Caught on the Rebound (VOY K/Ayala NC-17)

Disclaimer: Star Trek belongs to Paramount. This story belongs to us, A. Kite and Tirinar. No copyright infringement was intended.

Summary: After a disastrous one-night stand with Tom, an angry, hurt Harry finds solace with Miguel Ayala.

Warning: This is a slash story. It has explicit descriptions of men having sex. If this might offend you, please read no further.
Archiving permission given to PKSP, R'rain and ASC/EM.
Feedback, comments and constructive criticism are welcome. Flames are not. Comments may be sent to the group or to us privately at AKite68163@aol.com or Tirinar@aol.com.
This story is the answer to a challenge from Tommyhawk about his story, Shuttle Day 12. We would suggest you read it first, but the essentials are that Tom used Harry for sex and as a way to get back at Chakotay. We were so upset at the way that Tommyhawk had written our sweet Harry that we had to set the record straight. Mainly, that Harry Kim does not have a bony butt, and he most certainly isn't the lousy lay that was made of him in Shuttle Day 12.
Tirinar :~ Hiya all. Anita got it pretty much said, and we've finally got this finished! Well done us, though I personally wanted to space Tom for What He Did to Our Harry. 'Tis not his fault though, and I love him really. }:o)>
And now, brought to you by A. Kite and Tirinar productions, we give you
::drum roll::

*****
Caught on the Rebound
*****

Harry's good mood vanished in a flash when upon entering the Holodeck resort program, he had found Tom. Indeed Tom was there. In a secluded corner with his body wrapped around Chakotay's. Harry was so angry that it was all he could do to get back to his quarters without making a scene. His grim demeanor provided him a wide berth. There was more than one look of shock as he met people in the hallways. No one had ever seen Harry Kim with that kind of look on his face.

As the door slid shut behind him, Harry let out a string of expletives that would have made an old time sailor blush. Damn him, damn Tom Paris straight to hell! Harry kicked the wall between his quarters and the connected shared bath with a vengeance. He wasn't thinking clearly as he entered the bathroom and slammed the lid down on the toilet and sat with his head in his hands in total emotional exhaustion.

Ayala was sleeping. Or just waking up. Not his fault, really. He'd been dreaming, when a loud thud on the wall next to him jolted him from his slumber. Rising from his bed, he pulled on his uniform trousers and shirt. He stepped slowly over to the bathroom door and pressed the door release. The sight nearly took his breath away. Harry was sitting in the shared bathroom, his hair fell in his face and over his eyes in clumps. Tears ran down his face, drying now after the storm that had raged across his face and through his mind. Ayala's heart lurched in his chest. Quickly he moved across the bathroom, fully intent on gathering the young Ensign into his arms and kissing the tears from his face. He stopped himself just in time. Leaning against the bathroom sink, he crossed his arms and his ankles.

Casual, he thought. Yeah, that was it. Nice and casual. No pressure. No slipping up. Nothing like that. He'll never know how you feel. Okay, you've been standing here a minute. Say something.

"You want to tell me what happened?"

Silence.

Okay, nice gentle tone. He's upset. Calm him down.

"Harry... Come on. We've known each other for ages. You can tell me, I promise. I won't say anything."

Harry bit his lip and sniffed.

Miguel smiled. Just that little thing he does with his lip. It's so endearing! Okay, cool it. Plenty of time to think of Harry later.

"I'm guessing it's something to do with Tom."

Small nod.

"You and him were... together ...yesterday, yeah?"

Another nod. Damn! And here was he, hoping for a chance someday. That chance seemed to be falling away with each passing second.

"You slept together." He chose his words carefully.

"Yes," said Harry. His voice was full of grief, with a tinge of anger.

"So...?" Ayala left the question hanging.

Harry sighed and leaned back. He ran his hands up over his face and through his hair.

"After the shuttle trip. When he came home." Harry paused a moment to gather his thoughts. "He put his arm around my shoulders. Asked if he could come back to my place. I really like him. Sometimes I wonder if I love him as well."

"So, he came back here. Then you...?"

Quit prying into his sex life. He's had a hard enough time as it is! Make excuses and leave.

"Yes. He left straight afterwards, said he had some unpacking to do or something. Then..."

Oh, shit. Please don't tell me Tom and Chakotay... Oh, Harry.

"When I went to find him..."

Harry sounded choked. He dropped his head into one hand, the other falling into his lap.

