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"From the Shadows to the Light "Written By: Hemlock Inyx Category: Supernatural/Romance AU Pairings: 2x5x2 Rating: R Spoilers: Mild, if any. Warnings: OOC-ness, yaoi, vampires DISCLAIMER: This chick does not own any of the Gundam Wing characters because they belong to Bandai and Sunrise. I am borrowing them for this fict and will return them in good (if somewhat sticky) condition. I also don’t own Lynn Erickson’s Out of the Darkness, on which this fict is heavily based (well more like a fusion/translation). This fict is written out of love and not for profit, don’t sue. Thanks and enjoy! This is dedicated to: TJ Dragonblade for all her enthusathem for this fic. Thanks for being so crazy TJ. Summary: Chang Wufei had sworn revenge on the creature who had made him less than a man—had sworn to strike him down. Then he met nurse Duo Maxwell, who reawakened all the best parts of his latent humanity. But Wufei knew he was putting Duo at risk—and not only from himself. His old enemy Milliardo took an unholy interest in all Wufei’s affairs. Duo was a fighter, though. He believed in Wufei. He believed that Wufei could be cured of his "condition," that they could find a way to have a life together. But Duo hadn’t reckoned on Milliardo, who was determined to thwart Wufei—and Duo—until the end of time.
" From the Shadows to the Light "
Outside the brownstone a watery sun bathed the city in a hazy white light as it made its slow arc across the sky. But behind Wufei's heavy draperies it was very dark, cool and damp. To an onlooker it might have appeared that he was dead, laid out in his elegant master bedroom as if prepared by skillful hands, waiting to be placed in his coffin. In the dimness his face was waxen, polished, devoid of life. Even his hands, clasped over his black sweater, looked unreal, too white, too smooth. And if his chest actually moved as he breathed it was not visible to the human eye. A sense of unnatural stillness pervaded the room. Of course Wufei was not dead, not in the ordinary sense of the word. Rather, he lay in a trance, a coma peculiar to this shadow-world in which he dwelled. He was neither conscious nor wholly unconscious. It would have been nearly impossible for him to rouse himself, however. Certainly not before the setting of the sun. Wufei did not dream, but his mind filtered the impressions of his surroundings, and something close to thought was possible. It was the fourth day since Duo had left him. Four sunlit days and four endless black nights. Usually his rest was unbroken by these thought-like processes, but for the past few days he'd been tormented in his trance, with ghostly images of Duo pressing at the edges of his consciousness. Duo and his soft innocence. Duo on fire with his hopeless quest. Duo. Duo. His slim white neck bathed in red after he... He could almost taste the sweetness of him, and there was no rest. On the fourth evening, Wufei left his trance and rose, his brain assailed with memories of this mortal male who now seemed so beautiful to him. Oh, how vividly he could conjure up his image, at the theater, across a table, the candlelight dancing in those violet eyes, leaping on his pale skin. In his own home, curled up on the Victorian sofa, firelight playing on his silken hair, his cheeks brushed by pink from the warmth of the hearth. He paced his empty house that evening in an agony of remembrances, and his craving grew stronger, unbearable, the urge to catch a mere glimpse of Duo overwhelming. There were the darker images, too. To feel his life force flowing into him, to taste at last the sweetness of him would be pure ecstasy. Surely no mortal man would extract such pleasure from Duo! He attempted to paint. Usually the act of creating the images that swam in his head diverted his attention from the thirst in his body. Perhaps if he worked on Duo's portrait, concentrated on the feel of it, his need would abate. But that didn't help at all. Quite the contrary. And he found himself throwing the palette across the room, an animal groan welling up from his chest as he stalked out of the attic. After a time Wufei put on his heavy black overcoat and went out into the city. His torment was such that he passed straight through his yard and never picked up the scent that Milliardo had left there. For Wufei there was only that strange ache inside him, human yet so inhuman. All the urges in him seemed more powerful than usual, controlling him, the fire in his eyes visible were anyone to look. He roamed the nearby streets and alleys, the night bitter cold, a light, dry snow drifting out of the starless sky. He wandered through Central Park, thinking desperately that if he were to come across a mortal here, he would pounce on the poor soul, assuage this hideous thirst. His need was ferocious. But there were no mortals in the park this terribly cold