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When Nicky found out Cedric had claim bitten six other people – one for each day of the week he’d said – he’d immediately dumped him. While Nicky has nothing against polyamory, he does hate, with extreme prejudice, being lied to about being in a serious, monogamous relationship.
In the six months since, he’s cleaned his apartment so thoroughly, there isn’t a single article of Cedric’s left. And yet, Cedric’s bite remains on his neck. Nicky wants it gone. He doesn’t want to be reminded of Cedric every time he looks in the mirror, or lathers it up in the shower, or when a cute person smiles at him, only to turn away when they see the bite peaking over Nicky’s shirt collar. The only reason Nicky’d agreed to such a public mark was because he’d thought they were serious, and now it was complicating meeting anyone new.
Even with Cedric’s scent gone from his skin, people assume Nicky’s in a long-distance relationship. It’s a hard-sell to convince anyone to write over Cedric’s bite with their own. Nicky sleeps with a couple of people into that sort of thing, but the damn bite is more faithful than Cedric and won’t fucking fade.
So Nicky tries solo methods of removal: rubbing a cold spoon on it, a noxious potion of essential oils, and even toothpaste on the stubborn mark. When that doesn’t work, the more bizarre options, like charging a black obsidian dildo under the light of the full moon and fucking himself with it, start to look appealing. When Google begins giving him ads about ritual cleansing chocolate boxes, engagement rings, and Christian dating websites, he decides enough is enough.
As he’s complaining about this to Nile, she grows quiet. He knows she’s thinking about something, because she rubs her shoulder where her military unit’s bites used to be.
“Just tell me, Nile. Honestly, it can’t be more embarrassing than using a poultice of bee venom to be rid of the mark.”
“I have a friend who might be able to help, but I need to check with him first.” Her mouth makes a funny shape, like she’s holding something back.
“Is there something wrong with him? Is he an asshole?”
“No!” Nile says quickly. “It’s just… Listen, this is not my thing to tell you about. Let me talk to him first.”
Nicky nods, expecting him to be a tarot reader or something. What he is not expecting, is Nile telling him he has a date for next Sunday afternoon.
Nile’s never tried to set him up with one of her friends before. Sure, she’s been supportive of all his crushes, but she’s very protective of her friends. So Nicky does his best to make sure her effort doesn’t go to waste – he shows up at the bookstore cafe freshly shaved, and in the leather jacket Quỳnh had found in a thrift store while Andy laughed.
Joe’s already there, and waves him over. He’s so handsome, Nicky understands why Nile might be discerning about introducing him to people.
“So,” Joe starts, “Nile says you have a claiming bite that won’t budge?”
Nicky frowns. “You’re not even going to say hello and introduce yourself?”
Joe blinks. “Oh, sorry. Usually people just want to get right to it. Being clear from the jump this isn’t a date helps make things clear.”
“Wait, this isn’t a date?”
“Uh, wait, what?” Joe says, looking bewildered.
A couple of minutes later, they swap stories and figure out what exactly is going on. “I can’t believe Nile set me up!” Joe groans.
Nicky frowns. “Is there a reason she was clear to me she was matchmaking, but not to you?”
“Probably because I told her I was going to swear off dating forever.”
“Had a bad time of it?”
“Eh, just haven’t managed a date in four years.” Nicky blinks in shock. “Y’know… life gets in the way, and the next thing you know it’s been awhile. Sorry, getting back to the topic at hand. You were expecting a date and possibly a tidy way to get rid of your ex’s bite, yeah?”
“Yes. And you were expecting just to help with the bite.”
“Yeah.” Joe rubs jaw. “Ah, Nile, so kind and yet meddlesome. If I’m giving you a bite ASAP, then we need to revisit the whole matchmaking thing afterwards. If we lead with the dating, the bite is more personal for me, and I like to mean it in my personal life.”
Nicky nods. “That makes sense. Nile’s a decent hand at meddling, so let’s revisit this after. Not that you aren’t a wonderful person and worth waiting for, but I’ve tried everything to get rid of it, home remedies and all. I had a friend with a strong bite try to write over it, and it just won’t go.” Even Andy had thrown her hands up, and she has one of the strongest bites he knows of – and they’ve been close friends for years.
