Date: Thu, 28 May 2020 00:13:10 -0400 From: Timothy Shields Subject: The Lion of Light Chapter Three The Lion of Light By:TimTam This is a work of fiction and contains scenes of explicit gay sex. Any resemblance to actual places, persons, or events is coincidental. If you are not of the legal age to read adult stories, or are uncomfortable with gay themes, please stop reading now and close this document. All rights to this story are reserved. Do not duplicate or distribute in any form without express permission of the author. This story is a prototype story, the first that I have publicly released for others to read. If you would like to provide any feedback, please reach out to me via my email: cassinitelesto@gmail.com. As always, donations from readers are what funds this site's daily operations and future growth. If you like what you have read thus far of the Lion of Light Series, Please consider donating to Nifty.org. Chapter Three As my phone read 0600, it was clear that the night shift had come to an end. I stretched in my chair as my eyelids grew heavy. The swishing sound of the Captain's chair brought me back to the realm of the living once Tethys rose from his seat. "Come Victor, we will meet the others in the bath," Tethys' voice was low and gentle from his own need for rest. My ears twitched at the word bath. I could use a good cleaning, and my shirt was beginning to express its own odor unique to mine. "Does that mean the shift is over?" I asked, rising from my chair with a yawn and another stretch. "I can go a little while longer until they get here." Despite my obvious signs of fatigue, I pretended to be less tired than I was. "No, you cannot," Was Tethys' only response as we left the bridge. Following behind Tethys, his long tail drug behind him, weary for sleep. This was the first time that I had been permitted to walk behind him. Without his cloak, I was able to view his form more closely. Above Tethys' broad shoulder blades, two large holes in his vest were apparently sewn shut. By the diameter of the stitches, it was as if a whole different set of arms were intended to fit through them. I thought nothing of it, due to my exhausted state, but I did make sure to make a note of it. Once we arrived at the double doors that lead into the baths, I waited my turn as Tethys proceeded ahead of me. I could see inside the room, and saw a large pool behind Tethys. Clearly this was no ordinary bathroom, but instead it was more like a bathhouse. The warm steamy air caressed my cheeks, and Tethys turned to face me with a perplexed expression. "Are you just going to stand there and sleep, or are you coming in?" Tethys asked matter of factly. "Oh- uhh," I hesitated, my palm massaged the kinks in my neck, as I watched Tethys walk away. The doors closed behind him, and I just stood there by myself. Moments later, the doors opened to Mina leaving the bath house. Her smile was quizzical upon seeing me stand there awkwardly. "Lux, how was your night?" She asked. "Good. It was good," I stammered a bit, not sure what to make of this predicament. I yawned once more. "Well, you'd better get in there before Tethys cranks the heat up in the bath. Draconians love hot pools of water." Mina smiled platonically before strolling away in her perfectly fitted uniform. I took a couple of deep breaths before finally walking through the automated doors to find an already comfortable Tethys enjoying the warm bath waters. The bath was immense. It had to have been the size of an Olympic swimming pool. The sounds of water turning to steam masked the natural running sounds of the ship, leaving a rather loud ambient white noise in the room. Tethys sank down low into the warm waters, and as I stripped to my underwear, I could see Hyakk emerging from a cloud of steam. Passing him by as I entered the warm pool, and he rose from it, I couldn't help but notice Hyakk's barren nature. Although slender, and smooth, I could not notice any forms of definition anywhere on Hyakk's body. The only place where my eyes were able to observe any variation, was where Hyakk's genitalia should've been. Two small plates, divided down the center, covered Hyakk's nether region as he dried himself off. I couldn't help but feel a little bit intrigued to find out what was underneath those bony plates. Especially after hearing him ask about me finding him attractive. I guess the truth was that there was a certain amount of intrigue there. I wondered what it would be like, having sex with an alien. Sinking down low into the water, lost in thoughts that weren't very becoming, I couldn't help but hear a low grumbling from Tethys. "Most insectoid species are not compatible with other races," Tethys laughed quietly, reading my pheromones like an A+ student. "His members are renowned for damaging even the females of his own species." My eyes grew wide at the suggestion. "Members- as in plural?" I asked bewildered. "Indeed," was Tethys' only response, chuckling at my choice of question. I might have been expected to ask about the damages part of Tethys' statement. Instead I asked about the plurality of Hyakk's nature. "What about reptilians? Some Earth species of reptiles have particularly hazardous mating tools themselves." God, now I sound like a pervert. Maybe I was? Am I okay with this? Tethys could not hold back