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Merc's Metamorphs

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Chapter 14: Christopher (Revisited)

There wasn't a lot of time left on their transformations, but Frank wasn't ready to return to Human form just yet... not with so many questions unanswered and no planning having been done on their part. He shot a subtle glance at Bruiser, who nodded in his direction before speaking up. "Well... I have to admit that this is a bit of a surprise."

Even as Christopher began offering a playful, trite, good-natured dressing-down regarding the importance of making sure to know which cell phone was being used, the Metamorphs were holding their own council at the speed of thought.

Demon was the first to make use of it. "Little guy is pretty sure of himself surrounded by three Metamorphs, isn't he?"

Merc put it in perspective. "He knows who we really are and he also knows that Merc's Metamorphs doesn't hurt people indiscriminately."

Bruiser was much more productive in his thoughts. "Hey, Merc... you've only selected two powers today, right?"

The Kangacobra could tell that the Orca's mind was already well on the way into plan-making mode. "Right... just the usual for long distance travel. Why?"

It was obvious that Bruiser was engaging Christopher in conversation to keep the Asian student oblivious to the fact that the three of them were carrying on a silent conversation. Gesturing to the sole human among them, the Orca gestured to their carefully stacked belongings. "So... did you just dig those up out of curiosity or is asking for our stuff back out of the question?"

Even as Christopher pleasantly began distributing their personal effects the Orca was already elaborating his plan in their joint mind link. "if you still have one power you can select today what's stopping us from using some kind of mind wipe ability to erase his knowledge of who we are? I mean... you have at least a half dozen kinds of injectables you can use-- why not give him a little nip with amnesia venom?"

Merc offered an off-handed, not-at-all serious comment to Christopher in order to keep the dialogue going as he accepted his bag from the Human, all the while relating his response to Bruiser. "If he's got that much info on us I'm willing to bet he has files... I can't think of a better way to make him angry than by messing with his head. Given however many options we come up with, that shouldn't be the first one."

Demon agreed apparently, adding in his two cents mentally. "This guy knows what's up... he probably practices data redundancy-- written stuff down and probably in duplicate in multiple storage mediums including hard drives, thumb drives, cloud storage and probably old fashioned analogue pen-and-paper."

Smiling, Christopher took a step back once all three of them had their clothing. "So... you three have a good talk?" As he asked his question he pointed with his index finger to his temple, indicating exactly what it meant.

Demon tried playing dumb. "Talk?"

The Human didn't even bother playing along, gesturing to the Orca. "Bruiser has different telepathic abilities, including connecting minds. Considering you three work so well together, I figure you probably have little brain-to-brain whisper sessions-- the angling of Demon's ears and micro expressions from Merc tipped me off that the three of you are probably trying to figure out what to do with me."

Merc had no illusions as to just how smart Christopher was, but he was still caught off guard. Fortunately Bruiser picked up the slack. "Well, seeing as you're part of the conversation now, what would YOU do in OUR situation, Chris?"

The Human winced, his voice taking on a distasteful scowl. "Well... ah... first, I would check to see if the unexpected visitor had a problem with his name being shortened."

There was a hint of humor to the statement, but it only half-hid the obvious displeasure. Merc quickly interjected "He doesn't go by Chris."

Demon snorted; as usual he wasn't the most empathetic individual. "Saying "Christopher' takes a lot longer... that's two whole extra syllables."

Incredibly pragmatic, Christopher merely shrugged. "Usually once people get to know me really well they just call me Cy."

The Pitbull cocked his head to the side, not unlike a four legged dog. "How do you get 'Cy' out of 'Christopher'?"

It clicked surprisingly easy for Merc. "Cy... that's his initials: C and Y. Christopher Yang."

Cy winked in response. "Handsome AND smart."

Despite the awkwardness of the situation, Merc felt a tingle on either side of his muzzle; he wondered if his scales could blush. Clearing his throat, he pushed forward. "You're lucky we're the good guys... lots of Metamorphs would go to some pretty extreme lengths to protect their Human identities."

In response, the Human simply shrugged. "I'd like to think I know the three of you pretty well... I did my homework, and that included a lot of digging. Sure, it took awhile to find things out and learn what I could but, after what you three did in Santagua, and sticking to your guns about no killing... well... I just wanted to kinda even the playing field. I know who you three are, so it seemed fair to reveal myself too. I guess it might seem a bit dangerous for most folk to present yourself as the person who was threatening to blackmail a Metamorph group, but I'm hoping you guys can see past that."

Demon scowled, cracking his knuckles. "Understanding and forgiving aren't exactly the same thing... I REALLY don't like getting threats."

Cy nodded. "Right. I understand, and I wanted to make up for it by showing myself and offering an apology face to face."

