When the World Made Sense (Part Six)
Title: When the World Made Sense
Author: hunters_retreat
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 26,000+
Warnings: pre-story off-screen death of a secondary character, slash
Author's Notes:Thank you so much to the mod's for this amazing challenge! And all my love to my amazing artist sillie82!
Summary: Once upon a time, Logan Cale's life made sense. Maybe not to anyone else, but it did to him. That was before he'd ever heard of Manticore, or X-5's, and certainly before he found himself the head of the Trans-normal movement that had sparked after the explosive outing of transgenics in Terminal City. Two years of fighting for the cause had taken its toll though, and not just on Logan. Anti-trans groups put a price on their heads and none more so than for Alec McDowell.
Alec tried to act like none of it bothered him but Logan knew different. They were co-conspirators and stood shoulder to shoulder leading the movement. An offhanded comment has Logan thinking it's time for a change, for the movement and for himself. Will Logan's grand experiment - a self-sustaining farming community for humans and transgenics alike - give them the chance to make peace with the world or will it fail? Will it give Alec the chance to finally heal from his emotional scars that a life as a Manticore assassin left him? And will they both finally realize what they’ve been fighting for all along?
Alec was in surgery for seven hours and he slept for three days. Logan was a mess the entire time and Max kept Mole and the others from bothering him. He wasn’t sure what she was doing, but she’d already assured him that she wasn’t staying. He felt an odd relief even as she wished she would stay. Max had changed over the years, but so had Alec and Logan and he wasn’t sure how they would all do together anymore.
She hadn’t left yet though so he was grateful for her interference. He didn’t know what words she’d had with Alec once he’d woken up, but when Logan walked into the room that morning and found the two of them together, they’d been laughing. She’d left, but Alec’s mood had been jovial all day after that.
Logan was ready to have him home though. He hated thinking about Alec in the farm’s small medical facility. Logan smiled as he walked into the room and found Alec in sweatpants and a tee shirt.
“About time,” Alec said with a grin. “They weren’t going to let me leave until you got here. I think we need to talk to them Logan. Honestly, it’s not a hospital and I’m perfectly fine.”
“How did you get your shoes tied?”
Alec glared at him but there was no heat behind it. “I’m just a little stiff.”
“Then let’s get you home. I’m sure the medical beds aren’t as nice as what you’re used to.”
“The stuff them with hay, I’m sure of it.”
Logan rolled his eyes but he walked with Alec who didn’t need an escort. Everyone was a little protective of him since Alec had thrown himself in front of a bullet for Logan and Logan didn’t feel the need to stop anyone. They’d managed to keep Alec in bed one day longer than Logan had hoped for.
It wasn’t that Logan didn’t want Alec around. In fact, Logan spent most of the last couple days parked in a chair beside Alec’s bed or just down the hall, talking to people about what needed to get done on the farm. Logan just didn’t think that Alec would take the rest his body needed. Yes, Alec was healed. Except for a little stiffness, his transgenic body was completely healed. That didn’t mean that Alec didn’t need to give his body some time to rest though. Logan had some plans for the next few days on how to keep Alec at his desk - or better yet, Logan’s - but for today he just wanted Alec home.
It was a good walk, just the two of them, though they came across people along the way, all of them waving and yelling to Alec, thanking him or wishing him well. Logan knew Alec was surprised at the affection of the people around him, even though Logan knew Touchstone adored him.
They got back to the main house and Logan walked slowly behind Alec as he walked up the stairs and into the apartment. He went straight to bed, much to Logan’s surprise, and Logan brought him the pill he was supposed to take tonight. It wasn’t the normal pill, but Logan knew his partner too well and without it, Alec would be back on his feet tonight and trying to run things. Besides, if Alec woke up it would ruin their surprise.
Alec took the pill and laid down in his bed, sighing deeply. Logan watched him for a moment, too used to being able to look without Alec being aware, but pulled away when he realized Alec was watching him too.
“Get some real sleep, Alec,” he said softly, pulling the sheet up over his body.
Alec grabbed his hand before he could pull away. Their eyes met and Logan wasn’t sure what he saw in the transgenic’s eyes but it wasn’t new … just … intense. “Stay.”
