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anncanta · 1 year

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Fandom: Dracula (2020)

Characters: Count Dracula, Zoe Van Helsing, Agatha Van Helsing, Bloxham, Frank Renfield

Relationship: Dracula/Zoe Van Helsing, Dracula/Agatha Van Helsing

Rating: Explicit

I just recently wrote that it is difficult for me to imagine the story where Dracula is interested in Zoe Van Helsing. And here it is.

Warnings: abusive relationship, betrayal, gaslighting.

There is a war going on in my country. I don`t write about war directly, but war affects what I do – and my stories too. It had a particular influence on this one.

If you want to help my country, you can do it here: https://savelife.in.ua/en.

@hopipollahorror @ravenathantum @dragatha @ladyhaley28 @alma37

Read on AO3

Or read below

The helicopter pilot was nervous, Zoe knew that. The slight fluctuations of the circle of white light betrayed him.

Zoe raised her head. Larry has been with the centre for over six years. It was her old love affair, meaning nothing. ‘There is no redundant or useless information,’ her self-defence instructor said. Zoe knew that Larry`s hands trembled with excitement in critical situations.

Waving to the pilot and shouting into the radio that he could fly away, Zoe looked around ... and suddenly gave the same signal to the drivers of the cars that flooded the night beach and the mercenaries. In the surgical light of the headlights, she saw a flicker of surprise on their faces, which soon gave way to an expression of professional resignation.

Kate will be unhappy after taking a few steps across the sand, Zoe thought absently. She stopped before a man who had come out of the water.

***

Zoe sat in a chair with her legs propped up on the table. She moved, stretching her stiff neck.

She needs more sleep, she thought. But what will it change?

... When they were alone, Dracula looked at Zoe for a long time, peering stubbornly and intently, as if trying to make sure that what he sees was real.

‘Are you hungry?’ Zoe asked.

‘No,’ he replied. ‘Who are you? What is this circus in the sand?’

‘I`m Zoe Van Helsing, head of the centre –’ Zoe began, but then stopped when she saw that Dracula was reaching out for her. She tensed, ready to recoil. ‘Harker Centre?’ Dracula hooked a badge on her chest with his finger.

‘Research Foundation. It was founded by Mina Murray,’ Zoe said. ‘Do you remember Mina?’

‘Barely.’

‘What about Jonathan?’

Dracula stepped back and turned away for a moment.

‘I remember Agatha,’ he said. ‘What happened to her?’

Zoe took her smartphone out of her pocket and dialled the centre number.

‘I`ll be there in forty minutes. Get me an isolator.’

Dracula silently followed her actions. When Zoe, having finished the conversation, was about to return the gadget to its place, Dracula grabbed her hand.

‘What is it?’ he asked, examining the phone.

‘A device for talking at a distance.’

‘Telephone.’ Dracula rolled his eyes. ‘I lived in the nineteenth century. How to turn it on?’

‘It`s blocked.’

Dracula looked at her very carefully.

‘Blocked,’ he repeated. Smiled. ‘Here`s what,’ he glanced at the badge, ‘Zoe Van Helsing. I will go with you to this centre of yours and even willingly go to the… isolator that will be prepared for you. But on one condition.

Zoe raised an eyebrow.

‘You will tell me what happened to Agatha and have dinner with me.’

***

The clock on the panel at the entrance to the restricted area showed 7.15 p.m. Twelve hours before sunrise.

Zoe went into the isolator room and turned the lever on the control panel. The glass triangle began to move, hatches on the ceiling creaked as they opened.

‘I`m coming in,’ Zoe said, standing in front of the door. ‘If you try to attack me, my people will open the roof and you will burn to the ground.’

Dracula didn`t answer. Zoe thought these precautions looked silly after he had travelled dozens of miles in her own car. But so were the rules.

She opened the glass door and entered.

‘So,’ said Dracula, ‘tell me more about this place. How is it related to Johnny? What happened to Agatha? And what did you bring?’

‘Take off your jacket and roll up your left sleeve.’

‘Why?’

‘You are about to give blood.’

Gambling look. Full of delight and ... recognition.

‘This is the first,’ Dracula smiled dazzlingly. He came closer, stopped at the edge of light and darkness.

Zoe ignored the remark. With a habitual movement, she leaned towards Dracula`s outstretched hand. Then she raised her eyes at him.

‘I can`t penetrate the skin.’

‘No?’ Dracula raised his eyebrows. He nodded at the vacuum vial in her hand. ‘Give it to me.’

Zoe watched with widened eyes as Dracula removed the needle and threw it on the table, then, making an incision on his hand with a thumbnail, brought his wrist over the test tube.

‘You didn`t answer,’ Dracula`s voice snapped her out of her daze. ‘Johnny was a good person. How is this place related to him?’

‘Mina.’ Zoe cleared her throat. ‘I said you – Mina Murray created this centre in memory of him. With ... Sister Agatha Van Helsing`s family.’

‘What happened to Agatha?’

‘You know this better than me.’

Pause.

‘I really liked her.’

‘On my understanding, you killed her.’

‘How do your phones work?’ Dracula handed her a test tube.

Zoe automatically took it.

‘In what sense?’

‘What does ‘blocked’ mean?’

Zoe blinked.

‘The system ... protects the device from unwanted use. In the blocked state, the phone does not respond to button presses and does not display any information. In order to unlock it, you need to know the password.’

‘I thought so.’

For a minute they stood opposite each other, and then Dracula pulled her towards him.

The roof swung open with a piercing creak.

The light from above illuminated them both. Zoe and Dracula froze in a suddenly dazzling white space.

A second has passed. Another.

Dracula slowly raised his hand, touched her cheek.

‘I will never forget this,’ he said. ‘Never. But now I have to go.’

The isolation room door clicked. Hastily freeing herself and backing away from Dracula, Zoe turned around. Kate stood in the doorway, accompanied by a man with a plump briefcase in his hands.

‘Who are you?’ Zoe asked, still squinting in the bright light. ‘What … Who let you in here?’

‘Listen to him, Zoe,’ Kate said.

The man adjusted his glasses.

‘I am Count Dracula`s lawyer.’

***

Dracula called her a week later.

‘What do you want?’ Zoe asked.

‘We agreed to have dinner.’

‘We agreed that you will cooperate.’

‘I said I would go into your isolation cell. I didn`t promise that I would stay.’

Zoe rubbed the bridge of her nose.

‘Listen, Zoe,’ the voice on the phone said softly. ‘You may not believe it, but I have no intention of harming you. As, however, and no one else. Thanks to your centre with its idea of donors and my lawyer, I now have fresh blood every day.’ He paused. ‘Let`s just have dinner.’

‘Tomorrow at seven o`clock, at Huntsman Inn.’

‘Thank you.’

‘I`m sure I will regret it.’

‘Who knows, Zoe,’ he laughed, ‘who knows?’

***

The doorbell was short and sharp. Zoe didn`t move. The call was repeated. Cursing, she went to open it.

‘I thought you no longer needed to be nocturnal,’ she said, throwing open the door.

‘No,’ Dracula, standing on the threshold, shrugged. ‘But it`s impolite to come in the morning.’

Zoe turned and walked into the room.

‘I haven`t heard from you for over two months. I thought you forgot about me.’

‘Would you like it?’

‘Yes.’

Dracula followed her into the living room. Looking around with a sceptical look, he settled into Zoe`s favourite chair.

‘Do you take pills? Can`t sleep?’ He pointed to the vial on the coffee table.

‘I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis six months ago,’ Zoe said dryly. ‘The pills help to slow down the course of the disease.’ She sat on the couch and glared at Dracula. ‘What do you need?’

He got serious.

‘I need to talk to you, Zoe.’

‘About what?’

He looked at her thoughtfully.

‘About blocked phones.’

…

‘Are you crazy?’ Zoe yelled. ‘I am Agatha? .. How did it just get to your head ... God, but to whom am I saying this?’

Jumping up, she looked with horror at the sitting Dracula. He seemed surprisingly calm.

Zoe inhaled and exhaled several times.

‘Look, Dracula,’ she said. ‘I don`t know – and I don`t want to – what kind of … relationship you had with my great-great-aunt. I might admit she was kind of ... important to you. But that doesn`t mean,’ Zoe took a breath, ‘that doesn`t mean you can come and share your sick fantasies with me!’

‘Zoe –’ said Dracula.

‘No,’ she waved her hands. ‘No, that`s enough, I`ve had enough.’

‘Zoe, listen –’

‘Stop it.’

‘Zoe!’

‘I know who I am. Go away. Right now. You are out of your mind.’

They looked at each other in silence for a while, then Dracula suddenly leaned over to Zoe`s laptop, which was on the coffee table. Ignoring her protesting cries, he opened it and, after typing a few words on the keyboard, turned the screen to her.

There was a Wikipedia article titled ‘Dissociative Fugue’ opened there.

Zoe watched in silence, her eyes picking out individual lines.

‘A sudden but purposeful move to another place …’, ‘a person completely forgets all information about himself or herself, up to the name …’, ‘... assumes a new identity (in whole or in part) …’, ‘the cause is a mental trauma or an unbearable situation …’.

She turned her gaze to Dracula.

She had memory lapses. Rare and rather brief – sometimes she couldn`t remember what she did for several minutes or hours. It happened that she forgot to eat or suddenly found herself tired, although she did not do anything special. Sometimes it seemed to her that life was running forward at an incredible speed, while the days dragged on, similar to each other, like one endless day.

She skimmed the text further. The dissociative fugue ends as abruptly as it begins. Uncontrollable. The story of Agatha Christie, who ran away from home and did not recognize herself in the photo in the newspapers, is widely known.

Zoe`s mind caught on this story. You can change your identity, change your place of residence, change your name. But you cannot change your biological essence.

‘Vampires,’ Zoe said in a hoarse voice. ‘We`re talking about vampires.’

‘We`re talking about you, Zoe,’ Dracula said. He didn`t need an explanation of what she meant. ‘And, to avoid misunderstandings: I gave a dissociative fugue only as an example of what would happen. I don`t think this is your case.’

‘Why?’

‘Because whatever caused your condition, I highly doubt that you yourself did it to you.’

Zoe thought back to when she came to work at the Harker Centre. Secret documents, signature on a non-disclosure agreement. Rumours circulated in the foundation about the sources of its funding. Kate, who always seemed to Zoe to be unnaturally nervous. Like this woman`s got some dirty secret.

This is absurd, thought Zoe. But still ... She looked at Dracula.

‘How can I find out … I don’t believe you,’ she added immediately. He looked at her. ‘But strange things are happening in the centre,’ she admitted reluctantly. ‘If what you say is true, how can I know?’

Dracula looked at her calmly.

‘There is an easy way. And you know what it is.’

Zoe stared at him, uncomprehending.

Until she got it.

‘My God, no.’

‘Zoe,’ Dracula stood up. ‘Zoe, listen. I don`t want to hurt –’

‘No way.’

Startled, Zoe moved back. She wrapped her arms around herself.

‘Zoe –’

‘Dracula, the conversation is over. Please leave.’ She turned away.

A couple of minutes later, the door slammed in the hall.

***

‘If you do this, will I become Agatha?’

Zoe sat on the parapet of the fence with her back to the entrance to the centre. Next to her was an untouched bottle of beer. Zoe opened the bottle, shook it. Then put it back. She raised her head to Dracula in front of her.

‘You are Agatha,’ Dracula said. He removed the bottle from the parapet and sat down. ‘Zoe,’ he added with a quick glance at her, ‘I don`t know who did it and why, I don`t know what their plans are for you, but I highly doubt that they take into account your interests in any way.’ He held up his hand, preventing her from protesting, ‘Perhaps it is not for me to judge them. But I, unlike them, want to understand.’

‘You want Agatha.’

He was silent for a long time.

‘I want Agatha,’ he said slowly, watching the sun go down over the hill in the distance. Reaching for the bottle, he weighed it in his palm, knocked it over and poured the beer on the ground. ‘I want Agatha, although I don’t know if Agatha wants me. But think about this,’ he said after a short pause, ‘if she really is locked up inside you, then shouldn`t you both be released?’

‘Even if it would destroy me?’

Zoe barely slept last night. She read Agatha`s diaries kept in the archives of the centre. Sister Agatha was smart, thorough, and in the records of experiments and her own reasoning, she was very scrupulous. After four hours of reading, Zoe was completely immersed in the details described in the diaries, and by morning she no longer knew, she remembers so much from that old life, because she read about it, or because she lived it herself.

Instead of answering, Dracula held out his hand to her.

For a minute, Zoe stared at it silently.

‘Give me your hand.’

She raised her eyes to him.

‘For what?’

‘Not for what you think.’

‘You have no idea what I think,’ Zoe said irritably, covering his fingers with hers.

‘Quiet,’ Dracula replied. ‘Listen.’

Zoe frowned, froze. Sounds surrounded her on all sides: the rustle of tires on a nearby street, the sough of autumn leaves, the sound of a ball in someone`s backyard. The woman in the house across the street was closing the shutters with a clatter. Zoe fidgeted.

‘I hear nothing special –’

‘Zoe, leave the neighbours alone,’ Dracula interrupted her. ‘Listen to what`s under your skin.’

And then she understood.

It was an eternity before Zoe dared to look at him.

‘How …’ she began, ‘why … how is this possible? How could I not notice that I have no pulse and I am not breathing?’

Dracula let go of her hand.

‘Because you were breathing – like Jonathan, mostly out of habit. Because you did not attach importance to the low activity of the heart rate. Because you thought you had asthenia. Associated with multiple sclerosis and destruction of the nervous system. Should I continue?’

Zoe shook her head silently.

‘I`m dead,’ she said softly.

Dracula looked at her.

‘That was a long time ago.’

***

Zoe returned home in the morning. Her head was buzzing, her body ached.

It`s a haze, it`s all just a haze, sitting down in a chair, she thought. A fake shadow cast over her so she couldn`t see reality. So that she could not see that she is – a shadow.

…

‘So that`s why you wanted to have dinner with me.’

‘No. I wanted to do this for a different reason. Although, of course, it was important for me ... to see. Rather, make sure that what was on the shore, I did not dream.’

‘On the shore?’

‘Don`t you remember?’

Zoe shrugged.

‘I came there with a capture team. We waited. It was damp and cold. I smoked. A lot. I quit a few ... about three months ago. But I had an old pack lying around in my pocket. When you surfaced, I was just finishing my last cigarette. I put it out and walked towards you.’

‘Crumpling the empty pack in your right hand.’

‘How do you know?’

Dracula looked at her.

‘Zoe, you didn`t have any pack in your hands – neither empty nor full. When you stepped into the circle of light, you simply clenched and unclenched your fingers.’

Zoe was silent.

‘It seemed strange to me. And then ... your walk, your voice. Your scent. The way you were like her. The way you calmly kept close to the predator, while the blood of those who stood five meters away literally boiled.’

‘I –’

‘Zoe, I can hear it. This is not a subject of dispute, hypothesis or some kind of game. It`s part of my nature – I hear. The fact that you are not a human, I understood immediately. I couldn`t understand how you manage to think you were the one.’

Zoe swallowed.

Larry. The pilot`s name flashed like an unwelcome spark in her memory. Larry and his hands at the helm that night. His trembling and fear, noticeable to her alone.

She and Larry never had any love affair. That`s why, he always looked at her so strangely in response to her friendly pats on the shoulder, to her too-personal jests and jokes. Zoe felt like she was about to suffocate.

Dinner, she forced herself to remember.

‘I ate,’ Zoe said with difficulty. ‘I ate at dinner. I ordered entrecote and beans. And white wine for dessert.’

‘Pork entrecote?’ Dracula asked.

‘What?’

‘Pork entrecote or beef entrecote?’

‘I … but … whatever. I think it was pork.’

‘Beans sprouted or regular? Fried? With or without sauce?’

He asked absolutely calmly.

‘What year was the wine? French, Italian? Dry or maybe sparkling? What did it taste like?’

Zoe shook her head. The memories were blurry, somehow ... general, like a movie she`d seen years ago, playing through her mind. What kind of meat do the characters in the movies eat? It`s just ... meat. And just beans. Served with just wine.’

The film is something else.

And then she remembered.

‘I sat up all evening without eating a crumb,’ said Zoe. ‘You ordered mineral water.’

‘A couple sitting at an empty table without food or drinks looks strange.’

Zoe lowered her eyes.

‘What am I?’ she asked in a whisper. ‘And what did they do to me?’ She looked at Dracula. ‘What have you done to me?’

…

The phone on the nightstand beeped an incoming message. Zoe reached out to it, looked at the display – Kate. ‘Later,’ she wrote and put the phone back.

Dracula reacted to her outburst calmly. With the same irritatingly strange certainty and a kind of ... tenacity that Zoe hadn`t expected in him.

To tell the truth, she didn`t know much about Dracula. Except for what she read in Agatha`s diaries, – the smallest. Harker`s data collection centre was inferior to a nineteenth-century nun, she mentally chuckled.

‘I must have turned you. Although I didn`t know about it. If I had known, I would have taken you with me.’

‘I hate you.’

He shrugged.

Zoe was silent for a long time.

‘I can go out into the sun,’ she said, looking at Dracula. ‘I have never experienced ... You saw it yourself. The isolator …’

Dracula chuckled.

‘Yes, the burning sun. Zoe, I`m not stupid. I saw that the sun had no effect on other vampires. Teresa – the girl who almost ate Johnny, – as Jonathan himself – had no fear of the sun. I`m afraid this is exclusively my ... as they say now, my bug.’

‘How is it that the centre found me before you did?’

‘That`s a very good question,’ said Dracula. He stood up and held out his hand to her again. ‘Let`s go.’

‘Where?’ Zoe was surprised.

Dracula smiled.

‘To my place.’

‘Never.’

‘I`d say I don`t bite, but you probably won`t believe me.’

‘Dracula –’

‘Come on, Zoe,’ he interrupted her, turning serious. ‘I`ll introduce you to Frank Renfield. You`ve already seen him, in the centre. I think what you need to hear, he will explain better than I can.’

…

‘I have researched everything I can find, at the request of the dark lord, about you and your connection to the Harker Foundation.’ Renfield tilted his head and adjusted his glasses.

Zoe glanced at Dracula. He sat at the table on the opposite side of her, not in a hurry to enter into a conversation. Renfield continued,

‘I started with the basics. Since you introduced yourself’ he flipped through the page of the notebook in his hands ‘as the paternal great-great-niece of Agatha Van Helsing, I made an inquiry to Holland, and the first thing I received was an extract from the Van Helsing family book.’

Zoe looked at him expectantly.

‘According to the church archives of the diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam, the parents of Miss Agatha Van Helsing, Anna and Wilhelm Van Helsing, married in 1853 a.d., had three children. Two boys died in infancy. One from meningitis, the other from a brief measles epidemic.

He fell silent.

‘What does it mean?’ Zoe asked.

‘It means that Agatha became the only child in the family,’ she heard Dracula`s voice. ‘She didn`t have any brothers.’

Renfield nodded and turned the page.

‘That doesn`t prove anything,’ Zoe said. ‘Angus … Anselm … his name was Anselm, as I remember, could have been her cousin or second cousin.’

‘I`ve investigated all of Miss Agatha Van Helsing`s connections down to the sixth generation,’ Renfield said again. ‘Anna Van Helsing did have a brother, and that one had a son and a daughter, both of whom survived. Upon reaching the age of majority, the daughter married a small merchant who traded in the neighbourhood, and two years later she died in childbirth. The son worked as a cook`s assistant in Amsterdam and soon after his sister`s death got a job as a cook on a ship bound for Australia. There he lived all his life – childless.’

There was a long silence.

‘Agatha Van Helsing had no descendants,’ Dracula finally said.

‘Maybe I –’

‘I also checked archival records for excommunicated, suicidal, and illegitimate ones,’ Renfield said. ‘Not the slightest trace of anyone. The Van Helsing family was completely interrupted at the beginning of the last century.’

Zoe leaned back in her chair and stared at the wall. Vague memories, like an oily film, spread in her mind. The white walls of the centre, the man sitting in the chair, Kate holding out her hand and uttering some ordinary words. The man pushes the documents to Zoe to sign, Zoe lifts the pen, scans the first page. At the top of the page is her name – Zoe Van Helsing.

Raising her head, she looks at Renfield.

‘What else do you know?’

Renfield, who had looked rather alarmed before, seemed to cheer up.

‘When it became clear that you could in no way be related to Agatha Van Helsing,’ he said, ‘I realized that the origins of your ... appearance should be sought in the centre of Harker.’ Renfield pointed to an opened laptop on the table. ‘I managed to find the data. You can take a look yourself.’

Zoe moved closer to the computer.

The ‘data’ turned out to be surveillance footage. Judging by the angle, it was located on the ceiling in the corner and showed only a small part of the room. Starting the recording, Zoe saw the same place that was in her memories. This time it was just her and Kate. Kate was saying something, emotionally and obviously loudly, but there was no sound. Zoe was visible from the back and slightly to the side. The quality of the video was pretty low, but it was definitely her.

Zoe watched Kate on the screen get up and leave, then almost immediately she arrives again and hands Zoe a piece of paper. Scanning the page, Zoe on the screen nods and turns around. For a couple of seconds, her face is visible in the frame – pale and tired. Her lips move. There is still no sound, but the facial expressions are obvious. Zoe lip-reads, ‘I agree.’ Kate nods, leaves. Now it seems she would not return.

The recording ends.

‘What was it?’ Zoe looks at Renfield.

Renfield is silent. Instead, Dracula answers.

‘This is the only footage from the Harker Centre that includes Zoe Van Helsing. There is no more – for six years.’

Zoe stands up, shaking her head.

‘It can`t be –’

‘Please, note the date of the footage, Miss Van Helsing.’ Renfield`s voice seems muffled and distant. Zoe turns to the table, leans back to the screen.

June 29, 2020, 7.15 a.m.

Three months ago.

Straightening up, Zoe looks at Dracula. Three months ago, the remains of the Demeter were found. Actually, two and a half. Another two weeks went in search of Dracula.

Zoe has a strange feeling, as if she was again in the same footage, reduced to the size of a computer screen. Or was it the screen that had grown and engulfed her?

Zoe`s lips move, but Zoe cannot hear herself.

‘What`s happening?’ she whispers.

Zoe came to her senses with the feeling of fresh air blowing over her. The reactions of the body cannot be faked, the body can always be relied upon, it does not lie, Zoe hears through the numbness that gripped her, she fumbles with her hand in space, finds someone`s palm – smooth skin, long nails. Zoe falls somewhere, and the same hand – probably the same one – slowly strokes her back.

Fresh air acts like a shock. Zoe inhales sharply. The breath feels unfamiliar, like someone else`s. She puts her hands on the chest of Dracula, who hugs her, and, raising her head, looks into his face.

For several minutes they look at each other, and nothing can be read in Dracula`s eyes. Then he pulls back a little and holds out his hand. Touching her cheek, lingers, slides lower. Turning back the turtleneck collar easily tears the fabric. Fingers slide over a thin scar, either caressing or asking for forgiveness.

Zoe looks at him.

‘Cry, please,’ Dracula asks.

Zoe just shakes her head.

***

Another message came from Kate. ‘I worry’. Zoe typed in, ‘Headache. I went to bed early,’ and turned off the phone.

Dracula took her home and left, leaving his number and Renfield`s, saying that she could call both at any time. They didn`t say a word the whole way from Dracula`s apartment. Zoe promised that she would contact him. She needed to think.

Shifting in her chair, she got up and went to the window. A butcher`s shop was opening on the opposite side of the street. 7.30 a.m. The butcher came early. They usually start work at 7.45 a.m.

Zoe always seemed so ordinary to herself. There was nothing in her or in her life that could attract attention or set her apart from the crowd. Just a woman of forty-two, no husband, no children, no dog. Scientist-biologist, PhD. She always wondered why the centre for epidemic and rare virus research would be interested in her modest CV, but in the end, she decided to consider it normal luck. She didn`t believe in vampires.

She thought Dracula was some kind of an exotic fairy tale for sponsors. Sponsors have quirks.

