Dark Masters Series: Smoke
an excerpt

This is my short story that forms the basis of the NaNo novel.

Warning: May contain bad language, violence and scenes of a sexual nature that some might find offensive (homoerotic).

Dark Masters

The Dark Masters looked on the stars and saw that they were good. They gave each of their faithful servants a planet of their very own to live on and enjoy. And then the Dark Masters moved on…

Smoke

“Damn!” Smoke muttered into his beer as the most interesting man in the tavern stood up and pulled on an ankle length leather coat, before striding out into the dark. Smoke pouted into his glass for a moment. He had been making plans that included that tall, slender body; and now his prey had left before Smoke could put any of the plans into effect. One cool glance from an emerald eye was hardly an agreement to a night of fun but it had been a step in the right direction. Finding out if there was another, matching, eye hidden under the shock of shiny brown hair that had concealed half of the handsome face had been one of the plans. Smoke glanced casually around the busy tavern and confirmed his earlier assessment. There was nobody else here who looked interesting enough to be bothered with. He drained his glass and dropped a few coins on the table. There was only one thing to do: follow his prey and try and get the evening back on track!

Smoke stepped out of the tavern and strolled across the road, drawing in lungfuls of the cool night air. His nose automatically filtered out the myriad scents of the portside city, searching for leather and Emerald-eye’s unique aroma. He sauntered in the direction he was sure the other had taken, hands tucked loosely into his wide belt. His eyes scanned the street and he caught a glimpse of his prey in the distance. He smiled to himself and followed. A chase would add to the pleasure.

*

Tyrak was glad to leave the noisy tavern and get on with his mission. He hated spaceport cities. They were too crowded and loud, and they stank. He had been here for two days already and was impatient to get this over and done with. With any luck he should be off this dirt ball before sun-up and back among the peaceful stars with plenty of elbow room. He let the idle, irritated thoughts flit across his mind as he moved through the evening crowds and headed towards the residential sector in the hills above the port. He moved with a measured, silent stride as he mentally ran through his timetable. Two days of intense observation had verified the information he had been given for the mission. He had refined his plan and could see no reason to wait any longer.

He walked past the gates of the Imparian Ambassador’s residence just as the first of the new shift of guards pulled up to the gates. Tyrak allowed himself the faintest hint of a smile at the man’s predictability as he continued to follow the high wall around the property. Not a lot of thought had been put into the security of the impressive building. A single entrance and a high wall weren’t enough to keep out a determined intruder, not even with the addition of electronic surveillance. Tyrak was very determined. He had toured the building as part of a commercial sight-seeing trip, and confirmed that the floor plans he had been provided were accurate for the public areas. He had also learned more than he really wanted to know about Imparian architecture. He thought the elaborate patterns built into the brick and stonework were much too fussy and detracted from the building’s overall beauty. Although he could appreciate their practical uses.

He paused under the large tree that overhung the wall, more sloppy security, and dropped to one knee to fiddle with his boot. He scanned the wide, empty street in both directions from his crouched position. There was nobody around to appreciate his subterfuge, which was as it should be. He stood up, pulled on his gloves and drew the folded grapple hook with its thin cord from an inner pocket of his coat. He continued to scan the street for movement as his fingers deftly snapped the hook together and locked it in place. One easy throw and the double hook was caught on the overhanging tree branch with the end of the cord brushing against his chest. He tugged the cord and, satisfied that it was securely anchored, swiftly climbed up onto the wide tree limb. He drew the cord up after him and coiled it next to the embedded hook, before walking along the branch to the trunk of the tree, completely bypassing the electronic beam guarding the top of the wall. He slid his night goggles out of his pocket and slipped them on to study the formal garden between him and the mansion. Random beams crossed the lawns, fewer than he had anticipated, all appeared to be about waist high he noted as he climbed silently down to ground level. That might mean there were some form of guard-dogs but, as the Ambassador was entertaining tonight, it was unlikely that any were loose at the moment.

