Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Chosen One ❯ Chapter 3:Anomaly ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter 3:Anomaly

"It's just a very bad fever," the doctor announced, folding back his stethoscope and dumping it in his medical bag. Beside him, still lying prone on the bed, his patient gave a derisive snort.

"What else is new?" was his mumbled reply.

To Ryo's relief, Jeremiah Gooding, the new tenant, was a doctor and had been more than willing to come over. He was perhaps in his mid-forties, hair graying at the temples and sporting a carefully trimmed mustache. He had a kindly look about him, reminding Ryo of those portrayals of good, old-fashioned country doctors. It was the kind of face you trusted instantly.

Dr. Gooding patted Dee's shoulder affectionately, saying, "It's good to keep your spirits up when you're sick. It makes you get better that much quicker. Now, I want you to stay in bed for at least 3 days, until your fever has completely gone down. Understand?"

Dee gave a groan in reply.

"The sooner you get better, the sooner you can cuddle with your friend there so no complaints, you hear?"

Dee opened an eye in slow surprise while Ryo blushed madly, fidgeting behind the doctor. "You're remarkably perspective. And quite tolerant it seems."

The doctor shrugged good-naturedly. "When you've been a doctor for as long as I have, nothing really escapes you. Or surprises you."

Later, as Ryo escorted the doctor out, the man placed a hand on Ryo's, a look of understanding on his face. "I know you're very worried about your friend there but all he needs now is plenty of rest, fluids, and lots of quiet. Make sure he gets that, okay? Chain him to the bed if you have to but try not to agitate him too much."

Ryo blinked at the rather contradictory advice and the doctor chuckled. "I can tell from one look that this Laytner is quite stubborn so just try your best. If anything urgent comes up, just try your best to reason with him. The important thing is, don't get him excited."

"Yes, I will. Thank you."

"And that means no bedroom activities either!" He said, grinning, and wagging a finger in mock warning.

"Doctor!"

Dr. Gooding laughed a deep belly laugh and slapped Ryo's back affectionately. "Ah! The joys of being young! Anyway, just make sure he takes his medicine, all right?"

"I will. Thanks again."

True to Dr. Gooding's prediction, Dee finally felt a bit more human by the third day of his fever. The inactivity had left him chaffing though, and when his migraine let him, he complained bitterly to the patient Ryo. The man though, infuriatingly, would just smile, give him the medicines left by the doctor, and told him to shut up and rest.

Rose, true to his word, had given them five days off, on the condition that Ryo continued the investigation home and Ryo had been more than happy to comply. He really couldn't leave Dee alone in the apartment. The fever left him weak as a baby, even needing his help to go to the bathroom.

This was the third day though, and Dee definitely felt much better. He hadn't had a migraine since yesterday and he had managed to finish all of his dinner the night before. Dee counted that as a marked improvement and as such, he deserved to get out of bed, right?

"You're not going anywhere until you've completely recovered, mister," Ryo warned him sternly. Ryo was wearing track bottoms and a t-shirt as he lounged in an armchair by Dee's bedside. The small table next to him was stacked high with the folders he had taken from the office. He closed the one he had been scanning through and tried to distract Dee.

"It's been nearly two weeks and we still haven't gotten any leads. Drake told me that Rose is going crazy 'cause the Mayor has been calling him up every day asking about developments," Ryo frowned.

"Hallelujah."

"Dee," Ryo said reprovingly and the man just gave him a disarming grin.

"I meant about Rose of course. I think it's refreshing having someone drive him to distraction. It's about time too," he added cheerfully. "He's bothered me enough already."

Ryo ignored him and went on. "What I don't get is how come none of our informers found anything as yet. You'd think with the reward Rose put up, they'd be falling all over themselves to claim it."

"Well, I thi-ouch." Dee gave a small grimace of pain, touching the side of his head.

"Another migraine?" Ryo asked, alarmed. He opened the drawer, taking out the bottle of painkillers but before he could take out a pill, Dee gave a groan and slid down, lying on his side.

Ryo abandoned the bottle and quickly sat by Dee's side, careful not to jostle him. He reached out and placed a hand on Dee's forehead, feeling his temperature. It felt cool underneath his touch and Dee wasn't even sweating. Still, Dee gave another pitiful groan and Ryo leant close, trying to get Dee to face him.

