#ephraim and dot

[trek-tracks]

Shoutout to this man who showed up on Let’s Make a Deal dressed as Kirk with Ephraim the tardigrade on his shoulder, having laid eggs on him. Ephraim did not give him particularly good advice on what offer to pick, unfortunately.

[star-trek-likes-vs-dislikes]

Ephraim from Ephraim and Dot

[sshbpodcast]

Short and/or Sweet: The best and worst Short Treks

By Ames

We just wrapped season two of Discovery, which we pretty much agreed was a mixed bag, and we’re jumping headlong into also wrapping all of Short Treks. It’s a bittersweet conclusion because this collection of short outings provided an engine for Trek stories that had a lot of potential, but was somehow also a mixed bag despite only cranking out ten episodes in total over its two very quick seasons. Maybe it’ll come back one day since Trek’s overall future is still terribly unclear, but for now, this is all we’ve got.

That doesn’t mean we’re not going to do our usual Top and Bottom Three Episodes from this tiny batch! Because of that small sample size and also due to the widely varied tastes of the A Star to Steer Her By hosts, you’re going to see a comparatively large percentage of these Short Treks represented on both the good and bad lists for their own respective reasons. So grab separate bowls of Spumoni ice cream and of Tribbles cereal as you check them out below and listen to our heated debate in this week’s podcast episode (scoot scoot to 59:56 for the blogtivity). Where’s my spoon?

[Images © CBS/Paramount]

Bottom Three Episodes

Interestingly, there’s only one episode from season one of Short Treks that makes the bad list, which might be more telling about the quality of season two than it is about that episode…

“Ephraim and Dot”: Caitlin While the rest of us seemed to quite enjoy how cute this little animated piece was, Caitlin didn’t quite see the point to this shallow reference-fest. Maybe it’s just that there weren’t a lot of episodes to choose from (let alone episodes that were truly deserving of the Bottoms List), but when you’re scraping for substance from a sub-ten-minute cartoon, you’re definitely not going to find it here amidst the in-jokes, bright colors, and Looney Tunes score.

“Children of Mars”: Chris The Picard lead-in short suffers a similar fate because of how generic a story it tells. While there’s a lot to appreciate about this Short Trek (you can probably tell this is another that’s going to be on both lists), there’s nothing original in watching two schoolgirls we will never hear from again having a typical tween spat. The episode is further hampered in retrospect because we just didn’t care for Picard the series in general and this started it off with promises it won’t keep.

“Ask Not”: Ames, Jake We’ve seen the “it was all a test” twist so much that this short really suffered for it. The reveal that it’s Pike being arrested for mutiny pretty much lets the cat out of the bag (or the captain out of the headsack) at the off. But then when you actually think about it, what is Sidhu’s test result really? Whenever Kirk or Picard or Janeway or whoever has disobeyed Starfleet orders to instead do what’s right, the audience has been on their side. We’ve celebrated that they could stand up for justice, and yet this bootlicker gets an overly happy ending? What’s the actual message here?

“Q&A”: Ames, Chris Here’s another example of an episode that doesn’t seem to accomplish what it set out to do. We don’t need the retcon for why Spock’s character wasn’t yet solidified in the flashback footage from “The Menagerie,” and trying to tie up that loose end only makes things messier. By the end of this short, we weren’t interested in this otherwise nice interplay between Spock and Number One. We were instead peeved at Una for basically telling Spock to be someone other than who he is. She urges him not to smile or show enthusiasm, essentially turning him into a copy of her, and that’s actually kinda sad.

“Runaway”: Caitlin, Chris, Jake The meetcute between Tilly and Queen Po is just so jarring in tone, swinging between presenting Po as a rabid animal and then as a brilliant scientist in so little time you’re not allowed to think about it. When we wrapped season 1 of Discovery, we were commending how far Tilly had come as a character, and the way she has regressed here to babbling buffoon is indicative of how annoying she’ll be in season two. And the fact that you badly need the context of this episode to understand who Po is in “Such Sweet Sorrow” is deleterious.

“The Trouble with Edward”: Ames, Caitlin, Jake The one that most (but tellingly not ALL) of our hosts agree is garbage is “The Trouble with Edward,” another origin story that we emphatically did not need. The jokes rarely land in this over-the-top ridiculous comedy script, but instead were more likely to elicit cringes and groans. Watching this actually became uncomfortable because they clearly thought this romp was going to be hilarious but instead was just stupid. And I’ll argue until I’m blue in the face that the writers misstepped by making Lucero nearly as unlikeable as Larkin in their first impressions, which taints the whole thing for me.

—

Top Three Episodes

You’re gonna see half the good list is composed of episodes that were already on the bad list. And the other half (the better half) is all episodes from season one. The second batch of Short Treks was definitely quantity over quality, it would seem.

“The Trouble with Edward”: Chris You probably noticed that Chris was the one host that didn’t include “The Trouble with Edward” in his Bottoms List because he loves this kind of schlock. He’s done this kind of shit before, like when he listed “Time’s Arrow,” “Ferengi Love Songs,” and “Take Me Out to the Holosuite” among his favorites, and I’ve picked on him every time for it. In this instance, at least you can still appreciate some humorous work from H. Jon Benjamin, without whom this episode would probably be unwatchable. And even I’ll admit that the cereal commercial after the end credits is an absolute delight.

“Ephraim and Dot”: Chris Caitlin may not have cared for this one, but the rest of us sure found it adorable! The design and characterization for Ephraim the tardigrade is cute in a boot! How can you not fall in love with her immediately? And then the rest of the animated short is an assemblage of loving references to The Original Series and the films that feels like the kind of homage as something like “Trials and Tribble-ations” and not just the kind of fanservice we’d expect out of Lower Decks or Star Wars. Or maybe it just worked on us too well; who can say?

“Children of Mars”: Ames One more that’s on both lists, and I’ll stand up and defend this one as a former tween in a Catholic school uniform who can relate to these two misunderstood, bullied girls. It’s in the way this story is told that I really found it most successful—I do love me some minimal-dialogue techniques. The editing, acting, and simplicity of this story were all points in its favor. But the thing I like most is how perfectly it sets up the initial premise for season one of Picard without being required context like some of the season one Short Treks were for Discovery. Ya know, like “Runaway” above.

“The Brightest Star”: Caitlin, Jake The rest of the tops list is all going to be from the first season of Short Treks, which generally dominated this category. First off is the fascinating backstory of the Kelpiens that we get in “The Brightest Star.” While this episode provides the foundation for a lot of the Kelpien plots in Discovery, the context is more smoothly integrated than it was for “Runaway.” Doug Jones is also always just a pleasure to watch, therefore a few more minutes of him, his amazingly interesting society on Caminar, and even a quick glimpse of Phillipa Georgiou are definitely welcome.

“Calypso”: Ames, Caitlin, Jake Though I definitely didn’t need to see what later seasons of Discovery did to this little short, “Calypso” on its own is still a work of art. Even with characters we’ve never met in a time period divorced from any Trek we’ve ever seen, this episode shines in its clever writing, its humanizing premise, some stellar acting, a perfectly edited little montage to show the passing of time, and the best button we’ve seen in a while. The story of Zora and Funny Face, despite getting very little screen time, is exactly what science fiction is all about.

“The Escape Artist”: Ames, Caitlin, Chris, Jake Finally, one that we all agree on! While most of us thought the comedy in “The Trouble with Edward” didn’t land, the comedy in “The Escape Artist” was spot on! Clearly director Rainn Wilson got a great performance out of Rainn Wilson because he respects him so much. He has really embraced what Harcourt Fenton Mudd is all about: Sliminess! The cutaway scenes are all good gags (even if they go on a little long at times). The tertiary characters are well done. And the ending gag with the rooms full of Mudd androids! We laughed out loud! Just some great work there.

The only installment that didn’t make either list was “The Girl Who Made the Stars,” which was so middling that none of us thought to bring it up anywhere. Perhaps it’s also because none of us feel we can speak to the cultural element because we’re all so very white, so let’s sum it up quickly by saying this: Depicting the /Xam Abathwa origin story for the stars was a nice touch but it wasn’t very sci-fi-y and most of us entirely missed the fact that it tied directly to Michael Burnham’s character, so that probably could have been established better. Cute tardigrade plushie though.

—

We’ve already covered all the Short Treks title cards, and with this post under our belts as well, that’s all we’ve got to say about them unless they ever make more! Which we wouldn’t be opposed to! C’mon, Paramount, stop cancelling Trek shows and experiment more in this low-stakes format. What have you got to lose?

And what do the rest of y’all have to lose by giving this blog a follow, joining us on our Trek rewatch over on SoundCloud (or wherever you podcast), hanging out with us on Facebook and Bluesky, and digging into some tribbles! They’re pregnant with flavor!

[reanimatestar]

ernest's bestie* orla <3

*debatable

[bethanythebogwitch]

Wet Beast Wednesday: tardigrades

Last week on Wet Beast Wednesday I covered the largest animals to ever exist on our planet. This week I'm going to pull a full 180 and cover the smallest animals yet on this series. Meet the tardigrade, the internet's favorite micro-animal the is said to be basically immortal. How true is that? Let's see.

(Image: an electron microscope image of a tardigrade. It looks a lot like a potato with eight stubby legs tipped with long claws. At the front is a small, circular mouth. It has no other discernable features. In the background are bits of plant matter that look like seaweed at this scale. End ID)

The tardigrades are 1,300 known species (and probably a lot of unknown ones too) in the phylum Tardigrada. They are also part of the superphylum Ecdysozoa, which are animals that grow by molting their outer cuticles or exoskeletons. In particular, the tardigrades are believed to be a sister group of the arthropods, the group that contains crustaceans, insects, isopods, and a lot of other things. Tardigrades are truly tiny, the largest species reaching a whopping 1.5 millimeters in length, though most species reach no more than 0.5 mm. They have round, segmented bodies with four pairs of legs that end in either claws or suction discs. The body segments consist of a head, three body segments with a pair of legs each, and a caudal segment with the final pair of legs. The first three legs are used for movement while the final pair points backwards and is used for grabbing onto substrate. All of the body segments except for the final one correspond to segments found in the head section of insects. Tardigrades are missing many hox genes, genes that direct the body plan during development. Their ancestors may have had a body plan more similar to insects, but the loss of the hox genes has compressed them into walking heads with a bit of butt. The mouth is tubular and sucks in food. In the mouth are stylets, needle-like structures used to pierce food objects. Once food is drawn into the mouth, a structure called the buccopharyngeal apparatus activates. This is a combination of spines and muscle that acts like an inner jaw that pulls food into the digestive tract. The buccopharyngeal apparatus is distinct enough to be used as a major identifying feature between species. Tardigrades are translucent and many images you've seen of them have false color to show the details or are 3D models based on scanning electron microscope imagery of them. Tardigrades molt their exoskeletons multiple times (up to 12) during their lifecycle. Some species are unable to poop normally and instead all their waste is discarded during the molt. It was formerly believed that tardigrades could exchange genes with each other without mating, a process called horizontal gene transfer that is seen in bacteria, archaea, and other micro-organisms. It has since been discovered that while still capable of horizontal gene transfer, it is quite a bit rarer in tardigrades than we thought.

(Image: an electron microscope image of a tardigrade standing on a bit of plant matter. This one has a closed mouth with a ring of triangular tooth-like structures. It also has two simple eyes that look like black dots. End ID)

The name "tardigrade" means "slow walker", which is fitting as, despite their eight legs, tardigrades have a slow and awkward gait. This is the result of their legs being unjointed, only able to pivot at their connection to the body. Their gait has been compared to that of bears, hence why they are often called water bears and their discoverer, Johann August Ephraim Goeze, called them "kleiner wasserbär", meaning "little water bear". Tardigrades are found worldwide and have inhabited virtually every habitat, from the tops of mountains to the deep sea, from hot springs to the antarctic, from freshwater to saltwater. The one thing they have in common is a need to stay wet. Tardigrades can survive out of water as long as they can stay moist and are often found in mosses, hence another common name: moss piglets. The majority either eat plants or bacteria, but some will feed on smaller tardigrades or other micro-animals. Their famous survivability makes it easy for tardigrades or their eggs to be carried to new habitats by larger animals or other phenomena. Tardigrades are one of the first micro-animals to colonize a new habitat and they are a pioneer species, the first species to colonize a new environment and whose presence makes that environment fore suitable for other species to follow. Tardigrades are a major food source to other micro-animals and larger organisms. Most species have distinct males and females, though a few reproduce through parthenogenesis. In most cases, molting female will lay her eggs in her shed cuticle and males will them fertilize them. Other species have a form of internal reproduction. Males and females will court each other before mating and females will usually allow multiple males to fertilize her eggs. Female tardigrades are typically larger and more abundant than males. Eggs can take up to 14 days (species dependent) before hatching. All tardigrades of the same species have the exact same number of cells as each other. They are also born with the same number of cells they will have as an adult. Their growth is driven by enlargement of the existing cells rather than cellular reproduction making new cells. The lifespan ranges between a few months to a few years, depending on species.

