FIC: Tetrahedron (4/4)
Jul. 31st, 2009 12:10 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
splixTitle: Tetrahedron [part 4 of 4]
Crossover: The Island/Eastern Promises
Pairing: Merrick/Luzhin
Rating: NC-17 overall
Author: Alex
Warning: Issues of consent
Written for the![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
seans_50 July film challenge.
Beta: the most excellent![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kimberlite.
Disclaimer: Merrick and Luzhin are not my property. Written for love alone.
part 1
part 2
part 3
*
Nikolai Luzhin’s hands were sweat-slippery on the steering wheel despite the car’s ice-cold air conditioning, and he yearned to screw his eyes closed against the blinding desert sun that crept over the horizon, to pull over and catch a few hours of badly needed sleep. But he had a long drive ahead of him, and not much time to unify the chaotic thoughts that racketed through his brain without any hint of coalescence.
The Directorate valued him; he’d already known that. He’d received a few quiet accolades over the past few years. They prized his ingenuity, his imagination, his willingness to disappear inside an assignment for as long as it took to complete. Last night’s project, compared to some of his other escapades, had been mere child’s play, almost disappointingly easy. It had been a matter of nothing to drug Merrick’s vodka as he turned to replace the bottle in the freezer. It had been easier still to break into Merrick Biotech’s data files as Merrick slept. The good doctor had far too much confidence in the impenetrability of his own compound and the property on it. It was far more vulnerable than he believed.
Nikolai braked to a hard stop, raising a cloud of pale brown dust that settled on the car like pollen. He curled his hands tightly around the steering wheel and caught a glimpse of his eyes in the rear-view mirror. They were the icy grey of the Arctic Sea, and betrayed none of the desperation he felt. Slowly, deliberately, he turned to the printed sheets on the seat beside him, picked them up, and examined them. Two faces, both young. Painfully young. One his own. Had he ever looked like that? He doubted it; his youth had been an exercise in hardship, in privation. No one in his village had looked that optimistic. No, Luzhin Three-Alpha may have been shaped from the same biological material, but he was not Nikolai. If Nikolai had had a brother....
He looked at the other picture, and began to formulate a plan.
*
There were few moments in which Merrick allowed himself to feel pure delight in his choice of profession; there were so many pitfalls, so much work yet to be done. It felt incautious, or as if he were tempting the gods. Nevertheless, a smile of utter pleasure spread over his face. In a single day, he’d landed the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of State, and the Vice President. Only the President was left, and despite Merrick’s belief that the man was a complete waste of cells, a nepotistic fool who couldn’t reason his way out of a wet paper bag, it would be the ultimate coup to gain him as a client. To show that agnate to prospective clients, oh so casually, would be the strongest selling point he possessed.
He clasped his hands together and leaned back in his chair. He felt like rewarding himself. Perhaps...perhaps he would call for Three-Alpha again. It had been almost a month; the spell of Nikolai Luzhin had been slow to fade. He’d tantalized himself with imagining Luzhin’s hands on him, those rough, experienced hands bending Merrick to his will. He’d never have that with Three-Alpha. Still....
His intercom buzzed. Flushed and nettled, he pressed the call button. “Yes?”
“Dr. Merrick.” The voice of Elizabeth, his assistant, was shaky, uncertain. “Parrish Two-Bravo to see you.”
Merrick sat bolt upright in his chair. “What?”
“Parrish Two –"
“I heard what you said. No!” he snapped, then got hold of himself. No wonder she sounded shaky. “He’s to see Dr. Anstet. Have him make an appointment with her.”
Another voice crackled from the intercom – calm, masculine, Russian-accented. “Open the door, Dr. Merrick.”
Merrick went cold. Slowly, as if Luzhin were already in the room, he palmed the security button. With his free hand he pressed the call button again. “Very well. Come in.” He hit the door release, but stayed seated, waiting.
The door swung open. Two men in fitted white tracksuits entered – Nikolai Luzhin, as calm and cold as ever, grasping the upper arm of a young man with green eyes and blond hair that fell over his forehead, who turned a ghastly pale as he looked at Dr. Merrick for the very first time. For the young man, it was a glimpse into the future; for Merrick, a glimpse into the past.
