Of Silence and Thievery (3/12ish)
Alfred found that he had a bit of a problem.
A bit of a problem by the name of Arthur Kirkland.
And that problem had to do with the fact that Alfred couldn’t get the cranky, temperamental, silent and abusive man out of his damn head, scowling expression, humongous eyebrows, and the greenest eyes Alfred had ever seen, and all. It was starting to get ridiculous to be honest and if he had to deal with Gilbert’s snickering one more time, he was going to kick the deaf man off his hero mission! But, he supposed he did look kind of stupid, staring and ‘mooning’ over (Esther’s words, not his because he definitely wasn’t ‘mooning’) Arthur when the guy was so mean and downright unpleasant most of the time. He couldn’t figure out what it was about the guy that made him so interested but whatever it was, it was strong and Alfred has having a problem.
He certainly would not have elected Arthur has his ‘damsel-in distress’ but there seemed no help for it now; he was a hero, heroes needed damsels, and Alfred’s libido had decided that Arthur fit the part. And to be honest, Alfred didn’t think it was all that bad. Yes, the eyebrows were kind of off-putting, but they actually worked on his face…a face that actually was quite attractive once you really looked. Arthur had messy honey-colored hair, but it looked soft and framed his face in a good way, his skin was pale, but it was a good kind of pale, like moonlight or something silly like that. He was shorter that was true, but his body was slender and looked like it would just perfect against Alfred’s and he certainly wasn’t built weak - Arthur had insisted in helping out around the ship and when lifting heavy box and coils of rope, Alfred found it hard not to stare.
And then there were the eyes. Alfred had honestly never seen a pair of green eyes that looked like Arthur’s. Yes, green eyes he had seen, Antonio and Toris had green eyes for goodness sake, but they weren’t like Arthur’s. They were like…like green hills or the color of some magically lighted signs in the bigger cities in Roma or Germania; they stared with determination, glared in heated anger, and sparkled in mirth (not that Alfred would ever say they sparkled to Arthur…he rather liked his body parts where they were). Everything that Arthur was feeling showed in his green eyes…and even though he couldn’t speak, they could; Alfred had never known someone who felt things and expressed himself so soulfully. Mattie had said that the eyes were a glimpse at the soul of a person-Alfred had never really believed that hokey saying until Arthur.
“Hey, hero, you keep staring at ‘im like you want to rape him and he’s gonna figure it out eventually.” Alfred was shaken out of his gazing (which had been a little invasive he guessed…just a little though) and gave a smirking Gilbert a dirty look. “Not that I understand though, those eyebrows, but I guess he’s feisty. Bet he’d be one of those wild ones in be-”
“If you finish that sentence, I really will kick you off this ship!” Alfred snapped, looking across to make sure Arthur, who was busy making notes in his and Seychelles record books and glancing at a map of the Nords, where they were currently sailing through. He didn’t seem to notice, but Alfred definitely did not want Arthur to hear anything about raping and it involving him. The guy was small but he hit like he was Alejandro’s size…as Francis had been unfortunate enough to discover.
“Didn’t catch most of that, something about me and the ship, but whatever. I just don’t want to deal with your late-blooming hormones for the next however many years it takes for you to either A. fuck him or B. kill Ivan.”
“I do not-” Alfred began, loudly, drawing in a few attentions from the ship, including Arthur’s as the man began to head back inside the ship (who glared at him as if snapping him of his concentration was possibly the worst offense Alfred could have committed). He waved them off and turned away, heading back inside, practically dragging Gilbert behind him. “I do not want to, you know, with him I just, I don’t know…he’s interesting I guess but it’s not like I wanna marry him or anything.”
“Marry, yeah, because that’s what your minds focused on when you stare at him like he’s a piece of meat…because you want to ‘marry’ him.”
“Not everyone’s a pervert like you, Gilbert!”
“I can see you’re talking, but all I can get out of it is that I’m awesome.” Alfred wanted to wipe that damn smirk right off Gilbert’s face. Jackass, using his deafness…Alfred knew he could lip-read what Alfred was insulting him! “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to leave you to your unresolved sexual tension, don’t want it cramping my style, you know!”
Alfred really wanted to do nothing more than hurl his shoe at Gilbert’s snickering, retreating back, but considering he’d likely not get the shoe back (if you threw something at Gilbert, he kept it) and then he’d be depressed because he liked these boots. They were very heroic, with buckles and everything. Alfred sighed dramatically and made his way back to the navigation room, where hopefully Seychelles was to discuss their next destination. Francis had been having weak, half-visions about the Nords, something to do with Braginski but he couldn’t’ tell what. Francis could not See like he used to, but he still received some visions…all regarding Ivan Braginski. It was useful to be sure, but Francis hated it…felt it created a connection with the guy.
However, there was no Seychelles…no, there was only Arthur.
“Wh-what are you doing here?!” In hindsight, that was not the best question Alfred could have greeted the slim young man with. He had accepted the task of navigating the ship after all…and when Alfred thought about it, Arthur really wasn’t in many other spots besides the deck, his room, and here.
Arthur turned around and regarded him with a look that clearly said he thought Alfred was an idiot before he gestured to the sprawling and impressive maps set up all along the navigation room walls. He wrote down a few scribbles on his pad from Kiku and turned it towards Alfred, rolling his eyes as he did so.
Navigating, what do you think?
Alfred laughed and shrugged his shoulders, hoping that his face wouldn’t betray his thoughts, smiling cockily at Arthur. “I don’t know, being grumpy? You’ve already written everything down from those books…what else do you need to add?”
Arthur glared at him and wrote down his response, his movements angry but precise…Alfred had a hard time looking away from his hands. He blinked and shook his head, turning away slightly -this was quickly becoming a serious problem, not just a little one, if he was drawn into Arthur’s hands of all things.
If your only purpose in here is to insult me, git, I suggest you leave.
“No, no! I just---nevermind, just teasing, ya know?” Alfred flashed Arthur his most winning smile, which made the man’s face turn a bit pink, but mainly went ignored as the man turned back to the maps. “So…what are you working on?”
Arthur glanced back at him before he put down his various tools and picked up his tablet; Alfred felt a pang of regret…it was probably a pain to have to keep responding to his questions, it wasn’t like Arthur could just answer. Alfred felt another swell of anger and hatred directed towards Braginski…he was going to stop that guy if it was the last thing he did. I’m adding notes…to help us find a pattern.
Alfred nodded and came forward, stepping up beside Arthur as he looked at the maps the man had helped put together, glancing at the neatly written notes beside his notes or Seychelles, notes explaining possible escape routes and any trails or roads that corresponded to other attack sites. It was truly amazing…and kind of sad that no one had thought to do this before. “To try and figure out if Braginski sticks with any similar routes, right?”
