A/N: Thank you so much for all the lovely comments about this series. I hope your holidays were safe and happy. Onward!
"Remember," Luna's companion advised. "They could be anywhere."
Vaako caught the pistachio Riddick tossed him. Riddick sent, Skittish, beautiful.
Vaako smiled slightly. Indeed. He'll be more apt to shoot one of his own team than you or I.
You realize you can't pick up strays right, Vaako?
Rolling his eyes, Vaako sent, Says the man who gave me a puppy not long ago. He's not made to be a killer ... and he probably won't live till his next birthday.
He chose the life, beautiful.
I know, Riddick. I know. Vaako sent desultorily.
Vaako knew Riddick was right. It only made Vaako more irritated at himself. His lover knew all of Vaako's past, the same as Vaako knew the Furyan's. Thanks to his nightmares, Riddick knew the terrified boy Vaako had been once upon a time and he knew Riddick understood but at the same time, his lover didn't understand everything. Vaako felt fear radiating off the young man in waves. He was still a boy ... a boy trying desperately to fit into a world of men. Men who could kill as easily as they breathed. Luna was capable of killing – Vaako could see the memories of each and every kill the boy had made so far in his short life. Vaako could also feel the intense regret for each life. Nevermind that most, probably all, deserved it and then some -dealing death was not a natural nor easy act for Luna. Eventually, Luna would hestiate at the wrong moment and he would die.
Vaako had learned to never hesitate at the ripe age of ten. He knew then it was possible to kill using his ability but he was afraid to try. The moment of doubt left him strapped to a table at the mercy of an owner with a fetish for telepaths. When Fate gave him another opportunity, Vaako did not hesitate and when he was done, he stood in a room full of bodies bathed in blood. Vaako sighed. That he even gave a fuck what happened to Luna made him wonder if he'd lost his edge ... and would Riddick still want the man he'd become?
*To anybody at the station! I want you to keep an eye on that locker ... keep an eye on the node! Riddick may have made an end run!* Johns' tinny transmission echoed in the station interior. *My ETA is seven minutes but watch your back!*
Riddick eased himself down into the merc station while Vaako kept watch. Santana was studying the locker. Riddick debated ending the merc right then, but decided on a different route instead. He waited until Santana looked away and slipped into the shadows. Vaako frowned as Riddick's thoughts revealed what he was doing.
Riddick, they'll see you!
Not much of a vote of confidence there, beautiful. Riddick pulled himself up into the rafters over head. They ain't gonna see me unless I want 'em to.
Vaako watched as Riddick silently made his way over Santana's head and onto the support beam with Vaako. He pulled Vaako's head back by his braids and kissed his lover deeply, taking his time and enjoying Vaako's taste. The mind that was always in his own began to relax into arousal. Without breaking the kiss, Riddick shifted so that he was over Vaako. They lay easily on the rafter, hidden from the floor below but able to see everything. Riddick paused and looked down at Vaako.
Busy busy in that head o' yours, Vaako, Riddick sent.
Vaako ignored him and tried to pull the Furyan back into the kiss but Riddick resisted. When Vaako frowned at him, Riddick pressed his forehead against the telepath's.
Don't mind you carin', Vaako ... don't you know you're the reason I didn't go hard as stone all them years back? Riddick's heartbeat sped up just a bit. You keep part of me human, beautiful. And once we're done with these fuckers, I think I might just have to thank you for that.
Vaako's lips quirked as he exhaled silently in relief. Riddick suddenly claimed his mouth again. I think I'm beginning to miss Purification, Riddick. Things were much less ... conflicted. Riddick nipped at Vaako's jawline. Don't even, beautiful. Anyone tries to make you a Necro again and I'll rip their fuckin' heart out.
Vaako twitched beneath his lover. Riddick's possessive nature always did make his blood rise. Riddick leaned in and sucked hard against Vaako's neck. Vaako arched upward, fighting to remain silent. Well aware of his mate's growing need, Riddick slowed and popped one eye open. Santana checked the key around his neck, then looked for a good place for a quick nap. Vaako pulled Riddick's attention back to him by reaching between them and palming the Furyan's hard-on. It was Riddick's turn to stifle a groan. He pulled up his goggles and glared at Vaako who only smiled back. Riddick gave his lover a slow grin and jerked Vaako's hand free before replacing it with his own. It took every bit of Vaako's control not to suck in a loud breath as Riddick's hand began a firm and fast stroke over his cock.
Fuck ... Vaako sent dazedly.
Love to, beautiful but we ain't got time ... and you know I promised you I'd pay you back, Riddick sent smugly.
Vaako's eyes widened behind his goggles. But I thought ... the cave ...
What ... you thought I was done? You oughtta know me better than that by now, Riddick sent.
Riddick began sending. Vaako could block him, but they had been together so long it was difficult. And right now, his body was not on board with keeping Riddick out.
Does nothing ... dissuade you ...Riddick? Vaako's sending was erratic as Riddick's mind coated his with a warmth that seemed to spread throughout his body.
