Warning: Mentioning of rape
Chapter 8
A quick scan of the broken, moaning bodies on the muddy ground told him two things; first, there weren´t enough wounded, agonized biker. And second: Nothing wasn´t there either.
The adrenaline that rushed through his veins at that revelation like liquid flames, mixing with Gideon´s old, powerful blood made the vampire stumble to his feet, using the wall for support with slightly trembling hands.
"He was just here a minute ago."
How much time had passed? Zillah couldn´t tell; once he got caught up in one of his scorching, all-consuming frenzies everything around him stopped, save for the writhing , disfigured bodies of his targets, dancing around him like helpless candy on strings, waiting to be caught and devoured.
Gideon and his alluring, leaking injuries were all but forgotten as something started to burn inside Zillah's heart that he could not quite define yet.
It was the hollow ache of worry, spiced with a dash of panic.
"Where is he?"
It came out in a hiss, sounding irritated, because that was the only way Zillah knew how to deal with things that made him feel uncertain.
Gideon got up, too, grabbing the nearest still not dead biker and hoisted him up by the collar of his shirt. His blue eyes were blazing, darker and more sinister than usual and his gaze bore like icicles into the frightened biker's eyes.
"Where is the little one?" he hissed, baring his fangs in a vicious snarl.
"Back… alley" the man gurgled, and the moment he had spilled it Gideon snapped his neck like a twig. He dumped the body and looked at Zillah, knowing that this was bad. The bikers had had a plan from the beginning after all, and although they hadn't expected to meet resistance like they had, they'd still managed to separate Zillah from Nothing.
Gideon pointed towards the dark, narrow alley leading in between the dark buildings and started moving.
It was impossible to know how much damage they could have done to the boy already, and Gideon felt his anger boil. He looked at Zillah as they moved, sympathy and a kind of brotherhood visible on his face.
"They got to him. Let's make them sorry."
Zillah did not say anything. He just wordlessly turned, feeling cold rage starting to built inside him, piling up to a giant mountain of ice that would turn into a lethal avalanche once it tipped over.
If they had dared to do so much as lay a finger on what was his...!
But he knew already. The sole of Zillah's feet on the wet, soaked ground made slurping noises, as if they tried to hold them back, suck them into their slimy world, but nothing could stop Zillah now. Not even Nothing.
His hands had balled into fists and his steps became faster and faster until he ran, despite the pain that still rippled through his body, and the hot fire in his lungs. Zillah's vision had narrowed to a thin path that led him to his son, surely and mercilessly until finally, in the dark corner of a side alley, he saw them.
Gideon was right behind Zillah, letting him lead the way but equally ready to fight if he had to help. What he saw when they finally found the pretty young boy made Gideon's heart skip a beat.
Nothing never stood a chance against four of the burly bikers. Once he ran out of bullets he had nothing to keep them at a distance, and it was obvious that he had been cornered by them.
He was now forced to lie face down over a dirty dumpster, his clothes scattered in the muddy soil on the ground, and his pale, naked body brutally held in place by three of the large men. He was bleeding from multiple cuts and bruises and his hipbones already wore black and blue bruises from being banged into the metal of the container below him.
But the worst part wasn't the cuts and the bruises or even the way his arms had been brutally forced behind his back in a way that must be painful beyond comprehension.
The worst part was the fourth man, standing between Nothing's spread thighs and pumping his cock into the young boy with a brutality that was sure to tear Nothing up inside. The biker seemed completely oblivious to his impending death getting closer by the second, and for now he seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself by torturing their young captive in the most cruel manner possible.
Nothing found himself in something akin to a state of shock. His body hurt in a way he had never even imagined possible before, and he had no more fight left in him. Once he had found out what they wanted, he had tried to fight them with everything he had, because intimacy like that was a privilege only Zillah and especially selected others were allowed. He didn't want it, and the thought of giving his body to the disgusting creeps had lit his rage and made him kick and scream and claw his opponents like a wild animal in an attempt to fight them off.
