A new story...again. My other ones are being worked on as we speak, so please don't get upset.
"Come on Artie, we're almost there," Alfred told his companion, resting a hand on Arthur's shoulder as he urged him forward. The Englishman was reluctant though, because frankly the old abandoned house in front of them looked quite sketchy. Two of the front windows were broken, and the porch steps were split down the middle. He had a feeling they were being watched yet he didn't see anyone.
Alfred didn't look scared at all, despite his known fear of ghosts. Arthur wanted to ask why they were here, but there was no way he could. He stopped in his tracks though, resisting Alfred's tugging.
"It's safe Arthur," Alfred promised, though his words did little. Instead of trying to verbally communicate, the American resorted to tracing a finger over the Brit's cheek and smiling. Arthur glanced at him suspiciously, but allowed himself to be led up the broken stairs. Before Alfred could even knock, the door flew open and revealed...a flamboyant man.
From what Arthur could tell, the man was probably a snob. He wore bright clothing, and a silky blue cape. He could definitely stand out in a crowd. His long silky hair was pulled back and tied by a ribbon, and his shoes were so shiny that one could probably see their reflection.
Another obvious thing was that he was a vampire. His skin was far too pale to be human, and when he smiled, which he did as soon as he opened the door, his mouth revealed a pair of sharp fangs.
"Bonjour Alfred. You're smelling well," The vampire greeted Alfred, a dangerous smile forming on his lips. His long silky hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and his usual blue eyes were tinted black around the rims.
"Francis," Alfred nodded, drawing Arthur a little closer to him, and earning a roll of the eyes from the Brit. The vampire noticed this and smirked.
"After all these years you still don't trust me? I'm hurt, mon ami!" He cried out in mock despair. "I have done nothing but help you and your brother since you were children, and this is how you repay me?"
"Sorry Francis, it just looks like you haven't fed in a while. You know I trust you." Alfred replied with an apologetic grin.
"Of course I know that. Now, why have you sought me out? I take it you aren't here just for a friendly visit." Francis said, curiously eying Arthur. "Won't you introduce me to your lovely friend?"
"This is Arthur," Alfred told him, wrapping an arm around the shorter man's shoulders.
"Arthur," Francis murmured. "What a lovely name. A lovely face too...just look at those eyes."
Arthur stiffened and sent the vampire a glare, but he didn't open his mouth. Alfred rubbed his shoulder in reassurance, so he backed down. Francis slowly stepped closer, eyes narrowing in his usual attentive curiosity.
"Won't you speak, mon lapin?" He asked softly.
"Arthur...um...he can't speak." Alfred said, head hanging down. "Or hear. Not anymore, at least. That's why I'm here."
"Hmm?" Francis cocked his head. "I see. And why might this be?"
"It's my fault. I was fighting a venomous serpent monster that was causing trouble in a local village, and it bit me. I was going to die, but Arthur made a deal with a local witch. She gave the medicine to save me for the price of his voice and his hearing." Alfred explained guiltily.
Francis's eyes filled with sorrow. He reached out to cup Arthur's chin. "Oh cher," He sighed. "It was a very noble thing to do. You don't regret it one bit, do you?"
Arthur drew his head back, not liking to be touched by this vampire one bit. Although he could not understand what the man was saying, it was true that he did not regret his actions whatsoever. He wished that the other wouldn't feel so bad about it. He tried endlessly to get Alfred to understand, but it was hard without words.
"You've lived for a long time, and you always seem to know things. So...is there any way to fix it?" Alfred asked eagerly. His heart just about shattered when he saw Francis shake his head.
"You have my apologies Alfred, but nothing can be done to get his voice back. Once a deal with a witch is made, nothing can be done. I have seen things like this before happen. You're just lucky that she only took those two things. Some witches have been known to take souls, or even memories." Francis told him.
"Oh...yeah, I guess you're right." Alfred said with a sigh. "It's all my fault though. Arthur told me not to go fight it alone, but I didn't listen. Then I got bitten, and this whole mess has happened."
Arthur tugged on his sleeve, shaking his head. He didn't know what the American was saying, but he knew from his look that he was probably blaming himself for the whole situation.
"I can offer something to soothe his throat though. It will ease the pain." Francis offered.
"Wha...pain?" Alfred asked, horrified. "He's hurting?!"
"Yes, he winces slightly whenever he breathes. He's good at hiding the pain, but nothing can get past my senses," Francis winked. "The pain should wear off in a few days though."
