Authors note: Wow! I really can't believe I've reached chapter 10 already :O, I want to say thank you to anyone who's reached this far too! Thank you for reading my work and supporting me! I really try my best to make creative plots and I put so much work into my writing, and I know I'm not the best writer, but I am trying to get better and to write more, so thank you for the patience, the support and the reviews because they help me keep going and its such a sweet feeling knowing someone out there is interested in your work and ideas as much as its fun to share these ideas! Sorry I'm getting emotional :(, continue to read! Thanks guys!

Chapter 10: Metal Meat

Rafe fell forward trying to escape, but the manichead specie dug its claws into his leg and pulled him back. Sam shot it twice, but the creature didn't flinch and moved its big body over Rafe aiming for his neck to immediately kill its prey.

"What the hell?! How many bullets does it take to kill those things" Sam exclaimed and shot it again, but it only paused to look at him and Rafe screamed from under it.

"GET OFF OF ME!" he shouted but its heavy palm restricted him from moving his head, Sam turned to Erol for help but the ex commander was already occupied shooting other metalheads that came at them from nowhere. Sam turned back again and shot it again aiming for its skull and the action angered the manichead. Whilst it screeched producing an ear penetrating noise Rafe quickly used Torn's dagger to slice off one of its fingers. The creature screeched louder in pain and jerked its arm back, and Adler tried to crawl away quickly, but he heard it launching itself and turned. Unintentionally he kicked his legs up to send it back, but he rolled backwards and threw it over himself instead causing it to be flung onto Sam. Adler stood up quickly panting; he touched his chest to check he was still alive in disbelief.

"Help!" Sam shouted and Rafe looked up to see his gun had dropped out of his hand; Samuel was struggling under it, his hands on its head trying to stop its sharp teeth from eating his face. Rafe directed his gun up, hesitant at first but then he shot it repeatedly, and the manic head fell on Sam lifeless. Samuel quickly kicked it back in panic and he crawled to his gun and stood back up.

"Thank you?" Sam expressed still trying to catch his breath, and Rafe smiled half heartedly, before quickly turning around to the sound of something flying at him but he'd moved just in time and the next manichead screeched abruptly causing their ears pain and Rafe punched it hard to the face, his hand ached after from its solid head armour, and he quickly drew out his dagger and stabbed it in the neck repeatedly, he finished the creature off with a kick to move the dagger out its thick skin.

Sam was beating another with a stick and the creature whimpered and tried to bite in defence but he shot it to the chest repeatedly and it fell to the ground.

Erol turned around to check if there was more but another metal head pounced on him from a tree and he fell back and closed his eyes with its knife like teeth peering over him. However Sam kicked it to the face and struck it with his gun plunging it back. A knife flew into its throat, and Sam and Erol both turned to Rafe. Adler himself looked impressed by his own skill but he tried to look smug and pretend it was meant to hit its target. Before they could celebrate there was more metal heads to take out, and Sam pulled Erol up to his feet.

Sam opened fire shooting from the hip and killing five in one go. "Take that you ugly assholes!"

Erol shot another two with his pistol hitting them straight in the chest, his aim was sharp and he knew where to shoot the manichead breed of metalheads. Though their heads were covered in metallic armour, their red complexion was vulnerable.

Rafe on the other hand preferred to use melee, cutting them up to pieces appealed to him. He sliced the tail off one of them and stabbed another in the eyeball. "Sniveling morons!" He declared pulling the dagger out the armpit of the last one. He'd gotten so carried away but it'd put him in a good mood.

Erol and Sam stared at him; his face and torso were drenched in metalhead blood. He looked like a mad man, and Samuel smiled and turned to Erol who resumed leading the way.

Rafe rubbed his nose with his index finger and then followed, grinning when he looked at the ground littered in bodies.

By afternoon they already reached the boat, however Sam and Erol wanted to rest before they moved, and Rafe sat by the water impatiently. He took off his shirt and scrubbed it trying to remove the dark fluids from it, and then he leant in and dove his full face into the fresh water.

Erol threw a bunch of logs in front of Sam. "Get some twigs too" Sam instructed.

"What are the twigs for?" Erol moaned lazily.

"To cook the bacon" Sam pointed out wondering where Erol had left his brain and the latter nodded and huffed. "You're lucky I even agreed to this, I've barely forgiven you to be doing you favours" Sam reminded and Erol smirked cheekily.