(Image: a color photo of a tardigrade. It is a pale, translucent white, making it hard to make out details. Its body is curved, with the front end pointing at the camera. It has two simple eyes. End ID)

(Image: an electron microscope image of a tardigrade egg. It is round but covered in small pores and conical structures. End ID)

The most famous feature of tardigrades is their legendary durability. It is commonly said that tardigrades can survive just about anything (except for the things that are actually trying to kill them. They are prey to a lot of species after all). Among the things they can survive is extreme heat, extreme cold, dehydration, extremely high and low pressure, exposure to ionizing radiation (that's the scary kind), low oxygen environments, environmental toxins, heavy impacts, and the vacuum of fucking space. While the can survive in extreme conditions, tardigrades are not considered extremophiles. True extremophiles thrive in extreme environments and are negatively impacted by leaving them. Tardigrades can survive in extreme environments, but are negatively impacted and can't survive as well there as they can in less extreme places. The main trait that has allowed tardigrades to survive all five mass extinctions in history is cryptobiosis. Cryptobiosis is the rare ability for an animal to enter a state of dormancy where their metabolic processes come to an almost complete stop. While in cryptobiosis, metabolic activity drops to 0.01% normal and water content drops to 1% normal. In this state, the tardigrade is called a tun. Tardigrades usually enter cryptobiosis in response to arid conditions. One experiment showed that a species of tardigrade could last for at least 30 years in this state and return to normal lifestyle functions when exposed to water. Tardigrades will also enter cryptobiosis in response to low oxygen, toxic chemical exposure, increased or decreased temperature, and excessive salt content in the water. Tardigrades also show extreme resistance to both high and low pressure. They can live in 0 atmospheres of pressure and some species can survive up to 6,000 atmospheres, more than double the pressure at the bottom of the Marianas trench. More interesting is their ability to survive dangerous radiation. They can survive 1,000 times the dose of gamma radiation that humans can. Early tests focused on tardigrades in cryptobiosis and concluded that the extremely low water content of a cryptobiotic tardigrade doesn't leave much opportunity for the radiation to react with the animal. However it was later found that active and fully hydrated tardigrades are still considerably resistant to radiation. Studies into this resistance indicate that tardigrades can very efficiently repair damaged DNA and have unique proteins called Dsup that provides additional protection. Dsup introduced to human cells has provided additional protection against x-rays.

(Image: an electron microscope image of a tun - a tardigrade in cryptobiosis. It is smaller and very wrinkly, with the legs and mouth retracted into the body. End ID)

Tardigrades were the first animals to be exposed to the vacuum of space. They were exposed for 10 days, some in a state of cryptobiosis at the time of exposure and some still active. It was found that they were able to survive the vacuum when shielded from the sun's ultraviolet radiation, with those already in cryptobiosis doing better. Upon being rehydrated, many were able to resume normal life functions and successfully reproduce, though others died after being rehydrated. Those that were exposed to UV radiation fared much worse, with only a few hydrated individuals surviving. The individuals in cryptobiosis had a lower survival rate when exposed to UV than those not exposed to UV and were less successful at reproducing afterwards. Studies of tardigrade's space survival abilities and resistance to radiation could go a long way in helping human space travel. One of the largest dangers of space travel is that space is full of nasty radiation from the sun that Earth's magnetic field protects us from. Some scientists speculate about the possibility of accidentally seeding other planets or moons with tardigrades or other space-resistant organisms. This is a problem because introducing Earth life to other world has the potential to damage any native ecosystems and if we find life in space in the future we don't want to have to figure out if it's something we accidentally put there. While tardigrades could likely survive on other planets, they would eventually die without a food source. Some sources reported that tardigrades may have colonized the moon after an experiment with them crashed. Unfortunately, the moon is not crawling with tardigrades now. It's way too dry for them to exit cryptobiosis even if they survived the crash, which they probably didn't.

(Image: art of a tardigrade floating in the vacuum of space. End ID. Source: University of California - Santa Barbara)

[quasi-normalcy]

Star Trek episode titles referencing specific characters or species:

So I've been through the list of every Star Trek episode ever, looking for titles that specifically reference characters or species. I'm talking specific references here, i.e., name drops, rather than just allusions. So, for example, I didn't count "The Squire of Gothos", but I would have counted it if the episode had been called "Trelane"; I counted "I, Borg", but not any of the episodes called things meant to evoke the Borg (e.g., "Collective", "Assimilation", "Drone", etc.).

Anyways, my results are as follows:

Characters:

Of the ST episodes named after specific characters, a plurality (17 out of 56) were named after what I am calling "minor" characters, which I am here defining as those who appear in only 1 episode. These included: "Charlie X," "Miri," and "Elaan of Troyius" (from TOS); "Bem" (from TAS); "11001001" (which is technically the names of the 4 Bynars) and “Aquiel” (from TNG); “Melora” (from DS9); “The Caretaker,” “Jetrel,” “Tuvix,” and “Alice” (from VOY); “Rajiin” (from ENT); “Jinaal” (from DIS); “I, Excretus” and "In the Cradle of Vexilon” (from LWD); and “The Trouble with Edward” and "Ephraim and Dot” (from Short Treks).

Q, of course, led the "major" characters, with 8: "Hide and Q," "Q Who,” “Deja Q,” “Qpid,” and “True Q” (from TNG); “Q-Less” (from DS9); and “The Q and the Grey” and “Q2” (from VOY)

Next was Data, with 4 episodes to his name (“Datalore” "Elementary, Dear Data” “Data’s Day,” and "A Fistful of Datas," all from TNG)

There was a 2-way tie for fourth place between Harry Mudd ("Mudd's Women" and "I, Mudd" from TOS; "Mudd's Passion" from TAS) and Spock ("Spock's Brain" from TOS, the movie Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and "Spock Amok" from SNW), each having 3 episodes to their name.

Bashir was the only other character to have multiple episodes to his name ("Our Man Bashir" and "Doctor Bashir, I Presume?", both from DS9

An additional 20 regular or recurring characters had one episode named after them. These include: Lore ("Datalore"), Sarek ("Sarek"), Troi ("Menage a Troi"), Ro ("Ensign Ro"), Okona ("The Outrageous Okona), Dax ("Dax"), Quark ("The House of Quark"), Shakaar ("Shakaar"), Khan (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan), Kahless ("The Sword of Kahless"), Morn ("Who Morns for Morn?"), Dr. Chaotica ("Bride of Chaotica!"), The Doctor ("Tinker, Tenor, Doctor, Spy"), Su'kal ("Su'Kal"), Vox ("Vox"), Boimler ("Much Ado About Boimler"), Kayshon ("Kayshon, His Eyes Open"), Paris ("We'll Always Have Tom Paris"), Badgey ("A Few Badgeys More") and Ascensia ("Ascension" (not quite, but I'm counting it)).

Species

Here, I counted not just the proper names of alien species, but the proper names of their homeworlds/dimensions as well. And here, again, "minor" species who appear in only one episode dominated the category, with 11 out of 44 episode titles: "The Gamesters of Triskelion," "Elaan of Troyius," "The Mark of Gideon," and "The Lights of Zetar" (from TOS); "The Magicks of Megas-tu" and "The Slaver Weapon" (from TAS); “Angel One” and “Galaxy’s Child” (from TNG); “Meridian” (from DS9); “The Swarm” (from VOY); and "An Embarrassment of Dooplers" (from LWD)

Q, which is, after all, the name of a species as well as a character, again leads the "major" entries, with 8 episodes: "Hide and Q," "Q Who,” “Deja Q,” “Qpid,” and “True Q” (from TNG); “Q-Less” (from DS9); and “The Q and the Grey” and “Q2” (from VOY)

Tribbles came next with four episodes to their name: "The Trouble with Tribbles" (TOS), "More Tribbles, More Troubles" (TAS), "Trials and Tribble-ations" (DS9), and “A Tribble Called Quest” (PRO)

The Ferengi (“Ferengi Love Songs” and “The Magnificent Ferengi” from DS9; “Parth Ferengi’s Heart Place” from LWD) and the Prophets ("In the Hands of the Prophets", "Prophet Motive", and "Tears of the Prophets", all from DS9) tie for fourth, with three episode apiece

There's a three-way tie for fifth place between the Vulcans ("The Infinite Vulcan" from TAS and "The Vulcan Hello" from DIS), the Borg ("I, Borg" from TNG and "Let Sleeping Borg Lie" from PRO), and the Andorians/Aenar, whom I am treating as one species ("The Andorian Incident" and "The Aenar", both from ENT), each with two apiece.

The Tholians ("The Tholian Web"), Orions ("The Pirates of Orion"), Cardassians ("Cardassians"), Jem'Hadar ("The Jem'Hadar"), Caretakers ("Caretaker"), Xindi ("The Xindi"), Species 10-C ("Species 10-C"), Mugatos ("Mugato Gumato") and Illyrians ("Ghosts of Illyria") get one episode each, mostly just boring noun titles

A few interesting things are of note here. First of all, outside of the one-off appearances and simple one- or two-word noun titles, the episodes of Star Trek that are named after specific characters or species are overwhelmingly done for comedic purposes (which probably explains why Q, Mudd, the Tribbles, and the Ferengi all tend to put in relatively strong showings). When things are serious, Star Trek across all series overwhelmingly tends to prefer more oblique or poetic titles. Notably, even the more "serious" episodes with Q ("Q Who" being the major exception) tend to forego the standard punny names.

Secondly, with the exceptions of Data and Spock (and to a lesser extent Bashir, Dax, Quark, the Doctor, and Boimler), Star Trek really doesn't like to name episodes after its opening credits regulars. None of the captains, for example, appear on this list: apparently you can name a series after Picard, but if you want to do an episode about him going on vacation, you call it "Captain's Holiday" rather than "Picard's Holiday."

Finally, it's remarkable what species aren't name-dropped in titles. The Vulcans, the Borg, the Ferengi, the Q, and the Cardassians (namesake of only one rather unimaginatively named episode) are all certainly among the major parts of the setting, but the Federation's oldest enemies--the Romulans and the Klingons--are nowhere to be seen; nor are the Changelings, the Bajorans, the Trill, the Betazoids, or any of however many other species to be featured prominently on their respective series. Star Trek typically seems to favour more oblique or thematic references when it comes to its antagonists (the aforementioned "Drone," "Collective" or "Assimilation" for the Borg; titles like "Heart of Glory," "A Matter of Honour," or "The Way of the Warrior" for the Klingons; titles like "The Neutral Zone," "The Enemy," and various allusions to political tension or spycraft for the Romulans; two separate episodes referencing the colour green for the Orions, and so on); titles that tell you what you can expect from these guys, rather than that they themselves are in it.

[xxfaithlynxx]

Whatever It Takes

Word Count: 9k

Warnings: Mentions of Trauma, Abuse, R4pe, etc....

BETA READ!

Please DO NOT steal or plagiarize my work. Much appreciated! As always.

Ω ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ Ω

Chapter 16:

Passing by that Welcome sign made everything real. 

My escape from (now) Caleb’s territory, Sylus killing Ephraim, actually having a title, finding my mate, and now making it all the way to his territory, a place even he hasn’t been in years. 

I wasn’t sure what I expected from a shifter dominated city. Maybe my mind was simply used to the mindset that packs were run by anger, entitlement and a knack for using fear as their motivators. Coming into Sylus’ territory, I needed to remind myself that not all packs were run like Ephraim had run his.

