Scavengers: July by K.A. Merikan

room and trying to turn him over. “C’mere.”
    “Don’t you want to see my fathers treasures first?” he teased, but only moved in closer, for another kiss. He didn’t want to go back to reality and Ira seemed to share that wish.
    “They don’t ‘ave legs, eh?” the man laughed, touching him all over.
    “Indeed, they do not,” he agreed, with a smile. James’ hands wandered off to Ira’s torso once again, as he simply couldn’t get enough of a man so close and available. “Though I assume they’re worth a lot more than me.”
    “I ‘ave money.”
    “What are you implying?” James furrowed his eyebrows.
    Ira's brows shot up. “Do I look like one that ‘implies’?”
    James kept staring at him, not sure what direction this conversation was heading. Was Ira trying to impress him?
    “What...?” sighed the other man, caressing his back.
    “We can’t stay here much longer...” said James kissing him slowly. Ira let out a groan, turned on his back and looked straight into the wooden ceiling.
    “Yea,” he said slowly, “Let’s wash.”
    James smile widened a bit when he looked at the treasure hunter. The man was very much to his taste. Tall and wide shouldered with a strong body. The drawings on his skin were mostly black and white, with an occasional splash of red. He looked delicious, with skin that was dusty, dark eyes and firm features. Would he go with submit to it if he weren't so attractive? He still didn’t know if he'd been infected though. That thought reminded him of his undead brother and the burning sensation on his neck. Shivers went down his spine at the memory of that hot rod of metal the ex sailor didn’t hesitate to use. At that time, Ira got out of bed, went over to a bucket he brought from downstairs and used a piece of cloth to clean himself. James followed in silence, not really knowing where to go with the conversation.
    “Can you promise to get the jewels to my family if I don’t make it?” he asked, constantly gazing at Ira’s luscious, strong body.
    The man looked back, prolonging the silence and nodded. “Sure.”
    James washed himself quickly, but in the end, couldn’t help but hug Ira one more time. The man sighed, slowly brushing his fingers along his forearm. “No pain?”
    “Are you kidding me!?” James laughed. “It hurts like hell and back. But what can I do?” he shrugged.
    “Scar or ‘ole?” asked Ira, turning his head to look at him.
    James went a bit stiff, looking down at his feet. “Scar,” he muttered.
    “That’s good” the other man smiled.
     
    *
     
    Due to their continual, mutual displays of affection it took them about half an hour to get ready, but finally, James rolled out the blueprint and they started to search the attic. As directed by the plan they immediately focused on the hidden part of the room.
    “Does it say ‘ow high it is?” asked Ira, uncovering a small window and coughing a bit, as dust suddenly burst into his face.
    “It’s just above the floor,” said James kneeling with a hammer in order to start hitting the wooden wall. Ira stood behind him but moved when they heard a hollow sound.
    “Must be it.”
    “Spot on,” murmured James, hitting repeatedly, till he managed to rip out a few pieces of wood.
    “Let me,” said Ira, squatting by him and reaching into the hole to open it up even further.
    “Why? I’m doing it!” protested James excitedly, as he had already seen something inside.
    “My skin’s thicker,” answered Ira, managing to break a plank that obscured their view.
    “Oh yeah? Are you some kind of elephant?” James laughed, touching him with his forehead. “You definitely have a trunk.”
    Ira groaned, looking into his eyes intently. “I dunno if I should be glad or not.”
    “Come on! Just bring it out already!” said James, impatiently kissing him on the cheek. The older man sighed shaking his head, took out a large, wooden chest and carefully placed it on the floor.
    “This is