Hi, my dear readers,

I got the edited version of the chapter from my dear beta-reader and replace it now with the not-corrected one. I hope, this is better to read for you.

This chapter is only for adults. A little hint, get some cool juice or something else cold to drink before you start reading (*snicker*).

Therefore: Enjoy!

Love

Yours Starflight

Chapter 36 – Wings of fire

Klink made it just in time for roll-call and even managed to be completely presentable – despite the fact that he and his American counterpart had made out a lot and that he had needed all his self-control to will down his erection. Truth be told, he had splashed his face with cold water a few times, while he imagined less pleasurable things: Burkhalter in pink underwear, Gertrude Linkmeier in a pitch-green bathing-suit, Hochstetter in a night-gown complete with night-cap, or his grandfather swinging his walking-stick and sneering without break.

Like this Klink could at least walk almost normally while striding over the compound towards the lined-up POWs. Contrary to most of the time, he quickly demanded the report from Schultz, dismissed the POWs without any speech but with an unusual "Good night, Gentlemen,", headed back to his quarters and rang for dinner. He was still half-hard, and the only thing he could think of was being done with the day's routine and being alone with this damn oversized boy in the body of a well-built man who was driving him crazy!

And the fact that Hogan kept giving him heated, suggestive glances during their meal together and would even brush his leg against Wilhelm's under the table whenever LeBeau was out of sight wasn't helping the Oberst the tiniest bit. And he'd bet his last shirt that Rob knew exactly what he was doing to him and enjoyed his uncomfortable state. The knowing smirk Robert gave him a few times spoke volumes.

'Just wait, my witty fox! I'll have you writhing and begging in a few minutes when we're finally alone!' Wilhelm promised himself inwardly and shot the younger man a warning glare, who simply smiled innocently back as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. 'An odd English alternative to the German idiom,' Klink thought to distract himself. 'We would say: He looks like he couldn't cloud any water.'

As LeBeau cleaned the table and carried the dishes to the kitchen, he could have sworn that the temperature in the quarters had been rising by degrees. The dinner had been unusually quiet – without the usual talks or bickering between the two officers. They had both eaten in an odd silence, while Louis could have sworn he'd seen some fierce looks pass between them. Not threatening, no, rather… heated with emotions the tiny Frenchman refused to recognize. He was glad when he was finally done for the day and could leave Klink's quarters. The atmosphere in the wooden building was tense enough to be cut with a sword, and LeBeau's subconscious knew the reason for it exactly.

The Kommandant bid him good night and locked the door behind him, before he returned to the living room – only to find it empty. The light in the sleeping chamber was switched on and the door was half open. An invitation that needed no translation. With a low growl in his throat, Klink strode towards the little room; anticipation and suppressed longing flaring up in him even more.

Hogan had laid his housecoat on the chair, sat on the bed's edge and looked with an impish smirk up at the older man, whose nostrils flared for a moment.

"You!" Wilhelm growled. "Have you teased me enough now?"

Robert chuckled quietly. "Tit for tat, my dear 'Kommandant'. You left me behind in a very uncomfortable state…"

"I had to make the damn roll-call!" Klink snapped; recognizing only then that the curtains were firmly closed. Good! This here was nothing for spying eyes!

"… Then you flirted shamelessly during dinner," Hogan continued as if he hadn't heard the Oberst.

"Whose leg was stroking the other one's? Yours mine, or the other way around?"

"And now you look at me like you want to devour me, but still you're only standing there and…" The colonel gasped, as a moment later his German counterpart was in front of him, bent down, cupped his face with both hands and whispered hotly,

"Who sows the wind, shall reap the whirlwind!"

"Good," Hogan nodded. "We've many tornados in the US – and I'm curious as to how strong a German whirlwind is."

An almost dangerous smile appeared on Klink's face. "Think of Goethe, Robert: 'Spirits that I've cited, my commands ignore'." He kissed him short and hard, before he placed his interim-glasses on the nightstand beside the can with the ointment that still stood there from the evening prior. Then he began to peel off his boots and then his clothes. He was barely done with ridding himself of the jacket, tie, shirt and undershirt, as he felt Rob's hands cupping his hips and for a moment he feared the younger man's hand-prints would burn through the material of his trousers, because the touch felt like fire. Looking down, he saw that Hogan had stripped off his pajama top and still wore only the bottoms and the bandage. Then Wilhelm caught the fierce glance Rob gave him from under lowered lashes, and felt his knees go weak. Good God, if Robert Hogan had been able to bend him to his liking in earlier times, then now he could melt any attempt of resistance with only one passionate look.

"Let me," Hogan said softly; voice hoarse.

Klink could only nod; his mouth went dry as he realized that his secret lover wanted to strip him.

Rob made short work of the trousers' fasteners and stroked the material from the older man's waist. A wicked smile played around his lips as he instantly saw the hard proof of Will's desire pressing against the pants. Glancing up again suggestively, he whispered,

"Yesterday you worshiped and pleasured me. You gave me the first sight of a new world and carried me over the threshold to help me make the first steps. You took me onto your wings and brought me to the heavens; caressing and setting me into flames. Now it's your turn. Let me return the favor."

