The Experiment Ch. 05

Seral's arms were almost painfully tight around me, but I didn't care. His body had been shaking when I'd first rushed to him, and it got worse as we touched. My hands touched a spot on his side and he winced. I moved my hand, glancing down. My palm was covered in blue fluid.

I gasped.

"You need to put your tziu down, Seral, and let the doctor take a look at you."

"No," he snarled.

"Seral, don't make us put you out to treat you. No one tried to harm Ryker. He's been perfectly safe, but now we need to make sure you will be fine. You're running on adrenaline."

"I said no!" Seral roared. I saw Modoalm move toward us out of the corner of my eye. Seral snarled at him, and his father paused. He was obviously agitated, but I wasn't afraid he would hurt me. His arms became even tighter; I grunted as my ribs practically creaked. He lifted me up, and I wrapped my legs around him just to keep from suffocating. I tried to avoid the cut on his side, keeping my thighs low on his hips. "Mine," he growled in a voice that was such a deep hum I could barely feel it.

"Seral, be reasonable," Ovrumi said from the other side of us. His hand reaching out was the final straw. Seral whipped around and took off, taking me with him.

I gasped and hung on, linking my hands around Seral's shoulders. I felt his muscles flex as he ran faster than I could, and he was injured!

"Stop, Seral! You're going to make your injuries worse. Please stop!"

It was like he didn't even hear me, a vicious low growl erupting whenever anyone came between us and wherever he was going. It took a few minutes, but I began to recognize the area of the house we were in. Seral didn't stop until we approached our rooms. I couldn't tell if he was vibrating in anger or shaking from pain, so I slapped my hand on the scanner to open the door.

It closed behind us and I expected Seral to put me down.

"Seral?"

The humming tone he made was one I'd come to recognize, but I couldn't lose my head like my isit had. I squirmed trying to get down, but Seral's claws pricked my skin when his grip tightened.

Okay, that wasn't going to work. I had to get his clothes off. He'd been wearing a wrap when he left, but he must have changed. The tight black fabric ran from his shoulders to his feet, all in one piece. It felt soft in some places, but his chest and back areas were hard. I had to get it off him to see how badly he was wounded.

"How about a shower, my isit?" I stroked his face, trying to get Seral to look in my eyes. He looked at me, but it didn't seem like he really understood what I was saying. "You know how much I like the water. Let's go into the bathroom so I can take care of you, Seral."

He blinked and nodded.

I sighed in relief. He was responding to me again, at least a little. I was even happier when he set me down on a low counter in the bathroom. I scooted back, but kept my eyes on his face to make sure he was okay with it. He tracked my movement but didn't growl.

"Okay. Let's get this off you." I'd felt a seam of sorts on the back of the uniform, so I leaned forward and reached around Seral's neck to find it. I felt around, trying to see if it was velcro or a zipper. I couldn't feel an edge I could move or teeth, so I tried pressing on the round spot right at the top. There was a slight hissing sound and then the body suit loosened.

I pulled the shoulders down to Seral's wrists, gently pulling the top down. I pulled in a breath sharply when I saw the wound at his side. It was a deep gash with blackened edges, like you'd see with a beam projectile weapon. Blue blood was oozing from the wound and stained his skin a solid blue.

I winced for him, knowing it had to hurt.

I didn't get the chance to do much more. Seral gave a quick shake and the garment sort of sloughed off to fall into a puddle at his feet. His claws slid down the front of my shirt and popped the threads holding the buttons on.

"Hey! That's brand new," I said in protest.

His eyes glittered as he deliberately ran his claws down my white pants, slicing them from my waist down. "Need you naked too."

"Oh thank god. I thought I'd lost you."

Seral shook his head. "Hard to think. So scared someone would hurt you. Need to touch you, know you're okay."

"I was with your family the whole time," I assured him, "they'd never let anyone hurt me."

He shook his head and pulled me into his arms. I buried my face in his neck and sighed. He hadn't been gone long, but I'd missed him. Having him come back injured was my worst nightmare, other than him not coming back at all. He shifted closer, forcing my legs wider so he could press our chests together.

I gazed at his face as I smoothed his hair back from his face. Leaning up, I kissed him gently on the lips. Looking down, I saw blood on my thigh.

"You need to see a doctor Seral! You're bleeding all over me." It really didn't matter that he'd cut my new clothes off, there were big patches of blood on my pants and shirt staining the pale fabric.

