She made sure Walter was finished for the night before approaching Integra's office. It was nearly midnight when he left and if she didn't move soon Integra would be leaving her office and approaching her in her bedroom was not an option. She knocked on the door.
"Im fine Walter I don't need anything else. The aspirin should be enough." She sounded drained.
Aspirin? Concern immediately flooded her and she abandoned her original plan. It didn't matter in this moment all she wanted was to make sure she was okay.
"It's Seras sir." She pushed open the door, and Integra's head shot up from her hands. "Are you not feeling well?"
Intergra's eyes searched Seras, but they quickly turned away.
"It's just a migraine Seras…Is there something you needed it's rather late." She was hurt at the quick dismissal but knew it was Integra's only real defense.
"Actually there was… but I won't bring it up now. Not until I know you're feeling better." She advanced towards Integra sitting behind her desk. The boldness she felt would be wiped clean if she took one look at the woman's questioning glance, so she focused on the task at hand. "I can help you…"
She was behind Integra's chair now and Integra hadn't moved from her seat. She took this as a promising sign and went for it. She gently placed both of her hands on Integra's temples. The simple touch easily caused Integra to abandon her defensive stance and she leaned back in her chair.
Seras slowly massaged her temples. She was far too stressed lately and this simple pleasure was doing wonders for her migraine.
"You are too busy. Integra You just need to relax a little more."
She was feeling more relaxed now, relaxed enough to not even notice Seras addressing her formally. Her soft voice felt hypnotic in the quiet room. Gradually, Seras moved her hands down the side of her head and settled at the back of neck. Here she made sure to apply a little more pressure, easing away the knot she had there.
"Don't move," she breathed her breath hot on Integra's neck. "This will relieve some of the pressure."
Integra knew what Seras intended to do. She should have told her to go then but she didn't want that. She was too tired to fight it.
She brushed aside her hair and slightly craned her neck, giving the draculina as much access as needed.
She took in the tiniest of breaths as Seras bit down, a small pinch but an otherwise pleasant sensation. With Seras gently pulling at the opposite side of her neck she felt her breathing start to shallow. Seras hand was soft, a little cold, and touching her so softly that it felt like a light breeze.
She closed her eyes, sighing, and fighting off the sleep that wanted to claim her. She needed this, and the migraine was starting to fade. She placed her hand on Seras shoulder, drawing her a little closer. She wanted more of her but couldn't bring herself to make that leap. This had to stop now. But the hand on her neck was moving downwards, stopping just at the base of her neck before her cravat. She found herself wishing just as much as Seras that the hand would continue moving.
"I think that should help." Seras said breathily as she pulled away.
She lifted her eyelids and saw amber orbs full of… love? It wasn't possible she was sure of it but it was hard to label it as any other emotion.
She cast her eyes away and brought a hand up to rub at the puncture site.
"Thank you Seras. I'm feeling remarkably better."
"You're welcome Sir." Seras didn't want to push her luck tonight and decided it would be best if she didn't stick around any longer. "Have a good night." She was on her way out when Integra called her back.
"Seras." Her heart was racing. "Would you mind walking with me? I want to discuss some things with you."
"Yes sir!" Integra joined her side and they left her office.
"Alucard will be returning soon" She began. "But until then I'll need you to be prepared for an attack. Millenium has discovered his absence from the manor and Im certain they will make a move."
Integra removed her caravat as she spoke and Seras was finding it difficult to concentrate on her words.
"This is an odd request, and given recent events I'm not sure if it's the right action to take but It ensures my safety." She pocketed the silver cross. "I need you to take over as my bodyguard for the night."
Seras didn't trust herself to speak she knew what that meant. Spending the night in Integra's bedroom. A nod of her head was enough to relay her understanding. Before she could fully process the idea she was suddenly standing in her bedroom, while Integra changed several feet away from her, a thin wall separating them. Her room felt bare, just as her office did. She was careful not to reveal too much about herself in even her private space she noted. The only sign of a personal touch was a frame next to her bed stand. The photo was turned away from where she stood, facing the bed so Integra could see it while she lay.
She wanted to know what the photo was but before she could sneak a glance Integra came out of the bathroom. Butterflies filled Seras stomach as she saw Integra standing before her in her white nightgown. It was by no means provocative, yet it still invoked a reaction in her. Seeing her out of her usual business attire was foreign but helped show the true curves of her body. Integra did her best to ignore the heated look and climbed into her bed suddenly feeling very self aware. She sat against her head board and habitually glanced to her left. That's when she saw the picture and hastily turned it downward. She didn't want seras seeing something so personal, even though it was just a picture of her and her father she felt the need to conceal it.
"Seras you are to stay in that chair understood?" She pointed to a red chair off in the corner. "If I find out you leave it for any reason at all there will be serious repercussions."
"Yes sir."
