences of vampires having emotions. Especially when it involved Victoria's silly crush on Arucard.
She had been watching Arucard's minion. She had seen the way Victoria regarded her master, how it affected her. The girl probably hadn't 'eaten' in days. If she was getting any sleep at all, it was restless. Such things made people sloppy. Even if they were vampires.
"This is no place for childish love affairs. I will not tolerate Victoria's distraction from her work."
"It's a harmless infatuation," Arucard smirked. "Not worthy of attention."
"End it, Arucard," Integra commanded him quietly, exhaling noxious smoke from her nose. "Find your amusement elsewhere."
He chuckled again, making an overly elaborate display of bowing down to Integra.
"As you wish."
Integra gritted her teeth as Arucard vanished through the wall, laughing that sadistic laugh.
**
Celes woke up from what she decided would be her last tormented dream. Using her anger as motivation, she leapt from the confines of her bed. Wearing only her pajamas, Celes trod barefoot towards her door. //Nothing is going to stop me this time...\\
She didn't know how she could possibly forget that it was daylight outside. She did her best to stay away from the rare patches of sunlight that found their way into the hallways. If things went badly in the next few minutes, Celes ventured that she would walk into that sunlight with open arms.
But she wouldn't know until it was over. //Nothing is going to stop me...Nothing...\\
What would she say to him? //Apologize,\\ she told herself. //Just apologize for your disrespect. For not obeying him...anything to stop him from tormenting you.\\ She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists as she kept moving. //Anything but loving him. You will not apologize for loving him, in any way, shape, or form.\\
And if he refuses to forgive?
Celes nearly stopped, but she forced herself to continue, only pausing to hide from the view of others. She didn't want them to see her, to see where she was going. It was hard enough on her already, just knowing what she was about to face.
//Is he capable of forgiveness?\\ she asked herself, and not for the first time. //He will laugh in your face, he will scorn you, and he will hit you. What makes you think he'd forgive you after all that?\\
In a way, it didn't matter to her anymore. She knew she couldn't spend another night without speaking to him, without apologizing for any wrong she had committed against him. She could not spend another day with him in her dreams.
And if he rejected her again, she didn't think she could spend another day in existence. //I won't live like this,// she told herself firmly. //I am not alive. I have nothing to live for, and I will not exist in some meaningless hell, just so he can have a laugh.\\
Celes found herself rounding the corner of the corridor that lead to Arucard's chamber. She slowed her pace, but she kept herself moving steadily. When she approached his door, she did not rest her back against the opposite wall like she had before. She did not pause to think over her words, or consider her alternatives. She did not give herself a chance to get scared, to turn her back and run.
She nearly walked into his door, pressing herself against it as she raised a clenched fist to knock. Resting her forehead on the surface and closing her eyes, she let her fist make contact. Once. Twice. Three times.
There was nothing left to do but wait.
Celes had not even considered the possibility that he wouldn't be there. She didn't even know where else she would look for him, except to see if he was with Integra. Celes wasn't willing to approach Arucard in the presence of his master. She had noticed the woman watching her lately, assessing her every move, and not kindly. At first, Celes wondered if she had done something wrong. But then the horrifying thought struck her that maybe Integra knew all about Celes' dilemma, and her scrutiny was her way of telling Celes to step back in line.
But again, it didn't matter. Celes' dilemma was with Arucard, and Arucard only.
After a few moments without answer, Celes made to knock on his door again. This time, she applied more force. If he was beyond the door, he would definitely hear the sound.
Celes had to wait several more moments before she heard the latch of his door release. She stood there, waiting for the door to swing open, but it didn't move. For a few seconds, Celes wondered if she had only imagined the sound of his door releasing, but upon testing the theory, she found his door swung easily inwards.
Only darkness came to greet her. She stood at the threshold of his chamber, trying to focus on what lay beyond, but she couldn't see anything.
"Master?" She stepped forward timidly. //Is he even here? Did he open the door for me or did I force it open?// Celes thought she could feel her heart racing, but knew it wasn't possible. //Is he still playing with me?\\
As she stepped further into his chamber, the features of the room began to reveal themselves. //Why is it so dark in here? I should be able to see...\\
The stone floor felt like ice under her feet, and Celes felt herself moving forwards simply to lessen the contact. If she had known she was to be trapped, Celes never would have crossed the threshold of his room.
At the sound of the door slamming behind her, Celes spun and ran towards it. Her resolve immediately vanished and she wanted nothing more than to be back in her own room...but she could not open the door.
"Are you lost?"
At the sound of his amused voice, Celes could not suppress her startled outburst as she turned to look at him. Everything came into light and focus, and she saw Arucard sitting in his shirtsleeves, hands in his pockets and booted feet on a table. He wore neither hat nor glasses. Celes could see his crimson eyes glaring at her through strands of black hair that fell over his face. He was smirking.
"Don't -" Celes started, but couldn't find her voice. With angry determination, she tried again. "Don't scare me like that!"
Arucard's smirk pulled back into a bared-tooth grin, and Celes could hear his deep chuckle.
