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applecameronA 5-part series (all five parts behind the link)
by SV
Archived by author's permission
Spoilers for "Grey 17 is Missing"
I.
Captain's office. They had been there over an hour, and Marcus had been his usual energetically goofy self. Lennier was quiet, from his post behind Delenn. He was watching the Ranger carefully. Humans. All that head fur -- hair, he corrected -- was a little unnerving. And Marcus had quite a lot.
Cole glanced Lennier's way and they locked eyes for a moment before the Minbari looked away. Marcus stayed looking at the other for a second longer, then turned his attention back to Captain Sheridan. But not listening, really. There had been something in Lennier's eyes. He was always intense, this was something else.
As the meeting broke up, Lennier said to Delenn, "I will join you later", and turned, obviously waiting for Marcus.
So they walked together, Lennier boarding the lift to Marcus's quarters.
In the lift: "Was there something you wanted, Mr. Lennier?"
"Perhaps."
Pause.
"Were you planning on telling me what it was?"
The Minbari looked at him closely and the Ranger wilted slightly. Jokingly, "I take it back, you don't have to tell me."
Lennier continued looking at him. "I am not sure. Perhaps I saw something that was not there."
"Well, *what* already?"
Another pause.
"During your Ranger training, did you have any...strong relationships with your fellow trainees? Minbari?"
"What?" A beat. "I'd rather not say."
"Hm." Lennier resumed looking at the doors of the lift. Cole placed his hand on the Minbari's shoulder and Lennier jerked forward as if burned. Their eyes met, and Cole saw the normally banked fire in the other's eyes. "Are you asking what I think you're asking?"
"I do not know what it is you are asking me that I might be asking you."
Confusion. "Oh, bugger," said the Ranger, and brushed his lips lightly against the Minbari's mouth. They both stepped towards one another as the lift doors finally opened.
Marcus was conscious of the heat between them as he led the way to his quarters. The door opened, they walked in together. Lennier stopped almost immediately and watched calmly as Cole instructed the computer to lock doors. Then the Ranger looked back to him, and Lennier saw his own fire reflected in the young human's eyes. And sighed inside, grateful.
They stood at the door for a long time, hardly breathing, looking at each other. Not touching, barely inside each other's personal space. Lennier reached up to stroke the Ranger's dark hair, feeling the strands under his hand. Cole stepped forward. He could feel the tremble of the touch, but Lennier did not break contact, did not drop his eyes.
Marcus couldn't breathe at all. The room's oxygen had disappeared, and his vision narrowed to this face before his own. He leaned forward and brushed his lips against the Minbari's, bringing his hands up to stroke Lennier's cranium with his fingertips. Lennier shuddered at the touch and his mouth opened under Cole's. Marcus gasped, struggling to not collapse breathless at the sheer want vibrating in the skin against his own. He moaned and Lennier's arms wrapped around him, holding him up, pulling them together. He gasped for breath, nearly hyperventilating.
"Lennier."
The Minbari pushed them apart slightly. "What is it?"
The Ranger just shook his head, breathing heavily. "Nothing, everything." He wrapped his hands around the back of Lennier's head, under the cranial ridge, and pulled him close, losing himself in the other's dry scent. Lennier's mouth left his own and wandered down his neck, eliciting a groan of pleasure from the Ranger. He swayed against the Minbari, who now held the two of them up by force of will, quickly deteriorating as it was.
Somehow, they crumpled to the floor in a mix of robes, Lennier rolling Marcus on top of him, to explore him fully. The Minbari's hands caressed as they kissed, feeling the divot of Cole's hip, pressing down on his lower back to grind the Ranger's erection against his own.
Wandering, looking for the clasps that held his clothing together. Driving the two of them jointly mad and out of breath, as he slowly removed the Ranger's clothing and unfastened his own robes. Finally, mostly skin to skin, Marcus lay panting on him. Lennier closed his eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the scent of the young man in his arms.
"I have never loved a human," he said. "I have studied a little of your anatomy, however."
One hand stroking the Ranger's pale buttock as he rolled them to one side. Marcus lifted one leg and draped it over the Minbari's hips.
Lennier touched the pink erection and smiled as Marcus jerked, then explored the tight entrance of his anus with one finger. The Ranger moaned, kissing Lennier's head, and clutching them closer together, his whole body tense.
Lennier was equally excited, pressing against the Ranger's pale body, grinding his hips into the human's erection, as he slipped a finger past the tight entrance of Cole's body. Cole groaned, jerking against him, breathing in short gasps, his pale skin growing glossy with sweat. Eyes shut, the Ranger arched back against Lennier and the Minbari kissed his throat, directly under the young man's chin, brushing his face into the black beard. Cole moaned and Lennier delighted in the thrum of his throat under his lips, probing faster with his finger. Marcus's hand on Lennier's head tightened, he whimpered softly, an agonized yes, as his body clenched and relaxed, as orgasm took him.
Lennier pulled him closer, not yet reaching his own release, withdrew his finger and guided the Ranger's hand down his own body, with an equally agonized groan, the sheer alienness of the young man's beard brushing his cranial ridge nearly tipping him over the edge by itself.
Soft lips on his cheek, then the Ranger's mouth covering his own, drinking in the Minbari's cry as Lennier shook and succumbed to Marcus's hand on him.
When the Minbari had stopped shuddering, Cole reached behind them and pulled his cloak over the two, closing his eyes as they nestled against one another on their messy bed of clothes. Lennier listened to the beating of the human's heart and shut his eyes, breathing in the young Ranger.
II.
There was blood on the staff. Lennier hurried out of the chamber, looking for the Ranger. "Please be alive." he prayed under his breath.
And there he was. Curled, on his side, almost like a sleeping child. Too still, Marcus was never still.
But alive. Yes, there was a faint pulse in his wrist. Lennier bowed his head for a moment and kissed the other's hand, then rose to call for a doctor.
Returning, Marcus stirred a little at Lennier's touch, but did not regain consciousness. He wanted to pull the wounded human up into his arms, to caress him, to thank him, to honor him for his sacrifice. Marcus who knew his secret, who placed his body in harm's way, who truly would die for the One. The Minbari didn't move, leaving one hand on the Ranger's shoulder, one against his forehead.
There did not seem to be any heavy bleeding, but when medical personnel finally lifted the Ranger's body from the floor, there was a long smudge of red left behind. Lennier stepped lightly over it.
Medlab. Smells of sickness, and cleansers. The warrior Neroon had gone. The doctors were done tending Marcus, and Lennier stood over him, waiting for the Ranger to reawaken. His hand rested gently over the other's, in truth, he was afraid to touch. They had not spoken about their recent encounter, and Lennier had tried to avoid thinking of the deep passion the Ranger had stirred in him. Meditation was only partly helping.
Loving him seemed so inappropriate. "Perhaps that is the allure," he mused aloud.
The Ranger's eyes flickered and slowly opened.
Lennier leaned over a little and said, "I am glad the doctors say you will be all right."
"So am I." The human rasped back.
Lennier gave a half-smile, and Marcus closed his eyes again. "Thank you," the Minbari whispered.
The Ranger's hand tightened against his, and the corners of his mouth moved up in a smile.
"Lennier."
"Ah, you're awake." He bowed.
"No, I'm really just talking in my sleep. I've got to get out of here before I go crazy. You have to talk them into releasing me." The Ranger's eyes were bright and alert but his face was still drawn in pain.
"I am not sure that is wise."
"I knew you'd say that. Everyone's saying that. Still, it was worth a try." He held out his hand to the Minbari, "come in."
Lennier hesitated, but approached, taking the Ranger's hand as he spoke. "Marcus, the time we spent together..." he started.
The Ranger drew his thumb over Lennier's hand. "I enjoyed that." He murmured, tired.
The Minbari was shocked. On some level he'd been expecting rejection of his...seduction. To hear a compliment caught him off guard. The Ranger closed his eyes, touching Lennier's hand. It was unnerving him, the cool pass of the human's skin against his own.
He lifted Marcus' hand to his lips and pressed briefly. The Ranger opened his eyes, and Lennier looked around, then leaned over and carefully kissed Marcus on the forehead, then the mouth. Wanting to explore delicately, but barely refraining from crushing the human to him, hands balling in tight fists at his side.
Marcus sighed into his mouth, and Lennier groaned, then straightened. "I should go," he whispered.
"As long as you promise to return, Lennier."
He nodded, unable to speak, bowed, and retreated swiftly.
Lennier sat, in theory, meditating. He shouldn't have been thinking about the Ranger, about the smoothness of his skin, the alien scent of him. It was not right. He loved Delenn, was sworn to serve her. And yet, this human drew him, making his very skin crawl with desire. This human, also bound by oaths of service. Lennier had never, there had *never* been anyone he wanted like this before. Perhaps he was ill, or going mad. There was no one on the station he trusted to talk to about it, save perhaps the one who was the cause of the trouble. And certainly not Delenn! To have her know he battled these impure feelings, the humiliation would be too much to bear.
A memory of the Ranger's lips against his, and Lennier's body trembled. He fought the desire rising within him, battled the rush of blood, the hardening flesh. Refusing to think about it.
Surely the Ranger did not want him. Could not. He was quiet, unassuming, a watcher. Marcus was a doer. What was there in him this human could want?
All the old doubts, long-hidden under years of study and prayer, came back in force. He was no one special, what could a firebrand, a human of their warrior caste, find appealing in him? He was worth little, living in the shadow of another. A half-life built on self-hatred. The old hates resurfaced as if they had never been gone, as if the years of seclusion and thought had been made of paper.
But he would never have gone to Marcus, would never have sought out his aid. The old Lennier could not have done that. Would have stood before Neroon himself and died too soon, too quickly, would have failed her. Would never have reasoned his way around a promise, to protect Delenn. Would never have chosen between the depths of responsiblities. But he hadn't failed. And Marcus hadn't failed. And perhaps, the warrior Neroon would find his way to their side.
He had changed. He was better. He was worthy of the friendship of the Satai and these other beings he traveled with through life on this station. He was not a frightened child, any more, scared by his own spirit's voice.
