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Between Takeo and Rai being disgustingly cute, and Frankenstein and M-21 all over one another like horny teenagers, Tao is beginning to feel outnumbered. He’s almost relieved to be off on a mission, tracking down a black-market information specialist that one of Frankenstein’s contacts pointed them toward.
Supposedly, the guy frequently deals with those of the mystical persuasion, so Tao and Regis are scouring the last district he was reliably noted to occupy. Mostly because the sedative investigation had drawn to a frustrating dead-end (for now), and this was their only other lead.
He’s bored, though, sitting with binoculars across the street from the secondary thoroughfare of the area. He’s watching for any sign of the man, but thus far has turned up diddly, even with Regis wandering around the street trying to flush him out.
“Hey, do you got a type?”
“I beg your pardon?” Regis sounds annoyed, which makes Tao grin a little.
He’s recently taken up pissing him off, because it’s funny, and if he has to watch the love birds fawning over each other, he’s going to find his little joys elsewhere. “A type. You know, girls or guys you like enough to have sex with?”
Regis is blustering over the com, and from Tao’s vantage, he can see the crimson tint to his ears. It’s hilarious. “Of all the idiotic things to bring up! We have a mission, and you should be focused!”
Hah. “I am focused. Also, some kid just picked your pocket.”
Tao can hear the foul tone in Regis’ words, even if he doesn’t understand most of the Nobles’ language. He watches the small man spin on a heel, looking around for the child that’s darted into an alleyway out of sight already. Impressive.
Kids are so cute.
“He went in the alley to your left.”
“Yes, I can smell him, thank you.”
There’s someone else in the alley, maybe a little taller than Regis, shorter than Tao. He’s taking Regis’ wallet from the kid and handing over the cash inside. The kid scuttles off out the other side of the alley, even as Regis reaches the entrance he initially took.
The guy looks up, tosses aside the wallet, and takes off, Regis in pursuit.
“Dude, are you fucking with him? You’re way faster than that,” Tao complains, brow furrowed.
“Quit your quibbling. I know what I’m doing!”
Quibbling. What a word.
Tao watches Regis fall back a little more, watches the guy appear to think he’s lost him, and vanish into a cafe. “He’s definitely about to go out the back,” Tao comments.
“I know what I’m doing!”
“I’m just saying.”
“Shut up and let me focus!”
Heh.
A few minutes later, after Regis has disappeared around the outside of the building, Tao watches with interest as the guy comes back out the front, wearing different clothing. He’s also taken down his dark hair, which just reaches his shoulders, and he quickly blends into the foot traffic.
“Hey Regis. He didn’t go out the back.”
“For the love of-!”
Tao doesn’t quite smother his snicker in time, but it produces more of that foreign swearing, so he doesn’t feel terrible about it.
xXx
Regis isn’t sure who he wants to murder first- his associate, or this lord bedamned rat sending him on a merry goose chase across half the city. He hates to admit it, but Tao may have been right in his initial assessment. Regis should have grabbed him from the get-go.
The human is slippery and deft, using foot traffic and even a bus to get ahead of Regis. Somehow, he seems to know he’s still being followed, which is obnoxious.
“I’m following him via CCTV. Damn, he’s quick as a rat.”
At least Regis isn’t alone with that comparison, even if the sound of Tao’s commentary grates on his nerves. He doesn’t bother telling the man to shut up again - it isn’t working anyway - and instead takes to the rooftops.
It’s a bit longer of a chase before the human seems to think he’s home free, and goes into another cafe to sit inside. When Regis slips in through the back door, he can see the guy typing away on his phone, one hand lifted to rub at a temple.
He starts in alarm and visible fear when Regis sits down across from him. “If you run again, I will not hesitate to disable you.”
Half out of his seat, the human freezes, before slowly and reluctantly sinking back down. “Shit, you guys are persistent,” he grumbles, dropping his hands onto the table. He immediately starts drumming his fingers on it, and Regis suppresses the urge to stab his hand with one of the conveniently placed toothpicks on the back of the table. His heartbeat is thundering in time with his hands, and Regis can hear the jiggle of his leg under the table. Unable to sit still in the face of his anxiety.
Regis can use that. “Why have the child take my wallet?”
Purple eyes blink back at him, and dark brows furrow. “Uh. Money.”
“Try again. You gave the money to the child, and you didn’t take any of the credit cards,” Regis shoots back, irritated.
The human draws a shaky breath through his nose, shoulders hunching. “Fine. I wanted to know who the hell you were. You were creeping me out, with all your moving around.”
Regis considers that, and decides it’s the truth, if only partially. “You’re the Pinwheel.”
That prompts a snort, then a wince at Regis’ glare. “Just Pinwheel, there’s no the. But yeah.” The human eyes him, at once wary and curious. “I thought you might be looking for me. What do you want?”
“To solicit your services, obviously.”
“Yeah. Solicit. No kidnapping planned here.”
Regis ignores Tao’s sarcasm, instead watching Pinwheel debate that. “I have a standard price, and if the information is likely to get me in trouble, it’s doubled.”
Lifting a brow, Regis makes a show of sitting back in his seat. “And that price is?”
“Ten K,” Pinwheel replies warily.
That’s easily doable. “Fine.”
The human relaxes a little, seeming to believe he’s out of immediate danger. “Alright. What do you want to know?”
“You frequently have dealings with the more augmented ability users of the world. I want to know about the one person here that can dream walk.”
Violet eyes widen slightly, and the laugh Pinwheel gives is slightly hysterical. “Are you out of your mind? The hell do you wanna go up against that guy?”
Regis frowns at his language. “He attacked two of my associates, and he will not get away with it.”
The shudder the human gives is satisfying. “Yeah, this is a triple down price. That guy can kill me with his brain, and I don’t fuck around with this shit without some serious incentive.”
“Does that mean you do have the information I require?” Regis asks thoughtfully.
“Well… yeah.”
“Good.” Regis meets his gaze. “Sleep.” He watches in satisfaction as Pinwheel slumps, unconscious.
Tao’s voice in the earpiece is amused. “You are the least subtle person I know.”
“Shut. Up.”
xXx
Tao almost feels bad for the poor guy when they load him up in the van some twenty minutes later. Almost. Seeing Regis in such a snit makes the entire venture far too amusing for any real guilt.
Besides, they’re not planning to kill Pinwheel, and Tao has honestly done much worse.
They get him back to the warehouse they’ll be interrogating him in, and he calls Frankenstein to update him. Instead of their boss, though, M-21 picks up.
“Hey. He’s in the shower. What’s up?”
Whatever. M-21 would share the information. “We found Pinwheel. Squirrely little shit. Have the boss send us any specific questions he needs answered.”
“Yeah, alright. You two safe?”
Tao snickers. “Unless I push too many of Regis’ buttons, yeah. Guy’s a coward. More of a flight than fight type.”
On the other end of the line, M-21 snorts. “Frank did mention that he wants the guy paid, when all is said and done.”
Yeah, Tao had figured. “Sure. He might be useful to know in the future.”
“He’s awake,” Regis says from the other side of the room.
“Gotta go. Talk to you later, man.” Tao barely waits for a confirmation before he hangs up and turns toward the chair they’d put Pinwheel in.
The guy is sitting up now, staring at Regis unblinking, tense. “Honestly expected to wake up tied to the chair,” he says after a minute.
Tao snickers as he approaches, one hand on a hip. “We thought about it, but Reggie is faster and stronger than you, so we don’t really need to.” He swallows a grin at Regis’ glower, boring a hole in the side of his head, and silently resolves to call him that all the time.
Purple eyes lift to Tao, and Pinwheel makes a face. “Fair point.” He pauses, glancing at Regis again, who has gone back to staring at him menacingly. “So, what’s the plan here? Torture? Murder? Kinky fun times?”
