Notes: Reviews! Ohmygodwhat. I'm happy to know that people are enjoying this so far! I hope I continue to not disappoint anyone. I think I'd die inside if that happened. I'm glad the characterization and personalities are well liked, as well. I have to admit I don't remember much of the third season, except that I hate what they did to Robert. XD' Damn them! Bryan is still cool, though. So they're kind-of forgiven.

Now, onto the chapter! I think I need to slow down the pace a little. It's unhealthy to get three chapters out in three days, or so I'm told. Not sure if that means it's a good thing or bad thing, though. Anyway, read on and let me know what you think, okay?

Once more, thank you so so SO much for the reviews. They keep me motivated.
Here's Chapter Three, on the house.
Enjoy.

Bryan stepped out into the bitter chill, slamming the door behind him. The weather had been particular moody lately; ranging from snow to shine, to rain to something that could only be classed as down right neutrality. Despite there being no snow, and the drizzle barely noticeable, the air held a particular nasty bite to it that chilled to the bone.

But, that should be expected of the winter season.

Of all the things that bothered Bryan, the cold was not one of them. He did live here, so naturally he'd grown accustomed to it. That did nothing to help his reputation, though. Everyone just assumed it didn't affect him because he was cut from the same cold ice his heart was made of.

It was a well known fact that more than half the town's population avoided him like the plague. Strangers fled in the opposite direction when they saw him walking down the sidewalk, parents ushered their children indoors, afraid he might swipe their child's candy or something. Bryan wasn't stupid and he most certainly wasn't oblivious to the fact everyone seemed to detest his existence.

Everyone still viewed him as the quiet, scheming sadist he appeared to be on television all those years ago.

And that suited him just fine. The town could think of him as the bloody tooth fairy for all he cared, if it meant people would stay out of his way. There were certain perks that came with being feared, too; it meant there'd always be a vacant seat on the bus and he could lay claim to any of the central park water fountains.

Turning a corner, Bryan casually slipped his hands in to his pockets to escape the chill, falling into a casual stroll. Houses lined the walkway to his right, the picket fences in dire need of a paint job. A woman seated in an armchair on her porch eyed him cautiously. Grinning, Bryan faced her and offered a friendly wave. The woman's mouth fell open, aghast, as if he had just told her the dirtiest joke ever.

Her reaction pleased him immensely. He secretly took extreme joy in living up to the expectations the civilians had for him. It was the least he could do for the generous manner in which they treated him, and it was no trouble on his part.

Bryan frowned as he left the suburban area and ventured into the town, hoping to chance upon a random convenient store. The scenery all but boring him to tears, and nothing to keep him occupied, his thoughts traveled back to the man he had left like a sitting duck, back at the apartment.

That night in the accursed downpour, Bryan had not anticipated running into (quite literally) any sort of life form. He hadn't thought anyone stupid enough to be traipsing around town in such compromising conditions. So, naturally, when he'd seen the silhouetted figure he panicked and sent the vehicle he had been driving into a death spiral.

His horror only skyrocketed when he realized he had actually hit the object. It was at that point in time he had begun making plans to escape the city and get as far away as he could. But as much as the little voice in his head approved the notion, he couldn't just leave whoever or whatever he had hit out there. It would only prove that he was as bad as the town's people claimed he was.

So, with great trepidation, he ventured from the safety of his minimally damaged vehicle into the icy rain and towards the pathetic balled up heap that lay in the center of the street. When his gaze had fallen on his victim, he swore his stomach had twisted itself into a permanent knot and then proceeded to leap into his throat.

Bryan's first initial thought was that he had unwittingly murdered the Jurgen heir, however, he visibly and mentally relaxed when he realized the nobleman still drew breath. With surprising ease, he had carried his crumpled body and placed it carefully in the back seat. He was just as shocked to see Robert as the nobleman in question had been to see Bryan, only the former hadn't been awake to witness his particular reaction.

From there he had to decide what to do, and in some ways that was more difficult than facing the fact he had nearly killed someone. Dropping him off at the hospital was his first solution. The force of the impact could have easily caused internal bleeding or spinal damage. Robert had not given any signs that something serious was wrong but, then again, unconscious men never usually did.

Bryan admittedly dismissed that idea for his own sake as much as his victim's. If Bryan had shown up with a crumpled body clutched in his arms, the medics would take one look at him, realize who he was, remember his reputation and automatically assume he had something to do with the patient's condition.

Even though that was partially true, he hadn't done it on purpose and he was one hundred and three percent sure the doctors would accuse him of it. While Bryan had nothing against the German, he wasn't prepared to face charges on the account of someone he barely knew.

So he had moved onto Plan B, which was, at the time, still on the drawing board. His heart beat already going at an abnormal pace, Bryan had nearly leaped out of his skin when Robert had started muttering, but fear had given way to curiosity and he intently listened in, trying to make out the words.

It wasn't a complete failure. He managed to decipher the name 'Aloisa' from Robert's unconscious ramblings, as well as something about dungeons and teaching someone a lesson. The words held little meaning to him, but they had caused him to contemplate as to why the nobleman was here, in Russia, of all places.

