But tonight, his concentration was elsewhere. Sean had returned earlier this evening from his latest mission close-mouthed and with grief-stricken eyes, and not even his or Orlando's most persuasive cajoling had managed to pry the story from Sean's lips. Karl'd had to rely on the accounts of others who'd been in Sean's squad to gain a picture of what had happened and why Sean had refused to speak of it. What Karl had learned had sickened him to his core – he'd always known the Nannies were ruthless, without honor or even a shred of human decency, but their latest atrocities would have shocked even the most hardened of men. And Sean, while a formidable warrior and leader, had a compassionate heart as big as the Canyons. He would take this failure to protect the caravan to heart, even though they'd been doomed from the moment they had stepped foot on Langelos land. The Nannies controlled their territories with brutal and swift force. The caravan had never stood a chance. But Karl hated that Orlando had to bear the brunt of Sean's mood tonight, hated that he couldn't aid Orlando in easing Sean's thoughts. He trusted Orlando, with his effervescent energy and lightness of spirit that shone even in the darkest of times, to coax Sean from his black moods. But he also knew that Sean could be as stubborn as the hills when he wanted. And Orlando had never been the type to let anything go – he would keep pushing until the matter was resolved with either a fight or very angry sex. Karl had witnessed enough of both the fights and the sex over the years to know when he needed to step in and diffuse the situation before it got too far. He could only hope that they had managed to police themselves tonight. He whirled around at the slight rustling behind him, finger only easing off the trigger of his blaster when he saw Katie McGrath, Commander of Squad Four, climbing the steps to the perimeter wall. Her dark hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, emphasizing classically beautiful features and eyes that always reminded Karl of the skies before the Wars – endlessly, brilliantly blue. She was dressed for her shift already, in black BDU pants and boots, and a black t-shirt under her Kevlar vest. Her own blaster was armed and resting in its holster at her hip. "You're not due on patrol for another hour," Karl commented, when she was close enough. "I couldn't sleep," she replied. Karl knew she was striving for nonchalance, but he heard the worry buried under the words. "Gerry will be back tomorrow." Gerry, Katie's partner of the last two years, and his unit were on a routine overnight patrol of the Barren Lands Katie's lips curved in a barely visible smile. "Am I so transparent?" "I know what you're feeling," Karl offered in reply. "I find it hard to sleep when Sean and Orlando's sides of the bed are empty." "And precisely why I'm here early. Get some sleep, Urban," Katie said, her voice firm, but tinged with warmth. "Let someone else guard the gates and keep everyone safe, alright?" "Yes ma'am," Karl replied, sketching out a quick salute that was half-mocking, half-grateful. "I heard the good news, by the way. I'm thrilled for you both." "Thanks." Katie let out a slow breath and her hand dropped absently to her still flat belly. Karl doubted she was even aware of the movement. "Do you think it's completely torqued that we want to try?" Karl shook his head. "I think it's the bravest thing you two could ever do," he told her, meaning it with everything in him. She and Gerry had just gone through the rigorous, months-long testing that all potential parents had to subject themselves to before trying to conceive. Too many babes born just after the Wars hadn't survived their first winters due to weakened immune systems or other ailments due to the compromised DNA of their parents. Rather than lose an entire generation to disease and disabilities, all potentials were required to undergo a series of assessments to determine they were physically and biologically healthy enough to have children. Gerry and Katie had just gotten the notice from the Institute that they were clear to try to conceive the day before. Katie's gaze swept over the shield walls and the harsh, mountainous lands beyond the protection of the compound. "It seems cruel to bring a child into a world so unforgiving." "The world won't always be like this," Karl reminded her. She shook her head like she was amused, even though they both knew nothing about their current life was funny. "You truly believe that, don't you?" "Yes." "How can you have so much faith?" "Because Sean believes and Orlando and I believe in him," Karl replied. And he would continue to believe in Sean and in their mission until he drew his last breath and even beyond then, fates permitting. "The earth used to be full of color and light and life, Katie. It will be again. You'll see." "Such a romantic soul," Katie tsked, but the warmth in her voice belied her teasing. "Now go and get some rest. We have a long few days ahead of us with the supply convoys coming in." "We'll be ready," Karl told her, then gratefully left the perimeter for the quiet hallways of the inner compound. Aside from soldiers on patrol duty, the corridors were empty – everyone had long since retired to their huts for much needed sleep. Karl headed straight for the one he shared with Sean and Orlando, easing the door open with a quietness borne of long practice. Karl silently slid off his Kevlar vest, already feeling lighter without the weight of it on his shoulders, and unstrapped his blaster from his hip and the K-bar sheathed to his outer thigh. He quickly and silently got undressed, stealing glimpses at the two sleeping figures on the bed to make sure he wasn't disturbing their rest. Orlando was plastered against Sean's side, his feet barely peaking from under the blankets. Sean was asleep on his back, one arm curled possessively around Orlando's hips. Karl knew they'd started off on their respective sides, but had gravitated towards each other the longer Karl had been gone. He took a moment to appreciate the picture they both presented. Sean, with his fair coloring and muscled body, reminded Karl of a picture he'd once seen of a lion – regal and imposing. One of Karl's most secret hopes was that the lions had somehow survived the Wars and one day he could see one in person to truly compare its strength and beauty to Sean's. Like those near mythical creatures, Sean also possessed an innate sense of leadership. He naturally drew the eye