The First Crack in the Metal

**Chapter Five**
The Salvation of Design

“Fuck, baby.” Hwoarang groaned, feeling his length devoured by Jins welcoming entrance. A thin bead of sweat trickled down the Blood Talons face, coppery tendrils brushed back and glistening with every, feral exertion. He could have his Japanese beauty over and over again…and never tire.

Jin fisted the ragged sheets, shaking against the Koreans ardor, laying on his side with legs spread, one resting against the Blood Talons slick torso, calf slung over Hwoarangs shoulder. Heavy, panting breaths escaped the Japanese youths lips, feeling the Korean deep, so incredibly deep like this. “Seung Roh…” Jins hot mouth breathed, head tipping once more up, extending his neck…desperate for the Blood Talons searing kiss.

“Your getting me close, baby.” Hwoarang hissed, feeling the pressure build in his gut. They barely had cooled down when the heat of desire had built once more. Two years of need being purged with every vicious thrust.

Jins free hand stroked hard in time with Hwoarangs thrusts, thumb brushing almost cruelly over his own sensitive flushed crown, his body shaking at each pass. “Seung…harder…” The Japanese youth barely managed, eyes shut tight against every lightning spark of sensation that flooded the blackness behind his orbs.

Hwoarang snickered darkly. He knew what Jin wanted…knew what his lover needed but had been to proper to ask for. Until now. “Tell me what you want, Jin-kun.” He purred, slowing his thrusts, feeling that hot core milk him.

Jin protested with a tortured groan, unable to arch back to coax Hwoarang to fill him. “Please…” The Japanese beauty was flush and glistening with sweat, biting down the need to ask for what he knew the Blood Talon could give him…the cool balm for his burning soul..the one thing he needed to find completion.

“Jin.” Hwoarang hissed, loving this little power play as his hand grasped Jins wrist, keeping that stroking hand still. “You know how to ask me baby…don’t play hard to get now…we are passed that.”

Jin curled his fingers in as Hwoarang prevented him from his ministrations. His body was like a tense cord ready to unwind, nothing mattered more than this sensation…and his lovers desire to hear him ask for it. “Seung Roh…give me pain…hurt me…”

Those words enflamed Hwoarang as they always used to do. He loved Jins masochistic side and that rare sadistic side he could show when his confidence was high. But at this moment, Jin wanted the sweet agony…wanted to release from the pain…and Hwoarang was more than willing to give his lover every blissful sensation.

The Blood Talon released Jins wrist as the Japanese beauty opened his eyes, holding Hwoarangs amber gaze, so close to the edge, so ready to receive. The Korean did not pause a moment, driving home into Jins body even as his lover began to stroke himself with feral desire. The hard slap of flesh, of Hwoarang driving his stiff length deep into that willing body, feeling the grip tighten as Jin let free a strangled cry. “I want to hear you…Fuck, Jin-Kun…fuck how you take me…hard as I give…you take me.”

The pace was near punishing, the sweet but slight rip of flesh that released the scent of copper in the air, the scent of blood. That only enflamed Hwoarang, punishing Jins velvet core with every crushing motion.

“Seu--ng…” Jin could barely breath, his back arching as the build up threatened to break free like an overfilled dam. He swore the walls returned the sound, swore all of Tokyo could hear him…

“Fuck baby…yes.” The Blood Talon leaned over more, taking Jins leg with him till his arms were firmly planted on either side of his beauty. Every hard thrust was met with velvet, every sweet sound of flesh driving against flesh, preslicked core making a whet, well used sound, the hot smell of sex and musk…Hwoarang was at his edge.

Jin arched violently, the sweet agony mingled with ecstasy dragging him over the edge until his length seized against his fingers…his lips releasing a moan of indescribable depth, ribbons of seed coating his fingers as Hwoarang pressured hot lava into his very core…his lovers cries of desire mingling with his own.

For a long moment neither one moved. Only the sound of ragged breaths, wracking lungs desperate for air could echo from the walls. Hwoarang slid from his lovers core slowly, letting Jins leg return to the bed with careful motion. He knew those muscles were well stretched and undoubtedly half numb.

