Crimson Ties Part 34
"What did you just say?" Wufei asked in a breath, back rigid and eyes wide in disbelief.
Shrugging, Duo smirked, "I want you to train me to become a Preventer. I want to be able to do more than just sit around while the rest of you are on your hunts when I could be an asset out in the field with you."
His head falling back with hysterical laughter, it took a moment for Chang to collect himself. Still snickering, he unfolded his arms and shook his head, "That's a pretty good one, brother. And I admit that you had me going for a minute there, but I know that you couldn't possibly be serious with that request."
When the living's violet eyes narrowed, the scaly Vampire's laughter was cut off instantly. "You were serious," he all but whispered in a statement rather than a question, the disbelief returning to his voice.
Gold-and-onyx eyes glared back into the pair watching him as he declared, "That is entirely out of the question. You'll have to come up with some other favor that I might repay you with since I refuse to go through with this."
Raising an eyebrow, Maxwell snorted, "Wow, Fei. You never struck me as the kind of creature to back out on your word like this. I really thought that you meant what you said about going through with whatever I asked. And there's nothing that I want or need more than this."
Wufei cast a look around to make sure that there was no one else near them before he stepped up close to his brother. "You don't have a damned clue what you'd be getting into with this," he hissed under his breath. "And throwing my word back in my face won't change my decision. I'll gladly go back on it, seeing as how I'm the only clear thinker between the two of us when it comes to this matter."
His hands balling into fists at his sides, he gritted, "You're a human asking to fight Vampires... mutated Rogues at that. You heard about what had happened to Karl, but are you well aware of how he had been very literally shredded to his bones? And he was one of us! Heero would never stand for your being any part of our missions, knowing the danger that you would be in. I'll have no part in this."
Taking the words into consideration... especially the part detailing Karl's horrific end, Duo swallowed roughly.
Of course there was a point to his being a human... little more than flesh and bone compared to the Infected with their enhanced abilities and strengths. His joining the Preventers to fend off the demons of the world would be the equivalent of a person bringing a knife to a gunfight.
Still, his mind was set. And when Maxwell had his mind set on anything, he was not one to be easily swayed away from his wishes. For the time being, considering how Heero was about to be thrown into the mix shortly, he would drop it.
But this wasn't over. Not by a long shot. The seed was planted and he would just have to step back to allow the roots time to grow and take hold.
The corner of his mouth curling up in what he thought was a victory on his part when the teenager remained quiet, Wufei gestured with his head for his would be brother-in-law to follow him across the school grounds.
Stuffing his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket, Duo kept the amused smirk from his own face lest he give away his intent to bring up the matter again and again until he was really heard out.
When they neared the library, Heero was leaning against the railing of the front steps waiting for the braided living to rejoin him at the end of their busy days. At the sight of Wufei approaching with his Other, he blinked his gold-and-cobalt eyes in surprise. Pushing himself off the metal rail, he met them in the middle of the sidewalk.
"Chang," he greeted with a firm nod, his confusion dripping in his tone.
Snickering, the scaly Vampire announced, "I'll fill you in on the way back home. You two can sit in the back of your car while I drive since I came here on foot." With a grunt, Yuy reached into his jeans pocket and tossed his keys over.
As Wufei easily caught them from the air and turned to lead the way to the parking lot, Heero fell in step beside Duo. Keeping close enough to the teenager that their shoulders brushed while they walked, he reached over to take a welcoming hand into his own and squeezed it.
Trying his best to not let onto his concern, the Japanese Infected looked over to his Other and grinned, "So how did your finals go today? You weren't too tired for them after being up so late last night, were you?"
"I survived them... barely," Maxwell chuckled. "But I know with my algebra exam that I have tomorrow I'll need all the sleep I can get tonight." Chewing on the inside of his cheek, he peered into the golden gaze on him and stated quietly, "I could go for another tuck in to help me get to sleep right away."
Yuy's smile grew at that and he wrapped his arm around his human's shoulders as he replied, "I'd be more than happy to oblige that."
* * * * * *
Just as Duo had predicted, his Vampire made sure to hover closer around him than before when Wufei informed him of Lady Une's orders to have a watch over him at all times. What had the living even more worried was finding out the additional detail of how Trowa and Relena were off shadowing Quatre's every move.
That bit of information seemed to have been a bit of a slip from Chang that he hadn't intended his future brother-in-law to hear just yet.
Precautions. The Commander had used that word to explain her reason behind the missions. And it did little to settle Maxwell or his family. Whenever he moved, Yuy was right behind him, even in what should have been considered the security of their own home.
Lying onto his back on the long couch in the living room of his new estate, Duo folded his arms under his head as he stared up through the large bay window.
Outside, a heavy snow was falling once again and their clouds blocked out the sun that would have been setting. The thicker darkness only served to make him all the more cold and troubled.
