Along the Great Divide

REMINDER:

Memories = Anything between *-*-*-*-*
Current Events= Anything before and after *-*-*-*-*


Chapter 3—Journey

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“It’s so bright!”A boyish voice yelped as he covered his face from the sunlight. Never had they witnessed something so brilliant before. The light filled everything and touched everything. Being in the coolness of the refuge, Ludwig could feel the sun warm his paled skin and he feared his pale friend would shrivel up from the heat.


“That’s right, you’ve never been outside in the sun, have you?” Theron said inquisitively as he stood in front of them, his billowing robes providing them with some cover.

“They’ll have to get used to it.”Hezekiah said quite bluntly.

“Yes…but for now, you two may use my robes until your eyes adjust.”Theron tsked to the other, taking the boys into the folds of his robes. They would peek out from behind them once in a while, allowing their eyes to adjust a little more until they got onto the horses and were at least able to peer around at the outside world for the first time in decades.
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“Ludwig, the bacon is burning!”Mamoru called out to his lover, as he snapped out of another daze. Looking down, he saw that the bacon he had been cooking for breakfast had now caught on fire. Hissing, he moved it off of the heat and knocked it into the metal lined sink to throw some water on it. Well, so much for that. At least the eggs and toast had turned out alright.

“I don’t know what’s up with me recently…They’ve been coming in so quickly now…”He said with a sigh as he set the hot pan in the sink. Looking over, he cast an apologetic look. “And I lost your bacon…”

“Don’t worry about it…Just so long as you’re feeling better, right?”Mamoru said with a smile, rising from the table and meeting him over by the sink. He wrapped his robed arms around him, looking up at him with a gentle smile.

“I guess…”Ludwig said, bringing his sleeveless arms around him. Pecking a chilly kiss on the other’s forehead, he rested his chin just at the side of Mamoru’s temple. “Well, let’s get you fed. You said you wanted to run into town eventually…right?”He asked, though he was concerned.

There was a vampire hunt going on in the town the mansion was fairly close to. Many had lost their husbands, wives, and children to the thick iron barred carriage that carted them off. Ludwig was concerned for his lover’s safety but also his own.

In the day, he couldn’t venture far and when he did, he stuck close to the shade and hunted for small animals. He was quick to bury them.

Mamoru smiled at his love’s concern, reaching up and stroking his cheek. “I’ll be careful. I’m just going for groceries…And I have a feeling, you’ll know if I was in danger or not. You just need to promise me that you will stay here…and hide if anyone comes…”

Ludwig bit his lower lip. “Ehh…”He said with a small shrug.

“Ludwig.”Mamoru said sternly.

Silence.

“Ludwig, promise me.”He said, grabbing the vampire by the locks of long raven hair, making him look at him.
Ludwig’s eyebrows furrowed but he nodded, cracking a small smile. “I promise. Now go eat before your food gets cold. You know I can’t eat it.”He said, scrunching his nose a little. Mamoru laughed a little, patting the cold cheek before turning to sit at the table while Ludwig went to work on the dirty dishes that had accumulated.
When Mamoru had finished and had a luxurious bath prepared by Ludwig himself, he had left the manor and headed back into town. Ludwig stood anxiously at the window where there was the most shade on the face of the house. His eyebrows furrowed, his foot rapping on the wood floor. If he didn’t have chores to do, he may as well have put a dent into the thick wood flooring.

The hours passed. The dishes and what he could clean without making the home look inhabited. He would immediately go back to the window, staring out until the shadows had moved and he had to go to a different window. Sitting down impatiently, he relaxed on one of the lounging sofas in the sitting room, staring at the fireless hearth.

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A warm fire lit up the room in the inn they were staying in. Ludwig sat at the edge of the bed, staring at it in wonder. As much as traveling around had been exciting and the two older men had been patient with all of their questions about the outside world, there were still many more that needed to be answered. Some of them more personal than others.

Mamoru was cuddled up next to him, peaceful and quiet. Theron and Hezekiah had gone to see about getting everyone a ride to Suna by one of the big air ships they had pointed out when they got into town. The mage, however, had returned with some food for them.

“How are you boys doing? Better after getting off the horses?”He said as he set the tray down on the table in the room.

“Yes…Is the world only as big as we’ve seen it?”Ludwig asked, looking up with curious eyes.

