Mark wasn"t sure if he was imagining things, but suddenly Xiao Yan seemed quite different from his former self. A cold violence crackled the air and he walked as thought a constant storm surrounded him. Mark even found himself ordered about.
"Mark, I am collecting 2mL of your blood."
"Huh? What?" Mark had not had a chance to response to the sudden request when his arm felt a p.r.i.c.k. He looked up to see Xiao was already walking away with the sample.
"Mark. Pour me a cup of coffee, I want the water at 60 degrees."
"Mark. I am collecting your saliva."
Mark glanced over at Heine who was sitting in his usual position, then he opened his mouth for Xiao to swab.
This strange mood that had a hold of Xiao Yan did not release for a second. Even at meals he did nothing more that poke at this food, completely immersed in thought.
Mark looked over at Xiao"s plate, the mutilated and mushed food looked awful.
Xiao remained like this until Heine move in front of him and reached out to touch his fingertips. The sudden electric charge bridged the contact and Xiao finally looked up.
"Take this lunch." Heine set a new plate in front of him.
"Ah...oh..."
Heine sat down across from him. Xiao lowered his head. Under the heavy pressure of Heine"s stare, he shoveled the food into his mouth. He chewed mechanically, not tasting anything at all.
"I need another blood sample from you." Xiao did not lift his head as he spoke.
"Hm."
"It has been nearly eight years since you accepted the virus, for Mark it has been five. I need to compare the viral activity in your blood and—"
"I don"t need as reason. As long as you want it."
The corner of Xiao"s mouth pulled into a grimace. What does that mean... "As long as you want it? Shouldn"t it be "as long as it"s for research?"
Should Heine Burton start to talk to him like this all the time, his brain will short circuit.
For a solid month Xiao has been completely immersed in this study.
He has made quite a few breakthroughs. He know the viral activity increases with its duration in the human body. The more active the virus is, the more rapidly the body will deteriorate, until it is completely swallowed by the virus.
The virus in Heine"s body is clearly more active than Mark"s, in truth it"s rate of replication exceeds any of the special forces. Heine"s body will not hold out for two more years, it is unlikely he will make it another six months.
The price Heine has paid for his mythical strength is scarily steep.
Previous projects have attempted to suppress the replication of the virus, but it is intrinsically tied to the abilities it grants the soldier. Reducing its activity reduces the physical ability of the host, thus negating its whole purpose.
The virus is a part of the host, altering portions of their genetic makeup.
He needs to find a way to reverse the virus"s mechanism for meeting its energy requirements. He looked over other studies that attempted to strip the functioning portion of the its sequence. Perhaps he should do the opposite, regard it as defective and add elements to perfect it.
Heine continued to train Xiao Yan on blocker resistance. He arranged for them to complete a session after dinner until it was time for bed.
Before they began, Xiao swallowed thickly, Heine sat in front of him in standard military posture, his back was perfectly straight and he rested his palms on his knees.
"You have a question for me. I am not sure if I will give you the answer."
Heine"s frankness was beyond Xiao"s expectations.
"I will give you the opportunity to find the answer yourself."
Xiao Yan nervously clenched his fists. Did he really have to enter Heine"s mind again?
"I will enter your mind as a blocker. Try to trap me."
What?" Xiao asks, dumfounded. The last time he attempted such a thing he had been the one that was trapped. He had been sequestered to his subconscious for several days before waking.
"Focus on a.n.a.lyzing my thoughts extending in your mind, these tendrils are more fragile than those in my own mind."
"I don"t know how! I can only build a basic structure, as the blocker destroys it I just continue to repair it. It is futile."
"That was not the reason that you trapped yourself."
"Then what is?"
Xiao Yan looked at Heine intensely. That incident had been the reason why Mark had laughed at him and started calling him stupid rookie.
"Because the layer of your outer thoughts was too shallow, so you used your subconscious. The world of thought is not a static reality, its depth can be infinite."
Xiao Yan"s smile is complicated and strained.
"Imagine that you are floating amid the universe, far away from our solar system. You are surrounded in darkness. How do you navigate?"
"... direction is meaningless."
Xiao Yan seems to have had an epiphany, but he still doubts his comprehension.
"Connect to the terminal"
Xiao Yan"s heart leapt wildly in his chest. He lifted the connecter to his head and blurted out, "Will you still do...those things?"
"If you mean to you, of course."
His answer is completely beyond his ability to manage. Before Xiao can respond, Heine has already linked to the terminal.
Oh s.h.i.t! Xiao Yan can only scream in his heart.
Instantly he feels Heine probe the edges of his mind, his invading thoughts reach a speed that cannot be chased down.
At this rate, he will burrow straight into his subconscious.
