Title: Lessons in Humility
Fandom: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Prompt: Hiding an Illness/Injury
Medium: Fan Fiction
Wordcount: 1600
Rating: K+
Warnings: Bloodletting, Minor Violence
Summary: Alucard, being a dhampyr, is susceptible to heat stroke during extended exposure to sunlight and humidity. Despite his condition, he refuses to inform his companion and even declines his offer to stop for rest. Everything goes horribly awry when they're ambushed by a Blue Venus Weed and her brood. Alucard is forced to swallow his pride and allow Richter to care for him.

"Are you all right, Master? You look a little – "

Alucard waved his hand and returned his fairy familiar to the card he summoned her from. It was a cruel, abrupt thing to do, but he tired of her incessant inquiries; ever since he left the lakeside cabin with Richter, she pestered him about his health. Sweet, yes. Loyal, of course. But the last thing the son of Dracula wanted was a mortal worrying or fussing over him.

"Damn, it's hot," remarked the man in front of him as he removed his coat and tied it around his waist. He rolled his sleeves up while he walked along, and pulled a ratty, blue ribbon out of his pack to tie his long hair up. "How are you faring, Alucard? Should we stop and rest awhile?" he asked, looking over his shoulder.

The dhampyr shook his head. "I'm fine." Which was a grand lie because he felt the sun beating down on him and thirst clawing at his throat, but he wasn't about to tell his companion that.

Richter watched him for a moment, scrutinizing every movement until Alucard caught up with him. He frowned and persisted, "Are you certain? You look a bit – "

"You needn't concern yourself. It is hot, but I'll manage," Alucard interrupted him in a weary monotone. A faint smile ghosted over his lips. "I thank you, though." Richter's hand alighted on his shoulder.

"According to the map, there's a town not ten miles from the bridge. I expect you to rest properly when we arrive," said the hunter, not giving Alucard a choice in the matter. He offered his friend a rueful grin. "I wouldn't forgive myself if some ill befell you on our journey."

Alucard sighed. "It wasn't your fault the horses were scared off by werewolves."

"Even after the defeat of the Dark Lord, there are still monsters roaming about…" Richter murmured and looked down. He grit his teeth and clenched his hands into fists. "It's almost as if pursuing them has no effect. Their numbers are too great for two men to handle alone, and they're so widespread…"

The dhampyr grimaced and clapped his comrade on the back. "No one could blame you or your clan for giving up if you wanted to, but you do not. That's what makes you such an honorable man, Richter. Be proud of that."

"Are you attempting to cheer me up?" Richter chuckled in spite of himself and his grin widened with boyish glee. "You never cease to surprise me, Alucard!" He laughed again and looped an arm around the other man's shoulders, bringing him closer.

"Richter…" grumbled Dracula's heir, feeling too close to the mortal for comfort. "It's hot enough without you – Argh!"

A stinging blow to the face sent Alucard flying across the thicket and into the trunk of a sturdy oak. Richter's voice rose above the woods as he called out to him, but Alucard couldn't hear him clearly. He stood and reeled, his vision blurry.

"R-Richter, look out!" he called out to his friend, staggering forward and feeling around his person for a weapon. "Behind you!"

A tangle of thorny vines sprang from the earth and surged towards the Belmont. Alucard's breath caught in his throat and his heart stopped.

His warning came just in time; Richter barely dodged the vines as they lashed at him. He rolled to one side and unfurled the Vampire Killer.

"Are you all right, Alucard?!" he called across the thicket and flipped out of harm's way again. The vines retreated and Richter fell back to where his friend knelt, gasping for air. He held the dhampyr close and noticed the slick sheen of sweat on his brow. Moisture coursed down his neck and saturated his clothing. "You have a fever. We have to – "

A Blue Venus Weed emerged from underground with several Une in her brood. Her shrilly cry pierced the air as she pointed a finger at the men and hurled a volley of toxic roses in their direction.

"Damn it!" Richter jerked his ailing partner behind the oak tree. He pulled a glimmering crucifix out of his pack and whispered to Alucard, "I won't be long, I promise. Stay put."

Alucard cursed his pride that moment. Because of it Richter had to face this enemy alone.

