Beastly Bonds

Chapter XV

Thanks to these reviewers, actually, single reviewer:

And as such, this chapter has been written entirely because of you and for you. Officialness:

Chapter XV of Beastly Bonds is dedicated to Iridescent Twilight, a faithful reader and reviewer. Your long and informative reviews have really been part of the driving force behind this story. Thanks for your reviews, makes my icy black heart melt with glee.

Iridescent Twilight – Lack of R/J can be such a nasty thing, a really cruel tool for us writers to use. No, the ride wasn't fun, I actually growled at maybe…eight (at the least) people who got within a foot of me. Yes, I'm exhausted but I felt like I had to write.

This chapter consists mostly of R/J and Krent/Meth. Really, that's about the entire chapter, I think.

IMPORTANT: I will not be writing or posting from August 21st through August 31st. I'm going to be in Europe, Italy specifically for those ten days. So those ten days ideas for stories will claw at me for writing and when I return, expect story updates and the like. Doesn't mean you guys shouldn't review though, I'll be checking my mail, mind you.

Story!

They had successfully mapped out the small island, burying electrical tracers in different parts. Jack said she would find their signal on her laptop and map it out with that, then trace it onto an aerial view of the island. Both were well-worn by the end of the day, evening coming as a blessing to Riddick especially.

Jack tried not to show how happy she was that the entire day he had managed to keep his goggles off and now that the sun was setting, they could walk out onto the beach in open air. Neunzhen had been following them on and off but right now he didn't stray far from Jack, sensing an intensified feeling of attraction towards Jack from Riddick.

"Hungry?" she asked suddenly, not facing him.

"No. Well I could always eat something but I'm good." He added, making Jack laugh.

"Who knew Richard B. Riddick had an endless appetite? You'll get a good dinner." She mocked, turning her head over her should and giving him a small smile.

/Jackie, watch it./

"Must mean you're not making it." He retorted, ducking as she kicked up a rock behind her, aimed right for his head. "Got quite the kick there, Jack."

"Not much else to do in Crematoria. Well, I'm hungry so you can go get food." She decided stopping in the sand. They were about two yards away from the water's edge, the soft sounds of the waves calming him somewhat.

"You're hungry, you get it." He argued. He raised an eyebrow as she kicked off her boots, not bothering to actually properly set them down.

"You've been stalking me for the past few weeks, months even. You get the food. Bungalows aren't that far, anyway. Besides, I want to swim for a bit, so you go." She added a small pout, barely noticeable.

Riddick didn't budge.

"Neunzhen's hungry, too." She said, Riddick immediately getting the under current of that.

"That's low, Jack. Threatening to sick your hellhound on me if I don't get you food. Really that's just…" he trailed off, suddenly preoccupied by Jack carelessly taking off her shirt, tossing it in the general direction of her boots. She was starting to undo her pants as she looked up, just realizing he had stopped talking.

"You alright?" She asked, leaving the top of her pants undone as she approached him. He knew she was just concerned, but the close proximity of her half-naked body made him want to think otherwise.

"Yeah, fine. Go swimming, I'll get something." He replied tersely, turning on his heel. He sensed confusion behind him, but kept walking.

He stopped as he reached the path to the bungalows, looking back to see Jack toeing her pants into her pile of clothing. She wore a sort of bikini, but it seemed stronger then those skimpy pieces of cloth that the whorish models wore. He had never really been attracted by that type of woman, seeing how he had issues with women who had no respect for themselves.

He felt a strike of knowing pride as Jack turned, putting up her hair, showing on the other side that she had had a bone shiv tucked between the waistband and her skin. Now if this wasn't a turn on for him, he wasn't sure was at that point. He felt his leg being butted by Neunzhen's head and he started his walk back to the bungalows.

------

Litman and Tipner had left to explore or do what they wanted, leaving Meth and Krent behind in Jack's tree house. Meth was reluctant to let Krent up so he could make some dinner, but just snuggled into the warmth of the couch Krent's body had left. He watched the older ex-convict move around the kitchen, which was a bungalow away but he could still see him preparing a small something.

"Hey, Meth. Want something to drink?" His voice yelled from the kitchen. Smirking, Meth stood and walked across the ramp and into the kitchen.

"Yeah, I would. No need to shout, you know." He added, perching himself on a stool. They were on opposite sides of the counter and Meth watched Krent's hand closely, amazed at their dexterity.

"Didn't know if you could hear me." He replied, easily cutting the sandwich in half on the plate. Krent shoved the plate across the counter and Meth stopped it with his hand.

"What I would give to be that sandwich." Meth quietly mumbled as he took a bite of it.

"What?"

"Nothing." He replied, his mouth full of bread.

"Seriously, what did you say?" Krent asked, thinking he had heard him properly but wasn't too sure.

"Rvat wohlvd gerfnbn dasmvaich." He said, this time talking with his mouth full. He tried not to laugh as Krent raised an eyebrow, looking very amused but still quite confused.

