Your Hot Then Your Cold, You’re Yes then You’re No

Posted on Tue Apr 9th, 2024 @ 8:43pm by Commander Rylen Lyo & Fleet Captain Maxwell Culver

3,598 words; about a 18 minute read

Mission: The Fall of the House of Lyo
Location: Commander Rylen Lyo’s Quarters
Timeline: MD5: 2000 hours

Max found himself walking past Rylen’s quarters over and over again while the Quartermaster worked on finding him new quarters that weren’t attached to the S’ti’ach’s quarters. He liked the little blue koala well enough, but not enough to bunk with him and his weird tree.

Taking himself on a walk around the deck, he passed the door again and again. He told himself it was better than pacing in his ready room, though it was essentially the same thing, just on a longer route.

Finally, after the third time, Max decided he’d had enough ‘pacing around the deck. He touched the annunciator and heard the familiar tone as the request to enter was made. He found himself wondering what he was doing? Maybe passing along his personal apologies? Yeah, that had to be it…

Except it wasn’t. Something had changed in him today and he suddenly found he was attracted to his Ops Chief. It wasn’t impossible for a captain to find people he worked with attractive. Starfleet certainly didn’t forbid relationships between crew. Except that the captain usually remained apart from his crew.

’What the hell an I doing?’ Max wondered even as he stood there.

On duty hours were over, and Rylen was officially on, as the Captain called it, ‘Bereavement Leave’. He had not been particularly close to his Lord Father, but Rylen and his brother had enjoyed a strong relationship throughout their lives. The Ops officer was dressed in a tight fitting white shirt, loose comfortable silk pants and slippers that had been hand crafted from the finest Antarean Leather. He had set out a plate of Ktarian chocolate puffs and had set the plate on the table in the sitting area.

Even before he heard the chime from the door, Rylen Lyo knew he was going to be having a visitor. Someone that, despite their outward expressions, felt a degree of conflict over visiting. It was only when they actually rang the chime that Lyo got a strong enough read to know the person’s identity.

“Come in, Captain,” said Lyo.

Max entered Rylen’s quarters and stood just inside the door. He could feel the roiling of emotions just beneath the surface as Rylen seemed to study him as well - it wasn’t as if he wasn’t a roiling mass of emotions too.

“I thought…” Max paused a moment before deciding how to delicately broach the subject of the deaths of Rylen’s father and brother. “I mean, I’ve just been waiting for the Quartermaster to assign me proper quarters and I thought I would check in on you. You know, offer my condolences. We’ve been so busy I don’t think I’ve had the chance to tell you I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you.”

’Gods that sounded stupid!’ Max thought to himself. ’Wandering around?’

Max was still is uniform, but he noticed Rylen was wearing something more relaxed, for him anyway. For anyone else, he was still dressed in the luxuries of the richest in two quadrants.

And, it definitely suited him.

Max took in the muscular arms and chest that Rylen’s tight shirt showed off - a rare display that few on the ship would have seen. The richest silk pants and plush slippers. It definitely looked wealthy and he wore it regally. As he should, being the newest Lord Lyo, head of his House.

Something tingled Max’s brain. ’Last son of the House Culver,’ a gentle woman’s voice echoed and he was reminded of Selanna Muatan for just a moment - as if she was there beside him.

Rylen bowed his head and held that position for a few seconds, a universally recognized gesture of thanks and appreciation. “Thank you, sir,” he said with sincerity. There was something different in the CO’s demeanor, something Rylen could not quite put his finger on; Lyo was accustomed to being physically appreciated by crew mates, but never before from a Commanding Officer. “Oh, um…where are my manners? Would you care to sit? I replicated some dessert but I’m afraid it’s a bit much for one person to eat.”

Max’s response formed in his head quite quickly. ’No, I’m sure they’ve got to have the situation with my quarters fixed by now.’, but his mouth managed the complete opposite. “If I’m not bothering you,” Max paused and wasn’t exactly sure if he pulled it from Rylen himself or if it was his own knowledge of Kriosian culture but he ended the sentence with, “your Lordship.”

Rylen nearly spat out his mouthful of apple cider. “None of the ‘Your Lordship’ nonsense in private. And no, I am never bothered by the company of a handsome and charming gentleman.” The blood drained suddenly from Lyo’s face, causing him to go suddenly pale. “I’m sorry. That was not appropriate. Sir.“

Surprise. Excitement. Flirty. Mortified. Max could read that in the few seconds that flitted by in Rylen’s words. Max suppressed a desire to smile or even laugh at the ridiculousness of the moment. “I’ll hold on your Royal titles if you stop calling me ‘sir’. Even though I’m technically always on duty, for the moment I’m not officially ‘on the clock’ so to speak. My name is Max…it’s okay to call me that, Rylen.”