"Good." She took off her glasses and set them on the table. "Now I don't want to hear a word from you. "
She nodded and Integra was pulling the sheets over her shoulders.
Integra struggled to fall asleep knowing the object of desires was just across the room. She purposefully put the chair in the corner as far away from her as possible but she might as well have set it right in front of her because all she could focus on was the mere fact that she was there. Amidst her restlessness she stole a glance in Seras' direction. It was hard to see through the darkness and without her glasses but she still felt her heart pounding in her chest from seeing just her silhouette. She tore her eyes away regretting her decision in pushing her away.
She had made a promise to herself, and to her father at a very young age that she would never see vampires as anything else but necessary tools. Vampirism itself was a curse infecting lives of the innocent but Seras she was different. She still had her human qualities and that completely warped her own opinion on the subject now . Could she possibly turn and retain a respectable status? What if they never had to find out?
The thoughts bothered her and she quickly rolled over to her other side in frustration. Becoming a vampire could ensure their service to the queen for centuries as she had no true intentions of producing an heir. The organization would be given to the Penwoods. They were a fine family but she wasn't sure if it would be a proper fit. Alucard, Seras and herself they would be the perfect trinity but could it last?
She found herself wishing that her father was here to help guide her. He left her too soon with too many responsibilities. He tried to prepare her but no matter how much he tried she could never have been prepared enough. She knew he wouldn't approve of her romancing but turning to ensure the Hellsing organizations progression perhaps he would. Why am I even considering this? she thought rolling onto her stomach this time. Being eternally young and immortal sounded like a guarantee for pain and suffering.
That's when she considered how Seras must be feeling about the entire situation. Alone stuck with Alucard. He would never be able to fully understand or love her. That part of him was erased the day he became Hellsing's servant. Only a small part of him retained human emotion but it wasn't enough. She wanted Seras to be happy it's the reason she stopped their relationship before it began. Except reflecting on it now, either way Seras would end up hurt.
"Seras ." She called out, as she put on her glasses. The blondes head shot up .
"Yes sir?"
"I'm afraid I'm feeling another headache coming on. Would you mind fetching me a glass of water?"
"Right away sir!" She practically leapt out of the chair and left her room. This gave integra enough time to gather herself. She needed the woman to leave she was about to cave.
"Here you are sir." Seras was back and offering her the glass. She had forgotten how fast vampires were.
"Thank you." She sat up and took the glass. Seras remained by her side closely monitoring her master.
She felt her heart start to flutter beneath Seras' gaze and forced herself to think about anything but her.
"Is there anything else I can do for you sir?"
Her breath caught in her throat at the longing in Seras eyes. Why was this so difficult? They never had such an attraction before.
"Actually, there is..." Don't do it. She argued with herself. It's not appropriate and unfair to Seras. "Would you give me another massage?" Idiot!
Wordlessly Seras knelt behind her on the bed, her weight sinking the bed.
"It's all of that paperwork you do." Seras sighed as she placed her hands at the base of her neck. "Honestly I've never seen anyone do so much of it. Not even the captain of my police force did that much and he had about a dozen reports a day."
"I would entrust the matter to someone else but I'm worried it won't be done correctly. Keeping such a large organization a secret is difficult and getting funds is another matter entirely... " Seras hands dug into her shoulder gently kneading it and easing away the tension. It felt so good to get rid of the knot.
Her hand gently pressed against a sensitive spot and she accidentally let out a moan. At hearing the sound Seras paused she was thankful Seras couldn't see her face because she knew it was burning. Before Seras own discomfort became obvious she continued to massage her neck and shoulder area. She bit her lip to prevent any future sounds from escaping. It had been far too embarrassing.
"You know sir. I'm fairly certain massages aren't in the job description." She said. A small smile graced integras lips
"Oh? I suppose I'll have to fix that then." Seras shifted closer to her on the bed and she was even more aware of how intimate this situation was. Here she was in her night gown, with Seras in her bed giving her a massage. She didn't want to fight it. It felt right.
Hands worked their way up her neck, gently combing through her hair and massaging her scalp.
"Hmmm... I'll have to add hair care as well..." She closed her eyes and let Seras roam freely. Seras gathered her long strands of hair in both of her hands. Admiring her beautiful locks.
"I really could do something with your hair...you would look beautiful with it up."
"Thank you Seras." She felt her heart fluttering again at the hidden compliment.
She didn't know why she was enabling her like this. Or Why of all times she decided now would be good. She just wanted to be close to her.
Seras hands suddenly stopped and she felt her heart drop. She quickly put an end to whatever it was Seras was about to say.
"It's best I get some rest now... "
Why had she let her do this? It was a mistake.
"Yes...of course. I'll be here. Good night." Seras sounded wounded and it didn't help her feel any better. Sleep came to her but it was a very restless night.