[No return message arrives, Cain swiping the notification across his vision to show he's read it. A sharp turn out of the storage room, where he was packing supplies for another trip out into the city, and he heads back to their shared dormitory room instead. His heart is tight in his chest and won't seem to calm, rabbit-paced, nerves jittery. But it's imperative he get there as soon as possible.
Cain doesn't pause or knock when he arrives, just switches open the lock and walks in.]
[Abel is not sitting down when Cain enters, he's standing in the middle of the room waiting for the door to open. Probably just a little unnerving, especially since Abel's face is pink and livid, his arms crossed over his chest. To his credit, he waits for the door to shut before he says anything.]
How is this different? How is this not exactly what Bering ordered you to do to me? And do not say you're not planning on sleeping with him, I might actually deck you.
[Once the door is sealed behind him, he sticks close to the frame, dark eyes falling to the ground as the force of Abel's words slam against him. The whiplash of quiet, soft intimacy of these last few days to the bright anger of now is enough to leave him breathless and aching. He doesn't like it.]
Listen, it wasn't my idea to be fucking friends with him. I didn't want this to happen. Thought it'd just be gathering info on his parents, maybe ask him some questions under a cover -- this got blown out of proportion. Okay?
[To say the least of how he felt when he discovered Hideki Maeda on the train, tied into the realization that what they did in those dreams cemented something else in reality. Something not uneasily undone.]
I told you about the weird shit that happened after we fell asleep, right? I didn't... build up this fake friendship with him, it just happened. Literally overnight. Next thing we knew, me and Prompto woke up on that train with Hideki next to us. Convinced we were his buddies.
[It's a challenge to find breath. Cain stands rigid at the door, hands curled into fists, thoughts racing. How can he prove it? How can he show Abel beyond his word?]
You can ask Prompto, or... check the network. Think I said something about it on there. Told-- Malone, too. [Almost slipped Jason off his tongue.] The whole friends thing wasn't even my idea. Dunno if Prompto thought it'd turn out this way though.
[Accessing the implant, he directs Abel toward this network message thread, scanning briefly across his vision. In retrospect, they should have locked it. Too late now. And at least he can show Abel.
His expression darkens, guilty.]
I really don't want to do this shit again. But we're both in it now.
[Abel is clearly startled when the message directing him to the network comes in, but he takes a moment to scan what Cain's sent him-- from before he even arrived, so that checks out. He spends a minute scanning it before he waves the thread away. It never really was about the proof though he's happy to have it, he would have been willing to take Cain at his word. Enough strange things apparently happened during these shared "dreams", changes that he's read about on the network, so it's not a stretch to reason it happened the same way.]
[No what he's most upset about right now is his own behavior.]
[Abel puts his face in his hands and moves them to comb through his hair in a frustrated gesture. He thought they were done with this, he thought he wasn't upset anymore.]
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry I just saw that and I couldn't... I could only imagine everything happening all over again and I panicked. Fuck! [He sits down heavily on Hideki's bed-- screw it, he's not around.] What do I have to do to not feel this way? They've made me paranoid to the point where I'm flying off the handle at the smallest suggestion of anything!
[He can't watch Abel unravel like this and sit idly by. Taking steps forward, he comes to his side and sinks onto the other side of the bed, sides of their bodies in light contact. One hand reaches out to clasp Abel's wrist in a gentle, loose hold. Easy to break if he doesn't want it.]
It sounded bad just from that message. [Not that he'll blame Prompto for delivery; he couldn't have known their touchy history on topics of manipulation.] That's why I wanted to see you. To explain. I mean... we can't expect shit to just go back to normal, right?
[Was there ever a normal?]
Maybe it's... just gonna take some time. It's okay.
[Abel turns and looks at Cain, clearly miserable and still ruffled. He hates that this is something he's going to have to deal with for a while, that it could come up with all of this mystery and intrigue surrounding their existence in this place. He hates that he didn't keep better control of himself and probably scared the daylights out of Cain again.]
[He pulls his wrist out of Cain's hand but goes right back to hold it, lacing their fingers together.] I feel like I've already spent enough time second guessing everything around me, this isn't fair. To either of us. I shouldn't have gone off like that, I should have trusted you.
