Chapter Text
The two ate in comfortable silence until Galo spoke. It was always Galo. He wasn’t comfortable with silence, it seemed.
“So, Lio,” Galo began. His tone was cautious. Lio’s ears perked up, anxiety going rapid-fire in his brain. “I wanted to talk to you about something…”
Lio tensed up, stiff and nervous. “Yeah?” He replied, trying to remain cool. The anxiety made him feel the need to use the restroom. Or hide. Fight or flight urges were screaming at Lio. He was nimble enough to scramble from Galo and bolt to his room if need be, and he was ready.
Galo placed his plate down on the coffee table and heaved a sigh. He hung his head for a moment and chewed on his lip before looking up at Lio. “Did I… do something to piss you off recently?”
“What?”
Galo was red. “Did I piss you off recently? Was it taking the futon? Cross a boundary by accident?” He leaned forward, making Lio confused and backing up in the seat. “Whatever it is, you matter a lot to me and I don’t want you to walk around holding bad feelings.”
“Angry? What?! Galo, no! You’re fine,” Lio said, finding his back against the futon, and Galo forgetting the concept of “personal space.” He placed his hand on Galo’s chest, and looked him directly in the eyes. “Trust me. You’re fine… “ Galo was close. So very close that Lio could feel his breath fall, and the beating of his heart through his fingertips.
“Are you telling the truth?” Galo asked, anxious, voice near trembling. From what Lio had gathered in conversation, Galo was still shaken by Kray, especially when it came to trusting new people. He couldn’t blame him. Lio hated the man for everything he did and wished he could punish him like Prometheus for the hurt he caused to his people and Galo. “Lucia and Aina were saying I should talk to you about things already, and I got scared. I don’t want to lose you to something stuipd.”
“I swear to you, Galo Thymos, you’re fine,” Lio reached out and cupped Galo’s face in his free hand. He caressed Galo’s cheekbone with his thumb, thinking about his words. “You matter a lot to me, too. I’m not going anywhere.” Lio watched Galo close his eyes and sigh in relief as he leaned into Lio’s touch.
Drunk on the feeling of Galo’s weight over top of him, Lio caved to his impulses and began to lean forward to Galo for a kiss when he pulled away. There was going to be murder tonight, Lio thought.
“Oh thank god,” Galo said, slouching back on the futon. “I was so worried about upsetting you! But then… what’s got you so out of it?”
Lio blinked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Lio said.
“You can’t hide it from me,” Galo went on, placing his hands firmly on Lio’s shoulders. “Something is bothering you and the best thing to do in that situation is to just get it out. Whatever the problem is, we’ll get through it together!”
Lio wanted to scream, but instead took a deep breath. “Well…” he began, “there’s been a lot going on since the Promare left…”
“Go on,” Galo encouraged, “I’ll play therapist for tonight.” He then smiled one of those frustratingly bright smiles at Lio. It tugged at Lio enough to open himself up more.
The smaller man sighed and fidgeted with the dirt that mysteriously appears under finger nails. “Well, since the Promare left, things have been different,” Lio said. He looked up at Galo for reassurance and continued. “Mad Burnish has pretty much dissolved, and I’ve kinda felt alone. Meis and Gueira left as you know, and the burnish have all gone off to live their lives or reach out to their families.” Lio paused, noticing Galo leaning forward to listen. A lump in Lio’s throat began to grow. “With all of this, I’ve realized I’m alone. I have nobody. No family to contact, and no other friends I can lean on.”
Galo scrunched up his face. “You have me ,” Galo asserted in a firm tone. “I mean it, too. Just like Promepolis’ reputation, when we say something, we mean it. We promise something, we do it.”
“Your city chucked batteries at Santa Claus,” Lio said flatly.
“That’s besides the point!” Galo exclaimed. “What I’m saying is that you have ME. I want to be the person you can rely on Lio. I feel safe telling you things, and I want you to feel the same towards me.” He paused and glanced away for a moment, pensive. Galo’s brow furrowed.
