Lycanthrophile's Lair

Keeping What You...
Author: Lycanthrophile (lycanthrophile@imadethis.org) and Grygon (grygon@gmail.com)
Fandom: Chronicles of Riddick
Disclaimer: They are the property of Universal Pictures. No copyright infringement intended.
Rating: NC17 for male/male sex, violence
Summary: Vaako makes an attempt to promote the Holy Half Dead Lord Marshal Riddick to full dead.
Word Count: 23,640
Notes: Originally a roleplay between myself and Grygon with a furry twist
Archive: Please inform me

Riddick's cool exterior spoke nothing of the seething, writhing anger inside. For months he had tolerated Dame Vaako and her husband's attempts at his life. And now, despite his beliefs, he could almost see himself putting an end to it. And end to them both.

On the platform of the massive ship he now called home, just down from his throne he stood partially stooped. Wind from below, the rebuilt city, ruffled his bright striped fur. He was staring at Vaako. Reading him. Judging, weighing his anger to what he could see in the other's own stance.

Lowering his haunches he simultaneously leapt for the other and grabbed his favorite blades from their thigh sheaths. This would end now. But not in Vaako's death. Riddick hadn't killed another since Kyra had died without him.

Vaako had expected this to come to a head sooner or later. At first there had been the bitter disappointment when such carefully laid plans to become the leader of the Necromongers had crumbled to bitter dust in one well placed thrust of a knife. And he had knelt among those ashes of a dream, acknowledging Riddick as the new ruler.

That acceptance had been short lived. The lovely Dame Vaako, his beautiful wife, had resumed her whisperings not long after Riddick had assumed the Necromonger throne. Although he had doubts of his own worthiness, Dame Vaako had a point. He was a full fledged Necromonger. Riddick was not. How could one who was not a Necromonger, who did not believe in the glorious Underverse, be fit to rule them?

And with the whisperings began the assassination attempts. None of which had been successful. And to all appearances, Riddick had been ignoring. Until now. Teeth bared in a fangy snarl, Vaako's gray hackles rose as he reached behind him for the six bladed axe. Snarling, he swung the axe forward, stepping into Vaako's charge.

Coming up short Riddick dodged the axe, though he could feel it snip a centimeter of his fur as he went by. He had never taken to large weapons, they were awkward and unbalanced. You put too much time into properly balancing yourself to use them, your body in constant tension from the weight. He preferred to get in personal with his fists. His very knives were designed to give his fists freedom as the blade wrapped around behind the knuckles. He could punch with his knuckles or slash with the blade. An axe required both hands to grip.

And who could duck or dodge or roll with a large axe in their hands? Popping up to Vaako's side Riddick swiped at his ribs in an upward jab of his blade before needing to twist away again.

He wouldn't kill Vaako. But the Necro would be made example of, unlike the rebels who openly killed each other or took the lives of the town people- those he disposed of. He wouldn't kill him for four simple reasons: Fry, Kyra, Imam, and little Ziza who reminded him so much of Jack, who he longed to run away from and take all her monsters with him.

For Vaako... a special punishment just for him.

Vaako had barely been able to dance away from the knife blade, a thin line of blood tracing over his side. But the Necromonger ignored the pain as he rotated, swinging the axe around and just barely missing Riddick yet again. Ignoring the pain came as second nature to him. He had learned to make the pain go away ever since his indoctrination so many years ago.

He followed through with a backslash, but the Furyan was just out of reach. Vaako's previous experience had taught him that he needed to take Riddick down. That window of opportunity was rapidly closing. And he still fought by the Necromonger code. You keep what you kill. This was a fight he couldn't lose.

Closing with his fists a few times Riddick came in hard under Vaako's jaw. If the ending to this was to turn how he wanted he would need both hands free come that time: he sheathed one blade as he sliced with the other.

Pausing for a second he glanced at his cut bicep and growled softly. Ducking the next attempt with flattened ears he sheathed the other blade and came in on all fours. Wrapping a leg around Vaako's and pulling down while he grabbed the axe handles in-between Vaako's wide spread hands.

His hands immediately tightened on the axe, arms going stiff. Vaako wasn't certain which Riddick intended to do - pull the weapon from his hands and turn against him, pummel the haft back against his chest, throat and chin like his fists had tried to do, or even attempt to snap the handle in half. But he couldn't concentrate on that and his balance at the same time. So he allowed himself (or so he mentally said) to fall.

It wasn't a graceful landing. He hit the ground on his tail with a grunt, still gripping the axe. And he didn't let go, but jerked the shaft towards him as he swung his legs in a short arc, intending to sweep Riddick off his feet as well. His teeth were bared in a desperate snarl as he glared at the new Lord Marshall. Pain may have disappeared upon becoming a Necromonger, but fear was an all too constant companion. And he feared he may be in a fight that he couldn't win.

Riddick was jerked down. The move surprised him but he didn't have time to register that emotion. From the corner of his eye he could see a blur headed his way. Another shock, Vaako was surprisingly agile and swift without the weight of his axe. Releasing the axe handle he leaped into the air trying to avoid Vaako's clawed feet. They knocked him off balance in mid air, causing him to come down onto his hands and side of his hip. Blood painted his orange calf.

Simultaneously kicking to right himself he turned the move into one of advantage and aimed a heavy paw to the axe handle, trying to kick it from Vaako's grasp as he jumped to his feet.

He wasn't expected the kick. The axe flew free from his grip, spinning around its center of gravity as it skidded across the floor. And he knew that he had no hope of winning in hand to hand combat. Kicking free from Riddick, Vaako scrambled for the axe. He was all too aware of the eyes of the other Necromonger's on him. And most importantly, the eyes of Dame Vaako on him.

Riddick's eyes were on him as well. As the Necromonger scrambled for his axe Riddick slid into motion behind him, coming down upon him like a serpent. His jaws gaping wide he placed them around Vaako's neck, tongue quickly pinpointing the area he wished to plant a long canine before biting down, though not with all the force he possibly could or his rebel would die.

Not a sound came from him. Though he had growled before the fight he was now returning to his unearthly calmness as he held the Necromonger in his jaws. His blood tasted strong. Tasted alien. Beautiful, he'd almost say.

Immediately Vaako froze hand outstretched inches short of the axe. He could feel Riddick's breath stirring the braided fur on his head, could feel a trickle of blood seeping into his neck fur. As he waited for the Underverse to embrace him, he looked upwards to where Dame Vaako watched. His amber wolfen eyes met her reptilian ones.

The crocodile woman stared at him for a moment. And their gaze broke as Dame Vaako, the woman who had said she would be at his side until Underverse came, turned her back on him.

Riddick saw the bitch from the corner of his eye. So the seductive and manipulative reptile would turn her back on her husband. This didn't surprise Riddick. Even he had fallen for her tricks after knowing her dangerous ways.

He didn't bite down any further. And he didn't bother with the axe anymore. Shaking Vaako in his jaws, though not enough to cause further damage he growled just loud enough for the Necromonger to hear. And then his grip on his neck relaxed. He licked at the wounds, tasting his blood, before standing and glaring down at him.

Vaako was certain when Riddick growled that it was the end. But much to his surprise, he felt his neck being released and Riddick standing. But Vaako didn't move. He knew his fate now, and waited stoically for the delivery of the death blow.

Which he seemed to be taking his sweet time delivering. The blood had matted on his fur before Vaako risked a look up at the Lord Marshall, wondering what was going on and why he was waiting.

Riddick waited until Vaako finally looked at him. He locked his eyes for a moment, removing his goggles to show his silvery eyes. He stared at this Necromonger, seeing the expectancy in them. He wondered if it would be a disappointment not to die for this creature. Then he turned and walked away, the crowds parting before him until he reached the doors to his own ship. He disappeared in those large halls, slipping into the shadows until he was in his own quarters.

It had taken him a long time to get used to calling this place "his". But it still wasn't home. He still lived here as if at any moment he'd vanish again, some crazy band of fucked up mercs on his tail.

The mercs had long since stopped tailing him. The last ship who appeared to collect him was taken care of by the people who now called him their leader. Riddick wasn't used to others taking over his fights. And at first it made him bristle. Now, it just made him wary.

Vaako's ears flicked backwards in surprise as he watched Riddick leave. The other Necromongers seemingly ignored his presence, acting as if the death blow had been delivered. The fact that Riddick had withheld the Underverse from him only confused him further.

Rising to his feet, he followed Riddick's trail to his personal quarters. After a moment's hesitation he raised his fist to the sealed door and knocked. "Lord Marshal?" he called out, hating the uncertainty in his voice that made him sound like a raw recruit.

Riddick thought he might be followed. His un-Necromonger ways still unsettled his underlings. And now Vaako had by all means been stripped of both his rank and social standing. If the Necromonger's revered death as much as they seemed to then his rebel didn't deserve it.

Riddick hated this ship. There were no windows. It felt claustrophobic most days.

His eyes flashed as he looked up from his meditative crouch in the corner. "What is it?" His voice rumbled soft and calmly, already back to his typical attitude of knowing more than he let on.

Vaako didn't take a visibly deep breath as he opened the door and stepped inside. So few were allowed into the Lord Marshall's chambers that he wasn't quite certain what to expect.

"I..." He wasn't going to ask why he was attacked. He had attacked Riddick to usurp his place, and there was no way around it. It was the aftermath that had him confused. And sick of Dame Vaako's subtle probing for information, he decided to take the blunt approach. "Why didn't you kill me?"

Riddick rose and walked over to Vaako. He placed himself a hair's width away from Vaako, reaching past the Necromonger's shoulder to push the door closed again. "Perhaps I should have," he sniffed at his wound. "Your race is slow despite their numbers." Still... he glanced down at his wounded arm, the dried blood still glistening a bit in his fur. He could feel his calf throbbing. It would need to be tended to soon.

He rounded Vaako, standing at his side. "But isn't death what you want? You call it 'Underverse' as if it's some slick prize." He sneered, close enough his breath was warm on Vaako's ear. Some days he thought death would be a blessing, if only some one worthy of killing him could come along. "Getting rid of you isn't what I want. Giving you your Underverse isn't what I want."

Vaako had immediately straightened up more as Riddick approached. He may have been disgraced and lost his standing in the Necromonger society, but old habits would die hard in him. Although defeated, he would not show further weakness.

Even though he had to suppress a shiver at Riddick's breath against his fur. He stared straight ahead, staying at military attention. "Then what do you want?" he asked.

Riddick could sense a slight... unease of sorts beneath the cool exterior of Vaako at his close proximity. His whiskered quivered slightly as he scented Vaako again. What did he want? "Your wife has left you. Your comrades will now avoid you... you have nothing." He inhaled his scent again, walking around to stand behind him.

"I have nothing," his voice dropped low. Fry. Kyra. The holy man... every one he had ever cared for, gone. So why was he taking the risk that he might care again? He leaned in, his sensitive nose barely brushing Vaako's shoulder as he took his scent in again... a scent he seemed unable to get enough of.

His ears twitched as Riddick outlined his bleak future. While not the most social of races, Vaako had leaned heavily on the support and guidance of his wife. That loss would be echoing in his soul for a long time.

His nostrils flared slightly, scenting the Lord Marshall, and puzzled by what he was smelling. Vaako's head snapped to the right to look Riddick in the eyes. "And what are you suggesting?" he asked.

Hunter and hunter, eye to eye. Riddick found himself suddenly so close to the other predator that his whiskers brushed the canine. He stared at him a moment before replying. "What is it you would like me to suggest?"

He wasn't so sure he was keen on his own idea. First he had to see how the other would react to the notion. Would Vaako accept his proposal? Or prefer to live in exile, where Riddick had just placed him?

Vaako stared at Riddick, not quite understanding his question. Was there a way to regain his status as if nothing had happened? As if he hadn't been publicly humiliated? But if so, why did Riddick bother to bring him low? Was this some sort of lesson?

"Lord Marshal," he said somewhat hesitantly. "Your ways are not our... Necromonger's ways." He couldn't be certain that he would ever be considered a Necromonger again with his defeat. "What must I do?"

Riddick found himself aroused by this confused and hesitant demeanor from a once high-standing member of Necromonger society. He had to refrain from touching and licking Vaako too soon in this hunt.

"You don't have to do anything," Riddick knew he'd be safe from further attacks by this Necromonger. He stepped around again to Vaako's side. "You'll be safe in these walls," referring to his personal quarters. He tilted his head just a bit, his usual hard to read and rigid body language speaking volumes now as he did brush up against the other. "And you're actions shouldn't be ones you think I want... but your own wants."

It was true he wasn't of their ways. He never would be. And he had never asked for this. To lead the very people who had taken everything he ever cared for away. Often he was tempted to abandon it.

Vaako's eyes widened slightly as he realized exactly what Riddick was saying. The brush of the feline's fur against his also left nothing to the imagination. A shiver ran through his frame, one that he couldn't even make a pretense at hiding.

Such pairings, while not unheard of among the Necromancers, was rare. But from his observation of the Lord Marshal, he never would have thought his desires would turn in his direction. "That is why you spared me?" he hazarded.

Riddick frowned. "I only kill when it's necessary," he said simply. "It wasn't you I spared, it was her." There was no question who the female he referred to was. And it was true, he had never seen Vaako as the true threat. It was that wife of his. And the only way to temporarily quiet her was to take away her tool.

The shiver hadn't gone ignored. Riddick tilted his head forward and licked Vaako's neck wound. The one he had received as a new Necromonger, just below the ear: the one Riddick has reopened.

The shiver returned as Vaako closed his eyes. So he had done it to spare her. It would take time for Dame Vaako to choose a new consort and manipulate him into a position to challenge the Lord Marshall. Much as he had been manipulated. It was a painful realization, and it didn't lessen his pain at her loss.

