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Eyes were fixed on the computer screen, opening the tab of your own email where an enigmatic and tempting invitation peeked out compared to the rest of the unanswered garbage stored in your account. The title of archaeologist was beginning to weigh heavily on your back before you knew it, for being of renown beyond your local university, you now seemed to be known to the highest ranks of the government– although you knew precisely who had composed that email in front of you. "Dr. Xeno..." you sighed heavily as you scratched the back of your neck, leaning back and over the back of your chair for the briefest of moments.
Ambivalent feelings brushed against your rationing scale, leaving a bitter taste in your throat as you glanced from afar at the clutter spread across your desk: unsigned papers, uncorrected tests from your student body, and the occasional doodle you'd drawn while watching videos to pass the time. You stretched out your arms and returned to your starting position to respond to that ridiculously mile-long email despite it being a simple invitation.
"If I'm going to work with them the proper thing to do would be to have my office organized..." Once that reply was finished and sent, you looked around, and soon you would bring a hand to your mouth to let out a yawn. "I should ask for a week off from work... no, two."
You remembered that night as the prelude that would lead you to this very complex situation you now had on your hands. You described yourself as a senile casanova of science trawling through the antiquities of humanity– not as someone who enjoyed being surrounded by doctors and scientists of the same ilk and important figures to decipher why swallows had been covered in stone.
It was true that thanks to your degree you'd had a cascade of opportunities to meet unique individuals and form bonds, but you tended to be the first to refuse to build such connections, to accept long and tedious tasks involving an absurd number of people... unless asked by a friend. "Thank you all for investing your time and effort today. Feel free to take a break." a voice cut through the tension choking the room, soon heard a shared sigh from all present.
You were stirring your gloves when the bearer of said voice tapped your shoulder and invited you to follow him, both of you giving each other knowing smiles with tinges of gentle melancholy. You and Xeno had studied together throughout high school, always tucked inside large labs and thick encyclopedias that you took from the library; a passion for science and history was something that strengthened your friendship during those years, and apparently neither of you had forgotten those times, even if your busy schedules prevented you from exchanging words since your graduation. "I didn't think you'd need me for something like this."
"Who else could I turn to who has so much elegant knowledge of the past?" he laughed with obviousness, but to you it seemed more like simple praise– he always treated you that way even if you didn't consider yourself the best in your career. "You're the most internationally renowned archaeologist currently, of course I'd bring you in."
Rising to the top of the competition among numerous people with whom you shared a career was never your intention, and you would even narrate it as if it were a coincidence.
You would travel long corridors in the direction of a place which you didn't bother to identify, you trusted Xeno enough to let him be your guide. "You say that like it's a big deal. You know certain fields aren't my forte." you emphasized before pausing briefly, vaguely recalling the comment a vet made about a swallow you spent early morning hours studying. "Seriously Xeno, my strength is human biology; what could I possibly do when faced with a bird?"
"You were the first to notice that the body didn't originate in centuries past, that's important." he looked at you for brief seconds, taking one of his hands to a pocket in search of some keys– you were in front of his office door, from what you read.
"But you already knew that." your eyes fell on his face, sideways. You could have sworn you saw his smile widen a little. "I did some research beforehand before I took the job, and the whole world seems to be infested with petrified swallows besides North America. You're not someone who would overlook something so fundamental, or are you just getting too old for the job, Xeno? Maybe you should take some time off."
He laughed with some disdain after your words, soon raising the bundle of keys he had tucked away. "Ah, really elegant. We can't afford any hints of failure, so it's best to check with someone licensed, don't you think?" As he opened the room he looked at you as he spoke, with eyes which reflected a certain peace– you were beginning to realize that the dynamic you shared was never fractured, just like your friendship. Talking to someone you had known for years was rewarding.
At least you wouldn't have to deal with an incompetent boss.
"As long as I get paid properly for my effort I won't complain. You made me buy a flight from home to here, it'll cost you."
