A/N: This is Part Six of Chapter Two of Thieves in Time, the last piece of this chapter.
I don't own these characters, but I do enjoy messing with their lives.
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INFERNO
Avon pulled the sleek air car up to the building where Vila had his small flat. Before he left it unattended, he made doubly certain of its security systems. Vila might not worry about the likelihood of other thieves but no one was going to pinch Avon's pride and joy. There was more of him in its drive systems and onboard computer than was obvious at first, but it wouldn't do to trust to luck. He had been lucky during the past year with Vila, and he knew it.
Vila had added his own touches to the flat's security system and Avon used his own private code to enter the apartment. As usual, the small public area was neat and tidy, if a little worn around the edges. He prowled restlessly, circling the sofa, picking up a framed picture of the two of them, taken a few months ago at a bar in the Alpha sector. Vila had objected to having the picture taken. It was, after all, a men-only establishment. Avon had overruled him, pointing out that Vila's reputation was already lost to his family and nobody else cared. He'd grudgingly agreed, putting on an almost-genuine smile for the camera. When the picture had arrived in Avon's electronic mail, Vila had demanded a copy and framed it. Now it held pride of place on the little table in front of the sofa.
The shoosh of the shower cut off and shortly Vila walked from the bathroom in nothing but a towel. Avon raised his head and smiled appreciatively.
"Oh, hullo, Avon," he said with a cheery smile. "Bit early, aren't you?"
"Possibly, but there's bound to be a crowd. It won't hurt to get there ahead of them."
"Damned eager," Vila muttered as he passed into the bedroom to dress. His words came muffled and accompanied by the slide of the closet and thump of drawers. "Don't know why I let you talk me into going to these things. Bloody bore they are," he called.
"Come on, Vila, it's just a computer exhibition. There's bound to be something there to interest you, too. Besides," he wheedled, "think of all the pockets you can pick." Avon's laugh was quick and light and could convince Vila when words couldn't.
"I suppose…" Vila asked as he re-entered, fastening his pants, "that you knew about that fancy new computer–aided, power-boosted speeder that's supposed to be on display at this party."
Avon grinned, watching Vila comb his hair by Braille. "Of course. Couldn't pass up an opportunity to get a closer look at it, could I?" Coming up behind his friend, he wrapped his arms around Vila's chest, his fingers gently massaging the nipples through the fabric. He flicked Vila's left ear with his tongue before he purred, "Now, if you could come up with a way to steal that new drive system for me, I could be…" he turned the man around within the circle of his arms, then raised an elegant hand and slid a finger down Vila's cheek, "…very grateful."
Vila swallowed hard at the implications. "Keep that up, Avon, and I just might not let you out the door at all."
Breaking the sexually charged atmosphere, Avon gave him a friendly push. "Get moving, Vila."
"All right, all right." The young thief grabbed his personal possessions from a dish beside the door. "Well, let's be off then."
They left the flat together. Vila set the security system, then climbed into Avon's air car, dreading what always came next. He fastened his seat restraints and closed his eyes as his friend entered the code to activate the vehicle. It shuddered to life, then roared as repulsors lifted it and thrusters moved it forward, slowly at first.
"Hang on, Vila," Avon warned, lightly touching the keys to bring the new auxiliary thrusters on line.
Vila's knuckles whitened as he gripped the hand-holds on the dash. He silently cursed Avon's love of speed and power as he felt himself being pressed against the seat.
"I've added something new since the last time you rode with me," Avon told him without looking. "Watch this," he said, knowing full well that Vila had his eyes closed. Flipping a bank of switches near his right hand, he was rewarded with an extra boost of speed. "Gods, I love this!" he cried out as the car screamed into the late afternoon.
Vila just held on, hoping he could remain in control long enough to not say anything to set off Avon's sometimes fiery temper. "Avon, please…be careful," Vila finally cautioned him. "You know one more infraction on your driving record will send you up for probation violation."
"Not to worry, my friend. I've also installed a detector shield. I'll see them long before they ever see me."
Vila had no more arguments to offer so he sat suffering in silence while the wind flattened his fair hair.
It took a very few minutes to reach the exhibition hall. Avon pulled the air car into the valet parking area, haughtily relinquishing it to the envious looks of the youngster on parking duty. "Handle with care…" he warned, glowering with menace and lowered eyebrows.
Avon paid the entry fee for both of them, then followed Vila inside.
