I keep getting shocked by how long it takes me to update this story. I don't know if anyone's still reading, but if you are, I meant what I said – I won't give up, no matter how long it takes me.

Everyone enjoying Remake? I've been watching a playthrough, forcing myself to go slow and savor it, because Nomura only knows when we'll get part 2. So, no spoilers please!

RIP Keiji Fujiwara, our Japanese voice of Reno. May he find joy in the Lifestream that the living can't even imagine.

Still rated M, sexual situations ahead. Let's mosey.

WITH THE DEAD
Chapter 14

Life without Zack did not begin well. When the sight of their baby being carried away by Merrick finally disappeared from their inhuman sight, Genesis wordlessly turned and went back into the house. Angeal didn't follow right away, partly because he wasn't sure what to say yet, and partly because he was shoring up his own strength, determined to push down his own heartache in order to be there for Genesis. When he finally headed inside, he expected that Genesis would be in bed with a blanket pulled over his head (and couldn't really blame him), but instead found him in the formal dining room, opening what looked like many rolls of wallpaper.

"Gen?"

"Busy hands are happy hands, right," the elder muttered, his voice missing its usual melody. "I'd settle for less miserable."

Angeal walked quickly to him, put a half-opened roll aside, grabbed Genesis's hands, and brought them to his lips. "Babe."

Genesis closed his eyes, not opening them again until their foreheads were pressed together. "I know, 'Gealy. I know. Being gloomy isn't going to bring him back any sooner."

"I'll never tell you how or how not to feel. Just let me help you as much as I can."

Genesis took a deep breath. "Okay. See if you can find instructions. I've never done this kind of thing before."

Angeal snickered, remembering Genesis as a child of wealthy parents, oblivious about how to do so many normal things, but admittedly, he himself had no experience with this particular type of décor either. He quickly found a small sheet of paper that had slipped out of one of the rolls, but then for the first time noticed the wallpaper itself. It was a rather sick-looking green, patterned with fake-looking, garish pink roses – not something you'd expect Genesis to tolerate, much less pick out.

"Uh, Gen…" he started, gesturing.

"I know! Isn't it revolting?"

"Uh…then why…?"

"Because putting it up will take time. Then ripping the beastly stuff down will take time. The more time we make pass, the quicker the cub gets back to us."

In any other situation, Angeal would've scoffed, gently scolded about waste, or at least rolled his eyes at Genesis being so…Genesis. Now, he looked back to the instructions and began to read them aloud clearly…and slowly.

agzagzagz

To Zack's great relief, Dagan often had business in the nearby village or further afar, and often was away part of the night, sometimes even leaving as soon as it was dark and Zack had been fed and not returning until shortly before sunrise, when he insisted on feeding the boy again before they retired. Though Zack had tried to say this second session was unnecessary, the lord smiled indulgently and said though it had been a while for him, he remembered that newborns needed, or at least should have, twice-daily feedings.

Zack didn't like breaking his promise to Genesis and Angeal and drinking from someone else, though he knew they wouldn't be angry at him, and didn't think he'd ever get used to it. He especially didn't like Dagan's practice of gently touching him all over (over his clothes) while it was happening, and the way the vampire would hum a sound of approval when Zack's control failed him and he orgasmed from the stimulation. He was trying not to let that happen in front of Dagan, worried that it might lead to even more intimacy, but at least Dagan had so far let him go once he'd finished to go clean up. Zack didn't want the man to be touching him at all, but at least Dagan was going fairly slowly with him.

The first several days of Zack's stay, Dagan was often away, so the time they spent together was mostly Dagan showing him the house, grounds, and the local village, proudly introducing the boy to servants and citizens as "my grandson." To Zack's embarrassment, the villagers addressed him as Sir or Master despite his protests, and seemed to hold him in the same awe as they did Dagan. The house servants were polite and always inquired if Zack needed or wanted anything whenever he ran into them, but all the friendly boy's efforts to engage them in conversation were met with surprise and an apology that they needed to return to their work. Though sometimes Zack caught them looking at him with an emotion he couldn't identify, but thought might be concern or pity.

Dagan had cautioned Zack not to leave the grounds alone, but no matter, the mansion was big and interesting enough to explore. Over the first week, Zack wandered curiously, and found a few favorite places he'd often return to – the library where, missing Genesis, he'd even taken down a volume of Loveless. The lush solarium full of flowers, of which he knew some of the names thanks to Angeal. The ballroom with enough open space to practice his jumps and flips, determined not to get rusty even though he wasn't a SOLDIER anymore. And this corridor not far from his own rooms. Most of the house's walls were decorated with paintings and tapestries, even some displayed weapons, but this particular one was covered with framed photographs, and the subjects of them both hurt Zack and continued to draw him back.

