A week and a half passed. By now Set was pretty familiar with things at "Safe and Sound" and in that short time he had already fallen into the everyday work routine. He liked and enjoyed the leisure and comfortable atmosphere but he still hadn't discovered anything. Not even one good clue as to who had hired Lucas. The only things he had discovered was his growing attraction toward the blonde and that Lucas had the ability to annoy him to the point where Set was afraid he would crack. He tried to put up an image of patience, business and politeness but it was so hard, especially with Lucas trying to goad him into doing things for him, which became a burdensome habit, and from which that annoying, hot piece of shit drew way too much pleasure.
Chris was sitting on the edge of Set's desk, telling anecdotes from the army, when Lucas's voice came from the intercom. "Duncan, be a good boy and come into my office."
Chris pushed the speak button. "Duncan's busy."
"With what?"
"With talking to me." Chris grinned at Set. "Watch this. He'll be here in a second."
And really, the door opened and Lucas came through.
Chris leaned toward Set and whispered: "I never saw him so worked up. Let's have some fun." He pressed a quick, chaste kiss on Set's lips.
Set's eyes opened wide in surprise and then he blinked a couple of times. What was that for? He frowned at Chris, who winked at him and with a big, naughty grin on his face pointed in Lucas's direction.
Set looked over Chris's shoulder at the frowning and tight-lipped Lucas. So Lucas was angry - so what? He was probably pissed over the fact that Set hadn't jumped as soon as he heard his voice.
"Chris!" Lucas raised his voice. "Get to work." And when Chris didn't move, he added, "Now!"
Chris stood up, still grinning and raised his hands in surrender. "I'm going, I'm going. Don't get all worked up." He cast an "I told you so" look in Set's direction before he whistled his way out of the room.
Set felt like he was missing something. He risked a quick glance in the blonde's direction.
Lucas was glaring at the door Chris had just closed like he was trying to make a hole in the wood or force the door to explode.
"Mister Cage. What did you want?"
"Lucas. I told you to call me Lucas." The cold, aqua eyes warmed up. "I have some papers I would like for you to type into the computer."
Set looked at the door and back to Lucas. He didn't want to deal with the angry blonde and even thought he should try to get into Lucas's good graces; there was still that big, metal, locked cabinet in Lucas's office in which he would love to dig in to. But he wasn't on Lucas's payroll so why should he do anything for him? "Chris told me…"
"… not to do anything for me," Lucas cut him off. "As much as I usually enjoy this, I'm not in the mood for it right now. C'mon."
Set followed Lucas. His gaze glued itself to the blue, washed out jeans that were clasped tightly around the blonde's hips and ass. He hated those jeans. It was so hard to see things in perspective, when your brain fell into the gutter every time those pants came in your line of vision… not that the other clothes Lucas owned were any better -- the black leather, glove-tight pants he sometimes wore and the loose jeans, which hung loosely down his hips, exposing his hip bones and his navel -- were even worse. And the fact that that man didn't own one fucking long, loose T-shirt.
But even so, Set didn't get it. What was it about Lucas that he found so alluring? Okay, so he had a great body, but Set wasn't into guys...well, if he didn't count his first love that was. And here he was almost drooling over this bad guy.
"Sit down." Lucas pointed at the chair stationed before the desk. When Set was seated Lucas put a pile of papers in front of him. Then he leaned over Set and opened a program on his computer.
"This is my personal database. It's not on the intranet so you'll have to do the input here."
Set closed his eyes. He felt the warmth of other's body pressed slightly against his back and the arm that was stretched over his shoulder and he discreetly inhaled Lucas's fragrance. It was the smell of Chanel's Egoist, lavender and something unequivocally Lucas. Yummy.
Some part of his brain that was still functioning, even after Lucas's warmth withdrew and Lucas's cheek rubbed against his in the process, asked questions about the program. He was proud of himself and his self-control even when his heart was beating wildly, his legs turning to jelly and warmth starting to pool in the bottom of his belly. Thank god that he was sitting. He played it cool with a steady voice and a mask of indifference on his face.
When the questions were answered he started typing the data and with one ear he listened to the sounds that Lucas's moving around produced.
The telephone rang and Set automatically picked it up. "Safe and Sound. How may I help you?"
"Mrs. Carsia for Mister Cage. Connecting," a woman's voice on the other side said almost automatically .
Helen! Helen is calling Lucas! Set frowned, got over his initial shock and turned to pass the
telephone receiver, when it was torn out of his hands.
"One moment, please." Lucas said into the receiver, put a hand over it, then delivered Set a serious, cold stare. "This is a direct call. Never answer a direct call. Do you understand!"
Set swallowed. "I'm sorry. I didn't know. I…it's just a working habit. Won't happen again."
"Hmm." Lucas put the phone back to his ear. "Sorry about that," he went through the door, closing it behind him.
Set was about to go and eavesdrop through the door when he remembered the speaker button on his intercom. He could tap into one side of the conversation through it. He pushed the "on" button on the intercom.
"Yes, I got the info from Jack and Rina. Why did you let your son go? I can find a better source anytime."
