Hello, any poppets out there still reading, and hello to future poppets who maybe find me post-Remake and are now wondering what the HELL they've gotten themselves into.
Was going to sit on this a little while, since I'm confusing myself with plotting the next few chapters, which may be the last few, but what the heck. I like how this chapter turned out, so here it is.
Usual warnings apply – sex and angst and hurt/comfort, oh my.
WITH THE DEAD
Chapter 18
"What do you think?"
Angeal studied the altered walls around them with a smile. "Looks great. No one would ever guess you were raised to think manual labor beneath you."
"Well, it sort of is," Genesis joked, "but I'd hardly call doing something for my baby work."
Angeal continued to smile. The atmosphere of the empty-feeling house had lightened considerably compared to what it had been the past few weeks. He himself had learned to bear the empty feeling inside himself, and it had made him determined that he (and his partner) would never go through it again. Genesis, similarly looking much happier, was standing in the middle of Zack's bedroom, seemingly unfazed about the smears of paint on his poet's shirt and leather pants. All because…at last, after what felt like an eternity of immortal life, they'd be welcoming their precious child home in only two nights more.
"I think the darker purple really does work," Genesis chattered as he gathered up his painting supplies. "Fits him better, somehow. And the lighter purple on the trim, what do you think about that?"
"It's a nice contrast. I do like it." Angeal's eyes narrowed at the sight of a few plastic shopping bags almost hidden under the bed. "Are those more clothes?"
"Uh…"
"Gen…"
"Okay, okay, I'll fold them."
Angeal had a hard time getting or staying mad at Genesis, but he pretended to be annoyed. "Gen, Zack's clothes already barely fit into his drawers and closet."
"Oh? We'll have to expand the closet! Do you think we have time?"
The dark-haired former-SOLDIER wearily rubbed his forehead. "No, we won't, and while I appreciate your enthusiasm, Gen, that kind of work would require contractors, and the room would be unusable while they worked."
Genesis smirked. "Oh, no. Whatever will we do? The cub would just have to sleep with us, I suppose. How unfortunate."
Letting out a short laugh, Angeal closed the short distance between them and put his arms around Genesis, who shrieked softly and tried to resist the approaching embrace.
"'Gealy! The paint on me isn't all dry!"
"I don't care."
"Well, I do! I gave you that shirt!"
"Oh, no. An excuse for you to go shopping. How unfortunate, right?"
Genesis's laugh, melodic as his sweet singing voice, always felt like balm on Angeal's often-tired, warrior heart. The feel of the redhead in his arms had always been enough to convince Angeal that he could be happy as long as his vampire body lasted on Gaia. Genesis was truly his other half, his soul mate. But in the past months, he'd often thought of a story he'd heard in childhood, that a long-ago religion based in Mideel worshiped not the Goddess alone, but a trio of aspects that together made the ultimate source – a father, mother, and child.
Considering what he and Zack were to each other, and Genesis's maternal way with the boy, Angeal was no longer surprised that Zack had fit into their lives like a missing puzzle piece. Perhaps that long-gone cult had had the right idea, that just the idea of a family – parents and child – was sacred enough to deserve veneration.
He let these thoughts float over to Genesis, a devoted worshiper of Gaia all his life, who smirked wryly and wagged his finger playfully at his lover. Genesis's mind went briefly bright white, and Angeal correctly guessed that the other man was apologizing on his behalf for such heretical musings. He never tried to spy when Genesis was praying.
"I was thinking of decorating, you know, streamers and balloons…"
"You've always said such things look tacky."
"…well, yes, but the cub might appreciate it."
Angeal rubbed his nose against Genesis's. "I think Zack will be happy enough, seeing us and a familiar environment."
Genesis hummed in agreement, perhaps relieved that his idea had been voted against. He pressed his lips to Angeal's, sighed into the mouth that opened against them, moved with the hands that reached under his loose shirt to stroke his sides and stomach.
"Need you, 'Gealy. Now."