Lio, sensing the need to be silent, placed a hand overtop of Galo’s, waiting.
“Lio,” Galo said, taking a deep breath before speaking, “you know how you said earlier today to watch out because I might fall in love with you?”
“…yeah?” Lio’s body tensed, feeling as though it was on a razor’s edge.
Galo’s face was bright red at this point as he looked to Lio. The tanzanite hues of his eyes were amplified by the deep crimson in his face.
“Too late.”
Lio sat in disbelief. Yes. This is what someone would call a crossroads. Galo liked him? LIO? He blinked in disbelief. His heart leapt into his throat and froze in shock, stunned at Galo’s admission. Stubborn, loud, outgoing, kind, cocky in an adorable way Galo Thymos? In love with him? A criminal doing community service? Galo could do so much better. Like Aina or some beautiful local celebrity. Lio needed to hear him again. All he could muster was, “What?”
“I’m in love with you,” Galo said again, his complexion resembling a tomato. “Don’t make me spell it out with a slide show!”
“You don’t have to,” Lio said quickly in response, his mind reeling and head hurt.
“How do YOU feel?” Galo pressed, beginning to babble on. “I’ve already made myself come to terms with ‘no’ and am ready to talk to my therapist about my one-sided love pattern and…”
“I admit, I’m surprised, but” Lio began, trailing off. “I won’t sugarcoat anything.”
Galo hung his head, awaiting rejection. His hands slowly slid off of Lio’s shoulders began to deflate.
“I am still figuring things out. I don’t know just yet where I fit here. And my feelings…they’re a mess,” Lio said, searching the room for answers. “I think I have feelings? I don’t know, I’m scared. I’m scared I’ll hurt you. I’m scared it’s my loneliness talking, and I’ll take advantage of you, but at the same time I want you.”
Galo perked up and leaned forward, listening intently.
Lio was lost in his own thoughts, rambling and not noticing Galo as he came closer.
“Am I attracted to you? Dumbest question in the world, yes. Are you built like a jungle gym I want to climb all day? Absolutely. My biggest turn-on? You saving kittens out of goddamned trees and helping old ladies cross the street. You have the biggest fucking heart of anyone I’ve ever met! …and I like all of that about you and at the same time scared that someone like me is going to ruin it all.”
“Would you… consider taking the risk?” Galo asked tentatively, now centimeters away, his eyes focused on Lio’s mouth.
Lio chewed on his lip, feeling an ache of anticipation on his lips. “Are you sure you can handle it?” Lio replied.
“Through smoke and flame,” Galo said and placed a small, testing kiss on Lio’s lips. Lio took this as a yes.
Stunned, Lio closed his eyes and gave Galo a gentle kiss back. His lips were soft, pressing back gently as if to greet Lio. Galo’s breath was shaky, as if his heart was pounding so hard it shook his lungs as he cupped Lio’s face, holding him close like a precious jewel. Lio’s mind went everywhere; his brain felt like it was short-circuiting. Lio swore he had to be dreaming.
Wrapping his arms around Galo’s shoulders, he pulled the other closer, opening his mouth as an invitation for tongue. Lio soon found himself lying flat on the futon with Galo over him as they carefully explored each other’s mouths, taking the time to commit the other to memory. Moans and pleasured sighs escaped Lio beyond his control, leaving him privately mortified while it motivated Galo to go deeper. Pulling up for air, Lio pulled a little on Galo’s lip, chilled at the absence.
“I want you, Galo,” Lio said, spreading his legs as he nestled Galo comfortably between.
“I want you, too, Lio,” Galo’s expression was drunk on bliss and relief. He went down, kissing Lio’s neck, gently scraping his teeth against skin. Lio sighed, tilting his chin as he savored the hums and weighty breaths.