She wanted to smoke. Searching, she found cigarettes in the desk drawer, but changed her mind and, putting them back, took the phone.

Turning it on and finding two missed messages from Kate and one message from the laundry, Zoe opened the contacts.

‘Jack,’ she said when she heard a voice on the other end of the line. ‘I`m sorry that I am out of the blue. Jack, are you free today? I need you to take me somewhere.’

***

‘You are crazy.’

‘This is the only place they won`t find me.’

‘How can you be sure? They have Agatha`s diaries.’

Shaking her head, Zoe smiled at Dracula, who was sitting on the couch.

‘There is nothing about this place in Agatha`s diaries. And in no other records. Nobody knows anything about it.’ She went to the huge floor-to-ceiling window and, pulling back the curtain, looked out into the garden. ‘I saw it in a dream.’

That was truth. Three weeks ago, before Dracula appeared, Zoe had a vivid, very realistic dream. Zoe did not attach any importance to it, but in two days the dream recurred, and soon – again, maybe five days later or so. In the dream, she was driving in a car through the countryside, past low houses and farms scattered in green fields. The car drove slowly and always stopped at the driveway in front of the gates of the Victorian mansion. Zoe knew this mansion. And who told her about it. About the keys in a ceramic tub to the right of the wrought iron gate. In the dream, she also knew its address. And when she woke up, she realized that she knew how to get there.

Zoe didn`t tell anyone about this house. She didn`t know why.

‘You had reason to have secrets from the Harker Centre,’ Dracula said thoughtfully. ‘By the way, the young man who`s been hanging around here –’

‘Jack Seward,’ Zoe reminded him. ‘I trust him like myself.’

Dracula looked sceptical but said nothing.

‘What are you going to do next?’ he asked Zoe as she approached.

‘Isn`t it obvious?’ she said.

Three days ago, when she called Jack, she turned off the phone again and wrote an email to Kate asking for forgiveness, explaining that she urgently needed to leave to visit her seriously ill uncle in Costa Rica. ‘I read on the internet about false memories,’ she told Dracula afterwards. ‘They are easy to create with simple hypnosis. But there is a peculiarity: even the best hypnotist cannot come up with a detailed life story. Therefore, most often, an existing one or some ordinary simple plot is taken as the basis – and details are strung on them. And the mind further completes the pattern by itself.’

The person she was supposed to consider herself might well have decided that she had relatives across the ocean. ‘A loser`s dream. Side effect.’

Dracula shook his head. ‘They`ll understand when they look for you and don`t find you.’

By then, Zoe answered, she would have done what she needed.

‘I want my memory back. I want to get myself back.’ Zoe looked at Dracula. ‘I want Agatha Van Helsing back.’

He looked up at her.

‘You and I,’ he said slowly, ‘we are now in the house that belonged to Eliza Herzigova, Countess Palfi.’

Zoe nodded. No one knows about this place – except Dracula, because he saw the memories of Agatha.

‘That was her name before she went to the convent and took the name of Sister Alice. She spent thirty years in this monastery. She died there – being in the status of Mother Superior,’ Dracula finished.

They silently looked at each other.

‘Are you sure you want it to be me?’

Jack is a future psychiatrist. He took a job as a donor to the Harker Foundation to pay for his studies. He must have mastered hypnosis.

Zoe turned away.

The coach creaked.

‘Zoe, look at me.’

His eyes were dark, demanding. Unfamiliar. I`m a stranger to you, they said. Someone who accidentally turned out to be a conductor in the chaos surrounding you. Once this illusion disappears, you habitually hate me.

‘Don`t call me Zoe.’

‘Why?’ He seemed surprised.

‘That`s not my name.’

‘But it suits you.’

Zoe remembered the dinner he had invited her to. That one evening when she knew nothing about the intrigues of the fund, or about her own secrets buried inside, or even much – about him. It was just an evening she spent in the company of a handsome and charming man. Zoe remembered being surprised by this herself.

She had no doubt why he had invited her. She expected him to demand information from her, to tease her, to piss her off, to interrogate her. But he didn`t do any of that. They sat around a table, chatting on abstract topics, none of which even nominally touched on the Harker Foundation, Zoe drinking wine (or so it seemed to her). They danced. And then he just called a taxi, and Zoe left.

Looking at him now, Zoe wondered again what it was. Then, returning home, she concluded that maybe he was having fun, or maybe she was mistaken, and this was the beginning of the siege. He will roll out cannons and catapults later. Zoe then smiled at the medieval image that popped into her mind.

But now she realized, with incredible clarity, that he had been sincere.

He really didn`t want anything from her.

Suddenly, this knowledge hit harder than contempt, pain, and danger could have.

‘Zoe?’

She didn`t answer. She turned away again and walked towards the door.

‘Zoe, what happened?’ came from behind her. ‘Zoe!’

She walked forward without looking back. Almost at a run, she flew up the stairs, pushing a surprised Jack on the top landing.

She locked herself in her room, breathing heavily.

How dare he want nothing from her? How dare he talk to her like that? How dare he help her? Listen to her, worry? How dare he be gentle?

Voices were heard from down the hall. Zoe couldn`t make out the words, but she remembered that Jack wanted to go shopping. The door slammed.

Zoe closed her eyes as she sank into a chair.

***

‘Yes, I want it to be you.’

She knocked for so long that she decided he really wasn`t there. However, in the end, the door opened, and Dracula appeared on the threshold.

Zoe entered the room. She stepped closer and placed her hand on his chest.

‘I want you. Here and now,’ she said. ‘We`ll deal with the rest later.’

Dracula covered her hand with his own.

‘Is it absolutely … can`t wait?’ he asked.

‘Can`t wait at all.’

Zoe was aware of all the strangeness and all the preposterousness, the wild absurdity of what she was about to do. She saw the petty haste and her own stubborn cowardice in the desire to get ahead of Agatha and be a little more herself.

Because when Agatha comes back, he will be busy exclusively with her.

Zoe, however, will not care anymore.

‘A condemned has rights, you know,’ she whispers, nestling close to Dracula.

‘They are indestructible.’

Realizing that he knows, that he understands, Zoe is electrocuted.

Somehow she knows: Agatha always dreamed of being herself, doing whatever you want. To hug a man like that – without thinking; get naked, feel touched, without shame and anger at those who years ago inspired you with this shame. To be frank with him, completely, ultimately, without looking back at what they would say.

What would you say to yourself.

But Agatha is not here now.

He lowered her onto the bed carefully, gently. Pulled her Mickey Mouse T-shirt over her head. Leaned down, touching his cheek to her bare skin. Kissed the hollow between her breasts.

Zoe was undoing the belt on her jeans. Dracula kissed her. Zoe lay naked under him.

If this is indeed Agatha`s body, then this is her first time. Zoe looked at Dracula. He seemed to be thinking the same thing. Silently asking, he ran his hand over her shoulder.

‘I want you here and now,’ Zoe repeated. ‘I want it to hurt.’

Let there be a trace.

Let something be left of her.

He covered her all over. There was nothing else but him, but them. He entered her, making her almost hate him for taking so long, and Zoe screamed. And her cry was the triumph of what had happened, and the unbearable tenderness with which he brought her to the end.

…

‘When you kill me –’

‘Zoe –’

‘When you kill me,’ Zoe went on; turning around in bed, she looked into his eyes. ‘Tell her …’

Zoe reached up and touched his cheek.

‘Tell her that I love her and I admit that you are a bloody bastard.’

Dracula smiled.

‘But it`s time to stop these games of who`s going first to end another,’ Zoe said, pulling herself out of his embrace.

She got out of bed and headed to the bathroom.

‘Don`t forget that you have a common enemy.’

When she already reached for the hot faucet, she heard from the bedroom,

‘Thank you, Zoe Van Helsing. I love you too.’

Zoe turned on the water and turned the faucet on as high as it could go.

Drops of water clattered against the tiles.

Only water. And no tears.

***

‘I still don`t understand.’ Jack looked at her worriedly.

‘And you don`t need to. The less you know, the better.’

Zoe looked reproachfully at Dracula.

‘I know this is all strange,’ she said softly. ‘My request, and this trip, and everything that ... happened. But I ask you not to worry about me.’ Zoe swallowed. ‘I`ll be fine. Come back to London.’

Jack turned to Dracula.

‘I'll take care of her.’

After a moment, Jack nodded silently.

‘Go away,’ Zoe said.

This goodbye was unbearable. She and Jack had only known each other for two months, but other than Dracula, he was her only friend.

Zoe smiled briefly at Jack and moved to the window.

When she watched again, the young man was gone.

Zoe stood for a moment, looking around the room, listening to the receding rustle of tires in the yard.

She walked over to Dracula and unbuttoned the collar of her shirt.

She stood motionless as his arms gently wrapped around her.

‘Zoe.’

She turned and raised her head.

‘Just finish it,’ she said.

Dracula smiled out of the corner of his mouth.

Zoe clenched her fists.

‘I won`t ask you. I won`t pretend that –’

‘Zoe,’ he put a finger to her lips, silencing her. ‘I did what you asked last night. This time it will be the way I want.’

He pulled her closer to him and, burying his face in her shoulder, warmed her cold skin with his breath. Kissed the old scar and bit a couple of inches higher.

Zoe squeezed her eyes shut so tightly that golden flashes flickered under her eyelids. Blinded, she opened her eyes, but the flashes did not disappear. They shimmered, shone, overlapping each other and throwing highlights on the figure and face of Dracula, on the invisible ceiling and walls, on her own hands, clutching at his shoulders.

Zoe`s mind was clear more than ever. Pressing close to Dracula, running her fingers through the hair at the back of his head, she saw every line, every hue, every wave of light.

She herself was the light. Anxiety and uncertainty, anger and fatigue are gone, dissolving into this deep lightness, silence, and happiness. She smiled.

‘Goodbye, Zoe Van Helsing,’ she said, leaning back and surrendering to what was waiting for her.

***

Her body was heavy, her eyes stuck together. The hard mattress dug in under the left rib.

‘I understand all about the taming of the flesh,’ Agatha said hoarsely. ‘But when the house belonged to the Mother Superior, she was not yet a nun.’

She fidgeted, shifting the heavy blanket she`d been covered with. She opened one eye, then the other.

Dracula sat at the head of the bed and looked at Agatha, his chin resting on his hand.

Nothing in him had changed, everything was terribly familiar: his posture, black suit, and smile, and the curious look of dark eyes.

Agatha tilted her head, touched her neck. The wound sored – slightly, as on the Demeter. Agatha chuckled absently, remembering how Sokolov avoided looking at her shoulder. As if it were the same as finding her naked.

It was a little strange to remember all this. Sitting up in bed, Agatha took another look at Dracula. She listened to herself, rummaging through the corners of her mind. The feeling was unfamiliar. She was not the old Agatha, not completely. It didn`t feel like she was back – or freed. Vice versa. Her essence seemed to ... expand, opening up and absorbing ...

Strictly speaking, she was not Agatha and was not Zoe. She was herself.

‘I hate you,’ she said, turning to Dracula.

Dracula smiled.

‘You knew.’

‘I assumed,’ he replied with a shrug. ‘Or rather hoped. Choose what you like.’

‘I choose to skin you,’ Agatha said. She swung her legs off the bed, fumbling blindly for her shoes.

‘Well, I thought you`d want to deal with the machinations of the Harker Foundation first.’

Agatha froze with a shoe in one hand.

‘The Harker Foundation,’ she said slowly. ‘The Harker Foundation.’

She jumped up.

‘The Harker Foundation and ... Oh my God, Kate.’

***

The car raced at full speed along the country road.

‘Hurry,’ Agatha repeated, clenching and unclenching her hands, ‘hurry.’

‘I`m doing my best,’ Renfield replied, turning the steering wheel. ‘Dark lady.’

Dracula, who was sitting to her right, snorted – but when Agatha turned to him, his face was already serious.

‘Are you sure no one is behind her? It`s hard to make this on your own.’

‘All the possibilities of the centre are at her service,’ Agatha shrugged. ‘On the other hand, you`re right – she`s most likely working for someone.’

An hour earlier, while they were waiting for Renfield with the car, Agatha told Dracula how she woke up in the Harker Centre with a terrible headache and a thirst for blood.

‘I didn`t feel the desire of killing or biting or anything like that,’ Agatha said. ‘I just wanted to eat.’

‘And she offered you food.’

‘Yes.’ Agatha rubbed her forehead. ‘A pint of blood in a medical bag. I hated myself for enjoying it.’

‘She fed you with blood over and over again – it was different people and different types, dozens of different stories. No violence. Day after day.’

‘Yes,’ said Agatha quietly.

‘Until one day,’ said Dracula, ‘she remarked, fleetingly, in friendly conversation, that you seemed sad.’

‘I thought she was kind to me.’

They didn`t keep her locked up. They did not require cooperation with the fund. Almost nothing was asked. Agatha remembered living for two and a half months in a small apartment on the outskirts of Whitby that Kate had rented for her, the same one where Dracula had found her. She remembered those half-asleep monotonous days.

‘You were crazy about who you became. You were filled with colours, thoughts, and feelings that came from other people`s lives, you needed blood every day. Really, what could go wrong?’

‘Dracula –’

‘She waited for the moment when you were extremely unhappy. Crushed by the pressures of your new life, the fear that you are becoming a monster. And she struck.’

Late Friday night, Kate came to visit her. She brought a box of cakes and a bottle of wine. As if Agatha could still enjoy it. As if anything could ever be normal – again.

‘She said she wanted to help me.’ Agatha looked at him. ‘Help to forget about ... all of that. Just forget and start from scratch.’

Of course, there were certain restrictions. Agatha was supposed to remain a vampire – but she could become a vampire without a memory, which tormented her with guilt, and the heavy burden of her story, from which she had nowhere to go.

Dracula nodded.

‘But in return, she asked for a favour.’

Agatha looked at him wearily.

‘The Harker Centre is a family business founded by Mina over a hundred years ago. Mina was fully aware of the dangers of such a project. She laid several protocols into the concept and rules of the fund in case it was on the verge of closing. Among other things – as Kate explained to me – the fund cannot be closed or suspended as long as the documents bear the signature of at least one of the Van Helsings.’

There was silence.

‘I didn`t even read what it says,’ Agatha said in a barely audible voice.

‘You were confused, exhausted, and scared.’

‘I should have thought about what I was doing.’

‘You trusted her.’

She didn`t answer.

‘After I signed the papers, the doctor entered the room. Kate didn`t mention his name. He said that everything would last no more than half an hour. I lay down on the couch …’

When she opened her eyes, she was already Zoe Van Helsing. Scientist, PhD biologist, head of the Harker Foundation.

…

‘What I don’t understand,’ Dracula said as the car drove through another corner and the lights of Whitby appeared in the distance, ‘is why she needed me.’

‘I don`t think they expected to find you,’ Agatha shook her head. ‘I saw the divers` report and I remember Kate`s reaction. She was as shocked as me. I`m pretty sure she was going to leave you at the bottom.’

‘But she changed her mind. The question is – why. Have you been tested?’ Dracula suddenly asked.

‘What?’

‘The tests.’ Dracula looked unusually worried. ‘When I got to the centre, you took my blood for analysis. Did they do the same to you?’

‘Yes, of course,’ said Agatha. ‘It`s standard procedure.’

For a couple of seconds, she and Dracula sat looking at each other, then, turning to Renfield, they shouted in one voice,

‘Hurry!’

***

‘I hope my pass works,’ Agatha said, holding her plastic card up to the magnetic lock.

The lock clicked softly, and above it, the inscription lit up, ‘Access granted.’

Looking at Dracula, Agatha pushed open the door and stepped forward.

They passed through the hall and took the elevator down to the underground part of the complex. No one stopped them – it didn`t look like anyone was paying any attention to them at all. Foundation employees scurried around, busy with daily affairs and worries. Professionally invisible mercenaries stood like silent statues against the walls.

‘It`s all too easy,’ Dracula grunted as they stopped at the door, behind which began the section of the authorities` offices, the central guard station and the isolation room.

‘We'll see,’ said Agatha, entering.

The corridor was empty. The fluorescent lamps seemed to burn at half strength. Agatha had a strange feeling that she was on a tour, and she was being shown an old, once important, but now abandoned military facility.

‘Kate`s office,’ she said, pointing to the far end of the corridor. Dracula nodded as he followed her.

There was total chaos inside the room. Absolutely all the furniture – tables and chairs, a narrow sofa at the entrance – was littered with piles of folders, old account books and other papers. Looking around briefly, Agatha saw two wide-open safes – their contents were lying right there on the floor. At a large table, as if in the centre of some huge dump, sat Kate Bloxham.

When Dracula and Agatha entered, Kate looked up.

She stared at them for a while, as if trying to figure out who they were and what they were doing there.

‘Kate?’ Agatha said carefully.

The head of the Harker Foundation looked terrible. Thin, with sunken eyes, dull hair carelessly combed back. The rumpled jacket is obviously stale. At the sound of Agatha`s voice, Kate flinched and fixed her wandering gaze on her.

‘Zoe?’

Dracula coughed.

‘Agatha.’ Kate`s eyes finally cleared, and she leaned back in her chair. ‘You two can`t be left alone for a minute. You start acting up right away, yes?’

‘You brought us together,’ said Dracula. Kate turned to him questioningly. ‘When you realized that her blood does not work,’ Dracula nodded at Agatha, ‘you decided to try to drink mine.’

Kate looked at him silently.

‘You knew Agatha. You knew that if I cooperate with anyone, it will be her. You used her twice: to raise me from the bottom of the sea and force me to share vampire blood, and to keep your hold on the centre.’

Kate was silent. Agatha suddenly realized that she was watching Kate`s face intently, looking for … remorse? Regrets? The pain of betrayal tore apart Agatha from the inside.

‘I thought you had grand plans,’ Dracula continued. ‘This centre …’ he waved his hand towards the door. ‘Vampire blood research, martial stuff, mercenaries. I was almost sure that this was a cover, behind which there was some shadowy militaristic project. He smiled. ‘I am a warlord from the Middle Ages. Pardonably for me.’

There was a long pause.

‘But I was wrong. You don`t work for any ‘big bosses’. You don`t need it.’ Dracula walked over to the table. ‘Your dreams go further. Beyond wealth, influence, beyond power. You want immortality and the feeling that anyone, literally anyone, in comparison to you is nothing. Just a vision, an insect on the glass of the universe. That was your goal, wasn`t it, Kate?’

The veins on the temples of the woman at the table were swollen. The fingers of the right hand played with a stationery knife. The fingernails were unnaturally long. Kate had never had a manicure before, Agatha remembered. She cut her nails to the root. In addition to all other oddities, Agatha noted a greyish pallor and bloodshot eyes.

‘You could have contacted me, you could have asked for a favour,’ Dracula continued meanwhile. ‘But that would make you my bride. Would make you dependent on me.’

‘No one will be my master,’ Kate said through parched lips.

‘But you miscalculated.’ Dracula nodded and leaned his hands on the table. ‘Becoming a vampire isn`t so easy – if it was, I`d have an impressively large family in Transylvania.’ He leaned down. ‘You miscalculated because you are a coward and were afraid to think this thought through to the end.’

Kate got up.

‘What the –’

‘To become a vampire,’ Dracula interrupted her, ‘you have to die. It`s the only thing I`m absolutely sure of. I have experimented with this for centuries. The rest of the conditions have changed, this is one of all – never had.’

Kate looked at him with wide eyes.

‘You, Miss Kate Bloxham, are very and quite noticeably alive,’ Dracula chuckled. ‘With this in mind, you can drink our blood by gallons – and you`d achieve mo more than a profuse burp.’

‘How dare you?’ roared Kate.

Agatha didn`t have time to do anything. Before she could comprehend what was happening, the head of the Harker Centre and her ex-friend climbed onto her own desk and knelt on it, ripping off her dirty jacket in rage.

‘You nasty bastard,’ Kate hissed; her face contorted, she grinned. Laughed. Agatha shuddered at what a cold, lifeless laugh it was. ‘You filthy bastard, I don`t care what you think. Have you experimented? With what?’

Dracula silently looked at Kate, not trying to interrupt her or argue with her.

‘I came to this centre ten years ago.’ Kate`s voice was hoarse and hurried. ‘It was so neglected, so miserable. Funding is small, almost all scientists fled. I actually revived it from the ruins.’

‘But no one noticed,’ said Dracula.

‘No one wanted the centre,’ Kate grinned again. ‘In the twenty-first century, no one cares about vampires unless they`re clowns in teen movies. Over the years, the foundation has become a sinecure. A safe haven for second-rate scientists and obsessed conspiracy theorists. Only I understood … only I saw what it was. Only I knew what it could become. What I could become.’

Agatha and Dracula listened.

‘I fired all the idlers, found new sponsors. Won several large grants to research flu viruses during two epidemics. Agreed on a private army with very powerful people.’ Kate tore the collar of her blouse as if she was hot. ‘I worked like hell.’

For a few seconds, only her breathing was heard in the room.

‘And then you showed up.’

Kate turned to Agatha.

‘You were a win, a real gift. The happy occasion that I have been waiting for so long. In the foundation`s labs, I developed a reagent that makes it possible …’ Kate paused. ‘Makes it possible to use vampire blood for conversion. This is my life`s work,’ Kate looked defiantly at Dracula. ‘I synthesized the conversion serum. I did it.’

Dracula didn`t answer.

‘When we found you, everything was ready. The only thing missing was vampire blood.’ Kate laughed. ‘And you gave it to me.’

She straightened her skirt, which was pulled up to her hips.

‘Kate –’ Agatha began.

‘When I drank it,’ Kate licked her lips, ‘everything changed. The world has changed, I have become different.’ She closed her eyes, took a deep breath. ‘Everything became so bright, so hot. Spicy.’ Kate giggled. ‘It`s like the world has been doused with curry sauce. Agatha, do you like curry? I really love it.’

The silence was her answer.

‘When the first surge of euphoria passed, you realized that the experiment had failed.’

Dracula`s voice was calm and cold as ice.

‘It hadn`t,’ Kate jumped up again. ‘It hadn`t.’ She stretched her lips into a smile. ‘I saw in the dark, I wanted blood. Lots of sweet, hot blood. But I needed more. More power, more possibilities. I sent a second group of scuba divers to the area where the Demeter sank to explore the bottom.’

Agatha remembered the entry in her diary. Characteristics of Dracula. ‘Best among vampires.’ Kate was looking for the best among vampires. Blood is lives. And Kate logically decided that his blood was stronger than Agatha`s, stronger than anyone else`s of the vampire kind.

‘And when I found …’ Kate twisted on the table in front of Dracula, as if trying to seduce him. ‘When I drank it ... Everything became completely different. I see people`s thoughts. I don`t get tired, I don`t sleep. I am immortal.’

‘You are having a manic psychotic episode.’

Kate recoiled as if she`d been punched in the face.

‘A few days ago I asked Renfield to bring me the blood of a good psychiatrist,’ Dracula continued calmly. ‘Could come in handy.’ He made a pause. ‘You have invested too much in this project.’ Dracula shook his head. ‘You really worked hard. The last couple of months – almost without a break for sleep and food. You couldn`t afford to lose. Not now. Not when you were two steps away from victory, not when you put everything on the line. Therefore, your psyche broke. And gave you the picture you needed. Kate, you are still human.’ Suddenly, his voice softened. ‘I think it`s for the best.’

Agatha missed the moment when Kate lunged at him. Everything happened too fast. Kate`s heart-rending scream, pale female hands shot up, the crackle of a torn skirt.

‘Agatha, give me the scotch tape,’ Dracula`s voice came to her, as if through cotton wool.

‘What?’

‘Stationery tape – there, on the table. I won`t get it.’

Looking away from Dracula, who was holding the hysterical Kate by the wrists with one hand, Agatha silently took a skein of wide tape from the table and handed it to him. She watched silently as Dracula wrapped duct tape around Kate`s hands. Then she turned and walked out the door.

***

The morning was already very close. The wind stirred the neatly trimmed bushes in Harker`s downtown courtyard.