Watching Regis twitch with pure rage is Tao’s new favorite thing, and he kind of loves Pinwheel for it. “Sadly, just a secure transaction without prying eyes. It was more convenient to just knock you out than try to convince you to come with us willingly.”
Pinwheel looks skeptical. “I mean… yeah, that’s true. But also not appreciated.”
“Tough. Deal with it,” Tao replies cheerfully. He grabs his laptop and another chair, bringing both over to him. “Account number?”
Blinking, the informant stares at him. “Seriously?”
“How else are we gonna pay you?” Tao asks, amused.
That, at last, seems to convince him (mostly), so Pinwheel gives him the relevant information, and Tao makes the transfer from the slush fund. While he does, he receives a text from Frankenstein with a detailed list of questions.
Which he relates, and gets very useful information in return. The target’s name, address, known abilities, and financial status, for instance. Tao’s definitely keeping his contact info. He also sends a bonus just for being so useful.
Such relationships need to be cultivated and maintained carefully, after all.
xXx
They don’t head back until late, after dropping the human off back at the cafe they took him from. Tao keeps yawning as he drives them back, and almost misses the correct turn, twice. Fool.
Regis makes sure the idiot remembers, which he regrets immediately when Tao says, “Oh right. Thanks Reggie.”
He contemplates what sounds Tao would make as he strangles him.
“Don’t call me that,” Regis snarls furiously. No respect, these humans. None whatsoever. One is sullying Lord Raizel, one has seduced Master Frankenstein, and this one never shuts up.
Tao looks at him with a smirk. “What? It’s just a nickname.”
Regis turns his head to snap back at him, but his gaze catches on the 18 wheeler, heading right for them. Reflexively, he grabs the wheel and tugs with one hand, the other yanking the human - who is not buckled - towards him. Then the truck makes impact.
Their abrupt turn mitigates some of the damage, but not all, and the car is sent crashing into a line of stores, violently pushed over and on by the larger vehicle. Something slices through Regis’ left cheek; someone is screaming; blood splashes Regis’ face.
The van stops moving, and he grimaces, shifting his gaze to the human now half-sprawled on top of him. Unconscious, of course, which means Regis is going to have to drag his dead weight around.
Dammit.
He can hear the sounds of human voices. They need to get out of here, quickly. The van is destroyed- even if Regis wanted to take the time to flip it back off its side, it’s completely undriveable.
Instead, he kicks the windshield out, damning human transportation the whole time, and pulls his cargo over a shoulder before climbing out. He ducks out of sight of the approaching humans, thankful that the stores were clearly closed, as there are none inside the building.
Finding a back exit isn’t hard, and then Regis is scaling a fire escape to get to the rooftops. Once they’re a couple blocks away, he sets Tao down in someone’s pool chair next to a rooftop jacuzzi. He takes stock.
There’s a large shard of twisted metal in Tao’s side, he sees. It’s by no means stopping the blood flow, so Regis has to get it out, and soon. Tao’s wound needs to be sealed. He grimaces and tears open Tao’s shirt, then summons warm magic to his hand, using the other to grasp the shard. He nudges it, judging how hard it’s going to be to remove, and Tao groans in pain.
Unfortunate. However, he has what he needs, so he jerks it out. Tao’s scream is strangled, but it only gets worse when Regis presses his now-hot hand to the wound, searing it shut. It’s all Regis can do not to pull away too soon, though he does press his lips together tightly.
He hates causing his allies pain. Usually this sort of task falls to Seira, but… Seira isn’t here.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck… Reggie?!”
On second thought, that isn’t nearly enough pain. “I said don’t call me that!”
Tao doesn’t respond. Instead, his eyes roll back into his head. Lovely.
More than a little irritated, Regis glances around briefly before looking back at Tao, trying to decide how to proceed. There’s a red dot on Tao’s forehead.
Snarling, Regis grabs him and pulls, hearing the bullet strike the pool chair, even as they hit the water. Dammit. He bursts back up, ignoring the now crimson pool of bubbling liquid, checks that Tao didn’t just drown - he coughs and keeps breathing, though never quite regains consciousness - and then hefts him over the side. Climbing out quickly, he grabs the idiot and slings him over his shoulder again, making sure the wound is facing out.
Then he runs, catching the sound of more gunfire. Two snipers, and it sounds like there are people on the building’s inner stairwell. Regis darts on, past the door, and leaps to another building.
Once he’s a few away, he drops into the street, and takes a page from Pinwheel’s book; disappears into the throng of nightlight. At least there are some advantages to human cities.
xXx
There’s a ripping pain, and then Tao is on fire. He does the only thing he can do, with a steel bar pinning him down, and screams. His eyes open once it stops, to find the bar is an arm, and Regis is looking down at him. Maybe it’s the bloodloss, but he almost looks worried. Still, Tao hurts. “Fuck, fuck, fuck…” he gasps out, the world blurring again. “Reggie?”
Regis snaps, “I said don't-”
And the rest is lost to oblivion.
He must be having some serious hallucinations; at one point, he thinks he might be drowning. The dark doesn’t release him, though, and he fades away again. Everything is a blur. The sound of laughter and chatter, which is impossible since he’s with Regis, and Regis abhors crowds. Obviously that one’s a dream.
Then he hears that foreign swearing. His name a few times. That might be real. After that, a gasping breath that might be half-sob, and something pressed to Tao’s shoulder. He tries in that dream.
“S’okay. Doin’ grea’, Reggie,” he mumbles.
Regis hisses in fury, Tao smirks, and the dream returns to black. He may be awake later, as he’s being jostled into a chair of some kind. His side hurts enough that he doesn’t think it’s a dream, even if he can smell the scent of human bodies.
“Human? Human? Can you-”
Black.
“-got us into this.” Regis’ voice is all cold, banked fury.
“Fuck, man, I did not!” That one is pure panic.
Black.
The sound of gunfire; Chinese swearing, Regis’ swearing.
“Do they have you tagged?!”
“I am not-!”
Black.
“I can’t believe I’m going to die in a shitty bathroom of a shitty bar with the world’s most shitty vampire!”
“I can just kill you now!”
Black.
“He’s not a vampire. ‘Sa Noble.”
There’s silence for a moment. “The fuck?”
“Shut up, human.” Regis’ voice is much closer than the other, and when his hand touches Tao’s cheek, it’s cool and surprisingly gentle. “Tao?”
Huh. When’s the last time Regis said his actual name? Ever? He may as well return like with like. “Regis. My body hates you.”
“The feeling is mutual,” Regis mutters, and Tao isn’t entirely sure he’s supposed to hear it. “Can you sit up?”
Oh, he’s laying down. On something soft, by the feel of it. When he tries to sit up, though, it’s a no go. Pain erupts down his entire side, and the only reason he doesn’t scream again is because he bites his lip until it bleeds.
“Woah, yeah, he should not be moving. Which I told you, I’d like to note.”
Is that Pinwheel? When the hell did they meet up again? Also, why?
“If you say one more thing, I’m knocking you out next.” At least Regis’ prickliness is intact.
Tao reaches over, mostly to be a shit, and pats Regis on the head. He's fully aware that doing so is like putting his hand near a rabid dog, but he really can't help himself. Really. It's a compulsion.
It has to be his imagination, but for half a tick, it almost feels like Regis leans into the pat. Then he's scowling and slapping Tao’s hand away, calling him what Tao imagines are pretty unsavory things, in his native tongue. It's so predictable that Tao can't stop his laughter, even though it hurts.
Pinwheel pipes up again, sounding incredulous. "I can't tell if this is flirting, or bear baiting."
The way Regis freezes is almost as interesting as the panicked look he shoots Tao. Then he's on his feet, Pinwheel crashing out of his chair in a mad scramble to get away. Taking pity on the blabber-mouthed idiot, Tao quickly says, "Where are we, anyway, Reggie?" as he catches hold of Regis' sleeve.
