Aya: Okay, today we will introduce Zero-kun!
Vile: Ano... does this mean I'm out of the picture?
Aya: NO, NO! You'll be doing something at the turning point of the chapter!
Big time stuff!
X: Am I going to be-
Aya: No! For once you'll be totally awake at the end of the chapter!
X: *throwing confetti* yay!
Aya: You'll also go on a murdering spree.
X: *drops bag of confetti*
Aya: Just kidding! Ha ha! I wouldn't ruin the story for you like that.
I also want to thank all the people who've written supportive reviews
of my fic. I know it's my first shounen-ai fic so it's only so so (actually,
it's the first time I've written any kind of love scenes in a fic *_*), so
I really appreciate your patience and kind words ^_^. And now-
Zero: *jumps in front of Aya* On with MY show!
----------------
The Power Within
Chapter 4: Desire
Something was licking his hand.
X's eyes snapped open and immediately turned to his hand. There was a small, scrawny
puppy licking his hands. The puppy looked up at X and barked, announcing its
success in waking the hunter up. X surveyed his surroundings. He was propped up
against a brick wall, he was outside, the sun was beginning to rise in front of
him. It took a moment for him to recognize he was outside the east wing of the
maverick hunter HQ.
//How...// X started to push himself off the ground when he heard something crumple
beneath his other hand. It was an unsealed envelope. X carefully opened the letter
and started to read. There was only one sentence.
"There didn't seem to be a way to convince you of my true intentions."
While the letter was unsigned, X knew it was from Vile. Had the trap been set
just for this? His entire team... all the innocent people at the college...
just so Vile could have his sick little fun...
X tore up the letter and scattered the pieces around him. He closed his eyes
and silently apologized to everyone who got caught up in the siege.
//Another thing I have to pay for... when the end comes.// X thought sadly.
-------------------
"X!" Zero couldn't believe his eyes when he saw X walking down the hallway.
Aside from the bandage on his head, he looked unscratched! Everyone
had thought the worst when most of the 17th unit got ambushed by mavericks
and X went missing. That was almost a week ago. "X!" Finally X stopped
walking and turned to greet Zero.
"Hi." X said evenly. "I'm back."
"I'm back?" Zero said, exasperated. "That's all you have to say? Honestly!
We were worried sick for you! What happened?"
"Nothing much." X lied. "I just got hooked in some unfortunate business.
I'm back now. I need some rest." X started walking towards his room again,
Zero chased after him.
"Hey!" Zero called. "X! What's wrong? You should go see Dr. Cain,
or Douglas."
"I'm fine, Zero." The two had reached the door of X's quarters. "I just need
some time off. Can you arrange that?" X opened his room door and stepped inside,
leaving Zero standing in the hallway.
//What the heck was that about?// Zero asked himself. //Something is wrong
with X.// Determined to find out what's going on, Zero opened the door and
followed X inside his room. X just finished taking off his armor, and
looked like he was about to step inside the recharge chamber.
"X, you really should have Dr. Cain look at that head... And just what
happened to you anyway?"
X paused in thought for a moment, then said lightly: "Do you like protecting
me, Zero?"
"Well, of course!" Zero was getting tired of X leading him all over the place
except to the answer. "That's what friends are for. I want to help you!"
"Is that all?"
//X....// Zero thought. //Could it be? Is X telling me something?//
Zero always cared deeply for X. At first, Zero was X's commanding officer.
It was his job to protect X. Yet... other feelings had developed between
the two. It all went unsaid, since Zero wasn't the type to admit his
own feelings, and X just didn't say anything.
//But now... Is X saying what I think he's saying?//
X looked expressionless. To Zero, now was not the right time.
"We're partners, we need to watch each other's backs." Zero managed
to say.
"Oh." X dipped his head slightly. X deeply cared for Zero... Zero was
beautiful, they got along well together... they've practically been
to hell and back together a couple of times... He waited so long for
Zero to say something to him...
//I've been waiting for this... ever since we first met.// X recalled
Vile saying to him.
How could Vile reveal his "feelings" for X so easily? Why is it that
the truth is so much harder to say?
//I'm not waiting anymore. I will not wait around for another Vile to
claim me. If I want something, I will go get it.//
"Zero.... sit down." X gestured towards the bed. Since there was no reason
not to, Zero did as X asked. The blue hunter took a deep breath. He walked
over towards Zero, and kneeled down to eye level with him. X slowly raised
a hand and started to twirl strands of Zero's hair with his fingers.
