Title: Meat Auction - A Birthday Fic for Fingers and Val
Author: rita
E-mail: mommacita1@juno.com
Rating: NC-17
Pairings: A/SB
Archive: Yes, just let me know where
Series: No
Website: http://www.geocities.com/jennylmr/index.html ;(And thanks to
Jenlmr for hosting me)

Disclaimer: I don't own the boys nor do I make any profit from my
writing.  I just like to play with them and I mostly put my toys back as
good as new.

Warnings (if needed): References to both het and slash (but of course)
sex.

Summary: On a friendly alien planet, Our Boys run into some, err,
unforeseen cultural differences.

***

"Does he know how delectable he looks?"

"I beg your pardon?" Apollo sputtered, startled.  The Karolians *were*
quiet, but, truth be told, he'd been absorbed in watching his wingmate
sleep and could have missed a Cylon attack.

"My apologies, Captain.  Perhaps my statement was inappropriate," the
Karolian -Jesper - who was serving as their host replied. 

They moved into the sitting room of the suite so that they wouldn't
disturb Starbuck's sleep and Apollo took advantage of the interruption to
process the Karolian's opening statement and blushed.  "Well, no, err,
that is, many, umm, people find Starbuck attractive."  He forced himself
not to even glance at the sleeping form behind him.

"But not you?" Jesper inquired.

"Err, no, well, yes, I mean I can see what others admire about him, but
uh..."Apollo hated lying, but since his whole life - at least where
Starbuck was concerned - was a lie, he stuttered to a halt.

The alien looked thoughtful.  "Ah.  You do not - have interest in those
of your gender?"

"Yes, that's right," Apollo could honestly say.  "I prefer ..." He could
feel himself blushing.  What he honestly preferred was Starbuck - gender
was beside the point.  He changed the topic quickly.  "But your original
question was whether *Starbuck* realizes the effect he has on others?"

"Yes," Jesper said smiling in acknowledgement of the subterfuge.

"Well, yes, he does," Apollo replied firmly.  'Except for the effect he
has on me, I hope,' he finished silently.

"Ah, good." He paused for a micron.  "I wonder if I might borrow him
then?"

"Borrow him?"

"Yes.  Perhaps that's not the right word.  There is a meat auction
tomorrow at the gathering place - I wondered if I might take him there."

"Oh yeah, the meat auction.  Funny you should mention that," Apollo said.
 "Starbuck noticed the sign and remarked on it.  I think he'd like to go
and see what it's all about."

The Karolian grinned, showing his pointed teeth.  "Excellent!  I will
pick him up right after the first meal." He paused in thought.  "Perhaps
you might suggest he not eat heavily; the meat auction affects some
first-time participants' stomachs badly."

Apollo chuckled.  "I'll tell him.  Oh!  Should he dress in any particular
way - dress uniform or casual?"

The Karolian's grin grew wider.  "Dress?  Oh I think not.  Until the
first meal then."

***

As Apollo watched Starbuck and Jesper exit the dining room, an older
Karolian approached him. Apollo recognized him as Olander, one of the
higher level functionaries in the local government "Begging your pardon
and meaning no offense," the older alien began, "But I am somewhat
surprised that you so easily gave your mate up to auction."

"He's not my *mate*", Apollo answered quickly.  "He's my wingmate - my
partner on the job, if you will."  Then he processed the entire sentence
and his stomach did a small flip. "Did you say 'gave him up'?"

"Well, temporarily of course.  Depending on the bidding and the final
negotiations. But if he's not your mate, Jesper should have asked his
true mate - or is he owned?"

"He doesn't have a mate or an owner," Apollo replied momentarily
distracted from his unease.

"Ah.  Then a guardian?"

"No." Apollo returned to the topic that concerned him.  "I'm not sure I
understand what's going on here."

The older man frowned.  "Jesper didn't explain?"

Apollo was diplomatic.  "I'm sure he thought I understood, but I'm
beginning to think I don't."

"You, as Starbuck's mate - we misunderstood that a wingmate is not a true
mate in the full sense of the word - gave permission for Starbuck to be
put up for auction."

"What kind of auction?" Apollo asked warily, not sure he wanted to hear
the answer.

"Meat auction."

"And 'meat' is?

"Meat *are*, actually.  Meat are young men and women who are attractive
enough to raise money for their ... services.  Jesper did say that
Starbuck was considered attractive by your people and that he was aware
of it."

"Well, that's true enough.  But I don't have the right to put him up for
auction.  I thought he was going to attend an auction - and not of people
- not be one of the ... items auctioned!"

