The Cycles of Revelation Series

Artifact of the Dawn: Close (A Queer Sci-Fi Adventure)

Episode 24: Jevan and Ardyn grow closer as they confront the reality of their changing world.

Ardyn felt a knot of guilt tighten in the pit of his stomach as he tried to pull away from the security tech holding him. At the same time, Jevan turned to face them, towering over them both. He looked like he was about to rip the head off Ardyn’s attacker when Aerys called for order.

“Let Ardyn go at once,” Aerys ordered. “This is not the time nor place to point fingers of blame. We cannot blame Ardyn for something that happened over twelve-hundred years ago. He and his people have also been the victim of generations of lies and hypocrisy. We should be grateful he found us and helped free Takyra from cryostasis. Don’t take your anger out on him. Those who did this to us are long dead. We need to focus on the present and prepare for the future.”

Letting Ardyn go, the Athla’naa sheepishly apologized, his ears lowering and going completely flat against his head. “I am sorry. It is difficult to remember that you are so many generations removed from us.”

After giving him a slight nod, Ardyn stepped forward to address the group. “Thank you for the apology, but I want to apologize to all of you. I may not be personally responsible for this situation, but I feel terrible that it happened. I want to do whatever I can to help make things right between our people.”

Takyra came over and placed a hand on Ardyn’s shoulder. “Thank you, Ardyn. We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you and your friend Jevan.”

There was a chorus of thank yous from the group before Aerys stepped forward again. “I want all of you to get some exercise. We’ve been in those cryopods for far too long. Then spend some more time at target practice. I need all of you in top form. We’ll meet back here for an evening meal. Takyra and I will work on assigning quarters to everyone. Then we’ll do rotations of five on and five off, patrolling the corridors between the control center and living quarters.”

Jevan and Ardyn joined them for target practice, hoping to get to know all of them better. After sharing another meal in the communal area, Jevan and Ardyn retired to the quarters Takyra had assigned them. Ardyn slumped onto the couch in the sitting area, patting the seat, inviting Jevan to sit next to him.

Reflecting on their day, Ardyn sat forward again. “Everything in our lives is going to be so different.”

Relaxing next to him, Jevan nodded. “For the better, I hope. I think both of our people have been stuck in their way for far too long. The arrival of all these technologically advanced Athla’naa will shake things up.”

“I agree. At least some of my people’s traditions can change,” Ardyn said. “With all these new Athla’naa, there will be no need for the ritual breedings.”

Putting a comforting arm around Ardyn’s shoulders, Jevan agreed. “I’m so sorry you had to suffer through that. Hopefully that will end now,” he said, as his fingers played with some loose strands that had fallen from Ardyn’s braid.

Idly playing with Ardyn’s hair seemed to be a favorite thing for Jevan to do, and Ardyn happily allowed it. After some time getting lost in their own thoughts, Jevan asked. “Have you thought about it? Your people’s homeworld, where everything must be like this ship?”

Letting out a slow breath, he shook his head. “No, I have not. I wonder if they still exist, after all this time. How much more advanced do you think they are, after twelve hundred years?”

“Good question. I couldn’t even imagine all this if I wasn’t experiencing it firsthand. Maybe one day you can travel there and find out. If there was a chance, would you?”

“I’m not sure,” Ardyn replied. “There is too much uncertainty right now.”

“That’s true. First, we still need to deal with your Triumvirate and Ard Mathias,” Jevan pointed out. “I hope they won’t cause too much trouble. They were determined to hide this secret from everyone.

“How long has your ard known about this? It’s obvious that he has been complicit with my elders,” Ardyn wondered aloud.

“Most likely Mathias learned it from our previous ard before he took over the position,” Jevan speculated. “When an aging ard chooses an apprentice, they pass on their knowledge. Much of it is found in the books at the ard’s house, and each new ard adds a book of their own, recording the history of their village for future generations.”