Arthur gave him an appraising look and nodded before he finished whatever note he had been working on before, turning back and raising his eyebrows at Alfred, with a slightly expectant look on his face. He rolled his eyes and gave a silent, yet still exasperated sigh before he scribbled down on his tablet. Did you want to add anything to the map?
Alfred kept his gaze for a moment before he looked back at the world-wide map that Arthur had linked together all the separate attacks on. It was missing two important ones…seemed a shame not to add them when Arthur went through so much work to create a tool that could accurately track Braginski’s movements. He held out his hand for the thick quill Arthur had been using, heading to the left of the map when his hand closed around it. He marked two areas in Merica*, his much talked about homeland, scrawling two dates and two names on two marks that were almost virtually side-by-side. He stepped back, still holding the quill in his hand, staring with a sad sort of grin as Arthur examined the marks and hurriedly wrote down a question in fiery letters.
Who’s Matthew, Alfred? Arthur was looking at him in a half-expectant, half-hesitant way, as if he was finally given a chance to ask the question he’d been wanting to for three weeks. Still, it was open and casual, not beholding Alfred to say anything if he chose not to…Alfred turned from the map and looked into the stupid green eyes he couldn’t get out of his head.
“My little brother.” Alfred sighed and settled his hands against his hips, fingers twiddling in the fabric of his shirt while he looked back at the map. “We were famous, you know? Where we lived. Merica doesn’t have the same attitude towards magic and stuff that Britannia has…me and my brother were celebrated for our gifts. I had my strength and Mattie, Mattie could feel. He said it was all in the touch, that he could touch someone and feel what they felt, what they feared, what they needed…and he loved it. He loved helping people.”
For once, Alfred was happy Arthur couldn’t speak…he’d only told this story twice before, once to Seychelles and once to Gilbert (who had undoubtedly told the others if they proved trust-worthy). He didn’t like telling it, didn’t like remembering it or feeling what it made him feel.
“Braginski was after me…the strength and all that. But I wasn’t home, I was helping some of the loggers that day haul the lumber back to town and…and Mattie looks a lot like me.”
He stole your brother’s ability to feel.
Alfred nodded at the words, a frown forming on his face. “Turns out he was happy with how that turned out, gaining that ability. Matt was nearly catatonic when I got home, his ability was as much a part of him as his eyes you know? It was like he went blind and didn’t know how to handle it. When he finally pulled himself together and told me…well, there’s a big crater to the west of our hometown if you get my drift.” Alfred cracked a grin at the small smile that appeared on Arthur’s face.
“I decided I was going to hunt down the guy who hurt my brother and that I was going to take back what he stole…problem was he got the better of me and stole my strength, or at least most of it. That guy…he’s a lot older than what he looks and well, this was like three years ago, I was a kid. But I didn’t quit, you know, because heroes don’t quit, especially against the bad guy, and I found all these guys who’d been attacked by Braginski too. But, anyway, yeah, might as well add the two of us here as well…it’d be stupid if your map didn’t have everything.”
Arthur stared at him for a moment, the green eyes roving over him with a kind of critical gaze that seemed to be deciding something, something important, before he nodded in thanks and scribbled on his tablet. Is your brother all right?
“Mattie? Yeah, he’s fine now…I kinda promised him once we found out where Braginski s we’d swing by and pick him up so he could come too, but we visit him every now and then.”
Arthur stared at him some more (which was making Alfred very nervous because his head was telling him to do all sorts of odd things…like tackling the man to the ground or pinning him up against something…) before he sighed and wrote on his tablet, What happened to your brother certainly wasn’t your fault, idiot.
“Wh-what? I never said-well, of course it is! I mean-”
Arthur glared at him and shook his head…effectively shutting up Alfred even though he couldn’t speak. The blond man felt a flash of wonder at how much Arthur had wormed his way under his skin in only a few weeks…oh jeez, now he was thinking of doing stuff after the tackling and the pinning! He tried to push the thoughts out of his head, ignore and crush them and forget they even existed, but really, all he accomplish was turning a slight shade of red around the ears.
The only one at fault is Ivan Braginski and no one else, least of all you.
Alfred opened his mouth, intent to argue, not exactly what but argue nonetheless, but nothing escaped his head and eventually he settled for grudgingly nodding his head in accordance to Arthur’s words. The green-eyes man smirked at him in a friendly manner before he scribbled more down on his tablet.
Thank you for adding you both to the chart.
“Yeah, you’re welcome.” Alfred smiled at Arthur and felt another thrill of something at the way Arthur scowled and looked away, mouthing something to himself that Alfred couldn’t make out. “So…you getting along ok? With the ship and tablet and all?”
Arthur peeked at him from over his shoulder before he nodded tersely. Fine, thank you.
“Is it hard…not being able to talk I mean?”
Arthur hesitated before he nodded again, a sad look entering his eyes for a moment before he glanced up at Alfred, his more usual look of exasperation and disdain present. It bloody well is and you should know. Wasn’t it hard for you?
“Yeah, I guess.” Alfred shrugged his shoulders and tried to smile encouragingly. “But it’ll get easier I bet! We just gotta keep the goal in mind, you know? And we got a good lead, Francis is almost never wrong, he’s got that freaky connection with Braginski now but it’s sure useful!”
Arthur rolled his eyes again and gave a small nod of his head before he turned back to his map, effectively letting Alfred know that he wished to go back to work; Alfred found himself staring at the slender back for a few moments longer than necessary before he shook himself out of it and headed out the door, calling out a cheerful parting as he went. However, he found himself pausing at the door, resting his hand against the wooden frame and staring at the man as he scribbled in notes alongside the two marks Alfred had added to the map, muttering silent words to himself as he went. He felt another kind of something well up in him, something he hadn’t really felt before in his young life, and found himself uttering the words before he thought better of it.
“I’ll get your voice back, Arthur, I promise!”
He whirled around and left quickly, not able to see the startled green eyes turn his way as he left.
*****
Arthur felt very confused.
He found himself unable to do much but stare at the empty space Alfred had occupied moments before, wondering what the hell had just happened and why the young man had felt the need to promise him something that it seemed they were all on a mission to do. To promise him individually, as just Arthur…as if he was some kind of invalid who couldn’t get his own vengeance and needed to be promised like some kind of damsel. He glared at the doorway and turned back to his maps with a huff, angrily finishing up his notes and pinning his newest pieces of string to the map to show possible connections and routes for those two attacks.
Really, he wasn’t all that angry but the idiot was making it quite hard for Arthur to go on ignoring him and that seemed to be the only thing that worked in keeping his thoughts from….straying. He finished the work he wanted to do with the maps, including the addition of Alfred and his brother’s attack points and spared a glance out the windows, noticing with a rueful grin that the sun had just barely set and it was entirely too early to head off the bed. He had taken to spending most of his spare time in the small cabin he’d been given…it was easier that way for everyone. He wasn’t exactly easy to have a conversation with.