He leaned into those soft licks. He had only known pain and violence at Riddick's hands. It was surprising to find out that he could be gentle as well. And surprising to find that he felt some of the same stirrings he had felt with Dame Vaako. "My choice is exile or shelter here," he said, eyes blinking open. "I choose shelter."

Riddick gave the wound a few more soft licks. He knew Vaako was shocked by this other side of him. And was probably reeling from Dame Vaako's rejection. Right now wasn't the best time to go any further. "Clean yourself up," he didn't move from Vaako's side. "You can use mine," he referred to a door in his quarters, a personal bath and toilet.

Vaako nodded and moved off to the door Riddick had indicated without a word. He shut the door behind him, mind still turning over all the events that had conspired in the last hour. And this unexpected side of Riddick that had him equally puzzled. If the situation had been reversed, he would have killed Riddick without a second thought. The concept of mercy was known to the Necromongers only as a weakness.

And while he thought, he mechanically stripped off his decorated armor. Armor that he had fought so hard for, killed so many for, he wouldn't have the right to wear again. Letting the last of the metal drop to the floor, he stepped into the shower unit and turned on the water. he let the moisture soak into his fur, and his muscles relaxed.

Meanwhile Riddick closed his eyes as he lay curled on his bed. It had taken him a long time to get used to being safe in this room. Though he still had trouble letting down his guard, part of him always alert, never really asleep. Making his ears follow sounds and eyes slit open.

He wasn't a leader. Had never wanted the role. It was a far jump from his last life. People listened to him instead of cuffing him. There were still conspiracies behind his back, that much he knew would never change.

He rested until he could hear the door reopening and Vaako emerging. From the way he lay he didn't have to move to open his eyes and see his ex-enemy. So that was all he moved.

Vaako had stood under the hot water as long as he dared, trying not to think. But try as he might, he wasn't able to numb his mind. And he knew he would have to face his... destroyer? savior? So he stepped out of the shower, and shook himself dry. The glint of his helmet caught his eye and he nudged it with his foot. No, he couldn't bring himself to put his armor decorated with now meaningless rank insignias on again.

Instead he wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped out to where he knew Riddick would be waiting. Even though he was disgraced, Vaako still had some shreds of his pride. He would need clothing to wear, but he wasn't about to beg. Instead he waited silently for Riddick's next move.

Riddick's own garb consisted of forearm guards, a loin cloth/guard, and his thigh blades. He had kept the armor from the former Lord Marshal but he refused to don it. Wearing as little as possible was his own challenge to the rebels, who clad from head to toe and yet whose armor never did protect them from Riddick who barely dressed.

Seeing the vulnerable Vaako made Riddick's tail twitch. He didn't bother hiding his arousal as he looked Vaako over. He knew the Necromonger would need his armor. He would be dead meat without it. But seeing him without it... Riddick had to restrain himself as he glided off the bed and over to him.

"Does it bother you?" He spoke low, deep. "That I want you?" He stood to Vaako's side.

"It... confuses me," Vaako said. He hadn't thought himself attracted to males, but then his experience with them was limited to fellow soldiers he was ordering about or targets he was slaughtering. It had been years since he had been alone with another man that he wasn't actively trying to kill.

"You are the Lord Marshal," he said, almost as if he was explaining it more to himself than to Riddick. "By all rights, my life is forfeit to you. And yet you are protecting me, asking my permission. It is not the Necromonger way." Confused eyes sought out the other males. "I do not understand."

It had confused Riddick at first too. But never being one to hesitate, he reacted to it as he did with most things: when he saw a chance to do something about it, he did it. You didn't get far in life, or survive, if you hmm and hawed. "I am not a Necromonger," Riddick reminded him.

He reached up with his claws sheathed and lay his hand on Vaako's shoulder. "Or is it your reaction you don't understand?" The small scents of arousal with everything else Vaako was feeling had been picked out by Riddick's nose earlier.

"Yes." Like Riddick, he had survived by reacting and not overthinking his reaction. Only when he had started to listen to Dame Vaako did his doubts about the original Lord Marshall creep into his mind. Doubts about the Lord Marshall, whom he felt a sense of loyalty towards even as he and Dame Vaako plotted and schemed against him.

And doubts about himself. "I have never..." No, that wasn't quite the truth. There had been sparks of interest between him and other soldiers, but nothing that had been acted on. And never had he been in the submissive position. But something about this man made Vaako want to bare his throat to him, much as he had kneeled when Riddick killed the Holy Half Dead.

Riddick waited for Vaako to finish his line of thought, watching the hard face closely. The jaws who, if fast enough, very well could put him out in a single slash. He tilted his head in question after a few seconds. Only speaking when he realized he knew already what Vaako wasn't saying: "But you've wanted to."

Riddick edged closer as he stepped to the side, his chest against the other's back. So warm. Inviting. He had never taken another without consent... and if Vaako gave his consent he wasn't sure what the outcome would be. His want for this animal was nearly painful now. He breathed Vaako in deeply near his ear. "Do you want to with me?" Had he been able to purr, he would have.

Vaako's ear twitched as Riddick's words blew past, stirring his fur. He could feel the heat of his body radiating off of Riddick, warming his slightly damp fur. It had been a feeling that had been sublimated during his rise to power, tucked into a corner of his soul but never truly forgotten. And with his botched attempt at becoming the new Lord marshall that placed Riddick on the throne, he found those feelings growing again.

And Dame Vaako may have sensed those feelings. Never one to suffer a rival, she had began to urge him to take the throne for his own. Now he knew that he would not be sitting on the throne. There was no reason to deny those feelings, to listen to her voice whispering in her ear any longer. So he answered both questions with one word. "Yessss..."

That was all Riddick needed to hear. He pressed heavily against Vaako, arms wrapping around and stripping the towel away from his grasp. Claws unsheathed in a blink, digging into Vaako's thighs. The armor protecting his loins had been shed, leaving just a cloth between him and his need.

He ground against Vaako with a growl, claws digging deeper into the other's thighs. "How do you see us together?" His growl dripped with lust into Vaako's ear.

Vaako bared his teeth in soft growl as his head jerked backed to look Riddick in his quicksilver eyes. His nostrils flared at the scent of his blood oozing out from under Riddick's claws. Groin to groin, he could feel the Lord Marshall's arousal, and his body responding.

"Rough," he growled. His jaws snapped close to Riddick's muzzle. His claws were not nearly as long or sharp as the Lord Marshall's, but he dug them into the small of his back.

Riddick bared his teeth, tongue snaking out between them to lick Vaako's muzzle. "Yeah, fits you," he rumbled. He nipped at his muzzle. Relaxing his claws he brought them up, sniffing at them before licking them clean. The blood scent and taste sending his senses reeling.

He pointed back to the bath and toilet. He would not be replacing his bed and doors by having his lover drive him to a mad sexual frenzy in this part of his personal quarters. The bath portion was sturdier and could handle the abuse he knew they'd be dealing out.

"Crawl," he ordered, eyes heavy with sexual yearning.

And Vaako's eyes never left Riddick's. His lips pulled back from his teeth even further as he glared up at the Lord Marshall. His hackles rose as his fingers curled into fists. He may have been stripped of his standing, but part of him still thought like the high ranked warrior that he had been.

"Make me," he growled.

With the swiftness he was known for Riddick had his hand between Vaako's legs. He squeezed gently. Massaged teasingly. Pumped his length with slow, firm movements. All the while staring at Vaako. He started to kneel, legs barely bending and lips parting.

But he paused and straightened up again. Then claws began to unsheathe. Just the tips. A tug on Vaako's cock, slowly increasing in strength as his claws slowly threatened to dig deeper into the sensitive organ. "I said crawl," he growled.

He stared into Riddick's eyes defiantly although he just wanted to melt. But he didn't intend to cede to his dominance, until his claws lanced tender flesh. Although Necromongers were tough, there were some pains that just couldn't be borne. He let out a soft whimper and gave a slight nod.

Once the claws were safely retracted, Vaako dropped heavily to his knees, much like he had when he first acknowledged Riddick as the new Lord Marshall. Only he continued downwards to prostrate himself on all fours, head bowed low. Turning and keeping his tail tucked between his legs, he crawled to the bathroom as Riddick had ordered.

Following a few seconds later Riddick stood in the doorway, gazing at Vaako for several more seconds. How strange things had turned out. It wasn't long ago Riddick too had knelt in front of Vaako, though of course not of his own will but from injuries. Despite having ordered the Necro to his hands and knees he found himself needing more contact.

Coming to Vaako's side he ran his hand down his neck and back to his tail. His claws lightly penetrated the fur. Lightly scratched the skin beneath on the second pass. Kneeling next to Vaako he grabbed his braids and pulled his head back sharply. He licked Vaako's muzzle, teeth nipping at his whiskers.

Vaako's lips curled back as he felt Riddick's breath on his muzzle. Balanced on his fingertips, he tried to relieve the pressure on his neck, but made no real effort to get away from his muzzle. A long shiver ran through his frame as his hind quarters shifted, seeking a new center of balance.

Riddick's touches were... strange to him. The only time he had touched or been touch was when fighting. Even with Dame Vaako, their caresses had been a thinly veiled challenge for dominance. But he sensed no challenge in Riddick's touch. An assertion of dominance, but no question as to who was in charge at this moment.

Riddick rumbled softly and ran his tongue over Vaako's exposed canines. Though blunt they were broader and stronger than his own, crushing where his would pierce. Like their claws. Like their beliefs.

Releasing his braids Riddick rubbed the side of his muzzle along Vaako's, licking gently. His hand rested on his neck, massaging, claw tips teasingly scratching.

He couldn't help himself. Vaako leaned into those teasing touches of claw and tongue. His whole body shifted to lean against the tiger, muscles relaxing. Slowly his tail untucked from between his hind legs.

Tentatively, wondering exactly where the boundaries were that he wouldn't be allowed to cross, he nuzzled Riddick back. And he wondered what he could do encourage Riddick to continue making that sexy, low rumble.

Riddick sighed as Vaako responded to his attention. Scent glands on his face would be marking Vaako as his as he rubbed his jowls along Vaako's neck and jaw. He encouraged Vaako closer, hands scratching down his neck to his shoulders.

His tail contentedly wove from side to side in a slow arch on the floor. His rumbled fluctuated as his attentions became more detailed and encouraging. He gently nipped into Vaako's neck fur. Grazing his skin but not breaking it. His hands scratched lower to the small of Vaako's back.

His first impulse was to pull away from his fangs, to protect his vulnerable neck. But he held stock still, especially when the teeth grazed the circular scars. Slowly Vaako shifted his weight to his outside hand. His inside hand slowly reached around to stroke up the inside of his leg. Another shiver ran through his frame at the feel of rough fur under his palms.

And in spite of himself, something happened that hadn't happened in years. Not even with Dame Vaako, not since he had been initiated into the Necromongers. His tail began to wag.

At the feel of Vaako's hand, Riddick's nostrils flared and scented deeply. The smell of arousal was almost intoxicating now. He pressed closer to the Necro with a moan. Pulling away so his silvery eyes could look at Vaako.

"More," he rumbled, eyes slitted. He placed his own hand on Vaako's inner thigh. Fingers teased upward, claw tips barely unsheathed to tease.

Vaako's trembling was constant now. His legs splayed a little wider for both balance and to allow Riddick easier access. He breathed heavily of their mingled scents, eyes almost slitting shut to better concentrate on it.

And to concentrate on his touch. Slowly Vaako's hand crept higher up Riddick's leg, shifting and swirling against his fur. It wasn't that different from touching a female, he thought. And just as pleasurable.

Riddick found himself having to reign his needs. He needed to move faster, harder. He needed to slam this canine against a wall and take him rough. But something in Vaako's first-time ways was... endearing. Much as he hated to admit it he liked letting the Necro explore at his own pace. He murmured softly, shifting his hips to press his cock closer to that hand as he too crept higher and eventually was touching Vaako's length.

He growled lowly as he felt the throbbing flesh in his hand, claws sheathed this time. He stroked it's length slowly, pressing a fingertip into the swollen vein on the underside. It was too much. He needed him. Now. Claws out he pushed Vaako back down on his hands and knees. In a flash of orange fur he was crouching behind him, rising up and resting his crown at Vaako's puckered entrance.

As Riddick had reached between his legs, Vaako had threatened to fly apart from how hard he was shaking. His hand had almost ghosted along Riddick's length when he found himself being smashed back to the floor, air knocked from his lungs and jaws coming together with an audible click.

But the return of roughness snapped Vaako back to himself. This he knew how to answer while those gentle touches left him baffled. He was torn by the desire to back against Riddick, to push himself onto him. But instead he twisted his head, trying to snap at the wrist and arm that had pinned him by the neck to the cold floor.

Riddick's hand withdrew from his neck with a snap, instinct kicking in. Before he could let Vaako escape both sets of claws dug hard into the Necro's thighs. He growled and pulled hard while pressing with his hips.

Raising his head he roared as he was driven in up to his hilt. Vaako was tight. Painfully tight. And hot. His cock throbbed with his fast heartbeat.

Vaako let out a roar of his own, ears flat against his head. The ten stabbing pains in his thighs was nothing compared to the pain below his tail. He could smell his own blood mingling and enhancing their shared scent of arousal.

His claws scraped against the tile of the floor as he dropped his head lower, trying to find some position to relieve the pain. But there were no other attempts to snap at Riddick, knowing that would only bring additional pain.

Riddick shook at the intensity of the pain and pleasure that swept through him. He held his position for several minutes before moving again. When he did move it was a slow withdrawal to his crown, back to where the waves of pain and pleasure had begun.

Forcing his claws to relax he sheathed them, gripping Vaako with just his fingers. Those too he forced to release their grip, coming up to stroke Vaako's back, fingers soothing the fur. Fur that was soft beneath it's rough surface, almost downy smooth.