"Have you come here to give me orders, Policewoman?" His jeering tone caused Celes' anger to rise. She took a deliberate step towards him, though she suddenly wished she was covered in more than just her pajamas.
"I -" she began, her voice hard, but Arucard cut her off.
"You need to know your place." He was no longer grinning. "And know that it isn't here!" He removed his hands from his pockets and his feet from the table. Celes could see that he was no longer interested in mocking her.
And if she could have commanded the forces of nature, she would have willed for the sun to break through Arucard's ceiling and incinerate her sorry being. But she could only stand there, unable to speak.
"That was your cue to leave me, Celes." His voice was hard, but it held no amusement, no scorn. "Do not provoke me."
Celes stepped back, seeming defeated. He would not even hear her apology, much less forgive her. And yet, despite her apparent submission, she would not let Arucard push her away. Not yet.
"Like you provoke Integra?"
//Oh God...\\ She hadn't meant to say that.
Celes watched the rage dance across Arucard's features as the words left her mouth, but she couldn't stop. A part of her that she never knew existed was beginning to surface. "Or is your master so gracious and accepting towards you that no one else matters."
Celes continued to move backwards as Arucard began to advance. His eyes flashed, and his grin once again dominated his features. //He's going to kill me...\\
"Though, to be honest, I can't imagine you being so bitter and un-accepting yourself if Integra actually gave you the time of day."
Arucard stopped his advance, and Celes took the opportunity to turn her back and attempt to leave. But she should have known better than expect him to let her leave after she had uttered her poisonous words. She had said far more, far worse words than she had intended, and she should have expected his wrath in full force.
Yet she was surprised when, having barely turned around, she felt their bodies contact. She did not see his arm move around her, his hand gripping the back of her neck painfully. He was forcing her to look up at him, while at the same time, crushing her against his body in a way that, if she had been alive, she wouldn't have been able to breathe. Celes thought he might break her neck, though she didn't know if it would kill her.
"What do you want from me?" Arucard hissed down at her, and when she didn't reply, he began to laugh. "Such bold words," he spat. "And for what? You can't say it." He loosened his hold on her just enough so that he could bring his face close to hers. "Do you want me to hold you, policewoman?" He jerked her by the neck, and Celes cried out. "Do you want me to say nice things to you? Tell you how extremely fond I am of you?" He laughed again, the malice tearing at Celes' heart. "Perhaps I could give you little gifts, to remind you of how enamored I am."
"Stop it," Celes whispered, trying to push away from him. He would not let her move.
"What do you want from me?" he demanded. "What could you possibly imagine me having to give?" He jerked her again, but she gripped his shirt to keep herself steady. She found herself unable to say anything. She couldn't think of a single thing that would help her out of the situation. She could do nothing but wait for him to release her.
But he didn't. He removed his hand from the back on her neck only to flatten it between her shoulder blades. His face was so close to hers that it caused her flesh to tingle. She found her own grip on his shirt lessen, and her hands flattened against his chest. She didn't realize she was still pushing against him, until the resisted pressure cause her hands to slip up to his shoulders. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around his bent neck, trying to press herself fully against him.
He wouldn't let her. He kept her so that that her face was always inches from his. He raised his free hand to brush hair from her forehead, and Celes found it so akin to a caress that she closed her eyes and exhaled.
"Are you going to voice your answer, Policewoman?" His fingers trailed down the side of her face, along her delicate jaw line. He watched her eyelashes flutter as she arched her neck. "Or are you going to make me tear it from you."
The force of his words startled her out of her daze, and before she could open her eyes, his lips were upon hers.
It was not the savage, painful kiss of her dreams, nor was it delicate. His mouth was harsh against hers; invading, but he did not hurt her. She tightened her grip around his neck, afraid he would slip away, but when she responded to his kiss, he didn't evade her. He remained with her, allowing her to match his force, match his hunger.
His lips moved from hers and she felt him move down her neck. She felt the lightest touch of his teeth, and she entwined her fingers in his hair, prolonging the erotic caress.
"I will not dote on you, Celes," he said against her neck, his hands moving up her body. "I will offer you this, but I will not dote."
His lips were on hers again, and she pulled at the red tails of his tie. She undid it, pulling it from the confines of his collar. Her hands ached to feel the skin beneath his shirt, and her fingers worked clumsily at the buttons.
Arucard pulled away from her slightly, and he laughed at the dazed expression on Celes' face.
"Are you accepting my offer?"
Celes tried to pull him against her again, but he kept the distance.
"Answer me!"
She closed her eyes, and he allowed her to press her the side of her face against his chest.
"Yes," she replied. She felt incredibly empty and betrayed, yet she could not turn away from him. She could not turn down the only offer of closeness he had ever given her. She would take anything, even if it was only physical contact. Anything, as long as he would not turn her away.
As Arucard's arms encircled her, she felt his deep, cruel laughter resound from around her and from within her, as if he had taken over her very being. She allowed herself to be led where she knew she might never go again. She allowed herself to be taken, in the smallest hopes that Arucard would ease the emptiness that was eating her away.
"You are going to cause me a lot of trouble, Policewoman."
**
Well, there you have it. I hope it was at least a tiny bit worth the wait. I apologize if I missed any errors.