I’m Gonna Want You Until The Stars Evaporate

Although time was relative when traveling through space, Carter and Simms tried to regulate everyone's hours into Earth-standard time. It took a while for the crew to adjust, but now almost everyone was following along.

There was one notable exception. Carter sighed. He had a good idea where to look.

He headed to the Pod Room and down the ladder. Sure enough, Cernan was busy working on one of the many extra pods they had stored down here. His idea to dismantle them and use what pieces he could for other things was a good one; it just meant a lot of work.

He was so focused on what he was doing he didn't even look up as Carter drew closer. Carter couldn't help himself: he took a moment to stare. There was a fine sheen of sweat on Cernan's neck, the ends of his hair clinging to his forehead. The way his crew uniform hugged his body showed off every muscle in his shoulders and back. He twisted a tool against the pod, and his muscles flexed.

Arousal heated in Carter's body. He pressed his lips together and took a deep breath. He moved a little closer but still Cernan didn't acknowledge him. He was deep in his zone this time. Carter moved up behind him, placing a hand on Cernan's shoulder and leaning in.

“Hey,” he said, pressing his lips against Cernan's neck. Cernan twitched, finally turning to look at him. “It's late,” Carter hinted.

“Oh. Sorry, I got caught up.”

“I noticed.” Carter pressed another kiss to the neck.

“Ah,” Cernan sighed, tilting his head up and to the side. “That feels nice.”

Carter hummed, giving him another kiss. He worked his lips over the expanse of Cernan's throat, parting his lips to taste the heat and sweat of the engineer. He could feel Cernan's shoulder muscle relax. Carter pressed his lips to a spot, sucking the flesh gently. Cernan gasped, throwing his head back until it hit Carter's shoulder.

The heat of arousal burned a little brighter. Carter kissed his way up to Cernan's ear. He was feeling bold. “Come to bed,” he whispered in Cernan's ear.

“Carter.” Cernan's throat bobbed in a swallow. “I'm a mess right now.”

“That's why we have showers,” Carter answered, chuckling against his neck. He liked being this close; it gave him a clear view when Cernan blushed.

“I like you this way,” Cernan confessed.

“I like you well-rested,” Carter retorted.

“I'm confused. Do you want me in the shower or in bed?”

Carter squeezed his hand into Cernan's shoulder and exhaled, letting his breath tickle the man's neck. Cernan finally pushed away from the pod, catching Carter's cheek in a soft kiss.

“Thank you for coming to get me.”

Cernan was in a conversation with Cooper and Anders when he saw Carter leave the room. He was rising to his feet before he realized he made the decision to follow.

“Excuse me,” Cernan said to his friends. “I need to check on Carter.”

“Of course,” Cooper nodded. There was something a little too knowing in her smile. Cernan decided to ignore it. On his way out, he stopped to talk with Simms.

“Is Carter all right? I just saw him leave.”

“He's feeling a little upset.” She didn't sound concerned, but it was enough for Cernan to keep walking.

He eventually found Carter squeezed into a corner. The other man looked up when Cernan drew closer, then dropped his gaze. Cernan gently coaxed him into talking about what was bothering him. He wasn't expecting it to be a dare from Simms. The two of them were best friends. Simms wouldn't do anything to hurt Carter.

“What was it?” Cernan wondered.

Carter stared at him, a faint blush rising on his face. That only made him more curious. Was the dare something embarrassing? He wasn't given much time to speculate. Carter reached for him, placing his hand on the back of Cernan's neck to bring him close. Cernan's eyes went wide, realizing what was about to happen seconds before their lips connected.

The kiss sent a shock through his nerves. His heart crashed hard against his ribs. The lips were exactly like the rest of Carter: gentle and careful. Cernan's brain was trying to keep up with the excited sensations that spread from where their mouths met to the rest of his body. All Cernan could do was stand there like a fool as Carter's mouth pressed against his. Carter pulled back just a little, just far enough to adjust the angle for the next kiss.

The wires in Cernan's mind finally connected. Carter was kissing him! He lifted his hand, thumb brushing the heated skin of the man's cheek, and kissed back.

They broke apart, Carter stumbling until his back hit the wall. His expression was wide and panicked.

“Why would she dare that?” Cernan wondered, trying to diffuse the tension. Carter wet his lips, his face now fully red. His eyes shifted to look down the hall before looking back at Cernan. He shifted, as if to move away. Cernan planted a hand on the wall, right by Carter's shoulder. “Carter,” he pressed.

Carter's eyes darted back to his face again. He took a shaky breath, but still didn't answer Cernan's question. Cernan lifted his other hand to box Carter in. He didn't like doing it, but neither did he want Carter to slip away. Not when the rush of their kiss was still in his veins.

“Don't go,” he pleaded.

His eyes dropped to those lips now. Carter's throat bobbed in a nervous swallow. A thought struck Cernan. Simms knew Carter best, knew what buttons to push. It was not unlike Cernan's relationship with Cooper. Was it possible...? His eyes slid up to Carter's flustered face, then down to his lips. They flexed a little under his gaze.

Hoping that was an invitation, Cernan leaned in. His lips were questioning when they touched Carter's. Again, his body lit up from the contact. Carter's lips twitched, and then he was pressing back, leaning into Cernan. The response sent a fresh thrill through him. His hands on the wall were now acting as a brace to keep him upright as he kissed Carter, the brushes of their lips making him tremble and gasp.

“Cernan,” Carter sighed. His hand gripped Cernan's sides, pulling him closer. Cernan willingly came, slipping so his arms were bracing him now.