"How poetic," Angeal teased, and without separating, they moved toward their bedroom.
agzagzagz
If Dagan was displeased about the oncoming separation from Zack, he hid it under a pleasantly-smiling mask, even occasionally saying aloud that Zack must be excited to see his fathers again after a month apart. The vampire lord noticeably spent more time at home the last couple days and nights to spend time with the boy, looking at paintings and portraits with him and telling their stories, playing chess with him, asking to hear about Zack's own life, even parts of it he'd heard before.
Dagan was partly hovering so much to determine how well Geraint's hypnotic suggestions had worked, and to his delight, not only did Zack seem to remember little of the man's visit, but he also showed no sign of discomfort to have Dagan close. In fact, if anything, he seemed more comfortable with it than ever. On the last day Zack would spend with him, the elder performed one final test – after doing Zack's pre-dawn feeding, he asked if Zack would mind them sleeping this day together.
"I just want every bit of time left I can have," Dagan said with a chuckle, and Zack perhaps sensed the apprehension in it. Whatever his reason was, the boy agreed at once, with seemingly little thought, and Dagan mentally reminded himself to get a nice thank-you gift for his friend.
He lay facing the teenager, and began running cool fingers through his hair. Zack, who had always responded to friendly touch positively, seemed to relax at the gesture, even letting his eyes close as the hand descended, now stroking up and down from the top of his head to the fingers of his arm. After a couple of minutes, Dagan shifted and started caressing the boy's side and curve into waist, and when Zack didn't object, began doing so under his T-shirt, directly touching the not-quite-warm skin.
The boy's lips parted just enough to let out an almost-soundless sigh. Without thinking much, Dagan moved in and kissed him, and was surprised and elated when Zack took hold of his arm and pulled slightly, seeming to indicate he wanted the elder on top of him. Sure enough, Zack let himself be rolled onto his back so Dagan could sit on top of him, legs spread apart just below the boy's groin. Zack was clearly turned on, a visible bulge beneath the sleep-pants Dagan gently stripped off of him, and when his shirt was removed and chest stroked, the sensitive nipples quickly hardened beneath Dagan's fingers.
"Ah…oh…"
Dagan placed his palms against the little nubs and massaged firmly, kneading the flat breasts as Zack gasped and shivered. Aroused himself, Dagan pressed his own erection to Zack's and began to grind, grateful he himself was able to hold off even against the beautiful, needy cries the boy was emitting. Zack was resisting, but not against the touching, only the approaching orgasm, and only as much as he ever had before.
"Look at me."
The jewel-like blue eyes dazedly blinked open and settled vaguely on Dagan's smiling, seemingly-loving gaze.
"Good boy. Good baby." He resumed the motion that pressed their bodies together, making Zack's eyes roll briefly before finding his face again. "Let me see you come."
Only a second or two later, the boy let out a longer, more desperate sound, and began to spurt against the man on top of him, who rode him harder to cause even more pressure and pleasure. When he had finished, Zack caught his breath while Dagan licked him clean; the boy tasted too good to waste even a drop. The elder then stroked the side of Zack's face, and felt a strong rush of triumph when Zack smiled tiredly at him. Ger, I owe you anything you want.
"I want to be inside of you one last time before you go," Dagan said softly. "Is that all right?"
If Dagan had still had a heartbeat, it would've taken the length of only maybe two before Zack nodded. The shy, guileless sweetness of the boy's face made the elder want to force his way into him with no delay, but he wouldn't seriously consider doing a thing that would undo all his manipulation of Zack so far. He took out the lubricant he had confidently stowed in a pocket, smeared his fingers, and with two to start with, began the enjoyable task of preparing the boy.
It took patience for anyone to do this who ever had. Kunsel had, out of Zack's hearing, more than once joked that even heterosexual guys tended to look twice at Zack, and somehow the teenager was even more alluring when he was being played with. Dagan thought it must be the way Zack looked like he was trying to fight the overwhelming feeling, the way he moved and bit his lower lip and let out moans that were half-protests. It was breathtaking to observe, this battle in Zack between his eternal innocence and the pleasure he was clearly meant to experience.
