By Summer
Beta read by Mom-Ra
Takes place after Last Knight
Warning: Contains some violent bondage content. You have been warned! You don�t like that kind of stuff, then don�t read this!
Class: Slash
Pairings: Nicholas/LaCroix, Natalie/Nick
Nicholas was dead, killed by his own hand. He stared at the two dead bodies now draped in each other�s arms lying on the floor. Even in death his son looked beautiful. Staring down at him the full clarity of what Lucien LaCroix had done finally hit home.
The blood tears fell down his closed eyelids. He hadn�t cried since the death of Divia...both times. But, this pain was worse then any he had ever known. His Nicholas, his son, his possession was gone from this world and though Nicholas now had found what he sought in another life in the arms of Doctor Lambert; he was alone left to walk the earth in eternity of darkness without his one source of light.
For 800 years they had fought, sparred, battled physically and emotionally with one another and the journey had been long and so very interesting. The loss was too great to bare for him. He loved Nicholas with every fiber of his being. Even when Nicholas had turned away from being a Vampire, even when he was searching for his cure and absolution of guilt LaCroix still loved his son. Even when Nicholas had tried to kill him, his wayward, rebellious Child. Through it all LaCroix still loved him.
Now openly, LaCroix wept. He stumbled to his knees, unable to deal with the broken bond and loss. The connection between them was severed. He could no longer feel the presence of his son. 800 years, Lost, lost, all lost.
He rose into the air shooting upwards through the skylight. Where he was going, he did not know, all he knew was that he could not bare the pain that was beating inside his very soul.
He traveled for a long time, far across the oceans, far across countries and worlds that hadn�t even been touched. He flew on; ignoring the aching hunger and thirst he felt as he slowly starved himself. It was only now that LaCroix realized just how much his son had been a part of his life. A life that had given him great pain, and great joy.
All his pretty speeches, all his lessons and his very will could not stop the destruction that Nicholas would bring to his heart. Yet, he would not undue what had been done. To live these past 800 years without Nicholas in it would have been just as terminal as he felt now.
*Is this what mourning is? To lose someone that is more then just a companion and friend, even a lover. I have lost more then that, I have lost my soul, my heart, my only light in this eternal darkness.*
Darkness was all that was left. Filling deep in the recesses, and LaCroix flared with hope that it would also fill the aching pain. But he knew that it wouldn�t. This pain would never vanish. It would never leave him. He would continue to walk the earth halved.
He would make every creature on this planet suffer ten fold for this. For the loss of his son, he will destroy everyone that had happiness, if he wept, then so shall the earth. All mortals will feel his wrath and rage. he will make them all pay for the death of his son. They are to blame and cause for his son�s destruction. Oh yes my hand was the ultimate weapon but it was the mortals that caused this. They made his son turn from the ways of the Vampires and riddled him with guilt and remorse for crimes of being a predator. To be a murderer. Nicholas could never get over the pain of the kill. The ending of one insignificant life. No matter how much he tried to teach Nicholas that mortals are food and nothing more, Nicholas would instead take them into his heart. Cherish them, laugh with them, love them.
Not as pets; LaCroix could have lived with that, but Nicholas felt they were equal perhaps even better and stronger then them, the immortals. Rubbish. The anger deepened. Yes, he would make them pay. Every mortal man, woman, child. He would make them weep and beg for mercy. But Lucien LaCroix would give them none. MY SON IS DEAD! For that the world must pay.
He paused in mid flight. He could feel the beating of hearts. Ah yes, a family!
He looked down, and saw a quiet highway. A family stood outside a broken down station wagon. A man was trying to fix a tire, while a woman stood nearby holding onto her two children. One wasn�t even out of diapers. PERFECT! They will be the first. I shall kill them first. I will make it slow, painful, make them scream. Tear them apart limb from limb!
Lacroix prepared his strategic attack. He would kill the children first, allow the parents to watch helplessly and then...then!
Something flew into his vision. Before Lacroix could react, he felt a strong presence block him from his kill. He could feel it, holding him in back. It prevented his movement. *What devilry is this?* He struggled in the immobile embrace growling in rage as his eyes glowed brightly in anger. Destroy, Kill! That is all that existed inside him and that someone was preventing him from the attack.
It was then he heard a sound. A car engine. The man had fixed the car and now was driving away. Away with his family to safety.
It was only then the embrace freed him. He pulled away, looking all around him, flying in different directions to try to see what was going on. Who had grabbed him? Who prevented him to carry out his ritual of death? Who DARED!
It was then that a light appeared across the sky. Bright and beautiful, he turned away. Sunlight! It would kill him; he had to find shelter.
