Archive of Our Own

Anyone in Fontaine would easily be able to confirm that the Duke of Meropide was a man of secrets.

Mysterious, dangerous, ruling his territory with an iron fist. Quite literally. It did anything but keep Fontaine's elite off of his ass, to Wriothesley's dismay. He was mysterious, yet intriguing. He might be dangerous, yes, but apparently a slightly dangerous edge in a man like him was appealing. Back when he’d been able to walk through balls and banquets and dances mostly unrecognized, he’d heard them talk about the Duke of Meropide in ways that had made him cringe away because of their blatant objectification of him.

That was a thing of the past now unfortunately - not being recognized, that is, not the objectification - with him having become some sort of hero following the prophecy. And Wriothesley was nothing if not a practical man. If the Duke of Meropide was a desired bachelor in the Court, he might as well use it to his advantage when he could.

Let those aristocrats think what they wanted of him. That they could claim his secrets or his trust if they so desired.

In a way, meeting Lyney had been much like meeting the nobles. There had been expectations in his pretty eyes, and curiosity, and even something like want. Only at the very beginning, though. The want had turned to anger and hatred after Wriothesley had used his siblings against the young magician.

In that at least, Lyney was different. He made no secret out of his dislike for Wriothesley in the months that followed. And he also didn't bother disguising the fact that he tried to use him for his own gains whenever possible. The tentative collaboration between the Fortress and the Fatui made that possible.

Wriothesley didn't mind their relationship. He wouldn't have changed it. Teasing Lyney and riling him on until he stomped off in anger was fun. Dragging him to the Ring on a few occasions was nice as well. He ripped the mask off of the younger man whenever he tried putting it on around him again, and he was pretty sure Lyney hated him for it initially, but he wondered as time passed whether he was thankful for that chance to let go of the pretty, likable, charming veneer, deep down. He certainly didn't complain about Wriothesley not letting him keep his defenses for long, a few weeks at most.

Maybe it was this that managed to change their relationship yet again. Why Lyney went from scowling and glaring at him, to looking at him with an intense curiosity again, a desire to learn more, to see behind Wriothesley’s own defenses.

Wriothesley didn't see the first kiss coming.

They’d been in a one on one meeting, just talking business - mostly, between complaining about the nobles - when Lyney had pulled out his card deck. Wriothesley hadn't even batted an eye at it anymore, he’d become too used to the magician always needing to play with something in his hands. So Lyney had been shuffling his cards, Wriothesley had still been talking like normal, not paying attention. And then Lyney had disappeared from his chair in a flash of those same cards and showed up right in front of him instead. Wriothesley had barely gotten to startle properly before the other man had leaned down already and kissed him.

Wriothesley hadn't reacted to it, hadn't kissed him back. His eyes hadn't widened, his breath hadn't caught, only his heartbeat had stuttered once before going on as normal. Lyney had kissed him for a few seconds, but eventually pulled back from his lack of reaction.

They’d watched each other for a long moment before Wriothesley had put his hands onto Lyney’s shoulders and gently pushed him a little away. “You know, people usually ask before they just do these things”, Wriothesley had drawled lazily before turning back to their work on his desk. “Anyway, can we continue?”

If Lyney had been upset by the clear rejection, he hadn't shown it. “Right, I’m sorry”, he’d said simply, and at least that was something Wriothesley could appreciate. He would have appreciated it even more if Lyney hadn't taken his words to heart.

Maybe Lyney genuinely started being interested in him. Maybe he genuinely liked and wanted him. Either way, he didn't let the rejection push him down. He did exactly as Wriothesley had said initially and just kept asking him to do things now.

“Can I kiss you?”

“Can I hold your hand?”

“Can I hug you?”

Every question was met with a resounding “No” from Wriothesley. But it wasn't as though Lyney couldn't take no for an answer. He didn't ever push him about it, and he generally didn't seem to ask a question again once Wriothesley had rejected it. It also happened rarely enough that it didn't bother him all that much. Lyney just very pointedly made his interest clear, as if knowing that Wriothesley would grow weak for it eventually.

He tried to tell himself that this wouldn't be the case, even as it became increasingly harder to act indifferent.

Wriothesley didn't want a relationship, and he didn't want to let someone close, because that meant putting down his defenses and baring his secrets. Turning himself weak like that, inviting the pain should it inevitably turn bad was the last thing Wriothesley wanted.

But the heart desired, and him essentially just being scared shitless of letting someone close was not enough to stop himself from falling for Lyney.

It was in the Ring when he finally gave up fighting it. With Lyney pinned beneath him, looking so fucking pretty with his hair dishelved from the fight, the braid slowly coming loose. His face was flushed and he was panting and there was open, honest desire in those pretty lavender eyes as he gazed up at him.

“You truly don't want me at all, do you?”, Lyney asked suddenly. Wriothesley’s heart gave a pained pang. He opened his mouth, but the words wouldn't come. His mind was curiously empty, unable to think of an answer. He hesitated long enough that Lyney’s face fell, any hope gone from his eyes. It was this dejected look on him that made Wriothesley lean down suddenly and connect their lips in a careful kiss.

Lyney’s eyes widened and he clearly stiffened beneath him. Wriothesley closed his own eyes, pulling back a fraction to merely brush their noses together for a moment before kissing him once more. Lyney kissed him back then, tentatively, gently, slowly raising his hands and putting them on Wriothesley's neck. It’s as if he instinctively knew that Wriothesley was pushing all the lines he’d drawn before, and he didn't want to scare him away by acting hasty.

When they finally parted again, both panting softly, Lyney’s eyes fluttered open and he looked up at him with something like surprise and hope written in them, clear as day. “What happened to asking before doing things like these?”, Lyney asked teasingly. There was a slight smile on his lips and it made Wriothesley grin before laughing sheepishly.

“You’re right. I think it might have escaped me in the moment”, he said quietly as he sat up. He pulled Lyney along with the movement, so they ended up sitting on the mat, facing each other, Wriothesley’s knees still caging Lyney's legs from how he’d pinned him down before.

