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Frozen Shadow	By : FlayraDowitcher Category: +G to L > Hetalia: Axis Powers Views: 1815 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. I am making no money off of this fic.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
***Warnings: Yaoi, language, humor, violence
***Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. I am making no money off of this fic.
Chapter 7
"It's him! The blonde haired man everyone is looking for!" Said the darkened man. "Ivan, silly boy! You lied to us!"
Ivan narrowed his eyes, recognizing the voice and the person. "Arnie! I thought it was one of you three! Get out of my cabin now!"
Arnie slammed the door behind him, removing his hood and flashing them a grin with rotting teeth. "No wonder you were hiding him! He's your little fuck buddy, eh?" The man laughed.
"Why are you here?" Ivan asked with a growl.
"This snow had me held up and I needed shelter! I found your place and came in! Good thing I did, too! Wait until the fella's hear about this!"
"You're not telling anyone!" Ivan sneered.
Arnie smirked in Arthur's direction. "Think of that money, Ivan. All. That. MONEY! No piece of ass is worth ignoring four thousand dollars! So hand him over."
"I'll kill you first!" Ivan heard Arthur scream behind him when Arnie pulled out a pistol.
"I ain't worried about killin' you, Russia-man. I'll kill you and just take him! Fuck those other guys!" He snickered. "I'll keep all that money to myself."
"Ivan…" Arthur whispered from behind. "Kill him. Kill that bastard!"
Arnie aimed his gun at Arthur. "Fuckin'- " He tried to fire his pistol but the trigger jammed. Ivan was already on him, wrestling the pistol away.
"GET HIM!" Arthur shouted. "GET THAT BASTARD!" If Ivan could fight a bear then he could kick the stuffing out of this guy.
Ivan, though naked, wrestled the man to the floor and knocked away the gun. He was much bigger than Arnie, and the other mountain man was finding it a challenge to fight back. Ivan knew he had to kill this man or risk having him run back and tell the others. If he told anyone, then the police would take his Arthur away from him. He couldn't allow that. Ivan straddled the man and gripped his neck, squeezing tight and choking him. The man gasped and spit, clawing gloved hands at Ivan's wrists. Ivan grinned, squeezing tighter and pushing down harder on the windpipe. The yellowish eyes were nearly ready to bulge out of his skull. Ivan let him go, rolling off of the body to watch the man Arnie writhe around in agony while trying to regain his breath.
"Look away, Arthur." Ivan warned him.
"I won't." He responded firmly.
Ivan gave a grunt in his direction, but wouldn't repeat himself. If Arthur wanted to watch, then so be it. He lifted Arnie up by the head, enjoying the man's fierce struggles. Positioning his hands and arms just right, Ivan twisted the man's neck with an echoing 'snap' bouncing off the cabin walls. He dropped the now dead man to the floor, nudging him with his foot to make sure he was indeed dead. 'Arthur!' Ivan looked up at his blonde lover who had just witnessed this murder. In a sense it was murder, but it was also self-defense. He saw the shocked look on Arthur's face as the Englishman stared at the dead body, which appeared to be looking back him. He really should have forced Arthur to cover his eyes for now he feared having scarred the man further with his actions. Killing a man didn't bother him in the slightest, but Arthur was a different person. Far different from him.
"Arthur? Are you alright?" He asked softly.
Arthur wouldn't lift his eyes from the corpse on the floor. He had just watched Ivan snap this man's neck like it was a twig. Just one more solid piece of proof that Ivan was indeed the strongest man he had come across. Ivan KILLED a man. Killed him with just his hands! First the bear and now this man. Ivan protected him once again. Ivan spoke his name, and this time he chose to answer. Arthur stepped over the fallen man and brought Ivan's lips into a rough kiss. He had to admit, the brutal murder turned him on. And as Ivan kissed him back, Arthur could only smile against those lips as he realized that he had complete control over this monster of a man. The dead man on the floor was of little importance to him.
