Checkmate cupped his face in one hand.
"It paineth me to say it, but I must leave thee."
Dik Dik froze, and the chessmaster shook his head hastily.
"No no - I mean I must leave thee for a little. I have a training session this post-meridian: I must needs prepare."
"Oh." The buck's ears drooped.
"But it would please me greatly if thou wouldst feel welcome to stay here until I return."
Dik Dik blinked. It would? Checkmate eyed him sombrely.
"Thou art still weary, my friend. And I would talk with thee some more…"
He should really get back, he had his own training sessions planned - but a sudden surge of bloody-mindedness decided him otherwise. Terry and Jaeger had let him walk out: neither of them had tried to stop him, nor had they come looking for him. At least here he was comfortable. And Checkmate had been very kind… He nodded.
"Thank you."
The chessmaster smiled and gently eased himself up from the bed, leaving the buck sprawled on the quilt, then handed him a key to the suite.
"Rest. Sleep, if thou willst. I shall see that none disturb thee. Or shouldst thou wish to leave, mayhap thou wouldst join me for dinner…?"
Sleep would be nice. He hadn't had a great deal of sleep recently. And a meal with Checkmate would be… relaxing. The chessmaster was soothing company. He smiled up at his fellow wrestler.
"I'd like that."
Checkmate leaned down to kiss his forehead.
"Thou art welcome. Make thyself at home."
An hour later Dik Dik was wandering, somewhat aimlessly, along the beach.
He'd tried going back to sleep, but although he was still tired, sleep eluded him. A little exercise was in order.
And it would give him a chance to think.
The sands were deserted, the afternoon still and silent in the heat, the ocean calm - perfect conditions for a little introspection…
"Ah can't find him."
"Neither can I. But there are many places a Dik Dik could go to hide."
"Darnit, we shoulda gone after him!"
Jaeger flopped down beside Terry on the hotel foyer sofa and shoved his hair out of his eyes.
"Ve vere not to know he vould react like that."
Terry looked thoroughly miserable.
"'s ma fault."
"Ja, it is. Although I did not help. But that is not important now. Vhat should ve do?"
"Not much we can do. Guess we'll haveta wait 'til he comes back."
"If he comes back."
The Texan shrugged.
"Where's he gonna go?"
Jaeger scowled.
"Anyvhere he vants. Ve do not own him - even though it may haf felt like it."
Terry nodded sadly. They'd really taken Dik Dik for granted in the short time they'd all been together, not appreciated him properly. And he'd brought them so much pleasure…
"We shoulda looked after him more."
"Ve asked a lot of him…"
"Shoulda let him git more sleep…"
"Done vhat he vanted, sometimes…"
"Thou lookest somehow - lacking."
Terry's head jerked up, a flustered blush colouring his fair skin.
"Ah… howdoo, Checkmate. Don' suppose you've seen Dik Dik, have yew?"
"Thou hast lost thy gazelle?"
Jaeger was doleful.
"Ve hope not…"
"Hm… Methinks thou shouldst perhaps be a little more careful with thy… toys."
Terry glared.
"Dik Dik ain't a toy! He's a friend. And a darn good one too."
"Indeed, that is good to hear."
"Only… Ah think we might have upset him."
"Ja. Ve vant to say sorry."
"I see. Well, I shall certainly pass on thy message, should I see Master Van Dik."
"Thanks…"
Terry and Jaeger watched as the chessmaster strode away, chequered cloak swirling, then looked at each other.
"Well that was strange…"
Jaeger nodded, then grabbed for his helmet, shoving his hair up into the lightweight shell.
"Ja - and ve vill be late."
"But… Dik Dik…"
"Ve can look again later. If he does not vant to be found, ve vill not be able to find him. Or haf you forgotten our hunt?"
"Naw, Ah ain't forgot it. Tricky little devil, ain't he, when he wants to be."
"Jawohl, though I vould not call him little… Come, ve can still make our training session."
Sighing, the fretful Texan followed his partner from the hotel…
Dik Dik had walked for miles, enjoying the tranquillity, thoughts wandering at will. The most urgent questions - whether he was happy with his situation, wanted it to continue, and if not what else he was to do - somehow got pushed to the back of his mind. It was so peaceful here, so serene…
He made his way idly up to the dunes, planning to rest for a little while, not that he was tired - physically, anyway - but just to enjoy the peace. He sat, then lay back, head pillowed on his jacket, and gazed up into a pale-blue sky. The sounds and scents were different, but otherwise he could easily have been back home, relaxing after a run…
His eyes closed. Without realising it, he fell asleep…
He was dreaming, he knew. The event he dreamed had happened years ago, when he was ten, yet he viewed it from an adult's perspective, from the body he now inhabited.
Ever curious, the fawn that he had been had explored further than ever before, much further than he should, way out onto the savannah, forgetting his father's instructions not to stray too far from home… As the sun set, a full moon rose, and he realised just how late it was. He was going to be in so much trouble. He'd turned to head back, when something caught his eye.
