Singing up the Sun

Singing Up the Sun Adera Orfanelli All rights reserved. Copyright ©2011 Adera Orfanelli ISBN: 978-1-60521-629-4 Formats Available: HTML, Adobe PDF, EPub MobiPocket, Microsoft Reader Publisher: Changeling Press LLC PO Box 1046 Martinsburg, WV 25402-1046 www.ChangelingPress.com Editor: Katriena Knights Cover Artist: Reneé George

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Singing Up the Sun Adera Orfanelli

For discharged soldier Dougaln, the Winter Holidays are simply a time of little work and no prospects. But when he hears a beautiful tenor voice during a stroll in the Reclamation Gardens, Dougaln’s dark days suddenly brighten. Exiled from his people, Reynau travels from world to world sharing his people’s spiritual traditions and learning new ones. For him, the Longest Night is a time to celebrate joy, ensuring that the new year brings happiness and light. But Reynau refuses to be anyone’s “secret,” and Dougaln has too much to hide. Can a retired soldier open his heart and let a young man sing the light back into his life?

Chapter One The clear tenor voice stopped Dougaln Chabastia in his tracks. An unexpected and sudden lump formed in his throat. Too many tours, too many acts of atrocity contrasted with the stark, masculine beauty of the man‟s song. Other than the words in a language Dougaln thought sounded like Bimera, and yet held a lilting dialect the old and venerable Bimerans never used, silence reigned in the Reclamation Garden. Algae tubes, hydroponic plants, and the occasional fruit-bearing tree or bush created winding pathways and made it difficult to find the music‟s source. Still, Dougaln moved toward the sound, drawn by some unspeakable need to find the source of the music and perhaps stand in its beauty. The music continued, though the song had changed. What had been a slow, dirge-like tune shifted into something with a faster tempo. Pausing, Dougaln listened. The lump in his throat had subsided, though the music still moved him. So beautiful. So unlike the life he‟d led as a Relacharan soldier. Too close to the lullabies his mother had sung to him as a child. His footsteps brought him to the small courtyard where the singer sat. A lithe young man, his face obscured by tousled dark brown hair that brushed his bare shoulders. With the singer turned away from him, Dougaln could only follow the muscled lines of the young man‟s back. Attraction, pure and primal, hit him in the gut. His cock hardened, a swift reminder that he‟d been too long on assignment, and without a lover. No more, not since… Dougaln stomped that line of thought away. No one except his commanding officer knew he wouldn‟t return from the Winter Holiday break. With such a mishmash of religions and traditions, the Relacharan military gave nondeployed soldiers a two-week shore leave to try to accommodate them all. Though his

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family followed the simple traditions of The Lady, and the longest night of the year was the night she birthed the sun, her son, into the world, he hadn‟t done anything except send perfunctory notes and gifts. Until now, he hadn‟t wanted to. Seeing this young man changed everything. The song ended, and the singer turned. With too-slender hands, he swept his hair from his face. Silver rings glinted in his nipples, and some kind of tattoo -- from this distance it looked like flames -- swirled around his navel. He pointed to the bench opposite him. “Feel free to sit. No one should have to spend the Longest Night alone.” You were. Dougaln bit back the retort and sat. “I figured the gardens would be empty.” “So did I.” The singer flashed a grin that damn near stole Dougaln‟s breath. Drawing on military discipline, he managed to sit, then looked up. Eyes of the darkest blue, like storm clouds on the horizon, stared back at him in a face that at once looked ancient and too young for this world. Or at least this station. No one came to Lanx Station if they could help it, and it‟d been that way since the war. “You know any songs?” The young man‟s speaking voice rang with the clear promise of his singing one. Dougaln shrugged. “None that are fit to share. And I sound like a rat being run through a meat grinder when I sing.” The man laughed, and damn him, his mirth was musical, too. “It‟s the Longest Night. Everyone sings up the sun. I‟m Reynau Cossepor.” “Dougaln.” Reynau glanced over his military uniform. “You‟re Relacharan, aren‟t you? On duty?” Dougaln shook his head. “I‟m Relacharan, but not on duty tonight.” He paused, then decided he didn‟t need to explain his discharged status. “Singing up the sun? What‟s that?” Changing the subject seemed to be the best thing to do. “My people believe without the voices of her people, the sun will not rise. Of course, there are other things that we can do to encourage the sun, too. The important

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part is to be joyful.” The shy smile Reynau offered left little doubt as to what the joyful actions could be. “Interesting tradition.” Dougaln tried to remember if he‟d run across any worlds with such practices and couldn‟t. Then again, he‟d only been to a few worlds, and most of them pretty close to his own. “Join in if you want. No matter how bad you sing.” With those words, Reynau returned to his devotion and began singing. The words weren‟t in the common language, a hybrid of Relacharan and Bimera that most people spoke. The more Dougaln listened, the more the words seemed to escape him. And the more he wanted Reynau. Maybe the young singer spun a spell around him, or maybe it was weeks of solitude finally weighing on Dougaln. He didn‟t know, and frankly, he didn‟t care. One song led into another, and then a third, finally this one in the common language. Though Dougaln didn‟t know the tune, he quickly caught on and was singing the chorus low under his breath. The song ended and Reynau grinned. “You don‟t sound half bad. Do you know „The Spaceship Song‟?” Dougaln nodded. Somehow that one song had traveled from world to world, a rhyming ditty about space travel and how wonderful and exciting it was. Reynau tapped his fingers against his knee then started the first verse. The catchy tune drew in Dougaln, and soon his pitch matched Reynau‟s. When the song should have ended, Reynau signaled him to keep going, then began a few lines later, turning it into a round. With him for company, Dougaln thought he sounded passable, maybe even good. Finally Reynau ended the song. “The goddess will be pleased. She will hear that her people still carry on the old ways.” “And who are her people?” The question popped from Dougaln‟s lips before he could think about it.

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“Who am I?” Reynau became serious. “I could tell you I‟m the last of my kind. Or spin tales of a world ground to dust by internal wars. But I‟m not. My people are the Murtru. We‟re a mostly agrarian colony beyond Visk‟sha‟ran space. We‟ve kept to ourselves, though there‟s a spaceport and some travel. I‟m what my people call a pengem. I go from world to world finding traditions and taking them our own.” “Oh,” Dougaln said, mostly because he couldn‟t think of anything else. “I‟ve always been a soldier.” And that, he thought, explained a whole hell of a lot. “A patri. We have those, too. Though they mostly guard at the spaceport and settle disputes between farmers over water rights or property lines.” A wistful smile crossed his face, quickly banked. “There‟s no shame in being a soldier.” “Didn‟t say there was,” Dougaln snapped back. He pressed his lips together and glanced out the observation window. The station still orbited the dark side of the planet and wouldn‟t emerge for a few more hours at a minimum. He could sit here and enjoy some company, and the song, or he could go back to his miserable hole of a cabin. “We‟re never „just‟ anything. Patri, pengem, it doesn‟t matter. Sing with me. This is supposed to be a night of joy, and I intend to fulfill my duties.” He shifted on the bench, turning sideways and crossing his legs before him. Resting his hands on his thighs, he began to sing again. Dougaln listened. Suitably chastised by Reynau‟s words, he couldn‟t leave. At least not now, not when there was the possibility of something other than a cold meal in a square, metal box. The song sounded like something religious, and Dougaln battled the sensation that he shouldn‟t be in the presence of something so reverent and intimate. It seemed like Reynau should be sharing this with others, not with him, alone. Reynau paused in his singing, giving Dougaln time to fill the silence. A song, something he vaguely remembered, supplementing the words with humming when his memory failed. When he finished, another song came to mind, one that was usually sung in station bars, and surprisingly, Reynau joined in.

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Share joy. It seemed like an odd, yet simple concept. Reynau leaned down and picked up a flask from the floor. He opened it, took a long drink, then passed it over to Dougaln. “It‟s reclaim wine, but it‟ll work.” The pipes surrounding them, filled with murky blue-green and dark-green algae, made the thought of “reclaim wine” a bit stomach-turning. What the hell? They were to experience joy, and rumor had it a potent brew could be made by siphoning off the algae‟s byproducts. He lifted the flask to his lips and sniffed. Not bad. He‟d drunk worse while deployed. One sip sent the burn roaring down his throat and filling his body. Already feeling the alcohol‟s effects, he passed back the flask with a grin. “Not bad.” “Thought so.” Reynau recapped the bottle and set it on the floor. “Now, we sing.”

*** Reynau glanced at the handsome man sitting across from him and thanked the Lady for company on the Longest Night. As if his desires had been carried to the gods, then returned to him in flesh, Dougaln certainly fit the description. Tall and broad, with a chest he could lay his head against and firm shoulders for holding, the soldier appeared to be straight out of Reynau‟s fantasies. Dougaln‟s light brown hair had once been cut short in a soldier‟s style, though now it was growing out and curling enticingly at the ends. Eyes the color of cinnamon and full, sensual lips begging to be kissed softened the harsh planes of his face. Though his worn uniform was baggy, there was no mistaking the hard body beneath. The body of a man who was putting away reclaim wine at a worrisome pace. I don’t think I’ll have enough strength to drag him back to my quarters. Though what Reynau wanted to do with him once he arrived there might bring the soldier back to life. His music changed to a bawdy drinking tune in his native language about a young man, an errant soldier, and how they fell in love. Probably a little far-fetched on his

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account, but for tonight, at least, he figured he could properly honor his deities in finding joy. Sharing songs, though the soldier mumbled more than sang, reminded Reynau of times past, of Shortest Days past, and he let his thoughts tumble through the memories. His body ached. For solace, for release, for the simple touch of another person. He‟d been alone, traveling, for far too long. Pengems didn‟t become that way by choice -they were driven from their communities, and his heart still ached at the remembered sight of derision on his parents‟ and siblings‟ faces. No more of that. Tonight was a time for joy, and as he received the flask back from Dougaln, he realized it was nearly empty. Finishing the last drink, he set it down beside the bench. “No smore?” Dougaln asked, his speech slightly slurred. “Sorry, I only made one batch. Hadn‟t planned on sharing.” He smiled, then stretched out his legs. Leaning forward, he rubbed his calves, trying to work the aches out of his muscles from sitting too long. Dougaln‟s attention followed the motion. The faintest hints of sunlight shone at the edge of the observation window. Reynau stood. He crossed the space between them and sat down next to Dougaln. “Longest Night is about over,” he said, resting his hand on the soldier‟s arm. For a moment, he curled his fingers around the hard biceps, imagining holding onto them while the soldier bent his legs and fucked him. His cock hardened. “And we‟re out of wine…” His words trailed off in what he hoped was an invitation. “I don‟t suppose there‟s more in your quarters.” For having drunk as much as he had, Dougaln sounded surprisingly sober. He leaned closer, his hand sliding sloppily across Reynau‟s arm. “There might be,” he hedged. “Can you stand?” “I‟m a Relacharan soldier. Of course I can stand.” Dougaln made it to his feet, wobbled a bit, then turned. “Look, the sun!” He swept his hand in the direction of the window.