He motioned for Ivan to join him on the floor near the fallen body. Arthur spread his legs and welcomed his Russian lover back inside of him. They held on to one another as their fierce rocking brought them to the brink of completion. Arthur leaned up to kiss Ivan once again, forcing his tongue to duel with the others'. Ivan continued those rough, delicious thrusts that forced Arthur to break the kiss and cry out. It had never happened to him before, not even with Alfred, but he and Ivan came together. Arthur came between them, feeling his hot essence splattering against his belly. Ivan pressed deep inside as he filled the Englishman completely, holding the hips still so the other could not pull away. Arthur, panting heavily with a blush of afterglow, looked up at him through blonde lashes. He even slid his body forward so he could keep Ivan's cock buried within him. Ivan smiled at him and gave a little rock of his hips, pleased at the sound of Arthur's tiny groan.
"If killing men makes you this excited," Ivan started "I will kill a thousand for you."
Arthur squeezed his inner muscles around Ivan's cock while he gently cupped the chubby cheeks in his palms. "Only kill those who threaten to take me away from you." He knew those little words would seal Ivan's devotion to him. "Thank you, Ivan, for protecting me."
"I would never let them take you."
"I know, and I thank you for that. Pull out, would you? I have one more way to show how much I appreciate what you do for me."
Ivan did as he was told, suddenly missing the warmth of that supple body. But in Arthur's green eyes he saw the mischievous look of lust and wanton desire. Arthur motioned for him to stand, which he did, and waited for his lover to do the same. Instead, Arthur remained on his knees, looking up at him and licking his lips. Ivan's eyes widened. Would Arthur really go that far? This act was something he thought Arthur would never partake in since he was a 'gentleman'. But he was wrong. He moaned as those pink lips engulfed the head of his cock, teasing the tip and slit with a moist tongue. Ivan closed his eyes and leaned his head back with a groan as Arthur's mouth descended further upon him. His first instinct was to thrust himself further in, but he couldn't trust Arthur not to bite it off. He feared Arthur's claws and fangs more than any wolf or bear.
Arthur should have figured Ivan would be too big to fully swallow whole, so he used his hand to fist what he couldn't take. The one sexual act he despised among all others was this. He hated it with Alfred, and would hate it with anyone, even Ivan. Having it done to him was a whole different story. He loved receiving it, just hated giving it. The smell of arousal and musk in all men was not entirely pleasant. In fact, it would usually turn him away from a potential lover. It was natural and inescapable, but it could be avoided. And he never, ever swallowed. A little slipped down his throat with Alfred ONCE, and he had thrown up immediately afterwards. That may have been just one man, but Arthur was convinced the white substance always tasted foul no matter what man it belonged to. So why was he doing it now to Ivan? He wanted to secure his power and control over this Russian bear. In order to take what he wanted, Arthur knew he had to give just a little extra to assure Ivan that he was loyal and true. Ivan was easily manipulated, so much so that it was almost humorous.
He bobbed his head faster, wanting to get the act over with before his jaw cramped up. Ivan was enjoying it from the sounds coming above him. Arthur moaned around the length, twisting his hand around the base and using his tongue to massage the thick vein underneath. Ivan was twitching in his mouth, which means he was close to climax. Arthur could feel the veins tightening against his tongue. Slowly pulling back, he had moved just in time as Ivan came in his mouth. Arthur kept it all in his mouth when he pulled away, ignored Ivan's words, and went to the fire. He spit the cum into the flames, watching it snap and crackle. Turning back to Ivan, he wiped his mouth with a smirk.
"I don't swallow." Arthur stated firmly.
"I figured." Ivan wanted to complement Arthur on his performance, even thank him, but he feared it would offend the Englishman. "That's okay. I don't mind." He palmed his groin to completely rid himself of the last bit of arousal while looking back to the body. "I'll have to dispose of him."
Arthur walked over to the corpse of Arnie, crossing his arms to glare down at the form. "What are you going to do with him?"