Reaching to his neck he grasp a hand full of braids and gently tugged Vaako back up to where his muzzle could reach him. He had dealt him a lesson but now Riddick wanted to prepare him properly. Beneath his tail Riddick was stroking himself, spreading his seed along his length for lubrication.

Riddick rumbled as Vaako licked him, his own tongue flicking past bared teeth to lick the Necro's mouth. Hands stroked Vaako's arms, ruffling the fur backwards as they came to rest on his upper arms.

Pressing his crown against the Necro once more he made this time much slower, giving them both time to adjust to each other. He pressed in slowly, pausing and withdrawing several times to give Vaako a chance to stretch. When his thighs finally pressed against Vaako's he shivered at the feeling of his once-enemy surrounding him.

Vaako was quivering as well, thighs tense despite the efforts to relax. But now they were tense for a different reason. The pain had mostly disappeared, leaving only a pressure that shocked him by how good it felt. His tail, forced to one side and pinned between their loins, twitched the barest beginnings of a wag.

His jaws parted wider at the taste of Riddick's tongue. Again he nipped at Riddick, but this time much gentler, clearly with a different intent.

With the change in demeanor of Vaako, Riddick too relaxed. His teeth disappeared though he continued to lick Vaako's mouth. Easing his thighs up to the Necro's he slitted his eyes in bliss. How strange that such opposites always attracted. Though they really were not so different.

Running fingers through the fur down Vaako's side and between his legs Riddick gripped his cock. Setting a slow pace now that his seed had lubricated the way his hand followed in tune with the gentle pumping of his hips.

Vaako let out a quiet gasp as the large hand wrapped around his cock. He let out a soft hiss, arching his lower back. His body felt on fire where Riddick's touched his body - thighs and flanks and back and cock.

This didn't feel like relations with his wife. Everything about her had been cold - her touches her passions. She had inspired a need in him, but not one that had lit such a fire in his belly. Whimpering, he shoved back against Riddick, wanting more.

Riddick ran his tongue over his curled lips. This was becoming more than he had hoped for, his soldier demanding more. Leaning close to Vaako's ear he licked it slowly. "Tell me," he growled, both hands and hips pausing for the moment. "Tell me how you want it, Vaako. I need to hear it." He was breathing hard in anticipation. But he wouldn't budge until he heard, in detail, what his good little soldier wanted from him.

His finger and toe claws scraped against the tile of the floor as Riddick's breath ghosted past his ears. But how to ask for something he never had before? He wasn't certain what to ask for. Or more accurately, how to ask for it.

"I want..." he started and trailed off. "Hard. Rough." He shoved backwards again, trying to let his body tell him what he couldn't verbalize.

Hips jerked forward against the shove, a hissing growl leaving his curled lips as his eyes slitted. His hand fondled, teased Vaako's impressive cock for an instant. It's weight felt good in Riddick's pawhand but he'd need both hands to steady himself. Could he make Vaako scream by just brutally fucking him? He smirked at the thought. If not, all the more fun.

Releasing Vaako's cock he steadied both hands on his hips. He started out slow, groaning softly and licking Vaako's ear. If he bowed to a god he might be whispering it's name right now.

Straightening his spine he braced his weight against Vaako's hips, thrusts coming faster and faster. Harder. Until he was baring his fangs, growling with each brutal entrance, fingers gripping tighter claws puncturing hips slamming.

Vaako's lips curled back from his teeth as Riddick's claws sank into his hips. His nostrils were widely dilated, taking in the bathroom's scent of sex and blood. Each thrust ripped a sharp grunt from his throat. Each thrust brought a renewed spike of pain and pleasure both inside and out.

And there was little more that he could do but crouch there and take it. This was unlike anything he had experienced with Dame Vaako. And despite the pain, or maybe because of it, he dropped his shoulders lower, pushing his hindquarters higher into Riddick's brutal pummeling.

It had been too long since Riddick had taken a mate. It made him vulnerable. Right now if his enemies chose to attack he's be defenseless, easily taken down in the mixture of needs to mate and defend himself. It made him dull, his sharp senses clogged with this needless desire.

And he could care less in his rapture. If he died now he'd die happy.

As Vaako adjusted the angle he snarled, teeth gnashing thin air full of the scents of sex and male musk. Hunching his shoulders he grunted with each thrust, his climax on the verge. With a roar he slammed into Vaako, hips jerking as he erupted inside him.

Vaako let out a loud yell feeling Riddick surge inside of him. The pain and pleasure and heat all blended together and he felt himself letting go without his cock being touched. His legs were trembling from the effort to hold up their combined weight.

Slowly his back legs gave out. He sank to the floor, going limp beneath Riddick. The submissive posture felt alien to him, but he didn't have the energy in the post orgasmic haze to move. One ear remained flicked back to listen for Riddick's moments, wondering what would be next.

Panting, Riddick got to his hands and knees, hovering over Vaako. Bending down he licked Vaako's neck. Raising his head he watched Vaako for a moment, aware of how vulnerable the Necro was. Something reminding him of Fry, though the resemblance in this moment, and her last, stopped there.

Licking one hand clean he crawled down Vaako to his thigh, sniffing where his claws had dug in for balance. "Get up," he spoke, still crouched on all fours.

The fur stirring on the back of his neck from his breath, Vaako had expected to feel Riddick's teeth clamp down as well. Instead he held stock still as his tongue rasped over his fur. Slowly his ears came forward as he felt Riddick's breath travel down his spine to his flanks.

Mastering protesting muscles Vaako rose to a crouch. His thighs were sore from Riddick's claws, as did his whole hindquarters from the pounding he had received. But slowly and with some dignity he pushed further upwards and slowly rose to his feet. He locked his knees to stop the trembling from the pain as he locked eyes with Riddick.

Riddick looked up at Vaako, slowly running his tongue over his whiskers. Vaako's scent right in front of him was intoxicating. The sex and blood overwhelming his nostrils. Reaching up he rubbed the Necro's lower back, leaning forward to lick his thigh, rumbling at the taste of his blood.

Proceeding to clean the fur around the wound he slowly worked down to the five gashes, gently cleaning them with slow laps. He would have to take care not to cause so much damage next time, he didn't want to exhaust the canine's levels of tolerance and pain acceptance.

Vaako hissed at first as that talented tongue dragged over fur that had already began to matt with dried blood. His hands came to rest on Riddick's shoulders for balance. The wounds would heal eventually and just be another set of scars. Like the ones he had gained becoming a Necromonger, or in his service to the previous Lord Marshal. Those were worn with a sense of pride, a badge of honor.

These, however, he knew he would feel different about. They were much more intimate, much more personal. And a reminder of his new position in life. He was no longer the up and coming commander of the Necromongers. Exactly what he was now he'd have to figure out.

Riddick thoroughly cleaned the right thigh, rumbling softly. Where moments ago he had been violent he was completely on the other side now. He didn't want Vaako to always be waiting for an order. He wasn't a leader. This wasn't his life. He would have to slowly wean Vaako from his soldier mindset. They were equals if Vaako saw it now or not.

Looking up at Vaako he made his next movements slow and deliberate, licking the length of the sheath protecting and hiding his member. His tongue didn't stop it's trail, slipping off the tip of the sheath to his belly. Rumbling softly he nuzzled the Necro's side.

Vaako's ears flicked back in surprise when the tiger's touches softened. The hot tongue working through the short fur sent quivers through his body. Lightly his fingers kneaded the firm muscles of Riddick's shoulders. And some of his tension drained out of his muscles. It was easier to react than to think. Especially with Riddick's breath stirring against his belly.

Riddick wanted Vaako to realize they were equals but he was willing to kneel to the Necro for only so long. Cleaning his other thigh he rubbing his chin along Vaako's hip and then stood. Turning he set the shower going, steam swirling out of the tub in thick clouds.

Without submitting an invitation to Vaako he didn't tell him to get lost either as he entered the shower's hot comfort.

Vaako blinked for a moment, standing there wondering what to do next. He stank of blood and sex, although oddly enough, Riddick's musk smelled a pleasant compliment to his own. But pleasant scent or not, he wanted to get a shower and let the hot water ease out some of the aches of his muscles.

Even though there was a tiger already occupying the tub. But even though a soldier's discipline had been drilled into him, one did not become higher ranking in the Necromonger's army by not taking the initiative on occasion. Since Riddick didn't seemed inclined to kill him (yet), Vaako decided to take a chance on receiving another beating and stepped in behind him.

Riddick's ear flicked backwards as the Necro stepped in behind him. His tail flicked against Vaako's ankles. Turning he greeted Vaako with a lick to his muzzle, hands on his shoulders drawing him to the side so they both stood in the hot spray of the shower.

Turning and bending slightly he reached behind Vaako's thigh to grab a bar of soap, coming up and pulling closer to start rubbing the bar behind Vaako's ears.

The water hitting his fur felt wonderful, as did Riddick's touches. The gentleness in his greeting and touches surprised Vaako. And confused him further. Dominance displays were almost a daily occurrence in Necromonger society. Even when with Lady Vaako during his relaxed downtimes, there had still been a testing, one that he had lost more than one, if forced to admit it.

It was because of that confusion that his guard slipped. "I don't understand," Vaako said. "You should have killed me. Any other Lord Marshal would have. The others... they'll see it as a weakness."

Riddick paused in his grooming of Vaako for an instant, regarding him steadily with silvery eyes. He resumed rubbing the soap into the brown fur along his shoulders after several heart beats. "I am not one of you," the sigh was silent, a slight shrug of his shoulders. "But if I'm to... rule I may need your help." The word 'rule' felt heavy on his tongue.

Vaako blinked, his frown becoming more pronounced in his confusion. "I did not think you wished to rule." And despite himself, Vaako found himself sinking backwards into the touches on his back. But Riddick was right. He would need help if he wished to remain in power. And because Vaako didn't feel it was his due time to die, it would be up to him to provide that assistance. "What do you need me to do?"

He did not wish to rule. But the alternative was even less tasty. These Necros had taken everything he cared for. He wasn't going to let them take anything else from him.

"Tell me what I need to stay alive," his hands reached Vaako's lower back and paused, coming around to his chest in the same scrubbing motion.

It was hard to think with the feel of Riddick's hands digging into the fur of his chest. But Vaako closed his eyes and forced himself to concentrate. What was it that Dame Vaako had always said they would do to consolidate power? Crush any opposition from Toal or Scales was the first, but there was something else...

"The Threshold," Vaako murmured, opening his eyes to look squarely at the tiger. "You need to make the pilgrimage to the Threshold. Every Lord Marshal has done so. Otherwise, there will be those who say you are no true Lord Marshal, but a pretender to the throne." And he knew who would behind the whispers.

"So I become like him? Some holy half dead?" Riddick smiled, though it wasn't out of humor. "A lot of good it did him: there were those who still whispered." He wasn't sure he wanted to be one of those things. He didn't even remember what he was actually was. What was a Furyan? All he could remember was him, hovering. Bits and glimpses of his past but he had so much more to learn.

What had swept through him, clearing his foes in his final hours on Crematoria?

He had to put that aside. Again. Though he doubted he'd ever be considered the rightful leader he would need the powers to back his claim if not protect, keep, it. He brought his eyes back to Vaako, hands now scrubbing at his sensitive... exposed belly. "Take me to the Threshold."

Vaako's stomach muscles flexed at the touches. "You are the Lord Marshal," he reminded Riddick. Probably unnecessarily, but it bore repeating. "Just issue the order and we will take you there."

"As for the whispers, most of those came from one person." Vaako's voice became distant as he started thinking tactics, the soldier coming to the fore. "No doubt she is already stirring dissent. Possibly has her eyes on who she will be able to manipulate easily." Much as he had been manipulated. "And take another consort." His ears dipped slightly at that painful thought. Despite everything she had done to him, he had truly loved her.

It was said that Necromongers felt no pain. That wasn't quite true. Physical pains could be blunted, shunted aside, and embraced and absorbed. But mental pains, those were harder to deal with.

Riddick's scrubbing hands slowed and eventually stopped as he saw the grief pass over Vaako's face. He narrowed his eyes as he looked away. Drawing Vaako against him he took a breath and rubbed his hands up Vaako's arms.

"I want you there with me," he admitted.

Without thinking what Riddick had meant, Vaako answered. "That will not be permitted. Only the Lord Marshal is allowed to look upon the Threshold. Even the ships approach it aftwards..." But if he misunderstood the words, Riddick's actions sunk into his brain. And all he could do was stare speechlessly, mouth hanging open, at the Lord Marshal.

"Rule with me," Riddick watched Vaako closely. He didn't care what was permitted. He wasn't one of them and things in his wake would change.

At first Vaako wasn't certain that he had heard Riddick correctly. What he had been working towards diligently under his consort's guidance. And the moment that he was out from under her manipulative thumb, he obtained it.

He opened his mouth to protest that it was not the Necromonger way, but realized that as Riddick had pointed out, he wasn't one of them. If Riddick was to have a chance at staying alive until his due time, he would need Vaako's help. If Vaako was to survive and have a chance to regain his former status, he would need Riddick's help. "Yes," the canine nearly hissed and then stepped closer to kiss Riddick on the mouth.

Riddick kissed his hard, pulling his close and felt his sheath rubbed against the other's. Slamming his against the wall he broke the kiss. "Do not let it go to your head," he said flatly and for an instant he wondered if he could trust the Necromonger.

Reaching between them he rubbed Vaako's sheath, the first signs of arousal showing from the emerging pink head and gradual filling. He gently pinched the loose skin and used it to rub the hidden cock up and down, encouraging it.

And Vaako was wondering the same thing. Except that the hand massaging his groin made it hard to think. His hands went to Riddick's shoulders to brace himself, blunt claws digging into the striped fur. Back against the wall, there wasn't much room for him to maneuver. Not that it mattered - he didn't want to pull away from Riddick's talented hand.