But they were too strong, and once they had stripped him down and forced his legs apart, Nothing had felt a cold emptiness swallow his soul. He didn't stand a chance, and when the first of the four men had raped him, all he could do was endure the unbearable pain that ripped through his thin body. It had been completely devoid of compassion, and blood was running down Nothing's inner thighs when the next had taken his turn.
Tears had started to trickle down Nothing's face, smearing the black kohl over his cheeks in thin lines, but he was gritting his teeth and refused to cry out despite the mind numbing pain. That had only agitated his attackers even more, and it made the third biker who was currently fucking him slam his cock brutally into Nothing's tight body with angry growls intending to hurt, and he had a rough grip in Nothing's black hair, forcing his neck back in a insanely painful angle.
When the horrible, unbelievable scene registered in Zillah's mind, it went blank for a moment.
Everything he saw was outlined painfully sharp, like carved out of black stone. His son was being molested by a bunch of the most ugly, vicious humans and when it clicked a layer of red crimson swept Zillah's vision. When he moved, he didn´t register that he did.
His mind had totally gone, taken over by blind rage that controlled every last fiber of his being, and when the men noticed that he was there, it was too late already.
Blood splattered the ground, limbs were torn apart, and sharp teeth ripped and mutilated whatever they got into.
They had Zillah's son!
Gideon didn't try to stop Zillah, didn't even try to help either. This was Zillah's right, and Gideon felt absolutely no pity for the humans being butchered by the roaring beast currently ripping into the guts of his nearest victim. Gideon admired the rage of youth, the merciless blood-thirst that coursed through Zillah's veins and consumed him completely now that he was out for revenge.
As soon as it was possible, Gideon moved to Nothing's side. The young boy had collapsed on the ground, completely drained of strength, beaten up both mentally and physically, and Gideon frowned at the sight of the tears trailing down the pale cheeks. Gideon didn't know if Nothing was aware that they had come to save him – if he even knew that Zillah was currently tearing the bikers apart in a gory mess, but it was a fact that he was too weak to move and unable to help himself. He was bleeding from several places, not all of them from wounds Gideon wanted to think about.
Smoothly Gideon moved in and gently lifted the lithe boy up into his strong arms and carried him away from the scene, leaving it up to Zillah to set things right. He didn't move him far though, since he was aware that Zillah probably wouldn't be able to tell friend from foe at this time, and he didn't want to end up at the receiving end of that rage.
He settled calmly on the ground, cradling the pretty boy in his arms protectively, ready to hand him over once Zillah was done.
Zillah was bathing in a sea of blood, literally.
His hands resembled claws more than anything. His hair was matted to his head, dripping with juicy, slick blood and human tissue. Half an intestine was hanging from his shoulder. His face was completely crimson, only green eyes wildly staring out of them. The most horrifying thing might have been, that he didn´t make a sound at all. Zillah didn´t scream nor curse or growl; he just tore apart, even when the men were long gone, littered on the slick, bloody ground in thousand pieces that could not possibly be put back together. Raw flesh and skin had gathered under Zillah's nails and between his teeth, sticking to his drowned clothes and in his hair. He looked like he had stood in the middle of a human explosion.
Eventually, Zillah ran out of energy to fuel his frenzy, and he stumbled, eyes searching for Nothing as, slowly, it dawned on him again why he was mad in the first place. As he spotted Nothing cradled in the arms of an almost stranger, he bared his teeth at the man, sinking to his knees beside Gideon and roughly pushing him away to shake his son back into awareness.
Gideon didn't try to keep Nothing away from Zillah, and he willingly moved a bit further away, allowing Zillah to calm down and get his bearing back.
Nothing let out a pained whimper when Zillah shook him rather carelessly, but it made him open his eyes and look up into familiar green fire, and slowly he recognized Zillah's beautiful features through all the blood. It felt as if a huge weight was lifted from his shoulders as he felt Zillah's arms around him, and slowly Nothing realized that the nightmare was over.
"D..daddy?" he whispered, his voice hoarse and broken. He tried to reach up, to put his arm around Zillah's neck to get closer, but he was too tired, too beat up and bruised to be able to move. Pain shot through him like a million pieces of broken glass had taken residence in his body and slowly churned and grinded in an attempt to break him apart.