He returned shortly with a bunch in his hand and sat beside Samuel, the older Drake had started a fire and pulled open one of the packets of bacon. Erol pulled out another few from his bag and placed them beside him. "How many did you pack exactly" Samuel chuckled at the pile of bacon packets.

"As many as I could fit" Erol explained, crossing his legs and observing the way Sam pierced the piece of meat with twigs and copied him.

"You're obsessed" Sam's smile grew and Erol grinned excitedly as he watched him place the first few on the fire.

Rafe watched from the distance, pursing his lips he sat back down by the water telling himself he had no reason to care. They'd take the boat and they'd all go their own way after that. He's never cared about having friends, so why would any of it even matter. The smell of the sizzling greasy meat filled the air and Adler tried to deny how good it smelt to himself. Shortly Sam walked over with a few twig skewers, but the former tried to ignore his presence. Samuel sighed and placed them onto the shorter man's bag and walked away. Rafe turned to look at the freshly grilled goodness and told himself he still wouldn't eat it, his pride wouldn't allow it. He didn't want their stinking meat. He opened his bag and fidgeted to find something to eat but there was only a cheese salad sandwich left. He got carried away earlier. The arrogant Adler opened the packet and took a bite of the sandwich anyway. He then sighed and threw it into the water unable to ignore the mouth-watering smell of the grilled bacon that took over his smell sense. He took one of the twigs and chewed away content with its flavour. Though deep down he didn't want them to be kind to him.

Meanwhile Erol laid back his head onto Sam's lap and put another piece of meat into his mouth, taking slow bites at a time to make it last longer.

"What if he kills me in my sleep?" Sam inquired distrusting and in reference to Rafe, it didn't take a genius to figure out the closer he was to his goal the closer he would be done with him.

Erol sat up quickly and leaned close to Sam's ear. "I'd put a bullet in his head" He whispered and kissed Sam's cheek.

"Don't do that" Samuel scolded and wiped his face. Erol smiled slyly and Sam furrowed his eyes at his strange behaviour.

The trio packed once they were done and climbed aboard the small boat.

"Does anyone know how to work this thing?" Erol asked with his neck turned not even looking at the engine. His eyes were all over the shirtless Rafe and Sam pushed past him.

"Do you know how to do anything on your own?" Samuel mocked and pulled the attached rope handle to start the motor.

Rafe sat down avoiding looking at Erol leering at his bare chest. Adler almost flinched when Erol sat next to him, close enough for them to be shoulder in shoulder. There was so much space around the boat for him to sit but he failed to understand the concept of personal space. Rafe folded his arms discreetly, avoiding making it obvious that he was hiding himself, but he caught a glimpse of the smirk on Erol's face and tried to reach his top that was hanging on the opposite side to dry, but the cheeky former commander reached his leg quickly and kicked it off.

"What the hell?" Rafe shouted frustrated and leaned over the edge to get it but the boat had moved too far away for him to reach it. He turned around angrily but Erols amused smile caused him to smile too and he rolled his eyes and sat opposite him trying to dismiss his childish behaviour. Erol rested his chin onto his palm and observed purposely peeving Rafe who was trying to ignore him. Sam walked past him waving his hand in Erol's face breaking their staring game.

The rest of the journey was mostly quiet and Samuel tried to nap a while till they got there. Erol too wanted to at first, but then he changed his mind once Sam was asleep and he was left alone with Rafe. He sat aside him and the latter didn't turn to look at him regardless of being aware of his presence. Erol slipped his glove off and slid his hand onto Rafe's back and Adler trembled lightly when he felt his warm finger tips stroking his spine. Rafe turned to him with a frown and Erol nuzzled his shoulder unable to hold himself back.

"God I can't get enough of you" He confessed quietly, and Adler placed his hand on his mouth to shut him up.

"Shhhhh" He instructed, and Erol looked at him and cocked a brow. Rafe watched Sam for longer only turning back to Erol when he was certain he was fast asleep, he placed his hand on the former commander's sharp jaw and turned his face and tilted him. He didn't stop and think and went in for a kiss, his mouth on Erol's firmer than the last time. The latter's hand went to his waist immediately to move him closer to him, Rafe only took two seconds to breathe before reaching for Erol's warm moist lips. His kiss was hard and hungry to taste the other again. Erol couldn't believe how lucky he got and pulled him even closer and Rafe crawled till he was seated on his lap and easier for him to access. Adler's breathing became heavy as he ran his fingers down his back caressing his cold soft skin. Erol relaxed his head back allowing Rafe to introduce his warm hands between his orange locks before locking lips with him again. Erol's hands ran down to his lower back and before he could reach into his pants Rafe stopped him, grabbing his hands and moving them away and Erol pulled back to look at him.

