Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by their original creators. No money is being made and no infringement is intended.
Author's Note: I'm thinking of the baths where a fire under the building heats up the water, really old-fashioned. I know it's really ancient considering all things, but I like a much more simpler and older way of life, especially way out in the middle of nowhere in a cabin by a lake.
Quatre left the library and walked upstairs with a book in his arms. Trowa was nowhere to be seen, and Quatre settled on the couch, a blanket over his legs, which were tucked under his body. After reading for awhile, Quatre still couldn't get the coppery taste from his mouth, so he got up and went upstairs to brush his teeth.
The cooling mint was refreshing, and Quatre flossed thoroughly before rinsing and going back downstairs. He went outside into the dark world and began walking to town. Sandrock had stayed outside while Quatre had read, and bounded after him to go to town.
The store was open, and Quatre stepped inside to find something for lunch, his footsteps quiet on the wooden floors. A door opened and shut, and Quatre smiled at Trieze as he appeared.
"Silent," Trieze said, looking at Quatre. "I didn't hear you come in again. Perhaps I should put a bell on the door."
Quatre laughed softly at Trieze's teasing, and reached for a box of bread mix on a high shelf. It was just out of reach, and Quatre felt Trieze stand behind him and easily take the box down. Quatre turned, and looked up into Trieze's eyes, eyes that held a concern Quatre couldn't quite place. Trieze's other arm rested on the shelf next to Quatre, who was trapped against the store shelf. Quatre felt heat rise to his face at Trieze's close proximity, and let out a breath he didn't he had been holding when Trieze stepped away and held out the box.
"You seem tired," Trieze said, going to work as Quatre bought a few other things as well. "Are you well?"
"I am tired," Quatre admitted, paying for the groceries. "But I am all right."
Quatre left the store, Sandrock following after waiting outside. The paper bag was heavy, and Quatre nearly tripped over Sandrock as he played around Quatre's feet.
"Knock it off, you hooligan," Quatre reprimanded, and almost dropped the bag when Sandrock started barking.
"Let me help you."
Quatre turned and saw Trowa walking towards him, coming from town. He smiled and let Trowa take the bag and walked next to him towards the cabin.
"I started a bath for you," Trowa said as they approached the cabin. "The bath house is right behind the cabin. It should be hot by now."
Quatre was surprised, and stopped walking. "Is something the matter?" Quatre asked, putting a hand on his hip and looking at Trowa. "You've been so nice lately, breakfast in bed, and now a bath. What's with all the pampering?"
"When you want to romance someone, pampering is a good way to start," Trowa answered, not stopping. "However, when you want to be nice, doing nice things is an even better way to start."
Quatre hurried to catch up to Trowa, who showed him the bath and left him alone. Quatre opened the door and immediately felt the hot steam rise from the water. He undressed completely and set his clothes neatly on top of a single black towel. The water was nice and hot, and Quatre stepped in and sank down to his neck with a sigh. A bar of soap was waiting to be used, and Quatre lathered his body with the rich scented soap. He lifted one leg up out of the water and washed it before lifting the other to do the same. He leaned back and washed away the grime from his hair, and stretched before leaning against the side of the pool. Exhaustion from somewhere was overwhelming, and Quatre closed his eyes as sleep tugged at him.
Trowa watched Quatre bathe, licking his lips as he saw slender legs lift out of the pool, water sliding down the pale skin lightly dusted with hair. He ached to touch that perfect body, yearning to hear screams of ecstasy erupt from those luscious lips. He could smell a scent that was created only for him, and Trowa clenched his teeth as he thought about smelling that scent drenched in sweat, lingering after a long night of sex. He stepped into the bath house and watched Quatre breathe deeply, falling asleep even as Trowa looked at him. The soapy water clouded any view Trowa could enjoy, and he took a controlling breath before spreading the towel open and slipping his arms underneath the soft body.
Quatre stirred and opened his eyes as Trowa lifted him out of the water, wrapping the towel quickly around his wet body to prevent any coldness.
"…Didn't want you to drown," Trowa explained, and easily lifted Quatre up into his arms and carried him into the living room. The fire was burning brightly, and Trowa set Quatre on the couch before getting another blanket to wrap him in.
