Five: Alanka
"What the hell, HUE?"
Gary stumbled to his feet as a shower of pink and purple gravel peppered his hair and found its way down his shirt. Grumbles and muffled curses rose up as Avocato was likewise caught in the colorful cross-fire.
"Ack!" hissed the Ventrexian, rubbing his eye with the heel of his hand and blinking to loosen some errant grit. "HUE!"
"Huzzah!" cheered the robot, tossing another handful of improvised confetti into the air. "Huzzah again!"
"Cut it out!" ordered Gary, swiping at his hair to loosen the shower of dirt that had landed in it.
"One more," said HUE, tossing a last handful on high. "Huzzah!"
"Nnnnya." Avocato was down, his head bent as he struggled to clear his vision as it rained gravel. He squirmed in discomfort. "Agh! It's down my armor . . ."
"HUE, you better have a damned good reason for pelting us with rocks," snapped Gary, billowing his shirt to dislodge the pebbles. He crouched in front of Avocato to check his eye.
"I do. The best reason," assured the robot, waddling away without a word of explanation.
Avocato squinted up at Gary in disbelief, looking for an answer that wasn't forthcoming. Completely without a clue, Gary shrugged helplessly, releasing Avocato and standing.
"Lemme get some water to flush that out, Cato. Hold tight."
He ran back a few dozen meters where they had dropped their improvised pack in the so-called shade, hoping to keep the water at least tepid and that the torpedo worms they'd brought for lunch would crawl off. No such luck. The water was bordering hot and the worms were too stupid to escape an open bag. Gary grabbed the bottle of water he and Avocato were sharing and hurried back to where they were improvising a radio transmitter out of salvaged materials. They had a radio, which the kids were working on fixing, and Gary had dragged Avocato along to jury rig a transmitter. Avocato had questioned exactly what they would transmit. When Gary said an SOS, it was pointed out to him that there was no guarantee that they wouldn't call down Titans or worse.
"We might contact someone who can help!"
"Or wants to kill us."
"Then we steal their ship."
"IF they even have a ship."
"Ships have radios."
"Fine."
Rolling his eyes, Avocato had given up the fight and helped. It was something to pass the time, if nothing else.
Avocato hadn't moved from where he'd dropped. "It's beyond warm, but it'll help," Gary said, giving the water a shake. "Look up."
Carefully, doing his best not to waste any of the liquid, Gary gently rinsed out Avocato's affected eye. The one-time warlord blinked rapidly, then sighed when relief came.
"Thanks."
Gary plunked down beside him, offering a drink of sun-baked recycled water. Avocato saluted with the bottle, then drank a little.
"Your turn. Any idea what that was about?" As he spoke, Avocato stood and opened the seals holding his body armor in place, stripping off the heavy gear. Gary noted he deliberately positioned himself to block the sun to spare Gary's eyes from the brightness of two suns.
"No idea, amigo," admitted Gary, enjoying the show. He took a swig of water in a vain attempt to hide his reaction. Avocato was rarely out of his armor, but Gary always appreciated the sight when it did happen because to put it mildly, Avocato was ripped. Like, jaw-droppingly ripped.
Right now, however, he was also pissed as he twitched his shoulders. "Argh. Down my shirt. Really, HUE?"
Off came the shirt and up went Gary's blood pressure. Thank god they were married.
"Come here," he ordered, waving Avocato back down. He shifted to sit behind the Ventrexian and, starting at the base of Avocato's neck, combed his fingers through that thick teal fur, back and forth in quick swipes to loosen the gravel and dirt. Some pink pebbles were shaken loose along with dust and a small cloud of teal hair as Gary worked all the way down to the base of Avocato's tail. The action also had the added bonus of a back scratch and massage, a lethal combination that came near to melting Avocato into a puddle of relaxed bliss. He leaned back into Gary's arms with a happy groan.
"That was fantastic, baby."
