The Green Blooded Hobgoblin and the Red Ape - Deleted Scences

[cosmic_book]

[This part was deleted and redone because my characterization of Ran was off.]

"Vulcan is a higher gravity planet. Blunt force is not an ideal means to cause injury to me," Kakyou replied calmly, keeping pace with Ran. He'd been confronted with much ruder things than an examination of his face.

"You were great," Ran said, genuinely impressed. "That thing you did with your hand was incredible." Ran mimed the Vulcan Neck Grip.

"It is called the Nerve Pinch," Kakyou told him, tilting his head slightly. "It was developed as a non-violent form of self-defense."

"It's cool." Ran looked more nervous stepping into the medical bay than he had in the fight.

"Actually, Vulcan's average temperature is much higher than Earth's." Whether or not Ran realized this was Kakyou's idea of a distracting joke was up in the air. Kakyou could feel Ran's nerves almost like a light buzz against his skin. The man that approached them was wearing a cadet uniform but clearly at home in the med bay. "Now what the blue blazes happened to you?"

Ran chuckled quietly. Until confronted with the doctor. "We got in a fight."

"With what? A five-hundred pound gorilla? Up on the bed, let me take a look," he replied, shaking his head. Kakyou raised an eyebrow at the way the man spoke, but replied "With several other cadets."

Ran looked at Kakyou as if hoping for help, but did as he was told. "They only acted like gorillas," Ran joked meekly.

"Had a few other cadets through today. Guess those were your playmates, then?" The doctor grumbled under his breath as he looked at the readings and reached for some of his equipment. "Broken nose, broken ribs. Nothing I can't handle. Just stay still, y'hear?" Kakyou didn't 'rescue' Ran, but he didn't leave, either.

"Yes, sir," Ran said. He stayed still and tried to take his mind somewhere else that was more pleasant than the medical bay -- which was just about anywhere.

Bones went to work, muttering to himself as the medical tools hummed quietly. Kakyou watched, quietly curious as he felt the shift in the faint pressure of Ran's mind.

Ran kept his mind busy. He managed to stay still in spite of the discomfort.





[We are missing the part that joins this scene to the first time Ran and Kakyou meet. Once again, Ran’s characterization is off. I was trying to rush the relationship too much. In the portion that is missing, a sickness goes through Star Fleet Academy and everyone including Kakyou and Ran get sick.]


Ran rinsed the bowls. "The Vulcans I've met so far have been so admirable, that's almost hard to believe," he said with a smile.

"Those who are not tolerant of other races rarely leave Vulcan," Kakyou told Ran, absently turning his cup in his hands. "It is said that Mr. Spock refused a place at the Vulcan Science Academy because... they referred to his human heritage as a disadvantage he had overcome."

"…oh." Ran left the bowls in the sink and made his way back to Kakyou. He wasn't looking well. The roots of his hair were damp with sweat.

Kakyou looked faintly concerned, setting his cup down. "You are beginning to look more ill. Is there something you need?" He wasn't all that familiar with human physiology and symptomology yet.

Ran sat down in the chair. He answered, "I think I might be a little too hot." And then he fainted.

Kakyou moved to catch him before he fell out of the chair, forgetting for a moment that it would further expose him to Ran's feelings. "Computer, lower temperature fifteen degrees," he ordered quickly.

Ran was out. His body registered his physical discomfort -- the exhaustion from the heat and pain his stomach and eyes -- but that was all.

Not being flooded by Ran's mind was both relieving and very concerning. Kakyou lifted him easily and laid him on the bed. If Ran were Vulcan, Kakyou would be able to assist him in regulating his body, he'd already begun Healer training when he'd left... But he wasn't certain it would work with a human. So he soaked a cloth in cold water, wrung it out, and laid it across Ran's forehead. It was still strange to him, how plentiful water was on this planet.

After a couple minutes, Ran started to come around. He was disoriented and not sure where he was. He reached out to grab the wrist of the person tending to him.

Kakyou had been careful to avoid skin contact while tending to Ran. He gasped as Ran's hand closed on his wrist and Ran's disorientation flooded his mind. He pressed back carefully, trying to clear it without deepening the contact.

Ran let Kakyou when he heard the gasp. He pushed himself up and looked around the room.

It had the basics but the only personal touches were a fire pot, a meditation mat, and two game boards, chess and go. Kakyou took a step back as Ran sat up. The cold compress would probably fall off with the change of position. "I have lowered the temperature, hopefully by a sufficient amount."

"Oh, no," Ran sighed. The surge of embarrassment was immediate and intense.

"The illness has likely lowered your tolerance for extremes of temperature," Kakyou offered, shifting uncomfortably.

"I'm sorry," Ran said. He felt embarrassed and ashamed and upset with himself because he knew that Kakyou was experiencing what he was feeling and Kakyou didn't deserve that.

"There has been no offense," Kakyou said firmly.

Ran looked up at Kakyou, startled by the firmness of the response. He chuckled.

