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Vesper stumbled out of his room, barely holding onto the door. The light of a single orange candleflame illuminated his pallid face. He had a warm sweater on to give him at least a shred of comfort as he was slowly dying. His shaky legs nearly gave out underneath him as he walked closer to his roommate called out: "Keir!"
"Good grief, just stay in bed. You'll get hurt!" He said, putting down whatever he was doing at the table, Vesper couldn't see anything but Keirs head of red hair, could pay attention to nothing else but his voice and the pain of this failing body he was condemned to reside in.
Keir caught him in his arms before the young man could add to his ailments by falling over and breaking something. "Keir." Vesper repeated.
"Need something?"
"Company."
Keir scoffed and helped him sit down. "I'm horrible company."
"Still better than my own." Vesper said, wrapping himself in his own arms. He's gotten thin, frail. His mask kept his face covered but surely he had eyebags big enough to buy groceries with for a whole family, he laid awake all night from the agony of his illness. "When did you get back?"
"Few hours ago." Keir picked up his knife which he was apparently sharpening.
"You didn't say hi."
"You were sleeping."
"I guess I was." Vesper kept looking at the man. "I've always wondered how you can see through your mask."
"I just can. Gauze is thin." Keir sighed. "If you're this bored I can get you a book or something."
"I'd rather have you, thanks. My vision is worse than it was, I don't think I can read anymore." Indeed his vision has been horrible. He's been getting headaches from bright lights, he hadn't been able to focus on things and white spots have been appearing around in his peripheral.
"Sorry to hear that. I'm still looking for ichor. Don't give up hope." The rythmic sound of metal grinding is soothing to Vesper. Keir often sharpens his knife when he doesn't need to just to ground himself after a hard day. It brings peace to the whole apartment, not just him.
"If I gave up hope I'd have went home to die in my mother's arms. Imagine how comfortable it would be."
"Not an option for me."
"Hmm." Silence followed. Vespers racing heart slowed down in his chest after a few minutes of sitting. "Say Kier, has Griff been alright lately?"
"As alright as he always was. Do you miss him?" Vesper noticed that it was quiet now, his roommate was no longer sharpening the knife.
"A lot. I know he hates my guts, but I find myself happy to see him still." His eyes were half open, he could see as Keirs large freckled hand moved towards him, settling on top of his head. "What have I done for such a treat?"
"You're adorable, is all." Keir usually had a certain flatness to his voice, indistinct to preserve his anonymity, now he sounded quite happy. Or something like that.
"Good egg?" Vesper asked, remembering what Keir used to call him a few months ago.
"Good egg." The man awnsered. "I'll tell Griff, maybe he'll visit. In the meantime you should go to bed. You look like you're about to fall off that chair."
"I don't want to be alone." Vesper protested as he was swept up by the ginger giant.
"Then I'll stay with you, that good?"
"Hmm. Acceptable."
The bed felt cold, as had most things since the illness gotten worse. He sighed and looked at the bland, cracked ceiling. Keir carried a chair to the bedside and sat down.
"Say, Keir. Have you ever wanted to live on the surface?" The redhead scoffed.
"Of course I have, but I have no place there. I'm too old to start a decent life there." Keir found that he had nothing to occupy himself so he couldn't resist pouring his heart out to this dying man.
"How come?"
"To live a good life I'd have to work, to work I have to learn and to learn I'd have to pay. And also I'd need to be a child to learn, even if I could pay for my life up there, I'll never be a kid again. But why would I even go to the surface, everyone I care about is down here."
"Hmm, true." Vesper felt tired, as per usual. He kept his voice low.
"I suppose it's pointless to ask if you want to go back up."
"Sometimes I regret coming down. I could have died still feeling the warmth of the sun on myself."
"I'm going to get your lunar ichor then you can go back up to die however you wish, dumbass."
"Thank you Keir. But look at me. Even if I get the ichor, do you think I'll still recover?"
"Well, it's fucking expensive so you better. Besides, I made a bet with Griff. If you die I'll have to pay up." That made Vesper chucle. "And I'd have to pay A LOT. So don't die. Also you're a really good roommate, don't die." That made Vesper laugh harder.
"Keir, oh god... You two are so adorable!"
"Sure we are."
