Play
Sliiy blinked and stared at the Tokajin. Yuuzen coloured.
"You don't think it's a good idea?"
The wrinkled counsellor harumphed slowly.
"It's not that I think it's a bad idea, warrior. It's more that I don't see how it could become a viable proposition in the corps. It's not as though the ship's crew will want to learn… At least," he amended, "not enough to pay your way…"
He frowned to himself.
"Although… If the worlds we visit had advance notification of your arrival… we should be able to set up some kind of class or tournament…" He was silent, lost in thought for a few minutes, then he shook himself and eyed the Tokajin.
"You had best let me speak to the captain. I believe he has an interest in Grigjlk himself…"
Yuuzen smiled hesitantly.
"He plays?"
"No, the game's a bit beyond him. But he'll happily wager on the outcome."
"Oh."
Sliiy suddenly grinned. It was a frightening sight.
"Away with you, young 'un. I'll see what I can do."
"How did it go?"
Yuuzen frowned and absently stroked Choichan's face.
"I don't honestly know."
Vreychan sniggered.
"Heh, not surprised. I sometimes wonder if the old coot has any brain cells left!"
Yuuzen shook his head.
"He seemed to know what he was talking about."
"Makes a change…"
It was mid 'afternoon' and the ship's canteen was almost deserted - which was probably just as well, given that since Choichan was on overnight duty for once, Yuuzen had spent half the night playing Grigjlk with Kinsha, who played extremely well, enough to provide a hard fought game for the ex-champion. He'd woken late for his appointment with Sliiy and dragged on the first thing that came to hand, a pair of tight trousers that almost reached his hips, and a low-necked, long sleeved cropped top that barely covered his mamillae, both in a shiny black fabric. Vreychan was visibly drooling - which wasn't surprising: Yuuzen looked thoroughly edible, thought Choichan, twining a tendril of emerald hair around one finger.
"So what now?"
Yuuzen shrugged.
"I need to practise. It's been a while since I played seriously."
Vreychan's crimson eyes were bright.
"Could you teach me?"
The Tokajin blinked, then nodded slowly.
"I can think of no reason why not. If you are in earnest."
She nodded.
"I've watched the game played. It looked like fun."
Choichan frowned, suddenly feeling… jealous? That was ridiculous! He forced himself to smile.
"It's a fascinating game."
Yuuzen, aware of something slightly off in his lover's demeanour, glanced at Choichan anxiously.
"Perhaps… perhaps I could teach both of you at the same time? Not that you need a great deal of training," he added hastily, taking Choichan's hand, "but practising with both myself and Vreychan would be useful, I think. And helpful for her. I have never taught the game before, only played against experienced opponents."
The two Drovonians eyed each other.
"Would… would you mind, Ch'chan?"
He sighed and shook his head.
"I suppose not."
The little female bit her lip.
"I promise I won't be in the way…"
He chuckled, good humour restored.
"Don't worry, I'll let you know if you are!"
Yuuzen was half-way back to their quarters when he realised he was being followed. He glanced back over his shoulder, to see Prik sloping along in his wake…
He suppressed a shudder. The Prahaki engineer was huge and abominably ugly and always made the Tokajin feel… apprehensive. And he was suddenly aware of just how tight and revealing his outfit was.
He swallowed and halted, preferring to face a potentially nasty situation than have it skulk up behind him. Forcing a smile, he inclined his head to Prik.
"Good day, engineer."
The Prahaki rumbled to a halt before the smaller, slighter alien, and offered the grimace that passed for a smile with his species.
"Yuuzen-sama."
There was an awkward silence for a few seconds.
"Did you wish to speak with me?"
Prik growled something incomprehensible - then wrapped a greasy paw around the back of Yuuzen's head and kissed him.
That is, he settled blubbery lips over the Tokajin's smaller mouth, stuck a foul tasting tongue inside, and sucked.
Yuuzen's eyes opened wide in outrage, and he struggled to shove the Prahaki backwards. Finally managing to pull himself free, trying not to gag at the taste and rubbing at bruised lips, he stared at the engineer disbelievingly.
"What…?"
One large meaty hand gripped the collar of the silky top and yanked hard, ripping the material, one claw scraping across Yuuzen's collarbone and down his chest, leaving a bleeding trail behind it. The Tokajin hissed and stepped backwards, only to come in contact with the wall.
Prik leered and moved closer, trapping the Tokajin against the side of the corridor with his bulk, one hand grabbing at Yuuzen's groin and groping roughly, the other painfully pinching his exposed mamillae.