‘Still, you were right in wanting her back,’ Agatha said thoughtfully. ‘Wanting Agatha Van Helsing back.’

Throwing back his head, Dracula stood, exposing his face to the wind.

‘I told you – you are Agatha. Zoe is the part of you that you didn`t dare to –’

‘ – accept?’

Dracula looked at her with a smile.

‘Well, I must admit, she is really –’ began Agatha, embarrassed.

‘She`s amazing,’ Dracula interrupted her.

Amazing.

Agatha closed her eyes.

‘Count Dracula,’ she said, opening them. ‘You are an insufferable bastard.’

‘Oh, so you got the message? I was afraid it wouldn`t come through.’

Reaching out her hand, Agatha gave him a light flick on the nose.

‘I got it and composed the answer.’

Dracula raised his eyebrows.

‘For her, for me?’

‘For both.’

Agatha turned and looked at the sign on the foundation building. From the door, the police led the handcuffed Kate out.

‘Zoe is the part of me that loved you,’ Agatha said as she watched Kate get into the car. ‘The one who couldn`t come to terms with what happened on the Demeter. The one who wanted us to have a chance.’

She turned and looked at Dracula.

‘And was she succeed?’ Dracula asked quietly.

Agatha smiled broadly.

‘Oh, yes, she was. I was,’ she said.

The morning silence was pierced by the screams of a klaxon. Dracula and Agatha turned to the sound. A limousine was parked in the driveway at the place where the police car was. Renfield got out of the limousine and waved at them.

Dracula and Agatha joined hands and walked towards the car.

#dracula bbc #dracula 2020 #bbc dracula #count dracula #zoe van helsing #agatha van helsing #dragatha #fanfic

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nofatclips-home · 4 years

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Christian Neurosurgeon by RVG from the album Feral - Directed by Caity Moloney & Tom Mannion

#music #rvg #romy vager #romy weger #angus belle #angus bell #reuben bloxham #reuben george bloxham #marc nolte #victor van vugt #video #music video #caity moloney #tom mannion #jesse gohier fleet #lachlan wright #zoe crawford

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flutteringphalanges · 2 years

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Caught in a Riptide

Summary: After the infamous Count Dracula is discovered and taken into custody by the Jonathan Harker Foundation, former nun and now guardian to her young niece, Zoe, Agatha Van Helsing is tasked with keeping tabs on the vampire after a mishap leads to his release into modern day society. Can Agatha remain levelheaded, or will fate turn her onto a new path?

Pairing: Dracula/Agatha Van Helsing

Rated: M

Read on FFN and AO3

A/N: I've returned! I apologize for the ten month delay but I'm here! So since it has been forever, allow me to provide a quick recap in case you need one! Likes, reblogs, and comments are greatly loved and appreciated! Hope you enjoy! -Jen

RECAP: Agatha, a former nun, has left the convent in order to become the guardian of her seven year old niece, Zoe, after her parents died. She works for the Harker Foundation. When Count Dracula is finally located, she is quite excited which soon disappears when he is released from the institution. Dracula has taken a keen interest in Agatha (much to her dismay) and Dr. Bloxham, her boss, sees this as an opportunity to use her to get information (as an agreement is reached that Dracula can remain free if he is under Agatha's supervision. Dracula and Agatha have many encounters varying from Dracula arranging a "date" to learn more about the island and him almost losing control and biting her at one point during an incident. Dracula loves to push Agatha's buttons but one day goes too far by breaking into her house while she is away--and her niece is there alone with the babysitter. The two argue which soon turns into sex. The next morning Agatha finds that he is still in her home so she takes Zoe out to the park to meet Jack until night falls and Dracula leaves. While at the park, she gets a call from Bloxham telling her to come in. Leaving Zoe with Jack, she does so (seeing as she doesn't have much of a choice) and is greeted by Bloxham and a man claiming to be the descendant of Mina Murray...

Chapter Twelve

There was something unsettling about Howard Murray that Agatha just couldn’t put her finger on. A strange gut feeling that made being trapped alone in this room with him and Bloxham almost enough to make her turn on her heels and head straight for the exit. But she didn’t. Instead, when he motioned for the former nun to take a seat, she did so.

“Dr. Bloxham was so kind enough to offer me an invitation to join your little research team. A chance I couldn’t possibly turn down.” He exhaled, taking a seat in front of Agatha. “From what I hear, you are the closest to Count Dracula. Am I correct?”

Closest wasn’t the exact phrasing she would’ve chosen to describe her “relationship” with the Count. And after what happened last night, being close to him was the last thing she wanted to think about. Absentmindedly picking at one of her cuticles underneath the table, she nodded her head. Calm and collected, she didn’t want to draw any unnecessary attention to herself. Not with Murray’s eyes already glued to her, studying her with slight fascination.

“That’s correct.” Agatha nodded, straightening up in her chair. “We have an arrangement with Count Dracula’s lawyer, Frank Renfield, since his release. So long as he does not pose any harm to the public, he is allowed to walk free.”

“And you come in…” Murray ventured.

“The one he has contact with--reports to.” Bloxham responded, glancing over at the former nun. “Who then relays the information to me. It’s a tedious process, but so far Ms. Van Helsing has proved her worth.”

She hadn’t expected Bloxham to add that her participation was mandatory if she wanted to keep her job. Not that Murray would’ve cared in the least bit. Agatha held her tongue, biting back the temptation to say something she’d later regret. The less she spoke, the sooner they’d surely end whatever purpose this meeting was for.

“Well, I must admit I am quite impressed with you, Agatha. Not everyone can hold their own against such a beast as Count Dracula.” The man leaned back in his chair and sighed. “I know if Mina Murray were here, she’d thank you for your services from the bottom of her heart.” Murray glanced over, his gaze meeting Bloxham’s. “Indeed it would bring her such peace.”

Murray’s expression was briefly pensive as an unspoken thought seemingly crossed his mind. Folding his arms on the table, he leaned in closer to Agatha. The strong smell of his cologne reminded her of a car’s air freshener that long needed replacing. It took everything she had to not crinkle her nose at the unpleasantness of it. Murray seemed like the kind of person you’d be wise not to cross.

She considered her next words carefully. “Are we still following the same protocols?” No one had yet to tell her what the purpose of this meeting was besides becoming acquainted with one of the Foundation’s benefactors. “Is there something I should know about?”

“No, no.” Murray assured her, shaking his head. “For now, it’s a need-to-know basis--not that we don’t trust you.” He gave her that same, ingenuine smile. “Everything will remain the same. You just continue your encounters with Count Dracula and Dr. Bloxham and I will handle the rest. It’s a slow start, but I’ll be so bold to say that you all have made quite the progress.”

“Thank you, Mr. Murray.” Bloxham nodded, extending her hand. “We look forward to working with you.”

“And I you, Dr. Bloxham.” Murray replied, standing up to give her a firm shake before turning his attention to Agatha. “And Ms. Van Helsing, I think it would be in all of our best interests if this little meeting was kept under wraps. The less people that know about this the better.” He paused at the door, a strange glint in his eye that Agatha couldn’t read. “And that, of course, includes Count Dracula.”

As if she even needed to be told that. The less conversational topics she’d be forced to share with the vampire the better. Yet still, something about it all felt off. Maybe it was the fact that once more she found herself thrown into her very own version of a secret society. Only this time, its known existence was under everyone’s radar, including Jack’s, and left her sharing the metaphorical club with Bloxham and a man who she trusted as far as she could throw him. But what choice did she really have? Agatha was already walking on eggshells when it came to keeping her job that provided her and Zoe to survive a livable lifestyle. For the time being, she had no other choice but to stay on the tight leash her boss had her chained to.

“Things will be finally turning in our favor.” Bloxham stated, pulling the former nun out of her thoughts. “Granted, it’ll be a slow start—what with having to do this undetected by Count Dracula’s bloody lawyer, but Mr. Murray is a man of many talents. Perhaps even more ambitious than me.” She exhaled and looked at Agatha intently. “I expect you to exceed your previous efforts. There’s a lot on the line, so don’t let me down. The Foundation’s success rides on your shoulders.”

“I have a child.” Agatha answered bluntly, as if that would sway the other woman's mind any. “Like I said, I’ll do as you asked, but when it comes to my niece or this, my priorities aren’t the same as yours.”

The scientist looked back at her unphased. “I hope the day will come where we both see eye to eye on things. Until then, I’d like you to keep in mind what is truly at stake here for everyone including you. Let that be your motivation.” And though her tone was flat, her words still struck Agatha as condescending. “You are free to go now. There isn’t anything else that needs to be discussed for the time being.”

There were quite a few statements Agatha could think of to have the last word against Bloxham. Many of which contained choice words of colorful vocabulary. But in the end she knew well enough it wouldn’t be worth it. So instead, she chose to remain silent, letting the other woman have the victory this time around. “Have a good day, Ms. Van Helsing.” Bloxham called out as Agatha grabbed the door handle. “I’ll be seeing you tomorrow morning for your usual shift.”

XXX Agatha regretted not checking to see if her purse was closed before launching it into the passenger seat of her car out of pure frustration. Loose coins, various crumpled receipts she’d been too lazy to just throw away, a couple of Zoe’s hair bows, and a questionable gray wad that resembled chewing gum came flying out before finding their way between the seats and on the ground.

“Shit!” She hissed, hitting her steering wheel with a resounding thunk .

For the time being, she decided to leave her new car décor as it was and reached for her cell phone that had somehow managed to stay inside the bag’s interior. Unlocking the screen, she scanned down her contacts and picked the only person who she could maintain not losing her cool with. “Hey, Jack.” Agatha inhaled, trying to find the calm and reserved behavior that was instilled in her as a nun. Something that, quite frankly, even then hadn’t been very good at. “I just wanted to check in and see how Zoe’s doing.” “Hi, Aunt Aggie!” She heard a voice call distantly in the background. Zoe.

“Sorry, I happened to mention aloud that you were calling and she overheard.” It was Jack now, with Zoe still somewhat audible from afar talking about something she couldn’t decipher. “She’s fine. I was about to make us something to eat. Apparently the only acceptable choice was chicken nuggets. Which, judge me as you will, I just happened to have on hand.”

“No judgment here.” And she smiled, an actual, genuine smile. “I’m glad it’s going well.” “Speaking of going well,” the young doctor asked. “How did things go with Dr. Bloxham? Why did she want you to come in so badly?” There was a pause. “...Did she find out what happened? Between you and...you know?”

A wave of guilt washed over Agatha at his questions. As much as she wanted to confide in her good friend and fellow colleague, the thought of what might happen if Bloxham were to find out caused her to hold her tongue. The last thing she needed was to put his job on the line. Or expose him to whatever else Bloxham would find fit as a consequence for learning about the “top secret” project. Clearing her throat, she tried to come up with some sort of a believable response. “Nothing major. Frank Renfield had contacted her about scheduling a meeting between the two of them along with me and Dracula. She just wanted to talk about some formalities that couldn’t wait.” That seemed plausible enough. “Nothing exciting.”

She heard Jack snort on the other line. “I’m not sure I would call a meeting with a vampire nothing exciting but I guess you’re becoming unfortunately used to it.”

Agatha smiled to herself. “Listen, would you mind watching her until sundown?” She glanced out of the window and then to the time on her phone. The sky was bright blue and absolutely cloudless, any other day she’d find it lovely. Not now. “I don’t want her coming home until I know for certain he’s gone.”

The familiar feeling of guilt washed over Agatha. It was a lot to ask of Jack, even more so that this was starting to resemble a pattern. But there was no one else—well, besides Mrs. Avery that she trusted with Zoe. Especially with Dracula gracing her with his appearance. Again, she told herself as she fiddled with the key in the ignition, she’d make it up to him somehow.

“I’d personally wouldn’t want to come home to him either.” Jack chuckled on the other end. “Not a problem at all.” There was a pregnant pause. “You know you are always welcome too, right? I could always pop in a movie and the three of us could have takeaway. You aren’t alone in all of this.”

In a way, she really was. But that wasn’t something she could explain to Jack. “Thank you, Jack. Your kindness means more to me than I can express. One day when life isn’t so crazy.” Agatha exhaled, her foot resting on the gas pedal. “I need to go to the library and do a little research. Give Zoe my love and let her know I’ll see her soon.”

“I’ll keep her busy,” he promised. “Keep me posted.”

“Don’t I always?” Her lips curved into a small smile. “Bye, Jack.”

XXX

As the era of technology expanded ever so fast, the once frequently busy Whitby library was a shell of its old self. People no longer spent long days scrammed between the crowded book shelves indulging in whatever genres that met their demands. Instead, it was quiet. Quaint and tucked away from the liveliness outside its doors. A place where Agatha, on the rare occasion, found herself when she needed to clear her head. Or in need of something else.

“Can I help you?”

Agatha had barely put her foot in the door when a little, old lady with thick rimmed glasses peered over at her expectantly behind the checkout counter. She was smiling—hopeful, and the former nun wondered if maybe she was one of the only few who had visited today.

“Oh, no I’m actually fine,” she replied. “Actually, I came to use one of your computers. Are there any available?”

A look of disappointment casted its shadow across the librarian’s face, smothering her excitement at the prospect of finally having someone interested in finding a book. Her eyes fell on Agatha’s phone that peeked out from her pocket and then to her.

“We have WiFi if you’d prefer to use that.” Her tone was flat as she nodded at the cell. “Our computers aren’t as up to date—slow in fact. If you’re just interested in streaming videos…”

“Actually, I’d prefer that,” Agatha cut in. “The computers, I mean.”

The older woman stared at her for a few moments, long enough where Agatha began to feel slightly uncomfortable. It was odd, yes, coming to the library when she already carried a small device that’s power equated more than anything else the building had to offer. But she had time to kill. A great deal of it. And when it came to researching, she preferred to be looking at a screen that was reasonably larger than the palm of her hand.

“Right this way, then.” She gestured, leading Agatha through tall shelves of books and into a small room that sat tucked away from everything else. “Sorry it isn’t much, but if you need anything, you can find me at the desk up front.”

“Thank you very much,” the former nun smiled.

The computer seat squeaked as Agatha sat down and stared at the blank monitor. The thing was old, clunky looking with a keyboard that could’ve used a better job of being dusted. Pressing the power button, she winced at the whining sound it made, half expecting it to suddenly combust and fling her across the room. Thankfully though, despite its setbacks, it successfully brought up the home page. Sighing to herself, Agatha pulled up the internet.

A small part of her felt a little paranoid as if Bloxham somehow, some way could currently be watching her as she began to type in the search bar. Not that there was any harm in what she was doing. It wasn’t like she was looking up illegal information that was unavailable to the public. Pushing the thoughts aside, she typed in the two words: Howard Murray.

It would’ve been a lie if Agatha had denied she was surprised, and slightly impressed, about how many articles appeared linked to the philanthropist—even if there was a possibility it was a façade. She clicked on the first one and began to scan the page.

Howard Theodore Murray of Whitby, England. Benefactor of the Harker Scholarship for the Elite and Upcoming Students of Law at University of Cambridge. The smile that, to the naked eye, seemed friendly caused Agatha to frown a little as she gazed at the image of Murray shaking hands with whom she could only assume was the president of the school. They really went all out when it came to Jonathan Murray. Mina must’ve loved him very much—or her resentment and hatred towards the man who killed him was stronger.

Restoration of the Whitby Abbey to take place in the next few months source reports. The Murrays have generously donated funds to allow the long beloved abbey, a pinnacle of our town, to be renovated after a near century of neglect. Howard Murray expressed how important such sites are imperative to the faith in people whether it be of religious or good intent.

Of religious or good intent. Something didn’t sit right with those words. Something that just seemed off. But what exactly, Agatha wasn’t sure. Not that she wouldn’t put it past herself for overthinking that there was. Maybe she was just convincing herself to find something to use as an excuse to dislike the guy. Evidence that he was more of a creep than she originally thought. She felt the same uneasiness as before, but at least knew more about him. Whatever that really accomplished. Sighing, she leaned against her propped up arm and kept reading.

XXX

A resounding knock startled Agatha awake. Blinking back sleep, she turned around in her chair to see the librarian watching her. How long had she been out?

“It’s closing time,” the older woman stated. “I apologize for bothering you, but I need to lock up and get home myself. We open tomorrow bright and earlier if you wish to come back.”

The former nun pulled out her phone and checked the time. Much to her shock, it was already past eight. Had she really been asleep for that long? Perhaps the exhaustion from last night into today had finally caught up with her. Feeling a little embarrassed, she rose to her feet.

“I found what I needed, thank you again.” She smiled, but the other woman’s face remained unchanged. “Have a lovely night.”

“Same to you,” she nodded. “And be careful out there, you don’t know who is lurking around. Always important to keep your eyes open.”

If she only knew.

XXX

There were only a few stars showing through the broken clouds in the night sky as Agatha returned to her car. Her mind swirled, thoughts of whether to focus on Dracula or Howard intermingled as she kept her eyes on the road. When the former nun finally pulled up into the driveway, the thrumming of her heart grew faster. He was gone. He had to be, yes? Feeling the cross around her neck, she stepped out and made her way towards the front door.

“Count Dracula, I demand you make your presence known!” Agatha called out the moment she swung the door open. “If you do not and you are still here, I will exercise the right to defend myself!” Not that her little necklace would do much. “…Hello?”

Peering around, Agatha flipped on the lights to reveal an empty room. Cardboard and newspaper still covered the windows, but the vampire responsible was nowhere to be seen. Exhaling, she went to place her purse on the counter. Just as she was setting it down, her eyes fell upon a note carefully folded up clearly meant to be found.

Same time tomorrow? -Dracula

“Asshole!” Agatha proclaimed loudly before tearing the letter to pieces. She honestly had no time, especially for this. “Fuck him.” And the remnants of the message found themselves on the floor.

Making a mental note to clean up the scraps later, she began to walk around and tear everything down. Cursing to herself, Agatha could only shake her head as the pile of wasted cardboard and papers grew. Where he had even gotten it all, she wasn’t quite sure. It was then that it dawned on her—a realization that made both her stomach drop and ignite an inferno of rage. The closet. Her brother’s belongings. Zoe’s things.

He wouldn’t. He didn’t. Bastard!

Hurrying across the room and nearly tripping over one of Zoe’s dolls, she came to the storage space under the stairs. The open storage space under the stairs. Agatha’s breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight. Scattered and tossed to the side haphazardly where what had belonged to her brother and his wife. Things that were to be Zoe’s. Things that even she didn’t dare to touch.

“No, no, no…” Agatha muttered, digging through the pile in the hopes of finding any box intact. "Shit!"

Jack would be bringing Zoe home soon and for her to walk in on all of this was the last thing she wanted. Needed. So Agatha did what she only could do. Clean up. Straighten and put everything away so that her niece would never know about the destruction. That she could later re-box everything as if all of this had never happened.

So away went silverware, albums that had yet to be seen, and a collection of her brother’s treasured cassettes. It was only when Agatha came across a photo of him with her that she found herself fighting back tears. Holland. A time that had become a distant memory. The two of them smiling as he clung to her back, arms so tight around her neck she could barely breathe—and yet did not care. They were happy. She was happy.

And as Agatha went to set it down, something wedged underneath an old dress and a rather rusty toolbox caught her eye. Curious, she reached as far as she could to pull it out. Dust came with it and the former nun cleared her throat as she brushed it off. A book. An old one at that. As her eyes scanned the cover, Agatha’s stomach dropped for a second time that night. Only this time, the reason was very, very different.

An Examination of Vampirism

Case Study: Count Dracula

By: Dr. Abraham Van Helsing

#Dracula 2020 #Dragatha #Dracula #Agatha Van Helsing #Dracula x Agatha #Caught in a Riptide

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worldserasingandcreatinginmymind · 4 years

Text

Flesh & Blood | Part Three

Series Summary: A mysterious stranger with ties to your past shows up in your small village

Chapter Summary: now you know the truth about the mysterious stranger, but there's still more to learn

Pairing: Count Dracula x reader

Word Count: 2493

Warnings: mentions of blood, death

A/N: as always spelling and grammar is not my strongest skill so please be kind :) if you want to be added to the taglist let me know (please note I cant reply to comments using this blog)

Masterlist | Part Two

- - - - -

“I will never understand why he spared me, but I feel this is not the last I will see of the count”

You finish reading Sister Y/N’s story and close the journal, moving it back across the table to Zoe without saying a word. You couldn’t speak even if you wanted to, this was a lot to take in.

You both sit in silence for a moment, Zoe allowing you to process what you had read. After a few minutes you finally speak.

“Do you know where he is now?” You ask quietly.

“not exactly no” she admits “the last we saw him he was on the beach last night. We had him, well we thought we had him but he killed a young lady and escaped. We haven’t seen him since.”

“What does he look like?” You twiddle your thumbs nervously, afraid that her answer will confirm your suspicions.

“Tall, pale skin, black hair. Nothing to suggest he’s anything other than a normal man, but his eyes. There’s something about his eyes, they’re just so…”

“Dark” you finish her sentence and look at her “he was here, this morning he was here in the cafe. He knew my name. I convinced myself he just read it off my name tag but I don't think he did. The way he said it, it was as if he knew me.”

“Have you seen him since?” Her face is serious.

“No…” you shake your head but then remember “wait yes, yes while I was eating my lunch he was there. Outside, he was watching me from under the tree. I saw him for just a moment but then he was gone. I thought I had imagined it”

“Right okay, we need to get you away from here. I thought we’d have longer before he found you-” Zoe says as she starts typing fast on her laptop.

“Why did he find me? What does he want from me?”

“I don't know. But he’s a murderous vampire so chances are he wants your blood.”

“Oh my God I feel sick” you rest your head in your hands, trying to take deep breaths as you feel your heart pounding in your chest. Zoe’s phone rings and she answers.

“Hello? Yes. Where? Okay I’ll be right there” she hangs up the phone and quickly packs her stuff away, standing up. “They’ve found him.”

“Where is he?” You shoot your head up to look at her.

“In a house not far from here, I’m going there now. A car will be here soon to pick you up and bring you in”

“In where?” You ask as she heads to the door.

“The research facility where I work. You’ll be safe there.”

“No I cant go, what about my job? What about Maggie?” You ask frantically and Zoe walks over to you and takes your hand.

“It’s you he wants. Maggie, and everyone else in this village will be safer if you are not here.”

You look into her eyes, searching for answers but she turns and leaves you standing in the middle of the empty cafe. You bring your hands up to your head, running your fingers through your hair as you try to make sense of all this.

Five minutes later you see a car pull up outside and a man steps out, walking into the cafe.

“Ms Y/L/N?”

You nod your head.

“I work with Dr Van Helsing, she sent me to collect you.” He walks back outside and opens the back door waiting for you. You walk out the cafe and you're about to climb into the car when Maggie comes running down the street.

“Y/N? What’s going on? Where are you going?” She shouts as she gets closer.

“It’s okay Maggie, I’ll explain everything as soon as I can. I promise.” You walk over to her and give her a hug “if you see the man from this morning, I need you to run. Okay? Promise me.” you whisper in her ear before pulling away. She looks at you confused but nods her head. You get in the car and watch her from the window as you drive away, leaving her stood outside the cafe alone.

“Excuse me, where are we going?” You ask tentatively and the driver looks at you through the rear view mirror.

“The Jonathan Harker Foundation”

— — — —

About an hour later the car pulls up outside a magnificent old stone building surrounded by what looks like the remains of a castle. The driver opens the door and you get out the car, following him through the main entrance of the building.

The interior of the building doesn’t match the outside, its too modern. The corridors are busy with people in lab coats, some look anxious while others look excited. You’re led through them till you arrive at a set of doors where a smartly dressed woman is waiting for you.

“Y/N. I’m Dr Bloxham” she holds her had out to shake yours and you notice her other hand is bandaged up “we’re just about to start, come through”

She pushes the door open and holds it for you. You walk through into a big room set out like a lecture hall, no more than 20 people sat dotted around all dressed in the same medical looking outfits. She gestures for you to take a seat and you do, choosing to sit near the back. She walks to the front of the room and gives a brief introduction before a video starts playing on the screen. Two divers are seen looking at a box amongst what looks like a ship wreck under the sea. The box is opened to reveal a man lying dead. The camera gets closer to his face and your heart skips when you realise that the man in the box is the same man who came to the cafe this morning. As the video continues playing Dr Bloxham resumes talking.

