Chapter 12: First Taste

"Whoa, are you alright Miles?" Billy asked when he opened the door the next morning. Miles was clutching a paper coffee cup and grimacing with his eyes squinted shut. The harsh words caused Miles to flinch.

"Talk quieter," he grumbled as he pushed past Billy into the house, thankful to be out of the harsh morning light.

"I went out early, took care of grandfather, and showered. I'm ready for our date," Billy beamed. Miles groaned and threw himself down on the couch.

"Give some time for my coffee and Advil to kick in," Miles said, without lifting his head from the couch.

"Okay but we have a bit of a hike..."

"A bit of a hike?"

"Yeah, I said I would take you somewhere special," Billy said, smiling. "I thought we could take a hike."

"Shit," muttered Miles. "I am really not a hike kind of person. And today is definitely not the day that I become one considering how badly my head is pounding...can we just, sit together quietly for a while?"

Billy sat down on the couch and ran a hand through Miles' disheveled hair. "We can take that away for you." Miles shivered from a sensation like having all of his blood replaced with ice water in an instant. "It's not anything harmful to you. The bots are microscopic you won't even feel anything. They just kind of go in and repair what damage you've done to yourself." Billy gently stroked the back of his hand across Miles' scruffy cheek. "Let me help you?"

Everything inside of Miles said he should refuse and keep the Walrider as far away as possible, but his reporter-sense was going insane. To experience something that very few in the world ever had or would? And his head really did hurt. Curiosity won.

"Alright," Miles said.

There was no change in Billy's posture but the familiar buzzing sound grew in Miles' ears. It was not the deafening roar Miles had heard before, but more of a soothing humming filling the area and rattling his teeth. Billy looked hazy, the nanites swarming around him thick enough that they were almost visible to the human eye, like black smoke dissipating just before Miles could make it out. Then there was the strange sensation of his headache lifting. The feeling of pounding and tightening in his skull evaporated and the relief was euphoric. Miles laughed out loud and Billy smiled, his inky black eyes glittering in the low light of the living room.

Billy stood up after a short minute and Miles realized that not only was his headache gone, but also his sensitivity to light and sound, his nausea, and the overall feeling like he had not gotten enough rest. "Fucking miracle," Miles said, jumping to his feet and looking at Billy with reverence plain on his face. "That's...that's amazing."

Billy looked embarrassed by the praise and gave an uncomfortable chuckle. "I'm glad I could help you."

"What happens now? How did they do it? Are they going to stay inside of me now? Is the fix permanent?"

"Uhh I really don't know these answers," Billy said, scratching at his head. "And I've never really used it much except on Grandfather. I know the swarm does something to me as well since I never get normal sicknesses like viruses or whatever—and I look younger than I am. I don't know if the swarm would agree to helping just anyone."

"Thank you," Miles mumbled, wrapping his arms around Billy in an awkward hug.

"Now that you're feeling better, are you ready for our date?"

"Sure," Miles said, pulling away and stretching his limbs. "I feel amazing I am totally up for anything."

"Great, let's get going on our hike," said Billy.

"Anything but that..."

"Come on now, Mister Upshur," said Billy, grinning as he grabbed Miles' elbow and led him toward the door. "It'll be fun."

Billy drove the decrepit truck to the edge of his property before parking it and walking to the aged wooden fence. It was a bright day with only a few perfect fluffy clouds in the distance crowning the mountains always visible on the horizon. The fenced in areas had very few trees, but beyond the fence the foliage was much denser. Billy promptly climbed the fence, perching for a moment at the top before dropping down. He smiled back and Miles and beckoned with his hand. "This way!"

Miles frowned at the obstacle. He climbed to the top with careful steps and paused at the top before jumping down. He landed badly, stumbling almost directly into Billy.

"I take it you're not much of an outdoors person," said Billy, starting to walk at a moderate ambling pace. The area was hilly, but the slope was so gentle it barely felt like any incline.