"Hmm.  Well.  That's unfortunate.  But since he has no owner or guardian
of record - meat in our world generally do, since they can't be
responsible for themselves under the circumstances.  It prevents abuse
and nonconsensual confinement, you understand.  It's also a great
fund-raiser," Olander added.

Apollo's stomach did a larger flip.  "Who gets the funds?" he asked. 

"Well, the government takes its share, of course, but the bulk goes to
the poor, mainly to orphans, since they're likely to become meat and
repay in kind."

"Why would a mate or guardian agree to this?"

"For the sake of charity and to allow their mates and wards a little
variety.  Most meat are addicted to the sexual excitement.  Is yours?"

"In a sense," Apollo said, then shook his head. "But he's not mine.  And
he doesn't know what he's getting into."

"Oh dear.  By this time it's too late to stop it, I'm afraid.  If he's
put up a fuss, he'll be tranquilized, since Jesper got your permission to
take him."

Apollo's stomach did the largest flip yet, threatening to somersault all
the way up his throat and out his mouth.  He swallowed hard.  "Isn't
there anything we can do?" he pleaded.

Olander thought for what seems like a centar.  "Well," he said finally,
"I can take you to the auction and you can bid for him." He looked very
apologetic.  "I am so very sorry for this misunderstanding, Captain."

Apollo was already rising and shrugging into his flight jacket.  "Just
get me there and tell me what to do," he said.  "That will be apology
enough."

***

"If you would please disrobe, Lieutenant, we will return your garments to
your mate for safekeeping," the auction official requested politely.

"Mate?  I don't have a mate," Starbuck said.  "Can't you just store them
for me?"  He didn't quite understand why he had to disrobe, but thought,
'when in Aquaria ...' and began unfastening his tunic.

"The Captain, he means," Jesper explained.

"The Captain - Apollo - my mate?"  Starbuck laughed.  "I wish it were
true, fellas, but uh uh.  He doesn't swing that way."

A frown creased the official's forehead and he hissed warningly, "Jesper,
you assured me ..."

Jesper cut him off with a gesture.  "Is he your guardian then?"

Starbuck grinned.  "Yeah, I guess you could say that.  He's in charge of
keeping me out of trouble."

Jesper shot a superior glance at the official, who sighed.  "I suppose
that will do," the official allowed.

"Now, wait a micron, guys," Starbuck said, pausing before removing his
pants.  "Are you asking whether Apollo gave his okay for me to do this
meat auction thing?"

The two Karolians nodded.

"Oh, well, I can set your minds at ease about that.  He did.  I was kinda
curious anyway, but I gather he agreed to it with you, Jesper, while I
was napping."

"That's correct," Jesper said.

Starbuck resumed undressing.  "So I gather you want me to participate in
this auction instead of being in the audience?  What's involved exactly?"

Jesper and the official were both nodding now. Jesper explained,
"Participants are announced by the auctioneer and then go out on the
runway to be admired - not to worry, no touching is allowed until the
sale is final.  Then the bidding will begin."

Starbuck scratched his scrotum.  "And you're telling me Apollo agreed to
this?"

Jesper nodded.

"He's got some gaps in his knowledge of how the universe works," Starbuck
muttered.  "Does he get the proceeds from the, uh, sale?"

"No.  This is a charity event; the proceeds go mainly to the community
orphanage."

"What do I have to do besides strut my stuff?" Starbuck asked.

"Hmm, well," Jesper slid a sidelong glance towards the official to no
avail.  "Well, after the auction concludes, you serve the highest bidder
for the agreed-upon period."

"Which is?"

"Well, in your case, since you and the Captain are visitors, I felt I
would act for the Captain.  I've indicated a period no longer than six of
your centars as the maximum."

"Not the period - the service," Starbuck interrupted impatiently.  "I
take it we're talking sexual service here, right?"

Jesper nodded.

"Hey, do me a favor?  Take a peek through the curtains and see if
Apollo's in the audience."

Jesper complied, returning quickly.  He had spotted the Captain with that
old interfering nuisance, Olander. The Captain did not look pleased. "He
is," he reported to Starbuck.

"Well, then," Starbuck said, stroking himself, "I'd better look my best,
hadn't I?"

***

"Put your clothes on." 

Apollo tried to hand his wingmate the uniform, but Starbuck demurred.
"How am I supposed to serve you sexually with my clothes on?" Starbuck
demanded.