Still there was a curiosity, or perhaps a desire to see how far his boundaries were. Slowly one hand drifted from Riddick's shoulder down to his chest to feel the firm muscles there.

Riddick rumbled at the touch, tilting his head to lick Vaako's neck. His hand slowed, keeping his touches light and sporadic. "Lower," he encouraged. Though seeing Vaako's hunger for power had nerved him somewhat he still wanted to be on equal terms with the canine.

"Turn me," he added, knowing Vaako's earlier pummeling would have him too sore to enjoy Riddick.

Vaako's hand, which had slid down to feel the well formed abdominal muscles, pauses when he heard Riddick's voice. He wasn't offering what Vaako thought he was offering. Could he?

Still the Lord Marshal had given him an order, and he was a soldier. Taking Riddick's hips in either hand, he rotated Riddick to where he was facing away from him. A vulnerable position in some respects, and an easy way for Vaako to regain and surpass his lost status would be to snap the unprotected Lord Marshal's neck.

But he didn't do that. Instead his hand resumed stroking the rippling belly, working his way down to the sheath, just barely touching the firm head that was emerging.

An approving rumble. Riddick closed his eyes at the touch knowing well enough this could be a mistake. What, or who, else did he have to lose though? Vaako was a risk he was willing to take.

Pressing back against the canine he turned his head to look at him, eyes hooded and afire. Reaching back with both hands he inched away to move his tail to the side. Hands on Vaako's hips he pressed back again, rubbing against the canine's emerging member.

Still not quite believing what Riddick was offering, it took Vaako a moment to move. He squatted slightly to achieve the proper angle as his hands slid down to his hips. His claws dug into the striped fur as he pushed against the puckered hole.

If you had asked him earlier, he would have said that there was no softness to this man. Like most warriors he knew, there was only hardness and unrelenting will. But much to his surprise, He felt his cock being allowed entry and surrounded by a different sort of heat.

A hiss and his head tilted back as he felt Vaako enter. Fingers flexed slightly on Vaako's hips but otherwise just encouraged him deeper until his hips rested firmly against Riddick. Turning his head he nipped at Vaako's muzzle.

Before meeting this Necro he would never have guessed he'd derive pleasure from a male, much less a former enemy. But he felt like ... home. Or as much of one Riddick had ever had.

Vaako kept a firm grip on Riddick's hips as he felt his body nestle against the Lord Marshal's. It was like, and yet unlike his trysts with Dame Vaako. He was just as hot and as tight. There was a friction that was new and exciting to him.

Drawing in a deep breath, Vaako pulled back and thrust forward. His fingers tightened in Riddick's fur as he repeated the motion. His eyes closed in bliss as he returned Riddick's nips with bites of his own.

Riddick moaned, the pressure beneath his tail something he had been wanting... But did not know he needed. Vaako was being slower, kinder than he had but all the same, it was home and didn't matter how it came to him.

Moving his hands from Vaako's hips he ran them down his chest to his member, one wrapping firmly around himself while the other braced against the wall. He timed his strokes to Vaako's thrusts, groaning and eyes slitting.

The groan encouraged him onwards. Gaining confidence, Vaako pushed harder and faster into Riddick's welcoming body. His hands moved from his thighs to his chest, fingers digging through the stripped fur. It was strange to feel firm pectorals instead of soft breasts beneath his palms, but he found himself liking the difference. Turning his muzzle, he nipped at Riddick's ear, breathing heavily into it.

Riddick grunted, teeth clinched as he matched Vaako's speed. "Vaako..." His voice surprised him, the passion, lust... And Vaako's name on it. Turning his head he locked hooded eyes with the canine, inviting his tongue to dance as he pressed his muzzle at an angle to the canine's. He was close, could feel himself building, balls climbing...

Vaako could feel the pressure building between his legs the longer he pumped himself into the tiger. Hearing his name, seeing the lust in Riddick's eyes intensified that even more. Feeling Riddick's tongue stab into his mouth pushed him over the edge. His claws dug into Riddick's pecks as he let out a loud grunt as he came.

Riddick growled in feeling a white hot pain inside him, hips jerking as his seed sprayed the shower wall. Panting softly, he mused how sex was one of the only things that tired him... And yet it usually was over too soon. Rumbling deep in his chest he licked Vaako's nose as he pulled away to turn and face him, arms around his neck, head tilting to kiss him tenderly.

Vaako had been panting heavily, as if he had fought a long, pitched battle. Riddick's tender touches still left him baffled. But he felt himself enjoying them immensely. And he found himself returning them as well. Soft kisses were placed against his mouth, and a long, wet tongue lightly caressed one of Riddick's canine teeth.

Reaching behind him Riddick turned the water off without breaking the kiss. There were few things Riddick was tender about. Women. Children. A lover. Lovers were so few and far between and rarely people he'd allow to stay in his fucked up life for long. This time... it was different. While he still thought of Vaako as a potential threat there was also thoughts of... other potentials. This pilgrimage to the threshold would answer his unasked questions about the soldier and where exactly he stood.

Breaking away from Vaako he stepped from the canine and grabbed a towel, an air vent opening and blowing warm air next to the shower where he stood. Wrapping the towel around Vaako's shoulders he rubbed it into his neck fur.

For the second time in recent memory, his tail began to wag. That was unbecoming a Necromonger warrior, but it was happening all the same. Not even Dame Vaako, despite her considerable prowess, had been able to inspire his tail to wag. But something about the Lord Marshal's touch just inspired his tail to start moving when his guard was down.

He stepped a little closer to the vent, fluffing his fur to allow the heat to reach his skin. Turning around he took a towel from Riddick and began to dry his chest. "You will have to give the order to the navigator to take you to the Threshold," he commented. None of the others would listen to him now that he had failed in his assassination attempt. "It will be a journey of several days to reach it even traveling at faster than light speeds."

Flicking an ear Riddick began to rub himself down with a towel. "I didn't know we were that close," he mused. Another trip in cyrosleep where he wouldn't sleep at all. He wondered if the female Furyan would visit again., help him remember.

Still slightly damp he took a curry comb and began to brush the dead fur from his chest. "She will not like seeing you rule alongside an outsider, are you ready to keep her in check?"

Vaako flicked an ear back in a rare display of humor. "No one will like seeing me ruling along side of you. There has always been only one Lord Marshal, although there were those who were groomed their successors." There would be those who protested, but the Lord Marshal's word would be considered law.

"As for keeping her in check..." Vaako rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "She will be difficult to handle. She will not move openly against you, but use a pawn." Much as he had been used. Although his affections for her had been honest, Vaako wondered how much of hers were an act, and if any were genuine. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if she has not already chosen another to partner with." No longer would she be Dame Vaako, although that would always be how he thought of her.

Idly Riddick wondered how long the canine would mourn his love for the little bitch. Every time she was mentioned he had a look in his eyes, brows and forehead. Tossing the curry comb aside he stalked back into his quarters, taking the various straps for his blades and abdomen guards to his body. Last were his goggles.

He glanced at Vaako. "You haven't been stripped of rank, but if it's too early to reveal this then stay here. I'll send for you." How long would the fleet take to prepare for their journey?

Vaako let out a harsh snort as he followed Riddick back to the the main room. "I lost my rank the moment that I hit the floor. They're probably already fighting to see who will take my position." It was the Necromonger way, and their society was quick to fill any vacuum in the power structure.

His ears flicked back thoughtfully as he pulled on the undersuit that padded his body armor. "It would be best for you not to summon me until just before we arrive at the Threshold. Let everyone think that I am just your bedwarmer for the moment. It will keep everyone off balance that way."

Riddick flicked his tail tip in acknowledgment and departed. Let the soldier wallow in his memories of the bitch for a while... He stopped short on his way down the hall. Jealousy was making him spiteful, and for what? Was the canine's companionship so important to him? He had lost his own in the past, knew exactly what his once-enemy was going through.

It was one of many things he'd have to sort out on the journey, his emotions. Though his expression never changed he wondered if his anger would finally explode while he waited for the threshold.

Stalking to his throne he signaled to the nearest Necro. "To the Threshold," his blank and unnerving stare halted the questions before they reach the Necro's lips. He watched the hesitancy change back to obedience on the commander's face. Settling into his throne he waited, mind turning.

Vaako knew that Riddick wasn't pleased with his decision to stay behind. But there were customs and expectations in the Necromonger society that couldn't be overturned in one day.

Or was that really the truth? Was he hiding, unwilling to face those who he had fought beside and led? Or more accurately, was he hiding from the female he had partnered with? The one who had encouraged him and drove him onto the position he had obtained? Who had goaded him into attacking Riddick and then abandoned him upon his defeat?

It was something he would have to puzzle out. And also his conflicted feelings towards the new Lord Marshal. It hadn't been a hatred or even a dislike that had let Vaako to attack him. He come to feel, thanks to Dame Vaako's whisperings, that although Riddick had ascended to the Necromonger throne by honored means, a nonbeliever had no right to be leading the faithful. And yet here Vaako was helping Riddick cement his rule. Was it because he knew if Riddick fell, he would as well, or was there something more altruistic motivating him?

And that was the big question. One that he wanted an answer to before he appeared voluntarily in public again. But if Riddick summoned him, he would come.

Riddick oversaw the preparations for the pilgrimage, indulged his commander in a brief celebration and tolerated a brief toast for the crowds sake.

Slipping away like a ghost he knelt in a dark confines of a large statue, reflecting on the last 48 hours. The masses had finally retired, giving Riddick a day to rest and mentally prepare himself before his entrance into the Threshold.

The night before their arrival Riddick slipped back into his quarters, seeking the counsel and, though he didn't want to admit it, comfort from Vaako's presence. "We are close," he said upon entering, closing the double doors behind him.

When Riddick didn't return, at first Vaako was worried. He didn't think that an assassination attempt would be made so quickly after his botched failure, but there might be someone foolhardy enough to try. However as time passed on, and no one came to claim Riddick's quarters as the property of the Lord Marshal, Vaako relaxed. Which left him time to plan out the next steps of what would come.

Still it was a relief to see Riddick return. And he had to admit, it wasn't just because that the Lord Marshal still retained his position. For the first time in a long while, Vaako had felt... lonely. But his training as both a Necromonger and a soldier would not allow him to show those feelings to the Lord Marshal. And the new relationship between him and Riddick as, dare he think lovers, was too new for him to risk it.

Besides, now was the time for instruction. Time was drawing near, and Riddick needed to know what was expected of him. "When we make the final approach, just outside of visual distance of the Threshold, the ship will reverse 180 degrees and approach aftward. Only you will be allowed to look upon the Threshold as a living one. Others, like myself, must wait until it is our due time, or until this plane has been purified."

Riddick bit back the urge to grab Vaako by the neck with his jaws, seduce him and then take him voraciously. The soldier was all business after being left alone for 2 days. Infuriating. But Riddick hid it with his cool gaze, eyes ungoggled.

He had one night before he'd be forever changed. No going back. And he wasn't about to let this Necro make it a night of discussing traditions and culture and "the Necromonger way". While he considered walking back out the door he was approaching Vaako, standing chest to chest.

And Vaako held his stare and his ground as the Lord Marshal approached. Those silver eyes were unnerving, but fitting on Riddick's face. It was easy to get lost in those reflective eyes. Eyes he could get used to waking up to stare into...

Vaako pulled himself out of that thought. The relief of seeking Riddick was now giving way to anger. True he had not been worried during his absence, but now he was wondering what had happened during his two day absence. "Where were you?" he growled softly.

Riddick's ears perked. So the Necro had been just as angry as he at being left alone. He had given him the choice though. "Not where I wanted to be," he rumbled, ending in a growl.

He stepped closer, threatening to push Vaako by their sheer proximity. A hand gripped Vaako before he could move back, though Riddick knew the Necro would have done no such thing. He held Vaako where he stood, a hand on his shoulder and bodies nearly pressing.

It was odd how Vaako's rising anger was cooling his own. Riddick wondered what Vaako had been thinking while he was gone, what suspicions rested in his mind. He kept his own gaze calm, ignoring the bared teeth and pinned ears and focused on his eyes.

"Here."

Vaako's teeth clenched harder. It was a rare occurrence, but Riddick was managing to get under his skin and irritate him. Only one other person had managed that. And he wasn't certain he was entirely comfortable with the implications of that. "Then why didn't you return?"

Starting to become amused Riddick spread his whiskers, flicked them before they resettled. "Wasn't sure I would be welcomed," indeed, had the situation not been found humorous as it were now he wasn't sure he could handle Vaako's love sickness undertones about his ex mate. He had stayed away from sheer jealousy at Vaako's feelings. "Did you want me here?"

And that was the question when it came down to it. What he had been thinking over during Riddick's absence. What he hadn't been able to admit to himself earlier, but seemed so crystal clear at the moment. "Yes," was all that Vaako would say. His eyes stayed locked on Riddick's, not willing to show any further weakness.

Riddick's gaze softened. He had wanted to be here as well, but had decided to give Vaako some time. Time to think, dwell, whatever he needed. Wasn't everyday the Lord Marshal defeated you, your mate left you, and then the Lord Marshal seduced you.

"I'm here now..." he rumbled, he could care less about weaknesses. He was sick of being alone to protect those he loved. He had no one. But if Vaako would have him he was one that Riddick wouldn't have to worry about. A trained Necromonger soldier succumbing to merc weapons?

Tilting his head the feline gently bit the Necro's neck, teeth barely grazing flesh. "...if you'll have me."

Vaako's eyes shut as he felt the fangs descent on his neck. This one was different from Riddick's dominating bites. These were tender just slightly more forceful than a kiss. No one had ever bitten him like this, and it was easy to get addicted to them.