Dagan let Zack come right away after he started fingering, then put a mental restraint on the boy to hold off the next, and while he continued to prepare, with his free hand the elder collected the spilled semen and licked it up. Perhaps as a thank-you for the sweet stuff, Dagan made the warmth Zack loved slowly sweep up his body, from toes to spikes, and Zack opened his eyes, and smiled. For a few moments, the expression made Dagan forget he'd ever wished harm to any living thing.
Thank you, Grand-sire.
Dagan smiled back at him, leaning down to slowly, gently kiss the boy. Holding back a bit, hoping…and yes, Zack opened his mouth first, a clear invitation, and when Dagan's tongue entered, he let the elder take the lead, submissively following. Meanwhile, Dagan's four fingers now had zeroed in on their target, and the man could feel the boy's need for more building up in him like a wave in a sea storm. Again, Dagan held back, hoping. And again, he was not disappointed.
Grand-sire…
Yes, little one?
Dagan expected Zack to hesitate, to fight what his body now needed longer, but instead, the telepathic words came at once.
Please…inside. I need you.
Careful to make his grin entirely without smug triumph over Angeal and Genesis, Dagan palmed the boy's smooth cheek. Anything you want, little one. I love you.
A familiar blankness suddenly came over Zack's face, and he spoke almost robotically. More than anyone else does.
More than anyone else can, the lord agreed, and under a mental shield celebrated Geraint's success, and his own inevitable victory over his problematic sons. Zack's own testimony to the Council will be enough, that Genesis is angry and Angeal inappropriate, and then he'll be mine, only mine.
"Only mine," Dagan whispered without thinking, but no matter, Zack didn't seem to have heard.
He watched the boy's face carefully while penetrating him, ready to slow down or otherwise adjust at the first sign of pain, but Zack's expression showed only the usual brief flash of discomfort (Gaia he's just as tight every time). Otherwise, he seemed to only be feeling the sleepiness warmth always induced, and pleasure. At first, Dagan focused only on stimulating Zack, entering just as deeply as he had to and, the rest of his cock in hand, rubbing the boy's prostate, slow and gently at first, building up to hard, rapid swipes. Unable to ejaculate with the mental binding around him, Zack was only able to cry out over and over, thrashing as much as Dagan's body on top allowed him to, and the eyes Dagan was trying to look into kept rolling back.
Zack wasn't the only one feeling more stimulated than he could handle. When he could resist no longer, Dagan grabbed the teenager's hips and slid the rest of the way in, less carefully than he usually was with Zack. Before he could telepathically apologize for any pain this might have caused, Zack pressed his knees to the man's sides, almost wrapping his legs around the elder. Zack had never before showed such clear physical signs of not only consent, but enthusiasm. Grinning, Dagan began to thrust in and out of him, at a faster pace than he'd wanted, but he found himself as turned on by Zack's willingness as he usually was by forcing or manipulating him.
Even thus relaxed, the boy was a tight fit. The pulsating pressure around him ripped orgasm out of Dagan, and as he began to come down, he removed the restraint from Zack, and his last few jabs at the boy's insides sent him over the edge, shaking, writhing, crying out wordlessly. With one hand, Dagan wrung the teenager's spurting organ, and let the other rest under the boy's nape as he nuzzled and kissed the forever-adolescent face. When Zack at last went still and quiet, Dagan grabbed the Restore materia he'd stashed in a pocket, murmured "Cure," and lay back on the bed, gathering Zack close to him.
Though Zack was half-asleep, Dagan positioned him, and with a bit of urging, he bit into the offered skin and drank. As the newborn fed, the elder rubbed his back in encouragement, then let his hand slide down to rhythmically pat the boy's behind, as though he were a real baby. Zack drank slowly, but took as much as he needed, and during this time Dagan kept up the full-body feeling of human-like warmth, intending to decrease and let it fade away once Zack had fallen asleep. Partly because Zack still seemed to associate the sensation with body heat, and it urged him to snuggle with the person nearest to him.
