Simon stared in disbelief at the Captain, mouth gaping open, shock rendering him mute.

With a faint smirk, Mal observed, "I think that's the first time I've seen you speechless."

Finally getting hold of himself, Simon snapped, "I think I've cause, don't you?"

Mal shrugged. "It isn't anything to fret about."

"Isn't anything to...!" Simon sputtered, backing away from the other man. "I can't believe...Captain...!"

Simon stopped only because he had to, the wall blocking him from escaping Mal, who was still directly in front of him. Though Mal wasn't all that much bigger, he seemed to loom now, the dark blue of his eyes in shadow, and his mouth slightly parted as those eyes lingered on Simon's lips. Simon quickly closed his mouth, teeth clicking shut, not wanting to know what was on the other man's mind.

"Simon, take a breather, all right? It really isn't that big a deal. It's a way to bind you to the crew, give them a vested interest in, well, watching your ass."

"I can't believe you just said that."

Mal coughed a little, eyes dancing. "I'm just saying it's a smart move on your part."

"Having sex with the entire ship is a smart move!?" Simon shouted.

Without another word, Mal covered Simon's mouth, fingers clamping on his jaw to force open his mouth. Simon tried to yank free but couldn't, Mal wouldn't budge. A leg pushed between his, pinning him. It was a few minutes of useless struggling before Simon gave up, and that was when Mal stopped, leaning back to say, "It's gonna happen if you stay on this ship, Simon."

Wide-eyed, Simon stared up at Mal and whispered, "What do you mean?"

"This is something that happens with everyone new on the ship."

"Not River!" Simon gasped.

Mal shook his head. "No, no, don't worry. Even if she were right in the head, she's too young."

"But...Kaylee?"

Grinning, Mal said, "Remind me to tell you how we met little Kaylee sometime. No, the only ones excused are the Shepherd and your sister."

Simon frowned at him suspiciously. "Inara?"

"And Inara. Says that she'd have to charge us and we couldn't afford her anyhow," Mal explained with a snort.

Simon thought about the remaining crew with a shiver that wasn't entirely fear, and certainly not revulsion. They were a fine looking group, all of them. But... "I, uh...I've never, you know. Had sex with a man."

"But you're not opposed to it?" Mal questioned.

Shaking his head hesitantly, Simon replied, "No, just...no one's ever been interested in me like that. The few women that I've been with were far more interested in my name, than in me."

A slow grin lit Mal's face as he said, "Not the case here, Simon. We're all pretty hot for you."

Simon swallowed at the obvious lust in Mal's expression. "Is it, um, all at once or, or otherwise?"

"It's up to you, though we all kind of figured you'd be for doing it individually."

Flushing, Simon nodded. "Definitely. And, um, how often...?"

Mal kissed him again, slow and sweet. Simon responded in spite of himself, mouth opening to the tender onslaught. When Mal pulled back, Simon was a bit dazed and just stared at the other man, having forgotten what he'd asked.

"You're pretty much the ship mascot for the next six months, Simon."

Which brought back his question immediately. "Six months!? What...why?"

Mal shrugged and explained, "It was a pretty arbitrary choice. And it's not like you can't say no, just..."

"I can't say no."

Shrugging a bit, Mal replied, "Within limits. If you're not feeling good, or if someone comes on too strong, you can say no. But barring injury or illness, you go with whoever wants you."

The whole situation was insane. Completely and utterly insane. There was no way that Simon should agree to it. "What if I just don't want to?"

Mal paused, sighed, and answered, "Then you'd need to get in the mood. We're all of us good lover's, Simon. I don't think that's going to be a problem."

"No, I wouldn't imagine so," Simon agreed slowly. "But the issue of consent is. I don't like the fact that I can't say no."

"None of us did, really, it's just...initiation, I guess you'd say."

Simon blinked in surprise and exclaimed, "You had to...ah...do this?"

With a grin, Mal pointed out, "I am part of the crew, Simon. I don't ask others to do what I won't. It ain't right, or fair."

"And if I don't agree to any of this?"

"Then we'll find a nice, safe place to set you and River down in, somewhere out on the rim. This is your chance to say no to all of it. Your only chance."

Swallowing heavily, images of Mal at the mercy of the crew or...God...Jayne as someone's sexual toy...shorted out his thinking for a long few seconds. "Uh..."

Mal chuckled, the rumble warm and dark, and nipped at his chin with, "Thinking about all the possibilities?"

"I..well, yes, actually," Simon confirmed, shaking off the fog. "Did Jayne really...?"

Smirking now, Mal nodded. "He's part of the crew."

"And Zoe and Wash?"

"Well, they're a pair, so you'd be getting them both at the same time."

Simon's mind nearly whited out altogether at the thought. "T-two at, uh, both?"

With a soft laugh, Mal promised, "You don't know sex until you've had it with those two, I'll tell you that right now, Simon."

"Oh my."

Mal looked at him, the faint response obviously amusing him, and said, "So? What's the answer?"

"Just...a couple more questions, actually."

"Go on."

"Is it, I mean, do I have like a month per person, or how's that work?"

That startled a laugh from Mal, who put both hands on Simon's shoulders, drew him in for a smiling kiss. "No. It's not like that. Just, if someone comes upto you and they're in the mood, go with it. They'll approach you on their own, you don't have to seek them out. Everyone's different, too, but you'll find that out when it happens."

"What about my authority outside of that?"

"Same as it always is. You're the boss in the infirmary and when it comes to knowin' the Alliance mind-set. Anyone gives you a problem about this, you come to me. Anyone forces you, you come to me. Anyone hurts you, you come to me. Less'n you want them too, of course, then it's between the two, or three, of you. So long as it doesn't interfere with your duties, I got no complaints about what you get up to with anyone and neither will anyone else."

"And if they do?"

"Then you come to me about it. Right away. We've never had trouble in the past, though, and I don't expect to now."

"Okay. Last question."

"Uh huh."

Simon grinned a bit at Mal's disbelieving tone and asked, "What if some kind of, ah, attachment forms?"

"During that six months, no one can hold you to anything you do. That's a rule. After those six months, well, I don't rightly think shipboard romances are a good thing, but they sometimes work."

"Zoe and Wash."

"Exactly."

Simon knew he was going to do it, and he knew that Mal knew it too. He'd never had even the prospect of more than a 1-night stand with women who cared nothing for him. Now, well, sex everywhere and with people who genuinely liked him. Except maybe Jayne, Simon still wasn't too sure about the mercenary. Nerves had him shaking a bit, but he finally nodded. "All right. I'll do it."

Smiling, Mal stepped back and said, "Good! I'll let the others know."

Surprise lit through Simon. "You're not...I mean..."

Mal arched an eyebrow at him and finished, "Going to fuck you here and now?"

Embarrassment took the place of the surprise and Simon's eyes dropped to the floor.

A finger lifted his chin and, to his renewed surprise, Mal looked apologetic as he said, "Sorry, Simon. That wasn't right of me to say. I am going to have you first, but there's work to be done still today."

The matter of fact way Mal spoke drove home the situation and Simon swallowed against a dry throat.

"Though, come to think on it, wouldn't want you to get cold feet," Mal murmured thoughtfully.

Before Simon could react, Mal was on him, pushing him against the wall and devouring his mouth again. Only this time, Simon welcomed it, opening to the wild kiss and moaning into Mal's mouth. A hand rubbed his cock through his pants, sending a jolt of pleasure through him and provoking another, breathless moan.