To his shock, Will felt tears dwelling up in his eyes. Those almost poetic words; this simple display of thoughtful tenderness and loving consideration of his own needs – this all was something he hadn't often experienced. To tell the truth: He couldn't remember having a lover who wanted to give like he had received. Only his witty fox, his Rob, could think this way. And this despite the fact that this all was so completely new for Hogan.

Combing his fingers into Robert's thick hair, he bent down and murmured, "You don't have to do this because you want to repay me in any way. It was my deepest pleasure to indulge you like this – to show you that there can be as much between two men as it is between man and woman. Yes, I would enjoy every second of being fondled like this, but… this is still an unknown territory for you and I can imagine that it must be… strange for you. So…"

"You misunderstand," Hogan interrupted him softly; moved by how thoughtful Wilhelm was towards him. "I want this!" The intensity in which those three words were uttered sent shivers over Klink's back and made the breath catch in his throat.

"O-okay," he whispered and let go of Hogan; trembling inwardly with rising anticipation.

The underwear was pulled away from him, and new tremors ran beneath his skin as the most vulnerable part of his body met the cold air first – and then the hot breath of the younger man. A sigh waved gently through the room, and he wasn't aware that it had come from him.

Robert looked at his lover's groin with curiosity. Yesterday he hadn't really thought about it – the hunger woken in him had prevented his mind from working properly – but now, in the golden light of the little lamp on the nightstand, he saw Wilhelm Klink in all his naked glory. He was long and firm, just like the rest of his body, and deeply reddened. Never before had he given much thought to another man's shaft, but everything had begun to change within the last days and nights, and had reached its first peak yesterday.

Raising his arm, he softly took 'Will' in his hand, which elicited a throaty growl from his secret lover. He felt the tender, silken skin and the stone-hard flesh beneath it – such contrasting textures in one body part. Robert knew, from his own experiences, how much this could turn on a man – how much it could weaken him, but also how dangerous this could become. Wilhelm's trust in him sent a wave of warm joy through him, and always being a man of action, he bent forwards and brushed his lips against the already wet head.

Klink closed his eyes and gasped, as new fire bolted through his veins. God, if he had been hard before, then he didn't know a word for what he was now. A shudder ran through his body, and the moment Robert took him into his clever mouth, the low shout almost torn from his throat was only stifled in the last second by biting into his fist. His knees went weak and he needed all his control to remain standing, as this hot tongue began to swirl around him. Instinctively, he gripped for Rob's shoulder; seeking hold against the flames raging from his loins through his whole being.

He had secretly wished for this – longed for it. To be fondled like this from his witty fox. It was one of the most intimate erotic games, and there hadn't been many lovers who did this with him. But Robert… He offered it to him at only their second time together; as if he had known how much he, Wilhelm, had yearned for it. Maybe he did know – after all, he had been fondled like this yesterday and had learned how much pleasure it gave.

Burying his hands into Robert's black hair, he could do nothing but try to remain on his feet and relish in the tender passion that was given to him. He could feel how the fervency was rising in him; how it blazed through his whole being. Without any chance to prevent it, he began to sway as his knees buckled.

The hot mouth vanished and the air – cold in its contrast – broke through the haze of his dizzy mind. "Rob…" he pleaded, felt movement and met Hogan's fierce but also gentle gaze, as he opened his eyes. The younger man had risen and stood in front of him; steadying him by wrapping both arms around the Oberst's waist.

"Easy, Will," he whispered; giving him a loving kiss. "Lay down and let me do the rest."

"Rest?" Klink asked; his fuzzy mind was unable to produce a clear thought.

"Your clothes, for example," Hogan laughed quietly, while his glance wandered tenderly over the sweat that pearled on Will's forehead and the deeply flushed face, while he sensed the far too quick heartbeat nestled near his own chest.

Turning them around, he urged the older man to sit down on the mattress, knelt down and peeled off the trousers and the pants and threw them carelessly behind himself. With spread fingers he stroked his hands upwards over his lover's thighs; smiling as he saw how Will's body reacted strongly to it.

"My, my, here is someone eager," he murmured the words from his own forbidden wet dream a few nights ago, bent forwards, pushed the older man with one hand down on the mattress and closed his lips around this hard pulsing member again.

Klink almost whimpered, while he instinctively bucked up into this sinful mouth. One look along his body and seeing his beloved troublemaker pleasuring him like this almost drove him over the edge. Combing his fingers again in Rob's hair and whispering the younger man's name like a mantra, he threw his head back and surrendered to the bright flames which began engulfing him.

A part of him tried to remind him that this here was still new for Robert – that he had to warn him before the lust would overwhelm him – but his mouth was unable to formulate something other than his witty fox's name like a prayer. Rob's wandering hands along his sides and his belly, his hot breath on Will's skin, the movements of this scorching tongue – everything was driving Wilhelm almost crazy. The tightening in his loins and the wild drumming of his heart told him that he was about to be thrown over the edge, and somehow he was able to stammer something close to a warning – then the fire took him with it, while he screamed his lust into the hand Hogan had reached out and clapped over his mouth.

