Chapter 38: Nuclear Attraction

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Nuclear Attraction

He couldn't have been happier leaving Burns' office just then, seeing him sitting there atop his desk, all disheveled and stunned after being thoroughly kissed. Even descending down the steps and into the utter chaos and lawlessness of the work floor couldn't possibly hamper his cheerful mood.

Someone had to be the bad guy if they were to get any work done and Smithers didn't really mind that part of his job since most of the workers rarely ever tried to relate to him anyway and he couldn't rightly blame them either as he was Burns' number one lackey, a senior executive and thus unapproachable.

However today, being in such high spirits, he felt a little more forgiving when he spotted the usual gang of trouble makers. Lenny and Carl were goofing off as usual, tossing a baseball over the delicate equipment and consoles while Homer sat in a chair at the sidelines, officiating and cheering them on with a box of donuts in his lap. Smithers always remembered their names more than the rest since they had the longest rap-sheet of all the slackers he wrote about in his employee evaluation database.

Lenny had just thrown the ball to Carl while Homer sat watching intently as he munched away and they were completely oblivious to his presence when Smithers sidled up to them, pulling on his best 'guy in charge' mask.

"And just what do you two think you are doing?" Smithers snapped abruptly. Suddenly all eyes darted to him and for a moment, he completely understood the rush of satisfaction that his boss must feel at having everyone jump at the mere sound of his voice. Carl had brief look of panic crossing his face, his hands still in the air as he'd thrown the ball back to Lenny.

"Ow! My eye!" Lenny cried as the ball hit him square in the eye from the misguided shot. Smithers gave Carl a stern look; he'd always considered him the most mature of the bunch.

"And Mr. Simpson, you're supposed to be in the safety control room! Who's even watching the monitors?" He turned back to Carl before Homer could even respond. "Mr. Carlton, given your recent promotion to supervisor, I'm surprised that and you not only condone, but actively participate in such incendiary behavior!" Smithers yelled, knowing full well that none of this should even surprise him anymore.

"Do you all even think?" Smithers stared back at them as if they were the most stupid lot he'd ever had the misfortune of speaking to, their expressions totally vacant as if none of his words were even sinking in. He sighed and scratched his forehead with irritation. "Look, I know you guys get bored easily so just cut it out okay?"

"You mean that's it?" Lenny asked in disbelief, "No threats of bodily harm? No lectures about goofing off during work hours?" Smithers laughed softly.

"What can I say? You've caught me in a good mood." Smithers leaned closer to Lenny, patting him heartily on the shoulder, "But, don't push your luck Mr. Lenford."

"Someone's having a good day." Carl remarked as he placed the baseball down onto the table next to one of the computer terminals.

"Actually, my day has been going rather splendid for the most part..." he paused, "just having a hard time with dealing with the usual rabble-rousers." Smithers replied sarcastically, chuckling at how Burns-like that sounded. He wasn't sure what had come over him since he rarely broke bread with the common folk. Even pleasantries such as small talk seemed a little disconcerting and he certainly didn't want to risk the reputation of authority he'd worked so hard to cultivate by seeming too approachable. He fiddled with the ring on his finger absentmindedly, unknowingly bringing attention to the gold and silver band.

"Say, I don't remember you wearing a ring like that before." Carl mentioned, gawking at his hand, "It's nice to see you've finally gotten over Mr. Burns and moved on then." he added.

"W-what... what? Oh this?" Smithers muttered meekly. What should he say? Dozens of excuses flashed through his mind, unable to settle on any suitable response to the line of questioning. So the speculation hadn't begun stewing over the nature of his and Burns relationship yet? He would have thought, after seeing half of Springfield whooping and cheering when Burns had bought him at that bachelors auction, that some speculation had already set in and it would be no big deal if the truth suddenly slipped out in passing.

"Yeah. It was getting sort of pathetic watching you lust over a cranky old man who'd never shown the least bit interest in you." Homer stated rather bluntly between chews. Smithers stared blankly at him for a couple of seconds, in disbelief at his lac of tact and knowing that he might have been a slight bit hurt by such a remark had it still been true. Smithers clenched his fists at his sides.