He didn’t say anything, but kicked off his shoes and crawled onto the other side of the bed. When Alec turned over to his side to look at him, Logan just smiled. Alec returned it for a moment before the medication took hold and then his eyes were closing. He fell asleep with a smile on his face and Logan laid there for a while longer, watching Alec, before he got up and got everything ready.
**
“Where are we going?” Alec demanded as Logan pulled him out of the chair.
“Everyone’s been worried about you. We’ll just walk down to the Dorm so everyone can see you up and about again.”
Alec watched Logan closely. Something was going on and the other man wouldn’t say what. Not that Alec didn’t trust Logan, but there was trust and trust and sometimes Logan did things that Alec just didn’t understand.
“Fine, but I don’t see why I can’t just sit on the porch and have them parade in front of me. That’s what this is.”
“Maybe,” Logan said with a fond smile. “But you’re going to go so stop complaining.”
Alec wasn’t really against going out, but he’d fallen asleep with Logan beside him and he’d woken with Logan sitting in his bed, reading a book. It was a nice change to the way things usually were and Alec wasn’t really ready to share Logan just yet. He’d like to have just sat on the front porch tonight, looking up at the stars together. Logan was adamant though and Logan usually got his way when he was like this.
“Fine,” he got up and followed Logan out of the house. He felt good, especially for someone who’d nearly died on the operating table. Being an X-5 did have some advantages. As much as he wanted some space, some time to think about Max and the quick visit she’d made before she’d taken off again, he needed to be close to Logan. So if Logan said get up and go out, that’s what he was doing.
The walk was quiet, full dark had taken hold about an hour earlier and Alec knew most people would be heading to bed soon. It was a farm after all and the work began at sunrise if not before, so it was a surprise to get half way to the Dorm and find a huge bonfire in one of the fallow fields. People were spread around it on blankets or sitting in the freshly tilled dirt. It was silent as they walked up, everyone watching for a minute before Logan stopped them and turned to look at Alec. He was smiling warmly and Alec raised a questioning brow at him before smiling back.
“It’s good to have you back again, Alec.”
A cheer went up around the bonfire and everyone was calling his name then, coming up to pound him on the back or embrace him. He was kissed on the cheek by some of the women, most of them looking askance at Logan afterwards. Logan disappeared for a minute, then turned up with a cup of homebrew. It was strong and rough but Alec sipped it, unable to keep the smile off his face as he and Logan were led to a couch that had been dragged out into the field. They had an excellent view as some of the others brought out instruments and started playing music. People were dancing and laughing and celebrating something that Alec just didn’t understand.
“What are we celebrating, exactly?”
“We’re free from the bounty hunters. We’re celebrating because we don’t have to look over our shoulders anymore. But mostly, we’re celebrating that you’re healthy and smiling and still with us after doing the most incredibly stupid thing.”
“Logan. I couldn’t just watch-”
“I know but I had to … we had to wait for you to get better and no matter what else I think about you taking a bullet for me, I’m grateful that you’re still here. So just celebrate with us, Alec.”
Alec was afraid of this thing, this growing warmth in his chest but the way Logan looked at him was too intense to look away from. He finally nodded and Logan turned to look at the figures as they danced around, twirling to the music. It was a good night to be at Touchstone, a good night to be alive, and when Logan reached for his hand and twined their fingers together, Alec didn’t pull away.
**
The journey back home wasn’t long but they took their time, laughing about their friends and grateful that they’d called tomorrow a rest day for the whole farm.
Logan pulled Alec into the house and up the stairs to their apartment but pushed Alec into his bedroom before he could do anything stupid. There was something about Alec tonight, something open about him, that made Logan think just maybe they were on the same page finally. Maybe the whole ordeal had let Alec know that Logan was crazy about him, for him, because of him.
He wasn’t going to jeopardize everything thing by moving too fast. Instead, he went to his own room and stripped out of his shirt and pants, ready to slide between the sheets.
“Logan?”
Logan looked up at the sound of Alec’s voice. “Are you okay?”
