Unbetaed. All errors are my own. And to those waiting for updates on Love and Respect and The Missing Piece of The Puzzle...Love and Respect is getting there...anyone have ideas for The Missing Piece of The Puzzle...let me know because I'm not that far from transferring it to this collection.
Anyways, Enjoy the story.
Mating Call - Pt. 1
Alfred sighed as he snuggled into the chilly body embracing him, snuggie wrapped around him to preserve some form of heat from the cold air in the boarded up supermarket.
Matthew gave a growling purr of approval at Alfred's action, leaned down and licked his mate's face.
Despite being dead, Matthew's body leeched no heat from Alfred's form. That had always been a source of curiosity for the American. But, then again, that virus was as strange as destructive.
For instance, instead of ripping him to itty bitty bloody pieces and then snacking on those pieces after Matthew had caught him unawares back at that gas station, he had...well...
'A man does have needs.' Alfred thought, sighing in contentment as Matthew gave a few of his odd purrs, causing Alfred's eyes to close. Everyone had needs...unless they were, like, Asexual to the point of no interest.
The American had been too far gone to actually question who (and what, for that matter) was claiming him at that moment.
Fate remedied that by giving him an eyeful (yes, of that too) the next morning. A banshee couldn't have reached those decibels if it struck a deal with God.
Unfortunately for Alfred, his big mouth got him in trouble yet again as his scream had attracted the attention of a few (okay, a bit more than a few) zombies. Alfred felt like passing out when Matthew growled and, instead of trying to eat Alfred, they took off like death itself (actual death that is) was chasing them.
After about a week or so of falling asleep due to sheer exhaustion (with Matthew looking as worried as one of the living dead could, Alfred later realised) rather than any desire to actually sleep, Alfred ascertained that, No, Matthew was not going to eat him, and began letting his guard downlittle by little until it reached the point where the two could cuddle in peace, and sometimes do more than that, before sleeping (Alfred was still sceptical as to whether Matthew actually slept). It was also when he got the courage to finally tell Matthew to please put on some damn clothes!
Turns out the zombie was very fluent at understanding English. And French (which furthered Alfred's suspicion of Matthew being at least part French) He had his doubts about Matt being a zombie, though. Well, at least he wasn't one of the ones that were eating everyone.
Ever since this whole fiasco began, Alfred had come across very few living, breathing humans. He still hasn't found his father, Arthur Kirkland. Or any of their friends, for that matter.
'But,' Alfred reminded himself, tightening his grip on Matthew's waist a bit, 'that'spreferable right now.'
For most of his...journey?...since then, he had been keeping to the edges of cities. Which, while dangerous, was better than going into the forests by himself. He dearly hoped Arthur had managed to find a group and escape there. Alone, the trek was rather dangerous as, the edges were packed with zombies who, by now, had figured out that was where all the humans were headed.
Broken pieces of conversation via radio had told him that much. Something in there was either toxic to the zombies or they just didn't like it. Either way, it was safe enough to set up radio stations and settle down.
When everything started, Alfred wished to be able to make it there. Now, after meeting Matthew, well, if he couldn't go, Alfred wasn't sure he'd want to go now either.
A slight nip to his cheek told him Matthew wasn't very happy about him not sleeping.
"Alright, alright, I'm going to sleep now." Alfred grumbled, eyes still closed. "Big softie." And, after a few moments, he drifted off.
-xx-
Alfred awoke to a slightly painful/pleasurable sensation at the base of his neck. Like someone was...
Blue eyes opened to a blond head buried in his neck. Alfred sighed.
Chewing on it. Or more accurately giving him a hickey. Again.
Tilting his head back to give Matthew better access, Alfred winced as the action caused a slight burn.
'It's either a graze or a cut.' Alfred deduced, grasping Matthew's broad shoulders.
Matthew gave a whine and pulled back, examining the new wound on his mate's skin.
"Relax," Alfred murmured, patting the Canadian's head "You're not at fault for that."
Snorting, Matthew proceeded to lap at the spot of crimson amongst the hues of purple, black and blue.
After about half a minute, Alfred was sure no one would even know he had a cut there, however small it might have been.
When Matthew deemed his work complete, Alfred stretched, not unlike a cat might, and got up after his joints popped.