"Uh, look, Avon, I'll just hand around. You go see what I know you came to see. I'll find you in a little while."
"Come on, Vila," he said. "You might enjoy this, too."
"No, really," he protested. "I saw a listing for a new security system exhibit. Think I'll go check it out. Never hurts to stay on top of the competition in MY field, ya know."
Avon laughed at his friend. "Well, you know where I'll be." He walked away, Vila forgotten for the moment, eager to see this new marvel.
As he approached the ring where the beauty rested on a rotating platform, his mouth almost watered. He browsed the informational posters and displays first, making himself take in all the information about, before he allowed himself to become part of the audience gathered about the ultimate display. He wormed his way closer, almost unaware of the crowd he swam through, stopped only by the security perimeter.
He stood, rapt by the display. Of course it was painted a bright, almost-glowing red, with some kind of sparkling below the surface that twinkled under the hot lights. The lines of the hull fairly screamed speed into Avon's mind. He ached to touch the machine, to delve deeply into all its wonders, to trace its circuits, to test its limits. He realized that he was actually becoming physically aroused just thinking about the machine and took several deep breaths to clam himself.
"Something else, isn't she?" A male voice rumbled near his right ear.
"Oh, yes," Avon whispered back, captivated by the brightly-lit exhibit, sharing the platform with a pair of lovely women and a handful of suits with nametags, all behind velvet ropes and golden stanchions. "Something else indeed."
"I designed that initial drive section." The stranger's words held a bite of anger laced with bitterness. That got Avon's attention. He glanced sideways at the stocky, curly-haired man about his own age, staring at the same exhibit with such a look of hunger that Avon thought of a starving dog restrained from a plate of meat.
"Did you now?" Avon wasn't sure he believed this brash young man. "Then how come you're not inside the rope with all the high grades?"
"I'm just an engineering student." The young man's voice held a touch of self-deprecation. "It was a student project and they stole it. If I'd had the time and funding, who knows what I could have done with it."
At that point, one of the 'grades approached them, lifting the cord separating the public from the experimental vehicle. "Come on, Roj." He took the other man's arm. "They should at least get to know what you look like, since a small part of the work was yours."
Avon watched as the young man was towed away, his bitterness forgotten as he basked in the glory of the moment and his just-beginning fame.
"What a fool," Vila said at that moment, having replaced the stranger on Avon's right side.
"I quite agree," Avon said, still gazing at the marvel. He sighed, swallowing once. Lusting after that crimson creation, he knew this was a close as he was likely to come to it. He'd have to content himself with articles and schematics, he supposed.
Vila tugged on his arm, reclaiming Avon's attention. "Come on, Avon, haven't you seen enough? I mean, you can't get any closer unless you get acquainted with curly locks there, who must think he's all the gods' gift to quantum mechanics, and I don't think even you are that greedy."
Avon seemed to consider the idea for a moment, then shook his head. "No, I suppose not," he conceded. Giving one last fond glance at the object of his dreams, he turned and followed Vila to the exit.
Once safe within their car and back on the road, Vila happily prattled into the silence between them. "While you were drooling over that car, I learned a few valuable tricks today. I managed to score a few trinkets, too." Vila pulled the pilfered jewelry and credits from his pocket, presenting them like a prize, for Avon's approval. "That'll pay next month's rent with a bit to spare, I think." When he got only a casual glance and a mumbled, "That's nice," from Avon, Vila frowned, tucked away his haul, and lapsed into a silence of his own.
They drove back to the apartment at just barely over the legal speed limit, shocking Vila. He knew Avon only drove this way when he had things on his mind. "You feelin' all right?" he asked as they pulled in behind the building.
"Yes," Avon replied. He put a hand on Vila's arm. "Look, I'm …sorry if I scared you earlier today, but sometimes it's as if my mind gets taken over by this desire to go so fast that no one will ever be able to get close to me. Maybe someday I'll conquer that fear."
"Just as long as it doesn't keep ME from getting close," Vila said seriously.
"Not a chance," Avon smiled at his companion. "Come on, let's go get something to eat."
"Do you feel up to braving my cooking?"
He clamped Vila on the shoulder, laughing. "If you can brave my driving, then I think I can brave your cooking."
It was much later, after supper, as Vila handed Avon a third container of the Deltan ale they both favored. Avon rather liked its bitter taste and it carried more of a kick than he liked to admit.
