Chapter 20

After travelling for three more hours, a clearing that had been deemed safe for the night had been found. They had been lucky enough to not come across anymore Clubs soldiers; but they were lucky to have gained seven more magic users and they had found the Spade soldiers that had been sent out prior to their departure.

In the clearing tents had been set up as well as multiple fires.

Arthur and his brothers had set up detection spells around the clearing. No one, especially Alfred wanted to risk another attack during the night. Soldiers and magic users were sitting around the small fires eating a deer that had been hunted earlier as the tents were being set up.

Alfred and Arthur had retreated to their tent after eating their share of the deer. They were now standing over a small table, courtesy of the magical bag belonging to Vlad, looking at a map.

Arthur pointed to a section of the map. "It was here that we encountered those Club soldiers."

"Yep. And it was here that we met up with our soldiers. They were a little beaten up, but thanks to Tino and the others it looks like they'll be fine by the morning." Alfred pointed to another part of the map showing an area not too far away from their encounter with the Club soldiers.

Arthur pointed to a part of the map that showed the border with Spades and Clubs.

"These are the towns and villages that have been taken over by Clubs right?"

"Yes. And there's no doubt that there will be more soldiers there as a way hold their footing on Spades."

"Do you have any plans Alfred?"

"We could possibly cut off Ivan's path into Spades. But of course we don't know what route he will take."

"But what if we used Dylan and Owain. Dylan can have Owain fly over and Dylan uses that spell that allows him to see what Owain sees then we'll know the route they're taking, and meet them along that route in some sort of ambush."

Alfred walked over to where Arthur was standing and wrapped his arms around Arthur and pulled him into a passionate kiss.

After the initial shock Arthur wrapped his arms round Alfred's neck deepening their kiss.

When they finally broke their kiss Alfred smiled at Arthur.

"That is a brilliant idea Arthur. We'll ask him tomorrow if that's possible for him to do."

"Glad that you liked my idea love."

"It is a brilliant idea Arthur. And if we use it as a way to halt Ivan's advancements further into Spades; and wait for Ludwig and Francis to get here with their soldiers . . ."

"Then we'll be able to overpower Ivan in sheer numbers alone."

Alfred once again pressed his lips against Arthur's, pushing him up against the table.

They didn't break apart from their kiss for a good few minutes.

"Have I ever told you that I love you Arthur?"

"Practically every day since we met my dear Alfred."

"Well I'm going to say it again. I love you." Alfred wrapped his arms around Arthur tighter. He then began to pepper Arthur with kisses. "I love you. I love you. I love you. I love yooou."

Arthur couldn't help but giggle as he let Alfred pepper him with his kisses. Arthur hadn't noticed that Alfred had lifted him up, until they were heading for their makeshift bed.

"Alfre-waah."

And with that they found themselves on their bed, with Alfred looming over Arthur.

"Were you about to say something Artie?"

"Yes Al-mmph."

Alfred covered Arthur's mouth with his, slipping in his tongue in at the same time.

Arthur tried to hold back a small moan but it was futile Alfred's dominance of his mouth.

Alfred felt Arthur's hands being placed onto his chest, but was surprised when he felt Arthur push him away. Alfred let out a small whimper as their kiss broke.

"Artie?" Alfred was slightly worried by Arthur's action. Arthur had never pushed him away.

"Al we can't tonight."

"But why?" Alfred pouted as he whined.

"We're in a tent surrounded by soldiers. And what if during the night we are ambushed by more Club soldiers, I'm not sure if I'll be able to run let alone fight."

Alfred mentally slapped himself at what Arthur had said. He had for a brief moment forgotten where they were.

"Oh Artie I'm sorry I forgot." Alfred sat back as he apologised to Arthur.

"That's ok love." Arthur propped himself up on his elbows.

"Um Artie?"

"What is it love?"

Alfred pointed to between him and Arthur.

"We seem to have a bit of a problem."

"Sh-shit I was hoping that you wouldn't notice that." Arthur tried to cover his reddening face.

A pregnant pause fell between the two.

"So ummm."

"Yes Al?"

Alfred lifted Arthur onto his lap.

Arthur let out a quite yelp at Alfred's actions.

"So we can't do what we would normally do; but we won't be able to get much sleep otherwise."

"So what are you suggesting Al-ahhh."

Arthur felt the cool night air brush against his hardened member. Alfred had undone the front of his trousers, releasing his own hardened member to the night air.

"I'm suggesting this Artie."

Alfred grasped both his and Arthur's members in his hand and began to pump the two of them.

Arthur wrapped his arms around Alfred and buried his face into the crook of Alfred's neck to muffle his moans.