his laughter, and it echoed throughout the cavernous bathhouse, which made Hyakk's pupils flutter towards me. I sunk down low in the warm water, blowing bubbles from my embarrassment. "You are an intriguing specimen Victor. I can see why Lykesh has chosen to claim you for himself." Tethys was laughing, but I grew immensely uncomfortable instead. "Claim me?" I asked aggressively. "What do you mean by that?" "I could smell him on you ever since he chose that form." Tethys grumbled gently. "You reek of him." My face was red with anger, and not from the water temperature. "I turned him down, if you must know." My vapidity was relinquished with the steam of the room. I had to calm down. "Yes, I cannot smell your interest in him when he is around." Tethys replies frankly. "That's because he's too arrogant, and entitled." I touted back. Once again Tethys laughed, and proceeded to slap me hard against my back. My breath left me briefly. That was going to leave a mark. "And what about me? You must have an opinion of me, little one," Tethys mused, and I paused for a moment, my blush returning to my cheeks. "What's with those holes on the back of your clothes?" I asked, avoiding the subject. "Those are from when I had wings," Tethys replied more seriously. "Do all Dracos have wings?" Tethys' eyes closed, feigning a look of relaxation. I couldn't smell pheromones, but I didn't need to in order to know I was wandering into rough waters with these questions. "Only highly regarded ones like myself," Tethys' pride in his past began to show now. "What happened to them then?" My questions were hitting him a little bit harder now. "I removed them when I lost my soulmate." A new expression came over Tethys. I don't think I had ever seen Tethys sad before, but I began to feel sorry for him. I took a deep breath and approached the broody Draco. Placing my small hand on his forearm, I asked, "Tell me about her Tethys." "That's an old story, that you already know the answer to little one." Tethys peeked an eye in my direction. I could feel the simmering nature of his gaze, as he shifted his position in the water. "I want to know more about these dreams you told me about last night." "Titt for tatt, I get it Tethys." I smiled as we both got comfortable. My fingers were already starting to prune, but nonetheless, I reached for the temperature dial of the pool, and turned it up a few more degrees. Tethys broadcast his pleasure of the warming water as I began telling my story. "When I was little, I remembered waking up to a bright flash of light in the middle of the night. Looking around my room to see what was going on, I saw two little grey aliens standing in my doorway. Watching me with those deep, voided eyes. Just watching, before vanishing in another bright flash of light. As I grew older, I started having dreams of being pulled from my very body by dozens of those Greylings. Year, after year, the dreams always came. They were always trying to separate me, from well, me. They would try repeatedly to drag me into the light with them, but I couldn't go. Every time, I would slip out of their grasp and fall back into my body. Eventually, their attempts grew more drastic, ripping my skin off of my body, ripping organs out, even attempting medical procedures to remove my being from my body. I grew up traumatized that I would fall asleep, and never wake up again because of what they'd do to me in my sleep." I paused, and inhaled deeply. My tear-filled eyes looked up at Tethys, who appeared to be sleeping. "I see," Was Tethys' only, gentle response. The white noise enveloped the room as we sat in silence. I shoved my elbow abruptly into Tethys' side in a futile attempt to provoke him. "Your turn Tethys," I prodded playfully. "I showed you mine, now you show me yours." My humor seemed lost on Tethys as he rose from the pool, and began to leave the bathhouse. I couldn't help but examine Tethys' form, just like I had with Hyakk before. Tethys' tail was broad at the base, and scaly for the most part, obscuring a complete view of his ass. Large feathers coated his tail at the base of it, appearing rather closely to the tail feathers of a bird. "Another time perhaps," Tethys groaned unreceptively. Shaking the water from his feathers, Tethys continued to walk away from the bath. "Now, we sleep before our shift tonight." Tethys wrapped his towel around his immense hips, and left me to myself in the bath. "What gives Tethys?" I shouted after him, rising up out of the water. "I have done nothing but talk about myself, and tell all of you about where I come from. Why can't you do the same?" Not a bone I should be picking with a Draco, but I hadn't been thinking. Approaching the bulky life form as he dried his body, I gave Tethys a substantial shove. "You can't just ignore me." Tethys began laughing at my futility. "A warrior's spirit, but a stupid provocation Victor," Tethys didn't budge much by my repeated attempt to provoke him. "Then why don't you tell me about her," One more nudge did it, and Tethys snapped. "Because I killed her!" Tethys' voice cracked with a grumbling roar. Swinging around, Tethys pinned me to the wall. His large hand encompassed my jaw, but distinctly not my throat. He was still holding back. "But-," Choking slightly under Tethys' gravity, I continued. "I thought you loved her." "Yes