Unexplored Territory

Christian was delirious with pain and fever, and time was an intangible thing. That bastard Michael had told him that he’d only been here for three days, but it was more like a day that never ended. His entire body ached and throbbed and burned with the fever that raged through him. He could no longer feel individual injuries; instead, it felt as if all his bones had been shattered, though he knew that wasn’t true. Sure as hell felt like it, though.

Just a little longer, Chris, please. I’m coming for you. The words echoed in his mind, over and over again. He wasn’t sure when he had first heard it, but it was the only comfort, and the only hope he had. Yuki remembered him. Yuki was coming for him. It was a simple thought, and could have just as easily been a figment of imagination, but Christian didn’t care. He clung to it as he clung to life. No matter how damaged his body was, he willed himself to keep on living, even though dying would have been so much easier.

He had tried to talk to Yuki again, to let him know that he was okay, that he was still alive. But he couldn’t offer him any further information. He didn’t know where he was, nor did he know how much longer he had before Michael grew tired of cutting him up and snapping his bones and decided to finally kill him.

Christian was tired, and found himself sleeping whenever Michael left the room, presumably to stalk Yuki. Even his sleep was restless, though, plagued by fever dreams and nightmares. He was alternately hot and cold, the sweat covering his body. Last time Michael had come in, he had sneered down at Christian in disgust, before taking buckets of ice water and dumping them on top of him. He left Christian shivering, chilled to the bone, but the water felt good on his heated skin, so he hadn’t protested.

Unfortunately, the cold water in the cool room did not help his fever any, and Christian was delirious shortly after that. Even when Michael came in to torment him, he drifted in and out of consciousness. Only when Michael slid a long blade through his bound hand did Christian come to abruptly with a scream. Satisfied, Michael threw a ragged blanket over top of him and left him alone again.

It was shortly after that when Christian heard the plea. Just a little longer, Chris, please. I’m coming for you. Yuki was calling out to him, was begging him to hold on, to wait for him to rescue him. And Christian was doing his best to oblige, trying to fight back fever and delirium. Slowly, the delirium was fading, and he suspected that the fever had dropped, though he couldn’t be sure.

A long time later, he was able to eat the cold soup and bread that Michael brought down for him. His captor would stand over him and feed him, some of the food missing and dribbling down his chin, but Christian hardly cared. He felt so disgusting that a little more wouldn’t hurt anything. He knew he’d be embarrassed to have Yuki see him like this, but there wasn’t much choice, if he wanted to be rescued.

While he ate, Michael talked to him, his voice almost friendly. His bloodlust lapped at Christian’s mind, the prisoner unable to find the strength to draw up shields. He had learned to mostly ignore the insanity and violence that swept through the room every time Michael walked into it.

“You know, I think that Yuki might be close now. Of course, I had to leave a few clues,” he smiled, tapping Christian’s left hand meaningfully. Sometime, around the fourth or fifth time Michael had entered the room, he had taken one of Christian’s fingers as a trophy, and as bait. Christian remembered being surprised that the finger hadn’t been broken prior to being removed from his hand, but he hadn’t registered the pain, not even when Michael had sawed through the bone.

Michael continued, his voice slowly losing the reason in it as he spoke. “I hope he gets here soon. I’ve missed him. He was the best partner I’d ever had, you know. He could find any criminal, no matter how hard they were to find, or how well they hid. But he can’t find me? Do you know why?” he asked, but it was obvious that he wasn’t looking for a reply. “It’s because he can’t bring himself to suspect me. He can’t make the connection between the killer and the partner who knew more about death than anybody else.”

Michael grinned, and Christian swallowed, his throat dry. Michael really was insane. It was a wonder that he hadn’t been caught yet. Then again, he wasn’t killing them out in the open, where there might be witnesses. And fact that he could steal them from their beds in the middle of the night, and erase their existence, was probably a huge factor contributing to his continued freedom.