Max moved farther into the room, looking at the small effects of, no doubt, the richness that the House of Lyo provided for such expensive tastes. He took up a seat on the standard Starfleet couch. Once sat down, he pulled at the duty jacket he wore and draped it over the back of the couch. “So,” Max said, adopting an equally flirty, if not devilish tone. “You were saying something about dessert and how handsome I am. How could I leave without the follow through on such a promising beginning?” Max asked, a teasing amusement in his tone.

Either Rylen would rise to the bait, or he would return to his usual self while on duty. Cool. Calculating. Distant. Max hoped for the former because the latter wouldn’t be much fun to share dessert and conversation with.

Lyo could feel the emotional energy radiating from the Captain. It was definitely flirtatious, but there was another layer beyond that. Raw. Primal. But also soft and fluffy simultaneously. Rylen had liaisons with other officers before, but had never empathy on this level. He knew that Max has telepathic gifts, so perhaps that was why the connection felt stronger.

He owed it to himself to explore what this connection meant.

“Ktarian Chocolate puffs,” said Lyo, gesturing toward the plate. “But not replicated. I have them shipped from Ktaris…they are made with twelve distinct varieties of chocolate from different worlds in the Ktarian sector. Luxury dessert at its finest.” Rylen wished he had the audacity to say that was not the only dessert he was craving at the moment.

“Sounds indulgent,” Max replied jovially but while also thinking about the extra time in the gym this would cost him. ’You only live once. And for a thousand years or more,’ he thought ruefully. Besides, the offer to join Rylen Lyo and learn more about him was irresistible.

“So tell me how to eat these. I’ve not got a refined upbringing like yours. I do have twelve older brothers who taught me to be a bit more rough and tumble, though, in all honesty, it was much easier with my sisters. You know, not a lot of physical trauma - just emotional.” Max laughed at his own self deprecation.

“My Lord Father would have peeled away each individual layer of chocolate and savored it by itself,” explained Rylen. “But I always believed that pleasure is best experienced…together.” He lifted the plate from the small table and sat down next to Max. They were literally inches from each other. Lyo lifted one of the heavy desserts from the plate and bit a small section off; several flakes of dark chocolate fell onto the front of his shirt.

“Fiddly little things,” Max said, unconsciously reaching out and brushing the dark flakes from Rylen’s shirt. He could feel the rush of his heart there, though the Kriosian was good at hiding it. Max’s hand lingered a bit too long, allowing him to tap into the roiling mass of loss, anger, fear, questioning that lay just beneath the surface of that placid personality.

Max pulled his hand back, knowing that he had inadvertently taken advantage of some empathic experience between them. He quickly picked up one of the Katarian Chocolate puffs and gently bit into it, finding the experience far different than any desert he’d had before.

These were refined and delicate. Made with great care and dedication by a master baker and chocolatier. The dough melted in such a way that all twelve of the chocolates danced on his tongue, both separately and together. It one plate of these probably cost a bar of latinum, which was nothing to a man like Rylen Lyo.

And yet, there was something about Rylen that Max found himself extremely attracted to, and it wasn’t just the physical. A moment, in Max’s mind, presented itself and Max leaned in to kiss Rylen. The world and the chocolate puffs fell away in a moment that seemed endless in time and space.

The moment between them seemed to stretch into infinity. Although their lips had barely touched, that brief and tiny amount of physical contact had allowed a veritable tide of feelings to come rushing through. Rylen wanted more. The Kriosian was also at a crossroads in his adult development; if he formed this bond with Max, it may not be able to be broken. Rylen hoped that Max understood, he was certainly trying to bring these thoughts to the forefront and make them easy to read. So, before things went further, Rylen had to ask. “Max, are you sure?”

Max could sense the confusion and questioning. It wasn’t until Rylen asked that Max wondered himself. He leaned back, feeling mortified. “I’m sorry! That was inappropriate,” he said quickly, pilling his jacket off the couch as he stood in one fluid moment. “I’ve taken advantage of you in a vulnerable moment.”

