Set was lying with his cheek on the desk and his hands hanging down between his legs, staring into nothingness. Beside his head was a paper on which he had been writing a minute before. The word 'Motive' was written on it in bold and, under it, 'money,' 'revenge,' and 'jealousy,' with a big exclamation mark on the side of the row.
Set would have liked to have been able to write more, but he had no clue or knowledge as to what else could have caused Geb's accident. And it was all Lucas's fault for not telling him things. Actually, everything that had happened in the last month and a half was Lucas's fault. All Lucas's fault.
The telephone rang.
Set decided to ignore it. He would stay with his head glued to the desk for the next five hours, until the end of office hours. He closed his eyes. Maybe he would even take a nap. If only that phone would stop ringing!
The door on the right side of the counter opened. "Aren't you going to answer that?"
Set opened his eyes, but otherwise he didn't move a muscle. "Nope."
Lucas moved closer; he sat at the edge of the desk and picked up the receiver. "Safe and Sound. How may I help you, please?" He paused, listening to the person on the other end of the line. "I'll connect you with Chris Drake, and he'll be able to give you those assessments. Just a moment, please." Lucas pressed a few keys on the telephone and put the receiver down.
"What's the matter?" Looking down at Set, Lucas reached out toward Set's head, but when his fingers were an inch away from Set's hair, he withdrew his hand.
Set fisted his hands in his lap, upset that Lucas hadn't touched him. "Nothing."
"It doesn't seem like it." Lucas put his hands in his pockets.
"What do you care?" Set turned his head, so that now he was lying on the other cheek, facing away from Lucas. "Go away."
"You're still mad?"
"Hmph."
"I see."
Set heard clothes rustling and steps moving away. He turned and caught sight of Lucas's back, before the door to Lucas's office closed. He knew that he might appear to Lucas like a sulking five-year-old child, and he wished that he were cooler, more composed, or even more mature, especially in Lucas's eyes, but somehow he just couldn't help himself.
And it wasn't just Lucas not talking that was bothering him, it was the fact that Lucas took the words he said in anger and in denial seriously.
It hurt to be denied something that he was used to, something that made him feel cherished, cared for, and maybe even loved, even if he didn't want to acknowledge that at the time.
He sighed and closed his eyes.
But not for long, because the telephone rang again. This time Set grabbed the receiver and brought it to his ear. "Safe and Sound. Yes. I'll connect you. One moment, please." He slightly lifted his head and dialed Lucas’sinternal number, then put the receiver down.
He put his elbows on the desk and leaned his cheek on his arms. He had almost dozed off when the door to Lucas's office opened and Lucas strode through it toward the entry, throwing "I'll be back soon" over his shoulder.
For a moment Set watched the door that closed after Lucas, and then he stood up. Now was his chance; he should use it. He chewed on his bottom lip for a moment, and then before he could change his mind, he took the small box Chris had given him from its hiding place in the drawer, withdrew a wire with a small loop at the end, and went into Lucas's office.
He kneeled before the desk and inserted the end of the wire into the lock of the first drawer, and wagged it around.
Nothing.
He whirled the wire around more vigorously. Okay, so he had no experience with jimmying a lock, but… damn it, somebody up there should just give him a break. He put more pressure on the wire, shook it more vigorously around in the lock.
Damn it.
Unlock already.
Snap.
The wire broke.
Set held the wire before his face, then looked at the drawer's lock. It figured. He blinked away the moisture that gathered in his eyes and threatened to spill. It was just his luck.
Maybe -- there was a small piece of wire peeking out from the lock -- maybe with the use of pliers he could get it out. It was worth trying.
He had to do something so that Lucas wouldn't find out what he had been trying to do.
He went up into Lucas's apartment, into the kitchen. He remembered seeing something that resembled a toolbox in the cabinet under the sink, right by the trashcan. Yes, he was right. There was a toolbox, and in it he found a small pair of pliers. At least that was something.
He took the pliers out, closed first the toolbox and then the cabinet's doors, and went back into Lucas's office.
He kneeled down before the desk and, with the tip of his tongue peeking out between his lips, he set himself to work. Using the pliers, he tried to grab the microscopic piece of wire that was looking out from the lock.
"What are you doing?"
Set froze. Lucas! He hadn't heard him coming in. Somehow he doubted that Lucas would physically hurt him, but that didn't lessen the quick beat of his heart or prevent the sweat from appearing on his brow. He swallowed the lump in his throat. "Um. Um. Trying to get the wire out."
"And how did that get there?"