It has the desired effect, returning that glorious fury back on Tao, where it belongs. "I am starting to regret saving you!"
Liar. Tao grins unrepentantly. "Yeah, but seriously, where are we? What the hell happened? And why is the informant with us again?"
Okay, he may need to slow down the speech. He's suddenly very… swimmy.
Regis is beside him then, pressing a careful hand to his breastbone. "Breathe, slowly. I'll tell you, just stop asking so many questions."
That's… fair.
"We're being hunted. Men with guns, well organized, very few modified humans among them. The human," Regis makes an annoyed gesture in Pinwheel's direction, "Suggested mercenaries, and I'm inclined to agree."
Well that's going to be fun. "Real question is, who hired them? And where's my laptop?"
Silence answers him at that, and when he looks at Regis, the Noble is looking away. Oh no. "Where's my laptop, Regis? Please tell me you didn't let enemies get their hands on it."
Regis looks at him with a scowl. "You were in danger of losing your life. I prioritized!"
Tao… struggles with that. He's thankful, he really is, but that laptop is important, and highly dangerous in the wrong hands. For all of them. "We have to go back."
"Yeah, that's not happening," Pinwheel says, keeping a healthy distance between him and Regis. "It's either in their hands, or with the cops, and you're so weak I could push you over-"
Regis shoots him a venomous look.
"-It's a metaphor! Please don't hurt me."
Clearly, Regis is stressed.
xXx
Their rescue comes in the most unexpected form, when there's a knock on the door of the safe house they're hiding in. Regis glares at the human, whose eyes go wide and his hands go up.
And then, there's a little voice from outside, half whispered. "Tao? Regis?"
Regis is at the door in half a second, prompting a yelp from the human, and a half-sleepy mumble from Tao. He jerks it open, startling Ikhan on the other side. The boy is standing there with wide eyes, and a familiar laptop.
Dragging him in, Regis glances around outside to be sure he wasn't followed, and slams the door. "What are you thinking, you fool?!"
"Ikhan?" Tao mumbles, trying to sit up again with slightly more success this time.
Ikhan all but vanishes from under Regis' glower, dashing over to the older techie. "Tao! I knew it was you!"
"You didn't check?" Tao sounds as alarmed as Regis feels.
The boy huffs. "I knew it was Regis- I saw him on the CCTV. But I wasn't entirely sure it was you he was lugging around."
Tao groans, and Regis scowls. Pinwheel pipes up with, "Yeah, we need to go. If a kid can find us, so can they."
He's not wrong, even if his tone makes Regis want to throttle him. "Obviously-"
"If you wait, the director will be here soon," Ikhan says. "I called him."
"Secure phone line?" Tao asks.
The boy nods eagerly, eyes wide and hopeful. "Uh huh. With a scrambler!"
"Thattaboy." Tao grins and ruffles his hair, and Ikhan beams.
Regis feels irrationally annoyed by the contact, and instead focuses on their words. "How long ago did you contact F- the director?"
"About ten minutes?"
"Is that my laptop?"
Ikhan turns back to the idiot, who has maintained his belief that a brick is more important than his life. "Uh huh. I found out about the accident cause I was checking the police systems! And I recognized the description of the missing driver as you, so I checked the CCTV. Before I came to find you, I went and got this out of evidence."
"I suddenly have so much less faith in the cops," Pinwheel mutters.
His problem being that he ever had faith in human policing systems to begin with. Specifically human police.
Tao grins. “Clearly, someone’s lookin’ out for me,” he says cheerfully.
Yes, Regis. Despite himself.
It’s at that point that Tao tries to take the laptop, and then doubles over in pain, and Ikhan leaps back in alarm. “TAO?!”
The older of Regis’ humans winces at the volume. “Relax, just a little boo-boo,” Tao grumbles, hand pressed to his side.
“Tao, that’s… that looks bad!” Ikhan breathes, eyes wide and slightly wet.
“Well, it’s no longer bleeding-”
“IT WAS BLEEDING?!”
The full body flinch Pinwheel gives, sitting on the other side of the room, provides Regis some satisfaction. At least he isn’t the only one suffering the boy’s volume. Even so, Regis snaps, “Lower your voice. You’re hurting my ears!”
Ikhan looks at him, guileless and guilty, and bows. “Sorry, Regis.”
At least someone in this room has manners. Sniffing, Regis says, “I forgive you. Do you have your cellular phone on you?”
Blinking, the boy digs his phone out and holds it up. “It’s turned off right now, but yeah.”
“Off?”
All three of the humans give him odd looks, but it’s Tao that says, “So no one can track his phone, Reggie. Obviously.”
Regis is going to kill that one first.
Snatching the device, Regis turns it on and waits for it to be useable, then dials Master Frankenstein’s number. He answers immediately. “We’re almost there, Ikhan. There are a few people we have to talk to first. Did you find them?”
“Yes, he found us. You’re taking care of the problem?” Regis asks, relieved to hear a friendly voice.
Frankenstein’s tone shifts slightly, from ‘I’m talking to a child’ to ‘I’m talking to an ally’. “Yes. Stay where you are. M-21 is almost to your location; Master and I are dealing with the rabble.”
Good. Regis exhales in relief. “Tao requires medical attention.”
“Miss Seira is at the house, prepping medical for our return. Lay low.”
“Understood.”
He hangs the phone up and hands it back to Ikhan, who is in the middle of fretting over Tao. Tao just grins at him and rubs the back of his head, enduring the kind-hearted worrying.
xXx
"Packages secured. Enroute back to base."
M-21's report in Raizel's earpiece is a relief. He no longer has to worry about breaking away from this fight.
It isn't particularly hard; Frankenstein is doing most of the combat, with Takeo going after the snipers. Even so, since all of this began, he's been loath to leave either of them alone. They're too important.
And he has failed them far too many times of late.
"One more gunner, then I'm set," Takeo reports, his voice a balm.
Frankenstein breaks a human's arm, following Raizel's orders not to kill any of the humans. “Good. Be careful.”
Lifting a hand, Raizel stops one of the few mutants in the group from going after Frankenstein’s back. He sends the poor creature flying back with a simple gesture, unwilling to truly lay his hands on them. There is no possibility of survival should he do that.
Eventually, Takeo checks in again. “Dumped the snipers at the local police office. They all have rap sheets, so they’re not getting out anytime soon.”
Frankenstein doesn’t look entirely convinced by that, but he knocks out the last enemy. “Leave a notice that there are others unconscious on S Street,” he orders absently.
A pause, then, “Done. Rai?”
Raizel tilts his head. “Yes?”
“You okay?”
It’s a silly question, but it makes him smile regardless. “I am well,” he assures his beloved. “We have finished here.”
“Okay. I’ll be there shortly,” Takeo replies, and the com goes quiet.
Frankenstein approaches him with a frown. “Tao is severely injured, according to Regis. I’ll need to put him in the tank to recover once we get home.”
“And the child?” Raizel asks, looking out over the early morning streets of the city.
“Regis has wiped his memory of these events, and is bringing him home. He’s also taking care of the informant they encountered.”
At that, Raizel turns his gaze onto his servant. “Taking care of him?”
Frankenstein nods. “I decided it would be better for him to retain his memories, given the possibility of this situation putting him in danger in the future. It will also be beneficial should we require his services again.”
It makes sense, so Raizel looks away again, tracking the feeling of Takeo’s approach. Frankenstein follows his gaze, silent a moment. Then, “About myself and M-21-”
“You do not need to explain,” Raizel says, seeing a flash of purple hair. “I understand.”
His servant sighs, sounding… frustrated, and Raizel waits. He already knows what the younger man is trying to say, but it would appear he needs to voice it anyway.
