The Elements of Love

by Stuart Wakefield

  Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  CHAPTER ONE - Attack

  CHAPTER TWO - Retreat

  CHAPTER THREE - Victory

  About The Author

  The Elements of Love

  Stuart Wakefield

  Copyright (c) 2011 by Stuart Wakefield

  All rights reserved by the Author

  Image Copyright (c) 2011 by DVARG

  Used under license from Shutterstock.com

  Kindle Edition (1st)

  British English (BrE)

  All characters and events in this novel are fictitious and resemblance to real persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. No part of this story may be reproduced, stored or transmitted without the prior permission in writing from the author.

  stuartwakefield.com

  This short story was written as part of the Hot Summer Days project for the M/M Romance group on Goodreads.com and is dedicated to LC Chase, who got me thinking.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Attack

  The first tremor touched my unconscious mind and hauled me back from a dream of crashing waves. My eyes flickered open at the second tremor and I knew the latest attack was upon us.

  I pulled myself up from my bunk in the fire-station's dormitory, crossed to the exterior wall, and slammed the window shield control with my open hand. The shield's click-clack ascent fuelled my impatience and I crouched down, hoping to see nothing awry and dismiss it as a bad dream. Cursing softly under my breath, I rubbed the dirty glass, making a gap in the grime large enough to see through.

  The third tremor pulsed through my legs and tugged on my guts. I peered out over the city, the dawn light igniting the edges of the clean, white buildings beyond. I saw no unusual movement.

  Where was it?

  Snatching a power lens from my belt, I scanned the bay. There was a disturbance in the water, a series of interruptions to the artificial, glassy stillness of the surface. That was our first, visual line of defence from Oceanica; the water's surface held in place by force fields. I zoomed in, the lens connected to the data hub, and the HUD burst into life. But still nothing recognisable.

  An additional connection to the building's scanner array kicked in and deep-sensor data dropped in over the display. Something big was approaching the shoreline. Graphics processors modelled it. Broad vectors roughed in its awesome size.

  It had legs, like those before it. Every time one of its gigantic limbs connected with the seabed I felt a tremor. As I crossed the room to punch the alarm and rouse my colleagues, I wondered when the rest of the city would be alerted.

  The siren sounded, its screech waking the rest of the building. More sirens wailed in the distance, in the direction of the shoreline. The deep-sensor array's AI had alerted the City Defence Network to the approaching monstrosity. Men and women lurched from sleep around me, pulling on their cranial receivers for the latest incident information broadcast. I reached for my own and signalled my crew down the jump tubes to the control room.

  As I arrived the briefing began. Chief Flood, square-jawed and silver-haired, drew everyone's attention like a black hole consumes light. "Initial data is unclear but City Defence Network personnel are almost on the scene. They'll need our backup. Fire engines and mecha are to proceed to the beach but keep your distance - I don't want any of you taking hits that are meant for the Network." He waved us away. "Move out."

  Personnel spilled from the room and exchanged concerned looks.

  Lewis caught up with me, looking troubled. "Why's the CDN needing backup anyways? They got all the toys to make the thing go 'boom'!"

  "We're all working to save people, Lew; we put out the fires their 'booms' make."

  Theories surrounding the attacks ranged from holy punishment for not observing the Sabbath, to the belief that the city was cursed to descend through seven gateways into the underworld. For decades now, all cities bore a number but the inhabitants named them anyway. This city, my city, was known as Atlantica. Its citizens seemed intent on denying the fact that the attacks were simply hunting expeditions initiated by the submerged city hundreds of miles away. Oceanica wanted one thing - one weapon that would give them total control of the planet's water - and they knew Atlantica harboured it. No, they found it easier to wrap this knowledge in religious hysteria and that suited the ruling church just fine.

  Lewis and I headed for the mecha silo in silence. I ran through a mental checklist of safety procedures. The garage smelled of grease and damp, a line of three mecha stood inactive at the far end. The sight of them always impressed me.

  Drew, out third team member, was already in her mech, her eyes blazed with excitement. "Come on, boys. The CDN has got a fight on its hands!"

  Climbing into my mech's chest cavity, I fixed the harness across my chest and waist, and locked my boots into the stirrups. Grabbing a joystick in each hand, I flexed the arms of the unit. One arm housed a water cannon, the other an array of power cutters, drills, and a welding arc.

  The silo door opened with a thunderous roar. Flanked on either side by Lewis and Drew, I directed my mech out onto the city streets and headed for the shoreline. A few meters in the beach's direction and I heard a crunch behind me.

  I craned my head around. "What's going on?"

  Lewis swore loudly. "Fuck! Can't walk no more. Can you see anything?"

  Drew's voice cut in. "You're pissing fluid from your hydraulics, Lew."

  There was no time. "Go back and get aboard an engine," I ordered him. "We'll move on."

  Several CDN cruisers passed us as Drew and I continued forwards, the loud-hailers instructing curious citizens to return home. Some turned back but most ignored them and tailed the cruisers in the direction of the shore.

  Rounding the corner of the largest beach-front building, I saw a small crowd forming behind the Network's combat mecha.