"Thank you," Quatre said sleepily, drawing the soft blankets closer to him and leaning back against the couch. He was warm, and Quatre barely fought the impending nap upon him. He closed his eyes and fell asleep, his breathing smoothing out.
Quatre woke up to a pounding on wood, and heard Trowa curse as footsteps went to the front door. His stomach growled, and Quatre decided to get up and dress before making a late lunch. He glanced at the clock set on the center of the mantelpiece, and saw it was just past one.
Wrapping the blanket around his body, tucked underneath his arms, Quatre stood and began walking towards the staircase when a shrill whistle reached his ears.
"Whoa! Barton, if I knew you were having a toga party I would have been here hours ago!"
Quatre burst into giggles as Trowa slammed the door shut on his guest. He quickly smothered them as Trowa gave him a dirty look, and Quatre ran upstairs to dress and see who had approved so highly of his attire.
Walking back downstairs in a light green shirt and cream khakis, Quatre saw a young man with long brown hair standing in front of the fire, talking to Trowa. He turned and looked up as Quatre approached, and Quatre saw beautiful violet eyes twinkling mischievously at him.
"So, you must be Quatre," the mysterious young man said, looking him up and down. "Not my type, but still very good-looking."
"And who might you be?" Quatre asked, one hand on his hip as he cocked his head to the side, looking at the young man.
"My name is Duo," he introduced. "Trowa has been a friend of mine for years. I didn't know he had such a handsome young man living with him."
"I'm only staying for a few more days," Quatre explained, going into the kitchen to make some lunch.
"Mmhmm," Duo hummed, looking at Trowa, who didn't make contact. "So, Quatre, what do you do for a living?"
"I write," Quatre answered, making a sandwich with one piece of bread and a few slices of thin turkey. Sandrock was whining to be let inside, and Quatre opened the door. The giant dog bounded over to Duo, sniffed him in the crotch, then sprawled out in front of the fire.
Duo rubbed his crotch, wincing. "Glad he didn't decide to bite," he muttered, looking at the Mastiff. "Good guardian?"
Quatre paused before swallowing the rest of his sandwich. That was same thing Catherine asked him when he first came here. Sandrock was great at protecting him, except for that time.
'What time?' Quatre thought, his eyes glazing as he tried to figure out his thoughts. 'When was it? Yesterday?'
Trowa quickly stepped forward and held his hand against Quatre's face. Quatre's eyes closed and he collapsed, Trowa catching him in one arm as he hypnotized him.
"He almost remembered after you had them blocked?" Duo asked, watching the exchange. "I heard the news all the way from home. I knew Viktor Slake was on the borders of evil, but I didn't think he would actually give a mortal Lover's Blood and rape him. Although, looking at Quatre, I'm not surprised. If I met him in a dark alley I would not hesitate in raping him."
Trowa shot Duo a dark look, and Duo merely held up his hands. "It's the truth. Beautiful mortals like him are raped and fed from every day. I'm surprised you haven't fed from him. Young human blood is so much sweeter than those old homeless mortals you feed off of."
"I would rather kill a mortal who has no home than a young man with a family that loves him," Trowa said, waiting for his spell to wear off.
Quatre moaned softly and opened his eyes. Trowa held him upright, and Quatre rubbed his head. "Ow, what?" was all Quatre could say.
"You must still be tired," Trowa said. "Sit down, and talk to Duo. I want you to rest."
Quatre blinked before nodding. "All right."
"So, did you ditch your family and come all the way out here?" Duo asked, sitting in a chair across from the couch.
Quatre shook his head as he sat down on the couch. "No, I don't have a very caring family."
"Really?" Duo asked, looking over to Trowa.
"My father disapproved of my preference to other men," Quatre admitted. "He disowned me. My mother died after giving birth to me, and my sisters are forbidden to make any contact with me. I haven't seen any of my so-called 'family' in five years. I was sixteen when my father threw me out of the house. I dropped out of school and went to a company to write. I've been doing it ever since."
"So, your dog is the only one you have?" Duo asked, leaning back comfortably.
Quatre laughed and nodded. "I had to have him the moment I saw him. His last owner was taking him to the pound to kill him. I intervened and rescued him, and protecting me has been his way of saying thank you."
"No family, and the only who loves you is a dog," Duo said thoughtfully. "It's hard to picture you without a giant home and lots of family loving you. Weren't you happy?"
