Adult-FanFiction.org : Anime

Decadence Escaping
By : FlayraDowitcher
Category: +G to L > Hetalia: Axis Powers
Views: 2961 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia.
Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
***Warnings: Hardcore yaoi, scary scenes (to some), minor foul language.

***Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia.

Chapter 8

“Are you sure we are heading in the right direction?” Alfred asked, quickly stepping around the incline of trees.

“Yes, I am certain. The path is far that way. Once we reach the top of this mountain we will be able to see our surroundings and proceed from there.”

After Ivan had come to from his faint they hid in an alleyway until nightfall. The moon was only in its crescent stage so the darken sky made it easier for them to sneak through the field. They had put a wide distance between themselves and the path, hoping their unmarked trail would shield them from patrolling guards. Ivan had told Alfred that he wanted them both to walk straight through the night and they will rest at early dawn. The woods were so dark at this time of night that spotting them would be a challenge so the more ground they cover the safer they’ll be. Ivan could already tell that Alfred would prove more trouble than helpful for the young man was clearly a pure city boy. Climbing steep hills, hopping over boulders, and swerving around trees was not something he was used to. Hard labor was all Ivan had known so something like this was a cakewalk to him.

“Ivan…I’m hungry.”

“You will have to wait until morning. We can’t stop now or we risk the chance of being caught. In the morning I will make us a spear so I can hunt and fish. With any luck a stream should not be to far from here.”

“Can you teach me how to fish?”

“Not right away. Once we are a safe distance I will take the time to show you how to properly use a spear. Come now, we still have much climbing to do.”

Alfred grumbled as he followed behind Ivan, trying to mimic every step the other man made. The forest was deadly quiet and the higher they climbed the darker it seemed to get. The treetops were fuller the further they climbed and it blocked out the moonlight. Ivan had slowed his steps as his vision was escaping him in the dark. Ivan suddenly stopped and Alfred almost bumped into him. Alfred was about to ask him why he stopped but when he saw Ivan’s narrow eyes searching the area he thought it best to remain quiet. Ivan seemed to have read his mind and he tilted his head behind him towards Alfred.

“Do you hear that?” Alfred gulped.

“Hear what?” He asked, his voice beginning to tremble.

“Listen.” Ivan put his finger to his lip and Alfred leaned his head a bit to stick his ear out.

“Listen for what?” Alfred heard a deep, sorrowful groaning coming from the woods. The sound echoed all around them and he gulped. “Ivan…w-what’s that sound?”

“I don’t know.” Ivan glanced around, hearing the groaning slowly start to become louder. “It may be a wounded animal…”

“But it sounds human!” Alfred trembled and pressed himself up against Ivan’s back, his teeth chattering.

“There’s many animals in the woods we don’t necessary know about.” Ivan pointed out but the groaning was more pitiful and it filled him with an unfamiliar emptiness as if life was sucked from the world.

Ivan remembered a tale he was told as a child about the ‘Moaning Ghost’, which was an old spirit, tossed from the realm of the gods. It was said to be a white mist the color of fresh milk and it hopped along the forest floor, searching for a place to call ‘home’. It was usually heard during a heavy snowstorm or a rainy night and Ivan had come to the conclusion that it was just wind, nothing more. But this moaning and groaning echoing through the trees was starting to fill him with concern. He couldn’t make out what it was, human or animal. He knew it couldn’t be a ghost or a spirit for they didn’t exist. The sounds were coming from all around them and Ivan did not know which direction to look. Alfred was nearly latched on to his back as they tried to pinpoint the sound.

“Ivan! Ivan for fuck’s sake what is it? I swear it’s getting closer!” He hopped from foot to foot, his hair standing straight up in pure fear.

“It sounds big because it is echoing. Come on.” Ivan took his hand and they continued walking up the incline. The groaning seemed to follow them and Ivan drew his sword.

“Gods above, Ivan! I’m fucking scared out of my wits!”

“Pull yourself together!” Ivan hissed at him, looking all around. What the hell was making that sound? It was just a long, endless groan and Ivan concluded that it had to be a wounded animal. “I’m pretty sure it’s an animal and it’s hurt. Lets just keep moving.”