As soon as the vampire walked away, Alfred turned and grabbed Arthur by both of his slim shoulders. "Arthur, you have to let me know if you're in pain! I've already harmed you so much, and I just can't-" He choked on his words, covering his eyes with a hand. "Dammit, it's so hard when you can't understand me! I feel like I'm talking to a wall sometimes."
Arthur's eyes widened and he gripped Alfred's hand in alarm. Alfred was practically crying, something that he never did. That made Arthur scared and guilty, because Alfred was likely crying due to him.
When the vampire came back and handed him the tea, Arthur registered that he had sensed his pain and told Alfred, so he gave him a harsh glare. That know-it-all bloodsucker needed to stop sticking his nose in other people's business. He'd been handling the pain fine! Besides, it wasn't nearly as bad as when it first happened, which was almost a week ago.
"Seriously dude, when's the last time you've drank?" Alfred asked in concern, once he made sure Arthur was drinking his tea.
"Hmm? Oh don't worry about that. I think I'll search the city tonight." Francis reassured him.
One of the good things about Francis was that he didn't overfeed, like most vampires did. He waited until he was in jeopardy of losing control, and then he would drink just enough to have a satisfying fill.
"I don't know what to do," Alfred whispered. "What should I do Francis?"
"In times of sorrow, family is the solution." Francis said with a wink. "Why don't you and your amour go visit Mathieu?"
"Oh hey, that's a good idea!" Alfred brightened. "I haven't seen him in so long. How's he doing?"
"Well I last saw him around a month ago. You haven't met his new husband yet, have you?"
"That damn werewolf?" Alfred asked, growling at the thought of his younger brother married so soon. "Nah, I haven't met him yet. I don't think I'm gonna like him though. Anyone who takes to my brother that way is my enemy."
"Come now Alfred, Gilbert is a wonderful husband for Mathieu! Your brother is now royalty!"
Matthew had married Gilbert only two months ago, and had resided in the Kingdom of Hetalia. Gilbert Beilschmidt and his younger brother Ludwig had grown up as prince's of the place. Gilbert was next in line for king, but during a battle with some monsters he'd got bitten by a werewolf.
Because he was now a werewolf, he was declared unfit to be king, and so when their father died Ludwig took over. Gilbert was in charge of the royal guard, but he despised himself for what he was. Then Matthew had met him, and they had fallen in love. Or at least that's all Alfred knew from his brother's letters.
It wasn't the werewolf fact that bothered Alfred. He didn't have a problem with good monsters, as his profession was only slaying the evil ones who purposely harmed others for no reason. No, his problem was that Gilbert had married his younger twin brother, and Matthew hadn't even told him until the wedding was over, because apparently he was 'too protective' or some bullshit like that.
That was why Alfred hadn't visited his brother in so long, because he was mad. Matthew knew he was upset too, but he determinedly wrote that he would stay with Gilbert in his letters. Now Alfred decided that he needed to see Matthew though. His brother knew him, and he would be able to help him deal with what he'd done to Arthur.
Arthur...his Arthur who was his everything. His companion, his hunting partner, his lover. Now his dear Arthur was probably feeling lost and scared inside. Alfred could only imagine what it was like being unable to hear, or to speak. He watched the Brit now, noticing how Arthur was looking at everything around him in mild interest. His sight was the only thing he could rely on now...Alfred wanted to fix it.
But he couldn't. For once he was powerless.
Alfred was jerked from his thoughts when his elbow was touched. He looked over to meet familiar gorgeous green eyes, which were filled with question and concern.
"We're going to Matthew's Arthur," Alfred told him with a smile. Although he couldn't understand, Arthur smiled back and touched Alfred's face.
"Hey Francis, can we crash here? I want to start the journey for Hetalia early tomorrow morning, and we need rest."
"Be my guest," Francis winked. "You know where everything is. For now, I must venture out for my meal."
With that, the Frenchman vamp slipped out the window without making a single sound. Alfred suppressed a tiny shudder, hoping that Francis' victim of the night would be some drunk homeless criminal.
"Come on Arthur, let's go get some sleep. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day."
I'd really like to know if anyone is even interested in this.
See, I've been into fantasy lately. Probably cause I've watched a lot of fantasy movies lately, haha. So then my brain wouldn't leave me alone, and this was created. I'm not sure if it's interesting or dumb, but please let me know if I should continue.