Quatre looked away sadly. "I had all that, and I thought it made me happy. A family to love me, a mansion to call home. It was like those fairy-tales you read about. But I wasn't happy. Not until I moved away, to a tiny apartment to call home, and adopted a dog to love me unconditionally. I don't know what true happiness is, and I'm not so sure I want to find it. If I find it, I'd want more, and so on forever. I have someone to love me, and I have a place to call home right now. I'm content, and that's good enough for me."
"Yeah," Duo agreed, grinning and sitting forward. "I have a home, and my boyfriend loves me. I'm content too, and when I sit back and think about it, I realize how much I'm loved, despite who I am."
"I have Catherine," Trowa said quietly, and Quatre looked up at him as he came and sat down on the couch next to him. "But I'm not content. There's something else I want, I need, and I won't be content until I have it."
Quatre's eyes locked with Trowa's, and he felt his breath catch in his throat. Trowa's green eyes were deep with feelings, and Quatre stared into them, searching for their desire. He felt heat rise to his face as he found what Trowa meant, and Trowa broke eye contact and stood up.
"Tell Heero I said hello," Trowa said, and Duo stood up and walked out the door, waving before shutting it behind him.
"You want me?" Quatre asked, standing up and following Trowa to the basement. "Is what I saw in your eyes true? Am I what you desire?"
"I desire nothing more than to strip you of your clothes and ravage you on my bed," Trowa replied, and Quatre followed him down the basement steps. "I hardly deem that appropriate considering certain situations."
"What kind of situations?" Quatre asked, following Trowa through the maze of bookshelves. "Tell me!"
Trowa whirled around, and caught Quatre by the wrists, slamming him none too gently into a shelf.
"I will rape you until you scream for mercy, and even then I wouldn't stop," Trowa whispered in Quatre's ear, making the blond shiver at the icy words. His lips grazed Quatre's neck, resting on his pulse point. Trowa felt the rapid pulse, and knew he had frightened the young man. He ran his tongue over the sensitive area before pulling away quickly and entering his bedroom at the end of the maze.
Quatre took a shaky breath before turning and walking upstairs. Sandrock was whining, and Quatre absently patted his head before going upstairs to his room.
Sandrock sat on the makeshift bed Quatre had made for him and watched as Quatre opened his notebook and lifted a pen in his fingers, tapping it against his notebook before starting to write. Sandrock settled down with a sigh, knowing Quatre wouldn't be moving for a long while.
Quatre rubbed his hand as he put down his pen and closed his notebook. He couldn't tell if it was night or day, it was always so dark outside. He got up and went downstairs to look at the lone clock.
It said half past midnight, and Quatre sighed. All that writing left him wide-awake, trying to get all his thoughts down. It was a hot summer night, and Quatre suddenly had a wild idea. He quickly went upstairs to change.
He stepped out of the cabin with a thin, silk bathrobe tied around his slim waist. Sandals were strapped to his feet, and Quatre walked quietly over the wooden dock extending into the lake. He slipped out of his sandals before untying the sash on his robe and sliding it off his shoulders to pool at his feet. He dove into the cool water, feeling better as he swam. He slicked his blond hair back from his face as he surfaced from a dive, and heard footsteps on wood behind him. Quatre looked over his shoulder and saw Trowa standing on the dock, looking at him with his arms folded.
Trowa had heard Quatre leave the cabin, and followed to see what he was up to. He was more than a little surprised, as Quatre slipped out of the robe and exposed his entire body before diving into the lake.
Trowa didn't think of Quatre as the one to skinny dip in the middle of the night.
Unfortunately, vampires roamed at night, and Trowa didn't want anyone else to see his Quatre. He watched for a few moments before walking out onto the dock.
"You're going to get sick," Trowa said to Quatre, his arms still folded.
"I really don't think so," Quatre replied, treading water in the deep lake. "If I do, then oh well."
Trowa bent down and picked up the silk bathrobe Quatre had abandoned and sighed. "What if someone sees you?"
"You're watching me now, and I don't mind," Quatre retorted, swimming back a ways as the water chilled his heated skin. Quatre actually minded very much, he wasn't expecting Trowa to be awake at this hour. He blushed when Trowa seemed to stare at him, and swam back even farther.
"I think you do," Trowa stated flatly, and Quatre rolled his eyes.
