Runner

by Samantha Lau

  If he closed his eyes and listened carefully, he could hear the pitter-patter of rain coming through the vent. How long had it been? He’d looked around for some computer or screen that could tell him what time it was, but had found nothing. He’d left his room once more, exploring the other four doors he’d seen down the corridor – besides the practice – the one to the left of his room led to a simple bathroom, the one to the right to a proper bedroom, he figured it was the doc’s. There was nothing out of the ordinary about it, except that it also lacked a window. Across the doc’s room was the kitchen; he noted it seemed to have a rather old-styled stove, something that had lacked at Oren’s place. Maybe some people there did cook after all.

  Oren... how much longer would it be? He hoped he’d be alright... and that he wouldn’t be too angry still. Oh, he understood his anger, but how could he have left him here all on his own? Hopefully he wouldn’t try to send him away. Hopefully his mother hadn’t been right in that Oren had wanted to leave him... Wei shook his head at these thoughts and continued exploring.

  At the end of the corridor, the door was locked. He paused in front of the practice on the way back, but could hear no sounds from inside.

  He cursed inwardly and returned to his room.

  It was hard to tell the passing of time in Dimian, harder yet inside that windowless place. He started to worry when his long hair had dried. The only time he’d let it air-dry, it’d taken over three hours. He’d turned to head back out, decided to interrupt the doc this time, when the door opened. The doc stood there, her robe had a few new blood stains, but not large enough to be too worrying. His gaze still lingered on them.

  “He’s fine,” she said before Wei could ask, drawing his gaze back up. “Still out.”

  Wei nodded. “Can I-?”

  She motioned with her head, stepping out of the way. “Go.”

  Wei trotted to the practice, slowing down once inside. Oren laid motionless on that chair, the backrest tilted almost all the way flat. His shirt had been cut open; his boots were off, his ankle bandaged. He came closer, reaching to rest a hand on that heaving chest, feeling the steady rise and fall. Unconsciously, he matched his breathing to Oren’s. His gaze fell on the bandage on his arm next, on the bruise forming between his gold eye and his nose, on the dry lips. His free hand came up to stroke the orange stubble of an unshaven beard, then up to caress his hair.

  An eternity passed before those mismatched eyes opened.

  “Hey,” Wei whispered.

  Oren squinted, blinked his eyes a few times, squinted again as his eyes adapted. Caramel-gold gaze finally fell back on his. “Yo,”

  “Are you alright?” Wei asked, and when Oren tried to sit up, “Should you be-?”

  “Help me up,” he mumbled, holding out his good hand.

  Despite his complaint, Wei took it and pulled, wrapping his other arm behind Oren as soon as he could, helping him sit up.

  Oren lifted his enhanced arm, glanced at the bandages, then flexed his fingers one by one, pumping his fist a couple times. Everything seemed to respond well. He gave a look around the room. Was he testing his eye? He looked back at him and flashed one of his most charming smiles, it sent Wei’s heart fluttering. “All good.”

  Wei wondered if he really was ‘good’, but he didn’t question him. He brought his hands up to cup his cheeks. “I’m sorry.” He whispered, remembering well Oren had been annoyed with him earlier. “I know... you risked so much to send me back, but... I couldn’t. I couldn’t stay there, not after my father took you away. Not without knowing you were alright. Not... not without you.”

  Oren’s gaze softened, his hands wrapping around Wei’s to pull them back. Wei was afraid he would push him away, but instead Oren leaned in and placed a soft kiss to his lips. Leaning into that kiss, Wei closed his eyes.

  When they pulled back, Oren asked, “Gimme some room.”

  Wei obediently took a couple steps back, remaining close enough to help, as Oren slowly came off the chair and gingerly put weight on the side he’d been limping from. He tested it a couple times, then, deciding it was alright, gave a tentative step.

  “Are you sure you should be up?”

  It wasn’t Oren who answered, but the doc, who came back inside carrying a tablet. She dropped it besides one of her computers. “He’ll be fine, he’s a resilient bastard.” She turned to Oren. “Jun sends his regards.”

  “Jun?” Oren’s eyes widened. “He alive?”