Yawning, he started his morning routine of brushing his teeth, showering (thank god the employee bathrooms came with a shower – although why that was, Alfred could not fathom) and then browsing the canned goods section for breakfast...and dessert as he hadn't had anything sweet in a while.
The fact that Matthew was keeping as close an eye on him as possible during all this was something he was slowly getting accustomed to.
He drew the line at using the bathroom from the first day, though. Although he was quite certain that if Matthew wanted to wash him, he was more than capable of doing it. Alfred had an inkling he wouldn't even want to say no if that ever happened.
Pushing his wire framed glasses up his nose, he debated what to have for breakfast.
Plucking a tin of easy-open SpaghettiO's, a brownie and a bottle of water off the shelf , he went back to their sleeping cot and started on breakfast after Matthew had given everything a thorough look-over incase any of it was contaminated. How he knew this, Alfred didn't know.
Maybe it smelled funny or something since he either sniffed it, tasted it or sometimes both.
Alfred had seen Matthew eat once – infected corpses. It wasn't pretty. Since then he stayed where the other told him to stay. Most of the time, anyways. Ok, a little less than most. But still a lot.
As Alfred was finishing his 'meal' a loud thump coming from the top floor made him pause.
Matthew had gone out to hunt.
Instinctively grabbing a gun from his duffel bag, he unlatched the safety lock and took aim at the barred door leading upstairs.
He was a bit surprised when the thing suddenly burst through the wall. That didn't stop him from firing though.
Two shots and it collapsed, all blood, bones and rotting flesh.
Alfred sighed. "Where there's one, there's more."
And, sure enough, moments later they staggered through. Flesh half ripped off what Alfred was sure were once beautiful people in their own right. If that wasn't enough, the rotting flesh smelled something awful. He didn't hesitate to empty the clip into them, majority of the bullets hitting their mark. As Alfred was about to reload, a hand suddenly snatched the gun from him.
The next thing Alfred knew he was smack against Matthew's chest and they were out the door.
Just as they arrived at the intersection, hair-raising shrieks rang out behind them. Craning his neck back, he caught a glimpse of some zombies crumbling to dust before Matthew forced Alfred's head back into his chest.
Like hell Matthew was even going to chance the American getting ripped to pieces.
Not to say the other couldn't defend himself – they hadn't spent the last six months just sitting around and making love. Although the latter did happen quite often after the first couple weeks of them meeting.
A few of Matthew's hunting sessions were utilized for more than just food. It happened that Alfred was now an excellent marksman. (Although making those encounters seem like chance to better Alfred's response to pressure wasn't easy, it was well worth it.)
Keeping his eyes, ears and nose out for trouble, Matthew continued walking with Alfred in his arms and the duffle bag across his shoulders until they arrived at a small convenience store.
After making sure the place was clear, everything Matthew deemed edible for Alfred (which wasn't much) was thrown into a small drawstring bag and the two headed off, with Matthew letting Alfred walk this time.
They finally settled in a small cave on the border of the desert, a stream of water the only thing separating the shelter from the seemingly endless abyss of sand.
"You alright, Matt?" Alfred asked, sitting down on an old trench coat, after they finished scoping the cave .
A grunt of affirmation was given in response. Matthew proceeding to lick Alfred's face and neck clean reinforced Alfred's interpretation. He liked to think he was getting better at reading the Canadian.
Matthew tried talking a few times but it was so gravelly that Alfred always offered him honey mixed in water after. Matthew silently promised to practice saying more than 'Alfred' every once in a while.
He had no idea why he liked licking Alfred (sometimes everywhere the blond would let him). But it was soothing, reassuring. And sometimes plain hot. The latter was usually when they ended up mating.
Like now.
"Mattieee..." the blond whined as his unofficial husband licked lower. And lower. The buttons on his shirt opened easily under Matthew's skilled fingers.
Soon Alfred's hands were buried in the trenchcoat as the Canadian's tongue got his mate well and prepped for what was to come.
Alfred's last coherent thought was that Matthew had gotten so damn good at this.
-xx-
Awareness slowly came to Alfred as black turned to white.
Groaning, he rose his hand to block out the light shining through his eyelids. The sound of a switch clicking made him open them, blinking a few times to adjust to the change of colours.
