Title: An Immortal's Kiss
Author: P’al Kwai
E-Mail: isisbaast@aol.com
Ratings: NC-17 for semi nonconsensual m/m slash. If this offends you, PLEASE
do not read.
Pairings: Dorian Gray/Tom Sawyer
Spoilers: The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the movie.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the LXG characters and do not intent to infringe
on the rights of Allan Moore, Kevin O’Neil, the movie producers and their associates.
Feedback: Welcomed and adored.
Author's Notes: Since I usually write in the BTVS/ATS fandom, I couldn't help but have a vampiric theme in this fic, but since Mina was, I believe, a Daywalker, then it fits right in.
Nemo's dialogue was aided by K.J. Anderson's novelization of LXG.
Thanks to Elisabeth, by lovely beta reader who happened to see LXG movie just
in time for me to beg her to beta this fic.
Part One
He had been in the room before and remembered it well. Multi-storied, it was lined floor to ceiling with shelves and shelves of books. Furnished stylishly and expensively.
"So you're still alive." The words were hardly out of United States Secret Service Agent Tomas Sawyer's mouth, before he regretted them. The rise of an eyebrow from the stylish man across from him deepened his embarrassment.
"Obviously." Dorian Gray crossed one elegantly clad leg over another.
"Mina. . .Mrs. Harker," Tom stammered out, wanting to kick himself for his gaucheness, but the sophisticated Dorian Gray unnerved him. "Said she took care of you."
"Mina?" For a moment a flicker of interest crossed Dorian's bored countenance. "And how is Mrs. Harker?"
"She's fine," Tom snapped out crossly. He was angry at himself for letting Dorian intimidate him. "But that isn't the issue at hand."
"Oh?" Dorian replied with false confusion. "There's another issue?"
Standing up abruptly, the anger in Tom was beginning to direct itself at Dorian. "You," he began then stopped himself, realizing that he had been reckless to beard the lion in his den. Dorian was not going to cooperate, and what could he, a mere mortal, do against the extraordinary Dorian Gray?
Knowing that he had pushed Tom to the edge, Dorian gave a small smirk. It was always amusing to toy with someone. "Sit down, young man." He changed his tactics. "I'll get you a drink."
"No." Taking a deep breath, Tom fought for control. He could hear his now dead mentor, Allan Quartermain, speaking to him inside his head. 'You Americans, rushing in, guns blazing. You were rash, boy, coming here, but redeem yourself by making a fast retreat.'
"No thank you. I should be going."
Standing up, Dorian faced the young American. "But I insist."
The hair on the back of Tom's neck prickled. The man in front of him was his approximate size. But size in Mr. Gray's case meant nothing, and Tom knew first hand how dangerous Dorian Gray really was.
"Alright." Tom tried to appear gracious. One small drink and then off to report to the League. His mission hadn't been a total failure after all; he had discovered that Dorian Gray was alive and well.
**
His head throbbed, his eyes burned, and he felt like he had a mouthful of wool. "What the hell?" Tom muttered as he slowly became aware of his surroundings.
"So, you're finally awake." A voice from above him spoke. "Thank god because I was becoming bored."
"Gray!" A naked Tom sputtered out as he yanked the chains that were fettering his arms to a headboard. Gasping for breath, adrenaline began pumping as he realized just what kind of position he was in. "What the hell is this?"
"Oh, come now my American friend." Leaning down Dorian made his intention obvious as he slowly slid his hand down Tom's naked chest, stopping at his exposed genitals. Grabbing a testicle firmly, he squeezed hard causing his prisoner to yelp.
"Pervert!" Sawyer tried to kick his legs, but they, like his arms, were chained to bed posts.
"That I am," Dorian said quietly as he his grip softened. "And much more. You have no idea."
"What do you want with me?" Letting his head fall back on the pillow, Tom tried to stem his rising panic. He had no idea how he was going get himself out of this mess.