“But I’m scared! What if it’s a ghost?”

“It isn’t!” Although Ivan wasn’t sure himself what it was. He thought back to his dream about the moaning path and he wondered if this was a part of mind linking this sound to that memory. “Just keep walking. If it IS a wounded animal than something must be trailing it.”

“T-trailing it? What do you mean?” Alfred asked in a wavering voice as they continued to walk.

“When a large animal is wounded it is sometimes able to continue on until it dies. Some pack animals, or solitary animals, just follow the damaged creature and wait for it to die.”

“So that thing…that ‘groaning’, is some kind of large animal that’s been hurt?”

“I can only hope s-OOOOOO!” The ground gave way and the two men slipped down a ravine and landed in a makeshift stream left by the rain. Alfred screamed in pure terror as they fell and he flopped around like a fish out of water. “SILENCE!” Ivan reached over to him and covered Alfred’s mouth with his hand. “We simply fell! Do you want to be attacked? Do you wish to lead it right to us?” Alfred’s eyes were wide and he shook his head. Ivan removed his hand when he felt a slight vibration in the ground.

“What is it?” Alfred whispered.

“Something’s coming.”

“What? What’s coming?” Alfred was trembling and looking all around.

“It’s too damp for us to climb out. Here, follow my lead and stay close!” Ivan pressed his back into the murky wall and Alfred did the same. They stayed right next to each other and Alfred was gripping his hand for dear life to the point where it was actually beginning to hurt. Ivan’s eyes caught something to his right and he turned to see a large animal stumbling along the ravine. “There it is! Look! But don’t move! It can’t see us if we don’t move!”

They watched as the large animal came closer into view. Ivan could see that it was a very large winter elk. It was groaning in pain and exhaustion for Ivan could see the bloodied fur hanging from its body. Alfred was trembling beside him as he watched the massive animal approach them. The hooves stumbled as it walked too close to the edge and the wet ground started to crumble beneath its weight. The elk made a fearful bellow as it tried to balance itself but it was too weak and ended up thumping to the ground. Alfred looked at the dying animal, having never seen something like this in his life. The elk was groaning in agony, his legs peddling helplessly in the air as the murky floor made movement impossible. Alfred saw the blood dripping from the elks’s black nose and its tongue seemed too large for its mouth. He continued to stare at the gruesome sight, once again feeling sick to his stomach. The elk’s dark eyes kept rolling back into its head to reveal only white parts but they would quickly disappear. The animal was near to dying and Ivan stood from the wet wall and prepared his sword.

“Ivan…what are you doing?”

“I’m going to put it out of its misery. We don’t need its cries bringing whatever predator took it down. Close your eyes, Alfred. Don’t look.” Alfred did so, hiding his face in his knees as he continued to hear the agonizing groans and the wet footsteps of Ivan.

Ivan walked up to the dying animal and looked over its mutilated body, trying to recognize the type of predator that attacked it. It wasn’t done by humans for there were too many deep gashes. They weren’t the bites or marks of a wolf pack and they would have heard the howls by now. It could have been a solitary animal, like a mountain lion or a lynx. Whatever the case, its pitiful groans were going to draw attention to them and not just that of animals. Ivan raised his sword and with a quick thrust he sent the blade into the elk’s neck. It made a grunted snort before its body fell limp with death. Ivan wiped the sweat from his bow and turned to retrieve Alfred when something else caught his eye. He looked further down the ravine to see eight pairs of eyes looking at him. Slowly, Ivan backed up and whispered to Alfred.

“Alfred…Alfred!”

“What? Is it dead?” Alfred lifted his head and turned to see the eyes lurking in the dark as well. His face paled and his bottom lip trembled. “I-Ivan…”

“Just get up slowly…and we’ll back away.” He took Alfred’s hand and helped him stand, backing away from the creatures as they stalked closer. “They don’t want us when there is a fresh kill right there…but we don’t want to alarm them.”

“Us alarm THEM? That’s bullshit!”

“Shh! Just keep backing up…we are showing that we are no threat to them. Now, after a few more steps we’re going to get out of this ravine.”

“But it’s too slippery!”