“Hello, Parrish,” Merrick said softly.
Elizabeth stepped cautiously into the office, her high heels clicking on the floor. “Dr. Merrick?” Her face was almost as pale as the agnate’s.
“It’s all right, Elizabeth. Leave the door open, if you please.”
Nikolai Luzhin smiled. “Close it, please.” He drew a small, snub-nosed pistol, and aimed it at Two-Bravo’s head. The young man didn’t flinch; he was still staring at Merrick.
“Close it,” Merrick ordered. He felt sweat forming on his upper lip. The door closed silently.
“I want you to call for my clone,” Luzhin said without preamble. “The security team you’ve already ordered can escort him.”
Merrick didn’t move. “Let him go. He’s done no harm to anyone.” He looked more closely and saw Parrish’s hands were bound in front of him with plasticuffs. “You haven’t hurt him?”
“Certainly not.” Luzhin led the young man to the sofa and gently urged him down, then sat beside him. The gun stayed out. “But my patience is ebbing. Have the clone brought here. Now.”
“I think we need to discuss this. If you’ll just –“
Luzhin cocked his pistol and held it to the clone’s head. “He’s a mere agnate, is he not? I shall count to five.”
“Wait!” Merrick held up his hands. “Wait. I’ll call.” He picked up the telephone and pressed buttons. “Bring Luzhin Three-Alpha here. And cancel the security order. For now.” He set down the phone and stared at Luzhin with loathing. “You’re a bastard, Mr. Luzhin. How do you hope to get away with this?”
Two-Bravo finally found his voice. “What’s happening?” He looked from Luzhin to Merrick, and shook his head. “You look just like me. Older....” He trailed off, fear gathering in bright green eyes that had never known cynicism, nor deep anger, nor the pain of loss. He turned back to Luzhin, almost heedless of the weapon. Unsurprising, as his understanding of firearms was no more than rudimentary. “And you look like Luzhin Three-Alpha. Why did you bring me here? Who is he? Who are –“
“Quiet.” Luzhin shook his head in reproof, but the grip on the clone’s arm had become gentle. “Dr. Merrick is...your brother.” He offered Merrick a cold smile. “Isn’t that so, Dr. Merrick? And I am Luzhin’s. My name is Nikolai.” There was a sharp rapping on the door. Luzhin rose, pulling Two-Bravo with him. “Answer it.”
Moving slowly, as if in a dream, Merrick got to his feet and walked to the door. He opened it and admitted Luzhin Three-Alpha, who smiled at Merrick until he caught sight of Luzhin and Two-Bravo.
“Parrish?” Three-Alpha’s mouth dropped open at the sight of Nikolai Luzhin.
Two-Bravo gestured futilely with his bound hands. “Don’t, he’s –“ He struggled slightly as Luzhin resumed his grip. “He says he’s your brother.”
Luzhin froze. “You are friends?” he queried softly.
Both agnates looked at each other, then simultaneously glanced away. Like nervous teenagers, Merrick thought distractedly.
“Please don’t hurt him,” Three-Alpha said. He seemed on the edge of tears.
Luzhin laughed softly. “Bozhe moi,” he whispered. He pushed Two-Bravo onto the sofa again and rummaged in the pocket of his tracksuit, pulling out another set of plasticuffs. “Come. We’re leaving.”
Merrick stared. “Leaving? All of us?”
“All of us.”
*
No matter how much Merrick strained and twisted his wrists, he couldn’t free himself from the tight plastic bands that bound him. Worse, he felt as if he were on the verge of suffocation. The trunk of Luzhin’s car was dark, cramped, and hellishly hot, and despite all his pounding, kicking, and shouting, he was roundly ignored. He knew that they had miles to travel before reaching any sort of town or city, but once he sensed life and activity, he was going to pound and bellow until someone heard him. He clenched his teeth and kicked the lid of the trunk again, but got only a sore toe for his pains.
