Be Still My Dead and Rotten Heart

[Obelisk]

He'd asked Taxi to wait for him in front of the group's new hide out. Quinn had ducked out for a few hours to prepare and was feeling pretty anxious about the whole thing. It wasn't as if he was a star when it came to romantics, hell, Quinn was pretty romance-retarded but he'd tried to think everything through. He was a mean, grumpy son of a bitch and setting everything up made him feel like a sissy. Taxi was worth it and if Silas or Gabri said anything, he'd deck them. Yeah. That's right.

What he'd been up to during his time out that night (he'd left the second the sun vanished over the horizon) would remain a secret until later. Quinn was cursing himself to kingdom come because he couldn't shake that anxious feeling. It was like he was going out on a first date with the hottest number in town and he knew he didn't measure up. That's how it felt and it was ridiculous. Telling his thoughts to shut the hell up, Quinn started towards the hideout. It was about time and he didn't want to be late.

The vampire arrived, the loud rumble of an engine signaling his arrival. He pulled up riding a large motorcycle, a chopper, really, painted red and silver. It had somewhat of an older, classic design and that's what had drawn Quinn to it. The bike's owner had met an untimely death and was currently rotting in a dumpster behind a Chinese food place.

Quinn leaned onto the handlebars and gave Taxi a large, toothy and roguish smile.

"Hey babe, you wanna ride?" The man's gravelly voice asked and he quirked a brow, tilting his head just a little. Green eyes were bright and excited, hiding just how nervous Quinn really was. He hoped Taxi would like it.

[KOCHI-KOCHI]

Taxi was always over dressed, but on a day like today it seemed to fit. Although he had swapped out one article of clothing, striped t-shirt was switched for a light yellow long sleeved dress shirt that had it's buttons done up one wrong and went out past the cuffs of his suit jacket. Tie was the replacement for stripes and loosely hung around his neck and the popped collar of his shirt. Button of his pants were undone, probably unintentional, only held up by the slim belt. Although there was one thing denoting the holiday. A red heart shaped belt buckle with all sorts of glitter and rhinestones. Who the hell KNEW where he got it, but it seemed to stand out as the blonde stood on the street waiting for his lover, thumbs hooked into the leather belt to the point where the pants were dragged down to show skin.

Saint Valentines Day was an old holiday. Not one of these new fancy ones, like Christmas. It had history and real grit to it, something that Taxi could sink his teeth (metaphorically) into and really appreciate. Fond memories were always attached to it, but he really hadn't figured Quinn as someone to care. He had been pleasantly surprised by the apparent interest, as otherwise he had just been planning on putting on some skimpy underwear and having a sex marathon from the time the sun set till it rose.

This. This was better. The sound of the engine, seeing Quinn roll up on that sexy-as-hell motorcycle, looking like some ferocious dangerous creature with that smile. And then he spoke and Taxi nearly squeeled, "Ja, I wanna ride, all night long!" and dove for his lover, hopping onto the back of the bike with ease. Arms wrapped around the taller mans waist securely, although they were probably a bit too low to be decent at all. "Liebling, this is sooo cool!"

Didn't ask where he got it, just pressed himself flush up against Quinns back and latched on. Peeking over the other mans shoulder, nibbling on what he could while nearly bouncing in excitement. Such an awesome bike, even better because he knew how much his lover adored motorcycles and machinery. Much, much better. No reason for the ex-pilot should have been worried, Taxi would love anything that Quinn did for him.

But this was pretty fuckin' good too.

[Obelisk]

So generally, well, actually, always, Taxi looked damned good. Good enough to eat. Good enough to fuck. Just damned good. That night he looked better, if that was at all possible, and maybe it was because of some universal romantic atmosphere that had settled over the world for just that night. Saint Valentines. Quinn's green eyes raked over his lover in a very suggestive and blatant manner. Taxi was his. He could look all he wanted. Too bad Quinn was underdressed for the occasion. A nice fitting black, sleeveless sweater vest. A pair of jeans. Old, worn leather boots. Ah well, he'd do better next time.

Lips quirked into a smirk and Quinn liked the feel of the German behind him.
A large hand settled over where Taxi's were sitting dangerously low on his waist. Quinn gave those hands a good squeeze and returned his grip to the handlebars, revving the engine, delighting in the ferocious sound it made.

