Chapter Text
Earth is a dying planet when Alex’s ship blasts off from the blue planet. He’s with his family and they have left in search of a new planet that could sustain human life. They’ve been sailing through the stars for six weeks when they come across an enormous ship. They’re taken prisoners of the aliens who demand to know who the humans are and what their plans are. When the aliens have been satisfied that they don’t have any nefarious plans, they’re taken to their home planet, Antar.
Antar is an astonishing planet, with its three moons, red seas, and technology that the humans had never seen before. The humans are taken to a slave bay where Alex’s father negotiates with the Antarians to split apart his family in exchange for his own freedom. Alex’s mother is sold to the brothels, his two eldest brothers to become house slaves, Flint to the fields, and Alex to the military. Alex is frightened, only ten years old at the time, but his fear keeps him silent and he’s sent to a military ship with other Antarians around his same age.
Antar has no laws against child soldiers and even if they did, they certainly wouldn’t extend to a human. They put a gun in Alex’s hands and instruct him to shoot their enemies. He’s afraid of the foes they face, but he’s more afraid of the alien race that took him in so he does what he’s told without question. The first time he kills a man, Alex shakes for days after that he can barely hold his weapon straight. The Antarian military is ruthless and the most feared in the galaxy and when Alex is on the battlefield with his comrades, he understands why.
As Alex gets older, he gets smarter and sharper. He can follow orders like the best of them and never hesitates before pulling the trigger. But with his skill comes recognition and the desire to consume the only human in the Antarian military. Alex’s unit commander, Nadir, shows Alex great respect and concern. He helps Alex hone his skills and become one of the most skilled fighters in his unit. He’s always kind to Alex so he starts to lower his guard around Nadir. A year into serving with Nadir, Alex has risen through his ranks and is greatly respected by his comrades and he, in turn, respects Nadir.
Nadir invites Alex into his chambers to discuss strategy when he first lays his hands on Alex’s body. It’s the first time Alex is frightened in Nadir’s presence and it’s the fear and confusion that Nadir takes advantage of. Nadir rapes Alex every day for nearly a year before Alex gathers up his courage. He hides a knife in his boot and when Nadir pushes Alex to his knees to suck Nadir’s cock, Alex pulls the knife out and slashes his balls. Nadir instantly falls over and Alex uses the opportunity to plunge the knife in Nadir’s chest repeatedly as a guttural and animalistic scream erupts from Alex.
They find Alex sitting calmly next to Nadir’s prone body, his face covered in blood. They’re horrified but Alex is one of the strongest soldiers in his unit, he’s too valuable to execute. Instead, he’s sent to another military camp. There, Alex never lowers his guard. He keeps his knife tucked in his boot at all times and he’s filled with rage. He sees enemies everywhere he turns, on the battlefield, in his unit. Nadir is the first to violate Alex and while he isn’t the last to try, he’s the only one that’s successful. There are a string of others that follow and their blood is soon added to Alex’s hands. Every incident leads to a transfer and he never climbs the ranks because of it, but at the very least Alex feels powerful being able to protect himself.
When Alex is in his twenties, he’s sent to one of the specialized units of Antar. He works on codes to infiltrate their enemies' databases and learn their secrets. He enjoys it and finds it fascinating, but his hands itch for a gun and his blood calls for battle. It’s when he’s stationed on this ship that Rath takes over command of the entire Antarian military. They say Rath is ruthless and an absolute brilliant strategist. He’s the youngest Antarian General, but his track record defends the promotion. His ship, the Vengeance, meets up with Alex’s ship on Rath’s campaign to learn more about the forces he now commands.
“Alex,” his commander calls one day. “The General would like to meet you.”
Alex’s blood runs cold, he should have known that Rath would be no different than the others before him. The knife he carries feels heavy in his boot and he discreetly slips another one in his pocket before following his commander. They transfer onto the Vengeance and he’s led to Rath’s private quarters.
He enters alone and stands at attention. “Sir,” he acknowledges, “Captain Ledo said you wanted to meet me.”
