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milkywaydrabbles · 8 months

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He who was found in chains, set free. | VII.

A/N: Another chapter ahead of us, and it's starting to get more to the plot of S4! Things will still continue to change, of course. And now I'm going to have to watch each episode as I write this to make sure it stays true RIP to me. Not as long as I would like it to be but more drama to come in the coming chapters

Hope y'all like it mwuah.

Can be found on AO3 here!

It’s been a month. The most excruciating month you’ve lived to date. Not the month that you were assaulted nearly every day in the damned house back in Gresit. Not the first month in particular that you were out alone in the woods fighting for your life against being found by the night creatures. Not even the month that you actually got caught by the night creatures.

Nothing could prepare you for the absolute loneliness and misery you felt after being with Adrian for the last month. For the first week you cried every night, going as far as sneaking into his room (which took a while to figure out which one was his) and started sleeping on his bed, on his sheets. Now, you still sleep there, but you’ve learned to manage a bit better without him. It’s still hard, however it might have helped you prepare more for the outside world. Since he’s been gone you’ve had to fend for yourself, and not in the normal way you normally would. You’ve had to go to the village alone to for fresh herbs and vegetables. On more than one occasion you’ve had to leave in the middle of shopping because your chest grew tight and you began to panic. You tried to console yourself in the same way Adrian would. Tell yourself it was okay, no one would touch you. Just like he did the time he came into your room. Like he did when he cradled your face in his hands. Like he did when your foreheads touched and he filled all of your senses.

And now you were alone.

You continued to push the thoughts behind you, and went out to try and catch fish for dinner, which was fairly easy for you to do. You got very good and being on your own in the woods. You’ve grown so accustomed for cooking for two that sometimes you make too much, and you sigh frustrated with yourself. I’m wasting food you chastised yourself. But it was hard to break the habit, always wishing he would come back home. It never dawned on you what to call the feelings you’ve been having. You assumed it’s because he was protecting you from the outside world. And that he would always teach you how to read or teach you magic. Hell, you assumed you felt miserable because now you have to go out on your own to the market.

You wouldn’t think overwise. Even if you knew better.

Frustrated, you went back to the library like you have every night since he left to study more magic.

Another month, and Alucard still wasn’t back. There’s no sign of his return, and you couldn’t help but feel nauseous. Maybe something happened to him, maybe he was terribly injured and he couldn’t make it back. Maybe he’s gone forever.

Or, maybe he’s fallen in love, and ran away with his soulmate.

That thought hurt you most of all.

You’d gotten quite good at magic now, within the two solid months of studying, along with the first month spent with Alucard. You started growing more out in the homestead, practically refusing to continue to go to the market. The herbology you’ve learned, infused with magic, has come in handy. You’ve been able to recreate certain plants for your benefit, being more self-sufficient than before. You’re also learned how to almost entirely heal the lacerations on your body. Some remained, deemed too deep for your restorative magic to do the trick without you passing out. And you’ve tried, wanting to get rid of any and all markings of the wretched man in Gresit. You’ve also grown some flowers just for the decoration of it all.

Along with your loneliness came productivity. You started tidying up the castle as best you could. The large holes weren’t something you could ever dream of patching up on your own, but for the most part you did take care of any debris, dusting that needed to be done around the rooms, and organizing the cellar as best you could. There were many broken bottles strewn about, but you wanted more than anything for Alucard to return to a clean home. Your heart still aches every time you think of him, but it was more bearable.

One day you’ve decided to traverse to the Belmont Hold, looking on all the knowledge of killing monsters and whatever else bumps in the night. It was centuries of books, tips and tricks, even more magic of different variety. You’re not sure why it took you so long to explore down there, almost as if it was an invasion of privacy. It was Trevor’s things, you mused, why would you feel comfortable going down there? But as time went on, you wanted to learn more, so you continued to go down and read up on monster killing knowledge. Some things were easy to read, others difficult, some downright impossible for you. You had even found some books in different languages, and other books to help translate those books. Overall you became a sponge, passing the time with your studies and notetaking (you had run out of paper in the first four journals Alucard had gotten you, only one left). You felt more comfortable than ever knowing you can defend yourself a bit better, if you ever had to.

You hoped you never had to.

But in any case, you could.

“Hello? Earth to Alucard?”

Alucard blinked, looking over to Trevor as if he hadn’t just been daydreaming about lord knows what? “What is it, Belmont?” He already sounded disgruntled. Pay more attention.

“You haven’t heard a single damn word I’ve said, have you?” He deadpanned.

“No, I usually don’t, since you never have anything good to say anyways.”

The two men stare at each other for a moment, before breaking out in small chuckles. Sypha sighed, shaking her head with a smile.

“I think that wraps up as much as we needed...we can continue on our own after tonight. You can get back to your friend in the morning.” Sypha mused, sneaking a glance over to Alucard to see if she’s gotten a rise out of him.

His brow twitched, and a slight curve of the lips to a frown. But otherwise, he stayed stoic as always.

But of course Trevor wouldn’t let it go.

“Seriously who is she? And why does she call you Adrian?”

“Outside of the obvious reason that it is my name?” Alucard rebutted. “She...she was escaping from the night creatures one night. Came across the castle, passed out on my doorstep. She’s been there since.”

“And you didn’t kick her out?” An elbow from Sypha to Trevor’s ribs and an oof following.

“No...I didn’t.” He didn’t continue.

The last two months have been just as excruciating for him as it’s been for you. He wanted nothing more than to return home to you, whatever that meant he wasn’t ready to digest yet. He wondered if you’ve been doing alright. He wondered if you’ve gone out to the market or if you completely gave up and started starving yourself, or going back to eating the same way you did before you showed up at his door. He frowned to himself at the thought.

He wondered if you were still there at all. Wondered if you stopped waiting for him.

He thought of you throughout his sleepless nights. Thought of you as he fought night creatures. He thought of you...just because. He didn’t want to talk about you with the others, didn’t feel comfortable doing so. He didn’t know how he felt, or what he was feeling -- and Trevor would be more insufferable than normal if he ever caught wind of anything. He just knew that after tonight he’d be able to go back home to you.

Or, just to be back home. Because it was his castle.

The morning came, and he bid his friends farewell, wishing them all the best on their travels (Sypha) along with a middle finger (Trevor) before he set off on his own. It was a long travel, perhaps a few days on foot. Easier if he could get his hands on a horse. But until then he’d simply go along, stopping at any towns for shelter if needed. But by the time the third night came, and he was so close to being back, he found a horse trotting along in the same direction of the castle with a dead rider. He took the horse by the reigns, and saw a letter in the hands of the rider. It was directed at him. Well, The Alucard. Hate that. Alucard read it over, and gripped tightly.

He was needed at Danesti.

He wanted to be selfish, he really did. He wanted to wish them good luck on their own and simply go back home and see how you’ve been all this time. But he just...couldn’t. It went against all the good in him, and as agonizing as it was for him, he took himself back into the direction of Danesti.

