Wolfe's Archive

Day 2 - Switch

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The sharp ding of the coffee machine snapped Aamon out of his focus. He brushed it off, going back to his project but the strong smell of caffeine was hard to resist. It washed away all the fatigue that was weighing on his body. Aamon had to put down the tweezer he was using and rolled his chair to the coffee station behind him. The coffee machine was a small cube with a cone-shaped container attached on top filled halfway with lightly roasted coffee beans. A cup of freshly brewed espresso sat inside. Aamon opened the small door and more of that fragrant coffee smell greeted him.

'I guess I could use a break...' He mumbled to himself before taking a sip. Instantly, he felt his head clear up and let out a relaxed sigh.

'That hits the spot...'

Aamon took the coffee cup and returned to his workstation. His table was a mess of magnifying glass, tools and mechanical arm extensions that helped him hold whatever items he was using but did not have any space to keep it. At the center was a box holding a blue crystal fragment inside it surrounded by red silk padding. The crystal seemed to appear alive. A faint pink aura was flowing within the crystal. It branched out like veins, pulsing like a living heart. This crystal was something Aamon had been dying to get his hands on for his entire career.

Picking up the tweezer and pulling down the magnifying glass, Aamon studied the crystal. His other hand had picked up a pen and scribbled his thoughts onto an open journal. The pages were covered in rough sketches and short rushed notes. Ink stains covered the corners and a few spots on the page. At the top, the word "Soul Fragment" was underlined.

The Soul Fragment used to be named as a myth among scholars of his field. Aamon thought his superiors were joking when they told him to not study what is labelled as children's tale. The Soul Fragment is believed to reveal one's deepest desire and allow it to manifest. Not that Aamon had something he desperately want to become a reality but there is one question in his mind that stayed with him since that day.

******

One month ago

A stream of smoke blew out of his lips as he exhaled. Aamon flicked his cigarette, letting the ashes fall into a glass ashtray beside him. The night was silent and calm. There were ocassionally sound of people walking past their rooms or voices reaching their floor from the garden below. Not to mention, there was also a gentle snore beside him.

Aamon turned to the figure whose back was facing him. He watched the way their shoulders slowly go up and relaxed as they breathed. The back muscles flexed as they stirred in their sleep, rolling their shoulders before turning to lie on their back. A mess of white hair splayed over the pillows and the beautiful face frowned. They lifted a hand to rub the sleep from their eyes.

'Having trouble sleeping, Your Grace?' Aamon asked casually.

Natan hummed in his sleep. He now have his arm resting over his eyes as if the dim lights were bothering him. Aamon took one last drag and crushed the blunt in the ashtray. He exhaled the smoke before turning to snuggle close into his lover's arm. Well, "lover" is a loose term...

Aamon nudged into the crook of Natan's neck as he whispered, 'If sleeping is troublesome, better to just wake up, you know?' Aamon pressed soft kisses. 'Come on now. Are you really just going to sleep when I'm here?'

'Be quiet will you...'

His heart dropped hearing those words growled at him. Aamon immediately stopped his kissing but his lips remained lingering on Natan's skin. His frustration came out as a big sigh. Aamon wanted to say more but decided against it and shifted away from Natan's side of the bed. He turned around, facing the French window. His eyes stung as much as the crack on his heart.

'Sorry.' Aamon murmured. A part of him wanted to hear Natan's response but another part of him knew it would only hurt him more.

‘Don’t be…’

The answer came a little sooner than he expected. Aamon dared to glance over his shoulder to see Natan slowly stirring awake once more. His eyes were slightly open, still fighting through the fatigue. Aamon stayed silent. He worried that if he opened his mouth, it would flip Natan’s mood. Natan did not seem to be in a foul mood but Aamon knew not to fall for that facade.

So, Aamon waited for Natan to speak. It had only been a few seconds but to Aamon, it felt like hours. His silence was bothering him. Alas, Aamon could only bite his tongue from speaking since he’s already on thin ice.

He watched as Natan slowly rose from the bed, sitting up while rubbing his face. Aamon stared at his back. His hand was itching to reach out and trace the muscle of his back, but he kept it at his side.

Aamon dared himself to speak. ‘Leaving so soon?’

Natan only hummed in reply.

‘I thought you’re free tomorrow,’ Aamon added. He made sure to speak in a soft and steady manner. ‘Or do you actually have something come up at last minute?’

