Copyright 2024 – Daemon D. Hart
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The Human Bearer
"Can I see them?" Riordan asked, grabbing, without even realizing it, Marn's sleeve.
"Xana is still recovering, which means that he is in no state to receive visits," Marn explained. His Royal Chancellor stared at where Riordan was touching him and said nothing.
However, Riordan knew a lot more about his place now and let go. "I can still see him, right? And you said he was all right."
"I seldom forgot your species' propensity for asking for assurance where nothing more can be given. Gamni Gafilos seemed to have developed a strong poison against other Xenos, and that is why eliminating it from Xana's system takes a while. During this time, he is kept unconscious, as any strain must be avoided. And yes, emotional strain, as well."
"And Xeus? My son?" Riordan asked, realizing that there were two snakemen sharing the same name on the ship now.
"Xana's bearer is taking care of him, as that is his duty."
"What?" Riordan pushed himself to his feet. "You left that asshole in charge of Xeus?"
Marn sighed. "I understand that your feelings towards Xana's new choice are--"
"That's not it! That asshole must be doing--" He stopped abruptly. "I am well now. I will take care of him."
"You still need to rest."
"No, I don't." Reasoning against Marn's judgement wasn't on top of his list right now. "I need to get to Xeus. I hope it's not an issue that I want to hold my son."
Marn stepped back. "Of course not."
Riordan had one other question. "Is Kyle at least accompanying that man?" He didn't even want to say Xana's bearer's name. It would be like adding insult to injury. How could Marn be so blind as to accept such a thing? He had to remind himself that His Royal Chancellor didn't have the mind wired to see clearly how twisted a human being could be. And maybe he was going overboard because the thought of that doll face underneath which only trouble lay belonging to Xana made his blood boil, but just imagining little Xeus in Jasno's arms made him feel ill to the stomach.
"Your bot is back to its duties, yes," Marn said. "Although the insubordination it shows troubles me."
"It shouldn't. He saved the day," Riordan said curtly. "Your Excellency." He bowed stiffly and walked out.
It appeared that he didn't have to go as far as Xana's quarters to find his baby. Jasno, all full of himself, was walking down the hallway, holding Xeus in his arms and showing him off to everyone in his path, as if the child had come from his belly, not another's. Grinding his teeth, Riordan set the course to intercept the asshole. How come Marn... gah, thinking of such things helped no one. And he could be civil. Of course, he could.
Kyle was, indeed, rolling right behind Jasno. The bot must have been chastised a lot, but seeing how there was no danger of him being recycled, that was, all in all, good news. The moment the bot noticed Riordan, he stopped. There was no way of telling what a machinery could make out of the situation, but Kyle had amazed him on more than one occasion, the last evac op being the cherry on top. That bot had a mind of his own, Riordan liked to think.
"Jasno," he said, trying hard not to grind his teeth, "thank you for taking care of Xeus until I got better." He opened his arms, waiting for doll face to get the hint.
People stopped to stare at them, reminding him of how they did the same on several other occasions when he had been concerned. An endless source of entertainment, that was what he was for this bunch of people. He couldn't care less.
Jasno pulled Xeus closer to his chest and threw him a dirty look. "The counselor Xana Lei's son is perfectly fine in my care, Riordan." He spat his name in disgust. "As I clearly remember, you denounced your role when you decided to step out of your bearer position. You have no place to... what exactly is that you want?"
Riordan looked at the child. "Xeus," he called softly.
The Xenolite, who appeared quite sleepy, turned his head and his eyes lit up when he saw him. He struggled against Jasno's hold, jerking suddenly as he tried to lunge at Riordan. Jasno, however, was startled only for a moment and pulled him back.
"I'm afraid I will have to take him back since all this has been too much excitement," he said to no one in particular, but loud enough for all present to hear him.
Riordan placed himself in front of him. "You asked me a question. I want my baby. That's what I want."