But the low tones of his body's desire, this simply could not be. It would have to be withstood.
Garden.
"Hello." A little of the old brightness.
"They've released you."
"They said I was too..." Smile. "irritating, actually."
"I see. And so you came looking for...?"
The Ranger nodded and sat down by Lennier. "You." He said simply.
The Minbari was quiet.
"To tell you."
"Tell me?"
Blithely, "Oh, that I'll be in my quarters, for most of the rest of the day. I'm ordered to rest, you know."
There was a moment where Lennier was looking at Marcus without looking at him, and the young man sagged tiredly, then straightened as the Minbari turned to him.
"Perhaps I should visit you, then."
"Perhaps you should."
They looked at each other. Marcus finally broke the silence, saying blandly, "think I'll go to my quarters," and stood.
The Minbari stood with him, taking an elbow as the Ranger limped a little.
"An excellent idea."
In the lift there was the same heat, the intensity Marcus remembered from the first time they rode together with intent. Startled for a moment, by the realization that he possibly, really, physically, shouldn't be doing this, "Lennier." Without looking at him.
"Yes."
One level. "Nothing."
Lennier did not touch him. Merely swept into the room after him, watching, waiting for Marcus to make the first move. His stomach tightened. Had the Ranger changed his mind?
The young human was slowly, with some difficulty, removing his shirt. He grunted and Lennier moved to help, drawing his fingers over cool ivory flesh, avoiding the bruises. The Minbari lingered, tracing a warm pattern on the Ranger's chest. The crushing desire had retreated. He was...enjoying himself. The Ranger unfastened his trousers, revealing white skin and the merest curve of hip.
Marcus closed his eyes and relaxed, standing with his head back, baring his clean white neck. Lennier's fingers brushed lightly along the sides, dipping low to the collarbone, and wandering back up again. The Ranger sighed, then shivered.
"You are cold, come sit down."
Laying the Ranger out on his bed, "We should not be doing this." Tugged his boots and trousers off.
"Oh, I'll be fine, Lennier."
Lennier sat on Marcus' bed, still clothed, tucking the Ranger in. "I do not think so." The Minbari ran his fingers through the human's black fur, trembling at the silky feel. Marcus closed his eyes and Lennier leaned down and kissed him. Savoring the taste of his mouth.
Disengaging and moving further down, even as he thought they should not be doing this, still, breathing softly on the human's neck. One taste only made him want to taste more. Marcus pushed back into his pillow, making a noise as Lennier traced with his mouth where his fingers had been earlier. The moan destroyed him. He was lost.
One final protest, "your condition". Marcus captured his mouth, moving his body to rub against the Minbari's leg. Lennier moaned.
Finally disengaging, both breathing heavily. "You have far too much clothing on, Lennier, to satisfy my condition." The Ranger sat up and began removing Lennier's garments, stopping to kiss revealed flesh. The soft tickle of the Ranger's beard on his chest was intensely arousing. The Minbari leaned back on the bed, dissolving for a moment in the silky hair against his skin. He sighed as Marcus freed his erection and kissed it, gasped as the human's tongue wetted him.
Then gasped again with desire as the Ranger's tongue began to wander down his leg and back again.
Speech difficult, "I do not think I can stand this, Marcus."
The Ranger withdrew, pulling a jar of lubricant off his nightstand and handing it to the Minbari. "We can stand later," smiling cryptically, and turned to lay face down, pushing a pillow down the bed to elevate his hips.
Lennier looked at the white, bruised body presented to him. He could see the Ranger's growing erection, and reached between the human's spread legs to stroke him as he spread lubricant on himself with his other hand. Marcus dug his toes into the bedclothes as he hardened, a muffled "yes" coming from the head of the bed. Lennier stroked until the human began to thrust against his hand, against the pillow, before he let himself press against the Ranger.
Spreading the human's legs farther apart, pulling his hips up off the bed, Lennier pushed slowly into the Ranger's anus. Passing the tight ring of muscle that clutched at him, the Minbari moaned at the pressure and Marcus arched in response. The tip of the Ranger's erection bounced against the pillow, held in the air as he was. The human groaned.
Lennier was still, not daring to move. Then fell forward, crushing Marcus' red erection into the bed. He withdrew almost completely and stroked into the Ranger. Marcus moved, body rising up to meet each thrust, groaning with each penetration. Rubbing himself against the bed. The sounds coming from the Ranger's taut throat were low and guttural, and Lennier moaned softly in counterpoint. Concentrating on the extreme arousal, the intense pleasure, the feel of the human's skin against his own, the Minbari was almost surprised as his climax overtook him. He held the Ranger to him, pulsing inside him, dissolving in the feeling of the other.
Marcus was twitching, whimpering a little and the Minbari withdrew. They fell together to the bed, Marcus still hard, and Lennier reached a hand from behind the Ranger to caress his erection. First lightly, then with confidence as the human pushed against him, shivering with a long, low cry until orgasm.
Worn out, Marcus lay still against the warm flesh of the Minbari. Lennier kissed the back of his neck and he stirred, murmuring some low softness under his breath.
An hour later, when Lennier was sure Marcus was asleep, he rose, dressed, and quietly left the human's quarters. To medidate on recent developments.
III.
Neroon lunged forward, batting the Ranger's staff to one side and smacked him squarely in the abdomen. Then withdrew, frowning, as the young man fell to the floor.
He held out a hand and hauled Marcus to his feet. They had begun working out together as part of Marcus's convalescence. The Minbari did not consider himself a true judge of the human's health, yet the young Ranger was definitely wincing in pain. Cole leaned against his staff, eyes closed, breathing heavily, one hand pressed against his belly.
Neroon had worked serious damage there not long before, and he considered it at the very least his duty to help repair it. Bring the Ranger back to fighting prime, and all that. Plus, it was nice to have someone to spar with. And, though disconcertingly human, the Ranger had given him a fine fight the day of the ceremony.
This someone was still clutching himself in pain, however, and Neroon spoke, watching him carefully. "Are you well?" He almost reached out a hand to catch the Ranger if he fell.
"Fine, fine...just catching my breath." He forced himself back into a fighting stance. "Shall we continue?"
"No, I think not. I have...business to attend to." The Minbari warrior lied.
Cole loosed his stance.
"What kind of business?"
Caught.
Neutrally, "Personal."
"Ah."
Neroon reflected that the young human was more clever than his normal exterior indicated. He grunted. "If you do not rest, you will not be able to spar with me tomorrow."
"I'm fine, Neroon."
"I am familiar with the extent of your injuries, Marcus."
"I'm a fast healer."
"Not that fast. You are human."
Suddenly, mercurially angry, "What's that supposed to mean?" The Ranger regained his stance.
"It means we are done this day, it means go back to your quarters and get some rest, and permit me the same."
Narrowed blue eyes glared at him, but Neroon swore he saw some relief.
"I'll walk you to your quarters." The Ranger offered.
"No," said the Minbari warrior, "I shall walk you."
The Ranger walked too slowly, and in brighter light, Neroon saw the strain under his pale skin. The human was still breathing heavy as they got into the lift, and nearly rocked off his feet as the lift began moving. He kept his staff at full length, leaning against it.
Getting out of the lift, Marcus muttered "oh", stumbled, and would have fallen if Neroon had not wrapped an arm around his waist and kept the two of them upright and moving down the hall.
When the door to the Ranger's quarters had shut, Neroon maneuvered his charge to the bed. Cole moved without complaint. Eyes shut, not protesting as Neroon loosened his clothing slightly. His breathing was regular and strong as the pain in his face appeared to ease. The Minbari was not sure if he should call for a doctor. But it seemed the Ranger was mostly exhausted and quickly falling asleep. Which was what was needed, so the Minbari warrior decided a doctor would be superfluous.
He stretched out on his side next to the Ranger, and rested his head on one arm. The other hand stayed on Marcus's chest, to quickly detect a change of breathing if something went wrong.
The Minbari looked at the human, studying his black mane, the pale face unlined in sleep. How innocent he looked asleep! And so deadly awake. Neroon had decided earlier that he would rather have the Ranger on his side than against him, such desperate fire and skill would move him far. Or kill him.
So Neroon lay next to him, watching over wounded, paying that compliment due a warrior brother.
He woke, vaguely aware of warmth next to him, the slightly higher skin temperature of a Minbari. There was a hand on his chest. Someone had taken his boots off.
"Are you better?" Neroon's voice rumbled practically in his ear.
Marcus forced his eyes open. The Minbari warrior lay on his side, apparently waiting patiently for Cole to speak.
He felt very tired, all the way to his bones, "yes, I think so. How long was I asleep?"
"Not very long. It is still midday, such as that may be on a space station. I was not sure if I should call a doctor to attend you."
"No, I'm all right." As long as he didn't move, he was fine.
The Ranger noted the absence of warmth as Neroon withdrew his hand. "Why did you stay with me? I thought you had 'personal business'." He quoted.
"Ah. I could rest here and watch you," the Minbari rumbled, "or rest in my quarters. There is no difference."
"Ah. I didn't know I was your 'personal business'."
The Minbari shifted a little closer. "You become."
"Become what?"
Neroon's hand was back on Marcus' chest, and as his mouth fell towards the other's lips, the Minbari whispered, "Become my personal business."
They kissed gently, mouths slightly parted. The exhausted ache in Marcus' bones was slowly replaced by a warm glow. Neroon was a most thorough kisser, exploring all that he could of the Ranger's mouth, while his hand lay still on Cole's chest. Hardly moving until Marcus finally groaned into the other's mouth. Then he drew back.
"Yes?" Inquiring.
The Ranger moaned, husky, "Yes, don't stop." He reached up to pull the Minbari's mouth back down. Then, stroking Neroon's arm, pulling his hand down to Cole's groin. He moaned louder as Neroon's hand stole inside his clothing and caressed his hot, hardening flesh.
Momentarily disengaging, "Is this raise in temperature normal?"