Seeing that it was Matthew holding what looked like a battery-operated lamp, Alfred whined and tried to go back to sleep.
Matthew observed the blond for a moment before deciding it wasn't worth trying to wake him up now and snuggling back next to the American, who wasted no time in embracing the other and going back to sleep.
After a few moments, Matthew rested his head down and took a light snooze, keeping his ears and nose alert just in case.
-xx-
The quiet roar of an engine somewhere outside their cave made Matthew's eyes snap open.
His sudden movement as he got up jostled Alfred awake.
"Matt? What..?" the blond murmured, rubbing his eyes.
Matthew gave a low, soft growl. Where there were working mechanics there were almost always humans.
As far as Matthew was concerned, humans (and even others like him – if there were any) meant trouble.
At least there were no other animals. Matthew instinctively knew all of them had fled prior to the spread of the epidemic that made the world this way. Zombie humans, he could deal with. Most of their minds were as good as gone.
Now normal humans...
Matthew sighed as he gestured for Alfred to stay hidden.
Normal humans were panicky, dangerous creatures who could put bullet holes in his mate without a second thought.
Keeping to the wall of the cave, he peeked out to see, sure enough, a barred up school bus parked outside a (now as-good-as-empty) gas station.
About six heavily armed humans disembarking did nothing to ease his anxiety. There looked to be a few young ones too, but they were left on the bus.
'As long as they stay away from here,' Matthew reminded himself, 'there's no need for trouble.'
Of course he'd have to wait to ascertain whether they meant either him or Alfred harm...or if they came to steal their food and water. Matthew didn't much need it but for Alfred, it was vital.
He had to stifle a growl when a few of the humans broke off from the pack and headed their way.
The small blond one wearing a green suit had spotted some of Alfred's clothes drying, half-hidden near the stream. He was accompanied by a tall, platinum blond who was wearing a long coat and a scarf despite the obvious heat, and another in a green jacket and brown pants with a white beret atop his head.
"Matt?"
Hearing his mate's voice, Matthew turned to see Alfred tying an old jacket around his waist.
"Who's out there?" the blue-eyed man inquired, picking up his glasses and slipping them on. "Is it people? Normal ones, that is."
Nodding after a moment's consideration, Matthew let his mate take a peek at the oncoming humans. They were rather noisy, honestly, how were these people expecting to say alive like that, much less hidden?
Whatever Matthew expected, it was not to see his mate lose his breath after seeing the intruders.
Quickly pulling his mate to his chest, Matthew gave a worried, low whine.
"No, no." Alfred quickly soothed. "It's not...I...think that's my dad. And our friends."
This quickly caught Matthew's attention.
"Don't worry. Even if it is, I'm staying with you." Alfred murmured, squashing Matthew's sudden worry of Alfred leaving him. "Now go hide."
Matthew complied, tucking himself behind an outcrop of rock; he was glad their bond was strengthening to such a rate. Whether or not Alfred knew it, he was becoming more sensitized to certain signals Matthew sent out. Both by body language and scent.
"- really don't see why we can't just split into three groups." Said an accented voice. It was British. But, to Alfred, it didn't sound quite right.
Matthew and Alfred both listened intently as the men came closer, Alfred hurriedly retrieving his pistol, just in case, and handing a hiding Matthew a sub-machine gun.
Just in case.
"Looks like these clothes have been recently washed." If by recently, they meant last night, then sure.
"Then it appears we are not alone, da?" This last voice was deep. Alfred caught a hint of a Russian accent. Ivan?
The sound of a gun cocking made Alfred tense up.
"I'll go check, shall I?" No doubt about it now. That was definitely his father. Alfred couldn't help but relax just a slight bit at that realization.
Matthew narrowed his eyes and prepped his gun. Just in case.
He didn't need to. No sooner than had Arthur come into Alfred's reach, the gun was knocked out his hands and the smaller blond was shoved face-first into the wall, a hand over his mouth to muffle any sounds.
The size difference made fighting damn near impossible for the Englishman.
"Dad?"
At Alfred's whisper, all of Arthur's struggling ceased.
"Arthur?!"
However his sudden disappearance evidently had not gone unnoticed.
The sound of running feet prompted Matthew to act. Within seconds, Alfred had been snatched and pulled behind the outcrop.