“So, what now?”, Lyney asked. He was watching him intently, still clearly hopeful, but perhaps also a bit afraid that Wriothesley might betray that hope. He looked away after a moment, brows furrowing. “I want you. I think I’ve wanted you for a while now. I just… Well, relationships aren't exactly my forte”, Wriothesley said and snorted a laugh. He looked back at the other man, a wry smile pulling up one corner of his mouth. “If you can live with me needing time…”

“Always”, Lyney said immediately. He reached out to him, then hesitated, because it had been obvious enough until that point that Wriothesley hadn't wanted his touch. In the end he gently took Wriothesley's hands, a safe choice, giving him time to pull away shouldn't he want that. “I’ve been patient this far already. And it’s not like I don't get it. I do. We can take our time.”

The smile on Wriothesley's lips softened. Maybe Lyney meant those words. He wanted them to be true, as much as he was afraid of them, because Lyney being patient meant that Wriothesley's secrets were only his for a while longer.

~~~

Lyney was true to his words, and Wriothesley loved him for it. 

It was easy to fall for the magician. Lyney was a romantic at heart. As much as he’d hated Wriothesley in the beginning, as much love he poured into him now. One day he’d ask him about the change of heart he’d had, but that day wouldn't be today, or anytime soon.

The point was, Lyney was a romantic, but he didn't go overboard with it when he realized Wriothesley shied away from it. Lyney also loved physical touch, and it didn't have to be hugging or cuddling or holding hands, because that was also something Wriothesley only slowly grew used to again. He’d brush his hand against Wriothesley's own, or he’d touch his shoulder or arm when he leaned closer while talking, he’d run his fingers through Wriothesley's hair while joking around with him, and all that was simple and easy and he didn't have to worry about it.

“Don't you like being touched in general? Where do you cross the line?”, Lyney asked him curiously one day. Not because Wriothesley had reacted in a particular way, or said something about it, he’d just noticed something. And Wriothesley cringed at the question, because he had no easy answer that wasn't also half a lie. “I guess I’m just… not used to it after all these years”, he ventured carefully. It was true enough after all. “Probably doesn't help that when I do get touched these days it’s most likely because I’m getting beat up in the Ring.”

Lyney chuckled at that. He leaned in and pressed a peck to his cheek. “You need to get better at dodging then”, he said sweetly, a teasing spark in his eyes that made Wriothesley roll his own with a huff. “But yeah, that makes sense. Just tell me if I ever push it, okay?”

Wriothesley sighed at it, his shoulders slumping a little. “I will, don't worry.” In his mind, he wondered how he deserved someone as patient as Lyney. Or how he deserved Lyney, in general. He’d never done anything in particular to warrant the other man caring for him like this. Well, he’d given him a space to just be himself and to let go of the masks, but that hardly counted, did it?

Either way, weeks passed, and then weeks turned to months, and Wriothesley slowly grew used to these simple pleasures of being in a relationship.

Waking up with Lyney in his arms, whenever he'd visited him in the Fortress or Wriothesley had gone up to the overworld and spent the time with him first on the Wingalet, then in his house when Lyney and his siblings moved back into the Court. The gentle kisses in the morning, or before going to bed, or whenever they saw each other again after a few days spent apart. Holding hands in public, going on coffee dates and dinners and to the theater together.

They’d never gone further than kissing. Admittedly, there had been two times where Wriothesley had gotten lost in the moment, where they’d been in bed together and some pretty heavy making out had nearly turned to more. Both times Lyney’s hands had started to wander, and both times that had been what had made Wriothesley snap back into it and gently, but decisively push his partner away.

“I’m sorry, I don't want this.”

“You’ve got nothing to apologize for. Sorry for pushing you, love.”

Lyney had soothed him both times with gentle kisses, and that had been that.

That second time had only been a week ago, and it still was on Wriothesley's mind now. Every night since when Lyney had come over and they’d gone to bed at night, he had to wonder whether he would have to worm himself out of a situation with yet another lie. He was overthinking it even now, as they laid in bed, Wriothesley cuddling Lyney as if he were a teddy bear, with his head resting right above his heart. Lyney was idly playing with his hair with one hand, only raising it whenever he needed to flip a page of the book he was reading.

Even when he put it down after a while, they didn't talk just yet. Neither did Lyney reach for the lamp on the nightstand to turn it off and go to sleep. He was watching him, still playing with his hair and gently scratching at his neck every now and then, but his touches didn't seem like they were meant to lead to more. It kept Wriothesley relaxed at least.

“You’re afraid of something”, Lyney said eventually, and only years of practice kept the mask on Wriothesley's face. “Or, at least you’re afraid to tell me about it. I know you’re keeping some secrets, and that’s fine. I am as well. But… if it’s about us, I want you to be able to tell me. And if it’s the sex you’re afraid about… Well, you’d hardly be the first asexual person I’ve met. So if it’s that, that’s fine too. I’d be happy being with you even without sex.”

Wriothesley pressed his face a little further into Lyney’s chest and remained quiet for now. He didn't mind him making assumptions - clearly they needed to start the conversation somewhere, and this was better than “Why don't you want to have sex with me?” Because of course Wriothesley wanted that, even if he was scared shitless about it.

“I’m not ace”, he said eventually. “And I’m not a virgin either, before you ask. And it’s not about the touching. I just… I don't know. I just… can't.”

Wriothesley sighed, and Lyney immediately gently smoothed his thumb over his cheek, caressing him lovingly. “You can't, but you want to?”, Lyney ventured carefully. It took another long moment before Wriothesley could bring himself to nod. He didn't look up, though. He didn't want to look up into Lyney’s eyes, afraid of what he would find in them.

If Lyney was upset about this rather one-sided conversation, he said nothing. He thought everything through, mulled it over, didn't just randomly make more assumptions. Maybe he also just didn't know how to ask what was going through his head.

“You aren't insecure are you?”, Lyney asked, and Wriothesley could hear the smile in his voice. How he tried to lift the mood by teasing him a little. “This isn't one of those moments like in badly written romance novels where the guy feels worried about the size of his above average dick, is it?”

The discomfort hit Wriothesley so suddenly that he nearly felt sick. He pushed away, out of bed, onto shaky feet. He turned away from the bed and his surprised, scrambling boyfriend and took a few tentative steps away.

Wriothesley never truly learned how to deal with the dysphoria whenever it hit him so suddenly and so strongly. He tried to breathe and he tried to push the nausea away. He ran his hands through his blessedly short hair, messing it up even more than Lyney had already. He turned away from his closet when he caught a glimpse of his image in the mirror, knowing that he wouldn't see himself as he was in it right now, even at the cost of Lyney seeing the side of his face again.

His heart wouldn't stop racing, and he knew his face would be red, in a mix of embarrassment and horror. He heard Lyney move closer, to the edge of the bed, and he instinctively took another step away. “Don't. I don't want you touching me right now”, he said hoarsely. At least his voice didn't crack.

“Fuck, I’m sorry, Wrio”, Lyney said quietly. He nodded brusquely, but kept looking away. Wriothesley felt Lyney watching him, and he felt even worse, naked and exposed in only his sleeping pants. 

He walked to the closet, avoided looking at the mirror like the plague before opening it and grabbing a shirt from it. He pulled it on, not happy that it wasn't as loose-fitting as he would have preferred right now, but it was better than before. Wriothesley's hands had been shaking, but it lessened a little now.

He heard Lyney get up from the bed, and when he turned around he was standing in front of him. A moment later Lyney gently put the throw blanket he’d grabbed from the bed before around his shoulders, making sure he didn't accidentally brush his body with his hands, and then stepped back again. Wriothesley hadn't even realized that he was feeling cold until the warmth of the blanket settled around him.

Lyney’s brows were furrowed as he looked up at him. “Wrio, are you… are you trans?”, he asked eventually, and his heart stopped. Because of how openly Lyney had asked the question, because there was no way to avoid this any longer now, but also because Lyney had voiced it in such an incredulous tone, as if he could hardly believe the thought. “I… If you are, I would have never been able to guess. I just… Someone close to me is trans, and I’ve seen them deal with their dysphoria and…”

Wriothesley's heart kept racing again and his hands were sweating and he couldn't make himself meet Lyney’s eyes. He pulled the blanket a little tighter around his shoulders, gathering it over his chest, and he dipped his head faintly in a quiet, dejected kind of admission.

“If you don't like that, it’s fine”, Wriothesley mumbled, though it really wasn't. It was anything but fine. But he didn't feel ready to admit just how scared he was of that possibility.

Lyney huffed softly. He did reach out then, though he still only grabbed the blanket, rather than his body. Respecting his wish of not being touched right now. “Wriothesley, I couldn't care less what’s between your legs as long as you are happy”, Lyney said firmly, and it was stated so boldly that he couldn't help letting out a surprised, shaky laugh at it. He finally met his boyfriend’s eyes again and saw the steely conviction in them. “I’m sorry for triggering you. I truly didn't mean to.”

Wriothesley let out a slow, shaky breath. Hope threatened to bloom in his chest. He’d feared this conversation for so long, he’d been scared shitless of disappointing the other man, or even worse, Lyney being disgusted by it or not taking him seriously or calling him a liar for not being truthful about himself. Maybe his fears had been unwarranted considering Lyney’s own ambiguous relationship with gender, but that hadn't reduced them in any way before.

“You truly don't mind?”, Wriothesley asked carefully. He just needed to make sure.

“Not at all. I like you either way”, Lyney said quickly, and then hesitated for the briefest moment before adding, “I love you either way.”

Wriothesley’s eyes widened in surprise and he felt the heat rise up into his cheeks. It was the first time either of them had said those three words. Relief flooded him, as did hope and love for the younger man. Wriothesley pulled Lyney into a bone crushing hug just a moment later, happily ignoring his surprised sound.

The blanket slid from his shoulders, but Wriothesley didn't mind as he buried his face against Lyney’s neck. He might have started crying at that moment, when he whispered a quiet “I love you too” against Lyney’s skin. It wouldn't ever fully drown out the discomfort, his inner voice telling him it would never be enough, he’d never be enough of a man. But right now, Lyney reassuring him so easily and with so much love at least made it easier to ignore all those bad parts for him.

