It finally happened, although it was in a dream. I dreamed that Ken'ichi Suzumura was reading Madness – Zack-voice! He kept laughing during serious parts, though. I think it was nervous laughter. Who knows, I might've been holding him hostage or something.
After the hurt comes the comfort, WEEE, and this chapter is mostly comfort, with some character analysis. Also, sex.
Don't own the eye-candy, do own my versions of them.
WITH THE DEAD
Chapter 9
However upset Genesis had been by the previous day's unfortunately-necessary event, he was aware that it had been just that – unfortunately necessary. Therefore he was not angry at Angeal at all, but also not in a very good mood. The elder sire kept this as best he could from Zack, however, who seemed to be trying to keep his promise and was not trying to read the thoughts going over his head…or rather, the lack of them. Perceptive as ever, the boy sensed the tension between his parents and was on edge himself, torn between annoyance at Genesis for not talking much to Angeal and guilt for feeling that he himself was the cause of this.
Since their return the previous day, Genesis had been admittedly hogging Zack, which Angeal was indulgently, just not happily, allowing. Angeal understood that if he himself was Zack's father, Genesis was definitely his mother, more coddling, more sensitive, and if not less confident about the newborn's strength, maybe just not fully aware of it. Angeal had been Zack's teacher and had known him as a promising SOLDIER. Genesis had only ever known him as a child…a prodigy, yes, but a child. A baby, now, one he, among other things, felt a strong biological impulse to feed, from the usual spot on his body.
The trouble was, this evening Zack was not remotely interested in eating, which was unusual for a vampire his age. He wasn't exactly nauseated, couldn't be as he was no longer human – he said he simply wasn't feeling hungry, and enough so that he was avoiding feeding even though he knew it was steadily bothering Genesis more and more. As per usual, Genesis had offered him the breast the second he'd woken up that evening, but was understanding when the sleepy boy asked to wait a while. It was now several hours past sunset, Zack had demurred four times more, and though Genesis wasn't sure he could even be what one would call angry at his child, the sire was irritated enough that the perceptive newborn was finally avoiding him and the guilt he felt altogether, having withdrawn to his bedroom to leisurely browse through some packets of photos he'd borrowed from Angeal.
As the teenager flipped through some artistic shots of a Costa del Sol sunrise, he thought of something. Angeal? How come humans think we can't be out during the day when we really can?
Angeal was on the other side of the room near Zack's dresser and closet, folding, hanging, and putting away clean clothes. Can't say for sure, but it's possible that our vampiric ancestors did have a problem with sunlight. Some say the Council has knowledge of our distant predecessors they aren't sharing, but they're a tight-lipped group. Then again, it could just be exaggeration. Your eyes are still sensitive to bright light, and will be for at least several more years, and anyway, because of that trait we get in the habit from our early years after transformation of being more active at night.
Zack smiled, loving how thoughtful his former teacher was, then frowned. You really shouldn't do that, you know.
Angeal chuckled out loud. What, answer your questions?
No, do my laundry and stuff like that. If you and Gen keep up this behavior, I'm gonna get all lazy. Why do you do it, anyway? When we were in SOLDIER, you were always nagging me to be responsible and independent.
You were human. The path of your life was different then.
What do you mean?
As your mentor in SOLDIER, it was my responsibility not only to train you in fighting, but to make you ready to be able to do everything for yourself when you became an adult. Had I not made you learn how to take care of yourself, I would've been setting you up for failure.
Zack nodded thoughtfully. And now?
Another chuckle. And now, frankly, you don't have to take care of yourself. Don't get me wrong, it's good that you learned to wash your clothes, keep your room clean, cook…though of course you don't need that skill anymore. It's just that you're going through another childhood now, in which Gen and I both want to and feel we should do everything for you. When the fifty years are up, we'll try, I will at least, to treat you like more of an adult, but remember also, you were sixteen years, four months, and twelve days old when we transformed you, and in some ways, you will never be older than that.
Zack blinked with surprise, and laughed a little. How long were you keeping such an exact count of my age before then? And why?
Pretty much since we met. As for why… Angeal hesitated, though it seemed to be a pause of searching for the right phrasing, not a reluctance to answer. …to remind myself to keep my hands off you.
Well, I'm glad you failed.
I am, too.
Though his sire was facing away from him currently, Zack directed a pout at him anyway. Hey, you feel bad. Don't feel bad. If you and I hadn't gotten together, you wouldn't have changed me and we would've lost each other.
