Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the characters of Left 4 Dead 1 or2, these characters are owned by Valve Corporation. I only own the rights to my own characters that I have merged into this story. Thank you.

A.N. For this chapter I highly recommend finding a thunder and lightning video on youtube and have that play in the background. I dunno, I had fun writing it that way.

Chapter 13

Rain

After all the times they'd used rain as a cover, Nick thought by now he'd be used to it. The crawling out when it rained as a cover to find supplies or run from safe house to safe house. Thunderstorms helped provide cover for them to run out and get supplies, whenever it rained often they'd be out and doing things. Now with the zombies slowly dying down, it was easier to just wait for the rain which happened once to twice a month. Get what you need, run for the hills.

Nick hated the rain.

It got his suits wet, it was nothing but mud for days, and he had this thing with thunder he couldn't explain. Not that he'd ever be able to explain it anyways, after all they were in a zombie apocalypse how could someone still have a fear of thunder and lightning? It was stupid and made him feel like a complete idiot.

They hadn't left the house, there was some ill will in the air, and often Pa would go hide in his garage where he'd spend all hours of the day working on things that'd be fixed, but other than that they got along well. Nick kept trying to convince the others to leave, that he didn't feel welcome anymore, but he always got the same response for Ellis and Coach, always that things get better with time. How could things ever get better after you force a father to kill his only son? Things. Don't. Get. Better. Only worse.

Nick sat in the sun room, looking outside at the pouring rain and wincing at the sounds of thunder. The storm wouldn't be long. It didn't matter though, after the last storm the supplies where still full as they could be, and the town was slowly losing value. They'd have to start searching further away, or move their base of operations soon. That was really the best course of action, but trying to convince the others was a matter to be reckoned with.

The whisky in his glass wasn't enough to dull the fear of the storm, but it sure as hell helped. Nick took a long swig from the cup, before filling it once more. How could the others not see anything he said was right? How could he be so alone in a house full of people? The conman pondered the choices he'd made while here, and tried to find a way to justify the pure hatred he seemed to feel anymore, and it all just kept coming back to Ellis.

Ellis who made his stay, Ellis and his quirks who made him go nuts, Ellis and his forever stories with no real endings. Ellis… "Fuck." Nick muttered slamming back the rest of his once full glass, only to fill it again.

"Nick said a bad word." It was Sammy. She stood in the door way to the Sunroom with Ellis who gave a snort. "Nick he says a lot of bad words eh Sammy." He said looking down at the girl. She beamed at him and nodded. "Yeah yea. He like….I dunno he's always so grumpy." Nick groaned as he leaned back in the chair. "I can hear you, you know." He looked at the two and which caused Ellis to grin. "Yea. We know." Sammy snorted and ran into the sun room to grab some of her dolls to play with. Ellis walked closer to Nick.

"Whatcha doin in here all alone Nick?" He asked as he looked out the window. "I thought you'd be sumwhere away from the rain."

"Is it really that obvious I hate the rain?" Nick asked shaking the bottle to see how much was left. He poured one more glass before setting the brown bottle down. "I thought I hid it better so you wouldn't know."

"Ah com' on now Nick. I know yea better than that. Shoot you always make it obvious you dun't wanna go out, only thing yea can think of is that man sure hates rain." Ellis nodded as he crossed his arms looking down at Nick. 'Smug little ass.' Nick thought as he sat back enjoying the pleasant feel of the warmth that was the alcohol in his system. There was a crack of lightning that caused him to look up, watching the sky through the windows. Sammy made weird noises in the corner with her doll, it was hard to tell what that girl was thinking about.

Nick turned his gaze to Ellis again before he held out his hand. "Come here." He muttered watching the thin man. Ellis uncrossed his arms slowly before taking a step closer, "Aight." He stated softly as he took the step closer and took Nick's hand. "Back when I was a kid… My father used to leave me alone a lot." Nick leaned back telling his story, taking a sip from the whisky once in a while. "My mom was gone, and I'd be alone during storms. When you're that young and no one ever tells you the boogey man isn't real… You kinda just grow up believing in him." It was the closest thing he could do to explaining. The whole situation got worse at night for him, he was a grown man and knew monsters didn't lurk in closets, but it did tend to remind him of the crippling fear of being alone. There was more to the story, a dark ending that justified the means, but now wasn't the time for it heck there never would really be a time to tell Ellis that truth.