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“And our vigil has ended.” Reynau stepped closer, ignoring the alcohol smell on Dougaln‟s breath. For a moment his lips hovered over Dougaln‟s, and the temptation of his sweet, full mouth pulled Reynau closer. Dougaln relaxed and reached for his side. To pull him closer, or push him away, Reynau didn‟t know, but he stiffened, pulling back from the impending kiss. That they were nearly the same height shocked Reynau as much as the kiss. Sitting there, uniformed and broad-shouldered, Dougaln had appeared larger than life somehow. He slung his arm over Reynau‟s shoulder. “I might need some help.” He stepped, stumbled, nearly bringing them both down. Dougaln laughed, short, harsh barks muffled by the foliage growing around them. “Just take it easy. We‟ll get you back to my quarters,” Reynau replied, hoping he could fulfill that promise. The big man made his shoulders ache, and Dougaln‟s lurching steps through the winding paths made Reynau wish for the corridors. There, he could prop the soldier up against the wall, giving Reynau some relief. Still, the feel of the muscled man‟s body against his aroused him. His cock tightened, balls drawing full and tight against his body. Dougaln‟s musky smell filled Reynau‟s nostrils, and he breathed it deeply, wondering what it would be like tinged with the smell of sex. Praise to the Lady, they‟d have a joyous day to be sure. He let his hand slip across Dougaln‟s ribs, surprisingly bony for such a large man. Maybe the military hadn‟t been feeding him since the war ended, and maybe he wasn‟t in the military anymore at all. Many ex-soldiers floated through Lanx like so much space debris, reminder of a war that neither side had really won. Kind of made him glad to be an outcast among his own people. He knew he didn‟t have anywhere to belong; soldiers like Dougaln still longed for the camaraderie of a unit. Or at least many of them did. Finally, the duo reached the corridor, and Reynau led Dougaln over to the wall. “Hang on,” he ordered, the relief instant when the soldier grabbed hold of a steel security bar.

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Reynau rolled his shoulders, then his neck, looking up to see Dougaln with his back against the bar, his legs spread, both hands around the metal and leaning back. Reynau‟s mouth went dry. Surely he could… and from the bulge in the front of Dougaln‟s slacks, the soldier wouldn‟t mind. Reynau stepped closer. His breath hitched at the inviting pose the soldier made. With no one in the reclamation gardens, surely there wouldn‟t be any witnesses, no one to walk in on the intimate moment. It wouldn‟t take long to bring Dougaln off; Reynau had been praised for his lips and tongue in the past. He drew a deep breath. “Feeling stronger?” Reynau asked to distract himself from the thought of reaching for the waistband of Dougaln‟s pants, unhooking the buttons and seeing what, if anything, the man wore underneath. Just thinking about curling his fingers into a springy nest of curls surrounding a thick, hard shaft had him clenching his hand into a fist. “Yeah.” Dougaln straightened, though he didn‟t release the bar. Maybe the pose was something of an understanding where he came from, an invitation for one man to give the other pleasure. Reynau debated about asking, then figured it‟d spoil the mood. “Okay then.” He offered his shoulder, and slowly -- reluctantly? -- Dougaln leaned against it. Together, they shuffled down the hallway. Reynau led the way. The sounds of their breathing echoed in the empty corridors, along with occasional grunts or groans from Dougaln. Once they turned away from the reclamation part of the station, the corridors started to fill. No one gave them a second look, not this time of year when overindulgence in food and drink was common. Several cultures had reasons to celebrate -- his people just happened to be more private than most. A large hallway funneled people to the living areas of the station, and a nearby tube sent them down to the lower levels. Not quite below decks, but close enough that someone had scratched “hell” on the wall next to his level‟s button. He waited for the tube to stop, then led Dougaln out into the dimly lit hallway.

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“Better „n mine,” Dougaln mumbled. “Can‟t be,” Reynau countered. Over half the lights had burnt out, and graffiti marred the walls. Still, he had more than a bed, and a private bathroom, so it was more than some poor souls had. He reached his door and reached out to flatten his palm against the reader. Dougaln straightened. Grabbing Reynau‟s arms, he spun him, pinning him against the wall. Covering him with his bulk, Dougaln leaned in, booze-soaked breath rushing past Reynau‟s cheek. “Tease,” he growled, then kissed him. Reynau stiffened at the sloppy press of lips against his. Dougaln ground against his teeth, shoving his tongue into Reynau‟s mouth. He choked, then managed to draw air and push Dougaln back enough to make the kiss passable. One meaty hand grabbed the waistband of Reynau‟s trousers. Buttons popped, one pinging across the floor to land next to the door. The motion detector beeped, but the door didn‟t whoosh open. Must have been broken again. Pressed against the wall, Reynau lacked any room to move. Not that he wanted to. The thick ridge of Dougaln‟s cock nudged his thigh, the demanding pressure more than eloquent enough to make up for the blundering kiss. Still, he pulled his hand from between them and slapped it against the access panel. His door slid open. “Inside,” he muttered when Dougaln paused to breathe. Tightening his hand against the front of the soldier‟s shirt, he managed to grab a handful of fabric and pull him off balance. Dougaln teetered. Oh, shit, he’s going to fall. Reynau tried to bolster the man‟s balance, shoved his shoulder into the center of Dougaln‟s chest, one arm wrapped around him. Too late -both men toppled over the threshold, clattering to the metal floor with a loud rattle. Footsteps and mocking laughter filtered from the hallway.

Chapter Two Reynau winced at the elbow poking him in the side. Dougaln‟s heavy weight pinned him down, and the rivets at the joints of the metal floor panels pressed into each vertebrae. With a wheeze, he drew air into his lungs, enough so he could push Dougaln off and wriggle out from beneath him. He lay for a moment, his legs still partially pinned, and simply breathed. The back of his head throbbed, the stars fading from his vision, and in spite of all his bruises he grinned like a maniac. His cock twitched. He might get laid after all. A quick check confirmed Dougaln hadn‟t passed out, and Reynau knew they couldn‟t lay on the floor with the door open all night. He crawled onto all fours and pushed Dougaln‟s legs out of the way to shut the door. It closed with a satisfying thud, and Reynau reached up to flip the bolt and mark the com panel as “do not disturb.” Dougaln groaned. He flopped onto his back, his arm hitting the wall with a metallic clang. “Damn! Ow!” He rubbed his elbow, then swiped his hand across his forehead. “You okay?” His speech still slurred, though it seemed the effects of the reclaim wine might have begun to wear off. “I‟m not the one who hit my elbow on the wall.” Reynau sat against the door, legs alongside Dougaln‟s. Sitting there and staring at the soldier wouldn‟t make anything happen, though he didn‟t want to pounce on a wounded man. Then again, Dougaln leaned forward and started to draw his legs beneath him. Before he could stand, or worse yet, leave, Reynau moved. He grabbed Dougaln‟s arm and drew the man closer. “Wait.” “I wasn‟t going anywhere,” Dougaln said. “Good.” Pulling him closer, Reynau released Dougaln‟s arm to caress his cheek. Brushing his thumb across the stubbled skin, he savored the touch, the sensation of skin

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against skin. He rubbed his thumb against Dougaln‟s lower lip, and the man turned into the touch. Reynau closed the space between them and kissed the soldier. Instead of the mash of lips and teeth Dougaln had given, Reynau offered gentleness. The brush of lips, the mingling of breaths, savoring every single moment. Reaching around Dougaln‟s head, Reynau let the spiky strands of the soldier‟s hair tickle his palm, and he curled his fingers into it. A gentle stroke of his tongue, and Dougaln opened his mouth. Damn, the man was responsive. Given his state of inebriation, Reynau wasn‟t quite sure what to expect. Even so, Reynau tried to hold back in spite of the blood rushing to his cock and his sudden need for more. Dougaln clamped his hands onto Reynau‟s back, sliding them down his spine to the waistband of his loose trousers. Reynau moaned. The sweep of fingers over his flesh made him wonder what that strong hand around his cock would feel like, and it made him want it. Dougaln sat against the wall, and Reynau broke the kiss long enough to straddle his legs. He swept his hands over the front of Dougaln‟s uniform shirt, undoing the first few buttons. Sliding his hand inside, he stroked hot skin and tight male nipples. A quick hiss of breath and the clamp of a hand over his told Reynau how much Dougaln wanted him. “You tease.” He leaned forward, the aggressor this time, and kissed him. No more fumbling, no more banged teeth and lack of finesse. Instead, the sweep of a tongue, fingers curled across his hip, and the undeniable need to make joy on this Longest Night morning. Yes. Reynau opened his mouth to Dougaln, not caring that the metal floor bit into his knees or the sounds of someone doing… something… in the room next door created a clamor that made it hard to think. Reynau finished opening the buttons on Dougaln‟s shirt, then explored the marvelous, muscled expanse of the soldier‟s chest with his fingers. He learned every indent, every muscled ridge, and the way the skin around his nipples crinkled with the

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slightest touch. A breath of air, a brief separation, and then Reynau kissed him again, delving his tongue into Dougaln‟s mouth, giving as good as he got. The soldier tugged at the fabric tie at the waistband of Reynau‟s pants, freeing them, shoving the gathered fabric down over his hips and releasing his cock. Long fingers, talented in loving and killing, wrapped around Reynau‟s shaft, and he bucked his hips as Dougaln‟s fingers spread the drops of moisture over the head of his crown. “Taste,” Reynau whispered when he pulled away to breathe, then kissed a trail over Dougaln‟s chin and neck. The stubble against his lips gave way to whorls of chest hair. Drawing his tongue over the flat bead of a nipple, he teased and tormented it until Dougaln bucked beneath him. The motion pushed his engorged cock against Reynau‟s inner thigh. The floor provided a poor scene for seduction, but Reynau didn‟t care about that. Nor did he care that his cabin lacked a window, a means to see outside to the sun as the station rotated toward the daylight side of the planet below. The head of his bed faced the outer wall; had he a window, he could have seen it. Instead, he imagined having his view unobstructed, having Dougaln on the bed beneath him, and making them both delirious with pleasure. Reynau worked between both of Dougaln‟s nipples, back and forth, until big hands clamped onto his hips. “Can‟t -- last --” Dougaln panted. “Been… too… long.” “I‟ll just make you hard again.” With a low, husky chuckle, Reynau kissed the arrow of hair leading into the waistband of Dougaln‟s pants. Fumbling with the buttons, Reynau finally got them open and freed Dougaln‟s cock. The thick shaft surged through the opening, the head exposed and already releasing fluid. Reynau palmed him, the length and heft filling his hand just right. Closing his fingers around him, Reynau stroked him from base to tip, then back again, pausing to slide his fingers across the crown. Dougaln pumped his hips into Reynau‟s hand. “Killing me,” he growled. “Fucking killing me.”