"I promised you a ride, didn't I, baby?" With that sweetly spoke phrase, Quinn grinned. Sure, the man loved his machinery, but this was for Taxi. Any satisfaction Quinn got out of it was only a bonus, nothing more. In light of their upheaval of a life (or un-life) Quinn needed to take the time to do this, to get away with Taxi. Trying to play nice while Gabri and Silas were around was really starting to get to him.

"Hold on tight, babe." Quinn said and then they were off. He, like he was with everything, was pretty rough with the throttle, sending them speeding down the streets nearly right off the bat. He was something of a speed fanatic, grinning madly as the buildings and city lights blurred past. Quinn was an expert pilot and that expertise extended to other vehicles as well, it seemed. He easily judged, even at dangerous speeds, what would work and what wouldn't. Was that gap between those two cars big enough to squeeze past? Just barely, but yes. So he did.

Could he take that turn without slowing down too much and without sending them tumbling over the road in a wreck? Yes, yes he could. So he did. There were many more instances in which any sane person would say, hell no, I'm not doing that. Quinn did and it was all alright, besides, it wasn't as if they could die anyway.

Surprisingly enough, his mad driving hadn't attracted the police and he made his way to their destination. The buildings started to thin out and grass and trees started to fill the horizon. The forest itself was caged in by stone walls. A city park.

Quinn pulled to a stop outside the gates and turned the chopper off, it's engine rumble dying in an instant. He threw a look over his shoulder.

"From here we gotta walk, okay?" He slid off the bike and stood, fishing in his pocket for something. Out from it he pulled a black cloth and held it outstretched between his two hands, showing it to Taxi. An obvious blindfold. Quinn grinned.

" And you can't look until we get there, because it'll ruin the surprise." That said, Quinn set about blinding his lover, tying the soft fabric so it was sit snugly but not too tight.

" You ready?" The man asked, hoping their location didn't give away too much already.

[KOCHI-KOCHI]

Taxi was thrilled by the dangerous driving. He wasn't an adrenaline junky, it was just the rush of going so quickly and making sure clean turns. It was, well, it was impressive, and Taxi had no idea Quinn was so good at driving. The skill in itself was a turn on. How fucking AWESOME his lover was, how cool it was that he could drive the bike flawlessly and the blonde was easily swayed, feeling like the giddy younger teenager with a badboy older boyfriend. Except, in truth, Taxi was probably far more 'bad' than his counterpart, and more aged as well.

He held on tight, head turning to look at things, nearly snapping his neck as everything was zooming past him sooo fast. Eyes were dry because he refused to close them, not wanting to miss anything. Despite paying attention he was oblivious to where they were arriving, and a bit dissapointed when the powerful motorcycle stopped rumbling between his legs with all of its hot metal glory and the warm body he was grappling left. Phooey.

There was MORE? Any lost glee returned as he rose off of it, stepping forward. The blonde didn't even pay an ounce of attention to his surroundings, it was really unimportant where they were and he probably wouldn't have even needed the blindfold with how he was staring at Quinn with this adoring look in his currently bright green eyes. They seemed to contrast his belt buckle perfectly, and upon closer examination they were the exact opposite in hue. But nobody paid that much attention. Except for Taxi.

"A blindfold?!" Huge smile, closing his eyes while allowing it to be tied. "Ohh Quinn. I love surprises. This is so exciting!" He tried to peer through the black fabric and failed, pouting slightly. "I won't peek, I promise." The vow was of course only made after confirming that he had no chance of cheating.

"Ja, lets go!" Taxi took Quinn's hand in both of his and wouldn't bother walking carefully at all, too worked up. Paying attention with all of his senses, looking around uselessly and listening as best as he could. While they traveled Quinn would be attacked with a barrage of, "Are we there yet?"s and "Where are we going?". But the 'Are we there yet's greatly outnumbered the latter, as he didn't really want to know.

[Obelisk]

Quinn couldn't help but laugh fondly at Taxi's eagerness. Really, anything that was waiting at the end of their trail was likely to please the German, but Quinn hoped this would be good, really good. Each time Taxi asked one of those questions he'd reply with "Maybe." Or "Wait and you'll see." Other than that, Quinn remained silent, leading his lover through the trails that extended deep into the park.

His pace slowed and eventually came to a stop. Then, without warning, he whisked Taxi up into his arms, carrying him the rest of the way. The sound of shoed feet hitting against wood signified a change in terrain. A few more steps and Quinn gently let his lover down.