Angeal didn't say anything, but it felt to the newborn that the elder was leaving his mind open for Zack to sort of peek in and draw his own conclusions. Waiting for a sort of permission to be felt, Zack probed Angeal's thoughts a bit, felt happy to see how predominant his own past and present self was in them, and surprised that Angeal had been watching him so closely for so long, had begun to love him very early on in their acquaintance. More than love, though. They were a bit harder to get to, there was some resistance on Angeal's part to show them, but there were also indications of romantic and sexual interest from earlier than Zack had realized. He saw Angeal's memories of looking up and down Zack's body starting when he was only 14 or 15.
This didn't bother Zack, he was flattered, but he sensed the sire's guilt over it, and he tried pushing a flow of love toward him the way Angeal often did for him. It was a beginner's effort, but Angeal felt reassured enough by it to allow himself to walk over to the bed Zack was sitting on, pick him up, and gather him into a hug.
Thank you, baby Puppy.
Did you really think I'd be mad at you or something?
A sigh, out loud. There's more than what you looked at.
Tell me.
Ever the teacher, Angeal said, If you really must know, try probing for it. I give you permission to go as deeply in as you can.
Zack was pleased about this, as one of the things his parents had been teaching him was to not use his unusually strong abilities to reach without permission into other people's heads, more than he could help doing, anyway. In a way that he could not have explained aloud to anyone even with a gun to his head, the teenager sort of dove gently into the complicated, twisting-corridors palace that was Angeal's mind, guiding himself by following Angeal's hidden guilt in hopes of reassuring it away.
It was like a combination of a rambling castle and a funhouse mirror maze in there, the latter because Zack saw so much of himself in Angeal's thoughts, almost as though Angeal had been taking photographs of him every day they'd been together, doing everything they did, and had plastered them all over every wall. (There were about as many of Genesis too, and they were made and displayed with just as much love.) Wandering around, fascinated by Angeal's intelligent and philosophical thoughts, Zack finally came to an isolated door. It was not a real door, of course, just a visual for what a door represents in the human mind. A locked door, Zack found when he tried to turn the ornate handle.
Angeal, let me in. Hesitation. Daddy. There's nothing that could be in here that would make me stop loving you.
That apparently worked, because Zack found himself entering a dark room, thinking for a split second it was an actual darkroom like where Angeal developed his photos, but there was some illumination, a single light bulb dangling from a chain from the unseen ceiling. It was slowly swinging all around as if propelled by some invisible force, and it lit up each wall and corner in turn. When Zack followed the light to what it shone upon, he saw first a "photograph" of a tombstone standing on a bed of grass, but he couldn't catch the name etched on it, only the bright red word NO across it. Next, a snapshot from what looked like a wedding, a dark-haired groom in a suit and a woman in a veil, their faces turned away from the "camera," also with a sort of paint-splashed red NO. Then what looked like a bedroom that was dusty and filled with cobwebs, clearly having not been used for a long time – again with the NO. Last in the cycle was one that jolted Zack into realization – an image of himself bloody and clearly dead, looking a few years older than he did now and ever would. In bright, angry red – NO.
The cycle of illumination began again, and this time Zack chased it with painful understanding. The name on the gravestone was his own. NO. The groom at the marriage altar was himself, marrying some unknown woman. NO. The abandoned bedroom was the room they were currently in, unused as though Zack had never been made a vampire. NO. Finally, there was the corpse he might have become on any mission he ever might have taken. NO. The realistic images were Angeal's old fears, the red word his screams against them.
What did it mean? Having seen these hated images along with Zack, Angeal was silent, saddened by the reminder of his old fears of losing Zack, fears that had led him to be the overprotective mentor he'd been. The answer was somewhere here, Zack was sure of it. He kept finding himself looking at the single word repeated on each "photograph," that bloody, defiant NO. Whether it was his old human perceptiveness or something more preternatural and recent, it hit Zack like a blinding flash of light.
"Angeal?" Zack drew back from the hug, and nudged Angeal until their faces, close together, were looking one another in the eye. "If it had gone differently, if I said no when you'd have finally asked to change me, what would you have done?"
Angeal's eyes closed. He said nothing out loud or telepathically, just slowly shook his head. Not meaning that he just didn't want to discuss this. Meaning…
"You would have anyway?"