“But he’s getting closer nonetheless. Ah, I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he realizes that I’m still alive, and that I’m behind the serial murders in this city. But, more importantly, I want to see his expression when he sees you, and sees what I’ve done to you,” he hissed, leaning in close. A low whimper escaped Christian as the other man’s Talent washed over him deliberately, crushing him.

A moment later, it was pulled back, and Christian could breathe again, staring up at his captor, the fear evident in his eyes. Michael looked very satisfied with himself, grinning cruelly down at his newest victim. “You know what? I don’t think I can wait any longer! I’m going to go get him. Won’t he be surprised to see me alive?” he chuckled, standing, the remainder of the bread and soup lying forgotten on the bed next to Christian.

“We’ll see you later, Chris,” Michael crooned, leaning down to give Christian a kiss, lapping up the blood that coated his lips from an earlier session. Christian didn’t bother to turn his head – it would just earn him another torment, and Michael would take the kiss regardless.

With that, Michael left, locking the door behind him. Christian was left to worry, locked away in that cold room with nothing to do but feel the pain his body was in and worry about Yuki. Because there was no way that the other man was going to be able to resist seeing his former partner again, even to the point of following him here, to this forsaken prison.

Christian arched his back, forcing tired limbs to pull against the chains that bound him, gritting his teeth to hold back the cries as his broken wrist and elbow protested the movement. His legs screamed in agony. His writhing knocked the plate to the ground, where it shattered, but still Christian didn’t stop. He couldn’t take this anymore, and now, Yuki was no doubt on his way here. He wouldn’t be able to resist, especially if Michael told him that he had his partner.

The chains didn’t give, and Christian eventually collapsed, exhausted and nearly unconscious. He wasn’t sure how long he had been fighting for, but it had clearly done him no good. It looked like he might have to wait for Yuki after all. If he was lucky, Yuki would manage to escape. Christian only hoped that he’d either take him when he escaped, or kill him beforehand, because he couldn’t stand to be left here, or to lose his life because of that bastard Michael.

Eyes closed, Christian dozed. There wasn’t much more he could do at the moment. Please be safe, Yuki. Don’t let that bastard get hold of you. Don’t let him do to you what he’s done to me. I couldn’t bear it. Those were the only thoughts that crossed his mind, the only thing he cared about. Yuki had to be safe, had to keep on living.

Christian realized, with stunning clarity, that he loved the other man. It surprised him, because he had never fallen for another man before, and had never fallen in love so quickly. He had known Yuki for less than a week, and they had already bonded tighter than he would have ever dreamed. Yuki was the only thing that filled his thoughts. Was he safe? Was he eating and sleeping properly? Was he still out searching for the killer? Was he still in love with Michael?

He was still dozing lightly several hours later when he heard footsteps and voices coming down the stairs. He opened his eyes and turned towards the single door, listening carefully. Michael had returned, Yuki in tow.

“Michael? What’s wrong? Why are we heading for the basement?” Yuki asked, his voice genuinely curious. Christian rolled his eyes; what was the fool thinking? Christian couldn’t believe that his partner had actually followed the other man home. He wondered what sort of conversation they had shared when Michael first approached Yuki, alive and introducing himself as if he hadn’t been presumed dead for the last two years.

A low chuckle that sent shivers down Christian’s spine, and Michael replied, “I promised you, didn’t I? That I’d show you where Chris was?” Stunned silence followed his statement, and Christian closed his eyes, swallowing. Opening them again, he stared straight at the door as it slowly pushed open, and then Yuki walked in.

Christian couldn’t help himself; he drank in the sight of his partner, who looked tired, rumpled, and anxious, but healthy. His ice cold eyes had thawed with warmth and surprise, as he raked over Christian’s ravaged body. His platinum blond hair brushed his shoulders now, and Christian managed to croak out a single word. “Yuki.”

That broke the spell on the other man, and Yuki ran over to him with a cry of pain, completely ignoring Michael in the process. Behind him, Michael narrowed his eyes, but shut and locked the door before moving over to stand on the other side of the table where Christian was chained down.

