Sunshine

Kobis woke slowly, bright sunlight flooding through the wide open windows filling the room with golden heat. He stretched languidly - not at all incidentally rubbing his erection against the cool smooth backside of his zn'hre, lying contentedly at his side - and smiled at the low, gentle sound of the sparkling windchime hanging over their sleep-pit.
      He was home.
      His eyes prickled, and he swallowed past the lump in his throat as 'haabron turned to him, cool skin a delight against the climbing temperature.
      **Happy?**
      Kobis sighed and grabbed his zn'hre to him, burying his face in soft, heavy emerald hair and biting back a sob of joy.
      *Oh yes…*

Gh'heegonan had assembled the Council to greet them, but it looked as though the rest of the enclave also wanted to be there: a sea of smiling faces met them as they disembarked from the shuttle. The Regent had suggested a day of celebration, with music and an ongoing feast - business could wait until tomorrow, there was nothing urgent and it had been so long since his people had seen the High King!
      Zha'haabron was happy to agree, and the family spent the day talking to friends old and new, acclimatising to the heat, and enjoying the atmosphere, which, Kobis thought, was a lot more relaxed than on Vejiitasei. Maybe the heat had something to do with it, or the soft sibilant R'ren'nkh'ia-go spoken in low quiet voices, or maybe it was just the sheer joy of being back again, but the young Saiyan could almost feel tension draining from him, tension he hadn't even realised was there…
      'haabron had hissed with pleasure, his eyes gleaming, as 'jiisa joined them in the largest reception chamber, and hugged his sire-sib tightly. Kobis smirked: the warrior zn'hre had grown, was taller than 'haabron now and leanly muscular, and looked as though he would give 'raadiin some real competition. 'jiisa had smirked as the Saiyan said as much.
      "Well, we'll see soon. I'm returning to Vejiitasei with Fa'saayen."
      'haabron frowned.
      "Are you and he…?"
      'jiisa inclined his head.
      "Sort of. We're not bonded - but there's some sort of link there." He grinned and stretched. "It's kind of nice, actually. Though he's hardly the cheeriest of characters, especially at the moment."
      'haabron nodded.
      "Yes. Papa wants to speak to him before he sees Suguri."
      'jiisa sighed.
      "Won't do any good. He doesn't want to share."
      Kobis wrapped his arms around 'haabron's shoulders and nuzzled his neck.
      "I can understand that…"
      'jiisa grabbed another handful of crispy-seared beetles from a platter and chewed thoughtfully for a moment or two.
      "Would you two like to come and stay with us for a while? We're in Ti'zheenan's suite - Fa'saayen wanted to be close to something of his mate's. We've been keeping the garden tended."
      'haabron twisted to raise an eyebrow in Kobis' direction, and the Saiyan nodded. The zn'hre turned back to his sibling.
      "If papa says it's all right then yes, we'd like that very much."
      Ti'zheenan's rooms were towards the top of the outcrop that housed the enclave, the precious little garden outside the common room and accessible through a wide window-door. But the main thing, as far as Kobis was concerned, was that it was up high. The Saiyan prince never felt more at ease than when he was high above the surface of the world…
      Fa'saayen had joined them soon after, bowing respectfully to 'haabron - Gh'heegonan had, it would appear, spread the word to the whole planet that the High King's chosen successor would be staying onworld for a time, and the zn'hre was being treated with a courtesy that bemused - but didn't faze - him by all and sundry. 'jiisa grabbed the warrior's arm and pulled him onto a seat, then leaned against him, nuzzling his shoulder.
      "You don't mind if Kobis and 'haabron stay with us, do you?"
      Fa'saayen blinked his startlement, then slowly shook his head.
      "Of course not… though we don't have… it's not a special suite, highnesses."
      'haabron raised a hand dismissively.
      "It is the people in a domicile that matter, not the place itself."
      Fa'saayen eyed him narrowly, then smiled and relaxed.
      "You will be very welcome. It's well placed to catch the early morning breeze from the mountains…"

