Knockout pampering his little cutie patootie of a human, dressing them up in reds and blacks with hints of silver. His digits always caressing the areas that would rile them up and letting Starscream come watch for fun. Maybe let him join if he behaves....
Oh for sure. I feel like Knockout’s favorite types of clothes to see on his human are smooth, shiny materials like leather, vinyl, spandex, etc…..it reminds him of a nice, lustrous finish on a bot like himself, and it definitely gets his engines reviving. Now his little human is just as shiny and dazzling as him <3 don’t the two of you make the most stunning pair?
I think he also has a thing for racing gear/racing suits. You just look too damn good in it to resist, and not to mention the way it feels when you grip his steering wheel with those custom driving gloves makes him insane with lust. In fact, your outfits are too pretty for him to just take it all off when he fucks you!!! He’s totally railed you while you were wearing nothing but a red leather racing jacket.
and KOSS? Now we’re talking. Something Knockout would definitely do is dress you up in a way he knows Starscream would like and then taunt him by not letting him touch you. He’s got you in a cute little pilot ensemble, jacket and goggles and all, and Starscream is so unbelievably horny about it. He’s forced to just sit there softly whining and clenching his thighs together while Knockout slowly slips off every piece of your outfit, touching you sensually as to put on a show.
Tbh Starscream might even whine about KO messing up your cute outfit. He definitely has a tendency to fuss over his human’s appearance almost like a preening behavior, so he wants them looking so so pretty even when he’s taking them apart…….eventually when Knockout’s had his fun torturing him, poor screamer will finally get a turn with you, getting to rut his spike into you and huff about how cute you look wearing a uniform for him. He’d beg and beg for you to wear things like that every day until he overloads and can barely form words anymore <3
“Begin Again” has been an absolute pleasure to write. Koss deserved more attention, and it was such an honor to be able to give it to him. This is the final chapter in this wild ride, and I hope this ties everything up nicely! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to give this a read and who has left kind comments!! I appreciate every single one of you! 💖 Without further ado, I present the finale! ✨
Part 1 here. Part 2 here. Part 3 here. Part 4 here. Part 5 here. Part 6 here. Part 7 here. Part 8 here.
Cross-posted to AO3 here.
~*~
Koss (ST:ENT) x Reader
[A/N: There is smut in this final chapter, so 18+ ONLY, MINORS DNI!!!]
Warnings: Interspecies sex, Human/Vulcan sex, gentle sex, woman on top, cuddling, kissing, telepathy, public display of affection, Koss is protective, they’re so in love it’s ridiculous, Vulcan/Human marriage, also Kollos makes his debut!
~*~
Koss had been awake for many hours by the time his ashaya awoke with a sleepy little sound that made his heart clench. She was so beautiful...so gentle as she rested in his arms. Her drowsy thoughts floated slowly into his mind through their bond.
“Warm...comfortable...” Koss was inclined to agree with her as she nuzzled farther into his embrace. A groggy murmur of his name tumbled from her lips, prompting him to press a soft kiss onto her forehead.
“Good morning,” he whispered as she blinked slowly up at him. He had no doubt that the last several days had been a taxing blur for her, but she had endured it all admirably. Koss still needed to check her over for injuries, but he was quite certain she would have, at most, a few bruises and bite marks. His pon farr was in its final hours now, so his Hunger was significantly calmer than it had been. It would never be completely extinguished, though. Not when it came to her.
“G’morning,” she mumbled as her lips stretched into an affectionate smile. After a few slow, bleary blinks, his lover reached up and cupped his cheek. Koss nuzzled into her touch, eager to show her every ounce of devotion and gratitude that he felt for her, especially after all that she had tolerated for him. “Being like this with you is...”
Seemingly searching for the correct words, she let her voice fade, but they didn’t need words anymore. Reaching effortlessly into her mind to feel her thoughts, Koss sensed contentment, love, and...belonging? She felt at home with him? Emotions that he couldn’t quell in time stampeded through him. Pride, protectiveness, and the most ardent love he’d ever felt barreled across their bond before he could temper them, and his ashaya’s eyes widened.
Startled by his own lack of control, Koss began to pull back, but his mate was having none of that. Wrapping her arms around him, she buried her fingers in his hair and kissed him without restraint. He responded - of course he did - with a passion that equaled her own. Before he even realized he’d moved, she was on her back watching through half-closed eyelids as Koss nibbled and kissed his way down her body.
He lavished every mark he’d left on her with affection, hoping that she’d see how grateful he was for her and how fortunate he felt about being allowed to touch her like this.
“Nemaiyo na’ t’nash-veh ha’kiv,” he murmured in Vuhlkansu as he kissed down the soft skin of her abdomen. Thank you for my life. He tried to convey the meaning via their bond, and when she understood, his ashaya looked at him with tears gathering in her eyes. Her fingers skimmed through his hair, coaxing him to look up at her. His chin rested softly atop her mound as he reveled in her affection.
“C’mere,” she breathed, and he obeyed instantly, crawling up the length of her body, laying soft, tender kisses on her as he went. Koss was about to ask what he could do to please her, but instead her lips covered his own in a kiss so filled with love that Koss whimpered into her mouth. He had been prepared to apologize for his roughness and to attempt to convince her that he would be a devoted, loving mate for her, but she’d accepted him without further persuasion.
What had he done to deserve her? When they broke for air, Koss touched his forehead to hers, making sure his weight was supported by his forearms even as hers wrapped around him.
“I love you. You don’t need to thank me for doing what I would have done anyway,” she explained.
“But the pon farr is an ordeal even for a Vulcan woman to endure. It must have been quite a chore for you, k’diwa,” he protested, but she let out a quiet laugh against his lips.
“Koss, none of that was work for me,” she promised and in a final emotional upheaval from his pon farr, Koss’s eyes burned with tears. “I actually enjoyed seeing you that way.”
“Truly?” His eyes widened, and, to his astonishment, she nodded her head. “Then we both have reason to look forward to my next Burning.”
At that, she drew him into a deep, passionate kiss. He was thoroughly addicted this form of intimacy, even if he hadn’t completely mastered it yet. With a gentle push, she coaxed him onto his back and straddled his hips. What could he do but marvel at her as she took his lok inside her once more?
“Ashau nash-veh du.” Her whisper made Koss’s eyes widen. When had she learned to say ‘I love you’ in Vuhlkansu? Sitting up and wrapping his arms around her as she rode him, Koss buried his face in the crook of her neck and returned her sentiment. He loved her desperately and wanted to ensure that she knew just how much.
And she would know. They had all the time in the world, now.
--
A week after his pon farr began, both Koss and his betrothed were well enough to return to their respective occupations. Every morning since, he made a point of escorting her to the Embassy. They received several curious looks, but neither paid any attention. The pair were in a world of their own during their morning conversations.
Several weeks after their betrothal, the two strolled leisurely down the footpath leading to the Embassy, chatting away.
“So when do I get to meet your family?” She asked smiling curiously up at him.
“It will certainly be prior to the wedding, but my parents’ schedules are separate and quite full. I cannot promise an exact date until I have spoken to them about you. I...should warn you that my parents are quite devoted to the old traditions. The idea of their son marrying a Human will likely surprise them. I will, of course, defend you, ashaya, but I cannot promise that they will not attempt to question you rather vigorously,” Koss cautioned, but she just kissed his cheek.
“Don’t worry. I’m quite prepared to be interrogated. I expect they’ll cut a more intimidating figure than you did the first time I saw you, but after sitting across a negotiating table with Andorians and Tellarites, I can handle it,” she said, and Koss’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Did I intimidate you when we met?” His voice came out smaller than usual, but the Ambassador wrapped her arms around his waist.
“A little, but not in a bad way. You were helping me, I know, but finding a Vulcan who was much larger than me hovering over me definitely made me feel small,” she said looking up at him. “I still feel like that, but in a good way. It just means I have a tall, broad, handsome protector who will soon be my husband.”
Koss lifted an eyebrow and tugged her a little closer, not caring one whit about how public this spot was. He tilted her chin up so she was looking directly into his eyes.
“I will always protect you, k’diwa,” he promised before leaning in and kissing her forehead. This public display wasn’t necessary, but he wanted the rest of the Embassy staff and visitors to be under no illusions about the Ambassador’s relationship status. She was taken. She was his. “When we are both home again this evening, I have something I wish to show you.”
“Oh? Well, I’ll look forward to that,” she said cupping his cheek. “I better get inside or I’ll be late. See you this evening, sweetheart.”
Placing a final, chaste kiss on her lips, Koss watched until his mate had disappeared through the Embassy doors before beginning to make his way to his current project’s worksite.
Koss was late arriving home that evening. He knew his ashaya would already be waiting in his home with a smile and an embrace for him upon his return, though. He ached to hold her again. He enjoyed his job, but after a long day such as today, he desired nothing more than to hold her in his arms...to feel her gentle affection as she nuzzled into the crook of his neck.
As the door slid open, Koss draped his outer robe on the hook in the entryway, glancing around to determine her location. Seeing no obvious signs, he called out.
“Ashal-veh?”
“In the kitchen!” Her answering call made Koss release a heavy, relieved breath. Toeing off his shoes, he straightened his clothes and made his way to her. When he turned the corner, though, he was met with the sight of his partner and his father sitting at the kitchen table chatting over tea. Koss hadn’t planned on her meeting either of his parents yet. “Join us for a cup of tea?”
“Of course, k’diwa,” Koss responded, and she let out a quiet huff of laughter as she poured one for him. He strode over to the table, took a seat beside his lover, and looked to their guest. Kollos’s hair had grayed further since the last time Koss saw him, but he looked more relaxed. Clearly separation had been the healthiest, most logical choice for his parents. “Father, I was not expecting a visit or I would have made a point of returning home early. You do not visit often.”
“There was no need. The Ambassador has been kind enough to entertain me in your absence. I was unaware that Humans could be so logical,” the older man said lifting an almost amused eyebrow at the woman in question. Such a reaction from a former Senior Minister of the High Command was rare indeed. What had gone on in his absence? Then again, with a diplomat for a lover, why should he be surprised that she’d handled the situation with delicacy? “From the familiarity of your language, my son, I take it you have some news for me?”
Glancing at his ashaya, Koss took her hand in his beneath the table and faced his father.
“The Ambassador and I are to be married.” Expecting a somewhat negative reaction to his announcement, Koss blinked in surprise when all his father did was nod his head.
“Though I had not anticipated that you would select a Human, I cannot say that I disapprove of the one you chose,” Kollos said setting his tea cup on the table. “I have the honor of being acquainted with your betrothed through Ambassador Soval. To my shame, I was abrupt with her when we were first introduced. She is the only Human who has possessed the courage to point out a flaw in my logic. As you can imagine, I did not accept that easily.”
Koss looked at his fiancee in askance, but she blinked innocently up at him. He would have to coax that particular story from her later.
“In my defense, I didn’t know he was your dad,” she said with a slight blush, “though, now that I know, I see the resemblance.”
“For my son’s safety and yours, Ambassador, I must ask Koss a few questions in private. I hope you understand,” Kollos said, and she nodded her head.
“Of course. I’ll leave you boys in peace. If you need me, I’ll be in the study. It was good to see you again, Minister Kollos,” she murmured placing a soft kiss on Koss’s cheek before stepping out of the kitchen. After watching her retreat toward the stairs, Koss turned to see his father looking at him.
“Why a Human?” Instead of accusation, all Koss could find in his father’s voice was curiosity.
“It was...logical. She is intelligent, nurturing, driven, kind...a more suitable match than I could ever have anticipated,” he explained, and his father nodded his head silently. “She is beautiful. When I am with her, I am complete.”
Kollos looked at him in surprise.
“Then she is the one. You love her.” Koss could hear a hint of longing in his father’s voice. His parents’ marriage had never been anything more than an arrangement of necessity. To marry for nothing more than personal desire was a luxury neither of them had been able to afford. “I offer you my sincerest congratulations, my son, though, I must ask for both her safety and yours...do you believe she will be able to withstand your Burning when it comes?”
Koss lifted his chin proudly.