Mal's hand made short work of his belt and zipper, then shoved inside and gripped Simon's cock. He used his other hand to shove Simon's pants down a bit, moving them out of the way. Whimpering now, Simon's head fell back on the metal wall, his legs spreading and his hips jerking up in need. Mal jerked him off, rough and fast, all the while feasting on Simon's mouth. His cock hardened very quickly, more so than he even remembered it doing before, and when Mal's mouth finally left his, it was to whisper hot, filthy words in his ear.

"That's it, Simon, fuck my hand, come for me, I know you need it, know you need the release. Been a long time, ain't it? Only a few women wantin' your name? Not on this ship. We want you, Simon, your body, your mouth, your ass, every part of you is going to be ours, Simon. You're not going to want those six months to end. You're going to spread your legs, just like this, whenever one of us even looks at you. That's right, good, come on, Simon, come for me."

Biting Mal's shoulder, Simon's shout of orgasm was muffled into the brown coat's fabric. He came hard, his cock spitting seed on the floor of the infirmary, and his body shaking with the force of his release.

Mal held him up, petting and rubbing his back with his non-sticky hand, and kissed him gently, sweetly, before saying, "Beautiful, Simon, you're so damn beautiful like that."

Still panting a bit, Simon hid his face against the material as embarrassment again flushed through him.

Chuckling now, Mal kissed the top of his head and drew back, again using a finger to lift Simon's chin. Blue eyes merry again, Mal said, "I think we're going to have to work on that shyness of yours. Tonight. My bunk. 2000 hours."

Simon licked parched lips and nodded, moving awkwardly to the counter to get a cloth to wipe himself clean. When he turned around, Mal was gone.

Running a shaky hand through his hair, Simon whispered, "What on earth did I just agree to?"

* * * *

2000 hours seemed to arrive much to fast for Simon's jangled nerves. Dinner conversation seemed laced with innuendo and he was kept in a perpetual state of blush throughout. Every time he met someone's eyes, he would see heat and curiosity, like the other was trying to figure out what they wanted to do first. The worst, though, was watching Zoe and Wash as they eyed him and murmured in each other's ears.

He was pretty sure he saw blatant disapproval in Book's eyes, as though the Shepherd knew exactly what was going on and what was about to happen. Like the preacher knew exactly what he'd agreed to. River was unusually quiet, but whenever he asked her if she was all right, a smile surfaced and she nodded.

Then, most of the way through, she yawned hugely and said, "Kaylee an' me are sleepin' over."

A bit surprised, Simon glanced at Kaylee, who gave him a knowing grin. He flushed again and agreed, "That sounds nice. Don't stay up too late."

Kaylee smirked as she stood to join her friend and replied, "You'll be up later'n us."

Simon flushed and looked down at his plate, poking the protein around with his fork.

"Simon, would you help me with a crick I seem to have developed?" Book said, directly thereafter.

Glancing at his watch, Simon saw it was 2145 and hesitated, looking over at Mal.

Mal grimaced but nodded. "Go on and help the good shepherd, Simon. I'll see you when you're done. Night all."

Zoe and Wash were involved in a conversation and barely noticed his departure or Mal's. Simon felt Jayne's gaze on his ass as he walked out, and Inara just shook her head, mildly amused.

It was a short, quiet walk to the infirmary and, once there, Simon questioned, "What's the problem, Book?"

Book gripped his arm, dark eyes kind as he answered, "You know what the problem is, and it's not my neck."

Flushing again, Simon said, "That's none of your business, Book."

"It is," the older man protested. "They're using you, Simon. This is immoral blackmail and nothing more."

Simon sighed. Exactly what he didn't need. "I know what I'm getting into, but thank you for the warning."

"No, son, you don't. You're innocent in comparison to this crew. As soon as I found out what was going on, what had gone on in the past, from Jayne, I had a long talk with the Captain. But he seems to feel it brings the crew closer together and was no help."

"Book, I'm sorry you feel that this is a bad thing, but I didn't have to agree. The Captain offered to set me and River both on a nice, safe planet somewhere if I didn't want to do it."

That seemed to surprise Book and he asked, "He did?"

"Yes, he did. So you see, this is entirely consensual."

Book's mouth opened and closed a couple of times before he sighed and shook his head. "I was hoping that you would be different, that you would show them how wrong the entire situation was."

Jaw tightening, Simon snapped, "Whatever we do in the privacy of the bedroom is not wrong if it's consensual, which it is. And I do not appreciate you attempting to guilt me into feeling that it is. Frankly, it's none of your business, so I'll thank you to keep your opinions to yourself."

Nodding, Book replied, "Of course. If...if you need to talk to someone later..."

Forcing himself to calm down, Simon nodded and agreed, "Thank you, Book. I do appreciate the concern, it's just unnecessary."

"I hope so, Simon."

* * * *

Mal was going to strangle Jayne the next time they met up for telling the preacher what they did. Just exactly what he needed. The older man to put the fear of God into Simon. Like the boy wasn't already nervous enough?

Not that he's the only one, Mal conceded silently. Grinning wryly to himself, he allowed as how he'd love to have Simon all to himself the next six months, or longer. Longer, definitely longer. Best he could do was be first and then be last. Make sure that once those six months were up, Simon wouldn't want anyone else and would stay in Mal's bed permanently.

He slid down the remaining few rungs to land light on his feet. Stay dressed, or not? Get partially undressed? At least get rid of the boots, make things easier later. That decided, he sat on his bunk and pulled off his boots, tossing them in the corner. While he was there, off came the socks and a few buttons were undone. Comfortable at last, he took a whiff and grimaced. It'd been a long day and he and Jayne had put in some time rearranging the cargo.

Yanking his shirt off, Mal flipped the sink open and grabbed a cloth, lathering it up for a quick wash and running it over his chest and under his arms. The water was cool and welcome and he splashed his face with it before drying off, running damp fingers through his hair. The hatch opened and Simon climbed down. Mal automatically moved to make sure the other man didn't fall off the ladder, and did wind up with an armful of the doc when he missed the last rung.

Grinning, Mal said, "Gonna have to watch that last one."

Simon smiled back at him shyly and stepped back a bit. His eyes widened as he took in Mal's partially undressed state.

Mal's grin got bigger and he explained, "I was fair ripe. Didn't figure on you wanting to smell me throughout."

Ducking his head a bit, Simon replied, "I don't mind it."

Well. That was a good bit of information. Mal tucked it away for later and said, "Go on and have a seat. I've got some work to finish up, so you can read, get comfortable, take a nap, whatever."

Simon frowned and opened his mouth, then shut it again.

"No, go on and ask. Just because you're here, doesn't mean you have to keep quiet," Mal informed him.

"Aren't we going to...?"

"Oh yeah," Mal breathed, eyes roaming over the clinging tee-shirt that Simon had changed into. "We are definitely going to. But I have to get some reports done first or we don't get fuel and new parts tomorrow."

Simon smiled again and Mal nearly broke his own vow not to jump on Simon right away, then and there. Keeping himself in check, he continued, "So go on and get comfortable. I don't know how long I'll be."

With a nod, Simon ambled over to the bookshelves in the walls and Mal went to his desk. There were a couple of reasons that he was doing this, not the least of which was what he'd just said to Simon. But too, it let Simon get used to being in his space, and being near Mal. He was going to work late enough that hopefully the other man would get bored and drop off. If that happened, then Mal would just slide into bed with him and wake him up real nice and relaxed.

