Along the Great Divide

Chapter 22--The Bell's toll


Ludwig stood anxiously in his place, fussing with his own hair as he tried to slick it back again only to have it fall again. The sleeves on his formal clothing were long and had encompassed the worlds that he lived in now: royalty, Amesterian and Albinjian. The collar of his shirt was high like Amestrian clothing but the sleeves of the shirt flowed out though stayed hidden under the long black mage-like robe he adorned. The neck of his shirt had a bit of a ruffled collar, dyed a deep violet color. Frei stood at the alter with him, holding a heavy leather book with pages and pages of sacred text with Rhoma as the best man at Ludwig's side.

"Will you please stop fidgeting Ludwig? You look fine."Rhoma said as he grabbed Ludwig's hands and made them settle in the front.

"I can't help it…I've never been so nervous before."The anxious vampire said lowly.

"You don't have to be. I think Mamoru was more nervous than you are when I checked on him."Rhoma whispered, patting Ludwig's hand. The musicians who had gathered to play readied their instruments when the doors opened. "Look, here he comes."

Ludwig's head raised, an aura of moonlight shining down from the double doors onto two figures in the doorway. One, adorned in all white while the other was in dark blues. They both walked down the aisle, the figure in white blushing boldly while the other patted his hand.

Mamoru looked breath-taking. If Ludwig had but a single breath of air left in his lungs, he would have let the mage have all of it.

As he got closer, Yuri passed Mamoru along to him in the father's position, smiling and stepping off to the side. Ludwig got a very good look at his lover for the first time since that morning. His skin was pale and fair, left to shine in it's own porcelain complexion. They had partially pulled back his hair, using the long length of it to create an ornate knotted pattern with the ends of the hair disappearing underneath the long trailing part. His clothes consisted of the top portion of his formal mage's attire like a long coat but underneath it what a gold and white silk 'obi' with the same 'kimono' beneath that.

Stunning. Mamoru's long, dark lashes fluttered a bit as Ludwig stared at him with the biggest smile on his face. The sound of Frei clearing his throat brought them both to attention.

The ceremony was very tearful and it seemed very fitting because of what the two had gone through. Yuri had a hard time not wanting to slink to Frei's side and hold him, Heno fidgeting as he tried not to cry. They exchanged their vows, Mamoru having learned his in his native tongue and Ludwig in Grayharte's.

When they kissed for the first time as companions, there was a grand applause and they both laughed heartily. The music began to play, the food and tables began being pulled out by people who had agreed to help them. The decorations around the temple were remarkable and people were smiling ear to ear as the food was devoured with the amount of animal's blood being swallowed down quite quickly by their vampire counterparts.

Lord Frei had chose several musical pieces, choosing a joyful folk song for the two to dance to for the first time. Ludwig twirled Mamoru around, the two of them gliding around the floor as Grato played his fiddle for them, Heno on a borrowed flute.

By the early morning, when the crowds began to leave Ludwig and Mamoru stood at the foot of the temple stairs, sitting on Mamoru's staff.

"Now you two know where it is, correct?"Yuri said as he handed Mamoru a small package.

"Of course. It's right by a pond. We can see it from the air by the glimmer of it."Mamoru said as he tucked the package away, Ludwig casting a curious look.

"They're perfectly sure."Frei said as he glided down the stairs, looking to the couple with a rare smile he cast on the two. "Be careful on your journey."He added as he handed Ludwig a bag with food and extra goods in it for the two.

"We will. Thank you for your help, Lord Frei. I will make an extra special dinner for you when we return."Ludwig said, wrapping an arm around Mamoru who snuggled back against him, the staff rising slowly.

"I will be holding you to your word."Frei said as he put a hand on Yuri's shoulder, the pale mage rubbing his eye sleepily. They watched as the wedded couple took off into the air up into the morning light.


Mamoru and Ludwig rose up above the clouds to watch the first light peek over them, lowering when they were getting closer to the area where their 'honeymoon suite' was located. Frei had a place where he retreated to when he needed the break from being around so many people and happily lent it to them for their retreat. Spotting the pond, they lowered down and touched down to the small dock.

"Oh my…It's lovely."Mamoru said as he looked over the small cottage in front of them. "I didn't know Frei was so modest."

