FIC: Compensation (1/1) NC-17 BSG
TITLE: Compensation
AUTHOR: Laura Smith
PAIRING: Lee/Helo/Zak
RATING: NC-17 (like WHOA)
SUMMARY: Hot!Pilot!Threesome! (or not quite pilot threesome, as Ron Moore is a stupid ass)
DISCLAIMER: Battlestar Galactica and all the characters therein belong to people who are not me. I make no profit from this, I just like playing with them.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: For poisontaster who wanted Adamacest and a threesome. *smooches* Also, it's good to know about Orion Mist: Golden liquid/gas with iridescent purple scoring in the color. Drug that works as a major aphrodisiac as well as allowing for sustained arousal. Instant sexual feeling upon ingesting and it mostly is spent out of the system through orgasm/ejaculation. Ron Moore is welcome to use if it I get hot!naked!Lee out of it. I'm just sayin'.
There’s a pick-up Pyramid game going on, so Lee stops to watch, his eyes identifying the few people that he knows. Academy graduation brings everyone on planet back to the grounds, the stiff uniforms of Cadets and Lieutenants and Captains stained with the same grass as those of recruits. He sketches a nod to Zak as his brother looks up then lets his eyes keep moving, refusing to admit he might be looking for something in particular.
Or someone.
“You son of a bitch.” He hears the words, but before he can react, he’s two feet off the ground in something like a bear hug. Strong bands of iron that someone obviously claims as arms are wrapped around him, and ambrosia sweet breath dances across his neck. “I can’t believe you’re here, you bastard son of a…” The arms release him and Lee turns in time to see a tree of a man turn the color of Libron’s moon. “Frak. You’re not Lieutenant Stimmerson.”
“No. I’m not.”
“I…er…frak. Well, sorry. Um, sir.”
Lee looks him over, noting the bright fire red still staining his cheeks. “What’s your name?”
“Agathon, Sir. Karl.” He snaps to attention, his salute sharp. “ And I’m terribly sorry, sir.”
“Hera’s tits, Helo. How did you manage to find the one person on this entire frakking planet that would make you frakking salute him?” Zak shoves his shoulder into Lee’s and stands beside him, panting roughly, his body glistening with sweat in the sunlight. “I see you’ve met my brother.”
“Oh, frak.” Helo sags for a moment then straightens again, his salute steady in place. “Er, sorry again, sir.”
Lee casts a glance at Zak, raising his eyebrows. Zak shakes his head and leans forward, tugging Karl’s hand from his forehead. “You’ve done your duty, Helo. Now pretend he’s not here.” He loops his arm around Lee’s shoulders. “Hey, big brother.”
“Hey, Zak.”
“Though, you know, I’m taking the big on faith and rumor. You’d better be careful, you know. You’ve got a reputation thanks to Nagala’s daughter.”
“Unless it’s complimentary, it’s all lies.”
“She says your call-sign’s no joke.”
Lee grins and sighs happily. “Ah, yes. Lina’s a wise and wonderful girl.” Lee copies Zak’s grip, pressing his head against his brother’s for a moment. “I’m proud of you, Zak.”
“Hell, Lee, if Agathon here can get his wings, I sure as hell can.” He started walking, tugging Lee along with him. “C’mon, Karl. I’ve got a bottle in my room that Lee’s too much of a pussy to help me finish.”
“Oh, frak you, little brother,” Lee laughs and reaches up, ruffling Zak’s sweaty hair. “I’ll drink anything you set in front of me.”
“Anything?” Zak laughs.
“Anything alcoholic.”
“You see, Helo? Pussy.”
Lee’s leg takes Zak’s out and they fall to the grass, rolling in a tumble of limbs and a tangle of swearing until Lee’s got Zak pinned to the ground. “What was that?”
Zak’s dark eyes held Lee’s for a long minute. “You’ll drink anything I give you?”
“Alcoholic. And some drunk flyboy’s piss doesn’t count.”
Zak shifts beneath Lee then glances up at Karl. “You want to lift this behemoth off me?”
“Still finding someone bigger to fight your fights for you, huh, Zak?” Lee gets to his feet and grins at Helo. “You have siblings?”
“Little sister. Everyone else is older.”
“You want a younger brother? Free?”
“Hey.” Zak gets to his feet and dusts off his grey shorts and tanks. “I may be cheap, but I’m never free.”
**
Helo stretches out on Zak’s bed and Lee sits at the desk, his thumb idly ruffling a stack of papers. There’s a familiar scent of disinfectant and sweat that seems almost comforting to Lee as he leans back. “So, little brother…”
Zak tugs off his tanks and tosses them in the corner, grabbing a towel and rubbing it over his chest and underarms. “There’s an ominous sounding start, eh, Karl?” He grabs a bottle off the counter and tosses it in Helo’s direction. “Kick it off.”
Helo uncaps the bottle and takes a long draught then sits up enough to pass it to Lee. Lee takes a hit and sets it on the edge of the desk. Zak strips out of his shorts and tugs on a pair of sweats before coming over and picking up the bottle and hitching his hip onto the desk. Lee taps his thigh. “So, little brother…”
“Get it out, Lee, before you hurt yourself.”
“I have a little present for you.”
“Yeah?” Zak glances at Helo. “Can I have it in the presence of company?”
“I didn’t get you a hooker, Zak. I figure you’ve got a girlfriend for any of those needs. Though I guess, since you’ve got your wings, you don’t want these.” He tugs a set of keys from his pocket, setting them on Zak’s desk. Zak stares at them for a long minute then picks them up, almost reverently.
“Holy…frak.” His eyes widen as he looks at Lee. “These are the keys to your…”
“Yeah. Take care of it.”
“But…”
“Just…just say thank you, Zak.”
“Frak that, Lee.” He slides off the desk and pulls Lee up into his arms, hugging him nearly as tightly as Karl had. “I cannot believe…”
“Just.” Lee shakes his head and pushes Zak back, feeling the burn of the blush on his cheeks. “Take care of it, okay?”
“Do I want to know what it is?”
Zak shakes his head and grabs the bottle, taking another long pull before carrying it over to Helo. “You know how my big brother flies his, what do you call ‘em, crotch rocket?”
“Yeah.” Helo drinks and smiles, his wide grin aimed directly at Lee. “Viper pilots and their compensation issues.”
“Well, Lee’s got compensation all over the place.” He moves to the window and glances down at the parking area. “There.”
Karl gets off the bed languidly and moves behind Zak. Lee watches, noting the easy touch of Karl’s hand down his brother’s back. Lee’s eyebrows shoot up, but he keeps his mouth closed, reaching instead for the bottle as they stare out the window at his - Zak’s - bike. “That’s some nice compensation you’ve got there, Lieutenant.”