  “And in the machine, it seems.” She remarked.

  Wei watched him. “You know him?”

  “Ya... he... I thought he died... I guess he sorta did.” Oren frowned. “I do owe him...”

  “Then I do too,” Wei said, holding a little closer to him “He’s the one who helped me get back.”

  “Via pod-” the doc chided.

  Oren pulled back slightly, brows raising. “Ya brought a working pod here?” he asked, looking from one to the other.

  Wei was just opening his mouth to try and defend himself, when the doc spoke up again.

  “I have a confession,” She announced. “I’ve just made a deal with West Tower.”

  Oren’s wide eyes looked back at her. “Y’all gone bonkers or somethin’? Can ya people give a guy a break?”

  She snorted in amusement, crossing her arms on her chest. “It was for the best. I told them about the pod in exchange-”

  “Ya lost yo mind-?” Oren started.

  It was Wei’s turn to look from the doc to Oren. He couldn’t say his encounter with the West Tower had been particularly nice, but he didn’t understand why the pod issue was such a big deal.

  “As I was saying-” the doc said, louder to cut him off. “I told them about the pod in exchange for your safety. That means you two ungrateful little bastards can go home as soon as you’ve gathered your wits and the rain stops.”

  “And ya believe them?” Oren asked, holding Wei a little tighter.

  “I believe so long as they can get there before Reapers, or that they can get it back from Reapers, then it should be fine.” She shook her head. “Look, Oren, I know you don’t like them, you have a point in that they’ve been very violent in the past, but-”

  “In the past?” Oren snorted, recalling his recent encounter with them, but not bringing it up. “There ain’t no but, doc. They’s too violent.” Oren let go of him, and Wei let him, unsure if he should meddle in an argument he knew little about.

  “They’re only violent when the rest of their methods fail.” The doc said. “I think with Jun having a connection to both places now, and with the pod, we can all really get somewhere.”

  Wei hesitated, licking his lips, and tentatively said, “I think the doc has a point.”

  Oren frowned, turning back at him. “Whaddaya mean?”

  “Well, if Jun can hack into both worlds... and with an easier way to get to Taizhou...”

  Oren stared at them as if they’d lost their heads. “Y’all lost it.” He said, looking at Wei worriedly. “Ya don’t know what yo’s messin’ with.” He turned back to the doctor next. “And ya can do whatever ya want, doc, but I ain’t messin’ with that shit.”

  Oren started towards the door, grabbing his boots on the way out.

  Wei hesitated again, then hurried after him.

  ***

  Oren made it to the extra room, tossed his boots aside, and reached in the closet for a new shirt. He was putting it on when Wei hurried inside. Oren watched him from the corner of his eye. Of course he was happy to see Wei, even if he was a little pissed off he’d risked coming back down just to see him. He’d been safe as could be, after all. And now... now he was talking nonsense about siding with West Tower?

  “Oren.” Wei said softly, lingering at the doorway.

  Oren punched his way into the jacket. “Ya ain’t got a clue about West Tower.”

  “Maybe,” Wei said after a brief thought, moving closer to rest his hand on Oren’s arm. “But I do think Dimian should be shown to
everyone above.”

  Oren pulled back and sat heavily on the cot. He sighed, looking down at his hands. The doc had done a good job on his bruised one, he mused, running his fingers over scraped knuckles. In just a few hours all the scrapes would be fully healed.

  “I don’t want ya t’mess with West Tower.”

  “Okay.” Wei came to him, sitting on the cot by him and reaching for his hands. “Then we won’t mess with them. But thanks to the doc, we can go home.”

  Oren looked up at him, finding those vibrant green eyes fixed on him, brows furrowed in worry. He held those hands back, rubbing them gently. “Bǎobǎo...” he sighed, “Ya don’ like it here, and I ain’t allowed there... Where is home?”

  “Home is where you are,” Wei said with a small smile, not skipping a beat on his answer.

  No doubt. No hesitation. Oren gazed into those eyes searchingly. When had this happened? When had they fallen so deeply for each other? He’d not even had time to realize it, and yet, the feelings were there. If given a chance, even if it’d meant giving up his freedom and staying in Sky City, he wouldn’t have been able to leave Wei on his own any more than Wei had.