“I’m sending you up first.” Ivan crouched down and cupped his hands. “Step onto my hands and I’ll lift you up.” Alfred glanced at the creatures and quickly did as he was told, letting out a shriek as Ivan’s strength tossed him up and over. Alfred scrambled around on the top and looked down to see Ivan jump to grab the ledge. He grabbed Ivan’s arms and tried to help pull him up but he kept slipping. “Stop, just let me do it.” Ivan hissed out and used his sword to help pull his weight over the ledge. “Whew…we made it.”

“And just in time!” Alfred pointed to the creatures that were now swarming around the carcass of the elk. “What are they?”

“Looks like a family of Night Cats.”

“What are those?”

“Just a really BIG version of a house cat. Lets go.” Ivan stood up and tried to pull Alfred with him but the younger man wouldn’t move. Ivan creased his brows and looked at him. “Alfred?”

“I don’t want to keep going into the woods, Ivan! I’m scared! It’s frightening at night!”

“But we must continue on.”

“Yes but…I’ve never been in the woods before! I don’t like it!”

“Alfred, when we find a mountain tribe you will have to deal with the woods like this. There are many people around to help and animals rarely attack like this. Can we at LEAST get away from the munching sounds?” Alfred nodded and they moved some feet away from the sounds.

“Please Ivan…it’s been such a horrible last couple of days. I’m scared…tired…and hungry.” Alfred leaned in to him and hugged him tight. “I’m not used to this…please.”

Ivan wrapped his arm around his lover’s waist and kissed the top of his head. He knew Alfred was full of energy and adventure but this was all just to new for him. Once he became used to the woods things would be easier for him. This little incident they just experienced didn’t help him either. Ivan thought about resting up in a tree but it would prove more dangerous than good. He was going to stick to his original plan despite Alfred’s doubts and fears.

“I’m sorry love, but we have to continue on.”

“But Ivan-!”

“Do you want to get caught by the guards and end up on a spike like the others?” Alfred’s eyes widened and he shook his head. “Be thankful that all we have to worry about is animals. People are more dangerous. Now, are we ready to continue?” Alfred took a heavy gulp but nodded. “Good. Lets go.”

They continued on through the woods for the rest of the night having no further run-ins with animals or sounds. There was the occasional sound of an owl and branches snapping but that was to be expected. Ivan never let go of Alfred’s hand as they climbed higher up and soon the woods were starting to light up with the early dawn. It was getting easier to see and they were able to speed up their walking. Ivan knew they were almost at the top and he wanted to surprise Alfred with the sunrise. There was nothing like a wilderness sunrise to raise your spirits and right now that is what his lover needed. He ignored Alfred’s protests as he pulled the man along the forest ground quickly. When they finally reached the top Ivan turned Alfred to face the east where the sun was just beginning to rise over some mountains.

“Look Alfred…it’s the sunrise.”

“Oh wow…Ivan, it’s beautiful! I’ve never seen anything like it!” Alfred watched as the sun lit up their surroundings.

“We will be able to share many sunrises together.” Ivan wrapped his arms around Alfred’s waist from behind and rests his chin on the man’s shoulder.

“Once we have our own place…then we can watch it every day!” Alfred turned his head so they could share a kiss.

“Careful…” Ivan said in a playful tone. “Just one little kiss from you can fill me with lust.” Alfred laughed.

“Then I am safe to say that what’s poking me is not the hilt of your sword?”

“You are correct.”

“Are you going to do anything about it?”

“I thought you were afraid and tired.” Ivan nipped at his neck.

“Well…it’s daytime now and I can see so I’m not really scared. I just hate the dark. But shouldn’t we continue walking?”

“In a moment.”

Ivan lifted him by the waist and carried him over to one the trees. He would have sat down on the boulders and had Alfred ride him but the texture would scrape his love’s legs and he didn’t want to put up with his whining. Bending him at the waist was more than enough to get what he needed, what they BOTH needed. It never ceased to amaze him at how easily he was turned on by Alfred, like he was an animal in a constant rut that couldn’t be sated. Never did Alfred refuse him or shove him away, which meant that he was just as turned on. How someone like him ended up having a masterpiece of a person like Alfred fall in love with him was a mystery to be solved at death. He knew he was very fortunate to have found true love in such a dark and malevolent world.

