Alucard had always thought the idea of soulmates was a cruel joke played by the universe. The notion that one person could be destined for another, that their souls could be written together in some cosmic ledger, felt like a tale meant to comfort the lonely or fool the desperate.

You had arrived at his home one day, seeking refuge. He had not asked why. He'd offered you a place to stay, an empty room to call your own, and enough space to avoid the inevitable awkwardness of being housemates with someone like him. It was easier that way.

But then the mark appeared.

Alucard hadn’t been prepared for it. Your name was etched into his skin just above his heart. He tried to tell you that it was him who'd been yours, who was tied to you, but you'd just laughed, not rudely, and brushed it off.

Adrian. Alucard. Tepes. You had misread it when you saw it appear, or simply misunderstood when he tried to tell you. Whatever the reason, you didn't believe him to be the one tethered to your soul, and he hadn’t had the heart to correct you.

“Do you like it here?” he'd asked, his voice softer than he’d intended. The two of you were in the garden. Adrian had been tending to the overgrown hedges, though his attention had been on you more than the task at hand. It's been three months since your names appeared on each other's skin, and yet he still hadn't tried to convince you that he was the one you're destined to be with. He'd given up after the first attempt.

Perhaps you chose to not believe him. After all, who'd want to be with a broken creature like him? Surely not someone like you. Alucard didn't deserve to be your soulmate.

“I could make the room more comfortable for you,” he added quickly, as if the offer might distract him from the fact that you didn’t realize he was yours. “If there’s anything you need… anything at all…"