Independent Contractors at Work

Posted on 08 Feb 2016 @ 10:15pm by Irin’ira Boulen & Petty Officer 3rd Class Ellsworth Hudson

1,826 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: Risa
Timeline: 2387

[ON]

Though Jacob considered himself to be a man with a strong case of wanderlust, he always found himself drawn back to Risa. As he enjoyed some quiet time, waiting for his date, he stared out at the city from his penthouse balcony and wondered at what modern technology had wrought. To think that a dump like Risa could now be the paradise it was was nothing short of a miracle and the quiet of the evening allowed him a moment to appreciate the fact that he was alive to see it.

"Sorry it took me so long," Ellsworth said as he passed through billowing chiffon curtains out onto the balcony.

He'd spent the past forty-five minutes putting on a garment that left little to nothing to the imagination, which in his mind was perfect for a moonlit stroll on the beach. After Ellsworth had closed the distance between them, he grabbed Jacob's arm and used some momentum to swing himself around in front of the older man. When he was suitably pressed up against him, from legs to sternum, he pushed his hands upward until they passed around either side of Jacob's neck.

"There's a nice view out here tonight," Ellsworth said, smirking.

"It just got better," Jacob returned slyly, slipping his arms casually around the Betazoid's waist he he looked down, getting a generous look of his exposed chest. Not that it was an unfamiliar sight, but there was something to be said about the enticing sight of a body half-obscured by clothing. It served to enhance the attractiveness of one's frame, and Ellsworth definitely had the practice down to an art form.

He leaned down, pressing his lips against Ellsworth's hair, the hands around his waist tightening ever so slightly. "You smell good," he commented off-handedly.

"I know," Ellsworth replied quickly, matching the older man's sly tone. He moved his hips to one side to press against Jacob's hand in a subtle request for him to tighten his grip; if you were going to be in the arms of a strong man then you might as well encourage him. "Are you going to take me to the cove? It'll be quiet tonight..."

Jacob grinned wickedly. "Is that a big concern for you?" he asked, suddenly grabbing Ellsworth's hips and lifting him up until he was seated on the wide, stone railing of the balcony.

"Sometimes..." Ellsworth began, swinging his legs up slightly to pin them at either side of Jacob's hips. His hands were next, clamping onto the older man's shoulders. Together, he used them to slowly walk him forward, closer. "...all I want to hear is the wind, the surf, and the sound of your voice whispering in my ear." He grinned and rolled his eyes. "Not a bunch of fleeters trying to raise the dead on shoreleave."

Chuckling, Jacob slowly massaged Ellsworth's hips as he spoke. "They do make a lot of noise, don't they," he agreed. "They're probably all in the Laverna tonight. You know they can't miss half naked dancers." He joined the younger man in rolling his eyes before finally lifting him up and carrying him towards the door.

"Which is why," he said, holding the Betazoid's weight effortlessly. "We will go to the other side of the island. So we can have some privacy, yes?"

Ellsworth had the broadest of grins as he wrapped his arms around Jacob's neck to better secure himself. There were few things he enjoyed more than being literally swept off his feet and held tight. He was always careful not to get too attached to a client, but the sense of security and strength certainly set his heart to fluttering. And it showed, too, through flushed cheeks and a very quiet voice.

"I like privacy."

"I know you do," Jacob replied playfully as they moved into the, thankfully empty, hallway. Not that Jacob had any reservation about carrying Ellsworth from his room, through the elevator and down to the main hall (it wouldn't be the first time), but he had to lock the door behind him. Setting the Betazoid gently onto the floor, Jacob turned and ran his card over the small detector, waiting for the beep before they made their way out.

The evening was warm as usual for Risa at this time of year and Jacob took a moment in front of the hotel to stop and take in the sea air. It was a curious habit Ellsworth noticed. Whenever Jacob entered or exited a room or a building, he always seemed to pause, as if to take in his surroundings for what seemed like the first time.

Ellsworth had always assumed that was a habit of training, that perhaps Jacob had some sort of security background. He might have been a bit airheaded, but he'd learned early the importance of carefully observing your client. And security types always seemed hyper-vigilant when they transitioned from one place to another, always looking for threats even in a place where none could possibly exist. It also helped explain why the older man's mind was so well-hidden, a vertible shieldwall that let just enough emotions through without revealing much else. None of that was in his client dossier, but those things were always full of lies, half-truths, and glaring omissions.

The younger man took up his companion's hand and held it, gently but not subtly working against varying pressure points with strong, practiced fingers.

"You're not leaving tomorrow, are you?"

