Karna was laying on his futon, breathing heavily as he held onto his big stomach in pain. He was in his fourth year and six months. Size equivalent to human standard as month eight.
"Karna, you sure you're okay?" Arjuna asked. He was super scared as he looked at Karna. Arjuna gripped his mate's hand. "Do you need anything?"
"I'm fine..." Karna answered. Totally not looking fine. He was in immense pain. "It'll get better..." he breathlessly said.
.
.
.
It all started a few hours ago.
Karna was being usual. He was reading his newest mangazine. Arjuna was sitting beside him, doing some 'incomprehensible' things in his laptop again according to Karna. Then Karna put the mangazine on the table next to Arjuna's laptop
Then Karna tried to get up. It was hard. He had to concentrate just to stand up because his belly had gotten so big and heavy. He had to grab on the wall with both of his hands.
Arjuna being a good husband he was, quickly got up and helped his mate. "Toilet?" Arjuna asked.
"No. I want to drink some water." Karna answered.
"If it's just water then say. I'll grab it." Arjuna scolded while holding on Karna's arm, helping him get up.
Arjuna was very worried about Karna. Karna even had a hard time just too walk around because of the weight of his stomach. He had to grab all the time on the walls for the sake of balancing. Not to mention a vampire's pregnancy entered a quite dangerous stage after the fourth year.
Karna had consumed a crazy amount of blood and blood pills those scientists had invented. Though Arjuna preferred not to let Karna take those pills. Not that blood pills don't work, but it just didn't taste that good. If Arjuna had to describe it, it tasted like spoiled fish and Arjuna wanted the best for his mate and child.
Even with two liters blood and five pills a day, Karna was still losing weight over time. He had gotten skinnier while his belly was getting bigger.
Carrying a vampire baby cost a very heavy toll on the mother's body. Some of them even died because the baby started to eat the mother's body when there wasn't enough nutrients for them to grow. Arjuna knew vampire pregnancy was a bit risky, but he thought everything should be okay as long as Karna was well fed. But damn he was wrong.
Karna got tired very quickly and his body weakened significantly. Walking a few meters was enough to cause make him breathless. All because maintaining the baby was really energy consuming.
And occasionally Karna would cringe in pain because the baby kicked. The baby was too strong. Thankfully those didn't hurt for too long. Only a few minutes and Karna would be fine again. Still, that was worrying enough for Arjuna.
Karna smiled. He was happy for Arjuna's dedication but he was overprotective. "I'm fine. I don't want to disturb you..."
"You're not disturbing me. I'll grab it for you." Arjuna said.
"I want to walk around too. So it's fine. You should continue your thing." Karna said. Denying Arjuna's offer.
Arjuna wasn't that pleased. He wanted Karna to rely more on him. But Karna didn't like it when Arjuna pamper him too much.
Nowadays, Arjuna wouldn't even let Karna do the chores. Arjuna would tell him to sit and read or watch the TV and Arjuna would do the chores for him. Yes. Arjuna finally bought a TV after these years. Now that new law had been implemented and the society was more vampire-friendly, Arjuna decided it was okay for Karna to see the outside world.
"I understand." Arjuna sighed as he let go of Karna's hand. He sat down on his cushion and returned to his laptop. "Be careful."
Karna nodded and then walked to the kitchen. Slowly, step by step. He grabbed a glass and tap some water from the sink.
Karna drank the whole cup. It wasn't enough, he tap another glass. It was that moment when it went wrong.
He was about to drink when somehow the glass slipped from his fingers. The glass shattered when it hit the floor.
Karna didn't think much and he instantly bent down to clean that mess. And then suddenly the baby decided to kick him. And it wasn't the usual kick. This kick was so hard that Karna was sure that broke his rib or two. "Khhh!"
Due to the pain he quickly straighten himself up and then he stepped on the glass shard.
And that caused Karna to lose his balance and fell on his back. That probably caused a shock to his body.
Arjuna was already alerted when he heard the glass breaking. He quickly ran to the kitchen but he was too late.
"Karna!?" Arjuna was shocked to see Karna curling in the ground, holding his stomach in pain. Some glass shards were stuck on his foot.
Arjuna was about to pick Karna up when Karna suddenly shrieked. The baby kicked him once again, though it wasn't as hard like the earlier one. Still, it made things worse and Karna almost cried from the pain.
.
.
.
And that's how Karna ended up like this.
Arjuna certainly didn't buy Karna's words. Karna wasn't okay. "You're not okay, Karna!" Arjuna held onto Karna's shoulder as Karna gritted his teeth in pain.
"I'm... fi— AKH!" Karna gasped and he held his belly tighter. Another kick. Karna's tears leaked. He couldn't hold it back anymore. He curled up under the blanket.
"Karna!? What happened!?" Arjuna sweated cold as he watched Karna so in pain yet he couldn't do anything. "Karna!? Talk to me!"
Karna couldn't speak for a moment because of the intense pain. It was already so hard for him just to breathe. "I'm okay..." Karna gritted his teeth so hard that his jaw started to hurt.
He wasn't okay at all. But there was nothing they could do. Arjuna felt truly hopeless. He was naive. He knew that near the end of the pregnancy could be dangerous, but he never expected it to be this painful for Karna.
Karna looked up to Arjuna after the pain was lessened. "Calm down, Arjuna..." Karna said. Arjuna was clearly in a panic. "I'm fine. This is just like usual."
Of course the baby kicked him a lot of times before this once. But it was never this painful.
Karna stopped curling and laid on his back. Arjuna quickly fixed the blanket's position. He was truly terrified for Karna.
Karna raised his hand and Arjuna took it. He held Karna's hand tightly as Karna closed his eyes and breathe with his mouth. "Arjuna..."
"What?" Arjuna asked. If Karna needed blood, he would give this instant. But instead it, Karna didn't ask for anything.
Karna forced a painful smile as he sweated, his hand was weak so it was Arjuna who held him. But Arjuna's hand was also trembling.
"Thank you, Arjuna." Karna thanked and then he passed out from all the pain.
That sounded very wrong. Arjuna was scared to death. Arjuna checked on Karna. He was still breathing and his heart was beating properly. His baby sounded okay as well. He kept on holding Karna's hand for some time before he put it down to grab some tissue. He wiped Karna's sweat with it. Karna, please be okay.
Arjuna stayed by Karna's side for most of the time. Checking him from time to time, gripping his hand. Karna slept for hours. And even in the sleep, Karna seemed like in pain.