Max moved toward the door. “But you do deserve an answer. I feel something deep inside, something primal that I don’t understand. I am sure, this might not be the time for romance. Maybe after…” he suggested. “Your Lordship.”

Max gave a half bow and waited to see if Rylen had another reaction.

Rylen gave Max a sidelong look. Yeah, he wanted it…Rylen didn’t need to be empathic to make that determination. But, the Captain was also correct that the timing was awkward. “I sense you want it as badly as I do.” He got up from the sofa, flakes of chocolate littering the floor. He reached out his hand, brushing his fingers gently against Max’s cheek. “So yes, when this is over. But Max…” Rylen leaned in closer until his mouth was mere centimeters from the Captain’s ear. “Don’t make me wait too long,” he said in a husky whisper.

Max could feel the desire so deep and burning, he wasn’t sure if it was from him or Rylen. There was something between them that would not wait to be acknowledged. In a fit of passion, Max grabbed Rylen’s white shirt and turned them around, pushing Rylen against the wall. What happened next was no chaste kiss or gentle probing.

As he chucked his duty jacket to the floor, he grabbed the hem of Rylen’s tight white t-shirt and pulled it over his head, pinning Rylen there with one hand. Rylen didn’t seem to mind as Max asked, “Is this okay?” Max needed to be sure what was happening was consensual and not just his overreaction to a perceived feeling.

In an instant, all of Rylen Lyo’s psychic barriers…formidable as they were, built high and strong for his own protection…came crashing to the ground. Unconsciously, the Kriosian reached out with his mind and spoke so that Max heard him with both ears and mind. The sensation of his psionic abilities suddenly expanding was almost painful, but also powerfully erotic simultaneously. ’Don’t stop,’ he said, almost as if he were pleading.

Max smiled as both words and thoughts hit his mind. He could feel Rylen’s mental fortress fall, but not of his doing. And the information came flooding in, but the desire was at the top right now. He kissed Rylen again, deeply, keeping the man’s hands still pinned above his head by his t-shirt. Max’s mouth moved from lips to jawline and neck before he found himself at Rylen ‘s ear. “Yes, your Lordship,” he whispered and sent mentally.

Except now, Max knew what the phrase meant and what it did to Rylen. Wordlessly, Max set the Kriosian free from where he was pinned against the wall. Dropping his arms so that they could both prod each other as Max let Rylen know he was here and ready for everything, even the emotional crisis that Rylen was having.

With a moan under Rylen’s fiercely returned and hungry mouth, Max also mentioned, without words, that he was verse. Though he knew where tonight was going. He backed off to catch his breath and stripped off his own shirt.

Now, both of them half naked, Max moved in again to Rylen, but quickly moved to his hips, and slipped under Rylen’s silk pants to grab his muscular behind. His breath came in ragged gasps between passionately kissing.

“Max,” said Rylen breathlessly. He was enjoying the Captain’s attention, and he could sense that the Captain was also enjoying himself. Really enjoying himself. Being well schooled in the internal politics of the Royal Court, Rylen knew what had to be done. Both of their feelings about each other were complex…but they deserved acknowledgment. “We need to think about this.” He pulled Max away from his neck and looked him directly in the eye. “We barely know each other.”

Max stared at Rylen quizzically. “There’s something primal here, Rylen.” Max backed down and found the edge of the couch. He was still breathing heavily. Rylen was flushed around his shoulders, neck and face. “Something that doesn’t care about what we know about each other,” he continued.

“But, and I mean this seriously, if you want to take it slow, then that’s your prerogative. I also think the primal urge in you is what I’m responding to. This, what is happening here and now, is going to happen at some point. And looking at you now, it’s going to happen soon.” Max blew out a flustered breath and pushed back the sweat on his forehead.

Finding his tunic, Max pulled it back on and tossed Rylen back his t-shirt. Finding his jacket, Max simply chucked it over his shoulder.

“You represent a dam, psychically speaking, and it just burst for a minute there. As hard as you’re working to patch it, it’ll never hold again. Trust me, I know.”

Max paused before Rylen, kissing him a lot less passionately this time. “My name is Max Culver. I’m El-Aurian and the Last Son of my House. I’m a starship captain and I look after my crew. What else do you want to know?” Max asked, gazing deep into Rylen’s blue eyes. “Oh yeah, a Romulan poison messed up my brain and I don’t know what that means yet…but I’m working on it.”

’Last Son of the House Culver. Godslayer,’ a woman’s voice echoed in his head.

