Chapter 7

Arthur woke and sat up, stretching. He looked around, remembering the room from when he'd woken in the middle of the night, but he hadn't even really realized he hadn't known where he was. He looked around, finding two beds and a huge window with a fireplace and dressers on the other side of the room. He stood and walked over to the window, looking at the city below. It was early morning, people were starting to bustle in the streets and Arthur stared.

The only part of the city he'd seen was the stone roadways, but he knew this wasn't the same. Those weren't the bricks he'd seen.

He had no idea where he was. He left the room and slowly walked down the stairs, finding a warm and inviting smell with the sound of a crackling fire as he looked around the stairs. He could easily see the man who said his name was Viktor, even though it was obviously Ivan, and Alfred sitting and chatting.

He finished his trek down the stairs and Alfred noticed the movement, stilling with wide eyes before running over and grasping him, looking him over. "Holy shit! You're awake! Are you still in pain? Is there anything you need?" He asked as Arthur's stomach let out a loud grumble.

Arthur looked away in embarrassment, his cheeks dusting pink and Alfred sighed. "Come on and eat with us. Food will be ready shortly. There's a bathroom over there, so go ahead and get cleaned up, alright?" Alfred pointed to the door under the stairs and Arthur nodded, still a bit afraid to speak. He shuffled over and stepped in, thrilled.

It had been days since he'd been allowed to go to the bathroom on his own as Ivan was convinced he'd use his magic to escape through the pipes.

He came out a few minutes later as the food was put onto plates and sat down, his eyes hollow still, terrified of sitting at the table beside Ivan. As a plate was set before him, he did the same as the previous time he'd eaten. His eyes traveled to Ivan, asking silently if it was alright to eat.

The man before him stared sadly back before crushing him in a hug. "Sorry! So sorry!" He nearly cried and Arthur sat, startled and confused at the situation. If he was apologizing...

Arthur screamed out in alarm, throwing himself out of the other's reach, his hands coming up over his chest as he realized what he'd done. Tears came to his eyes, waiting for him to come over and start beating him.

"Arthur, are you alright?" Alfred asked softly, worried to startle him again and Arthur's eyes shifted over. He remembered the blue eyed man. He had tried to be kind to him. Arthur swallowed hard before nodding. "There's no reason to be afraid," Alfred's brows tilted in worry, his head gently shifted to the side as he regarded him. "This isn't Ivan. You're safe. You won't be hurt." Arthur stared before looking back over at the other man.

"I'm Viktor. I'm the dragon you were going to be sacrificed to," he said and Arthur frowned, a soft glare making its way to Viktor's face before Arthur's eyes shifted down to his feet, his fingers absently grasping to the hem of the shirt he wore.

"I'm glad you're able to speak better today," Alfred said with a grin and Viktor nodded, his eyes wide.

"It's hard to remember the words and put them into order, but the sleep helped a lot." Viktor grumbled, sliding a hand to his forehead as a soft sigh escaped him. His eyes shifted back over to Arthur as he patted the seat beside him softly. "Come. Sit and eat," he spoke gently and Arthur nodded, trepidation showing in each step before he carefully sat, his eyes still on Viktor.

"If you're not... Master... where is he?" Arthur asked carefully and Viktor looked down, a grimace sliding over his face as his eyebrows furrowed. He looked like his heart was breaking.

"You don't have to call him 'Master'. What that man did to you was terrible. I grabbed you in my mouth and flew you away." He cringed. "He chose you because he knew I liked you. He wanted to break me down too. That monster has to suffer for this." He looked up at Alfred, who stared, his brow tilting slowly in curiosity.

"He knew you liked Arthur? But you'd never met him." Alfred gazed, confusion evident on him and Ivan gave a curt nod.

"I met him before I was a dragon," he answered before realizing what he'd said and stared at the plate before him in horror.

"So you've had this charm before?" Alfred asked skeptically, his eyes narrowed and his head cocked to the side and Viktor looked up grinning sheepishly, his cheeks painted in pink.

"Something like that." He couldn't say the truth now, it would terrify Arthur too badly. "Anyway, how much money do we have left? I know you did some shopping this morning." Viktor sighed and Alfred, as always, was easily distracted from the conversation.

"Ah, there's actually quite a bit. I guess I drastically overpaid for the house and the doctor, but the people at the clothing shops were nice enough to tell me I was doing the same thing again. The money system here is weird." He sighed as he took a bite of the food and sighed again. "I want a hamburger." He pouted out and Viktor grinned.

"Maybe when we're more steadied you can buy some." Viktor rolled his eyes as he reached out on instinct, patting Alfred's head, who didn't notice the oddity of the situation. "We still need clothes, sheets, blankets and pillows and more food than breakfast."

"So... we go to the store?" Arthur asked softly and Viktor nodded, looking down with worry.

