She contracted around him, causing him to arch back in near-overwhelmed ecstasy, muscles rippling in and against her. He gasped something out in a language other than Basic, with a final thrust against and into her. Then infrastructure folded, and he sank down upon and beside her, fitting to her like bedclothes, turning his face on the pillow to avoid suffocating—and to face hers.

He made no move to slip out of her. But throbbed out and rode her contractions through. Then made no movement except his chest heaving with breath and pulse, and his hand coming quietly up to gently grasp her shoulder, his arm tender and almost protective across her chest.