He downed the last of the ale and smiled over at the other young man. "I seem to have missed curfew."
"Why, so you have." Vila reached across the table, his hand covering Avon's. "Suppose that means you'll have to stay the night, then."
"I suppose it does."
The verbal sparring ignited the tension they'd been trying to ignore since Vila's split with his family almost a year before.
They picked up their dishes and walked silently into the small kitchen. Avon set his own down, then took the rest from Vila, placing them into the cleaner, then turned, realizing that Vila stood very close to him, backing him up against the wall.
Vila splayed his hands on the wall, bracketing and effectively trapping Avon. He moved in closer, pressing his body into Avon's. "I was watching you today," he whispered, "when you were looking at that fancy air-car. You should have seen your face."
"Why is that?" Avon managed to rasp.
"What do I have to do for you to look at me that way, Avon? It's been a year since I left home. When, Avon, when?"
"Any time you're ready," he replied softly.
"I'm ready now!" He pulled Avon roughly against him. "Gods, am I ready!" He covered the other man's mouth with his, tongue probing, hands moving over Avon's body. Then he felt Avon's hands moving up HIS back, caressing him in return.
Avon broke from the kiss, sliding his tongue over Vila's earlobe. He nipped the tender flesh on the side of the thief's neck and throat. "Come to bed, Vila, now."
"Yes…" Vila moaned, almost collapsing against him, stumbling towards the bedroom, Avon right behind him.
They fell together onto the bed, clothing quickly discarded, their passion spiraling upward.
Avon rolled Vila onto his back. "This time I don't think I was manipulated," he murmured.
"Unless it was by me," Vila groaned softly, straining against Avon's hand as it moved slowly downward toward the sensitive arousal. "Don't stop, Avon…please…" he begged, his hips moving in time to the slowly stroking hand of his lover. "Faster…"
"Not yet, Vila." Avon slowed, then stopped his movements.
The thief almost sobbed in frustration and need, then gasped as talented hands were replaced by equally talented mouth and tongue. He rolled his head from side to side, his hands first gripping the covers, then lightly touching Avon's soft brown hair. He closed his eyes, enjoying the simple tactile stimulation provided through his fingers alone. Vila felt the tightness in his abdomen building, centering on his groin, as Avon's movements increased their speed, his tongue sending the most incredible messages over his manhood. Seconds now and it would be finished. He gripped Avon's head, guiding the motion, then arching his body as he came in a violent explosion. Belatedly, he realized what Avon had done to him but couldn't find it in himself to feel guilty, not just now. It took every ounce of control he possessed not to drift off in sated sleep.
"I love you, Avon," he whispered, the words escaping before he'd had a chance to consider their meaning. "I lo…"
"No." Avon moved upward quickly, his hand smothering a second declaration. "Don't say it, Vila. I can't reciprocate. Not yet."
"You don't need to," Vila told him, stroking his bare shoulder lightly, "but I do." He applied himself wholeheartedly to the task at hand, pushing Avon over onto his back, taking the other man's erection into his own mouth, licking slowly down its length. He released it, nipping lightly at the soft folds of skin at the base. He ran his tongue in a delicious circular motion all the way around.
"My gods, Vila!" Avon gasped. "I didn't know…"
"Didn't know what?" Vila murmured against the shaft.
"That it…would…feel so…" He couldn't complete the thought. At that moment, Vila's mouth engulfed him completely, his searing heat joining Vila's in a volcano of passion. He moved his hips in a gentle rocking motion in time with the delicious agony, his body silently begging for release.
The latter argument won as he was seized by a violent orgasm, climaxing into Vila's mouth. His ragged breathing kept time with the throbbing beats of the sensation sweeping though his arching body.
Vila hadn't relinquished his mouth's tender hold yet. He swallowed one last time, then rolled away, totally spent. "Worth waiting a year for, Avon," was all he could manage to gasp before sleep claimed them both.
Avon woke to intense throbbing in his groin. He touched himself and found he was swollen, painfully erect and very tender. He moved against Vila, graphically communicating his need to the man lying sprawled at his side.
"Mmmm," Vila mumbled, not yet awake but aware of the presence.
Avon pulled him even closer, Vila's back against his chest, nestled together, and ran his hands down over Vila's chest, then lower, teasing the other, stroking him till his condition matched Avon's.
Vila was stirring now, climbing to wakefulness. He smiled and arched himself back into Avon, moving in a provocative motion against his lover, inviting further action.