"Um, I don't know. It was just there." Set risked a peek over his shoulder at Lucas, who was crossing his arms over his chest and frowning down on Set with a dark wrinkle between his eyebrows.
Lucas raised an eyebrow at Set.
Set turned around, dropped his ass down on the floor, and tried to make himself as small as he could. "Okay. I put it there."
"Is that your way of finding things on your own?"
"Yes."
"By going through my stuff?"
"Yes." Set bowed his head. He wasn't proud of his actions, but that was the only way of getting the information.
"I see."
"Are you mad?"
"What do you think?"
"But there isn't any other way. It's this, or you tell me. And you won't tell me."
"I told you to be patient. You'll find out everything in due time."
"I want to know now. Don't you trust me?" Set hugged his knees and looked at Lucas from under his lashes.
"It's not that." Lucas kneeled before Set.
"Then, what is it?"
"I don't want to get you involved."
"But I'm already involved." What a crappy excuse. Set stood up. "Don't you get it? Even though I'm stuck in here, tucked under your protection with no idea what the hell is going on, I'm already involved. I was from the moment I set foot in here. "
Lucas got up, too. "Set. I'm only thinking of you."
"No. You are not. You're only thinking of yourself and how mighty you are."
"Set."
"How would you feel in my shoes? Not knowing." Set's shaking hands grabbed the folds of Lucas's white shirt. "I want to contribute and you don't let me. Am I not good enough?"
"Set. Calm down." Lucas's palms covered Set's fisted hands for a moment.
"You're just like them. They lied to me, sent me away, like I'm a small child. Like I'm stupid."
"Set."
"I'm not stupid. I'm not."
"Set." Lucas grabbed him by his shoulders and gently shook him. "Set. Calm down."
"And I'm good enough! I'm not worthless."
"Worthless? Who said --"
"You did."
"Set, I never said that. I don't think that."
Set's whole body shook like a leaf in the wind, and his legs felt like jelly -- they didn't want to hold him up anymore. He leaned on Lucas with his hands still tightly gripping Lucas's shirt. "Yes, you do. You don't touch me anymore; you act like I'm contagious, like I'm filthy." He choked the last words out and hid his face, the tears that slowly started to fall from his eyes soaking into the fabric of Lucas's shirt.
"Hon." Lucas's arm wrapped around Set's waist, and he pressed him closer in a tender embrace. The fingers of his free hand entangled themselves in Set's hair, starting to massage his scalp. "You said not to touch you, remember?"
"I didn't mean it." Set's words were hushed and even though the tears he tried so hard to stop were still falling, the tremors that shook his body decreased.
"So," Lucas smiled down at him, "does that mean you're attracted to me?"
Set sniffed and nodded. There was no point in denying it, and besides, he didn't want to, not when the fingers in his hair were sending small, delighted shivers up his spine and making him feel warm and fuzzy inside.
"Are you alright now?"
"I don't know."
Lucas withdrew his fingers and tilted Set's face up. He pressed a soft kiss to Set's forehead and wiped the tears from his face, and then he shifted his arm so that now it was wrapped around Set's shoulder. "C'mon." He started to walk, and he pulled Set with him.
"Where are we going?" Set looked at him from under his wet lashes.
"We're going to put you to bed."
"Oh." Redness spread across the bridge of Set's nose.
"Not for that." Lucas chuckled. "You're going to take a nap."
"But I'm not a child. I don't need a nap." Set tripped on the carpet that covered the stairs leading up toward Lucas's apartment.
"I know. You're just behaving like one." Lucas's hand that held Set around his shoulder prevented Set's fall. "And you do need a nap. You look like you haven't had a good night's sleep for quite some time now."
"That bad?" Set sniffed again. Well… He had had problems with sleep since Duncan had left and he had moved back into the guest room.
"Not bad. Just tired."
They went through the door of Lucas's apartment, where they took their shoes off and put slippers on. Then Lucas pushed Set toward the guest room's door.
Set fidgeted before he took a few steps forward, stopping before Lucas bedroom's door, and with a question in his eyes he looked at Lucas. He really missed sleeping in Lucas's bed -- not that he could explain why, not even to himself. Maybe it was the smell of Lucas that lingered in the room even when the man was not there, maybe it was the simple fact that it was Lucas's room, or maybe it was just the mattress. "Can I sleep in your bed?"
Lucas reached around Set and opened the door, then pushed Set in. "Of course."
Set climbed into the bed, and he took the blue blanket that was folded at the end of the bed and covered himself with it. He nuzzled into the pillow that carried Lucas's smell and hid the smile that bloomed on his face behind his loose fist.
