Author’s Note: I had quite a bit of fun with this prompt. As always, I got a bit carried away, but I’m pleased with how it turned out, and I hope my giftee is, too! Merry Christmas, everyone! ----- The Path I Took Led Underground By Izzy “It has to be done,†I keep telling myself. “He deserves to know the truth.†I’d been dreading this walk for weeks now— not the walk itself, of course. It was quiet pleasant, really, with the air warm and not too dusty, just the way I like. No, it was the destination that I’d been dreading. Not that Cactus Valley was anything terrible, at least as I remember it. That was before all the signs were thrown up, half-painted, and poorly-spelled. I chuckle to myself as the one reading ‘Research Facility for Anti-Robot Weppons’ comes into view. I know instantly who made them— who made all of this, and a pang of guilt hits me somewhere about the gut for laughing at his efforts. “He deserves to know.†I remind myself, again, because he does, and because he’s the only thing keeping me on this trek towards futility. What good will it do, to let him know where I’ve been? What I’ve been doing? I doubt he’ll even understand fully. Not that he’s not a smart man (though he’s no Einstein, that much is obvious), but hell, even I don’t understand it myself some days. “He’d want to know.†He would. No matter where I’ve been, or what I’ve been doing, he’d want to know I was alright. I’ve seen him down there on the field, shouting orders at his troops, always keeping his eyes near the back of the pack. He still expects to see me running up, toolbox in my arms, ready to go to work. But it’s not me anymore. Another Engineer has taken my place—a RED, at that, though I suppose it doesn’t really matter now. They’re all wearing red these days. Even him. Never thought I’d see the day. I feel myself halt in my steps for the millionth time, and force myself to push on, muttering that mantra under my breath. It has to be done. He deserves to know. It has to be done. --- I find him near the front lines, inspecting the mine entrance— for what, who knows. For a moment, I just stand there, taking him all in. It’s been less than a month, but it feels like years since I’ve last seen him. He looks good in red, actually. After staring at him, dumbly for the longest time, I force myself to clear my throat. I clear it a second time, louder, and then a third, until I get his attention. His hearing never was that great. One of the perils of firing rockets all day, I guess. Most people never make the connection, but it’s probably why he shouts all the time. Or not. It’s hard to tell what’s from damage, and what’s just…him. He looks stunned when he sees me. For a moment, I’m not sure he even realizes who I am. I don’t look like the RED Engineer, but then, I don’t look much like myself anymore, either. Still, there’s a spark of recognition in his eyes, and when he speaks, I know he knows me. “Dell?†“Howdy, J.†For a long time we just stand there, neither one of us daring to make a move. I, because I feel rooted to the spot. Him… maybe he feels like it’s all a dream, and that if he moves, he’ll wake up in his cot, and none of this will ever have happened. I’m starting to wish that were true. “Is it…it’s really you?†He chokes out. “Yeah. It’s me.†I nod, scratching at my head for lack of anything else to do, aside from stare at him some more. His eyes follow my hand, and they widen, and for a minute I wonder why. “You’ve got-“ “Yeah.†I nod again, dropping my hand. I’d forgotten already. “…Looks nice.†He smiles a little, and I thank him. I’m not sure which new feature he’s referring to, but I thank him all the same. Tentatively, he steps forward, and I do my best to smile. I am grateful that it was him to make the first move, but at the same time, all I want to do is turn tail and run. It’s not too late. He still doesn’t know. He’s seen me. He knows I’m alright. That’s enough, isn’t it? He deserves to know. Tell him, you selfish coward. “Dell…I…†He tries, only a few feet from me now, but the words die on his lips. The gap between us is closed in an instant, his beefy arms lifting me up in the biggest bear hug possible. I can hear him laughing joyously, over the sound of my own asphyxiation, until he lets me down again. He’s all talk, now, going on about how he’s missed me, and how worried everyone was, and how now those robot sons of bitches won’t stand a chance against them. I force the knot in my throat down, and croak, “Jane, stop.†Surprisingly, he does. Damnit. I had half-hoped he’d keep going on, so I wouldn’t have to do this. “I…I got somethin’ I need to tell you.†“Can’t it wait?†He asks, one hand still clinging to my sleeve, as if I’ll turn into ash and blow away on the breeze any second. Don’t I wish. “Come on, you’ve gotta come back to the base- the men will be thrilled to see you back!†He starts leading me towards the base, but I force his grip loose with a strength he seems surprised to see from me. “What’s wrong?