#empresskaze

[hachiibun]

Commission for @empresskaze of their lovely OC, Professor Gabriel!

If you like my drawings, and are willing and able to do so, please consider pledging to my Patreon or donating through ko-fi ☕! You're not obliged to, but every bit helps to keep me living decently and I really do appreciate it!

❗ PLEASE NO REBLOGGING TO NON-KINK BLOGS ❗

[selene-and-the-cold]

☕️ and 💧for Silas and Bertie?

Yesterday, I reblogged this great list of snz fall prompts by @buckysnose and was sent this great ask for Silas and Bertie.

Warm drinks ☕️

Sniffles 💧

I really loved the prompt combination, Kaze, and was excited to write for the two of them again. Thank you so much for sending this ask <3 I hope you'll enjoy this little ficlet.

These are my two Victorian-era- inspired OCs Silas and Albert. Their story so far can be read in Part 1 - Taking a Ride, as well as Part 2 - Taking a Rest. I am currently working on Part 3, but it might still take a while.

This little scene is set at some point after Part 3 of their story. It can be read on its own and I apologise for the title as well as for any mistakes because this is not beta-ed.

Warnings: two men in love, one of them with a cold, the other with a valet as cool as a cucumber. Nakedness is mentioned, but not explicitly described. And somehow they are drinking alcohol again. It seems to be their thing. Brief mention of naughty things done with a tasseled belt. And of course some snz.

***

Frolicking (OCs, M/M, cold)

"I don't know what you were thinking!,"Albert chided, giving Silas a reproachful look as he hovered over him like an angry bee, then fussed some more as he pried the soaking wet coat off Silas' body. Silas just let it happen, trying his best not to exasperate his friend even more. He shivered slightly, even though Albert's rooms were nice and warm as always, but the damp fabric clung to his body like a second skin.

"Once again, I... hhhehhh... I do apologize, Bertie. It's just that I longed to see you tonight, so I decided to come over for a surprise visit*snnnffff* I meant to sneak in rather stealthily with the key you gave me. It was never my intention to cause any trouble.. and I certainly did not mean to compromise you by letting Barker witness my arrival. ” At that, Albert suddenly stopped the fussing, hands resting on Silas' drenched lapels as he eyed him confusedly. "Barker? Why on earth...?”

It took a moment until the penny dropped and Albert caught Silas' meaning. Apparently, Silas was worried he was angry with him because Barker had seen him enter. Usually, Silas was very good at entering the house unnoticed, but his sodden shoes and trouser legs had naturally drawn the valet's attention as they had made the most horrific noise on the tiles in the downstairs hallway, no matter how hard Silas had tried to slink soundlessly along the hallway.

“Ooohhh...! Oh no, don't you worry about Barker, that's not what I meant,” Albert reassured him, waving his hand dismissively. “Barker won't mind, he is very discreet. No, I'm talking about you, my love! Walking all the way here in the pouring rain! Look at the state of you!" Albert gestured, while Silas kept dripping water from every inch of his being, soaking the plush carpet in Albert's private sitting room. Albert was not wrong. Silas was in an absolutely awful state. The sudden downpour had taken him by surprise only a few minutes after he had left his own house for a sneaky, late-evening visit to his friend. Of course he could have turned around and gone back home, but he had longed to see his Bertie, and besides they did not live THAT far from each other, did they?

In theory, they did not. However, Silas soon found that the downpour was only getting worse and that the distance between their respective dwellings seemed to cruelly stretch out further and further the heavier the raindrops pelted down on him and his fashionable, alas regrettably thin coat.

So Silas had arrived at Albert's town house a dripping wet mess. Barker had met the scene with an almost blank, neutral face. Only the hint of a smile and the slightest twitch of an eyebrow had suggested Barker's real thoughts on Silas' late-evening visit long after respectable calling hours, as the valet had taken him upstairs to Albert's private quarters without as much as a word on why Silas was there. It had all been terribly embarrassing. "I'm sorry, Bertie, please don't be cross with me. I couldn't bear it... heehhhh....Hehh'dzSHhIew!!!" "Ah, there we go! Now you've caught a chill from frolicking around in the rain!" "I did not 'frolic' I was merely walk...wahhhlkhiinnn...Ngg'TSSHiih!! *snffff* Hell's teeth! Excuse mbe!" Silas had hastily ducked to the side to avoid spraying Albert with the poorly stifled sneeze, annoyed with his nose for its terrible timing. Albert just clicked his tongue and gave Silas a withering look. "See?! Quod erat demonstrandum, my love." "It's been only a few sneezes, Bertie. If anything it's a slight case of the sniffles, nothing more... HhEdzZsHIh!! TSSHHIhh!!! *snnfff*" he clamped a gloved hand in front of his face, barely covering the set of sneezes that shook his frame and sent droplets of water flying from his drenched clothes as if he were a wet dog. "*snnnrrff* So sorry.... As I said, it is merely a case of the sniffles. Do not fret on my behalf. You keep fussing over nothing, Bertie!”