"Completely," arching up to reclaim the Minbari's mouth. With one hand, Marcus reached for the bulge beneath Neroon's robes, feeling him harden further under the fabric. He gripped the Minbari gently, smiling at Neroon's guttural response. Then gasped as Neroon rolled Marcus on top of him, grinding his hips up into Cole's erection. The Minbari moaned. He scrabbled at the Ranger's clothes, pulling the trousers down his body. Marcus retaliated by pushing Neroon's robes mostly out of their way. Their bare groins slapped and teased against each other as they kissed and groaned in unison.
Marcus reached for the jar of lubricant by his bed, and drizzled a little on Neroon's lower belly. The Minbari gasped at the cooler liquid on his skin. It quickly warmed as the young Ranger used his bare lower body to spread it around their erections. Neroon clasped the human to his chest and held him, kissing, as Marcus slid against him. The wet torment was exquisite, driving his desire higher with every stroke.
"Marcus," he whispered hoarsely, one hand on the human's face. He could feel the shudder building in Cole's body, trembling, and crushed the Ranger to him. Their lower bodies sliding and slipping, Marcus convulsed and cried against the Minbari's mouth as he came, hot liquid spilling onto Neroon's belly.
He softened against the Minbari's body for a moment, then pushed himself up, one hand stealing down to Neroon's erection, lubricating him further with the Ranger's own seed.
"I would be inside you." The Minbari whispered.
The Ranger kissed him and rolled up, placing Neroon's hands on his milk white hips, then lowered himself slowly onto Neroon's thick, completely smooth shaft.
As the ring of muscle at Cole's entrance parted and Neroon pierced his tightness, he almost couldn't hold himself any longer, hands trembling at the human's waist. Agonizingly slow, the Ranger took in one centimeter after another until his buttocks were in Neroon's lap. He didn't move. Eyes closed, Marcus gripped Neroon tightly inside him and his own penis surged into hardness again. Neroon thought he would scream with pleasure.
"You recharge quickly." He gasped instead, wanting to move and not move at the same time, the hot rippling tightness driving him mad.
"I'm inspired." The Ranger murmured, his erection lying against Neroon's slick belly.
Marcus began to move slowly, riding the Minbari in growing yet maddeningly tiny increments, until Neroon could stand it no longer and pulled the Ranger up and down against his body, thrusting into him blindly. Through half-closed eyes, he could see Marcus' head thrown back, giving himself over completely to the demand of Neroon's hands, moaning deliriously. Neroon could see the hard reddened flesh in front of him twitch, and he plunged deeply into the Ranger, rewarded by the sudden spurt onto his belly.
As the Ranger gasped and shook in orgasm, he clenched Neroon, enveloping him in his sheer wet clutch of muscle. It was the last Neroon could bear. The Minbari exploded, crying out the Ranger's name as he vibrated with pleasure, arching up into the human in his hands, shudders of orgasm humming though him.
They were both panting. With a cry, Marcus fell off Neroon's body, gracelessly draping an arm and a leg across the Minbari's body, collapsing onto the bed.
Startled, Neroon realized the human had lost consciousness. He held Marcus carefully to him, pulling bedclothes over his still body to keep them warm. This would take some explaining if he had to call a doctor after all. The Minbari worried for long minutes until the young man's eyelids fluttered and he spoke.
"Promise me." The Ranger.
"Yes."
"More 'personal business' tomorrow after we work out."
Neroon smiled up at the ceiling and declared, "I shall clear my schedule for it."
IV.
"Ready?" asked Zack.
"This is going to be fun." quipped Marcus.
Neroon merely nodded, pulling deep within himself to root in the floorplates. It made a visible change in the Minbari warrior, his stance, his face smoothing into something quite other, bred for combat.
The young Ranger did just the opposite, rising similarly to the balls of his feet but casting his awareness out to the air. He could never root, instead he fixed himself to the space around him, ready to leap in any direction.
Against them, unarmed, were eight members of security, most with an interest in unarmed combat, eager to practice with a Minbari warrior, or a Ranger.
Zack swallowed against the realization that this might not be much fun at all. He made eye contact with most of the others, gave a quick nod once he had their attention, and yelled "Go!"
Someone made a swift kick to Neroon's head that was blocked efficiently, and the circle closed. Neroon did not smile, but flipped the next offending leg out of range with some small measure of delight. At doing what was him, with only the knowledge that these were not true enemies, but comrades at arms, and finding that some of these humans had skill and grace. Particularly his lover, at his shoulder -- where he belonged -- with that insane head fur and manic grin.
Marcus flipped Zack to the floor with the follow through on a joint lock, noting the blond woman, whatshername, closing in on Neroon with a tiny smile. They paired off, a small pause in the larger melee, a brief one-on-one the others refrained from interrupting. Ridiculous, the small Terran female against the enormous Minbari warrior. Yet Neroon was smiling dangerously back at her, reduced to hand defense as she brought their fight entirely within the Minbari's kicking radius. Then she danced away and three others closed in on the Minbari, occupying his attention.
Marcus blocked a rib thrust poorly, and winced at the pressure on still-mending bone. Neroon saw the gasp and nearly halted the exercise. But the Ranger recovered quickly and threw his opponent over his left hip, right into the human advancing on Neroon. The two tumbled down to the mat floor and the Minbari very nearly smiled again.
By afternoon's end, the whole group was panting happily, even Neroon was breathing hard. Marcus was flushed pink with exertion and quite pleased that he was nearly back in form.
"See? That was fun." He announced to the air.
Zack grinned, massaging a sore point on his shoulder from a poor fall, and shook his head a little. One of his people plopped on the floor and began to stretch, blond hair draping over knee. A couple others joined her, but most simply left, saluting their opponents as each of their chosen martial arts, or lack of them, might require. Neroon nodded to each.
Then catching Marcus's eye, "what is the signifigance of the varied gestures?"
"Most human martial arts require their practitioners to honor their teachers, and their fellow students."
"Ah. Good."
"Even if you're fighting with someone from a different martial art." Marcus nodded toward the three rising from the floor, Neroon smiling very slightly and bowing back to his earlier opponents as they left. "C'mon, I'm hungry."
Neroon headed for the door with Marcus whispering in his ear, "for you."
"Ah. Good." answered the Minbari. "Dine with me," he commanded.
"Thought you'd never ask." the Ranger murmured.
They entered the lift together and Marcus gave the computer his quarters as their destination. With the door shut, the two were alone and Neroon promptly pinned the Ranger to the wall with his body, assaulting his smooth neck with his teeth. Marcus moaned almost immediately, closing his eyes. Neroon licked the salty, sweaty flesh of his lover and let a hand wander down to stroke the growing bulge he found between the human's legs. With his other hand he held Marcus to the wall.
The lift halted and Marcus gasped as Neroon withdrew, standing calmly facing forward as two human females, arms around each other, boarded and gave the computer their destination. Marcus stayed against the wall, facing sideways, hopefully nonchalant.
He crossed his hands in front of his erection and waited two levels -- an eternity of repeating the simple mantra: I will not go mad with desire, I will not go mad -- until the young lovers disembarked and he and Neroon were alone once more. The second the lift doors closed, Neroon was on him, stroking the outline of his erection with one finger and biting again at his neck. Marcus tugged at the Minbari's collar and moaned into his ear, protesting, "if you keep this up, I won't be able to walk to my quarters."
"I've carried you before," the Minbari rumbled into the ranger's neck, referring to their first encounter. "I could do so again. Your injuries are still bothering you. And you did just have a strenuous workout."
"And I'm going to have another one." Marcus arched in Neroon's hands, growling as Neroon slipped an arm around his waist and held them together. He rubbed himself against the other's body. Moaning, smiling, as their lips met.
There were only a few people in the hall when they finally disembarked and headed for the Ranger's quarters. Neroon kept his hand at the small of Marcus' back.
Again, once the door was shut and locked, Neroon stopped the Ranger, holding him against the wall, finally covering his mouth with his own. Taking the Ranger's breath away. Marcus was flushed again, his erection pushing painfully against his own clothing. Neroon rubbed his cheek against the human's facial fur, shutting his eyes for a moment and breathing the salt and leather smell of his young lover. Marcus stroked him briefly through Neroon's robe, and the Minbari thrust his hands under the Ranger's arms, pulling him off the floor until their heads were level. Marcus made a startled sound.
Neroon held them to the wall with his chest, breathing hotly against Marcus's ear as he tore the Ranger's trousers down his body, digging his fingers into the white flesh of the young man's buttocks. The Minbari pressed himself completely against Marcus, against the wall. Cole pulled a leg up, tugging at the trousers locking his ankles together, and Neroon pushed his lower body slightly away, still holding the Ranger in place on the wall. Marcus got a boot off and wrapped his now free legs around Neroon's waist, trousers dangling from one foot. His erection pressed against the fabric of the Minbari's robes. Marcus held onto the other's shoulders and rasped his tender flesh against Neroon's clothing, pain and pleasure stirring together.
Neroon ground into him, crushing the two lovers against the wall, driving the breath out of both of them, pulling at his clothing to free his own throbbing erection. Marcus sighed at the warm flesh under his own, the smooth rod jutting out from Neroon's body. It pulsed in the crease of his buttocks, himself opened by his legs circling the other's waist. His erection was trapped between their bodies. "Neroon, my lubricant is over by the bed." He bit the other's cheek, gnawing at his jawline as he spoke.
Neroon made a noncommittal noise and returned to his area of ealier attack, Marcus' neck. Licking, kissing and biting under the left side of the Ranger's jaw, until he drew a long moaning sigh from the young man. Then he simply switched to the other side, ignoring the almost painful desire throbbing at his own groin. His partner bucked his hips, groaning loudly as Neroon bit him. "You will drive me to madness", he whispered.
