A Rumor of Peace

CHAPTER 34

SUMMARY:  Harry and Roark receive visits from their lovers...and a guest.  The brother's expose themselves to the two with them, but then deal with it. 

Roark was sitting at his desk, a low fire burning in the fireplace as he worked at his laptop.  He was trying to find information on the matter of Leta Lestrange while he waited for Rodolphus.  Sensing his presence behind him, he smiled, was just about to turn and greet him when he felt the silent warning, making him go completely still. 

Instead of turning to face him, he reached for a pen, wrote something he wanted to look into further down, before turning in his chair, his face expressionless as he looked at the man he had come to love.  "Good evening, Rodolphus," he said, realizing instantly why the warning had been sent, as he was not alone this time.

"Not too busy, I hope?" he asked, his tone cold, deadly.

Roark felt a tingle of awareness go through him at the tone of his voice.  "I'm never too busy for you, Terminator," he replied in a cool tone.  "I was merely doing a bit of research before I got started on my progress reports."

A slight turn of his lips.  "Hum...yes.  You certainly have a lot to report, don't you?"

Roark gave him a smirk of his own.  "That I do," he said, catching sight of movement outside the French door to the patio he shared with his brother.  "They'll certainly be pleased with the progress we've made.  Can I assume your brother is visiting mine even as we speak?"

A shrug.  "As we came together, your assumption would be correct."

He glanced toward the door as a shadow moved past once again.  "It's cold out there, Rodolphus, and it's started to snow again.  Why don't you ask your friend to join us?" he got to his feet as Rodolphus raised a black gloved hand to his ear.  Hum...a communication connection device.

"Join us."  Was said sharply.

The door was pushed open a bare micron later and the man who entered had Roark's brow arching.  "Well, well, well.  Look who we have here.  The Port Manager, and our escape artist.  We've been looking for you, Roderick," he said to the man before returning his attention to his lover.  "You usually come alone, Terminator.  How nice of you to bring company this time around.  Drink?"

"He's certainly as calm and collected as you've said, Rodolphus.  Except, that is, when he's angry enough to set fire to things."

"He has always been so," his head turned, a grin twisting his lips, "and I wouldn't know.  I've never made him angry enough to WANT to set fire to anything, but then...our magics ARE opposites.  There is, I have found, very little that the Lieutenant is afraid of.  Me included.  Saggitarian brandy."

A nod as he moved to the sideboard.  "Roderick?"

"I'll have the same," he said, eyes moving very slowly over him.  "Now I wonder...just what would it feel like to fuck that tight ass of yours?"

Roark turned a tumbler of brandy in each hand.  "No chance you'll ever find out," came icily as he passed each of them a glass, seeing the flicker of fury that lit his lovers eyes.  A brow went up, and he grinned.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that were I you, Lieutenant," he growled.  "You're not even armed," he said as he took a step closer, seeing Roark's weapon's belt on a hook not far from his desk.

"Hum?  Aren't I?  Are you so sure of that?" he asked, feeling safe enough with Rodolphus there to turn his back, pouring himself a glass of wine.  He was just reaching for it when he felt him move up behind him.  He turned suddenly, a very sharp knife now pressed against his jugular, making him freeze.  "Ah, ah.  No touching, Roderick," he murmured.  "I happen to belong to a very possessive man.  One who would be absolutely furious you dared to touch what was not yours to touch.  Now..." a pause as hard, very cold silver eyes met Roderick's stunned, yet angry gaze, "I would suggest that you back off."  The blade pressed, drawing blood.