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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 24 Duo shook his head. “I don't like the idea.” Quatre sighed. “It's daylight. The only enemies who can approach will be mates and I think between the three of us, we can hold our own.” Galen pursed his lips. “I agree with Duo. I think it's too risky.” Aidan grunted. “Why is it the three of you seem to think we're helpless? You chose us, didn't you?” Wufei raised an eyebrow. “I haven't said anything against it, have I?” The others looked to him and he shrugged. “Someone has to get to the house and we can't. The only option is for them to go.” He leveled a pointed look on Galen and Duo. “You're letting your emotions affect your judgment.” Duo and Galen exchanged glances. The Custos huffed and looked to his lover. “Fine, go. But be careful.” Zechs rolled his eyes. “You'd think we didn't know how to handle war times from the way you talk.” The brunette pulled his lover to his chest and laid a deep kiss on his lips, only releasing him when Zechs fully relaxed against him. “Get yourself killed and I'll raise you from the dead just to kill you again, got it?” He snorted. “Got it.” Quatre stood only to be pulled back down into Wufei's lap. The vampire kissed him hotly. 'Be careful.' He moaned softly into Wufei's mouth. 'You, too.' Wufei released him and the three vampires went down into the galley as their mates climbed out of the jet. Quatre moved to the office and glanced over the cars before picking the key for the Camero. He took a breath. “Let's hope we don't run into any trouble.” 'I second that.' Wufei informed him. Aidan got into the cramped backseat so Zechs could sit up front as he was much taller. Quatre buckled his seat belt. “Ready?” “Yes,” Aidan called. Quatre pulled out of the hangar and headed for the house. The three kept constant vigil on the trees lining the streets and after five minutes, Quatre shook his head. “I don't sense anyone,” he said softly. 'Wufei, have the others seen anyone?' 'No, as far as Daeon can tell, only humans are in the area.' 'So what are we doing?' 'Duo said to continue as planned. We'll meet up with you at the house at nightfall whether we have company or not.' 'All right.' He glanced to Aidan and Zechs. “They said to keep going as planned.” Aidan rested his chin on the passenger seat. “I really envy that you can do that.” “What's that?” “Be able to communicate with Wufei and still do other stuff at the same time.” Quatre laughed softly. “It does come in handy.” “What are you going to tell your family?” Zechs asked. Quatre sighed. “I haven't decided on that yet.” ****** “He should be here soon,” Samantha said as she gazed out the window. Caroline looked over the top of her book. “How many did he say he were coming?” “Nine total.” She looked to her younger sister. “Really, Caroline, can't you try to be a little more ladylike?” She raised an eyebrow and lifted her book, studying her jeans and T-shirt. “What?” Samantha sighed. “Clothes aside, could you at least sit on the sofa properly instead of sprawling all over it?” “It's just Quatre and his friends, not royal dignitaries. You worry too much about what other people think.” She shook her head. “It would do you some good to worry a little.” A flash of reflecting light caught her eye and she smiled. “They're here.” Caroline tossed her book on the coffee table and followed Samantha to the foyer as the butler was letting Quatre and his friends in. She frowned slightly. “Where are the others?” Quatre smiled and hugged her. “Nice to see you, too, Caroline. Wufei and the others will be here later. This is Aidan and Zechs.” Samantha pursed her lips. It was easy to not care that the blond had been pardoned when she'd had no personal dealings with him, but being presented face to face with the man who had tried to destroy the earth wasn't exactly high on her list of things she wanted to do. “I'm sure I recognize him,” she said with narrowed eyes. Zechs grimaced and glanced to Quatre. “If me being here will cause problems-” “No.” Quatre held up his hand. “It's fine, Zechs. Samantha, all of his crimes were pardoned. We have bigger issues to deal with right now, and he is a valuable ally. Please, try to be nice to him.” She nodded, forcing a smile to her face. “Of course, Quatre.” He mentally sighed. “Sam, this isn't a simple social visit. I need to talk to you. Is Rashid here?” “No. He won't be back for two days.” 'Good,' Wufei's voice muttered in Quatre's mind. He barely stopped a grin. 'You be nice, too.' 