"Bloody hell!" the Englishman yelled, as he set eyes on the pallid and obviously dead creature that had just snatched his son and was now pointing a sub-machine gun at him. And snarling rather ferociously, at that.
As Ivan and the other blond appeared beside him, armed and ready to shoot, Matthew found himself shoved to the ground.
"Oh for god's sake, stay down!"
Matthew gritted his teeth. Guns or no guns, if Alfred was hurt, he would rip those bastards to pieces.
Ignoring his father's "Put the guns down! My son's there!", Alfred yelled "Dad!"
Arthur paused in trying to get the others to lower their weapons.
"Alfred!" the worry in his voice was palpable. "What the hell was that?! Get away from it!"
Alfred breathed a sigh of relief. His dad hadn't changed one bit. "Calm down, old man!"
"Wa-?"
"Fredka?" Ivan interrupted. "You are not afraid of whatever just grabbed you?" The Russian had not seen it clearly, but he could venture a guess as to what it was. So these things could fire guns now? How troublesome.
"Ivan? No, dude, course I'm not! Kind of hard to be, actually. He's a big ol' softie." Tucking his hair behind his ear and ignoring the disbelieving looks of the three men, Alfred smiled sheepishly. "Can you put your guns down? You're making him edgy."
The two still with weapons glanced at each other before hesitantly complying. Though they were all still apparently on edge.
"Good. Now, first off, I'm not infected or being threatened, obviously – I know that's what you're thinking, and I want you to promise not to shoot him. Please?" Some well placed puppy dog eyes followed that statement.
"And why," the blond in the beret spoke up "would we promise that? For all we know it could go on a mad killing spree and eat us all – you included."
Despite himself, Alfred turned bright red. Trust his mind to bring that up now.
"Because he won't, geez. I've seen what he eats (unfortunately) and none of you are it. Oh and, dad?"
Said father quickly turned his gaze back to his son.
"Meet my husband, Matthew Williams." He said, rising, and gesturing for Matthew to get up slowly so as to not startle them. Alfred had the funniest feeling that, to Matthew, they were as good as wed. Not that he minded or anything.
Arthur blinked. And blinked again. He had that look of someone who had definitely heard quite clearly what was said but was having trouble processing it.
Surely he wasn't talking about –?
"Pardon me, little Alfred," said Ivan, ignoring Alfred's irritated twitch at the nickname, "I am not sure I understood you. Are you saying you are wed to the...being...standing beside you?"
When Alfred smiled and nodded enthusiastically, Arthur couldn't take it anymore. He fainted.
-xx-
"-gy? Iggyyyy? Still out cold."
Arthur groaned as the familiar voice woke him up. Couldn't he get a few minutes peaceful sleep, for God's sake?! He was even dreaming about relaxing by a nice stream...
A growl stopped him from drifting off, though.
"He's up now? Ok."
A splash of cold water in his face made him yelp.
"Who the hell-!" he sputtered, coughing.
Arthur opened his eyes, only to snap them shut again. Who the hell made the place so bright?
"Dude, you ok? You totally passed out on us."
When Arthur opened his eyes again, it was to his son's bright blue ones above.
"Al- Alfred?" he asked, staring at his baby boy's face in disbelief. Was this really-?
"'Course it's me, dude!" Arthur felt a weight lift off his chest. His son was here! With him and the others. Safe.
"You, like, totally fainted when I introduced you to Mattie! What, is he that good looking?" the last part was said with a wink to said...zombie.
There was no other word for it, Arthur concluded, suddenly remembering exactly why he passed out in the first place.
That...creature Alfred claimed to be married to was a zombie! A flesh eater! What was it doing sitting so calmly in the back of the bus?!
"Dad? Dad! Dude calm down!" Alfred yelled, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him.
"Calm down? Calm down?!" Arthur yelled trying to control his sudden anxiety. "How about you tell me what that is doing in the back of the bus?! Why isn't it at the very least tied up?!"
Alfred actually looked a bit offended. "Ok, first of all – His name is Matthew. And I've been snuggling up to him for the past...what was it Matt? Six months?...ok good, six months and I'm alive and well. I've never seen him eat living people. He's not going to eat us. Trust me." 'Please.'
After a few moment's consideration, Arthur sighed. Maybe they could take turns watching i-him.