But there was something he had to know. "Are you asking me as the Lord Marshal? Or as Riddick?" One meant as a companion, one meant as a mere pawn and source of information. He had played the role of pawn with Dame Vaako from day one, and he was sick of it. No more, he promised himself, even if it meant that he had to walk away and forge his own path to the Threshold.

Riddick licked the tiny purification scar beneath Vaako's ear. His hand descended from the shoulder and moved to pull him closer about the hips. "With you," he nuzzled his ear. "There is no Lord Marshal." The very title sometimes brought bile to his throat, he despised it and yet needed it.

Vaako trembled slightly at Riddick's words and the light flick of the tongue. His jaw moved once, and then a gain, no sound coming out. It was the third time that he managed to whisper "yes" as his hands clasped Riddick's flanks.

Riddick moaned lowly. That single word was all he wanted to hear. No more loneliness. No more death. Vaako would willingly share his life, though Riddick might still have to wean him of some habits that 'rank' had ingrained into him.

Nuzzling his neck with his nose Riddick inhaled slowly, releasing the breath in a sigh. Raising his muzzle he licked Vaako's short whiskers, inviting his tongue to join his in a kiss.

The tension that Vaako didn't realize he had been carrying in his shoulders melted away at that gentle nuzzling. Whiskers twitching at the light flicks, he twisted his head and returned the gesture. At first the tongue flicks were light, but they quickly became more serious as the kiss became deeper. The hands at Riddick's flanks dug in harder, blunt claws scratching against his skin.

For this moment there was no display of dominance or challenges. There was no soldier, no lords. Just two beings finding a similar need to be together, and not alone. A seeking for warmth and companionship.

Riddick reached around, cupping Vaako's ass and pulling him closer. He felt the claws raking his skin and encouraged Vaako further by digging his own fingers in and teasing the canine beneath his tail, wanting him to demand with his body. To forget their social statuses and any consequences. To take.

Vaako let out a soft growl, but his ears were laid back in a neutral position. He melted against the tiger, his hands sliding around to cup the muscular ass. His hands kneaded him as his tongue flicked against his whiskers. He didn't relax his grip on Riddick as his tail arched, inviting him to probe deeper. Slowly he stepped backwards towards the bed, pulling his tiger lover with him.

This was different than any other coupling that Vaako had experienced. All his previous experiences had been tinged with a struggle for dominance. He felt like he was heading in uncharted space, feeling each sensation as if it was his first time.

Riddick chuffed gently at Vaako, fingers teasing further by seeking entrance. Finding he needed little askance he pressed in slowly, turning them as they reached the bed and giving Vaako no choice but to straddle his tiger as Riddick sat on the bed.

With a sheathed claw buried within Vaako the tiger pressed his claw tip out. Not enough to scratched but enough to be felt, teasingly.

Vaako let out a surprised yip, but didn't move away from the probing digit. Settling onto Riddick's thighs, he arched his tail, allowing Riddick deeper access. Slowly he let his torso tip forward to rest against Riddick's, allowing their cocks to rub together. He let out a soft growl as he nipped at his lover's chin, wondering how far this new found trust extended. Feeling curious and just a bit daring, his fangs brushed against Riddick's throat.

Eyes slitting for a moment as if in anger they closed a second later, ears cocking back and head tilting to give his canine lover more access. In a way he was submitting to Vaako by exposing himself this way. His claw tip disappeared as Riddick gently pumped his finger within Vaako's hot walls.

His teeth gently tugged at Riddick's fur. Vaako had expected to be back handed across the room for his temerity. He hadn't expected for his tiger to encourage him with a further bared throat or a probing finger. Letting out a soft moan, he pushed back against Riddick's finger, rubbing their groins together.

Riddick raised his hips as Vaako rubbed their cocks against each other. He dug his finger harder, insistent. Tilting his head he nipped gently at Vaako's ear. "Take what you want," he rumbled lowly.

Vaako let out a soft growl at Riddick's words. He tumbled them both onto the bed, rolling them so that Riddick was beneath him. Shifting so their cocks slid together until Vaako backed away. He pulled the tiger's legs up to rest on his shoulders as he positioned his cock against the underside of Riddick's tail. With a soft growl, he pushed forward.

Riddick bared his teeth as a snarl was torn from his throat. But it had nothing to do with anger. His relaxed ears and arching back spoke of bliss. As Vaako came to his hilt the tiger moaned. He panted softly as he looked up at Vaako and squeezed his throbbing cock deep inside him. "How you want it," he rumbled, his voice holding the barest edge of a husky growl.

A tremor ran through Vaako's body at the growl. He pushed Riddick's knees towards his chest as he drew closer. Once close enough, Vaako's tongue swept along the length of Riddick's neck, the point jabbing lightly where the scars of purification would be.

Riddick tilted his head to the side, giving Vaako a better angle as he licked his neck. He growled softly, realizing where it was the canine centered his attention on for a moment. He'd never have those scars. Reaching up Riddick ran unsheathed claws through Vaako's fur along his back.

Vaako let out a soft growl of his own. His hips started to move slowly as he nibbled up Riddick's jawline to focus on his lips. They looked like the rest of the man, chiseled rock hard. But they were surprisingly soft, and definitely talented as Vaako kissed him deeply.

The tiger known for his unforgiving and loner ways was starting to melt. He moaned softly as he kissed Vaako. Claws disappeared into his fingers and he clung tighter to the canine, fingers digging in, kneading. The gentle massaging pressure beneath his tail made him arch and ache. Gentle was something nearly foreign to him but Vaako was showing him another way to make love.

And it was something almost forgotten to Vaako as well. With his former companion, there had always been a need to possess, to dominate. The act had always been tainted with a brutal desire to make it so that she would not turn her gaze to another, be it in bed or in the throne room.

Btu this, this hearkened back to the days before he had even heard of the Necromongers, when he had been little more than a boy on a world that was now little more than a wasteland, discovering the delights of the flesh for the first time. His hips kept up the same steady rhythm as he kissed the tiger, not wanting this to end soon.

Riddick had never known this feeling, this way of being with someone. Since birth his life had been nothing but survival. And survival was brutal. His brief love affairs with females always ended with him leaving them, tied up if he had to. And the passion of sex itself was always full of fight or flight adrenaline.

Dare he say he was safe? His instincts wouldn't be letting him relax if he wasn't. Wouldn't let him lose himself in Vaako. And definitely wouldn't let him show that he was relaxed. But he was. And he did show it. And it was beautiful.

He arched with a groan, tongue dancing with Vaako's as their bodies moved with one another slowly. He didn't mind the slow dancing of their kiss and bodies. His whole life he'd been running. "Vaako," he moaned in-between kisses.

"Riddick." This wasn't the Lord Marshal who was beneath him. This wasn't a consort that had chosen him and could choose to leave him at a moment's notice. No, this was a lover, something that Vaako hadn't experienced before.

His fingers tightened in that bright striped fur as his hips moved faster. The tighter that Riddick gripped him, the faster and harder Vaako pounded into him. His breath was coming in heavy gusts through his nose, and one hot paw wrapped around the hotter flesh that had emerged from Riddick's sheath.

Fingers tightened their hold on Vaako. Riddick was lost in ecstasy, rumbling groans with each breath every time Vaako slammed into him. Faster. Tighter. Faster. Riddick was spiraling. He bucked with a grunt as Vaako wrapped a hot paw around his aching cock.

And then blinding white passion as Riddick fell clinging to his lover. He came hard and long with Vaako's name in his cry.

Vaako's answering cry was less articulate, but no less passionate. His hips twitched spasmodically as he orgasmed hard. He gripped Riddick tightly as he collapsed against his lover, trying to ground himself in the midst of the spiraling pleasure.

Slowly his body relaxed, but he didn't release his grip. His head lowered until it was resting on the well muscled chest. There was a small wry smile on his face. This was the last situation he ever expected to find himself and the Lord Marshal in.

Riddick hadn't felt so relaxed and safe for a very long time. The harsh tiger couldn't help the half smile on his face as he lay beneath Vaako. Fingers idly petted the canine's neck and back and his tail twitched slowly.

Tilting his head down Riddick began to groom Vaako's head and face. His eyes slitted in pleasure and heart still pounding from their union.

Vaako's ears flicked in surprise feeling Riddick's tongue glide over his face. He found himself squirming closer as his tail wagged. His hands gently glided over his biceps, tracing along the dark stripes in his fur. He lay limply on Riddick's body, feeling content for the first time in a long time.

Claws gently emerged to scrape and rub his lover's fur, making themselves known as they teasingly scratched through to his skin. Eventually the grooming slowed and then halted as Riddick relaxed and drifted into a light slumber with a soft rumble.

It was only then that Vaako understood the extent of Riddick's trust. Now would be the perfect time to strike, to eliminate the Lord Marshal while he was helpless, and to keep what he killed. All he had to do was open his jaws and sink them into the unprotected throat before him, much as Dame Vaako would urge him to.

Instead, he just nuzzled it lightly. No one could urge him to move against Riddick now. He nestled his head on Riddick's broad chest and let out a contented sigh. And after a few minutes, he was sound asleep as well.

It was the deepest sleep Riddick could remember ever having. He woke in stages, slowly becoming aware that he was starting to wake and in no hurry to do so. Vaako's warmth still draped over him made him sigh. As he came to he could feel their heartbeats beating out the same rhythm side by side. Could smell him. Could still smell the faintest hints of their love making the night before.

This wasn't how he was used to waking up. Even when he had been with Dame Vaako, or perhaps because he had been with Dame Vaako, he had always slept lightly and left the bed without lingering. Gently waking in a lover's arms was a new experience, one that he found himself enjoying.

Sleepily, he reached up to run a blunt claw tip through Riddick's cheek fur. It amazed him that for such a harsh persona, he had such soft fur. Stretching against Riddick's body, Vaako kissed his lips lightly. Before he could deepen the kiss, the buzzer announcing a visitor to the Lord Marshal's quarters.

Riddick looked at Vaako with a fondness as his lover awoke. Where only days ago he would have glared or given a blank gaze. He licked Vaako's nose with a soft snuffle as the buzzer announced an unwelcomed visitor.

Growling softly he glanced at the door with minor annoyance. "You could hold me captive..." There was a sultry dare in his voice as he smiled at Vaako.

Vaako gave him a grin with just a hint of a fang. It would be hard when he returned to a public life to maintain his stone cold Necromonger demeanor around Riddick. "Unfortunately, that won't be practical. Nobody will believe that I would be able to hold captive. Though I can give it a try," he said.

Stretching against the firm body beneath him, Vaako grabbed Riddick's wrists and pulled them over his head. He was delicately nibbling on that striped fur on his neck when the buzzer sounded again, longer and more insistent.

"I think you can..." Riddick rumbled as his arms were lifted. He stretched beneath his lover, head tilted back as he closed his eyes with a sigh. He ignored the buzzer for several moments, legs wrapping around Vaako. "Will they catch us?" There wasn't worry in his voice, though perhaps a hint of hope. To see the look on their faces...

"Only if you want them too," Vaako said. The idea did have certain appeal. Especially as he pictured the expression on the former Dame Vaako's face. He nuzzled the base of his lover's throat as the buzzer sounded yet again. "If you wish them to discover us," he murmured, "Hit the yellow button on the panel next to the bed."

Nuzzling his chin on top of Vaako's head the tiger rumbled softly. Then, extending an arm he slapped the button. The officer waited, eyes lowered until the double doors had fully opened before looking up and taking a step forward. He halted somewhat short.

Riddick kept his face neutral at this though he was smiling inwardly. A figure behind the man, confused at his actions, stepped to the side slightly... Dame Vaako. Riddick's subconsciously wrapped his arms possessively around Vaako.

Vaako turned his head to glance at the door, a lazy, sates smile on his face. He had expected to feel regret at seeing her again. But the only thing he felt was a sense of revenge. He knew she had been playing him since day one, and now he was beyond her grasp.

His glance then dropped on the soldier, who clearly didn't know what to make of the situation. Of course, the young soldier probably never had walked into a situation like this like the previous Lord Marshal. And the soldier in him responded just like he had been trained. "Report," he barked.

Riddick bared his teeth in a smile, though left the soldier to wonder what kind of intentions the smile held. He waited as the soldier composed himself.

"We near the Threshold and await your command, Lord Riddick." What might have been given with gusto and a firm voice was a bit lax, to say the least and Riddick sneered.

"Dismissed," Riddick growled. Make them wait a while longer. As the doors closed he licked Vaako's muzzle. "Come with me."

Vaako hadn't let his eyes drift from the former Dame Vaako. Her expression had been one of shock. Obviously, in all her calculating, she hadn't taken into consideration that he would become the willing partner of Riddick. He knew her plans would now be altered to include him as well.

Lazily he rolled out of the bed. "Where did you want to go, Lor... Riddick?" he corrected. Wherever they were headed, he hoped that they wouldn't have to get dressed to get there.

Reaching out Riddick caught Vaako about his abdomen, admiring his sleek and thin hips. On his stomach this put his stripey head even with Vaako's navel. He looked up at his lover. "I know when you call me that title it means something different for us," his way of telling his lover he didn't mind.

Sitting up he loosely wrapped his legs around Vaako's thighs. "Go with me to the Threshold," he knew the custom when approaching this place but hoped Vaako might break custom for once.

Vaako couldn't resist digging his fingers into the fur behind his ears. "I can't," he explained with a gentleness that seemed foreign to a Necromonger. "Only the Lord Marshal is to look on the Threshold, until it is time for us all to enter it. The others will only tolerate so much of a change to tradition. This one cannot be violated."

"But I will be waiting for you to return. And I will be making certain that your back is protected. Even if I can't look at it,' he added with a grin.

Riddick licked Vaako's chest, looking up at his mate. Standing, forcing his mate back a pace as they came chest to chest he kissed him hard, teeth and tongue fierce. "Then let us get it done," he scratched and squeezed an ass cheek. "They won't keep us apart for long." He turned to dress.