He gave the boy a few minutes to drift off before burying his face in the sleek black hair and murmuring decidedly, "Mine. Only mine. Hopefully you'll want to be, or think you do, but either way, I won't share you with them. You will be only mine."
agzagzagz
Merrick touched down lightly out of flight to the ground, and gave a playful little bow once his feet were on the stone path. He shook Dagan's offered hand, waved away the man's spoken gratitude for his help, and as quickly as he could turned his attention to Zack. The vampire was old enough that respiration was no longer a constant habit for him, but he silently breathed out in relief at the sight of the boy.
Merrick, in his long friendship with Angeal and Genesis, had for a long time been convinced that Dagan was unpleasant if not purely evil. But being kind and open-minded, and seeing and hearing of the positive effect Zack had on people, he'd decided to give the lord a chance, to believe that he really cared for the boy and wanted to make amends for the past. And indeed, Merrick's time spent with Dagan and some subtle probing into his mind had Merrick nearly convinced – Dagan seemed truly changed, seemed to adore his grandson and to want peace with Angeal and Genesis, for Zack's sake if not his or theirs.
However, Alan had lately been telling his master that he was worried about Zack, that all was not well with him though the newborn insisted he was okay, that Dagan was not hurting him. Merrick had reassured his lover that Zack must have just been, as the boy claimed, homesick, missing his fathers from whom he'd never been away. Still, Merrick caught himself being concerned about Zack, and so was now very happy to see him looking healthy and smiling.
"Good to see you, Zack. Ready to go home?"
"Yes," the boy said cheerfully. "Are you sure you don't mind?"
"Not at all, any excuse to fly."
Dagan turned Zack to face him, and cupped his face with a sad smile. "I'll cut our connection after you take off, little one, and as soon as you reach your papas, your link with them will resume. I'll miss you terribly, but I'm grateful for this time you've given me."
"It was fun. Thank you, Grand-sire," Zack said with a smile. "I'll tell Angeal and Gen all about it."
Stroking the cool cheeks with his thumbs, Dagan leaned down and pressed a long, but close-mouthed kiss on Zack's lips, then another to his forehead. Finally, the vampire lord drew back and sighed.
"Off you go, then. Take care of him, old friend."
"Of course."
Merrick wrapped his arms securely around Zack, made sure he had a good hold on him, and slowly began to rise into the cool night air. He wanted to talk to the boy, hear about his visit or his excitement about going home, but puzzlingly, Zack's mental shield was up so strong that he likely wouldn't have heard any outside words. Confusion quickly switched to alarm when they were out of vampiric sight and easy mental range of Dagan's estate, and Zack let out a broken, gasping exhale and began to tremble.
Zack? No use, the newborn's shield was still there. "Zack, what is it?"
The boy fisted Merrick's coat lapels with both hands and hid his face in the elder's sweater, which started to grow damp with tears.
"Zack, what can I do?" Before the question was fully out, Merrick realized he already knew the only answer. "It's going to be all right, you don't have to say anything. I'm taking you back to Angeal and Genesis."
Zack pressed even closer in response, clearly intending to convey gratitude. Merrick tried not to guess what the source of the boy's sadness was, knowing he'd surely hear about it later on. But he had a strong theory about what it might be, and quickly cloaked his own guilt for letting it happen.
agzagzagz
Almost no sound was made as Merrick carefully but as quickly as possible transferred Zack into Angeal's bridal-style hold, just a blur of repressed panic, thank-yous, and the family friend excusing himself so as not to delay the boy's care a second longer than necessary. Zack's face was buried in Angeal's sweater, clinging to him with cold fingers and wetting the fabric with similarly-chilled tears. Genesis, while stroking the newborn's arm – he didn't flinch, thank you, Gaia – very tentatively touched Zack's mind with his own, and almost physically staggered back. Even more alarmed than he was moments earlier, Genesis caught Angeal's eyes, and wordlessly implied they needed to work on the physical side of things first.