Looking below, he saw the nearby mountain and flew for cover. He found the small opening and hid deep into the darkness, escaping the light. Feeling safe yet confused, LaCroix was just about to curl up into a ball and sleep away his pain filled heart, when the light appeared in the darkness. It was coming towards him. He kept still unable to believe his eyes. The sunlight followed him. It was going to kill him! NO! He was Lucien LaCroix he would not die! He will never die!
It was then the light appeared, and in surprise Lacroix realized it was not sunlight. No, this was brighter then the sun. He turned away again. The blood tears falling again from his eyelids. Perhaps if he perished, he would go wherever Nicholas was, and they could be together again. Maybe he could be with his son in another eternity.
"Lucien...Lucien, open your eyes. Don�t be afraid. I have not come to kill you. I have come to help you."
Opening his eyes, Lucien LaCroix looked up and stared in horror at the familiar form that stood in white above him.
"Nicholas? Nicholas!" He rose slowly to his feet; the tears now coming nonstop. he did not hide them, nor could he hold them back. "You live?"
"I live. But in another life. Another place...Another time. I had to come back; I could not allow you to choose the path you were about to take. The mortals are not to blame...you are not to blame...I am not to blame. I know that now."
"Come back to me! Nicholas." he pleaded.
"I cannot, Father. I am happy now, and at peace. I am with Natalie and in the light. It�s so beautiful. A part of me wishes you would come and join me...I love you so much. I want you to be happy. To be at peace. Peace that you have never felt. Here, where I am, you would not find it. It is not your way. You would be bored and so very annoyed..." Nicholas laughed and gently flew to the ground. An aura was all around him and his clothing was the purest white Lacroix had ever seen.
"So what happens now? You tell me to stop killing? And then you leave. I obeyed your wish to kill you! I should never have listened to you! Over a mortal woman! A stupid, pathetic woman!"
"I love Natalie with all my heart. She is the purest thing I have ever known. I could not live in this world for one more moment without her love. Even your love would not have been enough. I know you love me, Lucien. I am sorry I hurt you. I have said very cruel things to you. You do have a heart and you do feel."
LaCroix growled and looked on at his son in annoyance.
"It does not make you weak, father. Love makes us stronger."
"It also causes turmoil and pain that rips one apart!" Turning away, LaCroix fell to his knees and wept bitterly. The pain and grief overwhelming him. He felt like he was drowning.
"Nicholas, my Nicholas. Do not leave me. Do you not know you are my light? You are my life. What is eternity without you?"
Saddened at his father�s pain, Nicholas reached for his father and touched him gently on the shoulder.
"I made a deal with someone. Someone that has a great deal of power where I am. They agreed to let me give you three choices. Three chances for love. For life."
Rising up, LaCroix brushed away his blood tears, and looked at his son in worry.
"What deal?"
"Do not worry, it was quite a wonderful deal...and personally, I got the better end of it." Nicholas smiled.
That smile tore LaCroix�s heart in two.
"You distinguish only this life, this world. But there are many worlds, many places and alternate lives. You see, their are other LaCroix�s and Nicholas�s out there. In places that haven�t even been acknowledged. I have been given this." Nicholas produced a beautiful oval crystal in his hand. It looked like a star. Shining and glittering as if it had a life of its own.
"It�s called the Dipher Crystal of light. It creates rips in time and will open the gateway to other worlds. For a short time. Once it closes, it is forever. You will be stuck their. I have been permitted to show you three alternate worlds. Three worlds to chose to live in."
"Won�t my leaving produce a rip, a hole through time, or cause some disturbance?"
Nicholas smiled. "That has already been taken care of. Trust me."
LaCroix raised an amused eyebrow at his son.
"Trust you?"
Smiling sheepishly, Nicholas shrugged. "Just this once. Well, do you want to try? Instead of continuing to exist in this place and time? Or perhaps try another?"
The bait was set. LaCroix paced the cave.
"What are the rules?"
"You must not kill any mortal or any life form until you have chosen the world you wish to live in. Then what ever you wish may be done. I cannot control you, as you are well aware."
LaCroix smiled. "Nor I you." Pausing, LaCroix looked hard at his son.
"What did this being made you promise?" LaCroix grew suspicious that someone may have threatened his son. Force him into this. If so, LaCroix didn�t care who it was, he would kill them! This was his son, whom he loved, no one touched his Nicholas. NO ONE!
"That is between him and I...please father, do not worry. I�m safe. No harm shall ever come to me. Never. But the harm on you is great. You are losing yourself. I don�t want that. Please, accept this gift. This chance. Three chances."
"Three wishes?" LaCroix asked playfully. His eyes still golden and angry.
"As you wish."
Pacing the room, LaCroix paused and smiled. "Well I have always been one who enjoyed a good game. Very well, Nicholas. Let�s play the game."
