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"Custos"Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing nor any of
its characters. I only own the original characters. And nobody's paying
me to write this. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: AU, OC, Yaoi, Lemon, Language, Violence Pairings: 5x4, 1x3x1, 2x6x2 Summary: Just as things begin looking up for the
Gundam boys, Wufei disappears. " Custos" Chapter 15 Villagers screams filled the night as their houses were burned. Men were slaughtered and women taken. The scent of blood filled the air along with thick, acrid smoke. Merrick gazed over the carnage with hard, cold eyes. Aidan lay at his feet, blood pooled around his lifeless body. Galen knelt beside him, his tear-stained face staring blankly at his lover. Wufei and Quatre were held in chains, the blond barely conscious as a deep gash on his forehead poured blood over the side of his face. Zechs had died first and Duo overpowered. Wufei closed his eyes. “We weren't ready,” he whispered. Quatre jerked from the vision, chest heaving with gasping breaths. Wufei pulled him into his arms protectively and looked across the room. Apparently, Galen and Aidan had had the same vision at the same time. The blond held his lover in a tight embrace, face buried in his dark curls. “We have to get out of here,” Aidan said quietly. “We can't face him yet.” Wufei nodded. “Will the villagers be safe?” “They need to evacuate,” Quatre whispered. None of them seemed to be able to reach full voice in the wake of the terror they'd seen. “What was in the vision?” Duo asked. “The villagers were being slaughtered. All of us, except for Wufei, Galen, and myself, were dead.” Quatre looked to Duo. “You aren't ready to face him, yet. And he is on his way here. Once he sees the villagers are free and all his accomplices he left behind are dead, he'll come to take revenge on the ones who did it.” Duo swallowed. “What do we do?” Galen thought for a moment. “I have an estate in Tennessee.” “But y'all have been gone for over sixty years now, right? Wouldn't someone else have moved in or something?” He shook his head. “It's warded. People wouldn't even be able to enter the forest surrounding the property.” Wufei stood, pulling Quatre with him. He didn't want to release the blond, as if doing so would somehow make the vision come true. The blond wrapped his arm around his waist, apparently of the same mind. Wufei looked to Jarvis. “I suggest you evacuate as quickly as possible.” The man nodded and quickly left the house to make preparations. As they packed, Quatre looked to Wufei. “We need to call Trowa and let him know the change in plans.” He nodded and made the call but it went straight to voice mail. He left a quick message. An hour later, they were in the jet and taking off. ****** Trowa watched his lover, who was sprawled on his stomach, looking to the lights of the city below. Heero was still highly upset with his present condition, but Trowa had to admit he was very much enjoying the view. His wings fluttered softly in the wind and he would shiver slightly on occasion. “How much longer before we reach the others?” Trowa asked. “A couple of hours,” the dragon answered. “The phone should have a signal now,” Heero said without looking at him. Trowa nodded and pulled it out, swapping batteries as the other had died. He raised an eyebrow as he listened to Wufei's brief message. “I was hoping he'd tell us why they went to Tennessee.” “Can I see it?” he asked, rolling to sit up. He handed it over. “Who are you calling?” “Jason. He might have some idea of what to do.” He waited as it rang. “Hello?” “Hey, it's me.” “Heero! How did everything go?” “We're both fine.” His grandfather sighed in relief. “Good to hear. What happened?” “We wiped out some vampires and their underlings, but I have a problem.” “What?” “A bastard managed to change me and I can't go back to human form. Can you help me?” Jason was silent for a long moment. “If you can't do it, I can't. Get here as soon as possible and I'll do some research. Maybe if we can find out what he did, we can reverse it.” Heero shook his head. “We need to meet up with Wufei and the others first.” “You're separated from them? What happened?” Heero sighed and informed his grandfather of all that had transpired in Africa. “Heavy business, Heero. I think you need to call it quits now. They have the Custos, you need to come here. It's the only safe place for you.” “I'm committed to this, Jason. I have no intention of backing out.” “It's too dangerous for you to be out in the world right now! Get here-” “See what you can find out to get me changed and I'll call you when I can. Thank you.” He hung up. “What did he say?” “That he can't do it if I can't.” He raked a hand through his hair and called Wufei's cell. “Trowa? How did everything go?” “This isn't Trowa.” Wufei sighed in relief. “Heero, you don't know how glad I am to hear your voice.” He heard murmurs of