Abruptly the car stopped. Merrick tensed as he felt the trunk pop open. He tried to lunge out, but hit his head and fell back, dizzy. The lid came up, and he winced against the brightness. It was late afternoon, and the sun was low in the sky. He yelped inadvertently as Luzhin dragged him out of the car and set him on his feet. He staggered, but Luzhin’s hand was strong and steady on his arm. Inside the car, the two agnates had turned to watch them with undisguised curiosity, a bizarre time-warp mirror of the two men outside. They wouldn’t move, Merrick knew, unless ordered to. Like well-behaved children.
“You bloody bastard,” Merrick spluttered. His mouth felt full of dust. “How dare you –“ He stopped, bewildered. He recognized the cattle grid to his own compound. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Casually, Luzhin drew his firearm. “I’m leaving you here, Dr. Merrick. At home.”
Merrick had a sudden vision of his corpse crumpled beside the cattle grid. It would be at least a day before anyone thought to look for him at home. He’d ordered security not to follow them. And he had let this man take him, fuck him in his own bed. “No. It’s fairly clear what you intend to do with me. I mean what do you intend to do with the agnates?”
Unexpectedly, Nikolai Luzhin spun him around and grasped his bound arms. There was a sharp, snapping noise, and Merrick’s hands were free. “I intend to give them a chance at life, Dr. Merrick.” He leaned close to speak into Merrick’s ear. “Tell me. How did your twin die?”
Merrick stared at the dusty ground. Blood surged painfully into his hands, but he ignored them. “Leukemia.”
Luzhin reached up and rested his hand on Merrick’s cheek. “Parrish is no mere agnate.”
“I was going to....” Merrick shook his head. “When it was time....” Tears stung his eyes.
“Let your brother rest in peace, Dr. Merrick.” Luzhin tipped his face up with callused fingers. “You cannot play God.”
“I –“ Further speech was cut off as Luzhin closed the distance between them. The kiss waxed and waned, first tender, then fierce, and Merrick clung to him desperately. Don’t leave, he wanted to beg. Please don’t leave.
Luzhin let him go. He stepped back and scrutinized Merrick, his expression almost mournful. “Goodbye, Dr. Merrick.”
Thank God, he thought incoherently, Thank God Three-Alpha won’t ever remember. “Where will you take them?” His voice was hoarse, rusty.
“Far from here. An island.” Luzhin nodded, then moved back to the car. He got in without another word and drove off.
Merrick stood watching long after the dust cloud of their departure had settled.
*
Epilogue
Two Years Later
*
Merrick stepped out of the car, wincing at the intense color of sea and sky, a single sheet of glittering azure. He glanced hesitantly to his left.
Luzhin nodded, and gestured toward the edge of the cliff.
With tentative steps, Merrick approached the edge. It was a drop of perhaps two hundred feet. He lifted the binoculars, squinted, then focused. Far below, on the edge of the beach, were two figures, almost identically dressed in loose trousers and t-shirts – two young men, beach bums from the look of them. As Merrick watched, one of the young men pushed a lock of blond hair out of the other’s eyes, and leaned in for a quick kiss.
Merrick pivoted on his heel and retreated into the car. Luzhin slid in beside him a moment later, then started the car without a word and headed back to the airstrip. Several minutes passed in silence.
“I’ve seen them. Are you satisfied?” Merrick finally asked, unable to keep the bitterness from his voice.
“Are you?” Luzhin asked, not taking his eyes from the road.
“Have I a choice?”
“Not particularly.”
“Then don’t ask.” Merrick turned his head and watched the shimmering blue sea. “If you think this really changes anything, you’re very much mistaken.”
Luzhin chuckled.
“What’s so bloody amusing, Mr. Luzhin?”
“We are so fundamentally alike in certain ways, Dr. Merrick. And those two, on the beach...so different from us, and yet...it is almost poetic, is it not?”
Silence reigned in the car for another few moments.
Merrick drummed his fingers on his knee as he watched the landscape. White sands, blue skies, blue seas. “I needn’t be back in the States for another week.”
He felt, rather than saw, Luzhin’s smile.
“I can postpone my flight to London.”
“Very well.”