Relieved, Nicholas held up the crystal. At once a loud rumbling noise was heard. The ground was moving, and Lacroix turned to see the wall behind him vanishes and in it appeared a swirling mass of darkness.
"You have until the sun rises; you will journey to three worlds, and when it is done I will bring you back. Then you can decide where and what world you wish to fit in with."
Looking back at Nicholas, LaCroix scowled. "No matter what or whom I encounter it will not be you. This is a game Nicholas. Something to amuse myself with. Nothing more. Do not give yourself hope, hope kills."
With that, LaCroix turned, and without fear stepped into the swirling mass.
***
World one
He dropped out of the sky. There was still darkness all around him. For a moment LaCroix tried to get his bearings. He recognized the area at once. He was back in Toronto. The city where he and his son for a time had been at peace. A time where the pain of the past was slowly healing. Given more time they might even had rekindled and Nicholas would have come back to him. If that Natalie Lambert woman hadn�t been in the way. She was at fault. She was to blame. Yes it was she.
He wondered then if it had all been a dream. Maybe his Nicholas was still alive and he had been dreaming all along. Looking briefly at his watch on his wrist, he noticed that the time was just after midnight. Alright, IT was a dream, a very horrible dream, and now he was awake. Time to check things out.
LaCroix went to the Raven first. Or at least it was suppose to be where the Raven was. Instead it was nothing but an empty lot. Surprised, LaCroix looked around the darkened corner. Car�s were parked around and nothing else. It was as if the Raven had never existed.
He felt the presence, and at once turned grabbing it before it could strike. The creature cringed in fear, and bent down to the ground. She covered her ears, fearing for her life. She was dressed in rags and looked filthy, almost as if she had been sleeping in a gutter. She smelled like she had too.
"Please, don�t hurt me. I beg of thee, Master spare me!"
Taken back, LaCroix took Janette�s hand and pulled her to her feet.
"My dear, why would I hurt you, my only obedient and loving child." He smiled and heard her stammer, her fear returning. "No, No you are dead." At once she began to speak French. Speaking rapidly, LaCroix had a time trying to keep up with the flow of her speech.
"Nicholas killed you!" She finally gasped.
"Well, Nicholas has tried that before elsewhere and failed why should he succeed now? Come my dear. I�m much harder to kill."
"I saw it with my own eyes." She reached out and touched his face.
"Nicholas threw you out into the sunlight. You could not get inside. The mortals he controlled wouldn�t let you...I watched you burn." She wept and fell into his arms.
LaCroix raised both eyebrows. Apparently the fighting between them was still going on in this world and had become brutal. No doubt by now, Nicholas repented the deed and now mourned killing his master. Poor child, I�ll have to deal harshly with him before I allow him my forgiveness.
"As you can see, I�m alive. Now enough with the tears, my child. Come what has happened to the Raven?" He pointed to the lot. Distraught, Janette shrugged helplessly.
"Nicolai was angry with me...so he burned it to the ground, and then sold it to the state."
Surprised that Nicholas anger would fall to Janette, whom he treasured, LaCroix shook his head in disbelief.
"No Janette, Nicholas would never do such a thing...he loved you. He would never-"
He paused and realized this was another world. This Nicholas was different from his own. He needed to know more, and he had eleven hours left. Not much time.
"Come, take me to your home so we may talk? Oui?"
She nodded and led him away.
Leading him into a dark and filthy alleyway, LaCroix looked on at the dark figures on the ground, moaning and lost in misery. Lost souls? Several he recognized; Vachon, Screed, Urs, and Aristotle.
Janette led him past a metal door and into a small apartment. It was not Janette�s usual style. The furniture was worn and in poor shape and the room badly needed to be painted and insulated .
She moved to her beat up refrigerator and pulled out a opened bottle of what looked like wine. She turned and brought it to him. He smiled and was about to take the nourishment, when he realized the blood was cow.
"ACK!" he turned away repulsed.
For over a hundred years Nicholas guilt, caused him to drink only cow�s blood, refusing to take another drop of human blood. The stuff was disgusting and hardly worthy nourishment to a Vampire. In his world, even Janette, had been repulsed by it. Now she drank it? Willingly?
"I�m sorry, it is all that I have....Nicholas won�t let us drink human blood."
"Naturally, he always did have a sickening soft spot for the humans."
Janette looked at him puzzled. "He forbade any of us in the community to drink human blood...only he can."
Astonished, LaCroix looked up at her unable to find a word to say.
Sitting down on the worn out couch, LaCroix waited for Janette to finish her drink and then sit down next to him.
"Now....tell me all that has transpired since my demise."
Janette looked at him with renewed hope. She smiled sadly.
