Stuck in Orbit: Chapter 22

Story by BAYOKKO on SoFurry

, , , , , , , , , , ,

#22 of Stuck in Orbit

Barnabus and Miktes share an intimate moment by the campfire while Ekkar and Ragno make plans.


Chapter 22

With a rippling shimmer in the fabric of space two class-B space shuttles emerged from a hyperspace tunnel at high speed into the ebony void, twin flashes of light accompanying their escape. Gliding a short distance away from where they had appeared the two vehicles approached a nearby gas giant and entered into a high orbit around the swirling mass of clouds and storms.

Aboard one of these vehicles a very relieved Barnabus slumped back in his seat while letting out a sickly sounding groan. Careening through hyperspace in a large spaceship like the Wild Comet didn't bother him one lick what with stabilizers and everything. But traversing one in a small shuttle like the ones they had taken from Ekkar's ship was another matter.

Way too many things to keep track of while driving and the turbulence when entering and emerging was stomach turning. It had taken everything he had in his limited book of aviation skills to endure the jump back into space and keep them from spinning out from reentry.

Glancing over to the second occupant of the shuttle the space sick spacer gave a small chuckle as he took noticed that Miktes had the same affliction as him. The Verdomian's green face appearing slightly greener then usual while he sat there panting. "You ok over there?" Barnabus asked him.

"By the Strangers I think I'm going to be sick." Miktes belched.

Before the alien could ruin the cockpit Barnabus pointed towards the back of the ship informing him as fast as he could that, "If you need to upchuck then use the bathroom! It's right there in the back and to the left."

Miktes didn't need to be told twice and bolted for the lavatory. Bare feet slapping against the metal flooring as he ran out of the cockpit and into the back room. Preoccupied with his own amusement at watching the warriors tail end disappear from the room Barnabus was startled when the communications panel on the dashboard began buzzing.

'Must be the guys.' He reasoned as he pressed the connect button on the device and shook away the lustful thoughts going through his mind. "Heya Rana, you alright over there?"

"Yeah I'm ok Barnabus." Rana's voice responded over the com. "But I really need to go over my flight training. That exit was a little bumpier then it should have been."

"Tell me--" The sound of Miktes retching from somewhere behind made Barnabus pause for a moment and cringe. "Tell me about it hun. What about you Moah, Alfred?"

"Right as rain sir." Alfred answered, Moah supplying his own reply a second later. "I'm just glad that we were able to get away from that ship without any more hassle."

"Well we can all thank Moah for crashing nearly every system on that eyesore." Barnabus agreed. With the weapons broken on both their shuttles there was no way in heck that they'd been able to fight off a ship as well armed as the Flaring Surge was, let alone escape from it.

They were all just lucky that they had someone like Moah who could work miracles with computers. But that luck was bound to run out sooner or later and before that happened Barnabus had to make sure that him and his crew were somewhere safe.

"Alright everyone listen up." Barnabus began. "We're not out of the woods so we can't stay here long. Rana, I want you to try and find out where the Wild Comet might still be. We're going to salvage what we can from the old girl and then set course to the closest military ship or station. Hopefully we can get them to listen to us and they can deal with Ekkar, Clayworth, and whatever they're planning."

There were a few moments of stunned silence over the com before Rana responded back. "Barnabus... I'll find the Comet for us that's for sure. But, me and the guys were talking while we were waiting for you and the three of us agreed that we want to stick with your original plan. You know heading for Unutulmus."

Now it was Barnabus' turn to be stunned. His crew was still willing to go along with his foolhardy plan after everything that just happened? In the short few hours since their capture Barnabus had come to realize how foolish everything he had been doing had been. He was no space hero. He was just a simple Jack and if that meant he got to keep the people he cared about with him that was all he wanted to be.

"Listen guys if you're just saying all that to please me don't." Barnabus sighed. "I'm full on willing to hand this all off to the military police and clear our names. I'm happy going back to our regular lives."

"But captain that's just it we don't have the evidence to clear ourselves anymore so we can't go back to our regular lives." Alfred quickly pointed out. "Ekkar's men took professor Tworows' letter and the artifact when they searched our ship. We have nothing now."

"That's where your wrong doc." Smirking Barnabus took the Verdomian artifact out of his pocket and fingered the rocky surface. "Before me and Miktes joined you guys in the hull we stopped off in Ekkar's vault room and got our statue back. As for the evidence we need I'm sure that P.A.D. I gave Moah has more than enough recorded on it. Right big guy?"

On the second shuttle Rana and Alfred turned around in their seats to Moah who was behind them. The Girunjh had been playing around with Ekkar's P.A.D. since he had gotten it. Searching through the files as one would play with a toy out of curiosity. Hearing Barnabus' question he turned to his friends and gave a toothy grin. "Yaggho!" He cheered. Holding the device out he motioned for Rana to look at it.

Taking the P.A.D. Rana instantly saw what Barnabus and Moah were going on about. On the lit screen was a list of audio files, pictures, and personal communications, some of which were labeled "Clayworth artifact mission".

"W-What on earth is all this?" She asked

"It's insurance." Barnabus' voice answered her. "When I was part of his crew I learned firsthand that Ekkar has a habit of recording everything that happens on the job. From what goes on in his bedroom to the communications between him and his clients. Heck, he even has a few hackers on the payroll to snoop through client's personal computer systems looking for even more dirt."

"Really." Rana asked in shock. Doing things like that could easily get a Jack crew suspended or even arrested. Respecting the client's privacy was one of the golden rules of their profession.

Back on his ship Barnabus nodded to his Second's question. "Yup, he uses all the stuff he digs up as insurance in case anyone ever tries to blackmail him." He informed his crew. "I'm sure as spit that there's more than enough on that little baby to show the military all the shady dealings that Ekkar and Clayworth have be doing. Not to mention clear us for Professor Tworows murder."

"You know Comet sometimes you scare me with how lucky you are." Rana said shaking her head. "Who would have known to steal Ekkar's P.A.D. like this? Let alone that it'd have all this stuff on it."

"What can I say? I'm just that good." Barnabus chuckled back smugly. "So now that we got that covered let's forget about all this going to Unutulmus business and set course for the Wild Comet, ok?"

"We already told you that we're sticking to your plan." Rana repeated firmly. "It's important to you to do this thing and you were right: Clayworth could just arrange for the relic to fall back into his hands. We need to find the last one last one and destroy it, hide it, or something. Anything to keep him from getting that weapon."

[Barnabus: I'm really starting to feel a real headache coming on. Leave it to my crew to want to do the opposite thing when I'm trying to be all noble here and give up on my dream. And before you start too yes I know she's right. We gotta get that statue before Ekkar can get it for Clayworth. But... I just can't handle endangering the guys like I've been doing again. Them almost leaving me back there in the cell really put the fear of god into me. And if something happened, either them getting hurt or worse killed I'd never recover from it. I've got to find a way to change their minds about this and make them realize that I'm right for once. If only I could go and get that artifact all by me... WAIT, THAT'S IT!!]

Shifting in his seat, Barnabus quickly made a decision about their situation. "Ok guys how about this..." He began carefully. "I'll go and get the last artifact while you all go and find the Wild Comet." There was a chorus of objections over the communications panel which the Jack captain was fast to address.

"Jalapeño, guys calm down will you? I know you're not happy about this plan but just listen please." Barnabus pleaded. "All of us going off to Unutulmus is just not a good idea. Moah may have wrecked the systems on Ekkar's ship but his men will fix them eventually. When that happens he's going to come after us like the creep he is guns ablazing. And with no weapons besides a few multitools lasers we'd be outclassed and sitting ducks."

"But captain..." Alfred tried.

"But nothing Doc." The older man interrupted gently. "Me and Mickey are going to go to Unutulmus alone, get the artifact first, and hide somewhere while you guys go and bring the cavalry to save our butts. I'm not going to have it any other way. This is an order not only from your captain but a request from your friend."

On her shuttle the Rana looked over to Alfred and Moah who both stared back at her with worry in their eyes. They all knew that this plan was even more dangerous than the one they had originally had. Barnabus would be all alone on a strange planet with Ekkar and his personal army bearing down on him. But they also knew that this was the only one they legitimately had."

"Are you really sure about this Barnabus?" Rana asked again. "I mean... this could end up really bad if we can't convince the military to go to Unutulmus or if Ekkar catches you."

'And it could be a hundred times worst if you guys get caught by Ekkar again.' Barnabus though grimly. Out loud the Jack was much more cheerful sounding when he said. "I'm sure guys."

There were several moments of silence over the com as the rest of Barnabus' crew though over what he just said. Finally after what felt like forever to the bearded man Rana's voice came over the device. "You were right Comet I hate this idea. But fine." She said finally relenting to her Captain's choice. "Like I said back on Loma Prime you're the captain and through hell and high water we're all with you."

"T-Thanks guys." Barnabus said. A small catch in his throat as he spoke.

"You welcome Comet." Rana responded back. With a worried frown the dark haired woman began typing a set of numbers on her navigational computer. "Here, let me send you the coordinates so you won't get your clueless ass lost."

With the coordinates to Unutulmus appearing on a screen on his shuttle Barnabus leaned back in his seat again and let out the breath he had been holding. He really didn't know how much longer he could of held out against his crew. They were a loyal bunch something which he knew he didn't deserve, especially after the fight they had just had, but he was glad that he had them.

With the download from Rana's vessel finishing Barnabus took hold of his flight controls and began warming up his ship for its journey. However before he left there was one last thing he just had to know. Something which had been niggling at the back of his mind ever since their daring escape from Ekkar's ship. "Hey Rana mind if I ask you something."

"Um, sure." The Pilot replied absently. No doubt busy setting the destination where her group were going to be heading. "But only if you let me ask one too."

Barnabus snorted at her request. "Ok sure." He agreed. Gathering up his courage Barnabus asked the question he had wanted to know out in a quick rush. "What exactly made you decide to stick with by me?" He questioned. "I mean... it's not like anything's changed about what I've done."