~~~

A few more weeks passed. Wriothesley could tell that Lyney was a little caught off guard by the difference in him these days.

Wriothesley felt more confident in his skin again, and that affected how he treated and acted around his boyfriend. Not that Wriothesley hadn't been confident before. Lyney had called him a cocky bastard on multiple occasions, had rolled his eyes at his teasing and joking and had been smitten whenever he’d flirted with him.

As soon as their kisses had deepened, though, Lyney's hands started to wander, Wriothesley had frozen up. But that was before, and the now was different.

They still hadn't gone all the way, still hadn't fully seen each other naked. But the next time when the two of them were in Wriothesley's living room, sitting on the couch with Lyney on his lap and making out, Wriothesley didn't stop things or hold back. Lyney had straddled one of his thighs, grinding down against it perfectly, his own pressed against Wriothesley's crotch providing the most delicious kind of friction.

He groaned everytime Lyney moved against him just right, and he swallowed his boyfriend’s soft moans greedily as they kissed. Lyney was clinging desperately to his shoulders or his neck or his hair the closer he got to his orgasm, but Wriothesley's hands were moving almost frantically. Finally exploring what he had yearned to touch for so long.

He grabbed onto and squeezed supple thighs, massaged Lyney’s perfect ass and guided his movements for a while. He moved his hands up, under his shirt, over those pretty hips, his slim waist, up to play with his chest. Wriothesley teased Lyney’s nipples, pinching and squeezing them, coaxing more of those pretty sounds out of him until Lyney pulled away from the kiss.

“Please, please, I’m so close”, he pressed out desperately, his eyes squeezed shut. Wriothesley took in the way Lyney tipped his head back, growing even wetter than before as he saw his pleasure stricken face. Heat pulled in his core as he leaned forward and bit down on Lyney’s neck.

The younger man let out a hoarse, ragged scream, his nails burying into his nape where he kept him close. Wriothesley wrapped one arm tightly around him, the other hand moved down to his crotch. He groaned when he felt how hard Lyney was, hot in his hand even through the cloth of his shorts. Lyney whimpered softly at the direct attention, though his sounds quickly grew loud and unrestrained again as he rubbed and squeezed his dick through his clothes.

Lyney came with Wriothesley's name on his lips, shaking like a leaf on top of him as his orgasm wrecked him. The sight and the sounds alone were nearly enough to topple him over the edge too. And then Lyney reached out, tentatively shoving one hand between them, to Wriothesley's own crotch. He hissed in surprise, but didn't move away, didn't try to stop the other man. He moaned helplessly as Lyney rubbed over his clothed cunt, and he only needed that direct attention on his hard, throbbing clit for a few long seconds before he was coming too.