"Do you love me?" X whispered.
"Huh?" Zero was completely caught off guard. Any previous doubts about X's
intentions had vanished, but Zero found himself floored by X's boldness.
"Do you love me?" X emphasized each word.
"I... yes..." X immediately leaned in for a kiss, while his right hand released
the ribbon tying Zero's ponytail. Zero closed his eyes softly returned the
kiss. Their lips rubbed lightly together, without any sign of urgency. X
massaged the back of Zero's head and Zero ran his hands along X's back.
X pulled back slightly from the kiss and looked deeply into Zero's eyes. He
smiled gratefully, and carefully spread Zero's hair out with both his hands.
"You have really soft hair." X moved his hands from Zero's hair and ran them
down to Zero's cheeks. He held Zero's head still and planted a kiss on Zero's
forehead. The two reploids leaned down towards the bed and caressed each other.
X seemed to only want to cuddle at this point, so Zero did not rush him. The
red hunter slowly returned the gesture with light kisses.
What neither hunter saw, though, was Vile glaring furiously down at the hunters
from outside the window.
//"Why did you release X?" Sigma calmly asked. There was no need to yell, or
get angry. If Vile did not have a good answer, he would simply dispose of him.
"I thought a field test would be more appropriate. This way we can collect
better data."
"Hm..." Sigam seemed convinced.//
And so Vile arranged for Alice to inject X with the antidote to SP-1 along with
a dose of SP-2.
//"SP-2 is much more sophisticated than SP-1." Alice explained as she walked
over to X's body, lying on top of a lab table. "This drug influences mood.
With the vector box you have in your hand, all you have to do is choose
what mood you want X to be having, and release the vector cells, which can
travel through air, and they will command the SP-2 cells to produce the
proper chemicals to induce the mood. So far I only have several moods to
choose from... but as you know, we have long hypothesized that X gets his power
from his emotions. In order to collect further data on how this process
goes on, we'll just have to induce the emotions to see if they affect his power
output."//
Vile had had enough of X and Zero getting close to each other. No one was
going to ruin his chances with X. He's worked so hard... with nothing to
show for it, and Zero just gets X dropped in his lap.
//Not if I have a say in it.// Vile pressed in some commands in the
control box of the SP-2 control box and aimed the device at the air
ducts to the room.
The reaction was almost immediate. X's face twitched slightly.
//Wait.// Confusion took over X's face. //Something isn't right. Zero...
he planned this!// Anger whirled through his body and he pulled away
from Zero. //He did not want Zero to follow him into his room, but he
barged in anyway... it was just like him. To think he owns... me...//
//NO.//
//MY turn.// X moved his hand and clamped it over Zero's neck, pinning the
red hunter down on the bed.
"X, kuff.. What..." Zero brought his right hand over X's face and tried to
push him away, but X did not move a single inch. Zero started pelting X's
head with his left fist, and X's head wound started to bleed again. The blue
hunter continued to apply pressure to Zero's neck, completely possessed by something
else. The pressure was starting to interfere with Zero's systems. He winced.
//That... resilience// Zero thought as his internal response system started to go haywire.
//I've only seen that in battle...// Zero thought of all the times X seemed to have
been beaten down by the opponent, and was close to death. Somehow, X found
the power to rise again, ignoring all the pain and handicaps he had... and pressed
on to defeat his opponents. //Except now... he's killing me!// X leaned in towards
Zero again, and kissed Zero. This was a kiss unlike before. Rough. Desperate.
Meaningless.
X suddenly drew back, blood trickling down his lips. Zero had bit him. X looked
down with a hurt expression at Zero, and abruptly let go of his neck. Zero
quickly rolled away and coughed violently. He heard the door slide open behind him.
Zero quickly sat up and looked around.
X was gone.
----------------
Mob Member 1: *glances over newspaper* Good god, are the clothes _still_ on?
Mob Member 2: Maybe we should go read some other fics?
Mob Member 3: But hey! X was leading this time! ^_^
X: *bows* Thank you, thank you!
Aya: *brushes sweat off brow* Wow! It's really hard writing love scenes! I
keep getting stuck! And I can never figure out... what to write... when
the clothes... come off.. ahem...
Zero: Perhaps I can help you in that department. *wink wink*
Aya: Thanks for the offer Zero... too bad you're only imaginary.
Vile: How come I'm suddenly not even in this chapter?! You'll hear from my
agent!
