Reunion - 2003 Conversion Day fic August 2003 Jarvinia A Conversion Day story for LaCroix...which pretty much says it all. This still may, or may not be posted to any lists. Takes place August 24th early morning hours, 2003 in...er...wherever LaCroix might be living then. It's somewhat adult, nothing graphic...but let's just say the main characters are Nick and LaCroix and they're not always quite behaving as father and son.... Reunion (01/01) LaCroix halted, his hand resting on the doorknob. There was a mortal in his apartment. The heartbeat was relaxed, like it was waiting, sleeping, perhaps. But that wasn't why he hadn't entered yet. Nicholas was also inside, something which stunned him more than anything else. They hadn't held a civilized conversation for seven years--ever since he had refused to kill Nicholas in Toronto. He had occasionally checked up on his son, but whenever they spoke, they argued and fought. Events in Toronto had only increased Nicholas' want to become mortal, and had divided them further. Every time they spoke, he watched the other place ever more distance between them. It had been two years since he last even saw his son, let alone spoke to him. And now Nicholas was here, in his apartment, and with a mortal. He feared what that would mean. Turning the knob, he found the door unlocked. He entered, closed and locked the door behind him. Taking several steps, he abruptly halted. He spun, softly whispering his son's name as his eyes met the other's. Nicholas' complexion glowed with a faintly rosy sheen, a sparkle in the younger vampire's eyes. Nicholas had changed since he last saw him. His son was...happy. "Nicholas--" "I'm not here to argue." "Then why are you here? And why did you bring a mortal with you?" "For you. For today." "Today?" LaCroix asked, somewhat perplexed as to the reason. "Well, it's nearly light.... Your conversion day, LaCroix." LaCroix stiffened. "And why does the date matter? I do not celebrate it. You know that." He followed his son's movements as the younger walked around him. "I came for you." LaCroix felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up at the whispered words. "I wanted to do something for you." "And just what is this 'something'?" LaCroix watched a grin appear as Nicholas again appeared in front of him. His son reached out and took one of his hands, pulling him toward the hall. "You'll see." LaCroix pulled his hand back, unsure what his son's plans for them were. "Nicholas...." "Please, LaCroix. Don't ask any questions." Letting his son again take his hand, LaCroix followed the younger down the hall and toward both his bedroom and the mortal's heartbeat. Nicholas opened the door and pulled him forward. Once in the room, he was released, and while the door was shut behind him, LaCroix focused on the woman lying on his still made bed. Nicholas then went to the woman, gently rousing her from sleep. LaCroix stared as his son helped her stand up, her body responding to Nicholas' whispered instructions. He watched the woman stand and turn to him, and then approach, Nicholas following close behind her. The mortal walked right up to him and kissed him. He allowed the action, but then held her out at arm's length, her partially glazed gaze amazing him. He turned to his son, his lips parting slightly realising this was Nicholas' doing. "What is this?" "I...thought you might enjoy a change of pace," the younger answered, walking up behind the woman. He pushed her head to the side, her shoulder length dark blonde hair falling away from her neck. "How long has it been since you took one? Since you took the time to do more than kill?" Lips still parted, LaCroix just stared as Nicholas kissed the woman's neck. She was complacent, and he knew Nicholas had caused it. It stunned him to see his son like this, especially considering their conversations consisted of arguing about Nicholas' diet, which last he knew was still cow's blood. "LaCroix, don't question this." Nicholas was now staring at him, simply holding the mortal in front of him. He enjoyed the sight greatly, but it just didn't feel right. Nicholas rarely acted like this--even when he had indulged in his nature on a regular basis. Nicholas was off. He knew how, but not why. And that made him hesitate. "Please, LaCroix." His eyes wandered over the two, eventually settling on his son's hungry, golden ones. He would accept this for what it was and would not question it for the time being. Relaxing his stance, he leaned forward and kissed the mortal's neck where Nicholas had just a moment before. He sensed his