bakerstreet | [ MORE THAN A JOB ]

[ooc: Either / or.]

Edited 2016-05-23 14:11 (UTC)

[Either. He's a Companion.]

Starter for ~Xavier Liang~
Aran's hair was damp as he stepped out of his assigned quarters. 'Assigned', but really it was one of the two small shuttles docked upon the Peregrine Class transport ship. Currently the Tigress carried a cargo of passengers only. Completely legit as they were making their way back to one of the inner Core planets.

His slipper covered feet made no sound as he walked lightly, just as he'd been trained. His every movement graceful with his slender, androgynous body encased in the colorful, richly colored silks that adorned him. Loose plum colored pants that hung low on his hips beneath a long gold tunic. His brown hair curled as it dried in the open air of the ship, his skin, that was visible, was lightly dusted with a golden, shimmering power - an edible powder, not that many would get the chance to learn that.

Gloss covered lips quirked into a smirk briefly, then a more proper smile as he spotted another on the crew. An officer on his brother's ship in charge of handling the recreation for the passengers. Xavier Liang. On light feet he came up behind the man quietly only to slip his arms around the other man's waist and rest fully up against the man's back, head resting between his shoulder blades.

"Warm and comfortable as always," he mused, uncaring if he interrupted Xavier in performing a task. Only with his siblings and Xavier did he indulge in any selfish tendencies.

Xavier Liang was, as always, contentious to a fault. So when Captain Foley told him to 'Get the gaisi passengers to stop wandering around where they aren't supposed to', he took that to heart and found an entertainment that would keep every single passenger glued to their cabin for as long as the trip lasted. Under his many skills and talents, he had a particular gift for knowing how to hack communication channels - ergo, every passenger was now enjoying free pornography.

He had not heard a peep from them, outside of mealtimes, which was why he was preparing a buffet line so their guests would come, graze, and leave again. He was just artistically shaping the cheese protein into a perfectly shaped flower, when someone wrapped their arms around his black silk jacket, and pressed against his back.

He didn't even flinch. Only one person would dare do that. "Yes, that is my whole purpose. To be a walking, standing pole of warmth for you."

It always made Aran smile how Xavier didn't react when he did this, like the Recreations Officer inherently knew Aran was about to pounce. It pleased him a bit to think the man was aware enough to feel his presence even when Xavier wasn't looking. Even if a small part of him had to wonder over that. How Xavier could be so very aware of his surroundings. Xavier Liang, forever an enigma for Aran to work out.

A hand splayed over the other man's stomach, feeling the hardened flesh beneath the smooth silk. It was a thrill to feel a body seemingly so unyielding through such luxurious fabric. Far different from the touch of softness that masked his own toned muscles.

"I wouldn't say that is your entire purpose," he said, amusement clearly heard in his soft, cultured voice. Well spoken as any high priced and well trained Companion in the Core. His speech differing him from the rest of the crew - his siblings included - as well as his manner of dress. Soft and luxurious against the back drop of rough and tumble ruffians, cowboys and space born.

He then shifted, chin coming to perch on Xavier's shoulder as his hands slid back until they perched on the Officer's hips. Lightly resting there enough to be known yet easily pulled from. No matter the teasing games he pulled with the mysterious and tight lipped man there was never anything that could be seen as forceful. Xavier always had an easy and obvious way out.

"Though if you really want to help keep me warm, they say skinship is the best way..." he said, voice tapering off as he offered Xavier a coy smile.

Aran may have been quiet for any member of the crew, but Xavier had other advantages to fall back on. The slight sigh the man made when he came up behind him. The distinctive smell of his clothing, and skin. The way his body moved, shifting shadows across Xavier's peripheral vision. Aran was all too obvious to Xavier.

Especially when he was doing things like this. Hand splayed across his stomach, body molding to his back and the whisper in his ear. Xavier had to wonder why in the world Aran spent so much time chasing after the one person who was never going to sleep with him (outside of his own family), when he could literally have anyone else in the 'Verse. It was a perverse mind, he had to admit. He would have to pray to the Buddha for more insight. For now though ...

He shifted his entire body forward, one fluid motion that pulled him altogether out of Aran's loose grip, before turning around to give the young man a perfectly blank expression. "I know my purpose is not to be another notch on your shuttle wall. I am the Recreations Officer for the passengers, Aran, not for you."

And like a shadow, he shifted around the other man. "Beyond that, you could have invited any of them to keep you warm."