“Aren’t you afraid we’ll attract attention?” Alfred protested as his arms were folded above his head while they rests against a tree. Ivan was positioning the slim hips at the proper angle for penetration.

“It’s too early in the morning and as long as you’re not screaming out in pleasure nothing should bother us. We’re covered in mud and grime so if anyone passes by they will think we’re just very small bears!”

Ivan smiled happily as he flipped up Alfred’s tunic to expose that perfect behind. He saw the burn mark across his lower back and sneered at the crusted blemish. That bastard Sardar was right in saying that the sight of the burn would remind Ivan of ‘who’ Alfred belonged to and who put it there. Even though Alfred was indeed his and his alone the image still stuck in his head.

“Ivan?” Alfred looked back at him over his shoulder. “Is something wrong?”

“Hm? Oh, no. Not at all. I was just admiring how gorgeous you are.”

Alfred smiled and returned to resting his forehead against his folded arms. He felt two slick fingers ease their way inside of him, making his breath catch in his throat. Ivan’s thick fingers probed deep as they searched for his pleasure spot. Alfred helped him along by pushing back on the fingers so they could find what they were searching for. He let out a gasp of delight as they pressed against the bundle of nerves that sent those tremors of pleasure through his body. His lower belly tingled and grew warm with anticipation for what was going to come next and licked his lips when the fingers were removed.

“You are still stretched from our previous romp.” Ivan smirked and ran a hand up Alfred’s back before they moved to grip the slim hips. “Ready?”

“I’m always ready for you. What kind of question is that?”

Ivan quickly moved the tunic bottom down a ways so it would cover the burn mark before easing his way in. Alfred’s body sucked him in greedily and he could still feel some of his cum from before. Alfred moaned and straddled his legs further to make more room for Ivan’s movements. The moment Ivan was seated inside of him he began a harsh series of pounding thrusts. Alfred kept the volume of his cries to a minimum but with the intense pleasure building slowly in his belly it was getting harder to maintain the level. Ivan’s strength during their harsh lovemaking had to be the biggest turn on for Alfred. If Ivan wanted to he could swing him around like a ragdoll and fuck him in any way he saw fit. Sometimes Alfred wondered if Ivan’s weight and strength of thrusts would one day shatter his hips. When he was little he recalled seeing a particularly large steer break the hip of a potential cow during mating. As far as he was concerned that was the best way to break ‘something’ and have fun doing it.

“Harder…Ivan!” Alfred gasped out as his lover obeyed his desperate plea.

Ivan buried his fingertips into the soft flesh of Alfred’s hips and he sped up his thrusts in a brutal rhythm. Alfred’s sweet voice cried out in pleasurable desperation and it was the greatest sound to his ears. More so than any songbird or musical piece. Alfred’s insides were always tight around his erection but that was due to his larger size. Alfred body can easily take him in but he is stretched to his fullest. He closed his eyes and let his head fall back as he relished in the ever pleasurable feeling that was his lover. So hot and tight around him that could warm his body on even the coldest of nights. The slim hips started pressing back against him as Alfred helped with the movements, taking his pleasure with Ivan’s cock at his own speed. Ivan smirked and loosened his hold on the fair skin to let Alfred continue setting the pace.

“Hey!” Alfred hissed out. “Don’t slow your movements!” His face was flushed and his eyelids heavy. “I’m so close…!”

“As you wish, love.”

Ivan moved his hands up to Alfred’s waist this time and started pulling the smaller man onto his cock with more force. He had already left finger marks on his hips so he thought he could put fresh ones on his waist. Alfred cried out with each hard thrust as his sweet spot was continuously stimulated by jagged thrusts. He welcomed the slight discomfort as it succeeded in only bringing his body closer to orgasm. His limbs were trembling with exhaustion and his stomach was tightening with the promise of a quick orgasm. With a few more cries of ecstasy and heavy thrusts, Alfred arched his already bent back as he reached completion. He continued to groan with satisfaction as Ivan’s thrusts were mixing perfectly with his aftershocks of lust. He felt Ivan let out a few grunts before he stilled his movements and came inside of him. The warmth of Ivan’s cum heated his insides and he clenched his muscles to keep any from slipping out. He was tempted to stand on his head just so his body could hold in every last bit.

