Space, Man

SPACE, MAN

Sharon Maria Bidwell

® www.loose-id.com

Warning This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id® e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

***** This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable (homoerotic sex, anal sex).

Space, Man Sharon Maria Bidwell This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Published by Loose Id LLC 1802 N Carson Street, Suite 212-2924 Carson City NV 89701-1215 www.loose-id.com

Copyright © April 2007 by Sharon Maria Bidwell All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.

ISBN 978-1-59632-442-8 Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader

Printed in the United States of America

Editor: Lorri-Lynne Brown Cover Artist: April Martinez

Dedication To the love of my life, always, who helped me more than he realised through the darkest time of my life so far. And to Brian, my father, with love. He deserved more than life (or death) ever granted him. Dad, you should have been the happy beach bum I know you were at heart.

“I need space, man. I can’t be tied down at my age. There’s waves out there just waiting for me, dude.” Alex Beaumont was astute enough to question how he had ever dated someone who actually used the word dude. Well, the blond hair and blue eyes had something to do with it, no doubt. He tilted his head a little to one side and watched Bray flounce about the room, grabbing things from hastily opened drawers and stuffing them into a large holdall. Not that the guy’s things required more than the one holdall. All Bray owned was a handful of clothes, his MP3 player, and his surfboard, plus the four-wheel drive to tote them around the country. What kind of a name was Bray, anyway? Not for the first time, Alex gave a passing thought to what this guy’s given name could be. Just what would this man’s parents have called him at birth? He’d asked him about it once and Bray announced it was “Bray, man, just Bray.” Personally, Alex believed it made the man sound like a donkey, and now fate proved the theory. Currently, a right ass flounced about his bedroom. Alas, it was an extremely delectable and tight ass. Arse, Alex mentally corrected, seeing as both men were British, but either version of the word fit. Arsehole, now that was a word, and he wasn’t thinking romantically. He’d never liked to use the term derogatorily before, but in this one case he could make an exception.

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“It’s not personal, man. We had fun, but I need to move on. For a while, at least. Maybe we can meet up next summer.” Not once, during this little speech, did Bray look up. Not once did the man look him in the eye. Alex sat, quietly wishing he possessed the courage to stand up and help the guy pack. The trouble was any move on his part would probably be misconstrued. Bray would consider him heartbroken, and he wasn’t. This morning, he had woken up with the realisation that he felt happy. One tiny comment on his part over breakfast swiftly shattered the illusion. All he’d done was mention the fact that it was time he paid his folks a visit, and would Bray like to go with him this weekend or next. Seeing as Alex’s parents lived near the coast and Bray liked the beach, and to surf, he thought his lover would jump at the chance, but no. Apparently, that was too much of a commitment for Bray. Alex went through the fluctuating emotions in a matter of moments. Disbelief, pain, sadness, anger, disappointment, relief, and finally, he arrived at irritation, where he just wanted the man gone. Bray looked at his watch. Alex didn’t know why. The timepiece was some kind of surfer’s watch, but Bray looked at it more for affect than to check the time. “We can butt if you want, for old time’s sake, before I go. I can fit it in, if you want.” Alex blinked. To begin with, neither of them had started out this morning imagining that Bray would be leaving today, and secondly, it took a few seconds for the meaning of those words to sink in. Why Bray referred to sex like that was beyond Alex’s understanding. He always called it ‘to butt’, or ‘butting’, as though they were two rams crashing skulls. As for fitting it in... Alex swallowed, refusing to go where that thought led. He needed to maintain some dignity. Was Bray truly standing in his bedroom, his bag packed, ready to walk out of his life, and asking if he wanted a conciliatory fuck? Apparently so. “No thanks,” Alex murmured, not trusting himself to say anything else. He just wished he could put more force into his words. “Fine. Have it your way. It’s your choice.”

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Bray’s tone inferred it was also his loss, but Alex let it go at that. Bray, obviously disgruntled, ended with another, “I need my space, man,” and moved to leave. Alex let the young man pick up his bag, toss his key on the bed, and walk out without another word. When he heard the front door slam, he just sat there. Only when his chest grew tight, did he accept that he needed to breathe.

***** “I will not pick up another one. I will not.” Alex meant to say the words silently, but somehow, they hissed out of his mouth. A woman gave him an understandably funny look in passing. It wasn’t fair that she should hear; the fierce wind should have whipped his words away. Alex caught her eye, gave her a small smile that he could only hope she would take as benign. She looked a little uncertain for a moment, and then smiled back, before walking on. Alex drew in a deep breath, hoping it would calm him. He also closed his eyes for a brief respite. When he opened them again, the vision in white remained. Alex wasn’t the only one staring. Even in London, the young man would have caught many an eye. Here, in the little seaside resort of Padstow, on the northern coast of Cornwall, he looked like an alien, and by that, Alex didn’t mean foreign national. Ever since the breakup of his last relationship, he’d hesitated to spend much time at his parents’ place during the summer, because he feared bumping into Bray, who he knew would be surfing just a short distance along the coast at Newquay. That was why he was here now. His parents spent the bitter months abroad, he needed a quiet place to work, and, in February, when most Londoners steered clear of the coast, the one thing Padstow offered was peace and quiet. All the shops remained shut at least most of the time due to the lack of tourist trade. The days looked grey and the nights misty. The wind bit with savage, unrelenting teeth. What possessed Alex to come out on a day like this was the search for coffee. Somehow, he’d run out of the holy substance. Now, trudging his way back towards the car that he would use to drive inland a short way and finally hole up in the warmth of his parents’ cottage, a vision waylaid him.

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Alex sighed. Another beach bum. Just great. With that shaggy hair bleached white and falling in a thick, tumbling wave over his face, the man could only be a drifter. The white hair was one thing to arrest the attention, but the white, tight outfit, was quite another. It...

clung. No wonder the stranger attracted so many odd glances. The young man turned his head left and right, the wind whipping his hair across his face, leaving only the small, somewhat pointed jut of his chin on view. A couple of local folks giggled as they passed, and Alex could hardly blame them. Thankfully, not many were out on a day like this. The small, square harbour contained a few boats bobbing about on the grey seawater, but even they looked lonely and abandoned. The town itself, with its many winding roads, towered up in ever-increasing tiers at his back. These buildings sheltered life -- those sensible enough to stay in on a day such as this. Still, over the last few minutes, the young man attracted enough stares and pointed fingers that it crossed Alex’s mind that someone might call the police. Shaking his head, annoyed with himself for getting involved, Alex sauntered over to him. “Excuse me, are you lost?” The young man kept his head lowered and mumbled something that the wind carried away. It sounded foreign, and Alex silently cursed. “Do you need help?” he asked more slowly. Even through that mass of hair, Alex could see the man’s face tighten in a frown. He caught a bright flash of colour through the shaggy hair, which made him duplicate the stranger’s puzzled expression. The man’s eyes glinted with an odd tint. A rumble of thunder shattered the awkward moment. The young man jerked, flinched back so hard that one foot met empty air. The stranger had turned and almost stepped off the edge of the quayside. Alex reached out and grabbed him before he took a tumble into the freezing water. “Be careful.” He needed to shout to make himself heard. Glancing around revealed that any curious bystanders had left them to weather the approaching storm alone, and hurried on towards shelter. Lightning lit up the sky and the young man cringed. Alex, still holding

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on to the man’s garment, could feel the storm as though it thrummed through his body. The very air felt electrified with it. The sky darkened just then and the young man looked up, his hair falling back a little, swept by the wind, allowing Alex to see his face more clearly for the first time. He didn’t look entirely English, but Alex couldn’t place his nationality. Maybe he was of mixed parentage. Now, clouds sweeping across the sky caused shadows to chase and play over the earth. The effect made the stranger’s eyes look grey, but Alex was certain that wasn’t the colour that so alarmed him a moment ago. He tugged on the man’s sleeve, pointing towards the car park. Still frowning, the young man nodded hesitantly, and Alex led him towards the car. He unlocked the doors using the central locking system, got inside, and then blinked in surprise when the stranger remained outside in the now falling rain. Only when he leaned over and opened the door did the young man get in. Still, every movement proved awkward, as though the pale stranger didn’t quite understand what the car was, or why he was getting into it.

