Here is the last Chapter and I just want to say I had the best freaking time writing this story. I honestly didn't know if I was ever going to finish it or not, haha.
And, as promised I do have very many special thank yous I want to give out:
Angelofmusic46: Thank you for the first comment you gave me, honestly, it seems silly but it really made me happy to see someone enjoy it. You even stuck around this long until the end and it makes me incredibly happy.
LudwigTheViolin: Thank you for your continued support throughout the story!
SparklePaws: I think you've commented the most, to be honest, and each time you commented wanting to see more I got the energy to continue writing. Even if it was just a sentence a day, it helped me a lot.
TopazDesiertoFleur: You were the first to actually say you liked my writing style, I didn't even know I had one? But you also left such lovely comments that were more than just the typical 'great chapter'. You being interested made me excited to write more.
SymphonyLane: I'm sorry I never got to your idea of having other characters throughout the story, although I did like the idea and I tend to do that in other stories I didn't see it fit in this one. However! I do enjoy your support, and the comment about you falling over in the kitchen when I updated made me laugh/squeal for a good 20 minutes.
FinlandVai: Okay, first off, I love the name. Secondly, I'm so glad you enjoyed the story and kept asking me to update. It actually made me feel bad so I would update.
Superduperawesomepancakes: Your comments made me smile and I know you pushed me to update. It really means a lot that people want to see this story finished.
Okay, so I think I got all of them out of the way? Please don't be mad if I didn't mention you. I love all of my readers but their comments/or things they did really stick out to me.
Anyway, enjoy the last chapter!
"Why do we have to be the ones cooking," Lukas murmured as he stirred a large pot over an open flame.
"Would you rather it be our fathers?" Tino asked looking over at Lukas. Lukas scrunched his nose up at the thought. "The smell of burnt porridge everywhere," Tino teased.
Lukas pretended to gag as they laughed, "I don't think anything would have been edible then."
Tino chuckled and agreed as he continued to cut some potatoes and he looked outside the cottage window. In the now fenceless garden, he could see everyone outside. Emil chased both Rasmus and Mathias with a fake sword as they pretended to run away from him. His father, Elo, Lovisa, and Erik sat off to the side sipping on some cider. The last few days had become unusually warm for winter and they were taking advantage of it.
He looked down at the potato as he cut it into cubes and thought about the people in town. They were trying their best to get things back together. Buildings had been burned, lives lost, but most importantly, the town felt liberated. Nobody knew where Lord Bisok and his wife had gone off too, but with them gone and Oleo in custody, that meant no more oppressing figures watching over them.
As Tino was deep in thought, Lukas tapped the wooden spoon against the pot. "Tino," he called out for the third time. Tino jumped up a little looking over at him, "I've been calling your name," he sighed raising an eyebrow at him.
"Have you? I'm sorry," Tino chuckled and set the knife down looking at the unfinished potatoes.
"Are you okay?" he asked quietly setting the wooden spoon over the pot and walking over to him. "You seem to have been out of it for the last few days."
Tino kept his gaze on the cutting board and then closed them for a moment. "I think it's just the magic," he replied. Lukas leaned against the table watching him. "I'm fine, really, it's just hard to get used too. Although everyone says soon it will be like second nature to me."
Tino smiled over at Lukas, but it faltered moments later as he reached for the knife. "Is it about you and Berwald? Did something change between the two of you?" Lukas asked.
He gripped the knife tighter, "We haven't talked about it." He turned to Lukas his eyebrows pushed together, "How...do you even go talking about something like that? About...everything?" They both stood in silence, as they both were in same position. Neither of them knew how to bring it up to their significant other, nor what they should even say about it.
"If it makes you feel better, Mathias and I haven't spoken about it either," Lukas said looking away from him. Tino smiled softly, it was a little comforting, but it didn't answer the problem.
"We eventually have to talk about it," he said and continued to cut the potatoes again.
"Hm," Lukas then looked outside seeing Emil jump on top of Mathias and laughing. Mathias pretended to fall to the floor, defeated, and then Emil ran after Rasmus as he poked him with the wooden sword. "I suppose you have it worse though," Lukas said quietly. "All Mathias has to do is get one more soul. But Berwald is a bea-" he cut himself off. He knew how Tino felt about the word, "He's already a large wolf," he tried to correct himself.