“Why don't you let me be the judge of that?,” Albert retorted, sounding audibly piqued. The truth was that Silas had felt not quite like himself for a few days already. He had suffered from a terrible headache and an irritatingly sore about two days ago. The sniffling and sneezing had started yesterday evening and he had felt tired and cranky all day. If he was completely honest, he had felt miserable and craved Albert's sweet, loving embrace and kind eyes, hence why he had decided to venture out for this night time visit despite the adverse conditions. And now he had ruined their evening by getting himself all wet and Albert all cross with him. Tears of frustration pricked Silas' eyes, causing Albert's stern look to soften instantly.

“Come, Sy, let's not squabble about this. The most important thing is that you are here now and that we have to get you warmed up, my love,” he said softly, his hands rubbing Silas' arms in a weak attempt to generate warmth for his sogging wet partner. “We can't have you catch a chill! Now, you stay put here in my quarters near the fireplace, while I go downstairs and organise a few things. And for goodness sake get out of these wet clothes!," Albert chided, since Silas still stood in his wet shirt, waistcoat and trousers, having only shrugged out of his coat, which lay forgotten on the floor in a sorry wet heap.

Silas wanted nothing more than to lean into Albert, to have him close his arms around him and kiss his neck, as was Albert's habit. He was still far too wet, though, so instead of folding himself into Albert's embrace, Silas began to peel the sodden fabric from his body.

“I'll get you one of my pajamas and the warm golden-brown dressing gown,” Albert announced softly, then stayed long enough to ensure that Silas did in fact undress, before he left him to it.

Albert's bedroom was directly connected to his private sitting room, so Silas did his best not to sneeze in Albert's earshot. He could not help the waves of shivers running down his spine, though, and soon he was shaking like a leaf as he tossed one item of clothing after the other on the growing wet pile of fabric. It really was a shame about the beautiful carpet.

“Here you are, my love, you can slip straight into these once you're done drying yourself off. I brought you a towel as well, just toss it on the pile when you're done with it,” Albert explained, sweetly but efficiently, his mind snapping into efficient mode so it would not have to linger on the worries about Silas.

“Thank you, dearest. I am so terribly sorry to be such a burden to you.. Hehh'DZzzSHHI!!”

Letting the last bit of clothing drop onto the pile, Silas snapped forward with a pitiful sneeze that had him sway on his feet. Tears threatened to well up once again, when Silas was suddenly painfully aware of his own vulnerability as he stood there, naked and shivery, barely able to keep his balance in the wake of the sneeze. He blinked, trying to force the tears down, when he suddenly felt himself wrapped into a fluffy towel and Albert's warm embrace.

“Bless you,” Albert whispered softly, his lips mere inches away from Silas' ear as he was hugging Silas from behind, wrapping the towel around his shivering frame. “You are not a burden, Sy. You are a gift I intend to keep protected for as long as I can.”

He turned him around to kiss him, then. Long and slow – a silent promise.

When their lips parted, Silas had stopped shivering.

