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He doesn’t get that anymore, either.
Sam fucks him but pulls out to come on Craig’s lower back, and Craig knows that this is some sort of kindness, some bizarre code of behavior that Sam is now abiding by because their cycles are technically over.
Craig might want to get fucked, but it’s gentle, for Craig’s pleasure, and to come inside him is an imposition.
Sam washes him again, washes every part of Craig, taking exquisite care as if he’s grateful to Craig for what he has allowed him.
It’s wrong.
It’s goodbye.
19
They’re dressed and talking about absolutely nothing in an attempt to stay together as long as possible when there’s a knock on the door. Well, Craig has been loitering and babbling because he didn’t want this to end; he isn’t sure if Sam has just been indulging him or if he feels the same way.
Sam has been keeping his distance, treating Craig courteously and like an equal.
Sam opens the door, and a man comes in. He’s military but in civilian clothes. He’s a Dominant, Craig thinks. Well, that’s his first impression. But Sam smiles at him, touches him on the arm, and is so comfortable around the man that Craig wonders if maybe he’s wrong and perhaps the man is a null.
A null is someone who isn’t a submissive or a Dominant but isn’t quite normal either. Just soldiers who have a bit of D/s designation in them, enough to show up on a scale but not enough to make their lives complicated or need special treatment. Most men think nulls are lucky; Craig thinks it’s sad.
“Craig, this is Robert,” Sam says, introducing them.
He shakes the man’s hand. Is he a null or not?
“Craig, it’s nice to meet you. I’m from Designation Resources, and I’ve come to escort you to your quarters,” Robert says. He’s an inch or two shorter than Sam, hair a brown so dark it’s almost black, and his eyes are hazel. Craig can already tell he smiles easily, and even though he doesn’t know Robert, he wants to. Not sexually but as a friend. He must have a designation, but what?
“Oh. We were just on our way,” Sam responds.
“That’s fine. It’s nice you two are getting along so well. Your last labs indicated you’d both be clear of your cycle by dawn, but now it’s noon, and we just like to check in,” he says. There might be a rebuke toward Sam there, but Craig isn’t quite sure.
“Well, let’s go see it,”Sam says.
Robert frowns. “Actually, you’re needed in medical, Sam. But I can take Craig.”
Sam blinks. He’s very still. And then he nods, even smiles. “Sure. That’s fine. Craig… well, if you need anything, please let me know.”
“Protocol requires at least ninety-six hours with no contact between you two,” Robert says, and Sam glares. There’s a wave of something, almost a metaphysical breeze, that rushes over Craig, and he takes a step toward Robert without thinking about it. Which is actually really fucking weird. And then he’s in the hall, about to get into the elevator, and he knows he said goodbye, but the moment doesn’t feel real, as if it was a dream. Did it happen? It had to, or else how would he be in the elevator?
“What happened? You’re a Dominant,” Craig says accusingly. “How come I couldn’t feel it when you walked into the room?”
Robert shrugs. “I am a Dominant. But it doesn’t usually register unless I want it to.”
“I didn’t know anyone could do that. Is that a new thing?” He wishes he could ask the question in a more articulate way, but he’s got nothing.
“It’s pretty rare, but I think that’s just because most Dominants want everyone to know they’re a Dominant, and so they project it to everyone. It’s in their body language, actions, word choices, how they speak, and how loud they are, all of it. I don’t do that,” Robert says as if it isn’t totally bizarre.
“Why not?”
“It’s a long story, but suffice it to say, I’m a little atypical.”
It’s very disarming, Craig realizes. The way he can joke and be dismissive about what makes him unusual is not typical for Dominants. Or anyone, really.
Craig closes his eyes and tries to be still and aware of the Dominant beside him.
“Are you trying to put me at ease?”
Robert laughs in surprise. His cheeks turn pink. Embarrassed Dominants are adorable, he decides. “You can tell? Most people can’t tell.”