It certainly was not for a holiday, that much Bryan knew. This small town wasn't exactly renowned for its five star accommodations, first class meals and million dollar views. If anything, it had a pretty nice collection of stray animals that included a three-legged cat and, oddly enough, a wandering goat.

A business trip was just as farfetched. For one, the town would be buzzing with gossip about the arrival of some overlord from a foreign country. And two, you wouldn't be able to turn a street corner without a man in a black suit obstructing your view. And since neither had occurred, one could safely assume this was some sort of 'covet operation', so to speak.

And besides, no one did business here unless it was the illegal kind.

It was then Bryan had come to the conclusion that Robert was here of his own free will, and that no one seemed to know about it. If that were the case, then exposing his victim to the police or medics would only result in a phone call to said victim's parents, which would in turn put an end to his mysterious visit to Russia.

He wasn't certain when had come to care for the nobleman's plight, but he would have felt terrible if he had done anything that didn't fall under the category of 'helping'. So, life-threatening injury or not, Robert would just have to take his chances of survival at the run down apartment.

"Sir, can I help you?"

Bryan looked up abruptly towards the unexpected voice. A male clerk eyed him warily, impatiently looking him up and down critically. This man knew who he was, but that wasn't what surprised Bryan. He wondered when he had arrived at the store and roughly how long he had been standing there, daydreaming, as it must have looked to the clerk.

Politely asking for the strongest pain killers he had in stock, Bryan diverted his attention to the diverse range of gum on sale while the store owner reluctantly left the front counter and headed out back. He was about to pick up a strawberry flavoured packet when the man burst back into the room almost as quickly as he had left, hoping to catch the slate haired juvenile in an illegal act.

You knew your city was insane when stealing gum was a federal offense.

"Fine weather we're having, eh?" Bryan remarked casually, fishing around in his pockets for some loose change. The clerk made a point of ignoring him, continuing to eye him the way you stared at a particular freakish sideshow attachment at a circus.

"Aha!" Bryan remarked triumphantly, pulling a few notes from his pocket. He hadn't realized it, but the store owner had gasped loudly and raised his hands in a defensive manner, shielding his head from some imaginary threat. "…What? Did you expect me to pull a gun on you or something?"

Peeking through his makeshift shield, the distraught man eventually realized that the only thing his customer wielded were a couple of frightening dollars. Feeling more than a little silly, he snatched them from Bryan's outstretched hand, quickly depositing them in the cashier and returning a few coins worth of change.

Bryan accepted the small packet of medication and left the store without another word, feeling more than a little amused. The rain had not let up and the sky was no better, still harboring the depressing greyness of winter time. All hope of the sun returning diminished when a low rumble echoed ominously throughout the sky, a sure sign the weather was going to get a lot worse before it got any better.

The fact a storm was brewing didn't worry Bryan at all. He enjoyed nature's fury and the fear it seemed to strike into the hearts of people. It was the one time where he truly believed he wasn't the worst tyrant in the neighborhood; no matter how much people distrusted him, he would always place second to the mighty and unpredictable weather.

And maybe, for the first time, he wouldn't be alone for the wondrous show the sky was going to put on. It was always nice to share your interests with someone, even if the other party member clearly didn't give a damn. A small grin creeped its way onto Bryan's face.

Robert probably wouldn't give a damn and would steadfastly refuse to divulge into Bryan's love of storms, and that was what made the idea of sharing the moment that much more glorious. The purple haired nobleman might be staying under his roof but in no way did that mean it had to be an enjoyable stay.

Bryan decided then and there that he enjoyed the German's company, even though they hadn't spoken for more than twenty minutes. He might be moody, and more than a little arrogant, but he was more entertaining than pay-tv, and seemed to be the only person who would openly challenge him to a game of wits and words. Most people wouldn't give him a second glance. And, the fact that Bryan could make the other man uncomfortable simply by smirking added to that joy.

And joy was something his life severely lacked.

The only other time he felt even a fraction of happiness was when his team mates were around. He hadn't seen Tala, Spencer or Ian, even Kai, for more than a week now. He was curious as to what they were up to, but always came to the conclusion that he was better off not knowing. One could never tell what a bored gang of misfit Russians would get up to.

While what he felt towards the German wasn't exactly happiness, or anything else nearly as affectionate, he did feel something, but he simply dismissed it as camaraderie, even though he doubted that was the correct word for it. It would do for now though, until he could figure out exactly what he was feeling.

Another rumble resonated through the air, successfully snapping Bryan from his reverie. He turned his gaze skywards, wondering if he could pinpoint where the storm was gathering. Unfortunately all the clouds looked the same to him, so he gave up on that endeavor and focused his attention on the footpath in front of him.

He allowed his thoughts to once again travel back to Robert and he suddenly remembered the reason for his adventure to the convenient store. He muttered something under his breath and picked up his pace, breaking into a slow jog. There really was no hurry; it wasn't as if his victim was going anywhere. But the time it had taken to run the errand would probably irritate and madden the nobleman.

And, grinning to himself deviously, Bryan sincerely hoped that was the case.