Runner

by Samantha Lau

  “Oren! Oren!!”

  His fingers lost grip completely. He was falling, falling...

  “Oren!” he cried out. At the last minute he saw a hand reach out over the edge for him...

  Wei started and clung to a hard, warm and slippery surface, eyes shut.

  “Here, shhh.” Oren’s voice soothed.

  The warm dampness against him made him grimace and open his eyes, pulling back quickly. Where was he? Not back at...? But no, the dampness was not that dirty mud ever present on Dimian, it was clean water. Oren’s arms were now resting loosely around him.

  “Ah, sorry, made ya all wet,” Oren chuckled, pulling back.

  He was soaking, water droplets rolling down strong arms and chest, down head to toe of his very naked form. And what a form it was! The marked muscles, the sizeable... Wei’s face turned red and he politely looked away.

  “Ya was havin’ a nightmare, screamin’ bloody murder,” Oren said softly. Wei didn’t dare look back while he was just sitting there on the edge of the bed, naked, but he sounded honestly worried. “Ya okay now?”

  Wei nodded a bit, pushing some of his now damp hair away from his face.

  “Yes, I’m sorry I bothered you.”

  “’Kay,” Oren’s fingers stroked his cheek briefly, a soothing touch, and then he headed back for the bathroom, presumably to finish showering.

  Wei took a deep breath, tried to calm his racing heart. He rubbed his hands together to try and stop their shaking.

  He was safe. He was safe, he was safe, he was safe.

  Oren came back out, dry, but still wearing nothing but his birthday suit. The towel that should have been covering his modesty was instead resting over his shoulder. Wei again averted his gaze.

  “Ya got any clean clothes I can borrow? Don’ wanna be getting ya stuff dirtier...”

  “Ah, let me see.” Avoiding staring straight at him, Wei got up and went to his dresser. The drawers opened at his touch and he rummaged through. He pulled out the biggest set of pants he had and blindly held them out to Oren.

  “Hmm, jus’ a bit too small.”

  “Here then,” Wei handed him an old bathrobe. He’d never quite found them comfortable to wear, so he’d just stored it away. He turned back when he caught, from the corner of his eye, that the man was tying it closed. His lips curved into a small, amused smile despite himself, for the robe was just ever so small on Oren. The supposedly long sleeves reached about four fingers up his wrists, his chest ended up mostly displayed as it wouldn’t close as tightly as it should have.

  Well, at least it covered him.

  “I’ll order some clothes for you,” Wei promised, calling for the TV to turn on, and going to fetch his tablet – the same glass tablet that had been on his desk – to place an order in.

  Responding to his command, the holographic screen on the wall came on to the news.

  “–Saying the first explosion was caused by a leak, and it was this same explosion that triggered the second one.” The reporter was saying. “Thankfully, due to the toxic nature of the cloud, those floors were uninhabited. Experts assure us the damage does not endanger the stability of Taizhou’s oldest building. Special units equipped with the latest technologies in hazmat suits have been dispatched to clean up and repair...”

  Wei looked up, lips pursed at the news. Just a few days ago, he would have been thoroughly fooled by the lies they were spewing. Now he knew best. He was sure there had been plenty wounded, considering the floor had been packed with people hoping to come up to Taizhou. His gaze went from the screen to Oren, who stood very still as he watched the news. His fists were so tight his knuckles were white, and his lips were pursed into an angry scowl. Wei had never seen him angry before, it was just a little frightening.

  “TV o-”

  “No,” Oren said. “Ain’t no need.”

  Wei nodded a little, moved to him to stroke an arm in what he hoped was a soothing gesture. “I should call the doctor for you.”

  Oren smiled a bit and waved his free hand. His muscles slowly relaxing under Wei’s light touch.

  “I’s fine, no need.”

  “What about your hand? It keeps twitching. And your eye-”

  “Hm, I got shocked. The mods got screwed. Gotta get a modder like doc t’fix it.”

  Wei bit his lip. Definitely no modders around, though there were people who delved in the field of technology applied to biologic entities. On Taizhou they could, slowly but surely, regrow or reattach any limb needed, they hardly went the route of replacing it with a cybernetic counterpart anymore, it was only done on very rare cases, with special permits.