“I don’t.” Frankenstein runs a hand through his hair, before crossing his arms. “I’m… I adore him.” He doesn’t say the word love, even if Raizel hears it regardless. “And it’s impairing my judgment. I just… I wished to ask… a boon of you.” He pauses, and after a moment, when Raizel says nothing, murmurs, “If it puts any of us at risk… would you see to it that I make the right choice?”
Finally, Raizel turns his gaze onto the young man, and lifts a hand to rest on his shoulder. “He will always be your right choice,” he says softly. “I will take care of the rest.”
His servant stares at him in surprise, before his expression softens. He bows. “Thank you, Master.”
Takeo reaches the rooftop then, landing lightly, and Raizel turns to glance him over. No injuries. Good. His beloved smiles as Raizel approaches him. "Hi there," he greets softly, immediately fitting himself into Raizel's arms. "Ready to go?"
"In a moment," Raizel replies, holding him closely. His scent, as always, is soothing.
Grinning outright, Takeo leans into him, and Raizel is pleased by it. Pleased that his beautiful darling is so happy with him, that his beloved trusts in him. “Want a few minutes to ourselves?” His voice is low, suggestive, and Raizel wants nothing more than to take him home and devour him for hours.
Instead, he presses his forehead to Takeo’s when the man tilts his face down. He has a few centimeters on Raizel, but that’s of little consequence. It simply makes things… better. Sweeter. Somehow.
They cannot linger long, however, and Frankenstein - though waiting without complaint - is getting impatient to return to his own lover. Raizel would send him ahead, but he isn’t willing to leave him undefended so soon after his own incident.
So they go, returning to the den - to Frankenstein’s house - in haste. Frankenstein immediately heads in to take care of Tao, but the two of them linger on the front steps. Taking a few minutes alone for themselves.
Rai can tell Takeo is trying to work himself up to something, fingers interlaced with Rai's. He's frowning a little, standing so close that they're sharing the same air. When his darling seems to start losing his nerve, Rai reaches out and tilts up Takeo’s chin so they can lock eyes. "Speak."
The wry smile that takes over Takeo’s lips is beautiful. "Sure you're not reading my mind?" he teases.
"I am not," Rai assures him softly.
Takeo takes a breath. "Have you… ever thought about getting somewhere for… just us? Our own place?"
The question makes something flutter in Rai's chest. His darling wants to spirit him away, to keep him to himself. It's surprisingly endearing, despite being impossible. He gives Takeo a smile regardless, and enjoys how his beloved's heart speeds up just a little. Takeo loves his smile. "We cannot."
His darling's shoulders fall in disappointment, and he can't stand that, so he goes on. "Would you like to move into my chambers?"
They've never been in them together. Takeo’s comfort is quite important to Rai, and given everything he's gone through, Rai wanted him to have something that was his, that was comfortable and familiar.
Now, his beloved stares at him in surprise, and a smile slowly spreads across his beautiful face. "Really? You want to?"
Rai wants nothing more than that, so he nods, and finds himself wrapped in Takeo’s arms in half a heartbeat. He returns the embrace, tucking his face into Takeo’s shoulder. Breathing him in.
"Yes. I would love that. Please!"
Smiling into the fabric of his shirt, Rai is pleased.
xXx
Frankenstein finds Seira with Tao in the lab, helping him into one of the recovery tanks. He's already wearing the modesty shorts, and the breathing apparatus. Seira is so very useful. If her loyalties weren't already so firmly spoken for, he'd endeavor to keep her.
Oh well. Thus is life.
He focuses on Tao, gaze flicking over his injuries. Most are scrapes and bruises, except for a cauterized wound in his side. That scar is going to be hard to remove, but Frankenstein imagines Regis had little choice at the time.
There are familiar footsteps coming up behind him then, and Frankenstein has to suppress the urge to lean back. Apparently, his lover has no such compunction, because an over-warm arm wraps around him. M-21's voice in his ear is soft. "The laptop is trashed. We're gonna have to wait for Tao to extract the information when he can leave the tank."
Lovely. More waiting. Just what Frankenstein always wanted. He sighs. "Is Regis on his way back yet?"
M-21 hums against the nape of Frankenstein's neck, somewhere in the vicinity of an affirmative. "Said he'd make a full report when he gets back."
Frankenstein watches the tank fill, and the sedatives in the fluid start to take effect. In moments, Tao’s eyelids droop, and then close entirely. Only then does Seira turn and bow. "I'll make tea," she says.
"Thank you, Seira," Frankenstein murmurs, giving her a faint smile.
She returns it, and heads for the stairs. Frankenstein sighs again, and is admonished with a soft nibble to his shoulder. "Stop that," he scolds, fighting a smile regardless.
"You're stressing," his incorrigible lover replies. "I'm just trying to help."
Frankenstein rolls his eyes. "You're trying to distract me."
"Duh."
Such a brat. Even so, Frankenstein turns in M-21's arms to kiss him. Just a light brush of their lips. He enjoys the way M-21's eyes darken, ever so faintly. "Later," he promises. "I have to see to Tao now."
M-21 makes a face, but puts up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright." He smiles a little. "Later."
Frankenstein does adore him.
xXx
The human sleeps in one of Master Frankenstein’s tanks, recovering with the aid of 'formulas', and he's already looking better. Even so, Regis stands in front of it, frowning up at him in irritation.
Stupid humans, and their stupid lack of survival instinct. None of this would have happened if he had been… No. This is Regis' fault.
It's Regis' duty to keep the humans safe, especially his own. It had been his duty last night, to ensure the hu- Tao got home unharmed. He failed.
Tao isn't a true combatant, and Regis has known this since the beginning. He's support. He watches over them, helps them, gives them what they need, when they need it. Regis is the fighter. Regis is the muscle and the speed. He's supposed to protect the support. Protect Tao.
He failed.
Before him, dark blue eyes open, somewhat sluggishly. Regis isn't sure if he's even cognizant, but there's a crinkle at the corners of his eyes. A smile, soft and sleepy. It strikes something in Regis' chest, and he feels his breath trap in his throat.
He works past it. "I will not fail you again," he whispers, and Tao’s eyes slip closed again.
Regis turns on a heel and leaves.
xXx
“I will not fail you again.”
When Tao wakes up, it’s the first thing he remembers, but he’s not sure it wasn’t a dream. Even so, the agonized look on Regis’ face twists his insides in knots before he even opens his eyes.
He’s no longer in the tank, but on the medical bed, covered in a thin blanket. There’s an IV attached to him, helping replenish the things his body burned off with the rapid healing. Nearby, he can hear the soft clank of activity, and he turns his gaze.
Something in him hopes it’s Regis, so he can ask him what he meant; ask if it was a dream. Instead, he sees Frankenstein. Of course. This is Frankenstein’s lab.
Without turning, their boss says, “Good evening. Welcome back.”
Tao isn’t sure how he knew, but he doesn’t question it. “Thanks,” he rasps, carefully sitting up. The wound is all but gone, with the exception of a very faint, white blotch. Weirdly, he’s relieved. Like somehow any of that could have been a dream.
Then Frankenstein is turning to him with a wince. “I couldn't entirely remove the scar. Not in one session.”
“It’s alright,” Tao mutters, voice clearer. He places a hand over the mark, a rueful smile on his face. “Kinda feels like a badge of honor.”
The older man chuckles. “Well, you can keep it if you like. Otherwise, I can do another session tomorrow.”
Tao shakes his head. “Nah. Don’t worry about it.” He pauses, hesitating, and Frankenstein watches him patiently. Interesting, how he’s gotten more tolerant since he started getting dick on the regular. Not surprising, but interesting. Tao owes M-21 a drink, maybe. “Is Regis okay?”
Smiling, just a little, Frankenstein inclines his head. “He is… though he has been somewhat… distracted. I believe he took this last mission particularly hard.” A shrug. “But that is the way the young are.”
Young? “I thought he was like… a few hundred years old?”