Jasno squeezed his hold on Xeus's small body, making the Xenolite whimper. "He's not your baby," he spat. "Are you delusional? You're nothing to him."
To contradict him, Xeus struggled more. Even as babies, they were strong, Riordan had noticed, and when his son bit hard on Jasno's hand, the doll face's surprise was almost funny.
"You little," Jasno said through his teeth and shook Xeus, making him grunt.
No way would his son cry for as little as that. He had seen so many bad things in his short life. So, Riordan couldn't say he was surprised when Xeus lunged viciously at Jasno's face to bite his nose.
Jasno, however, dodged the new attack. This time, he held Xeus with one arm and used the other to slap him over his little face.
Riordan ground his teeth and saw black before his eyes. But he barely took one step that a large snakeman moved ahead of him and grabbed Jasno so quickly the entire audience gasped. And then fell silent as the older Xeus slapped Jasno so hard that doll face rolled on the ground several feet until he hit the wall behind him.
No one said a thing. They were all watching the older Xeus, terrified and even their breath seemingly knocked out of them. Riordan didn't move, either, but when Xeus turned to face him, he held the cold gaze without flinching.
"Here." Xeus handed him the Xenolite, who somehow had climbed on his grandfather's arm. From there, he quickly jumped in Riordan's arms and grabbed the front of his shirt with his tiny fists, while looking up at him with both a curious and hungry look in his eyes.
"Walk," Xeus said shortly and turned Riordan to face the direction he wanted. "The child needs to feed."
No one could argue with that. Riordan didn't say a word and just let himself guided away. He looked back to see Kyle helping Jasno to his feet. While Xana was out of it, the bot must still have certain duties. Later, they would talk. They would be back together.
For now, Xeus Senior was in charge, and Riordan had no intention to go against the large Xeno's wishes.
Riordan took in his father in law's quarters. The water container was the largest he had seen on the entire ship, and otherwise there was little else in there.
"Feed the child," the order came.
Riordan began unbuttoning his shirt quickly with one hand. Xeus Junior was rubbing his head against his shoulder, cooing something only he understood. He had felt the pressure in his breasts, of course, but, with everything going on, there had been nothing to do about it or even care. Unlike other bearers, he was now wearing a long-sleeve shirt and a pair of black pants. What his father in law thought about him was a mystery.
He barely bared his chest that his little one latched on to it, making him grunt in surprise. However, it looked like Xeus Junior knew what he wanted very well. The tingling in his nipple was a clear sign of that. It also came with a sensation of relief and he sighed contently.
Since there was no surface he could sit on, he remained standing while feeding the boy. When he looked up, he noticed how Xeus Senior was staring at him. It was unnerving, to say the least. But the strange Xeno was on his side, and that was all that mattered. Mostly likely, he was on his son's and grandson's side, but Riordan didn't worry about semantics at this point.
Were they supposed to make idle conversation? Father in law didn't look like the type.
"You speak your mind, I heard," Xeus started.
Riordan shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Xeus Junior seemed bent on trying the other nipple, too, and changed his position. There was a sensation in the swollen nipple left alone at the touch of cold air that made Riordan weak in the knees for a moment. "Yes, I have quite the mouth on me," he whispered his reply.
"I'm not talking about that. About this."
It took Riordan a couple of moments to realize that Xeus Senior was tapping at his temple using the tip of his tail. His first reaction was to move away, but something told him it wouldn't be a good idea to anger this Xeno. So, he stood his ground.
"You mean, about communicating the way you do?"
"I heard you. On Galatea. You were crying for help."
"I was," Riordan admitted. "And you saved us all. Thank you."
Xeus's muscular tail was now wrapping slowly around his neck. Did he have to get scared? There was no way of telling what the Xeno was thinking. It was getting a little hard to breathe, but he didn't waver. His baby seemed completely oblivious to what was going on and continued to feed.