"All right, I'm coming out," Quatre said, and began swimming forward when something touched his leg. Quatre stopped and gasped, looking into the dark water to see what had touched him.
"What's wrong?" Trowa asked, and Quatre looked up at him standing on the dock, ten feet away.
"Something touched me," Quatre said when he felt a hand grasp his ankle. He screamed, but it was cut short when he was pulled into the water.
Trowa dropped Quatre's robe and dove into the water, searching for what had taken Quatre. He spotted them several yards down, a vampire that Trowa didn't recognize, and when the mysterious vampire saw Trowa, he let go of Quatre. Trowa caught Quatre in his arms and broke through the water surface. He walked across the lake water and stepped up onto dock. Quatre was coughing, and Trowa wrapped the robe around him tying it securely in place.
"W-what was that?" Quatre coughed, wiping his wet bangs from his eyes as he stood in Trowa's embrace.
Trowa was looking over him, his arms around the shivering body. Quatre followed his line of sight, and saw someone standing on the water.
"The lake isn't anyone's property," the person said, and Quatre gasped. The man wasn't standing on the water. He was floating above it.
"I presume you haven't heard what happened to the last one who touched him," Trowa said, and Quatre tightened his grip on Trowa's leather jacket when he heard a shrill shriek pierce through his hearing.
Then they were moving, and Quatre opened his eyes and saw the ground flash by before they were in front of the cabin door. Trowa opened it and pushed him inside, shutting the door and locking it before turning back to Quatre.
"What are you?" Quatre asked, hugging his arms.
Trowa took a step towards him, and Quatre retreated back a pace. "Tell me!" Quatre demanded. "Who was that? What was that? What are you?"
"Quatre," Trowa said softly, and continued to walk towards him. Quatre stepped back until his back hit the wall, and Trowa wrapped his arms around Quatre's trembling shoulders in a gentle embrace.
"It's all right," Trowa murmured, and Quatre slowly brought his hands up to rest on Trowa's arms. "I won't let them hurt you," Trowa whispered, and Quatre felt his eyes grow heavy. "I promise, I won't let them hurt you."
Quatre's eyes closed, and he would have fallen if Trowa did not have his arms around him. Trowa lifted him up and carried him down to the basement. Sandrock followed after him, and Trowa let the giant dog come into his bedroom. He gently set Quatre down on his bed before covering him with the blankets. Trowa sat on the bed next to him, but as the Sun rose, Trowa fell asleep while Quatre stirred.
Quatre opened his eyes and blinked in the darkness. He sighed and rolled over only to come face to face with a sleeping Trowa. Quatre held his breath watching the older man, and carefully eased his way out of the blankets before making his way out of the bedroom and through the basement, tying his robe around his waist as he walked.
Sandrock got up and followed Quatre, leaving as quietly as he could for being such a big dog. Quatre tiptoed up the stairs and into the kitchen to make some breakfast and feed Sandrock.
The sun was shining, for once, and Quatre smiled out the window as he fried an egg and a thin slice of ham. It really felt like summer when the sun shone.
Quatre left Sandrock eating in the kitchen and went upstairs to clean up and dress in fresh clothes. He slipped on his sneakers and opened the front door, nearly colliding with someone who was about to knock.
"Oh, excuse me," the stranger apologized, his dark hair falling forward as he bowed. "I'm looking for a Trowa Barton. Does he still live here?"
"He's asleep right now," Quatre said. "Is there a message you can leave?"
"Yes, tell him Wufei came by to visit," the stranger said. "I'll be at the inn later tonight, I have business elsewhere right now. Thank you . . .?"
"Quatre Winner," Quatre introduced, holding out his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Wufei."
Wufei took Quatre's hand and placed a gentle kiss on the soft skin. "The pleasure is mine," Wufei said, smiling charmingly before letting go of Quatre's hand and walking off towards the opposite side of the lake.
Quatre shut the door behind him and began walking to town, hoping to find his bike before he forgot. As he passed by buildings, Quatre noticed all of them seemed to be closed up. The windows were dark and no one walked around but him. It was eerie, and Quatre hurried to the inn to get his bike from Catherine.
The inn was locked when Quatre tried to open the door, but he noticed his bike sitting off to the side of the building. The tire was fixed, and Quatre jumped off the porch steps and went around the side of the inn to examine it.