When Karna woke up, Arjuna was sitting beside him. Arjuna was holding his hand the whole time. Karna couldn't help but smile. This Arjuna truly treasured him.
The pain had lessened significantly. Karna wanted to sit up but he couldn't. "Arjuna..." he called.
"Yes?" Arjuna asked, waiting for anything.
"I want to sit up. Help me." Karna said.
"Okay." Arjuna nodded. He shoved his hand under Karna and pushed him up by the back. "Does it still hurt?" Arjuna worriedly asked after he helped Karna sit up.
"A little," Karna answered as he pulled his mate closer. Then he looked at Arjuna's tasty neck.
Karna licked on that neck and bite onto it. Drawing the delicious blood. Karna drank in silence as Arjuna rubbed his back gently and closed his eyes.
Now that Karna had returned normal, Arjuna could calm down a little.
Though Arjuna wasn't sure how much he could keep this up if this kept going on. He could only hope their child could be more refined and doesn't kick so hard like that again.
And since Arjuna had seen how much pain Karna was in for being pregnant with their child. Arjuna wasn't sure how long he would need (to prepare his heart) until he will be ready for a second one.
Year four, month eight. Karna fell at the kitchen two months ago. And since then, he had been in bad shape. The due would be six months to go, and Arjuna really wished it to come soon.
Karna was standing on top of the digital scale. Arjuna wrote down his curent weight right to the three digits after comma. After that, Arjuna would take the size of Karna's belly. The weight was going down, but the size was getting bigger. This wasn't supposed to be like this. Arjuna was getting anxious from this.
"Karna," Arjuna called, Karna was already back into the futon, under the covers. He was woken by Arjuna for this daily check up. "You've been sleeping a lot lately," Arjuna said and Karna opened his eyes slightly and glanced to him. "Are you okay?"
Karna nodded lightly. "I'm fine..." he said with light voice and he closed his eyes again.
Karna had been sleeping around eight to ten hours a day. Then he would take naps for an hour or two. He seemed tired the whole time and he didn't even do anything. Arjuna knew what this meant. Vampires often sleep when they were healing. It was to preserve energy and focused all resources on the healing part. Something inside Karna was wrong. And Karna sometimes could be anemic for no reason.
Arjuna had a guess on this. But if his guess was true, this was simply too terrifying. Added the pain Karna felt all the time, it made sense. It wasn't just kickes anymore. While the baby still kicked sometimes, Karna felt a constant pain inside. The pain ate him everyday, so much that he got used to it. Karna was healing every moment.
"Arjuna..." Karna called for the name.
"What?" Arjuna tried to be as calm as he could in this situation. If he wasn't the one being strong, who would? Karna certainly couldn't keep it up. He was ill.
"I'm cold," Karna said as he looked to Arjuna. Even though he already had the cover and two blankets on top of it, he was still cold.
"Sorry, we're out of blankets," Arjuna said as he touched Karna's cheek. He was cold. "I can warm some blood for you if you want."
Karna didn't reply, he nodded. Arjuna then went to do it. Karna's daily intake, 3,5 liter. And Arjuna believed this wasn't enough. Karna's condition was the prove for it.
Arjuna came back to the room and Karna slowly sat up. He took the bottle and put it in his chest to warm himself. It was very nice. He opened the cap and slowly drank the content. He didn't gulped it in one go like he usually did. It took two minutes to finish it.
"Do you want a bath?" Arjuna asked as he took the bottle and put it aside.
Karna nodded and smiled a little. Arjuna had been pampering him a lot ever since his condition got worse. "Thank you." Karna thanked.
Arjuna was relieved. Karna seemed a little bit better now. And that proven Arjuna's thought from earlier. He had to add more quota per day. "I'll go fill the tub. I'll call you when it's ready." Arjuna said and he went to the bathroom.
The sudden surge of pain made Karna cringe. He gritted his teeth as he held onto the round stomach. This had been daily occurances. Once to three times a day. But it hurts too much. Cold sweat were forming on Karna's forehead.
Arjuna returned to the room as he saw Karna holding on his belly and frowned in pain. He was breathless and cold sweat were dripping from his face. There wasn't anything he could do aside from watching. Karna was so much in pain, yet there was nothing Arjuna could do except for the comforting words and little things. "The tub is filled, do you want to go in?" He asked after Karna's pain was lessened.
It was so painful that Karna didn't even notice Arjuna was there. He felt bad for making him watch. "Ah." Karna confirmed and Arjuna went to him, helping him up.
Karna could still walk. Though, not for much. Arjuna was right on his side just to safeguard. Because Karna had a few sudden dizziness in this week. If he wasn't sitting down or laying, he might fell.
Karna undressed and entered the tub. The warm water felt very nice on his skin. He splashed some onto his face. Arjuna put down the toilet cap and sat on it as he watched Karna. After Karna fell, he had been monitoring him closely. "How are you feeling?" Arjuna asked.
"I'm okay," Karna answered as he laid his back on the tub and relaxed himself. "Sorry for making you worry."
Arjuna got up. "Please call me when you want to get out," Arjuna said as he checked on Karna once more. "Don't get up from the tub by yourself, get it?" Arjuna looked at Karna as he waited for the response.
"Understood." Karna gave his usual answer. Arjuna left the door open as he walk away. He had been leaving the doors open just to listen more clearly. Even though he could do it just fine with the doors closed.
To be honest, this condition was straining. For Karna, it was painful. For Arjuna, it was stressful. Arjuna was doing his usual stuff, but his ears and focus were to Karna. He kept worrying for Karna. Even though he had told Karna to call him when he was done, Arjuna couldn't help but to walk to the bathroom and check on him. He did it a few times, back and forth.
Karna stayed on the tub for 40-minutes before he called for Arjuna. "You're done?" Arjuna asked as he heard the call.
"Ah," Karna nodded.
Arjuna grabbed the towel and hung in his arm as he helped Karna up. Karna got out from the tub and took the towel, he dried himself as Arjuna grabbed Karna's clothes. He dressed up by himself.
"Do you want to go back to sleep?" Arjuna asked as he hold on Karna's arm. It was getting thinner.
"I'm not sleepy," Karna said as he gave a small smile. "I want to watch something." Arjuna nodded and led him to the living room.
After Karna had sat down, Arjuna went to grab some more blood. "Drink this." Arjuna said as he put the glass on the table.
"I just had one earlier." Karna said as he looked to the red liquid. He gulped. He wanted to drink that thing, but he restrained himself. Karna realized it himself that he had been consuming too much.
