Chapter 10: The Authors and the Finishers
Warnings: See Chapter 1.
X
Arthur's aim was perfect. By all rights his shot should have completely nailed the Russian right in the middle of the chest.
Instead one minute the Russian was there and Arthur was firing the shot and the next the Russian was gone and Arthur was looking at nothing but the forest where his bullet had buggered off at some distance.
Somewhat stunned at the turn of events Arthur looked to where the Russian had tripped or fallen or did whatever he did to duck out of Arthur's nearly point blank shot.
The sight before him made Arthur squawk in surprise, stumble back a few steps, and land flat on his rear.
It truly wasn't ever day when you see two strangers heavily making out in front of you after coming down from a life or death situation.
In between heated lip locking Arthur would occasionally catch a glimpse of the Russian still glaring bloody murder at him as he peppered Alfred with loving lips. So Arthur did what anyone would rightfully do – he moved back another few yards to try and get himself some distance between the situation both mentally and physically.
Bemusedly Arthur holstered his gun and it was only then that the Russian turned his full attention to the impassioned and needy blond trying to meld their bodies together.
This was not what Arthur had expected. Not at all.
"So you want to tell me what the hell you think you were doing?"
Arthur nearly jumped out of his skin at the question. He hadn't even heard the Russian's companion approach him despite their now close proximity.
"The name's Matthew by the way," said Matthew extending his hand for an introductory shake.
Despite Arthur's mistrust of the other, one could not simply burry years of high society training. Arthur firmly shook Matthew's hand and returned the greeting.
"I am Arthur Kirkland, Head of the Royal Safari Zone Ecological Management Committee."
"Good to meet you Arthur," said Matthew. "Now as I was saying, explain to – "
A loud choked shout caught the duos attention. Both Matthew and Arthur turned to see what all the fuss was about only to get an eyeful of Alfred impaling himself on Ivan.
"Good lord," said Arthur at the sight. He quickly tuned his head away in a futile attempt to give the other two some privacy. Matthew's gaze lingered on the duo a bit before again regarding Arthur. He waited for Arthur's composure to return before clearing his throat and giving Arthur a pointed look.
"Right. Well. Yes. Um," said Arthur. Arthur searched his mind for the beginning of the whole thing and hopefully an explanation that would not get him killed. "I was on the lookout for the Devil – that blasted rumor that has men behave extra stupidly and wind up dead because of it. Anyway I tracked the beast to what I thought was its lair, set a trap and caught it. I was horrified to find out that is wasn't some wild creature but just a wild man who had seen too much and been through too much and was living as no man ever should. I knew I couldn't just release him back into the wild or some such nonsense so I decided to take him to receive proper care back in the Empire."
Another of Alfred's moans tore through the clearing but this time both Arthur and Matthew knew better then to look and see what was going on.
Quietly Matthew watched as Arthur sorted through his thoughts again. He could see the fire in his eyes growing.
"You!" said Arthur. "Explain your business in this to me at once! Why have you never aided this man? Why keep him in such a state? Are you so cruel?"
"What? No. Of course not," Matthew said. "Hear me out Arthur. I've only known Alfred for a few years. He's very standoffish and not trusting at all. I don't blame him because the first time I met him he was being attacked by some people. But once you get in with him, he'll live for you and die for you. I've tried the best I can to help him, to heal him, but its never done much of any good and he hates it."
"I'm not sure how he's managed all these years before I met him," Matthew continued. "But he's done it well enough to the point where everything else is wrong. You haven't had to deal with tying him up to keep him inside so he doesn't die from infected wounds or something stupid. Sure I feel awful for him some times but then, if you're looking closely and you know him well enough you can see wonderful things – the world is truly amazing for him. He wears his heart on his sleeve and cares too much. A pure thing like that can't make it in society. Sure he's twisted up, broken, hurt, whatever you label it, but the very process of undoing has managed to distill him. I'd never want to take away his harsh but joyful and loving life for one devoid of everything he cares about filled with nothing but hate and coldness and forcing him to change. There just wouldn't be much Alfred left after that."