Tyrak edged carefully around the open lawns, ducking under the beams as he needed to, until he could study the house from the shelter of a shrubby area. The party seemed to be on the first floor of the mansion. Several guests were outside on the softly lit veranda and light spilled from the windows all around it. Tyrak avoided one couple who had taken advantage of the wide marble steps to descend into the garden and make use of one of the dark niches that would give a pleasant view of the gardens during daylight. He slipped around to the back of the house, which was quieter and darker. Most light and activity was from the kitchens at the far end. The decorative brick work of the walls provided all the hand and footholds that he needed to climb to the top storey windows and let himself in. The alarm wasn’t set so he did not need to use the jammer to reroute it. He shook his head. This was too easy, much too easy, it made him even more cautious as he eased into the dark room under the eaves. His goggles allowed him to walk through the cluttered space with relative ease. He removed them when he reached the door and stood there for a couple of minutes to allow his eyes to adjust to the dark, before slipping out into the deserted corridor. The floor was carpeted and his feet made no sound as he moved quickly to the narrow servant’s staircase and headed down to the Master suite which contained the Ambassador’s home office.

The suite was locked and alarmed but the jammer took care of the simple security in a matter of moments. Tyrak slipped inside and reset the lock. He didn’t want to be disturbed now he had reached his target. He plugged his data stick into the computer and let the carefully crafted programs go to work. All of the Ambassador’s private files would be downloaded to the data stick and a program would be loaded that would transmit the entire contents of the computer to another unit he had set up in the empty office he had rented in the business district. All the Ambassador’s communications and work would be collected from now until the spy program was discovered or deactivated. And once every day, at a randomly selected time, the remote unit would beam all the information up to a satellite which would encode and relay it back to base. Tyrak occupied himself with checking the contents of the desk, filing cabinets and safe while he waited for the electronic magic to set itself up. The papers he found confirmed their suspicions about the Ambassador’s recent activities, as did the large amount of gold and gems in the safe. He could only marvel at the sheer ignorance or arrogance of the man. Although the incriminating evidence was not sitting out in the open, it wasn’t hard to find. The spot between Tyrak’s shoulder blades was itching. This was all just too convenient. It was either a trap for him; or a frame for the Ambassador; or maybe, just maybe, a fairly clever attempt to make it look like a frame; it couldn’t be as simple as it looked. Could it? Tyrak shook his head and watched the dim red light on the data stick, as soon as it changed to green he could leave. It wasn’t part of his job to speculate about the guilt or innocence of a suspect, he just had to collect the information for others to decide.

He found himself listening intently, trying to make out any sounds in the suite or the corridor over the soft whir of the computer. He couldn’t hear anything but that didn’t mean that there was nothing to hear. He caught himself drumming his fingers on the desktop as he glared at the red light. He closed his eyes and forced himself to breathe deeply. Just because everything had gone smoothly so far didn’t mean he could relax or forget his training. He had to remain alert until he got off this benighted planet. Once he was safely away he could give in to the frustration he had been suppressing. But now he had to remain cool and calm, there was no place for impatience and hasty actions in this mission. He opened his eyes and scanned the dark room before he let himself look at the light again. It flickered to green as he looked, and he couldn’t help the silent sigh of relief. He pocketed the data stick and waited for the computer to shut down, before moving through the sudden silence to the door. He eased the lock slowly to avoid any sudden click as it disengaged and cracked the door open enough to be able to glance either way along the corridor. It was still deserted. He slipped through the door and locked it again. He switched off the jammer and headed for the stairs. He would leave the same way he came in.

“Gamma reporting. West corridor quiet. Proceeding to South.”

The sudden voice and the replying burst of static, speeded Tyrak’s heartbeat. A security guard was doing rounds, he identified the communication without a second thought. The voice came from ahead of him and he was only half-way to the stairs. He measured the distance to the stairwell with his eyes as his ears tracked the guard’s muffled footsteps. No time. He would be caught if he tried to run for the stairs. He slipped into one of the bedrooms just as he caught a glimpse of movement from the end of the corridor. He leaned back against the door and closed his eyes. It was pitch black in the room after the bright but tasteful illumination of the hallway. He listened carefully. Was the guard just walking the corridor? Or was he checking each room? Damn! The sound of a door closing followed by a few footsteps and another door closing gave him the answer he didn’t want. He needed to hide and quickly! He opened his eyes and searched the room with his dark adapted vision. The far side of the bed should do as a hiding place, the guard was only giving each room a cursory examination. He crossed the room in three silent strides and threw himself down in the shelter of the bed just as he heard the door handle rattle.

