Love on the Rocks - 6. Chapter 6

After I signed off the ship with my gear, I headed over to where Sasha’s ship was. He was waiting at the Lock when I stepped aboard. I logged in and then he led me to his cabin, where I dropped off my gear. It didn’t take long for our lips to meet. He slowly forced his tongue into my mouth and explored, as did I. We separated as he took a deep breath.

“How are you, Sasha?” He put his head against my chest.

“I’ve missed you, Marc. It’s always so much more fun when you’re around.” I smiled as I held him in my arms.

“My boyfriend wanna be. You were missed, too.” I could feel his smile against my chest.

“Thanks Marc. I love you too.” I kissed the top of his head before we separated, and he led me to his parents’ cabin for dinner.

I awoke the next morning and slipped out of my bed, careful to not wake Sasha as I went to the head. We had returned to my cabin aboard the station for the night, for privacy. I returned to find Sasha was awake, laying on his side facing me as I returned. He held the bed covers up as I slipped in, then he crawled on top of me.

“Good morning, Marc.”

“Good morning to you too, Sasha.” I said as I pulled him in tight. He took a deep breath and exhaled loudly.

“I guess we need to go eat breakfast before we go to work for the day.”

“I am afraid so, Sasha. I could probably meet you for lunch if you want.”

“Do I want? Yes. Will I have time? Probably not, as we are unloading and loading today.” He said as he lifted and move closer to my face. His lips touched mine, and I reached out with one hand to cup the back of his head. The kiss was full of desire and longing. It didn’t last long before he pulled away and went to stand. I rose behind him and wrapped him in my arms as he tried to dress.

“I can’t Marc. I need to eat and get back to the ship.” He said as I kissed his neck while driving my swollen cock against his ass.

“I know. Tonight it’s my turn on top.” He smiled as he leaned back into me.

“Or we could spend the night doing each other in turn.” I kissed his neck again.

“Maybe.” I said as he spun in my arms and wrapped his across my shoulders before he kissed me deeply. When he pulled away, he left the cabin saying he’ll wait outside. I looked at my bed, thinking that a few more hours of sleep would be good, but I was hungry, too. I dressed and headed down to the main deck with Sasha to grab some breakfast in one of the cafeterias before he gave me a fast kiss with a tight hug.

“Now I need to leave. If I can make lunch, I’ll Comm you.” I smiled.

“OK. Have a good day. I’ll see you tonight if not before.” His eyes smiled at me. He gave me one more quick peck on the lips.

“You have a good day, too.”

I headed over to my Grandparent's ship to check in and talk about the trade deal with Ernesto. I also needed to ask my parents if I could stay a few more weeks. Walking down the dock, I looked out on the sleek Blockade Runner. One of the fastest freighters we build. Very useful down in the Low Security Sectors of our space. They are cloaking capable and fast. Boarding the ship, I made my way to their quarters. Knocking three times before I entered the cabin.

“Hi Marc. How is Sasha doing? I hear your requested one of the Jump areas to bring them in closer last night.” I shrugged. My ass was still feeling the aftereffects of him inside me last night. Not normal for me to take someone as thick as him, but I do it occasionally. His thickness burned until my body got used to it. Thankfully, he is not as long as I am. I know when I need to be careful about that and he enjoys taking it all. Some people it hurts them, and I can’t. I shifted slightly in my chair. Which made Grandpa smile at his wife.

“Yes. I was hungry, and they invited me over to dinner. His father makes a fantastic stew, and I helped Sasha make biscuits. They’re all doing good.” In what I thought was a smooth change of subject, I started with, “I have an idea about a trade with Ernesto. My Crystal Harmonics settings for his upgrades for the Mauler 007’s as well as some parts thrown in.” Grandma hid a smile as Grandpa spoke. I could see the twinkle in his eyes, that he knew what I was doing.

“Well. What makes you think he would be interested?” I explained the way I had changed the settings as I warmed up the Ice Strippers slowly and how the second mate was shocked at the subtle increase in ice capture we had obtained. After we had talked about it, she suggested I make the trade.