Holding Ellis's hand made him feel less alone, being near him made the fear almost go away. "Sammy go inside." Nick said looking at the young girl. She looked up, shrugged at him, and then grabbed her dolls and went inside. "Stupid adult things." She murmured as she walked by which caused Ellis to snort back a laugh. Nick smirked at her and watched her leave before pulling at Ellis's arm. "Sit." He pulled once more which caused Ellis to move, sitting down on the other man's lap.

"Nick we shouldn't." He looked at the door his tone hushed as Nick pulled him closer. "I don't care if we should or shouldn't." Nick replied, his hand slowly dragging up under Ellis's shirt. "I want to do this." Nick leaned up a bit and placed a kiss on Ellis's shoulder, causing the younger man to let out a soft gasp. "Seems like you do too."

"Yeah well…" Ellis tried to think of an excuse as he felt the other slid fingers along his skin. It was always hard to think when Nick started touching him like this, it was hard to do anything but what Nick wanted when Nick got like this. He craved the attention from the older man, and at this point it was beginning to get hard to deny his attraction to the attention. Nick kissed along his neck, causing a shudder down his spine as he felt his own pants tighten. "Nick wut if Ma and Pa walk out? We're right in public right now." Nick gave a growl from deep in his throat that caused Ellis to jump a bit.

Nick pushed Ellis to his feet before standing after him, an arm wrapped around his hips as he used his other hand to bring the cup of whisky to his lips. "You seem like the type who'd get off on getting caught Ellis." He said softly after the swig to finish the glass. He leaned back to set the cup down before once more wrapping both arms around the thinner male. "Tell me I'm wrong."

"What?" Ellis tried to look back at Nick with confusion, a blush growing on his face. "I dunno what you mean Nick." Nick gave a grin as he nuzzled Ellis's neck, hands sliding under his shirt before moving to his hips. "I bet you'd like it Ellis. Knowing we could get caught but the storm would help hide you. You'd be able to be loud for once and no one would mind." A crack of lightning followed by the loud boom of thunder seemed to help prove Nick's point. Ellis continued to blush as he thought about the situation at hand. "Nick you'r drunk." He finally managed coming to the conclusion that they shouldn't continue further after what had happened the last time they were in this situation.

"Am not. Only tipsy." Nick replied as his hands moved for Ellis's hips, one going for the button, the other slowly sliding down his hip to his groin, cupping him as he bit at Ellis's neck. "You know I don't like thunderstorms… keep me company." Ellis gave a soft groan as his hips moved, pushing into the hand cupping him through rough fabric. "Not here man… we could get caught." Nick shrugged as he unzipped Ellis's pants to make room for his hand to slide under the fabric and grab the slowly hardening erection. "You don't seem to mind that."

Ellis let out a hiss of air through his teeth as Nick touched him. He couldn't get his mind to focus enough to try and convince Nick to move down to a room. He didn't want anyone, especially Sammy, to catch them like this; but Nick seemed determined to continue fondling him through his clothing. He couldn't take the rough texture being pressed against his erection, let alone the heat coming off Nick as he pushed the fabric against him. It began to be overwhelming and he started to submit to Nick's way of things.

Pushing his hips against the slow strokes of Nick's hand, Ellis let out a muffled moan as he bit his lower lip to try and keep his voice quiet. The rumble of thunder covered the noise anyways, but Ellis tried to remain silent just in case someone walked by. Nick grinned against Ellis's ear as he pushed his hips against the others. "You can make noises here Ellis." Nick whispered in his ear just loud enough he could hear him over the storm. He wanted to hear the other let go, but he knew he wouldn't even in a situation where no one could hear them.