Gary snorted a little laugh, enjoying Avocato's reaction. "Should I do it again?"
A moan this time, and a longing, "Yes!"
In truth, he was indulging himself more than Avocato. Pushing the limp Ventrexian up with both hands and an exaggerated grunt, Gary started with a slow, deep massage he knew Avocato would not be able to resist. Ventrexians had a great appreciation for a good back rub, and Gary happened to be the master.
Twenty minutes later, his husband had been rendered completely useless for all practical purposes outside of, say, a doorstop or ballast. Mission accomplished. Despite the building heat of the day, Gary hugged Avocato close, resting his chin on the Ventrexian's shoulder to relish the feel of powerful muscles beneath soft fur, a trim waist, and that wonderful, too-long tail wrapped around his wrist.
"I could forgive HUE right now," rumbled Avocato, his eyes closed in contentment. "Hell, I might even thank him."
Gary laughed, nuzzling close. "Don't fall asleep out here, Cato. It's too hot even for you."
Not quite willing to move yet, Avocato pinned Gary's hands about his middle, pulling him closer. "In a minute."
He didn't argue. It was so nice, so reassuring and encouraging to actually be able to spend time just being a family. To spend time learning what being a family actually meant. Even if it meant different things for each of them, they all needed it. Desperately. Gary had his kids, his mom, his husband, his hopefully-his-girlfriend, and his facehugger. Tribore pulled double duty as the weird aunt and uncle that made Thanksgiving memorable. KVN existed to annoy, of course, and HUE was just wallowing as his body disintigrated. Despite the situation and nothing but worms to eat and everyone trying to deal with trauma of one sort or another, Gary was the happiest he'd been since those last few weeks as a prisoner on the Galaxy 1. That had been the start of this offbeat family, and he loved them utterly regardless of how flawed or moody or weird they were. Except KVN.
And strange as it was to accept, they all seemed to love him back, each in their way, KVN included, unfortunately. Even his mom tolerated him. Sorta. It was awkward, but she wasn't trying to kill him, at least, and they were talking. Gary was fairly sure Avocato had exchanged a few choice words with Sheryl Goodspeed – and by words, he meant threats – about how she treated her son, because overnight she went from snippy to making an effort to get along. Imagining that scene just made Gary love Avocato that much more, and not just because a pissy Ventrexian was a damned sexy Ventrexian. Until Avocato, no one had ever stood up for Gary besides his father. It was as heady as it was endearing.
"C'mon, Cato. We need to shelter before we're broiled. I told Quinn we'd find shade up here and be back for dinner."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
They returned to the remains of the Crimson Light as the twin suns were setting, staining the rocks the color of wine. Gary and Avocato were about halfway done with their project. Neither was sure it would work, but it would give them something to focus on for the time being. Avocato had insisted on rigging the whole unit to explode, just in case unfriendlies came looking for the source of any future transmissions. He used the power core from the wrecked ship's upper gun turret. Weapon power packs couldn't be adapted without specialized equipment, so despite their reserved energy, they were useless otherwise. May as well put them to work, Avocato-style.
"Any luck with the radio?" asked Gary, taking a seat between Quinn and Little Cato. He grimaced as Quinn smiled apologetically and handed him a torpedo worm.
"We, uh, got a little distracted," Little Cato confessed. He didn't elaborate.
Fox looked up from trying to teach his dinner tricks. "We should know tomorrow if it'll work like we think. If not, we'll stop thinking and come up with something new."
Sheryl wrestled her mouthful of worm down her throat, followed quickly by a long drink. It was really the only way to get them down. The worms regenerated about three or four bites worth before wriggling spasmodically and keeling over. So far Ash and Tribore were the only ones to make it past five bites. She waved her regrown worm in Gary's direction, saying,
"I understand congratulations are in order, kiddo."
"Out of jail for a year?" suggested Gary with a laugh.