"He was in the Holodeck. The resort. With Chakotay."

Ayala sighed.

"Oh, Harry. I'm sorry. I don't know how he could do that to you." He walked over and stood in front of Harry. Looking down at him, he lightened his voice. "Want me to go beat him up? I can do some serious damage there if need be..."

He grinned as Harry looked up at him in surprise.

"No, thanks. If anyone is gonna hurt him..." Harry stopped, suddenly. He found himself looking up at Ayala, meeting his eyes. Then something happened. Gods, what is he doing to me?

Ayala brushed the hair from Harry's eyes with one hand. But he found that once that contact was made, he couldn't break it. Slowly, he stroked his cheek with that hand, reveling in it. Then Harry looked up. Their eyes locked and he was lost. Lost and drowning in pools of liquid chocolate, a death from which he never wanted to be saved. All thoughts fled from Ayala's mind as he leaned down to brush his lips across Harry's. Velvet softness, and so good. Ayala knew he was losing himself as he went back to kiss him again, adding more pressure and pulling Harry's face to him as much as possible.

Then realization struck like the thunder and lightening of the Gods themselves. Ayala pulled back, breathing harder. He could not bring himself to meet Harry's eyes as he backed away, then turned and fled through the door, back to his quarters.

Miguel stripped off his clothes, down to the regulation boxer shorts that he slept in. He laid down and squirmed a bit to find a comfortable position, but sleep would be impossible until he thought this out.

What the hell was I doing? So Harry was upset? So he looked up at you with those big brown eyes of his full of tears.? Why did I have to go and kiss him? I was doing so well hiding it. Not anymore, buddy. I blew it. Now Kim knows. Knows what exactly? He already knew that I liked him. We get along better than any other of the crew that share bath facilities. We never argue, never yell at the other to hurry up.

In fact, many mornings they shared the sink at the same time. They even shared the same soap and shampoo; taking turns replicating replacements when they ran out. Giving each other the privacy for other things was always done with courtesy. Sure, they had walked in on one another when they had forgotten to engage a privacy lock. It was embarrassing the first few times, but after that they grew accustom to seeing the other naked or in their underwear. At least, Harry had gotten used to it. Miguel had hidden the sharp edge of attraction he felt.

There were many reasons why he had hidden his feelings. Number one, he was Maquis, and Harry was a Starfleet ensign. Second was Kim's friendship with the traitor, Paris. Though, that consideration was more than likely moot now. Then there was age.

Gods, Harry Kim was young! True, he was no longer the green, naive kid he had been when they first started this journey. The years in the Delta Quadrant had not been kind to any of them. It seemed to Miguel that Harry had had more than his share of the hardship. How many times had they almost lost him? Too many to even contemplate right now.

So, what's stopping you? Nothing, that's what. Nothing, but things that no longer matter. Time's a-wasting, stupid! Get up! Go talk to him. Or did you never want to feel those soft lips against yours again?

Miguel moved quickly once he made up his mind. He slapped the control for the bathroom door open, and was face to face with Harry.

********

Harry stood, more than a little shocked. He stared at the closed door to Ayala's quarters and played back the last few years of his life, living next door to Ayala. Sure, they got on well. Better than most, in fact. But did that mean that Ayala wanted him like that?

Harry brought his hand to his lips. He closed his eyes and gently traced his lower lip with his index finger, felt the flush of his face, the swelling in his lips where Ayala had kissed him, so briefly. He walked into his bedroom. He moved, lethargically, his head dropped, and his brow creased slightly in thought. He pulled open a drawer and took out a pair of pajamas.

Ayala kissed me. Does that mean anything? Does he want me? Was it just meant as a comfort thing? And if it was. Why did he...

Harry broke off his train of thought. He stripped off his uniform and pulled on the shorts and T-shirt. Ayala had been standing by the sink one moment and in front of him the next, brushing the hair from his eyes. Then...

Harry stopped. A thousand questions ran around his head, most of which revolved around one three-letter word.

"Why?" he whispered. Harry turned the word over in his mind. And stood, walked to the bathroom. He stared at the door to Ayala's quarters. He reached for the door control...

"Harry. I..."

"Miguel, please. Could we...I mean I think... We need to talk about this."

Ayala gestured towards his quarters. Harry stepped through the bathroom door into Ayala's room. Harry sat down on the couch, fingers laced with his chin resting on his hands. He watched Miguel as he sat down in the opposite chair, and waited.