I’ll be back home soon, I promise.

He had made it to Danesti in the knick of time, saving the villagers from a terrible fate with the night creatures that had made their way to the village. Alucard had rode into battle until he lunged off the back of the horse, practically flying through the air with shield in hand and magical sword by his side, landing on the back of the monster and ripping back its head until there was a crunch of bone snapping, breaking its neck while his sword plunged into the back of another. He unsheathed his sword from the now very dead monster and continued to steadily fight the third, fourth, and fight night creatures. With the first one in his sights down, he glanced over to the other two that had started making their way to the villagers armed with pitchforks. One had turned its back on them, attacking Alucard with all its might. It turned out to be a strong opponent, almost boxing Alucard with its sharpened claws. He maneuvered around it fairly easily, although it was avoiding each sword thrust Alucard had attempted. Finally, he was able to get a clear shot and sliced half its head off, brain exposed and plopping on the ground.

Now just one left.

Alucard plunged his sword into the heart of the creature he had just defeated and stepped up on it, using all his might to smash the head of the last night creature with his shield ending the fight. He walked over to the townspeople.

“You sent me a letter?”

A woman smiled at him. “Yes, welcome to Danesti.”

“I presume it’s seen better days.”

“Quieter ones. I’m Greta, the village headwoman.”

“Call me Alucard. No ‘the’.”

He continued on to inform Greta that ‘Marius’, the rider, in fact did not survive the trip. “He was attacked en route and bled out from his wounds. His horse carried him the rest of the way with your message in his hand.”

They continued on with the conversation on what’s been happening to the village, how they’ve barely been surviving, how Alucard happened to be the only advantage Greta could think of. Even though he ‘reeks of wine’. After her what he would deem dramatic speech, Alucard spoke.

“All done?”

“Did it work?”

“Yes.”

Greta smirked. “Then I'm all done. Thank you. And that was one hell of an entrance.”

Conversations continued, along with quite the annoying man known by the name Saint Germaine. It was a back and forth of what would happen with the village, as more survivors from different towns along the way poured in. And then Saint Germaine opened is fucking mouth again.

“Perhaps, just until we all find out what’s going on, perhaps the remaining persons in your charge might be moved to a more secure location, like, uhm... your castle.”

Alucard gasped, and then turned to him with practically a growl. And then he stopped to think about it again. And groaned.

“And God shits in my dinner once again. Oh, no, I really am turning into Belmont. Is life even worth living now?” Dramatic.

And then he thought of you. How would you take to having entirely too many strangers in your presence once again? He couldn’t imagine you’d be very happy with him. But...he couldn’t leave them all defenseless like this.

Oh Goddamn it.

#adrian tepes #alucard x reader #castlevania #adrian tepes x reader #alucard tepes x reader #castlevania (2017)#alucard #alucard (castlevania)#alucard tepes #castlevania netflix #he who was found in chains set free #hwwficsf #milk writes

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milkywaydrabbles · 7 months

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He who was found in chains, set free. | XI

A/N:Sorry for the delay in chapters life has gotten very busy screams;; this is a shorter chapter, kind of a filler? But the episode this was based off (S4E7) is a rather slow one to begin with, so I figured I'd take the time to describe their heart break and the realization of love. I hope you enjoy it all the same, next chapter will start picking up the pace with action, maybe a bit of romance? We'll see!

You can read on Ao3 here!

You were scared to go outside. You were scared to leave the castle, scared to even leave your room. The confidence, the smiling, living freely-everything was ripped from you in an instant. And worse of all you weren’t sure if you even wanted to see Alucard or not. On one hand, you were furious, furious that he left you for so long and came back with the devil himself. The man that tortured you, abused you, belittled you. You’ve never felt so betrayed like this-never thought you could feel so betrayed. But it felt like Alucard had no regard for you or your life the way he had been acting (how could he act a specific way? He abandoned you.) You had locked yourself away in the room, the townspeople forgetting you even existed. You’re scurry along the edges of the halls whenever you needed even just a slice of bread to get you through the next few days. You remembered the days of never eating real meals. You could go back to it just as quickly, eating for survival and not for enjoyment. Alucard hadn’t seen you in days. Every time he thought he could grab a hold of you, you’d go back to the room with a small click of the lock and ignored all his calls through the door. You were rotting away in there, and he must have known it was his own fault. He broke your trust, and you must hate him.

You were grateful for the bathroom being a part of the suite, as you have no idea how you’d be able to avoid people for as long as you have. Even so, you barely had the energy to bathe, periodically doing so just to make sure you really weren’t rotting away. The curtains were closed, shutting away the light. Oh, how your heart felt torn to pieces. Slowly, Alucard had put you back together, helping you find your own voice, find things you love. You found your smile, if only just for the first time in your entire existence. He helped you learn, taught you so much about the world, and how it was kind and forgiving. You found yourself, learning more about yourself and your ancestry. You were a witch! And you would be a good one! Now, you didn’t even have the energy to read, let alone study on the craft. Laying in bed felt like laying in your casket. Limbs cold, bleary vision, ready to just waste away.

But, oh, being away from Adrian hurt more than the betrayal. Every time he knocked on your door, your heart broke. Each call out to you, saying your name so softly, hearing him beg for you to just open the door, just let him see you, just let him apologize--you’d go to the bathroom and close the door, crying in the tub just so that he doesn’t hear you. But you couldn’t help but sob, crying into your hands with a head so heavy. He’d still hear you anyways, his hearing so sharp he can catch almost anything. It destroyed him, knowing that he was the cause of all this pain. Not realizing that you cried so terribly because you wanted more than anything in the world to hold him, to be surrounded and overwhelmed by him and only him. Once, you really thought about opening the door. He’d brought you food, like he did almost every day, hoping you’d eat. Sometimes he’d leave it at your door and leave you be for a few hours until returning with the food still untouched. You wondered what the townspeople have been doing to the castle. You hear the children sometimes outside. You wonder if Adrian is with them, making them laugh. You wonder if he’s with her. With Greta. You wonder if he smiles at her like he used to smile at you. You wonder if he thinks about you when she’s around. You wonder if one day he’s just going to rip the door off its hinges and throw you out to the wolves for all your troubles and burdens. You wonder if he’ll do worse; stop coming around altogether and let you rot and fester until death takes you in this room.

And then you can’t help but cry some more, because oh, you realize this is what love is. And that you love Alucard. You love Adrian Tepes. And love hurts.

“I’ve left food for you, please, you need to eat.” He murmured against the door, again, and ventured off into the castle. These days he had no energy to do much, forcing himself to work on helping the village. It’s been hard, without you around. He knows it’s his own fault. He knows he deserves this. He tries not to think too much on it, for he’ll spiral out of control in misery. He’d found himself on the peak of his castle, overlooking the land and listening to the laughter of children. He looked down, seeing them all waving up to him, “hm..”