"Will that be alright? I don't want you to feel uncomfortable." He watched and Arthur just stared back for a moment, their eyes locked.

Arthur was looking for deception. He was still convinced this was some sort of cruel prank. It took him a moment to let his head jerk up and down, a stuttered, frightened nod. Viktor sighed softly as he reached out, his hand waiting in the air for Arthur to take.

Arthur realized he was giving him a choice. This was an honest attempt, not a trick. No anger or darkness seemed to creep across his face. Victor's lips puckered a bit as his eyebrows furrowed, his eyes focusing harder on Arthur's, and the boy let out a shaky breath, reaching out carefully to take the hand offered. Viktor visibly relaxed at the contact, his eyebrows raising, the intensity of his gaze softened as he let out a breath. His shoulders relaxed as he reached out carefully, patting Arthur near the small of his back, a slight smile coming to his face. "Eat first. We'll go after," he spoke softly and Arthur nodded, turning back to his food, this time with the intention to eat it.

It was only a bite in when he realized something and reached up to his face, softly pressing against his jaw. Alfred was the first to see it and know why. "We had it healed. It took quite a bit of money to fix you up, but they said if you're still in any pain to take you back and they'd work more on it," Alfred practically whispered and Arthur stared, his eyes wide now.

"You had me healed?" he asked, a slight startle at the words and Alfred nodded.

"Viktor tore off one of his own nails to get the money. Weirdest shit ever, a dragon who could understand English. And the doctor even said that animals who were given that charm couldn't talk." Alfred stared at Viktor again, who frowned, looking down.

"You tore off one of your nails?" Arthur turned back and Viktor nodded, holding up his hand to show where he had a missing fingernail on his right hand. There was a little blood around the wound, but it didn't look too bad.

But the realization that he'd suffered for Arthur, that he'd done something to cause himself pain for his well being changed the way Arthur looked at the situation. Arthur stared, surprised at the hand, before his eyes shifted back up, seeing soft eyes on him. "You're really not him, are you?" he asked, this time his voice believing and Viktor smiled, a gentle, peaceful look coming to him as he nodded. Arthur stared, surprised, overwhelmed and just in shock. He noticed the eyes on him turn sad again before he felt his chest shudder and reached up, wiping away tears. Viktor grasped him and pulled him to his chest, running his hand down the side of his head, comforting him as Arthur cried.

Alfred, on the other side of the table, rolled his eyes. He couldn't fight the smile at the understanding of what was happening. Arthur was releasing his stress. He was letting go of the anger and frustration from a week of hell with that monster. He was fighting, but that meant he could recover as well.

It was a while before everyone was calm and composed -and had eaten- before they finally made their way to the city. They were able to buy what they needed without selling the other nail. Viktor bought a long scarf to cover his illusion charm, and wore a longer black coat, a soft white shirt beneath with brown pants and boots. He felt more comfortable wrapped up like this he realized as he smiled at a mirror.

Alfred wasn't as much worried about what he wore, as to how comfortable it was. He found a shirt he liked with short sleeves and long black denim pants and bought a full set of just that, but in different colors. He also got some black boots to wear with it and was happy.

Arthur stuck to greens. He mentioned to Viktor that his favorite color was green, after the grass on a sunny day and the man nodded in understanding. Pants and shirts all of the same color were in his arms as he walked up to the group, knowing he had a few different types of outfits to work with. Viktor looked over the purchases as Alfred paid. Arthur stood back, still wary of people after what had transpired in his life recently. When the man behind the counter held out his hand to shake before they left, Arthur stepped back and stared at the hand as if it were on fire. Viktor wrapped an arm around him, holding him still. "It's just a hand."

"I know what people do with hands," Arthur practically whimpered, still staring at it, even though the man had slid it down to his side by now, and was staring in confusion and a little insulted.

Arthur felt a warmth from beside him and chanced a look over, finding Viktor smiling softly, looking at him with that worried look again, but this time at least there was a smile. Arthur nibbled his lip before he turned back to the man, and held out his hand to shake. The man carefully took it, his brows lowering further, his eyes shifting before the three men across from him as Alfred's eyes shifted away, his hand coming up to hide a chuckle.

"Please pardon him," Viktor spoke softly, his eyes squinted in a smile. "He's just come out of a terrible situation." He watched as the man raised an eyebrow.

"Can you not say things like that?!" Arthur rounded, staring up with his face somehow managing to blush and pale at the same time. Viktor startled, surprised at the outburst while Alfred laughed outright.

"Finally! You sound like you did before Vladimir got his hands on you!" He grinned and Arthur shivered, his embarrassment gone instantly as he remembered.

"I'd forgotten about him." Arthur whimpered, his hands growing clammy and he shivered, his arms coming up to wrap around himself. "I don't think I can be near people right now. Please, can I go home?" he asked softly, his whole body shaking and Alfred realized he'd screwed up.