Alfred placed his free hand on the small of Arthur's back. "So what do you think of my suggestion Artie?"

Arthur pried his face away Alfred's neck and whispered into his ear. "I love it. Ahhh~. Make me see stars like ahh like you always do."

Alfred kissed the side of Arthur's head. "Gladly Artie."

Alfred began to move his hand faster; occasionally brushing over the tip of Arthur's member, causing the smaller blond to moan into Alfred's neck.

Alfred quickened his pace at hearing the moans coming from Arthur next to his ear.

"Al I-I gonna-"

Alfred lifted Arthur's head away from his neck, locking their lips in a passionate kiss as they reached their end.

They flopped down onto their bed as they came down from their high and wrapped their arms around each other after doing up the front of their trousers. Alfred brushed away a stray strand of Arthur's hair from his face.

"Did you see stars Artie?"

Arthur buried his face against Alfred's chest. "So long as I'm with you I always see stars Al."

Alfred carded his fingers through Arthur's hair as he hugged him tightly.

As they laid with arms wrapped around each other they let sleep take its nightly hold of them, both hoping that the night would be a peaceful one.

Earlier in the day at the other end of Spades, just near the border two armies had met up; one in yellow uniforms and the other in red uniforms.

Ludwig and Francis were both leading their soldiers to the other border in Spades, the one that bordered with Clubs. Normally it would be the Queen that would be heading out with the soldiers but there was no way that Vash would let his sister out on the battle field; and Kiku was more than fine to let Ludwig go in his place as the King of Hearts was a former General and still commanded high respect from the Hearts soldiers.

"So mon ami, how well do you think they are holding up?"

"Alfred is smart and strong; so I'm sure that could hold his own or even push Ivan back across the border without us there."

"Oui I guess that's true. Now which way do we go from here?"

"Oh don't go saying that Francis, out of the two of us you know the landscape of Spades the best."

Francis acted as he had been hurt by Ludwig's statement. "Que? Moi? How would that be possible?"

"Weren't you sleeping with that Countess a few years back, that lives on the other side of Spades to the border with Diamonds?"

"Oh oui now I remember that." Francis nervously scratched the back of his head as his past escapade was brought back up.

After that Ludwig and Francis continued their journey in silence only talking when to confirm either battle plans or directions.

Ivan and his soldiers were making their way through the rocky terrain of Clubs that lead to the quickest way to the border with Spades. Despite that this was the quickest route Ivan wasn't happy with how long it was taking. Ivan looked up at the sky and saw that the sun was about to start setting.

"Captain Toris!"

"Y-Y-Y Your Majesty?"

"Is there by any chance a quicker way to the border?"

"Um . . ." Toris pulled out a map from his uniform and looked at their route, hoping to not disappoint the King.

"Well Toris?"

"Ummmmm . . . I-I'm sorry your Majesty but there doesn't seem to be a quicker route than the one that we are on."

"I was hoping that we would be past the worst part of this terrain, chert poberi."

"Are you sure Toris?"

"Yes Sire. There isn't any other way to get across this terrain in a way that is quicker than the route we are taking."

"Ivan."

Ivan turned towards Elizabeta. "What is it Elizabeta?"

"What about the magic users? Surely one of them might be able to help us cross this terrain faster?"

Ivan contemplated what Elizabeta had suggested and after thinking about it, found that was a good idea; the soldiers wouldn't be too tired when they finally crossed the border with Spades and to Ivan more importantly one step closer to having what he wanted.

Bringing the battalion to a stop Ivan turned to the group of magic users and picked out which one was to use their magic.

"Number four-fifteen, come up here now!"

A small magic user walked out from the group towards Ivan, Elizabeta and Captain Toris. Ivan looked down at the magic user from his horse, proud that this one had been a success with his little experiment in controlling the magic users that were being stubborn.

"Are you able to get all of us past this terrain?"

The magic user nodded their head in response and looked to Toris who was still holding the map.

"Can you show me on the map where it is that we should go. I need to know where it is in order to get us there."

Toris looked to Ivan, who nodded in approval to the magic user's request. Toris then pointed to part of the map that was further along their route that wasn't part of the rocky terrain that they were already crossing.

The magic user casted their spell and in a matter of seconds their surroundings had changed to the edge of a forest.

"Well done four-fifteen. Go back to the others now."

The magic user walked back to the group in a slower pace than from earlier.

"Thank you for the suggestion Elizabeta."

Elizabeta bowed her head in response. "I was only suggesting what was necessary to bring us and our soldiers closer to the border."