“Have you started to figure out what it’s worth to them? And then you’ll need to figure out what it’s worth to you before you can come up with a viable trade that makes everyone happy. Pull out your tablet and show me what you have so far.” Grandma patted my shoulder as she excused herself to work in her office. Grandpa walked me through all the various numbers and then I opened the parts list again. Because I now knew some approximate numbers, I was able to pick out a few of the parts they had that I wanted. Grandpa pointed out that it didn’t meet the amount that they would gain out of it.

“You might want to decide if you want straight credits or maybe some rental free mining on one of the ships. You’ll have to pay the crews, remember, but not for the ship itself. Just the expendables you use.” I thought about that and smiled.

“That would work if I can get Mom to let me stay up here for a few more weeks.” Grandma had just walked back in.

“I don’t think your parents will have a problem as long as you are keeping up on your course work. That being said. Have my two planners gotten hungry yet? I thought we could drop over to the new restaurant on the O-5 level. I hear they have some good Ramon dishes.” That sounded good to me as I haven’t heard from Sasha.

We walked into the restaurant and Grandma spoke with the hostess for a second before she led us to a table next to a view port overlooking one of the hangar areas. I smiled, as we would be able to see the ships coming and going. Then I realized someone was already sitting at our table. Three someones, as a matter of fact, and I knew that head of black tight curled hair from behind as I was running my fingers through it just a few hours ago.

“Grams. Really?” She glanced over her shoulder as Gramps chuckled.

“Not what you think, Marc. We are actually friends with the Jasenka’s and they do work for us occasionally as well as have a regular route that hit’s most of our holdings here in High Sec as well as coming down to Low Point Station every 5 weeks or so.” Grandma Barb said.

And I heard another voice from behind us. It was Ernesto and Zoe. Once we met at the table, I was formally introduced to Ernesto. We shook hands all around, and Sasha moved to sit next to me. We were all talking about our businesses together and Sasha’s father made it a point to thank me again for arranging for the Jump area on the way back into the station. Zoe was Ernesto’s daughter I had found out. I wonder how much she has told him, but I didn’t have to think very hard on that as he brought it up as we were having dessert.

“Marc. I hear you are putting together a trade offer for some of your specs for some of ours.” Zoe gave me a sheepish grin as Grandpa chuckled. Sasha’s parents looked interested in finding out more about that, and Sasha looked surprised.

“I’m still calculating out the worth of it on both of our sides. I’ll have all the information I need after I pull back in from next week’s mining run.” His smile increased, as did the twinkle in his eyes.

“Good.” Said Ernesto as he sat back and folded his hands across his stomach. “I look forward to that. Zoe was talking to me and I asked her boyfriend to join you on that trip. He did a lot of the engineering work on our Model 007s before we got rid of them after I left Low Sec mining to the larger Corporations. He should be a treasure trove of information for you.” I dipped my head while smiling at Zoe so she would know I wasn’t mad at her for saying anything. And how could I be? I didn’t tell her not to tell anyone.

“Thank you Ernesto. I would appreciate having someone who has crawled inside and out of the ship to talk to. I’m just sorry my friend Tom isn’t here. He’s the engineer that works with me most of the time.” I wonder if anyone noticed that Sasha’s hand was on my leg the entire time I was speaking with Ernesto. He placed it there as he noticed everyone go quiet so we could talk. Acting as a reassurance that I wasn’t alone.

I talked with Zoe and Sasha as we walked him back to his ship, then I walked with her to the Industrial Section. “I hope I didn’t tell him too much. I was just so excited when he questioned me about how well we did, that I sort of slipped up and began telling him.”

I laughed, “It’s fine, Zoe. I didn’t tell you not to. Besides. Like I said. I am still collecting data.”

“Dad liked that answer, too. He already has a few ideas, but wants to hear what you come up with first, I think.” I smiled as I nodded to myself.

“That’s what I expected from him and what I would do too.” Zoe took a moment, and she also nodded to herself.