The three Metamorphs were quiet for several seconds before Merc spoke up. "Okay... then... uh... go ahead?"

Snickering, the Asian student chuckled. "Right. Please consider this an official apology for the whole coercion thing. I'm not the most socially adept individual and I'm usually far more skilled at making people do what I want rather than making it a request."

Bruiser seemed much more relaxed than Bruiser. "And why are you giving up all that power now? Doing this pretty much puts us on an even playing field."

Merc honestly wanted to know the answer as well. "Uneven... all the secrets are out in the open, and WE have a distinct physical advantage. Why surrender control, Cy? That seems like a poor tactical decision."

Cy smiled warmly. "Well... I'm not much for secrets in relationships and if the four of us are going to make this work I really needed to step out from the shadows and show all my cards, wouldn't you agree, Frank?"

It was Merc's turn to wince. "Seeing as you cleared things up regarding YOUR name... when we're Metamorphs we completely skip the Human names, Cy."

The Asian student bowed his head. "Sorry-- Merc."

The Kangacobra nodded. "S'okay, and, yeah-- I agree. Seeing as you already know all our secrets I suppose fair-is-fair in you revealing yours. The thing is, you're still willing to date me-- US even, knowing that we're Metamorphs?"

Cy laughed. "Well, yeah! I've known for awhile now. It should be ME asking YOU guys if you're still okay with... you know... giving me a chance considering your prior experience with Santagua and everything."

Demon, as usual, was pragmatic. "You DID pay us a metric fuck-load of cash for the job so I'd be a little bit of an ass if I objected THAT much."

Bruiser was a little more reserved. "So long as what you said about going into a relationship with honesty and openness I can acknowledge past problems as just that: in the past. That ALSO assumes that you're not going to keep forcing us into contracts... is it safe to say that you're going to be able to separate whatever it is you're doing on the global stage as The Rook and whatever might develop among the four of us?"

Cy smiled. "Honestly, I'd rather things be open. Whether or not our relationship goes anywhere, I would prefer that we can be honest and direct regarding any dispatches I might put together for your team and, before you say anything, no-- I won't expect any friends and family discount. I still plan on paying for any jobs you guys take on from me when I'm working as The Rook."

The faint buzzing in the back of Merc's head was intensifying and he was feeling a tingling in his gloved talons. "Okay... well... I think we've started the discussion and I KNOW there's a lot more to be said, but we're nearing the end of our transformation so we need to get reverting back to Human pretty soon here..."

A faint flush colored Cy's cheeks and the young man smiled, crossing his arms over his chest as he looked at the three of them with interest. "Ready whenever you are."

Frank couldn't remember the last time he changed forms in front of anyone but his boyfriends. Considering the trajectory of the discussion and the fact that he couldn't deny that there could be something there with Christopher, perhaps that trend continued.

* * * * *

The four of them walked the city streets back to campus as a group. Chance, as usual, was both unapologetic and verbose and that worked to Frank's favor as he and Juan could converse quietly in Spanish while the larger-than-life pudgy white guy kept their new companion distracted. They made the comments brief, but it still helped to elaborate on the plan before things progressed. Juan was particularly interested in how things would play out moving forward from that point.

Juan hid the quick question in Spanish as their group passed through the campus' open gates. "Then we keep him close so we can keep an eye on him?"

Frank's response was simple. "Claro que si."

As the group entered the dorm building Christopher paused, turning to look at the three of them. "Hey... you guys doing anything tonight?"

Chance was the first to reply. Fortunately he kept his statement vague. "Probably just hang out... we usually have a relaxing night in after getting back from out of town. Why do you wanna know?"

The Asian student grinned. "Well... last I checked the three of you still owe me a date and, if you don't have much going on, this could be a good opportunity for me to cash in on that debt."

Frank quickly interjected with what, by that point, had become something of a ritual among the three of them. "Study load check."

Any time they were out during the week doing 'Metamorph stuff' they always took stock of what they might have missed in classes before making any plans. Chance was the first to respond "I'm up to date. If anything I might have a few emails to send the professors for a few of my classes, but nothing due."

Juan added "I have a comprehension quiz at the end of the week but I could handle that class in my sleep."

With the decision confirmed, Frank turned to Christopher. "Well then, Cy... I know it's last minute, but how about we make things up to you tonight then?"

The Asian student offered a wry grin. "Not going to get called away again at the last minute?"

Chance laid it out plainly. "Wouldn't matter if we would-- Metamorphs can only spend so much time a day in our altered forms."

Not relenting, Christopher shrugged. "Well.. assuming you three don't have anything else going on today, maybe I'll just head back to your place with you right now?"

