Richard was making his way from lunch back to his office.
His… Orochi office.
That still felt so alien, so unlike him.
"Still, the best option I have, so let's make the most of it." He told himself, straightening his Orochi uniform collar. "Though I do miss the tie…"
"This suits you much better." Came a voice from behind. He knew that voice.
"Master Chandra, what a surprise." Richard said, turning towards his leader. Even at this distance, the man was clearly much taller than him, or anyone else for that matter. "I figured you would be hiding in one of your bunkers, considering the current climate."
"A climate I created, and could void at any moment." Was the reply, as Samuel came closer. Suddenly, feelings of fear came over Richard as he backed away until he was in the wall. "Besides…" Samuel lowered his voice to a husky whisper. "I like to… personally… see how my employees are doing."
A hand was gingerly placed next to his head.
A hand slammed next to his head
Richard flinched, screwing his eyes shut. Samuel leaned down on him, if anything looking… curious.
"This does not appeal to you?" He asked, gently lifting Richard's chin up.
A hand clamped around his throat, forcing him to look into the emptiness of that crossed helmet.
"Let go!" Richard said, swiping the hand away, before realising just how dangerous that was. However, Samuel did back away. "W-wait…" He stammered, looking up. Samael just looked… disappointed, which was somehow the worst thing about the whole situation. "I-I'm sorry, I was just…"
"Scared?"
"I suppose I am…" Richard admitted. Maybe more to himself than to Samuel. Suddenly, he looked angry. "Damn those two. Even when they're no longer in my life, they're ruining it…" He muttered to himself, as Samuel just watched.
"You don't like to feel… small. Do you?" He asked. Richard just looked down again.
That hit the nail, didn't it?
Samuel didn't wait for an answer, as he did something rather unexpected, and placed his hands around Richard's chest and lifted him until they were eye to eye.
"Is this better?" He asked. Richard blushed, looking away. If anything, now he felt condescended to.
"Enough of this…" He muttered to himself, before looking Samuel straight in the eyes, and leaning forward to kiss him.
Once he broke, the two men looked at each other and for that moment, Richard felt they were equals. He wrapped his legs around the other man as they shared another, deeper kiss as their bodies closed in, hands exploring.
Richard could feel himself literally being carried away by Samael to continue this some place more private.
He could feel he liked it that way.
The following morning
Richard's eyes fluttered open, inhuman whirring as his vision focussed a stark reminder of what he lost.
"Still not used to it…" He muttered to himself. He looked behind him, where Samael slept.
What happened last night came back to him in a rush.
He slept with his boss…
Well, technically anyway. They didn't go all the way. Probably because they knew there was no coming back from that.
"As if there is from this…" Richard softly said, getting up, looking at the alarm clock on the small table next to the bed.
Time for work.
He got out, gathered the clothes that were discarded on the floor, and headed to the adjacent bathroom.
He looked over himself in the mirror. At first it was a casual glance, but soon, his eyes hovered over his chest he couldn't help but notice…
Cracks.
Small golden cracks were appearing on his skin.
He gingerly touched them. They didn't feel out of the ordinary. If anything they felt like scar tissue and he did not want to remember why he knew how that felt.
However, something inside him felt like this was… normal. Nothing to worry about.
So he didn't as he got dressed. No time to worry, anyway.
By the time he returned, Samael sat up straight in the bed. That was about all the other man had done, though.
"Must be good to be the boss."
"I will be going off to my own duties shortly, but yes, they will have to wait." Samael rather casually said.
"Something tells me I don't really have that privilege." Richard said, getting ready to leave.
"No kiss goodbye?" Samuel said, almost teasingly. Richard sighed, before turning back, gently kissing Samuel as the other man held his head. It felt sweet, yet somewhat bitter. Like spoiled honey.
Samuel broke off, before bringing Richard's head closer to him, whispering in his ear.
"Wake up."
This innocent phrase made Richard startle and turn around. Why was he shivering now? Why did his chest feel like it was on fire? And not just his chest… His hand covered his face. What was… what was this?
"Radueriel…?"
He could hear a voice that sounded oddly distanced as he turned around.
"Richard?" Samuel asked, and he could swear there was worry there.
"I-I should get going." Richard stammered, now rushing out of the room.
Samael just looked at him go, face unreadable.
"Soon enough…."