"You said people have attacked him?" said Arthur during a lull in Matthew's ramblings.
"Loads of times," Matthew said. "That's the true awful part of the whole thing. Seems to me like his experiences with people – besides myself and Ivan, but even then sometimes we fail him too – have all been awful. Even you Arthur are sticking to the unfortunate mold."
"What? That is preposterous."
"You've abducted a man. Taken him away from his home, from his sanctuary against the world, and tried to make off with him. You can see the bloodied rope burns on his body just as well as I can. He didn't want it. He didn't want to leave and you forced him. You cared not for his pleas or cries you just made a judgment call based on your values and took him away. Didn't care for what he felt or what he wanted you just did it."
"I suppose that is true."
"Don't suppose. It is."
"So you believe my actions to be unjust."
"Yes."
"As do I." Ivan had joined their little party. Arthur could find no evidence of the coupling he had just had with Alfred. Clothes were pristine; Alfred's pants were back on. Ivan's lips may have been a bit more rosy then normal and Alfred was sporting a few love marks here and there (barely discernable really from all the other marks on his body from one thing or another).
"I believe the saying goes, 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions,'" Ivan said.
He sat down with the others forming them into a three-man circle. Alfred had calmed significantly and was luxuriating in snuggling against Ivan. Arthur didn't think it was possible for a person to purr but Alfred had found a way. As Ivan shifted to get comfortable Alfred cracked open his eyes a fraction and growled at Arthur. Even through sated haze it was not a good look to be on the end of.
"So I am going to hell then," said Arthur. Lesser men had died for lesser things he supposed. Matthew he was pretty sure would not be the finisher of this problem but Arthur would not put it past Ivan not to kill him. Failing that, as soon as Alfred decided to bother with it, Arthur knew he was a dead man.
Ivan jostled Alfred in his arms, sending his own rumbling growl at Alfred and the other's growling stopped. He ran a hand up Alfred's back and tangled it in his hair as Ivan kissed Alfred's forehead. Alfred settled back into Ivan's chest and went back to ignoring everything with a contented sigh.
"I think, perhaps not," said Ivan. Matthew stared at Ivan as if he had grown another head. Arthur just sighed in relief but knew things weren't over yet.
"What do you want from me?" said Arthur.
"Very perceptive of you Lord Kirkland," Ivan said. Arthur hated the way his name was said. He hated the sneer on Ivan's face. He hated a lot of things about Ivan just then but valued his life and thus kept it to himself. "I know that you have been very influential in keeping the Safari Zone just as it should be. You've set up many of the special pass requirements to cut down on over hunting. You've manipulated shipping registers so that only certain people can get through and when. You even almost single handedly put and end to that dreadful idea of having a transcontinental railroad here in the Safari Zone."
These were all statements of fact.
Arthur was proud of the work that he had done protecting the area. Unlike the other protected regions of the world that had their own native people to fight for it – this massive wild land had nothing so Arthur, along with others in the Empire, had dedicated themselves to ensuring that it stayed just as it should be.
It was then at that moment that Arthur could see his life's work unravel before his eyes. This man, this Russian hunter … Ivan was just that – a hunter first and foremost. The things he could ask for. Arthur wasn't sure if he could let everything go to waste.
In fact, he would rather die.
"In exchange for not ending you right this moment myself or watching Alfred rip you to shreds as he very well should for what you put him through, I want you to increase the restrictions on the Safari Zone."
"What?" said Arthur. "I'm mean – yes good. Of course. That is my life's work after all. But – "
"But it is not what you expected me to ask for, yes?" said Ivan. Arthur only bowed his head at his misjudgment of character. "Arthur. I have been coming to the Safari Zone since I was a young boy on the cusp of manhood. I have seen what it used to be like. I remember what it used to be like. I'm sure there are others that can back me up on this. No – I know there are others that will find my words true. Matthew certainly … maybe even yourself. Alfred too if he ever decided to trust you enough to actually speak in front of you. It makes me sad that I can no longer walk a mile out of town and shoot something worth shooting. We need stronger restrictions if we are to protect this land from the ruin of the continent."
