by Darien Cox
Christian shrugged. “That’s it? No problem?”
“No problem.” Baz blinked. “I know you language of body as well, Chrischris. You no to believe what I say.”
Christian scrubbed his fingers through his hair, sighing. “I was having trouble believing you. But I guess I’m imagining things. I was worried maybe I rubbed you the wrong way. That you don’t like me for some reason and were avoiding me on purpose.”
Baz’s luminescent eyes softened and he leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “Chrischris. No. Do not like? This is stupid thought. You are my favorite human.”
Christian chuckled. “Really?”
“Yes. Okay?” He pointed at Christian. “Favorite human.”
“That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me. And incidentally, you’re my favorite alien.”
Baz gave Christian a tight-lipped smile, and a blush of peach rose on his white cheeks. “You not to know any other aliens, Chrischris.”
“Ah, hang on. I met Tullis, remember? The angry nasty.”
“Oh. Okay. Yes. But would hope you like me better than nasty Tullis.”
“Well, even if I knew lots of aliens, you’d still be my favorite.”
Staring down at the table, Baz nodded. “Thank to you.”
On a whim, Christian reached over and placed his hand over Baz’s. “We good then?”
Baz flinched and quickly retracted his hand. “Good, Chrischris.”
Christian frowned. “Okay.”
“Done talk now?”
“You eager to get rid of me?”
Baz’s white lashes lifted, and he stared at Christian for several long moments. “I do not have bad feel for you. Please to believe.”
“Okay. I believe you. Just had to ask.”
“Okay. Done talk now? Chrischris to leave?”
Well, shit, I guess so. “Can I ask one more thing?”
“Okay.”
“Does it bother you if I touch you? You used to squeeze my hand if I touched yours. But you just pulled away. I need to know if I’ve overstepped by touching you or something in the past. If I crossed a line or something, please just tell me. Interacting with an extraterrestrial is still new to me. I want to learn.”
“No. Is fine. You never bother me. Is fine.”
Christian smiled. “Okay. Your comfort is important to me.”
Baz’s gaze trailed over Christian, then he quickly looked away. “Always kind, Chrischris. Too kind.”
“How am I too kind?”
“No...not...” Baz rubbed his temples, another gesture he’d likely picked up from Elliot. “I mean...consider. Considerate. You. Say kind things. Too much kind. Make me feel...”
“Makes you feel how?”
Baz remained silent.
“Aren’t the others kind to you? Nolan and Elliot? JT? Rudy?”
“Yes. Very kind. Joff like Nolan and Ellytot very much. Joff say...enjoy to be with Nolan and Ellytot. Have pleasant feel with spend time with.”
“Ah. Okay.” Christian was confused. Part of him felt there was something beneath Baz’s words that he was trying to convey. But it was so difficult to tell with his limited language skills.
“Well, maybe you and Joff can visit me and Myles sometime. Like you did Nolan and Elliot. A social visit. What do you think?”
“Oh. Do not know. Joff like Ellytot and Nolan very much.”
“And...you think he wouldn’t like me and Myles?”
His colorful eyes lifted, and he wrung his hands. Christian didn’t want to make him uncomfortable, and knew he was kind of pushing it. But Baz was double-talking him, and it was confusing. “No, Chrischris, I do not mean this. I mean...Joff say Myles very kind at wedding party. Have drink with Joff. Try to speak to.”
“Oh, good. Yeah, Myles is pretty friendly.”
“Yes, very kind.”
“And what about me? You think Joff would like me? I didn’t really get to talk to him at the wedding party.”
Baz stared down at the table. “Sure. Would like you.”
“So what do you think? You guys wanna come over some time? Hang out?”
“Do not know. Joff very shy with humans.”
“I see.” Just not with Elliot and Nolan, apparently.
“Done talk?” Baz asked. “Chrischris best to leave now.”
Regardless of his reassurances, it was pretty damn clear Baz wanted Christian gone. He stood and picked up his jacket, pulling it on. “Sure, we’re done. So if Ogden assigns me to meet with you in the future, you won’t blow me off, right? We don’t have to socialize, but we’ll still need to work together on occasion.”