“Thanks for walking down with me. I’ll see you on Monday. 09:00 hours, correct?”

“Yes, please, and if you could inform the rest of the crew of that change, I would be grateful.”

“Of course Captain. That’s what a good second is for. Besides, they all know this is a credit making trip now. Not a time waster.” I smiled.

“I only go out to make credits and play in the rocks.” That made her laugh as we parted ways. It was a good lunch meeting, I thought as I ran over everything in my head. We had hired on the Sara Maru to transport items down to Low Point Station and another batch of items to be brought back up to High Sec for us. Speed wasn’t needed, and it was a large cargo going both ways. Makes sense not to tie up our hauling capacity with it. Ernesto also worked out some dates. He needed them again too and Grams had a few items that Ernesto needed delivered. All in all, it was a good productive meeting. Of course, I am sure I will be hearing more about how good Sasha and I look together. I smiled. If he was only the right one, but he wasn’t.

I headed back to my cabin on the station. A little larger than the one I have on Low Point Station, but here I have a small armorplas viewport that I can look out of towards the lower maintenance hangers when I am sitting in my desk chair. Might not be much in the way of ships to view as it’s not as busy as the main hangars, but every once in a while I get to see a nice ship coming or going. Lots of tugs all the time, too. I sat down and started some of my course work. It was really just a matter of reading the multiple pages and answering questions. The hardest part was the required history. I worked through some of the astrophysics questions as I was startled out of my concentration by my Link chiming.

“Hi Dad.”

“Hey, I hear you are trying to buy out Ernesto with your boyfriend and need a few weeks up there to do it?” I laughed hysterically.

“Who keeps telling these stories about me, Dad. No. Sasha is not my boyfriend. No. I am not trying to buy out Ernesto. I am trying to work out a deal for his 007 modifications for my Crystal Modulation settings.” He raised an eyebrow at that.

“Yours are better than theirs?” Asked Dad, before I took the time to explain Zoe’s comments and everything else to him. He nodded, adding in a few thoughts of his own before he passed me to Mom.

“I heard most of it, Marc. So you don’t need to repeat it.” She looked over at Dad, who just nodded. “We can’t think of any reason you can’t stay up there a few more weeks, but you need to be back by the 3rd week of next month.” I almost yelled out a triumphant ‘Yes’, but kept calm. “And you need to keep up on your studies. We have a few business meetings you need to attend, Jr Board member, when you get back too.” She smiled as she said it. Knowing how much I hate the meetings. I enjoy doing meetings like today though. At a meal, with everyone relaxed talking together, as we eat. It slows the pace and brings more meaningful conversations to the table than a meeting in a conference room. In my opinion, our working lunch or sometimes dinners work out very well.

I was on cloud nine as I finished up three days’ worth of course work in a matter of 4 hours. I checked the time and changed before I went to meet Sasha for dinner. When I walked into the cafeteria, I spotted a cute guy I see once in a while here on station. I had to give myself a mental shake as I was here to meet somebody else. Not pick up another guy for the night. I watched as I waited for Sasha to arrive. Looking at the other people at the table he was sitting at, I smiled as I realized I knew one of them. Alexandria Witherbee. A friend of my sister’s and that guy looks like her. Must be her brother, William. I keep hearing about once in a while from Caitlin. I’ll have to file that away for future reference as I spotted Sasha walk in looking around. I stood and waved so he could see me as his face lit up as he started towards me.

“Hey Marc. You’re striking a deal with Ernesto?” I nodded my head.

“Once I have all the information I need and if we can come to terms that are good for both of us, then yes.” He gave me a side hug as we moved into line to get our food. I had already ordered our beverages from the wait staff, which they had at our table already.

“And how was your day today?” I asked.