Lucas sat down and leaned over Set, his arms framing him, and he pressed a tender kiss to Set's cheek, so much like a mother's good-night kiss for her child. He was about to get up, but Set's hand shot out, his fingers wrapped around Lucas's wrist. "Don't go. Keep me company. Please."
"Sure." Lucas smiled down at him. When Set moved, making room for Lucas and lifting the blanket invitingly, Lucas joined Set in the bed and pulled Set into his arms' embrace.
Set snuggled close, and his hand and his head found its place on Lucas's chest. This was heavenly. "Why are you being so nice to me?"
"The way you've been acting lately would make one say that I'm anything but nice." Lucas patted Set's hip.
"That's 'cause you're usually driving me crazy."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." Set pulled himself up so that now his head rested on the pillow beside Lucas's. "It's like you know exactly which button to push to get me to see red."
"Maybe I do." Lucas turned his head on the side so that he was facing Set.
"Huh?" Set inched closer, drawn in by those hypnotic green eyes… Their noses bumped. "Sorry."
Lucas smiled and pressed a quick, chaste kiss to Set's lips. "You should probably know that when I was a child I knew --"
Set crushed their lips together, the tip of his tongue stroking the crevice of Lucas's mouth.
A hundred tingling bubbles of delight emerged from the pit of Set's stomach and then spread all over his body from the tip of his head down to his toes. He deepened their kiss. His tongue ran across Lucas's, perceiving its texture, seducing him, alluring him until Lucas reciprocated. He kissed Set back with a tender passion.
Set pressed himself closer and rubbed himself against Lucas's hip.
The need for air broke the kiss.
"You're acting very strange, molesting me like that." Lucas pressed his lips to Set's forehead.
"Am I molesting you?" Set lifted himself up; he straddled Lucas's hips and leaned his upper body on Lucas's chest.
"I'm afraid you are." Lucas's fingers moved the wisp of black hair that was falling on Set's face, and he tucked it behind Set's ear.
"I hope you intend to do something about it." Set's blue eyes, glazed with lust, held the green ones' gaze.
"You're moving too fast. I hope you know that." Lucas's fingers were playing with Set's hair.
"Maybe." Set leaned forward. Their lips were separated only by an inch. Lucas was probably right, but what the hell?
"Set, listen." Lucas grabbed Set's face between his hands. "There's something you need to know."
Set's hand went toward the waistband of Lucas's washed-out jeans. "Does it have something to do with Geb? Or how hot you are right now?"
"No." Lucas tried to lift himself up, still loosely holding Set's face between his palms. "Listen. As I was saying, when I was a child -- "
Set bent and pressed his mouth against Lucas's. His tongue darted out and entangled with Lucas's in a sensual play of tongues. Who cared what had happened when Lucas was a child? His hands went under Lucas's white cotton shirt, and he shifted his pelvis. Ooh. Electricity ran up his spine.
Lucas ended the kiss, and he lifted himself up on his elbows. "Set. I'm trying to tell you something important."
"Yeah?" Set tugged on Lucas's shirt. That had to go. He pulled Lucas's shirt up, and he forced Lucas to lift himself to a sitting position and raise his arms.
"Set."
"Hmm?" As soon as Lucas's shirt was off and tossed aside, Set got rid of his shirt, too. He then wrapped his arms around Lucas's shoulders and pressed himself close to that warm body.
"I can't… talk to you… like this." Slowly, like he didn't want to but couldn't help himself, Lucas's hands slid to the small of Set's back.
With a rocking motion, Set started to create friction between them. Oh, god! "Then… don't."
Lucas lay back, pulling Set with him, and then he rolled over so that he had Set trapped underneath.
"That's not fair," Set said. He wanted to be on top -- not that he really expected that he would be anything other than the bottom, not with Lucas. But Lucas should give him some slack and let him be in control until the…. until the… Deep breaths. Deep breaths. You are ready. You are ready.
"Set?"
"I'm okay. I'm okay." Set needed a distraction. He pulled Lucas down into a deep, carnal kiss and thrust up with his hips, repeatedly. He felt so hot, like flames were licking his insides.
After the kiss ended, Lucas's mouth travelled down Set's face, kissing the line of Set's jaw, then down further still, teeth nibbling at the skin of Set's neck.
Set moaned; the movement of his hips became more rushed, and his nails scratched the skin that covered the muscles of Lucas's shoulders. There was still too much fabric between them. "Pants off."
"Mmm." Lucas’smouth trailed kisses on Set's collarbone.
"Please."