There was a small laugh over the com. "In all honesty Barnabus I was dead set on never forgiving you. But then a certain big green pain in the ass stuck up for you." Rana explained in amusement. "He might be a rude, blockheaded, temperamental brute. But that "husband" of yours is one hell of a goodhearted guy."

Barnabus blinked a few times his mind trying to process what he had just head. Miktes had actually been the one to get him his friends back. Peering to the back of the shuttle over his shoulder he watched a few seconds as the Verdomian stumbled out of the bathroom and ungracefully sat down on a nearby seat while clutching his stomach, scowling and cursing like a sailor.

"He really did that for me?" Barnabus asked.

"Yup." Rana confirmed cheerfully. "You really got yourself married to a nice guy there Barnabus. Even if it all happened by accident."

Despite the use of the forbidden words "Husband" and "Married" just being said Barnabus found himself grinning ever so slightly. "Yeah I guess I did." He finally admitted much to the surprise of both himself and his crew on the other end of the line.

"It's just a shame that you and me both know I'm not the sort to be married too." Sighing as his last statement sucked any joy out of the air; Barnabus let out a deep breath and then held up his part of the deal he had just made. "Ok your turn Rana. What did you want to ask me?"

There was a short snicker over the line. "When you said that you knew from experience that Ekkar recorded everything in his bedroom what did you mean by that?" Rana seemed to ask out of the blue.

Barnabus groaned as he felt his face heating up. He could actually feel the smirk that was undoubtedly on his Second's face as she waited for him to answer. Glaring down playfully at the com he took a deep steadying breath and answered sulkily. "You know that little check I got a year or so ago? The twenty-five thousand credit one that we used to pay off the ship for three months?"

There was a hum of confirmation from Rana. She remembered handing Barnabus said piece of mail when it had arrived and taking specific notice when his face turned beat red as he read it. She had wondered at the time what the story behind it had been, but never got an answer when she asked. Barnabus giving excuses and finding something random to do somewhere else.

"Well, that was a royalty check for my performance in "Naughty Space Twinks 4." Barnabus continued. "Turns out Ekkar wanted a little revenge for me leaving him and sent them a tape of us back when I was younger his face edited out of course. I was upset at first but... a paycheck is a paycheck."

There was snickering on the other side of the line. Not only from Rana but from Alfred and Moah too. "Ugh, I'm sorry I asked."

"You shouldn't be. Apparently I'm a real crowd pleaser." Barnabus joked. "Actually got a few fan letters because of that movie." There was a tired sounding sigh. "Of course most of them were from convicts in I.U.G. prisons."

Smiling at the trio of groans that followed his statement, the older man gripped his steering controls again and began easing his ship out of orbit. With the engines warming up he coasted at a reasonable speed away from his friends his sprits lightened but a knot of worry deep in his gut.

Before he was out of communications range though Barnabus had to say one last thing to them over the com. Just in case this was the last time. "Bye for now guys." He told them. "I'll see all of you in a couple days with that artifact in my hands stars willing. Be safe until then."

Growing quiet as their worries began running through their minds again. Rana, Alfred and Moah watched as their Captain and stowaway Verdomian flew away from them. All three hoping that this wasn't the last time they would all be able to speak with their longtime friend and the green skinned alien that they had become friendly with over the course of the last couple of weeks again.

"You better stay safe yourself Barnabus." Rana said in a whisper.

***************

To say that the captain of the Flaring Surge was pissed off as he stormed his way through the darkened hallways within the ship would be putting it lightly. No, Ekkar wasn't just pissed that was too tame a word for how he was feeling right then. The correct wording would be that he was absolutely and undoubtedly furious beyond all belief and reason.

Stomping his way towards the bridge the Fidraon was muttering and cursing under his breath with each step. His attitude so toxic and volatile that the personnel repairing broken consoles and other machinery in the hallways choose to either jump out of the way or hide in doorways as he passed by them out of fear of what he'd do to them. Everyone on board the ship knew from personal experiences and stories that getting in the way of an angry Captain Anguis when he was in this state was akin placing ones hand into a cage filled with hungry tigers.

The reason for this intensely black mood which hung around Ekkar like a miasma was his subsequent humiliation and a he saw it unjustified beating at the hands of the crew of the Wild Comet and their primitive Verdomian companion.

To think that someone like him, the great and heroic Ekkar Anguis, a platinum level Jack that had been decorated as a hero on countless worlds, been spokesmen to numerous consumer products, and in his own humble opinion, a man who was the most handsome and intelligent being in the entire galaxy could be outsmarted and then pummeled by a group of worthless vagabonds who were so low in rank that they barely counted as a Jack team.

Then to add salt to his injuries his fat ass of an ex-boyfriend of his had the gall to leave him on the floor of his bedroom on his stomach naked and hogtied with a dirty sock stuffed in his mouth and several crude drawings of dicks scribbled all over his beautiful blue scaled face. Ekkar just knew that is was going to cost him a small fortune to "convince" the pair of enforcers who had rescued him to keep their mouths shut about the whole affair.

Strolling past a computer panel Ekkar jerked to a stop as he caught sight of his reflection in the glass computer screen attached to it. Turning from side to side he seethed as he inspected the black eye he had received from his former Verdomian captive as well as Barnabus' pictorial handiwork. It was the second thing that really stuck in his craw though one of the drawings having the words "Dick Face." scrawled over it.

"Confound it Anderson, you bastard!" Ekkar growled as he spat in his hand and used it to feverishly wipe his face with the back of his hand. "I swear you will pay for this!"

With a renewed almost blinding rage Ekkar rushed the rest of the way to where he had been heading and stepped out onto the bridge of the Flaring Surge with all the grace of a snarling dog. "REPORT!!" He commanded his underlings. "And it better as fuck be good news!"

Several of the men and women who were working on repairing all the damage that had been done during the Wild Comet's crew escape all stared at one another and then to their captain nervously. None of them wanted to be the one to inform the fuming reptile of the state that his pride and joy was in.

Finally after several moments of hushed whispers and an impromptu game of rock, paper, scissors between three of the bridge crew a shaking gangly looking man was elected to give the unfortunate report. "Um... Captain I-I'm afraid that t-t-there isn't any good news s-sir." the man began while wringing his hands nervously. "T-The ship is h-heavily damaged and all of our systems except for life support and short range communications are none operational. It'll be several more hours before-"

The frightened engineer never got to finish his report because as soon as Ekkar heard the words "It'll be several hours" He lashed out with his thick hair tasseled tail and struck the poor man across the chest. The force of the attack sending him flying backwards into a damaged nearby computer console which sparked and shocked him as he made contact.

Ignoring the cried out horror that echoed from his bridge crew Ekkar watched as the man slumped down onto the floor for a moment before he let loose the full fury of his anger on the rest of those gathered. "How the hell can every last one of you buffoons be so utterly and completely INCOMPETENT!?" He roared.

"Sir, sorry SIR!" Everyone saluted.

Nostrils flaring the draconic alien stomped his way over to his chair and flopped down ungracefully. "All you had to do was keep one little group of low ranks and a primitive alien confined for a few hours." Ekkar said darkly and dangerously. "Just until we reached the rendezvous point with our client and you. Couldn't. Even. Do. That!"

Panting and body shaking with rage Ekkar willed himself to calm down before he started using his crew as target practice. Leave it to them to ruin his spotless record. He didn't know what he did to deserve such imbeciles on his payroll but he cursed the gods for burdening him with them in the first place.

"I swear half of you will be looking for new jobs at the end of all this." He got out a tad more calmly. "And as for the other half oh... you will be getting a severe pay cut as a result of this fiasco!"

"Yes sir." Several of the Jacks said despondently.

The silence that followed their Captain's dressing down was awkward and terrifying for the crew of the Flaring Surge. None of them sure what to do next and too afraid to try anything. But, thankfully this stillness was interrupted when a small alert sounded in the room drawing everyone's attention over to the communications officer's station.

Glaring at the blinking light signaling that they were being hailed Ekkar huffed. The last thing he needed right now was some yokel coming along and offering unwanted and unneeded help. All them helping would do was add more people to the situation who needed to be paid to stay quiet. After all when you were as famous as Ekkar Anguis was you had to keep damage control at the forefront of your mind all the time.

Responding to the infernal buzzing the platinum Jack growled over to the woman in charge of the com systems. "Whoever that is tell them we are in no need of their assistance and be quick about it!"

Rushing over to the com system to quickly turn it off, the officer gave a small gasp as she read where the hail was coming from. "Um, C-Captain sir?" She began hesitantly. "I-I know what you just said but the one calling is-"

"I SAID TELL THEM TO LEAVE!" Ekkar snapped.

"Who do you think you are Fidraon?" A voice cut through Ekkar's rage. "I am not the type of man who will be ignored! Especially by the likes of you whelp."

Anger deflating at the sound of that familiar voice, Ekkar slowly craned his neck up to where the bridge's main view screen was and was horrified to see the purple tendril covered head of a certain Warg general whom he had known for years staring back at him.

"Ragno!" Ekkar yelped, jumping from his seat and standing stiffly. "I-I didn't know it was you."

"I should hope that would be the case." Ragno replied back with a sniff. "After all despite your heritage I'm quite sure you wouldn't be stupid enough to actually avoid my calls."

"No lord Ragno." Ekkar said, his voice taking on a sarcastic tone that he barely tried to hide. "I'd never do that."

On his ship the large Warg leaned back in his seat and scrutinized the other man on the screen. Anguis looked completely undone in his opinion. The Fidraon's hair a mess and his face covered in bruises and... odd drawings. Almost if he had been in a fight. If he gave a shit for the scaled creature's wellbeing then he might of asked what had happened but what did he care. Ekkar was nothing by a means to an end. A tool like Clayworth had been.

Shifting to the reason why his ship had approached the Flaring Surge in the first place Ragno spoke again. "I'm here to retrieve the artifact you promised me Fidraon." He said. "I know we were supposed to meet at Antari-8 but I grew tired of waiting for you. I even considered that you might have double crossed me when you were late." There was a pause as the general chuckled darkly. "Of course seeing the state you are in now I can see that I had nothing to fear. Pray tell what did happen to your ship?"