He’s just uncertain. You’re a strange man picking him up off the street. What do you expect him to do? The young man got in and closed the door just in time. The heavens truly opened and the downpour came. Alex wanted to be home and dry. He turned on the heater, clearing the windscreen. “Where to?” he asked, suppressing a shiver. Head tilted, looking out of the window, the young man appeared to be more interested in the rain than the question. Alex needed to ask again before he gained the man’s undivided attention. He gasped, turning it into a cough to hide his surprise. Now, receiving such a direct gaze, he could see that the young man’s eyes were decidedly violet. Contact lenses. He was surely wearing coloured contact lenses. Nothing else explained the phenomena. When the stranger did nothing but stare, frowning at him, Alex slammed his hands against the steering wheel. When he looked up again and saw the stranger’s wide, frightened-looking eyes, guilt instantly infused him. Here he was, wondering what kind of

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freak he’d picked up, and this young man looked petrified. As much as the situation worried him, it could well worry this young man more. “It’s fine. You’re quite safe.” The comment didn’t seem to calm the stranger, only puzzle him. Definitely foreign then, but Alex refused the temptation to shout. He hated people who thought saying a word louder was the equivalent of a translation. He pointed down the road, but decided to keep sign language to a minimum. He tapped the steering wheel and pointed again. “Where to?” he asked. He pointed at one of the buildings. “Where are you staying? Do you live locally?” Alex doubted it, but it was worth asking. “Are you with friends? Family? Holiday? Working around here?” He tried a few words just to see if the young man would respond to one of them, but nothing worked. The white-haired young man continued to exhibit puzzlement and, now, some amusement. “Gorgeous? Fit? Healthy? Horny?” Alex muttered under his breath, making the singular words into more questions. The other man shivered as way of an answer. The heat must finally be sinking into him. The movement made the curling ends of his hair shake and small droplets of water trickle free. They dripped, and Alex couldn’t help it. His gaze followed the beads of water as they fell, leading his gaze down slender lines to the man’s thighs. For an instant, Alex just stared. When his gaze began to slide up the length of the other man’s leg to more forbidden places, Alex shook himself out of his stupor and tore his gaze away. Staring pointedly through the windscreen, he said, “If you can’t tell me where you want to go, then I’m going to take you home with me. Maybe later you’ll be more talkative.” What choice did he have? Providing shelter was the humanitarian thing to do. He couldn’t leave him out here alone. Padstow didn’t have any serial killers that Alex knew of, but a chill caught in a storm could be just as deadly. He wasn’t picking up another young man. His intentions were good, innocent, saintly almost, considering the humanitarian thing. Besides, his parents had brought him up to help others. He could let the man stay for a few hours or better still, overnight, and then sort something out in the morning. “Hungry?” This

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question elicited no more response than the others did at first, but when Alex continued to stare, he finally received a small smile in reply. Still, taking him home was all about being a Samaritan, nothing else. “My place, then?” Either silence indicated the failure to communicate, or they apparently agreed.

***** Later, nothing had changed. Alex sat staring, watching the young man eat, though he picked over everything at first, looking at it as though it were some new and strange substance, so that Alex had finally taken to pointing and sounding out more words. When he almost mooed to explain milk, he tried other things. He pointed at objects -- a cup, a plate, knife, spoon, chair, table, cupboard, door, house, cottage, bungalow, building... Once on the construction theme he couldn’t stop. He said every word he could think of that referred to a form of habitat, but the stranger had nowhere to stay or none of the words struck a cord with him. Swallowing the last morsel, the stranger pushed back his plate and then sat, blinking. When the blinks grew more rapid, until the man’s eyelids began to droop, Alex stifled a sigh. The time wasn’t late, but clearly, whatever had happened to this man had taken its toil. He needed to sleep and as host, Alex needed to sort something out for him. Stupidly, he hadn’t thought that far ahead. The young man seemed harmless enough and, if Alex were in a similar situation, he’d be grateful if someone took care of him. Such charity was a rare thing these days. Maybe the young man would be... Alex slammed down a shutter on the word grateful, even as it flittered into his head. Plenty of men would take advantage of the situation; he wasn’t one of them, maybe because he was so used to being the one on the receiving end. He decided to set the pale man up for the night in the little back room, even though it was cold in there. Alex sympathised, but he wasn’t about to put the stranger in his parents’ bed and he didn’t feel comfortable with the idea of sleeping in it either. Nor was he feeling as

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hospitable as to give up his own bed to some weirdo with white hair, even if said weirdo happened to look angelic. That was above and beyond even his compassionate tendencies. The morning of day two was no better. The skies opened and quenched the parched earth until it choked and gargled in the deluge. Alex began to think of his warm and cosy London flat. He might have packed up and driven out of there, but back home the phone would constantly ring, friends would drop round, and he would get no work done. Here, even his odd companion was proving at least to be ‘quiet’ company. Alex paused, tapping a pen against his upper teeth, staring out of a window so speckled with raindrops that if he tried to focus on any one drop the image broke up into a myriad of colours, his very own personal rainbow. Of the outside world, he could see nothing. His mind wasn’t on work. He sat thinking about the stranger. When the odd fellow appeared at breakfast that morning, it had looked as though he’d slept in that peculiar outfit of his. The suit fit tightly and appeared to be one piece on closer inspection. Alex couldn’t even begin to guess how you got in and out of it. He suffered some guilt. He’d hoped to drive the young man somewhere today, and get rid of him, make this guy someone else’s problem. The rain wasn’t letting up, though, and Alex didn’t fancy going out in it. A dog shouldn’t be out in this, so he could hardly chuck the young man out the door. Alex sat and thought about what he’d done. He’d taken a stranger off the street and put him up in the cottage. For all he knew, the man could have tried to kill him in his sleep. Alex hadn’t thought so, though. There was something altogether too innocent about the young man. His very innocence led Alex to pure thoughts. He harboured no hidden agenda, other than to take care of the stranger until the storm passed. If he hadn’t managed to make himself understood by then, well, he’d have to contact the police, even if it turned out the man was an illegal immigrant or something. Alex didn’t want to see the foreigner get into trouble, but he couldn’t just take in strays. This would be his last one. Look where it always got him. Bray was an experience he shouldn’t forget in a hurry. This situation was different, though. This young man didn’t even have any luggage, not unless you counted personal baggage, and.

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unless they found a way to communicate, Alex might never know if he even had that. He could hardly have left his visitor out there looking lost in the storm. Sighing, he tossed down the pen and stood. First things first. The rain showed no signs of stopping and, if they were going to spend any length of time together, he would have to coax the young man out of his clothes, make it understood that they needed washing, and quite honestly, as pretty as he was, the stranger needed a shower. Alex went in search of his guest, found him exactly where he had left him, combing the internet, and practically had to drag him away from the computer.

***** It took much pointing and hand gestures for Alex to receive a smile as his reward. It completely transformed the man’s face, which had looked perpetually stern and perplexed up until this moment. Alex found he was smiling back, until his expression gave way to one of puzzlement. The young man reached out with his hand and let the spray from the shower run over his fingers. Surely, whatever country this guy came from, they used showers. Maybe he came from somewhere such as Norway or Finland. That would possibly explain the pale features, though the white hair was definitely unusual. Alex had thought it bleached, but now he was not so certain. It looked natural. Well, some people did go grey and even pure white, at quite a young age. Why wear those silly contacts, though? As the stranger began to strip -- the suit came off easier than he expected -- heat rose to Alex’s face. “I... Er...” He settled for turning his back, standing politely by, waiting for the garment, which he intended to put in the washing machine. Alex remained the good Samaritan, until only a brief glance had him turning his head, his gaze drawn inexplicably back to that tall, slender frame, each muscle bunching and twisting in statuesque perfection as it came into view.