"Alright, we're here." Quinn said, keeping his voice subdued and from sounding too eager or anxious. Fingers went to undo the blindfold and he gave Taxi leave to look around, to see where they were. Quinn watched his face expectantly, hoping that the scene around them would need no explaining.

The gazebo was nice, large, and clean. Around the railing and bordering the frames were small, white lights, decorations left over from Christmas, thought too charming to have taken down. Just a little bonus, one that Quinn was pleased to have found. Outside the gazebo, the world was dark and only within it, where he and Taxi stood, could any semblance of light be found.

"Happy Valentine's day, baby." The younger vampire said, smiling sheepishly, hoping that Taxi understood the significance. Maybe he was being overly romantic; he did feel like a sappy, over dramatic idiot. But to him, where they were was significant. Quinn remembered every single moment he'd spent with Taxi, the good, and the bad. This had been one of the good ones.

[KOCHI-KOCHI]

The blonde didn't even question being lifted up, he just accepted it and relaxed into the larger stronger mans arms. When set down he stretched his arms out to balance a bit, standing on his tippie toes while his blindfold was undone. If the vampire had breath, it would have been stolen. But he didn't so he squeeled and latched onto Quinn, arms wrapping around his neck.

Everything was perfect. Mind was alive with memories, ones that he had retained, symbolism not lost on him. "Ohhhh, Miene Liebe!" Taxi spoke breathlessly, voice a bit warbled as though it was all too much at once for him to contain. Hand rose to his mouth and the vampire bit the knuckle of his index finger, at a loss for words as he took everything in. That very first night. He could remember it so clearly. Unable to stop himself the blonde reached up and grabbed Quinns head, pulling him down for an insistent and urgent kiss, needing, absolutely NEEDING to taste him.

"When you were gone," Breaks taken inbetween assaulting his lovers mouth. "And I got lonely," Hand wrapped around the back of his head and rubbing through thick dark hair. "I thought about calling him. And everytime I got close," Biting Quinn's lower lip, as though worrying it between his own teeth. "I thought about this day, the gazebo."

Their first meeting may not have been the most romantic story, and wasn't going to end up in any chick flick or date movie, but to Taxi is was amazing. Because he had met Quinn. And it was just the way they were. It was why this was so special, the lights were perfect, and the thought that went into it... "I love you," Another kiss was taken, and Taxi stepped up onto Quinns feet, keeping his arms around his neck. "Dance with me?" Face nuzzled into the others neck, not wanting anything elaborate, just a nice slow dance. There was no music but they didn't need any, not when they had the ridiculously romantic and sappy atmosphere of a lighted gazebo in the dark of the night with the trees and vegetation of a park around them.

[Obelisk]

Quinn eagerly responded to the kiss, holding his lover close against his strong chest, arms wrapping around the blonde. Taxi tasted good, damned good, and Quinn delved his tongue into that wet mouth, exploring. There first meeting had been nothing more than a sex-crazed night out, and it had been good, great, fantastic, but it had only been sex. They had met, though, and sex and debauchery had eventually led to more, to feelings, to attachment. To jealousy, too, and Quinn regretted so much for ever having hurt Taxi. In fact, he hadn't been the best partner. He'd abused Taxi, he'd left twice. Now, though, now he was trying to make up for things.

" I love you too, baby." Quinn said, his usually gruff voice soft and caring. Then his arms were around Taxi again and he smiled softly. " Alright, whatever you want, tonight's all about you." And it was. It really was. Taxi was important to him and Quinn wasn't sure how to communicate just how much the German mattered. No words, not even that three syllable phrase, seemed to do his feelings justice. He felt so sappy, so overly romantic, but it was the truth.

He danced with Taxi, leading the older man around in small, slow circles. Quinn's face was tucked against Taxi, nose and mouth near the man's neck. The vampire inhaled deeply, relaxing from his lover's scent. His mind registered something and he pulled back just a little but kept on with their musicless dancing.

"Call? Call who?" Quinn questioned, brows furrowing. " Who were you going to call when I was away?" He kept his voice as gentle as he could but already those betraying feelings of jealousy and apprehension reared their ugly heads. Keep calm. Don't upset Taxi. He repeated both in his head again and again. Quinn really didn't want to screw the night up, he hated the fact he was so driven by his emotions.

[KOCHI-KOCHI]

To hear those words made him glow, because Quinn didn't have to say them, but he did, because he wanted to. And to have an entire night for him? Oh, he was so perfect, and Taxi wasn't going to argue with that. Not when he was in a gazebo on Valentines day with a man he loved dancing, little white lights illuminating the both of them.