Genesis and Angeal. Mostly Genesis, and several nature shots, which made Zack assume Angeal had been behind the camera for most of these, but there were quite a few of his old teacher as well as he and Genesis together. Posing with tight smiles in and outside of the house, but also sword-fighting, levitating off the ground, and seemingly goofing around together, and in those, there were some genuine smiles, apparently times Dagan had caught the subjects either unaware or distracted.

What seemed to be the newest addition to the collection was an enlarged copy of Zack's official SOLDIER photo, the same one on his ShinRa ID, showing his human self grinning confidently in his new 2nd Class blue uniform. After briefly wondering how Dagan had gotten ahold of it, Zack would stare at it while wondering what his old friends were up to, if Sephiroth was doing all right without his best friends, what was going on in the old life he'd left behind.

"I paid a…I believe the word is 'hacker'?"

Zack started, but only slightly. His vampire senses more than compensated for a lack of mako, but it still sometimes surprised him how he usually couldn't sense Dagan coming unless he was trying to. When the boy turned around, the lord smiled apologetically.

"Sorry, little one."

"It's okay…but I don't understand."

"You were wondering how I got that picture of you, correct?" Another thing Zack wasn't accustomed to, Dagan picking up his thoughts. "A friend of a friend managed to obtain it from ShinRa's database. There were pictures of you in newspapers as well, of course, which I have, but for a displayed photo, I wanted something higher-quality. You seem to like this spot, Zack."

The boy shifted uncomfortably where he stood, unsure of what to say. He went back and forth between trying to give this vampire a chance to prove himself and at other times being polite in the way a hostage would be to his captor, and both frequently left him feeling awkward and tongue-tied, even though Dagan, aside from the excess of touching, had been nothing but pleasant and affectionate.

"Um…yeah."

"I know you miss your fathers. You need not hide that." Dagan glanced, in turn, at a few of the displayed pictures. "I was – I think so, at least – quite a different person then."

Zack blinked questioningly, and the elder gave him a sad, fond smile.

"I was never lucky enough to find a soul mate the way Genesis and Angeal found each other. At first, I thought Genesis might come to love me as much as he did Angeal. When that seemed to not be possible, I tried to not be jealous of what they had together. It was like seeking light while standing in the shadow of something…immovable. In my loneliness, the more they fought for freedom, the tighter I held onto them. I was very foolish."

Heart pained by the empathy Genesis had worried about, Zack without thinking edged a little closer to the sad-looking vampire.

"I don't blame them anymore for leaving. I had accepted that Genesis and Angeal wanted to belong to no one but each other…which is why you were such a surprise, Zack. I never even expected them to take a human pet, much less have a child."

"Maybe that's what I would've been, if I hadn't convinced Angeal to change me," Zack said softly. "But I don't get why some humans are allowed to know about us when others aren't."

"Pets are simply killed if their master suspects they'll reveal our secrets." Dagan slowly passed an open hand over Zack's hair. "I'm sure they would've made it painless for you, if need be."

The boy blinked with surprise. "Angeal and Gen could never do that to me! They loved me, even before I was changed."

"Of course, I apologize," the elder said at once, sounding sincere, looking back over the wall of photos. "Genesis was prone to such anger in his youth, I forget that he must have grown up so much. For you to miss him so much, you must see a side of him he didn't show to me."

Zack felt confused, trying to match the sulking youth Dagan seemed to describing with the adoring pseudo-mother Genesis had been to him, who since that early night when Zack refused to feed had not shown him anything resembling anger. He felt right in what he said to Dagan, was sure Angeal and Genesis would never have hurt him even as a human for any rule or reason, but couldn't think how to further express what he was thinking.

The boy turned back to the photo-wall, feeling a fresh wave of homesickness when his eyes landed on one of the few pictures where his sires were both smiling. Then he tensed as Dagan came up right behind him, laying a hand on each of his shoulders.

"That one is my favorite. That's how I like to remember them, and how I hope to see them in the future. You are very special, Zack, in more ways than one. I value you both for yourself and for the possibilities you represent."

Any questions Zack might have had about this died in his throat when Dagan stood flush against him from behind, wrapping an arm around his midsection. It had been hours since Zack had last come, and the bulge pressing into his backside was enough to make him start to stiffen. Instinctively, he tried to step forward and away, but Dagan was holding him too firmly, and further, he pushed his hips forward to stimulate Zack, smiling to hear a surprised moan escape. The hand of the arm not keeping him still began to rub the boy's taut stomach, at least staying above the clothes.