"Well, she did keep her promise," Quatre muttered before untying the bike from the post and swinging one leg over. He pedaled back to the cabin, and left the bike in front of the cabin before opening the door and entering into silence.
Sandrock was asleep in front of the fireplace, and Quatre yawned before lying down on the couch.
"A nap does sound good," Quatre murmured before his eyes fell shut, falling into a deep sleep.
There was a frantic noise outside of the inn, and Catherine opened the door and stifled a gasp as Trowa stumbled up the front steps, Sandrock being pulled behind him.
"We were attacked," Trowa said, helping Sandrock walk into a room. "He's injured, Catherine, and needs help."
"Don't worry, I'll help him," Catherine said, and Trowa stood straight after helping Sandrock onto a bed.
Trowa leaned against the wall, watching Catherine mix an herbal medicine for Sandrock.
"What happened?" Catherine asked, gathering her many ingredients.
"Werewolves," Trowa replied. "Wufei helped me, and is going back to the cabin to check on Quatre right now. I need to make sure he's safe."
"And what makes you feel this way?" Catherine asked, finishing her medicine and looking towards Trowa. "What makes you feel for him?"
"I can't really describe my feelings right now," Trowa said, his arms crossed across his chest. "I think it's just possessiveness that leads me this way."
"If it really was just that, why are you talking with me?" Catherine asked, helping Sandrock eat her medicine. "Triton, I really think you're falling for Quatre. In love, like I did."
"…No, I'm not," Trowa denied. "And it's Trowa, Catherine. I'm not Triton anymore."
Catherine sighed as she pat the giant dog's head. "All right, Trowa, have it your way. But, think about it. You've had relationships before, have you ever needed any of them like you need Quatre?"
Trowa didn't reply, instead he was looking away to the floor. "I'm going home to Quatre."
Catherine watched him leave the building and run into the dark world outside.
"You need him," Catherine said, watching the door shut behind Trowa. "You're not possessive, Triton, you're in love."
Quatre woke up with a start, and looked out the window. Night had fallen again, and Quatre glanced at the clock and then back outside, then back to the clock. It said it was only half past noon.
Cautiously, Quatre stood up and looked around, half hoping it was some prank Trowa was pulling. Remembering that Trowa was not the joking type Quatre stood in front of the window, looking out into the dark world.
"Weird," Quatre muttered, and saw something leap in the forest out of the corner of his eye. He quickly turned his head, but nothing moved. Turning back to look ahead, the face of a giant beast was glaring at him, red eyes piercing with hatred. Quatre's eyes widened in fear and he screamed, stumbling backwards and falling to the floor as the giant wolf-like beast leaped at the window, cracking the glass but not breaking it. Quatre barely had time to wonder if it truly was glass when the window cracked more, the giant snout breaking through.
"Trowa!" Quatre screamed, and scrambled to his feet. "Trowa! Help!"
The monster broke through the glass and fought its way inside the cabin. Quatre retreated until his back was pressed against the farthest wall, his breaths coming in panicked gasps. The monster prepared to jump and snarled at Quatre, who shrieked in terror.
Another crash was heard, and Quatre whipped his head around before being swept off his feet right as the monster leaped, and it crashed into the wall where Quatre had been standing.
Trowa suddenly appeared, and aimed a silver gun at the beast, firing several shots until the monster was still in its own blood.
Quatre eyes were tightly shut, and he heard voices before finally being able to force them open. The carcass was dripping blood across the floor, and Trowa was standing in front of Quatre, looking down at him.
"Are you all right?" Trowa asked, and Quatre saw that he was truly concerned.
"…NO!" Quatre shrieked, startling Trowa. His green eyes widened and he took a step backwards. "No, I'm not all right! That…that…that, THING just tried to kill me! What was it? What are you? What's going on here?"
"We have to get out of here," a voice said, startling Quatre out of his rant. He looked at his rescuer and realized it was the man from before, Wufei.
"Get dressed in something warm," Trowa said quietly, and Quatre looked up at him, his sapphire eyes shining with tears ready to fall.
"Not after I'm scared to death by some creature," Quatre said, wiping away the tears of fright that fell from his eyes.
Trowa gently wiped away the tears and placed a gentle kiss on Quatre's face, following the salty trail to his lips. Quatre kept is shaking lips tightly closed, and Trowa kissed him softly before pulling away.