"Well, just for the record..." Smithers started, his voice tinged with just a hint of anger. Burns has shown interest in me and it just so happens that we're in the midst of a heated and passionate romance that you could never even fathom thank you very much. He's wanted to say something to that effect, but refrained. It really wasn't worth the effort.

"So does this mean you've finally settled down or somethin'?" Carl questioned, his face positively beaming. Oh yes, he must be thrilled at the chance to taunt him since he'd always been the butt of their jokes and constant ribbing. "You gonna introduce us to the new hubby?" Carl nudged. He was unsure whether it was genuine interest in his life or just the guys trying to get a laugh at his expense.

"Wait? You mean you went and got married then? Is that even legal nowadays?" Lenny asked with what sounded like genuine curiosity. Before he could respond, Homer spoke up.

"I actually officiated several gay marriages myself after it was legalized here remember?" Homer stated in a matter-of-fact sort of way. Lenny seemed suddenly fascinated.

"Hey, Carl how come you and I never tied the knot then?" Lenny blurted out suddenly as if it were the simplest, most normal statement in the world. "We're together all the time anyway." he finished. Carl looked rather shiftily about the room.

"Don't be so stupid Len. We'd have to be in love first... and I'm not gay." Carl stated flatly, totally dismissing it.

"Oh." Lenny looked like all the air had been taken right out from beneath his sails as he hung his head and Smithers felt a small twinge of sympathy for the little nasally voiced misfit, seeing a bit of himself in him for the first time.

"But what about that kiss, you remember that one time? You can't tell me that it meant nothing!" Lenny whined. Carl quickly rushed to cover Lenny's mouth.

"-And you wonder why people think we're a couple with comments like that!" Carl stammered, his eyes wide as he kept his hand covered over Lenny's mouth. "He's... he's delirious! It was New Year's Eve... we were both a little smashed and Bart paid us to kiss each other... you know, stuff like that...it happens!" Carl hurried to explain quickly averting his eyes to the floor in embarrassment. Smithers was thankful that the focus was off of himself and for once the joke wasn't on him.

Homer watched on with amused interest at his two pals, most certainly he had expected something was going on between those for for a while, at least from Lenny's point of view. Carl seemed a little resistant. The close bond that Lenny and Carl shared seemed to be old news to anyone that knew them, but it seemed to be something that just wasn't normally acknowledged. He supposed it would be a little awkward trying to have a guys night out if two of them were obviously so smitten with each other. Seeing as they seemed to think of themselves as real 'manly men', such subjects were probably unthinkable and unapproachable.

"So Mr. Smithers? The ring?" Homer asked, turning the attention back to him.

"I... uh..." Smithers mumbled. "It's just... I'm in a committed relationship, that's all." Truth be told, he still wasn't sure how Burns felt about letting their secret out yet so he had to proceed with caution. Right about that moment, a certain loudmouthed brunette sauntered up to them, her sights set on Smithers as she wrapped her arms around him and planted a brief kiss on his cheek. Despite his fondness for her, it was still a little unsettling having someone invade his space so readily. She pulled back from the kiss and clung onto his arm affectionately.

"Ms. Shapiro please. This is highly unprofessional."

"Oh professional-prosmechinal. I wanted to kiss you so I did, is it really such a crime hon?" Stella laughed.

"Well..." he suddenly had the urge to warn her about all the ways her affectionate behavior could one day possibly be interpreted as sexual harassment, but before he could address the issue, he glanced around the room and noticed all the attention and gawking stares he and Stella were receiving. He rolled his eyes.

"Oh please, she's just a friend." Smithers irritably retorted, pulling out of her grasp and straightening his shirt. At that remark, most of the workers ceased gawking openly at them and went back about their business. It was then that the sudden ironic realization set in that revealing he was straight would be more of a shock to everyone than coming out as gay, the thought provoked a sudden chuckle of amusement.