Theron raised a curious eyebrow, walking over and kneeling down. “There is so much more to see…And you’re going to see a lot more. I’ve brought your dinner…Prince Hezekiah will be back soon.”He said, ruffling their hair and rising to his feet. “I’ll be back soon. Stay in the room and eat, I’m just going up the street to get some supplies.”He said, kissing the tops of their heads and then leaving as quietly as he had come.

The door of the manor opened, Ludwig sitting up. Rising up quickly, he moved to see who it was as quietly as he could. Mamoru had his hood up but when he came inside, he moved it back to expose his head. Ludwig flashed a smile and was immediately by his side.

“Welcome back.”He said, wrapping his arms around the mage.

“Thank you…The hunt has calmed down some but it’s still not safe to move yet. They haven’t set their eye on the forest…probably waiting to get more people here. We’ll have to leave eventually…”Mamoru said sadly. He moved the basket from under his robes, giving Ludwig a nudge so he could show him.

“I picked up more bacon.”Mamoru said with a smile, Ludwig grinning at him a little. He laughed, ruffling the white locks of hair and guiding the mage to the kitchen.

“Well, there’s always a second chance.”The vampire laughed, stooping down to receive the basket only to have it pulled away. He blinked, looking up to the mage with a curious look. Mamoru tapped his bottom lip.

“Holding my ingredients ransom?” Ludwig smirked, rising up to look the mage in the eye. “It may end up being the death of you.”

“I’m not afraid…”Mamoru said, smiling ear to ear.

Laughing, Ludwig brought his hand behind Mamoru’s head, leaning in and kissing him warmly. The mage brought his free hand to behind Ludwig’s head, pulling him in deeper, probing his tongue through and rolling it around. When they broke, Ludwig had taken the basket and looked inside it. Nothing could keep him from his ingredients, nothing!

“Thanks Mamo…”He said, giving him a quick peck.

“You’re welcome”, The mage said sweetly, turning to deposit his robes onto the back of his chair so he could lounge around in just two layers. As much as he loved to see that pale body beneath him, just seeing him comfortable was enough as well.

Ludwig tucked the food away, joining him in the living room. “You look worn out…”He noted, squatting down by his feet. Mamoru raised an eyebrow.

“Whhaaat are you doing?”He asked, seeing Ludwig start to fiddle with the lacings of his shoes. “No, no, you know I’m ticklish!”Mamoru suddenly realized though Ludwig had already begun to remove them.

“You were walking around all day…can I at least love on them a little?”Ludwig asked, pouting. Mamoru seemed to contemplate and nodded. The vampire by his feet smiled, looking back down at the socked feet. He started tugging on the cloth, exposing the bare skin to the air. Taking his hands, he gently took the foot, his cold hands starting to massage at the ankle and slowly move along his foot.

Mamoru was watching him so carefully…In awe that he hadn’t started the tickle torture. However, he felt something wet along his foot, causing him to flinch. Ludwig was kissing along his foot while his hands massaged them gently. Biting his lower lip, he continued to watch.

Ludwig would make this the most intimate foot-massage ever for his love. As he massaged slowly upwards, he trailed little kisses along the edge of the foot he worked on. The more he got up to the toes, the more he could see that Mamoru was getting anxious. Smiling, he kissed every toe while his hands moved to massage the firm calves.

“D-Doesn’t it taste…”Mamoru stuttered.

“Not at all.” Ludwig smirked, moving his lips to the heel of Mamoru’s foot and running his lips all the way up slowly. Licking his lips, he smiled. “See?”

“That’s…kind of gross Wiggy. I have to kiss those later!”Mamoru said, sticking his tongue out but Ludwig had moved onto his other foot. The mage huffed, watching him massage it in the same manner.

Ludwig kissed and licked along the foot, pecking smaller kisses up to the toes. Closing his lips onto a few of them, suckling and running his tongue along it sensually, getting a little flinch in response.

“Ewww…”Mamoru cringed, pulling his foot away. Ludwig looked up with a smile, massaging his calf a little.

“How about a kiss?”Ludwig teased, rising to his feet and leaning in. Mamoru’s face contorted, trying to lean away but was trapped between a vampire and a hard place. Glancing around, Ludwig was making a kissy face at him and there was no escape. Leaning in, Ludwig avoided Mamoru’s lips, kissing his cheek and then touching one to his neck before rising up.

“I’ll save you the mercy of your feet…Though, I expect one later.”He teased, winking and walking over. Mamoru sat pasted into his chair, watching Ludwig walk off.

“Y-You tease!”Mamoru called at him, blushing and crossing his arms stubbornly.