“As you can see, even after 123 years the body was perfectly preserved…” she pauses as the diver on screen lifts the man’s lips to show his teeth “or so we thought.”

Suddenly the man’s eyes move and he bites down on the diver’s fingers. Gasps and groans of shock murmur through the room as blood is seen spreading in the sea. You clasp your hand up to your mouth suppressing the urge to scream. You don't want to watch but you cant take your eyes off the horror on the screen.

“The body was not preserved. Dracula was in fact alive, though dormant. Apparently in some kind of restorative coma, in which he would have remained if I hadn’t have been stupid enough to feed him. So in case you're wondering, yeah…” she holds up her bandaged hand “vampires bite.”

Your heart is pounding and your head is spinning. You feel sick.

You stand up and quietly leave the room through the same doors you entered. You start walking quickly through the corridors, trying to find a way out but as you turn a corner you bump into Zoe.

“Ah Y/N. Just the girl I was looking for.” She notices the look of panic on your pale face “Are you alright, what’s wrong?”

“I, I just. I cant, I cant…” you try to talk through your frantic breaths “I need to go”

She takes your shoulders in her hands and turns you so she’s looking in your face.

“Listen to me. Y/N. You are safe. We have him, he’s locked up. He cant hurt you” she continues looking at you as you slowly start to breathe normally. “Come with me” she leads you off in a different direction and you end up outside a large metal door with a big circle handle in the middle, like the ones you would find on a submarine. Above the door are three clocks. One shows the current time and the other two are labelled as sunrise and sunset.

Zoe opens a small window in the door and takes a quick look inside before gesturing for you to have a look. You peer through the window and there he is, the man you now know to be a centuries old vampire. Count Dracula.

He is stood in the middle of a large glass box, looking rather confused at the toilet that is in there with him. Around the room multiple armed guards are placed, all closely watching his every move.

“You see? He is contained, there is nothing to worry about.” Zoe reassures and you let out a small sigh of relief. Suddenly Dracula tuns and looks straight at you, lifting his hand to wave as he smiles charmingly. You take step away from the window and look at Zoe.

“Does this mean I can go home now? If he’s here then I can go right?”

“Well, we would like you to stay. We think you could really help us. But we can’t force you to do anything you don't want to do”

You look down for a moment thinking then slowly raise your head to look back at her.

“I want to go home”

Zoe looks slightly disappointed but nods in understanding.

“Okay, I’ll get the driver to take you back. But if you do want to come back at any time, here’s my number” she hands you a small piece of paper with her number on and you put it in your pocket.

— — — —

The car pulls up outside your home and you thank the driver before getting out and heading straight to your door. As you take your keys from your pocket and unlock the front door you take a look back at the village. It’s evening now so from the top of the hill all you can see is a sea of lights in the darkness. You head inside and crash down onto the sofa. You're exhausted. Then you remember Maggie and you go to grab your phone but remember you left it in your bag which is still behind the counter in the bakery. You groan and stand up, pulling your coat and shoes back on and leaving the house.

After the day you’ve had a walk in the fresh evening air actually feels really good. You reach the bakery and pull your key out which thankfully you kept attached to your house keys which you always kept in your coat pocket. You find your bag exactly where you left it and pull out your phone. 51 missed calls and a whole lot more messages, mostly from Maggie. She must be worried sick. You close up the bakery again and begin your walk back home, typing a text message as you walk.

‘Hi Maggie, I’m so sorry about this afternoon and I’m even more sorry that I made you worry. I’m okay. I’ll explain everything to you tomorrow once I’ve had a good sleep. Love you xxx’

As you're about to send the message your phone starts ringing, the caller ID is a number you don't recognise so you decline the call. Almost immediately it rings again, so you decline again. Your phone rings for a third time and you decide to answer just to get them to leave you alone but before you say anything you hear Zoe’s voice on the other end.

“Y/N! Where are you right now? Are you in your house?”

“No I’m walking home now, I had to head back to work to get my phone-“

“Get home right now and don't answer the door, do not invite anyone in. Do you understand?” She interrupts, sounding worried.

“Yes… but why? What’s happening?” You ask and you can hear shouting in the background, Zoe doesn’t respond. “Zoe? Whats going on?”

“He’s out. Count Dracula we let him go.”

Your heart drops to your stomach and you begin walking faster.

“His lawyer showed up and threatened us, we had no choice”

“his lawyer?” You question but she ignores you.

“Just get home now. I’m on my way to you” she hangs up the phone and you stick it back in your pocket, again picking up your speed while also trying to remain as calm as possible. But you cant help but feel on edge, the hairs on the back of your next standing up as every little noise and shadow makes you jump.

You swear you can hear footsteps behind you but every time you turn around nothing is there. You walk even faster. You hear a noise behind you and glance over your shoulder as you begin running. Then bang. You run into someone and hear a glass smash.

“you should watch where you're going” the bloke slurs. You try to just push past him and carry on running but he holds you in place “where do you think you're going, you owe me a drink” and leans in close. You can smell the alcohol on his breath.

“Look I’m sorry about the drink but I really need to go” you break free but he grabs your wrist, pulling you into the dark alley next to the pub “Get off me!” You protest and he pushes you hard against the brick wall, his booze drenched body pinning you in place as the back of your head starts to throb from the impact.

“You owe me for that drink”

“I’ll pay you back tomorrow I promise-”

“I can think of a way you can pay me back right now” he presses his disgusting mouth against yours and you try your hardest to push him away but he’s at least twice your size. His hands wonder and he starts lifting your top up.

You lift your knee up to make direct contact with his balls and he stumbles back in pain, clutching himself as he doubles over. You take this opportunity to make a run for it but he grabs your arm just before you’re free.

“You're gonna regret that, bitch!” He spits, pulling you back to him.

“Actually…” a familiar voice interrupt “you're the one who’s going to regret your actions”

In a flash of movement Dracula is stood behind the drunk holding him still as he releases his grip on your arm “then again, you're not to be alive long enough to regret anything” he swishes his hand across the man’s neck and blood behind to pour out. You jump backwards in shock. Dracula releases him and he slumps to the floor, his eyes fixed on you as he bleeds out. Dracula starts to walk towards you and you try to run but you trip and fall to the floor, banging your head once again. You roll onto your side, clutching your head with your hand and groaning in pain. In your blurry vision you see Dracula slowly approach you before crouching down so he’s close to you.

“Don't worry Y/N, I’ll take care of you”

Part Four

Taglist: @agent-smulder @kandomeresbitch @a-dorky-book-keeper

#dracula #bbc Dracula #Dracula bbc #dracula netlifx #Claes Bang dracula #dracula imagine #dracula fanfic #Dracula x reader #Claes Bang x reader #Claes Bang imagine #Claes Bang fanfic

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leah-halliwell92 · 4 years

Text

Romanian Rhapsody

Summary: Almost two years before Dracula awakens, Dr. May Van Helsing is abroad gathering her own information on the legendary vampire. Years have passed since Jonathan Harker’s visit to what should be the ruins of Castle Dracula. Years since the village people have spoken or even warned anyone away from it. What will May find the deeper she digs into the Count’s home?

Previously:

May shrugged not knowing what to think, “I don’t know and right now I don’t have time to worry I’ve to undo what she and her team have done to my domain.”

Sam and Raven shared a look but understood where she’s coming from so let her be. It had been two years so there are things that need to be put to rights.

Chapter 1 – Chapter 2 – Chapter 3 – Chapter 4

Chapter 5

A couple of days later, May found herself breathing a sigh of relief as she slumped backwards on her chair. Because she’d finally managed to get all the records and files in order, the physical files were all in their respective homes, the more sensitive ones have been put back in their locked cabinet, for these she made a note to change the locks and keep the spare key close.

Raven and Sam had been running themselves ragged along with her when it came to not only organizing the archives room but also the area in general. Just as lunch rolled around, Sam and Raven walked in take away bags in hand.

“I know you don’t condone eating real food in here but I’m in no mood to deal with the likes of one Dr. Jack Seward today,” Sam said as she took a seat in one of the spare chairs in May’s office.

“What did he do this time?” May asked as she picked up the containers that were respectively filled with wonton soup, white rice, stir fried vegetables and Mongolian beef. Luckily the trio likes the same Chinese food, sharing between them is no issue.

“You know that girl from accounting?” Sam asked with a hum.

Raven and May nodded at this as they began to eat.

“The little bugger decided to bad mouth me in front of her and now she refuses to go out with me,” Sam seethed as she too served herself a plate.

The trio sighed heavily at this.

Jack seemed to make it his life mission to drive them mad whenever they don’t do as he orders them to. He had Zoe around his finger, Bloxham is cow that has her own agenda, and the rest of the foundation bar a select few follow his lead as if it were the most natural thing in the world all because of what she and her friends do for and in the foundation.

“Why the hell did I decide it was a good idea to have a crush on him?” May groaned.

“Because at first glance he is smart, looks to be sensitive, is cute and so happens to work where you work,” Sam listed off nonchalantly.

Raven nodded agreeing with Sam’s list before saying, “And then he let his colors show, saw an in to the archives through the crush you have for him and abused that thinking he could get away with it.”

“Which lead to me leaving for two years to move my delusional ass on from this pointless crush,” May said with a shake of her head at her own naivety.

“Don’t,” Sam said voice firm.

“What,” May said with brows raised.

“It’s not naive to hope,” Sam said still firm, “It’s not naive to want to have something good in your life and it’s not naive to hope to find it where you work...i.e where you spend most of your time as it is.”

May nodded numbly taking in what her friend had said. Sam’s right, to be naive is one thing and to be hopeful is another, it irked her some to see she still needed to learn the difference between the two.

The trio continued to eat in silence enjoying the when Raven groaned nearly spilling her food as she did.

“What?” Sam asked curiously.

“Did you both forget what today is?” Raven asked incredulously.

May and Sam exchanged puzzled look the latter giving their friend a shrug.

“Its Valentines Day weekend,” she said still shocked that she’d forgotten.

May groaned loudly as Sam looked like she at the canary.

“Zoe’s probably not going to be here for too long,” Sam said knowingly.

“The foundation will pretty much be empty bar the stupidly thin skeleton crew,” May added with a nod.

“And I need to get Eva something,” Raven said with a sigh.

“Hey do you still have that coupon I gave you for that place down the street from me?” Sam asked as if she’d gotten the best idea of the year.

Raven nodded with a blush.

“Let’s go and see what they have then,” she said with a wiggle of her brows, “You’ve been whining about not having a proper toy to have with your wife for ages. Maybe it’s time for that dream to come true.”

May laughed at the look on Raven’s face and said, “Come on Rae, you know she’s right.”

Raven huffed a laugh and nodded along with her friends.

The day progressed with a buzz that hadn’t been there before for May. It now carried with it an energy she wished she could ignore. Alas, she’d do as she’d always done and keep moving forward.

She was on her last break of the day when Sam sent her a text that both Jack and Zoe had been to the archive and taken with them a couple of files each to the cage floor. A welcomed and appreciated heads up from Sam May had to say. That’s how the dance went between Zoe, Jack and her. Avoidance is the best factor, or so they have said.

She went to her office her break no over to see which files were missing. She rolled here eyes at the selection and wrote them down on a sticky note to take up with her when it was her turn to grind the midnight oil. May didn’t like working nights, she hated it, but it beat seeing the lust sick fools on the streets trying to flirt their way into her bed. No matter how many times Sam has sad a one night stand is not bad idea depending on one’s mood.

May spend the rest of the afternoon compiling the pieces she’d gathered from her study of Castle Dracula to be added to the already existing file originally put together from what the late Mr. Harker had told the nuns at the monastery. She’d found she had to correct somethings here and there but most of the stuff already on file fit the information she’d gathered. She’d thought about giving Zoe their great-grandmother’s notes and diaries but decided against it. Because as much as she wanted to blame her death on Dracula, she felt there was more to this than what they’d been led to believe.

Jack had been down here and there trying to charm files out of her. Having had enough she’d rejected his advances and demanded he go through the proper channels to gain access to the files he was requesting. The pinched look on his face told her enough. But like hell would she be cowed because he didn’t like it when people told him no.

“Don’t you need a slice of humble pie,” Sam said as she sauntered in looking more than ready to leave the foundation for the night, “Zoe sent me to tell you she’s looking for you.”

Jack seemed to have an uncanny resemblance to Percy Weasley with how he glared at Sam but did as bid and left.

“You sure you want to stay?” She asked May once Jack was out of earshot.

May nodded and said, “Better here than out there. Stupid prick wants to use my crush for him to get what he wants when Lucy is doing just that.”

“Except unlike Lucy, you won’t spread your legs for just anyone,” Sam said knowingly.

May grinned at that and nodded.

“Seriously though, are you sure? I could cancel and we can have a night laughing at violent slasher movies?” Sam said worried for her best friend.

“Don’t worry about me Sam,” May reassured, “Better here where there is quiet than out there. Plus if Zoe needs me I’ll already be here so I won't have her nagging about not doing my work.”

Sam nodded not convinced but let things be. She bid May good night and made her way to the elevator to head home. She saw Zoe and Jack talking quietly to each other on her way out.

“She needs to do as she is ordered,” she heard Jack say derogatorily, “She’s a pencil pusher there to give us the files we need and put them back.”

“She’s more than that Jack–”

“No Zoe don't give me that,” he snapped, “You don't even believe that yourself and you know it. She’s nothing but a glorified secretary.”

Sam stopped at that and turned to face the couple.

Zoe caught the heated look Sam was sending them and at least had the decency to look ashamed.

“She’s your sister,” Sam said voice ice cold, “You’re supposed to defender against pricks like this like she's done for you on so many other occasions. Do you really doubt her so much that you’d fail her in this manner?”

Zoe paled at this knowing Sam is right before finding a certain spot on her shoes very interesting all of the sudden.

“And you,” she said looking to a now nervous Jack, “What’s the matter? Can’t have the one you want so you bully the one that’s had it for you since we began working here? How much more cowardly can you get?”

Turning back to Zoe she said, “You know it’s times like this when I realize that even Ted Bundy would have been a good bloke to date for your sister compared to this clown, good night.”

00//00//00

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fashionbooksmilano · 5 years

Photo

Tim Walker : Wonderful Things

edited by Susanna Brown and Tim Walker

V & A Museum Publications, London 2019, 192 pages, ISBN 9781851779710

euro 45,00

email if you want to buy [email protected]

A behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of Tim Walker, one of the world’s most innovative and sought-after photographers "Each shoot is a total love letter to an object from the V&A, sometimes several objects. My relationship to objects is like falling in love with someone. It relates to how we interact as people, how you become best friends with someone. It’s a search for a new friend." —TIM WALKER Published to accompany the V&A’s mesmerizing exhibition Tim Walker: Wonderful Things, this book is a journey through the creative mind of one of the world’s most inventive photographers. It presents more than 100 compelling photographs, from ten magical photoshoots inspired by objects from the V&A’s enormous and eclectic collection. Featuring conversations between the set designers, stylists, hair and make-up artists, models, and muses who bring Walker’s imagination to life, it includes contributions by Jack Appleyard, Zoe Bedeaux, Terry Bloxham, Edie Campbell, Gwendoline Christie, Josephine Cowell, James Crewe, Malcolm Edwards, Karen Elson, Katy England, Edward Enninful, Amanda Harlech, Shona Heath, Hungry/Johannes Jaruraak, Ibrahim Kamara, Kate Phelan, James Spencer, Jerry Stafford, Tilda Swinton and Gareth Wrighton. Previously unpublished behind-the-scenes imagery and preliminary sketches combine to reveal Walker’s extraordinary creative process, from his detailed research in the labyrinth of storerooms and galleries at the V&A to his spectacular final pictures.

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#Tim walker #photography books #libri di fotografia #fashion photography #fotografia di moda #photography exhibition catalogue #fashion inspirations #fashion books #fashionbooksmilano

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mostlywritersblock · 4 years

Text

Dracula 2019 fic

Part 1

****

Is this a dream?

Of course it is.

You’re drinking my blood.

But my blood is deadly to you.

Yes.

So you’ll die.

So will you.

After all this time

Did you think I’d let it hurt?

****

Dracula awoke.

It was disorienting, not because of any lack of vision but simply because he had awaken.

Something he’d thought he’d never do again.

By all rights, he should be dead.

Well, dead-er.

He was laying on his back, comfortably mind you, staring up at the ceiling when a familiar voice punctured his thoughts.

“I thought it might happen today, or rather I’ve been telling myself that for the past two weeks.” The woman from the foundation spoke.

Bloxham was it or something other?

“Just so you’re aware it’s been a total of 19 days since your attempted suicide”

Attempted suicide? Is that what happened?

“Your lawyer has been dutifully notified of your condition and current occupation of our facility. For more economical reasons I’m sure you can see why you’ll be staying here instead of a hospital until we can safely monitor your progress and rehabilitation.”

Progress? Rehabilitation? What was wrong with him?

“What is wrong with me?” The statement came out far weaker than he intended, and by god was that really his voice? Such a pitiful thing!

Bloxham stared at him blankly. “I just told you, attempted suicide.”

She stepped out of view but he could still hear her. “Now that you’re awake I’ll have the doctors come examine you. Try not to hold back on anything, the more information you provide the better.”

A series of scenes played out suddenly before him, ripping his focus away from the present to-

A flash of light, so intense, like the sun itself-

The sun.

Agatha.

He could hear retreating footsteps.

“Wait.”

Bloxham hesitated. “Yes?”

“Aga-Dr. Helsing. Zoe, where is she?”

There was a long pause.

“She’s alive, I’m not allowed to say anymore on the subject.” And she briskly walked out of the room. Dracula listened as the soft hiss of the door sealed behind her.

Ah.

So he was back in the glass cage. Wonderful.

****

The doctors poked, prodded, and took blood samples for a sum of 75 hours before Dracula got fed up and snapped one of their necks. The rest quickly fleeing the room as he viscously bit into the dying mans jugular. It was delicious.

Keep dangling a carrot in front of a starving rabbit and they’re bound to take your finger along with it.

****

The blood seemed to have done some good, and he wasn’t the only one to notice. The next following days consisted of Bloxham gathering up as many volunteers as she could to start giving him blood. It wasn’t the greatest thing ever but he felt he should play by the rules just for a little while longer.

Just until he had regained his strength.

****

By the gods. He was going to go mad of boredom. He’d requested -what - at least a dozen times by now, for some form of entertainment. A book, magazine, some new eletro-technological gizmo. Anything. But it was as if his request fell on deff ears. Which wasn’t possible. Which meant they were ignoring him.

Dracula sighed dramatically. He’d also requested for his lawyer, though he now supposes that won’t be happening anytime soon either.

****

He kept seeing her.

Not in his dreams - because, well, that wasn’t really possible at the moment- but in the shadows of his cage.

Agatha.

He hadn’t heard anything more since he’d first asked about her. It was as if the topic of one Dr. Zoe Helsing was taboo, classified, unmerited information that he was definitely not privy to.

No matter. He was counting down the days now.

Soon.

****

He’d surmised he’s been held prisoner at the foundation for a total of 39 days, 14 hours, and 45 minutes when the alarm sounded throughout the corridor. An unnecessary red light bouncing about the walls.

He slid the key card into place and a mechanical hiss sounded as he pushed the the final door open.

Fresh air rushed to great him. Along with twenty or so armed guns.

Dracula didn’t bat an eye as he rushed them. The sun grinning down on him when he slaughtered them all.

***

All that time in the foundation and no one had been one step closer to discovering how he was still alive. The one mystery he was actually hoping they’d solve before he jumped ship. Oh well. Now to find the real answers, with the only person who could possibly provide them.

He hoped at least.

****

He was surprised to find that Zoe was not actually where he had expected her to be.

He had thought, naturally, that with all the secrecy that obviously whatever information they had was not of the positive sort. Meaning he assumed he’d find her half dead in a hospital riding out the tale ends of her cancer.

Not. Outside a cheap flat lounging in the shade with a beverage smelling strongly of alcohol.

When Zoe finally noticed his chilling presence she gifted him with a small smile.

“Took you long enough.”

*****

He was to say very bluntly. Not pleased. Not pleased at all to discover Zoe did Not in fact have all the answers.

He was pleased however to note that she had miraculously been somewhat cured of the cancer. A miracle they were both certain he had a hand in doing.

Another piece of the puzzle yet unsolved.

She’s currently undergoing chemo, a last ditch effort by her doctors to make sure the cancer never comes back. But Zoe says everyday she feels a little stronger, a little less like the poison is in her veins.

Dracula supposes he’s happy for her.

Happy to have the company now that they’re not constantly at each other’s throats.

But he’s still a vampire, a fact they’re both acutely aware of as time passes by.

Dracula leaves sometime in the night, Zoe’s warm body curling into the space he previously occupied.

It’s not goodbye. But he needs sometime to collect his thoughts and -

He needs to feed.

****

Zoe finds him not even two days later.

“You know running off in the middle of the night is not going to solve any of your problems.” She states taking a seat in his temporary domicile.

Dracula rolls his eyes, “It doesn’t unsolve them either, Zoe. I’m driving myself mad with explanations, scenarios that make no sense and facts that don’t add up.”

He paces a few steps. “By all accounts I should not be here. I should dead, not undead.”

“Careful it almost sounds like you’re regretting being a vampire.”

Dracula frowned. “You know that’s not what I’m saying. I just wish to understand, nothing like this has happened before.”

Zoe sighed, “ Look it’s not like you went around drinking sick blood all the time, or for the length you drank mine. Who’s to say you can’t die from it. Maybe it just severely weakens you, like a vampire kryptonite.”

“Like a vampire what?” Confusion crossed his face as he tried to distinguish the strange word. And here he’d thought he was doing pretty well in this century.

“It’s Superm- you know what I’ll get you the comic sometime. Anyway, we really don’t know what kind of effect sick blood may have.”

Dracula scoffed. “Oh and me practically dying isn’t effective enough for you?”

“Not when you can come back good as new, no.”

Dracula smiled dangerously, “There’s the cold nun we all love to hate. Don’t suppose you’re hoping I’ll try it out again and stay dead next time.”

“One can only hope.” Came the distinctive foreign reply.

“Well I’m not, so there’s another dead-end for you.” He sneered. Zoe took in a deep breath

“Look, I want to get to the bottom of this just as much as you do, but you ran away from the one place that could possibly offer some kind of scientific explanation.”

Dracula released a low growl, “I’m not going back there.”

“I’m not asking you to I’m just-“

A loud buzzing filled the room, Zoe frowned sharply before tearing into her purse to dig out her phone. She glanced at the screen briefly before answering.

“Yes? What is it now?”

Dracula stared intently at his shoes trying not to grow impatient.

“Again? This is the third time this month, yes I know he escaped twice thank you Margo. Yes. Yes he’s with me. Yes I’ll tell you. Look, now isn’t a good time, I’ll call you later. Tell Florence to just reschedule their meeting, I won’t be in tomorrow. Thursday? Fine, yes, whatever works. Yes, goodbye.” Zoe let out an exhausted sigh as she lightly slammed her phone face down onto her lap.

“Trouble in paradise?”

“Trouble you caused.”

“Oh what have I done now?” Dracula mock pouted

“The contributors - our sponsors are reviewing the foundation, again. Apparently the fact that you escaped twice puts us under strict scrutiny.”

“Ah, I don’t blame them, for the price they’re paying I’d put your organization under strict scrutiny too.”

“It’s your bloody fault!” Another deep breath, “And it isn’t my organization, I just help run it.”

“What happened to early retirement?”

“I’m not dying now, why should I give up when we were really starting to see a breakthrough.” She quipped sarcastically.

Dracula chuckled, “Point taken.”