December night. He left and moved silently, unseen, down an avenue, but Christmas lights adorned the shops and stores and hotels and cast too much light, making him seethe with anger and frustration. There was no way he could feed in peace here! Christmas. For five hundred years he'd suffered the bittersweet memories of holidays. And with stark clarity he recalled his first New Year at the temple, the solemnity, the stillness, the soothing chants of the monks. He moved toward the river now, across town, away from the twinkling holiday lights that held too many reminders of a time lost. There was barely a soul around, and his frustration grew. A part of him tried to rejoice, for ironically the bitterness of the air that he could not feel was keeping him from feeding, and yet another part of him cursed his bad luck. But still, with every stride he took, every burning glance into the shadows, he was aware of only one destination that would truly ease his pain--the building that housed Duo. As for his door, no lock, no iron bar, had ever stopped one of his kind. And then there he would be. He knew this was not a work night for him. Yes, he'd be there. If he waited till almost dawn he'd most likely be asleep. He would stand over his bed and savor the sight of him, let it fill him, let the need grow, engorging itself, and then gently he'd sink down beside him, position his head, and his lips would taste the warm flesh of his Duo before he would possess him, and he would possess him. Wufei stopped and tore himself free from the thought. He could not do that to him, not Duo, not the only person who had ever touched his soul. No. Never would he take him; no matter how strong the lust, he could not do it. A subway entrance. Yes, just over there. If he waited, surely some fool would go down those steps, even at this hour. Some complete fool... It wasn't a minute later that first one man appeared and went down into those stinking depths and then another, a mere child by the looks of him. The second one, the child, stopped at the entrance and glanced furtively behind him. Wufei sank soundlessly into the shadows, watching, surmising that the boy was going to rendezvous with the older one. A drag purchase? And then the boy went down into the subway, too, and Wufei followed them into that hell. ~ ~ ~ (***) ~ ~ ~ Duo awakened with a start and a terrible sense of foreboding. He was in his apartment. Of course. He glanced at the door. It was closed. And yet he knew he was not alone, and a chill walked along his spine. "Who... who's there?" he whispered, his throat closing. No answer. It was too still, though, as if someone were trying very hard not to make a noise. He peered into the darkness, and it was there, next to the curtains. He tried his voice as the shadows materialized into a vague shape. "It's you, isn't it, Wufei. Answer me." And then finally he heard his name, a whisper, a breath of sound, "Duo." His heartbeat drummed in his ears. The figure coalesced in his vision as his eyes grew accustomed to the dark, and relief washed over him, tinged with a slight frisson of fear. "Duo," he heard again, and Wufei approached, his face terribly pale against the black of his clothing, the eyes... They held his, two glowing embers piercing the night. And then he was standing over him, his face all beautiful angles and planes and yet ravaged. Was there... could that have been a drop of... of blood at the corner of his mouth? Oh, dear God! "Wufei," he said, staring up at him, at the need he saw there, and he marveled at how unafraid he was. "No." Wufei stood there above him, and he knew, even though he stared at him, that he did not really know him. But he wanted him, and he became abruptly aware of his own involuntary response, the hot rush of blood through his veins. The moments stretched out, each one a separate, tumescent entity, and Duo waited breathlessly, waited for Wufei to awaken from whatever spell held him. He saw the flare of his nostrils, the way in which he drew in his scent. This was who he was, what he was, at the very pinnacle of his power, and yet it was also the bottom of an abyss, Wufei's singular brand of hell. Duo groped for the lamp, touched the switch, twisted it. Suddenly light filled the room, and Wufei took a step back, the blaze in his eyes dying. He watched, speechless, fascinated, gathering his own strength as Wufei’s seemed to fail, ebbing from him, his face twisting as torment replaced desire. "I am so very sorry," he finally said, his voice gravelly, thick. "I don't know how I... How I even got here." "Oh, Wufei," he said, and he swung his legs over the side of the bed as Wufei moved, almost staggering to the far wall, putting his fists against the old flowered wallpaper, leaning into it. "What happened tonight? There's... blood, Wufei." A groan escaped him. "Ah, yes," he said, so bitter. "What did you do?" Carefully, still