"Remember when you told me about the bones?" Vesper thought back to how unsettled he felt after that conversation. To think that the walls had human remains...
"Course, I'd have given a lot to see your face at that moment."
"Before that happens, please call a priest for me."
"You won't die." Keir is getting annoyed at all this death talk. "Go to sleep already."
"Hmm alright." Vesper closed his eyes and eventually dozed off. He did dream, but by the time he woke up he remembered none of it.
...
In the night, his eyes shot open. He looked at Keir, who was slumped over. Can't be good for his back. Vesper averted his gaze, eyes eventually tearing up from his racing thoughts. He turned over to face the man and reached out.
"Keir-" He sobbed. In his illness he became a desperate mess for this man whos face he had never even seen. He must be very gorgeous there too, judging by everything else about him, surely?
Keir jolted, finally awake. He looked around the room until his concealed gaze met the blank eyes of Vespers mask. "Are you okay?"
"No. I need to ask you something and I don't want you to feel pressured... But..." He sighed. "I don't want to die a virgin."
Keir was silent, Vesper became quite nervous. "Are you serious?" Was what came out if his mouth.
"Um."
"Why tell me, am I supposed to do something about that?" He sounds scared. Odd.
"Only if you want to. I wouldn't trust anyone else with it though." Vesper curled up, insecure all of a sudden in his very being. "No pressure." He wanted to beg, to crawl towards Keir on his knees and wail.
Keir grunted, grappling the morals in his soul. Is this the right time, is this right at all? Is he taking advantage of Vesper or is Vesper taking advantage of him? He's wanted to bed the man for ages, he wanted to wait until he's healthy again and shoot his shot. Then again, what if Vesper is right and the end is nigh?
"I'll help you." He said, unsure but also excited.
"Thank you, Keir." The redhead turned the oil lamp down until there were basically no light left. He undid his mask completely and Vesper was pleased to catch a glimpse of a sharp jawline and some short stubble that has waited for a shave for a few days. "If it wasn't so dark I might just see if the freckles go all the way down."
"Use your imagination." Keir climbed over Vesper, trying not to seem too desperate. "Are you going to strip?" He playfully poked Vespers mask.
"For you? Anytime." Vesper undid it and placed it by his bedside table, which was empty save for the bottle of painkillers that barely worked. "Care to lean back for a little while?" Keir obliged and the sweater came off. Vesper felt quite chilly.
"I can't see much, but you didn't lie. You really have some strong eyebrows. And no gap tooth." Keir stroked his cheek. "I'll have to trust you about your eyes tho."
"You turned the lamp down, stop complaining. It's not like I'd rat you out for being handsome."
Keir scoffed. "Mouthy as always... You know, this isn't how I imagined our first kiss."
"You..? Aw Keir. And to think I was afraid you didn't like me." Vesper crawled closer, cautiously putting his palm on Keirs shoulders. "Well, I imagined we'd go on a date before our first kiss. I'd have a few shots to help me calm down beforehand, then I'd have stood on my tip toes and kissed you very gently. "He placed a tiny smooch on Keirs cheek. "Like this, but of course you'd rather have the real deal, and you'd kiss me properly. That's how I imagined it."
Keir got the memo and leaned in to kiss Vesper on the mouth. Short and sweet, perfect for a first try. Now that Keir was unmasked, bare, Vesper could see that he was smiling, just barely. "Good enough?"
"Perfect." Vesper kissed him again, bolder, now that he was sure Keir wanted it. Keirs hands found their way to Vespers back and he was gently pushed towards the mattress until Keir loomed over him once again. Keir found himself wanting to savour this, it could be the last time. He didn't want to rush.
Vesper sighed contently, raking his fingers through the man's hair while they kissed. Keir held his head in place with a hand, that let him know he was as desperate as Vesper.
Soon enough, Vespers hands traveled downwards. So did Keirs, the hand went from his face to his waist as the kiss got messier. They ate each other up like they've never had a proper meal. Prickly stubble grazed his skin and he couldn't even think to envy it, it was so good.
Keir scooted lower, pushing his face into Vespers neck. His legs wrapped around Keir, arms around his neck, closer and closer. The man's hands gently caressed his skin and daringly ventured down towards his pants.