It was still early when we arrived at a hotel on the outskirts of the city. A place called Azure Peak. Tall, luxurious. Something more in line with what Sylus seemed used to. When we entered the lobby, I fully expected another hotelier like the one we’d encountered on our first hotel visit, only to be pleasantly surprised by a wonderfully attentive young man, a human, that ushered us in, quickly and adeptly took our payment and handed over the room key cards without any delay. It looked like he recognized Sylus, but as we approached the elevator, I couldn’t be sure. 

In our luxury suite, (of course) I stood looking out the window. Staring out over the expanse of the city, glowing a soft blue as the dawn ascended. Tall glass buildings stretched towards the sky, reflecting the light climbing from below the horizon. 

I wasn’t expecting an entire city. We’d actually done it, made it here in one piece. 

“Penny for your thoughts, kitten ?” I felt my cheek twitch from the nickname he’d started calling me on a regular basis. 

I turned, ready to give him a piece of my mind. Instead, I was greeted by a mouth watering sight. Sylus, standing there in nought but a towel, hanging low on his hips, giving me an adorable lopsided smirk before resting the smaller towel he’d been drying his hair with around his shoulders before he walked up behind me. 

He smelled of some sweet mint candy body wash, dulling all of the original scents I’d grown accustomed to in relation to him. The sandalwood, oud, amber spice, vanilla and leather. I inhaled deeper as I pressed my back against his chest, catching each individual scent now as they filled my senses, allowing some of the nervous tension in my shoulders to release.

“I was just thinking, I didn’t see a name on the welcome sign when we drove in.”

I felt him smirk against the top of my head as his arms wrapped around my waist. “It doesn’t have an official name, at least it didn’t when I left, and it doesn’t seem like it does after half a decade.” He kissed the top of my head, “my father used to call it Vandre i Undring .”

I tilted my head to look up at him, “What does that mean?” 

He smiled, “It’s Norwegian. It means Wander in Wonder. My old man used to drag my mother and I out to view the scenery every spring, I’ll have to show you one day..” He hugged me tighter against his chest, “Personally though, I just called it The Grasslands .” 

I smirked, resting my elbows and forearms overtop his, “Seems like an odd choice of name for a city like this.” My eyes skimmed over the plethora of trees that dotted the areas between buildings, and even grew from the rooftops of some of the ones that stretched into the sky.

Sylus chuckled above me, “We were an odd bunch. You’ll meet them soon enough.”

Another wave of nervous tension wrapped around my lungs as my eyes widened. “Right.”

“Don’t worry. We won’t meet them all at once, I don’t even think I could handle that after so long. We’ll ease into meet and greets one at a time.”

“Who are we meeting with first?”

“Rafayel. He’s a drama queen through and through, and honestly, I wouldn’t doubt he’ll bring Xavier with him, so we might not be able to ease into that one as much as I’d hoped.” He smiled down at me, “Xav and Raf work together at a salon, blew my mind when Raf told me, but they’re both Betas and best friends. I’ve known them since they were pups.” I felt a wave of nausea hit my stomach, rattling my nerves further at the thought of meeting two of Sylus’ packmates at the same time, not to mention, they were both men . I can handle two betas, right? I swallowed heavily.

“What are they like?” My voice sounded weaker, even to me, revealing my nerves.

“Well, like I was saying— Raf is the drama queen of the two of them, drives his wolf Kai up the wall. Xavier, well, he’s always seemed more like a bunny than a wolf. Docile, quiet, loves to eat and sleep. His wolf, Lux , is no different.” Sylus’ voice took on an almost sombre tone as he spoke about them. I could hear the care in his words as he spoke, just as much as I could feel the truth of them down our bond. He must have missed them after being gone so long…

I turned in his arms, tilting my head back to rest my chin against his broad chest as my arms moved to wrap around his waist. “When will we meet them?” 

Sylus smirked down at me before tipping his head forward, a rogue drop of water dripped off a strand of his white hair and fell on my nose, making me jump and scrunch my nose like a rabbit. He grinned before licking the orb of water off the tip where it had landed and stayed. 

“Well,” His arms, still circling my waist, pulled me closer to him, while his warmth dissolved into my nerve-chilled skin. “I was thinking … we’re on my land now, this hotel is shifter friendly, and I have my mate here to keep me… company. ” 

A wave of heavy masculine scent hit me blunt in the face as he slowly turned us, causing something inside me to ripple and burn, his near glowing ruby gaze flirting over every nuance of my face, like he was memorizing every feature before he leaned forward and brushed the length of his nose over mine. 

“I would like,” he kissed my nose, “...nothing more,” my cheek, “...than to lose myself,” my jaw, “...in my little Omega ,” my neck, “...for the next,” my shoulder, “...few days,” my collarbone, “...if she’ll allow me.” 

By the time he pulled back enough to look at me, his eyes were blazing. The depths of his pupils had nearly overtaken the glittering jewels of his iris’, leaving only a sliver of ruby visible. His lips were glistening, shiny and wet from his kisses. His breaths were short, laden with desire.  

I felt the degree of his need rippling down our bond and felt them like fingers dancing up my spine, making me shiver lightly. Reaching up, I cupped his cheek. “What about meeting with the boys?”

There was a part of me that just wanted to get that done and over with before losing myself in Sylus’ body, his warmth, his embrace for the next few days– or however long a rut or heat lasted. 

“We can worry about that later…” He was breathless, nuzzling that devastating nose into my hair, down my cheek, along my jaw.

My Ori, your heat will be upon you within hours. Can’t you feel it?

I thought about her words as they slid into my mind like butter, my body was thrumming. I was sweating, droplets dripping down the length of my spine. The weight of Sylus’ arms around me almost made the shirt I wore feel like rough sandpaper against my skin. 

‘Is that what this is?’ 

Yes, dear. Sylus’ instincts are already kicking in. His scent is incredibly strong, and it will kick start your heat if you do not prepare yourself. 

I felt another shiver run through me as Sylus suddenly leaned down to press his mouth against the side of my neck, ‘Prepare myself? It’s just sex, right?’

Oh, my Ori… I’m sorry I was so full of anger when we first became one, there is much I didn’t tell you, and very little time to fill you in on at present.

A shaky breath escaped as I felt his presence weigh down on me, his height, his broadness, the heat that seemed to now surround him like a cloak. His mouth moved over my neck, his lips parted on gasping breaths while his tongue drew lines and designs over the skin of my neck.. 

I could feel a mild panic bubbling up within my gut at Siri’s admission, ‘Just give me a broad idea of what it is that’ll happen then! I don’t want to fuck this up, Siri.’ I felt my knees hit the edge of the bed. 

I hadn’t realized he’d spun us around, not until the arm he had around my lower back gingerly pressed our hips together, his fingers digging into my hip as he eased the both of us down onto the mattress. My own hands were curled over his shoulders, unsure of what to do or where to touch. 

Siri’s presence seemed to dissipate within my mind as I felt a wave of heat crash into me. The soft roll of Sylus’ hips against mine, the scent of sex and desire permeating the air in the room. 

There’s no time, my Ori. All I can say is… you won’t fuck anything up, but… don’t fight your instincts. I felt her soft chuckle within my head, oh, and don’t forget to have fun.

My focus was brought abruptly back to the present as I felt Sylus’ hands drift down to either side of my hips. His fingers dug into my skin in a possessive, bruising way as his mouth clung to the side of my neck, lips latched as he sucked hard at a spot that had my eyes blinking white, flickers of light flashing behind my eyelids whenever I closed my eyes. 

Still clad in only the towel, something I was surprised still clung to him, he pressed a single knee between my legs. 

“ You’re all mine, Omega .” His voice was a growled whisper against my neck. Sending vibrations straight to my core, and then a soft barely there chuckle escaped him as he pulled back to look me in the eyes, “I made a promise, didn’t I.” 

I furrowed my brows, did he? When? 

“Oh?” 

“ Yess .” The tips of his fingers dipped beneath the waist of the fitted fabric shorts I wore. My hips twitched, but lifted without demand as I felt the drag of his fingernails over my skin while he peeled the garment down. My legs were anxiously bending at the knee before stretching out as he leaned back, hovering above my lower half as he rid my body of the piece of clothing. 

“ Mmm ,” he leaned forward to press his burning hot mouth against my hip bone, “So,” he kissed the other, “ responsive. ” 

It finally clicked. 

Oh. 

Oh.

I’d made a comment last night about how responsive he was. Oh Gods. I felt my cheeks flush a deep crimson as I recalled his response. 

“We’ll see how responsive you are when I have my head between your legs, kitten. ” 

My eyes snapped down to meet his lidded, needy gaze as he licked a trail across my lower stomach. He’d tilted his head, causing his hair to fall across his forehead like a curtain that nearly covered his eyes, the same eyes that were still locked on mine. 

My mind was bristling with pent up desires, and a part of me, the part that still clung to Siri’s words, was still fighting for control to stay coherent, to stay present. While another part of me wanted to let go, enjoy our time, simply allow our bodies to meet and become one in the basic instinctive way our kind could. 

The black briefs I’d stolen from his duffle the previous morning clung to my hips as he dipped those sinful fingers under the band, pulled down the edges so he could press light, open mouthed kisses over the further exposed skin of my abdomen. 

I swallowed heavily, feeling my tongue dry as I felt his heated breath against the thinner skin above my hip bone. I could feel the simmering heat coiling and drawing me in from somewhere deep inside me, and it felt so fucking good. My fingers curled into the sheets as his tongue graced the space of flesh just above my core. 

I tried, I really tried to keep my eyes open and locked on his as he continued to lick, kiss and suck along my hips, the soft plush of my upper thighs, over my lower stomach, but the heat of his breath, his lips all mingled with the heat radiating from my center, had my eyes rolling back in my head while my hips lifted off the bed, chasing his touch whenever he went to move elsewhere. 

I felt the elastic of the briefs stop and tighten around my knees, as he shifted to straddle his knees on either side of my legs. With his now free hand he reached up, gripping the hem of my shirt, before pushing it all the way up until the fabric sat braced above my chest. Releasing the fabric, he covered the nipple of my right breast. The friction against my heated skin made my back arch, shivering through a build in pleasure and pressure inside me. 

" You're trembling , kitten. " he rumbled, his voice a deep timbre that vibrated through me. It wasn't a question, but a statement, an observation that sent a shiver down my spine.  

I licked my lips, smiled and met his gaze, my voice coming out huskier than I intended. "Am I?"

A ghost of a smile touched his lips, a dangerous curve that promised both pleasure and something wilder, something untamed. "You know you are, Omega.”

My title on his lips was a caress, a brand, a claim all its own. I felt it echo through me, a resonance that settled low in my belly, coiling tight with anticipation. "Then perhaps," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper, "you should do something about it, Alpha. ”

His smile widened, a flash of sharp teeth that sent a jolt of excitement through me. My skin tingled where he touched me, a trail of fire that made me arch my back, a silent plea for more. "Oh, I intend to," he murmured, his voice a dark promise as he broke eye contact to look down.

I felt exposed, vulnerable, yet the vulnerability was exhilarating, a heady rush that made my pulse quicken further. His eyes, those burning embers, devoured me, tracing the curves of my body, lingering on the swell of my breasts, the dip of my waist, before falling to the juncture of my thighs.

"You're beautiful," he said, his voice rough with a hunger that mirrored my own.

I bit my lip, my cheeks flushing with a heat that had nothing to do with the warmth of the room.

A low growl rumbled in his chest, a sound that sent a shiver of delight coursing through me. "Ori. Let me taste you."

His words were a command, a plea, a promise all wrapped into one. My breath caught in my throat before I nodded and he leaned closer, his lips brushing the sensitive skin of my inner thigh, sending a jolt of electricity straight to my core. I gasped, my fingers tangling in his white hair, holding him close as his mouth trailed upwards, a slow, deliberate path that left me trembling anew. 

His tongue was a hot brand, a silken caress that sent shivers of pleasure spiraling through me. He kissed his way up my thigh, his breath warm against my skin, a delicious contrast to the softness of his lips. My hips arched involuntarily, a silent plea for more, and he granted it, his mouth finding the junction where my thighs met, his tongue delving into the heat that had been building, a slow, deliberate exploration that made me moan.

" Sylus …" I whispered, my voice a plea, a demand, a surrender.