Unfortunately, the door opened at that moment and Dahl stalked inside, cocking her gun and muttering to herself. Santana turned to regard her lazily.
"You gonna do what I tell you?" Dahl asked, referring to her order for Santana to take watch.
"Rumor is Riddick might be in the vicinity ... thought I should just check on the locker," Santana replied calmly.
Dahl stiffened. "Get outside, get on your optics, and get after this fucker! You're not going to find him here!"
Vaako grinned. Dahl reminded him of Carolyn Frye. Dahl was a good deal more aggressive and self-assured, but the inner strength was palpable. Carolyn had just come into her own when she died. Hers was one of the few lives that Vaako mourned but her death gave Riddick life and Vaako wouldn't change that for anything. Vaako wanted to graze over Dahl's thoughts to see how much she was similar to Carolyn but he couldn't.
I wish she wasn't wearing that damn disrupt.
What, being bossed around by me ain't good enough anymore? Riddick said with a matching grin.
Perhaps I have a submission kink, Riddick, Vaako replied. He regarded Riddick with a hooded gaze. Too bad we don't have time to find out. He brought his hips up and brushed his erection against Riddick's thigh. Vaako was still drifting in the haze of arousal from Riddick's ealier teasing. The Furyan bit down hard on the inside of his cheek to keep from groaning, then licked a line up the hollow of his lover's throat. Riddick smiled as Vaako fought his own audible response.
I'm gonna finish this, Vaako ... just not right now, Riddick sent.
Looking forward to it, Vaako teased back, enjoying the hot flare of lust from Riddick.
They both shifted when the confrontation between Dahl and Santana intensified. Santana moved toward the door but as he walked close to Dahl he tossed his cigarette at her. Dahl flinched and that gave Santana the opening he needed. Grabbing her head, Santana was able to pull her off-balance and slam Dahl to the floor, one hand on her throat. Santana pinned her with his body weight.
"Acutally, Dahl ... I think we have something in common," Santana growled. "I don't fuck guys either."
Vaako's lip curled into a snarl and Riddick's blade eased out of its sheath. Moments later, Dahl turned the tables neatly on Santana and proceeded to instruct him in the error of his ways. Vaako and Riddick watched from above wincing on Santana's behalf as Dahl landed painful blow after blow. The scent of blood drifted up to them. The two killers were highly amused and had anyone looked up, they would have seen expressions not often witnessed in either man – mirth.
Girl like that ... be a shame to cut her throat, Riddick mused.
Vaako raised an eyebrow. Now who's bringing home strays?
Riddick didn't answer.
While Dahl dealt with Santana, Vaako took care of the communications. No sense inviting anymore company to the party. Attracted by the noise, the rest of Santana's team came into the station. They stared in disbelief and then amusement at their 'shot-caller'. Riddick and Vaako moved back outside. Vaako began to mentally eavesdrop again. He smiled at the rust-colored sky as the mercs continued to be predictable.
Too easy sometimes, Riddick, Vaako sent.
But entertaining, Riddick replied.
The rumble of hoverbikes filled the air as Johns' search party returned. The two convicts waited for the next phase in their mind-fuck to start.
Johns stared at the locker. The words "Fair Trade" were emblazoned on the door just above the explosive lock ... written in blood.
"He wrote that?" Johns asked the group scattered within the station.
"He took out our deep space communications ... all of it." One of Santana's men reported.
Johns indexed the information and glanced around. The communications console was indeed trashed, but he assumed the destruction had been perpetrated on the outside transmitters.
"Who's blood is that? Here ... there and there?" Johns asked, indicating various splashes of crimson around the station.
The men shifted uneasily, revealing Santana. He sat to one side, beside the skull of some nightmare creature collected by a previous team visiting the station. He smoked a cigarette and had the grace to look ... chastised. Somewhat. Johns glanced over at Dahl who shrugged.
"I had to kick his ass again. Sorry." Dahl looked at Santana and then back at Johns. "Not really."
Moss entered the station from his perimeter check. He shook his head. Above him, Vaako and Riddick shared a faint grin. Sometimes it really was too easy.
"Fuck this," Santana muttered. "Let's take a look at this."
Standing, he walked slowly to the locker where the nodes were locked away. His movements indicated that Dahl had landed more than one serious blow. Placing the key in the lock, Santana began to turn it in his prescribed combination. Three clicks and beeps went by uneventfully. Before he could turn the fourth click, Johns called out.
"Stop!" The merc frowned, uneasy. "That key leave your neck?"
Santana sighed. "Never."
John pointed. "Well, the only reason to write 'fair trade' is if he got into that locker and he took something out. Something we need ... like a power node ... which he could then swap for something he needs."
Santana raised his eyebrows. "All that? Wow. Highly unlikely."
Johns walked up to stand by Santana. "Let me connect the dots for you, Santana – here's what I'm saying. If he did get in there somehow ... he was in a position to relock it and change the code."
Diaz offered, "You could be entering the wrong shit, Santana."