Avon was momentarily taken aback as he realized just what Vila was offering. He hesitated, halting his thrusting movements, then whispered in to Vila's ear, "Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Positive," Vila groaned in response. "I…want you…inside me…please."
Avon began to shove at Vila then, moving him onto his stomach. "Vila, I don't know if this is a very good idea," he murmured. "I'm afraid I might hurt you."
"At this point, I don't really care," Vila insisted breathlessly. "I just need to feel you as a part of me. Avon, I've waited far too long for this. Please don't make me wait any longer." He raised up, allowing Avon to move the pillow under his middle, positioning him. "In the bedside stand, there's…a jar. Quickly, Avon!"
Vila gasped as he felt Avon's gently probing finger, spreading the cool gel.
"I've never done this before, Vila. Tell me if I hurt you."
"Just do it!" he cried out desperately. "Now!"
Avon quickly coated himself with the lubricant, breathing harder as he found himself perilously close to the brink. He pushed Vila's thighs apart, then gripped the other man's hips and touched the entry.
Vila groaned and pushed back, rising up almost onto his knees. Avon pulled back just slightly, then rocked forward, entering Vila gently, only a little at first. Knowing Vila was a virgin kept Avon from taking him all at once. He thrust easily a few times, then stopped his motion, buried half-way into Vila's warm channel. He leaned forward, touching the tip of his tongue to Vila's spine.
Vila arched upward, impaling himself completely on Avon's cock.
"Vila!" Avon gasped as he felt himself being swallowed. He grimaced at the friction, not quite what he'd expected, though not unwelcome. Rocking gently into Vila, he felt the little sensibility he still possessed being stolen away by a mixture of pain and pleasure.
A groan from the man beneath him caught his attention. "Vila, am I hurting you?"
"Yes…but please don't stop, whatever you do" The voice was muffled into the mattress. Vila's movements matched Avon's now, and the friction of his erection against the pillow pushed him towards his own climax.
Avon raised up onto his knees for leverage, hands flat against the bed on either side of Vila, his hips thrusting in an easy rhythm. All the fear he'd sensed in himself at the outset of this final act of love dissipated now. He felt himself reaching for the top as Vila's movements beneath him and the rising timbre of the other's moans told him Vila might reach climax before him. It became a race then, something Avon could identify with and glory in. The speed, the competition, the rewards. How long could this continue before they reached the end of this most wondrous of match races? He found he didn't want to wait any longer, thrusting ever faster and deeper.
Vila shuddered beneath his lover's onslaught, trembling and falling over the edge and continuing to spasm for several delicious seconds.
Avon threw back his head and roared in triumph as his seed poured into Vila's willing body. He'd participated in many races over the past few years but never did a finish line seem so sweet, so incredible, so glorious. He collapsed in an exhausted heap, first pressing Vila into the pillow, then rolling to his side, his arms circling the other man's torso to keep himself still joined with Vila.
"Avon…" Vila could barely gasp the words. "That was fantastic!"
"Mmmm hmmm," Avon murmured, unable to say anything more. He held Vila close, stroking down his hip, then slipped into a delicious state somewhere between sleep and delirious unconsciousness.
Vila smiled and followed him into oblivion once more.
Some indeterminate time later, Avon nudged his lover's arm. "Vila, wake up."
The other man's head was pillowed on Avon's chest. "Don't want to."
"I know, but we have to talk."
"'S other things I'd rather do…" Vila's hand trailed lower onto Avon's middle, twisting the dark curls he found there.
"No, Vila, I mean it." Avon pushed him off to one side, and rolled over to face him.
Vila sighed. "So what did you want to talk about? Get it over with, so we can make love again."
"That's what I wanted to talk about."
Vila's insides lurched. He was suddenly terrified that Avon was going to tell him that this was the only time for them. He waited, the fear in his heart freezing his lungs and stealing his breath.
"It's about what we…what I did to you a few hours ago." Avon hesitated.
Vila asked in a small voice, "Are you trying to tell me you didn't enjoy it?"
"Hell, no!" Avon cried out, his eyebrows rising in shock. "It was the most wonderful experience I've ever had!"
"Then you do want it to happen again?" Vila's voice was hopeful.
"Of course, you idiot! What did you think I wanted to tell you?" He peered at Vila, seeing uncertainty and…fear?
"That you didn't think it was such a good idea?"