Lee grins as Karl moves away from the window, away from Zak. “Thank you, Cadet.” He offers him the bottle again, watching as he unfolds his body back onto the bed. He shouldn’t be so liquid, Lee thinks, watching as Karl lifts the bottle to his lips, his eyes locked on Lee’s.
“So, Zak.” Karl licks his lips and cuts his glance over to Zak. “Is this the piss you’re taunting your brother with?” He takes another drink and sets the bottle on the floor. “Because it doesn’t seem like much, and Lee here doesn’t exactly look like a lightweight.”
“That?” Zak tears his gaze away from the bike and manages to shake his head. He sets the keys on the desk, up on a shelf so they’re out of Lee’s reach, should he change his mind, Lee guesses, and then heads to his closet, reaching up on the top shelf. “That’s nothing. Not compared to this.”
Karl’s eyes widen as he sits up, laughing in disbelief. “That is not what I think it is.”
“It is.”
“He won’t. Not if even a quarter of the stuff you’ve told me is true.”
“If you were listening to anything I told you about my brother…” Zak smiles and twists the cap and licks his lip before taking a sip. He closes his eyes and tilts his head back and groans softly, “…you’d know Lee doesn’t back down from a challenge.”
Karl licks his lips and gets up, reaching for the bottle. Zak grabs his hand at the wrist and stares at him for a long moment before releasing it, his thumb running a sweep across Helo’s pulse. Lee shifts in his seat, unwilling to draw attention to himself as Karl lifts the bottle to his lips and takes a hit. A visible shudder runs through him and Lee shifts again, wondering what the frak he’s gotten himself into. Karl licks his lips again and then leans in and licks Zak’s and Lee bites his lower lip to hold back the sound that threatens to escape. He shifts in his seat again, reaching down this time to tug against the tightening fabric of his uniform.
Zak takes the bottle from Karl and turns to Lee, his dark eyes almost black. “It’s not some drunk flyboy’s piss, big brother.” Lee looks over the golden bottle, the iridescent purple shimmer like a glaze on the liquid inside. Zak tilts it slowly, letting Lee see the thick texture as it slides from side to side. “Well?”
Lee glances quickly at Karl then back to Zak. There’s a honey-sweet smell in the air, overriding the normal scent of the barracks. He inhales deeply then stands, taking the bottle from Zak’s hand. “I do what I say I will.”
Zak reaches out, running his fingers down Lee’s sternum, his touch as light as the sweat trickling down Lee’s spine. “Then drink up.”
**
Lee takes a drink, feeling the burn down his throat. He nearly chokes on the thickness of it, the sweet, cloying taste that seems to coat his tongue and his throat. Zak takes the bottle away from him, leaning in to lick away the drop that runs down Lee’s chin.
Zak pushes Lee back, sending him sprawling into the desk chair and takes another hit off the bottle, then hands it back to Lee. Turning his back on his brother, he moves over to Karl and backs him up against the beds, the hard metal of the bunks sending a shudder through Helo. Zak grins and Lee can see the glint of gold as the booze spills from Zak’s mouth and Karl leans in to lick it all away, tasting and sucking it from Zak’s skin until he works his way to Zak’s lips and slides his tongue between them.
Grabbing the bottle, Lee takes another drink and fights against the desire to close his eyes. His blood is thrumming in his veins, pulsing like a control panel after a hit, lights flashing behind his eyes as adrenaline and endorphins surging through his system. He groans, reaching down to shift his cock again as Zak slides his hands around Karl, tugging his tanks free and running his fingers against the flushed skin of Karl’s back.
Karl’s hands are running up and down Zak’s bare back, leaving pressure streaks of white on his flushed skin. Lee bites his lower lip, worrying the flesh. He squirms in his chair; his pulse pounding faster as he shifts his cock again, pressing against it, whimpering softly as Karl slides Zak’s sweats down, over his ass, his hands covering the pale flesh easily.
“Oh, frak,” Lee pants, reaching for the bottle and taking another hit. He doesn’t even taste it anymore as it slides down his throat, though every shot seems to send another fire along his nerves. He presses his thighs together, presses down against his cock, harder than he thinks he’s ever been. “Frak,” he whispers again, his breath coming like staccato bursts of gunfire.
Helo tugs his tanks off and tosses them aside, his tags falling hard against his chest. Zak lowers his head and licks the flat circle of Karl’s nipple and earns a shudder from both Karl and Lee. Lee licks his lips hungrily, wanting, matching Karl groan for groan as Zak undoes Karl’s trousers and slides one hand inside, the other pushing the fabric away.
“Gods-damn, Zak,” Helo huffs, his back arching away from the beds as Zak exposes his shaft. Lee swallows hard at the sight, his body shuddering. Zak’s hand slides along the length of Helo’s erection, his thumb slick across the tip. Helo shudders in time with his strokes, his hands working at getting Zak’s sweats off completely. They fall to the floor and Zak shifts, running the length of his cock against Helo’s.
“Oh.” Lee whimpers again, taking another hit of the bottle. His hand shakes and he nearly spills it, his entire body quivering with reaction. He sets the bottle aside, barely registering the rattling of the glass on the laminate surface. He’s moving before he even knows he’s stood, and touching, exploring exposed flesh with his fingers, uncaring whose skin it is.
Helo turns his head, breaking his kiss with Zak to find Lee’s mouth, pushing his tongue past Lee’s parted lips. Lee moans against him, wrapping his hand around the back of Helo’s neck and bringing him closer. Helo huffs a laugh in the kiss and wraps an arm around Lee, his skin hot against Lee, even though the fabric of his uniform.
“Overdressed, big brother,” Zak’s voice is a low purr, and Lee shudders, hearing it despite the blood pounding in his ears. He can feel hands - oh, Gods, Zak’s hands - touching him, stroking down his back to his waist, reaching around and unfastening his jacket. “Only you would wear full dress to an occasion such as this.”
Lee shudders again, breaking away from Helo’s mouth and his thrusting tongue to breathe. Helo’s hand on his back presses against him, turning him, and then settles on his hip, holding him against the long, hard length of Helo’s body, leaving him spread for Zak’s dark gaze and exploring fingers. “Z…”
He gets no further as Zak pushes Lee’s jacket off his shoulders, his body in close and hard and naked. Words leave him, thoughts leave him as Zak licks Lee’s lips and then bites at the lower one, forcing a hot groan from Lee.