excitement in the background. “I am fine. Why are you in Tennessee?” “A vision showed some bad things happening if we didn't get out of there and Galen had an estate here that was safe.” Heero frowned. “What kind of bad things?” He sighed. “A lot of dead people. How long will it take you to get here?” “A couple of hours.” “All right. See you then.” ****** “What'd he say?” Quatre asked. “They'll be here in two hours.” He leaned his elbows on his knees. “How did Heero sound?” “Like himself.” He looked to the others around the room. “So, what do we do next?” Galen shrugged. “Find the vampires we can defeat, get the Custos-” “Duo,” he cut him off with a sigh. “My name is Duo.” Galen nodded. “I'm sorry. We get Duo some experience to get him stronger and more in control of his power.” Wufei studied the blond Seer. “If you don't mind my asking, how strong are you?” He shook his head. “Not so strong as I once was. Being chained to a bed for sixty years weakened me. But it shouldn't take long to get my strength back.” He leaned forward. “I have a training space in the basement that Aidan and I used to hone our skills.” He smirked softly. “If you care to test my skills, I wouldn't mind a spar.” Wufei returned the smirk and even Duo brightened a little. “Sounds like a good way to pass the time until the other two arrive.” Galen stood, his billowy white pants and vest giving him something of an Arabian appearance that Quatre had been dying to ask about. “Where were you born?” “France, but I was kidnapped by a man when I was very young and spent a great deal of my early life with Arabs. Why do you ask?” “Your outfit. I was curious if it was due to how you were raised or that you liked the design.” He smirked. “Both I suppose.” “I'm an Arabian, myself.” He quirked an eyebrow. “You don't have the appearance.” He shrugged. “It's how I was raised.” He nodded. “I guess I understand that.” “How long did you live in America?” “About four hundred years, which is why I bear a slight accent of the south.” He led them down to the basement and flipped a switch. The large room brightened to reveal a dirt floor and a mirror lining one wall. “Why leave it dirt?” Aidan and Galen shared smiles. “It used to be concrete.” Quatre frowned in confusion. “What happened to it?” “Missed blows and such over the centuries.” Blue eyes widened. “You mean you punched concrete into dirt?” “Some kicks, too. Once huge sections were missing, we decided to clean out the rest.” Duo whistled lowly. “Pretty impressive.” Galen looked to the braided man. “I'm sure you will be capable of much more.” He turned to Wufei. “You ready?” The Chinese man followed him to the middle of the room. “How did you manage not to break the mirror?” Galen shrugged. “The walls are spelled. It's impossible to hit them. Swords or bare hands?” Wufei hadn't had a decent sword fight in years. “I wouldn't mind swords.” Galen nodded and moved to the side of the room to draw two swords and sheaths. He handed one to Wufei and hooked a belt around his waist, tucking the sword into a sheath. Wufei frowned. “Shouldn't you draw your sword?” “If I need to.” Galen and Wufei stared at each other silently. Finally, obsidian eyes narrowed and he charged. Galen spun and blocked Wufei's swing of sword with his forearm to the Chinese man's forearm. The older vampire ducked suddenly, just before Wufei swiped his other arm where Galen's neck had been. Galen dropped and spun his leg, but Wufei easily flipped over it and landed several feet away, sword held steady and left hand tucked behind his back. Wufei tilted his head to the side. “Stop playing around.” Galen grinned. “But we have such a captive audience. It'd be a shame to disappoint them.” Wufei rolled his eyes. “Don't be too concerned about Duo. He likes Saturday morning cartoons, too.” He shrugged. “Popeye is pretty entertaining.” Obsidian eyes narrowed slightly. “This bout is mine,” he said quietly before charging. Galen dropped and rolled as Wufei's sword flew over his head. He drew his sword in time to parry Wufei's blow. “You're too fast for your own good.” “You mean yours.” Galen pushed to his feet, throwing Wufei back several steps. The passes between them were so fast, Zechs and Quatre had trouble following. Wufei and Galen spun, their swords stopping inches from each other's necks. Galen looked calmly at Wufei and raised an eyebrow. “Impasse?” Galen asked. “No.” “Oh, you yield?” “Of course not. You?” “Never.” Simultaneously, they separated, Wufei spinning away and Galen flipping back several paces. Wufei smirked. “You're good, I'll give you that.” Galen shrugged with a smirk of his own. “The previous Custos didn't select me for no reason.” That gave Wufei pause. “What? How old are you?” A fine blond brow quirked. “952, last winter.” His jaw dropped. “You're an ancient yourself.” He sighed and turned his back to Wufei to return the sword to its holder. “I'm not of the caliber the other ancients are, Wufei. Outside of the