Frank glanced to each of his boyfriends and, seeing no objection, responded. "Sounds good to me then."

The four wasted no time heading up to the correct floor and Christopher followed them to their door. Chance unlocked it while Juan regarded their guest. "I'm thinking we all agree to one major ground rule?"

Everyone exchanged glances; Frank certainly wasn't ready for setting boundaries but he trusted his boyfriend's judgment. "What'd you have in mind, Juan?"

Ushering Chance in and following after him, Juan lingered in the doorway. "Well... seeing as it's the four of us, I figure we focus on THAT rather than 'the other three guys' and, while we're at it, I think we should all agree that there's no talking about work. Sounds fair to everyone?"

The way Juan referenced 'the other three guys' made it clear enough to Frank: no talking about their Metamorph alter egos and 'no talking about work' meant that they wouldn't bring up their mercenary work and, presumably, Christopher wouldn't talk about the projects he was involved in as The Rook. Not sure what the others' opinions on the matter, he certainly had no objections. "Sounds good to me."

Chance nodded. "Me too."

Juan glanced toward their guest. "Cy?"

Christopher smiled. "I'm good with that... I'd rather get to know you three before involving 'the others' anyway."

Frank smiled. "Then we're agreed... now let's get inside already. I'm hungry!"

Whenever he relied on his travel powers as Merc, Frank often found himself incredibly tired, or famished-- occasionally both. Once everyone was inside, Juan, who was the last one in, closed the door behind themselves. Chance had already retreated to his computer to check up on emails while Frank made his way to the kitchen. Christopher followed him. "So... do you three share cooking responsibilities or does one of you normally take point on activities in the kitchen?"

Frank rooted through the fridge as he responded. "We eat out a lot, but we all have things we're good at making. Juan's arepas, for example, are AMAZING."

Blushing at the compliment, his boyfriend retorted "Frank knows how to make some great steaks... couple that with some baked potatoes and it's a real fine meal... and you should try his pasta sauce."

Chance spoke up from his bedroom. "We both grew up next to the Italian families and there was this cute little granny across the street who took in all the neighborhood kids."

Frank laughed at the memory. "Yeah... she found out that Juan and I both liked guys so she took it upon herself to make sure we both knew how to cook since we wouldn't have wives or girlfriends to do it for us."

Christopher chuckled lightly at that. "Endearing and still somehow still a little sexist. Yes... that sounds about right for a 'cute little granny' type."

Frank ended up making good on Juan's praise, taking the opportunity to show off some of his skills in the kitchen with a slow cooked tomato sauce; Chance ended up helping out by making some gnocchi. That, in and of itself elicited more elaboration from Juan. "Chance knows how to do pretty much anything with flour-- pasta, rolls, cakes, bagels, cookies... but other than that, pretty much all he makes is cereal."

Chance responded by tossing pasta at Juan. "Fuck off... and, just so you know, gnocchi use potato, not just flour."

Laughing, Juan countered. "I didn't say JUST flour-- if that were the case then your french toast wouldn't be so great."

Chance smirked. "Backhanded compliment much?"

Heading off to put his belongings away in his room, Juan laughed as he replied "I love you too, big guy."

Christopher stayed in the kitchen while Frank prepared the sauce and started work on a salad. Chance finished with the gnocchi first and then began putting together a salad. While the sauce was reducing, Frank went to the fridge and pulled out three soft drink cans before shutting the door again. "Soda?"

Accepting the offered can, the Asian student popped the lid. "That's interesting... most of my classmates call it 'pop'."

Chance reached over and accepted one as well. "Like we said before: New York. It's called different things in..." he paused in his explanation to take a long swig out of the can, polishing the entire thing off in one go. He set it down, let out a huge belch, then finished his thought. "...different areas."

Juan called out as he emerged from his room, freshly changed into lounge-around clothing. "Classy as usual."

Smirking, Chance tossed his can into the recycle bin. "You said it."

The four of them sat down to dinner a short while later, and the antics only increased. Frank knew that, if Christopher managed to make it through a complete meal with him and his boyfriends that there might be a chance that things could work out. He was pleased to discover that, indeed, Christopher was able to keep up with them and wasn't scared off. In the end, the Asian student stayed late into the evening and only went home because it was a school night.

He did, however, provide everyone a kiss good night, and a suggestion that they all meet up the following afternoon so they could have more time together. According to him, a few extra hours to hang out would mean that they could get involved in a LOT more of an evening. Frank found himself liking the sound of that.

* * * * *

The following day passed in a blur; not only was Christopher constantly on Frank's mind, but he was beside himself with confused frustration. He had to admit that he liked Cy, but he also knew that his poly sci's TA was trouble. He continued to dwell on that as he found his way into his poly sci class that morning. "Focus, Frank... Focus."

