Moon Stalkers
Chapter 12: The Horizon Grows Dark
So… long no see… Well, here is the next Chapter, and it starts in Alfred's point of view. Enjoy!
I sighed, staring at Arthur. His face had been contorting for days. He hadn't woken up since I had returned from the hunt, and he had since then gained a fever and bags under his eyes, despite the fact he hadn't woken up.
My hand reached out to gently press his hair from his sweaty head, wincing at the clamminess. The whole night had been odd, but it was even worse when we went outside minutes after Arthur passed out, there were footsteps in the snow and streaks on the window. Somebody had been watching, but who?
I frowned and sat back, my eyes closing softly and putting my hands to my forehead. I stayed like this for a while before I felt somebody slide into the room. They, thankfully, didn't speak so I tilted my head up to address the person.
My body deflated as I saw it was Francis, but he was looking out the window. "What is it Francis?" I asked, my eyes a dark and stormy blue, but not directed at him. He turned to me, an apologetic look on his face.
"There are issues back in the city." He said softly, "People are getting hurt, some missing. We cannot locate some people at all… and others are leaving. We fear they are joining Ivan." He said. I frowned and sighed. This is just what I needed on my plate.
"Anybody we know particularly?" I asked. By the pause I could tell it was. "Who?"
"… Yao has gone missing, as well as a few of the parliament members…"
"Who else?"
Francis sighed. "Belle has gone missing along with Heracles and Kiku." He finished. My eyes went wide and I sighed.
I then stood and looked at him. "Francis, I need you to go back and take lead in my leave for now. With things getting hectic, somebody needs to be there and calm people. Set rules so we have all in the city by 9 pm, and make sure nobody may leave after 7. Anything else you may feel should be put in order, call me and run it past alright? We cannot afford to lose any more people, lest Ivan get the upper hand." I said.
Francis looked a bit overwhelmed, but he nodded and gave a small smile. "Alright Alfred…" He then gave a sad look at Arthur. "I hope he wakes up soon, it cannot be healthy for him to sleep so long, let alone so fitfully." He then gave me a soft kiss on the cheek and then the other before leaving. I sat back down, holding Arthur's hand in mine with a gentle touch. I pressed my forehead to his and sighed.
"Please wake up soon Arthur… I need you Sunshine." I murmured softly before getting up and going to go make some soup, just in case he woke up.
Arthur POV
My eyes opened slowly, feeling weak and like I hadn't woken in a while. I yawned softly and whined, a dryness in the back of my throat. I blinked again, noticing I was in my bed.
Strong hands gripped my wrist and cerulean eyes appeared in my field of vision. I blinked and smiled softly. "Good morning Alfred." I said and gasped as lips met mine, needy but not invasive.
I blinked and stared at him, blushing as he pulled away. "You are asleep for a week and have a fever for most of it, and the first thing you say is good morning?" He says, voice a bit sharp and worried, but relief in there. I blink curiously and sit up, groaning a bit. I sure felt like I slept for a week.
"What are you talking about?" I asked. He sighed and nuzzled my neck gently.
"You passed out about a week ago and didn't wake up… You worried me Sunshine." He muttered, obviously showing his worry. I gently stroked his hair, sighing.
"I don't recall that…" I mutter and then gasp, touching my head. Almost immediately firm hands were laying me down while cupping my head gently. I shivered and whined, memories filling my mind almost instantly. Gentle fingers pressed and massaged my skull while surprisingly patient eyes stared at me.
When my eyes opened again, they were panicked and urgent. "Alfred, Ivan was here." I said. He blinked, awfully confused before he hissed, eyes flashing red. I winced a bit, but he relaxed and sighed.
"That explains the footsteps…" He then frowned. "But how did you know it was him? And why did you pass out." I blinked and realized I never told him about the dreams since I never remembered them.
"He's been in my dreams, trying to get me to come to him… Before I passed out he had my family…." I then sat up right, Alfred barely moving fast enough for me to not hit my head on his. "My family! Alfred, I need to check on them!" I exclaimed. He frowned and sighed, lying me back down.
"That's what he wants Arthur…"
I quickly cut him off. "So we have to leave them!?" I shouted, trying to squirm from under him. He sighed and pulled my hands together above my head and then covered my mouth. I glared at him while he continued.
"I was saying, that's what he wants. I am also having disappearances back in the city, so I sent Francis back to run the city. I will have him send people to check on your family the moment he lands. Then we will bring them to the castle nearby, so they are safe as well." He finished. I sighed and relaxed beneath him, prompting him to release my hands and mouth.
