Author's Notes; Mythological AU. Vampire meets Werewolf. Fluff. Plot. Here, we finally get a backstory on Zero (I admit I didn't have one thought out when I started the fic)..and X settles back in with Zero, whose circumstances have changed, though some are similar to before..Please enjoy..
A year passed. Zero had been forced to eliminate all the local werewolves that threatened X. When that was over, Zero reluctantly set X free to explore the world on his own. Zero meant well with the decision, wanting to help X grow. He assured X that X would be welcomed with open arms and a forever home if he ever returned. Saying goodbye broke both of their hearts to the point of tears. Both stayed hopeful that they would meet again.
X's travels were rough. Much like in the old pack, all he could find were meat scraps most of the time. If he found a garden to eat from, he was shoed off. At night, he would often howl Zero's name on the wind. He was much too far away for Zero to hear his cries. He wandered aimlessly and alone, wanting to return to Zero. He only stopped to catch some sleep for brief periods during the day.
In the space of 5 years, X had grown sadder and bigger. He'd caught some attention of local wolf packs as he passed by, paying them no mind. He was starting to recognize the area, getting the feeling that he knew it. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing from it though. As he drew closer, he noticed the old house had collapsed and there was no garden left. The werewolf sat before the spot where the garden was and sniffed around, trying to find Zero's scent. Zero's scent was long gone from the area of the garden, but when X came closer to the house, a bit of Zero's scent lingered. X was excited, feeling more hopeful than ever as he followed the scent into the woods and across a bridge over a lake.
His hopes were dashed when the scent disappeared just after the bridge. The wind had blown it away. X sat by the lake discouraged, howling Zero's name. He howled and cried until he had no breath, crying himself to sleep. He often dreamed of Zero, how Zero might react to how much X grew and going back to the brief life of comfort they knew. At midnight, X was awoken by the smell of raw meat. X had nearly forgotten how hungry he was, surprised to see a big slab of raw meat beside him. He made sure no one else was around to steal his meal before digging into the meat hungrily. As he was eating, he heard a familiar whistle. He quickly stood up and looked around, whimpering with the meat hanging from his mouth. No response. His hopes fell once more as he slowly finished the meat and settled back down to sleep. As he closed his eyes, he felt himself getting lifted up. Next thing he knew, he was listening to a familiar heartbeat. A familiar voice whispered to him. 'I'm so sorry, X. I thought setting you free would allow you to clear your mind and grow. Though I see you have grown a bit, you've only found sorrow. Please forgive me, my little X.' X opened his eyes and slowly looked up. His tail began to wag as he saw who it was. He pounced on Zero, licking Zero's face. Zero chuckled. 'Easy there. I've missed you very much.' X snuggled against Zero, whimpering happily. Zero rubbed X's head gently. 'Change to your human form. Tell me of your travels.'
X changed to his human form. The clothes Zero had made for him had lasted well, but needed a wash. He was a little taller since Zero last saw him with brown hair halfway down his back now. He was very thin, almost ribby, which worried Zero. "My master, I've missed you so. I've dreamt of you so often. My travels were long, lonely, and challenging. Until now, I've not had a decent meal in years. I'm still very hungry. I almost gave up all hope when I saw the old house destroyed and no garden." Zero held X tight. "I apologize from the bottom of my heart. If its in your will to forgive me for letting you go, I'll treat you to a buffet of food. As though I was welcoming a king." X grinned. "I forgive you, Zero, but your motives have me confused." Zero took a deep breath. "I truly wanted you to clear your mind and grow. I wanted the best for you. I didn't realize back then you already had the best in my care. There's an old human saying; If you love someone, set them free. If they return, they were always yours. If not, they never were. Here you are in my arms 5 years after." X smiled and blushed, tears rolled down his cheek. "Where I belong." Zero craddled X in his arms. "Yes. So, you are mine forever this time." X held onto Zero tightly. "Yes, master. I wanted to be yours forever." Zero nodded. "I realized that, but I thought I was doing the right thing." X snuggled Zero as Zero carried him. "I can't be mad at you for that, master. What matters is that I'm where I'm wanted and loved." Zero smiled. "Indeed, you are. Not a night has been spent in these 5 long years without a thought about you."