“Your body must really be hungry.” Ivan said with a chuckle as he pulled out.

“What can I say? I’m always hungry for you.” Alfred smirked and stood up to stretch his back. He looked down at his legs to see the familiar cream colored streams of cum escaping down their length. “And there goes some of it.”

“It won’t escape.” Ivan settled down onto his knees and stuck his tongue out to begin lapping at the rivulets of cum. Alfred moaned softly and closed his eyes while he spread his legs more. Ivan’s tongue sent little shocks of pleasure to his groin and he felt like he was going to become hard once again. His body was too exhausted from everything to bear another round but to his luck Ivan had pulled way. He looked down at his thighs to see that they were clear of any juices. “See? It didn’t escape.”

“Ivan…you’re perfect.” Alfred said with a laugh but Ivan knew the man had meant what he said. “Come on, lets go find a stream or something. I really worked up an appetite now.” Ivan stood up and brought him into a hug.

“I have something you could and it will fill your belly.” Alfred smirked and flicked Ivan’s nose.

“I consider that a treat, not a meal!”

“Phooey.” Ivan pouted.

“So if you are done trying to get me to do ‘naughty’ things, where do we go from here?” Ivan looked out at the world below them and saw the steeple of a building that was the Northern city.

“The city is west of us and the closest way would be to cross the road. But I suggest we continue straight until we get to the next set of mountains and then head west. That way we will walk straight into the city and crossing the road from there should be a breeze. It’s out of our way but it’s better than being caught.” Alfred looked at the way Ivan spoke of and frowned.

“That’s a hell of a long walk. But perhaps if we moved DIAGONIALLY through the woods we won’t have to cover as much land.” Ivan thought about it and then kissed Alfred’s cheek.

“You’re so smart, Alfred. That would work, however, there is a greater chance we will get lost. If he walk to the mountains all we have to do is follow along the bottom and we’ll be lead right to the city. I know it’s longer but it’s the most effective, yes?” Alfred grumbled.

“Yeah…you’re right.”

It wasn’t long until they happened upon a large running stream that was full of fish. Ivan had found a sturdy stick and carved the top into a sharp point. He did not have the right resources to make a proper spear but this one would help catch a few fish. Alfred was busy making a circle with stones to build a fire. Being the son of a blacksmith he was quick to get a fire going with expert skill. Ivan found a shallow spot in the water to stand and waited for the fish to come along. Alfred smiled at Ivan’s strong back while ignoring the scars there. He loved watching the man’s muscles flex every time he moved to stab at a fish. He speared one and motioned for Alfred to come over and take it. Alfred took the blue fish from the tip of the spear and dropped it a few times as it was still flopping with life. When he finally brought it to the fire its flopping had ceased. Alfred placed it down on one of the extra rocks and went back to the stream to take another fish. Ivan was able to spear four fish for them to eat.

“Can I try?” Alfred asked him.

“Sure. It’s not as easy as it looks. This was one of the first things my father taught me to do and it took a long while for me to do it properly.”

“Watch me! I bet I can spear a fish on my first try!” Ivan rolled his eyes.

“Go ahead then, Master Fisherman.” Ivan mocked and watched with amusement as Alfred tried desperately to spear the fish. With each missed fish Alfred let out a whispered curse and finally gave up.

“I didn’t want to catch any fish anyway! Where I come from we use fishing poles and go to the market!” Alfred stomped over to the fire and Ivan just shook his head at his stubborn lover. They wove some sharpened sticks through the fish before holding the bodies over the open flame. They sat in silence for a short while until Alfred spoke. “Ivan, why doesn’t the Emperor care about the Northern City taking in all these slaves? Why is it okay for that city but wrong for others?”

“He obviously doesn’t care enough about the slave population. All he cares about is production and profit. The Northern City produces the most iron, which is what the Empire needs to continue to expand. If the lord of the city is paying the slaves to help make the iron then the Emperor doesn’t really lose anything. He doesn’t care how the work gets done as long as it is completed. And slaves are owned and operated by city officials. They control how slaves are dealt with and make the rules for them. The Emperor just doesn’t have a care about it.”

