Disclaimer: I still don't have anything maybe in about a minute……nope still don't.
Author's note: Thank you for your reviews, each one is like a cup of coffee in itself
-The Hidden Tales of the Brothers Grimm-
As dawn slowly approached, the townspeople gathered around the two brothers. Jake and Will allowed themselves to be tied up on the basis of "we need to prevent their escape". Jake rolled his eyes, while Will struck up a conversation with the local ladies. Jake waited, the tight rope digging into his wrists. Even though they were amidst a crowd of angry villagers, Will still had the audacity to try and charm them. That was a frustrating trait he would definitely prefer him without. But then again, even if he tried, he could never imagine Will without his charm. Oh well, he would just have to deal with it.
A large ripple of anticipation went through the crowd as the morning sun touched the roofs of the village, casting the effect that the houses were dipped in a transparent gold paint. "Look!" a villager pointed to the two brothers; the sun had finally come to the top of the pole. As the gold slowly crept down the pole, a stifling silence settled over the town. Will and Jake shaded their eyes as the sun hit them.
After a moments pause a murmur went through the crowd. "Are they vampires?" a villager asked, "They don't seem to be in pain," another murmured. Doubt spread like wildfire. " Wait! But I have seen a vampire out on a sunny day" A woman with an apron spoke. "What are you mad? A vampire walking in the sun?" A man with a beard was skeptical. "Yes I know, but I don't trust the sun alone." She wrung her hands on her apron. "Then what do you suggest?" Jake asked. She thought for a moment and then was hit by an idea "To the church!" she shouted. A murmur of approval passed through the crowd, "Of course! Vampires hate churches!" Emil along with the man with the beard went and untied Jake and Will.
The village crowd led by Emil, Jake, and Will approached the church. The priest rushed out onto the steps. "What is going on? Today isn't even Sunday". " Father, we are sorry to come here so early in the morning, but we need to determine if these two are vampires" Emil discussed with the priest. The priest contemplated his request for a minute. "I'll go get the holy water" The village cheered and followed Jake and Will to the entrance of the church.
Emil stood on the threshold of the church "okay second test, first you step into this church" Jake had a bored expression "how childish is this?" Will on the other hand was joyfully entertained "This is just like a game of Simon says!" he had a huge grin plastered on his face. Jake couldn't help but smile at his brother's remark. "Okay who's first?" Emil waved a hand to recommending them to come inside.
Jake boldly stepped forward. Again nothing happened. Will was next, so Jake stepped back and watched patiently, finally amused. As he was watching Will something caught his eye. With his meticulous eye for detail, he noticed one of the villagers in the very back of the crowd. He was in the shadow of the nearest building, but that wasn't why he caught Jake's attention. It was his face; his face was very pale and was shadowed by a dark cloak and Jake could have sworn that he saw an almost unnatural glint to his eyes. Furthermore he was trying his hardest to avoid the church. "Who--" Jake was cut off as a number of women cheered and rushed forward over to Will's side.
Seeing that his brother was being smothered by all of those girls, quickly snapped Jake out of his observation. Though Jake did not notice, Will was desperately trying to escape. Will reached out a hand in an attempt to get away. Jake, aware of the hand, instinctively grabbed it. Will gratefully went to the front of the church with Jake and Emil, with the pack of girls trailing behind. The rest of the village followed suit and sat down on the rows of benches.
For the first time in his life Will honestly felt a little awkward. The priest then approached the two brothers and motioned for them to stand up. " Are you vampires?"
"No Father, we are the brothers Grimm, 100 non- vampire". Will's face was serious; he was never the type to tease religion, or at least not ever since that one time in Italy. Jake stepped forward "What must we do to prove to you that we are not vampires?" The priest smiled and patted Jake on the shoulder " Its not a matter of what you must do, it's a matter of what you don't do."
With that he took out two buckets of holy water and stepped back. Taking the first bucket into his hand he drenched Will with the holy water. Jake tried to suppress his laughter at the sight of a rather surprised and sopping wet brother. All thoughts of humor left, due to his turn to be doused with water, now it was Will's turn to laugh. A moment passed " I herby proclaim that these two are not vampires" The priest said aloud.
The village girls cheered while Jake and Will returned to their seats. "Now what?" Jake asked as he sat down. "Now you both need to get changed before you catch cold" Emil shooed away a couple of girls and stood up leading them out of the church. The townspeople went back to their daily lives having nothing better to do.
Halfway to the Inn a chilly breeze swept across the road "Ahhh….CHOO!" Will sneezed harshly, a sure sign that he was sick. " Don't worry, I'm not that sick, just a little cold" Will assured them. Emil shook his head and opened the door to the inn. Will walked inside and went up to his room to change. Emil followed but stopped in the doorway. "Hey Jake, aren't you coming in" Jake stood looking up the road they had come from. He could have sworn that they were being followed…how odd.
Jake feeling another chilly breeze cross his path went inside. He went upstairs to change but found out that he had Will's suitcase. "Hey Will, Your bag was in my room" Jake said as he entered Will's room. Will, shirtless, turned around to take the bag Jake was handing him "Thanks" he said. Jake looked at Will's chest and saw the scar over his heart. Feeling a pang of guilt he quickly grabbed his bag and left the room.
Will had a puzzled look on his face with his shirt half on. Why had Jake's expression change? Then it hit him. Looking down he saw the familiar scar and realized that even though his wound may have healed, his brother's guilt had not. "Jake…"
Will ran after Jake only to meet a closed door. "Jake… it's not your fault. Please let me in." Jake opened the door and let Will inside. Quietly Jake sat down on the other side of his bed, his back to his brother. Will walked over to where Jake sat and hugged him. Jake was still wet, but Will didn't care, he could just dry his clothes later. Jake put his head on Will's chest grateful for the warmth. "I'm sorry," Jake said quietly. " It's okay its not your fault" Will put his head on Jake's and inhaled his familiar scent. "You better get some dry clothes on before you catch a cold, heh heh, like me." Will kissed Jake on the forehead and left the room.
Jake stared at the door Will had just gone through and smiled. Jake took off his jacket and hung it by the fire, then quickly changed his clothes and put on dry ones. "Thank you brother".
Author's note: Long update to make up for my vacation, next chapter is when the fun begins, hee hee.