Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia

Warning: This chapter contains violence~


Chapter 9

"It must have been a long walk you went on, darling." Arthur growled, his emerald eyes showing his rage and power. "You must be exhausted…"

Francis felt his body tremble under the vampire's glare, and he let out an involuntary whimper. "I-I am sorry, Art'ur – I won't do it again."

Arthur smirked, but there was nothing but malice in his expression. "You're quite right about that, my pet." Reaching out, he ghosted his fingers over Francis' cheekbone. "But you know that it makes me worry when you go out all by yourself…"

Francis knew better than to flinch away from him, and he stood his ground, keeping his gaze lowered until Arthur tilted his chin up and then he seemed afraid to look the vampire in the eye.

"I know…" the Parisian boy whispered, and Arthur hummed softly, grasping Francis' wrist and rubbing his thumb over the two small puncture marks on Francis' skin.

The vampire was fighting the rage from spilling over, but all he could smell on Francis was some other human – and it made him mad.

"Were you walking alone, my love? Or did you have someone to keep you company?" Arthur was right in front of Francis by now, and his grip on Francis' wrist was iron and unrelenting.

Francis' heart was beating faster in panic and Arthur could hear it quicken, and he felt Francis' pulse speed up as he held his wrist.

"I-I was alone…I swear it – I don't even know anyone but you." Francis whispered, and Arthur let out a growl, gripping his wrist harder again, making him wince. "Y-You're hurting me!"

"I have warned you never to lie to me, haven't I?" the vampire growled, looming over Francis and making him feel very intimidated.

Francis struggled against him. "Let go of me! You don't need to know everything I do – "

The vampire's temper spilled over and he grabbed Francis by the throat, baring his fangs. "You are mine, Francis! I own you!"

Francis gasped and widened his eyes, feeling Arthur's impossibly strong grip on his throat and the sheer evil in the vampire's green eyes.

"You are nothing without me, you little brat! I could have left you to die, just like your mother! But I saved you and raised you as my own – and this is how you repay me?!" Arthur's green eyes became blood-red as he gripped Francis' throat even tighter.

Francis couldn't breathe, trying to claw at Arthur's hand but the strength was beginning to leave him and his arms dropped to his sides. His eyes closed and his struggling ceased.

Arthur growled but seemed to realise that he was killing Francis, and he tossed the Parisian boy onto the bed, before letting out a howl of rage and taking it out on the poor boy's bedroom. He shredded paintings and threw Francis' wooden chair against the far wall so that it smashed to splinters.

He only stopped when he tore the curtains off the window, suddenly letting in the sunlight and he let out a shriek, backing into the corner of the room where it was darker. The risk of burning had sobered his rage, and Arthur realised what he had done to Francis.

His red eyes faded back to emerald and his gaze rested on the Parisian boy, who was unconscious on the bed, purple bruises already forming on his neck. Arthur let out a gasp of worry and rushed to the bed, hissing as the sunlight licked at his pale skin, but he managed to scoop Francis up and he left the room with him, taking Francis to his own bedroom where there was no sun, and nothing was broken.

Francis had not stirred, and Arthur carefully laid him down on the large, slightly musty king-sized bed that Arthur hardly had a use for. The vampire felt overwhelming guilt at what he had done, but he could tell Francis was still alive. His pulse was weak but still there, and Arthur let out a shaky sigh.

"I'm sorry, my darling." He murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to Francis' temple, in the same place Antonio had done before. "I never meant to hurt you…"

Arthur made Francis more comfortable, tucking him under the covers and pressing a soft kiss to his lips, before leaving the room to make amends to Francis' bedroom.

XxX

Antonio shivered as he waited for Francis in the same spot he always did. It was dark and cold because he forgot to bring a blanket, hoping that Francis would instead. The Spaniard's thoughts soon found themselves entering the realm of kissing Francis as he had the night before, and he grinned goofily to himself as he remembered what it was like.

He hoped Francis would show up soon so that they could do it again.

"Good evening." Came an unfamiliar voice – an obvious British accent with a slight growl underlying the greeting.

Antonio jumped out of his skin, whirling around to see a man, rather pale and head taller than him. The man had intimidating green eyes and a knowing smirk that made Antonio very uneasy.

"Um, good evening señor…" the Spaniard returned politely, taking a step back from him though.