Which left Yuuzen's hands free - to come up and chop hard at either side of the engineer's neck. Prik froze, fire shooting along the nerves through his body, then keeled over, momentarily paralysed. One hand clutched over his bleeding chest, Yuuzen crouched beside the Prahaki, fury adding a low hiss to his voice.
"I don't know what you were thinking of, baikai, but I will assume you aren't in your right mind, so I will not report this. But any further… assault… and I won't be so gentle. And I'll press charges. Understand?"
Prik still couldn't speak - but there was rage in his eyes. Yuuzen wondered if he'd done the right thing…
Back in his quarters the Tokajin eased out of his clothing and inspected himself in the bathroom mirror. The gouge down his chest was wide and quite deep, and ended between two mamillae - fortunately: if that claw had been a fraction left or right it could have ripped one completely off, and that would have been serious. Not to mention agonising. His collarbone was bruised, too, as was his groin: the Prahaki had no idea of his own strength.
Yuuzen grabbed for a bottle of antiseptic mouthwash and rinsed the vile taste from his mouth, then cleaned the sluggishly bleeding wound, dressed himself a little more soberly, and made his way to sick bay. He didn't think the Prahaki carried anything that could harm him, but it would be best to be sure.
Choichan, meanwhile, had been summoned to the captain's cabin - a rare event. Anxiously wondering what he could have done to earn such a dubious privilege, the Drovonian presented himself at the door.
And was out again five minutes later, blinking, a grin on his face. He'd passed all his tests - and had been promoted to second navigator!
And the captain had authorised a day's ship leave for him to celebrate. He made his way to his quarters, looking forwards to spending the time with his lover…
"Yuuzen?"
He frowned: the Tokajin wasn't there. What was there was the top he'd been wearing earlier - ripped, and stained with his blood.
Choichan swallowed the sudden flare of panic - there were no signs of violence, his lover could just have caught himself on something sharp - and settled down to wait for Yuuzen's return.
The chief medical officer - a six armed, somewhat shapeless Knicht'chtikian - tutted over the now-inflamed gouge marring the otherwise flawless blue skin of his patient, and produced an alarming array of capsules and a hypodermic syringe full of something faintly green. He patted Yuuzen's buttock with one flabby hand.
"I can't inject through material, Yuuzen-sama…"
The Tokajin eyed the large needle warily.
"Is that completely necessary?"
"I'm afraid so."
Reluctantly, Yuuzen peeled his trousers down to his thighs and leaned forwards, elbows on the edge of the diagnostic bed, and gritted his teeth while the doctor very slowly rubbed an antiseptic cloth very thoroughly over one shapely buttock, admiring the view, then, sighing silently, injected the entire contents of the syringe into the firm muscle.
Yuuzen held himself very still, refusing to flinch, hissing very quietly. That hurt… The doctor rubbed another sterile cloth slowly over the puncture wound and patted him again, fingers lingering a fraction of a second longer than the Tokajin would have thought was strictly necessary, then stepped back.
"All done."
Yuuzen quickly pulled his clothing back into place and scowled at the medic.
"And that will suffice, will it?"
"Yes." The medic nodded, rather reluctantly, Yuuzen thought. "As long as you finish the course of medication. You won't need to see me again, unless you feel ill."
Yuuzen inclined his head and left as quickly as he could.
Choichan frowned as his lover limped into their quarters.
"Are you OK? What happened?"
Yuuzen eyed him, wondering how much to say. Choichan had a right to know - but the Tokajin knew he could be possessive, and he was no match for the Prahaki… He sighed.
"A little… misunderstanding… with Prik. It's nothing." He frowned. "You are back very early. Is something wrong?"
Choichan grinned and hugged him tightly.
"No. Just the opposite…"
Yuuzen eyed him, offering a tentative smile.
"Which means…?"
The Drovonian kissed him.
"I got promoted!"
Yuuzen stared, then grinned and returned the hug.
"That's wonderful!"
Choichan sighed happily.
"Now you don't need to find a job."
Yuuzen froze, blinking, then pulled back a little.
"But…"
Choichan kissed his jaw quickly.
"I only meant… you don't have to do anything you don't want to, lover. That's all. If you want to work, teach, compete, whatever, I won't object… I just want you to do whatever makes you happy…"
The Tokajin stared into lovely orange eyes for a moment, then kissed his lover deeply, one hand easing between their bodies to cup his stirring genitals. Choichan whimpered quietly and slid his hand under the material covering Yuuzen's groin, pulling them both back to lie on the bed. Twisting to straddle the Tokajin's hips, he dragged the silky loose top from the lean muscular body - then paused, blinking, at the gash on his chest.
"Yuuzen…?"