'I make no promises.' He shook his head. “We'll have to fill him in later. Where can we talk?” She led them to the parlor and Quatre excused the maid, assuring her they didn't need anything. After closing the door, he leaned his back to it, mind running through his options as the others sat. He looked to Samantha. “I'm a reasonable person, right?” “You always have been.” “And you know I'd never lie to you.” She frowned slightly. “What's this about?” He took a slow breath. “We're in the middle of a war.” “War?” She glanced to Caroline who merely raised a shoulder. “Quatre, we've been at peace for quite a few years.” He nodded. “With humans.” “Humans,” she repeated softly. “If we're still at peace with humans, who exactly are we at war with?” “Vampires.” His brows drew down. “Not all vampires, some are good. But there are evil ones who want to turn humans into livestock and breed us for food.” Samantha stared at Quatre through narrow eyes for a long minute before looking to Caroline. The younger woman tilted her head to the side. “How do you know that?” Quatre looked to Caroline, almost sighing in relief that at least one of them was willing to get the facts before making a snap judgment. “Wufei disappeared because he'd been turned into a vampire. Duo is one now, too.” “You've got to be joking!” He looked to Samantha. “No, I'm not. Why would I joke about something like that?” “Vampires? Quatre, those are creatures out of fairy tales, not the real world.” He crossed to her and tilted his head to the side, showing her the scars in his neck. “See those marks? They're from Wufei.” “He fed off of you?” Caroline asked, jumping up and gripping Quatre's head so she could see his neck better. “What does it feel like? Does it hurt? Was it just the once or does he do it often?” Zechs and Aidan exchanged amused glances while Samantha looked at her sister as if she'd lost her mind. “Don't encourage him, Caroline.” She rolled her eyes. “He's got the classic vampire puncture wounds.” Zechs stifled a laugh and Aidan pressed his lips firmly together. Quatre looked to the younger of the two women. “I'd rather not describe how it feels in detail, but it doesn't hurt; and he does it regularly. We're mated.” He looked back to Samantha. As happy as he was that Caroline believed him, it was Sam he needed to convince. “If you don't believe me now, that's all right. I'm sure I can prove it. The fact of the matter is, we have enemies who are going to try to get at me by attacking you. Sam, you need to postpone the wedding.” Her eyes widened and she stood, raising her chin. “I'll do no such thing. If you think there's any chance you can convince me that there are vampires and that they're after us, you've seriously lost your mind. If you'll excuse me, I have preparations to get to.” Caroline jumped as the door slammed and looked back to Quatre. “Uh, I guess that didn't go as planned.” He grunted softly. “I didn't really think she'd be easy to convince.” ****** “How'd it go?” Daeon glanced to Heero. “Wufei said it went as well as can be expected. He wants us to go ahead and go to the house.” He gazed around the trees. “There's nothing out of the ordinary here.” Heero nodded. “Which means we've arrived ahead of them.” “Yippie,” Raven deadpanned. Trowa chuckled softly. “Don't worry, we won't let you get into any serious fighting.” “How come I didn't get the same promise?” Slayn asked with a hint of mischief in his eyes. Heero smirked. “We were sure you wanted payback for being held against your will. If you'd rather sit in a corner somewhere, I'm sure that can be arranged.” Daeon shook his head. “All right, children, I think it's time we get a move on.” He transformed and they climbed on his back, flying the few miles to the estate and landing well outside of the gates. They opened for them and Quatre met them at the door. “We've sent home all the staff. No one will be returning to work for at least three days. I've yet to convince Sam it's a good idea to postpone the wedding. Still no sign?” Daeon gave one last glance around outside before they were led into the house. “No enemies that I can see.” A shriek came from the top of the stairs and all eyes turned to Samantha who was pointing at Daeon. “Why are you green?” He laughed. “I'm sorry, my dear, I don't get a choice in what I look like when I morph. I don't know that any race does.” He glanced to Trowa. “Do you?” “No.” Samantha moved slowly down the stairs, eyes roving over the other people and quickly ignoring them as they looked normal. “What are you?” He tipped his head. “A dragon in my natural form.” “Dragon.” She gave Quatre a flat stare. “You didn't mention dragons.” Caroline moved into the room, looked over the group, and then looked up the stairway to her sister. “You look a little pale, Sam. Would you like a drink?” She rubbed her temple and allowed Caroline to take her to the parlor. “Yes, I think I could use one.” Quatre and Aidan smirked as they followed the blond's sister into the parlor. Caroline poured a glass of brandy for Sam and she downed it quickly, eyes studying Daeon closer. “Okay, let's say I believe you're a dr-dragon.” She choked over the word and poured another drink. “Is there anything else you feel I should know?” The others exchanged glances. “Trowa shifts into a panther and Heero's-” Raven cut off as an elbow caught him in the ribs. “That was rude,” he muttered. Heero snorted and Caroline laughed softly. Samantha rewarded her with a glare and she raised her eyebrows. “What?” “Doesn't this strike you in the least bit odd?” She shrugged. “I've always believed in the supernatural.” She looked back to Raven. “Do you have any superpowers?” He smiled, instantly liking her easy going nature. “Not really.” Quatre looked from his sister to Raven and back again, a grin rising