Chapter Text
Niran had been well-aware of the consequences of a soul-binding ritual and yet, when Pete had been in danger, he hadn’t even hesitated.
Niran was sure he could’ve figured out a smarter solution than linking his and Pete’s souls together for eternity, but it was certainly the fastest way to stop the demon from taking even more control and doing any further damage.
He keeps telling himself this over and over again ever since that life-changing night. He did it only to stop the Six-Eared Macaque from consuming Pete and to stop him from hurting himself and anyone who got in his way. There was no other possible reason why Niran would even consider doing the ritual.
Maybe there was another reason, one that Niran refused to even acknowledge, that he didn’t hesitate to save Pete.
Niran knew damn well what his body felt whenever he looked at Pete. He recognised it as the same feeling he first felt when he was fifteen years old when he saw a fellow male classmate naked.
He found himself entranced, unable to look away, feeling something he didn’t quite recognise and couldn’t name just yet, but he felt it deeply, both within his bones and in his soul.
Niran didn’t dare let it show. He didn’t dare try to make a move or talk to anyone about it. He knew what people said about boys like him… about people like him. He had overheard the awful names directed at other boys in the school hallway, had witnessed the teasing, had seen it on the news and in movies. He had already been made fun of enough for being different when he was younger; he didn’t need to give these kids another reason to bully him.
So, he repressed it. Kept his head down in the locker room. Tried his hardest not to think about it. Went along with the conversation when his classmates talked about girls. Tried to blend in with all the other boys. He didn’t necessarily have friends but at least he appeared “normal” enough that everyone left him alone.
Then, he graduated, became an adult. There had been encounters with other men and Niran finally understood what he had been feeling all those years of his adolescence.
He liked men. The revelation had felt terrifying but also relieving. He was able to breathe a little, although it still felt like a burden in a way. He never knew who he could tell about it, never knew who to trust or not trust.
But he luckily had Fei by his side.
She always understood. Of course she did. A part of Niran thinks she knew even before he did. They were somewhat the same after all. They had always relied on each other, had always been there for each other and they related to each other.
Niran was thankful for her, even if she did get on his nerves sometimes. She’s the only family he’s ever truly known and he felt like he always fully belonged wherever Fei was.
Then, Niran met Sira. Handsome, sweet, charming Sira. Niran had fallen hard and fast and Sira was right there too, falling along with him. Sira made Niran feel things he’s never felt before and Niran had always felt safe with him.
Their relationship quickly soured and they crashed and burned and then Niran was alone again. They hadn’t ended on great terms and had practically become enemies.
Pete had come into his life unexpectedly. When Niran first saw Pete, he felt that same pull immediately. The same feeling that drew him to that boy at fifteen, the same one that drew him to Sira, the same one that drew him to other men. He felt it when he first spotted him across the room at the club.
It wasn’t just that he knew Pete could help him and he could help Pete – it was a strong need to protect and a feeling of curiosity and attraction.
That slender frame, those piercing hazel eyes, that charming smirk, the way his pink lips wrapped around the cigarette… Niran was immediately drawn to him. He knew getting close to Pete would be self-sabotage, especially if Pete wasn’t like him and didn’t feel the same way about him.
Whenever Pete was too close, Niran’s skin always prickled and his heart rate increased. It was like his body was sending him warning signals. But Niran couldn’t stay away, even if it killed him.
When he bought Pete’s house and moved in, he told himself it was just so he could keep an eye on him, so he could be close and that it was easier to train him if they lived together. But that was only half the truth.
As much as it hurt being close to Pete, it was also weirdly comforting. Pete’s presence calmed Niran in a way that no one else ever really had. It brought him a sense of ease that he hadn’t felt before.
Moving into the same room might have been a bit of an overstep but Niran wanted to be close to Pete, even if his body felt like a wildfire anytime Pete got close.
He had been sleeping fairly well ever since he moved in here. The sound of Pete’s breathing usually lulled him to sleep most nights, even if the floor was kind of uncomfortable.
But tonight, he finds himself unable to fall asleep. He tosses and turns but he just can’t shut off his brain… His brain that’s full of Pete-related thoughts.
He sighs and rolls onto his side, facing the wall, his back towards where Pete is, just a few inches apart laying on his own bed.
Pete had fallen asleep ages ago, had collapsed into bed at a reasonable hour, after a tiring day.
Niran’s eyes flicked to the clock on the wall. 2:23AM, it read. Niran sighed softly as he shut his eyes again, willing the darkness to swallow him. He waited and waited but sleep didn’t come. All that he saw behind his eyelids was Pete’s face, Pete’s voice, Pete’s body.
He checks the clock again. 2:45AM.
He sighs again, rolling onto his back, shutting his eyes again.
“Niran?”