"The progeny of my progeny has a strong voice, too. I heard him while I was still onboard Valedoria. Is it because of you? Do not lie."
So all that strangling was to ensure he'd be honest? Riordan had a mind to tell the guy there was no need for it.
"I have no idea. But he looks a bit like me, doesn't he?" he said, choking on each word.
"You're not fully recovered yet," Xeus commented. "You need this."
Riordan didn't have time to protest while his father in law's tail pushed its tip through his lips. The Xeno's seth was stronger than Xana's, he could tell. Or maybe he hadn't had it given to him that way lately, and he didn't know anymore.
The sounds leaving his mouth as he was made to suckle on the strong tail sounded dirty to his ears. He'd thought Xenos liked to use their tails for sex, but this wasn't about sex, was it? Above him, Xeus's pale green eyes burned bright, like he had seen them on the ship.
"A lewd lot, your species," Xeus said and removed his tail from Riordan's mouth, pulling it away and letting him breathe. "So I'm told."
Was there anything for him to say to that? He had no idea. Being in the same room with his father in law – really, he kept thinking of him that way, but it was the weirdest thing – felt claustrophobic. As large as the Xeno's quarters were, his presence there filled it completely.
"It is rather peculiar that my son chose another bearer after having you." The look in the strange eyes was not appraising him like he was an asset to be bought and sold.
"We had our differences. But we didn't exactly get a divorce," Riordan explained.
"Meaningless words. Your species likes to use them."
The guy had been away from his home planet for a long time, from what he'd heard. That meant that he couldn't be that familiar with the whole system that included human bearers. The official program hadn't been in effect for longer than a few years, Riordan recalled, when he had decided it was his way out, in the off chance that he got approved. Not only that, he was now here, carrying a baby snakeman in his arms and helping him feed to get stronger and healthier.
"I'm sorry," Riordan said. "I'll shut up now."
"Undress," came a surprising order.
"Why?"
"So many questions, too. Are you not aware of the inferiority of your species?"
"Not that much," Riordan tried to joke. One look at Xeus Senior and he decided that he really needed to keep his mouth shut and hope for the best.
It was awkward to do everything with just one hand, since his baby couldn't be bothered from his feeding. Riordan was sure his nipples would hurt, because he could feel the Xenolite's short sharp teeth around them.
The older Xeus didn't bother to help him. He just watched him with his hypnotic eyes until Riordan was completely naked, his clothes a heap at his feet.
It was, however, difficult, to keep silent and stand upright, as the ever inquisitive tail of the Xeno in front of him began to examine him, wrapping first around one leg, then the other, feeling the firmness of his muscles as if it was searching for something.
"Turn."
He did, although the examination made him feel weird.
"So, it is through here that the egg is pushed inside?"
Riordan grunted, as his father in law's tail pushed between his buttocks and entered his ass carelessly. "Yes," he gasped the word.
"Unusual. It is usually fed through the mouth when other species are concerned."
"I doubt a human being's throat can accommodate that," Riordan said breathily. He held the Xenolite close to him but bent slightly so that the assault on his body could be conducted swiftly and efficiently. And be over already.
The other's curiosity, however, appeared to have no bounds and no respect for the examined specimen.
"Yes, it can," Xeus Senior said sternly. "It must be your nature to seek a way that results in pleasure for you."
Riordan grunted again as his ass continued to be penetrated. The Xeno's tail was coated with seth, so whether father in law was aware or not, he was basically just giving him the exact thing he was accusing him of.
"Please," he whispered softly.
"Please what?" the question came, expressed in the same stern unyielding manner.
"Stop this."
"Why? I see. Your lewd nature cannot stop itself."
The tail finally withdrew from his ass, leaving him to whimper at the loss and still feel relieved over being left off the hook.
"Turn," another order came.
He did so with difficulty. His ball sac felt heavy, and his erection hurt.
"Put the young one in there."