They drove on, speeding down the island road.
End.
Crossover: The Island/Eastern Promises
Pairing: Merrick/Luzhin
Rating: NC-17 overall
Author: Alex
Warning: Issues of consent
Written for the
seans_50 July film challenge.Beta: the most excellent
kimberlite.Disclaimer: Merrick and Luzhin are not my property. Written for love alone.
part 1
part 2
part 3
*
Nikolai Luzhin’s hands were sweat-slippery on the steering wheel despite the car’s ice-cold air conditioning, and he yearned to screw his eyes closed against the blinding desert sun that crept over the horizon, to pull over and catch a few hours of badly needed sleep. But he had a long drive ahead of him, and not much time to unify the chaotic thoughts that racketed through his brain without any hint of coalescence.
The Directorate valued him; he’d already known that. He’d received a few quiet accolades over the past few years. They prized his ingenuity, his imagination, his willingness to disappear inside an assignment for as long as it took to complete. Last night’s project, compared to some of his other escapades, had been mere child’s play, almost disappointingly easy. It had been a matter of nothing to drug Merrick’s vodka as he turned to replace the bottle in the freezer. It had been easier still to break into Merrick Biotech’s data files as Merrick slept. The good doctor had far too much confidence in the impenetrability of his own compound and the property on it. It was far more vulnerable than he believed.
Nikolai braked to a hard stop, raising a cloud of pale brown dust that settled on the car like pollen. He curled his hands tightly around the steering wheel and caught a glimpse of his eyes in the rear-view mirror. They were the icy grey of the Arctic Sea, and betrayed none of the desperation he felt. Slowly, deliberately, he turned to the printed sheets on the seat beside him, picked them up, and examined them. Two faces, both young. Painfully young. One his own. Had he ever looked like that? He doubted it; his youth had been an exercise in hardship, in privation. No one in his village had looked that optimistic. No, Luzhin Three-Alpha may have been shaped from the same biological material, but he was not Nikolai. If Nikolai had had a brother....
He looked at the other picture, and began to formulate a plan.
*
There were few moments in which Merrick allowed himself to feel pure delight in his choice of profession; there were so many pitfalls, so much work yet to be done. It felt incautious, or as if he were tempting the gods. Nevertheless, a smile of utter pleasure spread over his face. In a single day, he’d landed the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of State, and the Vice President. Only the President was left, and despite Merrick’s belief that the man was a complete waste of cells, a nepotistic fool who couldn’t reason his way out of a wet paper bag, it would be the ultimate coup to gain him as a client. To show that agnate to prospective clients, oh so casually, would be the strongest selling point he possessed.
He clasped his hands together and leaned back in his chair. He felt like rewarding himself. Perhaps...perhaps he would call for Three-Alpha again. It had been almost a month; the spell of Nikolai Luzhin had been slow to fade. He’d tantalized himself with imagining Luzhin’s hands on him, those rough, experienced hands bending Merrick to his will. He’d never have that with Three-Alpha. Still....
His intercom buzzed. Flushed and nettled, he pressed the call button. “Yes?”
“Dr. Merrick.” The voice of Elizabeth, his assistant, was shaky, uncertain. “Parrish Two-Bravo to see you.”
Merrick sat bolt upright in his chair. “What?”
“Parrish Two –"
“I heard what you said. No!” he snapped, then got hold of himself. No wonder she sounded shaky. “He’s to see Dr. Anstet. Have him make an appointment with her.”
Another voice crackled from the intercom – calm, masculine, Russian-accented. “Open the door, Dr. Merrick.”
Merrick went cold. Slowly, as if Luzhin were already in the room, he palmed the security button. With his free hand he pressed the call button again. “Very well. Come in.” He hit the door release, but stayed seated, waiting.
The door swung open. Two men in fitted white tracksuits entered – Nikolai Luzhin, as calm and cold as ever, grasping the upper arm of a young man with green eyes and blond hair that fell over his forehead, who turned a ghastly pale as he looked at Dr. Merrick for the very first time. For the young man, it was a glimpse into the future; for Merrick, a glimpse into the past.
