flighty_dreams | Spliced: Part 4

TITLE: Spliced - 4.5A
AUTHOR:

flighty_dreams
WARNINGS: NC-17. slavefic. scifi setting. M/m.
WORD COUNT: 2,492 (for this part)
SUMMARY: 4.5A - Homecoming.
NOTES: The index to this story available here. I've begun to loathe this chapter, because I feel like it's chewed me up and spit me back out a few times already, and I am STILL not done with it. Sigh. Thanks to

aurila for the encouragement, pestering, raging, etc. *grin* Also special thanks to a certain someone for their beta-ing help. You know who you are. ;-)
FEEDBACK: Always welcome. :-) Sorry for any typos or errors.

Chapter Five

Alex wasn’t sure they’d make it to the bedroom.

Once they were in the car, Matt had switched on the AGS immediately, setting it for ‘Home’. Then he’d leaned back, relaxing against the seat, all while continually eyeing Alex.

The dark blue Spectra had plush front seats made of leather separated by a console that contained cup holders, a storage panel and controls for the lights. Typical of a sports car, the back seat was almost nonexistent, but Alex supposed that wasn’t the point. It went fast and it was shiny, that was all that mattered. However, the fact that Matt hadn’t driven his beloved car tonight, preferring to keep one hand idly on the steering wheel and let the AGS do its job while his focus remained on Alex himself, also said something.

The way Matt looked at him was different now. Oh, it was still possessive, no doubt about that, and desire lingered in his eyes as well. The man wanted to fuck him, and his attitude highlighted his certainty that it would happen soon. But on the ride to the restaurant Matt had been tense and angry, and now he was mellow and pensive. He’d seen him that way before, at parties…

As he thought back to Matt’s surprising apology in the restroom, with sudden insight Alex wondered how much wine Matt had drunk tonight. He wouldn’t ask though; he didn’t want to chance shattering Matt’s better mood by pointing it out.

Alex glanced one more time at the Kartan before averting his gaze to the passing scenery. He still felt brittle after the episode during dinner, but the time in the men’s room plus Matt’s comforting had helped steady him back to feeling more like himself.

Matt’s comforting – he’d never thought those words would ever go together. This mellow Matt was definitely an improvement over Angry Matt. For a moment he wondered if getting the man to drink more often would help guide him through the asteroid field more easily. But the Kartan had actually seemed ashamed of his behavior earlier, so this obviously wasn’t just the alcohol. No, things were never that simple, but the apology and the embrace had soothed his anger and warmed him, giving him hope.

And at least Matt’s odd behavior was distracting him from further thoughts of the past. If anyone could distract him, Muldane was certainly the best candidate.

A touch on Alex’s hand startled him, and his head swiveled toward the Kartan. The clone’s hand was resting on his thigh, and Matt’s fingers covered it, lightly gripping it and then tugging upwards. Glancing at Matt’s face, which was still thoughtful and calm, Alex allowed his hand to be lifted into the air above the console.

Curious, he watched as the Kartan turned his hand over, running his thumb along his palm. Matt looked at their joined hands like a man savoring a new favorite food. Then the Kartan’s other hand rose to push up the sleeve of Alex’s gray sweater before rubbing along the underside of his forearm. As always, Matt’s touch sent currents of delight through him, especially from the press of his thumb over Alex’s sensitive palm. He bit his lip, his eyes closing for a few moments as he let himself enjoy the sensation.

Then Matt’s other hand moved down his arm, pausing to stroke at the calluses on his hand. Alex opened his eyes, gazing over at Matt.

The Kartan frowned down at the harder skin. “I suppose you won’t tell me what these are from.”

The words were said softly, resignation rather than ire coloring them.

He’d had the calluses already when Matt met him; he’d gotten them working with his hands on The Cutter, among other things. The Kartan had to have noticed them before – calluses on luxury bedslaves were unheard of, at least before they were deemed too old for sexual service – but he supposed the man hadn’t cared enough to wonder.

“If you’d like to use up a question on it, sure,” Alex bluffed, having no real intention of telling Matt about his work.

The man shot him a dry look, declining his offer as the clone had known he would.

Not wanting Matt to settle back on his anger though, Alex commented, “You never bothered to ask before.”