son's pleasure and continued to kiss her, first on her neck and then on her mouth. As he kissed her, she gasped. Pulling back, his eyes widened somewhat when he saw Nicholas draining her. LaCroix shut his eyes for a moment, but when he opened them he couldn't resist taking her. It wasn't long before the woman fell limp between them. Stepping back, he watched Nicholas lower her to the floor and then stand once more. "You seem a bit stunned, LaCroix." "No more than I was when I got here." He watched his son grin back at him and wipe the blood from his lips. Nicholas then wiped the blood from his fingers. He nearly licked the blood from his own lips, but stopped when his son stepped closer. There was something in Nicholas' gaze, something.... He pulled back when Nicholas closed the distance between them, unaware of it until he had done so. "LaCroix, don't." Giving a grin to the other, he stepped up right in front of LaCroix and took the elder vampire's face in his hands. "You seem afraid." "I am *not* afraid." "Then don't pull away. Don't question anything. Please." With his son's hands still holding him, LaCroix again drew back, but his son followed. And yet, he couldn't pull out of the grip, not because it was too strong, but because he wanted to know why Nicholas was acting this way. His son pulled him ever nearer, and LaCroix closed his eyes, waiting. But what he expected, a kiss, never came. Instead, his son licked the blood off his chin and released his face. Opening his eyes, LaCroix stepped back and stared at his child. Nicholas was smiling at him. And although he greatly enjoyed this, it didn't feel right. Nicholas didn't seem right and he couldn't shake that feeling off, even though it should have been simple. Never had Nicholas initiated such advances, nor had his son accepted ones from him. "I want to know, Nicholas, what has brought on this change." "LaCroix--" "I want an answer, Nicholas! I will not allow you to continue without one." He watched his son back up slightly, but Nicholas' expression didn't change, his child's eyes still burning gold. "Is this a permanent change, or will you be gone by morning?" "LaCroix, please...not now. I will answer you later." As Nicholas stepped forward and reached out toward his face, LaCroix backed away. He shook his head, raising his hand and pointing at the younger. "No. No, you will give me an answer now." "This isn't what you think it is, LaCroix. And that's all I will say. Either tell me to leave, or be quiet." LaCroix did what he could to hold back his anger at his son's words, and lowered his arm. This time when his son approached, he held his position. Nicholas wiped the remaining blood from his mouth, and then slowly licked the blood from his fingers, savouring every drop. The sight enticed him and helped him not to question further. "This is for you. Remember that." As Nicholas approached him and again reached for his face, LaCroix closed his eyes. Nicholas' hands gripped the sides of his neck, and at the last moment turned his head to the side. His son kissed him on the cheek, Nicholas' lips soft and gentle. His lips parted as his head was pushed to the side, Nicholas' lips brushing along the skin to his ear. "How do you like that, hmm?" LaCroix' lips parted, his curiosity put on hold. "Perhaps I--" He cut off his words as Nicholas unbuttoned his collar, feather light touches brushing against his neck. The touches continued down until his shirt was completely unbuttoned. "Hmm...perhaps I should have let you celebrate my conversion day earlier...." Nicholas then pushed his shirt down from his shoulders and kissed him just below the ear. A few more kisses and he gasped upon feeling Nicholas bite him. He let his son take his blood, and then tentatively, he brushed his own lips along the younger's throat. When Nicholas didn't pull away, he bit into the flesh and pulled his son closer. Both actions were allowed, even encouraged. Nicholas' blood made his throat burn with the flavour. His son was no longer subsisting off of cow's blood, the blood that flowed into him tasting no less than it had that first night when he'd brought Nicholas across. Taking his fill, LaCroix released the other, expecting Nicholas to do the same. But his son continued to drink for several more seconds. Once Nicholas pulled back and their gazes met, he asked, "This isn't real, is it?" He stiffened when the younger turned away, and also looking away, he wiped the blood from his mouth. His eyes shifted to the dead woman, at which he glared at the younger. "Get rid of her and get out." He started