This is the sequel to my story 'Without', so if you haven't read it you should probably go do that first. For the rest of you, if you can't deal with sexual content you should probably click the back button. That is all.
Marx wandered through the halls of the empty castle aimlessly, his footsteps echoing faintly off the ancient stonework. There was a time he would have been busy amusing himself by tormenting the civilians, but not anymore. A veil of melancholy hung over him, the normally enthusiastic jester's gaze staring off somberly in a far unseeable distance.
It had been a few years since he'd first met Zero, and many planets had fallen under his power since then. There had been nothing quite as thrilling as having total control of an entire planet and doing whatever he wanted with it. But, over the years, he'd grown more and more depressed.
Marx rarely ever got to see Zero anymore, receiving most of his orders through the Dark Matter. It hadn't been like that at first, but over time it seemed like Zero had become determined to avoid him at all costs. Unlike the Dark Matter, who'd adjusted remarkably well, Zero was having an extreme difficulty accepting his new set of emotions. He often became temperamental as a result and refused to allow Marx to come near him much.
Dejected and consumed by loneliness, he no longer derived pleasure from the mindless slaughter of countless innocents. The only thing he had to look forward to was when Zero had to come feed him his blood, as it was the only time Zero would reluctantly allow him to come near. Not that it helped his mood much.
Marx sighed, rubbing his temples with his claws in an attempt to ease his pounding head. Zero was late.
Again.
"One of these days he's probably not even going to show up at all," grumbled Marx, kicking at a stone in his frustration. He made his way to the castle garden, where he'd overrun the pace with massive rosebushes. His plants were a small comfort for him, so he made a point to create a pile of them on every planet he conquered.
The roses were beginning to blacken, a sign that this particular planet was almost ready for assimilation. He felt no satisfaction from this knowledge. Another planet soon to be lost to oblivion. Big deal.
"Marx?" called out a familiar voice.
"Yeah, I'm here," said Marx flatly, not bothering to move. From the corner of his eye he could see the tell-tale whiteness of Zero's form.
"You're late again," added Marx.
"You don't help things by wandering off into an abandoned castle without telling anyone," said Zero, moving himself in front of the jester.
"I guess so," said Marx, stubbornly refusing to look up at him.
"Well, I suppose it doesn't matter," said Zero, settling himself on the ground, "I found you regardless. Now come here before it worsens."
"No," said Marx, turning away from him petulantly. Zero didn't bother giving him the argument he seemed to be trying to start. Instead he extended his tail and gently drew Marx to him, allowing him to passively lean against his matted fur.
"You look tired," said Zero, noting the dark circles under his eyes, "Have you not been sleeping?"
"Just...bad dreams," said Marx, relaxing somewhat as he felt the first drops of blood drip down on him.
"Oh, like what?" asked Zero. He was hardly oblivious to Marx's descent into depression, but he had no idea how to help him or any understanding as to why it was even happening. He was beginning to worry things would become the way it had with Chroma all over again.
"I don't want to talk about it right now," said Marx, snuggling closer. As much as he wanted to reject Zero's company out of spite, he couldn't help but enjoy the sensation of his blood trickling down on him. He found it's warmth quite soothing, and for a moment he could forget everything that was troubling him.
"I love you," muttered Marx, the sound of his voice muffled by Zero's fur. There was no response, leading Marx to believe he had not heard him until he felt his tail purposefully slip between his feet. He gasped in a mixture of surprise and pleasure, shivering as Zero carefully caressed him. He knew this was dangerous, as Zero's spines still bore sharp tips even in his relaxed state, but this knowledge only served to further excite him. Losing himself to instinct, he began to lap up Zero's blood hungrily while unconsciously spreading his feet to give him easier access.
"You've not taken any females recently," noted Zero, still able to maintain his frigid countenance even with the moaning jester pressed up against him.
"Ah...how do you know that?" asked Marx.
"I can smell them on you when you do," answered Zero.
"Zero...hah...you don't even have a nose," teased Marx. He thought he saw a spark of amusement flicker in Zero's eye, but it was so quick he might as well have imagined it. His thoughts were swiftly forgotten as he climaxed, letting out a soft growl as he clamped down on Zero with his fangs. It took him a moment to realize what he was doing.
"Oh shit, sorry!" exclaimed Marx, promptly letting go.
"It's fine," said Zero as if nothing had happened, "That should be more than enough blood for a while." He lifted himself off the ground, clearly intending to leave.
"Waaait," whined Marx, "Don't go."
"Marx you know that's not..." began Zero.
"Pleaaaase," pleaded Marx, making himself look as cute as possible, "Just for a little while?" Zero rolled his eye. He hated it when he tried to cute his way into getting what he wanted. It was a terrible habit.
"Fine," said Zero, "Just take that insincere look off your face before I do it for you."
"Shut-up," spat Marx with an exaggerated frown.
"Hmm...better." said Zero, resting his form back onto the ground. Marx grinned in spite of himself. Zero normally rejected his attempts at convincing him to stay. This was a pleasant change, if only for the moment.
Marx curled up beside Zero, exhaustion catching up to him. He was soon fast asleep, leaving Zero to ponder whether or not he should slink off until he too drifted to sleep. Unbeknownst to either of them, they were not as alone as they thought.
