Right Hand

7.



He woke up warm, which was unusual. He didn’t have to wonder why - he’d realized before
drifting off a few hours ago that Riddick radiated heat - it was like cuddling with a furnace, but
Vaako didn’t mind. He’d been cold for too long. The only thing that bothered him was that he’d
fallen asleep *still* sitting sideways on the man’s legs, but Riddick had insisted he stay where he
was, long after they’d stopped talking. Tugged Vaako’s head down onto his shoulder and held
him, telling him to rest. Sat with one arm around his waist, one hand stroking long black hair,
until his Right Hand was almost asleep.


Riddick murmured something to him in a low whisper, but Vaako was too far gone to understand
it. The last few moments of their conversation had been questions from the Lord Marshal about
what happened when one was Promoted to Quasi-Dead - what was the procedure like, what were
the rules, was it painful? He’d almost been worried, but the last question had settled him a bit.
Riddick had asked how the soldiers - not the court, he’d noticed that - would react if he were to
get rid of the Quasi-Dead, just delete them from any of the society’s procedures.


He’d told them most would be relieved - they were used mainly as a punishment, searching out
the sins of wayward Necromongers and revealing them to the Lord Marshal. Only occasionally
were they used to search out a Convert or a prisoner, testing them to see who they were, what
their abilities were. He’d always hated them and knew most of his comrades felt the same. They
would be no great loss. Riddick had rumbled his approval and told him to rest.


As he allowed himself to relax in the surprisingly tender embrace, he’d been able to fight down
most of the unsettled feeling of knowing another knew his deepest held secret. If he’d been
awake enough to hear the last thing Riddick had whispered to him, he could have fought it down
for good.


“Can’t ‘Promote’ you to something that don’t exist.” A small pause, and a tightening of the thick
arm around his waist. “Not going to take you away from me.”



*



So he’d woken to warmth, a pleasant change from the way he’d woken most of his life. He tilted
his head back and gazed up at the silver eyes looking back down at him.


“Do you ever sleep?” he asked, sitting up as far as the arms wrapped loosely around him would
allow.


“Sometimes.” Riddick smirked, his gaze wandering down Vaako’s chest and back up. “When I
want to.”


“And when would that be?”


“You’ll find out.” He lifted a hand, stroked his fingers over the edge of a collarbone exposed by
an unbuttoned shirt. Vaako blinked. When had his shirt come undone? He didn’t have time to
wonder about it - he made a very pleasant discovery and leaned into Riddick’s touch, humming
slightly.


“Feel that?”


“Yes.” The word was an awed whisper - the buzzing sensation in his skin had vanished, leaving
him highly sensitive to the faint brushing of those fingertips. Riddick’s grin became absolutely
evil.


“Good,” he purred, sitting up straighter and sliding his hand completely inside the open-necked
black shirt. “Very good. If there was a bed on this ship, I’d call off today’s little march.” Vaako
was saved from answering by the sound of a ship overhead. Riddick let him go and got to his
own feet. “That’ll be the delivery. C’mon.”


Vaako followed him through the ship and out to watch as one of the smaller transport ships
hovered over them, letting down menials and boxes on platforms. The soldiers departed from
their normal routine of refusing menial work that they were not specifically ordered to do - they
nearly shoved the ragged menials aside to unload those boxes.


They were the breathers.


Within minutes the camp looked like a chemical warfare zone, almost everyone wearing the odd
oxygen filters strapped to their faces. Vaako was sure it was a huge relief from the dust, and
willingly accepted one. He didn’t put it on yet, since Riddick had not put his on. The Lord
Marshal only held it in his hand, his goggle-covered eyes once more fixed on the ship.


Another platform was lowering. Vaako saw why Riddick was still watching after the breathers
were unloaded. Lord Garen’s familiar slim figure was standing there - wearing extremely plain
clothes for a noble - and three large Hellhounds were standing with him.

Garen looked nervous. Vaako almost grinned.


As soon as the platform touched down, the Hellhounds were bounding toward them. Rage and
the other male went straight to Riddick. Protega, for the first time, didn’t go straight to her
Master. She went for Vaako, butting her head against his thigh and insisting that he pet her. She
wasn’t satisfied until his fingers were stroking her ears.

Riddick chuckled. “Got a real crush on you, Vaako.”