"You should take more," Arjuna insisted as he handed the glass to Karna. "Your body needs more," Arjuna smiled a bit when Karna took the glass. "There's no need to restraint yourself, as long as you get better, that's all."
Karna snorted lightly as a yes. He took the glass and drank it. Karna didn't told Arjuna, but he had been hungry most of the time. Karna chose to limit his own intake because he didn't want to cause inconvineince. Arjuna had done so much. Karna didn't know what to say to express his immense thank you.
Arjuna listened closely to the heartbeats. Karna's beat was getting slower, but it was still consistent. It was like animals on hibernation. Lower heartbeat rates, long hours of sleeping, the difference was, the life inside Karna wasn't sleeping.
Another sudden pain emerged. Karna closed his eyes as he withstand the feeling. Ah, Karna remembered how painful it was when he fell. This pain couldn't rival that night. Karna laid down, he didn't even bother with the TV or cushions anymore. He was too lazy to grab those because he would need to sit up again.
Arjuna grabbed the cushion, he raised Karna's head gently and put the cushion behind the head. And then he put the remote on his side. After that, Arjuna put his hand on Karna's forehead. Checking the temperature. Karna was a bit cold, maybe three degrees below normal rate. But that was expected from the lower heartbeat rate. "You sure you don't want to go to bed?"
Instead of replying, somehow, Karna chuckled. He seemed having fun, which confused Arjuna. Did the pain made him weird? "No," Karna said as soon as he stopped his laugh. "I remembered, I used to touch you like that when you were sick."
He was talking about Arjuna when he was a child. Arjuna had gotten sick a few times. He had yearly heatstroke fever. At first, Karna was very scared. He thought Arjuna was dying because he was hot and unable to wake up. Just like Karna's fosters parents before they die. Karna stayed awake for days just to take care of Arjuna. "You thought I was dying," Arjuna laughed as well. "Even though it was just a normal cold."
"Humans can die from cold," Karna paused a moment as he glanced outside the window. "...my parents did"
Arjuna raised his brows. Karna had never talked about this before. Karna rarely talked about his past. It was Arjuna who always talked about his parents and brothers. But somehow, Arjuna didn't feel weird with Karna's parents were humans. It explained a lot why he respected humans so much. "What kind of people were they?" Arjuna asked as he put a blanket on Karna.
"My mother was a kind person, she made me a lot of clothes and she didn't get angry when I bite on her," Karna felt so bad because he often bite on her all the time. Because the lived in the forest and they were alone. "Though, sometimes she would scold me for biting too much," Karna was once a child as well, there were times when he couldn't control his bloodlust.
It was because of her, that Karna wanted to make clothes. Because he remembered she made his.
His mother loved him despite of Karna was a monster. Karna also remembered the many times he had seen a mother's sacrifice. Like long time ago, when the ship Karna was on was sinking and the lifeboats were filled with the rich people, men and women. There was a mother who just threw her two children to the boat, while she herself stayed behind. "Mothers are amazing, aren't they?"
"You're one as well," Arjuna said as he smiled and brushed his fingers on Karna's hair. "And you're pretty amazing yourself."
Karna pushed himself into sitting position. Arjuna had his hand on Karna's back as support. Then, Karna circled his arms on Arjuna and pulled him close. The embrace was warm and Karna buried his face onto Arjuna's neck.
Karna was still clingy as ever. They stayed like that for minutes as they hugged.
Being loved is a great feeling.
Three months left before due. Karna's condition had significantly worsened. Karna had been in constant pain for the past four months. He was being attacked from inside. He couldn't move much and his need for consumption skyrocketed that not only Arjuna but his also budget actually got anemia from that.
Though it was particularly caused by the underworld market shutting down so fast thanks to Galahad and co. Arjuna had to purchase blood by legal means. Arjuna was really thankful the scientists invented blood-pill because they were so cheap. Though he still didn't really give them to Karna. He took it for himself. Sometimes Arjuna missed the days where blood was sold cheaply because they could just butcher a random human in the way.
Arjuna thought this would be the worst from the pregnancy, but damn he was wrong.
Karna had lost a major of his weight over the course of five months and was bedridden. He really had it so rough. No wonder little vampires survived a full term pregnancy. Karna had survived well until now simply because he had enough. But the last part was one he couldn't avoid.
"Arjuna, sorry," Karna called as he laid so weakly. "I want to sit..." he said. Because laying around all day wasn't really comfortable. He had tried to lay on his sides but those were uncomfortable as well. And this is the fourth time already Karna asked to sit. He really didn't want to bother Arjuna as much.
Arjuna helped him sat up by pushing his back. "It's fine. I'll be right here."
"Sorry." Karna apologized once again, closing his eyes as he finally sat up. His back felt much better now. "Thankfully he doesn't kick so hard today." Karna said as he held his belly in pain.
Compared to a few months ago, their child had been kicking in lesser output and Arjuna was really thankful for that. Because Arjuna was really uncertain if Karna's current body could handle that. Arjuna wasn't even sure if Karna could last another three months. If things really got bad, they could cut open Karna's stomach and get the baby out early. But that wasn't a good option as well.
Really, at this point, Arjuna really wondered if he wanted another child. Maybe not anymore. This was just too scary.
Karna covered his mouth as he coughed a few times. Arjuna was shocked to see blood dripping down from Karna's fingers. Karna looked at his own hand and it was covered with his blood. It was a lot of blood. It flowed down and stained the blanket. Something must have gone horribly wrong inside. Karna had coughed blood a few times, but it was never this much.
"Karna!?" Arjuna was holding on Karna who's resting on him. "Karna!? Speak to me."
"Ah... I'm fine." Karna said as he forced a painful smile.
Arjuna hugged him tightly. "You're not okay... don't lie."
Karna wanted to hug back but he had no strength to move his arms. His ears was on Arjuna's chest and he could hear that his heart was beating so fast. Arjuna must be so scared. "I'm hungry..." Karna said in his weak breath.
Arjuna had readied a bottle of blood (1,8L) behind him. "Can you drink?" He asked as he grabbed it.
Karna nodded and Arjuna let him drink from it. Karna gulped the content quite fast. He was indeed hungry even though he just had a bottle a few hours ago. That bottle could have lasted a normal vampire three to four days.
At least after the drinking it, Karna's complexion looked a bit better and Arjuna was glad. "Do you want to lay down?" Arjuna asked.
"I'm okay," Karna said as he straighten up his body and sat on his own. He gave Arjuna an assuring smile. "Don't worry, you need to sleep. You haven't been sleeping for days."
