Mire
Neneki.
Cold, damp, muddy. A world where everything you touched left a layer of slime on your skin. Where the very air seemed to clog your lungs with sludge and left a thick film of sticky gunge on your hair, your eyelashes…
Yuuzen hated it. And he was stuck here for six whole days while the trade mission negotiated mineral rights. It wouldn't have been quite so bad if Choichan had been able to come with him, but the lieutenant was undergoing a routine corps career appraisal, and if he passed he'd be eligible for promotion. Which they both wanted. So, reluctantly, the Drovonian had kissed his lover farewell and immersed himself in the battery of physical, mental and psychological tests the corps inflicted on its members every now and then.
Yuuzen groaned quietly. Today was day four. He felt like he'd been here forever…
Greatly daring, Vreychan touched his arm.
"Yuuzen-sama? Are you alright? Is… is there anything I can do for you?"
The Tokajin wearily shook his head. She bit her lip.
"Are you sure? I know I'm not Choichan, but… he's kin. And while he's not here, I should take care of you. I don't mean in bed…" she added hastily, blushing. "Unless you demand it. I mean just generally. I know you're not enjoying yourself…"
Yuuzen frowned, and the Drovonian bowed her head.
"Just something like tending your hair for you, Yuuzen-sama… I mean no disrespect…"
The idea was so tempting. Choichan loved his hair, loved to wash it, to comb it, to… play with it… And it felt greasy and slimy, horrible…
He shuddered, then nodded.
"Thank you, Vreychan. It would please me to have you assist me. As long as it does not obstruct your own duties."
"Oh no, Yuuzen-sama! Not at all!" The female hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively, "When are you off duty?"
"In two local hours."
"Shall I come to you then…?"
He regarded her solemnly, then nodded.
"I would appreciate it."
She grinned.
"Two hours it is then!"
Choichan made his way wearily back to his quarters, mentally preparing himself for another lonely night. Gods he was missing his lover…
There was someone in their quarters.
He slipped through the door into the dimly lit room and dropped into a crouch, nostrils wide as he gazed around, pupils widened to take advantage of what little light there was… A glint on a golden eye had him pushing himself upright.
"Yuuzen? When did you get…"
A rich low chuckle had him freezing.
"No - Yuuzen is still down on Neneki, I'm afraid." The voice was smooth and mellifluous: Choichan frowned as he raised the light level.
"Who are you? What are you doing here…?"
His voice tailed off as he got his first proper look at his visitor. He swallowed hard.
Ye gods…
The strange Tokajin tilted his head, smiling slightly sideways at the Drovonian through long, long lashes, bright golden eyes glowing.
"I am Kinsha. An old… friend of Yuuzen's. I do hope you don't mind my dropping in like this. Yuuzen told me so much about you and I didn't think you'd object to my introducing myself."
Choichan shook his head slightly, dazed. Kinsha was ethereally beautiful, slim, the fine, soft emerald hair that flowed with every slightest move he made held back from his face by a jewelled headband. Graceful bare arms shimmered with softly chiming bracelets, close-fitting black leggings wrapped long legs down to slender feet in delicate open sandals: a high-necked black silk tunic, loosely held closed by jewelled chains across his ribs so that the pale blue chest underneath was partially revealed, reached to mid-thigh and swirled around him as he moved.
He made the lithe little Drovonian feel inept and clumsy…
Choichan shook his head, fixed a smile on his face, and offered his guest some refreshments…
Yuuzen arrived back at his rooms to find Vreychan already there, waiting for him outside the door. She grinned widely as she caught sight of him, and patted the satchel she carried over one arm.
"I brought along a few things I thought might help you relax, Yuuzen-sama."
On this planet? It seemed unlikely, but it was a kind thought. He inclined his head, smiling, and ushered her into his accommodation.
Very nice! thought the female, gazing around appreciatively. Yuuzen grimaced.
"I apologise for the… limitations of my temporary home."
She grinned.
"It's no problem, Yuuzen-sama. As long as there's a bathroom…"
He gestured towards a door set in a sidewall.
"Through there."
"Very well. If you'd like to get undressed, I'll run a bath for you."
She disappeared through the door before he had a chance to object, leaving him blinking in confusion.