"Well, whoever the guy is, he must be loaded judging by that ring." Homer remarked. He took a moment to ponder how Homer, of all people, would know anything about jewelry but was broken out of his moment of reflection by a sudden high pitched squeal of delight right next to his ear that was almost deafening.

"OMG!" Stella shrieked, enunciating each letter of the acronym and grabbing his arm into another death grip. "I can't believe Mr. Burns gave you that! When's the big day? I am so planning the whole thing for you and a honeymoon in Aruba to boot!" Stella gushed. "Wait... please tell me you didn't go off an get eloped without telling anyone! As incredibly romantic and spontaneous as that would have been, I would liked to have been there!" Smithers tried to pull away discreetly, but her grip was urgent and relentless.

"Jesus woman... would you climb down from the land of oz and rainbows? Even I'm not that glam-fabulous!" Smithers recoiled from her with nervous laughter. He just knew she would over-react about the whole thing. "-And no one's getting married. I guess Monty just got a little jealous and wanted to make sure I didn't stray from him. It's more symbolic really."

"Monty? So you guys are talking about Mr. Burns?" Carl gaped in shocked amusement. Smithers attention suddenly turned to all the faces that were once again staring at him, even people far away that were working seemed to stop and take notice.

"W-what?" It was all he could manage to say, mirroring their expression of shock.

"So you and Burns really are...?" Homer asked. Smithers suddenly felt as if all the air were sucked straight out of the room and he couldn't breath. He silently wished someone would just swoop in and save him from further interrogation. He still wasn't ready to talk openly about Mr. Burns to the world yet.

"Well... you weren't really supposed to be listening to that..." Smithers conceded with defeat. No point in denying anything as they would probably find out sooner or later. It was then that a certain someone did swoop in on the scene and it was the last person he'd wanted to see at that precise moment. His heart sank as Burns closed in on the gathering crowd of curious onlookers, stalking towards them like a hawk focused on it's prey. Finally, Mr. Burns came to a stop directly in front of him.

"Waylon, what is going on here?" Mr. Burns snarled, grabbing onto Smithers' arm forcefully. "Are these rabble-rousers heckling you?" Smithers laughed weakly, feeling so utterly exposed. Everyone knew and Burns was probably going to kill him now when he found out.

Burns' eyes darted from Carl to Lenny to countless faces on the work floor accusingly. If Smithers didn't know any better, he'd assume that Burns was fussing over him like a protective lover. The quiet whispers and muffled chatter coming from the crowd was almost deafening and Burns had a puzzled look on his face, his eyebrows furrowed with irritation. He was still completely oblivious to the events that had unfolded before his arrival. The ring matching Smithers' gleamed brightly next to his own as Burns held Smithers' wrist tightly, unknowing just how possessive he must look to everyone.

"I'm fine... sir." Smithers croaked.

"I didn't do it this time!" Stella broke in after a long and agonizing silence.

"Waylon, what's all this about?" Burns' grip tightened even more on his wrist as if to emphasize his urgency.

"So wait a minute..." Lenny broke in, "if Stella isn't engaged to Mr. Smithers then... he and Burns are?" Carl leaned in close to Lenny and spoke in a hushed tone.

"A little slow on the uptake there Len... That much has already been established." Carl said. Lenny cocked his head confusedly.

"What are you...what are they talking about?" Burns said, his eyes flitted to Smithers' in a panic as he finally released his hand. "What exactly did you tell them?"

"Don't worry about it Burnsie." Stella interjected. "I'm sure no one here has a problem with it. What you do in the bedroom... if you can manage anything, that is... it's your own business." Stella asserted, looking around the crowd and daring any of them to challenge them. Smithers winced at her poor choice of words.

"Smithers. In my office. Now." Burns yelled, grabbing him by the hand again. Smithers allowed himself to be led away, thankful to get out of the lime-light and away from all the stares and whispers.

"Sir, your office is the other way." Smithers mentioned upon seeing the staircase pass them by. Burns didn't reply, only proceeded to lead him down the corridors to what appeared to be the reactor core. Certainly he wouldn't throw me into the depths of the core in anger would he? Smithers wondered in a brief moment of panic.