It didn't help, and it was even more apparent when he felt his heart skip a beat the moment Christopher entered the room; a faint, private smile and a wink from the Asian student sealed the deal, and Cy was all Frank managed to think about as he sat at his desk waiting for class to start. It didn't help that Christopher was sneaking glances his way, that demure, private smile still etched on his soft, so-fuckingly-kissable lips. Frank paused, wanting to slap himself into submission.

It became ever-so-slightly easier to put Christopher out of his mind once class began. Professor Monroe went straight into the the topics they had discussed earlier in the week, and that meant Frank had to focus even more since he'd been absent. Apparently the class had stepped into the topic of Political parties and interest groups. They started with a review of the affiliations in the United States-- what they were, what they represented, and how they fit into the political process. On THAT particular morning, Professor Monroe was going to cover how those 'far off in DC' groups affected the lives of the average American and, he added, how the involvement of special interest groups affected the US's response to Powered individuals.

As usual, the Professor was not content to spent the entire class in lecture; after the review and a brief discussion on the effects of lobbyists on policy-making he began to number students and paired them into groups. The objective, he said, would be to identify a political platform and what methods one could use lobbying and special interest groups to best effect. Since the class had an uneven number of students, and because Frank was never in a rush to find a partner, he was once again alone. Whether his sub-conscience had planned it or not, he was also, once again, paired with Christopher.

The rest of the class was a blur; Frank's attention was wholly on his project partner and, as far as he could tell, the feeling was mutual. Although Christopher made a good showing of seeming to stay on topic, Frank knew otherwise when he heard the sound of Cy's foot slipping free from his shoe. A moment later he felt the Asian student's foot sliding along his inseam, brushing against his jeans. Christopher didn't so much as pause in his discussion on the importance of lobbyist activities among state representatives who would otherwise have no strong opinion on a given bill-- all Frank could think about was his 'strong opinion' on a different matter.

Christopher continued to caress the inside of Frank's leg with his foot. The teacher's aide leaned back in his chair with a book propped up on the table in front of him so he could get a better angle with his toes, drawing his foot up to Frank's knee. "Some lobbying groups are subtle about their maneuvering, but others push for what it is they want..."

It was all Frank could do to keep his voice steady. "I bet lobbyists have an easy job of things if Congressmen are eager to receive them."

Turning the page, Christopher offered only a knowing smirk, his toes caressing Frank's inner thigh; Frank barely managed to restrain a groan as the back of Cy's foot brushed across the jeans restraining his aching erection. His taunting project partner offered up quite the double entendre. "Oh, I'm sure it can be pretty hard sometimes."

Focusing all of his willpower into trying to be as unreadable as Christopher, Frank was almost panting, fighting the urge to thurst his hips against the stimulation. "I figured lobbyists just need to find the time for... an appointment... and everything just... comes together... in the end."

Despite being proud of his own double-speak, he readily admitted that Christopher easily trumped him. "Not even close... considering lobbyists have to deal with multiple representatives the need to make sure their message penetrates--" Frank almost jumped when the Asian student's toes managed to catch on his zipper and ease it down. "-- deep... deep into the targeted... caucus."

Frank's eyes rolled back in their sockets when Christopher's toe slipped into his jeans, bypassing the fabric that separated his ministrations from something that was already far too sensitive at the teasing. Then, as if nothing at all had been going on, Christopher's toes left his lap and the teacher's aide sat up straighter, sliding his foot back into his shoe beneath the table. "Then again... for most lobbyists, they plan things out well in advance since-- you know... when it comes to politics, timing is everything."

Frank fought to keep his breathing even; he wanted nothing more than to grab Christopher by the collar and drag him out of class so he could have his way with him in the nearby men's bathroom. Instead, he somehow mustered up the willpower to keep his cool. "Timing, huh? It's THAT important?"

Christopher offered a wink. "Oh, definitely... timing is everything."

Before Frank had a chance to follow up with another question Professor Marlowe put an end to the teamwork time and called the class back to their seats. The lecture continued with the professor calling on different groups for input, but Frank's attention had long since been pulled free from the topic as his mind was awash with thoughts of 'pushing' for 'deep penetration' with his 'caucus'.

When class finally came to an end, Frank threw all of his gear into his backpack. Christopher passed by him, pausing only long enough to ask "So... tonight?'

Frank turned to face him. "Whatever you say, buster."

Christopher raised an eyebrow. "Buster?"

It was Frank's turn to throw out some wordplay. "Yeah... cuz tonight I'm gonna 'fill-a-buster'."

The comment got a smirk in response, along with a quick counter. "Good... then I'll expect the session to go all night."