Niran jumps a little when he hears the soft mutter of his name.
He turns his head towards Pete’s bed and Pete is already facing him, arms under his head, one eye popped open. He looks exhausted, hair messily falling over his forehead, his eye straining to stay open.
“Are you okay?”
Niran curses himself internally. He probably woke Pete up with all his tossing and turning.
“Sorry,” Niran whispers. “Did I wake you?”
Pete shrugs. It’s not a denial but it’s not a confirmation either. “What’s wrong?” He yawns, rubbing at his eyes. They slowly blink open. They look dark in the blackness of the night. “Can’t sleep?”
Niran shakes his head. “No. Sorry.”
Pete lets out a huff of air that Niran thinks is a chuckle but isn’t really sure. “Stop apologising.” He yawns again, blinking a few times as if he’s trying to adjust his eyes to the darkness. “Something on your mind?”
Yeah. You.
Niran can’t exactly share what’s on his mind. But he nods anyway.
“Mm, anything I can help with?” Pete’s voice is soft and sleepy. He blinks slowly at Niran, as if he’s fighting slumber.
Niran’s face burns as he quickly shakes his head. If only Pete knew.
“It’s okay, Pete,” Niran murmurs. “Just go back to sleep.”
Pete scoffs gently. “No, you have me worried now.” He turns on his side, fully facing Niran. The covers slip down a little further, showing off his bare biceps. Niran feels ashamed of how fast his eyes find the exposed skin. Pete props his head up on his hand. “Well, what do you usually do when you can’t sleep?”
“Meditate,” Niran answers. “Or sometimes I’ll just pace around the room for a bit, that usually helps.” There was one other thing that Niran sometimes did when he couldn’t sleep but there was absolutely no way he was admitting that to Pete. Especially when Pete had been the object of his masturbation fantasies as of late.
It wasn’t like Niran did it all the time. He barely had any time to himself and he couldn’t exactly do it at bedtime with Pete in the room. That would be seriously uncouth.
He usually jerks off in the shower these days – he usually came pretty quickly so he didn’t have to take a lot of extra time and raise Pete’s suspicions.
“Really? That’s it?” Pete raises an eyebrow as if he was expecting a different answer.
Niran shrugs. “Yes. But it’s fine. I don’t need to do that. This conversation is making me tired anyway.”
Pete chuckles. “Wow, calling me boring now, huh? I’m offended, Ran.”
Ran.
That was another recent development. The nickname. Pete had just said it randomly one day and it stuck. Niran didn’t hate it; in fact, he kind of loved it. No one had ever called him that. The way Pete said it, with so much affection, made his heart warm. He loved when Pete said his name, but this nickname made his heart race even faster for some reason.
Niran rolls his eyes, despite his heart beating erratically in his chest. He lets his eyes slip shut again. “Whatever. I’m going to sleep now.”
“You sure about that?”
He can hear the teasing in Pete’s voice, knows that familiar smirk is planted across his mouth.
Niran hums. But he knows damn well he won’t be falling asleep anytime soon.
The room falls quiet again and Pete shifts in his bed, the covers rustling as he turns around again.
Soon, Niran hears the sound of his steady breathing again. Niran stares at the ceiling for god knows how long.
He thinks he sleeps for about two hours that night.
***
Luckily, his tiredness is enough for him to fall asleep the following night. He is knocked out not long after his head hits the pillow, Pete also sleeping soundly to his left.
But then, the night after, he finds himself wide awake at an ungodly hour once again. He knows meditation won’t help – there was too much on his mind – and he can’t exactly stalk around the room without waking Pete, so he just lays there, his eyes screwed shut, willing for slumber to take him.
Alas, it does not. Niran sighs, laying on his back, his arms crossed behind his head. He lets his mind wonder. It’s not surprising when it immediately wonders to Pete. His eyes slip shut, letting himself get lost in his thoughts.
They’re most innocent at first. Memories of them driving around in Niran’s car, of them cooking dinner together, of them laughing at a shared joke. But then, his mind changes course and suddenly all he can see is Pete’s naked body below his, warm skin underneath his palms, Pete’s swollen, red lips, Pete’s face so close that he can see all the tiny little details of it.
Then he feels it. That warmth, that burn, pooling low in his belly. The desire he felt when he looked at Pete for too long. The one that made him want to reach into his pants, to satisfy his needs.
He blames his tiredness for the lack of carelessness as he moves one hand down to his stomach, resting it there for a moment, fiddling with the hem of his shirt as his thoughts turn even dirtier.
Niran hovering above Pete, kissing and licking and biting him all over his body. Then pressing his fingers into him. Then thrusting into him, soft and slow at first then hard and fast, as Pete falls apart in his arms, his loud moans filling the room and blessing Niran’s ears like a symphony.