Zero carried X to a house smaller than the old one. "I downsized a bit, though it is more spacious than it appears. There is plenty of room for one more" X blushed brightly, looking at the house. "Remember what you said before? You wanted to give me puppies if I wanted that. Will there be room for them?" Zero smirked. "Why don't I show you?" He walked to the house, sidestepping X inside. X looked around in awe. "Wow, this is roomy." The large den connected to a large kitchen. There were two bathrooms. Each door had a medium size room behind it. The master bedroom was the only big room with its own bathroom. Zero looked down at X. "What do you think?" X nodded. "I think this can work. Though, I have to ask. Do you still have a garden?" Zero carried X to a back window. "See for yourself." X looked out the back window and was surprised. Zero had many crops already growing and some just getting started, all protected by an electric fence. "You are a rather impressive farmer, master. Might I ask who built the house and when?" Zero smirked. "Me. 4 years ago." X looked up at Zero. "Master, you're something else." Zero chuckled, taking X to the den. "I'm but a centennial vampire." X tilted his head. "How many years does the average vampire see?" Zero shrugged. "Provided we don't let our powers make us overconfident, I would say perhaps 40 to 50 years. Mind you, this is before the blood craving begins to weaken. Our bloodlust is still strong at that point. What kills us is mobs of angry people coming after us when we've gotten cocky." He looked to the back window again. "I was lucky enough not to have that problem. I was raised in the desert. My parents got caught in the midst of warring desert tribes. None knew we were vampires. I was lucky enough to slip away and in that old house I remained for many years, taking all of my parents belongings with me."
X paused, staring at Zero. "You never told me such things before. I didn't know you're a desert vampire. Come to think of it, since vampires hate sun, that would be the last place to find a vampire." Zero nodded, sitting X on the couch before removing his shirt. X had missed seeing Zero's toned and somewhat tan body before him. Zero held his arms out a little. "This body..is tempered to survive in extreme cold and extreme heat. This means, unlike normal vampires, I will not perish in sunlight, though it doesn't mean I like the sun. My circumstances just so happened to reverse an ancient vampire weakness. To be fair, desert vampires are very rare." X looked at the rings around Zero's eyes and the socks on his arms. "Those black marks would only be explainable if you lived in extreme conditions. They serve to protect you from the sun." Zero nodded. "That's correct. Plus, I have tribal marks on my shoulders to prove my heritage." He pointed to one shoulder. X looked carefully. He could see a black anhk with two black rings going around the width of his arm. "Wow, you have ankhs. As if you're made for eternal life." Zero smiled sadly. "I learned the hard way that life, even if not eternal, is lonely and dull without my little pup." X nodded. "Life was hard for me without you. Had you not given me immortality, I probably would be dead now. You made the right move at the right time." Zero grinned. "Its a knack I've picked up around my late 20s. It seems to be improving as I grow older. One more thing, desert dwellers, human or vampire make giving passionate lovers, as you have perhaps witnessed." X blushed brightly. "Yes, I know. You're very passionate and caring. Life with you was the best I ever knew." Zero pinned X gently. "We will return to that life. With fewer issues this time. The werewolves avoid this area." X tilted his head. "What about that siren?" Zero lowered his head. "It was she who destroyed the house. She still searches for me. On the bright side, our new neighbors here are also vampires. Only one other male is my age, perhaps older. This time, my little X, we have backup. Protection from any enemies." X began to feel outnumbered now. "Do they view the feud in the same way as you?" Zero shrugged. "I'm sorry to say that I can't be certain. If they aren't though, you will always have me. Rest, little pup, I'll make you plenty of food while you sleep."
X tried to relax on the couch, slowly nodding off. The redhead was checking some meat in the oven when he heard a knock at the door. He went to the door briskly, opening it. At the door stood the other centennial vampire he had mentioned to X. Zero knew his name to be Bertram. Bertram was pale compared to Zero, dressed in similar high end clothes as Zero sometimes wore. His fangs were long, his eyes red, and his hair short and black. "Please pardon my intrusion, Zero. I came to warn you that a werewolf was spotted and heard near us." Zero tried to cover for X as much as he could. "All is silent now, Bertram. Run off, I'd expect." Bertram nodded. "So one would think. Keep your eyes peeled. They can be tricky." Bertram happened to spot X. "Who's this? He didn't come with you when you came here, did he?" Zero grew a little nervous. "No, he didn't. This is my mate, X. He had left after some conflicts around my old home." Bertram looked at X closely. "Zero, your mate is a werewolf. Why are you courting a werewolf?" Zero knew the jig was up. "Ok, you caught me. He was thrown out of his pack because he was among the weaker pack members. I found him injured and we've bonded ever since. We know of the ancient feud, but I have never viewed him as a threat. He is much more humble and peaceful than your average werewolf." Bertram stared at Zero. Zero stood ready to protect X if needs be. "Do spare him, Bertram. He is my little pup. I am his Master. I know him very well. He will not harm even a fly." Bertram pondered. "Bring him out with you tomorrow night. We'll all see how behaved he is." With that, Bertram left. Zero sighed in relief, looking back at his sleeping werewolf. 'I'll never send you away..If they send me away, I will take you with me.'