Which, as Kobis had learned over the last six days, meant a tiny breath of marginally cooler air, enough to stir their windchime and that was about all. The Saiyan didn't care.
      Gods he loved this place!
      If only he didn't have to be so cautious about the sunlight. 'haabron was still slathering him with sunscreen three times a day, which he thoroughly enjoyed - heh, his beloved's cool strong hands stroking everywhere, how could he not! - but it was going to be a little inconvenient if he had to do this for the rest of his life!
      But Vinas had, he knew, been working on something a little more permanent for the Saiyans who spent any time on R'ren'nkh'ia. 'selaan had tried to explain it to him - it had to do with making changes to his DNA so his skin was more resistant to the light of the R'ren'nkh'ian sun, and the Feeodoreean was also trying to find some way to make their bodies more efficient at coping with the heat, so they didn't sweat so much and therefore need to drink so much water. Kobis didn't understand the technicalities, but he did appreciate what Vinas was doing. He was going to spend most of his life here, on this hot dry world he loved so much: anything the biotech and his team could come up with to make life easier would be gratefully received…
      And in the meantime?
      He sometimes felt as though his heart would burst with happiness. He flew with his zkai'da, soaring over the heat-shimmering sands below, the hot air against his body, his face, a caress; they bathed together, in water partly imported from Vejiitasei and partly condensed from the efficient new precipitators the Feeodoreeans had devised and installed for the R'ren'nkh'ia-jin; they ate plentifully of high-protein native and imported comestibles… And as the sun set, Kobis and 'haabron and 'jiisa and Fa'saayen took their beakers of sweet wine into Ti'zheenan's garden, sitting at ease as the temperature dropped a little, watching the stars fade into scintillant life far above…
      He knew there'd come a time, and soon, when they'd have to focus on the more mundane facts of life on R'ren'nkh'ia, settle into a routine of meetings, sessions with Gh'heegonan and various historians and protocol advisors. He was almost looking forward to it, wholly determined to become the best advisor possible to his zn'hre - but right now… right now they were allowed a little time to enjoy themselves…

**zvi'ch? Are you awake?**
      'haabron - currently straddling his bondmate's hips, solid Saiyan inkei buried deeply in his chitsu as Kobis' tail caressed his erection - spared a moment to *hiss* at his shi'iin before bending to lick slowly and firmly along Kobis' throat. The Saiyan shuddered and gripped his zn'hre's hips, thrusting up into the cool body and finally allowing himself to come, sighing with pleasure as 'haabron gasped and collapsed forwards, inkei pulsing as he climaxed. Kobis cuddled him closely, nuzzling his hair.
      *I love you, zkai'da…*
      'haabron sighed contentedly and kissed his bondmate's jaw.
      **Sth'ish'tisiin...**
       They lay quietly for a moment, then,
      **Now we're awake…**
      A quiet *chuckle*
      **Are you hungry? We're in the garden having firstmeal…**
      On cue, Kobis' stomach growled. 'haabron smirked.
      **We will be there right away…**

'Right away' turned into several minutes as 'haabron applied the sunscreen to his bondmate's warm skin and Kobis slipped into the brief, rich blue ontibu leather loincloth that was his preferred R'ren'nkh'ian excuse for clothing: 'haabron had taken to wearing a similar scrap of leather in dark green…
      Fa'saayen rose and bowed as they made their way out into the blazing morning. 'jiisa grinned and waved a hand at the piled platter sitting on the edge of the little pool: they'd set the fountain going, and the tinkling spray glittered in the sun. Kobis seated himself with a sigh and smirked at 'jiisa.
      "Anything planned for today?"
      The young warrior stretched, blue skin gleaming in the sun.
      "Just the usual. 'saayen's organised a deep desert combat exercise - like to come along?"
      Kobis glanced at 'haabron - it wasn't something he'd particularly enjoy - but his zn'hre nodded.
      "I think so. I need to see everything that happens onworld, keep myself appraised."
      Kobis blinked, then stroked his bondmate's back appreciatively with his tail: 'haabron took his responsibilities seriously. The zn'hre pressed a cool hand gently to the Saiyan's thigh.
      "And it will be an opportunity for you to see some more of our world. We will fly, stay well out of the way…"
      "You had better check with the Ssii'iin first, highnesses…"
      'haabron nodded.
      "Thank you, Fa'saayen. Some of the others might be interested too - may I bring them along?"
      The warrior hesitated - the idea of having to watch out for a bunch of hostlings was not appealing…
      "Highness, it is a genuine exercise… It may not be safe…"
      'haabron eyed him for a moment, smiling to himself. He couldn't imagine a situation in which Le'leen and Ti'ani - and 'vahn and Za'rayne - couldn't handle themselves with perfect safety. But it was a sensible thought. He inclined his head.
      "I will take full responsibility."
      Obviously not happy with the notion, Fa'saayen nevertheless nodded, reluctantly.
      "Very well, your highness. We will be heading out in an hour: may I ask you to be ready by then?"
      'haabron smiled.
      "Of course, warrior…"

