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Anger.
That was all Laurance could feel coursing through his veins as he held Travis by the collar.
As soon as they had arrived on the island, they were approached by none other than The Demon Warlock himself. He had let it slip that Travis was his son, which rationally, Laurance did not take lightly to. As any other easy to anger individual who heard this news, he bounced into action. He immediately ran towards the man and held his sword to his throat, drawing a frightened yelp from Aphmau.
As he practically growled his words, Travis stood there unmoving, trying his best to not seem like a threat. He didn’t know exactly what this form of Laurance’s was and what it could do, and frankly didn’t want to find out first hand yet again.
His grip tightened around his collar as the white haired man did not respond. “Answer me!” He yelled. Travis remained still, causing the Shadow Knight to grow even more furious.
It wasn’t until a voice called out to him that his intentions started to slip.
“Laurance!”
He clicked his tongue in response, letting his eyes turn to see Vylad standing there with his arms crossed. “Stay out of this, Vylad!”
Aphmau and the others almost jumped back in response, but Vylad remained grounded, softly speaking as he stepped closer to the other Shadow Knight. “Calm down. You aren’t doing any good by doing this.” He carefully placed a hand on his shoulder, making Laurance twitch under his touch. “Follow me. Let’s go somewhere a lot quieter. You’re scaring everyone.”
Aphmau worriedly looked between the two Shadow Knights, before settling on Vylad. Her eyes pleaded for some sort of answer as to why Laurance was acting up as of now.
Vylad sighed, turning to the raven haired woman. “The very presence of that entity caused his Shadow Knight form to emerge. He’s enraged and needs to control it.” He turned back to face Laurance. “Please, come with me.”
Laurance let his fist loosen without even realizing as he turned and looked into Vylad’s eyes. He sighed as he released the half-demon and started walking towards a farther off area of the beach in defeat “Fine. I’ll leave this alone… for now.”
Vylad gave a silent nod to Aphmau before following Laurance to the enclosed area he had picked. It was a great location to calm him down without any interruptions, so Vylad just exhaled, grateful of the natural surroundings for helping him out.
When they got to the little cove, separated from their comrades by the trees covering them, Vylad sat on a nearby log while Laurance just kicked at the sand. He went on for a while, until eventually the angered Shadow Knight started to kick rocks back into the ocean, leading Vylad to finally speak up.
“You know, you have to get this anger thing solved sooner or later.”
Laurance whipped around, glaring at the undead bastard. “Oh yeah, like it’s so easy.” He waved his hands around before turning to kick some sand at him. “Are you even here to help me at all or are you just going to sit there and mock me?” The sand grains landed at Vylad’s feet, barely doing their intended purpose.
Vylad tilted his head, his irises almost dancing as the light from the sunrise hit his eyes. “As fun as it would be to mess with you, I’m here to help you out, Laurance.” He scooted over on the log, before patting the other side.. “Now come. Sit and talk with me.”
Laurance scoffed, raising his head to the side and crossing his arms, pretending to ignore him. Vylad chuckled at the action, causing Laurance to bare his teeth.
“And what’s so funny over there?” He practically pouted with his eyebrows smushed together.
Vylad then snorted, attempting to cover his masked face as if it would do anything to prevent his snickers. He began to try and muffle the noise, doing his best to not further upset the enraged Shadow Knight before him. “Sorry- You’re just acting like a wounded puppy. Oh! Or- Or a child whose mother didn’t give any sweets to.”
“Shut it, Ro’Meave.” He all but chuckled.
“There’s the smile I was looking for.”
Laurance’s eyes flashed light blue at the comment for only but a second, before turning back to the deep red that encapsulated them in his Shadow Knight form. He sighed and defeatedly marched over the log, plopping down next to him unceremoniously. He gave a single irritable glance towards those… green eyes.
That was something that always bothered Laurance; those Irene damned green eyes. He always tried to avoid eye contact with Vylad, never wanting to look into the color that he had lost. People would assume he would get used to it, or that it didn’t hold any significance, but in reality? He despised the light blue eyes he has now.