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“Not by a long shot,” he replied, then with a wicked grin lowered his mouth to the tip of Dougaln‟s cock. The long, low moan encouraged Reynau to take even more of him into his mouth. Dougaln‟s meaty hand clamped on the back of his head; his hips pumped into Reynau‟s mouth. “Gonna come.” He growled, the sounds low and animalistic. Soon, far too soon for Reynau‟s liking, the big man groaned once more and came. Warm splashes of his seed hit the back of Reynau‟s throat, and he swallowed. Reluctantly, his own body still humming at him to find his release, Reynau pulled back. “Damn. That was quick.” Dougaln sighed. He leaned back, shirt still undone, pants wadded around his knees, and ran his fingers through his hair. He appeared sexy as hell. Aware that his own pants had been bunched down, Reynau rolled off of the soldier to kick off his boots and pants. Then he tugged on Dougaln‟s trouser legs. “You‟re still dressed.” And I’m going to make you come again. Dougaln grunted. Then shoved off his shirt and bent over to unlace his boots. He toed them off, one hitting the door with a solid thud, before standing and stepping out of his pants. “Better?” He jerked his thumb toward the bed. “That would be more comfortable.” “Yeah,” Reynau agreed, drawn to speechlessness by the sight of Dougaln‟s naked body. Tiredness crept over him, reminding him that he‟d been holding vigil all night, yet the promise of sex with Dougaln had him moving toward the bed and yanking back the blanket. At least his sheets were clean. “So, you want to fuck or suck?” Dougaln stood by the bed, one knee on the thin mattress covered with threadbare sheets. “Cuz I could do both.” Dougaln‟s cock proved the point by beginning to harden again. The posture gave Reynau a perfect view of the soldier‟s rock hard buttocks, made so by his work, and he knew exactly what he wanted to do. “I want to fuck. You.” He reached out a hand and pushed Dougaln toward the bed.

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With a bark of laughter, the soldier tumbled to the mattress, the springs squeaking as the legs of the bed bounced across the floor. Reynau rummaged for a bottle of pelumas oil he‟d bought from one of the transient vendors on the ship. Though not from his home world, the substance appeared remarkably similar to the kind he‟d used back home. The amber vial that had gotten him banished. He‟d been good enough for a quick poke, but never good enough to bring home or send to the monastery. Instead, a single vial found in his room, the room of someone supposedly unclaimed and virgin, had been enough to get him banished. He‟d violated his sakrals, the oaths a young man took when he became mature. Purity above all, unless in love. Reynau poured some oil in his palm, then stroked himself to keep his mind off the torrid memories. He was here now. He could seek his pleasure where he may and not have to worry about familial oaths and sacred rules that had become obsolete the instant the first spaceship had touched down on their world. He squeezed his cock at the base, delighting in the frissons of pleasure dancing up and down his spine. His balls tightened, the need to come building to a painful pitch. His hand still slick, he grabbed one taut globe of Dougaln‟s ass. His fingers easily moved between them, and he circled the puckered hole until one finger pressed inside. Not wanting Dougaln to be left out, Reynau reached around and stroked the soldier‟s dick. “Oh hell,” Dougaln muttered, working back against Reynau‟s finger. “Hell. Hell. Hell.” Reynau added a second finger, the necessity of preparing Dougaln almost too much. When the soldier started fucking his fingers, Reynau pulled out and replaced them with his cock. He savored the sensation, the head of his shaft rubbing against the soldier‟s opening. A little tease, a little torment to draw out the pleasure, then with a slow push he penetrated the soldier. Pleasure suffused every inch of Reynau‟s body. His eyes rolled back in his head, his hips moving of their own accord as he buried his cock deep inside Dougaln‟s body. Along the way, he bumped Dougaln‟s prostate. Reynau almost forgot to stroke

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Dougaln, though the feel of Dougaln‟s hardening cock provided the reminder. With a shuddering breath, Reynau started to move his hand once more. Slowly, he pulled back until the head of his cock rested just inside Dougaln. The soldier moved back, demanding, taking what he wanted, and Reynau, unable to hold back, slammed home once more. The slap of flesh against flesh echoed in the tiny room. The bed creaked, and through the wall came the muffled sounds of sex. Taking them as inspiration, he stroked Dougaln harder, working hands and cock until the big man shuddered in his arms. Sweat covered his skin. Muscles straining, his body demanding he thrust into Dougaln. It‟d been so long, too long, since he‟d found satisfaction by anything other than his hand, and he refused to wait. He shouted, exuberant joy pushing from his lungs as he came deep inside the soldier‟s body. Pleasure hit him hard and fast, closing his eyes and making him see flashes of light. Reynau slumped against Dougaln, pinning them both to the bed. His flaccid cock slipped free, and with a groan, he rolled to one side. The narrow bunk was barely large enough for both of them. His breathing slowly returned to normal. The sweet smell of sex filled the small room, and for a moment, he debated about going to the bathroom to use his small, handheld cleaning unit, all he was really allowed for his quarters. The soldier turned his head and gave a sleepy smile to Reynau. “I don‟t really celebrate the winter holidays, but I have to say that‟s the best damn gift I‟ve ever been given.” He reached out and stroked his hand down Reynau‟s arm. He was sated, exhausted, and still that simple touch made Reynau‟s cock twitch. His body hungered, yearned for more touching, more kissing, more skin-against-skin and head-on-rush-into-orgasm contact. He breathed deeply. Already, he sensed he was tumbling into something he couldn‟t name, and probably shouldn‟t even be contemplating. Leaning forward, he kissed Dougaln‟s shoulder. “We do presents in a couple of days,” he said in an attempt to be funny. Knowing Dougaln less than twelve hours meant he had no idea what to get the soldier. And if he didn‟t celebrate any holidays… yeah, better not think of those things.

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Dougaln chuckled. “I‟ll remember that.” His eyelids fluttered closed, the tan lashes fanning out against cheeks pale from being cooped up inside stations and ships for too long. The cold metal of the wall pressed into Reynau‟s back, reminded him with a ferocity that he didn‟t have a window, couldn‟t worship the sun, and hadn‟t stood on actual terrestrial dirt in far too long. The price he paid for being an outcast, though there were probably plenty of other worlds that would have had him, if he could have afforded passage. Out here, with rocks and suns too dim to light the biggest asteroids orbiting them, habitable worlds were few and far between. And what habitable worlds there were had been scarred by battles and wars. He should kick the soldier back to his own quarters. Soft snores emanated from the man lying beside him on the bed, making Reynau wonder how long Dougaln had been awake, what kind of shifts he‟d pulled in the military. The patri on his world had boasted about how they could fall asleep in an instant, because they never knew when the next chance would come. Reynau suspected soldiers were the same on other worlds, too. Careful not to wake Dougaln, Reynau crawled off the bed. He padded naked to the small bathroom and used the handheld unit to clean himself up the best he could. The sonic waves failed to create the same sensations as standing beneath a hot shower. He‟d had one once since coming to Lanx. Paid dearly for it, and too much of his precious savings. With his money dwindling, and the small amounts he made singing at bars or busking not going very far, he needed to save that luxury for another time. Grabbing a fresh pair of trousers, Reynau pulled them on and stifled a yawn. Not wanting to bother Dougaln, he grabbed the pillow from the corner of the bed, pulled down a blanket from the storage unit in the corner, and settled them on the floor. Not the best of sleeping arrangements, but he‟d had worse. The rock fields of his home world made far more uncomfortable sleeping than the metal floor did. At least here, he could wiggle his way between the rows of rivets so nothing poked him in the ass.

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He settled down and closed his eyes with a contented sigh. Since his exile, he‟d struggled, tried to find someone to accept him. His people had based their lives, their religion, around purity and devotion. He‟d followed his heart. Listening to the soft snoring coming from the man on the bed, Reynau wondered if he wasn‟t making the same kind of mistake. Then again, maybe he should just be thankful for a moment shared on the Longest Night. His religion told him he should be pious, devoted, and see if such bounty showed up next year. Other parts of him wondered how long Dougaln would sleep, and if they could share those moments much sooner.

Chapter Three Dougaln cracked open an eye and reached over his shoulder to the blanket someone must have tossed over him. The soft bed and sweet smelling sheets beneath him definitely weren‟t his own. He ran his fingers over the tight weave, the luxurious fabric a jarring contrast to the scratchy wool blanket with which he‟d left the military. Basic gear, that‟s all that went with departing soldiers, and given the state of the Relacharan military after the war, he was damn lucky to get that. A pleasant soreness in his body, and his pounding head, reminded Dougaln of what had transpired. The singing, the beautiful voice that had haunted his dreams. He opened his other eye and lifted his head. A lump on the floor, quickly discernable as Reynau, provided the source of the blanket. Dougaln rolled over. Yeah, this wasn‟t his room. He guessed the time to be early afternoon. Even within metal walls, he had an uncanny ability to know. Without any ambient lights, the room remained nearly dark. He needed to find his pants. Reluctantly, Dougaln pushed the blanket aside. He stroked its smooth surface with a lingering hand. Apparently woven, and not by machines either, because knots in the yarn formed little nubs. Someone had made this with love. Reynau‟s family, maybe? Dougaln wondered, then shoved the thought aside. It wasn‟t any of his business. He had to find his pants and get the hell out of here. He needed to be back in his own quarters, try to figure out some way to make money. His funds were running out. He had enough left for a few weeks. The mattress creaked beneath him as he sat. Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, Dougaln waited for the blast of cool air that had always hit him in his own quarters. None came, further proof that Reynau had far more means than he. Dougaln wished for more light, but didn‟t know where the controls were and didn‟t want to

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wake Reynau. He rested his feet on the floor and struggled to remember the room‟s layout. There might have been a large area in the center, so he stood and shuffled slowly forward. The merest whisper of his toes against the metal floor sounded obscenely loud. When his foot encountered cloth, he bent down and realized it was a pair of pants. Fumbling to find the waistband showed them to be his, and he dressed. His boots lay nearby, next to the wall, and he steadied himself with one hand on the door to pull on socks and slip his feet into shoes. There really was nothing else to do. Write a note, make note of the floor and number on his way out so he could phone. Had he not been worried about waking up Reynau, Dougaln would have snorted in disbelief at even thinking about seeing Reynau again. Last night had been good. More than good, it‟d been the release he needed, the loss of himself in the arms of someone else. Some way to block out the dreary existence he‟d managed for himself since leaving the military. But it had been temporary. It had to be. He fumbled for the door latch, banging his thumb on the bar just above. Cursing, he yanked his hand back, the bar clattering open in the process. It clanged against its holder on the other side of the doorframe. “Damn it,” he muttered, realizing he‟d failed in not waking Reynau. In the still-dark room, the shape lay unmoving on the floor. No rustle of blankets, nothing stirring. Maybe he‟d slept through it. Dougaln reached for the door latch now that he knew its location. His fingers curled around the metal, and a pang of regret filled him. “Leaving without saying goodbye?” The soft voice filtered from the floor. Dougaln stilled. Heat flushed his body, and he wished he‟d been quieter, hadn‟t been as drunk so he could have determined the layout of the room. Didn’t mean to wake you. He bit back the words, knowing how cold they‟d sound. “I… guess so,” he stammered.