It was all so much to think about. Letting out a long sigh, Ardyn dropped his head to the back of the couch. The stress from the past few weeks was catching up with him. His neck and back were in knots. Reaching around, he rubbed the pain sparking in his neck in irritation.

“May I help?”

Ardyn looked at Jevan skeptically. “How?”

“Sit up and turn around. I’ll show you,” Jevan said, spinning a finger in the air.

Ardyn turned around slowly, not sure what to expect. Jevan took Ardyn’s long braid and tossed it over his shoulder. When Ardyn felt Jevan gently grip his shoulders, he couldn’t help flinching.

Immediately, Jevan removed his hands. “Please relax. I’m only going to help work some kinks out of your back. Is that okay?”

Trying to relax, Ardyn nodded his consent and Jevan’s hands returned. Slowly, the man kneaded the muscles of his shoulders and neck, finding knots of stress and slowly working them out. Ardyn couldn’t help the pleasured groan he made as the tension receded from his muscles, making Jevan chuckle.

Ardyn tried not to imagine those wonderful hands wandering elsewhere. “Where did you learn how to do this?”

“Believe it or not, my mother and sister,” Jevan explained. “Whenever I came back from a trading run, spending weeks on the road carrying that heavy pack, they would sit me down by the fire and do this.”

“It’s a shame I never met them when Mathias had us locked in your house. I would have liked to get to know them,” Ardyn said.

“They would have loved you,” Jevan said with a slight chuckle as he continued to knead Ardyn’s back. “My sister would have loved playing with your hair.”

“Oh, so that runs in your family?” Ardyn teased, making Jevan laugh.

Once Jevan reached his lower back, Ardyn felt more relaxed than he had in years. Turning around, he looked up at the man, happy to see the twinkle back in his eyes. “Thank you.”

“It was my pleasure,” Jevan assured him.

Relaxing back on the couch, Ardyn posed a new question. “Do you ever wonder what might have been, if things were different between our people?”

“How do you mean?” Jevan asked.

“Well, as you know with the Athla’naa, once we fulfil our mating duties, we are free to… enjoy… the company of anyone we wish,” Ardyn said, tentatively. “Do you think our people might have been more open to mate with each other?”

“That’s a good question. Pair-bonding is such an ingrained part of Medellan society, and the pair-bond ritual changes something in us. It prevents us from ever having sexual contact with others after we’re bonded.”

“I forgot about that,” Ardyn admitted. “You told me what happened when that young man from your village forced himself on a pair-bonded woman.”

“Yeah, it’s one reason I never wanted to pair-bond with anyone. If I did, that person would have to be worth it, because we’d be stuck together for the rest of our lives.” Shrugging, Jevan slowly massaged a thumb over the back of Ardyn’s hand. “I don’t think it’s something I have to worry about any longer.”

Jevan held Ardyn’s gaze for a moment, flicking his eyes to Ardyn’s mouth more than once. Ardyn’s ears lowered, as the pounding of his own heart was all he could hear. Jevan looked as if he were contemplating an action before pulling back, stifling a yawn. “How about we go get some sleep?”

Ardyn took a deep breath, his heart still racing, as he watched Jevan stand and make his way back toward the bedroom. Was I imagining that? Ardyn wondered before getting up and following.

After taking turns in the shower and changing into their sleeping clothes, they slipped into bed together. At first, they started as they always did, their backs facing each other. However, Ardyn couldn’t turn off the thoughts racing through his mind, and he became restless, flopping over onto his back in frustration.

“Can’t sleep?” Jevan asked.

“I have too much on my mind,” Ardyn admitted.

Jevan opened his arms and invited Ardyn closer. “Come here.”

Sliding closer to his friend, Ardyn curled into Jevan’s embrace as he tucked his head under the man’s chin. One of Jevan’s hands rested on his back, warm and comforting.

“Any better?”

Nodding slowly, Ardyn felt safe, enveloped in Jevan’s warm embrace. Finally, he felt slumber overtake him. A moment before sleep pulled him under, Ardyn thought he heard Jevan whisper. “If only…”

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