Karna did look a lot better compared to before. Arjuna sighed as he touched Karna's cheek. Arjuna realized it himself that he was getting tired. "Okay... but if you need anything, wake me." Arjuna smiled a bit as he said.
Karna nodded. "Ah." Then Arjuna moved away. He sat and rested his back on walls, and he fell asleep almost instantly. He had light anemia and he hadn't been sleeping for days. But Arjuna couldn't sleep well anyway because of his constant worrying. So staying awake for days and worn himself out really put him to a sleep this time.
.
.
.
Arjuna woke up five hours later and it was already midnight. He felt a lot fresher. Since he turned he had never slept for more than two hours. He was just that tired.
Arjuna checked on Karna. He was also sleeping. He laid on his left side. Everything was fine. He was breathing properly and Arjuna could hear the mini heartbeat inside Karna was fine.
Arjuna pressed the back of his neck and sighed lighting. Arjuna was drained both physically and mentally. He grabbed the blood pill on the cupboard, poured a handful of them and ate them. Yucky. It tasted so bad that Arjuna wanted to puke.
Arjuna had read it that the scientist had invented artificial vc-blood. It wasn't real human blood and it cannot be used for transfusion, but vampires could consume that. Arjuna hoped that thing would taste better than the pills as he looked forward the release date.
Arjuna checked at Karna once again. Just to be safe. Then he went out of the room. He washed his face and he needed some fresh air so he went out.
Everything was dark, silent and cold outside. Only noises of nature and the animals in the near forest. At least it was peaceful. Then Arjuna heard Karna was making some noises. Gasps and groans, he sounded in pain.
Arjuna quickly returned to the room. Karna was indeed in pain. Heavily breathing as he hold on his belly. Then Arjuna realized a smell. Something wet. He shoved away the blanket and found the source. "You're in labour!"
Karna was not taking it well. He seemed shocked and scared. "But it's not supposed... khh! to come out now..." he said as his tears leaked. It's not yet the time. "Arjuna... I'm afraid..."
Arjuna held Karna's hand tightly as he sweated cold. He wanted to act cool by saying assuring words but he couldn't. He was just as afraid as Karna. "I'm afraid too." He said instead. "But I believe you can do it!"
And then Arjuna pulled down the pants and he waited for the next to come.
Karna had it so hard. He was breathing heavily as he felt the baby moved inside him, trying to get out from him. It was truly painful. He kept pushing for hours but the baby didn't come out. And he passed out several time due to the pain. Only to wake up in the pain again and continue pushing.
That repeated a few times, until they could hear the cry of the newborn.
Arjuna cried when he saw their child. He was so beautiful and small. All Arjuna wanted to do was to protect this baby. Those small fingers and toes. Those red cheeks.
Arjuna took a cloth and covered the baby. Then he put the baby next to Karna.
Karna was still in pain. He was exhausted and breathing heavily. But he couldn't just pass out again. He wanted to see his child. "He has your nose... and your mouth..." Karna said as he watched the bundle of love that had caused him tons of pain. But he loved the baby anyway so it worth all the pain. So cute. So small. So beloved.
"But, he has your hair color" Arjuna said and wondered, the baby looked so much like him aside from that color. Where did Karna's genes went to? But he had yet to open his eyes. Maybe he would look like Karna there.
Karna laughed happily. "Thank you for being born..." he said and then he passed out again.
Welcome to the world, our child Nitya! We've been expecting you.
—
Everything was smooth after that. Three weeks had passed and Karna had returned to normal. He had regained the portion he had lost and everything returned to normal except for the extra of their child.
Karna smiled as he looked down to the small bundle in his arms. He was sleeping soundlessly in the safe arms of his mother.
Thankfully after being born, Nitya become a lot less costive. There was no longer need for Karna to consume the crazy amount of blood anymore. And Nitya could just bite on his parents whenever he wanted to. He was born with his fangs on. As expected from the baby that caused so many pain. He'd been biting inside.
His kicks were very strong for a baby but outside the body, he couldn't hurt anyone. Nitya opened his eyes after a week. The shape of his eyes were indeed Arjuna's but the color was the icy blue.
Arjuna took pictures of him a lot. He even had an 8GB memory card full just because of the pictures even though it was just three weeks. And of course, his phone wallpaper was his child. Arjuna really adored their son.
And so they added Nitya in their family registry.
And that's how the family of three was visited by some guests.
"Hello! We've heard the news! Congrats, Arjuna!" It was Gawain with his princely shining smile at the door. Together with Tristan and Bedivere.
"I didn't tell anyone about this." Arjuna said. He wasn't really happy with the guests. They were disturbing his family time. But Arjuna could have guessed who told them.
"We heard it from Holmes," Bedivere said. Arjuna's attention since the beginning was taken by Bedivere. Not exactly him, but the child he was holding.
Bedivere noticed Arjuna's eyes on the girl and Bedivere smiled proudly. He showed her off to Arjuna. "Mordred, one-year-old. Isn't she cute?"
Arjuna could see the similarities. She looked too similar to her mother. "Well, she's quite cute." Arjuna answered flatly. She was cute, he wasn't lying. But his son was way cuter!
"We've bought you some gifts. Baby stuff." Tristan raised up the bag he was holding.
"Arjuna, your friends?" Karna who was sitting on the cushion asked. He was holding the baby as he looked at the men and Mordred.
Arjuna sighed. "Used to be my co-workers."
"Welcome," Karna said to them. And Arjuna let the men in. They all sat at table. Nitya opened his eyes when he heard all the noises and he looked up to his mother. Karna smiled at him. His eyes were Karna's color.
"What's his... or her name?" Bedivere asked as he looked to Nitya.
"His name is Nitya," Karna answered with a smile. He was proud with Bedivere asking for his child's name. And so was Arjuna.
Bedivere then glanced to the TV. "It's just like Galahad said! You bought a TV after that right?" Galahad once told Bedivere that Arjuna would buy a TV sooner or later after the new law. He was very right. Maybe it was his instinct after years of hunting?
Arjuna was quite pissed. He never liked how sharp Galahad was or how smart Holmes was. Arjuna even questioned himself if he's an idiot after dealing with them. Though Arjuna masked that very well as he served coffee to the hunters. He knew they do coffee. They had been working together for years. "How's captain?" Arjuna asked about Artoria. He was a bit interested with her, especially after seeing Mordred.