The Blood Talon came down to his knees between Jins spread thighs, lifting the Japanese youths whet hand to his lips with a breathless smile. “How do you feel, Jin-Kun?” He purred, hot pink tongue lapping the remnants of warm seed across his Japanese beauty’s fingers. There was no confection that tasted like Jin, no sugar as sweet.

Jin reached his free hand out to Hwoarangs sweat drenched upper arm, gripping onto that flesh as though it was all that grounded him to this world. He smiled, released of all his tension, of all of his desire, his body thrumming with Chi, sated to the brim and feeling Hwoarangs very life force inside of him. “I feel…as though I have touched heaven…” His smile grew as he watched Hwoarang taste the font from his fingers before the Blood Talon leaned down and took that still throbbing pink crown between his lips.

The overly sensitive flesh twitched and Jin arched, a soundless laugh escaping his lips, much to Hwoarangs delight. The Blood Talon loved to feel that shiver, even as he released that perfect tip and took Jins lips like a vulture on its prey.

Jin lavished in the languid taste of Hwoarangs mouth, mingled with sex and sweat. His tongue rolled against the Blood Talons for a long moment as two glistening bodies rested against each other.

“Hmmm…I don’t think two years of desire can be sated in one morning but I think we are on the right path.” Hwoarang purred, falling onto his back, his breathing slowly returning to normal.

**

Hwoarang rose, brushing his fingers through sweat dampened tendrils, sinking to his knees to retrieve clothing from his duffel, still not unpacked completely to his new abode. “Care to join me for a shower, Jin-kun?”

Jin stretched, feeling sore muscles scream, not unlike the morning after that very night Hwoarang had first made love to him. “It is a distinct possibility.” So much stress relieved, it was as though Jin could have melted against the bed and refused to move for a year.

The Blood Talon rose, pressing out a side kick to stretch his hip, walking toward the bathroom in a none too hasty pace, turning the glass shower on. Perhaps another time he and Jin could use the spiraling whirlpool bathtub, but for now, the shower was enticing enough.

That was when Jin saw it. The black tattoo between his lovers shoulder blades. The shape at first was shifting on Hwoarangs smooth back muscles too much to discern it; but then, as the Blood Talon prepared to brush his teeth and stood still for a moment, Jin could see it clearly from his place on the bed.

A black feather, curled at the top as though the wind might have brushed the ink, the rest in nearly tribal strong black motif. Jin felt his heart freeze…felt his body stiffen, fear shooting through him at the idea Hwoarang…might have known.

The Blood Talon spit mouthwash into the sink and ran the tap to rinse it clean once more. “So, you coming?”

Jin could not muster words, could not speak. He was staring forward, surrounded by hastily pulled sheets.
“Jin?” Hwoarang asked again, pausing from adjusting the temperature of the shower to regard his lover.

“Yes. I will be there..in just a moment.” He finally made out as Hwoarang stepped into the confines of the shower. It can not be coincidence.

Jin rose on shaking legs, feeling his back crack as he readjusted his spine from a long and powerful session with the Blood Talon. Just when he believed the ache in his heart could be alleviated, there was this small but important revelation filling him. For a night, the Japanese youth had nearly forgotten the angst and turmoil that surrounded his life and now, he felt grounded in the center of its talons once more. If Hwoarang knew of this secret, that made him dangerous…and if Jin continued to feel this level of euphoria, the devil within would know something as well and the Korean would prove to be a useful target to destroy all that was left in Jins world but his ambition to destroy Heihachi Mishima.

The Japanese youth slowly drew toward the bathroom where the steam of hot water filled his senses, heavy and damp, mingled with his lovers scent. He closed his eyes for a moment and drew back the sliding glass door, stepping in behind the Blood Talon.

Hwoarang was facing the wall, hot water streaming in rivulets down his spine like a waterfall over that black ink stain. “Took you long enough.” He said, rolling his head beneath the teeming nozzle.

“I needed to stretch.” Jin said simply enough, his eyes lingering on the stark feather against such tawny skin, his hands coming up to grasp Hwoarangs lateral neck muscles, giving the whet flesh a slow, massaging squeeze.

Hwoarang felt the tension in his neck yield like butter beneath a hot knife. “Its always good to stretch after a work out.” He purred, letting his head roll back into those firm massaging hands.

“And that was quite the work out.” Jin lowered his eyes, still feeling the echo of the Blood Talon inside of him, his body vacant without each unifying thrust.