Xavier left Aran's light touch and Aran was sad for the loss. The loss of heat, the loss of proof that the Officer was indeed a man. A human, and not the restrained and reserved thing he presented. He sighed and stepped back one, two, three steps. Respecting Xavier's unvoiced wish by widening the distance between them even more, hands clasping lightly behind his back.

What the other man said was true enough. Man or woman, Aran was well versed in seduction and pleasure. He could lure others in with lust, romance or even pure intelligence. Sometimes what a person desired most was merely pure companionship. And at Aran's core he was a being trained in answering desires.

However this was more than that. Aran's pursuit of the other man had nothing to do with his training as a Companion. His body would respond to any number of stimulation's. His skills leaving him able to become just about anyone's perfect companion. With Xavier, though, there was nothing affected. The attraction sunk beyond the superficial more and more as he spent time with the other man.

He casually glanced to the side, looking to be sure they were alone still and using the movement to prevent the urge to show sadness at Xavier's words by instead affecting a cautious air. "A Companion does not invite, Xavier. I am invited. My company sought by others." He stated simply before turning back to Xavier. "Sought to fill a client's needs. You are not a client, and I would never accept you as one." He then moved over to inspect the food the other man had already finished preparing.

"Men like you are a danger to my profession."

If Aran thought him a thing, instead of a man, all the better. Such temptations were forbidden to Xavier. He could not and should not touch Aran, for Aran was both the means of his salvation and the albatross around his neck. Keeping this young man alive meant much more to Xavier than a night's worth of passion.

Beyond all that, it would not be an honest pairing. Not with Xavier's mission. It would be another lie he would have to tell, another wall he would have to build. He was ... comfortable now. That he let Aran touch him at all, that he let the others chatter at him and be easy around him -- meant he himself was easy. Even though it never looked it.

Yet there he was, answering fact for fact, and that made Xavier's eyebrow raised. It was a matter that should have been settled - ah, but curiosity had always been Xavier's catspaw.

"And what danger would that be?" He asked, finally, while he put his attention on the food once more.

Aran paused and glanced back over to Xavier, studying the other man intently for a moment. How honest should he be? How honest could he be? giving up a weakness such as this could be bad, but there was a part of him that wanted to. What if true honesty got him what he wanted? but all the warnings drilled into his head about Companions giving into their feelings, admitting them to the object of their affections and giving them that power only leading to pain and being broken.

After a moment he moved away from the table, fingers toying with his tunic as he moved. "A danger I would not put to words." He stopped just behind Xavier though, pausing as he lowered his voice in case there was someone listening he could not see. "But I will say that you wouldn't be 'just another notch'."

"And what are you whisperin' about there? Botherin' my crew?"

Aran smiled at his brother as Maddox stood at the entryway, arms crossed. Taller than Aran at 6'2" but just as thin and lanky, just vastly more toned and collecting tattoos as the years pass. His older brother and Captain. "Bothering? Never." He drew away from Xavier and toward his brother. "I'm going to meet a new client once we land. Declan O'Brien, if you could please see what you can dig up? I have a feeling I will want to know what I'm walking into."

Maddox gave him a nod and then looked over to Xavier. "Liang, can you walk them fingers on this like you did for the passengers?"

Xavier looked back at him, his amber eyes steady and faintly curious. Would Aran actually break his training to score this hit against Xavier's sensibilities? No, of course not. Aran wasn't stupid, and Xavier found himself relieved and at the same time, disappointed.

Of course, then there was the promise that he would not be another mark - which made his eyes narrow - just in time for the captain to appear before them. Xavier straightened, folding his hands behind him as he came to attention.

"I would be happy to do so, Captain. How deep would you like me to drive, Aran? Financials? Personal?"

Moving to lean in against his brother Aran wrapped his arms around one of the slightly older man's, and then let his head rest against his brother's shoulder. He looked over to Xavier and met his eyes as he shared the easy comfort and affection with his brother, who didn't react at all to his overly affectionate little brother.

"Personal. They would have to pass financially to request a Companion. Something about the wording of his request seemed off. Could be as easy as he doesn't know what he actually wants, but he could also be lying in the request." Aran explained, a part of him getting shoved back. The part that was antsy over having Xavier look into this. Involving him in any way with what it was Aran did.

"Good. Now get along. Maeve wanted to talk at you. She's off botherin' Hector." Maddox said as he disengaged himself from Aran, ignoring the pout he was given.

"Alright. Bring the info to my private room," he said, an indication he had no appointments for the day, as he only used the shuttle for work.