How to capture him?
Don"t think about building a structure, that is too easily dismantled in this dangerous world.
He imagines he is in the universe, surrounded by such vastness, everything loses its meaning. And become a possibility.
Heine rushed into the void.
Xiao Yan struggles to align his thoughts. He knows the further Heine"s thoughts spread, the less likely he is to escape. No matter which direction Heine chooses to go, he can extend himself infinitely from any point.
"Now, learn to pa.r.s.e. When most blockers invade, they bring in whole ideas and intentions. This is the best time to evaluate their thoughts."
Xiao tried to interpret Heine"s thoughts as they spread throughout his mind.
Like a super nova, Heine"s mind spreads into Xiao"s.
Xiao could have never imagined...
He continues to extend outward and wrap around Heine"s thoughts. His thoughts are like specks of sand, each a fragment of countless memories and thoughts. He cannot interpret them though.
But he sees himself everywhere.
He watches as he squats down to pluck up a fallen leaf and pressed it to his nose. He stands with the piece of foliage amid countless zombies as the students transfer to the other craft.
This was his first meeting with Heine. He remembered thinking that his eyes were empty and that surely Heine took no notice of his insignificant self. But every fragment in Heine"s memory of him was impossibly clear.
He is lying deeply asleep, Heine"s gaze traces his lashes as he carefully measures his even breaths.
He had no idea that Heine looked at him so intently.
Then Xiao is overtaken by a memory of impossible intensity. He watches himself covered in blood outside the restaurant. He feels a surge of electricity and overwhelming nausea. His vision cracks and dims as terror tumbles through him like a tidal wave. All his thoughts disintegrate and his desperation overwhelms his reason, threatening to shatter all his restraint.
This is how Heine felt that day.
Heine"s fear was drenched in madness, creating a desperate need to smash into his blood and bones...to torturously possess him...Heine cannot tolerate the idea of his death.
His heart beats faster as Heine continues to disrupt his thoughts, the interruption rolled uncontrollably through his mind. Heine extends rapidly around the memory fragments, he is about to reach his subconscious.
Xiao is shocked. After everything, he still failed!
Heine withdrew from his mind and disconnected from the terminal.
Xiao Yan hung his head, the connector was still affixed. He gasped haltingly as sweat beaded above his brow.
"How do you feel about your performance?"
Xiao Yan whole body trembled, down to his pores.
"... bad?"
"What did you see from me?"
"That time... I almost died." Xiao Yan could not continue, the emotional impact was unusually unsettling. He couldn"t believe that the fearless Heine, who could face anything with indifference, would be rattled to such degree.
"If I had arrived a second later, if I had decided to not enter the restaurant, if the person who found you wasn"t me, you would have died."
"I have thought of this many times." Xiao smiled crookedly, his heart was suddenly filled with the urge to hold Heine.
"Besides what you saw, report your interpretation of my emotions during that time."
Xiao Yan looked up startled. He hesitated, not certain he should voice it, but Heine"s eyes were calm and steady.
"You are very scared."
"Please report whether you understand the reason for my fear."
"...you are afraid that I will die."
Xiao Yan swallowed shakily. His heart felt constricted, unable to beat past its binding.
"Pa.s.s. You have graduated."
Heine stood and Xiao could see the curve of his spine gently slope down his back.
"Lt. Remember what you have learned today."
"Yes, Colonel."
"Thinking can transform h.e.l.l into heaven. It can also torture heaven until it tumbles down to h.e.l.l."
Heine"s eyes grow heavy. As he looks down at him, he finds himself unable to break the eye contact. Xiao Yan feels as though Heine is attempting to order him to obediently keep breathing.
Heine had said that he graduated, does that mean he had accurately interpreted his memories?
So Heine really did fear his death?
Silence stretched between them as they slowly made their way back to the room.
Xiao thoughts rapidly circled wanting to explore more Heine"s words and feelings. Even Heine"s back seemed to have the gravity of a black hole, pulling him toward him.
As they reached Xiao"s door, Heine unlocked it with his fingerprints as he went to secure the area, Xiao reached forward and opened his mouth to speak.
"Heine!" A distinct desperation and need alters the tone of his voice.
Suddenly Heine turned back. Xiao gripped the door frame and leaned to kiss Heine, sadly he was only able to make contact with Heine"s chin. Xiao felt Heine"s arm wrap around him and pull him into the room.
The instant the door closed, Heine was ferociously kissing Xiao"s cheek and neck, his skin pulsated and nearly to broke open.
"You shouldn"t do that, the hall is monitored."