He hadn’t honestly thought it would be so bad, not having a voice for a bit. He was never much of a talker before, really only offering greeting when given them first and of course insulting his brothers, but he had preferred to keep to himself. Now though…it was quickly becoming somewhat suffocating, not being able to speak or voice even the tiniest of things. His very breaths were silent. He’d taken to talking to himself as a way to make sure he remembered how to, not caring how ridiculous he surely looked talking to himself when o sound produced. He had always liked silence but now…now, should he ever even get his voice back, he thought he’d maybe go into the pub business like his brothers…at least there’d be constant noise.
He sighed and shoved away from the maps, deciding he’d grab a quick dinner and just to his room, snatching up his writing tablet as he went. It was useless to indulge in self-pity or unneeded emotions…he had enough other things to do, thank you.
*****
A week later, Arthur found himself out on the deck of the ship, staring at the new land they had arrived in, one he had only read about in books but was now seeing for the first time; the Nords, a nation that was rumored to be rich n all sorts of things, from iron, marble and magic. But the Nords were, quite frankly, not really what Arthur had been expecting. The name had sounded imposing, regal, and perhaps somewhat menacing but in all actuality, the mountains that the nation drew its name from were quite lovely, all snow-capped and well in the distance, and the majority of the coastal land that Arthur had seen from the deck was also lovely. The sands were dark and contrasted nicely with the dark blue of the water while there were stretches of dark evergreens in every which direction. It was serene and peaceful…even if it was also quite uncomfortably cold for the middle of spring.
Seychelles had docked them in one of the larger fishing cities called Ahvenanmaa* and immediately began barking out orders to form up different groups, some for restocking supplies, some for guarding the ship, and some to accompany Alfred and his group to search for signs of Ivan. Little Lily had cooked them all a large breakfast (which astounded Arthur because the girl did not look like she was really in any shape to do much) smiling and wishing them luck as they all split into their respective groups. Because Arthur was still rather new and his skills regarding weaponry and tracking had not been proved, he had been grouped with Esther, Vash and Seychelles. Alfred would take Gilbert, Alejandro and Frances along with him while Kiku stayed aboard the ship with Rosa and helped with any preparations should a speedy getaway become necessary.
They were heading straight into the surrounding forests out of the city because, according to Alfred, the forest, aptly called the Nord Forest, outside of Ahvenanmaa was likely the place Braginski was going to show up due to the group of ‘warlocks’ that lived there. Though, incidentally, they weren’t really warlocks, Seychelles was quick to say as they started in, Arthur’s eyes uncontrollably (much to his damn frustration) following Alfred and his group as they entered the forests from a different path. They were more like a coven, a group of talented people who just happened to live near each other (though Seychelles said that two absolutely loathed one another so she wasn’t sure why they still insisted on living so close) and guarded the Nords with different types of elemental magic.
“He’s been trying for years to steal their gifts,” Seychelles told him as they walked, her long hair pulled away from her face on two braids per usual, flashing him a smile as Vash and Esther scouted ahead. “Nearly succeeded once or twice, but there are five of them and they’re all quite skilled, they’ve driven him off each time.”
But Francis thinks he’ll attack them again, even though he’s been shown they overpower him?
Seychelles shrugged lightly, her eyes giving him a look that she could practically hear the doubt and disdain in his writing for the flamboyant man. “Well, Francis can hardly interpret what his fragmented half-visions mean, but Ivan keeps gaining new gifts; maybe he thinks with your voice he might stand a better chance at getting one of their powers. It’s a lead and the only one we have so far.”
Arthur didn’t write down a response, uncomfortable with the thought of that bastard using his ‘voice’ in any fashion, and stared back ahead, watching Vash examine their surroundings with the sharpness of an experienced tracker. Esther was further away, nearly out of immediate sight, crouched down and peering around with her sword resting on her legs. The forest around them was not foreboding in the least (especially as pretty little bluebirds flew overhead, twittering happily), but Arthur couldn’t shake off the odd sense of dread that had washed over him the further they walked into the forest.
The others though, they didn’t seem to feel or worry so it was pointless to mention anything…he was already being assumed as not having the proper skill because of his former occupation - he wasn’t about to prove them right with a silly feeling that had no merit. Seychelles, in fact, seemed a bit bored, picking idly at her nails with a small knife, glancing up every now and then to take in their surroundings. Arthur had already been told they were taking the less dangerous route, the route that did not lead directly to any of the so-called ‘warlocks’ homes, so it was unlikely they’d actually encounter Ivan should he appear. Arthur wondered belatedly if the others were as annoyed with being, essentially, his baby-sitters as he was with the thought that he needed to be baby-sat.
The hours went by slowly and the more Arthur walked, the more he got frustrated with how pointless it was for him to go in the first place (he could have had a much more pleasant time with Kiku back on the Evangeline). He was wondering if it was at all possible to physical fall asleep while still walking when they heard it; a sharp, high cry that sounded entirely too similar to person to be mistaken as wind or a bird. Esther was up and shot off in an instance, Vash following close behind, an angry cry echoing behind him as he ran. Seychelles swore colorfully under her breath and took off, calling out for Arthur to follow, but not paying attention to the fact that he did not know these forests as they did and could easily get lost.
Which was what promptly happened.
Arthur swore angrily and silently as he tried to look for some sort of trail Seychelles and the other must have gone though; it wasn’t as if he was used to this sort of work and he couldn’t call out for them to slow down. Not that he could really blame them…they were trying to save one of these supposed warlocks from Ivan…trying to gain back what was dear to them. Still, it couldn’t have hurt for them to have checked behind and see if he was there. He wandered for a bit, trying to stick with a path that looked relatively worn and used, quelling the uprising of panic he felt begin to take hold the more he walked and found nothing.
As the sun started to set in the sky, bathing the forest in a light swath or orange and red, Arthur stepped into a small clearing and was relieved to see that there was a small pit for a fire present as well as a pile of cut wood. All evidence of human activity at some point, which was a vast improvement over the last hour or so. There was another pit to the left and a small flume of smoke was rising from it -Arthur smiled in relief at the sitting figure before the fire, hoping he could at least be directed back on a path to lead him back to the city.
However, when the man stood up and turned around, Arthur felt himself freeze and is smile slip slowly off his face.
“Hello, comrade, it has been some time, da?”
*****
Tino Väinämöinen felt that he was a relatively simple young man, not given to great hysterics and content living in his little cottage with Berwald and their little Hana-tamago, keeping is garden and the Nords safe. He did not care for arguing and violence (which was why he almost always ever visited Mathias* and Nikolai* without Berwald) nor did he care for those who hurt the innocent…which was why he always offered his assistance to Alfred and his small group whenever they visited. Ivan Braginski…Tino was unfortunately quite familiar with the man and the dark types of magic he had been gifted with at birth as he had attacked himself, Berwald, and little Oskar* over the years in his attempts to steal their gifts for himself. He was always willing to offer his help to the group who devoted their tie and energy in hunting the man down.