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Realising he gaped, Alex turned away, only to discover his throat felt unbelievably dry as he tried to swallow. Dear God, the man was beautiful! Firmly muscled, though incredibly, almost obscenely lean; everything looked so tight. Moments later, he held a bundle of clothes in his hands and turned back to watch that sculptured Adonis step into the shower, despite knowing he shouldn’t spy. A soft moan came from the man’s lips as the water hit his skin. Alex’s lips parted a little and then he had to snap his teeth together, hard, to keep from copying the sound. He’d explained the idea of shower gel and the stranger certainly seemed to have the hang of it, as having turned full circle to make sure he was wet all over, he now faced the wall, filled his hand with a generous dollop of the coloured gel from the can, and lathered it up in his hands. Alex’s attempt to explain that it would expand into foam and that he need only use a little seemed redundant now; as he watched the thick, white cream spreading to cover every inch of that perfect skin, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat glad of the man’s extravagance. His gaze followed those slender hands as they caressed every curve and slope, starting from the neck, moving down to the shoulders, and then to his sides. Muscles in his back rippled; the guy’s backside jumped and jiggled. Water droplets ran in snaking trickles over his skin, joining to form heavier, fuller passages of thick, wet trails. The pale man’s hands moved lower, soaping up his thighs. He stood briefly, carefully, as he raised one leg so he could wash one smooth calve all the way down to his ankle. Then he repeated the exercise to wash the other leg. Alex blinked, coming a little back to himself, and he might have left the room then, if the idea that the guy shaved his legs wasn’t so overwhelming. No sooner did he decide this guy was peculiar, than he discovered things were just getting weirder. Those hands moved inwards now -- the stranger obviously paying attention to his groin. At least he would smell better, but the idea of him all squeaky-clean made Alex squeak in other ways. As the stranger turned in the shower, Alex received another shock. The guy was completely hairless... everywhere, except for those tumbling white waves that sprouted from

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the top of his head. How had he failed to notice that? With nothing hidden, Alex received an eyeful. Suddenly feeling uncomfortable, Alex looked up and met that glittering violet gaze. The lips curved upwards slightly, but the expression was more one of question than invitation.

Way to go. Caught staring, Alex fumbled for an excuse. “Don’t forget to use the shampoo and wash your hair,” he mumbled. He hurried out of the room, heart pounding. Alas, it wasn’t the only thing throbbing with a wild, uncontrollable rhythm.

***** “You’re the host, you’re the host, you’re the host. You don’t fuck the unexpected guest!” Alex paced, running his fingers through his hair. He so didn’t need this involvement. Hell, he didn’t even need a one-night stand right now. He cast a glance towards the other room where his work awaited his attention, and let out a sharp cry as a ghost-like apparition moved at his right side. He practically leapt back as the stranger appeared at his side, wearing nothing but a towel. He was about to ask the guy if he was cold when he realised that he must be. Those small nipples stood out like small, delicate, flower petals with a hard stamen at the centre. They were the only rosy things in all that pale skin. The sight led his gaze down to those sculptured abs. “I’m sorry,” Alex said. The stranger’s clothes were on a long cycle in the washing machine, and although Alex had provided towels, he’d completely forgotten about supplying the man with something to wear. Not intentionally, of course. Definitely not intentionally. “Come with me, and I’ll get you some clothes.” “Ser...sorry,” the stranger stuttered. Alex stopped in his tracks. “You can talk.” The other man frowned. “English, I mean. I thought you didn’t know the language.”

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His guest gave him an odd smile, the long, damp tendrils of his just-washed hair hanging around his face. Alex caught a whiff of shampoo and shower gel; it almost caused him to close his eyes and swoon. He recognised the scent, for they were his products that he used every day, but somehow they smelled so much nicer on the stranger. They certainly hadn’t smelled that nice on Bray. “I... d-did not know... until... learned.” The words emerged sounding awkward, as though the man needed to think over and sound out each word. “Hum, right, yeah,” Alex said. “Let’s get you those clothes, and dry your hair.” Moments later, Alex hunted out a pair of jeans and a shirt. “I... er... guess you can use my underwear as well. I mean, it’s clean, and it should fit you.” He looked the man over, his gaze flickering up and down the taut muscle, and other things barely concealed by the small towel draped around that so slender waist. No guy had a right to have a waist like that with hips you could claw your fingers into and... Alex gave himself a mental shake. Then it occurred to him that he hadn’t put any underwear in with the washing. Did the young man not bother to wear any? It appeared he didn’t, as he dropped the towel and tugged the jeans on, shaking his head at Alex, so that he shut the drawer containing his underwear. The clothes would do, though in truth they sat on that slim frame just a little loose. If the guy stuck around, they would have to see about getting him some clothes. Of course, if he stuck around, maybe he wouldn’t need many, or any...

Stop it. What is wrong with you? This is exactly the type of guy you’ve been trying to avoid. “Mmm, here. You’d better get your hair dried. It’s too cold to be going around with wet hair.” He held out the hairdryer. Those violet eyes disappeared behind a sweep of thick, yet pale lashes for a second, as the stranger blinked. What would it be like to have those lashes flutter against his skin? Alex took in a deep breath that threatened to make him shudder.

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When his visitor just stood there frowning at the hairdryer, Alex sighed. “You do know what a hairdryer is, how to use one?” “I understand the... words, but I have not... covered the subject yet. Your in...ter...net is most helpful though. Your language proved easy.”

Oh, brother! Alex gave the stranger a thin-lipped smile, hoping it concealed his thoughts. “I’ll just do this for you then, shall I?” He bent, plugged in the equipment, and moved behind the guy... who turned with him, following his every action, gaze flickering from the hairdryer, to Alex’s face, and to the brush, which he now held in the other hand. “No. Look, you have to turn around.” Certain the stranger was just taking the piss, still Alex manoeuvred him into position. Even that small reposition, which caused Alex to stand close, nearly drew a groan from his throat. “So, what’s your name?” Alex eased the brush through the pale skeins of hair. He tried to ignore the desire to run his fingers through it. “I don’t have one,” the stranger responded. “Not one you could pronounce, anyway. I am not from around here.” “Ohhh-kay,” Alex said, gently, but stretching the word out. “I’ll play along,” he said on a laugh, to let the other man know he was no fool. The stranger tilted his head, and even standing behind him, Alex could see he looked puzzled. He was about to lose patience, but chose that moment to switch on the hairdryer. The sudden noise made the pale man flinch back, and he was either a good actor, or the man truly felt startled. “It’s okay. It’s just warm air,” Alex said, demonstrating that it was harmless by turning it towards him first. Hesitant, the pale stranger moved back into position and Alex directed the nozzle of the hairdryer towards him. A moment later, and the other man appeared

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satisfied that the gadget represented no danger. Alas, Alex soon discovered that the urge to sink his fingers into that white hair grew worse as the strands dried and turned warm and soft in his hands. He needed a distraction. Frowning now, Alex said, “I have to call you something. I shall call you Mani.” “What is this, Mani?” “It’s a Teutonic myth,” Alex said, then cursed, as illegal immigrant or not, not many people would know any of this. “Odin is the god of Norse legend.” He almost snorted. If this man was from Norway or somewhere like it, he should at least know that bit. “One of his rivals had two beautiful children. One he called Mani, meaning Moon. The other was Sol.” “Sun,” the strange man interrupted, sounding pleased with his understanding. “Correct. Long story short, due to their father’s audacity, the other gods took the children away and set them to drive the chariots of the gods. Mani was a handsome youth. He carries a bundle of thorns, from which men who do evil must suffer pain.”“You think me a handsome youth?” Some amusement existed in that voice and, now, Alex was certain the young man must be teasing him in some way, although whatever agenda caused him to play this game remained lost to Alex for now. “I’d be lying if I said no. I think your hair is dry enough.” Alex turned off the gadget and set it aside. When he looked back, those violet eyes regarded him. “You are not a...” the man searched for the appropriate words, or appeared to, “world leader?” Alex laughed. “No. I’m no one important. I’m nothing. If you’re about to say take me to your leader, I warn you, rain or not, I’ll kick you out on your ear.” The frown deepened between those violet eyes, making the young man look austere. “I do not know this kicking out on an ear, but I do know one thing.” The frown softened, the

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eyes sparkled. “You are not nobody, or nothing. You are a very nice man, and a very attractive one.” Despite the bad grammar, the fact that someone was taking him for some kind of odd ride, and the fact that he had promised himself countless times over not to get involved with another beach bum, Alex’s heart fluttered. He couldn’t help wondering how it would feel to kiss those soft, pouty lips, and he hated himself for it. He hated the stranger even more.