"I don't mind roughing it when I have to for work or a story," Miles said, following close beside Billy. "But I mean, in my free time, I'd rather kick back and watch TV or something."

"I remember TV. From when I was a kid, ya know? Before…"

"Shit, sorry, I forgot your condition makes that impossible," Miles mumbled as he tripped on his own feet in his attempt to keep up with Billy. The boy was walking quickly and hardly winded while Miles was already breathing harder.

"Why did you want to be a reporter?" Billy asked, pausing for Miles to catch up and beginning again at a slightly more ambling pace.

"Wow, it really is a date—you're asking me first date questions," Miles said, grinning.

"Sorry. Is that bad? I've never dated anyone," said Billy, his cheeks turning an adorable shade of pink.

"No, it's...nice," Miles said, grinning to himself. "Well, when I was fairly young after the accident I met a really great reporter. She was writing a piece on foster children and adoption because she wanted to help. She interviewed me for her story. I was really inspired. I like to write, but more importantly I wanted to help people. I still want that, but I'm not sure there is an answer in most of these situations." Miles sighed as Billy took a turn through a denser patch of pine trees.

"How can you say that though? After you write up about Murkoff, you'll be helping those patients. If their treatment is anything like mine...you'll be a savior to those people. I want you to help them," said Billy.

"Murkoff will find a way around it," Miles said, ducking to avoid a branch that Billy pushed toward him accidentally. "They got out of the water thing. Turned it into a PR opportunity. Writing about the soldiers didn't help them. Look at Chris."

"Who is Chris?" Billy asked. Miles frowned, hardly realizing that he had mentioned his ex-boyfriend so casually when he was not sure he really wanted to have that conversation yet. Still, he had no real way of avoiding it without lying.

"He's my ex," Miles said, giving a shrug as though mentioning him was no big deal. As though mentioning him didn't bring back the acute pain of having to abandon the man he had loved for years. "I think I mentioned that my last relationship ended with him being committed to an institution? Chris is my ex-boyfriend and he's a patient at Mount Massive." Billy kept walking, his face neutral as he absorbed what Miles had to say. "We never officially broke up. I wanted to be there for him, experiencing PTSD and terrifying delusions that led to self-harm. No matter what I did though…towards the end he did not even look like I remembered. He stopped even responding to me when I visited. No idea if he even recognized me."

"I'm sorry," Billy said, pausing to give a sympathetic look back at Miles. "That must have been difficult."

"Well, yeah," Miles said, brushing off the pity. "No idea what's happening to him. And it sucks because it always feels like something looming over my life. He never broke up with me, he didn't die, he didn't move away, he was sitting right there in front of me but he was a thousand miles away and now...I just don't know."

"Your story will help him," Billy said.

"If he can even be helped," Miles said, rubbing his hand over his face to wipe away the sweat now forming on his brow from the quick walking. He could not stop the intrusive memory of Jeremy Blaire telling him about Chris' continued deterioration. "This took a dark turn. Let's get back to some easier questions..."

Billy was happy to chatter away as they walked, keeping the questions light and fun. They talked about music, books, sports, and other general interest topics. The time passed quickly and soon Billy held out a hand to halt their walking. "Here it is!"

Miles' forehead creased in confusion as he looked around. There were the same hills, rocks, and trees. Billy's face lit up with childish glee as he pushed aside some pine branches and motioned with his head for Miles to follow. Past the branches was a considerable drop off and a small lake pooled at the bottom. Miles swayed slightly at the feeling of being so high up. It had not felt like they were climbing a mountain so how did this drop off occur?

"It's not natural," Billy said, as though reading Miles' thoughts. Wait, had he read Miles' thoughts? When Miles narrowed his eyes Billy gave a sheepish grin and chuckled. "They dig out the dirt and move it to other places. It's not in use anymore." Billy walked to the edge and crouched down before sitting with his legs dangling over the edge. "I like this place."