The answer never came. Natan seemed to ignore him as he got up from the bed and quickly slipped on his pants and shirt. Aamon sat up, swinging his legs to the side and got off the bed. Natan had left the bedroom and was making a beeline for the front door. Aamon had to pick up his pace.

‘Your Grace…’ The words slipped out before he could stop himself. Thankfully, Natan listened and stood frozen with his hand on the doorknob. He did not turn his head nor showed any sign that he is listening but Aamon pushed his worries aside. He took a deep breath and stepped closer while clutching tight onto the bedsheet he had pulled as a quick cover for his bare body.

Aamon started his words slowly, 'I...understand that this week have been quite hectic but...' Aamon took another deep breath before continuing to speak. 'But, I hope you take some time for yourself. If you need me, you know where to find me.'

He wanted to say more but thought against it. Pursing his lips, Aamon waited for Natan's response. It was hard to tell how he felt about what he just said when his back is facing him. Aamon felt a tingle of discomfort in his stomach but he blamed it on his anxiety.

After what felt like an eternity, Natan only bid him farewell and stepped through the door. Aamon stood with a disappointed look on his face as he watched the door slowly coming to a close.

*****

So many things Aamon wanted to hear come out Natan's mouth. That man not only closed himself off to the public -- only appearing at special occassions or whenever people needed him to cut the ribbon in a ceremony -- he also closed himself to the person he held most dear. Aamon scoffed at himself. Did you really think Natan likes you? You're nothing more than his doll. Just a toy.

He let out a long sigh. Aamon returned to his task. Deep down, Aamon did not know what he should be doing next. He had been staring at this crystal for hours with little to nothing to note down. The crystal appeared to be dormant now. There was no more of that heart-like pulse coming from it. Plus, the colored aura inside grew more faint until it was barely visible.

As if the crystal itself has died...

Aamon looked away from the magnifying glass. The only way for him to fully understand the crystal's potential is to have it be used on an actual person. Aamon planned to use it on Natan. If the myth rings truth, Aamon should be able to see what is hiding behind that face. He can finally see how Natan felt being around him and what type of person Aamon is to him.

They knew each other from way back when Aamon first moved into Eruditio. His knowledge and expertise on magic studies got the attention of Erudition scholars. They invited him to study at their facility while also giving lectures at their prestigious university. It was not something Aamon thrived for but if it meant opening more doors to explore, he will take that chance.

He did not expect for one of the doors to be none other than Duke Newton.

Duke Natan Newton was a man to be more of a myth than the Soul Vessel. The man spent most of his days within his office. No one was sure what he was doing there but from what Aamon heard, he's just as busy as everyone in their labs.

'Duke Newton's super invested in time travelling especially after meeting Professor Nolan. He's been obsessed with it.'

Aamon once heard his colleague gossiped as he was filing in his daily report.

'He's been with Professor Nolan a lot, hasn't he? Do you think something's going on between them?'

'You're too deep in your romance novels. Professor Nolan just got out of a divorce. Plus, they can just be close friends.'

'But what if that's what they want us to think?'

'I'm not dealing with your delusions. Just finish up your report before Duke Newton nags up a storm again. You're already on his bad side.'

As the co-worker mocked their friend, they did go back to their task. Peace returned in the office but a turbulence was stirred up in Aamon's heart. He did not like to engage in gossip but the thought of Natan being together with Nolan made him question if their OWN relationship had any meaning to it. They first met at a graduation ceremony with Natan giving a speech and Aamon watched in awe from the lecturers' seat. Natan's charisma and professionalism were oozing whenever he opened his mouth. Perhaps that was what that drew him in first. It could be something else but seeing him on that podium for the first time was enough to take his breath away.

Soon, their barriers started to break when Natan took notice of Aamon's expertise after he made a breakthrough in condensing magic energy into crystals - the Mana Shards as he would call it. Aamon would have Natan's frequent visit to his office. Eventually, Aamon's career grew and he was promoted as the Director for Eruditio's Research Society. Though, his promotion managed to draw in glances from everyone especially his peers.

'I heard he's sleeping with Duke Newton.'

'Not surprised. It's the world we live in...'

