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Other than the whistle of wind heard from one of the open kitchen windows, it's quiet in the chapter house. Too quiet, a quiet that's unsettling considering the life recently lost. There's still evidence of a disturbance, parts of the place still ransacked, but Sean's room is undisturbed.
Not that there's much in it to be disturbed.
It's empty of decoration, nothing but a simple bed with a small side table. Sean's only got a handful of clothes hanging in the closet and a leftover baseball on the shelf, but other than that you wouldn't know anyone lived here.
Marion thinks Sean keeps it that way on purpose - keeps it half-lived in so he can convince himself it's only temporary. That once his ma isn't locked up he can get his house back, his family back, and leave this place behind.
Marion wishes it were that easy.
Sean's been standing in the entryway for a minute, staring at nothing. No doubt ruminating about another mission gone sideways.
Nathaniel and Auntie Bee have left to take Lucas to the Trapp family home, and Jinnah is taking care of Draven's body.
So the two of them were left to clean up at the house, but Marion doesn't think Sean paid attention when he followed him up here.
Marion comes in behind him, closing the door slowly, and Sean starts, having just noticed him.
With the door closed the only light is emanating from the quarter moon, seen through the room's singular window, but Marion is certain he could read Sean even in pitch dark.
He watches as Sean recovers, pulls his mask over his vacant, harrowed expression, and turns to throw Marion a grin that doesn't meet his eyes.
The shadows of the blinds fall over his face as he does, ironically demonstrating how he's shuttered off his emotions once again.
"Hey, Mari." Sean says it in that soft, playful way that usually gets Marion to do whatever he wants. It's so endearing, but it won't work this time. Not tonight.
"Hey, Sean." Marion's voice is sterner, they can both taste the argument already prepared on his tongue, and Sean's jaw clenches in anticipation.
"You doin' okay?" Marion asks it knowing damn well Sean probably won't answer honestly, but he has to at least try.
"You'd know if I wasn't, right Collodi?" Sean chimes again with a chuckle, deftly dodging the question before turning and going to light the lamp on the bedside table.
"Yeah, I would." Marion agrees, watching Sean kneel down with the match and flood the room with warm, amber light.
Sean is a lot of things, but he's not an actor.
That pretty smile can fool a lot of people, but there's no hiding the rigidity of his back and the stiff line of his shoulders. His muscles are still pulled, taught, posed for a fight even as they're supposedly settling down for the night.
"Heard you talkin' to Auntie Bee earlier." Marion remarks, and he notices Sean tense further, like he knows what's comin'.
"Mari-"
"You wanna yell at someone, yell at me." Marion continues anyways, but the exhaustion in Sean's voice almost makes him stop. He knows the last thing Sean wants to do is talk, knows the man needs rest like nobody else, but there's nothing else he can do.
And he's gotta do something, or Sean's not gonna be around much longer to rest or do much of anything.
Sean sighs, and it's full of exasperation and reveals a deep ache. He sounds so tired, like he's in pain, and Marion only wants to help. He wants to force Sean to let him help.
"I hear ya, Mari. I won't yell at Auntie Bee, okay?" Sean leaves the lit lamp and moves to sit on the side of the bed. He starts pulling off his dirt covered boots, still not looking at Marion.
"Now will you save the lecture and let me be so I can get some shut eye?"
"No."
"No?" Sean's voice is sharp now, having lost all its playful pretense, and he finally looks at Marion with a defiant glare that would send lesser men running.
"You're not okay, Sean-"
"Fuckin- obviously!" Sean shouts, and throws his boots at the wall, sending them clattering to the ground. Marion winces and shakes his head, ready for the upcoming tantrum.
"I'm fuckin' tired, Marion. Tired of these freaky ass bleed monsters, tired of seein' people get killed and kids get abandoned! Nobody's fuckin' 'okay', Marion, so you know what I'm gonna do about it?" Sean pauses his rant just to make sure he's got Marion's eye. "Go the fuck to sleep."
"Oh yeah? And how well 're you gonna sleep tonight?"