Bravely, Angeal opened his eyes and stared straight into Zack's, with a sort of resignation that expected to see…well, he knew his Puppy too well to fear outright anger or rejection. But he was expecting some faint outrage or displeasure, Zack sensed that, and the boy tried to put all the love he felt for his sire in his gaze, while opening wide his own mind for Angeal to step in…and to see there was not the slightest upset in Zack over what he had just learned.
But…how can there not be?
Because! Because there is no scenario in which I wouldn't have accepted it, and you, for eternity. Remember how quickly I said yes? I practically had to bully you into it, in fact. Or was that all a show?
Partly, Angeal admitted. I at least told myself I'd wait till you were older, as mature as possible. But I told myself I'd honor your wishes if you declined as well, and Puppy…I wouldn't have.
Maybe you would have.
No. I love you too much, but that's no excuse.
Zack put his arms around Angeal and nuzzled the man's neck with his face. It's the ONLY excuse.
Puppy, you can –
Be mad? But I'm not. Look into me. You can see I'm not.
Angeal rubbed his mouth and nose against the flawless white neck bared to him, this time not to take in Zack's addictive smell, but to comfort himself enough to keep his own rare tears back. He didn't feel he deserved the pure goodness he was cradling in his arms. And…
Pup, you might feel that way because of something I did, whether I meant to or not. I may have…groomed you to be accepting of this. Of me.
Angeal, I had a crush on you from the moment I met you. Had someone told that idiot 13-year-old that I was that someday I would be in a romantic relationship with you and your hot-yet-coddling boyfriend that was never going to end, I would have been surprised, maybe I would be overwhelmed and not know how to deal with it. But I'd also have been ridiculously happy.
Angeal rubbed his eyes dry on the part of Zack's shirt that covered his shoulder. Baby Puppy.
Until that night in the gym when you let me kiss you, you never gave me the slightest indication that you thought of me as anything but a child. Your child. You didn't ever hurt me, or force me to do anything, except that time you made me clean up after the food fight, Zack thought, letting his voice go light and playful for a moment, relieved to hear Angeal chuckle aloud at the reminder. You were more than my guardian, you were and are my hero. I wanted to be just like you. And I wanted so badly to be with you, just like we are now. You've done nothing but always, always give me everything I need and want.
Zack tightened his hold around the man and continued. I don't care what you might've done or not done if things had been different. You always told me when I got overwhelmed to just think about the problem right in front of me. Let's focus on the life that's in front of us. That's what matters.
Angeal let out a long, slow, shaky sigh of a breath, as though he were expelling something poisonous that had been nesting inside him, invisible to the eye as most important things are. But Zack sensed that his sire's whole being, his soul if vampires have them, had grown lighter, was freed of something that always had been lurking behind every smile, weighing down every moment of otherwise happiness. He didn't fully understand it, but he knew that he had just done the greatest kindness anyone could ever do for Angeal Hewley.
From Angeal's point of view, he was holding back tears again, this time because a lingering pain, one he'd carried so long it had its own burrowed groove in his heart, had lifted out of him and disappeared like smoke in the wind. He knew, had known that Zack adored him, looked up to him, trusted him more than he trusted himself, but he had never expected the boy to be able to do this almost-unbelievable thing for him. Not even perceptive Zackary Fair, who unknown to himself had tested at a genius-level IQ on his SOLDIER entrance exams, should've been wise enough to find this shameful part of his mentor, let alone make it disappear.
Deprived long enough of the sight of that beautiful face, Angeal lifted his head out of hiding, shifted so their noses were almost touching and he was gazing, for the first time unhampered by his secret, into those twin orbs of blazing pale cerulean. He wasn't sure what to say, how to begin this new lease on life, and Zack solved that for him, too, by gently cuffing his head and pulling him into a brief kiss.
I don't wanna sense any more guilt from you. Okay?
One arm curled around the small of the boy's back, the other hand sliding in a caressing motion into Zack's silky hair, Angeal pressed their foreheads together, not closing his eyes as he normally would.
You are…a miracle.
I love you too…Daddy.
The mental voice was more mischievous than seductive, but when Angeal moved in for another, more sensual kiss, Zack participated eagerly, writhing against the body, the hand that went under his T-shirt to stroke his chest. The teenager climaxed suddenly, without much warning as was normal for him, and the smell of what he had released turned Angeal on so intensely he could barely think.