"Sorry, I didn't think that was English." He commented, shaking out his hands from washing them in the sink. Wiping them on his pants he walked around the counter and behind Meth, resting his arms crossed across Meth's chest. He leaned down and nipped at his ear, making him give a quiet strangled mew of pleasure.

"Now," Krent spoke, moving down his neck, "let's try this again. What did you say?"

Meth took a sip of his drink, tasting it wash out the after flavour of the sandwich he had just eaten. Instead of replying, he spun around on his stool, facing Krent. His legs went around Krent's, his feet folding back in again, having the top of each foot against the older man's shins. Sliding his hands up the taller man's chest, Meth tried not show he was nervous or inexperienced, but he bet Krent could smell it miles away.

His hands reached the back of Krent's neck and looking up, he was met with patient, understanding and eager blue eyes. Summoning up every last wisp of bravery he had left, Meth pulled Krent's head down, kissing him cautiously.

He didn't need to doubt any active response when he felt himself being pulled up and out of the chair and onto the counter. He briefly thought of the other counter experience he had just had a while ago but shook it away, wanting to remember and focus on the present.

Meth barely had time to wonder how and why Krent seemed so experienced, but to him that really didn't matter at the moment. Right now he just wanted to be as humanly close to the other man as possible. In the brief span of time that they were kissing, Krent had somehow climbed on top of the counter, his knees on both sides of Meth's legs, which dangled over the edge. Finally in need of air, he pulled back, bringing his knees up to the level of Meth's waist, letting him sit back.

"And you said…" he asked, slightly breathless. The sight of Meth just sprawled out over the counter had him more occupied at the moment, but he was still curious.

"Doesn't matter now, but I said 'what would I give to be that sandwich'. I think," he gasped as Krent dipped his head down and began to bite and kiss his collarbone. "I'm better off then the sandwich now, though."

In a non offensive way of silencing, Krent kissed Meth again, effectively keeping him from talking. Soon the younger man's attention was turned back to kissing him senseless and the only noises that could be heard were of indefinite pleasure.

-----

Riddick was speechless at the sight that greeted him.

As he had first walked onto the beach, Jack had been underwater but soon she rose for air. The descriptions he could have given were endless, but for some reason his usual thought processes had grinded and shrieked to a complete halt and shutdown.

Each drop of water shimmered as it slid down her body, lighting her up even more. The gentle light reflected from the water wasn't painful to his eyes, but more lit Jack up, giving her a slightly ethereal glow. Her toned body only amplified this, giving the water curves to stream down on. She had raised her arms above her head, running her hands through her hair, trying to rake it back if just for a moment. Jack's eyes were closed, as if enjoying the moment, not wanting to overdo it by adding sight. Her lips were parted, taking large breathes, which made her body rise and fall, speeding the water droplets down her body. She turned in the water and he saw how the bone shiv almost reflected the light painfully, the water making it much brighter. Yet the entire scene was perfect, a beautiful woman kept safe by her need for survival. Riddick barely noticed her ears twitch back, hearing him breathe just some thirty feet away.

Her eyes opened and a smile graced her usually unemotional face. Jack waved at him before doing a small jump dive back into the water.

At that moment he wasn't sure who needed more air, he or Jack. Dropping the parcel of food on her pile of clothes, he walked to the water's edge and watched her form move beneath the water. She rose up again and Riddick knew he just had to there with her. It felt like part of his beast within was writhing in indescribable pain when he saw her like this and wasn't right next to her.

"Coming in?" She asked, dipping beneath the water's surface for a second. "Water's fine."

"Doesn't look you're giving me a choice, Jack." He replied sarcastically, stepping back a few feet to take off his boots. She understood what he really meant and he could've sworn she giggled.

Well, I guess not. Not my fault I'm this sexy. Good looking or whatever it is that attracts him like that.

/To think it's the kid I left behind on Helion that does this to me. Better someone I know and trust than some random woman./

"Hey, Riddick, you think you'll be alright with the stitches?" She called out from the water, floating on her back. He couldn't of cared less about the stitches at this point.

"Well, worse comes to worse, I know you'll be on hand, needle and thread ready." He replied, realizing he was simply complimenting her just so he could see her smile, laugh or just give thanks through her eyes.

She almost felt guilty as she saw the stitched claw marks on his arm and torso, but to her surprise she saw a few other white scars.

Every god has their battle scars.

Jack waited patiently as he slowly approached the water, as if suspicious of it. He had left his pants on, knowing that there would be some issues if he had taken them off. Quite a few issues seeing how Jack just slipped through the water like a mermaid sans fish scales.

The water was warm so he just walked in to his waist, starting to think that swimming around wouldn't be the best thing for that slash in his side. He briefly submerged himself beneath the surface, feeling the breeze cool him off as he stood again. He check to see if the stitches were still intact and he wasn't bleeding, but all concerns were washed away with the next wave as Jack soundlessly swam up to him. What he had been expecting next was a mockery or taunt, but certainly not what she did.