“She already has.”
“Indeed?” His father’s graying eyebrows shot nearly up to his hairline. At Koss’s confirmation, the elder Vulcan nodded his head in approval. “Then you have undoubtedly chosen well. As both your occupations are based here, I take it you will remain on Vulcan?”
“Yes, although, if her diplomatic posting should change in the future, I have made it clear that I will happily accompany her to any place in the galaxy,” the architect said, and his father nodded his head.
“That is as it should be,” Kollos murmured, taking a sip of his tea. “And the wedding?”
“I have mentioned to her that you and mother follow the old traditions, and she expressed an interest in a Vulcan ceremony.” Shifting slightly in his seat, Koss asked a question that he almost dreaded the answer to. “I know mother had her heart set on my marrying another Vulcan woman. How do you believe she will react when she finds out that I am to be bonded with a Human?”
Releasing a heavy sigh, Kollos looked at his son. The mere mention of his ex-wife made the former minister’s shoulders tense.
“Truthfully, I do not know. Near the end of our marriage, your mother’s logic often escaped me. I would hope, however, that since you are content with your mate, she will be, as well,” he said observing the thoughtful way his son nodded his head. The two were much alike. “Sa-fu...I realize that I have not stated this as much as I should, but I wish you to know that I am gratified that you are my son. I have always been proud of you, but I am especially so about the man you have become. No matter what disagreements your mother and I may have, we will always agree that we love you.”
Koss’s eyes widened in surprise at the openness of his father’s expression.
“You know I feel the same, and that I have always been proud to say that I am your son,” he returned, and the two men came as close to smiling as two Vulcans could.
When his father had departed, Koss made his way upstairs to the study. His k’diwa was seated at his desk flipping through a book of Vulcan poetry that he’d been reading to her. She was still learning to read Vuhlkansu, but she knew enough to parse her way through the ones he’d already read to her.
“‘Your scent is as plentiful as the sands,’” she read as she heard his approaching footsteps, “‘surrounding me with endless grains of your katra.’”
“Tirek’s prose has become a favorite of yours, has it not? You tend to revisit his verses many days after I have read them to you,” Koss noted as he moved to her side and leaned against his desk as he watched her nod up at him.
“His voice is so clear. It’s hard not to love his poetry,” she murmured, and Koss trailed the tips of two of his fingers down her neck. Humming in pleasure, she allowed her eyelids to flutter closed as she leaned into his touch. “Just like it’s impossible not to love you, sweetheart.”
Koss allowed himself to bask in the warmth of her praise for a moment before he marked her page in the book and closed it. Setting it to the side, he shuffled a few of his blueprints and laid one on top of the stack.
“There’s a new project I’d like you to take a look at,” he said as his heart sped up. Would she like it? As his lover leaned forward to take a look, Koss saw a smile spread over her face. He wondered which part of the design had caused it.
“Wow, this is going to be a beautiful home! If it’s not breaking some sort of client confidentiality, may I ask whose it’s going to be?” When he remained silent for a beat too long, she looked up at him. Swallowing nervously, Koss looked straight into his fiancee’s eyes as he spoke.
“Ours. The caverns below will remain unchanged, but this design will combine the two houses we have into one. We will have room to accommodate a family,” he admitted quietly, “but only if you wish it. If you would prefer that our homes remain separate, I will, of course, respect your choice.”
Her lips parted in surprise.
“This is for us?” When Koss nodded his head, his ashaya’s eyes filled with tears, and she practically dove into his arms. The joy he felt from her mind reassured him as he embraced her. Her voice came out muffled as she spoke against his shoulder. “Oh, Koss, I love it! You have no idea how much this means to me. You really didn’t have to go to all that trouble, but I’m so grateful. Thank you!”
Precious girl. How could she expect any less than the best from a lover who designs homes for a living? Did she not realize that he would build her townhouses and villas, monuments and castles, all at a mere hint from her sweet lips? She was his partner, and if anyone deserved to benefit from his skills, it was her. He would ensure her comfort and safety with his labor.
Nuzzling into her hair, Koss held her as close as he physically could without crushing her.
“Such efforts are no trouble...not when they are for you, my mate,” he murmured, and her shoulders trembled as quiet sniffles escaped her. Rubbing soft, comforting circles on her back, Koss helped her through her emotions.
Vaguely, he acknowledged that once, not too long ago, such emotional displays would have seemed trivial, perhaps even an annoyance to him. Since meeting his ashaya, though, he’d learned that Humans must face their emotions head on in order to move forward. It was a similar process to Vulcan emotions, but instead of simply meditating through them and suppressing them once they were acknowledged, Humans functioned differently. They had to ride their emotions out and have a healthy, periodic emotional release in order to remain in peak condition.
How did they do it? Koss was confounded by how Humans handled such strong, volatile feelings, much less how they made them work to their advantage. They were extraordinary beings, and in Koss’s humble opinion, he’d been mated by the best among them - an honor he never would have expected, but one he was dead-set on remaining worthy of.
-- Six Months Later --
At the appointed time, Koss stood in the center of the courtyard and struck the marriage gong. Unlike his previous nuptials, this time, the weight of his ornate ceremonial robes was completely inconsequential as they billowed around him in the heat of Vulcan’s suns. He watched as his betrothed stepped through the gateway into the courtyard, and his chest swelled with pride at her beauty.
Everything about this ceremony would be done in accordance with Vulcan tradition with two notable exceptions at his ashaya’s request. First, the gown that she wore was white in color rather than purple as Vulcan tradition would have dictated. Koss couldn’t help but admire her radiance as she walked across the ancient stone with Ambassador Soval at her side. The second exception was that the Ambassador would give her away in accordance with another Earth tradition. She claimed that as he had been a close friend and confidant of her father’s, he deserved the honor. Koss hadn’t really understood the importance of this particular addition, but if it was significant to the woman he loved, then he wasn’t about to refuse her.
As the Ambassador escorted her to the center of the courtyard and gave her a polite bow, Koss couldn’t take his eyes off his bride. Hyperaware of their bond on this most important of days, he tried to convey through emotion alone how much he adored her.
Technically, they weren’t supposed to have formed the mental bond until after the ceremony, but the early occurrence of the pon farr was a commonly accepted exception to that rule. The blush that colored her cheeks at the strength of his affection was more gratifying to him than even the grandest of his architectural successes.
Though, logically, Koss was aware of the presence of the guests and the priest conducting the ceremony, the world narrowed to just the two of them as they knelt in front of each other before the brazier. The heat of the ceremonial flames burned as hot as Vulcan blood, bathing them both in a warm glow as they touched the first two fingers of their hands together in a chaste ozh’esta.
“What ye are about to witness comes down from the time of the beginning without change. This is the Vulcan heart. This is the Vulcan soul. This is our way,” the Vulcan priest’s voice sent a hush through the crowd, but it faded into a gentle buzz for Koss and his bride. This had been a long time coming for both of them.
Afterward, as the pair were congratulated by the various guests in attendance, the crowd parted and went quiet. Koss’s parents approached the new couple, and everyone was waiting with bated breath to see what they would do. His mother’s eyes skimmed the bride briefly before turning to her son. Likely remembering the polite diligence with which her new daughter-in-law had answered her many questions, her own sense of etiquette prevailed. She murmured her congratulations, placed a supportive hand on Koss’s shoulder, and made her way toward one of the arched doorways to take her leave.
That was not the negative reaction that Koss had anticipated. It certainly was not overtly positive, but he would gladly accept neutrality. That was a solid foundation upon which they could build.
Koss’s father, however, greeted the pair warmly. Standing tall and proud in his formal robes, he looked between both of them with the closest thing to affection that a Vulcan could express in public.
“My sincerest congratulations to you, my son,” he stated before fixing his son’s bride with a warm gaze. “As for you, ko-fu, I bid you welcome to our family. I believe you will fit your new role effortlessly.”
“Thank you, osu. Forgive me, but my Vuhlkansu is still a work in progress. What does ‘ko-fu’ mean?”
At her question, Kollos leaned in a little further with a twinkle in his eyes and an almost-smile tugging at his lips.
“It means ‘daughter.’” While she processed the implications of his answer, Kollos excused himself and made his way through the crowd. Barely registering his father’s interaction with one of his bride’s friends from Earth, Koss and his wife returned to the task of speaking with their guests.
His Adun’a’s friends from the Enterprise even made a point of attending, much to her joy. Commander Shran and Captain Archer in particular offered them their sincerest congratulations, as well as a large bottle of Andorian ale. Koss even got a handshake from the Andorian, though, he didn’t bother to try explaining to him the significance of such a gesture in Vulcan culture. Given the amusement in Archer’s eyes, Koss gathered that the Commander would find out once the two men were safely back on the Enterprise.
After much mingling, Koss managed to sneak his wife away for a moment alone. As soon as they were out of sight in a small stone alcove, he did what he realized he’d wanted to do since the moment he found her scratching I’Tol’s belly in her new backyard: he caught one of her hands in his, cupped the back of her head with the other, and rested his forehead against his wife’s, savoring their closeness.
This serene interlude was filled with the weight of all the sentiments they’d both dared give voice to since his initial confession in the caverns. Koss felt he’d said all that he could, but it would never be enough to fully express his feelings. He would never stop telling her how much he loved her, but this moment deserved something more.
While he held the back of her head, he used the techniques his father had so diligently taught him to initiate a brief mind meld. Their marital bond shared a great deal, but a mind meld was a more complete form of communication. She knew the significance of such a gesture and the associated risks as well as Koss did, so when she felt the connection between them open up even wider, she gasped.
But she deserved this much. To her husband, she needed to see how deeply he loved her, especially on the day of their bonding.
When he ended the meld, he wasn’t surprised to find her lips seeking his. As Koss kissed his wife, luxuriating in the simple joy of the knowledge that he was hers, he couldn’t help but feel grateful for his old mentor’s advice about beginning again and for Soval’s nudge in the right direction. Without those, he might never have grasped the unexpected warmth that had stumbled into his life and his heart, nor had the courage to tell her how he felt.
“Hey, lovebirds, how about a picture to mark the occasion?” Captain Archer asked from a few feet behind them. Giving a smile that sent Koss’s heart thudding faster in his side, his wife coaxed him into following her former commanding officer back into the center of the courtyard.
After a few shots of the new couple together, the Captain set his camera on a stone, activated the timer, and pulled Commander Shran over to join them in the frame. Koss and his wife posed in the center, the latter throwing an arm around the Andorian’s shoulders, while Soval and Archer flanked either side of the trio. Looking beside him at the small group, Koss realized there were bound to be several new frames on their mantle by the time their two homes were combined into one.
~*~*~
Vulcan Words:
Nemaiyo na’ t’nash-veh ha’kiv = Thank you for my life
Ashau nash-veh du = I love you
ashaya = love
k’diwa = a shortened version of k’hat’n’dlawa (a person who is half of one’s katra)
Thinking abt more fun KOSS/reader dynamics actually. Would be really funny if Knockout and reader were dating one another first and are just AGONIZING over both being attracted to Starscream. He’ll be doing his little Starscream thing and the two of you are just. Dear lord he’s the most insufferable thing in the known universe we absolutely HAVE to fuck him
Starscream tries to pretend he isn’t attracted to either of you but…he’s bad at it, he’s so bad. One small flirtatious remark is enough to have his wings shooting up into the air with surprise while he sputters trying to come up with something clever and act like he isn’t absolutely desperate for a chance with you.
He could make some snide comment about you and KO being affectionate in public and you’d smile and shoot back “If you’re jealous, we could let you in on the fun”. Even if he tries to act offended or leave, KO grabbing his wrist or caressing his face is enough to have him practically falling over himself just to let the two of you drag him over and use him how you please. The vehicons will thank you for making Starscream far less irritable at work from then on lmao
Pon Farr has finally entered the chat! This chapter is basically just dirty, nasty smut. So uh...yeah. Enjoy! If you want to be added to or removed from my taglist, please let me know!
Part 1 here. Part 2 here. Part 3 here. Part 4 here. Part 5 here. Part 6 here. Part 7 here.
