Sean didn't get out of bed until noon. He kept expecting Mark to check on him. Getting up, Sean trudged his way to the kitchen to make himself some coffee. Sean kept telling himself that he was fine, but his heart was twisting in his chest. He was happy for Mark, but now he felt like he'd never see him. Staggering to the couch, Sean dropped down on it and clicked on the TV absently. He needed noise. The house was just too quiet without Mark. Chica hopped up with him, distracting him for a bit as he pet her. Smiling to himself, he told her sweetly. "We'll just have to make our own fun for two months, right?" Chica whimpered, tucking her nose between her paws. Stroking her head, Sean softly admitted. "Ya. I miss him already too." His attention was then called to the TV as the reporter started in casually. "In other news, at midnight last night NASA intercepted an unidentified transmission from Space Station one. While they assure us that the transmission is nothing to worry about. They are happy that the Space Force has been made official. Meanwhile, people are getting excited that one of the first missions could very well be a first contact situation. Let's go to Marshall and see what the public thinks about finally making possible contact."

Sean grabbed the remote to change the channel. The people they were interviewing were alien fanatics. People that either couldn't wait for aliens to come fix our planet, or people that felt alien contact was a bad idea. There was even one guy who didn't believe it was aliens at all but a transmission from the future from the team that would be sent up there to investigate. Rolling his eyes, Sean changed the channel and told Chica numbly. "People watch too much TV. Don't you think?" Chica didn't move or answer. With a heavy sigh, Sean removed Mark's note. Carefully opening it, Sean tried to hold back tears. On the note it read; 'I will be thinking of you. I'm sorry to leave without saying goodbye. But I couldn't think of a way to say it without crying. I miss you already. I love you, Sean. P.S. If you run into trouble, I left phone numbers on my bedside table. Take care of Chica for me.' Sean folded the note, laying back across the couch. For the first week, Sean spent his time eating cereal and watching TV shows. Whenever he got bored, he'd go for a swim in the backyard and workout in Mark's home gym. After the first week, a letter came from in from Mark.

While eating more cereal because he was too lazy to cook, he read the letter and felt his heart ache. Mark was doing horrible. In his letter, he talked of how the instructors were almost cruel and degraded him every chance they got. The training he was going through made things worse. For all the fitness stuff he had been doing to get in... They claimed that he still wasn't good enough. By the end of the letter, Mark was thinking about giving up and coming home. Sean folded the letter. According to Mark, he would only be allowed to send letters. Getting to his feet, he found some stuff to send a letter, but as he sat down to write it... he drew a blank. What could he tell him? This was everything Mark wanted. Deciding to keep things positive, he wrote back to him by telling him to hang in there. That they might be being cruel to weed out those that aren't dedicated. He made sure to write that he believed in him and would be waiting for him. After finishing, he pulled another piece of paper closer and began to write silly smut about them being in Space. It was stupid and awful, but he felt like Mark might enjoy taking his mind off training to read something stupid. To finish it off, Sean thought of a movie he had seen and rushed to his bag.

Removing his spray cologne, he went back to the letter and sprayed the corner lightly before sealing it up. He had seen in the movies that women sprayed perfume to help their warring men think of them. So, he wondered if it would help Mark through boot camp. Sending out his letter, he went back into his daily routine of working out to pass time. He was thankful that Mark had a delivery grocery service to keep him from trying to figure out a way to go shopping. Allowing him to not worry about how he'd feed Chica and himself. Every so often, Mark's mom would call him to reassure him on what was probably happening with him. She even applauded him on keeping his letters positive and loving. The months seemed to fly by, and Sean found it weird that he enjoyed hanging around the house. He blasted music and stayed up late to keep himself going until he was too tired to think. Then the day of Mark's graduation finally arrived. Mark's mother stopped by to watch Chica, allowing him to get a ticket for a bus down to the Space Force base in the lower part of California. Signing into the base, he managed to book a hotel.