Alec’s shirt was off - and Logan refused to take advantage of the view, no matter how much he wanted to push Alec down onto his bed and lick his way up Alec’s torso - but he was still dressed otherwise.
“Yeah, I just need a little help.” Logan stared at him but then Alec walked in and took a seat on the bed, tapping one foot on the other.
Logan realized what it was and nearly blushed. “Sorry, I didn’t think about the boots.” He sat on his knees between Alec’s legs and began working the tie of his boots open. He took his time, pulling the string loose and working each boot gently off Alec’s foot. When he was done, he slipped the socks off his feet, tickling the arch lightly just to hear Alec laugh. When he looked up, the heat in Alec’s eyes took his breath away.
Alec reached a hand out to touch along Logan’s face before resting it against the side of his neck. “You know, back when the world made sense, none of this was possible. I was just a killer and you were a hero. I knew when I met Max that she was going to be the sort of trouble I got into, but I never would have realized how far from home she’d bring me. I never realized I had to be lost to find a real home. When that killer pointed the gun at you, I couldn’t even breathe Logan. When he pulled the trigger, all I could think what that I couldn’t lose you.”
Logan didn’t wait any longer or ask Alec for a stronger declaration. He surged up, catching Alec’s lips against his own. Alec pulled him close and opened under him, lips as soft and sweet as Logan always knew they’d be. Logan slid his tongue into Alec’s waiting mouth and they both moaned into it, bodies arching closer. Alec started to slide back on the bed, pulling Logan up with him and Logan let the X-5 manhandle him until they were both lying on the bed. Alec was leaning over him and Logan wasn’t sure how that happened.
He wasn’t complaining though when Alec stripped out of his clothes and pulled Logan’s boxers off. He wasn’t complaining when Alec opened him up and slid into his body. He wasn’t complaining as Alec kissed him, sweet and tender as he continued to slide in and out of his body. When Alec wrapped his fingers around Logan’s swollen cock, he barely touched him before Logan was gasping his name, come spilling between them as Alec painted his insides.
When Alec slipped out of his body, Logan pulled him close, not letting Alec get even a thought of returning to his room. “Stay,” he said, mimicking Alec’s words from earlier.
Alec smiled at him and pulled him close, letting Logan rest against his chest.
“Back when the world made sense, I was so busy trying to save everyone because I didn’t know how to save myself. I was afraid of getting hurt and loving someone. Even with Max, I kept myself guarded. Out here, where everything is so damn different, I was able to let go of all that. I used to think it was because of the change in settings or being surrounded by the community here, but then I realized it wasn’t that at all.”
“No?”
“No. Back when the world made sense, I didn’t have you at my side. Now I do, and that’s all the difference I needed.”
Alec’s smile dropped and he touched Logan’s face lightly. He’d never thought to feel this again, never thought to get to live with it, but he did and he’d learned to take the chance when it came. “I love you, Logan.”
Logan’s eyes went wide and Alec would have laughed at it, if his heart weren’t beating so fast in his chest.
“I love you too, Alec.”
He reached up and kissed Alec and there was a passion there that Alec understood now. When he pulled back, he looked at Logan and smiled. “Max will never let us hear the end of this.”
Logan laughed. “Yeah, she gave me a good chewing out about taking better care of you.”
“Me too. Said she’d be back around to make sure I did it.”
“Another thing that wouldn’t have happened, back when the world made sense.”
Alec kissed him softly again, feeling the old ache of Max’s disappearance and OC’s death finally healing. When Logan settled against him, sleep overtaking him, Alec just closed his eyes and breathed him in. It was a different world than he’d grown up in, a different place, and he was a different man.
Back then, he’d had the comfort of orders and routine. He’d had food and clothes and all the necessities taken care of for him. Back then, he’d felt safe.
No, he had back breaking work and a world of people to take care of. He had arguments with Mole and the Tribunal and difficulty with the farm. But he also had people that cared for him, that worried and looked out for him. He had Logan, and he had love.
It wasn’t the world he thought he’d spend his life in, but it was a far better place to be. Looking down at Logan, he knew that no matter what else happened, he’d never trade this for anything, not even for the days when the world made sense.