Cross-posted to AO3 here.
~*~
Koss (ST:ENT) x Reader
[A/N: This is dirty, nasty smut, so 18+ ONLY, MINORS DNI!!!]
For once, I arrived at the spring before Koss. That was odd. I’d never gotten there first. For a while, I wondered if he’d changed his mind...if his illness wasn’t actually the pon farr and had instead forced him to reconsider.
After a short wait, he rounded the corner, but something was wrong. He was sweating and breathing heavily. The fabric of his tunic - the same one he’d been wearing earlier - clung to his frame damp with patches of perspiration as he walked into the cavern. Alarm bells sounded in my head. Was it supposed to be this severe of a condition? Soval had mentioned that Vulcans could die from this if they didn’t receive assistance, but I hadn’t pictured the symptoms being this...visible.
Was this confirmation that my earlier suspicions about Koss’s illness were correct? ‘Burning’ was how Soval had described their pon farr. Was that why Koss had a fever? Or was I entirely wrong? What if he really did just need a doctor?
“Ashaya, my apologies...for my tardiness.” He sounded almost dazed as he called out to me. Stopping barely a few feet from the staircase leading back to his home, Koss quietly knelt and bowed his head.
Why was he so far away? Walking slowly toward him, I fiddled with the sash keeping my robe closed. If this was the mating drive that Soval had mentioned, I wasn’t losing my chance. Even if my friend was wrong and Koss didn’t see me as a potential mate, I had to at least try. I wouldn’t be able to stop wondering what might have been, otherwise.
And what could really happen? Koss wasn’t a fool. If this was the pon farr, and he wasn’t attracted to me, he surely wouldn’t be foolish enough to let himself die rather than make use of the person offering him assistance. Sure, my feelings would be bruised if that was the case, but I’d rather deal with a little emotional fallout than watch my friend die. Even if this wasn’t the pon farr, I would simply be embarrassing myself by trying to seduce a man who needed medical treatment.
I dropped to my knees directly in front of him and reached carefully out to cup Koss’s cheek. He looked startled by the contact for a moment before hesitantly nuzzling into my hand.
“It’s okay...It’s all going to be okay. I promise.” Despite my attempt to comfort him, he squeezed his eyes shut even harder.
“I wish you were correct.” His husky words made my heart clench. What did he mean by that? “Ashaya...I must tell you something that might be...unpleasant for you to hear.”
“You can always tell me anything, Koss, you know that.”
He nodded his head in a somewhat sharp, jerky motion.
“I...have not been able to determine the most delicate way to say this given the divide between our two cultures, so I am hopeful that this will make my meaning clear,” he began sounding breathy and nervous. I gave him an encouraging nod and moved a little closer to him on my knees. “In the time that I have known you, you have filled a void in my life. Your gentleness, compassion, intelligence, and exuberance have become welcome additions to my days.”
His hands trembled somewhat as if he wanted to reach for me, but he clenched them into fists and rested them atop his thighs.
“I realize that you likely desire a mate from your own species, but if I have a chance at all of being worthy of you, then I must tell you how much I...” He took a deep, steadying breath. “Forgive me, it is difficult for my people to speak of that which we seek to hide from view. I believed that what I first felt for you was merely an infatuation, but I was incorrect. I know now that what I feel for you is only felt when one finds the twin to their katra.”
Tears burned in the corners of my eyes as Koss bowed his head.
“I have been unable to remove you from my thoughts since you took up residence next door. Spoken language cannot adequately express my affection for you. I consider you k'hat'n'dlawa - half of my own heart...of my own soul,” Koss murmured before looking into my eyes with passion roaring in his irises. “I do not know if you will have me, but I humbly declare koon-ut so’lik - the desire to be your mate and husband.”
He’d barely finished speaking before I threw my arms around his neck. To his credit, he caught me easily, wrapping his large, sturdy arms around me after only a minor hesitation as I found myself unable to do more than sob the word ‘yes’ over and over against his shoulder. After so long wondering whether he could ever feel the same, tears were inevitable. He clung to me just as tightly as I did to him, as if I’d disappear the instant he let go.
Digging one hand into his hair and clutching at his tunic with the other, I trailed soft kisses up Koss’s neck to the corner of his jaw then made a detour toward his lips. Before I could reach them, though, I found myself flipped onto my back with his hand cushioning my head against the stone.
“So eager,” he growled as he grazed his teeth over my chin. As if it took all his effort, Koss paused and forced himself to pull back just a bit as he spoke. “I appreciate your enthusiasm and affection, but you must be certain of what you are choosing. I am Vulcan. As such, there are some biological concerns which you may not have considered.”
“Like your pon farr?” I asked, and Koss froze above me with wide eyes. “Soval knew how I felt...that I’d fallen in love with you, so he gave me a bit of forewarning.”
“And you still wish to be with me?” He was obviously amazed by my decision. “You still...love me?”
“Of course I do,” I crooned reaching up and pulling him into a tender kiss. Reciprocating the best he could given that he’d never kissed anyone before, Koss moaned against my lips. “That’s what this is, isn’t it? The beginning?”
He nodded his head as his breathing grew heavier against my lips.
“Yes. I Burn for you, ashaya. I wish to be part of you always. I...n-need...” Koss dropped his head into the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply before nuzzling the top of my robe aside and leaving small nips on my shoulder. He drew the lower half of my body closer to his, grinding his hips between my legs. “Please...”
Holding him close, I bit my lip at the sensation of his erection between my legs, covered only by his pants. The thin fabric barrier needed to go. Releasing my grip on him, I untied my robe and let it slip off my sides. Koss moaned at the sight of my nude body.
“I am for you, Koss of Vulcan,” I promised as I reached up and cupped his cheeks tenderly in my palms. Shifting his weight onto his knees, Koss knelt between my legs, keeping my thighs spread around his hips as he covered my fingers with his own. His eyes roved the length of my body with such intense hunger that my mouth went dry. I felt like a feast on the verge of being devoured - prey about to be caught by a predator - and I welcomed my fate. Koss would be merciful in his consumption of me. He would be delicate even in his dizziest desperation. I trusted him with my life, and he’d earned that trust dozens of times over.
As his hands glided down my arms and explored my body in a way that he’d clearly wanted to do for some time, I arched encouragingly into his touch. Seemingly needing to be closer, he leaned down and mouthed gently at the corner of my jaw.
“My robe...I could smell you on it,” Koss rasped against my ear as his hand delved between my legs and found me soaked because of him.
“But I-I washe–”
“Your pheromones are potent, my mate,” he murmured as his teeth scraped lightly over the shell of my ear. A ragged whimper escaped me when he gave my clit a slow caress. “Were you this prepared for my lok when you dripped on my clothing?”
“Yes.” The word felt like fire as it burned its way out of my throat on the back of a desperate breath.
“What inspired your lust?” Closing my eyes and burying my face against his shoulder as my hips gave an involuntary roll, I voiced my guilt.
“This. The idea of you...wanting me...like this...” I admitted as my cheeks burned, and Koss rewarded my honesty by drawing firm, deliberate circles around my clit. His fingers were coated in my slick, making lewd squelching noises as they glided between my legs in rhythmic movements. “It was a dream. You touched me...made me yours...”
My neighbor - my normally calm, collected neighbor - growled and dipped his head to nibble at my neck.
“Is that what you want, k’diwa? Do you wish to be mine?” I nodded my head almost frantically at his question, but he wasn’t done yet. “Do you wish to take my lok? To allow me to please you and provide for you? And...”
He paused, swallowed heavily, and gave a low moan against the mark he’d been placing on me.
“And...?” At my prompting, Koss pulled back just far enough that I could see some slight anxiety in his expression.
“If I were to...if we...” his breathing sped up as his pupils dilated more completely than before. Koss braced one hand on the stone beside my head as the other lifted to cup my cheek, sending images from his mind to my own.
I saw him bury his length completely inside of me; him bowing his head and reverently kissing my abdomen; my body changing as a new life grew within me.
Oh. He wanted...?
Smiling up at him, I wrapped my arms around him, drawing him into a kiss that I hoped conveyed how receptive I was to the idea. Before I could do more than blink, Koss had straddled my waist and grasped my jaw firmly with both his large hands.
With my lover above me, it started like a spark gliding down through his palms, my jaw, and straight into my mind, paralyzing me with a gasp. Electrical shocks coated in honey and affection flowed into me faster and faster, choking my thoughts until all I could feel was Koss above me, and in me, and surrounding me entirely.
All at once, everything receded into a quiet buzz at the back of my brain. Gasping, raspy breaths echoing through the caverns met my ears, sounding much too loud and forcing my eyes open again - when did I close them?
“Ashaya...” The word floated through my mind, but I still didn’t know what it meant. Or did I? “Beloved...Darling...A term of endearment. Insufficient. The love I feel for you is much stronger than words...”
Confusion lanced through me as my eyes met Koss’s. He was still hovering above me, but a small, adoring smile stretched his lips.
As if from the outside, I watched as my fingertips glided over his mouth, caressing the most beautiful smile I’d ever been graced with.
“I am gratified that my body pleases you, my mate.” That was Koss’s voice, but his lips remained stationary. Ah, this was a further demonstration of his telepathy, then.
“That’s an understatement. Although,” I began as I sat up and fiddled with his tunic, “I would like to see more of you.”
Pride and hunger practically radiated off of him as he gently swatted my hands away, stood, and deftly stripped himself of his tunic and pants. With the familiar expanse of his chest laid bare before me, I rose carefully to my knees in front of him, putting me level with his throbbing lok.
Koss had every reason to be proud of his body. I’d seen him flaccid and at half-mast before when we stripped down for our evening swims, but this was different. My mouth watered at the green-tinted length swaying in front of me between my lover’s legs.
He stood panting hungrily down at me, waiting for me to make the next move. His restraint was faltering - I could feel it through our bond.
I wanted to make it shatter. I could take whatever he gave me.
Carefully, I reached out to skim my hands up and down his muscular thighs. I heard his breath hitch in his throat when I laid kisses in the path that my hands had taken: from knee to hip on his right, then the same on his left. Precome leaked from his head, and as I looked up, I saw that his cheeks were covered in a beautiful, deep emerald blush.
Keeping eye contact with him, I caught the latest oozing drip of precome on my tongue, following it up his length to his head.
“You...ashaya...!” Blinking innocently up at him, I swallowed the liquid gathered on my tongue and leaned back barely an inch.
“Do you need me to stop?” Wordlessly, he shook his head and stroked my hair. In reward, I took his tip in my mouth, swirling my tongue around the head. His hips gave a minuscule thrust when I sucked him deeper in my mouth.
Encouraging Koss’s pleasure, I moaned around his length and started sucking him off in earnest. Relaxing my throat and using my hand on the rest, I took him as deeply as I could until both his hands were buried in my hair and animalistic grunts poured from his throat without further inhibition.
Gripping the back of my neck, Koss pulled my mouth off of his lok and urged me to my feet. He guided me quickly to the sleeping area in the corner of the cavern and spun me to face away from him.
Landing on my hands and knees amidst the pillows, Koss’s fingers spread my thighs as something warm and wet met my dripping center with a growl. Barely a moment passed before he pulled away.
“Forgive my haste, I nee–” He broke off with a loud, broken moan as something much larger prodded at my entrance, stretching me impossibly wide as his hands gripped my hips. “Yes...Yes, mine! You stretch to fit me so perfectly. Oh, to have any other besides you would be illogical...a denial of Sha-ka-ri when it is so freely offered...”
After a few slow, experimental thrusts, Koss pulled me back against his chest and held me steady with his arms around my waist and shoulders as he began to rut into me. All I could do was grip his arms as he mouthed at my neck and fucked urgently into my wet heat.
Our moans blended together as our bodies became one. Adding to the nearly blinding pleasure was the mental stimulation afforded by our telepathic link. Every dirty fantasy that we’d ever had about each other was now accessible, and Koss made it clear that we would accomplish every single one even as he sent me screaming into orgasm after orgasm. When he finally spilled inside me for the first time, I was folded nearly in half on my back with Koss above me, a savage growl of my name scratching its way out of his throat.