It's idle gossip. Aamon did not care but the days of having Natan come over to his apartment. Most of the time, Natan needed his opinion on something that his colleague and advisors failed to satisfy him with. Aamon and Natan are always on the same page as if they shared the same mind and perception of the world. That is probably another reason that drew Aamon closer to him. It felt like Natan chose him and only him. He chose him above everyone else. Aamon was the only one deserving of his knowledge.

Aamon glanced over to the Soul Fragment. He needed to know if their relationship is beyond colleague status. Does Natan see Aamon as how Aamon sees him as his lover?

Before Aamon could think of a proper strategy, a sharp squeak snapped him out of it. He looked up and saw a small bird perched on his windowsill. It was one of the mechanical messenger birds he would find flying around in the city. They were covered in bronze with a few white metal plates. The bird cocked its head as if eyeing, checking if this was the correct target before the compartment on its back opened and a thin robot arm came out. It held a mini envelope. Aamon did not miss the official seal stamp. He stared at the letter for a few seconds before his hand reached out to take the letter from the bird. Once the delivery was confirmed, the bird's crystal-like eyes flashed once and it flew away.

The letter felt heavy in his hand. It was just a single paper when he opened but somehow it felt like he was holding a brick.

I'll be coming over in 10 minutes. There's something that we need to talk.

****

Aamon could not stop pacing around his lab. He did what he could -- putting aside his equipment and leaving only the necessary on his table. Aamon swept the floor so many times that the cement almost shine like marbles. He needed something to do. The anxiety was eating him from the inside and Aamon needed something to distract him from it. If he gave it any more attention, Aamon might pass out from lack of breath. His chest was beyond tight and breathing was getting a lot more difficult.

In his mind, thoughts and speculations on what the expect was flooding his head as if a dam just opened its door. They came in fast to the point Aamon felt like he got a headache. So many possibilities on what Natan wanted to see him for.

Or maybe he just needs to let off steam with your body.

'Shut it!' Aamon growled while shoving that thought aside. Natan is not the type to take advantage of him like that.

The doorbell ringing made Aamon freeze. The hand that held the Soul Fragment clutched tight into a fist. Aamon was quick to recover before he might accidentally crush the crystal by accident. It was hard to get his hand on this. He came this far. Aamon is going to push through until he sees the end of it.

Doesn't matter if it left him with a broken heart. Better be hurt by the truth than live in a lie.

Aamon hurried to the door. He peeked into the peephole and saw Duke Newton standing on the other side. Natan did not seem agitated or stressed. He appeared poised and regal as he always does. His outfit appeared very formal with the dark brown suit and multiple badges pinned on his chest. Natan was cleaning his monocle with a fiber cloth before putting it back on his right eye.

Aamon took a deep breath and unlocked the door. It swung open and Aamon wore a warm welcoming smile.

'Hello, Your Grace. How may I assist you today?'

Day 1 - Marriage

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Aamon forgot the last time he was nervous.

Perhaps when he was young, when he first faced punishment before his mentor. Aamon messed up one of the spells and managed to blow up almost half of the castle’s wing. He stood under the mentor’s scrutinizing gaze with his head bowed. Aamon still remembered the way his heart pound hard inside his chest. The anxiety clouding his brain even made him feel nauseous with how lightheaded he felt. The feeling stayed until punishment came in a form of working at the archive for one month. It did not sound bad but after a day working with dust and grime, it was a miracle how Aamon came out healthy without any form of asthma.

The other time Aamon felt nervous was when he was named as the new Duke Paxley. It felt like a nightmare came to life because Aamon was still in grief over his parents’ death. It was too much for a young teenager to shoulder all at once -- being the parent figure to his siblings, the Paxley’s leader and part of the strong branch within the Moniyan Empire. He lost count the amount of time he broke down behind closed doors from all the pressure and dreading the next day.

Now, Aamon was unsure if this was on par with those situations.

Aamon looked up, seeing himself in the full body mirror. He studied the white suit tailored to fit his body. Roses were embroidered onto the left shoulder and the vines crawled down his torso. Silver seemed to be painted along the edges of the embroidery to have the design gently pop out against the suit. The other side had a white silk cloak draped over his right shoulder. The cloak was almost see through and diamonds were neatly tucked in between the threads. His hands were covered by soft silk gloves and Aamon could not stop himself from tugging on them. He cannot be sure if there was actually something wrong with it or it was just out of habit whenever he felt anxious. The shoes he wore seemed to shine under the sunlight from all the polishing his assistant had done. Perhaps he should reward the little boy with extra sweets.