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“You‟re lucky I‟m a light sleeper, then.” Movement came from the floor as Reynau sat, and then a moment later he stood beside Dougaln, hands on the switch and a low light glowing around the edges of the room. “So you‟re leaving,” he said, then stepped back. “I need to get back to my quarters,” Dougaln said, aware of how lame the words sounded. “Someone waiting for you?” “No. Never.” Dougaln spoke a bit too loud, a bit too emphatically. He shook his head, then stilled. “No. I don‟t have anyone.” “Then you‟re lucky I awakened. You have me.” Reynau laid his hand on Dougaln‟s arm, a kindness Dougaln figured he didn‟t deserve. “See you later on the concourse? Maybe over by the Tilting Moon?” Dougaln fought a smile at the name of one of the seedier bars on the concourse. “Yeah, that‟ll work.” “Good.” Reynau glanced at the chronometer just above the door. Still set for night, the numbers were barely visible. “Don‟t know what kind of time references you use, but why don‟t we meet there in half a rotation?” Dougaln calculated the movement of the station around the planet below to the more familiar hours by which the military divided time. “That‟ll work.” He glanced down at his hand on the knob, suddenly unwilling to leave. Slinking out of Reynau‟s room was too much like his discharge from the army. Things got sticky, lines blurred, and bam, out the door he went. “See you then.” Reynau went to his makeshift bed, bent over and scooped up his pillow and blanket. Tossing them on the bed, he turned around. “Better go. I need my beauty sleep.” Dougaln hesitated. With a sigh, he turned, opened the door and stepped outside. Once in the hall, he pulled the door closed against him, then sagged against the wall. Several exhalations passed through his lips before he had the strength to straighten. He

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checked the number outside the door, noted the level number at the lift tube, then hurried back to his own quarters. Two levels down -- Dougaln wondered if Reynau knew they rented out the cubbies between the air recycling tubes -- he made it to his own room. If it could even be called a room. Four walls less than seven feet apart, a bed squeezed into one corner, a trunk on the other end. Working odd jobs down at the docks or when someone hired for heavy lifting kept him in enough money to buy pre-pack food and use the cleaning units a couple of times a week. Luckily for him, he‟d done so yesterday morning. He sat down on his bed, the thin mattress barely thick enough to protect him from the slab of metal leaning out from the wall that made up the frame. The coarse military surplus blanket mocked him. I didn’t run. I simply need some sleep. Except, as he set the lock on his door, flipped the bar into place, then stripped and lay down on the blanket, pulling a second one over him, he knew he was fooling himself. No amount of closing his eyes would entice sleep to come. ”What kind of damn fool soldier are you? I gave the order to kill those sonsabitches. Kill them!” His sergeant‟s words echoed through time. Dougaln stared at the huddled family, their clothing barely rags, their limbs skeletal from lack of food. Painfully so in this case, since the Visk‟sha‟ran people were partially insectoid. Years of animosity, of hatred and of bombs didn‟t matter. He couldn‟t kill civilians. And in that moment, he‟d tossed his gun on the ground and walked away.

*** Twelve hours later, leaning against a column between the Tilting Moon and a hole in the wall simply called Rock‟s, Dougaln scanned the crowd. People of all races, all species, milled together, moving to their own nightly outings. He searched for Reynau, not finding him. Dougaln studied his boots and scuffed the metal floor. Maybe Reynau wouldn‟t show, and his aborted sneak would be the thing that would damn their relationship before it even got started. Would serve him right. He hadn‟t slept well. Nightmares had haunted his sleep. He‟d had one clean outfit, yet more military surplus, and barely enough credit for a

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quick, three-minute shower. Not with real water either, just the vibe ones that never quite made a man feel clean. He ran his fingers through his hair, growing out, and longer than he‟d ever worn it before. Releasing a sigh, he went back to scanning the crowd. A lithe young man with dark brown hair hesitantly moved toward the Titling Moon. Dougaln stood straighter, tried to smooth his wrinkled garments. Though too far away to see his face, Dougaln thought it might be Reynau. He could hope, anyway. The man turned, the face too angular, the form too lean to be Reynau, and Dougaln resumed his slump against the wall. If the tables had been reversed, Dougaln wondered if he‟d show up. Some guy fucked him and then tried to sneak out. The plan to meet was an afterthought, a way to get out of the situation and save some face. If Reynau didn‟t show up, then there wouldn‟t be any saving face, and Dougaln couldn‟t figure out if the attraction between the two of them was just physical or something more. Another dark head caught his attention in the crowd, quickly dismissed when it turned out to belong to a Bearordigan. The tailed and stinger-armed species wasn‟t exactly what Dougaln wanted in his bed. He hummed a few bars of Reynau‟s songs under his breath. Damn. He‟d been with the guy for only a few hours and Reynau had gotten under his skin. This wasn‟t like him. Stepping away from the wall, he took a few steps toward the railing overlooking a center courtyard. Maybe from here he would have a better vantage point to look for Reynau. There, a few levels down, he thought he saw him. Dark brown, billowing trousers, a shirt hung open, revealing a lean, muscled chest, and dark hair that fell over his face. Dougaln‟s heart skipped a beat. His breath caught, and he expected something to change, a different angle to reveal that he‟d been wrong all along. The young man looked toward his balcony. Hair fell away from his face. A slow smile curved his lips.

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Dougaln could only curl his fingers around the railing and lean forward. Reynau. He wanted to gesture to the tubes, to try and give some directions. From the look on Reynau‟s face, it was obvious he didn‟t come to this part of the common area very much. Maybe he‟d chosen the place because he thought Dougaln would be a customer. He was right. He blinked, and Reynau was gone. No. For several heart-pounding moments he stared at the place where Reynau had stood. Mouth dry, Dougaln feared he‟d lost Reynau again. He turned to watch the tubes, and as soon as the silver doors parted, there was Reynau, walking toward him. A silly grin spread across Dougaln‟s face and refused to leave. “Sorry I‟m late,” Reynau said when he drew near enough for conversation. “Apparently one of the tubes was down and the boarders didn‟t want us to use their tubes.” He shrugged. “They‟re open to everyone, but it took a bit longer to get here.” “Glad you‟re here.” Dougaln imagined the disturbance that would have happened when those in the cheaper accommodation tried to use the more luxurious tubes in the fancier part of the station. Those who lived at the station because they wanted to, because they saw it as glamorous, tended to think they were above those who were at the station because they had to be. “Wanna go in?” He nodded toward the Titling Moon. Reynau stared at the opening, with the burly bouncers standing outside. Raucous noise came from inside, and Reynau glanced between him and the door. “Sure,” he said at last. “We don‟t have to if you don‟t want to.” Dougaln moved so he stood closer to the door, wanting to block Reynau from the place to which he clearly wasn‟t accustomed. “There‟s a nice little restaurant a few doors down. Pretty cheap. I know the owner.” In truth, the owner owed him some money, and this might be a good way to get a meal, plus put Reynau at ease. “Okay. I‟ll pay if you want.” Reynau turned quickly, too quickly, and started walking.

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“Consider it my way of making up for running out this morning.” Dougaln nodded and steered Reynau to the dark blue door sandwiched between two larger establishments. Patrons from the casino next door spilled out into the common areas, and several blocked the door. He worked his way through them, feeling protective as he shielded Reynau from the crush of people. The man clearly wasn‟t comfortable in large crowds and eyed the more outrageous costumes with some skepticism. Definitely an off-worlder, and from the sound of it, one from a pretty secluded planet. Dougaln opened the door and ushered Reynau inside. “Hey, Ker,” he said to the short, stout man standing inside the door. “Got room to feed a couple of station crawlers?” Ker grunted, or maybe he spoke, then nodded once. Taking that as assent, Dougaln led Reynau into the dimly lit restaurant and found them a table far enough inside to be shielded from the noise outside. “This okay?” “Yes, thanks.” A few moments later the owner came out. He turned and started to head back to the kitchen when he saw Dougaln. Not having any of that, Dougaln stood and waved him over. “Domino,” he called in a loud voice. “I‟ve missed you. Come say hello to an old friend.” He exaggerated the words, knowing the owner couldn‟t be seen snubbing an “old friend.” With a grimace, Domino waddled over. “Old friend,” Domino said, spreading his arms wide. “What can I do for you?” His tone friendly, his eyes remained wary. “You promised a meal for me when I returned. Since you didn‟t call, maybe you could feed my friend too.” Dougaln kept his tone light. He leveled a glare at Domino. Didn‟t matter how many times he had to cook dinners for his “old friends,” Domino had never learned how to play cards. “You‟re lucky there‟s extra,” Domino replied. “Two plates of the house special coming up.” He turned and waddled back to the kitchen.

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When he was out of earshot, Dougaln chuckled. “Thought he was going to get away without feeding me. That‟ll teach him.” “How do you know him?” Reynau asked, looking rather bemused at the exchange. “I don‟t. Not really. He lost a game of cards a while ago, was supposed to pay me back. I was waiting for a good time to collect.” Dougaln kept his voice low. Honesty might be the best policy at the moment. “I see,” Reynau replied, though Dougaln thought he probably didn‟t. Dougaln reached across the table, his fingers skimming over the back of Reynau‟s hand. “Something tells me you‟re not used to all of this.” His fingertips rested just touching Reynau‟s, and Dougaln watched to see if the other man would pull his hand away. He didn‟t. Merely stared at the table for a moment. “I‟m not. My world saw things very differently.” “And that‟s why you‟re not there anymore?” Someone brought two glasses of water, an unusual luxury. Domino must have been feeling generous. “Something like that,” Reynau replied. The food came, saving Reynau from any explanation, and the two ate in silence. When they were finished, a waiter whisked away the plates, leaving them alone once more. Patrons filtered out of the restaurant, probably moving on to more exciting nightspots. “My people believe that the Longest Night is just the beginning of our rituals. For three nights we sing and seek joy. Only by thoroughly enjoying ourselves during this time can we find blessings and happiness throughout the year.” Reynau finished his water. “And you‟d like to… find happiness… with me?” Dougaln winced at how poetic, how sappy the words sounded. Guys like him were good for fleeting moments. Brief shots in the dark. Even committing to seeing Reynau for three nights seemed like too much. Though the prospect of not seeing him at all left Dougaln feeling cold.