After a moan, Vesper said. "I want to crawl under your skin and be with you forever." Keir held back from laughing.
"How adorable."
Vesper chuckled at his own absurdity. "Indeed." His smile faltered as the freckled hand undid his drawstring and sunk below. "Hey Kier?" He asked slightly fearfully.
"I'm here." Keir stopped and kissed his neck, trying to be reassuring.
"Be prepared for what you'll find." Vesper said quietly.
"Oh I know, saw you washing your binders on laundry day."
"Oh. Busted." He was relieved that he didn't mind. It's not a coincidence that he's never been with anyone before. "Be prepared anyway."
"Ves. Don't worry." His hand went lower, fingers raking through his happy trail. Vesper couldn't help but be nervous in uncharted territory. Keir could sense this from how tense his leg was around his waist. "I said don't worry, idiot."
He giggled. "Apologies!" Then went completely limp. Keir sighed and pinched his side. "Agh!" He went to fight back but found himself completely helpless against Keir. He was kissed half to death. His breath was taken away and he languidly moaned when the other man's knuckles grazed over his underwear just right.
"Good?"
"Ghuhh.. yesh."
"Good." He continued, kissing Vespers neck while he did that. His hands made their way back to caress Keirs body, lightly scratching his skin with overgrown nails. "Mmhhmmm." The sound their lips made, wet and hot, echoed between the plain walls.
"Keir." Vesper grabbed the teasing hand and pressed it closer to his crotch. "Please?"
"Please what?"
He sighed. "Nothing..." He felt Keirs allegedly blue eyes on him.
"Don't be coy." Keir obliged and pulled his underwear off completely, leaving him in a shirt, fuzzy socks and nothing else.
"I think I can decide for myself if I want to be coy." He said, all sassy, then gasped when Keir actually heeded his desire and touched him.
"Mouthy as always. Why do I always end up with people like this?" Keir sighed, then went to pull Vespers shirt off. "You look as pretty as I imagined." His hand slid down from Vespers chest all the way down to his crotch again. Goosebumps rose up from his skin as his felt careful fingers rub his clit.
"You imagined? Cute." Vesper said, kicking his socks off. "You should get undressed too. It's a bit awkward for me right now." Keir whispered an 'oh' and quickly rid himself of his shirt and pants. "Much better, thank you."
"Like what you see?"
"Yes, and I'd like it even more in proper light, I'm sure." Vesper crawled towards the man and pulled him to the mattress by his wrist. "Glad to see you're as happy as I am." He gestured to the erection Keir was sporting.
Keir staid silent.
"Don't be coy, Keir!" Vesper crawled into his lap and kissed him again, sitting on his thigh. "I wanna do something." He mumbled.
"Then do it." Keirs hands wrapped around him, his mind raced with thoughts of what could happen next, his body burned from all the excitement.
"I'm gathering my courage!" Vesper said, pinching his nose. "I'm nervous, alright?"
"If you won't do it I will do something." Keir teased.
"I um." He looked down at a certain something, all demure and bashful. "Can I?"
"Don't be shy." The redhead told him. Vesper thought, 'just do it, he clearly wants it' and he did it. He touched it, this is incredible!
"Oh boy I'm doing it." Keir quietly laughed at him but let him take his time.
"You're adorable." Vesper have it a good long rub. "Careful with your nails."-he added. Voice slightly strained.
"I've heard that a few times." He went reeeaally slow on Keir, obviously he had no idea it was quite frustrating. He meant to do good and Keir knew, so he took it. For 40 or so agonizing seconds he gripped the sheets, holding himself back from following up on his animalistic urges. "Is this fine?"
"Hmm, I think we should be paying more attention to you, don't you think?" Keir grabbed his hand after he couldn't take it anymore. "Lay down, good-egg."
Vesper giggled and did as he was told. Keir, very happily intertwined their fingers and kissed him. Keir moved his knee between Vespers, making a little moan slipped from his lips. He could barely think straight after hearing that.
"Something the matter, Keir?"
"You sound different than I imagined you would."
"How am I different?"
"Well, I thought someone who likes the sound of his voice this much would be a lot louder." That ticked Vesper off just a little but, he mischievously chuckled.
"If you want me to be louder, give me a reason for it."