Xavier's lips quirked up at the edges at the bland face Maddox had on him, but to be fair, Maddox nodded his head just slightly, without giving anything else away. Although he did flick his gaze over to Aran.

"Personal. I should be able to find something." He was going to pull everything. He looks over at Maddox, his gaze level. "I shall also check to see if any security will be coming along with him. If Aran has a bad feeling about it, we should trust his instincts."

A formal bow at the wast to Aran, "The details shall be delivered to your shuttle."

Another one to Maddox, "The rest I will bring to you after, sir."

Aran did indeed trust his instincts, but he was also aware enough to know he was overly cautious at times as well. It wouldn't be the first time a 'feeling' panned out to nothing. He hoped it would be one such instance.

"I look forward to it," he said, blowing Xavier a kiss in response to his bow, then kissing his brother's cheek as the older man frowned at his antics.

"You stop teasin' the poor man." Maddox chided as Aran turned to leave, an impish smile on his lips as he went.

"I make no promises!" He called back, laughter in his voice as he went.

"Never a goram care in the world, that un. Alright, get to work, Liang." the elder Foley said before moving out toward the cargo bay.

"He is golden, Captain, or did you not notice what he was dusted with?" Liang stated with a completely straight face. He bowed again to Maddox, before going back to his own quarters. He pulled up his computer pad, and began to tap in codes.

An hour later, he was frowning as he came up to the door of the shuttle, and rapped on it politely. The frown on his face continued as he kept reading, muttering under his breath in fluent Chinese only once.

After making his rounds and visiting with the crew he returned to his room, which was essentially all converted into a luxury suite minus the cockpit. Not knowing when exactly Xavier would arrive Aran decided just to proceed with his evening routine. This meant going through his katas before settling in to wash his body and, finally, meditate.

Aran was meditating when the knock came, rousing him from that relaxing state where he merely let his mind drift thoughtlessly. The stress and worries melting away. It was a blissful state of being which was interrupted as the knock brought Xavier forefront in his mind.

Blushing at the thoughts his unguarded mind brought forth he stood up and went to open the hatch, cheeks still slightly flushed as it opened. A brow rose up as he caught the man muttering in Mandarin. Shirtless and in a pair of light cotton drawstring pants, hair pulled back in a tail with a few escaped curls he leaned in the doorway. "That good?" He asked before moving back and motioning Xavier to join him. "What did you find?"

Xavier looked up as the hatch opened, letting both of his eyebrows raise together. Well, that was ... unexpected. He did not realize that the man would already be in meditation at this time. Or ... without a shirt. He cleared his throat, then offered him the computer pad.

"As far as criminal activities go - he is clean. As far as his sexual proclivities however -- I am not sure if they are illegal on all the planets, or even this one, but I would double-check."

He folded his hands behind him. "Or I would simply charge him double your normal rate, if you can stomach it. Either way, I think it would be best if you went to your appointment with a guard."

Aran smiled at Xavier's reaction to his state of undress. Perhaps it was a bit pathetic of him, but he was pleased that Xavier was aware of him enough to react. It was better than if the other man was completely passive toward him and his presence.

Taking the pad he moved deeper into the shuttle. "Please, make yourself comfortable." Moving to the area set up for simple entertainment he sat among the plush pillows. "Would you like some tea?" He offered as he set the pad up on a stand to make it easier to read through."

He poured himself some of the waiting tea after pouring for Xavier - even if he had declined. It was soothing tea, which he thought was always good to indulge in during the evening. Help one relax.

"So he has some... particular tastes..." he murmured as he began to scan the information gathered, eyebrows raising as he saw the list of sexual appetites. Reaching up he absently tucked some fly away curls back behind his ear. then worried his bottom lip.

"They are not... illegal here. However non-consensual activities are illegal," he said slowly. He then licked his lips and looked up to Xavier. "You can't tell Maddox, or Maeve. They can't know this information. They'd never let me go, and I have to at least go. I've already accepted the contract. I'm in my rights to break it if he makes me uncomfortable or tries to force me, but I have to at least go or I could lose the protection of being an Official Companion."

Xavier stepped inside of the shuttle, and carefully sat himself down in the middle of some plush pillows. Now that they were talking business, more or less, he focused less on Aran's state of dress and more on the man himself. However, manners were manners.

"Yes, I will take tea." He waited for his cup, nodded his thanks, and held the cup in his hand, waiting for it to cool while Aran read. He watched him with his two tells of nervousness - tucking his hair, and biting his lip. Good, he was uneasy.