Max moved to the door. “Dinner, tomorrow, 2000 hours, casual dress. Scotty’s okay with you?” Max asked. “We’ll get to know each other…” Max let the words hang between them heavily.

“Yes to dinner,” said Rylen. “I don’t want to seem like I’m being hot and cold, Max. But even though we’re putting on the brakes, do you really have to leave?” He gestured toward the plate of dessert. “Still plenty of chocolate puffs.”

Max still hadn’t got a call from the quartermaster yet about proper quarters, so he slowed. Turning back, he responded. “I’ve got nowhere to rush off to. Literally.”

“If you think you can keep your hands off me,” Max joked as he settled back on the couch. He hoped Rylen wouldn’t be standoffish now that Max had taken advantage of a situation that needed a resolution. Especially if the tightness in his slacks was any indication. “Bad joke…sorry.”

Max tapped the cushion beside him. “Plenty of these special, expensive treats for My Lord Rylen Lyo,” Max teased.

As he passed the replicator, Rylen pressed a button and said “Two Antarean Spiced Coffees, decaf.” The drinks swirled into existence inside the small replicator bay. “A perfect accompaniment for Chocolate Puffs,” he said as he sat next to Max. Rylen enjoyed the emotional warmth radiating from the Captain. It was like a balm for his injured soul; Rylen acknowledged that it felt good, and that more than anything else right now it was what he needed. Wants would be satisfied later, but right now he needed to both be close to someone physically and mentally.

Max took the offered drink and sipped from it. It was a nice change from his usual black coffee. Max could feel the need radiating from Rylen, not the primal urge between them before, but a need for emotional comfort and the touch of another person.

When Rylen sat a bit apart from Max, he sipped lower onto the couch and set his mug on the table. He wrapped his arm around Rylen’s shoulder and pulled him closer. “Why don’t you start at the beginning? Tell me about Lord Rylen Lyo. Where did you grow up? What do you like to do in your spare time? Things like that…” Max suggested, interested in knowing more about the other man.

He could sense how tense Rylen was, not from his questions, but from recent events. Max ran his fingers through Rylen’s short brown, curly hair. Somehow, Max knew it would relax him. “Or don’t, we can sit here in quiet and eat Chocolate Puffs from K’Taris. Or you can cry. That would be okay too,” Max offered gently, knowing Rylen hadn’t processed enough to cry. “I have good shoulders to cry on.”

Rylen leaned back into Max’s shoulder. It it was an enjoyable sensation, just the two of them there in the room sharing a decadent dessert. This was what he needed, more than anything else at the moment. A comforting touch, with no motive other than to help him feel better. Rylen promised himself that when they arrived at Krios (time permitting) he would take Max on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Royal Palace. Such a thing may not mean much to outsiders, but just the invitation was a great honor among Rylen’s people. “Did I tell you that His Majesty Jarna IV, the current First Monarch, is a childhood friend of mine? He was one of the few individuals that gave their unequivocal support when I decided upon a career in Starfleet instead of in academia. He’s actually eager to meet my friends here…”

Max could feel the knotted muscles in Rylen’s neck as he massaged the Kriosian’s scalp and started down his neck. “Here,” he said before adjusting himself so that Rylen was now between his legs. Max listened as Rylen humble bragged about the Emperor. Finding a particularly difficult knot, Max asked, “Would that have had any impact on his Ascension to the Throne?” They needed to narrow down whom Rylen thought would most benefit from the murder of his Lord Father and the First Heir.

“Endless Sky, that’s good,” said Rylen breathlessly, his eyes rolling backward slightly as Max squeezed the tension out of his neck. “On Krios, our Royal Succession is a bit more complex than most; my father actually cast the deciding vote in the Crown Council session when the First Monarch was…” Rylen paused for a long second. “That could be the first clue, Max.”

Max breathed in whatever scent Rylen was wearing. He felt calmed. Not the fiery sexuality of earlier, but a gentle empathic touch to Rylen’s calming state. “I would think your father made enemies that day. I also wouldn’t count on your childhood friendship to help you in finding the truth either. Anyone you know or don’t know may play their part in this.

“Royal machinations are about with Kings and Queen, Knights and Rooks, and many pawns. It’s like those old Earth books…Game of Thrones. Promise me you won’t trust anyone, not even friendly old Kings, hmm?”

Rylen turned his head slightly to the left, looking at Max and meeting eyes with him. “I trust you…and right now, that’s enough for me.”

 

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