Hot water slid down the wealth of the Japanese youths body as Jin drank in the heated scent of his lover mixed with the fragrance of soap. Hwoarang was an intoxicant to his senses.

“Those hands are magic, baby.” The Blood Talon purred, yielding in to that warm touch.

Something inside of Jin stirred, made him clench his eyes tightly at hearing such a beautiful omission. Take him. Came the voice of inner desire and conscience. If he is to belong only to you, then claim what is before you. It was a voice Jin knew, a familiar energy he pushed back into his mind as deep as he could.

“When did you get a tattoo?” Jin asked calmly, his hands leaving the lateral muscles to slowly linger down the supple spine before him, tracing the black ink.

“About a year ago.” Hwoarang arched to Jins exploring hands. “You like it?” He looked over his shoulder with a smile.

“I am jealous of its closeness to your skin. Imprinted on you.” Jin said, easing up the tension of his eyes to find Hwoarang looking at him with that delicious smile that threatened to rip through his flesh. “What is its symbol?” His voice carried just a touch more edge to it.

“I will tell you mine, if you tell me yours.” Hwoarang leaned back, feeling that whet hot chest meet his back. Copper tendrils clung like shimmering metal against Jins skin.

Jin was at a loss for words. How could he explain something he did not himself understand. “I asked you first…” He feigned a smile, letting those trailing hands come to the Blood Talons firm globes, brushing the deep cleft that channeled fresh hot water.

Hwoarang moaned slowly through parted lips, head tilting forward slightly. “It reminded me of you…like a momento from that last time I saw you. I found a feather like that on the floor…and it seemed like a message. When I thought you were dead, I wanted to remember it…”

Jin slid two fingers deeper into that awaiting cleft, digits pushing past a tight opening to feel Hwoarang clench and release a slow, dark hiss. “Fuck, baby.” The Korean managed, arching his narrow hips, pressing back as water cascaded down his spine onto Jins probing hand.

The Japanese youth took the information, recording it into his thoughts, pleased he had found a way to delay the Blood Talons own question. Jin leaned his lips along the side of Hwoarangs neck, tracing up to the shell of the Koreans ear. His fingers pressed deeper into velvet walls, a low moan rolling past his mouth. “When is the last time someone had you, Seung?”

The Blood Talon let a heavy groan press past his lips, hearing words he never expected from Jins mouth. “About a year go…a drunken one night stand in another country.” It had been longer than one night, several nights in fact, but Jin did not need to know that.

That idea filled Jin with a level of possession he did not know he had inside of him. The idea of someone entwined with his Korean beauty, tasting the fruits of Hwoarangs ardor and desire. It made Jin want to purge his lover of every touch before his.

The Japanese youth added a third, painful finger to the already clenching muscles, hearing his lover gasp and sputter out the stream of water that filled his lips.

“Did he feel good inside of you?” Jin asked with a darkened voice.

Hwoarang took a heavy breath, feeling that added digit spread him wide. “Nothing feels like you, baby.” It was the only words he could think of. Jin had to understand the Blood Talon thought he was dead…and even then, if that had not been a factor, the two had ended on a bad note.

Jin was not satisfied with that answer, his lips pulled back in an uncharacteristic sneer. The vision of some unnamed phantom lover ripped back through time, the thought of Hwoarang on all fours, arching to receive what the other could give. The Blood Talon did nothing without passion…

Jin slowly withdrew his fingers from inside of the Blood Talon, pressing his lover to the shower wall, chest against warm, whet tile. He grasped his length in one hand and paused the tip at that quivering ring of muscle with a streak of dominant possession that he never knew he had. His breath was like poison against Hwoarangs skin. “I am going to fuck the taste of him…out of your body…like drawing poison from a snake bite…”

Hwoarangs eyes widened at hearing that swear leave Jins lips but before he could say another word, his mouth wrapped around the sudden, painfully deep thrust that brought them into unity, eased only by the water that cascaded down around them. “Jin-kun!” The Blood Talon cried out in a heavy wanton breath, both echoing back at him from the surrounding walls.

The hot, anguished cry mingled with desire made Jin tighten his jaw, one hand encircling Hwoarangs waist, the other digging painfully into his lovers hip with elongated nails. He drew the Blood Talon back forcefully as he thrust with an instinct long buried inside of him.