Tino didn't look up at Lukas, but did appreciate him trying. "I don't think Mathias will ever get the last soul he needs. Unless he has too." Lukas walked back to the pot stirring it once again pondering on the thought. He hoped the time would never have to come when Mathias would need to go that far, but the future was always a mystery. Tino set the knife down again, "We just have to remember, they aren't monsters," he said. Although it was to reassure the both of them, it felt like he was reassuring himself more than anything.
"When are they leaving?" Lukas asked wanting to pull away from the subject.
"In the morning," Tino replied, "They wanted to spend the evening with everyone."
"Should we feel honored?" Lukas mocked in his best elite voice. Tino snickered as he walked over with the rest of the potatoes and set them in a different pot for a quick frying.
The door opened moments later and Berwald walked into the house holding a basket. "You're back," Tino said and looked at the basket questioningly.
"The baker gave it to me," Berwald said as if he was trying to explain away a crime. Tino just smiled and tried to hold in a laugh. Clearly Berwald didn't know how to handle the gesture as he kept glancing at it like it was some other worldly thing. Berwald walked over gladly leaving the basket of bread on the table and then leaned over giving Tino a small kiss on the cheek before walking outside to join the others.
Tino's face immediately became red as he looked away from Lukas, "You act as if you two aren't married," Lukas scoffed and then chuckled. Tino nudged him with his arm and moved the potatoes around, a small smile on his face.
Berwald made his way outside where he nodded towards everyone and then looked at his father before walking off toward the front of the cottage. "If you'll excuse me," Erik said smiling at the others. He then followed after Berwald who stood at the side of the cottage and staring down dirt road that led into town. "Anything new?" Erik asked.
"He still hasn't spoken. They have him held in the town's jail without food and water," Berwald said.
"And he still hasn't said a word?" Erik asked looking at the town in the distance. Berwald shook his head and Erik scoffed, "I should have expected much. Tossing him into a cell and expecting him to talk was never going to work. We will have to do it our way.."
"What are we looking for?" Berwald asked as he turned to his father. The tip of his ear had been sliced off clean, and the remaining scars had already nearly healed themselves. He looked away quickly not wanting to stare.
"He said there were others. It might connect to what has been going on for the last year," Erik replied. Just as Berwald was going to ask what he was talking about he could hear Tino call out that the food was ready. He turned towards the garden where everyone was already heading inside. They made their way back towards the house but Erik stopped at the edge of the garden. "Berwald," he said looking at his eldest son, "You do plan on marking him, don't you?" Berwald had paused in his tracks and then stuffed his hands in his pockets not replying. "I'm sure your mother has already spoken to you about this," he said and placed a hand on Berwald's shoulder. "I also understand you don't want to put your wife through that sort of pain - none of us do. But this is the sake of not only our family, but for you." Erik sighed and pulled his hand away, "I also hate to admit, but if I'm correct and Oleo somehow has connections to what has been going on this past year then there may be more trouble for us in the future. It would be wise of you to mark your wife."
"I understand," Berwald said looking at his father. "I don't want to force this on him either." He also didn't want to rush anything along, so much had happened in the last few days it seemed like a blur. Berwald had been wondering what Tino thought of him now. He knew the secret that he tried to hide from him, and he knew what kind of monster he truly was. Did knowing any of this change the way Tino thought about him? Was he angry? Disgusted?
Before Berwald could spiral into deeper thought, Erik slapped the back of his head. "You're overthinking this," Erik said. Berwald flinched but rubbed the back of his head and looked at his father furrowing his eyebrows. "I can tell you're wondering how Tino is feeling. The best thing to do is to simply talk about it. It's obvious that he cares about you, you just need to show him the same." Berwald looked down at the grass, of course his father was right. He just needed to take this a step at a time. "Also," Erik continued, "Thank you, for clearing things up with your mother… She had been sad when you first left, and it's nearly killed her when you completely left our lives."