†I pause, just staring up at him, and I wonder how big the gap between us used to be. Damnit, I’d rehearsed and rehearsed this, and now I can’t remember my lines at all. What the hell am I doing here? It’s not too late to run. Seeing me is enough. He knows I’m alright. He repeats the question, and I pause again, before finally replying, “Everything.†And damnit, the look he gives me nearly breaks my heart. “Can we just…sit down for a bit?†He nods, and pulls up a pair of crates for us- one labelled dynamite, and the other bananas. Knowing our employers, probably neither is a safe bet, but I take the banana crate anyway. We sit there for a time, him waiting eagerly for me to begin, and me wondering just how to. “Reckon I’d better just…start at the beginning, then…†* * * * * * When I’m done, he’s still staring down at the dirt, and I find myself praying for him to say something- anything that isn’t ‘You’re lying, this is all a joke, right? Good one, Dell. You’re hilarious.’ I’ve had enough of him denying the truth I’m telling him. It’s hard enough to get through this without him trying to talk me out of reality after every other sentence. The silence between us is deafening. It feels like an eternity before he finally breaks it. “So this whole time?†It’s less of a question, and more him confirming the fact that I’m a no-good traitor, as if it needed confirmation. “…yeah.†I utter, quietly. “Why?†Finally he looks up, but I have to look away, because I know I can’t answer him. I don’t mean I don’t know the answer. He just wouldn’t understand. No one could— not until they found themselves in my shoes. There’s no other way to know what it’s like. “Why?†He presses, rising now, and I hold my breath, waiting for the crate to explode. But it doesn’t, and I find myself torn between relief and regret. “Dell, why?†He comes around to stand in front of me, and a month ago, I know he would have had to drop to one knee to look me in the eye. He doesn’t have to do that anymore. I wish that didn’t feel as good as it does. I stay silent, and I can feel his confusion turning to anger for it. “Damnit, Dell, just tell me why! Just tell me you had a good reason, and we can just…†Just what? Go back to the way things were? Likely. He exhales, loudly, through his nose, and takes a step back. “You were just gone so long. I…I was worried, Dell.†He admits. “Nobody knew what had happened to you. We thought you’d been abducted by those robots, or maybe you’d gotten hurt somewhere.†He sits back down, and I hold my breath again, until I’m sure he’s not going to explode in front of me. “I didn’t know what to do without you.†Finally, I meet his gaze, schooling my expression as best I can. “You made out alright. Kept everyone in one piece.†I shrug. He had done well. As poorly-done as Decoy was, it had been his idea, and a damn good one at that. The robots were still dumb enough to keep trying here, and until someone further up the line— someone with an organic brain— realized the truth, by then their defenses at the actual headquarters would be solidified. “Would’ve done better with you with me.†He frowns, kicking a little piece of robot shrapnel in the dirt, scooping to pick up the gold coin that was trapped under it. “So you… you’re the reason they run on this?†He gestures to the coin, and I shrug again. “I keep ‘em runnin’ on it, but it wasn’t my idea.†I would have gone with something more conventional, like coal, or gasoline. Smart as I am, even I can’t figure out why anyone would pick it as a fuel. “How?†He asks, fingering the coin. “It’s a complicated process. Would take all day to-“ “I don’t mean that.†He flings the coin down into the dust. “How did he get you to do it? What did he give you?†I swallow. The one question I’d been hoping he wouldn’t ask. I know I could lie, and he’d probably accept it. A lie was certainly easier than the truth, in this situation. Much less complicated, too. But then, the truth was already plainly visible, on my head, and my hand, and in…well, nearly everything about me, now. We’d all been exposed to a certain extent, and had been warned of the symptoms, but not one of us had ever gone this far. “Reckon you can figure what I’ve been given.†I reply. It’s easier than stating the truth outright. “So, what? All of this, for…for a stupid rock?!†He shouts, giving my shoulder a shove. We’ve gone from denial to anger, now. It’s time to go. “I should have known you wouldn’t understand.†I shake my head, getting up from the box. “Don’t you start with me, Dell!†He shoves me again, back onto it. “You let down your company, your friends, your country! And…and you let me down, Dell. All for…for what?†“I’m leaving.†I state firmly, and he tries to shove me back, but I’m ready for him this time, and hold my arm up to stop him. He tries again, to the same result, and I walk past him, up the side of the building, and towards the seemingly-empty desert. “Dell!