Releasing my legs, Koss dipped his head and caught me in a leisurely open-mouthed kiss that slowly devolved into him nipping at my lips and jaw, culminating in a hard bite over my collarbone that send me squealing as I gripped his hair.
The first of many marks claiming me as his that I would receive.
The days blurred together. Night and day seemed to become one, and at some point when I was asleep - the first night, I think, but I couldn’t be sure - Koss carried me upstairs into his home. I awoke with gentle sunlight tickling my nose and two large, warm arms holding me protectively against a very solid chest.
The only moments of calm came when we needed to eat, when I’Tol needed to be fed, and when we required sleep. Even those moments bled into one another as our thoughts merged and blended, desires uniting as passionately as our bodies did.
By what I guessed was the third day when I was drawn out of sleep by a pair of hungry lips savoring the softness between my legs, it occurred to me that Koss might just know my body as well as I did. His tongue sought to soothe my abused lower lips and draw more pleasure out of me. Both were objectives which he accomplished with expert precision - a fact that didn’t surprise me in the least. After all, my mate was nothing if not a quick and attentive study.
‘Mine.’ That word repeated over and over as he encouraged my pleasure with his mouth and skilled fingers. He was mine. After all this time, he was finally mine.
And I was his.
~*~*~
Vulcan Words:
ashaya = love
k'hat'n'dlawa = a person who is half of one’s katra
I’ve been enjoying writing this waaayyyy too much. Koss is just such a perfect target for teasing and...yep. Anyway, enjoy!
Part 1 here. Part 2 here. Part 3 here. Part 4 here. Part 5 here.
Cross-posted to AO3 here.
~*~
Koss (ST:ENT) x Reader
[A/N: This is smut adjacent with mentions of innuendo, so 18+ ONLY, MINORS DNI!!!]
Warnings: Mutual pining, mild innuendo, discussion of a wet dream, ozh’esta (Vulcan finger kiss), public flirting Vulcan style, Soval gives The Pon Farr Talk, one of the two idiots begins to put two and two together.
~*~
I really should have taken Koss’s robe back to him the next day. That would have been the logical, polite thing to do, but I didn’t. The night he’d lent it to me, I fell asleep wearing it. I didn’t mean to, really I didn’t. I laid down - just for a few minutes to attempt to process what had happened between us - and the comforting, familiar scent of my neighbor on his robe lulled me to sleep before I could even consider taking it off.
Embarrassingly, even my dreams weren’t free of his influence. My subconscious mind had latched onto the sensation of Koss sweeping me up in his arms as if I weighed nothing at all. The soothing sturdiness of his warm, strong chest against my bare skin and the heady realization that we were entirely nude while in such close proximity had made my head spin in the moment. In my dreams, that became the main focus.
Images of impassioned kisses and breathy moans against burning skin flashed through my mind, making for a rather rude awakening by my morning alarm. Waking up hot and bothered was one thing, but to do it while wrapped in Koss’s robe? That felt entirely scandalous.
My morning routine was a blur that day, and when I got to the Embassy to start my shift, I realized I’d tossed Koss’s robe on over my uniform tunic instead of my own. Leaving it draped over my chair in my office, I tried to get through the day without anyone being the wiser about my little mix-up. Soval even caught sight of it once, but if he recognized the robe as Koss’s, he didn’t give any indication of it.
One Embassy employee must not have liked my perfume, though. He gave a little sniff when we were in the lift together, and he promptly turned a rather dark shade of green as he averted his gaze. Huh. Oh well. That wasn’t the weirdest thing to happen to me. Making a mental note to wear a different perfume on my next shift, I brushed that off and got on with my day.
A few evenings later, I prepared to give the borrowed robe back to my neighbor. There had been several opportunities to return it to him, but...well, I just couldn’t seem to bring myself to do it. I was almost embarrassed that I’d waited so long. After all, it wasn’t as if Koss was my partner. How could I excuse my behavior? Surely it would seem illogical to a Vulcan if I said ‘I kept your robe a little longer than I should have because your scent relaxes me.’ That would only make Koss think I was some kind of creep.
The evening that I was determined to return it to him, I washed it by hand and took the time to examine the fabric more closely. The deep, brown cloth was soft and well-worn. Koss had clearly spent many hours nestled in its warm embrace. There were many places along the robe’s length where Koss had mended tears and holes, but the bottom hem near one of the corners was beginning to come undone. A small smile made itself at home on my lips at his attention to detail where he’d sewn the robe back together. He’d matched the stitching exactly.
Attention to detail seemed to be a common theme with him. Even when it came to our socializing, Koss always made sure that I was comfortable and that my needs were met. I really needed to find some way to thank him.
As I folded the worn material, I had an idea. Hurrying downstairs and over to Koss’s door, I took a deep breath and rang his door chime. Koss looked thoroughly surprised to see me smiling up at him when his door slid open.
“Hi! Sorry, am I bothering you?”
“I always welcome your presence, but you do not typically visit me in the afternoons. Is everything alright, ashaya?” He asked as he stepped aside to allow me into his home.
“Yeah, I’m fine, I promise. I just wanted to, um...” I stammered, but I trailed off as I caught sight of his living space. Memories from the last time I was here swept up to greet me, and I blinked in surprise as I realized that being here again felt like coming home. Noticing how long I’d been silent, I cleared my throat and turned to face Koss. “I remembered that I still had your robe, so I’m here to return it.”
“Thank you, but there was no rush, I assure you,” he said walking over to me and accepting the folded robe. “Was that...all you came here to do?”
“No, actually. I was wondering if you were familiar with any farmer’s markets around here?” At his look of confusion, I tried to clarify. “A place that sells fresh local produce.”
“Ah. Yes, I am. There is one not far from here. Why? Are you not receiving adequate food supplies?” He seemed utterly alarmed and protective at the prospect, but I placed a calming hand on his arm.
“I’m well-fed, I promise. When it comes to Vulcan produce, though, the variety offered by the Embassy provisional department is a little limited. I wanted to try my hand at a sort of fusion cuisine, but I can’t seem to find the right kind of fruit. I was hoping a local market might offer something I haven’t had the chance to experience yet,” I explained, and Koss relaxed substantially. Even if he could never feel the same way that I did, it was sweet how much he cared for his friends. “You said there was one nearby?”
“Yes, it is a short walk from here. I can escort you there tomorrow morning, if that is convenient.”
“That’s very sweet of you, but I’m sure I can find my way without you having to play tour guide. Surely you have better things to do?”
“It is no bother,” Koss said setting his robe aside and taking a step closer to me. “Besides, I would happily be your ‘tour guide’ if you’d allow me.”
Did he look hopeful or was I projecting my own emotions onto him?
“Alright, then. I accept your offer.” Koss nodded his head in approval just as a small thump came from the door at the back of his home. We both turned to see I’Tol sitting with his big, fluffy paw against the glass.
“Your introduction to him was not...entirely pleasant. Would you be comfortable if I allowed him inside? Or would you prefer that I wait until you depart?”
I looked over at him and smiled.
“Oh, he’s just a big teddy bear. Go on.” At my permission, Koss walked over to the door and slid it open, letting the big fluff inside. Much more sedately than our previous encounter, the sehlat walked over and flopped on his back in front of me again. As I knelt and rubbed his belly, Koss strode over to us and sat beside me.
“How odd. I’Tol never behaves this way with others, yet he has done so twice with you,” he murmured, and I looked over to find my neighbor already observing me closely. Blushing under his intense gaze, I looked back at his saber-toothed bear.
“Maybe he can tell that I’m good with animals,” I suggested, but Koss just slid a little closer to me. “On Earth, there are people who believe that pets, especially dogs, can instinctively tell good people from bad.”
“If that is true of sehlats, then you are undoubtedly an exceptional person,” Koss murmured. When I looked over at him, he was wearing an expression that was so open and full of kindness that my breath hitched in my throat. He really meant it.
With a rustle of fur, I’Tol stood and padded off to a large cushion at the side of the living space that appeared to be his bed, and Koss and I got to our feet.
“Thank you for letting me see him again. I’ll um...I’ll leave you in peace. See you tomorrow?”
Koss agreed and walked me to the door. As I made my way home, I wondered what that look of his had meant.
--
The next morning, I donned a set of lightweight robes for the trek to the marketplace. It turned out to be a shorter distance than I’d anticipated. How had I not found this place sooner?
What must have been dozens of stalls were set up with vendors selling produce and pieces of local craftsmanship. Vulcans of every shape, size, and color milled about examining various items and speaking quietly amongst themselves.
As Koss and I chatted and made our way through the crowd, something bounced off my leg with a little grunt. Looking down, I spotted a young girl looking up at me with wide eyes.
“Ni'droi'ik nar-tor,” she stammered as if she was afraid that I’d hurt her. I supposed that my ears didn’t help. Bumping into an alien in the middle of a Vulcan market must have been startling. Releasing Koss’s arm, I smiled and helped her carefully to her feet. Brushing a bit of dirt off her robe, I noted that she didn’t appear hurt, at least.
“T’Ria,” a voice called, and the little girl called back. A Vulcan woman made her way through the crowd as I stood straight again, and she glanced between myself and her child. The two exchanged a few quiet words in Vuhlkansu, and the mother gave me a small, respectful nod of her head. “Lesek, t’sai...osu.”
We returned her gesture and the two went about their business. When I looked back at Koss, he was examining me as if he was attempting to decipher a puzzle.
“Did I do something wrong?” My voice seemed to knock him back to reality.
“No. Not at all,” he said, but his voice sounded rougher than before.
Once we returned to our path through the stalls, we finally found the section that would hopefully yield the results I wanted: the fruit stalls. I didn’t recognize the majority of the fruit being displayed, so I quietly asked Koss what they were.
Several sounded intriguing, but it wasn’t until we reached a vendor selling little yellow i’su’ke berries that I knew I’d found what I was looking for. Koss described them as being tart, but pleasant if accompanying something sweet. The bright pink ones beside them were called g’teth berries, and they were, apparently naturally sweet.
Perfect.
Removing my hand from his arm to examine the fruit, I purchased just enough to make the surprise I was planning, plus a little extra. There was something to be said about having a little more than you needed when experimenting with a new recipe. Mistakes were bound to happen, after all.
Exchanging the correct amount of currency with the kindly vendor, I stowed the fruit in my shopping bag. When I turned back to where Koss had been standing only a moment before, he was nowhere to be seen. Glancing around, I spotted his broad shoulders moving back through the crowd toward me with something in his hand.
He led me to an empty side section of the market before speaking again.
“Forgive my absence, ashalik. While you were occupied, I made a small detour to another stall. Would you indulge me for a moment by turning around?” I looked at him curiously, but I did as he asked. Why wouldn’t I? The warmth of his presence moved closer to me, and his arms reached around me.
Within his grasp was a silver chain with a deep, red stone - I took a guess that it was a garnet or something similar. The way the light reflected and refracted off the stone’s many facets put any other jewelry I owned to shame. Once the necklace was secured around my throat, Koss swept my hair out from under the metal to its former position. Was I imagining things or did his fingers linger just a beat longer than was necessary over my pulse?
“I thought this pendant appropriate for one whose passions have carried her across the stars,” he murmured somewhat closer to my ear than I had expected. This felt like more than just a casual gift from a friend, though. I knew what I so desperately wanted it to be, even if it was impossible. “You are an admirable, venerable woman, and knowing you is my greatest pleasure.”
I didn’t know what to say. What could I say in the wake of such a sincere compliment?
Before I could find my voice and the correct words to say, part of the crowd moved closer to us, and Koss grasped my hand lightly to guide me away. A few moments later, he pulled me carefully to a stop outside a small shop with his hand still holding mine.
“Would you like to share some tea before we return home? I am familiar with this particular tea maker. He is quite skilled.” He looked so hopeful. How could I possibly refuse?
Smiling up at him, I agreed, and Koss escorted me inside.
“Shif pasu.” The waiter nodded his head at Koss’s request before leading us to a table for two in a secluded little corner. This felt surprisingly intimate, just like many of the other things we’d done together. Was I crazy or was there more to our interactions than I’d previously assumed?