Fortunately there was a bath, as well as a shower. Vreychan attached a speedfilter to the taps and turned them on full, then threw several handfuls of foaming cleanser into a tub rapidly filling with pure hot water. A second filter clipped onto the shower head, ensuring that the ever-present grime and impurities were sieved out before ever reaching the user. She was pulling various hair cleansers, sponges and massagers from the bag when Yuuzen walked in.
Naked.
She'd mentally prepared herself for it, but that didn't stop her halting in mid-motion to take a long, long appreciative gaze at the beautiful being. He hesitated, sniffing at the perfumed air and smiling uncertainly: Vreychan pushed herself upright and ushered him into the shower.
"Yuuzen-sama - do you mind if I disrobe, also? It will make things easier for me."
He shook his head, colouring slightly: she guessed that he'd never seen a naked female before. Forcing herself not to grin, she slid out of her uniform, grabbed cleansers and a large, exfoliating sponge and joined him under the warm spray.
He was tense, to start with, but she was efficient and impersonal, reaching up to rub cleanser through his dull, sticky and tangled hair then leaving it to work while she stroked a foamy sponge thoroughly all over his body. She paused when she reached his groin, looking upwards into his face enquiringly.
"Would you prefer to do this part yourself?"
He blinked - why should he wish that? - and shook his head. Giving him a quick, confident smile, she slid her fingers between his labia and eased the twin penises into the light…
… swallowing very hard and pressing her thighs together as inconspicuously as she could as heat tingled through her groin. That at least she could hide - though she was grateful the Tokajin sense of smell was less acute than the Drovonian: she could smell her own lust even through the varied fragrances of the cleansers! - but there was nothing she could do about her nipples, all eight of them, hardening into long dark-cream cylinders of flesh on the tip of each of her eight small, rounded breasts.
If Yuuzen noticed, he chose not to comment.
Finding it hard to breathe, and ready every second for him to object and send her from his quarters, she stroked cleanser lovingly over and between the shafts, smiling to herself as they grew erect, then slid the tip of her tail between his legs to push into his cunt, pressing against the gland…
… then shifting quickly to help support him as he gasped and climaxed, his knees buckling as pearl-filled come jetted over her hands and his own belly. She gently withdrew her tail and held him until he stopped shaking, then - as if it were the most normal thing in the world - used her hands to rinse his semen away and ease his penises back into hiding. Inclining her head, she gazed up at him, her expression sombre and businesslike.
"Better?"
He blinked, then nodded uncertainly.
"Um… yes… thank you…"
She allowed herself a small smile.
"All part of the service, Yuuzen-sama."
Bewildered but tingling in the aftermath of a novel - and, he had to admit, very enjoyable - experience, he allowed her to continue, holding onto the sides of the shower as she worked down his legs and feet, then rose, pushed him gently until his back was towards her, and kneaded his shoulders and upper back.
Minutes later she sluiced the cleansers from his hair and body, relishing the softness of smooth blue skin over hard muscle, the heavy wet silk of his hair, and guided him to the tub, pushing him gently down into the water as she grabbed for a towel for his hair. He sighed and relaxed, his head rolling backwards to rest in her lap as she slathered her hands with a rich cream and gently stroked and pressed under his jaw and down his neck, working the lotion into his skin.
"Is that OK, Yuuzen-sama?"
His eyes were closed as he relaxed completely.
"Mmmm…."
She grinned.
"Good. I'll be back in a moment…"
Diving quickly into the main room she dragged the begrimed bedding from the divan and hurriedly replaced it with clean, knowing full well that it would be filthy again by this time tomorrow: atmospheric conditions didn't bother the natives but visitors to the world insisted on at least going to bed in clean covers. She laid a large towel on top, then, hastening back to the tub, helped Yuuzen drag himself wearily from the water and ushered him through to the main room. She gestured to the bed.
"If you would care to lie down, I will massage you. You will find it will help you sleep." she added as he glanced at her, disconcerted.
Not entirely certain it was a good idea, but feeling too good to object, he lay on his front as she knelt beside him, working more of the cream into his lean, powerful body.
By the time she'd finished he was almost asleep, and it was with some effort he managed to slide into the bed. Vreychan quickly combed his still damp hair and plaited it loosely, then stroked his shoulder.