Berwald had never meant to cause his mother so much pain in the first place. He was just doing it to protect Mathias, although now he sees he went about it the wrong way. "Are you two hungry?" they both heard and looked over to see Tino standing at the door. He walked over noticing the slightly tense atmosphere, but Erik smiled at him and headed inside. Tino watched and then turned to Berwald walking over to him, "Is everything okay?"
Berwald stared at Tino, his vision clouded with soft blues and pinks that surrounded him. He reached out absently and let his fingers get tangled in Tino's hair. He leaned forward a moment later closing the distance between them and pressing their lips together. His other hand wrapping around Tino's waist and pulling him closer to his body.
Tino's eyes went wide for a moment not having expected the kiss. He relaxed his shoulders and his eyes fluttered shut as he gripped Berwald's shoulders. He felt Berwald's tongue pass his lips and his knees buckled underneath him. The kiss was vastly different from the small innocent ones they had shared before, and he was enjoying it.
Berwald pulled away moments later. If this continued he was going to have a hard time with self control. He pressed their foreheads together with his eyes closed, both a little breathless as they stood in the cooling air. He hadn't meant to take it so far, but with the thought of things possibly becoming more dangerous... he squeezed Tino a little tighter.
Tino opened his eyes looking at Berwald. He could see the scars were finally healing and he gently traced his fingers over them. His stomach turned slightly, he felt guilty about the scars. Perhaps if he hadn't been so careless none of this would have happened, or so he would like to think. Berwald leaned into his touch and Tino remembered a time when Berwald intimidated him. Standing there in his arms, all he felt was comfort. He felt Berwald squeeze him a little tighter "I'm not going anywhere," he whispered and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.
Berwald opened his eyes meeting Tino's. He knew Tino wasn't going to go anywhere, and as selfish as it sounded, he wasn't going to let him.
"Hm, look at that," Mathias chuckled leaning against the doorframe. "They look cute don't you think?"
"They should be eating," Lukas said clearing his throat and crossing his arms. "Excuse me lovebirds, but are you two going to join the rest of us?"
Berwald and Tino glanced over, "We're going, we're going," Tino said with a small laugh. Berwald smiled as Tino took his hand leading him back inside the cottage.
"About time," Lukas said as he and Mathias walked inside.
Although the table was small, and there weren't many chairs, they made it work. Everyone gathered around the table with food being passed from person to person and the kitchen was filled with laughter and harmless banter.
Taisto sat there for a moment and looked at the scene while soaking in the laughter and the smell of food. Was Naimi watching? he wondered as he sat back in his seat. The laughter, the love, and family, this is what life is all about.
Elizabeta stand up dusting off her dress as she looks proudly at her garden. It had been faring well this winter and she had no doubt she was going to have a great harvest in the next year. She picked up her basket when she heard her name being called. Glancing towards the fence of her home she saw Gilbert standing there with a toothy grin. "Hello Gilbert," she said, "Everything alright?"
"Never better, the whole village is happy that we basically saved it," he replied opening the front gate and skipping inside. "If anything they might even have a celebration in our honor."
She rolled her eyes and turned looking at the village she grew up in. Small houses stood side by side, creatures of all sizes and shapes walked to and fro from the heart of the village. "It certainly is peaceful at least."
"Hm," Gilbert hummed leaning against the fence and watching the foot traffic. "Do you think Mathias is really going to move here? To the village?"
Elizabeta shrugged, "I doubt it. He lived comfortably in the Mansion, and even if he doesn't live there nobody in the town recognizes who he is. He could live there and not have to worry at all."
"Eh, well if that's the case don't you think he would lock away his magic again? It's dangerous to be that powerful and just walk around like nothing," Gilbert said as he looked up, although black trees blocked the view of the sky.
"It could be dangerous, but it would be best if Mathias got better at hiding it. Magic is as natural as breathing air to them," she replied. "On the other hand, we shouldn't worry about that." Gilbert agrees and looks back over at her. "Are you sure that's all you came here to say?" Elizabeta asked raising an eyebrow at him.
"Unfortunately, yes," Gilbert muttered.
"He still hasn't proposed to the nymph?" Elizabeta furrowed her eyebrows and crossed her arms. "We've clearly helped save the village from any sort of danger. What is he waiting for?"
"He says he wants to wait for the right time," Gilbert explained. "He just wants to make sure the village is completely safe."
