Disclaimer: not mine
Chapter 5
Gladio groaned, his head was killing him, had they gone out partying? He struggled to remember and then his eyes snapped open and he yanked against the solid cuffs holding him in place. He'd been searching, then there'd been impact…from above, pain and then nothing. He was indoors…the lighting low but…a bedroom? There was a massive bed and on it was four bodies.
One lay off to the side, a limp hand over the edge of the mattress….bright blond hair haloed on the bed. Prompto? He wasn't moving, utterly naked, but…he thought he was breathing. Please let him be breathing. The other three were curled together, one female and two males. Which should mean Ignis and Noctis except…no…please no.
That was when he realised the woman was watching him. She sat up, just as naked as the others and there was something….vaguely familiar about her. Which meant he was right; this was about his and his Dad's past.
He moved his eyes back to the others, trying to take in the changes to them. It…was odd, they didn't look fully like new vampires, but he'd never seen someone who was still changing before.
Her hand stroked Ignis' hair and he moved, pressing into her touch. "Wake up Childe, your new brother is awake," she crooned and to his shock, Ignis lifted his head, revealing eyes that were a mix of the beloved green and vampiric crimson. He made an odd sounding noise, almost a purr, as he rubbed his head against her.
"Ignis," Gladio choked and his boyfriend, his partner, looked over at him….with no recognition. What had she done to make Ignis fully forget him? "Iggy, it's me," he called and Ignis cocked his head to the side, staring at him curiously.
"Go to him Ignis," she encouraged and Ignis stood, walking towards him, letting Gladio take a good look at how he had changed.
Cool fingers lifted to touch his face; cool…but not cold. He should be as cold as death, but he wasn't. His lips parted, revealing fangs but once again they weren't normal - too small. Ignis leant in, pressing his nose to Gladio's throat and he fought the instinct to tense or try to pull away. Ignis nosed at his throat, breathing in deeply, taking in his scent, and then a cool tongue lapped at his skin and he shivered at the feeling. That was when he realised he was as naked as everyone else.
"Do you like your new brother Ignis?"
He lifted his head to study Gladio and then smiled. "Yes Sire." He rubbed his cheek against Gladio's, and he leant into the touch, unable to help himself, it was still Ignis.
"Don't you recognise me Iggy?" he asked softly, turning his head slightly to press his lips to Ignis', hearing the pleased noise he made at the contact, Ignis happily kissing him, pressing his body closer, tangling their hands together despite the cuffs. Gladio blinked as he realised Ignis was breathing and…yeah, that was a pulse though incredibly slow that he could just feel in his wrist.
Gladio looked at the reclining woman, finding Noctis' head in her lap, blue/red eyes now open and looking at them with a childish curiosity, even as her hand stroked black hair. "What have you done to them?" he demanded because if Ignis was still alive then Noct was likely too. "They're still alive!"
"After a fashion," she shrugged elegantly and then leant forward. "You really don't know? Well…that is unexpected," she chuckled and Noctis whined softly, rubbing his cheek against her thigh. "There are two methods to turn someone. The quick way where the blood exchange is done in one go and then the human appears dead for three days. It's a perfectly accepted method but I prefer the other method, especially for those who will be my Childer," she indicated him and Ignis and then smiled down at Noctis, "and my Mate."
Noctis? Her Mate? No…what about Prompto? Noctis didn't really care for women, not that he'd ever had a choice.
She followed his gaze to Prompto. "He was to be your brother, but it seems there is more to young Prompto's past than he knew. But we were discussing turning humans."
Gladio tightened his grip on Ignis' hand and Iggy made the almost purring noise again, nuzzling at him…trying to comfort him? He forced himself to listen as she explained the longer method, three bites spread out over time, with the human changing more and more each time. It explained the changed appearance, the mix of human and vampire. "And mentally?" he asked, looking at where Noctis lay, not listening or reacting to anything but her touch.