"No." He was no longer growling, but his voice was implacable. His hands were stroking my skin, dipping lower and lower now that we weren't pressed so close.

"Seral!"

"No more talking." He yanked me off the counter and pulled me into the shower. The gentle flow started, streaming down on both of us. The silvery water turned pale blue with the blood as it puddled at our feet and swirled down the drain. Seral's hum of pain as the water hit his wounds made the bone behind my ear vibrate, and I shuddered.

I would have pushed him away to check the rest of his body. but he didn't give me any chance. The water flowed down his back as he pushed me back into the wall, grinding our hips together. His caresses had their usual affect, and I was already half hard, even though I worried about his injuries. A few thrusts later I was fully hard, our cocks rubbing together.

Unable, and unwilling to stop him, I let Seral take the lead. His hands sank into my short curls and he tilted my head back, leaning down to join our mouths in a fierce kiss. He ate my moans as I sank into the pleasure rising through me. I knew he had to be hurting, but I no longer had the power to think, much less reason with him about why we shouldn't be doing this in the shower.

I hooked one leg around his and pulled him even tighter against me. The water flowed over us, mixing with the precum that smoothed the slide of our erections together. The muscles in my stomach quivered as he rubbed against them. I felt like I would shake apart as he drove me closer and closer to the edge.

"Seral!" My cry echoed in the bathroom as I shot, release the pressure and ache in my balls. My cum hit his chest and stomach; Seral's hum grew louder as he continued to rub against me. My body was limp as my leg slid down as I gasped for air. My head slumped back against the wall, and I looked up at him. His perfectly black eyes shone in the dim light; his eyelids were shut halfway, but his mouth was open with his fangs showing as he stared at his mark on my neck. The expression on his face was stark need.

I swallowed hard; I knew what he wanted. "Do it," I whispered.

He needed no other encouragement to sink his teeth into my skin. I screamed, the pain sharp with my orgasm past, but the feeling quickly turned to pleasure. The feeling of him sucking, pulling my blood into him as his claimed me anew sent a second orgasm through me, my soft cock dribbling thin fluid against his stomach to mix with his own thick release.

Our bodies were almost melded together as we held each other through the shuddering aftermath. Released with the intimacy, I could see the fear and anger in Seral's eyes fade. Our lips touched in a soft kiss.

"I'm sorry tziu," Seral said quietly. "I didn't mean to be so aggressive. My fear that you had been hurt made me turn a bit feral. My family has . . . issues with our temper. Add in my injuries, and I lost control."

"It's okay." I gave a weak little laugh. It was true; I didn't feel any fear with Seral. It was as if he'd erased the bad memories. I sort of liked it when he took control. "It was hot, but speaking of your injuries, do you think you can let a doctor in here to look at those now?"

"Dr. Handiburge is the only one available. The others stayed at the front lines to continue testing the new nano defense. He insisted on coming back with me."

I shuddered at the idea of the doctor being in our rooms. The sight of him still gave me the creeps, the one time I'd seen him in the halls I'd turned and walked the other way. My guard had followed me without a word. But, here in our rooms, he couldn't freeze me.

"Let's get you in bed, and I'll call him. I want that wound on your side looked at, and I felt a couple of small cuts on your back that might need treatment."

"Thank you, tziu."

Seral wobbled a little as we got out of the shower. Thankfully the dryer worked properly, and all I had to do was get him into bed. He was strangely heavy for his size, and it was awkward to prop him up with our height difference. I grabbed a wrap and hurriedly drew it around my hips. I really didn't want to be naked in front of Seral's family.

I had an idea that I wasn't really going to have to use the computer to summon Modoalm and Ovrumi, or the doctor. I went to the door that was buzzing and checked. Sure enough, they were all waiting outside along with Jaraula and Witani.

Dr. Handiburge was the first one in, and he went directly to the bed where I'd helped Seral lay down. The others came in, questions flying. I tried to answer what I could, but other than the fact we were okay I didn't know much.

Ovrumi pulled me in for a hug. "I'm sorry," he said. "I was afraid he might have frightened you. I've seen Modoalm in the grips of a fury like that once and it scared the crap out of me. I thought with your history . . . ."

I gave the older man a squeeze. "I know, but Seral would never hurt me. Thank you for trying to protect me though."