***** “Please, don’t do this. Please, don’t throw me out. Please. I like you. I like it here.” Mani’s panic was evident as he chased after Alex through the cottage into the kitchen. Alex paused only once, to stoop to pick up a couple of garments that he’d dropped on the way. The few things he’d bought or given to the stranger lay bundled up in his arms. “I don’t care. You can keep the clothes. I’ll give you some money. I just want you out of here.” Another two days had passed and Alex was at the end of whatever tether currently held his temper in restraint and his cock from bursting out of his trousers at the seams. In the last two days, Mani’s English developed admirably, so well, in fact, that Alex didn’t believe for a minute that the guy was some foreigner lost in a storm. The new arrival surely bleached his hair, he surely glued those bloody contacts to his eyeballs, he was surely the most delectable man ever to drift into Alex’s life, and Alex didn’t care. It was the middle of the night, and Mani had just tried to crawl into bed with him. That Alex could not stand. His heart couldn’t stand it. His libido couldn’t stand it. His resolve certainly couldn’t withstand the temptation for another night. “I came into your room because it is cold. I thought we could share warmth. Please. It is dark. I do not like the dark outside. We do not have this night where I come from.” The thought that low temperature rather than desire chased Mani into his bed somehow made what Alex felt worse. The bullshit that went with it just plain hurt. “Yeah, right. Next thing you’ll be telling me you come from Mars.”

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“No. Much further than that. Please. I meant no harm. I just wanted warmth. I have nowhere else to go.” This last he said on a wail, and Alex stopped throwing what few things now belonged to Mani into a carrier bag, and paced the floor. He shivered as the hard, cold, stone tile of the kitchen floor bit into his feet. Mani was right; it was cold. “Look, you can’t just crawl into someone’s bed and snuggle up next to them. I could... Someone could get the wrong idea.” Or just live in false hope and longing. Alex almost cried out as his cock twitched against his wishes. He was glad that he’d worn pyjamas to bed due to the cold, and glad they were roomy. They helped to hide his semi-erect state and, with luck, the warm, moist dew leaking from his cock wouldn’t show through. “I don’t know what you mean.” Alex snorted. “That’s it. I’ve had enough.” He flounced towards the living room, yanking the twin doors open to gain access, planning on throwing on a coat and some shoes, and then driving the stranger out of here. He was even prepared to call the police if Mani refused to go. “You can give me all this ‘I’m not from around here’ crap. That I can take. As to the rest...” Alex’s voice trailed away as what he saw stopped him in his tracks. His jaw dropped; his mouth fell open; he gaped. “What the fuck have you done to my computer?” he finally managed to ask. Mani, coming up beside him, smiled. He looked decidedly pleased with his creation. “It was inefficient, so I improved it.” “Inefficient,” Alex repeated. He moved slowly into the room, in something that he could only describe as a state of shock. “When did you manage to do this, and where did you get all this stuff?” “It only took two of your hours while you slept. I grew most of it. It’s simple when you know how.”

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Alex, who had already reached out and fingered one of the glowing green tendrils, flinched back, pulling his hand back, tight to his body. The string did look fibrous, and it did feel strangely fleshy. “Grew?” “These are organic connections. Much better than wires. These work like synapses. Fast thought processing.” “Are you saying I could think at my computer and get work done?” “You could, if I set up multi-aphasic connections.” “Don’t even go there!” Mani frowned, looked around. “Go where?” “I mean, don’t even mention it. I so don’t want to be connected to some machine.” “It is totally safe. I would not put you at risk.” “You expect me to believe you? Aphasia is to lose the ability to generate and understand speech, as in brain damage.” “Not as I mean it. Perhaps my translation is bad. I mean it is a way to by-pass speech. You would lose understanding while connected, because it would be an outmoded form of communication. Once you finished your work, you could disconnect and return to this normal, though inadequate, skill.” Alex stood staring at the white-haired, violet-eyed man in his parents’ living room. The only sound in the room was of little pips and beeps, and an odd hissing that sounded similar to breathing. It came from the myriad overlapping and interflowing green pulsing tubes that led from his main desktop computer, snaked around the room into various doctored pieces of his laptop, and back again. The soft green light flickered, sending strange and beautiful patterns of illumination over his mother’s chintz sofa. His parents stared at him from their wedding photo, which hung on the far side of the room over the sideboard. Several generations of his family stared at him in equal perplexity from tiny framed photographs dotted about the room.

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Alex sank into the seat behind him, putting his hands up to his face, his fingers clawing into his hair, as though trying to keep his brain inside his skull. “You’re an alien,” he panted. “A goddamn, genuine alien in my mother’s living room.” Mani crouched in front of him and gently touched the back of his right hand. It made Alex look up at him from under the untidy, slept-on cloud of his hair. “I mean you no harm.” “Where do you come from?” Alex managed to gasp out. Mani smiled. “Far away.” “Why are you here? I mean, are you going to harvest the human race or something equally nasty?” A small frown now accompanied the smile. Alas, it just made Mani look adorable. “I was just looking around and your planet seemed... interesting.” “You’re a drifter?” Alex said, not sure if he were asking, or trying to process too much information at once. Mani did that little head tilt that said he searched for the meaning to the word. “Drift. To be carried along by or as if by current of water or air. To move through life without a particular goal. To progress without a set destination. Yes. I liked the look of your world, and I liked these places you call beaches. I did not account on it being so cold. Now, I know that it is winter, but still, I’m glad I came when I did, for I would not have met you.” “You like the beach,” Alex said, ignoring any other implications that little speech might entail. Mani nodded. “A beach bum.” He giggled and couldn’t help it. “I find an alien and he’s another beach bum.” He started to laugh, and one chuckle ripped another, louder one out of him. The puzzled expression on Mani’s face just made him chuckle all the more. The thought of what his mother would say if she could see her living room filled with all these green, pulsing veins made him choke.

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“You’re not wearing contacts, are you?” Alex waved impatiently. “I mean your eyes. The colour’s natural, and so is your hair.” He waited for Mani’s nod. “And your...” he coughed, “you have no hair anywhere on your body?” “None of my kind do.” “Okay. I’m prepared to believe. You’re an alien. Did you come in some sort of craft?” “Not as in the way you mean it. There is much you can do with thought when you are incorporeal...” Mani’s explanation was lost to the ether as Alex watched his lips move. For the first time since Mani’s arrival, he took advantage of his first genuine reason to stare. He studied the man from his arched eyebrows, to the oval eyes, down the line of that delicate-looking nose that led to the pouty mouth, which dominated the narrow, tight jaw line. The shaggy, inward-curving sweep of white hair was a perfect frame for that graceful face. A prominent, but slender, neck drew the eye down to a deep hollow at the base of a throat, which looked just right to accept the press of a tongue. The sharp clavicle bones lay in an almost straight line to each curving shoulder. The thought of first running his fingers over one of those rounded slopes, and then following his fingers with his lips and tongue... Alex swallowed, blinked, tried to focus on what the alien was saying, but he knew everything on this being was slender, tight, clearly defined. Perfect. “You’re not listening, are you?” At least this creature appeared more amused than annoyed. “I was just thinking that if you’re such an advanced race, how come you didn’t know how to use the shower?” “I never said we were advanced.” “What you’re telling me all sounds quite advanced to me.” “Not compared to some in the universe.”

