Runetales

The Runetales series is a sexual work of fiction. All characters in the series are 18 or older. Or time-travelers. Or AI. Look, they're good.

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Their feet pounded the pavement in sync, eating up the distance between the campus and the public park where they practiced. Rune's breath came regularly, easily. In truth, he could probably have run twice as fast as their current pace and still breathed easy. But why show off?

He glanced to his left, at the trim athlete running at his side. Ken was a good looking guy, dark hair, square jaw, and tan face. Just as Eve had joked with him a few nights ago, he'd had trouble making friends since starting the school year. Some vestige of his past life, perhaps.

Ken was one of a handful of people willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He'd been an in, a crack in the armor to meet some good folks on a few sports teams.

Hence the run. Full tryouts for track had gone really well, and their first meet was slated for the following weekend. Rune and Ken were both slated for the endurance events, 1600 and 3200 meters.

Rune looked down the road, at the beautiful sight of San Jose waking up to a new dawn. He breathed in the clean air, loved the feeling of his heart moving in his chest. If anyone knew he'd been reborn for the privilege of running track meets... but that was the joy of this.

The clean and easy feeling, the lightness of his soul. The ease of his body moving down the road. He sighed. It was a good morning in 2005.

He glanced towards Ken again, and cleared his throat. "So who's this girl?"

Ken glanced back, a grin lighting up his face. "Now you want to talk. I couldn't move the mountain at all last night."

Rune sighed. The two of them had spent a productive Friday evening with a few other guys in the dorms, hanging out and watching movies. Ken had tried to convince Rune that Budweiser tastes like beer, and Rune tried to convince Ken that games were a better use of time than porn. Little ground had been gained or lost.

More interestingly from Rune's point of view, was the lady Ken had been talking up. Ken thought himself a man's man, but in Rune's experience he was a much kinder and sensitive fellow than most bros. Just as Ken had taken Rune under his wing on the track team, so Ken thought it was his duty to get Rune a date.

Ken's girlfriend was a beautiful brunette, and far too smart for him. Ken himself admitted it to Rune, saying "She's just using me for my body. I am totally cool with that."

Regardless, Ken's taste in women was far better than most. So this morning, now that he'd had some distance from Ken's bad taste in beer, he was more willing to talk.

"Yeah, yeah. What's her name again?" The two of them swung around a turn, just a block from the park now. Behind Rune, he heard the other four guys pacing them. Most of them were breathing quite a bit harder than he was.

"Madison. Black hair, great smile. Amazing legs." Ken ticked down her qualities like a laundry list.

Rune rolled his eyes. "Do her great legs like anything in particular?"

"I think she's into art, like you? One of the reasons I thought of you." Ken's voice was a little vague.

"Art. Like me." Rune laughed for a few paces before he thought better of it, not wanting to interrupt his breathing. "Ken, you do realize 'art' is a really big bucket, right? Like, saying we're both into art is like saying you're into sports. Or did you take up cricket this week?"

"Actually, cricket's a great game." Ken's deadpan was great. Rune could never tell if he was joking. "Uh, I think she draws? Maybe makes pots? Look, I know she arts. That's something you guys can talk about."

Rune smiled. "When would we be talking about this? I assume you've already laid groundwork or you wouldn't have been selling her so hard last night."

It was Ken's turn to laugh, a short bark. "I may have mentioned you to her. Why don't you come to the movies with us tonight? I think she'll be there."

"That sounds great, Ken. Actually, very nice. Thanks, man." Rune focused on his footing a bit as they crossed the threshold into the park and took up a quicker pace on the jogging path there. "Hey, what are we going to see? You know I'm up for anything, but..."

Ken chuckled. "Syd talked me into it. It came out a few weeks ago, I guess. Some sci-fi thing with cowboys in space? Serenity?"

Rune whipped his head around and managed to tangle his legs together at the same time, so that when he went down it was pretty hard. And he had to stop himself from laughing while he made up an excuse for Ken.

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Rune stood in the lobby of the theatre, enjoying the arctic blast of the air conditioning. San Jose was never actually uncomfortable. But he liked the cold. He scanned the faces of the people coming into the place, feeling something... different. It took him a minute to pin it down, but Rune realized he was nervous.