Wriothesley groaned deeply at the pleasure cascading over him. He figured they hadn't done enough to warrant his legs shaking slightly, or the way his vision blacked out briefly, but… Well, who was he kidding? It felt amazing to be touched like this, at long last.

They both calmed down from their highs, Lyney easily slumping against him and holding on tight to him. “That was amazing”, Lyney finally mumbled before turning his head and pressing a kiss to the crook of Wriothesley's neck. It made him smile, and those words went straight to his heart, easing his mind. “Glad I made you feel good, kitten.” “More than just good, don't worry.”

He’d laughed at that, even as he held Lyney tighter for a moment. When the other man suggested going to the shower together, he still hesitated, though. He couldn't fully help it. But Lyney made no big deal out of it, just smiled at him and kissed him and said it was okay, they could take their time.

Just a few days later they’d bridged that gap too. They’d been in bed before, some pretty heavy making out and fooling around turning to Lyney riding him. Still clothed, both of them, though they’d left both of their shirts behind. But Lyney looked amazing on top of him, grinding down against him just right, one hand moving between them and making up in friction what the position couldn't give him properly.

Afterwards they lay in bed for a while, Lyney still on top of him, safe in Wriothesley's arms. “Wanna go shower?”, he asked softly into the quiet of the room. Lyney, bless him, merely looked up and grinned at him. “I don't know, can you keep your hands to yourself?” Wriothesley barked a laugh at it and shook his head. “I don't know, sweetheart, can you?”

The teasing and joking around made it infinitely easier. Picking Lyney up and carrying him over into the bathroom, Lyney laughing at it, still grinning when Wriothesley put him back onto his feet. For a long moment they just stood facing each other, and then Lyney reached for the zip at the back of his shorts, pulling it open before slowly rolling them down his legs.

Lyney not making a big deal out of it made it easier too. It allowed Wriothesley to just follow suit, to pull his pants down without much fanfare, and then his underwear too. They both watched each other intently once they were done and merely faced each other for a few seconds, fully naked for the first time. Lyney traced all the new scars he’d exposed on his legs with his eyes. Wriothesley took in his nearly perfectly smooth skin in turn - only a small handful of faint scars marred Lyney's body, and he was smooth all over where Wriothesley was hairy. It took a moment for Lyney’s eyes to move from his legs up to his crotch, not like he’d expected. He wasn't sure why he’d thought Lyney would ogle him immediately.

An easy smirk pulled up Wriothesley's lips after a moment when Lyney kept staring, his pupils dilating, and he took a tentative step closer. “Like what you see, kitten?” Lyney’s cheeks turned red almost immediately and his eyes darted guiltily up to his face, as if he’d caught him with his hand in the cookie jar. “Oh, shut up”, he mumbled sheepishly, flustered, but he didn't resist when Wriothesley put his hands on Lyney’s waist and pulled him closer. He leaned down and kissed him gently, and Lyney kissed him back without missing a beat, his arms easily wrapping around his neck.

Somehow there had never been something better than kissing his boyfriend, skin against skin. Wriothesley wasn't sure why he’d been afraid of it for so long.

It took a minute or two - or five - until they managed to pull apart long enough to finally head into the shower. They didn't talk much in there. They took the chance to lazily, carefully touch each other and explore their bodies. Soaping each other up, letting their fingers trace scars and beauty marks. Lyney’s fingers curiously carded through the hair on his chest, or his stomach, or along his arms, and Wriothesley, in turn, explored the feeling of perfectly smooth skin under his fingertips. It was peaceful. Easy. Wriothesley could only smile when he made Lyney tip his head back to wash his hair and he started purring when he massaged his scalp.

“So you do have some cat features”, Wriothesley said in amusement. Lyney glared weakly up at him, his cheeks having turned a faint red. “Well, you’re not the only one that can keep a secret, Wrio”, he mumbled sheepishly, though him speaking up didn't suppress the soft purring in the back of his throat all that much. And didn't it say plenty, that Lyney could relax enough now, around him, for him to see him like this?

His smile softened and he leaned down to briefly brush their lips together. “Your secret’s safe with me”, he whispered against Lyney’s lips, and Lyney promptly pulled him in to kiss him again, properly this time.

Their touches hadn't lingered before. Their kisses hadn't demanded more. Wriothesley felt that heat building in his core again when Lyney wrapped his arms tightly around his neck and moaned into his mouth when he explored it with his tongue. His hands were moving again, though not in the leisurely, exploring way like before. He tightly grabbed Lyney’s hips or his waist, his ass, or wherever he desired, pulled him close up against him. Soon enough he felt Lyney’s hard length sliding against his thigh.

It was easy to reach out without hesitation, easier still to wrap his hand around his length and start to firmly, but slowly jerk him off. Wriothesley had pulled back from the kiss to watch Lyney’s blissed out expression. His lips were swollen, eyes slightly glassy when he blinked them open, mouth agape as he moaned softly and rutted up into his hand.

“Fuck, you’re perfect”, he pressed out, his voice husky with desire. Wriothesley pushed Lyney back against the tiled wall, earning a surprised moan from him before he slotted their mouths together again. His hand sped up on Lyney’s length, and Lyney finally snuck one hand down his body in turn. Wriothesley groaned into the kiss when the other man boldly cupped his crotch, his fingers sliding along his dripping wet cunt and parting his lips. His own hips bucked then, seeking out the delicious friction Lyney’s fingers provided.

His boyfriend not shying away from touching him, claiming him fully, showing not an ounce of hesitation was just about the biggest turn-on for Wriothesley at that moment. Lyney watched him through lidded eyes for just a moment when he pushed two fingers into him, to make sure that he liked it. Wriothesley didn't even notice, his eyes firmly squeezed shut, brows furrowed in pleasure. He rolled his hips into the touch of Lyney’s hand with a groan and that was that.

They stood there under the spray of the shower head, water running down their skin in rivulets as they writhed and moved. As the pleasure heightened and things turned more heated, the droplets crystallized on Wriothesley's skin and turned to steam on Lyney’s. Wriothesley wondered whether his cunt felt as cold around Lyney’s fingers as his dick felt hot in his hand.

