Blacken

  But look at where it ended up.

  She wiped tears from her blotchy face, thinking about Owen was painful, but he said twice now that it should have been him, how it always should have been him to be the object of Avie’s affections, not Rhulle. What exactly did that mean coming from him? The redhead hadn’t done anything to hint she was alluding to more than friendship, sure she was affectionate, but never anything past platonic.

  Avie figured it was because he didn’t have anyone else, which she pitied. She only had Owen when she first came into town. Even before while she lived alone, she struggled to make friends, and he came in like a breath of fresh air. She imagined it was much the same for him.

  In the time she grew closer to Rhulle, it was very probable Avie channeled that energy to express something other than a friendship to Owen. She thought back, wondering if it was maybe her own fault that this situation came to the climax it did.

  The woman shook it off, rather tried to focus on the elating information found instead. It did no good to dwell on all the negatives.

  They found a way to stop the people of Blacken, new and old, from dying. If it weren’t for Avie befriending Rhulle, who knew how long it would have been before the situation would occur—even if it would at all. She mulled over it all as she started a shower.

  Relaxing in the hot water, it helped in slowing her racing thoughts.

  On the topic of Rhulle, something very unexpected did come out of it all. Emotions and feelings that surpassed that of kinship had developed. It was the mystery of him, the way he was, that initially drew her. Things may have started as a friendship, but she was not exactly sure when deeper feelings started to linger.

  It may have been as early as the instance he admitted being confused by her actions, instead of running away.

  It may have been when she first danced with him and he held her so close.

  It may have even been there the whole time, growing, evolving while she learned more about him, without her realizing it until just last night; all her passions breaking through, coming to a head.

  And yet, there was so much more she wanted to know about him and the planet Celisc he came from.

  The thought of even kissing him drew butterflies to her stomach, as if she were a teenager with her first crush, the memories creating the ghost of a feeling of his lip’s touch. He said once a connection was established, the relationship was announced and then celebrated; but was she his partner? Were the two of them vovii? Did being vovii include mating?

  What did mating, itself, include?

  Avie thought of the taboo scenario, a coil winding tight inside of her.

  She sighed, the heat getting to her as she got out of the downpour. Grabbing a fluffy towel to dry herself and the dampened hair, the redhead moved into her bedroom and began styling; attempting to get the curls to fall just right with her hairdryer.

  With the towel still wrapped around her body, she threw on her shorts and tank top once the hair had been tackled, fully intending to lounge around. She flicked on the small tube television on her dresser and left to grab a snack from the kitchen. The woman returned to see Rhulle in her bedroom once again, fixing the black out shades on her window himself.

  “I almost want to get you a bell,” Avie said with a smile.

  He turned, happy to see her in proper lighting for the first time in her apartment, “I am like that of a bird, not a cat.”

  Laughing, she went to hug him, her face once again brushing into the soft plumage of his chest, inhaling the scent of pine sap and firewood, “What brings you here, Rhulle?”

  “I wanted to see you again,” he lifted her chin so she could meet his eyes, “it seems that you wanted to see me too.”

  “Of course, I wanted to tell you about my blood, and I was hoping I could maybe ask something… About what you said earlier?”

  Rhulle affirmed with a hum, her breaking apart to sit on the bed. He strolled over, joining in the action; sitting just across from her in the armchair with their knees practically touching, “And what was it I said?”

  Nervous, she fidgeted with her ring once more, “Well, it was when you were talking about partners, sorry, vovii, and you demonstrated how they kissed. I guess what I wanted to know more about was… umm… what qualifies someone as one?”

  A sly grin broke out on his face, seemingly entertained at her question. “Are you so keen? We have compatibility, are you certain you would like to follow my customs?”

  He was teasing her, making Avie blush. God, yes, she wanted to be together with him in a sense of a relationship, learning to blend the two customs could be the easiest route, however in order to do that, she needed to know more.

  “I would really love to know everything about your customs.”

  Rhulle’s smile faltered a fraction, then pulled down as he contemplated over something. She was worried she had said something wrong.

  “Dear Avie, I am afraid I have not been entirely honest with you, but I would like to clear a few things up about myself, and my being here.”

  A fiery glow sat high in the sky, mid-morning shone the brightest and signalled the time to take a well-earned break from tending to the crops.

  Rhulle and a few others in the fields were the first to notice them: the army from the city marching into their small village with intent. It was only a matter of time before their colony would be discovered and integrated to the larger structure, the joy of living independently being short lived.

  All dropped what they were doing once alerted, attempting to flee with loved ones, Rhulle quickly finding his mother and sister in their hut to run with them.

  It had been no use, futile even through the chaos of scrambling truxi. They were captured, locked away to be taken into the closest city’s monarchy to be decided what their fate was. Of course, it would be some variance of forced labour, it always was. Rhulle remembered how hard life was before the escape into independence.

  The high council composed of elders had indeed sent his family to build the grand brick intricacies of their homes and buildings, a labour compulsory with heavy lifting and hauling—working just to survive on meager earnings.