And now his eyebrows would be raising again. "You can be allowed to go - but you should not go alone."

Aran raised the tea to sip, smiling as he briefly blew on the tea and then sipped. Testing the contents with his lips to be sure it was cool enough. Was that concern? Was he allowed to think Xavier cared for his safety? Could he dare hope it was concern beyond that of them being crew mates?

"Then you can come and guard me. You've done it once before, protected me from those pirates." He set the cup down, not hiding the look of trust he gave the other man. His life had been in Xavier's hands before and he'd come out safe and sound. That had been the moment that had shown Aran a part of himself he hadn't realized was there. The part of him his training had buried, but hadn't gotten rid of. "You'll keep me safe, wont you?"

Xavier sipped the tea in turn, before looking down at his cup. He settled his expression into calm acceptance, before he dipped his head with faint respect.

"Thank you, Aran." His safety was the safety of his own family, naturally he would keep the man safe. It wasn't personal at all. At least, that was what he was going to keep telling himself.

Aran smiled as Xavier accepted his request. It honestly made him feel better knowing that the other man would be there, even if a part of him wanted to keep Xavier far away from that part of his life. He'd never once felt such a need, like there was something possibly wrong with his profession. Being a Companion was an honest living, one that required dedication most could not give. It was odd to feel this way.

"No, thank you. I'll feel better knowing you are nearby, even if I am being foolish and don't need your help." Reaching across the small table he slid his hand over top one of Xavier's, unable to stop himself from wanting to feel even the simplest of touches. "If there is anything I can do to repay you I will."

Xavier stilled when Aran touched his hand - this was not a gesture of Aran trying to test his limits. This was a gesture of casual intimacy, one that implied trust. He looked down at the hand on his, feeling the weight of words on his soul.

Keep him safe, but let him off the leash as he wishes. Dark words from a dark man. He will come to find my love a better alternative. There had been instructions - so many instructions - but he had not been instructed against this.

Yet he did not think his employer truly knew Aran, or any of the Foleys, if he thought that they were a family that rolled on their back and begged.

"Your life is my reward, Aran." Was his simple reply. "Keep it and we shall be even." A pause. "For your brother and sister."

Xavier didn't pull away from his touch, so Aran didn't either. For as long as it was allowed he'd keep it. Wanting to believe it meant something more.

At the words Xavier spoke Aran's eyes widened slightly, lips parting as he sucked in a breath and his heart seemingly skipped a beat. Those words... He was confused on how he should take them to mean. What was he allowed to think?

His singers curled a bit over Xavier's hand and when he spoke his voice was softer and held a bit of uncertainty that wasn't usual to him. "Just for them? Is there no one else who would want me alive and safe?" He asked, wanting an answer he wasn't sure he'd ever get.

Xavier held it as long as he dared, before he slipped his hand away. Before he gave anything away that would make Aran think there was something more between them, than simply shipmates and friends.

He did look up at the question, before his mouth twisted slightly. Ah, the bitter irony of that question. He met Aran's glance, and stated simply, "Of course. There are many clients who also love you, and would hate to lose you. Those who have ... yearned for you. In all ways. You would not want to deprive them of your affections, would you?"

He dead-panned, "A world without Aran, is a world without sunlight on your skin, I believe one lover of yours has said."

Aran let the man's hand go, hiding how disappointed he was. He'd been enjoying it. He was likely to never feel Xavier's touch any other way, at least in any way more intimate than that touch there.

Aran was well versed as hiding emotions, showing nothing that he did not want to show upon his features, in the movement of his body. Making his body seem at ease and comfortable even when he was not. However he was not at his best here, alone with Xavier. A man he'd unwittingly developed feelings toward.

"Of course," he said, voice in a tone as if nothing was wrong, even holding a faint trace of amusement. However his eyes showed the twinge of hurt. Of sadness. Of... loneliness. "They would not doubt miss me, for a time, but they would move on." He stood up and moved away from the table, walking over to retrieve a silk robe, putting distance between them, leaving him able to give Xavier his back as he composed himself; a back that showed he was now tense rather than at ease.

"The love they hold for me, while flattering, is only the love for a companion, a doll who is whatever they desire. Never true, never lasting." Never returned. Some Aran held an affection for, true, but love? No, he loved none of them, because he lived a lie of various sorts with them.

He folded his hands together on his lap. Folded his hands together as tightly as he could, so temptation could not nip at his heels once more. Temptation was something he could afford to have.