"A side effect of the changes. Although Noctis' state I believe is due to how he struggled against giving in at first. The magic of his family attempted to protect him and then collapsed. They will regain whatever they would have if the other method had been used." She scratched her nails through Noct's hair and he chirped and whined, nothing really human in his reactions. She then gently moved him over to where Prompto lay and Noctis muzzled at him before curling around him. "Ignis," she called and Ignis immediately left him to go to her.
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The horror and despair Gladio was radiating was delicious. The pain of his lover not recognising him was perfect, although he shocked her by kissing Ignis who happily returned it, that she hadn't expected. She had thought he'd be disgusted by Ignis' touch now but he wasn't or was able to hide it completely. His fear spiked when she called Ignis back, wrapping her arms around her oldest Childe to draw him into her straddling her, before kissing him. She lay back and rolled so they were on their sides, face to face.
"No…please," Gladio begged as her hands wandered over pale skin.
She ignored his plea, kissing Ignis again, hearing the noises he was making in pleasure at her touch. She glanced back at Gladio and smirked as she guided Ignis into her body.
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Gladio watched them together, unable to look away as she raped Ignis. As far as he was concerned, that was what it was. Ignis wasn't in his right mind, he couldn't consent. The expression on his face as he climaxed…that was still the same, still his Iggy. And then he cried out in horror as she sank her fangs into Ignis' throat, Ignis whining and moaning but not in pain. Gradually he went still and Gladio could hear the quiet gasps of his breath as he became even paler, his blood being drained away.
"Ignis," he called desperately, and glassy eyes looked his way. "I'm here Ignis," he didn't know if Ignis could understand him, but he needed him to know he wasn't alone.
He strained against his restraints, but they were too strong. Ignis' arms slipped from her body as his strength drained away, one hand outstretched towards him and he saw Ignis' fingers twitch. He kept eye contact until Ignis' eyes fell shut, breath sighing out of him. She sat up and then lifted Ignis' limp body into her arms, cradling him to her chest. She gently opened his mouth and then bit into her own wrist, finishing the process. When she removed her wrist she carefully settled Ignis back on the bed and Gladio bit back a sob…he looked like a corpse…Ignis was dead. When he woke he'd be fully a vampire. Would anything of his Iggy survive the change?
She stood from the bed and approached him, and he snarled at her in rage. She cupped his face in her hands and he tried to pull away, but she was too strong. "Shh Childe," she stroked his cheek. "It will be your turn soon enough. Ignis will wake tomorrow night and then Noctis will undergo the bite. I'll even let you see them, to see that it isn't a bad thing."
"You killed him," Gladio snapped at her.
"His humanity perhaps. You will be together forever Gladio, no worry of ever losing him to illness or age. I'll take you all home and you'll love Tenebrae; you can live with him there in peace."
"And Prompto?" he demanded.
She let him go and returned to the bed, carefully lifting Prompto to carry him over which was confusing. She then held up Prom's right wrist, revealing the barcode there and Gladio froze. He'd seen those before…on MT's.
"No…that's impossible!"
"Agreed," she shocked him as she gently lay Prompto's hand back on his chest, holding him as if he weighed nothing, despite being a few inches shorter than the other blond. "And yet he responded like an MT to a vampires advances. The programming was completely dormant within him until then. Once active it took control and began rewriting his mind. I separated his human memories and personality, what was left after I realised what was happening. Hopefully, the two separate 'minds' can be reintegrated at some point. It would seem that Besithia has been lying to the world about his creations."
"We…we thought he was a bastard…" Gladio admitted, staring at Prompto. "He's too still…"
"Stasis mode," she explained, stroking blond hair. "Like this he can survive for months without food or water, It's how MT's are transported cheaply. He isn't aware of anything, even if he was conscious all he can do is follow orders. He is still in the 'programming' stage of new ownership. If you're worried, he will be with his beloved Noctis, I will not part them."
"Why are you doing this?" he asked, wishing he could reach out and touch Prompto, to assure himself he was alive. She lifted Prompto's limp hand and then pressed his wrist against Gladio's fingers, letting him feel the very slow pulse for himself. She then settled Prompto back on the bed before returning to Gladio.
"Do you not recognise me Gladio?" she asked, once again caressing his face.
He swallowed but shook his head. "Maybe….a little familiar?"