The irritation left the Kartan’s face, his expression turning thoughtful once more. Instead of answering he lowered his head, eyes focusing on their hands again as he resumed the caresses. The lack of response was as good as an admission, coming from Matt. Alex knew the Kartan wouldn’t lie, but he wouldn’t confess to such things either.

Meanwhile, Matt’s thumb moved in a circular, tantalizing pattern along his palm that made his spine tingle. Alex struggled to steady his breathing, attempting to hide how much the man could affect him. He knew his loss of this particular battle would be inevitable though, especially once they got to bed.

But he didn’t have to be alone in this. His gaze hovered over Matt’s lips, wanting to taste them. He could feel the tension in the car, their desire a slow burn, gathering like snow on frozen ground.

Except there was nothing icy about what they were both feeling.

Wishing the Spectra had a bench seat he could just slide across instead of separate ones, he shifted closer and lifted his free hand. He cupped Matt’s cheek, as he’d done in the bathroom on Festun. Only a month earlier, it somehow seemed ages ago now. But just like back then, the Kartan leaned into the touch impulsively.

“Matt,” he murmured, breathing his name out huskily.

Lust spiked in the man’s eyes, and the hands on his arm moved to Alex’s safety belt, releasing it before tugging on his forearm insistently.

“Come here,” Matt growled, his voice low and hungry.

His body shuddered at the familiar command, the Andorian instincts and his own rising need urging him to submit and give them what they both wanted.

Alex remembered hearing those words in that same tone many times during the months he’d spent with Matt as Min, usually after he’d done something tempting to deliberately arouse the man. And Min had always willingly obeyed the order, inwardly pleased both at his power over the man’s libido and that the master he was infatuated with so clearly wanted him in return.

But that was then. He wouldn’t cling to the crumbs the man had offered him before when he wanted so much more. Now he wouldn’t settle for less.

Alex neither followed nor resisted the demand. Instead he opted to curl his hand behind Matt's head and pull him closer, his fingers brushing the man's short brown hair. They leaned toward each other, pressing against the console between them in their efforts to get closer.

Their lips met halfway between the seats. Alex opened his mouth eagerly to welcome Matt’s thrusting tongue, his pulse quickening. One hand clasped his shoulder while the other slid down to circle his waist, drawing Alex nearer.

Halfway through the kiss changed, becoming softer as they hesitantly explored each other. Affection, so long gone between them, awakened drowsily like a bear leaving its winter home. The scent and taste of Matt filled his senses, leaving him dazed.

Gradually the reality of their awkward positions returned to them and they parted reluctantly. Both leaning back to sit more comfortably, they gazed at each other, gentle smiles on their faces. Alex knew their thoughts were clear to each other in that moment.

We both want more, but this car isn’t the best place for it, Alex mused. There was a mutual promise in their shared look. Soon.

Alex let out a sigh. They had to reach the house eventually. Preferably before one of them died of old age.

An eternity later—perhaps ten minutes—they finally arrived, the Spectra lowering onto its skids as it settled into the garage.

The interior lights had automatically switched on as the car entered, giving Alex a good view of the room. The Centrum sat in its spot beside the Spectra, and he glanced around at the cluttered shelves, filled with random items such as tools and boxes, much like Ten’s garage on Festun. As garages went, it was fairly organized – characteristic of Muldane – and it looked the same as it had months earlier.

Alex glanced in the direction of the house before shifting his eyes back to Matt as he asked quietly, “How much did you tell them?”

About to exit the car, the Kartan paused and stared at him for a long moment, catching his meaning. “Some of it, but not all. They know you’re supposed to come back sometime soon, but not how or when.”

Alex smiled inwardly. Even Matt hadn’t known the how or the when.

A silence fell over the car then, much like the quiet they’d spent the rest of the trip home in. His resentment of Matt’s earlier pushiness had dissipated during the ride back, leaving him tired—mentally at least. Fleetingly he wished he’d gotten a chance to finish his coffee, so he’d have more energy.

He stared out the windshield at the shelves along the front wall of the garage, still needing these peaceful moments to collect himself. Unable to resist, he looked down at his hands again compulsively.

Annoyed with himself, Alex looked up and caught Matt eyeing his blond mop with distaste again. Feeling drained, he said patiently, “I’ll remove it once we get in. And the prosthetics have to be washed off.”

“The wig doesn’t,” Matt pointed out, his voice resigned, sounding too tired to argue despite his words. “Take it off.”