Still…whenever Alfred DID appear, it usually spelled disaster in some form.
Tino smiled softly as Alfred waved at him, a tense smile on his too-young face, noting that Gilbert, Alejandro, and Francis accompanied him but not noticing Esther. He wondered briefly whether she had chosen to search for Ivan on her own, for she had reason enough to do so, just as Feliks had, but did not mention it as he came forward, Hana-tamago following closely behind him.
“Alfred! This is certainly a surprise; we weren’t expecting you for at least another month!”
Alfred smiled a bit brighter as he stopped in front of him, Gilbert waving obnoxiously and Francis waving in his silly manner while Alejandro just stared moodily. “Yeah well, some things have changed recently and we kinda got a lead that Braginski would be here.”
Tino cocked his head to the side in slight confusion. “Really? Francis, you saw a glimpse of Ivan coming here?”
“I saw these woods, mon cher, and him, but beyond that I cannot say.”
“Well…we can always feel it when he comes here with intent on harming one of us and I haven’t heard anything from the others. And Berwald hasn’t felt a thing and ever since Ivan wounded him, he has a sixth sense about him, kind of like you Francis. Are you sure it was the Nords you saw?”
Francis nodded, focusing blind eyes away for a moment. “I am sure of it.”
Tino furrowed his eyebrows for a moment before he shrugged and smiled, swinging his arm forward in the universal message to follow him back to his home. “Well, let’s talk with Su-san, maybe he knows something different than I!”
They followed Tino as he winded through the forest path to a modest cottage in a good sized clearing, smoking rising steadily from the chimney, the small, purple-eyed man hanging back a bit to fix Alfred with a friendly smile. “So, I notice Esther is not here this time.”
“Oh, she’s here, I just have her in a different group.” Alfred grinned back. Tino noticed that the young man hesitated for a moment before he continued, a faint, but still present, tinge of red coloring his ears. “She’s ah, she’s with Vash and Seychelles, helping out the new guy with us, Arthur. He got his voice stolen by Braginski around three or four weeks ago.”
Tino felt a swell of pity rise up in him for the man, even if he didn’t know him. Su-san…whatever his encounter with Ivan had been had almost destroyed his vocal cords…Tino knew how much of a struggle it was to be without a voice. “That’s terrible…do you mind if I ask why?”
“Oh, he had this wicked gift, but he says he really didn’t use it, well not really says, he writes stuff down on a tablet Kiku got ‘im, anyway not the point, he had this thing with his voice. Wish for it, say it. He could actually make things happen just by saying it! You know, he even can still do it, kinda, like me and my strength.”
Tino nodded as he opened the door to the cottage, calling out for Berwald, stepping aside as Hana-tamago ran in. “His ability must have been impressive for it to still linger…Ivan’s ability to steal is nearly unrivalled.”
Alfred made a noise of agreement, that tell-tale tinge of red still lingering around his ears as he shouted out a greeting to Berwald, who lumbered in from the kitchen; Tino glanced at Gilbert in silent question, to which the pale man rolled his eyes and made kissy faces behind Alfred’s back. The small, Nordic man stifled a fond chuckle; he had always been quite fond of Alfred, viewing him as a younger sibling or cousin, and it was adorable to hear that he had finally shown some kind of interest in someone. Alfred was relating everything to Su-san with Francis, so Tino took it upon himself to fix some refreshments for his guests (he knew this kind of behavior was partly why Berwald kept calling him his ‘wife’ but he couldn’t help it…it was just how he was).
“So, what is your new crew member like?” Tino always made sure to speak with Gilbert…it was sad that he couldn’t follow most conversations…even if he could be an arrogant prick when you did involve him.
“Short, irritable, and he’s got the biggest eyebrows I have EVER seen.” Gilbert smirked at him and grabbed a glass from Tino’s outstretched hand. “But he’s a damn good navigator…they’ll have to show you what a mess he made of the navigation room on the ship. And the kid’s fucking infatuated with him…couldn’t tell you why. Arthur acts like a crotchety old guy most of the time and I’m not convinced I’m that much older than him.”
Tino shrugged and smiled brightly as he left. It was hard to explain to someone like Gilbert, who didn’t look at monogamy or settling down as something to be happy about and it was certainly a stretch to get him to understand what drew two people together. Tino always thought of himself and Su-san…logically, they really didn’t make a lot of sense and at first glance, others always wondered why they were together. But, Tino couldn’t help it; underneath Berwald’s gruff, menacing and chilly exterior was a very caring, gentle man…and for all of Tino’s sweetness, those closest to the man knew what he was like when you threatened something he cared about.
He was in the kitchen, listening as Alejandro went into his rant about how much better his fire had been in comparison to Berwald’s elemental ice, which was par for course, when he gasped and felt his eyes dilate and go wide. The wards…Tino could feel him, could feel the darkness he always seemed to have spreading into the ground, making Tino sick and light-headed. But…it was different, he was here but none of his Brothers were in danger…he pushed himself away from the counter and leaned heavily against the door frame as he regained his bearings. He needed…he needed to focus and see what he was after…what was going on.
Tino took a deep breath, swallowed down the nausea, and will his mind through the dirt and earth; earth was his element, he could feel Ivan’s faint trying to disorient him, but he was stronger than that...he’d proven that multiple times over. He flew through the ground and green, coming to a stop in a small clearing where Ivan stood, smiling down at a very hurt looking young man. A young man with very green eyes and not making a single sound, even though he was in obvious pain. A young man that had the biggest eyebrows Tino had ever seen.
He withdrew himself from the earth and staggered into the main room where his deep blue eyes met with Alfred’s, taking Berwald’s support gratefully, still reeling and feeling the inky blackness that seemed to linger on his skin. “Ivan…he is here, but it wasn’t any of us he was after. He played you, he’s attacking someone in the woods north of here…I think you said his name is Arthur.”
Alfred’s face drained of color and he took out the door faster than anyone could shout after him to wait, which spurred Gilbert to chase after him, swearing loudly as he left, Alejandro and Francis following after. Tino took a few more deep breaths and looked up at Berwald’s concerned, teal eyes, nodding resolutely as he pushed himself away a bit and steadied himself. They had to help, of course…it was their forest, and Ivan was not welcome within and he wasn’t going to take anymore away while they could help it.
“I’m fine, Su-san. Let’s go.”
“I’s like T’ris?” Berwald grabbed a large staff off the wall and draped Tino’s dark green cloak over his slender shoulders. Tino smiled sadly as he remembered the gentle, kind-hearted young healer and hoped that history did not mimic itself today.
“Yes, I believe so…like Toris.”
TBC…
Next Chapter: osco-blue-fairy.livejournal.com/29446.html
*****
*America, not original I know
**Finnish for the Åland Islands, an arichpalgeo in the Baltic sea, means River land or perch land
***Denmark
*****Norway
******Iceland
A bit of a problem by the name of Arthur Kirkland.