†He shouts after me, but I don’t stop. I can’t. I’ve done what I set out to do. He knows the truth now, and he hates me for it. I can’t say I don’t blame him, but still, it stings. I can still hear him calling out to me, until I disappear behind a hoodoo, and slip into the secret door there. I shut it behind me, blocking out all sound; Blustering sands, coyotes, and him, still shouting after me, though I can’t hear it. Pausing for a moment against the cool metal, I sigh, before I take the stairs down, heading deep into the earth. * * * * * * After a few hours spent sulking in my bunk, I force myself to get up and start working. For a while, I just fritter away time on general maintenance, and a few blueprints that end up being more doodle than design. At one point I catch myself sketching out a car that could have saved Kennedy. Really, the giant cowcatcher on the front, and the rocket launchers aren’t necessary, but I keep them anyway. “The robots are here! Protect the facility!†Well that’s one voice I’ll never miss taking orders from. Sighing, I put the pencil down, and wheel my chair over to the monitor. I already know what to expect from this wave. On the other monitor I can their ranks lining up in the storage container, atop of the hill. Looks like about 50, maybe 60 Scouts, some Heavy bots, and a dozen Demos. It’ll probably be over in an hour. “Move out, men!†There he is, at the head of the pack, leading his troops as always. He stops a few yards from the mine entrance, and shouts more orders at them. Without even realizing it, I’ve straightened up in my seat, and I almost rush off when he yells “GET MOVING! Here they come!†“I’mma comin’, I’mma comin’!†hollers a voice from the base. The RED Engineer comes up running, toolbox tightly grasped in his arms. Amateur. He should have been setting up ten minutes ago. “Come on, Engie, let’s get you set up.†Sol smiles— actually smiles!— and helps him with the toolbox, covering him from robot fire until he’s got his nest up and running. He never did that for me. Of course, he never had to, but…still, there’s something in it that makes me angry. I just look at the other Engineer’s nest and… For the first time in my life, I want to destroy, instead of create. And god help me, I’m gonna wreck that poor-excuse-for-an-Engineer’s day. * * * * * * “Jesus Christ, is this over yet?!†Scout skids in the dirt, ducking behind a barrel, hoping for a few minutes to catch his breath. “We’ve only been at it for ten minutes, runt.†Sniper grumbles, working hastily to repair his broken bow. “Don’t call me runt, geezer.†He sticks his tongue out, before taking a swig from the older man’s canteen. “How’re we doin’, anyway? Clear to make a cash grab?†He asks. “Hang on.†Sniper pokes his head out, getting his answer seconds later in the form of a little blue laser light, and a bullet through the skull. “Ah, shit. Sniper down!†“Zhis is no good! Ve need to fall back!†Medic pants, shouting to be heard over his meat-shield’s artillery. “Nyet! Doktor is big worry-man!†Heavy merely laughs. “I am not! You’re going to run out of ammo soon, and zhen…†He falls silent when the gun stops making its customary roar, and only emits a series of click-click-clicks. “…Scheisse. Fall back!†“Doktor, wait!†Heavy calls, but is too late. Both fall to a series of Scout bots, all coming in from the sides, now. “Damn these overgrown soup cans!†Soldier growls, refilling his rocket from the Engineer’s dispenser. “They just keep coming!†“It’ll be over soon, Sol.†He promises, swinging his wrench for all he’s worth. “We just gotta hold… hey, what’s that sound?†A tic-tic-tic slowly gets louder, and louder, until the terrible source comes into view over the hill. “What in the name of god is that?†“I don’t know, but I’m killing it! CHAAAAARGE!†He leaps down from the building, shovel and shotgun at the ready, hurling obscenities at the faceless object. He’s surprised when the robot runs right past him, making no sort of an attack. For a moment, he dismisses the bot as cowardly. But then it plants itself up on the Engineer’s roof, and things go bad very quickly. * * * * * * “Man, you shoulda seen it! Took on all those hunks of metal by myself, easy-peasy. You guys woulda been impressed.†“Little man destroys bridge. Robots cannot cross. Is not so impressive.†“Hey, fuck you, man! It was fucking genius!†“Was Engineer’s idea.†“Who told you?!†“You just did.†“….yeah, well…I’m eating your sandwich!†For a minute there, I thought it was really over. Thought Decoy would be nothing but a crater in the ground— well, more of a crater than it already is. Part of me’s a little glad they managed to hang in there. “Hey Sol, did you see what I did?†“Did I see that you destroyed company property? Why, YES I DID.†“…it was Engie’s idea, I swear!