****

Turns out running an organization that your not legally obligated to run takes a lot of time and effort, both of which Zoe was finding hard to balance, especially with an over demanding, narcissistic, ego-centric vampire breathing down her neck. Oh and she also wasn’t trying to kill him, or capture him, or run test on him this time.

So.

There was that.

Zoe figured her sudden lack of animosity towards the man remained largely on the fact that he saved her. Or rather drained the sick right out if her.

So now she can’t help but feel a little obligated to offer aid in this troublesome mystery. Even if that means lying to half her staff the whereabouts of Dracula’s location.

However, the animosity spikes at certain moments too.

They usually coincide with Dracula’s feeding habits.

*****

TBC

#I’M SORRY IF THERE ARE SPELLING ERRORS #I tried my best but I wrote this weeks ago at like 3am #dracula #agatha van helsing #dracula 2019 #johnathan harker #part1 of idk #takes place after the last episode bc I was not happy with said ending #my boy harker gonna get a better story this time just you wait and see #this is probably going to be Dracula/Harker eventually js #but maybe Zoe/Drac if you squint reaaall hard #zoe van helsing

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ilovecathtates2 · 1 year

Text

Another Zoe/Bloxham

Just a sketch I did before bed, might make a digital version

#vampire!zoe #imagine she survived #not sure bloxham did #do i have a bite kink?#or i just like gore?#idk #bloxham/zoe #zoe van helsing #dracula 2020 #dracula bbc

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ilovecathtates2 · 1 year

Text

Not sure if I like this piece but here it goes

#bloxham/zoe #dracula 2020 #dracula Fanart

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flutteringphalanges · 3 years

Photo

Caught in a Riptide

Pairing: Dracula/Agatha Van Helsing

Rated: M

Read on FFN and AO3

A/N: Warning HEAVY SMUT FILLED chapter! Happy 2021 and my first update of the year! Hope you guys are doing well! Felt a little glum but decided to turn that energy into an update! Feedback/reblogs/likes is greatly loved and appreciated! Fingers crossed I did these two justice haha! -Jen

Chapter Ten

"Welcome home, Agatha."

It was as if some unseen force had cast itself upon her and rooted her in place. Agatha stared, slightly slack jawed at the sight before her, mind struggling to keep up with what she was seeing. Zoe, seemingly unharmed, lay there fast asleep by the vampire's side. Dracula's fingers drummed lazily against the couch's arm as he patiently waited for the woman's response. He, unlike her, was not stunned by this unplanned reunion. After all, he was the responsible party for this surprise "get together".

"You…" Agatha started, her eyes darting around the room. "How did you-"

"An invitation, of course." Dracula said with a mere wave of his arm. "From young Zoe. I came by to see if you were available and unfortunately, I was met by the babysitter." Agatha's eyes grew wide and the vampire grinned, knowing very well what she was thinking. "Oh, ease up, Agatha, Mrs. Avery is just fine. I sent her on her way back home. Told her you had asked me to watch Zoe until your return, seeing as we work together and all." He sighed, shaking his head. "I honestly hadn't anticipated for it to be so easy."

"Get out of my house!" The former nun growled, pointing a finger towards the door. "This is practically breaking and entering! A crime! I could have you arrested!" That would surely go over well, but the logistics weren't at the top of Agatha's thoughts. "Just because a seven year old-a child-tells you that it's okay to come into someone's house doesn't mean it is!"

"Actually, in my rule book, it is most certainly allowed." The Count smiled, reaching for the remote. "As long as they inhabit it." With that, he flipped the television off. "And Zoe lives here so it works in my favor."

Feigning a yawn, the vampire stood up from his spot on the couch. The young girl, still deep in her slumber, only shifted slightly and stretched out. Agatha watched her anxiously unsure if she should make a go for it and grab her and run, or find a means to take Dracula out. Perhaps once and for all. As she stood there debating, the Count brushed past her and made his way into the kitchen.

"Are you coming?" He called over his shoulder when the former nun didn't immediately storm after him. "I doubt you'll want to wake her up while we talk."

"Oh I think you've said quite enough for the night." Agatha hissed, clearly growing more heated. "Aren't you the least bit concerned about everything you've violated our terms and conditions? What's stopping me from calling the Foundation or that lawyer of yours right now?! Right at this very minute?!"

"You won't." Dracula replied simply. "And even if you did, what have I done exactly? I was invited in. No one was injured. There is nothing in any clause that says who is and isn't allowed to grant me access." He let out a quiet chuckle. "But I'm not concerned anyway. And I could easily argue my concerns of you not returning my texts. I think Dr. Bloxham would be delighted to learn about that."

"Get out of my house." Agatha warned, trying to sound as threatening. "Or I'll…" Her eyes flickered around the room and landed on the first thing that sat on the counter. A spatula. Great. "I'll make you regret not doing so."

"Oh really?" Dracula snorted, taking a step closer. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"

She was thinking. Thinking hard. But it was difficult to concentrate when facing off with a vampire. She was angry. So damn furious that it felt as if she was truly boiling inside. But as she stared back at the Count, trying to hold her ground, that fury. That force. Was slowly starting to transform into something else. A storm the likes of which she'd never encountered.

"You were saying?" The vampire encouraged, moving even closer to Agatha. "Come now, Agatha. Finish that train of thought of yours. What do you want to do to me?"

He had her nearly pinned against the wall, her back pressed tightly to it as he loomed over her with those dark, hungry eyes. Agatha's heart pounded as blood flushed her cheeks, something stirring within her very core. Undeniable lust.

"I'm not asking you again." She forced out, somewhat taken aback by how labored her breathing had become. "Leave my house at once."

"You know you can't force me to do that." He replied in a low, velvety whisper. "It wasn't you who invited me in." Dracula reached forward and tucked a stray lock of hair behind the former nuns ear. She shivered. "This isn't anyway to treat your guest."

Her knees felt weak as she fought the primal urge to lunge forward and give into whatever horrible desire this was. It wasn't right. She wasn't right. But then why were her mind and body at a civil war with one another? Agatha bit down on her lower lip, toes curling inward.

"Go…" She nearly pleaded as he closed the distance between them. "Just…" But his mouth was already on hers before she could finish.

Lost. Somehow that felt like the right word to describe it. Trapped between the present and this convoluted fantasy. Yet as their kissing grew more fervent, his cool hands touching the curves of her face, everything but this moment seemed to tumble away. When the vampire broke away to allow her a moment to catch her breath, Agatha nearly protested. She stared at him, too flustered to imagine how ridiculous she must look right now.

"I could take you here…" He suggested, nodding towards the empty kitchen table. "Or the countertop, that would equally suffice." Dracula moved his hands to grip Agatha's forearms as if to steady her in place. "There are lots of places I could have my way with you, Agatha Van Helsing. That is, if you'll let me in."

Zoe. The seven year old was still fast asleep in the living room. The former nun could feel the vampire's nails digging into her flesh. Hot. Christ how she felt so hot. What the hell was happening to her? This was his fault. His doing. Surely it had to be. And yet, she needed him. Required him to fill this sudden carnal craving within her.

"Zoe…" Was all she managed to rasp out, knowing well enough he'd understand. "Zoe."

"Ah, concerned about disturbing the child." He chuckled, the corners of his mouth twitching into a wide grin. "I suppose we wouldn't want to scar her...No, that would be less enjoyable for the both of us." He exhaled and glanced down towards the dark hallway. "Bedroom it is."

She tried not to dwell on the fact that lay lingering in her mind about how he knew where her bedroom was. Momentarily pushed away the unwanted thoughts of him traversing around in there admiring her personal things. Instead she froze that bit of her mind and allowed him to take her past the threshold and into the unlit room.

A bundle of nerves. A nest of live wires in a thunderstorm. Agatha was already beginning to tremble as Dracula placed a kiss to the corner of her mouth before trailing his way down just above her jugular. His teeth lightly scraped the tender skin, but the vampire made no move to bite her. Instead, he pressed his lips to the pulse and lightly sucked. The former nun let out a soft moan, surprised by how unstable she felt on her own two feet. Dracula smiled against her neck, arms wrapping around her waist to keep her upright. He was enjoying this way too much.

"...I thought you wanted to take me…" She gasped out, leaning into Dracula as he continued to indulge himself. "Not commit whatever this…" Agatha's breath hitched in her throat as he playfully nipped at her. "I thought you wanted sex."

"I do." Dracula admitted, letting his tongue run lightly across the sensitive spot of her throat. "But foreplay is a worthy appetizer." He straightened up, and even without much light, Agatha could see the thirst in his eyes. "Sit down." He commanded, motioning to the bed. "A good guest brings their host a gift and I think I've figured out what to do about mine."

She could've told him to leave. Demanded it again. Perhaps even called the Foundation and explained everything. But she was angry. Stressed. Confused. And, as odd as it was, mildly curious. Count Dracula was not her friend. He was an intruder and yet...yet...her she was. Sitting down on her mattress looking up at him. Wondering exactly where this was going and hoping Zoe would remain asleep.

"Take your pants off."

Now that had her snapping back to reality. Agatha blinked as she stared at Dracula. The vampire simply gazed back as if what he said hadn't been well...bold. When the vampire didn't retract his statement, she found herself undoing the top buttons of her pants and slowly pushing them down. Before she could react, Dracula snatched them from her grasp and tossed them to the side.

"That was rather uncouth of you." Agatha muttered, her cheeks flushed as she now sat before him in some rather unflattering underwear. "You could have at least…" His eyes were fixed on her and suddenly, she felt at a loss for words. "You could have…"

"Now that dreadful pair of underwear."

His voice, though firm, was not threatening in the slightest. It was as if he was instructing her. Chewing on the inside of her cheek, Agatha did as she was told and discarded the piece of clothing. So there she sat on her bed, legs pressed tightly together in front of her supposed enemy.

"Open your legs."

The words were quiet, almost gentle, and a shiver went up Agatha's spine. Suddenly the woman felt as if she was being transported back to her teenage years. The awkward time of romance. Agatha had never been with anyone. Never even had a true boyfriend really. And the witty, strong willed person she'd become was okay with that. Sex had never been an issue. In fact, it had made becoming a nun an even easier feat. But that was about to change.

"I've never had sex before." Agatha said quietly, not looking to meet Dracula's stare.

"I'm well aware of that." Dracula almost scoffed. "I'm centuries old, Agatha, and while I am no Christian, as far from it as one can be, I do know what regulations many branches of nuns, monks, and priests follow." He smiled once more, but it almost seemed genuine. "I suppose it's a good thing I have enough experience for the both of us then." He nodded his head. "Now go on and lie back. Close your eyes."

It was as if something else had gotten possession of her mind. A side of her that was ignored, that shoved aside the nagging notion that what was happening. What she was doing in that moment, was and would be a regrettable mistake. But mistakes were only that if they occurred. And Agatha's rationale had long since left the moment she felt the vampire's cool hands touch her inner thighs.

"I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that you believe a vampire's favorite spot on a human is the neck." Dracula stated, letting his nails lightly scrape against her bare flesh. "But that is a common misconception."

Agatha bit down on her lower lip, trying to control her uneven breathing. "Then enlighten me." She swallowed, squeezing her eyes shut as his fingers brushed ever so lightly against her entrance. "Where does a beast like you prefer to feed?"

Dracula let out a low chuckle. "The femoral arteries are a rather tasteful source." He explained simply. "They're location is in both legs and travels all the way to the groin. One can even detect a pulse." The vampire smiled, his eyes flickering between Agatha's rising chest and tense facial expression. "And I can assure you that yours is very, very fast."

Before Agatha could utter a reply, both of Dracula's hands caught either side of her legs and held them in place. Suddenly, the vampire's tongue ran across the length of her slit and Agatha saw stars. A strange sound escaped from between her lips, but the Count held fast. His movements were slow, methodical, and the former nun's core throbbed with a fire that she'd never experienced.

"Relax…" Dracula murmured against her. "You are too on edge. Shall we try something different?"

It was a rhetorical question, she knew that. And yet, when the vampire pressed a kiss to her swollen lips before lifting his head back up, Agatha was certainly not prepared for what came next. Her eyes fluttered open, hands gripping the sheets as she finally caught Dracula's stare with her own. Again he smiled, a dark, mischievous grin that the former nun was too lost for words to comment.

"Tell me how this feels."

Agatha bit back a yelp of surprise as she felt the vampire's fingers touch the sensitive bundle of nerves at the top of her entrance. The bud throbbed as he methodically moved in a circle causing her to squirm. Christ it felt good. It shouldn't feel good. She didn't want it to feel good. But it felt fucking fantastic. The Count chuckled, smirking as the former nun's back arched in pleasure, a low moan escaping from deep within her throat.

"Lost your voice have you, Agatha?" Dracula snorted, increasing the pressure in his strokes. "If I may be so bold, I'd go as far to say that this encounter is our most productive yet. All things considered."

"Shut up." Agatha managed to choke out. "You...I…"

"Hm?" The vampire inquired with false interest. "Are you trying to tell me something, Agatha?" His fingers slid down and, with precision, he slid one digit inside of her. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"

The world around her was spinning. He was making her feel ways in which she never thought possible. If she was true to religion, she would be most certain that this man. This creature. This vile being was the Devil in the flesh. But as his finger pumped in and out of her, her wetness slick on him, she wanted more. Her mouth opened, but no words came out. How stupid she felt. How utterly flustered. How absolutely, completely, entirely aroused.

"Are you alright?" Dracula asked, a second finger joining the first. "You look as if a cat has gotten a hold of your tongue."

"Pants off..." And even Agatha was momentarily surprised by her demand. "You...pants…"

"Demanding." The vampire replied, unable to hide the amusement in his tone. "Though I am not opposed to it." He smirked, removing his fingers from Agatha. "You might as well remove the rest of your garments during this intermission."

The woman frowned at him, but took off her blouse and unhooked her bra, now completely nude in front of her supposed enemy. Dracula slipped rather easily from his garments, laying them neatly off to the side as opposed to Agatha's which had just been casted. As he stood before her, as naked as the day he was born, she took in the infamous Count. His form was immaculate. Muscular. Dark hair that sprouted like a thick rug on his chest. As her eyes travelled downward, she finally settled upon his cock. His large length already well erect and most likely eager to have been released from the confines of the man's pants.

"You can touch it if you wish." Dracula said, snapping Agatha from her stupor.

Hesitantly, Agatha reached forward and lightly touched Dracula's shaft. She tried not to look at him, knowing he was watching, as her fingers curled around it. Her eyes flickered over to the head and noticed how it was already beginning to weep a bead of precum. The former nun felt juvenile. Silly. And holding him, examining him like this didn't help any. Letting her hand fall back onto the bed, she finally met the vampire's stare.

"This is wrong." She exhaled as Dracula moved beside her on the bed. "We are wrong."

"Perhaps…" The vampire muttered, sliding closer so their bodies touched. "Maybe it is wrong. Maybe it isn't." He leaned in and kissed Agatha, a hand cupping her face. "But we are here, aren't we?"

"Mm…" Agatha hummed against him, closing her eyes once more as Dracula went to position himself between her legs. "This is all a dream. It feels like a dream."

"I assure you, it isn't that." The vampire said, eyes taking in the sight of the former nun's form twisted in the sheets. "And I would most certainly know. But if you must," and he leaned in close to her ear. "We can always pretend."

When Dracula thrust himself inside of her, Agatha let out a small grunt of pain. It burned. Ached as her body adjusted to his size, her hymen that had been the curtain of her virginity now stripped away. Tears pricked her eyes, but when the vampire's mouth met hers, she soon began to forget about the fading pain. Each thrust, more forceful and vigorous than the last bringing pleasure and ecstasy.

Agatha's nails racked down Dracula's back, but they left no visible marks. Everything around her was a blur as the mattress creaked under them, trying to withstand their motions. It was all building up. The tense. The emotions. The heat. And soon, the former nun began to teeter on the edge.

"Dracula…" She managed to gasp out.

"Just let go, Agatha." The vampire instructed, his own voice rough and astonishingly labored. "Give into the release."

It was as if she had been hit with a bolt of lightning. Every nerve ending in her body was alight as Agatha let out a cry, the tsunami of euphoria finally breaking through the floodgates. She was already trembling, her body coming down from the aftermath when Dracula followed suit, white hot bliss shooting through the vampire. He growled, an animalistic sound as he pressed his face into the nun's neck. But much to the woman's relief, she felt no fangs pierce through her skin.

For a few moments, they lay there, in an odd sort of embrace. Then, without so much as a word, Agatha rolled off to the side planting some space between the two. Already she was beginning to feel the effects of the adrenaline wearing off. The energy she had spent long since past. Perhaps, in a way, it was a good thing. Being too tired to really process it all. Closing her eyes, she refrained from looking at Dracula as if some small part of her feared that, if she did, the figurative roller coaster would begin once more.

"I'd like you to leave now." She mumbled tiredly. "Please."

She half expected to hear some response. A snide comment of some sort. Instead, she heard the other side of the bed creak as if a weight was being lifted. Footsteps met her ears, but she still did not allow herself to look and see what the vampire was up to. Another sound, the door knob turning, and Agatha relaxed. Why Dracula said nothing, she was unsure, but sleep tugged endlessly at her consciousness. He was gone, or so she very much hoped. And that's what truly mattered.

Exhaling softly, she tugged the mess of blankets and sheets over her body. Tomorrow she'd face the reality of tonight's action. But for now, Agatha would sleep. A deep, dreamless sleep where the dreaded vampire could not follow. Where she could focus on nothing. Not on the Foundation. Not on this bloody assignment she'd been coerced into. And certainly not Count Dracula. Her breathing slowed, thoughts growing fuzzy as the strings of reality were snipped away and darkness fell.

XXX

When Agatha's eyes opened the next morning, she found herself alone in bed. For a brief, marvelously ignorant moment, she tried to convince herself that maybe, just maybe it had all been a dream. But when she took in the state of her room-the twisted sheets, her carelessly tossed clothes from the day before, and the unmistakable muscle aches, she knew it all to be true. Swallowing and muttering slurs of curses under her breath, the former nun got out of bed and slipped on a robe. At least for now, she'd have a moment to…

"Aunt Aggie!"

Agatha felt every fiber in her being tense up the moment she opened the door. There, at the dining room table, sat Zoe with what looked like some form of dessert like breakfast. She gave her aunt that same goofy, childish grin she knew so well. Powder sugar covered her lips as she dug her fork into whatever dish she was eating.

"Ah, I was wondering when you were going to get up." A familiar voice broke through the silence. "I was considering giving you breakfast in bed. But now that you're up, I suppose you can just take a seat while I get it ready."

Standing proudly in her kitchen as if he owned the place was none other than Count Dracula. He smiled at her, his expression edging on smug as Agatha took all of him in. Dressed in the same attire as the night before, he now also sported a flower printed apron with pink lace that had been a birthday gift to her from a co-worker. She never wore the damn thing and how he came to find it, she didn't nor wanted to know. The vampire held up a spatula and motioned to a pan on the stove.

"Clătite." He explained before she had a moment to ask. "A Romanian form of crepes if you will. These I rolled with strawberry jam-it was all you had in your refrigerator unfortunately." With a mischievous glint in his eye, he held out a plate to her. "Extra whipped cream?"

#Dracula 2020 #Dragatha #Dracula #Agatha Van Helsing #BBC Dracula #Dracula x Agatha #Caught in a Riptide

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flutteringphalanges · 3 years

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Summary: It is public knowledge that Zoe Van Helsing is the last of her blood line. Not to mention that, in a sense, Count Dracula is too. However, after an unexpected night of passion, both their lives dramatically change when Zoe becomes pregnant. Two unconventional parents, one extraordinary pregnancy. What could go wrong?

Rating: M

Pairings: Zoe Van Helsing/Dracula implied Agatha/Dracula

Read on FFN and AO3

A/N: So sorry for the delay. I had a lot of unexpected things going on in my life. This chapter goes out to @mitsukatsu. Happy belated one year friendiversary! I’m so glad we have our friendship! Anyway, I hope you enjoy! Feedback is greatly loved and appreciated! -Jen

Chapter Nine

Zoe found it rather unusual that the hospital decided to discharge her in the wee hours in the morning. Perhaps they needed an extra bed or just saw it fit to let the scientist go before the “morning rush”. Whatever the case, she wasn’t one to complain. Lying on her back, propped up on some cushions from the sofa, she stared upwards towards the ceiling, hands resting on the visible slope of her stomach. Tired. Nauseated. She just wanted to fall asleep and yet, her mind still reeling from the overload of new information prevented her from doing so.

“I can’t guarantee that it won’t taste dreadful seeing as it came from a can, but you need something to settle your stomach.”

The scientist didn’t turn her head to acknowledge Dracula as he strode into her living room. For some reason she had yet to put a finger on, Zoe had agreed to let him come in. Just for a few minutes. A few minutes that had turned into over an hour. Now the vampire had basically made himself at home in her own kitchen. As he went to place the bowl down on the coffee table, her eyes immediately flew over to the stack of documents the hospital had allowed her to keep. The lab results that could easily hold the keys she needed to begin unlocking the twins’ genetic codes.

“Careful!” She snapped, lunging forward to gather the papers as if they were some sort of precious artifact. “Do you realize how important these are?! The last thing I need is for them to be damaged.” Zoe eyed him incredulously, holding the documents close to her chest. “What even is that?”

“A proper acknowledgement of thanks would have sufficed.” The vampire exhaled, setting the dish down after a long moment. “And it’s some vegetable soup I found canned in your cupboard. Highly doubt it holds the nutrients your body needs, but in such a short span of time, it’s the best I could’ve come up with.” Dracula eyed the papers she clutched tightly. “Might I inquire what it is that you are doing? Or rather, plan to?”

Zoe seemed to ponder the idea of humoring him with an answer. “Research.” She responded curtly. “Which is why I cannot risk having anything spilling onto them. And besides,” the scientist frowned. “I am not hungry.”

Dracula’s lips pressed into a thin line as he eyed the scientist with visible annoyance. Taking in a deep, unnecessary breath, he forced a smile onto his face and pulled up a chair beside her. Zoe eyed him suspiciously as he folded his hands onto his lap.

“Two boys.” He mused, nodding at the idea. “It is a very welcoming thought knowing that the Dracula name will be continued.”

“The two chromosomes that determine the sex of our two babies should be the least of your concerns right now.” Zoe commented with a frown. “What should really be on your mind is what lies in their genetic makeup. Their overall DNA construction.” When she caught Dracula smiling, her frown deepened. “What?”

“You said our babies.” He replied with a smirk. “It’s nice to see you’re getting used to the idea of the two of us.”

“There is no two of us.” She replied point blank. “And if you continue to press my buttons, I can assure you there will only be one of us.” His continued look of amusement only made her blood boil hotter. “Why won’t you just leave? Your mere presence in my house right now is giving me a headache and I’ve already had one hell of a night.” Zoe gave a nod towards the door. “If you hurry, you can be back at your flat before you burn into a crisp.”

“You’d like that wouldn’t you?” Dracula chuckled. “Sometimes I have difficulty telling your regular attitude towards me from your hormones.” He watched as Zoe reached for the television clicker that sat on the table with the intention to beam it at him. “Alright, alright…” He gave in, holding his hands up. “I suppose I’ll leave you to your own devices, but only because you are in need of rest.” The vampire offered her a smile, though he did not receive one in return. “Get some rest, Dr. Van Helsing. I’ll be seeing you at the Harker Foundation soon enough.”

“I’ll wait for that with bated breath.” Zoe muttered, rolling her eyes. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” Her eyes followed the Count as he made his way towards the exit, narrowing when he turned his head as if to say something.

“Rest well, Zoe.” Though his voice lacked any insincerity. “I mean it.”

Zoe said nothing as he turned away, opening the door before slipping out into the night. She listened for his footsteps, half expecting him to waltz right back into her home. When she was certain that he was gone, the scientist sighed and allowed her shoulders to relax. It had been quite the long night to say the least and the need to clear her mind enough for her to focus was at the top of her priorities.

“If I go as far to boldly assume you and Count Dracula are becoming closer, would that be a correct assumption?”

