Clouded Heart 5 Apologies And Schemes

Kyou had his own worries too, for one, how to fix the problem he was in, and two, was the current solution worth all this stress?

He was on the couch, legs crossed lotus style, and papers spread out in front of him. He had stayed at work until 6 that morning and slept the rest of the day. Now it was early evening and he was wide awake and ready to do some planning.

He had his hair pulled up into a small ponytail, the layered bangs were held in place by small, cheap clips as to not distract him while he studied the papers strewn across the furniture and the coffee table in front of him.

He had them all spread out: old books, papers, copied clips from newspapers- anything that he had managed to scrimp from the library on the way back from work.

It all had to do with one thing: Fiends. He got everything from pure lore to right up and through the time they actually started to show themselves throughout the world with in the last decade or so.

He had no idea what he was looking for and, unfortunately, none of it was really helpful. He didn't know what was true or what was just conjectured and full out lies. Besides the small amount he had learned about vampires from Aloys, he was completely ignorant.

He sighed and rubbed his face. He stilled mid-face rub as he thought of Aloys' library. There was bound to be books in there about how to protect himself.

Then he mentally paused again. He had been scared out of his f.u.c.king mind when Aloys found him in there the first time. He had been warned to not go in there again and he really hadn't given it another thought until now.

He was torn. Should he go in and risk it? Or should he try and find another way out of this?

Kyou was so wrapped up in his thoughts, he didn't notice someone had come into the room behind him. He was startled out of his internal debate as Aloys sat down on the couch heavily. It stirred Kyou's papers and caused them to scatter in every direction.

One, in particular, was floating above his head. Kyou tried to reach out to grab it, but when he did he let out a small hiss of pain.

Across the pad of his thumb a thin line of blood appeared from a papercut. As he brought the digit to his lips, he was stopped by a strong and pale hand around his wrist.

He could not even voice an objection as he was jerked halfway across the couch and partially into Aloys' lap. The vampire put the b.l.o.o.d.y pad to his mouth and pressed it to his pale lips.

His tongue darted out and licked it. It was cold as ice, but Kyou didn't notice. His almond shaped eyes were once again locked with the vampire's sly red ones.

Then, without a word from either of them, Kyou was released. He became confused. And very suspicious.

"It's healed," Aloys muttered as he turned his head away and placed a hand under his chin.

"W-what?" Kyou asked, but when he looked back at his thumb, the papercut was gone, fresh pink skin in its place.

He was even more skeptical now. "What was that for?" he asked bluntly.

Aloy let out an irritated sigh unnecessarily. "Can't you just say 'Thank you' for f.u.c.ks sake?"

Kyou huffed and realized he was still halfway into the fiends lap. He quickly scrambled off and sat back on his heels. "Why should I? I didn't ask you to. And, besides, you are the one who caused it in a way," he argued like a child.

Aloys snorted but was otherwise silent.

"...Is this your way of saying you're sorry for being a total d.i.c.k yesterday?"

Aloys snorted again, still not looking at Kyou. "...Maybe…"

Kyou rolled his eyes and sat back down. He let out a long suffering sigh. "Why are you doing this, Aloys?" he asked, tired all of a sudden.

"I wish I knew, darling," the vampire replied, almost off handedly.

Kyou turned and looked at the vampire intently. "I'm not sure I believe you about that," he said.

Aloys nodded. He was quiet for a long time and then opened his mouth just when the silence was getting uncomfortable. " I don't know why, but when I see you I have an almost overwhelming urge to tease you."

Kyou was surprised by the vampires sudden honesty. "Alright…"

"Therefore," he continued, like Kyou hadn't spoken, "let me suck your blood. I need food and lately its been too much trouble to find my meals where they won't be missed."

Kyou sputtered at the conversation taking another 180°. "And what makes you think I'll agree to that absurd solution? This and that are two completely different things, and I, for one, happen to like my blood too- in my own body."

Aloys looked at his nails casually then sideways at Kyousuke. "You are practically free loading off me, love. I offered to help, yes, but I never do anything for free. Even if it's not blood, there needs to be a payment made of some kind."

"I'll pay you with money from my job," he said tersely. He clenched his hands into fists. Great, another f.u.c.king thing to worry about.

"Human currency means nothing to me. I need you , Kyousuke. Or more specifically, your blood and…. maybe something else," he added cryptically. His eyes darkened slightly as he spoke but whether it was hunger or something else was up for personal interpretation.

Kyou scowled and looked at Aloys, hard, from across the couch. He wished he could see through that cold as ice exterior and get some kind of read on what the d.a.m.n bloodsucker was really thinking.

"I understand what you are saying," he said slowly after a long moment, and gathered his knees to his chest, "But I feel very uncomfortable with that, and you were the one who insisted I stay here," Kyou pointed out. "I didn't want to stay here to begin with, but until something is done about the situation, I'll do something else to help you in a way you do find useful."

