sorry for the delay! I just finished writing this. So I'm sorry if a few parts seem rushed I'm just very tired. I recently moved so I did not have time to focus all of my energy into this. I did change a little bit of the ending to the second chapter, I just wanted to change it a little to be satisfied with it. ^^'anyways, I made this chapter a little longer! As an apology for the wait.

Chapter III: Paralysis

The warmth of the cottage invited Antonio in with open arms. Emerald scanned inquisitively about the room. He noticed many pastels, paints and oils scattered about an old desk. A new painting showcased on a paint ridden easel, sparking more curiosity within the sun kissed man. Purples, pinks and oranges melted into each other, a red orange sun dipping into the horizon. His eyes moved about, focusing his attention into a finished painting hanging above the desk. It was of a man with a striking resemblance to Lovino, his eyes were closed and he had a playful smile displayed on his lips. He noticed the detail put into this piece was far greater than anything else scattered around the messy room. Antonio glanced to the side and noticed Lovino looked pained, but the younger man said nothing.

Deciding not to pry, the sun kissed man seized the wooden chair from the desk, and sat it backwards in front of the bed. He plopped down, an arm resting against the back of the chair. His head nestled into it, a grin appearing on his dry lips. He observed Lovino pull out a leather bound book for a bedside table. Kicking his feet back and forth lightly, Antonio decided to engage Lovino in another conversation.

"Do you live alone?" He tilted his head to the side, gazing at Lovino's form on the bed. Said man flipped to am empty page in his sketchbook, dexterous fingers grasping charcoal firmly.

"Yes." Came the simple reply.

"Don't you have any family?" Another question arrived, the younger male glanced up for a moment.

"No." Lovino's hand movements were rigorous yet precise, his eyes were once again glued to the book in front of him. He blew a stray hair from his face, a bead of sweat formed just below his brow. His concentration became so intense that he wasn't paying any mind to what he was drawing.

"Are you enjoying my company?~" A carefree smirk graced his pink lips, his chin resting in his calloused hands.

Lovino pursed his reddish lips in annoyance. "No."

"You're so cruel sometimes, Lovi.~" the older man teased, not surprised when a shrug was his only reply.

Antonio took a minute to examine the room more thoroughly. Surveying the small room, he noticed a very ornate crucifix that hung above Lovino's bed. It was a dark oak, accented by intricate gold detailing. Upon closer inspection, Antonio had determined it to be handmade, a lot of heart radiated itself through the piece. Glancing around he also came upon the bedside table. Many pencils were strewn about the top as well as scarlet beads that had fallen off of the rosary when it had inevitably broken. It seemed like such long ago, though in reality it had only been a few days. Moving onto the bed, emerald gazed upon the younger man in front of him.

Lovino's head had dropped as he became absorbed in his work, frazzled auburn locks falling just below his eyebrows. Gold with flecks of green were disguised by long thick eyelashes, Lovino's tongue just barely stuck out of his mouth. His skin looked like porcelain in the dim room, only the flame of the candle reflecting off of it. His eyes moved down to Lovino's unsuspecting neck. Wetting his lips, Antonio averted his eyes. He tried to swallow the urge to rip the man's neck open and victoriously drink from it. He felt depraved, but more so than that, he had an appetite. He felt his teeth begin to grow, he cupped a hand over his mouth. Internally Antonio groaned, he knew he couldn't stay at this point. It wasn't the right time.

"I'm afraid I must get going, Lovi." Antonio said after a time, a small frown accompanying his words. "After all it is getting pretty late and-"

"That didn't stop you before." Lovino said under his breath, he felt his eyes roll out of habit. Antonio chuckled in response, the sound was pleasant to Lovino.

Antonio set the chair back where he found it, turning on his heels heading towards the window.

"I do have a front door." Lovino pointed out, setting his sketchbook to the side. His arms rest on both of his sides, his pink lips pointed down in a frown.

"I'm aware, Lovi~. Goodnight." Antonio confirmed, waving goodbye to the olive toned man. He exited through the window, making sure to shut it firmly behind him. With one final wave of his hand he vanished into the dark of the night.

A familiar darkness enveloped Lovino's senses. His mind stirred until he became conscious. Lovino went to open his eyes, but found that they would not open. The only sound that filled his ears was what seemed to be someone breathing. It took him a moment to figure it was his own, a sense of dread following suit. His body felt heavy as he attempted to move his arms, but to no avail. His breath quickened as he became more aware of what was going on.

"I can't move!" He thought, feverishly attempting to force his eyelids open. "Why can't I move?" he wondered, his heart racing against his rib cage. He felt numb, his muscles relaxed as his body slept.