Miguel thought for a few seconds, staring at the floor in front of Harry's feet. Okay, get yourself out of this one, smartass. Watch what you say, you don't want to send him running back into Tom's arms. "I don't know what to say."

Great answer. Any more to add to that?

"I suppose you wouldn't believe me saying it was heat of the moment?"

"Was it?" Harry gazed at Miguel's face, watching for a reaction.

"No. I've... wanted to do that for a long time, Harry. And you looked so sad, after Tom, I guess I wanted to take the hurt away." He grinned, slightly, then continued. "And you looking up at me like that. Hasn't anyone ever told you that thing you do with your lashes is irresistible?"

Harry smiled slightly.

"Harry... I understand if you never want to see me again. I'll put in for a room transfer, if you want. Stay out of your way." His hands clenched at the thought.

"Ayala..." Harry stopped, then continued, his voice soft. "Miguel. I don't want you to go anywhere. I'm not sure exactly what I want right now. But..."

Miguel looked up as Harry's fingers touched his face. His expression went from slight confusion to surprise, then changed lanes for pure joy as Harry's lips touched his in the softest of kisses.

Momentarily, Miguel pulled back to look at Harry, seeing only happiness in his expression. As he watched, the tip of Harry's tongue showed through his parted lips, running around the inside of his bottom lip.

The final barrier broke as Miguel gathered Harry into his arms and kissed him thoroughly, tongues exploring teeth and cheeks, before returning to each other. They broke apart, gasping slightly.

"Miguel," Harry whispered, a tortured look flitting across his face. "I can't... not tonight, not so soon after..." He looked down, ashamed.

Miguel pulled Harry into his arms.

"Shh, it's okay. Can I hold you Harry? Just hold you, tonight? That's all I need. All I want."

Harry nodded, then relaxed as Miguel pulled him to is feet, helping Harry over to the bed and into it. They stretched out alongside each other; Harry wrapped in the security of Miguel's arms. And there they lay, peacefully, while sleep overcame them both.

********

Tom Paris entered his quarters with a sigh. Chakotay had been called away from the Holodeck by the captain. It was still fairly early, and he really didn't want to go to bed yet. Tom moved restlessly around his cabin. Maybe Harry's up for a game of pool.

Tom tapped his combadge and asked the computer for Harry's location. Ayala's quarters? What's Harry doing in Ayala's quarters?

"Computer inform me when Ensign Kim returns to his own quarters." The computer acknowledged Tom's request, and he looked around to try and find something to pass the time. There was that book he started before the shuttle trip. So, Tom sat down, started reading and lost all track of time for a while.

In fact, he was a little startled to hear his door chime go off. "Come in."

It was Chakotay, looking tired and drawn, but he perked up slightly when he saw that Tom was still up. "I just came to tell you goodnight."

"Tell me goodnight? You aren't staying?" Tom asked grumpily.

"Tom, I'm bushed, and from the look of you, you're tired too. It's not that I don't want to be with you, but right now all I want to do is sleep," Chakotay answered wearily.

"It's okay. See you for breakfast?"

"Uh... actually, I have a breakfast meeting with the captain in the morning. We didn't finish everything we needed to go over this evening. It's an early meeting. That's why I thought it best to sleep by myself tonight," Chakotay said sheepishly.

Tom conceded. "Sure, no problem. See you tomorrow." He went over and kissed his lover goodnight. Chakotay kissed him back sweetly, and left to seek his bed.

As Tom moved to get ready for bed himself, he remembered his request to the computer. "Computer, has Ensign Kim returned to his quarters yet?"

"Negative."

Hmmm... what could Harry and Ayala be doing all this time?'

It never occurred to the lieutenant that Harry might be hurt that he was used and tossed aside so quickly. He just readied himself for bed and slept the sleep of the totally righteous.

********

Harry woke. Someone's arms were wrapped around him. Strong, muscular. Not a woman, then.

Miguel.

Harry opened his eyes to find Miguel gazing down at him.

"Good morning." Harry smiled, then winced at the pain in his foot.

"What? What is it?" A concerned look crossed Ayala's face.

"My foot. I..." Harry looked embarrassed, and blushed. "I kicked the wall pretty hard yesterday."

He swung his legs over the side of the bed and tried to stand, before gasping in pain.