“That's much better, isn't it, Sy? Now you towel yourself off, slip into my pajamas and get comfortable on the sofa. I'll be right back with a little something to warm you up.”

~~~~~

Some time later, Silas found himself bundled up in Albert's pajamas, the dressing gown with the tasseled belt, which Albert had once used to spank him, and a warm blanket around himself. Next to him on the side table stood a tray laden with the most delicious treats. It seemed that Albert had raided the kitchen for him, since there were biscuits, a steaming cup of tea, as well as another mug filled with a fortifying hot toddy. The first few sips had filled Silas' cold body with a heavy wave of warmth, and he had finally been able to relax.

He had taken quite a few more sips since then and thus felt a little drowsy, his cheeks red from a mixture of alcohol, the heat from the fire and the first licks of a burning fever. Albert sat right behind him on the couch, so Silas could rest against his lover's chest, his body moving softly with the rise and fall of Albert's breathing.

“And you are certain that it is no trouble if I stay here tonight, Bertie?,” Silas asked in a small voice for about the millionth time.

“Quite certain, Sy, my love. Besides, it is still raining outside and I won't let you ruin my dressing gown by frolicking around in the rain again.”

Silas rolled his eyes. “For the last time, I was not frolicking around! Hehh'TttssSHHieW!”

“Bless you~”

[sickosdotjpg]

oops my afternoon plans got completely derailed by messin around in this cute af picrew. 0 regrets.

[mimikusu]

Just a little fanart for this beautiful gift of an answer, @empresskaze has written. I love them so much! I'll be thinking of them for the rest of my weekend!

[secret-explosion]

First Fanfic

Hi guys! So, this is my first fanfic for literally any fandom and big surprise; it's a snzfic

The Ma/levolent p/odcast has me in a chokehold atm and @empresskaze gave me the courage to officially post this one-shot!

Thank you Kaze, I was really nervous and appreciate your kind words! I do not believe this version would have seen the light of day if not for your encouragement!

Spoilers for part 46!!!

Now, without further ado......

“I am getting fucking tired of this sad excuse for a paperweight, and his inability to give us a damn straight answer” John all but growls. Farther upstream, they make their way towards the direction of the castle. Or, the approximate direction Yorick eventually settles on as satisfactory. Playing 20 Questions with a dismembered head was neither of the travelers’ definitions of fun. From the bag, a muffled response was heard; “Perhaps you should ask better questions, Master!”

John grumbles, trying with all his might to sound angry but instead sounds absolutely exhausted. It seems that his newfound ability to sleep left him in a bit of a morning fog.

Arthur chuckles at the thought. “Well, it looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed”

“Shut up, Arthur” John muttered around a perplexed yawn. Ignoring how a disembodied voice with only two limbs and a pair of eyes to interact with the world could apparently yawn, Arthur began to wonder not for the first time how long this journey would take.

With all the precautions they have been needing to take, especially since the frightful night they had, this few days trip has taken it’s toll. Avoiding people has become a bit more troublesome as they go closer to the land the lords of the castle owned. There were more dwellings and settlements scattered throughout the forest. Farmland was becoming a bit more commonplace and the ease with which to make camp unbothered was growing thinner as the threat of someone coming across them increased. Thus the long way around. Yorick stayed blessedly silent for the most part, but sat like a heavy burden in the bag. A lot has happened in the last few days with little ability to unpack it. Though it was not for lack of John trying

“Yorick seems to have very little to say about Horig, and we are left only with his vague threat that you would become his ‘apostle’ regardless”

“John, I would really rather put this behind us”

“But this being, it implied that he was not-”

“But we’re out of the woods, John! We have added more than enough time to our journey out of caution for it!”

“I just think we should try to be smart about this, Arthur! We don’t even know what Horig is, not really. Let alone how much of a threat he poses in this world. Until we have more information, we Need to be careful!”

“How Much More Careful Can We Be? We have that village miles behind us! His followers were slaughtered! On top of that, we have stayed well away from people and trees and any blasted fungi of any kind! There is no way he can get to us here!”

On top of John keeping an eye out for any odd growths of fungi, floating lights, creepy non-children and disturbing clearings,  it was needless to say that their time spent traversing the woods has been taxing. The night’s events had the tethered souls rattled.

Arthur took a deep breath, seeming to clear himself of a lingering memory. “You have been keeping us extraordinarily safe, John. But weren’t you the one who said we can’t afford to let fear halt our progress? For now, we eat the elephant! Let’s just worry about getting to the castle in one piece.”

Alexander squawks from his position on the nearest tree behind the travelers, and Arthur’s mouth tugs into an easy smile as he began making one sided conversation with the owl.

Alexander squawks from his position on the nearest tree behind the travelers, and Arthur’s mouth tugs into an easy smile as he began making one sided conversation with the owl.

It was not lost on John that the bird seemed to have a calming effect on Arthur, that it somehow eased and amused him enough to lift his spirits. Even if ever so slight, the difference might as well have been night and day to John. He held no such “sentiments” for the wide eyed creature that seemed to stare right through his soul… as if it knew all he’d ever seen and done....

