CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
When Jaime finally crawled into the lower bunk in Rylan’s quarters he fell deeply asleep. He got up a few times for water and to pee, but almost immediately went back to sleep. During one of those wakeful moments he became aware of Rylan in the upper bunk asking if he was all right. Jaime mumbled something in the affirmative before stretching back out on the bed. He thought about asking Rylan to join him, but he was asleep before he could get the words out.
Jaime awoke to an empty room. He was finally without that earlier feeling of overwhelming exhaustion. Also, his stomach was growling. He splashed water on his face, tried to comb his hair, and headed for the galley.
When he got there, dinner was already close to being finished and Jaime realized he’d not only slept through the night, but the entire day, too. All eyes were on him as he came in — except for Rylan, who immediately got up from the table and retreated to the kitchen area. Jaime sat down, uneasiness warring with hunger. They’d never had a chance to talk about any of what had happened, and Jaime wondered if Rylan could forgive him for bringing him so close to killing a person.
“We were about to send out a search party for you,” Garcia said.
“Rest is what he needed,” Lydia said.
“Well, I got a lot of it,” Jaime replied. He eyed the empty bowls on the table. “Is there any food left?”
Rylan set a heaping bowl down in front of him, along with cutlery and a cloth. “Oh,” Jaime said. “Thanks.”
Rylan only shrugged, but Simi grinned and nudged Jaime. “He made sure to get you a double ration before anyone else dug in. And kept it warm.”
“Truly heroic,” the captain drawled, and Kaz snorted through a mouthful. Rylan scowled and sat at a seat near the end of the table, folding his arms and looking uncomfortable. But Jaime didn’t have the energy to figure out all the tensions at the table, not when there was delicious-smelling food right in front of him.
It turned out to be a seafood curry, flecked with what the doctor assured him was the most nutrient-rich of the local mosses. Those green bits tasted very… mossy, but Jaime was too hungry to eat around them. Everyone else sat back and talked while Jaime devoured the food, all except for Rylan, who Jaime glanced up at every so often to inevitably find watching him.
The Commonwealth had been generous with the crew, likely in exchange for their silence. They’d been given parts to repair what had been damaged when the EMP went off, and even the money for delivering the cargo. Though, Garcia noted sadly, not as much as they’d hoped, because Jonathan had insisted on fining them for trafficking in illegal goods.
“I don’t think it would stand up in the courts, since they gave us the damn cargo in the first place,” Garcia said, “but I’m willing to allow a little pettiness on the Commonwealth’s part as long as we get paid.”
Simi estimated they’d be ready to take off in two more days. “Plenty of time to fill up on moss,” she said, flicking a chunk at the doctor.
“Hey! You should be thanking me for all the vitamins you’re getting.”
Mags turned to Jaime, her face grave. “I went back with some of the agents to that factory the Purists had you in. It was pretty well cleared out, but we found enough information to lead us to a few of the survivors. Between the Commonwealth and the local police, it should be enough to finish their group on this planet.”
Jaime refused to let the cold dread at the memories of that place and those people overwhelm him. “I guess Senator Cavendish was the leader they were talking about.”
Mags nodded. “He might not talk, but the locals will. They’re scared enough to testify against him and Purist cells in a few neighboring systems.”
“No more Purists,” Simi said. “That’s something at least.”
Bo shrugged. “They’ll never get them all. Most of the groups will just go quiet for a while. Even if they are truly gone, some other extremists will take their place.”
Simi made a face. “Gloomy.”
“Realistic. I’ve been around a while,” Bo said matter-of-factly. He took Mags’ hand. “We both have.”
“Thanks for making me sound old,” she said, but she was smiling.
Kaz rolled her eyes. “Anyway. Jaime, you need to take a look at the navigation. It’s still glitchy.”
Simi gave him a friendly poke. “But first I could use his help in the engine room with the stabilizers.”
“Actually,” Bo put in, “those things are only important when we get off the ground. Which we won’t unless I get some assistance with the air filtration system.”