He wriggled and bucked as he came long and hard; riding the ecstasy that controlled his body, mind and soul. He wasn't aware that a few sobs escaped him, while his movements only slowly calmed down. The whole world seemed to be far away, only this warm mouth around him seemed to exist anymore. He couldn't even protest, as he felt the cold air against his shaft again, while those lips set him free. Boneless, trembling and soaring, he lay there; his sightless gaze glancing at the shabby wooden ceiling.

Hogan pressed a kiss on the older man's belly and glided over him. Licking his lips, he compared the strange taste with the more familiar one of women. A man's essence was… saltier, stronger and… And it tasted completely of Will. Robert decided that he wouldn't mind pleasuring his secret lover like this more in the future.

Crawling over this long, lean body, he braced his arms beside Wilhelm's head and looked down on the sweaty, reddened face that seemed to glow with happiness. Will's chest heaved beneath him, a thin layer of sweat covered his skin and Robert could feel the older man's heart beating like mad.

"You're okay?" he asked with fond amusement.

Klink was obviously unable to say something, but the way he tiredly wrapped his arms around Hogan told the younger man everything. Chuckling, he buried his face at his lover's throat – only feeling at the sidelines that his position, with the calves and feet out of the bed, wasn't really comfortable.

"I know that you're groggy, Will, but would you mind if we move into a better position?"

"S'egal. Mach-wash-du-willschst."

Okay, Hogan spoke fluid German, but for a long moment he really had trouble with the translation.

"Well, if I interpret this slurring correctly, you just said that you don't mind whatever I do, correct?" he asked.

"Can't stop you," Will murmured; sighing in deep contentment. He felt like flying and even the stinging of his two still healing injuries didn't bother him.

Robert lifted his head, laughed with unmasked gentleness at his lover, sat up and urged him to shift until he lay in bed correctly. Grumbling, murmuring more in undecipherable German and groaning, Klink obeyed, and Rob lay down beside him; pulling the comforter over them both. He still wore his pajama bottoms and his erection was over-sensitive, even against the smooth material, but he knew that he had to grant Wilhelm a little rest. Will would take care of him later.

Pulling the older man closer to him, he took him into his arms and gave him a kiss on the nose. Klink opened his lids and looked cross-eyed at him, which elicited another laugh from the younger man.

"You can be so cute sometimes," Hogan whispered; an intense tenderness was rising in him like he had never felt before.

"'Cute'," Wilhelm murmured, while closing his eyes again. "Don't let the others hear this."

Robert chuckled. "Never, Hon! That's not for other ears – and, by the way, you're only allowed to be so cute when you're with me."

"Possessive much?" Klink whispered, while he slowly came around.

Another kiss was placed on his mouth. "Yes."

Wilhelm smiled, while he snuggled closer to the love of his life. He felt Robert's hot erection pressing through the silken material against his own belly and murmured, "Give me one or two minutes, and then I'll take care of you."

Even if Hogan had known this, he felt obligated to reply softly, "You don't have to. This was your turn and…"

"And spare you a little revenge for your merciless teasing within the last two hours?" Klink moistened his lips; lids still lowered. "I don't think so."

Again, Robert chuckled. "Don't promise something you can't keep."

"Don't challenge me, my witty fox. I swore to myself that I will make you squirm and plead, and I have every intention of making this promise real."

Robert smiled while he felt some warmth spreading through his cheeks. "You keep calling me 'witty fox'," he murmured; letting his fingertips glide over the older man's cheek. "How did you end up with this nick-name for me? I've been called a lot of things, but certainly never this." Pure curiosity sounded in his voice.

Wilhelm shrugged. "Well, General Biedenbender, who shot you down over Hamburg, told me that an eagle had been placed into my cage, and in his own way he is right. You don't just have the Eagles on your collar, a part of you is indeed like an eagle. You love your freedom, you love to fly, and your courageous attacks were unexampled. Yet your true strength lies in your mind and your good nose, so to say."

"'Good nose'?"

"We say so when we mean that someone has a fine sense for things others don't see or recognize," Will answered; sighing. "You've such a 'good nose'. But that's not all. For now, you're grounded. A fox lives in the woods in a spacious den with many tunnels, smells and hears things others would never sense and acts on them, and his clever mind outwits his sometimes larger opponents or the intelligence of his hunters. He avoids most traps and if he is really caught one time, he mostly finds a way to wriggle out of the danger. He's a kind of animal bogey – always vigilant and observant, but also playful and reckless. A true prankster. And he is absolutely loyal to those who belong to him." Klink turned his head upwards to look at the younger man; blue eyes gentle. "I read in a book that several Indian tribes believe in a kind of animal spirit – an invisible companion in the form of an animal that fits the man or the woman's mind and soul the best. If this legend should be true, then yours has to be a fox."

