Alfred twisted and turned, moaning as his back popped. 'Sleeping in this chair is getting painful, but I don't want to make Arthur sleep on the floor or in the chair either.' The blue eyed man would ask Felix, if he remember right he had just gotten a new bed.
"What's wrong, dear?" Arthur asked from the other room, making the bed neatly, ironing out the wrinkles with his hands. He observed how stiff Alfred's back became as if he could not bend over. From having to raise three children and work hard to earn money, Arthur's parents had muscles tighten their backs. He walked on them, when they asked and he tried his best to relieve their soreness.
'Dear? I had thought it was a slip of the tongue meant for someone else. Didn't know he was going to continue calling me such.' Alfred flushed pink as he turned away, walking to the door. "Ah, it's nothing Arthur, just a little back pain. It'll be fine once I start moving around."
He knew he could draw Alfred into his palm with honey coated words, if his constant blushing told Arthur anything. "Why are you hurting?" Rubbing the heel of his wrist along Alfred's spine, he felt the tension underneath his skin.
Alfred curved his back and groaned lowly. "Must have slept wrong is all." 'Although with how much it hurts, may need to ask the doctor if he knows something I can do to relieve some of the pain.'
"I can't imagine the floor being as supporting as a bed." 'Idea.' Still rubbing, Arthur took him to the bedroom and suggested. "Why not we share the bed together?" It was straight forward, their bodies close in bed at night made an intimate setting for the two. Whispering sweetly in his ear, Arthur licking Alfred's neck, making him almost blush to death.
Alfred shook his head with a light tinge of fire. "I don't want to accidentally injure you somehow and I'm sure the bed will be too small with both of us in it. I'll be fine, Arthur, really."
This blonde may need to open his eyes. Arthur stripped down to expose his chest again then laid across the bed. The preying beast gave his rarely seen come hither look, luring Alfred to lay with him. "I'll show you we can easily sleep together."
He blushed bright red and turned away, but not before he glazed his eyes over the bare chest. "W-while I find you attractive, I can't do that. I-I'm sorry if I mislead you in any way. Excuse me." The blonde hurried from the room, face deep red.
"Hm?" Oh my, that hadn't went how he expected it to. Arthur hoped he hadn't gone too far, his hunger urging him to move things along quicker may have clouded his judgement. 'Found me attractive, he said.' Did he think Arthur wanted to experience a coital afternoon? Given his words and the situation, it did seem so. He wondered whether or not to find Alfred and explain what he meant.
He sat at the table, panting slightly, ears and neck burning red. 'I-I never would have expected that to happen... but he never showed any signs of wanting that type of relationship. What if he meant something totally innocent?' Alfred let his head fall onto the table and hit his head against it.
Arthur slowly dressed himself, concerned if his plot backfired and should abandon the plan. His stomach and dry mouth put their two cents against giving up. 'Tis nothing else but a minor set back. I appeal to him, my fangs are closer to his warm neck.' He told himself and decided to wait until Alfred returned.
XXXX
Dr. Wang checked off each medicine bottle as he carefully placed them into their place on the rack. He prepared himself for almost any illness upon poor, old Rosa. Alfred mentioned a gash, therefore, he added the essentials if she really had been mortally cut open. Heading towards his backdoor, the doctor passed a photo framing one of his favorites family pictures. Young giggling Kiku riding on Yao's back by the spring running away from a flock of birds chasing them. It was a happy picnic day until the birds swooped down to peck at their food. Yao grabbed his younger sibling and ran but their mother found it as a photo opportunity. Kiku thought they were playing and pulled on his ponytail and fringes like they were reins. The Chinese nearly threw the younger off his back from the pain and scolded to Kiku just before the coming of tears.
Now his brother, locked away from his home, wanted nothing more but soft touches from him. Yao shut his eyes to stop his crying. 'I would take away the pain I gave him and hug him with all my love.' He squeezed his bag close and stopped himself before cracking the important glass vials inside. Clenching his teeth, Yao tried harder to prevent any spilling tears but hiss loss took over.