Zack gasped an inhaled breath, and squeezed his eyes shut, mentally yelling at himself to not get hard. Near his left ear, Dagan made a tsk-tsk sound.

"There's no need to fight your feelings, little one. Among our kind, giving pleasure is part of a grand-sire's duty."

"B-But…"

Zack couldn't think what to say, his physical and mental speech both strangled by the undeniable stiffening going on in his pants. Then suddenly he was off his feet, being carried swiftly enough to feel the air move by like wind, and blinked with confusion to find himself in his bedroom, laying on his bed with Dagan smilingly bending over him.

Dagan placed a slow, gentle kiss on Zack's forehead. The boy didn't like it, didn't like this still-somewhat-a-stranger on top of him, but supposed that was innocent enough (even Angeal had done it when they were only teacher and student), but then felt Dagan reaching under his shirt, fingertips circling a nipple. Zack's eyes went wide with alarm.

"N-nn-no…"

Dagan easily resisted the hand trying to push his arm off. His voice was almost a whisper, but no matter, he was also saying it telepathically. "Sssh, it's all right. You've been holding back, it's not healthy for you. Let me give you what you need."

"B-b-but…please, only…"

"Only Angeal and Genesis? I know you want your papas, but they aren't here. Your grand-sire is. Our blood is the same, this is the same. I can take care of you just as well, if not better."

"G-Grand-sire, please, I don't – "

"Sssh."

At the same time, Dagan pushed a flood of calm into the teenager and grasped his wrists in one hand above Zack's stomach. Zack, however unwillingly, relaxed and blinked with confusion as his jeans were unbuttoned, then cried out in alarm and want both when his erection was taken in hand.

"N-no – "

Moaning pitifully, Zack couldn't hold back and let go into the cool, massaging fingers. Dagan sighed with contentment as he watched pleasure color the innocent young face. So beautiful. I'll never tire of this sight. Never.

Zack didn't catch the thought, although Dagan didn't shield it. The boy seemed close to sleep for a moment or two, then was twisting in alarm as Dagan tugged down his pants and underwear.

"W-what…"

"I think you have a bit more to give, little one."

Without asking permission, of course, Dagan took the softening length into his mouth and sucked. Without even hardening him, this sent Zack into another, milder, though no less unwanted orgasm, and Dagan's talented tongue and lips sucked the remaining few mouthfuls the boy had to offer. The elder even, with the hand not gripping Zack's wrists, massaged the small testicles to encourage them to empty. Once certain he'd gotten every single drop, thinking again he'd never tasted anyone so good, Dagan sat up and let go of the boy's arms.

"I didn't hurt you, did I?" The elder vampire gently handled the boy's wrists; as though he were an expert in this, whatever this was, he hadn't left a mark or bruise, though of course if he had they would've healed quickly. "That felt good, little one, didn't it? There's no need to cry."

"I-I'm not," Zack whispered. Was he? He wasn't sure. The teenager was giving off confusion as much as his human body had once radiated heat. It did feel good, but I don't want this.

Dagan carefully half-laid on top of Zack again, their faces close, and stroked the boy's hair. Sneakily, trying not to be too obvious, he pushed a wave of love into the boy, and Zack closed his eyes, because now he knew he was crying, though from what emotion, he had no idea. Dagan pressed his face to one side of Zack's neck, inhaled deeply, and began to place kisses all over both sides and the bared throat.

I love you. Dagan felt Zack flinch but went on. I love you more than I thought myself capable of loving. I know you're afraid, child, but you're safe with me, always. If you can come to trust and love me as well, we can heal the rift in our family. We can wipe away Angeal's fury and Genesis's pain. We can make your papas happier. You want that, don't you?

Trembling, hesitant, Zack tilted his head back and to the side. Smiling, Dagan understood and very gently bit into the flawless skin, carefully allowing only a few mouthfuls. Then he sat back, settled Zack on his lap and guided the pretty pink mouth to his own neck. The elder himself came a few times while Zack fed from him; he barely noticed. Dagan had plans being worked on and through, yes. Just not the ones he spoke to Zack of.

agzagzagz

In the mild climate of the area around Illyra, plant life of one kind or another was in bloom almost year-round, disappearing under frost and snow for only perhaps two months out of every 12. It was one of the reasons Angeal and Genesis had made their home here so many years earlier, because Angeal delighted in making things grow, and Genesis's own beauty and contentment thrived in the company of flowers and trees. The land they owned around the house was mostly open fields and rolling green hills, but even aside from the fruit orchard, there was plenty of space for a dedicated garden.