Sitting through hours of briefings made Sean anxious. They told him that Mark may have 'changed' and that no public affection was to be given to them. He thought it was stupid. Up until he overheard people talk about how high the suicide rate was for those that went through all this crap, only to have loved ones walk out on them. It still hurt to think that he wouldn't even be allowed to hold Mark's hand after two months and after so many painful letters. They showed training videos, but it was impossible to tell Mark from anyone else. After the briefings came long ceremonies out in a field on who to thank for all the training. Awards were given to the best and brightest, but Sean didn't care. He was scanning the soldiers standing in formation. He felt like he'd know him if he saw him... but it was so hard. All the soldiers had short hair and were clean shaven. They all worse dark blue uniforms with matching caps and black boots with NASA and Space Force patches on their arms. It was torture at its finest. When the ceremony finally concluded, they released the families to go find their soldier.

It felt like one big joke. They stood so close together and all looked the same. The only thing that stood out was their last names on the chest of their uniforms. Sean searched and searched, feeling more anxious by the minute. When the majority of the soldiers were picked, Sean tried to search again. He was about to give up, when a set of hands gripped his shoulders and purred close to his ear in a deep loving voice. "Did you miss me?" Sean's whole body relaxed and he whirled around to hug him, but Mark put a hand on his chest to stop him. Standing up straight, Mark told him lightly. "Don't. I'll get in trouble. But I'm so happy to see you." Sean tried to touch Mark's hands, but Mark folded his hands behind his back. Sean saw other soldiers do the same and it hurt those loved ones with kids even more. Shrugging, Sean asked him nervously. "So... What do we do now?" Mark smirked, nudging his shoulder against his as he told him sweetly. "Follow me. I'll give you a tour of the base. We can talk."

Sean followed him around seeing were he slept with only a metal cot and a locker to his name. He was crammed in with twelve other soldiers and clearly had no privacy for two whole months. What touched Sean was that when Mark opened his locker, the first thing he saw was all his letters in a box. Sean kneeled to look at them as Mark leaned on his locker and told him. "The cologne was a nice touch. I couldn't have gotten this far without you, Sean." Sean stood up, mumbling out. "I didn't do anything. You got yourself through it. I just wrote you smut..." Mark glanced around quickly, then leaned in to press his lips to his. The kiss was brief but so loving. Stepping back quickly, Mark told him seriously. "They were more than that. They kept me going by reminding me that you were waiting for me." Sean blushed, grumbling out. "This no touching thing is going to kill me..." Mark moved closer again to kiss his forehead, before whispering. "I know. Believe me... I'm struggling. Come on. I have one more thing to show you."

Mark took him to the small mall on the base, leading him to one of the little stores. Sean stepped in and gawked at all the jewelry. Mark guided him to the counter, pointing into the case as he purred into his ear. "Pick one." Sean stared at all the space themed wedding rings and thought he might cry. Pointing to one, the woman happily pulled out the ring to have him try it on. The ring was made of stainless steel, but on it was a large circle with a realistic image of the moon on it. There were other planet images, but none were as bright and beautiful looking. Beside him, Mark removed a ring with the image of the Earth on it, telling him lovingly. "Good choice." Sean removed the ring to let Mark pay for them. After paying for it, Mark got down on one knee right there in the store and took his hands. Sean's heart leapt in his chest as Mark slid the moon ring onto his finger, telling sweetly. "Sean William McLoughlin, my life would be a starless sky without you. You're the gravity that keeps me from floating away and getting lost in this massive universe. So, will you marry me so that your love will call me home?" Sean cried and the woman behind the counter tried not to make a sound as she cried.