"Knock it off, Starbuck," Apollo hissed.

"Fine, but you're risking an incident here."

"What are you talking about?"

"You see anyone else's meat putting their clothes on?"  

Apollo looked around and reluctantly shook his head.

"Well, then," Starbuck continued triumphantly.  "You want to risk
offending our hosts?"

"Our hosts tried to sell you, Bucko."

"True enough - with your permission though.  Which brings up another
issue.  You see anyone else being bought by their guardian?"

"Is that what you passed me off as?"

"I didn't think you'd own up to 'mate'."

Apollo turned scarlet.  

'Interesting,' Starbuck thought, keeping a poker face.  "Well?" he asked
aloud.

"I wouldn't know," Apollo replied haughtily.  "What I do know is that
*we're* going back to our rooms.  Now," he ordered, noticing, despite his
best efforts not to, that some of the servicing was taking place on the
spot. "According to this contract, you're mine to do with as I please for
the next six centars.  So let's go."

"According to Karolian law, I'm yours permanently, unless you auction me
off temporarily or sell me permanently.  There's a meat sale next
secton."

"Don't tempt me, Bucko, don't tempt me."

***

Apollo spent the ride back to their rooms wondering how he was going to
explain this expenditure to Colonel Tigh.  It distracted him from the
sight of the naked Starbuck sitting across from him.  Starbuck spent the
ride back masturbating and watching Apollo try not to look at him. About
halfway through the ride, Starbuck became completely absorbed in his
self-stimulation and didn't notice when Apollo became completely absorbed
in watching him. Nor did he observe the calculating look enter Apollo's
eyes.

***

"Chilly in here," Starbuck said as they entered the well-cooled sitting
room.  "I'll take those clothes now, Apollo."

Apollo casually tossed the uniform he'd been carrying into the disposal. 
"I don't think so, Starbuck.  According to the contract, you're mine to
do with as I please for the next ..." he consulted his chrono, "5.83
centars.  After that, we can talk about who gets to decide whether and
when you're clothed and under what laws we operate while we're on
Karoli."

"Apollo?" Starbuck's voice came out in a squeak.

Apollo ignored him except to ask, "Did they have you clean yourself
before you went onstage?"

Starbuck nodded dumbly.

"Well, then, Lieutenant, bend over that chair so that I can conduct a
thorough inspection."  

***

"The six centars are up, Starbuck," Apollo announced to the panting man
kneeling at his feet.  "You can get dressed now.  If you want to."

"We're still on Karoli, aren't we?" Starbuck asked.

"Last time I checked."

"Then, by Karoli law, it's not my decision to make.  You're my guardian
and I'm yours to do with as you please - and, 'Pol, you *do* please - at
least until we get back to the Galactica."

Apollo gazed at him in open appreciation.  Even exhausted and dripping
with sweat from the exertions Apollo had put him through, Starbuck was
delectable.  "All right, then.  Let's take a warm shower - you can wash
me and then I'll watch you wash yourself to make sure you do a proper job
- and then get into bed.  It wouldn't do ffor you to catch cold just
because you're not used to being naked."

Lying in the nest-like bed after their long shower, Starbuck noted
lazily, "You realize, Guardian, that once I get used to being naked, it's
going to be difficult to be dressed all the time on the Galactica.  I
might get sick from being overheated."

"Well, we couldn't have that, could we?" Apollo replied, stroking the
blond.  "And since there's nothing in Colonial law about guardians for
competent adults ..."

"Are you admitting I'm competent?" Starbuck asked.

"I'll have you confirm it in a centon," Apollo replied.  "As I was
saying, since there's nothing in Colonial law about guardians, in order
to ensure your continued health and availability to the Fleet - as a
pilot, Bucko, as a pilot!" Apollo interrupted himself at Starbuck's
horrified look.  "I guess I'll have to officially become your mate in
order to take care of you.  You know, Olander told me meat are generally
unable to care for themselves."

Starbuck sighed.  "Too true.  I told Jesper that you were responsible for
keeping me out of trouble."

"And it will be a lot easier to do that if you're stripped and locked in
my quarters."

Starbuck nodded soberly.  "You're the boss."

"Do you have any idea how many yahrens I've waited for you to admit
that?"  Apollo asked.  "Now, to ensure you remember it, as well as to
prove your competency, I believe I'm in need of some attention in my
nether regions.  Get to it, Lieutenant.  And I'd better see your lower
member saluting as well or I'll be reconsidering the meat sale next
secton."

"Yes, sir!"