There was no fence around it, because human intruders were few or non-existent, and because Angeal didn't begrudge local animals the few foodstuffs he grew – it was not, after all, as though he or his family needed the carrots and lettuce he produced. There was a semblance of order in the rows of flowering hedges, the paths lined with rosebushes, the benches and trellis entwined with ivy and gray lilies, but all over the place were seemingly random patches of wildflowers. There were also usually some empty patches of dirt, spots awaiting Angeal's next idea. Today, however, the dirt was serving a different function.

Genesis hated being dirty. Angeal had known this unshakeable constant of the universe as long as he had known anything, like the sky being blue and water being wet. Yet here they were at almost-dawn, both nude and rutting almost madly in the dirt that their spilled semen was turning into a cakey mud, Angeal thrusting into Genesis, coming, thinking he couldn't go anymore, and then Genesis's insides would clench him, he'd spring back into hardness, and they'd go at it all over again.

Over the preceding week, this had become a ritual, almost. All night the two vampires would busy themselves with home improvement, travel, games (even Zack's video games, once), sparring, and before they surrendered to sleep for the day, they would find themselves here in this spot, making a mess that Genesis would once have screamed to merely witness, much less be a part of. Genesis hated being dirty. But it distracted him with the almost-pain of how much it bothered him, and afterwards it required a long shower and a mostly-dreamless sleep. It made time pass. And time passing was what Genesis, and Angeal too, wanted most.

They missed Zack like the loss of a shared limb. Genesis had broken down fewer times than Angeal had expected, but even so, both sires felt frayed, wounded by the lack of their greatest joy. They reassured themselves that Zack was well, because whenever their minds reached out to him, he was too far away to read clearly, but always sent back an assurance that he was fine, all was okay; it seemed Dagan, as Angeal had predicted, knew he had to behave himself this month if he ever wanted access to Zack again.

But these fuzzy mind-touches were not enough. And that was another reason for the increased amount of sex the couple was having, both gentle and forceful – their bodies missed Zack's. Genesis once made a tense joke about worrying his 'milk' would dry up, but he didn't object when Angeal briefly drank from him at that spot, only thanked him but said it wasn't the same. The couple bounced back and forth between avoiding Zack's room and sleeping in it together, trying not to bring up Zack in their conversation and talking of nothing but him. Nothing seemed to ease the phantom ache from what they shared and missed more than they had imagined they could miss anything.

For the fourth time, as sunrise was stretching its golden fingers over the horizon, Angeal released inside Genesis with a noise of tired satisfaction. "Babe, I think that's it for me."

Genesis hmmed, then pulled him down for a long kiss. Even with his determined clenching, Angeal couldn't make himself stiffen again.

"Okay, okay. Let's go in."

Only at this point did Genesis ever seem to realize how filthy he was, and predictably, he made an amusing shrieking noise and raced ahead of Angeal into the house, headed for their big shared shower. Angeal, smiling fondly, followed more slowly. His limbs were a bit sore from the exertion and position, he didn't mind being dirty quite so much, and finally, he knew that Genesis would make room for him.

The younger 1st found his neat-freak lover already almost completely clean; Genesis only bathed leisurely when he wasn't actually dirty. The redhead had just finished with his skin, and now he edged over to let Angeal stand more directly under the sprays while he worked a fragrant shampoo into his auburn hair.

Even when the pair were silent together, even when they weren't exactly talking with their thoughts, their minds were connected by love, by their hated sire's blood, and most recently through creating a child together, so they were always able to feel one another. It was like a kind of white noise, only instead of sound it was a constant flow of love, respect, and absolute devotion emanating from and into each other. Sometimes they exchanged words, sometimes feelings, sometimes images from their past or what they imagined the present and future would be.

So connected, it was easy for the lovers to anticipate one another's actions, but it wasn't an exact science. So after they were dried and dressed, and Genesis about to leave the bedroom, he felt Angeal behind him sort of…deflate. Like all his considerable strength had left him in an instant. Genesis swiftly turned around, and found his partner looking, pale and sad, at something in his hand. Upon closer inspection, it was a purple sock that he'd pulled out from under the bed. Zack's favorite color. Zack's sock.

"'Gealy?"

Angeal merely nodded, then sat down on the bed, facing away from Genesis. That was unusual, and telling.

"'Gealy."

"I'm okay, babe." But the voice sounded lifeless. Choked, almost.

Genesis dropped down on his knees in front of Angeal, grabbing the rough hand that held the instigating piece of cloth. "'Geal, stop hiding from me. What have we always agreed to? We lean on each other. We hold each other up. Fall for at least a second, would you? Let yourself be weak. How many times have you told me that I could?"