Elizabeta scoffed, "We have nothing to worry about. We've done what's needed to be done."
"Gilbert! Gilbert!" a man shouted running down the street. Gilbert turned to see a man with brown curly hair pulled back into a ponytail, and a scruff of hair on his jawline. He was of average height, a more muscular build than most, although dark circles were under his clover colored eyes.
"Antonio?" Gilbert questioned seeing him run up to the fence nearly out of breath. "Is everything okay?"
"We've received news that a Braginsky is on their way," Antonio said breathlessly.
"A Braginsky?" Elizabeta questioned feeling a knot in her stomach. "Which one?"
"We don't know, but the Nymphs said they were coming from the east."
"Are we sure they are heading for the village? How long they've been travelling for?" Elizabeta asked as she set her basket down and walked outside the small gate that fenced in her home. Gilbert followed after her as they headed toward the center of their peaceful village.
"They are on a direct path to the village and they've been traveling quickly for at least a day now. They'll reach us by sunset or sooner," Antonio said as he looked at Elizabeta. "What could they want? Didn't the Duke say we were safe?"
"This might have nothing to do with the Duke," Elizabeta replied.
"Or, this might have everything to do with him," Gilbert said and Elizabeta glared at him from the side. "I'm just saying, we know how dirty these nobles can be."
"We have the Duke's word, and words are powerful," she said turning away from him and looked at Antonio. "Gather the village, we have to be ready for whatever happens. Surely there has to be a good reason for one of them coming." Antonio nodded and quickly headed down another path. "You go and grab Ludwig, you two will be our eyes in the air."
Gibert glanced at her, her eyes had become slits and he knew better than to disobey. He quickly shifted into the large Raven taking off.
The bright blue river glinted as the sun reflected off of it, Feliciano running his fingers in the blue clear water. It was out of place in the Black Forest, as if someone had simply painted it into the gloomy setting with ebony grass, trees, creatures. He looked into the water seeing his copper hair loose and glinting in the sun. At least that wasn't black, he thought. He sat back on the ebony grass picking up the small flower crown of black poppies, he traced his fingers around the flowers delicately glancing between each one. He wondered what it would be like to have been born somewhere else. With fields of yellow sunflowers, the songs of blue birds filling his head, and the soft green grass underneath him. It was more or less a romantic thought, after all, this was his home. He looked over the misplaced blue river and smiled, at least he belonged somewhere.
Unknown to him, just a few yards away, Ludwig stood behind a tree. He had been staring at Feliciano from a distance for some time now, in his hands he rolled a ring between his fingers. He looked down at the ring and bit his lip, was this it? Was now really the time? Surely there was nothing else getting in his way now, right?
The ring itself had been carved from cornel tree, and it was more than a hassle to ask Lovino for a piece to carve it from. He had taken months to create the delicate ring that had small yellow sapphires like the yellow flowers on a Cornell trees, and dotted small red rubies that were much like the red berries. He ran his fingers over the black wood and the tip of his fingers traced over the small sigil of protection he had carved into it.
He closed his eyes for a moment and inhaled deeply shoving the ring back into his pocket. This was it. He was finally going to do it. He stepped out from behind the tree and walked over to Feliciano who sat on the bank of the river humming. He took a seat beside the smaller male and the copper-haired nymph turned quickly towards him with a bright smile.
"Hello," he said softly placing the flower crown atop of Ludwig's head and kissing his cheek gently. "How did you find me?" Feliciano asked pulling away slightly.
"I asked Lovino," Ludwig replied as he leaned into him and kissed his lips. "What are you doing all the way out here?" he asked as he reached up and moved hair from his face. Although nymphs were known to roam all around the forest Feliciano had grown accustomed to staying near the village. "Did something happen?" Ludwig asked.
"No silly," Feliciano said as he inched closer to him. "You don't have to worry about me all the time you know," he chuckled. He saw Ludwig stiffen and then glance away from him. "Ve," he sighed after a moment and leaned his head against Ludwig's shoulder. "I did hear the other nymphs say someone was heading this way. I was simply curious."