He landed face down on something that shouldn’t have been there. Or, rather, someone who shouldn’t have been there. Before he could do more than stiffen in surprise, arms and legs wrapped around him and a mouth covered his. The reflected light of the security guard’s torch beam showed him wide, dark eyes that seemed to be laughing at him. The light vanished and the door closed but the kiss didn’t end. It did gentle, slightly. Tyrak couldn’t decide whether to fight or kiss back. He was aware of the body pressed against his, all hard planes and wiry strength. His brain seemed to be numb while his body was registering sensations at light speed. His nose brushed against a furred cheek and a warm, wet tongue traced the closed line of his lips. Furry fingers caressed the nape of his neck, making him gasp and suppress a moan. The tongue slid into his mouth and rubbed against his own, bringing the taste of beer and something much finer, much sweeter. His tongue plunged into the welcoming mouth that twisted beneath his, searching for more of the elusive flavour. And found it. Some part of his brain was screaming at him that this was neither the time nor the place. But his body refused to listen to such unpleasant warnings. His hands framed furred cheeks, his fingers teasing sensitive ears, as the body beneath him rippled with pleasure. He dimly registered the changed contours beneath him as he ground his own throbbing groin against a matching hardness.

It was the moan of pleasure that finally shocked him back to his senses. He hoped that it hadn’t been him that voiced it, but he wouldn’t have put money on the answer. He tore his mouth away from the other and panted for breath, filling his lungs with the tantalising scent of hot fur. There was the faintest mew of displeasure and the sound of more heavy breathing. Tyrak could feel his own heart pounding and there was an echoing drumbeat from the chest pressed to his.

“Ooops,” a soft voice all but purred in his ear, “I suppose we really should take this elsewhere. Like the other side of that great big wall out there, Emerald. Do you think the corridor is clear yet?”

“Huh?” Tyrak grimaced at the stupid reply and pulled further away. Emerald? Had he really called him Emerald? And why? And what was he doing here? And who the hell was he?

*

Smoke grinned at the stunned face above him. Emerald seemed just as affected by the kiss as he was; which was an excellent sign of progress for his plans. But survival instincts insisted that they get away from here and continue this somewhere more conducive and comfortable. He sighed with regret and rolled to his feet pulling Emerald with him. He kept hold of the gloved hand and towed his captive across the room to the door. It really wouldn’t do to be caught with the selection of pretties he had collected while Emerald had been occupied in the one room. The little cousin who had accompanied him through the window let him know that the corridor was clear with impatience. Smoke apologised for the delay, knowing the little cousin would pick up on his arousal and understand. He slipped out of the room, with Emerald still in tow, and headed for the stairs. The little cousin was sitting on the first step washing his face with one paw as he waited. He gave Emerald a long assessing stare before bounding silently up the stairs in front of them, his sleek, black fur glistening slightly in the dim lighting of this servant’s area. Smoke followed him, just as silently; and Emerald followed Smoke with hardly a sound. He had stiffened slightly at the sight of the little cousin but had not asked any questions or resisted going up the stairs.

The little cousin was waiting impatiently at the door of the room they had entered from. Smoke cracked the door open and let the little cousin flow inside to check that it was still unoccupied, before slipping inside with Emerald right behind him. Smoke released the gloved hand reluctantly when Emerald tugged insistently. He crossed the room to the window and, after checking the coast was clear with the little cousin who had remained outside in the garden, eased it open. He glanced back at Emerald, who was still standing by the door, and saw that he had put some sort of goggles on. Smoke grinned and beckoned him towards the window. He ignored the little cousin’s distain for a creature that couldn’t see properly in starlight and draped the small, black body around his neck for the descent, before sliding out of the window and shinning down the wall to the ground. Emerald followed, pausing to shut the window carefully before climbing down after them. Smoke grabbed his hand as soon as his feet were on solid ground and towed him into the shrubbery where the two little cousins had already vanished. They made their way back to the wall quickly. The little cousins were waiting in the tree for their arrival and vanished over the wall, reporting the street clear, as they dropped from the overhanging branch.