"Mouthy." Keir felt it to be his god given right in that moment to literally grab the menace by the neck. "I should have shaved today." He muttered, then lightly caressed his way down until he felt how wet he made the man. "Just live until tomorrow, then I'll shave and you can scream my name until the dead crawl from the walls."
Vesper covered his mouth in his fluster, and felt that his cheeks were on fire. "A tempting offer... I'll accept."
"Good." His fingers traced him up and down and Vesper gripped the hand on his throat like he'd die without it. "Enjoying yourself, Ves?"
"God, yes! Keir!" He mewled and whined for more, which put the biggest, nastiest grin on Keirs face. I suppose it's obvious at this point but he wanted to do this for a long time. In fact, most of the time he'd known Ves. He gently eased his index finger in, enjoying every little breath and moan that it brought forth. He was dripping as well.
"Feel like screaming yet?"
"Hmmmph, keep up the work and I might!"
"Thought so." He knew just the spot. He's done this enough times to know. His finger explored, sliding around easily in the hot slick. The middle finger joined soon, and Vesper was almost writhing. He's getting there in volume.
"KEIR! Put it in."
"Already?"
"PUTITIN!" Keir smiled. He did this and he felt good about it.
"As you wish." He lined himself up and very slowly entered. Vesper whimpered and moaned, and wanted nothing more than to kiss that stupid man until he couldn't breathe. He reached up and pulled Keir down. Their lips met once again.
"Move." He managed to say with the man's tounge halfway to his molars in his mouth. Keir obliged. He moved. "Faster."
"I think we should take it slow." Keir leaned back and put a hand on Vespers waist for some stability.
"Well, I think you should rearrange my guts right now." Vesper let himself be gently rocked back and forth, enjoying the sensation throughoutly. "Pretty please?" He felt out of breath just taking it, but it was too good to stop.
"How cute. Be patient." Keir felt as though he would burst right then, he was getting what he wanted, which he isn't used to. "You're doing really well." From what little he saw of Vespers body, he enjoyed. Skin shined from sweat and his eyes shimmered, tears almost spilling. He felt like a beast in this moment, he could go crazy.
Vesper smiled in the darkness, soft body was shaken back an forth and he rhythmically gasped with Keirs thrusting. "Thanks I guess." He gripped the sheets and covered his mouth when the occasional long moan threatened to come out. "Oh Keir..."
"Getting loud, are we."
"Pleeeaasssee! Faster!" Keir was reluctant but he'd be lying if he said he didn't want to 'rearrange' him. By now Vesper realized he was much more than a passive participant in this activity and he gave Keir a squeeze. The man bent at the waist, grip loosening on Vespers neck.
"Damn." He picked the pace up. Ves smiled and got loud. The bed creaked, and maybe even the sky shattered far above them. They wouldn't have noticed.
"Keir! Keir! KeirKeirKeirKeir! Ahh!" Vesper came right then, feeling so warm and fuzzy. "In me."
"You're a freak. Are you sure you're a virgin?" Keirs hand left his neck and he hugged his companion thight while he worked up to his orgasm.
"I've... Read a- a lot of books!" He could barely speak as Keir kissed and railed him. An attack from both directions. Finally, Keirs hands squeezed him thightly and warmth came spilling into him. "Oh that feels weird!"
"You wanted it. Live with it." Keir patted him on top of his head. Ves could hear that he was smiling.
"And I don't regret it." He stretched, sighing happily. Keeping Keir close with his legs. "Thank you Keir. I appreciate the favor you've given me." He stroked Keirs back with his long nails, held his stubble cheek with a shaking palm. "Keir, you are to die for."
"Don't mention it. My pleasure."
Vesper chuckled, then gasped when Keir pulled out.
"Now, we bathe, then we sleep. Tomorrow I'll shave and you can thank me even more if you still have a voice." He stood up and turned the lamp up, completely forgetting that he was not only butt naked, but also unmasked. "You can sleep in my bed, it's way bigger. Also Im not in the mood to change sheets."
"Sure. Thanks."
Vesper laid there, recovering. Heart beating hard. Keir came back to carry him to the bathroom and then from there to the bedroom. They were both mostly silent, holding each other until they fell asleep.
...