Hunting was illegal, had been for decades except with a camera; the young Dik Dik had no reason to be suspicious of the men parked in the shelter of a group of thorn trees. He'd climbed up and watched for a while, stretched along a branch a few feet above their heads, unable to understand their language but fascinated by their actions. Then one of them looked up, saw the curious boy and jabbered to the others. Seconds later he'd been dragged from his perch and was being held by two burly trackers.
He shuddered in his sleep, unwillingly reliving the next hour. He'd been stripped, his body prodded and poked and… explored by rough hands. They'd laughed as they'd handled the crying, struggling child, until he managed to lower his head and scratch one of them with as-yet-half-grown horns… A slap to his face had him reeling; before he could recover two of them had gripped his wrists, holding his arms outstretched, while a third…
He whimpered, adult body flinching with each remembered stroke of the crop, on his back, his legs, his buttocks… he was half-fainting by the time they finished, aware of blood trickling through his pelt, across his skin. They'd let go of his arms, laughing as he dropped to his hands and knees, then one had grabbed a small horn and hauled him back up to his feet. As he swayed unsteadily, they'd spoken among themselves for a while, then the one holding him had pushed him in the direction of the open savannah. He stumbled a few steps, then fell to one knee: a vicious swipe of the crop to the back of his thigh forced him upright again. He gazed up helplessly into jeering faces; someone shoved him again, and one of the others made running motions… they were letting him go? He staggered in the direction they were all pointing, cringing, waiting for the next blow, but it never came… they were nodding, making shooing gestures with their hands… he trotted a few paces, picking up speed as he left the group behind, paying no attention to their laughter… until his sensitive ears picked up a snarl and the sound of a cage being opened.
Fear surged through him, a chilling force, and he leapt forwards, forcing aching limbs into action, risking a quick look behind him. The leopard had caught the scent of his blood.
Racing across the plain, the bright moon spotlighting him, he ran as never before, hearing the cat drawing closer, pushing himself desperately, running without thought or plan, knowing only the need to get away… the world turned red as claws slashed across his back, catching on his ribs, knocking him to the ground…
He'd been very, very lucky, they told him, later, when he woke in a hospital bed, swathed in bandages and looking very small against the white sheets. He'd been badly mauled, but a native night hunter had heard his cries and the cat's growls and come to investigate, fighting off the leopard before it could kill him. It was several weeks before he could return home, scarred for life and with a terrible determination to become the best fighter he could be, so no one could ever treat him like that again…
He jerked awake, his breathing fast and shallow; it took him several seconds to work out where he was. Pulling himself upright, he rubbed at his face: he hadn't had that dream in years. What had sparked it this time?
Whatever it was, he could worry about it later. The sun was setting; he'd been here longer than he'd intended. Time to get back. He had dinner with Checkmate to enjoy.
The chessmaster ushered him into the suite.
"Welcome back. Art hungry?"
He looked up into Checkmate's smiling turquoise gaze: the chessmaster had already showered, removed the knight and rook and dressed his shoulders, and was shirtless, clad only in loose sweatpants. Dik Dik nodded, his stomach reminding him he hadn't eaten properly since the night before.
"Wouldst like to eat here, or at the restaurant?"
"Which would you prefer?"
Checkmate gazed at him for a moment, then reached for the phone to call room service.
"Here, methinks. 'Tis more - companionable. Thou wilt have vegetable stuffs?"
"Yes please…"
It was a pleasant meal, the food good, the company quiet but congenial. Checkmate enquired after his day, without prying, and commented that he had won his sparring match.
"And I chanced upon Master Terry and Master Jaeger."
Dik Dik lowered his glass and eyed the chessmaster.
"Ah…"
"They requested of me to pass on a message."
"Oh yes?"
"Yes indeed. That they consider thee a good friend, and wert seeking thee, to apologise for upsetting thee."
"Oh…"
Dik Dik lowered his eyes. Checkmate stroked the buck's cheek with one finger.
"Wouldst care to tell me what happened? Or dost thou wish to return to them?"
Which was an interesting question. He'd enjoyed this last few hours - well, except for the nightmare, that was - and was rather hoping it might continue. Although Checkmate hadn't actually suggested he stay the night.
Not yet, anyway.
Dik Dik hoped he would.
"It was - a misunderstanding."
The turquoise eyes narrowed.
"Thou art very protective of thy friends. Tis a most delightful thing, and rare, methinks."
"Friends are one of the most important things in life."
"I begin to understand this… Thou art also very forgiving, for they have misused you, have they not?"
The buck was silent, gazing down at his plate. Checkmate waited for a moment, then sighed and stroked his face again.
"I will not try to force thee to tell me what ails thee. But I would have thee know that I - value thee, and am proud to call thee friend."
Dik Dik could feel tears threatening, and told himself sternly not to cry. Checkmate brushed at the moisture on his lashes with gentle fingers, then leaned closer, his voice very soft.
"Thou hast lovely eyes."
Dik Dik froze in surprise, startled gaze meeting the chessmaster's.
"So have you."
It was blurted out, and the buck blushed and closed his eyes in embarrassment - quivering when gentle lips kissed his eyelids.
"I thank thee."