Pushing Ellis's boxers down, Nick gripped his erection firm, and began to slowly move along the length. Ellis groaned as his hips moved with each stroke, his bodies own uncontrollable need for the attention driving him nuts. He stood feet away from a door anyone could walk through, with his dick out and Nick jacking him off. At least they faced the window, but still, the minor thrill that someone could just walk in and seem them… it caused a rush to flow through Ellis's veins that he wasn't used to. The loud boom of thunder rolled through the sky, which Ellis used to hide a needy groan as his hips pushed against Nick's hand, trying to get him to move faster.

Nick obliged happy to see the other finally giving in to his wants, and ignoring the danger of being caught. His strokes turned from long and lengthy, to a tighter grip and faster strokes. He focused on Ellis's tip knowing his sensitive spot as he worked the hardened length. Hoping to push the younger male over the edge fast before they did get caught. His free hand slid up Ellis's shirt finding his nipple and gripping it between his thumb and finger.

It didn't take long with that, Nick knew what buttons to push to make Ellis do what he wanted, and do it fast. The pouring rain muffled Ellis's light moan as he came into Nick's hand, his hips shaking a bit as his erection throbbed. He could hear the soft chuckle of Nick in his ear which caused him to blush and try and grab at his pants. "Damn it Nick." Ellis groaned as he moved, trying to fix his shirt. Nick shrugged as he pulled out a rag from his pocket to wipe his hand. "Damn what?" Ellis scowled looking at Nick before playfully sticking out his tongue. "You love me." Nick grinned as he wiped his hand clean and tossed the rag on the floor. He'd get it later, maybe after he was done properly fucking the man who was now teasing him. Yeah, yeah he'd likely do that.

Nick reached over and grabbed Ellis's ass firmly with one hand, while the other grabbed his chin pulling Ellis into a kiss. The sudden movement caused a squeak from the other, which was quickly covered by the kiss. The two shared a long drawn out kiss, that ended only when Nick pulled away to nip at Ellis's lower lip. Ellis blushed and pulled back after, once again going to fix his pants and shirt before they were caught. "Oh whatever." Nick said as he pulled Ellis's shirt down a bit helping the younger male.

Once Ellis was properly dressed the two stood there for a moment just watching the rain. It was almost enough to make them forget about the world they lived in now, and the horrors that had happened not too long ago. You never really forget what it's like to see your friend killed, and this world made it so it was possible to happen any moment. "Nick… Nick I love you man." Ellis said after a while, turning to look at the other. "If anythin happens I want you to know that." Nick watched Ellis before grinning, messing up his hair. "Man don't get sappy on me. It'll be fine. We're fine." Nick grabbed Ellis's hand and led him inside just as lightning shot across the sky lighting up the darkness.

They walked slowly through the house side by side, heading towards the basement with the bedroom Nick had been staying in. However the knock at the door stopped them. Someone had gotten through the gate and was awaiting to be let in. Nick watched as Pa made his way over to the door with his gun. "Now like I said on thar intercom we only takin you folks in for a few days. Space is limited, but we need the hands." There was a response on the other side of the door that Nick couldn't hear. He walked closer to the door with Ellis, both men ready to fight if need be.

Pa opened the door to Louis standing there, leaning against the door frame. Francis and Zoey stood behind them, Zoey leaning heavily on Francis. The three looked up to see Pa, Nick and Ellis and almost laughed seeing the others alive. "Man. It's good to see a welcomed face!" Louis said holding his hand out to Ellis. Ellis laughed and took it, "Man oh man I thought you guys were headin down ta Florida!" Ellis beamed with happiness as he shook the man's hand. "Yeah, well we're still tryin. You know, doin the best we can." Nick and Francis stared each other down, each watching the other in silence before Pa broke it. "Come on in naw. Storm should be clearin up but you look like you got wounded." Zoey nodded slowly as she limped with Francis into the home. Louis continued talking with Ellis as Nick watched the three others walk away.

End Chapter