Seras entered the fencing room with a nervousness she only felt when going to battle. It was absurd really. She'd taken down criminals, hordes of ghouls and other vampires yet none of that could match the current twisting of her stomach.
"Seras." Integra was calling to her from across the vacant room. "I don't have all eternity like you."
She was forming an apology when she saw the small smirk on Integra's face. Was Integra teasing her?!
"Then I guess you'll just have to be patient."
Integra crossed her arms and stared down the rims of her glasses. There was still a spark of playfulness lasting in her eyes but now it was being overshadowed by her need to command.
"I am patient when it's necessary. However at the moment I suggest you get over here."
Nerves relinquished, she smiled at Integra and quickly joined her side of the room. Integra was sitting on a nearby bench with her hands resting on her knees looking impossibly timid. It was a strange look on her leader and she questioned if she was just imagining it.
"I called you here because I want to set some rules...whatever it is we are...it cannot interfere with our day to day interactions. You are still very much my servant as I your leader."
"Of course."
"And for now, I would prefer to keep this between us...though Alucard already knows I'm not willing to add to that list."
"Yes, sir."
" Integra." She corrected.
Seras nodded unable to keep the goofy grin from her face. Integra shifted in her seat and Seras knew that Integra was just as unsure of how to handle this as she was.
"Why did you want to talk here? Are you planning on beating me again?"
" I thought it would give us the most privacy for the time being...and perhaps I did want to fence some more."
Integra smirked over at her and the very look made her stomach flip a thousand times over. It was mischievous and suggestive but she wouldn't read too much into it.
"Then let's fence." She held out her hand to Integra. Integra looked at it for a second before finally placing a gloved hand in her own, her eyes shining with a subtle excitement. She guided Integra along refusing to drop the hand as they made the short walk towards the equipment. It felt warm and too comforting to let go of.
"Seras." Integra chuckled lightly. "I'm going to need the use of my hand."
"Oh!" She laughed nervously and released her death grip. " Sorry…"
She turned her back to Integra and began to pick out her equipment. She had yet to hear the woman even move but could feel Integra's eyes on her studying her. It had her wondering if Integra was reconsidering.
Before she even asked Integra was beside her.
" That gear is too small for you."
" What? But this is what I've been wearing."
"Yes and it's too tight. You would benefit from a bigger size. Don't tell me you don't feel the least bit restricted in it?"
"Sort of...but if it is all you have I'm okay with it."
"Of course I have other sizes."
Integra moved to a different cabinet and pulled out fresh fencing garb.
"This should help."
Integra handed it over and moved to her own corner of the room to change. Prude Seras thought affectionately.
She stripped her pants and heard Integra doing the same behind her. At this point she had to fight the urge to turn around and look. Images of the last time kept she saw Integra change kept invading her mind. She mentally admonished herself for wanting to look and kept to her side of the room. Halfway through her own changing the sounds of Integra's movements stopped.
The silence got to her and she broke her own rule of not looking.
Integra was ready to go, seated on the bench languidly waiting. Their eyes met and Integra raised a brow as if to say well then?
How did she change so fast? A bit flustered now she quickly finished dressing with her back to Integra.
"It fits nicely." Integra said. She heard soft footfall with Integra's approach.
"It feels better too."
"Good." Integra brushed a hand across the front of Seras jacket flattening it out. "Now let us begin."
Integra stepped away, her gear in perfect order, her head held high and eyes gleaming. The image was striking, like always.
"If I win you have to cover Walter's vacation." She said as she slipped down her mask.
"What? But that's a whole week?!"
"Is it? Hmmm. Well you better not lose then."
"Okay fine but if I win you have to make Alucard do it." Integra paused deterred by the idea of Alucard hovering for a week but knew she still had the advantage. Besides it's not like she really needed a Butler.
"Deal."
"Ha you're going down!" Seras exclaimed.
"Not before your mask." She reminded.
The mask was lowered and their swords were raised. Seras sort of wanted to be her Butler for a week, to spend some time with her and decided she was going to lose, not that she thought she could beat her anyway.
