Sensitive

Arlot smiled when he heard the commotion that approached. "Miss Xiana, please!" called out many workers when the young vampire ran past them. Arlot laughed aloud to himself before feeling two small hands grab him from behind. "I caught you!" Xiana shouted. The werewolf boy blushed and turned to face his captor. "Am I prey to you?" Arlot joked, causing the little vampire to hit him playfully. "I'm just teasing. Are you alright?" he asked while ruffling Xiana's hair. "Yes," she nodded before tucking Arlot's gray locks behind his humanized ears. The werewolf felt his face warm until his ears stretched into their wolf-like state. "I barely touched you. Your ears are so sensitive," Xiana giggled. Arlot felt embarrassed but allowed his lover to stroke his fur, despite the way it tickled. The sensation of being pet was quite comforting, but his relaxation quickly stopped as Xiana blew gently into his ear. "Woah!" exclaimed the werewolf, "I think we're done looking at my ears now!" Xiana pouted a bit when Arlot changed his ears, but she composed herself as Lucifer walked through the door.

"Papa, are you departing to the human town? May I go also?" Xia asked her father as an aversion from her grandfather's stare. "No, darling. I think it would be best if you were to stay home while this dreadful matter is being resolved. If there something particular you wish for me to bring home, then I will do my best," Xuario smiled. The vampire girl shook her head side to side, "Arlot, Aunt Vivian, do you need anything?" Arlot looked to his mother who was in a deep thought. "I will be going with you, Xuario. I need a gift for the meeting tomorrow, that being said," Vivian turned towards her son, "You need to keep a close ear out for your father's arrival. Someone will need to help watch after Juliet." Arlot nodded in response, "I'll collect her at the gate."

When Xuario and Vivian had been bid farewell, Lucifer stood before his two grandchildren. "Now, I know I have spoken to you before about behaving. Xiana, you must take care with Arlot. The boy has a more sensitive body than you do. I shall warn you both for a second time, also. Do not behave in unbecoming ways before you are married." Arlot patted Xiana's head and smiled at her, "You hear that Xia? No more petting." The young maiden drooped her head lowly as her fiancé combed through her black tangles. "I'll behave," she mumbled. Lucifer nodded in approval and sent his grandchildren away.

Arlot's wolf ears flicked in annoyance like he had an urge to scratch them. While having heightened senses was not a problem, it was an annoyance to have in Hell; loud screams could be heard from miles away, and the smell of burning flesh nauseated even the most iron of stomachs. Xiana had no idea of this burden and took to entertaining herself by offsetting her breaths. Arlot ignored her game and turned to the stairway's 'Fly Away' wing. This part of the fortress was on the third and favorite floor of the boy. Xiana had become quite familiar with this floor, and she would visit it from time to time when she missed her beloved.

Arlot stayed in the same room for every visit he had because he loved it so much. When asked what his attachment to the suite was, he responded in a simple and most confusing way. "I'm reminded of humanity when I'm in this room," he had said. Not one person besides Amiana could understand what Arlot meant. Some of the servants speculated that he felt like a monster, or maybe that people were fragile, but Arlot always shot them down. "That's not it at all. I can't explain it," he would insist. Xiana smiled at her fiancé's unique point of view, but her face soon turned sorrowful. Arlot didn't light up to the 'Fly Away' wing as he usually did. The little vampire took a hold of his arm. "Arlot, you haven't said a word about her this whole time," she whispered.

"How are you handling the situation? You know you can talk to me about anything," Xiana comforted. The werewolf tensed before turning towards the window. "I- I know I can talk to you, but the truth is that I don't think I'm handling the situation as badly as I should be. I'm the reason she's not okay," Arlot frowned. Xiana looked at him with sympathy, "Distracting yourself and being happy are two different things. You're allowed to be scared and show that fear but try not to worry. I'm sure Amiana will be fine." At this statement, Arlot slammed his hands down on the desk and raised his voice. "But what if she's not okay? Then what? Amiana isn't just another being in this world! She's... She's my best friend," he started to cry.

Xiana returned to her lover's side after taking a step back from his outburst. "I don't have the bonds that twins are said to have, but I'm here for you," she sighed into his shoulder. Arlot stopped his crying and felt the little vampire bite into his flesh. "What are you doing?" he exclaimed before pulling her off of him. Tears sprung from Xiana's eyes, "I just- I'm sorry. I just wanted to understand how you felt. Arlot covered the bite on his neck. "Xia, we can't exchange blood. You know the laws," he started. "I didn't drink it, I swear," the vampire answered as blood dripped from the corners of her mouth. Arlot began to panic at the site and watched as the girl began to breathe deeply. "I just can't digest her blood," Arlot told himself without a clue as to what else he could do.

Pinning Xiana against the cold wall, Arlot bit her neck as softly as he could. The girl's breathing slowed, and she pushed him off of her. "It's okay, Arlie. Don't cry. Everything's okay," Xiana whispered, but her fiancé did not look convinced. "No one can find out about this," Arlot growled, "I know I didn't intake your blood, but you don't. If you ingested any of my DNA, we'll be killed for treason, and if Grandfather finds out about us marking before our wedding.... we'll be sitting with sinners for the rest of our lives."