Rath is nothing like Alex expects. He has a cold, calculating look in his eyes and keeps his powers tightly coiled. Alex had heard Rath had taken out an entire enemy force with just his telekinesis alone, but none of that power can be detected by Alex now. He’s wearing his uniform and watches Alex carefully. “Sergeant Alex. I’ve heard a lot about you. Our little human.” Rath greets with a tone Alex cannot interpret. “At ease. Why don’t you come and join me?”
Alex warily approaches Rath who is sitting at a chair next to a fireplace. He’s drinking an amber mead and there’s an empty seat next to him which Alex takes Rath wants him to sit at. “I’m honored that you know of me, sir,” Alex says after he’s taken his seat.
Rath smiles coldly, all teeth. “I’m not sure if it’s an honor. It’s my duty to know my top soldiers.” Alex feels something ugly unfurl inside of him at the words and he tries to finger the knife in his pocket without raising suspicion. Rath notices the motion and Alex is immediately frozen in place and the knife flies to Rath’s waiting hand. “They told me you favored knives.” Rath’s smile tips down to a smirk.
Panic immediately floods Alex’s body, he’s still tightly held in place by Rath and the sheer force of the power makes it difficult for him to breathe. They stare at each other for a bit, hatred in Alex’s eyes and cool indifference in Rath’s. Finally, Alex feels his joints loosen and he can move again. He’s not so foolish to go for his other knife, so he bows his head in repentance. “I’m sorry, sir.”
“Call me Michael,” Rath instructs.
“Michael, sir?” Alex asks, “A human name?”
Rath relaxes in his seat. “Michael is my other name. My mother spent some years on Earth, she liked the name.”
Alex eyes Rath suspiciously but decides to play his game. “Very well, Michael. Was there something I could help you with?”
“Have some mead,” Michael says instead of answering, floating over another cup of the amber liquid.
“No thank you, sir. I try to keep my wits,” Alex turns down gently. He’d been drunk on mead the first time Nadir had raped him.
Michael watches Alex over the brim of his cup and then carefully sets it and the other cup aside. “I understand some of my men have not treated you well in the past.” If Michael is hoping to get a reaction out of Alex, he’s disappointed because Alex stares back blankly. “I also understand that they’ve paid a steep price for it. And because of their actions, you have been sent to some decrepit outpost, wasting your talents. Do you miss the excitement of the battlefield Alex?”
He does, desperately, but would never show his hand so easily to Michael. “I’m happy to serve wherever I’m needed, sir.”
Michael chuckles darkly, “Such a good little soldier. You’ll follow whatever orders you’re given?”
“Of course, sir.”
Michael leans back in his chair, “I wonder if I might be able to tempt you,” he begins and Alex’s guard is immediately up. He knew Michael was no different than the rest. He mentally calculates how long it would take for him to reach his knife and get to Michael. Before Alex can execute it, Michael continues, “to join my unit?”
Adrenaline is still coursing through Alex it takes him a moment to slow down and process Michael’s words, “What?”
“You lack powers than any basic Antar has, but you make up for it in spades with your brutality. That’s what I need now that I’m in command.” Michael explains.
Something dark fills Alex at the thought of being back in the field, decimating his enemies and his blood sings at the thought. “Wherever you need me, sir.”
“None of that,” Michael commands, “I want to hear you say that’s what you want.”
Alex stubbornly clenches his jaw, mentally counts to ten, then exhales deeply. “Yes, Michael,” he admits, because two can play at this game. “I want to fight for you, kill for you.”
A slow smirk creeps onto his face, “Well then, welcome to the Vengeance, Alex.”
* * *
Michael is an incredible commander. He does all the same tasks he expects from his subordinates and takes most of his meals with them. He pays attention to their weaknesses and offers suggestions on how to improve. He listens to their feedback when he’s planning attacks, but no one would say his care and attention made him weak. He is calculating and can make split-second decisions while weighing the pros and cons. He never doubts his decisions and he is unbelievable on the battlefield. Blood rage, he explains to Alex once, nothing makes him go quiet quite like the heat of battle. It awes Alex, but as much as he respects Michael, he never lets himself relax around him.
Alex isn’t the only non-Antarian on Michael’s ship, there’s a diverse group of alien species, some like Alex who had been raised on Antar others that had been conscripted into the military after being captured. But they had all joined Michael’s unit of their own volition. His entire unit had been hand-picked by Michael and they make a ferocious team. Alex feels safe with the other aliens and he trusts his entire unit.