They brought Zack into the house, both telepathically and out loud murmuring to him that it was all right, he was safe now, that they loved him and everything was going to be all right, no matter what it took, no matter what had happened. Genesis and Angeal kept their minds open in case Zack wanted to peek in, but the boy's own was locked up tight for now. The sires were left to guess what their baby needed and wanted, but luckily, they knew him pretty well, and their military careers had instilled in them an ability to push feelings down and do what needed to be done. Both wanted to find Dagan right now and torture him until he was choking on bile and begging for death, but Zack, Zack was what mattered right now.
Genesis, once they were in Zack's room, took just a moment to steady himself, then went to the bathroom to help Angeal gently remove Zack's clothes. Angeal didn't pray often, but his mind kept flashing white with fervent thanks to any god listening that the teenager showed no signs of distress at them undressing him, only quickly resumed his close snuggling every time he had to be drawn back to slip a piece of clothing off. Same behavior, then, as Genesis disrobed Angeal, and as the elder sire turned on and adjusted the shower temperature, the younger held Zack tightly, rubbing his back and whispering, "You're home, baby Puppy, I've got you, Daddy's got you."
It was a little awkward maneuvering into the thankfully-spacious shower, but as expected, Zack didn't fight. Genesis and Angeal knew that for a teenage boy, especially one who had been in a military, Zack had an unusually strong liking for being and feeling clean. They knew whatever Dagan had done must have left the boy feeling dirty, and they didn't want to potentially feed into the boy thinking he was soiled, but they knew Zack would feel better and calmer and more like himself once freshly washed and in his own pajamas.
Genesis remained clothed and standing just outside the shower, and Angeal was glad to have his help. Genesis washed the boy's hair and rinsed it, doing his best to keep shampoo out of Zack's eyes, and both sires were needed to clean the – thankfully unmarked and uninjured – body, because Angeal couldn't reach everywhere in his position. When they had to detach Zack's face from the familiar broad chest, to gently scrub Zack's face and front torso, the newborn kept his eyes closed. Since Merrick had brought him back, his expression had been one of torment, but now – Gaia was being praised fervently this night – the frozen horror was starting to relax out of the beautiful features, though the sadness replacing it was almost as painful to observe.
Angeal toweled off briskly and dressed hurriedly – and for once was not scolded for being too rough on his skin – while Genesis efficiently but softly dried Zack. Once clothed, Angeal helped, and together the sires garbed their baby in purple sleeping pants and a T-shirt of the same color, with the image of a grinning chocobo on the front of it. Eyes still shut, Zack swayed a little on his feet, but even if the parents had trusted him to walk on his own right now, neither were willing to go more than a moment without physical contact.
This time, Genesis scooped the boy up, and they headed into the light-dimmed bedroom, sitting on the bed with Zack on his lap. In the silence, Genesis grazed Zack's mind again, and found it calmer but still firmly shut. He nuzzled the boy's neck, frowned, and looked meaningfully at his attentively-observing lover. Angeal quickly realized it, too. Zack didn't smell right, didn't give off his usual scent that was a combination of theirs and his own irresistible one. And this odor wasn't human blood, they realized at the same time. Angeal scowled first, realizing only a split second before Genesis made the same face.
That Gaia-damned fucking bastard. Angeal rarely swore; Genesis wondered absently if this trait of his was finally leaving for good. He made Zack feed from him. I'll k-
Genesis grabbed his lover's arm in such a way that his thought stopped at once, purposely digging manicured nails into the skin. I know, I agree, but right now –
We can't let Zack sense anger. You're right.
They knew they had to be careful, as they weren't sure how much, if any, of their thoughts and feelings were being observed by Zack. He still hadn't made a sound, and though Genesis's billowy poet's shirt was less wet than Angeal's sweater had been, there was definitely a damp spot where the boy's eyes were pressed to it.
I need to feed him, 'Geal. The compulsion, denied for a whole month, reared its head, stronger than it had ever been. How should we…?
I'll be right back.