†I chuckle. Scout was always a pain in the ass, but I had to admit, it was a lot funnier watching him be a pain in the ass to everyone else. My smile falls when I see Soldier walking away from the rest of them, crossing the temporary bridge/ladder, heading towards the mine shaft again. Everyone else is going in for dinner. Why isn’t he? With shifty eyes, he looks around the field, before creeping up the stairs into one of the buildings. I have to cycle through a few of the cameras until I find one close to him. He’s in a dusty old room, which in this part of the world is not the best series of descriptors. In one corner is a bucket of white paint, and a few abandoned attempts at signage. In another is a small mattress, with a worn brown blanket piled up on it. I remember him ordering Heavy to haul it out there, after a particularly long wave had extended into the night. It wasn’t perfect, but it gave them all a place to lie down and rest their eyes for a bit, without having to take them off the battlefield entirely. If he were tired, he’d just go sleep in his cot in the barracks. Why is he here? With a sigh, he sits on the bed, propping himself up against the folded blanket. He shuts his eyes, and for a minute, I think he’s fallen asleep, until he speaks. “Dell…†His hand wanders south, and I feel a blush creep to my cheeks. Embarrassed, I shut off the camera. Well…at least now I know what he was doing. It’s not something I should be embarrassed about, really. We were sort-of together for close to a year, and had done pretty much everything two fellers can do together. But that had been a while ago. We’d stopped seeing each other in that way for a few months before I left. Had he been thinking about me since then? “Dell…†I jump. Was that in my head, or-? “Yeah, Dell. God…want you…c’mere…†No, I’m definitely hearing this. Damn fool that I am, I’d shut off the camera, but hadn’t shut off the sound. “Oh fuck yeah, just like that, ohhh…†I can hear his zipper coming undone now, and he groans again. I feel my overalls grow a little bit tighter, hearing him swear like that. I’m no blushing schoolgirl, but there’s just something about it when he says ‘Fuck’ that gets me hard. He spits into his palm, and I hear him moan as the familiar sound of him pumping away at himself echoes through the room. I can picture it, even without the video, but something in me compels my hand to turn the dial, and bring him back onto the screen. And he’s there, as I knew he would be: legs spread wide, one hand on the mattress propping him up, the other working steadily at his hard, leaking cock. These high-definition cameras were the best investment I’ve ever made. “Oh, Dell, yeah, faster, faster!†he begs, hand answering the pleas without hesitation. I gulp, and my own hand starts to move downwards now, kneading at my hardening member through the cloth of my overalls. In no time, I’m moaning just like him, and shucking off my clothes as quickly as I can, to catch up. He’s moved, now, to lie down on the mattress, both hands busy below. I find myself swearing to the screen, telling him to spread his legs a little wider. He does, remarkably, but not because I’ve told him to. After sucking on one of his fingers for a minute, he brings it back down, to press into himself ever-so-slightly. The sight alone could finish the old me off— hell the thought alone sometimes did— but working down here with it, I’ve changed. My stamina’s better—not just in this, but in all aspects. What used to get me worn out and huffing is like a walk in the park to me now. I almost wish I could finish as quickly as I used to, because in no time, he’s done, and cleaning himself up, and I’m left with nothing but an empty screen and my own imagination to finish up to. It doesn’t take too long. What I’m left with, though (aside from a mess on my left hand), is a sickening sense of guilt. I’d been the one to suggest we take a bit of a break those many months ago. At the time, it had been purely out of physical necessity; Sol can be a bit rougher in bed than he means to be. As time went on, though, I remembered how much I had missed having my own space. I certainly have it now, and part of me loves it. I’m free to do what I want, when I want, and there’s no one getting in my way. Part of me feels awful dang lonely sometimes, though. Was he really waiting all this time, hoping we’d get back together like that? My gut starts twisting with guilt again, and I quickly clean myself up, and get back to work. What I need right now is a distraction, and a dang good one. I work at my blueprints for a while again, until a particular one starts giving me trouble, and I know it’s time for another dose. I hate thinking of it like that, but it is like a drug, I suppose. Keeps me fit, and healthy, and mentally alert. Hell, my brain’s probably never been so active as when I’m around it. The metal safe opens with a creak, and I wonder, briefly, why I haven’t fixed that yet. Too much to do, I suppose. “C’mere, darlin’.