Disclaimer: All of Hellsing and its characters are copyright to Kouta Hirano. Any original characters belong to the author of this fanfiction.

HELLSING

EREBUS

Here standeth the Bird of Hermes,

Eating my own wings to make me tame...

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Loving Embrace

Wednesday Evening, December 24, 2031, Rows Residence...

They had only arrived a few hours ago, and already Alex was pissed off. Throughout dinner, Moira had interrogated both her, and the vampires about their jobs. Smoothly, Van had explained that they worked in the security department together, with Alex as the trainee that just monitors video feed. Then her mother had the nerve to question Alucard about his glasses. Fortunately, he too was prepared with a clever lie, saying that he had ocular sensitivity to light, having to wear special prescription lenses to protect his sight. Alex had to give the vampires credit for being such smooth talkers.

Once everyone, save for the undead, were full, Alex and Moira gathered the dishes while Liam offered the gentleman another drink, which they gracefully accepted. In the kitchen, mother and daughter cleaned up the dishes while simultaneously putting all the leftovers in the fridge. It felt strange for Alex to be back home. Home? No, it didn't feel like a home to her. It was just a place she had grown up. Still, she had memories here.

"Alex," Moira began while she put a lid over a bowl of mashed potatoes, Alex looking up from the sink of dishes she was washing, "are you well?" Alex blinked, surprised by the question as her mother stared at her. "When you said a couple months ago that you were leaving the country and didn't really tell me anything, I was concerned."

The girl looked back at the suds-covered water, not sure what to say. "I'm fine. Really. You don't have to worry. I'm in good hands." Trouble was, what she was rambling probably sounded like the opposite of what she said. Was she fine? "Things just feel pretty different at the moment."

"I never thought you'd be interested in security."

That would depend on what that security entailed, she thought bitterly. "It's a job," she said dismissively.

"Are you...happy?" Alex blinked again in surprise. Happy? What could possibly be defined as happy? The way her life was going, she'd never go back to a normal routine again. "Have you found someone since him?"

"I'm adequate. I'm perfectly fine without the complication of a relationship in my life."

Alex could feel the woman watching her as the girl continued to wash the dishes, putting them aside, rinsed, in the rack. "I noticed how Bram seems to always be looking at you."

Startled, a plate slipped from Alex's fingers, knocking off the edge and shattering on the floor. Snapping out of her thoughts, the girl ducked down to clean up as her mother came over with a towel, helping her. God dammit, she felt like a bloody fool! What the hell was her mother talking about?! Sure, Alex wasn't a complete idiot, as she noticed as well, but why would mom bother to point that out to her?! In her rush to clean up the pieces, she winced as a shard pierced through her palm. Looking at it, a thin cut beaded out a streak of red, and for a moment, she stared hatefully at it.

"Jesus, you alright?" Moira asked, reaching out to take a look at it, only to have Alex recoil. For a moment, she frowned at her daughter, moving to get up. "I'll get the first aid."

"Forget it, I'm fine. I'll get it myself." Alex was already up, heading for the archway that led to the hallway. "It's still in the same place, right?"

Without waiting for an answer, Alex left her mother standing alone in the kitchen. The girl stared dazedly at the wound. How could something like her blood be the cause of such misery? Somehow, she didn't think she would felt like this if she had never learned what her blood was capable of. Maybe an ancestor had been subjected to cruel experiments, and the trait skipped a few generations to end up inside her. Eventually, she went to the main floor bathroom, looking under the sink in the cupboard. When she stood with the kit in hand, she heard the door close, looking up, seeing nothing in the mirror. Turning around, she nearly emitted a scream of shock, seeing Alucard standing there.

The vampire loomed over her, and like before, Alex's heart began to race with his closeness. It was such a small bathroom, with only the sink and a toilet, that she barely had any room to move. Slowly, he reached up to remove his glasses, and that's when it hit her that he probably smelled her blood, coming to investigate. It made her sickeningly aware that he probably knew when she was on her cycle too. Glowing crimson travelled to her bleeding hand. Much to her surprise, he pulled his gloves off, putting them aside on the counter, giving her a first time view of his bare hands. She found herself staring at them in fascination before he reached up to take her wounded palm.

"What caused this little accident?" He looked into her eyes then, no expression on his visage.

Alex swallowed, distracted by the cold of his skin. "I dropped a plate and I cut myself trying to clean it up."

He teasingly tsked her, "Silly woman. You should be more careful." A smirk curled his lips, and Alex was awed to find his eyes dark with the same emotion she saw last night. "It'd be a shame to waste such a delicacy."