she was a phenomenal lover, but also my enemy." Tethys released his grasp of my face. While I rubbed my sore jaw, Tethys began to tell me about her. "She was the Commandant of an opposing faction. She believed in expanding the empire. She wanted to seed new worlds with advanced reptilian life, but when the Counsel intervened, she chose not to stop. I was the one who made the call to go to war against her. I issued the orders to take down her ship. I killed her, and I'm perfectly capable of killing you too if necessary." Tethys' snakelike rasp was prominent with his warning. Despite my heart pounding in my ears from fear, I chose sarcasm to diffuse the situation. "Touched a nerve did I?" Tethys shoved me once more into the wall half heartedly. I winced in pain. "Gonna take more than that to push me away, old man. You still have to teach me how to fly." I feigned amusement. I was stupid to push him, but I was irritated that I had been here for weeks and barely knew anybody. Sure I hoped Tethys wasn't going to kill me after what happened last night in the engine room, but I didn't know how badly he was capable of hurting me. After a slap on the back, and being shoved into a wall twice, I definitely felt like a pulped steak. And he wasn't even trying. Tethys' large palm rested on my chest, and I placed my hand on his. His four digits were warm from soaking in the bath. Tethys removed his hand from my chest, turning to continue his path out of the bathhouse. "See you tonight." I chided as if nothing had even happened. Mumbling to myself about my pain, I headed to the showers. I still needed a little bit more work to get clean than Tethys or Hyakk did. Besides, the warm water would soothe the soreness in my back. My shower was long, and hot. I had the water at the hottest temperature as I washed the pain of my encounter with Tethys away. I thought back to those dreams. Even after seeing the Greylings on this ship, I was afraid. I wasn't afraid of these ones here with us, but something about those dreams just wasn't shakable. The struggle to find soap was a difficult one. After leaving my phone in the bathhouse, I couldn't make heads or tails of what was there with me. Either way, the heat and steam from the shower was helping me immensely. Despite my desire to relax though, there was one aching piece to this puzzle, and it was throbbing between my legs. I hadn't jerked off since arriving on the Vanguard the first time, and I was experiencing an immediate case of blue balls now. Flashes of the pornstars that I used to watch on Earth fluttered in my memory. No internet, meant no fancy porn videos would help me to relieve this itch inside of me. Thoughts of Lykesh teased me gently. I remembered his advance on me, and how hard his touch made me feel. My cock was throbbing in my palm now, as I began to stroke slowly at first. Hyakk's question began to ring in my ears as I began remembering his form, and what he might look like if I could see his cocks, even if they were dangerous. The ferocity at which my hand was giving me pleasure was drawing me closer to release. But then, thoughts of Tethys entered into my mind. The way his pupils dilated rapidly, mesmerizing me. The way his growls made my heart flutter, and my head spin. And how large his hands were when he thrust me up against the wall. I craved it. I craved him. A subtle gasp escaped my lips as my cock began to gush from release. "Oh god," I murmured. My legs began to shake, and I just kept stroking my cock as rope after rope of cum erupted from me in ignorant bliss. I remembered the pain from when he slapped me on the back. I remembered him shoving me into the wall twice. I remembered feeling him hold back, and feeling just how much he wanted his own release. But I also remembered how comfortable he made me feel. The two outsiders, here, alone. I wanted to make him feel as good as I do now. Wandering about the ship after my shower, looking for a place to eat after my long and intense ordeal, I began thinking about how this was the first time I had mastrabated in space. In fact, this was the first time any human had mastrabated this far from Earth. I was the first interstellar mastrabator, I thought with a blush and chuckle as I read the signs of the corridors. I didn't care how well my tech was able to translate the signs in the halls, I still struggled to make heads or tails of where I was, and where I was going. Nothing about the layout of this ship made any sense, and it's not like I had been to the commissary when I first arrived on the Vanguard. The power in this section was out, and leaking ocean water profusely. Turning a corner I wasn't sure I should've turned down, I saw a little Greyling working on fixing a damaged panel in the corridor. I froze when the small creature nearly half my size stopped and turned to face me. I froze up in fear instantly as I saw it's black oval eyes stare back at me. My reflection in it's eyes echoed my terror as I flashed back to that night in my room. I remembered Tethys' reassuring gaze, and strong arm as I swallowed my fear, and approached the small being. "H-hey there," I stumbled a bit. "Little guy. Know where a guy can grab some grub around this place?" I laughed uncomfortably as the Greyling just stared emotionlessly back at me. "Ah-hem," I cleared my throat. "Food? Where