"So, what? Are we expected to wander the town until we find them and then begin flirting, or-?" Alfred groaned. He and Mathias were currently making their way down a wide, cobblestone street towards the bustling crowd of vendors and assorted stands in the distance. At least, Alfred was. Apparently, Mathias was planning on wandering the whole town.
"Didn't you read your report?"
"I skimmed," Mathias said, sending him a bored look.
"I'm sure you did. Anyway, we're supposed to go to the witch's market," he said, pointing to their destination.
"Didn't know there was such a place?"
"There isn't, it's what it's been dubbed. It's supposed to be a simple street market, but it's one of the only places where they sell a wide variety of herbs, candles, incense, spell books, and weirder things. I come all the time with Mattie. Oh, yeah, he asked me to give you this," Alfred said, reaching into his pocket and fishing out a small, purple cloth pouch.
Mathias looked it over. "What is it?"
"A protection charm," Alfred stated simply, pulling out his own worn pouch. "I told him we would be away for a while and he got a little worried, so he made you one, too."
Mathias raised it to his nose hesitantly, and sniffed. "Oh, it smells nice."
"I think it's the lavender. Mattie put a shit ton of herbs in there, I think he said lilac, lavender and basil, and some other things, but I got bored and don't know what else he said. Anyway, he said to keep it with you. I don't think anyone will think much of it if you have it." He tucked his back in his pocket and Mathias did the same.
"So, uh, what does this protect me from?" He asked, patting his pocket.
"I- shit... I never asked, but I haven't died yet, so it must work against something?" Mathias scoffed, but Alfred held his stance.
There had been too many close calls that could have ended with himself in a body bag, but didn't. Either he had some stupid good luck, or Matthew's charm was for more than an air freshener. Mathias didn't challenge him on that, though, getting back to the topic at hand.
"Whatever, dude. Hey, you remember I called the pretty one, right? 'Cause mission or not, I'll kick your ass for any 'accidental' flirting."
Alfred snorted in response. "He looks like he'd kick your ass for any 'accidental' flirting. Nah, I'm almost totally sure he's ace. You might as well have gone after the one with a boyfriend."
"Hold up, which one had a boyfriend?" Alfred stopped walking and looked up at Mathias, thinking for a moment that he was messing with him, but when that confused look remained on his face, he groaned again.
"You're a fucking dumbass. I thought you at least skimmed."
"I did... only for Lukas, though," Mathias stated, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He didn't seem to mind Alfred's insult in the slightest, trying to recall what he had read.
"The red eyed one has a boyfriend," Alfred clarified.
He felt the strong urge to abandon Mathias when he saw his brows furrow in an attempt to remember something again. He'd be on his own. If he failed, at least he wouldn't be killed on a mission like this... probably.
"Well, shit- you get the one with the huge eyebrows, then," Mathias finally stated with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Fuck off." Alfred began walking again.
"Hey, man, you can totally steal a guy away from his boyfriend. I believe in you. You're sexy as fuck," he said, throwing an arm around Alfred.
"Get off'a me," he yelled, shoving him off. "Go do what you're supposed to do already. We weren't even supposed to come together."
"Fine, fine, but hey, don't forget there's always plan B and that I believe in you," Mathias slapped his shoulder and disappeared into the crowd. He was much taller than most people and his hair added a few inches, which allowed Alfred to keep track of where he was.
He heaved out a sigh and casually made his way into the bustling crowd. Around him, brightly tarped stands were stacked full of vials, empty and full, herbs, candles, books, incense, oils, ceremonial knives, quartzes and jewelry he was sure had some hidden use behind it.
He knew Matthew loved coming here. It was a free for all and he often spent up his weekly allowances and had to ask Alfred if he could borrow money to finish his purchase. Later, he would sneak a good number of things into the base under his and Alfred's clothes because of the strict regulations: Any spellbook containing potentially harmful spells would be confiscated, along with black candles, but Matthew had assured him that both could be used to their benefit, and he didn't believe Matthew would hurt anyone, anyway.