†I smile, and stroke the gold-tinged bar with my gloved hand, before bringing it out onto my workbench. It’s not out from its hiding place for five minutes before I start feeling that warm glow, and my brain starts going into overdrive. The next hour is a blur of blueprints, and by the time I put the metal away, I think I may have designed a car that converts into a submarine, an automatic clothesline, and at least thirty different types of hats. All in all, it’s been a good day. Aside from the business with the Soldier, of course. I suppose I can’t avoid the topic forever. Sooner or later I’ll have to start thinking about him again. Thinking about what to do. He hates me, but he still wants me. He’s angry, but he’s lonely. He’s a soldier, a leader, a bloodthirsty (or in this case, oil-thirsty) killing machine, but he’s still a man with needs. The same needs as me, I’ll admit. Now, it may just be the Australium talking, but I think I’ve got myself an idea. * * * * * * In the morning, I head out again, and wait for him near the mine shaft. I’ve got a few hours before the wave starts. Should be enough time. If he’d only show up… “Soldier? Vhere are you going?†I hear Medic call from the base. “Early-morning patrols!†he answers. “I’ll be back, doc.†With every crunch in the dirt, I feel the invisible hand clutching my heart squeeze just a little bit tighter. It gets worse once he comes into view, but disappears when he doesn’t see me, and continues up the stairs to the room where I’d watched him last night. I pause for a while, weighing my options. I could sit here, wait for him to finish up his ‘patrols’. I could leave, maybe come back later. Before I realize it, my feet have decided on the third option, and I’m already heading up the stairs to join him. I move as quietly as I can, peering around the doorway when I reach the room. He’s lying there on the mattress, as before, eyes closed, jaw slack as he pumps away at his fat length. I let out a groan at the sight. He doesn’t hear me, so I step forward, into the room. He feels the floorboards creak underneath him, and snaps his head up, surprised. “D-Dell?!†He cries out, angered, as he tries to cover himself up with the nearby blanket. “What the hell are you doing here?!†Wrapping it around his waist like a towel, he stomps over to me, nearly tripping when his pants threaten to slide down around his ankles. “Came to see you.†I reply, coming forward slowly. Smiling seductively, I slip my hand underneath the blanket. He grunts when I find the turgid flesh there and begin to stroke it, firmly. “Thought you might’ve missed me.†He grunts again as I try something creative with my thumb, but then growls, and I find myself pressed against the wall. Well, it’s going a bit faster than I expected, but I can’t say I’m disappointed. “Do you still respawn?†“Do I…what?†“DO YOU STILL RESPAWN?†“Uh…yeah?†I’d been programmed into my own system, just in case, but it worked the same as the regular system. If I were killed, I’d come back same as him. I don’t see why it- When I wake up in my bunker with a headache, and my skin still tingling with electricity, it finally occurs to me why he asked. * * * * * * It’s dark when I try again, finding him in the same room as before, but merely sitting on the mattress with his arms crossed, this time. “Came back for more, did you, traitor?†I sigh. He’s still angry, but I’m not dead yet, so at least he’s not above talking. “Look, I don’t expect you to forgive me for what I’ve done-“ “Good! Because I don’t!†He spits, pouting childishly. “Lemme finish.†I frown, and he just pouts further. “I know you’re angry with me, and I don’t blame ya. I know that I’ve betrayed you all, and that my reason for it seems…I don’t know, crazy. Stupid.†“Both.†“Both, alright.†I nod. “And I don’t expect understanding. I don’t expect forgiveness. That’s not what I came here for.†“Then what did you come here for?†He growls, striding forward to get up in my face, and for a moment, I think I’ll be heading through respawn again, but he restrains himself. “For you.†I swallow. “I didn’t have to tell you where I’d gone, what I’d done. I came here because I knew you’d want to know. I did it for your sake, Jane.†He pauses, steely blue eyes staring down into mine. “You done?†He frowns. Well, I can’t say I didn’t try. I knew he’d be angry, but I thought…hell, I don’t know what I thought. With a sigh, I nod my head, before bowing it, awaiting my fate. “Yeah, ‘m done.†“Good.†He nods, and steps away. For a minute, I think he’s going to get his shovel, or his shotgun, and finish me off that way. Instead, he drops to his knees, and starts unbuttoning my fly. “Uh….wh-huh?†I ask, articulately. “Shut up.†He orders, sliding his hand in to cup my package. I obey as best I can, only breaking orders to grunt or growl as he gets me hard, rolling my balls back and forth in his meaty fingers. “I don’t forgive you. I don’t understand how you could betray us all for a stupid hunk of metal, even if it does give you superpowers.