Sean held Mark's hands tighter, answering him warmly. "God, Mark... Did you have to make me cry?" Sniffling, Sean chuckled out. "I love you to the moon and back, Mark. Yes. I'll marry you." Mark rose to kiss Sean as a few people clapped and cheered. The cheering went silent though as an officer past the store, causing Mark to jerk back from him to salute the man. The officer gave Sean a light warning look but smiled and bowed his head as he moved on. Mark relaxed, mumbling out to himself. "That could have been bad." Sean bit his lip, then tugged on Mark's wrist. Giving him a smile, Sean innocently coaxed him into following him as he said. "I wanna show you something. Come with me." Mark slipped his Earth ring on and followed him. Sean saw that a few other people had the same idea too as they ventured into the hotel. Leading Mark into the hotel room, Sean closed the door and locked it. He could imagine that it felt strange to finally be alone. Mark stood so stiffly in the room, watching him approach without fear or concern. Moving up to him, Sean carefully removed Mark's hat.

Mark looked so young without his beard. Stepping closer, Sean purred out with a blush. "How long do we have before you have to report back?" Mark's voice turned breathless as he replied. "Two hours... Sean..." Sean set Mark's hat down on the desk, his hands going to unbutton Mark's jacket slowly. Mark closed his eyes, whispering out nervously. "Sean, I can't... If I wrinkle this uniform..." Sean finished unbuttoning it, sliding his hands in over Mark's white T-shirt. Sean could feel Mark's new muscles beneath his shirt and blushed. He didn't think about how training would change Mark's body. Mark inched a step back, straining out. "Sean..." Sean dropped his hands, moving to his bed as he mumbled out. "Mark, I've missed you so much... This isn't far." Mark moved to close the thicker curtains to darken the room more. Then moving to the bedside lamp, Mark turned it on to give the room a dim romantic glow. With a smile, Mark carefully removed his jacket and hung it up in the closet. While removing his shiny polished black boots and pants, he told Sean boldly. "I didn't say that I wasn't willing. I said that I can't wrinkle the uniform." Sean blushed, rushing to strip himself.

Stripping faster than Mark, Sean hopped up onto the bed. Waiting like a dog, Sean chuckled as Mark finally started to crawl up onto the bed. Mark rose up on his knees, cupping Sean's chin to tilt his head back to kiss him slow and passionately. Sean moaned against Mark's lips, his hands running down Mark's muscular arms. Mark didn't rush the kiss. He was savoring the contact between them. When Mark's hands finally began to explore down his front, his thumbs brushed teasingly over Sean's nipples, causing him to moan louder. Sean couldn't believe how sensitive his body was to Mark's touch. Mark broke the kiss, trailing his lips across Sean's cheek to his neck. While Mark kissed his neck, Sean arched his back to press his chest to Mark's more. Mark's warm hands where playfully clawing down his back. The sensation sent a pleasant shiver down Sean's spine. Mark's hands gripped his slender hips, pulling him up against him as he purred into his ear. "Sean? Have you lost weight?" Sean swatted Mark's shoulder, blushing out slightly offended. "What? Why would you even bring that up?!"

Mark shifted to coax Sean down across the bed. Once he was down, Mark braced over him on all fours, casually saying over his lips in a buttery voice. "I'm asking because I love you. And you feel like you've gotten more muscles in all the right places." Sean blushed a deeper red, letting Mark's hand pull his leg up to hook around his waist. Placing his hands on Mark's chest, Sean giggled out. "You're one to talk... I never thought I'd see you with a six-pack set of abs. And have you seen your arms and thighs?" Mark let out a deep chuckle against his throat, before purring out to him. "I'll take your word for it." Mark sank between Sean's legs, laying over him like a warm blanket. Sean claimed Mark's lips, arching up into him. It felt so good to feel Mark's skin against his. Sean slid his heels down the backs of Mark's legs, coaxing him to spread his legs wider. The wider Mark spread his legs; the wider Sean had to spread himself for Mark. Mark tucked his arms under Sean's back, holding him close in a powerful embrace.