Ludwig looked back at him as he wrapped his arms around the other. "I'm sure if it was someone bad they would have told us," he murmured more to himself. Feliciano nodded tracing his fingers over Ludwig's arms. "We also have the Duke, so we shouldn't worry."
Feliciano's fingers paused over his arm and he glanced up slightly at him. "You can feel it too, can't you?" Ludwig raised an eyebrow watching as Feliciano pulled away slightly again, but this time he stared at the blue river. "The Forest, it's changing."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean the magic," Feliciano said looking back at Ludwig. "The magic is shifting, something is going to happen."
Ludwig was silent staring into the large brown eyes, they were so sure of the words spoken. But fear lurked not too far. "Is it a good or bad change?" he asked as he absently reached into his pocket and played with the ring between his fingers. The stones were cold to the touch but Feliciano looked away.
"I don't really know," he whispered after a few moments. He leaned back onto Ludwig and closed his eyes, "No matter what it is we can get through it together, right?"
Ludwig could feel his heart race as he pulled the ring out of his pocket. "Of course,' he replied breathlessly as he squeezed Feliciano slightly. It was time. It was the perfect chance. "Feliciano-" he began but a large caw broke his train of thought. When he glanced up he could see Gilbert land atop of a branch before shifting into his human form.
"About time I found you," Gilbert said, "We have to get back to the village. We have an emergency meeting."
"An emergency meeting? Is everything alright?" Ludwig asked still unmoving.
Gilbert hesitated to say anything when Feliciano glanced up at him. "Just be there," he said before shifting again and taking off. The tree shaking in his departure causing small leaves to fall to the ground.
Ludwig furrowed his eyebrows and quickly placed the ring back into his pocket. "I'll make this quick, but I need to talk to you about something very important," he said as he got up.
"Ludwig," Feliciano called and the Raven turned only to have the flower crown plucked from his head. "I'll be waiting," he said softly and leaned up kissing him. Ludwig closed his eyes pulling the nymph closer for just a moment before he pulled away. Feliciano watched him shift and take off back toward the village. He took a seat right by the riverbed once more and worked on making the flower crown a tad tighter, it didn't fit Ludwig the way he had planned.
Just as he finished tightening the small dainty crown a large breeze blew through the trees. The leaves shook and he looked up.
"She's coming."
"Who is she?"
"She's here."
The whisper of the other nymphs filled his ears and he could feel the earth beneath him tremble. He quickly pulled himself to his feet and held the flower crown close to his chest as he could hear the sound of hooves beating against the dirt. He stood, watching, and soon a large creature appeared in the small clearing on the other side of the river.
The creature had a tanned coat with brown stripes all over its body. A single horn protruded from it's head and long silky brown hair cascaded down from it's mane and tail onto the forest floor. It's hooves were large and covered in the same hair as it huffed out and between the silky hair Feliciano could see piercing red eyes. However, the creature was not what caught his interest. Atop of the creature was a woman and she looked down at Feliciano.
Her hair was long platinum hair that spilled down over her shoulders and seamlessly blended into her silver armor, all topped off with a white bow. She has pale skin and deep blue eyes that gazed the surrounding like a predator and her eyes landed on him. "Creaneus," she said smoothly looking down at him. "Where is the village that lays quietly here in the Black Forest?"
"Who's asking?" Feliciano asked stepping closer to the edge of the river.
The woman is silent as if contemplating whether to answer him or not. After a minute of silence, she says, "I am Natalya Braginsky, youngest daughter of the Braginsky Clan. I've come in peace, Creaneus, I simply wish to speak to the people of the small village."
He looks down at the flower crown in his hands, each poppy intricately intertwined with the next. If he were to pluck one out carelessly it would all fall apart. "You come in peace?" he echoed and the woman hummed in agreement. He looked up at her meeting her sharp gaze. He lowered his eyelids slightly, his eyes becoming dark, "As long as you mean no harm," he says softly. "The Forest can be ruthless to those who mean harm."
Natalya smiles, "I wouldn't expect any less from a place like this," she replied.
Feliciano relaxed and once again the wind blew through the trees. He could hear the whispers of the other nymphs as they slowly started to appear like shadows in the darkness. "I'll lead you to the village then," he said. He looked down at the flower crown in his hands before plucking a poppy right from the center, and in his hands the entire crown unraveled.