Vile: Ano... does this mean I'm out of the picture?
Aya: NO, NO! You'll be doing something at the turning point of the chapter!
Big time stuff!
X: Am I going to be-
Aya: No! For once you'll be totally awake at the end of the chapter!
X: *throwing confetti* yay!
Aya: You'll also go on a murdering spree.
X: *drops bag of confetti*
Aya: Just kidding! Ha ha! I wouldn't ruin the story for you like that.
I also want to thank all the people who've written supportive reviews
of my fic. I know it's my first shounen-ai fic so it's only so so (actually,
it's the first time I've written any kind of love scenes in a fic *_*), so
I really appreciate your patience and kind words ^_^. And now-
Zero: *jumps in front of Aya* On with MY show!
----------------
The Power Within
Chapter 4: Desire
Something was licking his hand.
X's eyes snapped open and immediately turned to his hand. There was a small, scrawny
puppy licking his hands. The puppy looked up at X and barked, announcing its
success in waking the hunter up. X surveyed his surroundings. He was propped up
against a brick wall, he was outside, the sun was beginning to rise in front of
him. It took a moment for him to recognize he was outside the east wing of the
maverick hunter HQ.
//How...// X started to push himself off the ground when he heard something crumple
beneath his other hand. It was an unsealed envelope. X carefully opened the letter
and started to read. There was only one sentence.
"There didn't seem to be a way to convince you of my true intentions."
While the letter was unsigned, X knew it was from Vile. Had the trap been set
just for this? His entire team... all the innocent people at the college...
just so Vile could have his sick little fun...
X tore up the letter and scattered the pieces around him. He closed his eyes
and silently apologized to everyone who got caught up in the siege.
//Another thing I have to pay for... when the end comes.// X thought sadly.
-------------------
"X!" Zero couldn't believe his eyes when he saw X walking down the hallway.
Aside from the bandage on his head, he looked unscratched! Everyone
had thought the worst when most of the 17th unit got ambushed by mavericks
and X went missing. That was almost a week ago. "X!" Finally X stopped
walking and turned to greet Zero.
"Hi." X said evenly. "I'm back."
"I'm back?" Zero said, exasperated. "That's all you have to say? Honestly!
We were worried sick for you! What happened?"
"Nothing much." X lied. "I just got hooked in some unfortunate business.
I'm back now. I need some rest." X started walking towards his room again,
Zero chased after him.
"Hey!" Zero called. "X! What's wrong? You should go see Dr. Cain,
or Douglas."
"I'm fine, Zero." The two had reached the door of X's quarters. "I just need
some time off. Can you arrange that?" X opened his room door and stepped inside,
leaving Zero standing in the hallway.
//What the heck was that about?// Zero asked himself. //Something is wrong
with X.// Determined to find out what's going on, Zero opened the door and
followed X inside his room. X just finished taking off his armor, and
looked like he was about to step inside the recharge chamber.
"X, you really should have Dr. Cain look at that head... And just what
happened to you anyway?"
X paused in thought for a moment, then said lightly: "Do you like protecting
me, Zero?"
"Well, of course!" Zero was getting tired of X leading him all over the place
except to the answer. "That's what friends are for. I want to help you!"
"Is that all?"
//X....// Zero thought. //Could it be? Is X telling me something?//
Zero always cared deeply for X. At first, Zero was X's commanding officer.
It was his job to protect X. Yet... other feelings had developed between
the two. It all went unsaid, since Zero wasn't the type to admit his
own feelings, and X just didn't say anything.
//But now... Is X saying what I think he's saying?//
X looked expressionless. To Zero, now was not the right time.
"We're partners, we need to watch each other's backs." Zero managed
to say.
"Oh." X dipped his head slightly. X deeply cared for Zero... Zero was
beautiful, they got along well together... they've practically been
to hell and back together a couple of times... He waited so long for
Zero to say something to him...
//I've been waiting for this... ever since we first met.// X recalled
Vile saying to him.
How could Vile reveal his "feelings" for X so easily? Why is it that
the truth is so much harder to say?
//I'm not waiting anymore. I will not wait around for another Vile to
claim me. If I want something, I will go get it.//
"Zero.... sit down." X gestured towards the bed. Since there was no reason
not to, Zero did as X asked. The blue hunter took a deep breath. He walked
over towards Zero, and kneeled down to eye level with him. X slowly raised
a hand and started to twirl strands of Zero's hair with his fingers.