and held it, even in slumber as he was now. Karl knew himself to be a strong and capable soldier, knew he was more than a match for Sean physically, but he'd be lying to himself if he said that he didn't enjoy the strength and comfort he found in Sean's embrace. Most days, Karl felt his life had only truly begun the day he'd met Sean, when he was six years old and Sean eleven, and Sean had taken him under his wing at the orphan camps. He'd been Sean's to command ever since, and happily so. Orlando, in contrast to Sean's rugged handsomeness, was beautiful enough to defy description – as dark as Sean was fair, slender, but possessed of deceptive strength and agility. Also, unlike Sean, Orlando was never still, even in sleep. He was constantly in motion, his energy thrumming under his skin, as much a part of him as his generous and open heart. Even after all this time, Karl still thanked the fates every night that he and Sean had been the ones on patrol that fateful day, and that they'd been the ones to find Orlando and nurture his remarkable spirit and drive. Helping Orlando grow into the proud, fearless man he'd become was still, in Karl's mind, his greatest achievement. That Orlando had chosen Sean and Karl as mates once he'd grown to full manhood was still something of a miracle, even though Orlando had laughed when Sean and Karl had asked him if he was sure of his decision. Who else could I choose that would ever be your equals, he'd asked, as if that had settled the matter, and perhaps, for Orlando, it had. But Sean and Karl knew how lucky they were. He placed a light, fleeting kiss to Sean's forehead, breathed him in for just a moment, allowing himself the small luxury of knowing that Sean was safe and whole for one more day. Then, he crept to Orlando's other side and slid in under the blankets behind him, already feeling more at ease just from being close to them. He knew it was dangerous to place so much of his soul and well-being into another's hands – theirs was a harsh life, filled with dangers at every turn – but where Sean and Orlando were concerned, he'd never had a choice. Karl wouldn't trade his life for anyone's, not for anything. No matter what the future held, he had all of the riches he could ever want lying next to him. "You're early," Orlando mumbled, the words barely stirring the air. Karl should have known that Orlando wouldn't have allowed himself to truly rest until Karl returned. "Did I wake you?" Karl asked, careful to keep his voice low. Sean was a fairly heavy sleeper, but Karl didn't want to take any chances on waking him. Orlando shook his head, and shifted, the blanket rustling slightly with the movement, until he was facing Karl. His eyes were warm and welcoming, his smile a brilliant contrast to the darkness surrounding them. He hooked one leg over Karl's to hold him in place, even though Karl had no designs on moving. "How's the Western Front?" "Quiet," Karl smiled, completing the old joke, then nodded in Sean's direction. "How's he doing? Did he talk about what happened?" Orlando shook his head and snuggled closer so their whispered words would be better heard by each other. Karl wrapped an arm around Orlando's back, indulged himself in the feel of Orlando's body against his. "Not in so many words. But he ate with the rest of the squad and took cleaning detail with no ill effects." A little of the tension between Karl's shoulder blades eased. "All the same, we should cover his childcare duties for a few days." "Already spoke to the head nurse to tell her we would be taking his shifts until the convoys arrived," Orlando smiled, smoothing the wrinkles between Karl's brows with his thumb. "I knew I could count on you," Karl smiled back. "How's he slept?" "It was troubled earlier, but he's been quiet since." "Good." Karl glanced again at Sean, noted the steady rise and fall of his chest that meant Sean was resting peacefully. "He needs to sleep." "So do you." "Which is why I'm in bed," Karl replied, and nuzzled a kiss to Orlando's bristled jaw. His next words were breathed into Orlando's skin. "I got word from Bana's squad. They'll be here to rendezvous with us within the week." "It'll be good to see him again." Orlando and Eric Bana, leader of one of the neighboring compounds, had bonded instantly the first moment they'd met more than ten years ago, almost like they were brothers who'd been separated and reunited. Karl'd always privately thought there might be something to it – they certainly looked enough alike, although Eric was more imposing physically. But neither Eric nor Orlando had ever mentioned taking any tests to prove anything. To them, they were family in all of the ways that mattered. Karl and Sean also considered Eric to be a trusted friend and advisor. "He said he has news from the Westlands." Orlando gave Karl a surprised look. "Truly?" "So he says," Karl replied. "He wouldn't say more on an unsecured channel, but he did say we'd be pleased." "I wonder..." Orlando's voice trailed off, but Karl could read the hope on his expressive face as clearly as if Orlando had spoken the words aloud. "It's no use speculating," he reminded Orlando. "We'll know soon enough." "So practical," Orlando rued, but his voice was thick with affection and love. Karl thought about Katie calling him a romantic and chuckled to himself at the disparate views. "Sleep. Before we wake Sean up." "You in the middle, then. He's had my warmth enough tonight. He'll be wanting yours." They arranged themselves so Karl was plastered against Sean, back pressed close to Sean's chest, and Orlando was draped along Karl's other side, touching in a long line from toes to shoulders. The heat radiating from both men was better than any coil-recycler, Karl thought. "Better?" Orlando asked, and Karl nodded. "Between you is my favorite place to be," he joked, even though he and Orlando knew he was serious. Orlando ran a hand along Karl's cheek, and lowered his head. The kiss was a soft affirmation, a gentle glide of tongues and lips underlain with need and want. Orlando let out a small sound of satisfaction when he pulled back. "To be continued when we wake up." "A sound plan," Karl answered, with another quick kiss. For once, none of them had duty in the morning. Karl looked forward to spending it in bed with Sean and Orlando. Orlando laid his head on Karl's shoulder and closed his eyes. "Goodnight, love." "Dream free," Karl murmured, then allowed himself the luxury of sleep.
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