“Well. I had a surprise lunch with you. I got to watch you start a business deal. We almost finished the load out for the next leg of the trip. That should be finished before morning. Some snafu with one of the cargoes the shipper is trying to straighten out. And it looks like we are following you back into the Ice Fields on our way out. Oh, and I get to sleep with you tonight and tomorrow night.” I laughed as he snuck that into the conversation. I glanced over at the Witherbee’s table, and that cute guy was looking my way as we reached our table to sit. I returned my attention to Sasha as we continued our talking and joking around before he suggested we stop down at the recreation area. He had heard there was a live band playing tonight. I was hesitant at first. Which he picked up on. I saw his expression become a little tight as he waited for me to answer.

“OK. But not too late. I have a lot of course work to finish tomorrow and the Ceremony in the afternoon.” His smile returned, but not as bright as it had been before. Just another pang of pain that shot through me because I will not commit to being his boyfriend. And what if I committed? Maybe he is the one, after all. I shook it off. The dreams had been of someone taller than me, not shorter.

We spent an hour listening to the band. Even going out on the dance floor together a few times before we returned to my quarters for a few hours of steamy sex. We took each other, but I took Sasha twice. A before and after him taking me. I was still a little sore, and that was alright. He was satisfied now and already told me that tonight when he came over, I could top him all night long if I wanted. I smiled as I pulled him into me again. He snuggled in, whispering that he loved me. I held in the sigh that tried to escape my mouth in as I rolled him to the side and cuddled him from behind. I felt his body change as he tensed slightly. I didn’t say it back, but I kissed the back of his neck as I settled in for the night. I awoke the next morning to find him looking up at me. He had the sad look again. I rolled over and pulled him to me. Holding him tight as I spoke.

“I’m sorry I don’t love you the way you want me too. I do love you, though. I hope you can get under all the pain that causes you and just be able to take the love I can give you and let go of the rest.” I felt the hot drips on my chest as his body shook in quiet sobs while I held him. It took him a few minutes to get a hold of his emotions.

“I’m sorry, Marc, but I love you. I love you more every time we are together. You make me feel complete instead of being empty and alone all the time.” I let the sigh escape that time. He tried to pull away from me as the tears started again, but I wouldn’t let him. Finally, he gave up and just sobbed on me for 30 minutes. Releasing him once he stopped. Ordering breakfast to be delivered and took him into the head. Slowly, my hands moved across his body as I washed him under the jets of hot water before I dried us off and helped him get dressed. Just in time for the hatch chime to sound and I opened it to take the tray from the staff member and then thumbed the pad for the bill. After setting up breakfast at my desk, we sat and ate in silence. At one point, I reached out and caressed his face, causing him to flinch away from me. The jolt of pain that caused sent shock waves through my body.

“Even now, with all the pain you are causing me, it hurt to pull away from your touch. I am sorry that I love you, but I do. I don’t know how to stop it except not to see you anymore.” He had a tear dripping down his face.

“I am sorry too Sasha. If I had thought that being around me would hurt you even more, I would have stayed away. I am sorry that I don’t love you the way you want me to.” His head came crashing into my chest.

“I don’t know if I can take not seeing you, Marc. I need to learn not to love you. I think we could have dinner tonight and then I will go back to my ship afterwards. I need to learn to be your friend and not feel like a lover.” I kissed the top of his head.

“OK. We’ll do that then.” I said as I held him. He didn’t cry, but I heard the sniff as his head nodded. 15 minutes later, we departed the cabin, and he declined my offer to walk him to his ship. I was sad, but should have known better than to spend so much time with him. It just caused him more pain. I walked down to the cafeteria and grabbed a few snacks and a cup of coffee before heading back to my quarters to work on my studies before the Ceremony.

My Link chimed a message. I checked. Mom and Dad had arrived. I closed down the systems and headed out the door to walk down to my family’s cabin. I was just down the passageway about 150 feet away, but close enough that I could be here in seconds if I needed anything. The lift doors opened just as I arrived. I took the gravtrunk from my Mother as she and Dad stepped out with some of the staff.

“Thank you dear. Is Sasha coming to the Ceremony with us?” I almost stumbled, stepping through the hatch into the Cabin.

“No. I wasn’t taking anyone.”