“Isn’t he pretty? I’m impressed; he’s survived longer than any other victim has survived. Most of them are dead, or at least broken, by this point,” Michael crooned, sounding almost like a proud parent. Yuki lifted his head from where it had rested against Christian’s chest, listening to his heart beat, and glared at the bastard who had hurt his partner.

“What the fuck did you think you were doing?!” he demanded. “Have you gone completely insane?” Michael’s eyes lost their amusement, and the madness shone brightly as he released his Talent, the power roaring over Christian and Yuki. Yuki, however, remained immune to it, but Michael hardly cared; Christian was the one he wanted to hurt.

Christian screamed, writhing in his chains, his voice hoarse and his throat raw, the screams coming out more as low, grating moans of agony. Yuki stared down at him in alarm, not knowing why Christian was screaming. When he didn’t stop, Yuki looked up at Michael. “Stop this! Stop hurting him!” he demanded.

Michael just glared at him, grinning maniacally. “Of course. But only if you agree to play with me. Or with him,” he chuckled. Yuki glared at him silently, unsure of what Michael was proposing – certain he didn’t want to know – but the choice was taken from him as Christian arched, a snapping sound accompanying the sudden movement. Yuki looked down at him in horror – he had snapped the wrist on his right hand, and the left one appeared to be already broken.

“Okay, okay!” he screamed over Christian’s desperate, agonized cries. “Whatever you want! Just stop it! Please!” he begged. Michael smiled in satisfaction, and Christian stopped screaming, his body falling limply to the table, whimpering and sobbing. Opening his eyes, Christian stared up at Yuki, the pain in them not for himself.

“I’m so sorry, Yuki,” he croaked, wincing as the words tore at his tender throat. Yuki just shook his head, barely holding back his tears as he leaned back down, his hands resting on Christian’s cheeks, careful of the bruises and cuts, as he pressed his forehead lightly against Christan’s.

He murmured gently, “Don’t apologize. I didn’t find him in time. I’m so sorry,” he apologized, his hand brushing Christian’s lightly, sweeping over the spot where his ring finger had been. Christian just gave him a look, and a brief smile flickered around Yuki’s mouth. “I know, I know. Don’t apologize, right?”

“That’s enough,” Michael interrupted their reunion. “Now, Yuki, strip,” he ordered. Yuki’s head snapped up, and he looked at Michael in disbelief. “Aw, come on, Yuki. Don’t tell you’ve suddenly become shy about showing off that gorgeous body of yours,” he jeered. Yuki just scowled, taking a step back and stripping quickly, while Christian watched with wide, horrified eyes.

While he watched Yuki strip, Michael stepped up and reached down, thrusting two fingers into Christian. His victim barely even flinched, too busy trying not to cry. He had a feeling that he knew what was coming, and while he was sure he’d be willing enough if it was just him and Yuki, he didn’t want his first time to be like this. Looked like he didn’t have a choice, though.

Yuki moved to stand beside him as he slipped his pants down, something small and cool prodding against Christian’s side. Christian arched his back obligingly, writhing around the fingers that had suddenly increased in number. Michael had four fingers inside of him now, and Christian whimpered, his eyes filling with tears at the tearing pain.

“Go ahead,” Michael invited, when Yuki was fully stripped. “He’s ready for you. Well, as ready as he’s going to get,” he chuckled. Yuki glared at him, before turning to stare at Christian, a refusal on the tip of his tongue. Christian shook his head, his eyes gentle and encouraging. He didn’t mind, not if it was Yuki.

His partner climbed easily onto the table, maneuvering himself around so that he was kneeling between Christian’s spread legs. Bending down, he took Christian in his mouth, but stopped when the other man winced, too tender for even the lightest touches. Yuki sighed, his eyes so sad, and Christian smiled up at him in return, lifting his hips.

Yuki placed his hands under Christian, holding the other man up, and slid in slowly, a little bit as a time. Christian bit his lip until it bled, refusing to cry out. Yuki stopped once he was fully seated, and reached up, cupping Christian’s cheek in his palm. His skin was so warm, and Christian turned into it, pressing a soft kiss there.