can I find food? Ya know, nourishment?" I gestured with my hand to my mouth, and I only sighed as I felt like he didn't understand me. To my astonishment the greyling turned, and began scampering off around another corner. "Hey!" I yelled out after him. "You were supposed to show me how to get food..." I murmured, resting both of my palms on my knees as my stomach began to grumble. Glancing up a moment, I saw the little creature's eyes as he leaned around the corner, watching me. "Oh, I guess I'm supposed to follow you." I did as he asked, I think. I began to run after this little greyling, as he continued to scamper down corridors in front of me. For such a small creature, he sure was fast. Or maybe it was a she. I groaned aloud with my frustration of determining if this life form was male or female, and it glanced back at me ensuring that I was still following it. He, until I know otherwise, it is a he. Corridor after corridor, the little devil kept me running. I hadn't had this much cardio since I left Earth. I could tell that I was a bit rusty. It wasn't like I was a marathon runner in and of itself, but the treadmill helped me collect my thoughts from time to time. After what felt like a prolonged period of endlessly running around the outer perimeter of the deck, the little greyling stopped to face a doorway. He pressed one of his bulbous fingers to a button on the door panel, and the door swished open to a dark, green-lit chamber. As the greyling scampered inside, I followed. I was shocked to find small pods filled with green liquid. Inside the illuminated chambers, other Greylings hovered in the bubbling liquid. At least a dozen of these chambers lined the sides of the room, and each row illuminated as my little friend passed by each one. He stopped by a chamber that was empty. It was small like the others, but this one had no fluid in it, and the clear hatch was opened. The greyling pointed at the chamber, and then to himself. "Is- that where you came from, little guy?" I kneeled down to be at his level, and the greyling continued down the row of pods. At the end of the row of pods, stood a larger pod. It was bigger, and more voluminous than the others, and it too was empty. The greyling pointed at me, and I about jumped out of my pants when I felt a familiar grasp on my right shoulder. "Get lost on your way to your quarters Lux?" Hyakk's familiar voice smoothed the raised hairs on the back of my neck as I let out an immense sigh. "Hyakk, what are you doing here?" I turned away from the greyling, as I shared a friendly smile with Hyakk. "The regeneration pods have a leak in them. I thought I would come by to see what was going on." Hyakk waved his wrench at a damaged component inside the chamber, and turned to look at the greyling I had accompanied. "He must have thought you would be able to help, but unless I'm mistaken, humans do not have access to this kind of tech." I groaned with agitation, "You're not wrong Hyakk. I thought he was taking me to food." Hyakk's mandibles flickered from under his lips with a chirping sound. Laughter I suppose? "Well, you are pretty far from the commissary. Let me fix this ruptured pipe, and I will take you there in a moment." My stomach growled as Hyakk bent down to tighten up some loose bolts, and I proceeded to look around the room. "What is this place Hyakk?" I asked as I inspected each pod. "It is a cloning chamber for the Greylings. This is where the Vanguard's crew gets manufactured." Hyakk answered as he kept working. "Cloning chamber? Like from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones?" I asked and a small chill ran down my spine. "Your query is unusual. What are the Star Wars? And these clones were not built for combat. They were built for maintenance of the Vanguard." "It's an old Earth film. It didn't really happen. Are there more of these cloning chambers?" "The Vanguard is equipped with many such chambers as these." Hyakk grunted as he struggled to tighten a few more stubborn bolts. "Do other ships have cloning chambers like this?" I asked looking at the greyling holding the empty hose from the larger chamber, attempting to bring it to me. "Clones are only used on large vessels such as the Vanguard. Other, smaller ships have no use for clones." "Do you think they give them names Hyakk?" At that, Hyakk finished his repair, and sat up to look at the greyling. "I do not suppose so Lux. Do they need one?" Hyakk returned his gaze to me, perplexed. "Of course they do Hyakk! They must have some sort of designation other than Greylings. What do they call their mothers and fathers? What do they call loved ones they meet?" "The Greylings do not have mothers and fathers, and have no need for loved ones. They just maintain ship functions." I snickered at the thought of these creatures not having names. "Well I'll name them all if I have to. This one here's name should be," I paused, rubbing my chin in thought. "Dorian. Dorian Grey." I nodded sharply at my decision. "And what about the others?" Hyakk asked, rising from his crouching position. "There are many more Greylings on the Vanguard." "And there are fifty shades of grey," Pun definitely intended, though it fell on deaf ears. "I'm sure I'll think of something for all of them." I crossed my arms, confident in my resolve to name all of the