It Was All Arranged [R. Sakamaki]

Paint Therapy

The next morning, Athena had awoken whilst desperately clawing at her throat. She'd been breathing unevenly for the past hour and her insides had begun to churn as her memories resurfaced in her brain. She'd been laying down, eyes focused on the pale ceiling as she attempted to calm her breaths, unaware of the disturbance of her husband's sleep beside her.

"You're weak," he commented after she'd finally calmed down. Her head rolled to the side as she frowned at him. "When was the last time you drank blood?" She merely shrugged at his question. "Was it from me?"

"Ruki," she said gently, "I'd collapsed and he'd cut his wrist to keep me alive."

"When was this?" 

"I don't know," she said, "months ago now."

"Do you wish to return to the state you were in when we married?"

"I might as well," she said, "that way everything has reset."

"Don't be ridiculous," he sighed, sitting himself up in the bed as he looked down at her, "all you have to do is ask."

"Why would I ask the man who hates me if I can drink his blood?"

"I don't hate you."

She didn't say anything else as she pushed herself up, groaning as she did so. They were silent as they sat side-by-side in the darkness, their shoulders millimetres apart. All that could be heard was the clock which hung upon the wall. The seconds passed and they turned into minutes and then an hour before their still presence was broken.

"Drink up," the King said as he offered her his pale, exposed wrist, "I don't need you dying."

"You wouldn't suffer much loss if I passed."

"That's what you think," he replied, looking away from her as her shaking hands took his wrist. She frowned as she stared at the veins beneath his skin before shaking her head.

"I can't," she murmured, "it reminds me of him."

"Very well."

-_-_-_-

"Good Morning, Kanato." Greeted Athena as she entered the castle's second drawing room. The small vampire looked up from his scattered sheets, glancing at Teddy who'd been sitting on the table before meeting Athena's small eyes.

"Reiji said you were sick," he frowned, round eyes scanning her fragile body, "are you well enough?"

"I will be just fine," she replied, "I appreciate your concern though." She made her way to the table, eyes flicking from paper to paper with interest. "A masquerade?"

"Teddy and I have always wanted to host one," he said, "but if you don't like it-"

"No, no, I love it!" She smiled as she looked down at him. "I attended a masquerade ball once when I was a child; it was so much fun."

"I am glad," Kanato's thin lips stretched into a smile as Athena rounded the table, stopping her walk when she stood beside him.

"I'm very pleased with your ideas," she admitted, "I might have to hire you and Teddy as Co-Party Planners." She chuckled but gasped when Kanato's arms wrapped around her thin frame.

Athena stiffened, those memories of Shu's hands on her body resurfacing as Kanato pulled away, grasping her wrists with his hands.

"Teddy and I would love that!" His eyes glistened as he looked up at his sister-in-law. His smile faltered as soon as he saw the hollow expression upin her face. "Sister?"

"I'll talk to Reiji right away," she said quickly, pulling away from Kanato's grasp as she offered a quivering smile, "I'm very proud of you." She cleared her throat as she gently patted Teddy's head. "I'm feeling unwell suddenly," she said, "please excuse me."