The brunette watched as his eyelids drooped halfway before his tongue emerged to take the first lick. It travelled along the full length of the wound, wetting the clotted blood. After that initial lick, he pondered over it for a moment, then closed his mouth over her palm, eyes closing as Alex felt a tremor go through her. Watching the vampire with a flushed look of intrigue, she realized that this was only the second time he tasted her blood, but had never bitten her. Her mother had mentioned that Alucard had been staring at her. Alex knew he stared, but didn't think much of it, but then all the signs in the past two months came together, and it was especially clear as of last night, that he was truly interested in her. Not as a vampire, but...as a man? Confused by what she had seen in his eyes last night, she had asked him twice by now what she was to him, and both times, he didn't give her an answer. Was he waiting for her to figure it out?

This revelation softened her features. "Remember when you said that I could listen to your heartbeat whenever I wanted?" Soft crimson opened to lock with her brown pools, indicating that he did remember, his mouth pulling away from her now clean wound. The look he sent her caused another shiver. "Did you...want to bite me?" she asked tentatively.

Eyes narrowed at this strange offer, but he wasn't angry, just puzzled. "What brought this on?"

Alex swallowed. "My family has this tradition of opening presents on Christmas Eve instead of the next day. I was just wondering if that was what you wanted. It was just a thought."

Wordlessly, he stood straight, taking the first aid and cleaning her hand with antiseptic wipes before taking a bottle, labelled Spray-On Bandaid. Alex watched him spray the wound, blowing cold breath at it afterwards till it was completely dry, now sealed. One quick look into her mind, and he thought, ah, so she finally figured it out. As for her own feelings, they were mixed about him, which was expected. Alucard would wait. He had all eternity.

"Alucard? Did I...offend you?" she asked uncertainly.

"No." How could she think that? The fact that she worried about such a thing made him smile. "No," he repeated. Her wound dealt with, he leaned in close, trapping her against the counter between his arms, and he watched as she became flustered by his approach. Maybe... Slowly, he leaned down, his mouth hovering over hers, whispering, "I have no intention of ever biting you, Alexandra. Your blood is far too enticing, and if I bite down, I'm afraid I won't be able to let go."

"Because my blood tastes that good?"

He chuckled, raising a hand to caress her cheek with his thumb. "Maybe. However, I think the reason I find your blood so delicious...is because it's yours."

Alex's brows furrowed in confusion. "I don't understand."

The Count smiled, his mouth close to brushing hers. "One day you will," he promised quietly. Every muscle in his body wanted to reach out and touch her. If he did, the vampire's control would shatter, and he would probably end up doing something she'd likely hate him for. Looking for a distraction, he thought about her offer. "I would like something else, while we're on the topic."

Alex blinked out of her hypnotized state. "What is it?"

"I would very much like a lock of your hair," he replied, widening the gap between them again, though he still had her trapped.

"My hair?" she repeated quietly. Well, even if that was strange request, she muttered, "I think there are scissors in the cabinet behind me." That was easy, he thought, wordlessly reaching past her to find the said tool. "Take whatever piece you want. Just don't make a bald spot."

He chuckled, taking a thick lock. "We wouldn't want that, no," he teased. One snip, and it was done.

Alex looked around. "Mom might have some thin ribbon somewhere upstairs. Maybe in her office."

"No need." Holding the brown strands in his palm, his shadowy powers seeped out of his skin, slithering around the hairs, tightening around the hairs before solidifying into a thin dark red bow. "This will do fine."

The girl had watched in awe. "I wish I had convenient powers like yours. Don't suppose you could make some diamonds?" she asked with a playful expression.

Alucard grinned, amused. "My powers are not so extensive. The bow is just a tiny extension of myself. Although, it does raise a question." He pocketed it as he turned to the girl. "What shall I give you for Christmas?"

Surprised, she said, "You don't have to get me anything."

"Bollocks." Alex just stared at him, making him grin. "Very well, I suppose I'll just have to figure it out myself."

"Reading minds is cheating," she said, knowing he wasn't going to listen to her protests anyway. "As I said, I don't need anything."

"Not even a steak?"

She made that face, making him laugh. "Well, when you put it like that... Wait! No! Stop that!"

There was a knock on the door, Alex going still as Moira's voice called out, "Alex, are you okay? Who are you talking to?"

Panicked, she looked around, responding loudly. "U-uh, just Bram! He was helping me with the cut!" Thinking that if her mother got worried enough, she'd come in and see that Alucard had no reflection, and so she opened the mirror wide to hide that fact.

There was a pause, and Moira just said in a knowing tone, "They're under the sink."

Alex gaped, horrified and embarrassed, her whole face going red. Alucard watched this, puzzled as he heard Mrs. Rows walk away. "What is?" he asked.