  He let go of his hands to bring Wei in a tight hug.

  “I jus’ don’t want ya hurt,” He whispered.

  “I don’t want either of us hurt,” Wei said, nuzzling against his neck.

  Oren chuckled weakly. “Guess we’s agreein’ then.” He teased, pulling back enough to kiss his lips once more. He tugged, trying to bring Wei to sit on his lap, but the man was not expecting it and Oren ended up with him half sitting, half falling in him.

  “What are you-?”

  “C’mere,” Oren chuckled.

  He tugged, and Wei obediently settled on his lap this time, cheeks taking a lovely red. He brought his hands up to stroke them, his lips closer to kiss them, getting a shy nuzzle in response. He moved his caresses down his shoulders, pulling slightly at the collar to caress some skin, and leaning to place a kiss there. His hands moved lower then, stroking firm arms, then down and around his back.

  A smile came to his lips when Wei lost some of his shyness to rest his hands on his chest, then started caressing as well, one came up to run through his short hair and finally settle on the back of his neck; the other down, lingering.

  “I... was so scared for you.” Wei whispered, seeking his lips again. “I thought you’d left me, and then... I thought- I thought he’d-”

  Oren pulled him closer, shushing him with another kiss. “I’s fine. I’s here.” He whispered between kisses, stroking the length of his back soothingly.

  Wei’s hand massaged his neck gently, nodding against him. “So... what... are we going to do?” He looked up, resting his forehead against Oren’s.

  “I guess... if my place’s safe, we can go back there.” Oren confirmed, nuzzling a bit now and again, continuing the soothing caresses. “But ‘bout Wes Tower...”

  “I know,” Wei sighed. “I haven’t forgotten what they did to us. To you. Or how scared I was... but... I think we should help bring Dimian to light.”

  Oren licked his lips, then sighed, pecking Wei’s. “I don’ like ‘em. I don’t like the way they handle things. But... I’d like to see it the day Dimian is recognized...”

  With another sigh, Oren leaned back, not having to go too far to rest his back against the wall, as the cot was narrow. He pulled Wei along to rest against him, and stroked his hair, back and arm in a soothing motion. They were silent for a good moment. At length, Oren spoke up again.

  “I guess, if they ain’t violent, I could do a few runs for ‘em. And I guess, if ya ain’t in danger, ya could give ‘em some info. But right now, wha’ I really want, is to just have some peace and quiet with ya.”

  Wei chuckled a bit too, nuzzling. “Some peace and quiet sounds good right about now,” he agreed softly, wrapping both arms tight around him.

  Oren liked the feel of Wei’s warmth against him, welcoming his hold, yet he could’t help but worry still. Dimian was nothing like Wei was used to.

  “Are ya sure you ain’t gonna regret this?” he asked softly.

  “I might miss my family, even after all they’ve done. And I might miss my easy life, even if... I found it rather dull.” Wei said honestly, looking up. “But I love you. I want to be with you, no matter where that is.”

  Oren did not ask again. He kissed his lips and whispered a soft “Love ya, bǎobǎo.” He stroked the soft long tresses of hair, smiling. “Les’ wait out the rain n’ go home.”

  Chapter 15

  Oren’s hand grasped a pole and he skidded down the damp streets, making a sharp turn into a narrow alley, and out the other end, pushing his way past the sea of people and across the street, bursting right through one of the many nondescript doors, and coming to a halt at the foot of the stairs, going so fast he nearly slipped and fell face first against one of the steps. He grabbed the railing to straighten himself up, and trotted up and up, until he reached the apartment and once more burst through that door.

  He was greeted by the TV, some news droning on and on about the latest meeting between West Tower and the Taizhou Council to attempt to come to some form of agreement.

  And by a yelp and a “Shit!”

  “Whoa there, bǎobǎo! Language!” he joked, chuckling mirthfully.

  Wei had never been one to curse much before, but the longer he’d spent in Dimian, the more he’d been catching the colorful local tones.