"I'll bury him in the snow, but not deep. I'd rather the wolves sniff him out and eat him. Besides, the ground is too hard now for digging, and come the spring, well, I rather not have his body appear suddenly after the snow melts."
"We can't have him found, either. Do whatever you can to make sure this bastard is not found. I don't care if you need to sprinkle his blood on the snow to attract the wolves! Just get it done!"
Ivan nodded quickly. "Yes. I'll take care of it."
"Good. Now you do that while I finish my bath."
"But…" Arthur was already climbing in the tub. "But…I want us to cuddle."
Arthur settled in the water. "We can when it's time for bed. I'm not sleeping with a dead body in the room."
Ivan glanced out the window at the snow. "The snow is heavy and dark…"
"So? You've got furs and lard to keep you warm. Go do it." He looked at Ivan. "Ivan, darling," He made himself smile. "Dispose of the body and when you come back I will have made some nice warm tea for us."
"You'd do that?" Ivan perked up again. Arthur wanted to serve him tea!
Arthur blew him a kiss. "Of course. Hurry along, now."
He watched Ivan dress for the outdoors in silence. Ivan was so easy to control. The man was taking orders from him with little question. He followed Ivan with his eyes as the man slung the corpse over his shoulder and grabbed a shovel from the wall. Once Ivan had exited the cabin and closed the door, Arthur slumped further in the tub to let out a sigh. He was alone right now. Blissfully alone. The man Arnie was dead and his identity was safe once again. However, Arthur feared the other two men would come looking for their missing companion. He would have to be prepared to hide, or simply order Ivan to kill them both. Arthur figured he'd worry about that when the time came, if it came. For right now, he wanted to silently soak in the bath while he let the memories and aftershocks of sex continue tingling his flesh. Ivan was a strong lover, and he had complete dominance over him! Arthur couldn't help but smirk at his achievement. True, he was still using Ivan, but in return the mountain man was enjoying some company. When the time came for him to move on, in the spring, Arthur would offer Ivan to come with him. If Ivan refused, which he knows he will, Arthur would have no issue leaving him behind. If Alfred could leave him that easily to go exploring, then he could do the same with Ivan. They were still from two different worlds. Their relationship would never work out. But Ivan didn't have to know that. Not yet, anyway.
/
Ivan slapped the shovel on top of a mound of snow that was now the resting place of Arnie. He left one hand exposed, gloveless, in hopes that the wolves would sniff out the body quickly. He had the time to remove everything of value from Arnie's corpse, including money, survival items, and furs. There was no reason to leave all these things to freeze in the winter and rot away in the summer. The snow was even starting to slow down and would likely end before the early morning. That was good, for the wolves would be out hunting then. Gathering everything in his arms, he turned and looked at his cabin in the distance where the firelight lit up the window. Ivan smiled at his quaint little home now shared with his lover. His Arthur. No matter what the blonde says, Ivan viewed him as a mate. His mate. Arthur was stuck with him now and no matter what, Ivan would never give up on him. Never.
'Oh, that's right! He has tea ready for me!'
Ivan hurried back to the cabin, dropping the shovel outside before entering. True to his word, Arthur was out of the tub and sitting at the table with two cups of hot tea. Arthur was still naked much to his delight. Once stripped of his snow covered furs and boots, Ivan smiled at Arthur as he joined him at the table.
"Is it done?"
Ivan nodded. "I took care of it. You can rest easy now." He took the cup offered to him. "Thank you."
"How's the snow out there?"
"It's slowing down and should stop soon. In the morning I'll carry in some more wood before I go hunting."
"Hunting? But we have more of that deer still to eat."
Ivan smiled. "That won't last much longer. I need to start salting some of it to keep it preserved. We'll have to make a trip to the mountain village." Ivan spit out his tea when he realized what he had just said.
"MOUNTAIN VILLAGE?" Arthur hollered and reached over to grip Ivan by the shirt front. Through grit teeth he said, "You've know of a mountain village all this time and you NEVER TOLD ME?"