"OUT!" Burns barked upon reaching the reactor. The operators in close vicinity quickly vacated the area, leaving them alone and standing directly overlooking the containment pool and the roughly six feet of crystal clear water that separated him from certain chemical death. Burns clenched a fist full of Smithers' shirt, glaring him in the eye with an intense stare.

"Oh god!" Smithers cried as he looked away and caught a glimpse of the translucent depths, his eyes drawn down deep into the blue glow at the bottom where the fuel rods shown bright and neon blue in their eerie, almost ghostly tomb. He knew Burns cared enough about him not to kill him, but the sudden moment of panic had briefly overridden and incapacitated all logical thought processes.

"What did you tell them?" Burns asked, his voice almost too calm as his hands clenching Smithers' shirt slackened. Calm enough to be even more frightening than if he had yelled.

"I didn't mean too... I just sort of... slipped out in conversation." Smithers scraped his shoe nervously across the cold, white concrete of the floor.

"Slipped out in conversation? How do you let something like that just... slip out?" Burns pressed on more urgently.

"I am so sorry, I swear! It's not as bad as you think really. Besides mild amusement, I really don't think anyone cares who you're in love with." said Smithers. Burns stared at him silently for a moment, eyes burning into his with such intensity that it was hard to maintain contact. Finally, Burns let go of him and turned his head away with an exasperated breath.

"No body cares? What about my colleagues?" Burns looked him in the eye again. "Do you know how hard it will be to fit in with the usual snobby, country-club bigots that I hang around with?" Burns turned away, hands clasped behind his back as he grumbled to himself. "I'll certainly be ostracized to some extent... have to go to a public golf course..."

"Well, if you're smart enough to know that they're homophobic bigots, then why do you care what they think of you? They aren't worthy of your presence." Smithers spoke with conviction as he stared at the back of Burns' head. Burns turned around abruptly in response.

"B-because... That's just how... That's how society works!" Burns hands outstretched to his sides, palms facing up as he yelled. "That's how I got where I am today by carving out a certain image of myself and living up to it!"

"Monty, there are many successful gay, bisexual and lesbian business-people... You don't have to fit a certain image just to be successful."

"Oh? Then name one." Burns spat. Smithers couldn't help but grin confidently that he'd done a bit of research in the area already.

"Ah... Well, Alan Turing for one. He was a brilliant English mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst and computer scientist! He's considered by many the father of the modern computer. The man was a true genius and a gay one at that!" Smithers exclaimed.

"Oh great example!" Burns sneered. "Wasn't he also chemically castrated for his homosexuality? Also died of cyanide poisoning if I remember correctly."

"I was hoping you wouldn't know that... Okay, bad example, but a brilliant man none-the-less." Smithers steepled his fingers just under his nose as he thought. "There's also Sam Adams, the 51st mayor of Portland Oregon, your beloved Tallulah Bankhead of old Hollywood, even Alexander the Great, I'm sure you heard of him, is widely excepted as gay. Are you telling me that they weren't successful?" Smithers asked, confident that Burns wouldn't be able to attest that.

"Oh god... not dear Tallulah!" Burns grabbed his chest as if that one had really come as a sharp blow. Smithers grinned as he stepped closer to Burns, knowing the man's fondness for the sultry, rebellious actress of yesteryear.

"Yes dear... Tallulah." Smithers smirked, pressing a hand to Burns' chest in victory.

"Fine. I suppose you've made your point. I'm not saying I don't admire them for their nonconformity, but they ran in different circles than myself. My more socially conservative pals might treat me differently if they were to get wind of this."

"Well, I don't know what to tell you then." Smithers withdrew his hand from Burns' chest and looked away. "Seriously, what do you want me to say? As much as I wish I could, I can't change the world for you and sometimes you just have to learn to put up with the hate and ignorance and move on. I've learned to deal with it and so can you."