  “Must you always burst through the door like the place’s on fire?”

  He’d been looking more and more like he belonged too; though his beauty remained unparallel to Oren’s eyes. Even when he was glaring daggers at him, as he was right then.

  “How else would ya kno’s me?” He grinned, walking up to his boyfriend.

  Wei’s fists came to his hips, he could look a little menacing when he wanted to, Oren mused. “Be thankful I wasn’t holding anything this time. How many plates have I broken with you scaring me like that?”

  “More than ‘nuff,” He reached up to run a hair through his lover’s hair. Most of it remained long, but he’d gotten an undercut on the left side of his head about a month back, and it gave him a rougher, Dimian-style look. He rather liked it. “Sorry, bǎobǎo. I’ll try n’be more careful.”

  “Yeah, you better,” Wei grumbled. His arms wrapped around Oren’s shoulders, pulling him closer. “All done with your run?”

  Oren nodded, leaning in to nuzzle nose to nose when he did, smiling. His arms wrapped in turn around his waist. “I’s all yours now.”

  Wei’s hand stroked his short orange hair, and those pouting lips curved into a small smile. “All mine?”

  “All yours.” Oren chuckled again, shifting his hold low under his lover’s butt, and in a swift motion, lifting him up. Though Wei yelped again and clung tighter, his legs automatically wrapped around Oren’s waist, and he let a soft melodic laugh. Oren backed him against the nearest wall, holding him securely, and planted a passionate kiss to his lips, which Wei responded to eagerly. Tongues met in a match for dominance which, as usual, Wei ended up conceding to with a soft pleased sound.

  They were panting when they parted from the kiss, bodies pressing tight, already responding to the heat.

  “Maybe I’ll forgive you the fright, then.” He whispered, smiling.

  Oren snickered, but had a moment hesitation. “Ya sure ya ain’t gotta help the doc t’day?”

  Wei rose a brow “Does it matter as long as it’s not right now?”

  He smirked. “It matters. But I guess I can still fuck ya senseless ‘fore ya go... and then mabbe ya won’t wanna go.”

  Wei laughed softly. He didn’t complain when Oren shifted his hold to pull him off the wall and carry him right to their bedroom. Rather than put Wei down, Oren sat on the bed, and let Wei rearrange himself to saddle his hips properly. Those slender fingers barely waited to come unzip his neon-orange and black jacket and push it off. Oren helped remove it, and his shirt too
. His strong body had a few new scars, those he’d gotten protecting his lover, which Wei’s fingers traced gently. Not to let him dwell on the past, Oren pulled Wei’s top off, and settled for undoing his pants.

  Wei’s lithe body moved off him the time to remove the rest of his clothes, and then was saddling his hips once more, naked, leaning for another passionate kiss. His hand reached down to pull Oren’s need out of his pants, stroking, making Oren moan.

  “I... want... you.” Wei whispered when they parted, panting.

  Oren smirked, an arm wrapping securely around him, the other reaching on a small table by the bed, to try and get some lube.

  “You’s gotten so bold,” he taunted, making time while he opened the lube and spread a generous amount on his fingers.

  “Oh?” Wei smirked and pulled touch away. “Should I stop being so bold?”

  Oren laughed, “No way!”

  In a sudden motion he pushed Wei down under him in bed, starting to kiss his way down that soft body, tongue lapping at a nipple while his fingers sought his lover’s entrance. He teased it gently before pushing a finger past the tight ring of muscles, slowly.

  Wei rewarded him with a soft moan. His hands came up to his hair, stroked there and down his back, around again over his shoulders.

  With a finger slowly moving in and out of his lover, Oren continued placing kisses down his body, until he’d reached his groin. He licked and kissed it, and when his lover slipped a hand between them to hold himself up in offering, he took it in his mouth without more, eliciting a deep moan from Wei.

  A second finger joined the first in stretching, letting Wei thrust up to his mouth, moaning around him for added pleasure. He didn’t linger more than he needed to. Once he had his lover stretched, Oren pulled away, placing kisses back up Wei’s body, those gentle hands pushing his pants further down for him.