"It has been a horror. I have sometimes thought of taking my own life but...I couldn�t. Nicholas wouldn�t let me....he would not give up his night of pleasures when THAT woman turns him away."
LaCroix didn�t even have to ask who, THAT woman, was. Damn, she lives here too. Well, he could get rid of her, in time. He was already thinking of staying here.
This Nicholas was quite a prize. He was thinking more like a Vampire should. But the cruelty he had done to Janette had to be fixed. He would make Nicholas rebuild the Raven for Janette. Oh yes, she also needed new clothing and a bath. Not to mention a decorator.
"Go on."
"It is pure chaos, Nicholas rules with an iron fist. Even the enforcers are his to command. They rule over us all now. We cannot make a move without Nicholas� permission."
Permission? Seems this Nicholas was a bit of a tyrant. Still, it could be bearable to the sickening moaning of his Nicholas. Always complaining and weeping over the death of a mortal.
"Janette, may I ask...you a question...you see I have a bit loss of memory and I would like to know...what was it that caused Nicholas and I to fight? I mean the final reason why he killed me?"
Now completely puzzled Janette shrugged. "Why Lucien, he killed you because he wanted to be free of you and take over all that you had. That is why. He betrayed you and us. I wish he was dead."
She wept in his arms and he held her in place. "Now, now my dear do not weep. I will go and speak to Nicholas and then...everything will be alright again. I promise." He kissed her delicately on the forehead. Glancing at his watch, he saw that the time was now nearing that of two in the morning. He had only a few hours before sunrise.
It was time to meet Nicholas.
He flew over the city and noticed many different things about the city. One difference included in front of city hall, a stone statue. It looked like a replica of Nicholas, who was dressed in golden robes and having a cruel face, that dared any to oppose him, and they would meet with an untimely end.
LaCroix didn�t know whether to be proud or appalled.
He arrived at the loft and to his surprise saw it was empty. Nicholas no longer lived here? Looking about the room, LaCroix spotted something glittering by the floor near the staircase. He moved towards it, and saw it was a tiny metal sword pin. It was his. LaCroix glanced at his clothing and saw that he still had his own.
Janette said they had battled and it must have taken place here. Well of course, in his world and time this is where Nicholas had staked him, to take his life. Not that it worked. He lived through the staking. He would always survive. For a moment LaCroix was interested to know what this worlds LaCroix was like before he met his demise? Were they alike or different?
Shaking his head, LaCroix rose to the heavens and using his connection tried to seek out his son. He found him somewhere in the tallest building of the city. In the center. Keeping his presence shielded, he hurried to meet destiny.
Arriving, he stared into the window and saw his son was in the throes of a passionate moment. He was thrusting deep into a figure underneath him. Hard, rough. He was growling and enjoying himself. His fangs withdrew and came down biting hard. A woman�s voice screamed then, silence.
Licking his lips, he pulled his cock out of the dead mortal woman and rose from his place. "Miklos! Take out this trash!"
Still standing naked, one could see several drops of blood leaking from the still engorged cock. Apparently this Nicholas, in this world, like to be rough with his play mates. He didn�t seem phased at all as the lifeless blond haired woman was taken from the room by Miklos, who�s eyes were lowered, never once raising them to his master.
Putting on a golden robe, Nicholas sat down next to a roaring fireplace and stared into the flames. Standing there, LaCroix thought he was looking directly at his son. He looked like him in every way, accept for the goatee on his face, where his son�s face had almost always been smooth and well shaven. Nicholas almost looked as if he was brooding.
Perhaps, sad at what he had done. Ah, yes he does need me.
Stepping into the room, LaCroix moved up behind his offspring. Filled with glee, he looked at him with unwavering pride.
"One less mortal in this world, Nicholas give it not another thought."
Frozen in place, Nicholas� eyes widened. "No-"
"Yes, I am alive and well...and I have returned. My mon fils."
He rose and stared at the tall, dark figure. Then Nicholas� eyes began to glow a deep red.
"I killed you!"
"Apparently not well enough. Missed. Well its alright. I forgive you." He waved his hand about him. "I will allow you that one little mistake. I have been known to be rather impatient. So we�ll just let this go, this time. Oh and ah you will have the Raven rebuilt and give it to Janette. Before I forget, you�re also going to allow the others to start drinking human blood again. Really, Nicholas cows blood?"
Before LaCroix could finish Nicholas, now enraged, grabbed a metal poker from the fireplace and charged aggressively at his master.
Annoyed, LaCroix grabbed the poker from him and broke it in half. Staring back at his son, his eyes began to glow as well.
"Enough, do not try my patience, little one. The game is over and I am here to put things back in order. One of which is that you except that fact that you are mine! You�ll kneel before me and beg my forgiveness."