"I'm going to teach you a lesson, boy." Dorian was now caressing Tom's balls gently. "Coming here to spy on me. That's not permitted."
Closing his eyes, Tom gritted his teeth, trying to ignore the sparks that were flowing from his testicles straight to his cock. "Wasn't spying," he managed to mumble through his clenched jaw.
"What was that?" Dorian pretended he didn't hear, as his hand moved to Tom's cock. "I didn't quite catch what you said."
His body betraying him, Tom managed a muttered, "nothing", because at that moment he didn't care about anything except the hand that was wrapped around him, causing his hips to buck up.
Dorian allowed himself a small smile. Another innocent corrupted. Tightening his grip, he began rhythmically pumping the now hardened organ in his hand. Precum was beginning to ooze, and with his other hand Dorian dipped a finger in it. "Now my young American friend, let's see how you're going to feel wrapped around me."
Those words registered slightly in Tom's lust filled brain, but before he could move or speak, a finger pushed into him. He felt no pain, just a sensation of fullness.
"Just need to find it." Dorian studied Tom's face which was contorted with desire. Rubbing his finger around, he located the other man's prostate. He flicked his finger across it, while clamping down on the base of Tom's cock, preventing orgasm. "Beg for it," he taunted.
Eyes squeezed shut, Tom was moving frantically, trying to get friction on his cock while pushing down on the finger inside him. "Please," he finally gasped out.
"Open your eyes, boy." Dorian had leaned closer, his breath, a whisper across Tom's face.
Opening his eyes, Tom stared at the handsome face above him.
"Now taste me." Biting his tongue so it bled, Dorian ground his mouth down on the younger man's.
The taste of the Immortal's blood hit Tom's tongue about the same time teeth did. Jerking his head with pain, he tried to escape the sharp teeth. Agony and ecstasy flowed through him, as once again hands and fingers began moving on and in his body. Hips moving wildly, he moaned, as he came like he had never come before.
**
It was the afternoon of the next day after dragging himself home to his own bed that Tom finally opened his crusted over eyes. Groaning he slowly got up. His head ached, his tongue hurt, and his ass burned like fire. Stumbling to the bathroom, he splashed water on his face, and then looked in the mirror. Blood shot eyes were reflected in the mirror, but all he saw was dark eyes staring at him. Dark eyes that would be burned in his memory forever.
**
Part Two
One Week Later
Stepping down from the Hansom, Mina Harker rushed into Westminster Hospital. The League's mission had been a success but at a great expense. Arriving at the room number told her, she pushed her way in. "He's dead, isn't he?" She had already prepared herself for the worst.
The stoic Captain Nemo stood on one side of the bed, arms folded across his chest. Doctor Henry Jekyll and one of the hospital's staff doctors stood on the other.
"No, Mrs. Harker," Jekyll answered.
"I was told by Skinner that he took two bullets right to the head."
"And by all of God's laws he should be dead, but he isn't." The hospital staff doctor looked down at the patient, the comatose Tom Sawyer.
"So he'll recover?" Mina asked, taking a step closer.
"No." Dr. Jekyll shook his head sadly. "He won't do that either."
A moment of silence as Mina looked first at Jekyll and then at Captain Nemo. "He's a vegetable," she stated matter-of-factly and then paused a second considering. The only option for poor Sawyer was a sanatorium. "Captain Nemo." She stared meaningfully at her League partner. "Perhaps we should make arrangements to transport Mr. Sawyer back to America. I'm sure his government will want him back home."
Expression enigmatic, Nemo bowed his head slightly at Mina's suggestion.
"May we have a few minutes?" Dr. Jekyll turned to the other doctor who readily agreed. There was nothing more he could say or do for Tom Sawyer.
"Two bullets to the head and he does not die." Captain Nemo spoke only after he was sure the doctor was well out of hearing range. "Is it coincidence that this happens shortly after he pays a visit to your immortal friend, Mr. Gray?"
"Funny you should say that," Mina said thoughtfully. "Because that same thought just occurred to me. And what is your professional opinion?" She asked Dr. Jekyll.
