Love's Journey
Chapter Three
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters
of Marcus and Neroon, or anyone else from
Babylon 5.
Authors notes: Rated PG-13 Contains
slash: two males in a romantic/sexual
(although not explicit) relationship. If
this offends you please turn back now.
…… denotes thoughts
Sitting alone with Neroon in the conference room amplified my nerves, so that it was taking all of my concentration to keep my composure. I'm not sure if I did an adequate job because I couldn't help the nervous twitching of my leg under the table.
"Come. I will show you to my quarters, since you insist on guarding me while I sleep." I ignored Neroon's indignant grumbling as he led me out into the hallway.
"Look I'm sorry my presence inconveniences you and your wife, but I told Delenn that you would make it to the Ascension alive, and you will."
"That was the reason I specifically requested you at my side, I would have expected no less Marcus. I was simply trying to figure out Maiko's agenda from his reaction to you. But rest assured you are not disturbing me and I have no wife or consort to disturb. If I did they would be with me on this journey."
"What's the difference between a wife and a consort?" I asked, unfamiliar with the term, as it applied to Minbari.
"A consort is the male equivalent to a wife, or on Minbar, a life mate." Neroon explained as we took one last turn before we passed the guards and entered his quarters.
"I didn't think Minbari were that tolerant, especially considering I hadn't heard of any gay couples on Minbar during my anla'shoc training or since then," I ventured, all the while wondering how a thirty-three year old virgin got into a discussion on the merit of gay partners with a Minbari warrior who tried to kill me not too long ago.
"While it isn't common knowledge, it is highly respected among my people. In my case, a mate would take on the title of Caste Leader in my absence. These rights are unique to a consort... Take a seat while I get us a drink."
As he left the room I took stock of my surroundings. Where I expected to find Spartan design with just the essentials, I instead found Neroon's quarters charming. His furniture and trappings suggested a rich personality that I didn't know existed. Most of the furniture in the sitting room was comprised of wood with brown coverings. Overall Neroon's quarters were understated in the extreme. That is why I found myself studying a triangular table-shaped table with a delicate Minbari sculpture balanced precariously on top of it. I had to stare for a full minute before I realized that the 'table' was actually a piece of the statue. Neroon also had an artistically superior tapestry of Valen on one wall. If he only knew he was worshipping Sinclair. Before I could explore the room in detail, Neroon came back in carrying a cup in each hand. After handing me one glass, he sat down on the sofa gazing in my direction.
"Don't you want a family?" I questioned, bringing my mind back to the topic at hand.
"Of course, but I haven't found a worthy mate until recently and I am unsure of how to proceed." Neroon explained. For a second seemingly shy, but I must have imagined it.
"Just take it a step at a time. I am sure she-"
"He."
"...He will be overjoyed to be courted by a high ranking Minbari official." I exclaimed with false enthusiasm. "And if that doesn't work you can impress him with your sparkling personality." I really can't help the sarcasm when he's around me . . Grrr. And I was actually trying to be nice.
"He will just have to get to know me better then." Neroon responded, either not noticing or not caring about my implied insult, my guess would be the latter.
"Well now you have a plan." The rest of my undoubtedly witty comment was cut off by my jaw-cracking yawn.
"We have both had a long, and trying day. I suggest we retire for the night." Neroon said as he took the glass precariously held in my grasp and placed it on the table next to his own.
"Very well." As I bent down to grasp my carry-on bag I saw him smirking at me. He's planning very bad things I can tell.
"This way." Neroon gestured for me to follow him through the door. Once we entered the room Neroon gathered some pants from the bed and before I could do anything except stare at the 'single' bed in Neroon's room, he was already back from the wash room. Wearing indecently low pants might I add. As I saw his well-muscled chest for the first time my mouth went dry and I had to swallow before I could speak.
"Uh... What are you doing?" I managed to ask as Neroon practically stalked me across the room. He was standing at the border of my personal space before he answered.