[Shifting, he loops his free arm around Abel's back and draws them both closer. He tucks his chin over Abel's head to coax him to lean in. Let him take the weight, hold on, support Abel as best he can right now.]
I was lying to you longer than I've been telling you the truth now. That's just how it is. [Firm and resolute fact.] I'm gonna make up for that, I dunno how long we have, but... however long it takes, Ethan. I don't care.
[As much as it pains him to admit it, Cain is right-- he did lie to Abel longer than he's been honest and up front. This is just an unfortunate meeting of a bad circumstance and Abel's logical brain taking the lead. He curls easily into Cain's hold, tucking his head onto his strong shoulder. It feels nice, comforting. Everything he needs right about now.]
I guess that's what I asked for-- help fixing this. [And he went right back into fix-it mode, protection mode, everything-is-up-to-him mode. Abel may ultimately have control over his own reactions, but he really needs to cut himself a little slack. It feels impossible, though.] I hope you don't get dragged into more things like this, but if you do and I find out before we can talk about it, I should just ask for help instead of screaming at you over the network. [He squeezes Cain's hand gently.] We can fix this, it should get easier, like you said, one day at a time.
[He's met tough problems before, spent days trying to work them out sometimes. But this is far from a tricky engine config or a delicate maintenance issue. He's a little frustrated that this is going to take longer than he likes.]
[There's no certainty it will get easier, no promises of the future, but Cain wants to believe his own words. And he trusts Abel more than anyone. He's not alone in this anymore -- a simple fact that's becoming the most difficult to wrap his mind around after so long surviving on his own. Fighting tooth and nail for his own skin.]
I know. Wouldn't have agreed to this without telling you first, if you were here. [If something happens again, they can discuss it. The bigger decisions he makes affect Abel, too.] I don't blame you for that reaction. I just... got scared you wouldn't want to hear any excuses from me.
[Losing Abel again is one of his greatest fears now that he has him back.]
Next time something happens, whatever it is, we'll check in first. With each other. Sound good?
[That wasn't really fair either, was it? Cain was living an entire life here and Abel expects him to remember everything that should be mentioned? Abel was going to be learning something new every day, and while this is a little closer than whether Cain preferred whole or 2%, it's still not fair to expect him to psychically divine everything Abel wants to know about.]
[Abel sits up, pulling off of Cain's shoulder and tapping him gently under the chin to get his focus.] I will always listen, I'm not going to shut you out again thinking I know exactly what's going on.
[He nods.] We'll check in. When communication is as easy as a thought, that shouldn't be hard for us to do.
[Attention turning back on Abel, he focuses on those words, the looming closeness of their faces.]
Yeah.
[It really is easy. Communication is more effortless than it once was, messages by thought and emotions by physical touch. Now that they're this close in the privacy of a closed room, he finds himself more distracted by Abel's nearness than he should be. Something about cooling panic and reassurance makes Cain wish he could lean over and kiss him. Or maybe it's the persistence of Abel's presence on a daily basis now. He's not used to that yet.]
Didn't mean for this to freak you out so much. You can go back to reading out there, if you want.
[Abel nods, a small thing but he's satisfied. And once that's settled in him, Abel also senses the nearness, the change in energy. They're alone, they're stronger after this talk, Cain's close and warm. Abel's eyes flick down to Cain's lips and back.]
You can go back to... whatever you were just doing, if you want.
[When Abel turns those eyes on him, how can he do anything else but reach to cup his chin and angle their mouths together? What he wants is to stay right here, forget about the rest of the chaotic world beyond their door, and enjoy the precious privacy of their togetherness. Cain doesn't ask permission when he kisses him -- firm and searing, enough warmth to make up for the entire lack of it outside.]
It can wait. I got us something.
[His expression turns a shade darker, reaching to drag his bag out from where he's stored it on the floor, tucked close to the wall. He surfaces a bottle of lubricant courtesy of one of the convenience stores. A quick toss has it landing in Abel's lap.]
[He loves those firm kisses Cain initiates between them, they always reassure Abel every single time that he's not the only one who can't stop wanting to put his mouth on the other. Sleeping next to Cain and staring at his face is sheer torture, any time they can get to themselves to take each other apart is a blessing.]
