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Ten years had passed since the fall of Millenium. Alucard was gone, and so was Walter. The war had taken so much from her, and even a decade later she’s occasionally burdened by the event.
Integra stood in front of one of the tall windows that lined the hallway, the warm glow of dusk flooding into the mansion. She watched the clouds passing by, but there was too much going on in her head to pay close attention to anything around her.
So she fell into deep thought. She thought about the past. She thought about loss and regret, loneliness and sorrow. Walter was just a traitor. And Alucard was just a monster. Why did she miss their company so much?
And lonely she may be, if it hadn’t been for the company of a particular someone.
“Hello, Sir Integra!”
The blonde vampire seemed to materialize from thin air beside her. Integra was so lost in thought that she didn’t even notice her approach. Despite her melancholy, she couldn’t help but smile at the girl. There was something that was just so warm, so loving, and so peaceful about her. It changed the way that Integra viewed vampires and the people of the night as a whole over the years, in a way that Alucard couldn’t. They both belonged to her, but Seras was different from him. Seras made Integra feel emotions that were foreign, the likes of which she hadn’t really explored before.
“Did you sleep well?” Integra responded, not turning her attention away from the sky.
Seras smiled. “Quite well, actually.”
She had been sleeping in the same damned coffin for the entirety of the time she had been in the Hellsing organization. Integra was getting tired of how she refused every offer for a new one. Her humble attitude became irritating sometimes. The thing was falling apart for God’s sake.
“You know, if we were to replace that old pile of junk you’d probably sleep much better, I could have a new one in as soon as tomorrow.“
Seras shook her head. “Master, there’s no need!”
Integra chuckled. “There really is no convincing you, is there?”
After a few moments, her smile faded away and she returned her gaze back to the window.
Seras was familiar with situations like this, she knew how Integra was feeling. Her vampiric powers gave her that kind of insight. Not to mention, she had experienced her own losses in the war.
Both women, despite coming from very different backgrounds, really weren’t all too different in that regard. Over the course of many years, their bond had grown into something that could resemble friendship. With them being the sole survivors and the only two women in the entire organization, they both felt that they had to rely on the other. Even if they didn’t completely show it.
“Is everything okay, master?” As redundant as it felt to ask a question like that, Seras’s own feelings got in the way of her ability to say anything else.
“Just thinking,” she sighed. The woman had a tendency to bottle up her emotions in front of everyone and everything. Leadership had taken its toll on her.
“You can talk to me, if something is troubling you.”
The way her bright, consoling eyes sparkled in the sunlight pulled the words right out of Integra’s mouth, yet again. She didn’t know if it was because of her seductive vampiric powers or because she was naturally infatuated with the girl. However deep down she felt that it was the latter. She explained some of what was on her mind, but Seras could tell that she was choosing her words carefully, as usual. They’ve discussed this subject before, but this time, Integra said something that she never had previously.
“I don’t know what I would do without you, Seras...” She returned her gaze to the vampire with a smile. “You have truly changed my life for the better.”
Seras was a bit surprised at hearing that, but a warm smile appeared on her face. She hesitated a bit, before awkwardly wrapping her arms around Integra, taking her into an embrace. She didn’t know what to expect at first, but Integra hugged her back. Seras felt her chest flutter slightly at the contact, despite technically not having a beating heart.
“I’m so glad you didn’t have the same fate as the others. I’d be so alone without you...”
Never in Seras’s time at Sir Integra’s side had she heard her be so vulnerable. The woman had informed Seras about her worries here and there, but this was an entirely new level. Seras didn’t know what to think about the situation.
Seras ran her palm along her back to comfort her master. Neither was used to physical touch like this. But to Seras at least, she thought it felt nice.
She fell deeper into Integra’s arms and even allowed herself to rest her head on her shoulder for a few moments. But the fluttering in her heart returned and she felt her face heat up.
As they separated, a single tear fell down Integras cheek, which she patted away with her sleeve as fast as it appeared, hoping that the draculina wouldn’t notice.