As Alfred continued to make his way through the market, he happened to notice a large, leather bound book. It was the same book he had seen time and time again with his brother. He knew Matthew wanted it, and that there was no hope of him possibly sneaking the book into the base due to its size. It was something every person practicing magic should have, he had told him. It was a place to store spells, and one that held them in return. It was also used as an outlet for any thoughts and the like.
He stopped in front of it and picked it up. It was smooth and heavy in his hands. He noticed a small man beside him sorting through crystals, clearly dissatisfied, out of the corner of his eye, but was too enraptured by the detailed carvings that lined the covers to pay much mind beyond disinterested acknowledgement.
"Three hundred gold pieces," the man behind the stand said. Alfred looked up in alarm.
No wonder Matthew had never bought it. It was almost all of his monthly allowance and would have left him with little for food. Hell, it was more than he had even made when he started off. For someone like Matthew, who didn't put in much work, it might have been his whole allowance.
He was about to tell the guy where he could shove his 300 gold pieces and his book when he paused. Matthew had been denied a coven, proper tools, and even the most intimate aspect of magic. He must have been lonely all that time, unable to really talk to anybody. At least he could give him this. He would just rip a book cover off of something else and paste it over. Who would suspect that he would bring such a thing into the base, anyway?
With an annoyed huff, he fished out his pouch. He was given a larger amount of money than usual, anyway, and his housing was taken care of by Ludwig. The man sent him a slimy smile as he was about to pass the money over, but a slim hand stopped him.
"300 gold, isn't that a bit steep?"
"Stay out of this, Kirkland," the man ground out, all the fake friendliness washed out of his expression. The man beside him met his gaze with a mocking defiance.
"We both know how much you overcharge beginners. You tried to get me to pay you 500 gold for a book of lower quality than that. Why don't you and I come up with a nicer price for this gentleman, hm?"
"You're out of your mind, that book is worth every gold piece."
Alfred looked between the two in confusion, a small part of himself registering that that was the man he was looking for.
"Wait, what?" He waved him off.
"It'd be a shame if... I don't know, a storm blew away all your trinkets. You'd be bankrupt wouldn't you?"
"You wouldn't do that-"
"Of course I wouldn't, I never said I would." He turned to Alfred. "Did I ever say I would do anything to harm this man?" Alfred dumbly shook his head no. "See? It'd just be a happy coincidence. Well, happy for everyone else, not you."
"I-I'll report you to the Organization." Alfred flinched at the mention of that, half expecting the man to turn to him, but he never turned away from the man's challenging eyes.
"For what, if I might ask?"
"The malicious use of magic!"
"That's witchcraft, and I'm not a witch. You have no proof." Seconds went by that the man opened and closed his mouth, but didn't say anything.
Arthur took the book out of Alfred's hands and inspected it innocently. "Might I ask the price of this item?"
The man's face reddened in anger and his nostrils flared. He looked like a charging bull to Alfred, but Arthur held his ground. "187 silver pieces," he snarled. Arthur gave a low whistle and traded the book for the coins in Alfred hands, fishing out the exact change and handing them to the man. With that, he turned Alfred around and pulled him away as the man began to shout obscenities at him.
"You and your cocksucking, devil-worshipping ass are banned from my stand, Kirkland! You hear me, you little bitch!? Try fighting me without any of your damn fairy shit, I'll kick your ass!" Arthur walked beside him nonchalantly, not even acknowledging that the man was saying anything, while Alfred kept his head down, flinching at each insult. Once they were a while away, Alfred pulled him to a stop.
"I- uh- thank you. You saved me a lot of money," he laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.
Arthur scrutinized him for a moment, expression neutral. He looked him up and down before he finally spoke, looking away.
"Not a problem; I just happened to be there."
"I'm damn lucky you were," Alfred said, waving the book. Arthur turned back to it, before looking up at Alfred.
"Are you a beginner?"
"What- oh! No, this isn't for me, it's for Mattie." Arthur raised a brow.