Sean rolls his eyes and puts his head in his hands briefly, groaning in frustration.
"That's not- What're you trying to accomplish here, Collodi?" Sean presses, gesturing between them.
"Talk about our feelings? Try and make me feel good?" Sean's sneer is nothing but mocking, "Read me a bedtime story and tuck me in?"
"If that's what you want." Marion offers without hesitation.
Sean laughs at this, but the sound is hollow, and lifts up off the bed, his fists clenched in irritation.
"Stop acting like you're my ma."
"I would if you took care of yourself like you're meant to."
"I'm not a fuckin' kid, Collodi," Sean spits the name and surges forward, shoving Marion towards the door. "I don't need rearin', and I've been takin' care just fine."
"Really? 'Cause you look like shit, Sean." Marion doesn't know what else to say, doesn't know how to get it through Sean's head that he's got needs. And more importantly, he's got people he can lean on if he can't meet those needs by himself.
Sean laughs again, still no humor in it, and drags a hand through his hair.
"Yeah? Well, so do you." Sean knocks his hand against Marion's chest, where lines of harsh blue sit under the fabric. "I'm not the one who needs help, Marion."
This strikes a chord, it's the first real thing Sean's said this whole conversation, and he looks desperate as he stares at Marion's torso.
"I'm- I'm doing the best I can to get you help, Mari." Sean whispers, tracing his fingers almost absentmindedly over his shirt, seeing if he can feel the bumps of the magical scars there.
"Everything I do-" Sean pauses abruptly, choking on his words and pressing his tongue against his cheek. For a second Marion is worried he'll stop talkin' altogether.
"I wake up, and I work, and I fight, and I do whatever I can. I know- I know it ain't much. I can't do much; I'm not a doctor, I'm not some scientist, I don't know what the fuck is going on," Sean admits, his hands curlings into fists as he grabs onto Marion's vest, as though if he tried hard enough he could physically shake some sense into him.
"I'm only a soldier. All I can do is fight."
"You're more than just a soldier, Sean." Marion puts his hands on top of Sean's, hoping the warm touch brings him some comfort.
"Don't ask me not to fight."
"You're allowed to rest. You're allowed to take a break. You deserve to-"
"Don't ask me to-"
"I'm not sayin' that. I'm saying you don't need to keep fighting alone. You're not alone, Sean." Marion wraps Sean up in a hug, pulling the man closer, and Sean buries his face into Marion's shoulder. Marion hopes he can feel every ounce of love he has for him. Hopes he knows that what he's saying is true. "I'm here, Sean."
"Mari, just…just let me- I can't do much, but I gotta take care of you, okay?" Sean's voice cracks and he sounds like he's moments from begging. He's clinging to Marion's vest for dear life, hands clenched tightly around the olive cloth.
"No, Sean." Marion says softly, caressing the back of his head and letting him burrow further against his neck.
"Let me take care of you, for once."
Sean's still wound up tight as all hell, still as a statue, but his shoulders start to shake as he lets a few tears fall onto Marion's shoulder.
Marion holds him through it, just like Sean held him during the last couple missions. He pets his hair and rubs a hand along his back in a calming, circular motion.
Sean weeps silently against him and Marion can feel as the fight leaves him, his shoulders relax, and his spine goes limp. Marion moves an arm around his waist to help him stay upright, although Sean still hasn't let go of his vest.
As he calms down and stops shaking Marion unfurls Sean's clenched fists, placing little pecks atop his knuckles before then letting them fall.
Sean finally lifts his head up, quiet and almost meek after his outburst. There's a bit of red spread across his cheeks, likely from embarrassment at being coddled, but Marion smiles at the color regardless.
He brings his hands to Sean's face and wipes away the tears on his cheeks with his thumbs. He tilts his face so that he can look him in the eye, and just stares for a moment, hoping Sean can see from his gaze just how much he cares about him.
"Let me take care of you." Marion repeats, and it's more than a request this time. It's a commitment.
Sean stares back, blue eyes puffy and wide with fear and longing, and nods.