Alucard jumped.

The children looked on, terrified of the man falling to his seeming doom before stopping only a few feet above them. “Boo.”

The shock turned into laughter, the children giggling before running away probably to tell others of what they just saw. He smiled.

“That was nice of you.” Greta came into view, Alucard looking bashful that he was perceived. “I didn’t realize anyone was watching.”

“I was looking for you. Imagine my surprise when you dropped out of the sky and frightened a year’s growth out of the little bastards.”

Alucard sighed, looking away from her, guilt painted on his features. “Sorry.”

“No, really. It was nice of you. They don’t all have an adult who’ll pay any attention at all to them.”

“Let alone plummet down on them like death from above, I suppose.”

“You gave them a story they’ll be telling forever.”

“I wanted to talk to you about defenses, and I wanted to ask about your food supplies.” Alucard sighed, looked at the entrance of his castle that he now faced. “I’m not sure there’s much.” He really had no idea, saying as he was really only cooking for two--well, one. Now. and he didn’t keep much else around.

“Well that’s the thing. I was hoping we could use some of the dried meat you have to make meals go a little further?”

“Use it all.”

“Seriously?”

“Whatever you can find. I tended to forage fresh food in the mornings, but I’m sure I have some preserved things in the pantries.” To be honest, Alucard was only half paying attention to the conversation, eyes always drifting up to your window. Hoping, praying that one day he’d catch it open, that one day the curtain would even be slightly to the side bringing it some sunlight. That he’d be able to catch just a glimpse of your face.

“You don’t actually know what you’ve got in your castle, do you?” Greta’s voice brought him back, and he really wished it hadn’t. “Not really.” He shrugged.

“It looks like you were feeding an army in there up until a couple of months ago.”

Well....

“It wasn’t me. But I take your point. I’ve been...preoccupied. Beyond clearing up some damage from...let’s talk about something else. Defenses” He thought of all the times he could have spent cleaning up debris, or taking inventory of what was actually left in the castle, talking with you. Spending time with you. Learning your intricacies, the little nuances and ticks that you do when you’re trying to learn something new, or when you’re cooking, or when you’re explaining a new dish that you’ve always wanted to try and he was finally able to grab the proper ingredients for you.

He’s been preoccupied, letting you take over all the time in the world.

“I mean, I hope just closing your castle doors will keep people away, but...”

Greta sighed, looking towards her people.

“..We’re going to start losing the light soon. Let me show you where the weapons are kept..and then we’ll look at the outside.”

Alucard continued to throw himself into working with the townspeople, working with Greta to make sure their defenses were up. That they felt safe. And when the night came, the last remaining ounces of people he would have until the predictable fighting began, he thought of you. He wondered if you’d ever forgive him for the treachery he committed. The nightmares that he brought to your home. Alucard could never just think it his castle again. You were the light that shone down on him, showing him the good in people again. Teaching him that he can be kind, and forgiving, and patient. You showed him how to love learning about the unknown again. Your very existence permeated through the cracks of the walls, an existence he yearned for more and more with each passing second.

He missed you. He missed you more than he missed the ghost of his father, hell he might even miss you more than he missed his mother. And you were only a wall away, and yet it might as well be galaxies and oceans between you. He should have done more, should have done better after bringing you to your room to rest.

Adrian lifted you from the ground, holding onto you like you were the single most precious being in existence. You sobbed into his chest, nails sinking into his skin as he walked towards the castle. He whispered sweet nothings to you, hoping to calm your torments. But it all fell on deaf ears, you just wanted to be back inside.

As he approached the doors Greta had confronted him about the man who had just run into the forest without an explanation as to what happened. Alucard scowled, pressing you closer to his chest. “You’d do well to kill him should he ever rear his ugly head around here again. I’ll be less forgiving.”

“And why would I do that?”

He didn’t want to have this conversation with you here. He also didn’t feel right talking about your past at all. It wasn’t anyone else’s business. He turned away and proceeded to walk away from the confrontation, leaving with “Should I ever see him again, his body is the next on the stakes in front of my castle.”

He shouldn’t have left you alone. He shouldn’t have said that he had important matters to attend to. There was nothing more important than you. He should have stayed with you, and held you as you slept, and begged for your forgiveness when you woke up. But he left, and his heart felt like stone weighing him down to the core of the Earth. Alucard sat in his study, head heavy in his hands as he wept, tears dripping in splatters on the cold hardwood. It was hard to breathe.

And then he wept more, because oh, he realized this is what love is. And that he loves you. And that he’ll only ever love you.

And love hurts.

#milk writes #adrian tepes #alucard #alucard x reader #castlevania #adrian tepes x reader #alucard tepes x reader #castlevania (2017)#he who was found in chains set free #hwwficsf

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milkywaydrabbles · 8 months

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He who was found in chains, set free. | IV.

Cross posted on AO3, here!

“Ci..circumde..Circum--” You huffed, frustrated with yourself for not being able to pronounce the words in front of you written as plain as day. (Well, you couldn’t read very well, give yourself grace). You tried again, still tripping over your words. It wasn’t even in a language you knew, this was more difficult than you imagined.

“Here,” Alucard came over, tracing his finger over each syllable, slowly, and repeated it for you. “Circumdederunt me caeli, da mihi ignem”, he spoke so eloquently, as if it had been second nature to him. Well, it had. “Try again, take your time. Once you can say it, we’ll focus on intent.” You paused for a minute, garnering the courage once again to speak, “Circumde-derunt...me caeli, da.. Mihi ignem.” You exhaled, feeling more sure in yourself. Alucard smiled at you, and you swore your heart ached out of the kindness he had been showing you. “Good, now, let’s think about intent. Do you know anything about that?”

You nodded. “I..understand the thought behind it. I’ve read only a little bit about it. Magic is focused on intent, thinking and visualizing what you need done, what you want to happen...right?”

“Yes, more or less. I know you can do it, you’ve created fire before.” Barely, you wanted to retort, but bit your tongue. “Now, try simply thinking these words, focusing your intent on making fire again in your hands.”

I can do this, I can do this, I can do this...

You focused all your might into thinking, eyes closed and brows scrunched. You cupped your hands, like you did before, and continued to focus. A spark happened, here and there, but nothing substantial. You couldn’t even get another flame like you did last night. And you were so frustrated. This was a simple, stupid spell that you should be able to do. Why was this so difficult for you? You tensed up, continuing to furrow your brow and mumble to yourself, trying your best to get this to work.

“Hey,” a hand gently placed on your shoulder. You jumped. He retracted, apologetic. “Relax, you look like you’re going to combust. Try again, with intent, but don’t think too hard okay? You need to relax.”

You sighed, releasing as much of the tension in your body as you were able to (years of trauma really makes that hard), and started again. This time, things came much easier to you. A spark, then a small kindling, and then a real flame appeared in your hands. You gasped, and waved it, thinking it was going to dissipate but it didn’t. “I did it...” you sighed, bright eyed looking over to Alucard. “I did it.”