Xiao pushed against his chest, he moved forward, forcing Heine back step by step until he had sit on the sofa. His hands gripped the side of Heine"s face and Heine gripped his hips and moved his legs upward, forcing Xiao into a straddling position. His legs pressed against the side of Heine"s waist and the kiss became more frantic and heated. As the intensity rose, he felt the pressure build, until he was about to lose control. As always, Heine moved back at the last moment, before the spark of his desire exploded.
"Don"t call my name like that again. You cannot afford the repercussions"
Heine lips gently brushed against Xiao"s, then he nipped his ear to punctuate his warning. Heine carefully ensures there is no force behind his bite.
In his mind, this man plays with his body however he wants- even to the point of suffering. In reality though, he will always hold himself back so as not to harm him.
His efforts touch Xiao deeply.
He rests his head on Heine"s shoulder and whispers, "I will clear all problems."
Outside of Xiao"s door a man stands with his arms crossed. He looks at the closed door, as a chill slides over his eyes.
__
After they ate lunch the next day, Xiao teases Casey as they make their way back to their labs.
"Casey, even though you are no longer in combat training, you certainly have some muscle on you. So manly."
Casey arches his brow at Xiao Yan, knowing full well, Xiao intention is to not compliment him.
"What did you say about wanting to continue living?"
"Haha. Congratulations Casey. Even if you put on a tutu, you would not look like a doll. You have finally graduated into manhood. Such a muscular man, you are!"
Xiao Yan smiles as he remembers Casey"s kindergarten photo. He was wearing a petticoat and laughing in the sun like a lovely flower. Although Casey had removed the picture, Xiao had recovered it on an isolated server and kept it in cache. Whenever Casey was promoted or received any sort of achievement, Xiao Yan would whip out that photo to upset the scales between them.
"Xiao Yan, you dare to mention the petticoat. I will kill you!" Casey ran after him, furiously waving his fist in the air.
Since their training, they both have greatly commandos guarding Xiao Yan are forced to engage in the childish game as they run to keep pace with him.
Xiao ran merrily until his shoulder collided with someone. He looked up startled.
"This is not the first time you have run into me when playing with Lt. Col. Casey."
Familiar gently sloped eyes narrow into a smile, and Xiao Yan is lost to its effect. His thoughts fall away and he struggles to mentally rouse himself.
"Easy!" His usual exclamation pierces Xiao"s senses.
Jane"s lips stretch wide. Shadow and light play across his face in perfect proportions, bestowing a certain grace to his grin.
"It has been so long since I have seen you. Shouldn"t you greet me with a kiss or a hug?"
"A hug."
Xiao reached for Jane"s shoulder but was startled as Jane"s palm grabbed his thigh.
He lifted him off the ground, and Xiao instinctively squeezed Jane"s neck.
"Hey! Col. Wallace!" Casey ran up to them yelling angrily, his face was pinched in hostility as he glared at Jane. "Put Xiao Yan down! Now!"
As Xiao Yan turned to respond to Casey, Jane adjusted his grip on him and smiled. "I don"t recommend that you look at another while I am holding you."
Jane moved to exaggeratedly kiss Xiao Yan, who hurriedly put his hand out to block him.
Jane looked at the Special forces guarding Casey. "Please escort Colonel Casey back. This is an order."
The two guards look at each other deliberating which order to obey. They evaluate the consequences of angering Casey versus Jane.
In less than a second, Casey"s enraged shrieks echo through the hallway.
"If you don"t let go, I promise you will regret it." Xiao looked sternly at Jane.
"Oh yeah? How long does your x-2 last now? Let me decide if you have the ability to make me regret anything?"
Xiao"s lips twist up, "I"m already—"
"Xiao Yan. You are not permitted to disclose your research, its progress, data or any relevant information to anyone."
A distinctive cold voice rang through the hall, Xiao turned to see Heine looking at him with disturbingly blank eyes.
Jane released his hold and turned to approach Heine. His fingers push against Heine"s chest.
"Colonel Burton. You should hide your jealousy better. It is not like you to lose your cool."
Xiao Yan internally screamed. Did Jane know? Seems it is a more suitable term for Jane, who seems to have no depth he will not lower to.
"If you have any concerns you can report them to Major General Gordon."
Heine did not seem to place any weight on Jane"s words. He leaves no room for argument and swiftly turns back down the hall.
Xiao Yan hurries to catch up.
Right as he pa.s.ses by Jane, his arm is grabbed.
"It"s boring in the lab."
Jane winked his left eye and Xiao and his heart skipped a beat. This guy is very well aware the effect his appearance has on others and uses it to its fullest advantage.
"That"s a good thing."
Xiao Yan looks at Heine"s retreating back as he continues further down the pa.s.sageway. His steps are measured and steady, he shows no sign of slowing, but Xiao can feel Heine"s irritation spread through the s.p.a.ce between them.