Author: hunters_retreat
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 26,000+
Warnings: pre-story off-screen death of a secondary character, slash
Author's Notes:Thank you so much to the mod's for this amazing challenge! And all my love to my amazing artist sillie82!
Summary: Once upon a time, Logan Cale's life made sense. Maybe not to anyone else, but it did to him. That was before he'd ever heard of Manticore, or X-5's, and certainly before he found himself the head of the Trans-normal movement that had sparked after the explosive outing of transgenics in Terminal City. Two years of fighting for the cause had taken its toll though, and not just on Logan. Anti-trans groups put a price on their heads and none more so than for Alec McDowell.
Alec tried to act like none of it bothered him but Logan knew different. They were co-conspirators and stood shoulder to shoulder leading the movement. An offhanded comment has Logan thinking it's time for a change, for the movement and for himself. Will Logan's grand experiment - a self-sustaining farming community for humans and transgenics alike - give them the chance to make peace with the world or will it fail? Will it give Alec the chance to finally heal from his emotional scars that a life as a Manticore assassin left him? And will they both finally realize what they’ve been fighting for all along?
Alec was in surgery for seven hours and he slept for three days. Logan was a mess the entire time and Max kept Mole and the others from bothering him. He wasn’t sure what she was doing, but she’d already assured him that she wasn’t staying. He felt an odd relief even as she wished she would stay. Max had changed over the years, but so had Alec and Logan and he wasn’t sure how they would all do together anymore.
She hadn’t left yet though so he was grateful for her interference. He didn’t know what words she’d had with Alec once he’d woken up, but when Logan walked into the room that morning and found the two of them together, they’d been laughing. She’d left, but Alec’s mood had been jovial all day after that.
Logan was ready to have him home though. He hated thinking about Alec in the farm’s small medical facility. Logan smiled as he walked into the room and found Alec in sweatpants and a tee shirt.
“About time,” Alec said with a grin. “They weren’t going to let me leave until you got here. I think we need to talk to them Logan. Honestly, it’s not a hospital and I’m perfectly fine.”
“How did you get your shoes tied?”
Alec glared at him but there was no heat behind it. “I’m just a little stiff.”
“Then let’s get you home. I’m sure the medical beds aren’t as nice as what you’re used to.”
“The stuff them with hay, I’m sure of it.”
Logan rolled his eyes but he walked with Alec who didn’t need an escort. Everyone was a little protective of him since Alec had thrown himself in front of a bullet for Logan and Logan didn’t feel the need to stop anyone. They’d managed to keep Alec in bed one day longer than Logan had hoped for.
It wasn’t that Logan didn’t want Alec around. In fact, Logan spent most of the last couple days parked in a chair beside Alec’s bed or just down the hall, talking to people about what needed to get done on the farm. Logan just didn’t think that Alec would take the rest his body needed. Yes, Alec was healed. Except for a little stiffness, his transgenic body was completely healed. That didn’t mean that Alec didn’t need to give his body some time to rest though. Logan had some plans for the next few days on how to keep Alec at his desk - or better yet, Logan’s - but for today he just wanted Alec home.
It was a good walk, just the two of them, though they came across people along the way, all of them waving and yelling to Alec, thanking him or wishing him well. Logan knew Alec was surprised at the affection of the people around him, even though Logan knew Touchstone adored him.
They got back to the main house and Logan walked slowly behind Alec as he walked up the stairs and into the apartment. He went straight to bed, much to Logan’s surprise, and Logan brought him the pill he was supposed to take tonight. It wasn’t the normal pill, but Logan knew his partner too well and without it, Alec would be back on his feet tonight and trying to run things. Besides, if Alec woke up it would ruin their surprise.
Alec took the pill and laid down in his bed, sighing deeply. Logan watched him for a moment, too used to being able to look without Alec being aware, but pulled away when he realized Alec was watching him too.
“Get some real sleep, Alec,” he said softly, pulling the sheet up over his body.
Alec grabbed his hand before he could pull away. Their eyes met and Logan wasn’t sure what he saw in the transgenic’s eyes but it wasn’t new … just … intense. “Stay.”