Mal was really hoping that would happen.

* * * *

Simon was really comfortable and didn't want to wake up. He didn't even remember falling asleep, just that he'd been reading and listening to Mal's fingers over the keyboard and the rustling of paper. He smiled when the caress that had woken him was repeated and felt Mal's hand rubbing his hip. Yawning, he turned over and smiled sleepily at Mal, who was blurred because he hadn't rubbed his eyes yet. "Morning."

Mal leaned in and kissed him. "Morning. Sleep good?"

"Very," Simon confirmed, stretching a bit and inching closer as he did so. His hand rested on top of Mal's and moved it to his ass.

Mal's lips twitched into a smile as he observed, "You're horny, aren't you?"

"About as much as you are," Simon answered with a smirk.

Chuckling, Mal leaned in for another, deeper kiss that left Simon breathless. Then Mal pushed him onto his back and moved from his mouth down to the bare chest. He spent several minutes there, kissing and sucking at nipples and licking the grooves between ribs down to Simon's navel.

Simon shifted restlessly, his cock getting harder with each passing moment. It had been so damn long, not counting that odd session the day before. He hadn't been in a bed with someone for nigh on four years and was shivering with need.

"So responsive, Simon," Mal murmured against his belly, nipping at the flesh there. "Turn over."

Swallowing, a little apprehensive, Simon obeyed. He wriggled out of his sleep pants when Mal tugged at them, then settled back down on the bed. Mal's hands were heavy now, massaging and caressing up and down his back as the other man settled between Simon's legs. Simon felt so good at the connection, so incredibly relaxed, that he didn't even tense up with Mal massaged his lower back and then his ass.

This was unfamiliar to him, he'd never acted on any attractions before this due to uncertainty and embarrassment regarding his lack of experience. But the kisses and licks on his back and the way Mal's hands squeezed his muscles and flesh left no doubt that Mal could care less about his lack of experience. Might even find it a turn-on, Simon realized belatedly.

Then Mal's tongue pushed into his hole and his breath caught in shock and sensation. "Oh, God!"

Mal chuckled, but didn't respond verbally, just went at it even more enthusiastically. Simon groaned in a combination of embarrassment and mild horror that Mal was...was actually eating him out, as the phrase went. And doing so with great fervor. Simon exhaled deeply, squirming at the continued wet heat invading him.

When two fingers replaced his tongue, slick with something, they went right in, meeting little resistance. "Good, good, Simon. You're fucking gorgeous like this. Do you want more?"

Feeling his stomach tighten in anticipation, but not apprehension, Simon moaned agreement and spread his legs.

"That's it, yeh-soo, Simon, perfect," Mal uttered hoarsely.

Three fingers worked him over good and long, rubbing against his prostate until he was a quivering and boneless wreck. "Please, please...!"

Directly into his ear, Mal demanded hotly, "Please what, Simon?"

Twisting on the fingers inside him, desperate for more, Simon moaned, "Don't know, just, need..."

"I've got what you need, Simon."

The fingers were withdrawn and Simon whimpered in disappointment. But Mal's cock bumped at his hole and he realized through the fog that he was going to get what he needed, that Mal wasn't teasing. Sighing gratefully, his legs splayed as far apart as they could go and Mal's cock sank into him, one agonizingly slow inch at a time.

Simon hadn't actually seen Mal naked yet, odd as that was, so he didn't know visually how big the other man was. It felt, though, like he was being split apart by something huge and he moaned in a combination of pain and need, balancing on the knife's edge and uncertain which would win out. Then Mal started pulling back out, just as slow and Simon surged up, arching his back and reaching out with his arm to keep him inside.

"Easy, Simon, just getting started, lover," Mal assured him.

They shared a wet, sucking kiss and then Mal started moving. The other man seemed to have iron-control, which really didn't surprise Simon, and moved slow and patient. Mal built up speed and the friction and possession sent thrill after thrill through him. Simon collapsed forward again, his own cock leaking and hard now, his gut tight and his balls tighter. "Mal...make me come, please make me come!"

Grunting, Mal moved hard and fast, his cock skittering over Simon's prostate and sending electricity through him. He jerked in response and came, spilling onto the bed. Moaning into the pillow, Simon sprawled limp on the bed as Mal continued to fuck him. It was only a few more moments before the other came, seed filling him deep and wet.

Mal panted and didn't move, plastered over Simon's back, his cock still deep inside and hard.

Swallowing against a dry throat, Simon whispered, "God."

A raspy chuckle echoed between them and Mal replied, "Not yet. Not until I make you come so hard you black out. Which is, by the way, on my list of things to do today."

Simon whimpered and pushed his face into the pillow.

* * * *

"Hey doc."

Simon looked up at Wash's words, stilling his hands carefully so as not to mix undue amounts of the liquid. "Wash. Can I help you with something?"

"Nope. Just had a question, but it can wait."

"Thank you. I'll only be a few minutes," Simon replied, going back to his work.

It was actually closer to ten minutes that he was done, but when he looked up, Wash was lounging on the medical bed. Grinning, Simon asked, "Comfortable?"

Wash wriggled a bit and agreed, "Definitely."

Simon walked over to him with, "So what was the question?"

"How long can you keep it up?"

Nearly inhaling his tongue at the innocently toned question, Simon gasped and choked enough that Wash hopped to his feet and patted him on the back, concerned. Gaping, Simon demanded, "What?"

Grinning now, Wash repeated, "How long can you keep it up? See, Zoe and I have a bet going. I think you've got that whole doctor concentration thing going on and could probably keep going until told otherwise. Zoe though, she'd got no faith. Said you don't have enough experience. Her words, Doc, not mine."

Disbelief ran through Simon at the bizarreness of people talking about his sexual stamina. Clearing his throat, he asked, "Was there, ah, any particular reason for the bet?"

Wash's grin turned positively salacious as he leaned back, arms crossed over his chest.

Flushing, Simon murmured, "Oh."

"So look. If you're not doing anything..."

"Now?"

"Well sure. Mal and Jayne and Kaylee are all off the ship, River's tucked up, Shepherd's off somewhere and Inara's with a client. Got the place to ourself, so to speak."

"What about, a, uh, watch of some sort?"

"Friendly planet. Very friendly planet. Doubt Jayne'll be coming home tonight."

"Ah."

"So?"

"Well. I guess...yes?"

Wash clapped an arm around his shoulder and exclaimed, "Shiny! Come on, Zoe's waiting. But don't worry, I've got her all worked up so you don't have to worry about stayin' power if you're a little, you know, overwhelmed."

Faintly, "Overwhelmed?"

"Well, she is quite a woman, isn't she?"

Simon nodded, thinking, And her husband is only slightly less qualified as a steamroller.

It took less than no time to reach their quarters, but by the time they did, Simon was swallowing nervously, his stomach clenched as he thought about Zoe. "Wash, maybe this isn't a good idea. I, really, Zoe's right. I've only been with a few women, and..."

"Hey, hey, easy there, Simon," Wash soothed, cupping his face. "I was just teasing before. Zoe's really very easy to please. Just do whatever she says and you'll not only please her, you'll damn sure please yourself."

Simon's eyes widened a bit as Wash leaned in for a kiss, his mouth parting just before their lips touched. It was a gentle, get-to-know-you kiss, and Wash deepened it slowly. His fingers massaged Simon's neck and shoulders as his tongue slid inside Simon's mouth.