"Yes, the one you pay. Did the data you received make any sense?"
"I see."
"Yes, it could be him. But we need solid proof and to find the men he hired to arrange those accidents."
"Yes, Geb is fine. Bored to death, but fine. He doesn't like to hide."
"You don't have to use that tone of voice with me. Tell him that yourself."
"I'm sure he appreciates what you're doing, what we're all doing."
Set pushed the off button. He had heard enough. His fingers started to furiously type while his mind was a whirling mass of thoughts.
It was Helen together with his mum and dad who had hired Lucas. At first he felt relief that Lucas wasn't a bad guy because he really, really liked Lucas. Then he mentally slapped and kicked himself. His coming here was a waste of time. He could be in Japan right now, tossing Konichiwa and So desu around and buying manga and anime. Lots and lots of manga and anime. But nooooo… he'd had the brilliant idea to play detective. Stupid. Stupid.
And because of the deal with Duncan, he still had half a month to work off. Damn.
Set was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't notice Lucas returning. "Duncan. Are you alright?"
Set looked up at Lucas who was standing by the edge of the desk. He tried to smooth the frown that was on his forehead but he was still too pissed off. Pissed at himself and even at Lucas, because - he had to face it - it was Lucas's fault. If he hadn't pursued Geb the way he had this would have never happened. Yeah, it was all Lucas's fault. That jerk. His voice was a grouchy, "Yeah."
"You don't look or sound like you are." Lucas half-leaned, half-sat on the desk by Set. "Is it about me yelling? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell at you."
"You didn't really yell." Set focused on the papers and continued typing.
"Look at me." Lucas gently demanded. When Set refused he reached out with his hand and cupped Set's chin, turning Set's face towards him. "Then, what is it?"
Set put his hands in his lap and clenched them. He was angry and he wasn't afraid to show it anymore. "It doesn't matter. I'm a worker and you are the boss, remember? So just let me do my job and leave me alone! Go and grab yourself some coffee or something."
"You know when you get all worked up like that and try to rein in your temper, you remind me of somebody." Lucas smiled at him and wove his fingers into Set's hair.
Why didn't Lucas just leave him alone? Set hated this attraction that he felt toward him. He didn't want to fall in love -- not with another guy -- but with each new moment spent in Lucas's company there was a danger of that. And damn, he still wasn't over Li. "So what? Let go of my hair, please."
"That's a very bad, bad thing. It makes me want to kiss you." Lucas ignored his words and leaned closer, his face serious.
"So why don't you?" Set's eyes then grew wide. He groaned and put a hand over his mouth. He couldn't believe what he had just said. Of all the stupid things that could have come out of his mouth, this was, considering the situation, the worst.
Lucas raised his eyebrow at Set's words and a sly smile appeared on his face for a moment before it swam out of Set's focus.
Set's eyes were about to pop out when he felt a warm breath on his face, which was followed by the soft pressure of the other's mouth on his. This was wrong. Even though he was annoyed by the attraction and constant thinking about Lucas, about the fantasies that that hot, sexy body awoke, it was somehow okay as long as there was no physical contact, no acting on the pull of the other's charms. It was alright because he consoled himself that one month was too short a time for something to happen. But this, this was wrong. So wrong. This was leading to other things. He tried to move away from the seductive feeling of his lips.
A pressure on Set's nape stopped his retreat.
"Please…don't," Set sighed, putting his palms against Lucas's chest in a vain effort to push him away, and turning his head aside.
Lucas pressed a gentle, comforting kiss on Set's cheek. Then he travelled with soft caresses over his jaw, to his mouth. He first kissed one eye, then the other, forcing Set's eyelids to flutter closed and his heart to miss a beat. "It's not going to hurt. I promise." His soft breath caressed Set's cheek before he applied seductive pressure to Set's lips again. This time it was more demanding and his tongue's wet caress coaxed its way into the rift between Set's lips.
The sensuous, slightly familiar sensation when Lucas's tongue slid against his sent small shivers down Set's spine and a memory of his first kiss surfaced. Li! It had happened so long ago, how could the memory still be so fresh, so vivid in his mind? Set's shoulders sagged and in an attempt to chase the memory away he reciprocated every one of Lucas's strokes with his own tongue.
The feminine face framed with long blonde hair disappeared out of Set's mind when the gentle, soft exploration transformed into a frenzied dance of two tongues and the already quick pace of his heartbeat accelerated. So good. His hands fisted the fabric of Lucas's T-shirt. So goddamn good.
Lucas's hand that was resting on the chair's arm was now sliding up Set's side.
A muffled giggle escaped Set and ended the kiss. He was ticklish and the touch of Lucas's fingertips on his side produced small hiccupping sounds.
Lucas stilled his hand and rubbed his nose against Set's cheek. "I forgot about that."
Set took a big breath and after his hands released Lucas's shirt, he swatted Lucas's hands away in annoyance. "Forgot what?"
"That." Lucas gripped Set's waist and he lifted him up. He pressed him close to his body and tucked Set's head under his chin. "I missed this." His hands started to draw unknown patterns on Set's back.