Hwoarang felt so good wrapped roughly against him, a constricting velvet closing in all around him as hot Korean skin melded against his own. It was a maddening sensation, a desire to push deeper and deeper…as though the key to life, the answer to every question rested in the core of his lovers body.

Jin sputtered water from his lips as he thrust with painful ardor into Hwoarang, feeling his lover shake…hearing the hot, breathless moans swallowed by the downpour of water surrounding them. “Fuck, baby, your breaking me open…” the frenzied Korean hissed, using one hand to brace the wall and push himself back from the tile into Jins achingly hot thrust, the other coning around his own length, fisting his desire with punishing need.

“What is mine…belongs only to me. Do you understand me, Seung?” Jins voice was a cross between a growl and feral dominion. Hwoarang made him crazy…his fiery Korean…made him step outside of himself to drive the point home with every eager, punishing thrust. Jin could feel his own body quake with this sudden, hot coupling. His need was slowly drawing to a heavy, frenzied close. “From this moment on…there has been…no one…before me.”

Hwoarang was overcome, his body sliding into a heated display of convulsions, groaning at the painful grip of nails into his hip…of Jins tight arm braced at his waist, of that painful ecstasy laden join emphasized by the hot whet slap of skin beneath the water. “Fuck…Im coming…” He hissed, spilling every last drop of himself in a font at his feet, so quickly cleansed by the water.

Jin felt the spasms, drowning in them till his head rolled back, forcing his lover deeper back against him. “Now…you are clean…and ready to receive me.” He let free the strangled cry, feeling his body spasm into that clenching velvet, releasing heavy draughts of his length into a perfect, tight chalice.

**

Ling busied herself with making breakfast, even if it was well passed noon. She had slipped out, taking Hwoarangs keys from the range and walking some distance to find a store. Certainly, the two of them could not survive on beer and left overs alone. And from what she could hear through the thin walls, they would need all the nourishment they could get.

It was an odd thing really and it made Ling blush to connect the heavy cries and low moans from that bedroom to Jin and Hwoarang. They were together again, the two like oil and water. And yet, they were magnetic. They were starving from within, craving only the sustenance each other could give. It was romantic, really. But then again, Ling was a romantic.

She looked to the small table, filled with bread and rice. Hwoarang had few dishes but the Chinese youth could make due. She stirred the Miso soup slowly, watching the tofu slowly come to life from its prepackaged dehydration. She had bought some yogurt as well, a favorite she had developed from University from the western world. Now, the question remained, how long would those to be going at it before coming up for air…and food?

**

Jin slowly withdrew from Hwoarangs body, watching the warm water wash away a steady pink stream of blood. The heat of the cascade had slowed and soon it would be cold. His fingers released from Hwoarangs hip as he panted for breath against his Korean beautys shoulder.

Jin said nothing as he reached over the Blood Talons shoulder for the soap, cleansing himself even as his body was still shaking. He let the bar slide down Hwoarangs back working the soap into lather to soothe the body he had just ravaged. The Blood Talon was still trying to find his breath, wincing slightly as Jin cleansed him.

“I..don’t know what came over me.” Jin said softly, using his hands to work the soap into cooling Korean skin. Another lie. The Japanese youth knew exactly what came over him, a myriad of emotions that started with jealousy and ended with the need to possess his lover, to stake his claim…feelings he attributed to his own transformations heralded by the Devil Within.

“Whatever it was, it was hot.” Hwoarang moaned, slowly drawing himself up beneath the cooling water, letting it rinse his body and what shampoo was left in his mane. He turned, reaching his hands to Jins shoulders, feeling nearly faint as the blood rushed to his head.

Jin held Hwoarangs waist, watching those flushed features. Only then did he notice the tears in his lovers flesh at the line of the Blood Talons hip. “I scratched you deep. We should clean the broken skin quickly.”

Hwoarang was only slowly growing aware of that dull ache of ripped skin. “I didn’t think your nails were that sharp but I don’t mind carrying a few marks.” He half smiled.

“I am sorry, Seung. I should have been more careful.” Jin said, eyes lingering on the blood kept moist with water. Devil had been trying to get through…to make good on Jins need to claim Hwoarang.