Wriothesley had wrapped one arm tightly around Lyney's waist to keep him standing firmly when he’d moved his second hand to his crotch too. He was fingering him with one hand, the other was busying himself with his clit. Lyney was exploring the size and feel of it beneath his clever fingers, learning just how he needed to touch him best to coax heavy sighs and deep groans out of him.

Lyney’s hands grew less sure the longer Wriothesley spent jerking him, his hand growing tighter around his length, faster. He was squeezing the tip just right, carefully, teasingly twisting the head in a way that made Lyney pull back from their heated kiss at long last with a loud curse. “That’s it kitten, let me hear you”, Wriothesley said lowly right into Lyney’s ear, though it was obvious just how strained his own voice was by this point. A violent shiver ran through the smaller man and he moaned, desperately bucking up into his hand.

“F-Fuck”, he pressed out, voice needy with want. “Fuck, Wrio, I’m gonna come. Fuck, please, please–” Now it was on Wriothesley to curse. The begging, the needy tone, it all went straight to his throbbing dick, to his cunt clenching down hard on Lyney’s fingers still working him so nicely. “Me too, kitten”, he said before leaning down and gracing his teeth along Lyney’s neck. “Be a good boy and come with me.” That earned another full-body shiver from Lyney, and when he properly sank his teeth into the crook of his neck, he screamed.

Lyney’s back arched violently and his knees buckled badly enough when he came that Wriothesley had to hold him up to keep him from falling. He came all over his hand and some of it landed on both of their stomachs, painting them in streaks of white despite his earlier orgasm already. Lyney had pulled back his hands a little from him during his high. One of them had shot out to hold on tight to his hip and the other one was working his clit with his flat palm, and when Wriothesley felt pain blooming as Lyney’s nails pierced his hip, he knew why.

It was the pain that pushed him over the edge in the end. Wriothesley gave a hoarse grunt, a deep groan as that cresting wave finally took him under. His legs shook slightly from the intensity of his orgasm, and it took some effort to keep standing straight while still rolling his hips down into Lyney’s palm. Wriothesley had only bitten down harder on the magician’s neck during his orgasm, and he finally pulled back from it several seconds later, when the pleasure slowly ebbed away and he came down from his high a little.

Wriothesley had long tasted iron on his tongue, but it was different still to see the large bitemark he’d left behind, red and glaring and the skin already turning blue. Water from the shower mixed with the blood and made it look even worse as it quickly dripped down Lyney's shoulder. “Fuck, I’m sorry. Are you okay?”, he asked worriedly. His hand finally moved up from his dick, gently cupping Lyney’s neck.

Lyney laughed. “Ah, I think we’re even, love. Don't worry about me.” Wriothesley hissed when Lyney's nails suddenly retracted from his hips and– What? Wriothesley quickly grabbed both of his hands and held them up to his face, taking in the claws that had shot out before that completely retracted again in front of his eyes.

Wriothesley blinked before looking up into Lyney’s eyes again. “Another secret, hm?” The younger man nodded sheepishly and it made him grin. “Damn, I made you feel good enough, my kitten finally decided to show his claws?”

Lyney scoffed and rolled his eyes at it, but his cheeks had turned a faint red and he blushed when Wriothesley leaned in and pressed a kiss to his forehead. Then each cheek, his nose, finally pressing one to his mouth. Lyney kissed him back immediately and sighed contently against his lips.

“That was great”, Lyney mumbled when they finally pulled apart again a minute or two later. Wriothesley smiled and nodded his agreement. “It was. I already want to go again. You're good with your fingers.”