Every time he would glance in the mirror he would see someone else. Someone… different. Those light blue eyes aren’t his. They may be a result of the power of Irene healing his sight, and it should be treated as a blessing, but… he couldn’t help but detest them. They were more of a curse than anything. Where were the greens of his irises? The endless forest of his eyes? Now he’s left with all but a boring shade of endless skies; an untouchable dream.
“Hey.”
Vylad’s voice draws him out of his thoughts, causing him to face the other man, much to his dismay. He frowned and turned away with a huff, resting his head on his palm.
“Why are you turning away? Are you still mad at me?” The curiosity in his voice showed his piqued interest in the fellow man. He felt chills run up the side of his back as he felt those forsaken green eyes bore into him.
Laurance kept his head firmly faced away from the other brunette. “It’s nothing. I just- I need some time to collect myself. And I can’t really do that when someone keeps irritating me.”
Vylad sighed, before turning to look at the waves rolling in. “You know, you never look me in the eyes. It’s something I noticed early on when I met you face to face.”
Laurance stayed quiet, letting a silence build between them for a few minutes before responding, “I despise you.”
The other Shadow Knight couldn’t prevent the chuckle that escaped his lips. “What?” He asked with a tone of amusement in his voice. “What have I ever done to you?”
“It’s- It’s too stupid to say out loud.” He lowered his head to look at his feet.
“Aw, c’mon, I’m sure it’s not that embarrassing.” He rolled his eyes in emphasis.
Laurance huffed, taking a quick look at Vylad before abruptly turning away. “I hate the way that you look.”
“Excuse me?” He made an offended face, or atleast what looked like one from behind the mask. “What, am I that ugly?” He snickered. “I literally wear a mask, you haven’t even seen my full face.”
Laurance scoffed, “Far from it, actually.” Causing Vylad to perk up. “From what I can see from the get go, your beauty is what annoys me so much. Specifically your green eyes. Those are the cause of the problem.”
Vylad brought his hand to the brim of his eyes, before softly responding, “My eyes?”
“Yeah.” Laurance began, hesitating on continuing. “I envy that you have them. I… I used to have green eyes myself. That was until I became this- this monster.”
“A Shadow Knight?”
“That was implied, dumbass.” He said under his breath.
Vylad sighed, “Look, I’m just trying to talk with you like a real person, can you do that for me?”
“What? Unlike an undead one? We’re freaks, Vylad.” Laurance sneered. Vylad closed his eyes at the insult and took a long breath in, before decidedly pulling down his mask.
His jaw was defined with remnants of scars spewed across, painting his face like stars in the sky. The most prominent mark was by his lip, as it seemed he suffered a nasty cut that ranged from his bottom lip to the top. That wasn’t even to begin with his freckles, as they were splattered across his cheeks and nose almost as if by accident; yet they were perfect, no, precise .
Next was his hair. Oh his hair. When he pulled off the mask, his hood came with it, revealing his ruffled wavy hair. Sure, it was messy from being under his hood for so long, but Irene did Laurance want to comb his hand through it.
And lastly back to his eyes. The way the sun rose on the coast lit up the green so perfectly that they sparkled like emeralds. So precious. Something lost to Laurance, but reclaimed within Vylad.
He had been so entranced by all of Vylad that he hadn’t even noticed the awkward cough Vylad let out.
“I was wrong. You aren’t beautiful.” Laurance started, staring directly into his eyes, unmoving. “You’re gorgeous.”
It wasn’t until a few seconds later in which Laurance gained his bearings, hurriedly turning away with his cheeks tinted pink. The two once again sat in silence, with a very embarrassed Laurance hiding his face in his hands and an awkward Vylad just sitting there staring straight at the back of Laurance’s head.
He could hear the log creak beneath him as Vylad scooted slightly closer. “You think I’m gorgeous?”
Laurance whipped his head around, his once red eyes now firmly blue. The very light blue the man despises yet Vylad finds absolutely stunning.
He’s calming down, huh? He’s still in his Shadow Knight form so he’s not fully himself yet… I should continue pressing him for answers.
Before Vylad could open his mouth to ask, Laurance raised his voice. “I hate your stupid face and how you’re just so… calm!” Vylad tilted his head, as a new can of worms had just been opened. “You’re so in control of your anger and strength that it just… pisses me off! All with that gleam in your really pretty emerald eyes!”