“That’s wrong! He should care about ALL his people, whether they are slaves or nobles! We’re all human!” Ivan smiled sweetly at Alfred’s naïve morals while he squeezed a fish to see if it was done.

“If only everyone thought like you, Alfred, then the world would be a better place. But they don’t.”

“That’s fucking obvious.” Alfred hissed. “Damn it! It just makes me so mad that people are so cruel!”

“I know Alfred…and we both come from slavery, which is the worst type of cruel. But you got out of slavery early. I’ve been a slave for the last fifteen years of my life.” Alfred looked at him with sympathy.

“I’m sorry you’ve had such a harsh life, Ivan. No one should have to go through something like this.”

“I hate the Empire…I wish to see it fall. All it does is destroy lives and families.”

“Ivan…what would you do if you were to see your parents again? Would you forgive them for what they did?” Ivan looked at him for a moment and then shook his head.

“No. I would kill them.” Alfred gasped.

“B-but they are still your parents!”

“What parents abandon their children in the night and leave them to die at the hands of the Empire? They were selfish, thinking only of themselves and their own safety! They left my sisters and I to die! Why should I forgive them? I was forced into a life of labor and bloodshed while my sisters are probably lost in a prostitution ring! Tell me how that is forgivable?”

“I’m sorry Ivan. If I knew it was going to upset you so much I wouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry.” Ivan sighed.

“It’s alright, Alfred. You’re my lover and mate, you have a right to know and ask. Fish are done.” Ivan handed one stick to Alfred and took one for himself. The ate in silence for a few moments until Alfred spoke once again, curious to know more about Ivan. They never had a chance to really sit down and talk about themselves but now that they were free they could.

“Ivan, why don’t you like women?” Ivan looked over at him, surprised by the question.

“I never said I didn’t like women?”

“That’s not what I meant. I mean why do you prefer men over women? You could have had your pick of any servant girl at Nazun house because you were a fighter. So why do you choose men?” Ivan thought about the question as he nibbled at his fish.

“Well, I’ve been WITH women because it is more natural. When I was a lot longer I had a woman by choice but after that I was more or less forced to sleep with them for ‘breeding’ purposes. I was never really comfortable laying with women because I always thought about my sisters. I wondered if they were forced to do the same thing with a man they didn’t know on a regular basis. I guess I always felt…well, guilty. Being a man I know I’m cut from the same mold and get the same feelings so…yeah.” He cleared his throat. “Do you like women? I don’t think I ever asked or seen you with one?”

“Me? Oh yeah! I was the most popular guy in the town with all the girls!”

“Hm. Must be a small town.” Ivan said with a smirk.

“Hey!” Alfred threw small pebble at him and Ivan dodged it. “Not funny!” He pouted. “I’ve kissed many girls!”

“That’s all? Just kissed?” Alfred blushed and slowly took a bite of his fish.

“Well…I’ve never actually BEEN with a woman…” Ivan blinked and let out a laugh.

“What a shame. Now that you are with me I will never share you, not even so you can experience a woman.”

“Oh yeah! Well that means you can’t even LOOK at one or I’ll…I’ll…bite you!” Ivan finished his fish and took the second one from the fire.

“I told you I don’t look at women.”

“Pfft! I saw the way you were staring at that prostitute outside the brothel! In the city, remember?”

“So were you. She was only doing her job by standing there topless to entice men to come to the brothel and spend money. It was hard NOT to look.”

“You covered my eyes and pulled me away! As a fellow man aren’t we suppose to share in stuff like that?”

“You’re still a boy, Alfred. Barely nineteen summers, I don’t care what you say. But in my eyes you are too young to be looking at women.” He stuck his tongue out between his lips in a playful manner and Alfred threw his stick at him.

“But I thought you said you feel guilty about looking at women!”

“I do but I can’t help my natural instinct. I do, however, treat it with respect. I would never act on it. But now that I have you I don’t have the desire to look anyone else, man or woman. I only have eyes for you, my Alfred.” Alfred blushed prettily.