"Certainly." Neroon pumped, sliding his erection back and forth under the Ranger's groin. Marcus groaned again in response, pushing himself to the Minbari's mouth. Neroon avoided his lips, instead bestowing kisses on the young man's cheek. Deliberately not kissing him, not penetrating him, holding them still enough that Marcus couldn't rub more than a few centimeters up and down against his body. But pushing his own erection again and again under the other's groin, lightly massaging the young man's balls with each stroke. Neroon felt them tense and pull up, and stopped, waiting, panting as Marcus' lips fastened on his own neck, blocking the full sound of the Ranger's moan. "Neroon", he whispered, beginning to whimper, "please."
The Minbari smiled, digging his fingers into his partner's buttocks, finally pulling them away from the wall and towards the bed. Marcus sighed with relief, tugging off the remainder of his clothing as Neroon carried him to the bed. "I told you I would carry you," the Minbari muttered.
"I shall never doubt you again. Now, would you please take your clothes off?" He laughed, dropping to the bed, Neroon tugging his own clothing away completely.
Neroon sighed as they lay skin on skin, running his hands over the pale flesh of his partner until Marcus stretched and arched, pushing their hips together. Which didn't take long. "What would you like," Neroon murmured as his hand avoided a bruise on the other's ivory body.
The Ranger grinned, rolled up onto his elbow and said, "A kilo of hot fudge and your tongue."
"Well, I know where to get one of those." The Minbari rumbled in answer.
"I know." They kissed. "You have your tongue with you at all times."
Neroon made the joke so deadpan Marcus couldn't stand it, "oh, no," dryly, "I meant the fudge. A Minbari warrior always has an emergency supply."
Marcus rolled on top of Neroon. "Ha." Kiss. "Ha." Kiss. "Ha. Was that humor? I don't think we don't get that here."
A beat. "Ah, that was a human language joke."
"Yes. And you got it."
Neroon grimaced and rolled them over, his hand stealing down to the Ranger's groin. "I think you need to be silenced," and kissed him so long and thoroughly Marcus was left gasping for breath.
Another rumble, in his left ear. "That worked."
The Ranger sighed in response.
Neroon's hand on him stopped and Marcus groaned, "stop stopping already."
Yet another rumble. A laugh. "So eager."
"Yes!" Scrabbling for the lubricant on his nightstand.
"I thought you wanted my tongue."
He stopped scrabbling as Neroon stroked his erection, then crawled down his body. Breathed on sensitized flesh. Flicking him with his tongue. Neroon squirmed Marcus' legs apart and gnawed on an inner thigh until the Ranger trembled for more, moaning and pulling at the Minbari's head. His eyes were shut. Neroon stroked the weeping erection in front of his face. One thumb. Then his palm. Then one long lick with his tongue.
The Ranger pushed up with his pelvis, invoking some diety it sounded like to Neroon. "What was that," he teased, speaking to the very tip of Marcus' erection, but not touching it.
Marcus nearly cried out in frustration, his groin throbbing for release. Fingers clutched at the sheets and Neroon smiled. Marcus as mindless putty was a dish he enjoyed making. It took time to do properly. His own erection was talking to him louder with each passing moment.
Marcus' speech was gone, leaving just the desire for one more touch. The Ranger swayed at that pinnacle, then slowly began to think again. When Neroon saw awareness seeping back into the Marcus' face, he licked, and finally, slowly, took the young man's weeping flesh into his own mouth. Eyes on his lover's face, watching everything drain away, overwhelmed in pleasure.
He suckled slowly, long strokes of his head, up and down the slender shaft. Holding Marcus' hips still as the human tried to fuck his mouth, Neroon rubbed himself against the bedclothes, deliberately letting himself moan around the Ranger's erection. Which made Marcus groan even louder.
The human was panting, hands wrapped in the bedding he lay upon, moaning with every touch of Neroon's tongue, every stroke of his thumb along the inside of his thigh.
Neroon stopped.
Marcus made a mindless noise, breathing heavily. Eyes rolling, skin hot, his erection was almost purple. Neroon crawled up his side and reached for the jar of lubricant. His own erection was screaming at him to stop their joint torment, and he grunted as he banged himself against Marcus' side.
He worked slowly, dipping one finger into the jar, blowing on it and adding the cooler moisture to the existing sheen on the Ranger's penis. Marcus jerked at the cool gel on his hot flesh. It warmed quickly. Neroon gradually covered his purple toy with the lubricant, then quickly lathered himself. The Minbari positioned himself over the panting, squirming Ranger.
Gently, he lowered himself until their bodies pressed together, reddened flesh to reddened flesh. He lifted Marcus' leg out of his way and slipped a lubricated finger to circle the tight entrance of the human's anus, then pushed in. Marcus bucked madly, grinding their erections together, impaling himself on Neroon's finger, leg over his shoulder.
Neroon bit at the Ranger's nipples, thrusting against his erection and pushing a second finger inside. Marcus had one hand on the sheets, the other clutching at Neroon as he twitched and shook with pleasure. Mouth open, eyes unseeing, their hips moved in unison and Marcus' climax overwhelmed them both, the sudden spasm, the glorious pulsing wetness against his skin triggering Neroon's orgasm. He strained against the Ranger's hips, shuddering, hand slipping to hold his lover's leg still against his shoulder as he came, spilling liquid onto the Ranger's white belly.
Panting, the Minbari warrior lay heavily to Marcus' side, their legs intertwined. Marcus rolled to his side, eyes still closed, their faces close enough to mingle breath. Neroon leaned a little and kissed the human gently, using his tongue to trace his lover's lips. Drawing out a last, satisfied, moan from the Ranger.
They rested for a long minute.
Finally Marcus opened his eyes and met Neroon's gaze. "That was...a workout."
The rumble was more like a purr. "Indeed."
After their breathing slowed to a more sedate pace, Neroon rolled up and nibbled gently on the Ranger's neck, caressing him with his lips, stroking his side with one hand. "Tell me about human relationships. We are lovers, that is the correct term?"
Answering murmur, "yes."
"Is it an exclusive relation?"
"It depends on the lovers. Some people have multiple partners at the same time."
"Hm. Big bed."
"No, no. They," throaty laugh in Neroon's ear. "They participate in multiple pairs, I mean."
"Ah. Small bed, lots of use."
"Something like that."
"I do not have any other partners. Do you?"
The Ranger paused. "Are you going to be angry at me if I say yes?"
"Is it someone I know?"
Marcus was silent.
"Ah, it is."
"There is someone who - I don't know what we are." he finally swallowed.
"Hmm." He kissed the Ranger, taking the time to absorb the taste of the young man's mouth.
"Are you angry?"
"At you, for being beautiful and preposterous, inflaming the desire of more than just myself? That would be...silly." Kissing the Ranger's adams apple, waiting for the other to moan.
He was quickly rewarded.
V.
The door opened, light from the corridor framing Neroon. "Excuse me", seeing someone else in the room, then realizing who it was. "Lennier." Three long glances.
"I see." Said the younger Minbari. Marcus held his breath. "Excuse me, please." Lennier left the room with a steady pace, brushing past the warrior Minbari.
Neroon held Marcus in his gaze for a moment. "I also see."
"Neroon, I -- "
The Minbari held up a hand. "Shh." Then, calmly, "is he the one you mentioned?"
"Yes, but --"
"If you stay here, will he wait for you?" He stepped toward Marcus.
"I don't --"
"You must go find him."
"Ah, uh, but -- " Confused, startled.
"I will be here. Waiting."
"You will?"
"Yes, I will." The Minbari covered Marcus' mouth with his own, holding the human's head in his hands. Tenderly exploring the other's mouth until the Ranger moaned.
"Do not worry about me, Marcus. I will wait for you. Take your time." Shaking his head at the human's protest, "there is always something more about each other to learn. I am in no hurry. Now, go." He shoved the human toward the door.
Beating himself as he headed to anywhere, somewhere. What were you thinking? If he could want one Minbari, he could want another. Neroon is a warrior. He was religious caste. Marcus was a Ranger. Why had he not anticipated this? Had he expected Marcus, if not to rebuff him, to be his and only his, forsaking all others?
"Of course not." He said out loud to himself, startling people in the hallway. Lennier didn't notice.
He found a quiet garden spot to sit and think. About humans. About Minbari. About black silk head fur and the wordless gasping of his body. One question over and over again, honestly, taking out his desires one by one to examine them carefully. What did he want?
Where WAS he? "Bugger!" Marcus was beginning to lose his patience. He had to keep looking for Lennier. If they didn't talk now, they'd probably never talk again.
And just when the Ranger was really starting to lose it, there he was, in a garden corner, staring at plant leaves. Marcus crossed the room immediately, trying desperately to compose thoughts, to think of something to say. Anything to not destroy what lay between them.
Lennier saw the young Ranger flowing across the room like water, no, not water, like the third third-shell-filled element. Musing, noting from a distance that even as he wrestled with his thoughts, he still spoke to himself, "they call it quicksilver".
Marcus sat by the Minbari, waiting as best he could. Waiting for Lennier to speak.
Finally. "I had not thought about sharing your affections."
A smidge of asperity, of self-defense. "It wasn't something I set out to arrange."
"I hadn't considered the possiblity, Marcus, of how I might feel."
Silence. "How do you feel, Lennier?"
"I am..."
Cool feather touch of fingers as the human laid his hand over the Minbari's. "Please, Lennier, I don't want to lose you. I want to know, tomorrow, that we are still friends."
The Minbari spoke. Calmly, "I am not prepared for a relationship."
"Neither am I. But we can still enjoy one another."
"I am...uncomfortable with that thought."
"The sharing me thought or the having a relationship thought?"
"The having a relationship with you thought."
"Then stay my friend."
"I need to think, Marcus. I need to medidate further."
The human's face was dark and thoughtful. He rose. When he spoke, his voice was wooden. "Come see me sometime." Promise?"
"I will do that. Promise."
They touched hands briefly and Marcus turned away.
The next day Marcus was leaving Delenn's quarters and passed Lennier outside her door. He nodded, looking a thousand questions at the Minbari, who answered only one: "Good morning, friend." There was a slight stress on the last word.
"Friend." The Ranger whispered in return.
by SV
Archived by author's permission
Spoilers for "Grey 17 is Missing"
I.