When we were served a single, slightly larger than normal cup of tea, I looked at Koss curiously.
“Is this a Vulcan custom?” A hint of green dusted his cheeks at my question.
“It is, ashaya. However, if you would prefer a second cup–”
“No, no, this is perfectly fine. I was just curious. I’m afraid I don’t know as much about your culture and customs as I should outside of the diplomatic arena,” I explained, and he visibly relaxed.
“I would be gratified to teach you whatever you wish to know,” he said gesturing for me to take the first sip. As I did so, he continued. “For example, this particular custom is traditionally a gesture of trust and familiarity between two individuals. This tea shop is often frequented by couples beginning a courtship.”
“Really?” I asked as I set the cup back down in the middle of the table. “May I ask why that is?”
“To share food and drink - resources which have been scarce throughout our planet’s history - signifies one person’s desire to ensure the survival of the other,” he explained before taking a sip of the tea.
“So...the pair two tables to our left is sharing a cup, as well. Are they...’courting,’ as you called it?” The term sounded rather Victorian, but I wasn’t about to criticize them. I was just happy to be learning something new about Koss and his people. He glanced over at the table I’d indicated, then back at me.
“I have no doubt that they are,” he replied sounding certain of the fact.
“But they’re behaving just like anyone else. Besides the tea, I can’t see anything that sets their behavior apart. What makes you so sure?” I asked curiously, and the barest hint of mischief sparkled in his eyes.
“Look at their hands,” he instructed quietly. I did so as stealthily as I could manage, and I saw that atop the table, the man’s first two fingers were resting over the same fingers on the woman’s hand. When I looked back at my companion, he must have realized that only raised more questions than it answered. “That is quite intimate physical contact.”
What? But Koss had held my hands much more firmly than that tiny, little point of contact. Why was that so different?
“How so?” At my question, he blushed more prominently.
“Lay your hand on the table in the same position as theirs,” he murmured, and I did as he said - of course I did. I trusted him, after all. Delicately, Koss laid his hand on the table, allowing two of his fingers to lay atop mine. A soft, pleasant, dizzying sort of warmth wound its way up my arm from the point of contact, and I looked up at my neighbor curiously. “This is a variation of a gesture called an ozh’esta.”
“Does it always feel like...like this?” I had no idea how to describe the sensation he’d thrust upon me, but I had to assume this was normal for this particular gesture.
“I do not know. What are you feeling?” He asked looking almost surprised.
“Warmth, I suppose, but that doesn’t quite describe it fully. This feels different somehow,” I murmured, realizing how ridiculous I must have sounded.
“I...was unaware that Humans could experience what we do with the ozh’esta. Your species has no telepathic ability,” he muttered. Telepathy? Was that why Vulcans dislike physical contact? Tilting his head curiously, he blinked and the warmth his touch had inspired changed to a subtle, pulsing, tingling sensation. “And now?”
I described it to the best of my ability, and Koss’s eyes darkened as his pupils dilated. After a short burst of what felt like pure pleasure, he removed his hand from mine and took a bracing sip of tea.
“Forgive me. I should not have behaved so inappropriately.”
“You didn’t, Koss, I promise.” I touched his wrist lightly, and he looked at me with surprise written all over his face. Giving him a small smile, I tried to reassure him. “You were teaching me. Thank you for the lesson and for the insight into your culture.”
“You...are welcome,” he said just above a whisper as I sipped our tea. Once our cup was empty, Koss paid the tab and we made our way back toward home.
We paused outside my door moments later, and I turned to face him. He was already looking at me with an expression that - if he’d been Human - I’d have described as softly affectionate. But he couldn’t feel that way about me.
“I just want to thank you for today. I know you probably had better things to do, but I really enjoyed myself. I mean, that’s no surprise, really, because I always enjoy spending time with you, Koss.”
“As do I, ashaya,” he murmured as his eyes skimmed my face.
“You know, if you come by after your evening meal tomorrow, I’ll have a surprise ready for you,” I said with a little wink. Koss tilted his head curiously, but before he could ask what I meant, I stood on my tiptoes and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. “See you for a swim tonight?”
“I...Yes, of course,” he stammered, and I gave him one last smile before heading inside. Now, all I had to do was make sure the recipe would work the way I wanted.
--
The next day, Soval and I arrived in the Embassy lobby at the same time. We offered each other the ta’al salute as usual, and made our way to the turbolift.
“I take it you had a pleasant day of rest?” Soval inquired as the lift began moving. He sounded almost amused.
“I did, but what’s with the tone?” I asked curiously, but all he did was raise an eyebrow.
“Koss escorted you to the market stalls yesterday, did he not?”
“He did, but how did you know that?” There was no reason for my cheeks to start burning, yet they did. We hadn’t done anything wrong.
“I saw a pair resembling the two of you. The male seemed to be quite a dedicated provider,” Soval stated, and my cheeks heated further. “You were aware that his behavior is that of a male who wishes to win a potential mate’s affections, were you not?”
“I...Soval, you’ve got it all wrong. Koss doesn’t see me like that. I’m not a Vulcan woman.” We stepped out of the lift and started walking toward our shared office. “We went shopping and shared some tea. That’s all.”
“Do you view him as a potential mate?” He asked, and I stopped in my tracks. I had strong feelings for Koss, that much I was certain of, but I knew he could never reciprocate them. Why should he?
“I like him probably more than is proper, but, ultimately, it doesn’t matter,” I murmured resuming my stride, and the Ambassador gave me a quizzical look.
“Explain.”
“Vulcans abhor emotional behavior. I’m a Human. We’re pretty damned emotional. I highly doubt that someone as illogical as I am would be seen as a viable choice for a romantic partner for a man like him.” The door to our office slid open, and we both stepped inside.
“But you do desire to be seen that way by him?” I barely managed an embarrassed nod of confirmation. “I submit to you that he already sees you as such.”
“Your evidence?” I expected no more than a knowing glance, but he surprised me.
“You wore his robe to the Embassy while it still held his scent. He would not have given that to you if he did not wish to express a desire to protect you. His scent was mixed with yours for the duration of the day. No doubt anyone who encountered you that day is now aware that you are under a Vulcan’s protection. Accompanying you to the market, adorning you with a piece of jewelry he’d purchased, and sharing tea with you in a public area - all are actions which illustrate his desire and ability to provide for you. Such behavior would be quite obvious to a Vulcan female as that of a male desiring courtship, because those traits are ones heavily and instinctively sought after in a future mate,” Soval said, but I could do no more than blink in surprise. “Has he attempted to demonstrate his physical fitness to you?”
Memories of our swims together flashed through my mind’s eye, including the time he’d swept me up in his arms so easily. Perhaps his teasing wasn’t quite as innocent as I’d previously assumed it to be.
“Should I take your silence as a confirmation?” I nodded my head silently, then another thought occurred.
“What...? I mean, does serving someone breakfast count as a demonstration that you can provide for them?”
Soval’s eyes widened almost comically.
“I will not ask how that particular opportunity arose, but if he did so unprompted, then yes. I believe it was,” he said with a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
Oh my god, had Koss been trying to flirt with me the whole time? Was I really so oblivious? Had I done anything to make him think I was rejecting him?
“Ambassador, I should warn you that Vulcan males can be quite single-minded when they have decided that someone would be their ideal mate. If you wish to dissuade him, you must do so clearly and quickly–”
“What if I wanted to reciprocate?”
Soval leaned back against his desk with an almost proud tilt to his chin. Had he been hoping for this outcome?
“It would appear that you are already doing quite well on your own, despite not being fully aware of the implications of your actions,” he stated tilting his head slightly. “By allowing him to complete these tasks and showing your gratitude for them, you have demonstrated that you are open to - and accepting of - his attentions. However, it is likely that he is aware of the vast cultural difference between your species. As such, he may not view these reciprocal gestures as intentional. You may need to be a bit more overt in your own actions.”
At his advice, a plan began to form in my mind. Maybe there was a way I could show Koss how I felt.
“One last concern, which I suspect will become relevant soon: how much do you know of Vulcan biological cycles?” The deep, emerald blush that ignited to the tips of Soval’s ears made my eyes widen. At my confused look, he set the office door to conference mode so that we wouldn’t be disturbed. Clearly, whatever I knew wasn’t as thorough as whatever he was about to tell me. “We do not speak of such things publicly or to outsiders, but yours is...a unique situation. Every seven years...”
For the sake of this chapter, we’re gonna assume that Trip and T’Pol have already moved to Earth or some far corner of Vulcan with their daughter (who totally lived) and that’s why they’re not there for the only part of this chapter where it would make sense for them to be present.
Source used for Vulcan translation here. These chapters have gotten steadily longer as I’ve written them. So uh... that’s a thing. Whoops. 😅
Cross-posted to AO3 here.
~*~
Koss (ST:ENT) x Reader
[A/N: This is smut, so 18+ ONLY, MINORS DNI!!!]
Warnings: Nudity, sexual tension, masturbation, Vulcan flirting, sexual fantasies, mild angst, guilt, Koss is an idiot but he’s tryin’ real hard, emotional realizations, Koss pretty much goes through the five stages of grief over being in love, not actually unrequited love, they each think their feelings are one-sided but they’re just idiots, mentions of a nightmare, Soval interfering for their own good, protective Shran, Koss has inappropriate thoughts.
~*~
Koss kept replaying the moment in his mind. Just as the Ensign had begun to fall asleep, he’d given in to an almost impossibly strong urge. He touched her cheek. He’d wanted to feel her soft skin again almost constantly since the first moment she’d taken his hands to step into the water. The ghost of her touch had been seared into his palms.
The words had fallen quietly off his tongue almost without his knowledge of their departure.
“Du nam-tor wuh tehvar tor t’nash-veh ozhika,” he’d said. You are a danger to my logic.
He’d meant it, even if he hadn’t intended to admit such a thing aloud. The Ensign tested his control every moment that he was in her company, but he found himself unable to stay away. He liked the way she tested his resolve, even if she was completely unaware that she was doing so. With that realization, Koss finally entertained the idea that his doctor might have been correct, after all.
His difficulty breathing, his heart palpitations, his persisting thoughts about her - all those concerns he’d laid before his family’s physician. The doctor had asked for the circumstances surrounding the appearance of each symptom. When he’d explained, all he received in response was a raised eyebrow and an order to continue as normal and monitor his condition. There was supposedly nothing wrong with him beyond a rather intense infatuation.
At such a declaration, Koss hadn’t been able to contain his surprise. How could he not be ill? Was he truly to believe that this was the fault of no more than a mere infatuation? Admitting to himself the possibility that the doctor might be right made something snap into place in his mind.
After the pair had eaten breakfast that morning, Koss had reviewed his conduct from the time of his doctor’s appointment to the present, and he was alarmed to recognize several instances of overly-familiar courtship behaviors. He hadn’t even realized he’d been treating her with such a casual lack of propriety. This problem was even more severe than he’d previously thought.
He’d taken a deep breath that night to calm himself. Infatuations tended not to last. They were fleeting, transient attachments. This one, despite its unusual strength, would also pass. All Koss had to do was wait and meditate until he no longer desired to do those things which a Vulcan should only wish to do with their mate. He reasoned that distance might expedite the process of untangling himself from those feelings she’d cultivated within him.
Thus began his new plan. For nearly a week after they’d fallen asleep together, Koss forced himself to meditate in his bedroom. He didn’t allow himself to venture down to the spring at all, despite how much the desire to see her again tore at him. His thoughts kept drifting back to the way her wet hair dripped over the curves of her shoulders and the way her bathing suit clung to her figure so precisely that it emphasized her every curve.
The first two days of his self-imposed absence were unpleasant, but bearable. He’d caught himself in the process of walking to the caverns to seek her out more than once - to speak to her, to ask her something he was curious about, to seek her advice. Each time, turning away sent a pang through him.