"Over here! Come on!" shouted the hunter, trying to distract the Venus Weed from Alucard's hiding place. He ran up the embankment and the monster followed with its brood. Richter whirled around and threw the crucifix in a graceful arc around the Venus Weed, eradicating the Une that accompanied her. He caught the weapon as it circled back to him and gasped, "God Almighty…!"

The Venus Weed was upon Richter suddenly, and he scarcely had time to react. The Vampire Killer struck at the monster and sent it reeling backwards, but it rebounded quicker than Richter liked; thrusting vines and thorns traveled beneath the earth and straight towards the hunter.

"Hellfire!"

A barrage of flames impacted the Venus Weed from behind and she writhed in pain, shrieking. Richter sprang to his feet and spotted his partner across the thicket, leaning against the oak tree and breathing heavily with his sword drawn. Richter nodded his thanks and flicked a vial of Holy Water into the Venus Weed's midst. Flames, both holy and demonic, consumed the beast. She fell to the forest floor in a charred heap.

"Alucard!" cried Richter as his friend collapsed. He raced to his aid and lifted the half-conscious dhampyr into his arms, smoothing his bangs away from his dim eyes. "Why did you…"

Dracula's son breathed, "Forgive me…I've burdened you when I should have helped instead. I…"

"No, no," Richter soothed him and stroked his hair. "Save your strength, friend. I'll see you through this. I promise." As he stood and struggled to lift Alucard's limp body off the grass, he was reminded of his own rescue from Shaft's clutches; Alucard carried him the same way through the halls of Castlevania until he met up with Maria. Richter was determined to return the dhampyr's kindness. "There's a cave up ahead…" he grunted and plodded along with Alucard in tow.

His friend's condition was graver than he anticipated, and Richter set about his task with utmost urgency. He thanked the Good Lord that they were in a forest abounding with herbs and other flora. Willow bark, Elder Flower, and Yarrow remedied fever, but Richter faced a difficult decision concerning Alucard's loss of fluids.

"There's no other recourse," he whispered in the silence of the cavern. His cobalt-blue eyes flicked over to where Alucard lay on the ground. "I hope you can forgive me for what I must do."

Being half-vampire meant that water was like acid to Alucard; he could neither drink nor bathe without his full strength. Thus Richter opted for other sustenance: his own blood.

Unsheathing a dagger from his belt, Richter drew it across the palm of his hand. Not a cry fell from his lips as he squeezed his hand into a tight fist and mingled blood with the herbal remedy. Once enough pooled into the bottom of his cup, he quickly wrapped a bandage around his hand and staunched the wound.

"Here," he said softly to his comrade and lifted his head into his lap. "Drink this."

Alucard smelled a familiar metallic tang and he inched away from the cup pressed to his lips. "N-No, I cannot partake of…"

"You will," Richter commanded him and pried his mouth open. "You're suffering from fever and heat stroke. This will help." He tilted the cup so that its contents flowed into Alucard's mouth. "Swallow."

Unable to suppress his reflexes and baser instincts, Alucard reluctantly accepted Richter's sacrifice. The mixture soothed his aching throat and the blood tasted like something divine. When his companion moved to get up, he touched his hand.

"Wait," he gasped. Traces of sweat and tears stung his eyes. "D-Don't leave. Stay."

Richter opened his eyes wide and froze in place. Alucard gently tugged on his fingers and beckoned him closer, dispelling the shock completely. The sight of him lying there helpless both broke and re-made Richter's heart. He sat down again and moved Alucard's head to rest on his legs.

"Forgive me," started Alucard in a hoarse voice. "I was foolish to decline your offer of rest from before. I allowed my pride to get the better of me and – "

"Shh…" Richter hushed him with a finger against his lips. "You're right, but it's all behind us now." He wove through the matted, sweaty tangles of Alucard's hair. "Don't hesitate next time. I want you to rely on me as much as I rely on you."

Alucard wasn't used to relying on others, but Richter was different from any mortal he met. Maybe he could take a chance and…?

"Thank you, Richter," he said at length. A gasp tumbled from his lips as the hunter bent down to kiss his forehead.

Richter smiled down at him, looking a little weary-eyed himself. "Let's get some rest, shall we?"

Finally relaxed, Alucard nodded. "Goodnight, then." After he closed his eyes, he felt something brush against his lips. His breath sucked in suddenly and he looked up at Richter.

Despite his exhaustion, the Belmont beamed back at him. "Sweet dreams, love."