by Arithkenshin
Disclaimer: Stop rubbing it in, I don't own them, just playing.
Notes: Thanks to BT again. I would also like to thank everyone who has reviewed so far.
And a huge *glomp* to CYT for putting up with my constant paranoia that the final drafts aren't good enough. I don't think this story would ever have been posted without her encouragement and beta-ing. So I dedicate the use of the word gruesome to her /snicker.
~#~ indicates flashback
Duo stood at the window, looking out over the gardens sprawling in front of the house, clad only in loose fitting pants. He had missed his nightly ritual. A distant smile spread over his face as he recalled there were other `rituals' he enjoyed more.
The shadows were playing outside as well. They loved the grounds cultivated specifically for the darkness. Trees rose up, spreading large, dark green brushwood over everything. Intertwining branches created walkways throughout, somehow never staying the same. It was a haven for darkness, and the shadows celebrated it.
The massive structure sprawled over acres of land; the back of it overlooked a sheer drop to the city below. Somehow it looked starkly out of place rising up over the large apartment blocks. At the same time its energy seemed like a beacon that - although feared - was needed. The residents of the city rarely went near it. There were stories of people getting lost on their way to the front door, of the garden closing behind them and swallowing their existence. It even had a nickname:
Blight.
A cruel smile twisted Duo's features as he enjoyed the feeling that causing fear gave him. He'd never even made an effort and he could feed off the fear of those who were scared of the Shadow. A shudder passed through him as he felt the joy of the house at the night. He was attuned to it, a part of it. It was an extension of what he was.
Tendrils of darkness clung to his legs, twining themselves around him as they worked their way up his body. The familiarity gave him peace. The touch made his body ache. He heard movement behind him as Quatre came out of the light doze he had been in.
Padded footsteps approached him at the window. Softly, fingers ghosted down the scars on his back, making him shudder involuntarily. The soft voice that spoke eased him.
"Do they still hurt?"
"Sometimes."
The stillness almost hurt, the silence uncomfortable. Duo sighed. "I.can re-grow them easily enough. I just haven't bothered with the energy yet." His body stiffened with expectation as Quatre kissed gently down the scars.
Duo knew he needed to speak to Quatre about his lapse that afternoon. Though he was loath to interrupt those ministrations, it was necessary. Turning abruptly, he caught Quatre's chin, raising the blond back to his full height. He leaned forward and claimed a kiss, his tongue exploring his lover's mouth.
Bodies pressed together, Quatre pushed his bare leg forward, spreading Duo's. His tongue fought Duo's and won, taking control of the situation. Quatre slipped his hands down to cup Duo's ass, forcing a moan from his lover's throat. While his lover was distracted he pulled his clothing off, allowing it to pool around his ankles.
Momentarily, Duo allowed himself to forget that there were important things to talk about. . Leaning into the hold Quatre had on him, he lifted his legs and wrapped them around Quatre's waist. He reminded himself that there was plenty of time to talk later.
With a moan, Quatre moved them forward. Propping Duo against the wall, Quatre continued to plunder his mouth while moving his hips against Duo's. Duo cried out as the friction became intense. His mind was clouded by the feelings. He was finding it hard to keep his awareness under control.
The shadows writhed around them, caressing, teasing and guiding. One hand supporting them on the wall, Quatre leaned into his lover. The blond tore his mouth away from plundering Duo's and lowered his head a little, capturing a nipple.
A cry emerged from Duo's throat and his back arched, pushing him away from the wall into Quatre. As he did so Quatre drew on his own power reserves. Golden wings unfurled themselves from the illusion that kept them hidden, steadying them both.
Shadows danced around the pair as if in glee. One motion from Quatre was all it took for them to writhe in earnest. Tendrils extended, solidifying. Soft and lingering touches caressed both bodies with intimate knowledge.
Duo's body shook as his shadows leant him that velvet like touch. Running over his chest, around to his back and along the cleft of his ass. His body shuddered and another moan escaped his lips. Senses assaulted from all sides he tried desperately to keep a grip on his powers.