“You rely too much on weapons,” Michael observes to Alex one day after watching one of his training spars. “What if you’re caught off and don’t have any weapons?”
“I always have something,” Alex answers tersely.
“I don’t like it,” Michael frowns. “You need to learn hand combat.”
“Who’s going to teach me? You?” He challenges.
“I could. But you’ll have to ask nicely.” Michael winks.
He makes Alex nervous, he can’t get a read on him and it makes Alex feel helpless. He always feels powerless in Michael’s presence and he wonders if spending training time with him might assuage that feeling. “Fine. Michael, will you please train me on hand combat?” he asks, his voice dripping of false sincerity.
Michael smirks and laughs, “Nah,” he says and starts to walk away.
Alex watches him go, then jogs to catch up with his commander. He places a hand on Michael’s arm. “Wait. Please. You’re right, I don’t want to feel defenseless if I don’t have a weapon.” Alex admits quietly, thinking of Nadir.
Michael searches Alex’s face for a bit then relaxes when he finds what he’s looking for. “Okay, but I better not hear any of your brattiness.” Alex smiles but makes no promises.
They spar once a day and Alex is surprised at what a good and patient teacher Michael is. While they spar, Alex gets to know Michael better. He knew he came from the Royal Family and was always going to take command of the Antar forces, but his father was hard. He demanded the best from Michael and constantly corrected everything Michael did. He often forced Michael to fight after taking a serum that muted his powers. It was a difficult upbringing, but he benefited from it in the end.
After months of hand-to-hand combat, Alex finally succeeds in knocking Michael down on his bottom. He lets out a triumphant laugh and goes over to offer Michael a hand. “You’ve passed,” Michael says with a smile when he’s back on his feet. “There’s nothing more I can teach you.”
Alex feels panic rise at the thought of not being able to spend private time with Michael anymore. “Sure there is. We’ve been at this for months and this was the first time I could overpower you.”
Michael reaches out to Alex and brushes his fringe away from his face. “Oh, Alex. If you want to spend time with me, you just need to ask.”
He jerks away violently. “What are you saying? Don’t be ridiculous.”
Michael laughs, “We arrive in Anduli tomorrow. Why don’t you join me in my quarters for a victory drink after?”
Alex’s stomach grows tight and his heart speeds up, but before he can answer, Michael has swept out of the sparring room leaving Alex alone with his thoughts.
The siege on Anduli is relentless, they’re a formidable foe and don’t submit easily. He’s near Michael when one of the Anduli overpower him and Alex reacts quickly and shoots the attacker square between the eyes. Michael sends him an acknowledging nod and he’s back on his feet trouncing another group. Alex loses his gun at one point and is cornered by an enemy. He struggles with the enemy for a bit before he’s able to overthrow him using some of the skills Michael had taught him.
They’re victorious over the Anduli and Michael negotiates a hefty tribute surrender from them to Antar. They’re back on the ship celebrating like they always do after a victory. Drink flows endlessly and the men are high off their success. Towards the end of the night, Alex sees Michael slip away and his nerves are alight because now would be when Michael expected Alex to join him for the private drink.
His anxiety is mounting as he makes his way to Michael’s quarters and by the time he knocks on the door, his hand is quivering. “Enter,” he hears Michael call out and he slides the door open to find Michael lounging on his chair by the fireplace. He’s already changed to some casual clothes and he has a cup of mead in his hand. He looks up at Alex’s entrance and a slow predatory smile grows on his face.
“Come and claim your victory drink,” Michael beckons and Alex doesn’t say anything as he makes his way to the chair opposite of Michael. He hums quietly as he pours Alex his drink and pushes it toward him. “Let’s toast to you, Alex. You were magnificent out there today,” Michael praises and raises his glass to Alex.
Heat spreads across Alex’s face, but he lifts his glass to Michael. “Thank you, sir. It’s an honor to fight for you.”
Michael takes a slow drink, then sets it aside. “You saved me today, Alex. You deserve a medal, for all of Antar to know what you did for your kingdom.” Alex shakes his head in protest, but Michael keeps going. “I couldn't keep my eyes off you today. You were incredible before, but you’ve gained confidence since we started sparring together. It was breathtaking.”