Frankenstein chuckles. “Well, yes. Among the Nobles, he’s barely of age, though. Think of him as… 18. Give or take.”
Huh. That’s curious. Also weird, that it matters so much. “Nobles are weird,” he decides.
He only gets another laugh.
Eventually, Tao heads upstairs, after Frankenstein checks him over one more time. He eats a late dinner, only Seira around to fret over him, before he goes to the second floor for his bedroom.
No sooner has he laid down and closed his eyes, does he hear the loudest moan from just across the hall. Uhg. Frankenstein and M-21 clearly wasted no time once they were together. Goddammit.
He grabs his pillow and tries to block the noise out with it, to no effect. Mostly because fucking M-21 gets louder. He swears they do it on purpose, just so everyone knows exactly what they’re doing. Not even Rai and Tak are this bad.
Tao rolls onto his side, eyes squeezed shut, pillow pressed hard to his ears. M-21’s voice ratchets up, begging. Oh god.
He needs to get as far away from them as possible, he decides, and throws off his blanket to escape his room. Taking the stairs two at a time, he’s out on the patio before he entirely determines where he’s going to hide. As soon as the door shuts behind him, the noise cuts off, and he breathes a sigh of relief.
After a moment, he realizes he should have brought his laptop, if for no other reason than for something to occupy his mind with. He’s not going back in to grab it though; there’s no way he’s putting himself through that ridiculousness unless he has to.
The door behind him slides open, startling him, and he whips around, only to relax. It’s Regis, a scowl on his face as he steps out onto the patio. “What are you doing?”
Huh? “Escaping the audio porn?”
Heh. Now Regis is blushing. “Ridiculous,” he snaps, seeming overly irritated for the situation. “You should not leave the safety of the house unaccompanied!”
Awww, he’s being protective. “Well, good thing for me, you’re out here now.”
This seems to make Regis incoherent with rage, and Tao feels like he’s made an accomplishment. Then the older man’s shoulders slump, and he looks away with gritted teeth. Huh. “You alright?”
Crimson eyes return to his face in surprise, and those shoulders hunch right up again. “I am fine.”
“You don’t seem fine.” Now Tao’s getting a little worried. “Regis, what’s going on?”
The Noble clams up, though, turning away from Tao to glare out over the street. Clearly, he’s not going to answer, unless Tao does something drastic. Exhaling, he hops up onto the railing, drawing Regis’ alarmed gaze. “You don’t gotta tell me,” he says slowly. “But if you do, it’ll stay between us.”
An odd look settles on the Noble’s face, and Regis looks at him in silence for so long that Tao’s starting to feel like he’ll really need to up the ante. However… Then his slumps again, and leans against the railing, gaze dropping to the patio floor. “I’m sorry.”
What? “Why are you sorry?” Tao asks, confused.
“I failed you.”
The maybe-dream returns to the fore of Tao’s mind. “I will not fail you again.”
Tao reaches out without thinking about it, and ruffles Regis’ hair. “No you didn’t. You saved me.” He’s not suffering blood-loss this time, so he’s definitely sure the nudge into his hand isn’t his imagination. Even as Regis glares at him in offense.
“I let you come to harm.”
“You did everything right,” Tao retorts, not retracting his hand. Idly, he wonders how long Regis will put up with it before he tries to bite his hand off.
Except… now Regis is looking at him with this… vulnerable sort of stare. Almost like he’s trying to believe him, but can’t quite get there. “... did I?” His voice is so small.
Tao hates it. Regis should be bristling under his touch. He should be full of confidence and arrogance enough to rival the boss. So he does the only thing he can think of, and drops back onto the patio, wrapping his arms around the shorter man.
Who goes utterly still, and stiff as a board. Tao tries to ignore it, speaking before he gets a fist to his face. “You did. You really, really did. Everything you did led to getting me home safe, in a terrible situation neither of us expected,” he murmurs.
It’s at that point that Tao really gets what Frankenstein meant, downstairs when he first woke up. Because Regis’ arms come up to hug him back, far too tight, and trembling slightly. He buries his face in Tao’s shoulder, breathing ragged. As if he’s holding back tears.
“It’s just us,” Tao whispers, wanting him to release at least a little of that stress.
It works. Regis starts crying, far more loudly than Tao ever would have expected. Fuck, when’s the last time someone did this for him? When’s the last time someone held him, gave him permission to be a person? It makes Tao want to go and throttle every single one of the Nobles in the court, particularly his grandfather.
Instead, he just holds him tighter, and lets him cry.
It’s a long time before the tears peter out, and the noises subside. There’s a wet spot on Tao’s shirt now, but he isn’t going to complain. He really doesn’t want Regis to lock back up again, not so soon.
Then Regis does something he doesn’t expect. Small fangs sink into Tao’s skin, just above the collar of his T-shirt, making him start. There’s this odd sensation of… pleasure-peace-belonging, and then Regis is jerking back, an alarmed look on his face.
“I’m-”
Tao yanks him back again. He isn’t sure how the whole blood-drinking thing actually works. Nobles aren’t really vampires, at least not in the way popular media would have one believe. They need blood, every once in a while, but they can eat food. They can walk in the daylight. They’re unaffected by garlic or silver or wooden stakes. Hell, Rai wears crosses all the fucking time.
Regardless of his uncertainty, he murmurs, “It’s okay. Go ahead.”
And apparently, that’s all it takes for Regis to latch onto that tiny wound, and suck. It sends a weird tingle down Tao’s spine, making him fight to suppress a shiver, and that feeling sweeps over him again. It’s… it feels right, as odd as that is to admit. Like Regis should be doing this, drinking his blood. Only his blood.
It isn’t long before Regis pulls back, gasping for breath like he just ran a marathon. “I shouldn't have done that,” he whispers, sounding lost. “It’s against the law, and it’s… wrong.”
Fuck Noble laws. “Why?”
Regis hesitates, and then looks up at him uncertainly. “There’s… our bite has a sort of… influence on humans.” Ah. That explains that weird feeling. “It’s considered unethical, and that’s why it’s banned.”
“So, like, there’s no way it is allowed?”
The smaller man looks up at him in bemusement. “Well… if you were my vassal, and had pledged yourself to be a source of nourishment of your own free will-”
Tao grins. “Done.”
“What? No, you’re Frankenstein’s vassal!” Regis protests, gaping at him.
Rolling his eyes, Tao pats his head. They’re still holding one another, Regis still clutching onto him like a lifeline, hope and despair and guilt warring in his gaze. “No, I’m Frankenstein’s employee. He pays me, and I work for him, but I made no pledges.”
Having Regis gape at him is one of the most hilarious things Tao’s ever seen. It feels weirdly like some kind of victory. “But…”
How would one even make that kind of pledge? “I, Tao, pledge to be your vassal, and source of nourishment, whenever you need or wish for it,” he decides after a beat.
Huh. There’s a weird sensation of buzzing following the statement, and Regis’ eyes are wide as saucers. “Why did you do that? Now you’re… stuck!”
“Eh. That’s fine.” Tao grins down at him, and winks. “Whaddya say, Reggie?”
The scowl returns, “Don’t call me that!” and Tao laughs.
xXx
Seira stands in the sitting room, looking through the patio doors at her best friend and the human he’s grown so attached to. The way that they look at each other makes her smile. It makes her think of her friends at the school- the children who cling to each other through their pain and their joy.
Regis needs this. He needs someone he can be weak with, because he could never be that way with her or any of the other Nobles. Tao represents that, represents a freedom that Regis’ duties would never otherwise allow him.
She almost steps out when Regis bites Tao, but then he jerks back, and she breathes a sigh of relief. Tao reaches out to him, quick as a snake, and snatches him back in. Seira is stunned as she watches him press Regis’ face right back where it was, whispering reassurances.