"It h..hurts" he moaned, crying softly, trying so hard to be brave and take it in stride but failing all the same. He was fifteen years old, and still just a kid, and right now he definitely felt like one. A sob wrecked his thin body and he knew that this wasn't how Zillah would want him to react. He just couldn't help it.
When he got a vocal reaction from his son, Zillah abruptly stopped shaking the already trembling child, narrowing his eyes.
The sound of his slap to Nothing´s cheek echoed through the otherwise now utterly empty, dark night and left a red imprint on the smudged cheek.
"You imbecile!"
Zillah's voice was thick and throaty as it hissed out between his teeth. Contrary to his angry mannerism however, he pulled Nothing closer the next moment, opening a vein in his own weak body and pressing it against the boy's mouth so he could drink. It would enable Nothing to feel Zillah's frantic heartbeat and bring him close enough to smell the sharp fear spicing up Zillah's sweat, but those were things the older vampire didn´t consider right now.
"How dare you getting captured like some damn damsel in distress?"
Nothing felt the tears burn in his eyes at Zillah's harsh words, and for a short while the meaning of them swirled in Nothing's foggy mind. He had failed Zillah and allowed himself to get caught, and shame flooded his senses as he tried to think of what he had done wrong. He had fought so hard, done everything he could think of to get away, and they had still caught him.
He was weak.
A failure.
He didn't know what he could have done differently, but disappointing Zillah like this hurt worse than any of the cuts and bruises to his broken body.
"I'm s..sorry" he cried, turning his head away as he couldn't bear seeing the anger burn in Zillah's eyes. He didn't know what would happen now, or what he could do to make his mistakes right, and eventually he sobbed again, too overwhelmed with it all. He couldn't bear the thought of losing his family now, after finally finding it after all those years, and the devastation overwhelming his mind kept him from sensing the underlying emotions he should be able to feel radiating from Zillah in powerful waves. He couldn't even make himself drink from the fresh gash offering Zillah's blood. He didn't deserve it for being such a failure.
Gideon silently grit his teeth when Zillah took his frustration out on the boy, and he was very close to interfering. But he also sensed things stirring below the surface of the younger vampire, and he chose to see if it would break free on its own, or if he would have to make it happen. Being blamed for being raped was the last thing the boy needed now, and Gideon hoped that his instincts didn't fail him – that the blame Zillah laid on the boy was nothing but fear and worry manifesting itself in an outburst of anger. He hoped he wasn't wrong.
Zillah grit his teeth, the trembling of his body constantly increasing, as emotional and physical exhaustion wore down on him. He simply pressed Nothing closer in a half possessive, half protective gesture, smearing the boy's body with gore and blood and warmth.
'How dare you make me worried like that!'
It was a mental whisper, not strong enough to be angry anymore, but sounding tired and defeated. Zillah's slick grip slipped from his son for a moment and he hoisted Nothing up again, stroking over his head with erratic fingers, starting to soothingly rock back and forth. His arm was brought up again, for Nothing must drink so his wounds could heal...
At that moment Gideon knew that Zillah must be exhausted to the point of almost collapsing, and he could feel the distress radiating from the ill tempered vampire. Gideon guessed that showing emotions didn't come easily to him, and yet it was so obvious that his scolding was more of a cover up for his worry than actual anger.
He knew he had to get them both out of here, but he couldn't feel any nearby threats, so he waited for a little while, giving them time to find each other.
Meanwhile Nothing felt Zillah's mental message burn through his confusion, and despite the words it didn't feel like blame. It felt like a whisper of love, a wordless plea that burned like fire in Nothing's heart. He forced himself to open his eyes again and looked up at Zillah, this time meeting the beautiful burning green flames in Zillah's gaze and letting himself drown in them.
"I.. I didn't mean to" he whispered, carefully reaching out to the man he loved more than anything. "I don't want you to... to worry."
He sniffled and finally managed to gather enough strength to reach up and wrap his arm around Zillah's neck, clinging tight to him while he sought out Zillah's offered wrist, sucking at the gash there to try to get some energy from Zillah's life giving blood.