Hogan had listened closely, and the many thoughts Will had obviously spent on his behalf touched him deeply. No one had ever bothered to think this closely about him – to give him an alter ego, so to say. It once again showed the strength of the other man's feelings for him, but also the depth of Klink's profundity. And not for the first time he felt guilty to have regarded his German counterpart only as a cowardly and babbling fool for so long. He knew now that this was only a mask Will was forced to wear to hide his sensitivity for which there was no room in an army, especially not in war.

He cupped the head of his secret lover with a tender hand; his thumb moved in gentle circles through the smooth hair. "Thank you, Wilhelm," he said softly. "I never thought about such comparisons, but you are right. I heard about some Indian legends of the 'spiritual companion', too, and the way you described a fox being mine is a big compliment for me." He chuckled. "But I have to disappoint you. At home I don't leave my 'den' through tunnels and my former flat wasn't in the woods." He winked at Klink, who laughed quietly.

"Yes, I'm aware of it. The description of a fox's home only fits here, in the camp, yet it doesn't change the fact that you think and act like a fox. You even have his eyes sometimes – especially when you've pulled someone's leg or after other kinds of fun."

Robert snickered. "Well, that leaves you for the title of Eagle, don't you agree?"

"I do – after all I look out for you, my fox, and if danger becomes too great, you can hide beneath my wings."

This turned Hogan serious again and he pulled Wilhelm even closer to him. "An offer I don't want to take advantage of too often, because it would put you at risk, too. But if our enemies come too close to us, I will come out from under your wings and snap at them – no matter the uniform and rank."

"Please, not literally. Just imagine Burkhalter when he grouses at me and you bare your teeth and literally snap after him. I do think he would call the doctors then."

Hogan burst out laughing; imagining the fat general's face in such a situation. After he calmed down again, he glanced with deep affection at his secret lover. He remembered all the times within the last two and a half weeks, in which Klink overgrew himself – how he became the 'Iron Eagle' again only to protect him, Robert Hogan. He remembered how Will developed courage, bravery, fierceness – just like he maybe had been before the aftermath of the first war and the insanity of the second war almost cut his wings. He had risen again, just like…

"Phoenix," he whispered.

Klink, who had been simply relishing in the warm proximity, looked questioningly at Rob again. "I beg your pardon?"

"Phoenix – this is what you are now. They almost killed the Eagle, tried to clip his wings and grounded him where he was about to burn to ashes in the raging fires of these dark times. But he rose again. Changed, but no less strong. A phoenix." Robert smiled. "My phoenix!" He saw how those blue eyes began to shimmer with unshed tears.

"Rob…" Will whispered; moved to the core. No-one had ever tried to comprehend his character and no-one had ever seen him like Robert just did. He felt understood for the first time in his life.

Lifting his head, he caught Rob's mouth in a kiss that started out tender, then turned more fierce, taking Robert's breath away. Moving slowly, but determinedly, Will braced himself on one underarm and bent over the younger man, while his kiss became even deeper. One of his hands wandered downwards and squeezed the younger man through the material of the pajama bottoms. Hogan gasped and his eyes widened in surprise at this unexpected erotic assault.

Carefully, Will slipped over the younger man; pressing the under part of Rob's body in the mattress. He heard Hogan's quiet, reckless laughter and caught those well-shaped lips hungrily with his own again. Robert's arms snaked around him instantly, while he let his hands explore the older man's back – fingers spread, massaging every moving muscle. To his bafflement, Wilhelm felt himself harden again. He'd never come around this quickly before, but – as he had to admit – he had never felt so much hunger and love for someone like he did for Robert Hogan.

"You're wearing too much," he murmured between hot and wet kisses.

"Then rectify it," Rob answered, breathless; surprised but also happy about his lover's already newly awoken passion, which he could feel clearly.

Klink pushed the comforter away, sat up and pulled the pajama-bottoms from the younger man's slender hips and strong legs. Satisfied, he saw the unmistakable proof of Robert's eagerness to find fulfillment, and letting one finger wander over the iron-hard, hot member of his beloved's body, he whispered, "Are you ready for the next step?"

Hogan had absolutely no clue what Wilhelm was referring to, but he trusted his lover blindly in this case. "Yes," he murmured.

A brilliant smile enlightened Will's face, before he bent down and began to fondle his lover with care and experience; worshiping him wherever no bandage stopped him. Robert let himself fall; relishing in the tenderness shown, tenderness that sent shivers along his skin and woke lustful cravings in him.

Will's clever lips followed his gentle hands; increasing the sensation the long, strong fingers provoked in the younger man. The warm breath, waving like the soft wind of a late spring day over his skin, made him tremble with anticipation – especially after Wilhelm didn't hesitate to tease him with some butterfly-light kisses at the most vulnerable part of his body.

And then one of those long, clever fingers stroked between his balls and touched the entrance to his body; massaging it gently. Rob bit his lips as his body began to tingle in a way he had never felt before. Looking up, he glanced, confused, at the older man, who gazed along his body upwards with hunger in his eyes, while he gave him another tender smile.