His Right Hand just sighed and shook his head, becoming more resigned to the teasing. Lord
Garen was grinning at him, too. He hoped that *his* awakening personality was less... humorous
than Troan’s. The look of that grin wasn’t reassuring him.


“Why?” he asked quietly.


Riddick understood the question. “Figure they can help. They’re good at tracking things down.
Lensors just see - Hellhounds can see, hear, smell. Good backup.” He was caressing Rage’s
broad skull. The other big male was rubbing his cheek against Rage or Riddick, which ever he
could get closest to. “Have much trouble?” The question was directed at Garen.


“Not really. They seemed to know I was taking them to you. The three we left were more
upset.”


Riddick grinned. Vaako could imagine what those three had been like. He had a feeling the
Hellhounds preferred to stay in their pack - and Riddick was Alpha leader of that pack.

*



In the shadow of the empty breather boxes, two voices spoke. The first was low and malevolent,
the second low from caution.


“Things did not go according to plan.”


“I can tell that. There is still a chance - you are very close to him.”


“Yes... but some things have changed.”


“I can tell *that* as well. I saw you watching him. It doesn’t change things. The Lord Marshal
still has to die.”


“I will not kill him if it means-”

“Fool! You cannot allow your vision to become clouded. If the Lord Marshal dies by your hand,
then you get everything you desire. Everything.”


The cautious one thought for a moment. “Yes. I do. What steps shall I take now, since the first
plan did not work?”


“I have heard that you march out today, to find what happened to this miserable planet.”


“Yes.”


“You will go with them, of course. There will be opportunities along the way. Here is what you
will do...” The voices faded lower, the barest whisper of sound. They were risking everything -
to be overheard now would be fatal.


A moment later, one figure nodded and stalked away. The second lingered in the shadows,
waiting until menials began stacking the empty boxes onto the platform to be taken back to the
ship. Then it merged into its cover, attracting no notice as it escaped onto the platform and was
lifted back to the waiting transport ship.



*



Rage stalked onto the ship, silver-red eyes watching his Master, the one he’d decided was his
Master’s mate, his own mate and their young inexperienced son. He wasn’t sure the cub would
behave himself and was ready to take him under control if needed. He knew their Master would
disapprove if the cub were to eat one of the delicious-smelling creatures here. Too bad.


Rage’s desires from life were simple; a good hunt, a full stomach, his mate and cubs with him,
his Master and his mates or any cubs he may have well-protected. Rage would protect them. His
protection would be just as vicious if one of them were threatened as it would be if Protega or his
cubs were threatened. So far only this one seemed to be a mate. He’d quickly learned his scent
and saw to it that his Pack did so as well.


Now he inspected the control room of the ship while Riddick and Vaako made sure everything
was ready for the march. He saw Lord Troan - he did not, of course, think of him by name, but
he’d learned his scent from the many visits to their den. Not a mate - perhaps Pack? He would
protect him, but only after he knew Master and Master’s mate were safe. He continued his
thorough inspection and would have laughed, if he could have, when the techs and menials and
some of the soldiers cringed away from him.


He loved the scent of frightened prey. He only wished he were allowed to eat them.


He stopped in mid-step, another familiar scent filling his nostrils. The deadly head swung
around, fire lighting in the shining eyes. Protega and the cub saw him halt and went on alert,
scenting the air for the danger he had detected. It didn’t take them long to find it - the big man
who had invaded their den before was there again, lurking at the entrance with eyes fixed on their
Master’s mate. They had sensed that he was not welcome when he had come to the den,
although neither the Master nor his mate had made him leave. And they had not been allowed to
kill him even when he had followed the Master’s mate to his den.


In the bestial minds of the Hellhounds, such actions - following the mate, watching him from the
shadows - could mean one of two things. He wanted to eat the mate. Or he wanted to steal the
mate.

They would not allow either.


It did not lower Riddick’s Alpha status that he did not attack this intruder. Such things were the
responsibility of the Pack. Only an open challenge for the mate would be handled by the Master.
These underhanded techniques were the Hounds’ concern. Rage took his concerns seriously, and
began to stalk the Intruder.