Lyney let out a bright laugh at his words before smiling at him in a way that had heat pooling in Wriothesley’s core again. Lyney didn't stop him when he leaned in to kiss him deeply again, and neither did he when his hands moved south right along with it once more.

~~~

There was something fun about taking their time in their sexual relationship. They slowly explored one thing at a time, they never rushed each other or themselves. Wriothesley loved it like this.

The only other person Wriothesley - voluntarily - had had sex with was Clorinde. It had started with a fight in the Ring, followed by an argument, followed by “I’ve known you when you were a kid already, dumbass”, followed by a name that Wriothesley had struck from his memory, and a name he would have never associated with the woman in front of him, and then one thing had led to another soon after.

Being known for who he was was a scary thing, but it was also strangely comforting. Maybe Clorinde also being trans was what had made the sex come so naturally between them, a mere friendship and hints of attraction quickly blossoming into more. By which he meant sex. They’d never been more than friends, but it had still worked out great for them.

With Lyney, though… Wriothesley found himself sharing more with his boyfriend than he had with Clorinde. Maybe because his affection and love and their relationship had been hard won.

Wriothesley loved the intimacy between them. He wasn't sure he’d ever felt this comfortable with another person. Actually, that was bullshit. He knew that he hadn't. He’d been comfortable with Clorinde, she was his best friend. But sometimes, on particularly bad days, he’d looked at her naked body and felt a deep seated jealousy and dissatisfaction with himself. That was stupid of course. He knew she had her own struggles with her body and dysphoria. But his brain didn't particularly care about reason when he felt like shit.

For perhaps the first time in over thirty years of life Wriothesley felt wholeheartedly comfortable in his skin, and he knew a big part was because of how Lyney made him feel. Lyney had meant it when he’d said that he couldn't care less about what was between his legs. He treated him as he would any other lover. During sex he mostly just watched him carefully whenever they tried something new. Silently making sure Wriothesley was alright, rather than asking and risking pulling him out of the moment. They were similar enough and Lyney knew him well enough by now to know that he often didn't want to openly say things.

They made it work, though. They kept moving forward, growing more comfortable, soon enough going all the way one night.

Lyney was chanting Wriothesley's name like the most sinful of prayers beneath him, clawing at the sheets and ripping into them as he folded him in half and pounded into him. Sweat was dripping from Wriothesley's forehead from the exertion, his skin shining with it. Lyney didn't look much better off, and his legs were starting to shake on his shoulders to boot; he must be close. Fuck, he looked gorgeous like this though, with the disshelved hair, his eyes rolled back, mouth agape. His hole was spread wide around the black strap, stretched so far that Wriothesley hadn't been sure initially whether he’d even be able to take it.

Wriothesley could come from the sight alone. Slick was dripping down his thighs, soiling the sheets below them and ruining them even more than Lyney’s claws already had. He wished the strap wasn't in the way so he could touch himself. It wouldn't even need a lot of effort to get him to his high with this gorgeous image beneath him, and the sounds that the younger man was making.

He was panting when he moved his hands to suddenly grab Lyney’s waist tight. Wriothesley lifted his lower body clean off of the bed and the magician’s reaction from the new angle was instantaneous. Wriothesley punched a series of “ah, ah, ah!” out of him, quickly followed by “I’m coming, I’m coming, I’m coming, don't you dare stop.” That last word was swallowed by the cry Lyney let out, and a moment later his flushed dick spurted his seed all the way up to his chest when he came hard.

It took some effort to gently keep rutting into Lyney for a little longer to draw out his orgasm. “You did so well”, he muttered and leaned down to seal their lips together. Lyney moaned weakly against his lips, but he kissed him back, his arms wrapping around his neck to keep him close. Wriothesley gently put down his legs again so he could rest them at long last and finally stilled inside of the other man.

Lyney didn't seem to mind, and he finally took the chance to fumble with the buckles of the strap. Wriothesley groaned when he could pull it off enough to push a hand to his crotch and his aching cunt. He didn't even bother pulling out of Lyney first.

Lyney pulled back from the kiss and Wriothesley felt him watching him for a long moment, even while he kept his eyes closed. He slumped forward, moaning again, and tucked his face away against the magician’s neck. “Damn, you sound like you’re mighty close”, Lyney said in obvious amusement, even if he still sounded out of breath. A moment later one of his hands joined Wriothesley's and he breathed a sigh of relief when Lyney readily plunged two fingers into him. “Fuck, you're wet. Just from watching me?”

Wriothesley chuckled when he heard the slightly flustered tone to Lyney’s voice now. He moved a little further up, giving him a better angle to finger him at the same time as Wriothesley still worked his clit, rubbing it ever faster now. “In my defense”, he panted. “You looked really hot.” Lyney grumbled something unintelligible against his shoulder and hooked his fingers hard into him.

“Oh fuck.” It was so easy to lose himself in the pleasure, to close his eyes and just enjoy it. The one arm Wriothesley kept himself propped up with was shaking dangerously and his other hand was growing frantic as he worked himself. He didn't bother warning Lyney before he came, not when he was clenching down so hard on him and he probably already knew anyway.

Wriothesley came with a deep groan and slumped over his boyfriend almost immediately, his arm at long last giving out. Lyney huffed when most of his weight crashed onto him, but he didn't complain. He wrapped his free arm around him, the other still busy working him a little longer, until Wriothesley’s hips jerked at every single little touch to his overstimulated cunt.

They lay in a tangle of limbs for a little while afterwards, both of them calming down. Wriothesley moved a little so he wouldn't crush Lyney any longer, though he stayed above him, holding him tightly. It took him another few minutes until he could move onto his knees to finally remove the strap fully. Wriothesley wanted to settle back down with Lyney when the younger man stopped him.

There was a mischievous look in his eyes as Lyney reached down again. Wriothesley could only make a surprised sound when he felt his fingers slide along his cunt briefly before pulling away again. Wriothesley couldn't help but blush when Lyney raised his hand to his mouth and licked his fingers clean, a teasing little smile on his lips.

“You taste good”, he said simply. As if Wriothesley wasn't staring at him, red-faced, clearly flustered. Lyney put his hands on his hips after a moment and motioned for him to move up a little. “Why don't you take a seat?”

“Take a seat where?”, Wriothesley muttered, though renewed arousal was already setting his core on fire again. “My face, of course. I’m not done yet, love.”

How Lyney could be fucked within an inch of his life and still he found the energy to keep going was beyond him. Wriothesley hesitantly moved up his body until he was straddling Lyney’s head. It wasn't the first time that day Wriothesley found himself in this position. Lyney had wanted to give him a very eager presentation earlier on how well he could suck dick. He’d gotten wet just watching him.

But this was different. This wasn't Wriothesley fucking Lyney’s mouth with a strap-on, but him sitting on his face, Lyney going down on him, him, his actual body. Not a toy. Alright, it probably wasn't all that different, but it felt that way to him.