Quatre shuddered as the shadows touched his mark. The mark of power was amazingly sensitive when touched in a sensual way. He could bring Duo to orgasm just by playing with it. And it was no different for his own, but he managed to resist.
Instead, he leaned into Duo's body, gasping for air at the sensations coursing through his body. His wings encased them, concealing them from view.
Biting down on one of Duo's nipples, Quatre felt his lover cry out. The first cry was followed quickly by another that suggested some pain. A grin spread over Quatre's face as those long legs tightened around him.
He knew just what the darkness had done.
Capturing Duo's lips once more, he swallowed the moans his lover made as the shadows stretched him. Quatre busied himself with taking Duo's mind off the invasion. Burying his face in the hollow of Duo's neck, he bit down hard.
Duo cried out, his legs tightening convulsively around Quatre. The sweat on their bodies mingled, causing goose bumps to break out across their skin as the night breeze caressed them. Clenching his hands in Quatre's hair, he pulled himself close enough to whisper in his lover's ears.
"Stop torturing me." His breath was coming in short gasps. "Take me. Damn it!"
A feral grin spread across Quatre's face, as he bit down once more. This time he punctured the skin. Raw power leaked into the room, suffusing itself with the sexual energy. Quatre drank it in as he levered Duo's hips.
He drove up into Duo in one thrust. A scream of agonised pleasure tore from Duo's throat. Not stopping, Quatre began to thrust in and out of his lover, feeling those legs grip themselves tighter as Duo worked his thighs to gain more leverage.
Duo felt every move that Quatre made. The power heightened his senses, making him giddy with the energy in the room. Pain was there, but he didn't have to feel it if he didn't want to. It was an advantage to being what they were.
He could feel himself nearing climax, and from the way that Quatre's breath was hitching, he knew his lover was just as close. His hands sought to pull Quatre's mouth to his own, tongue flicking out, seeking entrance, which was granted.
Quatre felt as if his knees would give way. He was thankful for the Shadow, providing him with support. It was getting closer, so close he wouldn't be able to contain himself. When Duo's body began to shudder, Quatre braced himself.
The friction between them was too much for Duo to bear. The orgasm that ripped from his body made him scream once more.
As Duo's body clenched tightly around him, Quatre could do nothing but give himself over to it. The power he had been containing poured from him and into Duo's mouth, into Duo's body.
The scream of ecstasy turned into a scream of pain as Duo's body sought the only outlet it could find and poured the excess power into it.
If it wasn't for the shadows supporting them, Quatre would have collapsed right then. Iridescent wings sprouted from Duo's back once more, thrusting them away from the wall.
Falling to his knees, Quatre cradled Duo's body as his lover shook with the aftershocks of it all. Withdrawing himself, he pushed them both up, trying to hold Duo in a way so as not to touch the newly regenerated wings. Usually pain was easy to ignore, but re-growing wings was the most excruciating experience imaginable. He knew that even Duo's power wouldn't be able to relieve him of that pain.
Violet eyes were glazed over, pain etched into every nuance of Duo's body. He was still convulsing. Quatre wanted to kick himself. He should have known better. Wings should never be forced out.
"Duo." he spoke softly, trying to call his lover's attention. Stroking Duo's sweat covered forehead he tried again. "Duo, look at me." Still getting no response, Quatre was on the verge of worrying. Even the darkness had a nervous tinge to it.
Taking the only option he saw open to him, he reached out to his power reserves located under the building. Drawing strength, he wove a shield so tight that the energy would not be able to hold it for long. But he didn't need long.
Summoning his strength, he called Duo's true name. "Abaddon." Duo's eyes flickered, as if searching for something in the distance. Quatre tried once more, his voice soft. "Abaddon."
Violet orbs cleared, pain barely receding as control was exerted. "Astaroth?" The voice was hesitant, unsure.
