Little Boy Belmont (Richter x Olrox)

Chapter Ten: Panic Attack

Much to Belmont's annoyance, he realizes it will take him a while getting used to sleeping in the day. Sitting up on his makeshift bed, he sees Olrox and Edouard are already asleep. He sighs quietly and pulls out the two feathers from his pocket.

Richter is still a bit surprised they didn't disappear the moment Olrox turned back into a vampire. Feeling like he needs to move, Belmont tucks the feathers away and gets up. He paces a good distance away from their little camp. His heart beats quickly as guilt eats away at his mind again, repeating a series of questions he hasn't heard since the night his mother died.

'Hundreds of years of people carrying on a family name and it now rests on my shoulders alone?'
'What would mother think?'
'How did this all end up on me?'
'And still no powers...'
'Would my ancestor Leon Belmont be disappointed in me, seeing how broken I am?'
This last self-deprecating question actually makes Richter let out a pitiful whimper.

He quickly covers his mouth, glancing back at his travel companions with bloodshot eyes. Luckily, they don't seem to stir. He leans against a tree, trying to calm his breathing and racing heart as tears stream down his face. Richter ends up pacing again. Moving helps a little, but it only does so much.

He nearly yells when arms wrap around his waist from behind.
"Shh," Olrox shushes him gently. Belmont didn't even realize the vampire had gotten up. How didn't he hear that?
Richter turns to face the Aztec, his hands numb as clings to him.
"It's okay, Richter. I'm here, I'm right here. What's wrong? I haven't seen you this frightened since we met in the dungeon."

Richter sniffs and lets out a shuddered breath.
"Too many questions swarming in my head. They all cycle back to keeping the Belmont family name alive, realizing how alone I am."
"Look at me, Belmont," his hands are on his cheeks again, wiping away the tears.
"I'm scared, Olrox," he admits in a small voice, sounding like the frightened nineteen-year-old Richter really is.

Before Olrox can answer back his reassurances, Richter leans forward and kisses him. This isn't the small pecks on the lips Olrox is used to giving, this is a kiss filled with years of grief, loss, and pent up frustration.
Belmont clings to the Aztec like a drowning man on a flotation raft.

Olrox assumes now that Richter always has been drowning, not in water, but loneliness and self esteem issues. So the vampire kisses back, arms still around Richter's waist. Needing air, Belmont reluctantly pulls away, cheeks flushed pink.

"How did you know I needed you?" Richter murmurs, catching his breath.
"The bond, remember? I feel everything you do," he explains gently.
Belmont sighs, the exhaustion catching up to him.
"So you've felt my every emotion since our meeting in the dungeon?"
The Aztec nods.
"Why do you think I wanted to protect you since then?" he asks with a sad smile.

Richter rests his head on Olrox's shoulder, closing his eyes.
"I'm sorry I dragged you and Edouard into this mess," he whispers.
"Are you kidding? This is the most entertainment I've had in years," Olrox assures Belmont with a kiss to his forehead. Richter manages a small smile at this.

"Come on, try to get some sleep," he urges, nudging Richter back to the camp. Belmont sighs and lays down on his bed again, then is surprised when he feels Olrox lay right behind him.
"Sleep, my love," Olrox whispers in his ear, arm draped over Richter's stomach.
Much to Belmont's surprise, he falls asleep almost immediately.
****
The second night of traveling by dragon back (snake back? Richter wonders), is clear but a little bit colder. Belmont adjusts the cloak around himself a little tighter. Like before, Olrox sticks to being covered in clouds.

They've left most of the cities behind them, the area below little more than a sea of trees. Their breath is visible in the air and Belmont shivers, keeping his hold on Olrox's horns firm.
The Aztec turns his head briefly to make sure Richter is okay.
"Are you all right?" Edouard asks from behind.
"I'm fine," he lies, not feeling fine at all. Ever since his panic attack, the self-deprecating thoughts have only gotten worse.

He just hopes he'll find answers to his problems in the Belmont Hold.
"How many more nights do you think we have to travel?" the opera singer asks.
"Four or five more days, I think," Richter roughly estimates, glancing up at the starry sky. He huddles down in Olrox's feathers more, seeking the vampire's odd warmth even now.
'Just a few more days,' Belmont thinks, his salty tears having long since dried in his cheeks. 'Then I'll have a place to call home again.'