Captain's office. They had been there over an hour, and Marcus had been his usual energetically goofy self. Lennier was quiet, from his post behind Delenn. He was watching the Ranger carefully. Humans. All that head fur -- hair, he corrected -- was a little unnerving. And Marcus had quite a lot.
Cole glanced Lennier's way and they locked eyes for a moment before the Minbari looked away. Marcus stayed looking at the other for a second longer, then turned his attention back to Captain Sheridan. But not listening, really. There had been something in Lennier's eyes. He was always intense, this was something else.
As the meeting broke up, Lennier said to Delenn, "I will join you later", and turned, obviously waiting for Marcus.
So they walked together, Lennier boarding the lift to Marcus's quarters.
In the lift: "Was there something you wanted, Mr. Lennier?"
"Perhaps."
Pause.
"Were you planning on telling me what it was?"
The Minbari looked at him closely and the Ranger wilted slightly. Jokingly, "I take it back, you don't have to tell me."
Lennier continued looking at him. "I am not sure. Perhaps I saw something that was not there."
"Well, *what* already?"
Another pause.
"During your Ranger training, did you have any...strong relationships with your fellow trainees? Minbari?"
"What?" A beat. "I'd rather not say."
"Hm." Lennier resumed looking at the doors of the lift. Cole placed his hand on the Minbari's shoulder and Lennier jerked forward as if burned. Their eyes met, and Cole saw the normally banked fire in the other's eyes. "Are you asking what I think you're asking?"
"I do not know what it is you are asking me that I might be asking you."
Confusion. "Oh, bugger," said the Ranger, and brushed his lips lightly against the Minbari's mouth. They both stepped towards one another as the lift doors finally opened.
Marcus was conscious of the heat between them as he led the way to his quarters. The door opened, they walked in together. Lennier stopped almost immediately and watched calmly as Cole instructed the computer to lock doors. Then the Ranger looked back to him, and Lennier saw his own fire reflected in the young human's eyes. And sighed inside, grateful.
They stood at the door for a long time, hardly breathing, looking at each other. Not touching, barely inside each other's personal space. Lennier reached up to stroke the Ranger's dark hair, feeling the strands under his hand. Cole stepped forward. He could feel the tremble of the touch, but Lennier did not break contact, did not drop his eyes.
Marcus couldn't breathe at all. The room's oxygen had disappeared, and his vision narrowed to this face before his own. He leaned forward and brushed his lips against the Minbari's, bringing his hands up to stroke Lennier's cranium with his fingertips. Lennier shuddered at the touch and his mouth opened under Cole's. Marcus gasped, struggling to not collapse breathless at the sheer want vibrating in the skin against his own. He moaned and Lennier's arms wrapped around him, holding him up, pulling them together. He gasped for breath, nearly hyperventilating.
"Lennier."
The Minbari pushed them apart slightly. "What is it?"
The Ranger just shook his head, breathing heavily. "Nothing, everything." He wrapped his hands around the back of Lennier's head, under the cranial ridge, and pulled him close, losing himself in the other's dry scent. Lennier's mouth left his own and wandered down his neck, eliciting a groan of pleasure from the Ranger. He swayed against the Minbari, who now held the two of them up by force of will, quickly deteriorating as it was.
Somehow, they crumpled to the floor in a mix of robes, Lennier rolling Marcus on top of him, to explore him fully. The Minbari's hands caressed as they kissed, feeling the divot of Cole's hip, pressing down on his lower back to grind the Ranger's erection against his own.
Wandering, looking for the clasps that held his clothing together. Driving the two of them jointly mad and out of breath, as he slowly removed the Ranger's clothing and unfastened his own robes. Finally, mostly skin to skin, Marcus lay panting on him. Lennier closed his eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the scent of the young man in his arms.
"I have never loved a human," he said. "I have studied a little of your anatomy, however."
One hand stroking the Ranger's pale buttock as he rolled them to one side. Marcus lifted one leg and draped it over the Minbari's hips.
Lennier touched the pink erection and smiled as Marcus jerked, then explored the tight entrance of his anus with one finger. The Ranger moaned, kissing Lennier's head, and clutching them closer together, his whole body tense.
Lennier was equally excited, pressing against the Ranger's pale body, grinding his hips into the human's erection, as he slipped a finger past the tight entrance of Cole's body. Cole groaned, jerking against him, breathing in short gasps, his pale skin growing glossy with sweat. Eyes shut, the Ranger arched back against Lennier and the Minbari kissed his throat, directly under the young man's chin, brushing his face into the black beard. Cole moaned and Lennier delighted in the thrum of his throat under his lips, probing faster with his finger. Marcus's hand on Lennier's head tightened, he whimpered softly, an agonized yes, as his body clenched and relaxed, as orgasm took him.
Lennier pulled him closer, not yet reaching his own release, withdrew his finger and guided the Ranger's hand down his own body, with an equally agonized groan, the sheer alienness of the young man's beard brushing his cranial ridge nearly tipping him over the edge by itself.
Soft lips on his cheek, then the Ranger's mouth covering his own, drinking in the Minbari's cry as Lennier shook and succumbed to Marcus's hand on him.
When the Minbari had stopped shuddering, Cole reached behind them and pulled his cloak over the two, closing his eyes as they nestled against one another on their messy bed of clothes. Lennier listened to the beating of the human's heart and shut his eyes, breathing in the young Ranger.
II.
There was blood on the staff. Lennier hurried out of the chamber, looking for the Ranger. "Please be alive." he prayed under his breath.
And there he was. Curled, on his side, almost like a sleeping child. Too still, Marcus was never still.
But alive. Yes, there was a faint pulse in his wrist. Lennier bowed his head for a moment and kissed the other's hand, then rose to call for a doctor.
Returning, Marcus stirred a little at Lennier's touch, but did not regain consciousness. He wanted to pull the wounded human up into his arms, to caress him, to thank him, to honor him for his sacrifice. Marcus who knew his secret, who placed his body in harm's way, who truly would die for the One. The Minbari didn't move, leaving one hand on the Ranger's shoulder, one against his forehead.
There did not seem to be any heavy bleeding, but when medical personnel finally lifted the Ranger's body from the floor, there was a long smudge of red left behind. Lennier stepped lightly over it.
Medlab. Smells of sickness, and cleansers. The warrior Neroon had gone. The doctors were done tending Marcus, and Lennier stood over him, waiting for the Ranger to reawaken. His hand rested gently over the other's, in truth, he was afraid to touch. They had not spoken about their recent encounter, and Lennier had tried to avoid thinking of the deep passion the Ranger had stirred in him. Meditation was only partly helping.
Loving him seemed so inappropriate. "Perhaps that is the allure," he mused aloud.
The Ranger's eyes flickered and slowly opened.
Lennier leaned over a little and said, "I am glad the doctors say you will be all right."
"So am I." The human rasped back.
Lennier gave a half-smile, and Marcus closed his eyes again. "Thank you," the Minbari whispered.
The Ranger's hand tightened against his, and the corners of his mouth moved up in a smile.
"Lennier."
"Ah, you're awake." He bowed.
"No, I'm really just talking in my sleep. I've got to get out of here before I go crazy. You have to talk them into releasing me." The Ranger's eyes were bright and alert but his face was still drawn in pain.
"I am not sure that is wise."
"I knew you'd say that. Everyone's saying that. Still, it was worth a try." He held out his hand to the Minbari, "come in."
Lennier hesitated, but approached, taking the Ranger's hand as he spoke. "Marcus, the time we spent together..." he started.
The Ranger drew his thumb over Lennier's hand. "I enjoyed that." He murmured, tired.
The Minbari was shocked. On some level he'd been expecting rejection of his...seduction. To hear a compliment caught him off guard. The Ranger closed his eyes, touching Lennier's hand. It was unnerving him, the cool pass of the human's skin against his own.
He lifted Marcus' hand to his lips and pressed briefly. The Ranger opened his eyes, and Lennier looked around, then leaned over and carefully kissed Marcus on the forehead, then the mouth. Wanting to explore delicately, but barely refraining from crushing the human to him, hands balling in tight fists at his side.
Marcus sighed into his mouth, and Lennier groaned, then straightened. "I should go," he whispered.
"As long as you promise to return, Lennier."
He nodded, unable to speak, bowed, and retreated swiftly.
Lennier sat, in theory, meditating. He shouldn't have been thinking about the Ranger, about the smoothness of his skin, the alien scent of him. It was not right. He loved Delenn, was sworn to serve her. And yet, this human drew him, making his very skin crawl with desire. This human, also bound by oaths of service. Lennier had never, there had *never* been anyone he wanted like this before. Perhaps he was ill, or going mad. There was no one on the station he trusted to talk to about it, save perhaps the one who was the cause of the trouble. And certainly not Delenn! To have her know he battled these impure feelings, the humiliation would be too much to bear.
A memory of the Ranger's lips against his, and Lennier's body trembled. He fought the desire rising within him, battled the rush of blood, the hardening flesh. Refusing to think about it.
Surely the Ranger did not want him. Could not. He was quiet, unassuming, a watcher. Marcus was a doer. What was there in him this human could want?
All the old doubts, long-hidden under years of study and prayer, came back in force. He was no one special, what could a firebrand, a human of their warrior caste, find appealing in him? He was worth little, living in the shadow of another. A half-life built on self-hatred. The old hates resurfaced as if they had never been gone, as if the years of seclusion and thought had been made of paper.
But he would never have gone to Marcus, would never have sought out his aid. The old Lennier could not have done that. Would have stood before Neroon himself and died too soon, too quickly, would have failed her. Would never have reasoned his way around a promise, to protect Delenn. Would never have chosen between the depths of responsiblities. But he hadn't failed. And Marcus hadn't failed. And perhaps, the warrior Neroon would find his way to their side.
He had changed. He was better. He was worthy of the friendship of the Satai and these other beings he traveled with through life on this station. He was not a frightened child, any more, scared by his own spirit's voice.
But the low tones of his body's desire, this simply could not be. It would have to be withstood.
Garden.
"Hello." A little of the old brightness.
"They've released you."