for the door, but Nicholas stepped in his way, blocking the doorway. "Move." "This is for you, LaCroix. And this is hard for me...but I don't want to leave either. But if you really want, I'll go. Is that what you want?" LaCroix shook his head slightly. "No, but how long will you stay for? How long until you leave? A few days? Weeks? Perhaps months? No, I will not allow that." He clenched his jaw. Extending a hand, he touched his fingers to Nicholas' lips. Pulling back, drops of blood covered his fingertips. He started to bring his hand back, but Nicholas stopped him, pulling his hand back. Nicholas licked the blood away, sucking on the tips until no blood remained. He watched all of this with curiosity. Nicholas then took his other hand and released the first. His son's thumb passed over his ring several times, and then Nicholas brought it to his lips and kissed it, much like he had soon after being brought over. "I owe you, LaCroix, and I am very grateful for what you have given me, even if I don't show it." "And you are here because of this?" LaCroix drew his hand out of Nicholas' grip. "Why now? Especially now, with the way our relationship is?" "I know the last decade...the last century have been hard on you." LaCroix averted his gaze slightly at the understatement. He wanted to say something, but didn't. Instead, he watched Nicholas fidget, and then step forward. "I...I'm coming back to you, LaCroix. That's my gift...me coming back. I had wanted this to go smoother, to be more of a surprise." LaCroix' jaw dropped faintly. "You're coming back?" "Yes. It's not...permanent, but then what is?" "Is this a lie?" "Do you need to ask?" LaCroix didn't have a response to that. They both knew he didn't need to ask. To begin with, Nicholas had never been able to lie to him. He had come close a couple of times, but never truly managed it. And his son's blood, the taste still lingering in his mouth, also backed up Nicholas' words. "For how long?" he asked, his voice barely audible. He received a grin from Nicholas, and then the younger reached out and held the sides of his face. He raised his own arms and griped his son's arms as he stared at Nicholas and waited. This time, Nicholas did kiss him. It was far from passionate, more of a kiss between brothers or father and son, and in turn it meant far more to him than it would if it had been more intimate. "Nicholas, please. For how long?" "As long as I can. I really mean it, LaCroix. I'm coming back, starting tonight. If...you want me to come back, that is." When his son made to release him, LaCroix held Nicholas' hands in place. He managed a faint smile. "Of course I want you back. Did *you* need to ask?" For a moment, neither did anything...and then Nicholas grinned. And if that wasn't enough, Nicholas kissed him. The kiss was short, after which he felt Nicholas' lips against his ear. "How's that for a surprise?" LaCroix held his son out at arm's length, a forced smile on his lips. "That's the end though, isn't it? No more surprises." "No more surprises," the younger replied with first a sad smile, and then a grin. "But that doesn't mean the night is over...nor does that mean our blood will stop flowing. Does it?" After receiving another seductive smile, LaCroix watched Nicholas take his hand again and kiss his ring once more. As his son pushed him backwards toward the bed, he saw the woman's body on the floor. It didn't particularly bother him, but it did bother him that Nicholas wasn't affected by it. "I hope your coming back isn't going to go quite this...smoothly...I'm starting to miss our little games." "You are?" came a teasing answer with a grin. "Don't worry, I won't be as willing after tonight. So, are you going to celebrate next year?" "You can...and only you. And perhaps do a bit more next year?" "Perhaps." They each grinned, and seconds later LaCroix felt Nicholas' fangs slide into his throat. His lips remained turned up on the sides, and he let Nicholas drink until he had no choice but to take his blood or allow himself to be completely drained. When Nicholas released him, he stepped back until his legs ran into the end of the bed. LaCroix looked behind him and then back to his son. "Nicholas...." At that, he was again kissed and then led onto the bed and being pushed onto his back. While being held down, Nicholas again took him. Not caring if he was light-headed from his blood being taken or from being taken by Nicholas, he closed his eyes, and then after a few seconds pulled the younger vampire closer and took him in return. ~finis~ jarvinia@gmx.com @>--,---`---