war I fought with the previous Custos, I've lived a relatively passive life. I don't like war. I don't like fighting. I was once a scholar.” Wufei laughed softly. “As was I.” Galen shook his head. “Perhaps, but you have a warrior's spirit, also. I don't. I never have. I will fight when I must, but I lack the drive to pursue further strength.” “What was he like?” Duo asked, butting into the conversation. Galen smiled and looked to him. “Much like yourself, or the you before you became caught up in your fear. At times he was a prankster, lightening the mood when it seemed the war would last forever. He was brash at times and could be harsh when he had to be. “He fought with a strength that astounded me. He was sincere and passionate.” He smiled. “And no one doubted his love for his wife.” He sighed, shaking his head as his brows drew together. Aidan put a hand to his shoulder. “It wasn't your fault.” He gave his lover a sad smile. “Some things never get any easier.” Duo frowned. “What happened?” “Something you'll never have to worry about. He was betrayed by one of his own.” His brows drew together. “No, I don't have to worry about that.” He rubbed his forehead. “I need to get out for a bit.” Zechs rubbed his shoulder. “Are you all right?” He smiled weakly and kissed Zechs softly before leaving the house. His stomach was on fire and he was afraid he'd do something stupid if he stayed near Galen and Wufei any longer. He left the protection of the barrier around the estate and ran through the forest toward the nearest city. The wind rushing over his face was refreshing. When he was human he enjoyed working out, but not running. Now, however, it was a rush, like riding a roller coaster or in a fast car. He slowed as he reached the city and moved through the busy streets. He glanced around at the happy people enjoying their weekend, none of them aware of the evil that plagued the night. He shoved his hands in his pockets and ducked into an alley. Deep inside, too far to be seen from the street, he found a vampire finishing off his meal of a young woman. He dropped her body and looked to Du's emotionless face. “Aren't you scared, boy?” “Why should I be?” He sniffed. “Oh, I see. What do you want?” He tilted his head to the side. “Do you enjoy being a vampire?” “Of course I do. Why wouldn't I? Who wouldn't want the power?” He leaned forward conspiratorially. “Haven't you heard of the movement?” Violet eyes narrowed. “What movement?” “The ancients, they're forming a plan to take over. We can weed out the humans. Raise them and breed them until their blood is even better.” “Let me ask you something. Have you ever heard of Chang Wufei?” “Who hasn't?” Duo grinned. “I make him look like a kitten.” He grabbed him by his hair and sank his teeth in the shocked vampire's neck. “What are you?” he managed on a gasp. Duo continued until he sucked the life out of him. He let his body crumble to the ground and stared down at him, licking the blood from his lips. “I am the Custos.” Suddenly, all the frustration and fear melted from him. He left the alley, burn dulled but not yet sated. He continued down the street, wondering at the sudden shift in his perspective at admitting what he was out loud. He paused. He supposed it made sense, he had been irritable because he was fighting against the changes in his body. He was in denial about what he had to do. He looked up, frowning slightly. His eyes fell on a woman across the street who was staring at him. Red hair framed an ivory face in ringlets and blood red lips curved into a smirk. She crossed the street and stopped several feet in front of him. “That was an interesting exchange. Tell me, do you honestly think Chang can defeat Merrick?” He raised and eyebrow and continued to walk. “His group took down Vincent.” She shook her head. “He was nothing compared to Merrick.” He shrugged. “Which is probably why it only took us about ten minutes.” At least, that's what he'd been told. He'd been busy dying at the time. She cut her eyes to him. She had heard the conversation, but not seen how he killed the vampire. There was no blood on him that she could see. “You are obviously strong. How old are you?” “Twenty-one.” She froze. “When were you turned?” “About a month ago.” She backed away a step. The vampire he'd killed was almost three hundred. “Who turned you?” “Chang Wufei.