"I wonder if you could help me. You see, I'm looking for someone – a beautiful boy, about your age, with blonde hair and blue eyes. His name is Francis." The man seemed to study Antonio, like a predator observing his prey.

"Oh – si, I know him. I do not know where he is though…" the Spanish boy was very nervous and took another step back. "Are you his guardian?" he guessed.

"I am indeed. Very astute of you." The vampire continued to smirk, his eyes boring into Antonio's very soul. It was like being stared at by your own fate.

"You seem like a nice boy." Arthur's smirk grew into a wolfish grin though and he suddenly lunged at Antonio, grabbing him by both shoulders and slamming his back against a tree.

Antonio gasped and screamed out in pain, making the vampire chuckle.

"Oh my, you scare rather easily, don't you? I didn't even get to bite you yet." Arthur showed the glint of his fangs, and Antonio trembled.

"P-Please don't hurt me!" he begged, cowering under the vampire's glare.

"Well I won't need to…as long as you stay away from Francis. Don't look for him, don't talk to him – don't even think about him." Arthur threatened in a low voice. "Or I will snap your neck like a twig – but not before slowly ripping the flesh from your bones."

Antonio gasped and burst into tears. "I promise! I-I promise I'll never see him again! Please let me go!"

Arthur smirked and released his grip on him. "What a good boy. Run along now~"

Antonio ran back to the village as fast as he could, utterly terrified of Arthur.

The vampire smirked after him, before returning to the mansion to check on Francis, feeling a sense of triumph as he had successfully scared off the competition for Francis' attention.

XxX

Francis slowly dragged his eyes open, not knowing where he was at first. His neck was very sore and his whole body felt sluggish. His vision was a bit blurry and he tried to speak, but all that came out was a strangled, weak whine.

"Hush, my love. You're alright now…" Arthur was sat beside him, playing with his hair gently. "How are you feeling?" his tone was gentle and caring, and there was no anger in his eyes at all now.

Francis couldn't speak at first, so Arthur held a glass of water to his lips, gently supporting his head so he could drink. The Parisian boy carefully swallowed as best he could, which hurt but it made his throat hurt a little less.

"…what…happened…?" he asked weakly, his voice quiet but Arthur had no trouble hearing him.

The vampire hesitated, still playing with Francis' hair gently. Eventually he sighed and decided to be honest with Francis for the first time in a long while.

"…I lost my temper with you…" Arthur murmured, staring at his own hand touching Francis' hair so he wouldn't have to look the Parisian boy in the eye. "…and…I hurt you."

Francis looked up at him, wary of any sign that Arthur might lose his temper again. But there was only concern and remorse in his eyes, and so Francis relaxed a little.

"…I'm sorry…" he whispered hoarsely, making Arthur finally meet his gaze, and the vampire's expression softened.

"Oh darling, it wasn't your fault at all. I should not have laid a hand on you…will you forgive me?" Arthur seemed genuinely upset, and Francis felt the urge to comfort him.

He slowly sat up despite Arthur insisting that he not push himself, and he gently rested a hand on his guardian's arm.

"I forgive you…I shouldn't have disobeyed you." He said softly, still having very little power in his voice.

Arthur realised that even though Francis was nearly a man now, he was still the sweet boy that he had known for years. He gave a small smile and rested his cool hand atop Francis' on his arm. "What can I do to make it up to you, love?"

Francis hesitated, nibbling his lower lip a little nervously. Arthur watched the movement and it stirred within him the urge to kiss him, but he fought it well enough. "…When I was little, you would read me a story if I needed comforting…would you read me a story now?"

Arthur smiled, finding it very endearing that Francis asked for such a small thing, and he nodded. "Of course I can." The vampire moved to sit beside Francis on the bed, taking one of the books off the bedside table. It was a romance novel that Francis was in the process of reading, so Arthur found the page he was on and began to read it aloud to him.

Francis smiled softly, and after a few moments he rested his head against Arthur's chest, closing his eyes as he listened to him. Arthur wrapped an arm around him protectively, keeping his voice soft and narrative as he soothed him.


A/N: Wow what a dysfunctional relationship~

What do you think of Arthur scaring Antonio off? (Yes I heard your pleas and didn't kill Toni)~

Also what do you think of how Arthur treated Francis and how he is trying to make up for it? Is he evil? Or do you think he can really be nice and loving?

Please review and let me know!

Love you all x