Alfred froze when he reached the stairs. He hadn't heard Mikhael come into the house or smelled him. The latter made sense, though; Mei made him the same scent-masking oil she made for Alfred.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, trying to saunter down the stairs as though he hadn't been caught off-guard.

The Sápmi-born man smirked, however, as he drank one of Gilbert's leftover beers and lounged in the easy chair, which had been moved back to the small parlor adjacent to the den. Bay windows facing the front garden, where Ludwig and Mikhael had grown tea roses, catnip, daffodils, and mint. Nothing was growing right now; the snow Twinkle City had offered, to prove it could, had melted only days ago.

Mikhael's eyes were drawn to the windows, however, as though he could see the blooms. He probably could. He never went into detail about his abilities, lying that it was because he didn't want to make Ludwig jealous. Dhampirs with psychic abilities were nearly as rare as humans with them, and if Mikhael's visions didn't also come with the ability to share them with others through touch, Alfred wouldn't believe him.

"Good evening to you, too." Mikhael brushed his long, ash blond bangs back from his face and took another swig of beer. "You're dressed nice, by the way. Has Tadas decided to give you another chance?" He turned his periwinkle eyes back towards Alfred, lips curved into his usually sweet smile.

Saying nothing, Alfred went to the bay window and sank into the cushion. The pillows still smelled of Gilbert's soap and the tea he'd spilled over his time in this house, reading here on his days off. Alfred was sure if he opened the cabinet underneath, he'd find the YA paranormal romance Gilbert refused to admit he enjoyed.

Thinking of him threatening to stake Alfred after he told Romano that Gilbert had cried over Edward leaving Bella in New Moon kept Alfred from thinking of Tadas, who still hadn't called or texted him. It had only been a day since the rejection, and Alfred knew he needed to give him time and space, but he was growing impatient.

Symphony painted Mikhael's expression, and he set his beer down onto the wood floor. "I'll take that as a no." He scooted a bit and patted the small space beside him, smiling when Alfred rolled his eyes. "I can tell when you're touch-starved, Al."

Biting his bottom lip, Alfred rolled his eyes again but got up. He flopped down and crossed his arms over his chest as though he were only doing this for Mikhael's benefit. The smaller man wrapped his arms around Alfred and pulled him down so that he was more in his lap. Mikhael shifted enough to place his chin on Alfred's shoulder, glancing up at him even as Alfred made a point of looking away, arms still crossed.

He knew he looked like a pouting child, but Mikhael just seemed to know what to say and which buttons to push in order to receive that reaction.

"Give him time." Mikhael chuckled at Alfred's scoff. "Yes, I suppose Gilbert and Feliciano already gave that very same advice, but you need to hear it again. And probably a third and fourth and fifth time. Maybe a sixth and seventh to get through your thick skull."

Alfred tried to scoff again, but it turned into a laugh that he tried to cover up with a cough. He glanced out the window, a corner of his mouth twitching. It was barely past five; Ludwig wouldn't be at the club for another three hours at least, but he couldn't drop the itch to head over now.

Squeezing the vampire harder, Mikhael said, "Ludwig can take care of himself, and he's at the hospital right now doing rounds."

When Alfred didn't answer, he continued:

"He isn't that teenager anymore. He's grown, mature. More than some much older than him." He laughed at Alfred's half-hearted growl. "And yes, this is a lilum. I don't deny the danger, but he put up a fight against a nickar before you, Gilbert, and I arrived. He isn't helpless. If he were, he would have died back then."

"Unless you saw a reason why I shouldn't rip that smug—"

"For someone so sensitive to his loved ones seeing him as scary, you really don't want to do much to correct such a belief."

Alfred flinched but remained quiet.

"The lilum will not strike once he learns there are angels keeping watch over the area."

"And how would he know—?" Alfred stopped and stared out the window. "What makes you think he would believe me? Anyone could lie that angels were nearby, and Ivan isn't exactly going to lend me help in scaring a lilum who hasn't killed a human in ten years."

Mikhael hummed a song Alfred didn't know. "You know how long he hasn't killed?"

Alfred blinked. "You think it'll be enough to make him back off?"

"For now, and he only needs enough time to cool off."