Ekkar huffed as the events of the last couple of hours replayed through his mind. "What happened is I was attacked!" He growled. "And to make matters worse my imbecilic crew here has caused our artifact to be stolen once again!"

"WHAT!" Ragno seethed. Tightening his grip on the armrests of his chair the heavy metal buckled and cracked as he dug his claws into it. Yet again he was close to his goal only to have it snatched away. "Who took it?" He asked dangerously. "Tell me so that I can rip their throats out and devour them."

"It was the same man who gave you the slip back on Aquarii." Ekkar answered bitterly.

"That Cosmos man again?" Ragno said, eyebrow ridge lifting. From the short report had seen back in Clayworth's office the Warg lord didn't think that certain man or his cohorts would have given anyone this much trouble. They were of the bottom ilk of the I.U.G. weaklings after all.

"Do you know where this man and his underlings are right now Anguis?" Ragno's next question came. "Me and my crew can intercept them and fix your mistake."

'Why you big uppity purple people eater.' Ekkar instantly thought. 'More like take the money I'm getting from this job out of my hands.'

Out loud however Ekkar continued to play the part of willing partner however. "Yes, of course I do." he replied back huffily. "I paid a fortune to have trackers placed in the shuttles they escaped in. Only reason we haven't gone after them ourselves is because all of our systems are down."

Ragno was pleased hearing that. A simple tracker would be easy to follow. "Good... good. Send my ship the frequency the tracker is transmitting and we'll be on our way."

"No, I'll deliver to your ship personally." Ekkar wouldn't be letting his payday slip out of his claws. "My father and your elder's specifically choose me to take part in this mission and I will not be phased out. That and frankly I need to get my revenge on that overweight bastard of an ex of mine and his stupid Verdomian pet for blindsiding me!"

"Wait! They still have that creature with them?" Ragno interrupted. When Ekkar gave an exasperated sigh and nodded in response the sinister man smirked. Now this truly was some interesting news. If they could acquire this Verdomian alongside the artifact then it would save him a whole lot of trouble later.

Turning to Bekno who had been listening to the conversation Ragno motioned over for his second in command to begin docking with the other ship. "Alright you man accompany us." He told Ekkar. "Gather your best men and have them waiting to board my ship in twenty units. We're going to chase after your wayward boyfriend of yours and... that Verdomian."

***************

Barnabus had to cover his mouth as he unexpectedly as he found himself sneezing. 'Someone must be thinking about me.' He thought to himself.

Wiping the spittle on his hand off on his pants the Jack hoped that he wasn't catching a cold or something. Last thing he needed was another thing to go wrong during all this mess. Especially with no Alfred around to patch him up like he always did.

It had been nearly three days since he and Miktes had sent off on their own. Leaving his crew to their own mission and entering the nearest hyperspace tunnel they could find as they sped through space. The trip to Unutulmus had thankfully been uneventful but tightly scheduled. Barnabus only having time to stop for an hour or two every ten so that he could let the engines cool and get some much need shut eye. It wasn't so bad going, having gotten used to it from his shifts flying the Comet. But the cycle of driving and little sleep did have one problem. And that problem was six-foot six, redheaded, and green all over.

The way the shuttle was designed meant that while in motion someone had to be constantly behind the wheel. This meant that besides when he slept Barnabus was much too busy to do anything else but steer and couldn't attend to Miktes' ever present libido. Something which the Verdomian had complained about at off and on since they had started traveling. It had gotten to the point that when Barnabus finally snapped at him the alien had growled something rude and retreated to the back room to sulk and take long naps.

Thankfully for Miktes his self-imposed exile was about to come to an end. A beeping coming from the navigational computer alerting Barnabus that their journey had finally came to its end. Finally he could take a nice long break from driving and maybe fix the problem with his companion.

Reaching forward and pressing a button the Jack captain activated the shuttle's slip drive and launched a bolt of energy from their ship, the blast tearing a hole in the tunnel which he quickly exited through. Normal space coming back into view he let out a sigh of relief as slowly coasted them to a steady.

Unlike earlier he had learned the systems on the tiny craft and had a much better exit. No one getting green in the face and throwing up over the restrooms this time. Speaking of that certain someone who had done just that it was about time the surly alien woke his butt up in Barnabus' opinion. Not just for his own good but so that he could see what he was seeing in front of them.

"HEYA YA BIG GREEN BRAT!" Barnabus called over his shoulder happily. "Wakey, wakey eggs and bakey. Not that we have any eggs or bacon mind you."

The chipper wakeup call got an expected response from Miktes. A deep and gruff sounding slur drifting into the human's ears followed by the very rude words. "Shut the hell up! Don't you know I'm trying to sleep back here submissive!?"

Barnabus rolled his eyes at Miktes' reluctance to leave his comfortable bed and swiveled around in his seat to glance into the back room. Sure enough Miktes hadn't even moved an inch when he had been called. The grumpy man lying in the center of the bed, a big blanket covered lump.

"Come on Mick get up." Barnabus implored. "I want to get up here and see something."

"Can't look." Miktes replied still not moving a muscle. "Sleep now."

Ok, now that was it. Barnabus needed to not only get his companion out of bed but make him sorry for being so rude. Luckily he knew just the thing. Grinning he stood up and walked over to the entryway leading out of the cockpit. "Hey Mickey." He singsonged, leaning against the frame. "Did I forget to tell you that I'm naked as a jay bird and hard up here? Oh, and what's this I'm covered in whip cream!"

"WHAT!!" Miktes shouted back suddenly wide awake. Hastily throwing off the blanket covering himself the oversexed alien stumbled over his own limbs and rolled off the bed and onto the floor with a crash. Then looking up from his spot he had landed he glowered at the still fully dressed Barnabus. "What the hell!?" He growled. "You smart ass submissive."

"Yup that's me apparently." Barnabus said. Smiling fondly the human went over to the younger man and crouched down leaning over to look into Miktes' upside down face. "But now that you're wide away kid how about you come to the front of the ship?" He smirked. "I really want you to see something."

Miktes snorted at his mate and mumbled an unkind word under his breath. "Yeah, yeah I'll come ya hairy bastard." He grumbled. "But I don't see why you had to get my hope up like that. Not like a bunch of more stars are interesting enough to ruin my sleep over."

"Stop being so grumpy." The older man huffed playfully. "Lots of guys have to go without some nookie for a few days. Besides it's not the stars that I want to show." Standing back up Barnabus motioned for Miktes to follow him. "We're at the planet we were heading to and there's really good view outside."

Getting to his feet Miktes clutched the blanket he had been sleeping with against himself and sulkily stomped after his submissive. 'Great another big floating rock or big cloudy ball.' He thought to himself as he entered the steering room. 'Not like I ain't seen a bunch of them already.'

Miktes' opinion however completely changed as his eyes fell on what his mate had been talking about. Floating before them was a gargantuan sphere. Not unlike the few he had seen since he had snuck aboard Barnabus' flying house. Only this one was a little different. Instead of shades of the usual blue, green, gray, or brown this new world was a deep lavender color. Several swirling clouds of silver gray speckling it here and there and a crimson colored sea which seemed to glitter lining the large landmasses.

"By the strangers." Miktes said dropping his blanket to the floor. "Why... why is it all purple!?"

Barnabus who had slipped back in his seat peered up at the other man walked towards the front of the ship hypnotically. "Some worlds are just like that Mickey." He informed him simply. "A little too much of one thing in the air and dirt and not enough of another completely changes the way the plants and water look in some places. Apparently this time it made everything purple."

Eyes never once leaving the sight before him Miktes slipped into the passenger's chair and leaned closer to the window. "Is this the place we've been trying to get to all this time?"

"Yup we're in orbit around Unutulmus." Barnabus nodded. "How about we go and eyeball the place?"

Not waiting for Miktes to respond Barnabus took hold of the flight controls and began descending towards the surface of the world under them. The shuttle breaking the atmosphere in a matter of seconds and descending rapidly through the silvery clouds until it came out under above the ruby colored sea.

Looking down at the bright and exotic surface as it changed from red ocean to purple plant covered land Barnabus let out a low whistle. "Got to say this is one of the nicest places I've been too in a while." When Miktes huffed he chuckled and quickly amended. "Not that where your from isn't pretty too Mickey."

"That's what I thought." Miktes groused. "But still I agree with you about this place. It's amazing."

Looking around himself the young Verdomian found himself becoming marveled with every new thing he saw. Everything from the strange plants to the large white topped mountains that were in the distance. He would have never imagined such things could ever exist back in Kalaban Village.

When he got home there certainly would be many stories to tell and brag about. However it was at that thought that Miktes wonder sobered a little. "When he got home" really meant "When he left his new friends behind and returned to living in his small little village."

Oblivious to what the man next to him was thinking Barnabus tapped a few illuminated buttons on a computer screen on the dashboard and began a quick scan of the forest they had flown over. This should have been the spot close to where they would find what they had been looking for.

Unlike the Wild Comet it only took a few seconds for results to come back. The display in front of the dark haired man lighting up and displaying a very long list of information of the world below them. "Looks like the ruins we want are only about twenty miles or so away from us." He said more to himself the Miktes. "Guess I should take us down soon."

"Why here?" Miktes asked confused. "Can't we just get there in this flying house?"

Barnabus nodded. "We could." He replied. "But if we did then it'd be easier for anyone nearby to find us. I'm sure that Ekkar put something to track us in this ship." Seeing a clearing ahead Barnabus began to head towards it. "We'll make camp near it tonight but tomorrow we're going to abandon this bird and walk the rest of the way."

"I guess you're right." Miktes reasoned. He didn't like the idea of having to trek all the rest of the way to wherever the last relic was. But he understood that they needed to hide themselves from that scaly man. The further his mate was away from that creature the better. Traveling on foot also meant that he could explore a little once they were on the ground. "Heh-heh can't wait." Miktes said out loud giddily. "Hurry the hell up and land human. I want to see as much as I can."