Karl’s hands move then, easing the jacket off of Lee, pushing him away long enough to get the material out from between them. Zak slides back and grabs the bottle, offering Lee a view. He’s seen Zak naked before, but not since he hit puberty and went into the Academy’s early start program. The last time, Zak had been a boy. The person across from him, taking a long, deep pull from the bottle, fully erect and pupils blown, isn’t a boy.
Not by a long shot.
“Zak.” It’s not so much a name as a plea, and Lee’s uncertain if it comes from him or Karl behind him. He can feel Karl’s erection against his ass, thick and hard and insistent, and he can feel the pulse of blood beating in heavy rhythm with his own. He tilts his head back on instinct and Karl’s mouth is on his again, his tongue as hard and demanding as the rest of him.
Lee arches his back, curving his hand around Karl’s neck again, rising up to deepen the kiss, demand more. Karl’s hands slide up Lee’s chest, under his tanks, fingers wreaking havoc on Lee’s nerves, the slight scrape of nail over his nipples breaking the kiss as Lee’s body bucks in response.
Zak moves closer, bottle held loosely in his fingers. He passes it to Helo as he slides his other hand down the front of Lee’s trousers. “So hard, Lee. Who are you hard for, big brother?” He unfastens the pants and slides the zipper down, then slides his hand inside, against the cotton of Lee’s boxer-briefs. Heat engulfs Lee and his hips jerk forward then back, the combined pressure of Zak’s hand and Helo’s cock ripping another tortured groan from his lips. “Me?” Zak squeezes lightly and Lee offers up a raspy prayer to the Gods. “Or Karl?” Karl’s teeth sink into the juncture of Lee’s neck and shoulder and Lee can feel the hot sting of tears, of need burning in his eyes and in his veins. “Or both?”
“Both,” Lee gasps, desperate. He’s leaning hard against Helo now, unsure he can support himself. “Gods, both. Please. Both.”
Karl passes the bottle to Zak and shifts his hold on Lee, turning him again. He holds his chin and kisses him, deeper and harder and with more intent than before. Lee leans into him still, his whole body weak, his pulse fluctuating between pounding and failing as Helo’s hands slide along his back, fingering the sweat-damp fabric of his tanks before pulling them over Lee’s head. Skin meets skin and Lee thrusts hard against him, pulling himself tighter against Helo’s body.
Zak’s hands push at Lee’s trousers, guiding them off his legs. Lee moves as he has to at the pressure from Zak, stepping out of his slacks and boxer-briefs to let Karl lead him down to the bed. It’s too small for this, too small for Karl alone, Lee thinks briefly, then stops thinking at all as his body is flush against Karl’s, and there’s nothing but cool air between their heated skin.
He has no real concept of what he’s doing or what he should do, but Karl’s hands are on his back and shoulders and ass, stroking him and Karl’s hips are thrusting up against his, so he gives himself over to the sensation. His mind is spinning, synapses firing and misfiring, like a sputtering engine, revving at a standstill. He finds Helo’s mouth again and kisses him, pushing overwhelmed frustration into the kiss with his tongue.
Helo laughs and shifts, letting Lee ease between his legs and Lee can’t stop the moan that slips free of his mouth. It’s guttural and primal and comes from somewhere deep inside him, no doubt the same place that’s pulsing at the base of his cock, desperate for pressure and relief.
“Think the Lieutenant here is getting a little bit anxious, Zak,” Helo’s deep voice rumbles against Lee’s skin as he plants sharp, biting kisses along Lee’s collarbone and neck. “You reckon we should do something about that?”
“I’m one step ahead of you, Helo.” Zak assures them both as something touches Lee’s skin. He realizes almost at once that it’s the bottle and he nearly bucks off Helo as his brain fights to process what the frak is going to happen, but then there’s the low melting heat of liquid on his skin, and the warm pressure of Zak’s fingers massaging it in the small of Lee’s back, pushing and pulling through the puddle before sliding his fingers down to Lee’s buttocks.
Helo takes the bottle and takes a hit, watching Lee’s face as Zak’s fingers meander slowly over his skin. Lee licks his lips, panting hard, thrusting against Helo’s hard flesh. “Would you like another drink, Lieutenant?”
He should say no. He knows that, because he can’t think straight, up, down or sideways, and his body is already on fire, consumed by whatever is in that liquid. But it feels so good on his skin - hot and cool and smooth all at once - and so good going down that he can’t help but nod and open his mouth, closing his eyes as Helo pours a measure down his throat.
It’s like overload. G-force pulling on him as he’s in a dive he can’t quite pull out of, the maneuver in his head but not quite making it to his hands. He feels like he’s going to explode, burst into flames like a Viper on impact, and he presses back, nearly losing control as Zak chooses that same moment to push forward, a thick finger penetrating Lee’s flesh.
“O-o-o…oh, fr…frak,” Lee pants, burying his face in Helo’s chest. Zak slowly pushes the finger deeper, and Lee’s body clamps down against it, muscles tightening on instinct. “G-gods, Zak…What…”
“Feels good, doesn’t it, Lee? Hot and thick inside you? You want it, Lee? You want more?”
The liquid burned going down his throat and burns more on his flesh, sliding inside him with every thrust of Zak’s finger. His cock is a heavy weight between his legs, and even the hard pressure of Helo’s body isn’t enough. “Yes. Yes, please.”
He can feel Zak move, lean down, run his tongue through the thick liquid and sweat pooled on Lee’s back. Lee shivers and groans, feeling a matching response from Karl as his breath fans across Karl’s nipple. “You have to do something for me then.”
“A…any…anything,” he can’t stop the words from falling past his lips, any grip on his control gone in the wake of Zak’s finger, his tongue, his voice. “Anything.”
“I want to watch you suck Karl’s cock.” Zak chuckles softly as Lee and Karl both groan again, this time in one low, matching note. “And if you do it right, Lee? If you’re good? I’ll fuck you hard and fast and deep.” He reaches around with his free hand and traces the length of Lee’s shaft. His voice drops to a low whisper. “Do you want that, big brother?”
Lee’s not sure if he can make his mouth work, not sure if his mind and body belong to him anymore or if the liquid pulsing in his blood is a living thing, taking him over. “Yes. Gods, yes.”
Zak’s hand slides up to curve around Lee’s stomach and Lee can feel his muscles react, fluttering under the touch, clenching and tightening at Zak’s touch. He angles him back, straightening Lee’s body enough that Karl can slide free from beneath him, slouching on the bed with his back against the wall.
“Look how hard he is, Lee. How big. Want to see that pretty little mouth of your wrapped around him. You want that too, don’t you?”