When Quinn questioned him, when his nice masculine voice broke their silence and the serenity of dancing Taxi's hands bunched up in the back of his lovers shirt and he froze. His delicate musicians fingers strained, nails digging into palms, burrying his face into whatever he could.

"My father." Words were a mumbled whisper into the crook of Quinns neck, but with their advanced hearing both of them could understand what the blonde said. He pulled his face back and gave Quinn a pleading look, hands moving to the mans face, running his fingertips over eyebrows and down across his cheekbones to jawline, where he could drag nails through the coarse hair before reburrying his head by his lovers neck. Was he upset? A little. Quite a bit, really. Not with Quinn, but just in general, bad memories had been dredged up and with emotion thick in the air it was hard to disperse them all by himself. Not when Quinns voice had sounded like that.

But it was true. He had been considering phoning his parent. To return to him. Six hundred years was a long time to be dependant on somebody, and even though the vampire had stints of running away, he had always been refreshed and invigorated by the experience before coming back 'home'. It was all he had known, that blanket of protection, always overshadowing him, no responsbility. But there had been nobody there. Waiting for Quinn to return to him. Alone untill he found Gabri to keep him company. And this, even when his lover was here, there was a measure of difficulty. So many things to remember. Not to eat Gabri. Not to order delivery boys to eat. Couldn't just do what he wanted.

But it was worth it. Worth it because he was brought to a gazebo on a motorcycle, and carried up the last few steps, and there were pretty lights around them and Quinn had danced with him. The last confirmation that any trouble Taxi had with suddenly being thrust into the world wasn't so bad was the warmness of his un-beating heart compared to his naturally cold flesh.

[Obelisk]

The moment Taxi had mentioned that man, that bastard, the one who threatened to take the blonde away, Quinn's hold tightened. He held the older vampire close, large, strong hands, holding onto the other. Kefka. There was no way in hell that Quinn could forget that man, that demon. He'd both tried to take away Taxi and had beaten Quinn down with so much ease that it made the vampire sick to think about it. He hated that man, hated him so damned much. To know that his vanishing had nearly lead to his lover returning to that abusive bastard made Quinn feel so damned guilty. What could he say, though?

If he could go back in time, he would've. Taxi was precious, Taxi was the man he loved. Quinn didn't want to cause him harm, didn't want to hurt him but he had again and again. And if habits held true, he'd do it again in the future. He wouldn't allow that, no. He'd change. He'd become a better man. Quinn pressed his face into Taxi's neck, kissing against the soft skin there. A palm worked slow circles into the smaller man's lower back and Quinn stilled their dancing.

" Baby, I love you. And I'm sorry." He murmured against the man's neck before pulling back to look his lover in the eyes. " But don't ever consider that again, okay?" Quinn spoke softly but his voice was stern, his words in earnest. " I came back. And if for some fucked up reason anything ever happens, if we ever get separated again, I'll always come back to you, I promise." He kissed Taxi's lips gently and thought that he'd do everything in his power to never leave the German's side again, but there was always that chance, that possibility that something might go awry. He'd always come back though, like he had promised.

Quinn looked at Taxi before dropping his gaze. " I have something for you." He said, thinking it best to try and lighten the heavy mood. The vampire dug around his jean pocket for something and pulled it out. It was a small, silver medal. The center was in the shape of a shield and out from it sprouted eagle wings on either side. It was his, something he'd carried around since finding it in the attic of what had once been his family home. His personal effects, medals and honors they had sent to grieving parents when they'd been told their boy had died bravely and in the line of duty.

The ex-pilot pinned the medal on Taxi's suit jacket and over the man's unbeating heart.

"You already have my heart," He began, smiling a coy sort of smile, then moved his eyes from the medal to meet his lover's gaze. "And now you have my wings, too." His voice was soft, warm and affectionate. For a pilot, for a man who had sailed through the skies, fell in love with them, lived for them, the gift was significant. The silver wings were all Quinn had left as a reminder of that time when he'd flown so highly and freely.

It wasn't so difficult, being romantic, but Quinn looked so unsure. He gave a lopsided grin and just hoped that Taxi would appreciate them, his wings.