Ivan whimpered. "I…I forgot?" He saw Arthur's cheeks burning red with anger. "It's not really a village, though! It's…it's more of a large market type establishment!"
"Market? MARKET?" Arthur used two hands now to grip his shirt. "So there IS civilization beyond these trees! You lied to me!" He finally let go.
"Not lie! Merely…forgot?" Ivan gave a sheepish smile. "I go there to trade my furs and buy things. I only go once in awhile. It's a far walk, you know. We'd have to go to my friend's cabin and borrow his sled dogs if we are to make it there swiftly and safely."
Arthur sat back and crossed his arms. "You're sleeping on the floor tonight!"
Ivan whined "But why?"
"For keeping secrets from me! Bad Ivan! Bad!" Ivan whimpered again. "Finish your tea!" Ivan dutifully sipped it.
"Can I make it up to you?" Ivan squeaked out.
"Pfft. How do you plan to do that? More sex? Sorry darling, but you've got to earn me." He smirked and wiggled his shoulders.
Ivan rubbed his lips together. "Well…I was going to ask if you wanted a foot massage…but since you'd-"
"Forget I said anything. I'll accept your offer to rub my feet. You are only half forgiven?"
Ivan finished his tea. "What must I do to gain the other half of forgiveness?"
"Sleep on the floor like I said."
Ivan made a moose call of despair.
/
"Are we there yet?" Arthur said through his chattering teeth while piggy-backing on Ivan.
Ivan was grinding his teeth, trying to remain calm as he trudged through the thick snow with a fungus on his back. Any other time he loved Arthur. But it was times like these where he wanted to just drop the man in the snow and sit on him. "Not yet. His cabin is just through these woods. We'll be there soon."
"Best hurry! I'm freezing my everything off!" Although the scarf around his face was helping to keep him warm, it did nothing to protect his eyes. Arthur was forced to bury his face in the back of Ivan's smelly fur shawl.
Ivan mumbled, "would be nice if you freezed your lips off…"
"What was that?"
"Nothing, sweetling."
Finally they exited through the trees and came to another small clearing with a cabin that was larger than Ivan's. Arthur glanced at it. 'Decent size. I want this cabin instead.' But he wouldn't say that out loud. "Are you sure this man is your friend?"
"Toris? Of course he is!" Ivan trotted happily towards the cabin. "We've been friends ever since he moved here with his brothers, Eduard and Raivis. I helped them chop wood!"
"Hmph. Remember, my name is Zacharias."
Ivan stopped to glance over his shoulder at him. "Zacharias? What happened to 'Eugene'?"
Arthur frowned. "Do I LOOK like a 'Eugene'?"
Ivan pouted. "You thought of it."
"I know, and now I've thought better of it. My name is Zacharias. Don't forget it." Arthur needed an alias if he was to go around other mountain men in the village. First he had thought of the 'Jonas', then he dismissed it and went with 'Eugene'. While riding on Ivan's back he had a lot of time to think about names and chose 'Zacharias' instead. It was a strong name.
When they neared the cabin, Ivan started calling out the names of the other men. The sled dogs started barking wildly at the sound of his voice. Arthur stilled just slightly, he wasn't very fond of dogs. Cats, yes. Dogs? No. They were always attracted to him, though. He saw the cabin door open and a man stick his head around it, followed by two more.
"Helloooooo!" Ivan sang happily as he stepped up onto the porch. He lowered Arthur onto his feet.
"H-Hi Ivan." Said the brown haired man.
"Hello." Said the blonde.
"H-hey…" Said the smaller blonde.
'Why are they all shaking?' Arthur wondered.
"How have you all been?" Ivan asked.
"Good!" They all said together.
"Yay!" Ivan clapped his hands. "Listen, Toris, I need to borrow your sled and dogs. My friend and I are going up to the village. You don't mind, right?"
The brown haired man Toris rapidly shook his head. "No! No I don't! Not at all! Please, feel free to take whatever you like!"