He leaned back against his chair, watching Aran closely to insure they were back on track. Hearing that Aran's tone was again a smooth glide, he relaxed - just in time to catch that flash of loniliness. His mouth pressed together, but he forced himself not to look away

"You never know. Perhaps some of them are different." He says quietly. "Perhaps they only fear your censure."

He pulled on the silk robe, the soft material a slight comfort as it glided over his skin like a lover's caress. A deep blue he knew made his eyes 'pop', as if they really needed the help.

Aran then turned around and leaned back against the dresser secured within the space, hands bracing at the edge on either side. "There are some who have offered to purchase me, but that doesn't change I'm a 'doll' to them. The answer to their fantasy. There is only one person in the verse I would quit this life for, and I would never let them buy me to do it. And that is the person who sees me, and wants me for me. All the good and bad. I want who I really am to be the answer to their fantasy."

Aran then moved from his post, drawing close to Xavier, rounding the table and sinking to his knees behind the man. Aran brought his hands up to feather down along his neck, leaning in close to the man's ear. "I want them to love and desire me. Me. I want them to respect me and my choices, yet want to posses and monopolize me. To be driven made by the thought of another's hands on me than theirs, even as they respect this is the life I chose."

"They have to get along with and respect my siblings, and join me here out in space with them. I want them to make living these little lies and fantasies tiring and old, because finally reality is better than any fantasy and all I could ever want." His hands moved to rest on Xavier's shoulders then. "None of my clients can provide that, past or current, and unlikely to be in the future. Tell me, Xavier. Is there anyone in the verse who can fulfill my fantasy?"

Aran then moved closer so his lips brushed Xavier's ear, voice pitched even lower. "Can you fulfill it?"

Xavier watched him curiously, his hands folded together. He knew how beautiful Adan was, knew how the other man knew how to seduce with just his words. Knew that the lines of his body could speak more than that. He looked down at his hands and smiled, even as Adan whispered in his ear, drawing that feather across his skin.

Then he stated, in that voice of his, low and in control and utterly without movement or expression. "I think that sort of man - is going to need you to stop playing games, then. Because otherwise, he is never going to know you are real."

He pushed himself up, leaving Adan down on the sofa, "So, let me know when you're ready to go, and we will go."

Aran felt strange as he looked at Xavier. Heard his words. Watched as he got up and moved away. He sucked in a quiet breath as the potential meaning sank in. Those words after the question Aran had asked. It gave him hope.

Aran turned to face Xavier as he moved away. His hand gripping the back of the low couch hard. His bright blue eyes unguarded as he looked at Xavier. Hope, yearning and fear dancing through his very being.

"Soon after we dock." He paused, then added. "No more games. But he has to promise me that he will be frank. If his regard ever changes I have to know. Please... Don't shatter me." And that was the fear there. That he would drop it all away, all those protections and be denied. That Xavier would break him worse than anyone else ever could. It was scary to think of how easily Xavier would be able to if he let his gaurd down... but he wanted to, if only he could be sure Xavier was truly receptive.

Well, that had been a huge mistake. He had betrayed himself while trying to distance himself. Get away, you idiot. He glanced over at Aran, his expression closed off, while he searched the other man's face.

He had to save his family, but he could not break Aran. Selfish desire atop selfish desire did not a man in tranquility make.

"I would think Aran, if someone could not openly give you his heart -- he had good reason. You should respect that there are many currents in this universe, and they do not always send us in the direction we choose. Know that regard is there, and ... ask nothing more. Until the currents are more favorable, and more is known."

There, as mysterious as the Buddha himself. He nodded, and swept from the shuttle, a well composed black shadow.

Aran watched Xavier go. A part of him wanted to stop the man and ask what he meant. Ask what was wrong. However he knew, most of all? He needed time to think. To take in Xavier's words. So he sat in the place Xavier had vacated. Curled up and pulling his robe closed, staring at Xavier's abandoned cup.

That was how his sister found him. Maeve came in and sat next to him, leaning back on silk pillows as she eyes her little brother.

"I passed Xavier on my way here. I take it he had the information you needed?" She asked.

"Yeah," he said in a distracted fashion.

"What has you so pensive then? Should we worry? I've never seen you like this over some trumped up John."

"No, no. It's... not about that. He's just... given me a lot to think about." Aran said before turning his attention on her and pushing thoughts of Xavier aside for now. He'd figure out what to do later.

[ MORE THAN A JOB ]

Rey | SW:TFA | OTA

Aran Foley | Firefly/Serenity OC | M/M

Re: Aran Foley | Firefly/Serenity OC | M/M

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