Aloys frowned, but didn't argue. He stood as suddenly as he had sat down. "I'll hold you to that," he said quietly.

It was then Sera came out her bed room with a stack of material in her arms. "Allie, you promised to take me to Miss Ebony's so she can help me make my dress for her party," she said.

She barely spared a glance at Kyou as she spoke, not that Kyou really cared, but the slight, almost superior smirk she gave him made him feel like giving her a smack upside the head.

"How come I'm 'Allie' and she gets 'Miss Ebony'?" Aloys practicality whined.

Kyou watched the exchange and begrudgingly thought it was amazing how dangerous Aloys could look one minute, and then act like an actual human the next in the time it took to blink.

Sera looked at Aloys. "Cause she said she'd eat me if i didn't call her that," she said, although, to Kyou, she looked like she didn't believe a word of it.

"And you don't think I would?" Aloys asked with a slight glare.

"Mmmmm, no," Sera concluded pointedly and unimpressed.

Kyou let out a terse snort, which caused Aloys to direct a glare at him that reminded Kyou more of a pouting puppy then a immortal fiend of the night.

Aloys let out a soft growl of defeat and took Sera's hand.

He turned to Kyou. " I don't know when I'll be back, but please don't get into trouble," he said. "And don't bother to wait up,darling," he added teasingly as the shadows gathered around him and Sera before whisking them off into darkness.

Kyou scowled and stuck out his tongue belligerently even though no one was around to see it.

He waited a few moments before he stood up and marched right up stairs. He stopped short, momentarily, in front of the library door before he steeled his nerves. Kyou grabbed the handle and gave it a twist. It gave with no trouble.

He felt a little bad as he pushed it open. It not being locked showed that Aloys trusted Kyou to not go in there again, but then the human scowled as he remembered the threatening tone the vampire used.

It wasn't explained why he shouldn't go in the room, so Kyou decided that he didn't have to listen to it. With a huff to himself, he walked into the room.

It was just as dusty and dark as the first time Kyou had found it. Unimpressed, he walked over to a shelf and took out his phone.

He used the screen as a flashlight to look at the books' covers. It didn't take long to surmise that most of these books were memoirs and historical doc.u.ments regarding the Keiran bloodline. He fought the urge to roll his eyes as he picked some at random and gently pulled them out.

They smelt moldy and made Kyou sneeze as he leafed through the thin pages. He came across some artists' rendition of the royal family and stopped on the small portrait sketch of Aloys.

It wasn't really a surprise that Aloys had been around for hundreds of years but the fact he had been a prince...Alright, maybe it wasn't that surprising either, he admitted to himself. The a.s.shole's high and mighty att.i.tude made a lot more sense now that he thought about it.

He snorted in amus.e.m.e.nt at the ridiculous pictures in the book as he put it back and the action triggered a chain of violent sneezes that caused him to lose his balance.

He toppled over and whacked his elbow on the corner of a shelf. The whole thing shifted and, for a fearful moment, the image of the whole thing toppling over and crushing him filled his mind.

Threw his arms up in instinct and half expected the books to start falling on top of him. One did fall, but it bounced off of him harmlessly. It skidded across the floor and stopped beside a chair on the oriental carpet on the far side of the room.

Kyou scrambled up onto his feet and quickly moved out of the potential danger of being crushed. With a sigh, he dusted his a.s.s off and then his hands before he went over and picked up the book. He wiped off the cover and flipped through it.

The book itself was not very interesting, just a bunch of pressed flowers and descriptions of their various uses, but there was a small piece of paper peeking out of the back pages.

He slowly and carefully pulled it out and read it.

Keiko, attached to this letter is a poem I wrote with you in mind. Please read it and think over it carefully.

Yours always, Aloys Keiran

In my mind

I think of caressing your soft skin, kissing your warm mouth, gazing into into your bright eyes that are full of pa.s.sion for me.

He couldn't help but blush as he read, but continued on,

In my arms

I hold you tightly to my chest, whisper sweet nothings in your ear, long to stay with with you- even if it is just for one moment longer.

In my heart

I keep you close, admire your innocent beauty, hope that you do not realize how desperate I am to be the man you deserve.

On my knees

I ask you humbly, with adoration, love, and pa.s.sion I can scarce contain: Will you continue to love me and stay by my side? Will you marry me?

Kyousuke let out a long breath.A rush of uncalled for sorrow and other emotions. .h.i.t him like a ton of bricks. His hand shook as he clutched the letter and held it to his chest. He couldn't help but see Aloys: Happy, smiling without reserve, holding out his warm hand to him. Aloys was human, he had been happy, in love. What the h.e.l.l had happened to change all of that?