"It's okay!" He reached out and Arthur gasped at the incoming hands, jumping back into Viktor's side.

"Alfred," Viktor spoke, his voice low enough to startle all of the men in the room still. "Remember, he's afraid of being touched, he's afraid of being hurt. You want to help him, we all know that, but jumping on him is only going to scare him worse." His head shifted up, and the red of his eyes turned almost neon. Alfred stood tall, paling at the sudden look of death in the man's eyes and he knew he had seen that look before. Alfred swallowed hard before clenching his jaw, feeling horribly uncomfortable in the tension.

"Yes, sir!" He stepped back and Arthur turned, confused by the fear Alfred showed, to see Viktor lifting the clothes.

"If you wish to return to the house, we can ask Alfred to finish the shopping, but we'll be eating hamburgers and pizza for every meal." Viktor rolled his eyes, a slight smile coming to the corner of his mouth. The terror in his expression was gone the instant Arthur had started to turn and the man behind the counter just stared, confused and startled by the group.

"Are you going to be safe with them?" he asked Arthur softly, wondering if he should help the man escape, and Arthur stared, shaking his head gently.

"They saved my life," Arthur nearly whispered, his eyes growing hollow, his expression fading flat. "He was going to kill me. Twice sacrificed. I didn't even realize what he'd meant," Arthur spoke softly, the voice coming from a hollow sounding chest. His eyes shifted over to Alfred, his hands shaking at his side. "It still feels weird to be able to breathe right." He shifted his shoulders and Alfred winced, staring.

"We should get you back to the doctor, make sure your ribs healed right if it's feeling weird."

"My jaw still hurts, so yes, please," he asked softly, his head held low as he remembered. His hand came up to his throat and Viktor's stilled, his eyes narrowed for a second before they widened in surprise and he grabbed Arthur, lifting him like a bride in his arms and took off running.

"Bring the clothes home!" He yelled as he ran from the room and Arthur stared up, shivering at the touch. He could see the strong profile from here. His larger nose and full lips, his eyes which were narrowed in worry as he ran through the streets. Arthur felt his legs shaking and chills running down his spine, realizing he wasn't handling this well.

They came through the door and Viktor ran him up to his room, laying him down on the bed and stared at his throat, his fingers tracing over the skin before he opened his mouth, looking around within for signs.

"The doctor asked if you had been raped, but it just dawned on me what he meant. He couldn't rape you, you had to be a virgin for the sacrifice, which meant he found another way, didn't he?" Viktor asked, his hand gently caressing his chin as red eyes shifted from his mouth to his eyes. His eyes were intense, his head leaned up, his eyebrows shifted down, his mouth twisted in a way that made it look like he was about to cry.

Arthur stared, startled and unable to respond for a second. He felt tears come to the corners of his eyes as he tried to speak, his bottom jaw shifted a few times, but he didn't seem to be able to find words to say. Viktor pressed his head against Arthur's shoulder, wrapping his arms gently around him, holding him close and Arthur sat still, startled at the touch and surprised by the warmth and comfort it somehow granted him. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean for this to happen!" Viktor cried out as he held the other, now sobbing as well.

By the time they calmed down and made it downstairs, Alfred was leaning back in the chair, bundles sat around the room which seemed warm and cozy with the small fire in the fireplace.

"I got you guys some blankets, sheets and pillows. I thought it might be a good idea, and got an armoire to place the extras in. You never know when you'll drool on a pillow and need a new one," he groaned as he glanced over, seeing red, puffy eyes and a tired expression on both of them. "I also got some other things I thought we might need, like towels, more cookware, soaps and bath oils. I thought it might be good for everyone."

"I hit the grocery store, but I know you'll want to go too. I have no idea how to tell if a beet is any good." Alfred rolled his eyes and Viktor sat on the couch, his eyes narrowing, but the way his eyebrows shifted made him look worried.

"Don't worry, old friend," Alfred smiled, shaking his head at the expression. "I understand. It clears up quite a few misunderstandings." He smiled softly and Viktor sighed in relief before looking up with a smile.

"Thanks, Al. I didn't want to like, you know, but with the situation..." Viktor's voice sounded scratchy from the crying earlier.

"I probably would have too. Not much you can do with everything going on," Alfred said. "I just want to know how this happened." Alfred waved his hand over him, letting Viktor know he meant the body and Viktor sighed.

"Me too, old friend. Me too," Viktor said, leaning forward, feeling at least a little more comfortable before a knock came to the door and Alfred wandered over. He opened it with a smile, then startled as his eyes laid on the two men on the other side.

"I thought so," a voice came through and in a split second, Alfred was grabbed by the throat and yanked out of the house, Viktor tearing after him.

