by NightsDawne
Hyuga neatly stacks his empty salt packets. "No peak, no plot, no point. You are playing by the rules so far."
The author looks over her shoulder. "Oh, I'm glad I'm finally meeting with your approval, Hyu."
"What approval? I am in this story under duress, remember? At any rate, one lover does not a slut make."
"I'm getting there. You're going to have more." The author rolls her shoulders. "Trust me, you're going to be worse than Irvine Kinneas."
"That is exactly why I do not trust you."
"Oh, come on, Hyu, doesn't it stroke your ego that you're the object of same sex desire?"
"My ego," sniffs the good doctor, "is perfectly happy as is. As, I might point out, are my superego and my id." He flashes a quick look of alarm to the author. "Do not get any ideas from that."
"You don't need your fireproof panties yet, Hyu." The author gets up from her computer to pour another cup of tea for her protagonist prisoner. "Now can I get back to work?"
Hyuga sighs, picking up his cup. "Do not let me stop you."
Chapter 3: Sigurd Harcourt
Hyuga tied his sash back on, looking down at the sleeping Jessie with a little smile. He pulled the blankets up over his lover and tucked him in, giving him a last kiss. "Sleep well, Jesiah."
He started for the door, only to be thrown off his feet by a sharp jolt and a tremendous crashing sound. Alarms sounded throughout the ship. Hyuga got to his feet quickly, looking back to note that Jessie had slept through the entire thing, now neatly sprawled on the floor, his pillow over his head doing little to muffle his snoring.
The comm system crackled to life, the slurred voice of the first mate and usual pilot Sigurd Harcourt echoing from the speakers. "Hi everybody! A mountain just decided to come visit the ship! I think they really like each other and it's going to be a nice happy relationship. Oh, wow, the engine lights are all red. Okay, I'm gonna put her in reverse now." Sig's giggling was drowned out in strained screeching from the engines before they died completely. "Oops. Well, since the Yggdrasil's not going anywhere for a bit, how about we all sing? Come on, everybody! Michael row the boat ashore, halleluuuuuuuu-jah, Michael row the bo--"
"GODDAMMIT!" Another voice cut Sig off mid-lyric. "Sig! The hell did you do to my ship?!"
Hyuga decided to get to the bridge immediately, the comm still broadcasting the conversation as he made his way through the corridors.
"Heya, Young Master! How about you suggest a song then?"
"YOU RAN MY FUCKING SHIP INTO A MOUNTAIN!"
"I blew the horn. It just wouldn't get out of the way. I think it's a niiiiiice mountain."
"Sig, do you see that?"
"Uh huh."
"You see it?! A hole in the side of the hull you could put a gear's fist through?! Not to mention you totally fucked up the engines!"
"C'mon, Young Master, sing a song. It'll make you feel better. Michael row the bo--"
"I DON'T WANT TO FEEL BETTER! I WANT MY SHIP IN ONE PIECE! GET OFF MY BRIDGE!"
'Well, if that's how you feel about it, I'm just going to leave the bridge altogether."
Hyuga opened the door to the bridge and walked towards the helm, assessing things quickly. The Yggdrasil's young captain, the hot-tempered Bart, had his fist clenched around Sig's collar, the twenty-nine year old first mate smiling entirely too loosely. The rest of the bridge crew was staring in mute shock. Bart was in imminent danger of breaking out his whip on his beloved first mate. "THAT'S WHAT I SAID, YOU FUCKING DRUNK!"
"I can't go." Sig weaved, grabbing the rail that ran around the helm for balance.
"Why... not?!" Bart clenched his teeth.
"You're holding my collar." Sig smirked his superior logic and waved to Hyuga. "Heya, Hyu!"
Bart looked over his shoulder. "Doc, get him off my bridge before I make him one of your patients, will you?"
Hyuga smiled, yes, patiently and gently. "Of course, young one. Might I suggest you switch the comm off unless you wish to make an announcement to the rest of the ship?"
Bart looked down at the panel and slammed his palm over the switch, then shoved Sig towards Hyuga, the doctor catching him before he could stumble onto his face. Hyuga waltzed with the amber skinned first mate until he had him braced with an arm around his waist. Bart crossed his arms, glowering, the eye that wasn't covered by a black patch flashing. "I don't want to see him again until he's sober."