Zillah remained silent for a moment, letting Nothing drink, feeling the strength being sucked from him. His own wounds were still raw and even the tremendous amount of human blood he had taken didn't change the fact that he was running out of energy.
"I know."
It was all Zillah was willing to say as he watched Nothing's lips hungrily moving around his wrist like two slick leeches. His bloody fingers were still padding his son's hair, but Zillah got up with less than his usual grace, carrying Nothing bridal style. Zillah was tired and weak, they needed to reach a safe haven to recover. His gaze glided over to Gideon, who was obscured by the shadows like a massive monument of stone, guarding the graves of the forgotten in the abandoned part of an old cemetery.
"We need to go."
"Yes, and you will need to let me take him" Gideon said, rising out of the shadows and radiating an air of strength, his voice calm and steady. "I give you my word that you can trust me. You will need the rest of your strength to make it back to my place. I will take care of the both of you when we're there, but there are humans approaching."
He met Zillah's gaze fearlessly, but there was no challenge in the beautiful pale blue eyes, only concern and honesty.
Nothing knew that Gideon was right – he could feel it in Zillah's soul, the fatigue and the pooling weakness, and it was scary to realize that even Zillah had his limits. He looked into Zillah's eyes and pressed his lips to Zillah's in a soft kiss.
"It's okay" he whispered. "Let him help us. I… I love you."
"Fine."
Zillah handed the boy over without any ado, his body screaming with relief once the weight was off of it. He didn´t need to tell Gideon what would happen if he tried to betray Zillah; it was as clear as the star littered sky above them reflecting in Zillah´s venomous orbs.
Leaving the bleeding, gory mess behind them, they made their way back. In the morning the police of that small, unnamed town would face the biggest crisis in their history; the newspapers would blame gang wars between the rockers for the tragedy. But no one who had actually seen the bloodbath, the raw power with which the bodies must have been torn apart, could believe for only one second that a human being was able to do such a thing. Body parts had been found on the roof of the abandoned warehouse. 30 feet high.
They arrived back at the bar and went upstairs through the backdoor, even though the front was abandoned now. The bar was empty and dark. Zillah didn´t know where the rest of the bikers had gone, but he didn´t give a damn either. He just dragged himself up, green eyes focused on Gideon´s back to make sure he wouldn´t bolt with his son.
Gideon led the way up the stairs and into his private living quarters. It was a small apartment, darkly lit with thick curtains covering the windows and filtering the pale moonlight into a pleasant, warm tone.
He carried Nothing directly to the bathroom, holding him steady while reaching out and adjusting the warm water to start filling the bathtub, and when Zillah entered after them he made a gesture for Zillah to shed his dirty clothes on the floor.
"You both need a bath" Gideon said with a soft smile. "Come here, Zillah, you can support him so he won't go under."
He waited for Zillah to comply, knowing that the fierce vampire was too exhausted to resist just out of stupid principle, and as soon as Zillah was sitting comfortably in the warm water, Gideon carefully settled the bloodied boy on Zillah's lap.
Nothing whimpered a little as the water stung the many cuts and bruises, but soon the warmth of it started to soothe him, and Gideon smiled at the sight of them. They were both so beautiful – far beyond anything Gideon had seen in a very long time. Nothing could feel Gideon's gentle eyes linger for a little while, but it didn't feel like an intrusion – just concern for the both of them, and he felt safe here, nestled in Zillah's embrace. When Gideon gently reached out and stroked a few strands of black hair from his brow and away from his eyes Nothing smiled weakly, taking the gesture for what it was.
Gideon soon after straightened himself and looked at Zillah with equal concern. "You will both need rest. I will go back downstairs and make sure there are no tracks that can lead suspicion here, and then I will be back."
He reached out again, to Zillah this time and ran his fingers through his hair, playing with the colored strands of purple, gold and green.
"You will both be safe here" he said in a soft voice. "I will make sure no one will find you. I will be back shortly."