"First, if you do that again I will hurt you." I tell him. Mirth glows in his eyes and I blushed, he was so relieved I was alive and okay. It made me feel so special. "Second, thank you." I said.
He smirked and leaned down a bit, eyes darkening a bit. "Can I have a reward?" He asked. I smirked back, moving a bit.
"Oh? What kind of reward do you want?" I returned. He chuckled and put his face in my neck.
"What are you willing to give, Sunshine?" He purred against my neck, the tips of his fangs grazing my neck and making me shiver.
"Hmmm…" I said and then leaned back. "Depends, what's the least I can give until you take?" I return, feeling mischievous. He groaned against my neck and looked up, expression dark.
"Sunshine, I will take anything you give, I won't take from you anymore." He replied. I smiled softly and then kissed his forehead.
"Then I will give you whatever you want and tell you when to stop then." I purred softly, my eyes soft.
Alfred smiled softly and then caught my lips, kissing me gently and then slowly prying into my mouth. I smile into the kiss and tangle my fingers in his hair, my legs looping around his hips. He growled softly and nuzzled my neck, his teeth grazing my neck. I hummed softly and tilt my head up, encouraging him.
"You sure Arthur?" he asks as I nod. He teases my neck for a few seconds before biting. I moan softly, my legs tightening around his hips. I felt a soft and gentle pleasure fill and flow through my body as he bit me.
A few minutes later he let go and licked my neck, encouraging the blood to clot and slow. I then nuzzled him tenderly and yawned. He kissed my again and I wined, tasting my blood. "Alfred." I murmured.
He pulled back, licking his lips. "Yes, Sunshine?"
"I'm hungry."
He laughed and picked me up. "Want food then?" He asked. I squirm in his arms, my expression unpleased.
"Put me down." I complain, but he only grins in return.
"Sorry Sunshine, but you must be feeling dizzy." He replied and started walking down the stairs. I sighed and allowed him to carry me, but my expression was stormy.
He merely laughed at me and then sat me on the couch. I stared daggers after him but he returned the look with a mocking laugh. I huff and look away. "Bugger." I said as he asked me what I wanted. I paused for a minute and sent him a smirk. "Steak Kidney Pie."
He deadpanned at me and then smiled, turning around. "Steak it is!" He laughed. I jumped up and made an odd irate noise. "I said Steak Kidney Pie!" I whined as he laughed.
"Well, Steak is close enough." He returned. This continued for a bit, but I gave in seeing how I liked steak more anyways. So about 40 minutes later we were both sitting at the table eating some medium rare steak and it was fine. I was just pleased he knew how to cook more than a burger or a sausage biscuit thing.
I crinkled my nose thinking about it and Alfred asked what I was thinking about. "Just of your atrocious burgers." I teased. He rolled his eyes.
"Need I comment on your food?" I puffed up irately and rolled my eyes. "I love you Arthur, but you cannot cook." He added.
"Bugger. I can, you just don't like it." I return.
"Doubtful Sunshine."
"Want to make a bet then, love?" I return, green eyes lit up in a fire. He returned my look with mild interest and smoldering coals in his.
"Depends, what are the terms and conditions?" He asked. I paused only momentarily before coming up with the terms.
"I get a week to make you something you will like and eat. If I win and you like something, then I get to go and see my family when they are safe." I said. His eyes go steely in an instant.
"That's a dangerous request." He states. I pout and he relents, sighing. "Fine, but there will be several guards at all times." He then gives a lazy grin. "What do I get if it turns out I don't like anything?" He asks. I frowned, having not thought of it. He knew and stood, brushing my hair back. "I have an idea."
"What?" I ask.
"You let me cut your hair, because it is getting quite long, and you let me have you for one hour." He purred. I blushed and spluttered, moving a bit. He chuckled and moved back, eyes full of mirth. I stare at him and then hold my hand out.
"Deal. But you have to let me try twice a day. Deal?" I ask. He looked surprised I would accept his end, but I was confident I would win.
"Deal." He said, shaking my hand. I smirk and then kiss his chin.
"Now go and ask Francis to check on my family. I'll take care of this." I said. He looked uncertain, as I had just woken up from something like a coma and then had some of my blood drained. I twisted my look into something caught between pissed and tired. "I promise I won't die washing dishes, okay? Now shoo." I said, moving my hands. He gave me one last look before walking around the couches and up the stair.
I had almost finished the dishes when strong arms wrapped around my body. I sighed and shrugged him off a bit. "I'm almost done Alfred." I said.