[KOCHI-KOCHI]

Quinn was perfect. So perfect. That rubbing hand was so soothing, and the kiss to his neck, soothing him. The words were even better, some people didn't like petnames, but he did, because it was his name, his and nobody elses. Made him feel special, not as special as hearing those three words, and mainly that one big four letter word. And when his lover pulled back and looked at him with those green eyes he wanted to steal so badly he didn't even question the command. He wouldn't consider it ever again, because this man who held him and called him baby and told him that he loved him told him not to. So he wouldn't. It was as simple as that. And Taxi didn't like complicated things anyways.

He would always come back? He PROMISED? Always was a very difficult thing for a vampire to promise, and the blonde doubted Quinn understood just how long always really was. Always was forever and ever and ever till the end of time, or untill one of them had a very unfortunate accident with te sun. Off-colour emeralds got wide when the other man said that, and grip tightened around his neck, big eyes only falling shut softly and slowly when he was kissed so sweetly. Yeah. Okay. Maybe forever wasn't that long afterall. Maybe it wasn't long enough.

"Huh?" A present? This wasn't it? This lovely gazebo and the motorcycle ride and dancing weren't it? There was MORE? More than sappy admissions of love and gentle kisses? Oh, and was it EVER more. The older vampire only drew his gaze away from his younger partner to look at what he held.

Taxi may be slow at times, but he knew what that was. And he watched it move from Quinn's hand all the way to the lapel of his jacket with a look of amazement. Part of him wanted to refuse it, it was too much. That was his medal, medal from the war, where he had been on the other side. This was from when the man was still alive. And he remembered so well that Quinn said his greatest fantasy had been, to fly again, and here he was, giving Taxi his wings. Promising to stay with him. To always return.

That look the darker haired man was giving him, it was so filled with emotion, and his voice. So much. Too much. There was nothing he could say to express the amount he adored the other man and Taxi really really really didn't want to cry, although he felt like it real bad. It would had been the happy type of crying because he was so happy, happy to have Quinn's wings, although he felt guilty for taking them from his lover. And he had nothing in return for him other than his heart which he could and would give.

Lip quivered, eyes got a big of a glisten to them, but it was all repressed when he lunged at his lover. Legs wrapped around his waist, arms curled around the mans neck and lips firmly attached to Quinn's. It was a passionate kiss filled with heat despite his cold body, only breaking away to say, "IloveyouIloveyouIloveyoyou'reperfectsoamazingi'msolucky" before attacking his mouth again.

When he got home, Taxi was going to be squeeling to Silas and Gabri soooo fast about how amazing Quinn was. EVERYONE was going to know how he had the perfect lover, and EVERYONE was going to be super jealous. He'd make sure of it. And he would be cherish the pin. Always.

[Obelisk]

Quinn really didn't understand what always and forever meant. He'd been born a human, born into a mortal life where always and forever meant until one of us dies. Until death do us part and all that. Part of him was still stuck in that train of thinking that there'd be an ending, maybe an epilogue, but things would end. He may have not realized what forever meant now, which was eternity, and even if he had, Quinn still would've made that promise. Some things were just that important, that ever lasting and maybe he was naive, maybe he was blind, but he thought that love was one of those things.

The laugh that left Quinn at Taxi's reaction was both adoring and relieved. He'd liked it, he'd liked that tiny little medal, the one from the war, the one from where they fought on opposite sides. Those silver wings meant a lot to Quinn, more than he could put into words because the sentimentality behind his emotions was complex. He wanted Taxi to have them because they mattered and Taxi mattered. He'd exchanged an old dream for a new one and that new one was now wearing part of the old. It felt right, like coming full circle, complete.

Kisses were always great, always fantastic, but this was better, heated, brilliant. Quinn's strong arms wrapped around the German's back and he held him close, so close that they were pressed flush against each other. Tongue, lips, teeth, and fangs all worked to suck, bite, lick and explore. They never really had to speak, not really, and Quinn wasn't the most eloquent man around. He liked to let his actions speak for him and right then his were saying a multitude of things -- I love you, I need you, I want you.

Still keeping his mouth locked onto Taxi's Quinn carefully lowered them to the ground, rolling so that Taxi was on top and his back was against the wood floor. He leaned up, lips working against that sweet mouth, fangs grazing tantalizingly over the flesh of Taxi's lower lip. He bit down, tasted blood, and everything just flared.

Eyes closed, Quinn pulled away, savoring that copper tang. Then his gaze opened and it was heavy, brilliant, fiery -- especially with those little white lights glittering in his emerald greens.

"Hmm, how bout we relive that first night?" He suggested with a roguish, inviting grin. They'd been romantic, they'd been sappy, but this was Quinn and Taxi.