Reluctantly Gideon tore himself away and left the two young lovers to bathe and just feel each other for a little while.
Zillah leaned back against the cold, smooth surface of the tub that started to warm beneath him. His muscles relaxed in his tautly strung body as slowly the stress and worry and blood was gliding from his skin. Nothing was leaning against him, his head barely raised above the soft, bubbly surface, and Zillah pulled him closer against his chest, drawing up a knee to steady the boy. Their long hair was gently fawned underneath the surface, sweeping against each other and staining the once clear water with blood and muddy brown. Zillah lazily lifted a hand full of water, letting it splash onto Nothing´s head, starting to clean the sweaty, matted strands.
"Close your eyes."
Nothing let out a soft sigh and closed his eyes, grateful for Zillah's care and support. He felt so drained and his body still hurt all over, but he knew that he would have been far worse off if Zillah hadn't fed him his own blood when he did.
It felt so nice to be taken care of, and Nothing knew that this was rare for Zillah, that his father usually never showed his feelings like this, and Nothing reveled in it, drank it in like the sweetest elixir of love and devotion. He could feel Zillah's exhaustion through their mental link, and he knew that it had been very close this time – that Zillah had fed him despite the fact that it had put himself in danger of giving too much. What bigger love confession could Nothing ever ask for?
He didn't need to hear the words spoken out loud. He loved it whenever it happened, but this moment and the actions that led up to it was practically the same as screaming it out aloud, and Nothing felt so warm and safe here on Zillah's lap. He had everything he could ever ask for.
"I love you, daddy" he whispered, voice still hoarse but sincere. "Thank you for saving me." He was glad that Gideon had left them alone for a while. He needed this time with Zillah and he savored it in the deepest parts of his heart.
Zillah let more water drip from his fingers, mingling with the tears and blood and dirt on Nothing´s face.
"You´re welcome." It sounded just the slightest bit caustic. Zillah reached for a bottle of shampoo, arching a brow at the Coconut Mango labeled bottle for 'dangerously shiny' hair. At least the man had taste.
Pouring some of the strong smelling cream onto Nothing´s wet mane, Zillah started to move his hands, massaging the soap into his son´s hair. "How did that happen anyway?"
Nothing moaned softly in pleasure from Zillah's slowly working fingers. It felt so good and relaxing, and he closed his eyes as he reluctantly thought back to what had happened.
"I ran out of bullets" he said in a low voice. "They cornered me, and I couldn't fight them off. Not all four of them. They…" His voice cracked and he had to take a moment to gather himself. "They pulled me into the alley where you couldn't hear me, and then…" He paused again, sniffling softly. "I told them they had no right. I screamed and clawed at them, bit them, but they were too strong. I..I'm sorry. I didn't mean to let them…"
"You really need to work on your aim." Zillah softly snorted, shifting a bit in the water as his fingers kept massaging. It wasn´t an accusation however, just a simple statement. Striding aside a wet, foamy strand of hair from his face, Zillah pushed Nothing a bit down, so he would move his head back for the shampoo to rinse out. Nothing looked at him upside down, his face the only thing surfacing the water. His eyes were red and tired, the impression only intensified by the pale white skin and dark smudges around his lids.
"I took care of them," Zillah announced, not sure if Nothing could even hear him underwater. Nothing heard Zillah's voice somewhat distorted through the water but he was still able to make the words out. It made him smile and he looked into Zillah's beautiful green eyes.
"You saved me" he said, smiling as his own voice sounded equally strange with his ears submerged in the water. He reached up and ran his hand over Zillah's cheek, gentle and loving, and his dark eyes easily conveyed the deep feelings that gesture represented. "I'd never fired a gun before. I guess I will have to practice, huh?"
He closed his eyes again, letting Zillah finish the job of rinsing the shampoo out of his hair, and slowly the horrible events started to settle, calming him down.
"Hm." Zillah brushed over a dark smudge with his thumb, before he leaned back, his eyes drifting through the room. He was done washing Nothing, and the lazy warmth of the bath they took together was infiltrating his bones, making them heavy and dragging Zillah down.