"Perfect! I'll bring them all back, I promise. You all take care now!"
"Bye Ivan!" They all said in unison and shut the door.
Arthur tilted his head to the side. 'What just happened?'
"Arthur! Come on! Follow me! You can meet the dogs!"
"Oh…good." Arthur forced a smile and followed Ivan around the cabin to the back where there stood a shed with barking dogs behind its walls. "They sound vicious."
Ivan simply laughed. "Toris' dogs? Nah, they're harmless! I promise you they are all very sweet." He unlatched the door and opened it, allowing the dogs to run out and straight towards Arthur.
Arthur yelped and tried to run as a pack of wild sled dogs came after him. "IVAN! HELP ME!" One of the dogs took him down. He could hear Ivan laughing behind him. The dogs weren't hurting him, but they were viciously sniffing every part of his body. One even knocked off his hat! "GAH! GET THEM OFF OF ME! IVAN!"
Ivan whistled loudly and they all turned to run at him. He happily greeted each one with pats on the heads and rubbing at their chests. He was rewarded with licks and wagging tails.
Arthur struggled to roll himself over into a sitting position in the snow. He dusted the snow from his sleeves and hat only to notice that one dog was still left. Arthur stared at the Husky dog as it stared back at him. Its chest fur and legs were all white but the face, back, and tail were solid brown. The dog just sat there, staring at him, tongue out and panting. "What?" Arthur asked it with a frown. The dog wagged its tail and raised its paw to Arthur. "Sorry, I don't shake 'paws'. Come back with hands and maybe we'll talk." He stood up then. "IVAN!" He called. "Can we get going, please?"
"Yes, in a moment. First I have to hook up the dogs to the sled." Ivan opened the smaller shed and slide out the proper sled. While gathering the reigns, he noticed that all was suddenly very quiet. Where were the dogs? He looked over to the spot where the dogs should be, and smiled at the sight that greeted him. All six dogs were surrounding Arthur, each one sitting and staring up at him with tails wagging. Arthur had a pitiful look on his face with green eyes pleading for Ivan to do something. "They sense that you don't like them, Arthur! That's why they are staring at you!"
"Just get them away! UUGH! One has drool hanging from its lip! Ivan!"
'He's worse than a woman.' Ivan just shook his head and whistled again. The dogs came running, all except one.
Arthur looked down at the brown dog which was still looking up at him. It raised its leg and pawed at his thigh. "Go!" Arthur demanded. "Go! Go! Go that way! Go with the others!" The dog's reply came with it flopping onto its back. "For God's sake, mongrel!"
"He likes you, Arthur! That's Scout!" Ivan called over to them.
Arthur gave the dog an angry smirk. "Shoo, Scout! Shoo! Go on, SHOO!" Scout jumped on him. "GAH! HE'S ATTACKING!"
Ivan laughed. "He's just playing! Uh oh…THAT'S not playing!" Ivan had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing. Scout was proudly humping Arthur's hip. "Oh dear…"
"IVAN!" Arthur shoved the dog off him and made a run for it. Scout followed close behind, trying to take him down. Arthur leapt into Ivan's embrace, nearly climbing up the Russian's trunk like body. "Vicious brute! Scoundrel!" Scout spun in a happy circle. "I already have sex with an animal and his name is Ivan!"
Ivan's jaw dropped. He was hurt! Hurt and slightly amused. "Arthur…you wound me."
Arthur snapped his jaws at the Russian. "I'll do more than wound you! Lets. Get. MOVING! ON THE DOUBLE!" he clapped his hands and then glared at Scout. "I got your number now, mutt!" His answer was another wag of a fluffy tail.
Once Ivan had the dogs securely haltered, he helped Arthur sit on the sled and showed him how to hang on. Ivan took his lead spot on the back, giving the whip a loud crack. The dogs took off with Scout being the lead dog. Arthur held on for dear life for it felt as if he would slip right out of this sled. What a stupid way to get around!