"I see your tongue is still sharp as cobra fangs." someone joined the conversation from a balcony not far away, a certain man leaning with his arms on the balcony railing. The looming smell of cigarettes let you know who it was, beyond his voice. Had Xeno invited his entire close circle of friends? Or was this a meeting orchestrated by fate?
Regardless of the reason, you decided to reply; you approached the area where that sour comment came from and there you gave yourself the liberty to look at the owner of that voice– the doctor next to you was waving at this person with one hand. "And you're still acting like the kind of boyfriend my father would hate." you flashed a grimace riddled with annoyance at the ethereal-featured blond, waving the cigarette smoke away with your hand. "I'll be laughing in front of your grave when you die thanks to this ridiculous addiction, Snyder. It's sad to see your genes reduced to ashes; no woman will want to be with you as long as you keep smoking."
"I don't recall saying I had any interest in marriage or only women."
"My point still stands, Commander."
It was a surprise to be reunited with another of your friends from your teenage years. You and Stanley used to be like oil and water when you first met; you would fight for Xeno's attention at the same time Xeno made an attempt to merge your arguments. Even though the blond was not as interested in such complex subjects as tiny atoms or the intricate structures of extinct animals, he walked the same path that you and Xeno traced during your studies. However, this was discarded as soon as he joined the military, and the three of you cut off communications soon after.
"What is he doing here? I thought you would only invite doctors and scientists?" you turned to Xeno, who let out a soft chuckle at your comment.
"I need to discuss something important with him." he headed back to his office again, raising his voice from the hallway so you could hear him. "Besides, if the petrified swallows are the product of some terrorist weapon, it would be best to go to people like him." you heard as a door opened, indicating that he would already be inside his office.
"It was nice to see you again." the arms of the man in front of you wrapped around you in a warm but short embrace, from which you would soon slip away wrinkling your nose. You raised your hands in a sign that you would refuse any similar action. "As cold as ever." the one with blonde strands smiled slyly, ruffling your hair before heading to Xeno's office.
You remained in your place questioning the why of the hug. There were few times when you treated each other in such a way when you were still studying together, most of them being the result of a celebration because of the successful completion of some project or experiment between you and Houston.
It could be a simple greeting, but Stanley used to be more cryptic than that.
When you decided to go the opposite way to resume your research activities, the men's voices reached your ears; a conversation you didn't let go. "I noticed how you look at her. You still like her, don't you, Stan?"
The aforementioned seemed to chuckle, most likely with the cigarette still in his mouth. "I gave up on trying years ago."
So that was it.
You ignored the rest of the conversation. You vaguely remembered a short period during your teenage years when Stanley liked you openly, but you never forged a relationship deeper than your current friendship. You hid under the cover of being fully focused on your studies, as much as you are today with your work– though that was merely an excuse.
For you, the man in the military was always a friend, nothing more. You would remain oblivious to your racing pulse when he spoke to you; how you would end up thinking about him for hours, how he seemed to have you in the palm of his hand no matter how much you denied it.
Since then, a couple of days passed, filled with hard work, from you and the team around you. You seemed to be stuck in front of a mountain of multiple petrified specimens, from which you took small samples to examine on your own– unlike last week, now your desk was littered with pieces of stone and old encyclopedias. You bit the tip of one of your fingernails anxiously, and took a step back to survey the mess your cramped office had become.
Soon your phone vibrated over some papers, displaying on its screen the name of the doctor who had dragged you into this maelstrom of mysteries. "Did something happen, Xeno?" you brought the phone to your ear, balancing it with your shoulder as you crumpled and tossed away notes that led you down an unanswered alley.
"Good news." your body froze in place as a smile crept onto your face. "You're invited to the DARPA tech expo tomorrow, be sure to attend. I'll be waiting for you."
Your lips twitched with the intention of questioning what you had been told, however the call had already ended. You frowned as you didn't quite understand what was going on, and watched the notification bar on your phone as an email arrived from Dr. Xeno, enclosing the details of the meeting he had mentioned to you.
You let your face fall onto one of the open books on your desk, groaning with relief. At least you could give yourself a brief break from the massive burden stacked upon you and the expectations Xeno held for you.
