Chapter 5

It was amazing to feel his belly and have it returned to normal within just in the span of a few hours. How could his body adapt like this? Maybe his DNA was changing, too. What an ignorant he had been to just land on a planet about which he knew nothing. At least Xana was accommodating, and Kyle was good enough company. And Tasha was a friend. He already had more than he used to have, at least if he was to look over his shoulder at the last years of his life on earth. He managed to get out of bed without disturbing Xana. Maybe it was going to be a problem if he was to spend all his time on his back, like this. His master was extremely affectionate, but that didn’t mean that he wasn’t a bit fearful of what the future held.

It was not like he had been some kind of badass all his life. Yeah, he liked putting on a cool demeanor, and pretend he didn’t care, but the truth was he felt like he was always on the run. Never enough money, never enough time for growing roots, never enough love or even friendship in his life. He would have settled for the latter and forget all about the rest, but he had been used way too many times to harbor any thoughts of things to change for the better.

And now he was in the bed of an alien, ten years younger, if what Xana said was true, and it felt like something strange and exciting, and he had no idea what to make of it. The sex part was amazing. But he could not afford to lull himself into a sense of security. He had almost got raped and he was nothing but a sex toy. Yet, Xana’s possessive nature was making him all tingly inside. And that was something new, or at least unfamiliar.

By all means, he should have felt demeaned, humiliated. His master had paraded his belly full of seth and cum in front of his would be rapists. But Riordan knew what that was. It was claiming, pure and simple. And that made him feel a little proud. Special.

“Kyle?” he called for the bot.

“Yes, master Rio,” the bot promptly replied.

“I’m the mood for something with a lot of whip cream,” he said as he crossed his legs on a surface that looked like a long bench. At least, it was a different room than the one he and Xana used for fucking. He preferred eating in another room.

“Right away, master Rio.”

“Kyle, where do you take all this food from?”

“I am identifying the ingredients required and I synthetize them,” Kyle replied.

“Ugh, that doesn’t sound terribly appetizing.” Riordan grimaced.

“I can place an order for Earth. But it would take at least two days for the food to arrive.”

“Then give me what you got. You know, not synthesized.”

“Of course, master Xana had me stock up on Earth foods. But I didn’t know your preferences, or I would have suggested other varieties.”

“Don’t worry, Kyle. You’re doing an awesome job, mate.” Riordan laughed.

“Thank you, master Rio.”

“Great! Now hit me with your best shot ... I mean give me some of that delicious food you have stashed away, because I think I can eat a horse.”

“Is horse meat one of your preferences, master Rio?” the bot inquired.

“No!” Riordan made a horrified face. “I will tell you, so you’ll know exactly what to order the next time you have to resupply. By the way, what does Xana eat?”

“Xenos’ regular diet consists of insects and small animals.”

“Forget I asked.” Riordan winced.

“However, lately, they have developed a taste for other intergalactic cuisines. Earthian is particularly preferred. Master Xana, in particular, prefers such foods. On most days, I don’t have to resupply on what used to be his diet a few years ago.”

“That definitely gives me peace of mind,” Riordan said. “Ugh, I’m starving. Just give me what you have right now.”

It took Kyle little time to return with a plate filled with an assortment of Earthian foods. Riordan attacked the egg salad with mucho gusto.

“Kyle, I wish you could taste this. It’s heaven,” Riordan commented with his mouth full.

“I know it is good for your body, and that it is also pleasant for you. It is enough to make me happy.”

“Do you know what happy is, Kyle?” Riordan asked as he admired the perfect color of what he knew to be orange juice.

“It is a sensation of fulfilment in my case. When master Rio laughs and feels happy, I know my purpose was achieved.”

“So selfless.” Riordan shook his head.

“I am coded like this,” Kyle supplied.

“You might be, but I have a sensation that deep inside your circuits, you’re still a good guy,” Riordan said with a small smile.

“Thank you, master Rio. Never before have I been treated like this by any Xeno or human for that matter.”

“Besides Xana, have you had another master?”

“I was run through a few different households until I managed to get a hold of all the protocols. As you might well know by now, master Rio, master Xana is an important Xeno, being the first counselor to the High Chancellor, Marn Saver.”

“I heard he got up the ranks rather fast. How did it happen?”

“I believe that the Earthian term would be prodigy. Master Xana managed to master intergalactic strategies and xeno languages better than his entire generation and a few before him. The High Chancellor was impressed with his abilities.”

“So he’s a nerd.” Riordan snickered.

“What does nerd mean?”

“Someone who’s spending all their waking hours studying and stuff.”

“Master Xana was not studying all the time.”

Riordan felt his ears twitching. “What other things did he use to do?”

“He much preferred the company of humans when he became initiated in sexual activities.”

“Kyle, gossiping with you is the real deal,” Riordan joked.

“Another turn of phrase?”

“Yeah. Now, c’mon, tell me about Xana’s sex escapades.”

“They weren’t escapades. Master Xana just went there. It happened that his sex drive was superior, just like his intellect.”

“You’re telling me.” Riordan touched his belly tenderly, although it was nothing there to worry about. “Go on.”

