"Are you all ready….?" Mathias looked up from the equipment infront of him on the table. Leaning against the wall on the back of the table was a mirror, that he was using.
Katuyasha had asked the question. Behind her, on the couch beneath the window that showed the city at night time, sat Alexander, who was leaning against the arm of the lounge, struggling to stay awake let alone upright. It had barely been two days since he was wounded, and really, everything was a bit of a struggle for him right now.
Just at the moment, he was allowing himself rest and had his eyes closed, features relaxed, every now and then, pain contorting them in the slightest.
"Almost…" Mathias replied and looked back to Katuyasha before to the mirror again.
The plan was to escape the city. The woman was coming with them. She wanted out, and if they wanted to find the Shadow king, then she was their only hope. Their map.
The problem was, they were bound to come across travellers. And Mathias was a well known warrior, even if the Saviour now slandered his name. And one of his key features, was his blonde hair, uncommon in many regions, that was always unruly and spiked.
It was how he liked it, but they needed to get to the Shadow King soon as possible. And he would make any sacrifice for Alexander's survival.
Sighing, he picked up the sheers from the table and swallowed before lifting his hand.
/
Berwald had seen one of the most amazing things in his lifetime today.
A jumping bean.
Actually, it was Antonio, the captain of the ship. Actually, he was the entire crew. Berwald never guessed why until he saw the man roll up his pant legs, and his sleeves, pick up a rope and soon he was flying through the air to bring the sails in, gliding through the air from post to post, from mast to mast. Eventually all the sails were up and he was back behind the wheel in the blink of an eye, letting the current bring them into port.
'Port' was a large cavern, where he anchored the ship. A great curtain of vines was let down over the entrance to hide their presence and Berwald had to give his eyes a moment to adjust. There were pathways lit by lanterns all along the cavern walls. Sometimes there would be a door or window.
As he stared on in awe, there was a chuckle at his side, and he closed his mouth.
Ivan, who was holding the chain of his cuffs, which he had to wear now there were escape options, explained his thoughts to him.
"This is the boat village. It branches off of the city. They've carved their homes into the face of the cavern and supply the city with fish, nets, ocean treasures and other things." The Russian smiled and lead him over the ramp that had appeared, to a solid rock ground. After lord knows how long on the water, he felt unsteady. But he wasn't the only one. He saw Tino stumble a bit as he grew accustomed to the solid ground once more.
Feeling eyes on him, the fin looked at him, and Berwald looked away. He reminded himself, that no matter how nice Tino was to him, or even how cute the boy was, he was here to offer revenge to his family, not get involved in an infatuation. And even if he wanted to be with Tino, or offer some kind of relationship, which HE DID NOT, he repeated to himself, then it wouldn't matter. He would be dead soon anyway or if he succeeded in his goal, then he would hate him in the end.
"Right… It's a bit of a walk to the main city, si… so follow my lantern…" Antonio smiled and lit a red lantern, that let off a bloody glow, and with his arm around his lover's waist, Lovino pouting but not protesting and blushing wildly, began to make his way to where Berwald assumed the path to the city was.
Least to say, he was never once bored in sight. For a village inside a cavern, it was anything but dull and dim.
/
Alexander held tightly onto Mathias. He had dozed off back at Katuyasha's house on the lounge, and when he had woken… he had hardly recognized Mathias.
The Dane had cut his hair short and fluffy, but keeping a fringe to cast his eyes out of focus. He'd then taken black clothe dye and used it in his hair. The effect wasn't bad, black hair, blue eyes… but he wasn't used to it. He loved Mathias' blonde, wild hair… Styled, black hair, just gave him a cold exterior in some way. But he had been assured that the colouring was only temporary and once it was blonde again, Mathias would grow it back the way it had been.