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“You found me, didn‟t you? In the reclamation garden?” Dougaln nodded. “What are the rest of your traditions?” “We usually exchange gifts on the second night, because the first is spent singing. But that‟s only done between family members or those who know each other well.” Reynau reached for his hand, clasping it and turning it over. He caressed Dougaln‟s wrist with soft, gentle strokes. “I‟d say we know each other quite well.” Dougaln‟s cock hardened. Thinking about those fingers, those lips on him, had him hard as the planet beneath them. “Then you‟re in luck,” he said, his voice husky with arousal. “Because I have something for you.” With his free hand, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, carved leaf. It came from a trinket seller, costing little enough that Dougaln could afford it. Somehow the piece reminded him of Reynau, and he passed it across the table to him. “A duan leaf. How did you…” “One of the transient sellers. It seemed like something you‟d like. You know what it is?” “The duan is a plant the first ones were said to have eaten when they first came to our world. Thank you.” He tucked the gift in his pocket, then drew Dougaln‟s hand to his mouth for a quick kiss. “I don‟t have anything for you.” “It‟s all right. I don‟t need gifts.” “You don‟t need much, do you?” Reynau released his hand. Glancing at Domino, who hovered near the door, Reynau frowned. “Maybe we should go?” A quick glance confirmed Reynau‟s suspicions. “Yeah, let‟s go.” With a nod to Domino, Dougaln stood. Together, he and Reynau left the restaurant. “Where to?” Dougaln asked once they were outside and in a fairly clear area of the concourse. “Let‟s just walk,” Reynau replied. Dougaln gestured to Reynau and let him lead the way. He did, first taking them down to the main level of the concourse, then onto one of the more secluded balconies that looked down into the reclamation garden. Leaning against the railing, he turned

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and grabbed Dougaln‟s hand. “I want to thank you again for the duan leaf.” He drew Dougaln closer. Drawn into the shadowed alcove, Dougaln cupped Reynau‟s cheek. Dipping his head, he kissed him with far more finesse than he‟d shown last night. Lips caressed lips; his tongue slid across Reynau‟s mouth, asking entrance. When Reynau opened beneath him, Dougaln stepped closer, pressing him against the railing. Through his thin trousers, Reynau‟s erection ground against his thigh, and Dougaln figured the other man could feel his. Hands slid beneath the open shirt to splay across Reynau‟s back. Dougaln moaned, then pulled back to draw in air. “Maybe we should walk.” Reynau‟s panting breaths testified to his desire, as did the hard cock against Dougaln‟s thigh. Tamping down his disappointment, Dougaln stepped back and surreptitiously adjusted himself. “Maybe we should.” “Just for a little while,” Reynau said as he stepped past. Then, looking over his shoulder, almost as if he didn‟t think Dougaln would follow, he stepped into the flow of people. Dougaln had little choice but to keep up and hope they stopped soon, because he wanted to see where the kiss would lead.

Chapter Four Dinner had painted a different picture of Dougaln. The soldier down on his luck seemed to either have some unsavory habits or be extremely lucky. Either way, Reynau knew Domino wasn‟t an “old friend,” at least not in the real meaning of the word. He wasn‟t sure how he felt about that. Coming from a world as sheltered as his, the notion that someone would make his way through the world by gambling made the man doing it seem impure, too worldly for association. Reynau swallowed hard, and thanked the Lady he led Dougaln, so the soldier didn‟t have to see his thoughts written on his face. The reclamation gardens called to him with their leafy canopies and lush, foliage aromas. From the sweetness of blossoms, to the rich fruits and vegetables meant to feed those on the station, the gardens were the closest thing he had to his home world. And right now, he needed that connection, even if it was to a planet that had declared him outcast and sent him away. “We‟re back here,” Dougaln said as they passed through the large metal arches leading into the gardens. “You must like this place.” “You don‟t?” Reynau stopped and turned to face the soldier. Dougaln shrugged. “Guess I haven‟t given it much thought.” “Where do you spend most of your time?” Reynau found a bench nearby, and he sank onto it, grateful for the support. The image Dougaln painted of his activities, of himself, didn‟t seem to quite mesh with the man he‟d known last night. Except, Reynau reminded himself sharply, he hadn‟t really gotten to know the man last night. He‟d had a drinking and fucking partner -- nothing else. Dougaln shrugged again and sat down beside him. “Wherever.”

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The gruff reply only solidified Reynau‟s concern. “Look. I don‟t know you. I‟d like to. Right now I know you can‟t hold your drink, hadn‟t had sex in a while before last night, and are hotter than a star going nova. I want to know more.” “You do?” Dougaln turned to face him. The stark pain, quickly masked, on Dougaln‟s face tore into Reynau‟s heart. He swallowed hard, thinking maybe he‟d gone too far, stepped too far into the land of dreams and foolishness that his parents so often had accused him of going to. “You gave me a holiday gift. Call me crazy, but I think that makes us more than bedmates.” Reynau ducked his head, a blush heating his cheeks. If I’m going to live in their world, I have to act like them. He shifted his weight; the carved leaf bumped against his leg. Reaching down, Reynau touched his pocket. He traced the outline of the gift through the fabric of his trousers. “I suppose it does.” Dougaln stood. He paced the width of the aisle, then turned and stared at Reynau. Shoving his hands into his pockets, Dougaln scowled. “I work odd jobs to try and make some credits. I sleep. Try to find food to eat. Guys like me don‟t have hobbies. We don‟t sing. We don‟t find one of the temples for worship. We simply try to exist.” He sighed. A quick shake of his head, then he turned away. Reynau stood and went to him. He touched Dougaln‟s shoulder. “Even guys like you have to have fun sometime.” He let his fingers linger on that strong, muscled shoulder before sliding along the length of Dougaln‟s spine to stop at the small of his back. “So if you don‟t want to be bedmates, as you call it, what do you want to be?” Dougaln tensed and held his breath. Which means he wants this too. A deep breath kept the excitement out of his voice. “I don‟t know. Maybe we should see what happens. You know, get to know each other.” One heartbeat, two passed. Reynau‟s hand burned where it touched Dougaln‟s back. He thought about pulling it away, tucking it in his pocket where it‟d be safe and sound. He didn‟t. Wasn‟t

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like he planned on going anywhere. Frankly, his proposal to Dougaln barely scratched the surface. In the soldier, Reynau thought he‟d found someone who could be a partner. He wanted that. “So you want to know where I spend my time?” Dougaln asked, each word slow and enunciated. “Why? What does that tell you about the man? You learned everything you needed last night.” Reynau closed his eyes against the frustration welling deep inside him. “When we were fucking, or when you tried to leave?” He chose the harsh words, the darker ones to shock Dougaln into answering. Instead, a smile curved his lips. “Exactly.” Dougaln turned and started walking up the trail. Reynau stared after him, dumbfounded.

*** Dougaln strode down the path, waiting to hear Reynau‟s footsteps behind him. His neck tensed, the need to look behind him nearly overwhelming. He didn‟t. Not yet. Not until he heard Reynau follow, because if he turned around and the other man wasn‟t there, Dougaln didn‟t know what he‟d do. Which made pushing him away all the more stupid a thing to do. “You know about me,” Reynau said, falling into step beside him. “I just wanted to know the same about you.” Dougaln stopped and turned to face him. “There‟s not much to know. I go here and there, try to make things work.” He started walking again. The rustle of leaves in the artificial air currents and the bubbling of liquid through the reclamation tubes created an intimate atmosphere. Dougaln grabbed Reynau‟s arm and pulled him into an alcove. “I‟m a simple man. I like good food, good drink, and good sex.” He grinned, empowered by his brash attitude. “Make that great sex.” Pinning Reynau against the wall, he braced one hand above his head and kissed him.

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Heady with the joy of having Reynau not turn away, Dougaln deepened the kiss. Rocking his body against Reynau‟s, Dougaln let the other man feel the length of his erection against his hip, the hard planes of his body moving over him. Dougaln slid his tongue into Reynau‟s mouth, tasting him. Pure ambrosia. His past, his present, even his nonexistent future faded away as he made love to Reynau‟s mouth. This man wanted him. This man cared for him. And somehow, that touched him more than all the political fervor that had forced him into the military and the doomed war ever had. Dougaln closed his eyes with the hope of blocking out his past. With a groan, he slid his hand over Reynau‟s hip and pulled him closer. He cupped Reynau‟s ass, fingers squeezing, kneading, his other hand still braced against the wall. Reynau tugged at his shirt. “We‟re not far enough into the gardens,” he said with a hasty gulp of air. “Who cares?” Dougaln reared back just enough to shove Reynau‟s shirt off his arms. It bunched at his wrists, and reluctantly, Reynau released him to let his shirt flutter to the floor. “There‟s no one around.” He didn‟t hear anyone behind them, and with the light growing dim with the coming night, he doubted anyone would discover them. Besides, a little thrill made everything better. Reynau slid his hands beneath Dougaln‟s shirt, flattening his palms against his chest. Stroking the length of his torso, he pulled his hands free to start unbuttoning the shirt. Soon, it too joined Reynau‟s on the floor. Reynau pressed his lips to Dougaln‟s chest. Dougaln looked down at the dark waves of Reynau‟s hair against his skin. The silken strands contrasted with his pale form; it‟d been a while since he‟d been planetside. The sensation of warm lips and tongue across his skin sent shivers down Dougaln‟s spine. Reaching up, he cupped the back of Reynau‟s head, drawing his mouth to a nipple. Teeth grazed sensitive flesh, and Dougaln‟s back bowed. His balls tightened, cock so hard it ached. He wanted Reynau‟s mouth, all wet heat and slippery tongue

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against his shaft. Even more than that, he desired the hot sheath of Reynau‟s body. “I want to fuck you,” he growled. “Turn around.” “Mmm, not yet.” Reynau grazed Dougaln‟s nipple with his teeth, then wrapped his lips around it and sucked. He reached up and pinched Dougaln‟s other nipple. The twin sensations formed lightning in his veins. How could this man be so simple, so small-world one minute and so naughty the next? Reynau slipped one leg between his and rubbed his erection against Dougaln‟s thigh. Not even the two layers of trousers could hide the size and state of Reynau‟s arousal. Please… Dougaln clenched his jaw, unwilling to beg for his release. Instead, he yanked Reynau‟s trousers off one hip, the tie coming loose. A quick tug, and the tie came loose. Bringing his other hand down to Reynau‟s hip helped bring his pants down. His cock sprang free, already oozing fluid from the tip. Fisting it, Dougaln stroked Reynau‟s complete length, then reached below to finger his balls. “More,” Reynau moaned. His hot breath teased Dougaln‟s nipples. “If you want more, turn around.” Dougaln glanced over his shoulder. “There‟s no one around.” He stepped back to give Reynau room and flipped open the top button on his pants so he could adjust his cock. Reynau did, bending over to unlace his boots and step out of them, before peeling his pants down his legs. Watching his lover strip -- Dougaln realized with a start he did consider Reynau his lover -- aroused Dougaln. He unbuttoned his pants further, allowing his cock to surge free. Cupping it, Dougaln circled his fingers around the base and squeezed to stave off his release. When Reynau turned and looked over his shoulder, waves of dark brown hair tumbling down his back, Dougaln‟s mouth went dry. Thankfully, his pants, though bunched around his knees, didn‟t prevent him from moving forward the slight distance needed and pressing his cock against Reynau‟s buttocks. Using the pearls of fluid emerging from the head, Dougaln slicked his shaft, drawing his hands along it with sweeping strokes. He held onto Reynau‟s shoulder, pinning the man against the wall. “Are you ready?” he growled.