[Abel chases Cain's lips even after just one kiss, looking curious when he stops them and goes into his bag. He vibrates from the anticipation. What did Cain get them? What's even available in a frozen megacity where most viable food options were canned? The bottle falls in his lap after Abel fails to catch it, but he picks it up to read the label. It's of course totally foreign to him, the design and the brand, but two glorious words have him practically sobbing:]
[Personal Lubricant.]
[Abel looks like his birthday came early and Cain has popped out of his cake naked. He laughs, excited, and leans back to put another happy kiss on Cain's lips.] You clever, resourceful man.
Yes, yes I want. I've wanted for days. [He helps himself to Cain's lap and several more kisses, each one getting more heated and insistent. Bless Cain's mouth, tongue, and hands-- but there is zero substitute for this particular thing as far as Abel is concerned.]
[Reclining back on the lower bunk once he's pushed all of Hideki's belongings off of it, Cain casts his mind over toward the dormitory's automatic lock and switches it on with the implant. If Prompto and Hideki return, at least they'll have some warning to get decent. But he'd rather avoid that situation, which means they'll have to indulge in each other efficiently. Not one of those moments they can spend mapping skin and planes of muscle -- more like a quick fuck in a supply closet. Fortunately, they'll have the comfort of a proper mattress.
Cain's mouth falls slack and open to the assault, his own tongue a hot lash, teeth sharp on Abel's lower lip.]
Probably don't got a lot of time. How soon can you get me inside of you, baby?
[Already hauling him across his lap, strong hands drag down the span of Abel's back over his ass and down the slender set of thighs. It feels as though they're pawing at each other like starved animals. That may not be far from the truth. He's missed this enough to skirt decorum now, reminded of the earliest days of their partnership -- fucking anywhere and everywhere they could.]
[Abel lets out an annoyed sigh into Cain's mouth.] This is the second time in thirty minutes that man has unknowingly made our lives harder, you know that right? [But he's only half serious, really. Abel smiles as he nips back at Cain's lips and grinds their hips together, his ire very short-lived in the face of finally getting fucked again.]
Let's find out. [Abel pulls his shirt off over his head and throws it across the room, clearly on board with the idea or just feeling the primal energy of the moment as well.] And let's do it right here. [Because fuck Hideki Maeda and Cain being tied to his every stupid whim, that's why. This place can throw whatever it wants at them, the two of them will tear it apart and fuck on the pieces--that's Abel's opinion.]
[He lets out a sharp peel of laughter, genuine as Abel strips off his shirt and tosses it away, dark eyes landing hungry on the reveal of all that pale skin. He leans forward to snag blunt teeth across a tender nipple until he feels it stiffen under his mouth. Maybe some of his own impatience is bleeding into this, too. When was the last time he actually had this? There was only so much satisfaction that could come from hands and mouths, when what he really wants is to bend Abel in half and fuck the breath out of his lungs.]
You want my attention, huh? [It's a tease, painted over Abel's skin with his lips in a smear of kisses. His fingers hook into the waistband of slacks, intent to peel them down over Abel's hips as quickly as possible alongside shoes and socks.] First you steal his booze, then his bed... what am I gonna do with you?
[Cain's already hard, an ache beneath clothing that he ignores in favor of getting Abel completely naked in his lap.]
[Getting the gist of where this is going, Abel leans back and pulls his shoes and socks off quickly, then performs some acrobatics to get his pants and underwear off as well without leaving the range of Cain's mouth. The teeth and lips on his chest are drawing quiet gasps from him. He curls his fingers into Cain's hair to insist on more.]
I think you like it when I'm bad like this. [Abel curls down to trace his tongue over the curve of Cain's ear, panting needily along the way.] Your princess is stepping out of line because he wants attention, what are you going to do, hm?
[Smirk a slash across his mouth, he leans to seize Abel's mouth in another hard biting kiss, licking deeper into it. Both hands squeeze over Abel's ass before they drift to hold his hips. An achor, tight enough to feel the soft skin give a little underneath his bare fingers, that familiar blue hue between them. Relief and deep affection floods through the empathy connection -- as well as the darker thread of hunger, a spark of attraction in every physical touch they share.