"She's doing some volunteer work. Sometimes we take turns watching Mordred. Though it is mostly Bedivere." Tristan said as he took a sip of the coffee. Thought that was true, the main reason she wasn't there was simply because she doesn't want to see Arjuna. Not yet maybe.
Arjuna only watched in silence as Tristan drank. Thank goodness they don't realize the coffee was expired. Arjuna had stopped replacing them after some time.
"Mordred is so cute after all." Bedivere said as he raised Mordred on the air. She laughed cutely. Then Bedivere put Mordred on the floor.
She got up on her own and she walked to Nitya. She stared at him with shining eyes and Nitya stared back on her in silent. Bedivere thought it was very cute.
Until she started to droll as she looked intensely to the baby. Smells so good, so delicious. Nyam nyam...
Karna quickly shielded his baby. Arjuna was alerted and he put his arm in between Mordred and his baby. Gawain quickly pulled Mordred away and handed her to Bedivere.
Bedivere laughed awkwardly. "Sorry about that... But don't worry. She doesn't usually bite. Hahahah..." he said a lie, Mordred bites all the time. And Bedivere being bitten the most.
Captain's daughter, Mordred is dangerous. Arjuna made a mental note. He almost witnessed his own son being food.
"Bedi, Bedi..." Mordred called as she pointed her finger on Nitya. Totally meaning she wanted to eat him.
Bedivere sweated cold as he was being glared by Arjuna and Karna had been shielding his baby. "Sorry! Sorry!" He apologized.
Then Bedivere scolded Mordred. "How many times have I told you not to bite on people!?" He said and he pointed his finger on her face. Totally scolding like a mom.
But instead of listening, Mordred opened her mouth, showing her little fangs and quickly bit on that finger. Bedivere jumped in surprise but she didn't let go. Her jaws were strong AF. As expected from a pureblood. Mordred might still be a child, but her powers were showing. "Mordred... please stop biting me. It hurts." Bedivere said and smiled with a little of bit tears in his eyes.
Gawain facepalmed. Tristan only chuckled at the scene. Arjuna wondered if his son would be like that as well when he got a little bigger. Even now Nitya already showed the tendency to bite on his parents whenever he wanted. Though he was still too small to do any real bite.
But she let him go after sucking him for some time. Bedivere lost the sensation of his right arm because of that. Then he grabbed her with his left hand and hold her. So that she wouldn't walk around and bite people.
Then Arjuna asked "How're the others?" as he was slightly interested with them.
"Well. Galahad is getting promotion again. He is no longer working with us. Now he's in the special squad directly under the queen." Tristan said and then he laughed. "And he caught Lancelot with a woman in his secret mission." Tristan the covered his mouth with his hand as he laughed even more. Lancelot's expression was just too funny to forget.
"Ahh. That's bad." Arjuna said. Though he wasn't surprised at all. Lancelot had been caught a few times like that. There was even once that Lancelot was caught flirting with his vampire target instead of capturing her. Then it turned out she wasn't a she at all. Her real identity was Leonardo Da Vinci, another genius vampire that had lived hundred of years.
Karna enjoyed their visit. He had always wanted to know what people that Arjuna had spent his time with. These are good people. Karna thought.
And then they talked about some more. Karna listened closely. They talked about Okita-san whom have finally retired after these years. Mainly because people were starting to get super worried of her coughing blood everytime.
Squad two got a new captain. Her name was Nero. Nero mostly talked about her wife, Hakuno that everyone there know recognized her right away when she came to visit.
Also, there was some news about Moriarty being witnessed with a man with long white leaving the country via train. "We could no longer chase after him if he has left the country." Gawain sighed. He had been chasing Moriarty for four years and yet he couldn't capture him. It was a big failure.
"How's Holmes?" Arjuna then asked.
"He also left. Who knows where he goes." Tristan answered.
Seems like they are starting a new game. Arjuna thought. He didn't know where they will do it, or how. And Arjuna didn't really care. He only wanted Karna and Nitya to be safe.
But those two would be causing problems again somewhere in the world just for their game. Maybe plunging another country into a war. And that was a little scary for Arjuna. Geniuses always pull off something like could shake the world. And Gawain mentioned about a man with long white hair.
"Wait. The man with long white hair, is it this guy?" Arjuna opened his phone and showed them a picture of Merlin he kept in case he needed it. Karna had a feeling that they were talking about Merlin. Because he knew that man had a connection to almost everywhere.
Gawain and Bedivere was shocked to see that picture. "Yes! Do you know him!?" Gawain asked. Finally found someone that might give him a clue.
"His name is Merlin. A half vampire." Arjuna told them.
Gawain couldn't believe his ears. "Half? Aren't those just myth?"
"Apparently Merlin is a real deal. And if he was with Moriarty all the time, then..." Arjuna finally connected the dots. And it suddenly made sense how Merlin could easily pull stuff like forging and erasing his own traces. Arjuna had always wondered how he did it when he was younger. The world sure is full of mystery. Arjuna laughed a bit. And he felt himself even dumber now.
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"Achoo!" Merlin sneezed. He and Moriarty were sitting facing each other on the train to the next station. He rubbed his nose afterwards.
Moriarty was reading a novel when he looked at Merlin sneezing. "Someone's talking about you?" He teased the beautiful man.
"You believe that?" Merlin pouted.
Then the food seller passed their row. Merlin raised his hand. "Missy, give me that!" Merlin pointed to the biscuits. She handed him the biscuit and she excused herself.
Merlin opened the biscuit and started eating it. He looked very happy when eating. "Ahh~ I can't believe they actually manage to drive us out... That Galahad and Siegfried are so heartless..." he said as he faked a tear to wipe. "Siegfried is a pureblood why the hell does he even sides with the hunters?! He almost had me!"
Moriarty smiled at Merlin. "If those two were working together since the beginning, then all those rumors they made was just to give Galahad more credits to take down Gilgamesh."
"Hehehe~ it means you are bullied by many people~" Merlin teased back as he crunching on the biscuit in his right cheek. "Poor Moriarty, No wonder you lost this game~"
"Haha, I wonder when will you betray me, Merlin."
"Ouch. You speak like I am a bad person." Merlin dramatizes. He clutched his heart. "Even though I have been your ally for the longest time," Merlin said and he smiled. But that smile hid something under it. Daggers maybe.
Moriarty chuckled on Merlin. Then he looked outside the window. The sun was right on top. That sun was like the justice in the world. Shining some parts of the world, while the rest is dark. That's underworld. World of crime, cruelty, and chaos. It would be nice if I can take down that sun and cover the world in darkness. Moriarty thought.