"They said I was too..." Smile. "irritating, actually."
"I see. And so you came looking for...?"
The Ranger nodded and sat down by Lennier. "You." He said simply.
The Minbari was quiet.
"To tell you."
"Tell me?"
Blithely, "Oh, that I'll be in my quarters, for most of the rest of the day. I'm ordered to rest, you know."
There was a moment where Lennier was looking at Marcus without looking at him, and the young man sagged tiredly, then straightened as the Minbari turned to him.
"Perhaps I should visit you, then."
"Perhaps you should."
They looked at each other. Marcus finally broke the silence, saying blandly, "think I'll go to my quarters," and stood.
The Minbari stood with him, taking an elbow as the Ranger limped a little.
"An excellent idea."
In the lift there was the same heat, the intensity Marcus remembered from the first time they rode together with intent. Startled for a moment, by the realization that he possibly, really, physically, shouldn't be doing this, "Lennier." Without looking at him.
"Yes."
One level. "Nothing."
Lennier did not touch him. Merely swept into the room after him, watching, waiting for Marcus to make the first move. His stomach tightened. Had the Ranger changed his mind?
The young human was slowly, with some difficulty, removing his shirt. He grunted and Lennier moved to help, drawing his fingers over cool ivory flesh, avoiding the bruises. The Minbari lingered, tracing a warm pattern on the Ranger's chest. The crushing desire had retreated. He was...enjoying himself. The Ranger unfastened his trousers, revealing white skin and the merest curve of hip.
Marcus closed his eyes and relaxed, standing with his head back, baring his clean white neck. Lennier's fingers brushed lightly along the sides, dipping low to the collarbone, and wandering back up again. The Ranger sighed, then shivered.
"You are cold, come sit down."
Laying the Ranger out on his bed, "We should not be doing this." Tugged his boots and trousers off.
"Oh, I'll be fine, Lennier."
Lennier sat on Marcus' bed, still clothed, tucking the Ranger in. "I do not think so." The Minbari ran his fingers through the human's black fur, trembling at the silky feel. Marcus closed his eyes and Lennier leaned down and kissed him. Savoring the taste of his mouth.
Disengaging and moving further down, even as he thought they should not be doing this, still, breathing softly on the human's neck. One taste only made him want to taste more. Marcus pushed back into his pillow, making a noise as Lennier traced with his mouth where his fingers had been earlier. The moan destroyed him. He was lost.
One final protest, "your condition". Marcus captured his mouth, moving his body to rub against the Minbari's leg. Lennier moaned.
Finally disengaging, both breathing heavily. "You have far too much clothing on, Lennier, to satisfy my condition." The Ranger sat up and began removing Lennier's garments, stopping to kiss revealed flesh. The soft tickle of the Ranger's beard on his chest was intensely arousing. The Minbari leaned back on the bed, dissolving for a moment in the silky hair against his skin. He sighed as Marcus freed his erection and kissed it, gasped as the human's tongue wetted him.
Then gasped again with desire as the Ranger's tongue began to wander down his leg and back again.
Speech difficult, "I do not think I can stand this, Marcus."
The Ranger withdrew, pulling a jar of lubricant off his nightstand and handing it to the Minbari. "We can stand later," smiling cryptically, and turned to lay face down, pushing a pillow down the bed to elevate his hips.
Lennier looked at the white, bruised body presented to him. He could see the Ranger's growing erection, and reached between the human's spread legs to stroke him as he spread lubricant on himself with his other hand. Marcus dug his toes into the bedclothes as he hardened, a muffled "yes" coming from the head of the bed. Lennier stroked until the human began to thrust against his hand, against the pillow, before he let himself press against the Ranger.
Spreading the human's legs farther apart, pulling his hips up off the bed, Lennier pushed slowly into the Ranger's anus. Passing the tight ring of muscle that clutched at him, the Minbari moaned at the pressure and Marcus arched in response. The tip of the Ranger's erection bounced against the pillow, held in the air as he was. The human groaned.
Lennier was still, not daring to move. Then fell forward, crushing Marcus' red erection into the bed. He withdrew almost completely and stroked into the Ranger. Marcus moved, body rising up to meet each thrust, groaning with each penetration. Rubbing himself against the bed. The sounds coming from the Ranger's taut throat were low and guttural, and Lennier moaned softly in counterpoint. Concentrating on the extreme arousal, the intense pleasure, the feel of the human's skin against his own, the Minbari was almost surprised as his climax overtook him. He held the Ranger to him, pulsing inside him, dissolving in the feeling of the other.
Marcus was twitching, whimpering a little and the Minbari withdrew. They fell together to the bed, Marcus still hard, and Lennier reached a hand from behind the Ranger to caress his erection. First lightly, then with confidence as the human pushed against him, shivering with a long, low cry until orgasm.
Worn out, Marcus lay still against the warm flesh of the Minbari. Lennier kissed the back of his neck and he stirred, murmuring some low softness under his breath.
An hour later, when Lennier was sure Marcus was asleep, he rose, dressed, and quietly left the human's quarters. To medidate on recent developments.
III.
Neroon lunged forward, batting the Ranger's staff to one side and smacked him squarely in the abdomen. Then withdrew, frowning, as the young man fell to the floor.
He held out a hand and hauled Marcus to his feet. They had begun working out together as part of Marcus's convalescence. The Minbari did not consider himself a true judge of the human's health, yet the young Ranger was definitely wincing in pain. Cole leaned against his staff, eyes closed, breathing heavily, one hand pressed against his belly.
Neroon had worked serious damage there not long before, and he considered it at the very least his duty to help repair it. Bring the Ranger back to fighting prime, and all that. Plus, it was nice to have someone to spar with. And, though disconcertingly human, the Ranger had given him a fine fight the day of the ceremony.
This someone was still clutching himself in pain, however, and Neroon spoke, watching him carefully. "Are you well?" He almost reached out a hand to catch the Ranger if he fell.
"Fine, fine...just catching my breath." He forced himself back into a fighting stance. "Shall we continue?"
"No, I think not. I have...business to attend to." The Minbari warrior lied.
Cole loosed his stance.
"What kind of business?"
Caught.
Neutrally, "Personal."
"Ah."
Neroon reflected that the young human was more clever than his normal exterior indicated. He grunted. "If you do not rest, you will not be able to spar with me tomorrow."
"I'm fine, Neroon."
"I am familiar with the extent of your injuries, Marcus."
"I'm a fast healer."
"Not that fast. You are human."
Suddenly, mercurially angry, "What's that supposed to mean?" The Ranger regained his stance.
"It means we are done this day, it means go back to your quarters and get some rest, and permit me the same."
Narrowed blue eyes glared at him, but Neroon swore he saw some relief.
"I'll walk you to your quarters." The Ranger offered.
"No," said the Minbari warrior, "I shall walk you."
The Ranger walked too slowly, and in brighter light, Neroon saw the strain under his pale skin. The human was still breathing heavy as they got into the lift, and nearly rocked off his feet as the lift began moving. He kept his staff at full length, leaning against it.
Getting out of the lift, Marcus muttered "oh", stumbled, and would have fallen if Neroon had not wrapped an arm around his waist and kept the two of them upright and moving down the hall.
When the door to the Ranger's quarters had shut, Neroon maneuvered his charge to the bed. Cole moved without complaint. Eyes shut, not protesting as Neroon loosened his clothing slightly. His breathing was regular and strong as the pain in his face appeared to ease. The Minbari was not sure if he should call for a doctor. But it seemed the Ranger was mostly exhausted and quickly falling asleep. Which was what was needed, so the Minbari warrior decided a doctor would be superfluous.
He stretched out on his side next to the Ranger, and rested his head on one arm. The other hand stayed on Marcus's chest, to quickly detect a change of breathing if something went wrong.
The Minbari looked at the human, studying his black mane, the pale face unlined in sleep. How innocent he looked asleep! And so deadly awake. Neroon had decided earlier that he would rather have the Ranger on his side than against him, such desperate fire and skill would move him far. Or kill him.
So Neroon lay next to him, watching over wounded, paying that compliment due a warrior brother.
He woke, vaguely aware of warmth next to him, the slightly higher skin temperature of a Minbari. There was a hand on his chest. Someone had taken his boots off.
"Are you better?" Neroon's voice rumbled practically in his ear.
Marcus forced his eyes open. The Minbari warrior lay on his side, apparently waiting patiently for Cole to speak.
He felt very tired, all the way to his bones, "yes, I think so. How long was I asleep?"
"Not very long. It is still midday, such as that may be on a space station. I was not sure if I should call a doctor to attend you."
"No, I'm all right." As long as he didn't move, he was fine.
The Ranger noted the absence of warmth as Neroon withdrew his hand. "Why did you stay with me? I thought you had 'personal business'." He quoted.
"Ah. I could rest here and watch you," the Minbari rumbled, "or rest in my quarters. There is no difference."
"Ah. I didn't know I was your 'personal business'."
The Minbari shifted a little closer. "You become."
"Become what?"
Neroon's hand was back on Marcus' chest, and as his mouth fell towards the other's lips, the Minbari whispered, "Become my personal business."
They kissed gently, mouths slightly parted. The exhausted ache in Marcus' bones was slowly replaced by a warm glow. Neroon was a most thorough kisser, exploring all that he could of the Ranger's mouth, while his hand lay still on Cole's chest. Hardly moving until Marcus finally groaned into the other's mouth. Then he drew back.
"Yes?" Inquiring.
The Ranger moaned, husky, "Yes, don't stop." He reached up to pull the Minbari's mouth back down. Then, stroking Neroon's arm, pulling his hand down to Cole's groin. He moaned louder as Neroon's hand stole inside his clothing and caressed his hot, hardening flesh.
Momentarily disengaging, "Is this raise in temperature normal?"