Her heart aches at the sight. How Regis relents without much fight, surrenders to the human’s insistence. Silly boys, clinging to each other, breaking the law without guile or remorse. Protocol would have her interfere, have her separate them permanently, but she… hesitates. Regis needs this.
Needs Tao. Someone unafraid, of his abilities, of his station, of his prickly demeanor.
She doesn’t have to worry long, because soon she feels the snap and shudder of a bond. A permanent one, put in place with a thoughtful smile and a gaping stare. Good. This means she doesn’t have to interfere. She doesn’t have to tell anyone that Regis drank before the bond was sealed.
It makes her smile.
xXx
All he feels is panic, for a long while, as he stares at Tao the next morning. They’d gone to bed, eventually, in their own rooms, but before it’s time to get up and get ready for school… he finds himself standing over Tao’s bed. Watching him sleep.
Hungry, and afraid of it.
Is this what this sort of bond does? Makes him… just want to eat him all the time? Or is it some flaw on Regis’ part, some instinct that is monstrous and horrible? He doesn’t know, and it’s agonizing.
“I, Tao, pledge to be your vassal, and source of nourishment, whenever you need or wish for it.”
Was it his wording that affects Regis so? Need or wish? Is this a wish? Does he wish to drink from Tao?
His heart pounds in his chest as he takes a step closer, drawn inexorably toward his… his vassal. No… his friend. One hand reaches out, trembling, and then blue eyes are open and fixed on him, freezing him in place.
Tao yawns. “Regis? You okay?”
Not, what are you doing here, or why are you standing over me like a beast. But, are you okay?
Regis drops to his knees beside the bed, the hunger banked, simmering. What is he doing? What… “I’m-!”
The younger man slides out of his bed in record time, arms coming up around him. “Regis!? Are you okay?!”
Are you okay? Regis doesn’t deserve this care. He has done nothing to warrant it, to prompt such concern and devotion.
“Reggie?”
The deplorable nickname jerks his gaze up to Tao’s face, his mouth opening to tell him to stop calling him that, but he freezes. The expression his human is wearing is… He looks scared. It makes something guilty twist in his chest, right alongside his caught breath.
“Are. you. okay?” Tao’s voice is so soft, so firm, meeting Regis’ gaze head on.
Regis swallows. “I… am unharmed,” he murmurs, barely more than a breath. “But… You shouldn't have done that. Now I just want to…” He bites back, eat you with everything he has.
Blue eyes soften. “Weird question… but are you supposed to accept it?”
What? No, that isn’t good enough. “What?”
“The pledge,” Tao says, starting to grin. Then it blinks away again, and he adds in a lower tone, “You look like you’re in pain.”
Is he supposed to accept it? Is that what this is? Why he just wants to eat him up and not stop? “I don’t… know,” he admits quietly.
Tao nods, and his hand is in Regis’ hair now, scratching at his scalp in a way that makes him want to slump over and close his eyes. He pulls back, and it’s the hardest thing he’s ever done. “I accept your pledge.”
A pulse flickers over him, and the hunger… recedes somewhat. This time, he really does collapse into Tao’s arms. The man makes a noise of alarm, shivering slightly. “Woah. That was weird.”
Weird indeed.
Some time later, as Regis stares up at the ceiling, wondering what his life even is these days, there’s a knock on the door. Then the sound of it opening. Tao’s hand on Regis’ shoulder keeps him down, half laying in the human’s lap.
“Tao? You good?” It’s Takeo, sounding… concerned.
Tao turns his head to grin at the other man, as Regis realizes that at this angle, all Takeo can see is Tao’s head and shoulders. “Oh, yeah. Dropped something. What’s up?”
Snorting, the other man says, “Rai wanted you to know it’s time to get ready.”
“Oh… thanks. Uh, pass that on,” Tao replies with a sheepish laugh.
Oh no. Lord Raizel knows. Regis feels panic tighten his chest, and then Tao’s hand lowering back into his hair again.
“Sure thing.” The door closes behind Takeo, and Tao sighs in relief.
When his dark blue eyes lower to Regis, he shrugs at his stare. “I figured you wouldn’t want him to see you like this.”
… he’s right. Regis doesn’t. “I… thank you.”
Tao grins as he sits up finally. “No prob, Reggie!”
Augh!
xXx
Being a vassal is… weird. It’s like Tao is aware of Regis all the time. While they’re at home, while they’re at work… or school, in Regis’ case. It’s this constant presence in the back of his mind.
Weirder is that he really doesn't mind. Hell, it's good to know where Regis is. It makes Tao… relieved, somehow.
Also, he's noticed that Regis watches him a lot. He knows this because that's another change- he can tell when Regis is looking at him. And he always knows where Regis is.
Today is no exception. He can feel that gaze on the back of his head while he's scolding a couple kids for skipping class. It remains on him, and soon, the pair head off back to class. Only then does he turn his eyes up, to one of the hall windows.
There Regis stands, staring back down at him, and Tao lifts a hand with a grin. The older man blinks, and something about the corners of his lips softens. Then he sticks his perfect little nose in the air, and turns away.
Heh.
… huh. What a way to think of a nose, of all things. I mean… it is though. Regis might be short, but he's beautiful, elegant, perfect.
… Tao’s getting distracted. He gets back to work. After school, though, he lingers. Something tells him to wait for Regis, and sure enough, those crimson eyes are searching for him when the Noble comes into sight. Regis departs his friends, approaching Tao where the techie leans against the outer wall.
"Tao."
It really is a compulsion. "Hey, Reggie."
There's a particular vein that pulses near Regis' temple whenever Tao calls him that. He's taken to thinking of it as his personal accomplishment. "Don't call me that!"
Tao bites away his grin, and tries to maintain a stoic look as he asks, "Is that an order?"
"I-!" Regis' teeth click as he cuts himself off.
It hasn't escaped Tao, how careful Regis is not to actually order him. He wonders what happens when he does. Either that, or he doesn't actually want Tao to stop.
Pinwheel may have been right about the bear baiting, but Tao likes seeing him all fired up. He makes mistakes. He says things he actually means. It's so rare that he's honest with anyone, even Seira, and Tao has come to almost crave it.
"If you don't want me to call you that, order it," Tao tells him cheerfully, and turns on a heel. "Let's go home."
They walk in silence for a few minutes, eventually turning down a less populated thoroughfare to cut some of the travel time off. Only then does Regis speak again.
"Stop."
Tao stops, before the word even really registers. Like his feet obey all on their own. This is a command.
"Look at me."
And Tao turns, blinking at Regis in bemusement. There's a strange look on the Noble's face. "This is what you've done to yourself." His words are… sad. Uncertain.
Tao dislikes it a great deal. "Yeah? I've seen Rai and Frankenstein before, and I know about Blood Pacts." Blood. "Do you need some?"
Regis jerks and takes a step, like somehow Tao’s the one offering orders, not the other way around. Good to know he understands. "You're mad," he chokes out.
In response, Tao tilts his head and pulls aside his suit jacket. Baring his throat. "It's alright. I don't mind." It's playing with fire, he knows, but… he really really hates that look.
There's only a beat of hesitation before Regis stands before him. A cool hand touches his cheek, fingers feather-light. Tao kneels in front of him without needing to be asked, and Regis leans in to bite. To drink.
Tao shivers. That feeling wells up again. Pleasure-peace-belonging. It feels good, and before he can stop himself, Tao lets out a shaky sigh. He can stay like this forever. Let Regis just… drink him dry.
He doesn't, of course. Far too soon, he pulls back, tongue flicking over the wound, and Tao makes a discovery. Apparently, he's into this, because he's got one hell of a boner.
Regis presses his forehead to Tao’s, eyes squeezed shut. He looks like he's fighting with himself, his breath heavy again, a faint tremble to his limbs. Tao can't help embracing him.
"It's okay."
"No," Regis murmurs in rebuttal. "I just want to devour you."