An hour later 'haabron, Kobis and the hybrids reported to Fa'saayen, who instructed them to stay well out of the way of his warrior squads - a mix of mainly shr'en'an and va'ha'da but with five muscular zn'hre as well - then led them into the air and out across the planet into the vast desert that girdled the world…
      It was hot, even for the hybrids, whose tolerance to temperature extremes was considerable. Kobis flew in 'haabron's shadow, wishing he had Kinu's cold-ki ability.
      They finally reached a rocky outcrop in the middle of nowhere, and Fa'saayen had them all land. The aim of the exercise was for one group to remain atop the outcrop while the other attempted to take control of it - and for this exercise the use of ki was forbidden. He smirked at the groans that accompanied that order.
      "The aim of the exercise is to test your stamina and endurance - and your ability to fight using purely your physical strength." He pointed upwards. "Defenders, start climbing…"
      *He won't even let them fly to the top?! Gods, I wouldn't want him as my captain!*
      'haabron chuckled.
      **He thought the Saiyan methods of training were too soft. But he won't have them do anything he wouldn't. He won't use ki himself while the exercise is running…** He brushed beads of sweat from his bondmate's forehead. **Will you be all right? We can return if you think this will be too much for you**
      Kobis shook his head.
      *Going to be living here, need to get used to it. Be nice to get into some shade though - if there is any…*
      'haabron frowned. There was a lower tumble of boulders at a little distance from the outcrop: the shadows at their base looked inviting. He shooed his bondmate in their direction then turned to the hybrids.
      "I don't think it would be wise to try to join in the exercise, not this time. But if you want to spar, please do. Just don't stray too far. And keep an eye out for zchk'in. If you spot any let me know."
      'vahn blinked.
      "Why?"
      "Because as long as it isn't a breeding female, we could kill it and take it home. I understand they're delicious!"
      Za'rayne smirked and glanced at his twin, then Le'leen.
      "Shall we hunt?"
      The answer was a resounding yes. 'haabron chuckled.
      "Very well - see what you can find. Just don't get hurt!"
      Le'leen grinned.
      "You think there's anything here that can hurt us? Heh…"

'haabron stroked his bondmate's mane as Kobis sipped sparingly from the water flask then leaned back against the cool rock. From here they had a good view of the outcrop, and were watching the exercise with interest. The 'attackers' had made it to the top of the outcrop - those claws were very useful, Kobis noted, and the zn'hre's smaller size and lesser weight helped them find the hand and foot holds the bigger lizards couldn't reach - with only a couple of casualties: one of the va'ha'da had fallen and twisted something in landing awkwardly, and another had torn a long deep gash in his arm when he slipped back a body-length, halfway up the outcrop. Fa'saayen declared them out of combat and had them rest on the sand, near himself, to watch the rest of the encounter…
      … which showed signs of lasting for a lot longer. The fighting at the top of the outcrop was ferocious, and neither side wanted to surrender. Kobis glanced at his bondmate.
      *They're good, aren't they?*
      'haabron nodded.
      **Very good. Fa'saayen is an excellent trainer - and a sound commander. We will need people like him. I'll speak with papa, see what he thinks. It might be a good idea to have our own Royal Guard - I know I'm never going to be as strong as papa, and I don't want you to have the responsibility**
      *I don't mind…*
      'haabron smiled and kissed his cheek.
      **I know, but I'd rather have you by my side, zkai'da, not worrying about rotas and training sessions**
      Kobis wrapped his tail around the zn'hre's hips, brushing the tip over his groin, and was about to pull his bondmate into his lap, when 'haabron froze, expression alarmed.
      **Ti'ani…**
      *What is it?*
      **I don't know…** He stood up quickly. **I have to go and find out. Will you wait here?**
      Kobis pulled himself upright.
      *No. I'm coming with you…*