The Tokajin bit his lip.
"It… it's nothing, lover…"
"That is not nothing!" His fingers hovered over the swollen, bruised, still-weeping wound. "What did he do to you?!"
Yuuzen hesitated, then winced as Choichan pulled off the rest of his clothing, staring with horror at the bruises at his groin, tail lashing furiously.
"He molested you? Have you reported it? Have you seen a medic? What else did he do?"
Yuuzen sat up and caught the pale face between his hands, forcing the near-frantic Drovonian to look at him.
"No, I haven't reported it, yes, I've seen a medic, and all he did was… grope."
"'All'? Look at you! He's hurt you! You have to report it!"
Yuuzen sighed.
"It's really not worth it, lover. It won't do anyone any good - and he could lose his job."
"Fucking right!"
"Nothing happened. And I warned him off. I'm fine. Let's leave it at that."
Choichan was growling.
"I'll fucking kill him…"
Yuuzen silenced him with a kiss, pulling the lithe body down against his own and wriggling slightly. Choichan sighed irritably, raising himself on his elbows.
"I want you to stay away from him."
Yuuzen chuckled, hands sliding under his lover's uniform to knead his back.
"I have no wish to go anywhere near him. But I need you to promise you will avoid him too. I can defend myself: you can't."
Choichan pouted, reluctantly agreeing. Prik was as least twice his size, and his claws wouldn't be of much use against that rubbery hide… He leaned down to kiss Yuuzen's jaw.
"Well, OK… but you have to promise me if he tries anything again, you'll report it. I don't want you hurt."
Melting at the concern in the bright eyes, Yuuzen nodded.
"Very well… Now, how would you like to celebrate - sir?"
Choichan smirked, stripped and slid smoothly into his lover… 
"Oh, that's so good…"
The first flush of arousal satisfied, they'd moved through to the bathroom, where they'd washed each other - slowly, lingeringly, Yuuzen climaxing again as Choichan teased and fondled him - then moved back to the bed, where the Tokajin had the Drovonian lie on his front. Straddling narrow hips, Yuuzen drizzled a little of his lover's favourite lotion across his shoulders and began to knead and stroke the smooth ivory skin, kissing firmly as he worked his way down the strong small body. He chuckled as Choichan's tail-tuft tickled between his shoulderblades.
"Good…"
The Tokajin shifted down, shivering as his lover's tail slid slowly between his legs, then settling lightly on lean thighs and pouring a little of the lotion into the hollow of Choichan's back. With long, slow, teasing strokes he worked the creamy stuff into the skin of tight little buttocks and around the base of his tail, easing a finger between Choichan's thighs and gently into his body.
Choichan shuddered and glanced back over his shoulder.
"Lover… Would you…?"
Yuuzen smiled.
"Now?"
A long, sighing "…please…"
Lying stretched along Yuuzen's muscular body, Choichan was completely limp, completely sated, unwilling - and probably unable - to move. Yuuzen stroked his back languidly, kissing his forehead and breathing slowly, eyes half-closed. They were both spent - and both a little sore. Yuuzen had been indefatigable, alternately pounding and gentle, fast and leisurely, alternating organs as he climaxed over and over again, then lying back, or on his hands and knees, as Choichan took him, teasing more, and more profound, sensations from his body than he had thought possible…
The Drovonian nuzzled his neck.
"Happy?"
"Mmmmmm…. Never more so."
Choichan sighed, then wearily hauled himself upright.
"Shower?"
Yuuzen wriggled slightly, grimacing at the stickiness of the bedcover under him.
"Yes please."
The Drovonian shooed his lover in the direction of the bathroom while he dragged the cover from the bed and shoved it into the recycler, then joined Yuuzen under the hot spray.
They slept very deeply and contentedly that night.
Three days later…
Vreychan was staring at the Grigjlk board intently, watching Yuuzen's elegant fingers moving the pieces, explaining the various shifts and gambits, the five different ways of winning and their individual values, the twenty-seven different legal stalemates and the four illegal (except under specific circumstances), and two ways to lose that could actually win the game. It was a lot more complex than it first appeared, and she had to concentrate to take it all in. And the faster the game was played, the more points the opponents accrued, but at the moment she was having trouble simply remembering the various moves. She sighed, wondering if this was actually such a good idea…
Choichan was settling into his new post, gradually, and adapting to the extra responsibility. Yuuzen had found his old Grigjlk knowledge and talents returning as he played, and the captain had been cautiously approving of Sliiy's idea, and there would be a group of five 'students' awaiting the Tokajin when they arrived at their next stop, the water world of Wnai. And the Grososp had been willing to renounce his contract with them. All in all, things were working out well.