†He’s not completely correct in that, but not completely incorrect either, and his thumb is pressing against the thick vein on the underside of my cock, and I find myself unable to respond anyway. “But goddamnit Dell, I missed you, and I still love you, and I still want to fuck your brains out, no matter what you’ve done.†Well, it’s unexpected, but I’m more than happy to go along with his wishes. Especially when he pulls me out into the air to work at me properly, before taking me into his mouth. Goddamn, when I feel that tight, wet heat around my cock, sucking me deeper and deeper into the back of his throat… it’s the only feeling into the world to rival the rush I feel around the Australium. I feel myself getting harder and harder as he moans around the length, one hand kneading and stroking my balls again, while the other moves to stroke himself through his pants. After a minute, he starts to gag on me, and pulls off, panting. Perplexed, he runs his hand up and down the shaft, and his eyes widen, astonished, as I grow harder still. I changed so gradually that I didn’t notice most of the changes to my body, but now, looking down at myself, I realize that I’ve gotten much bigger than I thought. No wonder he’s shocked. Still, he doesn’t let the new size deter him, and, after catching his breath, his mouth is back on me. First, he suckles and nips at my scrotum, tongue flicking against the space below for a bit, before he moves up again, and takes me into his mouth. He can’t take all of me in anymore, so he uses one hand to stroke what he can’t reach with his mouth. The other comes up to play with my ever-tightening sack, forgoing his own pleasure for mine, now. He works at me for probably another five minutes before he pulls off to take another breather. I’m getting pretty close, but I realize it must be slow going for him, considering our usual blowjobs are over and done with by now. “You doin alright?†I asked, my voice already hoarse from the moaning and groaning I hadn’t realized I’d been doing. “Yeah.†He nods, panting. One hand still idly pumps at me, to keep me from going flaccid, as if that was any concern. “ ‘m almost there, if you wanna keep goin’.†I nudge him, gently, stroking the back of his neck. “ ‘nother minute or two, I’ll be done.†“Yeah?†He looks up, moistening his lips with his tongue. “Alright.†A nod, and he gets back to it. I can tell he’s already worn out, but he won’t leave me disappointed. He was a crazy, reckless bastard on the battlefield, often taken action with little regard to the safety of his men, but he was never a selfish lover. Sure, he didn’t know the techniques that he currently does, and he wasn’t willing to try half of the stuff that he’d beg and plead for now, but he’d always make sure I got off somehow. I’ve missed that about him. I made myself a liar, though, and it’s almost another five minutes later before I’m close to coming. He hasn’t helped any with that- wrapping his hand tight around my shaft, holding tight to my balls when they try to draw up close. Maybe he’s punishing me for what I’ve done, but if that’s the case, hell, he can punish me all night long. “Aghhh…goddamn, J…come on….let me…†I plead, after I’ve had enough of the pleasurable teasing, and he does, loudly gulping back everything I’ve got to give him. I slump against the wall when it’s over, and he gently guides me down to sit on the floor. My legs feel like jelly, and the rest of me isn’t much better. I’d forgotten how good it feels to be with someone that’s not your own hand. “Wow.†He exhales, voice as hoarse as mine. “That…that Australium, it’s…it’s one hell of a…†“Yeah.†I finish, tugging him to rest against my side for a bit. He’s still hard, but I plan to do something about that once the rest of my body feels like cooperating. “I missed you, Dell. Missed this, too.†He pants, resting his head on my shoulder. “I did, too, J.†I murmur, one of my hands moving to cup him through his pants. Gently, slowly, I massage the hardening flesh beneath, while he begins to kiss and suck at my neck. We start to undress each other, and with every inch of my skin he reveals, there’s a newfound fascination. He seems transfixed by my chest hair, once my shirt comes off. Not that I didn’t have hair there before, but- “You cut it in the shape of Texas?†He chuckles, a rough thumb circling my nipple. “Um….no.†I blush. “Sorta…grew that way.†“Really?†He smiles, and then laughs as he nuzzles his way into it, bringing his tongue to prod at my other nipple. His hand comes up as if to cup a breast, but finds no soft flesh there, as he would have months ago. When I start touching him back is when he gets a little apprehensive. “I can…put the glove back on it, if you like.†I offer. “No, no, it’s…it’s okay.†He promises, shoulders still tense. “I just can’t believe you’d…†“I know.†I lean in to brush my lips against his. “Wasn’t quite in my right mind, I’ll admit, but I don’t regret it. Works better’n any wrench I ever had.