(What she actually said was, “Sorry, Nicky. You already have my pack bite, and I could give you a second one, but I don’t think it’ll take. You let Cedric bite you because you loved him. You don’t feel that way about me. You’d have better luck with someone you’re attracted to.”
“So you’re saying I’m the problem?”
“Kinda?”
Nicky threw his face in hands. “Nothing wrong with wanting love,” Quỳnh consoled.
“Or chemistry!” Andy piped in, ribbing her wife. “Best one night stand of my life.”
“The one night stand that just didn’t end,” Quỳnh fondly reminisced.)
“Alright then,” Joe says. “Can I see it?”
“Yeah, of course.” Nicky unwinds the scarf, and Joe moves his chair so it’s next to Nicky’s.
After looking, Joe gestures towards his neck and sniffs, “Can I…?”
“Go ahead and scent it,” Nicky sighs. “Even the scent won’t fade. It’s why people don’t believe I’m single.”
Bracing himself on the back of Nicky’s chair, Joe leans forward. Nicky’s first thought is he smells nice. Good enough to breathe in deeply. Then, that Joe’s presence this close feels electric. When Joe inhales, Nicky shivers, anticipating his touch. It’s as if every part of his body is seeking Joe like iron dust to a magnet.
“Hmm,” Joe says, sitting back. Nicky firmly keeps his hands in his lap and does not reach for him. “Your ex definitely has a strong bite, but mine’s stronger.” Nicky’s impressed the statement stays firmly on the side of confident and not arrogant. “Is it alright if I give a small lick to be sure?” Nicky agrees; it’s a common way to gauge compatibility. And if Andy’s right, Nicky wants to know if he’ll resist Joe’s bite.
Joe places a warm hand on Nicky’s shoulder and gives a small lick to his neck. There’s a literal spark between them, a static shock that skips up his spine. He gasps, giving Joe more of his neck. Joe follows him for a short, sweet moment, before ever-so-responsibly leaning back. Joe looks at Nicky intently; if Nile’s endorsement hadn’t piqued his interest, this certainly has.
“Well, that answers if we’re compatible or not,” Nicky notes, a bit more breathlessly than he’d like. “How long does your bite last?”
Joe blinks at him, surprised. “Nile didn’t tell you?”
“She said it was a private thing. I had to beg her just to connect me to her mysterious friend.”
“My bite doesn’t last long. A few days, a week at best?” It’s Nicky’s turn to be shocked. That’s… surprisingly short. “Perfect for your situation, isn’t it?” Joe says, and Nicky doesn’t understand the rueful expression.
“Why does it make you sad?” Joe’s eyebrows lift. “You have feelings about this, and I don’t want you to do me a favor if it’s going to make you sad.”
Joe heaves a large sigh. “People always say a strong bite is wonderful. Mine’s always taken on the first try. No build-up needed. Lots of people love the fantasy but not the reality of it, and they’re relieved when they find out they just need to stay away a few days to be rid of it.”
Nicky makes a sympathetic noise. “I see why Nile said it’s a personal thing.”
“Yeah.” Joe takes a sip of his tea, and Nicky can recognize a topic change when he sees one. “So, we’re compatible, but setting the mood so both of us are receptive to the mark’s important. So let’s talk about what would help both of us feel open to that...”
Joe’s place is a granny unit in a nice neighborhood, tucked against the hills. Nicky’s been to the park nearby, where the view is always beautiful. Both because the hills are painted in gold and shadow when the sun rises and sets, and because from the hilltops, you can see the entire city. As he walks to Joe’s door, he spies a balcony that overlooks the park with an empty easel on it.
Once Joe lets him in, he asks, “Do you draw?”
“Yes,” Joe says. “Been in a bit of a rut, so I’ve been doing plein air stuff lately. You?”
“Goodness no, I’m decent if I’m tracing something, or using a coloring book, but otherwise it’s stick figures for me.”
“Fair enough,” Joe replies. “Come in, come in. What did you bring? It smells good...”
During their bookstore discussion, they’d both agreed food was a good way to breed familiarity for a bite. So Nicky sets his Tupperware full of rugelach on the kitchen table, some chocolate and some apricot, both topped with sanding sugar.
“I figured they’re good for finger food. We didn’t explicitly talk about handfeeding, but it seemed in line with what we’re both interested in…?” Nicky watches, rapt, as Joe’s eyes widen along with his mouth. Nicky quickly opens the lid and pops one of the sweets into Joe’s mouth, and Joe mumbles what Nicky hopes is praise as he eats.