Vaako forced himself to look away from Riddick and dress as well. "The sooner that this is done, the better." There would be less challenges to the legitimacy of Riddick's rulership. But there was a small worry starting to nag him at the back of Vaako's mind. He had seen how the previous Lord Marshall change, the strange, supernatural power he had gained. Would something similar happen to his lover? And how would it change him?

Riddick wore his protective armor this time, he didn't know what would be waiting for him but he too had noticed the previous Marshall's astral self. It had contained such strength and power.

Riddick buckled the last strap and turned to look at Vaako. He didn't say a thing as he headed toward to the doors, squelching a need to kiss Vaako long and hard.

And Vaako wasn't going to have any of that. He had studied Necromonger history, and knew that visiting the Threshold changed each Lord Marshal. And who knows what way it may change the current Lord Marshal, who had not undergone Purification. This could be the last time he saw the Riddick he new. The tiger who returned from the Threshold could very well be a stranger to him. Grabbing Riddick's shoulder before he reached the door, Vaako pulled him back into a feral kiss.

Riddick responded with a soft growl, arms gripping Vaako tightly as they kissed. Inhaling sharply he backed Vaako against a wall, pressing against him hard and kissing him deeper. Before he could change his mind and spend eternity making wild love to the canine he grabbed Vaako's wrist and pulled him to the door. Better to get it over with now, then he'd have as long as forever lasted to be with his lover.

Although he wanted to pull Riddick back into the room and continue kissing him, Vaako followed willingly. The corridors leading to the command bridge/throne room were deserted so that, though Purified, they did not catch a forbidden glimpse of the Threshold.

When they reached the throne room, a change came over Vaako's demeanor. He started to deferentially walk a few paces behind the Lord Marshal. "Your personal shuttle will be prepared for you to enter the Threshold," he said, giving him last minute instructions. "But you will be able to look upon it from the throne first. All in the throne room will be looking away from the display."

Riddick looked back at his lover before Vaako was forced to turn away, his gaze hard to read except for Vaako in Riddick's ungoggled eyes. Then he turned to hasten through with this deed, to be caught by the sight from his throne. A path for him through the soldiers, each one watching until he passed them, row by row, to his throne.

As he passed his throne and the view of the Threshold disappeared from sight another path opened to him from his shuttle. It seemed to him he was gone an eternity, and though he saw long lost friends and family, Furyans, his mother... he wasn't meant to remember them when he returned.

Two subjects warred inside his body as he departed the Threshold. The memories conflicting, clashing for control. Kill the Furyan, Kill the Necromonger. How dare he become Necromonger. What would become of the Furyan. He emerged from the shuttle gripping his head, muscles bulging, a bright, double aura in turmoil around his collapsing form.

Vaako had the shuttle bay cleared just in case of this. There was no record of one who had not been Purified having crossed the Threshold and returned. And he had been afraid that this would be Riddick's reaction. And the collapse would be viewed as a weakness by other Necromongers watching his return.

He knew it for what it really was - a sign of strength. His tiger had returned from something that would have killed a lesser being. Crossing over to the shuttle, Vaako knelt down next to his lover and placed a hand on his back.

A white being with bared fangs lunged from Riddick's back to attack, catching itself inches from Vaako's face as it recognized him. Its snarl melted into fear, blurring as it was drug back into Riddick by... something other than Riddick.

Riddick, who had been managing to stay on hands and knees with shaking muscles during the war inside himself now looked up at Vaako. Haggard, confused, exhausted, he still remained as upright as his limbs would allow. The war seemingly passed, the two glowing auras all but gone.

Vaako's ears flicked back in surprise. That had been like, and unlike the spectral appearance of the previous Lord Marshal. He had never seen two auras in a single being. Perhaps it had to do with not having been Purified before passing over the Threshold.

There was no time to pull the tiger into his arms and comfort him. "Riddick," he said in a low voice, suppressing the fear and worry and concern. "A show of strength is needed now. You need to take the throne and order us away. It doesn't need to be to a planet or system. Just away from the Threshold." It would give him time to recover and plan his next move.

Riddick bared his fangs from the strain of rising to his feet. His grimace receded but his tail lashed in anger at whatever was happening to him. He was weak and vulnerable and hiding it was draining him even more. He stalked to his throne and commanded the nearest officer to steer them away.

Vaako resumed his proper position that he held before the attempted coup, after glaring down a junior officer who had the temerity to assume it. He could feel eyes on him, not the least his former companion's. It was a relief to feel the slight shift in the artificial gravity as the engines kicked in and the ship headed away from the Threshold. Other senses alert for any movements that the others may make, his eyes remained fixed on Riddick.

Riddick eyed the throne room and those surrounding him. Most seemed grim, angry. The Furyan and made it. They had expected him to not return. Riddick narrowed his eyes, tail lashing next to him. He looked to Vaako and immediately calmed his outward appearance as their eyes met. "Return to your duties," he ordered the rest of the room though his eyes never left Vaako. "And show some respect less I feel a need to draw it out of you." He showed his teeth in a smile at Vaako. So this was the new Riddick...

Vaako stared back stoically. But inwardly, he was worried. This was unlike the Riddick he knew, unlike the Furyan who had been ruling the Necromongers with a firm disinterest. This Riddick who now sat on the throne sounded like the Lord Marshal he had deposed. Perhaps having him travel into the Threshold unPurified was a not a wise idea.

Riddick waited until some air of duty enveloped most of the room. With eyes not boring into him he allowed himself to sag into his throne as much as his armor would allow. He faced a problem: the Necromongers would not accept change so quickly. He had been to the Threshold but now they needed time to digest that fact. And he needed time to find out what it had done to him.

Running a hand across his nose he gave the blood that came away on his palm a glance and no more. His tongue as he licked his nose told him whatever had happened his nose bled as well.

Standing stiffly Riddick descended the stairs to his throne and stalked into the halls. With the quasidead safely tucked in their walls Riddick began to shed his armor.

Vaako had waited a respectful five seconds to follow Riddick out of the throne room. He could smell blood, though Riddick was showing no visible weakness, but he was still worried. The others would sense blood as well, someone might take the opportunity to try to promote the newly Half Dead to Full Dead.

Although Vaako half wished that the former Dame Vaako would give it a try.

Riddick's trail led to the chamber where the quasi dead were housed. Glancing through one of the windows and seeing that the quasis were still within the walls, he entered the chamber. "Riddick," he said softly.

Riddick turned to face his lover. "I don't remember what happened in there," he stated. "And now... I'm not even sure who I am supposed to be." Riddick had never been out of control. But now, inside he didn't know what was happening to himself. Or when. The fight seemed over, but he still wasn't himself. Would never be himself again.

It had been something that Vaako hadn't expected. He had underestimated the change that looking upon the Threshold would have on an unPurified being. Hadn't even considered that a non-Necromonger could have gained the powers of a Lord Marshal without the training and toughening that Purification brought. Tentatively he reached out and rested a hand on the striped shoulder, feeling that he hadn't warned his lover properly. "I'm sorry."

Riddick looked long at Vaako. "Not for me, don't you dare," but he didn't push him away or lash out. For once Riddick admitted to himself that he needed someone. Resting a hand over the one on his shoulder he squeezed slightly. "Do they believe?"

"They do." They had no choice. They had seen him go turn and return from the Threshold. They would have to accept him as a proper Lord Marshal now. That didn't mean that he was safe though."

Vaako looked around the room, eyes lingering on the niches that housed the quasi dead. "Why did you come here and not to your quarters?" Vaako asked.

Riddick followed Vaako's gaze before his hand retreated from his shoulder. "The first time I was forced to look upon my past was here... the only time I had help unlocking my past was here." Riddick looked to the platform that had held him in place while the quasi dead had probed at his mind. "Yet I still only have glimpses."

Vaako's eyes returned to Riddick's. "Is your past something you are searching for?" Riddick hadn't struck him as the kind who would dwell in the past, much like the Necromongers. The past was immutable, the future something to mold to gain and the present to make oneself worthy of crossing the Threshold. Though he thought that Riddick would trade survival for the gift of crossing the Threshold that he had been given.

"Never had the time to think about that until it started haunting me," Riddick recalled the half dreams, the essence that had saved his life back on Cremetoria, the Threshold... whatever it had done to him he knew it had awoken something and it didn't want him siding with this race.

He stepped closer to Vaako. "I never asked for it, know that." There was something to be said about ignorance.

"Do any of us ever ask for it?" Vaako asked with a sardonic flip of an ear. Reaching out, he took Riddick's paw in his own and tugged lightly. "Come. Let us return to... our... quarters." He stumbled over the word, still not fully used to the idea that they were mates now.

It was what Riddick needed to hear, that stumble over words, to remind him he wasn't alone now. That he had a mate, someone to be there. It still seemed too strange after forcing everyone who got past his defenses away from him as soon as he reached the right opportunity.

Looking down at their joined paws he blinked. It wasn't like it was a secret anymore, they had willingly invited an audience just hours ago. He walked back to their quarters with Vaako close to him.

Closing their doors he reached for Vaako, drawing him up against his body. "I need you," he whispered in a canine ear.

Vaako leaned against his lover, hands going around to clutch at his hips. "You have me," he said with a soft nip at at his chin. There was a burning curiosity in him to know what Riddick had seen. But this wasn't the time to question him about what he had seeing in the Necromonger holy of holies. Instead, it was time to focus on his his lover's needs.

Riddick kissed Vaako, softly at first. Soon his teeth bared though, ears flattening as he took Vaako roughly by the side of his neck. Reaching down between Vaako's legs he took his mate's sheath and massaged what was hidden inside.

Vaako's ears flicked back in pleasure. Arching his hips forward to get his emerging cock closer to Riddick's hand. His own hand slipped down the underside of the base of his tale. He rubbed there in firm circles using two fingers as his hips rubbed against Riddick's hand.

Releasing his grip on Vaako's neck he began to lick and nip his mate's fur there. Rumbling in pleasure he pushed against Vaako's fingers as his own continued to massage without teasing the other male's growing erection. His fingers were insistent but patient, anxious but steady.

Vaako let out a pleased sounding growl. The circles he was rubbing against the base of Riddick's tail grew firmer. One finger tested his puckered opening as he nipped lightly at Riddick's neck. His other hand clenched one of Riddick's buttocks, squeezing hard.

Riddick pushed harder against his mate's fingers, tail curling away. Then he was slipping, lowering to his knees. Nuzzling Vaako's cock with his nose before turning, tail arching up, hips high and shoulders low. He yowled softly, looking over his shoulder.

Vaako stood there frozen for a moment, drinking in the sight of his lover. And the insistent cry sounded, although he wouldn't ever admit out loud to this, like a cat in heat. It went straight to his groin. Letting out another soft growl, he stepped in close, hands grabbing Riddick's flanks as he pushed his cock into the tiger.

Riddick yowled loudly as his mate entered him, muzzle grimacing and baring his teeth. He pushed hard against Vaako. Hind claws dug into the floor for purchase while foreclaws kneaded the floor in ecstasy. He looked over his shoulder at Vaako, eyes locking and full of lust and raw hunger.

Vaako locked eyes, reflecting those same emotions, with his lover as he started to pound Riddick's ass. There was little tenderness in his motions, which seemed to be how they both wanted it. Lunging forward and stretching, he met Riddick's mouth in a fang filled kiss.

Riddick's claws could find little purchase in the hard floor but what they could find they held onto: any crack or texture. Arching his spine he stretched to kiss Vaako, teeth gnashing, tongues tasting blood and one another. He growled and moaned as Vaako pounded into him, muscles bulging to hold his hips in place and push against the punishing thrusts.

Blunt claws dug deeper into Riddick's brightly striped flanks. Pulling back from the kiss, Vaako followed an old instinct and clamped his jaws on the loose skin of Riddick's neck. His hips kept up the rough rhythm, his breath snorting through his nose as his pleasure rose.

A harsh, growling moan was pushed past his bared teeth with every thrust. He didn't fight Vaako's hold on him, seeming to take it for what it was: Vaako was his dominate now, and he needed to be treated exactly like this.

Vaako let out a louder growl. He gave Riddick's neck a slight shake, reminding him (as if he needed it) exactly who was in charge. His claws raked along Riddick's flanks as he felt his balls rising.

Pushing backward to meet every punishing thrust, Riddick was shaking hard as he neared his own climax. He clawed at the floor with his handpaws, reduced to a mewling, high pitched scream as he climbed higher and higher into ecstasy and finally felt himself shudder, bucking beneath Vaako as he exploded.

Vaako's jaws had tightened, but not tightly enough to snap his neck or damage his throat. He continued to pound into Riddick, even when his lover heaved beneath him. Only then did Vaako let go and flood Riddick's ass. His blunt claws raked Riddick's sides and then eased up, relaxing as his jaws did.

Shaking beneath him, Riddick could barely hold up and so let himself collapse to the floor. Already weakened from the Threshold his climb to ecstasy had pushed him over the edge. He lay panting, content, and exhausted. He rolled his head to look up at his mate, Vaako had given him exactly what he had needed: making him so weak and tired he had no choice but to rest now.

He felt his mate go completely limp beneath him. To be honest, Vaako was ready to do the same. But the floor was too uncomfortable for his tastes. So reluctantly he pulled away from his lover's body, only to catch it beneath Riddick's arms. He gave a slight grunt as he lifted and half dragged, half carried the tiger to his bed. After dropping Riddick on the mattress, he climbed in afterwards.

It was the first time Riddick had been physically handled in such a way, not that he had any complaints. He trembled and pressed up to his mate. Falling to sleep was easy, he couldn't stop it from happening. A sleep without dreams as he and the two beings inside rested.

