Alucard's defense mechanisms reach his mouth last. It is easier to read body language for discomfort, as the time delay between an event happening and his articulating an issue can go on for as long as a week. This only ever happens with the big things though - Trevor being an idiot gets an immediate response. Wanting to do a date night like one that just concluded? Absolutely has taken two weeks to get said before.

So for things related to Dracula and the thing that brought them together in the first place? That's more like diving into a cave and bringing out interesting rocks to examine. It takes time, and then after the rocks are removed, they need to be polished before they are considered done and tended to.

Or some other metaphor. Alucard's given that thought too, but he's yet to find one he likes. What he knows he does like is when Sypha gives direction no matter how small. That helps settle his head. Pull thoughts and feelings in the right direction. Just like now.

"I know," he says, golden eyes meeting her blue ones. There's no particular hint of his emotions for now. "You've never indicated otherwise."