Deft hands went down Lio’s waist and pulled his shirt upwards, and with Lio’s help, quickly found its new home on the floor. Lio shivered in the air as he watched Galo remove his own before sitting back on his haunches. Galo his large hands down Lio’s arms and to his chest, massaging the muscle and gently playing with his nipples between his fingertips.
Glancing at the man between his legs, Lio could see something straining from Galo’s jeans. Testing his own waters, Lio rolled his hips against Galo, grinding into him. Galo inhaled sharply, pinching Lio’s nipples harder in reflex.
“L-lio,” he moaned, grinding back. Lio watched his torso, mesmerized. How he wished he could be a fly on the wall and see how they looked from behind Galo. His hips have to be mesmerizing when he fucks. Maybe if he invested in a mirror or could get him to dance, he could enjoy seeing those hips in action.
Sliding his hands up Galo’s arms, Lio traced the firefighter’s clavicle and down to the swell of his pectoral muscle. He took in Galo’s sighs and squeezed. The must delicious moan erupted out of Galo’s throat that only got louder when his fingertips barely touched erect nipple.
Galo leaned down, kissing Lio as he pressed his hips against him harder. Lio groaned and reached down with one hand to feel the stiff bulge inside Galo’s jeans. He was so hard he imagined how good he would feel going inside. It gave him chills as Galo leaned into Lio’s hand.
“God… Lio… I’ve wanted this- ah! with you…ughh, for so long,” Galo struggled to say. Too many things were happening for him to focus coherently. Lio was playing with his clothed cock in one hand, a nipple in the other.
“Please,” Lio whispered into the shell of his ear. “Fuck me already.”
Steam could almost be seen coming out Galo’s ears. He shot back up into a sitting position, Lio’s legs wrapped around his hips. -A perfect sight.
“You. Bed. Now,” Galo managed to get out, furiously pointing to his mattress. “We aren’t doing this on a beat-up futon.” He stroked Lio from chest to belly and up to his thigh. “I have ideas.”
“Oh?”
“Please, bed, now,” Galo repeated. The redness had spread to his chest. Lio obliged, stepping to the bed and Galo followed, looking focused. Lio reached down to undo his pants when Galo placed his hands over Lio’s. “Allow me,” he offered, kissing the man as he worked Lio’s pants off onto the floor.
Gently, he led Lio only in his underwear down onto the bed. Lio’s erection was visible, a small spot of wetness was visible to clue. As Galo went to sit between Lio’s legs again, Lio placed a foot on his chest.
“So hotshot,” Lio smirked. His brain had finally caught up with him. Time to tease Galo. Only for a little bit, nothing mean. “What’s your idea?”
“Well,” Galo began, smiling warmly, “a little bit of this.” He removed Lio’s foot from his chest and began to massage the pads of the feet, and moving his thumb to follow the curve of Lio’s arch.
“Oh my god,” Lio sighed, throwing his head back into the pillow. He closed his eyes, taking in the sensations overloading his brain as Galo paused. He heard the sound of a cap and Galo’s hands return, covered in lotion. The smell of lavender floated on the air.
“Have you ever had this?” Galo asked.
“Huh..? No? Galo Thymos, are you into feet?”
“Only if it’s attached to you,” Galo laughed as he continued to massage Lio’s foot. “I’m into all of you, and if it’s gonna make you feel good, I’m going to do it.”
He wasn’t wrong. What it did was make Lio’s brain go fuzzy. All those years on the run, and he could remember how his feet ached when he had a moment’s rest. Each motion and gentle pull from Galo, fingers seemed to erase it all.
“You’re killing me, Thymos,” Lio groaned. “What the hell is going through your brain?”
“Well,” Galo began, placing the one foot down, only for Lio to kick his other up on his chest. He laughed softly.
“The other one, now, Thymos,” Lio instructed with a grin. Galo was creating a monster.
“Well,” he replied, “I plan to make you feel amazing.”