"Fuck." Angeal almost never cursed. "Even before I knew how I felt about Zack, when I thought he was just going to be my kid in the human way, every time I had to leave him for a mission, I hated it. I fucking hated it. I hated thinking he might get hurt without me to protect him, or that he'd do something cute and I'd miss it, or he'd learn something new without me there to tell him I'm proud."

Genesis smiled sadly. "And we'd all tease you, out of amusement and camaraderie, and for me, a bit of jealousy. Because before I even knew you wanted him, I did too."

"He was always meant to be ours. I felt that when we changed him. I thought nothing could ever break up the three of us, that we're too strong."

"We're not broken, 'Geal. Bent, maybe. Being tested by the Goddess more harshly than ever before…and believe me, when I return at last to the Lifestream, She and I will be having words."

Angeal offered a small, sad smile at that.

"But you've been right, as usual. All we can do is get through this, and at least be grateful the cub isn't being hurt like we feared he would be. Maybe you were right when you said Dagan's changed. I mean, if anyone on Gaia can melt a cold heart, it's Zack. Remember that time he pouted at the president and every 2nd Class got a day off?"

A bigger smile. "And none of the other 1sts could bear to discipline him the few times he deserved it."

"And even Seph let the cub hug him."

Angeal curled a broad arm around Genesis's back and pulled him close. "Thank you, babe. I'll be all right, really. I just want him back so bad."

"He'll be back soon," Genesis murmured into his lover's neck, the vibration of his voice like a welcome massage. "We're getting closer to his return every single minute. Time passes. That's all it knows how to do."

agzagzagz

Shortly before sundown, Zack found himself in the library again. He had not as a human been what anyone would call a bookworm; like most SOLDIERs, he had lived for action, not sitting still. But faced with a perhaps-eternal life without aging, he supposed he had time now that he didn't before, or maybe he was just maturing. He'd had the idea to force himself to finally read Loveless, really study it instead of distractedly skim it, and surprise Genesis the following month by being able to discuss its deeper meanings.

Alas, Zack didn't get more than two pages into the first act before his attention span, that old concern of his teacher's, wandered off, and for some reason his eyes kept flickering over to the largest of the room's many paintings, one that was alone and centered on its wall as though to mark it as important. Feeling drawn, Zack walked over to face it, studying the image. It was very old-fashioned, he determined by the style of dress and the presence of candles rather than electric lights, and portrayed maybe a dozen men, some of them posing dramatically, one sipping from a goblet, one holding up an oil lamp that shone very little light, and the others…Zack wasn't sure, but it looked like they were dancing, though it was hard to tell with the figures frozen in a single second like this.

Zack sensed Dagan's presence just before he heard the approaching voice. "It's called With the Dead."

"The dead…?" Zack didn't turn, but no matter, Dagan was quickly right behind him, his hands on Zack's shoulders. "Are they like us?"

"There's some debate about that. The artist, who lived two centuries ago, was also a poet, and the painting's name comes from one of his verses. 'Then turning to my love I said, The dead are dancing with the dead, The dust is whirling with the dust.' That, and how pale these subjects are, you'll notice, makes many of us believe that the artist was at least aware of us, that this work is his way of sort of winking knowingly at us."

"Do you think the artist was a vampire too?" Zack asked, feeling interested.

"Probably not. Not very much is known about him, except that he died of a long, very human illness. One of his talents and fame while he lived would have difficulty being one of us without it being generally known, I would think."

This talk of fame made Zack remember something, and now he finally turned around to face his smiling grand-sire. "Genesis told me a little bit about a vampire named Malfidus…"

"Oh, yes, the scientist."

"Do you know anything about him? Is he real?"

The lord smiled affectionately at the boy's eagerness. "I know a little, yes."

"Tell me! Please?"

Just as Zack's bouncy manner had endeared him to so many at ShinRa, Dagan felt genuinely touched by the boy's innocent excitement. He reached out to cup Zack's cheek in his hand, brushed a thumb over his lips before withdrawing.

"How about this? I'm told you're very skilled with the sword. I have a little experience with that weapon. We'll have a little duel, if you like. If I disarm you first, I get something from you I want. If you disarm me, I'll give you what you want – information about the mystery vampire fascinating you."

Zack bit his lower lip, but just for a moment, being careful to keep his fangs from coming out. "What do you want if you win?"

A deep, throaty laugh preceded the answer, one that would've seemed patronizing if not for its indulgence. "Just to capture you as you are. To get a good look at you without motion."

Zack was confused. "So…you want me to stay still? I don't understand."