Miles crouched down and inched closer to the edge, holding onto Billy's arm as he copied his posture and let his legs hang down. The afternoon sunlight glinted off the pool below and filtered through the trees leaving their sitting spot a dappled with light. Miles let out a long breath he had not realized he was holding. "Looks like a steep drop."

"Yeah. It's a little bit scary," Billy said with a large grin. "Exciting, right?"

"You need to get out more, kid," Miles said, shaking his head. "Putting your life in danger isn't a normal past time." Miles leaned slightly forward and stared straight down, remembering the last time he had sat so close to a dangerous edge.

"Yeah well, nothing much about me is normal huh," Billy said. "I don't travel, don't have friends, can't watch television. I like to get away from that house sometimes and sitting here like this...makes me feel alive."

"Does the swarm like it?" Miles asked.

"The swarm doesn't work like that. It doesn't have likes or dislikes..."

"But you said it likes me," Miles interrupted.

"I like you," Billy said, turning his blue eyes on Miles with a serious expression. "The swarm's feelings are...complicated. It's not human."

Miles leaned closer to Billy until their shoulders touched. "I like you too."

"Really?"

"I need to know though. How is this going to work? I mean, if we decided to date and make it a long term thing...I'm not sure I can live without the Internet or TV or cell phone reception," Miles said.

Billy's shoulders slumped as he frowned and looked down the steep drop-off. "That is a bit much to ask yeah..."

"Hey," Miles said, reaching up to cup Billy's chin and turn his face until their eyes met again, "that wasn't a rejection. I'm asking because I'm...I'm giving it serious thought. Last night..." Miles paused and his canted down. "Well, I talked to Waylon, my friend back in Denver. And that's over. It was never much of anything in the first place. We are just friends. So I'm thinking of...trying the relationship thing again...with you I mean."

"You're cute when you're flustered," Billy said, chuckling at Miles' discomfort. Miles turned to face the other direction to hide the heat rushing to his cheeks.

"Yeah well, I suck at this stuff obviously."

"It's new to me too," Billy whispered. "I honestly did not expect to ever find someone willing to date a monster."

"You're not a monster," Miles said, sighing to himself. "So you have a little darkness inside. We all do. Besides, Rudy said the Walrider wasn't a monster—even that people called it a god."

Billy just chuckled and shook his head. "We should head back. I have to care for Grandfather and maybe we can cook a pizza?"

"Shit, you make your own pizza?"

"Uh, no, it's frozen. But we could put it in the oven together."

"Sounds perfect," said Miles.

The trek back seemed twice as long to Miles and his sore legs. He was happy to heat up the pizza while Billy took care of Wernicke. Miles was feeling like an old man himself and craving sleep. After dinner, Miles was content to sit on the couch with one arm around Billy's shoulder. He wondered if he could crash right there on Billy's couch. "You can sleep here, it's not a problem."

"Would you fucking quit that," Miles said, laughing at Billy's frightened expression. "It's creepy."

"Sorry. I just...sometimes you're so easy to read. I don't realize you didn't say something about it," Billy said, giving a sheepish grin.

"I can sleep over. I'm too tired to get any work done today anyways so won't bother going back to that ratty motel..."

Billy had more evening chores to take care of before he could call it a night. Miles took a long, hot shower, dressed in some of Billy's loose pajamas, and pulled back the covers on one twin bed just as Billy walked back into the bedroom. He paused at the doorway, watching Miles with dilated blue eyes. "Do you need anything?" Billy asked as he approached the bed.

Miles sat down and yawned, ruffling his drying hair. "I'm good," said Miles, patting the bed next to him. Billy was quick to take the offer and sat down beside him on the bed. "I had a really good..." Miles was cut off when Billy pressed his lips firmly against Miles, muffling his response. Miles' eyes easily fell shut as he sighed into the kiss.

"It's not fair Miles," Billy said, breaking from Miles' lips and planting a trail of kisses down his neck. "After everything we've done, you still won't let me touch you."