"Starting the fun without me boys?"

Jumping at Zoe's humor-laden question, Simon pulled back instantly from Wash, casting a slightly fearful look at Zoe. She was leaning against the wall, arms crossed over her chest and wearing...Simon swallowed heavily as heat slammed into his groin. She wasn't wearing anything. Not a single stitch. Her breasts stood high and proud, her waist led into hard abs and a dark thatch of hair at the juncture of her legs.

"Damn it, Zoe! I was just gettin' him relaxed! Now look, you've gone and ruined it," Wash complained.

Chuckling warmly, Zoe replied, "I think we can manage to relax him again. Did you ask him?"

"Oh yeah. Simon, you never answered!"

Casting furiously through the fog the seemed entrenched in his mind, Simon echoed absently, "Answered what?"

Another warm chuckle, and Zoe gripped Simon's shirt to tug him inside. He stumbled a bit, but followed without another complaint or voiced worry. What was going to happen, was going to happen and he was powerless to stop it. Zoe was like a force of nature and even if he'd wanted to, which he no longer did, Simon couldn't have stopped her.

He was shoved playfully onto the bed, where he bounced a couple of times before Wash hopped onto it and straddled him. Firm hands rubbed over his chest and easily unbuttoned his shirt while they were there, shoving the fabric aside. Wash leaned down and sucked and licked Simon's nipples, his hands rubbing over Simon's cock, bringing him to a full hardness.

Moaning, pleasure running through his entire body, Simon tried to return the caresses in kind, but Zoe caught his hands and grinned at him with, "Uh uh, Simon. You're ours for the next few hours. Just lie there and enjoy yourself. We plan to."

"Yeh soo," Simon groaned, both at her words and Wash's mouth biting his nipple.

"Pretty close anyhow," Zoe agreed, wry.

There was a lot of laughter amidst the passion, and Simon found himself having more fun than he'd had in a long time. Certainly more fun than he'd ever had in bed. Wash turned out to be very ticklish, no big surprise there, and he and Zoe ganged up on Simon trying to discover his tickle spots. There was a lot of groping and sucking and pinching, as well as a short pillow-fight that ended with Simon laughing hard on the floor, rubbing his ass from the contact.

They hauled him back up onto the bed where he lay, weak with laughter.

"God, Simon, look at you," Wash observed, reverent as he took Simon's mouth in a slow, deep kiss.

Simon gave himself up to the kiss, opening to it and responding fully. His hands reached up and back towards Zoe, knowing that she would be there. They found her breasts, which he cupped and caressed as gently as Wash was kissing him. She shivered in his hands, her nipples again hardening from desire. Then she stretched out beside him, taking his cock in her hand and jacking him, rough and strong. He moaned into Wash's mouth, his breath hitching as she continued to jerk him off.

"Don't come, Simon," she ordered in his ear, biting it sharply and provoking another moan. "Bu yunxu xingu gaochu zhidao wo shou dao."

Shuddering at her dark tone, and the promise behind it, Simon whimpered as she continued to jack him. Wash moved down his body, licking a straight path down and, right before his mouth closed around Simon's cock, Zoe seized Wash's mouth in a hard, dominating kiss. Simon watched as Wash gave back as good as he got, then saw the pale fingers push between Zoe's legs and disappear. Then Wash was sucking him and his head fell back, pleasure weakening him.

"Simon, Simon move up," Zoe urged.

Simon moved where she directed and found himself straddling Wash backwards, immediately knowing what they wanted him to do. It took less time than he'd have thought to get him open, Zoe's fingers working him hard and fast, nicking his prostate to send electricity through him. She took his hips between her hands and positioned him over Wash's cock, guiding him over it and setting it at his hole.

Lowering himself onto the thick shaft, Simon's eyes closed and he savored the sensation of being impaled as much as when he'd been with Mal.

Zoe's hands caressed him roughly as she said, "You're so hot together, I can't wait to fuck you, Simon, gonna have you in me and ride you like you've never been ridden. Show you what a real woman can give you."

Simon was just barely flush against Wash, when Zoe suited actions to words and sat on him, pushing him inside her without pause. The world shorted out at the sensation of being taken, and taking all at once. He slipped back, fortunately landing a bit crosswise or Wash might've gotten a bloody nose. As it was, when Simon was conscious of the world around him again, Zoe was definitely riding him with as much force as possible.

Every time she drove down on him, it pushed Wash's cock deeper and he whimpered, needing release so bad that he could barely breathe. Fingers pinched his nipples, hard, other fingers caressed his chest and abdomen. "Please, please Zoe, please let me come!"

"No!" she exclaimed. "Not yet! Hold on, Simon, I'm so close!"

Whispering hot in his ear, voice strained, Wash ordered, "Help her out, Simon, rub her clit hard, she loves that, sends her over the edge every time."

Not knowing if he had the coordination, Simon reached out and pressed against the slick, hard little nub between Zoe's legs. She gasped, jerking, and he grinned at the success.

"Harder, Simon, do her, fuck us both!" Wash hissed.

Craning his neck, Simon managed to kiss Wash as he repositioned his legs for better traction. Then he did just that, shoving up into Zoe as hard as he could, fingers still manipulating her clit, and plunging back down on Wash. In seconds, all three were moaning and shuddering against each other. Zoe's hands clamped onto his shoulders as she wailed in orgasm, her cunt grabbing Simon's cock as it continued to stab into her. Wash's hands gripped Simon's hips with bruising force as the man came, spilling hot and wet inside Simon.

"Zoe, Zoe, can I..."

Sated now, lying flat on top of him, Zoe shook her head. Simon groaned, fingers clenched in the bedspread as he just lay there, hard as a rock inside Zoe, with Wash's softening cock inside him. He was so close, so fucking close...

Then Zoe murmured, "Wash hasn't been fucked yet, Simon, think you can do something about that?"

Simon bit through his lip at the image of fucking Wash with Zoe watching, actually grateful for the distraction of pain.

Laughing softly, Zoe observed, "I'd guess that to be a yes, husband."

"Good," Wash sighed, fingers trailing up and down Simon's arms.

Zoe pulled off Simon, then helped him off of Wash. Between them, they got the somnolent pilot face down on a pillow. Kneeling behind Simon, fingers pushing into his ass, Zoe whispered, "Look at him, Simon, just a hole for you to use. He'll spread his legs for anything hard. I know, because I've used just about everything on him."

Shuddering at the words, Simon gripped his cock and twisted to keep from coming.

"Go on, fuck him, Simon."

Simon was dying to do just that, but held off, instead moving between Wash's legs and licking between them. Wash twitched at that and moaned a bit, legs moving apart even more. Simon pushed his tongue into the hole and delved in, probing in and out as best he could, given he wasn't very skilled at it. The taste wasn't exactly pleasant, but it wasn't bad either, and certainly worth it when Wash shoved back against him enthusiastically.

Zoe's fingers were ruthless inside him, rubbing against his prostate until he had to pull away and gasp, "Stop! Stop, I have to come!"

She stopped, but didn't pull out, instead whispering in his ear, "Fuck him, Simon, he's way past ready!"

Biting his already bloody lip, Simon looked down at where Wash was shuddering on the bed and knew she was right. He settled over the other man and pushed slowly inside, barely able to keep himself from coming as Wash opened to him easily, letting him sink right down to the root. Fists planted on either side, he started fucking Wash, going hard and angling different ways until he found Wash's prostate.