Tao’s next shiver is a little more obvious, and the Noble pauses. He pulls back as Tao winces, and looks at him. "... sorry, don't mind me," the techie says quickly.
Then Regis blushes, and all but jumps back. "I-I meant your blood!"
"I know that-"
"Not-"
"Regis, I know-"
The Noble is too busy panicking to hear him, clearly, because he just keeps talking over him. "-anything like that! I wouldn't expect- I wouldn't ask that you do-"
Yeah, okay, this is getting ridiculous. Tao reaches forward and puts a hand over his mouth. Regis is so stunned, he shuts right up. "I know, Regis. You'd never disrespect someone by abusing your power like that. This isn't your fault, okay? You did nothing wrong. I'm the pervert in this equation."
Regis stares at him in silence for so long that Tao starts to get a little nervous, even after he has retracted his hand. Finally, "You… I don't… I've never…"
Yeah, that's painfully obvious. There have been signs, obviously, and Tao would be an idiot not to notice. He opens his mouth, but he doesn't get the chance to voice his assumptions.
"I've never trusted someone enough. Not like you," Regis says, eyes wide. Like he couldn't tear his gaze away if he tried. "I don't know what to do."
… oh. Oh, Tao is an idiot. Regis likes him. That's why he's freaking out so badly. Not because he's afraid that Tao will think he's abusing his power, but because he's attracted to him.
Carefully, Tao reaches out to cup Regis' cheek. "It's okay," he whispers. "We've got time to figure that out. Take a breath."
Regis inhales, and he closes his eyes as he does. When he leans into the taller man's touch, Tao’s heart halts, for just a moment.
xXx
They don't talk much for the rest of the trip home, but soon, they're stepping inside, to the sounds of an argument. Regis can already tell he won't like it.
"-Not our fucking business!" That's Takeo, face-to-face with M-21, of all people.
Who is baring his teeth in something almost like a challenge. Master Frankenstein stands a few feet away, eyes wide and brows arched. His gaze is ping-ponging between the two as they continue.
"Like hell it isn't! It's going to draw attention!"
"From who??"
Tao hovers just behind Regis, a comforting presence, even though Regis doesn't want to interrupt. Doesn't want them to know he's here, watching them argue over what he's pretty sure is his recent string of foolish life choices.
Unfortunately, he doesn't get a choice. Lord Raizel speaks up from his seat. "Enough."
Both men fall silent, and follow Lord Raizel's steady gaze. Takeo attempts a smile, but M-21's scowl is indication enough that Regis assumed correctly.
"What the hell is going on here?" Tao demands, drawing Regis' gaze as he steps around to stand beside him. Actually, partially in front of him.
M-21 takes the question as opportunity, clearly, because he demands, "Show me your neck, Tao."
Regis can't see Tao’s expression, but Takeo pales slightly and blanches, and Master Frankenstein frowns protectively. "No."
Lord Raizel is still looking at Regis. "Show us."
Though it's not quite a command, Regis puts a hand on Tao’s shoulder. "It's alright," he murmurs. "Please."
"Tch." After a beat, Tao tugs off his tie, unbuttons his shirt, and pulls it and suit jacket away from the most recent bite mark. Only a pink scar, now, courtesy of Regis' magic.
The others stare at his neck. M-21's expression is somewhere between disappointment and anger. Like he wanted to be wrong. "He's not a steak-"
"Don't fucking talk to him like that," Tao bristles, taking a further step to shield Regis.
And Regis is disgusted with himself, for being so relieved that Tao is doing it. He draws a short breath. "Tao. Please don't put yourself in danger for me."
The words make the room go silent. Make M-21 take a step back in horror, and Takeo gapes. The corners of Master Frankenstein’s lips turn down.
Lord Raizel still just stares at him. Waiting for Regis to explain himself. So Regis does, as briefly as he can. "Tao and I have formed a Blood Pact." He watches Master Frankenstein’s eyes widen, and M-21 go utterly still.
"A what?" Takeo asks in confusion.
Lord Raizel answers him. "A rite formed between a Noble and a human. In exchange for the human's service, his complete obedience, he gains longevity and in some cases, power."
Takeo looks at the Noblesse. "Like you have with the boss?"
Lord Raizel's smile is soft and proud. "Yes, that is correct."
He doesn't mention any of the other reasons it's used. Romance. Blood. Others.
Regis doesn't either. He can tell that as far as M-21 is concerned, it won't matter in the slightest. The bastard is all protective rage.
"You bound him-?!"
"It was Tao’s choice." Everyone turns to watch Seira enter with a tea service. "I witnessed it myself."
She did?
"You did?" Tao asks, blinking at her.
Seira offers him a very small smile. "I'm happy that he's found someone he can trust so much."
Regis can see the blush on Tao, in his neck, all the way up to his ears. "Er. Thanks."
Apparently that's enough, for most of them. M-21 still doesn't look satisfied, but he relents to Master Frankenstein’s hands on his shoulders, stepping back. He's still scowling when he turns on a heel, and stalks out of the room.
Regis can't blame him. His rage echoes Regis' guilt. Knowing he could have - should have - stopped Tao. Stopped himself from saying, I accept. But he wasn't strong enough, was afraid and lonely. And Tao’s deep blue eyes were a challenge, a plea. Accept me. Keep me. Want me.
It mirrors the feeling in Regis' chest. The one that just wants something that's his , that no one else can control or take away. By his choice and Tao’s.
Except… it's more than that, isn't it? There's no denying the yearning in his chest when he thinks of Tao. The wish to claim, to touch… to love and be loved.
It's ridiculous. He's spent so much time being irritated with Takeo and M-21 that he didn't see this - them - creeping up on him until it was too late to stop it. And it is far too late for that.
Now he doesn't want to. He wants to follow Tao as the man makes his excuses, and heads up the stairs. Instead, he looks at Lord Raizel, who lifts his gaze from Takeo to meet Regis'. There is no judgment there, no scorn or condemnation. Only patience.
So Regis follows Tao.
xXx
There's some unspoken understanding between them, and they end up in Tao’s room, sitting on the edge of his bed. Silent, each lost to his thoughts.
When Tao first started living here, he was given his own room, and it was bare of personality. The room of a guest. His first paycheck was spent breathing life into it. Tech. Clothes. Decorations. Lighting. He’s always been fond of neon and black light, and then was no exception.
Regis doesn’t seem to mind. Of all the things Tao expected him to be fine with, obnoxious lighting and too much tech hadn’t been on the list, but here they are. The man - his master? His friend? - sitting beside him, gaze flicking sightlessly around the floor. Unperturbed by anything it falls on.
Except maybe the pile of clean clothes in the corner that his gaze fixes on after a moment. Tao is somewhat amused when the Noble gets to his feet and walks over to them. He kneels, and starts folding. It’s haphazard and terrible in execution, like he’s never done it a day in his life, but he’s trying, and it makes something in Tao’s chest clench. He almost feels like Regis is trying to take care of him, in such a small and silly way.
He watches him struggle for a moment before he sighs and moves to join him. Regis’ gaze is sharp. “No, let me.”
“I’m not stopping you,” Tao says, holding his hands up. “I just thought you might like some pointers.”
Regis hesitates, and then holds up a shirt for Tao’s inspection. Carefully, Tao takes it, and shows him how, red eyes fixed on his movements. Then Tao sets the shirt aside, and reaches for pants. Shows him how to fold those. Then socks.
Once those are paired and set aside, a cool hand touches the back of one of Tao’s, and Tao sits back at the unspoken command. He watches Regis continue, more sure of his movements, until the clothes are all folded and in neat, separate piles. The smaller man seems to have gained some sort of peace from doing this, and Tao is relieved when those eyes lift to him again, hands lowering into his lap.
