by Cari Z.
Jason shrugged. “They’re paid to work with me.”
“It’s more than that,” Ferran said. “I can feel their respect when they talk about you. They seem very protective of you. The man who escorted me here felt rather concerned that I not do anything to make you uncomfortable.”
“Ah.” Well. That was sweet, and more than a little embarrassing. “Most of them have been with me for several years.” At least a year of him with Blake and a year without. No doubt, the contrast was more severe than he realized.
“Then surely they know you well enough to have formed a reliable opinion.”
“I suppose.” Jason was tired all of a sudden. He’d done more talking this evening than he had for the past week, and he didn’t feel like doing any more introspection.
“It’s late. I should leave you.” Ferran stood, and Jason rose with him.
“Would you like an escort back to your suite?”
“No, thank you. I can find it,” Ferran replied. Jason walked Ferran to the door, grateful for the chance to be alone again, but feeling a little guilty over it as well.
“Will we dine again tomorrow?”
Jason sighed. “Not tomorrow. I have the evening shift. Is the day after all right?”
Ferran’s quills sharpened slightly. “The day after is fine for dinner. May I join you tomorrow for lunch?”
“Won’t your cousins think you’re abandoning them?” Jason asked lightly.
“We’ve been together constantly for nearly a year, and anyhow, they have each other. I want to get to know you.”
Jason had the feeling he was being paid another compliment and didn’t really know what to do about it. “Lunch will be fine. I’ll let you know when I’m free.”
“Thank you.” The door opened and Ferran turned toward it, paused, and then turned back. “On Perelan, we have a special gesture for good-byes. It’s a bit like a human hug, but less tactile. May I show you?”
“Sure.”
Ferran leaned his upper body close to Jason’s and turned his head slightly so that their right temples touched. Jason felt the intense heat of Ferran’s skin and the warmth of his breath on his cheek. It seemed to fill and soothe him, but then Ferran was drawing back. Jason wanted to follow him and just barely stopped himself.
“Good night,” his guest said softly.
“Good night.”
Ferran left, and Jason leaned against his closed door. His whole body was aching for that tender warmth, and he felt his first erection in far too long growing. He sighed. It was going to be a rough few weeks.
JASON GAVE his crew a day of leave once they reached Ishtar. All of the human passengers were disembarking there, since no humans were allowed to visit Perelan without a ridiculous number of permits. With only the three Perels to take care of, the crew’s workload was minimal. He was rather surprised when Florence said to him, “I’ll stay with the ship this time.”
“You love visiting Ishtar.”
“I’m coming back after we finish at Perelan.” Her expression was completely ambiguous as she continued, “I thought you might like to show Ferran around some. Since he’s never been before.”
And never will again, the subtext shouted loud and clear. Jason wondered just how much Florence knew about Perel culture. Probably more than he did, and after five days of nearly constant company with Ferran, he felt like he had learned quite a lot.
Jason found it inexplicable. Ferran seemed to want nothing more than to spend time with him. His cousins were working their way through the humans like it was a competition, and morning-after descriptions of incredible sex were becoming commonplace. It was only them, though. Ferran kept to his cousins or to Jason, which made some of the passengers pout and his crew brazen enough to wink at him from time to time. One officer even threw him a knowing look and an offhand comment about his privacy that made Jason want to yell, “I’m not fucking him!” Because he wasn’t. Not that he didn’t want to, at this point.
They’d eaten at least once a day together ever since that first evening. Ferran had joined him for lunch, and then, after his shift was over, had surprised him with an invitation to dessert. The dining hall had been deserted except for the two of them, and they’d stayed up for several hours, long after Jason was usually asleep. It had made his next shift a little trying, but Ferran cooked for him in his quarters the next evening.
“I DIDN’T know you cooked,” Jason commented as he sat and watched the Perel sauté button mushrooms and some sort of crystalline grain he’d never seen before.
“Cooking was one of my responsibilities in my mother’s household, and probably will be again when I am married,” Ferran replied.