Instead of complying Nicholas lunged, His hands and fangs at its fully extended. LaCroix grabbed him and threw the boy up against the wall.
"Stop it! Listen to me, it does not have to be this way."
"YOU! STUPID, Old weak man! I will never be ruled by you again! I will never go back to drinking that foul animal blood! I will kill whomever I please, when ever I please! You cannot stop me!"
Realization suddenly hit LaCroix. This world was much like his own. With one difference. Nicholas was like him. The LaCroix in this world had probably been like his Nicholas. Gentle, loving, kind. This Nicholas had killed his LaCroix not out of goodness, but for evil. Staring into those eyes, Lacroix could see his own cold eyes Such evil, evil he had thought he would never see again since the death of Divia.
Releasing Nicholas, LaCroix backed away. His eyes returning to the color of blue. He moved to the window and shook his head in regret. No, this was not the Nicholas he knew, and it was a Nicholas he could never love. This world was not for him.
He fled.
***
He walked, by the lake and stared thoughtfully at the water. The sun would rise very soon. Filled with his own dark thoughts, he did not notice the small figure approach him from the shadows.
"LaCroix?"
He remained where he was, refusing to turn. The woman stepped forth and looked at him.
"So, you are alive."
Sighing, he turned and looked at the red haired woman. She still looked beautiful. Her eyes, however, no longer held mortal life. LaCroix knew then that she had been brought across.
"So, you are one of us now."
"I didn�t want to....Nicholas made me and now I am his forever. We all are. Janette told me you had come back. Are you here to stay? You will free us? Save us from him? Please? Kill him! Destroy him!" She fell at his feet, weeping blood tears. Her arms wrapped tightly around his legs.
"Please!" She begged.
"Doctor....Doctor let go of me." He forced her away. She laid on the ground staring up at him with the tears still flowing down her eyes.
"He is a monster, LaCroix. Only you can stop him!"
"I did not come here to save you...I came here to look for my son and he does not exist here. So I will go. You are no longer my concern, none of you. Go away!"
Natalie Lambert rose slowly to her feet, and covering her face, she flew to the sky still weeping.
He tried not to feel and yet the woman�s plea�s had gotten inside his hardened heart. But, still he would not stay here. This Nicholas did not love him, would never love him. This child was not capable of love and LaCroix could not bring himself to kill Nicholas again. Not again.
***
LaCroix was relieved, when the rays of the sun started to rise. The portal appeared and without looking back he stepped inside and vanished.
The world was soon forgotten; but LaCroix couldn�t help wonder what would happen to his poor daughter Janette, and for all those under the thumb of this evil Nicholas?
***
World Two
He dropped once more out of the sky. Right at the Raven. LaCroix was delighted when he saw the familiar icon. Taking in a breath he hurried towards the building. He was glad to walk inside and saw that it was full of people. Mortals and immortals together. He sighed in relief, hoping that this world would be better.
He spotted Janette at once she was behind the bar enjoying the company of a scruffy looking man with long wavy hair. Vachon? So in this life, he exists as well, in his world he had perished at the hands of his other daughter Divia. Janette seems to be quite taken by him.
As he stepped towards them, he was surprised when they turned to him welcomingly.
"Hello Father." Janette replied warmly. "We were expecting you. Nicholas is in the back waiting."
Surprised, he decided to go with the flow. He nodded once and with great dignity headed to the back room.
He saw the door was open. Before he could step inside, two hands reached in and pulled him in. Preparing for an attack, he was shocked when lips brutally claimed his own. Arms wrapped around him and Lacroix found himself thrown on top of a bed. The being on top of him, who was already naked, had magical hands and was ripping and pulling his cloths off with lust filled haste. The creatures cock was throbbing hard against his leg and LaCroix found himself growing just as hard in return. The unshaven face, a glint of blond hair, and piecing blue eyes told him in who�s arms he was in.
"Father, I missed you so!" Nicholas pushed him further into the bed and LaCroix felt himself drawn into the moment. Yes, yes this is what he had always desired. To be able to touch his son and his son to touch him. This is what he wanted more than anything. Ah, this Nicholas must be passionate beyond words. In this world, he was loved by his child. A contrast to the hate and anger of the other Nicholas�. He brought his arms up and stroked the bare back of his golden angel. His crusader. His Knight in shinning armor.
The tongues dueled for supremacy in each other�s mouth. It was only then that LaCroix decided to take the upper hand and swung Nicholas over and onto his own back. Now on top, LaCroix locked his sons hands behind his back and using his free hand began to stroke the chest below him.
That was when the struggle began.