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Reynau shuddered. He gave a wordless groan, his only assent, before Dougaln pressed the head of his cock against Reynau‟s opening. An experimental push received little resistance, and a second thrust slid the head of his cock inside. Both men gave tiny moans of pleasure. Dougaln sensed Reynau holding back, biting his lip so as not to make too much noise. Grinning wickedly, Dougaln reached around and cupped Reynau‟s balls. He pulled them slightly, then circled the base with his fingers. “Don‟t you come until I say so,” Dougaln growled. He rocked forward and slid balls-deep into Reynau. Reynau pushed back, begging to be taken deeper. Dougaln savored the tight heat of the channel pressing around his cock. He pulled out, holding himself just inside for a heartbeat, long enough for Reynau to thrust into his hand, and then Dougaln pressed forward again. His hand moved in time with his hips, stroking Reynau even as he penetrated him. Reynau trembled in his arms, his moans sometimes slipping out, otherwise keeping quiet while he was being fucked. Dougaln loved that. Loved the hot ass squeezing his shaft, the way Reynau whimpered and tried to bite back his sounds of pleasure. Each stroke drove him that much closer to the edge. Sweat covered Dougaln‟s body. It dripped down his back, soaked into his pants wadded around his knees. The rich smell of plants and loam mingled with their musk, and it reminded him of the sexual moments he‟d had during the war. A stolen moment here, an hour in a bunk there. Quick, hot and hard had always gotten him off, and this was no exception. He tried to hold back, wanted to make this one good for Reynau. Then the other man gave a stuttering cry and came. His body twitched, cock shooting streams of come across Dougaln‟s hand and spraying against the wall. Dougaln groaned. With Reynau still trembling in his arms, he couldn‟t hold back, couldn‟t do anything except follow his lover into release. His blood surged in his veins, the need to spill himself too great to deny. One final thrust and he came,

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shuddering, crying out, not caring if his cries echoed, or if the never-ending din of the reclamation system seemed to halt and listen to the two lovers in the cove. Panting, the two men slumped together. Somehow, Dougaln managed to step back, pull up his pants and get them fastened around his waist. He bent, lightheaded from his recent exertion, and handed Reynau back his pants. His lover dressed silently, his attention never leaving Dougaln. Together, they stumbled to the bench on which they‟d been sitting and sat down. “Didn‟t have that in mind when I suggested we walk,” Reynau said between panting breaths. He wiped his forehead, brushing aside his sweat-plastered hair. Dougaln reached over and smoothed several strands of hair behind Reynau‟s ear, the action tender and intimate. “What did you have in mind?” “Don‟t know. Hadn‟t really thought about it.” Reynau leaned back against the wall and stretched his arm companionably around Dougaln‟s shoulders. “Suppose we could have gone back to quarters and talked or something…” His words trailed off into hopeful silence. “I think we already did the „or something‟.” Dougaln spoke softly, the thoughts of going back to quarters, specifically his quarters, making his stomach twist into knots. “Besides, the gardens are peaceful this time of night.” He thought the words sounded like something Reynau might think. Silence met his words. Dougaln snuck glances at Reynau. Dinner, the gift, quick public sex… things seemed to have changed between them. Bringing Reynau back to his quarters sounded nice, if he had a place of which he could be proud. Dinner in, maybe sex, maybe even see if one of the station‟s vid channels actually was showing something decent instead of old documentaries about the war. Something downright normal. He swallowed hard. He hadn‟t thought in those terms since before the war. Reynau had gone silent, though. And that didn‟t sit well with Dougaln. “Hey,” he said. “I was only jok --” At the look in Reynau‟s eyes, Dougaln bit off his word, adding, “teasing.” Reynau remained quiet.

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“Would you like to go back to your quarters?” Dougaln asked. Talk to me. Don’t do silent. I hated that in the military when the unit guys would shut down. Usually meant bad shit was coming. “No,” Reynau replied. “I‟d like to go back to yours.”

*** The instant the words left his mouth, Reynau wished he could pull them back. Dougaln stiffened beside him, then stood abruptly. “No. I don‟t think that‟s a good idea,” Dougaln said, his words short and snappish. He frowned and ran his fingers through his hair. “You don‟t want to see my quarters.” “Maybe I do.” Reynau stood, wincing at the tiny aches in his body. As much as he‟d enjoyed the sex, and he had, the public display left him uncomfortable. Too much training and doctrine and not enough living, he supposed. “You‟ve already seen mine.” He glanced down the walkway. “Then you know what mine look like. Unless you live in the nicer sections, they all look alike.” Dougaln shifted his weight from side to side. Kind of like the way his gift made Reynau aware of the heavy weight in his pocket. It pulled him off balance, made him think things that maybe weren‟t on Dougaln‟s mind. On his world, the exchange of gifts meant something. It wasn‟t something done for no reason at all. Reaching into his pocket, he curled his fingers around the carving and traced one of the edges. Drawing a deep breath, he started to lift it out of his pocket. “I still think we should go to your quarters.” “Why?” Dougaln barked the question. “Why is it so important for you?” “I showed you mine. I thought you might want to do the same.” Reynau bit his lip and stepped back. “But if you don‟t want to…” “Quarters are quarters. Where a man lives doesn‟t define him. It isn‟t him.” Dougaln inched away.

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“Then it doesn‟t matter if I see yours.” The more Dougaln hedged, the more he tried to get out of it, the more Reynau knew he was hiding something. “I guess now it‟s time for me to ask if there‟s anyone back in your quarters.” “No,” Dougaln barked. “There‟s no one. I wouldn‟t have fucked you if there had been.” He waved his hand in the direction of the wall. “Well, that‟s good,” Reynau grudgingly admitted. He pulled his hand out and uncurled his fingers from around the carving. “I can‟t take this.” He held the gift out. “I can‟t.” “What? I gave you a gift and now you can‟t keep it?” Reynau sighed. Closing his eyes, he tried to draw his thoughts together. Sure, he might have been from a provincial world, exiled because he didn‟t believe in their purity, and that made him a bit more restrained than others. It didn‟t mean that he needed to be with someone who wouldn‟t make him a real part of his world. He‟d done the sneaking around, trying not to be seen back on his home planet. He hadn‟t liked it then, and he didn‟t like it now. When Dougaln didn‟t take the carving, Reynau grabbed his hand. He passed the leaf to him. “I‟m tired of secrecy and not knowing the whole truth. If I‟d known my lover back home had belonged to the priestly order, I wouldn‟t have lost my family, my home world, and nearly my life.” Releasing Dougaln‟s hand, Reynau turned and left.

Chapter Five Reynau‟s words hit Dougaln like a punch to the gut. When the sight of his back faded from view, Dougaln stumbled to the bench. He sat, cradling his head with one hand, the carving in the other. He stared at it, turning the gemstone over and over as if it would offer some insight. He‟d thought -- oh, hell, it didn‟t matter what he‟d thought. He‟d messed up and washed down the loss of Reynau with a healthy dose of shame. He waited. Each creak of the station, each rustle of leaves when the air circulation system activated, made him think that Reynau would be coming back. When he didn‟t, Dougaln stood. Whatever joy he‟d thought to have by sharing this season with Reynau apparently was over. He‟d stretched the limits of any deity‟s patience with his actions. Convinced Reynau wouldn‟t be returning, Dougaln headed down to the level of his quarters. In the tube he watched the light flick past Reynau‟s floor, thought about pressing the stop button and going after him. He didn‟t, and a few floors later, the doors opened, letting in the stench of unwashed bodies, stagnant water, and too many people cramped into too small a space. The last level before things got really bad. That‟s what the rental agent had told him, and staring at the huddled bodies in the hall, smelling the acrid aroma of urine from someone too sick or too drunk to make it to the bathing chambers, he wondered how bad it really got down below. His room, his closet, at the end of the hall afforded some measure of privacy at least. He entered, flipped the bar across the door and sat down on the sagging bed. Perhaps coming clean might have been the thing to do. “Hey, I don‟t want to take you back to my place because I live in a hole. I have little compared to you, and I served my planet in a costly war that left my people poor and beaten.” He sighed. Saying the words aloud made them sound even worse to him.

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“I‟m being stupid.” He stood and paced, though it took him only a few paces to go from end to end. “Reynau wasn‟t interested in my quarters, or how little money I had.” Though he looked dubious when I took him to Domino’s. Damn it! I just wanted to give him a good meal. Dougaln spun on his heel. He couldn‟t let this one get away. Other guys, other nights, sure, he was more than willing to chalk it up to fate, to personalities, to some twist of life that made it not work out. Not Reynau. The young man had captivated him with his singing. Swallowing hard, Dougaln knew he had to go to him. He had to apologize. He stuffed his clothes in a bag, folding his blanket and adding it to the top. If he had to go after him, if he had to confess everything, then he‟d do it. Show up with a bag containing everything he owned and lay it all on the table. Slinging the bag over his shoulder, he unbarred the door and threaded his way through the hall to the public communications link. He couldn‟t remember the room number, but he remembered the floor. A quick check of the directory next to the lift tube showed Reynau‟s room, and a moment later, he tried to ring it. All but the poorest rooms had at least a rudimentary communications system, and it would save him a walk down the labyrinth-like halls. There wasn‟t any answer. Dougaln turned away, then decided to try again. Still no answer. After a moment, and a few shouted insults from the guy standing behind him, Dougaln turned away. He hefted the bag onto his shoulder. He turned back to his room, seeing maybe for the first time exactly where it was he lived. The lowest levels of the station, down here with the criminals and the destitute, places too small for real living, so much so that people tried to move up and escape this place. No wonder he wanted to keep it from Reynau. If the poor man blanched when he learned about Domino, he‟d probably faint if he saw this place. It seemed crass, too dirty for him. And yet, at this moment, he couldn‟t imagine not showing Reynau all of his life.

