Day 54, Evening; Radek's temp room, Athosian area; Attn: Radek, others [F]

[selen_arolas]

Selen and Radek spent the rest of the day working side by side, mostly in silence, until Selen glanced out and saw it was now evening. He had spent the whole day away from his children and his people and felt somewhat empty for it, even with the joy of Radek's presence. "Caras," he said quietly so as not to startle his lover too much, "do you think

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[dr_r_zelenka]

It had taken a while, but Selen's close presence, his soft words and precious touch, had finally calmed Radek enough that he thought he might try working again. Selen made him tea, which wasn't as good as coffee, but was something warm and slightly sweet that he could reach for from time to time while he worked, and so served its purpose well enough

[selen_arolas]

"I will go and ask our guard," Selen answered, standing and heading for the door.

The guard moved to block the door as usual, though he didn't seem particularly anxious. "Hey. What did you need?"

"I was wishing to know if Radek and I could eat with my people tonight," Selen answered.

"Oh. I'll, uh, have to call and ask. Hold on a minute."

Selen nodded and waited patiently while the man made his call, hoping that it would be allowed.

[dr_r_zelenka]

Radek set his notebook aside and waited as the guard put his hand to his radio and nodded repeatedly, consciously restraining himself from wringing his hands. He didn't want his freedom restricted, did he? He'd said he didn't like being treated like a child, but there was no escaping the fact that part of him wanted to be told, 'no'. It would make things easier, wouldn't it?

"This is going to take a few minutes, guys," the guard finally said, lowering his hand. "I'll let you know when I get the word." Then the door closed.

Radek sighed, wishing he didn't have to wait, so he would know one way or the other. Selen's eyes were anxious, but for different reasons than Radek. The man had children, for God's sake, and Radek had kept him from them for the whole day. How selfish was it to wish that he would be forced to stay away longer still?

"I am sorry I have been so selfish," Radek said.

[selen_arolas]

Selen settled back down on the couch, taking Radek's face in his hands and kissing his mouth slowly. "I have been selfish, too, caras. I wanted this day with you."

[dr_r_zelenka]

"I must admit to wanting more than just this day with you, miláčku," Radek said wistfully, answering Selen's kiss with languid desire. "But you have your children... your people."

And Radek had none of these. He'd never wanted children -something he dared not mention to Selen now, and as for his people... It still meant something to Radek that he was a Czech, and the language, tales and history from his homeland still made up the core of him, but those people were lost to him now. For a time he had thought it would serve to think of himself as Atlantian instead, but it might be that he had burned that bridge as well.

It was a lonely, frightening thing to think that he might have no people, and Radek found his arms folding close around his lover. So much would hang on whether he could make himself a home with Selen, call the Athosians his people. It was all terribly uncertain, and Radek was afraid.