"I'll explain everything. But it's too dangerous here," Trowa said, caressing Quatre's cheek. "Please, hurry."
Quatre swallowed before nodding and turning to go upstairs to his room. He pulled a pale green sweater over his shirt, and brushed his hair quickly before going back downstairs.
"Come on," Trowa said, standing at the bottom. He held out his hand towards Quatre. "We can't linger here for long."
Quatre reached forward and took Trowa's hand, and he pulled him along. They nearly ran out the front door, and Quatre suddenly realized something.
"Where's Sandrock?" Quatre asked, trying to stop but Trowa kept pulling him along. "Trowa! Let go! I have to find him!"
"He's recovering with Catherine," Trowa said, not letting go of Quatre's hand. "The darkness fell, and I went to see her for advice. He wanted to come with me, so I let him out and we walked to town. Along the way, we were attacked. He was injured, and I took him to Catherine. She said she could heal him, but he would have to rest. I was on my way back when I heard your screams. Wufei beat me here and rescued you, while I found my gun and shot the werewolf."
"Werewolf?" Quatre repeated, following Trowa towards a cellar door. They stopped so Trowa could unlock the doors and pull them open, and Quatre followed Trowa and Wufei into the dank passageways. Trowa's grip on him didn't falter, and neither did his pace. Quatre was pulled down into the murky darkness, his heart quickening as they approached a massive temple underwater.
"Hold on to me," Trowa said, and Quatre was whisked off his feet and into Trowa's arms. He wrapped his arms comfortably around Trowa, and Quatre took a deep breath before resting his head against Trowa's shoulder. Trowa carried him into the temple, and into a large room where many other people were. Quatre recognized Duo, who gave him a wave, before he was carried and set on an altar in the center of the room.
Quatre licked his dry lips and swallowed, but Trowa was standing behind him, his hand on Quatre's shoulder. Quatre recognized Trieze, and watched the older man step towards him.
"I understand you saw your first werewolf today," Trieze said, and Quatre licked his lips again before nodding.
"I-I suppose, although I couldn't say," Quatre answered honestly. "I've never seen one before."
"Then do you know what we are?" Trieze asked, his voice echoing throughout the room as he motioned to the crowd of people.
"Vampires," Quatre answered. "I didn't notice before, but it all makes sense now."
Trieze nodded approvingly. "Very intelligent, a rare trait in a mortal human. Quatre, would you be able to recognize another werewolf if you saw one?"
"I could try," Quatre said, his voice shaky but evening out. "It might be hard if it's not charging at me with insane malice."
Trieze chuckled, and Quatre felt Trowa move away. His eyes widened in fright for a moment, but Trowa stepped away until he was part of the crowd of vampires. Quatre looked up, and watched the banners on the ceiling above him drop until sunlight shone down on him. It was warm, and Quatre finally remembered why he loved sunshine so much. It warmed his heart and soul.
Trieze sucked in a sharp breath. The human was positively radiant in light, and Trieze let out the breath slowly.
"Quatre, do you see one in this room?" Trieze asked.
Quatre looked around. The sunlight made it hard to see, and turned to Trieze to tell him when he did see a werewolf.
"There's one behind you!" Quatre cried out, and Trieze whirled around and dodged the back attack just in time.
Bullets were fired, and Quatre blinked in the light before the banners were pulled up, sending the sunlight away. He scrambled off the altar as a werewolf lunged at him, and it sunk its fangs into the stone. Quatre felt arms lift him, and was flying backwards. Trowa carried him through the temple and into a room full of soft cushions and pillows.
"You'll be safe here," Trowa said, and Quatre grabbed his hand as he made to leave.
"Kiss me good-bye," Quatre demanded, and Trowa looked at him, amused.
Quatre didn't let go of Trowa's hand. "Kiss me good-bye, so you can kiss me hello," Quatre said, his voice shaky but determined.
Trowa took Quatre's face in both hands and placed a strong kiss against the awaiting lips. His tongue was thrust into the luscious mouth, and after several intense moments Trowa forced his self away and left the room, slamming the door shut.
Quatre fell to his knees as he heard roars and screams, and wrapped a blanket around his shoulders as he waited for Trowa.
*End Part 2*