And Marion kisses him.
It's not the first time he's kissed him, but he's never kissed him like this.
The other times had always been quick and rushed, usually initiated by Sean alongside the excuse of needing to 'scratch an itch' or 'get it out of his system'. Sean would kiss more with his teeth than his lips, and manhandle and push his way through the process like he did with any job.
This kiss was different. It was slow and warm and soft and gentle. Marion poured every ounce of his love and affection for Sean into his lips. He wasn't kissing him to prove anything beyond that.
It's a far more intimate and therefore more dangerous kind of kiss, and after a moment of shock Sean melts into it almost instinctively.
He moans into Marion's mouth, too tired or too touched to let his inhibitions get in the way. Marion traces his tongue along his lips, coaxing his mouth open. Sean tastes like cigarette smoke and blood and somethin' sweet, probably left over from some candy he was suckin'.
They stay that way for a while, kissing languidly while Marion cradles his face in his hands.
Still, old habits die hard, and eventually Sean gets impatient and starts to nip at him. Marion pushes him back and fixes him with a knowing look.
"It doesn't have to be that. I'm taking care of you, remember?" Marion claps a hand on the back of Sean's neck, holding him there firmly.
"What do you want?" Marion asks like he doesn't already know. Like they both don't know. He just needs to hear Sean say it.
"I want-" Sean starts bold but falters, and he knows he can't lie to Marion again. Not this time. Not tonight.
"I want you…I want you to tell me what to do." Sean admits quietly, almost shyly, but it's clear from the way his shoulders are hunched that he's scared stiff.
"Okay." Marion replies, and it's this simple acceptance that seems to relieve Sean. He crumples again into Marion, hiding his red face again in his neck.
Marion chuckles, amused and reminded again of how young Sean really is.
How young they both are.
The war took much from them, but it didn't take them from each other.
Marion walks towards the edge of the bed, kissing lightly along Sean's neck as he guides them both closer.
Marion separates and takes a seat on the edge of the bed and leaves Sean standing there.
"C'mere." Marion spreads his legs and gestures for Sean to come stand between them. He doesn't know where the confidence comes from. Probably Sean.
Sean steps forward hesitantly, but his eyes are wide in response to Marion's commanding tone. A tone he probably hasn't heard since the war.
"Take your shirt off."
Sean sucks in a breath in surprise but moves to do it quickly.
"No, not like that. Slower. I wanna see you." Marion rephrases, and turns his gaze to watch Sean's deft fingers undo each button at a time.
He's got such lovely hands. They're worn and calloused and the fingernails are anxiously bitten to shreds. But they're also big and warm and sure. Marion's never doubted that those hands could get the job done. Sean's always been good with his hands, after all.
"The suspenders too, open up for me." Marion requests, and runs his hand up Sean's chest in the interim. He pushes the fabric aside to fully expose his chest, his touch light and curious.
He doesn't get to admire the other soldier often. Sean keeps himself busy on purpose, doesn't stop to think much less let himself stand on display.
For Marion, though, he stands and waits, his hands unsure and fidgeting at his sides.
Marion doesn't waste the opportunity and takes his time. He moves a hand over his broad shoulders, across his collarbone, and then down his chest. His fingers brush over Sean's nipples, causing the man to shiver, and Marion makes a note to do that again.
He runs his hand over his stomach, feeling the firm muscle and soft fat there.
Sean's always been strong, Marion noticed when they were kids, even before puberty made him start lookin' down at Marion rather than up. It was hard keeping a growin' boy fed, much less three, so Sean'd been on the underfed side for many years. It wasn't until recently, workin' at the chapter house and getting resources from Candela Obscura, that he'd finally begun to fill into his wider frame. Now he'd put some weight on his bones and hard worked muscles, and it was a good look on him.
"You're beautiful, you know that?" And this, more than Marion's hands on him, makes Sean blush.
He knows the man isn't used to getting compliments. Sean walks around with a chip on his shoulder like he's ashamed to still be alive, and hides the scars on his body the same way he hides the ones on his heart.