They all looked like they were about to start arguing over him when Rylan slammed his hand onto the table. It rattled all the plates, and everyone stared over at him.
“Sorry,” Rylan said. “New arm circuitry, so that was a bit louder than I expected. But Jaime’s still recovering. Right, Doc?”
The doctor blinked. “Ah, yes, I suppose so. Jaime, come by sick bay and I’ll make sure you’re cleared to work.” She glanced at Rylan. “Tomorrow morning.”
Garcia leaned back in his chair. “All of you are being presumptuous,” he said. “We don’t know Jaime’s intentions.” He seemed to fix Rylan with an especially sharp look.
Jaime gulped. “Intentions?”
“Your options have increased considerably,” Garcia said. “I know Agent Gray is very eager to hear how you overcame our Singular passenger. You could turn yourself into a hero if you went back to Commonwealth High Command — or at least get a very comfortable government job. Then there’s the freelance option. Wizards are always in demand, and the black market will be a little less dangerous for you with the Purists laying low. You could go anywhere; you have your share of our profits, plus I’m giving you hazard pay.” He smiled, with teeth. “I’m taking that from Rylan’s share.”
Jaime hesitated. “Is there, uh, another option?”
Garcia swirled wine in his glass. “Hmm?”
“Sebastian,” Mags said. “Don’t be an ass.”
He set his glass down. “Jaime, let me be clear. You are a member of this crew. Even if you choose to leave the ship, there will always be a place for you to come back to.”
“Thank you,” Jaime said, swallowing around the lump in his throat. But Garcia’s words had reminded him of something else. “I do want to stay. But first I need to go back to where I’m from. I know now that my family probably gave me up, but I’d still like to talk to them.”
“That reunion may not be what you’re hoping,” the captain said softly. “Families don’t always give you what need.”
“I know, but it’s all I’ve thought about for twelve years. I just need to see the place. Maybe I could go and then meet you guys somewhere?”
Garcia appeared to consider. “Or there’s a ship that could take you. It’s as good a destination as any.”
Jaime looked around the table at everyone. “You sure?”
“If you got the coordinates,” Kaz said, “then we can get you there.”
Rylan still sat silently at the other end of the table, his face carefully neutral. “What about Rylan?” Jaime asked.
Garcia put his hands on the table. “Ah, yes. Rylan. I’ve been polling the crew about their feelings, whether they’re comfortable with him being onboard. You’ll be the final vote.”
Jaime’s eyes widened.
“You can tell me privately if you want,” the captain added.
“No,” Jaime said, hastily. “I want Rylan to stay.”
“Then it’s unanimous.”
“Really?” Rylan asked, sounding shocked. Even Jaime couldn’t help stealing a glance at Kaz.
She shrugged. “As long as he doesn’t bug me too much.”
“There are additional caveats,” Garcia said with a hard voice. “You will be doing all the shit jobs around here. Waste disposal, filter changes, deck scrubbing, the dishes. Every single hated task that we normally take turns doing is now yours. I’d assign you cooking duty, but that would be punishing all of us.”
“Yes, sir.” Rylan said eagerly. Then he paused, looking somewhat worried. “So for how long?”
“Until I say so.” The captain looked at Jaime. “You don’t have to share with him. We can find you other quarters.”
“No,” Jaime said. “I mean I want to. Share. With him.” He belatedly remembered he should be asking Rylan. “If that’s okay?”
Rylan stared back at him with such intensity that Jaime felt his heart skip a beat.
“I think that’s a yes,” the captain said, dryly. “And Rylan? Far be it from me to order anyone onboard to do something of a sexual nature, but my strong advice is that you should be showing a lot of gratitude towards Jaime.”
He stood up from the table. “Yes, sir. I can get on that right now.”
Jaime felt his cheeks flame, and Simi snickered. “On that,” she said.
But the captain only pointed towards the kitchen. “Dishes.”
It was a while before Rylan finished cleaning up the galley — it had apparently gotten a bit trashed when Mags had gone into the walls to reveal her hidden weapons cache — but Jaime waited.
