"I'm going to Raccoon City for the weekend."

The words broke the deep silence only for a moment, then it was just as silent as it had been since the last person had left. It was late, and the only one in the lab - besides Albert Wesker - was Arklay's other head researcher, William Birkin. Everyone else had enough sanity left to remember to sleep sometimes. No one wanted to stay around Birkin all day anyway. The 20-year old head researcher was unpredictable, and generally snapped at anyone who appeared to be disturbing his work.

Wesker was the only one who could take it. He had to; Birkin worked like a madman, and staying away from the lab while the younger man was in there for too long meant he'd fall back even more trying to follow the research his partner was doing.

Not that he wasn't behind anyway, even with the help of the other scientists. No one could keep up with William's pace.

He sighed, stopping to look at the blond for a moment. It was quite clear that the other hadn't really been listening. The lab was silent, the only sounds being whatever came from Birkin studying something with a microscope, and himself writing notes for reports. William did hear him; there was no doubt of that. It just was one thing to hear; it was an entirely different thing to listen.

"William?"

There was no reaction. He shook his head, frowning a little as he continued writing details about the latest samples on his notepad while at the same time thinking about other things. He wasn't looking forward to the weekend, but Spencer had ordered one of them to go to Raccoon City to meet someone from Umbrella's European Division. Since Birkin rarely ever left the lab these days, it would have to be him who went. A boring meeting with some higher level people. The idea was about as interesting as cleaning the mansion floors with a toothbrush.

It only means William gets more ahead with his research, and there'll be no one to keep an eye on him while I'm away, he thought, his frown deepening. Just perfect.

Wesker didn't like the idea of leaving Birkin alone - the younger scientist sometimes forgot to eat if not reminded about doing so, and sleep was a word whose meaning William had apparently forgotten a long time ago. Birkin was a workaholic. It hadn't been so bad back when they'd first started at Arklay, but nowadays...

It was all Alexia's fault, of course. Wesker didn't like thinking about the matter, but it all eventually came to that. Birkin had never in his life found himself being second best and didn't handle the competition too well. This was the result. The blond spent as much time as he could in the lab, ignoring everything else.

Including me.

The thought made him more bitter than he wanted to admit. He missed the old William. The younger man was his lover, after all, but lately, Birkin just didn't seem to have time for anything except work. They hadn't made love for several weeks again. Sex had gotten so rare that he sometimes wondered why he stayed with the other.

Because I'm his. And it's worth it, for those rare moments to see the fire in his eyes.

He sighed again, thinking about the last time they'd done anything, still not raising the pen from the notepad. Work was something that was in his blood. He didn't need to think to make notes about what he was working with. It was something anyone who worked at Arklay would learn in time; because there was so much to do, multi-tasking was needed. This was easy for him because he was so familiar with their work. He could've done this in his sleep.

Small, neat figures and notes filled his notepad, and he turned a blank page without thinking. His thoughts were occupied by the memory of the last time William had held him. He smiled slightly, blue-gray eyes hidden behind his trademark sunglasses absently following the pen as he wrote.

He frowned invisibly, thinking of the fact that their last time had been so long ago. Even if his mind could've ignored that, his body sure didn't. He hated to admit it but he missed Birkin's touch. Desperately. Last time had been, as usual these days, after a couple of weeks of nothing happening. It had been worth it though. One night, he'd woken up to the sound of someone entering his room, just after he'd fallen asleep. If it had been anyone else, the person would've paid dearly for waking him up - but before he had had time to think about that, he'd felt someone lying down next to him.

Wesker would've known who it was even if he had been sleeping. Slender arms wrapping around him and the warm body next to his... It hadn't even been necessary to turn on the lights to see the flame in William's eyes as the younger man leaned close to kiss him. Birkin had looked like he'd been in the lab for three days straight without sleep, and if Wesker knew his partner, he probably had done just that. At that moment, it had not mattered. Nothing had any meaning when William Birkin took what was his.

The pen on the notepad stopped, and Wesker had to pause for a few deep breaths. The memory had a certain effect on him, and this wasn't the time to think about sex.

Well, I'll admit, that night was worth it. Once again. Even though you were gone in the morning, and working by the time I got here. Still...

He shook his head, placing the notepad on the desk for a while. He reached for a glass of water he had on the desk, then looked at his partner again, feeling considerably calmer now. Talking to Birkin when the blond was concentrating on whatever he was studying was pointless, but he had to try getting the message through. Otherwise, Birkin would make everyone's life a living hell during the weekend, trying to find out where Wesker had vanished. That, of course, presuming that the scientist noticed his partner's absence in the first place.