"You should go to sickbay." Miguel smiled. "That must've been what woke me up last night. You kicking the wall."

Harry blushed again.

"Sorry about that. I was just so mad at Tom and all..."

"Don't apologize. I wouldn't have traded last night for anything."

Harry just smiled and headed for the bathroom.

********

The ship's computer buzzing for his attention woke Tom the next morning. Groggily, he answered, "Yes?"

"Ensign Kim has entered his quarters."

"Computer, what's the time?"

"The time is 0630 hours."

"Acknowledged."

Well, no use in trying to go back to sleep. Up, Tommy-boy and hit the shower. Hold it... Harry spent the night with Ayala?

Tom was still puzzling on it when he entered the mess hall and saw Miguel sitting at a table alone. While getting some food he decided, what the hell. Tom walked over and took the seat across from Ayala.

Ayala looked up sharply when Tom sat down across from him. "Paris, what the hell do you want?" he asked unable to keep the sneer out of his voice.

"Just curious, Ensign," Tom answered. Totally aware of the dislike the Marquis had for him; he subtly reminded Ayala that he was of higher rank.

"Curious about what, Lieutenant?" Ayala could play that old game too.

Tom didn't answer right away. He took a bite of his breakfast, made a face at the taste and picked up his coffee mug. "Was he any good?"

"What are talking about? Was who any good?"

"Don't give me that, Ayala. I know that Harry slept with you last night," Tom said smugly. "So, was he good?"

Don't hit him, Miguel, don't hit him. He's not worth it

Miguel controlled his anger, pushing himself away from the table. "Yeah, Harry and I slept together, and it was wonderful. Are you happy now?" Oops, that had come out a little louder than he meant it to.

Miguel got up and stalked from the mess hall leaving the whole crowd buzzing.

Ayala spent the whole morning down in the cargo bays. He had no inkling that the whole ship was gossiping until he joined Parker and Lee in the turbolift at lunch time.

"What's this we hear about you and Harry Kim, Miguel?" Parker finally asked. "Robbing the cradle, aren't you?"

The big Maquis was mortified. Damn! This ship is like living in a fishbowl. Everyone knows your business.

Lee nudged him with her elbow. "Come on, Ayala. Tell us."

Oh God, am I going to get this from everybody when I set foot in the mess hall? "Look, anything that may or may not have happened between Harry and me is strictly our business. I'm not saying a word," he sternly told the two.

When Miguel Ayala resolved to do something that's what he did. He went to the mess hall, intimidating anyone that might have called up enough courage to tease him into leaving him strictly alone.

Harry wasn't as intimidating. He received a long appraising look from Tom as the pilot watched him cross the bridge going to his station at Ops that morning. The Ops manager busied himself with diagnostics missing the looks of speculation sent his way from crewmembers entering and leaving the bridge. But lunchtime was a living hell. Harry was teased mercilessly.

The final straw came when Tom caught him alone in the lift back up to the bridge. "Hey, Har. Talked to Ayala at breakfast this morning."

So that's how everybody knows, Harry thought as the angry realization spread across his face.

"Yes, and..." Harry said impatiently to Tom.

"Oh, nothing, just it looks like I'm not the only slut on the ship."

Harry gaped at Tom in disbelief for a moment before he turned his back so Tom couldn't see the hurt in his eyes. He steeled himself enough to reply, "I'm sure you'd see it that way."

The doors opened onto the bridge before Tom could think of a comeback. They headed for their posts without another exchange. Harry tried, he really tried to keep his mind on his work that afternoon, but it was impossible. It was a good thing that Voyager was passing through an utterly uninteresting part of space. Harry wasn't called on his distraction. He noticed the looks that he missed seeing before lunch. Every sly smile sent his way from his crewmates. Harry bounced between feeling total humiliation and an anger and hurt that cut deeply.

How could Miguel do that? Just announce to a whole mess hall full of people that we slept together. Why was he talking to Tom, anyway? Harry knew he should confront Miguel about as soon as possible, but he also wanted to hide in quarters. Pull the covers up over his head and stay hidden until this all blew over.

When Harry's relief showed up, he briefed the man as quickly as possible and left the bridge. He still hadn't made up his mind what to do. Harry pulled up short when he exited the turbolift and caught sight of Ayala standing outside his door. The decision had been taken neatly out of his hands.

Shit. No way can I avoid this now.