“Chocolate.” Joe licks the crumbs off his lips, and Nicky hopes the rugelach will net him a date after this bite business is complete.
“There’s also apricot…” Joe scoots closer and opens his mouth again. “I’ve created a monster,” Nicky notes with amusement. He breaks an apricot one in half, and splits it between himself and Joe.
When they’re done, Joe’s eyes are closed. He’s humming with pleasure from the sugar high, and hopefully from Nicky too. Joe's scent is strong in his home, of course, but Nicky can begin to smell him, slightly giddy. Nicky feels warm himself, the bonding activity’s a hit for him too – he’s always enjoyed using his hands to make other people feel good: food, sex, touch.
It feels like Joe reads his mind, when he reaches for Nicky’s hand and asks, “How do you feel about dancing?”
“I’m alright? I can keep a beat.”
“Don’t worry about that, we’re just going to follow each other. Here…” Joe holds out his palm and Nicky places his in it. He expects some kind of ballroom dance, but instead it’s something else, something vaguely modern? Even without music, Joe moves easily, like someone at home in his body. Nicky follows him, his only constraint keeping his hand connected to Joe’s. He finds ways to twist and play into the shapes Joe makes. It’s fun, and Nicky feels himself loosen as well, laughing when Joe spins him out and draws him back.
“How you feeling Nicky?”
“Good,” he says, “I haven’t had fun like this in awhile.” He presses against Joe, who leans back. Eventually, they get on the floor, and Joe even works in some kind of back stretch where they sit back to back and take turns pressing each other into the floor. Then they follow one another’s slow, swaying movements; that one feels a bit like being kelp swayed by the tide.
They’re both relaxed, and Joe must smell it on him, because he asks if Nicky’s ready. Nicky nods. Turning so they face each other, Nicky offers his hands to Joe, who takes them. His grip is just right. “I’m gonna start,” Joe says.
Keeping one hand in Nicky’s, his other traces the upward curve of Nicky’s back, settling between his shoulder blades. Nicky shivers and bites his lip when Joe leans into his neck. As his nose trails up, Nicky knows Joe’s just scenting him, but he wants the heat of his mouth, his tongue, his teeth.
“No sex,” Nicky says, unsure who he’s reminding, but holding fast to Joe’s hand regardless.
“No sex,” Joe confirms, squeezing Nicky’s hand back. Nicky wonders what he smells like to Joe right now, if that’s why Joe’s voice sounds thick.
Joe rubs his cheek against the spot first, then licks over Cedric’s bite. There’s a frisson of discomfort, Cedric’s pheromones refusing to let go. Joe idly hums as if considering the best way to do this, then he licks a wide swatch of Nicky’s neck and blows on it. Nicky’s glad he’s already sitting, because his knees feel weak. “Do you still want the mark over the current one?” Joe murmurs.
“Higher,” Nicky says. He hadn’t planned for that – Cedric’s just peaks over his shirt collar. Joe’s fingertips grace Nicky’s pulse.
“Here?”
“Yes,” Nicky whispers.
“Alright.”
Nicky tugs on Joe’s hand, as if to bring him closer, and tips his head to the side. “Attaboy,” Joe murmurs, “Be good and stay still, my bite can feel intense since it’s just the once.”
Nicky nods quickly. Joe swirls his tongue against the chosen spot, then gives just the smallest of bites. Like some strange version of measure twice, cut once. Then he bites and –
Nicky knows that the high whine followed by pants is coming from him, but he’s too fucking far gone on the rush of endorphins. Part of him wants to struggle against it because it’s too good, but then he remembers that voice telling him to be good and still, and Nicky lets himself fall into the warmth.
He breathes sunshine, smells amber, wraps himself in the best weighted blanket he’s ever found. He sucks on the goodness of it like hard candy.
Hey, that voice says. Nicky’s still floating in a gold sea and tries to pet the chuckle he hears. Okay, that’s good Nicky, can you show me those pretty eyes?
He does his best, reluctantly parting from nuzzling Joe’s beard and blinking up at him.
“Hey there,” Joe says.
“Did I do good?” Nicky slurs.