"Beings that old don't 'cool off' easily."

"No, but they're more willing to step back and reassess. That's all you need." Mikhael let go of Alfred and waited for him to meet his soft gaze. "Would you like to join me and Eduard after you speak with this lilum?"

He chuckled at Alfred's expression.

Brushing his bangs back again, Mikhael said, "You won't be a third wheel. A few of his friends and his other roommate are joining us. A few of them you know. Kateryna, I think, and her girlfriend." He lifted Alfred, making him squeak in surprise, and after getting up, he set Alfred back down onto the chair. "We'll be at Little Blue Flower on Davis."

He bent to grab his beer. "I hope we'll see you there. I don't get out enough nowadays. It'd be nice to spend more time with you again."

He left, and Alfred frowned, chin resting on his fist. Of course, Mikhael would go there.

And of course, Alfred was falling for it.

"Fine," Alfred finally relented after the door shut, but he knew Mikhael had heard him.

He remained in the chair, staring at his translucent reflection in the window. He thought over what Mikhael had said and decided that he was right and couldn't risk a fight with a lilum. Not right away. It would bring about too much attention, and if Alfred was forced to leave, Ludwig would feel the need to follow, especially if he learned Francis had planned to attack him. Even if it was Alfred who had insisted on the fight, Ludwig would still feel some responsibility. It was who he was. And if he followed, Gilbert would feel the need to follow as well.

When he'd fallen in love for the first time in years. Gilbert had even brought up the possibility of telling Romano the truth, something he'd never even considered with his past partners.

Alfred shifted to bring his phone out of his back pocket and texted Ludwig: Hey, the lilum came by earlier. He works at the club you go to with your friends and might target you. Name's Francis. Long blond hair, blue eyes, smug as hell. Told me he hopes nothing ends up in one of your drinks, so have Mei check em. Mik suggested it might be bluster. About to head over and persuade him to back off.

Ludwig's reply came only seconds after Alfred hit send: Do NOT lose control.

Huffing, Alfred sent back, I'm going to TALK to him. GOD.

Ludwig's response took several minutes, telling Alfred he'd gotten busy. If the club isn't covered with police tape when I get there and I don't see any angels popping in within the next month, I'll believe you.

Oh ye of little faith , Alfred sent back, frowning before he stuck the phone into his back pocket.

When did Ludwig start thinking Alfred solved everything with violence? Sure, he'd been losing his temper more lately, and he'd let the Darkness creep up on him when first telling Ludwig about the lilum this morning, but was it so hard to believe that he could be civil?

Whatever.

The club, also a pub of sorts on one side, was open, and music played. It was easy listening from someone's phone or iPod in the dancing area, which was through a beaded curtain hanging to the left. A few regulars were in groups, a large one sitting at a table with poutine, hot wings, and drinks and snack food as they played what sounded like King Mao.

"Have a nice day ya filthy animal!" one of the players exclaimed while slamming down a card, as Alfred zeroed in on Francis.

He was pouring ice water into a martini glass to keep it cold and hadn't acknowledged the vampire's presence. He nodded when Hedvika said something to him, the shorter woman moving away with a tray of beers and smiling at the sight of Alfred.

"Here early!" she called, and he stopped, hands in the pockets of his leather jacket.

Hedvika wore a coat that wouldn't look out of place in the "Welcome to the Black Parade" music video, matched with an asymmetrical black skirt and fishnets that tucked into ankle boots with two-inch heels. Even with them on, though, she still barely reached Alfred's shoulder.

"Just wanted to chat with a new friend before heading to Little Blue Flower to meet some friends," Alfred said, nodding towards Francis.

Glancing back at the bartender, Hedvika hummed. "Just be careful, 'kay?"

She was serious if she wasn't teasingly scolding Alfred for going to a competitor.

Tilting his head, Alfred asked, "What d'you mean?"

"Dunno…" Hedvika frowned, then sighed. "Mei said he gave her a bad feeling, and just… I know you don't believe in 'woo-woo shit,' but Mei's usually right about those things."

Inhaling deeply, Alfred made a show of looking away and shrugging. "Please. Like he could take me."

He grinned when Hedvika huffed.