Smoke gestured for Emerald to go first and took the opportunity to peek up the long, leather coat as his prey climbed the tree. He suppressed the purr of approval that the long, muscular legs prompted and the disappointment that the angle wasn’t quite right to admire that taut ass properly. Emerald disappeared around the trunk and Smoke swarmed up after him; he had already caught him once, but he didn’t want to risk having to do it again. He waited by the hook as Emerald slid down his rope and landed softly on the pavement. Smoke unhooked the grapple and dropped it into Emerald’s waiting hands before letting himself down to hang from his hands and drop down beside him.

“That was fun!” Smoke purred, backing Emerald against the wall and kissing him. He was pleased that Emerald kissed him back after only a moment’s hesitation. “You want to go to a tavern? Or do you want to come back to my place for a nightcap?” He titled his head hopefully as he watched Emerald’s face. He was obviously thinking hard but only the faintest crease above his nose betrayed any emotion. Smoke wondered if he was going to have to let this beautiful man escape again. It was on the tip of his tongue to offer to meet him later if he had things to do, when Emerald answered in a low, deep voice.

“Your place.”

“Great! Come on!” Smoke beamed at him and slid an arm around his waist, leading him down the street. Emerald stiffened slightly but then draped his own arm across Smoke’s shoulders and matched strides with him, without saying anything else. Smoke smiled in appreciation for how easily they could walk together after only a few paces; there was no inadvertent bumping, no half steps, no missing rhythm. He snuggled closer, tightening his arm, and appreciated the play of Emerald’s muscles beneath the leather coat; more a suggestion of coiled strength than a real sensation, but good all the same. He was contemplating Emerald’s mostly hidden legs as they crossed a road and he turned them automatically toward town. The little cousins were sure there was nothing of interest in this area, at least not on this side of the high walls, and had melted away into the night to pursue their own interests.

Suddenly he found himself in Emerald’s arms again, being kissed. Somehow he was pinning Emerald to a wall when he was sure he had just been walking along fantasising about those long, long legs. He returned the kiss but could sense that Emerald wasn’t putting his full attention into it, he was watching something across the street. Something which Smoke had his back to now and couldn’t see. Which wouldn’t do at all. Smoke wasn’t bothered by whatever was happening behind him, particularly, but he did keep one ear cocked for trouble from that direction. What bothered him was Emerald thinking he could kiss him with only part of his attention. He slid his tongue into Emerald’s mouth and set to exploring every detail with short flickering licks, making note of the most sensitive areas for further attention later. He traced large, rounded canine teeth and incisors with sensitive gums; smooth, wet cheeks; the slightly ridged roof; and the slick, slightly rough tongue that tangled with his. He didn’t stop his assault until Emerald was truly pinned to the wall and making muffled growling sounds. Smoke had trouble pulling back. Having that tall, strong body go limp and accommodating in his arms was causing serious short circuits in his brain.

“Anything interesting going on over there?” Smoke drawled once he had enough breath to speak. He almost chuckled when the dreamy green eyes, so close to his own, widened in shock and Emerald struggled to stand upright as he remembered just where they were. Smoke pulled back casually and they started to walk again. He allowed himself a quick glance at what had interested Emerald so much. Ah! The gates to the place they had broken into. There didn’t seem to be any particular excitement there, so it looked like their visit was still unnoticed. Which was good. Smoke dismissed the mansion and its guards and concentrated on the real problem. They walked in silence for a while until they were well away from the walled compounds of the very rich and were moving through a neighbourhood of prosperous homes.

“Next time you kiss me,” Smoke said conversationally, keeping all trace of irritation out of his voice, “It had better be because you want to and not because you want some convenient cover to check something else out.”

“Oh?” Emerald turned his head enough to meet his eyes. “You weren’t worried that we might have tripped an alarm?”

“Not particularly,” Smoke shrugged, trying not to notice how well he fitted underneath Emerald’s arm that was once again resting comfortably across him shoulders. “It was too quiet for that. They would have released the dogs or at least patrolled the gardens.”

“Maybe.” Emerald shrugged in return, his arm tightening slightly around Smoke with the movement. “Better to be sure though.”

Smoke didn’t bother answering with anything more than another shrug. He had always found that if he was discovered in any of his uninvited visits, it was pretty obvious, pretty quickly. He was almost disappointed that they didn’t have to run for it tonight. He had a feeling that running with Emerald would be good fun, but they might have been forced to split up to avoid pursuit; which wouldn’t have suited his plans at all. He shrugged off his irritation and went back to contemplating all the things he wanted to do with Emerald once they got to his place. They left the residential area and entered the high price shopping district, cutting through the pedestrian squares with their decorative plantings and pretty benches. The shops were all closed at this hour, security shutters locked down and displaying vids of the normal stock with quiet tasteful music and descriptions. Emerald tensed slightly as they strolled past a security patrol, but his steps never faltered, staying perfectly matched to Smoke’s.