“I’m not made of glass, baby. If something breaks, it heals.” He said, watching Jins eyes, seeing how those sable orbs looked somewhat…afraid. Afraid of his own desire, perhaps, or of his own power? Or was it the need? The need was something Hwoarang could identify with, it was all consuming, dark and sugary like the sandy granules of a fresh summer pear.

“The water is turning cold. We should make our way out of the shower.” Jin said, dryly. He reached behind his lover to turn the knobs and kill the stream.

Hwoarang found the strength to move, sliding the glass door open and taking up the towel there and handing it to Jin. He leaned into what he thought might have been a linen closet and could see the water heater now, its pressure low. On a shelf closer to the door, he withdrew another towel and draped it around his waist. The Blood Talon paused a moment, bracing his arms on the sink and breathing in the cool air, letting that wave of nausea pass him. He was dehydrated. That had to be it. That had to explain the darkness that seemed to bury itself into his flesh.

Jin came up behind Hwoarang as the Blood Talon looked up, two images reflected in the mirror. They looked right together, somehow, and that made the Japanese youth smile. “Are you sure your alright, Seung?”

“What did you say earlier? I feel like I could fly.” The Blood Talon smiled that arrogant smile and drew up to full height.

**

Ling was at the edge of her patience when she heard the hinges of the bedroom door open. “Finally!” she belted out in irritation. “Its amazing the two of you came up for air, and here I am stirring soup and trying to keep it hot without burning it to a crisp!”

Hwoarang grasped the pack of cigarettes he discarded last night to find only a few left. He brushed a hand through wet hair and smiled as he sparked the cylinder to life. “Aww, midget. You cooked breakfast. Now that’s cute.”

“Oh, I got your cute, right here! I should smarten this spoon upside your head.” She retorted, watching Jin break into a smile. “Oh, and what are you smiling about? I could hear you loudest of all in that room. So, I don’t ever want to hear you talk in whispers again.”

Jin let a chuckle free, looking to Ling with a sheepish smile. He liked moments that felt natural when it came to his new found time with Hwoarang. It was nice to have someone in this world know the two of them were together, if even for this moment alone.

“Alright, alright. Lets see what you made for breakfast.” Hwoarang took inspection, drawing closer to the small table to see some things to whet his appetite. He was no fan of the soup because of the taste of tofu, but with some Korean hot pepper it might be good. The Blood Talon exhaled his traditional halo of smoke. He drew past Ling to open the cabinets above where he had seen the hot pepper paste the day before and now, drew it victoriously toward the table. “Yeah, he is loud, isn’t he?” Hwoarang added as a lingering thought, his lips cracked into a smile around the filter of his cigarette.

Jin walked over, blushing furiously, still in last nights clothing, though he was undoubtedly clean and scented of soap. “Thank you for breakfast, Ling. Thank you for being here.”

Ling pursed her lips. “You will thank me with every detail, later.” She said, even as Hwoarang gave her a surprised look. “Oh, I am his best friend. I get all the random goodies and I am invoking that privilege.”

“Well damn, maybe I should have you film it for us?” Hwoarang snickered, pouring soup from the ladle into the bowl awaiting him. He picked up the spoon and tossed a healthy dose of hot pepper paste into the liquid.

“Hwoarang and Jin, the movie. Well, the porno anyway.” She laughed, dropping her anxious facade. “Well, you both are looking pretty content and you should be after how many hours? I went to the store at 10 and here it is almost 1 and finally you both emerge. Did you sleep at all?”

Jin drew toward the table, taking some of the soup. The acrid smell of the hot pepper hit his nose, making his eyes threaten to tear. He could scent the heat from Hwoarangs soup and wondered how the Koreans lips could wrap around something that hot. “No.” Jin said simply. “But I should sleep, soon.”

“And I should get back home soon. Grandfather is going to be frantic.” Ling said, dropping down to take up some bread and yogurt.

“I have some things to do today myself.” Hwoarang took a sip of the mixed soup, feeling the spicy liquid mixed with tofu and onions slide down the back of his throat, clearing out his senses.

Ling took a bite out of the bred and poured herself some green tea, leaving the saucepan with boiling water on the table above a towel, incase either of the other two desired to mix some up. Jin and Hwoarang were strangely quiet. Ling wondered if now that the body had been sated, their hunger kept them ravenous to the task of eating.