Niran’s hand slides down, his fingers slipping under the waistband of his shorts. He is already half-hard and when his fingers brush against his dick, he gasps at the sensation. He covers his mouth quickly with his other hand, biting down on his fingers, as he softly strokes himself over his boxers.
It’s not ideal; the friction is kind of uncomfortable but it relieves some of his tension and quells some of the desire. He probably can’t even come like this but he continues palming himself anyway.
“Niran?”
Niran freezes. His fingers halt, resting over his damp underwear. His heart drops to his stomach.
He doesn’t dare move, doesn’t dare open his eyes, doesn’t dare look in Pete’s direction.
He keeps perfectly still, hoping Pete can’t actually tell what he’s doing, hoping he will just fall back to sleep and leave Niran to his terrible, horny thoughts.
“Niran? Are you awake?”
Niran prays for the world to explode then and there.
“No,” he whispers stupidly. As if an unconscious person could answer back. He still has his hand in his shorts, his dick twitching uncomfortably. He’s too scared to move at all.
The room is silent for a moment and Niran thinks that Pete has given up and gone back to sleep but then his voice breaks through the quiet again.
“What were you doing?”
Niran suddenly wants to die. If he died, he would take Pete with him, too. Maybe that was a good thing. At least Pete will never figure out what a pervert Niran is.
“Um, nothing,” Niran mutters. His hand is still on his goddamn dick. “Just go back to sleep, Pete.”
A few more beats of silence.
“If you were doing what I think you were doing… it’s okay… you don’t have to be ashamed.”
Niran’s face is burning. He wants the floor to open up and swallow him whole. Of course Pete figured it out. All he had to do was sneak a glance at Niran on the floor and he would know.
“It’s normal, you know,” Pete adds.
God help me, Niran thinks. This situation was already bad enough and now Pete was supposedly totally okay with it. Niran’s not so sure Pete would still be fine with it if he knew that he was the one Niran was thinking about while rubbing one out.
“You can continue if you want,” Pete whispers. “I don’t mind.”
Niran has to be dreaming. Maybe he had fallen asleep after all and this was all just some strange dream. Or maybe he was hallucinating. Yes, that had to be it. He was so tired that he was just imagining Pete saying these things.
“I do it too.”
Niran’s eyes fly open. I mean, of course it’s not a surprise that Pete masturbates. Nearly everyone does, right? Like Pete said, it’s totally normal. But this conversation was still extremely odd.
Niran’s hand finally slips out of his pants but he stays still and doesn’t look at Pete. He wants to ask a million questions but he doesn’t know where to start. His mouth opens but no words come out. But then, Pete speaks again.
“What were you thinking about?”
Yeah, death sounds pretty good right about now. Niran hadn’t wanted to go so young but it’s okay. Maybe he’ll be reincarnated as something cool like a tiger or even a tree. That would be nice.
Niran swallows and his throat feels extremely dry. His face is on fire. He can feel Pete’s eyes on him, but he still refuses to turn his head. Niran closes his eyes again, hoping that Pete will think he’s gone to sleep and will let it go.
“Would you feel better if I did it with you?”
Niran’s eyes fly open again. There was no way Pete had just asked him that.
Niran’s voice is shaky when he speaks. “W-what?”
“Like, if we did it together. Well, not together. But you know… if you did it and I did it but at the same time.”
Niran prays for an intruder to enter the house at that very moment and take them both out.
How is he supposed to answer that? That simultaneously sounded like the worst idea ever and also sounded extremely hot, so much so that Niran practically gets hard again at the thought.
“Jesus, Pete,” Niran mutters. “What are you even saying?”
“I’m just trying to help,” Pete responds, and there’s something in his voice Niran has never really heard before. Something like… desperation. Or… curiosity. But maybe that’s just Niran’s imagination.
Niran sighs quietly. He doesn’t even know what to say. Yes, sure, Pete I would love to masturbate with you. That sounded weird. Albeit true but still, extremely strange. Niran doesn’t even know why Pete is suggesting it in the first place.
It’s quiet for a few moments and Niran lets his eyes slip closed once more, hoping that Pete really has fallen back to sleep this time and that this conversation never gets brought up again. But then, he hears movement from Pete’s bed.
The rustling of the covers, a piece of clothing being pushed to the side, the gasp of a breath, the strained noises.
Fuck.
Pete was being completely serious. His scandalous offer to Niran was not some sick, twisted joke. He is touching himself, with Niran only a metre away.
Pete lets out a gasp, as the sheets rustle from his movements. Niran can now clearly hear the movement of skin on skin. He keeps his eyes screwed shut as he tries to block out the sounds. But it’s no use. All he can see behind his eyelids is the picture of Pete stroking himself.
