DECEMBER 22, 2007

STARBRIGHT
By Stevie Woods

A little diversion with the guys from ‘A Million Pinpricks’.

“What’s going on, Tay?” Joel asked looking around the darkened cabin.

“You’ll see.  Just a mo,” Taylor replied, smiling as he beckoned his lover closer. 

They were alone in the small craft, the rest of the survey team were still on the surface investigating some ore or other they had found. 

Sitting down beside Taylor on his bunk, Joel leaned contently into his lover’s embrace.  Taylor knew that Joel treasured the times they were alone together as much as he did; they came all too rarely and Taylor fully intended to take full advantage of the privacy, after he’d given Joel another kind of treat first.

Joel stiffened slightly against Taylor. “You’ve changed the orbit,” he said, glancing at Taylor.

Grinning, Taylor said, “And you’ll see why in about…” He looked at his chronometer, “Ten seconds.”

They stared out of the small porthole and suddenly, precisely in the centre, a bright star appeared, so bright its corona seemed to shimmer and sparkle with the variety of colors shooting through it, one after the other like tiny explosions.

“It’s beautiful,” Joel murmured, seemingly unable to tear his gaze away.

“Does it remind you of something?” Taylor questioned.

Without hesitation, Joel replied, “The lights on my mother’s Christmas tree.”  Turning to look at Taylor, a smile broke out as he added, “You remembered!  It must have been well over a year ago when I told you about it, but you remembered.”

“I remember everything you ever told me,” Taylor said softly.  “I mean, how could I forget about your mother and her unique brand of Christmas lights?  Interesting use of phosphorus,” he grinned.  “I love the stories you tell me about growing up with your crazy family.”

“I simply love you,” Joel said, pushing Taylor down on the bunk and leaning over him, his eyes heavy with passion.  “Time for one of your gifts.”

Taylor chuckled.  “The gift that keeps on giving?”

“Oh yeah, for as long as that star shines.”  Joel sealed his promise with a kiss.

***

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