[It feels like — something bigger than it is, somehow, the way their fingers brush. To touch, not with any practical purpose in mind, but simply for the sake of the contact shared. It feels like a secret they'll both conceal in haste in a moment when it's over. It's gentle, so light and so fleeting, and impossible to categorize as relief or gratitude or concern.
Sometimes it feels as though Alucard keeps a wall around himself, too high to climb and too thick to break down. This feels like she's finally found a chink in the stone, only enough to reach a fingertip through, and discovered a slender-fingered hand reaching back.
Abruptly, a rosy color rises in her cheeks, and the edge of her lip catches behind her teeth as she slowly brings her hand back to her side with a nod.]
I...I will, thank you.
[As she draws away from him, she takes her first few steps backwards, like she doesn't want to look away from him for just a few more seconds still. Then, once she's a respectable distance, she finally turns and heads off to her designated rooms, navigating the castle with much more ease now than she'd had earlier, now that she's spent all day puttering around in it.
It only takes her one failed try before she manages to get the bath worked out again, and runs the water as hot as she can stand before sinking gratefully down into it and letting the dirt and the tension of their night's adventure in the forest begin to ease out of her knotted muscles and tense limbs.
If Alucard hadn't been close enough to hear her scream —
The chill of that thought goes straight to her bones, and she sinks down almost to her nose in the hot bathwater, huddling until the shivers pass. She wasn't taken. Alucard isn't dying. And they're both back safe in the castle now, and she has to believe that even a wizard would have a difficult time reaching her inside.
When the bathwater finally begins to turn lukewarm, she gets out and dutifully drains the tub, leaving her hair tied up in the messy bun she'd pulled it into to keep it dry while she bathed, and dries off before dressing again. Odd how she doesn't feel quite so resplendent in the lovely gown as she did the first time she'd tried it on, and yet this time it feels more hers, because of it.
One trek down to the kitchens to boil water for tea later, she's off to find Alucard, heading directly for the library this time without disorientation or uncertainty.]
[It's almost hard to watch her go, but Alucard knows it's for the best. He'll keep his wits about him in case she needs him, keep his senses ready.
He has a mind to dress himself in something fresher and new; no blood stains or indication he'd ever been in danger. An effort is made to try to brush his hair, and he succeeds about halfway through before he gets frustrated and gives up for now. Another day, and he will be more presentable.
He remember when he'd cared about that last.
To the library he goes, gathering what he can about Dracula's journals and books.
Daventry is something he cannot forget.
He sits, but this time he is ready for company. Another chair awaits Rosella, and a table as well. The fireplace is lit, and the lights are on, more inviting than the last time they'd been.]
[What a difference such little changes can make — a lit fireplace, the warm glow of lights in their bulbs, a chair facing for company instead of turned away for a dejected lordling to sulk in.
He looks better, freshened up. It's easier to feel good about his health when his clothes aren't damp with blood serving as a reminder of the terrible things that had happened to them.
Smiling softly, Rosella heads inside with her tray, moving to the table and setting it down while she starts to unpack the cups and saucers she'd put together.]
I see you've amassed a whole stack of books. Does that mean you've found something?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
I will be fine. ...But if it eases your mind, I will be careful with myself.
Take your time to join me, Rosella. It's been quite a night for the both of us.
no subject
Sometimes it feels as though Alucard keeps a wall around himself, too high to climb and too thick to break down. This feels like she's finally found a chink in the stone, only enough to reach a fingertip through, and discovered a slender-fingered hand reaching back.
Abruptly, a rosy color rises in her cheeks, and the edge of her lip catches behind her teeth as she slowly brings her hand back to her side with a nod.]
I...I will, thank you.
[As she draws away from him, she takes her first few steps backwards, like she doesn't want to look away from him for just a few more seconds still. Then, once she's a respectable distance, she finally turns and heads off to her designated rooms, navigating the castle with much more ease now than she'd had earlier, now that she's spent all day puttering around in it.
It only takes her one failed try before she manages to get the bath worked out again, and runs the water as hot as she can stand before sinking gratefully down into it and letting the dirt and the tension of their night's adventure in the forest begin to ease out of her knotted muscles and tense limbs.
If Alucard hadn't been close enough to hear her scream —
The chill of that thought goes straight to her bones, and she sinks down almost to her nose in the hot bathwater, huddling until the shivers pass. She wasn't taken. Alucard isn't dying. And they're both back safe in the castle now, and she has to believe that even a wizard would have a difficult time reaching her inside.
When the bathwater finally begins to turn lukewarm, she gets out and dutifully drains the tub, leaving her hair tied up in the messy bun she'd pulled it into to keep it dry while she bathed, and dries off before dressing again. Odd how she doesn't feel quite so resplendent in the lovely gown as she did the first time she'd tried it on, and yet this time it feels more hers, because of it.
One trek down to the kitchens to boil water for tea later, she's off to find Alucard, heading directly for the library this time without disorientation or uncertainty.]
no subject
He has a mind to dress himself in something fresher and new; no blood stains or indication he'd ever been in danger. An effort is made to try to brush his hair, and he succeeds about halfway through before he gets frustrated and gives up for now. Another day, and he will be more presentable.
He remember when he'd cared about that last.
To the library he goes, gathering what he can about Dracula's journals and books.
Daventry is something he cannot forget.
He sits, but this time he is ready for company. Another chair awaits Rosella, and a table as well. The fireplace is lit, and the lights are on, more inviting than the last time they'd been.]
no subject
[What a difference such little changes can make — a lit fireplace, the warm glow of lights in their bulbs, a chair facing for company instead of turned away for a dejected lordling to sulk in.
He looks better, freshened up. It's easier to feel good about his health when his clothes aren't damp with blood serving as a reminder of the terrible things that had happened to them.
Smiling softly, Rosella heads inside with her tray, moving to the table and setting it down while she starts to unpack the cups and saucers she'd put together.]
I see you've amassed a whole stack of books. Does that mean you've found something?