The vampire's touch was not something he really cared for, but Mathias allowed it anyway. It had been his idea in the first place, after he had figured out that Walter would be into such pleasures. It was convenient, kept the vampire occupied and from suspecting anything, and created some kind of a twisted bond between them. They were both just using each other, that was for certain, but as long as Walter was willing to play the game Mathias was a willing player as well.

"What's on your mind today, sir knight?" The red-haired vampire casually inquired with a half-smile on his face while he worked on undressing the dark-haired tactician.

Mathias returned the half-smile but didn't answer right away. Instead, he waited until the vampire was done with his task, and idly caressed Walter's arm when the redhead lay down next to him. The vampire kissed him shortly, then looked at him questioningly.

"Nothing really," he lied convincingly. "Nothing too special. Just wondering about the things the humans waste their time on."

Walter laughed. "Are you not a human then?" He asked while running his fingers down the tactician's body. Mathias shivered under the touch; he was getting used to being touched, but Walter's touch still made him feel a little odd. He didn't try to hide it though, knowing Walter thought it as some kind of a submissive trait, and it amused the vampire.

"I did not deny that I am," Mathias answered while relaxing against the sheets. "I do, however, consider myself above simplistic human needs. They require such trivial things, like relationships and feelings. I think my lord understands what I'm talking about, am I right?"

The vampire smiled at him and concentrated on caressing him. Mathias found all the foreplay rather pointless, although pleasing, but as long as it amused Walter, he would play along. He allowed whatever it took as long as it kept the redhead busy.

"Do you not believe in love then, my dearest knight?" Walter asked while kissing the dark-haired man's inner thigh.

Mathias closed his eyes. "I guess I don't, not anymore," he replied, not sure if he was lying this time. He had lied to Walter so much that he was losing the line between what part of his words was a lie and what was the truth. It didn't matter of course as long as everything he said sounded convincing enough. The vampire hadn't questioned him too much in the past - and if he did, Mathias had his ways to distract him. Like with what they were doing now.

"Why not?" The vampire questioned while stopping to pick a small bottle of oil from the nightstand. "As far as I know, it is a common human feeling."

"Also quite unpractical," the tactician answered, shifting a little under Walter's touch to allow him better access. The vampire was sitting between his legs now, fondling him. "Love makes humans do all kinds of things. I'm sure you know, my lord, as one of your favorite games involves kidnapping the loved one of a potential... player. Quite effective way to start the game. And thus, it is an unpractical feeling. It makes humans do desperate and stupid moves."

He swore in his mind, realizing he was not any better than the simple humans he had just referred to. Would he have been here in the first place if it had not been for his lost love, and his ambition to get back at God for taking Elisabetha away from him?

"Ah..." He bit his lip and strained on the bed as Walter's fingers entered him. It didn't actually feel that uncomfortable; the vampire certainly knew what he was doing.

Walter continued with his caresses and the preparations for a moment, then looked at him. "Quite true. Love is an interesting feeling for that reason. It makes humans so easy to manipulate. And it makes the game more interesting, of course."

Mathias didn't answer but just lay there and closed his eyes. The red-haired vampire fortunately occupied himself by capturing the tactician's sex into his mouth a moment later, as Mathias didn't really care for the conversation that much. It reminded him too much of things he did not wish to think about.

He pressed himself against the vampire slightly, not too passionately but giving enough response to keep Walter thinking he liked it. It wasn't that bad, really, since Walter had certainly bedded a man before and knew how to please one. Mathias didn't particularly care for the action, but... Yes, anything for a greater goal. He murmured something, a little sign of pleasure, and tried to keep his thoughts away from what he found himself thinking too often.

Walter's hands left his body after a long while and the vampire moved to lie beside him. He looked at the redhead and smiled a little, watching him. Walter was certainly strikingly handsome. The vampire leaned down to kiss him, then shifted to lie on top of him.

"Makes me wonder though," Walter mused as he nudged the tactician's legs apart a little more and lifted him up by the waist. Mathias looked at him and smirked, offering his body to the vampire. The redhead kissed him again, successfully silencing the quiet cry that Mathias never managed to keep escaping from his lips when taken.

"Wonder about what?" Mathias whispered as the vampire broke the kiss and instead moved to kiss his neck. He wrapped his arms around Walter's neck, appearing more willing than he really was.

Walter chuckled. "Love. Have you never loved, then?"

The dark-haired man closed his eyes again and cursed in his mind, although he managed to keep his feelings from showing from his face. He then decided he had nothing to lose. "Ah, my lord... Can't say I haven't. I used to be married, as you probably know. I loved her dearly, but it..." He trailed off and bit his lip. "It led to misfortune, which is what often happens to humans. This is why I seek something greater."

"Ah. What about that knight then?" The vampire added, appearing to have no trouble making conversation in the middle of the act. He thrust into his companion with controlled skill, making sure the dark-haired man would enjoy it. "Do you love him?"

Mathias laughed a little. "You could say that. Leon... He is very dear to me, and I know him well. This is also why I hate him," he added. He was lying again with his last remark, but it didn't matter. "Him, and his perfect little life. You'll see, my lord. He'll make a perfect game piece for your game. You have done it before, haven't you, with your other playthings. Take away what he loves the most, and..."

"I see," Walter whispered, returning to his caresses. "So it is revenge you seek, in the end? All because of love... Yes, I see it now why you called it unpractical."

"That is just one of my goals," the tactician said quietly. He squirmed under the vampire, allowing himself enough pleasure from the act to be able to release when he chose to. Walter's hand found his erection a moment later, and Mathias smiled at him. "We will both get what we want. Isn't that good enough for you, my lord?"

The vampire grinned at him, then moved in for a fiery kiss. "I find this deal we have to be quite worth it, my dearest knight," he whispered between their kisses. "I shall give you what you want, and enjoy my part of it. A win-win situation it is, indeed..."

"Yes," Mathias simply whispered for a reply, a smile forming on his lips as the vampire continued fondling him. He laughed in his mind, quite satisfied. His plan was working perfectly, and Walter still suspected nothing out of ordinary.

He released a moment later, allowing a cry of pleasure. He felt Walter finishing things, but he didn't really care.

The deal was going to be worth it. He had to admit that Walter was correct. His reasons were for love, the love that had been taken away from him. He would, however, be the only winner in the end.

Author's notes:

A damn PWP, with some lame theme. Fun. The pairing's interesting, anyway. Figured Mathias would have kept Walter from noticing his true goals until the very end. This probably takes place a little before the game or something, just to place it somewhere on the timeline.

- Lady Harken (November, 2005)