Responding to Miktes' rude command Barnabus smiled to himself. Every time that brat got excited it was like watching a kid on Christmas. "I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying." He informed his companion. Purposely slowing down just a little. "Though I think any exploring will have to wait."

"Why." Miktes gruffly asked.

Barnabus checked to make sure they were level real quick before he touched down. "It's going to get dark here soon from the look of the sky." He explained once they were securely on the ground. "I wouldn't want you going getting yourself lost in the dark Mick."

Looking over to his mate then outside the window Miktes unfortunately found out that the human was right. The sky above them, a very odd pink color he observed, was beginning to darken. There wouldn't be any exploring right then. But only because he had his duty as a dominate to think off not fear of getting lost. He just couldn't leave his submissive all by himself after all. Barnabus needed him to protect him from getting hurt. Something which now seemed like the worst thing in the world the warrior.

He couldn't let his mate know he felt like this though. He had a reputation to keep up. So after snorting and putting on his best petulant face the warrior responded to the request. "Ok, I'll stay close by if you're scared." Yeah that was the way to stay on top. "But tomorrow we start exploring first thing in the morning."

Barnabus raised an eyebrow at the other man. Instantly seeing thought his act. "Oh thank you for humoring me oh mighty dominate." He said solemnly. "I'd be so lost without you."

When Miktes gaped at his seeming obedience the Jack's charade instantly crumbled and be broke out into a fit of laughter. "Just yanking you tail you big goon." Barnabus snickered while getting out of his seat. "But thanks anyway it's sweet that you want to keep me company."

"Y-Yeah sure." Miktes grumbled while as Barnabus grinned at him and left the cockpit. Why was it that even when he tried acting tough his mate always had a smart assed remark? But, strangely that really didn't bother him as much as it did when they had first met. In fact he looked forward to it.

Pushing aside the fluttering that was starting to developing his large belly, Miktes got out his own seat and followed Barnabus into the back room and then outside. Feet touching the soft and oddly moss blanketed ground outside Miktes inhaled deeply of the new and strange scents which were wafting through the air. Yet another world yet more never before smelled smells. It reignited his want to explore the area. Verdomians after all were a curious people. Miktes was in the middle of reconsidering his choice to remain by his mate's side when he found himself having to grab a heavy pack as it was tossed into his arms.

"Here you go Miktes." Barnabus said hoisting another backpack off of his shoulder. "How about we start a fire and open these survival packs up. I really could use some grub"

Miktes looked down at the item in his hands. He knew what sort of food the submissive was referring to. The same tasteless stuff that they had been forced to eat the last couple of days. Rations Barnabus had called them. Pasty bars and tubs filled with thick chalky cream. Things that just couldn't sustain a Verdomian dominate bull like him.

"I ain't eating this crap no more." Miktes proclaimed dropping his bag. Sniffing the air again the warrior caught the scents of several nearby animals. "How 'bout I hunt us some food instead?" He suggested. "Some hot meat really sounds good."

"You want to hunt?" Barnabus repeated looking over to Miktes. "Just what are you going to go hunting with? My multitool doesn't have that much of a charge and we don't have any other wea--"

Halfway through the older man's question Miktes gave a huff and disappeared into the shuttle again. Wondering what was going on Barnabus went to check on him but before he could the sounds of something being broken within the vehicle reached his ears and after a few moments Miktes reappeared at the door with a large pipe in hands. One end sharp and jagged from where the Verdomian had most likely ripped it from the wall. Looked like Ekkar wasn't getting his deposit back from wherever he bought the fancy shuttles.

"Jalapeño Mickey fine go into the bushes and chase some rodents." Barnabus laughed. The alien just had to go out exploring that night didn't he? "But please try to stay within shouting distance. I know the mating bond thing we have isn't as strong as it was at first but I don't like that ache in my chest when you're too far away."

Looking over at Barnabus when he said that Miktes caught the other man's gaze. His dark red eyes meeting the human's amber colored ones. The warrior never thought he would ever hear his human mate actually ask him to remain close to him. Again it made him feel weird. But in a good way.

Smirking Miktes nodded in response to the request. "Don't worry I'll stick close to you." Drawing his eyes away from Barnabus before he said something that would no doubt embarrass him Miktes stormed off into the underbrush at high speed, making sure that he focused on ignoring the lump in his stomach as he let the unfamiliar sounds of the forest wash around him as he began his hunt.

{Miktes: Fuck, what the hell is wrong with me? I know I keep asking that but I can't keep from wondering. Look at what I did back there. Looking into my submissives eyes and smiling and junk. I'm starting to feel weird things for him and I just don't understand how to make them stop! Not that I'm sure that I really want them to stop that is. It's just... ugh I can't explain it! I'm starting to not care 'bout acting like a proper distant dominate anymore. At least not all the time. Only thing I want most of the time is to spend time with that human. I just can't get enough of him. The way he grins, the way he smirks at me like a smartass, the way he's so fucking nice to me sometimes. It's maddening.

Maybe I'm just upset because I've changed so much since I met him. Yet another thing that I don't know if whether it's good or bad. But I think it's a good thing. I mean I'm actually happy for the first time since I was a kid. Something which all that bullying and strutting around the village back home never made me feel. Then there's those three friends of his. No, their my friends now too ain't they? I actually have friends for once! Shit... it's going to be so hard when they make me go home isn't it. Going to be hard having to go back to always being alone with no one willing to really talk or put up with me. What the hell am I going to do?}

A scuttling sound coming from ahead of him made Miktes snap out of his thoughts of his lot in life and brought him back to his task at hand. Glancing around he quickly spotted three fat little creatures as they waddled their way out of a bush and over to the base of a tree. 'Chubby looking things.' He though watching the beasts mindlessly scuff at the ground.

They were weak, small, and much too timid. Defiantly not the kind of creature that the great hunter in the story he told at the training grounds would've go after. But for Miktes they were prefect. He could bring a lot of food back to his mate and feed him. That was much more important than his ego. "Time to say good bye you stupid little runts." Miktes said raising his pipe.

Meanwhile back at the shuttle Barnabus gave a sigh as he sat down on a fallen log in front of the humble fire he had managed to start for warmth. It wasn't much but at least it was something. Something to keep him and Miktes warm during the night and offer a little bit of protection.

That was if he really needed it. Knowing his pet Verdomian the big lug would be able to scare away anything stupid enough to attack them by just growling at it. That or by glowering. Chuckling to himself for his silliness Barnabus replayed the event in Ekkar's room again in his mind again. Everything from that hard right hook that sent the creep to the floor to that blistering kiss when which Miktes had given him in his frenzied state.

At that last part Barnabus found himself having to adjust himself in his pants. His soft member hardening

at the thought of that lip lock. It still amazed him that just the thought of the younger man doing something as tame as a kiss was enough to get him going. It was surprising because he hadn't been able to get aroused that easily since he was a young twenty something. That green skinned brute certainly had changed him in the last couple of weeks. And that was enough to get him sighing for a completely different reason.

[Barnabus: Jalapeño, what the heck's wrong with my head these days? Yeah I know folks I keep saying that but it's true. I'm starting to fall for some primitive alien in a loincloth and I don't know how to keep from drowning. It was a mistake to keep having sex with the kid I realize. I should have known it was a bad idea from the get go. That I'd get more and more attached the more we played back seat tango. I just couldn't help it. I'm drawn to him like a thirsty man to water. But... I'm not just keen on him because of what we do in bed. I actually like him as a person too.

Sure he's grumpy all the time. Rude beyond belief. And frankly there are times when he's eating that even I get grossed out. But in the end when he chuckles or gets so excited that his eyes start twinkling I can feel myself melting. I hate it and at the same time I really, really like it. I suppose that just shows how much I've changed? Two months or so ago I was sitting in a bar telling tall stories about being a space hero and having a dirty blowjob in a closet. Now here I am sitting in the middle of the woods a fugitive and married, even though I don't like that part, to a big green fuss pot that I'm starting to moon over like some star struck teen. Makes me wonder what's going to happen once this is all over and Miktes is gone. Will I just go back to the way I was or will I just go nuts.]

"I'm back!" Miktes gruff voice sounded from across the campsite.

Looking up from his deep thoughts Barnabus was just in time to see bundle of dead animals flying across the small camp and right towards him. Giving a yelp as the creatures landed at his feet the "brave" space hero found himself tumbling backwards over the log he was sitting on and his and landing on his back legs in the air on the ground.

Blinking in confusion as he watched his mate freak out the way he did, Miktes smirked to himself and padded his way over to him. "Did I scare you?" He asked looking down at the other man as he laid there. It wasn't often that he got one over on the older man.

Barnabus glared up at the other man halfheartedly. "I'm beginning to understand why you say you want to slug some people all the time" He quipped back. "Help me up will ya?" Holding out his hand the Jack gave a grunt as Miktes pulled him back up onto the log.

Righted again Barnabus inspected the unknown animals that had been dropped at his feet. "But yeah you scared me." He admitted. "At least you got us something to eat though. Good work Mickey."

"Dam right I did." Miktes said sitting down next to his mate. He may have changed a lot since he had met the human but the warrior still liked to brag about how great he was. "I'm the best fucking hunter there's ever been."

"For once I'm not going to argue big green." Gingerly picking their dinner off of the ground Barnabus made a funny face at it as he tried to comprehend why some people liked hunting so much.

"Bout time you didn't argue for once." Miktes snickered. "So, get out something sharp and prepare the meat for the fire. I'm starving."

Barnabus raised an eyebrow and looked over to the alien. "I don't know how to clean an animal." giving a dismissive hum he tried to hand the animals over to Miktes. "You go and do it."

"I'm not doing the cleaning. You're the submissive here." Miktes huffed. Reaching out he pushed his pray back at his mate. "Besides who the hell hasn't ever cleaned an animal before? Everyone should know how to prepare food."

"All my food came out of a machine remember." Barnabus was quick to point out. "Before you went and broke it that is."

Miktes' eyebrow ridge twitched at being reminded of that talking machine and what it did to his fist. "I told you already I broke that dam thing cause it wouldn't give me food." He argued. "Got real snippy about it too."