"I'm here." Quatre didn't think he could hold the shield for much longer. He hoped they wouldn't need it. It was never safe to use their real names.
Duo's face was still pinched, but he relaxed. "Thank you, Astaroth. Let it go now, I'm back."
Relief shone in Quatre's eyes as he let go of the shield. He carefully sat next to his lover, pulling his legs to his chest and holding them there with his arms. Golden wings encased him. "I'm so sorry."
With a grimace of pain, Duo flexed his wings. "It's ok. I didn't think."
"Neither did I."
"But it was good Quatre." Some of that former playfulness entered Duo's eyes briefly.
Somewhat shyly, Quatre smiled. "Well, that's a relief." He felt like a heel.
"Seriously Quatre, it's ok. Just do me a favour."
"Anything, Duo." Quatre actually meant it for once.
"Don't do something like that again. I've got no wings left to regenerate. I don't even want to contemplate where the power might go next time."
Quatre blinked once before noticing the grin on Duo's face. And then he laughed, Duo joining him after a short while.
The citadel was quiet. Pure darkness covered the buildings; no sign of shadow anywhere. Somehow it gave off a torpid atmosphere, but no one who resided there would ever admit that Shadows were vital part of life.
High up, overhanging the citadel, the bastion was glowing softly. Its white marble structure gleaming with reflected moonlight. Inside, stillness blanketed the building. Nothing stirred. There were no guards, there was no one at all. It was night, and the inhabitants saw no reason that their abode should need protecting.
Why on earth would such powerful beings need protection?
The only noise at all evident came from a room, located as close to the sky as it could get.
The occupant was dreaming.
The occupant was reliving a memory.
~#~
He sat, concealed in the corner, a gloating grin plastered on his face. They had caught him. His arch-nemesis.
They had caught Abaddon.
Right then the observer didn't care either way that they had not managed to find Astaroth. That fact in itself was irrelevant. The others had been taken care of anyway; one wouldn't make a difference. The main point of the matter was, that they had prevailed. Good had once again prevailed over evil, and this time evil would never rise again.
So he watched, glee spread over his face in the form of a cruel smile. Abaddon. He hung from the bindings fastened to the ceiling, his gorgeous wings spread out behind him. Absently, the watcher pondered that it was wrong for the disgraced to have such inherent beauty.
His servants went about their work admirably well, obviously taking pride in it. One piece of flesh at a time they worked over the body in front of them. But the figure refused to scream, his regeneration kicking in, not allowing them to complete their gruesome work.
Slowly but surely the torture was pulling away Abaddon's guise though, sapping at his power. Wings began to glow with his effort to contain his screams, not to give them the satisfaction. But bit by bit he was losing the fight, and the watcher revelled in the struggle.
There was something about breaking an enemy that was just so satisfying.
Even the watcher, however, was not immune to the beauty of his kind. Everything about his captive was just that: captivating. Hunger assaulted him as the power leaked over him, and he continued to watch his prey.
The lithe body was starting to shimmer. The iridescent light of his wings spread to encompass his body, a soft glow permeating the room until the captive lost control of his of his other gift.
The shadows.
They writhed with him, around him, swallowing up the excess light that rolled off his body. Their dance was seductive in its intensity.
And then Abaddon opened his eyes. Each eye socket simply looked like it was filled with blood. His mouth opened in a silent scream, shadows pouring out of him. Chestnut hair was ripped from its braid. Its free flow transformed gradually until it reached its true form.
A waterfall of thick, red blood fell continuously from Abaddon's skull. Cascading down his back, it evaporated just short of the floor.
He was magnificent to behold and the watcher found his breath coming in shortened gasps. Now all he needed was the piece de resistance. The final, crowning insult. He nodded to his servants.
At the sign, each servant concentrated the power they had been loaned and grabbed a hold of the top of one wing each.
The silence was ripped away as an agonised scream tore from Abaddon's throat the moment the servants pulled his wings. But they did not just pull. They dragged the wings out of his body in a process that took days.
The scream .