Surrounded by important figures, you stood silently at your friend's side throughout the expo. The night breeze kept your spirits high as you took in the colorful scenery that surrounded you– you hadn't visited this national park in a few years and giving yourself the freedom to see what kind of flora was spread out over its terrain was something you wouldn't miss. And though you didn't look like it, you kept your ears open for the chatter that was born behind you.
Stanley's unit was invited at the last minute, his men now spread throughout the area as was the commander himself; with so many physically and psychologically strong people around you began to feel out of place. As Stanley reached for his lighter to start his cigarette, he gave you a brief wink when he saw you. "Ah." you exclaimed aloud behind Xeno, blinking a couple of times in embarrassment.
The opportunity to organize your thoughts was abruptly interrupted by a blinding light that swallowed the horizon, green hue and dense pressure. The people around you began to take shelter behind tables and some ran in the opposite direction in obvious fear but you were pressed to the ground next to Xeno, the hands of the blond who had greeted you earlier holding you in place. "'Scuse me." you heard him say as you gave him a disgruntled pout for the hit you took.
The military man's voice echoed in your mind, even though the commotion at the time was disconcerting.
It was like a survival instinct to start counting the seconds as you were engulfed by the ominous green light. You were unable to feel your limbs, consciousness fending off the thread of sanity that remained attached to your head– you were unaware of what lay ahead for you as you were encapsulated in limbo, but at least you could measure how long your body was preserved in this state. "21, 22, 23..." though in a way, you wished this was just part of a silly joke or nightmare; being shipwrecked on the island of your own mind could lead you to states you wouldn't want to think about.
You were sure that both Xeno and Stanley would be keeping their consciences awake, since when setting a goal they were not usually the type of men to give up, even less so when their lives seemed to be in danger. You were confident that the doctor would find a solution to this enigma, and that soon the three of you would return to your usual routines.
Long centuries passed, counting relentlessly as you were unable to feel any discomfort. You had completely shed the idea of continuing with what you remembered to be your usual life, for if mankind had stagnated for so many years the world would have changed immeasurably– fauna and flora would have taken over the great cities, new rivers would form as others would suffer without man's intervention. "I hope they're all right..."
A crack emitted a dull sound as it spread over your stone-covered figure, being followed by branches growing from it– they expanded from your head to the palms of your hands, soon descending to your thighs and feet. Unaware of this, you would soon frown in annoyance as you were awakened by the clarity of the world around you; a sensation to which you almost felt foreign.
Around you lay multiple boxes with contents that you could not detail, beyond a few minerals that peeked shiny on the edges; behind them were hidden a few petrified people, some of whom you recognized as the doctors who were involved with the research you conducted for Xeno. You noticed that they were dressed in particular clothing, so you took a look at your own body, covered by a custom-made dress which covered you as you liked.
You didn't recognize the piece, so you assumed it must have been made for you. It was to be expected that the clothes you wore at the time you were caught in the claws of that fatal event had torn, decayed and deteriorated with the passage of time. You took between your fingers the fabric of the dress with curiosity, causing your attention to be diverted completely to certain marks like bracelets engraved on your wrists, which you assumed would be the result of petrification.
You were silently inspecting them, sinking the tip of one of your index fingers between the cracks, as soon as you felt the enveloping warmth of an unexpected embrace from behind your back. Your figure tensed for a few seconds before inhaling a distinctive cigarette smell, then your shoulders relaxed and a subtle smile was painted on your lips. You felt relieved, and for a brief moment a lump formed in your throat.
You wanted to show your former annoyance naturally, but so many years in solitude made it almost impossible. You would shy away from his touch, frankly rejecting his displays of affection, yet you opted to let his hug linger as he pleased. His arms traveled from your chest to your waist, resting there for a while– you would soon feel his breath hit the exposed skin of your neck, causing you to shiver. "This is new."
You let your hands rest on his, sturdy and faintly scarred. "Don't overthink it." you wanted to turn and wrap your arms around him; to laugh along with him with utmost relief that you were still alive, that you had made it despite the hellish wait, but it was in your best interest to know where you stood. "Could you explain where we are, Stan?"