Blinking as if to return to the present moment, Jacob looked down at Ellsworth, a kind smile on his face.

"I am. I'm sorry, Ellsworth," he said, and it was something almost unique to Jacob as a client. Their relationship, if one could call it that, was one of balance, which created a casual comfort between them. Jacob was open and incredibly generous and kind towards Ellsworth, but Ellsworth always knew his place in Jacob's life.

Ellsworth leaned into him, stretching and straining to bring himself closer to Jacob's face. Pleading eyes paired with pouting lips, though he held back on much of the guilt. He knew the man's schedule was inflexible, and guilt wasn't likely to earn him anything except a sullen client. Instead, he drew his other hand closer, slipped it beneath the older man's shirt, and rubbed the open palm of his hand along his flat torso.

"That's all right," he said, trying not to overplay his suggestive tone. Almost reversing the nature of their relationship, Ellsworth tightened his grip on Jacob's hand. "At least, I have you all night."

Returning the grin, Jacob leaned down to press his forehead against Ellsworth's. "That you do," he agreed, giving him a chaste kiss before pulling him down the crowded street towards the beach. Passing through the gaggle of Starfleet Officers enjoying their shoreleave a bit too much, Jacob couldn't get to the secluded beach fast enough.

Hitting the sand, Jacob kicked off his sandals immediately, enjoying the feel of the sand on his feet, still warm from being in the sun all day. Reaching down, he grabbed a fistful of it, feeling the texture. Almost like home, he thought to himself, rubbing the coarse sand between his fingers, his other hand still entwined with Ellsworth's.

Ellsworth watched him and found the action curious given how many times they'd been to the beach before. He smirked at Jacob, aimed, and then slammed his foot down at just the right angle to shove a wave of sand over Jacob's bare foot. "Sand feels like sand, usually. Or do humans feel things differently?"

Jacob looked at him sideways. "We probably do," he agreed, and with a slight tug, he pulled Ellsworth into his arms. Pressed against Ellsworth's back as he held him firmly in place, Jacob pressed his lips against his ear. "Do I feel different?" he whispered huskily.

Ellsworth's breathing changed in two stages: first, when he was taken up in Jacob's firm grip, and again at the sound of the other man's voice in his ear. He made sure it was a noticeable change, too, that matched how he'd allowed Jacob to take more of his weight and, thereby, more control. He brought his hands up to Jacob's forearms and slid them along the length, enjoying the feeling of muscle and hair beneath the pads of his fingers.

"You always feel the same. You feel like..." Ellsworth paused meaningfully, beginning to sway his hips back and forth to some melody only he could hear. "...a favorite lover."

Grinning against his ear, Jacob nipped at it. "I didn't know you played favorites..." he teased. "Is that wise?" The reference to Ellsworth's line of work was playful, a small tease and not an unusual one between them. Jacob was a man who enjoyed an honest relationship, not one to play into some boyfriend fantasy like some of Ellworth's clients. Still, there was nothing derogatory or accusatory in his words, but the same one might use for any other profession because that's what it was to Jacob - another line of work, much like his own.

"I'm an independent contractor; I set my own policies," Ellsworth said a little haughtily, raising his chin pridefully. The move had the added benefit of tilting and angling his head back against the other man so that the moonlit skin of his neck was like an open invitation.

"As an independent contractor myself, I commend you," Jacob said, taking the invitation and pressing a trail of kissed down the exposed flesh before placing a small bite on the curve where Ellsworth's neck met his shoulder. Soothing it with a kiss, he pulled his head back and slowly turned them to look at the sea together.

"When I leave tomorrow," he said after a few beats. "I won't be coming back."

Ellsworth seemed to take it with the cool indifference he was supposed to manifest; after all, a client was a client was a client... But it was hard not to form some attachment to some of them. Not just repeats, but repeats that treated you well; that gave you gifts; that genuinely laughed with you and enjoyed your company; that, in another world, might have turned out to be a friend. Saying goodbye to those was a depressing reminder of the hollow nature of his work. All of it was theater. Theater that went nowhere.

But that line of thinking would only make for a depressing last evening. Instead of pursuing it, he pushed those thoughts aside, and, showing off his dexterity and athleticism, wiggled out of Jacob's grasp without much effort. Looking at the sea together was nice, but he had no intention of spending their last moments together like that. What would it do for his reputation?

"Then I guess we'd better make tonight memorable..."

[OFF]

Jacob Roth
Client
[PNPC Idris]

Ellsworth Hudson
"Independent Contractor"
Risan Sunsets, Inc.
[ PNPC - Mott ]

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