The former 1st must have used his vampiric speed, because he was indeed only moments gone, setting down an armload of full bottles and a tall plastic bucket Genesis recognized vaguely from the basement. The latter understood at once.
Good idea.
They didn't need to speak even mentally now, as Angeal drew Zack back just enough for Genesis to unbutton his shirt, though at the same time both sires felt a twinge of fear that Zack would refuse, as he had in the past after a trauma, and while neither wanted to force him to do anything right now, they knew this was something Zack needed as much as they did, whether he currently understood that or not. Angeal and Genesis held their unnecessary breath while Zack's head was cradled and his face brought to the breast.
Zack first rubbed his nose lightly against the white skin, then his lips brushed the tender nipple. After what seemed like an eternity of confused hesitation, the boy took it into his mouth, rubbed it with his tongue, and latched on with his teeth. He was feeding, slowly, but willingly. Tears of relief and a million other emotions streamed down Genesis's cheeks, further wetting Zack's hair that he buried his face in and nuzzled. When he looked up to share a smile with Angeal, he saw that his lover was silently weeping too – another thing Angeal generally didn't do.
As usual, the two sires moved and acted like two bodies and one mind. Angeal brought Zack's wrist to his nose, pushed down another rush of anger at the wrong smell, and very gently sank his teeth into the vein. Instead of swallowing down the tainted blood, he took a large mouthful, turned faster than human eyes would be able to see, and spit it into the bucket, then returned to take another. Zack showed no sign he realized this was happening, except that when Angeal lovingly held the arm's hand, the boy wrapped his fingers around it tightly.
We're right here, baby Puppy. You're going to be okay. Everything will be okay.
Considering they were essentially trying to empty and refill Zack, and knowing what a comfort feeding him was to Genesis, Angeal gave his lover a long time before mentally nudging him. Without hesitation (other than a half-serious telepathic grumble), Genesis lifted Zack up, holding him under the arms like a toddler, and passed him over to the boy's former teacher. Both noticed and noted that Zack was dead weight (not that he was what either would call heavy) and his eyes were still squeezed shut, but thankfully, his expression had gone more neutral, closer to the pout associated with teenage grumpiness more than the PTSD they'd once had to worry about as SOLDIERs.
Angeal settled the teenager against his chest, and surprising both the sires, Zack stirred abruptly out of limpness and burrowed into his hold, clinging more than hugging, clearly upset but – more thanks to Gaia – seeking touch rather than avoiding it. Angeal embraced him tightly, hands moving all over him urgently, trying to be everywhere at once, telling him physically what his mind and Genesis's continued to chant.
We've got you, you're home, you're safe. Don't worry about anything right now, just drink.
Cradling the newborn's head, Angeal brought Zack's mouth to his neck, and he needed only a little coaxing before he bit into the jugular and began to feed. Genesis came in close behind him, forming the enclosure of safety Zack had always loved, drew back the collar of the boy's shirt and sank his fangs into Zack's neck. Angeal wordlessly passed the bucket over to his partner, and Genesis resumed taking in as much bad blood as he could, disposing of it, then going back for more. Something was missing, the redhead thought absently, then nearly rolled his eyes at himself for the sentiment – of course something was missing, Zack was closed off right now, but there was something else, something –
'Gealy…
I know. But it's probably normal…as much as something can be in this situation.
Not only had Zack not ejaculated once so far, when normally he'd be on his fourth or fifth, a very subtle check by Angeal confirmed, the boy had not even gotten hard. Neither sire would push or even attempt anything sexual until Zack showed he was willing and ready, but they both worried how much damage this condition indicated Zack had taken. The newborn's mind was still locked up tightly, taking thoughts in but giving nothing out; the sires could only tell they were doing the right things by Zack's cooperation and the obvious way his body had been relaxing since they first touched him.
