Just a snippet while my abused mind tries to get back on track with my main story.

Integra eases the door open to the dungeon like room and shivers slightly as she steps inside. It was so cold she could see her breath. It was never this cold when he knew she was coming, especially after she had gotten so sick after Christmas. Stuffing her hands into her pants pockets to keep them warm she wanders across the vast room to the few furnishings the vampire kept. She can't help but smile a little when she notices the wookie mask perched on his desk.

That perfectly planned out birthday party had gone up in smoke and the warbling of several wookie mask clad children, her own minion from hell leading the charge. The kids had loved it and begged Alucard to come to their parties. Who would have ever known the monster would have a soft spot for children?

Turning away from the desk she walks over to kneel down beside the black lacquered coffin and reaches out to lift the lid a bit. A deep growl vibrates the coffin as two glowing red orbs peer out from the darkness inside.

"Shush that." She scolds

"What do you want, you hellish child?" A sleep roughened voice answers.

Integra reaches inside the coffin and lightly flips the tip of the vampire's nose, "Don't give me that. A proper greeting and I'll let you know why I've woke you up."

Alucard lets out a halfhearted sigh, "Fine fine. Good evening my lovely master. What is it that you wish of your lowly servant?"

Integra rolls her eyes and slides the small envelope through the gap into his coffin, "Its valentine's day you grump."

Alucard catches the envelope and raises an eyebrow as he watches her through the gap, "You hate valentine's day."

Integra grins, "I do, but I love burning all the cards sent!"

Alucard laughs then relaxes into the silk lining of his coffin as she slides the lid back into place. He carefully tears through the seal of the envelope then chuckles as he pulls the bat shaped card from the envelope. Where in the world did she manage to find such a card? He flips it open to read the small neat writing.

"If you were expecting some lovey drovey drivel you were sorely mistaken. On the other hand there's a bottle of wine and a bag of blood waiting in the den."

~Integra

His master appeared to be in a rather odd mood today, but who could pass up the offer of blood and wine with the company of his master? Not bothering to open the lid he merely phases through the coffin.

Alucard reaches out to pluck a piece of candy from the bowl on the kitchen table as he walks past it to the narrow hallway that leads to the den. The den was an older part of the mansion and only three people were allowed in the space, the head of the house, the butler, and the vampire.

He stops at the doorway for a moment to watch Integra fling a card into the fire burning in the hearth, an evil little gleam in her eyes. She did have her rare moments of being silly. He walks over to kneel beside her and holds his hand out to her palm up, a grin on his lips.

"A kiss for my master?"

Integra flips another card into the fire then turns to look at the foil wrapped drop of chocolate sitting in the vampire's hand. She reaches out as if to take the offering but instead reaches past it to catch hold of the vampire's cravat, then pulls him closer as she leans over a bit to press her lips against his. Candy is forgotten as it thumps against the floor then rolls away as he buries his fingers in thick blonde hair.

His moment of bliss ends far too soon as she pulls back from the kiss, but he's not willing to give up all contact. He draws her against him as he settles by the hearth and smiles as she relaxes back against him.

"I'm going to start liking holidays if they all involve a kiss."

Integra chuckles softly, "They might." She gestures to the bag of blood laid near the hearth to keep warm and the bottle of wine, "But it's supposed to be you wining and dining me, not the other way around."

Alucard chuckles, "I did not realize my master wanted such things from me."

Integra shifts her gaze to the fire as she remains quiet and Alucard silently curses himself for ruining the apparent fragile moment.

"It's…difficult." She finally says after a long moment of silence.

"What's difficult, master?"

"A man would literally have to fall flat on his face to be seen as weak. Not the same for a woman, we are apparently born weak; meant to let the men lead. I give in and show any sort of affection toward a man then I'm 'finally learning my place in life'. It's sickening! No matter, I don't want to think about such garbage, I just want to enjoy the night….before some fanged twit decides to ruin it."

Alucard bends his head down and lightly kisses her neck, his lips lingering over her pulse, "As you wish, my dear master."