Universal Chemistry

by Li Hill

  "Iilo never saw Inaan. This is the only planet he knows."

  Caleb pulled himself from the window, face twisted in anger. "For a second, I thought you'd actually changed your mind."

  "And for a second, I thought I could change yours," Tom said.

  "They're not people!" Caleb's face flushed red, but then he slicked his hair back, chuckling. "I know what I'm doing. I don't need you to be my dad."

  Tom shrugged, taking a shot in the dark. "Would your dad approve?"

  Caleb's lips parted, eyes round. For a moment, he was a child, lost and confused. He blinked and then fashioned a perfectly calm expression. "I'm doing this for my dad. Who let you out of jail?"

  "Revenge is the world's greatest motivator," Tom said, shrugging. He would pointedly ignore the other question. "Fine. Show me what I can do to help."

  "You're doing good," Parker's voice came into the earpiece. "Minor snag though. My guy informed me that Iilo got out of his cuffs and he can't find him. Just keep an eye out."

  Tom didn't say anything, because he was told not to. It was hard not to even nod. He didn't put it past Parker to have a spying drone just out of sight. He did hope Iilo was okay though. It'd been easy for Tom to walk into BrightStart, but Iilo was I'na.

  "The labs are great. State-of-the-art shit. We've got scientists from all over the world employed here. Name a country. Seriously, name one."

  "Uh." Tom really didn't want to play this game. "France."

  "Ha! Too easy. We've got like five of those. This way."

  Out of part curiosity and part doing his job, Tom followed.

  "I got out on bail," Tom said. "My arraignment is on Monday."

  "Hm. I guess I don't really know how all that works. You're the expert." Caleb hit the elevator button. "Oh. My custom watch just came in. I got an email it's at the house." Caleb took his Rolex off, handing it over to Tom. "I said you could have it, right?"

  Tom furrowed his brow. Even in the face of genocide, Caleb still did kind things for the people he'd cared for. It sat wrong in Tom's stomach. Caleb didn't get to play God. Didn't get to decide who lived or died.

  "Thank you," Tom said, looking at the watch. He'd sell it later.

  The elevator dinged, and time speed up far too quickly for Tom to breathe.

  Iilo stood there, pure pink and glaring at Caleb. Beside him was a guard. He held onto Iilo's wrists with an ironclad grip.

  "Iilo!" His name ripped from Tom's body before he could even think about it.

  "Found a stray, sir. His ID marker isn't logged in our system yet."

  Caleb looked at Tom and then at Iilo. "Put him on his knees."

  Iilo growled. He tried to worm his way out of the security guard's hands, but eventually he was shoved to the floor.

  Tom looked to the end of the hall, eyes wide. The sun still blazed on, igniting everything it saw in the hall. Tom prayed Parker had a drone out there and he could see this. Tom was unarmed, he couldn't fight off Caleb and this guard.

  "You've been a pest," Caleb said, hovering before Iilo. "Cuff him and leave us."

  The guard didn't just use metal, he used a black, tar-like substance that grew around Iilo's ankles and wrists. Tom stood there, face screwed up in horror.

  "We developed it to restrain the I'na," Caleb said with an air of pride. "Their blood can eat through regular handcuffs."

  So that would explain how Iilo had gotten out in the first place. But now he was here, trapped by a substance he couldn't get himself out of, and Tom had to protect both of them. He looked to the end of the hallway again and then at Caleb. With the guard gone, Tom stood a chance in hand-to-hand. He'd always been the stronger of the two. He should've won the fight back at the cabin if he hadn't gotten himself knocked out. But he'd need to deal with that damn gun.

  "Don't hurt Iilo, please, Caleb," Tom said mainly so Parker could hear their situation.

  "I'll send in some guys, just buy yourselves some time and don't die," Parker said into the mic.

  Caleb pulled out the gun from inside his blazer, inspecting it like an interested buyer. He flicked his gaze from Iilo to Tom, a devil's smirk on his face. "You know, I don't think I forgive you for taking Iilo from me."

  "He didn't take me away, you piece of shit!" Iilo struggled on the ground. He stood up, but the restraints around his ankles were bulky and restrictive. He leaned on the wall for support, his fingers sprawled and ready to scratch.

  Tom just stood there, watching helplessly, acutely aware of the gun. He took a step toward Caleb, but Caleb pointed the gun toward Iilo. "Don't do this."