Vanguard's Greyling crewmen, but my stomach betrayed my moment once again. This time Hyakk looked down at the source of the disturbing sound coming from my belly. "Are you ill Lux?" Hyakk's concern read visibly on his face, as his eyes fixated on my sorely malnourished stomach. I slouched in discomfort. "I'm so HUNGRY Hyakk," I groaned, really feeling the need to eat something now. "Can we PLEASE go get something to eat now?" I asked, desperate for food. I didn't care if it was those god forsaken crackers with the green shit on them or not. I just needed to eat something. After escorting me to the commissary, Hyakk helped me pick out some food for myself. It was a tasteless grey slime, which I suppose was better than that green shit Mina gave me. He helped me program a few different suitable options into my phone for the next time, and he was even kind enough to take me to my quarters. I was grateful that my quarters were close to the bridge so that I wouldn't have to worry about getting lost on the way. I wasn't grateful for who I found inside them though. Tethys slept on a small (for him) bed on the other side of the room. His yellow eyes glimmered in the light as we had woken him. "I'm bunking with Tethys?" I asked Hyakk, fuming from my ears. Oh no, this was not good. What the actual fuck was I going to do now? Tethys had been the mental image I had used to jerk off to in the shower. How was I going to sleep in the same room as this well formed brute? "Erm-," Hyakk clasped his hands together with unease. "Either come, or go. You choose, but you're letting all the light in, and the heat out." Tethys grumbled from his sleepy posture. "Your uniform is in the wardrobe at the foot of your bed. Sleep well," Hyakk bolted from the room, clearly distressed from my anger. "Hyakk!" I yelled. "Hyakk!" I sighed angrily at my predicament, and the doors shut behind me leaving us both in the dimly lit room. The red lights highlighted Tethys' form as his back rose and fell with his breathing. "Why couldn't I be bunkmates with someone else?" I whined, wiping the worry from my face. Tethys only laughed quietly. "Hyakk's physiology cannot handle the environmental requirements of a Draco, and our Captain reserves the right to maintain her own quarters." Tethys moved his head to face me, though his eyes were now closed. "Why is it so goddamn hot and humid in here?" My face was flushing from my anger, and it was only amplified from this room's environment. I was fortunate that the red glow of the room's lighting was able to hide it from Tethys. "I am not going to be able to sleep in this humidity! I'll be turned into a puddle by the time our next shift starts." "If you remove your clothing, you will see that it is not so bad in here." Tethys peeked one eye at me from under his sleepy lid. "Fine!" I said sternly. "But you need to face the wall until I am under the covers." Tethys chuckled again. The low emanations coming from him were quite soothing in the confines of our quarters. "It is nothing I have not seen for myself," Tethys responded smugly, and my eyes grew wide from embarrassment. "Your undergarments left nothing for the imagination once you were out of the bath. This form is quite impressive that you have taken this time Victor." "Stop calling me Victor!" I hissed. My nails dug into the bedding with my frustration. "Turn around, or I'll..." Tethys placed his hand in the air as he rolled to face the wall. "Suite yourself little one," Tethys' smooth voice wasn't helping matters, as I could feel the blood begin to rush down to my crotch. I had to make this quick, and I scampered to remove my clothing and pull the thin sheet over my body. "You can turn around now," I said defeatedly, and Tethys rolled back over onto his stomach. I saw the red glow on his tail, as it moved to hang from the bed. When I looked over at his eyes, they were fixated firmly on me, and I promptly turned myself to face the wall. "I can smell the bruising I caused you." Tethys' voice was different now, sadder. "Yeah, well, that's what happens when you shove a guy against a wall, twice." "I apologize for causing you harm Lux." His voice was definitely sadder. "I should've known that forcing the issue would have resulted in a strong reaction from you Tethys," I frowned as I continued to face the wall. "Thank you." "For what?" Tethys asked simply. "For not calling me Victor." My shoulders relaxed as sleep began to claim me. Tethys only hummed his acknowledgment. Before I knew it, I was sound asleep for the first time in weeks. That well deserved rest didn't seem to last long however, as I was woken up to an extraordinarily bright light. The heat in the room had amplified, and I was swimming in a pool of sweat. Nonetheless, I could feel my hormones raging in my crotch as I pitched a tent under the thin sheets. I had pulled the covers off of my chest presumably while I slept, and I opened my eyes thinly to gage where that bright light was coming from. Over Tethys' bed, the bright hot light shined down directly on his features, and Tethys was basking in it. As my sleepy eyes followed his form from tail to snout, I saw the intense yellow hughe of Tethys' eyes once again looking at me. No, simmering. I couldn't help but feel a bit exposed at seeing Tethys watching me. There was no way of missing it either, he