The elder explored Zack's neck which the boy shifted to give him greater access to, and Angeal tugged the shirt collar down a bit to bare more of that irresistible skin. He groaned with want against the pale white flesh, then gently sank his fangs into it. He took a few deep swallows' worth before closing the wound, then instinctively drew Zack's face toward his own jugular vein, assuming that as usual his own tasting would be followed by Zack doing a full feeding, or at least a half he would generously share with Genesis.
But although Zack at first seemed unthinkingly tempted by the smell of the blood, he made a few soft noises of refusal and turned his face away. Automatically, perhaps thinking the boy was still bothered by the idea of drinking blood, Angeal took Zack's chin in a calloused hand and moved it so the boy's nose was right against the vein in his neck. The same noises as before came from Zack, and again he turned away from, not toward, the blood he not only needed but had always before wanted.
Slightly alarmed, Angeal moved Zack's head to the feeding position a third time, this time holding it there, firmly, but not causing pain, unless one counted the vague distress the sire sensed in his child. Baby Puppy, he said with as casual a calm as possible, eat.
No…later…please?
Following instincts as old as vampires themselves, Angeal held on and did not let him turn away again. No, right now. You haven't all day and night and you need it.
I'm just not hungry, really.
At this, Angeal sent his mind out to probe Zack, and perhaps instinctively or in alarm, the boy put up a shield. The sire internally groaned. The newborn should not be able to do this at all yet, much less make one strong enough that breaking through it would feel intrusive and uncomfortable for him.
Take that down, baby Puppy. It was a command, no doubt, but Angeal's voice was gentle, his hand cupping and stroking the face that was now turned downward, looking at the floor on which they stood. Right now.
I'm…not sure how.
Zack hated lying and was terrible at it. Angeal would have been angry, had he not been so worried.
Reverse how you put it up. Picture the force of your thoughts at the top of it, then swipe downward and picture the wall dissolving. Right now, Zackary.
Zack flinched, only enough for Angeal to notice it, and the former commander cursed himself, though his voice had been firm but nowhere near threatening.
Baby Puppy, he said, still firm but gentler, I've told you not to block me and Gen. I'm sure you didn't mean to put up a wall, but if you can't take it down, you have to let me in enough to do it for you.
It wasn't meant to be or spoken like a threat, but Zack must have felt it was, because he closed his eyes, and the wall between their minds dissipated. Angeal was relieved when he felt his constant connection to the boy return to its usual unhampered state, but not for long, because then he remembered the problem that had led to Zack blocking him.
Would you rather feed from just Genesis right now? Would that be better? Angeal hoped he would say yes, partly because he knew Zack doing so would probably banish Genesis's grumpiness. But Zack shook his head, still looking down. Baby, look at me, please.
Zack's face reluctantly tilted back into view, obeying probably in hopes he could get out of this by complying with lesser requests. Angeal examined this sight he loved so sometimes-painfully much. Zack had never been good at hiding an emotion when he was feeling it strongly – at least not from Angeal – and he felt most of them strongly. He was, right now, obviously distressed, that much was clear, but without invasively pushing into Zack's thoughts and going through them, where this distress originated was unclear.
Time and examination of Zack's behavior had usually in the past revealed the answer, but this problem felt too urgent to so delay. Genesis had not lied when he'd told Zack that feeding him was necessary for his parents. Zack may have claimed he wasn't hungry, but even if he was being honest and truly just didn't feel like eating, Angeal could sense the boy was empty, and Angeal very strongly needed him to be full.
How on Gaia do new mothers stand it when their babies are hungry but too upset to understand they need to eat? Angeal thought to himself, then addressed Zack. Baby, do you feel all right physically? Does anything hurt?
Uh-uh.
Reminded he was now and would be forever dealing with a teenager, Angeal took a deep, trying-to-stay-calm breath. So, you should be able to eat, right? You may not feel like you need to, but it always makes you feel good, doesn't it? Makes you feel better?
Very hesitantly, Zack conceded that with a nod.
So…there would be no harm in feeding now, and it will likely make you feel better, correct?
Another nod, a somewhat defeated one. Having been Angeal's student, Zack had never been able to wiggle out of his teacher's logic.
Angeal pushed his usual rush of lovesafetyloveyouaresafewithmeforever into the newborn, waited until, to his relief, it relaxed some of the tension out of Zack.
Baby Puppy, I'm asking you, as a favor to me, to please let me feed you.