Genesis sensed (and smelled) when it was time to stop, sat back and chugged a bottle of blood, and helped Angeal drink down one of his own quickly while Zack continued to feed, slowly now, mainly, they knew, for reassurance. As Genesis quickly disposed of the half-full bucket, Angeal buried his face in Zack's black hair, nuzzled and smiled – his irresistible scent was back to normal. When Genesis returned, he reflected the expression, pressing a long kiss into the damp spikes to take his own sniff. They kept all four hands on Zack, caressing affectionately in their usual spots, and continued when Zack detached from Angeal's skin and instead pressed his face against his old mentor's shirt.
Genesis tentatively touched the boy's mind, and found it had cracked open just a bit, like a door barely ajar, letting out just the faintest sliver of light, the faintest hint of awareness in the boy whose eyes were still determinedly closed. The sires gently focused all their love for Zack into him, and he shuddered, perhaps with relief, but did not open himself any further. Angeal, with his familiar, firm hands caressed Zack's scalp and back, up and down, and Genesis moved the same over the boy's sides, with softer and slimmer fingers. Patiently, they waited for a cue from Zack to tell them what to do.
What he did was unexpected. Without moving anything but his arm, Zack suddenly shoved his hand down Angeal's sweatpants. His touch was always able to harden the former teacher instantly, and it did now, and Zack made a soft, satisfied sort of sound as he began to stroke, not too fast but not taking his time either. Angeal, able to worry even in this state, tried very gently to tug Zack's elbow, mentally offering a sense of Maybe this isn't best right now, Puppy, but one soft whine from the boy in protest stopped him immediately. Okay, Puppy, okay, whatever you want.
Given permission (eyes still unopened), Zack slithered down to almost a laying position on the bed, and Angeal straightened himself in a kneeling position to let the boy yank his pants down. Still going by feel, Zack closed his mouth over the swollen organ and circled his arms around the broad lower body, as though worried he'd be pulled away. Genesis continued to rub his sides and Angeal carded his hair and cupped his face, as Zack sucked slowly, in no hurry to make this quick. When he finally sensed the release was imminent, Zack tightened his hold, sucked harder, and drank every drop that emerged like a man dying of thirst.
The act seemed to have drained what little energy the boy had; Zack released the deflated organ to rest his head on a muscled thigh. Angeal lifted him up, held him close, settled the lolling head against his shoulder. He and Genesis watched, cloaking their apprehension, as the newborn's eyes reluctantly blinked open. They were as breathtakingly beautiful as the sires remembered, that rare pale blue bright with spirit and intelligence, but sad now, though there were no tears, for the moment.
Hi.
The one little, shaky, soft mental word was enough to start Angeal and Genesis weeping again. They hugged Zack tightly from the front and the back, flooding him even more than they meant to with love and reassurance in a mixture of telepathic and verbal speech. Their presence in his thoughts and around him, after a month of sensing only Dagan, seemed to break something in Zack that needed to break. The boy rubbed his face against the fabric of Angeal's shirt and cried with almost no sound. He wrapped one arm around Angeal's neck to return his hug, and with the other grabbed and squeezed Genesis's left hand which had been touching his waist.
Genesis's mind went from bright white back to focusing on worldly things, and his mental voice, usually melodic, was shaky with feeling. Baby cub, we missed you so much. We love you so much.
I love you guys too. I'm sorry.
"You've done nothing wrong," Angeal said, in a firm voice he'd used a lot as a mentor.
Zack heaved a quiet sob. I let him…everything. I tricked him but I let him do everything to do that. I'm… He let the sentence trail off, but the thought behind it was clear. Ruined, spoiled, at fault. Bad.
"Puppy." Angeal insistently turned Zack's face to look in his eyes, waiting for them to open again. "Exceptional as you are, you were no match for his age and power. You did exactly what we selfishly asked of you. You did what you had to do in order to stay alive and well enough to get back to us. I wouldn't blame you for anything that happened, even if you tell me you stripped unprompted in front of that fucker and begged him to touch you. I am so sorry for what you went through, baby Puppy, but I am damn proud of you. You came through alive and sane what would've broken a lot of adult men."
Zack seemed to shrink into himself against the broad, welcoming chest, sniffling as Angeal kissed his forehead. "You are?"