"Dee? What's wrong? Tell me!"

Dee told him. Just not in the way he expected.

With more than a little surprise, Ryo suddenly found the back of his neck gripped by a hand which definitely did not feel weak with pain and he was dragged down unceremoniously, letting out a yelp of surprise on the way.

Soft, pliant lips meshed into his and all forms of coherent thought flew out of his mind as he eagerly leaned into the kiss. Dee was being fabulously, tortuously slow and gentle; he nibbled tenderly on Ryo's lower lip, eliciting a moan of pleasure from the brown haired man. Instead of his usual tactic of throwing the man into complete disarray by darting his tongue in that sweet cavern, he was content to throw Ryo off kilter even more with the softest, gentlest, most innocent kiss he could dredge up in all of his years of experience.

Amazingly, that innocent kiss had them both gasping for breath by the time it ended.

Ryo stared into grey eyes darkened with passion. His face was mere inches away from Dee's and he knew his own eyes were a stormy deep brown. The lack of. . . 'activity' for more than a week had definitely done wonders. That had to be the most amazing kiss he had had in . . . in. . .heck, that was a pretty good kiss. Blinking, his brain finally registered the wrongness of the whole scenario.

"You were faking it!" Ryo proclaimed indignantly.

Dee shrugged his shoulders modestly. "Naturally. I had to give you some sign that I feel good enough already."

Ryo rolled his eyes in exasperation and made to get off the bed. "You did that just to convince me to let you get back to work? Think again Laytner."

A hand reached out and stopped him from doing so. He turned around to find Dee sitting, face leaning close with a look of mock anger.

"Who ever said that I did that just so you'd let me out?"

"But, you're still recovering," Ryo protested weakly. The man's intense gaze was pulling him in until he felt he was drowning in pools of grey and black. He swallowed, tongue darting out to lick at suddenly dry lips.

"Then help me get better," Dee replied simply. He didn't need to say anymore. Ryo was like that. He didn't need to have things spelled out for him. He knew, without a doubt what he meant, just as Dee could always read him so well. That's what people in love do I guess, Dee thought absently as Ryo pushed him back down gently.

Ryo was maneuvering himself until he lay fully on top of him, but was careful to not put his weight on top directly. His fingers twined themselves in his hair, kneading, stroking and pulling gently on the silky strands as they kissed. And damn, Ryo was a good kisser. He took the cue from Dee, kissing him so passionately soft and innocent, just lips meshing against lips. He was lost in a haze of delight but he grounded his hips against Ryo's thighs in a silent pleading.

Ryo didn't disappoint him. Licking, he slid his tongue across in between lips already swollen and red and Dee obediently opened his mouth. The tongue darted in and stroked leisurely against his, promising him slow and sweet pleasure.

It wasn't often that Ryo took on the aggressive role but when he did, it drove Dee wild. He delighted in taking his time, exploring every sweet spot and caressing every bare inch until Dee was practically begging him for it but today, he was being even more slow, even more tender and Dee was loving every minute of it. Ryo's hand snaked up underneath his t-shirt and rubbed a hardened nipple. He gave a moan of pleasure and arched his back, trying to feel more.

Ryo broke off the kiss and he sat up, breathing as heavily as Dee as he crouched between Dee's legs. With one move, he took off his t-shirt, throwing it to the floor and helped Dee's off. Needless to say, other unnecessary items of clothing found themselves being unceremoniously pulled off and dumped on the floor.

It's kinda funny, Ryo thought to himself even as he explored those territories long left neglected. It's kinda funny that I was actually afraid of this. Making love with another guy. But then, Dee isn't just a guy. God, no. He was exquisite. A study of male perfection and he loved showing his appreciation of it time and time again. And since Dee is recuperating, why, he definitely had to make sure that the dark-haired man doesn't tire himself out, right?

Well, not too much anyway.

Soft moans and pleasured sighs danced in the air as Ryo worked his way down slowly, letting Dee feel every single kiss, every single touch. As he came to the evidence of Dee's pleasure though, he was surprised to suddenly find the man sitting upright, fingers thrusting through his hair and pulling his mouth into a bruising kiss. When they broke off, Dee was breathing hard, whispering to him, "Please Ryo. Now, I need you."