"You are weird." Set closed his eyes and relaxed in Lucas's hold. This was nice. He wound his hands around Lucas's waist, snuggled closer and listened to Lucas's quick heartbeat which by some strange coincidence was beating in the same rhythm as his. He felt safe, like Lucas's embrace was a safe heaven, a home after a long, hard journey. He could stay like this forever in his embrace. In Lucas's embrace. Oh, shit. Lucas. His employer.
Set softly slipped out from the circle of Lucas's arms. Pink dusted his cheeks. What was he thinking, cuddling like that with this man he had regarded as a nemesis less than a half hour ago. "I…" He swallowed. What do you say in situations like this? "I…" Set risked a quick glance at Lucas, who was smiling down at him. "I…I still have a lot of work to do."
"You are so cute." Lucas titled Set's chin up, his actions intensifying the redness on Set's face.
Set pouted, in a very manly way. He wasn't cute, damn it. "I'm handsome, not cute." He slapped Lucas's hand away and shoved him away from the desk. "Go away. I have to work." And to think about what the hell has just happened.
"Okay," Lucas smirked and bent, he quickly planted a soft imprint of his lips on Set's forehead. "We'll continue with this later."
"The hell we are." Set narrowed his eyes at Lucas before he fell down on the chair like a sack of potatoes and resumed his typing with shaking fingers.
Half an hour later everything was done and Lucas was nowhere to be seen. Set, who was now sitting behind his desk, was grateful for that because there was still this great big mess in his head. He pulled his wallet out of his pocket and opened it. In the pocket behind the credit cards was hidden a folded photograph. He pulled it out and unfolded it.
The picture was of a young Set gazing with admiration at the slightly taller boy, who had high feminine cheek bones and long blonde hair framing his face, his lips in a smile and a twinkle in his green eyes which were looking at the camera. The boy had his right arm casually thrown over Set's back in a loose half embrace. Li.
Set trailed his fingers over the smooth surface. It was the last picture of them together; it captured their moment of happiness before Li had left, before he disappeared out of Set's life, before Set had erased Li from his life. And all that was left behind was Set's broken heart and this picture serving as a reminder to never fall in love.
Set's fingertip traced a blonde lock of hair. He used to think so much about Li and cursed his stubborn nature for not allowing him to reach out with his hand. He had hoped that somehow Li would feel how much he missed him, how much he needed him, without the words being spoken or written, and come back. But he hadn't and with time the unanswered phone calls stopped ringing and the unopened letters stopped coming.
Set sighed. What was done was done. He just wished that he could get over all that resentment that he still felt towards Li over the whole thing and move on with his life.
"Hey," a voice pulled Set out of his musing.
"Hey," Set greeted Chris who was leaning on the counter of his desk and gazing down at him with interest .
"What do you have there?" Chris nodded toward the picture in Set's hand.
"Just a memory." Set quickly folded the picture and put it back in its place in his wallet.
"So…what's up? Do you need something?"
Chris leaned his chin on his elbows, which were resting on the counter and looked down at Set with interest. "You look pretty down but I saw Lucas with a big goofy grin on his face a while ago. What happened? Did he do something?"
Set folded his hands in his lap and a light frown furrowed his forehead. "No, not really." He could tell that Chris didn't believe him and then it hit him. Chris knew that Lucas liked him. "You knew that Lucas likes me, didn't you?"
"Duh. Of course." Chris gazed at Set with surprise on his face. "It's so obvious. Don't tell me you hadn't noticed?"
Set shook his head .
"How could you not? Wait a minute. Is this why you look so moody? Is this what's bothering you? Is it because he's a guy?"
Set fidgeted a little. Chris was entering his personal space and it was making him uncomfortable. And he didn't know himself. He liked Lucas, he did. Damn, he was attracted to him like iron to a magnet.
He had never been attracted to any of his ex-girlfriends like that. Maybe that was the problem. He liked things to go slow and smooth and he didn't like to get too attached. Relationships in which he could put only a part of himself were perfect for him and for keeping his promise that he would never fall in love again.
And there was also the fact that Lucas brought back memories of Li, memories that he had fought so hard to forget. "I don't know and I don't really want to talk about this."
#
"No, mom." Set turned on his bed, so that his back was facing her.
"Come on, honey. Come down to say good bye to Li, you won't see him for a long time, now that he is moving in with his father." She rubbed his shoulder.
"I said NO." His shoulder tensed under her palm. "Just leave me alone."
She withdrew her hand, sighed, stood up and left the room.
After a few minutes the door opened.
"Set." Soft steps closed the distance between the door and the bed and the matress dipped under the additional weight. "Moving away doesn't mean that we won't see each other again."
Fingers gently started to stroke through Set's long hair. "I will write to you and phone you. I promise."
Set angrily wiped a few tears that escaped from his eyes. "Don't bother. "
The fingers tangled in Set's hair stilled. "Why are you being so stubborn? You know it's not my fault."
"I don't care." Set's fisted hands were shaking. "You decided to leave me and I never want to see you again. Just go already. Just leave me alone."