You really were harmless, weren’t you.

“You did, good job.” He praised, nodding once. “That is how you hone your senses. Replicate that for spells, remember how you felt, what you thought, for the future.” You put out the fire after a few more tries, and clasped your hands together. You were so proud, you couldn’t believe it! The first time you were able to use magic, real magic, and not it be an accident or a miracle. Maybe now you’d be able to actually survive out there with the night creatures! You could live!

...in six days’ time. Right. You had agreed one week.

Over the course of the next few hours, Alucard would teach you higher education words, learning a bit more magic along the way and getting used to reading on your own more fluently. You were sure the magic book would be easy for you now!

“I can only teach you so much magic, it’s never been my strength but you are a natural born witch, you will be able to learn so much more. If you continue to study, I’m sure you’ll be a fierce opponent.” He chuckled, making himself laugh. “Thank you, Alucard, this has been so helpful, really, I can’t tell you enough times thank you.” You shuffled a bit closer, hands clutching at your skirt. “I would...I would like to repay you.” A hand reached out to his hands, fumbling with the metal buckle of his belt.

“What are you doing?” He sounded panicked, pushing your hand away a bit too harshly and stepping back. He was reliving too many memories, too many nightmares standing in front of you. You blinked, bringing your hand up to your chest to grasp at nothing. “I...am repaying your kindness.” You sounded meek, so soft spoken. “Isn’t this...My master...He said men enjoyed that. It’s all I’m good for, I can’t give you much else--”

“No.” That sent you reeling. “Men don’t ask for that as form of payment from innocent girls, pigs do.” He spat. You flinched, tears accumulating in your eyes. You blinked them away. He took a step forward. “Is that what he asked of you? Is that what he made you do?”

You said nothing, looked off to the side so he couldn’t notice your red eyes. Didn’t matter, he did anyways. He whispered your name. “I won’t ask that of you, ever. Do you understand?”

“But then how can I service you?” You nearly cried. “What can I do for you to repay you? I’m no good for anything, I’m no good--” a sob escaped. Your hands came up, covering your face in shame.

Alucard wasn’t sure how he could possibly remedy this. This, was much deeper than just consolation. He wasn’t equipped for this. He hadn’t even been able to deal with his own trauma, much less someone else’s. He sighed, closing up the book with a marked page, for later.

“Go get cleaned up...I’ll make dinner.” And with that, he left.

Back in your room you tormented yourself over what you’ve done. I made him angry, he’s going to kick me out sooner now. I just wanted to thank him, is that not normal?? To thank someone after kindness? You continue to pick at the skin around your fingernails, pacing around the room. It’d never dawned on you that what that vile man made you do was inherently wrong. He was cruel, but you had always assumed he was doing what any other man would do. Now, you felt sick to your stomach. You had been the only one in the village doing this? It wasn’t normal for women to do this to whatever man that bought them? Stupid, stupid, stupid. They weren’t bought. Just me! Tears pricked your eyes again, and you rubbed them as if by doing so hard enough, they would just erase off your face.

You found it best to at least wash your face and change your bandage, before Alucard showed up at your room to collect you for dinner. That is, if he showed at all. You went over to a...sink, is what he called it once in passing, and turned the knobs similar to the tub. You went as cold as it could go, and splashed yourself in hopes the frigid water would knock some sense into you. Thankfully, the shock did its job and you were able to calm down some. After you removed the old, sticky bandage from your upper arm and examined it. It was clean, for the most part. You washed that up too, just a bit, before getting a fresh bandage on one of the shelves nearby.

You heard a soft click of a door, and curiously you went back into the main bedroom area.

There were fresh clothes laid out on the bed.

Cautiously, you went over to look at the garments, and you gasped. A gorgeous, clean dark emerald dress, knee length. The bodice was sprinkled with embroidered leaves, the sleeves belled and flowing, and by the cut of it you can only guess it was off shouldered. It was still made of linen, and nothing extravagant by wealthy standards, but it was honestly stunning. You weren’t sure what to make of it. Should you put it on? Should you pretend like you didn’t see it? Should you tell him it’s too much for someone like you?

All alarms are firing against you, and you wanted nothing more than to run away from kindness, lest you make a fool of yourself again. But you touched the dress anyways, enjoying the way it felt on your fingertips. You grasped it lightly, and inspected it further. It looked...about your size. You weren’t sure if it would fit, but you tried anyway. Your worn down, tattered skirt slipped off you and you pulled the bandeau top away, sheepishly donning on the dress attire. It fit. Somehow, somehow Alucard had a dress in this castle that fit. You would question him about it, if you weren’t terrified of angering him and having him kick you out again. So you’d keep quiet about it. You did your best to tighten up the back of the bodice, and you’re so sure that it looked a mess, but it was cinched up at least. You wished you could have seen what it looked like on you. You had been in your room long enough, and figured it was time to tiptoe into the kitchen and see if Alucard was still in there. You wanted to apologize for earlier, and at the very least verbally thank him for the dress.

Alucard was finishing up plating dinner--it was fish, freshly caught from the stream about a half mile away-- and setting the rest of the side dishes when he heard, faintly, so faintly, footfalls. You were so deadly quiet whenever you walked, he wondered if you did it on purpose. If you’re trying to sneak up on him, if you’re trying to see how far you can get without getting caught, if you’re--

Stop that.

He shook off his suspicions once more. You had already proven to be innocent, let alone broken. It was far more difficult for Alucard to move past the...series of unfortunate events that had happened fairly recently than he imagined. Instead, he continued to listen to your silent patter of bare feet on the old wood come closer.

“Hello.” You spoke first. He was surprised. Alucard didn’t turn around, instead went towards the table and finish putting down the last plate.

“Good evening, dinner is ready if you would like to join me.”

“Thank you for the dress.” It was quiet, but it was there. “I would... I would like to join you, yes.”

Alucard looked up, finally, and couldn’t help but stare for a touch too long.

You looked beautiful. The silence was deafening.

“..It suits you.” Was all he said.

Not much else was spoken between the two of you, as you sat across one another and ate dinner silently. The tension was palpable, nearly suffocating, and Alucard found it difficult to swallow.

“I’m sorry--”

“About earlier--”

You both blinked, and stared at each other, seems you both had a mind to talk about what had transpired. You let out an exhale from your nostrils that, if he squinted, would have seen it was a laugh. Alucard shook his head with a smile, “You go first.” You stalled for a moment, looking down at your half eaten fish (which was delicious, but decided that if you were going to keep crying during every meal you would look mad). Then you found your voice.

“...I apologize...for earlier. I didn’t--” another pause. “...It wasn’t my intention to offend you.” I didn’t know this wasn’t normal. You braved a look up through your lashes, hoping he wouldn’t be upset with you.

And how could he?