  "Some people ain't got the sense they was born with," muttered Drew. "Assuming their folks had any to pass on..."

  The scene played out like so many times before. Oceanica's war machine boasted sonic weaponry which disintegrated flesh and bone. Buildings fell, people died screaming. Network personnel did the best they could but the machine cut their cruisers and mecha into pieces before they could even scratch it.

  Eventually the priests arrived. The war machine stopped and they offered up their sacrifice, a boy aged seven, who bore a tattoo just like mine. No, not quite like mine. Both his palms were tattooed with the same symbol, three waves in an infinite loop. Only my right palm bore a tattoo. I wondered when I'd slip up and leave it uncovered, when someone would notice it, look into my eyes and notice the shape of my irises; subtly different to theirs.

  And realise that I was the weapon Oceanica sought.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Retreat

  I am Water. I lived in secrecy among the citizens. My eyes were an uncanny shade of blue that glimmered like water in sunlight. That's why I rarely met someone's gaze. They didn't know that I not only served them as a fire-fighter, but also as an elemental force. My ability to control water was a perfect fit for the job.

  Two other elements were known to me, Air and Earth. Born on the same day, in the same place, albeit by different parents, we met every seven years. I remembered all three meetings to date, the last at twenty-one. We'd turn twenty-eight soon.

  Back at the station, the debrief was somber. Oceanica's war machine had devastated the coastline before the offering of the boy could be made. It would take time for the machine to return to its city, and longer still for the boy to be identified as an impostor. I didn't like to think what would happen to him, or those before him, once discovered. I wondered how many times this cycle would repeat. How long I
could hide my true nature.

  Oceanica wanted me and me alone. War Hawks from Aeron, the floating city, hunted Air. The underground city of Terrania hunted Earth.

  Aged just seven years old, it was Earth who suggested we remain concealed. An element was missing; Fire had not been born with us and was the key to our collective power. Earth held Air's hand as he vowed that Terrania's Worms would never catch him and urged us to do the same. We agreed.

  At our second meeting, I noticed the way Air gazed at Earth while he spoke. The rich, dark tones of Earth's skin were reflected in his voice. When Earth spoke, we listened. He remained resolute in his vow to remain free.

  At our third meeting, Air made his feelings for Earth known. Air loved him. Earth gathered him up in his arms and kissed him. I witnessed the beginning of their relationship and wondered if I would feel the same about Fire should he ever appear to us. Earth and Air left together and I wished them well.

  After the debrief ended, I started my journey to the temple. It would take several days to climb the mountain range behind the city. I prayed that Fire would join us this time. It was written that we could bring balance to the world when united in our fourth meeting. The warring nations, each led by their capital city, would be consumed by each element and war would end. Without war there would be only love.

  I arrived at the temple first and spent the day preparing for the arrival of my elemental brothers. The power from the adjacent waterfall energised me, as would the fierce winds grant Air greater strength and the bedrock fuel Earth's powers.

  They arrived the following morning, hand in hand. Earth hugged me tight and Air pecked me lightly on the cheek.

  We waited for Fire but he did not arrive so we lit branches as a symbol and celebrated our birthdays together, catching up on the past seven years.

  Earth turned to me. "You do your city a great service, Water. We are proud of you, and wish that we could do the same." I liked his formal way of talking. His rich baritone soothed me.

  "If I can't save the world with you, I want to do some good in my own way, I guess."

  Placing his hand on my thigh, Earth squeezed it in unspoken approval. "We have been considering why Fire has never joined us. I know that you have pondered on this, too."

  Air offered an explanation. "We think we need to summon Fire."

  I pointed to the glowing embers of our pyre. "Isn't that exactly what we've done?"

  Earth shook his head. "There are many kinds of fire; fires of Hell, of hatred, of religious fury, of war... of love."

  I raised my glass to them both. "You've discovered the fire of love, my friends."

  Air leaned in towards me. "But have you, Water? Have you discovered it?"

  I dropped my gaze to the temple floor, letting my eyes drift across the mosaic tiles as I spoke. "No, I haven't. I had hoped that Fire would be to me what Earth is to you."

  Air smiled and took Earth's free hand. With Earth's hand still on my thigh we were connected. A shiver ran through me and I shuddered.

  Earth stood up. "We should reflect on this. I will consult the temple writings." And he was gone.

  Air and I talked into the night, expecting Earth to return with a stack of texts. Hours passed without him so we finally bid each other goodnight and retired to our rooms.

  It was still dark when I was shaken awake. At first I thought it was Earth using his powers but, with his handsome face close to mine, I realised he used only his hands. "Water, wake up. I have discovered something of importance."

  Rubbing my eyes, I focused on him. Air stood close behind him, looking anxious. Only Earth was clothed. He must have woken Air as abruptly as he had me. Air shivered and I gestured for him to join me under the furs that covered me. He scooted under those by my feet and his shivering stopped almost immediately.

  Earth knelt on the floor between us, and rested a text on the furs. "It is written that all four elements are always born together, without exception, but that one body need not represent each element."

  I frowned. "What do you mean?"