Zoe’s facial features tightly scrunched in aggravation as Agatha’s voice met her ears. Maybe if she ignored her. Maybe if she didn’t look in her direction. Perhaps the ghost of her great, great aunt would disappear. But despite the wait, the silence, she could still feel the specter’s presence.

“You are entering into dangerous territory, Zoe. You truly have no idea what he is capable of. While he acts as if he cares, the vampire is very skilled in the art of manipulation. If you fall into his trap, digging yourself out is nearly impossible.”

“I am far from having any relations with Count Dracula.” The scientist grumbled, opening her eyes but keeping them averted from where Agatha stood. “And I can handle myself quite well, thank you. I’d much appreciate it if you’d just go away.”

“Whether you realize it or not, my intentions are for your very own good. Your sanity isn’t in the strongest of places and it wouldn’t be right if I were to pass on without keeping an eye on you.” She paused for a moment before adding. “And Count Dracula.”

“You being in my life right now is what is making me insane.” Zoe countered with a long sigh. “Having to deal with a vampire AND a ghost is just another layer to the tipping tower of my anxiety. Not to mention I’m dealing with pregnancy on top of that.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Now please, I beg of you, leave me be. I need time to think things over.”

“I’m concerned you’re growing fickle with your loyalty to the Van Helsing name.” When Zoe didn’t respond to this, Agatha merely sighed. “Tread carefully, Zoe. Do not let what grows within you change who you really are.”

The scientist chewed on the inside of her cheek in a strong attempt to not respond. It would be wise on her part to not fuel the flames with her rather...pesky and persistent ancestor. After a very few, long moments, Zoe turned her head in the direction of where Agatha should’ve been. Just like Dracula had, the woman finally had the decency to leave. Exhaling, she rearranged her stack of papers and set them off to the side.

“You are causing me quite a lot of drama.” She mumbled, placing a hand on her stomach. It still felt kind of silly addressing them. It wasn’t as if they were even born. Yet sometimes it was oddly comforting. “But I am going to look on the brighter side of things and assume it will be all worth it in the end...I hope.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Zoe caught sight of the bowl of soup Dracula had made for her. Pursing her lips, she gingerly lifted it from the table and studied it carefully. Deep down, she knew he wouldn’t dare do anything to it that would harm her--or his offspring for that matter. And it did smell rather pleasant. Stomach rumbling, Zoe picked up the spoon. As she took in a mouthful, surprised at how good it tasted, she made a mental note to not let the vampire know she actually enjoyed it. He didn’t need the extra ego boost.

“We’re going to be okay.” She mumbled, looking down at her stomach. “The three of us…” Zoe took in another spoonful and glanced towards the paperwork. “I’ll make sure of it.”

XXX

Due to her doctor’s recommendation to take it easy as well as the unfortunate matter of cutting into her sick days, Zoe finally returned back to work at the Foundation. Though facing Bloxham was not the most pleasant of things to look forward to, the scientist had grown rather restless at home. There was only so much she could do research wise without a lab and no one to trust to know her secret.

Zoe frowned softly as ran her hand down the very visible bump of her stomach. Just in the past several days, she had begun to really show. Something she felt a little self-conscious about. Carrying twins made it look like she was much farther along than sixteen weeks. It still felt surreal that she was nearly five months along. How time had seemingly flown, slipping like sand between her fingers.

“Zoe, it’s wonderful to have you back!”

The warmth and welcoming sound of Jack’s voice greeted the scientist’s ears as her former mentee strode up and pulled her into a gentle hug. Out of all things, it was rather pleasant to see him again. He was, after all, one of the very few she could call her a true friend. Upon stepping back, the young doctor’s eyes scanned the woman over.

“You look great.” He commented, offering her a genuine smile. “It’s been rather dull without you here. Not much excitement.” He paused. “And Count Dracula hasn’t exactly made his presence known since your absence.” Jack shook his head at the thought as if trying to clear something from his mind. “Anyway, how are you feeling? Dr. Bloxham didn’t force you to come back, did she? You’re sure you feel alright to come back?”

“It’s lovely to see you too, Jack.” Zoe smiled softly. “And yes, I feel perfectly capable to return to the Foundation. I just needed time to recuperate. Doctor’s orders, not exactly what I had intended. But to maintain a healthy pregnancy is more important than my addiction to work.” She chuckled at that. “Good to know I haven’t missed much. There were moments where I had my concerns about how things were functioning.”

“Well, if you need anything, anything at all, just--”

But Jack was abruptly cut off by the clean, swooshing sound of two sliding doors opening. Both he and Zoe turned their head to see Bloxham entering the room with her ever present unreadable expression. Her eyes briefly flickered over at Jack before focusing on the other woman.

“Dr. Van Helsing.” She nodded, her tone flat. “I’m glad you’ve seen yourself fit enough to return to work. Your lack of participation has been noted but...excused.” Bloxham’s attention turned to the file folder of papers Zoe had tucked underneath one of her arms. “And those would be?”

“Prevalent to my work with Count Dracula.” Zoe said, trying to remain unsuspicious as she readjusted them in her grasp. “Nothing of great importance. Just something I had on hand while I was at home.” If her boss only knew what the contents within were. “I’m assuming that the Count will be paying us a visit later on tonight as per scheduled?”

Within the last several days, Zoe had received over a handful of texts from the vampire--of which she replied very few to. Just enough to keep him out of her hair. Since the hospital fiasco, this would be the first time in weeks they’d be face to face. A twinge of nervousness panged in the bottom of her stomach as Bloxham threw her a quizzical look before relaxing.

“See to it that tonight’s session meets our highest expectations. Due to your...holiday, we’ve lost valuable time with Dracula. It is unknown how long his willingness to come in will last.” Bloxham’s lips pursed together as she grabbed her magnetized badge. “I look forward to your findings, Dr. Van Helsing. Do not let me down.”

Zoe hadn’t realized she’d been literally biting her tongue onto the faint, metallic taste of blood met her taste buds. She ground her teeth as Bloxham walked casually away well aware that Jack’s eyes were on her. Exhaling, she turned to the young doctor.

“Well, that was friendlier than she usually is.” He attempted to joke, giving her a reassuring smile. “At least she didn’t chew you out. Why just last week, Henderson in forensics dropped a bunch of the new vials the Foundation had ordered and from the earful she gave him, I was convinced he was on his way out the door jobless with a box of broken glass.”

Not that she intended to let anyone near her experiments, Zoe made a mental note to avoid Henderson’s clumsiness at all cost. The last thing she needed was for all of her important work to go to waste. Vials were one thing, but what they would hold was a completely different matter.

“I’m going to go get situated.” She said, feigning a small smile. “I think it’s best I dive back into the thick of things. After all, I might as well busy myself before my version of Interview with a Vampire tonight.”

“Nice touch, Zoe.” Jack laughed. “Never took you for a movie type.”

“I suppose I’m full of surprises then.” She responded, unbeknownst to Jack how true that statement really was. “I’ll be seeing you then?”

“Bloxham has us all working overtime.” The young man answered. “So the chances of us crossing paths today are inevitable.”

“Good then.” Zoe nodded, clutching her documents. “I look forward to it.”

XXX

Though it wasn’t much, the small office like space designated to her personal belongings proved to be usable enough. Zoe exhaled as she sat down, pushing aside the clutter that had begun to build on her desk. Setting the folder onto a cleared spot, she opened it carefully. Still crisp as the night she had received them, Zoe peered down at the test results from the night at the hospital.

The hardest part of being homebound for two weeks was not having the access needed to further her research. Yet, Zoe was smart and resourceful enough to scour the internet for something, anything that would prove of use to her. And as luck would have it, she had found a possible piece to her ever growing puzzle.

“Cell-free fetal DNA…” She muttered, looking from the sticky note where she had scrawled the information down and then back to her computer screen. “Possible specimen matter. Requires blood to be drawn from the mother which, when tested, allows one to extract fetal DNA presented from the placenta that has been dispersed through the woman’s bloodstream.” The keys on her laptop clicked rapidly as Zoe’s eyes remained fixated on the screen. “Subject One: Dr. Zoe Van Helsing.”

Zoe leaned back in her chair and studied the text on the screen. Experimentation. It was something she had considered but never when it came to her being the subject. Absentmindedly, she placed a hand on the apex on her stomach. Going about this was going to be hard. Not to mention very difficult seeing as it was a top secret project. Especially since subject two’s involvement was undetermined at this point. For all of this to work, she would need his full, committed participation.

With a long sigh, she returned her fingers to the keyboard. “Subject Two: Count Dracula.”

Obtaining a blood sample from him would be the easiest part. Her reasoning for doing so she could fabricate. Zoe had all of the equipment at her disposal, it was just a matter of finding the time to use it for her own devices. A knock came at her door, causing the scientist to snap back to reality. Quickly stashing away the documents into her desk and closing her screen, she straightened up in her seat.

“Come in.”

The door creaked open to reveal one of Bloxham’s head guards. Zoe tried to ignore the pounding in her chest as he cleared his throat. Surely he had no idea of her plans. No one did. So why exactly did it feel like every artery in her body was about to burst?

“Dr. Bloxham wanted me to tell you that Count Dracula has arrived.” The man said, his tone emotionless. “I’ll be the one to escort you to the room.”

“Right then.” Zoe sighed, standing up slowly. “If you don’t mind me requesting privacy after you doing so, I believe it will be best if he and I were alone. He seems to be more willing to offer up information when it is just the two of us.” If any of this were to work, she’d need that in order to speak to him. “You may wait outside of the door if need be.”

The guard narrowed his eyes but gave a nod of confirmation. Slipping a voice recorder into her pocket, Zoe trailed behind the guard feeling slightly winded. The pregnancy was starting to take a toll on her whether she liked to admit it or not. As the guard slid the access card through the slot in the keypad, the thick metal doors glided open to reveal the familiar room with a table situated in the center.

“Ah, Zoe, so wonderful to see you again.”

Dracula sat at the opposite end of the table, his dark eyes fixed on the scientist as she stepped into the room. Motioning for the guard to exit, Zoe strode forward and took her usual spot across from him. She could feel his eyes taking in every inch of her body, focusing mostly on her stomach before they finally met hers.

“It’s been awhile.” He commented, leaning against the table. “I was beginning to grow concerned after I learned about your medical conundrum. I’m glad to see you’re okay.”

“Yes.” Zoe replied, straightening up. “I’ve been taking it easy.”

“Always good to follow a doctor’s order. Or rather, in today’s age.” He gave a small smile that Zoe struggled to tell was genuine or one of judgement. “So, what do you have planned today? Shall I give you more history about my existence, or have you something else in mind?”

“I require another sample of your blood.” She said, watching him carefully. “It’s for an important matter.”

“Color me intrigued.” The vampire said, resting his elbows on the table. “What exactly are you looking for this time? You aren’t going to lose them again, are you?”

“This is for an important matter.” Zoe said, a hand resting on her stomach in an attempt to give him a silent cue. “Your willingness to provide me another sample would be greatly appreciated and would prove vital in the cause…” She racked her brain, trying to think of a reason in case they were being monitored. “...A cause in learning more about your physiology.”

Dracula was silent for a moment. “Take what you must. I suppose it is for a good cause after all.” His eyes returned to her stomach. “I’m hoping you’ll keep me updated if you find anything of interest. You know I am a man of science.”

“I’m sure that can be arranged.” Zoe nodded, relieved by his compliance. “Allow me to grab some vials.” Hopefully Henderson hadn’t destroyed the lot. “I will return momentarily.”

Dracula didn’t reply as Zoe made her way across the room and to a metal tray that had been set off to the side. There was no needle this time, it would prove useless as it had during their first attempt. The vampire already had his wrist exposed by the time Zoe returned to his side. Her stomach crawled as he drew his sharp nail across the pale skin creating an open wound. Holding the vial carefully, she collected the dark blood as it dripped down.

“Is that enough?” He asked, sounding surprisingly genuine.

“For now.” Zoe replied, quickly placing the top on and giving it a few turns. “Thank you.”

“The pleasure is all mine.” The vampire smirked softly, his skin already knitting back together. “I am at your service after all.”

Their eyes met, neither of them speaking. Something within Zoe began to stir that, at first, she thought was merely heartburn. But the longer they looked at each other, she came to the realization it was butterflies in her stomach. Feeling the heat rush to her cheeks, she bit down on her lip and immediately turned away. No, this was not happening. It was only hormones. Bloody hormones. She certainly wasn’t having the tiniest amount of feelings for him.

“I should go and take this to the lab before it expires.” She said quickly. “You can see yourself out, I presume?”

“Usually I am escorted so it isn’t a problem.” Dracula chuckled. “Same time as always?” He paused, causing Zoe to feel that much more uncomfortably hot. “You know how to reach me in case you require some personal assistance sooner.”

“That won’t be necessary.” She replied, clearing her throat. “I should really be going. Good night, Count Dracula.”

Before the vampire had a chance to reply, Zoe had already made her way to the double doors and exited the room. She said nothing as she brushed past the guard. Her mind was reeling so much so she hadn’t even realized she’d made it to the lab. Finally stopping to catch her breath, Zoe noticed that the area was vacant. With a sigh of relief, she made her way over to one of the counters.

FRAGILE. DO NOT TOUCH. She hoped this would keep Henderson and any others from messing with the contents. Looking over her shoulder, she quickly began to rummage through one of the drawers. Producing a long needle, she swallowed hard, slightly ill at the thought of what she was about to do. Despite the cancer and the various blood tests, her hate for needles had never lessened.

“I’m only doing this for you.” She mumbled, glancing down at her stomach before preparing the needle and syringe. “This better work.”

Tying a band around her upper arm, she felt around for a good vein. Taking a deep breath, she plunged the needle through her flesh and watched as a vial began to fill with her own blood. It was slightly lighter than Dracula’s, something she made a mental note of. Once she was convinced she had enough to work with, she removed the needle and topped the vial.

FRAGILE! DO NOT TOUGH. She scrawled upon the sticker, hoping that it would prevent others again from messing with it. Eyeing both vials, one belonging to her and the other to the vampire, she pursed her lips, turning her head to glance over at the slides and a nearby microscope.

Pulling out a voice recorder, Zoe cleared her throat before pressing record.

“Monday, April 25th. Experiment One. Testing cellular immortality.”

#Dracula #Dracula 2020 #BBC Dracula #Zoe Van Helsing #Agatha Van Helsing #Gemini

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flutteringphalanges · 3 years

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Caught in a Riptide

Pairing: Dracula/Agatha Van Helsing

Rated: M

Read on FFN and AO3

A/N: Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for each and every one of you! Here’s a token of my gratitude! Feedback/reblogs/hearts are greatly loved and appreciated! Love you guys! -Jen

Chapter Nine

At first, Agatha found herself questioning if she had heard the vampire right. That maybe the fumes brought on by the combination of countless mixed drinks and body sprays had gotten to her head. But when she stared down at the Count's large, outstretched hand. At his long, pointed nails. The former nun's ears had been working correctly.

"Dance?" She repeated, the word tasting odd on her tongue. "You want to dance with me?"

"Well surely you know how." The man smiled widely, taking her hand before she could pull away. "Come now, it isn't so hard. I'll show Waltz only has six steps."

If her lack of ballroom dancing wasn't enough, Agatha felt several pairs of eyes fixed on them as they moved about the floor out of tune to the techno music. Dracula, who had taken to humming his own song, didn't seem fazed at all by their audience. Blood rushed to the woman's cheeks, the embarrassment making the room feel so many degree hotter.

"You're blushing." The vampire noted, tugging his partner back to reality. "Might I inquire what about?"

"Surely you're observant enough to realize we're being watched." Agatha hissed under her breath, nearly tripping over Dracula's shoes. "Just a touch out of place."

"Oh, Agatha, you really shouldn't worry yourself about the judgement of others." He chuckled, gracefully gliding across the ground. "Do you know any of them?"

"Well…" She began to stumble. "Well, no...but that…"

"Then I see no issue." Dracula finished, cutting her off. "Relax, Agatha. Enjoy the night while it's young. Though I haven't known you for long, I can tell you need it."

The former nun frowned, but said nothing as the vampire spun her about on the dance floor. Soon the other patrons became a forethought as her eyes locked on to Dracula's. She found it odd how a bloodthirsty killer could be so delicate. So graceful. And as he dipped her, brutality masked by this gentlemanly cover, she found herself delving into conversation.

"So how do you know how to dance so well?" Agatha asked, surprised by how she had yet to trip and fall. He was quite the teacher, she'd give him that. "And saying it's due to your age doesn't count."

"A fair enough question." Dracula agreed. "I simply desired to learn. Everyone has a hobby or two they enjoy. Or an interest they wish to pick up. Dancing happened to be one of my more...socially acceptable ones." He grinned, clearly amused by his choice of words. "What about you, Agatha? Surely you have a guilty pleasure locked away in that treasure chest of a mind of yours."

She thought for a moment. "I can knit...sort of." When his left eyebrow cocked in interest, she continued. "I'm not very good at it and have only managed to somewhat make oven mits. But between my job and caring for Zoe, I don't have a lot of time to myself."

"Perhaps you could knit me a pair that I may use next time you come over for dinner." Dracula suggested lightly. "For business reasons, of course."

Agatha felt her cheeks burning again, but from a different fire this time. She looked away, avoiding the vampire's gaze as her eyes fell on a clock mounted on a nearby wall. A distraction. Sucking in a breath, the former nun pulled away.

"We should get going." She said quietly. "It's getting, well, later and I need to be getting home. Dr. Bloxham left me some paperwork to fill out and I'd like to get that done. She's very...particular when it comes to turning things in on time." A poor excuse, but Agatha hoped it would work.

"Of course." Dracula bowed his head smiling. "I've kept you out long enough, haven't I?"

"It's been a night." Agatha agreed, somewhat struggling to find the right words. "I think it's at an appropriate end." She offered him a small, awkward, but genuine smile. "Your lead?"

Frank jumped in surprise, his phone falling into his lap at the sound of Dracula lightly rapping on the car window. Quickly, he unlocked the car doors as the two adults slid in without a word. Peering into the rearview mirror, glasses sliding down onto his nose, Frank feigned a smile.

"Today went well I hope?" He asked, starting the engine. "No complaints on either end?"

"Oh, I think it was rather splendid." Dracula replied, looking over at Agatha. "Wouldn't you agree, Agatha?"

"I suppose both busy ends were held up to the bargain." She replied, leaning back in her seat. "I don't have anything negative to report back to Dr. Bloxham if that is what you're asking."

"Excellent!" The lawyer beamed. "I knew it was possible for you two to work things out. This is good. Very much so. And I know Dr. Bloxham will be just as pleased as I am."

Agatha said nothing, just merely stared out the window watching the street lamps speed by. She knew Dracula was watching her closely as they pulled up outside of her house. And it was no surprise that he too got out of the car when she did. Of course he'd walk her to the door. How polite of him.

"Don't forget your Champagne." The vampire smirked, handing over the bottle. "I spent a pretty penny on that."

"Thank you." They were the first two words to come to her mind. A phrase that she hoped would send him away. "Tonight was decent...have a good evening, Count Dracula."

"You as well, Agatha Van Helsing." He replied, his teeth glinting in the moonlight. "I look forward to seeing you again. Perhaps you can work on those knitting skills of yours and make me a lovely pair of oven mittens. I'm quite partial to red."

Agatha gave him a half hearted smile and turned away. She felt some relief in knowing he wouldn't follow her inside. At least she hoped Zoe's invitation would've expired by now. Stepping into her home, she locked the door behind her. It wasn't until Agatha heard the sound of Frank's car rumbling off into the distance did she exhale, shoulders relaxing.

"Hey, you okay?"

Jack stepped out of the kitchen and Agatha couldn't help but note the flecks of glitter that sparkled on his shirt. He offered her a genuine smile as he scrubbed at his hands with a rag. Clearly the craft had proved to be messier than the doctor intended. But cleaning was the least of worries on the woman's mind.

"Long night." She sighed, running a hand through her hair. With the other that clutched the alcohol, Agatha held it out towards Jack. "Drink?"

"I'm fine." He shook his head to which Agatha merely shrugged and headed towards the kitchen. He followed suit. "Was it really that bad?"

"We went out for dinner and then to an arcade." The former nun stated, digging through the cabinets before producing a glass. "An arcade, Jack." Exhaling, she poured until the cup was full before downing it. "And don't get me started on the night club. I agreed to watch the beast, not partake in a dance number with him."

"Wait, you actually danced with Dracula?! The Count Dracula?!"

Agatha tried to ignore the look of astonishment on Jack's face as she downed her second glass of Champagne. So much for not drinking. Perhaps telling him how her evening had gone hadn't been the best idea. Especially since she'd have to relive it tomorrow when Bloxham asked for the nitty gritty details. After the last bit of beige liquid passed through her lips, she set the cup down on the counter with a rough clink. Though she wouldn't admit it allowed, it wasn't what they did that bothered it. It was, in fact, how she felt afterwards. Good.

"That's what I said. I was caught off guard." Agatha stated, trying to fend off the young doctor as he took away her bottle. "Clearly I was not in the right state of mind to think for myself. Perhaps I'm coming down with something..."

"Well, at least nothing bad happened right?" The young man interjected, trying to lighten the mood. "No one died?"

"Just my ancestors rolling around in their graves." She snorted, letting out a humorless laugh as she shook her head. "I unintentionally went on a date with Count Dracula, didn't I? Or rather, I might as well have." Jack's lack of a response was a good enough of an answer as any. "Shit..."

"Well it's over now, right?" The man assured her. "Best put it behind you. You won't do yourself any good stressing over it." He smiled, motioning to his sparkling shirt. "Anyway, what do you think of my outfit? Zoe may have gone a little overboard with the glitter. I did my best to clean up what I could. I'm sorry for whatever random particles you come across for the next decade."

"As long as you had fun and she behaved." Agatha smiled softly. "I don't mind the occasional sparkle. This place needs to lighten up anyway." Glancing around, she folded her arms over her chest. "You're welcome to stay the night. I can pull out a blanket and some pillows. The couch isn't so bad."

"Thanks, but I'll be fine." Jack promised her with a wave of his hand. "There's some work I have sitting on my counter that I need to bring in tomorrow. If I don't, Bloxham will have my head. You know how she can be."

"Right." His friend nodded, chuckling under her breath. "Well, thank you a million times over again, Jack. I don't know what I'd do without you in my corner."

"Well, if I'm ever set up on a date with a vampire, I'm sure you can return the favor in some way." The man joked. "Have a good night, Agatha. Give Zoe my best when she wakes up tomorrow. I'll see you in the morning."

"Same to you, Jack." Agatha smiled. "Bright and early."

XXX

Agatha tried not to think about the previous night's events until she came across Bloxham and her henchman of sorts, Commander Irving, the next day. Doing her best to ignore the rather intimidating man in the corner, she sat down in front of her boss who'd taken to calmly sipping what appeared to be a cup of tea.

"Mr. Renfield informed me earlier that last night was successful." The head of the Harker Foundation commented, swiveling in her chair. "Were you able to gain anything useful from your time together?"

"He can't go in the sun and hates crosses, just as much as we already know." Agatha said, trying to refrain from using a harsh tone. "A rather pointless excursion."

"Nothing is pointless when it comes to Count Dracula." Bloxham replied curtly, setting her drink down. "Him opening up to you, though slight as it may appear, is just as big a goal as any. I'm impressed, Agatha. I wasn't expecting much from you...even though it is only common knowledge."

"I'm not sure what else I can offer at this point." Agatha replied, folding her arms over her chest. "Can I go or is there something pressing you need me to fulfill for you?"

Bloxham glanced over her shoulder at Irving before looking back to Agatha. "I suppose…" She stated thoughtfully. "For now. But keep your schedule free as much as you can. I cannot say when your services will be required."

"Right." The former nun muttered. "I'll be cancelling my tickets for leaving the country then." A snide remark that went unmentioned by Bloxham. "Thanks."

Agatha made sure to accidentally slam the door a little harder than needed when she left the office. Fury bubbled in her chest as Bloxham's words replayed in her mind. A pawn in a game. A puppet in a show. The woman has basically slapped a figurative ankle monitor on her. At least the anger gave her something to focus on to make the time go by faster.