XXXX
Alfred checked on Rosa and frowned. 'Maybe I should ask Elizaveta if she can watch over Rosa later tonight while I help decorate? For now though, food.' He grabbed his hat, cloak and gloves along with a small knife and knocked on the bedroom door. "Arthur? I'm going to pick up some meat for breakfast, I'll be back soon."
Arthur simply responded. "Alright."
XXXX
Medical bag by his side, Dr. Wang calmly made a brisk walk to Rosa's home. Well, he appeared calm. Inside, he could not step two feet without facing the old jail and vow to himself. 'If I have the chance, I will take this glutton driven monstrosity and force him to give back my Xiōngdì!' He held his breath, trying to cool down his hot head. He was the doctor, he had to be professional and tranquil.
"Good day, Dr. Wang." Someone called out to him in her usual light tone.
"Ay?" He turned to see Katyusha, the Ukraine woman waving with one hand and holding a basket of bouquets in the other.
"How are you, doctor? I'm on my way to deliver some flowers to those in the jail." She pulled an orchid from a bundle then gave it to Yao. She grinned softly, hoping to ease any pain. "Here, I know you and Kiku love these."
Yao slipped the beauty in his breast pocket and chuckled trying to hide his struggling tears. "Thank you."
She giggled and hugged him good-bye. "You're welcome, Doctor." Then continued her way.
XXXX
Alfred prowled through the woods, low to the ground and careful to avoid snapping any twigs. He had hunted in this forest ever since he had first settled in town, and knew the area well enough to know where certain animals nested. He was in the mood for something unusual, maybe something Avian. 'I hope Arthur isn't mad at me. I'll apologize when I get back just in case however.'
XXXX
'I guess I should change my bandages again, even if these are clean.' The vampire gentleman began to unwrapped himself as the door opened and he heard footfalls on the hard wood. "Did you forget something, Alfred?" He gasped lightly at the sight of someone he hadn't seen. Arthur went on edge. "Who are you?" He asked defensively, bandages in hand.
Yao's fingers grasp around a sedative needle in his coat pocket. If the creature assulted him he wanted it alive. He tried to intimidate the blue stranger, a robber he thought, with his dirty look. "This is not your home. Who are you?" Dr. Wang caught the gauze under the other's shirt. 'Is he hurt?'
"I asked you first. You don't look like a thief." Without a question this person, belonging to a Chinese lineage, saw his bandages. Maybe the human trick would work on him, the hellion covered the spot with a wince.
"I am the respected doctor!" Dr. Wang shouted, enraged by the malign of his character.
It took every ounce of Arthur's strength to cease his panicking nerves. Why the bloody hell couldn't people visit at night?! He could have silenced the doctor he anticipated the most without a hitch if it weren't daylight! 'Curse the blimey sun!' He loosen his lips from the tight frown and bowed forcefully, apologizing. "I ask for your pardon, Doctor. I am sorry for suspecting a man of medicine to commit burglary." Arthur pulled out a chair for Dr. Wang and then poured a glass of water, an indication to make amends. "Alfred did not say you were visiting. If I had known, the scent and taste of tea may have ended our first encounter favorably."
XXXX
Katyusha gave Twinflowers to the very first bitten person, a Swedish man named Berwald. The victims couldn't do much with bounded wrists, so she pushed the flowers as close as she could. Berwald wasn't a man of much words, but was loved when one could see under his stern expression. His snarling and raging with blood trickling from a bite mark when he busted into Antonio's café sent the town into complete confusion. He went after his own Tino. Ivan wrestled him away and Berwald almost bit him but his thick cloak was ripped off instead. After they subdued him in the café, and Kiku tried to diagnose him, but they didn't have much time as the rising sun burnt Berwald's flesh. He was quickly sealed into the underground jail for his own protection.