  Enough had been enough. After tirelessly working down to the bone for weeks, Rhulle rose out of his seat in their shack, shouting the injustice of being mistreated and desire to escape once again, being shut down by his mother in worry that guards would overhear. After arguing for quite a while across the table, he angrily dropped the topic after getting nowhere. Rhulle only wanted something better, for himself and his sister; his mother clearly did not care.

  Early next morning, guards raided their home, arresting Rhulle and placing him on public trial.

  He was entitled to a statement from any truxi of his choosing for any final word in an attempt to sway his public appearances or even the High Council. He cried, on his knees as he begged and pleaded for his mother’s testimony, for her to say something, anything to keep him alive. Yet she couldn’t even look at him, even as he was dragged away.

  Rhulle stood in the raised stone pillar, surrounded by his peers, and his trial runners, awaiting his fate.

  To his surprise, and also dismay, Rhulle was given a choice. He could be executed publicly or banished from his home world—a rare option for a long drawn out death. Either way, his fate was sealed.

  His claws gripped into his palms, drawing blood that fell as his tears did, staring blankly ahead.

  “I choose banishment.”

  Appalled murmurs and gasps littered the crowd at his decision, and he was escorted away. The last thing he saw was his sister’s sad eyes and his mother’s indifferent ones.

  “We are fiercely loyal; I spoke out against the system, as most held the belief that labour was an opportunity to move up and only a temporary position. Those generations of truxi were not the same ones that sought refuge away from everything like my father did—like I had. Banishment was an unheard-of choice. But I took it. I was a coward.”

  “No
. You are a fighter, you saw a chance to keep living, and you took it. I am truly sorry for what you’ve been through, I couldn’t imagine what that must have been like.”

  He smiled, genuinely, “That is why I like you; you see the better parts of everything. Thank you, dear Avie.”

  “I can’t picture how intimidating it was to come here and not know anything, learning an alien language just because it was something to do.”

  Rhulle laughed, “Yours is so simple in comparison.” He looked back to her face, his own sobering into softness, “Listen, Avie… You make me feel very complicated emotions, I cannot help wanting you to be mine. As a vovii, we would do everything a couple would do in your regards, even—ahh—coitus. I understand this is a very odd situation, and I will not ask anything of you, but I had the thought of us together, even in that sense.”

  He grasped a hand in both of his, lifting it to hold between them. Rhulle sounded almost embarrassed at the confession, causing her to flush warm at his words and actions. At least she wasn’t alone in her thoughts…

  “How would it—would it even… could we even…?”

  A nervous laugh escaped, “I was hoping to find this out too.”

  Avie bit her lip at the implication, the blush deepening from dusty pink to cherry red. She wanted to find out, if just to know and understand tonight.

  “We could explore… If you wanted.”

  His breath hitched, Rhulle’s usual calm demeanour breaking for a moment as he fumbled, “Right, just explore a bit, no harm in that.” He rose, extending his hand to help her rise with him.

  She stood in front of him, not sure how to take the first step. The truxen stroked the side of her face with the back of his hand, delicate fingers tracing there before moving to lace through her hair, tilting her head as he leaned in to kiss her. Her heart drummed in her chest, heavy with anticipation, breaking away slightly to remove her shirt, her chest lay bare before him. Rhulle looked down at her, his hand moving to her shoulder, massaging the collarbone there as he drank in her appearance.

  With a brave hand, she moved his lower, allowing him to touch the flesh there, enjoying him gasping at the sensation.

  “They are soft, I was not expecting that.”

  A light laugh was shared between them, he brought his other hand to play with her chest, tracing over every inch of skin, finding that it felt good for her. He ran his hands down, drawing over the stomach and the beauty marks that scattered there. Avie watched as his lip was caught in his teeth in desirable concentration, discovering that he too could blush.

  She took his face in her hands, gripping each side while bringing his mouth to meet hers once again in a quick kiss. The woman still supported the patterned shorts, deciding to use his hands as a guide and led them to the fabric, hooking his thumbs to allow him to shimmy them off her hips while she watched his face. Rhulle in turn glanced down, watching as he was the one to remove the clothing, having it hit the floor with a wide-eyed look.

  He took his hands off of her, stepping back while his wings draped over him, “I… I am used to wearing something to cover certain afflictions. I am afraid that is not the case this time and I wanted to be sure it was alright before I… I- uhm…”

  Oh…

  “I would like to see…” her voice was airy, slightly dazed at the arousal positively dripping in the room.

  Rhulle’s breath was shaky as he was met with her soothing smile. Was he truly that nervous?

  The deft wings parted, revealing a pale member parting through a slit. It had a slightly pinkish tone, the shape coming to a point at the tip with a wide base. It was covered with ichor, having been stored inside of him and writhed slightly at the cool air.

  Avie let out a breath in holding, staring at the new revelation that showcased itself for her, “It’s... incredible. May I?”

  He nodded, and she reached out, feeling as though the movements were in slow motion as she touched, resting a single finger at his base. It was smooth, warm, and wet. Following the length of it up, her other digits joined in the trace—cupping the smooth texture further. Rhulle moaned, his knees buckling slightly at the touch.