He was quick but concise in narrating what happened after he and the others left the stone shells behind; Xeno's goal and what they wanted to accomplish– which didn't surprise you too much, knowing the pair of men you considered your closest friends now.
"Xeno will be glad to see you, we need someone like you on the team." it was obvious. He would most likely want to use you as a tool to identify minerals and other natural resources native to the area to use to his advantage. You would demand manpower from the doctor, if he asked you to do what you had in mind– you absolutely refused to dig or do heavy labor on your own.
Surely Stanley would take you along with his friend, but there was something you had to do first. "Could you give me a hand with the zipper?" you noticed your exposed back and a certain coldness touching your skin, indicating that upon it rested the metal that makes up said mechanism.
"Wouldn't that be uncomfortable for you?" his hands went to your back despite his question, sliding over your exposed body.
"I know you won't try anything odd, you're not that kind of guy."
"You look good." he commented after zipping up your dress, turning away from you to head for the door of the storage room where you were standing, both of you leaving the petrified people and other objects behind. You noticed how one of his hands went to his pockets and from there he pulled out a box of cigarettes, soon bringing one to his mouth silently.
"After all, you're still the kind of boyfriend my dad would hate." you remembered the origin of that phrase, a day when you were studying together and at an inopportune moment your father caught Stanley smoking. Needless to go over how you were forbidden to be around him, and how they mentioned that he was the vivid example of a man you shouldn't be with.
You heard a chuckle from him, as he lit his cigarette. "Your father's not here to judge me, darling." your heart stopped under the gentle gaze he gave you out of the corner of his eye, and you felt your cheeks acquire a certain warmth which was beginning to feel more familiar as you stood next to the ex-military man.
"Who are you calling darling?" you winced in disgust, even though that blush on your cheeks was evident, destined to give you away. It was a nickname you never thought he would dedicate to you, so you lost your composure a little. Hearing a chuckle from him you were beginning to realize how peaceful it was to wander into the deep reverie world that being petrified gave you. "You're annoying." you added through your teeth.
Soon you would meet the mastermind behind the growing empire, greeting him with a broad smile before striking up a conversation which would last for long minutes. "As soon as we began to make a considerate advance he begged me for a box of cigarettes." Xeno brought one of his hands to his face, probably remembering what he was telling you about the one surnamed Snyder.
"The bad weed never dies, does it?" you were referring to your friend's bad smoking habit. "I'm glad you're both doing well, though. I knew you would be, but...it was tough." you scratched the back of your neck as you came clean with the doctor, who listened quietly, attentive to your words.
"Stan was taking care of your statue from day one. You should thank him." you looked up, not quite sure how to respond to that. "He insisted that we make dresses to your size before you woke up, he also offered to help make them."
You knew Stanley was a man who taught his affection through actions, rather than words or quality time. When you got together to do projects in your teens, he was always the one who bought the materials for it; he used to arrange your hair strands when you were focused on writing, or tuck Xeno in when he fell asleep after a long study session.
It was a bittersweet feeling, knowing why he did these things for you no matter what your response to it would be. Even after rejecting him during high school, he stayed by your side along with Xeno, and you acted as if nothing had happened back then. Sometimes you wish you had answered him in a different way, without so much fear involved, that you wouldn't have given so much weight to your parents' opinion regarding your relationship with the blond and that you would have managed to be dating– it was a cute fantasy.
"Guessing by the number of statues back there, you're short-staffed, aren't you?" you changed the subject, not much in the mood to dwell on the emotional mess you seemed to be involved in.
"Your intuition has always been elegant." Xeno took a seat in the center of the room, eyes resting on you. "I'd like you to lend us a hand with some miscellaneous tasks. You must have knowledge of the area we're in, so I'd like to know every detail you can offer us. We have to exploit all available resources to expand."
You hit the nail on the head, you thought. "I'll put a group of our men in your charge. I expect the best results, archaeologist."
"Count me in, doctor." you planned to start as soon as possible, so the rest of your talk with the pale-haired one focused on more specific points that you would use to your advantage during your investigation. If your statues hadn't moved much since the day of the petrification, you had a vague idea of the goods you could extract, beyond the simple fauna and flora typical of the area.