“Niran,” Pete breathes. “It’s okay. You can touch yourself.”
Fuck.
Was Pete trying to kill him? He can’t believe he’s not already dead actually.
Niran can’t move, he can barely breathe. His entire body is on fire, both from embarrassment, as well as desire.
Pete lets out a whimper, his breathing becoming more laboured and Niran curses silently. Maybe this was some kind of sick punishment for doing the soul-binding ritual. The gods were taunting him since he and Pete weren’t an actual couple and Niran had done it for his own selfish and nefarious reasons.
“Niran,” Pete whines again. “Please. I want to see you do it.”
Niran’s eyes shoot open. The desperation in Pete’s voice makes his dick twitch. Pete wants him to do this.
He’s not just doing this for Niran’s benefit, but for his own as well. It lights a flicker of hope in Niran that he hadn’t felt in a while. And maybe it’s stupid to hope.
Maybe Pete was simply just horny and needed to get off somehow and he would forget about this in the morning and they would never talk about it again. Or maybe it was another side effect of the ritual. Shared horniness.
But maybe, just maybe, Pete wanted Niran, too. Niran had never even really let himself think it was possible for Pete to like him back. The heartbreak would’ve been too much to bear, so he was fine just admiring from a distance.
Now, Niran isn’t sure what to think. Would Pete really be doing this if he didn’t at least feel something for Niran?
But then, Pete speaks again, in a desperate, breathy tone.
“Please, Ran.”
Niran’s restraint finally breaks.
Keeping his eyes focused on the ceiling, he pushes the covers down and slips his hand into his shorts. He wonders if he should throw all caution to the wind and pull his pants down completely but he isn’t sure he’s totally prepared for Pete to see him completely bare.
As soon as Niran wraps a hand around himself, he feels instant relief. He’s hard and leaking, gasping at the sensation as he pumps himself. He doesn’t bother trying to hide his noises. Why should he? Pete is well aware of what’s happening and is by some crazy miracle, encouraging it.
“Fuck,” Pete gasps. The slick sounds from Pete’s movements echo in his ears. “Niran, I want to see you.”
Niran nearly moans at the words, his hand faltering for a moment. He barely has a grasp on reality anymore, as he pushes down his bottoms with his other hand, sighing as his cock finally springs free, as he continues to run his hand up and down his length.
Pete lets out a strained sigh, as Niran hears him pump himself a little faster now. “Ran, fuck, you’re so hot.”
Niran can barely even process what’s happening. His brain is a jumbled mess, his heart feels like it’s about to beat out of his chest and his body is on fire. He strokes himself a bit faster as he listens to the sound of Pete doing the same.
It’s incredibly filthy, totally wrong but Niran can’t stop. He doesn’t want to stop and Pete apparently doesn’t want to either. His fingers run over the tip, spreading more pre-come over himself as he pumps even faster. He throws his head back on the pillow, gasping and writhing as he feels himself approaching his climax.
“Ran, are you close?” Pete breathes.
Niran can’t speak, so he just nods, knowing that Pete is looking at him.
“I am too,” Pete whispers, letting out a soft whimper. “Can you look at me, please?”
Niran squeezes his eyes shut. He doesn’t know if he can bear that. If this was just a one off and Pete doesn’t feel the same way about him, the image of Pete masturbating would haunt him for the rest of his life.
“Ran, please,” Pete whines, voice strained and desperate.
Niran can’t resist any longer. He has to know what Pete looks like right now, even if it would destroy any sanity he had left.
He opens his eyes, his hand slowing down a little as he turns his head in the direction of Pete’s bed. Every coherent thought leaves Niran’s head immediately as soon as his eyes lock on Pete.
He’s turned on his side, propped up on one elbow, his bottoms are pushed down to his mid thigh and his dick is completely exposed. It’s flushed bright red and leaking, Pete’s long thin fingers wrapped around it. His hair is pressed slick to his forehead and his mouth is hanging slightly open. His eyes are hooded, as he gazes down at Niran, his orbs completely black.
His eyes lock on Niran’s with such a strong intensity as he continues pumping himself. Niran mirrors his movements and he knows he’s close to the edge.
“Niran, fuck, I’m gonna come,” Pete moans as his hand speeds up.
Pete’s head lolls back, as he completely loses himself to the moment now. Niran is entranced by the sight. He knows he’s going to be fantasising about this for the rest of his days.
“Ran,” Pete mewls. “Come for me.”
That’s finally what sends Niran tumbling over the cliff and into the ocean. He moans as he spills into his hand, his body tensing and then slowly relaxing as he strokes himself gently, easing himself down from the high. His palm and fingers are covered entirely as his breathing slowly returns to normal.