"The food processor is a machine Mick it can't get snippy with you." Barnabus repeated for what felt like the hundredth time. "Even if it was, punching it wasn't the answer. Do you know how much time it takes to fix something like that?"

Snorting Miktes folded his arms over his chest. "Well it shouldn't of made me mad then." He reasoned petulantly. "Now stop yer fussing human and get to gutting my catch. I'm getting hungry."

"I told you I don't know how to do that." Barnabus snapped. "Besides after you just scarred the heebie-jeebies out of me you should be doing the hard work!"

"By the strangers why do you always have to be so disobedient?" Miktes growled. Glaring at his impudent mate the mature warrior stomped his feet in frustration like a two year old. "I swear I should bend you over my knee right now and--"

Falling into a childish argument Miktes and Barnabus continued to bicker as Unutulmus' sun began to set in the North West. Each of them offering weak excuses and rationalizations as their fighting became more and more ridiculous. But even as the harsh words and insults flew the two of them would occasionally find themselves smiling at one another. They'd never admit it to one another but they were secretly having the time of their lives.

***************

Later that night...

"--And that's when I wrestled the stupid bahjack to the ground, jump on top of it, and punched it to death with my bare hands!!" Miktes proclaimed loudly. Grinning at the end of his glorious tale of how he hunted the most dangerous creature on Verdomo the warrior opened his mouth wide and took a huge bite from the slab of charcoaled meat in his hand. "Bastard didn't even know what hit him." He added mouth full of food.

Letting out a deep belly laugh at the boisterous retelling of the younger man's supposed adventure Barnabus had to steady himself on his log to keep from rolling off of it. "So you really took out a monster as big as a mountain huh?" He questioned suspiciously. "And single-handedly none the less."

For a few moments the duo stared at each other from their seats on opposite sides of the crackling fire at the center of the campsite. Barnabus' sparkling amber ones focused on the Verdomian who own eyes eventually began wandering away guiltily. Finally after the gaze became unbearable Miktes growled and gave a pout. "Ok maybe it wasn't that big." He confessed. "But I'm telling you the fucker was huge."

"Sure it was big green." Barnabus smirked. "Sure it was."

"Hey, at least it's more believable then that story you told!" Miktes argued back with a snort. "Invading a bug people hideout then jumping out of a window while being chased by a ball of fire. At least mine made sense."

Glowering playfully at the other man the red head stuffed the last of his meal into his mouth and reached for another piece roasting on a stick by the fire. After their little argument about who would do the work they had both eventually agreed to do it together. Miktes being the teacher for once as Barnabus stumbled with what the orc told him to do step by step.

Taking another bite Miktes hummed in pleasure as the strange taste reached his taste buds. "I really like the way this stuff tastes." He remarked licking his fingers. "You really do know how to cook see."

"I lucked out Mick." Barnabus sighed. Picking up another stick of food himself he took an experimental bite still afraid that he'd get sick over his dubious culinary skills. "I'm just glad that there were a few spices in those emergency packs to add some flavor. Does bring the question why someone would need paprika and rosemary in the wilderness though."

"Whatever just take the compliment." Miktes said with a hearty belch. "Where'd you learn to ass that stuff anyway? Thought you said you only used that hole in the wall."

Giving a huff of laughter at Miktes' crude description of the food dispenser Barnabus shrugged. "Well to be honest I do have a little experience cooking." He said. "But that was when I was, um... fifteen I think. That's four in Verdomian years before you ask Mickey."

Miktes nodded his head for a moment as he thought about his mate as a young man around that age. He wondered if he was like he was right now. Insufferable but somehow fun to be with. "Who taught you your mother?"

A sad look flashed across Barnabus' face for a moment before he calmed again and quietly answered. "No it was my dad actually." He explained. "He taught me during this big camping trip he took me and my brother Frank on. Camped right in the national forests on the moon." There was a small laugh as Barnabus remembered the trip. "Frank got himself sick on some berries the first night and spent the rest of the trip in the bushes so it was just me and my old man most of the time. Taught me how to prepare food so we wouldn't starve."

At the mention of fathers and family Miktes found himself growing quiet. Memories of what Daleer had put him through those last couple of days before he left running through his mind. The warrior wondered how the older man was doing right then. Was Daleer worried about him and hoping that he would return home soon or was he relieved that his troublemaking son was finally out of his hair? After all their fighting Miktes didn't know which one would be true.

"You ok over there Miktes?" Barnabus' voice asked suddenly.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Miktes raised his eyes back to his companion and gave a nervous laugh. "I'm fine human." He said rudely. "Just thinking about my own stupid father. He never really taught me anything like yours did. Just kept yapping on and on about responsibility this and respect that. Really pisses me off sometimes."

"Oh, my dad wasn't all sunshine and rainbows." Barnabus smirked. "He busted my backsides plenty of times. I can still remember the particular shade of blue his face took while yelling at me for egging one of my neighbor's houses. Made me clean up all the mess then wash their personal transport and then ours... twice."

"Well I bet yours never forced you into mating." Miktes growled angrily. In a way he was still angry at his father. But in another way he was glad. Even if Barnabus wasn't his one true mate at least being at that stupid temple allowed him to go on this wonderful adventure. "That's why I was there the day you and that woman came to the temple. He was forcing me to take part in the Ritual of Destiny."

[Barnabus: I still can't believe that me and Rana actually committed that burglary at the Verdomian temple a few weeks ago. Yeah that whole infiltration and getting chased by the temple guards was a real hoot. Like something right out of Captain Cosmos episode six sixty-eight. But now that I think back to it I realize how dangerous it all was. We could have gotten ourselves bumped off by those spear carrying primitives or worse. Then there's what I went and did to the Verdomians themselves. Because of me taking their sacred chachki they apparently can't get themselves married anymore. That's really got to be rough. Even if being chemically bounded to Mickey has been a real pain in my backside I can still feel for all those couples back on that big green ball. I really wish that I had never taken that harebrained mission and ruined so many people's lives.]

Noticing that he had been quiet for a few minutes as he reevaluated his life decisions Barnabus looked back up at Miktes who had his head cocked to the side questioningly. "Sorry." He mumbled trying to break the pregnant pause in the conversation.

Deciding to get back to what they were talking to Barnabus hesitantly asked something next which he had been wondering since Miktes had talked about his ceremony. "So... who exactly was this person you were going to get hitched to before our incident?" He asked carefully. "I think I remember seeing this big bald Verdomian guy in the room with you when I ran into you. Was it that fella?"

"Perpoh!" Miktes scrunched his nose at the thought of mating with Ocher's father the beast herder. The submissive male was ancient in his opinion. Nearly as old as Daleer was and from the way he had talked just as annoying. He'd rather jump off the top of one of the plateaus in the jungle then be with someone like his father. "No I wasn't being bounded to him it was his daughter Ocher. She was that blindfolded girl with the long purple hair in the room with me."

Now it was Barnabus' turn to be surprised. With the way Miktes had been hounding him for sex all the time the bearded man had just assumed that he liked men only like him. But giving it a second thought he realized that it did make a little sense. After all Miktes had asked him what his gender was the first time they had officially met and didn't seem to care either way.

"How long did you know Ocher for?" Barnabus asked, regaining he senses. He knew he was being nosey about Miktes life but it helped to know that once they were free of their bond that the redhead had someone to be with.

"We only met the day before." Miktes admitted with a shrug.

"You only met her the day before!?" Barnabus said as he choked on the bite of food in his mouth. He had no idea that Miktes' people acted so fast when they found someone. "Wow you must of really fallen hard for her if you were getting married that fast."

"Didn't really fall for her." Miktes said. "I was just walking down the street and tried to get her and her sisters to come home with me for a rutting." There was a pause as Miktes smirked at his mate's shocked surprise as his forwardness. Guess he showed the human that he hadn't been the only one who had lots of past sex partners.

"Anyway she said no to me then. But after I told the elders about my vision we were paired together. Didn't have a choice in the matter after that." Miktes continued. "Still I was happy 'bout it. Why wouldn't I be? She's the most beautiful female dominate in the entire village and granddaughter of one of the elders. Everyone would have been so jealous of my luck"

Not liking the knot that was forming as Miktes described his fiancée's beauty Barnabus decided he rather hear more about the way they had been paired. "What did you mean by vision just now?"

"I had to go through this stupid ritual where I burned these plants that made me loopy." Miktes explained with a wave of his free hand. His head still spun sometimes thinking back to that dark room and those laughing masks. "I fell asleep and saw a bunch of weird stuff.

Who knew the Verdomian's got themselves high in their sacred temple. Maybe when they took Miktes back he should look into these plants. "What sort of stuff?" Barnabus asked smirking.

"Well the first thing I saw was the sky." Miktes said beginning his story. "Then when I felt a breeze over my body I realized that I was on my back outside somewhere..."

Growing quiet Barnabus sat there and half listened as Miktes began a bizarre tale about waking up on top of a plateau and getting attacked by three strange creatures who somehow became giants. Not really that interesting or anything but defiantly some trip. It was only when the alien brought up an amber colored comet that shot around the sky erratically that he gave what the other man was saying greater value.

Mouth beginning to hang open as he listened more closely, Barnabus was shocked more and more while Miktes next revealed how the comet made ground fall and then how he had found himself floating through a starry void, his mate holding him from behind and a giant blue lizard-like creature ate them whole.

'I-Is Miktes' vision talking about me?' Barnabus wondered. Those three figures sounded like his friends his crew, that comet his ship, and lastly that blue dragon "surging" through space that Miktes wanted to protect his mate from. It... it sounded just like Ekkar. 'Naw, naw that can't be. Yeah there are some similarities here and there. But, it has to be just a coincidence or something. I can't be the one in that screwy dream.'

Suddenly deciding that he needed a drink Barnabus rummaged in his backpack and pulled out a small bottle of bourbon that he had pilfered from Ekkar's room. After what the heel did to him he deserved something. Popping the lip he took a large gulp of it letting the burn as it traveled down his throat ease his panic a little.