Lee nods, mindless, breathless. He’s never done this before, but refusing isn’t an option. He lets Zak guide his body back down, the shift of position and muscles driving Zak’s finger deeper inside him. Lee’s groan is short lived as he braces himself, hands on either side of Karl’s thighs and stares and the long, hard shaft of flesh, flushed red and hot. “I don’t…”
“Lick him.” Zak’s voice is thick, hungry. Lee glances back and stares into his brother’s glazed eyes then looks up at Karl, seeing him through the golden shimmer of the bottle as he downs another drink. Lee licks his lips; throat parched, and bites his tongue, pooling the saliva in his mouth before running his tongue from the base of Karl’s cock to the tip.
Zak’s free hand skates over the curve of Lee’s buttocks, his other continuing to push against the tight muscle of Lee’s flesh, penetrating him. Lee licks his lips then repeats a long sweep of Karl’s cock before circling his tongue around the head. Karl groans and reaches down, one hand fisting in Lee’s hair as the other reaches up to curve around the metal mesh holding the bunk above.
“Yes,” Karl urges, his hips beginning a slow roll upward, his hand guiding Lee’s mouth down. “Like that.”
Lee takes the head in his mouth and sucks on it, his tongue pressing hard to the slick surface. Karl’s fingers tighten in Lee’s short hair and he hisses softly as Lee’s mouth moves over him, opening slowly to take him in.
“Nice and slow, Lee.” Zak’s voice is laced with amusement as he presses his hand to the back of Lee’s neck, his knee between Lee’s spread legs, his thigh hard against the base of Lee’s cock. “Karl likes it slow.”
“Frak you, Zak,” Helo growls, thrusting up into Lee’s mouth. Lee whimpers, the sound nearly drowned out by the push of flesh.
Zak laughs, low and throaty. “Take him in, Lee. Take him deep. Karl likes to be buried where it’s wet and hot and tight.” He pauses then thrusts, a second finger joining the first, stretching Lee’s flesh. “Oh, yes. Just like that.”
Lee’s groan is lost against Karl’s flesh and Karl thrusts again. Lee tries to match his movements, choking a little around the slick flesh until they fall into rhythm again. He tries to remember what feels good, what brings him to the edge, but all he can think about is the slow, steady burn of Zak’s fingers and the heavy weight of Karl’s cock and the blood singing in his veins.
Karl’s thighs are tensing beneath him and Lee’s arms are shaking. He shifts his weight, sliding down to one elbow, and brings his hand to curve around Helo’s cock. Helo’s breath stutters down on Lee as he moves his hand and mouth in unison, sometimes stroking and other times pressing hard to the base of Helo’s flesh, holding him down.
“L…Lieutenant …” Helo’s close; Lee can feel it building, feel the stiffening of Karl’s body and then the hot rush of come. Lee jerks back, surprised at the feel and heat and taste of it, then moves back in, sucking away the last tremors of his orgasm until Helo’s head is thrown back and he’s begging Lee to stop.
Lee pulls away from Helo’s cock and runs his tongue over the wet flesh around it, the salty taste a perfect counterpoint to the slick sweetness of the drink that still coats his throat and tongue. Helo’s body twitches with residual reaction until it’s too much and he curls his fingers even tighter in Lee’s hair and forces him away.
There’s a smart comment on Lee’s tongue, but it’s stolen away in an instant as Zak’s finger’s leave him. He can’t turn his head for Helo’s grip, but something in Karl’s sly, sated smile keeps Lee from protesting, braces him for the slow burn as Zak presses the tip of his cock against Lee.
“Not bad, big brother.” Zak’s voice is reedy, aroused and trembling. “Not bad,” he pushes forward, sheathing himself inside Lee in one hard stroke, “at all.”
Lee cries out, the sound muffled by the flat plane of Karl’s hip. Zak doesn’t pause, begins moving and thrusting immediately, burying himself again and again, just a breath between each stroke. Lee breathes heavily against Karl’s skin, laying against him, mindless of the slow strokes of Karl’s long fingers against his brow.
Zak’s breath is like rapid bursts of fire, raining down on Lee’s back, sticky with sweat and liquor. Lee’s own breath is a series of rapid gasps, barely drawing enough air into his lungs. His hand snakes down, curving around his own cock and he looses a guttural groan, so close to the edge. He strokes himself, fighting to keep in time with Zak’s thrusts, his eyes closed, head swimming.
Fingers grasping tight at Lee’s hips, Zak continues thrusting. Every stroke is like a sharp hit against glass, shattering Lee’s control. He turns his head, buries it in Karl’s damp flesh, nearly buckling as Zak thrusts again, harder, deeper and, in a flash of white light behind his eyes, Lee loses control, spinning out into nothing.
**
Lee opens his eyes and shivers. Karl’s hand curves around the back of his neck and Lee looks up, managing a nervous smile. “Um.”
“It’s awkward.” Helo nods, a smile of his own playing around the corners of his mouth. “I get that.”
“Where’s…”
“Kara called.”
“Ah.”
“Can, um.” Helo shifts beneath him. “Frak. Um. This is kind of uncomfortable after a while. You think we could…” He nods toward the bed. Lee blinks and then it all clicks.
“Oh. Yeah. Sorry.” He pulls away, feeling muscles ache and pull and sting everywhere. He watches as Helo shifts and then slides off the bed. “Um.”
“You feel better, but you’re still not up to walking out the door yet, trust me.” Helo grabs his clothes and starts to dress. “Most of it leaves your system when you…um…anyway. But you’ve still got some in you, so just rest.”
“I…”
Helo shakes his head, a mixture of wistfulness and resignation is his expression.. “Zak gets what he wants. Every time. You get used to it.” He holds up a hand to stop Lee from speaking. “And trust me, you don’t want to think too much about it.”
“But he’s my…”
Looking up at Lee at he zips his trousers, Helo huffs a laugh, shaking his head in wry sympathy. “Lieutenant? You ever try to tell your brother no?”
“Yes.”
“It ever work?”
Lee pauses, unwilling to give into the logic and reason that threatens to overwhelm him, threading through the haze of the alcohol still sparking along his nerves. When he speaks, his voice holds a familiar taste of bitterness. “No.”
“Give it time, Lieutenant.” Helo shrugs. Just like everyone else, you’ll either deal with it, blame the Mist or you’ll hate yourself.”
“Or some combination thereof?”
Pulling on his jacket, Karl shrugs again. “If it helps at all, the Mist doesn’t make you do anything you don’t want to do. Just makes you want it enough not to care.”
“No.” Lee runs his hand through his hair and bows his head. “Doesn’t help.”
“Yeah.” Helo opens the door and offers Lee an apologetic smile. “I didn’t think it would.”