Pete’s orgasm arrives a second later, as he lets out a loud gasp, shooting into his palm, some of it landing on his belly. He lets out a satisfied sigh as he lets his hand fall away, resting it on his stomach.
He slowly opens his eyes and meets Niran’s gaze.
They stare at each other for a moment, neither knowing what to say, the room falling silent once again.
Niran feels completely frozen, like reality has just hit him. Pete’s expression is mostly unreadable, but there’s a hint of guilt there. Niran recognises it because he knows that feeling all too well.
Pete moves first. He pulls his shorts back up, as he turns to grab some tissues from the bedside table. He quickly wipes his hand and his stomach, and then scrunches up the tissue. He stares at it for a moment, as if he’s unsure of what to do with it, then he stands. He crosses the room to where a small bin is and tosses it away.
Then he simply crawls back into bed, lays down under the covers, his back facing Niran.
Niran blinks at Pete’s figure. He doesn’t know what to say, doesn’t even know if he should say anything at all. Pete clearly doesn’t want to talk about it.
Niran sighs softly and looks down at his right hand. He stands up and heads towards the bathroom. His legs are a little shaky and his brain is spinning with a million thoughts.
He’s confused as to what just happened. One moment, Pete was asking him if he wanted to jerk off together, then they were doing it, then it was over and now Pete was ignoring him.
He doesn’t even bother flicking the light on as he enters the bathroom. He turns the tap on, running his hands under the cold water. He shivers as it cools down his warm body. He rubs at his hands and watches as the remnants of his pleasure wash down the drain. Then he splashes some water on his face, reality sinking in, as he stares at himself in the mirror.
He can barely make out his reflection in the darkness but the moonlight from the tiny window is enough to illuminate his features slightly. His hair is sticking up on the back of his head and his cheeks are flushed red. He must have bitten his lip at some point because the bottom one is slightly swollen.
He smooths down his hair and runs his cooling palm over his face, sighing heavily. His hand slides over his swollen lip and his mind flashes with the memory of Pete touching himself, his pretty mouth hanging open, falling apart right in front of Niran’s eyes. The image burns into his brain and the back of his eyelids.
Fuck.
Well, that was something he certainly wasn’t going to forget for a very long time.
Niran was totally screwed.
***
The next morning is awkward to say the least. They exchange polite good mornings as they dance around each other in the kitchen, neither of them even daring to bring up last night.
Niran had several questions and he wanted answers. But he didn’t know how to broach the topic at all.
It seems that Pete wasn’t exactly keen to talk about it. Niran doesn’t want to push him and potentially cause conflict between them, but he thinks he deserves an explanation at the very least.
About halfway through breakfast, Niran can’t stand the silence anymore. He places down his fork and stares at Pete who’s sitting across from him at the table. He’s scrolling on his phone, paying no attention to the man opposite him.
His eyes finally flick up and meet Niran’s a moment later. He swallows the food in his mouth and Niran shamelessly follows the movement of his throat with his eyes.
“What?” Pete asks. There’s an edge of nervousness in his voice, like he knows what Niran is about to say.
“Don’t you think we should talk about what happened?” Niran crosses his arms over his chest, leaning back in his chair.
Pete’s eyes shift around the room, as he pushes his food around on his plate. “Why? It’s not necessary, is it?”
Niran scoffs, as he stares incredulously at Pete. “Well, I think it’s necessary.” He softens his voice a little. “Pete… you were the one who initiated it.”
Pete’s head snaps up, as his hand freezes. He swallows nervously, his mouth opening and closing as if he’s trying to find the right words. “Not really,” he mumbles. “You were doing it first. I just… joined in.”
Niran lets out a dry chuckle. “I was doing it because I thought you were asleep. You not only joined in, but you asked me to continue. You wanted me to do it with you.”
Pete closes his eyes, dropping his fork and running a hand over his face. He sighs heavily. “I just wanted to help. I didn’t want you to feel embarrassed.”
“I didn’t feel embarrassed until you caught me,” Niran says. “Then I felt even more embarrassed afterwards. I feel embarrassed now.”
Pete doesn’t answer, doesn’t look at him, just resumes eating, shovelling pieces of egg into his mouth.
“Pete,” Niran pleads. He sits forward, leaning his arms on the table. “Can you just please explain?.”
Pete drops his fork with a clang and stands from the table, pushing his chair back. It makes a squeaking sound as it drags across the floorboards. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” he snaps. He picks up his still half-full plate and heads towards the kitchen.
Niran barely even hesitates before following him. There was no way he was going to let this go.
He sees Pete’s shoulders tense as he enters the kitchen. He’s facing away from Niran, plate hovering in the sink.
“Pete,” Niran begins, taking slow steps towards him. “Can you please talk to me? I just want to understand.”
