I made some adjustments to Chapter 3 if you want to check them out, and just a warning for blood.
Hol Horse ended his song after he heard Kakyoin's slow breathing and then glanced down at his son. He looked so peaceful when he slept. It was different from his normal franticness. Kakyoin tended to run at a fast pace and barely ever slowed down. It was just the way he had always been, at least as long as Hol Horse had known him. Kakyoin would even stay awake into the wee hours of the night, he would mostly either be gaming, reading, or painting.
Hol Horse thought of one time when Kakyoin was twelve. Hol Horse walked into Kakyoin's room at ten o'clock and found him playing F-MEGA, a popular video game at the time. Hol Horse asked Kakyoin to stop playing and start getting ready for bed because he had school in the morning. Kakyoin didn't move and kept playing.
Hol Horse sighed and unplugged the television, much to the disappointment of his son. Kakyoin then complained about almost beating a hard level, and how he would have to start all over again. Hol Horse then helped Kakyoin get ready for bed and then left to go to sleep himself after turning out the lights in his son's bedroom.
At around three in the morning, he awoke to noises and flickering lights coming from Kakyoin's room down the hall. He went in to see Kakyoin furiously mashing the console buttons and he yelled in frustration when 'GAME OVER' flashed across the screen. Needless to say, Hol Horse started confiscating Kakyoin's video games before ten every night and stashed them in the closet in his room.
Hol Horse got up off the bed and carefully let Kakyoin's head fall into the pillow, so he didn't disturb him. He was a light sleeper, so it didn't take much to wake him up. Hol Horse then leaned down to brush the hair out of Kakyoin's face and planted a gentle kiss on his forehead. To Hol Horse, he almost looked like he did when he was nine. How had Kakyoin grown up so fast?
Hol Horse went over to Kakyoin's writing desk and grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil. He wrote down the phone number for his acquaintance's house. He then pulled back the covers and placed the note in Kakyoin's pocket. He didn't know why, but he felt compelled to put it in Kakyoin's jean pocket instead of on the fridge.
"Night, kid. I love you." Hol Horse placed the covers back over Kakyoin and left the room. Even if Kakyoin couldn't hear him, it still felt nice to say it before he left. Hol Horse went to his room and grabbed his small travel pack. He also made sure he had the proper equipment to help carry everything home on Emperor.
Hol Horse walked down the stairs and went to the other side of the room to fetch Kakyoin's backpack. There was a lot in it and it was kind of cluttered. Poor kid must've run home for the bag to be in this much disarray. Normally Kakyoin made sure everything was neat, or at least in some semblance of order.
He picked up the pack of bullets and placed them in his own bag. He thought about rearranging Kakyoin's backpack and removing the items he didn't need from it, but Hol Horse refrained. Kakyoin probably didn't want Hol Horse rummaging through his things.
His jacket! Hol Horse had forgotten all about the jacket laying in the bathroom. He should at least help get the blood out of it before he left. It was one of Kakyoin's favorite clothes, after today he would probably want that for comfort soon.
Hol Horse rushed back up the stairs and flipped on the light in the bathroom. He opened the closet and reached for the bottle of hydrogen peroxide to remove the blood. He took the brown bottle and placed the jacket in the sink. He unscrewed the cap off and poured a generous amount on the stained area. He watched it go from red to white and stopped.
He put the bottle back in the closet and let the jacket soak. Kakyoin would be able to take care of the rest in the morning when the clothing dried. Hol Horse just wanted to speed up the cleaning process.
He looked up at the clock in the hallway after descending the stairs again. It was about midnight now. He had to get going. Hol Horse swung the travel pack over this shoulder and let the strap go across his body. He then picked up the other bags and equipment off the floor. He put on his trusty cowboy hat and headed out the door.
He walked over to the horse stall and opened the door to help get Emperor ready. Emperor didn't seem thrilled to be awoken this late and groaned as he rose. His eyes looked at Hol Horse almost angrily.
"Oh c'mon Emperor. Ride won't be that long. You jus' have t'go through the woods and to another farm. You'll be fine." Hol Horse stroked Emperor's creme-colored mane as he chided the annoyed horse. The horse shook his head and sighed as he allowed himself to be led to the middle of the stable to be prepared for the journey.
After Hol Horse finished securing the bags and saddle to Emperor, he put his foot into the stirrup and mounted the horse. Before Hol Horse left the stable, he reached into one of the travel bags and grabbed an apple.
"Here y'go boy." Hol Horse offered the fruit to Emperor and got a happy nicker in response. When Emperor finally finished his treat, Hol Horse gently tugged on the reins and the duo started on their way.
"Let's go, Emperor." Hol Horse called out his command to get Emperor to trot and disappeared into the woods.
Dio stood in place and watched Kakyoin run back to his little farmhouse. Dio was seething with anger, mostly at Kakyoin's stubbornness, but a little at himself for losing his composure. Dio brought his eyes to his hand and saw the blood on his fingertips from where they had dug into Kakyoin's skin. Dio had a twisted smile on his face as he brought his claws toward the sky, watching the crimson liquid sparkle in the moonlight. The familiar scent of copper started to invade his senses. He brought his nails to his mouth and licked. Delicious. He couldn't wait to get a better taste. Unfortunately for Dio, he would have to satisfy his hunger somewhere else tonight.
Dio retreated back into the town and went to his manor for a drink. He was greeted by his butler, Terence T. D'Arby at the door.
"Welcome home, my Lord." D'Arby bowed in respect and took Dio's coat.
"I need a glass of wine brought to my chambers," Dio ordered. He started to undo his red tie as he walked to his bedroom.
"Of course, my Lord." Dio didn't give D'Arby a second thought as he entered his room. After shutting the door, he took off the rest of his suit and changed into something more comfortable.
He looked at himself in the mirror. He was perfection itself. From his beautiful blonde hair to his pale alabaster skin. Even his comfortable clothes flattered him, his black tank top and yellow pants hugged his form showing off his gorgeous body. Yes, he was perfect, so then why did Kakyoin keep rejecting him? Anyone else would practically be begging for Dio.
Then again it didn't really matter if Kakyoin refused him. He was Dio, and when Dio wanted something, Dio got it.
At least their little excursion wasn't an entire waste. Kakyoin had given Dio very useful information. Hol Horse would be gone for at least a day, meaning Kakyoin would be all alone. Kakyoin would be alone.
Dio heard a knock at the door, interrupting his thoughts.
"Enter." D'Arby opened the door, wine glass and bottle in hand. He sat them down on the table and turned to Dio.
"Is there anything else you need, my Lord?" D'Arby asked.
"Yes. Fetch Vanilla Ice, I need to discuss something with him." Dio was coming up with a plan. He knew his most trusted servant could do the job efficiently.
"Very well, my Lord." With that, D'Arby took his leave. Dio grabbed the wine glass and sipped the blood-red wine. The wine was good, but it still didn't even compare to real blood. He was reminded of how hungry he was. He'd have to go hunting tonight.
The bar was always a good place to get a quick meal. He would lure an unsuspecting man or woman away, bring them back to the mansion, then suck them dry. Sometimes he would play with his food, but he wasn't in the mood tonight. He had more important things to do than entertain some pathetic human that would just end up dead anyway.
He heard another knock on the door followed by a voice, "My Lord."
"Come in, Vanilla Ice." Dio sat on the edge of his bed and started twirling his glass in his hand.
"Excuse me." His most trusted servant walked through the door and kneeled.
"I have a job for you. I trust you won't fail me, Ice."