AUTHOR: Laura Smith
PAIRING: Lee/Helo/Zak
RATING: NC-17 (like WHOA)
SUMMARY: Hot!Pilot!Threesome! (or not quite pilot threesome, as Ron Moore is a stupid ass)
DISCLAIMER: Battlestar Galactica and all the characters therein belong to people who are not me. I make no profit from this, I just like playing with them.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: For poisontaster who wanted Adamacest and a threesome. *smooches* Also, it's good to know about Orion Mist: Golden liquid/gas with iridescent purple scoring in the color. Drug that works as a major aphrodisiac as well as allowing for sustained arousal. Instant sexual feeling upon ingesting and it mostly is spent out of the system through orgasm/ejaculation. Ron Moore is welcome to use if it I get hot!naked!Lee out of it. I'm just sayin'.
There’s a pick-up Pyramid game going on, so Lee stops to watch, his eyes identifying the few people that he knows. Academy graduation brings everyone on planet back to the grounds, the stiff uniforms of Cadets and Lieutenants and Captains stained with the same grass as those of recruits. He sketches a nod to Zak as his brother looks up then lets his eyes keep moving, refusing to admit he might be looking for something in particular.
Or someone.
“You son of a bitch.” He hears the words, but before he can react, he’s two feet off the ground in something like a bear hug. Strong bands of iron that someone obviously claims as arms are wrapped around him, and ambrosia sweet breath dances across his neck. “I can’t believe you’re here, you bastard son of a…” The arms release him and Lee turns in time to see a tree of a man turn the color of Libron’s moon. “Frak. You’re not Lieutenant Stimmerson.”
“No. I’m not.”
“I…er…frak. Well, sorry. Um, sir.”
Lee looks him over, noting the bright fire red still staining his cheeks. “What’s your name?”
“Agathon, Sir. Karl.” He snaps to attention, his salute sharp. “ And I’m terribly sorry, sir.”
“Hera’s tits, Helo. How did you manage to find the one person on this entire frakking planet that would make you frakking salute him?” Zak shoves his shoulder into Lee’s and stands beside him, panting roughly, his body glistening with sweat in the sunlight. “I see you’ve met my brother.”
“Oh, frak.” Helo sags for a moment then straightens again, his salute steady in place. “Er, sorry again, sir.”
Lee casts a glance at Zak, raising his eyebrows. Zak shakes his head and leans forward, tugging Karl’s hand from his forehead. “You’ve done your duty, Helo. Now pretend he’s not here.” He loops his arm around Lee’s shoulders. “Hey, big brother.”
“Hey, Zak.”
“Though, you know, I’m taking the big on faith and rumor. You’d better be careful, you know. You’ve got a reputation thanks to Nagala’s daughter.”
“Unless it’s complimentary, it’s all lies.”
“She says your call-sign’s no joke.”
Lee grins and sighs happily. “Ah, yes. Lina’s a wise and wonderful girl.” Lee copies Zak’s grip, pressing his head against his brother’s for a moment. “I’m proud of you, Zak.”
“Hell, Lee, if Agathon here can get his wings, I sure as hell can.” He started walking, tugging Lee along with him. “C’mon, Karl. I’ve got a bottle in my room that Lee’s too much of a pussy to help me finish.”
“Oh, frak you, little brother,” Lee laughs and reaches up, ruffling Zak’s sweaty hair. “I’ll drink anything you set in front of me.”
“Anything?” Zak laughs.
“Anything alcoholic.”
“You see, Helo? Pussy.”
Lee’s leg takes Zak’s out and they fall to the grass, rolling in a tumble of limbs and a tangle of swearing until Lee’s got Zak pinned to the ground. “What was that?”
Zak’s dark eyes held Lee’s for a long minute. “You’ll drink anything I give you?”
“Alcoholic. And some drunk flyboy’s piss doesn’t count.”
Zak shifts beneath Lee then glances up at Karl. “You want to lift this behemoth off me?”
“Still finding someone bigger to fight your fights for you, huh, Zak?” Lee gets to his feet and grins at Helo. “You have siblings?”
“Little sister. Everyone else is older.”
“You want a younger brother? Free?”
“Hey.” Zak gets to his feet and dusts off his grey shorts and tanks. “I may be cheap, but I’m never free.”
**
Helo stretches out on Zak’s bed and Lee sits at the desk, his thumb idly ruffling a stack of papers. There’s a familiar scent of disinfectant and sweat that seems almost comforting to Lee as he leans back. “So, little brother…”
Zak tugs off his tanks and tosses them in the corner, grabbing a towel and rubbing it over his chest and underarms. “There’s an ominous sounding start, eh, Karl?” He grabs a bottle off the counter and tosses it in Helo’s direction. “Kick it off.”
Helo uncaps the bottle and takes a long draught then sits up enough to pass it to Lee. Lee takes a hit and sets it on the edge of the desk. Zak strips out of his shorts and tugs on a pair of sweats before coming over and picking up the bottle and hitching his hip onto the desk. Lee taps his thigh. “So, little brother…”
“Get it out, Lee, before you hurt yourself.”
“I have a little present for you.”
“Yeah?” Zak glances at Helo. “Can I have it in the presence of company?”
“I didn’t get you a hooker, Zak. I figure you’ve got a girlfriend for any of those needs. Though I guess, since you’ve got your wings, you don’t want these.” He tugs a set of keys from his pocket, setting them on Zak’s desk. Zak stares at them for a long minute then picks them up, almost reverently.
“Holy…frak.” His eyes widen as he looks at Lee. “These are the keys to your…”
“Yeah. Take care of it.”
“But…”
“Just…just say thank you, Zak.”
“Frak that, Lee.” He slides off the desk and pulls Lee up into his arms, hugging him nearly as tightly as Karl had. “I cannot believe…”
“Just.” Lee shakes his head and pushes Zak back, feeling the burn of the blush on his cheeks. “Take care of it, okay?”
“Do I want to know what it is?”
Zak shakes his head and grabs the bottle, taking another long pull before carrying it over to Helo. “You know how my big brother flies his, what do you call ‘em, crotch rocket?”
“Yeah.” Helo drinks and smiles, his wide grin aimed directly at Lee. “Viper pilots and their compensation issues.”
“Well, Lee’s got compensation all over the place.” He moves to the window and glances down at the parking area. “There.”
Karl gets off the bed languidly and moves behind Zak. Lee watches, noting the easy touch of Karl’s hand down his brother’s back. Lee’s eyebrows shoot up, but he keeps his mouth closed, reaching instead for the bottle as they stare out the window at his - Zak’s - bike. “That’s some nice compensation you’ve got there, Lieutenant.”