“I got the hint,” Lio teased. “Tell me how.”
“Patience!”
“Hard to be patient when there’s this dorky, kitten-saving hunk rubbing my feet while he’s hiding a fucking monster-sized cock in his pants,” Lio stated. He would have moved his free foot to press onto Galo’s crotch if it didn’t feel like contented jelly.
Galo let out a small laugh and lifted Lio’s leg high enough so he could kiss from his ankle down to the inside of his knee. Lio felt his face go red as Galo guided Lio to lay on his stomach. “Let me guess,” Lio began, closing his eyes. “Full body massage as foreplay?”
“You could say that,” Galo said. There was a clink of a belt buckle and Galo’s pants fell to the floor. Lio started feeling the heat in his face travel downwards as he felt the bed shift. As far as Lio could tell without looking, Galo was naked over top of him, his straining cock barely touching the small of his back, leaving some leakage.
Lio hummed Galo began to work on his arms and shoulders, searching out the tension, and kneading it away. He grunted as Galo worked on some knots, commenting on how Lio’s stance and how he carried weight were causing some of his pain. With each area he would finish with, he would bend over to kiss and suck on the skin, especially around the back of Lio’s neck, scraping his teeth against his skin.
Galo hopped off the bed and sat beside it, taking Lio’s hand and worked on massaging his forearm and hand. Lio turned to face Galo and was struck by the heady expression on the man’s face. This was nothing Lio ever expected, let alone imagine: Galo bent on one knee, naked in front of him, worshiping every neglected, overworked inch of his body. He watched as Galo kissed each scratch and scar and joint on his hand, working his way down until he reached nearly every digit, sucking on them before moving on to the next. Lio shuddered at the thought of when Galo would move on to his cock. He was beginning to have doubts he would survive.
“Galo…”
“It’s okay; let me do this for you,”
“But it’s the first time?”
“Told you. I want to make this great for you,”
“What about you?”
“Ever hear of a service kink?”
“Oh,” Lio said, getting the point. He allowed his head to sink into the pillow as Galo kissed his shoulder and moved back to the bed to work oh Lio’s other hand before resuming to work on his back.
That was the hardest on Lio. His own erection was becoming uncomfortable as Galo worked. He could tell Galo was still hard, his cock occasionally touching Lio as he worked.
Once it felt like Galo had finished he placed his hands on Lio’s hips and placed his cock on top of Lio’s ass. “So, do you think it’s going to fit?” Galo teased.
“Thymos, everything feels like jelly right now and I want to fucking kiss you already,” Lio stated. “Let me turn around.”
“As you wish,” Galo said, leaning back once more, allowing Lio to shift. The wet spot in Lio’s underwear had grown, as had the strain on the fabric keeping him confined. A smirk crept across Galo’s face, seemingly pleased with himself. “Here, let’s make you more comfortable,” Galo said, slipping his fingers into Lio’s waistband and helped him remove the offending garment, allowing Lio’s cock to stand to attention for Galo.
He caressed Lio’s hips with a sort of reverence. It was a good size for his body; Lio had not taken much thought to his size until he finally got a clear look at Galo’s. He forgot to breathe for a moment as he admired it. Galo’s cock was large and thicker than most, dwarfing Lio’s by comparison. Lio swallowed the thick lump in his throat. Impulse made him want to put Galo’s cock in his mouth, but he held back, waiting for more of Galo’s plans.
“Wow,” Lio managed to say, looking at the straining, hard member on Galo. His eyes couldn’t look away as Galo shifted his hips forward, letting their erections touch. It felt like fireworks.
“You look beautiful,” Galo said, leaning in for a gentle, deep, kiss. He worked his tongue, teasing out a moan before he kissed his way down to Lio’s stomach. A small pool of precum had started to form, and Galo lapped at it, cleaning Lio’s stomach before kissing the head of his cock. “Do you prefer I ride you or do you want to bottom?” Galo asked, sitting up, lazily stroking himself as his other hand slid to his perineum to lightly play with his entrance. Lio had to admit, the sight of this was a feast for the eyes. Stupid sexy Galo, being gorgeous as hell and considerate.