"Oh, Vila, I would never have done something as cruel as that." Avon pulled him close, his chin resting on top of Vila's head. "I care more for you than you could ever know."
"But you don't love me, do you?" Vila sounded defeated, dispirited, bereft.
"I didn't say that."
"No, you didn't."
Avon held him out at arm's length, his eyes boring into Vila's. "There's something you need to know about me. I don't show my feelings easily, especially after what…she did to me. I fear you'll have to be content with knowing that my feelings for you run deep and are stronger than even I ever expected they could be for anyone."
Vila snuggled back down. It was as close to a declaration of love as he was likely to get from this man and he knew he'd have to be content with it.
"But there's something else, Vila, something very serious and I don't know if I can tell you."
It seemed the shocks weren't done yet. He sighed with resignation. Whatever it was, best to get it out of the way. "Go ahead, Avon, please. I get the feeling you need someone to just talk to right now."
"Sometimes you do amaze me." Avon shut his eyes, trying to compose the words. "First off, I'm sorry if I was rough with you. I didn't mean to be, but my experience with this kind of thing is pretty limited."
"I'm glad," Vila responded. "And you weren't that rough. In fact, I kinda liked it, as long as you don't get carried away. Maybe I can return the favour sometime," he finished hopefully.
"No!" Avon almost shouted, pushing him away.
Vila turned, sitting up in the bed, staring across at his lover. "What's wrong, Avon? Did I say something I shouldn't have?"
"No…Vila, I don't think I'll ever be able to let you…do that to me. It's something I can't talk about right now, maybe never." He raised his downcast gaze, meeting Vila's concerned soft brown eyes, pleading with him to accept this own limitation. "Can you understand? Does it bother you to know that?"
Vila shook his head. "No, I don't understand it, but if that's the way you are, I don't mind. Who knows, maybe someday you'll change your mind. It might even be worth the wait."
"Then you won't press me into doing something I feel uncomfortable with?"
"Never. Oh, Avon, what we have now is so absolutely perfect I can hardly believe it!" He reached a hand toward the man, running a thief's sensitive fingertips over Avon's arm, gently stirring the dark hairs and sending a shiver down his lover's spine.
The man's enthusiasm was more that Avon had bargained for. He felt badly about what he had to say next. "That's the other thing, Vila."
"What is it?" Vila refused to be beaten down with fear and worry again. Avon had already agreed that the sex had been wonderful and they would do it again, so what else could there be to tarnish his future happiness?
"I…I can't promise you undying devotion, loyalty or even fidelity right now. I don't know what my life is going to bring."
Vila's head shot up, eyes wide and filled with a sudden, crushing fear. "Are you trying to tell me that if you find someone else, this could all come to an end?"
"No, no! I just don't want you to be disappointed in me, that's all."
Oh. That he could handle. Vila ventured a smile, a mere quirking of his lips. "You'll never disappoint me, Avon, no matter what happens. If you do go away, at least I'll have all this to remember."
Avon rushed to reassure Vila, and perhaps himself as well. "It may never happen, Vila. We could very easily spend the rest of our lives together…you know, live happily every after."
Vila huffed a bare laugh. "I'd like that, Avon." All he wanted to go was snuggle in the shelter of Avon's arms. The rest of the world could go away, for all he cared.
Avon though was still grave, his gaze intent upon his lover. "I'm sure you would, but this isn't a fairy tale, it's life and life has an annoying habit of intruding into one's dreams."
"But this isn't a dream, Avon," Vila said earnestly. "It's as real as anything you or I could ever imagine. We'll just have to make it work, that's all."
"Just remember, Vila," he said, shaking one finger under Vila's nose, "you've been warned."
"I'll take it to heart." He moved upward, devouring Avon's mouth with his own. "Now, where were we?" he murmured against the kiss.
"Oh, Vila, what am I going to do with you?" Avon laughed deep in his chest.
"Anything you want, Avon. I am yours forever." He meant it. He meant to stay by Avon's side until the stars grew cold.
"Good." Enough of confessions and hard-fought understandings. It was time for more…delicious pursuits. Avon pushed the man over onto his back, then raised Vila's legs into the air. "Now, where's that jar?"
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A/N: This completes Chapter Two: Unsafe at Any Speed. The next chapter is the story: Unchained Melody, which comes two years later. Our boys are in for a rough road as they pursue higher learning, each on his own path.
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