The Cycles of Revelation Series

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

Episode 79: After finally consummating their relationship, Ardyn and Jevan feel closer than ever.

Ardyn woke, wrapped in Jevan’s arms, like he had many times in the past months. Yet, this time was different. A smile spread across his face as he remembered last night, and how gentle and patient Jevan was with him. After spending his life fearing intimate touch, Jevan broke through his walls and helped him experience genuine pleasure for the first time.

Now, instead of the usual knot of anxiety, there was a warm, happy feeling in the center of his chest that Ardyn had never experienced before. Turning in Jevan’s arms, Ardyn tangled their legs together as he gazed at Jevan’s sweet, sleeping face. I love him so much, it almost hurts. When Jevan blinked awake and saw Ardyn looking at him, he gave him a big, brilliant smile.

Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Jevan stretched his long limbs. “Hey, good morning.”

Ardyn responded by snuggling closer to Jevan, ducking his head underneath the larger man’s chin. All he wanted right now was to be as close to Jevan as possible. I never want this feeling to end.

“Are you alright?” Jevan asked, kissing the top of his head. “Last night wasn’t too much, was it?”

Shaking his head, Ardyn curled even closer. “No. It was perfect.”

Kissing his head again, Jevan hugged him gently. “Good, I’m glad. It’s been a long time since I’ve been intimate with anyone. I almost forgot how good it could be.”

A fleeting thought of regret made Ardyn frown. “I’m sorry.”

“Hey, it’s not your fault. The circumstances weren’t right until now, and it was good for me to take a break. It helped me clear my mind and realize what I’d been really wanting in my life all along. What I was afraid of, was to pair-bond with the wrong person.”

Pulling back and looking at Jevan, Ardyn reached out to trace a thumb over his bottom lip. “And I’m the right person?”

“Absolutely.” Jevan leaned down and captured Ardyn’s lips in a kiss.

Kissing was something Ardyn learned he really enjoyed, and he eagerly returned it.

After spending a leisurely morning enjoying each other’s bodies once more, they replicated themselves a hearty meal before dressing and packing up their gear. Knowing the pack of sar’ora were still in the area, Ardyn replicated another weapon for Jevan, so they were both armed.

Usually, packs of sar’ora avoided the humanoids living in Vestos. That lone beast that Ardyn had tracked all those months ago was an exception. Still, it was better to be safe, especially since they were intruding on their territory.

Shouldering their packs, they closed the airlock behind them and headed out. “Where should we go?” Jevan asked.

Ardyn wasn’t sure. “I just want to spend time together. We have a lot more to discuss that we didn’t get to last night.”

“Hah, good point, but I’m not sorry I distracted you. Hey, do you remember where that cave was? The one where you found the key. Maybe we could head over that way?”

Sorting through his memories of when he’d found that cave and later realized he’d wandered into the Aria’una, Ardyn turned around to orient himself. “The bhath’laa’ar perimeter is roughly south of here, and the observation tower is northeast. So… yes, I think I know where it is. It would be a two-day journey slightly northwest. Are you sure you want to go that far?”

“We can always ask Keryth to bring us back,” Jevan pointed out.

“That’s true.” Ardyn began heading in roughly the direction he thought the cave would be in. “If we can find the clearing where you saved me from that lone sar’ora, then I’m sure I can find it again.”

“I guess we’ve both saved each other from those beasts now, haven’t we?”

Remembering the day before, when he’d heard that distinctive growl, Ardyn was glad he’d replicated a weapon as he ran out to chase off the pack before they made Jevan their next meal.

“Yes, we have.” Ardyn moved closer so he could take Jevan’s hand in his.

They hiked for a time, each lost in their own thoughts. Ardyn sorted through all the things he knew they needed to discuss. They’d resolved one hurdle last night, but that didn’t quite settle everything between them.

“Oh, I haven’t told you yet,” Jevan said, breaking the silence. “Tamaryn came to talk to me while I finished my recuperation. He told me he looked at my telomeres more closely, and said they looked stable. I should still have a few years before I will have to pair-bond… so, if you’re not ready yet, there’s still time.”

Ardyn paused, squeezing Jevan’s hand. “That’s good to know, but that’s not the only factor we need to consider. There’s also the matter of these ambassadorships they have offered us.”

“Good point. Hey, I remembered a suitable spot for us to make camp tonight, but we need to keep moving if we’re going to make it before nightfall.”

