It was a long few cold weeks. Nick threw himself into his work, returning little things for people he knew wouldn't care either way. It was better than half expecting that familiar shadow darkening his door, whatever passed for his heart skipping a beat or two, and a cold heaviness would settle somewhere in his chest whenever anyone pulled the door open, feeling something like fear and something like anticipation. He knew it wasn't going to happen, could tell himself over and over that it was done. He was done.
Quiet snatches of stories carried on the wind suggested everything Kellogg had said was the truth. Nora had gotten to the Institute, had agreed to join them for everything. Nick had turned away from these rumors, still somehow knowing they were true.
It was funny in a horribly ironic way. Nick knew this meant the Commonwealth would be changed, regardless of what choices she would make. It wasn't much difference, but he knew whatever would happen would be what Nora wanted. Maybe that was good.
Ellie was hesitant around him, he noticed. She didn't look at him the same way, and he was sure he knew why. She saw him broken, torn to pieces, forced open and fucked mercilessly. He knew it changed how she saw him, how he had been destroyed.
"Of course I'm worried for him, Chandra!" Ellie crossed the room, antsy on her feet as she paced. "You didn't see how he looked. How… I found him." Her hand flew to the hollow of her throat, still recalling how he had been draped like a broken doll in his seat, covered in fluids . She was adult enough to know what it was, the thick white liquid mixing with the opaque color of coolant, and it distressed her to know there were things about Nick she wasn't aware of, that she caught a glimpse of something darker beneath the surface. He was hiding more than just his injuries from her, and it scared her far more than it hurt.
"Do you trust him?" Dr. Amari took her hands, getting her to pause her walking. Ellie opened her mouth to respond, but stopped, pressing her lips together tight.
"Yes, I guess I do. He's an adult, he can handle himself, but…"
"But you said it yourself. You can't force him to listen to you, no matter how much you want him to."
She stopped, mulling over her words. "You're right."
Dr. Amari released her hand, and clasped Ellie's arm in a comforting way, before she pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead. "Come on, you're all worked up. I think a drink is in order."
"Mm." Ellie gave a monosyllabic reply, not looking at her.
Nick settled in his seat and shrugged out of his coat, legs stretching beneath his desk. He found himself rereading the same line over and over again, not at all taking in any of it. He let out a breath and let the paper sag down against the flat surface. It was a short moment of decision before Nick tilted his hat down over his eyes and folded his hands over his stomach, hoping to catch a few minutes of rest before the next big case. It had been a quiet day anyway. He guessed that's what happened when the Institute was looming bigger now more than ever. Nobody wanted to take that on. He understood why.
He closed his eyes.
A hand was at his throat in an instant, hot, squeezing his breath away. He gasped, struggling to draw a breath, lungs clawing at his throat. He whined, body reacting in a way he hadn't felt for a while. It was a line of heat delving straight down to his cock, and he could feel his erection stirring. Nick groaned, and it came out like a growl, his throat folding beneath the welcome touch of the hand tightening around his neck. A mouth was forced onto his own and he tore at the assailant's shoulders; Nick was crushed back against the wall, everything being taken from him as he moaned, body so open to being touched so roughly. He leaned back against the wall, his legs shoved apart. The stretch made his thighs ache, but it was only seconds later that he felt his trousers shredded apart and, oh, a burning heat surrounded his cock, wet and tight, teeth scraping down the length of his erection. His hands flew to grasp at his mysterious assailant's head, scrabbling at nothing. He moaned, the mouth on his swiping a sweltering tongue across his teeth, their tongues meeting in his mouth.
A ragged cry was torn from him as he felt something thick and hot shove inside him. Nick's mouth fell open as he breathed, panting hard. He whined, a low keening sound. Nick needed more. He bowed his head, rocking between the mouth on his erection and the burning cock in his ass. The mouth on his was back, biting at his lips, drawing his bottom lip into their mouth and sucking on it hard enough to make him see stars.
All at once it was gone, and then he was slammed down against his desk, the edge of it digging into the top of his hips. He couldn't rock back against the intrusion being thrust into him, and that drove him crazy. That one point of touch had him writhing, each breath a sob and he begged. "O-oh, god, Kellogg please."
The hands that were all over him left for another second, and then he was turned over. That voice rumbled in his ear, their chests touching, he could feel the vibration as he spoke: "Never had anyone call me god before."
Nick felt his knees pushed apart, two hot hands on the underside of his thighs. He was bent almost in half, and a familiar weight was on top of him. Nick's fingers laced behind the assailant's head, pulling their mouth against his. He all but screamed, body spasming around the intrusion as he came, arching up so hard he knew he would be sore.
He opened his eyes, realizing with a snap where he was, and noting the sticky heat in the front of his trousers. It was just a dream. He heaved a sigh, panting. His hair was sticking to his forehead and he felt hot still, as he let his head fall back against his shoulders.
Nick closed his eyes tight, running his hands down his face. He took a breath and let it out slow, wondering what the hell happened to him that he was dreaming about fucking Kellogg now, after he swore to himself he would never go back. Kellogg felt the same, a bitter anger, Nick was sure. He hadn't shown his face around the office, but even so, thoughts of the mercenary were never far from the forefront of his mind. Much to Nick's detriment. No matter how hard he tried to push those thoughts away.