They didn’t talk much while Rylan worked, and were entirely silent as they walked back to their quarters. For Jaime it was a feeling of both pleasant anticipation and the heavier weight of everything unsaid between them. He knew Rylan wouldn’t blame him for anything Descartes had done, but it had been Jaime who’d first reacted with blind rage against Cavendish. That first rush of fury had been enough to briefly overwhelm Descartes; it had been enough to seize Rylan’s arm and use it in an attempt to kill. Knowing all he did about Rylan, he understood how upsetting that loss of control must have been for him.
That was another thing. There was so much he didn’t know about Rylan. Despite everything, Jaime realized Rylan was the person he trusted most in all the universe. But he wanted to find out more about him. Descartes might have named what Jaime felt as love, but he was still scared to say it himself.
They’d reached the room and Rylan carefully shut the door behind them. Jaime licked his lips nervously when he turned to face him.
“So,” Jaime said, “I guess we should talk.”
“Yeah.” Rylan was staring at his mouth. “There’s a lot I need to explain. Apologize for.”
It seemed like the room was spinning around them as they moved closer together, drawn in by their own private gravity.
“Me, too.” His hands were on Rylan’s broad chest. He wasn’t sure how they’d got there.
Rylan put a hand to the side of Jaime’s face, fingers tangling in his hair. “What I wanted to say is—”
At the same time, Jaime said, “Rylan, I’m—”
Their mouths crashed together, words made meaningless by the force of their desire. Jaime plunged his tongue into Rylan’s mouth even as his arms looped around his neck. He felt his feet leave the ground as Rylan lifted him, and Jaime wrapped his legs tight around him, pressing against that hard chest and stomach.
Rylan’s mouth was greedy as he nipped and sucked at Jaime’s lips. Jaime arched his neck with a groan as he surrendered to the delicious sting of Rylan pulling his hair. Rylan took that opportunity to turn his attention to Jaime’s throat, sucking the sensitive skin there until Jaime was writhing and grinding his hips against him. He wished he had the strength to rip Rylan’s shirt off, but he settled for yanking at the collar and sending his hands down to rake at bare skin.
Rylan drew back, and Jaime protested. “No, don’t stop touching me.”
“I want your clothes off. Now.”
He was lowered onto the one chair in the room. As Rylan straightened up, Jaime pressed his face forward, rubbing against the cloth covering Rylan’s groin. The material was too thick for Jaime to feel much more than hardness, but he mouthed it anyway, snaking hands around to squeeze the tight flesh of Rylan’s ass. He only stopped when his shirt was yanked up over his head to get tangled in his hands.
Jaime blinked up at Rylan’s flushed and grinning face. “I should tie you up like that,” he said. “It’s the only way to keep you still and get you properly undressed.”
Jaime felt a rush of pleasure at the idea, but he shook his head. “I need my hands to get you naked.”
“You can always make me.” He stroked a hand along Jaime’s arm. His right hand.
Jaime dropped his eyes, guilt mingling in with all the desire.
Rylan tilted Jaime’s face up to look at him. “Hey,” he said softly, “it’s okay. It’s always okay with you.”
He plucked the shirt from Jaime’s hands and Jaime climbed up on the chair. For once he was taller than Rylan, and he bent his head down to catch his lips. It was a gentle kiss this time, and when they broke apart Rylan rested his head against Jaime’s chest, the two of them breathing together.
It was a moment that could have stretched on endlessly, except Jaime soon felt Rylan’s hands undoing his pants. He smiled and steadied himself on broad shoulders so he could kick off his shoes and then the pants that ended up pooled around his ankles. Rylan bent down to tickle Jaime’s belly with his tongue and lick along his hardening cock. It was a teasing dance, with Rylan’s mouth never settling, and Jaime bit his lip and tried not to swear when Rylan pulled away entirely to look up with wicked blue eyes.
“Oh, that’s right,” Rylan said. “Did you want me to take off my clothes?”
Jaime did swear then.
