Chapter Twenty-Two: Sane Reassurance
It seemed heartless if the only person X visited in the infirmary was Zero, so he made it a point to drop by any Hunter injured in the previous mission. He visited all from his Unit, which was only a few rookie Hunters; the 13th Unit had suffered the most out of the three. X gazed mournfully inside a surgery lab, where a member of the 13th Unit was writhing against the bonds holding her to the table, her silver and black armor cracked and oozing blood and oil. Her helmet was cracked and loose, ready to fall off any second as nurse Reploids raced around her.
After visiting other injured Hunters, X finally made his way to where Lifesaver was personally tending to Zero, whose wounds were extreme. By the time X looked into the surgery lab that held his beloved, they had stripped Zero of his outer armor and even had to peel off his synthetic skin. The gaping hole in the blonde's torso still sparked once in a while, puddles of blood and coolant on the table dripping in steady flows to the floor. From the angle at which X watched, Zero's helmet was too dented into his skull to be removed safely, and his entire body now shone silver, looking so cold and robotic, hardly the soft body X fell asleep next to. Zero's left leg was in the process of being removed, crushed wires threatening to ignite the oil spilling under the protective metal plate that made up his shin. Zero's right shoulder looked like a crumpled piece of paper, his elbow bent backwards. X tore his eyes from Zero's mangled body to his face, the one part of him that still had skin. Even from his vantage point, X saw Zero's nose had been flattened and shifted more to the left, tears in the skin and one cheek bone fully introverted into his face. When Lifesaver lightly probed Zero's face, his right eye bulged and threatened to pop out, indicating not only simulated swelling and an overfill of fluid, but that his facial circuits had shifted.
X covered his mouth when Lifesaver pulled out a drill gun tool and pointed at Zero's head. With careful maneuvering, Lifesaver added deeper cracks into Zero's helmet and carefully severed the wires that still connected it to Zero's scalp. The helmet broke into two large pieces and, gently, the doctor Reploid pulled it from Zero's head. The blonde's head limply fell to the right, facing X and giving him a good look at the horrid, crushed appearance Zero's head had.
X felt as if he was going to throw up and quickly left the medical bay, even as the girl from the 13th Unit started to scream, the sound of a drill gun still audible from somewhere near where Zero was being held. He passed by Axl, who was also making a round of visits, offering encouragement to conscious Hunters. When Axl saw X, he excused himself and went after him.
"How was Dad?" Axl asked instantly. "Doc Cain wouldn't let me go see him, saying he'd only let you through…"
X felt like crying just then. He had no idea how to describe the horrible condition Zero was in, no idea how to make it sound like Zero would be just fine. He felt hysterical—he was on the same damn mission and he should have known better than to let Zero do the usual solo thing! He should have followed Zero's Unit into the hangers and been there to prevent all of this!
"I told Signas he wasn't ready!" X suddenly exclaimed, making Axl jump. "I told him Zero needed more time! I told him and I told him and I told him and… and…" X slumped when Axl embraced him, hands rubbing comforting circles on his back.
"I-I should have followed him," X mumbled, suddenly feeling so drained… "And made sure he was never alone. Sending him after the Maverick leader like that… Signas is such a dumbass… He looks horrible, Axl. It's bad enough that he and I are difficult to repair… how is Zero going to bounce back from that sort of damage?"
"Have faith in Lifesaver and the Doc," Axl said. "They'll get him back up good as new. Besides, Zero has the most powerful auto-repair system of any Reploid out there, even more so than you, it seems. I say he'll be just fine. Maybe he'll even get his voice back."
X nodded, feeling a little comforted by the confidence of his son. He should learn to have more faith and trust in his fellows, and in Zero. Zero had already made the point he had no intention of leaving X and Axl behind… he would pull through even if just for them. X took a few deep breaths, willing himself to grow calmer. Ever since Zero and he became a couple, X found himself getting easily hysterical when Zero was in danger. Was his love for Zero chipping away at his confidence in him? X would have to stop that; Zero would hate to hear it.
Axl led X away from the medical bay back to his room, where he hoped his second father would be able to wait patiently for word on Zero. Just to make sure, Axl stayed with X, even as the elite Hunter pulled out a laptop to do some work in hopes to take his mind off it. Axl settled into the couch next to X as his fingers tapped his keyboard, his mind obviously not wanting to give up the image of his hurt love.
Axl felt the excitement from earlier now dropping, crashing him into a sea of exhaustion. Although he hadn't been present in the mission, Axl had ended up helping take care of the Hunters he visited in the medical bay, and now he felt suddenly tired as the high of constantly running around inked out of him. His eyelids suddenly felt very heavy, and Axl wasn't sure he could make it back to his room.
X let out a small startled sound, lifting up his laptop just as Axl fell over and pillowed his head in X's lap. With tiny sounds of contentment, Axl curled up on his side and fell peacefully asleep. X stared at him, but his eyes softened and he smiled as he set aside his laptop. Resting his head on one hand, X used the other to lightly pet Axl's hair, the younger Reploid's body further relaxing. Axl truly felt safe and secure with X, and this particular show of it tugged at X's heart.
"It's gonna be hell," X murmured to the sleeping Axl, "when you finally take an interest in girls."
~*~
Zero cracked his eyes open as power surged through him, giving him just enough energy to be conscious. His vision was blurry, and he could barely recognize the blobs that were Lifesaver and Cain standing at his sides.
Seeing the two of them together and not fighting only meant one thing, and Zero mentally groaned. He sent transmissions throughout his body, but none of his limbs responded or even sent back error messages, leading him to conclude they only brought his chest and head online to talk.
"Take it easy, Zero," Lifesaver's voice came through, grainy and static-filled to Zero. "We've only managed to fix your skull and optics. No, don't open your mouth; your auto-repair system is currently working on that portion of your face. Am I coming in clear? Look to the left for no and right for yes. Not your head, your eyes."
Zero's eyes darted to the left, although they shook violently. Cain shone a light on them, and the pupils shrunk appropriately. The old human nodded in satisfaction, removing the light.
"Does it sound like I'm talking through static?" Lifesaver asked. Zero's eyes moved to the right, this time quivering less. "Can you see us clearly now?" He looked to the left.
"Damn it," Cain growled. "I told you that wire didn't go there…"
"Don't start, old geezer," Lifesaver muttered. "His eyes passed the light test, didn't they?"
"Don't do a damn bit of good if he can't see clearly," Cain snapped. He looked back down. "Sorry, Zero. We're working on it… fixing the frame of your skull was the easy part. Just getting your optics and hearing to this stage has taken us thirteen hours."
Zero's eyes widened a hair, and before he could complete his shocked thought, Cain forced a shut down, and all Zero saw was the descending darkness.
Dreaming was always foreign to Zero, be it a nightmare or a good one. Although Reploids had been reported to dream, most passed it off as their memory banks 'hazing' certain memories and running simulations based on 'if-else-if' statements – therefore, not truly dreaming. But Zero never recognized his dreams as memories, never recognized that insane voice or the silhouette of the man that ordered him to kill someone. Zero could recall dreaming of X before they got together, but that could have been wishful thinking combined with the else-if code.
As Zero replayed his dream of the old man and his orders, the bloodied hands and scene, he became vaguely aware his eyelids were fluttering and his brow was twitching. Somehow, Zero had the sensation of being asleep and dreaming, but physically conscious of what his body was doing. It was unsettling and, in some ways, frightening. In this state, Zero could hardly discern dream from reality. Was he dreaming of ripping that Reploid's arm off, or did he truly rise from the table and start a rampage? Screams were filling his ears and he couldn't tell if they were echoing in that dream-like way or were truly as loud as he figured them. Was that his blood he felt slick on his body, or was it his latest victim's as he ripped them in half with his bare hands, unholy strength filling his limbs as his eyes landed on the cowered form of a Nurse Reploid. Her mouth opened in a frightened shriek as he descended upon her and grabbed her by her hair to yank across the room and…
Zero's eyes snapped open as touch registered at the back of his head. His eyes dilated into tiny blue specks in seas of white until they focused, this time his sight much improved. In the darkness of the closed lab, the only light filtering in was that of the moon of the window nearby, and its gentle illumination softened the outline of X as he stood over him.