"Follow me."
"AAAGHH!" Oleo screamed as he writhed. The chains clanking against one another as he tried to move, but to no avail. His wrists were bound and he panted heavily with blood pooling around him.
Erik gripped his chin once more, "I'm not going to ask you again, Oleo," he said barely above a whisper. "Who are you working with?"
Oleo breathed heavily through his nose as he spit and blood covered half of Erik's face. Erik stood still for a few seconds before moving his hand away and reaching into his pocket to pull out a small handkerchief. He wiped the blood from his face and looked down at the rusty color on the white cloth. He inhaled deeply and waved his hand. Moments later something was wrapped around Oleo's neck and he coughed out roughly struggling for air.
Berwald looked at Oleo holding the whip across his neck, he could hear the desperate gasps for air. "He isn't going to ask you again," Berwald snarled lowly in his ear.
Oleo scratched at the whip around his neck and his eyes started to roll to the back of his head. Berwald let go of him seconds later and pushed him forward against the cement floor. He coughed and gasped scratching his nails along the cement. The very next second he was pulled up to his knees from his hair, "You think this is bad?" Erik asked with a slight turn of his head. "We're not even trying," he scoffed.
"I'm not going to tell you anything," Oleo said through clenched teeth.
Erik gripped his jaw and dug his nails into them, drawing blood from Oleo's cheeks. "I'm done asking," he muttered and then tossed Oleo aside looking towards Berwald and nodded. He turned away from Oleo as he walked over to the edge of the room and pulled out a chair sitting right beside Rasmus.
Berwald forced Oleo to stand up before pulling on the chains and moments later he was dangling from the ceiling. Oleo cursed under his breath as he refrained from making any noise. "We can keep this up all night," Erik said from sitting beside Rasmus. "Until you're left with nothing but an inch of your life left." He watched Oleo's chest rise up and down quickly. Like a rabbit surrounded by wolves. "If need be we will continue this for weeks. Your choice," Erik said and flicked his wrist.
Oleo felt Berwald's shin clash with his ribs and the sound of bone breaking filled the room. He screamed to the top of his lungs and coughed up blood that dripped from his chin to his scar covered chest. Berwald eyes turned to slits at the sound and he slowly walked around to face Oleo. Oleo's head leaned back as he struggled to breathe, his head hung to the side as he looked at Berwald. He smiled. "If only...I could have gotten my hands on Tino," he mutters and winces. "The things I could have done."
Berwald gripped his throat in seconds, Oleo's smile burning into his memory. "Settle down," Erik snaps at him. Berwald clenched his jaw and reluctantly lets go of him. Moments later he pivoted on his foot clashing his shin onto the other side of Oleo's ribs. Oleo inhaled sharply and cursed loudly, clearly trying not to sob. "You going to tell us now?" Erik asks as he looks down at his nails. "We can break every bone in your body and reheal it just to do all of this over again."
Oleo pants his head hanging as blood drips to the floor from his mouth. "Tystnaden" he coughed out.
Berwald turns to his father who sits back in his chair, his face showing no emotion. "What is your connection with them?" he asks.
"I...I just tell them of the dukes movements," he whispered. "I have nothing to do with them." Erik stood up walking over to Oleo as Oleo peered up at him, his hair full of sweat and dried blood that stuck to his face. "They're growing, everyday," he whispered. "It won't be long before you and the Braginsky's are dethroned and destroyed." He smiled with blood stained teeth, "Your lineage. Your lives. Everything you know is going to crumble between your fingers."
Berwald looks at his brother raising an eyebrow. Rasmus sighs and stands up as well, "Tystnaden, or the Silence as they liked to be called, is a small rebel group."
"Rebels?" Berwald repeated.
"Yes, but they are on the inside," he said looking at Oleo. "They've tried for the past year multiple assassination attempts, corrupted deals, etc." Berwald tensed hearing this and he turned to his father who didn't look at him.
"We came out here as soon as we heard you were getting married," Erik muttered. "We had no idea if you had gotten married to someone in the organization, and your mother and I didn't want to risk losing you."