It was spartan in here, but clean. White tiles, a simple mirror over the sink, a toilet Gideon most likely didn´t need... One white, old towel was folded on a small box, a hairbrush sitting atop of it. One single toothbrush was stuck into a glass with a tube of toothpaste . That was all this room inherited and suddenly Zillah thought that it would be nice to be with Twig and Molochai and Christian again. At least they were fun and entertaining and not as cold and empty as this room was...
Nothing followed Zillah's gaze for a little while, trying to pick up what he was thinking. He managed to turn around in the tub so he was lying with his belly against Zillah's and resting his cheek on Zillah's sculpted chest.
"You want to go home?" he asked softly, nuzzling Zillah's side with his hand. He could feel it in Zillah's mind, the silent longing for his long time companions. It wasn't hard to understand, and Nothing couldn't deny that he longed for the familiar streets of New Orleans. Despite the fact that he hadn't spent much time there it was still home, and he wanted to go home and explore the French Quarter and all the mysteries his home city had to offer.
After a little while he got up on his knees and took the bottle of shampoo and squeezed some of it into his hands, and then he reached up and started to lovingly return the favor of washing blood and gore out of Zillah's long, blond hair.
He took his time and let Zillah relax and just enjoy it while he worked, and despite the fact that it nearly drained the last of his strength, he loved doing it just because it was Zillah. He rinsed the suds out afterwards and then settled for a little while longer to just lie against Zillah's chest and drink in the intimacy while they gathered strength to get up.
Zillah had closed his eyes, not needing to verbally affirm Nothing´s question, since the boy knew anyway. Zillah had no home, and he didn´t need one, he was a nomad. Still, his companions were as close to a family as he had had before he had met Nothing... Stroking over the boy´s head again, Zillah tilted his head, before finally attempting to get up. The water was dirty and cold now anyway. He helped Nothing up, setting him on the rim of the tub while he himself got up and took the towel to dry their wet hair and skin. They had no clothes, except for the dirty rags on the floor, and he sure as hell wouldn´t get back into those.
Nothing had to fight to sit upright, he was so exhausted and still rather sore all over despite the calming effect of the bath. He knew that Zillah had to be equally suffering, and it made Nothing proud to see how well he was doing despite of it.
Once they were both somewhat dried off they stumbled to their feet and slowly made their way into the bedroom, discarding the messy pile of ragged clothes on the floor. Maybe they could borrow something from Gideon, or maybe they could get him to pick some of their stuff up from the van later. Right now they needed a place to rest so they could regain their strength.
The bedroom was equally functional as the bathroom, containing a large bed with clean sheets and a small bedside table and a closet. Nothing couldn't help but think how lonely Gideon must be, living here all alone and with absolutely no signs of real life in his apartment. Maybe he was like Christian until they had met him, just trying to get by and live through the years on his own.
They settled on the large bed, enjoying the fact that it could easily hold at least three people comfortably. They weren't used to a lot of space, so this was a delightful luxury.
They hadn't settled for more than a few minutes when they heard Gideon return upstairs, securing the locks on the door to make sure they would be safe. A short while later Gideon entered the bedroom and watched them for a little while. It was clear that he knew just how weak they both were, and the concern in his eyes was clear as glass despite the fact that he was standing against the moonlit window, the cold light turned warm by filtering through the dark curtains surrounding his form and leaving his front in darkness. But his pale blue eyes glowed intensely and Nothing couldn't help but look.
Gideon felt his heart ache at the sight of the two young vampires resting in each others arms on his bed. It had been so long since he had had company here, and it was almost painful to think about the fact that tomorrow they would be gone again. It hurt more than he was willing to admit.
Slowly he reached up and started to unbutton his shirt, button by button until he could let the soft fabric slide from his shoulders and reveal a massive, sculpted chest, smooth and firm and with perfectly chiseled abs. He was strong no doubt, but not burly in any way. Just firm and smooth and beautiful in an almost aristocratic way. He continued to unbutton his pants, sliding them down over strong thighs and stepping out of them until he stood completely nude in front of them, perfect and beautiful and regal in his posture, surrounded by the soft light from the window.