†He reaches down to thread his fingers through my own metal ones, and slowly I can feel the tension easing out of him. “You’re so different from how you were, but…it’s still you under there, right?†“Still me, underneath all this.†I promise, giving him a smile, and we go back to kissing as we strip off the rest of our clothes. He runs his hand through my scalp, tugging at the hair there, before he pulls his mouth away. “Need a haircut, private.†I smile. “I know. Figured you’d wanna do the honors.†I bring a can of shaving cream and a razor out from my overalls pocket, and his eyes light up. “Assume the position.†He grins, and I sit on the mattress, back towards him. I know the hair will just grow back to shoulder-length in a month, maybe less, but I swear I can feel him get harder with the first pass of the razor across my head. By the time my head is bald again, he’s dripping all over the mattress. As soon as he sets the blade aside, I push him down, and start returning the favor. His own hair is neatly-trimmed, but that’s not where I’m aiming for. I cover his balls in the shaving cream, and he hisses, but he doesn’t stop me from carefully sliding the razor up one taut globe. His eyes are completely focused on the razor as I slide it over the sensitive flesh, until he’s completely bare below, save for a few puddles of pre-come. I bow my head, and start licking up the mess he’s made all over himself, and then move upwards, to take him into my mouth. He groans and swears as I swallow him back, gagging a bit from the lack of practice, but in no time it’s over. He gave me little warning, but kisses and licks the mess off my face by means of apology. “How long before you have to get back?†He asks, tugging me down for a brief cuddle. “Got all night, cowboy.†I smile. “How ‘bout you?†“Should get back soon.†He admits, and my smile falls. I really hoped we’d have more time together. “Might not…see each other for a long time, J.†I remind him, stroking his face. “I know.†He nods, and kisses my palm. He brings his own hand to caress my newly-shaved head, and I kiss his wrist back. We move from there until I’m straddling his hips, his tongue deep in my mouth. He pulls back for air, and I stare down at him, my green eyes glassy from arousal, and his gray blue eyes much the same. “Dell…†he pants. “If tonight’s all we have, then…†He reaches around, to grope my ass, one finger slipping between the cheeks to prod at my entrance. I groan, and nod fervently as he teases me. “I don’t…have anythin’, ‘cept spit.†He winces, and I wince back. We both remember the time we’d tried that. It had not been a fun evening for either of us. “Don’t worry.†I soothe, digging through the pockets of my overalls again. “I came prepared.†I toss him the little jar of petroleum jelly, and his face lights up again. “Well, aren’t you a good boy scout. C’mere.†He growls, playfully, flipping me onto my back. He shaves me down there, too, before he slicks his hand up and presses into me. We’re both rock hard by the time his fingers have loosened me up, and I echo his groan when he slides himself in. I didn’t always end up on the bottom when we were intimate, but I have to admit, I certainly missed the feel of his hard cock inside of me. He lifts my legs up over his shoulders after we’ve been going at it for a few minutes, and I practically scream with how wonderful it feels. He’s driving into me so deeply, striking every spot just so, and my brain is convinced that I’m ready to come, but my body has other plans. “Fuck…fuck…Dell, I’m gonna…†he grunts, his thrusts erratic, cock trying to just drive itself as deep into me as it can. My own twitches just from hearing him say ‘fuck’, but it’s not enough to push me over the edge. He holds me tight, groaning as he fills me with his seed, and withdraws, carefully, once he’s spent. He can see I’m still hard, though, and the second he’s caught his breath, my cock is in his mouth again. I let him work at me for a bit before I tug him away. He gives incredible blowjobs, but like he said: If tonight is all we have… “Turn around.†I order, grabbing the petroleum jelly again. He tilts his head for a second before it occurs to him what I’m going to do, and then he can’t get on hands and knees fast enough. I scrub at his tight hole with the jelly first, and then bend low to lick it up. The taste of the petroleum isn’t the best, but the sounds he makes as I probe his entrance with my tongue are well worth it. Once he’s starting to get hard again, I switch from my mouth to my hand- my flesh hand- and start stretching him out. He’s laid his head down on his arms, now, and his hips have started making little thrusts backward, pushing his ass towards me. He wants it, bad, and once I’ve gotten three fingers up in him comfortably, I’m more than happy to give it to him. “Oh god, yes! Yes, right there!