Lucas lifted himself on his knees; his fingers went to work on the buttons of Set's pants, and when all the buttons were opened, he moved to the end of the bed, stepped down on the floor, grasped the edges of the trouser legs, and pulled the pants off Set. Then he started to work on removing his own pants.
After getting rid of his underwear, Set lay naked, sprawled on the bed. With big, round, lust-glazed eyes he watched Lucas get rid of the last articles of clothing and climb on the bed toward him. Lucas was so beautiful.
But… but… Set's brain started to function again -- partly, anyway. He had never had sex with a man before, and even though in the stories that Elsi told him sex sounded awesome and tempting, and even though he wanted Lucas so much that it hurt, so much that he felt like he would burst the moment Lucas touched him, he didn't know if he was ready to have a dick up his ass. Even if that dick belonged to Lucas. Deep breaths. Deep breaths.
Lucas crawled over Set's body in a smooth, elegant motion; the muscles of his chest moved every time his hands and knees did. He looked like a big, sleek cat.
Set lifted himself onto his elbows, watched with expectation those deep green eyes whose gaze never wavered from his. And he could feel his heart beating in his chest like a trapped wild bird trying to get out of its cage.
Their noses touched, their breath mingled, and Set was lost in those jade eyes, in the perfection of the moment, in the gut feeling that told him that this was right, that this was real. A feeling of completion washed over him. He closed the distance between them, kissed those plump lips, and with his tongue tasted Lucas's wonderful essence.
Lucas pushed him down on the soft surface of the mattress; he wedged his legs between Set's, never breaking the kiss.
Their tongues parted and met again. Set didn't know anymore when one kiss ended and a new one started. His skin tingled wherever it was touched; his fingers reciprocated, his fingertips tracing invisible patterns on Lucas's back and sides.
Set lifted his hips and rubbed his groin against Lucas's, the sensual friction accelerating his already fast breathing.
Lucas took a deep breath and bestowed a small, gentle smile upon Set. He put his palm on Set's stomach to prevent him from lifting his hips further.
Set whimpered, wound his arms around Lucas's neck, entangled his fingers in the short, damp hair, pressed Lucas tightly down on himself. He needed the touch of Lucas's skin like he needed air to breathe.
"Patience, Set, patience." Lucas kissed the tip of Set's nose, and then using his arms for support he lifted them up on their knees.
"Easy… easy for you to say." Set moved on his knees, steadying himself. He was a little dizzy, with his heart pounding, with hot blood pumping through his veins. He wanted to get this show on the road before he either burst, or his brain started functioning again, or his fear overcame his desire. He extracted his hand from Lucas's neck and tiptoed it down between them, cupping Lucas's erection. A pink flush covered Set's cheeks.
Lucas emitted a shallow, shaky breath. He leaned over Set toward the nightstand; with clumsy fingers he opened the drawer and extracted a tube of lube.
A series of light shivers ran up Set's spine. Here it goes. He closed his eyes, leaned his head on Lucas's shoulder, his lips in contact with the exposed skin of Lucas's neck, and he put both of his hands on Lucas's upper arms. He was as relaxed as he could be; he silently waited for the burning sensation.
This is it.
Just breathe.
Set wasn't expecting what happened next. His right hand was gently gripped, its fingers dipped in the gooey substance, and then pulled down.
Set opened his eyes and leaned back slightly, looking at Lucas with questioning eyes. Did this mean… Did this mean he was going to be the man? He couldn't prevent the grin that spread over his face.
"What do you think? Are you up to it?" Lucas smiled at him, waited until Set showed his accordance with enthusiastic nodding, then closed the distance between them, entangling them in a soft, deep, liquid kiss.
Set's hand was guided lower, under the soft, warm flesh, and then his greased digit slid inside the hot, tight passage.
Lucas's breath hitched.
Set ended the kiss and, with wide, opened eyes, focused on Lucas's face. A second finger joined the first. So tight! Set frowned in concentration. In and out, slowly, so that he wouldn't hurt Lucas, then a little scissoring.
Lucas stiffly chuckled; the perspiration glistered on his brow. "Stop looking so worried. You are… doing fine."
Set leaned over and captured Lucas's pink nipple between his teeth and nibbled it, swirling his tongue around it, while all the while waiting for any sign of discomfort while his fingers were slicking Lucas's inner walls. When none was given, he added a third finger. Oh god, oh god, he couldn't believe it! He was to top.
Lucas swallowed. Hard.
The tight pink bud was released with a pop, and the fingers stilled. "Are you okay?" Oh god, god, don't let me screw this up.