"What the hell do you think you�re doing!" Nicholas used all his strength to fling LaCroix backwards. His master fell roughly on the floor. Looking up, LaCroix was startled to see an angry but still aroused Nicholas, glaring down at him.
"Have you forgotten who is in control around here? I thought when you returned you would have accepted that. If you can�t, then get out!"
Surprised beyond words, LaCroix got to his feet and stared at his offspring in surprise. So, once again Nicholas is in control. Here in this world. But at least there was no hatred between them. Maybe he can persuade his son to relearn who is master.
"I think you forget, Nicholas, that I am the Master."
Nicholas laughed. "You? Master of me? Who are you kidding? I was the one who brought you across! After everything I have endured with you! I have given you a thousand chances and still you resist me. I�m the Master and unless you learn to understand and accept that then I do not want you in my life! Get out!"
Rather taken back by this turn events, LaCroix gathered his clothing, all the while looking at his son, bewildered.
"You do not really want me to go? I felt the passion you have for me, You love me."
Nicholas only scowled. "Love? What the hell does love got to do with wanting you? Of course I want you Lucien, but love has nothing to do with us. Love doesn�t exist, love is for weak fools. Look, I have to get back to work, Lambert is being a pain in the ass and I need to make things clear to her where things stand between us. She can be so stubborn. She fights me at every turn, if she wasn�t such a good fuck I think I would kill her. Ah well, teach me a lesson for bringing her across...oh and before you leave Schanke wants those Clemon files. Don�t be stupid and take off again, until those are in his hands or I will have no choice but to beat you with an inch of your unlife. Well, what are you standing there for? Go!"
Stunned and gaping in shock and unsure what to do, LaCroix left.
Nicholas watched him go, frowning in displeasure.
Janette and Vachon were waiting for him outside. She was now scowling in displeasure and Vachon was copying her.
"Oh Lucien, tell me you didn�t? You didn�t try to resist again?"
He looked at the two of them and bemused, shrugged his shoulders.
***
Finding a quiet table, he took a glass of blood wine and drank it down in one gulp. This was really starting to get frustrating. The game that was being played out and supposed to be entertaining was becoming more of an expense on him.
Oh, what were these worlds going to prove? Nicholas was dead, his Nicholas. None of these Nicholas�s needed him, nor did he have even have a chance to fit in them. It was like putting on a wrong pair of shoes, two sizes two small. It was disheartening.
Maybe he should just walk out into the sunlight and end it! End this madness, this feeling of loneliness and sadness. Suicide? Is that what this comes to? Nicholas, my beloved Nicholas.
"Lucien, stop brooding...it is so unbecoming."
LaCroix looked up to see his son come behind him offering him another drink. LaCroix accepted it, glad that this look alike of his son was now dressed. That naked flesh pressed against his body was too much. He had never felt such heat. Nor such passion before. It had unsettled him greatly.
Taking the glass in hand, LaCroix took another gulp of the blood wine.
Sitting down next to him, LaCroix was taken in by his son�s eyes and his familiar scent. Cedar. Nicholas had always smelled like sandalwood, Cedar. So exquisite.
"When are you going to learn? If you would just learn to accept things it would go so much better....don�t you want things to go better between us?"
Nicholas gently touched LaCroix�s cheek, and Lucien felt the heat once again rise in him.
"Don�t you remember how it was between us, the passion...it was so...intoxicating. I miss the feel of your body against mine, my cock shoved deep inside you. That mouth and lips...the very taste of you...all you have to do...is submit."
"With you as my master?"
"Is it so hard Lucien? It was good between us. It can be good again. Let go of your foolish notions of freedom and regaining your mortality....you do not need it. You only need me."
LaCroix swallowed. It was as if staring into his own eyes. Hearing the same words he had once given to Nicholas being repeated, now directed at him. It was as if everything had come full circle.
This world was possible. Here Nicholas would care for him and the passion between them both would light a fire that not even the sun could withstand. It would be glorious. But to submit? To be a slave? He had a master, once, and that master had been his mortal child. He could not accept it then, and that is what caused him to destroy Divia, that the evil she was. But mostly because he was so use to being the master. Being a slave was something he could never be.
No, he had to be the Master, always and forever. He could never submit. Not even to Nicholas. He couldn�t. But, oh, he so wanted to.
"Nicholas?" He looked up at his son and Nicholas reached for him and touched his lips gently.
LaCroix felt himself consumed, and lost in the moment. Such an embrace, such ardor and control. This Nicholas embraced his vampire side, and though he was not evil like the Nicholas he had just met, this one had power that demanded control and possession over all that he owned. That included Lucien LaCroix.
Breaking the kiss, Nicholas rose to his feet.
"I will wait for you. Until you realize who is Master and who owns you. You will always belong to me, Lucien. Forever. Stop running and embrace me."