"Indeed we do," said Arthur. "While I have always believed there was a need to do more, in my search for Alfred I have been reminded of all the amazing things that were once here that are hard to find now. The area around Alfred's home for example – there was so much life there. It was incredible. It was as I remember the Safari Zone being."
"I'm glad you noticed that," said Ivan. "If there is one thing that I have taught Alfred over the years it is that you should only take what you need. I may come out of the Zone after each season with two packs laden with goods but it is only things that I know can be replenished easily enough. Or at least that is what I try to do. If I have ever taken the last of any one thing may the gods smite me down."
"I'm afraid the process wont be that simple though," said Arthur. "I've got my study that I did. The long-term survey of the impact of people on the areas just outside of town. But people are already calling for my head over the restrictions what with the poaching crack down last year and gutting the Safari Zone Authority for corruption. Not than there was much there but even one loose end could be the end of a species or something equally disastrous."
"What about the hotel?" said Matthew. Both Arthur and Ivan cocked eyebrows at the hitherto silent party. "The concept of 'going on safari' seems to be spreading well. Sure there are still tons of hunters coming to the area but many of the ships that came during the height of season last year were the luxury ones with only one or two affluent hunters aboard. Everyone else just wanted to see what the big deal was about. Some of my friends are some of the guides and guards for those trips. I've harped on them enough that they routinely just go to the same spots and hope to see something. Heck, one of the minor papers I wrote last year was about identifying Safari Zone specific plants and animals so that the tourist would not be disappointed when they didn't see a bear or something."
"I already said no on that railroad business despite the good the tourism here had done I don't see how it can help at all," said Arthur.
"What about the airships?" said Ivan.
"What?"
"Surely your falling out with the Italians and their precious railroad has not left you blind to some of their other inventions?"
"You mean those woebegone balloons that blow wherever the heck regardless of international sanction – that'd be a pain to keep track of," said Arthur.
"No – the zeppelins. On the train over from the last port of call I got an earful about them from a wealthy German about functionally and form meeting ingenuity. 'A remarkable feat for Italians' he said."
"That'd be neat," cut in Matthew. "They're silent for the most part. You can assemble them here so transportation costs are minimum. They're up too high so you wont have to worry about anyone trying to shoot anything they see and if you ensure that they don't touch down anywhere but the home base people can enjoy the wild side of things up close."
"But what about the hunters?" said Arthur.
"New more restrictive zones," Ivan said.
"You want a wild life preserve within a wild life preserve?"
"Whatever it takes. Maybe something about needing the tourists to see something exciting in addition to having a blanket pass restriction. Count the number of heads – tourist and hunter alike. That might balance everything out."
"But might that make it difficult for you two?" said Arthur.
"I am an official hunter-researcher for my country," said Ivan. "I am issued the first pass ever year until I can no longer perform the functions of my duty."
"And even if the Government revokes my long-term study pass," said Matthew. "I know that the Netherlands will back me up with another one so that I can give the art world their fix."
"You're that Williams painter!" Arthur said.
"Guilty."
"Well this is certainly a direction we've never thought about going before," said Arthur. "I shall try to make it all work."
"There will be no trying Arthur," said Ivan. "You will do it or I will find you and kill you myself. There is no safe place on this Earth that can hide you that I cannot track you down. I expect results. For your sake, for Alfred's sake, for the Safari Zone's sake. I am aware that these things take a bit of time but if I ever doubt for a second that you are slipping in your duties as a protector of these lands I will rectify the problem by any means necessary."
"Noted."
Thanks to Ivan's harsh and menacing tone Alfred had woken up. He rubbed at his eyes and stretched his head up to kiss Ivan full on the lips.