"I think you would be too if you got tired of grand spires and temples."Ludwig commented, smiling and taking Mamoru's free hand with his own. Heading inside, the door creaked open to a small kitchen which extended out to a small sitting area and a staircase that lead up to only one bedroom. Ludwig promptly dropped his bag, grinning and sweeping the mage off of his feet.

"Whoa! Wiggy, do be careful!"Mamoru said as he clung to him.

"I'm not worried about being careful…"He said as he gave the mage's cheek a little nuzzle, carrying him across the rest of the threshold to the upstairs room where he set him down on the bed, leaning over him. "I'm worried that you are tired from today…"He said as he started to peel away Mamoru's layers.

"I see…and what about you? You haven't fed in some time."Mamoru said, reaching up and running his fingers through Ludwig's shaggy hair.

"I was saving us both up for this time…but let's get a little rest first. I'm going to eat you alive tomorrow and for the time we have here."Ludwig said, licking his lips only to get his hair ruffled playfully by the mage underneath him. The vampire puffed his hair out of his face, reaching back and pulling off his long coat, along with his shirt.

Mamoru reached up, grabbing on to the ruffled ascot he wore, pulling the vampire down for a long drawn out kiss. "How thoughtful…"He teased, his free hand raking his nails along the vampire's back enough to make him groan in pleasure.

"Careful Husband…I may split you in two this very moment."Ludwig groaned, Mamoru chucking throatily.

"I'll expect to be tomorrow."Mamoru teased, sticking his tongue out.

The two stared at each other for the longest time, stripping down to nothing to be skin to skin underneath the sheets. Ludwig spooned behind the sleepy mage, gently tucking some hair away from his face and kissing his temple. In the morning, Ludwig rose early and prepared a good breakfast for the mage.

Mamoru woke up without the feeling of the second body with him, sitting up. Rubbing his eyes, he swung the sheets off his legs, grabbing his top robe and wrapping it about himself. Creeping downstairs, he got an eyeful of a completely different sort and possibly one of his biggest fantasies ever brought to life that morning.

Ludwig stood in just an apron, a red one that tied only around his hips. It was like having him being wrapped up in a giant bow for him. The vampire's ears gave a wiggle, the violet eyes looking over a tan shoulder. "Good morning."Ludwig said cheerfully, holding a frying pan and spatula. "Did you sleep alright?"

"P-per *ahem* perfectly alright. What are…What are you making for breakfast?"Mamoru said as he wiped the corner of his mouth of a little bit of saliva. His husband smiled broadly, listening to the sound of blood rushing everywhere throughout Mamoru's body as he went back to cooking.

"Pancakes and some bacon Frei packed for us."Ludwig said as he went back to his work. "It'll be done in a moment. Have a seat."

It took only a few seconds for Mamoru to seat himself, his hands tucked between his knees. The mage sat staring at a full view of Ludwig's muscular backside, admiring the curve and dimples of his body, his fingers aching just to run along them and feel every inch. The sound of a plate being dropped in front of him made him jump and he saw that the chef had placed his breakfast in front of him.

"Enjoy, my love. I'm going to tidy things around here."He said, planting a kiss on his head and disappearing, leaving a clear trail of divided dust along the cottage's wood floor. Mamoru chuckled, turning back to his food. All was quiet except for the sound of the clinking plate until Mamoru felt an icy chill along his legs, like a breeze was slipping through a crack under a door.

"Brr…Wiggy! Can you bring me an extra robe?"He called upstairs.

No answer.

"Ludwig?"Mamoru called, beginning to rise when he felt a long, sensuous lick along his member between the folds of his robes. He felt his member twitch, sitting back down again and looking down again. The vampire was between his legs, his tongue sticking out.

"Don't worry, Mamo…I'll warm up in a minute."Ludwig teased, his hand coming up to cup Mamoru's balls gently in his palm, making the mage shiver and drop his knife on the plate.

"Ah-aahhhwhoa, Ludwig your hands are like ice!"Mamoru said as he ducked his hand down between his leg, pulling the vampire's hand away, jumping up from his seat. "I've never seen you so roused like this, especially if you haven't fed. Can you wait just a little while longer?"

"Wwhhhyyy?"Ludwig whined, setting his head on the chair like a pathetic dog begging for love.