“You’re getting married?”
“At some point. It’s expected,” the Perel demurred, stirring slowly. “Fertile females take many husbands. Males who can breed occupy themselves with caring for the children; those who cannot, take care of the household. Our females are highly educated, far more so than… anyhow, when my cousins and I return, we’ll be the right age to be married. Ney and Garr are already promised to someone.”
This information didn’t sit at all well with Jason, despite telling himself he needed to be tolerant of other cultures. “Why do they let you leave?”
“Our mothers have learned that it is in our best interest to allow us some freedom before our marriages. Those who can afford it send their unmated sons to travel beyond Perelan. Those who cannot, make do with a period of liberty on our home world. I’m very fortunate to be here.”
His words said “fortunate,” but his tone was low, and Jason had learned when Ferran’s quills went completely flat like that, Ferran was sad or disappointed. He stepped in behind Ferran and put one arm gently around his shoulder, saying nothing, just holding and offering support. Ferran’s quills fluttered against his arm, but the wide smile he turned on Jason was reassuring.
THAT HAD been their first embrace but not their last. Ferran seemed to crave touch, and whenever they met after that, Ferran greeted him with a hug and left him with a Perel farewell. They watched a movie together one evening on the couch and ended up with Ferran’s head in Jason’s lap, his body curled up in a ball. Jason hadn’t done anything more than rest his hand on the back of Ferran’s neck, but Ferran had seemed happy with it.
The tension between them had been clear, but Jason was positive Ferran wasn’t going to make a move, not after their awkward first conversation a week ago. Jason wasn’t sure he was going to make a move either, honestly. Yes, his body was very interested. His mind was engaged, and he found Ferran to be a fascinating person, but casual was difficult for him. Unfortunately, casual was all that was possible with the Perel. Jason had to decide whether it was enough, and Florence had given him the perfect opportunity to do that.
Ferran was clearly surprised by the invitation out, his eyes going wide as his quills flared.
“I thought you had to stay on board.”
“Florence is covering for me,” Jason explained. “She thought I needed a break.”
“That’s very kind of her.”
“It is,” Jason agreed. “You shouldn’t feel obliged to go with me, however. I’m sure your cousins have plans.”
Ferran gave Jason a look. “Have I done anything to suggest I would not be perfectly happy accompanying you?”
Jason shrugged. “I just want to make it clear you have options.”
“I’m aware of all my options. I want to go with you.”
They left the Silver Star and took a flyer to the edge of Ishtar’s capital city. There was a nature preserve there, a place that Jason loved to visit whenever he had the time. Ishtar didn’t have nearly the natural volatility of his home planet, but it did have incredible fauna. The preserve was less of a zoo and more like a game park, the only enclosed section being the butterfly pavilion.
There were over a thousand varieties of butterflies there, some of them native to Ishtar, some of them imported from Earth. Jason and Ferran stood on th
e observation deck and watched a million bright bodies flit about.
“They’re so lovely,” Ferran said. “Like jewels. We have something like this on Perelan, but they have dark, simple coloration.”
“There’s very little wildlife on Jacksonville,” Jason noted. “Nothing delicate survives. I have a butterfly house, though, as part of my garden. It’s expensive to maintain, but I like to look at them, and they help pollinate the flowers.”
“You have something like this in your home?”
“Much smaller,” Jason said with a little laugh, “but yes, something like this.”
“I wish I could see it.”
There was no mistaking the sadness in Ferran’s tone. They both knew he didn’t have time to make a side trip, not at this point. “I wish you could too. I’d have enjoyed taking you there.”
Ferran made a noise Jason had never heard from him before, something between a sigh and a whimper. The gaze Ferran turned toward him was positively wounded. “Let’s talk about something else,” Ferran whispered.
“All right,” Jason agreed. “Why don’t we go? We have dinner reservations in an hour.” Ferran just nodded, and they left the butterfly pavilion in a decidedly somber frame of mind. A little time and distance seemed to help, and when they were sitting down to eat an hour later, Ferran seemed normal again.