Yuki arched his back, forcing himself further into Christian, who gasped, as he screamed. Christian, not understanding, looked around behind Yuki, and saw Michael there, grinning cruelly, his hands on Yuki’s hips in a punishing grip. Shit! He had just forced himself inside Yuki, with no preparation. Christian felt warm liquid dripping onto his spread legs, and realized that Yuki was bleeding.

“Yuki! Yuki!” he cried out, tears spilling as he called out to his partner. Yuki just grunted, and smiled down at him, shifting so that his legs were under Christian, his hands resting up by Christian’s arms. As Michael moved, he forced Yuki to move, which forced Christian to move as far as the bonds would let him. He bit his lip again as his limbs flared with agony with each new jerk.

“Move, Yuki,” Michael growled, and Yuki complied, his eyes cold and emotionless as he obeyed, thrusting into Christian and then back onto Michael, blood slicking the way for all of them. He must have done something else, because Michael grunted, and his thrusts sped up, slamming hard into Yuki, forcing the other man into Christian.

Yuki smiled down at Christian, as Michael moaned and stilled, obviously having just released inside of his newest captive. Yuki continued to move, thrusting into Christian, his eyes gentle now, and Christian smiled back up at him tiredly, mustering enough strength to squeeze down, making Yuki come with a gasp and the sound of his name. “Chris!” he breathed, the sound no louder than a whisper.

He allowed his and Michael’s combined weight to come to rest on Christian’s prone body, and the dark-haired man winced, a small pain sound squeezing out from him as his cracked ribs protested the added weight. Yuki’s hands brushed up along his body, finally sliding under his back and holding him briefly. He leaned down and brushed lips across Christian’s, and the other man responded willingly enough.

Michael finally mustered enough strength to pull out of Yuki, and Yuki took the only opportunity he’d get. Pulling out of Christian just as quickly, he threw himself backwards, sending them both tumbling to the ground. Twisting around as power flooded around them, sending Christian into another bout of screaming, Yuki grabbed Michael around the throat, his hand bringing the gun around.

But he had forgotten how strong Michael was. The other man reached up and caught his wrists, snapping the one that held the gun with hardly any effort. The other hand jerked Yuki’s arm to the side, tearing him away from Michael’s throat and sending him sliding across the floor. His gun was in Michael’s hand by the time he came to a stop, glaring up at his ex-partner.

Michael pointed the gun at him casually. “That wasn’t very nice, Yuki,” he murmured. “And to think, you used to be such an obedient little plaything.” His voice sounded almost regretful, and Yuki snarled, a growl deep in his chest. Michael smiled. “That’s a good look. Reminds me of your partner when I first caught him, snatching him right out of your bedroom at the commissioner’s house.”

“Yuki! Use it!” Christian screamed, his voice breaking as he tried to surface from the chaos that was suffocating him. “Kill him!” It was an order, and a plea, and Yuki reacted accordingly, relying solely on instinct. An old knowledge flooded through him, and Yuki narrowed his eyes, dropping the temperature in the room to below the freezing point. His eyes grew as dark as the sky when a snowstorm approached, turbulent and brutal.

Ice crept along the floor, but it wasn’t fast enough, and Michael fired a shot. Yuki rolled just in time, but the bullet still nicked his shoulder. Yuki didn’t care, though, the blood freezing before it could flow from the small wound. The ice moved faster now, as Yuki reintegrated himself with a power that he’d loved having as a child, but had forgotten after the trauma of killing an entire group of people with it.

His Talent exploded, ice shooting up the walls and across the floor, snapping across Michael’s legs and waist. The metal on the gun froze, sealing the barrel closed and rendering it useless. “Don’t fire,” Yuki warned him.

Michael just snarled at him, and pulled the trigger. The bullet hit the ice and shattered it, sending sharp pieces of glittering shards in every direction. Yuki coated the gun in ice again, even as ice crawled the rest of the way up Michael’s body, up to his neck.