"If my balls get any colder, you may never see them again."Mamoru said as he brought his robes closer about himself, rubbing his front some to warm it. Seeing his empty plate, he smiled and winked. "How about we take care of the dishes?"

The cheeky chef grinned and was quick to come from beneath the table, grabbing the dishes and putting them in Mamoru's hands. Playfully pouting, the mage went to draw some hot water to do them, rolling up his sleeves though Ludwig stopped him.

"Allow me."He teased, untying the front and letting the front of it slide open, pulling it down about his elbows. Shivering, Mamoru recoiled from the cold and leaned over the dish water where it was steaming.

"Wiggy, feed soon…By Reyah's breath, you're freezing…"Mamoru shivered. Ludwig raised a funny eyebrow, chuckling and reaching his cold hands up to feel along Mamoru's chest, his index finger and thumb gently pinching the erect nipples on his chest.

"I will love…this is just a chilly wake up."Ludwig chuckled throatily, watching as Mamoru stuck in hands in the dish water to scrub. "Sexy. I love a man with dishpan hands…and a Husband that will help do the dishes."

Focused on the dishes, Mamoru yelped when he felt Ludwig bite down on his shoulder, drawing a little blood but not enough to completely sate him. He felt the member behind him jump to life and the hands touching his chilled body warm up, slowly creeping down and groping him. "Much better…"He breathed, pushing his ass against him teasingly.

Ludwig thrummed, reaching and grabbing Mamoru's member, stroking it lovingly as he sucked on the spot he had drawn blood from. The member jumped to life under his touch, Mamoru thrusting his hips forward a little as he set the last dish on the rack to dry, turning around and pulling Ludwig down for a very saucy kiss.

"Mmm, Mamo…"Ludwig purred, running his tongue along Mamoru's lovingly, capturing it between his lip and sucking on the tip. The mage pulled it loose, changing their position so Ludwig was leaned against the sink, Mamoru kissing along his neck, biting down once in a while. "Are you playing to role of undead now?" He teased, running his fingers through the pale, still sleep-mussed, hair.

"I think that would be fun."Mamoru teased, kissing down Ludwig's chest. "To have your stamina and know what you feel…"He purred, sliding down to his knees while his hands raked their fingernails along the vampire's butt cheeks, making his cock twitch underneath the apron. "Mmm, this is sexy. Have I ever told you that I've always wanted to see you like this?"

"Like what…mmmm…"Ludwig twitched a little when he felt Mamoru's hot mouth envelop him, Mamoru disappearing underneath the apron.

"Your apron on, the rest of you stark naked and ready."Mamoru teased as he removed his mouth and slowly licked underneath with just the tip of his tongue to the very head of it, wiggling the tip into the slit. Ludwig's hips thrusted a little forward, a hand sliding underneath the apron and holding Mamoru's head.

"Ahh…"Ludwig breathed, chuckling and using his free hand to life the apron away, watching as Mamoru's head bobbed along his length. "Mmm, Goddess, you're good…"

Mamoru's throatily laugh reverberated along his shaft, making the vampire moan and thrust his hips forward a little. The mage sucked hard, pulling his mouth off slowly and circling his tongue along the head. "Stand up and lean over the table…"Ludwig ordered, Mamoru peeking up at him and smirking.

"Make me."Mamoru teased. Ludwig smiled a mouthful of teeth, reaching down and trying to grab him but Mamoru jumped up and fled from him. Ludwig didn't run at his top speed, trotting behind him and trying to grab him though he fled underneath the table. He laughed, diving under the table after him onto to miss and chase him into the living room where he caught him, spun him around and threw him over his shoulder.

"Noo! That's no fair!"Mamoru squirmed, laughing and clawing up Ludwig's back. The vampire gave a low, playful growl, putting Mamoru on the table and flipping him over so his chest was pressed against the hard wood. Grabbing his arm, Ludwig bent one of Mamoru's arms behind his back leaning.

"Oooh, you're so evil…"Mamoru teased, feeling Ludwig's free hand brush against the crevice of his ass, disappearing and feeling a cold, wet finger slid into his ass, making him gasp. "Ooo!"

"You're so relaxed…See, I can slide another finger in just like that.."Ludwig said, sliding another finger in slowly, moving them in and out slowly. Mamoru arched, sliding against the wood and pressing his ass against Ludwig's hand. The fingers scissored, spreading him and brushing against his spot in only little touches. It was agonizing and he just wanted him to go deeper to touch it harder.