"Mattie?"
"My brother. I'm Alfred, by the way," he stated, holding out a hand, while handling the large book with the other.
"Arthur... Have we met befo-" Arthur cut off, freezing at the sight of something, but before Alfred could turn to see if the man had come after them, Arthur pulled them into a small alleyway. He pushed Alfred further in and stood at the entrance, peering out.
Alfred cautiously stepped forward and looked out over his head, only to see Gilbert and Matthew walking down to the main area, where a man was currently entertaining the crowd for tips. They both wore their uniform.
Alfred couldn't help but sneer at the sight. There was no way Gilbert was letting Matthew buy all that he had wanted. Matthew was always more reserved in his talk of magic around Gilbert because of the man's close mindedness. He'd been born and raised within the thrall of the Organization. Anything remotely insidious, or with dual purposes or uses were bad to him.
He wouldn't help Matthew sneak anything questionable into the base, he probably wouldn't even allow Matthew to entertain the idea of any new objects, only the standard items allowed by the Organization. This was probably more a chore than anything else to Matthew, he thought, holding the book closer to his chest.
Arthur quickly noticed his look of repulsion. "Damn awful, aren't they? Strutting around as if they ran the show, especially now that we're closer to the solstice. With their growing numbers it's become nearly impossible to avoid them." Alfred watched Gilbert and his brother disappear before he turned to Arthur, processing what he had said.
"I thought you said you weren't a witch," he finally managed. Arthur shrugged carelessly and left their hiding spot.
"Well, not a Christian witch. I am a Pagan witch, though. Those stupid members of the Organization don't know the bloody difference. All magic is bad magic to them, even if there are hundreds of varying forms. Of course, the most scandalous is what sells to them. Hunting us like wild animals. Did you know that they have been targeting my family for generations? I wouldn't be surprised if I were on their bloody registry. It's a miracle none of us have been shot down." Arthur made his way towards the less crowded parts of the market, not once looking back, as if he expected Alfred to follow, or simply didn't care if he did. Alfred couldn't really tell if he liked him or not, to be honest.
"You're ... a witch?" He asked, jogging up beside him.
"A Pagan witch. Hereditary witch, if you want to get into specifics." He froze for a moment, before catching up with Arthur again, looking him over for any of the distinct marks, but finding nothing on his flawless features. If the Organization hadn't sent him after Arthur, he wouldn't have had the mildest suspicion. He was, well, pretty was the only word that was going through Alfred's mind, he dressed normally, if not a bit prudishly, and he overall didn't give off the vibe a witch did. He couldn't wrap his mind around the news clearly.
"What the hell's the difference?!" Arthur glared up at him, not liking his tone, or maybe that he was asking at all. Alfred quickly realized he was no good at making heads or tails of what the man was thinking.
He cleared his throat and spoke in a condescending tone, as if to a child.
"A Pagan witch draws their magic from the world around them and the different gods and goddesses. We don't make deals with any sort of devil and we certainly don't sacrifice people. We don't need to, we're born with our abilities. Your Christian witches are the only ones so barbaric and stupid. Magic can be harmful or harmless in anyone's hands, witchcraft or not."
"Then why is it still legal at all?!" Arthur scoffed.
"Haven't you heard? The king's husband practices magic. He simply set the witchcraft rule and established that stupid organization to appease the people. A curse can be done by anyone, not just a witch. All that's needed is a name." Alfred found himself at a loss for words.
He didn't know what to think of Arthur. He had seemed kind enough, but now he was talking about cursing people as if it weren't a problem. He didn't even know if he should have considered him a witch and taken him out then. Or rather, he did.
The answer was 'Yes, he should have.' He had threatened to use magic against a man, revealed himself to be a witch, and had proven himself capable and willing to do harm to others. And yet.. he couldn't find himself willing to reach for his gun.
Finally, Arthur spoke again, dragging Alfred out of his conflicting thoughts. "Of course, that would be black magic and there's always that threefold business that I'd rather not be in the receiving end of, in regards to a harmful spell."