"Getting ready for bed." He was still giving me that evil smirk, but now his eyes were twinkling mischievously. If his eyes could laugh I'm sure they would have been. My first thought upon seeing a half naked Minbari stalking me around the room, while silently laughing was to run away screaming. My second inclination was to jump him. I am an Anla'shoc warrior. We don't run away and we don't scream like little girls. Having solved that problem I was left with the other option. I don't jump people. I don't jump half naked Minbari gods. Especially not Neroon. Eek. Well having an argument with oneself is not conducive to making decisions. That is how I found myself staring at Neroon with a rather glazed look in my eyes while I was clenching and unclenching my fists.
"I assume you brought some clothes to sleep in?" Neroon questioned, thereby bringing me out of my trance.
"Yes, but-"
"The wash room is through there." Neroon said, gesturing to the door that he had re-entered from moments before. I had no choice but to follow his lead and enter the wash room. I changed into my black silk pajamas, making certain that every button on the shirt was done up, which was difficult because, for some unfathomable reason, my hands were trembling. I attributed it to Neroon's deliberately unnerving behavior, and my obvious lack of comfort with other people's exhibitionism. God, I sound like such a prude, not to mention a prat. As I returned to Neroon's bedroom, he was already lounging in bed with the lights dimmed, perfectly at ease with the situation. It made me want to hit him.
"Where should I sleep?" I questioned trying not to draw attention to the fact that I was blatantly ogling him.
"I thought that was obvious considering you are the one who wants to be within twenty feet of me at all times... Unless you would be more comfortable on the floor." Neroon queried with a soft chuckle. Fine time for the man to get a sense of humor.
Feeling foolish as it was, I didn't let myself curse him out, at least not verbally, which was my first inclination. Instead I glared at the obnoxious man and cautiously lay down under the covers as far away from him as possible. I wasn't sure what I was so nervous about, but when Neroon practically ignored my presence in his bed, I gradually started to relax. Surprisingly, Neroon's steady breathing had put me to sleep before I knew it.
Chapter Three
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters
of Marcus and Neroon, or anyone else from
Babylon 5.
Authors notes: Rated PG-13 Contains
slash: two males in a romantic/sexual
(although not explicit) relationship. If
this offends you please turn back now.
…… denotes thoughts
Sitting alone with Neroon in the conference room amplified my nerves, so that it was taking all of my concentration to keep my composure. I'm not sure if I did an adequate job because I couldn't help the nervous twitching of my leg under the table.
"Come. I will show you to my quarters, since you insist on guarding me while I sleep." I ignored Neroon's indignant grumbling as he led me out into the hallway.
"Look I'm sorry my presence inconveniences you and your wife, but I told Delenn that you would make it to the Ascension alive, and you will."
"That was the reason I specifically requested you at my side, I would have expected no less Marcus. I was simply trying to figure out Maiko's agenda from his reaction to you. But rest assured you are not disturbing me and I have no wife or consort to disturb. If I did they would be with me on this journey."
"What's the difference between a wife and a consort?" I asked, unfamiliar with the term, as it applied to Minbari.
"A consort is the male equivalent to a wife, or on Minbar, a life mate." Neroon explained as we took one last turn before we passed the guards and entered his quarters.
"I didn't think Minbari were that tolerant, especially considering I hadn't heard of any gay couples on Minbar during my anla'shoc training or since then," I ventured, all the while wondering how a thirty-three year old virgin got into a discussion on the merit of gay partners with a Minbari warrior who tried to kill me not too long ago.
"While it isn't common knowledge, it is highly respected among my people. In my case, a mate would take on the title of Caste Leader in my absence. These rights are unique to a consort... Take a seat while I get us a drink."