“You envy my control?”
“Of course I do! Did you see what I almost did back there– what I’m doing now? I’m just always so- so frustrated!” He waved his hands around erratically, turning to look down at his feet. “I’m nothing but a monster,” His eyes flashed red at the words. Not good. “I don’t see what any of you see in me.”
Vylad, worried about him sparking into a new set of rage, had millions of thoughts running through his head as he tried to think of something. Without thinking, he grabbed Laurance’s head with his hands on both sides turning him to face only him.
“Stop it. No negative thoughts.” Vylad kept his hands on his cheeks. “Let’s go back to talking about how gorgeous I am, okay?” Immediately regretting the statement after spewing it out on a whim.
Laurance’s eyes blew wide and blue as he stared at the other man, as if staring at the most incredible sight any being could possibly lay eyes on. His mouth slightly opened, as if prepared to speak, but was truly lost for words. What simple vocabulary could describe what he was seeing? The man that glowed upon by sunlight held him like he was the earth; they were their own solar system.
Vylad was having the same thought process, his eyes slowly widening as the wind swept through Laurance’s hair, allowing him to get a good look once again at the blue eyes he dearly adored. The other man himself couldn’t see their beauty, but Vylad would raise hell to show him their– no, his beauty.
As if entranced, Vylad slowly moved closer, causing Laurance to shut his eyes and press his lips into a thin line.
Vylad snorted, moving back at the action. “Laurance- what was that?” He chuckled. “You act like you’ve never been about to get kissed before.”
Laurance opened his eyes and smirked. “You’d be surprised. It’s just that usually I’m the one initiating.” Before leaning in and finally kissing the other brunette.
And that was all that was needed for Laurance to turn back into his natural form.
The kiss was sudden, yet expected. Vylad always found it amusing to watch him from afar, so finally being able to lay his hands and lip on him… it was an out of body experience.
He knew from the way his lips moved that he was most definitely experienced. From the way Laurance’s hands shot to hold his hips, Vylad’s grip on Laurance’s face loosened, eventually allowing his hands to wrap around his neck so he could pull him even closer.
The two sat on the log just enjoying eachother’s warmth, constantly chasing after the other’s lips after every breath. Vylad didn’t know any other words to describe it other than addiction. He couldn’t stop chasing after the feeling of his lips on his, and Irene when he finally parted his lips and allowed his tongue in was simply divine.
They wished it could last forever.
And yet… it didn’t.
The two who had their tongue shoved down the other’s throat jumped at the sound of the bushes behind them rustling. From the movement of leaves and sticks cracking, someone or something was approaching. They moved apart and reached for their swords immediately at the unfamiliar presence.
However, what caught them even more off guard next was the voice calling out for them. “Laurance! Vylad! Dammit, I could’ve sworn I saw them go in this direction before-”
A disgruntled Aphmau passed through the bushes, with twigs and leaves in her messy hair. She picked a few of them out of her curls before setting her eyes at the two men with their swords raised at her.
They both sighed, sheathing their swords.
Aphmau looked between the two, noticing the clear redness of skin around their lips. Of course this would happen again.
After looking between the two for a bit, she clapped her hands together in glee as she stared at Laurance. “I see you’re back to normal huh? Thanks a lot for whatever you did, Vylad!”
Vylad, who was flustered at almost being caught, slowly nodded his head, pulling his mask and hood back on. “Um, yeah. No problem.”
“Well I hope it’s okay to drag you back over to the main area, we’re trying to set up camp for now and could really use the help.” Aphmau watched as the two turned to each awkwardly. “Unless I… interrupted something?” They stood up abruptly, shaking their heads.
“No- No, we’re fine. We just finished up.” Laurance frantically spoke.
“Yep, good to go!” Vylad nervously chuckled, giving a thumbs up.
She gave them one more look, before turning to leave with them in tow. As they walked, Aphmau let Vylad pass her and lead the way, giving her an opportunity to talk to Laurance.
She placed her hand on her head as if pained by the thought. “Laurance, I swear to Irene, how many times am I going to catch you.”
“As many as it takes.”