So, we finally made it to the 31st! Yippee! I didn't exactly expect to make it this far when I first started out, but I did it!

Anyway, this last prompt is 'Crush' and for some reason I had this idea pop into my head about Medusa having a bit of a crush on Alucard. Now, before you start reading, I want you to know that I wrote this with knowledge of the Original Gorgons backstory from Greek Mythology. I know now that they had a bit of a different story in LoS, but I always liked the Gorgons in Greek Mythology so ... Yeah, hope no one is too upset about that ...

- The Year 2104 -

Medusa loved her position as the cathedral's librarian. It was a job that suited her well. As a human, she had always had a penchant for learning. That was why she had originally gone to the shrine of Athena. She devoured scroll after scroll, soaking up all the knowledge she could. Unfortunately, that place had ended up being her downfall. Brief images of that fateful day threatened to resurface in her mind, but she pushed them back. Those days were long gone.

Despite that one bad experience, she still retained her love for learning and so a library was the perfect place for her. Knowledge was far more advanced than it was in ancient times, particularly in terms of writing. Humans had found a way to turn their writings into books and send them all over the world for others to enjoy. It thrilled her every time she discovered a new book, knowing that it contained another piece of knowledge she did not possess before.

However, there was another reason she enjoyed her role as a librarian. Hidden behind tall stacks of books, she was able to discreetly watch her favorite patron. Out of everyone in the entire household, Alucard was probably the one who made use of the library most often. He was clearly someone who treasured knowledge as she did.

She had kept it secret deep within herself, but the truth was that she quite fancied the fair-haired vampire. The humans had a different word for it. They called it a 'crush'. The word suited the feeling perfectly in her mind, for the feelings she had for him felt like they were crushing her heart.

Typically, Medusa avoided romance and attractive men in general like the plague, seeing where it had gotten her to begin with, but with Alucard, she simply couldn't help herself. She remembered the moment she first laid eyes on him. He had come to her part of the castle with his mother, having retrieved the stolen chaos power. With a gentleness that she had never seen before in any man, he reached out and placed the power in her hands, smiling up at her as he did so.

Alucard was more of a man than any other she had met before, and probably the first to be safe from the curse placed upon her. After all, he was a monster like her. There was no fear of him turning to stone. Yet, despite this, she knew that it could never be. Not only had she sworn to never give herself to a man, but she feared he did not return the 'crush'. She could see it in his heart and in his eyes. He was still very much in love with his deceased wife. There was no room for her.

And so, she continued to keep to herself, sneaking the odd peek at him over the piles of books that hid her from sight. However, as she was busy at work arranging the books one day, she received a surprise.

"It never ceases to amaze me how many books you manage to find for us."

At the sound of Alucard's voice so close to her, Medusa let out a startled shriek, the snakes in her hair roaring to life with a hissing fit. Once she had managed to calm herself, as well as her snakes, she slowly turned around to find herself standing face to face with him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I've done it to my mother as well. Apparently, I need to work on making more noise when I move," Alucard apologized.

"Don't worry about it, Master Alucard," she assured him, regaining her composure. "I am known to frighten easily. My sisters often enjoy using it against me."

His gorgeous golden eyes softened. "That's not nice of them. Siblings ought to treat each other better than that."

She nodded her head. "I agree, but they see it differently."

As silence washed over them, Medusa took it as a sign that the conversation had come to an end and began to return to her task of organizing books. Though he didn't say a word, Alucard remained in place, his eyes following her as she twisted around and climbed up various bookshelves to put the books away. She found it a bit curious but didn't question him. He was Master Dracul's son and therefore had the right to do as he pleased in the old cathedral.

"Would you mind terribly if I helped you?"

The question took her by surprise. Not because she was opposed to it, or even because she was uncomfortable with him being so close to her, but rather because no one had ever offered to help her before. She was at a loss for how to reply.

"Why?" was all she managed to get out.

He shrugged, shifting his weight between sides. "I'm used to keeping busy and feel rather useless when I'm just sitting around," he explained. "I like to feel that I'm contributing."

She considered it. Having an extra pair of hands would certainly help, especially when those hands also came with the ability to levitate into mid-air.

"Alright, just as long as you don't get in my way."

She felt like slapping herself. No sooner had those words left her mouth then she regretted them. Once again, she was incapable of saying what she meant.

To her relief, he didn't seem to take any offense. He just smiled at her kindly like he did that first day. "I'll try my best not to."