  “It’s not all metal though, right?” he wondered.

  “No,” Oren smiled more, amused at his interest. He lifted his modified arm and hovered his fingers just above his wrist. “Sensor here, soft screen right under t’skin, n’ lotsa careful connections all the way up and down.” His opposite hand pointed a path from wrist to fingers, and then up to his eye. “Thinkin’ of getting one?”

  Wei snorted. “I’ll pass, thank you.” He waved the tablet around. “Your clothes should be here in three hours tops.”

  “A’ight. Thanks.” Oren walked again to one of the windows, looking out. It was still dark, but it couldn’t be long for morning, now.

  Wei figured it was best to give him some time to get used to this new sight. He sure knew he could have used the same down in Oren’s world... not that he had particularly wanted to stay in that murky city... but he was sure that, if you weren’t being chased and could get past the filth, then perhaps there would have been many interesting things – like mods such as the ones Oren had, or the markings on his skin, the tattoos. He remembered reading about the tattoos, but it’d been so long since those and modifications had been disallowed in Taizhou, way before he’d been born. In a city where longevity was normal, there was no one left alive with visible markings, though some had used the same technology from the designer children’s barcode to create designs only visible under a certain light. Not surprisingly, that was only accomplished on the lower floors, those closest to the clouds.

  To give him some time, Wei went to prepare a couple cups of tea, taking out some snacks too.

  “The explosions...” Wei said after a while, sitting and nursing his teacup. “Do you think that was the same guys after us? The West... Tower, was it?”

  Oren looked back, joined him at the table.

  “No,” he sipped his drink tentatively and wrinkled his nose. “The West Tower wants people here to know ‘bout us, they ain’t gonna go destroyin’ the only contact point, I think. Dimian ain’t exactly lackin’ in subversive groups. I think we just un-lucked out.”

  Wei nodded and wriggled when he felt that intense gaze focused back on him. His eyes lowered to stare at the surface of the tea, the little wisps of steam coming from the beverage.

  “Ya worried they gonna try somethin’ ‘gain?”

  Wei shrugged, trying to hide his unease. “I don’t know what I’m worried about anymore.”

  Oren moved so silently then, Wei didn’t notice him until the man was at his side and taking the cup from him. He set it aside, dragged Wei’s chair to turn it towards him, and took Wei’s hands as he knelt in front of him.

  “Ya ain’t gotta worry. I’s sure ‘em monkeys stayed out there, ain’t gonna let anyone in. And ya have me. I told ya I’d protect ya. I’s not gonna let anything happen to ya, ‘kay?”

  Wei smiled a bit, relieved Oren seemed to be coming back to his normal self. He nodded to his words. How could he do anything but? He trusted Oren more than the guards outside at this point.

  Oren’s lips curved into a warm smile. Wei wanted nothing more than to keep looking at that handsome face, but when Oren’s fingers stroked his cheek, his eyes fluttered closed and he found himself leaning to the touch. Even when he felt the ghostly brush of lips against his, he kept his eyes closed, afraid opening them might make Oren pull away.

  “Hey.”
<
br />   Wei finally opened his eyes at that soft whisper. “Hmm?”

  Oren’s chuckle was soft and strangely musical. He leaned for another kiss, and this time Wei met him halfway, kissing back and hoping his lack of experience went unnoticed. He’d always been so busy with studies that he’d never really taken the time to date anyone, no one had even interested him this way before. His social interactions were restricted to just a few hours a week with friends. There was barely enough time for him to catch his breath when they parted again, before their lips were locking a third time. When Oren’s tongue brushed against his lips, Wei obediently parted them, allowing him to explore his mouth, to deepen the kiss, trying his best to imitate the gesture. He was a fast learner.

  They were both panting slightly when they pulled back.

  “I- hey- what-?” Wei exclaimed, having not noticed Oren’s deft hands had been undoing the buttons of his pajama top, at least not until those slightly coarse fingers brushed against his chest and flicked a nipple. His breath shuddered in response. “Oh...”