The man jerked with surprise when he saw the big Hellhound standing not a foot away from him.
Rage was pleased. Obviously he had not realized they were here - Rage had not scented him
when they had first come down with the other almost-Pack member. He switched his tail and
growled softly. The Master’s head came up sharply, looking to see what Rage was threatening.
He grinned, showing his own teeth in a way that allowed Rage to easily see the threat. It was
directed at the Intruder, not him.


“Don’t think Rage likes your dog, Vaako.”


The mate looked up, but did not seem overly concerned. “A new scent, perhaps?”


Riddick’s grin grew wider - a shark would have appreciated having such a smile. “Maybe.”


Rage sensed, somehow, that the Master knew what the Intruder wanted, but was deliberately not
worrying his mate. That was all right - the mate did not need to be on alert. Protega was with
him, wasn’t she? His mate could rip this Intruder to shreds without the slightest effort. She
would, too, if he so much as touched the mate. She liked the mate. If Hellhounds were amused,
Rage would have found this funny - his mate becoming attached to the Master’s mate.


Ah, the Intruder was moving. Rage walked at his heels, the low rumble in his throat never
stopping. It was a warning now - if he got too close to the mate it would change. Apparently the
Intruder wasn’t stupid - he stopped a respectful distance away and only stood waiting. Rage
signaled to his son and the cub moved to flank him.


No need to take chances.



*



Yur really, really, *really* hated Hellhounds.



*



The march started off brisk and efficient. Nothing else was acceptable, being Necromongers.
They formed marching ranks, scouts and lensors surrounding them, doing recon ahead of them.
They searched for danger before the main troops got there. It would have been preferable to keep
the Lord Marshal at the middle of the winding column - safe from possible attack - but, of
course, Riddick would have none of that. He was on one of the few small vehicles they had
brought - a little machine with four wheels and a big motor that would eat up the distance if
needed. He rode ahead of the columns of soldiers with a few of the other commanders on more
of the ‘wheelers. The three big tanks the transport off-loaded brought up the rear.


They were backup, a just-in-case device. Troan had mentioned he didn’t really expect to need
them, but they were awesome to look at and would make any would-be attacker think twice. As
big as some of the buildings they passed, heavily armored and decorated with twisted spikes of
metal and bristling gun ports. Vaako had always seen the enemy back away from them. He was
marching with Troan, Protega still by his side. Riddick had growled a bit about the ‘wheeler he
was riding having only one seat, but Vaako refused to take another and ride along beside him.
The soldiers respected him as the Lord Marshal’s Right Hand because they knew him - if he
started taking special treatment and acting more the High Consort he’d lose that respect in a
heartbeat. Riddick had seemed to understand this without Vaako saying a word, and gone off to
ride his new toy.

Rage was loping along beside him - the other Hellhound seemed to be tagging after Yur. That
surprised Vaako a little, the creature didn’t seem affectionate with the man like Protega was with
him, or like Rage was with Riddick. It was just watching him, an unholy gleam in its fiery eyes.
Yur watched it back with open dislike. Vaako was beginning to feel the trickles of discomfort
coming from the man.



He was beginning to sense a lot of emotions. Eagerness to figure this mystery out - that was
coming from Riddick, along with the enjoyment he was getting from revving the ‘wheeler.
Caution from Troan - who was monitoring the lensor scans - taking his responsibilities seriously.
Anticipation and apprehension that the soldiers were feeling - that any good soldier *should* feel
in such an uncertain situation, not knowing if they were marching to battle or to their doom. And
amusement rolling off of Garen in waves whenever Riddick would drive the ‘wheeler close
enough to stare at Vaako for a moment, then move on.


Vaako knew he was checking on him, remembering what he’d told his Lord about expecting an
emotional overload today, but that didn’t help him when Garen snickered after the forth time
Riddick drove by. He shot a glare at the man, who just grinned.


~Gods, I never knew Troan had a double.~


That was *exactly* what Garen was reminding him of - Troan’s teasing from last night, about
being Riddick’s Right Hand. He wondered if he was in for more... ah, yes. It certainly seemed
so.


“Very concerned, isn’t he?” Lord Garen’s voice was low enough not to be overheard, sounding
oddly metallic through the breather. Vaako only arched an eyebrow at him. “Now, Vaako - it’s a
good thing. You should have been in the Court when we got the announcement. I never saw
such shocked looks in my life. You broke a lot of hearts.”