Lee grins as Karl moves away from the window, away from Zak. “Thank you, Cadet.” He offers him the bottle again, watching as he unfolds his body back onto the bed. He shouldn’t be so liquid, Lee thinks, watching as Karl lifts the bottle to his lips, his eyes locked on Lee’s.
“So, Zak.” Karl licks his lips and cuts his glance over to Zak. “Is this the piss you’re taunting your brother with?” He takes another drink and sets the bottle on the floor. “Because it doesn’t seem like much, and Lee here doesn’t exactly look like a lightweight.”
“That?” Zak tears his gaze away from the bike and manages to shake his head. He sets the keys on the desk, up on a shelf so they’re out of Lee’s reach, should he change his mind, Lee guesses, and then heads to his closet, reaching up on the top shelf. “That’s nothing. Not compared to this.”
Karl’s eyes widen as he sits up, laughing in disbelief. “That is not what I think it is.”
“It is.”
“He won’t. Not if even a quarter of the stuff you’ve told me is true.”
“If you were listening to anything I told you about my brother…” Zak smiles and twists the cap and licks his lip before taking a sip. He closes his eyes and tilts his head back and groans softly, “…you’d know Lee doesn’t back down from a challenge.”
Karl licks his lips and gets up, reaching for the bottle. Zak grabs his hand at the wrist and stares at him for a long moment before releasing it, his thumb running a sweep across Helo’s pulse. Lee shifts in his seat, unwilling to draw attention to himself as Karl lifts the bottle to his lips and takes a hit. A visible shudder runs through him and Lee shifts again, wondering what the frak he’s gotten himself into. Karl licks his lips again and then leans in and licks Zak’s and Lee bites his lower lip to hold back the sound that threatens to escape. He shifts in his seat again, reaching down this time to tug against the tightening fabric of his uniform.
Zak takes the bottle from Karl and turns to Lee, his dark eyes almost black. “It’s not some drunk flyboy’s piss, big brother.” Lee looks over the golden bottle, the iridescent purple shimmer like a glaze on the liquid inside. Zak tilts it slowly, letting Lee see the thick texture as it slides from side to side. “Well?”
Lee glances quickly at Karl then back to Zak. There’s a honey-sweet smell in the air, overriding the normal scent of the barracks. He inhales deeply then stands, taking the bottle from Zak’s hand. “I do what I say I will.”
Zak reaches out, running his fingers down Lee’s sternum, his touch as light as the sweat trickling down Lee’s spine. “Then drink up.”
**
Lee takes a drink, feeling the burn down his throat. He nearly chokes on the thickness of it, the sweet, cloying taste that seems to coat his tongue and his throat. Zak takes the bottle away from him, leaning in to lick away the drop that runs down Lee’s chin.
Zak pushes Lee back, sending him sprawling into the desk chair and takes another hit off the bottle, then hands it back to Lee. Turning his back on his brother, he moves over to Karl and backs him up against the beds, the hard metal of the bunks sending a shudder through Helo. Zak grins and Lee can see the glint of gold as the booze spills from Zak’s mouth and Karl leans in to lick it all away, tasting and sucking it from Zak’s skin until he works his way to Zak’s lips and slides his tongue between them.
Grabbing the bottle, Lee takes another drink and fights against the desire to close his eyes. His blood is thrumming in his veins, pulsing like a control panel after a hit, lights flashing behind his eyes as adrenaline and endorphins surging through his system. He groans, reaching down to shift his cock again as Zak slides his hands around Karl, tugging his tanks free and running his fingers against the flushed skin of Karl’s back.
Karl’s hands are running up and down Zak’s bare back, leaving pressure streaks of white on his flushed skin. Lee bites his lower lip, worrying the flesh. He squirms in his chair; his pulse pounding faster as he shifts his cock again, pressing against it, whimpering softly as Karl slides Zak’s sweats down, over his ass, his hands covering the pale flesh easily.
“Oh, frak,” Lee pants, reaching for the bottle and taking another hit. He doesn’t even taste it anymore as it slides down his throat, though every shot seems to send another fire along his nerves. He presses his thighs together, presses down against his cock, harder than he thinks he’s ever been. “Frak,” he whispers again, his breath coming like staccato bursts of gunfire.
Helo tugs his tanks off and tosses them aside, his tags falling hard against his chest. Zak lowers his head and licks the flat circle of Karl’s nipple and earns a shudder from both Karl and Lee. Lee licks his lips hungrily, wanting, matching Karl groan for groan as Zak undoes Karl’s trousers and slides one hand inside, the other pushing the fabric away.
“Gods-damn, Zak,” Helo huffs, his back arching away from the beds as Zak exposes his shaft. Lee swallows hard at the sight, his body shuddering. Zak’s hand slides along the length of Helo’s erection, his thumb slick across the tip. Helo shudders in time with his strokes, his hands working at getting Zak’s sweats off completely. They fall to the floor and Zak shifts, running the length of his cock against Helo’s.
“Oh.” Lee whimpers again, taking another hit of the bottle. His hand shakes and he nearly spills it, his entire body quivering with reaction. He sets the bottle aside, barely registering the rattling of the glass on the laminate surface. He’s moving before he even knows he’s stood, and touching, exploring exposed flesh with his fingers, uncaring whose skin it is.
Helo turns his head, breaking his kiss with Zak to find Lee’s mouth, pushing his tongue past Lee’s parted lips. Lee moans against him, wrapping his hand around the back of Helo’s neck and bringing him closer. Helo huffs a laugh in the kiss and wraps an arm around Lee, his skin hot against Lee, even though the fabric of his uniform.
“Overdressed, big brother,” Zak’s voice is a low purr, and Lee shudders, hearing it despite the blood pounding in his ears. He can feel hands - oh, Gods, Zak’s hands - touching him, stroking down his back to his waist, reaching around and unfastening his jacket. “Only you would wear full dress to an occasion such as this.”
Lee shudders again, breaking away from Helo’s mouth and his thrusting tongue to breathe. Helo’s hand on his back presses against him, turning him, and then settles on his hip, holding him against the long, hard length of Helo’s body, leaving him spread for Zak’s dark gaze and exploring fingers. “Z…”
He gets no further as Zak pushes Lee’s jacket off his shoulders, his body in close and hard and naked. Words leave him, thoughts leave him as Zak licks Lee’s lips and then bites at the lower one, forcing a hot groan from Lee.
