Incoming Transmission

Penned by Schinn-Sama

Drabbled that grew. Space-themed Shounen-Ai.

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"So tell me of your latest travels, kiddo," Saji said as he and the shorter teenager walked along the main corridor of the station. Stalls had been set up so other traveling Merchants could sell what they found and Pie kept looking around, trying to memorize the scenery when he knew it would be changed by the time he came back again.

"Boring," Pie stated. "Pie very bored, no treasure found. Just lies."

"Ya mean rumors?"

"Yes. That word. Many speak of treasure but no one tell Pie where to find. Saji tell Pie where to find," he said, slipping his hand into Saji's and squeezing lightly. "Tell Pie where to go and make rich. Pie wants Saji rich, too. Make happy."

"I honestly dunno, Pie. I've been runnin’ into the same difficulty as you. All I can find is rumors and ghosts," Saji replied and squeezed back before he leaned down and whispered in the little treasure hunter's ear, "I'm happy you're home, though, if only for a little while."

"Pie being here make Saji happy?"

"As happy as the open space makes you, Pie," he confirmed.

The treasure hunter leaned his head on Saji's shoulder, squeezing his hand slightly harder. "Pie miss Saji much. Have want take Saji with Pie but Pie must leave Saji here for station."

"How long will it take you to fix the ship?"

"While. Will take time and make Saji happy. Saji need Pie, make happy." He made to release the taller teen but Saji gave a tug and pulled his master and friend against him before he ducked his head against Pie's. "What matter, Saji sick? Saji skin warm."

"Just...don't leave me for a little while."

"Walkway blocked," Pie pointed out.

"Don't care, they can walk around."

He slipped his arms around Saji's neck and hugged him tightly, though loosely enough so the taller teenager could breathe without too much difficulty, and stayed where he was. He didn't have much knowledge of how people reacted to such simple acts as a hug, but since Saji had initiated it he had no problems returning it.

"Pie," Saji whispered and dug his fingers into the treasure hunter's jacket. The lime-green haired alien was his friend, his lifeline, his only contact to the quadrants outside of his home system. It pained him to see his little master go but he couldn't just very well tie him down with chains.

He tried. They never held.

"Saji?"

"I miss ya, Pie. I don't want ya ta leave for so long again. Why can't ya just help me with the salvagin’ and pullin' up treasure from 'round here? Ya know it's good business, ya don't gotta go away ta find the other stuff. I don't care iffen the stuff around here doesn't bring in as good a market, but it's better than the empty feelin' that's always here when you're not!" he said frantically. He released his little master, unwinding Pie's arms from his neck, and rubbed his face. "Geeze, I dunno what's gotten into me alla sudden. I'm sorry, I didn't mean ta sound like I owned ya or anythin'. I just...I dunno, Pie, I miss ya too much, I guess."

"Saji emotional when Pie around, isn't Saji?"

"Well, I guess I kinda am," he admitted and laughed weakly.

Pie reached up and tugged Saji down by his jacket collar and kissed his cheek. "Pie not wish to cause Saji hurt when gone. Pie must go find treasure. Make rich and happy."

"Happiness doesn't always mean havin' money, though!" Saji argued.

"It help."

"Yes, that's true, but why can't you be happy here with me?"

"Open space where Pie belong. Go, what word, stir-crazy in station. Must travel or die."

"I unnastand that, but iffen that's true then why can't ya just appoint someone else ta take care of the station an' take me with ya?"

Pie cocked his head at Saji as if he was explaining the difference between life and death to a child and said very softly, "Pie trust Saji above all other. No one take care of Pie like Saji and Saji live on station. Take care of Pie and business."

Saji sighed and nodded. "Yes, Pie."

The little treasure hunter nodded, as all was right in his world again, and wound his arms around one of Saji's. "When sleep cycle?"

Saji paused to think. "Should be in a few hours, why?"

"Have want to make Saji happy. Stop work early, play with Pie."

That stopped him cold. He looked down at his little master and friend and blinked. "Uh, what?"

"Play with Pie. Pie make Saji very happy, very sated," he said simply and tugged the taller teenager back to Saji's private quarters. He looked over his shoulder at his trailing servant-and-friend and smiled. "Saji pretty in blush."

The taller teenager's face went full crimson at the remark as he was tugged to his door and he keyed in his password in a daze. The door locked behind him and Pie told the computer to keep the lights dim.

-Ending Here, Transmission Ended Until Next Time-