"Better?"
He nodded, yawning, his eyes closing.
"Thank you, Vreychan. That was wonderful."
"Same again tomorrow?"
"If it is not inconvenient…"
"It won't be, sir."
But he was asleep. She grinned, latched the door locked behind her as she left his quarters, then spent the next hour masturbating, imagining those big, solid penises inside her…
Yuuzen woke up wondering whether he should feel guilty or not. Had the Drovonian female been 'intimate' with him? Not like Tulip had, certainly. And she'd asked before she did anything… He hadn't 'fucked' her - hadn't touched her at all except briefly in passing… It had almost seemed as though she were performing some sort of duty; she certainly didn't appear to have got much pleasure from the experience.
Perhaps this was one of her tasks in the corps?
He shook his head. Perhaps he ought to ask his lover.
Speaking of whom… He smiled happily to himself. Choichan would just be awake now, ready for another day of tests. They could talk for a few minutes before they both started the day.
Choichan was very slow to answer the vid-link - so slow Yuuzen was beginning to think maybe he'd made an early start. He was just about to give up when his lover's face appeared on the screen.
And coloured guiltily. Yuuzen frowned: Choichan looked exhausted, as though he hadn't slept…
"Hello lover…"
Something stirred behind the Drovonian. Something that pushed him gently out of the way and smiled into the screen.
Kinsha.
"Hello Yuuzen. I trust all is going well on Neneki?"
Yuuzen stared, lips parted.
"Kinsha… what are you doing there?"
The Tokajin shrugged.
"I was passing - rather, my transport is here refuelling - and thought it would be… sociable to call in." Kinsha smiled. "Choichan has been very hospitable. I must congratulate you on your excellent taste - he is very attractive, and so talented! I really hadn't expected such skill of a Drovonian…"
Something cold and heavy settled in Yuuzen's chest. He inclined his head politely, unsmiling, to the other Tokajin.
"I am glad you approve. May I speak with him?"
"Of course!"
Kinsha moved aside, to allow the blushing Choichan back to the screen. The Drovonian didn't seem to be able to bring himself to look at Yuuzen. Forcing himself to keep his voice level, Yuuzen enquired after the tests: Choichan responded that they were going well. And asked how Yuuzen was feeling, and how he was coping on Neneki. Yuuzen answered without mentioning Vreychan.
It was a horribly stilted conversation, and Yuuzen cut the communication quickly, dropping down to sit crosslegged on the grimy bed, sinking his head into his hands.
Surely he'd misunderstood. Choichan had said he wanted them to stay together. But he'd obviously spent the night with Kinsha - exquisitely beautiful, rich, high-status Kinsha…
Hearts aching, Yuuzen dragged himself upright…
… And stumbled through the day, somehow managing to perform his duties, though hardly to a reasonable standard.
Vreychan was waiting for him when he returned. She grinned brightly at him - then frowned.
"Yuuzen-sama? What's happened?"
He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should tell her - then decided he just couldn't. He sighed.
"It's nothing, Vreychan… I'm very tired. Thank you for coming, but I think I'd rather just go straight to bed tonight."
She pouted.
"Well, let me at least change the bedding for you!"
He shook his head.
"Thank you for your concern, but I wish to be alone."
He swiftly slid into the room without allowing her a chance to enter, and double locked the door behind him, then stripped and crawled into the gritty-feeling bed, ignoring the damply sticky covers as he curled into a tight ball, buried his head in his arms, and sobbed as though his world had ended.
Which was very close to how he was feeling.
The next day was torture. He was due to return to the ship that evening: before, he'd been aching to get back to his lover - now he debated whether it might be better for him to remain on Neneki…
But the delegation wouldn't let him. He debarked from the shuttle and made his way with dragging steps to his and Choichan's quarters.
The Drovonian greeted him with a too bright smile, pulling him into a tight hug, grimacing at the slime on his skin and hair.
"Into the bathroom, lover."
Yuuzen pulled back, shaking his head.
"I've just come to collect my clothes and personal possessions."
Choichan paled, his expression one of complete horror.
"…. what….?"
The Tokajin gritted his teeth, trying not to look at the Drovonian, trying not to weep.