Basically for the first time since his rebirthday, Rune wasn't sure what would happen this evening. And was very interested to see how it would turn out. He pulled his arm out of his pocket and checked his watch.

"You know, you have a HUD for a reason. Why not just add a time display?" Eve's voice breathed into his ear, deliciously close. Rune shivered, and not from the cold.

"You and I both know as I need to track more stuff over the years I'm going to have to rely on a HUD more and more. I like just keeping things simple for now." He smiled. "Also, you have to stop doing that breathy thing when we're in public."

"As you wish," her voice said from even closer to his ear, barely whispering. "Master." Rune rolled his eyes and tried to ignore the reaction in his pants

Just in time, too, as Rune spotted Ken and a few others entering the front door. Ken waved, and Rune hung back as they got their tickets. That gave him the opportunity to check out the group he'd be hanging with tonight.

Standing at the front of the group, Ken's girlfriend Sydney was easy to spot. Tall, brunette, and wearing a fantastic pair of glasses, her long legs and well-toned body made it obvious why Ken was with her. The quick smile and intelligent flash to her eyes also made him understand why Ken knew she was out of his league.

There were two more guys with Ken and Syd, and a trio of women. Only one of them had black hair, so it was easy to make a guess who he'd come here to meet.

Madison had long black hair that fell to her back, pulled into a simple braid. She wore blue jeans, a pair of black boots, and a grey t-shirt with some kind of symbol on the front. As she got closer, Syd must have pointed him out, because Madison turned to look at him directly. She smiled, a grin that grew bigger as she got closer and saw what he was wearing.

Ken stepped in front of her, the big goof, and walked up to give Rune a welcoming hug. As he stepped back, he looked down at Rune and raised an eyebrow. "Dude? What... What are you wearing? I didn't even know you owned a Hawaiian shirt."

Madison stepped around from behind Ken, still wearing that big grin. "It's an outfit from the show, Ken. Don't worry about it." She extended a hand. "It's good to meet you Rune. I'm Madison." He reached out to grasp her hand, and his fingers slid over her smooth skin to connect with her at the crook of her thumb. A firm handshake that... Rune wasn't sure whether it was how friendly she seemed, or how cool the theatre was, but he felt a buzz against his skin.

Mid-shake, Rune looked down to take her in up close and realized what was on her shirt. His smile dropped into an 'oh' of surprise. "Blue Sun? You're a browncoat?"

Withdrawing her hand (somewhat reluctantly, he thought), she nodded. Her grin settled into a very pleasant smile. "I was one of the four people that watched the show when it was running." She stuck out her tongue. "You know how it is."

Rune nodded, feeling a pleasant buzz at the back of his head. "I surely do, miss." he said, doing his best Mal Reynolds impression.

As Madison giggled, Ken looked back and forth between the two of them, obviously confused. "Don't worry about it, Ken. Hey, Sydney! Hi!" Rune turned to address the leggy genius. "Ken was just introducing Madison, who so far seems very shiny."

Sydney coolly took the both of them in over her specs. "Nerds. Adorable nerds, though. Movie's going to start soon." She put a guiding hand on Ken's shoulder. "Come along, Kenneth. Your date wants popcorn."

Ken shrugged as he was led away, obviously amused. Rune turned back to Madison, who was watching them as they left. Despite their friendly introduction, her body was still angled away from him. He nodded to himself. "Did they twist your arm into coming? You haven't already seen the movie, have you?"

Her initial confidence had also dimmed a bit. "No, I... I haven't seen the movie yet. I've been busy the last few weekends." She wasn't quite looking at him.

He gestured with his arm towards the snack counter, and led the way. "What have you been up to?"

Madison followed, gravitating towards a different line than the one Ken and Sydney had chosen. "Just working ahead a bit for some classes. Physical media, painting." She reached up to tuck a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. "Syd was saying you're an artist too?"

Rune put up his hand and shifted it back and forth. "I'm still learning. Came to it a little late. Mostly sketch-style, and digital. I've been noodling on a comic for a while now." Everything he'd said was technically true, if obscured. He was getting daily training sessions from virtual artisans, courtesy of Eve, and he was already doing work like a professional commercial artist. He was still trying to find his own style, though.

Her eyebrows went up. "Really? Do you have a sketchbook?"