Cain separates only long enough to peel off his own long-sleeved shirt. Then he's back, using his grasp on Abel to force their hips together in a slow and heavy grind, so Abel can feel how hard he is, so he can press Abel's own cock up against the plane of his stomach.]
Gotta take care of what's mine. [Open palms smooth up Able's sides, mouth finding the curve of his throat to dig in teeth in a brief bite.] You want my fingers, or do you wanna do it to yourself?
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[Through the alarm in his mind, all he feels is a heavy dread. Prompto, why did you have to open your mouth...]
i can explain.
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Explain.
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[He'd rather talk this out in person.]
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Cain doesn't pause or knock when he arrives, just switches open the lock and walks in.]
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How is this different? How is this not exactly what Bering ordered you to do to me? And do not say you're not planning on sleeping with him, I might actually deck you.
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Listen, it wasn't my idea to be fucking friends with him. I didn't want this to happen. Thought it'd just be gathering info on his parents, maybe ask him some questions under a cover -- this got blown out of proportion. Okay?
[To say the least of how he felt when he discovered Hideki Maeda on the train, tied into the realization that what they did in those dreams cemented something else in reality. Something not uneasily undone.]
I told you about the weird shit that happened after we fell asleep, right? I didn't... build up this fake friendship with him, it just happened. Literally overnight. Next thing we knew, me and Prompto woke up on that train with Hideki next to us. Convinced we were his buddies.
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Are you lying to me? [If he meant it to sound forceful or accusatory, it's not there. If anything it sounds like a desperate and injured plea.]
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[It's a challenge to find breath. Cain stands rigid at the door, hands curled into fists, thoughts racing. How can he prove it? How can he show Abel beyond his word?]
You can ask Prompto, or... check the network. Think I said something about it on there. Told-- Malone, too. [Almost slipped Jason off his tongue.] The whole friends thing wasn't even my idea. Dunno if Prompto thought it'd turn out this way though.
[Accessing the implant, he directs Abel toward this network message thread, scanning briefly across his vision. In retrospect, they should have locked it. Too late now. And at least he can show Abel.
His expression darkens, guilty.]
I really don't want to do this shit again. But we're both in it now.
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[No what he's most upset about right now is his own behavior.]
[Abel puts his face in his hands and moves them to comb through his hair in a frustrated gesture. He thought they were done with this, he thought he wasn't upset anymore.]
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry I just saw that and I couldn't... I could only imagine everything happening all over again and I panicked. Fuck! [He sits down heavily on Hideki's bed-- screw it, he's not around.] What do I have to do to not feel this way? They've made me paranoid to the point where I'm flying off the handle at the smallest suggestion of anything!
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[He can't watch Abel unravel like this and sit idly by. Taking steps forward, he comes to his side and sinks onto the other side of the bed, sides of their bodies in light contact. One hand reaches out to clasp Abel's wrist in a gentle, loose hold. Easy to break if he doesn't want it.]
It sounded bad just from that message. [Not that he'll blame Prompto for delivery; he couldn't have known their touchy history on topics of manipulation.] That's why I wanted to see you. To explain. I mean... we can't expect shit to just go back to normal, right?
[Was there ever a normal?]
Maybe it's... just gonna take some time. It's okay.
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[He pulls his wrist out of Cain's hand but goes right back to hold it, lacing their fingers together.] I feel like I've already spent enough time second guessing everything around me, this isn't fair. To either of us. I shouldn't have gone off like that, I should have trusted you.
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I was lying to you longer than I've been telling you the truth now. That's just how it is. [Firm and resolute fact.] I'm gonna make up for that, I dunno how long we have, but... however long it takes, Ethan. I don't care.
[He's going to make up for everything.]
Take it one day at a time.
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I guess that's what I asked for-- help fixing this. [And he went right back into fix-it mode, protection mode, everything-is-up-to-him mode. Abel may ultimately have control over his own reactions, but he really needs to cut himself a little slack. It feels impossible, though.] I hope you don't get dragged into more things like this, but if you do and I find out before we can talk about it, I should just ask for help instead of screaming at you over the network. [He squeezes Cain's hand gently.] We can fix this, it should get easier, like you said, one day at a time.
[He's met tough problems before, spent days trying to work them out sometimes. But this is far from a tricky engine config or a delicate maintenance issue. He's a little frustrated that this is going to take longer than he likes.]