“You know, if you really wanted to leave this place I could make that happen for you. Although, I can’t imagine there being many places for a vampire to go in this age.” Integra had told Seras that she was free to leave on countless occasions, and every time she refused.
She shook her head. “Sir, pardon me for asking, but why would you imagine that I would want to leave? Besides, that’s not why I stay at Hellsing.”
Integra gave a slightly puzzled look.
Oh, she thought. She would probably have to explain herself.
“Well, um…” Seras found herself scrambling to find words.“I rather enjoy your company… And I think very highly of you, but I also see you as…um”
A few awkward moments passed as they glanced into each other’s eyes. Seras felt something release from her mind and travel to the tip of her tongue. Her face flushed a dusting of pink. By the time she had second thoughts about saying it, it was already out.
“Integra… I- I think I’m in love with you...”
Shit… did she really just say that… The moment felt so surreal and dreamlike that Seras didn’t even know if she existed anymore. She had never imagined releasing those words in front of her master.
Oh dear, what have I done…
Slowly and painfully, she looked back up at Integra’s face, who’s eyes appeared to be wide in disbelief.
They both stood there for a few very long moments. Seras’s face burning and chest thudding all the while. She didn’t know what to do, should she stay and wait for a response? Should she run away? Should she apologize?
She braced herself for what was to come.
Integra put a gloved finger up to her lips in intense thought. “... I didn’t think you felt that way about me…”
…..
“I’m sorry, master, I shouldn’t have disrespected you like that. I should go-”
“No, please don’t. I’m just… surprised, is all.”
Integra walked towards Seras. She was getting awfully close… She placed a gloved hand on her shoulder. “Seras…” she said softly.
Slowly, and somewhat awkwardly, she leaned closer into Seras’s face until they were mere centimeters away from each other.
Integra placed her lips on hers.
Seras’s eyes went wide. She had never done this before with another person. Integra’s lips were warm, and soft.
They separated after a few moments. Out of every possible scenario that Seras had pictured in her mind, that was certainly not one of them.
Integra gazed into the still shaken vampire’s eyes. “I’ve always wished… that our bond could be deeper. That there could be something more between the two of us.” She turned away and lit a cigar. “Though, my position made such things difficult, beyond my reach, even.”
Seras watched the every movement of her lips, the way she spoke so softly, the way she huffed the cigar smoke in whispy clouds. Her lips had just made contact with those. She still couldn’t comprehend the fact that she had just shared such an intimate act with this knight.
“So you do have… feelings for me?”
Integra ruffled Seras’s soft hair. “I suppose there’s no denying it anymore.”
Seras had so many questions. Why her? For how long? Why didn’t she speak up sooner?
But, she decided to enjoy the moment, and ask questions later.
Integra spoke up. “I thought that it would be inappropriate for me, your master, to initiate something like this with you. But you are more than just another servant to me. And now that I know you feel similarly…” Her face flushed lightly. Something Seras had never seen before from the woman. “Do you think there could ever be something more between us?”
Seras never imagined she would have heard those words under these circumstances. She felt warm and happy inside, and giddy as if she was a child once again. She hadn’t felt happiness like this since before the tragic incident with her mother and father, so long ago. This happiness was a strange feeling, it brought back memories. Of course, now there was an added emotion on top of it all.
Integra grew concerned about her last comment to Seras, after a few moments of silence filled the grand hallway. But sure enough, her worries were alleviated when Seras smiled and nodded.
Integra smiled back and ran her fingers through her hair. The vampire let out a soft giggle. Integra felt like her hardened stone war heart was about to melt.
A creature of darkness, she thought. Yet she was the only one who could lead me into the light.
Soon enough, they were in an embrace once again. Seras squeezed her tightly, but it really was no bother to Integra. She soothingly caressed the vampire girl’s back.
“I’m so glad I can finally express just how precious you are to me…” murmured Integra. Seras hummed and nuzzled her shoulder in response.
Seras reached for Integra’s hand.
“Would you like to join me for a stroll outside this evening? The moon is full tonight, so you should be able to see quite well, but, um… regardless, I will be your eyes…”
Integra smiled at her. “I would love nothing more, Seras.”