Alfred laid in the front yard, his eyes wide, his hands up in surrender as a tall man with sunshine yellow hair and eyes like blue fire held a sword at his throat. "Woah! Woah, guys! It's not what you think!" He chuckled nervously and the shorter of the two men, with pale blond hair and soft brown eyes glared down at him.

"So one of King Ivan's men hasn't infiltrated the village directly around my castle again?" the shorter man asked, crossing his arms as Viktor stepped out, his lip a grim line as his eyes nearly glowed in the sunlight.

"Release him," he growled and the shorter man turned, his eyes widening as he stepped back.

"Ivan?! What in the hell are you doing here?" he yelled and Arthur snuck his head around the door frame, staring at the situation as Viktor looked at him, weighing his options. There were only the two of them, as Arthur couldn't fight. Viktor reached up to his neck, his fingers grasping the illusion charm. As a dragon, they wouldn't be able to fight him off. Alfred broke out from under the other man's sword and ran forward, clasping his hand.

"No! Not here! You'll hurt innocent people! Don't!" Alfred warned and Viktor gritted his teeth, a snarl coming to his lip that caused a chill to run down the two men before them.

"We can't be captured here. We've come too far, and Arthur would be even worse off." Viktor stared down into his eyes, seeing the wide panic of Alfred's face.

Alfred swallowed hard before responding. "I won't let them hurt Arthur. I'll talk to them, alright? They're reasonable. Just calm down." Alfred softly patted Viktor's hand, feeling the tension around the lock start to break up.

Viktor's hand lowered. Alfred let out a harsh sigh, feeling his thoughts jumbled from the rush of adrenaline at the situation before turning to the two men. "It's not what you think at all. Please, come inside," he offered, seeing Arthur staring with wide eyes in shock and terror over what he'd just seen. Alfred let out a soft hiss as Viktor ran after Arthur, trying to comfort him before he went into a full out panic. Violence was the last thing he needed to see right now. "I will ask you to leave your swords at the door. We have one in the house who shouldn't see things like that right now," he spoke and the taller man's eyes narrowed in distrust. Alfred walked into the house, and reluctantly, the other two followed.

Viktor sat beside the fire, Arthur cradled on his lap. The shorter of the two stared in surprise for a moment before his eyes followed Alfred, who waved to the couch, a soft sigh coming from him.

"Ivan snapped," Alfred started. "He was fine, but something happened and he changed. He turned into a monster. The boy over there, Arthur, he was intended to be used as a sacrifice to a dragon. His virginity and his life were to be offered in that order." Alfred stared, his eyes darkening as he remembered the twisted grin on Ivan's face as he bent the boy over the stone altar. "He was innocent. He didn't deserve the punishments. He hadn't meant to hurt anyone! It had been an accident, and he spent a week being tortured and... molested. The poor kid looked happy to die. I couldn't let it happen!" Alfred nearly bent over, his hands grasping tight to his hair.

"So you brought them here?"

"I freed the dragon," Alfred spoke. "He grabbed Arthur, I jumped on it's back, and we flew. I didn't know this was your castle. I just wanted to get away, and we had to find somewhere with a good doctor. Arthur wasn't doing so well," Alfred nearly whispered.

"So, where is this dragon, and why is Ivan here?" the shorter man asked softly, now confused. He couldn't deny the anger and subtle despair he saw at the other. It was known that Alfred wasn't a good liar.

"What happened outside, I stopped him from ripping off the illusion charm on his neck. That IS the dragon," Alfred whispered and the two stared skeptically.

"Can ye prove it?" The taller asked, a thick accent making it hard to hear but Alfred glanced over at Viktor with a sigh.

"Give him a minute. He's very protective of Arthur. I don't think he'll leave until he knows he's alright, and Arthur won't calm until he's sure we won't be fighting," he spoke softly, his eyes turning to pain as he watched the comforting embrace Viktor gave Arthur.

"They want to see you turn into a dragon?" Arthur asked softly and Viktor nodded, a soft smile on his face as he ran a hand down Arthur's cheek again. Arthur had hated being touched since Ivan had started beating on him, but somehow the gentle touch, the soft caresses of the man who's lap he sat on, didn't seem as terrifying. "Can I come? I want to see too." Viktor frowned, wondering if it would be safe.

"It may help you realize I'm really someone else. I think maybe it would be for the best," Viktor spoke kindly before sighing. "Is it alright if Arthur comes?" he asked carefully and the others shrugged before Alfred grinned.

"Sure," Alfred nearly barked out, sounding excited that Arthur was finally showing interest in something. Arthur looked up as Viktor softly slid his arm off of him before helping him to his feet. Arthur turned back to him, finding Viktor already standing, looking a little nervous. Arthur couldn't help the shiver that ran through his spine at the realization of what he was about to see, but he couldn't tell if it was fear or exhilaration.