"I always have been. But yes, now more than ever."
"Me too," Genesis chimed in softly, smiling when his held hand was squeezed.
"He…he did something so I could only sense him." Tellingly, Zack had not spoken Dagan's name once so far. "He said you guys would always sense I was okay, so you wouldn't worry. He made it seem like…so many times…"
Resting his chin on the boy's shoulder, Genesis hugged him tightly from behind. "We understand, baby cub. We should've guessed he'd do something like that. He was always very good at seeming well-meaning and reasonable."
Zack nodded, but then seemed to shrink in both men's embraces. "I guess you guys…want to know everything."
"We do, but I'm not putting you through reliving the last month," Angeal said resolutely. "There's an easier way."
"How?" Zack asked, relieved.
"You need to sleep. Do you think you can?"
"I think so."
"We can nudge you a bit, if necessary," Genesis offered.
"Puppy, we'll understand if you're not comfortable doing this yet…"
"I'm back with you," Zack interrupted softly. "I can do anything."
With a tender smile, Angeal took hold of Zack beneath his arms and moved him to a laying position on the bed. Genesis sprawled out on one side of the boy, Angeal settled on the other, leaning over Zack and so grateful for the trust and lack of fear on the newborn's beautiful face.
"Can you open up your mind, as much as you feel comfortable doing?"
Zack nodded. He had intended to say more of a "Maybe," but somehow at once understood what was being requested and how to do it. Blinking rapidly several times, the boy imagined a door separating his thoughts from his sires', and envisioned it opening as wide as it could. The only images and memories in his head that he'd rather his parents not see were the ones they needed to see, and Zack accepted that.
A warm pulse of relax seeped into his body from Genesis's direction. It was so unlike the directives Dagan had liked to push into him, a suggestion rather an order. Zack accepted it, yawning childishly as a blanket was tucked around him. Genesis was stroking his arm, Angeal running fingers through his hair. He knew now he'd be able to sleep.
"Leave your mind open, baby Puppy. While you rest, we'll get the answers we need without you having to go through it all consciously. If you can handle it, though, when we report what's happened to the Council, you'll likely have to be awake."
Zack nodded bravely. "I can do it. But…"
"What, baby cub?" Genesis asked gently.
"I don't have to…go back to him, right? Ever?"
Angeal turned Zack's head to face him, stared directly into his eyes while he caressed the tear-damp cheek.
"Never," he said, with simple and absolute certainty. "The Council, once they know he harmed you, will at the very least terminate every right he has to you. And even if they don't do that, it won't matter. He is going to die for hurting you, as painfully as we can manage."
Zack looked alarmed, never afraid of his teacher but unused to merciful Angeal planning to murder someone, and so resolutely calm about it on top of that. He was a soft-hearted boy, as well, and though he hated Dagan, Zack's gut reaction to anyone being hurt was a protest that he now held back. Angeal saw it in his eyes, anyway. He'd never quite had the heart to try to stomp Zack's compassion out of him, either as a SOLDIER or a vampire. The former 1st, while considering what to say, brought Zack's hand to his lips and kissed each finger one by one.
"I love how kind you are. I love everything about you, including the amount of compassion you have, even though I've at times wished I could remove it from you to make you wary, to keep you safer. But he hurt you both mentally and physically, and did so after everyone gave him a chance to redeem himself by not doing so. Dagan is going to die, that's not negotiable. Anyone who hurts my kid deserves no less."
Zack offered a weak, watery smile as he ran his fingertips over the familiar scratchiness of Angeal's ever-present stubble. "I like being your kid."
"You always have been. You were born to be."
Genesis pressed a long kiss to the newborn's forehead, and by the time he drew back, Zack's eyes were closed and he was drifting off. The sire began to sing the lullabies he remembered from the nannies of his childhood, and his sweet voice was so comforting that Zack was deeply asleep in minutes. The couple clasped hands, each also taking a hand of Zack's, and began to gently probe the teenager's memories.
To be continued.