"Berwald?" She tapped the bar lightly, the blonde man faced her. "I know I'm not Tino, but he's afraid for you. That's why he won't come, he... doesn't want to see you like this." He hunched his shoulders, not wanting to hear any of it. She brushed his arm with the tips of her fingers to get his attention back. "But, he misses you and wants you to know he loves you." At this, she sworn she saw him smile, even with the rope in his mouth.
Katyusha then placed a bouquet of Winter Aconite for the second poor soul. "Sadiq." Sadiq, a man who always wore a mask to cover most of his face had been the next person infected. He had come out from the forest, blood long since dried on his neckline, and had tried to attack Roderich. Heracles and Alfred had been the one to stop his blood thirsty attempts on his childhood friend. After that assault, Heracles visited Sadiq every other day along with Kiku, both more mellow than before although it was hard to tell for those not used to how they behaved. After the Turkish man's turning and no signs of them being cured she had started visiting every few days to bring a little piece of the outside world into the cold dark cells. What better way than the flowers she grew as the local florist and loved so much? When Katyusha had started she only had the local flora to work with, but over time others had given her seedlings from their native land and she now had beautiful gardens from all over the world growing.
XXXX
He took note that the other was reluctant to put his guard down. The doctor wanted an answer, he knew. "I am Alfred's friend," Arthur took a seat, to look less threatening, "we met a few days ago." Lips twitched to not reveal his name but if he needed the doctor to do whatever he wanted and leave, then so be it. "You may call me Arthur."
That did the trick. "I see." Their tension eased slightly, it was thick in the air as Yao drank with difficulty. "Arthur, Alfred never speak about you. Are you sure you've met before?" His glare screamed let's skip the nonsense, I know you're up to something.
"Yes." Considering they have both been traveling throughout the country, it was no surprise if they had passed each other in a pub or on the street. Arthur wouldn't have mind him since his focus was on his next meal.
"So, when were you harmed? How did it happen?" His question obviously immersed in distrust.
"Are you here because of me?" Arthur prayed the answer was no.
"Yes." Alfred mentioned a wound but Yao's ears caught a hint of a lie even if he concerned about Rosa.
'Shite!' He told Alfred he didn't need a doctor, twice! Clenched teeth stopped his inner growl from emerging. 'The fool went against me!' Arthur trusted him! Something that didn't come by easily. He clutched the table leg tightly until he heard it crack. "I don't mean to offend you again, Doctor, but shouldn't you take care of the frail woman?"
"I'll give you a quick look." He started advancing close to Arthur, hand reaching to untie the cloth.
'If I tell him when it happened, he'll know the Swiss man wounded me. If I fib he might want to see my fresh cut. Damn it! It doesn't matter which poison I choose!' The vampire growled lowly, moved back and lied to place him above suspicion. "I accidentally nicked myself when chopping vegetables today. It's just a light cut." The beast assumed the people wanted someone to blame for his bitings. Arthur expected the doctor's brow to raise as it did. 'A horrible predicament!' This is exactly why he refused the medical man's visit. He covered the spot, Arthur couldn't let him see the truth. 'Alfred, I'm going to have a word with you if I live through this.'
XXXX
Alfred cleaned his hands free of blood in the small stream north of his and Rosa's home, disappointed with himself for the chipmunks he caught. 'I had hoped for something bigger, but it is close to winter, animals are either hiding or hibernating. Maybe the prey also sensed the creature hunting the town's folk as well as members of the hunters catching more for the bitten to feed off of, even if they don't feed them every day? Either way this will have to do for now, I'll head out early tomorrow for bigger game if I can.'
XXXX
Light brown eyes blinked open hearing raised voices coming from the kitchen. The old woman laying in bed coughed lowly, hand coming up to her chest while trying to sit up to breath, a small part of her mind wondering who the voices belonged to as they were to far away to hear properly. As she slowly stopped coughing and was ably to breath more she wondered where Alfred was, the young blonde seemingly always by her side when she woke up lately.