So after a long day of sledding, the village eventually came into full view. Ivan pulled the sled up to a man who was housing all the dogs in kennels. While Ivan was helping to get all the dogs in the kennel, Scout was busy staring at Arthur in the sled. Arthur was trying to ignore him, so Scout took matters into his own paws by sitting in his lap. Arthur growled. "OFF, DOG! OFF!" Scout ignored him.
"Scout!" Ivan called him over. "Come on, boy!" He whistled.
Arthur let out a cry of pain as each damn nail of the dog dug into him as the beast leapt off of his lap. "MONGREL!"
Ivan came up to him once the dogs were safely squared away. "Ready to go?"
"Yes! It's about time!" Arthur jumped up from the sled, tapping his foot in the snow as Ivan gathered up the sack full of furs.
As he followed Ivan through the wooden archway, he wondered what kinds of items these people sold. Was it really just furs and tools? He knew Ivan had a lot of money, and maybe if he saw something he liked he could talk Ivan into buying it for him. It had been so long since he had last bought something. But as they entered the market, Arthur was surprised to see the small village that was built up around it. Most of the buildings were row houses of cabins; some big, some small, some tall, and some short. It looked like a primitive city but a city nonetheless. Arthur looked all around, reading the various signs: Butcher, Tailor, Furs, Leather, General Store. This place was…well, normal!
"Ivan, why didn't you tell me all this was here? What's this place called?"
"Mountain Ridge." He answered. "I'm sure I told you earlier on that there was a village nearby, but I didn't go into further detail because I figured you wouldn't want to see it. It's not like the city you're used to."
"Yes, but this is like it's own little settlement! I wonder who brings the stuff here? Who is there manufacture?"
Ivan blinked. "Um, themselves?"
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Idiot. These people don't have a 'tailor' and 'general store' shop with just things from the woods! They must get them from somewhere else and sell them here." He took Ivan's hand. "Let's go in to the general store!"
Ivan whined. "But I don't want to. I have furs to trade."
"We'll do that later! Now come on!"
Ivan had no choice he had to follow Arthur inside. He had hoped Arthur wouldn't take notice of the general store for one major reason: money. Ivan could see Arthur spending all his money on useless things. Sure enough, the second they walked in Arthur went straight to the bottles of perfumes, lotions, and soaps. Ivan slumped his shoulders in defeat. He just stood by and watched as Arthur began to put some items on the counter. A pipe, some tobacco, two bars of soap, something called 'lavender' and 'rose' water, and…table linens? Ivan held one of the crocheted linens up to examine it. These do not belong in a man's cabin! Just what kind of 'gentleman' was Arthur, anyway?
"Um…sweetheart?" Ivan asked softly, raising a finger to halt him. "Must you buy these linens?"
"Why? What's wrong with them?"
"Ah…well…you see they…they just don't go with my…cabin?"
Arthur narrowed his eyes. "We're buying those. That cabin needs a touch of 'me'!"
"But-"
"No 'buts'! I'm only getting two, Ivan. Two! It's not like I'm redecorating the whole cabin!"
Ivan grumbled under his breath, "I'm sure it will come to that." He tossed the linens on the counter. The man who ran the store leaned on the counter to whisper to him.
"That your buddy?"
"He's more like my wife." Ivan placed his hands on his hips. "He's spoiled, demanding, and nags me like you wouldn't believe."
The man chuckled. "I feel ya', partner. I'd rather dance with the Devil 'imself than disobey my lady! She'll have me balls skewered for sure!"
Ivan turned to him. "Do you know about the female praying mantas during mating?" The man nodded. "Well, that's him." He pointed to Arthur. The man laughed. After he spent money in the general store they had to stop inside the tailor shop to look at clothes. Luckily, Arthur found all the clothing to be in 'bad taste' and exited with a snooty attitude. Ivan was finally able to sell his furs at the fur trader.