“It’s all eaten with your hands?”
“It’s traditional here,” Jason said as he rinsed his hands with the help of the waiter. Ferran followed suit, and then he picked up the first appetizer. “It’s kind of like a competition, keeping your fingers clean while you eat. I’m not sure why.” He bit into the crudité and closed his eyes briefly.
“That looks good,” Ferran said, watching Jason raptly.
“Try it.” Jason held out the other half, and then started in surprise when Ferran leaned over and ate it out of his hand.
“Very good,” Ferran agreed a moment later, his lips curved in a saucy smile.
Jason decided at that moment not to fight it. Ferran wanted him; he wanted Ferran. Whatever happened would happen. His new resolution fit his Zen turn of mind well, and Jason immediately felt more relaxed. “You should try some more.” He lifted another, different appetizer and held it out. Ferran nibbled at it, the edges of his lips brushing Jason’s fingertips. “Good?”
“Delicious,” Ferran replied.
They worked their way through five plates of finger foods, finishing with things that were so sweet and sticky it was impossible not to get their hands messy. The waiter was standing by with water and towels, though, and Ferran seemed to love every second of it. Jason paid, and they walked back out to the flyer. Ferran took his hand, and Jason turned toward him, bringing their bodies close. “What do you want?” he asked.
“You.”
“Where do you want to go? There are some excellent hotels—”
“Back to the ship,” Ferran blurted, his grip tightening a little. “Back to your rooms. Please.”
“All right,” Jason murmured. “We can do that.”
It wouldn’t have been his first choice, but he wanted Ferran to be comfortable. They headed back toward the ship. The flyer was an automatic, so neither of them had to drive, which was good since the Perel had decided that his rightful place was on Jason. He straddled his lap, light and lithe against him, and ran the soft pads of his fingers over the ridges of Jason’s face. Jason looped his arms loosely around Ferran’s waist, not wanting to pull him any closer, because he didn’t want things to be over before they’d gotten back to the Silver Star. Usually, he had excellent control, but it had been a long time since he’d been with anyone, and Ferran was beautiful and warm and wanting.
Ferran leaned closer and brushed his lips, feather-light, over the lines that his fingers had traced. He paid particular attention to Jason’s eyes and ears, and when his mouth closed gently over one earlobe, Jason moaned softly, tightening his grip on Ferran’s naked back. “I want to do what you like,” the Perel said breathlessly. “Tell me what else you like.”
“Mmm, I like you. Everything about you.”
“I would do everything with you.”
“God.” Jason squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. “But not here. Wait until we get to the ship, all right?”
“Until we get back to your ship,” Ferran agreed. He stopped petting Jason, but he didn’t move, instead curling forward and tucking his head beneath Jason’s chin. His quills were lax with contentment, and they hadn’t even done anything yet.
They managed to board without having to see anyone else, although Jason did check in with Florence before firmly bidding her good night. They got into Jason’s quarters, took their shoes off, and Jason hung up his jacket. Then he took Ferran by the hand and led him back into his bedroom. It was a large bed, with a simple white comforter and two long pillows, decorated with a single red stripe down the center. He stared at it for a moment, remembering, and then decided to make a new memory. “Undress,” he said, turning to look at his lover.
Ferran stepped back a bit, and then smoothly pulled his tunic over his shoulders. His pants went next, sliding down slim hips and over his dark-nailed feet. The shimmering bronze fabric lay like a pool on the floor. There was a flush of color in his milk-pale skin, especially over his face and groin. He had a familiar anatomy, which was something of a relief to Jason, and he was completely hard.
“Go lie on the bed.”
Ferran cocked his head a little in curiosity, but turned and crawled up onto the bed. Seeing his body totally exposed for the first time, not just his back, was enough to make Jason want to jump onto the bed with him, but he sternly reminded himself to calm the hell down. Ferran lay down on his side, curling a little, and stared at Jason.