“Ah, so pretty,” Michael crooned, only his head free from the ice block that the rest of his body was encased in. “Finish it, Yuki. Like you did two years ago, when I should have died.” His eyes were mad, his expression insane as he stared at Yuki.

Yuki scowled at him, “Shut up! I had wanted to bring you in to face justice, but what you’ve done is unforgivable!” With those parting words, the ice covered the rest of Michael, freezing him down to the very blood that ran in his veins. With a snarl, Yuki flexed his Talent, and the ice flower shattered into a million different pieces, the fading sunlight turning the crimson blood into a softer purple, blue and pale silver shot throughout it.

Christian stopped screaming abruptly, and Yuki forced himself to his feet, calling back his Talent, so that the room warmed up back to a more normal temperature. The ice would melt, eventually.

Moving over to the table, Yuki reached again under Christian’s back, murmuring to him soothing. “Let’s get out of here, shall we?” he muttered, his hands gentle as he released Christian’s wrists and ankles. His partner tried to curl up on his side, but then winced, his whole body protesting the movement.

Yuki just sighed softly and bent down, slipping his jeans and shirt back on. He threw his coat over Christian’s prone body, then reached under him, lifting him up easily. He had trained to be strong, and he was determined to carry his partner out of there.

Christian moaned as his ribs were jostled, and Yuki soothed him. “Shush, Chris,” he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to the other man’s forehead as he moved to the door, using a quick burst of ice to break the lock and kicking the door open quickly. “I know it hurts, but I’m going to get you out of here and to a hospital. He’s dead, Chris. He is. I killed him.” Yuki felt no remorse for destroying the serial killer, and only regretted that he hadn’t caught on sooner, before Christian had been taken.

Christian opened his eyes, staring up at Yuki’s hard face. He saw the ice creeping into his eyes again, and whimpered. Yuki glanced down at him, and his eyes were warm again, gentle and concerned. Christian felt better immediately, and snuggled against Yuki, burying his face in the curve where Yuki’s throat met his shoulders.

Yuki was so warm, and Christian reveled in the heat. Even where Yuki’s hands touched his naked body, under his knees and across his back, the skin was warm. So different from the cold that he had grown accustomed to.

They walked out of the house, and into the growing twilight. A car sat at the end of a paved driveway lined with simple bushes. Lifting his head from Yuki’s shoulder, Christian stared in wide-eyed surprise at the house that they had just left. Looking back behind the house, he saw a heavily wooded area, and he turned to stare up at Yuki, the disbelief evident on his face.

Yuki scowled, staring straight ahead. “Yes, that bastard was practically in my backyard, and I didn’t even know it,” he growled, the self-loathing evident. Christian was too tired to offer words of encouragement, so instead, he leaned back against Yuki, rubbing his uninjured cheek against his collarbone.

Yuki smiled down at him, happy at the gesture of forgiveness. He apologized before shifting Christian to one arm, jostling him again. Christian winced, but showed no other signs of the pain he was in.

Once the door was open, Yuki set Christian in the passenger seat, which he then lowered into a reclining position. Strapping Christian in, he quickly moved to the driver’s side and climbed in, wincing slightly as his backside protested. He supposed that he’d have to be checked out at the hospital, too. Ugh.

Turning on the heat, knowing that Christian would like it, he turned down the street, heading for the hospital. Christian dozed in the seat next to him, his face tense, lined with pain. With a gentle smile, Yuki reached out and wrapped his hand around Christian’s uninjured one, the touch reassuring them both.

“I’m here, Chris. And I’m not going anywhere. I promise,” he whispered. Christian didn’t answer, but some of the tension left his face, and Yuki gave his hand a small squeeze. They were safe, free, and the serial murderer wouldn’t be killing anybody else. Christian would heal from the physical damage, and Yuki would be there to help him recover emotionally and mentally.

Turning towards the hospital, Yuki murmured under his breath, “You know I love you, right?” He wasn’t expecting the dozing Christian to answer, so when the response came, he was surprised.

“Love you, too,” Christian mumbled, squeezing his hand in return. Yuki smiled. Everything would be okay. It looked like they might get their happy ending, after all.