Nyx and Hex

[just_hex]

Days had passed and the initial shock ebbed. A shaky peace settled over the pod village as the survivors came together to secure their safety until rescue came. Hex had helped out in medical and he'd helped out scouting for food, he'd helped out putting the dwellings up. But when he was done feeling useful, he'd gladly adopted Nyx's habit of napping naked at any time of day.

He'd come home with some food, but had set it aside, stripped, and settled in the nest with the thought that when Nyx came home, they could eat together.

His last thought before his eyes drooped shut.

Comments

[just_hex]

Hex sat up then and took a breath. It was clear he was thinking through how to explain it.

"My empathy is part of me, of my people. Others simply don't have the ability. But if we are close enough, in heart and mind, in body and breath, even without the ability, I can share with you how I...how I feel everyday."

He hesitated and shrugged.

"You're perceptive enough of what I can do. When you first came, it annoyed you. But it can be...so good. But it's sacred. I've never done it with anyone."

[tempting_the_fates]

"I don't want it," Nyx said quickly, almost defensively. He didn't like feeling his own feelings, he couldn't imagine feeling someone else's as well. To him that sounded like torture.

"Please," he added awkwardly, not wanting to be rude.

[just_hex]

"I didn't think you did," he said, reaching to stroke Nyx's arm. "That's why I haven't even said anything."

But now Nyx knew. Knew it was a possibility. Knew Hex was willing to open himself entirely.

"It's a big thing. Big like...marriage, sort of, I guess. Did your people marry?" he asked, then shifted. "I have so many questions of what your life was like."

[tempting_the_fates]

"My kin don't marry... Didn't marry. We live in groups. Sometimes people float between groups. Many make it so you are never alone. Many make it so we can care for our young," he explained, trying to find the right words. "Even as a royal, we mixed with others. Some Nobel, some not... We would sleep in piles, sharing beds, and bodies. It was rare to see two alone together."

[just_hex]

"Some people did that on Betazed," Hex smiled. "Polycules, that's the word. Lovers, friends, co-parents...when we can't hide how we feel, embracing it is so much better than jealousy, yeah?"

[tempting_the_fates]

"Yes, I imagine so," Nyx nodded, looking thoughtful.

[just_hex]

"I believe an ambassador had four husband's, who were two twins and their lovers," he said, letting his mind wander back home for a moment.

He fell silent then, lost in thoughts of home.

[tempting_the_fates]

"Did you have many lovers?" Nyx asked with a little purr, stretching out on the bed.

[just_hex]

"Not by my people's standards," he chuckled. "A dozen. Hardly any."

He drew his finger lazily down Nyx's arm.

"And never anyone like you."

He paused.

"No one I loved."

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx started to purr again at that, nuzzling at Hex once more.

Love. That was such a nice word.

"I never loved either. Cared, wanted. Not loved though. Not in love."

[just_hex]

"In love now, though, yeah?" Hex said, his grin growing wide. "It's lovely."

He kissed him tenderly then, his smile remaining.

""I'm glad that if I'm here, I'm here with you."

[tempting_the_fates]

"In love now, yes," Nyx agreed with an almost chirping sound. "We can be free here, you'll see. Nature, and sun, and rain... We can be free here, Hex."

[just_hex]

Hex smiled brightly at that and breathed deep.

"Free," he agreed with a nod. "I've never done that."

Impulsively, he leaned in ad grabbed Nyx and tumbled him into new cushions. Nyx could only know how those words made him feel by the way he held him down and kissed him...as best he could with his grin.