The further they walked, the less exclusive the shops became and the less discrete their advertising. Smoke felt something deep inside begin to relax as they returned to areas he was more comfortable in. Emerald pulled him to a stop in the shade of a straggling tree and backed him up against the thin trunk. Smoke tilted his head to one side and looked up at him in question.

“Because I want to,” Emerald murmured and leaned down that extra little bit to seal his mouth to Smoke’s lips. Smoke returned the kiss enthusiastically. Emerald was really paying attention this time! He felt rather light headed when Emerald finally pulled back, and very glad of the support of the tree trunk. They both panted, foreheads resting together, noses brushing as they waited for the world to steady. Emerald raised a hand to cup Smoke’s jaw, his thumb smoothing the short fur along his cheek bone, and long fingers rubbing gently at the base of his ear. Smoke tilted his head into the caress, demanding more from the fingers. His eyes drifted closed as all the right places around his ear received attention. He sighed in disappointment when the talented hand dropped to rest on his shoulder, and forced his eyes open. Emerald was watching him with the faintest of smiles, beautiful eyes soft beneath the ragged fall of shining, dark hair.

“I could stand a lot of that,” Smoke told him, rubbing his chin across the hand on his shoulder.

“Really? I would never have guessed,” Emerald blinked at him, one side of his mouth quirking up more.

“Let’s get back to my place, Emerald” Smoke breathed, brushing his lips across that half smile, “And I can find out where you like to be scratched.”

“My name is Tyr.”

“Hello Tyr, I’m Smoke,” he grinned up at him and pushed away from the tree. Tyr fell back reluctantly and turned to walk with him. “Though I think Emerald suits you.”

Tyr rolled his eyes at that comment and raked his free hand through his hair, clearing the messy strands from one eye and covering the other. They walked a bit faster, no longer just strolling along.

“How long have you been following me?” Tyr asked casually, breaking their silence and disturbing Smoke’s contemplation of just what he wanted to do with the long, lean body brushing his.

“Since you left the tavern tonight. Why?” Smoke glanced up at Tyr but could not read anything from the hair concealed profile. He was beginning to realise just how few expressions marred that smooth face. Tyr’s face radiated a pleasant calmness nearly all the time; except when he had just been kissed, emotions showed up then. But otherwise the changes that signalled his mood were almost invisible

“I just wondered. You are good.” Tyr shrugged and lapsed back into silence.

“Just wait and I’ll show you just how good I am!” Smoke waited until Tyr glanced at him to smirk and lick his lips. Tyr shook his head and looked away, but not before Smoke saw the quick quirk of his almost smile. He was hopeful that he could be good enough to get a full smile out of Tyr before morning. Although a scream would be good too. Maybe begging…

“What?” Tyr was looking at him again with that faint crease between his eyebrows that seemed to mean a frown.

“Just wondering how far up those legs of yours go,” Smoke stared at the lower half of the leather coat suggestively.

“Right up to my ass.” Tyr muttered, steering them around a group of happy revellers spilling out of a bar.

“That’s just what I was hoping!” Smoke purred and chuckled at the look Tyr gave him.

*
“Just where is your place?” Tyrak muttered. They were approaching the port. Very few people tried to sleep this close to the busy facility, the constant noise of ships arriving and departing made it difficult to rest. He had expected his companion to steer them to one of the many hotels or guest houses that served the port and city, but now they were heading for one of the personnel gates that lead into the port itself. He had almost forgotten the suspicions that had prompted him to accept Smoke’s proposition outside the Imparian Ambassador’s residence. They all came flooding back as Smoke keyed them through the secure gate and waved to the guard.