Zero didn't say anything, only willing his hand up. The right one still wasn't working, but the left one could move, and he used it to lightly stroke X's cheek. A blissful smile came to X's handsome face, his verdant eyes shimmering in the moonlight before he closed them, still stroking Zero's hair. Something in Zero that was roaring during his dream retreated back to the dark corners of himself at X's touch, and Zero pulled X down for a kiss to express his gratitude. When they broke the kiss, Zero finally registered wires trailing from his left forearm, and also felt the weight of thicker wires coming out from the back of his neck.
X whispered things to him, but Zero couldn't comprehend them. He heard the words but he didn't understand, and yet the tone was enough to soothe him to close his eyes again and relax on the table. Sleep overcame him, even as Zero battled against it. There were no images of dreams, but the whispered gibberish in X's voice echoed in Zero's mind and he wrapped himself in a blanket of them, surrounding himself with the strong gentleness and letting it caress him into calmness.
When Zero awoke again, it was to the voices of Lifesaver and Cain duking it out again. This time, the words made sense in his mind, filtering in flawlessly and crisp, like he had been installed with new hearing equipment. When he opened his eyes, his vision was sharp and quick to come into focus. He was able to clench both fists and wiggle both of his feet, and with tentative fingers felt his stomach. There was no hole, and he even had his skin back.
"I told you to just let it run," Cain hollered, "but nooooo, you couldn't resist fucking around, could you?"
"It's my job to help my patients!" Lifesaver yelled back. "What the hell are you still doing here now that he's fixed? Get back to your damn lab!"
"This is my building and I'll go wherever I damn well please! Who built you? I'd like a good word with him or her!"
"Get out of my medical bay!"
Cain waved his arms in the air. "I dare you to make me, you arrogant piece of metallic crap!"
Zero sat up, the movement drawing the eyes of the arguing pair. Even as they both protested loudly, Zero began to pull the recovery wires from his arms, legs, back and neck. He ran his palms over the holes left over and looked up at Lifesaver expectantly.
Lifesaver took this chance to go to Zero's side, a portal scanner in his hand. He ran it over Zero's form, astonishment plain on his face.
"You've recovered nearly a full hundred percent," Lifesaver said. "Your system is still repairing some other minor injuries, but your major ones are done. Once we'd repaired your crushed and torn wires and made the re-connections, you more or less healed yourself within a few days' time… incredible."
Zero smirked to himself, holding his arms out. He opened his mouth to request the holes from the wires to be covered by skin, but nothing came out. Confusion crossed Zero's face and he tried again—still silent. Lifesaver ran the scanner of Zero's throat, and it beeped softly. Deftly, the doctor Reploid pulled a connection wire from the scanner and held it up with the question on his face. Zero nodded, and Lifesaver plugged it into the open port in the back of Zero's neck.
Seconds later, the scanner beeped again, and Lifesaver looked at it. "Your voice box is repaired, and the chip is in place," he reported, "but your program has been regulated into 'occasional use' and attempting to force it to work is resulting in an 'unable to detect' or 'unable to find' error. Basically," Lifesaver unplugged the scanner, "your voice modulation has been defragmented from disuse and you need to put the fragments back together. It'll take some time."
Zero's face fell. He had hoped that having his auto-repair system running on high it would fix his voice while it repaired the rest of him. Although it succeeded on the more important repairs, his system apparently was much slower in getting his voice back.
"You'll get it back, Zero," Lifesaver comforted. "In the meantime, I'd suggest going to see X and Axl if you're up for it. They're in the cafeteria, last I heard." Lifesaver reached behind him, pulling up a pan of tools. Within moments he had Zero's ports covered with synthetic skin, and Zero was able to don his repaired armor.
Unfortunately, Zero's helmet was still undergoing repairs to its internal system and would be unavailable until tomorrow. His favorite blue ribbon was also shorn to shreds, and Zero was forced to walk the halls with only semi-brushed, loose hair and feeling as if it were tangling more with each step. Zero started for the cafeteria, intent on grabbing his boyfriend to celebrate his release from the medical bay. Many other Hunters passed him by, greeting him happily, and Zero could only smile and nod in return.
Inside the cafeteria, Zero spied X sitting with Axl and Double. Although he didn't want to deal with the fat Reploid, Zero was sure X would be happy to see him and started to move to them.
Double's voice made Zero stop and spin behind a decorative pillar before he was seen. "He probably did it on purpose."
X's voice came after that, "Zero isn't an idiot. He knows better."
"The guy's still depressed and not in the right frame of mind," Double countered. "I bet he tried to stage it up. Make it look like the Maverick was strong and he 'valiantly' sacrificed himself to kill it."
"Dad wouldn't do that to us," Axl said around a mouthful of food.
X nodded. "I have faith in him and what he's told me."
"You're still going about that? Jeez, X, seriously…" Double took a loud slurp of his drink. "Has it ever crossed your mind Zero might lie to you?"
A clatter sounded, and Zero assumed X had dropped his utensil. His voice came in a few still, silent seconds later, "Zero? Lie to me? Why would he?"
Double snorted. "Your trusting nature is endearing, X… but Zero ain't perfect. If he wanted, he'd hide anything from you, and you'd just go along your merry way without noticing. When's the last time you seriously pressed him for info and he brushed you off, and you just accepted it?"
Zero frowned deeply. Was this what X dealt with each time they were separated? Did everyone act like this—sympathetic to Zero's face but accusing him behind his back to X? Or was it just Double trying to separate them?
A familiar anger crept into Zero, the same flash of silky insanity that tore apart Dynamo. Zero had to press his hands against the pillar, cracking it from the pressure he applied to settle down. It would do no good to walk over there and rip off Double's head, no matter how appealing the idea was.
"Zero has no reason to lie to me," X was saying, his tone firm. "Really, Double, are you that jealous of him?"
"Jealous?" Double asked angrily. "I'm just trying to be a friend and you accuse me of being jealous?"
"I appreciate it, I really do… but I trust him and have for all the years I've known him. I know him… been in his head, so to speak." Zero could imagine X blushing at that proclamation.
Axl actually spit up his food and broke into a coughing fit as Double groaned, both knowing exactly what X meant. Physical intimacy was nothing compared to a full-blown connection to another Reploid, and to announce such was like a virgin announcing they finally quit being a damn prude. Especially fitting in X's case.
"P-Pops…!" Axl coughed. "I did not need to know that! TMI-GEDDON!"
X's eyes widened and he covered his face. "Oh no, not like that, we only did it once…! But it wasn't for that reason! It was just a direct… uh…" He threw his hands up. "That's not the point! The point is that I trust Zero!"
Double sighed, and Zero left the cafeteria with a smile.
~*~
X had heard of Zero's release from the medical bay, but could not locate the blond the entire day. By the time he was off the clock and heading to his room, it was well past dinner time and he still had not found his boyfriend. Where was he, where'd he go?
Figuring he'll at least change before resuming his search, X entered his dorm and nearly tripped over the first packed box. Signas had given the 'okay' for the out-of-base residence, but with all that'd been happening, the most any of them had done was pack small things. X hoped that when Zero recovered, Signas would give them a day or two to pack and move out.
