What's a Little Bathing Got to Do With It? (PG-17)

Writers: Len, Ames
Date Posted: 20th March 2011

Characters: C'jex, Talisian
Description: C'jex meets the new arrival and helps him get acquainted with the ways of the Weyr.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 11 of Turn 5
Rating: PG-17

Ohoneth landed a bit heavily. They were tired, but they had fought
well this day. Patting his blue on the neck, C'jex praised him for his
prowess in the battle.

**I'll give you a good bath and scrubbing shortly, my friend,** C'jex
told Ohoneth as he slid from his back. }:I am find, mine. I will go
swim in the lake. Then I wish to sleep. The rest can wait:{

C'jex chuckled. Ohoneth was nothing if not predictable. After
Threadfall, he preferred to go douse himself in the lake alone, then
have C'jex scrub him down after the fact. Watching the blue take wing,
C'jex just shook his head and smiled. He himself was tired, and he
needed a bath as well, but first there were things to see to. Carrying
his firestone sacks over to the weyrlings and candidates who were
currently running the station, he caught sight of someone he hadn't
seen before. His red hair was _very_ hard to miss.

"I've got some empty sacks for you," he said, standing right beside
the new boy. C'jex was nothing if not curious, so he would try and
satisfy his curiosity if he could.

"Ah, thank you," Talisian said, taking the sacks from the rider. He
glanced around the man, seeing happily that this was one of the last
ones to be stacked. After four hours of shoveling firestone and sacking
and re-sacking he was covered in dust and sweat, and was tired to boot.

"Lad, you look as much in need of a bath as I do," C'jex told the
red-haired youth with a grin and a pat on the back. "I've not seen you
around before. Are you new here?"

He grinned back, the man seemed nice. "Yeah, I was just searched the other day. I've only been here three days."

"C'jex," he said by way of introduction. "If you're new here, I could
show you some of the more excluded bathing chambers on Flight days. They
are always my favorites as there are fewer visitors to them."

Was the man suggesting what he thought he was suggesting? Talisian
blinked and eyed C'jex. This was an aspect of the Weyr he was going to
have to get used to. And enjoy. Realising the man was waiting for an
answer, he opened his mouth. "I'm Talisian, by the way." Oh, what the
shards, this_was_why he came to the Weyr, wasn't it? For this sort of
attention. And it wasn't like his da and brothers were around to beat
him into conformity anymore. Blushing slightly, he added, "bathing
cambers..they sound nice..."

"Come on," C'jex said, "it looks like you need a friend in this place
and I think we'll both be thankful when we stop smelling like
firestone!" He chuckled. "So, Talisian, where are you from?"

"Oh...ah...just a tiny Hold south of here. Nothing special." He didn't
wish to say more, not wanting to dwell on his life there. Trailing
slightly behind the dragonrider, he got to study the man as they walked.
He was nice looking and taller than Talisian. And on closer inspection
he didn't look all that much older than the Hold boy.

It didn't take them long to weave through a few tunnels and end up in
one of the smaller bathing chambers. C'jex turned back to Talisian with a
grin. "See, I told you that I could find us one of the best. Actually,
since this one is a bit further from the bowl, it's just not used nearly
as much, and though the waters are still warm, they aren't _quite_ as
warm as some of the other pools, which is why it's often unpopulated."
He moved over to a small cabinet on the wall and pulled out a few towels
that were stored there. Tossing one over to Talisian, he draped the
other over his shoulder.

C'jex sat down on one of the benches and quickly began to shed his
riding gear, which was soon followed by the thump of his shoes hitting
the ground. "I can't wait to wash this stench off me. Was that your
first go with firestone then?" He asked. "This here," he held up a bar
of soap, "is the best soap around. A good scrub with this and you can
remove all traces of the firestone, thank Faranth!" He tossed a bar
towards Talisian as he quickly removed his shirt as his hands moved
towards his waistline to unclasp his pants.

Talisian's face threatend to become the same colour as his hair, as he
watched C'jex undress. When he realised he_was_rather openly staring,
he dropped his eyes to the floor, and only saw the flying soap just in
time. Clinging to it like it was his only friend, he fumbled with his
tunic strings.

In one swift movement, C'jex had removed the last of his clothes and
slung the towel back over his shoulder. "You coming?" He called back to
Talisian as he walked to the pool and stepped into the warm water.

Did he just see what he thought he saw? Blushing so hard he
thought he might just pass out, Talisian somehow got out of his own
clothes. Quickly, and clumbsily he ran into the water, letting it cover
him as quick as.

C'jex actually chuckled to himself as he watched the boy dart into the
water. Clearly, he hadn't adjusted to public bathing in the Weyr. C'jex
could only imagine what the boy would do when he had to bathe with
_girls_ as well. For most of the newcomers that was the hardest part,
bathing with the opposite sex.