He pulled off his hat, throwing it down on his desk, and his arms followed, dropping onto the flat surface. Nick buried his head in the crook of his arm, letting out another sigh. He hated himself, his subconscious for supplying the memories, the thoughts of the mercenary that haunted him so badly.
Nick shifted, his pants still wet and now cooling. He rolled his hips back against the seat of the chair. It felt so real. He could still feel the thrum of arousal peaking somewhere in his belly, and he started to grow hard again.
He covered his face in his hand, unzipping his fly. The sensation of air around his sensitive erection drew a gasp, and his other hand curled around his cock. He was stroking slowly, rocking his hips toward his own touch. Nick bit down on his bottom lip as he moaned, already so sensitive. His breath caught in his throat and he struggled to keep his voice down, not hearing the office door open. Nick leaned further forward, hips pistoning into his hand as he lost himself over to the pleasure. The image his mind conjured up was something he never would have expected when he looked up to the door.
"I'm still dreaming, aren't I?" Nick breathed, leaning back in his seat as he kept stroking himself.
"This something you usually dream about?" Kellogg crossed his arms over his chest, cocking his hip to the side as he leaned against the door frame. Nick didn't answer, but the coloration of his face was answer enough, and the mercenary started to laugh low in his throat. "Having fun?"
Nick came with a shout, hips pumping against his hand. He blinked again, realizing with a sinking feeling that it wasn't his imagination, and his face burned. "What are you doing here?"
"Interrupting you, clearly." Kellogg sauntered toward him, and Nick closed his eyes, half expecting a biting remark.
When none came he looked up at Kellogg and the grin that cut across his face widened. "Missed me?"
Nick put himself away, and clenched his hands into fists, turning his flushed face. "No. You're not supposed to be here. I made it clear I never wanted to see you again."
"Did you think I'd keep my word? C'mon, Valentine, do you really ?" Kellogg took a step that carried him closer to Nick's desk. He was craning his neck to catch a glimpse of Nick's groin, and laughed low again when he noticed the wet spot in his pants.
Nick's brow furrowed, and his voice was tense. "You really are in love with me, aren't you."
"Is that the only conclusion you jump to? Put your detective brain to work." Kellogg leaned down, hands splayed on the desk in front of him. "Maybe I just like fucking you. Maybe you're just so good that I can't stop. And you don't want me to stop."
Nick leaned up, their faces almost touching. "I want you to stop right now."
He paused, eyes settling half closed, his lips almost brushing Nick's. "Do you now?" Nick's head tilted back, letting Kellogg's knuckles skim the edge of his cheek.
"What if I told you I needed you right now?" Nick let his voice drop low, and the gold of his eyes flicked to Kellogg's face, meeting his own heavily lidded brown eyes. "I don't want you," his mouth brushed Kellogg's chapped lips, and his breath came out shaky. "I need you."
"Sounds like you don't want me to stop after all." Kellogg laughed, lifting Nick's chin and pressing their mouths together. Nick's fingers caught at the mercenary's collar, hands like claws reeling him in closer. Nick moaned, and he set a knee on top of the desk. Kellogg's hand slid up the side of his thigh, catching on his belt. He grabbed hold of him, tugging Nick close. The detective panted, moving with him. Kellogg's fingers slipped between his legs, massaging at his flaccid cock beneath his pants. He groaned, rolling his hips toward the touch. Kellogg trailed his mouth along the side of his throat, and Nick gasped aloud. His face burned, and he grabbed at the mercenary's shoulder. Kellogg's hand forced his legs apart, and he obliged, winding his leg around Kellogg's own, crooking his knee around the back of the mercenary's thigh.
"You're a bastard, you know." Nick hissed through gritted teeth, growing hard. He groaned when Kellogg worked a hand down the waistband of his pants, mouth right up against his ear.
"Yeah? You happen to know my parents?" He teased, biting down just hard enough for Nick's voice to catch in his throat. His fist closed around Nick's cock and Nick whined, squeezing his wrist.
"Fuck you." He spit, their mouths close.
"That's what I'm trying to do." Kellogg crushed their mouths together, taking Nick's bottom lip into his mouth and sucking on it hard enough to make stars explode in front of his eyes. He groaned, leaning against Kellogg's chest.
"C'mon, then." He wrenched Kellogg closer by the coat, gripping the thick fabric in his fist. A wild look crossed his face and Nick knew Kellogg was barely holding onto his self control. Nick smoothed his hand along Kellogg's chest, working his jacket off. It hit the floor behind him. The mercenary took hold of Nick's waist, letting Nick peel his shirt off next. His fingers traced down Kellogg's chest, feeling the criss cross pattern of the patchwork flesh that concealed all of the enhancements beneath his skin.
He took a breath, and held it. "This one is new, isn't it?" He palmed the slight protrusion just above where he assumed his heart would be.
"One up here too." He took Nick's other hand, guiding it up to the nape of his neck. There was a small box, about half an inch across, just behind his ear, that stood out from his skin, as if it were plugged in instead of placed underneath. His fingers brushed it and Kellogg let out a full body shiver.