“Nearly there!” Smoke grinned and squeezed Tyrak’s hip. The activity around the ships was muted at this time of night and mostly automated. They dodged softly beeping auto-trucks delivering supplies and saw people at a distance, but did not pass any other living breathing beings as Smoke led the way through the organised chaos of the crew areas. They wound through the labyrinth until they reached the area for small couriers and pleasure craft. Tyrak forced himself to stay relaxed and act as though his only concern was getting laid; but all his senses were on high alert. The itch between his shoulder blades was back, he hadn’t noticed it disappear. When had he relaxed enough in Smoke’s company to lose the caution? What better way of compromising his mission than to capture him and take him off planet? He should have opted for a drink rather than Smoke’s ‘place’; but at the time keeping out of sight had seemed the better idea. He was fairly certain he could overpower the smaller man, if necessary; he was carrying more than enough weapons to deal with any small scale apprehension attempt. But entering a potentially hostile ship was another matter. He had to keep Smoke under observation and if that meant risking the confined quarters of a ship, then so be it. Everything about this mission was too damned convenient. Smoke might be just what he seemed, an opportunistic fool who wanted to get laid, or he might be something much more dangerous to Tyrak’s mission.

“Here we are, home sweet home,” Smoke said proudly, halting at the ramp of a fast courier. Tyrak blinked and studied the small ship. He thought it was a type 3c hull but it was hard to tell under the garish, swirling patterns that covered the surface under the permaglas shell. This was an expensive toy for someone who was capable of following Tyrak from the tavern and into the Ambassador’s residence without being detected; or maybe not. But this was not the ship anyone would use if they didn’t want to be noticed. Another contradiction.

“Welcome to the Purrsis,” Smoke guided him up the ramp and slapped the control plate. Tyrak let himself be steered through the small airlock door and across to the inner door. Most ships disabled the airlock controls when planetside, but the Purrsis was still in space mode. The outer door hissed shut behind them and there was a pause before an inner door slid open. Smoke led him inside and pounced. Tyrak reacted instinctively, throwing his attacker away and reaching for his weapons.

“Shit! If you’re a Jacker, you’ve picked the wrong ship!” Smoke glared up at him from the floor. “My cargo doesn’t load until morning and the ship is fully coded to me.”

Tyrak blinked and slowly relaxed. There weren’t any signs of anyone else waiting to restrain him, just Smoke and a small, striped feline sitting further along the corridor watching them. There was a faintly acrid tang in the air but he had noticed the same scent on Smoke while they were walking. And kissing, his mind added primly, but he ignored that.

“Sorry,” Tyrak held out a hand to help Smoke up, “You startled me.” Smoke eyed him suspiciously before cautiously taking his hand and letting Tyrak pull him to his feet.

“Do you always attack first and ask questions later?” Smoke watched him warily as he rubbed his ass with his free hand.

“Usually,” Tyrak shrugged and looked around some more. The short corridor they were standing in was painted a soft blue rather than the normal utilitarian grey of most ships but there was little else to see. There were two closed doors on the right and, beyond them, a ladder fixed to the end wall. His attention snapped back to Smoke as he moved closer.

“So, if I don’t startle you…” Smoke spoke slowly and moved closer still, sliding his arm around Tyrak’s waist, “Is there a chance of getting… kissed?”

“Maybe,” Tyrak allowed some of his amusement to show as he looked down at the triangular face tilted hopefully towards him. He bent his head and met the waiting lips, watching the sapphire eyes drift shut as Smoke put all his attention into the kiss. Tyrak let his own eyelids droop as the now familiar tongue filled his mouth and he breathed in the scent of fur. He pulled Smoke closer and suppressed a moan as the pliant body moulded to his own. He was surprised to find that he could be gentle, his fingers tracing the delicate contours of Smoke’s face lightly, while his blood roared in his veins and his thoughts were all of possession and claiming. A form of sanity returned as he felt his coat begin to slide down his arms. He tore his mouth away and leant his head back against the wall he didn’t remember being this close. Smoke took advantage of his bared neck to explore with lips and tongue, even as he continued to tug at the coat.

“Not here,” Tyrak panted peeling the furry octopus from his body and holding him at arms length. Wide dark eyes blinked at him and slowly intelligence replaced some of the burning lust. Tyrak counted limbs and found only four, not the eight it had seemed like. But something was still touching his leg. He glanced down to find a grey furred tail brushing against him.