"William? Would you listen to me for a moment?"

The response was the same as before - nothing. Birkin didn't even turn to look at him, seeming quite interested in his notepad and the microscope. The older scientist sighed, defeated. He figured the only way to really get the message to Birkin was to leave a huge note on the lab wall, saying 'I'm out for the weekend. Be back as soon as I can - Albert.'

Though somehow I have the feeling he wouldn't notice even if I painted that on the wall...

What was really new? Birkin didn't listen to anyone, not even him. This agitated Wesker, and he glared over the desk, hoping that Birkin would've at least looked at him.

"William." He said again, raising his voice so that it echoed in the laboratory.

"I said I'm going to Raccoon City this weekend. There are some idiots from Umbrella Europe, and Spencer wants one of us to go. I'll be back after the damn meeting, but just to let you know where I am. Not that you cared. Guess I'll spend the night there, since that thing might take a while. You know more about the project we'll be talking about than I do, but since even setting off the self-destruct system wouldn't move you from this lab, I'll go. And... Oh well, maybe it won't be that bad," he added, without really thinking why he was about to say what he did.

"Maybe I won't have to spend the night alone, like I do most of the time. It's not like I couldn't get anyone I wanted, with my looks..."

He regretted saying that immediately. Stupid attempts at making Birkin jealous rarely worked, and he felt bad for even trying. It was not like he'd really go find anyone. In the worst case, meaning if he really had to spend the night in Raccoon City, he would just go to bed and sleep, then finish the meeting the next day and catch the first helicopter back to the Arklay Facility. There was nothing in Raccoon City that would've interested him, even if sleeping alone didn't sound too tempting.

Ha. That's what I do 90% of the nights anyway, providing that I go to sleep at all. It's just not the same without you there, William...

Going out and getting company was out of the question, anyway. Wesker wasn't that stupid. He didn't like the idea of casual relationships; besides, he couldn't imagine himself being unfaithful to Birkin. He never admitted any feelings, as he considered himself above that kind of stuff, but what he felt for William Birkin was far beyond friendship. Far beyond just being lovers...

The silence filled the laboratory again, and he stopped paying attention. He didn't even notice that the only sound that remained was his pen again, working on the notepad he'd picked up a moment earlier. The notes soon filled another page, and he placed the pen on the desk for a second to change the page.

He didn't get the chance. Someone standing behind him slowly reached around and took the notepad from him, then discarded it on the floor like something completely unimportant. Wesker could guess who that someone was - after all, there was only one person in the lab besides him. He spun around in his chair, about to give the younger scientist a nasty comment before picking up his notepad, but his chance escaped him again. As soon as he turned, his face met William's palm. The strike was strong enough to send him flying off the chair, and he landed by the younger man's feet, not really sure what had just happened.

Birkin was looking down, bright light-blue eyes full of anger. It was quite frightening - the younger man got upset easily, as he lacked patience for some things, but to get him really angry required a lot more than just a failed experiment or something similar. Wesker had seen his partner angry before but it had been a while. Birkin wasn't that hard to handle when he was just upset. Being really angry, however...

"...William? What was that for?"

He got up slowly, touching his cheek carefully. It hurt; William had given his all for that blow. He blinked, slowly standing up straight. Somehow, he could guess what it was for, and he almost laughed at that possibility. To make William Birkin jealous... That was something. A hint of a smile touched his lips as he looked at the younger man.

He saw the next blow coming, but Birkin was too fast. Involuntarily, he took a step backwards, and tried to raise a hand to protect himself, but it was too late. The step back was what got him - William's blow still found its target, and since he was trying to dodge, he got knocked off his feet again. The back of Birkin's hand connected with his face and he scrambled backwards before falling to the floor, barely fast enough to get his hand in-between himself and the floor to stop from hurting himself. It wasn't enough and he cursed aloud when hitting his shoulder on the laboratory floor. The slap had sent his sunglasses flying off, and they bounced on the floor somewhere to the left of him. His ears were ringing and his head hurt.

"Get up."

The cold command got Wesker to look up at Birkin's angry eyes. He glared at the younger man, forced to stop to take a couple of deep breaths. He blinked, then slowly sat up. He felt stupid. Being stronger than Birkin, the idea of getting beaten by the younger scientist felt just too pathetic. Yet, that was exactly what was happening. He knew himself better, too. Even if he really wanted it at the moment, he could never get himself to hit back.

"I said, get up. Now, Albert."

"What's with you?" He snapped back, getting to his knees and standing up slowly. He straightened his back and looked down a few inches - he was, after all, taller than Birkin. That made no difference in their relationship, however - being taller, older and stronger didn't matter. It was all in the mind, and Birkin sure won in that department.