“Hello, Parrish,” Merrick said softly.
Elizabeth stepped cautiously into the office, her high heels clicking on the floor. “Dr. Merrick?” Her face was almost as pale as the agnate’s.
“It’s all right, Elizabeth. Leave the door open, if you please.”
Nikolai Luzhin smiled. “Close it, please.” He drew a small, snub-nosed pistol, and aimed it at Two-Bravo’s head. The young man didn’t flinch; he was still staring at Merrick.
“Close it,” Merrick ordered. He felt sweat forming on his upper lip. The door closed silently.
“I want you to call for my clone,” Luzhin said without preamble. “The security team you’ve already ordered can escort him.”
Merrick didn’t move. “Let him go. He’s done no harm to anyone.” He looked more closely and saw Parrish’s hands were bound in front of him with plasticuffs. “You haven’t hurt him?”
“Certainly not.” Luzhin led the young man to the sofa and gently urged him down, then sat beside him. The gun stayed out. “But my patience is ebbing. Have the clone brought here. Now.”
“I think we need to discuss this. If you’ll just –“
Luzhin cocked his pistol and held it to the clone’s head. “He’s a mere agnate, is he not? I shall count to five.”
“Wait!” Merrick held up his hands. “Wait. I’ll call.” He picked up the telephone and pressed buttons. “Bring Luzhin Three-Alpha here. And cancel the security order. For now.” He set down the phone and stared at Luzhin with loathing. “You’re a bastard, Mr. Luzhin. How do you hope to get away with this?”
Two-Bravo finally found his voice. “What’s happening?” He looked from Luzhin to Merrick, and shook his head. “You look just like me. Older....” He trailed off, fear gathering in bright green eyes that had never known cynicism, nor deep anger, nor the pain of loss. He turned back to Luzhin, almost heedless of the weapon. Unsurprising, as his understanding of firearms was no more than rudimentary. “And you look like Luzhin Three-Alpha. Why did you bring me here? Who is he? Who are –“
“Quiet.” Luzhin shook his head in reproof, but the grip on the clone’s arm had become gentle. “Dr. Merrick is...your brother.” He offered Merrick a cold smile. “Isn’t that so, Dr. Merrick? And I am Luzhin’s. My name is Nikolai.” There was a sharp rapping on the door. Luzhin rose, pulling Two-Bravo with him. “Answer it.”
Moving slowly, as if in a dream, Merrick got to his feet and walked to the door. He opened it and admitted Luzhin Three-Alpha, who smiled at Merrick until he caught sight of Luzhin and Two-Bravo.
“Parrish?” Three-Alpha’s mouth dropped open at the sight of Nikolai Luzhin.
Two-Bravo gestured futilely with his bound hands. “Don’t, he’s –“ He struggled slightly as Luzhin resumed his grip. “He says he’s your brother.”
Luzhin froze. “You are friends?” he queried softly.
Both agnates looked at each other, then simultaneously glanced away. Like nervous teenagers, Merrick thought distractedly.
“Please don’t hurt him,” Three-Alpha said. He seemed on the edge of tears.
Luzhin laughed softly. “Bozhe moi,” he whispered. He pushed Two-Bravo onto the sofa again and rummaged in the pocket of his tracksuit, pulling out another set of plasticuffs. “Come. We’re leaving.”
Merrick stared. “Leaving? All of us?”
“All of us.”
*
No matter how much Merrick strained and twisted his wrists, he couldn’t free himself from the tight plastic bands that bound him. Worse, he felt as if he were on the verge of suffocation. The trunk of Luzhin’s car was dark, cramped, and hellishly hot, and despite all his pounding, kicking, and shouting, he was roundly ignored. He knew that they had miles to travel before reaching any sort of town or city, but once he sensed life and activity, he was going to pound and bellow until someone heard him. He clenched his teeth and kicked the lid of the trunk again, but got only a sore toe for his pains.
