TULLY.TXT (M/F, Human/Hani)

What Came After
By SwampRat
(cl) 1998 Gay Furry Association

Based on a line in the last of the Chanur books.

All characters (c) C.J. Cherryh

    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The crew sat in the galley... Well 2 of them did. Geran was still thinking
about her cousin, and Tully - That son was a headache of another kind entirely.
But pain was universal, and as the hani looked him over, remembering what he
had been and what he had lived through, she had to grin to herself. 'One tough
Son, He is.' She thought long on something, bit at her moustache, then as he
stirred looked up. "Tully.." he looked back at her, misery plainly showing, but
still trying to hide it. Geran threw her cup in the disposal and stood, taking
his hand. "You crew, Right?" He nodded slightly, still unsure what was going
on. "We go down to Your room, Sit, Talk, Ok?" He nodded again, still not
looking directly at her. She shook her head and pushed him before her, slapping
his rear lightly. "Go, Tully." He went.

Geran meant what she said, having this special place for the silly male in her
heart - they All did.. They knew what went on with him and Hilfy, but said
nothing. Wasn't their business, but by Gods it was Someone's business when crew
hurt. Tully had ridden by Chur, comforted her, made her return to them. Lived
through hell and Still wanted to stay. She had seen his eyes - Seen them when
Hilfy left, seen them when he came back to sit and wait while the ship was
repaired. The door opened and he walked in, followed by the smaller but
stronger hani. Geran closed and secured it - Habit - then sat with him on the
bed. He looked iffy but she patted his shoulder. "We sit, talk.. Ok?" He nodded
and she reached around to grip his far shoulder... And suddenly he was grabbing
her, roughly holding her. "Hey!" And then the sounds came...

How long had he held this inside, our Outsider.. So brave, So willing to do was
one asked. He. Yes, but more female-like.. And then there were times when he
was more alien than anything Ger could think of. She patted his back and held
him, riding the storm out. She felt his body, his ribs.. and something else...
Had he and Hilfy.. He. With needs. And Crew. Male, for the gods sakes. So?
Geran thought about it as he held her, the sobs stopping, his breathing
becoming less harsh. Khym was available, Cap'n said so.. So why Not Tully.

She reached between them, feeling something familiar but strange at the same
time. "Tully.." He stiffened, then tried to move away. She gripped him harder.
"I have seen you naked, Gods rotted son." She shoved him down on the bed, and
continued rubbing the rising cloth. "You need, Tully?" His eyes closed and he
bit his lip, but he wasn't trying to stop her either. She leaned down and
breathed in his ear, "Friend, Tully. Yes?" He nodded, just a little. "Friends
help friends. You Need, Tully?" Then his eyes opened and she could see all the
pain, the need that he had kept to himself, The wounds that still hadn't healed
in his mind.

Fingers undid the knot in his pants and tugged at them, thin hips lifting a
little. Geran grinned to herself and looked up at Tully's face, patting it.
"It's Ok, Tully. Friend." Soon to be more than that. A hand held hers as she
groped for... Gods! Geran swiveled her head back in astonishment. That had been
hidden in his pants all this time? Hilfy must have screamed.. She shook her
head of such thoughts. She was not a child, having had her share of times
downside. But this... She stroked it in her hand, feeling it throb with life.
"Well.. So. You are definitely male Tully." Ger shook her hand free of his grip
and rubbed his belly, panting a little herself.

She stroked a little harder, faster, listening to him pant and her heart synced
with his, hormones coming to the fore. She fumbled for her own knot.. Then
Tully moaned, and the smell of male came strong and acrid in her nostrils, as
she felt liquid splash over his belly and chest, continuing her caresses until
the volume stopped.. 'Gods, you Did need that, Old Son.' She left to fetch a
towel, tasting him on her hand. 'Not bad. Not as salty as gfi. Tasty..' She
returned and towelled him off then removed her breeches. "Geran.." he panted,
and tried to rise. She shoved him down and lay beside him. "Shhhh... Friend."
She smiled, looking at the fear fighting with the lust in his eyes. "It's Ok,
Tully. I want this." Slowly, a shaking hand reached out for her resting on her
hip, touching her. 'So much like another..' She gripped him and lifting a leg,
moved closer. 'Gods he is Huge!' "Unnnnn.. Tully." She purred huskily, moving
closer, until they met, flesh to flesh.