He spoke your name with respect, another lurch of your heart. “I think you misunderstand. I was not upset with you, I was...I was upset that some monster made you think that. You are more than just a...” sex slave? “You’re more than that. I hope you understand this now.”

“It’s...difficult....to understand. But, I will try.”

“Good.”

Dinner went on, and when you were both done you made move to stand up before Alucard.

“...I can clean.”

He blinked, confused.

“I can clean,” you pressed on. “And I can cook, and I can help farm, I can do all these things.” You didn’t look up at him. “I did them, back in Gresit. He said I wasn’t any good, said I wasn’t good for anything except--” You stopped yourself, feeling bile come up your throat. Saying it was difficult now, with the realization. “But I did them, and I can do them here. I can help you, if only just for the week, to repay your kindness.” Please, let me do something.

You decided to look at him now. He smiled.

“I would like the help.”

#adrian tepes x reader #adrian tepes #alucard (castlevania)#alucard tepes x reader #alucard x reader #alucard tepes #castlevania (2017)#castlevania netflix #castlevania #milk writes #he who was found in chains set free #hwwficsf

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milkywaydrabbles · 8 months

Text

He who was found in chains, set free. | VI.

A/N: This is where I'll probably start changing the timeline a bit for the sake of the fic. Canon compliant, for the most part. But you will notice instances of change.

TW: mention of self harm, mention of abuse.

I hope you're all still enjoying the fic as much as I'm enjoying writing it! mwuah xoxo

(Also if anyone would like to be part of a tag list for this fic hmu I will start tagging y'all!)

Can be found on AO3, here!

The days would pass as they normally did, except now you had a safe haven, with food and shelter and a bath, along with the company that wanted you there. It was an absolute dream in your eyes. This was probably the most normal you had felt since being sold. Instances were still difficult for you, like going out to the market. Alucard...Adrian, had asked you if you would like to accompany him to a nearby village, to gather more spices and vegetables he hadn’t grown himself yet. Dread filled your existence with the mere thought of going back out to a public space. You feared you would see someone you knew, somehow, and tell him where you had gone. Hell, you didn’t even know if the man was still alive with all the attacks happening every night. He could have been dead for all you knew. Still, the chance that he could have possibly caught wind of your current settlement was enough to have all the color drain from your face. You politely declined, with a forced smile, stating you’d rather ‘stay here and finish up the housework.’ (He knew you were just making an excuse, he saw how terrified you were. His heart broke for you.)

To make it up to you, he bought you a few journals, he figured you wanted them with how many marked pages there were in your books. You beamed at him like the sun.

Most nights would be the same also: you and Adrian reading more on magic, him teaching you more of the basic elemental skills witches can learn easily. You also asked him questions on the book of the human body, how to say certain words and to explain certain excerpts better. He happily obliged, giving you time to write down in your fresh journal a few notes. You studied something more akin to druidic magic as you came to learn. More restorative, healing magic abilities. Combining the forces of nature. These studies were mostly on your own, with Adrian reading up on his own studies. He wasn’t able to help you much in that regard, his own magical abilities stopping at the basics or transfiguration, simply there to help with incantations you couldn’t say. But you enjoyed his company. Other nights, well, other nights were...difficult. On more than one occasion Adrian had woken up to the sounds of you screaming, crying hysterically in your sleep. Usually you would wake up before it got too bad, or calmed yourself before Adrian ever opened your door.

Tonight wasn’t one of those nights.

It was always difficult for Adrian to sleep, nightmares coming to him regularly as well. But tonight he was glad he had still been awake, as he heard faint sounds of you crying from down the hall. He was instantly on his feet, making his way down to your room, trying his best to stay calm as he approached you. You were balled up, hands and jaw clenched, tears staining your face. You hyperventilated, nearly choking when oxygen couldn’t come fast enough. He called out to you, trying to coax you awake, but it was so difficult when you jerked away even in slumber. Calling your name once more, he slowly went to reach a hand onto your shoulder and you jostled awake, screaming out.

“Don’t touch me!” you screeched, arms covering your head as you sat up, nails clawing at your own scalp. Adrian took a step back, kneeling down next to the bed and tried your name again. “Please, look at me, it’s Alucard..” He paused, correcting himself. “It’s just me, Adrian. Come on, look at me.” You heard him, muffled and so distant, but you heard him. Your screams dulled down, able to concentrate a bit more on the sound of his voice. All you saw was him. Filling your senses and your mind, was only him. And it was so hard to drown it all out and focus on Adrian. Your eyes were looking at him, but still so unfocused, scanning the room out of fear. “He’s, he was here, he was here!” You sobbed, clawing at your marred arms. Alucard shushed you as best he could, reaching out for you again, stopping you from puncturing skin with how harshly you were scratching at yourself.

“He wasn’t, he was never here, it was a nightmare that’s all.” He whispered, taking your face into his hands once he deemed you calm enough to let go of your hands. Finally, finally you focused on Adrian, silently weeping into his hands. He whispered your name, brushing away the tears from your face. “It’s okay, you’re safe.”

Even after fleeing from that hell you’ve endured all your life, you couldn’t escape it. You closed your eyes tight and cried, softly, hands grasping at the sleeves of Alucard’s pajamas. You didn’t know what to say, feeling too scared to even feel embarrassment over what had happened. Alucard dipped in closer, pressing his forehead to yours and continued reassuring you that no one would touch you.

The two of you stayed like this for some time.

You danced awkwardly around each other for the first few hours of the day. You didn’t know how to address what had happened the night before, and Alucard had been feeling entirely too many emotions after being so close to you. You both thought the same thing however: the entire situation was much more intimate than the circumstance allowed. It felt like too much, Alucard hadn’t touched someone since Sumi and Taka arrived at his door, and you had never had a man touch you without taking advantage of you. This was unchartered territory, and neither of you were ready to explore that.

So you didn’t.

And you ignored it.

Today was a bit different, after breakfast and washing up you accompanied him outside to the small homestead he had begun behind the castle. You had helped with the weeding, tending to the vegetables and herbs, and even picked some that were ready to be consumed. You already had some ideas for the next few dinners seeing all the fresh goods you had just gathered. Unknown to you, Adrian had looked over while your back was turned and he couldn’t help but smile. And then looked at your exposed arms and legs, remembering all the lacerations he had seen when you first got there. And his smile dropped.

He supposed today was as good a day as any to ask about them.

Alucard made dinner tonight- spatchcocked chicken with carrots and potatoes- you had grown more accustomed to being able to eat delicious meals freely (though some days you still stuttered through a meal, constantly reminding yourself you didn’t have to wait for him to finish his food before beginning). And then he spoke your name.

“What of..what of the lacerations on your arms? And legs? Did he...did he--” Did he make them? Or did you?

