Ephram's natural impulse, cursed humours and emotional weakness, was to hold his partner close and slowly revel in the aftermath. Women mostly found this a charming quality. In what rational part of his brain remained, he knew that the Commodore was not likely to share this impulse, yet he couldn't move. He wanted to hold this moment for a while longer. Preserve the sensation, keep the knowledge of why people went to such efforts for physical gratification.

He also wanted Nero to remain nude for a while.

"A...a moment," he said, voice thready as his breathing recovered. The sounds of the ship made their way back into his consciousness. How long had they...not been playing chess?


[OOC - hey sorry captain, we're gonna try wrapping this up soon so your inbox stops exploding...350+ comments, avast!]