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Years ago, somewhere in the countryside.
"Young man, that skills and strength of yours are worthy of praise. What's your name?" Siegfried asked as he regrew his arm.
Fourteen-years-old Galahad was breathing heavily as he knelt down in exhaustion. "Galahad."
"I am Siegfried, a traveler."
"I know. You're a pureblood that must be exterminated!" Galahad yelled, though he he already knew that he could no longer fight.
"Your allies are all down. You're alone." Siegfried said as he walked towards the young man. "But be rest assured, I don't kill any of them."
Galahad looked at his fallen comrades. They were wounded but just like Siegfried said, all of them were alive, just unconscious. "Why?" Galahad asked as he looked up to the huge man.
"I don't believe killing humans are right," Siegfried answered and the might wind started blowing. And his hair was dancing. "I only want to slay the evil vampires."
Galahad couldn't believe his ears. A pureblood, their highest enemy was saying something like that. "Why do you want to say?"
Siegfried offered a hand to the young Galahad. "I'll help you."
Galahad was at first suspicious, that hand could kill him in a matter of seconds. But weirdly Galahad sensed no malice from the pureblood. Either way, he still couldn't run from Siegfried. So he took that hand.
After that Galahad returned to be celebrated. Everyone talked about how he drove Siegfried away, protecting his comrades, not letting even one of them to die.
Shortly after that, a certain vampire named Sherlock Holmes called out to him.
Galahad started to learn more about the vampires, and gradually his hate for them was extinguished. Once he looked at the vampires with a different angle, he saw many kinds of vampires. Some evil, some chaotic, and for the kind ones, they live in constant self-restraint and fear of the hunters and other vampires. Siegfried said he wanted to change that. Galahad then agreed. After all not all vampires was turned by their own will.
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"Finally, they're gone." Arjuna sat down and sighed. Finally more quality time together with his family.
Karna snorted lightly and closed his eyes. "Your friends are nice people."
Arjuna narrowed his eyes. "Those were just co-workers from my old job. Not my friend."
Karna chuckled. His Arjuna never changed. Still a loner as ever. Karna looked down to Nitya who was laying on the cushion, making sounds as he looked to his mother. The size of the cushion fitted him very well.
Arjuna grabbed the bags Gawain gifted to them. A baby hat, a pair of baby socks and some diapers. Arjuna should thank them next time. And he grabbed the other bag. He pulled out a Lion-Go plush.
Arjuna knew this plush was Artoria's favorite type. She had a lot of the merchandises on her table. Figurines, key chains, stickers. And there was a card in the bag. He picked it and opened it up.
'Congratulations'
Arjuna recognized this handwriting very well. Arjuna couldn't help but smile with a heavy feeling in his chest. The guilt was there, but there was also a sense of relief.
What a stupid captain.
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Years went fast, 7-years-old Nitya looked up to his father. Arjuna's had been holding his hand to make sure he didn't get lost. They were at the supermarket, precisely in the special corner that sold items that could be consumed by vampire.
Nitya was watching his father looking very seriously to the packaging he was holding. A child he might be, but Nitya was a smart boy. He could read the situation very well. His father was a bit conflicted about the new released item.
Arjuna read the packaging. Lab grown meat. Instruction said that it can be eaten raw or cooked. Praise the power of science? Arjuna wasn't so sure. He knew the scientists grew the body parts, but this was still technically human flesh. Arjuna hoped this wasn't a tumor or something.
Nitya waited until Arjuna finished his thoughts before he spoke up. "Tou-san," he said as he moved his hand to alert his father.
Arjuna looked down to the boy. "What's it?" He asked as he put the meat to his basket. He picked the basked with one hand while the other one holding his son. Arjuna knew what would come next. It must be snacks again.
Nitya pointed the the snacks shelf. "I want snacks!" He said with puppy eyes. He does it whenever he wanted something. Because his parents couldn't resist these eyes. A manipulative boy he was.
"But you had one just now," Arjuna narrowed his eyes. Though Nitya was a vampire, so there was no fear for toothache. Plus the snacks he ate wasn't usual snacks. They were basically processed food created to imitate human snacks, but for vampires. Arjuna liked buying snacks for Nitya but he felt that his son asked for too much snacks lately.
The boy's expression changed. He was shocked, usually his father would just nod and let him pick what he wanted. "I can't?" He asked as he looked again to the snack shelf, then to Arjuna, and then to the shelf again. That chocolate bar was calling for him.
"Sorry, you can't." Arjuna said and he felt so guilty when he saw that disappointed expression of his son. The boy kept staring at that chocolate bar.
Nitya looked up to Arjuna again. "How about pudding?" He was negotiating. If he couldn't get the one he wanted, he could settle to something smaller. "Can I?" He asked as he pointed to the chiller in the same corner.
Arjuna glanced away from the boy so that his heart didn't have to feel so bad. "No," Arjuna said as he continued walking and pulled his son.
Nitya didn't resist that pull. Though he hadn't given up on his snacks. "How about a drink?" He asked as he looked at the bottled sweetened v-cells drink. Basically candy in liquid form for vampires.
Every question from the boy was an agony for Arjuna to pass. Arjuna tried to ignore him. The boy's angelic voice could easily sway his parents. Especially Karna. He just spoilt Nitya rotten, giving him everything he wanted. Arjuna had gotten into an arguement with Karna a few times over that. Karna said he couldn't say no to Nitya's requests because he didn't had these things when he was a child.
Nitya walked with his father, silently pouting as he looked pass the delicious snacks.
The walked home. Nitya was raised it that house in mountain until he was three. Then they moved back to city. They no longer had any reason to stay away from humans. They were legally people now. And Karna wanted Nitya to socialize with humans. Though there were still dislikes and distrust from the humans around them, but time would do its job. They couldn't expect all humans to accept co-existance with the vampires in just a few years. Plus Arjuna got a job here.
Karna welcomed them back. He was holding the laundry basket as he smiled to the two. Then Nitya quickly ran to his mother and hugged his waist. The boy looked up to Karna with his begging eyes again. "Kaa-san, can I have pudding?"
Karna was about to nod when he felt the gaze. Arjuna was looking at him straight with a 'no' face. Then Karna looked down again to Nitya. The boy's face was too hard to resist. And he added some more plea. "Please? Kaa-san, just one!" Nitya said as he sensed his mother was hesitating on saying yes.
Karna would like to say yes. He totally would say yes. If only Arjuna wasn't there. "Sorry," Karna apologized to his son. The disappointment in Nitya's eyes were very clear. He gasped as he dropped his jaw in shock. How could Kaa-san say no?