X reached for the light switch, gasping when his hand was caught, and he felt someone taller than him press against him from behind. He turned to see a flash of gold and red, and his shock melted into happiness as Zero descended upon him, locking him in a ravishing kiss. X's eyes fluttered shut as he wound his arms around Zero's neck, hands intertwining in the golden tresses of hair at Zero's scalp, pulling him closer, as if desperate for that kiss. Zero's hands trailed down X's back before cupping his bottom and lifting him up, forcing X to wrap his legs around Zero's waist as the taller Hunter pressed him against the nearby wall.
X could only mewl softly as Zero ended their kiss and started on his neck, freeing one of his hands to remove X's helmet and run his fingers through the now-free locks of chocolate-brown hair. X rolled his head to the side, urging Zero with sighs and breathy moans, pressing his hips insistently against Zero's despite the blocking of their armor. Zero remained silent as he exhaled slowly over X's ear, causing the blue-clad Reploid to shudder and his eyes to roll back in teasing delight. Piece by piece, using only one hand, Zero disengaged X's armor, letting it pile on the ground under X as his mouth paid homage to every centimeter of X's neck and face. He nibbled on X's earlobe as his wandering hand slid along the outside of X's thigh, searching for the disengage switch for his boots. X whined, pressing his hands against the wall and launching himself forward against Zero, causing the blonde's eyes to widen as he toppled over to the ground, landing hard on his back. His armor absorbed the impact of both hitting the ground and X's weight still straddling him, clad now only in his dark blue jumpsuit and armored boots.
His jade eyes smoldering, X took in the image of Zero sprawled under him, his hair scattered about his head like a shimmering halo. Reading the lusty eyes of his lover, Zero smirked and quasi-dramatically threw his arms up above his head, looking a bit more helpless and all the more alluring. X licked his lips, lightly running his hands along Zero's breastplate, seeking the release mechanism to get to the lean body underneath. Finding it, X pressed the switch and pulling the offending metal off of Zero, tossing it behind him without care for the loud clatter it caused. Like a child eager for his present, X moved on to remove Zero's gloves and bracers, throwing them aside with little care for the fact one of them knocked over a vase. Both ignored the shattering glass as X plunged his hands into Zero's hair and pulled him up for a kiss.
When their tongues met, Zero's pressed hard against X's, the dueling appendages forming minute connections that seemed to burst with pleasure from their mouths, trickling down their spines. Charges raced throughout their bodies as the rest of armor was removed, and Zero broke their kiss with a hard exhale, shifting his body. The blond pulled X closer toward his chest as Zero trailed kisses down X's chest to his stomach, where he paused and nuzzled. X smiled and lightly pet Zero's hair as the blond pressed tiny kisses against his navel, his hands sliding along X's body. Zero pulled away from X to look up at him, his effervescent eyes speaking volumes more than he could possibly vocally say.
His ardor cooled for a moment, X slowly kissed Zero, taking the time to trace his boyfriend's lips with the tip of his tongue before lapping at them for entrance. When Zero complied, giving dominance to X, the smaller Hunter tipped Zero's head back and cupped his cheeks with his palms; his tongue ran along Zero's teeth, retreating when Zero playfully bit down. X's tongue lashed at Zero's like a whip to admonish him, and Zero's mouth opened wider in a silent chuckle. When X drew back, Zero's smile was brilliant, the most genuine and real one he wore since Iris and Colonel's deaths. It had been so long since he had seen it, it took X's breath away, and he hugged Zero close.
Picking X up in his arms, Zero rose to his feet and carried him bridal style to the bedroom. He set X down on the bed and stepped away, reaching behind himself and unzipping his own jumpsuit. In the silence of the room, the sound of the zipper slowly moving down its track made X's breath quicken as it echoed in his ears, his eyes glued to Zero's body. The zipper down, Zero raised his right arm up and slowly peeled his suit off, his new skin a little paler than before but all the more eye-catching as it came into view. With slow, languid movements, Zero pulled his suit down until its upper portion hung off his waist, stopping there with a playful glint in his eyes. X recognized the look and let out a low whine, his lower lip pouting so irresistibly Zero had to move back to him to suckle on it, all but falling on top of X even as the smaller Hunter tried to push off the rest of his suit.
Zero's fingers deftly found X's own zipper, although he was much quicker in relieving X of his last piece of clothing, fully removing his own as well. X moaned heatedly as Zero fitted himself neatly between X's legs, skin on skin, awakening a sensitivity in X that only activated around Zero. A tender smile on his face, Zero bent down and trailed the tip of his tongue along X's lower lip, only momentarily dipping it into his mouth before dragging it along his jaw line to his ear. He slipped a hand behind X's neck, gently massaging, as his other hand went to his own. With only a slight wince, Zero lightly ripped the synthetic skin and opened the compartment, pulling out his connecting wire.
X saw it and his eyes widened. "Z-Zero…"
Zero lightly brushed his lips against X's, the soft exhales on his face making X believe Zero was trying to whisper. He groaned as Zero pulled their loins close, the contact sending flaming shivers down X's spine and making his back arch. No matter how much he and Zero slept together, the feel of the blond against X would always stoke his desire and make him flush with need. Heat began to pool between them as their servos sped up with their excitement, and Zero lightly pushed the end of his connector against where X's port was.
True to what he had said, X and Zero never did directly connect again after the first time. Not even in his own perverted moments did X ever consider lovemaking plus a direct connection…
Eyes half-lidded, X nodded, kissing Zero deeply as the blond pushed the plug into the port. The connection was established immediately, and X let out a low whine as they synchronized effortlessly, and suddenly X's body threatened to overload as not only his own sensations were registered, but that of Zero's as well.
The kiss broken, Zero dove for X's neck, both dissolving into breathy gasps as X's pleasure bounced back to Zero, who reflected the feeling back. Such a simple act nearly made them both putty due to the intensified sensation. Heady with the pleasure, Zero trailed kisses down X's neck, down his chest, pausing to run his tongue over X's left nipple. X brought his hand to his mouth and chomped on it to stop the sharp cry as a shot of pleasure stabbed through his sensory, four times stronger than it should have been. Zero blew lightly against the slightly moistened nub, and X all but cried out, grasping Zero's head as his own seem to fill with the blonde's emotions and thoughts. X could have sworn he heard Zero actually speak, but the voice came from within, whispering tender words of love and admiration that were sadly lost in X's increasingly overflowing sensations.
I love you, I love you… echoed in X's mind, and he thought and returned the emotion and words to Zero. All coherent thought ended, however, when Zero's mouth arrived at the overly sensitive area between X's legs. Eyes wide in anticipation, X panted, staring down at Zero as his entire body quivered.
Zero smirked, and somehow X felt through the connection that Zero was teasing him, though no words were spoken or even thought to him—he could read the intention. Before X could come up with a comeback, vocal or otherwise, Zero's mouth engulfed him, and the sheer physical feeling of it forced X toss his head back, hands digging into Zero's scalp as his lover wasted no time with slow teasing.
Zero could hardly concentrate. The excitement of having X writhing from his ministrations was also mixed with the fact he could feel everything X did. Where Zero licked X, the blond felt as if X was returning the gesture. The double feeling made his eyes roll back even as he tried not to lose himself in his own pleasure and excitement, wanting more to fill X to the brim with the sensation. However, Zero's current, vigorous work was proving to be too much when intensified back at him, and Zero slowly began to pull X out of his mouth with a slurp. X's entire body shuddered as the cold air assaulted his sensitive skin, and the deep, husky moan that emitted from him caused Zero to breathe out heavily, warm air washing over X.