Aamon leaned close to the mirror. He studied the makeup he himself had done. Not that Aamon did not trust any of the servants but for this very day, he wanted to make sure that everything was perfect including his own face. The black eyeliner had a sharp edge that appeared to be professionally done but to Aamon’s eyes, he could see a tiny bit of smudge. The eyeshadow was as rosy as his lips and cheek but now, Aamon felt troubled thinking the shade might have blend in with his skin tone.

Damn it, I should’ve gone with something darker. He scolded himself.

His hand was reaching for the black decorative box where he kept his makeup when a sharp knock came rapping on his door, making him jump. Not long after, a familiarly obnoxious voice called from the other side.

‘Big brother! When are you gonna come out? You’re gonna be late for your own reception.’

Biting back the curses, Aamon shouted back, ‘In a minute, Gusion. I’m still getting ready.’

He could hear Gusion groaning and wasn’t sure if he was being genuine or Gusion was just exaggerating. Knowing his brother, it surely is the latter.

‘That’s what you said to Eren 10 minutes ago. Everyone’s at the monastery waiting for you, you know? I don’t think your husband-to-be is going to last a second.’

Aamon rolled his eyes and ignored Gusion. He went back to touching up his face, dabbing the wand on his bottom lip. Turning his head to one side, Aamon stared at the crystal earring.

The earring was different to what Aamon used to wear. His old one was a single piece of metal handcrafted to mimic his mana shards. This new one was given to him as a courting gift. A bronze vine curled around his earlobe while holding onto a dangling rainbow crystal. The crystal was not carved into any shape, as if it had been chipped from a bigger rock and the maker decided to leave it be. Aamon did not mind it. It gave the earring a very natural feel especially with the use of plants as part of the design. The crystal even gave off a gentle glow in a steady rhythm. Aamon thought it meant nothing until he realized it was mimicking his heartbeat. When the idea came to him, Aamon felt intensely warm.

The moment lasted briefly as Gusion’s knocking interrupted his thoughts again.

‘Aamon! If you don’t come out of this room at the count of 10, I’ll break down this door and drag you there myself.’

He slammed the wand back inside the tube with a growl. Aamon snapped his head to the door and yelled, ‘Alright! Alright! I’m coming.’

Aamon could almost his brother’s victory smirk from behind the door. Holding back the urge to curse at him, Aamon turned back to the mirror. He smiled at his own reflection as if he was reassuring himself.

‘Guess it’s time.’ Aamon gave himself an affirming nod. ‘Goodluck out there.’

******

When they say one is fated for the other, he thought it was mere rambling of an elder person. A simple fairy tale to preserve children’s hopes and imaginations. He never gave it much attention until he finally realized that this was not a simple fairy tale.

Natan swallowed hard while resisting the urge to tug at his collar. If he played with it any more, it will surely ruin his entire look. As if he was not already under the scrutiny of every attending Paxley family member, the last thing he wanted to be criticized on is his terrible appearance. He is due to marry the duke. It was a miracle to even succeed past engagement. Though, Natan was sure Aamon had something to do with it. The Elders, aside from Aamon’s grandfather, saw him as an intruder than a future member of their family.

He’d definitely threaten them to say otherwise. How else would we even be able to stand here today? Natan almost snort a laugh at the thought of Aamon daring the Elders to say otherwise.

The audience grew restless. Aamon was suppose to be here 30 minutes ago. It’s unlike him to be this late. From what Natan remembered, Aamon was very specific when it comes to being punctual. He’d used to get nagged by the duke if he was even a second late to their meeting, or “meeting”. Aamon never liked to admit their meetings as dates. If Natan tried to tease him about it, Aamon would turn bright red and Natan would instantly be surrounded by the lethal mana shards while being warned not to tease him again. Nevertheless, Aamon made sure to arrive exactly at the time they both agreed on.

Natan hesitated to glance behind him but he did. Natan turned ever so slightly as to not get the attention of the pastor. It was considered rude for the groom to glance behind because, to the Paxleys, you are not respecting the pastor who is given the power to establish ones relationship and the other reason is that it’s wrong to sneak glances at your bride as it would ruin the sanctity of the marriage. Natan never understood what the other rule meant but he knew better than to question them openly. Still, he cannot help himself until he heard the pastor’s rough cough and snapped his head back to front.