Shrugging his shoulders, Henry Jekyll had no answer. Since learning that Dorian Gray was back among the living, he had tried not to think about the man. Dorian brought out jealousy and fear in him, causing his demon, Mr. Hyde, to scream to be released. "What does it matter if Mr. Gray is somehow involved in all of this? That poor boy. . . ." He nodded at Tom. "Is in a state worse than death. We could best serve him by overdosing him with laudanum."
"And what if that doesn't kill him?" Nemo asked.
Jekyll stared at the Nemo as if he had lost his mind. "Doesn't kill him? Just what are you saying?"
"Dorian Gray is outside my universe. His existence is born from sorcery and superstition, things which I know nothing about," Nemo stated quietly. "But if young Tom here has been, shall we say, infected by Gray, then the basic truths of life no longer apply to him."
"What?" Jekyll had no idea what Nemo was talking about. "Is this some kind of eastern philosophy nonsense because. . . ."
"Gentlemen! Arguing won't do Mr. Sawyer any good," Mina interrupted. "But I tend to agree with Captain Nemo. My instinct is telling me that Dorian has tainted him. Have your men bring him," she addressed Nemo while motioning to Sawyer. "I think it's time for me to pay an overdue visit to an old friend."
**
Pounding at the massive wooden door at Dorian Gray's residence, Mina wondered if she would have to find another way in. After the last meeting she had with Dorian, it would be no surprise if he didn't open the door for her.
"Dorian, open up!" she yelled, while looking up at the fortified windows. She could climb up the mansion's walls, but could she get in anywhere? "Dori. . . ." A small, barred window in the door opened, cutting her off.
"Mina." Dark eyes stared out at her. "I've been expecting you. But I'm surprised, it's been more than a week since your American. . .associate paid me a visit. I was sure you would be calling on me the very next day."
"Open the door, Dorian," Mina said, suddenly feeling weary. Seeing her old lover in the flesh made her realize that this visit was going to be even harder than she had anticipated.
"I'm not sure I should." Dorian raised an eyebrow. "Because if you're planning to skewer me again. . . ."
"Just open the door," Mina interrupted. "Unless of course, you're scared." The taunt was deliberate. She knew she was not even close to fully understanding her former lover, but she did know a few of his weak spots. Her strategy worked as the door instantly swung open.
"I fear no one, including you, Mrs. Harker," Dorian stated arrogantly. It was hard enough on his pride that Mina had gotten the better of him at M's fortress, but there was no way he would ever admit to being afraid of her.
"Really, Dorian." Having won the first battle of getting into the house, Mina couldn't help but throw another gibe at her ex. "I reduced you to dust our last encounter, so if I were you. . . ."
"You reduced me to dust but did not kill me," Dorian quickly interrupted.
"Yes, that's right." Remembering that there was still the mystery of Dorian's resurrection, Mina eyed Dorian closely. "So how is it that you are again among the living? Did you just rematerialize? I find that image hard to imagine."
Dorian gave a small smirk. "This coming from a woman who has fangs and likes to drink blood. The key, my dear is the portrait. You never destroyed. . . ." Breaking off, he looked with surprise as two men entered his home carrying a man on a stretcher. "What the bloody hell is this?"
"Why Dorian?" Mina smiled slyly at her former lover's show of anger. "You really must control that temper of yours." Addressing the men, she waved them toward the staircase. "Take him upstairs."
"I must protest!" Dorian moved to stop the men, but Mina put a firm hand on his chest.
"The man on that stretcher is your responsibility, Dorian. You will care for him, or. . . ." She turned to follow the men up the stairs. "Suffer my wrath."
The usually cool Dorian Gray was stunned. "Suffer your wrath?" he asked in a raised voice, as he took the stairs two at a time. "Just what is going on, and who is that man?"
Mina spun quickly around, stopping Dorian in his tracks. "That is an associate of mine. The one who came to see you a short while ago. He was shot in the head and is now comatose. He needs to be taken care of."