Pete sighs, placing his plate down in the sink. He turns towards Niran, leaning back against the counter. His eyebrows are furrowed as he stares at Niran. “You know what? I blame you!” he snaps, pointing an aggressive finger at Niran. “This is probably because of that stupid ritual you did.”
Niran narrows his eyes. “What? You wanting to masturbate at the same time?” Niran notices the way Pete flinches at the word masturbate. “It’s a soul-binding ritual, not a sex spell.”
“Oh my god,” Pete mutters, shaking his head, his cheeks turning pink. “You know, ever since you did the ritual, everything has been off.”
“You can’t blame the ritual for this,” Niran sighs. “I told you already, it doesn’t make you do anything.”
“Then how come I–” Pete stops mid sentence, looking away from Niran, his gaze focusing on the floor.
Niran takes a step forward. “How come you what?”
Pete looks so close to breaking. Niran just had to press a little more.
“Never mind,” Pete murmurs, his cheeks flushing an even deeper shade of red.
“Tell me,” Niran breathes, taking another step forward. They were only a few inches apart now.
Pete shifts on his feet and tries to take a step back but he can’t go anywhere because he’s already pressed up against the counter. He grips the edge of it with his hands. “Niran, can you just forget about this, please?”
Niran shakes his head. “Pete, I can’t. Please, just say what you were going to say.” Niran’s chest feels tight, his voice strained.
Pete’s eyes flick up to Niran’s and he lets out a heavy, defeated sigh. “You said I wouldn’t develop feelings for you.”
Niran’s heart stops for a moment and then picks up speed a little. His eyes search Pete’s face, as if all the answers will be written there, all the things Pete isn’t saying. “That’s right,” Niran answers softly. “So what are you saying?”
A beat of silence passes. Pete’s eyes firmly lock on Niran’s.
“Niran, do I really need to say it?”
They let the silence settle around them, as Pete’s words register in Niran’s mind. Niran is almost sure what Pete is saying but he’s tired of reading between the lines.
But then Pete speaks again and Niran’s entire world flips upside down.
“You feel it too, right?”
The space between them suddenly feels charged, no longer with awkwardness but with tension and mutual desire.
Niran’s mind flashes with the memories of last night and the way Pete had looked at him and how he sounded and the way he said Niran’s name, mixed with his breathy moans.
Niran shifts forward again, reducing the distance between them. His eyes scan Pete’s face, looking for a hint of any hesitation or sarcasm, because maybe this was Pete just messing around. Maybe he just wanted to use Niran to get off but Pete’s face remains completely serious.
Niran reaches a shaky hand up and presses it against Pete’s chest. Under his palm, he can feel the erratic beating of Pete’s heart.
“Pete,” Niran breathes. His gaze flicks from his chest up to Pete’s lips then to his eyes then back to his lips. “I won’t be able to hold back anymore now.”
A small smirk appears on Pete’s lips but it’s not from sarcasm. It’s playful, flirty, expectant.
“Who’s asking you to?”
And that’s all the permission Niran needs before he finally leans forward, breaching the remaining distance. He presses his lips gently against Pete’s, testing the waters, still giving Pete the chance to run.
But he doesn’t. Pete’s hands snake up Niran’s arms, pulling him closer as he presses back against Niran’s mouth, Niran letting out a soft sigh as Pete melts against him.
Niran brings his hands up to Pete’s face, now moving his mouth more intentionally, slotting his lips in between Pete’s own.
He presses his body flush against Pete’s, wrapping his hands around Pete’s waist, as Pete’s arms enclose his shoulders.
Niran pokes his tongue out and Pete’s mouth falls open, giving him immediate access. Niran hums as his tongue mixes with Pete’s, spit slick and tasting like orange juice.
Niran squeezes Pete’s waist as he brings him closer, now slotting a leg in between Pete’s thighs.
Pete moans as Niran’s fingertips slip underneath his shirt, gently stroking his stomach. Niran presses a knee against Pete’s crotch and Pete gasps against Niran’s mouth.
Niran presses against Pete again and Pete’s head falls back, their mouths disconnecting as Pete moans softly.
Niran has always been fascinated by the mole at the centre of Pete’s neck. It’s right in his line of sight now and being offered to him on a silver platter. So he dives in.
He kisses Pete right over his adam’s apple, lingering on it for a few moments before he runs his mouth all over Pete’s neck, peppering small kisses over his honey skin. Pete whimpers loudly, his fingers digging into Niran’s shoulders.
Niran can feel himself getting harder by the second and he knows Pete is too because he can feel him growing against his thigh.
Pete runs his hands through Niran’s hair, tugging and pulling until Niran’s mouth falls away from Pete’s neck and Pete dives for Niran’s lips again.
He hungrily devours Niran’s mouth as he twists his arms around him, pulling Niran flush against himself, not an inch of space between them.