Oleo wheezed as he tried to laugh turning to Berwald, "Keep that puppy of yours on a leash," he cooed. "Or he will be snatched." Berwald glared at him and he clenched his fist.
"Is that all?" Erik asked as Oleo turned to look at him.
"Your time is running out, Duke," Oleo grinned. "If not me, someone else will destroy you."
Erik nods quietly and turns to Rasmus as they nodded at one another. "Do as you please," Erik said waving his hand at Berwald. "We have the information we need and no longer need him." Berwald watched as his brother touched a door and recited something he couldn't hear, but it glowed for a moment and he opened it. "We'll be in contact," Erik said looking at Berwald before walking through the door. Rasmus waved his hand at his older brother before walking through the door and it closed.
It was just the two of them and Berwald turned away from the bloodied Oleo staring out a small window. Hardly any light was let in, but he took comfort in the darkness of the room. "You really think he'll stay with you?" he heard Oleo whispered. "A monster that thrives on blood...a slave to his own curse?"
"I'm not going anywhere"
The words run in his head and he felt a lump form in his throat. Could Tino reconsider his words? Of course he could, he's only human after all. Humans, just like the rest of the world, are ever changing. Physically, mentally, emotionally. One minute you're in love with someone and the next you're not. His chest felt tight. He inhaled and closed his eyes for a moment, "I'm not sure what the future holds," he said quietly and then turned to Oleo. Oleo raised an eyebrow at him and Berwald slowly un-clenched his fist. "What I do know, is that I will be there for Tino. For better or for worse."
"Is that so?" Oleo whispered and chuckled before he hissed softly at the pain. "I guess...we'll just have to see about that. Beast."
Berwald nodded, "Although I have no regret in informing you that'll you'll not be around to see." He had allowed his hand to shift to form the claws he so desperately tried to keep hidden and he sunk them right into Oleo's stomach.
Oleo gasped as Berwald was right in his face and he pushed down the scream wanting to come out. "You think...this makes you better than me? You're still nothing but a monster," he muttered.
Berwald didn't reply, his claws having sunk well into Oleo's internal organs. "Goodbye, Oleo," he muttered. He pulled back his arm and he watched as his internal organs spilled to the floor in a bloody mess. Oleo was panting, but he did not scream.
"They'll see me as a martyr," he whispered softly.
Berwald didn't say anything as Oleo hung there, the life leaving his eyes and his chest slowly stopped moving. The scent of blood filled his nostrils and he looked down at his now human hand covered in blood. "I don't care what they see you as," he muttered softly looking back up at the lifeless body. "You're no longer able to hurt Tino, and that's all that matters."
Berwald opened the familiar door and stood at the doorway looking over at his bed. Tino was quietly sitting there reading a familiar tattered book with Hana curled up on his lap. He glanced up seeing Berwald and set his book aside, "You finished with work already?" he asked.
"I decided to finish early," Berwald replied as he removed his coat and began to undress for bed. Hana looks over at Berwald, her tail wagging instantly as she got up from Tino's lap going over to the edge of the bed. Berwald pets her head absently as he continues to undress.
Well, at least he thinks he's undressing. Tino raises an eyebrow noticing the large man undoing a button, and then going back to rebutton it. Berwald looked mechanical as he kept undoing and redoing the same button over and over again. "Berwald?" Tino called. Although the other man didn't hear him or was ignoring him, either which Tino became worried. He moved the blankets aside and crawled across the bed to where Hana was. Hana moving aside with her tail still wagging and looking up at both her parents.
Berwald looked down noticing Tino staring up at him. Tino's hands over his and he wondered when Tino had moved over to be right in front of him. "Everything alright?" he asked.
"I should be the one asking you that," Tino chuckled as he finally undid the button that had been annoying him. "Are you alright?" Tino asks as he moved his hands away from his shirt.
"There's just been a few problems I've had to deal with," Berwald replied. He was hoping that would satisfy his smaller counterpart, although that didn't seem to be the case. Tino stared up at him expectantly, as if to go on. Berwald looked away and ran his fingers through his hair, there were so many things on his mind. Questions he didn't have answers to that he needed to just ask. If anywhere was a good place to start it would be here. "Are...you afraid of me?" he asked quietly.