Witani was the first one to hug me after Ovrumi let me go. Jaraula was tucked into her father's side, tears on her face as she clung to him and watched the doctor work on Seral, sealing up his cuts.

Seral's teeth were clenched as the doctor wielded a hand held machine that almost seemed to smooth and glue the skin together. I winced as I watched. I knew they could numb the pain if we'd been in the med wing, but I also knew that Seral would never go there. His eyes watched me, even with his family in the room.

"He'll be okay," Witani said in a tight voice.

I sighed. She was my height and standing with our arms around each other's waist so we could lean together was comforting. "I know."

"Polsh sent a message back; he wasn't hurt, so he stayed behind in Seral's place to oversee moving the more wounded doctors and guards."

I felt so bad; I hadn't even thought of Polsh. "I'm so sorry, Tani. I didn't even think to ask if Polsh was okay."

She smiled and squeezed me. "It's okay. I was scared half to death when I heard they'd been attacked until I heard my isit was safe. Then I learned Seral was hurt, and Father said he was feral. I would guess you haven't had the chance to think of much of anything since Seral arrived." Her smile was a bit amused.

I felt a fierce blush was up my chest and across my face. "Yeah," I muttered.

Her hum of amusement fluttered across my senses.

Dr. Handiburge stepped back with a sigh. His shoulders were slumped and his isitziu were pale. "I've done all I can. His injuries weren't too severe, and now that he has calmed down his body will heal itself. I've closed the wounds, but don't be too active and split them back open." His glance at me was a bit contemptuous, as if I'd forced Seral into having sex in the shower before having his wounds treated.

I drew a little closer to Witani.

"Thank you," Seral said.

The doctor nodded and left the room quietly. I took a step back to make sure I was standing far enough away that our skin wouldn't touch as he walked past. The move made Witani let me go, and I went toward the bed. I pulled the sheet over Seral, still uncomfortable with their casual nudity for the lower body. Sitting down on the edge, I smiled as he took my hand and twisted our fingers together.

"It's time to tell us what happened, my son." Modoalm was different from how I was used to seeing him. His expression was stern and the power in his voice was potent.

"Yes, Toleral." Just from the use of his title I knew that Seral felt it as well.

"We were alerted to the touch down of a human shuttle. The bio net around the planet recorded the intrusion of the alien life forms, and we were able to track their progress. The warning must have been delayed somehow, though, because instead of still being in the air when we surrounded their projected landing area to set up the sphere, the ship was on the ground and the soldiers managed to fire off some shots.

"There were injuries, but we managed to regroup and then immobilize them. Unfortunately, they all died in the counterattack. We were unable to test the sphere, and they damaged the supply tank."

Modoalm sighed. "I wish this war to end. It is unfortunate that you were unable to test your theory." His pain showed on his face. "You have been captured once and injured again. My people are dying in defense of war that never had to happen. The atrocities must stop!"

"It will work, Father, I know it!" Seral insisted.

Ovrumi moved up to him, wrapping his arms around his waist. "It will be okay."

"Yes, my belie, it will."

Witani folded her arms under her breasts, looking between Seral and Modoalm. "Don't you think it's about time you share with the rest of us what this sphere is and how it will stop the war?"

Seral hesitated. I knew how Witani felt, but Seral had explained his reasoning to me. "Someone tried to poison Seral, and now the warning for the attack went wrong," I pointed out. "Obviously someone close to us is either helping the humans, or trying to kill Seral for their own reasons. This sphere, whatever it is, can help stop this war. The fewer who know what it is and how it works, the better."

Jaraula looked at me, her mouth wide open in shock. "You think one of us would try to kill Seral? He's our family!"

Her eyes narrowed, and I felt a frisson of fear. Not that she would hurt me, but that I would lose that bond I'd formed with her. I held out one hand to her, half-standing in my haste. "No! I'm not saying that it's one of you! I'd never accuse any of you of trying to kill Seral!" I could only hope she would believe me. "Please Jaraula, don't get angry at me; I just want him to be safe. For now, it seems best to not speak of it; it is the only way to keep it a secret. I'm sorry if you thought I meant any of you would be capable of hurting Seral."

I waited, hoping she'd accept my apology. She reached out and grabbed my hand and jerked me up. I smacked into her with an oomph. She pulled me into a tight hug. "I'm sorry too. I was just so scared when I heard Seral was hurt." Her breasts pressed against me when I squirmed, and it felt weird.

