Pluto's Heart Read online

  “Zack?” Brian spoke in a soft voice, so as not to startle him. How could he have not heard me enter? The airlock is not quiet, and the computer voice was loud enough to hear through my helmet.

  The figure turned around

  “Brian?” The red-bearded face appeared greyer and more drawn then when Brian had last seen him and Zack seemed thinner, but he was still the handsome man Brian fell in love with years ago.

  Zack wore overalls similar to the one Brian had on, and heavy boots. He walked toward Brian who held his arms out for a hug.

  When he got close enough, Zack punched him hard in the face. Brian fell back, landing on a pile of luggage straps.

  He lay still for a few seconds, stunned, pain shooting through his skull. When the shock subsided, Brian struggled to his feet and cleared his vision, noting Zack had not moved.

  “Not the reception I was expecting,” Brian said, rubbing his cheek where Zack’s fist had connected, feeling the stubble that had grown during his trip.

  “What did you expect?” Zack snapped. “You’re responsible for me being stranded on this fucking rock! Did you think I was going to welcome you with open arms and on my knees?” His voice rose to a shout.

  “Wait a minute,” Brian retorted. “You left me! You wanted to come out here to get away from me!”

  “I did not leave you,” Zack yelled. “I was told you wanted to break up with me and the next thing I knew, I was shipped out to this frozen cesspool.”

  “I was on the other side of Titan when you left,” Brian argued. “We hadn’t talked for several days, so who told you I wanted to break up?”

  Zack pressed his lips together and did not respond.

  “Maybe the same person who told me you requested this assignment?”

  “Assignment?” Zack looked surprised. His expression changed to amusement and he burst out laughing. “Do you think this is an assignment?” He spat out the last word. “This is a fucking death sentence,” he continued shouting. “We are never getting off this goddamned planet. At least I’ll have the satisfaction knowing you’re stuck here too. And will probably die here. With luck before me.” He turned and walked back to his workstation.

  Brian hesitated for a second, not knowing how to react, and then followed.

  “Stop,” he called out and was not surprised when Zack did not. “It’s not my fault you’re out here. The Company wanted you to start up the terraforming project and you jumped at the opportunity.”

  “Did you look around you when you landed?” Zack said without turning around. “This shit hole doesn’t have an atmosphere. It’s covered in ice, except for the mountains, and they aren’t any use to anybody. There isn’t any commercial value here. The Company makes that shit up so they can send guys they want to get rid of out here. Out of sight. Out of mind.” Zack sat back down at the workstation and restarted his tasks.

  “You were only supposed to be out here for a year, but you never came back to Titan,” Brian said. “The Company told me you were content out here all by yourself and did not want to return.”

  “Is that what they told you?” Another sarcastic laugh. “Brian, you stupid motherfucker. Read your contract closely. It says you’re assigned here for one year. One year as defined not by one circumnavigation of Earth around the sun. No, dear. It’s one trip around the sun as measured by Pluto. That’s two hundred and eighty-four Earth years. We aren’t getting out of here, sweetheart.”

  “And you still think this is my fault?” Brian asked. He could understand the cold greeting, but this was extraordinary even for short-tempered Zack.

  “You couldn’t just break up with me,” Zack screamed. “You had to have Glen do your dirty work for you?”

  “Glen? As in Glen George? The CEO’s son?” Brian couldn’t believe his ears.

  “You get the gold medal,” Zack said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

  “I didn’t say anything to him about you,” Brian shouted back. “I told him I was involved. He kept coming on to me. I had to push him away.”

  “Apparently he likes that dark meat more than this pasty white stuff.” Zack held his arms out, as it presenting himself.

  Brian still could not figure out what Zack was insinuating.

  “You look confused,” Zack said with a sneer. “Shall I explain it to you?”

  “Please do.” Brian matched the snarky tone.

  “You wanted to be with him instead of me so the two of you decided to get rid of me, so Glen convinced his dad to ship me out here, so he could have you to himself.”