As he worked the bar of soap into a lather over his arms, he looked
to Talisian. "So, aside from being Searched, why did you decide the Weyr
was the right place for you?"

"Well..." Talisian felt much safer now he was covered up in the water. "Well, if I stayed I was to be married to a girl. And that wouldn't have been fair to her, or to me, if you get my meaning."

C'jex paused in his scrubbing and looked at Talisian with new eyes. "Oh, I hadn't realized Talisian. Not that it offends me, mind you." He held up his hands with a rather amused look on his face. "My preferences run that way quite often myself, if you get my meaning." He winked at the boy. "Had I known that though, I could have been a bit more discreet, um, well, up there." he waved his hand towards where he'd removed his clothes. C'jex had no problem flaunting his own naked form, but he surely hadn't wanted to embarrass the boy. He knew hold lads had a much harder time with things than he ever had.

"It's okay." Did that mean he wasn't about to be molested? He wasn't sure if he felt relieved or disappointed!

Never one to waste time or paddle foot around an issue, he looked Talisian straight in the eyes. "So, have you had any experience then and are you sure that you prefer the more masculine over the feminine?" C'jex sure didn't want to cross any lines. He might be free with his own sexuality, but he would never force it upon anyone else. "Are you uncomfortable with me here? I mean, you'll have to adjust to this life sooner or later, but if you're uncomfortable and need some time to adjust, I can go."

The boy blushed a bit, but said, "I've no experience but, truth be told, if I actually had to have sex with a woman, it would only be if there was a nice looking man in the room to look at! I'm not really sure what would have happened if I had been forced to marry. Except the girl..she did know. I suppose we would have put up a good front for the others.."

Well, he hadn't asked him to leave, so C'jex went right back to his scrubbing. "Perhaps I can help you, over time that is. A lot of things are pretty natural, but there are some good tips and things to keep in mind that help to make the experience a bit more...enjoyable for both men." Shards, but he hadn't expected to feel _that_ happening. C'jex decided it would be best if he stayed in the water, after all. No need to scare Talisian away if he got an eyeful of what was happening under the surface. "I just mean, I'm pretty open about all things, so you can feel free to ask me anything. I'm willing to help in anyway you'd like. Think of me as a buddy with some experience he's willing to share."

Talisian raised his eyebrows as the man talked. "Well...okay. Just remember I'm new here...this is all so different than where I come from!" He laughed a bit. "How long does it take til you're blase about the whole thing?"

C'jex shifted a bit in the pool to try and make himself more comfortable. "Well, I was born and raised here in the Weyr, so things like this have come natural to me. As for how long it takes, I couldn't really tell you. Some people seem to adjust quickly, I think because they came here seeking freedom, and others, well, others still have a hard time even after Turns _and_ dragon flights. I guess you'll just have to decide when what kind of person you _want_ to be here." C'jex finished scrubbing off most of his body and tried to tell some other areas of his to relax and not get overly excited by the innocence of the boy before him. Though he would never act on something without knowing the other person truly wanted it, he couldn't help but be aroused by the idea of being the one to guide a newcomer into the wonders that sex could provide.

"That's something I'm not used to...someone telling me it's up to_me_to be the kind of person I want to be. Life in the Hold isn't like that. You are what you were born to be, or so it feels like. Unless you're some straight man...then you get to push the women and the gay men all about and tell them what to do and what to think and who to be with." The boy sighed and dunked his head under water for a moment to get his short hair wet.

"That's why living in the Weyr is the right place, trust me." C'jex replied, finishing his own rinsing and then simply relaxing a bit in the water. He knew he had to see to Ohoneth, but so far the blue was content where he was, which meant C'jex had a bit more time before he'd be pulled away.

"I hope so...I guess I'll find out when I Stand." There was something nagging in the back of his head. "If I don't Impress...what happens to me then? Do I get sent back?"

"No," C'jex replied, "Unless you want to go back. People who don't Impress often choose to live out their life in the Weyr." He paused, "Especially people of our persuasion," he raised his eyebrows a bit to emphasize his point. "I mean it's not like you can find a willing male partner in the holds now can you? Whereas here, you'll find quite a few. We're very open with sex and exploration. So, really, there's nothing to hold you back if you choose to make this your home, whether you Impress or not."

"I don't ever want to go back. You guys who live in the Weyr have no idea what it's like." The young man shook his head and shuddered. No, if he could really stay, he was going to to. "I think I have a stint in the stables this evening."