The ensign walked briskly to his door and brushed by Ayala without saying a word. He lifted his hand to input his door code and the other man grabbed it. "Please Harry, we have to talk about this," Miguel urged desperately. "Please."

It almost broke Miguel's heart when Harry turned to him and said coldly, "Alright, but inside. Not out here in the corridor."

"Yes. Inside. Please, Harry," Miguel urged again.

When the door swished closed behind them the big Maquis did something that he had never in his life done before. He fell to his knees to beg for forgiveness. "I'm sorry Harry. It's just... just Paris, he made me so mad... I never meant to..."

Before Miguel could get any further in his rather incoherent explanation, Harry rounded on him. "How could you do that? You don't know all the shit I went through today!"

Harry whirled away from him and stomped toward the couch. Miguel got up off his knees and followed. He stood looking down at the man he wanted for his own. Finally he spoke, "Well, if it was anything like the shit I went through, it was pretty bad." Ayala paused, "Harry, please look at me."

Harry did look up at him. His face was no longer the cold mask it had been, but the hurt was there in his eyes. It wrenched Miguel's heart, killed him to know that he caused it. He kneeled again and gathered Harry into his arms. Whispering because his voice was too ragged for speaking, "I'm sorry. The last thing in this world that I wanted to do was to hurt you. I got angry with Paris this morning and yelled at him. I shouldn't have let him affect me that way. But, Harry, if you knew what he said..."

The younger man pulled back and smiled grimly, "Yeah, I've got a good idea what he said. He called me a slut, and I had to put up with the looks I got all day. I thought... I thought maybe you were just like him." Harry couldn't bring himself to even say Tom's name.

"No, no Harry, I'm not like him. Let me show you how I am," Miguel whispered as he nuzzled at Harry's ear. "I'll be so careful with you. You'll see. Let me show you, please."

Harry didn't answer with words. He sighed and pulled Miguel closer. He needed this so badly, the caring, the loving this man could give him. He tucked his head against Ayala's shoulder and nodded. That gesture of acquiescence was all that Miguel needed. He gave the man in his arms a tight squeeze then let him go to stand up and offer his hand.

Miguel led Harry to the bedroom. He embraced Harry again and kissed him thoroughly before beginning to undress him. The older man slowly removed the boots, socks, jumpsuit and undershirt until Harry was clad only in the tight boxer briefs that he favored. Miguel couldn't keep his breath from quickening or his hands from shaking. Yes, he had seen it all before, but not like this. Never this.

Harry's hard cock was clearly outlined under the tight material. Miguel couldn't resist reaching out to touch it. The touch caused an immediate reaction. Harry moaned and his knees nearly buckled before Miguel caught him around the waist. He could feel the wetness leaking through the fabric from the tip of Harry's dick. Ayala moved a little faster as he skinned Harry out of his underwear.

Even more quickly he divested himself of his uniform. Miguel was anxious to get started after waiting so long for the moment to come, but he told himself over and over, Slow and gentle, slow and gentle! Though, it took all of his willpower to keep from throwing Harry onto the bed and fucking him into a frenzy. Instead he drew Harry to the bed and got them settled comfortably before daring to touch him again more intimately.

The Maquis started with soft touches, acquainting himself with Harry's body. He drew light fingertips over the younger man's arms, abdomen and down his legs. Then followed those touches with his mouth. Every touch invoked a response, a shiver or a small noise. Until his hand found and cupped Harry's tight balls, and he accidentally brushed against his anus. This brought a sharp hiss of pain from Harry.

"Sorry, I'm still a bit sore there," Harry apologized. "Tom was kind of rough the other day."

"Damn it, Harry, you don't need to apologize for that," Miguel answered. If he didn't hate Paris enough before, the fact that he'd actually hurt Harry physically would have done it. "I'll never ever hurt you like that. If I ever do anything you don't like, tell me, okay?"

Harry grinned at Ayala's outrage on his behalf to reassure him. "Okay, but can I touch you too?" he asked tentatively. "I feel a little selfish just lying here."

"Shhh... No Harry, let me do this. Next time you can do anything you want."

Harry lay back and let the man continued the worship of his body. Miguel's fingers and mouth started their magic again. Gentle touches, soft lips and tongue on his neck, moving down to pay homage to his nipples. Swirling his tongue around the areola, before lashing the nubs with strong licks that made Harry groan out loud. He moved his mouth if he was in no hurry to get to what was below. Harry didn't last more than a minute when Miguel finally reached his cock. He came with an almost silent moan.