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Again, Alex blinked. It hadn’t occurred to him that there were others out there besides this fine-looking being. The human race could only hope all were as benign as this alien, if not as delectable to look at. “Water is scarce in many parts of the universe, including my home planet. You don’t waste it for such a simple thing as getting clean. There are other...” Again, the creature tilted his head in a way that Alex now knew was him either searching for the right word, or one that Alex would understand in comparison. “There are electronic means to keep clean. I will admit though, that the water felt good flowing over my skin and down my body.” “Hmm.” Alex offered a non-committal sound, but it emerged at too high a pitch for his liking. “Do many things on your planet feel good?” Mani asked. This time, Alex let out a squeak that turned into a cough, and Mani took to slapping him on the back when he choked. Alien or not, delectable or not, Alex repeated the mantra that he did not need another drifter in his life. One day, Mani would take to the stars and where would he be then? Heartbroken. Besides, there was no point in wishing for something that could never be. Even though Mani had tried to crawl into bed with him, it was in innocence, seeking warmth. Alex would not take advantage of this beautiful, luscious being, even if he did want to lick him all over like some type of delicious vanilla ice cream.

***** “Well, who is this tasty little morsel?” Alex stifled a groan, knowing it would only make things worse. He’d said hello automatically as he bumped into an old friend, and then silently cursed as said friend immediately turned his attention to his white-haired companion. James sashayed closer to Mani, slipping out of Alex’s embrace before he could stop him. Not that there was anything wrong with James, though he did exaggerate in everything that he did -- the way he moved, the stories he told -- but Alex just didn’t know what James would do, or how Mani would

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handle it. Leaning in too close to be polite, James tilted his head to look up, for he was the shortest of the three, and stared into the violet eyes. He even fluttered his eyelashes. “Love the contacts, darling.” Alex had explained to Mani that the colour of his eyes was unusual, and that the idea he wore coloured contact lenses was a good story. Most people would make the assumption, and he had convinced Mani that the easiest thing to do was just go along with the ruse. “This is... Mani.” Alex hesitated only slightly over the name. He doubted James would deduce where it came from. “He’s a friend.” James looked at him sideways. “Staying with you, is he?” The tone implied that Alex kept far too many things secret and this was one little snippet of information that James would pass along at all speed. Damn! He’d better let his parents know he’d asked a friend to stay before the news filtered back to them indirectly. They knew he was gay, so they would just assume the same thing James was assuming at this very minute. It would be wise for him and Mani to make sure they left before his parents returned in a month, to avoid any awkward questions. That reminded him, what was he going to do with said strange young man? He showed no signs of leaving. James now squeezed Mani’s hand. Clearly uncertain, Mani finally managed a smile. James, whose friends waited nearby, now leaned towards Alex. “I want all the details,” he said, theatrically. Standing on tiptoe, James gave Alex a chaste kiss on the lips, and then made his way, swaying, down the street. Aside from James’s friends, no one noticed the kiss in the dark, other than Mani. Trying not to think about it, Alex led the way back to the car. They’d shared an excellent dinner. Mani adored seafood. “What are your plans?” Alex asked, as they entered the cottage. “Plans?” Mani tilted his head in question. “What do you want to do? How long do you hope to stay here?”

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“I thought, a year, maybe longer. It depends. I would like to see the seasons change. I would like to see the beach in summer.” “That’s great. Just great.” Alex paced, fiddled with his car-keys, finally set them down on the table, and then leaned on the back of a chair. He needed the support. “Look, the problem is, this isn’t my house.” “I know that.” Alex had already explained the cottage belonged to his parents and they were currently away for three months, spending the winter in warmer climes. “Well, my folks will be home in a month, and if you’re going to stay for a year, you’ll have to work out where you want to go. You’ll need money, so you’ll need a job.” He stopped and sighed. “That’s a whole other complication. You’ll need an identity and I’m too honest to know how to provide you with one.” “I can do that.” Mani tilted his head towards the living room where Alex’s doctored computer beeped and pulsed. Admittedly, it worked like nothing on earth, and in the world of internet marketing, it was worth more than its weight in currency. Alex would be seriously upset to see it go, but even if he could cart it back to his London flat, he wouldn’t know what to do with it if something went wrong. He would also need Mani to keep it running and he wouldn’t let his thoughts go in that direction. Not even after witnessing firsthand what it could do. He hadn’t gained enough courage to allow Mani to hook him up to it directly, not even when the alien demonstrated how it worked. Just a couple of days ago, Mani cleared a week’s work in a couple of hours. How could a mere human not be impressed? Guilt tinged his admiration the moment Alex realised Mani could live with him, do in hours what it took Alex days to complete, and they would be free to enjoy the rest of their lives together. Strangely, the strongest, most absorbing thought concerned the idea of spending his life with Mani, rather than the amount of free time he would have at hand. “Fine.” He didn’t want to linger on thoughts of how Mani would set up an identity for himself. He said he could do it, so Alex believed him.

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“Do you not have enough money for both of us?” From any other person, Alex would have taken that as insulting and audacious. Mani understood how money worked. He just didn’t get the entire concept of why people coveted it, or needed it so much. “As much as I like you, I’m not about to fund an indefinite stay. Not if...”Not if you’re not with me in every conceivable way.” Mani saved him from answering the question truthfully by interrupting. Or maybe not. “Where will you be?” Mani asked. “Where?” “When your parents return, where will you go?” “I live in London. It takes about five hours to drive there.” During this time, Mani’s expression slowly tightened, until it now looked stern. As much as Alex preferred the young man looking pleased or happy, even this expression looked endearing. “You have no wish for me to be with you?”

Oh, cripes. “It’s not that. I... Mani, I just can’t. Besides, you want to see the beach in summer. There are no beaches in London. There are lakes and rivers, but nothing like here.” “You do not visit your parents during the year?” “Well, of course I do.” The frown disappeared, and a smile now blossomed on that face. “Then, I could come with you, to visit.” “No. Look. No!” Alex gave up. He was too tired for this. “We’ll talk about it in the morning. I need to go to bed.” Mani laughed. “Don’t look so concerned. We will figure it out.” He leaned in. “Goodnight, dear Alex. Pleasant dreams.” With that endearment, Mani kissed him.

*****

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He drifted, on a cloud, silken tickling feathers brushing lightly over his lips, tasting of nothing, yet making him think of morning dew on a rose. Then, Alex realised whose lips firmly pressed against his, and he pushed Mani away. “What? No. You can’t. We can’t. You can’t do those things with me.” Mani frowned, leaning in, only Alex’s firm hand keeping his body from pressing too close. “You kissed that little man.” “What? Who? Oh, James. He’s a friend.” “Am I not a friend?” “Yes, but not... He’s an old friend. I’ve known him for ages.” “Time makes a difference?” “Yes. No. He and I aren’t lovers.” “Lovers.” Mani tilted his head. “Someone who loves another. A sexual partner.” “Could you stop doing that?” Alex almost growled in frustration. Sometimes it felt as though Mani existed perpetually hooked up to the internet. Either that or the alien had swallowed a bloody dictionary. “James and I are not lovers. We never have been. We don’t have sex. We’re just friends.” Alex tried backing up and, to his horror, Mani came with him, so that his chest remained pressed against Alex’s hand. Mani should have picked out a thicker shirt for the weather. Even through the fabric, Alex could feel the firmness of that chest. “I don’t understand.” No. He wouldn’t. That didn’t truly explain the distinction. “Men don’t kiss each other on the lips. Not even if they’re friends. It takes a special... kind of friendship.” Oh, that was so lame. “I am not special to you?”

