A New Life

Chapter 16

Logan didn’t really know *why* he even got them a telephone, and he certainly never expected it to ring. It had only rung two times in the past five years, and then it had been salesmen babbling about some uninteresting things they tried to sell until Logan hung up without a word.

But now, oril ril 3, 1984, it actually rang again, surprising Logan very much. They kept the telephone in the bedroom, because there was no good place for it in the living room, and they both regarded it as a quite redundant object.

Logan was busy cooking in the kitchen, while Erik was sitting in the living room sofa, watching TV. The sound of the telephone ringing almost scared Erik, and it took him a few seconds to realize where the sound came from. He started to rise, but Logan was quicker and told him to sit down again as he hurried into the bedroom to take the call.

It had better not be one of those fucking salesmen again, trying to sell us a vacuum cleaner or some new miracle diet pills! he thought while he strode toward the phone with long steps.

It wasn’t.

“Hello,” Logan grumbled, lifting the receiver to his ear.

“Is this Logan?” an unfamiliar male voice said on the other side.

“Who’s this?” Logan asked suspiciously. “If you’re trying to sell me something, I’m not interested.”

The man who had called him laughed. “No, Logan, I am not trying to sell you anything. My name is General William Stryker, and I have got a little proposal for you, if you’re willing to give me a minute.”

A cold shiver passed down Logan’s spine, and he really suspected something was wrong now. The man’s name and title said him nothing, but he had strong reasons to believe that he had not called just to small talk.

“Who are you? How do you know my name?” Logan asked raggedly, and his hold of the receiver tightened.

General Stryker chuckled. “I know a lot about you, Logan,” he said. “I know what you are. I know where you live, why you don’t age, and how you can heal lethal wounds in a matter of minutes, or even seconds. You are a mutant, Logan, and that is why I have sought you out.”

Logan’s blood turned to ice, but still he somehow managed to stand on his legs and not lose the receiver.

“What do you want?” he croaked, his voice hoarse from fear and shock.

“A favour, Logan. Something you could do for me,” Stryker said casually. “Nothing big. Something ta mua mutant with your ability can do easily.”

Logan snorted. He was still shocked, but he had recovered from the primal shock, and could think clearer now.

“A favour, you say? I left the army long ago. I don’t owe you anything! And what makes you think I’d like to help you?”

Silence. Then Stryker cleared his throat inglingly, and said, “Logan, you disappoint me. I was so sure you’d be reasonable. I guess I was wrong, was I? Frankly, this isn’t a question. I need you, and you’re going to do this for me, Logan. Tell me, how is Erik Lehnsherr? That is his name, isn’t it? I’m sure you don’t want to see him get hurt, or do you, Logan?”

“Fuck off!” Logan hissed and hung up the phone with a crack. His hands and his whole body were shaking. Had that bastard really threatened Erik? Logan could take much, but not that. It felt like he was going to explode from anger, fear and frustration, because there was nothing he could do. All he could do was to hope that Stryker wouldn’t call him again, but he wasn’t very hopeful. The general had seemed like the kind of guy who didn’t give up easily.

What do they want from me? Logan thought. What?

“Logan, who was it?” Erik suddenly asked, looking agan gan from the doorway.

“No one, Erik. Wrong number,” Logan said shortly.

“No one?” Erik asked dubiously. “Then why were you shouting?”

“I wasn’t shouting…” Logan tried and walked past Erik, heading toward the kitchen.

“Do you think I am deaf?” Erik snorted. “I heard you shouting, and I want to know what is going on.”

He caught up with Logan and blocked his way, determined to know what this was all about.

“Don’t lie to me, Logan.” he said seriously. “Who was on the phone?”

“I told you, it was no one,” Logan persisted. “Now move, Erik.”

“I can tell when you’re lying. You wouldn’t have shouted like that for nothing. Was it bad news? Has someone found us? Can you tell me what is going on?”

Logan didn’t answer; he simply grabbed Erik and enveloped him in his arms, holding him tightly. What scared him the most was that Stryker had threatened Erik. He could defend himself, and knew the ways out of trouble, but he wasn’t sure he could always protect his lover.

Erik gave out a muffled cry when Logan grabbed him and pressed him up against himself, since he had not been prepared for it. But he knew now that whatever the phone call was about, it had to be serious since it made Logan act like this.

“Logan, why can’t you confide in me?” Erik asked sadly. “You know you can trust me.”

“I can’t tell you,” Logan replied. “Not now. But you know I’d never let anything happen to you, Erik. Remember that. Always.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Stryker called again two days later. This time Logan wasn’t surprised, and almost knew what to expect. Erik was outside working in the garden, so he wouldn’t have to worry about keeping the conversation hidden from him now.

Logan lifted the receiver.

“Hello?”

“Logan,” said Stryker’s calm, smug voice. “Have you reconsidered your decision asking me to fuck off yet?”

“What do you want?” Logan asked sternly.

“Straight to business, are we, eh?” Stryker said scornfully. “I want you to do me a favour. A small job. Nothing worse than you’ve done before.”