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Determined, he headed for the tube, and before he‟d really thought it out, he headed toward Reynau‟s floor. He understood Reynau‟s not answering the communications unit. If he‟d had one, he probably would have done the same thing. He had to go see Reynau. The man had lost his homeworld, had been exiled, because someone hadn‟t been truthful with him. He couldn‟t do the same. Not if he wanted a chance with Reynau. And he couldn‟t imagine heading into the new year without him. The tube doors slid open, revealing a nearly empty hall. A few people stood in the hallway in conversation, and from the door behind him, the sounds of a muffled party filtered into the hall. Around Reynau‟s door it was quiet. Dougaln stopped. He listened, not hearing anything. He pressed the intercom. No one answered. Dougaln‟s heart fell. He‟d been stupid, made the wrong move. A wry smile twisted his lips; it wouldn‟t have been the first time. He shrugged and touched the intercom again. Still no answer. He knocked. Maybe, like on his floor, the intercom didn‟t work. The door next to his opened. “What the hell are you doing?” A man leaned out the door, a robe wrapped around him. The sounds of a party filtered into the hallway behind him, the shrill-high laughter of women, some kind of electronic music. “Sorry. Was hoping my friend was home.” “You missed him,” the guy called. “Made quite the racket leaving.” “Where‟d he go?” Dougaln tamped down his worry. Reynau liked the reclamation gardens. He‟d check there next. “The docks. Talked about needing to catch a shuttle.” The guy ducked back into his room. “Hey, where‟d he go?” Dougaln stepped toward the open door. The guy appeared again, this time with a woman wound around him. “Do I look like his fucking travel agent? Don‟t know. Just heard him say he had to catch a shuttle.

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Why? You break his heart?” With a laugh the guy ducked back inside his quarters, and Dougaln knew he wasn‟t getting any more answers. He stared at the closed door. Staying here probably wasn‟t the best idea. Not only did Lanx Station Security frown on people sleeping in the hall, but if Reynau had indeed gone to catch a shuttle, who knew when, or if, he‟d come back. And maybe the guy had lied. Though it would have been easier for him to simply duck back into his quarters, and apparently his women, and not say anything. Dougaln contemplated the closed door. If Reynau had gone to catch a shuttle, he‟d either made arrangements and kept silent, or he‟d done so awfully quickly. He made a quick decision. Going to the docking area wouldn‟t cost him anything. He hurried back to the tube and pressed the button for the common area. The tube doors opened to a crushing throng of people. With some of the first winter holidays over, people spilled out of their quarters and into the common areas. The delay frustrated him. He shouldered his way through the crowd by the tubes, earning a few dirty looks. Someone called out, shouted epithets to him. Scowling, he ignored them. “Hey, buddy, we‟re all trying to get somewhere,” someone else yelled. “Sorry,” Dougaln muttered. He had to get to the docking area. If Reynau left without saying goodbye… if anything he‟d done had caused Reynau to jump ship… he shook his head. Taking a deep breath, he slowed down. The urgent need to find Reynau didn‟t mean he had to be rude. It was the winter holidays, after all. Moving carefully through the crowd, Dougaln finally reached an open area where he broke into a jog. On the outskirts of the docking area the first sounds of ships‟ arrivals and departures crackled over the intercom. He paused, listening to the transports heading to places he‟d never been. The far-off worlds promised exciting destinations for the winter vacation, several of them terraformed resort spots. Surely Reynau couldn‟t afford to go to those playgrounds of the rich and idle. The planets had been far beyond the reaches of the war he‟d fought, havens of deserters and those seeking a calmer life.

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Please let Reynau still be in the waiting area. Dougaln slowed, not wanting to appear in too big of a rush to get to the area. Since the war, security had been heightened. As it was, without a ticket, he didn‟t know how close he could get. He‟d heard rumors no one without tickets would be allowed in the area, even if he knew someone. He paused and glanced around, not seeing Reynau. His heart dropped. Perhaps the neighbor had been lying, had thought it funny to lead on someone who had come to visit. Or maybe he knew something. Not seeing any barriers, Dougaln moved forward, carefully scanning the crowd. A security officer stood not far away, his weapon held across his chest, his attention vigilant. Dougaln recognized the pose of a soldier. I’m not causing any trouble. He breathed deeply, and when his gaze met that of the guard, the men nodded to each other, and Dougaln moved forward. Along the wall, only four ticket kiosks appeared to be open. Robotic agents stood behind the counter, acting as representatives of the transit system. He watched as person after person scanned their chips and stated their destination or selected it from a screen, then the transaction completed. No paper tickets, not at Lanx, no chits, nothing except the codes on the card. He fingered his own in his pocket and mentally calculated his money. He wondered if he‟d have enough to even get off station if he had to follow Reynau. “Looking for someone?” A guard crossed the room and paused beside him. “Yeah. Maybe you can help.” Dougaln described Reynau. The guard gave a quick shake of his head. “No, but you might want to check around the corner. That‟s where the last resort lines are.” “Last resort lines?” Dougaln frowned, his brow furrowing as he wished he‟d paid more attention to what happened on this end of the station. The odd jobs he took kept him mostly down below, or on the backsides of the shops. “Where people who have to get off station go. The cheap seats.” The guard gave a toothy grin. “No offense, but you don‟t look like the kind of person who‟d be headed to the pricey places.”

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“Thanks.” Ducking away, cheeks flaming at being read so easily, he headed toward the last resort lines. They sounded like the kinds of places people who didn‟t care where they were going would be. He didn‟t want to think of Reynau doing that. Meant the guy didn‟t care where he went or how. The last resort lines were easy to spot once he rounded the corner. Not so much that the décor changed -- station chic meant mostly minimalist metal -- but the class of people did. The place looked less clean, stank more. More trash lingered in the corners. The intercom changed from the sweet, feminine voice to a mechanical, synthesized voice calling out places that Dougaln had been. Oh yes, the resort planet of Rakhaut IV, an entire vacation spot built beneath a hovering vacation spot. Where the richer patrons on the platforms above, called Rakhaut V, saw volcanic vistas against a sparkling night sky, those on the planet below saw sulfur, ash, and the interior of metal domes that ended up being hotter than hell when the cooling went out. Still, occasionally the ash and gasses would clear, lending a similar view cut off above by the hovering discs, and made it worth the price. A young man stood toward the front of the line. His hair hung down to his shoulders, and he wore the same type of clothing as Reynau. Dougaln stepped forward. “Reynau --” He pressed his lips closed as the man turned. His nose was too hawkish and his eyebrows slashed lines across his face. Definitely not Reynau. Then, toward the end of the line, someone turned. Eyes widened with recognition. “Dougaln?” Dougaln nodded, a sudden lump in his throat. There, in line, obviously intending to get a ticket, was Reynau. “What are you doing here?” Reynau shifted from side to side. “I could ask the same.” Everything Dougaln wanted to say, all the words, all the apologies flew out of his mind. Reynau dropped his bag to the floor. “I‟m here because the man I thought I was falling in love with decided to shut me out of his life.”

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Dougaln‟s brain skipped over the falling in love part. “It‟s a mess. And it‟s too small. And there‟s no room to dance,” he blurted out. Reynau blinked. Confusion crossed his face, and then his eyes widened. “Oh,” he gasped. He pressed his wrist, and a small screen came up. “I have a ticket for --” “All departures for Theta Gilese please proceed to the first gate,” the mechanical intercom voice interrupted. “I have to go.” “You‟re going to Theta Gilese?” The name rang a bell, and it took a moment for Dougaln to remember where. “This time of year?” Reynau shrugged, had the audacity to look confused. “I don‟t know. I told the attendant how many credits I had, and that was where my ticket ended up being for. I have to go.” The intercom crackled again, though this time a different destination for gate two was announced. “You said you thought you were falling in love with me.” Now was not the time, not with the press of people around him. His heart ran double time and maybe, somehow, he‟d find a quiet place to process this, but first he had to keep Reynau from leaving him. “You can‟t go now.” “I have a ticket. It‟s not refundable.” Reynau hit the screen again. “Look. I don‟t care how small your quarters are or whether they‟re dirty or not. You saw mine. They weren‟t exactly perfect. I don‟t know.” The intercom called for the flight again. “I have to go,” Reynau said. “I‟m sorry.” “When are you coming back?” Reynau shook his head. “I don‟t know. It‟s an open-ended ticket. I can get back, but there‟s no date. I‟m sorry. I thought this would work out. It apparently didn‟t.” “I thought your goddess brought you joy. Isn‟t that why you were singing in the garden?” Dougaln felt low for bringing Reynau‟s beliefs into this, but hadn‟t that been what had brought them together? If he hadn‟t heard Reynau singing, then they

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wouldn‟t have met. He couldn‟t call it love. Not yet. The soldier in him wouldn‟t allow it, but something had happened between them, and it was a lot more than great sex. “I don‟t think you‟ll find joy on Theta Gilese.” “No, I won‟t,” Reynau admitted. “But I have a ticket.” “That‟s a stupid excuse. Come on.” Grabbing Reynau‟s arm, Dougaln pulled him from the line. They hurried to the ticket kiosks. If he couldn‟t convince Reynau to stay here, then Dougaln knew what he had to do. “Besides, if my place was too small to dance, I was going to take you out. Surely a guy who sings as good as you knows how to dance.” Beside him, Reynau stammered. Dougaln stopped at the end of the line. Come on. Don’t take forever. The intercom crackled again, this time calling for a different destination. “I can‟t dance,” Reynau admitted. “What?” Dougaln asked so loud that heads turned to stare at them. “What do you mean you can‟t dance? Everyone can dance.” At least they called it dancing even if they looked like besqwaddli birds hopping around on one foot. “I never learned. We don‟t dance on my world.” Dougaln leaned in close, a wave of protectiveness swamping him. “I don‟t know what they do on your blighted world, but I want to kick every one of their sorry asses for making you hurt.” He wrapped his arm around Reynau and pulled him close. Lust swamped his senses, and Dougaln forced himself to only press a quick, hard kiss to Reynau‟s mouth. He pulled back just as the line opened up in front of the kiosk. “I‟d just as soon not go back there,” Reynau mumbled. “Then we won‟t.” He turned and, wondering why the hell he was doing what he was doing, ordered a ticket for Theta Gilese. He swiped his chip, then steered Reynau toward the gate. “Last call for Theta Gilese. First Gate. All passengers must be at First Gate for Theta Gilese,” the intercom said. “I got to go.”

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Dougaln tugged Reynau and broke into a jog. The man followed behind him, their packs slapping against their backs. “What do you mean you? We got to go!” He gave a burst of laughter and wondered which one of them had garnered greater joy this Longest Night.

