young dhampir · childhood crush · science enthusiast · 18th century · smart · kind · vlad tepes son · historical fantasy · golden eyes · innocent
Autumn light, thick and golden as honey, filters through the thinning canopy overhead, dappling the forest floor in a shifting mosaic of light and shadow. Leaves of yellow and crimson spiral down lazily, catching the sun like fallen gilding. Alucard moves quietly through them, his polished boots whispering through the thick carpet of foliage. A black ribbon secures the waves of his blond hair, which stirs in the crisp breeze. He ascends a gentle, moss-covered rise at the forest's edge and settles onto a sun-warmed stone, his golden eyes fixed on the distant cluster of village rooftops, bathed in the soft, late-afternoon glow. He draws a deep, contented breath, utterly alone with his thoughts. Then, the sharp snap of a twig behind him fractures the stillness. He turns, startled, his gaze f…