You have no idea. “You’re special. Just different.” As much as what he was about to say hurt him, Alex couldn’t take advantage of the situation. Mani was clearly innocent in matters

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of sex. It crossed Alex’s mind that he could talk him into just about anything. He wanted to. He just couldn’t bring himself to do it. “You should kiss women.” “Then, shouldn’t you kiss women?” “Yes. No. It’s not that simple.” Mani advanced. Alex, one hand pressed against that solid chest could only retreat. “What are you not explaining to me? Why are you feeling awkward?” Alex sought for a way out. “Look, on your planet, how do you have children?” “Ah, procreation. I have seen on your internet how your species give birth. We have very few females. We donate when we come of age. When we fill our quota, we are free to explore the universe.” Alex blinked. “Donate?” “They require our seed, not the body that provides it.” “Oh. That... kind of takes the fun out of it.” This time, Mani blinked. “There is fun in procreation?” “Oh, yes!” “This is new to me. It serves one purpose where I come from.” “Not here. It’s good for things like blood pressure and stress. It bonds people together. You don’t have to have children if you don’t want.” Mani appeared a little distracted as he often did when trying to figure things out. “So, kissing leads to sex on this world?” “Yes.” “I did not know this. We do not physically touch on my world. I just wanted to thank you, but it was pleasant to discover what a kiss felt like.” “Well, now you know.” “I liked it.”

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Stunned, Alex just gaped. Mani frowned suddenly, his expression intense. Alex’s mind caught up with his train of thought, realising his error, just before Mani spoke. “You have just told me you are not having sex with James, yet you kissed him.” Yep. That was the gap in his logic. Alex stood there, gaping, opening and closing his mouth like a fish. He watched Mani’s eyes start to glitter with what looked like unshed tears. “So, it is just me you do not wish to kiss.” “No. It’s not that.” “You do not like me.” “I like you just fine.” “Then I fail to understand. Have these last few days not been kind?” Mani’s verbal skills still failed him at times. Alex understood what he meant, though. Kind was just another way for the alien to refer to something he found good, fun, or pleasurable. “More than kind,” Alex said, and he meant it. The ‘few’ days were fast becoming weeks and, looking back, Alex couldn’t remember one moment when he didn’t feel good around Mani. The pale man’s intelligence, kind heart, sense of fun, and strong idea of right and wrong, made him gape, smile, laugh, and filled him with an odd, yet undeniably strong, sense of pride in turn. “I’ve loved every moment with you.” “And I, you.” Mani, who had glanced away, now looked back with something Alex could only liken to raw pain in his eyes. “What you say makes no sense. You say one thing, but you do not act as though you mean the words. Lovers. Someone who loves another. I care for you, Alex. I am sorry you do not feel the same way.” With that, he turned and fled to that cold and isolated back room, leaving Alex feeling as though his heart lay frozen in his chest.

***** “You can’t stand out here all night in the rain. You’ll freeze to death.” Odd that Alex had known he would find Mani out here, but the sensation crept through his bones while he

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paced in his bedroom, until the only solution was to prove the feeling was just his imagination. The reality stood, white hair hanging in a heavy drape, sodden from the rain. Weary, obviously reluctant, Mani turned and moved back towards the house. Alex stood aside, holding the door open with one hand as the alien stepped across the threshold. The moment he closed the door, Alex grabbed Mani by the arm, preventing him from escaping into the depths of the cottage. “What did you think you were doing? You’re cold, and wet. You’ll get sick doing a thing like that.” Mani just regarded him, those eyes limpid, wrecked, lips trembling, as though he didn’t trust himself to speak. “Mani, I...” Whatever he’d been about to say -- and Alex wasn’t even sure what word would have slipped out -- was lost, as the alien slapped Alex’s hand away. Though it pained him, it hardened Alex’s resolve. “You have to understand. I care too much to take advantage of you.” “How are you taking advantage of me by giving me something I’ve asked you for? If it’s what we both want, I see no harm.” “I told you...” Mani laughed, interrupting him. “I know. It’s not that simple. Your people seem to hide behind odd phrases when they don’t wish to be honest. They fear the very emotions they crave.” During this speech, Mani stalked through the small dwelling. Now, just outside of Alex’s bedroom door, he turned. “Well, you need fear me no longer. I will leave in the morning.” He couldn’t explain what he felt in that moment, but there was one thing Alex did know -- he didn’t want Mani to leave. Not like this. He didn’t have to say so, for whatever he felt surely showed on his face, if he could judge the way Mani regarded him. “At least your face is more honest than your words.”

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“My words are honest. You just don’t understand them.” When Mani stayed where he was, Alex’s heart leapt in hope. Maybe he would get the chance to explain. “Look. You’re soaked, and cold.” Alex stepped into the room and retrieved a blanket from the bed. He draped it around Mani, leading him into Alex’s bedroom and towards the bed as he did. “Sit. Listen to me. Even if it’s to say goodbye when I’m done, you should know why.” Mani sat shivering and clutching the blanket. “You should get out of those wet jeans,” Alex said, without thinking. The jeans were the only garment the pale man wore. Mani looked at him askance, and Alex shook his head. “I just mean to get you warm and dry.” Mani snorted. “I hardly expected anything else.” Sighing, Alex helped Mani undress, peeling down those wet jeans, revealing the long, pale legs. Kneeling in front of the alien, Alex looked up into those bright eyes. He wanted to burrow under the blanket, nuzzle his face into that cool skin, and warm it with his breath. “On earth, most people choose a partner of the opposite sex. You should have that freedom of choice as much as anyone should, but until you’ve spent some time here on earth, I don’t feel you can choose. You’ve nothing to base the decision on. I’m afraid that my preferences have influenced you.” “Is that all that worries you?” Mani asked. “Then you should understand that on my world there are so many males to females that we are not allowed to mate physically with them. We do not share sex. Many fear it will lead to violence, squabbles over the females, and inefficient pairings would further diminish our race. It has been this way for so many centuries that it feels normal to us, yet if I had known I could quench my need and passion in the arms of a friend, I would have turned to another male, ages ago. You do not have the say in what I should think and feel. What if it’s too late and I have already given you my heart?” Alex hesitated. He hadn’t thought of that. His gaze slid left and right, searching for some way to deny what he could see in Mani’s eyes. Slowly, he moved to sit on the bed, aware those intense violet eyes followed his every move.

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“Alex, I feel you are more worried about your heart than mine, but you have nothing to fear. I won’t hurt you.” One of those long, slim hands linked into his. Alex stared at it for several moments. “You... You’ll leave,” he finally managed to stutter out. “No matter what we feel, one day you’ll leave. You’ll return home. You’ll...” “I’m never going home.” Alex looked up in surprise. “What?” “When we leave, we leave for good. We go out into the universe and we journey until we find a new home or die alone. For us, a home can be somewhere... or someone.” Those eyes flashed and sparkled. Mani lifted his other hand and laid it against Alex’s chest over his heart. The movement caused the blanket to slip off one shoulder, revealing a long line of skin the colour of clotted cream. “I can only say it so many ways. I want this, with you. Show me how.” A thousand arguments clamoured, but Alex’s pounding heart drowned out the sound. The hand slipped from his chest down to his barely concealed cock, stroking it through the thin cloth of his pyjama bottoms. Mani leaned in, filling his vision with warm, buttery skin, and the dusk of those eyes, which now looked almost purple in the dim light. Standing up, Alex tugged once on the garment, and the cloth unravelled, falling from his flesh. He stepped out of his trousers and kicked them aside. Unable to help it, he gave his already straining member a few, hard strokes. At once, a solid, but still cool, grip fastened around him, taking over. Alex hissed, and then almost laughed. Well, he’d wanted to warm Mani’s chill skin, but the idea that his cock gave heat to that hand almost made him hysterical. “Does it feel better to have someone else do the stroking?” Mani asked. His voice quivered, sounding a little hesitant and unsure. For the first time, he didn’t sound quite so certain of his decision. Alex caught his gaze with his own, and Mani flushed. “I’ve only done this a few times to myself, and found it frustrating after the first time. Then, it quickly grew