He turned to Alfred, as if expecting him to say something, but all Alfred could produce was "The queen practices magic."
Arthur's brow creased in confusion before a smile spread across his face and he began to laugh. "Is that truly all you could take from everything I had just told you?"
Alfred's face reddened as he began to stutter, trying to find a reasonable response within himself. "W- This is my first time even being involved in any of this! I came here for a book," he said, waving it around, "and suddenly I'm being told that the queen is a magic user, there are a shit ton of different magic styles, and that anyone who I have ever told my name to can curse me. That's a little overwhelming, and not exactly comforting. I happen to introduce myself with my name."
Arthur looked him over once before he nodded, satisfied with his answer, although Alfred wasn't really sure what he had seen to excuse his response.
"Don't worry about it too much, I would need your full name and I only have your first name. You, on the other hand, have heard both my first and last name. It looks like you have the advantage if things ever get... bad between us."
"No! I mean, I wouldn't, how- why would I?! There's nothing someone can do to excuse a curse," Alfred blurted out.
He would have kept trying to convince Arthur that he was incapable, both physically and morally, when a certain look came across Arthur's face as he responded with "I can think of a few things."
The look wasn't cold or angry or malicious, but it was enough to stop Alfred in his tracks. It was distant; almost sad; almost nostalgic. Just as Alfred was going to say something, anything, to change the topic, a figure rushed past him and grabbed Arthur's arm, startling him out of his trance.
Apparently, Arthur wasn't sure what was going on, either, but he did recognize the man, and now that he was turned toward Arthur, standing before him, Alfred did, too: It was Lukas, although he looked much more annoyed than the stoic picture he had seen of him would have made seem possible.
"We need to go," he said in a curt tone that left no room for questions or opposition.
Arthur lifted a brow, then turned to Alfred, who simply shrugged. Just as he was beginning to tug Arthur away, rapidly approaching footsteps could be heard, and a figure pushed past Alfred.
He opened his mouth to ask the person what the hell their problem was, but quickly stopped himself as he recognized Mathias.
"Christ, you're fast," Mathias stated, out of breath and hunched over.
Alfred barely managed to catch himself before he groaned at Mathias's stupidity. He mustered up the best confused look he could and watched the scene unfold.
Before him, Lukas looked more annoyed than he had ever seen anyone look with Mathias— even Berwald when he got shit faced at his wedding— and Arthur was looking him up and down with interest, something that didn't totally sit well with Alfred.
"Is he bothering you?" Alfred asked Lukas. The man blinked a little confused, then gave him a quick once over.
"Yes, he is." Alfred turned to Mathias.
"Look, man, you're gonna have to get lost, he doesn't want anything to do with you."
"I didn't mean him any harm, I was just trying to return something he dropped and he booked it, okay?" Alfred raised a brow, then turned to Lukas and Arthur, who were both equally confused.
Mathias had his hand balled in a fist and opened it to reveal a silver cross clip. Lukas's hand quickly went to his hair, where it hung loose.
"I-" Mathias stepped forward and deposited it into his hand.
Lukas tensed as their hands touch, but other than that, no real reaction was evident. Arthur, on the other hand, looked surprised.
"Thank you," Lukas finally said. Mathias nodded and walked away. Lukas watched him get further for a moment before he went up to him, leaving Alfred and Arthur to watch as they spoke.
From Mathias's expression, the conversation was going really well. He laughed, smiled, and all around looked like he'd won the lottery. Lukas, on the other hand, looked like he was dearly regretting his decision. With a final nod from both of them, they went their separate ways.
"What was that?" Arthur asked as soon as he returned.
"I've decided to accept his invitation of a date," he said, looking as if he'd tasted something unpleasant. Even still, the way he looked when he said it didn't distract or devalue his elegant beauty. For a moment, Alfred felt a bit of jealousy towards Mathias. Enough that he didn't stop himself before he said something stupid.
