Tamed-Dazed : Act 5

Zack came back into view, setting a bowl of water and a wet washcloth on the nightstand. "Let's get you out of those clothes, Xan."

"I believe that's my department, Zack."

Xander's lips curled into a smile so warm that it startled both men, his bright green eyes locked on Raphael's slim form as he slipped into the room. "Be my guest," he said in a sensual, if somewhat ragged, voice.

Raphael recovered first, blinking twice before gracefully gliding closer. "I think I'll wait until you're not covered in blood, thank you very much."

He chuckled, or began to, the sound cut off abruptly as he winced. "Perhaps, that is a good idea," he murmured, his eyes following the other man as he rounded the bed. "I don't believe I'm up to any. . .strenuous activities tonight."

A sound that suspiciously resembled a snort escaped the redhead as he sat on the other side of the bed. "You'd better not be," he grumbled, only half-joking. "I'd hate to have to kill some poor cadet because you couldn't keep your hands to yourself. I mean, think of the paperwork, Xan."

Xander suppressed further, painful laughter at that. "Don't worry, Raphael. I know how much you despise paperwork."

Zacky, whose presence he had very nearly forgotten, shifted on his other side. "Look, if you two are going to flirt all night, why don't I just leave you to it?"

"Sorry, Zack."

"My apologies, Zacky Santoso."

He grunted and rolled his eyes, reaching for the bloodied bandages. "Don't try to help," he warned, shooting his friend a stern look. "Just sit there and let me do all the work."

"As if." Raphael scooted across the bed, his fine, aristocratic features betraying his worry as he came to rest at Xander's side. "Xander's a little stubborn when it comes to being topped."

"Raphael!" ZAck shot him a horrified look. "There are some things that I just don't need to know."

Xander's gaze shifted from his embarrassed friend to his lover, who was rolling his own eyes in response. His gaze lingered on Raphael as Zacky opened his leather coat, and then asked him to lean forward so he could remove it. Raphael was watching him just as closely, a guarded look buried in the depths of those sky-blue eyes. He wondered if Raphael had been serious when he'd made that little comment, then decided that the best way to find out was to ask.

"Does it bother you that much?"

Raphael flushed and looked away, his pearly white teeth sinking into his lush bottom lip, and Xander had his answer. One more thing his mercurial lover had never shared with him, he thought, both surprised and saddened by the knowledge. Had he ever truly known the man he loved?

A muffled curse to his right drug Xander's attention back to Zacky. "What's wrong?"

Zack hesitated before saying, "This looks like a sword wound, Xan."

One silver brow crept up. "Does it?" he asked with feigned disinterest.

"Hell yes, it does!" Raphael exclaimed, rising to his knees to get a better look at it. "What the fuck is going on here, Xander?"

Xander shrugged slightly, schooling his features to blandness. "I really couldn't say," he answered, adding, "I don't remember much of what happened."

Two pairs of mako-infused eyes flew to his, both wide with disbelief. Xander had a photographic memory. He never forgot anything. Raphael summed it up succinctly when he said, "Bullshit."

"Xander. . ." Zack hesitated, reluctant to question the younger man, even though he privately agreed. Still, it was hard to picture Professor Harland, skinny little slug that he was, wielding a sword that could dish out this kind of damage. And, while there was no love lost between his friend and the man who'd raised him, he had never been able to talk Xander into turning his back on him completely. If Harland had done this, he would never be called on it.

Which Xander already knew, Zack realized belatedly. It would do no good to name his attacker, so Xander wouldn't. It was that simple, and that sad.

"Well, regardless of how it happened," he paused to clear his throat, "you'll need to rest tomorrow. Raphael and I will cover for you at the office, and-"

Xander was already shaking his head. "That won't necessary, Zack, as I heal rather quickly."

"Xan-"

"Let me handle this, Zacky." Raphael leaned put a hand on either side of him and leaned in close. Temptingly close, Xander thought as the other's breath washed over his own lips. "You are staying home tomorrow. Period. End of argument. If you want to argue about it, you can do it once you're healed. Until then, you stay the fuck put. You got that, Polong?"

Instead of the frown he was expecting at the use of the rather intimate endearment, Xander merely smiled and said, "Only if you stay with me-Kucing."

Raphael scowled darkly and jerked away, tossing his layered hair huffily. "That's fighting dirty, Xan."

Xander sent him a heated look from under thick velvet lashes. "And you aren't?" he questioned silkily.

"Ahem." Zack was trying and failing to hide his grin as reached for the washcloth. "I guess, you'll both owe me one. For doing three times the paperwork I normally would," he added pointedly.

The scowl was gone in an instant, replaced by a warm, delighted smile. Raphael truly hated paperwork. "You're the best, Zack."

"Yeah, yeah."