You swallowed, and looked anywhere else rather than his direction. Shame filled you, and you tightened your grip on the silverware. “I, uhm, well...--most of them came from him.” Most. Adrian held his breath, and tongue. “I told him the first ones were an accident, but he didn’t like that. So he....he, ah,” your breath quickened, reminded of the terrors.

“So you think it’s cute to fuck with my property, huh? You think it’s fun to damage what’s mine?!” He screamed, towering over you with a knife in one hand, makeshift gag in another. “No one gets to do that but me, you hear me you witch whore?!” You opened your mouth to apologize, instead a wad of fabric was shoved into your mouth and tied behind your head, muffling any sound. You eyes wide, frantically looking at your master trying to scoot away from him from the floor.

“If you want cuts so bad, then that’s what I’ll give you.” He smirked, before getting to work.

“I don’t, uhm, I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” You choked out, drinking some water to calm yourself.

“I’m sorry,” Adrian started “It wasn’t my intention to harm you, I shouldn’t have pried.”

You shook your head. “No, it’s okay, I understand. I am still a stranger to you.” Not really he wanted to rebuttal, but let you continue. “I would be curious too.”

“Well, are you?” You blinked, looking at Adrian with confusion.

“Curious, I mean. Are you curious about me? We are still strangers.” You could hear a hint of teasing in his tone, the small smirk showing a fang. You smiled.

“I’m curious to learn whatever you will share with me, Adrian.”

You and Alucard spoke for hours, well after dinner and cleaning up. Well after it was time for bed. He shared with you his childhood, stories of his mother, looking fondly at the portraits painted of her and his father. He shared tales of Dracula’s travels, how he was a man of science with knowledge to save the world if he really wanted to. And then he told you about Sumi and Taka. And what they had done to him, and what he had done to them. That answered the question of the corpses hanging in front of the castle.

You, in turn, shared with him any fond memories you can remember. Memories in Gresit with villagers that treated you kindly. You were never sure if they knew the horrors your master had inflicted upon you. And if they did, they never spoke a word of it. All you could be sure was that they never found out you were a witch, something he always hung over your head as a threat. You told him stories of the children you had babysat a few times, stories of their parents.

You told him a story of someone you could have loved, maybe, if times were different.

His chest tightened as you spoke that one.

You noticed a shift.

“Have you..have you ever been in love, Adrian?” You whispered, almost embarrassed to ask.

“Hm...no, I don’t think I have.” He looked towards the fire that had been burning in the study. “I don’t think I’ve ever had the opportunity to. It’s been...quite the journey since Dracula.”

You frowned, thinking aloud to yourself, “I wonder what it feels like, being in love...” you sighed, scribbling nothing in particular in the corner of a journal.

“I don’t think it’d feel any different.” Adrian answered. “I think...I think you’ll just..know, when you’re in love. And the world will look a bit brighter.” Even if the world’s on fire, it might be bearable with someone you love.

The two of you ended up staring at each other, and your breath hitched. Alucard spoke first. “I think it’s time for bed.” Barely above a whisper, and you nodded, bidding him a good night.

It had been a month since you first arrived, and there had been a drastic shift in the air since. What started off tense, volatile, and overwhelming had turned comforting, safe. You felt, dare you say it, almost at home. Sure, there had been times were the line between friend and something else was blurred, but the two of you managed to live together without issues.

A month of studying, slowly learning magic. Apparently you were a natural, according to Adrian. You had been able to catch on much quicker than he had thought possible in the beginning. You were so willing to learn, and absorb as much knowledge that you could that in all honesty it shouldn’t have been a shock to him. But it was a shock to you, how quickly you were able to use regenerative properties to heal, learn how to grow vegetation around you, even shift some soil around you. You had been doing so well, you were learning how to breathe again.

And then it felt a little harder to breathe, when they returned.

You were in the library when you heard a man you’ve never heard before boom his voice throughout the castle. Followed by a more demure voice, a woman perhaps. And then footsteps. And then the footsteps got closer, until they were outside the door that had just swung open.

“Uh...who the hell are you?”

“Belmont! Be nice”

You shrunk into yourself. It’d been too long since you’ve had to learn how to interact with people. Trusting Adrian as much as you did now had been an arduous process, and now there are strangers in front of you, asking who you are, bickering with each other. And it was getting harder to breathe, and harder to focus, and your chest felt tight. “Ah, I’m--I’ve been here, living--I uhm,” you couldn’t get any real sentence out, backing yourself towards the towering shelf and gripping onto the sleeves of another blouse gifted to you.

“I’m sorry, my brain damaged partner here is a brute and doesn’t know how to address women properly.” The woman scowled at the man she was with. “Although, I am curious to know what you’re doing here, Alucard normally doesn’t allow...guests. Who are you?” She questioned you again, and you couldn’t find your voice. Everything was suddenly too loud, heart beating in your ears. Your breaths were shallow, going into a state of shock. You wanted to shrink, you wanted to disappear, you wanted to--

“I would appreciate it if you didn’t crowd my guest.” Alucard spoke from behind the pair. Except he was smiling. He was smiling at these strangers, and welcomed them into his home with open arms. You tasted bitterness on your tongue. “Sypha,” he regarded the woman with a smile. Your heart clenched. “Belmont.” He sounded annoyed speaking to the other, but there was still a smile on his face. “She’s a friend.” He introduced you to the two still in front of you, and you forced a smile and a small bow, hands now gripping the front of your blouse by your chest. It was still difficult to breathe. “It’s nice to meet you both. I’m sorry, but I just remembered I have to do something, excuse me.” You scurried away without further explanation, and without shooting a glance at Alucard who seemed lost.

Belmont, as you knew him, snorted out a laugh. “Finally brought home a woman, huh Alucard? What, only one you could find is as skittish as a mouse?” He really thought he was so funny. And in any other case Alucard would retort with something witty or taunting. Instead, he was cold in response.

“Do not speak about her like that.”

The man in question furrowed his brows and sighed, dropping it. Sypha chimed in. “Oookay, we came here to catch up! And...ask for help. There’s trouble.”

While you were initially going to make the two of you dinner, you feigned suddenly ill, and stayed in your room for the rest of the evening. Alucard, worried, had made dinner with you in mind anyways and fed the two strangers, who had left an hour later to the Belmont hold beneath the Castle. Alucard went to your door, then.

He knocked. No response. He knocked again, and waited. Maybe you were ill, or perhaps sleeping. Maybe in the bath? He called out your name, and he heard a squeak of a chair. Then patters of your feet. And then the click of the latch.

“Yes?” You spoke, watching him between the crack of the door you had opened.

“Will you eat dinner with me?” He asked, hopeful. You shook your head. “I’m sorry Adrian I don’t feel well, I wouldn’t want to get you sick--”

“They went to the hold outside. They won’t be back for at least an hour, I assume.” He interrupted. “Please...have dinner with me.”

It was hard to say no to him when he asked so kindly.

You ate in silence, silverware scraping across the plates. You didn’t know how to express how or what you had been feeling. So you didn’t. And stayed quiet. But Adrian wouldn’t have it.