It was lunchtime when the former nun's phone vibrated in her pocket. Taking it out, she frowned deeply when she noted the caller ID. Count Dracula.

"Last night was fun. I wanted to inquire if you'd be interested in scheduling another meeting. My place or yours?" -Dracula

Deciding to ignore it, Agatha shoved her cell back into her pants. Dracula was the last person she wanted to see right now. Part of her expected Bloxham to immediately summon her to her office, believing the vampire to use Frank to his advantage. But when that didn't happen and time rolled on, that concern began to push into the back of her mind.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're ignoring me. Not fun, Agatha. Not fun at all." -Dracula

Agatha groaned, annoyed by the text that had awoken her from her deep sleep. It had been three nights since the vampire's last text. Though despite the messages, neither Frank nor Bloxham had seemed to become involved yet. For whatever reason, Dracula hadn't used that lifeline to his advantage. Turning her phone off, the former nun shoved it into her dresser drawer and closed her eyes. Sleep was a bliss worth taking.

"Agatha, I do hope you are alright. I'm beginning to worry. Do respond. Should I have a welfare check done on you? Perhaps Frank would be of service." -Dracula

"I'll put you out of service." Agatha muttered to herself as she shoved her phone into her purse.

It was late evening now and she was just about to head home. She was tired, hungry, and just about done dealing with the Lord of Darkness. It'd been a week now. A long, paperwork filled one, and all she wanted to do was rest. Getting into her car, Agatha drove home, the moon well into the sky by the time she pulled into the driveway.

"Mrs. Avery?" Agatha called out as she entered the house. "Sorry I'm late, I got caught up at the office."

The house was dark which sent a tingle up the former nun's spine. In the distance, she could see a light coming from the living room. The slight hum from the television meeting her ears. Cautiously, she made her way down to the room wondering if all was well. What she saw made her stop cold in her tracks.

Zoe lay curled up peacefully on the couch, a blanket draped over her frame as she slept. But instead of the short, elderly woman sitting at her side, a tall, loaming man grinned at Agatha from his spot. Count Dracula brought a long, pointed finger to his lips and quietly shushed the former nun.

"Welcome home, Agatha."

#Dragatha #Dracula 2020 #Dracula #Agatha Van Helsing #Dracula x Agatha #Caught in a Riptide

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flutteringphalanges · 4 years

Photo

Caught in a Riptide

Pairing: Dracula/Agatha Van Helsing

Rated: M

Read on FFN and AO3

A/N: Ah, what a way to finish the first school week--a brand new chapter! I hope you enjoy! I am pleased by how long it is! Feedback is greatly loved and appreciated--reblogs too! My brain is mush so now I shall go an Netflix! Enjoy! -Jen

Chapter Eight

"Why can't I come?"

The seven year old glowered at her aunt as Jack moved around in the kitchen retrieving the ingredients needed to make slime. Normally creating such a monstrosity would've excited the child, as Agatha usually forbade the stuff in the house, but Zoe seemed more concerned about the woman's agenda with the vampire. After all, she found Dracula fascinating. A potential friend-though, not truly understanding what he really was.

"It's a trip for adults." Agatha sighed, grabbing her purse. "Besides, you get to visit with Jack. You're always talking about him coming over."

"Yeah." Zoe replied, hands on her hips. "But he's not Mr. Dracula."

"Zoe, that's very rude." Her aunt chided-but thank god for that. "You apologize to Jack now."

"Sorry." She muttered under her breath, rubbing her feet against the floor. "But can't I come with you, please?! I promise to be good! 'Sides, Mr. Dracula is new here! What if he gets lost? He might need my help!"

"He won't and he certainly doesn't need anything from you." Agatha realized the harshness in her tone and inhaled. "Zoe, listen to me." She bent down to meet her niece at eye level. "You'll have more fun here with Jack. Mr. Dracula…" Her nose scrunched at the name. "And I have business to attend to. It'll be very boring, I guarantee it."

"And I brought glitter." Jack added, smiling as he picked up a tiny, sparkling container. "It's rainbow!"

"Just try not to get it everywhere." Agatha snorted, pecking Zoe on the cheek. "Have fun you two and don't get slime on my furniture. It took forever to get out last time."

"Okay, Aunt Aggie." The little girl exhaled. "I love you! Tell Mr. Dracula I said hi!"

"I love you too." The woman replied, knowing very well she wouldn't be fulfilling her niece's wishes on the second part. "Be good for Jack."

She tried not to think about how big of a mess her kitchen would be in when she returned. However, all concerns about that immediately dissipated the moment she stepped outside. There, standing on the curb, was none other than Dracula himself. He gave her a toothy grin as he opened the passenger door. Agatha's eyes flickered to the driver's seat where Frank Renfield gave her a nervous smile and a quick wave. There was no way in Hell. Not a single, solitary way in the underworld she'd be getting in a car with him where she wasn't in control of the vehicle.

"I thought it would be best if we had a chauffeur." The vampire explained, motioning for her to get in. "That way we can get to know each other even more." He chuckled and gave a small shrug. "Not to mention he knows his way around just as much as you do. Now we don't have to worry about you being distracted when we drive."

"I didn't agree to this." Agatha replied firmly, folding her arms. "Any of this."

"Oh come now, Sister Agatha." The Count called out smugly. "Live a little-well, one of us has to."

Just the very look of Frank's expression sent chills down her back. He wasn't a threatening man, at least in a physical sense, but something about him didn't settle right. And it didn't help that there was a valid reason that this had been constructed alongside Bloxham. At least she wasn't the driver, everything was unbearable enough as it was.

"Fine." The woman resigned. "But we stick to the approved locations, no detours." Now that she thought of it, she hadn't exactly gotten the list of places they were going. "Just get in so we can get this night over with."

"Ladies first." The vampire bowed, motioning for Agatha to step inside. She knocked purposely hard into his shoulder as she climbed in. His mouth twitched into a sneer as he slid in beside her, much to her discomfort. "I think we're ready to go to our first stop." His eyes met those of the former nun. "The Prospect of Whitby!"

Agatha barely acknowledged Frank's sheepish greeting as she stared with great fixation out of the window. She could feel Dracula watching her, waiting for her to finally turn around and address him. But her attention remained glued to the trees and cars that zoomed by as they drove into the inner, more populated part of the town.

"I thought you could use some dinner." The vampire suggested, finally breaking through the silence. "And during my research as well as Frank's recommendations," he nodded to the driver. "This seemed like the perfect location. Did you know tavern itself claims to be the oldest around dating back to around 1520? Fascinating that such a place could possibly be nearly a century younger than me."

"Just because I'm forced to keep an eye on you doesn't mean I'm interested in the history of my basket of fish and chips." She retorted. "And I'm not hungry."

"Nevertheless, we're going in." The vampire stated as Frank pulled up to the curb. "Mr. Renfield, if you'll just wait out here with the car."

"Oh!" The lawyer spoke up softly. "I thought it would be alright if I came in and…"

"Your presence is not needed nor wanted." The Count exclaimed with a dismissive wave. "Come, Agatha, we have a table for two reserved."

If given the choice of publicly eating a meal in front of Dracula or stepping through a hallway of hot coals, legos, and thumb tacks, the last option sounded far more appealing. She didn't take the vampire's hand as he held it out towards her, merely exiting the car and slamming the door roughly behind her. A small part of her felt bad for Frank, a part that felt guilty that he was roped into this night. But the bigger part of her blamed him and she secretly hoped something would happen whilst they were inside.

"Vlad Balaur."

Agatha internally groaned as Dracula grinned at the hostess causing her to blush. If she really knew what she was, that flattered expression would've morphed into one of horror. She sucked in her cheeks as she followed the young woman to a small table with rather intimate lighting.

"Oh, we only need one menu." The vampire explained to the lady. "We're here for her. I have...allergies." And when he spoke, his eyes were fixed on the innocent hostess's jugular. Agatha kicked him hard under the table causing his attention to travel back to the woman's eyes. "Yes, just one will do."

"You're disgusting." Agatha hissed under her breath as the woman walked away.

"So you're telling me that if you saw a divine burger you wouldn't salivate?" Dracula countered.

"What does a burger have to do with anything?!" She replied almost flustered. "And...and it's not like it's still breathing." Frowning, she snatched up the menu and pretended to read it. "How long are you going to force me to sit here before we can go?"

"Until you order something." The man replied simply. "I'll pay, of course."

"This isn't a date!" She snapped, firmly setting the menu down. "So don't act like it is!"

"I wouldn't dream of it." The corners up his lips twitched in slight amusement. "But I am humored that the thought even came to your mind."

Before Agatha could retaliate, a waiter approached the table. The former nun exhaled softly through her nose and straightened up in her chair. Better not lose it in the middle of a crowd. Bloxham would have her head and Dracula would most certainly enjoy that.

"Can I start you off with anything?" The man asked, looking between the two. "Might I recommend the fish and chips? We are known for having the best in Whitby. Fresh cod caught today!"

An interesting thought came to Agatha's mind. An idea she didn't consider until now. Forcing a smile, she picked up her menu once more. Dracula had offered to pay after all. Who was stopping her from ordering the most expensive items available?

"I'll have the eight ounce sirloin." She read out loud, her eyes scanning the drink section. "And the Champagne Lallier Grand Cru Grande Réserve Brut-the full bottle." Agatha grinned at the waiter as she handed the menu back. "Thank you."

The man nodded and disappeared, leaving the two alone once more. Feeling rather proud of herself, Agatha leaned back a little in her seat as the vampire watched her with great interest. Clearly, it had been a move he hadn't expected. Check mate.

"I thought you didn't drink?" Dracula inquired, a brow raised in surprise.

"I don't." The former nun smirked. "But you offered to pay and I thought it'd make for a nice centerpiece."

"Well played, Agatha Van Helsing." The vampire chuckled, causing the woman to frown a little. "It's not often that I'm surprised. A shame though for such an expensive bottle to go to waste. What, pray tell, do you plan to do with it if you aren't going to drink it?"

"I don't tell my enemies my ideas." She replied, folding her arms. "But I can think of a few things." A thought flickered in her mind for a brief second of her bashing the bottle against the wall and using it as a makeshift stake. "I suppose I'll keep it with me for a special occasion. For now."

"Until then," the vampire answered. "I shall wait with bated breath."

Not long after the wine discussion, Agatha's meal was brought from the kitchen. As much as she hated to admit it, the smell was heavenly. She thought back to the hostess and wondered if that's what Dracula meant by divinely appetizing. The former nun stared at her steak and tried her best to will herself against consuming it. But oh how it smelled so heavenly.

"The last thing I'd wish to do is make you feel uncomfortable by you eating alone while I merely watch." Dracula exclaimed. "But I think you'd prefer that over me joining you in my own matter."

Absentmindedly, the former nun picked up her fork and poked at the juicy meat. Tender. Cooked to perfection. There was a reason this place had lasted for centuries. Slowly, she cut herself a small piece and pushed it past her lips. Then another. And another.

"A glass of wine to go with that?" Dracula smirked.

Agatha merely frowned around her utensil and continued to eat until there was nothing left. Wiping her mouth with her napkin, she set it upon the empty plate. Maybe she'd take Jack or Mrs. Avery here some time to thank them for watching Zoe. For now, she dreamed of nothing more than leaving the damn place. Whether or not it was her imagination, the lights seemed to be dimming around them.

"I'm glad to see you mostly enjoyed your meal." Dracula commented as he flagged the waiter down. "I'll pay, as promised. Perhaps next time you can pick the restaurant?"

As her fingers gripped the neck of the bottle, Agatha had to refrain from bashing the thing on top of the vampire's head. Not surprisingly, Frank was still seated out front in the car just as they had left him. A light drizzle began to spill from the sky and Dracula miraculously produced an umbrella. He held it out towards Agatha who immediately rejected it. Rolling his eyes, the man found his place in the car beside her.

"So we went to a historic tavern." Agatha exhaled, looking to the vampire. "Is that not enough of an adventure for you for one night?"

"Not quite." Dracula admitted. "I said I had an itinerary, Agatha. I really did mean it." He could see the look of detest on her face. "Alright, for you, I will compromise. I just ask that we go to two more places and then we'll call it a night. Do we have an agreement?"

"I don't suppose I really have a choice in the matter." The former nun exhaled in defeat. "Fine, two more places, then you're taking me home and leaving me be." However long that would last.

"Sounds reasonable enough." The vampire nodded. "Frank, if you would."

The rain began to fall harder as the pair, along with their driver, drove in awkward silence. Out of the corner of her eye, Agatha noticed Dracula fiddling with some app on his phone. As he continuously swiped his index finger across the screen, her curiosity got the better of her.

"What are you doing?" She inquired, craning her neck to get a better look. "Is that...is that a dating site?!"

"Well, I suppose if one chose to use it as such it could be." The vampire replied simply, locking his phone. "But from what I've learned it can be used for other reasons."

"You mean sex." And her nose crinkled at the thought of him screwing anyone. "If you're…"

"I'm not, nor do I plan to." His eyes flickered up to the rearview mirror where Frank stared back at him intently. "At least for awhile. I understand the rules. However, there is nothing in the bylaws that says I can't at least explore my options. Whether they be sexual or flavorful." The vampire's lips curved into a suggestive smile. "Temptation is one of the greatest sins, Agatha. But I am sure as a nun you are well aware of that. Or...rather were."

"Well, your account will be tracked nonetheless." Agatha said quietly, ignoring his attempt at provoking her. "I'm sure Mr. Renfield will see to it. Bloxham would want to know." Her eyes locked on to Frank's. "As a precaution."

"I haven't decided which best describes your treatment of me yet." Dracula chuckled as the vehicle began to slow in front of a building. "Am I a child or a prisoner to you? Perhaps both? Your nagging behavior might otherwise irritate me, but tonight is for excitement." And with his hands, he gestured to their next stop. "Behold!"

At first, the former nun thought she was seeing things. As she exited the car, she once again forwent Dracula's umbrella. The rain poured down in heavy torrents soaking her hair and clothes. But that was a concern not at the top of her mind.

Agatha's lips pressed into a firm line as she stood alongside Dracula outside of Pleasureland Amusements. When the vampire had insisted they spend the night exploring what Whitby had to offer, she hadn't expected to be coerced into going to an arcade. A place where she begrudgingly had taken Zoe more than once for a friend's birthday party.

"Perhaps I should've read up on this more." The vampire commented, breaking the silence. "I assumed Pleasureland meant something quite different." His eyes flickered to meet hers. "You should have said something."

"I should have said something?!" Agatha scoffed, folding her arms over her chest. "You are the one who picked this place out. I assumed you knew what you were doing."

"Well, you are the one who is supposed to properly introduce me to the town after all." Dracula countered with a smirk. "I could've easily gone alone, but that would breach some form of the contract–on your side." He shrugged and through her a false sheepish look. "I suppose we better go inside then. See what you humans call entertainment nowadays."

The former nun rolled her eyes as the man began to walk towards the entrance. "I'm tired of playing games with you!" But he merely waved his hand dismissively before disappearing into the crowd. "Arsehole…"

The sound of the rain was immediately placed by the excited, shrill cries of patrons and whirling games as Agatha stepped into the building. It was almost overwhelming. She stood in this world of towering machines that flashed and flickered, beckoning for her to draw closer and take her coinage. It wasn't until someone grabbed her by the forearm that she snapped to.

"Looking for me?"

The Transylvanian Count grinned at her, illuminated from behind by a pinball machine. Agatha pulled away and sucked in a breath. She hated it here, and quite frankly despised it even more. But this was for her job. This was for Zoe. So if she had to suffer by playing sticky games and cramming endless tickets into her pockets, so be it.

"What do you want to play?!" She nearly had to scream over the chao sound. "I know you are going to ask, but I have no preference."

"Actually, this one piqued my interest." Dracula replied obnoxiously cheerful. "This way."

She followed him, still dripping wet and slightly cold from the elements outside until they stood in front of a game. The timeless classic Skeeter's Ball. One is given a certain number of balls and you attempt to roll them into holes with different amounts of points in an attempt to get a high score. Agatha had never been good at this game. On one occasion, she rolled a ball so hard it flew and hit someone on the back of their head. Maybe that was one of the main reasons she couldn't stand this place.

"You go first." The vampire said as six balls rolled down. "To demonstrate."

"Okay." Agatha sighed, lifting up the weighted object. "But I'm not very good at this." With that, she gave the ball a hard roll. Not to her surprise, it landed in the lowest hole-100 points. "I told you. Now you go."

With lightning speed and precision, the vampire stepped forward and aimed for his target. The ball barely bounced before it landed in the center, 500 points. Agatha gawked as Dracula beamed with pride at his accomplishment.

"Beginner's luck!" She insisted, snatching up another ball before thrusting it into his hands. "Try again!"

Just as before, Dracula rolled and landed the bonus hole as before. As the game chimed in congratulations, the former nun frowned, feeling oddly competitive. Suddenly, she felt Dracula move behind her.

"What are you doing?!" She snapped, completely caught off guard.

"I'm assisting you." Dracula said, taking a hold of her forearm. "Trust me, you look rather pathetic rolling like that. Allow me to show you how it's really done."

The vampire's grasp was firm, but not strong enough that if Agatha so chose to, she could break away. Lifting up a ball, she allowed him to ease her wrist forward, fingers curled around the ball. When she finally let it go, it rolled smoothly up the ramp before landing in the 400 point hole.

"Not too bad." Dracula nodded, letting her go. "Perhaps if you practice for a few centuries, you'll be as good as me."

"Apparently living several centuries also increased your ego." Agatha snorted, trying to hold back a smile. "What next?"

"Hm…" The man pondered as he looked around. "Now that looks worthy of our attention!"

Agatha turned to see a large claw machine filled with plushies of all sorts. She pictured Zoe standing right in the center, her bright blue eyes lit up in excitement. The things were usually rigged, from her experience at least, but this was Dracula's place of choice so she didn't argue against it.

"How enthralling." Dracula murmured as he studied the throttle. "What an odd contraption!" He turned to Agatha with a grin. "What shall I aim for?"

She shrugged. "Something close to the top or near the drop box. If it looks crammed, don't go for it. It's hard to even win something." Her lips pursed as she watched him stare at the game in complete wonder. "Be strategic. I suppose like you're in battle."

The vampire straightened up and smirked at her words. "For that, I shall win you that purple blob looking thing."

The former nun gave a half smile and rolled her eyes. "That's supposed to be an elephant...I think." She paused. "And you don't have to win me anything."

"Then it'll be a gift for Zoe." He replied, gaze now fixed on his victim. "And you don't have to tell her that I won it. I know how you are. Though I wouldn't ever hurt her…" His fingers delicately maneuvered the throttle. "It's been over a century since I've done such a thing…"

Agatha felt her stomach twist at the thought of his words. For a brief moment, she had forgotten about what he was. As she opened her mouth to question him further, to her shock, he managed to snag the toy. The vampire let out a triumph 'ha' as the object fell down the chute and into the box.

"I have many hidden talents it would seem." Dracula exclaimed as he retrieved the toy. "I believe this belongs to you."

Slightly hesitant, Agatha accepted the elephant from the vampire. She looked it over somewhat turned off by it's sickly cute appearance. Exhaling, her attention returned to Dracula. Clearly seeing she was growing weary of the place, the Count cleared his throat.

"One more game." He posed, nodding towards an air hockey table. "And I promise it will be worth your while."

Out of all the games, this one seemed to be less populated. Agatha set the elephant down and stood on one side of the table. Dracula smiled at her, his hand already on a paddle. The game was pretty self explanatory which made the former nun question why he'd choose it to be their last.

"We will play the game as usual, but bend the rules just slightly." He instructed. "Whoever makes a point against the other player gets to ask them a question. Any sort of question. Personal or not. And the loser must answer." Dracula gave a knowing smirk. "And while I could easily find everything out about you in a matter of seconds, this seemed like a fun start."

She pushed away the eeriness of his words. "Alright then." She nodded, gripping her paddle. "You're on."

It didn't take long before the puck found its way into Agatha's hole. Not that she was shocked by that loss. Grumbling to herself, she retrieved it and placed it back in the center.

"Ask away."

"Have you always been in Holland? Or were before England?" Dracula inquired. "I know Abraham was Dutch, so after everything he decided to go back to the lovely land of windmills?"

"Yes," Agatha admitted. "I was born in Holland and stayed in Holland until Zoe's parents…" She shook her head. "Well, now I'm clearly in England. Again."

The next round lasted a few seconds longer than the first with Agatha scoring the goal. However, she knew Dracula had intentionally planned it that way. Still, it was a chance to ask him a question he couldn't refuse.

"Why are you afraid of the cross?"

Dracula let out a laugh so loud it just about startled the woman. "Come now, Agatha." He snickered in amusement. "I ask you something easy and you go ahead and cut right to the chase. Well, I suppose I shouldn't expect any less coming from you." He sighed as he studied the puck between his fingers. "Have you thought about what the cross stands for?"

"Of course." She replied curtly. "I was a nun. It stands for goodness and virtue and…"

"No, Agatha, no…" The vampire exhaled, rolling his eyes. "I was hoping you'd see the broader picture of it. When you look at the cross, really look at it, what do you see?" He doesn't wait for her to reply. "War. Fear. This internal feeling in your gut that you must not slip up on your endless virtues or will fall into the ever grabbing hands of damnation. That, my dear Sister, is why the cross is frightening. Or, so the many, many, hundreds of men and women I haven consumed over the centuries think."

"But why does it hurt you?" The woman asked. "Why…"

"You already got your answer." Dracula cut her off with a smile. "Next round."

She lost. Almost immediately. And she didn't need to look up to know Dracula was grinning widely. It was her turn to be interrogated and since she didn't go easy on him, now he was going to use the same power against her.

"Why did you become a nun, Agatha?" The vampire asked. "Out of everything, why that profession? Surely there were some more interesting options...a librarian perhaps?"

"I did it with the intent of learning more about you." She attempted to appear focused on a nearby pinball game. "From the stories past down about my grandfather, I thought perhaps going through religious texts might serve some purpose."

"And did they?" The Count questioned. "Or have you received more than your fair share about me from the Jonathan Harker Foundation?"

"That's more than one." She challenged, eyeing the puck in the center of the table. "Next round."

Thus the game continued, Dracula and Agatha posturing one another for information. It wasn't until the vampire scored once more, the puck flying into its intended target, that things began to take a turn.

"Why won't you let me talk about Zoe?" The man inquired. "It's oddly endearing of how overprotective you are of her."

"I just don't think it's appropriate." Agatha responded tersely. "I'd prefer to keep my home and work life separate."

"And I fall into the work category…" Dracula nodded thoughtfully. "She is an interesting child. Something rather unexpected must have happened to her when she was really young."

It was clear that the vampire was trying to worm another question in by making it sound like a remark. The car crash flickered in the back of the woman's mind as she took a step back from the table.

"I have a question." Their eyes locked as Agatha began to speak. "What do you mean that if you could, you could easily know anything and everything you want about me in a matter of seconds?"

The Count folded his arms. "You didn't make a goal."

"And I'm done playing games." Agatha responded firmly. "What is it that you are hiding, Count Dracula? And how and why does it involve me?"

"I should ask you the same." The vampire answered. "I believe we are equally fascinated by one another. However, I too think I'm done with these games." He glanced towards the door and smiled. "I promised you one more location. It's getting late, for you at least. We should make it there while it counts."

"But I…"

"Poor Frank's probably wondering if we've abandoned him." Dracula exhaled, clicking his tongue. "A smart man, but rather meek. Mousy. Best not keep him on edge." Once more he produced the umbrella. "I suggest you use this now. Best not get Zoe's new toy wet."

As Dracula had predicted, Mr. Renfield seemed very relieved upon their return. He eyed the stuffed animal on Agatha's lap curiously before pulling away from the arcade. The former nun reclined back on her seat, thinking of the scraps of knowledge she'd gathered from Dracula and how she could possibly piece them together. It wasn't until the car pulled to a stop that she snapped back to reality.