  Earth took Air's hands and turned them face-up before doing the same with his own. In all our previous meetings only our right hands had been marked with our specific symbols. Now both Earth and Air had symbols on both of their palms. I thought at once of the sacrificed boy. The priests knew that a mature element would be marked on both palms.

  I was reluctant to look at my own hands. "When did they appear?"

  "Tonight," Air said. "While we slept. Earth fell asleep while he was reading next to me."

  Earth sat back on his haunches. "I think Fire lives in you, Water. Show me your hands."

  I turned my palms upwards but only my original tattoo marked my skin. "What do you think, Earth?"

  He sighed deeply, as if disappointed. "I believe that you quench Fire. Do you not think it curious that you labor to extinguish fire with your elemental power? Have you not admitted yourself that you have never known love?"

  "What does love have to do with fire?"

  "You recall our conversation of love?"

  "Of course."

  "You have never known love, passion. Perhaps you subconsciously quench your desires? That may be our problem."

  The only thing that stopped me from arguing with him was that he had used the phrase 'our problem.' Until that moment I thought he was calling me weak. "What do you suggest?"

  "You need to give in to the fire within you. Our time is running out." Earth closed the text, took Air's hand, and left me alone with my thoughts.

  Sleep evaded me. My mind raced with Earth's suggestion. I combed through my memories, searching for clues, until I remembered one night when my colleague Lewis had crawled into my bunk. I could smell the alcohol on his breath and had assumed that he had mistaken my bunk for his own - until he kissed me. Lewis was a handsome man with a good physique, and I caught myself looking at him whenever we showered together at the station, but I shrank from him when his lips met mine. Had I been human I might have welcomed his advances but as he touched me in the darkness a fundamental part of me rejected him - my elemental self.

  Throwing the furs aside I padded out of my room to find Earth and Air and share this with them. But I froze on the threshold of their room.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Victory

  They were awake, naked. Earth held Air's legs apart while he lapped at his hole. Air writhed beneath him, his mouth open in mute pleasure. When Air finally whimpered, Earth stood up and let a long stream of spit leak from his pursed lips. I followed the fluid's journey down to Earth's magnificent hooded prod. He lazily pulled back his foreskin and rubbed the fluid down his shaft and up again over the tip.

  I was fascinated to see them this way. Earth's body was beautiful, his frame wrapped with sculpted muscle and that smooth, dark skin. Air was slightly built in comparison but beautifully constructed nonetheless. His almond eyes were closed in rapture as he ran his hands over his own body, lost in anticipation.

  Earth caught Air's legs again, pulled them up to rest on his chest, and began to guide his cock towards its goal.

  As the head of Earth's cock connected with Air's flesh he looked at me and smiled. I hesitated, not knowing what to do or say but Earth looked down at Air, saw that his eyes were still closed, and gestured for me to stay both quiet and still.

  I nodded my compliance and the movement made my cock, now painfully hard, bounce between my legs.

  Earth's eyes traveled down my body and rested on my shaft. His cock jerked in response to the sight of my excitement and he pushed into Air who cried out. Earth clamped his hand over his lover's mouth. Tears spilled from the corners of Air's eyes and I saw his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed down his cry.

  Pulling out of Air, Earth growled softly, his gaze still fixed on my cock. With one smooth stroke he shoved his dick back in. He looked too big for Air, who thrashed on the bed, eyes still clamped tightly shut.

  I began to stroke my cock as I watched them, feeling heat build i
n my body.

  As Earth began a rhythmic thrust, he uncovered Air's mouth but covered his eyes instead. He hunched over his lover and whispered in his ear, just loud enough for me to hear. "What does fire need to burn?"

  Air made a sound of confusion but Earth repeated the question, gentle yet firm, as he pushed himself all the way into Air and stayed deep inside him. "Fire needs air."

  Earth kissed him. "Fire needs you. Would you give yourself to him?"

  Air squirmed beneath him. Fluid drooled from his own rigid cock and formed a puddle on his abdomen. "Y-Yes."

  As I touched my own cock it began to drool, too.

  "You will enjoy this, Air, I promise." Earth said the words softly as he beckoned me over to them. He spat on his hand and fingered Air's hole so I could see his fingers disappear into him. "Feel him, Water. He's tight, hot, and willing."

  "But I-"

  Earth took my hand in his and sucked my fingers into his smiling mouth, making them wet. "Feel him."

  I circled Air's glistening entrance with my fingertips before pushing against it. His body responded immediately, hard cock jerked and his hole tightened around my knuckles.

  Earth stroked himself, his white teeth exposed as he opened his mouth, bent down, and took my cock between his lips. I shuddered at the sensation burning inside me. Earth had lit a taper deep in my body.

  Once my shaft was coated in his spit, Earth took my hips in his firm grip and guided my cock into his lover.

  As I entered Air, I leaned forwards to kiss him. This wasn't just about passion or lust, this was about love. It felt so good - his tight hole clamped around my dick and his beautiful mouth on mine.

  For several blissful minutes I remained hunched over Air's body until I felt Earth's hand close around the base of my cock and ease it out of his lover. He nodded down towards his own rigid shaft. "Would you like to taste me?"