The brunette stared down at Zero, completely spellbound as the blond slowly ran his tongue up and down, tilting his head from side to side to lick each centimeter of X's length. X's fingers tangled in Zero's hair tightly as his boyfriend nipped along his inner thigh, working with teeth and tongue back up to the stiff prize and up to its tip, where his tongue lathered generous attention. X's foot twitched as he felt a scrape of teeth against the side of his hardness, his moans growing louder and louder as Zero continued to gently bite and kiss. Zero held the base with one hand, the other hand rubbing light circles along X's thighs, moving toward his entrance and teasingly pressing against it.
Zero's entire face flushed red as he continued, hardly able to hold himself in check. He closed his eyes, focusing only on what he was doing and trying to discern between him and X. If he kept this up, kept letting them meld together and just radiate off each other, their time together was going to be awfully short…
There. Zero found the hair-thin line that kept them from completely melding into a single program, and he kept it within easy access, even as X tried to absorb him into the pleasure net they wove. He dragged his tongue along one side from base to tip before drawing it into his mouth again, swirling his tongue around the tip. X's back arched, and Zero felt as if a solid mass of insane delight slammed into his back. Just as it threatened to sink into him and force his system over the edge, Zero pressed on that separation line and repelled X's sensations, forming a blockade in the connection just as X howled and his hips bucked up against Zero's head, forcing the blond to pull in a little more of himself. X throbbed between Zero's lips, and his entire body was shaking and radiating heat, even as his hips fell back to the mattress.
Proud of himself that he'd avoided satisfying himself too soon, Zero pulled X from his mouth, grateful that, as Reploids, they did not produce the same mess humans did during such actions. X was starting to come down from his orgasmic high and Zero removed the blockade.
Broken thoughts filtered into Zero's head in X's voice, although the brunette himself was panting too hard to properly speak. Mentally crooning to his beloved, Zero kissed up X's inner thighs, butterfly touches that caused the charged skin to twitch under his lips as he traveled back up. From the renewed connection, Zero felt both X's skin against his lips, and his lips on X's skin, as well as the system-deep trembling of X's system trying to recover from the explosive delight of release.
With gentle maneuvering, Zero pulled X up into his lap so the smaller Hunter straddled him, pressing himself against the half-hard length of X. He lightly bit and suckled on X's lips as their loins rubbed sensuously against each other; as the contact began to once again rile X, Zero pulled away and coerced the brunette to turn around so Zero's hips now pressed teasingly against his bottom, his teeth on X's ear.
"Zero…" X breathed. "Zero…"
Beautiful, echoed in X's mind. Gorgeous… say it again for me, love…
Listlessly, X tilted his head back to rest on Zero's shoulder, the blonde's hands ghosting along his body. X yelped Zero's name as Zero's right hand found and pinched a nipple, the left hand lustily rubbing X's thighs, touching everywhere but there. Zero blew gently against X's ear, reducing the brunette into mewls as that left hand finally began to lightly stroke him back to full hardness.
Shifting his body up, Zero bent X over on the mattress so the smaller Hunter now rested on all fours, the blonde's right hand now reaching for the nearby nightstand drawer. He pulled it off of its track, dumping the contents at the foot of the bed until his desired object came into view. Zero bent over X, licking an agonizingly slow trail up X's spine, shivering as his own body registered the sensation of both his tongue and left hand through the mind-link, and as X panted and squirmed under his boyfriend, Zero seized the tube of lubrication with his free right hand. Mournfully, he withdrew his left, instead pressing his hips against X's backside as he popped open the tube.
X pushed back onto Zero in anticipation even as the blond squeezed a generous amount of liquid onto his palm. He mentally groaned as X's shifting became more insistent against him, and gently, Zero sent X a warning of his need to block the connection before he exploded. X whined wordlessly in return, but there was no negative feedback as Zero blocked the connection. Pulling himself from X, Zero deftly slicked his length up, trying not to derive too much pleasure from the act. He poured a bit more from the tube before tossing it aside and applying the warming gel against X, who wiggled against his hand.
Zero kissed X's back softly as he inserted a single, lubricated digit into X, whose first reaction was to clench. Gently, the blonde moved his finger in and out, twirling it a bit before inserting a second all the way in, exhaling hard as X again clenched invitingly around his fingers. Pacing himself and trying to remain calm, even as a twinge of pain came from his groin, Zero put in a third lubricated finger, spreading the gel all the way inside and generously coating the walls of the entrance. With a smirk, Zero slightly bent his fingers, pressing down on the small, hard spot deep inside.
X cried out into the pillow he buried his face in, sheets tearing in his fists as Zero found a stray bundle of wires that sent pulses deep into him, striking nerves he had no idea could be activated in such a way. After the initial convulsive shock of pleasure subsided, X's body relaxed visibly, and Zero withdrew his hand. Ensuring he was still slick himself, Zero grasped X's hips and guided himself to the lubricated entrance. Zero bent over again, and X felt the blonde attempt to whisper in his ear as he pushed inside.
Immediately, X tightened around him, and Zero exhaled sharply, the warm, moist breath tickling X's sensitive ear and neck. The brunette moaned Zero's name, alternatively clenching and relaxing his muscles as Zero pushed himself further and further in. When he at last rested fully inside, Zero took a moment to compose himself, silently and breathily gasping each time his lover compressed him. It was maddening, and it took every ounce of willpower Zero possessed to not let go then and there. But he was determined to bring X back up, and Zero let out a ragged breath before pulling out slowly. X tried to stop him by clenching hard, and whined when Zero pulled out so the tip was only barely inside.
"Zero…"
A strangled but passionate sound escaped Zero's throat as he pushed himself back in, jamming into that bundle of wires that locked up X's body and dragged a cry from him. X bucked back against Zero as he pulled in and out in varying rhythms, sometimes even shoving himself all the way inside, grinding against X's backside as lips and teeth worked on X's shoulders, neck and back. The blonde's fingers dug into X's hips as he pulled them back onto his hardness when he resumed movement, threatening to leave bruises.
X grabbed at the sheets again as Zero's speed began to increase, and his hands shredded the fabrics further as one of Zero's hands left his hips and grasped his throbbing length, stroking it at a different pace than his thrusting. Pleasure built inside of X, mounting upon itself as Zero bit and kissed him almost ferociously, the blond coming closer to release. X's cries grew louder and louder, becoming a short scream of Zero's name when his boyfriend suddenly removed the blockade of the connection and X was suddenly flooded with sensations.
X's back arched as he hit orgasm again, screaming Zero's name as the blond reached the same completion as he thrust inside one last time, fully embedded and only further intensifying the feeling that didn't just wash over them, but crashed like a tidal wave that threatened to knock them both over. Even Zero managed a sort of cry as both of their bodies went rigid, wall after wall of bliss locking their systems and causing them to almost violently shake.
Zero saw flashes of light even as he bent over X, panting hard, his cheek pressed against X's slowly-relaxing back. Soon, the smaller Hunter fell onto his stomach, bringing Zero down with him. The blonde barely managed to pull his cord out of X's port and withdraw himself from X's quivering body, letting the cord tangle in his hair as he rolled to the side and pulled X close, nuzzling into the breathless Reploid's neck and kissing it slowly. X couldn't moan anymore, only managing sighs of contentment as Zero pulled their almost-overheating bodies together, their internal fans breaking the silence in their angry attempts to cool the Reploids' bodies off.
Zero buried his face into X's hair as limbs and fingers intertwined. X turned his head and kissed Zero's lips softly.
I love you, X mouthed. Zero smiled, mouthing back I love you, too before enveloping X in his arms. The connected lovemaking left him satisfied, loved, and happier than he had ever been before in his life. Zero closed his eyes, the smile still on his face as they drifted to into a blissful sleep.