“Okay,” Smoke stopped trying to wrap himself around Tyrak and continue where he had left off. “Those legs deserve better than cold deckplates. C’mon!” He grabbed Tyrak’s hand and towed him to the ladder before letting go to climb. He stopped two rungs up to lean down for a stinging kiss and then climbed quickly. Tyrak followed close behind him, admiring the view. He had to drop back a little further as the tip of the tail swung back and forth brushing his nose if he was too close. It was difficult to tear his eyes away from it and glance at the decks they passed. He saw a couple more small felines but no-one else as they climbed. Smoke swung off the ladder at the third deck and waited impatiently for him to join him. Tyrak managed not to react badly when his hand was grabbed and he was hauled a few steps along a more richly decorated corridor to a door that opened as Smoke slapped the plate. There was dark blue carpet under foot and the walls were covered with a lighter blue. Tyrak trailed his fingers over the plush material as he was dragged into what looked like Smoke’s quarters. Another small feline brushed against his legs as it left the cabin. And then the door hissed shut behind him and his arms were full of Smoke.

“Now!” Smoke growled as their lips met again. They stumbled towards the bed, shedding clothes haphazardly as hands and mouths raced across newly exposed territory. Tyrak discovered that kissing fur wasn’t as pleasant as kissing bare skin; but Smoke wasn’t completely covered with fur, his chest and belly were nearly hairless, and the palms of his hands were rough skin rather than fur. Tyrak let his hands roam over furred muscle as his mouth tasted hot skin. He was intrigued with the small pink nipples which marched in two rows down Smoke’s chest to his belly. Tyrak took the time to taste all six of them as he worked his way down Smoke’s torso. The last one didn’t get as much attention because he was drawn to another unfurred portion of anatomy. Smoke’s cock rose hard, red and glistening from a bed of short fur. It was slick against his tongue, he growled softly and sucked it into his mouth. Smoke let out a muffled yowl and his hips bucked as Tyrak hollowed his cheeks, tracing the unfamiliar contours with his tongue. Rational though ceased about then as Smoke deep throated him and they settled into a mutually satisfying rhythm for the short time it took for both of them to come.

Tyrak forced his eyes open, once he decided that he was still alive, and stared at the sight before him. His cheek was pillowed on a furry thigh, one hand was cupping Smoke’s rapidly softening cock, while his other hand had a firm grip on the tail. As he watched, the cock retracted slowly into Smoke’s body, leaving only a puckered entrance almost hidden by short thick fur. He snickered at the disconcerting sight. If there hadn’t been a set of furry balls in front of his eyes it would have been difficult to tell that Smoke was male. He moved his head back slightly and nearly laughed.

“Wha’?” Smoke stopped his absent minded licking and craned his head to peer at the grinning Tyrak.

“Nothing.” Tyrak shook his head and tried to stop grinning.

“What?” Smoke changed position in a flurry of limbs, sleepy satisfaction giving way to instant curiosity as he pinned Tyrak to the bed and stared at him demandingly, nose to nose.

“Just a silly thought,” Tyrak tried to reverse their positions but Smoke had him pinned and was a lot stronger than he had anticipated.

“I like silly thoughts. I have a lot of them, so tell me!”

“You’ll just get offended.”

“Tell me! Or…”

“Or?” Tyrak could feel himself tensing for battle. His earlier suspicions not completely erased by a spectacular blow job.

“Or I’ll tickle you until you do!” Smoke threatened, transferring both of Tyrak’s wrists to one hand and wriggling his now free fingers suggestively.

“Oh!” Tyrak blinked. He couldn’t remember anyone threatening to tickle him into submission before. But it was a threat he didn’t want to risk. “From where I was lying it could be difficult to tell which way up you were…”

Smoke blinked and released his hands.

“That’s what the tail is for…” he smirked, “And it isn’t a problem if I am suitably motivated.” He leered happily and swooped in for a kiss, which developed into some satisfying mutual explorations. Tyrak was fascinated with the differences between them. Although he had to admit that telling which way up Smoke was, when it came to it, wasn’t a problem at all.