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I know. Wouldn't have agreed to this without telling you first, if you were here. [If something happens again, they can discuss it. The bigger decisions he makes affect Abel, too.] I don't blame you for that reaction. I just... got scared you wouldn't want to hear any excuses from me.
[Losing Abel again is one of his greatest fears now that he has him back.]
Next time something happens, whatever it is, we'll check in first. With each other. Sound good?
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[Abel sits up, pulling off of Cain's shoulder and tapping him gently under the chin to get his focus.] I will always listen, I'm not going to shut you out again thinking I know exactly what's going on.
[He nods.] We'll check in. When communication is as easy as a thought, that shouldn't be hard for us to do.
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Yeah.
[It really is easy. Communication is more effortless than it once was, messages by thought and emotions by physical touch. Now that they're this close in the privacy of a closed room, he finds himself more distracted by Abel's nearness than he should be. Something about cooling panic and reassurance makes Cain wish he could lean over and kiss him. Or maybe it's the persistence of Abel's presence on a daily basis now. He's not used to that yet.]
Didn't mean for this to freak you out so much. You can go back to reading out there, if you want.
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You can go back to... whatever you were just doing, if you want.
[Do either of them want?]
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It can wait. I got us something.
[His expression turns a shade darker, reaching to drag his bag out from where he's stored it on the floor, tucked close to the wall. He surfaces a bottle of lubricant courtesy of one of the convenience stores. A quick toss has it landing in Abel's lap.]
If you want.
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[Abel chases Cain's lips even after just one kiss, looking curious when he stops them and goes into his bag. He vibrates from the anticipation. What did Cain get them? What's even available in a frozen megacity where most viable food options were canned? The bottle falls in his lap after Abel fails to catch it, but he picks it up to read the label. It's of course totally foreign to him, the design and the brand, but two glorious words have him practically sobbing:]
[Personal Lubricant.]
[Abel looks like his birthday came early and Cain has popped out of his cake naked. He laughs, excited, and leans back to put another happy kiss on Cain's lips.] You clever, resourceful man.
Yes, yes I want. I've wanted for days. [He helps himself to Cain's lap and several more kisses, each one getting more heated and insistent. Bless Cain's mouth, tongue, and hands-- but there is zero substitute for this particular thing as far as Abel is concerned.]
officially nsfw territory whoops
Cain's mouth falls slack and open to the assault, his own tongue a hot lash, teeth sharp on Abel's lower lip.]
Probably don't got a lot of time. How soon can you get me inside of you, baby?
[Already hauling him across his lap, strong hands drag down the span of Abel's back over his ass and down the slender set of thighs. It feels as though they're pawing at each other like starved animals. That may not be far from the truth. He's missed this enough to skirt decorum now, reminded of the earliest days of their partnership -- fucking anywhere and everywhere they could.]
They just can't be left alone
Let's find out. [Abel pulls his shirt off over his head and throws it across the room, clearly on board with the idea or just feeling the primal energy of the moment as well.] And let's do it right here. [Because fuck Hideki Maeda and Cain being tied to his every stupid whim, that's why. This place can throw whatever it wants at them, the two of them will tear it apart and fuck on the pieces--that's Abel's opinion.]
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You want my attention, huh? [It's a tease, painted over Abel's skin with his lips in a smear of kisses. His fingers hook into the waistband of slacks, intent to peel them down over Abel's hips as quickly as possible alongside shoes and socks.] First you steal his booze, then his bed... what am I gonna do with you?
[Cain's already hard, an ache beneath clothing that he ignores in favor of getting Abel completely naked in his lap.]
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I think you like it when I'm bad like this. [Abel curls down to trace his tongue over the curve of Cain's ear, panting needily along the way.] Your princess is stepping out of line because he wants attention, what are you going to do, hm?
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Cain separates only long enough to peel off his own long-sleeved shirt. Then he's back, using his grasp on Abel to force their hips together in a slow and heavy grind, so Abel can feel how hard he is, so he can press Abel's own cock up against the plane of his stomach.]
Gotta take care of what's mine. [Open palms smooth up Able's sides, mouth finding the curve of his throat to dig in teeth in a brief bite.] You want my fingers, or do you wanna do it to yourself?
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