Lars- Netherlands (Holland)

Warning: Mentions of and implied rape. Lots of psychological thinking and trauma from it.

Chapter 9

Arthur suddenly looked up from where he was angrily stabbing his pancake, annoyance at the Frenchman completely forgotten for the moment.

Someone was using magic.

And that magic felt familiar.

He looked around for the source, readying himself to yell at some unfortunate warlock, when his eyes eventually zeroing in on a slight blond man in a laughing fit near the entrance to the hall. He knew him, Matthew, right? He was one of his nobles, but… this wasn't his magic.

When Matthew fainted he knew something was wrong he rushed over to where some Russian werewolf was laying him down on the ground. He bit his lower lip as the large man checked his breathing and when he saw the man's tensed back he knew something was wrong.

Matthew was a strong warlock, a noble, and should have been able to resist a sleeping spell easily. So why wasn't he waking up?

When Matthew started disappearing all Arthur knew was that Matthew needed to wake up now.

Using all his force, Arthur shoved the large vampire aside and slapped Matthew across the face.

"Wake up!" Matthew didn't move and Arthur was beginning to lose sight of him. He barely registered the murderous werewolf by his side.

He slapped Matthew again.

"You bloody git, wake up!" Matthew's eyelids began to flutter and Arthur sighed with relief. The man was beginning to materialize again. The violent aura besides him started to fade

When violet eyes fully opened, however, Matthew freaked out. He lashed out, arms swinging everywhere and eyes panicked. Arthur tried to calm him, holding his shoulders down and consoling him. He got punched in the face before Matthew finally calmed down.

"You idiot, wh-" He saw the look on the younger's face and stopped. He looked terrified.

"That magic…" Matthew muttered. Arthur's eyes widened, did Matthew recognize the magic's signature?

Violet met green as Matthew gave him a helpless look.

"Arthur, w-we need to talk. Alone." Arthur nodded gravely and made to move with Matthew. Ivan stopped him.

"Is Matvey going to be okay?" The poor man looked so concern. In fact so did the three other people behind him. When did Matthew get so many friends? It was good, the poor lad needed more good people in his life.

Arthur nodded confidently with a tight smile.

"Of course, we just need to figure out who did this. But Matthew seems to remember so it should all be over quick," Arthur replied, trying to sound confident. Something still didn't seem right.

With that Arthur herded the smaller man out and was about to reach the corridor when a Frenchman decided to make their business his business.

"Mon cher, is something wrong? Why are you leaving?" A delicate hand placed itself on Arthur's shoulder. It was quickly shrugged off as Arthur whipped around.

"Francis," He growled out. "Not the time."

Arthur gestured at the smaller man next to him who still looked slightly terrified.

"Now what could be wrong with this cutie," Francis cooed, brushing a hair out of Matthew's face. Arthur swatted him away for Matthew who was blushing a furious red.

"We need to have a serious talk here, frog. Matthew was attacked and we need to get to the bottom of it. Now I suggest you bugger off." Arthur glared at him before realizing his mistake when Francis's face turned serious.

"There was an attack?"

Arthur quickly backtracked.

"Erm, attack? No, never, nothing happened." Arthur smiled as Francis stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder. The vampire leaned forward to whisper in his ear.

"Now, now, Arthur," He froze at the mention of his name. "An attack here is everyone's business, and if you don't let me come and judge the situation for myself I will make sure everyone knows that it is their business."

Arthur stepped back, offended at the dark tone. He was about to give an angry retort when Matthew stopped him. The man looked up to him, biting his lip.

"It's okay, Arthur. He doesn't know the man so it won't make much of a difference for him." Arthur's thick eyebrows furrowed. So it wasn't a warlock already at the party?

He sighed, shaking his head and turned back around to walk deeper into the hallway. He made a small gesture at the blond behind him.

"Come along then, Francis. We should talk about this now rather than later."

When Matthew judged their distance to be far enough into the hallway he stopped, looking to both sides anxiously. Seeing no one, Matthew slumped against the wall, sliding down to a sitting position with his head in his hands. Two pairs of concerned eyes looked at him apprehensively.

Who was it that could have made Matthew this afraid?

Arthur knelt down besides him to place a hand on his shoulder, faintly registering Francis joining them on the ground.

"Alright, Matthew. No one is around you can tell us now." Matthew didn't move to speak but Arthur noticed as tremors began to shake his body.

Matthew murmured into his hands and Arthur began to stroke his back

"You're going to need to speak louder, lad."

Arthur could feel the deep breath under his hand before Matthew removed his hands. Tears were already streaking down his face.

"It was him, Arthur. It was Lars," Matthew whispered, but Arthur heard.

He froze and started to spiral.

No, not him. Anyone but him… What was he doing here.

"Desole, Arthur but you may need to explain." Francis snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Him, Francis. The one I told you about before." Arthur fixed him with a hard, emotionless stare, watching the horror dawn on the other's face.