Weeks passed, and you were slowly built a modest studio in which you dedicated yourself to journaling every important piece of information about the site where you settled. You performed daily fieldwork in conjunction with others willing to help until late, and returned to your room to rest at night– a simple cycle similar to what you had done decades before as a university professor. However, you didn't expect Stanley's patrolling rounds to end during the same time you returned home, and you ended up walking back together amidst small talk.
In a way the two of you became more intimate, reminding you of the old high school days when Stanley and Xeno would walk you home after school. Apparently certain habits will not fade easily. You found yourself using his name more, enjoying his company more, the way he started looking for you before returning on his own after doing his duties; that silent agreement you built of keeping each other company, being the ones who worked late into the night.
"Are you ready to go home, sweetheart?"
You sketched a faint pout as you listened to the man, hands wobbling slightly as you packed your tools into a small backpack. "Stop using those nicknames with me, Stan. They're ridiculous."
"Your face says something else." you looked up at him from your spot, scowling barely. That dumb grin he had on his plump lips made you want to smack him.
"Stan." without overthinking it, you took his chin and left a brief kiss on the corner of his lips, to which you heard a surprised gasp from him, laughing soon after. This time it would be him who would grab your face a little harder before you could pull away, pulling the cigarette out of his mouth with his free hand to return the kiss, much bolder than yours.
Corresponding, you slid your arms over his shoulders to grasp his neck under his thick hair and pull him closer to you, deepening the kiss. Your tongues met briefly in your mouth, dancing a calm but hot waltz, and a couple of heavy gasps would escape you as you lost your breath as he continued to spread kisses over your face after parting, leaving faint lipstick marks on your skin "You've changed, archaeologist." he smiled, his barely shaky breath crashing over your face.
"Shut up. You enjoyed it." it wasn't necessary to describe the blush that took over your face, hand in hand with a confused tinged expression as you found yourself bewildered by what just happened. "We should head back. Xeno will worry if we take any longer."
His atypical fond look did not go unnoticed by you. "If I carry you we could go faster."
"I refuse."
The walk back was silent but pleasant for both of you, exchanging occasional glances. Despite the turmoil of conflicting emotions surrounding this whole romantic affair between you and Stanley, you found the moment peaceful and warm– you pondered for the first time the possibility that all this time you had been worrying too much about your actions in high school, and that everything would have been simpler if you had talked to the pretty-faced one earlier.
"I see you two had fun outside." Xeno's voice echoed down a hallway as he saw you together, noticing the obvious lipstick marks on your face, it taking on that reddish color again.
"I'll go to sleep." you exclaimed with a joking annoyance as you walked into your room, leaving behind the pair of men who seemed to be left chatting, and Stanley's gaze which was fixed on your back.
That became a repetitive routine, of sorts. As you returned from your labors Stanley began to slip one of his arms behind your hip to cup it in his hand, occasionally giving that area a gentle squeeze as you exchanged warm kisses behind the cornfields, away from the prying eyes of the other individuals around you.
"Now that your studies are over, will ya have some free time?" you knew what he meant, that sweet smile peeking over his lips as soon as you pulled away from each other. "I've waited over 3700 years."
"You want a reward, don't you?" you let out a sly laugh, watching his grin widen. "I wouldn't mind, Stan. It would be fun to consider me your partner." as you finished, one of his hands cupped one of your cheeks and left a kiss on your forehead, obvious joy captured in it even if his expressions were limited.
"Although... I'd like something different as a reward." he blew some smoke playfully over your face, both of you exchanging knowing glances in the act. "But it wouldn't hurt to see you use my last name later, sweetheart."
"Come here." you grabbed him by the collar of his clothes to engulf him in a kiss which gradually rose in intensity, tongues meeting to entwine in your mouths. Stanley's hands sank to your hips to draw you to him, which caused you to let out a small whimper as your body pressed against his– a sound which he seemed to enjoy, as he would soon lift one of his legs to push it in between your legs as he went about spreading kisses down your neck and collarbone. "Mmhn... we should go to my room."