Reaching up, Sean grabbed the wooden headboard and tilted his head back to allow Mark full access to his throat. Mark kissed his throat almost possessively and Sean loved it. He wanted Mark to desire him and only him. To give him something that would show him how much he loved him. To give him a reason to come home to him. Goosebumps sprang down Sean's arms and legs, upon feeling Mark adjust over him enough that Sean's hips were no longer on the mattress. Sean took a deep breath feeling Mark enter him slowly. The pleasure of it made Sean's toes curl. He knew where Mark's lust was coming from... two months without privacy was bound to build up lust. He didn't understand where his own lust had come from though. He had been jerking off regularly at night... but right now it was like his body was naturally matching Mark's need. Mark never picked up his pace. He kept his rhythm steady as he moved in and out. Which made the teasing kisses so much more powerful. Mark kissed places all over his chest and neck, forcing Sean's lust to warm up gradually. Biting his lip, Sean tried to muffle his moans. He finally understood what Mark was doing through his lusty haze.

Mark was trying to get him off first. Sean could barely hold back for much longer. It was hard to resist feeling like Mark had control over every part of him. The second Mark's arms slid out from under his back, he ran his hands up Sean's raised arms. Sean began to quiver beneath him. Taking his wrists, Mark pinned them to the pillows and began to moan against his ear. Sean's legs tightened around Mark's waist, unable to muffle his own moaning as Mark nibbled his ear with teasing moans. Taking his wrists one handed, Mark reached between them to help stroke Sean's aching cock into giving up the goods... and it worked. Arching his back with a loud moan, Sean came so hard that his muscles had to relax in stages. Just as he came, Mark exhaled strained breaths against his ear and thrusted in deep for his own finish. Mark recovered quicker but stayed over him to purr out tenderly. "You ok?" Sean nodded, blissfully replying. "Oh, I'm good. But that wasn't fair... I was trying to make you lose it first."

Mark chuckled, kissing up his neck soothingly. In a buttery tone, Mark said just under Sean's ear. "Don't be mad. I'd been thinking about nothing else for weeks. And after all those naughty fantasies you sent... How could I resist? I needed to hear you moan." Sean intertwined his fingers with Mark's over his head, coaxing Mark into kissing him again. Happily, Mark claimed his lips, grinding over him teasingly. Sean giggled into the kiss. He wanted to stay like this with him. To forever be surrounded by his warmth and the way he smelled. Mark's eyes drifted to the clock though and his smile faded. Clearing his throat, Mark retreated off him, reluctantly uttering out. "I've got to get cleaned up. They'll be calling us back soon." Sean sat up watching him wash himself off with a washcloth. Feeling a little disappointed, Sean asked softly. "But you graduated... Don't you get to spend time with me?" Mark finished cleaning himself, before rushing back to kiss him. After another passionate kiss, Mark excitedly told him. "I will. But they have to give me my orders. I could be moving to a Space Force base overseas. Someplace like Russia, Japan, a place in the U.S., or I could even go to the U.K.."

Sean sat up on his knees, excitedly bursting out. "They could send you to the U.K.?!" Mark nodded with the brightest smile, answering warmly. "Ya. Where they need me is where I'll have to go. And if you want... I can take you too." Sean bounced a little on the bed, chuckling out. "Well, go on! I'll be waiting here." Mark dressed himself back up. While Sean cleaned up and got into his pajamas. He'd be here for another two days. He could wait. Mark got everything together, then gave him one last kiss before rushing out the door. Sean leaned against the open door to watch him run down the hall with a few other soldiers. He was excited about living together with Mark. Seeing the world and the different cultures. It sounded like a dream. Moving into the room, he sat down on the bed to watch some TV. He didn't even get a chance to see what was really on... when sirens started to blare around the base. Rushing to the window to throw open the curtains, he tried to see what was going on.

On the TV, the female newscaster stated aloud. "Breaking news. It was just confirmed by NASA that Space Station One has sent out a distress call. It is unclear as to why. But reports are coming in that this could be related to the Unidentified Transmission. We are assured that there are other possibilities that could have occurred at the station. All we know for sure is that the Space Force has confirmed that they will be sending their first crew up to investigate any issues that they might be experiencing. More to follow as this story develops."  Sean wrapped his arms around his chest, glancing back out the window as he uttered under his breath.  "Oh, no..."  To Be Continued...