definitely noticed the prominent tent beneath my sheets. I groaned unhappily as I sat up and crouched forward to smoothly cover my morning wood. "Did you sleep well, little one?" Tethys asked, as he enjoyed the basking light. "I would have slept better if it wasn't 120 degrees inside this room right now," I retorted. The truth was, I was extremely hot, sweaty, and very horny, and it wasn't helping that Tethys had been watching me sleep. The brute of which filled my fantasy yesterday. "Well, a part of you didn't seem to mind it all that much," Tethys' relaxing emanations began to echo in the room. Tethys' head rested on his arms which were crossed over his pillow to provide extra support for his large snout. One of his clawed fingers pointed below my covers. "Human biology fails me from time to time," I chided nervously at Tethys' observation. I hadn't expected him to call me out about it, and I attempted to cover that portion of myself even more. "There is nothing to be ashamed of Lux. If it is your biology, then you should own it proudly." Tethys got silent for a moment. "Your pheromones were what woke me up initially. It has been a while since I shared quarters with anyone. Whatever you were dreaming about, must have been a..." I abruptly cut him off. "Yeah, I don't remember what I was dreaming about." That was a lie. It is hard not to remember your sex dreams. They fade quickly, but after immediately waking up you always wish they were real. Tethys only hummed his agreement as he rose to leave his bed. Exposing his large semi-flaccid member as he rose, my eyes grew wide as it slowly began to recede into Tethys' body. I only spared a moment to indulge my curiosity, before returning my gaze to his bed. There, a prominent wet spot appeared where Tethys slept. Tethys laughed as he sniffed the air around us. "There's the smell that woke me up this morning," Tethys' eyes flickered my way, and his toothy grin flashed his amusement. The truth was, I couldn't hide my attraction towards him at all. My body would always betray me, like my re-hardening cock did now beneath my sheets. "I have my answer then." Tethys continued before walking into our shared commode. "Answer?" I asked, confused by his meaning. Tethys only stood in front of the mirror as he brushed his teeth. My eyebrow quirked at this scary brute's hygiene which didn't seem different from humans at all. A small smile presented on my face as I watched him finish by picking his teeth before his tail gently closed the door. Almost. When I heard the buzzing from what I presumed to be a waterless shower began, I groaned loudly as I fell back down to my pillow. My hands cupped the blushing embarrassment on my face. After a prolonged period in the shower, Tethys finally emerged from the commode. I had finally willed away my hardon and I swiftly rushed by him to the bathroom before it returned. After I brushed my teeth, I hollered for Tethys through the thin doors. "Tethys? Are you still here?" I asked, expecting Tethys to be long gone by now. "I am here Lux," Tethys' voice wasn't very gruff with me at all. "When I get done in here, will you take me to the infirmary to get checked out? I still haven't figured out the Vanguard's layout yet." I activated the waterless shower, and it hummed to life. It wasn't the most satisfying sound, but it wasn't too shrill either. "Are you alright Lux?" I could detect a hint of worry in Tethys' voice. "Yeah, but after being slammed into a wall twice by our resident Draco I figured I should get these bruises checked out." I snickered as I entered the shower. "I did warn you that your provocation was senseless." Tethys replied. "Yeah well, I have been known to have a pretty thick skull." It was uncharacteristically comfortable for me to exchange banter with Tethys. He was such an aggressive predator, but for some reason I felt comfortable here, and he wasn't any more agressive with me than a domestic house cat. "Perhaps you should get that looked at as well," Tethys didn't understand my expression. "That, Tethys is what I call sarcasm," A smile appeared across my face, imagining Tethys' bewilderment. "I will escort you to the infirmary Lux. I am responsible for those wounds, and I will help you to ensure your health." Woah, a bit much there Draco. "My hero," I chided playfully. This time Tethys did laugh. His hearty laugh made me happy somehow. I wanted to keep hearing him laugh, and I felt like he didn't laugh much since his soulmate passed away. Frankly, I always noticed a storm hovering around Tethys until I confronted him about his past. "What was her name Tethys?" This time I was more serious, and Tethys paused before answering. "Like you, she had many names, but I knew her as Aliyah." Tethys' voice hummed her name lovingly. "Aliyah? That's a surprisingly human name Tethys." Something felt strange thinking about her name. "Simple coincidence perhaps," Was Tethys' resolve to my statement. I nodded my agreement in the shower as if Tethys could see it. After showering, and brushing my teeth, I ran my fingers through my now ratty hair and fumbled to try and find deodorant. Nothing, not even so much as a brush or comb. I had forgotten to bring my uniform into the bathroom with me, and I struggled with my own resolve to leave the safety of the bathroom bare ass naked to retrieve