<--- PREVIOUS CHAPTER NEXT CHAPTER --->
It seemed heartless if the only person X visited in the infirmary was Zero, so he made it a point to drop by any Hunter injured in the previous mission. He visited all from his Unit, which was only a few rookie Hunters; the 13th Unit had suffered the most out of the three. X gazed mournfully inside a surgery lab, where a member of the 13th Unit was writhing against the bonds holding her to the table, her silver and black armor cracked and oozing blood and oil. Her helmet was cracked and loose, ready to fall off any second as nurse Reploids raced around her.
After visiting other injured Hunters, X finally made his way to where Lifesaver was personally tending to Zero, whose wounds were extreme. By the time X looked into the surgery lab that held his beloved, they had stripped Zero of his outer armor and even had to peel off his synthetic skin. The gaping hole in the blonde's torso still sparked once in a while, puddles of blood and coolant on the table dripping in steady flows to the floor. From the angle at which X watched, Zero's helmet was too dented into his skull to be removed safely, and his entire body now shone silver, looking so cold and robotic, hardly the soft body X fell asleep next to. Zero's left leg was in the process of being removed, crushed wires threatening to ignite the oil spilling under the protective metal plate that made up his shin. Zero's right shoulder looked like a crumpled piece of paper, his elbow bent backwards. X tore his eyes from Zero's mangled body to his face, the one part of him that still had skin. Even from his vantage point, X saw Zero's nose had been flattened and shifted more to the left, tears in the skin and one cheek bone fully introverted into his face. When Lifesaver lightly probed Zero's face, his right eye bulged and threatened to pop out, indicating not only simulated swelling and an overfill of fluid, but that his facial circuits had shifted.
X covered his mouth when Lifesaver pulled out a drill gun tool and pointed at Zero's head. With careful maneuvering, Lifesaver added deeper cracks into Zero's helmet and carefully severed the wires that still connected it to Zero's scalp. The helmet broke into two large pieces and, gently, the doctor Reploid pulled it from Zero's head. The blonde's head limply fell to the right, facing X and giving him a good look at the horrid, crushed appearance Zero's head had.
X felt as if he was going to throw up and quickly left the medical bay, even as the girl from the 13th Unit started to scream, the sound of a drill gun still audible from somewhere near where Zero was being held. He passed by Axl, who was also making a round of visits, offering encouragement to conscious Hunters. When Axl saw X, he excused himself and went after him.
"How was Dad?" Axl asked instantly. "Doc Cain wouldn't let me go see him, saying he'd only let you through…"
X felt like crying just then. He had no idea how to describe the horrible condition Zero was in, no idea how to make it sound like Zero would be just fine. He felt hysterical—he was on the same damn mission and he should have known better than to let Zero do the usual solo thing! He should have followed Zero's Unit into the hangers and been there to prevent all of this!
"I told Signas he wasn't ready!" X suddenly exclaimed, making Axl jump. "I told him Zero needed more time! I told him and I told him and I told him and… and…" X slumped when Axl embraced him, hands rubbing comforting circles on his back.
"I-I should have followed him," X mumbled, suddenly feeling so drained… "And made sure he was never alone. Sending him after the Maverick leader like that… Signas is such a dumbass… He looks horrible, Axl. It's bad enough that he and I are difficult to repair… how is Zero going to bounce back from that sort of damage?"
"Have faith in Lifesaver and the Doc," Axl said. "They'll get him back up good as new. Besides, Zero has the most powerful auto-repair system of any Reploid out there, even more so than you, it seems. I say he'll be just fine. Maybe he'll even get his voice back."
X nodded, feeling a little comforted by the confidence of his son. He should learn to have more faith and trust in his fellows, and in Zero. Zero had already made the point he had no intention of leaving X and Axl behind… he would pull through even if just for them. X took a few deep breaths, willing himself to grow calmer. Ever since Zero and he became a couple, X found himself getting easily hysterical when Zero was in danger. Was his love for Zero chipping away at his confidence in him? X would have to stop that; Zero would hate to hear it.
Axl led X away from the medical bay back to his room, where he hoped his second father would be able to wait patiently for word on Zero. Just to make sure, Axl stayed with X, even as the elite Hunter pulled out a laptop to do some work in hopes to take his mind off it. Axl settled into the couch next to X as his fingers tapped his keyboard, his mind obviously not wanting to give up the image of his hurt love.
Axl felt the excitement from earlier now dropping, crashing him into a sea of exhaustion. Although he hadn't been present in the mission, Axl had ended up helping take care of the Hunters he visited in the medical bay, and now he felt suddenly tired as the high of constantly running around inked out of him. His eyelids suddenly felt very heavy, and Axl wasn't sure he could make it back to his room.
X let out a small startled sound, lifting up his laptop just as Axl fell over and pillowed his head in X's lap. With tiny sounds of contentment, Axl curled up on his side and fell peacefully asleep. X stared at him, but his eyes softened and he smiled as he set aside his laptop. Resting his head on one hand, X used the other to lightly pet Axl's hair, the younger Reploid's body further relaxing. Axl truly felt safe and secure with X, and this particular show of it tugged at X's heart.
"It's gonna be hell," X murmured to the sleeping Axl, "when you finally take an interest in girls."
~*~
Zero cracked his eyes open as power surged through him, giving him just enough energy to be conscious. His vision was blurry, and he could barely recognize the blobs that were Lifesaver and Cain standing at his sides.
Seeing the two of them together and not fighting only meant one thing, and Zero mentally groaned. He sent transmissions throughout his body, but none of his limbs responded or even sent back error messages, leading him to conclude they only brought his chest and head online to talk.
"Take it easy, Zero," Lifesaver's voice came through, grainy and static-filled to Zero. "We've only managed to fix your skull and optics. No, don't open your mouth; your auto-repair system is currently working on that portion of your face. Am I coming in clear? Look to the left for no and right for yes. Not your head, your eyes."
Zero's eyes darted to the left, although they shook violently. Cain shone a light on them, and the pupils shrunk appropriately. The old human nodded in satisfaction, removing the light.
"Does it sound like I'm talking through static?" Lifesaver asked. Zero's eyes moved to the right, this time quivering less. "Can you see us clearly now?" He looked to the left.
"Damn it," Cain growled. "I told you that wire didn't go there…"
"Don't start, old geezer," Lifesaver muttered. "His eyes passed the light test, didn't they?"
"Don't do a damn bit of good if he can't see clearly," Cain snapped. He looked back down. "Sorry, Zero. We're working on it… fixing the frame of your skull was the easy part. Just getting your optics and hearing to this stage has taken us thirteen hours."
Zero's eyes widened a hair, and before he could complete his shocked thought, Cain forced a shut down, and all Zero saw was the descending darkness.
Dreaming was always foreign to Zero, be it a nightmare or a good one. Although Reploids had been reported to dream, most passed it off as their memory banks 'hazing' certain memories and running simulations based on 'if-else-if' statements – therefore, not truly dreaming. But Zero never recognized his dreams as memories, never recognized that insane voice or the silhouette of the man that ordered him to kill someone. Zero could recall dreaming of X before they got together, but that could have been wishful thinking combined with the else-if code.