He nodded, scanning the candy in the glass case. "Yeah, my big one is out at my bike." He reached down to fumble with a pocket. "I always keep a small one, though." The small moleskine fit neatly into his cargo pants. "I'll let you look at it if you tell me what you'd like." He looked back at her face, smiling.

Her brown eyes locked onto his for a moment before she looked away, considering the candy. "Raisinettes?" She said, speculatively.

"You have chosen... wisely." He intoned, handing her the notebook. "Hang out here while I deal with the counter? I'll be just a sec." She nodded, already intent on opening the cover and checking out his art. As he walked up to an open register, he mentally reviewed the work in there, hoping none of it weirded her out.

A few minutes later he returned to find Madison leaning against a pillar, spending long moments on each page. "Chocolate-covered raisins, as requested. I got some popcorn too, because it feels obligatory." She didn't answer, intent on the pages.

"Madison?" He realized it was the first time he'd said her name aloud to her. It felt good slipping off his tongue.

She straightened, looking up into his face much more directly now. "Rune, why did you come tonight?"

He paused, small popcorn still held up for effect. "Because I like Joss Whedon?" He smiled. "And because I wanted to meet you. I still don't know that many people at school. Ken and Syd have been kind to me, and they like you."

She stared at him a second, then nodded once. "I really like your work. Your style is totally different than mine, but your line work is great. Was that stuff with the rooftops and armor pieces for the comic?" Her voice was much more confident.

"Yeah, it's a sort of low-magic fantasy thing. Not all that original, I know, but it lets me flex my muscles." If the consultations with his virtual advisors were to be believed, those sketches would one day be the basis for a really robust cross-media property. But that was a few years off yet.

"Are you going to the diner afterwards?" He asked, suddenly compelled. He was already enjoying her company, and the thought of saying goodnight right after the movie didn't appeal.

"Mayyybe? I hadn't decided yet." Her deadpan was cracking. She wasn't very good at it, but it was pretty cute seeing her try to maintain control of her face.

"Come to the diner. I can show you my sketchbook and you can have some truly mediocre greasy spoon fare."

"I'll think about it. Although... " Her face broke into a grin. "You already get points. I always want popcorn." Now she gestured, towards the hallway to the theatre. She didn't wait for an answer before she grabbed his elbow and led him away.

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The movie was great, of course. Rune and Madison sat on the end of a row, Rune on the aisle with Madison next to Sydney. He was a perfect gentleman, only occasionally glancing over to catch glimpses of her smooth skin and pretty face. He was delighted to see she wasn't kidding about being a fan of the show. She got every joke, every reference, and the look on her face at the end of the opening sequence made his heart melt a little.

Right after the fight in the bar, Rune realized Madison was shivering. Her t-shirt wasn't offering her much protection against the cold of the chilly theatre. Without a word he shrugged out of his Hawaiian shirt and passed it over to her. She pulled it on with a whispered "Thank you" and a smile.

He was ready for it, but it had been so long since he'd watched the movie. Book's death made him get a little misty, and Madison started to sniffle. Rune moved his arm, offering it as a comfort. After a short pause, Madison nodded in the dark and slipped into the crook of his elbow. She leaned against his arm, stifling a few more sniffles.

She stayed that way much longer than he'd expected, leaning on his shoulder in the quieter scenes. She excused herself to the bathroom at one point, and returned just as the battle with the Reavers was ramping up.

Which, of course, was just in time for the "Leaf on the Wind" scene. The shock, the outcry in the room, was just as visceral as it had been the first time he'd seen it. Madison, for her part, took it very well... but didn't even bother asking when she pulled Rune's arm around her and cried quietly but openly into his shoulder for a few moments after Wash's death.

The end of the movie rose to its incredibly fitting ending, and Rune hummed along with the score during the credits. Most of the theatre filed out when the credits began, giving them a few minutes of quiet and semi-solitude. Madison seemed in no hurry to leave his shoulder, and so Rune sat comfortably until the roll stopped.

He turned to face the top of her head as the lights came up. "You okay?" he asked gently.

"Yeah. I knew... I mean." She half-laughed to herself, and sat up straight. Rune rolled his shoulder to work out the kinks in his muscle. "I just didn't expect it quite like that."