“Those are my friends. Trevor, and Sypha. They’re good people.” He started, feeling your apprehension. “They helped me defeat Dracula. They have...saved my life on some occasions. I’m very grateful to them.” He’ll never tell Trevor that though. “I do hope you can give them some grace, they don’t know about your, ah, past. But I understand you needing time for that also.”

You could have cried right then and there. Adrian always knows when you need to hear something.

“I’m sorry.” You choked. “I’m sorry for being rude to your friends.”

“Don’t misunderstand, I don’t want nor need your apologies. You’ve done nothing wrong. I only wish for you to know who they are...that’s all.” He reached over the table, extending a hand, open palm, towards you. You don’t know why you felt so inclined to, but your hand met his. Fingers barely touching, but touching nonetheless. You smiled, looking down towards the table.

The doors swung open, startled you retracted your hand back to your lap.

It looked like Trevor was going to speak up, but Sypha beat him to it.

“We need to go, Alucard.”

“Adrian, where are you going?”

The pair looked on, almost shocked at the name that came out of your mouth. Don’t they know his name is Adrian and not Alucard?

“There’s...There’s trouble. And they need me to be Alucard. I..I have to go.” It almost pained him to say those words to you.

You said nothing, tears pooling at the corners of your eyes. But you knew better than to be selfish. You had grown so accustomed to being here, it never occurred to you that you might have to leave. “I’ll pack my things, I’ll just be a minute--”

“You’re staying here.”

You paused for a moment. “But you’re leaving, why would you let me stay in your home unattended?”

“Because it’s your home now, too.” Alucard forgot he had an audience. Trevor cleared his throat, and then grunted with Sypha elbowing him in the side. His neck burned, embarrassed anyone else was here to witness this. He sighed, taking strides towards you and squatting down to your level at the table.

“Stay here. Take care of the castle. I’ll be back soon, alright?”

You nodded.

He left.

And the castle felt just as lonely and cold as the day you left Gresit.

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milkywaydrabbles · 8 months

Text

He Who was found in chains, set free. | V.

Cross posted on Ao3 here!

“I’m glad you enjoyed the dress.” Alucard spoke, almost sheepishly. Like he was embarrassed. He was. You smiled, focusing on washing the cookware from dinner. “It’s very pretty.” You mused, rinsing one off to give to Alucard, who was in charge of drying. “I can’t believe you managed to find something in my size.” He stayed quiet for a while. He wasn’t sure if it was...appropriate, bringing up. Given your circumstances. You didn’t mind the silence though. It beat any yelling that would have normally taken place back in Gresit.

“...My father used to bring home garments for my mother. From his travels. She used to tell him ‘it doesn’t matter if it’s my size or not, if it’s a beautiful fabric bring it, I'll adjust it’.” He chuckled, reminiscing on times past. “She had an extensive collection, I’m glad I guessed correctly.” You hummed, rinsing off another.

“Where are they now? Traveling?” You didn’t pay much attention to your own question, simply living in the docile moment. Being able to actually clean without someone telling you you’re pathetic, or useless, or to do something else.

He blinked, turning to you in shock. “Do you not know?” Word seemed to travel quickly, he was surprised.

“...Know what?” Oh no. You’ve asked a terrible question, haven’t you?

“...My father was Dracula.” Your stomach was in your throat. All of those paintings you saw around the house--all of the portraits of who you assumed to be Dracula. His father. And the beautiful woman you saw must have been his mother. Which means, all the paintings of a small babe in her arms must have been....

“Oh, oh Alucard, I’m--I’m so sorry, I didn’t know.” You sounded panicked, ceasing your washing. He shook his head quickly, not wanting to guilt you. “It’s quite alright.” He spoke so surely.

“No.” You whispered, looking down at your hands. “You had to--Oh, I’m so sorry. That must have been so awful, no son should ever have to fight with his own father.”

Alucard wasn’t expecting that. You continued. “I know everyone feared him, I know he was practically the vampire king, but, he was your father. And you had a family. No one should have to go through such a tragedy.” You looked up at him with glassy eyes. You were crying.

Alucard had no idea how to respond to you. Everyone had always thanked him for killing off evil, always a good riddance. Even after knowing who he was in relation to Dracula, they didn’t bother for any kind words or condolences. The closest he ever got was a quick consolation from Sypha after burning the corpse of his dead father. The thought alone makes him shudder. And now he you are, a complete stranger, who had awful parents that cursed you and threw you out for some coin, just for being a witch. A stranger that gave him compassion, a stranger that wept on his behalf for his tragic tale.

God, that alone could have brought him to his knees in tears.

“...Thank you.” He cleared his throat, pushing back the strong wave of emotion he had been feeling. “That’s....very kind of you.”

Dinner was cleaned up fairly quickly and quietly after that conversation. You did your best not to overthink the interaction. Had you been too pushy? Maybe he felt uncomfortable. All these negative thoughts came flooding you, and even though you knew he would have said as much, you couldn’t feel like you did something wrong. You bid him a good night, and scurried off to the library. You weren’t done for the night, there was so much more reading to do.

You yawned for the umpteenth time within the hour, rubbing your eyes raw of sleep. You hadn’t a clue what time it was, but you were so sure it was well into the night. You had been perusing different books now, wanting to learn about different topics, you couldn’t even choose which one. You started a book of herbology, and marked it where you left off. Then you started a book about the human body, that one was so difficult. You marked off a page, wanting to get back to it. Maybe Alucard can teach me about this. You nodded to yourself, placing all the books you had been reading in a neat pile on the desk. You wished you had some paper to write down notes. It was difficult remembering everything, but you did your best anyway. After another yawn, you decided it was time for bed.

You went back to your room as quietly as you could, in fear you would wake him. Getting ready to retire for the night, you had decided that you would continue to pay his kindness back, starting bright and early in the morning.

Alucard has woken up the same as he always does, bathing and dressing for the day. He was going to train with his sword first, as he usually does. But, on the way to the ballroom he had been using for combat practice, he heard rustling in the kitchen. That’s odd, he mused, it’s barely light outside. Maybe you couldn’t sleep, or wanted a snack. That was the sensible part of his brain. Or maybe she’s plotting against you, ready to poison you, trying to get a knife to kill you, was the more...manic part of his brain. He steadied himself, trying his best not to think the worst of you, and continued on to the kitchen. What he saw honestly made his heart stop.

You had been back in your old clothes, except your hair was up, with a piece of torn off cloth from your skirt, eyes focused and brows scrunched over the stove. You had been slowly stirring some red sauce, placing the spoon down and cracking a few eggs in. Alucard looked around and saw some fruits from the market he had recently visited cut up, and smelled fresh bread in the oven. Had you...been making breakfast for him?