The rest of the week, every time he sat at his desk to work, all he could see in his mind’s eye were her eyes...her smile. Every time he took a deep breath, all he could smell was her scent which lingered in his memories as if he had been branded with it. Each night as he laid down to sleep, the echoes of her quiet laughter rang so loudly in his head that he felt almost physically ill. If this was what it felt like to distance himself from someone he was merely attracted to, what would it be like to break a bond between a couple that was truly compatible? The severance of his bond with T’Pol had caused temporary physical discomfort, but nothing more. Why was this so much more severe?
The fifth night away from her, Koss jolted awake from a nightmare. In the dream, he’d gone to the Ensign’s door, found it already open, and discovered that she was lying injured on the floor. He’d rushed to her side, but he knew he was too late to be of any assistance. Her eyelids fluttered shut, and he’d snapped bolt upright in his bed with an anguished shout of her name. He went to the window facing her home, and in the early morning light, he saw her silhouette shuffling through the house as she readied herself for her day. Relief had rushed through him, and he berated himself for having such an illogical reaction to a dream.
In response to this latest development, naturally, he took the most logical course of action: he stopped trying to sleep. Vulcans could go for two weeks without sleep if the situation warranted it, and in Koss’s considered opinion, this certainly met the criteria for such an occurrence. Choosing instead to meditate or work through the nights, the architect finished the planning stage for one of his newest commissions much earlier than the expected deadline.
The more exhausted he became, the harder it was to convince himself that this pain was necessary. Never had he found it so difficult to control his emotional responses, not that it mattered much in the privacy of his own home.
His solitude wasn’t to last, though. Koss received a summons from Soval requesting that he come to the Embassy at midday on the final day of the next week. The Ambassador gave no indication of a reason, but Koss had been acquainted with him for many years. He had no reason to question the older man’s motives. Soval most likely wished to discuss the construction progress on the new wing of the Embassy - which was almost completed.
Would the Ensign believe it to be an efficient design? He had meant to seek her advice for some of the details, but since he’d been isolating himself, he’d had to make certain choices based solely off of her reports from her time on Enterprise regarding the Andorian people. Would she approve of his selections?
Shaking that thought away, Koss hunched over his desk once more, pencil scratching away as he began the long wait for his appointment with Soval.
--
On the day that the Ambassador had indicated, Koss gathered the appropriate data PADD, made himself presentable, and arrived at the Embassy on time. By then, it’d been nine nights since he’d slept - not long enough to impair his judgment or mental functions, but just the right length of time to make him feel sluggish and to slow his reaction times.
Soval met him in the lobby but proffered no explanation as he led him up the stairs and into one of the conference rooms. Belatedly, Koss looked around and noticed several Starfleet officers in their dress uniforms. That was odd. He took a seat where Soval indicated and glanced around the room. Captain Archer sat a few chairs away chatting with an Andorian who looked somewhat familiar. Several other Humans there were engaged in conversation with each other, as well as a couple of Vulcan Embassy staff members.
Koss straightened in his seat. What was going on?
The door opened once more, and everyone went silent at the sight of whoever had just entered. Koss turned in his seat and his jaw fell open.
The Ensign stood just inside the doorway wearing Vulcan ceremonial robes...and she looked so beautiful that Koss’s face burned with a very bright, very obvious blush. For once, he didn’t even consider shoving his feelings aside. How could he in the face of such radiance?
As she took in the sight of the people gathered before her, she looked just as surprised as Koss felt.
“Ensign, report to Admiral Gardner. Everyone else, stand to attention,” Captain Archer ordered, and the Starfleet officers in the audience got to their feet. Koss followed suit when the other Vulcans in attendance stood as well. The Ensign made her way forward toward Soval who stood at the front of the room beside a stoic, older-looking Human - presumably the Admiral that Archer had mentioned. The man in question cleared his throat as she reached his position.
“State all ranks that you currently hold and your assignment here at the Embassy,” the man ordered.
“With Starfleet, I hold the rank of Ensign. With the United Earth government, I am a diplomatic trainee in the position of Adjutant to Ambassador Soval of Vulcan, sir.”
The Admiral stood a little straighter and lifted a data PADD to read from it.
“Though your Starfleet rank will remain the same, I have been authorized by the United Earth government to issue you the following notice: As of this date, you are hereupon conferred the rank of Junior Ambassador as per the personal recommendation of Ambassador Soval. He has certified and confirmed the adequacy of your abilities and the completion of your training. You will have all the authority and privileges granted by your new position,” he read, and Koss watched as her eyes widened. A swell of pride rippled through him at her success. “It is my honor to notify you that you are hereby requested and required to represent the diplomatic interests of the people of Earth. You’ll be working alongside Soval and his colleagues as an equal. Congratulations, Ambassador.”
The audience applauded as the Admiral stepped up to her, pinned a new rank insignia on the lapel of her robe, and shook her hand. Koss joined them without hesitation. Soval placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned in to say something to her. Whatever it was clearly pleased her. He’d never seen her smile so widely before.
Her former crewmates went up to congratulate her, each in turn sharing a hug and a short conversation. As she pulled back from an embrace with the Andorian officer, her eyes skimmed the crowd and landed squarely on Koss.
The surprise and elation that spread over her face made his breath hitch. Any resolve he may have felt about avoiding her until he had rid himself of this infatuation was promptly wiped from his mind. She was mere feet from him after so many days of being out of her presence. Every molecule of his being screamed and clawed at him to go take her in his arms, bury his face in her hair, and promise her that he’d never leave her again.
“You look as though you have not slept for many days, and she has been despondent this week,” a voice at his shoulder murmured, and Koss turned to see Soval giving him a look filled with a little too much perception. “As you are her neighbor and her friend, I must ask: have you any idea what might have caused such a low mood? Might there be some...connection between your loss of sleep and her emotionally downcast demeanor?”
Koss was ashamed of his actions. He hadn’t intended to cause her pain. In truth, he’d assumed she wouldn’t even notice that he was gone. Fool that he was, he hadn’t even considered the impact that his absence might have.
“No, I...do not believe there is,” he lied. “I have been busy with my work this week, so I have not had a chance to properly assess her mood.”
“I see. The Ambassador seems to be in higher spirits now, however. I wonder, what could have caused such an expedient change in temperament?” The elder Vulcan looked overtly suspicious.
“No doubt it is a result of her promotion and reunion with her crewmates. Judging by her reactions, it would be logical to conclude that both were a surprise,” Koss responded, but Soval’s eyes narrowed. “You find fault in my logic. Do you have a different explanation, sir?”
“I–”
“Excuse me, Ambassador. I’m sorry to interrupt, but may I borrow Koss for a moment?” His heart sped up as he recognized her voice and the feeling of her hand touching his arm over his sleeve for barely a second. Though it was through a cloth barrier, the contact felt as though it was branded into his skin.
After raising an eyebrow at his reaction to her touch, Soval excused himself, and Koss turned to see the newly-minted Ambassador smiling up at him with a warmth that left him speechless for a moment. Quickly he gathered his thoughts and forced his tongue to work again.
“Congratulations, Ambassador. You have put much work into your occupation. I’m certain you will fit this new role to perfection,” he said, and he watched as her cheeks went a few shades darker.
Why had he been so opposed to this infatuation again?
“Thank you, Koss. I didn’t know about any of this. Soval just told me to wear my dress robes, and I arrived to all of this. I, um...to tell you the truth, I’ve missed you, but I’m so glad you came today. It really means a lot that you’re here to share this with me,” she said, and the guilt came rushing in twice as strong as before. He couldn’t bear to see the joy on her face crushed, so he swore to himself that he’d never admit that he’d been avoiding her. She must never know. He couldn’t bear to hurt her like that. “Apparently there are refreshments being brought up. I know you’re probably really busy, but...would you like to stay and meet my friends?”
Her eyes were innocent and hopeful. How could Koss refuse? He owed her that and so much more after what he’d done.
“If you wish it, ashalik, I will stay.” The smile that lit up her face was worth it. Offering her his arm, he allowed her to lead him around and introduce him to the various Starfleet personnel. He knew others would likely have heard his familiar form of address, but at the moment, all he cared about was ensuring that the beautiful woman at his side was happy.
Captain Archer remembered him, but all the others were new acquaintances. The communications officer, pilot, armory officer, and doctor were all perfectly polite. Then they reached the Andorian officer, Commander Shran. His eyes narrowed almost immediately when the Ambassador presented Koss to him.
“Is this the neighbor you mentioned, Ensign?”
“Yes. Be nice, Thy’lek.” Koss was surprised at her tone, but the Commander dialed back his posturing somewhat. He didn’t seem any less suspicious as their conversation continued, but he never resorted to outright hostility. Captain Archer joined them and slipped his arm around the Commander’s shoulders.
“Sizing him up, are you?” Archer murmured, and Shran looked away sheepishly. “I’ll take that as a ‘yes,’ then. Don’t worry, Koss. He just wants to make sure his friend is in good hands.”
“I am, thank you very much,” she piped up, and all three of them looked at her. Shran and Archer were likely surprised at her emphatic tone, but Koss was simply amazed that she trusted him that much. “Unless the Commander doesn’t believe me. In which case, I assume he’d want to challenge me to a rematch?”
“No, no. I’ve lost quite enough antennas for one lifetime, thank you,” Shran said before looking sternly up at Koss, “but if you hurt her, Vulcan, my ushaan-tor will be the last thing you see.”
Koss certainly understood protectiveness when it came to his ashaya.
“I assure you, Commander, I have no intention of causing her harm, either emotional or physical,” Koss replied in his calmest tone. Shran antennas lifted slowly and begrudgingly from their pinned back position - a better reaction than he had initially hoped for.
The rest of the afternoon passed pleasantly. Koss didn’t leave her side once, but she seemed quite content with his presence. She even sneaked away with him once, leaning against his arm and smiling up at him. ‘For a breather,’ she’d justified, but Koss didn’t care why. He was just content to be in her presence again.
Eventually, Soval informed the pair that the new Ambassador had no further obligations for the day. Archer and his crew needed to return to their ship and head toward some distant star cluster for a mission, so after she said her goodbyes, Koss offered to escort her home. She accepted gratefully, and when the pair stopped outside the door to her home, he turned to look into her eyes.
“I just wanted to thank you for today. I know you’re a really busy person, so for you to take time out of your day for something so trivial...well, it just meant a lot to me, that’s all,” she murmured, and he lifted her hands carefully in his own.
“Your promotion was in no way trivial. You have accrued not only valuable experience in your field but Soval’s trust as well. As the Admiral stated, he made the recommendation for your advancement personally. You deserve to have your achievements recognized and celebrated.” He allowed his thumbs to skim over the tops of her knuckles as he spoke. “Besides, I discovered that in the absence of your companionship, there was a distinct...hollowness embedded in my days which I had not noticed before. Spending time in your company today restored my balance.”
Her eyes widened, but Koss didn’t shy away from his admission. Logically, it was best to face reality head on. He could no longer deny how he felt. He just hoped he could convey his feelings in a way that would bridge their two cultures.
“I felt the exact same way,” she said just above a whisper as her fingers gave his a gentle squeeze.
“I am gratified to hear that,” he stated before glancing at her door. “I wish you a restful evening, Ambassador.”
“You too, Koss,” she called, and he waited until she was safely inside to make his way inside his own home.
He removed his outer robe, leaving him in his tunic as he went to feed I’Tol. As he approached, his sehlat walked up to him and nuzzled at the arm the Ambassador had grasped nearly all day. A small smile spread his lips as he realized her scent must be mingling with his own quite thoroughly. I’Tol let out a curious sound and flicked his tail.
“We will both undoubtedly see her again. She is our neighbor.” At his words, the sehlat let out a happy little growl and bumped his arm affectionately. “I am glad you approve, my friend. She is most impressive.”
--
That night, Koss debated with himself for a long while before deciding that he couldn’t go another night without visiting the caverns. There was no logic to remaining in his room now that he’d acknowledged how he felt. He didn’t know if she would bother going to the caverns, though, after such a lengthy absence on his behalf.