Nitya started to pout again. "Why?"
"Sorry," Karna shook his head after he looked at Arjuna once more. He was also begging for the 'ok' but Arjuna was set on stone. No more snacks for today! Arjuna sighed. He had to ignore two pleas because Karna sided with Nitya everytime.
Nitya was angry that he didn't get what he wanted. He went to the sofa and sat in silence, crossing his hands. Sulking.
Later Karna secretly gave him the pudding when Arjuna went to shower. Because seeing his precious son sulking and looking very sad was unbearable.
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Arjuna watched his mate and his son. The two were talking about newest technology. Nitya was showing Karna a magazine about that. Though Karna didn't really understand technology. He was kind of dumb when to comes to that. Maybe because he was quite old. But Karna tried to understand what his son was trying to tell him, and he nodded. He pointed to the magazine, asking some questions.
Karna was smiling as Nitya explained to him the new programs for beta androids. Nitya was part of the team that created it. He was a programmer, a tech sav. Arjuna was the one who taught him computers. Karna looked up from the book and praised his son. Karna's smile was so peaceful.
Seeing how peaceful his family was, Arjuna felt a darkness crept into his heart. Their son had reached adulthood since long time ago. Nitya had his own life and he came home from time to time to see his parents. Karna was still youthful as ever, still beautiful and young. Not even single line were showing in his skin. He still looked like a he was in his early twenties. Even though Karna was supposed to be around 600 now. He still looked exactly like that day when Arjuna first saw him.
But Arjuna, on other had, he had wrinkles on his face now. Arjuna looked at his own hands. They weren't as smooth anymore. Day by day, Arjuna found more strands of white hair on his head. By human standard, he would look like a man in his mid forties. He had lived 300 years. Arjuna would have been an dead now if it wasn't for Karna's blood. He drank Karna's blood a lot that he extended a many years being alive already. And Karna was generous with the amount he gave. Just like Arjuna, Karna also feared that day would come.
But he understood that was simply delaying his end. His lifespan was uncomparable to Karna nor his son. Arjuna will die by age but his family would keep living. They would live hundred or even thousand of years.
And Arjuna wouldn't be there with them.
Arjuna realized how selfish he had been for his whole life. All he did was for himself. He loved Karna for his own sake. He protected Karna so protect himself. He marked Karna despite of knowing that he couldn't live as long as Karna. He knew one day he would die, and Karna would be left alone with his mark. Karna would spend the rest of his life stuck with Arjuna. It was now, Arjuna realized he was a cruel person. Karna had been always kind to him. Accepting Arjuna the way he was. Arjuna was truly loved.
And there were that man, Siegfried, who could live who knows until when. Pureblood's lifespan was unclear. None of them had been recorded to die from old age. A turnblood's life was like a decade compared to pureblood's.
Arjuna hated that man. It was since the first time Arjuna saw him, he know Siegfried loved Karna. It wasn't like Karna cheated on him. Karna was in fact, very loyal and commited to Arjuna. A bit too loyal. Karna was Arjuna's alone. Siegfried was on sidelines the whole time, watching Karna's happy family with Arjuna.
Arjuna knew that Siegfried was waiting for his turn to come. Arjuna hated him even more now. But he knew that Siegfried would be the only one who could spend eternity with Karna, not him. Whenever Arjuna thought about that, his chest hurt.
"Arjuna?" Karna called out to his mate. He realized how Arjuna had been staring at him the whole time, and Arjuna looked like he wanted to cry.
Arjuna forgot to mask his face again. Even though his masks were his trademark, but lately they were breaking one by one. But Arjuna was still able to force a smile, though it would look very fake. "Sorry, just thinking about something stupid."
Both Karna and Nitya was able to see straight that lie. Arjuna always blink twice when he make a lying smile.
Karna got up from his seat. He went to Arjuna and he cupped his cheek. Karna smiled to him, sadly. Karna already knew what Arjuna was thinking. There were no secrets between them. Karna pressed their forehead together and then they hugged.
Nitya was watching. He could only smile at the sight. His parents were always affectionate with each other. He had seen this so many times since he was a baby. His parents truly loved each other.
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Arjuna was resting on Karna's lap. It felt nice and safe. Karna was stroking Arjuna's now white hair. Arjuna was feeling that he could just go straight to sleep and never wake up anymore like this.
That was until he felt something wet dripped on his cheek. Arjuna forced himself to open his eyes once more, and he looked at Karna's crying face. Tears were dripping like waterfall as he held Arjuna's hand, while the other hand was still stroking his hair. He sobbed as he closed his eyes.
"...you cried too much..." Arjuna said and he laughed weakly. Karna had been crying so many times lately. "You were so strong back then..." he added. Arjuna remembered how Karna used to protect him when they were chased by Gilgamesh's men.
Karna couldn't say anything. He was already holding himself from sobbing even harder. But the tears kept flowing, he wanted to stay strong till the end in front of Arjuna, but he just couldn't. "Sorry," was all he could say.
Arjuna smiled as he sighed. "I am... worried about you..." he said as he tried to reach Karna's face with his hand, but he was too weak. Karna had to held it and put it on his cheek. Arjuna's hand was no longer warm like it used to be. This happened because Arjuna wasn't supposed to live this long. It was Karna who forced Arjuna's body to keep living. He had been doing this for months. He kept preventing Arjuna from dying by feeding him with his own's blood excessively, and sometimes flesh. But it was no use. There was no way to defy nature's law. "What will you do if I'm gone..?" Arjuna asked, Karna's warmth was filling his heart.
Karna lips formed a smile as he looked at Arjuna with very gentle eyes. "I'll follow you soon," Karna said. It had always been his plan to do so. Their son didn't really need them anymore, so Karna had no reason to stay in a world without Arjuna.
"Don't do that, stupid Karna..." Arjuna had expected that actually. If in any case, Arjuna asked Karna to die with him, Karna would certainly nod on that request. Arjuna was undeniable happy with Karna's dedication for him. Because Arjuna was a selfish person. But these words of Karna, it hurts. It had been always so. Most of Karna's suffering stems from Arjuna's selfishness. Arjuna had been the receiving person ever since the met. "I don't really like the idea..." Arjuna sighed once again, he couldn't believe he would be saying this. "but you should give those feelings to someone else," Arjuna had received a lot in his life. He didn't want to be selfish for his last moments.