“Unless there’s something else I should be doing right now?” He leaned in to breath those last words against Jaime’s skin. Jaime caught Rylan’s head, tugging on his hair to bring him closer. Rylan smiled and stuck the tip of his tongue out, flicking it maddeningly lightly against the head of Jaime’s flushed cock.
“Please,” Jaime said, “Rylan, I need you—”
He flung his head back as Rylan sucked him down to the root. Jaime groaned. Gravity seemed to have lost its hold on him, and he realized he was indeed rising — Rylan had wrapped his arms around Jaime’s thighs and was lifting him up. Jaime was being held too tightly to thrust forward, so he gave himself over completely to the motions of Rylan’s head and tongue.
“C’mon,” Jaime begged, when Rylan pulled his mouth away. “Don’t tease me again.”
“Duck,” Rylan said.
Jaime was confused enough to expect a water fowl to burst into their quarters, but then he realized Rylan had maneuvered them so they were against the bunks. “Oh.”
He draped himself over Rylan’s shoulder and was lowered into the bed. Rylan drew back, pulling his shirt over his head and undoing his pants as he went to the drawer that held the lube. By the time he climbed into the bunk with Jaime, he was completely naked.
“Finally,” Jaime said, and rolled on top of him.
He kissed and bit at Rylan’s neck and shoulders, while he felt a lubed finger trail along his ass and then push into him. That finger seemed in no hurry, pumping lazily in and out, spreading warmth and slickness. Jaime ground his aching cock against Rylan’s own hard length in a bid to move things along, but it was still only one finger. Finally, Jaime bit down hard at the base of Rylan’s neck and was rewarded with a moan.
“You going to fuck me tonight or not?” he asked.
Rylan twined his hand in Jaime’s hair and used it to pull him up to face him. “Once I start I’m planning on fucking you for a long time. Maybe forever.”
He pressed a hand against Rylan’s chest, right above his heart, and it beat faster as Jaime leaned in to breathe into his ear. “Then let’s get started on forever.”
Rylan rolled Jaime onto his side, fitting himself along Jaime’s back. He caught Jaime’s top leg under the knee and lifted it up. Jaime felt Rylan’s thick cock running along his ass and he tried to open himself up even more. He could feel the head pressing at his entrance, and as eager as he was to be filled, he wanted to make this moment last, too. The feeling of his body resisting, then opening to Rylan; the moment of pure pleasure and near-pain as he stretched around him — it was perfect. Perfect, too, was Rylan’s steady push inside, every moment a slow merging of their bodies, until finally, at last, they were both complete.
Their bodies were sheened with sweat, and Jaime’s leg trembled against Rylan’s hand. “You okay?” Rylan asked.
“I’m good, we’re so good,” Jaime moaned. He turned his head to find Rylan’s mouth and began to move his hips. Rylan groaned as Jaime clenched around him, and he drew back to drive inside again, starting up a steady rhythm.
Jaime stroked himself, feeling wild and free with Rylan against his back. With his other hand, Rylan pulled at Jaime’s nipples until Jaime had to grit his teeth and still his own hand to stop himself from coming.
“Want more?” Rylan said, nipping his ear.
“Everything you’ve got.”
Rylan let go of his leg and pushed Jaime onto his stomach, fucking him relentlessly into the bed. Jaime spread his legs wider and dug his fingers into the sheets, giving himself over completely. He could feel, too, under his skin and in his mind, the electronic signals and the neurons, the mingled parts that made up Rylan — and opened himself to all of it, man and machine. It was science, but there was magic, too. There had to be, to feel this much joy in each other. It swept over them, leaving them gasping and crying out as they came together.
It was quiet then, bodies and minds, just the two of them joined together. Rylan rolled onto his back, taking Jaime with him. Jaime lazily stroked his spent cock, while Rylan gave a few last thrusts up into him.
“So what were we talking about?” Jaime asked.
Rylan laughed, a rumbling that Jaime could feel through his whole body. “I honestly don’t have a thought in my head right now,” Rylan said.
“It’s okay, it’ll come back to us.” Jaime said. “I’m not going anywhere.”