And that problem had to do with the fact that Alfred couldn’t get the cranky, temperamental, silent and abusive man out of his damn head, scowling expression, humongous eyebrows, and the greenest eyes Alfred had ever seen, and all. It was starting to get ridiculous to be honest and if he had to deal with Gilbert’s snickering one more time, he was going to kick the deaf man off his hero mission! But, he supposed he did look kind of stupid, staring and ‘mooning’ over (Esther’s words, not his because he definitely wasn’t ‘mooning’) Arthur when the guy was so mean and downright unpleasant most of the time. He couldn’t figure out what it was about the guy that made him so interested but whatever it was, it was strong and Alfred has having a problem.
He certainly would not have elected Arthur has his ‘damsel-in distress’ but there seemed no help for it now; he was a hero, heroes needed damsels, and Alfred’s libido had decided that Arthur fit the part. And to be honest, Alfred didn’t think it was all that bad. Yes, the eyebrows were kind of off-putting, but they actually worked on his face…a face that actually was quite attractive once you really looked. Arthur had messy honey-colored hair, but it looked soft and framed his face in a good way, his skin was pale, but it was a good kind of pale, like moonlight or something silly like that. He was shorter that was true, but his body was slender and looked like it would just perfect against Alfred’s and he certainly wasn’t built weak - Arthur had insisted in helping out around the ship and when lifting heavy box and coils of rope, Alfred found it hard not to stare.
And then there were the eyes. Alfred had honestly never seen a pair of green eyes that looked like Arthur’s. Yes, green eyes he had seen, Antonio and Toris had green eyes for goodness sake, but they weren’t like Arthur’s. They were like…like green hills or the color of some magically lighted signs in the bigger cities in Roma or Germania; they stared with determination, glared in heated anger, and sparkled in mirth (not that Alfred would ever say they sparkled to Arthur…he rather liked his body parts where they were). Everything that Arthur was feeling showed in his green eyes…and even though he couldn’t speak, they could; Alfred had never known someone who felt things and expressed himself so soulfully. Mattie had said that the eyes were a glimpse at the soul of a person-Alfred had never really believed that hokey saying until Arthur.
“Hey, hero, you keep staring at ‘im like you want to rape him and he’s gonna figure it out eventually.” Alfred was shaken out of his gazing (which had been a little invasive he guessed…just a little though) and gave a smirking Gilbert a dirty look. “Not that I understand though, those eyebrows, but I guess he’s feisty. Bet he’d be one of those wild ones in be-”
“If you finish that sentence, I really will kick you off this ship!” Alfred snapped, looking across to make sure Arthur, who was busy making notes in his and Seychelles record books and glancing at a map of the Nords, where they were currently sailing through. He didn’t seem to notice, but Alfred definitely did not want Arthur to hear anything about raping and it involving him. The guy was small but he hit like he was Alejandro’s size…as Francis had been unfortunate enough to discover.
“Didn’t catch most of that, something about me and the ship, but whatever. I just don’t want to deal with your late-blooming hormones for the next however many years it takes for you to either A. fuck him or B. kill Ivan.”
“I do not-” Alfred began, loudly, drawing in a few attentions from the ship, including Arthur’s as the man began to head back inside the ship (who glared at him as if snapping him of his concentration was possibly the worst offense Alfred could have committed). He waved them off and turned away, heading back inside, practically dragging Gilbert behind him. “I do not want to, you know, with him I just, I don’t know…he’s interesting I guess but it’s not like I wanna marry him or anything.”
“Marry, yeah, because that’s what your minds focused on when you stare at him like he’s a piece of meat…because you want to ‘marry’ him.”
“Not everyone’s a pervert like you, Gilbert!”
“I can see you’re talking, but all I can get out of it is that I’m awesome.” Alfred wanted to wipe that damn smirk right off Gilbert’s face. Jackass, using his deafness…Alfred knew he could lip-read what Alfred was insulting him! “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to leave you to your unresolved sexual tension, don’t want it cramping my style, you know!”
Alfred really wanted to do nothing more than hurl his shoe at Gilbert’s snickering, retreating back, but considering he’d likely not get the shoe back (if you threw something at Gilbert, he kept it) and then he’d be depressed because he liked these boots. They were very heroic, with buckles and everything. Alfred sighed dramatically and made his way back to the navigation room, where hopefully Seychelles was to discuss their next destination. Francis had been having weak, half-visions about the Nords, something to do with Braginski but he couldn’t’ tell what. Francis could not See like he used to, but he still received some visions…all regarding Ivan Braginski. It was useful to be sure, but Francis hated it…felt it created a connection with the guy.
However, there was no Seychelles…no, there was only Arthur.
“Wh-what are you doing here?!” In hindsight, that was not the best question Alfred could have greeted the slim young man with. He had accepted the task of navigating the ship after all…and when Alfred thought about it, Arthur really wasn’t in many other spots besides the deck, his room, and here.
Arthur turned around and regarded him with a look that clearly said he thought Alfred was an idiot before he gestured to the sprawling and impressive maps set up all along the navigation room walls. He wrote down a few scribbles on his pad from Kiku and turned it towards Alfred, rolling his eyes as he did so.
Navigating, what do you think?
Alfred laughed and shrugged his shoulders, hoping that his face wouldn’t betray his thoughts, smiling cockily at Arthur. “I don’t know, being grumpy? You’ve already written everything down from those books…what else do you need to add?”
Arthur glared at him and wrote down his response, his movements angry but precise…Alfred had a hard time looking away from his hands. He blinked and shook his head, turning away slightly -this was quickly becoming a serious problem, not just a little one, if he was drawn into Arthur’s hands of all things.
If your only purpose in here is to insult me, git, I suggest you leave.
“No, no! I just---nevermind, just teasing, ya know?” Alfred flashed Arthur his most winning smile, which made the man’s face turn a bit pink, but mainly went ignored as the man turned back to the maps. “So…what are you working on?”
Arthur glanced back at him before he put down his various tools and picked up his tablet; Alfred felt a pang of regret…it was probably a pain to have to keep responding to his questions, it wasn’t like Arthur could just answer. Alfred felt another swell of anger and hatred directed towards Braginski…he was going to stop that guy if it was the last thing he did. I’m adding notes…to help us find a pattern.
Alfred nodded and came forward, stepping up beside Arthur as he looked at the maps the man had helped put together, glancing at the neatly written notes beside his notes or Seychelles, notes explaining possible escape routes and any trails or roads that corresponded to other attack sites. It was truly amazing…and kind of sad that no one had thought to do this before. “To try and figure out if Braginski sticks with any similar routes, right?”
Arthur gave him an appraising look and nodded before he finished whatever note he had been working on before, turning back and raising his eyebrows at Alfred, with a slightly expectant look on his face. He rolled his eyes and gave a silent, yet still exasperated sigh before he scribbled down on his tablet. Did you want to add anything to the map?