  “That is… quite sensitive. I—uhm, could I see you first instead?” his voice was strained, eyes locked on her connection to him.

  She released her hand, “Of course.”

  Settling back down on the bed, the woman leaned back onto palms, timidly parting her legs enough for Rhulle to observe. He leant over her, placing a hand on her thigh, brushing up until he touched the lips, playing and exploring the sight before him.

  He hovered, eyes fixated while the pad of a finger stroked her most sensitive bit, a gasp leaving her. Rhulle’s head snapped up and looked at her, his narrow eyes watching her reactions as he repeated the act, applying more pressure, his own quiet pant slipping out as he drew more sounds out of her.

  “That feels good,” Avie sighed as her hands gripped at soft sheets.

  The hand disappeared, both of his moving instead to grasp the back of her torso under her arms. He stood her up with him, flush up against each other while he kissed her deeply.

  She felt the erection squirm on her bare stomach as they kissed, tongues locked in an erotic dance. The feathered being let out a breathy gasp, his voice husky, “I want you, Avie.”

  He sat in the armchair, pulling her down onto his lap, much like the first time they kissed. In the same motion, he wrapped his wings around them both, blocking out a majority of the light in the room, keeping her close to him. Only his eyes casting a faint glow allowed her to see. The crooning was back in full force, his member now slick against her.

  “I have never felt like this. I want you; I want this,” the claws brushed into her scalp once again, the other tracing over her bottom lip with a thumb, pulling it down slightly.

  Avie pant in anticipation. Was it too soon?

  “I want you too.”

  His features lit up, akin to receiving the most amazing gift.

  With his hands on her hips, Rhulle moved her closer, his own rocking up towards her to create friction. It felt amazing, electricity shot through her and pooled into her core, hands curling into his feathers while her eyes rolled back and closed.

  The crooning intensified; she could feel it rattling her body from where she sat. Avie opened her eyes, reaching a hand down to grasp him, reveling in the sound he made. He watched her ministrations, small noises escaping whenever she increased her grip, his bottom lip clenched between sharp teeth.

  He was panting, stopping her hand and letting her release her grasp, “I want to make you feel as good as I do.” Rhulle kissed her again, raising her up with his extraordinary strength.

  Caressing his face, she felt the small tip of himself make its way inside of her.

  She moaned into the kiss, feeling him lower her onto it—getting her accustomed to the shape as it got thicker the further down she got. He had to break away with an inhale, his claws gripping into her hips while she was fully seated.

  “Tight…” his voice was strained again.

  Avie looked at him to see his eyes clenched shut, breath laboured. She let out a questioning noise, not sure if she heard him correctly.

  “It is so tight… I-Is-is it supposed to be like th-that?”

  She never heard him stutter before, he had always been so eloquent with his speech, but here she was, ushering it out of him…

  “Does it hurt?”

  His eyes snapped up to hold hers, “No. It feels good. It feels so fucking good.”

  Swearing… Another first.

  The burn she felt began to subside, hearing the way he was talking made her feel hot and bothered, ready for more. The woman rocked her hips, earning her a low hiss. His hands still encompassed her hips, that flick of friction sending him in need of more. Rhulle lifted her up, and then back down with power. A loud moan slipping past her. His grip tightened so much; she thought the digits would bruise her.

  The pace increased; her following the t
empo, feeling him squirm inside the entire duration. It drove her over the edge, she could feel herself orgasm around him, her grip tightening in the tufts at the nape of his neck and wanton moans flying free. He must have felt the difference, strong legs lifted them both while arms supported. The dim lights flooded her vision before she was on her back, the lights blacked out once more by truxen wings spread out over them.

  His pace was unmerciful, muttering something low and unintelligible. The pleasure wracked through her at such intensity she couldn’t bother to ask him to repeat. He continued; the words almost stringing together, Avie finally realized what was going on…

  He was talking in his native language.

  With the thrusts and his moaning language, she came undone, holding on for dear life to the figure above her.

  Rhulle bit her shoulder; the sharp teeth meeting the junction of her clavicle, she knew that he had broken the skin. The pain mixed with her pleasure felt incredible. She realized he was also climaxing; his hips stopping their intense pace to pause and stay inside her—whimpers and groans escaping around her flesh.

  He finally released his grip, lazily lapping at the few strands of blood. His breathing coming out in heavy puffs. A softness filled his eyes as they took the moment to just bath in the afterglow with the other, his hand coming up to caress her cheek with long fingers.

  “I am yours.”

  She had a compulsion to mimic the action, “I am yours,” she whispered back.

  He smiled, showing teeth still tinted with her blood, it was an odd contrast against the serene expression. Rhulle looked at the mark he left her, and then down to their connection, “Oh Avie… I am terribly sorry; I did not mean to. I do not know what came over me.”

  “It’s alright, this felt amazing just then,” she touched below the mark, “and I think we were both caught up in the moment,” the redhead beamed. The sting simmered down at his exit while he shifted, lowering his forehead down to hers.