pilot for a shuttle design company.
He was terribly infatuated, a state he’d sworn he wouldn’t allow to happen. Yet Bacoj was wonderful in so many ways. At the top of the list was how smart and caring the young Dramok was. He understood Vax’s commitment to career, being hopeful for his own future as an engineer. The fact he’d told Karil to keep his distance wasn’t lost on Vax either, especially since Karil hadn’t bothered him since that com.
The sex was spectacular. To his surprise, Vax discovered he didn’t mind when his lover caught onto his schemes to direct their encounters. Bacoj’s punishments…and all the other things he did…more than made up for Vax failing to be in control.
Only one thing marred the instant companionship that had sprung up so hot and heavy. Bacoj’s coming deployment hung over their heads, a constant reminder of how short this delightful interval was fated to be. Bacoj’s impending departure depressed Vax more than he’d anticipated. What should have been a one-night stand had progressed into an emotionally fraught situation. It excited and upset Vax in equal measures. He’d found an amazing Dramok, but he was in danger of losing him too.
This wasn’t supposed to happen, he thought more and more often.
The eve of Bacoj’s filing to join the military had been tough. He’d put in his notice at work that afternoon. His supervisor had immediately coaxed him into taking his remaining vacation leave. “‘Live a little before you go,’” Bacoj quoted the fatherly Dramok as saying. “‘Spend the next few weeks with family and friends.’ He made it sound as if I had a terminal illness.” Bacoj’s expression suggested he agreed with that viewpoint.
Vax hated to see his lover so despondent. “Let me go with you when you report in tomorrow. I have the day off from both jobs. We’ll do something fun afterward, before dinner with your parents.”
That was how Vax ended up stepping out of Bacoj’s shuttle in a stark parking bay early the next morning. Both paused to stare through the large vessel entrance to the green sea beyond the complex. The military reporting station was located in Kalquor’s capital city, an hour’s flight from their homes. They’d gone through no fewer than three checkpoints to land in the massive government facility housed within a cliff.
Though he’d visited the area before, Vax found the sight of water extending to the horizon astounding. “Imagine living here and waking up to that sight every day.”
“You should open your restaurant here. Plenty of customers, since it’s the seat of our government. Lots of tourism besides. You’d almost have to go out of your way to fail as a restauranteur in a city this size.” Bacoj drew a deep breath.
Vax did too, inhaling the delicious scent of ocean and the nearby beach. “Tempting. I bet it costs a ton to run a business and live here though. The biggest names in cooking on Kalquor are in the capital.”
“You’ll join them. You’re an amazing chef.”
Vax shrugged off the compliment and stared at the ocean. “Look at all that open space. Sort of overwhelming when you’re used to living underground.”
“You should get outdoors more. It’s not good for you to be cooped up.”
“Working that second job has its drawbacks.” Vax gazed at the shore with yearning, then thought of something else. “We’ve become somewhat immersed in our indoor activities lately too.”
Bacoj smirked at his reference to their frequent bouts of sex. Unfortunately, they couldn’t spend much time gawking at their surroundings or chitchatting. When the Dramok turned resolutely from the stunning view, Vax did too.
They wove through the parked shuttles, finally coming into view of the reception area. Bacoj stopped and groaned at the line of Dramoks waiting to be checked in. Vax paused too, noting the waiting men were efficiently directed to their various destinations within the reporting station. The queue was lengthy, but it moved quickly as formsuited soldiers instructed them. Many of the recruits appeared as unenthusiastic as Bacoj. They were obviously draftees and not volunteer recruits, Vax decided.
His unhappy friend cast a longing gaze in the direction of his shuttle, no doubt wishing he could jump in it and leave. “I suppose I might as well get this over with.”
“I’ll hang out with you for as far as they let me.”
Bacoj found a smile that held little joy. “Thanks, Vax. I know I’m being dramatic about this, but it feels as if I’m walking to my execution.”
“It’s not what you planned on,