****

Aloys returned in the early hours of the morning. All the lights were off, save Kain's who had probably just gotten home from school.

He tiredly made his way towards his room when he saw Kyousuke's door cracked and a dim light peaking through. He smirked to himself as he thought of messing with the human.

"Kyou?" he sing-songed and opened the door cautiously. He expected a pillow to the face, or a obsanity shouted his way, but when neither happened, he peeked in. Kyou was laying down; defenseless and all to easy to prey upon.

His toothy smirk turned into an amused half smile as he looked at the human curled up like a cat in the middle of the bed.

He sat down on the edge of the mattress, and watched the peaceful rise and fall of Kyousuke's back as he slept blissfully unaware of the the potential danger beside him.

Aloys mentally scoffed and before he was aware, he was reaching out and petting the purple haired human's head. He almost retracted his hand, but Kyou let out a soft moan and uncurled from his ball. He turned onto his stomach and the movement caused Kyousuke's already low lying shorts to go even lower on his boney hips.

Aloys could very clearly see the curve of Kyousuke's a.s.s and wanted to touch it. Very much so.

The vampire sighed unnecessarily to exhibit his annoyance.

It frustrated him that he wanted this stupid human. Probably more than he should. It also didn't help that Lyall told him harming Kyousuke in anyway was forbidden.

Naturally, he wanted to go against the old man, but Lyall was his Sire, and a Sire's word was law. And he had never really wanted to hurt the brat...just tease him a little.

Aloys frowned and poked Kyousuke's cheek. The human huffed and squirmed away. A scent hit his nose. It was so nostalgic it felt like a kick to gut.

He leaned closer, sniffed. It was there again. He got closer. If he had been alive he was sure his heart would have lurched. He was inches from being right on top of Kyousuke.

The human moved again and there was a faint crinkle. Aloys looked down and saw a piece of paper clutched in the other's hand.

He carefully pried it out of Kyousuke's grip. It took just a glance and Aloys' anger hit hot and hard, then just as quickly turned into sadness.

Aloys tried to not think about that part of his life on a daily basis. It was too painful still. Too fresh. And if he ever found the f.u.c.ker that…

Aloys hadn't realized he was growling until Kyousuke stirred, disturbed by the noise. He looked up blearily at Aloys, still mostly asleep.

"What's wrong with you?" he mumbled with a yawn.

Aloys thought about what he should say. Finally he just smiled and stroked Kyousuke's chin. "Go back to sleep, love. It's late."

"Mmmm," he yawned again and turned onto his back.

His eyes were lidded as he looked up at Aloys. His sleepiness was s.e.xy and his bright eyes almost seemed to glow beneath his thick, black lashes.

Aloys was very turned on by Kyousuke's body. He wanted nothing more then to keep touching him, but he limited himself to cupping Kyousuke's cheek, and running his fingers through the human's soft, warm hair.

"Aloys," Kyou asked, his eyelids fluttering closed.

"Yes, darling?" He responded with an amused chuckle to hide the fact he was practically thrumming with want towards this man.

"Are you lonely?"

"....Yes. I suppose I am."

He felt Kyousuke take the hand he had in his hair by the wrist. He entwined their fingers together. "That sucks. I know what it's like to be lonely," he whispered with his eyes still closed.

Aloys was quiet, not knowing what he should say. It turned out that he wouldn't need to say anything because Kyousuke's gentle snoring filled the quiet room a few moments later.

Aloys let his head fall forward in an exasperated chuckle. It was low, curt, and a little manic but it described exactly what he was feeling in that moment.

"You better be careful, Kyousuke," he said in a whisper even though he knew the man beside him couldn't hear him, "Or I might fall in love with you."

****

Things were progressing slower than expected, no surprise to Ranear, but displeasing the leader of the Circle was a quick way to a slow and very painful death and the blue haired witch prefered to keep his body parts where they belonged: attached to him, and in the correct places. Unless he was told otherwise of course.

His lord operated from the shadows, and he was old by even a warlocks standards, but that was only matched by his sadism and cruelty. Ranear loved that about him.

Ranear had been a dedicated follower of his lord since the day he had been delivered from the hands of those who had wished to use him for gruesome experiments.

He would follow his lord anywhere, would do anything he was asked to do- even give his life.

He sighed and shivered as he thought of his lords piercing eyes. He was going to be seeing him soon and the thought of being pinned under that malicious gaze made his heartbeat quicken.

He stifled a sigh as he grasped the door handle that lead down into the darkness of the cellar. Screams echoed up the pa.s.sage as he went down and the bottoms of his shoes sc.r.a.ped quietly against the dry stone steps.

Shick. Shick. Shick. Shick.

His lips curled into a smile as the screams grew louder when he neared the end of the stairs and turned the corner.