He hummed against my skin, a vibration that resonated deep within me, sending ripples of pleasure through my body. His hands moved to grip my hips tightly, holding me steady as his tongue delved deeper, a relentless exploration that had me squirming, my breath coming in short gasps.

I was lost in a whirlwind of sensation, my body aflame, every nerve ending singing with pleasure. His tongue was a master, a conductor orchestrating a symphony of pleasure that built and built, a crescendo that threatened to consume me. My fingers tightened in his hair, my nails scraping his scalp as I cried out, my body arching off the bed, my release suddenly crashing over me in waves of ecstasy.

He drank me in, his mouth relentless, his tongue a relentless rhythm that milked every last drop of pleasure from me. I was boneless, sated, yet still yearning for more. He raised his head, his crimson eyes glowing with a satisfaction that mirrored my own as he moved to hover himself above me again.

" What delicious sweetness, you taste divine, sweetie. " he murmured, his lips brushing mine, a gentle caress that sent a new shiver through me as I tasted myself.

I smiled, a lazy, satisfied curve of my lips. "And you, Sylus, are a merciless fiend in disguise."

His laughter rumbled through him, a deep, genuine sound that made my heart flutter. He leaned back, his hands still resting on my hips, his gaze never leaving mine.

" Perhaps ," he conceded in a smirk, his voice low and husky. "But tell me, my little Omega, was it what you expected?”

I reached up, tracing the line of his jaw, my fingers lingering on the barely there stubble that rasped against my skin, a smile playing at the corner of my lips. “Sort of.”

His eyes darkened, cautious while another storm brewed in their crimson depths. "Oh? Tell me.” 

I smirked up at him, pulling my lip between my teeth before answering him, “It was better than I expected, Sylus. Way better.”

He’d looked almost stricken when he’d assumed I didn’t enjoy it, but the look was quickly replaced by a warmth that sent a shiver all the way down to my toes. “Then prepare yourself, kitten. We’re just getting started.”

His words sent a fresh wave of anticipation through me, a promise of pleasures yet to come. I smiled, a secretive curve of my lips, as I drew him closer, my body yearning for the touch of his, the heat of his skin against mine. 

To lose myself in him as he lost himself in me.

Ω   ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶   Ω

…THREE DAYS LATER…

Ω   ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶   Ω

I wasn’t even sure what day it was anymore. Let alone how long we’d been occupied and shut away in this hotel suite. 

Opening my eyes slowly, I blinked a few times as the low ambient light of the room came into focus. Then the warmth that surrounded me piqued my curiosity. I shifted slowly, feeling the dull but comfortable ache that radiated from all over my body. 

I felt surprisingly good for having just fucked my way through… however many days it’s been. 

Easing myself up onto an elbow, I slowly took in the state of the room. 

Blankets had been pushed into a semi-circle on the bed, along with every article of clothing we owned. Mostly Sylus’ I noticed. Pillows had, at one point, been thrown to the floor. Empty trays of food, and a plethora of empty water bottles covered the top of the desk against the wall near the window. The lamp that had been standing in the corner of the same desk lay on its side, and a flashback of Sylus fucking me over that desk came rushing into my mind. 

I bit my lip before moving on to scan the rest of the chaos. 

As my gaze trailed over other surfaces and walls, more images and memories came back of Sylus’ body covering mine, hips rutting against me. Lewd noises of our bodies colliding as we were lost to reality and consumed by each other. 

I swallowed heavily before turning to look at the other side of the bed. Finding the man himself sprawled out on his stomach, face turned to the wall, the sheet barely covering his lower half while his arms seemed flung out haphazardly, one underneath his pillow while the other dangled off his edge of the bed. 

Leaning closer, my breath caught in my throat. 

Even asleep, he looked ethereal. 

Long, dark lashes brushing his high cheeks. Plump, soft lips parted as he breathed evenly. Beneath the thin veined skin of his eyelids, I could see his eyes darting from side to side. Smiling, I was sure he’d be asleep for a while yet. 

Our cycles had lined up almost perfectly, his rut less than an hour before my heat. We’d nearly lost our minds, that much I remember, while we couldn’t seem to get close enough. It was almost like we’d simply wanted nothing more than to climb inside each other and simply exist there. 

I remembered flickers of words of love and endearing comments, the whispered words of affection and even the more lascivious breathed or moaned words of need and untempered lust as he pushed himself inside me over and over again. 

Looking at him now, he didn’t look like the kind of man to have begged anyone, let alone me, to have his pups. Though, another blush swept through my cheeks, he did repeatedly say that he was going to ‘Fuck a baby into me’ . That much I remembered clearly, and that seemed more like his style, even though I knew he was more like the former. Nearly too sweet, too kind for his own good. 

I stretched out a hand and carded my fingers through his hair, eliciting a low growl from him. 

Smirking, I leaned closer, letting my lips brush idly over the curve of his ear. “Sylus~” 

He groaned, making me smile wider, picturing a teenage boy mumbling ‘ Five more minutes, mom’ . He shifted slightly, turning his head into the pillow. Effectively cutting off my contact with him. 

“Fine, fine . Have it your way.” I rolled away and maneuvered into a sitting position on the edge of the bed. Stretching my arms above my head and leaning gently from side to side. Feeling the muscles and joints pop from however long I’d lain in the same position through the night. Once releasing the stretch, I turned my head to glance out the window.  

The curtains were drawn about half way across the expansive floor to ceiling window, and I could see the lights of the city beyond; it was definitely night time. 

Pushing myself to a stand, I can feel every muscle in my legs ache. Similarly, it isn’t a painful ache. In fact, I’d go as far as to say I actually liked how this ache felt through my body. If this is how it would end after every heat, I was okay with it. 

I padded over to the bathroom and left the door slightly ajar as I relieved myself. Looking around at the continued chaos, towels everywhere, fingerprints smeared over the mirror, the shower curtain hanging off of several of the rings. “Good grief.” I felt the blush creep into my cheeks as more memories flooded my mind from the last couple days. 

Every surface. He’d fucked me on, against, over every surface in this hotel suite. I could smell both of us everywhere. Both of our scents saturated the air, settling over me like a calming balm. Sighing and finishing my business, I stepped back out into the main room and looked back at the bed. From my new vantage, I could see his feet dangling over the end of the mattress, the sheet had drifted lower over his back, revealing some of his plump lower cheeks, and the entirety of his sculpted back and shoulders in all of their glory. 

A light lit up the space under the dresser suddenly, causing my gaze to jump towards it like a cat with a laser. Crouching down on to my hands and knees, I pressed my cheek to the floor and looked underneath the piece of furniture. 

“What– How did his phone get under there ?” I slid my hand forward and squeezed it underneath the dresser and with two fingers, pinched the device before pulling it free. 

As I pushed myself back on to my knees, I glanced at the bed, making sure I hadn’t woken the sleeping giant with my muttering. The screen lit up again. Tilting my head, I leaned forward to get a closer look at it. 

It was a message… or messages . From Raf. 

Raf: Sy.

Raf: Sy. 

Raf: SY. 

Raf: OH MIGHTY ALPHA SYLUS!!

Raf: FUCKER. You better not be ignoring me. 

Raf: Where the fuck are you, pompom. I will track your big ass down.

I huffed through my nose. “Needy brat isn’t he.” 

I picked up the phone and stood up again, staring at the screen for a solid minute before I tried swiping my finger up like I’d seen Sylus do once. A touch pad of numbers appeared and I raised a brow. Password? Hm… so much for that I guess. 

“Six, seven, four, three, six.” 

My head whipped up to the sound of a rough, sleep filled voice. In the time I’d retrieved his phone, he’d rolled over and propped another pillow under his head. He blinked sporadically as he fought off the layers of sleep. 

“What?” My brain malfunctioned at the sight of him. One arm slung above his head to curl under the first pillow. His bedhead hair, sticking out in every-which direction. Bare chest, and abdomen. The sheets just covered the silver trail of hair that dipped down over his V line.. 

He smirked, “The password. Look at the letters underneath the numbers. Spell out your name, kitten. ” 

I blinked, then looked down at the phone in my hand. I mouthed along to the numbers as I picked out each individual letter to my name to the corresponding digit and felt my eyes widen when the screen faded to black for a second before glowing back to life to a screen loaded with little squares of images, and words that went over my head. When did he do that?

“Bottom of the screen, there should be a green icon that looks like a chat bubble. Tap it.” 

I followed his instructions, lowering my eyes to the lower portion of the screen and gingerly tapping the correct icon. 

Names and conversations popped up on the screen. 

“Tap on the one that says Clamshell , that’s Raf’s conversation.” I heard him shifting on the bed now, the sound of popping joints and a muffled groan before he sighed and yawned, “Is he begging for attention like a neglected goldfish?” 

I smirked as the words and slurs I’d seen pop up on the screen moments earlier scrolling up the screen, showing the full conversation. “Something like that.” 

My cheeks flushed a bright red when I lifted my head as a very naked Sylus rounded the end of the bed and stopped in front of me. 

He took the phone from me and scoffed at the screen. “Where does he come up with these nicknames? Pompom my ass , purple haired fucker.” Says the man who has the guy’s name in his phone as ‘Clamshell’….

I bit my lip as my eyes drifted over the full length of him. As usual, he towered over me, I was used to that. What I wasn’t used to– even after the last few days, was being nearly face to face with the third fucking arm between his legs. Even at my shorter height, I was closer to that than I was his face, or at least it felt that way! 

He was leaning heavily on one foot as he typed out some elaborate response. My awestruck ass just stood there, eyes trailing over every detail of his body. From his perfectly manicured looking toes, the muscles over his feet. His ankles. I wondered idly how a person’ ankles could be so attractive before moving on without furthering the thought. His calf muscles looked like he’d run right out of a sprint, or marathon. Even his knees were attractive. 

My teeth sunk harder into the flesh of my lip as my eyes drifted to his perfect thighs. Before a soft sound escaped me as my eyes landed on his cock and testes. Even soft the man was not small, and I had another moment of awe as I tried to comprehend how that had fit inside me. 

Swallowing the mouthful of spit that had pooled in my mouth, I forced my eyes to continue their perusal up his body. Gaping at the silver happy trail that led back down, before my eyes landed on those sculpted abs, my fingers twitching with a sudden desire to drag all of my fingers over each ridge, each bump. 

This man was a sculpture brought to life. A masterpiece of perfect proportions. I completely understood why those sorority girls back at that gas convenience place approached him, even though, thinking about it– I would never have been able to do that if I'd met him for the first time like that. Hells no. I already had issues thinking I was undeserving of such a man’s love, I didn’t have to tack on the fact that he was absolute perfection to look at.

“ Kitten?” Reality struck me in the lungs, battering all breath from me as he said my new nickname, one I was slowly getting more and more used to, even if I didn’t think it suited me. 

“I’m here.” Obviously! I gave myself a mental shake before blinking up at him, trying to act like I wasn’t just eye-fucking him for the last… however long. 

The way he was looking down at me. One brow arched, a corner of his mouth lifted. 

He knew.  

Fuck.  

“Well, I was going to say we should get dressed, but… ” the smirk turned into a full fledged grin as he took a half step closer to me, his body heat bleeding into my skin, “...we could just stay here a little longer.” 

I felt my jaw pop open as my eyes swung up to meet his. Crimson on navy. 

“Sylus.” If I couldn’t hear the conviction in my voice, then he definitely didn’t. 

“What?” He put the phone down on top of the dresser and took another, almost, threatening step forward. Pressing into my space, making my breath catch in my throat. 

He leaned down over me, prodding his nose into the hair behind my ear. “I can smell your desires, sweetheart. ” 

Oh, Gods. A shiver ran down my spine. His voice, still ragged and deeper from sleep clung to me while his breath whispered over my skin. 

Taking a deep breath through my nose and shoving aside the growing heat and need between my thighs, I reached up to press my palms against his chest, and pushed him back a step. 

“We… should probably get dressed.” 

He chuckled, dropping his chin to his chest before meeting my eyes again through the strands of hair falling over his face, nodding solemnly. “As you wish, kitten. ” 

—

My knee bounced underneath the little cafe table I sat at. I was nervous. Very nervous. 

We’d made decent time cleaning up the disaster, or nest as Siri called it, that was our hotel suite. She and Stayrus had shown up between the two of us at around the same time. Spouting comments and how it was about time we came back to reality, and that next time they get command and it better be out in a forest. 

