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.

Simms held one end of the banner and Carter the other. Together, they floated up to the ceiling where they fastened the words across the room.

“I can't wait for the others to see this!” Simms beamed.

“It's wonderful,” Carter agreed.

He had followed her lead when it came to the decorations. Apart from the banner, Simms had opened some of their supply crates and found material for ribbons. There were a few other things she cobbled together into party supplies. Simms also set out some face paint in case anyone wanted to decorate themselves.

She and Carter made their way back to the ground, clicking on their gravity boots. Now it was time to show everyone the results.

“We have a surprise waiting for everyone in the crew quarters!” Simms announced.

They entered the room, mouths dropping open when they saw the banner. “Happy Pride!” The words glittered in the flag colors of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and asexual.

“Wow, this looks awesome!” Cooper grinned.

“I can't believe it's June,” Eisele said with a shake of her head. Her features softened as she added, “This was thoughtful of you both.”

“We figured, even though we're far from home, we should at least take some time to celebrate,” Simms explained. “Have our own little Pride festival.” She tapped a command on her utility strap for music to start playing.

Cooper and Anders got into the spirit immediately, bringing Cernan along with them as the three of them sat to paint their faces. Mitchell picked up one of Simms' homemade noisemakers and blew, then passed one over to Young. She gave him an endearing smile before blowing back. After some coaxing from Mitchell and Young, Stafford traded in his captain hat with a top hat in the Pride colors. Even Eisele was getting into the spirit, fashioning a ribbon around her wrist.

“I'm going to get some ribbons for my hair,” Simms announced. “Have fun!”

Carter answered with a smile. He had promised her to be at the party for a while, and he would stick with that. It was low-key enough for him to still be comfortable. Mitchell was the only one causing a scene, trying to convince Stafford to let them drink alcohol. Carter's eyes shifted over to the three sitting at the face painting table. Cooper and Anders were already wearing their colors and had each taken one of Cernan's cheeks. Even from where he stood, Carter could see Cernan's smile as his face lit up with the bright colors of the rainbow.

Simms and Mitchell had joined forces now, deciding it was time to work the lights and get everyone dancing.

“Carter, come join us,” Cooper encouraged with a wave of her hand. “Cernan needs a dance partner.”

“Oh, no, ah...”

“Yeah, go dance, Carter!” Simms urged him, coming up behind him and giving him a gentle push. When he shot her a look, she waggled her eyebrows at him and winked.

“I don't really... dance,” Carter warned Cernan.

“I have an idea. Turn off your gravity boots.” Cernan did so with his own, holding onto Carter's hand as he floated up. Carter did the same, joining Cernan in the air. “Better?” Cernan asked with a smile.

“Perfect,” Carter nodded. He didn't have to worry about what to do with his feet or arms. He could just drift. He reached out and grabbed Cernan by the elbow, using him as an anchor. He could hear everyone else chatting and laughing as they danced below.

“Something tells me this party was mostly Simms' idea,” Cernan spoke up.

“Are you saying I lack social skills?” Carter raised an eyebrow, a little smile teasing his lips.

“I'm saying I will help you if you feel overstimulated and need to escape to Hydroponics.”

“Thanks,” Carter said, eyes dropping in a sheepish look, “but I'm all right. The zero G Is helping.”

“I thought it might.” They fell silent, drifting in their own little bubble while everyone else partied. “Thank you for indulging in this dance,” Cernan spoke up. “I feel lucky to have a supportive ally.”

Simms had assured Carter he was under no pressure to come out. When his eyes centered on Cernan's face again, his heart skipped a beat. Carter didn't need everyone to know, but Cernan... He didn't like the idea of Cernan thinking he was just an “ally.”

“When this dance is over,” Carter began cautiously, “would you... paint my face?”

“What colors?” Cernan asked.

Carter took a breath and pointed to the bisexual flag. “Those.”

Cernan's gaze moved from the flag to Carter's face. His expression warmed, his fingers touching Carter's cheek briefly and making his heart skip again.

Carter sat with his fingers just touching the steaming mug of coffee. The chatter from the others flowed over him, mixing together into noise. He didn't notice Simms until she plopped down next to him, getting close enough to bump him on the shoulder.

“What's got you so gloomy?”

“I'm not gloomy,” he argued.

“Sitting here by yourself seems gloomy to me,” she pointed out. He sighed and took a sip of coffee so he wouldn't have to respond. “Come on, this is the exciting bit!” Simms prodded him. “It wouldn't hurt you to embrace the adventure!”

“They're the ones with the adventure,” Carter corrected her. “Our part's over.”

Simms pursed her lips. He hoped that she would cede to his point and change the subject, but then her lips curved back into a smile. She had that gleam in her eye that he knew all too well. He braced for whatever she was planning.

“You know, it's all right for you to have some fun. I dare you.” Her eyebrows went up, eyes mischievous. Carter wanted to scoff at her and dismiss this as childish. But he didn't want to back down from a challenge.

“All right, fine,” he conceded. “What is it?”

“Let me think...” Simms scanned the room. “I dare you... to... kiss Cernan.”

“What?!” Carter balked.

“Kiss Cernan,” Simms repeated. “On the mouth.”

She was joking, right? She had to be joking. Why would she suggest this? Carter's eyes darted over to where Cernan was sitting. He was with Cooper and Anders, the three of them laughing over some shared joke.

“No.” Carter rose to his feet. “That's ridiculous. I'm not doing that.” He stalked out of the room before Simms could stop him.

He stopped when he found a corner he could squeeze into. The plan was to wait here until Simms forgot all about her dare. She could have asked him to do anything. Stand on his head, sing the Canadian national anthem. Why a kiss? Why Cernan?

“Carter?” Cernan stepped into view, concern drawn across his face. “Are you all right? I saw you leave, and Simms said you were upset.”

“Did she tell you to come after me?”

“No.” Cernan stepped a little closer, tilting his head to study Carter's face. “What's wrong?”

“It's nothing. She...” Carter blew out a breath. “She dared me to... do something.”

“Really?” Cernan looked intrigued. “What was it?”

Unbidden, Carter's eyes centered directly onto the other man's mouth. His body flushed hot. The idea was planted in his head now, spreading its roots. It was suddenly difficult to remember the last time he kissed anybody.

And besides, it was for a dare. He wasn't going to let Simms get the best of him.

Carter lifted a hand, placing it on the back of Cernan's neck. He tilted his head at the same time, bringing their faces close together. He caught Cernan's eyes widening in surprise the moment just before their mouths connected. Cernan's mouth was warm and firm against his. He didn't move away or push Carter off, so Carter let the contact linger. He adjusted his head, slotting their lips together at a different angle.

The line between a kiss and kissing blurred. It grew more fuzzy as Cernan's thumb touched his cheek, his lips flexing as he returned the pressure.

Carter broke the kiss, his back bumping against the wall as he stepped away. Cernan let out a hum and dropped his hand. His gaze was a little too scrutinizing. Carter knew he was blushing but he didn't look away.

“Why would she dare that?” Cernan wondered.