There a large man stood covered in gore. He looked down at the table beside him with a displeased look on his face.

"Another failure, my lord?" Ranear asked cautiously and handed the warlock a towel.

His lord took it silently and wiped his large hands with care. The screams had calmed down into pitiful whimpers as he did so.

"I am close to the limit of my patience, Ranear," he said. His deep voice carried a mild Venetian accent.

Ranear bowed a head. " I have more information on your quarry, my lord," he bowed ready to present it.

The subject on the table whimpered again. The warlock snarled and with a movement quicker then Ranear could see, decapitated the creature that had dared to defy him.

His lord tsked in disgust and wiped his hand on the towel again, then let it drop to the ground.

He merely glanced at Ranear before the servant knelt and quickly placed the scroll in his lord's now open hand. Ranear looked up eagerly, and watched for his lordship's reaction.

The runes lifted off the scroll as they were read.

"Well," the deep voice rumbled, " this is less than I expected."

Ranear swallowed.

"We are gathering more as we speak, I a.s.sure you," the midnight haired mage said quickly.

The now empty scroll was tossed carelessly at his feet.

His lord did not say anything as he turned and walked away. Ranear bowed again and waited till he was alone before he stood, scroll in hand. Ranear clutched the scroll and turned back the way he had came.

He let out a shaky breath. 'f.u.c.k,' he thought as he made his way back up the stairs. Right before he reached the top, he muttered an enchantment that changed his clothes.

A moment later a small voice entered his head.

"Ranear," it started but it was interrupted.

" Master," Ranear corrected with irritation, but the voice continued on.

"I have some more news to give you when you return."

"Good. I shall be arriving shortly," he replied and quickened his pace towards the apartment he was staying at for the time being.

Staying in the mortal world had its advantages, but also set backs. Using his magic freely here was a no-go here. That caused much irritation, but for his lord, it was worth it.

He made it back to his abode with little incident and shut the door and locked it.

"Axel," he called and muttered another incantation.

His familiar was oned with a small puff of smoke.

" Master," he greeted sarcastically, " thank you for allowing me to be graced with your presence."

Ranear ignored him. "Hop to it. Tell me what you have," he demanded with a snap of his fingers as he sat down on the couch behind him.

Axel snorted and flitted up to him and enlarged himself to sit cross-legged on the floor in front of Ranear.

He leaned into his contractor's legs and rested his chin on Ranear's knee.

The witch studied the fairy briefly and without interest. "Well?" he asked with impatience.

Axel snorted, his amber eyes bright under thick ombre eyebrows of red to orange. He tilted his androgynous face to the side.

"Well, what? No 'I'm home'? Or 'h.e.l.lo, Axel. How are you?'?" he asked as he creeped a hand up his contractor's thigh.

Ranear rolled his eyes. "Just tell me what you found out," he said and grabbed the other's spiky red hair. He yanked it roughly, pulling the fairy toward him.

Axel let out a small hiss as he was grabbed and pulled between Ranear's legs. His hands went to the carpet below him to steady himself.

He glared up at his master, and was pinned under his gaze.

"I found the bar he goes to," he said lowly. His skin p.r.i.c.kled from the abuse to his scalp.

"And?"

"..."

It was hard for Axel to respond as Ranear pulled harder at his hesitation.

" And," he asked again, more aggressive this time.

Axel shuddered. "He's been going to meet someone," he ground out.

Ranear released his harsh grip and started to run his fingers through the thick strands.

"Do you know who it is?" he probed, his hand went down to the fairy's soft ear and rubbed the lobe.

Axel slightly shook his head. "No. Not yet."

Ranear retracted his hand, and ignored the small noise of protest that came from the man between his knees.

He sighed. "Find out, Axel."

Ranear stood, and didn't look at Axel again until he had walked around him and glanced back from his bedroom door. "Report to me what you find as soon you can."

Axel grunted from the floor and crossed his arms. "Yes, Ranear-"

" Master," Ranear interjected once again.

Axel gave him a cheeky grin before he winked and poofed into his miniature form. He waved and disappeared back into his realm.

Ranear turned back and stepped into his room. He closed the door behind him firmly. He went over to his desk and took out his reading gla.s.ses along with the papers he had been in the middle of preparing before he had been summoned.

He pushed them to the side and sat down. He shivered as he remembered the harsh, cold gaze that had raked across his body.

Ranear worried his bottom lip between his teeth and pushed up his sleeves. There was no time to dwell on that when there plenty of work to be done.

He leaned forward and began to read, the words from the scrolls and pages floating off the page and dissipating into the air.

After about 4 hours he straightened and took off his gla.s.ses. As he rubbed the inner corners of his eyes, he felt arms slid over his shoulders and loosely around his neck.

He sighed.

"This better be good news, Axel, for you to dare come in my room unannounced..."