Lyney could probably sense his hesitation. He soothingly rubbed along his thighs and smiled up at him. “Don't worry, I’ll make sure to grab your attention when I feel like I’m about to suffocate”, he said cheerfully. It drew a surprised laugh out of him, and Wriothesley finally lost some of the tension. “Well… Alright, you better.”

They both knew that this wasn't what made him a little shy, but Lyney was kind enough not to point it out. He wrapped his arms around Wriothesley's thighs and pulled him closer, and he finally lowered himself down to Lyney’s mouth.

Wriothesley’s eyes fluttered shut when he felt Lyney’s mouth close on his cunt. He couldn't help grinding down against him just once when he sucked harshly on his dick before letting his tongue run along his slit. It dipped into him soon after, eagerly thrusting into him as far as he could.

It took everything in Wriothesley to keep his hips still. The muscles in his thighs strained with the effort of keeping him lifted at least a little, so he wouldn't crush his boyfriend fully. Lyney seemed to notice that he didn't relax fully, even after a minute of this, then two, then three, and he gently tapped his hips thrice. The signal they’d decided on earlier already to stop the scene.

Wriothesley startled, his eyes opening as he hastily moved back a little. “Fuck, I’m sorry. Are you–” “Wriothesley, I want you to sit your ass down, not hover over my mouth.”

He blushed softly. Wriothesley moved a little further back, so he was straddling Lyney’s chest and could properly look down at him. Maybe Lyney took his silence for something it wasn't, because his brows furrowed in worry. “Are you uncomfortable? I didn't want to push you into doing something you don't want, I’m sorry.”

“No, it's not that”, Wriothesley quickly reassured him. “I just feel… I can't explain it well, not even to myself. It felt good, though, I promise.” Lyney nodded slowly and then smiled reassuringly up at him. “Let’s try again if you want to. At the very least I can make you feel good. Just relax now, cheri.”

Wriothesley always felt a little weak to Lyney’s pet names for him, so he gave in with a soft sigh and rosy cheeks.

He tried to do his best to relax this time. To let go of control at least a little and let the pleasure take over. Riding Lyney’s mouth, even using his nose for friction, having the younger man do all those wicked things to him with that clever tongue of his, it was no surprise that Wriothesley came again in no time at all. Lyney might have needed to tap his hips twice on the way there just to quickly catch his breath, but at least he couldn't complain now that Wriothesley had been acting shy.

Wriothesley had slumped over by the end, leaning heavily against the headboard and the wall behind for any semblance of support as he rode out his orgasm. It took some effort to swing one leg over Lyney’s head when he finally came off of his high and to lay back down next to him, his chest heaving and cunt clenching around nothing even now as he stared up at the ceiling, a little dazed.

He glanced over when he heard the slight crinkle of tissue paper and watched how Lyney had sat up and cleaned himself up a little. The entire lower half of his face was wet, a mix of his slick and saliva dripped down his chin, over his Adam’s apple, down his throat and to where it had pooled in the dip between his collarbones. Wriothesley couldn't help but groan at the sight, raising his arms to cover his face.

Lyney laughed at his embarrassment. He was above him just a little later, and Wriothesley huffed when he nudged his legs apart to settle between them. “You liked it?”, Lyney asked softly, because of course he would. Wriothesley lowered his arms enough to look at his boyfriend. “I did. I thought that’s obvious enough with how much you look like a mess.”

Lyney grinned at him and finally pushed his arms aside. Wriothesley reluctantly let him. “I just wanted to hear you say it”, he mumbled before leaning down to kiss him. Wriothesley could taste himself on Lyney’s lips, his tongue, and while he wanted to shy away from that for a brief moment, it just ended up turning him on all over again.

Wriothesley moaned in surprise when Lyney suddenly pressed forward, his hard length grinding against his cunt. He wasn’t sure why it caught him off guard, that his boyfriend had gotten turned on himself just from eating him out. He was sensitive all over and the friction made him jerk away slightly, but Lyney easily followed the movement.

“What is it, old man?”, Lyney mumbled against his lips before leaning back to smile teasingly at him. “Too exhausted to go for another round? Can't keep up with me?” Wriothesley gave him a dry look and huffed. “I’ll make you eat those words as soon as I’m wearing the strap again, kitten.”

Lyney let out a bright laugh at that, but he could see the arousal and desire so clearly mirrored in his eyes when he looked down at him. Lyney straightened a little again, settling on his knees between his legs, his hands moving to his thighs and gently pushing them a little further apart. “I could probably come just from this”, he muttered and rutted against his cunt again. Wriothesley bit his lip when his dick pressed against his own. “I don't know if you’ve done it like this before, or if that’s something you’d want. But I really want to fuck you.”

There was a moment of uncertainty, brief but strong regardless, before he remembered that this was Lyney and he was safe. So Wriothesley grinned up at him and crossed his arms behind his head. “Told you already, not a virgin and haven't been in years.” He teasingly rolled his hips against Lyney, hard enough that the younger man’s hands shot out to grab his hips and keep him still. He still raised his brows at him. “You let Clorinde peg you?” Wriothesley had told him about her, but Lyney didn't know about her being trans of course, or his other experiences, and Wriothesley wouldn't be the one to tell him. So he just shrugged and said, “She was really good at it too. I’m afraid you’ve got some expectations to live up to, sweetheart.”

A slight shiver ran down Wriothesley's spine when he saw fire smoldering in Lyney's eyes. The young magician was a possessive man, jealous, and he didn't shy away from laying his claim on him. Too often in recent weeks Wriothesley had had to cover up ill placed hickeys and bite marks, and his back looked like a feral cat had been let loose on it more often than not. It certainly made the sex phenomenal, though, whenever he riled him on a little.

So of course Lyney saw the challenge for what it was. Of course he leaned forward immediately and crashed their lips together. Wriothesley reached down and grabbed Lyney’s dick, guiding it down to his hole. They both groaned when the other man slowly, carefully pushed forward into him.

They broke the kiss and Wriothesley immediately tipped his head back, mouth dropping open in a silent moan. Fuck, it felt good to be filled like this. He wasn't used to the stretch anymore, but his walls parted for Lyney’s scalding length regardless. “I know I feel good babe, but is it really enough for you to be overheating?”, Wriothesley asked a little breathlessly. He felt Lyney’s claws pricking his waist a moment later and hissed. “Don’t tease me. You’re so fucking tight”, Lyney muttered when he finally bottomed out with one last roll of his hips.

Wriothesley closed his eyes, just enjoying the feeling of fullness, the way Lyney leaned forward, covering him, his face buried against his neck. He moaned softly when Lyney bit down at the crook of his neck, only to lick over the spot as if in apology. Wriothesley pulled his legs back a little, shifting his hips, and it made Lyney slip a little further inside because of the new angle.

“You can move, you know”, he mumbled softly and turned his head to press a kiss to Lyney’s ear.

“Wrio, I’m trying not to come.”

Wriothesley laughed in surprise at that. It felt strangely reassuring to feel this good for the other man, that just pushing into him had brought him to the verge of orgasm.

Lyney took a little longer to calm down, but he still looked after Wriothesley during that time with gentle pleasures. Littering his skin with kisses and bites, rubbing his hands along his sides in leisurely motions, his claws occasionally scratching along his skin. It was less arousing, and more calming to him. It allowed Wriothesley to relax fully beneath the other man, to be able to close his eyes and to know that he was well taken care of.

