The Deviants, part twenty-four

Body sore and cooler, Nash worked to make his body move as he woke, unable to open his eyes yet. It was as if his muscles wanted to stay frozen.

He didn't remember much of what happened after he'd blacked out. Mostly that he killed the male in the suit. And that it had brought him immense pleasure.

He paused, knowing he wasn't in his quarters; the sheets were too soft, and the smell in the air was sweeter. His chest also felt like it was humming inside.

Moving his left hand, Nash felt someone lying next to him, and he remembered a lot more, warmth spreading through his chest.

Successfully peeling his eyes open, he saw he was in Ava's room, in her bed, and naked. Nash looked over, seeing her asleep, also clothless, with her dark brown hair flowing everywhere.

Damn, she was beautiful.

Nash smiled, his entire body humming as he sat up, ensuring she didn't wake. She needed the rest more than him. Plus, his stomach rumbled, and his throat was parched.

Nash swung his legs over the bed and stood, silently grabbing his under armor. He didn't need the pieces of his outer armor but would retrieve them later, closing the door behind him.

Nash first stopped at his quarters, quickly showering and changing into clean clothes humans called blue jeans and a black t-shirt. He'd used the replicator to make them in his size.

He then decided to go to the infirmary. Maybe Skye could fill in some of the blanks and examine him.

"Oh my God, he's awake."

Smirking, Nash turned, seeing Galen with a big grin. "How long was I out."

"Not long, but your lust-crazed state lasted for three days."

Nash blinked, "Are you sure?"

"I kept track."

Of course he did. It hadn't felt like three days, though.

But before he could speak, Galen yanked him into a hug, "Don't you dare scare the shit out of me like that again."

"Okay, 'Dad,'" But Nash hugged him back, needing the contact.

"I basically am your parent," He chuckled, "and your friend."

Nash pulled back, still gripping his arms, "You chose me."

Galen nodded, smiling, "And I'm glad I did."

"So what happened?"

Galen gave him a brief summary, saying how the other girls had been rescued, the tech had been taken, and that Dae'lon found the traitor.

"How will he be punished?"

"I don't know, but Dae'lon thought you'd want to witness it."

Hell yes, Nash wanted to watch, clenching his fists and jaw.

Galen wrapped his arm around his shoulders, C'mon, Christina and Doc Olsen want to see you."

Nash let him lead, savoring more of their contact. He had no idea how he'd missed it until now, but Wanderer soldiers were discouraged from physical contact with each other.

Skye was the first to greet him, also hugging Nash. He reciprocated but gently, sensing Galen staring at him closely.

"It's good to have you back again," she grabbed his hands, "let's go."

"Are you okay?"

Skye sat him down, "Yeah, they healed me with some sort of injection, and now I feel better than ever."

Nash frowned, a suspicion tugging his tired mind, but decided to focus on that later.

Both Christina and Olsen walked to his cot.

"Hello."

Olsen began his examination, "I see the mating fever has passed."

"Wait, what?" Christina looked at him, "You were in a mating fever?"

Nash was surprised she knew about it, "Yes, for Ava."

Skye giggled, "Like it wasn't obvious."

Christina glared at her, "Shut it."

"No."

Nash remained quiet as they ensured he was okay again. He didn't see any point in engaging any further outside of the basic medical questions they asked.

He kept thinking about the traitor on the base. What would have motivated him to betray them? Nash could not understand.

"Hey, man."

Nash turned, finding Evan lying in a bed with casts and bandages all over him. And the exposed skin was covered in purple and blue bruises.

"What happened?"

"is Ava okay?" Evan winced as he moved his head.

Nash kept his face neutral, "Yes, now what happened to you?"

"A group of guys jumped us. I told her to run and fended them off the best I could, but you can clearly see how that went."

He growled at him as Olsen took his pulse.

"Let's get something straight," Evan pressed a button, and his bed rose, "I am not interested in Ava and any woman for that matter. I just want to be her friend."

Skye moved over, "Wait, you're gay?"

Evan sighed, "Why does that surprise everyone?"

"You don't do anything to indicate it."

Nash was confused. "Gay?"

"He's attracted to other men!" Galen shouted from outside. "Which I knew this whole time."

Well, that was unexpected.

Same-sex attraction wasn't something that really happened among his people. Not that he was aware of, anyway. The mating bond prevented it, even with its increasing rarity.

But humans weren't bound by such things, at least not to one another. So he supposed same-sex couplings were in the realm of possibility and often happened.

"I believe you." Nash smirked, "and I apologize for my behavior toward you."

"Don't worry about it." Evan shrugged, groaning, "I didn't know she was your mate until right now."

Olsen stepped away, "You seem to be in perfect health, uh..."

"Nash is my name."

"And I'm Galen!" his friend interjected. "Nive to formally meet you!"

Nash chuckled at him, standing, "Let's go. I need food, as does Ava."

Galen gave him pain medicine. "She'll need it."

Nodding, he slipped it into his pocket, then went to find food.

***

Head hurting, Ava did not want to wake up, covering her head with a pillow. All she wanted to do was lay in bed with her man for the next few days and let her concussion heal.

But reaching her arm over, she realized he'd left. She frowned. Where'd he go? Was he himself again?

Ava lifted her head, suddenly feeling cold and dirty. She needed a shower.

Grabbing a towel, she shuffled into her tiny bathroom, letting the water become hot as she examined her. Damn, Ava had a lot of bruises. And she didn't remember getting any of them either.

Stepping into the stream of hot water, Ava sighed, so glad to be back in her room.

A lump formed in her throat, but she held nothing back this time, letting the emotions flow as she cleaned herself.

She had to be free from what she felt. And not just from being kidnapped.

Since the invasion happened and her parents were taken, Ava pushed down every emotion other than anger and brief moments of joy. But now was the time to release everything.

When Ava turned off the water, she couldn't help but feel tired. Not so much physically, but her mind and soul needed time to recover from everything that happened.

And she could only imagine what those other girls went through.

Ava quickly dressed and brushed her teeth, her stomach growling and her throat almost raw.

Yeah, she needed food and water. But she also wanted to be alone. At least for a little while, so she drank what she could from her sink. Water was more important anyway.

Then she wandered back to her bed and laid down, hugging onto a pillow as another wave of emotions captured her. Ava screamed into the pillow, every muscle shaking as she let it all out.

She felt empty when it was all over and closed her eyes, drifting off.