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His voice was warbled and demonic, like a dark force struggling to escape from the world beyond and crawl its way back to the land of the living. I could not cover my ears, or run from the horrible noise, my limbs frozen in place. No sound escaped my lips when I screamed.
It's just a dream, I struggled to remind myself as my breathing became far too fast for even my own lungs. I could feel his presence hovering over me, his disgustingly hot breath cascading like thick tar over my face.
Just a dream.
I awoke violently, a loud screech finally escaping my lips when I needed it least. The same night terror had been plaguing my sleep for nearly a week now, and like clockwork, Alucard appeared hurriedly by my side. Although, this night was different from the rest. The Dhamphir still held me tightly against his chest, whispering soft reminders that he couldn't hurt me anymore and that I was safe.
This night became different when he asked gently if I wanted to sleep in his room. I turned my head quickly upwards to look at him, to understand whether he was simply jesting or not. I had only known him for a few months, but I could say with certainty that he was being serious.
Upset, I wriggled out of his grasp, turning away from the person I found the most comfort in. He had me entirely fooled, just like he did. Saline pricked my eyes, my surroundings morphing into a darkened blur.
"Mavis? Are you alright?" He reached for my arm, but I moved away from his touch. It wounded something in me, forcing myself to be away from the man I found safety in.
"Did something happen? Are you injured?" His tone grew with worry, but it only annoyed me. After taking a moment to collect myself, I wiped discreetly at my tears, still avoiding his gaze.
"Im fine, Alucard." I said plainly. There was so much concern dripping from his voice, but I couldn't hold onto it the way I normally would. I had to stop fawning over silly things because they would always land me in the exact same horrific situations.
"You seem upset, was it the same dream?" He gave up on trying to touch me, but I could feel his eyes boring holes into my skull.
"Yes. It's always the same one."
"Would you feel better sleeping closer to me? I can stay here if you'd like?"
"Closer to you?" I turned my head hesitantly towards him, confusion marring my face. He kept his distance, but I could tell by the way he leaned forward and kept his hand clutching the covers that he wanted to close the gap between us.
"Yes, I don't know if it would help, but I'd be there."
"Is that what you meant before?" I dropped my shoulders, cursing myself.
"Before...when?" His blonde brows moved in unison to display the same look of confusion I wore just moments before.
"When you asked me to sleep in your room." The rigid line my lips had formed softened into a small smile as I realized that all of my thoughts had been wrongly formed under the cloak of misunderstanding.
"Yes, I thought it might help in some way. If I'm mistaken-
"Oh, Alucard." I smiled, placing my hands on his face. Relief washed over me like a cool, refreshing wave, along with something else I couldn't put my finger on. Alucard's golden eyes widened at my action which made me chuckle.
"Are you sure you're alright?" He asked, hesitantly lifting a hand to move a stray hair from my face. I was surprised there wasn't more stuck to my forehead which was dotted with sweat.
"Yes, I promise." I left a gentle peck on his lips to convince him that I was truly alright.
"Would you like me to stay?" I nestled into his side as he asked the question, but it raised another one in my head.
"Where would you sleep?"
"The chair." He answered promptly. I looked over at the measly chair he spoke of and frowned.
"I couldn't ask you to do that." There was a part of me that screamed out in protest of my words. Ask him to stay, that's what you really want. I shook it promptly from my thoughts.
"It's nearly morning, I'll be fine."
There was a battle occurring inside me. The entire situation hadn't really been so complicated as it was in my head. A large part of me wanted him to stay because even his simple presence could make me feel safer, although the other part of me wanted him to return to his room and forget about the burden that was me.
I didn't have anyone to rely on to give me a feeling of security like Alucard did for years. I wondered if I was holding onto him too tightly, relying on him too heavily.
"I don't want to be a bother, you should sleep in your own bed comfortably." They weren't the words I wanted to say necessarily, but still they fell from my lips. His small chuckle made my cheek brush against the fabric on his chest.
"Mavis, you're never a bother. I would've slept on the floor the entire night if it made you feel better."
"But why?"
"Because I care about you."
It was only five words, but they carried a weight I didn't know words could. They weren't heavy, but meaningful. They would stick in my head like a song, on a constant loop. I care about you.
"Alucard?" My eyes were closed now, silence settling upon the two of us. Neither of us had moved an inch, my head still pressed neatly against his chest.
"Hmm?"
"Can we...stay just like this?" It went against every social rule set out by society, but then again we had already broken most of them.
"Of course." His hand gently squeezed my shoulder and I couldn't help the small tug of my lips into a smile.
"Thank you."
"Goodnight, Mavis." He whispered.
"Goodnight, Alucard."
Alucard had been right that the dawn was near, but after the few hours leading up to it, I could confidently say that I'd never slept so peacefully.