"Tomorrow..." Jane inched close to Xiao Yan, his lips hover over his skin. Jane"s scent wraps around him and saturates his blood, flowing along the liquid to penetrate the heart of Xiao Yan.
He instinctively wants to leave Jane"s reach, but the difference in their power is obvious. He is not on his level.
"Would you like to train with me?"
"What?"
Just when Xiao thinks that he knows Jane, he will say something unexpected. He had not expected such an offer.
"What kind of expression is this? Are you disappointed?" Jane"s palm patted his head. "In your current situation, whenever you are not in the lab, it is important you enhance your combat ability. If Burton can teach you, so can I."
Xiao has seen Jane"s skills. His technique is very different from Heine"s. Where Heine"s movements are measured and clean, Jane"s are impulsive and chaotic.
"Of course I am not disappointed!"
Xiao Yan thought about how he would integrate Jane"s fighting style into his simulation program. Of course he also needs to collect a blood sample from Jane.
"Well, you should be. You should say that you are disappointed because you had hoped I would ask you to my bed. I promise you that after being with me you will be unable to enjoy another.
Xiao Yan is so accustomed to Jane"s flirty and vulgar nature that his brain filters it out automatically.
"Okay, we will talk tomorrow."
Xiao looked pointedly at Jane"s hand and he reluctantly lets him go. His face expressed his disappointment. Xiao admits to himself that Jane"s charming expression and playful affection makes one feel loved. But Xiao Yan knows how dangerous and powerful this man is.
They parted and headed in opposite directions down the hall.
Xiao rushed down the hall after Heine. Jane turned around and watched him, his lazy and casual grin disintegrated, shadowing his face in frigid and deep lines.
At this time of day there were almost no officers in the pa.s.sage. The whole channel was long and empty. Xiao doesn"t see a hint of Heine. He hastens his pace.
Just as he reached a cross section, a hand grabs his shoulder and pushed him against the metal wall.
Every cell in his body energizes and he throws several punches. All of which are easily caught.
His gaze finally crashes against a pair of turbid blue eyes. Xiao is shocked to find his a.s.sailant is Heine.
"Colonel Burton!"
Xiao Yan"s eyes widened, what happened?
"What he said was not wrong."
"What wasn"t wrong?"
Xiao Yan looks at Heine confused. His expression twisted into pain as Heine"s strength become to much to bear. If he doesn"t let up soon, his spine and shoulders will break.
"I can"t hide my desire...my jealousy...my possessiveness."
Xiao Yan"s mouth falls open in shock. Heine"s statement swirls within his mind as he slowly grasps his meaning.
What did Heine say? What...desire?
"I told you before that you must not be attracted to Jane Wallace."
His expression did not change and his words were steadily paced, but the content of his statement made Xiao feel he had gotten something wrong.
Heine"s heavy stare twisted around Xiao"s heart squeezing out answers he didn"t want to think about.
"He kissed you."
The sound of Heine"s voice sank the temperature until Xiao felt his nerves freeze.
"The x virus makes you addicted."
"...That is just Colonel Wallace"s frivolous ways. I didn"t take it seriously." He wasn"t certain why, but Xiao found he was reluctant to speak.
"If he can so easily bait you then what is the purpose of my patience?"
Suddenly time disintegrated to dust and Xiao"s gaze was isolated and owned bythe pained poison oozing from Heine"s blue eyes.
His chest hitched when he felt the heat of Heine"s breath spread across hisface. He was instantly taken in and subdued by the sheer power of Heine"spresence and will.
A small explosion seemed to sound off within his head.
Suddenly Heine captured Xiao"s mouth. He didn"t have time to react to theimpossible gesture, his blood gathered and rushed through his body, screamingalong his veins. Overwhelmed, Xiao grabs onto Heine as he craves the madnesspenetrating his soul.
His legs crumple and the strength of Heine"s kiss threatened to crush his skullagainst the wall.
He barely registers the curve of Hien"s brow, or the chaotic desire that brokethrough his skin and burrowed deep within his flesh to flow through his blood,his self control broke and he was immersed in his thirst for Heine"s mouth.
Hein picked him up and step by step carried him to his room.
His back hit the soft mattress and the loss of contact filled him with anaching emptiness, his craved this powerful man"s existence. The reality overthe illusion was overwhelmingly more satisfying.
Heine"s palm presses against his forehead, forcing his chin up as heconcentrated his beautifully brutal kiss there.
Although the combat suit is impermeable to temperature fluctuation, Xiao sensesa heat burst forth from Heine that he has never felt before.
As Heine backed up, he chased his mouth up as though his life were linked toHeine"s kiss.