Chapter 4~

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The twins clung to Arthur, they were nothing more than teenagers. They had been young and cute when they had turned, thirteen at most. They hadn't said much at all, they only spoke to Arthur and followed him as if they were his shadow.

Alfred warily watched the man who had saved him talk to the dark haired guy. He probably still thought they were "normal" vampires... He would probably reject them or try to use them for personal gain, just like the other had. Matthew was more optimistic, there was something different about Arthur, he could feel it. He had always been the better one at reading people and his entire body relaxed in the English Vampire's presence.

"Bonjour!" the tall blonde with long hair beamed at the twins, Alfred instantly disliked him and Matthew had a bad feeling something was about to happen.

Then he was groped.

"Francis!" said the blonde lady, scandalised by the French man's actions. Matthew went and hid behind her. She thought of them as children, he could see it in the gentle manner she used when talking to him. He was no child, he was already a hundred years old but she didn't have to know that.

Especially since she felt just as warm as her brother.

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"What are we going to do with them?" asked Arthur with a sigh.

"Keep them safe, Ivan was obviously abusing them and the Colony didn't like them in the slightest. They seem to have taken a liking to you, how about you become their gaurdian?" replied Roderich.

"I don't know..." Arthur frowned worriedly. Roderich chuckled and he blushed.

"Still not big on new people hmm?" Roderich smirked.

"Oh do shut up. I'm not exactly the best judge of character am I?" snorted Arthur.

"I think you'll do just fine" soothed Roderich and Arthur worried his bottom lip.

"...Fine." he sighed.

Matthew smiled briefly at their conversation, the blonde man was a good person- well as good as a vampire could be and he already decided he liked him.

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"Shit!" Alana hissed, stiffening in her chair.

"...Is something wrong?" asked Matthew more curious than concerned.

"Nothing for you to worry about lad, I just need to...Rest for a while." she grimaced gingerly moving out of her chair and towards the stairs but she only made it halfway before collapsing with a weak cry.

"Lanney! Are you alright?" Gilbert asked, rushing in from the next room.

"I'll be fine Gil, but would you mind helping me go up?" she replied gritting her teeth, it obviously hurt her pride to ask but it seemed there was no other choice.

"No problem Lanney" he replied rather gently compared to how loud he had been before. She nodded graciously before sending a weak smile back at Matthew.

"There's nothing to worry about dear, just tell Arthur that it's time for me would you?"

Matthew nodded, still not really understanding what was going on and slipped silently into the other room in search for Arthur.

"Why didn't you ask for help earlier?" sighed Gilbert.

"I am a proud person Gilbert, none of you even notced it was happening until recently." she replied.

"Just...Ask for help next time alright? It doesn't have to be me- ask Herakles, he practically lives in your room anyway."

"Is that jealousy I detect" she smirked.

"Kesesese, the awesome me doesn't get jealous!" proclaimed Gilbert.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night."

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"Arthur, Alana said it's time what does that mean? Why did Gilbert have to help her go up the stairs?" pestered Matthew, he was actually really worried. Arthur cursed in another language.

"It happens every few years, its nothing for you to worry about." he checked his lock and sighed heavily. He gestured Roderich over, whispered something into the Austrian's ear then departed after his sister.

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Alfred watching longingly as Arthur left, Matthew had stolen him away while they'd been talking.

That's when Alfred decided...He would play the cute approach. He'd have Alana eating out of his hand and all of Arthur's attention.

Game set, big brother.

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"Damn, this really couldn't have happened at a worse time" huffed Antonio.

"Our two best fighters are off the field, so we will be playing defense for a while" said Roderich with a shrug.

"It cant be helped, it's not their fault" said Gilbert rather savagely, completely frustrated by the situation.

Herakles simply sighed, considering his options.

"...I'll help."

"Thanks' Hera" grinned Antonio. Herakles frowned at him.

"Not doing this for you, I'm doing it for them. I am not...Opposed to being part of a flock so long as it is led in whatever way...they see fit. Betraying them...Is a death sentence an I will be...their grim reaper."

Feliciano shivered.

"Ve~~Hera-Chan is scary~~~"

"Shut up fratello! You'll just rile him up even more! Besides, we'd never betray the tea bastard and the clover bastard, their our flock too. God knows where me and Feli would be without them" said Lovino bitterly.

"They have done a lot for all of us, it's only decent to return the favour"

"Not a favour. It's a privilege to be called their family, they've done so any wonderful things...On Earth and above it." Herakles said firmly.

"Got that right Herakles! We'd all be dead meat without them!" cackled Gilbert and Herakles gave him n appraising look before smiling.

The entire room froze in shock. Kiku merely observed the entire situation without saying a word.

"Ve! Gilbert made Herakles smile!" giggled Feliciano

"I'll admit, the buffoon does have some uses. However even though Herakles only recently became a permanent member, Alana makes him smile all the time." said Roderich primly.

"Yeah! I remember the first time Arthur and Lanney smiled, they really were broken back then" said Antonio grimly.

"Ve~~~ Arthur smiles?" gasped Feliciano.

Roderich rolled his eyes, of course that would be the only thing he heard.

"Of course he does bastard!" snapped Lovino.

"Ve~~ When?"

"..."

"Hahah fratello doesn't know!"

"I do so!"

"Do not!"

"Alright that's enough!" commanded Roderich clapping his hands together.

"So who's going to patrol in Asa-san and Eire-Chan's place?" asked Kiku.

"...I'll do it" said Herakles.

"Kesesese, count the awesome me in!"

Surprisingly, Herakles didn't object. Kiku smiled slightly, Alana had a good influence on him.

Now, that was one less competitor for Arthur's heart.

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