I paused, hearing no response and then the arms removed themselves. I spun around quickly, a knife in hand just in case. Before I spun completely, I heard a glass door open and close. I shiver as I stand there, unsure of who it was but having a very good idea. As Alfred came down the stairs, I put the knife down and breathed shakily before finishing the dishes.
"Sunshine?" He asked, sending something was wrong. I shake my head and smile.
"So, what are we doing in this boring hole today?" I asked. He stared and chuckled, obviously a sufficient answer.
"Well, we could practice our fighting again…" He said and I groaned. I was always sore as hell after and I told him as such. "Or watch a movie." He added.
"Such as?"
"Anything."
I sighed and walked over to him. "To the movie room we go." I say. "And no horror movies." I said. It was always so amusing that Alfred, who was something from a horror movie, was afraid of ghosts and such. He told me he used to have an alien friend, but they didn't exist.
Alfred pouted but agreed. We ended up settling on Maleficent, seeing how Alfred wanted to see it but was afraid it might get scary. Eager to get my mind off the occurrence in the kitchen, I complied.
I groaned as I woke up to clanging, shouting, and slamming. I blinked wearily, realizing I had fallen asleep on the couches in the movie room. I sat up and stretched, yawning and then standing, touching my neck and picking the dried blood off, knowing the wound was already healed.
As I stepped out the room, I saw the whole hall was in shambles. I almost went back in the room, but decided that if somebody, namely Ivan, were trying to get me then I would have been taken. I turned the corner to the living room and saw Alfred there, head in his hands. The others were around him as they rubbed his shoulders.
I frowned, but stayed back, not knowing what was happening. Lovino looked up and saw me. He touched Antonio's hand and walked over silently, gripping me arm a bit too tight and walking me down the hallway into a room.
"What happened?" I asked before he could speak. The Italian man's face scrunched into a look of sadness and frustration.
"Alfred's brother has gone missing. We also can't get in contact with the city, or anywhere. We are trapped here." He said. I frowned, closing my eyes.
"Ivan then, right?" I asked. He paused and nodded. "Why can't we leave?" I asked.
His eyes narrowed in anger. "Because, he sent us a clear message last night he is around." I blinked. "He brought us an arm and put it out the door." I gasped, feeling a bit queasy.
He snorted and shook his head. "Basically, we are all going to die unless you decide to become one of us. Alfred won't change you without consent, but you still can't admit you love him. So we are all fucked." He adds and walks out the room.
I frown and sigh. So it was Ivan last night… I shake my head and realize my hair was getting rather long. I then walked back out. The group was gone, presumably to test how close Ivan was. Alfred was still sitting there, head in his hands. I sat next to him slowly and started to pet his hair, my heart throbbing for him. His brother… I wasn't aware he had one… They must have met up after Alfred got away… Or he was just like Alfred and was in the same place. They would have definitely known each other for a long time.
I nuzzled his neck and continued to stroke his hair softly as he slowly relaxed and leaned into me I then kissed his temple and breathed into his hair. "I'm sorry." I murmured and he sighed, reaching over and taking my hand.
"I don't even know what to do Arthur. This might have been a bad idea." He then shuddered. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You made the best decision you could at the time. Now, the decisions are harder." I replied, squeezing his hand. He breathed softly and sighed.
"What would you do then Arthur?"
I paused and thought for a moment. "Well, I think the best course of action would be to see how close Ivan is getting. I know we still have the trucks and even if they aren't working, we can get them there. The gas is still in them too." He pauses and nods. "Then we have to pedal out of here fast. We can't let them get closer and circle. If we leave first, we have a chance."
He sighs. "Then what?"
"We get back to the city and work on getting it secure. Then, we find your brother." I said. He stiffened next to me and sighed, looking at me.
"His name is Mathew." He tells me. I nod and smile weakly.
"Then we get our shit together and get Mathew." I add. Alfred leaned against me and kissed my neck. "Our bet will have to wait until later. For now, let's check the trucks." I say and stand up.
Alfred smiles at me and nods, kissing my cheek before moving to the garage. I sighed and followed him. I wasn't sure how well my idea would hold, but it was a start into something at least. Still, I was worried about Ivan's message and my family. I hoped they were not in danger, but until then I would work to get back to them.
Sooo, how was it? I am already halfway through the next chapter, so I will update during thanksgiving break, or next week for those who may be in other countries. Sorry about the wait and I hope you guys all enjoyed this!
Also, I don't own Hetalia or any of the characters.