Now Vaako frowned, eyebrows drawing together. “The ones who wished to be High Consort?”
he asked softly, wondering, for the first time, if he would need to watch his own back when he
got back aboard the mothership. Protega grumbled and butted her head against his leg as if she
could read his thoughts. He scratched her ears absently and she subsided.


“Well, a few. But more of them were upset over your being taken.” He got a blink for his reply.
“Vaako... you surely own one mirror? Didn’t you look at yourself in that black silk? The rest of
the Court did, let me tell you. Is the Lord Marshal the jealous type?” Both of them looked at
Riddick, riding near the front of the column again - he sensed their eyes and looked back,
questioning. Vaako turned back to Garen, who answered his own question. “I suppose I was
stupid to ask. A man like that doesn’t share.” Some of the humor Vaako sensed was now laced
with respect.


Well, that was good. He didn’t think Garen was one of the ones he claimed was interested in
Vaako - not that Vaako really believed that, the man was just having fun teasing him. But... he
was feeling the edges of desire for someone trickling off the man. It wasn’t Riddick, and the
only other ones close were Yur - Vaako shuddered at the thought that Garen might want the
Captain - and Troan.


Troan? Did Garen... he watched the man carefully for the next few minutes, ignoring his subtle
teasing, until Troan finished his lensor scans and joined in with some remarks that were not so
subtle. He caught Garen giving Troan quick glances while the other was focused on Vaako.
Maybe he really did want Troan? Vaako had no idea of Troan’s sexual preferences, never
thinking it necessary to ask. If Lord Garen did want the First of Commanders, the man was as
oblivious to the other’s desire as he was currently accusing Vaako of being towards the court’s
desires. Ah, life was getting too tangled up. He almost wished for a Purification, until he
remembered fingers sliding along his collarbone.


Good thing the breathers had high metal plates that covered most of your face. It hid blushes.



*



They all just stood gazing at the house - an ordinary house, coated in the cloying gray dust and
empty. It looked just like all the other houses on the little street.


“This is it?” Riddick’s voice was incredulous, but the few techs they’d brought with them were
nodding.


“Yes, Lord Marshal. All the scans show the light as originating from here.” Riddick scowled
and stalked forward. His council - Vaako, Troan and Garen - automatically followed. So did the
Hellhounds. So did Yur. They entered the small building carefully, but it seemed deserted.
There was a large room full of chairs and couches, the walls lined with bookshelves, some small
bedchambers and a room for food preparation. The only odd things were the books - there
seemed to be thousands, the bedrooms were full of bookshelves, too - and a small, bare chamber
with nothing but an oddly shaped low counter, a huge book lying open on it.


They did a quick search of the room with hands, eyes, and lensors. It was a room, nothing more,
nothing less. The most interesting thing in it was the book - it was so old it was crumbling. The
tech they brought shook her head over it. “It is in no language known to our data banks. We will
have to discern the terminology, and translate.”


“How long?” Riddick was short and to the point.


“Six hours, perhaps.” She was already scanning the pages with a small, hand-held scanner, the
information going straight to the mothership. The others began to mill around the house, taking
down books and flipping through them, studying odd pictures and the archaic language. Vaako
was just as curious as any of them -


- and suddenly he was too curious to stand. Luckily he was near a chair and was able to sit down
without falling. His hazel eyes were wide, his breath coming shorter. It was the ‘hit’ he was
expecting, the sudden inpouring of emotion from the people in the room. It was beginning to
spread beyond the room and beyond curiosity - someone here was sad, someone else was nursing
a deep and ugly anger. He felt worry, lust, fear, humor and the soldiers outside were anxious and
eager and hungry and happy that the cooking food smelled so good and he was going to be sick.


~It’s just too much...~


He kept his head down, holding a book in shaking hands and pretending to look at it. Protega
whined, very softly, pressing closer and he could even feel the anxiety coming from her. Felt the
contentment when he rubbed her head reassuringly. He was too overcome to jump when a hand
touched the back of his neck, too overwhelmed to respond to Riddick’s low voice. He heard him
say something to the rest of the room, his voice casual. Saw the others nod and begin to leave,
some going outside and some going into other rooms until no one was here but Yur. Riddick
said something to him, as well - some order, from his tone. The man scowled but left.