Gideon was of the old blood, like Christian.
His face was still in darkness when he slowly moved towards the bed, his blue eyes looking at them with both longing and respect. When he reached the edge of the bed he held his left wrist up and used one of his sharp nails to cut a deep slash there, thick, warm blood welling to the surface instantly, but he didn't hurry or mind the way the life giving liquid slowly ran down his arm. He repeated the task in his other wrist, opening up another wound before he met Zillah's eyes.
"I can heal you" he said with a soft voice, holding out his arms towards them both. "Drink from me and allow me to taste your youth for just one night."
Zillah closed his lips over the warm wound greedily, sucking Gideon´s essence again. Through his wet, long hair he saw Nothing doing the same and there was a pang of jealousy shooting through him again, but this time, Zillah let it slide. First and foremost he needed his strength back and heal properly...
The fresh blood was rushing through his dried veins, making his sore muscles breathe with relief, filling his own wounds, and calming his confused mind. Zillah gained back some of his superiority and a lot of his usual arrogance, but not quite as much of his ignorance. He was still tired and too exhausted to pick a fight.
Eventually he sank back into the cushions, his hand reaching out, to grip Nothing's neck, imperiously telling him that he had enough now, and just to claim him as his again. Looking back at their host, Zillah rolled on his side propping his head on one hand. "Do you have any food?"
Gideon looked down at his wrists and watched the wounds knit themselves back together before he met Zillah's eyes. He didn't waver and his face was calm and collected as always when he nodded and turned to leave them so he could go get them some from his small kitchen.
Once Gideon left the room Nothing turned towards Zillah, looking into his eyes. He could feel Gideon's blood in him, could feel how it rushed to all the damaged places in his body and worked its magic, slowly but surely healing what had been broken. It was a strange and very intense feeling, like being drunk with something unknown but without the accompanying dizziness. He felt good, the pains and aches almost completely gone.
"Why is he so sad?" he asked softly, nuzzling Zillah's chest with his fingers. "I could feel it while we drank. He's… lonely, isn't he?"
"Maybe," Zillah replied, somewhat languid. His hand came up to idly stroke over Nothing's prominent spine, tracing down the vertebra, feeling bruises and small cuts vanish underneath his fingertips. What amazing blood, so strong... They needed more of that, should get as much as possible. A slightly sly glint appeared in Zillah's eyes, as he elaborated with fake sympathy, "He must be, living here all by himself. He's old... Doesn't he remind you of Chrissy?"
Nothing nodded, shivering slightly in delight from Zillah's traveling hand. It felt so good, and he couldn't deny the effect it had on his body. But there was something in Zillah's voice that worried him a little, like he didn't really mean what he said at all, and Nothing couldn't help but worry about what Zillah could have in mind.
"Don't you like him?" he asked in a low voice, suspecting that Zillah's jealousy was back at full force. "Christian was lonely, too. Maybe… do you think they know each other?"
"Of course I like him," Zillah drawled. "Silly boy, he saved us." In all actuality, Zillah had no idea if he liked Gideon, because so far he hadn't had time to think about it and all he associated with the man was jealousy, challenge and very powerful blood Zillah wanted very much.
"You should ask him if he knows Christian. I doubt it." As lonely and desperate as their bar tender friend was, Zillah was almost certain that he would have stayed close to Gideon if he had met him before. Then again, it had taken them 15 years to find each other again after that moonlit night of Mardi Gras…
Nothing looked at Zillah for a little while and reached up to caress his face. In reality it wasn't hard to read what was on Zillah's mind.
"You were never jealous before" he whispered. "You let Christian have me without batting a lash. Why is Gideon different?" There was no blame in Nothing's voice, only curiosity and wonder. He liked Gideon. Maybe it was because of the air of sadness that surrounded him, that longing he had felt himself for so long while he had lived his 'human' life as Jason, the name he resented and never wanted to hear ever again.