Arthur chose to sit outside on a bench while Ivan was inside trading. He was pleased with his new purchases. He'll thank Ivan later with a little bit of 'dancing' and few sultry words. Feeling smug, he took out the rose water bottle, popped the cork, and dabbed a little behind his ears. The fresh aroma of roses filled his nostrils and he felt like he was home again. Ah yes, home. His beautiful, tasteful, and rich home filled with servants and the upper class. He closed his eyes to dream about that wonderful time. Arthur pictured himself sitting on the fainting couch in his parlor while ladies fanned themselves while delighting in his every word. Men bowed to him and offered brandy or wine, sometimes a cigar. Arthur would proudly tell them of his great accomplishments in the lumber industry. Yes, he was a very successful man and everyone knew it. So why was there an added weight on the bench? Was he really, truly home? Had it all been just a bad dream!
Arthur opened his eyes and turned to his left to see who was beside him. It wasn't a classy lady, nor was it a gentleman like him. It was a large, black and brown hairy dog that looked more like a pony than a dog. Arthur just stared blankly at it. The long, saggy lips were dripping with strings of white slime. Around its neck was a collar with a tiny barrel attached to it. Arthur slowly glanced down at the large paws, which were almost the size of his hands. This animal looked like a bear. Was it really a dog? The dog leaned closer to him, and Arthur leaned away slowly. It was sniffing at him.
"Ivan!" He squeaked out softly. "Ivan…!" He disliked dogs! Why did they always come to him?
"Arthur?" Ivan stepped down off the porch and laughed at the sight of the large dog now laying across Arthur's lap. "Oh, I see you've met Bruno."
"Yes, well, tell our fuzzy friend Bruno to get off of me! He's a monster!"
Ivan smiled, rubbing the dog's head. "He's not a monster. He's a working dog! See this harness on him? This big fella' can pull small wagons full of wood, barrels, furs, children, anything! This is why a dog is man's best friend!"
Arthur grit his teeth. "A cat is better. They are clean, self-reliant, and mind their own business."
"Ah, true, but when you own a cat, you work FOR the cat. The cat does not work for you."
"Hmph! Precisely!"
It took Ivan a moment to understand what Arthur was trying to say. He frowned once he caught on to it. Arthur was indeed the cat and he the dog. He should be offended, but Ivan chose to let it slide. "Well then, I sold all my furs. Wait here with Bruno while I run to the butcher. I'll pick us up some salted and dried meat."
"Wait! You can't just leave me here! Ivan! Oooh!" He grew agitated. "You're doing this on purpose!" Bruno gave a loud, bellowing 'woof'. "You, hush up! Time to get off of me! Get. Off!" He tried to push the dog off of him, but Bruno would not budge. Instead, he leaned his large head on Arthur's chest, panting up at him. Arthur groaned in disgust, trying to tilt his head away from the bad breath and trails of slimy spit. "Oh dear Lord…this is disgusting!" Now the beast was sniffing his eye! "REPULSIVE CREATURE!"
He had to give up. There was just no way in Hell this massive beast was going to get off of him any time soon. The one upside to this dog was that he was extremely warm while in his lap. Arthur ended up drumming his gloved fingers on Bruno's back while waited impatiently for Ivan to come back. He wondered if they would have enough money to spend a night at an inn? Across the way he could see a cabin with the sign 'BEAR TAVERN INN' above the entrance. It would beat getting back on the sled right away to travel home. At least if they stayed one night he could have some extra time to shop. He would have to talk Ivan in to it.
Bruno yawned loudly. Arthur scolded him in a whisper but let the large dog sniff at his face again. What could he do? From somewhere near there came a laugh, a familiar and lyrical laugh. A very loud one at that. For a moment the laugh sounded like it belonged to- 'No, that's impossible. He rode off chasing after Indians and exploring the open plains. It couldn't be him.' He followed the laughter to a small group of people consisting of one man and three women. Arthur's eyes widened. His jaw dropped. His heart may have actually missed a beat. He wasn't wrong! It really was him!
"Alfred…?"
End Chapter 7 TBC
- 6
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Frozen Shadow