‘Your partner will arrive, Professor Newton,’ The pastor somehow sounded warm and gentle as he reassured Natan. ‘Aamon must have a good reason to be late.’

Natan could only crack an awkward smile before looking down at the floor. He stared at his shoes -- all white and leather. White had always been the symbolic color for most weddings in the Land of Dawn. A perfect color to paint marriage as a moment of purity, a new chapter for the individual. Even though Aamon and Natan have know each other for quite a long time, marriage is not something so trivial. It is a new test on their relationship and how they would support each other. This is also when they would understand the other person beyond what is shown previously.

When he heard the double doors open, Natan felt his breath got stuck in his throat. Closing his eyes proved to be a mistake as the sound of footsteps approaching got more prominent, even louder than the organ playing beside him.

‘It’s good to see you join us, Your Grace. If any second later, I’m sure your fiance would be passed out.’

The pastor was only joking but Natan felt the words stab him like a knife. He felt his cheeks flare up and decided to never look up from the floor. Aamon did not seem to say anything other than a huff of breath. It was hard to tell if he was amused by the pastor’s comment or annoyed.

Regardless, the reception went smoothly. Heavy silence fell on them once the organ finished its melody and Aamon stood beside Natan. They faced the pastor, still not making eye contact. The silence was soon broken by the pastor's voice echoing through the monastery. He read the scripture commonly practised by those who followed the teaching of Light. Natan was hardly religious himself. He is a man of science afterall but the holy words were still familiar to his ears. Despite being an aethiest, that did not stop Natan from studying the Light's scriptures.

Then, he and Aamon were ordered to face each other. At that point, Natan's breath was snatched out of his lungs because the sight before him was something Natan had never seen in his lifetime.

Beautiful is an understatement. There is no words in the world that can describe how beautiful Aamon is right now.

Aamon wore all white just like him but he had more on him than a simple white suit like Natan wore. Natan's suit resembled any other royal ensemble worn by the male audience with only a few silver brooches and special embroideries to make him stand out as the groom. Aamon, on the other hand, had a few more pieces on his ensemble. A white silk cloak flowed down his shoulder and pooled behind him. There were a lot of roses and leafy vines embroidered all over his suit and cloak but what got Natan's attention was the earring Aamon wore. He tried to hold back his smile but the warmth spreading so much, he could feel his pride swell like a balloon. It felt nice seeing his months worth of effort be appreciated. Now that he think about it, did Aamon requested his suit to fit the earring? Natan had seen the previous Paxleys' wedding photo especially Aamon's parents and their wedding outfit seemed plain compared to what Aamon is wearing.

The thought made Natan red on the cheeks.

'Nervous?' A voice asked softly.

Natan flashed his eyes up and saw the small smile on Aamon's face. The duke's face remained firm but Natan did not miss the gentle warmth laying underneath. It made his strict mask appear more as a facade.

'Now's not the time to have cold feet, right?' Aamon's eyes narrowed as his smile widened. 'Dear love?'

Natan took a deep breath as the pastor guided his hand to hold a wine bottle. Burgundy red liquid was poured into a gold chalice Aamon held in his hands. When was he given that chalice?

The liquid was filled halfway before the pastor stopped him. The pastor took the bottle away and instructed Aamon to bring the chalice to his lips. He downed the entire content before the items were swapped, with Aamon's turn to pour the wine for Natan. The same ritual was repeated.

'Wine as red as blood and blood is the lifeline that now flows in our couple's veins. May this exchange unifies their bond, their love and their future prospects.'

The pastor placed his hands on both Aamon and Natan's shoulder as he announced in a loud, firm voice that could be heard throughout the Land of Dawn.

'I now pronounce you husband and husband!'

A roar of applause followed as the couple leaned close for a kiss, solidifying their union. When they parted, it seemed all the anxiety he felt washed away. The hardest part was over and they have stepped into a new territory - the newlywed life.

Not long after, everyone was ushered out of the monastery with the couple leading them. While it seemed as if they were being truly in love with one another by how their arms were hooked around each other, Natan was actually holding on for dear life.

'Calm down, love...' He heard Aamon whisper into his ear. 'You're going to make me trip. Just walk like how'd you always do.'