  “That never happened,” Brian retorted, looking Zack straight in the eyes. “I did not tell Glen to do anything like that. Why would you ever think that?”

  “Um, because Glen told me that’s what you did?” Zack said in a condescending tone.

  “When did he tell you that?”

  “It was after I arrived here and found out I had really been sent here as a death sentence,” Zack said, sounding almost tired of arguing. “I asked them why they sent me to this hell hole, but Glen responded instead of HR and told me you two were in cahoots and had me around out here.”

  Brian gaped.

  “Now, while you try to think of a comeback, I’m going to your ship. It’s got a lot of things I’ve been waiting for.”

  Stunned into silence, Brian watched Zack don a space suit and disappear among the aisles, heading toward the portal.

  The noise of the airlock activating snapped him out of his stunned state and he moved toward the portal. He put his suit back on but had to wait until Zack had cleared the airlock.

  For some reason, the decompressing process seem to take longer than usual to Brian, who was growing impatient.

  Maybe it’s because Pluto’s atmosphere is more severe than the other outpost’s. Why am I so eager to catch up with him? Just to hear more abuse?

  When the outer door open, Brian stepped onto the icy plain and scanned the area for Zack. Not seeing him, Brian walked as fast as he could around the building, finding solid footing and maintaining a safe pace. Despite the dim light, the sun still created a glare off the ice, making it difficult for him to see, but he spotted Zack bounding across the plain in the distance dragging a cargo sled.

  Damn, he moves fast!

  Brian took off after Zack, not gaining on him, but at least keeping pace. By the time he reached the landing module, Zack had already opened the cargo area.

  Their space suits allowed for communication, but Zack would not respond to any of Brian’s entreaties. Brian help him unload all the supplies and extra equipment on to the sled. It took the two of them to get the sled moving, but once it was in motion Brian let Zack push it back to the building with him every step of the way. They unloaded the sled in silence, taking turns going through the portal.

  Once everything had been brought inside, Brian and Zack shed their space suits. Brian noticed that Zack seemed a little subdued, compared to his earlier angry self.

  “I’m sorry, Brian,” Zack said before Brian could mention it. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

  “You’re not just saying that because you’ve been alone for so long?”

  Zack looked Brian in the eyes. “Probably, but I’m glad it’s you. I can’t imagine anyone else who I’d rather be marooned with.”

  “So now you’re convinced that I wasn’t responsible for you being assigned to this outpost?” Brian was not yet assured.

  “For the longest time, I was absolutely sure you were, but I had time to think about it and also, I’ve had communications with some of the guys on Ganymede and Titan,” Zack continued. “From what I’ve heard from them, Glen slept with just about everyone to piss off his old man. He latches onto somebody until he tires of them. However, if a guy tires of him first, Glen goes running to his daddy and the poor sap is on the next transport to the farthest outpost.”

  “Nasty way to get revenge. Is that what happened to you?”

  Zack shook his head. “He wouldn’t have anything
to do with me. He wouldn’t even speak to me, so I have no idea why I’m out here.”

  Brian looked away.

  “What?” Zack asked, with a suspicious expression.

  “I think I know what happened,” Brian said. “As I said, Glen was after me for the longest time, but I was with you, so I ignored him, didn’t encourage him. I suppose he decided I was just playing hard to get. Next thing I knew, you were sent out here. I didn’t know anything about it until you were already on your way here.”

  “It was rather sudden,” Zack mumbled. “That’s why I thought you were to blame and when I first saw you all those bad memories came back. I suppose I needed to be sure.”

  Brian grimaced.

  “When I couldn’t find you, Glen told me you asked for the transfer because you wanted to leave me and couldn’t get off Titan fast enough.”

  “Now everything that happened falls into place,” Zack said, shaking his head.

  Brian cupped Zack’s chin in his hand and pulled him into a kiss.

  “We figured it out and we’re back together,” he whispered. “The only thing we have to do now is make up for a lot of lost time. Where is the bedroom?”

  Zack chuckled and wiped a tear from under his eye.