Time seemed to slow and the world to narrow until Simon's world consisted only of the pliant, moaning body beneath him and the fingers fucking him from behind. Then, the magic words from Zoe...

"Come, Simon, come for me."

Simon wrapped around Wash and humped savagely into him, his cock exploding, his heart and breath stopping, the world going black.

He had no idea how much longer it was before he heard Wash ask, mildly concerned, "Did we break him?"

"I don't know, but you owe me money, husband."

Simon grinned to himself as he snuggled closer to Zoe, his head resting on her breasts. Figured that Wash had been having him on about the whole bet thing.

* * * *

Mal caught up with Simon a few days later, trapping him in the corner of a hall that no one used because it was too out of the way. Simon was only using it because he was still trying to work the stiffness out of his muscles, most especially his ass. Startled when a hand landed on his shoulder, Simon turned to find Mal grinning at him and groaned. "What? Please don't look at me like that."

Backing Simon against the wall by the most expedient method, putting his other hand on Simon and gently pushing him backwards, Mal answered, "What look?"

"That look. That...insufferable look!" Simon exclaimed.

"Insufferable? Me?"

"Almost as bad as you trying to look innocent."

With a chuckle, Mal replied, "Yeah, well, innocent don't sit so well as insufferable, I guess."

"Definitely not. So, what did you want?"

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Mal's grin got bigger and Simon groaned again. "Mal, please, take pity on me."

Leaning forward, Mal nuzzled his throat. "Pity weren't exactly what I was going to give you, Simon. Thought you might like a little...fun."

"Fun?" Simon questioned faintly.

Licking a thin stripe from throat to ear, Mal nibbled on Simon's ear, causing goosebumps and a shudder to run through Simon. His fingers gripped Mal's belt, but the other man just shook his head and pressed their lips together. Simon sighed into the tender possession, his mouth opening to let Mal's tongue inside.

It seemed to go on forever, and it was the kind of making-out that Simon had always heard about, but never had before. Deep, wet kisses that sent continuous shivers through Simon, their tongues twining and pressing against each other. Mal devouring his mouth with a lazy heat that had Simon grateful for the wall at his back.

When Mal pulled back, Simon just stood there, dazed and panting. It took several seconds before he realized that Mal had knelt and unzipped his pants, pulling Simon's cock out. Before Simon could protest, Mal's mouth was on him, sucking him deep. Knees buckling at the surge of lust that hit him, Simon moaned, then remembered where they were. He couldn't help one hand twining into Mal's thick hair, guiding his lover, but shoved into his mouth.

Simon knew that he wasn't going to last long, not with the way Mal was sucking like his life depended on it. Add to that, Mal opening his own pants and fisting himself, the sight nearly sent Simon over the edge. As it was, he thrust harder than he meant to into Mal's mouth and went all the way down the other man's throat. Biting his palm at the incredible sensation, Simon whimpered and closed his eyes.

Because of that, Mal's hand cupping and rolling his balls shocked Simon into a barely muffled shout of pleasure. A single finger rubbed behind them and Simon again jerked hard into Mal's mouth, going down his throat. He opened his eyes, almost reluctantly, and came at the sight of Mal staring right up at him, eyes filled with intensity and lust. He bit too hard on his hand and broke the skin, but the pain was nothing with the white-out of pleasure as his orgasm exploded through him. He felt Mal's groan vibrate over his cock and knew the other had come as well.

His hand released Mal's head about the same time that Mal pulled off his cock and Simon slid down the wall to land in an unceremonious heap beside Mal. They were both panting and Simon took the opportunity to fall forward into his lover's lap.

A damp hand caressed his face before Mal said, "Enjoy the next five months, Simon, because I think you and me are gonna have a nice, long chat when it's done with."

Too wiped out and sated to reply, Simon merely grinned into the fabric of Mal's pants as the other man picked up his hand and cleaned off the blood with his tongue.

* * * *

Things seemed to go along like normal for the next couple of months, even counting the enthusiastic sex with Zoe and Wash, and the mind-blowing sex with Mal. Every encounter with Zoe and Wash left him exhausted and well-fucked, something he was still not used to. Being with Mal, well, that was different altogether, more about connection than sex, somehow.

Neither Kaylee nor Jayne approached him, though Simon wasn't sure why. Kaylee kept making eyes at him, so Simon was just waiting for her to make a move. Maybe she was going to wait until after the six months and then make a "real" approach, which Simon hoped sincerely wasn't the case. He liked Kaylee and thoroughly enjoyed her company, but didn't see any kind of future for the two of them together.

Jayne though...

It was weird. Simon knew the mercenary wanted him, could tell just from the looks he was getting, but the big man wouldn't come near him for some reason. It was starting to irk him in an odd way, though maybe that was the reason behind it. Jayne did love to provoke him, any way possible.

"Hey, Doc."

Feeling a distinct deja vu, Simon looked over at Jayne's voice to find the man leaning against the door, much as Wash had done that first time. "Something I can do for you, Jayne?"

"Been thinkin' about something."

"Ah. So you've hurt yourself seriously indeed."

Jayne's eyes rolled and he moved further into the room, but only enough to close the door and darken the windows.

Swallowing heavily, knowing now that Jayne had finally decided to make a move, Simon licked his lip. When Jayne looked back at him, there was a slightly unfocused look to the mercenary's gaze and Simon frowned. "Are you high?"

"Nope."

"Are you drunk?"

"Maybe a little."

"Why?"

Jayne stopped right in front of him, cupping his chin and just staring at him. "Been thinkin' about this a while now."

"And you needed alcohol to...stiffen your resolve?" Simon suggested slyly.

A snort escaped the other man and Jayne shook his head as he answered, "Nope. Just needed to soften things. Didn't want to hurt you, if'n I got outta control for real."

"Jayne, alcohol loosens inhibitions, it doesn't help control things," Simon said, getting a little worried.

Nodding, Jayne agreed, "Exactly. See, I don't like wanting you. Don't want to, but you just...you fucking get under my gorram skin, Simon!"

Without further warning, Jayne spun Simon in place, pushing him over the infirmary bed and holding him down by leaning over him. Simon was shocked with the suddenness and a little scared for the first time. Jayne was certainly strong than he was, and the door was locked with the windows tinted. There was nothing Simon could do if the other man decided to get rough.

As though sensing his thoughts, or maybe feeling the panic tensing Simon's muscles, Jayne rubbed his back and soothed, "Easy now, not gonna hurt you, Simon, promise. Just want you. Just want you so bad, but I know you're gonna be Mal's when this's all through, so I don't want to want you. Make sense?"

Simon nodded and said, "Yes, it does. But Jayne, Mal doesn't automatically get me, like some kind of prize."

Lips sucked at his throat from behind before Jayne observed, "Ain't seen you putting up a fuss when he drags you off middle of the day. Nor again that same night. Ain't seen you look at anyone like some hero the way you do him. Ain't seen Mal look at no one like he looks to you, Simon, and that's a fact. Just...this once...can I have you, Simon?"

More than a little shocked at the words the other man had uttered, moved by them more than he wanted to admit, Simon nodded, wordless.

The hands pulled his shirt up and off and while Jayne might not kiss on the mouth, he more than made up for it getting acquainted with the rest of Simon's body. Time passed in a haze for Simon as the bigger man seemed to worship his body with feelings that he hadn't suspected Jayne felt. It confused him, to be so wrong about the other man, and the confusion didn't sit well. It was banished soon enough, though, under the talented tongue and mouth working him over.