"You and your Father destroyed my family, killed them all. I could have done the same thing, instead you will have eternity with those you love. You Father can live with his guilt and grief until your sister is grown and then he will die. For her sake, he will live for now. See how kind I can be?"
"Who are you?"
"Lunafreya Nox Fleuret," she answered, and he swallowed, he remembered now…he'd never wanted to take that job…they were born vampires not turned, but his Dad had insisted.
If she was being truthful then Iris was safe and that was a relief. No matter what happened to them, his sister would be okay. It was his fault, if he had never invited Ignis to live with him…remained just acquaintances…then he'd be alive and human. Noctis and Prompto though would still be in this mess because Noct was a Lucis Caelum and he was an Amicitia. He'd known Noctis had magic, the idea that it had tried to protect him but that it had backfired, leaving him apparently unable to speak and he hadn't really moved much on his own either.
And Prompto…bright, bubbly Prompto…an MT? How was it possible? He'd seen MT's before with their creepy empty eyes and blank faces until programmed to suite their owners desires and usually that was for something that didn't exactly need them able to think or speak. How could Prompto be so different? A glitch in the program? Or…or were they all capable of being real people?
"Shh, it will be alright, you'll see. It's time to sleep now Gladio," she murmured, still stroking his face and he felt himself relaxing, exhaustion seeping in, and he couldn't fight it.
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She watched amber eyes close in sleep and smirked, kissing slack lips before returning to the bed and the watching Noctis. The emotional turmoil had been enough to weaken his defences so she could put him to sleep which was good, she didn't want to have to deal with him all day after all. She undid the restraints and lay him on the floor to sleep since she didn't want him injured.
She drew Noctis into her arms, smiling as he cuddled in, seeking affection. "Tomorrow night is your turn," she murmured, despite knowing he didn't understand. She would miss the childish innocence, but it would be good to have a mate who could understand and speak with her. She stroked his hair and he gave his best effort at purring.
Noctis was beautiful in his partial transition, he'd been paler than Ignis to start and may end up even paler than she was once it was over. That paleness contrasted nicely with the deep black of his hair though it was a pity he would lose the blue eyes for a time. He had fine, aristocratic features, not surprising considering his family line. She stroked his cheek and he leant into her touch, eager noises coming from him and she smiled before kissing him.
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Clarus collapsed in his chair, staring at the framed photo on his desk. It was a picture of the four boys at Gladio and Ignis' graduation. They looked so happy…and yet there was also a sadness to them, they'd known their time together was growing ever shorter. It was most noticeable in the younger boys, but it was there in all of them. He'd been proud of Gladio for doing so well in class and now….now he may never see his son again. Even worse, he may be forced to kill what was left of him.
He'd let stupid pride get the better of him and he was paying for it. Thankfully, Iris didn't know her brother was missing yet and he didn't know how to tell her. She was close to all four of the boys, had been terrified each time another went missing, had begged Gladio to remain at home where it was safe…
Regis may never speak with him again if they didn't find them alive and he wouldn't blame him. He'd been so sure Ignis' disappearance had nothing to do with his past but when he was used as bait for Noctis it had been harder to ignore. He'd been doing his own investigating, but he had found nothing. Whoever or whatever had taken them was smart and knew how to hide.
They had to find them.
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Gladio woke as the cuffs sealed around his wrists, shaking his head to try and wake up quicker. It took a second to remember what was going on and then he yanked on the restraints, but it was too late, and they were secure. He watched her walk back to the bed where an awake Noctis was lying in the middle of the bed, propped up on pillows so he could watch. Lying where he'd been placed before was a still Prompto, unchanged from last time…last night? On Noct's other side…was Ignis' body.
"He should wake any minute, the sun set about ten minutes ago," Lunafreya told him as she moved to cradle Ignis in her arms, stroking his hair as it fell to about his shoulders.
Ignis never wore his hair so long, he liked it neat and short. His body was pale, bloodless, fingers nails clawed where they rested on the bed. His body had changed, more muscular in some places, built for supernatural speed and strength, the perfect predator. He was still beautiful to Gladio, no matter what he looked like. Ignis twitched and then his eyes slowly opened, revealing crimson orbs, no sign of familiar green. His gaze immediately focused on her and Gladio practically held his breath, was there anything of his Ignis left?