"Not quite yet," HUE corrected. "It is, however, your and Avocato's wedding anniversary."
"Seriously?" he squeaked, delighted. He'd totally lost track of . . . damn near everything but surviving one day to the next.
"So that's why you were pelting us with rocks?" Avocato demanded.
"That was confetti. You just choose to interpret it as rocks," was the AI's lofty reply. Avocato rolled his eyes and shook his head, not really mad since he got a backrub out of the deal. Gary grinned at the exchange.
"Well, congrats, Dads," said Little Cato. "Next year, let's celebrate anywhere else." He saluted with his cup of water. Everyone agreed with both sentiments and followed suite, toasting the captain and the general. Mooncake flew in for a facehug from his favorite person, then chattered happily at Avocato.
"How long has this been a thing?" Sheryl asked.
"A year," said Gary.
"Ten years," said Avocato at the same time.
"Since we met last year."
"Ten years ago," the general corrected.
They exchanged an amused look and smiled. Said the Ventrexian, "Depends on who you ask."
"You're definitely married," muttered Tribore.
"I'll make it easy, Mom," said Gary. "Eleven years."
Sheryl barked a laugh. "Either you two can't do maths, or there's a hell of a lot more to this story."
"Both," said Gary.
"I can add, Goodspeed," grumbled his husband.
"You prove my point, Avocato." He glanced at Quinn. He'd told her about him and Avocato when Avocato had been down with a fever, about their field marriage entered into with equal parts of ignorance and desperation to protect Little Cato. She had listened quietly to Gary's awkward explanation, nodding now and then to confirm her understanding, finally concluding,
"I can see it. It's a good match, Gary."
He smiled faintly. "It actually is."
"You sound surprised."
"i was. Still am." Nervously, he looked at the obnoxiously colored ground and ran a hand through his hair. "It's an old Ventrexian thing. He called it a field marriage. It happened, like, less than a week after we met, only he didn't say anything because he knew what was going to happen, plus I was all hung up on . . . oh, it's really confusing, but we met in the past and he realized then we were married last year . . . his future . . . and . . . Got an hour? It's a long story." He gave an anxious laugh. "Definitely one of those moments nothing can prepare you for."
"We've had a lot of those and we've weathered the storm pretty well."
More than a little shy and self-conscious, Gary muttered, "Does make me kinda wish I could turn off the emotions as easily as I turn them on."
Quinn got his meaning instantly. He still cared for her. Deeply. And he loved Avocato. And Little Cato. And he never wanted to lose any part of this ridiculous and unconventional family now surrounding him. Reaching out, she gave his hand a squeeze.
"No, you don't. And who says you have to?"
He blinked, gobsmacked. Nightfall had said something similar, but he never expected Quinn to be as relaxed about . . . all of this as her older self.
Crap on a cracker. She hadn't shut him down or slapped him into next week in any not-flirty way. Holy food for thought.
To Gary's relief, sitting in a circle with the family, Quinn met his eye over Little Cato's turquoise crest of hair and this time, her smile was for real.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
They sat up late into the night. Not having any means to actually celebrate the event of their impromptu marriage, Gary and Avocato simply spent time together. A slowly dimming, solar-powered heater/lamp illuminated their campsite. It was soon outstripped by the stars and and moons and glowing nebulae overhead. The temperature was dropping, and Gary snuggled close to Avocato. Something about Avocato's expression, the way he smiled as he looked from the gorgeous stellar display to his husband's face, stirred a memory in Gary. It took a few moments for him to pinpoint the moment, thinking back a little over two months prior and wondering if Avocato could remember from ten years ago.
"Hey, Cato?"
"Yes?"
"Remember on Zee Secundus, what you said to me when I found out you could dance?"
There was a pause as the warlord searched his memories, then, "Get me back, then ask me."
"Wanna dance?" he asked with a smile, awed by such recall.
"We need music," Avocato reminded quietly.
