Note: Thanks to sisalk08, and Tenka-chan for reviewing.

Kings and Aces

4/?

One of the weirdest things about being a vampire was the fact that his heart no longer beat. Nicky had contemplated on this mystery while his father stared at him from across the room.

You'll get used to it. Mr. X told him telepathically. His answer was a hard glare from his son who lay motionless on his back across his bed.

When I said I wasn't talking to you that meant in our heads as well. Nicky shot back, causing his father to smirk involuntarily.

"You can't ignore me forever," Mr. X countered, aggravated when Dominic continue to stare at the ceiling, offering no response. It had been like this for nearly a week, every since Xavier had dragged his rebellious son back to Italy. Mr. X had refused to let him leave the house, and in return Nicky had refused to speak to him.

"Nicky," Xavier began, only to be cut off with another nasty glare.

"Don't. Call. Me. That!" Dominic hissed. Xavier sighed deeply and began again.

"Dominic, why do you insist on being so damn insolent? I am your father," If looks could kill Xavier knew he would finally be in hell where he belonged. Dominic stared at his father with angry stoniness and sat up abruptly.

"You are not. My. Father!" Nicky more than yelled. Mr. X wasn't fazed but instead remained seated.

"I am. Despite what you want to believe. And I care about you," Xavier admitted, willing letting down his normally emotionless façade.

"Get out," Dominic hissed dangerously. He stood up, grabbing the lamp from the desk beside him and readying himself to throw it at his father. But Xavier was too quick, using his energy to freeze his son's motions.

"Put it down," Dominic's master ordered sternly. Nicky did as he was told but continued to glare daggers. Once the lamp had been placed on the table, Nicky fell to the floor in immense pain, yanking at his hair.

"You will stop this behavior child," Mr. X stated sternly. Nicky nodded vigorously, unshed tears threatening to fall.

"I will. Just please make it stop," Dominic begged. Satisfied, Xavier cut off the energy. He made his way across the room to Dominic, hoping to comfort him in some way. He hated it when it came to this. A war between power struggles.

"Leave me," Dominic ordered before Xavier could reach him. His father seemed to contemplate this statement for a moment before complying.

"I'll be downstairs if you need me."

Paris, France- 1830

Dominic was 350 when he and Xavier had traveled from Russia to France in order to meet with leader of the vampire race. While he was a good friend of his father's, 'Lord Camus', as he called himself, did not make a good impression on Dominic. In matter of two minutes the man had drawn out the worst in the usually compliant vampire. Nothing about the man's domineering attitude (worse than his father's), ruthless slaughter of innocent mortals, or obvious lust for Nicky, helped with Dominic's distrust. Lord Camus, quite frankly, disgusted the 'young' immoral.

Dominic did his best to hide his opinions as the glowering man ordered around his 'servants' and boasted proudly about his up incoming plans for "overthrowing the throne".

"Quite spectacular," Mr. X said with obvious admirableness. Dominic barely kept from letting out a grunt of ridicule, busing himself by playing with the hem of his sleeve.

"What do you think?" Lord Camus questioned, eyes locking with the beautiful, youthful-looking, vampire. Nicky looked at him, with what he hoped came across as interest, and muttered, "Riveting". Beside him, Dominic's father gave him a warning glare, but Lord Camus paid no attention, missing the attitude behind the boy's answer.

"It is. I could use you, you know Nicky?" Camus said with hidden undertones. Mr. X laid a hand on his son's shoulder, silencing the retort his son was sure to give for the moniker.

"Use me?" Nicky questioned instead. Lord Camus laid his ring-covered hand on Dominic's other shoulder, squeezing lightly.

"You are very talented," He whispered into his ear. Mr. X eyed the Lord's hand with contained anger, finally reading the action behind his words.

"If that is all, my son and I are very busy," Xavier said as politely as he could muster. Lord Camus smiled knowingly.

"I see he is a jealous one," Camus commented. "He wishes to have you all for himself."

Dominic felt the room spin and tilt and hang upside down. This often happened after an encounter like the one he had just had with his father. He often forgot how truly powerful Xavier was. He could feel his blood pulse through his body like a heat wave, and he knew something big was about to happen. His body always did strange things when something important was in the making.

He sat up in bed abruptly and listened to the voices making their way into his house. The average human wouldn't have known anyone was even entering, since the house was a decent four stories tall. But of course, he wasn't average.

For a second he considered joining the group of voices downstairs but decided against it. Whatever was going on, he didn't want to be a part of it. He flopped back down on his bed, hoping beyond all hope that it was nothing. He was awfully tired of running. He knew his wishes would not be granted however, when his bedroom door swung open, framing the figure of Lord Camus. A man he'd barely given a thought for almost a hundred years.

"Hello Nicky," He whispered lustfully. "It's so nice to see you again."