“Perfect. I couldn’t have asked for a more willing and handsome partner.” Joe boops his nose and Nicky smiles dopily. “Can you sit up a bit? I’m happy to keep holding you, but my knees can’t take this position much longer.”
Nicky notices he’s sprawled in Joe’s lap at an exceedingly awkward angle. “Oh, sorry,” he says muzzily, climbing off and to his right. They lean against the couch, their sides pressed together. Usually he wouldn’t be so clingy so soon, but the bonding hormones have him itching to be even closer to Joe. “Can I…” he mimes pressing his face into something, most preferably Joe’s neck.
“That hit you hard didn’t it?” Joe says in sympathy, rubbing Nicky’s thigh. “Come here.” He tugs Nicky closer by the nape of his neck, letting him decide where he wants to scent – groin, armpit, wrist, and neck are all common places. Nicky has enough decency left not to go for Joe’s crotch, and instead returns to his neck. He gives a small sigh of satisfaction as he breathes in deep, and then rubs his face against Joe’s beard. He settles just below his jaw, where he can feel Joe’s pulse beating steady beneath his lips. He mouths at it, part comfort, part instinctual holdover, even if he has no plans on biting Joe back.
By the time the high starts to fade, his head is nestled in the crook of Joe’s neck. While he waits out the rest of the rush, he lets himself enjoy Joe’s smell, the feel of warm skin, and the brush of his beard against him. Joe just pets him through it, stroking the back of his neck.
When, at last, Nicky feels like his senses are normal, he reluctantly pulls away. “Thanks,” he says.
Joe nods. “You good to drive home? You’re welcome to stay longer.”
Nicky touches the mark, just to reassure himself it’s Joe’s and not Cedric’s, and that sends his brain back into that hazy place.
From far away he hears, “Oh, shit, I really have you don’t I? Okay, okay, um, how do you feel about puzzles?”
Nicky nods, and Joe pulls out a puzzle of a woman emerging from the sea with a dragon. Nicky’s not sure how long, but they work on it snuggled up together, Joe making small talk until Nicky’s capable of holding a conversation without getting distracted by the bite high. Once they both know Nicky’s sober enough to drive, Joe walks him to his car.
“Text me when you get home?” Joe asks.
“Yes, yes,” Nicky waves, and kisses him on the cheek. “Thanks again, this really was… better than I thought it’d be.”
“You’re telling me.”
Nicky doesn’t want to leave, but he knows going home is the right thing. He wants to tug Joe into bed and sleep side by side, and that’s a decision he needs to make once the bite high is gone. If they’re meant to be, waiting won’t hurt. As he pulls away, he glances at Joe through the rear view mirror, who waves back with a small grin.
With one mark gone and another in its place, Nicky’s wiped by the time he gets home. He falls into bed, but remembers to text Joe.
I’m home, he sends. What he wants to say is I miss you already, but he knows that’s the bite talking, so he saves it in his notes, where all thoughts better left unsaid go.
He sleeps deeply and soundly; and when he wakes, it’s with the echo of Joe’s scent still in his nose.
Nicky is slightly embarrassed by how much he touches the mark on his neck. He touches it so much, people stop to congratulate him on the glow he has about him or his new partner. Nicky politely says thank you, and when he doesn’t say more, people assure it’s because he’s in the honeymoon period of a new bite.
And while that’s not factually true, the bite certainly has… zing. Each time Nicky touches Joe’s mark, it sends a very pleasant shiver through him without fail. It was certainly an experience when he palmed it while jerking himself off.
But as the third day comes and goes, and with it Joe’s mark as well, Nicky finds himself wishing that it wouldn’t. He knows chemistry alone doesn’t mean much; it’s not enough to build a life upon. But besides the thrill, he likes the way Joe’s pheromones feel: cozy, warm, like a blanket, like looking at the night sky when he was a boy at his grandma’s in the countryside. And he likes to think that’s a sign.
(He also thinks about the bite, wonders what it’d’ve been like if Joe meant it when he bit him. Imagines Joe’s teeth worrying the bite, leaving not just the light imprint of teeth, but bruises. Even with the bite gone, Nicky still thinks of Joe when he touches himself.)
After a week, when Joe must be sure his bite has faded, he texts: did you still want that date?
Nicky wants to do it again, wants to see what can grow. His answer is easy.
Yes.