"Completely," arching up to reclaim the Minbari's mouth. With one hand, Marcus reached for the bulge beneath Neroon's robes, feeling him harden further under the fabric. He gripped the Minbari gently, smiling at Neroon's guttural response. Then gasped as Neroon rolled Marcus on top of him, grinding his hips up into Cole's erection. The Minbari moaned. He scrabbled at the Ranger's clothes, pulling the trousers down his body. Marcus retaliated by pushing Neroon's robes mostly out of their way. Their bare groins slapped and teased against each other as they kissed and groaned in unison.
Marcus reached for the jar of lubricant by his bed, and drizzled a little on Neroon's lower belly. The Minbari gasped at the cooler liquid on his skin. It quickly warmed as the young Ranger used his bare lower body to spread it around their erections. Neroon clasped the human to his chest and held him, kissing, as Marcus slid against him. The wet torment was exquisite, driving his desire higher with every stroke.
"Marcus," he whispered hoarsely, one hand on the human's face. He could feel the shudder building in Cole's body, trembling, and crushed the Ranger to him. Their lower bodies sliding and slipping, Marcus convulsed and cried against the Minbari's mouth as he came, hot liquid spilling onto Neroon's belly.
He softened against the Minbari's body for a moment, then pushed himself up, one hand stealing down to Neroon's erection, lubricating him further with the Ranger's own seed.
"I would be inside you." The Minbari whispered.
The Ranger kissed him and rolled up, placing Neroon's hands on his milk white hips, then lowered himself slowly onto Neroon's thick, completely smooth shaft.
As the ring of muscle at Cole's entrance parted and Neroon pierced his tightness, he almost couldn't hold himself any longer, hands trembling at the human's waist. Agonizingly slow, the Ranger took in one centimeter after another until his buttocks were in Neroon's lap. He didn't move. Eyes closed, Marcus gripped Neroon tightly inside him and his own penis surged into hardness again. Neroon thought he would scream with pleasure.
"You recharge quickly." He gasped instead, wanting to move and not move at the same time, the hot rippling tightness driving him mad.
"I'm inspired." The Ranger murmured, his erection lying against Neroon's slick belly.
Marcus began to move slowly, riding the Minbari in growing yet maddeningly tiny increments, until Neroon could stand it no longer and pulled the Ranger up and down against his body, thrusting into him blindly. Through half-closed eyes, he could see Marcus' head thrown back, giving himself over completely to the demand of Neroon's hands, moaning deliriously. Neroon could see the hard reddened flesh in front of him twitch, and he plunged deeply into the Ranger, rewarded by the sudden spurt onto his belly.
As the Ranger gasped and shook in orgasm, he clenched Neroon, enveloping him in his sheer wet clutch of muscle. It was the last Neroon could bear. The Minbari exploded, crying out the Ranger's name as he vibrated with pleasure, arching up into the human in his hands, shudders of orgasm humming though him.
They were both panting. With a cry, Marcus fell off Neroon's body, gracelessly draping an arm and a leg across the Minbari's body, collapsing onto the bed.
Startled, Neroon realized the human had lost consciousness. He held Marcus carefully to him, pulling bedclothes over his still body to keep them warm. This would take some explaining if he had to call a doctor after all. The Minbari worried for long minutes until the young man's eyelids fluttered and he spoke.
"Promise me." The Ranger.
"Yes."
"More 'personal business' tomorrow after we work out."
Neroon smiled up at the ceiling and declared, "I shall clear my schedule for it."
IV.
"Ready?" asked Zack.
"This is going to be fun." quipped Marcus.
Neroon merely nodded, pulling deep within himself to root in the floorplates. It made a visible change in the Minbari warrior, his stance, his face smoothing into something quite other, bred for combat.
The young Ranger did just the opposite, rising similarly to the balls of his feet but casting his awareness out to the air. He could never root, instead he fixed himself to the space around him, ready to leap in any direction.
Against them, unarmed, were eight members of security, most with an interest in unarmed combat, eager to practice with a Minbari warrior, or a Ranger.
Zack swallowed against the realization that this might not be much fun at all. He made eye contact with most of the others, gave a quick nod once he had their attention, and yelled "Go!"
Someone made a swift kick to Neroon's head that was blocked efficiently, and the circle closed. Neroon did not smile, but flipped the next offending leg out of range with some small measure of delight. At doing what was him, with only the knowledge that these were not true enemies, but comrades at arms, and finding that some of these humans had skill and grace. Particularly his lover, at his shoulder -- where he belonged -- with that insane head fur and manic grin.
Marcus flipped Zack to the floor with the follow through on a joint lock, noting the blond woman, whatshername, closing in on Neroon with a tiny smile. They paired off, a small pause in the larger melee, a brief one-on-one the others refrained from interrupting. Ridiculous, the small Terran female against the enormous Minbari warrior. Yet Neroon was smiling dangerously back at her, reduced to hand defense as she brought their fight entirely within the Minbari's kicking radius. Then she danced away and three others closed in on the Minbari, occupying his attention.
Marcus blocked a rib thrust poorly, and winced at the pressure on still-mending bone. Neroon saw the gasp and nearly halted the exercise. But the Ranger recovered quickly and threw his opponent over his left hip, right into the human advancing on Neroon. The two tumbled down to the mat floor and the Minbari very nearly smiled again.
By afternoon's end, the whole group was panting happily, even Neroon was breathing hard. Marcus was flushed pink with exertion and quite pleased that he was nearly back in form.
"See? That was fun." He announced to the air.
Zack grinned, massaging a sore point on his shoulder from a poor fall, and shook his head a little. One of his people plopped on the floor and began to stretch, blond hair draping over knee. A couple others joined her, but most simply left, saluting their opponents as each of their chosen martial arts, or lack of them, might require. Neroon nodded to each.
Then catching Marcus's eye, "what is the signifigance of the varied gestures?"
"Most human martial arts require their practitioners to honor their teachers, and their fellow students."
"Ah. Good."
"Even if you're fighting with someone from a different martial art." Marcus nodded toward the three rising from the floor, Neroon smiling very slightly and bowing back to his earlier opponents as they left. "C'mon, I'm hungry."
Neroon headed for the door with Marcus whispering in his ear, "for you."
"Ah. Good." answered the Minbari. "Dine with me," he commanded.
"Thought you'd never ask." the Ranger murmured.
They entered the lift together and Marcus gave the computer his quarters as their destination. With the door shut, the two were alone and Neroon promptly pinned the Ranger to the wall with his body, assaulting his smooth neck with his teeth. Marcus moaned almost immediately, closing his eyes. Neroon licked the salty, sweaty flesh of his lover and let a hand wander down to stroke the growing bulge he found between the human's legs. With his other hand he held Marcus to the wall.
The lift halted and Marcus gasped as Neroon withdrew, standing calmly facing forward as two human females, arms around each other, boarded and gave the computer their destination. Marcus stayed against the wall, facing sideways, hopefully nonchalant.
He crossed his hands in front of his erection and waited two levels -- an eternity of repeating the simple mantra: I will not go mad with desire, I will not go mad -- until the young lovers disembarked and he and Neroon were alone once more. The second the lift doors closed, Neroon was on him, stroking the outline of his erection with one finger and biting again at his neck. Marcus tugged at the Minbari's collar and moaned into his ear, protesting, "if you keep this up, I won't be able to walk to my quarters."
"I've carried you before," the Minbari rumbled into the ranger's neck, referring to their first encounter. "I could do so again. Your injuries are still bothering you. And you did just have a strenuous workout."
"And I'm going to have another one." Marcus arched in Neroon's hands, growling as Neroon slipped an arm around his waist and held them together. He rubbed himself against the other's body. Moaning, smiling, as their lips met.
There were only a few people in the hall when they finally disembarked and headed for the Ranger's quarters. Neroon kept his hand at the small of Marcus' back.
Again, once the door was shut and locked, Neroon stopped the Ranger, holding him against the wall, finally covering his mouth with his own. Taking the Ranger's breath away. Marcus was flushed again, his erection pushing painfully against his own clothing. Neroon rubbed his cheek against the human's facial fur, shutting his eyes for a moment and breathing the salt and leather smell of his young lover. Marcus stroked him briefly through Neroon's robe, and the Minbari thrust his hands under the Ranger's arms, pulling him off the floor until their heads were level. Marcus made a startled sound.
Neroon held them to the wall with his chest, breathing hotly against Marcus's ear as he tore the Ranger's trousers down his body, digging his fingers into the white flesh of the young man's buttocks. The Minbari pressed himself completely against Marcus, against the wall. Cole pulled a leg up, tugging at the trousers locking his ankles together, and Neroon pushed his lower body slightly away, still holding the Ranger in place on the wall. Marcus got a boot off and wrapped his now free legs around Neroon's waist, trousers dangling from one foot. His erection pressed against the fabric of the Minbari's robes. Marcus held onto the other's shoulders and rasped his tender flesh against Neroon's clothing, pain and pleasure stirring together.
Neroon ground into him, crushing the two lovers against the wall, driving the breath out of both of them, pulling at his clothing to free his own throbbing erection. Marcus sighed at the warm flesh under his own, the smooth rod jutting out from Neroon's body. It pulsed in the crease of his buttocks, himself opened by his legs circling the other's waist. His erection was trapped between their bodies. "Neroon, my lubricant is over by the bed." He bit the other's cheek, gnawing at his jawline as he spoke.
Neroon made a noncommittal noise and returned to his area of ealier attack, Marcus' neck. Licking, kissing and biting under the left side of the Ranger's jaw, until he drew a long moaning sigh from the young man. Then he simply switched to the other side, ignoring the almost painful desire throbbing at his own groin. His partner bucked his hips, groaning loudly as Neroon bit him. "You will drive me to madness", he whispered.
"Certainly." Neroon pumped, sliding his erection back and forth under the Ranger's groin. Marcus groaned again in response, pushing himself to the Minbari's mouth. Neroon avoided his lips, instead bestowing kisses on the young man's cheek. Deliberately not kissing him, not penetrating him, holding them still enough that Marcus couldn't rub more than a few centimeters up and down against his body. But pushing his own erection again and again under the other's groin, lightly massaging the young man's balls with each stroke. Neroon felt them tense and pull up, and stopped, waiting, panting as Marcus' lips fastened on his own neck, blocking the full sound of the Ranger's moan. "Neroon", he whispered, beginning to whimper, "please."