"What are you up to?" Hogan somehow managed to utter; sounding breathless.

Will's smile turned predatory. "Do you trust me?" he whispered; breathing another kiss on his lover's groin.

"Yes!" The answer came without hesitation, and woke happiness but also triumph in the older man. Sitting up, he stretched and reached for the tube of ointment on the nightstand; slathering his fingers with the content.

Robert watched him with hooded eyes, while his usually so clever and quick mind only slowly began to grasp what his lover planned. He felt how his mouth went dry and, despite a hue of unease, his pulse quickened.

Pressing a few open-mouthed kisses on Rob's chest and belly, Will moved downwards between the younger man's open legs again and began to fondle him anew – straight there. Robert closed his eyes and savored the daring caresses with which Wilhelm was slowly, but steadily, driving him mad.

A throaty noise of utter surprise escaped him, as all of sudden one of those long fingers entered him with utter care, but also determination. Eyes flying open, Robert looked, baffled, at his lover, who had braced himself on one elbow and was smiling wickedly up at him.

"Relax, my witty fox," Will whispered. "Just trust me and relax." The mere thought of where his finger was sent waves of lust through him, but he held back. This was for Robert – a first time of something that would become more later.

It felt… odd. Rob had never liked to be treated with suppositories when he had been a child and was running a fever, and this here felt similar, but the deep trust he had developed for his German counterpart – his secret lover – made him obey. His eyes widened, as the finger moved deeper and then…

Then, out of nowhere, something like a flash shot through his body and sparks bloomed in his mind. Without knowing what he was doing, he bucked upwards towards the seductive intruder, while a loud gasp escaped his mouth. He heard a chuckle and the finger touched him again – just. Right. There!

Pressing his eyes shut in sheer bliss, and feeling utterly helpless, Robert surrendered without even realizing it, while a long, low moan broke free of him.

Good God! He had never imagined this could be so…

He couldn't finish the thought, because this finger began to move – and he was lost. The sparks changed into fireworks full of colors that ran through his body and set it aflame – and the fire enlarged with every touch of this sinful finger deep in him. And then this hot mouth was back on his member…

Every sane thought vanished into nothingness. Stammering Will's name, Rob buried his hands in his lover's circle of hair, while he braced his feet against the mattress; his toes curled into the linens. He wasn't himself anymore, as wave after wave washed over him and began to flood him away.

Throwing his head from one side to the other and hearing his own heart drumming madly in his ears, he was spiraling upwards.

Suddenly these lips on his groin went along his upper body. The free arm was pushed beneath his head, lifted it and Will's lips caught his own, yet this maddening finger remained where it was. As he felt Will's member at his outer thigh, his mind somehow got one sane thought – 'He needs you'. Acting on pure instinct, Rob gripped for his lover's hot and hard shaft, and closed his hand around it. From afar he heard a deep growl, then reality began to skip.

Clinging to the older man with one arm and unaware of the small sobs which escaped him, Robert gave into the ecstasy that took him away. Will's mouth swallowed the shouts of passion which rose from the depths of his soul, before everything seemed to explode in blinding stars…

He was floating – somewhere over an ocean of comforting dark waves on which invisible stars mirrored in thousands of gentle lights. He was weightless; soared in sheltering warmth and peaceful bliss.

Will sank down beside his beloved on the mattress – breathless and utterly spent after two flights to the heights. His body trembled in the aftermath, his pulse raced, his heart beat hard against his rib-cage, but he hadn't felt this good in a very, very long time. Yes, yesterday had been pure paradise, but this evening…

There had been not only blinding lust and glowing passion, now there had been so much tenderness, too. And thoughtfulness. Being at the brink of ecstasy himself, Will had thought that he would have to use his own hand to find release after Rob's fierce reaction to everything told him that the younger man was about to be thrown over the edge. And then, in one single clear moment, Robert had taken care of him, too. To feel Rob's body closing around his finger, the way Robert clung to him, the sheer fervor on his face – it had all made the experience so much deeper.

Sighing in content, Wilhelm stretched out his long legs and laid his head on the younger man's shoulder; not aware of the satisfied smile on his lips. Murmuring something Klink couldn't understand, Rob turned towards him, tiredly wrapped his other arm around him, too, moistened his lips – and lay still. Letting his free hand wander lovingly over Hogan's side – not caring for the material of the bandages there – Klink closed his eyes.

They would have to wash and clean everything, but… To hell with it for now! He was unable to sit up, not to speak of rising and walking around. And it was obvious that it was the same for Robert.

Finally angling for one of the blankets, Klink pulled it above them both, and snuggled closer to the overheated body beside him. A soft purr rumbled for a long moment in Hogan's throat, then he took a deep breath and lay still.

Wrapped around each other, light on the nightstand still switched on, and the sheets a mess, both men fell asleep within a minute. And for a few hours there was nothing but peaceful silence, until…

"Ouch!"

This came from both of them a few moments after Klink woke up, felt an uncomfortable itching on his chest and belly, and did the first thing that came to mind: He sat up. It was unpleasant – at least in the places where the two men's bare skin, covered in soft body hair, had been touching at the chest and legs.