Breathing just as heavily, Ryo quickly prepared himself. With the both of them still sitting, facing each other, Dee quickly raised himself on his knees and gently, slowly, lowered himself onto Ryo, biting his lip in painful ecstasy as his body swallowed each throbbing inch. Filled completely with his lover, he let his head fall on to Ryo's shoulder, black hair falling messily over muscled, sweat-slicked skin as Ryo doubled the pleasure more, stroking his arousal, timing it with his own rhythm as he rocked slowly, building up the momentum.

Dee closed stormy grey eyes as he drew in a shuddering breath. As their momentum gained, he bit Ryo's shoulder softly, moaning out his need. At his little nips, he could feel his lover getting more and more excited, their rhythm rising with their urgency.

So close, so goddamn close, was his scattered thoughts.

Tanned arms, weak from his fever, wrapped a fierce embrace around the man he loves as the long-awaited for wave crashed over him. Warm liquid spurted, coating Ryo's thighs and stomach and in response, he felt the intense, near-scalding heat of Ryo's own climax pumped deep into him.

"Oh, god, Dee!"

Ryo would need to wear a turtleneck for a couple of days, was Dee's hazed thoughts, taking in the darkened, red spots that marked Ryo's right shoulder and neck, evidence of his little loving nips earlier. Still breathing hard, he let Ryo gently lower him back down on the bed and he sighed as he felt Ryo puling out of him. Rather regretfully, he allowed Ryo to carefully wipe them both dry and when done, he tugged on Ryo's hand.

"Keep me company? Just for a while?" he asked, eyes softly pleading. A sudden melancholy had filled him, drowning out the golden euphoria of their lovemaking and now he desperately needed to have Ryo as near as possible. "Bikky won't be home till late anyway," he added, seeing Ryo hesitate slightly and correctly interpreting it as anxiety of not greeting the boy home.

Remembering that Bikky was staying over at Carol's till late, Ryo smiled. Obediently, he climbed into the bed, sliding underneath the cool covers beside Dee. Surprisingly, it was the black-haired man that sidled close and rested his head in the crook of his shoulder. Ryo felt a little quickening inside at the oddly submissive gesture, reminiscent of what he usually did and he hugged Dee close, resting his chin on silky hair. He rubbed his hands soothingly up and down Dee's back and Dee snuggled closer.

And he wondered.

"No."

"My fever broke two days ago!"

"Exactly. TWO days ago. Which means you're still recuperating."

"And I'm feeling way better! C'mon Ryo, I ate everything that you cooked and haven't thrown up once!"

"You still got today left in your sick leave! Use it! Aren't you the one who's always complaining about Rose getting so hard on you? Now he's actually being visibly considerate and you're not taking advantage of it?"

"And it's still OUR case Ryo. I have the right to be there. Hell, I have to be there!"

". . . . . .nothing I say will change your mind, will it?"

"Nope."

"Even if I do handcuff you to the bed, I'm pretty sure that you'll find a way to get free right?"

"Mastered that technique since the academy, babe."

". . . . . . . . . . . . . ."

Big smile.

"Fine." Sigh. "But don't get too excited. And don't pick a fight with Rose. You do that and you'll be sleeping alone tonight."

". . . . . . . . .oh, alright."

Another abandoned warehouse. Great.

The area was already cordoned off with yellow tape but that didn't stop curious onlookers and passer byes from edging right up to the plastic barrier and craning their necks to see past the officers and detectives milling about the site. Lights flashed from dozens of flash bulbs as the 'hounds' sniffed eagerly for any bit of morsel they can run off with. Heads turned as their car rolled to a stop next to a black-and-white cruiser. Getting out and barely had they shut the doors when a number of the reporters surrounded them, lights flashing even more and recorders practically in their faces.

"Detectives! This is the second killing spree of the Anti-Christ Killer! What does the police have to say about that?"

"Detectives! There's a rumour going around that it's the work of a militant group! Can you confirm that?"

"Detectives-!"

"Detectives-!"