"…okay."
Angeal tried and was somewhat successful at ignoring how sad Zack's answer sounded. He opened his arms, and Zack slowly went the barely-inches distance to him. He relaxed even more when familiar arms wrapped around him, as cocooning and enclosing as the wings of a Mideelian giant hawk around a newly-hatched baby. He wanted to be here, in this love, always, and it did feel good to have some remaining tension massaged out of his back by a large, muscled hand that then settled to cradle his bottom, a touch that sometimes meant sex, but was also just Angeal's way of holding him, often lifting him just off the ground to rock or just to hold.
Angeal's other hand had also found one of its usual places, fingers threaded into the black hair that, since the boy's transformation, was at all times as silky and untangled as Sephiroth's. To the man's credit, as much as he wanted to immediately push Zack's mouth to his vein, he hugged him and instead adjusted his own shirt collar so the skin, and thus the smell and sound of the blood of the blood beneath, was unmuffled and laid bare for Zack's senses to find. Angeal was pretty certain the boy must be hungry, no matter what he had said about not being, and the sire felt an almost dizzying rush of gratitude toward Gaia or whatever lesser god had smiled upon him when Zack's lips brushed the cool flesh. Good, perfect, problem solved, he was going to eat, maybe that would be enough to resolve the distress the boy was feeling, and if not, it had to at least help…
Angeal's relief dropped away as suddenly as a misstep off a sheer cliff. Not only had Zack not yet broken the skin, he was now instead pressing his eyes to Angeal's shoulder, and that part of his body was now damp and quickly becoming fully wet.
"Baby Puppy?"
He was keeping the sound of it almost nonexistent, but the tears, the slight tremor of his shoulders – no doubt, Zack was weeping. Angeal lifted Zack up a little and began to rock him back and forth in his usual way, using his free hand to soothingly run up and down the boy's body.
What is it? Please tell me. I'm sure I can help.
I'm…sorry.
There's nothing you need to apologize for. Just tell me, let me help.
I'm…worrying you, and I know I said I would, but…
"Okay," Angeal murmured, "okay. For right now, don't worry about it. Let's focus on making you feel better first. Remember, you told me you'd try to be honest about how you – "
Did you just tell him he doesn't have to feed? Genesis's mental voice slightly preceded his entry into the room. It was tense, without its usual melody, not angry at anyone, but also not promising that was for any reason other than he never wanted Zack to hear anything like the sire's bickering fighting parents had sounded. 'Geal, you know he hasn't –
Genesis stopped short when he was close enough to realize Zack was crying. Instinctively, truly not out of any malice toward his lover, the elder vampire moved as though to gently grab the boy, and also automatically, Angeal turned away slightly and tightened his hold on Zack. That made Genesis freeze, and look at Angeal with a feeling that even the latter, who knew Genesis better than any other person could hope to, could not decipher.
I'm sorry, Gen. I didn't mean to do that.
It's all right. Genesis's voice was wary, making him sound an age he'd never visibly be. Why is he crying? He's not blocking anymore, but it's like trying to see something on a TV through static. I can't tell what's wrong.
I haven't figured it out yet.
Genesis nodded, then stepped just a little closer to lay one smooth hand on Zack's shoulder. He was briefly cheered when at the touch the body stopped trembling, but then realized his baby had probably forced that reaction for his sake.
Cub, don't worry about me. Get your feelings out that way if doing so helps. Don't ever do anything that hurts you for our sakes. We're the parents here, remember? The last sentence was spoken more lightly, with a hint of the usual almost-singing quality of Genesis's speech. Down further, in his private thoughts, Genesis scolded himself. Hypocrite. And just what are YOU doing? Speaking cheerfully as if nothing is wrong.
Nothing IS wrong. Not really.
It took the sires a moment, and a quick explanation sent to Angeal, to understand what Zack was answering. Genesis sighed in a blameless, well-what-can-we-really-do fashion, and moved his hand from Zack's shoulder into his sleek hair. It met Angeal's there, and they briefly sort of clasped, quickly reminding themselves that each was there for the other, always.
Baby cub, what did we say about reaching for our private thoughts? The admonishment was also light, in a tone similar to what one would use for chiding a toddler.
Sorry. I didn't mean to, honest.