it. I exhaled deeply, as I struggled to feel confident enough to be naked in front of the one I had fantasized about. `It's just my biology. Nothing to be ashamed of," I thought to myself as I opened the door and swiftly pounced to the wardrobe on the other side of the room. Maybe if I was fast enough, Tethys wouldn't see me at all. Wrong. Tethys watched as I pranced awkwardly across the room, my manhood unintentionally bouncing with each agile leap. Stopping dead in front of the wardrobe, I could feel Tethys' simmering gaze. I huffed with my exhaustion and failure, reached for my uniform, and then nonchalantly strolled casually back into the commode. The room shifted with Tethys' laughter at my antics as he observed me the whole way. "Haha, laugh all you want," I announced, bemused by his laughter. "At least you can put yours away," I mumbled now returning to the bathroom. After swallowing my pride, and pulling my one piece jumpsuit up over my shoulders, I investigated my form in the mirror as I zipped it shut. I was slender, and quite compact compared to Tethys, but the nicely fitted jumpsuit contoured my barely visible pecs, and my ever so slightly hourglass shaped torso. I had pretty pronounced hips for a man, since my waist was so thin, but the suit hugged me in all the right places. The angular suit design was varying shades of grey, not like Mina's white suit, but the construction was similar. The gray tones in the uniform suited my cool complexion, and cool toned brown locks. Blowing air between my lips, I pulled my hair into a ponytail with one hand, and left the sanctum of the commode to find my hair tie that I kept in my pocket. Fumbling single handedly through my clothes to find my hair tie, I looked at Tethys as he watched me foraging through my pockets. His clothes were not much different from what he usually wore, except his vest was now like my uniform. Angular, and the same shades of gray, it suited his reddish brown coloring. Tethys rose to stand in front of me, and my head came up to only his chest. His very well formed pecs changed the contours of his uniform, and his built biceps were exposed as he leaned forward slightly to assist me in holding my pants from yesterday. One of his blunt claws brushed my lips as he coaxed the article from my clenched teeth. I could feel my heart rate elevating as his cooing sounds eased the waistband of my jeans from my mouth. I glanced up at the ruffling feathers atop his head, and felt myself begin to swoon. Catching myself from melting from Tethys' gentle touch, I cleared my throat. "Thanks," I mumbled, looking down at the pants Tethys held up for me as I reached inside each pocket for my missing elastic. "If I can't brush my hair, I might as well get it out of the way." My blush was burning at my cheeks. Once again, my body was betraying me. Once I found the tie, Tethys gently placed the article of clothing on my bed as I tied my hair back. I tried my best to smooth it out as much as I could. I raised my arms up to showcase my new threads to Tethys. "What do you think?" I dropped my arms to my sides and Tethys grasped my chin with his large hand, moving my face from side to side. "It suits you," He hummed his approval. "Well then," I started with a gulp, "Lead the way big guy. I'm all set." Tethys stepped towards the door, and opened it with a gesture for me to leave first. I didn't think I could blush anymore than I was right now. As soon as I stepped into the bright hallway, he would see my reddened face in all it's glory. I nodded my head towards him, and we stepped out of the room. Me, then him. The walk to the infirmary was a silent one. Comfortable, but silent. I wasn't sure how I could make small talk with Tethys, and I appreciated that he didn't seem to mind either way. When we approached the door to the Medbay, Tethys opened the door for me and I turned to face him. I couldn't help but smile sheepishly at his gesture. It seemed like Tethys really wanted to make sure that I was okay. It made me feel good. "I'll be okay from here. Wait for me, so I don't get lost on the way to the bridge?" I asked politely. Tethys nodded his acknowledgment, and turned to stand guard by the door. I couldn't help but smile at his gruff exterior. He wanted everyone to see him as a beast, a predator, but I got to see him differently. I felt somehow special to get to know the real Tethys. Entering into the Infirmary, a blue glowing beam of light began to swipe up and down my body. At which point, my phone began to speak to me. "Welcome, Victor Herring, to the Infirmary. How may I be of assistance?" Her voice was the most realistic Siri that I have ever heard. And I had to smile in appreciation of Hyakk's effort to enhance my tech. "I would like to be checked out," I responded cautiously. I wasn't sure what to suggest. "My bio-scans of your anatomy only show minor injuries to your thoracic spinal region. Otherwise, you are in fine shape, Victor," Her response was lightning quick, with no lag time at all. I was impressed. "Well," I began, "I would like to check something else actually." My hand caressed my shoulder as I ventured over to an access panel in the medbay. "State your query," Siri chided. "Am I biologically compatible with a Draconian?" My question made me nervous, as if someone might hear me. "Specify