watching his back, Duo pulled on his jeans and a sweater, tossing his pj’s aside. "Tell me. What did you do?" "I fed!" he growled. Duo licked suddenly dry lips. "Who? How did... ?" "Does it matter? A lowlife. Someone who deserved everything he got. Rest assured, he will do no harm again." "Judge and jury," he breathed, not certain at all what he thought about this revelation. And then Wufei spun around. "Yes! That is what I am! Judge and jury, if you will. Do you think I enjoy this role?" "Wufei," he said softly, knowing he had to reach him, help him. "You're not alone any longer. I'm here now, and together we can work this out. Please, Wufei." Pivoting his head, he bared his teeth in a mirthless grin. "You are so innocent. You really think there is a happy ending to this story?" Duo met his eyes without flinching. "Yes, there will be. I know it." "You are hopeless, Duo. Hopeless and wonderful.'' He passed a hand across his brow. "Too wonderful to risk.., being near me." "I'm not running away," he said. Lines deepened in his face. "I tell you I cannot even recall coming here! I have so little control where you are concerned, Duo. Tonight, after I... fed, I was aware only of the hunger that still pierced me. Even after what I had done I could think only of you! You must listen. If you stay here, the day.., the night will come..." "It will not," he said quietly. "I'm not the least bit afraid. I trust you, Wufei." "Foolish," he muttered. "No, I'm not foolish, but I sure am stubborn. Wufei have you been thinking? About going to Finland, I mean? You have to go. We have to go." "Duo," he began. "Wufei, you have to..." But whatever he was going to say died on his lips as he gasped, pointing at the window. "It's dawn, Wufei," he whispered. And Wufei spun around. A curse escaped him. "I must go," he said quickly. "Could you stay here?" he asked. "No, no." He looked around desperately. "This place is unsafe for someone like me. I must get home." "All right," he said, "I'll call a taxi. Should I get a taxi, Wufei?" "Yes, yes, and hurry." His hands shaking, Duo dialed the telephone. While it rang, he said, "I'm sure we can get one right away. At this hour..." Indeed, the cab pulled up in front of his building within minutes. He stood waiting alongside him, his shoes and coat hastily thrown on, his eyes trained on the sky. "I'm coming with you," he said abruptly. "No," he said. "It is pointless. You do not understand." But he slid in beside him, determined. "Damn, Duo," he said as the taxi sped away, "what have I done to us?" "You haven't done anything," he replied, staring at his profile. "You know, Wufei, I'm in this with you." He looked out the window. "Damn it, man, hurry!" he said to the driver, and then turned back to Duo. "I would give up everything," he said to him, "my wealth, my power, even eternal life, if I could convince you to leave this city." "I won't. I have a free will, Wufei, and I'm not leaving, no matter what you say or do. Don't you see? Tonight was proof that you've got to try to find your friend Heero Yuy. You have to. You even said yourself that if I stay you'll eventually.., do that to me. You admit you can't control it. And I'm not running away. So there's only one choice." "Blackmail," Wufei snorted. "Sure, yes, why not? I'll do whatever it takes. We are going to Finland, Wufei. Do you hear me?" But he didn't. It was clear that at any minute the first rays of sun were going to spill over the city, and Duo could see his anxiety. He even leaned forward himself and told the driver to hurry, that there would be a good tip in it for him. The cab sped up the avenue, missing a light, making the next three. Almost there, Duo thought. Hurry. What if they didn't make it? His street. Duo looked desperately out of the window. It was so bright in the east. Any second now the sun... "Give me the money for the cab," he said to Wufei. "Wufei. Let me have your wallet. I'll pay. You can hurry inside. Wufei!" Somehow he got his wallet, half pulling it out of his trouser pocket himself. He threw a twenty at the driver and then grabbed Wufei's arm, tugging him as he pushed open his door. "Come on!" he whispered desperately, and it was then that the first pale ray of sun struck the top of the filigreed iron fence. Duo tugged fiercely on him now, dragging at his heavy black coat. But he was slumping, as if all the strength had been drained from his muscles, and then, as they headed up his walk, the sun caught the side of his face. He buckled with a cry of agony, grabbed the lapel of his coat and pulled it up to shield himself. Duo could have sworn he saw a curl of smoke rise from his flesh. "Hurry, Wufei!" he cried. "We're almost there!" He was bearing Wufei’s full weight now--a few more steps, that was all. But the moan of pain that escaped him seemed unending, as if his soul was being ripped to shreds. The key! He got him to the door