Niran wants more. He needs more. He wants all the clothes between them to disappear and he wants to feel Pete’s naked body against his.
He manages to pry himself away from Pete for a moment, leaning his forehead against Pete’s, his breathing laboured and his heart racing fast.
“Pete,” he says. “I… I…” He doesn’t even know how to ask. He can’t find the words. He’s wanted this for so long and he doesn’t even know what to ask for first. He wants to do everything with Pete. He still can’t quite believe this is real and it’s happening and that Pete wants this too.
But luckily, he doesn’t have to. Because Pete speaks first.
“Niran, touch me,” Pete breathes. He grabs one of Niran’s hands, pressing it against his crotch. Niran gasps at the feeling of Pete’s hardness against his palm. “I want you to.”
Niran nods but he doesn’t like the idea of being in the kitchen for this. Not only was it unsanitary but he wanted them both to be as comfortable as possible. He didn’t want to rush this. He wants to savour every moment.
He takes Pete’s hand in his own, intertwining their fingers. “Okay, not here though.” He turns, tugging on Pete’s hand, who yelps but lets himself be pulled through the house.
Niran leads them to their shared room, kicking the door shut with his foot, not letting go of Pete’s hand.
He leads Pete towards the bed who falls on it first, landing on his back. Niran soon follows, crawling on top of him.
They’re both smiling, as Niran settles over Pete, propped up on all fours as Pete lays back under him, his hair spreading on the bed sheets, surrounding him like a halo.
“You know, you could’ve told me you wanted this,” Pete teases, running a hand down Niran’s chest. “I would’ve said yes.”
Niran raises an eyebrow. “Well, I didn’t want to scare you.”
Pete chuckles, propping himself up on his elbows. He smirks at Niran. “Do I look scared to you?”
Niran just shakes his head, smiling as he reconnects his mouth to Pete’s. “Just shut up,” Niran murmurs against his lips. “You talk too much.”
Pete hums. “Make me.”
“I’m trying,” Niran mutters, pressing his lips firmly against Pete’s.
It’s a searing kiss and Niran’s mouth is starting to go numb but he refuses to pull away. He shoves a hand under Pete’s shirt, running it up his stomach and squeezing his pecs. Pete lets out a soft hum, as Niran traces one of Pete’s nipples.
Pete also has his hands under Niran’s shirt, running them up the length of his back. He tugs at it until Niran grabs at the collar, pulling it off. He helps Pete out of his shirt as well and then they’re back on each other in an instant, hands everywhere, feeling and exploring the newly exposed skin.
Pete drags his hips up, rubbing his crotch against Niran’s, causing him to moan at the friction. He moves a hand down to Pete’s thigh, pulling him closer, grinding down against him. Pete whines against Niran’s mouth. It’s not enough, but it relieves some of the pent up tension.
Niran skates his hand across to the front of Pete’s crotch, hovering over his clothed erection. Pete said he could touch him but Niran didn’t know exactly what that meant.
Niran pulls away from Pete’s mouth for a moment, leaning back so he can look him in the eye. “Pete, you need to tell me what you want.”
Pete is already a wreck beneath him, his mouth stained maroon and his pupils blown wide. “I just want you. Whatever you want to give me, I’ll take it.” He reaches a hand up, running a finger down the length of Niran’s jaw, his thumb skating across his lips. “I trust you.”
Pete doesn’t know what he’s agreeing to. He isn’t aware of all of Niran’s perverted thoughts and his secret desires. If he knew, maybe he would run away immediately. But he hasn’t yet and he’s completely pliant in Niran’s arms, looking up at him as if he’s simply waiting for Niran to make the next move. Niran can see it in his eyes, written all across his face. Pete wants this. He wants it just as much as Niran does.
Niran smiles softly then pecks Pete’s lips once, twice and then a third time before he speaks. “Okay.” He leans back, kneeling above Pete. He snakes his hands up Pete’s thighs, stopping when he reaches the waistband of his shorts. “Can I take these off?”
Pete nods, lifting his hips off the mattress so Niran can push them down more easily. They’re soon discarded and now he’s laying on the bed in nothing but his underwear. Niran settles over Pete again, and begins placing small kisses over his chest. Pete’s hands thread through Niran’s hair, lightly tugging on his thick locks as he presses his mouth all over Pete’s torso. He kisses down Pete’s stomach, hovering over his crotch.
He pauses, glancing up at Pete. Pete gives a firm nod and Niran peels his underwear away. He slowly pulls them down, watching closely as Pete is revealed to him inch by inch and then Pete is completely bare. His dick is hard and slightly wet and Niran almost drools at the sight. He wants to taste him.