Just as Koss reached the bottom of the stairs and turned the corner, he saw that the Ambassador was doing the same. His eyes met hers and he drew himself up a little straighter. He was wrapped in one of his robes as usual - this time it was the dark brown one that he’d worn nearly threadbare. It was soft and comforting - qualities which he’d denied himself during his isolation.
Koss’s breath caught in his throat when he saw that she was wearing the same robe she’d worn two weeks ago. Had it really only been two weeks since they’d last ventured down here together? It felt like nearly three times as long.
“Good evening, Ambassador. I did not dare hope that I would see you tonight.” The smile that spread across her lips sent his heart thrumming in his side. The last dregs of his logic whispered that he really should rid himself of this infatuation.
But she made it so difficult just by smiling. What power did she hold over him? How had she managed to snare his body and mind so easily? She made him wish never to be free of her.
“Admittedly, I was going to try for an early night, but the rain was getting kind of loud, and...” She trailed off as they both approached the center of the cavern. Koss looked at her curiously, wondering what she had been about to say. “Tonight seemed like a good night to try new things.”
“To what are you referring, ashaya?” He barely managed to keep himself from wincing. There was that word again. Koss didn’t even remember when he’d started calling her that, just that it felt right to use it with her.
She took a deep breath and untied her robe as she spoke.
“Since I’m officially one of Earth’s Ambassadors to Vulcan, now, I thought I should learn more of your customs...maybe even try a few out starting with one that you introduced me to.” She sounded breathy and nervous. Koss had just opened his mouth to tell her that there was no need for her to feel obligated to follow Vulcan traditions. Before he could get out the first word, her robe slipped down her shoulders, and Koss froze.
She wasn’t wearing her bathing suit tonight.
Koss’s mouth snapped shut as he processed what he was seeing. Her every curve and dip sent his thoughts racing to places they shouldn’t. He took a slow, careful step forward, lifting his eyes to meet hers which were wide as she waited for his assessment. He’d become lost in those irises dozens of times before, and tonight he struggled with all his might to stay focused.
Why had he ever wanted to rid himself of his attachment to her?
“I...am honored that you have chosen to trust me with this. I doubt this is an appropriate observation, but you are even more beautiful than I expected,” he murmured earnestly. Was this meant as a flirtation? Surely not. He’d only just accepted his own feelings for her. She couldn’t possibly know of them already. Clearly, she was just trying to learn about his culture. He would behave himself tonight even if it took all his remaining control–
“That’s very kind of you. May I?” She asked, and he became acutely aware of her fingers on the lapels of his own robe. Breathlessly, he nodded his head, holding himself perfectly still as she untied the sash around his middle. His breath caught in his throat as her hands brushed over his chest, coaxing the fabric off of him. When he was nude before her, she grasped one of his hands and looked up at him. “Swim with me?”
Needing to do something with his energy besides ravishing her where she stood, Koss raised an eyebrow and swept her up in his arms. She let out a startled little yelp, wrapping her arms around his neck as he carried her to the spring. Her momentary alarm transformed into a giggle that trickled lightly over his ears. The cool water did nothing to dampen his enthusiasm or diminish his body’s reaction to her.
By the time she was ready to retire for the night, their interactions had returned to some semblance of ease. Though he’d been half-hard for the majority of their time together, he hoped beyond hope that she hadn’t noticed.
Or...Or did he want her to know what she did to him? Barely aware of what he was doing as he contemplated the question, Koss watched her dry off as he did the same. She glanced around, but couldn’t find where she’d tossed her robe. Without a word, Koss picked up his own and draped it around her shoulders, mentally noting how the soft fabric accentuated her curves. Returning her favor from earlier, he tied the sash around her waist.
Once she’d thanked him with a bashful smile and started up the stairs, Koss conducted a quick search and picked up her robe from amidst the pile of pillows where she’d tossed it earlier.
A wave of her scent lingering on the fabric washed over him as he lifted it, and Koss dropped to his knees. He was fully hard now. Fantasies he’d repressed before raced through his imagination, and his lok throbbed in time with his heartbeat. A small moan tore from his throat, echoing through the cavern and startling him. Had that really come from him?
This was wrong. He should return the robe to her and beg for her forgiveness, but after all his sleepless nights, Koss’s control had finally shattered. His desire to see her in his clothing was selfish and possessive, not to mention disrespectful given that she had no idea of its significance. To think of her like that when she most likely felt no more than friendship in regards to him...that was an unforgivable liberty for him to take. She would surely hate him if she knew that he was seeking self-gratification whilst imagining himself pleasing her as a mate would.
Koss imagined dropping to his knees - much like his current position - and begging her forgiveness, but the image of contrition swiftly changed. The thought of reverent caresses between her legs and whispered apologies against her abdomen made him gasp out her name. So vivid was his fantasy that as he imagined her gripping his hair and calling his name, he reached his end. His groans were loud and damning as his pleasure spilled out of him.
As he caught his breath, Koss made sure her robe had not been stained during his lapse in judgment. As his spunk cooled on the stone floor beneath him and over his fingers, his heart sank.
What had he done?
~*~*~
Vulcan words:
Du nam-tor wuh tehvar tor t’nash-veh ozhika. = You are a danger to my logic.
Well, welcome to the next part. Let’s see how Koss handles his new acquaintance.
Cross-posted to AO3 here.
Part 1 here. Part 2 here.
~*~
Koss (ST:ENT) x Reader
[A/N: There will be smuttier stuff in later chapters, but this is going to be a slow burn.]
Warnings: Mild angst, mild pining, mentions of nudity, Koss is oblivious, so is the reader, cultural differences, mildly suggestive language.
~*~
Koss straightened his tunic and readjusted his grip on the bottle in his hand. Pressing the Ensign’s door chime, the architect prepared for an entirely new experience: dinner with a Human.
Under normal circumstances, offering food and drink was considered an overture in Vulcan society, but the Ensign had made it quite clear that this was simply her way of repaying a debt. He’d come to two realizations once he’d accepted her invitation.
The first was that he was disappointed that she hadn’t meant the invitation to be an overture in the first place. The second was that he had no logical reason to be disappointed over the former revelation. She was Human. He doubted any overtures or flirtations on her part would be intentional.
Their species were so different. Commander Tucker had made that quite clear when Koss met him. What troubled him was why he would be disappointed about the lack of flirtatious intention on her part. It implied an investment in her attentions that he simply didn’t have. He couldn’t.
He wasn’t quite certain whether this meal would be a positive event or a negative one. He’d heard quite a bit about Humans from others of his species who’d worked with them or encountered them, and everything brought him to the conclusion that Humans were chaotic. Even the Ensign’s behavior with I’Tol had been unconventional. He still needed to ask her about the strange way she’d been speaking that morning.
When the door slid open, however, Koss caught sight of a pair of bright eyes that quickly wiped his mind blank. All potential topics of conversation and relevant comments he could make were swept away by the sight of his new neighbor smiling up at him.
What an odd phenomenon. He’d never experienced this sensation before.
“Hi, Koss! Come on in,” the Ensign said stepping aside to let him pass. With a polite nod, he stepped through the doorway and into the house that had been meant for a very different resident. Knocking those memories away with a swat of his suppression techniques, Koss stood a little straighter.
“I have brought a small bottle of Vulcan port. From what I have been told, our alcohol is stronger than yours, so I would recommend caution. While Vulcans do not drink often, we do make exceptions for special occasions. I thought it logical that we share a drink to welcome you to your new home,” he said offering her the bottle. The vintage was a good one, a fact that was due, in no small part, to his father’s former position in the High Command. He still wielded enough influence to obtain rare items from time to time.
Her eyes lit up, and Koss felt an odd constriction in his lungs. He could find no reason for his reaction, so he pushed it aside as she graciously accepted the port. When she went to retrieve glasses for them both, he took the liberty of examining her living space more closely.
There were a few small decorations in place, but it was quite clear to him that she had come here mostly with her clothes and just a few small mementos. There was, however, a prominently-displayed, framed image of her with Captain Archer, Ambassador Soval, and an Andorian with whom Koss was unfamiliar. One of the Captain’s hands was ruffling the Ensign’s hair while she leaned jauntily against the Andorian’s shoulder. Standing beside Archer, Soval seemed almost amused by their behavior. This was a rare photograph indeed.
“That was the last day I was aboard Enterprise. The Captain and Commander Shran wanted to give me a proper sendoff before I was stationed here on Vulcan with Soval.” Koss looked up to see the Ensign mere feet away holding two glasses. He hadn’t meant to be so obvious about his curiosity, but there was no logical reason to deny it now that she knew.
“I see. You appear to be close with your former shipmates.” Koss observed, turning to gauge her reaction. A fond smile stretched her lips.
“Yeah, we went through a lot together. These last few weeks have been an odd transition. I keep expecting to turn a corner in the Embassy and see Commander Shran or the Captain,” she admitted with a sheepish little laugh. “I know that’s not logical, but I got used to being around them.”
Koss followed her over to the table where she’d set two places.
“If I may ask, your previous career with Starfleet and your current occupation in the Embassy seem...very different. What made you desire the transition?”
“Oh, well, I actually started out at the Vulcan Embassy on Earth. My father had become acquainted with Soval through his work there, and I ended up learning diplomacy from both of them. My formal training was followed up with personal tutelage by Ambassador Soval, and when the Xindi situation arose, he recommended that I be placed on Enterprise,” she explained as he took a seat. Retrieving a few full bowls from the kitchen area, she laid them on the table as she continued her story. “I stayed on Enterprise until a couple of months ago, because that seemed like the best place for me at the time. Then Soval told me about an open position in the new Earth Embassy here on Vulcan. I jumped at the opportunity. Even though I made a lot of friends, life on a starship wasn’t exactly what I signed up for when I started my training.”
Something sparked in his memory. He’d been acquainted with Soval for quite some time.
“I assume you were the promising young apprentice the Ambassador mentioned several years ago. He speaks quite highly of you.” She paused in the middle of laying out dishes of food to look at him in surprise.
“Really? I always thought I fell rather short of his expectations,” she murmured almost to herself. Seemingly shaking herself out of that thought, she took her seat. “I had no idea that you knew the Ambassador. Apparently, everyone knows everyone here. Soval said he even knew the architect who designed this place.”
Halfway through opening the bottle of port, Koss glanced up at her. Did she not know? Curious about her opinion, he raised an eyebrow as he poured their drinks.
“I didn’t know what you liked, so I made a few different things. Plomeek soup is to your left - I got the recipe while I was on Enterprise. Pok tar is in the center. This is my first time making that particular dish, so I can’t promise how traditional it is. The dish on the right is one from Earth called a Caprese salad.”
Her explanation was impressive. He hadn’t anticipated that she would go to such effort over a simple meal.
“It was quite unnecessary for you to go to such lengths, but I am grateful. Thank you.” Vulcans were taught not to complain as a guest at someone else’s table, so usually that meant suffering through a single dish, no matter how unpleasant.
“You’re very welcome,” she said as Koss served himself some of the pok tar. She poured a ladle of plomeek soup into her bowl.
“If I may ask, in regards to your new home, how would you assess the architect’s work?” Hearing truly honest feedback was a rare opportunity. If she didn’t know she was speaking to the man whose work she was critiquing, then she wouldn’t be afraid to tell him things she might not say to him otherwise.
“Well, I have to admit, I don’t know anything about Vulcan architectural norms, but this place is beautiful. A lot of thought and careful attention went into the layout and details of this home.” Koss sat a little straighter, trying not to seem too obviously pleased about the praise. “I wish I knew who they were so I could thank them in person for all the hard work they did and ask them a couple of questions.”
“I believe I can assist you. I am the architect responsible,” he stated, and her eyes widened. She froze with her spoon of plomeek soup half lifted to her lips.
“You? Oh, Koss, I had no idea or I would’ve come talk to you about it sooner.” She had obviously been curious about certain design points since she moved in, because, at an amusingly rapid rate, her questions came spilling out.
Holding up a hand and very nearly cracking a smile, Koss succeeded in halting her questions just long enough to attempt to answer them. Despite her earlier protestations about her lack of knowledge of Vulcan design, she was able to compare a few elements to some intriguing Human architectural parallels.