Baz’s paper-white skin still held a faint peach blush. “I do my best to meet if need.”
Not a very enthusiastic response. There was still something amiss, but Christian decided to take Myles and Elliot’s advice, and let it go. He’d clearly pushed Baz outside of his comfort zone, and the last thing he wanted to do was upset him.
“All right.” He pointed to the silver box on the table. “Should I be careful carrying that? Don’t want to jostle it and screw something up. Ogden would kill me.”
“Is okay.” Baz stood and rounded the table, pointing at the box. “Is secure in there. No harm. Just to be cautious.”
“Great. I’m gonna get going then. It was really nice to see you, Baz. I hope to see you again soon.”
Baz stood stiffly alongside the table, not meeting Christian’s eyes. Christian thought he saw a slight trembled quiver through Baz, but then he was still again, shoulders stiff.
Christian took a step closer to him. “You all right?”
Baz took a small step back, away from him. “Okay. Yes.”
“You sure? I hope I didn’t upset you somehow. I care for you. I think of you as a friend.”
Baz blinked rapidly. “Is all good, Chrischris. Stop to be so kind words, please. Goodbye, Chrischris. Be well.”
Fuck it. I’m going in for the hug. If Nolan and Elliot can get one, than why shouldn’t I? Before he could overthink it, Christian took two quick strides and grabbed Baz, pulling him in and patting his back. “See you soon.”
“DO NOT TOUCH ME!”
Christian froze. He’d never heard Baz shout like that, and was so stunned in the moment he couldn’t move.
Until suddenly he was being hurled back, away from Baz, flying through the air and landing back-first on the kitchen floor. He gasped from the impact, stunned. He didn’t think Baz had physically shoved him, but some powerful force had knocked him back.
Mind clouding with dizziness, he was barely aware of Baz calling his name, his tall white form blurry where he stood over him. “Chrischris, so sorry, Chrischris please speak. Was accident. Chrischris!”
Christian couldn’t respond, as suddenly every muscle in his body twitched uncontrollably, heart pounding, a hot flush blowing through him. His mind vaguely formulated the thought that he might be having a seizure, but instinctually knew this was something else entirely.
Because with the muscle convulsions, there was pleasure. But that wasn’t the right word at all. Ecstasy. Waves of ecstasy like he’d never felt stormed through him, the feeling so sharp it edged on pain but didn’t quite make it. It was physical, but also beyond physical. Christian didn’t believe in a soul, but something that was connected to his body, yet somehow outside of it, experienced an added layer of orgasmic bliss. He hadn’t thought it possible to be electrified with scorching sexual pleasure and cold with terror at the same time. Terror because he wasn’t in control of what was happening.
It went on and on, pulse after pulse, a continuous climax that found every nerve and lit it up with arousal, followed by a kind of full-bodied orgasmic release, then arousal again. Then more release, the pleasure building again as soon as it peaked, the process repeating over and over with mere seconds to recover before it hit again, jolting his body as he thrashed on the floor.
At some point he ejaculated, felt the hot wetness shoot inside his pa
nts, but the orgasm was just another jolt in the myriad of sensations.
But blessedly, the actual ejaculation had done something, because the lightning bolts of ecstasy finally began to ease, and he came back to himself. It was like a gentle fall back into his body, muscles released from whatever held them in thrall, back in his control. He still throbbed everywhere, trembling, but his senses returned enough to focus, and Baz’s voice broke through the humming in his ears.
“Chrischris, please speak. Chrischris, did not mean to! Please to be okay. Please!”
Avoiding looking at Baz, Christian rose on trembling legs and scrambled toward the doorway. Stopping to steady himself, he took several deep breaths, then stumbled down the hallway, his shoulders bouncing off the walls. He somehow made it through the living room and out the front door.
He was aware of a strange wheezing sound in the house behind him, and thought maybe Baz was sobbing.