“Like I have the energy to top,” Lio snarked. He was clearly just as stupid. “Fuck me to the point I have to call off work tomorrow.”
“What’s the magic word?” Galo teased, leaning towards a drawer and pulling out a container of lube. He poured a generous amount onto his hand.
“Oh my god. Yes, PLEASE, Galo, fuck me to the point I have to call off work tomorr-AH!” before Lio could finish his sentence, Galo wrapped his lips around the tip of Lio’s cock like an open mouth kiss. Lio was ready to throw his legs around Galo’s neck, and cursed how relaxed they felt. He didn’t want to ruin the comfortable jellied feeling. Unfortunately for Lio, Galo was fully aware of how pliant he was.
“As you wish,” he said with a grin. Lio looked down in an attempt to watch Galo pepper his cock with licks and kisses, working the way back to the top. With a mischievous grin, Galo took all of Lio’s cock into his mouth. Lio gasped at the heat of Galo’s mouth and the sensation of tongue on the underside and a gentle pushing on his entrance.
“Galo!” Lio cried out, feeling his brain fizzle with his cock in Galo’s mouth and a finger inside of him, gently prepping him. It was an amazing sight to see, albeit difficult with Lio squeezing his eyes shut in pleasure. The sensations were crazy-making. Each time Lio looked, he locked eyes with Galo wearing a heavy-lidded expression, studying Lio as he bobbed his head on Lio’s cock, taking him down to the root. Then the bastard hummed as the back of his throat touched Lio’s cock.
“Fuck!” Lio cried again, bucking his hips. Galo took that as his cue to slide in a second finger on his next thrust, angling it just so to hit Lio’s prostate. He screamed.
Galo pulled off of Lio with a pop and a grin. “You haven’t even come yet,” Galo teased, stroking Lio and playing with the head of his cock as if it was one of Lucia’s candies, with less of the threatening crunch. He hit the prostate again, drawing out a moan as he worked on scissoring the entrance. “Are you feeling good?”
Lio moaned again, and tried to bury his face into the pillow. “You’re an asshole,” Lio whimpered with each time Galo spread his fingers.
“I think I like you like this,”
“You would,”
“Blissed out on my own hands? Yeah.”
“You’re -ha- lucky I’m letting you do all this right n-OH god Galo!” he moaned as Galo gave his cock a firm stroke before letting go and sliding his fingers out of Lio. “Oh God…..Ga-” Lio’s lips were met by Galo’s in a sloppy, salty kiss. Lio hated the chill left on his cock and the lack of Galo’s fingers moving inside him. As he felt Galo shift overtop of him, Lio could feel Glao’s cock occasionally touch him, harder than it was earlier, bobbing, waiting, -clearly throbbing for attention.
Lio slid a hand down Galo’s chest to find a pert nipple to fondle. Once taking Galo’s entire breast into his hand, he gave a simultaneous squeeze and pinch. At once he was rewarded with the most delicious moan come out of that big blue firefighter. Knowing Galo’s sensitivity there was dangerous information, especially seeing as he paraded shirtless. He responded to Lio’s advances with a rock of his hips and taking nips and sucks on his neck.
“I take it you’re ready?” Galo teased, latching onto one of Lio’s nipples with his mouth. God, Lio thought, he’s so infuriating with this rediscovered confidence. He rather enjoyed it despite it all.
“If I still had the promare I’d have burned you alive right now,” Lio retorted, spreading his legs as wide as he could and tilting his hips upward, trying to line Galo’s cock with his entrance. “Now stop teasing already and fuck me.”