He placed a protective arm over Riddick's middle, palm resting against the well muscled stomach. It took Vaako a few minutes to fall into a light sleep. But he wasn't completely off guard. Ears twitched at every sound made by people passing in the halls, alert for anyone who may threaten them.

The only reason Riddick woke at all was from two factors after 16 hours of sleep: an urgent pressure in his bladder, and a growing anger in his empty belly. Rolling once he tried to ignore both before reality sat in. Crawling off the bed he made his way to the bath and toilet.

One of Vaako's eyes opened as Riddick left the bed. His own stomach letting out a rumble, he rolled over onto his back and stared at the ceiling for a moment. Then he climbed out of the bed and followed Riddick to the bath, making plenty of noise. He definitely didn't want to startle Riddick with his new found powers as Lord Marshall.

Riddick stood from the floor's urinal and found himself seeing Vaako. But the wall. Both at the same time. Double vision was going to take getting used to whenever his astral form projected. He turned and rumbled a greeting before stepping close enough to lick his shoulder. "I feel like a new man."

Vaako leaned forward enough to blow a breath against his neck. "How new of a man?" he asked, letting his cheek rub against Riddick's. He wanted to spend the day here in the Lord Marshal's quarters. But unfortunately that would not be an option. "Now that you are accepted as a proper Lord Marshal, it is time for you to act like one. We need to determine where we will be heading next."

Riddick's eyes narrowed. "I will not destroy another world," he growled. The Necromonger ways would change or he would die trying to stop this killing of worlds, of cultures and people.

"Then what will you do?" There was no argument there. "The Necromongers are nomads. We travel world to world in conquest. Now that we have been to the Threshold, it is time for us to move onto the next planet. To remain at one point in space or on a planet is unheard of."

"Can they travel without killing? Recruit by asking for volunteers?" Riddick paused in a moment of thought. "Replenish the worlds they've destroyed?"

"It hasn't been done before," Vaako started uncertainly. The Necromonger way had been to deal in death. If it was their time to be called, then it was the Necromonger's privilege to aid their ascension to the Threshold. But if not, then there was only one choice - Purification. To ask for volunteers and then leave those who chose not unmolested was not something that had been done in the history of the Necromongers as far as Vaako was aware. "I do not know if the others would accept such a choice."

Riddick nodded knowingly. "Do you, Vaako?" And if the others would not? It would be nothing new to Riddick. To flee death. To leave someone he loved. To hurt. To hide that pain. To move on. He pushed those thoughts aside. If the time came then he'd run, but until then he had a ship to command.

Vaako considered Riddick's question deeply. For so long his goal had been one thing - to become the Lord Marshal of the Necromongers. And now, that goal was gone. He could not betray this man. Would not betray him. But it would be difficult to reconcile his faith with what Riddick was asking of him.

And he realized that he hadn't answered Riddick's question. Much to his shame, he couldn't give Riddick the answer he wanted. He was unable to say yes instantaneously. "I have to think about it."

Riddick silently left the room. There was no surprise on his face. If anything his blank facial expression served to hide the knowledge of what he had to do... and to hide the deep stab wound it caused. He couldn't ask Vaako to change, he would regret it and so would his mate.

So he left.

Leaving Vaako as the highest ranked, his right hand man, would make Vaako the next Lord Marshal in his absence. It was what his mate had craved... had let Riddick stand in his way, Riddick cared not to think of why. He buried it.

The ship he stole he knew would be followed, he only hoped he had enough time to lose them before they caught on he had just abandoned them.

With Riddick's abdication came a power vacuum One that Vaako was all to ready to fill. Before the former Dame Vaako could position a rival, he had taken the throne, defeating every rival. And to make his reign legitimate, he had also gone to the Threshold.

And when he returned, like any true Lord Marshal, he embarked on a campaign of spreading the Necromonger religion. But there was a difference. Unlike those before, who had absorbed all who were willing and destroyed the rest, the conquered planets were abandoned with their remnant populations in tact after the new converts had been absorbed. Lord Marshal Vaako the Merciful, was what was whispered in some corners of the Temple.

To most of the Necromongers, it wasn't a compliment.

But at this point no one dared challenge him. The first three who had were shown to the Threshold before their due time. In that way, Vaako was just as ruthless as any other Lord Marshal. And on every planet, he issued the same orders. If the male Furyan Riddick was found, he was to be brought before the Lord Marshal. Alive.

Riddick had gone to his home world to see the destruction for himself once again. No answers came his way, in a way it was finally admitting defeat. His Furyan heritage finally seemed to sleep- he had, after all, joined the Necromongers and then left them all alive. Necromongers. The destroyers of his home.

His astral form was another issue. It strained at his hold on it, barely in his control at times. His first night as he came out of the stolen Necro flier he nearly brought the ruins surrounding him down flat at the surge of his astral self finally breaking his Furyan's aura.

Today it seemed particularly on edge as he watched the ship skim the clouds. He had called this planet his sanctuary for years but knew none of his hide outs ever lasted long. But the ship wasn't a merc. It was a Necromonger come to pay him a visit.

His astral form glowed around him like a flickering light as he stalked towards the ship to 'greet' it's occupant. But as she stepped from the door he stopped cold. Dame Vaako. The glowing ceased. He had never once hurt a woman or child, and he wouldn't start now. Or ever.

"Lord Marshal Riddick," the ex-Dame Vaako greeted him. "There were rumors that you had crossed the Threshold, but for one did not believe them." As ever, she was dressed elegantly in a gray and black dress that revealed as much of her scales as it concealed. Her empty hands were held out to the side, palms towards him. "I come in peace. I wanted to speak with you."

Riddick knew the she-devil always had a plan that would, in the end, benefit her more than any. He idly wondered what it was she was after this time. "And what might you, Dame Vaako, have to say?" He stood his ground, not meeting her nor leaving.

"It's Dame Scales now, my dear Lord Marshal," she replied smoothly. She circled around Riddick, looking him up and down. "I see time has been good to you. You look just as strong as when you ascended to the Necromonger throne. Which, you may have heard, Lord Vaako has assumed."

"But perhaps not for long," she said as she halted in front of him. There was an almost perfect look of sorrow on her face. "The new Lord Marshal has been fighting an uphill battle. Things are whispered in the dark corners of the Temple about him. Heretic, mostly." She shook her head sadly. "Do you know that Necromongers have no tolerance for heretics?"

"Yes." Riddick lifted his goggles to look at her clearly. If she was saying what he thought she was saying, Vaako wouldn't last long. He hadn't heard anything about his rule. Hadn't heard how he changed Necro society.

"I know that well," he finally added. Turning away from her he began stalking away... expecting a knife in his back, or at least to feel his other wrench it out of midair.

Which was something that Dame Scales was debating. But outright assassination was not why she was here. "You are aware that there is a Necromonger bounty on your head? One that requires you be brought in alive." She shook her head. "I believe the Lord Marshal wishes to promote you to Full Dead personally."

Riddick continued to stalk away. Vaako wanted him brought in? Alive? That would mean he'd have Necros on his ass for a very long time. If he didn't end it now, that is. He paused and turned to regard Dame Scales. "And you propose?"

"That you do the same." Lord Marshal Riddick was a man who would see the logic of her plan. She had no use for softer emotions of love. And loyalty was only for those who were too weak to seize power in their own hands. "With the death of Vaako, a new Lord Marshal will rise to power," she explained as she slowly paced towards him. "One that will be too busy purging the heresies of the former Lord Marshal to bother with the bounty on one man." Or right away at least. Riddick was too dangerous to be allowed to live. But it was too wasteful to kill him while he was still useful. And if anyone could kill Vaako the Merciful, it would be this Furyan.

Riddick didn't tell her he wanted nothing to do with ruling Necromongers. He was only interested in clearing the bounty off his head. Still, let her believe he agreed. He nodded silently and reapproached her. "No bit, no chains. I don't want to be slow and stiff when we get there."

Dame Scales nodded, a cold smile on her face. She gestured with one slim wrist towards her flyer. "I highly doubt that the other Necromongers would believe that I was able to take you captive. But I can bring you as far as the hangar. The rest would be up to you."

"Up to me," Riddick gave a bemused smile as he walked to and entered the flier. He didn't know what lay in wait for him but he knew he had to see this through. The mercs had given up after he had destroyed two teams, word of his strange powers spreading like wild fire. But the Necromongers he knew wouldn't be convinced so easily.

Dame Scales followed. Her plan may have required a show of trust, but she wouldn't turn her back on him. No matter how honorable he was, only a fool would expose her back to her enemy.

She flew back to the main ship, keeping silent other than the necessary passcodes for entrance. After a smooth landing, she gave Riddick a knowing smile as passed him heading towards the exit, leaving him to his own devices. She didn't care how the Lord Marshal was taken out, as long as he was.

Riddick followed her and as before, disappeared into the flying fortress like a ghost. He knew word would soon spread of his arrival and disappearance but by then he found himself seated in Vaako's quarters awaiting his return.

The weight of the Lord Marshal's armor laid heavier on his shoulders some days than others. Although he didn't show his weakness to those around him, there were nights that he wished for company in his bed. And although if he ordered it, he could have had any of the Necromongers join him, it was was orange and black striped fur he wanted to feel rubbing against him. In fact, he could almost scent the Furyan's musk as he stepped into his private quarters...

...which was much too strong to be mere memory. Letting out a growl, he pulled out his blade his astral-self looming large behind him, growling. "What are you doing here?"

Riddick remained seated, claws seethed and hands steepled as he looked at his ex-lover. He ignored the familiar pang of love and lust that stabbed his heart. He didn't do what he longed to do by gracefully rubbing up the canine's body and take his muzzle in a heated kiss. "Because you did a very stupid thing in putting a bounty on my head. Who do I need to kill to stop this?"

Vaako's astral self was sucked back inside of his body as he stared at his lover. "That would be me," he said in a low voice. His arms were spread wide as he let the knife drop from his hand. From his pose, he was either bracing for the inevitable attack, or offering him an embrace.

He eyed Vaako for a moment before standing, senses on fire for any tricks or lies... it seemed too good that Vaako was inviting him back into his life. He glanced at the knife as he approached the canine. "Why?" Hands reached out to take Vaako's, bringing them down and between their bodies.

"Would you have come otherwise?" Vaako stared Riddick in the eyes, hidden as they may have been by goggles. He held his fingers still, although they itched to weave themselves between his former lover's. "I wanted to speak with you. To find out why you left."

Riddick reached up and removed his goggles to look at Vaako, gaze softening but only in sadness. "I can't live this kind of life. I never enjoyed killing..." He searched Vaako's eyes, bringing a hand up to touch his face. "Where will they go when there aren't any more worlds to suck dry?"

Vaako's lips drew back from his gums, revealing white fangs. He was not here to defend his faith, but to find out why his lover had left. "Then we return to the Threshold, to forsake this universe for the glory of the Underverse," he said, almost as if he had been explaining the Necromonger faith to a child. "But then what do know about Faith? What do you believe in?"

Riddick pulled his hand away. "Beliefs are a tricky business. I forsake them for harsh realities." He tilted his head slightly in consideration. He was effectively trapped here now. Had he gave Dame Scale's words thought he would have waited on planet soil for Vaako where escape was more possible. He had let emotions affect him. "What do you want, Vaako?"

He opened his mouth, but no words came out as Vaako considered Riddick's question. What did he want? Revenge for being abandoned? Desire to destroy an unPurified heretic who abandoned the Necromonger throne? Or just to have the only one he had ever truly loved back in his arms? And the truth came out without him thinking about it. "You."

He wasn't sure at first he had heard right. Prepared for a fight it took a moment for that one word to sink in. He blinked and took a step away, breaking eye contact. Could he live with these people who had killed his world and would continue to kill others just for love? He had only glimpsed love before Vaako.

And it was too hard to give up.

Turning, he let his body express what he couldn't find words for and kissed Vaako as his arms pulled their bodies tight together. The big cat trembled for a moment.

The admission had cost him, although there had been no other Necromongers there to witness it. The moment it was discovered that Riddick was in his quarters, and more importantly alive and unharmed, his reign as Lord Marshall could be measured in a matter of hours.

But that didn't matter at the moment. Not when Vaako could feel the silk of Riddick's fur and the play of Riddick's lips against his. His astral self growled loudly at being pinned, but Vaako managed to hold it in check. He wished that he could will time to stop.

Riddick had worked hard at controlling his beastly aura, but in hearing the growl he was forced to pull away to keep it in check. It shimmered, teeth and claws and then was gone, leaving Riddick bent and breathing harshly for a moment. Two dominant males with deadly dominant powers... it was bound to get interesting. And Riddick had a feeling that would be very soon. The heavy breathing was not all from the exertion of controlling his astral form but from a rising need for Vaako. It shone in his unprotected eyes like a star as he looked up at the canine.

Vaako stared back at him, similar emotions reflected in his eyes. He needed this feline in his life. And if Riddick asked him to step away from his faith, to leave the Necromongers, his need for the tiger was so great that Vaako would do so. However he could not say this to his lover. Instead he stepped forward and kissed Riddick again, fangs and tongues clashing.

Riddick embraced Vaako tightly, claws digging into his soft fur subconsciously. He needed Vaako, it hurt to think of leaving again, if it came to that. He wasn't sure he could do it a second time. Holding this canine, kissing him, waking up next to him... Vaako made him feel like something. Whole, perhaps.

His astral form didn't rear back in anger this time. It reared forth in lust and reached for Vaako's astral form.

Vaako's astral self reacted similarly, charging for Riddick and drawing him close in violent desire. Much as his physical body was reacting similarly. He pressed against his tiger-lover, forcing him backwards towards the bed. It had been the same bed they shared during Riddick's brief reign. Keeping it was, to the current Lord Marshal, a sentimental weakness that Vaako couldn't seem to rid himself of.