Much to his amusement, she was seething, that endearing face coming back, but it was angrier and more comical than ever. Hissing through her teeth, she said, "Condoms."

That woman said that every time she brought a guy home! Where most parents would humiliate their kids by showing baby pictures to the boyfriend or girlfriend, her own mother was the type to refer to the contraceptives. For a moment, Alucard just stared at her, and when she finally looked up at him, he had that delighted grin on his face. Scowling loudly, she punched him in the face again, making him laugh despite his bleeding nose, which healed quickly enough.

Thursday After-Midnight, December 25, 2031, Rows Residence...

Outside of the house, two vampires were, with Van sitting in the back of the van with the back doors opened, and Alucard sitting casually on the edge. The Rows family had already gone to bed, and with nothing to do for the time being, being wide awake this night, the two of them had retreated to the vehicle to make light discussion. At the moment, Van was going through his cases that he had left in the transport, looking over his schematic again on his tablet. Alucard just stared out at nothing in particular while sitting there, arms crossed.

"What's your impression?" asked the Dracul, eyes focused upon his screen, the light from it projecting upon his features. "I mean about her parents?"

Alucard's mouth twitched. What was it with everyone asking for his impression on people? Alexandra was one thing, but everyone else he could care less about. "I'm indifferent."

"I could be wrong, but I noticed some tension between her and her mother."

"What of it?"

"So, you've noticed as well," he commented, looking up at the Count's back. "I suppose you're indifferent to that as well."

"Human problems are human problems. Vampires have no right to meddle in their affairs."

Van glanced back at the screen, using a stylus to scroll through the data. "Yes...you're right. However, I am concerned about something else. Is it me, or does Alex seem to react strangely whenever the idea of visiting again is brought up?"

"It's because she has no intention of returning. Not while she's targeted by vampires, anyway," the vampire explained, Van looking up in surprise. "Because she's been made a target, there's little hope of her ever going back to a normal life. By extension, her loved ones are also targets. At least if she stays away, the percentage of risk towards them is greatly lessened, and they won't be as tempted to use them against her, just to draw her out."

"I get what you're saying, but still," Van said, frowning some, "she should be allowed these rare moments to see them, even if it's just an illusion of a normal life."

Alucard sighed, looking up at the moon. In a couple of nights, it would be full. "It's her decision."

The young vampire's frown deepened, looking troubled by this. "Even so, if that's what she plans to do, then...I can only hope that Alex and her mother can patch things up before we go back."

"There's a good chance we might be going back earlier than originally intended."

"What?"

The Count slid his glasses off to get a better look at the night sky. The lack of light pollution made the black vastness with twinkling lights all the more clearer. "The sooner we get back, the less likely we'll be attacked again. This is only the third night we've been here. Four more days is ample time for them to send another squadron of lowly freaks."

Van stared at him, eyes narrowing. "Yes...it is."

After a moment of silence, Alucard stood up. "I'm going inside. Don't stay up too late, boy."

The young vampire's eye and mouth twitched as he scowled at the man. "Don't act like you're my father just because you gave me some of your blood, you ass!"

But Alucard didn't hear the last part, as he had already disappeared into Alex's closet. Hearing nothing, he pushed open the closet door, finding Alex's curled up form in the bed, now occupied by clean bedsheets and pillows. While listening for her breathing, he realized that she was awake. Moving to the side of the bed, the moonlight shining through the window silhouetted his tall form, his shadow looming over the girl. Taking notice of the change in light behind her eyelids, she opened them.

"Alucard..."

Quietly, he moved to sit on the edge of the bed, his eyes never leaving her. "We really must do something about your reliance on a body pillow," he teased. "Just goes to show that you shouldn't forget that the next time you pack."

The girl groaned, "I can't help it." With a sigh, she stared up at him. "Can I ask you something?"

"Hm?"

She took a moment to piece together the words as she slowly put them out there, "Do vampires ever go to the bathroom?"

Alucard blinked. Yes. He fucking blinked. It was the most absurd question that he had ever been asked. Once it sank in, he turned his head away and tried not to laugh, the side of his fist pressed against his lips. All he could manage was keeping the volume low. Of all the things for her to ask... This girl really was an endless supply of entertainment.

"I'm being serious!" she cried out in a harsh whisper, annoyed that he was laughing at her. "I mean, since you and Van are able to eat food, how is it digested? I mean, the broken down stuff has got to come out, right? It's been bugging me ever since Van told me you guys could eat food to blend in!"