*

The morning wake-up chimes sounded much too soon for Smoke. He felt like he had only just gone to sleep. The warm body burrowing into his reminded him why he had so little time to sleep last night. He basked in the memories until the annoying chimes forced him to get out of bed. He stamped across the room and slapped the strategically placed plate to silence them. He yawned and stretched slowly, savouring all the little aches from the night. He scratched one ear and looked back at the bed. Tyr was sprawled face down across the mattress with his head under a pillow. The sheet was wrapped loosely around one leg, leaving the rest of him displayed nicely. Smoke scratched slowly down his chest as he let his gaze roam over those long toned legs, taut ass, narrow waist and wide shoulders. He took one step back towards the bed before he remembered that his cargo was loading this morning, which was why he had set the alarm. Grousing under his breath he headed into the bathroom to clean up and get ready for the day.

He was disappointed to find that Tyr was sitting on the edge of the bed, half dressed, when he emerged from the bathroom. He walked over and straddled his lap before leaning in for a good morning kiss. Things were progressing nicely when the damned alarm went off again. Smoke cursed and reluctantly pulled away from Tyr to stalk across the room to silence it again.

“I take it you aren’t a morning person?” Tyr commented, standing up and fastening his pants again.

“Stupid cargo handlers can’t work at a civilised time,” Smoke groused. He checked the time and grudgingly decided that there really wasn’t time to separate Tyr from his pants before he had to deal with the cargo. “I’ll make some breakfast. Kitchen is up one deck, first door. Help yourself to what you need in the bathroom.”

The deputation of little cousins waiting for him didn’t improve his mood. They were all curious and insisted on sniffing him closely as he tried to prepare some sort of breakfast, without much success. Even the little cousins refused to eat the mess he ended up with. Smoke sighed and reached into a cupboard for flight rations. A sudden surge of interest from the little cousins made him turn around. Tyr was leaning on the doorframe, grinning at the plate on the floor.

“I never said I could cook,” Smoke shrugged and tossed him a ration bar. Tyr caught it easily and sauntered into the kitchen, despite the little cousins weaving around his feet. Smoke felt tired and grumpy, but Tyr looked rested and pleasantly cheerful. It just wasn’t fair. “If you can find anything you’d rather have, you’re welcome to it!” Smoke gestured to the cabinets and dropped onto a seat to eat his own berry flavour bar.

“Hmm?” Tyr looked at him and raised his one visible eyebrow. “I thought you had work to take care of?”

“I meant food, not me!” Smoke found himself feeling more cheerful. Cooking was an over rated skill, he was good at much more interesting things. “But if you want to stick around…”

“I’d like to but…” Tyr’s voice replied from inside a cupboard as he investigated the kitchen contents. “Unfortunately I have something to take care of too.”

“Oh.” Smoke’s cheerful mood evaporated. What was the matter with him? He had had his fun, why did he want to keep this one? Normally he wasn’t worried if they stayed or went. Why did he want Tyr to stay?

Tyr heated two drinks and passed one to him, before sliding into the seat opposite. They ate in silence and then both started to speak at once.

“When…”

“If you…”

The moment was lost when their conversation was aborted by an insistent buzz announcing the cargo handlers had arrived. Smoke swore and headed down to the cargo bay to supervise, taking the remains of his breakfast with him. His mood must have communicated itself to the handling crew because they followed his instructions without the normal arguments. He was standing to one side glowering at them when Tyr stepped through the hatch from the living quarters. He was fully dressed and wearing his coat. Smoke’s ears flattened and he considered just locking Tyr into one of the vacant cargo pods until later; but only for a moment. He was being stupid. He walked over and looked up into the one visible emerald eye, trying to engrave this man on his memory.

“I have to be going…” Tyr didn’t look or sound like he wanted to go any more than Smoke wanted him to leave.

“Yeah. Here’s a ship band to get you through the gate,” Smoke handed him the band. “It’ll get you back in again, if you want… I lift at 0500 Standard, mid-afternoon here. I’m running to Liparis, if you wanted to come along. There’s more than enough room. And you’d be welcome…” he stumbled to a halt. He had never offered to take anyone with him before for free.

“I might just take you up on that,” Tyr murmured, leaning forward to kiss him. “Thank you.” He caressed Smoke’s cheek softly before turning away and striding out of the main hatch. Smoke drifted to the top of the ramp, ignoring the raucous comments of the handling crew as he watched Tyr stride away, leather coat flaring around his ankles. Just before he vanished around a corner, he turned and raised one hand in farewell. Smoke returned the gesture and stood there for several moments staring blindly at nothing. He let his hand fall and blinked a few times before turning back to vent his temper on the handling crew.