He didn’t say anything, but kicked off his shoes and crawled onto the other side of the bed. When Alec turned over to his side to look at him, Logan just smiled. Alec returned it for a moment before the medication took hold and then his eyes were closing. He fell asleep with a smile on his face and Logan laid there for a while longer, watching Alec, before he got up and got everything ready.
**
“Where are we going?” Alec demanded as Logan pulled him out of the chair.
“Everyone’s been worried about you. We’ll just walk down to the Dorm so everyone can see you up and about again.”
Alec watched Logan closely. Something was going on and the other man wouldn’t say what. Not that Alec didn’t trust Logan, but there was trust and trust and sometimes Logan did things that Alec just didn’t understand.
“Fine, but I don’t see why I can’t just sit on the porch and have them parade in front of me. That’s what this is.”
“Maybe,” Logan said with a fond smile. “But you’re going to go so stop complaining.”
Alec wasn’t really against going out, but he’d fallen asleep with Logan beside him and he’d woken with Logan sitting in his bed, reading a book. It was a nice change to the way things usually were and Alec wasn’t really ready to share Logan just yet. He’d like to have just sat on the front porch tonight, looking up at the stars together. Logan was adamant though and Logan usually got his way when he was like this.
“Fine,” he got up and followed Logan out of the house. He felt good, especially for someone who’d nearly died on the operating table. Being an X-5 did have some advantages. As much as he wanted some space, some time to think about Max and the quick visit she’d made before she’d taken off again, he needed to be close to Logan. So if Logan said get up and go out, that’s what he was doing.
The walk was quiet, full dark had taken hold about an hour earlier and Alec knew most people would be heading to bed soon. It was a farm after all and the work began at sunrise if not before, so it was a surprise to get half way to the Dorm and find a huge bonfire in one of the fallow fields. People were spread around it on blankets or sitting in the freshly tilled dirt. It was silent as they walked up, everyone watching for a minute before Logan stopped them and turned to look at Alec. He was smiling warmly and Alec raised a questioning brow at him before smiling back.
“It’s good to have you back again, Alec.”
A cheer went up around the bonfire and everyone was calling his name then, coming up to pound him on the back or embrace him. He was kissed on the cheek by some of the women, most of them looking askance at Logan afterwards. Logan disappeared for a minute, then turned up with a cup of homebrew. It was strong and rough but Alec sipped it, unable to keep the smile off his face as he and Logan were led to a couch that had been dragged out into the field. They had an excellent view as some of the others brought out instruments and started playing music. People were dancing and laughing and celebrating something that Alec just didn’t understand.
“What are we celebrating, exactly?”
“We’re free from the bounty hunters. We’re celebrating because we don’t have to look over our shoulders anymore. But mostly, we’re celebrating that you’re healthy and smiling and still with us after doing the most incredibly stupid thing.”
“Logan. I couldn’t just watch-”
“I know but I had to … we had to wait for you to get better and no matter what else I think about you taking a bullet for me, I’m grateful that you’re still here. So just celebrate with us, Alec.”
Alec was afraid of this thing, this growing warmth in his chest but the way Logan looked at him was too intense to look away from. He finally nodded and Logan turned to look at the figures as they danced around, twirling to the music. It was a good night to be at Touchstone, a good night to be alive, and when Logan reached for his hand and twined their fingers together, Alec didn’t pull away.
**
The journey back home wasn’t long but they took their time, laughing about their friends and grateful that they’d called tomorrow a rest day for the whole farm.
Logan pulled Alec into the house and up the stairs to their apartment but pushed Alec into his bedroom before he could do anything stupid. There was something about Alec tonight, something open about him, that made Logan think just maybe they were on the same page finally. Maybe the whole ordeal had let Alec know that Logan was crazy about him, for him, because of him.
He wasn’t going to jeopardize everything thing by moving too fast. Instead, he went to his own room and stripped out of his shirt and pants, ready to slide between the sheets.
“Logan?”
Logan looked up at the sound of Alec’s voice. “Are you okay?”