By the time Jayne had satisfied his oral fixation, at least for the meantime, Simon was a quivering wreck and grateful for the support of the infirmary bed. Callused fingers, slick with lube, probed inside him and Simon gasped, pushing back on the welcome invasion.

"That's it, Simon, God you feel good, gonna feel even better when I'm inside you," Jayne hissed in his ear before biting it.

Simon groaned, head thumping forward onto the bed and spread his legs further. "Just fuck me already, will you?"

Snickering almost meanly, Jayne observed, "Guess you can swear after all."

"Just...!" Simon's voice cut off when the thick tip of Jayne's cock moved to his hole and teased there a few passes.

Moaning, Simon canted his hips in mute encouragement and finally, Jayne pushed forward. He moved so slow that Simon could swear to feeling every ridge and vein on the cock driving into him. Panting, needy and wanting more, Simon reached back, craning his neck for a kiss. Jayne stayed out of reach, though, instead kissing the back of his neck and sucking marks into his skin.

When Jayne started moving in earnest, all Simon could do was hang on to the bed. The big man covered him completely, thrusting in and out with steady, hard movement that nicked Simon's prostate more often than not. Even though the bed was bolted down, it moved from the force of Jayne's momentum and Simon didn't even notice the wailing noises he made as the fucking went on and on.

"That's right, gonna come on my cock, aren'tcha Simon? Does he give you this? Can he make you weak like this? I know you, Simon, more'n you think I do, know what you need more'n he does! Fuck, you're so good, Simon, so good, tight around me like I knew you'd be..."

Jayne's words were low and guttural in Simon's ear, a counterpoint to the hard shaft moving inside him. Unbelievably, Simon knew he was going to come just like that. He was riding the edge and getting closer as Jayne sped up, increasing the friction. Then he came, shouting his release to the uncaring walls as he spurted onto the floor and collapsed, limp, to the bed. Jayne humped against him, then, and a few seconds later, came silently inside him, the hot seed filling Simon.

They lay like that for a few minutes before Jayne slowly pulled out of him and kissed the back of his neck. Strong, broad hands caressed his back a few times and Simon got the sense that Jayne was memorizing him, but was too wiped out to actually look. Then, again as though sense it, Jayne gently scooped Simon into his arms and moved to the other bed. Setting Simon in it, he pulled a cover up and brushed his fingers through Simon's hair.

Simon opened his mouth to speak, though he didn't know what, but Jayne just shook his head with a brief grin and put a finger over Simon's mouth. "See ya, Doc."

Watching him go, Simon was more confused than ever and turned carefully onto his other side to think.

* * * *

"What are we doing?"

Mal frowned at Simon's thoughtful tone, then answered, "I thought we were gettin' cozy for the night."

"No," Simon replied, impatient. "I mean us. Like this. Why?"

Not sure what was going on, Mal questioned, "You want to be maybe a little clearer there, Simon?"

Sighing, Simon rested his cheek on Mal's chest and said, "Nothing. Never mind."

His frown deepening, Mal shifted on the bed to face Simon, putting his leg over his lover's hip to draw him closer. "It's not nothing. Spill."

"Did you know that Jayne had feelings for me?"

Startled by the sudden demand, Mal blinked a few times. "He...what? Where'd you get a notion like that?"

"From Jayne. And Kaylee won't even look at me," Simon snapped. "So much for bringing the crew closer together."

When Simon struggled to get free, Mal held him down. It took a few minutes of fussing, but finally, Simon lay back, panting, and Mal took his hands away, then pulled Simon into his arms, settling the other man down and holding firm. "What brought all this up?"

"Jayne, I guess. Not that he meant to, because he didn't," Simon answered, sighing.

Running his hand over Simon's head, Mal prompted, "And?"

"And you said that no one could hold me to anything that happened during these six months."

"Right."

"What if..."

"What if...?"

Simon whispered, "What if I want to be held to it?"

Disappointment and something deeper sliced through Mal, but he forced himself not to show it. This wasn't his decision, after all, and if the younger man wanted Jayne, or Kaylee, he wasn't going to stop him. "Once this time's through, you're free to choose whoever you want, Simon. No one is going to hold a grudge."

Looking up at him, Simon asked, "Are you sure?"

"Trust me," Mal whispered back.

And it must have been the right answer, because Simon sighed and relaxed against him.

* * * *

Kaylee peered over Simon's shoulder and asked, "Whatcha doin?'"

Simon jumped in fright, exclaiming, "Do all of you have to sneak up on me!?"

"Oh, sorry there," Kaylee apologized, stepping back.

That was when Simon realized that Kaylee was in her robe and swallowed heavily. It was extremely late, or very early depending on how one looked at it, and Serenity was empty besides that. The rest of the crew was off on some kind of job or personal errands. His tongue flashed out to lick over his lips and he asked, "I'm sorry, Kaylee, I didn't mean to snap. You startled me. Is there something I can do for you?"

"I got a question for you."

Leaning against the wall, Simon motioned for her to continue.

Biting her lip nervously, Kaylee questioned, "If I have sex with you, are we still gonna be friends after? See, I ain't never had sex with a friend before, just really cute guys with really big..."

"That's okay, I get the picture," Simon interrupted, holding up a hand. Smiling, he replied, "We'll always be friends, Kaylee. And you don't have to have sex with me if you don't want to, just because you think the others expect it."

She grinned, looking him up and down, and answered, "Oh no, I want to have sex with you. Lots of times. No doubt about that. Just making sure we'll be good after, is all."

Simon hid a smile as he asked curiously, "Why did you wait so long?"

With a shrug, Kaylee replied, "Been thinking things through is all. And River wasn't sure she'd let me."

Simon's jaw dropped and he spluttered, "You talked to River about this!?"

"Well sure. She's my best friend."

The matter of fact way she said it gave Simon pause. Staring at her suspiciously, he demanded, "You're not going to give her details about this, are you?"

Kaylee's mouth opened and closed very fast. When she spoke, it was innocently with, "Of course not."

Groaning, Simon forced the knowledge that his sister was going to get a rating on his sexual prowess to the very, very back of his mind. "So, where would you like to do this?"

"Right now? Engine room. No one's here, so that means no one'll walk in," Kaylee answered promptly.

Simon shook his head and crossed to her, putting his arm around her waist. He walked her out of the infirmary and as they walked down the hall, slid his hand down her ass to squeeze it.

She squeaked in surprise and jumped a bit, then let out a peel of laughter and shoved him away to run towards the engine room. Grinning, Simon let her get ahead of him a bit, then raced after her.

* * * *

Mal grinned wolfishly as he cornered Simon in the hall.

Taking one look at Mal, Simon smirked and asked, "Looking for me?"

"Maybe. Unless you know someone else who might want to fuck me."

Simon's jaw dropped, but the surprise didn't stop him from grabbing the other man almost instantly and yanking him forward into a deep kiss. Mal pushed him against the wall, returning the kiss almost savagely, teeth clicking together and tongues dancing. When he pulled back, they were both panting. Simon could tell something else was going on here, though he couldn't quite figure out what.

"Got a condition."

Groaning, Simon's head thumped against the wall. "Of course you do."

Mal snickered and bit sharply at Simon's throat before stating, "I want more from you."