At the hardly existent sound of footsteps entering the room, much of that darkness and chill seemed to fade.
Leaning against the wall, Heero took a moment to look on his Other when their eyes met. The smile that curled along the Vampire's face made Maxwell's heart skip a couple of beats... as it always seemed to do to him. As a grin spread across his own face, the living sat up a bit to give up the end cushion.
To the Infected's surprise when he sat down, his future Companion laid back down to pillow his braided head in his lap. It was an act of trust as well as a real effort in allowing the bond between them to grow.
"You have nothing to worry about, Duo," Yuy opened quietly as he peered down at the heart-shaped face watching him. "There's not another person in this world who is in better care than you right now." Chuckling, he shrugged, "With the exception of Quatre, of course. Between Trowa and Relena, nothing will get anywhere near him."
Despite how reassuring those words should have been, the living couldn't help but feel the dread that seemed to be closing in on him from all around. Staring back through the window to the lamp-lit snow that continued to fall, he frowned, "I know, but I really wish that I didn't feel like more of a burden than a member of the family right now."
Before the Infected could protest, Duo tested quietly, "For me, it'd be a lot easier of I was able to defend myself in some way."
Heero pulled a sharp breath in with a hiss, his whole body turning rigid. Well, that certainly gave Maxwell more than enough of a clue into how the Infected would feel about his wish to join the Preventers if he ever found that out.
Shifting uncomfortably, the Vampire released his breath in a deep sigh. Gently running a hand through his soul mate's bangs to see his violet eyes more clearly, he put on a grin and said, "That won't ever be necessary. And never consider yourself a burden. Nor myself, nor our siblings or cousins would ever think of you that way"
With another shrug, Yuy said, "Family looks out for family and it's as plain and simple as that. You are dear to all of us and so there is no bother in our looking out for you." Bending his head downward, he pressed a soft kiss against the teenager's forehead.
Very slowly pulling back, his lips brushed the skin there as he urged, "Leave the fighting of monsters to us. We're the ones prepared and able to fend them off, being cut from the same cloth as they are. Not another thought of having to handle them on your own devices when you have our protection."
It just wasn't enough. Not for Duo. For now, he would just have to accept the situation until he had more leverage with Wufei... as he was sure that there would be eventually.
Anxious to change the subject, Heero lightly traced a finger along his Other's jaw line. "So," he began with a smirk, "tell me some things that I don't already know about you. What was growing up with your parents like? How was your time living at the Maxwell Church?"
That... was not exactly an inquiry that Duo had expected. Violet eyes growing and blinking up at his Vampire, he felt the corners of his mouth curl up. Enough time had passed and more than enough ground had been laid for the healing of what had happened at the Harvest to no longer be an issue for either of them.
Lost in the cobalt-and-gold eyes on him, he shrugged, There's not a whole lot for me to really talk about when it came to my life with my parents since there's not a lot that I remember. We were constantly moving because of my dad's work, never staying in one place more than a year."
Glancing away, he muttered, "It didn't really give me a chance to make many friends since I knew better than to get attached when it was only a matter of time before we'd be picking up and leaving again. Looking back on it, I envied kids who had stability in who and where they were. By my constantly picking up and going, going through more schools than I can count, I didn't have time to figure out who I was."
Heero's face was marred by a deep, saddened frown. The backs of his fingers ghosted over his Other's cheek in a soothing gesture.
Encouraged by the gesture, Maxwell focused back on the Infected's piercing eyes and continued, "I loved my parents more than anything, but there was always something missing for me. Back then, I didn't have much of a chance to realize that they were the only thing I had that was mine... the only constant in my life."
When the Vampire tensed, the braided living shot a hand up to hold onto the cold one that had begin to pull away from his face. "It's okay," he insisted, a bit of a warning tone edging his voice to make certain that any more unnecessary guilt did not have the chance to set in. Sincerely, he declared, "You're not the one to blame."
Releasing a soft sign of relief, Yuy swallowed roughly. As his hand was released, his smile returned and he resumed his gentle touches along his Other's face. Grinning back up at him, Duo unconsciously leaned into his fingers.
"It was pretty easy for me to appreciate my staying at the Maxwell Church," the living began again with an almost wistful air, "For the first time, I could call a place my home. Along with Father Maxwell and Sister Helen always being there for me like a new pair of parents, I actually got to stay in one place for a long time and figure myself out."
He snickered, "I got to make my own decisions and make mistakes to learn from. And I was able to make friends... ones that I could keep. In a lot of ways, my life was better than it had been with-"
Wincing, Maxwell cut himself off of that train of thought. He shook his head and sighed. Staring up at the ceiling to avoid those striking blue eyes that he knew would be filled with disgust at his words, he whispered, "God, that sounds terrible. It's selfish of me to think that I was better off without my parents in any way."