Alex has never been so openly praised before and he soaks in Michael’s words. He looks up from his cup to Michael’s face and he’s watching Alex through half-lidded eyes and when they make eye contact Michael runs his tongue slowly over his teeth. Alex feels the heat spread all over his body and he wants.
Michael reaches out and touches Alex’s cheek and something warm stings at the touch, “You had a cut there, but it’s gone now.” Michael explains and goes to move his hand away but Alex reaches up and stops him, keeping Michael’s hand on his face. He strokes Alex’s cheekbone, “Are you afraid of me, Alex?”
“No,” Alex answers honestly. They stay like this for a minute, then Alex moves forward and finally kisses Michael. It’s biting and heated, rough and possessive. Michael pulls Alex in closer, forcing him onto his lap and Alex helplessly buries his hands in Michael’s curls. It feels like coming home and his heart stutters at the thought.
Alex slides his hands down Michael’s neck, shoulders, back, then wrap around Michael’s hips. He breaks apart from Michael and breathes out, “I want.”
“Yes,” Michael replies instantly and goes to kiss Alex again but he bites Michael’s lip hard. He pulls away and huffs out a laugh, “On your terms, then?”
Alex nods jerkily. If they are to continue, Alex needs to be sure it’s at his speed. He’s afraid that denying Michael will anger him and he’ll just take what he wants. Instead, Michael relaxes and his face softens, “Whatever you're ready for.”
Alex feels heady with the power Michael cedes to him so he kisses Michael again once then gets on his knees and pulls Michael’s cock out. He watches Michael through his lashes and is pleased when Michael throws his head back and drags his nails against Alex’s scalp. When he finishes, Michael pulls Alex up onto his lap again and kisses him fiercely. He reaches down to Alex’s pants but he’s stopped by Alex. There’s fear on Alex’s face as he pulls Michael’s hand away and shakes his head. Michael smiles at Alex, “Whatever,” he repeats to him.
Alex nods and pulls himself out and takes care of himself while Michael watches. “You’re gorgeous, Alex, so good for me,” he breathes into Alex’s ear and with a shudder he finishes.
* * *
Their relationship progresses from there. They always end the night with one or both of them coming. Alex gets Michael off in a variety of ways but he won't let Michael touch him back, he'll get off himself or not at all. Alex is afraid of giving himself fully to Michael despite trusting him more than anyone before him, but protecting himself has been the only thing that has kept him going through the years and he just can’t shed it that easily.
"Does it bother you that I won't let you touch me?" Alex asks when they're laying in bed together. Michael, as if challenging Alex's words, reaches out and strokes his finger down his face. "Or do you just see me as something else you can conquer?"
Michael chuckles and moves his hand to loosely lay on top of Alex's neck. "Oh, Alex. Do you think I couldn't take what I wanted from you?" He squeezes his neck briefly before removing his hand. "I don't care about that. I want you in any way you will let me."
Alex shudders and lets the words warm him. "Why don't you just say it?"
"Say what?" Michael asks, running his fingers through his hair.
"You don't want me because I'm damaged."
Michael's body tenses up, "Don't say that," he hisses "If you hadn't already killed the ones who laid their filthy hands on you, I would have destroyed them myself."
The warmth spreads and he nestles in closer to Michael. “I would enjoy seeing that.”
Michael relaxes and continues petting Alex’s hair. They stay quiet for some time. "I've been summoned to Antar," Michael says later. "I want you to come with me."
Alex closes his eyes, thinking of the first and only time he was on Antar. "What role do you expect me to go in? As your comrade or as your trophy?"
"As Antar's most valuable soldier," Michael answers plainly. "You've been part of our military for nearly twenty years and what recognition have you received for it?"
"Is being your bed warmer not recognition enough?" Alex teases lightly, kissing Michael's brow so he knows that he's kidding.
"I know it, but I want everyone to know," Michael responds.
"You want Zan and Vilandra to know," Alex corrects.
"So what if I do? You're important to me and valuable to our kingdom, they should know it."
Alex chews on his lip for a moment, "Okay. I'll accompany you."
Michael leans forward and kisses Alex slowly and his eyes flutter closed. "Have you ever been to Antar?" he asks Alex when they've parted.