Both sires felt sure he was telling the truth. Genesis's and Angeal's eyes met over their shared heart, and neither spoke for fear of being overheard, but both knew they were thinking the same thing. Every reminder of what a prodigy Zack was made them uneasy. They were proud, of course, and Genesis sometimes joked that it must have been passed down to Zack through blood, but although neither sire was precognitive, they shared a vague feeling that Zack was not quite safe because of how exceptional he was.
As for why they felt this way, they had come to an only slightly satisfactory, as well as rage-inducing, agreement that it was probably because if Dagan knew this, which he'd implied to Zack he did, the vampire would probably fight all the harder to acquire Zack for himself. Then the bastard would have not only a weaker, easy-to-force child to abuse, but a trophy, proof of the superiority of the conceited man's bloodline.
This was not the time to be thinking about Dagan, though, the sires instantly agreed, not while Zack is accidentally reading private communications, and on top of that already upset about…what?
"Okay, 'Gealy, I concede. Do that logic thing you do," Genesis said idly, as though he were speaking of a superpower and not something any human was capable of. Zack, at this time, had been at least somewhat soothed by the continuing rocking, and was silently resting his cheek on Angeal's shoulder.
"Okay…" The younger sire began to think, Genesis following his train of thought.
You told me he once refused to eat before, but his behavior and motives were nothing like right now. I think we can eliminate the possibility that he's blackmailing or being bratty. When Zack blocks us, he uses the wall technique like he did before, not this static obscuring his feelings. He's not doing it on purpose. He's not angry at us. He seems more upset at himself for worrying us.
Great Gaia, I wish he wouldn't do that.
Are you praying to Gaia for our baby to be less kind, Gen?
Um, no.
He was for a second. Both sires were surprised to hear Zack's voice, realize he too was following Angeal's unriddling and apparently resigned to it. Still resting on Angeal's shoulder, the boy's eyes were closed and he seemed to be half-asleep. His mind went bright. I saw it.
Nosy baby cub, Genesis grumbled affectionately. Sorry, 'Gealy. Continue.
Zack hates when he worries us, so naturally he wouldn't do it on purpose. Ergo, he's not refusing to feed because he doesn't want to. He really does feel he can't. Yes, Gen, I did, and he was being honest. He's not in any pain, at least not physically. The problem is psychological.
So, what is it, then?
I'm figuring this out at the same time as you are, babe.
Sorry. Go on.
I was thinking it's got to relate to yesterday, since he was so upset by it. But that doesn't quite add up. He fed from me right afterward with no problem, and it can't be much of a reminder of killing that asshole. On top of our blood being a much different temperature, the situations are so unalike.
But he's been down since you guys got back, and it's since then that he's refused to eat. I mean, what else traumatic has happened in the past few days? We'd just been doing our thing, starting up sparring with Zack again, and he really seemed to like that.
Angeal paused to gently place a kiss on Zack's head, a sort of apology to the half-awake boy for discussing him as though he weren't present. Okay. So, if we go with the assumption that it was our trip to Illyra that caused this…
It's got to be. I mean, he was so traumatized he wanted to throw up warm human blood. Even if you're not used to it, no vampire can completely dislike it. Although…he wanted yours right afterward…
Right…
Genesis sighed. So why on Gaia doesn't he want it now? Drinking from us always makes him feel better, no matter what – 'Geal, what?
Angeal had suddenly looked startled. I think I know what it is.
WHAT?
Angeal softly said to Zack, "Baby Puppy, if I'm right, will you tell me?"
Zack nodded with little hesitation. It occurred to both the sires at once that just because Zack didn't want to say what was wrong, that didn't mean he didn't want them to know.
Angeal rubbed his cheek comfortingly over the top of Zack's head for a few moments. "Puppy, you feel guilty for killing that man, don't you? And you're refusing to feed because doing so makes you feel better. You don't feel like you deserve that comfort."
Zack sniffled quietly. Genesis's expression was roughly that of someone who'd been stabbed in the heart, a human heart, not a vampiric one that could heal from anything short of outright staking with the right kind of wood. The elder sire both wanted to glue Zack to his lap, and to bend him over it and spank him, for once not to be kinky, but for trying to handle this pain by himself and hide it from them. Apparently deciding even a gentle anger wouldn't be helpful, Genesis put one arm around Angeal, the other around Zack, and enclosed them in a group hug.
You'd better scold him, 'Gealy. I'd just end up on a tirade about how some human lives are not worth mourning, and we know he doesn't believe that.
Baby Puppy, do you remember what I told you while we were there? That list of crimes, the people that man hurt?