Alfred kept his gaze for a moment before he looked back at the world-wide map that Arthur had linked together all the separate attacks on. It was missing two important ones…seemed a shame not to add them when Arthur went through so much work to create a tool that could accurately track Braginski’s movements. He held out his hand for the thick quill Arthur had been using, heading to the left of the map when his hand closed around it. He marked two areas in Merica*, his much talked about homeland, scrawling two dates and two names on two marks that were almost virtually side-by-side. He stepped back, still holding the quill in his hand, staring with a sad sort of grin as Arthur examined the marks and hurriedly wrote down a question in fiery letters.
Who’s Matthew, Alfred? Arthur was looking at him in a half-expectant, half-hesitant way, as if he was finally given a chance to ask the question he’d been wanting to for three weeks. Still, it was open and casual, not beholding Alfred to say anything if he chose not to…Alfred turned from the map and looked into the stupid green eyes he couldn’t get out of his head.
“My little brother.” Alfred sighed and settled his hands against his hips, fingers twiddling in the fabric of his shirt while he looked back at the map. “We were famous, you know? Where we lived. Merica doesn’t have the same attitude towards magic and stuff that Britannia has…me and my brother were celebrated for our gifts. I had my strength and Mattie, Mattie could feel. He said it was all in the touch, that he could touch someone and feel what they felt, what they feared, what they needed…and he loved it. He loved helping people.”
For once, Alfred was happy Arthur couldn’t speak…he’d only told this story twice before, once to Seychelles and once to Gilbert (who had undoubtedly told the others if they proved trust-worthy). He didn’t like telling it, didn’t like remembering it or feeling what it made him feel.
“Braginski was after me…the strength and all that. But I wasn’t home, I was helping some of the loggers that day haul the lumber back to town and…and Mattie looks a lot like me.”
He stole your brother’s ability to feel.
Alfred nodded at the words, a frown forming on his face. “Turns out he was happy with how that turned out, gaining that ability. Matt was nearly catatonic when I got home, his ability was as much a part of him as his eyes you know? It was like he went blind and didn’t know how to handle it. When he finally pulled himself together and told me…well, there’s a big crater to the west of our hometown if you get my drift.” Alfred cracked a grin at the small smile that appeared on Arthur’s face.
“I decided I was going to hunt down the guy who hurt my brother and that I was going to take back what he stole…problem was he got the better of me and stole my strength, or at least most of it. That guy…he’s a lot older than what he looks and well, this was like three years ago, I was a kid. But I didn’t quit, you know, because heroes don’t quit, especially against the bad guy, and I found all these guys who’d been attacked by Braginski too. But, anyway, yeah, might as well add the two of us here as well…it’d be stupid if your map didn’t have everything.”
Arthur stared at him for a moment, the green eyes roving over him with a kind of critical gaze that seemed to be deciding something, something important, before he nodded in thanks and scribbled on his tablet. Is your brother all right?
“Mattie? Yeah, he’s fine now…I kinda promised him once we found out where Braginski s we’d swing by and pick him up so he could come too, but we visit him every now and then.”
Arthur stared at him some more (which was making Alfred very nervous because his head was telling him to do all sorts of odd things…like tackling the man to the ground or pinning him up against something…) before he sighed and wrote on his tablet, What happened to your brother certainly wasn’t your fault, idiot.
“Wh-what? I never said-well, of course it is! I mean-”
Arthur glared at him and shook his head…effectively shutting up Alfred even though he couldn’t speak. The blond man felt a flash of wonder at how much Arthur had wormed his way under his skin in only a few weeks…oh jeez, now he was thinking of doing stuff after the tackling and the pinning! He tried to push the thoughts out of his head, ignore and crush them and forget they even existed, but really, all he accomplish was turning a slight shade of red around the ears.
The only one at fault is Ivan Braginski and no one else, least of all you.
Alfred opened his mouth, intent to argue, not exactly what but argue nonetheless, but nothing escaped his head and eventually he settled for grudgingly nodding his head in accordance to Arthur’s words. The green-eyes man smirked at him in a friendly manner before he scribbled more down on his tablet.
Thank you for adding you both to the chart.
“Yeah, you’re welcome.” Alfred smiled at Arthur and felt another thrill of something at the way Arthur scowled and looked away, mouthing something to himself that Alfred couldn’t make out. “So…you getting along ok? With the ship and tablet and all?”
Arthur peeked at him from over his shoulder before he nodded tersely. Fine, thank you.
“Is it hard…not being able to talk I mean?”
Arthur hesitated before he nodded again, a sad look entering his eyes for a moment before he glanced up at Alfred, his more usual look of exasperation and disdain present. It bloody well is and you should know. Wasn’t it hard for you?
“Yeah, I guess.” Alfred shrugged his shoulders and tried to smile encouragingly. “But it’ll get easier I bet! We just gotta keep the goal in mind, you know? And we got a good lead, Francis is almost never wrong, he’s got that freaky connection with Braginski now but it’s sure useful!”
Arthur rolled his eyes again and gave a small nod of his head before he turned back to his map, effectively letting Alfred know that he wished to go back to work; Alfred found himself staring at the slender back for a few moments longer than necessary before he shook himself out of it and headed out the door, calling out a cheerful parting as he went. However, he found himself pausing at the door, resting his hand against the wooden frame and staring at the man as he scribbled in notes alongside the two marks Alfred had added to the map, muttering silent words to himself as he went. He felt another kind of something well up in him, something he hadn’t really felt before in his young life, and found himself uttering the words before he thought better of it.
“I’ll get your voice back, Arthur, I promise!”
He whirled around and left quickly, not able to see the startled green eyes turn his way as he left.
*****
Arthur felt very confused.
He found himself unable to do much but stare at the empty space Alfred had occupied moments before, wondering what the hell had just happened and why the young man had felt the need to promise him something that it seemed they were all on a mission to do. To promise him individually, as just Arthur…as if he was some kind of invalid who couldn’t get his own vengeance and needed to be promised like some kind of damsel. He glared at the doorway and turned back to his maps with a huff, angrily finishing up his notes and pinning his newest pieces of string to the map to show possible connections and routes for those two attacks.
Really, he wasn’t all that angry but the idiot was making it quite hard for Arthur to go on ignoring him and that seemed to be the only thing that worked in keeping his thoughts from….straying. He finished the work he wanted to do with the maps, including the addition of Alfred and his brother’s attack points and spared a glance out the windows, noticing with a rueful grin that the sun had just barely set and it was entirely too early to head off the bed. He had taken to spending most of his spare time in the small cabin he’d been given…it was easier that way for everyone. He wasn’t exactly easy to have a conversation with.