  "Why not? You'll go to prison for the murder of the I'na, I'll be richer than half of Congress, and the big, bad terrorist Iilo will be dead."

  "You're an idiot," Iilo said, voice heated with vitrol.

  "You've outstayed your welcome." Caleb charged at Iilo, the gun cocked and ready. Iilo bared his teeth, his hands up in front of his face.

  "Caleb!" Tom's nerves burned, adrenaline coursing through him faster than light. He got in front of Caleb, out of breath. "If you're gonna shoot anyone, then shoot me!" Iilo wasn't supposed to be here. He was supposed to be safe! This wasn't the plan.

  The gun pressed into his stomach. Tom's body broke out in pins and needles.

  Caleb paused. "You'd die for him?" His face twisted up in disgust.

  "I don't want to. But if I have to." No, Tom didn't want to die. He didn't want anyone to die. Not even Caleb. He didn't deserve to get out of his crimes so easily, and Iilo deserved a life that didn't include a shoebox he kept close to his chest. Tom licked at his lips, wondering how long it'd take for Parker's men to get up here. It wasn't easy being brave. He remembered the foxholes and how he'd shook with Carlos pressed into his side. Their tears. Tom didn't want to be a brave man.

  "Tom," Iilo managed to whisper. "I can do this."

  Caleb pistol whipped Tom in the face, sending him spiraling to the floor "You betrayed your own people!" He aimed at Tom.

  Tom raised his hands in front of his swelling face. Iilo was hobbling behind Caleb, teeth still sharp and ready. Tom held out a hand to stop Iilo. It went unnoticed by Caleb, but Iilo paused, his shoulders still raised.

  "Don't cross that line, buddy. We served together! I would've died for you too." Tom didn't know what else to say. Time wasn't on their side, and Caleb was growing impatient. Tom wasn't sure who Caleb was anymore. The goofy guy that cracked the worst jokes was long dead; this Caleb, Tom didn't know how deep his connection was with the people he'd served with anymore. But Tom had to try, even if it only gave them mere seconds.

  Caleb inhaled sharply, trembling. "You're giving me no choice!"

  Tom stood up slow, palms out. The side of his face burned, and his fingers shook. He wasn't doing this just for himself. Iilo had been right on the plane; it had started that way. Tom had wanted some way to swallow his guilt and move on with his meager life. But his world had changed. His heart had grown. This wasn't just about him anymore. Iilo meant more to him than he cared to admit aloud. The I'na were part of their own story, and they deserved to keep going.

  Iilo crouched, ready to pounce.

  "Don't move, Iilo," Tom said. "Let's all just think about this."

  Iilo snarled.

  Caleb looked behind him and shoved himself against the wall.

  Tom was never more aware of his heartbeat than he was now. A tiny whisper over and over, you're alive you're alive you're alive. He took a step toward Caleb.

  Caleb, eyes wide and afraid, pointed the gun at Iilo and then back at Tom again. "I already crossed that line. There's no going back." A shot rang out.

  "No!" Iilo screamed. He lunged, jumping on Caleb, the gun, and both of them tumbled to the floor. His wrists and ankles were restrained, but his teeth were not. Tom saw the way Iilo's face dug into Caleb's shoulder, how he used the restraints to smack Caleb in the face until he was shoved off.

  Tom fell back, body seizing. He sucked in air, sharp little gasps that refused to fill his lun
gs. He heard pattering feet, felt the swampy Louisiana heat suffocate around his body like a coffin.

  Tom rolled, gasping for air that refused him. He looked down, body wet and red. He let out a soft whimper before turning his attention to the noises around him.

  Caleb was down, an I'na on top of him. Sam and Carlos were nowhere to be seen. They wrestled, the I'na going for the gun, but something kept his hands from reaching. Tom tried to get the gun to Caleb, standing and falling over his feet before crashing against the wall.

  He cried out, his stomach on fire, bile in the back of his throat.

  "Tom!" someone in his ear shouted. "Tom, what's happening? We're inbound! What is happening?!"

  Tom closed his eyes. That didn't sound like Carlos. He looked up, not seeing stars but smooth ceiling. Around him, fancy paintings lined the walls.

  Another gunshot.

  "Tom!" someone screamed.

  He looked at the tumbled mess of limbs and struggling fingers. Caleb was on top of the I'na. His hands wrapped around its throat.