She propelled herself out of the water, rising with a small splash as she moved towards him. It was like this was natural, the way he locked his elbows as she gripped his arms to push herself up. Her wet body easily slid up his as she soundly kissed him, not caring what he thought. He moved his arms to wrap around her body and she easily worked with it, snaking her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. When they broke apart for air, they were caught by each other's eyes, not daring to move apart from their bodies needing to reregulate a breathing pattern.

"Jacqueline," he whispered, just as breathless as she.

"Hm?" She hummed, the warm sound vibrating into his body.

"Breathing?" He asked, readjusting his arms around her. "Normally?"

She nodded in reply, barely able to say half a word as he pulled her beneath the water, kissing her at the same time. Beneath the water their movements were smooth and slow, Jack's legs no longer wrapped around his waist but bumping against his as they lazily swam together. Yet their arms stayed around each other, Jack on the bottom and Riddick on top, kissing her thoroughly.

Finally they needed air and they rose to the surface, breaking it with almost no noise. Jack's hand rested on Riddick's heaving chest, his arms still around her torso. It took a few minutes before they were breathing again and Jack had closed her eyes. Riddick slid a hand up her back, holding her neck as he leaned down, kissing the top of her head.

Words weren't needed when they decided to go down again, this time just swimming near each other. Riddick swam above Jack, one hand trailing up and down her back as they moved through the water. At a point he decided it was getting too dark and it wouldn't be safe. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her back towards the shore. In minutes they walked up from the waves, still gently breaking onto the soft sand.

Neunzhen greeted Jack with a lick to her hand and she rubbed his closest ear in thanks. She approached Riddick, whose back was facing her. Placing her hand on the small of his back, she rested her head on his shoulder blade.

"Riddick?" She asked, sounding suddenly wary.

Moment of truth.

/Shit./

"Yeah?"

She walked around him and faced him, blinking slowly. Jack hoped it wasn't tears she was trying to block.

"Is this what you want?" She asked, looking dead serious. "Riddick, I've lost my father and I have never gotten to see my brother, I don't even know if he or my mother is alive. I will stop myself if you say or even hint that this isn't going to be for real. I'm strong, Riddick, but not that strong."

/Takes guts to say that./

Please don't leave me.

/Think fast, you're hurting her by staying silent. Remember how solitary drove you mad, it's breaking her./

He's thinking about it, about rejecting me. He doesn't want this, but I asked and that's what's important, right? Fuck, I should start the system checks on the ship after I get dressed. The guys will understand, I'll just get up and go, find Imam, maybe look for Mom. Her thoughts were going a mile per second, trying to outweigh the pain the rejection she thought Riddick was going to give to her with the bright possibility of her mom still being alive.

/I want this, I want her. Just fucking say it/

He cursed whatever was in him that wouldn't let him speak, so he stepped up to her and embraced her, holding her to him tightly.

"Jack," he said after a few minutes. "You are that strong, you just can't harness it without someone else."

"You mean, without you." She felt an oncoming shudder of deep sadness and pain.

"You will be. We will be stronger," he whispered into her hair, feeling her relax with relief. "I won't leave you, more accurately," he looked down at her and wiped a tear from her face with his thumb. "I can't leave you."

------

Krent watched Meth sleep, his pale chest rising and falling with each breath. He had never dreamed it would happen so fast, but the passion he had felt and he knew Meth had felt, all preconceived notions of patience just disappeared. His eyelids fluttered and awoke, as if knowing that his lover wasn't sleeping as well.

"Are you…ok?" He asked quietly, facing him. Instead of responding he lifted his hand and gently combed his fingers through Meth's hair.

Content with this affection, Meth snuggled up against Krent, who lay down on his back, letting the younger man rest his head on his chest. They lay awake, comfortable with each other's company, not ever wanting to let go.

"I'm fine, Meth…and you, you're alright? With this? With what just-" he was cut off by a whispered hush.

"I have never been better."

Krent turned over and held Meth to his body, burying his face in the younger man's head, taking deep breaths of his scent. As he pushed himself back, still holding Meth to him, the smell of sex briefly interrupted his pleasure. Second-long flashbacks of the intense passion they had just gone through together played out when he closed his eyes. Breathing sharply, he caught the attention of the younger man who turned onto his stomach and worriedly watched him.

"Tell me the truth, are you really alright? You're not sick or anything, are you? Should I get Tipner?" His voice rang true and clear with worry and love, making Krent relax again, knowing he wasn't hurting Meth.

"Just a little tired. No, last thing we want here is Tipner. It's not Tipner himself, just that Litman won't be too keen on sitting in the bungalow alone." He explained, feeling Meth grin.

"But, do you need him later? Are you hurt?" Worry still evident.

"No, I'm fine. We should try to rest." He added, looking down to see Meth inching his way up towards him. Finally they rest together, the two prison-scarred naked bodies coming into contact in every possible place. Krent trailed his hand down Meth's side, stopping at the scars created by the hellhound that had bitten him in Crematoria. The younger man shivered at the feather-light touch on his scars and snuggled back into Krent's chest. As they fell asleep the older ex-convict silently swore to himself that never again would Meth fall victim to a predator like that. Not while he was still alive.