“What?”

“Let’s discuss that when we’re face to face. That is all I can tell you at this time. Now tel. Ar. Are you in or out?”

“What if I’m out?” Logan asked boldly.

“Then…you can kiss your little friend goodbye.”

Logan gave in. Hearing this man – who seemed to be capable of anything – threatening Erik made him feel sick, both physically and mentally.

“Alright,” he said. “What is it?”

“You must understand, Logan, that this isn’t in any way personal. We have been looking for someone like you for a long time. We chose you because you’re best suited for this mission.”

“What is it, dammit?!” Logan roared.

He could hear Stryker chuckle. “I’ll get back to you. In the meantime… Don’t try to run away. We’re watching you. And your little friend. Goodbye, Logan. I’m happy that you decided to listen to reason.”

Stryker hung up this time. Logan stood there for a long time, holding the receiver to his ear, listening to the dial tone. He knew that the nightmare had only begun.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“You have to leave?” Erik exclaimed when Logan had told him that he would have to go away for a while.

“Yeah, angel, I have to,” Logan replied. This was absolutely the worst day of his life so far, and still he suspected that this was only the beginning. The shocked look on Erik’s face when he heard the news didn’t exactly improve Logan’s mood.

“Where?” Erik demanded. “Why now? What is this about? Will you tell me?”

He knew it had *something* to do with those weird phone calls they’d been receiving, but he didn’t know what this was all about. Apparently, Logan was in trouble.

“I can’t tell you anymore,” Logan said, shaking his head. “But you shan’t worry. It’ll only take a week, two at the most, and then I’ll be back again.”

“Logan, I’m not stupid,” Erik called out. “Stop treating me like some ignorant little kid and tell me what is going on!”

Erik was almost desperate. He knew that Logan wasn’t telling him the whole truth, and that upset him greatly.

“Erik…” Logan sighed, and grabbed Erik’s shoulders, looking deep into his eyes. “I’m not allowed to tell you anymore, and I honestly don’t know much more myself. This guy who’s been calling, he’s… he’s some kind of army guy, who wants me to go on a mission with them. That’s all I can tell you. Erik, please, don’t worry about me.”

He leaned out and kissed Erik’s forehead.

“How can I not worry about you?” Erik said. “Do you even know what you’re supposed to do?”

“Roughly,” Logan said. “Don’t worry. I’ll survive.”

“Can I come with you?” Erik asked.

“No.”

Erik sighed and sat down on their bed. He buried his face in his hands and thought whether he should start crying or be stoical. He decided to try being stoical. It wouldn’t help Logan if he started to break now.

“When are you leaving?” he asked Logan.

“Tomorrow morning,” Logan said quietly.

“Tomorrow? I see…”

“You have to trust me, Erik,” Logan said seriously and wrapped his arm around Erik’s shoulders.

“You say so, but it’s hard if you don’t trust me,” Erik sighed. “Please don’t go, Logan. I have a feeling something is very wrong.”

*No shit?* Logan thought. “I have to. Just for a while, angel. I’m really sorry, but I have to do this.”

Erik rested his aching head against Logan’s strong shoulder, breathing heavily. He knew there was no way he could make Logan stay if he had made his decision to go. But he could always try.

“I’m doing it for you…” Logan whispered with his lips buried in Erik’s dark hair. “Only for you…”

“What did you say?” Erik asked in wonder.

“Nothing,” Logan finished quickly. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back in time for your birthday.”

Next month Erik would turn He He wasn’t exactly looking forward to it, but if it meant Logan’s return, he might as well start doing it now.

“Hey angel, are you cool with this?” Logan asked.

“No, but that won’t change anything, will it?” Erik sulked.

“No.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Later that night, they were lying in the bed they shared, curled together for the last time in a very long time.

6:00 A.M. in the morning Logan would leave. Stryker had given him a time and a place, and he doubted they’d appreciate if he was late.

Logan couldn’t deny that he was apprehensive, but if Stryker kept his word, he would be back again in a week. Two at the most. Erik lay pressed against his chest, very still, but not asleep. His breathing revealed that he was still awake. Very awake.

“Try to go to sleep,” Logan whispered, nuzzling Erik’s neck.

“I can’t,” Erik whispered back. “The thought of sleeping alone tomorrow night is just too scary.”

“Hey… I’ll be back again before you even realize I’m gone,” Logan tried.

“Hardly,” Erik said.

“Okay, maybe not, but you’ll cope. I’m sure you will.”

Deep down inside Logan wasn’t so sure. Erik was far too dependent on him. It wouldn’t hurt if he got more independent.

“Make love to me,” Erik said suddenly.

“Now?” Logan asked, slightly surprised.

“Yes, now. It’s not like we’ll be seeing each other in a while. This is our last chance before you leave.”

Erik turned around in Logan’s arms, so that they were lying face to face and could look into each other’s eyes.

“Would you like that?” Logan asked softly. He did, anyway, and believed it would be easier for them both to fall asleep after that.