†he cries, before I’m even all the way in. I chuckle, and press myself against that spot for a while, before I slide the rest of the way in. His eyes nearly roll back in his head, and his hand reaches back to grab mine. He chokes out, “How…how are you…?†“Bigger’n you remember?†I smirk, smug as the cat who ate the canary, and give him another little thrust against that spot he likes. “Oh, Dell…†he practically melts, and submits to me entirely, moving only to push his hips back against mine every so often. He’s hard again, and already making a mess when the tip of his cock drags across the mattress, but he makes no move to touch himself. “Fuck me…†he begs, tightening himself around me, and I bite my lip as I groan out loud, and give him what he wants. My brain tries to tell me I’m close to finishing again, but my body refuses to relinquish command to it. I’m nowhere near done with Jane yet. I grip his hip tight with my metal hand, and move my other below to squeeze his newly-shaved balls, and stroke his dripping cock. “Oh, please…please…†he pants, bucking into my hand. I kiss the back of his neck, and let go of his throbbing member to bring his own hand back to it. “Touch yourself.†I order, breathlessly, bringing both of my hands back to his hips. “Wanna give you the good, hard fucking you deserve.†Tentatively, he starts to pump at his own length, but his strokes become more fervent and desperate as I pull him back onto my throbbing cock over and over again, moving harder, faster, angling myself to hit that sweet spot of his every time. “Oh, Dell! Oh, Dell!†He moans, loudly, screaming a torrent of “Fuck, fuck, fuck!†as he approaches his third climax of the night. My brain is screaming that it’s time to come, and my body finally gives into it. With a supreme roar, I fill him to the brim with my come, and it’s enough to push him over the edge, too, making a sticky mess of his hand as we both ride out our near-simultaneous climax. I pull out of him, and flop down beside him on the mattress. He’s panting like he’s run a marathon, and I should be, too, but instead my breathing is even and calm. Still, the night has left us both exhausted, and sexually spent. We won’t be going anywhere for a while. Shaking, he extends his arm across my chest, and I pull him towards me, out of his wet spot. The blanket’s beside me, and I throw it over the two of us. It doesn’t quite cover us entirely. I’ve got one arm and part of my side exposed, and I think one of his legs is stuck out past the corner, but it’s enough for us. We keep each other warm. We do nothing but lie there, silently, until we both fall asleep. So much for him getting back soon. * * * * * * He rises early, and rouses me from sleep once he’s dressed. I’m still pretty groggy, so he helps me get back into my overalls, and ties my boots for me. Like old times. I really have missed this. When we’re both out on the field, I start feeling that fist around my heart again. He kisses me, and it disappears, briefly, but returns tenfold when we part without words- him heading back to his base, and me to my little bunker underground. I sit at my desk, and plunk the offensive little golden bar onto my desk, and glare at it for a while. It was all for this? For some stupid little rock? I had friends, a good job, and someone who loved me- still loves me, and I gave it all up. I gave up Scout’s burnt macaroni for dinner. I gave up playing chess with Heavy. I gave up listening to Medic’s nagging whenever one of us forgot to soak the pots and pans overnight. I gave up drinking beer, and playing my guitar along with Sniper’s banjo, by the light of the campfire and stars. I gave up a man who trusts me enough to shave his balls with a straight razor. I gave up a man I trusted to do the same. I gave up the most incredible blowjobs I’ve ever felt. The most mind-blowing sex. The warmest post-coital cuddles that could ever exist. More than that, I gave up him. Being with him. Loving him, and being loved in return. I gave all of that up. I gave up my lover, the me I used to know, and my life, all for it. Was it even worth it? I take off my glove, and stroke the bar gently, the hairs on the back of my neck already growing back, and standing up straight when the warmth washes over me. The ache in my backside heals itself almost immediately, and soon after does the same with my muscles. The hand gripping my heart disappears, and I sigh with relief. My brain starts sparking with creativity again, and I’m already designing more contraptions before I even realize I’ve pulled out another stack of paper. It might just be the Australium talking, but forty hat designs, a nuclear bunker on wheels, and a way to colonize the moon later, I decide that yeah, it’s worth it. ----- Prompt: Soldier/Engineer - MVM - Traitor!Engie reveals himself in a moment alone, can be angry, sad or desperate - themed, can end whichever way you want (wouldn't mind Last-Time Sex either).