"I… just… my things… I…" He turned away, trying vainly to hide his tears. "I h… hope you and K… Kinsha will be very… h… happy…" His voice broke on the last word and he brushed a hand irritably over his eyes, turning his back and breathing deeply, trying to claw back some self-control.
Behind him Choichan gaped, his own eyes filling with tears - then reached to wrap his arms around his lover's waist.
"Is that what you think happened, love? That you've been… 'replaced'?" He rubbed his cheek against his lover's slumped and shaking shoulders. "As if anyone could replace you. Come. Come and see what Kinsha and I have been doing."
Tears still tracking down his face, Yuuzen allowed the Drovonian to lead him to a small alcove close to the bed. Kinsha stood as they appeared, smiling gently.
"I would never willingly cause you distress, tiajie." He gestured to the small table and floor cushions in the alcove. "I was teaching Choichan how to play Grigjlk."
Yuuzen stared, hand over his mouth. On the table was the most exquisite Grigjlk set, wrought from carved crystal and sculpted water and pure lava-forged gold, the board inlaid gems and precious metals. It would have taken Yuuzen half a ship-board year to be able to afford something that rare and beautiful…
He gazed at Kinsha, who smiled.
"Do you like it?"
"It's…" Yuuzen sniffed, smiling through the tears that streamed down his face. "it's so beautiful…"
Kinsha grinned, eyes sparkling with real pleasure.
"I'm glad. I hope you'll have many hours of pleasure from it. Choichan has learned the game in an astonishingly short time - he has the makings of a very fine player indeed."
Yuuzen bit his lip.
"How did you know I played?"
Kinsha blinked - then laughed aloud.
"I checked the records, tiajie. You were world champion six years in a row." He frowned. "Why did you give up?"
Yuuzen shrugged helplessly.
"I… I don't really know… No decent competition, perhaps? It was very boring, winning all the time. And I wanted to travel…"
Kinsha was shaking his head.
"Yuuzen, will you accept a suggestion from a humble translator? Will you polish up those old skills? Choichan said you were trying to find a way to earn your living: good Grigjlk players are in considerable demand, both as teachers and at competition level." He smiled and brushed a delicate finger over Yuuzen's cheek. "I'd love to be able to boast I helped the galactic champion on his way!"
Yuuzen blinked, then burst into laughter.
"You…!" He shook his head, wiping at his face, then sighed and eyed Kinsha fondly.
"Thank you."
The smaller Tokajin's eyes twinkled.
"You are very welcome, sweet heart. You have opened up a new way of life for us all - a new way of being. It's only right that you have something of value in return. Besides…" Kinsha's eyes were suddenly soft, "… you are in yourself lovable. It is a genuine delight to be able to give you something special."
"Are you asleep?"
Yuuzen sighed and stretched very slightly. Warm, satisfied, and - finally in his case - clean, he and Choichan were snuggled together under the furs, the Drovonian's head resting on his lover's shoulder.
"Not quite… why?"
"Did you enjoy Vreychan tending to you?"
Yuuzen frowned into the dimness.
"Um… well, yes… she told you?"
Choichan nuzzled his lover's neck.
"I asked her to look after you. She said she enjoyed it."
The Tokajin bit his lip.
"But…"
Choichan laid a hand over his lover's mouth.
"She went a little further than she was supposed to - but you didn't take advantage. Thank you."
Yuuzen pulled the Drovonian closer, stroking his back.
"I wasn't sure, you know. What I was supposed to do, what was permissible… I know so very little!"
Choichan sighed happily.
"I know. That's what makes it so special." He kissed his lover's throat. "I missed you so much."
Yuuzen choked back a sob and rested his cheek against the top of his lover's head.
"When I thought I'd lost you… I did not think it was possible to hurt so much."
Choichan gazed up at him, eyes solemn in the muted light.
"I think perhaps we try to avoid such misunderstandings in future…"
Yuuzen's sigh was heartsfelt.
"Please… I missed you, too."
Choichan kissed him gently.
"You have no idea how happy that makes me."
Yuuzen kissed his lover tenderly.
"About as happy as it makes me, I think…"
Warm, happy, and together, they slept as the future stretched before them…
© 2002 December 24th Joules Taylor
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