"Yes. I'd like to have more pictures of you."

"Oh!" Zack nodded, relieved. Having spent so much time with Angeal, the boy was used to being photographed. "Okay! Deal!"

"Follow me, I'm sure you'll like at least one of my swords…"

agzagzagz

Dagan's small collection of swords had been chosen for their beauty and value, less so their use in combat, but most of them were perfectly fine for sparring – and all were dull, which was ideal for a fight in which neither party was trying to injure. Examining them, Zack chattered happily of the merits and differences of each blade, things he'd learned from Angeal and other SOLDIERs during his time with ShinRa. Dagan continued to smile, the kind any grandparent would wear while proudly observing evidence of a descendant's intelligence, and asked a few thoughtful questions about the design of the weapons.

Zack chose a longsword with a diamond-dusted hilt, because it was the most similar to his own sword, while Dagan, laughing that his usual rapier surely would be no match, selected a claymore with an ornate, ruby-studded hilt. He chose the ballroom as the venue for their duel, which didn't surprise Zack, as it was the largest room and the emptiest, with almost nothing that could be damaged or get in their way. The chamber's windows were all high up on the walls, forming rows along the perimeter and now letting in star and moonlight which was their only illumination.

No need to turn on any lights, as vampires could see in the dark as well as or better than SOLDIERs, though Zack wondered, as he briefly touched his forehead to the unfamiliar blade, if whatever mako remaining in him was giving him any advantage…and surprising himself, he felt a faint worry for his confident grand-sire, remembering Angeal and Genesis say the man knew how to fence, which was rather different than the kind of match they were about to take part in.

Should I go easy on him? No, I want to win! Anyway, he's stronger than me, so he's got an advantage, too. Good thing these are dull, although I guess we wouldn't be able to hurt each other too badly…

While Zack's thoughts babbled at him for a few moments, Dagan observed how the newborn's eyes shone in the dim space between them, brighter than any other of their kind; in some lights the blue of them was so pale, it seemed almost white, a shade or two off Zack's porcelain skin. The lord pushed down a primal rush of want, and extended his sword-arm.

"Ready?"

Zack gestured that he should make the first move. Dagan remained statue-still for a heartbeat, then seemed to blur as he rushed forward, obliterating the distance between them. Zack blocked the first swing easily, in the back of his mind feeling relieved that he remembered how to do this, and grateful for Angeal continuing his lessons post-transformation. No time to consciously ponder anything, though, Dagan was circling him, looking for a weak spot.

Zack smiled cockily; he had done this with Angeal a million times. He paid attention to the timing and rhythm of Dagan's movements, and parried each thrust without much trouble. He was clearly the superior swordsman in skill and technique, but as he'd suspected, Dagan's greater strength and speed allowed him to hold his own.

Had anyone been watching, and had they been able to perceive the battle as more than a blur of color and steel and sparks, any observer would have been fascinated. Zack looked much less like the child he was when fighting, seeming taller, more capable, infinitely less vulnerable, and Dagan, though he kept up his smile, behind a mental shield was doubting himself. He was proud that his grandchild was exceptional, but like so, so many had before, he'd underestimated Zack. Maybe he was a match for the teenager, for a little while, but Dagan realized soon, and with cloaked concern, that he would not be able to win against this side of Zack Fair.

Fair. Who said I had to be fair?

Zack felt happy. He had always been in his element while sword-fighting, and though this opponent didn't have his training, he was still a challenge. And though the boy's body had been greatly changed by becoming a vampire, he could swear he felt his heart pounding and blood racing as he swung, ducked, couldn't resist vaulting into a somersault over Dagan's head and landing gracefully behind him, the elder barely turning around in time. He was going to win, he was sure of it, he drove harder and harder…

…and then the pounding, thrilling heat in Zack's head raced down his body, the pleasure of fighting was replaced by something far different, impossible to delay or escape. The boy's last landed blow knocked Dagan's sword out of his hand, at the same time that Dagan did the same to his own blade, and in an instant the disarmed teenager was on his hands and knees. The orgasm ripping through him was even more intense than usual, as though its energetic prelude had contributed strength to it, and a stranger could easily have mistaken Zack's cries as ones of pain or refusal, they were so wild. He was thrusting his hips forward instinctively, though the movement can't have done much for him.

Zack's head was in a panicked fog, able to think only vaguely that he wanted Angeal and Genesis very badly right now, and when he was pulled to rest against a taller, also-kneeling body that faced him, he thought at first his wish had somehow been granted. But even though this was not either of his beloved sires, the smell was pleasantly similar, the arms around him comforting, and the hand on his backside making him thrust against Dagan's stomach helping him ride out the climax and trying to make him feel even better. After the last of the shudders had ripped through the boy and his drained body slumped, almost dead weight, Dagan adjusted him and stood, holding Zack bridal-style, and began to walk.

