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and it reminded him of the sexual moments he d had during the war. A stolen moment
here, an hour in a bunk there. Quick, hot and hard had always gotten him off, and this
was no exception.
He tried to hold back, wanted to make this one good for Reynau. Then the other
man gave a stuttering cry and came. His body twitched, cock shooting streams of come
across Dougaln s hand and spraying against the wall.
Dougaln groaned. With Reynau still trembling in his arms, he couldn t hold
back, couldn t do anything except follow his lover into release. His blood surged in his
veins, the need to spill himself too great to deny. One final thrust and he came,
Adera Orfanelli Singing Up the Sun - 38 -
shuddering, crying out, not caring if his cries echoed, or if the never-ending din of the
reclamation system seemed to halt and listen to the two lovers in the cove.
Panting, the two men slumped together. Somehow, Dougaln managed to step
back, pull up his pants and get them fastened around his waist. He bent, lightheaded
from his recent exertion, and handed Reynau back his pants. His lover dressed silently,
his attention never leaving Dougaln.
Together, they stumbled to the bench on which they d been sitting and sat down.
Didn t have that in mind when I suggested we walk, Reynau said between
panting breaths. He wiped his forehead, brushing aside his sweat-plastered hair.
Dougaln reached over and smoothed several strands of hair behind Reynau s
ear, the action tender and intimate. What did you have in mind?
Don t know. Hadn t really thought about it. Reynau leaned back against the
wall and stretched his arm companionably around Dougaln s shoulders. Suppose we
could have gone back to quarters and talked or something& His words trailed off into
hopeful silence.
I think we already did the or something . Dougaln spoke softly, the thoughts
of going back to quarters, specifically his quarters, making his stomach twist into knots.
Besides, the gardens are peaceful this time of night. He thought the words sounded
like something Reynau might think.
Silence met his words. Dougaln snuck glances at Reynau. Dinner, the gift, quick
public sex& things seemed to have changed between them. Bringing Reynau back to
his quarters sounded nice, if he had a place of which he could be proud. Dinner in,
maybe sex, maybe even see if one of the station s vid channels actually was showing
something decent instead of old documentaries about the war. Something downright
normal. He swallowed hard. He hadn t thought in those terms since before the war.
Reynau had gone silent, though. And that didn t sit well with Dougaln.
Hey, he said. I was only jok -- At the look in Reynau s eyes, Dougaln bit off
his word, adding, teasing.
Reynau remained quiet.
Adera Orfanelli Singing Up the Sun - 39 -
Would you like to go back to your quarters? Dougaln asked. Talk to me. Don t
do silent. I hated that in the military when the unit guys would shut down. Usually meant bad
shit was coming.
No, Reynau replied. I d like to go back to yours.
* * *
The instant the words left his mouth, Reynau wished he could pull them back.
Dougaln stiffened beside him, then stood abruptly.
No. I don t think that s a good idea, Dougaln said, his words short and
snappish. He frowned and ran his fingers through his hair. You don t want to see my
quarters.
Maybe I do. Reynau stood, wincing at the tiny aches in his body. As much as
he d enjoyed the sex, and he had, the public display left him uncomfortable. Too much
training and doctrine and not enough living, he supposed. You ve already seen mine.
He glanced down the walkway.
Then you know what mine look like. Unless you live in the nicer sections, they
all look alike. Dougaln shifted his weight from side to side.
Kind of like the way his gift made Reynau aware of the heavy weight in his
pocket. It pulled him off balance, made him think things that maybe weren t on
Dougaln s mind. On his world, the exchange of gifts meant something. It wasn t
something done for no reason at all. Reaching into his pocket, he curled his fingers
around the carving and traced one of the edges. Drawing a deep breath, he started to lift
it out of his pocket. I still think we should go to your quarters.
Why? Dougaln barked the question. Why is it so important for you?
I showed you mine. I thought you might want to do the same. Reynau bit his
lip and stepped back. But if you don t want to&
Quarters are quarters. Where a man lives doesn t define him. It isn t him.
Dougaln inched away.
Adera Orfanelli Singing Up the Sun - 40 -
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