A chilled finger rested against his chin to turn his head back so that his attention was drawn back to the Infected's face. Instead of disgust or accusation, Heero only looked on him with understanding and sympathy.
"If there were ever a creature in this world who can relate to your need of having a place to call home and a family, you're looking at him," the Infected grinned. "You won't be judged by me for that, considering how many years I had gone without early on after my change to appreciate security and the comfort of having people that you love around."
Yes, Duo realized, there was no other creature that could possibly connect with him on that level than Heero. Smiling, he gave Yuy a small nod since he didn't exactly trust his voice at the moment.
For some time, the teenager had longed for someone with whom he could share a bond like this. Never before would he have ever actually hoped that he would find them... and he definitely never imagined that they might be a Vampire.
And yet, in so many ways, he couldn't deny how perfect their tie was.
Terrifying and unusual as it was, it was still... perfect.
His hand moving to loop the end of the braid that was pooling along the couch between his fingers after a long silence, Yuy guessed, "So this was a source of a constant for you? That's why you grew your hair so long?"
"Got it in one," Maxwell laughed as he watched how the Infected handled his rope of locks as though they were made of precious silk. "There were a lot of times over the years when I'd considered cutting it, but now I just can't imagine being without my hair."
Cobalt eyes looking onto his Companion again, Heero commented, "I hope you never do cut it. It's beautiful." A playful smirk tugged the corner of his mouth as he bent at the waist to purr by a pink ear, "And I very much look forward to seeing you with it down... wearing nothing else."
The tremor of a shiver that shot through Maxwell's body had him nearly jumping as his breath hitched in his throat. With a half-hearted glare, he lightly swatted his laughing Vampire's head away. "Yea, yea," he groaned dramatically, the smile on his face giving away to the tease. "One of these centuries, maybe."
Nearly every ounce of strength on the living's part came into play to keep himself from envisioning Heero naked. Forcing his breath to remain calm and his pores from sweating and his groin from reacting, he retained his composure to looking unaffected.
Much to his surprise and relief in light of how close he'd come to being completely undone in that moment. He was quite impressed with himself.
Heero's laughter died down to a fit of snickers that Duo joined in on, caught up by the infectious sound. Sighing deeply when they both relaxed again, the Infected shook his head as he smiled, "I love you."
"I know," was the only response that the braided teenager could make, his grin never fading. Chuckling, his Vampire just shook his head in amusement again.
Yet another thing about Heero to be admired, Duo thought to himself. There was no pressure whatsoever on the Infected's part in trying to force him into anything. When he was told by his Other that he needed time and patience to come to terms with everything, they were given unconditionally and without complaint or hesitation.
That act, and so many others that had been shown to the living already, would make it very easy for him to fall in love with Yuy. And when he did sink into the endless abyss of that emotion, he knew that he would plummet hard and fast... never wanting to look back up to the surface for air.
Folding his arms behind his head, Maxwell smirked, "So, now that Wufei and Trowa are going to be around campus, do you think that they' mind helping me pack and move my things in here? I know I still have a whole week to the semester before I have to be out of my dorm, but I don't see why I can't just make my stay here official before then."
He raised an eyebrow at the widening eyes on him and chuckled, "That is, of course, if it's alright with you."
Yuy replied by pulling his Other to sit up in his lap so that he could pull him into a tight embrace. Wrapping his arms around the Infected's neck, Duo laughed, "I take it that's a yes." At the nod against his shoulder, he laughed all the louder.
Perfect. That really was the only way to describe it.
* * * * * *
Trent's fingers trembled in anticipation as he spun the dial of his mail box combination lock. When the latch caught on the last number of his access code, he pulled back to open the small, metal door. Fully anticipating what was waiting for him, he shoved his hand inside to retrieve the thick content within.
Bringing the little, cream-colored item out, the junior shut his mailbox door with his other hand and examined the perfect script handwriting that spelled out his name and address. The edges of the envelope were trimmed with a deep purple detailing.
While the stationary was not feminine, it was definitely not something that Maxwell would have picked out on his own, and the penmanship was too flawless... as well as old-fashioned to have come from his hand. He would have left the invitations to one of those filthy Infected that were not a part of his life.
In the left corner, the return address was missing. Very likely the Vampires were hoping to keep their seclusion as best they could. Smirking to himself, Trent imagined the dozens of Hunters like himself that would be happily visiting the lot to pay them their regards.
Nothing was going to keep those monsters safe, no matter what precautions they took to protect themselves.
Roughly tearing the flap that had been sealed by a circle of red wax that had the imprint of a stamp with an eagle crest, the Hunter removed the silver-leaved invitation. On the front, gold lettering boasted, 'You Are Invited To A Joyous Accession...'