"Once. When I first arrived. I don't have fond memories of it," Alex murmurs, lazily stroking Michael's arm.
He tightens his arms around Alex, "We'll make better ones then."
They arrive in Antar two weeks later with great fanfare. It is the first time Rath has returned since taking over command of the Antarian forces and under his leadership, Antar's territories have increased and the tribute they receive shines splendidly. Alex is a step behind Michael when he is greeted by King Zan and Princess Vilandra. They both embrace him in hugs and Zan proclaims, "Our hero has returned," and the crowd erupts in cheers and applause.
They're walking into the palace when Michael pulls Alex to his side. "I want to present my strongest warrior, Alex."
Alex bows to the king and princess, "It is the greatest honor to meet you, Your Majesties."
Vilandra slants a look at Alex, "A human. How peculiar."
Zan bristles at her words, "Never mind that. Welcome to Antar, Alex."
Michael smiles and winks at Alex and they continue into the palace. There isn't a chamber set up for Alex, the implication there being it was already expected that he'd be sharing Michael's quarters. It gives him mixed feelings, pleased that his relationship with Michael was recognized but a tremor of fear that he was regarded as nothing more than Michael's whore.
Alex finds it fascinating being in the palace, so used to seeing Michael command a room, it's strange to see the way he defers to Zan and even Vilandra. The dynamic between them is like a well-greased machine, Vilandra handles the political optics, Zan is the strategist, and Rath is the executioner. They spend most of their days locked in a room together, discussing whatever it was that Michael had been summoned for and Alex is largely left on his own.
He meets Queen Ava, a beautiful and demure Antar, and Zan's wife. The marriage was arranged for political reasons and they get on very well but they both have interests in others. Ava has a variety of favorites, mostly female, while Zan has a human one, Liz. Alex meets Liz, the first human he's been in the company of since he was sent to the military, and he's awed by her. She had been on an exploration ship that had left Earth five years after Alex's family. They'd been luckier than Alex, her ship found by an Antarian peer that brought the humans to the palace and given a good life. Liz was unbelievably smart and kind, and Alex felt that in another lifetime perhaps they'd be friends. But presently, they shared a kinship for the similar circumstances they found themselves in and it was enough.
Vilandra was unmarried, claiming no interest in the convention, preferring to spend her time crushing political opponents in court. She was suspicious of humans but tolerated them for Zan and Michael’s sakes. There are no women in the Antarian military, but if there were, Alex was certain that Vilandra would make just as fearsome of a commander as Michael.
Michael returns late one night and Alex is already laying in bed, waiting for him. Michael strips off his uniform and joins Alex in the bed. “We'll be departing Antar tomorrow,” Michael announces, running his hands up and down Alex’s bare chest.
“Can you finally tell me what you’ve been discussing?” Alex demands, unused to Michael keeping secrets.
“Mm.” Michael hums. “Quill has reached out for a peace treaty.” Quill is Antar’s biggest rival, conquering its own host of planets and has been skirting around from openly attacking Antar.
“Do they think it honest?” Alex questions.
“No. It’s very out of the blue and they’ve been inciting rebellions in some of our territories. Zan wants us to decline and attack them before they do. Vilandra has been running public opinion polls and the support is there. We just needed to decide on the best course of action.” Michael explains.
Alex doesn’t say anything at first, taking in Michael’s words. He’ll follow Michael wherever he needed him, not out of love and loyalty to Antar but for Michael himself. “You said we would make better memories on Antar, but I’ve barely seen you and now we are leaving.”
Michael laughs, “Did you miss me?” he coos.
Alex rolls his eyes and then pushes Michael onto his back and straddles him. Michael’s hands immediately go to Alex’s hips to steady him. “I want you to fuck me.”
Michael’s eyes fall closed and he gives a full body shudder before opening them again. “Not tonight, Alex.” Alex feels his face shutter and Michael simply smiles and reaches up to cup Alex’s face. “Tonight, you’re going to let me ride you and finally get you off the way I want to.” He tugs Alex down and claims Alex’s lips in an insistent kiss.
When they part, Michael watches Alex, not acting on his words without getting permission from him first. “Yes.” Alex finally breathes and leans down to resume kissing Michael. He flips Alex on his back without breaking the kiss and makes good on his words.