"More what?" Simon questioned, wary.

"Just more. Everything you have."

Staring into the slate blue eyes now darkened by lust and need, Simon shivered, his cock hardening in a Pavlovian response. Hesitant despite his body's immediate compliance, Simon answered, "I don't know."

Mal breathed him in and licked a slow, sensual path up Simon's throat to his earlobe where he murmured, "We'll find out, won't we?"

* * * *

Simon moaned, desperate to come and unable to thanks to the cockring imprisoning him. He was shaking and sweating with a makeshift gag tied around his mouth to stifle the shouts he was unable to contain.

The moment he'd climbed down the ladder to Mal's quarters, the other man had been on some kind of mission to drive Simon out of his mind. A mission that he was succeeding in, no hands down. Or, all kinds of hands down really, since Mal hadn't stopped touching him longer than a couple of seconds at a time.

Mal took Simon's hands and wrapped suspenders around them, hooking them over his head to the bedpost. Simon was completely splayed open and vulnerable and he was dying for more. His legs spread in mute need, but Mal ignored the gesture, instead sucking hard on an already tender nipple. Half-sobbing from the near-painful sensation, Simon panted through the gag.

"Let it go, Simon, you ain't doin' nothing without my say-so, not tonight. Stop fighting me," Mal ordered softly, licking a trail of sweat from between Simon's ribs.

Which was oh-so-fucking true, Simon knew. Even if he wasn't trussed up, cock and arms, he'd be doing nothing without Mal telling him to. It hadn't been like this between them before, but tonight...

The attempt to calm his breathing was helped when Mal started massaging his chest in long, slow movements. Simon followed the motion mentally, breathing in and out to it. Everything seemed out of control, somehow, on an edge that he wasn't sure he wanted to fall over. He'd never lost himself like this before, never wanted to, but was tempted now, by this man straddling his hips like he owned Simon.

The thought sent a moan through Simon and Mal arched an eyebrow at him, looking up at him wickedly from Simon's navel.

"That sounded like a good thought, there, Simon. Or maybe a really good bad thought," Mal teased, nipping the flesh. "Want to share?"

Simon's heart nearly stopped when Mal picked up a lubed dildo and, crouched over Simon's chest, pushed it into his own ass. If he hadn't been wearing a cockring, Simon knew that he'd have shot all over Mal's ass then and there. As it was, he groaned in frustrated need and lust, helpless, watching as Mal worked himself with the thick shaft. Then the accurate part of his brain than never quite shut down pointed out that the fake cock was the same size as Simon when he was erect. His hips jerked up at the thought, his cock brushing Mal's thigh.

"That's it, fuck, this is so good," Mal muttered, panting. "You just figured it out, didn't you? Gonna ride you different tonight, Simon. Gonna take that cock of yours into me and ride you until I come. And then I might let you come too, haven't decided yet."

Simon groaned and shook his head, mumbling through the gag, protesting.

Mal just laughed, his eyes feverishly bright as he pulled out the dildo and took hold of Simon's cock. The grip was sure and firm, causing Simon to twist and writhe for more sensation, desperate for relief. Then Mal sank down on it, an excruciating inch at a time, moving so slow that Simon was positive that he could feel the muscles pushing aside for his cock. He didn't stop moving until Simon had impaled him the entire way and his ass squeezed and massaged Simon's shaft, again pushing him towards that edge.

Bending forward, Mal rested on Simon, cheek to his chest. "Trust me, Simon, trust me. Just let it go tonight. I'll always catch you, I swear."

The quiet, confident words ate at Simon's control, the desires and pent-up needs battering for a release. The way Mal covered his body, taking him in and surrounding him...not the physical, no, but everything else. The gentle way Mal was touching him, the possessive way his hand rested on Simon's heart. No one had ever done this before and Simon was overwhelmed. He wanted it, wanted to belong and to feel, just to fucking feel and show whatever it was he felt, wanted it more than he remembered wanting anything, except to get River out of that place.

Licking the hollow between Simon's collarbone, Mal whispered, "I'll catch you, let it out."

Simon shuddered, tears pricking at his eyes as they closed. He couldn't do this, couldn't afford to trust Mal with himself. This was only until the six months was up, after that, he'd be pushed away again and Mal would go back to pursuing Inara.

"Trust me."

Moaning in a cross between need and pain, Simon threw caution to the wind and opened his eyes again, nodding. Mal was looking at him, more intense and intent than Simon had ever seen before, except directly after Ariel. But that was a memory of frantic sex to make sure they were both all right and had no real place right then. He shook it off mentally and tried to make Mal see that he wanted whatever Mal had to offer.

Mal nodded in return and sat up, pushing Simon's cock deeper into his body. Hands on Simon's chest, Mal used the leverage to undulate on Simon's body whispering, "Close your eyes, Simon, just feel me. You're in me, taking me, holding me, keeping me like I'll keep you if you just let me. Trust me, God, yeah, just, just trust me, Simon. Oh! Oh, shit!"

Simon wailed a protest against the gag as Mal came, spurting all over his chest. This couldn't be it! He was so close, so damn close! The fucking ring around his flesh was keeping him back, but he was so hard, so full that he felt like he could come anyhow. Then Mal arched back, hands on Simon's thighs as he rode Simon. From the way he was moving, Simon could see the ribs and muscles moving in concert, the flex of thighs and the limp bobbing of Mal's sated cock.

It went on a long time, longer than Simon ever had before, even being used between Zoe and Wash. He gave up, finally, really and truly understanding that nothing was going to happen unless Mal desired it. And from the way Mal's cock was rising again, Simon figured they could be going at this a lot longer. He sagged against the mattress, arms lax in their bonds, panting through his nose and zooming into some kind of zone that felt freeing.

"Yeah, Simon, that's it lover, let me catch you," Mal whispered, voice harsh.

At that, Mal's hand went to his cock and stroked it. Simon watched, glutting himself on the sinuous vision of Mal writhing on him. The rally looked painful, Mal's face sweaty and contorted as he humped into his hand and thrust back on Simon. All Simon knew was that his cock was about to explode and his heart was thundering in his chest and he'd never seen anything more beautiful than Mal right then.

The moment that Mal released the cockring was a tenuous one at best. The relief of pressure would have been enough to make Simon come, let alone having been on edge forever, but the way Mal looked at him caused Simon to bite through his lip to keep himself from going over. Trembling fingers pulled the gag free. Then Mal released the suspenders, twining their fingers together and rolling them over so Simon was on top. Looking up at him, Mal murmured, "Take me, Simon, take what you need."

Without thinking, Simon seized Mal's mouth, desperate for the taste he'd been denied all night. His hands gripped Mal's shoulders and he planted his knees just below Mal's ass for leverage. He moved slow, wanting to draw this out even longer, feeling the way Mal gave for him, the hot flesh gripping his cock.

Sobbing and panting into Mal's mouth, Simon totally lost it, giving in to the need to possess, to feel and take everything that was offered to him. In giving him everything, Mal was taking everything too, and Simon knew it. He rammed into Mal's willing body, sucking on the tongue that thrust back at his and came just after Mal did, blacking out amidst the rainbow explosion.

* * * *

Mal frowned as he looked at the googly eyes that Kaylee was making at Simon from across the mess table. More than usual, that was. Had been for a few days now and damned if Mal wasn't a complete gorram idiot for not realizing the reason. They'd had sex. Kaylee was glowing enough that Mal knew it had been good between them. Which of course it would be. Simon was a great lover.