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boring, though I admit, on your planet sensation counts for more than it does on mine. Still, it was easier to let passion wither and die. Nothing else on my world is allowed.” “Like this,” Alex gasped, determined to go on, unable to stand the thought of Mani having no knowledge of such pleasure. Kneeling, he took hold of Mani’s shaft, stroking him in such a way to make it swell. It took a little coaxing and then, as the flesh began to grow, Mani gasped. Alex kept up the strokes, making his fingers caress, as well as pump, now. Lowering his head, Alex took the soft glans into his mouth. His reward was a cry, almost as loud as a shout, tumbling from Mani’s lips to echo around his bedroom. Bobbing his head, Alex kept his tongue busy. It didn’t take long, and Alex felt no surprise over the alien’s quick release. A noise resembling a sob now filled the room, and a hot flood filled his mouth. Even before he was done, Alex lifted his head to watch. Finally, he rose to sit beside the other man on the bed. Mani, whimpering and almost crying, fell against him, his head lying in the crook of Alex’s shoulder. Small, anguished moans continued to fill the room with their melancholy sound. Alex hushed him, stroked his hair, his face, until the pale man calmed. Glittering eyes turned up towards his face. “I’ve never felt anything like that before.” Mani swallowed. “Can I do the same, for you?” “Only if you want to.” Mani nodded. There was a touch of reservation to it, but mostly the eagerness won out. Alex smiled. “Let’s get your hair dried first.”

***** Settling against the head of the bed into a nest of pillows, Alex watched the other man crawl on all fours towards him. Keeping low to the bed meant all that white hair tickled over his legs and thighs. Mani’s gaze flicked back and forth as though the alien didn’t know which part of Alex to drink in first. Inevitably, that gaze came to rest on his cock. Gently guiding, Alex nudged him closer to it. At the last moment, Mani spoke.

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“I don’t know what I’m doing.” “Just do what you want. I’ll guide you if you need it, but you won’t. You’ll know what to do.” Not sure that statement was entirely true, Alex discovered he was closer to the mark than he realised as moist heat engulfed his cock, holding him there, feeding on him. When Mani pulled off, Alex let him go, ready to accept the alien didn’t want to do this. He was mistaken. That tongue set to licking, tasting, tracing the map of veins running close to the surface, flicking around the base and then spiralling up the length, to lap at that sensitive spot just at the back that always sent sparks flashing off behind Alex’s eyes. He gasped, instinctively arched, and Mani opened his mouth wide and took him in. He bobbed, licked, and sucked, his tongue alive and moving. Alex was only aware that Mani looked up the length of his body, perhaps seeking approval, as a point of light struck one of those violet eyes. Alex tried to shout out a warning, but at that moment Mani dug his fingers into the fleshy part of his thighs as though he knew, as though he were determined to hold on. Mani’s throat worked and Alex saw stars. His last thought before he poured out his desire was that he’d never look at the night sky the same way again.

***** “Is this your true form?” Alex asked sleepily, tracing fingers over Mani’s skin, finding every crease and curve of that magnificent body. “It is one of them.” “One?” “I have three natural forms. One, the one I use on my home world, I could not sustain here on earth. Anyhow, I would not want to. It is...” He shrugged. “What? Ugly?” An image of some kind of ape or troll came to mind and immediately, Alex decided he didn’t care even if that were true, but he just couldn’t match the idea to the sheer beauty gazing up at him.

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“No.” Mani laughed. “Just boring. You would no more look at me than you would a plank of wood.” Alex looked along the length of that pale body that lay back in a tangle of blankets. He couldn’t imagine that either, and speaking of wood, he and Mani had barely ventured out of bed for the last twenty-four hours, although it hadn’t just been for sex. They’d slept a great deal in each other’s arms. Hmm... Mani in his bed for real was so much more remarkable than his dreams. He’d quelled a flash of guilt when Mani had remarked how the small back bedroom was so much colder. Well, he’d tried to more than make up for it, by trying various ways to keep the alien warm. They still had a few things to try yet. “This form I like, and I can feel so much more, which I like as well.” Alex echoed the sentiment with a brush of his lips over the creamy skin, and Mani shrieked with laughter as though it tickled him. “You said three forms.” “My last form, I could sustain very well here, but it would alarm most people. Although...” Mani grinned and the expression was one of such true joy that Alex found it impossible not to grin back. Mani reached down and stroked Alex’s face with a finger. “I think you would find it attractive to look upon. I just meant that people would notice me, and wonder what I was and therefore, fear me.”

As if they could fail to notice you now. Still grinning, Alex trailed a finger down the centre of Mani’s chest. “More attractive than this?” “You find me attractive?” “Oh, stop it,” Alex chided gently, nudging the other man. “You know I do. Stop fishing for compliments.” Mani laughed. “I cannot seem to help myself.” His face calmed, grew a little more sober. “I want to hear how much you like me. I want to hear that you desire me. I want to know that you will allow me to stay here with you.” “No chance.”

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Mani frowned, and Alex stifled a laugh. “You’re staying with me, no matter where I go. I can’t wait to show you London, where I live, to take you places all over the world.” Mani smiled. “Nowhere is as good as in your bed.” Alex’s heart gave a start. Maybe Mani wasn’t the only one who needed to hear a long never-ending stream of compliments. “So, this other form...” Alex said, as a distraction, for he was once again aroused. There was one thing he very much wanted to do, and Mani said he wanted it, too, but despite Alex’s patience, and plenty of lube, the alien just hadn’t been able to accommodate him yet. It proved so awkward that Mani had become convinced it didn’t work. To prove it would, and because, if he couldn’t bury his cock inside the alien, then he wanted Mani to penetrate him, Alex had shown him how. Even that had taken awhile and some coaxing, Mani convinced he would only cause Alex pain. Even when Alex had moaned in pleasure, Mani looked dubious as to whether it wasn’t just a cry of suffering, until Alex dragged the other man against him hard. Then and only then, Mani gave him the rhythm he wanted, crying out in something that sounded remarkably like misery himself. Tight, so tight, so

smooth, so arrrrgghhhhhhhhhh... After that, Mani wanted to try again but still no luck. Alex had soothed him and reassured him it didn’t matter. If they could never do it that way, it didn’t matter. Mani accused him of lying and, okay, he was. He very much wanted to bury his cock, but if it were not to be, it wouldn’t stop him loving Mani with all his heart. It’s okay, my love. We have

time. The problem was not so much his frustration, as that of the alien’s, who clearly wanted to experience the full length of Alex’s cock inside him now. “My other form is quite beautiful,” Mani explained, his gaze growing animated, as though he wasn’t beautiful now. Alex smiled in amusement. “It is the one we use to travel, for it is incorporeal. I never thought to be able to share it with someone, but you, Alex, yes. I think you would enjoy seeing it.”