  Wei leaned back a bit in his chair, and again closed his eyes to allow the sensations to wash over him.

  The fingers on his skin left hot, tingling trails of pleasure, his nipples hardened under their gentle rubbing, missing their touch as soon as they moved lower. Lips followed the paths left behind by those fingers, replacing them with hot, wet flicks of a tongue. A moan escaped Wei’s lips in response to the teasing; cheeks coloring at the noises this man elicited from him, he brought his hand up to cover his mouth. It was a silly reaction, but he could neither stop it nor the moans.

  “Oren...”

  Oren’s lips were still busy on his chest, but his hands had moved lower. Wei felt them tug at his pants, slip under the fabric and wrap around his hardening member, pull him out and stroke.

  He moaned again, hips bucking to the touch. And still Oren’s lips moved lower. Lower, and lower, until they once again replaced his hands, engulfing his need in the hot warmth of that mouth.

  “Oh!” Wei’s hand clung to his lover’s shoulder, the other gripped suddenly at the edge of the table. He’d never felt this way, having so little control on his body was an entirely new experience. He couldn’t stop his hips when they thrust up, he couldn’t stop the moans, he could just be carried by it all. Oren didn’t seem to mind, he simply shifted his position slightly and bobbed his head at a steady pace, taking him deeper each time.

  His release took Wei almost by surprise. His body tensed, muscles tightening, and before he could even think of warning Oren, before he could think of anything beyond how good this was, the pleasure pushed him over the edge. His grasp on the table tightened. His fingers dug without meaning to into Oren’s shoulder. There was no complaint from the man. Oren’s lips remained around Wei until he was done bucking his hips, and only then pulled back.

  Wei panted, chest heaving, heart racing, agitated as if he’d just ran a marathon. This wasn’t his first orgasm, but it was the first one with a partner, and the strongest one he’d experienced yet. His whole body felt like jelly, boneless and trembling with the after-waves of pleasure.

  When he finally managed to lift his head and look down, Oren was smiling up at him. No, he was smirking, the smug bastard.

  “That good, huh?” he teased.

  Had Wei been physically able to get any redder, he would have. As it was, his skin was already flushed with heat from his recent orgasm, the redness having spread to his ears and down his neck.

  “Shut up,” he managed, breathing heavily still.

  Oren chuckled and carefully rearranged his pajama pants for him. The robe he wore did nothing to hide the hardness underneath it when he finally stood, and Wei could do nothing but watch with interest at the way the clothes bulged. After all, it was practically at a perfect level. So reached out, hesitated. What if he didn’t want his touch?

  “Can I...?”

  He dragged his gaze up in time to see Oren nod, and looked back to his groin, pulling at the end of the robe’s belt so it would come undone. The robe slid open as soon as nothing held it in place, and Oren’s throbbing member stood proudly to attention.

  “Oh,” Wei said again, his touch tentative as he explored the smooth surface. His hand wrapped around the hard member and stroked, slow at first, faster as he gained confidence. Oren’s breathing hastened a notch in response.

  “Ya don’t have to...” he heard Oren whisper when he leaned in, but he ignored him. He knew he didn’t have to, but he wanted to, and not just because Oren had done it for him. His tongue explored the surface his fingers now knew. Taking his time, he experimented with wrapping his lips around the head. He smiled inwardly when he heard Oren’s low moan. Encouraged by it, he took more of him in, bobbing his head like the man had for him.

  Oren trembled, but he did not thrust. A hand came to the back of Wei’s head, his fingers felt nice as they caressed there, then lower, until he settled it on a slender shoulder. On the back of his mind, Wei registered that Oren was keeping his enhanced arm away from him, but he didn’t stop to wonder why.

  He tried to tighten his lips and tongue around Oren, eliciting another low moan.

  “Ah, I can’t hold if-...”

  Wei didn’t heed the warning; he sucked harder, ignoring Oren’s next mumble, and let a soft sound when Oren finally lost some of his control. Oren’s hips finally bucked, and his release spilled in his mouth – and right on his face when he quickly pulled back, unaccustomed to the feeling and taste.

  Oren gasped and shuddered, and despite being still on the after-waves of his high, reached down to try and wipe Wei’s face clean.