“Oh. I thought you would have asked him to come.” Mom said. Dad caught the roll my eyes made and tried to change the subject.

“Have you finished up more of your course work?” I almost breathed a sigh of relief. He knew what to use to draw my Mother off the boyfriend scent.

“I am almost two weeks ahead. Once the miner is in full operation tomorrow, I should be able to handle more of the work and hit my two-week point, then I want to try for three.” Mom smiled.

“That’s good, but don’t get too far ahead. Anyway, how goes the buyout?” I snorted. This was almost as bad as the boyfriend thing.

“I just need the numbers from the next couple of days of mining. Then I can put together a proposal that should be beneficial to both of us.” Both she and Dad had proud looks on their faces as they digested that.

“Glad to hear it, Marc.” Said Dad as he tried to get me out of Mom’s sights again.

“Thanks. When are you leaving for the hall?” Mom checked her Link for the time, then looked at Dad.

“What honey? 12:00 hours. The Ceremony is at 12:30 hours, then a reception at 13:00 hours.” He thought about it for a second.

“That should be fine. Are you going to walk down with us, Marc?” I nodded.

“I thought I would. I wouldn’t get to talk to Tammi until after the Ceremony anyway.” Mom shook her head.

“You may have to fight your way in to talk to her afterwards, too, but you’re right. They weren’t here when you arrived to catch up with her anyway. They just got here last night. I think his parents are setting it all up.” Dad nodded in conformation.

“OK, I’ll see you in about an hour, then. I’m going to crunch a few more numbers.” I received hugs from both before I headed back to my cabin to relax before I had to change for the Ceremony.

I no sooner entered my cabin when my Link chimed. I checked, and it was Grandma Armstrong.

“Hi Grandma.”

“Hi Marc. Is everything alright between you and Sasha?” I rolled my eyes again today.

“Not really. I made it quite clear I didn’t want a relationship, just the sex. He’s having trouble with that because he fell in love with me and I’m not returning it. We decided to not see each other as much as he learns to be a friend and not a lover.”

“So you really weren’t dating him?”

“I get it may have looked like that, but no, we weren’t. His parents Comm’d I am guessing.” She sighed.

“Yes. He’s apparently moping around like you just broke his heart.” Now it was my turn to sigh, and I did. Loudly. As I ran my fingers through my hair.

“I am sorry about that. And on some level I love him, but not like he want’s me to Grams. I enjoy being with him and he can’t handle me, not returning the love he wants. We just decided we would cool it off and just have dinner tonight. Then he would return to his ship instead of staying with me.” She nodded.

“That sounds better than just walking away. But what would happen if you did date him? Would his feelings wear down after a while and then the two of you could split up?” I said something but stopped. I cocked my head to one side and thought about it.

“Well. Maybe.” I thought about it. Maybe that was the way to go. “I should probably Comm his parents and explain it to them. Ask if they think that might be a good idea or not?” Grandma’s look changed, as if she was appraising me.

“At the very least, it would show you don’t want to hurt him.” That was true, and I nodded agreement.

“I don’t. I never did. I always try to be upfront when I take someone to bed. I don’t want a relationship.” Her look said she understood.

“How about I Link in with his Mother and we talk it over?” I smiled at Grams.

“Yes please Grams. And thank you.” She nodded.

“Hang on while I put you on hold.” I pulled out my dress clothes as I waited.

* * *

I walked onto the Sara Maru and carded in as the crew person told me where to go after handing me a garment bag. I nodded my thanks as I took off down the passageway towards the lifts. In less than two minutes, I was tapping the hatch chime at the correct cabin. Nothing happened. I tapped it again, then again. Before I heard the muffled. “Go away.”

“Fine. If you won’t open it. I will.” I said as I tapped out the code his Mother gave me and the hatch opened.

“Get up Sasha. If you want to be my boyfriend, you need to hold your head high no matter how angry or upset you are.” He looked at me wide eyed from where he laid on the bed. Which is where he told his parents he was going to spend lunch. In his cabin. I thrust the bag forwards with the dress clothes on it.