I’d made a note to ask Siri about the insatiable desire to jump him whenever I looked at him, whether that was normal or not, and I’d felt her laughter at the back of my head as much as I heard it before she’d responded with an ‘ Absolutely normal, my Ori’ . 

It was constant. My body, burning for him. Thighs tight, even now– sitting here in tha cafe– anxiety hitting new highs, and yet. Seeing him standing at the counter. Leather jacket with red and white bolts down the arms that he’d just bought on the way here, matching leather pants with oddly placed zippers on either side of the front of his hips. He’d been a sight to behold before he got the jacket, walking around like he’d just come off a photo shoot in a tight black turtleneck sweater. 

Even with those seemingly casual clothes, I felt severely underdressed. I’d donned the black hoodie he’d given me, beneath I had a new black tank top, and a new pair of jean shorts, with a pair of lacy red boy short panties underneath that he’d got me from some retail and lingerie places on the way here. 

Hand in hand, he’d led me directly to the bathrooms when we’d arrived at the cafe, telling me to get changed as he did the same. We were only parted, a wall apart for less than five minutes, but I felt it down our bond. The barrier. 

Siri had assured me that being apart from him would get easier. With our first cycles together having just ended, our bodies were reluctant to be apart. Needing the closeness, the connection and warmth. So when I met him outside in the hall leading out to the lobby again, he’d shoved me up against the wall and devoured my mouth for a moment while our bodies reacclimated to one another. He’d whispered how he’d love to take me, right there, up against that wall– but we’d come here on a mission, and as much as it pained him– we needed to control ourselves. 

So, here I sat, nerves wreaking havoc on my stomach, lungs and heart, while he stood at the counter ordering drinks and breakfast– getting heart eyes cast in his direction by the general female, and looking closer, some of the male occupants.  

“Thank you.” I watched the girl behind the counter swoon as soon as he smiled at her. 

I know, hon. I. Fucking. Know!  

I smiled up at him as he returned to our booth and slid in next to me. The tall to-go cup being placed in front of me, steam and the scent of chocolate wafting from the vent in the lid. 

“They’ll bring over our food when it’s done.” He said, resting his hand over my bouncing knee, putting enough pressure to halt the movement and ground me and my nerves. 

“I know you’re nervous, kitten .” He leaned closer, pressing his mouth to the side of my head, “I promise they’re good people.” He paused, before sighing heavily, "Though, pack mates, friends or otherwise– I won’t hesitate to end them if they try anything.” 

My turn to look up at him cramped my neck, but I could see the truth of his words in his carmine eyes. “Sy…”

“ No , Ori. Don’t fight me on this… I love you, and I will not tolerate my mate being treated like trash, ever again. ” 

My breath caught in my throat, wet heat blurring my vision as tears filled my eyes just as he released my knee and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me against him in a tight hug. His cheek pressed to the top of my head while I buried my face against his neck.

“I love you too, Sylus.” I whispered against his neck, letting all of the adoration and affection I felt beating within my heart for him flow down our bond. His arms tightened around me momentarily before he loosened his hold, using his chin to nudge my head back. 

His eyes searched mine for a moment, before he smiled softly. His thumb came up to brush across my cheek, catching a stray tear. 

“Say that again.” He whispered, lowering his head to press his forehead to mine. 

I smiled as my eyes shut, his own love pouring through our connection to envelope me in its own form of a hug. “ I love you. ” 

The sound of a bell ringing out through the quiet lobby of the cafe shattered the moment as he lifted his head to look at whoever it was who had entered. I felt him stiffen for a second before a low chuckle sounded from within his chest. 

“Didn’t take you for the PDA kind, pompom. ” The voice that spoke was rich, smooth, and had a young, not quite boyish, but still young tone. His words were loaded with a certain level of sass that it didn’t take a rocket scientist to know he used it often.

“Rafayel.” Sylus’ voice was loaded with his own level of exasperation, but one could easily hear the amusement hovering over the surface as he said his friend’s name. I couldn’t help but notice he pointedly ignored the use of the pompom nickname.

“Sylus. Jesus man, where the Hells have you been?” Another voice, another male. This one was even smoother than Raf’s, like spun silk. Airy, like a spring breeze, on the lower side, but also soft, almost calming. 

“Xavier.” As Sylus said this friend’s name, I felt an almost brotherly affection move down our bond. I wasn’t sure if it was intentional or if he was affirming that these men could be trusted, but it gave me the confidence to lift my head from the crook of his neck and peek out from under his chin at his pack brothers. 

Rafayel, I recalled Sylus calling him a purple haired fucker , so my eyes landed on the wavy haired one with his head tilted. Shoulder length deep indigo hair, parted down the middle and hanging over each side of his forehead. Eyes, a dual colored coral pink and ocean blue were looking back at me. He had a curve to his mouth as he smiled at me, curiosity and a welcoming warmth filtered off of him as he moved slowly to slide into the booth across from Sylus and I.

He wore a tight black muscle shirt with a high neckline. Broad shoulders, and bare arms showing off muscular arms. A swimmer’s build that tapered down to narrow hips and long legs clad in a loose pair of faded and ripped bluejeans. 

When my eyes moved on to Xavier, I had to blink a couple times. Thick looking ashy blonde hair that hung to just above his ears. A boyish, but structured face. A soft, almost tired looking expression curved his deep cosmic blue eyes as he returned my stare. The corners of his mouth just barely tilted upwards. A muscular neck that led down to a… I had to blink again, he was tall, not quite as tall as Sylus, and he had broad shoulders, but I couldn’t tell what kind of build he had. Was he muscular like Rafayel? Or toned like Sylus? 

He wore a cream colored sweater with a brown insignia of the brand on the left arm, unbuttoned, showing off the loose fitting white shirt he wore underneath. Blue and gray plaid jeans that lead down to a pair of pristinely white sneakers. 

He was stunning, in fact, they both were. 

“Is this her?” Xavier asked softly, sliding into the booth next to Rafayel. 

Sylus’ arm tightened slightly around my shoulders. “Yes.” He didn’t rush me, but he did give my shoulder a squeeze before continuing, “Guys, this is Orien Ashmourn.” I lifted my eyes to Sylus’ face, this was the first time he’d used my full name, and it sounded really good to hear him use it. 

“Rafayel Qi, pack Beta. It’s a pleasure to meet our Alpha’s true mate.” My eyes moved back to the boys across from us as they responded. 

“Xavier Shen, also a pack Beta. We’ve heard a lot about you, Orien.” 

I felt myself smiling at them, “I-it’s a pleasure to meet you both, and please, call me Ori.” My voice sounded stronger than I felt inside, but having Sylus’ warmth and strength flowing down our mate-bond helped to soothe some of the still high strung nerves that still clung to me like velcro. 

“Ori.” I watched Raf’s nostrils flare as he mouthed my nickname before giving me a wink, “It’s cute, like you.”

Sylus stiffened beside me, “Rafayel.” His voice was low, a warning. 

“Oh, relax . I wasn’t making a move on her…” Raf responded, leaning back in his seat, lowering one hand off the edge of the table while the other remained on its surface, palm down, fingers tapping one by one. “Though, any unmated male might mistake her as free game.” His eyes darkened as they moved to narrow at Sylus. “You haven’t marked her.” 

I flinched. Sylus felt it, and he sighed. 

“Sylus, you’re risking a lot bringing her here unmarked.” Xavier was less condescending about it, but there was an unease in his tone as he said it. His blue eyes drifted between Sylus and my face. 

I felt a wave of anxiety flow down our bond before it was abruptly cut off. “They’d be fools to try anything when she smells like me.” 

“They won’t care , Sylus. She’s an unmated Omega. ” Rafayel had raised both hands to the table again, fingers folding together as he leaned forward, lowering his tone as he spoke. 

I felt my brows pull together, my eyes flicking between all three of them. “I don’t understand, what do you mean they won’t care?” 

Sylus sighed again, raising his free hand up to rub over his face. 

Xavier was the one who answered my question, “As an Omega, Ori. You have certain pheromones that you secrete regularly. Until you bare Sylus’ mark, being his true mate means nothing, and those pheromones will continue. Alerting every Alpha, and Delta in an unknown radius that there's an omega nearby and available for the chase.” 

Sylus growled low beside me. 

Xavier’s eyes met his, “Don’t fucking growl at me, Sylus, she asked . I answered.” Xavier’s light colored brows pulled together, “She should know this stuff. In fact,” His eyes moved slowly back to my face, “How is it that an Omega doesn’t know this?”

Oh no… how do I explain that?  

Raf spoke up at that, one brow raised. Another smirk pulling at one corner of his mouth, this one more threatening than the last, “ Yes. That is a good point. You look old enough to know this, why don’t you?” 

I looked up at Sylus, Xavier had said they’d heard a lot about me, but what? Had Sylus not told them I had just recently presented? That I knew nothing about my new gender? Looking at him now, I could see the flush of pink in his cheeks as he glared at the two men across the table. 

Rafayel hummed as he separated his hands and held one out. Removing my gaze from Sylus’ face, I looked between the indigo haired man’s hand and his face. He gave me a small smile before asking, “May I see your hand?” 

Sylus grumbled beside me, but didn’t make any moves to stop me, so I tentatively slid a hand from beneath the table off my lap and slid it into Raf’s. His palm was soft, calluses dotted the bases of each of his fingers. 

Curling them around, gripping me lightly, he pulled me closer to him as he leaned over the table. Making me suck in a shock of breath as he dragged his nose over my wrist. 

“The fuck are you doing, Raf.” Sylus slapped his hand away and I quickly retreated into his side, pulling my hand to my chest, casting my own glare across the table at the man. 

Raf had froze. Dual colored eyes wide and moving rapidly between Sylus’ face and my own. 

“You didn’t tell me that she’s recently presented,” He slapped his hand over his face, “For fuck’s sake… how old are you? Do you even have a wolf?” His voice demanded as he leaned forward again.

Excuse you, boy! Siri’s voice ripped through my head. She does indeed have a wolf. Can I slap him, my Ori? 

Internally I was beginning to feel the panic coiling in my chest. ‘Probably not a good idea…’

“She does, her eyes just flashed.” Xavier said soon after my inner monologue with Siri. 

Sylus pulled me against his side, hiding me from their investigative gazes behind the open edge of his leather jacket. 

“ Betas. I would ask that you stop this shit, now. You’re scaring her.” I felt the command in his voice, even though he directed it at them, but saw as soon as it struck them. Their pupils shrunk, their jaws tightened and they both sat up straighter. 

“Fuck, I didn’t miss that feeling… and strangely enough, I also did.” Raf commented, slumping in his seat as soon as the command settled. 

Xavier bit his cheek and I watched a shudder move over his shoulders. “You told us next to nothing about her, Sy. Other than that she was beautiful, which, yes I agree, she is.” he held his hands up in surrender when Sylus made another small growling noise before he continued, “You told us she was your mate, that your wolf knew almost immediately. Aside from those details, we know nothing about her. Her past, her people.” 

I pushed out of Sylus’ hold, glaring them both down as I leaned my elbows against the table. A strength I didn’t feel keeping me from curling in on myself. I felt Sylus’ concern flow through me, but I pushed it aside. They want to know? Fine.

“I’m thirty, and I just presented as Omega last week when I met Sylus.” I looked between them, their eyes glued to me, and taking their silence as my cue- I continued. 

“I was born to Liam and Vivica Ashmourn of the Ashmourn Pack, until Ephraim Sable and his son Caleb devastated my father’s pack and his territory and stole my twin sister, Cassi, and I. My sister, presented as a Delta when we turned thirteen and was pledged as Caleb’s future mate. I never did, so Ephraim– thinking as a twin I would make perfect breeding stock, kept me as a house pet. In that time, his son and his pack mates did unthinkable things to me… they beat me, they raped me but always promised I’d eventually outgrow my use, even though they continued to do whatever they pleased with me.” 

I sucked in a breath, I could feel Sylus’ anger simmering but I pushed on. 

“Ephraim did his own form of torture, of course. Neglect, his own beatings. Cigarettes and cigars being put out on my skin. Knives, the works. Until, he’d either get bored or just let his son step in, which he was more than willing to do. 