"So," Santana began, pressing a knuckle against his jaw where Dahl's fist had loosened more than a couple of molars. "Do you think that sometime during the last few hours he got this off my neck without me noticing ... did whatever he did ... put the fucking key back on my fucking neck without me fucking noticing? Is that what you're saying?"
Sounds like he needs to take vocabulary lessons from you, beautiful, Riddick sent.
I doubt his small brain could hold that many words, Vaako replied.
Riddick's mental chuckle sent a shiver down Vaako's spine. He wished yet again that they could have stayed on this world, alone with one another.
Santana continued his rant. "Where did you get that theory from? A unicorn's ass?"
"There's a reason he is who he is," Moss said quietly.
Riddick lay on his back looking up at the sky with Vaako's head pillowed on his thigh. He knew Vaako wouldn't believe it, but Riddick did wish they could just stay like this ... alone together. Here, Riddick realized he'd found something as close to peace as he figured he'd ever be allowed.
Vaako had chosen to stay by his side when Riddick knew any other lover would have cut and run years ago. He ran over the very short list of lovers he'd actually cared about in his life. None of them could ever hope to hold a candle to his beautiful. As much as Riddick enjoyed Vaako's body, he'd come to love the man's other qualities even more ... most of all, his infuriating tendency to care about others.
Vaako's life had started much differently than Riddick's. Riddick knew only pain, fear and the unrelenting survival instinct since his very birth. Vaako's birth had been welcomed with lavish celebrations and he had known the love of a mother, a father and a younger sister. Vaako had been raised in the warmth and safety of home, something Riddick had never experienced. Riddick had known only survive at all costs throughout his life. The few times he'd allowed himself to care, the bill had come due with a vengeance. He made a vow to never trust anyone but himself. But then he'd met a man in the darkness of a faraway slam ... a man whose eyes and mind cast a light he'd never expected into the black depths of his soul.
Yes, there was a reason he was who he was ... and somehow there was a person in the universe who knew all those dark deeds and loved him regardless. Vaako thought he was Riddick's weakness. If it took him the until his very last breath, he intended to prove the telepath wrong and make him finally see that he was Riddick's heart.
Now who's thinking loudly? Vakko ventured.
With me, beautiful?
Always, Riddick, Vaako replied as he always did wondering at the odd warmth beneath Riddick's thoughts.
The argument below continued with Santana dismissing the awe held by Johns' crew. "He's a convict, not some Zulu warlock!"
Johns' shrugged. "You know what you know."
Vaako grinned. He was sitting in Diaz' mind, 'watching' the proceedings. All of the other mercs saw Santana turn with a disgusted look. He took hold of the key and everyone in the room backed up several steps to be out of range of the explosion. Santana started the turn then flipped around to look at everyone.
"This is crazy! This is fucking crazy!" The first three clicks were good!" Santana protested. "It did not go off!"
Moss chuckled. "You can get three clicks in Russian roulette. Doesn't mean you get four, motherfucker."
"You know what, Santana?" Dahl said cheerfully. "For once, I actually agree with you. I think you're good."
Santana sneered at her. "Shut up." He looked at Diaz. "You. Do you think we're good?"
Diaz took several steps back. "Yeah. I think you're good cuz."
Vaako grinned and looked up at Riddick who was sitting up now, keeping his lover's head in his lap.
I really do like her, Riddick.
Just 'member who you're goin' home with, beautiful. Riddick replied.
Vaako chuckled. As if you'd let me forget.
Dahl sighed tiredly from below. "You're fucking good. Just butch up!"
Santana had lost so much face he was almost beyond humiliation. But his ego wouldn't let his brain tell him to back down from a losing fight.
"Sounds like your department ... lesbo," Satana snarled.
Vaako rolled his eyes. Honestly? How many occupied worlds and this paranoid moron picks this one to visit?
Obviously never been laid without putting up some scratch first, Riddick sent. He's feisty ... you could -
Not if he was the last cock left in the universe, Riddick, Vaako said with a dramatic shudder.
Nobody said you had to bottom, Vaako. Riddick teased.
Vaako moved like lightning and had Riddick pressed down on the roof panel. True ... and I haven't availed myself of the top in some time, Riddick.
Riddick's body tensed beneath his lover's. Vaako felt a familiar heat seeping into Riddick's thoughts. It was true enough that for all but two very memorable instances, Vaako had allowed himself to be the bottom in their relatonship. Still ... judging from the reaction of the body beneath his own ... Riddick remembered rather clearly the times Vaako had been the agressor, taking what he wanted.
Gonna have to make sure you 'avail' yourself when we got time, Vaako ... but can we get back to business before I make sure they hear you all the way to the next system?
Vaako grinned and let Riddick up. While they'd been teasing each other, Santana had managed to open the locker without incident ... just as they'd planned. Vaako glanced down through the skylight just behind the locker. He looked over at his lover.
Time to pay a visit, Riddick. I think there are a couple of power nodes that need a new home.