Tino blinked a few times, was that on his mind this entire time? He certainly wasn't expecting a question like that and he furrowed his eyebrows. "Why are you asking me that?"
Berwald still wouldn't look at him as he spoke, "I know I'm a monster, Tino." He felt Tino's hands slowly slide up his chest, but he still couldn't bring himself to look at the other. "I don't just shift into one - I am one." He's killed countless people, done unspeakable horrors to entire towns and cities. How could someone as soft and beautiful as Tino ever love him?
Tino gingerly turned Berwald's head to face him and he smiled. "I'm not afraid of you," he said softly. He sits up on his knees and gently traces his fingers over Berwald's nearly gone scars. "I can't change who you are, or what you are," he muttered, "But we can learn from our mistakes."
"Tino this isn't some mistake," Berwald said and gripped his smaller hand. "The monster, it needs blood. In order for me to keep sane."
Tino was silent and Berwald glanced at him, "Well I can't really do anything about that," Tino stated. Berwald clenched his jaw, "But," Tino continued. "It's not as if you asked to be born into this kind of life. Why should I hold something like that against you? I mean, you're not going to hurt me, are you?"
"Why would I do that?" Berwald asked furrowing his eyebrows at the question.
Tino smiled, "Exactly," he said and leaned forward kissing him gently. "You aren't a monster, Berwald. You're just dealing with the cards you have."
Berwald leaned forward pushing Tino back onto the bed. His mind was racing and his nose stung. He squeezed his eyes shut feeling them water up, a lump forming in his throat. Why did he want to cry?
Tino gasped when his back hit the bed and felt Berwald's lips on his. He slowly relaxed in the other's arms and his eyes fluttered shut, his arms sliding up and wrapping around his shoulders. He was trapped underneath the other with Berwald between his legs. Before the kiss could go any further Berwald looked away and he covered his face slightly with his arm. "That...surprised me," he muttered.
Berwald didn't respond to that as he stared down at him, his face flushed all the way down to his neck. His hands traced down Tino's sides and he could hear Tino gasp, he smiled. Tino hesitantly pulled his arm away from his face looking up at Berwald and the two of them were silent staring at one another. Berwald looked at the wonderful soft colors that surrounded Tino, how did he end up with a Beauty like him? His eyelids lowered slightly as for some reason his mind thought of the moon roses. Perhaps it was Tino's beauty, a nice comparison, but there was more to it. In the next room over the wall was coated with the roses that grew comfortably. Their roots had already penetrated the walls and they didn't seem like they were going to disappear anytime soon. Was it still possible to break the curse with the moons roses? The whole reason he had married Tino in the first place was for the moon roses, but now they seemed like an afterthought. Nothing of importance.
"What are you thinking about?" Tino asked breaking his train of thought.
"Nothing in particular," Berwald replied and leaned forward once more, their faces just inches apart. "I'm enjoying myself, to say the least."
Tino was silent and reached up running his fingers idly through Berwald's hair. "Are you going to mark me?" He could feel Berwald tense above him and his lips parted slightly.
"Why?"
"I know it's a tradition," Tino said as he looked away from him.
"I'm not much for tradition as you can see," Berwald muttered.
"I know, I just wondered if you were going to follow this one."
He was silent and leaned into Tino's hand. He knew what the mark symbolized: Status. Power. Protection. "Keep your puppy close" Oleo had said to him. He huffed out and closed his eyes. "I'm not going to force you into anything," he said after a while.
"You're not forcing me," Tino replied quickly and Berwald glanced over at him. "I wouldn't ask you about it otherwise."
"It hurts you know," Berwald added. "Being marked. I don't want to do that to you."
"Then don't," Tino said tugging on his shirt to pull him closer. "I'm only asking because I trust you." Berwald was just above him and he traced his fingers gently down his face over the small bumps and scars that were almost gone. "I hope you trust me the same way I trust you." He stared up at Berwald and he smiled with his heart in his throat and his stomach feeling like butterflies as he leaned up kissing him.
He had fallen for the Beast.
There it was! The last chapter of this beautiful story! I did set up this chapter to lead into another story I have in mind. Will I ever write it? I don't know. But I hope you all at least enjoyed this one!