Now it was midnight and they were hurrying through the streets. Mathias was dressed all in black, boots, pants, shirt, cloak… Alexander was fairly close. He had boots, pants and a coat. But he'd had to take his hairpin off and pocket it, tying his hair back in a sort of ponytail, that was more of a little tuft at the back of his head, tied together with a chord. And over his clothes he had to wear a to the knee jacket borrowed from Katuyasha. People mistook him for a girl often, as mentioned before, and they decided to play on that. If anyone saw them, then he would claim to be a woman. If people asked why he was weak, then they would claim he was with child, and merely suffering the first few months of pregnancy.
It was liable, and truthfully… if they were able to get out of the city and to wherever they had to be, then Alexander didn't care what or who people said he was.
After about half an hour of creeping along at a brisk pace, they came to the public stables, where horses and camels could be 'hired' and bought by the city folk. This was where Katuyasha worked, cleaning the office and keeping the animals happy, making sure their tack and gear was up to any challenge.
It also meant that she had a key to come in a check on the animals… or steal them away.
Now, for a desert trip… Camels would have been ideal. The desert mounts would consume less water and would be happy grazing off of desert shrubs. But the trio needed to be swift and after the desert, Katuyasha said that there was much forest land and grasslands ahead of them, as well as the mountain ranges with snow capped peaks. As durable as camels were, they were not as diverse in environments as horses were. So in the dead of night, Katuyasha lit one solitary candle as they entered the stables, saying a hushing hello to a few of the beasts to keep them calm.
She did a quick routine, being of a loving and gentle nature, feeding them for the last time, as if she were farewelling good friends or cherished children. When she was done, she lead Mathias and Alexander to the back of the stables where she said the five most durable and steadfast horses were. These were the horses reserved for wealthy or people of importance.
She herself lead out and tacked a large chocolate stallion with white fur around his hooves. Mathias helped Alexander with a lithe snowy mare and he himself got a stormy grey Stallion.
Because Alexander was still injured, he would ride with Mathias until the wound had improved. So for now his mare would be used to carry their packs and equipment.
It took a short few twenty minutes to ready them selves before leading the horses to the edge of the city, coaxing them with handfuls of hay, as they didn't understand why they were being taken, and then mounted, Mathias holding Alexander infront of him as he took the reins. The mare's reigns were tied to Katuyasha's saddle.
And then… they were off… a light trail of dust was all that was left behind them. And even that disappeared as it settled over their tracks, a light night time breeze granting them a favour as it erased their trail.
/
"How are you feeling?" Alexander looked up from the small bed at his lover, always at first confused with who he was because of the change of appearance. But his voice was the same. It was the same, just like his eyes. It was Mathias.
"U-Um… I'm fine… tired… but… I feel better than I did earlier… now that we're out…" He said softly, and didn't attempt a smile because it wasn't in his nature to be like that.
They had been travelling for nearly a full day, and Mathias had managed to navigate them to a base they had been told about when they were stationed in the city. There was one guard, but he was easily rendered unconscious, much to the shock of Katuyasha who's eyes welled up with tears at the sight.
Nevertheless, them finding the base was a good sign, as Katuyasha had barely enough food or money for more to support the three of them on this journey. Now here, they were able to raid the small stock of private food.
Mathias gathered enough to fill three sacks. Only making a small dent in the supplies so that other stranded officers would be able to find it and eat, and that the guard, when he woke, would not starve to death. They might be deserting these men, changing sides and one day fight against them if given the chance, but they weren't going to kill unless they had to.
Just because they didn't know the guard didn't mean that they hadn't fought together in the same battle, bled for the same cause. Now, they wouldn't, but it still didn't feel right. You couldn't become completely separated from your clan in a few mere hours or days.
Right now, they had bound the guard who was slowly coming to, and they had decided to stop for a few hours, gathering fresh medical supplies as well, and giving Alexander a chance to rest.
"Good…" Mathias smiled a little, breaking Alexander out of his thoughts.
"Not good… I hate being a hindrance… I'm slowing you down…" It hadn't meant to come out sounding like it did, but it was too late to take back the subconscious meaning.