They flew fast, heading further out into the desert until the outcrop was a small hazy bump on the horizon. Kobis eyed 'haabron worriedly.
      *What did you feel? Are they hurt?*
      **No… It was a mix of excitement and fear…**
      Kobis sighed.
      *They found their zchk'in.*
      **I think so. The creatures aren't really rare, just difficult to find, but Za'rayne is so determined…**
      A very short time later the sound of ki blasts, hissing, and something large thrashing against sand reached them, and as they soared over the top of the immense wave-like dune before them they saw the hybrids - and the creature they were… playing with, it seemed to Kobis.
      The zchk'in was huge, a massive six-legged lizard with a long whiplike tail and a wedge-shaped head full of very large teeth. Small, enraged crimson eyes glared at the hostlings from under spiked brow-ridges as the animal snapped its head from side to side, trying to catch one or other of the irritating little things tormenting it and failing: for all their size and fearsome appearance zchk'in were slow, cumbersome beasts, except for the tail, which was quite capable of delivering a killing blow…
      Le'leen was standing on the lizard's broad scaled neck, one hand gripping one of the flared spines of its heavy crest as the other hybrids stayed out of reach, light ki blasts preventing the creature from escaping. He grinned at his machii, waving with his free hand.
      "Can we take him home with us?"
      'haabron blinked, then sighed and smirked at Kobis.
      **Strange sense of humour…** "As long as you kill it first, yes."
      "Awww!" came from 'vahn and Za'rayne, and 'haabron looked thoroughly startled. Ti'ani grinned.
      "Apparently some of the races at the Academy keep animals as 'pets'. 'jau has been talking about it with this bunch, and 'vahn has decided he wants the zchk'in as a pet."
      'haabron descended to hover close to the little hybrid.
      "I think he's a bit big, zk'vils. He'll take up too much room, and I don't think you can tame them. How about we just kill it and take it home to eat?"
      'vahn's face fell, but he nodded, reluctantly.
      "… s'pose so… How do we kill it, though?"
      'haabron regarded the still struggling creature, and sighed.
      "I believe a blast through the open mouth and into the brain should suffice." He raised an eyebrow at Ti'ani. "Unless you want to fry its brain from the inside?"
      The hybrid shook his head.
      "That's very messy and very smelly, and we still have to get the thing home… But I'll blast it if you like."
      It took a surprisingly long time; first the creature wouldn't hold still enough for Ti'ani to get a clear shot, and when Le'leen and Kobis finally managed to force its head into relative stillness it took four fine blasts to get through the thick bone guarding its brain. But they managed, and hovered over the corpse, admiring their handiwork. 'haabron eyed the animal, assessing its mass, then smirked wryly at Kobis.
      "I suggest we take it back to Fa'saayen. I'm sure the warriors would all appreciate some refreshments - and then they can carry it home…"
      Kobis laughed and flicked 'haabron's backside with his tail.
      "It's a good plan - your highness…"

Fa'saayen - and his squad - had been very, very impressed with, and extremely appreciative of, the huge zchk'in. He'd spoken quietly to 'haabron as the warriors helped themselves to chunks of rich hot lizard-meat.
      "Your highness, I regret my earlier words. Hostlings who can overcome a full-grown zchk'in are not likely to be a burden in combat…"
      The prince nodded.
      "They are already fairly experienced, Fa'saayen. Radittsu-san has handled their training."
      "Might they like to join us?"
      'haabron inclined his head, frowning.
      "I don't know. I can speak with papa, see what he thinks of the idea…"
      "Thank you, highness." He gazed at the warriors, bruised and gashed and weary from the training exercise but much refreshed after the impromptu picnic. "Time to move out!"
      By the sun it was getting on toward evening. Six of the va'ha'da grabbed one of the zchk'in's legs each, even their considerable bulk dwarfed by the huge lizard, and flew steadily back to the enclave, where the hybrid's exploits swiftly became legendary, much to their embarrassment. Zha'haabron had been very pleased with them - and the meat from the beast would feed the entire enclave for several days…
      He wasn't keen on the idea of any of the hybrids joining the onworld military though. Unless they asked to do so themselves, in years to come.

'haabron had taken his bondmate's hand after they'd eaten, and pulled him upright, waving a goodnight to 'jiisa and Fa'saayen. Puzzled, Kobis allowed 'haabron to lead him out into the garden.
      *What…?*
      The zn'hre kissed him, then took off, still holding his hand, and moments later they'd landed in the sound chamber. Grinning broadly Kobis pulled his zkai'da into a tight hug, nuzzling bright green hair. 'haabron stroked his back, eyes soft, fingers stealthily unfastening their scanty articles of almost-clothing.
      **I thought you might like to watch the sunset…**
      *And listen to the chimes…* And indeed, the delicate vari-toned crystals suspended from the vault of the ceiling were stirring and chiming gently as the horizon burned with the setting sun. Kobis sighed and closed his eyes, breathing in his beloved's scent.
      *I love you.*
      'haabron brushed a kiss over his lips and pulled him down to lie on the wide, comfortable cushions, straddling his hips, cool fingertips stroking down his hot body.
      **My zkai'da… I cannot tell you how happy you make me, how I treasure you**
      *I know it, beloved. I can feel it in every part of me, singing like the chimes.*
      With a wordless trembling sigh 'haabron sank down onto his bondmate, making gentle love as the sky grew bright with stars. And later they lay together, Kobis half on the cool stones of the floor, a tiny warm breeze setting the chimes ringing softly above them, drowsy and content in each other's arms.
      Such rare happiness, such precious joy.
      It will last forever, thought Kobis as his eyelids drifted shut, stroking his sleeping bondmate's cool hair. I'll make sure of it…
      And 'haabron smiled softly, his dreams filled with the colour of their love.