Burns sighed, apparently at a loss for words. Smithers looked back at him and couldn't help but smile as he watched Burns expression softened as he stared distractedly at the pool. It was a genuine smile. The kind that crinkles into slight the crow's feet around the eyes and as soon as Burns locked eyes with him, the man's tentative expression softened even more, his tense brows loosening. Suddenly, he found himself becoming lost in those eyes. The very ones that struck terror in many hearts had the ability to make his heart flutter and do all sorts of somersaults in his chest.

"You know Smithers..." Burns began, his voice soft and full of wonder, eyes searching his, "you look absolutely breath-taking illuminated by nuclear light." he spoke almost breathlessly. Smithers had a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach at Burns' unexpected, heartfelt complement. He was suddenly all too aware of just what Burns meant, noticing how the water shimmered from the pool casting ethereal, silver reflections that danced over his features. It really was quite breathtaking now that he mentioned it. Smithers closed his eyes as Burns' fingers reached out and ghosted over his cheek. He could feel Burns moving in closer and placing a soft kiss on his lips.

"I love you, Waylon." The words shuttered from his lips waveringly. "I've known it since that day I kissed you in the closet, feeling the tears on your face... It all took me by surprise."

"Funny... because I don't remember the precise moment I fell in love with you. Probably the moment I was conceived." Smithers laughed, his eyes beginning to mist over.

"That's enough of that Smithers." Burns smirked. "Quite enough sentiment for one day." Burns leaned towards him, hands lacing behind his lower back and pulling him close. His hands reached around grabbing a firm handful of Smithers' behind causing the younger man to gasp with surprise and unexpected desire. Burn kissed him again, only this time he mercilessly used Smithers' gasp as an excuse to explore deeper, tongue unapologetically mingling with his. Smithers let out a throaty whimper at the intrusion as Burns manhandled him like a limp doll, thin fingers pressing desperately into the small of his back and roaming up along his spine. It took all the will he could muster not to let his legs give way beneath him and it felt as if the room was growing suddenly hotter by the minute.

"Mmm..." Smithers groaned with a chained passion as he became like putty in the modern day, yet adorably classic, Casanova's embrace. Smithers wanted to stop, yet at the same time, his hormones told him that he wanted to take him right there in front of the reactor... the hell with public decency. Burns seemed to have a similar train of though, sharp hips thrusting forward into his and bringing out another low erotic moan from Smithers. The nagging voice of reason screamed out inside his head, but no matter how hard he tried to voice his dissent, he couldn't get out any more than a grunt or a desperate whimper as the lustful haze descended over him, rendering him speechless and quite breathless. Finally, miraculously finding the strength to resist Burns for a moment, Smithers pulled back, gasping for air.

"Not here sir..." he panted. "The workers are... just over there!" Burns took a moment to catch his breath, eyes darting around the room suspiciously with his arms still laced behind Smithers and holding him tight. The slight pink tinge on Burns' cheeks gave him such a youthful glow even more noticeable as the silver ripples of light reflecting from the pool continued to dance across him. Smithers once again stared back at him in complete awe.

"I'm not doing anything too conspicuous am I?" Burns smirked.

"And grabbing my ass in public and thoroughly ravishing me with kisses isn't conspicuous?" Smithers laughed. Burns shifted against him and Smithers struggled to stifle the moan that threatened to erupt. Desperately, he tried to will away the inevitable erection that was presenting itself at the most inopportune time and place for it. Those maddening hipbones jabbing into him was bad enough, but what came as a real surprise was the unexpected hardness that he felt matching his own.

"Seriously, I had no idea nuclear energy got you so... turned on? I thought it was just public pla- oh..." Smithers' words grew silent. So it appears Burns was dealing with a double whammy of having two kinks, public places and nuclear power, suddenly thrust at him all at once. Noticing his dilemma and the group of workers that would probably be lingering nearby, Burns took a deep breath and put a little distance between them before they became too far gone, his arms still loosely draped around Smithers.

"You know... I've been thinking." Burns began.

"Hm?"