  Tom looked to his body again, pulse in his ear. He touched the blood, hands discovering it was his own. He pressed his face to the wall, sucking back as much as his body would let him. A wall. Not the rough bark of a tree. Not under the stars. Not Louisiana.

  Tom looked over at Caleb and the I'na. Skin like a galaxy, eyes orange and familiar. This wasn't First Contact. And the I'na was Iilo. That person was Iilo. Tom gurgled, body too weak to laugh from the elation filling him.

  "You piece of shit," Caleb snarled, kicking Iilo to the floor before reaching for the gun.

  Tom rolled forward and yanked Caleb back.

  Caleb had the gun, his fingers slick with Tom's blood. "This could've been easier, Raddoc." He pointed it at Tom's face.

  Iilo jumped onto Caleb's back, poised and calculated. He got the restraints around Caleb's neck and squeezed.

  Caleb's face flushed red, gurgles escaping his throat.

  "Don't you fucking touch him," Iilo growled. He rolled off Caleb, eyes glowing red. "You afraid of me now? I'm bleeding, you son of a bitch." He took a step forward, offering out his shoulder to Caleb.

  Caleb scampered back.

  "Iilo!" Tom rasped, coughing. He was cold. "N-no more. No more." He checked his wound again. Superficial. A graze. His body still was in shock.

  Iilo managed to pick up the gun and held it facing Caleb. "You heard him. No more." He did his best to scuttle closer to Caleb, shoving the restraints in his face. "Take these off or I'll shoot."

  Caleb pressed something on the restraints, and they molded up into a tiny black rectangle on the floor. He did the same for the ones around Iilo's ankles.

  Iilo stepped back, gun still aimed.

  Tom's head fell forward, sweat too cold on his skin. He heard people in heavy armor run into the hallway. Several swooping down on Caleb. The elevator dinged again and people with SWAT on their chests fanned out.

  "I said don't die, Raddoc," Parker said when he crossed the hall. "Someone look at his wound!"

  Iilo surrendered the gun to Parker and dropped to Tom's side. "It's just a graze," he said.

  Tom only offered a weak smile. "I took a bullet for you."

  Iilo rolled his eyes. "You'll never let me live that down, will you?"

  "Not a chance."

  They pressed the sides of their heads together, Iilo humming softly in Tom's ear. "What Caleb said, I can explain. About me and him."

  "You don't have to." Some stories were better left untold.

  "Christ, someone! Medic up here, please!" Parker called into his walkie-talkie. "Gotta do the arresting thing, and we've got a dumbass attorney bleeding out on the floor. Or he'll die any minute!" Sarcasm dripped from each syllable.

  Tom let out a wet laugh. Iilo squeezed his hands, humming softly.

  "Caleb Polanski," Parker said, "you're under arrest for conspiracy to commit treason, disturbing the peace, wasting my fucking time, murder, kidnapping, and attempted kidnapping. You have the right to remain silent—"

  Tom closed his eyes, tuning out the Miranda rights. They'd gotten Caleb. Tom had been shot. But they'd finally put an end to the I'na disappearances. The FBI would conduct their own investigation into who had ordered Parker to frame Tom. The I'na would have justice.

  "Wait," Tom said, grabbing Iilo's arm. "Your family."

  Iilo cupped Tom's face. "They're safe. I already found them."

  "Yeah, he melted through our cuffs and decided to go galivanting into a high-security facility and get himself caught in the process," Parker said when he shoved Caleb into Yzee's arms. "Take him."

  "My pleasure," Yzee said.

  Caleb hung his head. He glared at Tom and Iilo. He looked small, surrounded by SWAT, handcuffed and escorted to the elevator. He'd thought himself a god and now he was reminded he was only a mortal.

  "Just so you know, I only got caught because I wanted to make sure everyone got out," Iilo said, applying pressure to Tom's wound. It stung, but only enough to earn a hiss from his lips.

  The hallway was too cramped for this many people. Parker's team carefully pulled out computers from the offices, checked behind the fancy paintings and they'd eventually sweep down and down and down until the whole building was seized of evidence. There'd be no hiding this, BrightStart was over.

  Tom leaned his head on Iilo's, tracing his fingers up and down purple veins in Iilo's skin while they waited for a medic. "I thought—I almost didn't—"

  "Blood pact. Remember?" Iilo's nuzzled into Tom's shoulder. "You'd never run from me."

  "I could've hurt you."