“Really?”

“Really.” Ivan smiled. “Now eat your last fish before it gets too burnt. I want to start our walking again shortly.”

“Already? But Ivan, I’m really tired! Don’t you think we should get some sleep first?”

“Hm…I suppose you are right. Lets cross the stream and we’ll rest up in one of the trees. That way we won’t get caught.”

Using the rockier parts of the stream the two crossed through the shallow parts. The current was not strong enough to sweep them away should one of them fall but it was very cold. Ivan was way ahead of Alfred and he had to stop periodically to help him over a few mossy rocks. Once they had successfully cross Ivan looked around for a tree with many branches so it was easier to climb. Alfred pointed one out and Ivan approved of its height. Ivan cupped his hands and lifted Alfred easily onto the first branch. He ordered Alfred to start climbing so he could follow behind, in case the smaller man was to fall or slip. The branches were much thicker the further they climbed and Alfred claimed the largest one, resting his back against the trunk. Ivan climbed up one more and took the branch above Alfred.

“Are you comfortable?” He asked him.

“Yeah, you?” Alfred asked him.

“As much as I can be. I’m going to stay awake and keep an eye on things for a bit, okay?”

“Okay, but I want you to sleep as well, Ivan! You need your strength!”

“Yes, yes, love. I promise I will.” Ivan smiled down at him. “Now go to sleep. No talking.”

Ivan knew Alfred was asleep when he heard the man’s light snoring coming from below him. The violet-eyed man chose to scan their immediate area, gazing through all the open spots in the leaves that he could. The woods were fairly calm with birds singing and a gentle breeze moving through. Ivan smiled and closed his eyes, taking the time to relish in the fresh mountain air. He reached down and undid the scarf from his waist. Ivan brought it to his face and inhaled the scents, from his beloved Alfred to that ever-present scent of pine. Now he had the real thing again and for the first time in years, he wrapped the scarf around his neck. The feeling of the material around his neck brought a few tears to his eyes, remembering how his life was before the attack on his village. Even after all this time the scarf still held its warmth and he was proud to wear it around his neck once again.

He remained awake for a short while until the need for sleep took over. When he woke up from the nap he noticed that the sun was high in the sky, meaning it was the early afternoon. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and looked down to see Alfred still sound asleep. Ivan smiled at his sleeping lover and decided to let the young man rest a while longer before he woke him up. Ivan looked between an opening in the leaves and the image he saw chilled him to his bones. In the distance, past the stream even, there stood figure. Ivan’s eyes widened as he recognized the figure as Winter. It couldn’t be any body else for the large gapping wound in his stomach gave him away. Ivan shook his head and blinked his eyes, hoping the image would go away. However, the image of Winter still remained in the same spot. The apparition was too far away and Ivan was uncertain if the man was looking at him or just appearing there. How or why he was there, Ivan didn’t know but he had to think rationally. There were no such things as ghosts. Winter himself always told him to be afraid of the living and not the dead. But if he was imagining Winter there, why so far away? The fact that there was such a great distance frightened him the most and he began to wonder if the man had somehow survived.

‘No…there was no way he could have lived. I broke his ankle…he wouldn’t be standing like that. I gutted and stabbed him…my blade went up under his ribcage…there was no coming back from that…then what the hell is he doing there? What’s going on?” Ivan held his head and squeezed painfully at his hair, pulling it between his fingers. ‘Go away! Just go away!’ He looked back at the spot and the image of Winter was no longer there. Ivan let out a breath of relief and clutched at his chest, fearing that he was starting to hyperventilate. ‘Come on, Ivan…pull yourself together! You’re just tired…tired from all the fighting and walking! We just had a scary encounter with the groaning and the elk! It’s just my mind running wild!’ Ivan just couldn’t understand it. Was he beginning to feel guilty about killing Winter, the man who had practically raised him? But why should he feel guilty? The man made his life a living hell. Without even a second thought or care as he threw Ivan into the fighting arena where he battled for his life. Was Winter coming back from the dead to get revenge? No, that couldn’t be right. Once you are dead, you’re dead. There is no afterlife or parallel world only death. It was just his mind playing tricks on him. One thing he did know was that he had to stop having these weird visions and dreams. All of this started when he first began seeing Alfred in secret and professing his love for the man.