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her behind a building. He stared into her eyes and they blanked slightly. “What are the names of the other two ancients?” “Antony and Miranda.” “Where are they?” “I don't know.” He pursed his lips. “How many vampires in this city serve them? How many know him by name?” “Almost three hundred serve, but only two know their names, including me.” He nodded slowly. It wasn't much, but it was some information, at least. He released her mind and recognition filled her eyes. “It is my mission to wipe out all who serve him.” Her eyes widened as she saw his extended fangs. Her mouth dropped in a silent scream as he fed off her. He let her body drop unceremoniously to the ground and left the city. When he returned to the estate, the others were gathered in the living room. He grinned when he saw Heero. “Glad to see you're all right, Tinker Bell.” Heero growled low in his throat. “Call me that one more time and I swear you'll regret it.” Zechs tilted his head to the side. For the first time in weeks, Duo's eyes were sparkling and his smile was real, without the touch of fear behind them. All of them noticed the change and Quatre smiled softly. “What happened while you were out?” He scratched the back of his head. “I guess, I just realized there was something that needed doing, and if I'm the one that's gotta do it, I need to get my head out of my ass.” He looked to Heero. “You planning on staying like that? I think it's distracting for Trowa.” He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “I can't change back. Jason is trying to figure out what Evan did to force the change, hopefully we can figure out how to reverse it.” He frowned and sat next to Zechs. “This kinda puts you at risk.” He snorted. “Kind of?” Duo's eyes dropped down and it took him a second to realize Zechs' leg was no longer in a cast. Which meant he'd been healed. He smiled to the blond and Zechs raised an eyebrow. “What?” “Did you remember to tell Heero thank you?” “You're just full of yourself tonight, aren't you?” He leaned back, stretching his arms behind his head. “I had a nice time in the city. I met up with this bitch who knew Merrick by name. She also knew Antony and Miranda and that there are three hundred vampires in the city who serve Merrick. She didn't know where they were, but at least we know their names.” “How do you know she was telling the truth?” He looked to Wufei, brows drawing together. He didn't know how to explain what he'd done. He didn't exactly plan it. He squirmed slightly. “She couldn't lie to me. I don't really know how I did it. But it was the same way I made that Chick give me her knife back at the compound.” “Have you tried to do it intentionally?” He shook his head. “See if you can.” “What? Try it on you?” “Yes.” Duo felt slightly embarrassed, but he looked to Wufei and licked his lips, trying to remember exactly what he'd done. Everyone's eyes moved back and forth between the two, resting on Wufei when his eyes widened and his lips parted slightly. Duo released him and he shook his head. “Well,” he said quietly, somewhat shaken. “It isn't Charm, obviously, but it is some form of compulsion.” Galen crossed to Duo and took his chin in his fingers. “Just relax,” he whispered. Duo nodded and felt a phantom touch run through him. After a long moment passed, Galen pulled away. “I've never seen anything like it.” “What'd you do?” “I can find out someone's power if I'm touching them and they allow it.” He shook his head. “The core of yours is blocked to me, but I could see what has already manifested. I think we'll leave it at Compulsion. I don't know how else to describe it. You're right, Wufei, it isn't Charm, otherwise it wouldn't have worked.” “Why not?” Duo asked. “Charm doesn't work on Seers.” He tilted his head to the side. “I wonder if it would work on you. Merrick has the ability.” Duo shivered. “So did Vincent, and fighting against it was the hardest thing I've ever done.” Galen's eyes widened. “You were able to fight against it when you were human?” “That's why he decided to kill me, because I refused him.” He shook his head. “You are a fearsome creature, Duo Maxwell, and you will far surpass the previous Custos.” He tipped his head. “I am honored to have met you.” Heero covered his mouth with his hand as he yawned. He stretched his arms in front of himself and looked to Trowa. “I'm beat. You ready for bed?” “Yeah.” He stood and held out his hand to help Heero to his feet. Wufei put his hand to Quatre's thigh as he glanced at the clock. It was nearing dawn. 'You ready for bed?' he asked silently. 'I'm not really tired, yet.' He smirked. 'Neither am I.' He sent a wave of lust with the sentence. “Oh.” He gripped the hand on his thigh and stood. “Excuse us.” He pulled Wufei up the stairs. He kicked off his shoes as they entered the room. Wufei pushed him to the wall, hands working at his pants and lips leaving hot kisses over his neck. He closed his eyes and tilted his head to the side, heart pounding in his chest as the link between them sent fresh waves of desire, lust, and love crashing over him. It raised in intensity until he could hardly breath. He clung to Wufei, trembling legs ready to give out. It seemed Wufei wasn't going to hold anything back this time. He pressed his body flush to his lover's and rocked against him. Wufei growled and pulled away, pushing the blond to the bed and stripping them both of what was left of their clothes. He grabbed the lube from their bag and dropped it on the bed. Quatre gazed at Wufei through half-lidded