  “This whole building is the bedroom. And the kitchen. And the office. And—”

  “All right. I get it,” Brian responded, laughing. “Where do you sleep?”

  “I have a pallet over there,” Zack turned to point toward the living corner of the building.

  “Let’s go,” Brian said, grabbing Zack by the hand and pulling him to the ‘bedroom.’

  “I think you might need to launch that probe,” Zack said, pointing to the tent that had formed in the crotch of Brian’s nylon overalls.

  “I am so ready to blast off, you have no idea.”

  He found the mattress with the blankets wadded up on top of it and two grungy pillows. He unzipped Zack’s jumpsuit and slipped it off his shoulders, revealing a pale chest accentuated with red hair.

  “You’ve lost weight,” Brian said, running his hands over the thin, muscular torso and down the flat stomach.”

  “I can’t exactly run out to Chili’s every other day.”

  Brian toyed with the trail of red fur disappearing into the crotch of the overalls. He slid his hands inside over Zack’s hips and the suit dropped to the floor.

  Zack gasped, crossing his arms over his chest. “It’s cold in here. It’s supposed to be twenty-five degrees Celsius.”

  “It is,” Brian said. “You were just getting hot inside those clothes.”

  He gently fondled Zack’s cock and balls.

  “Let’s warm you up then.” He removed his own suit and laid Zack on top of the blankets. “Got any lube?”

  “Of course. The Company is rather understanding when it comes to marital aids.” Zack rolled his eyes as he spoke the last two words. He pulled back the corner of one of the blankets, revealing a bottle of lubricant and an array of dildos and sex toys, some Brian had never seen before. “See what I mean?” He handed the lube to Brian, who applied a generous portion to his own cock. He crawled on top of Zack.

  “Open the bay doors, HAL,” he whispered as he pressed his manhood inside of Zack.

  Zack stiffened and sucked in a breath as Brian entered him. Brian begin to thrust, slowly at first, feeling Zack’s body writhe and twist underneath him, his legs squeezing him around his waist.

  All the familiar sounds and sensations he remembered from years ago gave him comfort and serenity. The memories of their making love so many times on Titan brought tears to his eyes.

  There is nothing like reigniting passion with a long-lost lover.

  The harsh environment of Pluto outside no longer existed and the austere interior of the shelter faded away. The only thing in the universe right now was Zack. The earlier tensions evaporated and was forgotten.

  Brian shoved harder and faster. Zack’s moans grew louder. The overwhelming sensory input became too much and Brian exploded inside of Zack with a deep growl. At the same time, Zack spewed hot cum between their bodies.

  Brian collapsed onto Zack, both panting and sweating. After a while, he rolled off Zack and snuggled beside him.

  “Wow,” Zack said, sounding out of breath. “I think I lost a few ounces of bodily fluids that time.”

  “Those buttons haven’t pushed like that in a long time, have they?” Brian asked. Zack only shook his head.

  They lay still a while, kissing and caressing until they fell asleep.

  * * * *

  Brian woke to a strange beeping sound. He opened his eyes and rolled over, realizing Zack had covered them with blankets while he slept.

  “It’s the Company calling,” Zack said, climbing out of bed. “I wasn’t expecting any communications today. Were you?”

  “No,” Brian said, watching Zack walking naked to a computer terminal. “I see Pluto has a sixth full moon now,” he said.

  “Stop staring at my ass,” he said without conviction. He sat down and pushed a series of buttons on the keyboard. The video screen flickered to life and the face of a handsome young man appeared.

  “Brian, I called to check in on you,” Glen said. “You hadn’t confirmed that you made it to Pluto. I’m so sorry Daddy sent you out there. I promise I will make him bring you back as soon as possible. I’m missing you already.”

  The video ended. Zack looked over his shoulders at Brian, who rolled his eyes.

  “You’re leaving so soon?” Zack asked in a quiet voice.

  “Are you kidding?” Brian said with a smirk. “I haven’t come like that since the last time you and I fucked.”

  “Seriously?” Zack said, a grin creeping onto his face.