to his lips. “He's a much stronger empath than I am. I'd watch what I was feeling around him if I were you.” Her face pinked slightly but a smirk stole her face. “I'll keep that in mind.” Samantha pursed her lips. “Can't you at least pretend to be somewhat fazed by all of this?” She raised a shoulder. “Whatever happens, happens. At the very least, Quatre found out about it before the evil vamps attacked and killed us all. They're here to protect us.” Sam drained her drink. “We've been planning this wedding for a year.” “And you won't live to see it if you don't trust us.” She started and stared at Wufei with wide eyes. “But I-” “If you want to spend the rest of your life with your fiancé, beyond the next week, that is, you'll do as we say,” Wufei said. Samantha paled. “I don't have any proof that anything you say is real,” she argued weakly and pointed at Daeon. “For all I know, you dressed that man up to look like that.” “Why would I do that?” Quatre asked with exasperation. “And his name is Daeon, not 'that man'.” He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “We should just show her proof, Wufei.” “Are you sure?” “How else will she believe us?” Galen pushed from the wall. “Perhaps it would be best if Aidan and I demonstrated.” Quatre and Wufei looked to him and he shrugged. “It might traumatize them to see their little brother fed on.” Samantha gaped. “Fed on?” He nodded. “Come here, love.” Aidan rose from his seat and crossed to Galen, tilting his head to give his lover better access. Samantha's jaw dropped when fangs extended and the blond bit into the black haired man's neck. She watched for several minutes, shock fading to a strange sense of wonder. It was obvious the dark haired man was in no pain. On the contrary, he seemed to be enjoying himself. She swallowed and looked away, eyes falling on those of her brother as he watched her reaction. She stood. “I have some thinking to do,” she said in a strained whisper. “If you'll excuse me.” Her gaze swept over the others in the room. “Please make yourselves at home. Quatre can show you to rooms you can use.” She looked back to her brother. “I'll dismiss the staff in the morning.” “You'll postpone the wedding?” She took a breath. “Like I said, I have some thinking to do.” ****** Aidan leaned against the window frame, gazing at the sunrise. “When was the last time you saw dawn?” He shook his head. “I'm not sure I remember.” Quatre moved to stand beside him. “I guess it's been a while for me, too. Though not quite as long, I'm sure.” He smiled softly and glanced to the blond. “You should take the time to enjoy such simple things when you can.” He returned the smile and glanced out the window. “Probably.” He chewed his lip for a moment. “Can I ask you something?” Aidan nodded. “Feel free.” “How old are you?” “882, this past spring.” He sat on the window seat, shaking his head. “What's it like to live for so long?” He released a soft breath. “In some ways, it's rather sad. I've watched eras begin and end.” His eyes narrowed as he looked to the horizon. “I've had friends come and go, age and die. I've seen great cities built, and greater ones destroyed.” “But you've had Galen with you always.” He looked back to him with a warm smile. “Yes.” “How did you meet?” His eyes grew distant as he tapped into his oldest memories. “I grew up running the dirt paths that passed for streets in those days, begging pennies from those more fortunate who passed by. My mother was a lady of the night and was disliked by many. I was looked at with pity or disgust, though I was too young to understand why at the time. I never knew who sired me, and truthfully, my mother probably didn't know, either. But I never doubted that I was the center of her universe; and she was mine, as I suppose all mothers are for their sons. “I had some older friends who tried to get me into picking pockets or other such things, but I didn't want to do anything that could get me or my mother in trouble.” He smirked ruefully. “I didn't realize it would be damn near impossible for my mother or myself to fall any farther.” He took a slow breath. “Anyway, there was a man who passed by me every night before I headed home and he always asked me to come with him, promising me a lot of money. I didn't know what he wanted, but he made me nervous so I always turned him down. The others on the streets helped me out by making sure he didn't try to follow me.” His eyes narrowed and he sat on the edge of the window seat, gazing out the window. “One winter it was especially cold and my mother developed a bad cough. I spent longer hours on the streets, trying to get enough money to get her some medicine.” Quatre tilted his head to the side, feeling the ancient pain rolling beneath the surface of Aidan's emotions. “You weren't able to,” he guessed softly. “No,” he replied in a tight voice. “She died my eleventh summer. I returned home to find her lifeless body in bed and laid with her until the stench alerted others and a constable came. She was taken away and I returned to the streets. I didn't even have to beg any more. I just sat in a corner and people tossed coins to me. I wonder sometimes at the pathetic