A little too well…
Vreychan rubbed the back of her neck, glanced at the chronometer, and frowned. She was beginning to get the hang of the game, and had lost track of time.
"Isn't Choichan late?"
Yuuzen checked the time and nodded.
"He should have been back here a little while ago…" Rising gracefully from the Grigjlk table he contacted the bridge: aNananan, the second second navigator, shook his head.
"He left here about an hour ago, Yuuzen-sama. As far as I know he was headed straight for his quarters…"
The Tokajin signed off and turned to Vreychan.
"Where might he have gone?"
She thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"Nowhere I can think of. He's usually in a hurry to get back here."
Yuuzen chewed his lip.
"We'd better…"
Someone knocked at the door.
Yuuzen and Vreychan stared at each other for a moment, then Yuuzen strode to the door, opening it to find an unfamiliar crewmember outside.
"Yuuzen-sama? Can you come with me? It's Choichan - he's been hurt…"
The Tokajin grabbed the front of the being's uniform.
"How? How badly? Where is he…?"
"It's not too bad - but he's asking for you."
Yuuzen relaxed his hold and glanced at Vreychan over his shoulder.
"Will you wait here?"
"Of course. Should I do anything?"
"Let me see what's happened first. If I can I'll bring him back here."
The crewmember led the Tokajin along a somewhat circuitous route into an area of the ship he'd never visited before. Yuuzen frowned around himself - what had Choichan been doing here? - but followed the swiftly-moving being…
… into a small circular chamber… Choichan was hanging from an overhead conduit by his bound wrists, his toes just touching the floor. Gagged and naked.
In the instant it took Yuuzen to cross half the distance to his lover, the door behind him had slammed shut - and Prik had appeared from the shadows.
"Nah, pretty thing, we have some unfinished business."
Yuuzen hissed warningly.
"Let him go, baikai."
The crewmember who had led the Tokajin here moved to stand behind the captive Drovonian, long, long razor sharp claws caressing his chest, hardly touching but leaving pale bloody runnels in the ivory flesh. Choichan's eyes scrunched shut as he grimaced with pain. The being smirked at Yuuzen.
"Now, lizard, if you don't do what Prik-sama says, I'll flay your playmate, very slowly, and you can watch him bleed to death and know it was all your fault."
Golden eyes flickering between his lover and the Prahaki, Yuuzen's hearts sank. He could take both of them, individually, if he had to, but he'd never reach Choichan's tormentor before the creature could slit the Drovonian's throat - or more likely slice off his head. He turned to Prik, expression filled with loathing.
"What do you want?"
Prik reached out a long arm and stroked his face roughly.
"You, pretty thing."
Choichan managed a muted growl, shaking his head, and earning himself a slash across the belly. Yuuzen winced.
"No, lover. Don't move. Don't do anything. It will be all right."
Prik gurgled a laugh.
"Oh, you think so?" He leered. "Strip."
Of course, it would be sex. Yuuzen shuddered and peeled off his clothing - no point in delaying, it would only get Choichan hurt. Perhaps if he co-operated it would be over quickly…
Focus on that, he thought grimly as Prik dragged off his own uniform and Yuuzen caught sight of the big, slimy, lumpy, misshapen thing that was shortly going to be forced into his body. Focus on Choichan…
He felt nauseous as the Prahaki approached, grabbed him around the waist and pushed him forwards to bend nearly double, then shoved viciously into his smaller body.
The pain was agonising. Yuuzen cried out as he was stretched well beyond the limit of his female channel, feeling thin sensitive tissue tear and burn as Prahaki fluids gushed and roiled inside him. The engineer grunted, forcing Yuuzen's flesh apart as he pulsed, his organ increasing in size until he finally threw back his head with a loud growl, reaching whatever was the equivalent of orgasm for his species.
Yuuzen thought he would be torn in half. Semi-conscious, whimpering, he tried to focus on Choichan, his lover staring at him helplessly, tears of rage and grief streaming down his pale face - but it was difficult, his vision was hazing in and out…
Prik wrenched himself out of Yuuzen with a grunt, dropping the bleeding Tokajin heavily to the ground.
There was a strange, oppressive silence. Then;
"Y… Yuuzen-sama? What's happened?"
The Tokajin stared up disbelievingly as the Prahaki knelt and pulled him into thick rubbery arms, cradling him against a broad, stinking body.
"Who's hurt you?"
What…?
Prik glanced at his compatriot, who was now using his claws to slice through Choichan's bonds before carefully removing the gag.