Abruptly the car stopped. Merrick tensed as he felt the trunk pop open. He tried to lunge out, but hit his head and fell back, dizzy. The lid came up, and he winced against the brightness. It was late afternoon, and the sun was low in the sky. He yelped inadvertently as Luzhin dragged him out of the car and set him on his feet. He staggered, but Luzhin’s hand was strong and steady on his arm. Inside the car, the two agnates had turned to watch them with undisguised curiosity, a bizarre time-warp mirror of the two men outside. They wouldn’t move, Merrick knew, unless ordered to. Like well-behaved children.
“You bloody bastard,” Merrick spluttered. His mouth felt full of dust. “How dare you –“ He stopped, bewildered. He recognized the cattle grid to his own compound. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Casually, Luzhin drew his firearm. “I’m leaving you here, Dr. Merrick. At home.”
Merrick had a sudden vision of his corpse crumpled beside the cattle grid. It would be at least a day before anyone thought to look for him at home. He’d ordered security not to follow them. And he had let this man take him, fuck him in his own bed. “No. It’s fairly clear what you intend to do with me. I mean what do you intend to do with the agnates?”
Unexpectedly, Nikolai Luzhin spun him around and grasped his bound arms. There was a sharp, snapping noise, and Merrick’s hands were free. “I intend to give them a chance at life, Dr. Merrick.” He leaned close to speak into Merrick’s ear. “Tell me. How did your twin die?”
Merrick stared at the dusty ground. Blood surged painfully into his hands, but he ignored them. “Leukemia.”
Luzhin reached up and rested his hand on Merrick’s cheek. “Parrish is no mere agnate.”
“I was going to....” Merrick shook his head. “When it was time....” Tears stung his eyes.
“Let your brother rest in peace, Dr. Merrick.” Luzhin tipped his face up with callused fingers. “You cannot play God.”
“I –“ Further speech was cut off as Luzhin closed the distance between them. The kiss waxed and waned, first tender, then fierce, and Merrick clung to him desperately. Don’t leave, he wanted to beg. Please don’t leave.
Luzhin let him go. He stepped back and scrutinized Merrick, his expression almost mournful. “Goodbye, Dr. Merrick.”
Thank God, he thought incoherently, Thank God Three-Alpha won’t ever remember. “Where will you take them?” His voice was hoarse, rusty.
“Far from here. An island.” Luzhin nodded, then moved back to the car. He got in without another word and drove off.
Merrick stood watching long after the dust cloud of their departure had settled.
*
Epilogue
Two Years Later
*
Merrick stepped out of the car, wincing at the intense color of sea and sky, a single sheet of glittering azure. He glanced hesitantly to his left.
Luzhin nodded, and gestured toward the edge of the cliff.
With tentative steps, Merrick approached the edge. It was a drop of perhaps two hundred feet. He lifted the binoculars, squinted, then focused. Far below, on the edge of the beach, were two figures, almost identically dressed in loose trousers and t-shirts – two young men, beach bums from the look of them. As Merrick watched, one of the young men pushed a lock of blond hair out of the other’s eyes, and leaned in for a quick kiss.
Merrick pivoted on his heel and retreated into the car. Luzhin slid in beside him a moment later, then started the car without a word and headed back to the airstrip. Several minutes passed in silence.
“I’ve seen them. Are you satisfied?” Merrick finally asked, unable to keep the bitterness from his voice.
“Are you?” Luzhin asked, not taking his eyes from the road.
“Have I a choice?”
“Not particularly.”
“Then don’t ask.” Merrick turned his head and watched the shimmering blue sea. “If you think this really changes anything, you’re very much mistaken.”
Luzhin chuckled.
“What’s so bloody amusing, Mr. Luzhin?”
“We are so fundamentally alike in certain ways, Dr. Merrick. And those two, on the beach...so different from us, and yet...it is almost poetic, is it not?”
Silence reigned in the car for another few moments.
Merrick drummed his fingers on his knee as he watched the landscape. White sands, blue skies, blue seas. “I needn’t be back in the States for another week.”
He felt, rather than saw, Luzhin’s smile.
“I can postpone my flight to London.”
“Very well.”
They drove on, speeding down the island road.
End.
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no subject
Date: 2009-07-31 10:02 pm (UTC)