  “Seriously,” Brian replied. “Besides, I had to cross the damn solar system to find you. Do you really think I’m gonna let you get away from me again?”

  Zack’s face turned a shade of red that clashed with the color of his hair. “What are you going to tell him?” He jerked his thumb toward the video screen.

  “Why don’t you let him know I made it safe and sound, but I hadn’t reported in yet because I’ve been a bit busy.” As he spoke, Brian rose from the bed and walked over to stand next to his chair. He placed a hand on Zack’s shoulder. “Go ahead.”

  A look of comprehension crossed Zack’s face and he turned toward the monitor, pushing more buttons.

  “Can we see what we’re recording?”

  “Sure.” Zack continued clicking on icons and pushing buttons. A window appeared on the screen. It showed Zack, sitting bare-chested and Brian’s large cock bumping against his shoulder.

  “He’s going to implode,” he said, laughing. He clicked again and started recording. “Hi, Glen. Yes, Brian made it here without any problems. He’s been a little busy.” As Zack talked, Brian begin rubbing his shoulders and chest. As Brian reached lower toward his groin, he kissed and nibbled Zack’s neck.

  “Keep going. Don’t let me interrupt you,” he whispered, as Zack started to chuckle.

  Still laughing, Zach continued. “As I mentioned, Brian has been a bit occupied, since he arrived. Ouch!” He jumped when Brian squeezed his cock.

  “Sorry. I forgot how sensitive it gets after we make love,” Brian mattered, loud enough for the recording to pick up.

  “So, don’t worry about him. He has good hands…I mean he’s in good hands.” Zack completed his message between laughs and sent it off. “It will be tomorrow before we hear from him, if at all.”

  “That gives us plenty of time.” Brian lifted him out of the chair and carried him back to the bed for another round of lovemaking.

  * * * *

  Brian and Zack spent the next seventy-two hours working on tasks the Company assigned them, cleaning the area around the shelter, and making love. Empty supply drones were moved to an area out of sight from the shelter.

  “Only gay men would care about cleaning up and making Pluto look prettier, even if no one else will b
e here to see it,” Zack quipped, as they lay together after sex.

  “It’s our home now,” Brian responded.

  “I know, but I really had not wanted to spend the rest of our lives here,” Zack said with sadness in his voice.

  “We’ll get out of here,” Brian whispered in Zack’s ear. “I promise.” He rolled on top of him and shoved his knees between Zack’s legs.

  “Aren’t you exhausted?” Zach asked, smiling, raising his legs and clasping his feet together behind Brian’s back. “You’ve been working overtime. Outside, but mainly in here. On me.”

  “You can file a complaint with HR,” Brian said with a deep laugh. “They can fire me and have a replacement be out here in a year or two.”

  Zack chuckled for a second until he suddenly arched his back and sucked in a breath, his eyes squeezed tightly shut.

  “That’s what I thought.”

  * * * *

  Glen continued to send his assurances that he would get Brian off Pluto, but it wouldn’t be for at least another two, maybe even three years.

  “I think I can get him to move a little faster,” Brian said. Each time, he recorded a response for Glen, he made sure he and Zack were naked and always touching.

  “You know that he will not be able to come back with you.” The tone in Glen’s messages grew angrier and more demanding. “I can bring you back and you only. If you refuse, we will have no choice but to terminate employment for both of you.”

  “Isn’t he cute when he tries to be macho?” Brian said when the message ended. “You know the way his bottom lip sticks out when he’s mad?”

  “Brian,” Zack said in a quiet voice. “What will happen to us if the Company fires us? We will be stuck here forever. They will cut off our supplies. We’re years away from making Pluto self-sufficient.”

  Brian noted the look of worry on Zack’s face. “Don’t worry, my dear,” he said, kissing him on top of his head. “I know how to handle spoiled brats.”

  He sat down at the terminal and pushed the buttons to record a message.

  “No problem, Glen. I’m sure the Company’s competitors will be interested in having an outpost here without having to put up the initial capital. So, have a nice life. It’s been real.” He ended the recording.