There! A flicker of confusion on his face before he relaxed, leaning into the hand that was now cupping his cheek. "Sire," Ignis murmured and even his voice was different, smoother. She leant in and kissed him and Ignis clung to her, eagerly responding.
Gladio felt as if his heart was breaking even further. Ignis had never liked girls, never been at all interested in them, seeing him so eager… "Iggy," he whispered, and they stopped kissing, both looking at him.
Ignis looked back at her and she motioned for him to get up so Ignis got off the bed and walked towards him. Gladio couldn't help letting his eyes wander over his naked form. Ignis stopped in front of him, looking at him, and Gladio saw a flicker of something…recognition?
"Please Ignis, it's me," he murmured, knowing Ignis' senses were now way beyond his own and not wanting to hurt his sensitive hearing.
Ignis reached out, tracing his cheek, and Gladio pressed into his touch. Ignis' hand moved down his throat and then his chest, tracing his tattoo. "G…Gla…dio?" Crimson eyes locked on him, confusion evident and Gladio nodded.
"It's me Iggy," he managed a weak smile and then Ignis was pressed against him, truly purring now, his body deathly cold but Gladio didn't care, Ignis knew him.
Ignis nuzzled at his throat, sniffing, licking the skin. "M…my throat," Ignis moaned. "Smell so good," he whimpered, clutching Gladio's shoulders.
Gladio felt razor sharp fangs scrape across the skin and he bit his lip to keep quiet. He wanted to touch him, to hold him and promise he'd help him adapt and not be a monster. "It's okay Ignis, it's okay," he whispered, glancing up at her to find she was watching them curiously.
Ignis whined, trembling, his grip tightening to almost painful levels.
"He's starving, why haven't you given him anything?" he demanded.
"I have, you, and yet he's holding back."
"Hurts," Ignis moaned, shivering and shuddering against him.
Gladio tugged at the restraints and Ignis looked up, reaching up to touch the cuff.
"What?" he looked so confused. He grabbed the chain and pulled, and she did nothing to stop him even as it ripped free.
As soon as his arm was loose, Gladio wrapped it around Ignis, holding him close, rubbing his back. "It's okay, I've got you," he whispered, kissing Ignis' temple. "You know me."
Ignis met his eyes and Gladio refused to flinch from the crimson. He stared at him and then nodded. "My Gladio," he whispered, purring again. He leant in and Gladio met him without hesitation, kissing him tenderly.
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She was honestly amazed by Ignis. Minutes after waking and he was resisting fresh blood right from the source, choosing to touch and now kiss Gladio. He had to be in so much pain, he was shaking with the need to feed. She didn't stop him freeing one of the man's arms, not after seeing him trying to comfort her confused Childe. No, he would not try to harm Ignis, not when he remembered him and was responding so well to him.
"Ignis, you need to feed Childe," she whispered as she appeared swiftly behind him, hands settling on his hips. He whimpered in distress, clinging to Gladio who held on just as tightly. "It's alright, I won't let you drain him," she promised. "You don't mind, do you Gladio? Letting your blood be his first true meal?" she asked with a smirk and he swallowed, staring at her before he slowly nodded.
"For Iggy," he agreed, surprising her again. Such love…
She reached out and undid the other cuff. "You'll be more comfortable on the bed boys." She guided Ignis back and Gladio moved with them since Ignis was still clinging to him. It would make beginning his transformation easier too. Let Ignis drink from him and then when he was weak she would simply give him her blood to begin the change.
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Ignis fell onto the bed with Gladio, it felt familiar, right. He couldn't focus, couldn't think. He didn't know what was happening, but his throat was so dry, he was so thirsty, and Gladio smelt so good. he didn't understand why he was sucking on his neck, his teeth literally aching to bite, and then Gladio's hand was in his hair, holding his head there.