"What's that?" Miktes asked seeing the hairy man drinking something. Having finished his story he had taken immediate notice to the panic in his shorter mate's face. It was almost like he was completely terrified. But Miktes supposed anyone would be after being told the story of someone getting chewed up by an evil space lizard.

"Bourbon." Barnabus gasped out while he wiped his chin. "I just needed a quick drink. You want some?" Still out of breath the Jack held the bottle out for Miktes to take. "We um, we could drink to our mission tomorrow and your mating back home."

Miktes stared at the glass bottle for a few moments debating whether or not he was drink the peculiar smelling liquid. But if his friend had consumed it then it must be safe. Reaching over he snatched the bottle away and took a big swig of it. The taste was alright first but then without warning his whole mouth felt like it was on fire.

"BY THE STRANGERS THAT'S FOUL!!" Miktes shouted in disgust. Quickly spitting out the bitter brew the mature warrior began scraping his tongue with his fingers in an effort to remove the taste. "How could anyone drink something so vile!?"

Placing his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing at his friends reaction Barnabus took the bottle back just as Miktes was about to throw it into the woods. There was still plenty left for him to enjoy after all. "Sorry forgot how strong this stuff can be for first timers." He said taking a drink himself and savoring it. "Maybe given time you'll learn to enjoy the taste though."

"I'd never like shit like that. Ever." Miktes proclaimed. Then growing sullen he added with a huff. "'Sides not like I'll ever get another chance later on? I got to go back to Kalaban village after all this remember."

That reminder was like pouring a bucket of ice water onto one's head, the friendly mood around the fire dying down to a near simper. Sure Barnabus had said that he would be glad to be rid of the Verdomian many times in the past. But... now that the two of them had been through so much he had begun to reevaluate that feeling. Miktes had somehow wormed his way into their little family and seeing him go would be a blow not only to Rana, Alfred, and Moah but to Barnabus himself. The Jack would have actually loved for Miktes to become one of them now.

Responding to what Miktes had just said Barnabus gave the red head a sad smile across the fire. "You know Mickey... I'd let you stay if I could." He told him. "It's just a shame that we both know there's no way it can happen. Taking you away from you planet is against the law. It's meddling in your people's natural development or something. Not that I haven't done more then that already mind you."

"It's a stupid rule." Miktes huffed.

"Yeah... yeah it is." Barnabus agreed with a chuckle. Holding up the brandy bottle in his hands he offered a toast. "But at least you got to eat some hotdogs and Worchester sauce, right?"

Miktes joined in on the laughter drifting through the air the previous mood returning. Raising the piece of meat that he had been munching similar to how Barnabus was lifting his drink.

He knew that he looked stupid holding up his food like he was. But seeing the grin his ridiculousness brought to Barnabus face was well worth it. Actually more then worth it. The way his human was grinning at him, his bearded face illuminated by the soft yellow glow of the roaring fire between them, was causing something to begin to stir in him and not just the noticeable growth in his ceremonial shorts.

At that very moment Miktes decided that his human friend had to be the most desirable thing in creation to him. So attractive and handsome that he couldn't help but want to be closer to him. Standing, the Verdomian gave a small growl to gain Barnabus' attention. When the other man's eyes slowly rose to meet his he smirked and moved around the fire and up to him.

Puzzled by the sudden fact that Miktes was standing in front of him looking down. Barnabus pulled the rim of his bottle out of his mouth with a pop. "What? I got something on my face?" He had never seen that look in the younger man's eyes before.

Barnabus never got his answer because Instead of a verbal response Miktes just knelt down between his open legs their eyes never breaking contact. Then just as suddenly as he had dropped down the alien then placed his large hand over the Jack's chest as if checking to see if he had a pulse.

"Um... there a reason why your coping a feel kid?" Barnabus asked growing concerned.

Again Miktes failed to respond to the question, completely ignoring the query and placing his forehead against the hand over his mate's beating heart. He had never done something like he was doing before. But he just felt that it was the right thing to do. 'Strangers...' He began in prayer. "I thank you for letting me go on this journey and allowing me to meet this man. I know he ain't my destined mate but I'm still glad."

"Ok now you're starting to creep me out Mick." Barnabus said having enough of this game. "If you don't back off right now I'm going to pore the rest of this hooch over you red hair-- oomph!"

Before Barnabus could finish his half serious threat he found his face being held taken between both of Miktes' hands and pulled down until their lips made contact in what started as a chaste kiss. Of course this innocence ended the very moment the older man gasped and found himself with a mouth full of Verdomian tongue. Miktes dominating the kiss in a manner of seconds with all the passion and veracity of a wild beast.

To say that Barnabus was surprised by this sudden display of overzealous affection would be putting how he felt to shame. No, he was completely dumbfounded. Eye's widening comically as he tried to resist the lip lock at first by putting his hands on the Verdomian's shoulders and pushing him away gently at the kiss became more heated. However when Mikes shuddered at his touch all reason faded away and was replaced by raging arousal.

'Ok, fine have it your way Mick.' Barnabus sighed in his mind. 'One more time.'

Humming into the kiss now Barnabus slid his hands down Miktes' shoulders to his strong arms and offered no resistance as he was pulled out of his seat and eased down onto his back on the mossy ground below. Yeah the Jack knew that having sex on the mossy forest floor wouldn't be the cleanest place to do what they were about to do. But from the way Miktes' touch was starting to travel across his body, large hands caressing his sides and going even lower to goose him he guessed the Verdomian didn't mind in the slightest so why should he.

Having grown excited as they hit the ground Miktes let out a lusty sounding rumble as their lips parted and he began to explore every contour of the man in his arms. When Barnabus moaned softly and moved into the caress instead of recoiling he smirked to himself. Oh, how nice it was that his mate, well temporary mate as it unfortunately was, now wanted and craved his touch. It made what they were doing a hundred times better in his mind.

"The things I'm going to do to you human." Miktes said breaking their kiss. "I'm get you naked and then drag my tongue all over your body."

Sliding his palm up Barnabus' torso and under his shirt, the Verdomian slowly crept upwards, his fingertips following the trail of soft hair which covered the human's large belly until he came to a doughy chest and more importantly to a pebbled nipple. Now with prize in hand Miktes twisted the tit gently. Going straight for his lover's throat with his tusked mouth when the Jack threw his head back with a gasp. Mouthing and tasting the exposed sweaty skin greedily with long languid licks and nibbles as he squirmed under him.

Shifting his touch from Miktes shoulders to his sides, Barnabus writhed and moaned under the younger man's amorous assault. The Verdomian might have been clumsy during their first few nights together but now Miktes was a regular pro at this. He couldn't let the orc get the better of him though. He was the master of amore after all. Or at least that's what the dime store trophy in his room that he won at a bar once said.

Grinning, Barnabus wasted no time in asserting his expertise and cupped the growing bulge that was present in the alien's shorts. Heat radiating off of the organ as it gave a twitch under his grip. Just as he expected Miktes reacted to what he had done immediately. Stopping everything he was doing all at once and flying upwards onto his knees with a growl that almost sounded animalistic before he fell back down again onto all fours. Strong green arms supporting him on either side of Barnabus' head as he hovered over the other man.

"Bastard." Miktes said huskily. That smirk that appeared on Barnabus face as his cursed imminently pissed him off. But at the same time it only made him harder too. "I really should give your hairy ass a good spanking for shit like that."

"Hey it was only fair." Barnabus responded, feigning innocence. Cupping Miktes again he gave the pulsing flesh in his palm another good squeeze. He still couldn't get over how large the green skinned man was down there. Sure he had seen his fair share but that thing could put a horse to shame. "And I know this doesn't look good on my part but I'd really like to eyeball that nice mound down here."

"You've seen it already human." Miktes said grinding into the touch. "Not to mention a few days ago you had it down your throat."

"Wise guy." Deciding to be even more proactive, Barnabus hooked his thumbs into Miktes shorts and began sliding the article of clothing over the large clef that was the alien's green colored rump. Baring the perfectly rounded cheeks to the chilled nighttime air of the Unutulmus night and his own hands.

Unfortunately the attempt to fully undress the Verdomian hit a little snag thought. The clothing getting stuck where his own legs were trapped between Miktes' straddling ones. "Awe horsefeathers." Barnabus chuckled. "Sorry Mickey but it looks like you're going to have to get off. At least if you want these drawers off that is."

Sitting up on his haunches Miktes gave an irritated huff at having to get off his submissive. Having Barnabus under him was too much fun to interrupt with things like this. But getting naked took president in his mind so with a grunt he climbed off of the other man. "Stupid fucking pants." He complained. "If I had my loincloth I could just rip the side."

Freed for the moment Barnabus scooted his way over to the log he had been sitting on and rested against it. Watching he chuckled at Miktes as he rolled onto his back and lifted his legs into the air in an attempt to get his shorts off as quickly as he could. Barnabus would have gone over to help the Verdomian in his struggle but decided against it when he let his eyes drift downward.

In his haste to get rid of his clothes Miktes had inadvertently given him a prefect view of his olive green crotch, taint, and ass as he squirmed flat on his back. If he didn't know for a fact that the younger man didn't know squat one about sexual teasing Barnabus would have sworn the he was actively trying to turn him on.

'You're lucky I'm not the sort of guy to just jump you Mickey." The Jack captain thought while resisting the powerful urge to get between those upturned legs. 'That doesn't mean that I can't get naked while I wait though.'

Glancing away from Miktes and his obscene burlesque show Barnabus began undressing with the grace of a man possessed. Quickly slipping his padded vest and black shirt off with only a bit of trouble and throwing them behind the log for safe keeping. They might have been alone on the planet but didn't want to have to run around naked because he misplaced something.

Going to remove his cargo pants next, Barnabus suddenly found himself stopping when Miktes' voice reached him. "No wait." The younger man growled. "I wanna do that part."