~#~. cut off as the watcher sat up in his bed. Slightly perturbed, he ran a hand through his hair, golden waves tumbling down his back.
It was unusual that he should dream, and he was curious. The dream was and old memory. millennia old. Head cocked to one side he summoned a manservant.
Moments later the man stood at the door. "Yes, Michael?" The man's eyes were riveted on the Wings augmenting his Master's frame.
The Archangel smiled condescendingly "See to it that a room is prepared. My brothers and I have things to discuss."
Quatre was dozing. His body was snuggled up against Duo's side, one leg tossed possessively over Duo's as his lover lay on his stomach, slumbering. It was one of the few times that one of their kind required sleep in some form.
Duo felt a tug at his consciousness. Deciding not to fight it, he opened heavy eyelids and blinked. There was something calling to him. He had to force himself to concentrate.
Which wouldn't usually have been so hard, but then again he didn't force a pair of wings from his body every day.
While he located what he was looking for, he swivelled a little to be able to look at Quatre. The blond felt him move and raised his head to look up at him. Duo's face softened for a moment. Then he found what he had sought. A low rumble started in his chest as he laughed softly.
Quatre looked at him, the question in his eyes.
"Ahhh Quatre, how ironic." Duo's eyes were sparkling.
"What is?"
"It seems someone has sent me a plea for help."
Quatre's laughed a little. "Help for what pray tell? It must have been fervent for you to hear it."
"It seems that our next addition would like my help in defeating me."
Quatre's laugh deepened, that strange light in his eyes once more. "Now that is ironic."
Duo pulled himself out of his doze. His entire being ached, but he knew he had to get up sooner or later. He may as well make it sooner.
A groan of pain escaped his lips as he moved off the bed, lifting his wings from covering Quatre. Annoyed blue-green eyes looked up at him. "I was warm, thank you very much."
"You're welcome." Duo's reply was absently given, considering he was folding his wings into their holding position. He would need to walk around with them revealed for a few hours before he could shift them to where they would remain out of sight. Life had been so much easier without them.
Their fourth would come that afternoon. Duo just hoped he managed to regenerate enough before then. If he arrived earlier than Duo expected, it was actually going to be difficult. His powers were a little scattered, having been drained so much the previous night. It was more difficult to pinpoint with definite accuracy.
A soft hand brushed over the small of his back, careful not to touch the tender wings. "I'll help you regenerate later, Duo." Quatre held out a pair of soft leather pants to his lover. "You won't be able to wear a shirt for a little while, but I'm sure you'll survive."
The blond couldn't quite suppress the smile that crossed his face.
Duo snatched the pants away and proceeded to put them on, watching Quatre out of the corner of his eye. "You are enjoying this entirely too much." As dressed as he was going to get, he stalked out of the bedroom. Quatre's laughter trailed behind him.
Wufei was scanning through the books when Duo came into the foyer. Even Hilde looked up, and opened her mouth as if to speak.
Holding his hand out in that universal stop signal, Duo shook his head. "Just don't ask."
Wufei snorted. "You are careless. Even I felt the power you abused last night."
Duo looked at him sharply. "Which power?"
The black-haired man gestured to Duo's wings. "That power."
Stepping closer to him, Duo's voice was menacing. "From one or two sources?" He needed to know if the names had escaped the barrier.
Disdain showed briefly on Wufei's arrogant features. "When you both very obviously lost control."
Sighing in relief, Duo turned away, heading to his room. "I'm going to be busy. Only disturb me if it's of dire importance. I have to prepare for our guest this afternoon."
Hilde's eyes followed him. Letting out a thoughtful sigh she turned back to her tome. Without looking up she spoke only moments later. "I really wouldn't, Quatre. I think he's a little put out at the moment."
Quatre shrugged. There were things he had to do anyway. A certain willful, newly-awoken being needed a few refresher courses. Of course until Air was there, it would be difficult, but Quatre always rose to the occasion.
Or so he liked to think.