Natan snapped out of it. He took a deep breath and regained his composure. He did not realize how Aamon was bent forward, dragging him down the aisle to the awaiting chariot. The driver opened the door and the couple climbed in. Once the carriage door was closed, both of them exhaled loudly.

Natan clicked his tongue in annoyance. 'Tsk and I thought I was the one being a nervous wreck.'

Aamon chuckled but it sounded awkward as if to cover his mistake. 'Well, I guess you can say that I handle my anxiety better than you.'

'Right...' Natan rolled his eyes at him.

The carriage driver cracked his whip and the horses began to pull the carriage back to Castle Aberleen.

'So what now?' Natan asked while watching the Avalorians waved as their carriage passed by them. He could not help but wave back at a small child who giggled.

Aamon too had his gaze thrown out the window. He was resting his chin on his knuckles as he watched the Avalorians celebrating them.

'The usual,' He answered, sounding very indifferent. 'They will throw us a party. We will dance until the sun slips from the sky and the moon reaches its peak. Perhaps a few glasses of wine. There would definitely be nobles wanting to have an audience with us. By midnight, everyone will return home and we will be enjoing the comfort of our new bedchamber.'

Natan turned away from the window. He raised a brow at Aamon. 'You don't sound amuse.'

'It's something I have gone through my entire life, love,' Aamon said with a nonchalant shrug. He finally looked away from the window and faced him. The sunlight coming in poured itself over Aamon, giving him a halo-like glow.

The white wedding outfit, the silver circlet, the crystal earring, the makeup - Natan could not believe the man he dared himself to marry.

And he must have spaced out because Natan regained his senses when he heard Aamon chuckle, seeing his husband shaking his head at him.

'My, my...is this something I need to get used to?' He teased with a smirk.

Aamon leaned in and gave Natan a peck on the cheek. 'And the answer is yes...'

Natan frowned at him but his annoyance did not last long as he too chuckled at how silly he was.

'It definitely is.'

Aamon sighed in contempt and leaned close, resting his head on Natan's shoulder. Natan did the same. Their hands soon came in contact and they laced their fingers together. Castle Aberleen's doors were opened, greeting the newlyweds with more cheering crowd that mostly consisted of nobles. The carriage circled around a large fountain before stopping at the main entrance.

'This is it, love...' Aamon murmured into his ear. 'To our new life.'

Natan hummed before turning to kiss Aamon on the head. 'Yes, love. To our new life.'

The pain of drawing the cover for Calamity of the Sea. But not gonna lie, the part where Natan suddenly had a skin tone change still got me cackling to this day.

The soft chill brushing against his skin stirred him in his sleep. It was not enough to wake him up. Alucard let out a low moan before turning on his side. Pulling the blanket tighter around him, Alucard returned to a deep slumber. Though it did not last long until the cold pulled him away from his sleep again. Alucard exhaled loudly before his eyelids fluttered open. His hazy vision made it hard to see and his groggy head was still confused for a few beats before everything cleared up.

Alucard lifted a hand and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He opened them again and turned to look at the window. It was dark outside. Alucard frowned. He turned to his clock - it is 7 in the morning. It should be a little brighter.

“Mmm~” Alucard arched his back as he stretched. He sat up on bed and let out a sigh. It took him a few minutes to regain his senses. Alucard swung his legs to the side, standing up and headed to the window.

The sky was darker than usual. Alucard could hear faint rumbling in the distance. Gray clouds stretched as far even as the mountains near Azrya Woodlands. He sniffed the air, noting the strong sulfur smell.

Rain? I didn’t expect the season to come by so soon. Alucard thought while frowning.

A deeper groan pulled him from his thoughts. Alucard looked over his shoulders to a certain figure still underneath the blanket. A head of silver hair laid on the plush pillow. A single arm draped over the blanket while the other underneath the pillow. Alucard smiled and walked over to the bed. When he sat down, the bed dipped and the other person soon awoke from his sleep.

Alucard laid down beside him. “Good morning, chentaku.”

Martis groaned. His eyes were squeezed shut before he actually opened them. Ruby eyes lazily gazed around before falling on a certain person looking at him. His brain digested the image and a warm smile stretched his lips.

“Good morning…” He whispered softly.