{Miktes: After finally getting them dammed shorts off of my ass I glanced over to see if Barnabus was happy now. Only when I did I saw something that had stopping in my tracks. There was my hairy submissive getting undressed for me. Of course like an idiot I started staring at him instead of helping. I don't know why it affects me so much, but seeing that furry chest covered in that dark brown hair always turns me the fuck on. More than anything else ever has. He's just so different from anyone else I've ever rutted with before. Hairy all over and very active in bed. It also feels real good when it gets rubbing against me. I love it just as much as I love that thick bush he has below them pants. It was thinking about that nice cock that I finally broke out of my stupid trance and asked to help. I wanted to uncover that part of Barnabus for myself. }

Waiting until Barnabus gave him the go ahead Miktes made a happy sounding grunt and got back on fours and crawled his way over between the human's legs. Reaching down he then unbuckled the annoying belt thing Barnabus always insisted on wearing in a matter of seconds and pulled it free from the loops in the human's pants. Another thing he had learned from practice was how to efficiently remove every scrap of clothing his submissive wore with little trouble. The most important thing he had picked up during his entire trip. Well... if he had to be honest it was the second most important. Learning how much Barnabus naked form pleased him had been the first.

Speaking of which. It was high time Barnabus was naked for him. Grinning evilly Miktes yanked down the bothersome pants with a harsh tug. Both of them laughing as Barnabus slid down an inch or two as they were pulled down his legs and then tossed away.

Eyes traveling down to what had been revealed Miktes licked his lips, the object of his desire proudly displayed between the other man's legs. Barnabus was hard as a rock at the moment, his ruddy long shaft dripping precum which slid down his hairy balls and onto the mossy ground under him. The organ was so arousing and tasty looking that Miktes didn't think twice about scuttling back so that he could lower his head and take it all the way down to the root in one go.

"JALAPENO!!" Barnabus' loud and surprised cry echoed through the Unutulmus forest. The sensation of his member being surrounded by moist heat of Miktes' maw overwhelming him for a few seconds before he snapped back to reality.

"S-Slow down there M-M-Mickey we have-- ahhh!" The Jack tried with a pant. "W-We have a-all night." But apparently Miktes didn't care about slowing down one bit because halfway through the desperate plea Barnabus found himself being sucked on so hard that his vision filled with stars and his whole body began tingling with the most pleasurable energy.

'Why is this so much fun?' Miktes asked himself as he continued to fellate the older man. 'I'm acting like some slutty submissive yet I could keep doing this all night long!' Continuing to work the dick in his mouth the Verdomian moaned wantonly around the solid shaft with every spurt of pre that danced over his tongue. The taste, the sent, the curses and grunts from above him egging him onward and adding to his own arousal.

Miktes understood why the submissives back home did the things they did for their dominates now. How one could get so much pleasure from the simple act of giving it themselves. To touch and stroke in the right places in a way that left one's partner a complete whimpering and sputtering mess and how empowering all of it was to have a body under him writhing because of something he intentionally did.

Groaning himself while that wickedly hot mouth moved up and down on his cock Barnabus clenched his teeth and gazed down at the man giving him so much pleasure. Illuminated by the roaring fire behind him Miktes looked so sexy right then with his backside up in the air, tail swishing back and forth and upper half bobbing up and down as he slurped on his cock like some sort of stud in a dirty movie. It was like a living wet dream.

'Man oh man is this kid going to kill me or what?' Barnabus asked himself desperately as he was edged ever closer and closer to orgasm.

The way Miktes went at it was so primal so hedonistic. It overwhelmed Barnabus within a matter of minutes. Never had he had such a lover like this kid and quite frankly he realized that after he left that there would never have one again like him. The only thing that was lacking was that Miktes had yet to take the lead so to speak during their trysts. Something which he was now determined to correct that very night.

Gathering every last shred of common sense that remained in his lust fogged mind Barnabus reached down and took his amorous companion by the shoulders. Pushing him away gently until he was on his hunches in front of him again and finding himself on the receiving end of an annoyed growl. "M-Mick... ahh .... s-stop for a moment will ya?"

"I don't wanna!" Miktes asked moodily. "I want to keep sucking on yer cock!"

Barnabus nearly became undone with that gruff voice telling him it wanted to keep blowing him. But he willed himself to remain strong he had a mission to finish. And he wasn't talking about the artifact. "I was getting awfully close Mickey." He explained out of breath. "Not that I'm complaining about your performance mind you. It's just I was thinking that we might move onto something a little more... raunchy."

Furrowing his brows a little trying to understand , Miktes took a whole half a minute to get what the submissive was referring too before his eyes lit up and he grinned. "Oh, you wanna fuck." He stated nodding. "Ok then how do you want me this time? Missionary? Doggy style? Or maybe one of those weird poses we saw in that book thingy?"

Barnabus rolled his eyes at the mention of the book he had shown Miktes on a whim. The Verdomian had gone crazy over the various pictures within the ancient earth tome of sexual positions and had insisted on trying several of them out that very day. It was fun at first but the kinks in Barnabus' back would never be the same after the one called the "Y-Curve".

Responding to Miktes' question Barnabus gave a slow shake of his head. "Actually big green I was thinking we could flip things around for once." Taking the alien's cock in hand he slowly stroked it a few times before he explained further. "Me on my back with you on top giving me the business. I've wanted that for a while now and I think it's time."

A worried look crossed Miktes' face at the heated request. Eyes shifting away as if ashamed. "No." He simply said. "I want to do it like we've been doing it."

"Really, again with this Mickey?" Barnabus asked. Taking the other's man face in his hand he made him make eye contact again, soft smile on his bearded face to ease the alien's worries. "Come on after all that dominate stuff you kept blabbing when we first met I know you're really keen on doing this. So why the refusals now?"

Miktes huffed and gave the other man an annoyed look. "What if I fuck you too hard and hurt you or something?"

When Barnabus gave his admission a questioning look the warrior realized he would have to explain himself. "It's just when you get behind me and breed me it's all nice and gentle." He began. "I never did that with any of the guys and girls I fucked before. I'd just bend them over jam it in and pound away till I came. Never meant to hurt them when we rutted but a lot of them limped away afterwards. I don't think I could stand doing that to you too."

"Don't be a smuck Mick." Barnabus laughed. "I'm not always gentle with you. Remember when I grabbed your hair and pulled back when I started jack hammering into your caboose that time? Besides I'm no virgin here. Been around the block more times then I can remember." Pausing Barnabus reached down and stroked Miktes' own cock which had softened a little during their talk. "I can stand a little roughhousing. And honestly... I'm sorta jonesing to get this big monster inside of me."

"Heh-heh you are." Miktes said despite his doubts. "You really want me to fuck you submissive?"

"Don't know about that submissive malarkey, but yeah I want you to really go at me." Barnabus said dipping his head, trying to hide the blush on his cheeks.

That lusty sounding plea was all it took to break down Miktes last wall of defense. With a growl he kissed Barnabus quickly before drawing back. "Fine then I'll fuck you if ya want." He huffed, returning to his usual act of toughness. "But I'm going to get you good and prepared. Work my fingers up your ass with some slick stuff and then push inside nice and slow."

"F-Fine with me Mickey baby." Barnabus said shuddering. Reaching back blindly the Jack searched for his discarded vest and after a few failed attempts finally found the handy bottle of lube he had taken to keeping in one of the pockets. So what if he was prepared, with a man like Miktes as a bedmate you always had to be ready.

"Here you go ya go Magilla." Barnabus grinned while wagging the bottle in front of Miktes bulbous nose. "Get to it."

"Don't rush me asshole." Miktes said. Snatching the bottle out of Barnabus hand the horny orc grabbed the human' by the ankle and pulled the limb up so that he could have access to what he wanted. After squeezing a little of the slick liquid they used for sex onto his fingers Miktes then quickly went to work. Roughly pushing a digit between the furry furrow and circling the prodding appendage around the hidden pucker between the two lardy mounds.

Leaning forward till their lips were barely touching Miktes growled lowly and asked one last time for consent. "You sure you want me to rut your ass?"

"Just do it." Barnabus panted. Feeling that thick finger against his hole but now penetrating it was starting to make his body heat up with the fever lust again. It didn't hit as strongly as it did those first few days but when it did it was like being hit by a locomotive going a thousand miles an hour.

Miktes growled lustfully at the command and pushed forward. His finger sinking into his partner slowly to the knuckle and being surrounded by the tight heat of the other man's innards. Sticking his tongue out in concentration he then began to slowly move the digit in and out, out and in, again and again. Each inward jab causing Barnabus to squirm and grunt with heated breath.

Oh how much Miktes wanted to just flip him over and mount him right then. Those sounds the human was making causing his cock to fully harden and his primal instincts to mount and fuck and breed screaming in the back of his primitive mind. But the Verdomian knew that he couldn't do that yer. He needed to get Barnabus ready to take his large cock inside of himself. His friend had to be nice and open so that there wouldn't be any pain. So that he could enjoy this whole thing

"S-Shit Mickey that's good." Barnabus managed to get out as he was prepared, toes curling and head rolling back against the log he was propped against. "But d-don't go so slow work'um in a little harder."

"Let me do this my way idiot." Miktes repeated. "But you're really liking this ain't you?" When Barnabus nodded the warrior felt himself grinning like a madman. "Good." Slipping in another finger he began scissoring a little. Stretching and straining the hole even more as he continued.

Peering down at his mate as he laid there and allowed him to do this dirty thing to him Miktes smirked. "You like me fingering your tight hole don't ya submissive." He asked again a she added a third finger. "Feeling them thick fingers fucking you like a cock would. Bet your going to cum just from this ain't ya?

"M-Mick don't get screwy on me." Barnabas said, amused laughter bubbling to the surface. He couldn't believe the younger man was trying to talk dirty to him. But on the other hand he rather liked it. "You don't need to tell me what you're going to do. I think I got the idea."

"I don't think you do." Lip curling sinisterly Miktes sped up a little like he had been asked to do. Fingers hooking and prodding at different angles with each inward thrust. "I'm really going to get on top of you and fuck the hell out of your ass." He informed. "I want to hear you moan and feel you pulse around my cock. I want to feel you gripping my back and pushing against me as I slam into you over and over and over and over."