“You need to get up. Wash off your face and get dressed. We have to go to a Bonding Ceremony.” He still looked at me in shock. I set the garment bag carefully across the top of a chair. Then I walked over to the bed and reached down, picking him up out of it. “I really need you to work with me or we are going to be late.”

“What are you doing here, Marc?”

“Helping you. For the next few months, you are my boyfriend. Once that wear’s down enough, then we can separate. You can’t handle this on your own, so I am going to help you. Now please. Kiss me and then go wash your face so you can change and we can go.” He was still in shock.

“I can’t go. I have work to do.”

“You have nothing to do until tomorrow morning. You need to be back aboard by 08:00 hours. So come on. Let’s go.” I grabbed his face and pulled him in for a kiss. He melted into my body as my tongue explored his mouth. I pulled away, and he looked up at me.

“Marc.” I put a finger on his lips.

“I talked to your parents.” I said in a soft, slow tone. “I told them what I wanted to do and how I wanted to handle the problem I created for the both of us. I am now, officially, your boyfriend. That means many things that we need to discuss later. Right now, I need you to go wash up and get dressed. Your Mom gave me your dress clothes.” He stared into my eyes, trying to decide if I was kidding or not, then he cried again. I picked him up in my arms and carried him into the head. Small as it was, I got him standing in front of the sink as I grabbed a washcloth and wet it. I turned his face to me. Lowered down and kissed the tip of his nose.

“No more crying Sasha. I love you. Not the way you want, but I do love you. Now. I am stepping outside my own comfort zone and making you my boyfriend. We will learn together what it is like to be friends. Once we hit that point and you are tired of me, and you will tire of me, we will separate so we can each find our perfect mates. Until then Sasha. Listen carefully to my words. I love you. You are mine now. And I am yours.” I kissed his lips again.

“Now my Sasha. My love. We are going to be late to my cousin’s special day.” I handed him the washcloth, which he looked at for a second, and then he leaned up and kissed me before he washed off his face. I went back into the bedroom and waited as he came out and dressed. I even helped make sure his collar was fixed properly. He was looking into my eyes as I did it.

“I love you Marc. Thank you for doing this for me.” I smiled.

“I know it’s hard to understand, but I love you Sasha, and not just the sex we have.” He crashed into my chest and held me tight.

“Remember. No crying.” He nodded into my chest. I pried him off me before taking his hand and leading him out of the hatch.

I had messaged my parents we might be late, but they had said that my grandparents had already saved seats for us. When we arrived, Grandma Barbara had already filled everyone in on what was going on. That I walked in holding his hand actually turned a few heads as we were noticed. When we reached the table, Grams grabbed Sasha in a hug and whispered into his ear. He nodded before he let go and slid up to my side again, where I wrapped an arm around him as I introduced him to my parents and a few of my other family members he didn’t know. Every time he heard me call him my boyfriend, I could almost see the entire room lighting up from the brightness of his expression. We sat through the Ceremony together and at one point he leaned his head into my shoulder. I was thrilled that the group they had providing the music not only knew but also had a very wide assortment of music, including one of my personal favorites from old Greece on Earth. I smiled as I bowed at one point and asked Sasha to join me for a dance. He looked like the royal prince that was being swept off his feet by the handsome prince of another realm. Our dress clothes were actually stylized in our family’s colors. It made us look like two young princes fighting for each others attention. Both Grams and my Mother spent time with their heads together talking about us. They obviously approved of Sasha, even if he isn’t really my boyfriend. And we are very much acting like boyfriends now. I smiled as we danced a nice old Earth Waltz and Sasha was glowing in my arms as we moved together across the crowded dance floor. I even got a few minutes to hug and congratulate my cousin and her Bond Mate while introducing Sasha. Overall, it was a good time spent with Sasha. I had got a larger suite for tonight at one of the hotels that had a very large bed in it instead of my actual room which had what was billed as a two-person bed. In reality, it was a slightly larger one-person bed. Not really comfortable unless you were small people, or you could spoon all night without needing to change position.