He paid it little mind, his head clouded with confusion as he climbed behind the wheel of the car and spun out, tearing down the road. Lowering all the windows, he let frigid air blow through the vehicle. It had the benefit of keeping him focused on the road, focused on the freezing sensation, something other than the aftershocks of erotic pulses still rippling through his body.
What. Just. Happened?
And more importantly, how the hell was he going to explain it to Myles?
****
Myles finished dealing the cards, then frowned at Elliot. “Didn’t I hear Christian pull up a few minutes ago?”
Elliot shrugged. “I thought so, but he hasn’t come in.”
Myles hadn’t complained that Elliot wanted to stay and keep him company. It had helped stop him from worrying about Christian meeting with Baz. Elliot’s casual demeanor was reminding Myles he was likely worrying for nothing.
He heard the car door slam outside and looked up. “He’s home.” Myles set his cards down and went to the door.
When he opened the door and saw Christian walking toward him, he tensed. Christian seemed to be walking funny, his steps unsteady, and he avoided Myles’ eyes as he approached.
“Are you all right?”
Nodding, Christian brushed past him into the house.
Elliot turned around and frowned at Christian, who moved to a living room chair and sat, hugging himself. “What happened?” Elliot asked. “Where’s the device?”
“Don’t have it.”
“Why the fuck not?”
Christian closed his eyes and held a hand up. “Just give me a minute, Elliot.”
Myles got a blanket and draped it over Christian. “You should take a hot shower. Your face is bright red. You shouldn’t have gone out without a hat.”
Christian removed the blanket and tossed it aside. “I’m fine.”
“Well, you look like you’re freezing.”
“I’m hot.” Christian removed his jacket, then immediately hugged himself again.
Elliot approached and leaned over, studying Christian’s eyes. “What’s the matter? You look all fucked up. You getting sick?” Elliot touched Christian’s forehead, then his cheek. He stepped back and looked at Myles. “He’s burning up.”
Myles reached out and touched Christian’s face. Christian slapped his hand away, but not before Myles felt how hot he was. “Stop touching me, I’m not sick!”
“Christian, your skin feels like it’s on fire! Let me take your temperature.”
“No.” Christian’s lip trembled. A tremor shivered through his body. “I’m not sick.”
Myles looked at Elliot, whose expression mirrored his concern. Myles knelt in front of the chair. “Okay, enough. What’s wrong with you? What happened with Baz?”
“Seriously,” Elliot said. “Why didn’t you get the energy device? If you’re not sick then talk. Did you meet with Baz?”
“I met with Baz.”
“So where’s the device?”
“I ran out without grabbing it. Something happened.”
“What?” Elliot said. “Tell me.”
“I think I fucked up.” A visible shiver ran through Christian’s body. “Fucked up bad.” Christian glanced at Myles, then at Elliot. “I need to take a shower.”
Christian started to stand, but Myles placed a hand on his shoulder and gently pushed him back into the chair. “You can shower after you tell us what happened. You’re scaring me.”
“Second that,” Elliot said.
Taking a deep breath, Christian let it out with a shiver. “We talked. He said he had no problem with me. That he was just busy before when we were supposed to meet. I thought he was being kinda shady but I let it go, and went to leave. Then I...stupidly hugged him.” Christian looked down. “He didn’t like that.”
Myles’ fists clenched. “Did he hurt you?”
“No.” Christian’s gaze lifted. “Not exactly.”
“Then what exactly happened?” Elliot demanded. “Do I need to call Ogden?”
Christian remained silent for a long moment, rocking himself. Myles wanted to shake him, but finally he spoke, keeping his gaze low. “He told me not to touch him then I was thrown back onto the floor.”
Myles sat down in front of Christian’s chair. He forced his rage and protective instincts down so he could get information. Went into sheriff-mode, using his soft, interrogation voice. “Did he hit you?”
“No. He never laid a hand on me. It was...something else.”
Elliot pinched the bridge of his nose, then crouched down as well. “Like that invisible force that ripped the baby White out of my hands in the forest, when that other hybrid was there? Something like that?”
Christian nodded. “Guess so.”