When Lyney finally straightened and started moving it was in slow, firm strokes that rocked his body back and forth. He always went all the way, from the tip to the base, making Wriothesley feel each rippling vein as his body instinctively clenched down hard on him, as if afraid to let him go. Wriothesley watched his lover through lidded eyes, took in the pleasure written all over his face and the knot of pleasure growing in his core only tightened at the sight.

“Harder”, he pressed out between quiet moans. Lyney gave him a long look before he leaned forward and braced his arms to either side of his head. He caged him in, hovering above him, watching him so intently before he delivered a sudden, harsh thrust to his cunt.

Wriothesley grunted, back arching, only for him to moan louder afterwards when Lyney kept going. He’d picked up the pace, fucking him hard and fast much like Wriothesley had done earlier to him. He blindly grabbed Lyney's arms, holding on to them for support.

He could feel the pleasure building again, his core clenching and unclenching, muscles flexing along with it. “You can be loud, you know”, Lyney suddenly panted above him. “If you’re feeling good. I know you’re close.” Wriothesley opened his eyes to watch his lover. There was something about being loud in bed, aside from heavy panting and the occasional grunting and groaning and moaning that Wriothesley shied away from.

It was the exact opposite with Lyney. Lyney was vocal, no matter if he was on top or bottom. He didn't shy away from letting his pleasure be known, and it was a good portion of the reason why Wriothesley was so easily turned on by him to begin with. He could get off to his sounds alone.

So Wriothesley found himself nodding, even if he wasn't sure that he could immediately start changing things. At least he knew the option was there, and Lyney seemed satisfied with his reaction. He leaned down and kissed him deeply, swallowing his groans when he sped up yet again. Wriothesley pulled his legs back further, almost all the way to his chest, and Lyney managed to coax a few loud moans out of him when he hit his sweet spot head on because of it.

They both came like this, Lyney fucking Wriothesley straight through his orgasm before finally bottoming out and coming as well with a loud, drawn out moan. Wriothesley could hear the bedding ripping next to his head again, and if his chest wasn't still heaving and a last few waves of pleasure weren’t still hitting him strong enough that his legs were shaking, he would have laughed. Lyney had buried his face against his shoulders during his high, biting down hard. The pain only drew out the pleasure like this.

Wriothesley hooked his legs behind Lyney to keep him close a little longer, even if they felt incredibly weak so soon after his orgasm. Lyney tiredly slumped on top of him and he did chuckle then, his arms coming around his lover in a tight embrace.

“I feel like I missed the moment to ask whether you’re taking some contraceptive”, Wriothesley said noncommittally into the silence after a while. Lyney snorted a laugh and turned his head slightly to press a kiss to his neck. “I’m pretty sure people usually ask before they fill their partner up with their come, yeah”, he said in clear amusement. “But I am, don't worry. Have been for years. I would have said something otherwise.”

Wriothesley knew that, but it was reassuring for Lyney to say so regardless. So he just nodded and closed his eyes again. He rested his head back against the pillow, tightened his arms around Lyney when he properly snuggled up against him. It felt perfect. He wished the moment would never pass.

He was almost sorry when Lyney finally pulled out, but it was probably a good thing. He felt sticky all over, and they were both sweaty and in need of a shower. Wriothesley couldn't help but laugh when Lyney tumbled out of bed on shaky legs, his knees buckling bad enough that he nearly fell. “Well, fuck me”, the magician muttered as he rubbed over his lower back. “That strap is no joke. You really didn't go easy on me.”

“I do recall you telling me to fuck you like I mean it, and if you could still walk afterwards you don't want it”, Wriothesley said innocently, though it took a lot of effort to keep himself from grinning. He finally sat up as well and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, though he didn't stand yet. He had a feeling his own legs would need a moment to support him.

Lyney glared weakly at him before stepping close to him. He easily made a space between his legs and Wriothesley smiled when he cupped his cheeks and tilted his head up. “You’re a tease”, Lyney grumbled, the softest of pouts on his lips. Utterly adorable. If he had cat ears, Wriothesley was sure they’d be folded close to his head in embarrassment. “Loving you and teasing you in equal measure is my job as your boyfriend”, Wriothesley said solemnly and coaxed a surprised laugh out of the other man.

The pout smoothed out into a smile and Lyney leaned down to kiss him, gently and oh so sweet. Their lips only barely brushed at first before Wriothesley put one hand on the back of Lyney’s neck and pulled him a little closer to deepen the kiss. His other arm wrapped around Lyney’s waist and held him close.

They never fully parted, even when they stopped kissing. Lyney pressed their foreheads together and kept close to him, his arms loosely settling around his shoulders.

“Wrio?”, he mumbled softly after a while.

“Hm?”

“I love you a lot.”

Wriothesley’s heart thundered in his chest at those words, as if it was the first time he was hearing them again. “I love you too, Lyn”, he whispered and pressed another gentle kiss to his lips.

But this time Lyney pulled back after a few seconds, far enough to look down at him with a suddenly nervous expression on his face. Wriothesley waited patiently when he saw the younger man bite his lip before speaking up again.

“Wriothesley, I… I love you so much, I want to…” He trailed off and his eyes darted away briefly, cheeks turning red as he thought of his words. Wriothesley didn't pry, merely let his hand soothingly rub over the small of his back in silent encouragement. “I want to talk to you about our relationship one of these days. I want to be on the same page as you. I’ve never really… allowed myself to think about all this before. A serious, long-term relationship. Settling down, marrying, having a family, stuff like that. But those are things I’d want with you.”

Wriothesley’s eyes widened in surprise before they suddenly watered. He let out a small, choked sound and hastily looked away. He raised one hand to quickly wipe over his eyes. “What the fuck, Lyney”, he mumbled. “You can't just drop that on me. Old and fragile, you know?”

Lyney didn't let him keep his dignity, and he tore straight through his defenses like Wriothesley had done so many times to him before. He gently cupped his face and made him look back again, worry and hope mixing in his eyes. “Does that mean you like that thought, or…?” “Of course I do. Fuck, Lyn.”

He did his best to quell the worry inside of his partner and tightly wrapped his arms around him again. He pulled him into his lap and buried his face against his neck. “I never let myself hope for any of that”, he mumbled softly. To think that it could be within reach… A person that would forever be at his side. A place to call home, a family to come home to… He squeezed his eyes shut against the longing that filled him so suddenly, for something he hadn't realized he even wanted quite this badly. It made a few tears overflow, and he took a shaky breath as he tried to calm down.

“Me neither, Wrio”, Lyney whispered, and Wriothesley wondered whether he did it just so he wouldn't hear how his voice shook slightly as well. “But I want it. All of it, if it’s with you. I want to make it work.”

Wriothesley pulled back again and saw the tears swimming in Lyney’s eyes, turning them as glassy as his own probably. “Me too”, he said softly. He leaned in and kissed him again. Soft and sweet, as men like them neither shouldn't, nor deserved to be, but they made it work with each other regardless.

Lyney clung to him as they kissed, and for the first time in his life Wriothesley felt a true sense of belonging. He held the future in his arms, and that was a comforting thought.