The mood lightened considerably after that. Alfred twisted around in Ivan's lap and made a concerned thrum at Matthew's presence.
"Good to see you well Alfred," said Matthew. "We should get those rope burns looked after." Alfred rubbed his eyes again and blinked at Matthew. He then looked up at Ivan with a small whine and back over to Matthew.
"It's ok Alfred," said Ivan. "Matthew and I have had a long talk about what he had felt entitled to do to you. I am not upset at you. And I will not hurt him if the current situation stands."
Alfred relaxed at Ivan's soft words but went rigid again when he saw Arthur. He started growling again and made to move to a more defensible position. Ivan was having none of that though. He had given his word to Arthur that neither he nor Alfred would kill the man.
"Stop that Alfred," said Ivan. He drew Alfred back up into his lap and used one hand to hold Alfred's hips down and the other to brace Alfred's back to Ivan's chest. "I said we would not kill him so we will not kill him."
Alfred deflated a bit at Ivan's words but still would not stop wearily watching Arthur as if he expected the other man to try and take him away again.
"Before I go you must answer me one thing," said Arthur. "Ivan, how did you and Alfred meet?"
"I taught him how to survive when we were both young. If I knew it wouldn't kill him, I would have taken him home with me years ago but I suspect he wound up on a prisoner dump in getting here. It's the only thing that could explain what such a young child was doing here out in the first place. As for why he was on the ship – originally he had no marks on him at all and his survival skills were so poor there is no way that he was on that ship by something of his own doing. He didn't even show interest in 'collecting' things until a year or so later after he had a bad run in with some unsavory ilk. I have done the best I can by him. That I cannot do more saddens me."
"Very well," said Arthur. "I will speak to these events to no one save that there are things in the woods that ought to be protected for posterity's sake and outline some of the plans we have dreamed up in this meeting. I swear it to you now that I will never rest until the Safari Zone is as safe as it can get for such a wild place. Alfred, I am sorry that we had to meet under these conditions and I do hope in time you will forgive me or forget these events. I don't anticipate you should ever see me again."
Without any more goodbyes Arthur stood and departed the clearing.
No one moved until they could no longer hear the sounds Arthur made from his departure.
Soon after Ivan stood suddenly. Alfred tried to cling to Ivan as he stood up but when it was clear the other was not going to hold him any more he let gravity pull him down to the ground where he crouched at the ready.
The sight took Matthew's breath away. Before him was the living portrait of a man who had tamed the wilderness and had come to love it in all its wilds in return. They were the panicle of power and finesse, world-weary but ready to take on anything.
Ivan gave one final nod to Matthew and the duo departed. To where Matthew could only guess at – they had the world of the Safari Zone in the palm of their hands if they could manage to not get swept up by it.
For good or for ill Matthew hoped it would stay that way for many years to come.
X
Author's Notes: We did it! There's still an omake after this but for all intents and purposes this story is finished. There will always be more tales for this AU – whither by the original awesome mods found at wildchildthings on tumblr or some other person with a wild hair and rampant ideas – I tried to leave plenty of room for more details. Hopefully it will continue to hold up as time progresses in the canon AU.
It was quite fun finally getting to write an outside view of Ivan and Alfred's relationship. If any of the proposals Ivan, Matthew, and Arthur came up with in this chapter sit funny with you, please understand in my area of the world some of the most outspoken environmentalists I've ever met have been fishermen and hunters who have seen the damage an unbalanced ecosystem can do. Oh the ire I have to listen to about people abusing the system, taking too much or not the right things or doing other stuff that have long reaching problems. Also, remember in this universe greed wiped out every tree in the British Isles which is why Arthur has the job that he has and why the Safari Zone was set up in the first place. Again I can't thank you all enough for reading. Please be sure to thank the original creators, particularly Shieunni, and Zeemo, for the wonderful Wild Child!AU that spawned this AU-ception fic.
A feel-good epilogue to come because the ending didn't feel like a good ending to me.