"I never said you couldn't touch me," Miles said. Billy slowly dragged his tongue across Miles' earlobe, causing Miles to shudder. "I wouldn't mind you touching me now."

Billy jumped at the opportunity, his hand immediately flying to Miles' crotch and groping along his thigh until he found what he sought. The thin boxers and pajama pants did nothing to protect Miles from Billy's warm, firm touch. Miles pushed his hips into the touch, grinning when Billy's movements paused. "That's a start. You should touch me more."

"I want to touch you everywhere," Billy said, his breath caressing Miles ear and making him bite back a moan. "I've wanted to since the moment I saw you."

Miles chuckled and pulled away from Billy, pulling his cotton t-shirt over his head. "I have that effect on people."

Billy did not seem the catch the joke, staring at Miles' bare chest. The young man ran his fingers through Miles' chest hair and down across his stomach. "So sexy."

Miles was having a difficult time keeping himself from jumping Billy in that moment. He knew they weren't ready to push to anything that advanced, but the ego stroking was as good, or better, than the dick stroking. Miles could drown in the pleasure Billy's actions were giving him. "Still want to put it in your mouth?" Miles gave a small smirk.

"Yes," said Billy. "Please Mister Upshur."

Miles pulled down his pants and boxers in one movement, allowing his erection to spring free. He grinned when the boy stared, his face going slack. "That's not my name. Now, you don't have to take the whole thing in your mouth on the first time. You can take it at your own pace."

Miles sat back on his elbows on the twin bed. He propped up a pillow to allow him to sit up and watch Billy's actions and offer helpful advice if necessary. It wasn't that it felt horrible to receive a sloppy, unskilled blowjob—Miles just wanted to think he left the young man with better knowledge going forward. "Come here and get your first taste."

Billy crawled onto the bed, knees on either side of Miles' body. Miles pulled Billy in for a kiss, one hand caressing the boy's cheek. Miles skillfully opened the boy's mouth with his tongue, deepening the kiss. When he pulled away, he met Billy's eyes and was alarmed when he saw his dilated pupils seemed to be leaking into his sclera. Well, the Walrider had to be a part as well, Miles supposed he should get used to it. A gentle pressure on Billy's face moved him closer to Miles' bare lap. "Lick it," Miles said.

The young man was staring at Miles' groin as he wet his lips. He leaned forward and gave a tentative swipe of his tongue across the tip. Miles inhaled at the contact, nodding down at Billy when he glanced up. "Like that. Do what you think would feel good."

Billy looked back down at the hard shaft in front of his face. He began licking Miles in earnest, sliding his tongue across every inch with broad, slow licks, followed by shorter flicks of his tongue around the crown. Miles had to calm his breathing. Fuck. It had been too long since he had been with another person, and Billy's tongue felt amazing. Without prompting, Billy wrapped his lips around the head of Miles' cock and tongued his slit.

"Fffff..." Miles exhaled, watching Billy practice his technique. "Everything as you expected?"

"Better," Billy said before sliding his mouth further down Miles' length. He pulled up, releasing Miles with a lewd slurp. "You taste so good." When Billy glanced back up, his eyes were black pools and Miles began to feel the teasing touch of one of the Walrider's tendrils along his thighs.

"Are you controlling that?" Miles asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"Of course," Billy said before swallowing Miles as far as he could. The boy immediately gagged and lifted his head up. Miles could see gray tears in his strange, black eyes.

"Don't push yourself," Miles said, his chest heaving as he stared down to watch Billy work. The young man gave no reply, instead resuming his work as the exploratory touches of the Walrider honed in on Miles' ass. Miles was ashamed of the broken, pathetic whimper that escaped his lips. Billy noticed and raised an eyebrow as he stared up at Miles.

A tendril pressed its way inside just as Miles met Billy's strange eyes. A smug grin appeared on the young man's face at the way the reporter gasped and moaned. Billy stroked Miles, gripping the base and aiming it at his mouth. "Don't come yet, Mister Upshur."