"You're truly delightful," he said, turning his grinning face back to her. "To answer your question, no, we don't. The food we consume just disintegrates to nothing. We don't draw nutrients from it. Does that satisfy you?"

Deep down, Alex knew he was making fun of her, and she made that face again, his grin widening. "Yes," she muttered. At least gave her a sound answer. Face sobering, she sat up more straight, staring at the wall, looking exhausted. "God, I'm so tired, but I can't fall asleep."

Alucard stared at her, then stood up. "Move over."

The command took her by surprise. "Huh?!" He waved his hand in a way that was just repeating his words. Not sure what exactly he was up to, she scooted over a little, blinking when he soon joined her side, laying on his back, head on the pillow. "What are you doing?"

"Putting you to sleep. Now, come here." Warily, she scooted back. "Lie down," he instructed softly. Doing so, he slipped his left arm under her, pulling her close until she was partly laying on him, draping his other arm over her back. "Comfortable?"

Alex blinked, realizing that she could hear his heartbeat, her ear pressed directly against the left side of his chest. She loved that sound. "Yes." She lifted herself a little to look at him. "You don't mind?"

"No."

"Won't you be up all night?"

"Honestly, if I'm going to be awake all day for this trip, I might as well catch up on my sleep now." That made sense, and it made Alex feel a little guilty. Sensing it, he said calmly, "Don't worry about it. Vampires are adaptable creatures."

"What about your coffin?"

He grinned. "Would you like to join me there?" The girl paled, and he chuckled. "I won't hurt you, and I can leave the lid open." Alex shook her head. "Then stop making a fuss and go to sleep. Just relax."

Resigned, she lied back down, the therapeutic thrumming of his heart having an instant affect on her. Alucard watched her, and began stroking her spine with his left hand, like he was petting a cat. "What are you doing?" she mumbled, and he stopped, as if just realizing it himself. "No," she said, "I don't mind. It actually feels nice." He smiled, resuming his ministrations as she snuggled into him, mumbling something else, "Your body is cold."

"I'm sorry for that." And he actually meant it.

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I always found body heat to be kind of bothersome actually, even during the winter. I don't like sticking to things."

Alucard angled his head, looking at the top of her head. Her sleep deprived state was revealing pleasant little details about her that he found quite interesting. "I see."

"Is that weird? That I don't like body heat? Maybe that's why I prefer body pillows. They absorb the heat, but they don't produce it."

"No. It's a reasonable excuse." How cute. She was surprisingly more chatty when she was about to fall asleep. Not that he minded, of course. The fact that she was in his arms, willingly laying over his undead heart, admitting these things to him, was a very welcome blessing. "Others may find it odd, but you should feel proud that you have a quirk that makes you unique."

"I guess so," she yawned. "Hey, Alucard?"

"Hm?"

"Of all the people you met in your life, do you miss anyone?"

The stroking paused as Alucard stared blankly at the ceiling. Yes, there was such a person. "Just one," he replied quietly. "But the pain of that loss has reduced over time." Also, with Alexandra in his embrace, that emotional agony had withered to nothing. He then noticed that the girl in question was looking up at him. "It happened a very long time ago. I am fine."

Alex nodded, laying her head back down, closing her eyes. As she started to fall asleep, the movement of his hand resuming, she mumbling out, barely coherent, "I'm here..."

Alucard's eyes widened, and he stared at her again. By the time he looked, she was already fast asleep. Had she really just said that? Was she even aware that she had said it? Somehow, he didn't think so, and that realization made the comment all the more shocking. No, that was impossible. The girl was completely conked, and Alucard shifted some until he had her more securely in his arms, her head under his chin. Her warm body and her scent was more than enough to lull him, and he soon drifted off.

Hunyadi was now fighting in Serbia, and Vlad grinned with a sick pleasure, quite aware that there was a plague going about in the regent's area. It came to his attention years ago that Hunyadi had a hand in his father and brother's deaths. Because he wasn't the one to have killed them personally, Vlad had resisted the need to kill the man himself. Plus, he was always surrounded by his guards. In these five years, Vlad had been determined to continue his swordsmanship, becoming quite lethal in his duels, honing his skill in actual combat, maiming the Turks he fought.

Vlad lied in his chambers, staring at the ceiling, thinking he would soon take command of his own unit, and lay siege to his own castle in Wallachia. On what should be his throne was the true assassin that Hunyadi had hired to take over, Vladislav II. Vlad closed his eyes, dissatisfied for some reason. In truth, he was angry. Katarina had avoided him mostly, and whenever they spoke, the conversation always seemed so short. The woman was beginning to aggravate him.