"Does that hurt?" He couldn't help but sound concerned, his voice betraying him, fingers twitching.
"Shouldn't." Kellogg took his hand away, and squeezed. Nick half expected him to tighten his grip enough to hurt, cracking his fingers in his fist, but he didn't. Kellogg's pupils were blown wide, and Nick was fascinated. He lifted the detective's hand to his mouth, pressing gentle kisses to each finger.
"Stop." Nick pulled his hand into a fist, drawing it closer to himself. Watching him made his heart feel heavy, like a bear trap closed around it.
"What's the problem now?" Kellogg didn't release his hand, instead dragging him closer by the arm. "Change your mind?" His presence was overbearing, and Nick cringed from him. He had to have noticed, because his body language changed entirely. Nick wasn't sure if he liked the change.
"Thought the lab boys were finished with you." Nick spoke, feeling his wrist when Kellogg let go.
"Your girl showed up herself. Said there was some new enhancement to test, wanted me to be guinea pig number one." Kellogg gestured to the small implant behind his ear. "That's that."
"And this one?" Nick put his hand to the mercenary's chest, and he could feel Kellogg's heart thundering beneath his palm.
Kellogg covered his hand with his own and Nick stiffened, almost ready to tear his hand away. "Something like a pre-war pacemaker."
Nick considered it for a moment, before he cocked his head to the side, noting how his heartbeat sped up. "Really."
Kellogg touched his face again and Nick bit back a groan. "Are we finished playing show and tell?"
The detective shifted closer, legs spread. "I don't need any gentleness from you."
"I can do rough." Kellogg grasped at his hip and squeezed. It ached, and he was sure he'd have a bruise there later but it sent a thrill of arousal straight to his cock. "First thing, I'm gonna need these off of you." He tore Nick's pants lower, and he kicked them off. Kellogg ran a hand along Nick's calf, pausing to snap the knee high garters keeping his socks up. The detective yelped and rolled his hips. Nick had his boxers down past his thighs in an instant. "Eager, are we?"
"Shut up and stick it in me." Nick growled.
"Maybe I should make you wait longer." He smoothed his palm between Nick's thighs, totally avoiding his swollen erection.
He whimpered, body hot and needy, as he held his legs apart for Kellogg. "What a slut you turned out to be, huh." His erection twitched at Kellogg's words and a vicious grin curved across his face. "Is this what gets you off?" He leaned in, the press between Nick's thighs darkly obscene. It took all of his willpower not to arch up right there, feeling Kellogg's lithe muscles working between his legs.
"You'd be amused to know Nora did the same thing. Begged me to fuck her. Used to be nothing standing in the way between me and an easy lay, and I couldn't say no to a hot piece of ass like that, but look what you've turned me into." Kellogg met Nick's face, arms holding himself up on either side of Nick's prone form. Nick's legs were bent on either side of Kellogg's waist, where he was doubled in close, pinning the detective to his desk. Nick flushed and held his gaze. "She was pissed when I turned her down." Kellogg added.
Nick's heart clenched in his chest and he suddenly felt cold. He noted how pale Nick was all of a sudden, and lifted his chin with a finger before kissing him deeply. Nick held onto his face, anticipating Kellogg's touch as he rocked his hips toward the mercenary. "And then she put the implant in your head." He sounded concerned, and Kellogg turned to look. "She could have put something dangerous in there."
"Didn't think you cared."
"I don't. I didn't." He corrected himself, matter of factly, shifting on top of the desk. "Somehow I'm not comforted by the fact that you would rather sleep with me ."
"Mm. Would you rather I left right now?" Kellogg's expression darkened and he ran a hand down the inside of Nick's bare thigh, pausing at his sensitive erection.
"Honestly, yes." Nick tilted his head back, sitting up on his elbows. He was breathing fast, struggling to control himself. He needed Kellogg now more than ever and the bastard was taking his sweet time holding a conversation.
"Can't leave somebody in need, now, can I?" His tone of voice was teasing, and he brushed his palm against the head of Nick's erection.
"So considerate." Nick snapped, the back end of a moan catching in his throat. He huffed, turning his head away. Kellogg spit into his hand, slicking himself up as he pressed into him. Nick opened his mouth wide in a silent cry, clamping his hands down on the edge of the desk behind him. He let out a trembling whine, breath harsh in the silence between them. Kellogg sank into him to the hilt, and Nick tried not to wince as his body spasmed around the intrusion. He wasn't used to it as much as he was, and Kellogg loomed over him like a great silent wave, ready to crash down on him at any moment. Nick pulled himself up by the back of Kellogg's arms, almost sitting up. He rolled his hips, desperate for the kind of contact he was dreaming about.
" Move, damn it. I need more." He called, arms around Kellogg's neck.
"I can do that." Kellogg responded, voice a clipped groan as he started to move his hips, pressing closer to Nick as he did so. The detective held on tight, and wondered what his life had become, until the mercenary pressed his mouth to Nick's and he forgot everything but the blazing touch that held him spellbound.