"It's okay Iggy, just do what you need to," Gladio whispered, stroking his hair, and Ignis whimpered, opening his mouth wider, latching on. Gladio groaned and then hot, rich, liquid was filling his mouth and he swallowed hungrily.
Heat rushed through his body and he began moving against him on instinct, his body equating feeding with physical pleasure due to her method of turning him, not that he knew that.
He cut off a growl as hands touched him, instinctually recognising his Sire's touch as she helped him move position.
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Gladio groaned as razor sharp fangs pierced his skin, running his hands over Ignis' body in an effort to comfort him and keep him calm as he fed. He knew the kind of damage that could be done during a feeding. He felt Ignis begin moving against him and it felt good, distracting him from the feel of Ignis feeding.
He heard the cut off growl from Iggy and then there were cold, feminine hands nudging his legs apart, letting Iggy settle between them. He felt something touch him and realised what was happening, but he didn't struggle, forcing his body to relax and not fight the intrusion. She was…it felt strange but better that then Iggy trying something and accidentally hurting him. It was obvious Ignis was reacting on instinct only at the moment. At least she didn't want Ignis having the guilt of hurting him either.
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She sat back and watched as Ignis fed from his lover even as he began to move inside of him, the human doing nothing to struggle, holding the newborn vampire close. With his size, age, and health, he'd have a healthy supply of blood at least.
Noctis was watching them as well with wide, curious eyes, licking his lips at the scent of Gladio's blood. She stroked his side and he cuddled into her, if Ignis had more control, she'd leave them to it and finish the process with Noctis, but there was far too much risk that Ignis would take too much.
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Gladio's arm slipped from around Ignis, no longer having the strength to hold on. "Ig…gy," he slurred, body relaxed from pleasure and blood loss. He struggled to keep his eyes open, black spots in his vision.
"Easy Childe, time to stop, you don't want to hurt him," she whispered, her voice fading in and out of his hearing.
The pressure and mild pain at his neck stopped, a cold tongue lapping at the skin, and then crimson eyes were staring down at him. "Gladio?" Ignis' voice was surer…worried?
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Ignis licked his lips, staring down at a pale Gladio, there was a taste in his mouth, so delicious. He felt so strange… but Gladio was there, they'd be okay. A hand caressed his cheek, turning his head to meet blue eyes, so pale. "Sire," he whispered without thought.
"Good boy," she praised, and he shivered but let her draw him away from Gladio, unable to resist. She pulled him closer, kissing him, and he clung to her, it felt so good. "Go to Noctis, Ignis," she told him, and he blinked dazedly, seeing…was that Noctis? He crawled across the bed and Noctis reached for him, limbs ungainly.
Ignis reached out and froze, staring down at his own hand for a second, before needing to reach out further and touch Noctis. Something…something had happened? Wasn't right? Noctis made a happy little chirping noise and Ignis knew it was happiness to have him there. He carefully lifted Noctis and cradled him in his lap, hearing a strange noise…his throat and chest vibrating. He…he was purring?
He looked back at Sire to see her with Gladio cradled against her chest, her wrist against his mouth. There was something…there was a tiny voice in his head saying to stop her, that she was hurting Gladio…but he couldn't. Eventually she lay Gladio down and Ignis couldn't help whimpering.
Sire looked up and smiled gently. "It's alright Ignis, he'll be alright," she promised, and he believed her immediately. She moved to his side and he leant against her.
"My head," he whispered, and she kissed him.
"I know, it'll get better. Just relax," she stroked his face and he sighed, feeling calm and relaxed. She gently laid him down, petting his hair, Noctis still curled up on top of him. "Sleep Childe," she whispered, and he yawned.
He was so tired…
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Luna gently laid Noctis' body on the bed, his body utterly still in temporary death. Once sure they were all resting and safe, she left. She needed to feed herself and she needed more than the blood she had in the house for them. Noctis would be starving when he woke the next night, just as hungry as Ignis had been but without a living donor to feed from.
That was still a shock, she hadn't expected the son of a hunter, someone who had helped, to ever willingly allow a vampire to feed from them, even if that vampire had once been their lover.
What other surprised would her new family have in store for her?
TBC…