As Zero replayed his dream of the old man and his orders, the bloodied hands and scene, he became vaguely aware his eyelids were fluttering and his brow was twitching. Somehow, Zero had the sensation of being asleep and dreaming, but physically conscious of what his body was doing. It was unsettling and, in some ways, frightening. In this state, Zero could hardly discern dream from reality. Was he dreaming of ripping that Reploid's arm off, or did he truly rise from the table and start a rampage? Screams were filling his ears and he couldn't tell if they were echoing in that dream-like way or were truly as loud as he figured them. Was that his blood he felt slick on his body, or was it his latest victim's as he ripped them in half with his bare hands, unholy strength filling his limbs as his eyes landed on the cowered form of a Nurse Reploid. Her mouth opened in a frightened shriek as he descended upon her and grabbed her by her hair to yank across the room and…
Zero's eyes snapped open as touch registered at the back of his head. His eyes dilated into tiny blue specks in seas of white until they focused, this time his sight much improved. In the darkness of the closed lab, the only light filtering in was that of the moon of the window nearby, and its gentle illumination softened the outline of X as he stood over him.
Zero didn't say anything, only willing his hand up. The right one still wasn't working, but the left one could move, and he used it to lightly stroke X's cheek. A blissful smile came to X's handsome face, his verdant eyes shimmering in the moonlight before he closed them, still stroking Zero's hair. Something in Zero that was roaring during his dream retreated back to the dark corners of himself at X's touch, and Zero pulled X down for a kiss to express his gratitude. When they broke the kiss, Zero finally registered wires trailing from his left forearm, and also felt the weight of thicker wires coming out from the back of his neck.
X whispered things to him, but Zero couldn't comprehend them. He heard the words but he didn't understand, and yet the tone was enough to soothe him to close his eyes again and relax on the table. Sleep overcame him, even as Zero battled against it. There were no images of dreams, but the whispered gibberish in X's voice echoed in Zero's mind and he wrapped himself in a blanket of them, surrounding himself with the strong gentleness and letting it caress him into calmness.
When Zero awoke again, it was to the voices of Lifesaver and Cain duking it out again. This time, the words made sense in his mind, filtering in flawlessly and crisp, like he had been installed with new hearing equipment. When he opened his eyes, his vision was sharp and quick to come into focus. He was able to clench both fists and wiggle both of his feet, and with tentative fingers felt his stomach. There was no hole, and he even had his skin back.
"I told you to just let it run," Cain hollered, "but nooooo, you couldn't resist fucking around, could you?"
"It's my job to help my patients!" Lifesaver yelled back. "What the hell are you still doing here now that he's fixed? Get back to your damn lab!"
"This is my building and I'll go wherever I damn well please! Who built you? I'd like a good word with him or her!"
"Get out of my medical bay!"
Cain waved his arms in the air. "I dare you to make me, you arrogant piece of metallic crap!"
Zero sat up, the movement drawing the eyes of the arguing pair. Even as they both protested loudly, Zero began to pull the recovery wires from his arms, legs, back and neck. He ran his palms over the holes left over and looked up at Lifesaver expectantly.
Lifesaver took this chance to go to Zero's side, a portal scanner in his hand. He ran it over Zero's form, astonishment plain on his face.
"You've recovered nearly a full hundred percent," Lifesaver said. "Your system is still repairing some other minor injuries, but your major ones are done. Once we'd repaired your crushed and torn wires and made the re-connections, you more or less healed yourself within a few days' time… incredible."
Zero smirked to himself, holding his arms out. He opened his mouth to request the holes from the wires to be covered by skin, but nothing came out. Confusion crossed Zero's face and he tried again—still silent. Lifesaver ran the scanner of Zero's throat, and it beeped softly. Deftly, the doctor Reploid pulled a connection wire from the scanner and held it up with the question on his face. Zero nodded, and Lifesaver plugged it into the open port in the back of Zero's neck.
Seconds later, the scanner beeped again, and Lifesaver looked at it. "Your voice box is repaired, and the chip is in place," he reported, "but your program has been regulated into 'occasional use' and attempting to force it to work is resulting in an 'unable to detect' or 'unable to find' error. Basically," Lifesaver unplugged the scanner, "your voice modulation has been defragmented from disuse and you need to put the fragments back together. It'll take some time."
Zero's face fell. He had hoped that having his auto-repair system running on high it would fix his voice while it repaired the rest of him. Although it succeeded on the more important repairs, his system apparently was much slower in getting his voice back.
"You'll get it back, Zero," Lifesaver comforted. "In the meantime, I'd suggest going to see X and Axl if you're up for it. They're in the cafeteria, last I heard." Lifesaver reached behind him, pulling up a pan of tools. Within moments he had Zero's ports covered with synthetic skin, and Zero was able to don his repaired armor.
Unfortunately, Zero's helmet was still undergoing repairs to its internal system and would be unavailable until tomorrow. His favorite blue ribbon was also shorn to shreds, and Zero was forced to walk the halls with only semi-brushed, loose hair and feeling as if it were tangling more with each step. Zero started for the cafeteria, intent on grabbing his boyfriend to celebrate his release from the medical bay. Many other Hunters passed him by, greeting him happily, and Zero could only smile and nod in return.
Inside the cafeteria, Zero spied X sitting with Axl and Double. Although he didn't want to deal with the fat Reploid, Zero was sure X would be happy to see him and started to move to them.
Double's voice made Zero stop and spin behind a decorative pillar before he was seen. "He probably did it on purpose."
X's voice came after that, "Zero isn't an idiot. He knows better."
"The guy's still depressed and not in the right frame of mind," Double countered. "I bet he tried to stage it up. Make it look like the Maverick was strong and he 'valiantly' sacrificed himself to kill it."
"Dad wouldn't do that to us," Axl said around a mouthful of food.
X nodded. "I have faith in him and what he's told me."
"You're still going about that? Jeez, X, seriously…" Double took a loud slurp of his drink. "Has it ever crossed your mind Zero might lie to you?"
A clatter sounded, and Zero assumed X had dropped his utensil. His voice came in a few still, silent seconds later, "Zero? Lie to me? Why would he?"
Double snorted. "Your trusting nature is endearing, X… but Zero ain't perfect. If he wanted, he'd hide anything from you, and you'd just go along your merry way without noticing. When's the last time you seriously pressed him for info and he brushed you off, and you just accepted it?"
Zero frowned deeply. Was this what X dealt with each time they were separated? Did everyone act like this—sympathetic to Zero's face but accusing him behind his back to X? Or was it just Double trying to separate them?
A familiar anger crept into Zero, the same flash of silky insanity that tore apart Dynamo. Zero had to press his hands against the pillar, cracking it from the pressure he applied to settle down. It would do no good to walk over there and rip off Double's head, no matter how appealing the idea was.
"Zero has no reason to lie to me," X was saying, his tone firm. "Really, Double, are you that jealous of him?"
"Jealous?" Double asked angrily. "I'm just trying to be a friend and you accuse me of being jealous?"
"I appreciate it, I really do… but I trust him and have for all the years I've known him. I know him… been in his head, so to speak." Zero could imagine X blushing at that proclamation.
Axl actually spit up his food and broke into a coughing fit as Double groaned, both knowing exactly what X meant. Physical intimacy was nothing compared to a full-blown connection to another Reploid, and to announce such was like a virgin announcing they finally quit being a damn prude. Especially fitting in X's case.
"P-Pops…!" Axl coughed. "I did not need to know that! TMI-GEDDON!"
X's eyes widened and he covered his face. "Oh no, not like that, we only did it once…! But it wasn't for that reason! It was just a direct… uh…" He threw his hands up. "That's not the point! The point is that I trust Zero!"
Double sighed, and Zero left the cafeteria with a smile.
~*~
X had heard of Zero's release from the medical bay, but could not locate the blond the entire day. By the time he was off the clock and heading to his room, it was well past dinner time and he still had not found his boyfriend. Where was he, where'd he go?
Figuring he'll at least change before resuming his search, X entered his dorm and nearly tripped over the first packed box. Signas had given the 'okay' for the out-of-base residence, but with all that'd been happening, the most any of them had done was pack small things. X hoped that when Zero recovered, Signas would give them a day or two to pack and move out.