Gary sat up. "Hey, HUE!"
The AI, who remained on watch overnight with KVN, came waddling over. "Yes, Gary?"
"You got any music recorded?"
"Negative. However, this afternoon Fox and Little Cato were experimenting with various gauges of wire and scraps of metal. They had me record some of their efforts. While not exactly a symphony, it may suffice."
Gary stood, then gave Avocato a hand up. "Let's hear it."
Pitched softly so as not to disturb the rest of the crew, HUE played back the recording. Tinny, twangy chords reached their ears. It was organic sounding, not unpleasant or jarring, just metal striking rock and metal, wires plucked and struck in simple patterns. They must have stretched wires over all the bowls and cups available. Fox's voice, chanting and crooning in wordless song, and Little Cato beatboxing helped hold the musical effort together.
Avocato cocked his head, his ears far forward to catch every nuance. "I can work with that. Can you slow it down a little, HUE, and just loop it?"
The robot complied. Avocato listened a little longer, getting a feel for the rhythms and timing, then looked at Gary.
"A lot of formal Ventrexian dances have a point," he said, facing Gary and holding his hand out palm-up. He nodded to Gary to do the same, and with his other hand, positioned Gary so they were wrist-to-wrist. "This is called an alanka on Ventrexia. You want to move together with the music without breaking contact. Follow me."
With the grace born of strength and endless training, Avocato slowly slid his arm along the back of Gary's. Then they were back-to-back, still gliding together, all the way down the other hand. Their fingers twined, warm against cold. Avocato kept as much eye contact as he could, so Gary followed along, seeing starlight reflected in those large, yellow eyes. Avocato swept his arm upward, making Gary step in until they were close enough to kiss . . .
But, no, instead Avocato ran the back of his other hand delicately down the side of Gary's face, his neck, to his collar bone. The touch sent his heart racing. He blinked, forcing himself to follow Avocato's lead and touch smooth fur when in fact, all he wanted to do was pounce and have his way with his husband. It was obvious Avocato knew exactly what he wanted. The tease. They hadn't been dancing three minutes and Gary was utterly, wonderfully frazzled.
God, Avocato could dance. If he had known this on the Galaxy 1, they would have spent every waking moment dancing. Captain's orders. This was possibly the hottest encounter of Gary's life. It might be improvised, but it was so damned sexy. Dancing by starlight. Avocato never so much as glanced away from him for a moment, making Gary feel like the center of the universe. The Ventrexian looked as if he wanted to eat Gary whole, and right now Gary would let him. Even this tinny, primal music added to the spell of sound and motion, flowing and touching, love and desire.
He followed Avocato's side lean, peering over his shoulder to see his husband looking back at him.
"Wha-what is the point of this dance?" Gary gasped, unable to speak louder than a whisper.
He leaned the other way, turning his head again. Now Avocato was wearing a wicked smile.
"Seduction," was the reply, said so emphatically that the word became part of the action. An oath. A promise. A given.
Avocato, effortlessly supporting his weight with one arm, leaned far over him as he dipped Gary low.
"Roger that," whimpered Gary, happily at his mercy but hoping he'd have none. God, but he loved Ventrexian body language!
"How do you think I got Little Cato?"
Gary laughed as he was spun out, then yanked back. He let his feet sort themselves out and focused on the hand motions and eye contact. Avocato captured his hands and turned and twisted Gary this way and that. Now his was facing him, now his back was to Avocato's chest, now he was at Avocato's side, always close, always touching, now slowly moving away and tracing his hand down along Avocato's arm until they were wrist-to-wrist as in the beginning. He could feel Avocato's pulse pounding right along with his own. Gary was panting, but not from exertion.
Avocato gestured with a smile, enjoying Gary's reaction. "Alanka."
"That was amazing," he gasped, noting neither of them broke their connection.
"Want to do it again?"
"Oh, hell yeah!"
They started over again . . . and they danced all night.