Miguel let Harry's softened member slip from his mouth before rolling on top of him and rubbing his own urgent cock into the wetness. He kissed Harry deeply as he thrust against him, sharing the taste of Harry's seed with it's owner. The younger man kissed him back with the same enthusiasm he showed for all new things, relishing the fact that Ayala wanted him.

Miguel moved himself faster and faster. Rubbing his cock against the smooth skin of Harry's belly until he came with a shout. He moved off Harry to recover from one of the most intense orgasms he had ever had. They lay sharing caresses and kisses until suddenly Harry's stomach growled.

Just as Miguel was going to ask Harry if he had any replicator rations his stomach growled too. This cracked them both up. When they got their laughter under control, Miguel quipped, "We're a real couple of romantics, huh?"

"Oh yeah," Harry agreed as he sat up and made a face at the sticky mess on his stomach. "I bet if we pooled our rations, we could get something pretty good. I'm starved. Didn't eat much at lunch."

"Sounds good. Let's get washed up and eat. I'm hungry too. I was so busy fending off the noisy that I didn't get much to eat either."

The two got up and headed to the bathroom together and got cleaned up. They had a meal that seem to taste better than it possibly could; due to the company, of course. Then they went back to bed.

********

Commander Chakotay and Lieutenant Paris had dinner together too. Unfortunately for them it was mess hall food from Neelix's kitchen. Tom seemed almost as distracted at dinner as Harry had on the bridge that afternoon. Chakotay noticed it but didn't say anything until they were safely back in his quarters away from anyone who might be listening to private conversations.

They sat on the commander's couch for a few minutes without speaking. Chakotay tried nibbling Tom's ear, but soon tired of the silence and lack of response he was getting. It usually only took the barest hint from him to have Tom all over him. Finally, he spoke up, "You want to tell me about it?"

"Huh?" Tom didn't even sound as if he knew Chakotay was even in the same quadrant, much less sitting beside him trying to initiate a sexual encounter. "Oh, sorry, I was just thinking about Harry."

"What about Harry?"

Tom sighed and decided to bite the bullet, "Chakotay, I really screwed things up between us. Literally. I don't think I can fix it either."

Chakotay was feeling a little irritated by now. He had been looking forward to this evening. Flippantly, Chakotay offered, "Don't worry about Harry. I'm sure he'll get over it. Rumor has it that he has Miguel Ayala to console him, anyway." He roughly pulled Tom close to him and put Tom's hand on his erection. "I've got something here to help you forget about Harry."

When Chakotay tried to reach for the pilot's groin, Tom pulled back. "I'm sorry, but I can't do this right now. I need to go see Harry. Try to apologize. You don't know, but if what I did before was bad, today I really blew it."

Chakotay could hardly believe it. Tom was totally flaccid. Not a hard on in sight. Resigned to the fact that sex with Tom wasn't going to happen until this was resolved, he gave up. "Fine. Go find Harry and talk to him. Just don't expect me to wait around all night for you."

Tom walked out of Chakotay's quarters. He tapped his combadge, and located Harry as being in his quarters. Such was the look of concentration on his face, that many people gave him room while he traveled the halls to Harry's quarters, trying to think of what he could possibly say to get his friend back.

He reached the door, and stood for a second, his fingers hovering over the door-chime. Then a thought struck.

What if Harry won't let me in to explain?

He had to admit, after that line in the turbolift, he wouldn't want to see him, either.

Okay, Tommy boy. The other way.

Tom keyed in the access codes to Harry's quarters, and stepped through, the light from the hallway illuminating the darkened room momentarily. Then they slid shut, cutting Tom off from the rest of the ship. Acting on instinct, he moved into Harry's bedroom, following the sounds of breathing coming from there. A dim light was on.

What he saw, almost took his breath away.

Harry. It was definitely Harry, sweaty and naked, laying with his face buried in Ayala's chest. A sleepy, satiated smile was on his face, his hair flopping over his forehead. The blanket pulled over his waist; he lay in Ayala's arms, looking for all the world like he belonged there. He was beautiful, and Tom had never seen it.

Tom tore his gaze from Harry, looking instead at Ayala. Their gazes met.

All that needed to be said, was said with a single look.

Tom turned, and left, the sound of the door closing the only sign he'd been there at all.

And the universe, for Harry Kim, moved on.

The End