The two of them used fear, manipulation and intimidation to rule that pack and I wanted to die on any given day, until I was banished from the main annex of the pack housing and sent to a place they called The Pens, a medieval prison of sorts on the edge of the territory, the place I met Sylus.” 

The two beta’s eyes slid to Sylus, who was frozen beside me, his eyes locked on the side of my face, before they both looked back to me. Expressions empty as they listened, looking a little green. 

“Ephraim had sent me down to The Pens as an informant, he wanted information from Sylus, but at the same time– it was clear he didn’t care if Sylus, as what he’d referred to as a feral rogue, ended my life or not. I was no longer useful to him, even though I knew if I did make it out– that if Sylus had been as feral as they made me believe– they would’ve just sent me to the area where they keep their meager amount of females, where they kept their breeders . My being a twin increased my chances of birthing multiples, so Ephraim kept that as a high probability I would make the perfect breeder. If I survived.”

Sylus slid one of his big hands over mine, as they’d started to shake as I spoke. 

“I presented not long after meeting Sylus, and no… I didn’t have a wolf at first. She only showed up after my very first shift, when Caleb and Ephraim had come on a manhunt for us when they realized we’d escaped. Sylus killed Ephraim, and badly injured Caleb. Since then, we’ve been trying to make it here, and believe me… there has been some fucking confusing bullshit happen, and new emotions that I can’t make heads or tails of, but I’m learning and I don’t need two pretty boy Betas coming at me with their stupid and unjustified fucking commentary.”

I heaved a sigh once I was done and leaned back where I sat, my back pressing against the cushion, the sweet pressure keeping me from falling apart. 

Beside me, Sylus was silent, waiting. 

Xavier and Rafayel also sat silently, eyes wide, mouths parted. 

I’m proud of you, my Ori.

I could feel the heat behind my eyes, having gone through those memories. After leaving that territory, I didn’t think I’d have to go back to that history for a long while, if at all. 

I felt Sylus shift beside me, moving an arm up and over my shoulders again, pulling me into his warmth, his protection. I’d let my eyes drift, unfocusing as they stared into the void that was the speckled white of the table top. Feeling his breath, I heard him whisper in my ear. “I’m so proud of you, my love.” 

His words and his warmth were a welcome reprieve from the anguish that was beginning to spread through me, and the two Betas' silence was beginning to grate against my now frayed nerves, so I forced my eyes to look back up at them. The blonde and the purple haired men who sat in shock and an awkward silence as they processed what I’d told them. 

Remaining where I was, I crossed my arms across my chest, gathering more strength, more confidence from Sylus’ presence next to me. 

“So, what now?” I asked softly, feeling the quake in my voice. 

Sylus answered, “ Now we relax.” He squeezed my shoulder, “Zayne doesn’t know I’m back yet… but I’m sure he will soon enough, given how fast word spreads.” 

Xavier was the first of the two of them to finally break back into reality, scrubbing the heels of his hands into his eyes before focusing back on my face. “Uh… yeah, about that.” 

I felt Sylus groan, “I asked you not to tell him! Which of you let it slip?” Using his free hand, Sylus points an accusatory finger first at Rafayel, before shifting it between the two of them. 

Xavier held up both hands, folding one to point at the purple haired man. Who blinked, just now coming back to the present after my speech. “Don’t look at me.” The blonde said.

“Dammit, Rafayel!” The level of amused exasperation in Sy’s voice made the growing unease in my gut dissolve entirely. It’d sounded closer to a whine than an actual accusation. 

“I didn’t say a damned word.” I bit my lip as Raf started pouting, his bare arms crossing over his chest while his lips were pushed out slightly, his brows pulling together before his head turned away from each of us. “The motherfucker guessed .” 

I wanted to laugh, I’d seen some of this dramatic side through the messages he’d sent to Sy, but to see it first hand was truly comical. 

“How does someone guess something like that?” Sylus asked. 

“You know him, Sy. He’s a… perceptive motherfucker.” Rafayel started, trying to defend himself, even though it was a losing battle. Lost if anything. 

“Not that perceptive.” Xavier said under his breath, rolling his thumbs together, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. 

I leaned forward a little, releasing an arm from around myself. “Uh, who is Zayne ?”

“Oh, shit. Right.” Rafayel started, but then shut his mouth, blue-pink eyes flicking up to Sylus, “your Alpha can explain that one.” 

I looked up at Sy, he was shaking his head indignantly. The ruby of his iris’ flashing slightly before he slowly turned to me. “Zayne… is the male I left in charge when I left.” 

I tilted my head, feeling Siri stir almost uncomfortably at the back of my head. 

“Siri doesn’t seem to like something about that, should I be worried?” 

Sylus sighed, “Alpha’s don’t usually desert their packs, sweetie. Leaving another male in charge usually ends in rivalry and mutiny once the real Alpha returns; if the real Alpha returns.” 

��Do you think he’ll want to pick a fight?” I asked him cautiously. 

I heard Rafayel chuckle, same as Xavier. Sylus only snorted, “He might. If only to put me in my place for being gone so long.” 

“Is he an Alpha too?” 

Xavier and Rafayel started nodding, so Sylus shaking his head threw me off. 

“Soo… which is it? Yes or no?”

The boys stared at each other. Blinking rapidly. 

Rafayel, being Rafayel, spoke up first. 

“What the fuck do you mean he’s not ? Sylus, you left ! You offered him the role of Alpha of the entire Grasslands pack, before witnesses and people who can vouch on the matter.” Rafayel was cradling his head with both hands as his voice began to rise in his astonishment. 

Xavier piped up with his deceptively calm voice, “You’ve been gone a long time, Sylus. Zayne… changed. ” 

I felt a rolling wave of surprise pass over the bond just as Sylus sat up straighter. 

“What do you mean he changed?” I felt Sylus’ entire demeanor shift as his Alpha side took over for a moment. “You two will tell me everything. Do you understand me?”

The command rippled through the air, their heads canting forward, the backs of their necks becoming visible through their shifting threads of hair as Sylus’ words settled into their minds. 

They both threw each other a look before nodding. 

Xavier, ever with the calm, almost tired, demeanor spoke first. 

“You knew him as a Delta, Sylus. That is what you left him as. What you– what we all failed to realize… Delta’s are as close to Alphas as a presentation can get, but genetics shift once they’ve accepted a new role.” Xavier sighed before leaning forward, “His presentation shifted. He’s no longer genetically a Delta. Once he’d mentally and biologically accepted his standing and role as the pack’s new Alpha… his presentation followed suit.” 

“He’s an Alpha, he’s the Alpha now.” Rafayel said, surprisingly quiet now as he too twiddled his thumbs, his eyes on the table top. 

I sat, fascinated as Sylus’ dumbstruck expression settled into confusion, “Why do you two fold like cheap suits under my commands then?” 

Rafayel gave an exaggerated shrug, “Fuck if I know.” 

Xavier also shrugged, but more like a crow, moving only his shoulder blades awkwardly up and down. 

Ω   ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶   Ω

[weerd1]

For no reason other than this is Tumblr, my two favorite things about every Star Trek (even if I didn't like that iteration):

TOS: Spock, Stories balanced between decrying war and realizing some things are worth fighting for.

TAS: Yesteryear, a full-size inflatable decoy Enterprise

TOS Movies: TMP Uniforms, Klingon Shakespeare

TNG: Riker, The Klingon Arc

TNG Movies: The grey-shouldered uniform, Zefram Cochrane/Lily Sloan

DS9: Kira Nerys, Garak

VOY: Stories that don't mind being a little absurd, Kathryn Janeway

ENT: TnT, Jonathan Gee Whiz Archer

Kelvin Timeline: Leonard McCoy, Pure fucking adventure that has the commentary if you look

DISCO: Jett Reno, Saru/T'Rina

Short Treks: The keen animation of "Ephraim and Dot," Spock and Number One trapped in a turbolift

LOW: Character Development, Surprisingly COMPELLING stories in all that humor

PRO: Top tier SF storytelling, Gwyndala's entire arc

SNW: Recontextualizing TOS, Erica Ortegas

PIC: Liam Shaw, Captain Seven

S31: The concept of tiny intelligent life whose ships are humanoid robots to explore the galaxy; there were two of them so I'm counting that twice

Star Trek as a Genre: Beautiful Starships, Progressive before we even knew what progressive was.

[merrybandofmurderers]

more fenyuo fic, featuring @calicostorms's Fen'an and @evangeline444's Dhaveira. still very rough, but i want to share

~

When the last demon fell, Yuo rushed forward to close the rift. They had learned it was impossible to close rifts after just the first wave, but if they waited too long after the second, more might come. The rifts were resistant to being closed until all demons were dealt with. Trying to force it could weaken outcoming demons but weakened Yuo as well.

The mark hadn’t stopped feeling foreign on Yuo’s hand. It wasn’t their magic; it didn’t feel like when they reached into the Fade. It was something else. It didn’t even require a push. All they had to do was raise their hand, and it acted. They didn’t care for that; it meant they weren’t in control.

There was nothing controlled about using the mark. Every time reminded Yuo of when they’d fallen into the Minanter River as a child. Battered by overwhelming waves, water choking their mouth and ears, shocked cold and helpless until their father had fished them out. But this feeling of the mark came from within, like the memory was folding them inside out—and their father wasn’t here.

Yuo’s companions usually kept their distance for this part. Once, when they had brought Solas, the other elf had strayed too close, and the mark’s energy had lashed out at him. No one else had wanted to risk anything after that.

From the corner of their eye, Dhaveira approached. Yuo couldn’t warn her to keep some distance, too preoccupied with focusing on not getting pulled into the rift themself. Her eyes were wide, painted lips slightly parted. Her red-inked hand reached out—

Yuo felt more than saw Dhaveira’s magical energy being sucked up by the mark and sent into the rift. It passed through them like the cold malaise that hung over abandoned burial grounds.

The rift swelled, a reddish-purple stain spreading outward through its tendrils. It pulsed, Yuo felt a surge of energy wash back over them, and then a flash of light that knocked them off their feet.

“Boss!”

“Lavellan!”

“Lethallen!”

The sky wobbled overhead, black dots dancing across Yuo’s vision. Pain throbbed through their skull.

Something bristly poked their cheek. “Oi, you alive?”

“I’m alive,” they grunted. They were regretting not sequestering away in their tent with Fen’an, though. They could be giving a blowjob right now.

The blurry clouds flirted around the edges of the sun.

They could be at home. Mahanon pestering them with questions on magical theory, Danae whining for a sparring session, coaxing Ephraim into helping with the aravels’ sails. Anavi teasing them for being too doting but carefully cleaning the dirt from under their nails.

The bristles poked their cheek again, and Yuo’s eyes blinked open, unaware of when they’d closed. Sera was leaning over them, worry poorly concealed by her scowl.

“You hit something wrong?”

“No,” they sighed. They were just so fucking tired. “Help me up.”

Blackwall knelt beside them. “I’ve got a rejuvenation potion.”

Yuo downed it, felt the fortifying energy spreading through them immediately. They looked around. “Is everyone else—”

“All fine, even our new friends.”

Iron Bull stood off to the side, clearly keeping watch. Several feet away, Dhaveira was also sitting on the ground. Fen’an had put himself between her and the rest of them, so Yuo couldn’t see her face. They were speaking to each other in hushed Elvish.

The ground under where the rift had been was scorched but also wet, glistening with a ruddy residue. At least the rift had been successfully closed.

~

@mrs-theirin, @fade-and-loathing-in-thedas, @ringneckedpheasant, @transfenris-truther, @spainkitty, @midnightprelude

[saijspellhart]

for the kissing prompt- 100, ephraim and innes :3

100. Hateful kisses; all teeth, bruising, hair tugging, being pinned against the wall, low groans, heavy breathing, knees separating thighs — but both of them need more. (Ephraim x Innes)

-WARNING: Spicy-

Ephraim finally broke away from the party, slipping out during a toast and a speech proposed by Princess L’Arachel. Her personality was…aggressive enough to draw any and all attention, creating a perfect opening for him to slip behind a heavy curtain and out onto one of the balconies of Castle Frelia.

The crisp night air greeted him, a chilled kiss against his cheeks. An audible sigh, all the tension in his body releasing, he approached the balustrade. He crossed his arms to lean on the railing, gazing off into the valley below.