“As you wish,” Galo said with a smile as he pulled away from his latch, leaving the nipple standing out like a shiny, tiny, rose-colored mountain. He lifted Lio’s legs to rest over his own and placed a hand at his waist. The other hand was occupied by Galo’s own large cock, ruddy from arousal, looking as if it was aching for release. Galo poured some lube into his hand and gave his cock a few firm strokes alongside a sigh.
Lio felt his mouth go dry looking at it as reality was sinking in. He, Lio Fotia, was in Galo Thymos’ bed. Naked. Galo Thymos was over top of him, naked and very much aroused. Over him. They were going to have sex. He was about to have Galo put a part of him into Lio. The situation felt unreal, but oh so wanted. Lio could feel his heart nearly stop as he watched Galo align himself, face twisted in concentration, chin pointing down washboard abs to his erection in hand, aimed directly at Lio.
“I’m going in now,” Galo said in a gentle voice that floated into Lio’s ears. Lio nodded in response as he wrapped his arms around Galo’s neck.
Lio would be lying if he didn’t say he was somewhat nervous as he began to feel a blunt pressure and pleasant burn that came with the stretch of muscle. He let out a short cry, and Galo pet his hair.
“Are you okay?” Galo cooed, pausing as Lio caught his breath. Galo was so hard, despite the generous lube applied, it was still a shock. “I’ve only got the tip in so far. If you need me to stop at any point at all, tell me.” He kissed Lio’s cheek in such a gentle, loving way, Lio felt his heart melt, despite being driven mad with arousal.
Lio swallowed and pet Galo’s shoulder to reassure him. “Keep going,” Lio said with a sigh. “I’m okay.” He chewed his lip as Galo pressed deeper as slowly as he could, pausing periodically to check in and allow Lio to adjust. Lio felt like he was soaring as Galo worked himself all the way inside. As he adjusted, Lio peppered him with kisses. “You feel amazing,” Lio said pressing his lips to Galo’s. “So good…”
“Hmm, I like being a good boy…” Galo hummed into Lio’s ear, giving him ideas for the future. The coiling sensation was growing in Lio’s belly. The constant start and stop and denial of release was agonizing entailed with the promise of payoff. “Are you ready for me to move?” he asked, sliding a hand down to Lio’s thigh while his arm supported his weight over the man underneath.
Lio nodded, feeling his face burn up. Galo furrowed his brow, pulling his hips out slowly and pushed back in, trying to determine his pace. Lio let out a delicious sigh, moaning as Galo would rock his hips in and out of him with slow, deliberate strokes. “Galo,” Lio moaned, feeling himself sink deeper into the bed every time Galo pressed his hips into him. Lio wished he could see Galo’s hips in action, admiring every muscle. “More, please, more,” Lio said, readjusting his arms in hopes of a better grip, only to dig his nails into Galo’s shoulders.
Galo responded immediately, picking up pace, and Lio wrapped both legs around Galo’s waist. His gasps and moans began to sound like a song set to the rhythm of Galo’s thrusts. “Fuck-God, Lio, you’re so beautiful,” Galo said between breaths, burying his face into Lio’s neck to suck a large red mark that would bruise in the morning. “I want to make you feel amazing and loved -ngh- every-ah!- day. Like you deserve.”
The words ‘I love you,’ were caught in Lio’s throat, unable to come out, and all he could do was cradle Galo’s head, and tangle his fingers in his hair. It was hard to concentrate as Galo kept aiming for the most sensitive places, making him whimper, cry, and moan. He yelled out, feeling Galo bear down on his collarbone and kiss the area after as his thrusts began to increase in intensity.
Lio dug his nails into Galo, hoping to maintain a grasp on something, anything, someone. Galo came to mind as he looked for security. The coiling sensation had him on the edge of a razor. “Galo, Galo,” Lio wailed over and over. “I’m coming, I’m-“
Galo interrupted him, pressing a hot kiss to his mouth and slamming his hips harder into Lio with every thrust. He held Lio close as he worked his hips to Lio’s frantic cries. “I’m here Lio. I’m here,” he said, caught in the moment. “I love you,” spilled from his lips, sweet as wine.