  “Shit- sorry,” he panted.

  Wei took his hand in his and brought it to his lips for a kiss.

  “Nothing to be sorry about,” he said, cheeks red once again. He smiled up at Oren.

  Oren leaned in, their lips meeting once more, briefly. “Lemme clean ya up.”

  Wei watched him go to the bathroom and return with a damp hand towel. It was a little embarrassing to let Oren wipe his face clean, but he was grateful for the gesture. Wei leaned for another kiss once he was clean.

  “We should... try to sleep some more,” Wei said softly.

  Oren smiled and kissed his lips, taking one of his hands to help pull him up and guide him to the bed. They laid, Oren’s arms wrapping around his waist, pulling him close.

  Chapter 13

  Wei’s AI came on as it usually did, early in the morning. The familiar soft music started playing, trying to wake them gently.

  Neither of them were asleep. Neither of them had slept much at all.

  “Alarm off,” Wei called, opening his eyes with a sigh.

  “Good morning, Wei and Guest.” The AI started with her normal programming.

  Oren wrinkled his nose. Was this what Wei used to wake up to? How obnoxious.

  “It is six in the morning of the–”

  Oren’s arms were still wrapped around Wei’s slender waist, his warmth firm against his chest. Was he asleep? He lifted his head to place small kisses over his lover’s neck and shoulder.

  Wei shifted, tilting his head to offer a small shy smile.

  “ –dome average of 21ºC...”

  Wei turned in his arms to face him, leaning for a proper kiss. Oren gladly met him halfway, lips pressing to those soft ones, eyes closing.

  “... You have twenty-three unread messages from–”

  Oren pulled back with a chuckle. “Shit, you’s famous,” he teased.

  Wei’s lips curved to a smirk. “Skip.”

  “There is a delivery in your mailbox, Wei.” The AI said, obediently skipping the previous programming.

  Wei sighed. “Probably your clothes.”

  “Can’t ya turn that thing off?” Oren nuzzled to his neck gently.

  Wei chuckled, wriggling a bit against him. “Turn off.” He ordered the AI.

  “I’d say,” Oren joked, grinning, earning himself a smack to his arm.

  “
Have a good day, Wei and Guest.” The AI said, and went quiet.

  With a last kiss, Wei got up. Oren watched him move to the dresser, select everyday clothes, and change into his them. Wei’s cheeks colored slightly. He would have smiled at his shyness, had his enhanced eye not suddenly given him a bit of a jolt. He winced and let a small sound of surprise, reaching up to rub it.

  Wei looked back at once, frowned as he saw him do so. “Are you alright?”

  “Yeah, don’ worry.”

  Wei pursed his lips, but finished dressing. He went to a panel on the wall by the door; it slid open to reveal a package – Oren’s clothes. Wei brought it to the bed and dropped it in front of Oren, then went to the kitchen to start on some breakfast.

  Oren opened the package. A bland set of white and gray clothes, the likes Wei seemed to wear, was inside. Though he’d not seen many people yet, Oren was certain they all wore the same type of boring uniform-like garments. Reluctantly, he got up and slipped into them. They fitted well enough.

  “Ya got good eye for sizin’.” He commented, making Wei turn around to look at him.

  The warm smile Oren was rewarded with was worth every punch he’d gotten getting Wei back home.

  As Wei turned back to his cooking, Oren went to sit at the table. He watched him fondly until Wei came back with drinks, and a moment later, with their breakfast. They ate it quietly, sharing only quick looks and small smiles, but they didn’t need to speak.

  They were done with their breakfast when it happened again.

  Oren felt it coming this time – the little surge of energy from his enhancements which would send that wave of pain and tingling to the very tip of his fingers and make them twitch uncontrollably. Thus, he was able to set the glass down and pull his hand away just in time for the spasm to hit it, without causing any damage. He sighed, glad he’d not accidentally broken the damn thing.

  “We really have to find someone who can check that for you.”

  Oren tended to agree, but there was nothing he could do there. He knew no one and nothing. Sky City was an entirely different culture. It might as well have been an entirely different country, or even planet, for that matter.