Anxiety flooded the man's demeanor, causing irrational figments of thought. He strained his eyes, desperately trying to somehow muster the strength to move a single limb, perhaps a finger. After what seemed like an eternity, both of his eyelids shot open. A moment of happiness was soon diminished as he realized his body was still in a deep slumber.

Hazel irises adjusted to the dark of the night. The room was soaked in the moonlight, a faint blue hue radiated off of the painting Lovino had started the prior day. A silence hung in the air, causing the olive skinned man to become more uneasy. Focusing on the surroundings, Lovino noticed the window was slightly ajar, a brisk breeze dancing with the cream colored curtains. His pupils grew as they focused on the darkest corner of the room. Crimson red irises gazed dangerously into golden honey. Caught off guard, Lovino's heart skipped a beat.

An entity disguised by the dark leisurley inched closer to the paralyzed man, the footsteps echoing in the otherwise silent night. Lovino felt his breath hitch in the back of his throat, panic growing by the second. His eyes widened as the black figure paused at the edge of the bed. Lovino couldn't make out any distinguishing features of the figure except the piercing red irises. Frozen, he watched cautiously with wide honey eyes. The creature tilted its head, one iris growing larger than the other. Its hands gripped the blanket on each side of Lovino's legs and crawled on top of the paralyzed man. Lovino felt a chill crawl up his spine, but his body still did not react.

'Wake up! You have to wake up!' His conscience yelled in a shrill, almost inhuman pitch.

The entity perched itself just above the olive skinned man, making sure to not sit on Lovino's chest. Slowly it waved a shadowed hand in front of the Italian's eyes, seemingly perplexed by his paralyzed state. White flashed itself, sharp canines illuminated by the blue moonlight. Lovino heard a soft yet sinister chuckle erupt from the form above him, the scent of earth and cinnamon filling his nostrils. Lovino felt his muscles begin to tingle, his breath was still uneven and fast paced.

'Calm down. I have to relax.' he rationalized, attempting to control his quickened breath. Lovino's body still felt heavy, but he could feel it start to lift. He was able to move an arm slightly, forgetting about the creature watching him with cautious crimson eyes. He went to sit up, but was stopped by something soft pressing against his lips. Before he could react, he felt something sharp scrape against his lip, leaving behind a substance. Something wet slipped through Lovino's lips, mixing the substance with saliva that made him lose the feeling he had just gotten back. He tried to push back against the creature, however his body fell limp against the bed, his fear returning. His eyelashes fluttered, golden honey startled by the sight of the creature looming above him. A grin displayed itself on the creatures lips, it flicked its tongue against the sharp canines, lapping up a sickly green liquid that trickled down its lips.

Lovino felt sluggish, his body relaxing on it's own accord. He fought with all his might to move, but his body ignored his requests. Too tired to be frightened, Lovino felt his eyelids close shut, enveloping him with the pitch black darkness he was growing accustomed to.

"-me?"

A melodious voice rang through the air, stirring Lovino awake from a short nap.

"Hmm?" Bright sunlight intruded Lovino's pupils, he raised a hand to shade his sensitive eyes from the suns harsh rays. The man realised he was laying in the field that lay just beyond his cottage. Birds sang to each other, hidden in the tree branches above Antonio and Lovino. A gentle breeze raised goose bumps on Lovino's arms. He could smell irises from where he lay, a smile graced his lips. He let the environment soak into his being, enjoying the feeling of the wind on his skin. A warm chuckle broke him out of his peaceful state.

"I said, do you trust me?" Lovino met Antonio's stare, his mouth slightly agape.

"What kind of question is that?" Lovino asked, stuttering a little. Blood rushed to his face, a pink hue staining it. He avoided Antonio's eyes, seemingly lost for words. He felt sinful, allowing another man to make him react this way.

"Well," a tan, calloused hand raised Lovino's face. Antonio had a serious expression, something Lovino had never seen. The older man's face began to distort, long fangs exposed themselves. Lovino felt his eyes widen, but he was frozen in fear. The sound of rain drops brought him out of his paralyzed stupor. "do you?" He opened his mouth, but a rain droplet hit his cheek. He swiped a finger across it, when his eyes landed on his finger it was red. It began to drizzle, red droplets falling over the two. Blood. They were surrounded in blood. The drizzle picked up to a downpour, Lovino let out a bloodcurdling scream.

"Antonio!" The young man woke with a start. His breath was uneven and he could feel his heart breathing through his chest. A sigh of relief escaped his lips, a hand digging itself into his auburn hair.

"A nightmare.." he rationalized, letting his eyes slide close. He allowed himself to lay back down, glancing towards the window. It was shit tight, not a single breeze wafted within the room. "It was all a fucking nightmare." He repeated, feeling more at peace. Lovino allowed his eyes to shut close once more, bringing the blanket up to his neck. His breathing softened after a few minutes, a sense of safety washed over the young man as he drifted to sleep.