The Minbari smiled, digging his fingers into his partner's buttocks, finally pulling them away from the wall and towards the bed. Marcus sighed with relief, tugging off the remainder of his clothing as Neroon carried him to the bed. "I told you I would carry you," the Minbari muttered.
"I shall never doubt you again. Now, would you please take your clothes off?" He laughed, dropping to the bed, Neroon tugging his own clothing away completely.
Neroon sighed as they lay skin on skin, running his hands over the pale flesh of his partner until Marcus stretched and arched, pushing their hips together. Which didn't take long. "What would you like," Neroon murmured as his hand avoided a bruise on the other's ivory body.
The Ranger grinned, rolled up onto his elbow and said, "A kilo of hot fudge and your tongue."
"Well, I know where to get one of those." The Minbari rumbled in answer.
"I know." They kissed. "You have your tongue with you at all times."
Neroon made the joke so deadpan Marcus couldn't stand it, "oh, no," dryly, "I meant the fudge. A Minbari warrior always has an emergency supply."
Marcus rolled on top of Neroon. "Ha." Kiss. "Ha." Kiss. "Ha. Was that humor? I don't think we don't get that here."
A beat. "Ah, that was a human language joke."
"Yes. And you got it."
Neroon grimaced and rolled them over, his hand stealing down to the Ranger's groin. "I think you need to be silenced," and kissed him so long and thoroughly Marcus was left gasping for breath.
Another rumble, in his left ear. "That worked."
The Ranger sighed in response.
Neroon's hand on him stopped and Marcus groaned, "stop stopping already."
Yet another rumble. A laugh. "So eager."
"Yes!" Scrabbling for the lubricant on his nightstand.
"I thought you wanted my tongue."
He stopped scrabbling as Neroon stroked his erection, then crawled down his body. Breathed on sensitized flesh. Flicking him with his tongue. Neroon squirmed Marcus' legs apart and gnawed on an inner thigh until the Ranger trembled for more, moaning and pulling at the Minbari's head. His eyes were shut. Neroon stroked the weeping erection in front of his face. One thumb. Then his palm. Then one long lick with his tongue.
The Ranger pushed up with his pelvis, invoking some diety it sounded like to Neroon. "What was that," he teased, speaking to the very tip of Marcus' erection, but not touching it.
Marcus nearly cried out in frustration, his groin throbbing for release. Fingers clutched at the sheets and Neroon smiled. Marcus as mindless putty was a dish he enjoyed making. It took time to do properly. His own erection was talking to him louder with each passing moment.
Marcus' speech was gone, leaving just the desire for one more touch. The Ranger swayed at that pinnacle, then slowly began to think again. When Neroon saw awareness seeping back into the Marcus' face, he licked, and finally, slowly, took the young man's weeping flesh into his own mouth. Eyes on his lover's face, watching everything drain away, overwhelmed in pleasure.
He suckled slowly, long strokes of his head, up and down the slender shaft. Holding Marcus' hips still as the human tried to fuck his mouth, Neroon rubbed himself against the bedclothes, deliberately letting himself moan around the Ranger's erection. Which made Marcus groan even louder.
The human was panting, hands wrapped in the bedding he lay upon, moaning with every touch of Neroon's tongue, every stroke of his thumb along the inside of his thigh.
Neroon stopped.
Marcus made a mindless noise, breathing heavily. Eyes rolling, skin hot, his erection was almost purple. Neroon crawled up his side and reached for the jar of lubricant. His own erection was screaming at him to stop their joint torment, and he grunted as he banged himself against Marcus' side.
He worked slowly, dipping one finger into the jar, blowing on it and adding the cooler moisture to the existing sheen on the Ranger's penis. Marcus jerked at the cool gel on his hot flesh. It warmed quickly. Neroon gradually covered his purple toy with the lubricant, then quickly lathered himself. The Minbari positioned himself over the panting, squirming Ranger.
Gently, he lowered himself until their bodies pressed together, reddened flesh to reddened flesh. He lifted Marcus' leg out of his way and slipped a lubricated finger to circle the tight entrance of the human's anus, then pushed in. Marcus bucked madly, grinding their erections together, impaling himself on Neroon's finger, leg over his shoulder.
Neroon bit at the Ranger's nipples, thrusting against his erection and pushing a second finger inside. Marcus had one hand on the sheets, the other clutching at Neroon as he twitched and shook with pleasure. Mouth open, eyes unseeing, their hips moved in unison and Marcus' climax overwhelmed them both, the sudden spasm, the glorious pulsing wetness against his skin triggering Neroon's orgasm. He strained against the Ranger's hips, shuddering, hand slipping to hold his lover's leg still against his shoulder as he came, spilling liquid onto the Ranger's white belly.
Panting, the Minbari warrior lay heavily to Marcus' side, their legs intertwined. Marcus rolled to his side, eyes still closed, their faces close enough to mingle breath. Neroon leaned a little and kissed the human gently, using his tongue to trace his lover's lips. Drawing out a last, satisfied, moan from the Ranger.
They rested for a long minute.
Finally Marcus opened his eyes and met Neroon's gaze. "That was...a workout."
The rumble was more like a purr. "Indeed."
After their breathing slowed to a more sedate pace, Neroon rolled up and nibbled gently on the Ranger's neck, caressing him with his lips, stroking his side with one hand. "Tell me about human relationships. We are lovers, that is the correct term?"
Answering murmur, "yes."
"Is it an exclusive relation?"
"It depends on the lovers. Some people have multiple partners at the same time."
"Hm. Big bed."
"No, no. They," throaty laugh in Neroon's ear. "They participate in multiple pairs, I mean."
"Ah. Small bed, lots of use."
"Something like that."
"I do not have any other partners. Do you?"
The Ranger paused. "Are you going to be angry at me if I say yes?"
"Is it someone I know?"
Marcus was silent.
"Ah, it is."
"There is someone who - I don't know what we are." he finally swallowed.
"Hmm." He kissed the Ranger, taking the time to absorb the taste of the young man's mouth.
"Are you angry?"
"At you, for being beautiful and preposterous, inflaming the desire of more than just myself? That would be...silly." Kissing the Ranger's adams apple, waiting for the other to moan.
He was quickly rewarded.
V.
The door opened, light from the corridor framing Neroon. "Excuse me", seeing someone else in the room, then realizing who it was. "Lennier." Three long glances.
"I see." Said the younger Minbari. Marcus held his breath. "Excuse me, please." Lennier left the room with a steady pace, brushing past the warrior Minbari.
Neroon held Marcus in his gaze for a moment. "I also see."
"Neroon, I -- "
The Minbari held up a hand. "Shh." Then, calmly, "is he the one you mentioned?"
"Yes, but --"
"If you stay here, will he wait for you?" He stepped toward Marcus.
"I don't --"
"You must go find him."
"Ah, uh, but -- " Confused, startled.
"I will be here. Waiting."
"You will?"
"Yes, I will." The Minbari covered Marcus' mouth with his own, holding the human's head in his hands. Tenderly exploring the other's mouth until the Ranger moaned.
"Do not worry about me, Marcus. I will wait for you. Take your time." Shaking his head at the human's protest, "there is always something more about each other to learn. I am in no hurry. Now, go." He shoved the human toward the door.
Beating himself as he headed to anywhere, somewhere. What were you thinking? If he could want one Minbari, he could want another. Neroon is a warrior. He was religious caste. Marcus was a Ranger. Why had he not anticipated this? Had he expected Marcus, if not to rebuff him, to be his and only his, forsaking all others?
"Of course not." He said out loud to himself, startling people in the hallway. Lennier didn't notice.
He found a quiet garden spot to sit and think. About humans. About Minbari. About black silk head fur and the wordless gasping of his body. One question over and over again, honestly, taking out his desires one by one to examine them carefully. What did he want?
Where WAS he? "Bugger!" Marcus was beginning to lose his patience. He had to keep looking for Lennier. If they didn't talk now, they'd probably never talk again.
And just when the Ranger was really starting to lose it, there he was, in a garden corner, staring at plant leaves. Marcus crossed the room immediately, trying desperately to compose thoughts, to think of something to say. Anything to not destroy what lay between them.
Lennier saw the young Ranger flowing across the room like water, no, not water, like the third third-shell-filled element. Musing, noting from a distance that even as he wrestled with his thoughts, he still spoke to himself, "they call it quicksilver".
Marcus sat by the Minbari, waiting as best he could. Waiting for Lennier to speak.
Finally. "I had not thought about sharing your affections."
A smidge of asperity, of self-defense. "It wasn't something I set out to arrange."
"I hadn't considered the possiblity, Marcus, of how I might feel."
Silence. "How do you feel, Lennier?"
"I am..."
Cool feather touch of fingers as the human laid his hand over the Minbari's. "Please, Lennier, I don't want to lose you. I want to know, tomorrow, that we are still friends."
The Minbari spoke. Calmly, "I am not prepared for a relationship."
"Neither am I. But we can still enjoy one another."
"I am...uncomfortable with that thought."
"The sharing me thought or the having a relationship thought?"
"The having a relationship with you thought."
"Then stay my friend."
"I need to think, Marcus. I need to medidate further."
The human's face was dark and thoughtful. He rose. When he spoke, his voice was wooden. "Come see me sometime." Promise?"
"I will do that. Promise."
They touched hands briefly and Marcus turned away.
The next day Marcus was leaving Delenn's quarters and passed Lennier outside her door. He nodded, looking a thousand questions at the Minbari, who answered only one: "Good morning, friend." There was a slight stress on the last word.
"Friend." The Ranger whispered in return.
Marcus Cole/Neroon story
on 2005-06-21 10:35 pm (UTC)My gratulations on the author.
I would like to invite the author in to
Delusions: A Marcus Cole - Neroon Slash Fanfiction Archive (http://www.babylon5fanfiction.net/mcnfiction/index.php).
Please consider it and visit us.
Thank you
Athenais