"Do you love me?" X whispered.
"Huh?" Zero was completely caught off guard. Any previous doubts about X's
intentions had vanished, but Zero found himself floored by X's boldness.
"Do you love me?" X emphasized each word.
"I... yes..." X immediately leaned in for a kiss, while his right hand released
the ribbon tying Zero's ponytail. Zero closed his eyes softly returned the
kiss. Their lips rubbed lightly together, without any sign of urgency. X
massaged the back of Zero's head and Zero ran his hands along X's back.
X pulled back slightly from the kiss and looked deeply into Zero's eyes. He
smiled gratefully, and carefully spread Zero's hair out with both his hands.
"You have really soft hair." X moved his hands from Zero's hair and ran them
down to Zero's cheeks. He held Zero's head still and planted a kiss on Zero's
forehead. The two reploids leaned down towards the bed and caressed each other.
X seemed to only want to cuddle at this point, so Zero did not rush him. The
red hunter slowly returned the gesture with light kisses.
What neither hunter saw, though, was Vile glaring furiously down at the hunters
from outside the window.
//"Why did you release X?" Sigma calmly asked. There was no need to yell, or
get angry. If Vile did not have a good answer, he would simply dispose of him.
"I thought a field test would be more appropriate. This way we can collect
better data."
"Hm..." Sigam seemed convinced.//
And so Vile arranged for Alice to inject X with the antidote to SP-1 along with
a dose of SP-2.
//"SP-2 is much more sophisticated than SP-1." Alice explained as she walked
over to X's body, lying on top of a lab table. "This drug influences mood.
With the vector box you have in your hand, all you have to do is choose
what mood you want X to be having, and release the vector cells, which can
travel through air, and they will command the SP-2 cells to produce the
proper chemicals to induce the mood. So far I only have several moods to
choose from... but as you know, we have long hypothesized that X gets his power
from his emotions. In order to collect further data on how this process
goes on, we'll just have to induce the emotions to see if they affect his power
output."//
Vile had had enough of X and Zero getting close to each other. No one was
going to ruin his chances with X. He's worked so hard... with nothing to
show for it, and Zero just gets X dropped in his lap.
//Not if I have a say in it.// Vile pressed in some commands in the
control box of the SP-2 control box and aimed the device at the air
ducts to the room.
The reaction was almost immediate. X's face twitched slightly.
//Wait.// Confusion took over X's face. //Something isn't right. Zero...
he planned this!// Anger whirled through his body and he pulled away
from Zero. //He did not want Zero to follow him into his room, but he
barged in anyway... it was just like him. To think he owns... me...//
//NO.//
//MY turn.// X moved his hand and clamped it over Zero's neck, pinning the
red hunter down on the bed.
"X, kuff.. What..." Zero brought his right hand over X's face and tried to
push him away, but X did not move a single inch. Zero started pelting X's
head with his left fist, and X's head wound started to bleed again. The blue
hunter continued to apply pressure to Zero's neck, completely possessed by something
else. The pressure was starting to interfere with Zero's systems. He winced.
//That... resilience// Zero thought as his internal response system started to go haywire.
//I've only seen that in battle...// Zero thought of all the times X seemed to have
been beaten down by the opponent, and was close to death. Somehow, X found
the power to rise again, ignoring all the pain and handicaps he had... and pressed
on to defeat his opponents. //Except now... he's killing me!// X leaned in towards
Zero again, and kissed Zero. This was a kiss unlike before. Rough. Desperate.
Meaningless.
X suddenly drew back, blood trickling down his lips. Zero had bit him. X looked
down with a hurt expression at Zero, and abruptly let go of his neck. Zero
quickly rolled away and coughed violently. He heard the door slide open behind him.
Zero quickly sat up and looked around.
X was gone.
----------------
Mob Member 1: *glances over newspaper* Good god, are the clothes _still_ on?
Mob Member 2: Maybe we should go read some other fics?
Mob Member 3: But hey! X was leading this time! ^_^
X: *bows* Thank you, thank you!
Aya: *brushes sweat off brow* Wow! It's really hard writing love scenes! I
keep getting stuck! And I can never figure out... what to write... when
the clothes... come off.. ahem...
Zero: Perhaps I can help you in that department. *wink wink*
Aya: Thanks for the offer Zero... too bad you're only imaginary.
Vile: How come I'm suddenly not even in this chapter?! You'll hear from my
agent!