“Oh!” You startled, almost burning your hand on the iron pan over the fire, and turned around to look at him almost with shame. Had he said that out loud? “I’m sorry, Alucard, I just...thought it would be nice if you woke up to breakfast. I didn’t know you’d be up so early.” You yawned, sleep evident in your voice. Dark circles under your eyes indicated you hadn’t slept much. And he figured, when he past the library last night he saw a small light from the cracked door. What surprised him the most is that you were able to get up with such little sleep, let alone start cooking a meal.

“What are you making?” God, that was rude Alucard! He tried to track backwards but you answered him polite as always.

“It’s something I read in an old cookbook back in Gresit...He had to pretend to be a kind man to save face in front of everyone...So sometimes the elderly woman a few houses down would come get me and teach me to cook. This was a recipe in the book, from Africa I think...i’m sorry, I don’t remember the name.”

The name didn’t matter, not to him, not really. But the fact that you had memorized facts about the food and the recipe itself was astounding. You spoke again. “It’s almost ready, if you’d like to eat. I just have to set the table, and wait for the bread. A few more minutes, I think...” Alucard was already a few steps ahead of you, grabbing dishware and cutlery. “Don’t worry, I’ll set the table. You’ve cooked a meal, and I’m very grateful for that.” You could feel the heat rise from your neck, embarrassed from his words. You decided not to mind them very much.

After a few more minutes of finishing up, you had brought over the rather heavy pan onto the table, with cloth in between so as to not tarnish the wood. (Alucard asked if he could do it for you, and you stubbornly rejected it. It’s fine, not so heavy! Liar). Finally, the bread was brought out to the table with a delicious aroma. Alucard has always baked fresh bread, but something about the way you baked it made it smell more delicious than ever. You cleared your throat, feeling rather awkward, before cutting into the bread. “This, ah, is meant to be a family meal. Shared, in the pan, I’m sorry for assuming that was okay--”

“It is, okay. Don’t worry.”

You stuttered for a moment, before plating some bread on a side plate for Alucard. “It’s meant to be eaten almost like a dip, so the bread is a good way to have the flavors soak up. I hope you enjoy it.”

To say you were absolutely terrified of his reaction was the understatement of the century. You plated for yourself, trying to stall so you can look out of the corner of your eye as he dipped the fresh bread into the hot pan.

The taste of the breakfast was nothing he’s ever had before. The acidity of the tomatoes were so sharp, but it was wonderfully balanced out with the eggs that were cooked to perfection. The yolk was still runny, but the whites weren’t undercooked. He couldn’t believe the spices and seasonings came from his pantry. He’s never used them in such a way, but it worked so perfectly and balanced. It was a strong dish that can stand on its own, but didn’t overwhelm his senses. He could eat this for days. The bread alone was phenomenal. And it’s bread. But yours was...well it didn’t taste like it was made out of pure survival. It tasted homemade with love, and enjoyment from cooking.

Or maybe it was just because someone had cooked for him, for the first time in a while. He scratched that thought out, it was actually delicious.

“It’s not perfect,” you spoke. “It’s missing a big ingredient, difficult to find here in Europe, the elderly woman had a stash of it away in her house. Said she would travel in her youth.” You smiled at the reminiscence. “ But I hope you like it.” You bit your lip, dipping your own piece of bread into the dish.

Alucard went back in for another slice of bread to dip some more, trying his best to not make a mess of himself and the table even though he’s so sure he looks like a kid again with how animated he’s acting. He spoke your name, with a laugh.

“This is the most delicious breakfast I think I’ve ever had.”

You almost preened at the compliment, if you were a bird you’d ruffle your feathers. (And Alucard was so sure he could see it in his mind anyways).

“I’m so glad you like it.” You breathed out, and continued on with breakfast as normal.

The day went on, with you studying and asking Alucard for help, and then night came.

And then the next day came and went.

And then the rest of the week came and went.

You woke up on the seventh day, more sluggish than usual. You didn’t want to go. You had grown very fond of being in a safe shelter. Alucard had given you more dresses and skirts to wear each day, with a nightgown so you can comfortably rest (he apologized profusely after realizing that he never gave you pajamas). And now today was the day you had to leave. You wouldn’t take advantage of the kindness he has shown you.

You put your old clothes back on after one last bath (god you were going to miss that) and folded up the clothing he has lent you nicely. On the bed. You made your way down to the kitchen, Alucard immediately greeting you with a smile, and then he noticed what you were wearing.

And his smile dropped.

“You’re wearing your old clothes.”

You nodded, trying your best to smile.

“My only clothes. I have to leave today. I’m very grateful for the knowledge you have given me, and words can do no justice as to how I feel now that I can read better! You’ve been very kind to me, Alucard. And you’ll have my word, just as I said. If you don’t mind, I just ask for a loaf of bread so I can bring with me, then I’ll be on my way honest.”

Alucard couldn’t disguise his disappointment, though you thought he was just finally happy to be getting rid of you.

“Where will you go?” Why don’t you stay here instead?

You shrugged, looking around.

“How will you stay safe?” You’re safe here

Another shrug, picking at your nails again. Your bad habits coming back full force.

The silence was entirely too loud for your liking, deciding it was time to leave quickly.

“Thank you, I think it best if I leave while it’s still light outside.”

You turned around to leave, and in an instant he was in front of you, with an indistinguishable emotion behind his eyes. “You don’t have to go, you know.”

You furrowed your brows, confused. “Isn’t that what we discussed? One week’s time. It’s been seven days, I’m sure of it. I counted.”

“You can stay, it’s safer for you.”

“I can’t continue to be a bother to you, Alucard.”

“Please.” The emotion turned into pain, voice desperate. He whispered your name. “I don’t want you to go...please, won’t you stay here?”

You were taken back by his sentiment. You’ve never, not a day in your life ever had someone want you there. You’ve never had someone ask you, beg you to stay.

You’ve never had someone look at you like Alucard looks at you.

“Please.” He repeated, a hand taking a hold of yours, to stop yourself from picking. You gasped, but don’t pull away. You stayed quiet, the two of you simply staring at each other. You released a breath you didn’t realize you were holding.

“....If you’re sure...I would like to stay. I would like that very much, Alucard.”

“My name is Adrian.”

You blinked.

“I thought your name was--”

“The rumors call me Alucard. The...the legends call me ‘The’ Alucard, which is even more ridiculous.” His face scrunches for a moment. Then it softens. “But my mother...my mother called me Adrian. That is my given name. I haven’t...ah, used it, in quite some time. It’s easier to be known as a rumor.” But I think I would like it if you used it.

“...Adrian.” The way you spoke his name made butterflies erupt in his stomach.

“I would like to stay, Adrian.”

#adrian tepes #adrian tepes x reader #alucard (castlevania)#alucard tepes x reader #alucard x reader #castlevania (2017)#castlevania netflix #he who was found in chains set free #hwwficsf #alucard tepes #milk writes #I'm falling in love with this fic tbh #Hozier heavily influenced this one

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