"I will see to it, young one." Hyuga started to help Sig out of the bridge, feeling a bit of deja vu. At least Sig was lighter than Jessie. He glanced back over his shoulder upon hearing Bart deliver a ferocious kick to the helm panel, seeing the captain skipping about on one foot and holding the other, a steady stream of curses eminating from him. Hyuga knew better than to offer any help at this point in Bart's tantrum, but made a mental note to check on him after he'd had a chance to cool down a bit.
He settled to getting Sig to his cabin, the silver-haired man blithely singing the entire way, interrupted only by fits of giggles. Hyuga sighed softly as he got his friend into his room and over to his bunk, laying him down gently. "Why do you let Jesiah talk you into drinking? You never could stop after one."
Sig curled up, snickering softly and blowing long silver bangs out of his sapphire colored eye, the other hidden behind a patch much like the captain's. "He's very persuasive."
"Tell me about it," mumbled Hyuga, tugging Sig's boots off. He sat down on the edge of the bed, brushing Sig's hair out of his face. "You are going to feel awful in the morning when you have to face your brother sober."
Sig looked up at Hyuga, his lips twitching into his charming smile. "Taking care of me again. You're always so sweet, Hyu."
"I had thought you had grown out of getting into trouble." Hyuga couldn't help smiling back affectionately. He had been so happy to reunite with his best friend, his emotional touchstone. Ever since they were children Sig had been able to bring a genuine smile to the face of the often too serious Hyuga. When Jessie had chosen both of them for his Elements quad it had been the happiest day of Hyuga's life. Jessie was their fire element, the natural leader, Hyuga had been the water, second in command and designated healer, and Sig had been their wind, buffer between sometimes opposing personalities. Impulsive, free-spirited, outgoing, Sig had drawn qualities from Hyuga he'd never even been aware he had, turning him from a shy and almost anti-social science geek into a caring friend. He traced his finger along Sig's jawline softly. "I do not mind taking care of you again, though. I just wish you would not let Jesiah push you into bad decisions."
"Did I mess up that bad?" Sig sighed, closing his eye. "You're not mad at me?"
"Have I ever been able to be mad at you? It is Bart who wants to kill you."
"You won't let him."
"No, I will not let him." Hyuga ran his fingers through the shorter hair that covered Sig's head behind his chin-length bangs. "Go to sleep, Sigurd. I will talk to Bart in the morning."
Sig rolled against Hyu, hugging him with one arm. "Don't go?"
Hyuga smiled softly, turning to lay down next to Sig, offering his shoulder as a pilll;iuata
--"What? I do not even offer a protest this time?"
--The author narrows her eyes at Hyuga. "Don't startle me like that. You messed up my typing."
--"I just left Jesiah's cabin and now I am falling into Sigurd's bed without so much as a 'We really should not'?" Hyuga crosses his arms.
--"You're in love with him. You always have been. He's beautiful, outgoing, kind, and you've saved each other's lives countless times."
--"I fail to see how that instantly means I want to engage in intercourse with the man. I love him as a brother."
--"Don't even get into an incest thing, Hyu." The author turns back to her keyboard. "Just drink your tea."
--"The pot is empty and I need to go to the bathroom."
--"So go. You can read it when I'm finished with the chapter." The author looks over her shoulder. "Go on."
--Hyuga frowns, but strides off. The author cracks her knuckles and employs her delete key.
Hyuga smiled softly, turning to lay down next to Sig, offering his shoulder as a pillow. Sig snuggled against it contentedly, draping his arm over Hyuga's chest. "Remember the first time we did this?"
"You were drunk that time, too."
"And you didn't take advantage of it." Sig sighed, closing his eye. "Not until the next morning. Of course, I didn't have an eyepatch then."
"What difference does that make?" Hyuga looked down at Sig.
"Well, ever since you got on board you've been acting like we're just friends again. I figured it had to be something."
"It was not your eyepatch. It is my wedding ring."
Sig lifted his head. "Then you still think I'm beautiful?"
Hyuga gazed at him, running his finger over Sig's full lips. "Like an angel."
Sig shook his head, then kissed Hyuga's finger. "You're the angel. My guardian angel." He laid his head back down on Hyuga's shoulder, not realizing the irony in his words as he drifted off to sleep. Hyuga held him close, wondering if Sig would still feel so unguarded about their relationship in the morning. He couldn't help but hope it would be so.
When Sig woke up again, he found himself in the arms he had longed for for ten years. He awoke Hyuga with a kiss. "Take advantage of me?" he asked softly.
Hyuga rolled over on top of him, gazing down at Sig's sensuous smile. "I thought you would never ask."