Jason unfastened his shirt and took it off, folding it on top of his simple dresser. He did the same with his pants, making a neat pile, and then pushed his underwear down and off and placed them to the side. Now comfortably naked himself, he stood at the foot of the bed for a long moment, admiring the picture Ferran made lying there, sweet and wanton at once, and committed the image to his mind. “You’re so beautiful.”
“So are you,” Ferran murmured. He stretched out his arms, and Jason moved into them, curling up against his lover so that they faced each other. “Anything you want,” he said. “Whatever you want.”
“Lie on your back,” Jason directed. Ferran did so, and then Jason began to explore him. He started the same way Ferran had, fingers drifting over his features and the smooth lines of his body, followed by lips and tongue. Ferran’s eyelids quivered when Jason gently licked at them, and the same treatment of his ears provoked a guttural grunt. Jason meandered down his body, teasing three pairs of nipples, delving into his bellybutton, and then skipped his groin and caressed his thighs and calves.
Ferran whined and panted, his breaths pleading with Jason to touch him, and when he finally did, just a glance of fingers and palm, his body curled reflexively. “Jason!”
“Too light?” Jason asked.
“Too… not… more,” Ferran finally said. “Again.”
Jason had noted, in their brief hands-on interludes, that Ferran seemed to prefer a light touch. His skin was highly sensitive, his proprioception incredible. It probably had to do with them being a mostly nocturnal species, accustomed to low light and visibility. Jason gripped more firmly, but still gently, one hand on Ferran’s shaft as the other cupped his tightly drawn testes.
“Jason!” There was need and heat and so much affection in Ferran’s voice.
“Like this?” Jason breathed. “Do you want to come like this? Whatever you want, Ferran.”
“More of you,” his lover pleaded. “More for you. Lie with me.”
He stretched his arms out again, and Jason went to him, lying between his legs and pressing their erections together. He was covered in precum, as slick as if he had used the lubricant in his bathroom, and the slightest touch between them was a wonderful pain.
“Jason,
” Ferran hissed in his ear, slipping flexible legs over his back and pulling him closer. “Jason, Jason, yesss….” They ground together once, twice, a third time, and then Jason was coming, his semen gushing between their bodies. His groan of release blended with Ferran’s high, sharp cry as he came as well.
Jason gradually regained his mind and realized he was probably crushing Ferran. He pushed his weight up onto his arms and pulled back a little, looking into his lover’s face. Ferran’s great amber eyes were slitted, only the darkness of arousal gleaming through. His mouth was slightly open as he panted, and before he could rethink it, Jason leaned in and kissed him.
It was their first kiss. Kissing felt more intimate than sex in some ways to Jason; it was more than lust, it was permission for a partner to claim a more substantial piece of him. Kissing, to Jason, symbolized letting his guard down in a major way, and even as he reveled in Ferran’s passionate response, he wondered if he was doing the right thing. Ferran didn’t seem to share his hesitancy, opening into the kiss like it was breath and he would suffocate without it. His tongue was longer and thinner than a human’s, and a little rougher, but he was careful with it, only giving Jason little licks, not curling it around the back of his throat.
Jason pulled himself away after a few minutes of kissing, heading into the bathroom for a wet cloth. He cleaned himself off quickly, but thoroughly, and then went out to where Ferran was sprawled boneless, content, and wiped him clean as well. They lay together for a while afterward, Jason on his back with Ferran’s head on his chest, arms tight around his middle.
“Was it wonderful for you?” Ferran finally asked.
Jason smiled. “Absolutely wonderful. You’re wonderful.”
“Good.” His lover snuggled in closer, pressing his nose against Jason’s throat. “You’re wonderful too.” He was quiet for a moment, and then said, “I could be again.”
“What, wonderful?”
“Yes.” One of Ferran’s hands drifted down toward Jason’s cock, which was taking a decided interest. “If you like.”