‘Alfred!’ Ivan looked down to make sure the man was still asleep and he was. He let out a sigh and slowly lifted his eyes to look in the direction where Winter was standing. To his relief, the spot was empty and his body relaxed. ‘Good…I’m just worn out. I need to change my thoughts to something else…something like Alfred!’

Ivan pictured his beloved Alfred in one of the wild flower meadows around his old village. He pictured the young man with a bouquet of color flowers and calling over to him. Ivan smiled at the image and then gasped softly when he remembered his marriage proposal to Alfred. Ivan had promised himself that once they were free he would ask Alfred to marry him. Out here in the wilderness and among the tribes there was no ‘formal’ marriage ceremony. You were simply promised to each other and shared a few vows, along with whatever hunted good the man had to offer. Currently, Ivan did not have the time or the patience to go hunting for something special to give to Alfred. Alfred was also a city boy and they did things differently, something with rings or necklaces. He was pretty sure it was rings they used, which would be a hundred times easier for them in their current situation. Once they were settled in a tribe and Ivan built them a cabin he would present him with a hunted good. Maybe a wolf’s tail and tooth or even something bigger and better! But how was he going to make a ring? His older sister used to make bracelets for him out of tiny vines or buttercup stems but those were nowhere to be found.

‘Perhaps I should wait and do it the traditional way.’ Ivan said to himself. The traditional way for his tribe was the man with the largest kill was able to win a mate. Sometimes the men of the village would out hunt the other to impress one particular mate but he was certain no one else would be going for Alfred. Of course, there was the issue of Alfred being from the city and may not like the traditional ways of Cycraian courting. ‘I just want to be able to call him husband. Or wife. Whichever he would prefer.’ Those thoughts made his heart and body tingle with pride and happiness but it did not fully shake the ghostly image of Winter from his head. Ivan decided that they had had enough rest and it was time to move on, if just to keep his mind focus and active. “Alfred? Alfred!”

“Huh? Wha?” Alfred snorted awake and looked up at him. “What do you want, Ivan?”

“We’ve rested long enough. It’s time to be on our way again.” Ivan started climbing down the tree and Alfred gave a massive yawn.

“Right…right.” He scratched his lower back before descending the tree as well. “Did you get to sleep?”

“Yes, I was able to rest. How about you?” Ivan held his arms up and helped Alfred down from the last branch.

“It was much needed, let me tell you!” He laughed and cracked his neck. “So, anything happen while I was asleep?” Ivan shook his head.

“Nope. Nothing at all.”

Ivan made sure all their stuff was accounted for before they continued their journey. They continued straight just as they had planned and spoke quietly amongst themselves about various topics. By the time of the sunset the woods were already beginning to grow dark and Alfred was starting to get scared. Ivan had learned that the man had an extreme fear of ghosts and monsters, which would make tribal living a challenge for him. Many of their tales, festivals, and traditions focused on gods or spirits but he wouldn’t tell Alfred that JUST yet. He had to laugh as Alfred clung to his arm while they walked, begging him to protect him from the ghosts and ‘spooky’ sounds. His young lover has already voiced, many times since the afternoon, about how much he despised the woods at night and the cruel predators that hunted there. Little did they know that a serious predator was coming their way and it was not a ghost or an animal. Ivan froze when he heard the heavy hoof beats and a second later an arrow landed in front of them.

“HALT! HALT IN THE NAME OF THE EMPEROR!”

“Ivan!” Alfred looked around as men on horseback encircled them. Ivan kept Alfred close to him as he studied the men. They weren’t dressed as imperial guards or soldiers but rather in tunics and leather. If Ivan didn’t know any better he was certain that they were hunters or fur trappers for the Empire. Regardless, it didn’t make their situation any less dangerous and he moved his hand rest on the hilt of his sword.

End Chapter 8 TBC
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Decadence Escaping	By : FlayraDowitcher Category: +G to L > Hetalia: Axis Powers Views: 2961 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia.

Decadence Escaping