"And how is this my responsibility?" Dorian asked as Mina turned and with a swish of her skirts, started up the stairs again with him at her heels. "I admit Mr. Sawyer did come here, but I swear to you, I had nothing to do with him. . .him being shot in the head."
Reaching the landing, Mina motioned the men through a doorway. "Are you sure about that?"
"I did not shoot Mr. Sawyer," Dorian stated this decisively.
"Put him down there and then leave us." Mina continued to give instructions to Nemo's men before turning to Dorian. "I know you didn't shoot Tom."
Sighing, Dorian waited a moment until the two men had left the room. "Then why are you concluding that I am responsible for him?"
Stepping up to her former lover, Mina stood face to face with him. "He was shot in the head twice at close range," she enunciated slowly. "The doctors say he should be dead, but he doesn't die. And isn't it strange that just days before, he had contact with you, an Immortal who can't be hurt or killed."
Dorian eyed Mina with confusion as he walked over to Tom. Pulling back the blanket from the unconscious form, he looked down at the man he had seduced not long ago.
Tom's appearance was no longer that of the young, handsome, American. The doctors had shaved off his hair, bruises covered both his face and head, and ugly stitches ran across his bare skull.
This sight caused even the hardened Dorian to swallow hard. "Following your logic," he spoke very softly. "Then every person I've bedded would become partially immortal? Mina, darling, half of England would be in this state of. . .of. . . ." The appropriate term escaped him.
"Undead." The word popped out of Mina's mouth before she could stop it.
"Undead? Nosferatu?" Dorian raised an eyebrow. "I believe that's your territory."
"You're right, it is my field of expertise." Mina sat down in a chair next to Tom, looking at the young man sadly. "My condition was caused by a transfer of blood. Count Dracula drank my blood, and I drank his. Blood is a powerful elixir. It can be life or death." She paused a moment. "Without going into explicit detail Dorian, tell me, was there an opportunity for your blood to get into his system and his in yours?"
Opening his mouth, Dorian was about to say no, when the memory of his bloody kiss with Tom flashed through his mind. Closing his mouth, he said nothing. His silence was his answer.
Her accusation confirmed, Mina stood up suddenly. She didn't want to look at Dorian nor the abused body of Tom Sawyer anymore. "The doctors have two options for him, overdose him with laudanum or lock him away in a sanatorium. I don't care for either of those options, so take care of him, Dorian." She walked swiftly toward the door. "Or you will answer to me."
**
Part 3
Two months later
This time Mina used the heavy knocker to announce her presence. Waiting outside the mansion, she guiltily thought of Tom Sawyer. She had wanted to come sooner to check on him, but the League's latest assignment had kept her from getting back to England until now.
The massive door opened, but this time not by Dorian but by his butler.
"Mrs. Harker to see Mr. Gray," she haughtily told the servant.
Bowing his head, the butler led her up the stairs to the parlor. Stepping into the room, Mina's eyes widened in shock. There before her, sitting upright in a wheelchair, was Tom Sawyer.
"Tom!" she exclaimed, rushing forward to get a closer look at the young man. "Tom, you're. . . ."
"Conscious and able-bod. . .well, not so able-bodied." Interrupting Mina, Dorian stood in the doorway.
"My God, Dorian! Who were you able to find to perform this miracle?" A rare moment as Mina's face lit up with a smile. "I'm so pleased. . .and surprised. I thought you would just put Tom in a sanatorium and forget about him."
"If I would have done that, I believe. . . ." Throwing himself in a chair, Dorian's voice and body language held his customary boredom. "You would have tried to skewer me again, and I was really trying to avoid that."