Karl’s hands move then, easing the jacket off of Lee, pushing him away long enough to get the material out from between them. Zak slides back and grabs the bottle, offering Lee a view. He’s seen Zak naked before, but not since he hit puberty and went into the Academy’s early start program. The last time, Zak had been a boy. The person across from him, taking a long, deep pull from the bottle, fully erect and pupils blown, isn’t a boy.
Not by a long shot.
“Zak.” It’s not so much a name as a plea, and Lee’s uncertain if it comes from him or Karl behind him. He can feel Karl’s erection against his ass, thick and hard and insistent, and he can feel the pulse of blood beating in heavy rhythm with his own. He tilts his head back on instinct and Karl’s mouth is on his again, his tongue as hard and demanding as the rest of him.
Lee arches his back, curving his hand around Karl’s neck again, rising up to deepen the kiss, demand more. Karl’s hands slide up Lee’s chest, under his tanks, fingers wreaking havoc on Lee’s nerves, the slight scrape of nail over his nipples breaking the kiss as Lee’s body bucks in response.
Zak moves closer, bottle held loosely in his fingers. He passes it to Helo as he slides his other hand down the front of Lee’s trousers. “So hard, Lee. Who are you hard for, big brother?” He unfastens the pants and slides the zipper down, then slides his hand inside, against the cotton of Lee’s boxer-briefs. Heat engulfs Lee and his hips jerk forward then back, the combined pressure of Zak’s hand and Helo’s cock ripping another tortured groan from his lips. “Me?” Zak squeezes lightly and Lee offers up a raspy prayer to the Gods. “Or Karl?” Karl’s teeth sink into the juncture of Lee’s neck and shoulder and Lee can feel the hot sting of tears, of need burning in his eyes and in his veins. “Or both?”
“Both,” Lee gasps, desperate. He’s leaning hard against Helo now, unsure he can support himself. “Gods, both. Please. Both.”
Karl passes the bottle to Zak and shifts his hold on Lee, turning him again. He holds his chin and kisses him, deeper and harder and with more intent than before. Lee leans into him still, his whole body weak, his pulse fluctuating between pounding and failing as Helo’s hands slide along his back, fingering the sweat-damp fabric of his tanks before pulling them over Lee’s head. Skin meets skin and Lee thrusts hard against him, pulling himself tighter against Helo’s body.
Zak’s hands push at Lee’s trousers, guiding them off his legs. Lee moves as he has to at the pressure from Zak, stepping out of his slacks and boxer-briefs to let Karl lead him down to the bed. It’s too small for this, too small for Karl alone, Lee thinks briefly, then stops thinking at all as his body is flush against Karl’s, and there’s nothing but cool air between their heated skin.
He has no real concept of what he’s doing or what he should do, but Karl’s hands are on his back and shoulders and ass, stroking him and Karl’s hips are thrusting up against his, so he gives himself over to the sensation. His mind is spinning, synapses firing and misfiring, like a sputtering engine, revving at a standstill. He finds Helo’s mouth again and kisses him, pushing overwhelmed frustration into the kiss with his tongue.
Helo laughs and shifts, letting Lee ease between his legs and Lee can’t stop the moan that slips free of his mouth. It’s guttural and primal and comes from somewhere deep inside him, no doubt the same place that’s pulsing at the base of his cock, desperate for pressure and relief.
“Think the Lieutenant here is getting a little bit anxious, Zak,” Helo’s deep voice rumbles against Lee’s skin as he plants sharp, biting kisses along Lee’s collarbone and neck. “You reckon we should do something about that?”
“I’m one step ahead of you, Helo.” Zak assures them both as something touches Lee’s skin. He realizes almost at once that it’s the bottle and he nearly bucks off Helo as his brain fights to process what the frak is going to happen, but then there’s the low melting heat of liquid on his skin, and the warm pressure of Zak’s fingers massaging it in the small of Lee’s back, pushing and pulling through the puddle before sliding his fingers down to Lee’s buttocks.
Helo takes the bottle and takes a hit, watching Lee’s face as Zak’s fingers meander slowly over his skin. Lee licks his lips, panting hard, thrusting against Helo’s hard flesh. “Would you like another drink, Lieutenant?”
He should say no. He knows that, because he can’t think straight, up, down or sideways, and his body is already on fire, consumed by whatever is in that liquid. But it feels so good on his skin - hot and cool and smooth all at once - and so good going down that he can’t help but nod and open his mouth, closing his eyes as Helo pours a measure down his throat.
It’s like overload. G-force pulling on him as he’s in a dive he can’t quite pull out of, the maneuver in his head but not quite making it to his hands. He feels like he’s going to explode, burst into flames like a Viper on impact, and he presses back, nearly losing control as Zak chooses that same moment to push forward, a thick finger penetrating Lee’s flesh.
“O-o-o…oh, fr…frak,” Lee pants, burying his face in Helo’s chest. Zak slowly pushes the finger deeper, and Lee’s body clamps down against it, muscles tightening on instinct. “G-gods, Zak…What…”
“Feels good, doesn’t it, Lee? Hot and thick inside you? You want it, Lee? You want more?”
The liquid burned going down his throat and burns more on his flesh, sliding inside him with every thrust of Zak’s finger. His cock is a heavy weight between his legs, and even the hard pressure of Helo’s body isn’t enough. “Yes. Yes, please.”
He can feel Zak move, lean down, run his tongue through the thick liquid and sweat pooled on Lee’s back. Lee shivers and groans, feeling a matching response from Karl as his breath fans across Karl’s nipple. “You have to do something for me then.”
“A…any…anything,” he can’t stop the words from falling past his lips, any grip on his control gone in the wake of Zak’s finger, his tongue, his voice. “Anything.”
“I want to watch you suck Karl’s cock.” Zak chuckles softly as Lee and Karl both groan again, this time in one low, matching note. “And if you do it right, Lee? If you’re good? I’ll fuck you hard and fast and deep.” He reaches around with his free hand and traces the length of Lee’s shaft. His voice drops to a low whisper. “Do you want that, big brother?”
Lee’s not sure if he can make his mouth work, not sure if his mind and body belong to him anymore or if the liquid pulsing in his blood is a living thing, taking him over. “Yes. Gods, yes.”
Zak’s hand slides up to curve around Lee’s stomach and Lee can feel his muscles react, fluttering under the touch, clenching and tightening at Zak’s touch. He angles him back, straightening Lee’s body enough that Karl can slide free from beneath him, slouching on the bed with his back against the wall.
“Look how hard he is, Lee. How big. Want to see that pretty little mouth of your wrapped around him. You want that too, don’t you?”