Looking down on a groggy Robert Hogan, who blinked confusedly at him before he pouted, Wilhelm began to remember – and let himself fall back beside the younger man with a loud groan that turned into a chuckle.

"Splendorous! We did it!"

Thirsty, sleepy, limbs heavy, Robert tried to understand, what exactly they 'did'. Well, they had had another wild hour of nameless passion and…

And had fallen asleep afterwards; sticky with the tracks their lust had left on – or, better to say, between – their bodies. Will had warned him the evening prior how uncomfortable it could be when their seed dried and they got stuck together because of it.

"Don't tell me, we've to shower and change the linens again," Rob complained; feeling not the tiniest bit ready to leave their love-nest now – or to move at all.

Klink sighed. "At least I've to get washcloths and towels." He grimaced. "And new linens for the blanket."

The reply was a low groan, while Robert closed his eyes. "Do your worst."

Wilhelm sat up again and began to snicker. "Don't tell me I tired you out."

"You did," came the slurred answer. "Good God, I never thought it could be like this."

Slowly, a proud smile appeared on the German's face. As it seemed, he had managed to wring his hyper-active fox out. "Just wait until we really make love."

Hogan's lids opened. "You mean, it will be even more intense?"

Will nodded with a secretive smile. "Yes, it is."

"Sweet Lord!" Hogan moaned and closed his eyes again. "Remind me to write out my last will and testament before we take the last step."

That was it. Klink laughed out loud. "I don't believe it," he chuckled after he calmed down a little bit. "'The most dangerous man in all of Germany', the very same who acts up with the Gestapo and SS, and who throws so many sabots into Hitler's war machinery that it already stutters like an old motor, thinks he will die because of love-making." He glanced down on the younger man; face full of fond amusement. "Drama-Queen!"

Robert was huffing like a five-year-old, had crossed his arms in front of his chest and glared, sulking, at the ceiling.

A strong wave of tenderness washed over Will, and without wasting a thought he bent over his lover and placed a deep, loving kiss on that pouting mouth. He felt the lips begin to smile beneath his own, while one of Rob's arms snaked around him. Lifting his head after a few moments, he whispered,

"Do you know that you gave me a big compliment here, by admitting that I tired you out?"

He could see the amusement in those dark brown eyes, while Hogan still pretended to sulk, "You laughed at me."

"Not at you, but at your complaining, because we both know how much you enjoyed our encounter." He laid his forehead against Rob's.

"Yeah, I did – and it took me by surprise. Hell, I've had my share of love-nights, but I was never… wrung out like this time." He grinned suddenly. "You exhaust me so much, I can't help you with the sheet or the washing, so…" He almost squeaked, as Will pinched his waist.

"Always recognizing and using an advantage, my witty fox," Klink growled, anything but serious. "But seeing that our love-games do such a big number on you, my still so lame duck, I think we've to give it a break for the next nights and…" He couldn't finish the sentence, because all of a sudden Robert's hand was around his neck while the younger man lifted his head – catching the German's lips in a fierce kiss.

Many minutes later, Klink walked with anything but elegant movements to the bathroom to get a washcloth, a towel, scissors and new bandages. Once again, a few minutes later (after he had cleaned himself), Will sat on the bed's edge, cut Robert's bandages – sticky and dirty with both their bodily fluids – and washed his beloved afterwards. Rob was purring like an oversized cat, and even if he got a very tiny, little, small, barely recognizable tug of conscience that Wilhelm did all the work, and he – Hogan – lay here and got spoiled, he also relished in the tender care that was shown to him.

After Wilhelm was done, Robert sat up and lifted his arms – helping the older man to re-wrap clean bandages around his rib-cage like this. And as Will rose to take the utensils away, Hogan stripped the linens from the blanket and afterwards helped to put on new ones.

They both didn't say much – at least not verbally. But their eyes spoke a language that didn't need any words whenever they looked or winked at each other in mutual understanding.

"Thirsty?" Wilhelm asked at last, and Robert nodded.

"Very."

"Stay here, I'll get us something." Slipping into his dark-blue bathrobe, Klink vanished and returned a little bit later with two glasses; offering one of them to his beloved. A certain scent wafted from it, and curiously Hogan sniffled at it.

"Wine?" he asked, surprised.

"Wine and water mixed. We call it a 'Weinschorle' – a 'wine spritzer' is how it's named in English. It has less alcohol, vitalizes, soothes the thirst and tastes better than simple water."

Hogan smiled at him and lifted his glass. "Prost (cheers)," he said in German, and saw how Will's eyes lightened up.

"Prost," Klink answered; loving it when the younger man spoke his language. Rob's German was fluid but it held a certain throaty undertone you could mistake for a dialect, but was in truth his smoothed out, yet still existing American accent. And Wilhelm really liked it.

Hogan only realized how thirsty he really was as his mouth was filled with the first sip. He emptied the glass without interruption, and only when he had finished his drink did he become aware of Will's amused yet understanding smile.