She felt the tremors, the hand moving clumsily on her back, her rump. "First.."
came as a whisper to her ears, shocking her enough to dig claws into his butt
making him jerk a little, push against her. Geran lifted his chin. "Say
again.." Color brightened his complexion. "First time... Not have time before
coming to this space. Not have time with Hilfy." He pushed his head against her
shoulder. "Not know what to do.. How to say.." Ger Hugged the male to herself.
"Tully - You have need, You tell me, hear?" Claws not quite pulled, she slapped
his naked butt gently. "Talk, be with, Do.." She didn't say it, moving his head
back to move the mane from his face. "You crew.. We crew. Understand?" he half
nodded again, then moaned loudly as she rolled him on his back and gripped him.

Then lifted herself up and stared down at the male who acted like.. She shook
her head. 'Virgins.. Gods look on them.' Then moved, stretching, wondering if
she Could do this.. But Geran never walked away from a challenge. She worked
out a rhythm, hands on his chest, hips sliding, breath coming in gasps. All too
soon she felt the dam break and grabbed the bed lest she wound the poor male
whose skin tore so easily. "Tully." She growled, hands gripping her, adding to
the sensations. Then he moved. "Oh Tully.. Don't do..." Another movement. He
was so gods be damned Big! Then there was nothing but rut and 2 beings found a
higher plane together, wounds closing in both hearts as they held each other,
saying nothing, wanting only to be with each other. "Geran." came over the com.
A nasty word followed as the hani lifted herself off the male, giving half a
thought not to reply.

"Geran.." came again, more insistent. "Your turn on watch." Damn. Ger looked at
Tully and rubbed his chest. Then got up and hit the com. "Be there in a few -
Shower first." And grabbing the same towel she had used on Tully to keep from
dripping on the floor, walked half-bowlegged to the stall and washed, making
she was well-scrubbed. No kits from him, That was for sure. A dash of perfume
and the breeches she had wore in and with one last pat on her friend, she was
gone.

Tirun heard her coming, with a question on her face. the com Geran had used was
in Tully's cabin, and Why a shower.. Then the hani appeared a little damp, more
in some places than others. Well. But Tirun would ask no questions. Not unless
Geran cheated at dice again. She chuckled and went off to drink something,
bringing a cup of soup to Ger. Then thought of Tully. A second bowl, covered
went down to the cabin. She tapped the button, then listened. Labored
breathing, a moan of pain. Tirun opened the door, and stepped in.. To wrinkle
her nose at the smells. Well. Ger had been down here. None of her business.

"Tully?" She turned the lights up and there was the poor male. Bleeding from
small scratches on his back and sides. "Tirun.." he managed, not even bothering
to try and cover himself. The Hani put the soup in a holder, and went to him,
noticing that he was well-built if not in body, then other places. "Ger - She
did this?" A deep blush made her lower her ears. The aid-kit was across the
room and she got some antiseptic From it. Dabbing at the wounds she shook her
head. "Why, For the gods sakes?" When she was done she fetched the soup and
waited until he had finished it. "Better Tully?" He nodded. As Tir got up to
leave he reached up and tugged at her arm. "Not tell. Please." Not tell Geran
or not tell others.. She sat again. "I won't Tully.. But if she by the Gods does
this again.." Tully looked distressed. "First." he said, looking at her, then
at the deck again. First time with a hani or... Her ears and mouth went down.
Poor Tully - Male Outsider. Male. With desires and feelings and.. "Friend. You
Friend. Good to me."