“Fuck,” he mutters to himself. He grabs the back of Pete’s thighs, spreading them further apart. Pete sighs softly, one of his hands still on the back of Niran’s neck, tugging on the ends of his hair as Niran lowers himself between Pete’s legs.
Niran presses his lips to the inside of Pete’s left thigh and then his right. Pete mewls and his dick twitches. “Ran…” he breathes. “I need you.”
Niran nearly moans aloud at that and then he sinks down, mouth open and willing, taking the tip of Pete’s cock inside. Pete keens and his hips buck up, but Niran grips his waist, holding him down firmly, as he bobs his head slowly up and down Pete’s
length.
Pete writhes beneath him, his lips gasping out his name as Niran continues sucking, blowing and licking. He swirls his tongue around the tip, before taking him all the way to the hilt. He feels Pete getting wetter and harder inside his mouth.
“Ran,” Pete whines, his hands tugging hard at Niran’s hair. “Fuck, I’m gonna come.”
That spurs Niran on. Niran digs his fingertips into Pete’s thigh and hip as he sucks harder, hollowing out his cheeks as he takes Pete deeper. Pete tastes heavenly and now that Niran has gotten a hit of it, he wants to devour him completely.
Pete tugs at Niran’s hair, and Niran thinks he’s trying to pull him away but he refuses to pull off. He sinks even lower, feeling Pete hit the back of his throat, swirling his tongue around him. “Niran, I’m so close,” Pete breathes, every word broken with a moan.
A moment later, Pete’s entire body tenses, he lets out a high-pitched yelp and he’s coating Niran’s throat, Niran willingly swallowing his release. Niran pulls his mouth off Pete, a mix of his own drool and Pete’s come lingering. He wipes it with the back of his hand.
Pete’s chest is heaving, his eyes are closed and sweat is gathered on his forehead and neck. Niran stays quiet, just watching, as he comes down from his high. Niran presses a soft kiss to Pete’s thigh as he rubs his knee.
“Shit, Ran,” Pete chuckles, running a hand through his damp fringe. “So you not only have magical powers to fight demons but you are also magical when it comes to sex?”
Niran laughs, leaning forward to kiss Pete’s cheek. “Magical, huh?” he repeats, stroking Pete’s thigh. “Was it really that good?”
Pete raises his eyebrows, looking at him with disbelief. “Are you serious? I think that’s the best orgasm I’ve had in my entire life.”
Niran cackles. “I’m sure that’s not true, but you’re welcome, I guess?”
Pete hums. He grabs the back of Niran’s neck, pulling him in for a kiss.
Pete pushes on his shoulder, wrapping a leg around his waist as he turns them and suddenly Niran’s back is pressed against the mattress, Pete straddling his waist.
Pete smirks at him, hands reaching for the waistband of Niran’s pants. “Your turn.”
And as Pete makes him unravel with his touch, Niran has one occurring thought:
I am deeply in love with this man.
***
“Here’s to defeating yao!” Jia Hao announces, holding up a glass full of beer. “Cheers!”
The table erupts in cheers and laughter as they clink their glasses together, not caring about the strange looks that are sent their way from the other patrons.
Niran sips on his beer, smiling at the man next to him. Pete is almost done with his beer (his second of the night already) as he leans onto Niran’s shoulder, Niran’s hand resting on his thigh, the jade ring Pete had given him glinting proudly on his ring finger. He giggles as he watches Jia Hao chug his entire glass.
Niran’s body warms as his boyfriend slides closer to him, their sides pressed up against each other. Pete snakes an arm around Niran’s waist, fingers playing with the hem of Niran’s shirt.
Niran never thought he would be one for public displays of affection and while they still wouldn’t kiss in front of others, he doesn’t mind this at all. The alcohol definitely helps in allowing them both to feel looser, but Niran’s love for Pete is so overwhelming that he finds himself constantly wanting to reach out – to hold Pete’s hand, to wrap an arm around his shoulders, to rub the small of his back, to grip his thigh.
Pete is the same, he finds – but mostly through words. He’ll happily flirt with Niran in front of their friends and loudly enough that a stranger walking by could potentially hear it, but Pete doesn’t care. But if Niran initiates the touches, Pete will always lean into them, returning the gesture immediately.
Niran smiles fondly as he looks around the table. The atmosphere is joyful and fun and all their friends are happy now that the demon has finally been defeated. They had all come to the bar to celebrate. Niran hadn’t wanted to go at first but Pete had dragged him here and he’s glad he’s here now.
He’s surrounded by Pete and all their friends and he finds himself feeling at peace for the first time in a long time.
Pete gazes up at him, smiling brightly. His eyes are sparkling and it could just be the colourful lights in the bar but there’s so much love, devotion and care in them. Niran smiles back.
He is home.
He finally belongs.
They both do.