LaCroix did not watch his son leave. Seated at the table, he gulped down the rest of his drink. Then sadly, he shook his head.
No. This world was not for him. He could never submit. Not even to Nicholas not even to keep him.
***
He grew weary and tired. He had enough. Standing by the lake, he stared up at the sky that was slowly starting to brighten with the coming of dawn.
"Enough, none of these worlds are for me. There is no Nicholas, but my own, and he is dead. I cannot take another world. Please, no more."
The portal appeared. One blood tear fell down his eyes, LaCroix hesitated and then stepped within.
***
World Three
He dropped to the ground and sighed. Not again. No more. Does no one ever listen to him?
He paused and waited. Silence. Eerie silence.
Unsure what was going on, LaCroix headed for the Raven. He was not surprised to see that it was empty. What will he find here in this world, a world of Vampires? Or hobbits?
Slightly amused, he pushed open the door and heard a loud painful cry. Followed by sobbing.
The room was empty. But the sounds were coming from the back room.
"Please, please no more!" Then the sound of a whip was heard. Followed by another cry of pain.
"No!"
"Yes, yes until you learn to obey! You will obey me!" More lashes followed.
"Never again will you play on my sympathies! This time I will teach you a lesson you won�t forget!"
"Master please!"
The cries were all to familiar. Nicholas! He was in pain, someone was hurting him.
With out another thought, he attacked.
Smashing his way into the room, LaCroix was horrified to see Nicholas was tied spread eagled on a bed. Nicholas was lying on his stomach, his back bearing many open wounds caused by the whip. The man standing above him wielded the offensive weapon and was dipping it into something. Water? Holy water? And then it returned to thrash it down on the already bloody and burned back.
Fully enraged, He growled and attacked the man who was hurting his precious son.
LaCroix threw the man on the ground and tore the mask from the man�s face. LaCroix froze when he confronted his own self. The vampire below him growled, his eyes a blazed in gold. Equally furious, LaCroix ripped the whip from his alternate self�s hand and promptly slammed his hand down into his face, smashing bone and causing blood to gush out from the wound.
The two continued to battle, both unwilling to surrender. Kicking the intruder away, the other reclaimed the whip and tried to slash it around his opponent�s waist, but LaCroix grabbed the whip. Twirling it around his own hand, yanked it, causing the other to fall forward. Using his fist, LaCroix broke the other�s jaw.
Pulling away, the other�s fangs extended and tried to bite into LaCroix�s neck, already anticipating LaCroix slammed his left thigh upwards connecting with the other�s bottom chin. Falling flat on his back, The bloody other hissed in pain and rage. The other, now in pain, slowly got to his feet and realizing his defeat, turned and fled.
Alone in the room, LCcroix tried to collect his wits, when the sounds of sobbing caused him to rush to the bed.
Untying the bloodied figure on the bed, LaCroix turned the boy over to see more marks were in the front. The boy was a mess. He would heal, but it would take a long time.
The blood tears leaked from the boys eyes as he cowered away from his master.
"Please, no more, no more...I promise I will do what ever you say. Please don�t hurt me anymore. Father, I love you." Weeping, he tried to pull away and found he couldn�t. Nicholas closed his eyes preparing for what he knew was about to come.
"Shhh, oh Nicholas. I�m sorry... I won�t hurt you. Never again. Mon Fils, never again. Please, Please my little one." He took the child into his arms and held him to his chest. The child, confused, still sobbed but now clung to him like a lifeline.
"Everything will be fine. I have you." He tried to move to a sitting position, but Nicholas was impeding him, trying to keep himself in the warm embrace.
"I am sorry, forgive me. I will never do anything without your permission again. Anything you want, you can do what you wish to me."
Nicholas turned suddenly onto his back and spread his legs, His neck turned to the side waiting for the penetration. His whole body admitting defeat and surrender.
"Just please don�t hurt me anymore."
Shaking his head, LaCroix reached for the blankets and started to wrap them around the child, only for him to cringe, waiting for a slap or another beating.
It did not take LaCroix long to figure this world out. A world where the fight had been beaten out of his son. His Nicholas.
That was when something happened. That LaCroix felt an emotion hit him that he had thought died within him long ago. Compassion and love. He wrapped the shaking figure in the blankets and cradling him in his arms. LaCroix had to know. Had to be sure. He gently nudged the neck over and as careful as possible broke into the skin. His already hurting child barely felt any pain. He was already drowning in darkness. But before Nicholas could escape into nothingness, Lacroix was able to drink from this child and see the life line before him.
Removing his fangs and healing the wound with his tongue, LaCroix wrapped his son back into his arms.
