Among the Shadows of Death (a Jurassic Park fic)

Chapter 7

Note:  fluff ahead!  (Ian can get ooc but meh)

~ Lixian

The shed wasn't that far and by the time they got there, the rain had already stopped for some time. "The lock is electronic. Luckily for us, it isn't fully closed." There wasn't a lot of room but it was do-able. The place was clearly used as a control panel of some sorts, maybe for patrol but you couldn't say for sure because of the lack of lighting. There were only a few streaks of moonlight that came through the high windows illuminating the corner of the little room. Alex helped Ian sit down "Here, have my jacket to keep you warm. It has dried already." "No you-" "Ian, listen. You need your body warmth the most out of us two. It is essential for your recovery to have a good bloodflow in hopes of stopping the bleeding quicker." He sighed in response. "Fine, but let me at least share it. We could keep eachother warm while we're at it."

Now sitting close against one another, the two men started to talk about memories or plans for the future as an act of comfort. For 'maximal recovery'-reasons, Alex had put his arm behind Ian to keep the guy as warm as possible. "Hmm...this is nice. Not the uh, pain of course, even though that the painkillers from the med-kit have uh, have a noticeable effect, it still is a very present feeling" "I'm getting you morphine as fast as I can. There should be some in the main building."

"Hey Alex?" "myeah?" "Thank you. It would have been way better for you if you just left me there. Your chances of survival would have been raised by uh at least 50%. But I'm grateful that you didn't" Alex looked at the man, surprised but also slightly amused. "You made a promise and I want you to keep it. Or otherwise I have to survive with John and-" he stopped, sighed and continued "...To be fair, I couldn't even if I wanted to. Leave you, I mean."

Ian chuckled "Like me that much? You would be one of the few." "Few?! I'm sure that you get a lot of attention, and that's when you'd only consider your looks" "Well, a lot of people don't go any further than the looks, so uh.." "A shame really" That shut Ian up, making it silent for another few minutes. They both enjoyed each other's presence, in silence or not. Eventually, Ian broke it "Why is it that you don't have a partner?" "Uh, well I guess I just don't have the time..Hm, no. More like; my everyday-life and work have been occupying my mind constantly and that led me to not being in need of searching for someone. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm avoiding it. If I met someone and it really clicked between us? Then yes, I'd date them. I just don't spend my energy on looking for a relationship when I need it for work." "What does one need to be or do to acquire the status of your interest?" "Are you asking me what my type is?" he laughed "I can't believe you." sigh "Don't worry. You fit the criteria"

The sudden eye-contact scared him. It made him doubt if Ian even liked men. He could've sworn. But then again, he has kids, a wife? No, he said he was searching for a partner. Was I looking too much into it? Was I flirting without a response? "I uh.." "What's wrong? You've gone quiet all of the sudden." "Sorry, my mind was wandering off" Why did I say he was my type?!

"Try to get some rest. You'll need all the energy you can muster tomorrow" "I don't know if I'll sleep much with the uhm, pain" "As long as you rest" Ian scooted closer (if possible lmao). He whispered, his lowered voice soothing "Your heart rate has risen. You sure that you're fine?" "Yeah, yeah. I just..realised some stuff" silence

"What uh, what's your uh, preference when dating?" Ian said in a low tone, not to upset the comfortable silence. In the same tone Alex asked "As in-?" "Yeah sexuality.." "..whatever, I don't really mind what they are. As long as I like them, I'm fine." "So that's a yes to men?" "yeah man, like I said" "I know, just for clarification"

He fell asleep. Alex didn't even notice at first.

-

"Alexander? Hey, wake up" he opened his eyes, squeezing them when adjusting to the sunlight that shone through the windows. "What? What's the matter?" he grumbled in response, Ian looked at him with a concerned look on his face, Alex whispered to him again "What?" "The door.." Quickly looking at the door, slightly panicked because of Ian's tone, he saw nothing. "Ian, are you okay-?" "I'm not delusional, it's outside. Just listen" Waiting in silence for any, potentially dangerous, roar or bellow,there was nothing but animal sounds in the distance. Alex looked at Ian with a look, concerned that the man might see things from the pain or meds. "No, I swear there was-" A loud huff interrupted him. The two immediately froze. Something big was behind that small door. It whined and grunted again, sniffing around the shed. Alex stood up, Ian whisper-yelled "Alex what are you-!" "Shhh" He checked the control panel for any signs that the power was back, it was not, and then he climbed on top of it. Peering through the high windows, he saw horns right before him.

They went diagonally in a straight line with a slight curve. It was clear that there was a change in direction after the middle, making it so the horns on each side turned to the outside. "And?" "A ceratopsian...not sure which one." He looked down at Ian, the man's physical state only reflected his mindset and positivity. Bad. "Why are you looking at me like that..?" "Nothing, uhm the animals are moving further. Slowly, but moving. I also don't know how many there are...Oh it's Styracosaurus! Oh aren't you lot beautiful!" Alex kept gazing out of the window, his footing slipping slightly. "Will you get down from there, please? You won't know when the uh power comes back on. If you click on a uh control and attract their attention, I don't want to be in here."

"Right, sorry. They moved on" "Great" Alex helped Ian up, basically dragging the man out of the shed. "We could follow the track or we could check other sheds for another way of transportation...come on, let's go" Ian turned to him "No" "Hey- I won't let you walk back there, okay? We'll find a shed and-" "No, uh you go, I'll only drag you uh, down." "Ian. What about everything you said yesterday?" "I was uhm, emotional and wasn't thinking about it critically. Go, I'll stay in the uh, shed and wait until you guys pick me up or something." "I am not a moron. Let's go" Alex started walking and Ian had no choice but to follow "Alexander I swear it'll-" "I know you never kept your promises to your wives, all those vows, but I won't let you break this one" "I'll be fine" "You don't know that! Just 15 minutes ago, you weren't even sure if the animal behind that door was able to track you and break the door down!" Silenced, Ian stayed quiet while walking further.

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Note: eeeeeeeeee, it may have been cringe, idk, it has been a while since I last read this fic thoroughly

~ Lixian