Then Riddick was pulling him out of the chair, voice soothing. Leading him into one of the
bedchambers and shutting the door, easing him down to sit on the bed and taking off the breather.
He said something else, laughter in his voice. The worry and humor he was feeling hit Vaako
like a punch. He nearly reeled and felt strong arms surround him.


He didn’t know how long it took him to sort out the barrage of emotions hitting him, to call on
long-forgotten skills and separate them, pushing them back to levels he could handle. He slowly
became aware that he was leaning against a broad chest, clinging to the Lord Marshal like a small
child. He sat up sharply, deeply embarrassed, and looked at Riddick. He didn’t need to feel it to
tell the man was relieved.


“All right, now? I was wondering.” Fingers slid along his cheek and he closed his eyes,
unconsciously leaning into the touch. Riddick made an intrigued humming noise. “Does this
mean you feel all better?”


“Better...” Vaako wasn’t quite sure how he managed the word. There were still traces of
amusement and concern coming from the Lord Marshal, but they were barely sensed in the wave
of desire that flowed from the man. If this was what Riddick had been feeling for the past few
days then he was awed at the man’s self-control - especially when Vaako had offered, several
times, to...


There were hands on him again, slowly working at the buttons on his shirt. He put his own hands
on Riddick’s broad shoulders, tentatively learning the texture of the other man’s skin. Smooth,
the muscles underneath like iron. His fingers slid down slowly, exploring the powerful arms, the
newly awakened part of his mind registering Riddick’s approval at his actions.


He held still, letting Vaako explore for a moment, his own hands sliding inside the open shirt to
rest on the smooth skin of the other man’s waist. Vaako bit his lip, still more than a little
sensitive to touches but thoroughly enjoying it. He wondered, not for the first time, why Riddick
was so careful with him. If anything, he would have expected the man to just grab someone he
wanted, throw them down and take them without the slightest concern for their well-being.
Obviously he was wrong - there were hidden depths to the man the universe only knew as a
hunted criminal. He had expected roughness from the first moment he’d realized the Lord
Marshal wanted him and had instead received nothing but gentleness. It astonished him.
Especially since Vaako was partly responsible for the death of the woman-child. He hadn’t
forgotten that, and he was certain Riddick had not.


“Why?”


The question was sudden, but Riddick seemed to know what he was asking. “Always had
everything rough. Can’t a man want some things to be sweet?” He slid his hands up, matching
Vaako’s speed, exploring the leanly muscled ribs and torso with aching slowness. Vaako
realized that was all the answer he was going to get. He slid his own hands back up to Riddick’s
neck, up further to touch the goggles the other man still wore. He would rather be able to see the
silver eyes watching him, but he knew the room was too bright for that. Riddick seemed a bit of
an Empath himself - he stood abruptly and let Vaako go, striding to the window and closing it,
flicking off the overhead lights. The room was left in a soft state of twilight, shadowed and dim.


Riddick sat back down and Vaako put out a hand for him, only to have it caught. Riddick jerked
him forward and tangled his fingers into the long braids. “You’re not just reacting to me, are
you? Not going on what I want?” A just question, but Vaako shook his head.


“No.” It was the truth - Vaako was uncertain and had no real idea what he was doing - he’d
always held himself aloof from the common conversations of the other soldiers, especially when
they’d turned to carnality. He had only the vaguest idea of where this was all leading... but he
was rapidly wishing it would hurry and get there!


Riddick jerked off his goggles and stared hard at the smaller man, studying his eyes. Apparently
he was satisfied with what he saw - Vaako abruptly found himself shirtless and flat on his back,
the broad hands exploring his body with more enthusiasm and less care, as if no longer afraid he
would shatter at the touch. He lifted his own hands and stroked them down Riddick’s back to the
hem of his metallic shirt, tugging at it to ask permission. Riddick grinned down at him and
jerked it off, tossing it across the room.


Vaako didn’t know how his body shone in Riddick’s sight, glowing beneath his Lord’s hands,
drawing attention to the smooth muscles. Unable to resist, Riddick circled his nipples with his
fingertips, brushing the hardening nubs with some return to gentleness. Vaako bit back a gasp
and Riddick leaned forward to kiss him. He fenced with the other man’s tongue for a few
moments, squeezing and fondling his nipples, and Vaako decided to return the favor, getting a
growl of approval. This *was* a little like being devoured, but nothing like it was with Wulia -
his mind shied away from thinking of that creature right now, with these incredible new
sensations setting up in his body.