Karna shook his head. He couldn't bear it. "...no...no..." He murmured as he cried. He held Arjuna's hand tighter. He didn't want to let go. "I don't need anyone else..." Karna could hear Arjuna's heartbeats getting weaker every second.
Arjuna was proud with that last words. That Karna needed no one else except for him. It ringed very nice in Arjuna's ears. But Arjuna didn't want that Karna had to suffer because of him. "I am already so blessed... thank you, Karna..." Arjuna thanked him, as his voice slowly getting weaker. "Please...be happy..."
I don't want to die yet. I want to stay longer with you. I don't want to give you to that man. But...but...
The sound of Arjuna's weak heartbeat was completely gone as he closed his eyes. Arjuna had lived his life to the fullest. He died at age 381.
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It was spring. The sky was bright and the birds were chirping. It was a beautiful day. But above that, it was a special day for Karna.
Karna knelt in front of a tombstone. He put a bouquet of carnations there as he smiled. Karna's chest was filled with nostalgic feeling.
Karna looked at the tombstone and then he closed his eyes. The breeze was nice but Karna wore a sweater and scarf to avoid the wind directly. Someone was worried about his body and told him to keep himself warm. There was a ring on his fourth finger and his belly was bloated.
"Happy Birthday, Arjuna," Karna said as he smiled, a bit sad, but he was here to celebrate. He came to visit Arjuna on his every birthday. "As you see, I am getting bigger than last year."
Arjuna passed away 80 years ago. He lived to 381 years and all of that years, he spent it with Karna. They were very in love with each other. Their time together was a blessing.
Karna never stopped loving Arjuna. And so was Arjuna. He loved Karna until his last breath. He and Arjuna were bonded and that bond was eternal. They were bonded by soul and Arjuna died on Karna's lap. He had lived his life to the fullest.
The ring on Karna's finger was his bond with another person.
Karna touched the name of his beloved that was paved on the cold stone. "I am doing very well. I am very happy," He said as his fingers brushed on the name gently.
"Nitya is doing good as well. He and Mordred are starting a new game project. It is a good game. I played the first stage and I got stuck, I am still bad at games," He said and chuckled gently. He remembered how Nitya sighed because Karna sucked at the game and he needed another tester. "The way Nitya sulked was exactly like you."
Then Karna stared at silence for a minute. He was overflowing with memories. "I missed you..." Karna said as he reminded himself of Arjuna's touches and the warmth of his hands. Tears were welling in his eyes, and he wiped it with his sleeve. "Sorry, I got emotional again... Even though today is your birthday."
Years of loving and being loved had made Karna quite expressive of his emotions. Karna wouldn't have imagined himself like this when he was younger.
It would be a lie if Karna said he didn't want to Arjuna to live longer with him. But no matter how much he tried, how much blood he gave, Arjuna's lifespan was limited as he was originally a human. "I wish you could have stayed longer and see how great Nitya's doing."
Karna lost count how many nights he spent crying when Arjuna's end was near. He spent every second with him until his death. Arjuna's last words were very unlike him. 'I don't really like the idea, but you should give those feelings to someone else,' is what he said. Because Arjuna knew that his mate would be crying over him even after years of his death. And that saddened him a lot.
"I love you, Arjuna," Karna said as he wiped his tears once again.
Then he slowly got up, using the tombstone as his support. Karna was sure Arjuna would be fine with him using his tombstone. Pregnancy had always taken toll on his balance. After he stood up straight he held on his belly with his right hand and gave his love one more smile. "Then, I'll be going... I'll come back again in two years."
Two years would be a long time. Karna came here a few times in a year. It would be two years before his next visit because Karna probably wouldn't be able to walk anymore next year. He was on his late third year now. Karna smiled as he rubbed his belly as he walked.
Karna walked to the person who had been waiting for him. That person welcomed Karna back with a very warm smile, he raised his hand, and Karna took it with his. "You're crying again," Siegfried said as he wiped the lingering tears with his thumb. Karna always cried whenever he visit Arjuna.
Karna snorted lightly and smiled. "Sorry,"
Siegfried patted his head gently with his other hand and then gave him a kiss on his forehead. "That's fine," he said after that. Then he stuck his nose to Karna's neck and smell him. "Just making sure you're okay." Siegfried said after he was done with the sniffing. He rubbed the belly with proud face after that.
Karna couldn't help but laugh at that. Siegfried was worried about Karna but he was also happy with their baby. "Let's go home," Karna said as he looked up to the taller man.
"Ah," Siegfried replied. His eyes were still kind and his voice was still gentle as ever. He never changed. His feelings for Karna had been always pure. Siegfried waited for almost 50 years before Karna decided to accept him. And Siegfried was so patient with the waiting, supporting Karna every time. "Let's go."
Vampires' mate was akin to human's marriage. The difference was, omega could only have one mate in their lifetime. It was very hard at first. Karna's body was unable to accept Siegfried very well. They spent their first ten years only hugging each other. At first, Karna wasn't even able to hug or kiss. It made him felt nausea when Siegfried get close to him. It took a lot of effort for him to get used to it.
It was only recently they got intimate, and Siegfried had to be very careful and gentle every time. Karna's heat was helpful, it made him more relaxed and Siegfried was able to mate with him with some preparations. Siegfried was unable to touch Karna that way in his normal days. Though that wasn't a problem. As long as Karna was on his side, everything was good.
"Nitya asked if we could get him some cookies and snacks when we get home," Karna said as he pulled out a paper from his pocket. It was a list of snack's brands and drink. It was for his friends who were in the same team with him. Mordred and Cu aside, the others were all humans. And they often stayed to midnight to redo the codes. So he needed to stock the food for them.
"Of course," Siegfried nodded. Siegfried had always loved Nitya as his own son ever since he saw him. It was the extension of his love for Karna. Nitya had known Siegfried for his whole life and he liked Siegfried a lot.
Siegfried often came to visit him and Karna. Though he kept it scheduled so that Arjuna wouldn't be so offended. Arjuna was quite a selfish person at early days. It was later when he got close to his end that he kind of accepted Siegfried to be Karna's second man. He didn't want Karna to be alone for the rest of his life after his death.
"Thank you," Karna thanked and smiled to Siegfried. Though Karna would never forget Arjuna and Siegfried wasn't Karna's mate but he does love Siegfried. There was no lie in his feelings.
They walked away holding hands. Karna glanced back to Arjuna's resting place once more, smiled once more, bid another goodbye in his heart, and then he left with Siegfried.
What Karna said to Arjuna earlier was true. He was doing well and very happy.
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