Mathias sighed and shook his head. "We've been through this before… I'm not leaving you behind. It's a miracle that you've survived the dagger… and now you think I'll so readily leave you behind… Yes, we go slower than we could for you… but that's our choice. So just accept it already."
The Norwegian, though having mistakenly spoken his words as such, felt shame darken his face and he looked away. He didn't say anything back, because he knew he'd lose if he started and argument about the matter.
He blinked in surprise, looking up at Mathias when he felt the Dane's warm lips on his forehead. Those lips travelled down, kissing his cheek, nose then mouth, and he gathered all his reserves of energy to kiss back. The hair still creeped him out, but it was his Mathias, the man he loved. No stupid hairstyle was going to stop him from loving him.
The base they were in had the underground storage chamber, the main room and the guard's sleeping quarters, which were small and a small stable.
That was where Alexander and Mathias were now. The guard was in the chamber and Katuyasha had said she's sleep on the floor in the main room, the horses were in the stable to the side.
Alexander thought at this moment, that he couldn't be more grateful for the privacy. This kiss wasn't something he wanted to share even with animals. It was just for him and his lover.
It took longer than usual for the kiss to develop into more, but Mathias soon knelt over him on the mattress, kiss long since broken as he began to mark his neck, the pale skin bruising easily and forming the dark love bites.
The pain his wound made, caused by every movement, was easily ignored. But deft, warm hands, remained gentle around it as they removed his clothing, piece by piece, worshipping his body in all the ways he loved. The bandages were unable to be removed, but it didn't matter. Only Mathias did… He hated being such a pessimist, but suppose this journey went horribly wrong and they died… or worse than that, only one of them did. They would part ways and never be near one another again until death.
These thoughts were a constant whisper in the back of his mind, taunting him daily without rest.
But with the passion, desire and love his heart and mind were focused on now, he was able to tune them out. And with all the fluidity of motion, it became skin against skin, feverish touches and synchronised movements.
Warmth became his entire being and he knew that he must be alive, for it was not the deathly cold fingers of death he was so sure he'd felt too many times since this had begun.
Every sound Mathias made was like angel's singing to him. His slender fingers trailed along the Dane's back and through the blackened hair as he was pushed back into the mattress again and again.
And while his whole mind felt like it was on fire with the universe revolving around them, he was unable to help but think back to when he had first met Mathias.
He'd been more boyish then. And he'd hated to admit it, but he was cute. No matter how annoying he'd been. Mathias always asked what made him give in to him in the end, not that he was complaining or anything. Alexander never answered.
It was his secret. He was intent on taking it to his grave. When anyone asked what the reason was… why he loved the Dane with a passion that could not be swayed. Why he'd follow him through anything with no limit to his loyalty.
He'd never tell them.
He'd never say that it was because it was any one trait of Mathias. But it was all of him. Everything about him…
Amazing, beautiful, loving, gentle, caring Mathias… He was all of this and more. He was his friend, lover, protector and everything he could possibly be to him.
And those hands... those hands that held him now… those fingers that satisfied his wants… they were the fingers and hands that had healed him, held him and crafted for him.
After all, his Mother wasn't the ONLY reason he kept that hairpin so close.
/
^/^ wow, I don't know what this is but I love it. Next chapter we shall meet LE SAVIOUR! Aren't you all relieved you finally meet him…? Don't you feel like punching me for making you wait for so long?
Actually, I want to punch myself for revealing him so early, but I thought of the most perfect way to introduce him into the story, and you'll be confused for a while, but It'll definitely be clear at the end of next chapter. Well, half way through it… because then I'll jump back to our travelling trio and then to Berry and Tino and our beloved Swede shall meet the person he wants to keel soo baaaad!
^^ And a whole other array of cast may throw him off course as well. I'm also going to start expanding the SuFin relationship next chapter aswell. It's all happening faster than I thought, but hey, It's still going to be one of the longest stories I've written. ^^
Lotsa love~
me