It started off with Integra lunging and she blocked it. She made a counterattack but naturally Integra anticipated that.
"If I didn't know any better I'd say you aren't even trying."
"What?! I am."
Integra chuckled richly and swiped at her, hitting her upper arm.
"Point."
They reset. This time Seras hit Integra's lower abdomen.
"Solid hit." Integra replied sounding very surprised.
"Have you been practicing without me?" Integra teased.
She grinned beneath her mask at the hidden compliment but she knew Integra was just humoring her.
"I've just been going easy on you."
"Really?" Integra jumped back from her attack continuing their talk while they dueled. "Then I suppose I'll have to actually try now. Walter is going to be so happy he can finally go to Waikiki."
Seras intended on hitting her but missed, whether Integra dodged it or if it was a flop she couldn't tell but she twisted awkwardly on her foot and landed on her rear.
Integra immediately removed her mask
"Honestly Seras." She sighed. "You're a vampire. "
"Yes but a clumsy one."
Integra held out her hand to help her up, but she pulled on it instead. Integra was unable to stop her downward descent and landed in her lap.
"You did that on purpose." Integra grumbled as she pushed off her. Seras didn't let her go though.
"Yes I did."
"What are you-"
"I'm yielding. You win."
Integra looked at a loss of what to do now, helplessly trapped in Seras embrace.
Though she wasn't fighting her, Seras could tell Integra did not like being restrained this way.
"This is not yielding. However if that is the case then as the new Walter I order you to release me and go start some tea."
Integra sounded serious, her tone stern and very unforgiving. She should have listened to her but the feeling of soft curves pressing into her had her holding on.
She wrapped her arms further around Integra's waist, revealing in the slim yet strong feel, pulling her further into her lap. After several seconds like this Integra gave in, letting out a small sigh as she leaned into her, her back pressing into Seras chest. Integra didn't have the will to fight her and she was certain she no longer wanted to.
"I guess tea can wait…" Integra replied.
She smiled softly and unconsciously started to rub tiny circles into Integra's side. Neither said anything for a while, both trying to process the feelings washing over them while sitting there on the floor.
Seras briefly recalled the Valentine brother attack and how Integra had held her in a similar manner.
"I never did thank you for stopping me…"
Integra turned her head slightly towards her fully aware of what she was referring to.
"You don't need to."
"But I do. I was scared… and I don't know what would have happened if you didn't and that scares me even more."
Integra turned in her arms, her legs draped across Seras crossed ones, and chose her next set of words carefully.
"Its in your nature Seras. I'm sorry it has to be that way but the best you can do is learn to control it." Integra brushed a hand across her cheek, staring into amber eyes. "Hold onto these human emotions as long as you can. I fear that they may fade as time goes on for you."
Integra's blue eyes held a sadness now, and as her words settled in that sadness overwhelmed Seras. A couple of tears escaped her and Integra promptly wiped them away.
She wanted to say something, anything but just choked over her words .
"Its okay." Integra said. This was too much for her right now. Too many emotions, building up a pain in her chest. Integra recognized the heartache and ushered her head to her shoulder. She wordlessly combed through her locks, attempting to comfort her.
It wasn't the playful embrace Seras had intended anymore, everything had gotten too real too fast. She was thankful Integra chose to remain there while she let her tears out. She felt so foolish for crying like this but she couldn't stop them.
Several minutes passed before she finally managed to steer her thoughts to a better place and when she pulled away from Integras shoulder she found blue eyes looking at her with admiration.
"You are strong Seras." Integra said. Integra lifted her chin and drew her closer, lips moving to meet hers in a reassuring kiss.
It didn't feel like the others, it was slower, searching and the strength behind it was frightening. Up until this point in her life she thought she knew what a mind blowing kiss was, she had been wrong. This was it and too think it had only lasted a couple of seconds.
"Thank you…" She replied.
"You're welcome."
Integra stood to her feet now and she felt saddened at their separation.
"Do you still want tea?"
"Tea would be nice."
A/N: Sorry for lack of updates I just can't seem to firmly keep my feet planted. Anyway thanks for reading. I'll try to write some more.