You wasted no time, the blond's hands slipping under the fabric of your dress as soon as he entered your room. He ran his hands up your thighs until he found the edge of your underwear, pulling it down little by little as he positioned you on your bed, scattering kisses on your face. "Already so wet for me? How cute." you gasped softly, feeling his hand cup your intimacy. "Try not to make too much noise, the others must be asleep by now."
"Mmh? Showing off your skills so quickly?" undoing your dress, you looked up at the man. "You're not being too cocky, Stan?"
His lips curved into a thin smile, followed by a wink. "I'll make you see heaven, darling."
Ah, how you wished you hadn't commented, as now, with your teeth biting your lower lip hard, you regretted what you'd said. You were mouthing his name between faint sobs, throwing your head back as you were lost in what the blond was doing between your legs. His strong arms held your thighs in place, keeping you from closing your legs even though your body unconsciously trembled with the intention of doing so.
You brought one of your hands over your mouth in disbelief at what you were looking at, sweat sliding over Stanley's forehead along with his hair disheveled attractively. "You're fucking hot even in this situation..." Snyder stole a couple of moans from you as he flicked his tongue over your clit, sucking on the area as he continued to pleasure you with his fingers, curling them with the intention of hearing you try to pronounce his name coherently.
He carried out his task as soon as he pulled away from you at the moment when you seemed to be on the verge of ecstasy, a pout appearing on your face with obvious disappointment. He had been toying with you for far too long minutes for him to trick you again, you wanted to have your orgasm at the hands of the man who seemed to enjoy it as you begged for it. "I'm really not in the mood for teasing, Stan- Mmnh, aagh!" as you were about to plead a third time, you felt him dig into you in one thrust, touching a sensitive spot instantly.
You curved your back as you felt him, squeezing his cock desperately as your feet trembled at his sides. The blond-stranded one took one of your legs to pull it up over his shoulder, pushing it down with his own weight to your chest as he moved closer to you to sprinkle a couple of kisses on your face.
His movements were sharp and strong, but he kept an eye on your body language to avoid hurting you, watching your face wreck with each thrust; tears dressing your crystallized eyes as your lips babbled incoherently between sobs. "We're not so talkative anymore, are we?" he laughed softly as he felt your nails scratch his back, moaning beneath his lips as he captured yours in a kiss.
"Fuck me, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuuuck." the room was filled with the sounds of your skins clashing, your moans and soft groans from the man.
"Naughty."
"Shut... the fuck up." as you said that you felt your body shudder in absolute pleasure, finally hitting your orgasm.
He used his fingers to let you ride out your orgasm, watching as you writhed and wobbled weakly under his frame. "Aah, good girl..." he brought his free hand to one of your breasts, squeezing it gently as you sank your face into the pillow and pulled the sheets with your hands, slowly regaining your normal breathing. As you managed to sit up, a vague idea formed in your head as you noticed that Stanley still hadn't reached orgasm, and you smiled to yourself.
Moving closer to him, you took his shaft in your hands, pumping it a little with your fingers before taking it into your mouth and bobbing your head up and down. You heard a few muffled moans from him before he stroked your hair with his fingers, making you look up at him as you continued to jerk him off. "Such a slut..." he growled pulling hard on your hair, making his member touch the deepest of your throat, almost choking you with his seed as soon as he lifted his hips as he reached ecstasy. "Shit, sorry."
He lifted your face with the intention of cleaning you, but found you licking your lips, removing traces of his cum with your fingertips before sucking them silently. "Wanna turn me on again?"
"I wouldn't mind a second round, Stan."
"You're so bold now." he laughed, gently pushing you back onto the mattress. "But no. I'm sure we'll be assigned more work tomorrow, and it wouldn't be very responsible of us to be absent."
"How much stamina do you have?" you questioned, noticing how relaxed he looked after the steamy sex session you just had. He wrapped his arms around you, giving you a sultry look before giving you a kiss.
"Enough to make you go crazy, sweetheart."