They depart with their marching orders the next day and once they’re back on the Vengeance, Michael calls his crew to a meeting and explains their next siege. There’s a nervous energy when they find out they’ll be launching an attack on Quill, but they’re all hungry for a good battle.
The night before they advance on Quill, Michael takes Alex, driving into his body over and over before they both finish. They curl up together, Alex running his fingers through Michael’s hair and Michael licking Alex’s neck. It’s the last night they’ll spend together for some time.
The Quillians were prepared for the attack, though perhaps not as soon as Antar had launched it. They’re brutal and nearly the match for the Antarians, but they still fall against the superior might of Antar. However, they get cocky and the Quillians take advantage of it. When night falls and the ceasefire is called, they sneak on the Vengeance, slaughtering some of the weaker men and take Alex prisoner. Once they have him, the entire Quillian fleet retreats.
They take Alex to Quill and lock him up in their cells. “Rath’s human whore!” they croon out, starving Alex. They start the torture relentlessly, slicing off Alex’s toes on the right foot one at a time, demanding to know Antar’s plan against Quill. He never responds to their taunts or questions, retreating into his mind as he used to when Nadir was on top of him. They string him up out in the plaza, naked, for the people to come and mock. “Rath is so mighty to be taken in by such a lowly human” they jeer at him.
Alex knows that they’re baiting Michael, trying to knock him off balance and react on emotions so they can exploit it. But they don’t know Michael, keeping Alex away from him only makes him stronger, smarter.
Once all of Alex’s toes are sliced off, they get to work on his foot, ankle, higher and higher up his leg. Alex watches them balefully and when they ask their questions, he spits in their faces. His throat is raw from screaming when they press the knife against his skin, but it doesn’t stop him from taunting them back. They’ve almost reached his knee when Alex feels Michael’s familiar power calling out. It takes almost no time before Michael appears in the cells, bloody and teeth bared. He rips Alex’s captors apart with a combination of his bare hands and mind.
Alex has been in and out of consciousness with fever for days, but when Michael arrives, he watches the massacre through hooded eyes and desire in his veins. Michael carefully frees Alex and holds him tight against his chest as they’re beamed back onto the Vengeance. Feeling safe for the first time in weeks, Alex falls into a deep sleep.
He wakes days later to find Michael pale at his side and a prosthetic leg fastened below his knee. Alex feels the rage overtake him and jerks Michael awake. Michael is surprised but he wastes no time in surging up for a searing kiss which Alex growls into. “I told you I’d rip apart anyone who dared to harm you,” Michael murmurs against Alex’s lips.
“It was magnificent,” Alex breathes back and reaches down to Michael’s hard cock. “My hero, my savior.” Alex pants as he jerks Michael off. “Did you feel righteous with their blood splattering the wall and all over you?”
Michael throws his head back with a long moan. “It was all for you. I’d destroy them all for you.”
Alex leans back in his bed, pleased. “Then let’s finish it.”
It takes Alex some days to get used to the prosthetic, and during that time he’s at Michael’s side as they strategize how they’ll take out the rest of Quill’s forces. He and Michael spar ruthlessly against each other to rebuild Alex’s stamina and a month after he’s awoken, they’re on their way back to Quill to launch the final assault.
The prosthetic doesn’t slow him down. Rage has returned to Alex’s veins and he uses it to destroy those that would try to harm him or Michael. They eventually capture the royal family that had ordered Alex’s abduction and subsequent torture. Michael indulges Alex by allowing him to dole out the punishment. He spends days in the cells with them, torturing them out of sanity. He returns to Michael’s chambers with blood caked beneath his nails and dried on his face. Michael lovingly wipes Alex clean and takes him to their bed.
Once Quill’s royal family lies dead, Michael goes to the planet’s surface and levels it to the ground and sets it on fire. Alex watches from their chambers aboard the Vengeance, and when Michael returns, he wraps his arms around Alex’s waist. He kisses him where his neck meets his shoulders and whispers into his ear, “I would set the universe alight for you and now I give it and my heart freely to you.”
Alex shudders in Michael’s embrace before turning around and kissing Michael hard and possessive, claiming his prize.