"Unn! Wi--Oooh, Ludwi--harder!"Mamoru whimpered, looking over his shoulder with a hot and flustered look.

"There's three…"Ludwig teased as he added another, leaning over and kissing along Mamoru's neck. "I can't wait…"

"Ah! Do it!"Mamoru cried out, whimpering and pushing up against Ludwig's fingers.

"Not yet…"Ludwig purred, removing his fingers and crouching down behind him, his arm adjusting to still hold the mage's arm behind him. Using his free hand, he parted the cheeks and ran his tongue along his entrance, making the muscles around it convulse. Probing just the tip into him, he heard Mamoru moan then keen as he pressed his tongue deeper inside of him, wiggling and twisting.

"Oooo, Wi-wiggy!"Mamoru keened, squirming. Ludwig released his hold, Mamoru reaching his hand back and pulling the vampire up by his hair slightly. "P-please…"

"Well, since you said it so nicely…"Ludwig said, licking his lips and getting to his feet. He pulled Mamoru up, gathering him up into his arms and carrying him upstairs with a rush of quick feet. Dropping him on the bed, he pounced on him, laughing throatily. "I hope you're ready…..I meant what I said."

"That you would make Frei a big dinner?"Mamoru smiled quite innocently, Ludwig staring at him with a light twitch.

"The other thing."Ludwig said with a grin, leaning forward and planting a long kiss on Mamoru's lips, trailing south though Mamoru grabbed him by the hair and pulled him back up with a smile.

"Nuh-uh."Mamoru said, rolling them both over and holding his head down by his hair. "I want to start this…"

"Feeding is much easier the other way….but it you insist."Ludwig purred, Mamoru leaning down so Ludwig's mouth could press to their shared mark, biting down. The mage had gotten so used to him biting by now that he hardly felt it anymore as the vampire licked his lips. Ludwig groaned, his hips thrusting upwards a little as Mamoru ground downwards on him.

Mamoru kept a tight grip on Ludwig's hair, bringing his head back down to the mattress. Leaning his own down, he surrounded them in a curtain of white as he tasted the coppery sweet flavor of his own blood. Slowly releasing Ludwig's hair, he settled himself back, reaching behind him as he rose his hips, settling himself slowly along his length.

Ludwig bit his lower lips, his fingers twitching impatiently to want to feel along his skin but restrained himself. Otherwise, Mamoru would have done it for him. The mage let out a gasp, arching forward and rocking his hips, a hand reaching around and stroking himself vigorously.

He could see the vampire patiently waiting for permission to touch him. His fingers twitched, his hands resting beside his head. "Y-your so patient…ah!"Mamoru moaned, doubling over.

"I want you to do what you want with me, even if I don't have your permission to touch you…"Ludwig smiled, however, breaking his mental bond and reaching down between Mamoru's legs, stroking the member slowly. The mage trembled, moaning loudly.

"F-Fuu…Ah!"Mamoru moaned, rocking his hips forward. "Wi-wiggy…To-touch me…"

Ludwig smiled, reaching up and running his thumbs along the buds of Mamoru's chest, running them sensually down to his hips. Lifting slowly, he assisted in Mamoru's movements, going just as far to spread his cheeks and thrust upwards to meet his pace.

A quick roll and Ludwig was on top, still holding his cheeks apart, thrusting in as deeply as he could go. Mamoru keened, raking his fingers along Ludwig's back but hardly enough to draw blood. A few hard thrusts sent his world spiraling, making him dizzily fall back. One strong thrust caused him to lurch, crying out and making him release on his chest.

"A-ah!"He moaned.

"Ah?"Ludwig questioned, looking down. "It must have been good if you came so quickly, love…Let's change the position a little."

"Nn~"Mamoru shivered, Ludwig helping him roll over onto his stomach, propping his hips up. Slowly pushing himself into him again, he held onto his hips and moved very slowly, Mamoru panting and gripping the sheets.

"Wha…ah…I feel so hot!"Mamoru keened, looking over his shoulder. Ludwig leaned down, kissing his shoulder.