Kakyou blinked in confusion at the chuckle.

"I think you're going to be good for me, that's all. Not let me wallow."

Ran looked around. "If I try to sit up on my own, I might fall."

"It is preferable that we be...good for each other," Kakyou said, tilting his head slightly. He stepped closer at the second part, steeling himself for the contact as he offered Ran his hand.

Ran smiled sadly, but shook his head. "What if you wore gloves? Would it still hurt?"

"It does not hurt," Kakyou said quizzically. "Gloves would make a minor difference, and prevent full contact, but little more."

"But it's uncomfortable, isn't it? I noticed you try to avoid touching me."

"That is not only for my own sake. It is considered an intrusion, something rude, to make contact with an individual who cannot choose to protect their thoughts and feelings," Kakyou replied, shaking his head. "I will not claim that it is comfortable for me, but a part of that is because it is an undeserved intimacy."

"Oh," Ran blushed. He ducked his head, and sat in silence.

"Emotional control is the cornerstone of Vulcan society. Due to this, psionic contact is an important means of expression between individuals in close relationships," Kakyou attempted to explain further, though it sounded like what it was; a lesson he had learned but something that was not a part of his own experience.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean… I'll go."

"I do not..." Kakyou frowned, trying to figure out where he was going wrong. "You have nothing to apologize for. I had no intent to request your absence. Your presence has been helpful."

"I've touched you. Isn't that like I forced myself on you?" Ran said. He was upset by the thought all the more because he DID think Kakyou was beautiful.

"You had no such intent. As well, under normal circumstances, I am capable of shielding to a sufficient degree. I believe you may have misunderstood my meaning. When we touch, what occurs is an invasion of your privacy. I am the one who transgresses." His ethical lessons had been very clear on the responsibilities of telepaths to non-psionic races.

"I don't mind. It's not your fault I can't shield," Ran said. He needed to ask Kakyou something, but he didn't want to be in Kakyou's bed when he did it. He tried to stand.

"There is no fault for such a thing. However, I am responsible for keeping my abilities within ethical bounds as far as I am able," Kakyou murmured. He hovered close as Ran tried to get up, concern flickering over his face.

Ran held on to the nightstand and then the wall as he made his way out of Kakyou's room back to the one he had come from. He managed to not embarrass himself more by fainting or falling.

Kakyou followed, making sure the chair was in an easily accessible position. "It is likely that you are at least partially dehydrated. I will bring you water."

"Thank you." Ran was anxious, but also hopeful. Vulcan was a different world. Maybe... Maybe Kakyou wouldn't hate him or be disgusted.

It fluttered against the edges of Kakyou's awareness as he got a glass and filled it with cool water. He wondered why Ran was feeling that way but chose not to ask. He brought Ran the glass.

Ran thanked Kakyou again and drained the glass quickly.

"There is no need. If I were better educated on human physiology, this situation would not have arisen."

"You asked me if it was too hot," Ran replied. "Could you sit down, please?"

Kakyou settled into the other chair, folding his hands in his lap.

Ran tried to stop himself from getting too worked up. "I need to tell you something. You might know already. I… It's… I understand if you get upset." Ran couldn't look at Kakyou. "But no matter what, I need you to promise that you won't tell anyone what I am about to tell you."

"I would not share your confidences without your express permission," Kakyou assured him, watching Ran with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"I didn't think you would. I hope that you still want to be allies after this. I understand if you don't…" Stalling. He was stalling. He made himself look at Kakyou. "I think you're beautiful. Attractive." Ran blushed. He still wasn't sure he was saying things in a way Kakyou wouldn't misunderstand. "I'd like to kiss you. I know you're not… Couldn't…" He had to look away again. "I don't expect you to feel the same about me. And I'd never try to make you do things you didn't want… Or use our friendship… alliance… to take advantage…" It felt like something was squeezing Ran's heart. The more he talked, the more he felt like he was destroying himself.

"I do not believe that you would," Kakyou was quick to say. He wasn't entirely sure how to address Ran's attraction, though. He was still far from his sexual maturity. "I have no objection to your feelings. There is nothing wrong with them. You are correct that... I cannot reciprocate, but it is a matter of Vulcan physiology. You are quite appealing aesthetically."

Ran's heart sank. Kakyou was physically unable to return his feelings. It hurt. …still, it was SO much better than he expected. Ran sighed. "Thank you."

Gradually, elation built like bubbles of champagne. He had a friend that he was honest with, and didn't have to worry about losing.

Ran's pain bothered him, but Kakyou wasn't sure he could do anything to alleviate it. His non-reciprocation was biological and only time could do anything about it. "Thanks are unnecessary."

The build of more pleasant emotions was something of a relief. He didn't want to be hurting Ran.

"They are." Ran looked at Kakyou hopefully. "Are we still allies?"

"I see no reason to put an end to our association," Kakyou replied without hesitation.

Ran smiled happily. His heart was a little sad, but having Kakyou in his life in anyway was wonderful. "Good."