Yes, but…
Pup, Gen and I hunt evildoers not just to assuage our consciences. We do it because it saves the lives of all the people our victims were going to take.
Zack sighed, a ghost of a living breath against Angeal's neck. I know. I have thought about that…and I'm trying to remember it…it's just…I keep…
Puppy?
…it's stupid.
What have I said about that word, baby?
Zack let out a very short laugh; even so, his parents were glad to hear it. Don't use it about myself.
Very good. Keep talking.
…is it always this hard? Do you always remember the face? And… Zack paused to breathe heavily, as though he were speaking aloud. …it's stu-uh, silly of me, because you explained it and I believe you, but he was…
Angeal understood. He was kind to you.
You should just let me say 'stupid.'
Genesis, over Zack's shoulder, gave Angeal a let-me-try look. Baby cub. What did you sense from the man? Was he happy?
The boy was confused, but answered after a moment of thought. I don't think so. He was…driven to do what he did. He couldn't stop…but he felt bad about what he did. About some of it, at least.
And where is this man now?
…in the Lifestream?
Mmm-hmm. Genesis placed his soft hands on Zack's small waist, slid them under his shirt to rub the skin up and down. How do souls feel in the Lifestream?
After a moment, Zack relaxed a little; both parents thanked Gaia.
…happy. Right?
Life on this planet is a long stretch of hurts, small and tremendous. When you reach the end of the road, your soul is freed to the care of the Lifestream. Where there is no time, no sorrow, no trouble. Slowly, Genesis unbuttoned Zack's jeans and drew them down so gently that the boy probably didn't feel it. Instead of dying old and infirm, or being murdered in an alley, the man died in ecstasy with an angel in his arms, and now he's happier than he deserves. Because the Goddess forgives what people cannot. Because She made and loves us all.
Zack's underwear had by now joined his fallen pants. The teenager was softly weeping into Angeal's shirt, and both sires felt how grateful it was, felt an awful weight lifting from their baby's too-big heart.
He's feeling only good now, baby cub. So, it's okay for you to feel good, too. I want you to feel good.
Genesis slid two lubricated fingers into Zack, and as always, found his target immediately. The boy writhed cat-like, and Angeal shifted so he was holding Zack at the very top of the backs of his legs, effectively opening him up for Genesis while keeping him just off the floor. Zack orgasmed as the third finger made its way inside.
Angeal leaned in as Zack's head fell back in rapture and claimed the deep-pink lips. Good boy. Feel good.
Zack came again, so hard that he might've fallen had Genesis not been close behind, carefully feeding himself into the boy. He took it all easily, head lolling back onto the elder's shoulder, giving Angeal and Genesis time for a passionate kiss. As his tongue battled Angeal's, Genesis rhythmically fucked Zack, and the soft artist hands soothed the body as it went into another climax. The sires broke apart, not so much needing air but more out of habit, and all their attention went quickly back to the baby between them.
Genesis targeted the prostate inside Zack and wrung yet another orgasm out of him, smiled with bared fangs to feel the sadness draining out of Zack's thoughts. The pointed teeth sank in just a little, just enough to make small rivulets that Genesis licked up, and on the other side of Zack's face, Angeal kissed all along the jaw, neck, and throat before bravely, hopefully drawing Zack's mouth to his vein.
Good boy, my good baby.
Daddy…
It's all right.
A stronger-than-usual orgasm ripped through Zack, and in the midst of it the boy bit down into the jugular offered to him and began to swallow. With a few tears of gratitude escaping, Angeal held him close and continued to give mental reassurances. After a few minutes, the parents together turned Zack around. Angeal sat on the bed, Zack fell into his lap at just the right height to bite into the flat breast offered to him. Genesis hid his face in Zack's spikes as he drank, but Angeal knew he was weeping, too. A few minutes later, Zack, finally full, slumped back into Angeal's hold, fast asleep. The parents shared a long, relieved smile before Genesis spoke.
"Get him comfortable. I'll grab us a few bottles."
Angeal stripped Zack down to his underwear and settled him on the bed, himself behind the boy and gently massaging him, encouraging the dreams that he sensed were soft and peaceful, memories of Gongagan summers or wishes about flying. When Genesis returned, they each drained two large bottles of blood to replenish themselves, then lay with their baby between them, all full, all happy, and let themselves be lulled into sleep.
To be continued.