Damnit Tully.. He leaned over her and scandalized her by kissing her on the
cheek, patting her leg. She growled, then bit back a curse as he looked at the
floor again, hands to himself. Just like some gods-be young man would downside.
Her gut tightened, then she huffed. He Was male.. Too Gods Rotted male... And
alone. And lonely. "Shower Tully." He nodded, staying long enough to send a
heart-wrenching look her way. Then walked off without a word. Tiran stood and
hit com. "Geran - Next time you are with Tully, watch those Gods-Rotted claws."
She could almost hear the other's ears flap. "Is he alright?" More than a
little worry. Good. "He is in the shower, just a few scratches." An almost
audible sigh of relief. "We are going to have to burn some incense down here."
An actual chuckle. "And I am going off-shift for a while. Call me down here if
you need me." She could almost see Ger's reaction.

"He is Crew." Came back, a guilty conscience pricking. Tirun listened to the
water run. "That he is. And Maybe you had better run down and get some clean
clothes on before anyone Else shows up. I can watch from lower ops until you
get back." An "Aye" and she shut the com down, going out to wait until Geran
had time to clean up a bit more and get some Clean breeches on. Laundry would
have to be one of them.. Or maybe Haral would enjoy a laugh. Tirun's ears
flapped as she thought of Solid Haral finding Tully's breeches.. Once she heard
the 'Aye' from Ger, she returned to the cabin, wanting to make sure their Other
male was ok. She locked the door and removed her breeches, then stepped into
the head in time to find Tully coming out of the shower, looking at her with
those beautiful blue eyes full of questions. Tirun stepped forward with a towel
and dried his back, his chest, being careful about the scratches, and then
grabbed him with a grin. "You like Females, Tully?" She kneeled down and rubbed
his legs, nuzzling him intimately, inhaling his alien but so male scent.

Standing, she turned him and patted his butt dry, then reached around and
gripped him, fondling him. "You like Tully?" He leaned against her, obviously
liking it. Spoke a word softly. "Say again." He looked at her. "Second?" She
laughed and shoved him out of the head and towards the bed, not caring about
dirty sheets. Tully went, then stopped short. "Geran." He said, looking scared
again. "Share." Tirun said and sat on the bed, looking at him in wonderment.
"Share?" She nodded and pulled him closer. "Geran, Me, Haral, Chur if you want
and she wants." Tir licked his flesh, tasting him, rubbing his legs, feeling
the shudder. She looked up at him. So very male.. Worried about what they would
say, worried about what they would do. "You crew with Us. No one Takes you
unless You Want, Understand?" A nod, and some lengthy thought going on behind
those eyes.. "If... If you want." That vulnerable look again, Trusting. Tirun's
mouth was too full to reply, using her hands to tell him it was alright. Her
rings jingled as her head moved, gripping his wrists, Growling about how Big he
was.. And a few minutes later he proved he was male.

The hani purred softly, taking all he had to offer, making sure he was well-
drained, laying her head on his legs and closing her eyes, rubbing the male who
just lay, breathing hard. One could get used to laying like this.. Her hand
moved up his side, feeling ribs. Reluctantly, she let him slide out of her
mouth, and retrieved the soup. "Hungry, Tully?" He grabbed the cup, hand
shaking. Tirun sat beside him and helped him hold it, got it all down him with
a vitamin pill, and got her pants on. "Tirun." She returned to Tully, gathering
up the towels and his pants. "I will get you another pair later. You sleep now.
Rest, Ok?" Gently he lifted his hands to take her face between them. Then he
leaned forward and kissed her, lips on her lips. Tirun kissed him back firmly
then pushed on his shoulder.

"Rest, Tully. We have time. The Pride isn't going anywhere for a while." He
grinned in his insane way. "Sleep with you, Not get much rest." She laughed and
patted his shoulder, pulled the blanket over him and turned the light down,
closing the door. One more armload of laundry to toss in the machines, a pair
of pants and a shirt to be snagged, placed inside the now dark room, a quick
check to make sure Tully was sleeping quietly. Then up to find out the latest
news. Geran looked up, then back at her board. "Is he.." "Sleeping." Came the
answer, as Tirun sat at her station. "Chur thinks the world of him, I even
think the Cap'n has taken a liking to the son." They both sat, sharing a
secret. More delays, more meetings, more waiting. Haral came in, looking tired.
Dinner was a frozen meal, heated, eaten, forgotten. Then she stood in the
bridge with a cup of gfi, looking at nothing in particular.