His chamber doors opened, and he looked over to see said woman standing in the doorway, holding a pail of water and a cloth. She looked worn and seemed like she didn't want to be there. His blue eyes narrowed at her, annoyed that she would even bother showing up. After a moment of consideration, he sat up, but did not undress, knowing what she was here for. After all, she had decided to work as a servant, merely just to avoid him.

"My Lord," she greeted monotonously.

"Get out," he said firmly.

Her step faltered when she moved forward, the water sloshing dangerously close to spilling. The dark-haired man watched as her lip quivered some, and then slowly turned to walk back out. Suddenly, there was a sense of urgency and Vlad bolted off his bed, catching her arm. Katarina pulled slightly, turning in surprise and looking into his contorted expression of distraught. As if knowing that he did not truly want her to go, she remained still, waiting. Reluctantly, he released her and turned away, stripping as he went to grab the stool and sit upon it.

The silence was unbearable, with only the sound of her wringing out the cloth, water dripping back into the pail. Vlad's muscles tensed under her touch, his skin prickling when it had left. It had always been like this between them. To deal with the frustration, he had bedded many women since his arrival to this country, which was around the same time Katarina had begun her estrangement of him. Many times he had wanted to tell her his feelings, but something always came up, or he lacked the courage to face her rejection. What a pathetic prince he made. Sometimes he considered just grabbing her and throwing her on the bed just to finally deal with the tension he felt. Being naked as he was, he could have done just that right now. No, he had decided. She would be willing, or he would not have her at all.

"Why?" he uttered, straining to push the words out. "Why have you avoided me till now?" She stopped entirely, remaining frozen in her place. "Answer me, Katarina!"

The young woman flinched at the outburst, but her voice was steady, "I wanted to see you."

"Lies!" he exclaimed angrily, standing up so abruptly, that the pail was knocked over. "You never look at me anymore! Does the sight of me disgust you?!"

His beloved took a fearful step back, those beautiful eyes wide upon his towering form. "I...I couldn't..."

"Couldn't what?!"

She gritted her teeth, face contorted with misery, hands covering it up a moment later as she sobbed, "I couldn't bare to look at a man who'd rather share his bed with a bunch of harlots that don't even know you for who you are!"

Upon her confession, she collapsed to the floor in a pathetic heap. Vlad stared in astonishment, speechless for what seemed like hours when it was only minutes. The revelation had hit him like a sack of stones, his body completely still. Finally, he bent over, taking her firmly by the arms and bringing her back on her feet. Seeing her face now wrenched his heart. It was the same face she made years ago when she was being raped. Gritting his teeth, now knowing what a huge mistake he made, he pulled her close, his arms nearly crushing her to him, nose buried in her hair.

"Those women...they meant nothing," he whispered. "They are nothing. You are the only one in my heart. I wanted to tell you this years ago, but I was a coward. I've misused all the opportunities since then. Had I known that you..."

Katarina had placed a finger on his lips to silence him. "Is it true? That you are going into Wallachia with your handful of men?"

His face hardened, a serious expression. "It is true."

There was an audible swallow from Katarina's throat as she nodded. "Then...please make me yours, like you do those women. I want to know your touch."

"No," he said, shocking her. The prince smiled then. "I will not touch you the same way. My hands have punished their bodies. These same hands will worship yours."

His sentiment had brought a blush to her tear streaked face, and she let out a relieved laugh before Vlad had claimed the lips that he had longed for, finally making love to her until both their bodies had been sated, having worshipped her body thoroughly, empowered by the sound of his name on her lips. Vlad did not know if he would die in his country, but if he did, he would without regrets.

A/N: I'm still awake! The things I do for you guys! But that's okay. When I initially started this chapter, I thought it sucked, especially since I couldn't concentrate on the damn thing because I was already lacking sleep. Then I deleted all of it and started over. I'm much more pleased with how this particular chapter turned out, as it isn't a bunch of sleepily-written ramblings (I still didn't go to sleep, dammit). Also, I promised you guys fluff, and here it is! As for the whole 'they're under the sink' thing, that was something my mom did, so I used it, because it's funny, even if a bit embarrassing. You know those parents that advise their children against drinking? Well, mine are ones that have claimed that they want to get me drunk (it's because I don't drink. I'm a total square).

I'm expecting some kind of super-love for this chapter. My sleep-deprived soul went into this one, dammit. And I won't get much sleep, because I have to go somewhere in a few hours, but I expect I'll be sleeping again when I get home, because it's so hot out, the trip will undoubtedly wipe me the fuck out. So, please leave your written with love reviews, thoughts, questions, and maybe a portion of your souls to revitalize mine, and thank you guys so much for reading and favouriting, and following. I'mma sleep now for 2.5 hours.