Riordan eyed the large water container with unease. "Isn't it too big for him?"
"No. Do you truly question everything you're told?"
"Yes. I have trust issues."
Another strange stare assured him that his jokes had no aim and wore blunt tips.
"Xenolites can swim in oceans from the moment they're born. Do not question my orders."
Well, at least, the guy admitted he was giving orders left and right. Riordan moved gingerly and had a bit of trouble removing Xeus Junior from his chest. "Come on, don't you want to swim a little? Look how nice the water looks," he cooed at his baby.
Junior's large dark eyes blinked, his mouth still on a nipple. He was suckling lazily, which meant that his hunger had abated eventually. A question lay heavy on Riordan's mind. "How were Xenolites fed until we became your bearers?" There was a chance his father in law would ignore him.
"They took to a regular diet right away. This is a sign of weakness. But I questioned bearers on this ship, and it appears that Xenolites born in this manner prefer the thing that comes out of your chest."
"It's called milk," Riordan said, deciding to educate the old fool a little. "Oh damn," he whispered, "and what had Junior had to eat until now?"
"He must have survived on our regular food. He's not malnourished. But his reaction to your breasts is a telltale, indeed. My descendant prefers it."
Riordan kissed Junior on the forehead and then helped him lower himself into the container. The Xenolite took to it happily and began making rounds, curious about the boundaries of his new environment. Was it expected of him now to take his leave and let the Xenolite in the care of his grandfather? It was definitely better than letting that scumbag Jasno get his hands on the boy.
He began to pick his clothes off the floor.
"You will remain like this," Xeus Senior said in an icy voice.
"I think this ship has seen plenty of my naked ass to last them an eternity," Riordan protested. "And I want to see Xana, even if for a second."
"You call him Xana. The nature of your relationship must be subject to scrutiny."
"Hasn't Ma... His Royal Chancellor told you anything about how things are now?" Riordan didn't want his father in law to have a fit over hearing him calling the big kahuna by his name, too.
"In passing. We have other things to concern with. You will remain here, with me, until my son comes to it, and he's capable of sorting the issue of having two bearers."
"There is nothing here I can sleep on," Riordan pointed out.
"Can't you sleep on the floor?" Xeus Senior asked. In his case, it wasn't irony. It was the real deal.
Riordan moaned for show. "Seriously? Naked? On the floor? I had no idea I was in prison."
That appeared to take the Xeno aback. "No, you are not in prison. What accommodations do you need?"
"A bed. And where do you sleep? Where does--"
A look at the big container convinced him that he didn't need to worry about his Xenolite. After all, Cario's little one also had that small water container instead of a crib. Junior was now curled on the bottom of the large aquarium, one thumb in his mouth, his eyes closed, and gone to a world of beautiful dreams.
"Also, I should say," Riordan spoke slowly, "I don't eat the same things as you. I will have to go to meals, and for that, I will have to wear clothes."
"Very well. I will ask for your regular garb to be brought over. Anything else?"
"My bot, Kyle."
"No. It has a duty to care for my son's official bearer. And naming the thing? How strange."
"The thing," Riordan said pointedly, "saved me and three Xenos. I think he earned the right to a name."
"You will have to live without it. I will escort you everywhere."
Somehow, that thought didn't do much for his nerves. Riordan still didn't know whether he should fear Xeus Senior and worry that the Xeno might strangle him in his sleep or take whatever this rough treatment was for his own brand of caring.
"Okay." Junior needed him, after all, and if he was anything like a human baby, he'd probably need to feed pretty regularly. "But I will wear clothes. Being naked around you is not normal." Yes, he was brave enough to say it.
"I will decide what is normal and what is not. And you're an intriguing specimen. I have to examine you at length."
"Is that going to include your tail in my mouth and ass?"
"Of course."
Oh, man, Riordan thought, pursing his lips. Was he supposed to educate daddy in law on important issues such as boundaries now? Damn.
tbc
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