The morning sunlight had crept its way into Alfred and Arthur's tent. The sunlight had crossed Alfred's eyes, causing him to bury his face into Arthur's neck to block out as much of the intruding light as possible. Arthur could feel Alfred's light breath against his skin as he brought himself closer to Arthur. Arthur could hear the sound of footsteps outside their tent. He could tell that the footsteps were normal and not rushed.

"No morning attack they're all just waking up."

Alfred tightened his hold of Arthur as the sound of footsteps increased and the sun refused to go away. Arthur opened his eyes and could faintly see that Alfred was pouting in his sleep.

Arthur placed one of his hands onto Alfred's hair and started to card his fingers through the sandy locks. He was reluctant at the thought of waking up Alfred, but if the soldiers were awake and moving then it was probably best that they were to.

"Alfred love."

Alfred buried his face further into Arthur's neck, tickling Arthur slightly.

"Alfred love come on I think that it's best that we get up now."

"Mmmmm don't wanna."

"Come on love."

"Just five more minutes Artie please."

Arthur had to admit defeat. "Ok love five minutes, but no longer than that."

"Thanks Artie you're the best."

The five minutes had passed and Alfred still hadn't gotten up and refused to let go of Arthur.

"Alfred come on it's been more than five minutes you need to get up."

"But I don't wanna get up."

"Alfred."

"Nope."

Arthur took his hand off Alfred's hair and brought it down to his still sleeping face and lifted Alfred's face away from his neck and pinched his cheek.

"Ow ow ow ow ow. Ok I'm awake, I'm awake."

"Good now that you're awake." Arthur planted his lips against Alfred's. "Good morning my King."

Alfred was stunned for a brief second before quickly shaking his head. "Good morning my Queen."

Alfred was the first to get up from their bed and held out his hand to Arthur.

"Why thank you my King." Arthur placed his hand into Alfred's and let Alfred pull him up from the bed; wrapping his free arm around Arthur's waist after doing so and quickly placing a kiss on Arthur's lips.

"We should head out now. We need to talk to your brother Dylan about the idea you came up with last night."

"Yes we should. And probably get some sort of breakfast."

"Ohhhh breakfast would be so nice."

Arthur laughed as he made his way to the exit of the tent, Arthur suddenly stopped when he felt Alfred's hand slap against his butt.

Arthur looked to Alfred confused by his actions. "Wha-"

"That was for the pinch earlier."

Alfred left a still confused Arthur in the tent as he left. Once Arthur had gotten over what had happened he was hot on Alfred's heels and was out of the tent. Arthur found Alfred with Arthur's brothers with that lovable cheesy grin on his face when he saw Arthur.

"Glad you could finally grace us with your presence wee brother.

"Oh shut up Allistor."

"Now you two it's too early in the morning for you to start at each other's throats."

Arthur and Allistor huffed in unison after being told off by Seamus.

"Hey are Arthur and Allistor always like that?"

"Actually most of the time they are much, much worse."

Alfred looked to Dylan, who had responded to his question, as if asking for more details.

"During our magic fights they are usually throwing spells at no one else than each other. Not that either of them or any of us in fact would throw any really strong spells at Elizabeth."

"You all really care about Elizabeth don't you?"

"Well of course we do." Fergus cut in on Alfred and Dylan's conversation. "One she's the baby of our family and two she's our only sister."

Seamus, Allistor and Arthur took notice of the conversation at the mere mentioning of Elizabeth.

"That's right Ferg and we will get her and the rest of our brethren taken by Clubs back."

"Ock that's right. Now did you two come up with some sort of plan last night?"

Alfred puffed out his chest. "Of course we did." Alfred placed his hand on Dylan's shoulder. "And Dylan we are going to need the help of you and your dragon."

"What do you need?"

Arthur stepped up to his brother. "We'll need Owain to fly over the border and for you to tell us what he is seeing. Our plan is to know what route they are taking, so that we can meet them along there and halt their advancements."

"So like some sort of ambush Art?"

"Yes."

Dylan was looking up at the sky before he looked to Alfred and his family. "Owian you ok with doing that?"

"Yes Dylan. Just like you and your brothers I to care about those that were taken. I will do what I can to help."

"Thank you Owain."

"We'll do it."

A/N: first of chert poberi is Russian for 'dammit' (according to google translate). And by four-fifteen I mean four hundred and fifteen (I grew up watching yu-gi-oh! so it's how I tend to deal with numbers).

also I've been thinking about probably uploading the first chapters of the other fics that I've been working on when my mind wanders away from this one. the only reason why I haven't already is cause I like to try and focus on one thing at a time. so if you want to read my other pieces of work i'll try and put up a vote so that you can decide.

don't forget to fav, follow or review you guys are amazing.

till next time gxgirl-93 out