Lucas nodded, and the fingers resumed their former activity. From somewhere Lucas produced a condom that he put over Set. With shaking fingers he grabbed the lube, opened it, and greased Set's erection. Then he grabbed Set's face with both hands, pulling him closer.
"I'm ready," Lucas whispered in Set's ear before he lay back, his hands pulling Set down with him. His legs divided, made room for Set's.
Set removed his fingers and positioned himself, his heart beating wildly. His skin was damp and flushed; the air in the room was heavy and suffocating.
Set's hands shook, and he had a big lump in his throat. He didn't know if he could get through this, but then one look in those beautiful jade eyes and a comforting calm enveloped him. He pushed in.
Strong legs wrapped around his waist; the body under his lifted, and it drew him in to the hilt.
A loud gasp sounded in the room.
They stayed like that for a moment, feeling, adjusting.
Set leaned down and with his teeth grazed the long muscles on Lucas's throat, while his hand reached down, the fingers hugging Lucas's semi-erection, fondling it.
"Move," a slightly wavering voice ordered.
Set obeyed and started with a slow, liquid rhythm. Every now and then he changed his angle trying to find that special spot about which he had read so much.
"Oh." Lucas's back arched.
A grin appeared on Set's face and his thrusts became faster, deeper; his hand fisting Lucas's flesh adopted a new rhythm. Every time he hit Lucas's prostate, tremors ran through the body beneath him and sweet gasps were torn from Lucas's mouth, music to Set's ears. He wanted so much to give Lucas pleasure.
Lucas was so amazingly beautiful with his flushed skin, covered with a thin layer of perspiration that glistened under the light, with his lust-fogged green eyes, with his slightly opened pink lips. He was taking Set's breath away.
Set could feel the clenching, the shiver that was the precursor to the silver-white flashes. He ground his teeth. "I won't last much longer."
"Nhh." Lucas wound his hand around Set's neck, pulling him down into deep, passionate kiss. His hand covered Set's, and he increased the rhythm.
Set couldn't hold on any longer. He doubled his assault on Lucas's special spot with deep thrusts, and with his tongue and his hand he mimicked the surges.
A few more plunges, and then the slick walls tightened around him, and the hot, spiked shiver overtook him. It shook his limbs and showered white before his eyes. And it took away his ability to produce anything more than loud moans and gasps that were torn from his throat. He collapsed on the warm body beneath him.
When Set's lungs stopped fighting for air and when his limp limbs stopped shivering, he pulled himself out of Lucas. He removed his weight from Lucas's body but still leaned on him, snuggled close.
That was just… wow.
Lucas's hand came to rest on Set's back, and the fingers of his other hand started to play with Set's hair. A small smile curved his lips.
Set looked up. "How was I? Was I good?"
"You were fine." Lucas twirled a black lock around his finger.
Set leaned his elbows on Lucas's chest and pouted. He had done his best and he was… "Just fine?"
Lucas smirked and interwove his fingers in Set's hair, then pulled him down. He pressed a sloppy kiss on Set's mouth. "You were great. Better?"
Set narrowed his eyes. "You mean that, or are you just saying that?"
"You were the best top I have ever had, and I'm not just saying that."
"You mean that?" Set wove his hand around Lucas's neck and pulled himself up; he rested his head beside Lucas's.
"Of course." Lucas's hand slid lower on the small of Set's back.
"How many have you had?" Set reached out, and he started to outline Lucas's features with his finger.
"Set!"
"What?"
"You don't ask questions like that."
"I don't see why not. So how many have you had?" Set's finger slid down Lucas's nose. "Please tell me."
"None." Lucas closed his eyes.
"What?" Set's finger stilled.
"None. Just you."
Set sat up and loomed over Lucas. "Are you serious?"
Lucas opened his eyes, and he pushed Set away and sat up. "Yes."
Set leaned with his side against Lucas. He couldn't believe it. "Are you saying you never had sex before?"
"No. I'm saying that this is the only time I bottomed." Lucas turned around, and he threw his legs over the edge of the bed. "Now. Is there anything else you would like to know? Besides how Geb's case is going."
"I don't understand. Why?" Set wrapped the blanket around himself and followed Lucas out of bed.
Lucas stopped limping toward the bathroom and turned around, causing Set to bump into him. "'Cause you weren't ready yet, and I was."
Set grabbed Lucas's arm. "I still don't understand. I would have bottomed. I would have."
"And because you weren't ready you would have held it against me." Lucas wrapped an arm around Set's waist. "Now. I'm dirty, and so are you. Let's have a quick shower."
"Lucas."
"Set." Lucas sighed. "Just let it be. Please."