sight I must have made. “In the midst of my inconsolable grief, the man who wanted to buy me sought to carry me off and comfort me,” he sneered. “And I didn't resist. To me, nothing mattered anymore. He dragged me into an alleyway and had my clothes stripped from me when the most beautiful man I'd ever seen stepped out of the shadows. I didn't really see what happened, but when the scuffle was over I looked up into kind green eyes.” “Galen,” Quatre said softly. He nodded. “Yes. He wouldn't let me go back to the streets after that. He took me to his home and cared for me.” A soft smile came to his face. “Those were sweet years for me. I'd never had a father before and, although he appeared so young, he treated me much like I believed a father would treat his son. He fed me, taught me, clothed me. “As I grew older, I began to notice certain things. How he never aged nor ate. After three or so days, he would avoid me and then disappear for several hours. When he returned home he would be back to his usual self. I was curious so one night I followed him to find out where he went. “You would think watching a vampire feed for the first time would have terrified me, but I was more intrigued than anything else. He was not happy with me for following him and barely spoke with me the whole way home. After hours of my pestering him, he reluctantly sat me down in the parlor and answered my questions. After two hours, he asked if I was finished because it was almost dawn. “I asked him for one more thing, to be like him.” Quatre quirked an eyebrow. “How did he react to that?” He chuckled softly. “The strangest expression came to his face, I think it was a mixture of pain and amusement. Then he told me I was crazy and to go to bed.” “When did things change between you?” “When I was eighteen. He wanted me to go out into the world and find my own way. He said it was time for me to start living.” He shook his head. “I tried. I really did, but it didn't work out. I couldn't seem to fit into normal society. I became lost in thought often, and at times went so far as to forget where I was. Galen filled my every moment, even when he was no where to be seen. I couldn't shake his memory. I missed his smile and laughter. I missed his eyes on me as he quizzed me on my studies. He'd created who I was and then had me return to a world I was no longer a part of. It took me months to realize that it wasn't that I was incapable of performing the jobs I tried. I was simply unable to stand a life without Galen, so I went back to him and begged him to let me stay.” Quatre leaned his chin on his knee. “And he did?” Aidan smiled. “Once he understood that I truly loved him, not just the idea of being in love with him. I was near twenty when he finally made me his mate.” He sighed and looked to Quatre with sorrow in his eyes. “You do realize that it is a harder... sadder existence for them than it is us, don't you?” Quatre's brows drew together. “What do you mean?” “If something were to happen to them, we would die as well. No lingering sadness, no days or weeks wishing we could have them back.” He released a short, mirthless laugh. “I don't regret that,either. For almost nine centuries, he has been my everything. We've shared nearly nine hundred years' worth of memories. I wouldn't know how to function without him beside me.” Quatre dropped his eyes to the floor. “But they would continue on without us,” he said softly. “You wouldn't want him to follow you, would you?” His lips curved upward slightly in the corners. “No, I would not. And neither would you, I suspect. We are hypocritical creatures, aren't we? We want our loved ones to move on, to continue and prosper, but we would rather not do so without them.” He stepped away, sparing one last glance out the window. “Well, I better be off to bed before Galen thinks I'm having a love affair with the sun.” He bowed slightly. “Good night.” “Night,” Quatre answered softly. He sat for several more minutes before pushing to his feet and leaving the room. He started when he found Samantha leaning against the wall outside the door. “Sam, I thought you went to bed a while ago.” She nodded, face drawn. “I did, but I couldn't sleep.” She studied her brother. “I don't understand everything, but... I do believe you.” She gave him a watery smile. “I called Greg this morning and told him we needed to hold off on the wedding. It took me a while to convince him I wasn't trying to break things off, but I think he understood in the end... or as close as he could without knowing the truth.” “I'm sorry, Sam.” She shook her head. “It isn't your fault.” She cupped his cheek in her palm and gazed into his eyes. “Is he worth all this?” He smiled softly. “Wufei is worth everything to me. I know you're worried, Sam, but I'm doing what I have to. I couldn't let him face this alone.” She nodded. “I know. I'm proud of you, Quatre. And I love you more than you could possibly know. Never forget that. Okay?” He kissed her cheek. “I love you, too, Samantha. If I didn't, we wouldn't be here.” She took a breath. “Let's just hope Rashid will be so easy to convince.” TBC...
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