"Because he returned your hair clip?" He asked with a sarcastic tone. He winced and quickly tried to defend himself, especially now that Arthur was regarding him curiously. "I'm sorry, I don't even know you. I just- I mean, seeing him chase you down didn't leave a very good impression, but I have no place to say anything." Lukas sent him a cold look that made Alfred flush and look away.
"... Right," Arthur said, trying to interpose to relieve some of the new tension. "Lukas, this is Alfred. Alfred, this is Lukas."
"Is he-?" Lukas looked him up and down, but didn't finish the question, although Arthur seemed to know where he was going because he answered with "I think so."
Lukas nodded and held out a delicate hand for Alfred to shake, and he took it lightly, as if hoping not to break the man. He seemed to notice, but said nothing about it.
"It was a pleasure, Alfred, and thank you for your concern, but we have to be going." With that, he turned and walked away, not even waiting for Arthur, who paid it no mind and directed his attention back to Alfred.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Alfred. I- would you happen to have a pen on you?"
Alfred raised a brow in confusion, but secured his book under his arm and dug around in his pockets and pat his clothes in search of one. His search was not in vain, as he had tucked a pen into his jacket at some point in time, although Alfred couldn't recall with any certainty when that was.
He uncapped it and outlined spirals in his hand until the ink came out and handed it to Arthur, who took his other hand and began writing something.
When he was done, he put the cap back on and handed it back to Alfred, walking away with only a secretive smile. Alfred watched him go for a few seconds before checking to see what he had written on him. When he saw, he couldn't help the excited whoop he gave at the sight of the seven numbers printed neatly onto his hand.
His mind ran through everything he would talk to Arthur about, when he would see him again, how green his eyes were, and how long the average waiting time was before he could text him, or call, or- anything, just- hear from him. He was brought back down to earth when a small voice in the back of his head reminded him why he had made contact Arthur in the first place.
"Right..." he mumbled to himself before turning and walking back the way he came. Now all he had to do was go to his temporary home and wait.
Just as he was passing by a small space between two buildings, he felt himself get pulled in.
Alfred easily broke free, held Matthew's book securely with one arm, and threw a punch with the other before realizing he recognized the pained groan.
"Fucking hell, Al, the fuck is your problem?" Mathias muttered, checking to make sure his nose wasn't broken.
Alfred was about to apologize when he realized the hypocrisy of the question.
"My problem? Since when is it fucking okay to pull people into an alley?!"
"Look, you don't need to bitch. I wasn't going to do anything to you. You're not my type, and I don't get off on that sort of thing. Just wanted to see how it was going for you." Alfred scoffed, but held up his hand to display the blue numbers on his palm.
"Nice!" Mathias said, high fiving him.
"I'm just that good. What about you? How'd you steal his hair clip?"
"How'd you-"
"I've known you most of my life, Mathias. You're not the type to wait for an opportunity, you're the type to take one," Alfred said matter-of-factly. If Mathias took any offense to the implications, he didn't show it. Instead, he sent Alfred a mischievous smile.
"I didn't steal a damn thing. I paid some guy to do it and hand it to me," he shrugged.
"Of fucking course," Alfred said, shaking his head disapprovingly.
"Lay off, Al. Not everyone's as much a goody two shoes as you. Although, I do see that you've bought yourself something very taboo. Care to share?" Alfred tightened his grip on the book and met Mathias's playful look with a hardened one of his own.
"It's for Mattie. He deserves at least this much. It's my fault he's living like a caged bird, so it's the least I can do." The man's expression softened and became more serious at Alfred's tone. He, of all people, knew how much Alfred cared about his brother, and never did anything to put either of them at risk, despite knowing what he knew.
"Don't worry, I won't rat him out or anything. He's a good kid, I know that, but you should be careful." Alfred released some of the tension in his stance and nodded slowly.
"You should be careful, too. If Lukas finds out you've been playing him... he just doesn't seem the forgiving type."