Lee nods, mindless, breathless. He’s never done this before, but refusing isn’t an option. He lets Zak guide his body back down, the shift of position and muscles driving Zak’s finger deeper inside him. Lee’s groan is short lived as he braces himself, hands on either side of Karl’s thighs and stares and the long, hard shaft of flesh, flushed red and hot. “I don’t…”
“Lick him.” Zak’s voice is thick, hungry. Lee glances back and stares into his brother’s glazed eyes then looks up at Karl, seeing him through the golden shimmer of the bottle as he downs another drink. Lee licks his lips; throat parched, and bites his tongue, pooling the saliva in his mouth before running his tongue from the base of Karl’s cock to the tip.
Zak’s free hand skates over the curve of Lee’s buttocks, his other continuing to push against the tight muscle of Lee’s flesh, penetrating him. Lee licks his lips then repeats a long sweep of Karl’s cock before circling his tongue around the head. Karl groans and reaches down, one hand fisting in Lee’s hair as the other reaches up to curve around the metal mesh holding the bunk above.
“Yes,” Karl urges, his hips beginning a slow roll upward, his hand guiding Lee’s mouth down. “Like that.”
Lee takes the head in his mouth and sucks on it, his tongue pressing hard to the slick surface. Karl’s fingers tighten in Lee’s short hair and he hisses softly as Lee’s mouth moves over him, opening slowly to take him in.
“Nice and slow, Lee.” Zak’s voice is laced with amusement as he presses his hand to the back of Lee’s neck, his knee between Lee’s spread legs, his thigh hard against the base of Lee’s cock. “Karl likes it slow.”
“Frak you, Zak,” Helo growls, thrusting up into Lee’s mouth. Lee whimpers, the sound nearly drowned out by the push of flesh.
Zak laughs, low and throaty. “Take him in, Lee. Take him deep. Karl likes to be buried where it’s wet and hot and tight.” He pauses then thrusts, a second finger joining the first, stretching Lee’s flesh. “Oh, yes. Just like that.”
Lee’s groan is lost against Karl’s flesh and Karl thrusts again. Lee tries to match his movements, choking a little around the slick flesh until they fall into rhythm again. He tries to remember what feels good, what brings him to the edge, but all he can think about is the slow, steady burn of Zak’s fingers and the heavy weight of Karl’s cock and the blood singing in his veins.
Karl’s thighs are tensing beneath him and Lee’s arms are shaking. He shifts his weight, sliding down to one elbow, and brings his hand to curve around Helo’s cock. Helo’s breath stutters down on Lee as he moves his hand and mouth in unison, sometimes stroking and other times pressing hard to the base of Helo’s flesh, holding him down.
“L…Lieutenant …” Helo’s close; Lee can feel it building, feel the stiffening of Karl’s body and then the hot rush of come. Lee jerks back, surprised at the feel and heat and taste of it, then moves back in, sucking away the last tremors of his orgasm until Helo’s head is thrown back and he’s begging Lee to stop.
Lee pulls away from Helo’s cock and runs his tongue over the wet flesh around it, the salty taste a perfect counterpoint to the slick sweetness of the drink that still coats his throat and tongue. Helo’s body twitches with residual reaction until it’s too much and he curls his fingers even tighter in Lee’s hair and forces him away.
There’s a smart comment on Lee’s tongue, but it’s stolen away in an instant as Zak’s finger’s leave him. He can’t turn his head for Helo’s grip, but something in Karl’s sly, sated smile keeps Lee from protesting, braces him for the slow burn as Zak presses the tip of his cock against Lee.
“Not bad, big brother.” Zak’s voice is reedy, aroused and trembling. “Not bad,” he pushes forward, sheathing himself inside Lee in one hard stroke, “at all.”
Lee cries out, the sound muffled by the flat plane of Karl’s hip. Zak doesn’t pause, begins moving and thrusting immediately, burying himself again and again, just a breath between each stroke. Lee breathes heavily against Karl’s skin, laying against him, mindless of the slow strokes of Karl’s long fingers against his brow.
Zak’s breath is like rapid bursts of fire, raining down on Lee’s back, sticky with sweat and liquor. Lee’s own breath is a series of rapid gasps, barely drawing enough air into his lungs. His hand snakes down, curving around his own cock and he looses a guttural groan, so close to the edge. He strokes himself, fighting to keep in time with Zak’s thrusts, his eyes closed, head swimming.
Fingers grasping tight at Lee’s hips, Zak continues thrusting. Every stroke is like a sharp hit against glass, shattering Lee’s control. He turns his head, buries it in Karl’s damp flesh, nearly buckling as Zak thrusts again, harder, deeper and, in a flash of white light behind his eyes, Lee loses control, spinning out into nothing.
**
Lee opens his eyes and shivers. Karl’s hand curves around the back of his neck and Lee looks up, managing a nervous smile. “Um.”
“It’s awkward.” Helo nods, a smile of his own playing around the corners of his mouth. “I get that.”
“Where’s…”
“Kara called.”
“Ah.”
“Can, um.” Helo shifts beneath him. “Frak. Um. This is kind of uncomfortable after a while. You think we could…” He nods toward the bed. Lee blinks and then it all clicks.
“Oh. Yeah. Sorry.” He pulls away, feeling muscles ache and pull and sting everywhere. He watches as Helo shifts and then slides off the bed. “Um.”
“You feel better, but you’re still not up to walking out the door yet, trust me.” Helo grabs his clothes and starts to dress. “Most of it leaves your system when you…um…anyway. But you’ve still got some in you, so just rest.”
“I…”
Helo shakes his head, a mixture of wistfulness and resignation is his expression.. “Zak gets what he wants. Every time. You get used to it.” He holds up a hand to stop Lee from speaking. “And trust me, you don’t want to think too much about it.”
“But he’s my…”
Looking up at Lee at he zips his trousers, Helo huffs a laugh, shaking his head in wry sympathy. “Lieutenant? You ever try to tell your brother no?”
“Yes.”
“It ever work?”
Lee pauses, unwilling to give into the logic and reason that threatens to overwhelm him, threading through the haze of the alcohol still sparking along his nerves. When he speaks, his voice holds a familiar taste of bitterness. “No.”
“Give it time, Lieutenant.” Helo shrugs. Just like everyone else, you’ll either deal with it, blame the Mist or you’ll hate yourself.”
“Or some combination thereof?”
Pulling on his jacket, Karl shrugs again. “If it helps at all, the Mist doesn’t make you do anything you don’t want to do. Just makes you want it enough not to care.”
“No.” Lee runs his hand through his hair and bows his head. “Doesn’t help.”
“Yeah.” Helo opens the door and offers Lee an apologetic smile. “I didn’t think it would.”