"Oh god." Barnabus found himself unexpectedly starting to grind back against that naughty hand under his ass. Trying his best to get those thick fingers to go deeper, faster, harder anything. He realized Miktes had been right, just the way his hole was being played with was enough to get him cumming. Which is exactly what he did when Miktes' fingernail pressed against a certain bundle of nerves inside of him.

"Jalapeño! I'm coming Mickey, I'm coming!!" Barnabus ground out eyes screwing shut and voice cracking. "AHHHHH!!"

"And you made fun of me that first time." Miktes quipped as he watched rope after robe of clear white seed arch into the air and land on the ground, his own hand, and Barnabus' stomach with a wet splat "Want to stop now?"

Barnabus vehemently shook his head. "You do and I'll beat you senseless you big jerk." He laughed. "Come on enough of t-this prepping a-a-applesauce. I want you inside of me."

Wordlessly Miktes withdrew his hand and wiped off the excess lube still clinging to it against the mossy ground. Leaning down he quickly lapped up what had splattered over Barnabus stomach and then got into position between the seated man's legs. Grabbing both ankles the warrior lifted them slightly and placed them on each side of his hips. The tip of his engorged cock resting against the gaping and well lubed hole waiting to be entered. "Mine." He growled positively.

"Yeah for tonight." Barnabus said caressing a green hairless cheek. For tonight he was Miktes'. His friend, he lover, and his mate.

Rumbling affectionately at the gentle touch Miktes placed both of his hands on the log behind Barnabus to steady himself and thrust forward with his hips. The angle was awkward what with the shorter man's lower half in his lap but the Verdomian's turgid cock easily found its mark. Sliding into the human with only the faintest of resistances it's the red colored head inching its way into the tight channel with a steady and firm push.

Eyes screwing shut as he was penetrated Barnabus felt a calm go over him like he had never felt before. There was just something about getting reamed out real good that he always loved. The weight on top of him, the feel of a thick shaft splitting his cheeks. It made him just a horny as being on top did. But this time that feeling was much, much stronger. Almost like he could feel not only his pleasure but Miktes' as well. Almost empathically.

That joy the Jack felt increased even more when Miktes began to moving. The warrior grinding his hips up painfully slow as he began to fuck his submissive with fierce determination. Looking down Miktes locked eyes with the other man as he continued undaunted, making small grunts and growling sounds as he ground into the hole he was fucking.

'By the strangers he feels so good.' Miktes thought to himself. This had to be the fucking most amazing thing that he had ever taken part in. So much better than those slutty submissives that only slept with him because he was the chief's son. Barnabus actually wanted him. Not just because of his position, which the human repeatedly told him he didn't give a shit about, but for the simple fact that he liked him.

"Come one speed up a little." Barnabus begged now. Peering up into Miktes eyes he gave the Verdomian a pleading look. "P-Please."

"Please what?" Miktes smirked. For some reason now that he had the other man impaled on his throbbing Verdomianhood he wanted to tease and dominate him. And one sure fire way to do that was get him to ask for what he wanted.

Barnabus huffed out in annoyance. Dumb alien wanted him to talk dirty huh? Well he didn't usually like talking filth but the need for harder thrusting superseded his antiquated notion for politeness. "Fuck me Mickey." He snapped. "Slam that dick straight up my ass and ride me like a wild beast." Lowering his hands down the sides of Miktes' body and rested them at the top of the alien's green ass as it moved back and forth, pulling the other man down on him hard as Miktes gave a smug sounding chuckle from above.

"Greedy little fuck." Miktes roared as he began to really slam into the ass he was fucking hard. Loud grunts escaping out of his mouth from his exertions and an excited snarl wafting into the air when he saw Barnabus' eyes roll into the back of his head and mouth open in a near silent groan from his constant thrusting.

"Now you're really loving this ain't ya!" Miktes said moving in for a heated kiss. "Going to fuck you more often now you realize." Moving onto the Jack's exposed neck he bit it gently, square tusks leaving small indents as he slammed into the hairy ass with increasing speed.

"D-Dam right you are!" Barnabus agreed as his mind went numb with lust. Clutching Miktes' back now Barnabus hugged the Verdomian close to him while his right hand went to caress the alien's mostly hairless head and bring him down until their lips were barely touching. "I'm going to give you every chance you want big green."

"Dam right you are submissive." Miktes rasped. "And when I'm done I want you to fuck my ass again. I want it bad from both ends Barnabus. I want you to breed me good and hard and make me feel that thing you got between your legs." Growling the Verdomian took hold of said organ trapped between their bellies and began to fist it in tune with his thrusts.

Barnabus groaned as his prostrate was pummeled and his cock was manhandled. He couldn't believe it but he was getting close to orgasm again. 'By god this brat can really go at it.' He screamed in his mind. Those thick powerful hips slamming into him so roughly and forcibly, the way that mouth was sucking and biting his neck in-between kissing and licking his lips, and most of all the way that monolith of a cock was hitting him in all the right angles, causing stars and sparks to fill his vision with each assault. It was overwhelming him to the point of no control.

But then suddenly it all went away, Miktes slowing to a stop and pulling out with a wet sounding pop. "What the... Mickey why'd you--ahh!" With a yelp Barnabus found himself flipped over onto his belly and then bent him over the log they had been resting one, arms handing over the back and ass in the air.

Barnabus was about to ask what the heck was up but instantly found out when without any warning he was entered again. Miktes having knelt behind him and pushed back in in one fluid moment before he resumed his relentless and merciless fucking. This new angle while slightly uncomfortable was just as good as the last one Barnabus quickly found out. The younger man grabbing him by hips and huffing dirty words as they both fell back into their primal lust addled groove of screwing like two rabbits during heat.

Glancing down as he rutted his companion, Miktes once again took wonder in the crisscrossing scars on Barnabus' back. For the life of him he didn't understand why the human was so shy about showing them to him when they were naked together. They were a sign of his bravery and his strength in battle. Something which most submissives never got where he was from. They were so wonderful that before he knew it Miktes began voicing his appreciation much to his own mortification. "You're beautiful Barnabus." He growled. "So. Fucking. Beautiful."

"Mick what... ah ...what did I say about that gobbledygook." Barnabus gasped over his shoulder

"Shuddup." Bearing down on the Jack Miktes began dragging his tongue across the Barnabus upper back. Tracing each and every grove and line he could reach in an effort to show how much he loved them. "You're a truly beautiful submissive human. That body, all this hair, this ass. Not to mention how good you are at breaking skulls. I just wanna fuck the hell out of you for so long and hard. Make you scream while I rut your lardy ass and make you feel so damn fucking good that you pass out from cumming so hard from it."

"Jalapeño!" Barnabus cursed at the filth coming out or that orcan mouth. He could actually feel his whole being shivering from the gentle touches and thick rod between his cheeks and from his heart feeling years lighter from the worship being given to his ugly scars. "Fine I'm a real swanky doll, happy now?" He relented with an awkward joke. "Just keep going will ya, ya goon?"

Increasing his speed Miktes snickered. "Fuck yeah I will!"

Together the two continued like this for what seemed like hours to them. Barnabus grunting each time the thick veiny shaft of his Verdomian lover entered his body and Miktes touching and licking every inch of skin he could reach on his human partner.

Eventually as with everything good, this heated coupling came to its inevitable end with a bang. Barnabus throwing his head back and arching his spine as he cried out into the bonfire lit night and he came for the second time that night as he began cumming. His seed erupting like a fire hose from the tip of his red and angry cock and straining the purple wood of the log he was bent over.

Miktes wasn't far behind either. Slamming into Barnabus three more times, his hands leaving imprints on the human's hips and tail standing straight up with the tuff frizzing at the end while he deposited the load that had been building up for three days of forced abstinence into his partners very red and now sore ass.

The two were so caught up in their orgasmic climaxes that they both failed to notice the dim blue glow in each other's eyes or that in some strange way they had grown closer from this coupling. Hearts syncing as they beat and bodies reacting both mentally and chemically. All that they did notice as they came down from their post coital bliss was how much fun they had just had together.

"You alright?" Miktes managed to ask as he rested his upper half on top of the man under him. He had sort of lost himself during those last few moments. The fever lust taking over his mind and causing him to just breed the man it saw as his mate.

"Are you kidding?" Barnabus said seriously, Miktes instantly growing worried from the tone. "I'm fantastic Mickey." He then chuckled. "I don't think I'll ever forget this night."

Smiling madly at the praise Miktes gingerly pulled out of the other man and wrapped an arm around the shorter man, pulling up into a kneeling position with his green hand coming to rest on a hairy belly as a scarred furry back pressed against his bare sweat covered chest. "Good" Miktes murmured, resting his chin on Barnabus' left shoulder. "I was worried I hurt you or some junk."

"Now that's a newsflash?" Barnabus said grinning. "The mighty Miktes of Hestry Clan actually acting all sweet for once and being concerned about his mouthy submissive's wellbeing."

Miktes responded to the teasing with a growl and a slap to the joking man's smart ass. "Yeah what of it stupid." He challenged. "I can be concerned about my ma--" He had to stop himself from saying something he shouldn't. "I mean, my friend."

"I suppose." Yawning Barnabus leaned back into the Verdomian. "I think it's time we catch some shut eye now though. We got to be up early tomorrow and start looking for that relic."

"Can I keep holding you while we sleep?" Miktes hesitantly asked.

Barnabus sighed at the request. Usually him and Miktes would keep a little bit of distance between them after the deed. Sleeping on opposite sides of the bed when they shared one. But tonight felt a different. He wanted to keep touching the redhead as long as he could. After all Barnabus didn't know how much longer they had. Either Miktes would have to go back home or Ekkar would find and most likely murder the two of them.

Pulling out of Miktes embrace Barnabus turned around and gave him a chaste kiss. "Yeah you can." He finally responded. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

{[Barnabus & Miktes: As I knelt there with him next to me I suddenly realized something terrible. I was truly and undoubtedly falling for that big jerk.}]