“So what happened after that?” Myles asked. “You just leave? Did he say anything about it? Apologize?”
“He apologized,” Christian said. “It was an accident. Wasn’t his fault. It was involuntary, I’m sure of it. It was...all involuntary.”
Christian’s hands slowly slid over his lap and covered his groin, drawing Myles’ eyes to the wet spot there. He glanced at Elliot, then lowered his voice as he focused on Christian. “Did you wet yourself?”
Christian’s gaze lifted, and he winced. “Not exactly.”
A cold breeze blew through Myles’ body. “What happened?”
“Something...” Christian’s eyes blinked closed. “I think something from inside him...blasted into me when I hugged him. Something he was trying to keep control of. But I guess when I hugged him he lost control of it.” His eyes opened. “These convulsions went through me for...I don’t know how long. A minute maybe? Like an orgasm all over my body. Then...” He winced again. “I came in my pants.”
Myles stood abruptly. He stared down at Christian, mouth agape.
“What?” Elliot fell back onto his ass. “You actually...” Elliot tugged Christian’s hand away from his groin and looked at the wet spot. “You had an orgasm?” he whispered.
Christian shoved Elliot’s hand off him. “Nothing like this ever happened to you?” he asked. “Or Nolan? When you...hugged Baz?”
“Fuck no!” Elliot glanced up at Myles, then back at Christian. “You sure he didn’t touch you?”
“He didn’t touch me, Elliot. I was lying on the floor, by myself. So nothing like this happened to you? Not even like...a tingle?”
“Christian, nothing tingled when I hugged Baz.” Elliot rubbed his forehead and let out a huff of breath. “It was just like hugging a person. A tall, bony person.”
“And Nolan?”
“I think Nolan would have mentioned if he had a spontaneous full body orgasm when Baz hugged him. It was obviously something about you that triggered it.”
“We should take you to the hospital and get you checked out,” Myles said, heart drumming in his chest.
“No. I’m fine.”
“Enough of this bullshit, you’re not fine, Christian! Ogden’s been the only one talking sense about that...fucking hybrid. You all forget he’s an alien. No one sho
uld be hugging him. No one should be touching him for Christ sakes!” Myles glared at Elliot. “Or having him over for drinks.”
Elliot reached over and touched Christian’s forehead, then looked up at Myles. “His temperature is going down. He’s cooler.”
“It’s passing,” Christian said softly. “I can feel it. Every minute that passes I feel more...normal. Like myself again.”
“Is he still there?” Myles asked, struggling to control his voice, because he wanted to scream. But when Christian met his eyes, it was obvious he wasn’t hiding his emotions as well as he tried to.
“Please stay calm,” Christian said. “I can’t deal with you freaking out right now.”
“Is Baz still at the cabin?”
“Myles, don’t do anything,” Christian pleaded. “It wasn’t his fault. I tried to force him to come clean with me. I went poking around in his emotions because I was throwing a baby tantrum. I kept pushing him to tell me what his issue was with me, because I couldn’t believe what you told me. My stubbornness did this. It wasn’t his fault. I’m the one who invaded his space.”
Teeth clenched, Myles whistled a breath. “Is he still there?”
Christian shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“Elliot?”
Scowling, Elliot pulled his phone out and checked it. “Lantern’s still lit. He could still be there.”
Myles moved to the kitchen and got his jacket. And his gun. When he turned around Elliot was standing before him. “I’ll go,” Elliot said. “You stay here with Christian.”
“You stay with him. I’m going.” Myles pushed past him.
“Myles!” Elliot followed him into the living room. “You are the last person that should be going over there right now.”
“I’m the sheriff of this village.”
“But you’re not going over there as the sheriff! It’s personal.”
“You’re damn right it’s personal!” He pointed to Christian, still shivering in the chair. “That fucking creature just forced a sex act on my boyfriend!”
“Wasn’t like that,” Christian said softly, shaking his head. “He was trying to get me to leave. He was giving all sorts of signals that he wanted me out of there. He even backed away when I moved close to him.”