"Gideon is none of us." It was said with a final air. Basically, Zillah didn't mind sharing Nothing with Christian because Nothing was a great leverage; he could control the vampire that way and he knew how to manipulate him into submission. Besides, he knew that Christian was taken by Zillah, and would follow them everywhere without question now. Gideon... Zillah didn't know anything about Gideon, they were at his mercy more or less, and Zillah greatly disliked this feeling of depending on someone.
Stroking over Nothing's side, Zillah added meaningfully "He could be, though..."
"But he helped us" Nothing insisted. "He risked everything to come and save us. He might not even be able to stay here after that."
He didn't want to push it though, couldn't bear to awaken Zillah's anger now. He didn't understand why Zillah was so jealous when he knew that Nothing loved him and never would betray him.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that" he quickly added and nuzzled into Zillah's embrace. After all this was solely Zillah's decision, and Nothing had no intentions of questioning his actions. He just felt bad for Gideon after the old vampire had done so much for them.
Shortly after Gideon returned to the bedroom, carrying a tray with a delicious selection of different foods he had dug out from his kitchen. He put it on the nightstand and gestured towards it with a soft remark of 'help yourselves' before he moved over to sit at the foot of the bed, leaving them to do as they pleased. He felt the young boy's eyes on him, but he didn't return the look, couldn't bear the pity he sensed in them, and he had no idea what would happen here tonight. He didn't dare hope for anything anymore, Zillah was far too possessive for that.
Zillah popped a grape into his mouth, crushing the juicy fruit between his sharp teeth, his fingers lazily stroking over Nothing's spine. Gideon was so regal as he sat there, with his back to them as if he was a stranger in his own house. Zillah had claimed his most intimate spot, the soul of the room, residing in Gideon's bed like he was a king and still, Zillah felt that he hadn't broken the man yet. That his imaginative collar slipped from the old vampire's throat again and again... "Come here," Zillah more ordered than offered, inwardly thrilled to get himself another, powerful pet. He didn't mind using Nothing either to get it, since clearly, his son had taken an interest into the strange bartender and it might make him happy too, who knew.
"Lay down with us."
Zillah unplugged another grape and fed it to the sweet mouth of his son, letting him lick around the dark fruit before Zillah actually let go.
Gideon watched the sexy display as Nothing sucked sinfully at the ripe fruit Zillah offered him. He could see Nothing's little, nimble tongue lick over his father's fingers in such an alluring, suggestive way it made Gideon's mouth water, and Zillah's suggestion echoed in his mind. So tempting…
Gideon was no stranger to the game of seduction, god knew he had played it himself on numerous occasions. But he was also aware that this was a power play. He knew that he should leave and walk away from these alluring creatures before they became his downfall. Under any other circumstances he would have already because Gideon didn't like to be played.
But there was just something that prevented him from leaving, something that included a fiery green gaze and a killer smile, combined with youth and innocence and big, dark kohl smeared eyes that felt like they were looking into his soul. He could no more leave now than he could the moment he first laid eyes on the two strangers in his bar as they walked in. He hadn't seen any of is own kind in so many years, and now they were finally here.
He turned around then, facing the two beautiful vampires currently residing in his bed, and when he did, the youngest one, the sweet innocent dark-eyed child reached out for him and took his hand to pull him close, to bring him to their midst and seal his lips with the sweet taste of ripe grapes and promises of blissful oblivion.
tbc
bonjourmeadow: Yesh, I´ll cross my fingers for you! Psychology is really fun^^ I never kissed someone with a tongue piercing either, but I think about getting one later. First my new one has to heal XD Yes, I suppose they are kind of really lucky that they met in the end, even if bad things happened. But they are very strong, emotionally wise, so they can get over it!
Rina: Hey love! I´m very happy you took the time to read this story! You are very lucky to know someone with a tongue piercing *envies you* Oh, your comparison to Yazoo is delicious! Zill showed me a picture of an anime character she had in mind when she came up with Gideon, so this was what I had in mind as well, but you´re totally right XD Hm, I wonder if Zillah could get himself like Lestat did? Maybe if he tried really hard...
AN: I suspect that this will be the chapter before last. So please, if you have anything to say about our story, whether you like it or not, now here´s the chance^^