parameters," Siri continued. "Sexually, I mean copulation. Are we safe to copulate with each other?" My uniform was feeling warm as I pulled at my collar with my index finger. "Query unknown," I blew out a breath of defeat. "Biological samples are required." My ears perked at the suggestion. "What kind of samples?" I asked, and a robotic arm extended from the ceiling. It went to a table to select a needle and syringe. As the needle approached me, I began to tremble a bit. "I don't know, needles never did make me feel comfortable." "Victor, a blood sample is required to answer your query. Do you wish to continue?" Her voice was cold, no matter how realistic Hyakk made her sound. I pulled up my sleeve to expose my arm, and the machine proceeded to draw a few vials of my blood. "Draconian blood sample required." "Oh, uhh," I paused. "I don't know if that is a good idea Siri." "There is one Draconian life form on board the Vanguard. Deck 3, section 21." "Yeah, he doesn't exactly know..." I was cut off by a loud roar from the other side of the Infirmary doors. The doors swished open, and I found an infuriated Draco stumbling inside the Medbay. "Those damn Greylings! They have no courtesy towards the other organics on the ship," Tethys quipped. I looked behind Tethys to see a little greyling hovering by the door with a ruptured electrical conduit in his hand. I looked back to Tethys, who was bleeding superficially from his arm. Running over to Tethys I asked, "Siri, why'd you go and do that for?" "Unknown query, I did nothing," Siri responded coldly. "I expected privacy in this matter, and you go and send the Greylings after Tethys?" Tethys hissed as I grabbed his injured arm. "Heal him, NOW Siri," I demanded, dragging him towards the Medbay table. "Query, would you like me to continue the investigation into your query Victor?" "No, heal him." Tethys placed his other arm on my hand. "What query?" Tethys grunted. "It's nothing-," Siri cut me off. "Determining biological compatibility between Humans and Draconians. A blood sample is required. Shall I continue?" Tethys looked over at me, and he began to erupt into furious laughter. "Is that why you brought me here Lux? To trick me into providing a blood sample for your question?" Tethys laughed through his pain at the matter. "No! I-," Once again Siri cut me off. "Query, shall I continue determining copulation viability?" At this point I let out a growl of my own as I smashed my fist down on the medical panel. Tethys removed my hand from his arm as he continued his laughter, and proceeded to extend his arm for the machine to collect his blood sample. "Next time, just ask me. I am honored to provide any medical testing you require to set your mind at ease. Continue with biological sample extraction." Tethys grimaced as the robotic arm proceeded to extract a sample from Tethys. "Just promise not to trick me into anything with the help of your little grey friends. My head twirled back at the little greyling as he replaced the electrical conduit back to where it came from. "Not funny Dorian," I quipped at the little grey man on the other side of the door. His black, voided eyes stared back at me without emotion as he continued his work. "Biological samples completed. I shall have your results in two days time Victor. Is there anything else that I can do for you today?" Siri's cold voice requested. "No Siri, I think you've done enough. Heal my friend's wound or something, and let me know what you find out." My embarrassment once again possessed my facial expression as I watched the machine bandage up Tethys' arm. My anger that my secret was now out in the open flooded my face as I saw Tethys watching me from the Medbay table. Once Tethys was all wrapped up I left the Infirmary with Tethys hot on my heels. Grasping my shoulders with both of his immense hands, Tethys spun me around to face him. My chin faced the ground as I fought back my tears of embarrassment at what had just happened. "Where are you running off to so quickly, little one?" Tethys mused, knowing my secret now. I didn't answer him, my anger still welled up inside me like a volcano waiting to erupt. Tethys' grasp loosened around me. "I need to eat something before assuming my post. Accompany me as repayment for escorting you to the Infirmary?" I gulped hard, "You're not mad?" I asked, angered more by my childish question. Tethys only belted out another round of joyful laughter. "Mad? I'm furious," Tethys removed a palm from my shoulder as he turned me to walk with him. "That little devil electrocuted me in order to provide a blood sample. I wanted nothing more than to sever his head from his shoulders. Just like you are furious that I now know your little secret Lux." I glanced up at Tethys' sizzling gaze as he watched me poignantly. "Can I tell you one of my secrets Lux?" I nodded hesitantly at his question, and Tethys stopped us so he could lean into my ear. "I like your secret. I wish to copulate with you too." The cooing and the emanations I kept feeling from him every time he was around me began broadcasting so strongly while he stood so close to my body. I was beginning to go weak at the knees. "I am happy to satisfy all of your questions, and take as many tests as you like until you are comfortable enough to reveal that side of yourself to me. I want to see it."