Noting a missing figure she asked, "How's Tully doing?" Furtive looks passed
back and forth. "Sleeping, Last I saw." So. A male in their midst. But he Was
crew.. And Crew took care their own. "Think he would like a hot meal?" Tirun
nodded. "I got some soup down him. He is still too skinny though." Haral
chuckled to herself, watching reactions. So the son had a couple of Ladies to
watch over him, Eh? "So. What's he like?" Tirun's ears folded for a moment,
getting a soft hiss of laugher from Haral. They had discussed each others
conquests and techniques often enough to make the subject approachable.

"Big." Geran offered, "Afraid. Lonely. Keeps it hidden well." Tirun nodded,
saying everything with her silence and the set of her face. "Well. Maybe Tully
would like a hot meal and someone to sit with him for a while. Should I bring
him up here?" Tirun shook her head. "Better he stays in bed. He didn't look too
good. Worn out, I would say." Haral nodded, and returned to the galley to heat
up 3 more dinners, snag a large mug of tea and head downship. "If anything
comes up, call me." The other two nodded, going up to eat, and listen to the
com.

Haral thought about hitting the buzzer, to let Tully know she was coming, but
decided not to wake him just yet. it took a moment of fumbling to open the
door, and turn the lights up. Then she got a tray out, and put the food on it,
setting the utensils down, then sat and looked at the male sleeping on the bed.
He did look worn out. It hadn't been but a few days ago everything quieted down
- If this could be called quiet. She watched Tully sleep, thinking maybe she
would leave the food and come back later. Then he shifted on the bed and sat
up. Removing the blanket, Tully stumbeled off to the head, still naked. The
hani recalled him when he was first onboard. A scared, pitiful thing then. Now
- Well from what she had just seen, he was somewhat better but still not in
Great shape. Maybe it was hormones, or maybe it was just he reminded her of
some scrawny kid in Sanctuary, but she had a warm spot for their Outsider.

Tully finished, and makde his way back in, groggy from sleep, and the seditave
Tirun had slipped him. "Haral?" he said, swaying. "Yes Tully.. Come on. You had
better sit down." She helped him sit, and pulled the tray forward. "Thanks." he
said, not bothering to dress. Well. So Tully was well-built. And willing, if
what was Not said on the bridge was any indication. Along with some healing
scratches. She waited until he was done then moved the tray. "You Ok Tully?" He
nodded. "Tired. Thank You." Haral patted his back. "It's Ok. Anything you Need,
Tully?"

His eyes were up and Looking at her.. Then gone again. Fear, worry.. Maybe
something else. "Hey.. It's Ok, Tully. You understand? You are Crew. We take
care of you." Oh Gods. Maybe she shouldn't have said.. Then his arms were
around her and he was Hugging her tightly, and she could feel the moisture from
his eyes and she hugged him back gently. Male. But not Hani Male. Our Tully,
she had so much as said it. So he was. She patted his back and let him work out
whatever he needed to, getting a clean towel to wipe his face with, combing his
mane. Then laid him down and held his hand. "Sleep Tully?" He nodded, still
holding her hand. Haral patted him between his legs, then drew the covers over
him, and waited until his eyes were closed and his breathing regular before
gathering up the dishes, locking the tray back in place, and dimming the light
on her way out.

Our Tully. Why not? She closed the door, thinking she would check up on him
later, maybe even see for herself if Geran was right. Poor Tully was going to
be busy with four women working on him. But he could handle it. Put some meat
on those bones. Get him settled down some. Haral smiled to herself. Definately
going to look in on him later.

The End