Sky-blue eyes stared into his as he raised his left hand and rubbed his cheek gently. He hated himself for the fact that Birkin acting violently like this excited him, but he had enough self-control left to not let it show. The pain on his face and the anger gathering inside of him also kept his body from responding.

"...Do I care, Albert? I heard about that meeting. Spencer asked me himself. I told him I'm busy. I knew he was sending you. Fine with me," the younger man said, not breaking the eye contact. His voice was distant and cold.

"However..."

Wesker got his right hand between them before Birkin's next blow got anywhere close to his face. The other glared at him with rage and tried again. The older scientist managed to protect his face again, but gritted his teeth as Birkin's hand struck against his. It hurt, and left him unprepared for the next attempt. Birkin's fist missed his face slightly as he hastily stepped to the side to dodge the blow, but he realized too late that the hit was only to cover up the younger man's next attack. William kicked him on the knee hard, making him fall backwards on top of the desk.

He felt the files he'd been working with before under his back. The glass of water he had had on the desk fell off, the rest of the contents spreading on the floor. Miraculously the glass did not shatter. He mumbled a silent curse and tried to get up, but suddenly Birkin was there, on top of him and grinning like a madman. The younger man pressed his hands over his shoulders, and though he was stronger than Birkin, the position made it difficult for him to move.

"Get... off... me, William."

The only response he got was an insane laughter. William leaned closer, close enough to place a short kiss on his lips, then the younger man's hands went for the black button-down shirt Wesker was wearing under the lab coat today. Most of the buttons dropped off as Birkin ripped the shirt open, exposing his partner's smooth chest. He didn't stop there; his hands continued down to the older man's pants, and before Wesker had time to realize what was going on, the other man was halfway through drawing his pants off. Birkin stopped only for a moment to remove his partner's shoes; then the pants came off, and he discarded them on the floor.

"William!"

A hard slap found Wesker's cheek as he tried to sit up, and not at all prepared for the blow, he fell back on the desk. He mumbled another curse, trying to get up again as he felt Birkin between his legs, brutally forcing them apart.

Good gods, what the hell are you doing, William?!

He got his answer soon enough. Birkin stopped for a second to work with his own pants, then grabbed his partner's thighs and drew him closer. Wesker continued his attempt to get up, at the same time trying to settle his mixed feelings. He felt no fear, but the situation still scared him. Even more, it excited him. Still, he wasn't sure if he wanted this to happen, and was determined to stop the younger man. He took too much time deciding on whether or not to stop William, though - the next thing he felt was a sharp pain between his legs, and he dropped down again, failing to keep himself from crying out from pain.

Birkin laughed insanely, forcing himself into the older man. He was too angry to remember lubricants existed, and even if he had remembered, he wouldn't have used any. He was reminded of their existence shortly, anyway. The tightness around his member made him wince, but he didn't stop laughing. He knew this was hurting Wesker as much as it hurt him.

"However, Albert! You... are MINE and mine only! You... do not even consider cheating on me!"

Wesker gritted his teeth, feeling tears in his eyes. He really had missed William, but not exactly like this. It didn't help his sane side from failing, though. The violent thrusts made him bleed, and he felt blood trailing down his legs. Blood was something that made him insane. It excited him, sometimes making him wonder if he was normal. He couldn't help it, anyway. His grabbed the side of the desk and closed his eyes, trying to control himself.

"...Will... iam... You... aagh... hur...ts..."

The younger scientist grinned quite insanely, only answering to Wesker's cries by grabbing his partner by the waist and forcing himself into him even more violently. A slight frown on Birkin's face reflected pain, but he wasn't planning on stopping, hurting or not. He had to stop laughing to gasp for breath, but he never stopped moving. He was beyond insanity, and continued pressing himself into Wesker's body with strength given to him by the madness.

"You... Belong to... me, Albert!" He muttered, forced to stop laughing just to breathe. He had wasted more strength in getting his partner into this position that he had thought. Not that he had planned on doing this, anyway. It was some kind of reflex, to claim the older man for himself after hearing the threat of Wesker going to find someone else. Birkin knew it wasn't true. He knew what he was saying, and every word that left his lips spoke only the truth. Albert Wesker was his.

"Gaah... William... Aaah... n... no..."

"Mine, Albert... Mine!!" Birkin laughed, not giving his lover any mercy. However, as violent as he was being, some of his usual control took over without him noticing it. His fingers caressed the older man's thighs, and he smiled, with a hint of gentleness in his smile. His other hand wandered on Wesker's crotch, and to his surprise, he found his partner quite hard. He grinned at that, proceeding to stroke the other's member skillfully.