"Be careful with him. He's Yuuzen-sama's… fuckmate." The sneered last word belied the consideration in his voice. Yuuzen gazed up blearily into the ugly face, for the moment in too much pain to move and completely unable to understand what was going on. The baikai had just raped him and was now trying to pretend it hadn't happened?
At that moment the door burst open, startling all four of them. Six security guards entered, all armed - followed by a very worried Vreychan. Her eyes widened at the scene that met her eyes, and she hesitated for a moment, until Choichan growled at her, yanking himself from his captor's nerveless grip and racing to his lover. Between them the Drovonians pulled the fainting Tokajin from the Prahaki, and the last thing Yuuzen heard for several hours was Vreychan calling urgently for a medical team…
He regained consciousness in sick bay, on his stomach on a recovery bed. Numb from the waist down, a most extraordinary and unpleasant feeling, not to mention terrifying, until Choichan reassured him it was only the anaesthetic field the medics were using to block the pain while he healed. He sighed, closing his eyes briefly, then opening them and frowning at his lover.
"What happened?"
"Bastard had some kind of 'psychotic episode' - at least that's what the headmeds are calling it. Got obsessive about you, had to have you, but couldn't because you're higher rank and not his. So he 'became' someone else so he could… r… rape you…" the low voice broke on the word and it was a moment before the Drovonian could speak again "… and then switched back to himself again. They think he'd have alternated like that for hours… They think he'd have ended up killing you…" He snarled. "The other bastard just wanted to see the show, though I'm sure he'd have been happy to take his turn..."
Yuuzen caught his hand, long fingers closing around his clenched fist.
"I'm sorry, lover…" His whisper was tear-choked: Choichan's face was white with stress and anguish.
"Not your fault! They grabbed me as I was on my way back…" He sank to his knees, face buried in Yuuzen's hair, voice shaking almost as much as his body. "Oh gods, Yuuzen… I thought… I thought he'd killed you… I thought…"
The Tokajin managed to stroke the golden fuzz over his head.
"Shhhh. I'm here. I'll be OK. So will you."
For long moments Choichan wept against his lover, grief and relief warring in him, then raised his head to gaze into the pale, drawn, much-loved face.
"Vreychan saved us. Thank the gods for females and their suspicious minds. She tracked you."
"Tracked?"
He tapped his nose.
"By scent. We hunt by scent. You'd only been gone ten minutes when she felt something wasn't right, and started after you. When she realised you were heading for the secondary cargo holds she called for security." He managed a wobbly smile. "Pity she couldn't have been five minutes earlier."
Yuuzen sighed, eyelids drooping.
"We must thank her… What's happened to Prik…?"
"They're both in the brig. Captain's talking about returning them to their own worlds for sentencing." He smirked grimly. "They'll never see space again, at any rate."
"…good…"
Choichan's expression softened, and he stroked a cool blue cheek.
"They think you'll need to stay here for five days."
"Five…? Can't I come home?"
The Drovonian bit his lip.
"They want to keep an eye on you. Whatever it is Prahaki come, it's corrosive to Tokajin. You're burned as well as torn. You need the a-field, lover. Trust me, it would hurt too much otherwise. But," he managed a wan half-smile, "I have permission to stay with you, at least for the first couple of days."
Yuuzen smiled sleepily and kissed his palm.
"Thank you."
The Drovonian sighed unhappily.
"I'd rather you weren't here."
"I, also. But it is finite. And we can celebrate when I come home. Can't we?" he added, suddenly concerned. Choichan nodded.
"They say you'll be as good as new once you've healed."
Yuuzen sighed his relief.
"That is good news."
The second navigator nuzzled his neck gently.
"You should get some sleep."
"In a moment." He eyed his lover's chest, hidden under a loose one-piece loungerobe. "You were hurt too."
"Just scratches. They'll be healed in a couple of days."
"Did they… did they do anything… else…?"
Choichan shook his head.
"No. Well, the other bastard had a good grope, but you were their real interest. I'm OK." He kissed the corner of Yuuzen's mouth. "And I want you to rest, now. Please, lover. I'll be right here." He settled back into the reclining chair beside the recovery bed and pulled a light cover over himself, not letting go of Yuuzen's hand. "See?"
Yuuzen chuckled tiredly, his eyes closing.
"I see… Very well. And… thank you…"
"What for?"
"Loving me."
Choichan kissed his fingers.
"You make it easy, love."
"…so… do… you…"
And it wasn't until five minutes later, once Yuuzen was in a deep healing sleep, that Choichan realised they'd never once actually said the words to each other. He smiled, stroking a lock of silky green hair. Well, they'd admitted it now…
© 2003 March 25th Joules Taylor