X reached for the light switch, gasping when his hand was caught, and he felt someone taller than him press against him from behind. He turned to see a flash of gold and red, and his shock melted into happiness as Zero descended upon him, locking him in a ravishing kiss. X's eyes fluttered shut as he wound his arms around Zero's neck, hands intertwining in the golden tresses of hair at Zero's scalp, pulling him closer, as if desperate for that kiss. Zero's hands trailed down X's back before cupping his bottom and lifting him up, forcing X to wrap his legs around Zero's waist as the taller Hunter pressed him against the nearby wall.
X could only mewl softly as Zero ended their kiss and started on his neck, freeing one of his hands to remove X's helmet and run his fingers through the now-free locks of chocolate-brown hair. X rolled his head to the side, urging Zero with sighs and breathy moans, pressing his hips insistently against Zero's despite the blocking of their armor. Zero remained silent as he exhaled slowly over X's ear, causing the blue-clad Reploid to shudder and his eyes to roll back in teasing delight. Piece by piece, using only one hand, Zero disengaged X's armor, letting it pile on the ground under X as his mouth paid homage to every centimeter of X's neck and face. He nibbled on X's earlobe as his wandering hand slid along the outside of X's thigh, searching for the disengage switch for his boots. X whined, pressing his hands against the wall and launching himself forward against Zero, causing the blonde's eyes to widen as he toppled over to the ground, landing hard on his back. His armor absorbed the impact of both hitting the ground and X's weight still straddling him, clad now only in his dark blue jumpsuit and armored boots.
His jade eyes smoldering, X took in the image of Zero sprawled under him, his hair scattered about his head like a shimmering halo. Reading the lusty eyes of his lover, Zero smirked and quasi-dramatically threw his arms up above his head, looking a bit more helpless and all the more alluring. X licked his lips, lightly running his hands along Zero's breastplate, seeking the release mechanism to get to the lean body underneath. Finding it, X pressed the switch and pulling the offending metal off of Zero, tossing it behind him without care for the loud clatter it caused. Like a child eager for his present, X moved on to remove Zero's gloves and bracers, throwing them aside with little care for the fact one of them knocked over a vase. Both ignored the shattering glass as X plunged his hands into Zero's hair and pulled him up for a kiss.
When their tongues met, Zero's pressed hard against X's, the dueling appendages forming minute connections that seemed to burst with pleasure from their mouths, trickling down their spines. Charges raced throughout their bodies as the rest of armor was removed, and Zero broke their kiss with a hard exhale, shifting his body. The blond pulled X closer toward his chest as Zero trailed kisses down X's chest to his stomach, where he paused and nuzzled. X smiled and lightly pet Zero's hair as the blond pressed tiny kisses against his navel, his hands sliding along X's body. Zero pulled away from X to look up at him, his effervescent eyes speaking volumes more than he could possibly vocally say.
His ardor cooled for a moment, X slowly kissed Zero, taking the time to trace his boyfriend's lips with the tip of his tongue before lapping at them for entrance. When Zero complied, giving dominance to X, the smaller Hunter tipped Zero's head back and cupped his cheeks with his palms; his tongue ran along Zero's teeth, retreating when Zero playfully bit down. X's tongue lashed at Zero's like a whip to admonish him, and Zero's mouth opened wider in a silent chuckle. When X drew back, Zero's smile was brilliant, the most genuine and real one he wore since Iris and Colonel's deaths. It had been so long since he had seen it, it took X's breath away, and he hugged Zero close.
Picking X up in his arms, Zero rose to his feet and carried him bridal style to the bedroom. He set X down on the bed and stepped away, reaching behind himself and unzipping his own jumpsuit. In the silence of the room, the sound of the zipper slowly moving down its track made X's breath quicken as it echoed in his ears, his eyes glued to Zero's body. The zipper down, Zero raised his right arm up and slowly peeled his suit off, his new skin a little paler than before but all the more eye-catching as it came into view. With slow, languid movements, Zero pulled his suit down until its upper portion hung off his waist, stopping there with a playful glint in his eyes. X recognized the look and let out a low whine, his lower lip pouting so irresistibly Zero had to move back to him to suckle on it, all but falling on top of X even as the smaller Hunter tried to push off the rest of his suit.
Zero's fingers deftly found X's own zipper, although he was much quicker in relieving X of his last piece of clothing, fully removing his own as well. X moaned heatedly as Zero fitted himself neatly between X's legs, skin on skin, awakening a sensitivity in X that only activated around Zero. A tender smile on his face, Zero bent down and trailed the tip of his tongue along X's lower lip, only momentarily dipping it into his mouth before dragging it along his jaw line to his ear. He slipped a hand behind X's neck, gently massaging, as his other hand went to his own. With only a slight wince, Zero lightly ripped the synthetic skin and opened the compartment, pulling out his connecting wire.
X saw it and his eyes widened. "Z-Zero…"
Zero lightly brushed his lips against X's, the soft exhales on his face making X believe Zero was trying to whisper. He groaned as Zero pulled their loins close, the contact sending flaming shivers down X's spine and making his back arch. No matter how much he and Zero slept together, the feel of the blond against X would always stoke his desire and make him flush with need. Heat began to pool between them as their servos sped up with their excitement, and Zero lightly pushed the end of his connector against where X's port was.
True to what he had said, X and Zero never did directly connect again after the first time. Not even in his own perverted moments did X ever consider lovemaking plus a direct connection…
Eyes half-lidded, X nodded, kissing Zero deeply as the blond pushed the plug into the port. The connection was established immediately, and X let out a low whine as they synchronized effortlessly, and suddenly X's body threatened to overload as not only his own sensations were registered, but that of Zero's as well.
The kiss broken, Zero dove for X's neck, both dissolving into breathy gasps as X's pleasure bounced back to Zero, who reflected the feeling back. Such a simple act nearly made them both putty due to the intensified sensation. Heady with the pleasure, Zero trailed kisses down X's neck, down his chest, pausing to run his tongue over X's left nipple. X brought his hand to his mouth and chomped on it to stop the sharp cry as a shot of pleasure stabbed through his sensory, four times stronger than it should have been. Zero blew lightly against the slightly moistened nub, and X all but cried out, grasping Zero's head as his own seem to fill with the blonde's emotions and thoughts. X could have sworn he heard Zero actually speak, but the voice came from within, whispering tender words of love and admiration that were sadly lost in X's increasingly overflowing sensations.
I love you, I love you… echoed in X's mind, and he thought and returned the emotion and words to Zero. All coherent thought ended, however, when Zero's mouth arrived at the overly sensitive area between X's legs. Eyes wide in anticipation, X panted, staring down at Zero as his entire body quivered.
Zero smirked, and somehow X felt through the connection that Zero was teasing him, though no words were spoken or even thought to him—he could read the intention. Before X could come up with a comeback, vocal or otherwise, Zero's mouth engulfed him, and the sheer physical feeling of it forced X toss his head back, hands digging into Zero's scalp as his lover wasted no time with slow teasing.
Zero could hardly concentrate. The excitement of having X writhing from his ministrations was also mixed with the fact he could feel everything X did. Where Zero licked X, the blond felt as if X was returning the gesture. The double feeling made his eyes roll back even as he tried not to lose himself in his own pleasure and excitement, wanting more to fill X to the brim with the sensation. However, Zero's current, vigorous work was proving to be too much when intensified back at him, and Zero slowly began to pull X out of his mouth with a slurp. X's entire body shuddered as the cold air assaulted his sensitive skin, and the deep, husky moan that emitted from him caused Zero to breathe out heavily, warm air washing over X.