Checkmate settled back a little, but kept one hand cupped around Dik Dik's face. The buck cautiously opened his eyes again; the chessmaster was close, no hint of mockery in his face.
"I… thank you…"
Checkmate inclined his head.
"Tis naught but the truth…"
The last few mouthfuls of his meal forgotten, Dik Dik turned his head slightly, pressing a kiss to Checkmate's palm.
"You are very kind."
The chessmaster shrugged, wincing as the movement wrenched at the wounds on his shoulders, and Dik Dik reached out to grasp his upper arms.
"Please, be careful! I don't want you to be hurt."
"Thy thoughtfulness does thee great credit."
The buck blushed again, unused to compliments. Checkmate glanced towards the bed.
"Wouldst like to relax? Tis more comfortable there…"
With barely a moment's hesitation, the buck nodded.
"Why do thy team-mates jest that thou art a… disappointment as a wrestler?"
Checkmate had stripped without a second thought and slid into the bed, shifting to make room for the equally naked buck to nestle against him. Dik Dik's ears and shoulders drooped.
"Because I am. I've lost nearly all my matches."
"Nay, I disagree."
"Checkmate, even you said it. I may have graduated top of the class, but I always lose."
"Then how is it thou won a place in the Chojin Crown Tournament?"
Dik Dik blinked, then frowned. The chessmaster was quite right. He'd had to fight his way to qualify to take place. And he'd won all of those matches… How could he have forgotten?
… because they weren't important. You were fighting for yourself, not for your team-mates…
"I… suppose…"
Checkmate lay quietly, watching as the buck considered the facts, then stroked his back.
"Thou art not a failure, Dik Dik. Thou might not have won all thy matches, but thou hast the heart and soul of a true champion. Thy friends should treasure thee for it."
Dik Dik was close to tears again. He bowed his head to Checkmate's muscular chest with a muffled "thanks…": the chessmaster hugged him gently.
"Art tired?"
"A little." It felt as though it had been a long time since he'd had a decent night's sleep, what with Terry or Jaeger or both wanting him at all hours of the night... He sighed. It was nice to be wanted, but… Checkmate kissed his head and shifted to get a little more comfortable, pulling Dik Dik even closer.
"Then let us sleep."
Sweet, sweet, soundless sleep, warm and content in undemanding arms. Dik Dik roused feeling better than he had in years, and shifted slightly to watch Checkmate, the refined face beautiful in sleep, the soft silver-grey hair tousled around the cleanly defined planes of his cheeks and brow. Who would ever have believed that a member of the dMp could have turned out to be such a warm, caring, loving person…?
Dik Dik frowned thoughtfully. He'd woken with an erection, as usual - and so had Checkmate, a careful and discreet touch to the chessmaster's groin had confirmed.
Checkmate was a virgin. He'd never experienced how wonderful sex could be.
Dik Dik had. And while he wouldn't claim to be hugely experienced, living with Terry and Jaeger had been… educational.
He wanted to thank Checkmate.
Would Checkmate let him?
… Well, as they used to say, nothing ventured…
He laid a hand very gently over the chessmaster's groin, feeling the big penis twitch under his fingers. Checkmate sighed and pressed upwards slightly: Dik Dik nuzzled his neck, whispering softly,
"My friend… I would like to make love to you… but only if you want me to…"
The big man stirred, eyes blinking half open sleepily.
"Mmm… Dik Dik…? Thou… wantest…? … 'tis not necessary…"
The buck kissed his jaw.
"I know. But I want to."
"Then thou must do as thou willst…"
Sighing happily, Dik Dik fondled the rigid shaft under his hand for a moment or two, then straddled the chessmaster's lean hips, eased them both into position - and exquisitely slowly impaled himself on the quivering cock.
Checkmate's eyes opened wide, his hips jerking upwards as Dik Dik settled over his groin, hands gripping the buck's hips tightly.
"Dik Dik…?" he gasped, voice subsiding into a low moan, his eyes closing, head rolling back, as the buck began to move, lifting and lowering himself, leaning forwards to kiss and nip the chessmaster's jaw…
It couldn't last long, of course, not the first time Checkmate found himself tightly sheathed in hot, yielding, welcoming flesh: instinct taking over, he rammed up into Dik Dik, his teeth clenched, eyes tightly shut, whimpering as he came, every sculpted muscle taut… A beautiful vision of ecstasy, the buck thought absently as he climaxed himself, more in reaction to Checkmate's orgasm than anything.
It was several minutes before the chessmaster could regain breath enough to speak, minutes he spent gazing up at the buck from startled, worshipful turquoise eyes, fingers instinctively, tremblingly stroking Dik Dik's back and tail.
"… that… oh, that…"
Dik Dik smiled and kissed him.
"You enjoyed it, then."
"Enjoyed…!" His eyes closed. "T'was the most wonderful thing I have e'er felt. Thou art magnificent… thy body perfect… thou art…" Tearful turquoise eyes opened. "Thou art compassionate, and loving, and kind…"
The buck found himself pulled down into a warm, close embrace, feeling the chessmaster quivering beneath him, suddenly very grateful, very honoured, he'd been Checkmate's first…
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