“I am sorry, about what happened downstairs,” Regis murmurs. Tao wants to interject, but he suspects if he does, Regis will clam up again. So he doesn’t, teeth clenched hard enough to make his jaw ache. “It was never my intention to cause strife between you and M-21.”
Tao waits a beat to be sure Regis is done, and then shakes his head. “He was being an ass,” he replies flatly. “That’s not your fault.”
Lips pursing slightly, Regis takes a breath that seems to be solely for the sake of steadying himself. “No. He was trying to protect his pack, and we have always been at odds where it mattered.” He sighs, the sound tired, almost despondent. “Given everything that has happened lately, I cannot be angry about it.”
“I can,” Tao replies flatly, ready to fight Regis for Regis’ sake.
A single hand lifts, asking for silence, and Tao grits his teeth again. He’s smiling, a little. “I know. And that is quite alright. I… It feels… nice, having someone on my side in such a way…”
The ‘ but ’ hangs heavy in the air for so long that Tao is strangled with the urge to prompt its appearance. Regis goes on without that. “I never want you to put yourself between me and a threat again. Do you understand? Even if that threat is M-21, or Master Frankenstein, or Lord Raizel.”
Tao wants to agree. Wants to submit to the weird geas Regis has him in. He fights it. “I can’t promise that.”
“I could make it an order,” Regis says softly, gaze searching Tao’s face. For what, Tao doesn’t know.
He also doesn’t care. “You could, and if I thought you were in danger, I’d hurt myself to disobey it.”
Regis winces, but he doesn’t look surprised, so that’s something. “I know,” he says, and sighs. Then, to Tao’s amazement, he lays down right there on the floor, cheek resting against Tao’s thigh. “May I stay like this? For a little while?”
There isn’t anything that would make Tao shift him. “Yeah. Long as you want,” he promises, resting a hand on his pale head. There’s no hiding the way Regis turns into his touch, eyes drifting closed.
It isn’t the first time it really occurs to Tao that Regis is touch-starved, that he desperately wants someone to hold him and tell him it’ll be okay. Wants affection that Tao suspects he rarely gets anywhere else. He’s only too willing to oblige, running his fingers through soft, fine hair.
Not long passes before Regis’ breathing evens out with sleep, prompting Tao’s heart to twist, and he leans down.
xXx
Regis doesn’t really fall asleep, so much as he drifts in a boneless sort of doze. Somewhere between waking and dreaming. He’s so relaxed, the warmth of Tao’s thigh beneath his cheek, Tao’s nimble fingers carding through his hair. Never before has he felt so… safe, cared for.
Until something brushes over his forehead, light so as not to wake him (even though he isn’t asleep). He knows without looking that it’s a kiss, because Tao’s hands are in his hair and on his shoulder respectively. He blinks his eyes open, staring up into blue so deep it’s like the bottom of the ocean.
Tao starts to pull back quickly, face flushing with embarrassment, and Regis catches him by the back of the neck. His voice is rough when he says, “Please.”
His vassal - his friend - freezes, staring down at him in something like shock. Or maybe relief. Disbelief? Then his gaze softens, and the next kiss is pressed a little more firmly to his cheek. His nose. His jaw.
Regis melts under the affection, a feeling in his chest like belonging, like he’s wanted. He’s smiling, but that fades when those lips brush his, testingly. Without entirely meaning to, Regis arches up into the kiss, sealing their mouths together, despite the odd angle. He can feel the corners of Tao’s mouth twitch up, just slightly, and pulls away.
Not to stop, though. No, Regis sits up and turns, all but crawling into Tao’s lap. “Again?” he asks, trying not to make it any kind of order.
Tao doesn’t disappoint, those long fingers curling around the nape of Regis’ neck as he pulls him in again. Kisses him gently, sweetly. Regis doesn’t want that. He wants what he’s seen from the others. Takeo and Lord Raizel stealing kisses in corners, M-21 backed up against the kitchen counter, mouth being devoured by Master Frankenstein.
He doesn’t want others to see, but he wants it all the same, with a desperation that borders on obsession. Uncertain how to request it without words, Regis pulls back slightly. “Not enough,” he whispers.
A slender arm slides around his waist, dragging him right up against Tao, and the taller man’s tongue darts out to taste his lips. Regis shudders, mouth falling open, and then that tongue is in his mouth. It sends electricity skittering down his spine with each stroke of that agile muscle; makes him tremble.
He can feel a hardness beneath him, pressing against the space between his thighs, and when that arm shifts him, it aches in a way that has him letting out a noise he never expected to. It sounds something like what he’s heard in Frankenstein’s room late at night, or more quietly from Takeo’s.
Tao breaks the kiss to mouth at Regis’ throat, and Regis drops his head back to allow him access. He grinds down without entirely meaning to, and hears Tao’s breath hitch. It sounds… beautiful, and Regis repeats his motion, a sensation of pleasure sweeping over his skin, just so he can hear it again. This time, it’s a full gasp, and Tao is panting against Regis’ throat.
Regis feels the scrape of blunt teeth, and he arches, a full-blown shiver ripping down his body. “Oh, yes,” he mutters. No, it’s more desperate than that. It’s more… a moan.
“L-like that?” Tao stammers, arms around Regis’ waist shaking slightly. Whether from stimulation or holding himself back, Regis isn’t sure.
Either way, he doesn’t want to talk. He wants more. “Yes. Again, make me… make me feel… good.”
Tao’s mouth shapes words against his skin that don’t make noise, but he shivers anyway, because he knows what they say. Yes, master. Cheeky. Then he’s moving, pressing Regis’ hips down against his, in an almost circular motion that drags another moan out of him. It becomes a rhythm, and Regis’ lips find Tao’s again, desperate to do anything to keep it going.
He’s so hard through their clothes; they both are, and it’s making something in Regis’ stomach coil tighter and tighter. It isn’t like Regis has never… pleasured himself before, but it’s somehow different now, with Tao clinging to him as desperately as he clings back. It’s all Regis can do to hold on, until the coil snaps, and he sinks his teeth into the mark on Tao’s shoulder to keep himself quiet.
Tao jerks, and Regis almost pulls back, but then he feels warmth spreading beneath him. Regis recognizes the feeling of release through clothing, and it should feel dirty. He should want to wash himself as quickly as possible, just like he always has.
There’s something new about this, though. Something… like victory, maybe pride. Knowing that Tao pleasured him, and he pleasured Tao. He made his lover - his lover - feel just as good as he does now.
He retracts his teeth, though, and drops his forehead to rest on the ball of Tao’s shoulder. “That was…” He isn’t sure how to finish the sentence, but Tao laughs softly.
“Yeah,” he says, reading Regis’ mind even though he can’t do that.
Regis takes some time to catch his breath, Tao’s arms never once releasing him. He loves it, to be perfectly honest, even though the doubts have started to settle in. He needs to speak; to ask. “What… what does this mean, for us?” he whispers.
“What do you want it to mean?” Tao asks, breath still a little heavy.
That… Regis knows the answer to that, without a hint of a doubt. His problem is voicing it, saying it out loud so Tao knows . So Tao can judge him for it, one way or another. Tightening his fingers in Tao’s shirt, he tries anyway. “I… I want… you… to be…” It’s so hard. So hard, and his heart is pounding in his chest anew. He can’t look Tao in the face, isn’t brave enough to see denial there. Or worse, pity. “To be mine.”
Tao waits, patient, through his words. His voice is gentle. “I’m already yours,” he points out softly.
Yes. He’s right, but that isn’t what Regis means, and he struggles to find the words to clarify. “I want to… do this. Have you like this. Kiss you. M-make love with you.”
Calloused hands brace his cheeks, pull his face up to lock gazes. Tao is smiling. “That’s what I mean, Regis,” he whispers. “I am already yours.”
Oh. Regis exhales, slumping against him in relief. “Okay. Good.” More than good.
Tao laughs softly, and he kisses him again.