  "But you didn't." A crooked smile played on Iilo's blue lips. "I'll always bring you back."

  Tom choked out a laugh, surprised by the confidence Iilo showed. He gave Iilo's nose a little flick before kissing the tip.

  "Human affection," Iilo whispered. He flicked Tom's nose back.

  A medic finally came to take Tom out on a stretcher despite Tom's loud protests. It was a graze, and yet everyone treated him like he'd been shot right in the lungs. Iilo never left his side.

  Outside under a setting sun, the medic worked quickly on Tom's graze. He lay there, arm up to keep it out of her way.

  "You're alive!" Inaraa covered her mouth with her hand, eyes sparkling. Her braids were barely out of place atop her head, dancing around the curves of her shoulders.

  Letic stood beside her, a smirk on his ordinarily unamused face. He nodded.

  "Okay, you're good. Just be easy on it," the medic said, patting Tom on the shoulder. "And take painkillers."

  "It's a graze. I'll be fine." Tom groaned and leaned up. His muscles ached more than anything from when his body went into shock, eyes tired and heavy.

  "Look at that," Letic said. "It lives."

  Tom narrowed his eyes. The two stared at each other before knowing little smirks spread on their faces. Friends. They were friends.

  "I'm sorry you got shot," Iilo said, voice morose. "It's my fault."

  "It's not your fault." Tom reached out and squeezed Iilo on his good shoulder. "Your shoulder gonna be okay?"

  "I didn't get shot."

  "We should give them space," Inaraa whispered, pulling Letic along.

  Iilo pulled Tom into a hug, his arms tight around Tom's neck. Tom closed his eyes, taking in the powdery scent of Iilo's skin. His heart filled two sizes. Never could he have imagined the way he felt for Iilo now even a few months ago.

  "I fucking love you," Tom whispered into Iilo's hair.

  "I love you too," Iilo whispered, kissing Tom's cheek.

  Iilo glowed, soft and comforting beneath the night sky. Tom looked up, watching gray clouds pass under shining stars. It was chilly in the desert without the sun.

  "Think you can walk?" Iilo asked.

  "How many times do I have to say it's a graze and I'm fine?" Tom slid off the stretcher. He offered out his hand, warmth spreading from his fingers where Iilo touched.

  Iilo slotted his lips with Tom's. His fing
ers threading up into Tom's hair.

  All Tom could feel was the racing beats of Iilo's heart when they breathed each other in. He pulled Iilo against his body, arms wrapped tight.

  Tom didn't know what happened next, but he knew there was a chance the world would learn the I'na's secrets. The government could only hide it for so long. And maybe it was time to be honest. The government would figure out a way to ease it into the public sphere. That was their damn job anyway. But there were more Calebs in the world, and then there were those who were worse.

  "I'll protect you," Tom said against Iilo's lips. "I swear."

  Iilo nodded into a kiss. "And I'll protect you."

  Tom pulled back, eyes narrowing. "I'm gonna bury any asshole who tries to touch you in so much paperwork. All the lawsuits."

  Iilo laughed, rolling his eyes.

  Nothing on Earth would prevent Tom from spending every waking moment he could with Iilo. Tom had been wary. Now he trusted Iilo as much as he trusted Sam or Carlos. His world—his universe—had gotten bigger the moment Iilo stepped into it.

  "I can't believe I fell in love with a human." Iilo touched Tom's face, tracing his fingers over cheekbones. He pressed a kiss to Tom's lips.

  "C'mon," Tom stood up, offering out his hand. "I've always wanted to watch the stars out in the middle of a desert."

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  They snuck out a blanket from one of the FBI vans and ran off where the floodlights couldn't reach them. Yzee had seen them scurry away, and his only response had been a wave. Out there, the world sprawled on for eternity. Tom stood beside a cactus. It leaned close to him, graceful and dangerous all at once. He reached out, touching its smooth surface.

  Iilo wrapped his arms around Tom, pressing his face to Tom's back. He hummed a soft tune, one Tom didn't recognize.

  Tom turned, pulling Iilo in front of him. He leaned forward, catching Iilo in a kiss. Without the floodlights, without the sounds of tapping feet and murmurs of voices, Tom found the desert to be the perfect place to kiss his boyfriend. A gentle, encouraging quiet wrapped around them. The silence let them hear soft gasps as they closed their mouths around each other's. Their fingers traced along skin, warm in the nip of the air.