Riddick smirked, silver eyes catching what little light shone in the window, and he leaned
forward, closing his lips around one small, hard nub. Vaako murmured a soft, incoherent
encouragement, his fingers leaving Riddick’s chest and going to stroke the smoothly shaven
head. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing to do - oh. Another approving growl settled the
slight doubt. Riddick tugged gently on the nub with his teeth, then curled his tongue around
Vaako’s nipple, his efforts rewarded by the first audible gasp Vaako made. He left off his work
and slid up the man’s body, lips hovering almost against his as he gazed down.


The look on his face sent electricity arcing across Vaako’s skin, a shiver down his spine. If he’d
ever wondered before, that look told him *exactly* why Riddick would always be the Alpha of
any pack. They’d barely started and already he felt claimed just by the way the man was gazing
at him. He would never have thought, before, that being dominated in any way could be a good
thing - he had been submissive to Zhylaw’s orders and Wulia’s manipulation but he’d never
enjoyed it. Right now he couldn’t find any piece of himself that didn’t like the way Riddick was
making him feel as he kissed him again.


The big hands were continuing to explore, even as Riddick chuckled against his skin and moved
to kiss a path to his ear, nibbling at the lobe for a moment. He seemed to know what Vaako was
thinking again - and it seemed to amuse him. His fingers brushed against the front of Vaako’s
pants, discovering proof that Vaako was as aroused as he was, and his Right Hand groaned
through his teeth, trying to hold back the sound, unable to keep himself from twisting on the
bedcovers. A second later and he felt the leather pants he’d chosen sliding down his legs and off
to join Riddick’s shirt, followed about a millisecond later by the Lord Marshal’s own leather
pants. He ground his hips against the man beneath him and Vaako felt like his brain was melting
as their arousals met.


“Ask me.” It was a gruff whisper in his ear and he obeyed without thought.


“Please...” He could only manage the single word - his lungs couldn’t seem to draw in enough
air. Riddick didn’t insist further - fingers wrapped carefully around him, a thumb flickering
across the tip to tease him mercilessly. He chewed at his lip to keep from moaning, hips bucking
until Riddick lay a strong hand on him, holding them still.


“Never done this before?” It was more of a statement than a question, but Vaako answered it
anyway. Or at least, he tried to.


“Not... with...”


“Gonna hurt, a little.”


“...” Vaako wanted to say he didn’t care, but couldn’t make his vocal cords work any more.
Instead he reached up and pulled Riddick’s head down, initiating a kiss for the first time. He got
his loudest approving growl yet, as Riddick’s tongue mercilessly explored every inch of his
mouth.


Vaako felt wetness smear his skin where it touched his companion’s arousal, and he
unconsciously parted his thighs, then fought back another moan as Riddick reached under and
rubbed the sac beneath the throbbing member he stroked. Vaako almost trembled with pleasure.
Riddick lifted his head and grinned down at him, now reaching over to the little table beside the
bed and coming back with a small bottle of what looked like oil. Vaako didn’t know when he’d
put that there and didn’t care. Trust the Lord Marshal to be prepared...


Riddick pulled the cork from the bottle with his teeth and poured some of the smooth liquid onto
his hands. Vaako watched him mutely as his thighs were stroked softly, then spread further apart
and Riddick smoothed oil over the puckered, virgin entrance. He rubbed a slick finger back and
forth over the tight ring, watching Vaako carefully as his breath began to shiver in and out
rapidly. He wasn’t afraid of pain - but this was a never-before felt sensation, with a body that
had gone years barely feeling *any* sensation. He couldn’t help but be tense.


Riddick took his time, allowing Vaako to adjust to the new feeling, then began to slowly press
against the muscle. His eyes never left the other man’s as it hesitantly gave, and he pushed one
finger in. Vaako’s hands tightened on the sheets. It was... uncomfortable, strange, but not yet
painful. Riddick gave him a moment to adjust, dropping his head and mouthing the skin on
Vaako’s neck, setting his teeth gently against his throbbing pulse. It amply distracted the man
while the intruding finger began to move in and out.


