Page 38

Eleven

In the blissful haze, Roy struggled to untie even the simplest knots. His mind was soaked in ecstasy, and Cal wasn’t particularly helpful either—lying on his back, only lifting his hips to give Roy access to his bound wrists. At least he didn’t protest when Roy rolled him to his side to deconstruct his rope creation.

“There,” Roy said after finally managing to unwrap the last loop that ran around Cal’s clavicles. The rope curled beside them like a tired snake.

“Thank you,” Cal mumbled, his hands gripping Roy’s shoulders and pulling him close. “For everything.”

“My pleasure.” Roy pushed his thumbpad against Cal’s chin, tilting his head. A strange sense of pride swelled in his chest at the tiny fluorescent streak under Cal’s jaw—and at how hard he must have had to come for it to land there. He leaned in and licked it off, salt tingling the tip of his tongue.

“Enjoying the taste?” Cal grinned, his eyes still half-lidded.

“Can’t get enough of it.” Propping himself up, Roy crawled lower, to the tiny puddle that had gathered just above Cal’s navel. He’d get a cloth, eventually, even though he’d rather do it the feline way. For now, he scooped some on his tongue and returned to Cal with a deep kiss.

Cal whimpered, his toes curling against Roy’s calf. Their limbs tangling again, Roy’s rough skin scraped against Cal’s silkiness.

“You’re the most beautiful thing in this galaxy,” Roy whispered. What a shame you’ll leave sooner or later. His hands slid along Cal’s sides. The path downward continued until his fingertips brushed the swirls of blue hair on Cal’s thighs and slid along the scar on his knee. His exploration ended with a tickle to the sole of Cal’s foot, making his instinct flare and shake the intruder off.

“Where are you going?” Cal whined, reaching for Roy’s forearm.

“Just to get a washcloth⁠—”

The ceiling panel snapped open unceremoniously, and a soft towel landed in Roy’s lap.

“At your service,” AVOS said, his end effector gripping the rope. “I assume you’re done with this?”

“Yes,” Roy groaned, waving his hand. “Now go away.”

“You’re doing a great job, AVOS,” Cal said quickly. “Thank you.”

Once the arms disappeared into the ceiling, Roy glared at it before starting his gentle scrubbing.

“Try to be nicer to AVOS,” Cal murmured. “He’s doing his best.”

“He’s being a creep.”

“No, he’s not.” The prickly stubble above Cal’s lip left a tingle after he’d kissed Roy’s cheek. “He’s just trying to help.”

“Okay, let me rephrase—he’s spying on us.”

“Roy.” Cal’s voice dropped to the register he used for lecturing—and Roy braced for a counterargument. “The ship’s onboard system isn’t your enemy. This one just happens to be attuned for couples. If you don’t like it, just tell AVOS to stop.” After a nibble on Roy’s earlobe, he continued, “You have to admit the supplies helped.”

“I guess.” Roy deflated and rolled his eyes. “Hey, AVOS?”

“Yes?” The AI drawled from the speakers, the red indicator above the door flickering.

“Thank you,” Roy gritted, “But next time, can you wait until either of us asks for your help?”

“Of course!”

The indicator kept blinking, as if the system had more to say. Roy cocked an eyebrow and asked, despite his better judgment, “Something on your mind, AVOS?”

“Since you asked, yes. I could offer you a blanket. A snuggly one, from microfibers woven with Osthalian wool.”

Roy would have told AVOS to get lost, but the slight shiver of Cal’s body forced him to accept the offer. Snuggled under the softest blanket Roy had ever touched, he covered Cal’s face in a million kisses. He shouldn’t have let himself whisper those words of love—but his heart squeezed so hard he nearly sniffled when Cal said, “I love you too.”

On the journey back home, Roy had hesitated to bring up their future. He couldn’t spoil the mood—not when Cal floated weightless in the low gravity. Not when they watched a stellar superflare through the viewport while their flyvan darted through the sector. Certainly not when Cal scanned the news stream, flinching every time his home planet appeared in a headline. Or when he straddled Roy’s lap and hugged him tight.

And now, Cal initiated the descent onto Pyraxis, and Roy wouldn’t dare disturb a pilot during that procedure. He curled in his seat. Perhaps he could steal a moment alone with Cal after they’d landed.