Very impressive, little one. Had fate not intervened, I don't think I stood a chance.

But…who won, then?

I think we'll have to call it a draw, since we disarmed one another at the same time.

Aw. Does that mean you're not gonna tell me?

Of course I am. Dagan chuckled aloud. To be honest, it's an old, close friend of mine who has the information you want. He is the only vampire I know who knows Malfidus personally.

Really? Even exhausted, Zack squirmed slightly with excitement.

Indeed. If you like, I can have him visit while you're here, and tell you what he knows himself.

Would he be okay telling me?

Another chuckle. You hold a trump card the rest of us do not.

Huh?

This friend is a very devoted admirer of a famous friend of yours.

you mean…Sephiroth?

Yes. All you need do is answer his questions, and he'll be glad to answer yours. Actually, you might even get to meet Malfidus, which even I have not.

Awesome!

Without thinking, Zack, with the strength he had, hugged the vampire carrying him. The boy ended the gesture quickly, feeling a bit embarrassed, but Dagan was touched, and kissed the top of his head.

Then, uh, you won too. So, when do you want to take those pictures?

No time like the present.

I should probably, you know, clean up first.

I don't think you have the energy for that yet. Don't rush.

Dagan had brought him, Zack realized, to the familiar purple surroundings of his bedroom, and was gently settling him down on the bed. Before the boy could do anything, even wonder, he was being made to lie down, and didn't have the strength back yet to fight this. Dagan sat beside him, smiled reassuringly, and took hold of the hem of Zack's shirt, lifting it and slipping the garment over his head and off. Zack, still rather drained as well as confused, blinked questioningly as his jeans were stripped off, and his socks with them. When Dagan touched the briefs that were all that remained, the boy stiffened with an audible gasp.

"Ssh," the lord soothed, stroking his cheek for a few moments, wearing that smile that was so confident and reasonable, it seemed to allow no argument. "I haven't seen all of you yet. I want to look at you."

A wave of forced calm pulsed through the teenager, increasing his boneless inability to move. The underwear was pulled past his feet, and Zack trembled and blushed a bit to see the desire with which he was being observed. A long-fingered, cool hand came to rest on his waist, stroked down to follow his hip, a soothing touch the boy associated with Angeal, though at least he was presently too nervous to think about that.

"You are exquisite," Dagan said, so softly that were Zack unenhanced and human, he might not have heard. "So well made, by all your parents."

Feeling overwhelmed, Zack closed his eyes. Though he didn't remain this way for long, when he opened them again, Dagan was holding a camera – a modern, digital one, an anachronism next to his older-fashioned style of dress – and was taking photographs. Full-body shots, close-ups of the boy's face, and then Dagan nudged his legs apart and aimed between them. Perhaps sensing Zack's unease, he put the camera down and went back to stroking his side.

"Don't worry, these aren't for display," the elder laughed. "No one will see them but me."

Even now, with his head slightly foggy and his limbs distractingly weak and heavy, Zack didn't expect Dagan would end this encounter here, and of course he didn't. Still watching the boy's face with curious intensity, Dagan started to push a hand under him, and Zack made an alarmed whimper of refusal.

"I won't touch you inside yet," the lord said quietly and gently, one hand still caressing the waist and hip. "I know you're not ready for that."

Before Zack could react or even think about that word "yet," Dagan placed his palm over the boy's entrance and pressed firmly, squeezing the well-sculpted flesh around it. The stimulation, the pleasure it caused knew nothing of right or consent, and the spasm of it rippled through Zack with an accompanying moan. Dagan smiled knowingly, then repeated the motion again, again, again, until Zack was once more erect, and squeezing his eyes shut as though trying to get control of himself.

While his eyes were closed, Zack felt something be placed or tied around his dick, and immediately understood that it was to keep him from ejaculating. He looked at Dagan's fond smile, trying to summon up words but only managing a rather pleading gaze, unsure what he wanted/needed more, to be allowed to come or to not be touched anymore. Dagan's smile was affectionate and indulgent on the surface, but Zack saw the perhaps-dangerous want beneath. He had been propositioned or had touch forced on him enough times to be able to see it.

Zack was relieved when the hand beneath him slid back out, but what followed wasn't much better. The large, cool hands moved up his sides, beneath his too-heavy-to-lift arms, and the thumbs crept toward his middle, each settling on a nipple and beginning to rub in a firm circular motion.