He could tell when it began to feel good, and slowly added a second finger. He knew that had to
hurt a bit, but Vaako didn’t flinch, not even when he began to scissor them, stretching the man
carefully. He ignored his own aching stiffness, determined to keep his promise and make this
good for both of them. When Vaako’s hips began to thrust against his fingers he added a third,
waiting again for any sign of pain. All he saw was a flicker in those hazel-green eyes - the lean
body went still for a moment, then started once more with the movements that were driving the
Lord Marshal insane.


Vaako was slowly losing his mind, as well - he’d never imagined something like this could feel
so good - and then Riddick’s fingers found a place inside him that made his vision turn white for
an instant. He blinked up at the man and found a leer directed back down at him. He rolled his
eyes - he couldn’t help it. The man looked unutterably smug.


“Good, huh?”


“Y-yes... more?”


That got him another smirk.


Despite the request - which he knew was as close as Vaako would get to pleading - Riddick
continued to take his time, determined not to hurt the man trusting him so much. When he was
satisfied that Vaako was ready for him, he quickly coated his own arousal, then lifted Vaako’s
hips a little further. He paused, looked down, admiring the sight beneath him. Pale skin flushed
with desire, hazel eyes cloudy with the same emotion, spread out and vulnerable and all his.


Vaako stared back up at him, not pleased that the fingers were gone and very much not pleased
that the other man was holding still. Riddick seemed to be asking a question and he nodded,
desperate for something more, something he knew was going to be better. Chuckling, Riddick
wrapped his fingers in Vaako’s dark hair again, diving down for another kiss. Shoving his tongue
deep into Vaako’s mouth, distracting him for the barest second, he pushed gently inside. Vaako
couldn’t stop the groan this time, almost choking on Riddick’s tongue.


It was an overwhelming sensation, being stretched inside by Riddick’s hardness. He sucked in
sharp breaths and held as still as possible, trying to make his muscles stop fighting the intrusion.


Despite the incredible pleasure he was feeling at the warm tightness around him, Riddick held
perfectly still until he felt the body underneath him relax, felt Vaako lift his hips tentatively.


The intrusion slowly retreated from him, then pushed back in again. Vaako moaned - couldn’t
help it. Didn’t matter - Riddick was moaning right along with him, both keeping their voices
low, somehow remembering they weren’t alone in this house. Riddick didn’t care much, but he
knew how easily embarrassed his Right Hand was - at this moment he knew he wanted to keep
the man happy forever, if it meant he could do this again.


Vaako’s mind had been hanging desperately onto the need to be quiet, but as Riddick began to
move in a slow rhythm, he stopped thinking about the fact that there were others here and drew
in a shaking breath. It felt good, the invading hardness pushing briefly against that sensitive spot
and making the pretty lights explode behind his eyes.


Riddick was close to losing control - he didn’t remember it ever feeling this good! He didn’t
know if it was because Vaako was so deliciously tight, or if it was because he was the first to
claim the man this way - and he didn’t care. He couldn’t keep up the gentle rhythm, either - he
took hold of Vaako’s neglected arousal with one hand and began to thrust hard, emitting a deep,
low growl that was almost a purr.

With a noise of his own that was somewhere between agony and lust, Vaako wrapped his legs
around his Lord, pulling the man even deeper into himself, his own hands leaving the sheets and
going back to Riddick’s body, caressing erratically, his fingers moving over the broad back and
shoulders to slide down to Riddick’s hips, flexing against the smooth skin with every thrust.


Another soft moan broke free of his throat, his body lifting to meet each hard drive. Riddick’s
purring increased in volume, his hand moving faster, silver eyes shining, never leaving the other
man’s face. Vaako arched, biting his lip hard enough to bring blood, his release catching him so
suddenly he was shocked. Riddick followed hard after him, choking back the roar he wanted to
give at finally claiming this man. They collapsed together in a panting heap, one smiling smugly
while the other stared at the ceiling in complete and total astonishment.


“Mine.” Riddick’s gravelly voice whispered the word. Vaako wouldn’t have dreamed of
arguing.



*



In the darkness, it stirred.


It sensed life where none should be. It allowed itself to scan these foreign beings, testing them
for their worth.


It saw them in colors, reds and greys and blacks and dark blue... not particularly - appetizing.


Wait.


There, in one corner of the Bringing Place, something shone out...


Two somethings. One a rare silver, smooth and shining, the other glowing gold, deep and rich
and warm.


‘Delicious...’


It wanted them - and nothing would stop it.