They closed in for a quick peck on the lips. Alucard scooted close to cuddle with Martis. He rested his head on his husband’s chest before closing his eyes. Martis’ gentle heartbeat played in his ears. With the cold weather and quiet morning, the calm energy soothed Alucard.

“I never agreed to be your teddy bear.” He heard Martis mumble.

Alucard scoffed and retorted back, “Can’t the Ashura Queen snuggle with his beloved king?”

His answer was just a soft grunt. Alucard felt a hand brushing through his hair, slowly as if appreciating each strand that went in between his fingers. Alucard sighed again and practically melted into Martis’ touch. His own arms slinked up Martis’ torso to wrap themselves around his waist, hugging him in place. They both closed their eyes and the small hint of drowsiness slowly began to lull them back to sleep.

As they lay in each others’ arms, the sky began to rain. Soft pitter patter of rain hit the windows. The cold temperature dropped even more but the two men were unbothered. Instead, the cold only made them more relaxed.

“You have any plans for today?” Alucard opened his eyes again. He looked up to Martis and hummed a questioning tone.

“No,” He replied. “Why?” Alucard asked Martis back.

Martis shook his head. He tucked a blond strand behind his ear. “Nothing,” He said. “It’s raining. I was just wondering.”

Alucard hummed. He gazed ahead, staring at the bedroom door. To be truthful, he had a long list of tasks to be done for the day but this weather is making him feel extremely lazy.

“I’m supposed to be patrolling the Southern Border,” Alucard mumbled. “Tigreal asked for my help personally. He said his knights couldn’t handle those demons infesting that area.”

“Then, you should be up and ready.”

“But I don’t wanna!” Alucard whined. He snuggled closer to Martis and buried his face in his arms. His voice was muffled since he pressed his face there. “Tigreal should train his knights better instead of relying on me all the time.”

Alucard heard the disapproving hum from Martis. He turned to his husband with a pout.

“Come on! I’m just saying…”

Martis raised a brow at him. He looked like a judgy mentor to his student. Nevertheless, Alucard admitted defeat. He sat up and began to scoot to the side of the bed.

“Fine!” Alucard groaned. “I’ll go. I’ll go.”

Alucard got up from the bed with a sour face. He did not realize one mistake of his. Unaware of the wolfish eyes staring at him, Alucard headed for the bathroom. He placed a hand on the door knob but before he could go in, a pair of hands grabbed him. They spun him around. Alucard yelped and his next words were cut off by Martis pressing his lips on his. Strong arms slipped around his waist, holding him firmly in place. They kissed hard with their tongues poking out to have a taste of each other. Alucard brought his hands up to grab on Martis’ jaw as he pushed in the kiss. They moaned softly before pulling back for air.

Lust was swirling in the Ashura King’s eyes. Martis smirked at him and said, “Is this attitude intentional? Are you trying to test me by walking around naked and acting like a brat?”

His words made Alucard look down at himself. His cheeks flared up upon realizing he barely had a single thread on his person. He looked up at Martis and gave a shy laugh.

“Heh, guess I was too caught up to realise that.”

“Right…”

Alucard exclaimed loudly when his feet left the floor. Martis held him on his shoulders like a potato sack and carried him back to bed. He threw Alucard on the bed before climbing on top of him. Wasting no time, Martis dove into Alucard’s neck where a bite mark was near fading away. He caught the skin in between his teeth and bit hard, making Alucard hiss sharply. His hands caught his husband’s wrists and pinned him on the bed.

“Mar-” Alucard moaned. He tried to wriggle out but Martis locked him in place. “Please…Isn’t this too early?”

Martis did not answer. He continued kissing and giving soft bites on Alucard’s shoulder. He let go of Alucard’s hands just to massage his chest. Alucard sucked in a sharp breath when he felt calloused fingers brushing past his nipples. Those strong hands began to squeeze onto his breasts, pushing more wanton moans out from Alucard’s lips.

“Martis…” Alucard breathily sighed. His body was reacting to the touches, especially the one in between his legs. “Martis, please.”

“Consider this as your mood booster.” He heard Martis whisper into his ear. “You mortals require some motivation to start the day, correct?

“Umm…”

Alucard felt Martis’ hand cupping his face so he would only look at him. Those red eyes were glowing and the way Martis was licking at his top row teeth, Alucard swallowed heavily.