"You know your lady friend Stella has been looking for a place to live." the words seemed rather playful and sing-songish as they rolled from Burns' lips. Smithers looked back at him curiously, wondering how they'd transitioned so fast from kissing and groping to talking about Stella.

"Yeah," Smithers breathed deeply, finally gaining a bit of control over his composure. "She mentions it constantly and I've been trying to help her out with the house hunting, but we've had no luck yet."

"I think I have a solution to her problem." Burns announced, his eye's looking off to a spot in the distance as if in deep consideration over something.

"Really?" he mused, amazed that Burns would actually be willing to help someone out without an ulterior motive.

"Yes, well I believe I've already found her a place... and you can begin packing whenever you're ready." Burns looked away slyly, a barely noticeable grin on his face.

"Me? But I'm not going to be moving..." Smithers was so utterly confused. What was Burns trying to say? He knew he must be missing something.

"Oh? Are you sure? Because if I recall, that apartment of yours has only one bedroom and that couch is incredibly uncomfortable to sleep on." Burns spoke playfully, lightly skimming his fingers across Smithers' jawline. "And I'm pretty sure you won't want to share a bed with her."

"Exactly! So there is no way that she is moving with me sir!" Smithers ranted desperately. "The place is too small and she's... well... as much as I like her, she's a little annoying."

"No. No Waylon my boy, you're not paying attention. You'll be moving into the manor... with me." Burns tilted Smithers' face to meet his, this time placing a brief and innocent kiss on his lips, one that brought his world to a screeching halt more than any other kiss before that. Had he just imagined it or had Burns really asked him to live with him? Burns pressed against him, nudging him out of his distraction and stared at him, waiting for a response.

All his life he'd dreamed of living at Burns' manor. When he was a kid, he had often spent entire summers there in one of the guest rooms, but never in his wildest dreams had he ever imagined that Burns would really invite him to live there. He once again felt speechless and just stared at Burns, unable to shut his mouth for a moment.

"L-live with you?" Smithers stammered, his legs feeling suddenly weak again. His glasses began to mist over, so he took them off and wiped them with his shirt, a tear falling down and landing on his shoe.

"Oh good lord man... you aren't going to start crying again are you?" Burns let go of him and stood back a bit to give him his space.

"No." Smithers' voice cracked, his emotions betraying him as several more tears now fell freely down his face, not even trying to hide the tears of happiness anymore; Burns could laugh at him all he liked. He put his glasses back on and took a deep breath. Burns gave him a devious smirk and leaned close, whispering something so masterfully sinful in his ear that caused Smithers' face to suddenly grow a curious shade of deep crimson.

"Is... is that so? I'll be packed tonight then so we can test that theory." Smithers muttered hurriedly. It was the most unexpected turn of events that he could have imagined and Burns seemed genuinely happy to have settled into such domestic bliss. Who would have thought that Smithers' years of persistence and loyalty would actually pay off someday? He leaned in a gave Burns another brief kiss.

"Well, what do you say we head up to your office then? I don't want to waste a second longer dawdling around here when I could have you all to myself again. It's only been... what two hours since we were alone?" Smithers' voice remained remarkably calm despite current events.

"I was just thinking the same thing." Burns awarded him with a boyish grin before darting off ahead towards the corridor. "Last one there's a sissy." He called out behind him as he ran away, surprisingly agile for a man of his years.

"Hey! I resent that remark!" Smithers sighed before he shot off after him, knowing he would be unable to stop himself from throwing Burns down onto that red, plush sofa in his office when they got there until they were both exhausted and giggling like a group of rowdy school-boys.

A.N. - This story has been quite the learning process for me and has distracted me from real life grief and has been like a friend through rough times. I also like to think it has helped me improve my skills in writing and even making fan art as well. I look forward to writing more of Burns' and Smithers' adventures in the future with the sequel and I'd like to thank all the friends I've met just from writing this fanfiction. I'll also be continuing Baines and Wallace's story and most likely posting them on my deviant art page. (I'm known by the same name there.)

So I won't say 'The End' as I hate the finality of the way it sounds. I'm quite sad to see it end... so I'll just say "Later!"