Once her curiosity was satisfied, the Ensign was able to answer a few of his questions regarding her own species’ designs. As they ate, Koss made a mental note to conduct further research on the topic the next time he had cause to travel to the Embassy. He had a few contacts there who would find it agreeable to obtain a few data PADDs for him.
“How have you found the transition between Earth’s climate and Vulcan’s? I have heard that Earth is quite different.” Koss changed the topic just as they were finishing off the last of the Caprese salad.
“I have to admit, that’s been the only really difficult change. Even Enterprise’s environmental controls were set to be similar to that of Earth. Vulcan is much hotter,” she explained. “Outside of showering, it’s been a little difficult to cool down.”
“Has the temperature of the underground spring been of no assistance to you?” At his question, she tilted her head. “Surely you were informed of the cavern below?”
“The what?”
Koss froze in the process of setting his empty glass back on the table. Had the Ambassador neglected to tell her of the most important feature of her new home? Had she been living here for nearly a week without any relief from the heat?
“May I show you?” He offered, and she eagerly accepted. Since they were both done with their meals, Koss stood and led the way to a door that was almost hidden behind the staircase.
Using the control panel, Koss opened the door for her and activated the lights for the stairwell. The descent was long, but not overly so - just enough to put the two of them well below the ground. When they neared the bottom, the light was much dimmer, but it soon gave way to a smooth, carved stone passage leading to a large, natural cavern. Embedded in the dark stone along the way were streaks of bioluminescent crystals which shone so brightly that additional lighting wasn’t needed to navigate.
A quiet gasp came from his companion when she caught sight of the sparkling pool of clear water before them. The crystal deposits were visible even from below the surface of the swirling liquid. A small waterfall came from the back wall of the cavern, keeping the pool filled with cool water.
The whole cavern wasn’t filled solely with water, though. A large swath of smooth, natural rock formations surrounded the spring, and against the wall to the left of the entrance they’d used was a small gathering of furnishings that Koss had set up long ago. There was a mass of soft cushions, a small comm unit in case one needed to answer a signal, and a small cluster of candles that Koss used to meditate. A small cabinet sat at the side which contained clean, dry towels.
He swallowed silently, not giving voice to his regrets regarding his original intentions for this space.
“Oh my god, I’ve been missing out on this? It’s breathtaking!” His new acquaintance exclaimed as he watched her step carefully into the space. Shoving the past aside, Koss allowed himself to focus on her reactions. “It’s too bad that I didn’t think to bring a bathing suit down here with me. It’d be nice to cool down after how hot it was today.”
“What is a...‘bathing suit’? I’ve never heard that term before.” Koss’s brow furrowed, and she turned to look at him with wide eyes.
“It’s...well, it’s a garment you wear when you go swimming,” she said, but Koss just raised an eyebrow.
“Vulcans do not wear any clothes when we swim.” Rather alarmingly, her cheeks darkened several shades and she looked away from him. Had he said something to embarrass her? “Forgive me if I overstepped. Does the subject of nudity embarrass you?”
“No, it’s a natural thing, I...guess I just didn’t expect to be discussing it tonight.” Her voice shook just enough to concern him. Before he could ask her about it, however, she changed the subject. “Where does that lead to?”
On the far end directly opposite where Koss and the Ensign stood was a twin staircase carved in the stone.
“Just as your home has access to the spring, so does mine,” he answered before showing her how to access the panel to the communications unit in case she needed it. “If you prefer privacy for your use of the spring, I’m certain we can work out a schedule. Usually, my own use of this space is limited to evening meditation, but that does vary occasionally.”
“Oh no, I’m perfectly fine being down here with you. I don’t require extra privacy unless you do.” His stomach performed a startling little flip when she tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. The words he was about to say were seemingly caught in his throat.
Clearly he needed to make an appointment with his physician. He must be unwell.
“Neither do I,” he eventually choked out as he mentally tamped down several less-than-appropriate thoughts. “Forgive me. I have taken up enough of your time. I will take my leave of you now. Thank you for your hospitality this evening.”
“No problem. It was my pleasure, Koss. Thank you for allowing me a chance to get to know you better,” she replied with a bright smile.
He gave her a polite nod of his head before bidding her goodnight, carefully stepping around her, and making his way toward the opposite staircase.
Later that evening when he was meditating, Koss couldn’t find peace. His mind kept returning to his evening with the Ensign. She’d proven quite definitively that Humans were more witty and charming than he’d thought they could be. Rumors about Humans being barbarians were seemingly just that: rumors - unfounded gossip started and perpetuated by those who had not taken the time to get to know the people whom they were so summarily judging.
Commander Tucker had suggested that Koss broaden his horizons, and his opportunity to do so was now his next-door neighbor. Perhaps one day she would even consider him a friend. Her disposition was clearly gentle enough to allow for such a closeness to develop.
And her eyes... They were even more arresting than he remembered them to be from his previous encounters with her. Every time he allowed his own eyelids to close, all Koss saw was her smile and the joy in her eyes when he’d told her that he was the one who designed her home.
Giving up on meditation after a long hour filled only with daydreams, he set an appointment with his doctor for the next day and attempted sleep. Clearly, he was ill in some way if a simple smile was enough to unsettle him this severely.
Happy New Year! Here we are again. Yet another multi-chapter fic about a side character who didn’t get enough love. Enjoy!!
Cross-posted to AO3 here.
Part 2 here.
~*~
Koss (ST:ENT) x Reader
[A/N: There might be smuttier stuff if later chapters, but this is gonna be a slow burn.]
Warnings: Mentions of Koss’s previous marriage to T’Pol, their subsequent annulment, and the aftermath for Koss.
~*~
Koss tried to work hard enough that this day would pass by him largely unnoticed. He tried to bury himself in the minutiae of dimensions and angles, balustrades and balconies to the exclusion of all outside thought. The project was one he’d been making decent progress on already, but today it took a leap forward. Seldom did Koss push himself like this, but today was an exception.
He didn’t want to leave himself time to dwell on the fact that this was the anniversary of his marriage’s annulment becoming official. The second anniversary, if he was going to be precise about it – and Koss was always precise. That’s how he’d gotten so far in the field of architecture: determination and precision.
He worked until his eyes nearly began to cross, giving in to his exhaustion only when he saw that the glow of the setting suns had given way to the silky blackness of the night. His actions may not have been logical, but they were necessary. Koss hadn’t been in love with T’Pol, but he had felt that a state of...contentment was possible between the two of them given time.
He could see no reason for her to select a Human in his place.
Glancing at the time, Koss sighed and packed away his materials and data PADDs into their proper places. From the window of his study, he looked up at the stars, wondering if he was ever going to be able to move past the shame of his rejection...of not being enough.
“Illogical,” he huffed under his breath. Of course he would move past it. Life required that he do so. He would focus on his work, and eventually he would find a suitable mate. One who could look past the shame of his annulment. Granted, that event would make him appear less desirable, but he would eventually find someone who would accept him despite his deficiencies.
As Koss turned away from the window, he caught sight of the little blue obelisk that adorned one of his bookshelves. The trinket had been a gift from his most trusted mentor, Tovan. He’d been the one to mold Koss’s talents and help him turn them into a worthwhile skill.
The hum of disapproval that came from Tovan made Koss second-guess his work. Skimming over his calculations in his mind, he wondered where his mistake had been.
“The foundation.” The answer was given before Koss could even ask the older man where he’d gone wrong. “The house is adequate, but you have not taken into account the porous nature of the rock on the building site. Lack of consideration for such conditions would render this building uninhabitable over time should the rock crack.”
Koss mentally berated himself for overlooking such an obvious flaw. That was a mistake he expected of a first-year apprentice, not someone with such extensive training as his own.
“Remind me, what is to be done when one makes a mistake?” Tovan set the plan aside and raised an eyebrow expectantly.
“Revision and reconfiguration. I will begin again prior to the point at which I erred and correct the problem,” Koss had answered dutifully, and with a nod of approval, Tovan left him to correct his mistake.
Staring into the facets of the obelisk, it occurred to Koss that the only way to proceed with his current situation would be to begin again. That was the only logical course of action. T’Pol was content with Commander Tucker. He would certainly never wish her ill. Therefore, he would have to learn to be content being by himself until such a time as he was in a position to remedy that.
By the time Koss had gotten into his sleeping clothes for the night, he couldn’t bring himself to meditate. He would wake all the earlier the next morning and meditate then as compensation. Just this once he would allow himself to indulge his exhaustion. Climbing into his bed, he tried to clear his mind and relax. The sooner he could put this day behind him, the better.
--
Koss was awakened by a loud crash from the back of his property. Blearily, he stumbled out of bed and went to his window to see the gate wide open. His sehlat, I’Tol, was nowhere to be seen. Wrapping a robe around himself and putting on his slippers, Koss made his way outside to search for his wayward pet. Since he’d begun taking care of I’Tol, the beast had escaped only twice. Mischief seemed to be the only logic his sehlat understood.
“I’Tol, ha-kel!” He called as he stepped past the open gate at the side of his property. He listened for an answering call, but instead Koss became aware of a sound he had never heard before. A woman was speaking somewhere on the property beside his. Her voice was familiar, but her words sounded...strange. What was going on? Walking quickly across the barren dirt between his house and the next, Koss saw that the open yard was occupied.
A sehlat - unmistakably Koss’s sehlat - was sniffing around a woman who seemed to be confused, but not alarmed, by the animal’s presence. Speaking in a playful, high-pitched voice, the woman had apparently relaxed I’Tol sufficiently that she was no longer in danger. The sehlat flopped to the ground and rolled over, showing his belly to her and stunning Koss entirely.
I’Tol never behaved so cordially to others. For him to show such submission to a woman he wasn’t familiar with - a Human woman, no less - was totally unprecedented. The way she smiled as she stroked his soft fur stirred a memory.
Koss knew her. She had been a member of Captain Archer’s crew – an Ensign, if he remembered correctly. She’d smiled at him in a similar manner when she thanked him for his help.
“Are you alright?” He called out, but when she glanced over he knew what her answer would be before she even spoke.
“I’m fine. This big guy just decided to pay me a visit. I guess I smelled like a good breakfast dish to him, but he seems calmer now,” she said as she did a double take. “Koss? Is that you?”
“Yes. My apologies for I’Tol’s intrusion. His mischief does not usually include attempted assault,” he replied taking a few steps closer. Something else occurred to him. “What are you doing here?”
“I just moved in here, actually.” Koss was going to have a Human as his neighbor? The Ensign moved away from his mellowed pet and over to him. “I haven’t seen you since the incident with the Kir’Shara and the High Command. How’ve you been?”
“I...don’t understand.”
“There weren’t any consequences for you helping us, were there?” Koss couldn’t hide his surprise. She had been concerned for him? But that day two years ago had only been the first time they’d met. He had wondered about her own safety, of course, but that was because she’d shared in the danger T’Pol had been facing. He hadn’t expected any sort of reciprocation from her in that regard. What logic had caused her concern?
If he was entirely honest with himself, he hadn’t expected to see her again.
“No. No, I was not adversely affected by the events of that day. Did you suffer any lasting effects from your injuries?” He was unprepared for the amount of relief that washed over him when she shook her head. At least his meager attempts to treat her wounds had been successful to some small extent. “Good. Forgive me, I shall return I’Tol to my home now and leave you in peace.”
“Oh. Well it’s great to see you again! Once I’ve settled in a bit, why don’t you come over for dinner? We are neighbors, after all, and I do owe you. We could get to know each other better,” she suggested, and Koss blinked.
“That would be agreeable. When you are sufficiently...‘settled,’ I shall accept your invitation. I’Tol, ha-kel!” He ordered, and his sehlat gave the Ensign’s hand a final nuzzle before trotting back toward home. Koss gave her a polite nod and did the same.
It was only when he’d returned to his room and looked in a mirror that he saw the chaotic state of his hair. He blushed to the tips of his ears when he realized the Ensign had seen him in his pajamas, sporting a severe case of bedhead.
Koss let out a heavy sigh and shook those thoughts away. He was in desperate need of meditation if something so trivial was bothering him.
