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“Something more,” Jace whispered.

“There are some Thaf’ell who… feel too much. They can become obsessive and possessive,” Khoth told him. He thought of the feeling of being unlocked when he touched Jace. Was that happening to him? Was he like Typhon? No… no…

“You feel just the right amount, Khoth,” Jace assured him.

Jace’s hands slid from Khoth’s cheeks to the back of his head. His fingers threaded through Khoth’s hair. Jace slowly pulled him down. They were half an inch apart. Their lips practically brushed together when Jace spoke.

“You are safe with me,” Jace murmured. “I am safe with you.We are safe together.”

“Yes. Always.”

Khoth closed the final distance. Kissing Jace. Wrapping his arms around the young man. Pulling Jace against him. Relishing the way their bodies seemed to click together. To fit. They only broke apart when they needed air. They rested their foreheads together.

“I want…” Khoth began then licked his lips.

He was not Typhon. Jace was not him. The memories lingered but he pushed them down and looked into Jace’s gray eyes.

“What do you want? You can have whatever you want,” Jace told him, sounding breathless and needy.

His lips slid along Jace’s again. “I want to massage you until you fall asleep. And I want you tucked against me while the planets spin above us.”

There were those blinks again and, of course, there was the smile. “I want that too. Let’s make that happen.”

Kissing Lessons

Jace hadn’t expected Khoth’s revelation. He had a feeling that Khoth hadn’t thought his memories of a first lover--one who hurt him no less--would enter his consciousness now either. But Jace was glad that Khoth had told him.

As he turned back over onto his front again and Khoth began to massage him once more, he couldn’t quite drift off as he wanted to--as Khoth wanted him to--but he closed his eyes and tried. Yet his mind was not calm. And the Osiris didn’t help.

It is logical for him to recall his interactions with Justiciar Typhon Moturin during this mating interaction with you, Osiris piped up.

Jace’s eyelids almost flew open. But he forced them to remain closed. He knew his body stiffened, which immediately had Khoth pausing to check to see if he was all right.

“Jace? Is something wrong?” Khoth murmured as his fingers trailed down Jace’s spine. “Did I hurt you? Are your muscles sore?”

His muscles were perfect. No aches or pains. It was incredibly weird really. And he didn’t want Khoth to think that his massaging was harming him in any way.

“No, no, everything’s good. Don’t stop!” The last was said with a little pleading in his tone.

“Of course, I will not. You deserve your massage,” Khoth said with a sigh of satisfaction.

It seemed that the Thaf’ell wanted to please him very much. His parents had always taken care of him, but as their child--as their sick child--but this was different. Khoth wished to take care of him simply because he cared.

Jace couldn’t help the grin that crossed his face. “I enjoy being petted.”

“I see. I will note that for the future.” Khoth’s voice was warmer and filled with an intimacy that had Jace’s toes curling.

But it also had him feeling all the more protective of Khoth. He needed to know more about this Typhon guy and what exactly he had done to Khoth. He knew he could have--and perhaps should--ask Khoth himself about it, but he couldn’t imagine it would be an easy topic to discuss. The Osiris seemed to have some info about it and maybe it would be better to learn from it rather than opening old wounds for Khoth. He hoped he wasn’t prying though.

How do you even know about this, Osiris? This Typhon guy? Jace demanded to know.

I did a completely psychological work up on Khoth, the Osiris sounded tart like it did when he underestimated its thoroughness.

Yeah, okay, I can see how you could analyze his military records and his schooling, but his love life?! Jace couldn’t hide his disbelief. How would you even know about that? You can’t--can’t read minds, can you?

Only yours… for now, the Osiris murmured.

That sounds ominous. I think I’m going to have you watch 2001: A Space Odyssey and see what happens to HAL 9000, Jace told the AI.