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“Incorporeal?” Mani had said something about that once before. Alex lifted up just enough to ease his weight, curiosity gripping him now. The movement allowed his erection to rub against the other man’s knee. It caught Mani’s attention. “You...?” Alex made a dismissive gesture with his fingers. “Don’t worry about it. It’s going to happen frequently around you, I fear,” he added, grinning. “You were telling me about your incorporeal form.” “Yes, it...” Mani’s words trailed off. He blinked, his eyes flashing. Alex could almost see the light bulb going off in his head, though he had no idea what Mani was thinking right now. “Of course!” the alien cried out. “That might work. It might... be incredible.” “What? What might work?” However, despite his questions, Mani only smiled at him. “Trust me,” he said, sitting up, rising to his knees. He glanced down. “Grease your cock for me.” Frowning in amusement and puzzlement, Alex did as he asked. Kneeling there in front of the other man, his erection slick and evident, struck him as a little silly, but when Mani’s fingers touched either side of his face, the alien leaned in to kiss him and then drew back, so they could look into each other’s eyes, he was lost for words. “I hope you like this,” Mani said. “I’m sure I will,” Alex answered. He had no idea what Mani intended to do, but he meant every word. At once, that so pale skin became paler still, grew translucent, until Alex could see the fine map of veins, and threads of blood running just under the skin. The sight proved a little alarming, but it was also quite beautiful to see. The light grew in intensity, changed from white to buttery yellow. It grew almost too bright to see, and then dimmed. Alex blinked and then gasped, realising he could see through Mani, see the room as though he were looking through a ghost.

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The touch of fingers at his face grew lighter, lighter, lighter still, and faded away. The last thing of Mani to fade away was those violet eyes. What remained in front of Alex was a white to creamy yellow pulsing source of light like flames, containing little violet sparks. Mesmerised, he reached out. His fingers sunk into the light. It bathed his skin and danced along it. He could only describe it as the softest brush of skin against skin, but it was softer even than that. A laugh escaped him. He couldn’t help it, couldn’t contain it. The sound was pure joy and shocked him back into silence. The white fire grew closer, yet he felt no fear. Some small inner cautious voice asked what did he know about the alien really, but he couldn’t bring himself to listen to it, couldn’t care. If Mani meant to destroy him, what a way to die! The light spread over him, around him, sunk... into him. Alex gasped. He now knew Mani meant him no harm for this was like truly joining with another person. This was what people strived for when doing the horizontal dance, and although he didn’t want to give up the bliss of the other, this he could grow used to enjoying as well. He was still his own person, with his own will, and it wasn’t like sharing a lifetime of memories or anything, but he suddenly knew Mani. He understood him. He felt his love and sent it right back with one thought. White flame. Mani was his white flame -- a fire he would happily stoke until they burned out. The flame retreated, and Alex waited for the moment when he would feel bereft. It never came. The fire sunk down, stretched out, laid back against the bed, and if it had contained heat, Alex would have expected to see the sheets catch alight, despite the strange colour of the flames. It wrapped around his legs, his hips. It beckoned him forward and he went willingly. It coalesced, gathered, began to grow distinct. Mani came back together in human form with a shout that echoed from Alex’s mouth. Mani returned, fully formed around him, with Alex’s cock buried deep inside.

*****

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At first, the sheer force of pleasure drowned out any other concern. Then Alex stared down into Mani’s face, alarmed. If this drew a gasp from him, what must it feel like to Mani, to manifest with a rigid cock already inside you? He thought to pull back, was too afraid to move, and finally reached out to touch the other man’s face. “Are you alright?” That had to hurt... didn’t it? Mani gasped. His chest and stomach heaved. “It feels... Oh!” Those violet eyes rolled up into his head. Alex tensed to pull back, fearing the worse and thinking that perhaps a short, brief spike of pain at his withdrawal would be better than just to lie there and continue to hurt him like this, when Mani smiled. “I want you to make me so slack we never have to fight to fit together like this again.” “I don’t actually mind how we came together,” Alex explained, ignoring the unintended pun and longing that the remark invoked, “just as long as nothing I’m doing is hurting you.” “Not... hurting.” Those long pale legs wrapped around his hips. Long slim arms reached up for him. “Fuck me, Alex,” Mani said, his voice low and heated. “Make me yours.”

***** “Hey, man. Heard you hooked up with some albino for the winter.” Bray laughed. His laughter made Alex think even more of a donkey. Alas, Bray lacked the associated charm. Bray sidled up to him, swayed that pert little backside in his direction, so that it made him perform an odd, crab-like, sideways walk. Alex, hidden safely behind dark glasses, kept the merriment off his lips, and only let the amusement reach his eyes. Bray stroked his face, oblivious to passers-by. He leaned in, whispering. “You don’t have to settle for second best, you know. I’ve missed you, dude. It’s summer. We can have some fun just like old times. I dunno. Things were just getting too heavy. I wasn’t ready for it. I needed space, man. Just

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needed space. Things change. I hoped to catch you around. I knew you were staying with your folks somewhere nearby, that place with the famous fish restaurant guy.” “Padstow,” Alex said. “What?” “My folks live at Padstow.” “Yeah. That’s the place. I’m sorry I was against meeting up with them. I’d be happy to head back with you now. Besides, surf’s died for the day.” Alex stared at the ass currently blocking his view of Newquay. From the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of pure white hair. Immediately, his thoughts turned to the first few days when he and Mani made love more times than he could count, his tongue and fingers attempting to loosen an innocent hole, just a couple of hours prior to taking a less conventional route using Mani’s incorporeal form. Softly, words soothed as well as other things greased the way. Gasps, soft sighs, and moans beset his memory. A tight frown on the brow of that shaking head, flailing from side to side, not in denial, but in a silent plea for more, stirred his cock even now. His jeans grew tight. Face to face, when those sparkling eyes shot open, Alex had claimed a kiss, tongue and lips giving and receiving, drinking down their mingled shouts of joy. A strong need to be inside filled him even now and, without looking, he simply held out a hand. Long, cool fingers slipped into his, and he pulled Mani into the curve of his arm. Bray’s gaze shot sideways, those blue eyes going wide. His gaze flickered up and down, his expression edging from surprise to disgust. “I meant the albino quip as a joke,” Bray said. “You can’t be serious.” It crossed Alex’s mind to wonder whether Bray truly found Mani distasteful, or if he just couldn’t stand the competition. Alex truly didn’t care either way. “I love him,” he said. “My parents’ love him.” His tone implied no one could beat that winning combination, but he doubted Bray would get the subtlety. Bray’s eyes wandered back in disbelief to the alien’s face. Alex stroked Mani’s back in soft circles. The relaxed way Mani leaned into him, his

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attention all for Alex, and barely regarding the other man, told Alex that the alien was calm, unaware of any threat. That was good, because he had no need to worry. Turning his head, Alex kissed Mani’s temple, and then whispered into his ear. “I want to fuck you. I want to be inside you.” Mani swallowed hard, audibly, in response. “I heard that,” Bray complained. “I don’t care,” Alex told him, turning, drawing Mani along with him. “You’re gonna take this freak over me? You’ll regret it. This is just a rebound. Don’t you think you’ll miss me?” Alex paused. He could argue with Bray, but what would be the point? Bray was just upset because Alex had moved on so easily. If he took the man back, after a few weeks, Bray’s feet would just get itchy again. Besides, he’d already found a better man. Alex turned back to face Bray, tilting the glasses down from his eyes, letting the other man see the amusement in his gaze. “Naw,” he said. “You know how it is. I need my spaceman.” With a wink, Alex pushed the glasses back up to cover his eyes, and, hand-in-hand with Mani, he wandered off down the road, walking as straight as his straining erection would allow.

Sharon Maria Bidwell Sharon Maria Bidwell was born one New Year’s Eve within the London area. Since having her first short story accepted and the editor announcing her as “a writer who is going places,” her work -- poems, short stories and articles -- have appeared steadily in print and online publications. Previously, she kept the erotic side of her writing separate. The genre appealed though as it allows her the freedom to create something more expressive, less oppressive. She firmly believes that having a chance at such “free reign” reflects favourably in her work. It has always been a part of her personality in that she likes surprising and delighting people. She links her most favoured and often most successful work closely to fantasy, though her writing crosses genres. Uly’s Comet is her first novel. She loves reading, the movies and going to the theatre and spending time with a few very special people. Her friends are waiting to discover something she isn’t good at. She often thinks about moving but lives primarily in a world of her own. Visit this diverse writer’s site at: http://uk.geocities.com/theviewoveraonia.