"Ah!" Zack couldn't keep quiet, never could when he was being touched there. "N-Not…no…"

Of course, Dagan only smiled and continued to stimulate him. "Why not, little one? You like it."

Zack couldn't deny it. Even if he could get out coherent sentences right now, the objection he wanted to make was contradicted by each moan he couldn't hold back, the little buds hardening under skilled fingers, and the way Zack was arching his back. If not for whatever was restricting him, he would be coming over and over just from this, and Dagan seemed fascinated by this sensitivity. He continued this for what seemed like hours before returning his hands to the hip-stroking of earlier, and then one moved away to close around Zack's erection.

Dagan stroked him, savoring the sweet, aroused cries this evoked, and could take his time with no danger of Zack ending things before he was ready. His thumb moved repeatedly over the head, eliciting wetness that he rubbed into the organ like a lotion. Without meaning to, he rubbed at the slit roughly, Zack whimpered, and just before Dagan could apologize, he scanned Zack's thoughts and found that the boy actually liked this little bit of pain, and no one in his life so far had really been willing to give it to him. That made Dagan's mind up, though he was as a rule uninterested in causing the boy any physical discomfort.

The digit dry, the only lubrication the few drops of pre-come, Dagan forcefully rubbed around and inside the little opening, encouraged by the needy, pleasured sounds the newborn was making and the way his dazed eyes heavily blinked as though he were drugged.

"Like that, little one? You've been wanting this, haven't you? Because it's not the same when you do it to yourself."

"Ah…ah!"

When the skin around the opening became reddened and tender, Dagan bent down and gave the sore skin a soothing lick, then pressed several kisses to the head, as though he were a parent fixing a child's injury. His tongue flicked out again to continue the work of moments before, working against and into the slit to further irritate it, and Zack groaned and began to thrust. Dagan let him, though holding his hips again to control the movement, and alternated between sucking and teasing.

As much as the lord was enjoying this, he could feel Zack's frustration rising. He put his face mere inches away from Zack's and mentally told him to open his eyes. He did, and Gaia, the arousal glazing the pale cerulean made Dagan have to repress a maddening urge to force himself inside and fuck the teenager until they were both undone beyond words. Calm on the not-quite-sane-looking surface, he stroked the boy's cheek.

"What do you need, little one? Anything you want. Just ask."

It was exactly the prompt Zack had been dreading. He wanted this to be over, but the traitorous thing heavy and erect between his legs had only wordless, primal wants, namely touch, and it did not care who or how, or that Zack wanted less contact between he and this man, not more. Having been a virgin his entire human life, then the spoiled newborn vampire whose sires always seemed to know what he wanted, had left Zack ill-equipped to handle this contradiction, his mind yelling Stop while his body cried out Yes.

"I…ah…"

Dagan took pity. "You can say it mentally, child."

But even that felt like torture. Please…

Ah, please what? Who am I?

G-Grand-sire, please…

What do you need, little one?

Zack squeezed his eyes shut, tears gushed out the sides of them, and his face flushed the little bit his vampire skin still could. Let me come, please. The telepathic words came out in an embarrassed jumble. Smiling, in one movement he kissed the boy's forehead and removed whatever was binding him, and he had to do no more than wrap his hand around Zack's length, enclose it, before orgasm wiped all Zack's thoughts away, and he shook violently for several minutes as Dagan stroked to help him along.

When it was finally over, Zack felt even more boneless than before, tired in a satisfied, pleasant way, and though he didn't realize it, each time Dagan reduced him to this state it became just slightly less uncomfortable. He wasn't surprised to be carefully lifted up, hugged to the elder's chest, and have his face brought to a vein where the sound and smell of blood, familiar blood made him suddenly ravenous.

He would continue to fight this competitor for his affection, in many ways, but confused and manipulated, for now Zack bit into the offered neck without needing to be ordered. As usual, Dagan made him go to sleep afterward, because he liked bathing (touching) the unconscious boy, teaching this body to respond favorably to his hands, then satisfying his parental urges by tucking Zack into bed and peering into his dreams. Some of them were homesick memories of his fathers, some adventures involving flying and magic.

They were all innocent, and perhaps even more than his beauty and power, innocence was what chiefly drew Dagan to Zack. Not a desire to rip it away, for he knew no one could. More to bask in it like a flower beneath sunlight. Lacking innate goodness of his own, Dagan was enthralled with Zack's, like a moth fluttering above a lit candle, only in this case it was the flame that was in danger.

To be continued.

The lines quoted by Dagan are actually Oscar Wilde's, from "The Harlot's House."