They kept walking, with Jevan taking the lead, while Ardyn mulled over the idea of leaving Med’nor. The thought of visiting his people’s homeworld was both exciting and terrifying. It thrilled the adventurous part of him, although recent events with the Maara’dahl made him wary. Ardyn also realized he would miss his infrequent visits with his family.

“We wouldn’t have to be ambassadors forever, would we?” Ardyn wondered aloud.

Jevan squeezed his hand. “No, I don’t think so, and I’m sure we can come back and visit. Especially if they set up regular trade between our worlds.”

“I’m glad they offered it to both of us. If I had to leave you behind, I wouldn’t accept the position at all.”

“That’s probably why they offered it to us both. We’ve been inseparable!” Jevan laughed.

“Then, I think it depends on when they want us to leave. We should pair-bond before then, shouldn’t we? We don’t know how long we’ll be gone, and we should do it here so our families can attend.”

With a snort of laughter, Jevan agreed. “My mother would kill me if I didn’t invite her to my pair-bonding.”

“Tell me again everything that happens during the ceremony. I know we went through it before, but I’d like to hear it all from you this time. Please?”

For the rest of their hike, Jevan described all the parts of the pair-bonding ceremony, interspersed with funny stories from his friends’ pair-bonding celebrations. By the time he finished, they’d reached the clearing Jevan had been heading toward. “I think this was the clearing where we camped the first time after we’d met,” he said, as they put down their packs.

Looking around, Ardyn nodded, recalling that first night they’d spent together. “I think you’re right. Should I go hunt a couple of paal’dak for dinner?”

“I think we packed enough food, but you could help me gather some firewood.”

The sun had fully set by the time they had a nice roaring fire going, as they sat beside each other, eating. “At least this stuff tastes better than those ranger rations you used to eat,” Jevan teased.

Ardyn laughed. “Those rations weren’t that bad.”

The next day Ardyn led most of the way, climbing up a tree once to make sure they were still heading in the right direction. They made good time and by midday, they reached the clearing by the stream where Ardyn had first met Jevan. They stopped briefly to eat and refresh themselves before continuing.

Thankfully, the days were longer this time of the year, so they could make it to where the cave was located before sunset. As they approached the small ridge, Ardyn slowed, hoping the cave would still be easy to find. “It’s around here somewhere. I’m still amazed I found it in the downpour I was running through.”

They were about to lose the light when Jevan spotted it. “Over there, is that it?”

Making their way toward the entrance, Ardyn nodded. “Yes, that’s it.”

Ardyn pulled out one of the electric lanterns they had in their packs and turned it on before crouching and making his way into the small cave. “Hey, you didn’t tell me it was this small!” Jevan grumbled as he crawled through the entrance on his hands and knees.

“Oh, sorry!” Ardyn apologized. “I forgot how much bigger you are than I am. At least the ceiling inside is higher.”

Plunking himself down in the middle of the small cave, Jevan could sit upright with a few inches to spare. “Just barely! So, where’d you find that key?”

Crawling over to the far corner of the cave, Ardyn patted the dirt there. “Right around here. A flash of lightning glinted off it, or I would never have seen it.”

“How much different all our lives would be if you hadn’t spotted it…”

Ardyn turned to look at Jevan, his ears flattening. “You know I’ve had my regrets over finding it, but… are you regretting it now, too?”

“I’d be lying if I said I don’t miss the simplicity of my old life sometimes,” Jevan admitted, crawling closer to Ardyn, and reaching out to take his hand. “But I wouldn’t change anything that’s happened. It’s hard losing people, but look at how many we’ve also saved? All of those aboard the Rahn’naa didn’t deserve to die in there.”

“You’re right. I just wish we could have saved them without losing anyone, but I know I can’t put the blame of other’s actions on myself. That’s something I’ve been struggling the most with.”

Jevan pulled him closer. “We can’t change what’s happened. All we can do is figure out how to move forward from here. What do you want to do?”

Leaning against Jevan, Ardyn took a moment to collect his thoughts. “I’ve been thinking a lot about that while we were hiking here today. One fact remains true. I love you… and I don’t want to be apart from you. I… I am no longer afraid of having to be intimate with you after the pair-bonding, and I know your family is eager for the ceremony to proceed. So, I think I’m ready.”

Gentle fingers lifted Ardyn’s chin until he was staring directly into Jevan’s eyes. “Are you sure? I love you, too, but if you’re not ready — ”

Smiling, Ardyn caressed Jevan’s face, and with more confidence, replied. “I am ready.”