"Last stop of the night." The Count grinned as he stepped out of the car. "Saving the best for last."

Agatha's eyes traveled upwards to the sign on top of the building. Raw Nightclub. Heat rose to her cheeks as she looked herself over. In a pair of jeans, old shirt, and hair wet from the rain, she was in no condition to go into any establishment of class, let alone a nightclub. The restaurant and arcade had been hard enough. But before she could protest, the vampire was already on his way inside. Biting back a groan, she hurried in after him. Fucking blood sucker.

The chaos in the arcade was child's play to what was happening in the club. Smoke, multicolored flashing lights, mixed with the smells of sweat and cheap perfume. The music, whatever was playing, vibrated the floorboards as a pale hand extended towards the former nun. Agatha looked to see Dracula offering her a toothy grin.

"Agatha Van Helsing." He bowed, completely out of place to the DJ's upbeat remixes. "May I have this dance?"

#Dracula #Dracula 2020 #Dragatha #Agatha Van Helsing #Dracula x Agatha #Caught in a Riptide

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flutteringphalanges · 4 years

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Caught in a Riptide

Pairing: Dracula/Agatha Van Helsing

Rated: M

Read on FFN and AO3

A/N: I’m back!! Finally, after dealing with some health issues I managed to get a chapter out! I hope you enjoy! Feedback/Reblogs/Likes are greatly loved and appreciated! -Jen

Chapter Seven

It's funny how just a few seconds can seem like an entire lifetime. At least, in Agatha's case, that's how she felt. Her eyes flickered between the two men, mind reeling as she tried to come to some set conclusion as to why both were present. Or if she should go into the defensive or offensive mode-not that she had much of a weapon on her besides her silly, cheap cross. It took Dracula calmly clearing his throat to snap her back into her senses.

"You look rather alarmed, Agatha." Dracula stated with a smile. "Like you've seen a ghost-or," his smile widened to a grin. "Are witnessing someone committing the act of murder."

She watched with bated breath as he moved to the table. From where she stood, Agatha could just make out a small, square object that rested on the surface. The vampire picked it up and examined it carefully before pulling out a few crisp dollar bills. A wallet. He looked from the still stunned woman to his other guest.

"Jimmy was just here dropping off my meal. Weren't you, Jimmy?" The vampire held out the money towards the young man. "I invited him in seeing as I didn't have the cash on me. I didn't want to be rude." Dracula let out a long exhale. "Keep the change. I know your profession doesn't pay you fairly. It is the least I can do," he paused. "All things considered." And once again that familiar flicker of mischievousness glimmered in his eyes. "If you'd leave now, I'd much appreciate it. I've kept Ms. Van Helsing waiting long enough."

The man-or "Jimmy" as he was so called, managed to stutter out a thank you. He gave Agatha a nod before pushing past her to escape out the door. Whether he knew of Dracula's true origin was unclear, but it was evident enough the vampire gave him some form of uneasy. Though it held no weight, the cross felt oddly heavy in her back pocket as the man motioned for her to step forward.

"I assure you I am very well aware of the terms and conditions involving my freedom." He commented, pulling out a chair for her to sit in. "And while I do have my urges, the idea of not being locked in a cage and used for experimental purposes quells those...desires."

Reluctantly, Agatha took a seat ignoring the Count's smile. She knew he was watching her, observing her every move externally and perhaps even internally. The woman knew she needed to keep her heartbeat steady, pulse regular. Any sign that could be regarded as fear would only play to his amusement. Keeping her guard down, especially now, was the utmost of importance.

"If you don't mind, I'm going to pour myself a drink." Dracula said, grabbing the paper bag and pulling out its contents. A wine bottle shaped flask filled with a dark liquid. Agatha knew what it was, but she didn't like to think about it. After filling his cup, he set it down.

"So," he continued. "Can I get you anything?"

"I'm fine." Agatha said currently, trying to keep her voice level. "I'm not thirsty."

"I thought you'd say that." The vampire exhaled, shaking his head. "But I thought I'd ask to be polite." He took a small sip, the contents lightly sloshing as he did. "I want to apologize about the night before. I acted like…"

"A monster?" The former nun said curtly with a frown. "A mad man?"

Dracule smirked, chuckling at her remarks. "I was going to say rash, but I suppose those would fall under the same category." He left her side once again to retrieve what appeared to be a file folder resting neatly on the table. "Anyway, I'd like to move past it. Put it behind us. Even beasts make mistakes."

"You could've killed me," Agatha replied, eyes following his every move. "Why didn't you?"

"You're right," the Count nodded. "I very well could've. Even with that ridiculously cheap excuse of a cross you have in your pocket." Her eyebrows raised in surprise as he continued. "But having you dead would've served no use to me. I'm a calculated man, Agatha. While your blood is very, very tempting, getting it from a slip up like that would be...undesirable." The Count smiled as he finally took a seat across from her. "And again, we have that contract to think about."

Before she could comment, the vampire slid the collection of papers over to her. Meeting his stare, Agatha hesitantly took the folder and opened it. Though she didn't exactly want to break eye contact, the woman glanced down at the sheets below. Photos. A birth certificate. License. An entire history made up of a made up person-sort of. His new background. A perfect gateway into modern society that was virtually untraceable to who he really was. Renfield had done well.

"Vlad Balaur," she mumbled.

"Dracula seemed to be a stretch unfortunately, so this was the second choice." The Count replied simply. "Do you like it?"

"26 May 1967." Agatha continued, ignoring his question. After a moment, she looked up. "You're lucky you can pull off looking 53 and not 530." Exhaling, Agatha pushed the pile back over to the man. "Your lawyer did well. I certainly hope you are paying him for all of this work."

Dracula merely chuckled as he took the thick folder. "I'm not an unreasonable man. I pay Frank accordingly. Based, of course, on the service he provides." He lifted his glass of blood, the rim stained with dark crimson from where he sipped. "I can have copies for you made, if you so desire. I know how important it is for your precious Foundation to know about my whereabouts." For a brief moment, his dark eyes flickered playfully. "For you to know."

The woman's stomach churned as the vampire took a large swig of his drink. Why did he have to feed in front of her? Probably because he knew it made her squirm. When he set the cup down, he smiled widely, teeth seeming sharper than a moment before. She prayed it was merely a trick of her imagination.

"What are your plans now that you are free to roam around England on your own accord?" Agatha inquired, straightening in her chair. "Surely you must have something in mind?"

"Believe it or not, after being asleep for over a hundred years, there is quite a lot to take in." Dracula nudged his now empty glass aside. "So many advances in technology. Science. History. I've done quite a lot of reading myself, but the modern world is very enriched. However," he held up his index finger. "It's quite hard when you're only limited to the night hours. My body doesn't exactly fair well in the sun. Call it an extreme allergy if you will."

"As I am very well aware," Agatha huffed. "But that doesn't exactly answer my question. What are your plans, Count Dracula?"

"I think you mean our plans," the vampire smirked. The look on the woman's face said it all and his smile only widened. "You honestly didn't think our interactions would just be the two of us discussing our adventures over tea did you?" His fingers laced together, tips ending in sharp, talon line nails. "You, Agatha Van Helsing, are going to be my escort. And what an honor, I might add, that is."

Agatha's jaw dropped. "Your...your what?!"

"Escort, tour guide, chaperone...whatever you wish to call it." He dismissively waved his hand. "In other words, you and I will be spending a lot of nights together under the starry skies of England. Or cloudy? I have reason to believe it rains a lot, or am I mistaken?"

"The only thing you're mistaken of is the preposterous idea of me ever agreeing to this!" The woman snapped. "My understanding was that we would meet face to face occasionally at your flat! Not that I'd spend quality time with you out and about!"

"Well if that's the case, it would seem that our two overseers have decided our fates without consulting us." Dracula smirked as he met Agatha's cold stare. "Both Mr. Renfield and Dr. Bloxham have come to the conclusion that this seems like a fair and fit decision and who am I to argue?"

She'd committed. Told Bloxham she'd do whatever the scientist wanted. But this...this wasn't what she had in mind. Agatha silently cursed at herself, mentally berated her brain for being so stupid. Of course these interactions wouldn't be just mere meetings. No...no the Harker Foundation wanted more than that. Immersing herself was one thing. This was the equivalent of being tied to a stone and thrown into a river like a woman during a witch trial. Count Dracula was to be a part of her life no matter how hard she kicked and screamed to swim back to the surface.

""I will completely and utterly immerse myself into Count Dracula's life…"

Agatha's own words replayed in her mind like a broken record as she sat there grinding her teeth. She could feel the vampire watching her expectantly, waiting to hear what she had to say. He seemed cool. Collected. Of all people, shouldn't he be against the idea of being watched like a hawk? But there he sat seemingly without a care in the world. Secretly, she was sure, reveling in her misfortune.

"I'd say you're rather exhausted, Agatha." Dracula exclaimed, breaking the silence. "Perhaps you should go home and rest. I'd offer up my flat, but I think that little Zoe would worry."

"Don't say her name," the woman muttered. "You don't get to say her name."

The vampire gave a half smile. "Get some rest, Ms. Van Helsing. I have quite the itinerary planned for tomorrow." His movements almost gave off the impression of gliding as he corked the bottle of blood he'd been consuming and strode over to the refrigerator. "Shall I walk you to your car or-"

But Agatha had already snatched up her keys and stormed towards the door before he could finish. Dracula snorted softly, shaking his head. She was certainly turning out to be much more interesting than he had initially suspected. Perhaps whatever the Foundation had planned for him would be more in his favor than they'd ever begin to realize. Games were always more enticing when both sides were competitive. And Agatha Van Helsing was the perfect prize.

XXX

Agatha didn't even acknowledge the box of biscuits that fell onto the floor as Jack jumped in surprise as she swung the front door wide open. Flinging her semi closed purse onto the counter, she stormed over to the couch and collapsed. She was tired, but not exhausted enough to feel furious.

"How did it go?" There was hesitation in Jack's voice as he asked. A sense of fear that one gets when staring at a poisonous viper head on. "Did he have anything important to say?"

"Did Zoe behave for you?" Agatha replied in a monotone, eyes fixed on the television screen. Some adult cartoon was on that she vaguely recognized but didn't care enough to remember the name. "I hope she didn't give you a hard time."

"She caused absolutely no issues," the doctor assured her. "It was like she wasn't even there. Well," he paused. "I did read her two bedtime stories-her request, but other than that, she went to bed without a fuss. She did want to hang out though so maybe the three of us could go out to do something together sometime to distract your mind from…"

"They have me babysitting him!" The woman declared sharply, finally turning to face her friend. "He's talking like we're going on some date tomorrow. Bloxham has me taking him around wherever he wants to go as it is a part of this bloody contract I didn't read the fine print of!" Agatha groaned, massaging her temples. "When I started...I didn't think…Honestly, I don't know what I thought."

She chewed absentmindedly on her bottom lip as Jack sat beside her. He stared at her with those big blue eyes of his. It was a familiar look. Innocent. Sheltered. The young man had witnessed much in his short life and yet there was an aura of goodness to him. Loyalty. Something Agatha personality believed she didn't deserve. A friend whose companionship she'd never be able to match.

"I don't think any of us knew what to expect when we found him." Jack commented, resting a hand on her knee. "Especially you given your family's...history." He paused only to reach the clicker to turn off the show. "If I'm to be honest, Agatha, at first, I didn't actually think he existed. Maybe some part of me did-I worked at the bloody Harker Foundation. But when he actually showed up...I guess what I'm trying to say is Bloxham has no right to do what she's doing."

"Right or not, I don't exactly have a choice in the matter," Agatha frowned. "When I wanted to study him, learn about who he was and what he was, I didn't exactly think that meant I was going to be forced to spend every waking minute with him-well, every his waking minute. But I have to do this for my sake and Zoe's."

Jack cocked a brow in confusion. "What does this have to do with Zoe?"

"I made a commitment." She admitted, running a hand through her hair. "...Moreso Bloxham has me backed into a corner. If I don't go through with this, then she can make my life a living Hell." Agatha held up her hand as the man tried to interject. "If I could get out of this, I already would've, but I don't have a choice, Jack. It'll be like that movie Interview with a Vampire, but instead of an eager biographer wanting to learn Louis de Pointe du Lac's story, I'm forced to take my vampire on a railway trip."

Jack started to chuckle into his hand earning him a curious look from Agatha. A small smile graced his features as he straightened up, clearing his throat before speaking.

"Sorry," he grinned. "Didn't take you for a movie buff."

"I suppose I can sometimes be unpredictable." Agatha admitted with a small smile. "Anyway, the fact of the matter is, I wanted to learn about Dracula on my terms, not someone else's. Especially since he's a bigger prick than I imagined."

"He murdered people," the man stated. "How big of an ass were you expecting?!"

"Someone whose ego wasn't so large it'd overtake all of Europe and then some." She said folding her arms over her chest. "He's unbearable, Jack, and he knows it. Relishes in it. And I'm stuck with him like gum on the bottom of a shoe." Agatha let out a long exhale. "Curiosity killed the cat, and I already feel like I'm on my eighth life. Why of all things did I have to be a Van Helsing? Smith is a nice last name. Or Wilson. I'd go as far as Bigglesworth."

"You are not a Bigglesworth," Jack laughed. "Besides, Van Helsing is pretty bad ass. It has its perks."

Agatha let out a soft chuckled before her mouth curved into a genuine smile. Gently she rested her head on Jack's shoulder, her eyes fixed on the blank screen of the television.

"What am I going to do, Jack?" She mumbled.

"What you always do," he replied softly. "Take what's thrown at you into your own hands and make it work. At least, that's what the Agatha I know would do."

"I'm taking the window seat," Agatha yawned, closing her eyes.

"The window seat?" The doctor inquired, his brows knitting in confusion. "What window seat?"

"The window seat," she repeated. "If I'm taking that beast on a train, I'm taking the window seat."

Jack grinned over at the former nun as she began to nod off. "Agatha Van Helsing, you never cease to amaze me."

"Good," she answered. "I plan to keep it that way."

And without another word, she drifted off into the dark world of unconsciousness. Far, far away from her worries and troubles that would live to see another day.

#Dracula #Dracula 2020 #Dragatha #Agatha Van Helsing #Dracula x Agatha #Caught in a Riptide

24 notes · View notes

flutteringphalanges · 3 years

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Rating: M

Pairings: Zoe Van Helsing/Dracula implied Agatha/Dracula

Read on FFN and AO3

A/N: I can’t believe I updated TWO stories in ONE day! This is a first for me in a long time lol! Sorry for being overly excited. Anyway, I hope you enjoy! Feedback is greatly loved and appreciated! -Jen

Chapter Seven

Zoe no longer winced at needles. After being diagnosed with cancer, she was so used to being pricked and prodded she barely batted an eyelash. As her oncologist drew yet another vial of blood for testing, she sighed softly to herself and gazed upwards at the clock. This appointment was cutting way past her lunch break and in her current state, food was rather important. Particularly when it came to her mood.

"We'll send these down to the lab, but as I said earlier, you're still in remission." Dr. Elliott commented, discarding the needles into the waste container. "Have you felt off at all? I mean, I realize you are pregnant and symptoms can be hard to distinguish sometimes."

"I'm fine." The scientist said with a small smile. "The last thing that sent me vomiting was a block of old cheese I left in the back of the fridge." Absentmindedly, a hand traveled to the small swell of her stomach. "And my obstetrician says the twins look good development wise."

"That's wonderful news!" Her doctor smiled, scribbling something down on her chart. "And their father must be excited as well. You've never brought him in before, I'd quite like to meet him."

Now that made her wince. She envisioned Dracula walking into the cancer ward asking bizarrely specific questions about the various blood bags destined for patient transfusions. Zoe swallowed, mustering up the courage to tell yet another lie in this web of who and what her twins were.

"We aren't together." She said slowly. "It's a complicated situation."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. I shouldn't have even brought it up." Dr. Elliott nearly stammered. "It wasn't any of my business. I was merely curious…"

"It's quite alright." Zoe assured her, forcing a smile. "Really, you're not the first. And honestly, it's for the best...all things considered."

"I suppose that's what's important." The oncologist nodded, setting the chart down beside a computer. "Well, that's all I need from you today, Ms. Van Helsing. You know the drill, if you have any concerns or any odd or new symptoms start to arise, please contact me immediately. Especially with you being pregnant, we don't want to take any risks. If your blood results show something, we'll give you a call."

"Okay." The scientist nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."

"It was good to see you again, Zoe." Dr. Elliott smiled, reaching for the door handle. "And congratulations again on the little ones. Being a mum is worth all of the troubles."

Zoe smiled but said nothing as the doctor left the room. When the door closed behind her, she inhaled deeply and ran a hand through her hair. Though she meant well, the woman really had no idea what was in store for the scientist. Not that the mother herself had much of a thought either. Rubbing her bump gently, she glanced once more at the clock. Time for work, and what a day, she knew, it'd be.

XXX

"Maybe someone else should go in with him, you know?" Jack suggested, trying to keep up with Zoe's long strides. "With you being pregnant and all? What if he hurts you?"

Hours had passed since Zoe's doctor visit and the sun had finally sunk over the horizon. As they had discussed, Dracula had held up his end of the bargain and voluntarily entered the Jonathan Harker Foundation. The scientist, of course, had yet to catch sight of him, but knew well enough that Dr. Bloxham and some approved escorts-as chosen by both her boss and the lawyer, were waiting patiently in a secure area.

"He's not going to harm me," the scientist assured him. "Trust me, he wouldn't dare."

"You being sure of that doesn't outweigh the risks." The younger man continued to counter. "Zoe, please." He took the woman by the arm causing her to stop in her tracks. "Don't do this."

For the briefest of moments, a small part of her considered the idea of telling Jack. Admitting that the father of her children was not a stranger, but the vampire Count Dracula himself. But she knew doing so right now was in neither of their best interests. She hated being deceptive. Despised it even. Yet she accepted the fact that she must.

"I'll be okay, Jack." Zoe said gently, pulling away from the doctor. "I am more than capable of handling myself. I've done it before. "The scientist gazed towards the closed metal doors that led into the room where the Count sat freely–without any sort of restraints as per agreement, and sighed. "Interesting yes, but dangerous…" She chewed on the inside of her cheek, choosing her next words carefully. "I'm probably safer in there with him than anywhere else."

And without looking back to gauge Jack's reaction, she slid in her key card and entered the sterile space. The room was rather empty in the sense that not much was in it. It sort of reminded her of those interrogation rooms from crime shows. Unlike last time, there was no prison but a simple metal table with some chairs.

Zoe blinked, the bright light somewhat irritating as she took note of the others in the room. Three burly men stood in the back, their eyes fixed on the scientist. Attached to each of their hips was a strange looking device. A stun gun of some sort she figured. But more importantly, there, sitting rather comfortably in the center was the vampire himself.

"Ah, Dr. Van Helsing." Dracula greeted as the woman ventured over, taking a seat. "I was beginning to worry you wouldn't show up and I'd have the misfortune of talking to someone else. Glad to see I can rest easy."

"I apologize if I kept you waiting." She almost had to force the words out. "I was held up with other things. You've been treated well I assume?"

"Well, no one has threatened to burn me into a crisp like last time." The Count smirked, folding his arms over his chest. "I'd say that is an upgrade. Now, enough about me for a moment, Zoe-can I call you that since we'll be working together after all?"

"I suppose…" She muttered, frowning slightly. "...That would be appropriate."

He seemed to smile at this. "If you don't mind me being intrusive, I wanted to ask how your oncology appointment went today. A little birdie told me you had one and considering your condition-congratulations by the way." The way he smiled as he spoke made Zoe's skin crawl. "Well, I thought I'd be polite and ask. We are working together now."

"Fine." She said through clenched teeth. "But you aren't here to discuss me."

"Do something to provoke him. Perhaps he'll make a move and one of the guards will dispose of him properly."

Now standing alongside the three men was the familiar spirit of Agatha. Her blue eyes gave a piercing stare in the vampire's direction. Zoe chewed on her bottom lip, trying not to focus on her late aunt.

"Is everything alright, Zoe?" Dracula asked curiously, snapping the woman out of her trance. "I believe we were on the topic of discussing me rather than you-which is rather unfortunate on my end." His fingers laced together over the table. "I was told you needed another blood sample from me. That the other one went...missing." His tongue briefly darted out as he licked his lips. "I must admit that's rather clumsy on your department's part."

"Yes, well, things happen." Zoe interjected feeling the heat rise up the back of her neck. "But getting another one shouldn't be a problem now will it?"

"Only if you take it yourself." The vampire smirked, chuckling lightly. "You did a good enough job last time...even if it did go missing."

"Serpent." Agatha hissed from her spot in the room.

"We'll be more vigilant this time." The scientist promised with a frown. "That's a guarantee."

XXX

Zoe couldn't help but grimace a little when Dracula slid his nail over his wrist, slicing through his flesh like fresh butter. She could feel his eyes watching her as she carefully collected the sample, handing it off to a tech that had entered the room.

"Open." She commanded, holding a long cotton swab. "I need your saliva."

"Aren't you worried I might bite?" The vampire teased, opening his mouth as the woman threw him a look. "Adventurous, but aren't all Van Helsings." Zoe continued to be silent as she handed off the Q-tip. "How's your pregnancy fairing? From what little I've picked up from my time here, you don't talk to others much about it."

"My private life and work life are separate for a reason." The scientist finally said, taking a step back from the Count. "And I'd like to keep it that way, especially with you. Here." She sat back down in her seat.

"So what exactly do you plan to do with all of the DNA you took from me?" Dracula asked curiously. "I certainly hope not to attempt to replicate me. Though, an army of vampires might be of use to the government. A race of super soldiers the likes of which the world has never seen." He laughed at his pitiful joke.

"As we expressed before with your lawyer, we merely want to understand you. Humanely. And if you keep cooperating like you are now, things will remain easy." Zoe inhaled deeply. "And if you are curious about the results, I would be more than happy to share with you what we learn as we go along."

"Science is fascinating, isn't it?" Dracula mused, his eyes traveling down to the woman's stomach. "Really makes you ponder about the little things in life."

It was as if he wanted to rely to the world who the father to the twins residing in her belly were. The way he pushed at the boundaries of it all. Zoe tried not to tense up as his dark eyes met hers. They were a team now, in more ways than one. And whether she liked it or not, the expecting mother would have to make it work.

"I think we're done here." Zoe said standing up. "I'll see you tomorrow, Count Dracula."

She turned on her heels as he called out something to her. Whatever it was, it fell on deaf ears. Exhausted, she made her way out of the room. Thankfully, it seemed Jack had already left for the night. The last thing she needed was to go over today's events with him. Some soup, a movie, and a fuzzy blanket sounded like the closest thing one could reach to Heaven as Zoe headed towards her car.

"You seem to be in an awfully big hurry."

Zoe turned around and bit back a groan as Dracula came into sight. Gone were the guards and any sign of human life. Just the scientist and the vampire alone in the parking lot under the dim street lights.

"Go away." She mumbled. "I've had enough of you for one night."

"I did as you asked." The vampire replied simply. "A thank you would suffice."

"No, what you nearly did was give away the fact that I not only tampered with important evidence, but I conceived not one, but two babies with you!" Zoe hissed under her breath. "So I won't be thanking you."

"Ah, hormones, I read they were raging during the second trimester." Dracula commented, shaking his head. "Don't worry, I honestly don't take it personally. When you come to your senses, you'll realize that in the end, you are the one being ridiculous about this."

"Ridicul-"

Suddenly, a sharp pain ignited from Zoe's lower abdomen. The amusement fell from the vampire's face as the scientist let out a sharp yelp and grabbed the spot. Stars flooded Zoe's vision and they weren't from the sky. Someone called out her name, the word sounding distant as darkness began to swallow her up. A pair of arms caught her before she hit the ground and as the world started to fade, the look of horror etched on Dracula's face might have even been comical. If it weren't for the two, fragile little lives within her.

#Dracula 2020 #Dracula #Agatha Van Helsing #Zoe Van Helsing #Zacula #Gemini

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