"Watch that ego, Cancer-sun, Aries-moon." Her cheeks puffed at Alfred's groan. "Seriously, you're not invincible, and Francis could charm a rock, so even that thing you call a brain"—she pointed at his fly—"isn't safe."

"Hey—!"

Some of the patrons at the card table called Hedvika over, and she sashayed away from Alfred, calling over that she was coming and for the customers to keep their wigs on.

Francis set the finished drink onto the bar when Alfred approached and folded his arms over the surface. The drink was neon green and was garnished with two slices of jalapeno.

"As you drank warm blood recently," said Francis, "I hope you're still able to partake. It's my first time making a 'green intensity.' Cocktails like this seem to be popular here."

"Bright colors catch attention and make for a good prop to hold up for Insta." Alfred picked up one of the jalapeno slices and dropped it on his tongue. He chewed slowly, judging how his body reacted to the juice before consuming the other. "Should I worry about any extra ingredients?"

Swallowing gold shavings or dead man's blood wouldn't kill him, but it'd hurt like a bitch.

"It'd be a waste of my supply." Francis shrugged and sipped what smelled like Benedictine.

"Heracles is fine with that?"

"He's not here for the night." Francis shrugged. "Left Hedvika in charge until Sadako arrives for their shift, and Hedvika doesn't mind, so long as I only have one drink and if it's before the rush."

"Hmm." Alfred took a sip of the green cocktail. It tasted like ash mixed with vodka and lime, with a hint of basil. He had a day at best before his stomach would expel anything other than blood. "Now, do you mind a question about your history?"

"I have a feeling you will ask whatever my response, but I must admit I'm flattered at your curiosity."

Alfred took another long sip, waiting for Hedvika to leave again and check on something backstage.

"My intel wasn't the clearest." Alfred smiled as Francis raised his eyebrows while sipping his drink. "Were you living in Southern Gaul when the Visigoths were expelled, or do you think I was just told that to give me an idea of how old you are?" His smile had grown when Francis choked but coughed and managed to compose himself. "He could've just told me you were old as dirt."

Ignoring the last sentence, Francis set down his glass and didn't meet Alfred's eyes right away. "I was living near the Pyrenees during that time. Fought in a resistance against the Muslim invaders."

He paused, eyes shining as his mind worked. Few beings would have been able to know that about him, but doubt clouded his expression.

Alfred finished the rest of his drink in a gulp and wiped his mouth on the back of his hand. "Damn. And I thought my life leading up to my 'rebirth' was exciting." He grinned to show his extended fangs. "So, was meeting Alistair the catalyst for you to give up killing humans for… what was it? Ten years?" He swallowed back a laugh at the shocked look on Francis's face that he barely managed to cover up with feigned indifference. "Gotta admire that self-discipline. Haven't quite gotten that chip just yet myself, but I promised my… 'friend'… that'd I'd try my damnedest, excuse the expression."

The glass cracked in Francis's grip, and he let go abruptly to avoid shattering it as he levelled Alfred with an even gaze. "Alistair told me to find him again when I hadn't killed a single person in ten years, yes." His voice was low to avoid having it shake, and his pupils became cat-like. "So, you see… he means a lot to me."

"And Ludwig means a lot to me," Alfred said in an equally low voice as he leaned forward. "Enough to lend myself to some very expensive debts, if I must. But I'm willing to give you and any humans special to you a wide berth if you offer me the same grace."

Francis didn't answer right away, eyes searching Alfred's face. Unlike other damned, vampires could tell direct lies. Being without souls (or possessing a dormant soul, in Alfred's case) offered more freedom in this regard, but his centuries of life must have allowed Francis skills in determining when he was confronted with a liar.

"We are agreed," Francis said finally. "So long as you keep your fangs out of Alistair, and I will bring no harm to Ludwig."

"Deal." Alfred stuck out a hand, which Francis took reluctantly, eyes darkening. "Glad we could have this talk." He stepped away and waved, raising his voice and retracting his fangs. "Nice talking to you again! I'll let'cha get back to work. Say 'hi' to Sadako for me!"

Francis said nothing as Alfred left Atlas.

A/N: Whoops, guess that's it, eh? Francis definitely will heed Alfred's warning and not come back into the story.