From the way Simon was trying not to grin, it was pretty obvious that he now returned the feelings that Kaylee had. Of course, Mal knew that the younger man had always liked Kaylee in a special way, but he'd been hoping against hope that it'd been in a sisterly way. No fucking chance of that now.

Jealousy reared its ugly head and he shoved away from the table to stalk out of the room. He knew everyone was staring after him and didn't even care. Mal had to get some space before he did something really stupid.

He was in the infirmary before he realized that was where he was going. Once there, he groaned and thought, Well, Reynolds, you've gone and fucked things up good this time. Set out to seduce the boy and wind up getting seduced without him even knowin' it. Really fucking smooth.

"Captain? Are you all right?" Simon asked hesitantly from behind.

Rueful, Mal nodded and faced him with, "Fine. Thinkin' too hard and took a wrong turn."

Simon frowned lightly and moved closer. "Something you want to talk about?"

"Nah. I'm good, Doc, thanks," Mal answered. He crossed to the door, stopped there without turning around and ordered, "My quarters tonight. 2200 sharp."

The sharp intake of breath caused Mal to smirk. He might not have Simon for much longer, but he damn sure had him now and was going to make it so damn hard for the other man to leave.

* * * *

Mal looked at the younger man spread out nude on his bed and smiled, just looking his fill. Simon looked up at him, uncertain, and Mal moved to sit on the edge of the bed, laying his hand on Simon's chest. Rolling over the other man, Mal curled around him, hooking a leg over Simon's thighs.

"Everything all right?" Simon questioned softly.

Twining their fingers together, Mal looked at the differences for a moment then answered, "Just thinking about what you asked the other day."

"Mmm."

The non-committal answer told Mal that Simon knew exactly what he was referring to. Bringing the joined hands to his lips, he kissed the knuckles, one by one, then pulled the hands to his chest. He slid on top of his lover, legs to either side, and started gently kissing the smooth torso under him. "I love your skin, you know, love your body."

Simon shivered, causing Mal to smile to himself as he continued to pay loving attention to every part of Simon's chest. He spent a good long time sucking and licking the nipples, smiling again when Simon started writhing beneath him, just from that. He felt the solid length bobbing against his ass, but had other plans for them tonight.

Moving down, Mal finally pulled his hands free so he could keep up the gentle torture of Simon's nipples with his fingers while his mouth was otherwise occupied. His tongue licked in and around the navel for a couple of minutes, wringing moans from above as Simon's cock was trapped by Mal's chest.

There was a quiet gasp as Mal shifted far enough down to suck on the head of Simon's cock. His tongue whirled around and under the knob, tasting the salty tang of pre-come. The moans grew louder the longer and deeper that Mal sucked the cock into his mouth.

"Mal, please...God...need you, need...gotta..."

Swinging around, Mal straddled Simon's face and shuddered when Simon latched onto his cock and started sucking. It took a few moments to recover from the sensation and the needy way that Simon was pulling on it. Mal finally started sucking again and worked his way down and down, his throat opening and enveloping Simon's shaft.

Simon's hips moved almost lazily, pushing the cock in and out of Mal's throat, fucking him with an unhurried abandon that Mal was echoing. The tight mouth around his own cock had just reached the base and Simon's tongue was doing wicked things all around Mal's dick. His knees spread, pushing down further into Simon when fingers clutched at Mal's ass to pull him down.

It was almost with surprise that Mal found his mouth filled with come, engrossed in the taste and texture and feel of Simon in him. He swallowed greedily, not knowing when or if he'd get a chance to have this again. When Simon pressed insistently in that space behind Mal's balls, the tightness in his gut surged out in orgasm. He could feel the throat muscles milking him tighter as Simon swallowed his seed and moaned, resting his head against Simon's thigh.

Feeling almost bittersweet as his cock softened in its wet haven, Mal pulled out of Simon's mouth and crawled around again. Settling against his lover, Mal sighed deeply and opened his mouth to Simon's deep, tender kiss. Their tongues pressed and scraped together, exchanging taste and promising more than words could ever convey.

At least right then and there.

* * * *

It was quiet and peaceful, something that hadn't happened in a number of weeks, thanks to a bunch of running around and shooting and way the hell too much adventure. Mal was exhausted and emotionally rung out, though he'd never have admitted it. Early was off floating in space somewhere. Inara was long gone. They were flat broke and no job in sight, waiting on Persephone in case something showed up.

Mal heard the soft padding of bare feet and tensed a bit, though he didn't open his eyes or shift on his place on the couch. It had been a few months since Simon had been more than a crew member, 97 days to be exact, but who was counting? Mal was just surprised that Simon hadn't take up Jayne or Kaylee on their offers, thought he'd seen the doctor leaning towards Kaylee.

The couch dipped under Simon's weight, but not the way that Mal expected. He unexpectedly found himself with a lap full of the other man and his eyes snapped open in surprise. Simon smiled down at him, straddling him and holding to his suspenders as he settled on Mal's thighs. "Uh, hi."

Simon's smile grew. "Hi."

"Something I can do for you?"

"Thought there might be, yes."

Frowning a bit, Mal questioned, "What's that?"

"Remember at the beginning how you said no one would begrudge me my choice?"

Mal nodded and agreed, "That's right. Why, Jayne been giving you a hard time?"

Making a dismissive motion, Simon shook his head with, "Not a chance."

"So, what's the problem?"

"You are."

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"How do you figure?"

Simon cupped his face and whispered, "I wanted to be held to that promise you made me give and you didn't keep me to it."

Instantly flashing to that last night they were together, when Simon had really given himself up, Mal licked his lips. "I ah, I thought...you didn't say anything."

"I was confused," Simon admitted, thumbs brushing over Mal's cheeks. "But then I realized you weren't ignoring me, you were giving me time to sort things through. Especially with everything happening with River."

Not wanting to get too hopeful, too fast, Mal asked, "And now?"

Simon kissed him, soft and gentle. Heart thundering in his chest, Mal's mouth opened to the kiss, one of his arms resting on the back of the couch while the other wrapped around Simon's waist. Not that it seemed like Simon was going anywhere, but best not to take the chance. It was a deep, reacquainting kiss, passionate, but not needy. Simon sighed into his mouth, pressing against him even closer.

Then, with a tug on his suspenders, Simon shifted and leaned back, drawing Mal down with him. Settling between Simon's legs, propped up on his elbows, Mal broke it up into smaller, nibbling kisses before pulling back altogether. Looking down into the other man's eyes, seeing the love there, Mal's heart lifted up from where it had dropped 97 days ago when Simon had left his bed and not returned. He smiled and greeted, "Hi there."

* * * *

The deep blue eyes staring down at him with tenderness and hope caused Simon to smile back and murmur, "Hi. So, what are you doing the rest of your life?"

Mal didn't even bat an eye as he answered, "You, I hope."

Laughter bubbled up and out, shaking Simon with happiness. Simon felt as free as he had that last time in Mal's bed. The last time where he'd found himself and love. It didn't matter if Mal never said the words, and it was entirely possible that he never would, Simon could see just how the other man felt and it spoke of a lifetime. How strange that his life had turned out like this. A straight-forward, if bizarre, ritual had secured him a lifetime of happiness.

A thought suddenly occurred to him and Simon frowned. "Mal?"

"Yeah? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, just...when did Zoe and Wash get together?"