"More?" Klink offered, and Robert was ashamed to nod.

"This would be nice. Thank you."

Like this they emptied half a bottle of wine and much more water, snickering about the heap of linens and cut bandage material on the floor and teasing each other like two boys. Wine, the intense experiences, the deep contentment and the feeling of absolute security in each other's presence, brought the border to Morpheus' Realm nearer again.

Half an hour later, both lay side by side in the darkness, wrapped around each other, tired and happy in one. It didn't take long until they fell asleep again.

*** HH ***

That morning Klink didn't oversleep, even if he couldn't believe that the night was already over when the alarm-clock began to ring. Hogan was still asleep and only grumbled at the noise, but relaxed instantly the second the alert had been barely switched off.

"Sleepyhead!" Will whispered tenderly, as he disentangled himself from his beloved (and the sheets), slipped into the bathroom and began his daily routine in time. He did the morning roll-call – why were Kinchloe and the others staring at him like this? – started his office-work, returned Hilda's cheerful "Good morning, Herr Kommandant!" around eight o'clock with a suitable reply, and began to fill out reports while whistling melodies which officially didn't even exist.

At the same time Hogan woke up, realized that his body ached in certain places like it had never done before, rose and began to get some order into the sleeping room. He owed Will that much.

He was not aware that a broad smile seemed to be carved into his face, a face that shone a healthy hue. Wearing his pajamas again, freshly shaved and washed, he stepped out of the bathroom, only to come face to face with Schultz.

"Good morning, Schultzie," Hogan said cheerfully; bypassing him.

"Good morning, Colonel Hogan," the Bavarian replied; voice uncharacteristically serious. Observing the American for a moment, he closed the distance to the bathroom, threw a glance inside – new linens were swimming in the shower tub – and nodded as he got his assumptions proven. He turned around and looked at Hogan, who was slipping in his housecoat and knotting the belt; whistling softly.

Hans took a deep breath. The air was clean and fresh, yes. No wonder given the fact that the window was open. The bedclothes were plumped up, the Oberst's worn shirt and socks lay neatly over the chair, and everything was in order.

At least for someone who didn't know what to look for – or had no knowledge of the delicate secrets of the camp's Kommandant.

Schultz had known Klink for almost four years now, and he had seen this man during good and bad situations. If everything went smoothly, Klink was well-adjusted. And sometimes the Saxonian was even in a good mood. But never before had Schultz seen him like this. Not when he'd had that 'love-affair' last year, not when he went out with the 'Hofbräu's' landlady and not when pretty women belonged to the rare visitors within the camp.

Klink was practically glowing with happiness; a real smile was plastered on his face since yesterday – and this morning it was even worse. He walked with a tiny bounce in his step, his posture was straight and his eyes shone. Hell, even the prisoners had realized that something was completely off with the Kommandant. He was joking around, greeted the guards with their names, laughed with Hilda and whistled while doing his paperwork. He had even skipped rebuking Schultz for being late for roll call today.

Schultz also remembered Klink's cheerfulness yesterday and that the Oberst had been late at every given occasion: He had overslept, came back late from lunch, ended work earlier, went to his quarters again, came more or less too late for the evening roll call, ordered dinner earlier – Schultz could still hear LeBeau's grousing in his ears that even a French cook needed a break here and there – and this morning he came in time, but was beaming at everyone and everything.

And Schultz had a very good idea about the reason for it: Robert Hogan.

The Sergeant of the Guards had learned about his superior's streak after the American colonel's arrival at Stalag 13 almost three years ago. He had seen the intensity with which Klink had watched the younger man in the first weeks, then Schultz had realized the hidden yearning in the Saxonian's gazes. He had witnessed a hundred times and more, how Hogan was able to wrap Klink around his finger and had been let off the hook often enough to give the whole brass in Berlin sleepless nights if they ever learned of it. And the reason for Klink's display of mildness became more and more obvious: He had a very weak spot for Hogan.

Then, a few months after Hogan's arrival, Schultz had gotten the first real proof of his assumptions concerning his CO's eventual feelings. He had driven Klink to a meeting of different camp- and staff-officers in Fulda, from which the Oberst came back drunk. Of course he had managed to mask it until he was finally in the backseat of the car, and Schultz had brought them back to Stalag 13, but during the travel Klink had started to slur about 'those mischievous brown eyes', this 'boyish grin' and this 'damn, disrespectful but so adorable behavior'. Schultz had begun to realize that Klink obviously wasn't speaking of a female, because he always referred to 'him'.

As they finally had made it back to the camp and Schultz helped the swaying and stumbling Klink out of the car towards his quarters, the Oberst had stopped and thrown a longing gaze at Barracks 2, whispering softly a 'Good night, you damn troublemaker'.