"Ah, Jaraula, can't breathe," I gasped.

She laughed and let me go. I held out a hand to Witani next. She was a bit stiff, but pulled me into a hug as well.

"He's right," Modoalm said. His voice was back in the strong tone I was beginning to think of his Toleral voice. "Once we know if Seral's plan will work we will share it. Until then you will have to be patient."

Witani nodded grudgingly.

Ovrumi pulled away from Witani when Seral yawned. "Okay. It's late, and Seral needs his sleep. I'll be back in the morning to check on you," he said to Seral, "so make sure you get all the rest the doctor recommended."

"Yes, Ovrumi," Seral said meekly.

The belie snorted. "That tone didn't work on me when you were a child, and it won't work on me now. You better behave, Seral. Sleep."

I gave everyone a hug as they came to bed to say goodnight. "I'll make sure he does."

"You rest too."

I nodded, sighing in relief when our room was empty and it was just us left. I dropped my wrap and laid down in bed on Seral's uninjured side. I cuddled up to him.

"I love you," I said. It needed to be said. I knew how I felt, and I wasn't going to miss my chance to say it.

His breath caught. "I know that there are many differences in our two kinds, but I know this feeling is the same." He urged me to move until I was looking down at him. I rested across his chest, supporting most of my weight on my arms. I stared down at him, greedily taking in the look of wonder and happiness on his face.

"I love you too, my tziu."

What else could I do but kiss him? It started off slow but was more passionate than any kiss we'd shared. I was breathing heavy when he rolled me over, looking down at me.

"You're supposed to be resting," I said in pants.

"Resting later," Seral grinned down at me, "loving now."

I laughed. "Okay."

****

Seral stared down at his sleeping tziu. Ryker looked so peaceful. The soft brown curls tickled his arm where the smaller man's head rested. Snuggling him closer into his arms, Seral breathed in his tziu's unique scent. Warm, a little sweet and spicy, it was just like the taste of his skin.

Seral leaned down, pressing his lips against Ryker's bare shoulder. The human's skin was warm and smelled so good. He wanted to open his mouth and bite down to get another taste of his rich blood, but he resisted. Seral knew he shouldn't have bitten him the night before but he'd needed it.

Afterward, he'd rested, but he'd woken to his stomach beginning to rumble. After a night of sleep, his body was well on the way to being healed, but he was hungry. He didn't really want to get up though and decided to ignore it. He was just beginning to drift back off curled around Ryker when a sound made him lift his head.

The sound was an alert from the door to their suite of rooms. He sighed, but carefully rolled away from the sleeping male in his arms. Ryker murmured a little, rolling on to his stomach. Seral could just see the top of his ass peeking from the sheet. He had the urge to take a big bite out of the full cheek barely exposed but another chime from the front door made him let out an irritated hum as he climbed out of bed.

He didn't bother with a wrap as he left the room.

He keyed in the override on the door controls now that he was home. He had to get back to the border areas soon, but they needed another sample of the nanos from Ryker first. He shouldn't have taken his blood the night before, but he'd needed the reassurance of sinking his fangs into his mate and reaffirming the link between them. Besides, it drove his tziu crazy and Seral loved to see the look of shocked bliss on his face every time he claimed him.

He pressed another button and the door slid open.

"I knew it would be you," Seral said as he stepped back. "No one else would disturb me this early after last night except for you. You know I'm an adult now, right?"

"Good morning, my son." Ovrumi walked in, a covered tray in his hands. "How are you feeling?" He completely ignored Seral's sarcasm.

Seral followed him over to the sitting area. "I'll be feeling great if that tray has breakfast on it. I might even see my way to forgiving you for forcing to me to get up from my bed where I was enjoying snuggling my tziu's warm body."

Ovrumi laughed. "Of course you'll forgive me. I brought you breakfast, even though it is lunch time."

"It's that late?" Seral was surprised. He hadn't thought he'd slept so long, but his body must have needed more time to heal than he thought.

"It is. I knew you would be hungry, and your tziu didn't eat much last night. I know he's better, but he still needs to eat more. Mamo totally agrees with me."

Snorting, Seral spoke wryly, "That explains the cousper." It was a creamy dish made with a sweet crust. Seral had never liked it; it upset his stomach. Mamo had felt so bad after the poison in the ice candies she'd had been spoiling his tziu ever since.