Dr. Wang held out his syringe, used to villagers unreasonably paranoid and unable to relax around him. "Any broken skin can allow bad bacteria."
His shoulders stiffen. "What is that for?" The nervous demon asked as calmly as he managed. This could be the end for him.
Yao stood before the other, trying to corner him. "You'll feel a little sting but this helps to relax my most tense patients." He pushed Arthur against the wall, pulling his clothed neck clear for injection.
Arthur fixed his eyes solely on the needle. "Rest assured, I am fine. Thank you, Doctor." He clutched tightly on Yao's wrist once trapped. "This is not needed, Sir!" From this short distance, he noticed tear stains on Yao's cheeks.
Rosa's head turned towards the kitchen, hearing the voices get louder and noticing one sounding desperate. "Alfred? Is that you out there? Are you fighting with someone? If so, don't forget to bash their heads in with the pan!" Rosa moved the blanket away from herself, intending to help whoever it was in her house, unsure if she would be helping the attacker or the attackie.
So badly did Arthur want to gorged himself in their blood, his veins throbbed hot enough but no, all his anger and hunger would be directed at the one causing his frustration. 'Alfred!' He squeezed Yao's wrist harder with his supernatural strength but did not try to break it, only wanting to hold him back. "I can take care of myself. You seem really adamant about me."
"We did start off the wrong foot, it would only be nice of me to perform an examination for you, free of charge." He push the needle an inch close to the uncovered neck, seeing no puncture marks of teeth. 'Hm?'
Alfred walked in the door, stopping when he saw what was going on inside the house. " ? Arthur? What are you doing!?" Alfred moved quickly, dropping the small animals onto the floor and gently separating the two of them while staying far away from the needle in the doctor's hand as he was able. "I didn't know you were coming over today Dr Wang. If you had said so I would have stayed home to welcome you in." Alfred looked between the two, wondering what had happened while he was in the woods.
Oh, speak of the devil! Arthur folded his arms and stared at Alfred sternly. "Don't dare say that lie. You warned me that you would bring in a doctor despite that I said I was fine." He immeidately took refuge in the bedroom, door shut loudly.
"I noticed he was hurt but he persisted that I avoid him. It's common in my line of practice so I tried to tranquilize Arthur." He stared at the door. 'Though, I was also sure he could have been the thing we're looking for but he has no similar signs.'
Alfred looked angrily at the door, hurt that Arthur thought he would lie. "I fixed him up pretty well, and he's healed nicely the past few days... But you probably wanted to check him too, huh?" Alfred sighed and turned to face the doctor, smiling tiredly. "Sorry to be rude, may I ask why you are here? If you'll be staying awhile I'm going to make some soup for Rosa soon."
"A few days? He said he hurt himself today." Yao furrowed his brows, glaring at the door as if he could burn a hole through it. He faced Rosa's bedroom. "I came for her. I want to check up on Rosa and give any medicine she may need." He grabbed his bag and carried it to her room and helped the old woman sitting up.
Alfred leaned on the doorway, waiting to see if he would be needed. "Arthur likes to do things alone, he may have been making himself something to eat when he injured himself. I left the medical stuff you gave me in his room so he's probably taken care of it by now, but I'll see to make sure he's well." 'Just when he's not angry with me over something beyond my control.' Alfred glanced at his door, hoping the Englishman would come out and no longer be angry with him.
Through gritting fangs and curled lips, Arthur suppressed his erupting growls and snarls. 'That idiot! That idiot! That idiot!' He balled his fists and slammed them into the mattress since the walls would break easily. Yes, anger boiled to the deepest pit of his bloody guts but fear also overwhelmed him. "That is the last close call I will ever allow." The beast became too reckless and it was at that moment he decided. 'I will relinquish Alfred's blood for my own being and finally desert this God forsaken village.'