Goddamn reporters. Dee growled as a microphone was pushed too near his face. Barking out for an officer to clear the area, he and Ryo pushed through the throng of howling reporters, ignoring their questions and buzzing. Ducking under the tape, they made their way over to Drake, who was leaning against the rusty, metal-gray wall of the warehouse and smoking a cigarette.

"Wonderful day, isn't it fellas?" Drake gave them an ironic grin and squashed the butt of his spent cigarette under a scuffed heel. "Hey Dee. Feeling better already?"

Dee tore his eyes away from the beautiful sight of the recently quashed cigarette and sighed. "Kinda. Man, I'm dying for a smoke. Haven't had one in a week," he replied mournfully. An elbow jabbed his side and he smiled innocently at Ryo. "I know, I know. Not until I'm totally recovered."

Ryo rolled his eyes and asked Drake, "Same M.O.?"

Drake nodded. "Yup. Still thirteen of 'em, still little kids and still brutally murdered. Definitely looking like a cult case guys."

Ryo nodded at the gaping mouth of the warehouse, the door long gone and hinges rusted away to bare stubs of twisted metal. "Been in there?"

"Yeah. Makes me hate my job, sometimes," Drake sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Oh yeah, before I forget; here's the coroner's report for the first one." Saying so, he handed over a thick, battered brown file, the corners a bit tattered and dog-eared.

"Finally!" Dee let out an explosive sigh. He took the proffered file and asked, "What took them so long?"

The man shrugged. "They picked a bad time to reshuffle their system and I heard that it took them several days just to start autopsies. Too few staff, too many dead bodies."

The two of them nodded in understanding, though still upset over the delay. While the cause of death had been fairly evident, they had chaffed at the potential clues they might be missing and the coroner's report would definitely help shed some light on the case. They made their way in slowly, letting their eyes adjust to the dimmer light. It was practically déjà vu, the same scene as the first murders discovered.

The bodies were arranged in a neat row at the back and like the first one, red letters painted on the wall wailed out the same message, that none of these were the chosen. Chosen of what? Dee braced himself for the expected gruesomeness and he wasn't disappointed. The bodies were naked, dirt and bruised covered while an arm or two showed evidence of being cruelly broken.

"Detectives! Over here!"

They looked up to see Rose himself, standing near the far end of the macabre line. He was half-swallowed by the gathering gloom as bright lights were trained on the center of the scene. Careful to not disturb the forensics team working the site, they picked their way gingerly over to the commissioner, him and Ryo nodding a greeting while he restrained the smart remark he had ready for the blond man. Ryo has this bad habit of carrying out his threats. Especially those concerning the bedroom and couch.

Rose tilted his head to the side, golden hair falling rakishly on to his glasses and he lifted an enquiring eyebrow.

"What do you think?" he asked.

Puzzled, they looked in the direction he had indicated and saw what had grabbed the commissioner's attention. An anomaly. The first case had the corpses all lined up in a row and eyes staring up to the heavens; not exactly neatly arranged due to the massive abuse the bodies had undertaken but nevertheless, arranged. Here, a little boy of around 8, from what Dee could tell, had disrupted the formation. Instead of lying quietly in the grotesque parade the killer had lined them in, he was face down, a cheek pressed into the dirt and body draped across the one next to him, fingers clawed in a rictus of pain, rigor mortis locking the joints in their final testament of agony. Small, bare and delicate feet were pushed into the loose gravel, stiffened in death, as was his eyes that lay blank, open and staring while his young mouth that should have known only joy and laughter, was twisted in a mask of pain. It was so painfully obvious. So much so that Dee felt the blood draining away from his face and by his side, Ryo pressed a trembling hand against his mouth, face pale as understanding dawned in him too.

The little boy had been trying to get away.

He was still alive when the killer left.

He was still alive.

"He was. . . ." Dee whispered.

"Alive," Ryo finished, face blanched and eyes filled with pain. "He tried to get away but. . . ."

* * *

To be continued

A/N: First up, a BIG thanks to everyone who reviewed! You guys made my day! And I'm so sorry it took me so long to update. I hope you enjoyed the lil lemon I made. Consider it as my sincere apology for my procrastination! I was too deeply involved with my Yami no Matsuei fic; A Love Story. . . . Anyways, review!