He hadn’t honestly thought it would be so bad, not having a voice for a bit. He was never much of a talker before, really only offering greeting when given them first and of course insulting his brothers, but he had preferred to keep to himself. Now though…it was quickly becoming somewhat suffocating, not being able to speak or voice even the tiniest of things. His very breaths were silent. He’d taken to talking to himself as a way to make sure he remembered how to, not caring how ridiculous he surely looked talking to himself when o sound produced. He had always liked silence but now…now, should he ever even get his voice back, he thought he’d maybe go into the pub business like his brothers…at least there’d be constant noise.
He sighed and shoved away from the maps, deciding he’d grab a quick dinner and just to his room, snatching up his writing tablet as he went. It was useless to indulge in self-pity or unneeded emotions…he had enough other things to do, thank you.
*****
A week later, Arthur found himself out on the deck of the ship, staring at the new land they had arrived in, one he had only read about in books but was now seeing for the first time; the Nords, a nation that was rumored to be rich n all sorts of things, from iron, marble and magic. But the Nords were, quite frankly, not really what Arthur had been expecting. The name had sounded imposing, regal, and perhaps somewhat menacing but in all actuality, the mountains that the nation drew its name from were quite lovely, all snow-capped and well in the distance, and the majority of the coastal land that Arthur had seen from the deck was also lovely. The sands were dark and contrasted nicely with the dark blue of the water while there were stretches of dark evergreens in every which direction. It was serene and peaceful…even if it was also quite uncomfortably cold for the middle of spring.
Seychelles had docked them in one of the larger fishing cities called Ahvenanmaa* and immediately began barking out orders to form up different groups, some for restocking supplies, some for guarding the ship, and some to accompany Alfred and his group to search for signs of Ivan. Little Lily had cooked them all a large breakfast (which astounded Arthur because the girl did not look like she was really in any shape to do much) smiling and wishing them luck as they all split into their respective groups. Because Arthur was still rather new and his skills regarding weaponry and tracking had not been proved, he had been grouped with Esther, Vash and Seychelles. Alfred would take Gilbert, Alejandro and Frances along with him while Kiku stayed aboard the ship with Rosa and helped with any preparations should a speedy getaway become necessary.
They were heading straight into the surrounding forests out of the city because, according to Alfred, the forest, aptly called the Nord Forest, outside of Ahvenanmaa was likely the place Braginski was going to show up due to the group of ‘warlocks’ that lived there. Though, incidentally, they weren’t really warlocks, Seychelles was quick to say as they started in, Arthur’s eyes uncontrollably (much to his damn frustration) following Alfred and his group as they entered the forests from a different path. They were more like a coven, a group of talented people who just happened to live near each other (though Seychelles said that two absolutely loathed one another so she wasn’t sure why they still insisted on living so close) and guarded the Nords with different types of elemental magic.
“He’s been trying for years to steal their gifts,” Seychelles told him as they walked, her long hair pulled away from her face on two braids per usual, flashing him a smile as Vash and Esther scouted ahead. “Nearly succeeded once or twice, but there are five of them and they’re all quite skilled, they’ve driven him off each time.”
But Francis thinks he’ll attack them again, even though he’s been shown they overpower him?
Seychelles shrugged lightly, her eyes giving him a look that she could practically hear the doubt and disdain in his writing for the flamboyant man. “Well, Francis can hardly interpret what his fragmented half-visions mean, but Ivan keeps gaining new gifts; maybe he thinks with your voice he might stand a better chance at getting one of their powers. It’s a lead and the only one we have so far.”
Arthur didn’t write down a response, uncomfortable with the thought of that bastard using his ‘voice’ in any fashion, and stared back ahead, watching Vash examine their surroundings with the sharpness of an experienced tracker. Esther was further away, nearly out of immediate sight, crouched down and peering around with her sword resting on her legs. The forest around them was not foreboding in the least (especially as pretty little bluebirds flew overhead, twittering happily), but Arthur couldn’t shake off the odd sense of dread that had washed over him the further they walked into the forest.
The others though, they didn’t seem to feel or worry so it was pointless to mention anything…he was already being assumed as not having the proper skill because of his former occupation - he wasn’t about to prove them right with a silly feeling that had no merit. Seychelles, in fact, seemed a bit bored, picking idly at her nails with a small knife, glancing up every now and then to take in their surroundings. Arthur had already been told they were taking the less dangerous route, the route that did not lead directly to any of the so-called ‘warlocks’ homes, so it was unlikely they’d actually encounter Ivan should he appear. Arthur wondered belatedly if the others were as annoyed with being, essentially, his baby-sitters as he was with the thought that he needed to be baby-sat.
The hours went by slowly and the more Arthur walked, the more he got frustrated with how pointless it was for him to go in the first place (he could have had a much more pleasant time with Kiku back on the Evangeline). He was wondering if it was at all possible to physical fall asleep while still walking when they heard it; a sharp, high cry that sounded entirely too similar to person to be mistaken as wind or a bird. Esther was up and shot off in an instance, Vash following close behind, an angry cry echoing behind him as he ran. Seychelles swore colorfully under her breath and took off, calling out for Arthur to follow, but not paying attention to the fact that he did not know these forests as they did and could easily get lost.
Which was what promptly happened.
Arthur swore angrily and silently as he tried to look for some sort of trail Seychelles and the other must have gone though; it wasn’t as if he was used to this sort of work and he couldn’t call out for them to slow down. Not that he could really blame them…they were trying to save one of these supposed warlocks from Ivan…trying to gain back what was dear to them. Still, it couldn’t have hurt for them to have checked behind and see if he was there. He wandered for a bit, trying to stick with a path that looked relatively worn and used, quelling the uprising of panic he felt begin to take hold the more he walked and found nothing.
As the sun started to set in the sky, bathing the forest in a light swath or orange and red, Arthur stepped into a small clearing and was relieved to see that there was a small pit for a fire present as well as a pile of cut wood. All evidence of human activity at some point, which was a vast improvement over the last hour or so. There was another pit to the left and a small flume of smoke was rising from it -Arthur smiled in relief at the sitting figure before the fire, hoping he could at least be directed back on a path to lead him back to the city.
However, when the man stood up and turned around, Arthur felt himself freeze and is smile slip slowly off his face.
“Hello, comrade, it has been some time, da?”
*****
Tino Väinämöinen felt that he was a relatively simple young man, not given to great hysterics and content living in his little cottage with Berwald and their little Hana-tamago, keeping is garden and the Nords safe. He did not care for arguing and violence (which was why he almost always ever visited Mathias* and Nikolai* without Berwald) nor did he care for those who hurt the innocent…which was why he always offered his assistance to Alfred and his small group whenever they visited. Ivan Braginski…Tino was unfortunately quite familiar with the man and the dark types of magic he had been gifted with at birth as he had attacked himself, Berwald, and little Oskar* over the years in his attempts to steal their gifts for himself. He was always willing to offer his help to the group who devoted their tie and energy in hunting the man down.