Riddick was so wrapped up in Vaako the edge of the bed caught him off guard, sending him falling onto it backwards. But he kept a tight grip on Vaako and the tongue and teeth clashing was only disturbed for one bump as they bounced after hitting the bed.

"On my knees," Riddick's words were muffled against Vaako's tongue but his astral form was making him clear as it presented tail to Vaako's.

"Then strip," he ordered as his astral surged to mount his lover's spectral form. With a snarl rich in sensuality, Vaako began shedding his armor. Heavily decorated, it was useful as well, and made loud clanking noises with every piece that hit the floor. Soon he was nude, and clearly ready for Riddick. His astral shape had already seized the neck of Riddick's.

Riddick tore off his loose pants and tight shirt and straps for his weapons in record time as he climbed up further on the bed. On his hands and knees he looked over his shoulder at Vaako and moved his tail up and to the side for hiss lover. His astral form bucked and snarled beneath Vaako's but spread it's legs wide as well.

And it was only milliseconds before Vaako was on top of Riddick, pushing inside. It felt like a dream come true, this sensation he hadn't expected ever to feel again. Letting out a soft snarl of desire, he bit down on Vaako's neck, much like his astral self had done.

Riddick snarled, spit fly past bared teeth. He bucked back against Vaako with a grunt. It felt so good to be back with Vaako, he felt whole again and realized how much he needed the canine. He couldn't leave again... It would tear him in two.

Vaako had to hold still for a moment when he felt his hips resting against Riddick's ass. His fingers, gripping the tiger's shoulder's tighter. The bite on his neck relaxed into soft kisses and nuzzles as he slowly began a rocking motion with his hindquarters.

Riddick relaxed beneath Vaako as he felt the kisses, rumbling softly in his throat. He tilted his hips as his mate began to slide in and out of him. He felt wonderful. More than wonderful. Perhaps because they'd been separated for so long, perhaps Riddick was finally realizing his home was with this canine... whatever reason, Riddick couldn't remember feeling this way before. His claws kneaded the bed in time to Vaako's slow rocking.

His hips kept up their steady pumping. Vaako let out a louder growl. Even with his ears flat against his head and his teeth bared, he did not look angry. It was clear his expression was of pleasure. His fingers dug in and released his shoulders trying to pull him as deeply inside as he could with each thrust. But he could feel his balls rising, the pleasure starting to build toward the shattering crescendo.

The familiar signs from his lover told Riddick he was nearing his climax. He squeezed, though already tight, with each withdrawal. He was holding back, waiting for Vaako's hot seed to burst within him, and amazed how his lover brought him to a violent orgasm every time, even if he hadn't been touched.

Which was something that Vaako had done deliberately. As he felt his pleasure crest and then explode, he roughly grabbed Riddick's cock. It felt like the pads of his pawhand was scorched as he roughly pumped the hot, tense organ.

Riddick bucked, claws digging deep into the bed as he snarled loudly. He reeled within Vaako's grip, a dizzying moment before feeling himself explode. Collapsing onto the bed heavily his breath came in harsh gasps.

Vaako sank onto Riddick, equally limp and boneless. Listening to the tiger's heartbeat he just lay there, not allowing his mind to think. Any other Lord Marshal would have reached out and snapped Riddick's neck while he laid vulnerable, retaining and cementing his rule of the Necromongers. But Vaako could not, would not, do that.

Riddick lay breathing hard for several moments before he realized where he was and what he was doing. He was trusting Vaako. And had not even had to give it thought. It had just happened. Turning over but gripping Vaako back down onto him he looked at the canine for a long time, his gaze soft and content.

There was a similar expression on Vaako's face. The tips of blunt claws gently combed through coarse fur, tracing over the darker stripes crossing his arms. In this position, he knew that Riddick could easily snap his neck or tear out his throat. But he returned Riddick's trust with perfect ease.

He hated to bring it up but knew they'd have to decide sooner or later. And Riddick preferred sooner. "So what are we gonna do?" He licked Vaako's muzzle and soon found himself grooming the canine's neck and ears.

Vaako's ears twitched at first, and then held still as the raspy tongue swept over him again and again. "I don't know," he said honestly. Once when Riddick had asked him to leave behind the Necromonger ways, he had said no. But if his lover asked again, he would. Even though he knew that life outside of the Necromonger faith would be short, nasty and brutish. In short, like life within the Necromonger faith.

Riddick's grooming paused as he pulled his head back to look at his mate. "I can't be without you again," he rumbled gently. The psychotic sociopath Riddick had found someone he couldn't live without... wouldn't that turn some heads.

Did he dare admit the same to Riddick? Be that vulnerable? It went against all of his training as a soldier to reveal his weakness. It would be the perfect chance for the Furyan to take revenge on the Necromonger for putting a bounty on his head. And yet he still said the words. "Neither can I."

Riddick kissed Vaako hard, clinging to him like a lifeline as he did so. One of them would have to leave their life behind, and Riddick knew neither of them liked it. He was reluctant to break the kiss because of this. It had to be discussed.

"What do we do?" Riddick rumbled deeply.

"I don't know." For all his experience as a leader, even before becoming Lord Marshal, he had never plotted out this kind of scenario. Or more accurately, the former Lady Vaako hadn't plotted out this scenario. He had been adapting on the fly what she had plotted out and had dreamed. For all his military prowess, he had been a talented soldier, not a political tactician.

Riddick had not heard of nor knew of Vaako's changes to Necromonger society. Dame Scales had been elusive in details to say the least. But what little she had said was tickling Riddick's brain. "I was brought back to kill you," he said. After a pause he asked, "Why?"

Vaako's eyes widened in surprise. "You haven't heard my title? Lord Vaako the Merciful?" Tips of blunt claws dug into the fur covering the base of Riddick's ears. "Since we parted, the Necromongers have continued on our journey towards worthiness to cross the Threshold. But we no longer wipe out the population of a planet. We come, we conquer, we convert, and we depart, without neutralizing the rest of the population." A bitter smile crossed his face. "Let me guess. Dame Scales told you that she could lift the bounty if I were promoted to Full Dead."

"Yes," Riddick's eyelids drooped with the grooming but he was fully aware. "Imagine her surprise when she smells us." His astral form flickered around him for a moment. She was beginning to get on his nerves. She was arrogant to think he'd kill his mate. But then Dame Scales had never known the meaning of loyalty. "And what of the others? Do they support you?"

"They follow me only because no one has overthrown me," Vaako admitted as he continued to rub his lover. It was a realistic and wise outlook for a Lord Marshal to have. "Maybe some of the newer recruits and those considered less pure would support me. But most of the others are waiting for me to trip up and let down my guard."

"Do you want to stay?" Riddick rumbled softly at the rubbing. "Me by your side?" His mate was beginning to push his button with that rubbing and it showed in his silvery gaze. "Let down your guard and I'll be there to take full advantage of it," his tone held other implications than murder.

Vaako leaned towards Riddick, forehead pressing against his temple. "If we stay, we will be assassinated eventually. If we go, like you did, Dame Scales will see to it that we will be killed." He pushed harder against Riddick's head. "The question becomes where do we face death? Among or away from the Necromongers?"

"As long as its with you," Riddick rumbled. He hadn't much in life except Vaako now. "We can stay and live in prison, or run and never be sure where we're safe... there's not much difference." He chuffed as he closed his eyes to the sensual rubbing.

Vaako kept his head pressed against Riddick as he thought. Life had been so much easier when he was a low ranking soldier, barely more than cannon fodder, where he didn't have to think, but just react. And there was no physical enemy to fight, nothing he could pummel into submission. Battle tactics had been his forte. He left the politicking to Dame Vaako. "If we stay, I will be promoted to full dead, and you with me. If we leave, we will be able to reach our due time."

Riddick's tail lashed once as he thought of being hunted in his own residence. He was a skilled fight, but even he could reached his limits and fall to exhaustion. "Let's leave," he decided. "You are to battle me for the throne. When every one gathers for the ceremony we can slip out. That will give us some time."

Vaako turned it over in his mind, considering the idea from all angles. It was a sound plan. And inevitable that they clash when Riddick was discovered, since there could not be two Lord Marshal's. Now the question came down to the timing for their plan to work. "Who knows that you're here? Just Dame Scales?"

Riddick nodded. "She escorted me here, who was with her at the time I don't know." He flared his nostrils a moment in scenting. "We should bathe, they'll smell us together."

Vaako nodded. "Let me take one first," he said. It would also give him time to think and plan without the pleasant distraction of Riddick's body so close to his. If things went well, he thought while under the spray of water, there would be time enough to be distracted later.

And while under the spray of the shower, the exact plan on how to get away from the Necromongers gelled in his mind. "Your turn," he said, ducking out of the bathroom, a towel around his waist. He dressed and laid out an assortment of weapons as Riddick took his shower. And when the tiger came back out of the bathroom, Vaako held out a weapon. "Cut me. It should look like you had made an attempt on my life when they find us."

Riddick tested and weighed a small blade he could conceal easily. He didn't like having to cut his mate but knew the story they were creating had to look real. Whirling and kneeling Riddick slashed him up his ribs before he could think twice. His own curved skiv was in his hand, not the other blade.

Vaako firmly held his astral self in check, although it was chomping at the mental bit, wanting, no *demanding* vengeance and retribution on someone who dared to attack the Holy Half Dead. But he nodded his approval, half a second before his knife drew a thin line of blood along his bicep.

Stepping back and making sure his braids were askew, Vaako stepped back, tipping over a small, decorative table. "Guards!" he yelled, satisfied with the scene set. Immediately he crouched, knife held defensively before him.

And Riddick was running, out the back entrance. Someone on his tail that he efficently took care of before disapearing altogether. He could have easily became a shadow but he needed to be caught for their plan to fall in place. He went quietly surrounded by guards in a tight circle, his astral form flaring at the chance to rumble though.

Brought in front of Vaako he sneered at his mate, growling lowly as the guards awaited instruction

Although he didn't show it, Vaako was relieved that the soldiers had followed his order to the letter and brought Riddick back alive. Outwardly he scowled at the former Lord Marshal. "Take him to the holding cells and leave him there."

"Lord Marshal," Scales questioned. "His due time should be now."

"No," Vaako snapped, a hint of fang beneath a curled lip to indicate displeasure at being questioned. He was very aware of Dame Scale's eyes on him, and he had to make it look convincing. "He was an unPurified Lord Marshal, but a Lord Marshal none the less. Therefore, he deserves the rank afforded to him, unworthy though he may be."

"We will face each other in personal combat tomorrow, so he may be reminded how a real Lord Marshal fights. To that end, we must both meditate and prepare ourselves. Alone. No one is to go near either of us during our time of preparations, until the ceremony tomorrow at ship's noon. Now go." He waved his hand at the guards holding Riddick, who tugged him back down the corridor. The sea of gathered Necromongers parted, giving him a clear path.

Riddick waited until it neared the time for the ceremony. Summoning the guard that he was ready he snapped his neck as he was released from the cell. It wouldn't be long before the guard was dicovered beneath his cell's bunk so he took for the rendezvous dock where they would take a frigate to the start of their new lives.

Vaako had dismissed his guards almost as soon as he had reached his quarters. He changed out of the highly decorated armor that he had lusted over in his quest to become Lord Marshal into the simpler armor from when he had been a soldier. Into it he tucked his weapons before performing one last sweep of his quarters before sneaking out of them and to the dock where Riddick should be waiting.

Slinking out from behind machinery, Riddick greeted his mate enthusiastically on his lips. Claws gripping him close for a brief moment before he forced himself off. "Which one?" he looked to the ships waiting, one that would set them free.

He was doing it again. His tail was wagging since it appeared that their plans were working. They were this close to escape. "That one," he said pointing across the hangar. It wasn't his personal shuttlecraft, which he had last used to visit the Threshold. What he pointed out was a craft that was mean to handle more than a low speed ceremonial flight.

"Isn't that the frigate you once chased me with?" Riddick bared his teeth in a grin as they crossed the hangar to the craft. "It's fast." He climbed the ramp into the belly of the craft, wondering if it would be fast enough.

"The very one." Vaako climbed into the craft, hitting the button to close the ramp as he passed. Without wasting time, he headed towards the cockpit and the pilot's chair. "Let's take off. If we're fast enough, the ion trail will disappear before they think to bring a lenser down here to look for our heading." There was one thing that needed to be done when they hit the vacuum of space - eject the quasi- dead that served as communications with the main Necormonger fleet. His astral self roared at the outrage, but it had to be done for their safety. It just wasn't his due time yet.

Riddick took the seat next to Vaako. Somewhat familiar with Necromonger technology by now and a skilled pilot in his own right he began to work with Vaako on getting their frigate airborne and the door to space opened.

It only took a few buttons to be pushed for Vaako to open the docking bay doors. He looked out into space, pausing for one second. He was throwing away something that he had worked towards for the majority of his adult life. Once their frigate entered the vacuum, there would be no turning back.

Riddick gave his mate a moment to digest their future in silence. Then, covering his pawhand with his own he eased their hands forward, frigate gaining speed until they shot out of the monstrous Necropolis. Leaving Necromonger imperialism behind.

He was grateful for the paw covering his own. Otherwise, Vaako wasn't certain that he could have pushed the throttle. Now that they were out in space and moving away from the fleet, instincts took over. Fortunately, the frigate could practically fly itself with a crew of two.

He looked over at Riddick, his expression unreadable. "Now where do we go? What is our heading?" And the unspoken question of where could they hide.

Riddick gave him the headings of a near planetary system. Hopefully one they could become lost in for a time before having to run. Their lives would be lived on the run now, for if they were caught by the Necros again Riddick didn't look forward to the blow they'd receive: death.

He kissed Vaako hard, the taste of freedom on his teeth as their frigate raced away from Necromongerdom.

The End

Fiction