"Grato explained it to me, love…"Ludwig whispered softly. "You tasted the blood infected from my bite…You are feeling what I take in from you and what you yourself feel…"

"Ah! Shi--Oooh, harder!"Mamo moaned loudly. "Wi-Wiggy!"

"We should have taken some precautions…but this is the only day I'll take you hundreds of times higher than your staff can carry."Ludwig whispered, reaching around and stroking him with speed fast enough to make the mage see stars.

"Uunn~"He purred, pushing back against Ludwig's thrusts. "I love it! W-We ah should uunn do it more often!"

The vampire paused for just a moment, mulling on the thought but shook his head. Mamoru would have really been split in two if they did it more than once this way.

They moved from the bedroom, romping their way through the cottage. Up against walls, back on the kitchen table and even through Frei's study on his desk and library ladder. Mamoru slipped unconscious after their last bout in the sitting room, the mage resting against him with his head lulled into the crook of Ludwig's neck. Every little graze that Ludwig did as he shifted a little bit to get comfortable caused Mamo to twitch and stifle his snoring just a little.

"Mm…I should get him upstairs…"Ludwig thought aloud to himself, moving Mamoru slowly and cradling him in his arms as he stood up a little wobbly, carrying his lover and forever companion upstairs to their bedroom. Mamoru shivered at the loss of heat when Ludwig lay him down on the bed, the vampire quickly covering him up with blankets and crawling behind him.

Mamoru didn't wake up until the next morning, sliding out of bed clumsily and practically crawling on the floor to get to the bathroom, then wobbled back to where his robes were, pulling out the package Yuri had given him.

Pulling back the paper, he saw there was a note on top of the lacquer box. 'Dear Mamoru, In this box is a little pick me up. No doubt you have noticed that with providing your vampire blood, there are times where it's beginning to get much harder to climb out of bed. Mix the white contents with some hot tea and it will restore some of your energy. Also, there is a special treat with the green powder that you can use in your romps. Mix that with your tea or drink as well but instruct Ludwig to not completely bite through the skin. Many Blessings and Happy Years. Yuri.'Mamoru read via his thoughts, looking at the lid of the box. Pulling it back, he saw that the box had a divider with the two powders and a small silver spoon to divvy out the dosages.

Looking over his shoulder, Ludwig was fast asleep, having flopped out across the bed in a spread eagle, his gorgeous cheeks out to the wind. Oh if he wasn't in pain and exhausted, he would love to rake his nails along them just to see them blush in the slightest.

Sighing, he snuck out of the bedroom, taking a layer of clothing with him to keep himself warm. Downstairs, he brewed himself some tea, sprinkling a dosage of the white powder into his tea and sitting down in the sitting room's lounging chair.

'This is so nice…For once in a long time…I don't feel obligated to get up in the morning for the temple and run around like crazy. Ludwig can get some well needed sleep…Maybe I should--'Mamoru thought, looking down at his tea. 'No…I can't make breakfast for him…'His eyes drifted off, looking at the small box on the table. 'I can be the breakfast.'

A rustle upstairs made his head jerk up, his body repelling the idea.

"Mamo?"Ludwig yawned, having come down the stairs. He wore his black robe jacket about him with a sash from another part of his clothing keeping it closed. It was the first time he ever saw his longtime lover dressed so sloppily and casually.

"I'm in the sitting room, love…"Mamoru called softly, Ludwig whirring his head around to look at him. He beamed a drowsy smile, looking over at him.

"What are you doing down here so early? Ah, but how are you feeling?"Ludwig asked, moving over and sitting down at the end of the lounger.

"Better…Yuri was kind enough to give me something to bring my energy back. Could you do me a favor and bring me that small box on the table? I'm afraid if I stand up, I'll topple over."Mamoru blushed, Ludwig disappearing and coming back with the box, handing it to him. Opening the contents, Mamoru sprinkled a little of the green powder into his drink and setting the box down on a side table.

"What is it?"Ludwig sniffed.

"I don't know, but it helps. It looks like the same kind of powder we use at the temple for those with anemia. The green one is something Yuri or another mage at the temple concocted."Mamoru mused, sipping his tea. Ludwig sniffed again, his eyebrow raising a little.

"Whatever it is…do be careful."Ludwig said warily. "I'll get started on some breakfast. I'll bring it in here so don't worry about getting up."

With that, Ludwig drifted from the sitting room and headed off into the kitchen.