The brunette stared down at Zero, completely spellbound as the blond slowly ran his tongue up and down, tilting his head from side to side to lick each centimeter of X's length. X's fingers tangled in Zero's hair tightly as his boyfriend nipped along his inner thigh, working with teeth and tongue back up to the stiff prize and up to its tip, where his tongue lathered generous attention. X's foot twitched as he felt a scrape of teeth against the side of his hardness, his moans growing louder and louder as Zero continued to gently bite and kiss. Zero held the base with one hand, the other hand rubbing light circles along X's thighs, moving toward his entrance and teasingly pressing against it.
Zero's entire face flushed red as he continued, hardly able to hold himself in check. He closed his eyes, focusing only on what he was doing and trying to discern between him and X. If he kept this up, kept letting them meld together and just radiate off each other, their time together was going to be awfully short…
There. Zero found the hair-thin line that kept them from completely melding into a single program, and he kept it within easy access, even as X tried to absorb him into the pleasure net they wove. He dragged his tongue along one side from base to tip before drawing it into his mouth again, swirling his tongue around the tip. X's back arched, and Zero felt as if a solid mass of insane delight slammed into his back. Just as it threatened to sink into him and force his system over the edge, Zero pressed on that separation line and repelled X's sensations, forming a blockade in the connection just as X howled and his hips bucked up against Zero's head, forcing the blond to pull in a little more of himself. X throbbed between Zero's lips, and his entire body was shaking and radiating heat, even as his hips fell back to the mattress.
Proud of himself that he'd avoided satisfying himself too soon, Zero pulled X from his mouth, grateful that, as Reploids, they did not produce the same mess humans did during such actions. X was starting to come down from his orgasmic high and Zero removed the blockade.
Broken thoughts filtered into Zero's head in X's voice, although the brunette himself was panting too hard to properly speak. Mentally crooning to his beloved, Zero kissed up X's inner thighs, butterfly touches that caused the charged skin to twitch under his lips as he traveled back up. From the renewed connection, Zero felt both X's skin against his lips, and his lips on X's skin, as well as the system-deep trembling of X's system trying to recover from the explosive delight of release.
With gentle maneuvering, Zero pulled X up into his lap so the smaller Hunter straddled him, pressing himself against the half-hard length of X. He lightly bit and suckled on X's lips as their loins rubbed sensuously against each other; as the contact began to once again rile X, Zero pulled away and coerced the brunette to turn around so Zero's hips now pressed teasingly against his bottom, his teeth on X's ear.
"Zero…" X breathed. "Zero…"
Beautiful, echoed in X's mind. Gorgeous… say it again for me, love…
Listlessly, X tilted his head back to rest on Zero's shoulder, the blonde's hands ghosting along his body. X yelped Zero's name as Zero's right hand found and pinched a nipple, the left hand lustily rubbing X's thighs, touching everywhere but there. Zero blew gently against X's ear, reducing the brunette into mewls as that left hand finally began to lightly stroke him back to full hardness.
Shifting his body up, Zero bent X over on the mattress so the smaller Hunter now rested on all fours, the blonde's right hand now reaching for the nearby nightstand drawer. He pulled it off of its track, dumping the contents at the foot of the bed until his desired object came into view. Zero bent over X, licking an agonizingly slow trail up X's spine, shivering as his own body registered the sensation of both his tongue and left hand through the mind-link, and as X panted and squirmed under his boyfriend, Zero seized the tube of lubrication with his free right hand. Mournfully, he withdrew his left, instead pressing his hips against X's backside as he popped open the tube.
X pushed back onto Zero in anticipation even as the blond squeezed a generous amount of liquid onto his palm. He mentally groaned as X's shifting became more insistent against him, and gently, Zero sent X a warning of his need to block the connection before he exploded. X whined wordlessly in return, but there was no negative feedback as Zero blocked the connection. Pulling himself from X, Zero deftly slicked his length up, trying not to derive too much pleasure from the act. He poured a bit more from the tube before tossing it aside and applying the warming gel against X, who wiggled against his hand.
Zero kissed X's back softly as he inserted a single, lubricated digit into X, whose first reaction was to clench. Gently, the blonde moved his finger in and out, twirling it a bit before inserting a second all the way in, exhaling hard as X again clenched invitingly around his fingers. Pacing himself and trying to remain calm, even as a twinge of pain came from his groin, Zero put in a third lubricated finger, spreading the gel all the way inside and generously coating the walls of the entrance. With a smirk, Zero slightly bent his fingers, pressing down on the small, hard spot deep inside.
X cried out into the pillow he buried his face in, sheets tearing in his fists as Zero found a stray bundle of wires that sent pulses deep into him, striking nerves he had no idea could be activated in such a way. After the initial convulsive shock of pleasure subsided, X's body relaxed visibly, and Zero withdrew his hand. Ensuring he was still slick himself, Zero grasped X's hips and guided himself to the lubricated entrance. Zero bent over again, and X felt the blonde attempt to whisper in his ear as he pushed inside.
Immediately, X tightened around him, and Zero exhaled sharply, the warm, moist breath tickling X's sensitive ear and neck. The brunette moaned Zero's name, alternatively clenching and relaxing his muscles as Zero pushed himself further and further in. When he at last rested fully inside, Zero took a moment to compose himself, silently and breathily gasping each time his lover compressed him. It was maddening, and it took every ounce of willpower Zero possessed to not let go then and there. But he was determined to bring X back up, and Zero let out a ragged breath before pulling out slowly. X tried to stop him by clenching hard, and whined when Zero pulled out so the tip was only barely inside.
"Zero…"
A strangled but passionate sound escaped Zero's throat as he pushed himself back in, jamming into that bundle of wires that locked up X's body and dragged a cry from him. X bucked back against Zero as he pulled in and out in varying rhythms, sometimes even shoving himself all the way inside, grinding against X's backside as lips and teeth worked on X's shoulders, neck and back. The blonde's fingers dug into X's hips as he pulled them back onto his hardness when he resumed movement, threatening to leave bruises.
X grabbed at the sheets again as Zero's speed began to increase, and his hands shredded the fabrics further as one of Zero's hands left his hips and grasped his throbbing length, stroking it at a different pace than his thrusting. Pleasure built inside of X, mounting upon itself as Zero bit and kissed him almost ferociously, the blond coming closer to release. X's cries grew louder and louder, becoming a short scream of Zero's name when his boyfriend suddenly removed the blockade of the connection and X was suddenly flooded with sensations.
X's back arched as he hit orgasm again, screaming Zero's name as the blond reached the same completion as he thrust inside one last time, fully embedded and only further intensifying the feeling that didn't just wash over them, but crashed like a tidal wave that threatened to knock them both over. Even Zero managed a sort of cry as both of their bodies went rigid, wall after wall of bliss locking their systems and causing them to almost violently shake.
Zero saw flashes of light even as he bent over X, panting hard, his cheek pressed against X's slowly-relaxing back. Soon, the smaller Hunter fell onto his stomach, bringing Zero down with him. The blonde barely managed to pull his cord out of X's port and withdraw himself from X's quivering body, letting the cord tangle in his hair as he rolled to the side and pulled X close, nuzzling into the breathless Reploid's neck and kissing it slowly. X couldn't moan anymore, only managing sighs of contentment as Zero pulled their almost-overheating bodies together, their internal fans breaking the silence in their angry attempts to cool the Reploids' bodies off.
Zero buried his face into X's hair as limbs and fingers intertwined. X turned his head and kissed Zero's lips softly.
I love you, X mouthed. Zero smiled, mouthing back I love you, too before enveloping X in his arms. The connected lovemaking left him satisfied, loved, and happier than he had ever been before in his life. Zero closed his eyes, the smile still on his face as they drifted to into a blissful sleep.
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