"Don't worry, Al. I'm a big boy, I can take care of myself," he teased. Alfred scoffed, but knew Mathias at least appreciated his concern.
"Whatever, man, see you... whenever," he said, walking away.
Mathias nodded and turned to walk out the other end. "Yeah, take care."
Oh, fuck all. I hate keeping track of that many characters at once. This is going to be much more annoying later on when I inevitably put all of them, Vlad, and probably the two little bros in the same room. I mean... that should happen at some point, right...? Whatever, I'll cross that bridge when I get there XD.
I feel the need to say that this fanfic was inspired by the Dark Horse amv by Kayla Joshlin. Not really the order of the pictures or what goes on in them, but mixing the song with the magic trio XD. It killed me the first time around. I was like I NEEED THIS. So I did this ._. Anyway, yeah~. The lyrics do a pretty good job of describing what's up with the characters. Of course, I wasn't going to name the story dark horse, because I have no clue as to what she means by that, but the rest of it is fine. Not exact, though.
I have the 3rd chapter written and stuff, but, like, I don't wanna post it right away because if I end up getting distracted for a month (as I'm prone to do) that can at least be my backup, ya know? I am working on the fourth one right now, but I won't post the third until I'm done ._.
Notes:
So, there's a huge variety of witches that fall under the term "pagan witch." They're mainly Wicca or polytheistic earth based religions.
A hereditary witch is pretty much one that inherits their magic, traditions,and the like. Traditions can vary between families and I'm gonna be totally honest, this is just me cheating a little, but, also, I just feel like those three should come from a long line of magic users.Anyway, hereditary witches tend to stick together as family units, but... well, Arthur couldn't really do that.
As for the book Alfred got Matthew, that's a book of shadows. Hella expensive sometimes. I've also seen it get called a grimoire, sometimes? I guess it depends on who you ask. The uses for the book differ.
There are times when there is only one per coven where they record rituals and stuff like that in a really messed up way so no one can copy it and a totally separate one for each individual where they can write down divinations, astrological signs, information on herbs and spells, and other stuff. I had also seen that some of these would include information on how to act if you'd been accused as a witch and were taken to trial.A grimoire, to be more specific, used to be something that kind of... instructed the witch on how to do several different things, and specific instructions for rituals, spells, charms, and invoking the supernatural, making amulets. Overall an instruction manual for that magic thing you seem to have.
Anyway, they've kind of become meshed, so it really does depend on the witch, and Alfred has said that it holds the instructions of a grimoire, but has some pages for Matthew's own use, whatever that may be.
Also, I am using a 1 gold=10 silver= 100 copper system! So, yes, Alfred is fucking loaded right now. People really want witches dead and will pay SO MUCH to have someone get rid of them, so the Organization is hella well off, too. Not to mention it's a government organization, so aside from the money they get from the kingdom, they get paid for those jobs.
Reviews:
yourFAN (guest): THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'M SO GLAD YOU LIKED IT! I've had this story written (at least, the first three chapters) for about two months and had been planning to publish it for the longest, but i was super unsure about it. It was a style a little out of my comfort zone, but I was absolutely exhausted that night and rereading it and I guess I ended up posting it on a stupid whim XD! The next morning when I checked my email, Omg, I screamed, but then I saw your review and I was like okay... maybe I shouldn't delete it, I'll try it and see how it goes. But, anyway XD! Yeah, your review really meant a lot to me!
EspejoNight28738: THANK YOU! Ugh, I know, the story is covered in the smell. Like, the amount of shit that can go wrong in this story is killing me XD. DUDE, I KNOW! I FUCKING LIVE AND BREATHE FOR DENNOR! They're so- omg, I can't. I hope I don't ruin it for you XD! I've hardly ever touched this pair or even dared to because I feel like I'd mess it up, but I couldn't resist! I'll try my best, though!
Also, shout out to PruCan Sam. I don't know who you are, but your username is fucking fantastic, I love it XD!
Reviews make me really happy~ So do favorites and follows~ Please? My birthday's Monday XD?