Joss takes the holopic on the day that Apollo graduates from the Kobolian, with Apollo leaning up against the Institute's door jamb, the great bronze doors behind him. He takes it as they leave the ceremony, just before he laughs and puts his handkerchief across Apollo's eyes and walks him down the marble steps to where the red sports car is parked in the street, gleaming in the sun. When he takes off the blindfold and Apollo's still dumb with astonished delight, he kisses him, right there in the street in front of everyone. Apollo doesn't mind a bit, shy as he is about public display. He doesn't mind, because it's Joss; he doesn't mind because even after two yahrens of living with Joss, he's still madly in love; and he doesn't mind because, hey, red sports car! and Apollo's barely 20 and in love with speed almost as much as he's in love with Joss. Later that day his mother gives him the parcel that contains the entire edition of The History of the Kobolian Peoples, and for a centon he almost forgets about everything but real books and his long hands caress the books the way that, earlier, they'd caressed gleaming red metal.

But later that night all he can think of is Joss and only Joss – Joss's mouth on his, claiming him; Joss's hands on his sides, smoothing over and claiming him; Joss's cock, heavy and hard, pushing up into him, claiming him.

It's only several yahrens and Starbuck later, that the claim's denied.

 

 

 

 

Note:

Sorry! The picture was too delicious to resist. You can see why Joss was smitten, though.
Anna, November 2011