Marion traces one of those scars now, a line of fibrous tissue from a bullet that grazed his side. A bullet Marion wasn't able to save him from, though it thankfully did little damage. It'd been stitched up crudely in the trenches and hadn't healed clean. Sean didn't have access to a skilled doc like Jinnah during the war, and even now he refuses her help half the time.
Sean doesn't take care of himself, doesn't let himself get patched up properly. That much is clear by the other scrapes and marks littering his body, some of them still fresh and dirty. Marion has always wondered if Sean wants the pain, wants it to stay. He thinks he grounds himself in it. Still, he makes a note to wash up with him after this, scrub him clean even if Sean won't.
"Your body's littered with beauty marks, just like mine." Marion huffs a laugh, gesturing briefly to the blue veins leaking out of his own collar.
Marion doesn't know that Sean yet believes his compliments, but Marion counts the appeased smile on his face as a win regardless.
Marion pulls Sean forward by his hips and plants a kiss over each of his scars. He thumbs at his now hardened nipples and takes satisfaction when Sean gasps.
"On your knees, Finnerty." Marion calls once he's decided he's given him enough attention.
Sean drops after another pause, seemingly still not used to hearing the command in Marion's tone. He keeps his eyes on Marion but licks his lips in anticipation.
"See somethin' you like?" Marion teases as he tilts his hips towards him. This manages to turn Sean's attention, and those bright blue eyes are now staring at his already bulging crotch.
"Go ahead and unzip me."
Sean's hands are shaking as he slides down the zipper carefully.
"You good?" Marion can't help but check in.
"Yeah." Sean murmurs, though his gaze doesn't shift. "Real good."
Sean pulls his jeans down just enough to give him more room, and then he's left staring at the tent in Marion's briefs.
"Take those off too," Marion urges, biting his lip as Sean's hands get close.
"Look what you do to me."
Sean complies readily, pulling the waistband of his underwear down until his dick pops out, swaying briefly in the stagnant air. Sean's tongue darts out to wet his lips again at the sight, and Marion can't say he's surprised that his old friend's a cocksucker. He always did love a hearty meal.
"Open your mouth for me." Marion directs, and Sean finally makes eye contact with him again. His eyes are heavy lidded now, dark with want and need and lacking any fear or hesitation. His hands are gripping his thighs tight in anticipation.
Sean opens his mouth and Marion rests a brown thumb over his pink tongue. Sean holds himself still although his lips twitch and he swallows around Marion's digit, clearly anxious to latch onto something.
"You want somethin'?" Marion asks innocently, like Sean isn't practically drooling.
Normally Sean would crack back with something witty, but this time he just nods and whines. The sound is so needy and desperate, so different from what Marion is used to, that he's the one that blushes this time. Marion'll do anything to hear that sound again.
"Open wider," He instructs, pushing down on Sean's jaw and sliding his thumb along his teeth. "No biting, okay?"
This time Sean huffs a laugh, keeping his mouth open and fixing him with a look that says, 'You think I don't know how to suck dick?'.
Marion grins, glad to see his boy is still in there, and scoots forward on the edge of the bed.
He pulls Sean's head towards him by the back of his neck and holds him there as he uses his other hand to settle the tip of his cock on the flat of Sean's tongue. He taps it there briefly, tempting Sean.
"Go on. Lick it." Marion commands, his voice almost breathless at the sight before him.
Sean needs little prompting and laves his tongue over the head, lapping up the precum and moaning at the taste. His eyes fall shut as he gets to work, turning all of his attention toward following his orders and doing a good job.
And boy does he do a good job. He's got Marion groaning right away, wasting no time licking up and down his shaft and getting him good and ready.
Sean's breath is warm and hot, his tongue is wide and wet, and he uses it well to swirl his tongue around Marion like he's a damn lollipop. The sight is the best kind of deja vu, and Marion knows he could easily get lost in the feeling.
He makes sure he doesn't, though, not yet at least. This isn't just for him, after all.