“Yes, please. Take me now,” Erik said.

Logan kissed him and pulled his slender body atop of his own, so that Erik was lying on his chest. Logan passed his hands over his lover’s body, cupping his still-firm buttocks in his hands. Erik moaned into Logan’s mouth, and tried not to think that they wouldn’t be doing this for quite some time. Right now he just wanted Logan in him.

Erik sat up, straddling Logan’s pelvis. He could feel his lover’s erection pressing against his inner thighs, eager to get inside him. He looked down at Logan, watching the older man – who now looked about 15 years younger than he – and wishing he didn’t have to leave.

Erik himself wasn’t aroused yet. He was beginning to get old, and iwaysways took some time to get him going, no matter how badly he wanted it. Logan knew it by now, and no longer believed the lack of an erection to be lack of interest.

Logan’s hands were still cupping his buttocks, kneading them in his large, strong hands.

“Lube,” Logan whispered.

Erik nodded. “Yes.” He leaned forward, opened his bedside drawer, and took out a small bottle of lubricant, which they had bought in the downtown dispensary.

Erik would have tonouonour of preparing them tonight. He squeezed out some lube onto his fingertips, and started smearing it on Logan’s thick, hard shaft, making sure it was slick all the way to the hilt. Then he put his fingers inside his own channel, preparing himself for the penetration. It would be a welcome one.

Leaning back, Logan gripped Erik’s hips and helped Erik lowering himself onto his stiff member. The younger mutant gave a soft moan when he was penetrated, and waited a few seconds before he started rocking back and forth. Slowly his own member started to harden, swelling into an erection.

Logan’s hands travelled up and down Erik’s thighs, and from there back to his buttocks. He loved the feeling of Erik’s weight on top of him, guiding him into that hot, pliant velvety channel of his. Logan passed his hands upward, stroking Erik’s arms, and finally resting his lover’s hands in his open palms. Erik accepted the invitation and entwined their fingers. He was completely still for a while, breathing heavily.

Logan felt an urge to buck and thrust deeper into the man above him, but he didn’t, since Erik obviously had a reason to be still. Maybe he was in pain? Logan was worried for a moment, thinking maybe he had hurt his angel.

But Erik had not been hurt. He simply wanted this moment to last a little bit longer, not wanting to finish so quickly. Logan was stroking his arms, his thighs and his backside, encouraging him to start moving again. He did after a while, making Logan’s thick, hard shaft moving inside him.

Suddenly Logan flipped them around, so that Erik was lying under him, and he himself was on top. Their physical contact had not been broken, however, and Logan was still in him. The elder mutant started thrusting hard and fast. Erik’s long legs were wrapped around his waist, pressing them even closer together, and Erik’s fingertips dug into his back muscles.

Logan was breathhardhard against his lover’s neck, inhaling his scent. His nostrils widened when he smelled sweat, pheromones and arousal, and he almost felt like marking Erik’s skin with his teeth. He didn’t, of course, since that would hurt him.

With one last hard thrust he came inside his lover, spilling his release into his willing body. Logan quickly rolled to his side, not to accidentally smother Erik with his weight. They were both covered in sweat, panting heavily. Logan had evidence of Erik’s release on his chest and belly, and used a tissue to wipe it off, since he didn’t want to face Stryker covered with spunk.

Stryker, yes. All the arousal he’d felt disappeared together with the thought of him. Logan handed Erik a tissue to wipe himself with, and figured they ought to sleep now. It was already 1:00 A.M. and he needed a few hours of sleep.

“Logan, I really wish you didn’t have to go,” Erik said quietly, snuggling in next to Logan.

“So do I,” Logan sighed. “But I have to. Let’s go to sleep now, angel.”

He spooned behind Erik again, burying his nose in the other’s sweat-damp hair. Then he prayed, for the first time in centuries.

Please God, let me hold him again like this in a few weeks. That’s all I’m asking. Please don’t take that away from me…

Logan didn’t know if God heard his prayer, but he was honestly not very hopeful. At least he had tried, though. The rest was up to God. Or worse – Stryker.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When Erik woke up in the morning Logan was gone. Instead there was a note lying on his side of the bed. Erik felt almost dismayed, since he had not even gotten a chance to give Logan a proper farewell.

But he picked up the note, and reached for his reading glasses before starting to read it.

Dear angel,

I really don’t know what to put in this note. My writing skills have always kinda sucked. I suppose I wasn’t meant to be a scholar, like you.

Anyway, by the time you read this, I’m already gone, unless you wake up right now and take me by surprise. But I seriously doubt it. You’re sleeping like the angel you are.

I suppose you’ll be angry with me when you wake up and discover that I’ve gone without saying goodbye to you, but I want to tell you, that if I’d woken you up it might have been impossible for me to leave. I hope you understand, and don’t be mad at me.

I don’t know what else to put here, and I’m running out of time. We’ll talk more when I come home. Until I do – take care. I know you’ll do just fine. Now wish me luck,

Luv ya always,

Logan

TBC