*And I thought I was a harsh master.*
Here in this world General Lucien LaCroix had been worse then LaCroix could ever hope to be. Nicholas had been literally his slave for 800 years. Mostly a sex slave, meant for only gratification to its Master. What ever fight had been in the boy had died long ago. Beaten completely out of him. He was a broken spirit. It would take a long time to repair the damage done.
A long time to regain trust, acceptance and even love from Nicholas De Brabant. A long time indeed. Perhaps a thousand years.
Could he bare to live here in this world? It was much like his own but different. Their would be much to learn, to know. Their was also that other LaCroix to contend with?
The most important question, was, could this one ever replace his Nicholas?
He stared down at the small figure, curled in exhausted slumber. The golden hair was pressed gently over the pillow. It was a bit blonder then his Nicholas, and his face and skin was paler, but otherwise, it was just like his Nicholas. Just like Nicholas?
Could this one make him forget? Leaning against the bed, LaCroix pulled the figure once more into his arms and contemplated what to do. Whatever he chose, it would not undue the death of his son. Could this replacement make some of the pain lesson?
***
The Gateway opened, and with a heavy heart, he stepped inside.
The white angelic form was waiting for him.
"Well, have you decided, Father?"
The Ancient looked up at his beloved son, and shook his head.
"Yes, I have decided...it was not an easy choice. Or perhaps it was. You already knew the choice I would make, didn�t you?"
Nicholas nodded and smiled. "He is special. Nicholas will eventually learn to love you....and you will have an eternity together. He needs a gentler and yet firm master. Someone that can protect him. Unlike me, he will need you and embrace you. He has no wish for independence or a stubborn streak like I had."
LaCroix sighed. "What of the first world....that Nicholas? He is much like me...cruel...cold...I (Chuckled) can�t believe that I am actually thinking of Janette and Lambert...I actually feel sorry for them."
"Don�t worry, I know exactly how to help them."
The Elder looked at Nicholas for a moment in confusion and then taking in what he was saying, he smiled. "Ah, yes. Nicholas I shall miss you."
"But not for long...trust me."
He, LaCroix would try.
***
The Other was tied head to foot, and with one swing, LaCroix threw his evil self into the vortex.
He watched as it slowly faded away. He wondered only for a moment, what was going to happen, if that cruel Nicholas in the first world would stand a chance with this LaCroix and just how long it will take for one or the other to kill each other? Smiling, The Ancient was sorry he was going to miss that.
Then turning reluctantly, he headed back to the Raven.
The beautiful figure was sleeping under the blankets. The wounds were healing and would be gone by tomorrow night. Joining Nicholas in the bed, LaCroix wrapped his arms gently around the crusader.
The golden knight whimpered in fear.
"Hush my love, no one shall hurt you again...not even me. I swear it. We will become each other�s light in this eternal darkness. Forever."
Closing his eyes, LaCroix felt some of the pain start to fade. Deeply taking in the scent of cedar that was his son, he knew that his Nicholas was right. Time with this one would heal his pain. LaCroix would come to love this one. In fact, he already felt something for him. Soon, it will grow, develop and someday...someday, he won�t even remember the other worlds and his Nicholas.
No, this was his Nicholas now. Mine! Forever. My eternal protection, my son, my love. My obsession. My beloved. My Nicholas.
***
In another place, a blond haired man smiled down at the third world, checking up on his father.
"Well, everything worked out?"
The woman came behind him, wrapping her arms around him tightly. Smiling, he looked back and kissed her on the nose.
"Mostly, the LaCroix I sent to the First world is quite a handful...he and that Nicholas are going to be at each other�s throats for a long time to come...it will keep them so busy they won�t be a bother to anyone else."
"What happens eventually?"
"Eventually? Oh, well, they eventually work things out and, ah, get a peace will come between them, what peace two warriors can ever have."
Giggling, Natalie pointed to the other world. "And that one, the one with the Nicholas that is just like LaCroix and almost had him submit?"
"Ah, actually the LaCroix in that world returns, and eventually submits to Nicholas and they live happily ever after...as master and slave."
"And Your LaCroix and his new Nicholas?"
Nicholas looked down at the swirling planet. He smiled.
"It will take a hundred years...but they will go beyond master and slave. They will become equals, friends and eventually lovers. They will have an eternity together. They, my father, shall finally be happy and at peace."
"Like us?"
"Like us." Returning to kiss her lips, he pulled her closer in his arms.
"I love you, Natalie."
"Ditto." She giggled and then looked up into his eyes.
"So, how shall we spend our eternity?"
"Hmmm, I have some ideas..."
"Well then." She pulled him towards the bright light. "Let�s go try them."
Nicholas smiled and followed her obediently and so very happy.
The end!