“It happened somewhat by accident that master Xana had intercourse with a human sex worker. The brothels offer a broad range of species, so that anyone can choose what they prefer. When the master’s preferred sex worker was out of commission that night, he was offered a male human. After that, master Xana expressed his preference towards Earthians. Also, he let the High Chancellor know he would like to earn the right of having a human bearer as soon as possible. And he studied to receive that particular right.”

“Wow. Talking about determined,” Riordan mumbled. “Do you know why he picked me?”

“I would much appreciate if you asked me everything directly, instead of questioning Kyle like this,” Xana’s amused voice interrupted him, and Riordan almost jumped from his place.

“Master Xana, would you like something to eat, as well?” the bot immediately asked.

“Whatever Rio here has,” Xana said. “And Kyle, if Rio ever asks for more personal questions about me, direct him to me.”

“Certainly, master Xana. And thank you.”

“What for?” Xana quirked an eyebrow.

“For calling me Kyle.”

Xana was now looking at Riordan with a mix of pride and appreciation.

“Thank Riordan. He was the one to name you.”

“Thank you, master Rio.”

“You’re welcome, Kyle,” Riordan replied.

He could not pretend he wasn’t a bit pissed about Xana ruining his fun. His master picked a perfect morsel off the plate offered by the bot and looked at him with satisfaction.

“Care to take a bath together?” Xana began caressing Riordan naked calf with his tail.

“Yeah,” Riordan agreed. “I’m getting too used to be slimy all the time with you around. Are you sure you don’t have to go back to work?”

“Positive.” Xana smiled and grabbing him and throwing him over his shoulder, he began marching towards what qualified as a bathroom in the household.

This was different from the bathroom he had visited when Kyle had prepared him for the party. It resembled the accommodations where Xana had inflated his belly the first time. It was clear that the Xeno felt best in that kind of environment, frolicking in the water happily and dragging Riordan with him.

“So.” Xana resurfaced from the water and embraced him, pulling him close. “What is it that you want to know? I thought I staved your natural curiosity just earlier.”

“Xana, why do you like ... having sex with male humans so much?”

“Why don’t you ask me directly why I like you?”

“Fine,” Riordan agreed. “Why do you like me?”

“I cannot explain it,” Xana said simply.

“Why?” Riordan pressed and looked the Xeno into his hypnotic eyes.

“I am used to facts. There is no fact here. I saw your file and I just thought I want you.”

“Just like that?”

“Yes. I saw your eyes. I don’t know if I noticed anything else. The selector tried to entice me with other files, but I only wanted you. I wanted to see your eyes, up close, like this.” Xana circled him slowly, all the while not breaking eye contact.

Riordan felt a little taken aback and his skin began to warm but pretended not to notice. “That’s a bit different from what you told me earlier.”

“I have a sudden urge to hide things like these from you. But you’re persistent. And I didn’t lie to you. I like that you’re dark. I like that you’re old, although I don’t believe that you’re old. I like your imperfections. I like your uncouth manner of talking. I feel like I could spend my days in bed with you, filling you gradually over and over again. I would put my egg inside you this instant if I didn’t know I could not do that without hurting you.”

“Wow.” Riordan smirked. “And you say you’re not crushing on me?”

“Maybe I am.” Xana smiled slyly.

“C’mon, snake boy, you don’t have to lie to me to get me to bend over. I’m yours anyway.”

“Mine,” Xana whispered and he dragged Riordan closer for a kiss.

“How do we know when the perfect match is achieved?” he inquired as soon as he was allowed to breathe.

“Eager to have my egg inside you?” Xana licked one side of his face making him snicker.

“More like eager to get stuff done and see about the rest of my life,” Riordan replied.

Again, the air turned cold, and Riordan felt his teeth starting to clutter uncontrollably.

“Stop it with this shit,” he murmured.

“With what?” Xana asked, his voice cool as the freezing air.

“You won’t be getting any egg inside me if I die of cold,” he spat, the tremble in his lips growing stronger.

Xana seemed to get a hold of himself. Gradually, the temperature returned to normal. Riordan let out a breath.

“How do you do that? And why?” he lashed out at his owner, the moment he felt some of the blood returning to his limbs.

“It’s a natural reaction. It happens when I experience a change in my brain chemistry.”

“Brain chemistry? Bullshit. You’re pissed and suddenly, everyone around must die freezing.” Riordan swam towards the edge of the gigantic pool and pulled himself out of the water.

He shouldn’t have been surprised to feel the tail coiling around his waist and dragging him back. Again, he was facing that mercurial being, and the green eyes were darker now, filled with passion.

“In Earth terms, I’m supposed to be a cold-blooded creature.”

“You’re not. Your body is warm.” Riordan struggled to remain composed as the tail continued to squeeze him tightly.

“It gets hotter around you,” Xana admitted, his eyes never leaving his bearer’s face.

“What happened earlier is the exact opposite. Stop squeezing me, you ass,” Riordan finally let out. “You’re exasperating.”

“I must make sure you don’t slip away,” Xana relaxed his hold but only for a tiny bit.

“It’s not like I could go anywhere. Stop being irrational.”

“You barely wait to leave my side.” Xana seemed miffed now.

“It’s you planet, your laws. At the end of this bargain, I need to find myself a safety blanket. You just dance around the subject. I don’t know what kind of humans you met until now, but I value security. You give me nothing. I only try to find out whether I’ll be forced to work in a whorehouse or learn how not to die of boredom filling forms all day long.”