The last of the famous scales had slipped from Schultz' eyes, and after the first shock wore off, he had watched his superior closely. If it wouldn't have been for this slip of control, Hans would have never thought that Klink had a weakness for the same gender – and especially for the witty, unruly, sometimes brash, manipulative, yet charming American officer, who bore a boyish-manly handsomeness you couldn't deny. Klink remained the firm Kommandant, obeyed the rules and never tried to win one of the guys for himself. Even more, Klink's attempts at flirting were strong and convincing enough to fool everyone around him – everyone but Schultz. And during some private moments together, Hans began to understand how lonely his superior was – with no family of his own, laughed about by many of his fellow officers and yearning for a kind of companion law had forbidden.

Despite the fact that he and Klink had their disputes and sometimes really got on each other's nerves, Schultz had slowly developed a kind of protectiveness for his superior that had flared up last year as Klink was about to be executed. It was clear that the Saxonian hadn't forgotten that he, Schultz, had tried to save him, because their relationship had been a lot better afterwards.

And exactly that protectiveness was what had now brought Schultz to Klink's private quarters. He knew that his superior's feelings for Hogan had never decreased. Rather the opposite, seeing that Klink had risked his life to protect the American almost three weeks ago, and had been ready to sacrifice his career and freedom two days later as he got Hogan away from the Gestapo. Now the two men had been practically living together for two and a half weeks – even sharing a bed, albeit in a platonic manner. At least until now.

Klink's awfully good mood, his happiness, his cheerfulness, his urge to be in his quarters and therefore close to his American counterpart – this all was rooting in only one thing: He and Hogan had been together. Klink had certainly given himself away while taking care of Hogan, and the younger man had engaged in this affair.

Okay, the latter was none of Schultz' concern. If the two men's crazy and complicated relationship had turned into a more intimate thing, so be it. Yet Schultz knew for a fact that Hogan was a ladies man. And Hans was also aware that the colonel used every advantage given for himself – and for his 'monkey business, for which he had won Klink, too. Schultz feared that Hogan was only using Klink's feelings for him to gain even more advantages than he already had – and if this was the case, it would lead to a catastrophe.

So, after being released from Klink's office and getting the colonel breakfast from the casino for once, Schultz had walked over the compound; telling LeBeau that he didn't need to prepare anything for his CO this morning.

The moment Hogan had stepped out of the bathroom, grinning like mad, and Hans saw the linens in the shower-tub after one set had already been changed yesterday, the large Bavarian knew that his assumptions were correct. The two men had shared a bed in more ways than just for sleeping – and Schultz was determined to prevent a big mess from taking place.

"Colonel Hogan," he began; watching how the American turned towards him.

"Yes?" he asked; still smiling and looking… content.

"A word, Colonel – from man to man."

Robert's expression turned from a smile to a frown. He had rarely seen the Sergeant of the Guards this serious and sincere, and he instantly knew that something was up. And Schultz's addition 'from man to man' told him that this wasn't a talk between leading guard and prisoner.

Cocking his head, Hogan glanced at him. "What's the matter, Schultz?" he asked politely. There were moments he could make fun of the large man, moments he manipulated the Bavarian – and there were moments, like now, that Hogan took him really seriously.

Schultz went to the window and closed it, before he turned around and fixed the younger man with a stern gaze.

"I'm here because of what happened to Oberst Klink. He is not only my superior, but I also see a friend in him, and as such I'm worried. I've some questions for you – and knowing you and your way with words, I want plain and true answers this time."

Hogan stared with large eyes at him. "Schultz, what…"

The Sergeant of the Guards made a firm cutting-off gesture with one hand – and Hogan knew that this here was far more serious than previously thought…

TBC…

Well, Schultz is, besides Hogan, maybe the only living soul who knows Klink in and out. And I always loved it in the TV-show when Schultz showed concern for his CO despite the fact that they clash a lot. And I also took Schultz always for a kind of 'father' for everyone within the wires, but especially for Hogan and his gang, Klink and sometimes also Langenscheidt. Therefore I loved to write this scene that will continue in the next chapter. It's 'the' talk a man usually only gets from his girl-friend's father, yet Hogan never does 'usual', even in this case. And it doesn't matter that Schultz is only a sergeant and Hogan a colonel. For now Schultz only follows his heart and his protectiveness he harbors for both.

I also thought it would be the best place to explain, how Schultz learned about Klink's secret and why he developed such a loyalty to his CO, who often treats him anything but kind. I hope, you liked it.

And I also hope you liked the 'hot' part. Yes, they still have to make 'real' love, but this all is still very new for Hogan and it shows Klink's serious, deep feelings for Robert by introducing him slowly to everything. And, at least, they shared further hours of passion, but also some fun what shows how comfortable they are with each other. Hopefully you also liked the part with the 'fox' and the 'phenix'.

In the next chapter there is not only the talk between Hogan and Schultz, because despite the peaceful situation in Stalag 13 in the moment, outside the world drowns in chaos. There will be some references to true historical events which took place at this time, and Klink learns more about the secret and hidden facility where the ME-262 will be produced, what leads to another pow-wow with the Heroes.

I hope that those, who read the old version, still liked it and maybe I get some feedback now after the corrected chapter is published.

Have a nice rest of the week,

Love

Yours Starflight