Still…whenever Alfred DID appear, it usually spelled disaster in some form.
Tino smiled softly as Alfred waved at him, a tense smile on his too-young face, noting that Gilbert, Alejandro, and Francis accompanied him but not noticing Esther. He wondered briefly whether she had chosen to search for Ivan on her own, for she had reason enough to do so, just as Feliks had, but did not mention it as he came forward, Hana-tamago following closely behind him.
“Alfred! This is certainly a surprise; we weren’t expecting you for at least another month!”
Alfred smiled a bit brighter as he stopped in front of him, Gilbert waving obnoxiously and Francis waving in his silly manner while Alejandro just stared moodily. “Yeah well, some things have changed recently and we kinda got a lead that Braginski would be here.”
Tino cocked his head to the side in slight confusion. “Really? Francis, you saw a glimpse of Ivan coming here?”
“I saw these woods, mon cher, and him, but beyond that I cannot say.”
“Well…we can always feel it when he comes here with intent on harming one of us and I haven’t heard anything from the others. And Berwald hasn’t felt a thing and ever since Ivan wounded him, he has a sixth sense about him, kind of like you Francis. Are you sure it was the Nords you saw?”
Francis nodded, focusing blind eyes away for a moment. “I am sure of it.”
Tino furrowed his eyebrows for a moment before he shrugged and smiled, swinging his arm forward in the universal message to follow him back to his home. “Well, let’s talk with Su-san, maybe he knows something different than I!”
They followed Tino as he winded through the forest path to a modest cottage in a good sized clearing, smoking rising steadily from the chimney, the small, purple-eyed man hanging back a bit to fix Alfred with a friendly smile. “So, I notice Esther is not here this time.”
“Oh, she’s here, I just have her in a different group.” Alfred grinned back. Tino noticed that the young man hesitated for a moment before he continued, a faint, but still present, tinge of red coloring his ears. “She’s ah, she’s with Vash and Seychelles, helping out the new guy with us, Arthur. He got his voice stolen by Braginski around three or four weeks ago.”
Tino felt a swell of pity rise up in him for the man, even if he didn’t know him. Su-san…whatever his encounter with Ivan had been had almost destroyed his vocal cords…Tino knew how much of a struggle it was to be without a voice. “That’s terrible…do you mind if I ask why?”
“Oh, he had this wicked gift, but he says he really didn’t use it, well not really says, he writes stuff down on a tablet Kiku got ‘im, anyway not the point, he had this thing with his voice. Wish for it, say it. He could actually make things happen just by saying it! You know, he even can still do it, kinda, like me and my strength.”
Tino nodded as he opened the door to the cottage, calling out for Berwald, stepping aside as Hana-tamago ran in. “His ability must have been impressive for it to still linger…Ivan’s ability to steal is nearly unrivalled.”
Alfred made a noise of agreement, that tell-tale tinge of red still lingering around his ears as he shouted out a greeting to Berwald, who lumbered in from the kitchen; Tino glanced at Gilbert in silent question, to which the pale man rolled his eyes and made kissy faces behind Alfred’s back. The small, Nordic man stifled a fond chuckle; he had always been quite fond of Alfred, viewing him as a younger sibling or cousin, and it was adorable to hear that he had finally shown some kind of interest in someone. Alfred was relating everything to Su-san with Francis, so Tino took it upon himself to fix some refreshments for his guests (he knew this kind of behavior was partly why Berwald kept calling him his ‘wife’ but he couldn’t help it…it was just how he was).
“So, what is your new crew member like?” Tino always made sure to speak with Gilbert…it was sad that he couldn’t follow most conversations…even if he could be an arrogant prick when you did involve him.
“Short, irritable, and he’s got the biggest eyebrows I have EVER seen.” Gilbert smirked at him and grabbed a glass from Tino’s outstretched hand. “But he’s a damn good navigator…they’ll have to show you what a mess he made of the navigation room on the ship. And the kid’s fucking infatuated with him…couldn’t tell you why. Arthur acts like a crotchety old guy most of the time and I’m not convinced I’m that much older than him.”
Tino shrugged and smiled brightly as he left. It was hard to explain to someone like Gilbert, who didn’t look at monogamy or settling down as something to be happy about and it was certainly a stretch to get him to understand what drew two people together. Tino always thought of himself and Su-san…logically, they really didn’t make a lot of sense and at first glance, others always wondered why they were together. But, Tino couldn’t help it; underneath Berwald’s gruff, menacing and chilly exterior was a very caring, gentle man…and for all of Tino’s sweetness, those closest to the man knew what he was like when you threatened something he cared about.
He was in the kitchen, listening as Alejandro went into his rant about how much better his fire had been in comparison to Berwald’s elemental ice, which was par for course, when he gasped and felt his eyes dilate and go wide. The wards…Tino could feel him, could feel the darkness he always seemed to have spreading into the ground, making Tino sick and light-headed. But…it was different, he was here but none of his Brothers were in danger…he pushed himself away from the counter and leaned heavily against the door frame as he regained his bearings. He needed…he needed to focus and see what he was after…what was going on.
Tino took a deep breath, swallowed down the nausea, and will his mind through the dirt and earth; earth was his element, he could feel Ivan’s faint trying to disorient him, but he was stronger than that...he’d proven that multiple times over. He flew through the ground and green, coming to a stop in a small clearing where Ivan stood, smiling down at a very hurt looking young man. A young man with very green eyes and not making a single sound, even though he was in obvious pain. A young man that had the biggest eyebrows Tino had ever seen.
He withdrew himself from the earth and staggered into the main room where his deep blue eyes met with Alfred’s, taking Berwald’s support gratefully, still reeling and feeling the inky blackness that seemed to linger on his skin. “Ivan…he is here, but it wasn’t any of us he was after. He played you, he’s attacking someone in the woods north of here…I think you said his name is Arthur.”
Alfred’s face drained of color and he took out the door faster than anyone could shout after him to wait, which spurred Gilbert to chase after him, swearing loudly as he left, Alejandro and Francis following after. Tino took a few more deep breaths and looked up at Berwald’s concerned, teal eyes, nodding resolutely as he pushed himself away a bit and steadied himself. They had to help, of course…it was their forest, and Ivan was not welcome within and he wasn’t going to take anymore away while they could help it.
“I’m fine, Su-san. Let’s go.”
“I’s like T’ris?” Berwald grabbed a large staff off the wall and draped Tino’s dark green cloak over his slender shoulders. Tino smiled sadly as he remembered the gentle, kind-hearted young healer and hoped that history did not mimic itself today.
“Yes, I believe so…like Toris.”
TBC…
Next Chapter: osco-blue-fairy.livejournal.com/29446.html
*****
*America, not original I know
**Finnish for the Åland Islands, an arichpalgeo in the Baltic sea, means River land or perch land
***Denmark
*****Norway
******Iceland