"Now suck." Marion urges, pushing his hips up further into Sean's mouth.
Sean nods and latches on immediately, taking Marion down his throat so fast and far he draws a startled gasp from him. Sean laughs and lifts up, then returns to slowly working the full length of Marion into his mouth.
Every time Marion groans or makes a noise of approval towards Sean's efforts, Sean returns the sound with a moan of satisfaction that vibrates along his cock.
"That's it, sweetheart." Marion coos, putting a hand under Sean's jaw and stroking his cheek almost absentmindedly, transfixed by the man before him.
"Deeper now, you can do it." Marion pushes with another thrust of his hips.
Sean's relaxed and pliant like this, all the tension from earlier being slowly bled from his body as he focuses on Marion's pleasure.
Sean reacts to Marion's word like it's law, and lets him guide him with his touch without objection.
It's not just obedience, Sean's always been capable when it comes to obeying orders. It's trust. It's the comfort and confidence they have between one another, over anyone else, not only as friends but also as comrades.
They both know they'd die for each other in a heartbeat. And this, Marion believes, is part of why Sean is able to let go of himself here and now, and truly submit to Marion. Give way and trust Marion to take care of him.
"Look at me, Sean." Marion can't help but ask.
Sean opens his eyes, but his gaze is unfocused.
Marion lets out a shaky breath at the sight of Sean almost completely blissed out, just drooling on his cock.
His eyes are that same deep, bottomless blue but they're glazed over under his heavy lids. His face is flushed, the red splashed across his skin drawing attention to his smattering of freckles.
"You're doing so good, baby." Marion runs a hand over Sean's head, pushing aside some of the sweatier strands of his hair so he can see him more clearly.
Sean's breathing heavily through his nose and hasn't stopped hollowing his cheeks or working his ruby red lips around Marion. He looks desperate for it, fuckin' filthy even, saliva dripping along his chin as he bobs his head up and down. Sean keeps sucking like he's seeking more of him, like he's trying to swallow Marion whole.
Marion can't decide what he likes better, the feeling of his wet mouth or the obscene display in front of him.
All of a sudden he's close, he can't handle the sensation, his orgasm rocketing forward, and he bucks into Sean's throat, making the other man choke.
"Stop! I'm-" Marion can't get the words out but grabs Sean by the hair and pulls him off of him just in time as he spills over his face. Marion groans, moaning loud and long, and his eyes slot shut as he rides through his orgasm, still absentmindedly canting his hips.
When Marion comes down, still gasping and trying to catch his breath, he opens his eyes and sees Sean where he's still got a handle on him.
The man hasn't moved and there's several ropes of cum covering his face, the sight almost makes Marion hard again.
Sean darts a tongue out to taste the bit dripping near his mouth and there's the slight curve of a satisfied smile on his lips. He's panting heavy and his eyes are still heavy lidded and hazy, pupils blown wide, and Marion realizes just how far gone Sean truly is.
He knows Sean is tired; tired of having to fight, tired of having to think, tired of everything. Here he doesn't have to think about a thing, doesn't have to worry, doesn't have to be himself. Marion will do all the thinkin' for the both of them, so Sean can rest.
After another moment Marion lets go of him and Sean's head falls forward onto his knee, like his hand was the only thing keeping him up in the first place.
Marion takes off his vest quickly and tosses it towards the closet before shedding his shirt. He's normally self conscious about his bare chest these days, the indigo veins there obvious and jarring, but he knows Sean won't pay it any attention, at least not right now.
"Sorry, sweetheart." He mutters, though he doubts Sean even cares, as he uses his sleeve to wipe the cum off of Sean's face. He wets his thumb and runs it over his lips, which are puffy from use.
"Let me take care of you." Marion offers once more, helping Sean get to his feet and unbuttoning his pants, pulling them down so he can step out of them more easily. Marion spots the wet stain on his underwear and smirks, sliding those off too. Sean's hard and aching, and hisses as the fabric jostles his cock.