"Not here dumbass" Rafe whispered giving him a light punch to the chest, before getting off him and moving back to sit where he was earlier, and Erol grinned as he glimpsed Rafe's muscular figure through half lidded eyes and Adler rolled his eyes jokingly. It all happened too fast and ended that way too. Adler thought he'd allow himself to get swept in; it was only a matter of time before he'd never see the cocky commander's smug face again. He'd blame it on curiosity later and maybe pretend it never happened too. He was fine as long as no one knew.

"You're a madman" Rafe chuckled, and Erol lay back to rest, perhaps it would calm him and stop all the bad thoughts that had come to mind. Rafe too adjusted himself on the other side hoping he wouldn't find Erol on top of him when he woke up.

Hours later Samuel woke up to check on the boat, his eyes studying Rafe and wondering why Erol's shirt was covering him whilst he slept. He turned to the topless Erol and tried to not imagine what could have happened whilst he was sleeping. He yawned and took a long stretch, content when he checked everything on the boat was working fine and he'd need it after this journey would be over. He reached his bag and searched for his cigarettes to cure his shaky hands but he was out. He searched again in denial and refusing to believe but there was none, and he tipped his bag over throwing everything out, but it wasn't going to change the truth. "Holy shit" He mumbled, grasping his head between his hands. He turned to look at Erol, his eyes lighting up, luckily he wasn't as much of a heavy smoker. Samuel reached for his bag and took out the nicotine packet, his hands cold and shaky; he struggled to light the roll up, and produced a satisfied sigh when he took out his first exhale.

Yet before he could enjoy himself his eyes caught a glimpse of the infamous crimson coloured armour. "Shit shit shit" he cursed, holding his cigarette between his lips, he quickly ran to change the direction of the boat and slow it down. Rafe was a light sleeper and woke up to the sound of movement, he was surprised to find Erol's shirt on him, hoping Sam wouldn't have gotten the wrong idea, he threw it onto the tattoo decorated snoozing commander.

He stood up, "Dammit, what are guards doing this far from the city?!" He inquired rhetorically. The shore was swarming with them and if they'd hoped to get there they would have to take a detour.

"God, I don't know, but this can't be good" Sam emphasised turning the wheel. "How far is your house anyway?"

Rafe shrugged and looked uncertain. He tried to study the island to recall the route.

"You don't know where you live?" Sam asked astonished by his cluelessness.

"No, shut up, I do… I just don't know till we get on land" He insisted anxiously.

"Pass me another cigarette" Sam requested, and Rafe glared at him wondering how he had the audacity to tell him what to do.

"Please! Unless your volunteering to drive the boat" Sam yelled irritated. You just don't mess with the older Drake when he needed his nicotine. Rafe complied, mumbling to himself like a child as he did it. He lit it for him too and placed in his mouth, and Samuel was surprised by the gesture.

"Thanks" he said, his mouth half closed to not let the roll up fall. Rafe took one for himself too lighting it to relieve the stress that had took over them both. It wasn't necessarily enjoyment but the two blew out Erol's nicotine packet while he rested peacefully.

Samuel slowed the boat down as they reached a cliff, hiding it there for them to climb to land. "Wake him up" Sam instructed, staring at the sleeping commander wondering how he wasn't waken by all the harsh movement of the vehicle.

Rafe kicked Erol for no particular reason other than it being part of his aggressive personality. "Get up moron" He called out, and Erol stretched glowering at him.

"We're here?" He declared yawning, and moving at the speed of the a turtle.

"If you're done, we have to get moving" Samuel announced saractically, and Erol was confused about the other two's nervousness.

"What happened? Why are you talking to me like that?" Erol wrinkled his brows, and Rafe grabbed him by the arm pulling him to move faster. "What? Is nobody going to explain?" Erol turned from one to the other.

Samuel huffed and paused his hiking. "There is Krimzon Guards all over the island, so we have to get moving quickly" Sam's tone of voice sounded insulting, but it was clear that he and Rafe were tense about the situation.

"Was it that hard to explain?" Erol asked rudely, and pulled his arm out of Rafe's grasp. "Do you mind pretty stuff" His tone of voice sounded aggravated had he not followed it up with the sweet talk and Rafe out stared him creepily.

"Well then get moving" Adler instructed with his unchanging dead tone, and Sam huffed before they resumed walking.

Flowergirly~

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