"You'll need another bath after that," C'jex chuckled lightly. He did sober up just a bit before his next words. "Listen, Talisian. You seem like a real nice guy. I think you'll really like it here in the Weyr, and well, if you ever decide you need with the mating side of things, I'm more than willing. If it's talk you need or even something more. You come find me." He paused a moment, and leaned across the pool towards the boy. "Just know that not _all_ the riders are as nice as the others, especially to those of us who have a hankering for the guys. You know what I mean. If you need help or experience or whatever, you come find me. I can help there or if you'd rather, I can recommend some good guys I know, ones who will treat you right, okay?"

The other boy nodded, a bit confused with his talk. It was just happening too fast for his Hold-bred mind to get around the fact it was now okay for him to be him. Experience--and what that entailed-- was the last thing really on his mind now. That would come later, after it had truly sunk in that he was now free from the constraints of being a Holder. There was one thought that entered his mind.

With a shy smile, he said, "you know, I've never been kissed before."

"Well, I could definitely help you with that," C'jex replied with a smile of satisfaction. "Though I'm not sure _this_ is the right place for a first kiss. _If_ you want to do a little safe exploration, I think my weyr would be a much better place, when you're ready, that is." Definitely kissing when nude in the bathing pools was _not_ the right place for a first kiss. He was afraid things could get out of hand before Talisian was ready. He didn't want to push the boy. He was a gentle and slow lover when times called for it, and this would certainly be one of those times. "It's not something you have to rush into."

Talisian raised an eyebrow at the words, 'this isn't the place' for a kiss. Feeling a bit bold--and more than a bit silly--he sidled up to C'jex and smiled. "Not even a small kiss? A little peck on the cheek?"

C'jex didn't need to be asked twice. The proximity of the other boy towards him, naked and appealing, _asking_ for a kiss was nearly his undoing.

His hands reached up towards Talisian's face and turned it towards him. "A peck on the cheek is hardly a first kiss," he murmured, his voice husky with the desires he felt stirring within in. "_This_ is a first kiss," he breathed as he leaned in and pressed his lips towards Talisian, gently at first, waiting to see how the boy would react. His tongue darted out and touched the other boy's lips, almost as though asking for permission to enter.

All thoughts of Holder repressions gone, Talisian opened his mouth and let C'jex kiss him as deeply and fully as he wished. Tentively, he reached up and wrapped his arms around the rider's shoulders.

C'jex's tongue darted around Talisian's savoring the first taste of the other man. His own arms reached around towards the back of his head, cradling him gently as the kiss deepened and became even more sensual. His hand moved of it's own accord down under the surface of the water until it found what it sought. He brushed his hand quickly against the target before pulling back from the kiss and the play.

"Should I stop?" C'jex asked, gazing into Talisian's eyes. C'jex wanted him to know that he was in total control over the situation. He would stop the moment the candidate asked him to.

I...ugh..." Stop? What was that? His thoughts were so hazy with the speed of what was happening, he had to blink a few times to concentrate. Particulary after the man had briefly stroke him someplace_no one_had ever touched him. H wanted more of that! Blinking in bemusement a few more times, he grinned and leaned across for another kiss. A huge part of him feared by the first egg that this never _ever_got back to his family!

He chuckled slightly at the other boy's reaction before all thought of amusement was replaced by the lips that were moving towards his. C'jex eagerly gave Talisian what he wanted, pressing his lips to those soft, tender, innocent lips. His hands this time found their way across his chest until they rested for a time on the sensitive little nub, which he gently rubbed between his fingers.

His lips moved to kiss the boy's neck and ear. "If we keep this up, the way we _are_ right now. I may not be able to stop Talisian," he breathed as his tongue toyed with his earlobe before turning his eyes back to the younger boy.

Talisian was sure he didn't want him to stop. But then again, a girl who made herself this easy at the Hold he was from would be looked down on and considered a slut. Was it the same here? When he started on his ear, the young man put a hand up to gently stop him. "I..would it be okay to go a bit slower?" He looked worried as he said that.

C'jex back off, nodding at Talisian's words. "Of course." He grinned at the younger boy and reached a hand up to touch his shoulder. "My apologies. Perhaps next time, if that is you want a next time, we should do our kissing when we are clothed." C'jex slid away slightly on the bench. "I like you Talisian. If you decide you wish to explore further. Come find me." He winked at the candidate, even as he moved over to the edge of the pool and hoisted himself out. He grabbed his clothes and quickly dried off and looked back to Talisian. "I've got to see to Ohoneth. If you'd like to join me to learn more about dragons, I wouldn't mind the company. Either way, I hope we can stay friends Talisian."

Talisian watched him leave, feeling more confused than ever before. Did he do something wrong? He bit his lip nervously, wishing he knew more about how the Weyr operated.

Last updated on the January 28th 2012

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What's a Little Bathing Got to Do With It? (PG-17)