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The mood at the 24-hour diner was varied, but entirely animated. Even Ken, who'd never seen the show, had really enjoyed the "crazy space shit" and "death angel girl."

On the edge of the table, Madison turned to Rune, laughing. "I think Ken's a convert. Syd told me in the bathroom he was already talking about watching the box set next weekend."

Rune grinned. "The nerd is strong in that one. He just doesn't know it yet." He looked down at his cleared plate. His 1am bacon and eggs had been delicious. "Oof. I think I'm gonna head home. I usually wake up pretty early."

She smiled at him. "Okay grampa. Whatever you say. Ken and Syd have me for a ride home, so..." She paused. "Can I walk you to your bike?"

As an answer, he stood from his chair and offered her his hand. She accepted, and stood. Rune waved, taking in the table as a whole. "Have a good night guys, thanks for the fun."

General goodbyes sounded from the group, Ken's muffled somewhat by the fries in his mouth. Syd slapped him on the ass as he stepped away from the table with Madison, which he took as a sign of approval.

Rune tossed his check and some cash on the counter and waved at the guy in the kitchen. He and Madison walked out the front door of the diner, from the brightly light clatter into the quiet of an October night. Rune had parked just a few rows back from the door, but they lingered just outside the diner for a moment. The moon was very bright, the stars even more so.

Rune turned from looking at the sky to look at the girl. She was still enjoying the sky, so he waited for her to speak. When she did turn to look at him, it was with a contemplative expression.

"Did you have a good time tonight?" She seemed almost worried.

"Of course I did. Hell of a movie, halfway decent eggs, and Ken's hamfisted groping to understand the backstory. I had a great evening." He plucked at his shirt, which she was still wearing. "Plus, this looks way better on you than it did on me."

"That's what I was worried about. I try not to make a habit of crying on my date. And I saw your shirt before you cleaned it off, I made it all tear-stained." She brushed at the sleeve where she'd buried her face. "Oh, plus! I was distracted by your art and let you buy me something on the first date."

"So this did turn out to be a first date, eh?" Rune smiled, laughing. "Syd ordered me not to make too much of it beforehand."

"You let me wear your shirt and cry on you. I'd say this qualifies." Her expression shifted to one of annoyance. "Damnit, and I forgot to ask if I could look at your full sketchbook."

Rune looked into her eyes, loving the way they took in the world. "I tell you what. Can you get out of the house next Thursday or Friday? I'd love to take you out for coffee and maybe some dinner." He tried to make his body language as open as possible, and didn't lean in too close.

"That sounds like fun. I'll bring my book and we can talk art." It was her turn to smile. "It's a date."

"Thursday at 7." A pause. Thankfully, Madison could tell what he was thinking, and grabbed his hand. She led him out of the pool of light by the door to his bike. She sat him down crosswise on its seat, and leaned in close.

"Thank you for a lovely first date." she said quietly, before gently pressing her lips to his.

Inside his head, Rune saw stars. The first time he'd kissed a girl in a lifetime. Her sweet pink lips were hot against his. He leaned forward into the kiss, tentatively opening his mouth.

The stars were apparently out in her head as well, because her tongue darted out of her mouth and into his. He pulled back a moment, getting a better look at her face. Her cheeks had an adorable blush of pink, her eyes soft and kind. "Madison, you are a... very beautiful. Thank you for spending time with me tonight."

He leaned back in for another kiss, this one more insistent and confident. She returned in kind, his position on the bike's seat giving them almost a match in height. In fact, she was leaning down into him for this kiss. Her arms slide up his back and behind his head, her fingers twining in his short hair. Their gentle kisses and tentative tongue darts became more insistent, mouths opening wider.

She was the one that stopped first, stepping back a pace and running a hand over her mouth. "It's been great meeting you, Rune." Her smile was wide as the Cheshire Cat's. "I'll see you around." She turned to walk away, then stopped and turned back pulling at his shirt. "Sorry, I almost stole your shirt."

"No, no, don't want you getting cold in there. Keep it for now. I can get it from you later." He smiled just as widely back at her. She nodded, once, and strode back for the door. He watched her tight ass move underneath her jeans as she made her way back to the diner, and shook his head.

"Thursday."