"But, you said he was gone, didn't you? Why is he here? And why now?... Wait, does that mean both-" Arthur managed to quickly cut him off as Matthew pulled his legs closer to his body.

"Shush, you git!"

Matthew remember everything like it was yesterday. Afterall, Lars was his first love.

Flashback

Matthew looked around the corner hesitantly to stare at the center of the castle's current gossip; the man that had just arrived at court. Nobody knew where he came from. All they knew was that his name was Lars and he was likewise a warlock. Nonetheless, he had proven to be useful and trustworthy so far and Arthur had welcomed him with open arms. They all did.

The man was extremely tall and lean, but muscular. He had blonde hair that naturally stuck up straight in spikes and was wearing slightly worn down blue and white striped scarf. He probably wore it alot. His sharp green eyes turned to were Matthew was standing.

"Hey, the curious one over there, with the curl. What is your name?" Lars asked. Matthew looked away, embarrassed at being caught looking.

"M-Matthew," Matthew replied, still looking.

"Hello, Matthew," Lars said gently and smiled at him. He held out a hand.

"H-hello," Matthew replied with a small smile.

He tentatively reached out and shook the stronger hand.

Matthew and Lars lay in a sunny field surrounded by flowers, Matthew with his head resting on Lar's stomach as he gently pet the blond head.

Lars gently removed Matthew's head as he propped himself up on his forearms. Matthew looked at him confused. Lars leaned over and kissed the Canadian on the forehead.

"I love you, Matthew. I truly do," Lars whispered against the other's skin. Matthew leaned back from the kiss to make his lips meet Lars's.

"I love you too."

Matthew was standing there frightened. He didn't know what happened, in fact nothing did. Lars had just stormed into the room angrily, slamming the door roughly against the wall.

His eyes zeroed in on the smaller, hurt flashed across his features as Matthew flinched before his angry expression came back. He cocked his head to the side suddenly, smiling cruelly.

"Matthew, what's wrong? Do I scare you?" He sneered, starting to walk slowly towards the Canadian. "I thought you were supposed to be a great warlock. I've heard the battle stories, hm? You're not supposed to be afraid of anything, right?"

"I-I" Matthew stuttered, backing up into the wall behind him.

Who was this man?

"Oh wait, I know. You would never hurt me because you love me, don't you?" Matthew stared with side eyes as Lars took the other's chin in his hands, angling it up towards him. "Then again, if you love me then why haven't we gone any farther?" Matthew's reeling thoughts on how to calm Lars suddenly stopped.

"Don't tell me you're afraid, love."

What?

Lars forced a deep kiss on his before picking him up and tossing him on the bed. Matthew felt helpless. He couldn't hurt him could he? Weren't they a couple? Weren't they supposed to do things like this?

But he didn't want to.

All the same, all Matthew could do was start crying, begging Lars to stop. Lars only teased him more.

The next morning Matthew found himself naked on his bed. His bruised body curled itself into a ball, hoping to protect whatever dignity he had left. How could he have let himself be used like that? What was his problem? A lone tear ran down his cheek.

Lars was already up, shirtless and sitting on the edge of the bed. He turned around at Matthew's movement and Matthew could see regret on his face for a moment before it disappeared. Lars only glared down at him.

"Nobody hears of this, correct?" Lars asked his angrily.

Matthew nodded, not being able speak, he felt like he was about to throw up.

"Answer me!" Lars shouted and leaned over, pulled Matthew's fair to make him look him in the eyes.

"Y-yes," Matthew finally said and Lars let go.

"There's my love," Lars said and shook his head, smiling. He started to stroke Matthew's hair gently. Matthew closed his eyes, trying to forget everything, to imagine everything was normal again. That Lars was simply stroking his hair on the beach, that he wasn't about to puke in self disgust.

Why didn't he fight back?

No matter what, however, Matthew couldn't do it. He couldn't pretend Lars didn't just attack him. That he didn't just r-. He couldn't even think the word.

He had to find the strength to make the other leave, to finally be alone.

"Leave," Matthew's quiet voice suddenly sounded out. The hand on his head paused and Matthew hit it away.

"Huh?" Lars asked, surprised.

"I said leave!" Matthew shouted and eyes started to glow menacingly.

Lars quickly withdrew and backed away. The young man stood up, trying his best to look dangerous. He could do this, he had killed, he had slaughtered, he was dangerous. Now to make Lars understand that. Matthew teleported next to the man and used his power to pin him against the door.

"Leave, Lars," Matthew said, voice low and dangerous. He could do this.

And when he finally let him go, the man scrambled to his feet and forced himself out the door.

Not killing him then and there was one of Matthew's greatest regrets.

Alright so, lots of things happening, the plot is finally moving past fluff and good feating times.

Review pleaaassseee, I will love you forever.