and frantically searched his pockets, still bearing his weight, the sun relentlessly moving toward them. "Wufei, oh God, where's the key?" he wept. "Right... pocket," he breathed, gasping. Duo got it, and with fumbling fingers inserted it in the lock, twisting it, shoving open the heavy door, and they both stumbled inside. Somehow he got him up the long flight of stairs and to his room, the bed. He fell on it, writhed, his pain obviously excruciating. What could he do? Was he burned? He thought desperately as the vitality seemed to leak out of him. Was he dying? But after a few more moments it was as if the tension and pain subsided. His face relaxed, his limbs straightened, and he appeared to have slipped into a kind of coma. Duo held his breath and stared down at him, frightened and yet fascinated. For a very long time he stayed like that, unmoving, his eyes fixed on Wufei’s face, the eerie stillness of it, the pallor and marble smoothness. He thought he saw a burn there, too, but the room was so dim and he couldn't be sure. Should he treat it? Find something to put on it? How did you treat a wound on an immortal being? Duo was afraid to touch him, and yet he knew somehow that whatever he did or said could not reach him now. He wondered where Wufei was, where his mind traveled to. He saw it then, that smear of dried blood still at the corner of his mouth. And he couldn't bear the sight of it. All the bleeding he was witness to every night, the pain and suffering, somehow that was different. This single drop on Wufei touched a profound place in his heart. The torment he endured, the terrible need in him. It wasn't fair! Duo spun around and looked at the room. Austere, elegantly understated, with striped wallpaper, a marble-topped dresser, a lovely tall wardrobe, an upholstered chair. All dusty. Dull. The bathroom. He went in and wet a washcloth, returned to Wufei’s side, leaned over and gently removed the smear. Just touching him like that, without his knowledge, gave him a spurt of pleasure, a sense of control over Chang Wufei. He was so vulnerable lying there in this state of unawareness. Duo dabbed gently at what he thought might be the burn. Duo straightened and stared at him, the washcloth dangling from his fingers. He took in every detail, every beautiful feature, the generous, imperious arc of his nose, the long dark lashes lying against the pale skin, the straight brows, the silk of his thick hair. How could he be anything but totally human, totally male? Yet he was different, a being he could barely comprehend, a man who'd lived for five hundred years! Who'd live forever. After a long time Duo went downstairs and built a fire in his hearth. He fixed coffee and looked at the clock. It was only ten in the morning. The sun wouldn't set for hours and hours. He curled up on the couch and tried to read one of Wufei’s old books, but the story didn't hold his interest, and after a while he went back upstairs to his room where he sat in the cushioned chair near the heavy drapes and simply stared at him. ~ ~ ~ (***) ~ ~ ~ "Duo," him heard as if from a great distance. "Wake up, Duo," the voice persisted, and he had to force himself awake, uncertain of where she was, how she'd gotten there. With a start she sat up straight and looked around. His bedroom. A lamp turned on. It was dark out. And there Wufei was, near the door, his clothes changed. "I must have fallen asleep," he said. He only nodded. "How long have you been.., up?" "Awhile." He stretched, stiff from sleeping in the chair. "You should have woken me earlier." "I would have," he said, moving toward him now, "but I had a task to accomplish." And then he was standing over him, his expression hidden in shadow. As always, Duo's heart began a heavier rhythm. "And what was that?" he managed to ask. "I needed to book passage to Europe," he said very slowly, deliberately. "We sail in a few days' time." "We're... taking a ship to Europe?" Duo breathed, confused. "Yes. Two cabins, of course. I believe you'll enjoy it." Europe. Finland... "We're going to find Yuy! Wufei, you mean we really are..." "Yes," he said. "I do not know what destiny lies across that ocean, but I can no longer do this to either of us." And then Wufei reached down and took him warm hands in his cool ones and brought him to his feet. "Does this please you?" he asked. "Oh, yes!" he said. "Yes!" "And what if we cannot find him?" "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Duo said, and he dared to look deep into his eyes, so close to him that he could sec the very texture of his ivory-smooth skin, the thickness of his hair and length of his eyelashes. The mark where the sun had burned his cheek was gone, vanished as if it had never been. Then Duo sighed and laid his head against his chest, which was hard and manly but absolutely, unquestionably, still.
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