As he left the room I took stock of my surroundings. Where I expected to find Spartan design with just the essentials, I instead found Neroon's quarters charming. His furniture and trappings suggested a rich personality that I didn't know existed. Most of the furniture in the sitting room was comprised of wood with brown coverings. Overall Neroon's quarters were understated in the extreme. That is why I found myself studying a triangular table-shaped table with a delicate Minbari sculpture balanced precariously on top of it. I had to stare for a full minute before I realized that the 'table' was actually a piece of the statue. Neroon also had an artistically superior tapestry of Valen on one wall. If he only knew he was worshipping Sinclair. Before I could explore the room in detail, Neroon came back in carrying a cup in each hand. After handing me one glass, he sat down on the sofa gazing in my direction.
"Don't you want a family?" I questioned, bringing my mind back to the topic at hand.
"Of course, but I haven't found a worthy mate until recently and I am unsure of how to proceed." Neroon explained. For a second seemingly shy, but I must have imagined it.
"Just take it a step at a time. I am sure she-"
"He."
"...He will be overjoyed to be courted by a high ranking Minbari official." I exclaimed with false enthusiasm. "And if that doesn't work you can impress him with your sparkling personality." I really can't help the sarcasm when he's around me . . Grrr. And I was actually trying to be nice.
"He will just have to get to know me better then." Neroon responded, either not noticing or not caring about my implied insult, my guess would be the latter.
"Well now you have a plan." The rest of my undoubtedly witty comment was cut off by my jaw-cracking yawn.
"We have both had a long, and trying day. I suggest we retire for the night." Neroon said as he took the glass precariously held in my grasp and placed it on the table next to his own.
"Very well." As I bent down to grasp my carry-on bag I saw him smirking at me. He's planning very bad things I can tell.
"This way." Neroon gestured for me to follow him through the door. Once we entered the room Neroon gathered some pants from the bed and before I could do anything except stare at the 'single' bed in Neroon's room, he was already back from the wash room. Wearing indecently low pants might I add. As I saw his well-muscled chest for the first time my mouth went dry and I had to swallow before I could speak.
"Uh... What are you doing?" I managed to ask as Neroon practically stalked me across the room. He was standing at the border of my personal space before he answered.
"Getting ready for bed." He was still giving me that evil smirk, but now his eyes were twinkling mischievously. If his eyes could laugh I'm sure they would have been. My first thought upon seeing a half naked Minbari stalking me around the room, while silently laughing was to run away screaming. My second inclination was to jump him. I am an Anla'shoc warrior. We don't run away and we don't scream like little girls. Having solved that problem I was left with the other option. I don't jump people. I don't jump half naked Minbari gods. Especially not Neroon. Eek. Well having an argument with oneself is not conducive to making decisions. That is how I found myself staring at Neroon with a rather glazed look in my eyes while I was clenching and unclenching my fists.
"I assume you brought some clothes to sleep in?" Neroon questioned, thereby bringing me out of my trance.
"Yes, but-"
"The wash room is through there." Neroon said, gesturing to the door that he had re-entered from moments before. I had no choice but to follow his lead and enter the wash room. I changed into my black silk pajamas, making certain that every button on the shirt was done up, which was difficult because, for some unfathomable reason, my hands were trembling. I attributed it to Neroon's deliberately unnerving behavior, and my obvious lack of comfort with other people's exhibitionism. God, I sound like such a prude, not to mention a prat. As I returned to Neroon's bedroom, he was already lounging in bed with the lights dimmed, perfectly at ease with the situation. It made me want to hit him.
"Where should I sleep?" I questioned trying not to draw attention to the fact that I was blatantly ogling him.
"I thought that was obvious considering you are the one who wants to be within twenty feet of me at all times... Unless you would be more comfortable on the floor." Neroon queried with a soft chuckle. Fine time for the man to get a sense of humor.
Feeling foolish as it was, I didn't let myself curse him out, at least not verbally, which was my first inclination. Instead I glared at the obnoxious man and cautiously lay down under the covers as far away from him as possible. I wasn't sure what I was so nervous about, but when Neroon practically ignored my presence in his bed, I gradually started to relax. Surprisingly, Neroon's steady breathing had put me to sleep before I knew it.