A little shimmering river, reflecting the light of the moon, cut the fields and forests in the distance. It looked looked like a vein of silver in an otherwise inky black and blue landscape.

In one of the inky fields there was a herd of ghostly white dots. A herd of Frelian pegasi grazing on the pastures. Their snow white coats glowing under the moonlit night sky.

Ephraim pondered the ramifications of commandeering a Pegasus and flying back to Renais.

Not that he could fly one. He still struggled with riding a horse, despite a myriad of lessons with Kyle and Forde. The animals didn’t respond well to his brash recklessness. He doubted a flighty Pegasus would fair any better.

Ephraim, in a fit of irritation, dug at the constricting collar of his tunic. A button popped off in his hand, and he hurled it over the side of the balcony. It disappeared into the night.

“Feel better?”

Ephraim shot a glance over his shoulder. Innes, crown Prince of Frelia, strode out onto the balcony. His silver and storm blue finery, dazzled in the moonlight as he approached the King of Renais. The Prince was always stunning, in a painfully aggravating way. Even when he was caked in blood and worn from the despair of battle.

Innes joined him at the balustrade, a glass of wine in one hand. He took a sip, and eyed the rumpled and undone collar of Ephraim’s tunic. The King could feel the Prince’s sharp eyes as they traced the line of his throat down to the barest tease of a collar bone. Ephraim shivered, hoping Innes assumed it was due to the chill night.

Those sharp steel eyes cut back to Ephraim’s face, pinning him with a stare. “Should I leave you? So you may continue disrobing on our balcony?”

“Shove off,” Ephraim returned to leaning on the railing. “The ball was stuffy, and I hate this frivolous formal attire. I felt like I couldn’t breath.”

“Perhaps it wouldn’t have been so stuffy if you didn’t spend so much of it indulging my sister and her inane friends.”

“I wasn’t indulging her,” Ephraim seethed, reminded of the reason he escaped to this balcony to begin with. “I couldn’t get away from her.”

Innes scoffed, waving his glass in Ephraim’s direction. “It’s not as if you tried very hard. Prancing around the dance floor like a stallion in rut. Always the center of attention, the ladies fawning over you like swooning mares.”

Ephraim angrily swatted the glass of wine from Innes’ hand, and sent it crashing into the balustrade and over the edge.

“How very barbaric of you,” Innes shook his accosted hand and stared down the King of Renais.

“By the Stones, you insensitive prick! Innes, would it kill you to be humane for five minutes?” Ephraim threw his gloved hand in the general direction of the party. “King Hayden approached me to arrange a marriage.”

The haughty contempt finally melted, and Innes’ eyes narrowed. “Whose?”

“Whom do you think? Your sister to me.”

Even in the low light Ephraim could detect the hint of panic that welled behind Innes’ eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous, you don’t even like her.”

“I don’t think it matters what I like. Your father wants to maintain strong relations between our Kingdoms, the Renais council has been hounding me to marry since I took the throne, and it’s not like I have any better proposals on the table.”

“You sniveling coward.”

Ephraim recoiled, “Excuse me!?”

Innes stepped forward, jabbing two fingers into Ephraim’s chest. “Did Fomortiis castrate you in the final battle? Since when did Ephraim de Renais submit and roll over to the whims of lesser nobles?

“Your father…” Ephraim stepped back and his lower back hit the balustrade railing.

“My father has no power over you,” Innes closed the distance between them, getting right up in Ephraim’s face. “Tell him no.”

“And what?” Ephraim placed a hand on the rail for stability. “Risk crumbling relations between our Kingdoms? What of my people, Innes?”

“Father wouldn’t dare go to war with you and I am crown Prince!” Innes hissed. They were so close that the discrepancy in their heights had become apparent. If not for the Prince’s ungodly high heels he would have been on his tip toes trying to crowd Ephraim. He still had to tilt his head just a bit to look up at him.

“You being heir to the Frelian throne instills no comfort in me!”

“Why?” Innes cocked his head, sneering. “Scared? Does the thought of me make you quake in your boots, your majesty?”

Gods, could Innes get under his skin in the worst way. The man was fire and steel, cutting Ephraim with a tongue that set his blood alight. “All you’ve ever done is pick fights with me! I’d swear you hate me, the way you act.”

Innes took a fistful of Ephraim’s rumpled collar, demanding the taller man’s attention. “Sometimes…I do hate you, Ephraim. Every time I see you, I’m overcome with the primitive desire to destroy you, to bring you to your knees and make you quiver beneath my heel.”

Ephraim’s breath caught in his throat, heartbeat thundering in his ears. He seized Prince Innes’ wrist pushing against his hold. “Exactly my point! At least if I married your sister it would muzzle your raging ego enough to prevent the collapse of our alliance.”

“You will not marry, Tana.”

“Why?” Ephraim sneered back. “Why is this so important to you?! Is it so detestable to see your sister wed your rival?” He wanted to get under Innes’ skin the way the man crawled under his.

“You,” Innes snarled, “are my rival.” The “my” made Ephraim’s stomach clench. Innes buried his other fist in Ephraim’s mantle, using the fabric to drag the King closer to his level, nearly nose to nose. His gaze as piercing as the arrows he fired from his bow. Those steel eyes tore through Ephraim with ease, sinking past his defenses to render him useless. “She. cannot. have. you.”

Then he surged up on his toes and pressed his lips to Ephraim’s.

Ephraim made a choking noise, his heart striking his ribcage painfully. His weight shifted back against the balustrade again, and he had to put a hand back to steady himself. His other hand tightened its grip on Innes’ wrist.

To push him away? …Or to keep him close?

The kiss was as forceful and abrasive as Innes was. Ephraim swore his lips would bruise the way the prince assaulted his mouth.

Innes, honest to gods, growled against Ephraim’s mouth. He nudged Ephraim’s already buckling knees apart, forcing himself between his thighs as the King of Renais shuddered against the stone railing. It was a miracle Ephraim didn’t melt and topple over the side.

Innes’ lips dragged over Ephraim’s as he whispered into his wanting mouth. “Concede.”

Concede. A dazed Ephraim assessed the Prince beneath hooded eyes.

It was one word spoken between them many many times, but never in this sort of context. It was a taunt, an expression of superiority and triumph. Both of them spouting the word whenever they dominated the other in competition.

Concede. He could feel Innes’ breath against his bottom lip.

An ember of indignation swelled to an inferno within his chest.

Ephraim drew himself up, so Innes was no longer towering above him. His hand left the railing, seized a fistful of the Prince’s celadon hair and crushed their lips together again. The kiss was no less bruising, but this time it was all teeth.

Innes made a noise somewhere between a keen and a hiss, and Ephraim swallowed it.

Ephraim tilted his head, slotting his mouth against the Prince’s, nipping tender lips until their teeth clacked. His other hand released Innes’ wrist to curl around his neck instead. Gloved fingers cradling the back, while his thumb put pressure on his throat.

This time it was a ragged breath that escaped the man, blowing through his nose.

Innes clawed at Ephraim’s chest, nails popping another button off his tunic, only to rake savagely over the King’s collar bone. The slight pain sent electrified pleasure straight to Ephraim’s groin.

The brief upper hand was short lived, as Innes was fighting him again. The Frelian Prince pressed into the kiss with equal fervor, mouth parting to bite Ephraim’s intrusive tongue.

Ephraim had to swallow a yip when Innes’ oddly sharp canine drew blood.

Innes, already pressed between the King’s thighs, jerked his hips into Ephraim’s hardening arousal. The friction pulled a throaty groan from Ephraim and he panted against Innes’ lips.

The railing dug into his lower back again, a show of support as much as it was a mark of weakness. The King tightened his grip on Innes’ throat, his other hand releasing his hair to trail over his shoulders and down his back.

Ephraim took hold of Innes’ backside hard enough to elicit a moan, which he swallowed along with the Prince’s tongue. He tasted of copper and heat. Heady and sharp in a way that drove Ephraim feral. He clutched Innes against him, hips rocking forward, dragging the shorter man onto his toes.

Innes clawed even harder at the King’s front and neck. No doubt marring his skin with ugly red lines. He tore the front of Ephraim’s shirt apart, exposing his chest.

The cold night air bit Ephraim’s exposed skin in perfect contrast to Innes’ burning touch.

Both men broke their kissing to pant raggedly against the other’s jaw.

Ephraim wasn’t sure what prompted him to look up, past the Prince’s shoulder. Had it been a footfall? The rustle of heavy fabric? A soft gasp?

His cerulean eyes met the dark eyes of the Frelian Princess as she backed against the heavy drapes covering the balcony’s entrance. Tana reached blindly for the heavy drapery, an expression of shock and betrayal drawing her usually sweet features.

Any words—excuses—Ephraim might have mustered died in his throat when Innes—oblivious to the situation—reached up and sucked the King’s ear between his lips and teeth.

“H-aah…” Ephraim whimpered. His hold on the Prince involuntarily tightened, and he screwed his eyes shut against the look of Tana’s face.

When next he opened them, she was gone.

-0000-

Please let me know if you liked! I tried my very hardest to make this hot and spicy. I really wanted to capture the intensity between these two.

Thanks for the kiss prompt!!

[cosmicretreat]

Today in 1988: "The Outrageous Okona" (TNG)

Today in 2019: "The Girl Who Made the Stars" and "Ephraim and Dot" (both ST)

Today in 2024: "Fissure Quest" (LD)

[stra-tek]

[sshbpodcast]

Episode 399: Perhaps Once Was Sufficient

Short Treks: Season 1

Back when the New Era of Trek was...new...they did Short Treks. We looked at the first batch back between Seasons 1 and 2 of Discovery and have lamented since more than once that it's something they should have done more of. But considering we were largely cooler on the second batch, maybe there was a reason...

Also this week: weird messages, back to cartoons, and ranking the lot!

Timestamps: Q&A: 01:21; The Trouble With Edward: 15:28; Ask Not: 27:03; Ephraim and Dot: 35:57; The Girl Who Made the Stars: 43:16; Children of Mars: 49:27; top'n'bottoms: 59:56

But what did we think? Look here: Short and/or Sweet: The best and worst Short Treks

[clickerflight]

Clove: Part 9 - Traveling Merchant

Masterlist

Part 8

THE BOYS HAVE RETURNED!!! This is a pretty soft snippet today. I love pampering Hyrum.

Content: Cronic pain issues, healing, social anxiety

Pretty soft one today for sure. Let me know if you want to be on the tag list

..................................................

Hyrum’s tail thumped against the table as he leaned against the back of the kitchen chair, on his knees as he watched Ephraim cut up vegetables and put them in the pot that bubbled on the stove. Ephraim kept glancing back at him, eyes glimmering with amusement. 

Hyrum liked to watch Ephraim cook. He liked having porridge and berries for breakfast still, and he usually traded between sandwiches and bread pudding for lunch, but dinner was a special affair. Ephraim made something new every night for Hyrum to try, and tonight he was making something called stew. He’d put chunks of meat in it and everything, and Hyrum was doing his best not to drool on the floor, his tail thumping against the table even harder. 

He shifted down onto the chair a bit more, despite the excitement egging him on to watch closer as Ephraim stirred everything together in the pot. His legs were beginning to ache deep down from the pressure so he needed to move to try and get them to feel better. 

“I should be done soon,” Ephraim said, turning to Hyrum with a broad smile that sent curls of joy through his chest. “Do you want some bread while you wait?”

Hyrum shook his head. He didn’t want to spoil his appetite. The stew smelled so wonderful he wanted to be able to eat as much of it as he could. 

Ephraim ran a hand through Hyrum’s hair and the werewolf leaned into it. His hair was smoother and shinier now, waves beginning to form in it as it grew healthy again. 

“How about we go work on that quilt, hmm?” Ephraim suggested. “Time will go faster than waiting in here for it to be done.”

Hyrum nodded and padded along after Ephraim, heading to the craft room where the quilt was set up. Ephraim picked up a needle from where it had been sitting on the fabric, already strung with yarn and started sending it in and out of the chalked in dots, tying knots at each one before moving on. 

Hyrum went to his side where his needle was. He hadn’t gotten as far as Ephraim had as his fingers weren’t as good as Ephraim’s. The vampire had promised Hyrum that his fingers would heal eventually, but it was really annoying while he had to wait.