Lio came with a yell, throwing his head back and writhing underneath Galo, scratching at his back and pulling at his hair. Everything behind Lio’s eyes went bright white. Cum spilled onto his stomach, shooting up as far as his chest as Galo continued to work him into over-sensitivity. His motions were becoming frantic, trying to chase his own release.
“Galo!” Lio cried, feeling a dry orgasm come over him like a wave. “Fuck! -Ah! So good… oh god… Your cock feels so good…Keep going -fuck! be my good boy.”
Galo let out a strangled cry as he slammed his hips, stuttered, and came. Deep within Lio, he felt Galo’s cock spasm spilling everything he had. He collapsed on top of Lio, sweaty, panting and satisfied. Lio felt his chest swell with emotion as he petted Galo’s hair. They lay together tired and connected in comfortable silence, basking in the glowy haze of their shared petite mort. It was complete bliss.
“You are such a good, good boy,” Lio sighed, kissing Galo on the temple with his fingers lost in a tangle of hair. Galo purred and nuzzled into Lio’s chest.
“Yay,” Galo mumbled into Lio, kissing the area over the heart. “I meant what I said.” He sighed and shifted to a sitting position, slipping his spent cock out of Lio. “God, we’re a mess,” he said, taking his discarded briefs and placing them underneath Lio’s bottom. “Give me a second, I’ll clean us up,” Galo said, getting up to fetch a warm washcloth. “Don’t move. Move and it’s gonna spill everywhere…” Lio nodded and watched Galo step to his bathroom, run the sink for a moment and return, wiping smeared cum off his face from resting on Lio’s chest.
“Why not a shower?” Lio teased as he watched Galo clean him from his chest to stomach to cock, and worked around his entrance. He carefully placed the small towel underneath Lio’s bottom.
“Maybe a little later. Here, sit up,” Galo instructed, helping Lio sit in an upright position. There was an uncomfortable squelching sensation as Lio shifted, causing cum to leak out. “Oh! Didn’t realize I came that hard…” Galo trailed off, mesmerized at his work before cleaning Lio up.
Lio laughed, shook his head and leaned in to kiss Galo. “That was incredible,” he said, smiling and draping his arms over Galo’s broad shoulders. “So I guess we just skipped dating and went straight to the sex, huh?”
“It’s been a long time coming,” Galo said, returning the kiss with a smile. “I was struck by you in our first fight, and then how much you cared about the Burnish. You changed the way I thought about things… I thought a lot about you in that jail cell. And when you saved me… I’d have never forgiven myself if I didn’t save you.” He kissed Lio again, gentle and deep. “When I saw you standing there with me, looking out over Promepolis after we sent the Promare back, I knew I wanted to be by your side forever.”
Lio blushed and played with the compression strap over Galo’s chest. His legs now lazily draped across Galo’s lap, both still completely naked, comfortable, and with no intentions of getting dressed anytime soon. “I’m still processing everything,” Lio said after a pause. “But not in a bad way.” He smiled, pulled the compression strap and let go, getting a satisfying SNAP! on Galo’s skin.
“Everything as of late has been a series of readjustments for me,” he said, making himself look into Galo’s eyes, their foreheads pressed together, and Galo listening intently. “But you… you have been my constant. After everything that’s happened, you’ve not left my side, and I don’t want that to change.”
“So does that mean you love me, too?” Galo asked, grinning through teeth and rubbing noses.
Lio felt his heart twist, Galo was unbearably sweet.
“I won’t put a label on it. At least not just yet,” Lio cooed, slipping some fingers underneath the strap, playing with it as he tried to find the words he wanted.
“I’ll take it as a yes,” Galo replied, smiling into another kiss, deliriously happy as he threw himself and Lio back onto his bed, a tangle of arms, legs, and laughter.