Alec’s shirt was off - and Logan refused to take advantage of the view, no matter how much he wanted to push Alec down onto his bed and lick his way up Alec’s torso - but he was still dressed otherwise.
“Yeah, I just need a little help.” Logan stared at him but then Alec walked in and took a seat on the bed, tapping one foot on the other.
Logan realized what it was and nearly blushed. “Sorry, I didn’t think about the boots.” He sat on his knees between Alec’s legs and began working the tie of his boots open. He took his time, pulling the string loose and working each boot gently off Alec’s foot. When he was done, he slipped the socks off his feet, tickling the arch lightly just to hear Alec laugh. When he looked up, the heat in Alec’s eyes took his breath away.
Alec reached a hand out to touch along Logan’s face before resting it against the side of his neck. “You know, back when the world made sense, none of this was possible. I was just a killer and you were a hero. I knew when I met Max that she was going to be the sort of trouble I got into, but I never would have realized how far from home she’d bring me. I never realized I had to be lost to find a real home. When that killer pointed the gun at you, I couldn’t even breathe Logan. When he pulled the trigger, all I could think what that I couldn’t lose you.”
Logan didn’t wait any longer or ask Alec for a stronger declaration. He surged up, catching Alec’s lips against his own. Alec pulled him close and opened under him, lips as soft and sweet as Logan always knew they’d be. Logan slid his tongue into Alec’s waiting mouth and they both moaned into it, bodies arching closer. Alec started to slide back on the bed, pulling Logan up with him and Logan let the X-5 manhandle him until they were both lying on the bed. Alec was leaning over him and Logan wasn’t sure how that happened.
He wasn’t complaining though when Alec stripped out of his clothes and pulled Logan’s boxers off. He wasn’t complaining when Alec opened him up and slid into his body. He wasn’t complaining as Alec kissed him, sweet and tender as he continued to slide in and out of his body. When Alec wrapped his fingers around Logan’s swollen cock, he barely touched him before Logan was gasping his name, come spilling between them as Alec painted his insides.
When Alec slipped out of his body, Logan pulled him close, not letting Alec get even a thought of returning to his room. “Stay,” he said, mimicking Alec’s words from earlier.
Alec smiled at him and pulled him close, letting Logan rest against his chest.
“Back when the world made sense, I was so busy trying to save everyone because I didn’t know how to save myself. I was afraid of getting hurt and loving someone. Even with Max, I kept myself guarded. Out here, where everything is so damn different, I was able to let go of all that. I used to think it was because of the change in settings or being surrounded by the community here, but then I realized it wasn’t that at all.”
“No?”
“No. Back when the world made sense, I didn’t have you at my side. Now I do, and that’s all the difference I needed.”
Alec’s smile dropped and he touched Logan’s face lightly. He’d never thought to feel this again, never thought to get to live with it, but he did and he’d learned to take the chance when it came. “I love you, Logan.”
Logan’s eyes went wide and Alec would have laughed at it, if his heart weren’t beating so fast in his chest.
“I love you too, Alec.”
He reached up and kissed Alec and there was a passion there that Alec understood now. When he pulled back, he looked at Logan and smiled. “Max will never let us hear the end of this.”
Logan laughed. “Yeah, she gave me a good chewing out about taking better care of you.”
“Me too. Said she’d be back around to make sure I did it.”
“Another thing that wouldn’t have happened, back when the world made sense.”
Alec kissed him softly again, feeling the old ache of Max’s disappearance and OC’s death finally healing. When Logan settled against him, sleep overtaking him, Alec just closed his eyes and breathed him in. It was a different world than he’d grown up in, a different place, and he was a different man.
Back then, he’d had the comfort of orders and routine. He’d had food and clothes and all the necessities taken care of for him. Back then, he’d felt safe.
No, he had back breaking work and a world of people to take care of. He had arguments with Mole and the Tribunal and difficulty with the farm. But he also had people that cared for him, that worried and looked out for him. He had Logan, and he had love.
It wasn’t the world he thought he’d spend his life in, but it was a far better place to be. Looking down at Logan, he knew that no matter what else happened, he’d never trade this for anything, not even for the days when the world made sense.