Still, he did notice an improvement as he poked the needle down through, and then up again, using his other hand to make sure that the yarn didn’t knot up underneath. 

“Goldenrod.”

Hyrum looked up expectantly, his tail swishing back and forth behind himself still. 

Ephraim smiled and said, “After dinner I’m planning on going down to the village. The traveling merchant should be here by now so we can see if they have some things for you. Do you want to come with me and help me pick out your clothes?”

“Really?” Hyrum asked. He nearly shouted out his agreement when it struck him that they would be going down into the village. His tail slowly came to a stop and he looked down, fidgeting with the yarn. “Is it safe?”

“Oh yes. It’s very safe. There are some other wolves down in the village too. They might want to introduce themselves… would you be up for that?”

Hyrum bit his lip. He wasn’t sure about going down to the village. It sounded dangerous. Jack had always drilled it into his head that if anyone saw Hyrum, they would try and kill him, but… Ephraim told the truth more often than not as far as Hyrum could tell. He was even right in how to make a weapon stronger, despite the way Jack proclaimed himself to be the best weapon maker in the kingdom. 

And if Hyrum was going to be Ephraim’s weapon, then he certainly could be strong enough to go down to the village with him!

“I want to go,” Hyrum said with a determined nod, going back to sewing. 

“Alright. And if you change your mind, let me know. I know it’s almost bedtime so I don’t want to make you do too much if you’re tired.”

Hyrum smiled to himself. He had been feeling less and less tired as of late, and he was sure he could handle a walk down to the village. He tried not to think about how there would be people who would want to talk to him though. How was he supposed to address them? Would they want him to talk to them, or would they just want to look at him like some of Jack’s friends did. That was the only bad thing about living with Ephraim. Things were so unpredictable and Hyrum didn’t know how to handle half of it, but Ephraim was patient with him and explained things until he understood, so he wasn’t too worried. 

An unbidden thought popped into his mind that surprised him enough he stopped sewing again. I suppose I could just ask him. 

Hyrum pondered over the thought and realized it was true. He was confused about something, he didn’t know how he would handle a situation that he knew was coming, and he could easily ask Ephraim about it before the vampire eventually noticed he was confused and explained it for him anyways. All he had to do was ask, and Ephraim practically beamed everytime Hyrum asked him a question. 

Hyrum opened his mouth to do just that when Ephraim lifted his nose, closing his eyes. Hyrum did so as well, curious and opened them again to see Ephraim leaving the room. “Dinner’s ready, sweetheart.”

Hyrum followed quickly, the question blown out of his mind over the thought of food. He sat down as Ephraim ladled some stew into a bowl for him. 

“Be careful,” Ephraim warned. “It’s hot.”

“Oh,” Hyrum said, picking up his spoon. He lifted a chunk of meat out and touched it to his lips. It was hot so he backed off, licking his lips. The flavor of the residue was heavenly, though, and it took all of the werewolf’s self control to not just take the burning cube into his mouth. 

Ephraim smiled and spooned some food up for himself, blowing on it for a moment before eating it. 

Delighted for an answer, Hyrum blew on his like Ephraim did, carefully. He waited a moment, blew on it one more time for good measure which got a little chuckle out of Ephraim, and then put it in his mouth. He closed his eyes as the meat pretty much melted in his mouth, and his tail thumped heavily against the chair again as he savored it. 

Ephraim was done before Hyrum was as the werewolf made sure that each bite wouldn’t burn him before standing up and putting his bowl in the kitchen basin. 

“Alright,” Ephraim said, walking over to the door where he put on his gardening boots. “You ready?”

“Yeah,” Hyrum said, coming to stand by him. 

Ephraim grabbed his sun hat and they stepped outside. It was late morning now, nearly bedtime for the vampire and werewolf, despite the pull Hyrum had to stay up and run around. He was glad for the chance to go with Ephraim outside. The sun soaked into the overlarge garments Hyrum was wearing, and he twisted the fabric to pull it closer against his skin, enjoying the warmth. 

As they got to the steepest part of the hill, Hyrum was having a hard time staying steady on his feet. His legs, despite feeling much better, still always ached and the fact that he couldn’t feel the bottoms of his feet made it difficult for him to stay balanced on inclined slopes. 

Ephraim slowed down and held out a hand for Hyrum, and the werewolf took it with both of his as he stumbled. 

Ephraim walked slowly with Hyrum, keeping him steady as they went. Halfway down the hill, Hyrum looked up from his feet to the little village sprawled below and remembered the question he was going to ask. 

“Erm… Ephraim?”

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“What, um, what do I do if people talk to me?”

Ephraim looked down at him, a little surprised, but his smile came back just like it always did. 

“Right, sorry. I should have, ah. Well, when someone sees you they’re likely to ask you your name.”

“And I tell them?”

“Yeah, if you want,” Ephraim said. 

“Can I tell them my name is Goldenrod?” he asked eagerly. 

Ephraim smiled. “Sure. You can definitely tell them that. And then they might ask you about your day and you can tell them. If you get tired I’ll let them know, okay? If you're overwhelmed, I’ll jump in.”

“Okay,” Hyrum said, relaxing a little.

“And if the werewolves come over,” Ephraim continued, which made Hyrum tense up again, sensing this was going to be a little more complicated. “They’ll probably want to smell you first and you can smell them back. They’ll be really excited to meet you so they might be a bit much, but I’ll try and let them know to calm down, okay?”

“Okay,” Hyrum replied and Ephraim smiled.

“I’m actually pretty excited about this. The villagers have been asking about you. I told them a little about what happened and they have actually been a huge help getting me some extra food for you,” Ephraim said as they reached the bottom of the hill where the path went from tramped down grass to dirt. “They’ll love you.”

Hyrum puffed up under Ephraim’s arm, warm and happy as they made their way past the first building. 

There were people gathered around a large cart with two huge animals hooked up to the front of it, stamping hard feet and throwing back huge heads with long manes. 

“What are those?” Hyrum asked, trying not to imagine how much it would hurt to have one of them stomp his toes. 

“Those are horses. They’re pretty friendly, but try not to stand behind them. They can kick when they get frightened,” Ephraim said soothingly, though that didn’t make Hyrum feel all that much better. 

As they approached the cart, people turned and Hyrum did not miss the way their eyes lit up when they saw him.

“Hi, Ephraim!” one woman with three children said as she walked over to greet them and Ephraim took her hand in his free one with a huge smile. 

“Good morning, Anna,” he said warmly. Hyrum pressed himself against Ephraim’s side as much as he could as the three children stared at him, sizing him up. 

The smallest boldly took a step forward and opened her mouth, but Anna cut her off by stooping down and picking her up, making her giggle. 

“Are you here to get something for Hyrum?” she asked, having successfully distracted her youngest, though the other two kept staring at Hyrum. The werewolf wished he could have known this was a possibility. He didn’t like just being stared at. 

Ephraim stepped sideways a little, gracefully hiding the fact that he stumbled because of how hard Hyrum was pressed to his side. “Yup, we certainly are. It’s good to see you.”

“And you,” Anna said with a nod, shooing her children off towards one of the houses. “Have fun, Hyrum.”

The werewolf nodded a little, and Ephraim led him farther down the road towards the cart. 

“Oh!” a deep voice said, surprised as Ephraim stepped up to stand behind a small line of people at the cart. 

A large man had turned around and looked down at Hyrum. Hyrum had never felt smaller as the huge man smiled at him. He was taller and broader than Ephraim, but he had a friendly enough smile, a bit like Ephraim’s. 

“Hello, little one. What’s your name?” the man asked, making his deep voice softer. 

“G-Goldenrod,” Hyrum said, glad to be hiding under Ephraim’s arm. 

“Oh, like the flower? That’s very nice,” he said warmly. “I’m Guntar. I’m the butcher. I sell Ephraim here his blood.”

Hyrum looked up at Ephraim and he nodded. “Yes he does, like his father before him.”

Guntar smiled. “Are you excited to look at what’s on the cart?”

Hyrum thought about it for a moment. He shrugged and Guntar chuckled. “There are some pretty cool things on it this time, from what I hear. Old Morticai’s outdone himself if the toys the wolf boys were carrying off were anything to go by.”

“Hmmm, I hadn’t thought of that,” Ephraim said, mostly to himself. “Goldenrod, would you like a toy? Something to play with?”

Hyrum had no idea what he was talking about, so he just shrugged. 

“Well, we’ll have a look when we get to the cart, then.”

Hyrum nodded, still tucked under Ephraim’s arm as they made their way through the line. 

Ephraim was glad to get to the front and Morticai grinned. “Ephraim! My favorite customer! And who’s this?”

Ephraim looked down at Hyrum who seemed to be rather done with meeting people so Ephraim said, “This is Goldenrod. I’m actually here to buy him some clothes, and perhaps a toy or two. He’s, ah, he’s had a rough go of it so far.”

Morticai’s flamboyant mustache drooped. “Yes, yes I can see that. Let’s see if we can get that squared away then!”

Moticai worked fast, knowing his merchandise well, and soon, they had two sets of trews and two tunics, both sets a bit big for the werewolf in anticipation for him growing out a bit. Ephraim was planning on getting up early to talk to some of the empty nesters and see if they had some clothes he could borrow from them as well, just in case. If Hyrum grew into being a werewolf a bit more, he’d need more clothes as he ran these into rags.

“Now, as for toys,” Morticai said, pawing through a crate. “Mmm, what do we think about this?”

He passed Ephraim a wooden bird with some gaps in the wood. A quick shake made a marble inside rattle around. Ephraim saw Hyrum’s ears prick up and he gave the werewolf the toy to look at. 

“Works for me. Thank you.”

“Oh, of course. And did you want to have a look at the blubs I brought.”

“Oh, if I must,” Ephraim said, delighted. Could Hyrum go around to the other side of your cart while I look?”

“Of course!”

Hyrum gratefully took the opportunity to run around the cart and hide from everyone in line. 

“Now, I have some more tulip bulbs-”

“Oh, goodness no, I have plenty. Say, did you have any peonies?” 

“I do! And some beautiful puzzles that I know you’d like to have a look at here.”

Ephraim delightedly went through the goods, distracted by them and Morticai’s tales of the cities that he didn’t hear Hyrum’s small gasp of fear and the small sound of a marble rattling around in wood. 

Part 10

Clove Taglist: @wolfeyedwitch @the-blind-one-speaks @whumpsday @extrabitterbrain @inkkswhumpandstuff @honeycollectswhump

[jennawynn]

Chronotrek: Short Treks

Q&A

I'm not... entirely sure that this is in the right order, but this is what I was told!

Yeah, I still don't like 'sir' for women.

That turned weirdly innuendo-filled? And then she busts out in song. lol it's like they're hiding some sexual tryst they had but it's really just Gilbert and Sullivan. Also why doesn't she have a safety harness if she's just gonna one-handed ride out of there?

I'm thinking maybe this should have come before Disco 2.

The Trouble with Edward

I've heard of tribbles. They like... reproduce really fast, right?

OH. It's his fault they breed fast. _They're born pregnant??_

"He was an idiot." lmao I can't imagine saying that at my captain's mast.

Ask Not

You know... I had a feeling. That was one hell of a test and she did great. It was too convenient that all the stars aligned against her perfectly.

The Girl Who Made The Stars

This animation is... jarringly not good.

This story was referenced by Michael... I'm glad they're sharing more. Is it real? Or made up for ST?

Her indignance on behalf of the girl in the story :joy: _Go play?!_

....how were they the first people if there was an alien, and how did the alien have a galaxy to show, a place to come from, or a way to navigate if there were no stars before? There's some plot holes in your creation myth, ST.

Ephraim and Dot

omg it's adorable. Aaaand the people look terrible lol.

Robots doing a double take will never not be funny.

The Flintstones and Looney Tunes of it all :joy:

I uh... feel like maybe I wasn't supposed to see this yet and these are references to TOS episodes. d'aww. what happened to not hatching for years? and why did the enterprise self-destruct? wtf just happened lol.

On to Strange New Worlds!!

[brightlotusmoon]

Short Treks: Season 2 Episodes 4 and 5 Easter Eggs: “The Girl Who Made the Stars” & “Ephraim and Dot” | Den of Geek

I need toys of Ephraim and Dot.