A death grip on his arm, Quatre pulled Wufei after him. Ignoring the spluttering coming from unruly Fire, he lead Wufei down the corridor to the `work room'.
"Let go of me Fallen. A simple request would suffice."
"That would be too simple." Quatre turned and entered the room, motioning Wufei to follow. While closing the double door, Quatre grinned evilly. "Oh and Wufei. I'll be showing you just why I did not fall."
It was painful. Strike that. It was fucking painful. Duo was shutting off as much as he could, but it wasn't a usual sort of pain. It was a supernatural pain, one that he couldn't just get rid of. He was waiting for Quatre to arrive and he was out of practice.
Hiding his wings was harder than he remembered. But a few millennia without them would do that to you. Or maybe he was just becoming senile. Chuckling at his own joke, he managed to shift them once more. He again attempted what he had taken for granted so many thousands of years before, condensing his wings until they were simply an added ring to his aura.
Shadows whispered to him briefly and he nodded absently, still concentrating on the task at hand. Shifting quickly was important, and he didn't have that much time to spare.
Quatre rounded the bend in time to see Duo shifting his wings into his aura once more. His eyes narrowed as he observed just how strained the aura was. Without any words, he grabbed his lover's hand in one of his own, yet again shoving the other over Duo's solar plexus.
Concentration furrowed his brow as he pulled on the current underneath their domain. Opening the channel, he poured the energy into Duo, replenishing those drained reserves. The colour of Duo's skin returned slowly to normal, his aura regaining vibrancy. And still Quatre poured.
Quatre knew at that point in time, Duo needed his energy fully restored. The encounter that afternoon would tax him.
"Enough, Quatre." Duo pulled his hand free of Quatre's grip. He felt heady and needed to sit down. Shadows pooled to make him a comfortable seat, cushioning him. Duo's eyes narrowed as he watched Quatre stagger a little.
"You overdid it."
A rueful smile escaped Quatre's lips. "Not nearly as much as I overdid it last night, Duo."
"Get over it, Quatre. I have."
Quatre visibly flinched and Duo regretted his words straight away. There were so many more implications in what he had said. That he had lost his wings in the first place was something that Quatre blamed on himself. Duo knew that Quatre would be pissed off at himself for giving them back to Duo in the way that he did.
Voice somewhat softer, Duo reached up and grabbed a hold of Quatre's hand. "I'm fine, I will be fine. But I need you. I need you whole and in one piece. I can't do this without you."
Quatre smiled. Bending down, he gently cupped Duo's face, kissing him chastely. "Careful, Duo. I might think you mean it." But his eyes were dancing.
Sadly, it only lasted for a minute. Duo had to marvel over the change in his partner. One minute he was smiling for all he was worth, and the next a cold light passed through those blue-green eyes. Cunning and calculating all rolled into one, he looked almost predatory.
Of course seen as how the shadows had begun to writhe in irritation, Duo could understand the abrupt change. Standing, he exited the room tugging a summoned shirt over his head. His powers, weakened as they had been, had not enabled him maintain his usual surveillance. It looked like their visitor had arrived.
Not a moment too soon Duo arrived in the foyer to see the door swing open with amazing force. A tall man walked into the room, the second green eye obscured by a mussed fall of hair.
"I welcome thee, Trowa Barton." Duo's voice was almost musical as he greeted their guest. His arms were folded nonchalantly across his chest, shadows caressing him.
The man's eyes focused on Duo, as the voice spoke with quiet confidence. "Duo Maxwell, I presume?"
A slight laugh echoed throughout the room. "At your service."
Trowa cocked his head to one side. "How appropriate. I was looking for you."
"And what might I assist you with?" Duo's smile was anticipatory.
Shock spread over Duo's face as a gust of wind hit him with force akin to a brick wall. It carried his body through the room, slamming it into a bookshelf on the other side.
"How can you assist me?"
Trowa Barton's smile did not reach his eyes.
"Why you can die, Mr. Maxwell."
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