“Soon,” Alex promised softly. “I’d rather not deal with Sadie recognizing me right now.”

After a long, thoughtful moment, Matt surprisingly agreed. “Me neither. Don’t want to explain it to either of them tonight.” Matt paused before commenting, “Sadie really doesn’t like you, does she?”

A bitter laugh escaped Alex. “She hated me as Min. Always looked at me like I was mud she wanted to remove from the house. And it’ll only get worse now.”

The Kartan frowned, puzzled. “You afraid of her?”

“No,” Alex denied, crossing his arms. “Just wary. If she sees a chance to hurt me, she’ll take it.”

“Hurt you?” Matt repeated, his voice a growl now. But even as his gaze sharpened and a possessive flash flickered in his eyes, disbelief tempered his expression.

Another bitter chuckle slipping out of him, Alex opened the door. The other man exited too, and they looked at each other uneasily over the roof of the car, the charged atmosphere between them following them out of the vehicle.

Eyes staring into Matt’s he told him softly, “She lies.” Muldane’s doubting look made him add, “To get me into trouble.”

“You do that well enough on your own,” Matt replied dryly, but he was frowning, his expression pensive as he considered his words.

Leaving him to stew on those thoughts, Alex retrieved their bags from the trunk. He handed Matt’s briefcase off to him and gripped the strap of his own duffel bag a little tighter as they silently walked over to the house. Not looking forward to the awkwardness of seeing the two women again, he let Matt go ahead of him.

It looked the same as he remembered. The house still had its red trim and Monlean archway. And the garage stood apart from the house, but the paved driveway extended to fill most of the space between the two buildings. Two brick paths diverged from the driveway, one leading to the front door and the other to a side entrance. It was the latter that Matt headed to, as he usually did.

The side door by the kitchen opened as Matt reached it, swinging out to block Alex’s view. But he could hear Sadie say, “I tried calling you earlier, sir. I thought you were having dinner here tonight.”

“Sorry, I forgot to let you know there was a change of plans. And I’ve had my PC on silent, so I didn’t know you’d called,” Matt explained as he disappeared behind the door.

Alex followed him into the house, and upon seeing him, Sadie added, “Oh, I didn’t realize you had company.”

Tara was standing behind Sadie further in the kitchen, looking curiously at him as well. The women wore clothing he remembered from his Min days here: Sadie a high-necked white blouse and black skirt that didn’t flatter her plump figure, and the younger Tara a sweater from her university and denim pants. Sadie’s graying hair was pulled back in its usual bun, while Tara’s curly brown hair tumbled down to her shoulders.

Unlike the exterior, this room had been remodeled since he left. The countertops and appliances had been replaced and the walls repainted. Where before the kitchen had been done in shades of green, it was now filled with pleasant blues and grays. Alex approved of the changes.

Before Matt said anything, the clone introduced himself, keeping it simple. “Hi, I’m Alex.”

The two women responded in turn, exchanging pleasantries. It was weird seeing Sadie be polite to him; the woman had never smiled at him before. Even more surreal was her offering to take his coat; he declined, afraid of what she might do to his jacket once she found out who he was.

Fortunately, Matt cut them off before Alex had to start spinning any lies about who he was and how he knew Muldane. He didn’t care about deceiving Sadie, but he actually liked Tara.

“We’ll talk more in the morning,” Matt told the women. Glancing over his shoulder he said, “Come on, Alex.”

It was the first time Matt had used his name aloud, and although the dryness to his tone implied that he was just humoring him for the moment, it was still nice to hear him say it. He started following Matt into the hallway.

A comment from Sadie stopped them though. “We can make the guest room up for you,” she said, noticing Alex’s bag.

Despite the wearying evening, Alex grinned, keeping his back to the women but his gaze on Matt. This one he was leaving all up to the other man.

Matt had turned back at her question, his face reddening. For a moment he glared at Alex before focusing back on Sadie. His tone tinged with embarrassment he said, “That won’t be necessary.”

The Kartan shifted back towards the hallway, but Alex turned to get a good look at Sadie and Tara’s shocked faces. Their comical expressions made his amusement swell. Just like him and Hollis, they’d never expected Matt to sleep with someone who wasn’t a slave.

Matt had stopped to look at them too. His face still flushed he said, “I’ll explain it tomorrow.”

Smiling at Matt’s discomfort, Alex followed him into the bedroom.

4.5B