"Come here." Marion beckons Sean and moves further up the bed, sitting up fully. Sean follows easily, crawling on the bed towards Marion. Marion pats his thighs and Sean stops in between them, kneeling and waiting.
"You want me to touch you?" Marion asks as he rests his hands on the back of Sean's thighs, which began to tremble.
Sean's still nonverbal but he nods, breath hitching at his words.
Marion smiles and nods too, bringing a hand to the tip of Sean's cock. Sean gasps and crumples against Marion immediately, his forehead resting on his shoulder as he spreads his legs farther and digs his fingers into the sheets below him.
"So pretty." Marion comments as he starts to rub his thumb over his slit, gathering up the precum there and using it to slicken him. Sean cries out and he sounds close already, he's been hard for so long after all, and he bucks his hips up into Marion's hand.
"That's it," Marion encourages him, sliding his hand up and down and squeezing occasionally. "Let yourself feel good."
Sean moans and continues thrusting his hips with Marion's permission. His back arches further and he throws his arms around Marion's shoulders instead, holding onto him for dear life.
"You deserve to feel good." Marion continues, picking up the pace of his hand.
"Let me hear you." He says when he notices Sean biting his lips. "Love the pretty sounds you make."
Marion whispers compliments and assurances as he jacks Sean off, enjoying the way he gasps and groans and falls apart in front of him.
Pretty soon Sean is shaking, rocking his hips and mewling against him. His cock is throbbing and flushed, and Sean's noises get more and more pitched as he keens and whines and begs.
"You can let go, sweetheart." Marion coaxes, maintaining his strong grip and swift pace. "Do it for me."
Then, sure enough, suddenly Sean is scrambling for purchase, his nails raking across his back, and Marion kisses him to swallow up the scream he lets out as he tumbles over the edge.
Marion holds Sean and strokes him through it until it's clear the stimulation is too much, then he lets go.
Sean shakes and spasms, still clutching onto Marion and whimpering as he slowly comes down. Both of their torsos are sticky now, but Marion ignores that in favor of bringing them closer together. He wraps his arm around the larger man's waist and brings a hand to the back of his neck, holding it there to stabilize him.
Sean is clearly wiped following his climax, he leans most of his weight onto Marion and his limbs are loose and limp around Marion.
Sean gradually comes back to himself and kisses Marion back languidly.
"Hey baby," Marion leans back and strokes his cheek. "You okay?"
"Mmm." Sean nuzzles against his cheek, still a bit out of it. He looks pleased, albeit drowsy, and truly unburdened for the first time in a long time.
"Sleepy?" Marion prods, laughing at the slow blink Sean gives in response, nodding solemnly.
Marion uses his nearby left over shirt to briefly clean off their chests before tossing it onto the floor. He still plans to give Sean a proper wash later, but it's fine if they take a nap for now. They can always clean the sheets and themselves later.
Marion lays down and Sean flops onto his side beside him. His eyes are already slotting shut as his head hits the pillow, but he raises his hand to grab onto Marion.
Marion smiles softly and scoots closer, entangling their legs together and ensuring Sean he's not leaving. With this Sean settles fully, and in no time he's out like a light.
Marion listens to Sean's faint snores and reminisces. They've fallen asleep together plenty of times, though usually in far less comfortable circumstances. Often Sean fits and starts in his sleep, fighting against something even in his dreams.
Marion is glad to see that tonight there's no hard lines on his face, his expression smooth and serene. He doesn't know if it was his affection, his orders, or his hands, but he's glad he could bring him some relief. Help Sean sleep soundly, at least for a night.
There will still be problems come morning. There's still mysterious bleed creatures to fight, and innocent folks to protect. Sean keeps his emotions close to his chest, and it takes work to draw them out of him.
But for now, Marion tells himself to worry about it later and sinks into the mattress. He sweeps a hand over Sean's scalp, pushing aside his hair. He traces a finger over his forehead, his brows, his crooked nose, his pursed lips. Maps out the contours of his face, ensures they're committed to memory.
They both fall asleep, wrapped up in each other's arms, wounded and tired, but never alone.