“So, does this mean you to are back together?” She asked, lifting the cup of steaming tea to her lips.

Hwoarang looked to Ling. That was poorly timed. When he did not hear Jin say anything, he cast a glance to the Japanese youth.

Jin felt the heat of two eyes on him and placed the bowl down. “I do not believe we should be too quick to classify things. It has not even been a full day since we have come into each others lives.” That felt uncomfortable. “I am not ruling out the possibility…”

“Oh.” Ling said, not expecting that comment…especially not from Jin.

“We have only been back in each others lives for a day. A fucking day, literally.” Hwoarang snickered, feeling a sudden raise of anger. The flush of his features he could attribute to the hot pepper paste. He did not know why Jins words unnerved him so much. Was it not he who had previously wanted to dash any chance of calling the two of them a relationship?

“Se--Hwoarang. You best of all could understand my words.” Jin said with a sigh.

“You weren’t talking about ‘understanding’ and ‘possibilities’ when you were begging to cum beneath me, now were you?” That was deep. That cut was deep. The Blood Talon rose, suddenly losing his appetite.

“That was not necessary, Hwoarang.” Jin said, the magic between the two feeling suddenly and explicably over. Now, euphoria was replaced by reality. He loved Hwoarang, it was true…but he could not risk being hurt again. He could not risk the danger it would be to his Korean lover if parts of himself were violently brought to life as they could have been in the shower. Those scratches fro elongated nails Jin did not even feel was sobering. “Why do we have to define what is between us, here and now? Is it not enough to be near to each other after two years? Why must be proclaim intentions that we do not yet even know?”

“I don’t know. I wasn’t even thinking about that subject but now that its out, I guess its really out.” The Blood Talon said, walking into the kitchen.

Ling bit her lip, watching two sets of eyes locked to each other even as Hwoarang moved past her. Jin rose and walked into the kitchen, even as the Blood Talon paced, one hand in his drying mane.

“Please, Hwoarang.” It sounded foreign to call him that when his lips wanted to reconnect to the intimacy of the Blood Talons given name. “I do not mean my words to offend you. There are many factors on the line, we do not have to be quick to give this a definition. To give one in haste will only fall apart.”

Hwoarang snickered a breath. “I don’t know why I carried this torch for you, for two years. This little conversation is like flaunting money before a begger. It’s a tease that isn’t going to go away.”

Jin took a deep breath. “Do you want me to tell you I am your significant other, your boyfriend? Will that stop this here and now and make what time that is left go pleasantly? I will say it, commit to it if you feel so strongly about it.”

Hwoarang flashed Jin a look of smoldering death. “Say it but don’t mean it, huh, Kazama? No thanks, baby. I am just fine leaving everything where it is. Just the way it is.” The Blood Talons words were layered upon an even thicker meaning.

Jin paused for a long moment before reaching a hand out to touch Hwoarangs exposed upper arm. The Blood Talon pulled back but that hand came once again. Burning amber met dark chocolate. “Are we alright?”

“Fucking golden, baby. Just fucking golden.” Hwoarang said with the edge of venom to his voice. He allowed Jin to lean over and brush a soft, slow reassuring kiss to his lips, but this time he did not open up to receive the silent passion and reassuring forgiveness Jin asked for.

“Can I see you again?” Jin asked as he pulled back.

Hwoarang could have said a thousand things and none of them flattering, none of them would alleviate the sudden sense of rejection he felt. Fitting to be on the receiving end of it, my turn to be the bitch, he figured. He had been trying to show Jin how he felt rather than say it, had been breaking down his own walls to humble himself, knowing in the past he was wrong, something he had to carry for two years before finally feeling relieved. Now, Hwoarang was pleased he gave away nothing more than his name, and even then, the bud of regret was building. He was finally comfortable with placing himself and Jin together but it seemed his lover was far from that warm, cozy place. And just as quickly as Jins words had first made an impact, Hwoarangs walls were back up and enforced.

“Yeah. You know how to find me.” He said coming out of the small kitchen to the living room, grasping up his pack of cigarettes and sparking one to life.

Ling watched the exchange, feeling like a heel for bringing up what she believed to have already been cemented. Now, like a scolded child, she paid attention to her breakfast, finding herself no longer hungry but not willing to disregard it.