Mina's smile quickly disappeared. She knew he was mocking her. Looking back at Tom, the American's eyes stared back at her, desperate and helpless. Dorian's attitude together with the look on Tom's face pushed her into a hasty conclusion. She needed to get Sawyer away from here. "Dorian, darling," she flattered falsely. "You've outdone yourself. Perhaps in the next few days, you can spare a moment to stop by Westminster Hospital and speak with the doctors. We'd all like to hear about this wonderful physician who was able to bring Tom back to the living. But for now, I do believe you've done your duty, and I will make arrangements to take Mr. Sawyer off your hands."
Raising an eyebrow at Mina, Dorian sat up straighter. "You will be making no such arrangements. The boy. . . ." He glanced at Tom. "Stays with me."
Thinking fast, Mina felt like she was in a chess match with her former lover. Move and countermove. "Don't be silly. With such an improvement in his condition, his doctors must be informed. They'll want to examine him."
"By all means they may examine him. "Dorian gestured toward Tom. "But they will do so here."
Playing cat and mouse was not Mina's style, so abandoning the game, she confronted Dorian directly. "Why must he stay here? Just give me the name of the doctor you found, and I will make all the necessary preparations. And you. . .you can go back to your vices."
"Mina dear." Grabbing a cane that had been behind the chair he was sitting in, Dorian stood up. "You throw this boy in my lap and threaten me with bodily harm unless I take responsibility for him. Well, I've done what you've asked. The boy is mine now, and he stays with me."
Eyeing the cane in Dorian's hand, Mina knew that it held a sword inside of it. "Just what are you doing to this poor boy?"
"Improving his health. Which is more than your idiot doctors were able to do."
Looking back at Tom, Mina couldn't dispute Dorian's claim, but she couldn't leave without finding out the truth. "All right, Dorian, but let me speak with Tom for a few minutes, in private, if I may."
Body relaxing visibly, Dorian smiled but did not put the cane down. "Just for a few minutes. He tires very easily. In the meantime, I'll go and fetch us refreshments. And Mina. . . ." Reaching the door, he had one more comment before exiting the room. "If you're thinking about grabbing him and running, don't. A sudden jolt to his body could put him back in a coma, and you wouldn't want that, would you?"
**
"It makes no sense." Sitting in the Hansom, Mina looked across at Dr. Jekyll, her mind working furiously. Leaving Dorian's residence, she had immediately gone to fetch Dr. Jekyll. A medical opinion had been needed, but Henry Jekyll could only conclude that Sawyer was vastly improved.
"Mina," Jekyll said with a sigh. "I don't know what more I can say. And how Mr. Gray was able to revive Tom without the help of a physician. . .?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Is beyond me. But there is no physical evidence that Gray is abusing Tom in any way. In fact, everything indicates quite the opposite."
"Tom's uncomfortable there and wants to leave, and we were ready to take him." Mina continued to ponder the situation. "So why won't Dorian let him go? What game is he playing?"
"You're the one who knows Mr. Gray," Dr. Jekyll said softly.
"That's where you're wrong, Henry." Mina's beautiful eyes stared at the doctor. "I've only skimmed his surface. I never really knew Dorian Gray."
**
Lying on the bed wrapped in a towel, Tom willed himself to get up off the bed, but weakness and pain were stronger than his resolve.
"Head up." A firm hand elevated him, so he could drink the liquid off the spoon. Tom knew it was laudanum. It eased his pain and helped him sleep.
"I'm not in a coma anymore." With much effort he whispered out, trying to ignore the fact that Dorian had taken away the towel, and he now lay naked. It made him feel even more vulnerable. "I can make my own decisions, and I wanted to go with Mi. . .Mrs. Harker and Dr. Jekyll. You can't keep me here against my will."
Pulling the bedcovering over Tom, Dorian's mouth formed a half smile. "But I am."
"Wh. . .why?" The laudanum began taking effect, as Tom's speech began to slur, and his eyelids became heavy.
"Like I told Mina." Dorian had stripped off his clothing and was climbing into the bed. "Because you belong to me now."
The last thing Tom felt before falling into a deep slumber was the feel of Dorian's body against his and a strong arm wrapped around him.
****
Finis