eyes as he crawled up his body, laying random kisses over his heated skin before reaching his neck and biting. Quatre moaned and bucked his hips. Thought seemed impossible as wave after wave of need surged through him and he couldn't tell if it was his own or Wufei's. He tugged a lock of silken raven hair. “Please, Fei. Need you.” He pulled his lips from Quatre's neck and moved down his body, suckling at his nipples until they were hard. He spread Quatre's legs and knelt between them, running his fingers teasingly over the sensitive skin of his inner thighs. The blond writhed beneath him, hands clenching on the edges of the pillow beneath his head. Soft mewls and whimpers fell on every breath, fueling Wufei's passion. He licked his lips before closing his mouth over Quatre's straining erection, opening the link further to expose more of what he felt for his lover. Quatre's back arched and his jaw dropped in a silent scream as he came. Wufei covered his fingers and slid one into the blond as he fought to catch his breath, which was a fruitless endeavor as his senses were rapidly being overwhelmed. Quatre thrust down on the finger and spread his legs wider, silently begging for more. Wufei quickly added two more fingers as he coated his length. “I'm ready,” Quatre said, amazed he could still form words. He pulled his fingers out and repositioned himself, hooking Quatre's legs around his waist before slamming in. A heavy moan left Quatre's throat and he tightened his legs around Wufei, preventing him from moving. He gripped Wufei's forearms and rolled his hips, the length inside him grinding against his prostate. Wufei dropped his forehead to Quatre's chest, moaning softly as the tight heat clenched and released around him. Quatre pushed him up and to his back, kissing him and pressing his tongue through willing and eager lips. As he began to ride, he purposely grazed his tongue over Wufei's canines, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth. Wufei groaned, tightening his lips around the tongue and sucking the blood down his throat. He had to pull away as Quatre sped up, thrusting down on his sharply. His hands fell to Wufei's thighs to steady himself and his head fell back, glazed eyes staring at the ceiling as heat coiled in his stomach. He was so hard he hurt, but he didn't want to touch himself. He didn't want the moment to end. They were so close he couldn't tell where he stopped and Wufei began. He could feel the other man in every part of his body, radiating through him until he thought his heart would burst from the sweetness of it. 'It's all for you,' Wufei's voice drifted into his mind, the raw passion pouring from it escalating his already inflamed desire. 'I live for you. To be with you.' A soft cry escaped him and gentle lips suckled at his collar bone. 'You're mine.” Tears fell down his flushed cheeks as he gasped for breath. 'Yes.' Wufei found his lips again. 'I love you.' He pushed Quatre to his back and wrapped his hand around the blond's erection, stroking him almost brutally as he closed his lips on the still open wound on his neck. 'Open yourself to me.' Quatre shook his head in confusion. 'Huh?' 'Project yourself to me, not just your thoughts.' Quatre hadn't even considered the fact that out of all of their sessions, it had only been a one-way street. He pushed the guilt aside to deal with it later and gathered all he felt for his lover, 'sending' it to him through the link at the same time as Wufei completely opened the link between them. Something seemed to burst in Quatre's chest and love, seemingly a palpable touch, crashed over him, through him, like a tidal wave. His back arched, hands clenching Wufei's thighs tightly. He had thought they couldn't get any closer. He felt Wufei's grip tighten on him and his soft whispers of passion had turned to deep throated moans. Quatre clenched his fists tightly in the pillow, screaming his release. The tightening around him tipped Wufei over the edge and they rode out the orgasm that continued pulsing until both were sure they were going to die. Slowly it ended and Wufei collapsed to Quatre's chest, bodies trembling and hearts pounding. The link was wide open and neither could escape the force of it. Neither wanted to. ****** Duo shook his head, staring at the ceiling. “Wufei can not be that good.” Galen and Aidan smirked. “Seers and Keys don't mate exactly the same as other vampires. Our mating is on a much deeper level, therefore, the mates are always lovers. In order to obtain complete and utter control over the visions, you don't just share a link, you share your soul.” Duo tilted his head to the side. “But I thought they were already mated.” “It was started, but not completed.” “And now it is?” Galen nodded, a small smirk coming to his face. “Yes. They'll be a bit... giddy for the next few days.” The smirk fell. “And then it's time to plan our next move.” TBC...
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