Snorting bitterly to himself, Trent opened the card and read aloud, "Please join us in welcoming the newest member of our family, Duo Maxwell..." He scanned over the time, date, directions and other details needed a in proper invitation.
"Pretty cool, huh?" a familiar voice called through the teenager's darkening thoughts. His head snapping up, he found his two best friends walking up. In their hands, they held the same opened cream-and-purple envelopes.
Alex held up his card, grinning, "I've never been friends with a Chosen before, let alone been invited to a party hosted by a family of Vampires before. We're going to be the envy of the whole school!"
Chuckling, Mueller shook his head, "That includes the faculty every bit as much as our classmates." As he turned to lean against the wall, he tilted his head and frowned, "Something wrong, Trent? You look pissed off about something."
The Hunter turned his head away and cleared his throat. "Sorry, just distracted after my last exam," he lied pretty convincingly. Running a hand through his short brown hair, he peered back at his classmates.
"Hey, about this whole Duo and the Vampires thing," he opened casually, "don't either of you think he's going about this whole moving in with Yuy a little fast? I mean it was just months ago he couldn't stand the thought of being around an Infected."
Shrugging, Alex replied, "Nothing about the bond between Vampires and their Chosen works slowly. Everyone knows that. As far as Duo's situation goes, it just proves that you really can't help who you fall in love with."
Love. What a ridiculous thing for anyone to say... to believe that as disgusting and low a creature as an Infected was capable of love.
Careful to not let onto his ire, Trent took a deep breath. It was only a matter of time before his enemies were taken care of. What anyone else thought about them didn't matter. He'd just have to bide his time for now.
"Right," he nodded. Checking his watch, he suggested, "I say we skip out on dinner at the cafeteria and we go out for a decent meal for a change." Voicing their seconds and thirds of the idea, Alex and Mueller headed out with him.
* * * * * *
The days rolled on until a week had gone by since Treize and his team had left for their hunt. Losing track of the time that had actually passed through the countless miles of the Eastern coast that they'd traveled with much more ground to cover yet, they tracked and perused every potential lead in hope of locating even one of their Rogues.
Unfortunately, as it was always the case, they only came to dead ends wherever they turned.
After scouting the edges of the forest in Maine where they had decided to take up for the night, Treize and Noin returned to the small clearing where they had left their backpacks along with Anna so she could set up their camp.
In the center of the opening, rock-circled fire was already burning when they broke through the thick tree covers. The rich reds, golds and oranges of the flames reflected off the white snow covering the ground and made the flakes falling around that they kissed twinkle like drifting diamonds.
Approaching their friend as she worked away at setting up their tents with her back to them, the cousins heard her mezzo-soprano voice carry on the gentle breeze as she sang, "In the sweet light of the valley. When the sun falls upon the pine. I shall lay down all of my troubles, and I'll lift up this heart of mine."
Noin paused in her footsteps a few feet away from the camp, a small smile on her face as Treize paused beside her in kind. It was a treat whenever the Irish Infected sang. And now in the midst of a lonely, troubling hunt, it was especially welcoming to hear something pleasant and soothing.
With neither of them wanting to break the spell as she happily made their little place in the world as homely as possible, they kept back to take in the whole of the song.
Hammering a stake into the frozen ground with ease, Anna crooned on with a small grin, "Take me home, Lord, oh take me home. O'er the hillside, and o'er the sea, to the soft grass of the valley, where your grace shall set me free."
* * * * * *
[Through the shadow Of the darkness, Through the storms that lead me astray I shall travel forever knowing In your light, I will always stay.]
Two days later...
Closing up the last of the boxes of his belongings, Duo sighed deeply and wiped his damp brow with the back of his hand. "Well, that'll do it," he announced with a wide smile as he taped the lid to keep his CDs from spilling out.
"I'll have to share some of my music collection to broaden your spectrum to some real music," Wufei snickered as he took the box from his would-be-brother-in-law.
Trowa returned from loading his car with Quatre's belongings to make a scan of the dorm room. Seeing that everything was packed away, he stepped aside so that Chang could pass him and gestured to Maxwell, "Ready to head back home, then?"
Home. That was a word that Duo was confident he'd never get tired of.
Slowly turning on his heels to take in the empty, white-walled quarters that had been his last room as a normal living, he took a deep breath and rocked his shoulders back. Meeting his cousin's emerald-and-gold eyes, he grinned with a firm nod. "Yea," he replied. "I'm ready."
That said, he followed after Barton and closed the door behind him without looking back.
[Take me home, Lord, Oh take me home. O'er the hillside, And o'er the sea. To the soft grass of the valley. Where your grace shall set me free.]
TBC...
Author's Note: The song featured is 'Take Me Home' by Lisbeth Scott (fittingly from the series 'True Blood' soundtrack) and can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT05K1bc7lM&feature=related
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