Miles was too far gone to correct the slip back into the formal address. He thrust his hips upwards, gagging Billy again. The seeking appendage wriggling against Miles' insides had him gasping. The return of a wet mouth brought him quickly to the edge.

"Dammit," Miles groaned with frustration. Right before he reached the edge of no return, the attentions on all of his erogenous zones ceased simultaneously. His eyes flew open and he was unaware of when he had closed them. He stared down at Billy, panting for breath.

"What's wrong, Mister Upshur?" Billy purred, looking up at a bewildered Miles with his face still so close to the Miles' shaft. "I thought you liked it to last a little longer than that?" The strange tentacle that pushed inside of him was thicker and more textured than the others, drawing a broken moan out of the reporter as it began to pump slowly.

"Fuck, Billy," Miles cursed, throwing his head back against the wall. Miles was having trouble staying upright. His body wanted to arch and writhe under the strange ministrations. The young man chuckled as Miles slid down until he was almost flat on his back, pushing back against the intruding member. Before long, the seeking tendrils put pressure against the spot that made Miles jerk uncontrollably. The Walrider seemed to know exactly where to touch... "Are you in my mind right now?" Miles asked, breathlessly.

"I can tell what you like," Billy said, looking up at Miles' face. "Watching your pleasure is the most erotic thing we've ever seen."

We. Miles' flesh broke out in bumps and he felt an involuntary shiver wrack his spine. Miles put his feet on the bed, bending his knees, and rocked his hips shamelessly drawing a wanton whimper from this audience. Billy lowered his head and took Miles into his mouth, slurping around his shaft .The Walrider's appendages continued to pump in and out like the pistons on a machine. The moans were continuous and Miles felt his body tensing in preparation. He gasped for air, reaching his hand down to tangle in Billy's wavy hair.

"I'm close," Miles groaned, hips lifting off the small bed. "If you don't want to drink it, you better move." Billy did not move. His actions and pressure continued without interruption just as Miles threw his head back against the bed and cried out. A hot throat swallowed around his throbbing cock and Miles could not remember a more powerful orgasm.

Billy pulled up looking breathless with spit smeared across his young face and eyes still inky black. He laid on top of the exhausted reporter and kissed him, sharing the taste. Miles did not mind in the least. He deepened their kiss, wrapping his arms tightly around his lover. The realization woke his brain from its post-coital haze. Billy was his lover. The young man pulled back to look at Miles when he ceased returning the kiss. He stared up at the young man, his eyes slowly returning back to their deep blue state.

"Are you okay Mister Upshur?"

Miles rolled his eyes and dropped his head with a thud. "I am better than okay," Miles said, giving a tired chuckle. "I haven't come that hard in a long, long time."

"Really?" Billy asked, his voice rising with excitement. "It was...okay?"

"Oh it was sloppy, in the best way," Miles grinned, his hand reaching out to ruffle Billy's sex styled hair. "You suck a dick like you're starving for it."

Billy's already flushed face faded into an even deeper blush. "I have been wanting to try that for a while now."

Miles' limbs felt like they were made of lead. He could not move out of the twin bed. "Is it alright if I use this bed for tonight?" Miles asked, closing his eyes and sighing deeply.

"Don't move," Billy said. Miles felt the weight lift from the mattress. Seconds later, there was a scraping of wood against the floor and then a thud against the side of the bed. Miles' eyes flew open in time to catch the swarm floating near the ceiling in its humanoid form. He did not feel afraid. He was too tired to feel afraid probably. He was more confused until he saw that in that brief moment Billy and the Walrider had managed to move the end tables and push the twin beds together. Billy jumped onto the other bed and scooted his body to the bed until he could drape his arm across the seam between the beds and onto Miles' shoulder. "We can sleep together?"

"I would like that," Miles said, giving a long yawn. "Goodnight Billy." Miles felt something pushing his shaggy brown hair away from the drying sweat on his brow, and he did not know if it was Billy's fingers or the tendrils of the swarm.

"Goodnight, Miles."