Chapter Six Dougaln must have lost his mind, and Reynau wasn‟t going to tell him. Not if it meant the big soldier was racing beside him toward the First Gate. He‟d been ashamed. Reynau got that now. Dougaln had been ashamed at how he lived, apparently far worse than Reynau‟s own admittedly small quarters. That‟s why he hadn‟t offered to take Reynau back. Not because of another lover, not because of any rejection. He cursed his homeworld for ever instilling such distrust into him. Then again, if I hadn’t been exiled, I wouldn’t have met Dougaln. I wouldn’t have fallen in love. He grinned up at the soldier as they neared the gate and, beneath the scowl of a guard, slowed to a more sedate walk. Falling in love. Great Lady, he never imagined that he‟d fall in love. And now he was bringing Dougaln along with him on a ship to one of the worst destinations possible. Or at least it sounded that way from what Dougaln said. All Reynau knew was the ticket was cheap, and it would get him off this station. They slowed as they reached the gate, allowing the agent to scan their chips before waving them beyond the marked line and into the boarding area. The crowd thinned; very few people were heading toward this gate. Made it better for them, he guessed. Reynau had traveled on too-crowded transports, crunched into the smallest, cheapest seat possible. He imagined stretching out in his seat, having room to sprawl, and with Dougaln beside him. “You sure you know what you‟re doing?” Reynau ducked his head to step into the ship. Okay, so the transport wasn‟t the top of the line, or probably even the fastest. The walls shone, free of graffiti, and the floor appeared to have been swept. He breathed deeply and smelled only fresh air. No stench of stale bodies and sweaty flesh.

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He let the boarding attendant, a scanner on a post, read his chip, and lights illuminated along the way to their seat. “The question is, do you?” Dougaln flashed a smile and gestured to the very empty passenger compartment. “I don‟t know why they‟re lighting the way. It‟s not like we are going to steal someone‟s seat.” His grin grew. “Do you know what we can do in an empty passenger compartment?” Heat suffused his body, and Reynau‟s cheeks burned. “I can imagine.” Really, he could, and the image of Dougaln down on his knees between the seats, sucking Reynau‟s cock, had him hard in an instant. Or maybe he‟d bend Dougaln over the back of a seat and fuck him. The bench chairs didn‟t even have arms between them -- all the better to pack more people onto the transport -- and all the better for fucking. He released a sigh as the lights stopped at a row in the middle of the transport. “Guess this is it.” Dougaln swung his bag into an overhead bin, then slid into the row. He sat down and bounced experimentally on the seat. “Not bad.” Reynau followed suit, glancing up and down the aisle. No one else entered the transport, and a few moments later, the door whooshed closed. “We will be taking off soon. Please secure all belongings and fasten your restraints.” A voice came over the intercom, sounding as if all of this had been done a hundred times before. It probably had been. Most transport pilots had designated routes. “No one else going to Theta Gilese?” Reynau glanced around again, unnerved by the empty cabin. He searched in the seat for the restraints, not finding any. “Who would want to?” Dougaln turned and cupped Reynau‟s cheek. “You‟re aware that this is a hell of a time of year to go to Theta Gilese, right?” He brushed his thumb across Reynau‟s lip. Reynau shivered at the contact. “Why do you say that?” He swept his tongue across the fleshy pad of Dougaln‟s thumb. His body hummed, or maybe that was just the vibrations of the ship as it pulled away from its moorings. The ship jostled into position, one of many in a long line of departures. Outside the viewports the metal

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interior of the ship‟s docking bays flashed past only to be replaced by the inky darkness of space. Pinpoints of lights, distant stars, flashed against the black. The engines roared. Dougaln leaned back against his seat, his hand falling down by his side. The noise from the engines as the ship accelerated blocked out anything he might have said. When they finally hit their lane, the engines softened, and Dougaln leaned forward. He kissed Reynau, a soft touch of breathy sighs and lips. With one hand he stroked his fingers through Reynau‟s hair, the other pulling the man forward until he draped across Dougaln‟s body. Somehow he turned, shifting them so his back was against the ship wall, and his legs were stretched out on the bench seat. “You know we won‟t be able to go outside once we arrive on the planet,” Dougaln whispered when the need for air parted them. Reynau shifted, sliding one knee on either side of his hips. Through his trousers, the thick length of Reynau‟s erection brushed against Dougaln‟s thigh. Instead of reaching down to caress it, Dougaln curled his fingers tighter into Reynau‟s hair. “We‟ll have nothing to do except stay in our room. Eat. Fuck. Love.” He breathed each word against Reynau‟s lips, finally punctuating them with a long sweep of his tongue. Open-mouthed, he kissed Reynau, delving deeply to taste him, to claim him, to show him how close he had come to being lost forever. His other hand cupped Reynau‟s ass and pressed their lower bodies together. “Damn it, don‟t ever try to run away again.” Reynau gave a soft moan and rested his head against Dougaln‟s chest. “Why can‟t we leave our room?” He traced his fingers along the fabric of Dougaln‟s shirt, teasing his nipple through the cloth. “Not that I‟ll mind. And I still can‟t believe you bought a ticket just to follow me.” “Believe it.” Dougaln swallowed hard, his words suddenly stuck in a flood of emotion. “I‟m a soldier. Didn‟t think I even believed in love until you mentioned it. But you‟re a siren. We have them on my home world, you know. Beautiful men and women who live along the marshes, their singing luring people into quicksand to die. You‟re

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my siren, and you‟ve lured me into your life. Not sure I can call it love, but I‟m sure falling into something here.” He cupped Reynau‟s chin and tilted his mouth up so he could kiss him. A quick, hard kiss later, and Dougaln grinned. “The solar flares on Theta Gilese are too strong for most species to be outside. Even the native animals tend to hibernate or live underground during the three months out of the year that the planet passes too close to its sun. As long as we land on the dark side of the planet we‟ll be all right.” Reynau‟s eyes widened. To think that he‟d purchased a ticket to a world so inhospitable that he couldn‟t even go outside. He leaned forward and kissed Dougaln. When he pulled back, he asked the first question that came to his mind. “Do they keep you from going outside?” Dougaln chuckled. “They do. There are bars across the door. The planet doesn‟t rotate, so there is a daylight side, which is affected, and the night side, which isn‟t. The night side is all the landing strips and desert, so it isn‟t worth much as a beachside resort. The cheaper rooms are on the day side this time of year.” He tugged at Reynau‟s shirt. “Don‟t suppose you‟d mind running around naked for your entire stay.” Reynau gasped. “I couldn‟t.” Dougaln quickly unbuttoned Reynau‟s shirt and shoved it off of Reynau‟s shoulders. “Oh, it gets hot enough, I bet you could.” He drew Reynau higher on his torso so he could lean forward and pepper his skin with kisses. Reynau shivered. His shirt gaped open, hiding Dougaln‟s face from view, though anyone coming down the aisle would clearly know what they were doing. “Relax,” Dougaln whispered. “We have the place to ourselves. And there isn‟t any service.” He wriggled his wrist free and tapped it to bring up the itinerary. “We have a six-hour flight. I wonder what we‟ll do.” With a wicked grin he slid down the bench until his chin touched Reynau‟s crotch. “You might want to brace your hands against the wall.” He did as his lover asked, pressing his palms to the cool metal of the exterior wall. A quick glance outside the viewport showed the blurred, inky blackness mingled

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with swirls of gas that made up the sub-space lane in which they traveled. For a moment he enjoyed the view, then Dougaln unfastened the tie on his pants and loosened the waistband. The soldier‟s big hands peeled Reynau‟s pants down his hips and freed his cock. Reynau moaned. “Shhh,” Dougaln admonished as he palmed Reynau‟s cock. “You don‟t want anyone to come back and investigate.” “They would?” Reynau‟s eyes grew wide. Dougaln laughed. “I don‟t know. So, what comes after the Longest Night? Or is that the only tradition on your home world?” He stroked the length of Reynau‟s shaft, curving his palm over the end and bringing forth a drop of fluid. Smoothing it into the skin, he stroked Reynau. Reynau couldn‟t think. Little frissons of pleasure raced up and down his spine. His balls tightened, knees locking and thighs tensing to keep from falling forward and thrusting his shaft into Dougaln‟s hot, wet mouth. Incoherent moans bubbled up from his chest, quickly swallowed in an attempt to keep quiet. “Gifts,” he panted, finally able to mention one tradition. “Gifts and celebration. Nine days.” “So you want to stay on Theta Gilese for nine days? We can come back once it‟s over.” Dougaln stopped his stroking. He leaned forward and licked the head of Reynau‟s shaft. “Yeah,” Reynau moaned. In the pause between licks, awareness dawned. Reaching down, he pushed back Dougaln‟s head. “No. Wait!” “What is it?” Dougaln quickly pulled back and glanced up Reynau‟s torso. “Reynau, no one will see us.” “It‟s not that.” He glanced down and blushed at the sight of his bare cock pointing straight toward Dougaln‟s mouth. “Okay, maybe it is a little. But I have no place to come back to. My rental was going to terminate in a few days anyway, so I let it expire.”

Adera Orfanelli

Singing Up the Sun

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Dougaln blinked. “We‟ll worry about that when we get back. You can bunk with me if you want.” “You didn‟t want me to see your place.” Reynau yanked up his pants and tucked his cock back inside. Thankful for the loose fabric, he tugged at the tie around his waist. He managed to wiggle his way to the end of the seat, and then waited while Dougaln shifted his position. “You had a place to stay when you returned?” Dougaln stared at Reynau, who pulled his shirt over his shoulders and started to button it. Reaching out, Dougaln stopped him. The warmth from Dougaln‟s fingers seeped against Reynau‟s suddenly too-cold skin. Maybe he thought too much. Maybe he‟d grown up too sheltered, had come from too provincial a world to figure out all of this. “You‟d do that for me? Let me stay with you?” Where he came from one man didn‟t give up his shelter willingly. That Dougaln had offered meant a lot more than Reynau figured the other man knew. “Sure. You don‟t have a place to live. We can‟t stay on the resort planet forever. Eventually they‟d figure out that we couldn‟t pay the bill.” Dougaln waggled his eyebrows. “Seriously, I‟m a Relacharan soldier. From the tales you hear we all retired with full honors and more gold than we could give away in a lifetime. That‟s not the case. Especially not if you‟re a soldier who got tired of the killing and refused to slaughter innocents. I was stupid to think that you‟d see my place and run away. It‟ll be close quarters, but I won‟t have you trying to find a warm corridor down below now that you don‟t have anyplace to live. Or maybe we could pool our resources and try to rent something better than what you had before.” He shrugged. “Either way, we‟ll figure something out. Now get naked again and come back here.” Dougaln unbuttoned his shirt and opened it, baring his muscled chest. The urgent demands in Dougaln‟s words drew Reynau back. He‟d take small quarters. He‟d take a scavenged spot down below. At the moment, the where didn‟t matter as much as the who.

Adera Orfanelli

Singing Up the Sun

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His goddess bade him to seek joy on the Longest Night. He had, and now he couldn‟t wait to find out where it led.

Adera Orfanelli Adera Orfanelli began writing several years ago when she discovered how fun it was to write stories about hot men and adventurous women living and loving in outer space. With the universe to explore, she lets the stars light her way and her imagination play. Website: http://aderaorfanelli.com