Wesker had to concentrate on breathing. Any control he may have had over his body completely fled him as William's fingers worked on him, and he just lay there, panting and gasping for breath. He hurt, but it didn't change the fact that he was quite aroused. He mumbled the younger man's name over and over again, unable to do anything but enjoy what was happening. William was so right, of course. Wesker doubted that he could've done it with anyone else. Meanwhile, anything Birkin did made him insane.

"...William... Wi...lliam... ...yours..." He whispered, feeling warm tears wetting his face. He wanted to whisper something else as well, but couldn't get himself to say such things. He knew that if Birkin would've wanted to he would've gotten those words out of him, but it didn't matter since the younger man wasn't even trying at the moment. Still, he didn't have to say it. He knew that they both knew anyway. He couldn't tell if William felt the same, but he didn't care. He was Birkin's, anyway.

He opened his eyes, looking at his lover. He couldn't see too well with the tears blurring his vision, but he didn't have to see to know that the anger had left. Birkin's actions were more calculated now; the thrusts were less violent and the laughter was much softer. The caresses were what they always were - skilled and loving, and meant to pleasure him.

He sighed contently, letting William's hands work on his body, giving himself to the other man completely. His right hand was still gripping the edge of the desk, and he couldn't let go. The blood, the pain that still remained, his lover's touch... He felt lost and weak, and could only trust in Birkin to take care of everything. His mind was lost as well. If he'd ever wanted to whisper those words to his partner, now was one of those moments, but all he could do was repeat the younger man's name. Everything else was meaningless as Birkin pressed into him. He didn't even notice releasing as he cried out one more time before his vision turned black and his consciousness escaped him.

If he had been sane enough to notice, it would have been a surprise to him that William came only a moment after him.

Time seemed to have stopped. The next time Wesker opened his eyes, he noticed he was still lying on the desk, but Birkin was sitting on the chair he had occupied earlier during the night. The younger man was looking at him, with a hint of regret in the light-blue eyes.

"...William?"

The blond scientist changed his position in the chair slightly, a silent sigh escaping his lips. He looked into his lover's eyes, smiling gently. Something in his position and expression made Wesker want to cry and cling to the younger man and never let go. It reminded him so much of the old Birkin.

He sat up carefully, biting his lip to stay silent. The pain was still there. His legs felt weak, so he settled for letting himself slip down to the floor, kneeling next to the chair and pressing his face into Birkin's lap.

"Albert... I..." Slender fingers found the older man's hair, and Birkin caressed his lover gently. "I'm sorry. That wasn't like me..."

Wesker raised his hand slowly, tracing the younger man's face with his fingers. He didn't know what to think as he felt something wet and warm on William's cheek. He wanted to say something, but couldn't find any words. He sighed, resting his head on Birkin's thighs. He wanted to say that it didn't matter. This was the William he knew, and he had missed him so much.

"I know... I know you said it just to make me angry. My own fault for not listening. Of course I heard every word, I was just too preoccupied to pay attention. I know I'm hard to deal with nowadays..." Birkin's voice trailed off as he tried to avoid the reasons why. He didn't want to talk about it, and didn't want to remember right now. He took a deep breath, still absently caressing the older man's hair.

"Albert. I know. I knew it when you said it. And yet you managed to make me lose control of myself... I'm not like that, and I don't want to be like that. Just know that you belong to me. Remember that, and I'm yours..."

The older man could guess there was some deeper meaning in his lover's words but was too tired to think about it right now. He only nodded and raised his face, smiling weakly. He didn't really want to move, but he needed a shower. Besides, this looked like a perfect opportunity to get Birkin to sleep for once.

"I'm sorry too, William," he whispered. "And I'm yours..."

Birkin returned the smile, letting his hand slip down to the other man's neck. He drew the older scientist closer for a deep, long passionate kiss. When they parted, he looked into Wesker's eyes, smirking.

"Hmm. I think you need a shower, Albert. If we go to that, I guess need one too... And I haven't slept for a couple of days. Sleeping next to you sounds quite good at the moment. Have to rest before the weekend anyway. In case the meeting takes so long that you have to stay; I'm not going to sleep unless you're here..."

Wesker could only smile as his lover helped him up from the floor and supported him as they left the labs.

Author's notes:

Yay for random pr0n. Kinda violent while at it. Was supposed to be just a few page PWP, but since when could I write those? And the ending sucks, but endings never were my forte.

Happy b-day, Romy! This was a gift for her.

- Lady Harken (April, 2003)