John decided that he did not like the bird, but he would tolerate it a little while longer if it meant Arthur would have something that made him slightly happy. Even if just for a short while.

John had reason for concern for his human. The man had just come back to life a few days ago. John’s worst fears realized as he could do nothing while the life slipped from Arthur. For all his power, it truly meant nothing if he couldn’t protect the being he had come to care so much for. After all that had transpired, John distantly recognizes that he may be a tad bit paranoid. For how much the encounters with the Hag and Horig shook him, Arthur seems to rather forget it happened entirely. “We have to move forward, rather than risk falling behind,” he reasoned. With Arthur unwilling to talk about the subject any further and with a steely drive to travel to the castle as quickly as possible, John felt again as if he had failed his human. He can’t save Arthur from harm, he can’t offer answers(however difficult it is to get them) like the vanguard, and can’t comfort him the way an unintelligent but fluffy raptor can. However, if being over cautious is what he could do to keep his friend safe, then he would gladly be paranoid enough for the both of them and guide them away from any potential threat.

As Arthur chatted idly with the winged creature, John began to take stock of their shared body once more. Even though they had found no indication of infection in the last few times checking their stitches, John began to notice a slight uptick in their body temperature. While it wasn’t a particularly cold day, John felt a lingering chill in his limbs that seemed to only increase as they walked on.

“Arthur, I think we’re overheating”

“John, we have been walking for hours. Its perfectly normal to have a flush from the increase in blood pressure. And besides, the breeze is definitely cool enough”, Arthur replies as a brush of wind sends a shutter through him. Arthur swiped at his nose before continuing, “We are fine for now, we’ll stop for water momentarily”

John conceded. Despite sharing a body for so long, there were many quirks that eluded John. But in all their time together, it did not seem that Arthur was prone to getting chilled easily. Especially after a long walk. However, if this is what it took for Arthur to take a break, he would wait.

That was, until John felt something new begin to take hold.

“Arthur! Something’s Wrong!”

Arthur immediately halted. Looking about wildly in a blind panic, the man looked ready to bolt at the drop of a hat.

“What is it John, What do you see!?!”

“It isn’t what I see, there is a pressure behind our eyes! It is building and irritating and, and growing. I noticed it before but it’s making it hard for us to keep our eyes-”

“HRASHOO”

“….”

“….”

“Well… I guess that makes sense, it’s gone now.”

Arthur blinked in shock. “Honestly John!” Arthur let out with a hearty laugh and a liquid sniffle. “That is what you were worried about! You cannot tell me that you are so jumpy that a sneeze scared you that badly!”

“I don't understand how I am supposed to remember all of your body's strange reflexes! They are distracting and frankly annoying."

John also failed to see how making a loud sound through the mouth would help Athur's body rid it's of an irritant in his nose. He often found himself asking himself why human body's are so inefficient. But with everything they had gone through, the fear he felt was different.

"But yes. I suppose I am a bit… on edge. A lot has happened, Arthur and I worry”

Arthur patted his left arm affectionately. Arthur teased but knew the fear of the other shoe dropping equally well. They had been through a lot, without much chance of normalcy or reprieve.

“Well, I doubt an errant bit of pollen is going to be the.. the en-” Arthur’s breath falters and gives a sudden gasp before a strong triplet of sneezes ripped through him and into their sleeve.

"uH!..HRU-SHAhh..hHUH-TCHUhh.. uHIH K'TCHeiwhh!"

Arthur had stumbled a bit with the unexpectedness of it, but quickly righted himself. John shuttered in disgust as the damp spot on his sleeve seeped onto his skin, while Arthur silently wished for his handkerchief.

John grew quiet as he saw his vision blur with irritated tears and came to a sudden realization: John doesn't suffer from hay fever. Arthur coughs and clears his throat before finishing his thought, “the end of us John. We have faced much more challenging foes, I would say!” Although attempting to inject a bit of humor into his voice, the slight shiver that danced through his spine urged John to think otherwise.

“John.. why are you so quiet all of a-- GAH!” he exclaimed in surprise as something cool pressed against his forehead. It took him all of a second to realize it was his own John’s hand planted under his slightly too long fringe. John’s quiet hum of disapproval spoke to a few things: Arthur had done something he considered stupid, he realized he himself had done something stupid, or he was hiding how concerned he truly was. In this case, it was all three.

All John could think was 'How could I have missed this?'

Sighing, Arthur gently pushed the hand off. “John, what is with you?”

John bit back the very justified response of “YOU!” or the sarcastic “Oh I don’t know, maybe the fact that you keep almost Dying every few minutes!!!” But John had to be smart about this. Sniffly and irritated, Arthur was very likely to argue and trudge on simply to spite him rather than take his own well-being into consideration. An unwell Arthur was a snappish Arthur, and John needed to avoid sparking any petty squabbles until he could convince Arthur to take care of himself.

Eventually, John settled on a very even toned “I think we should set camp for the evening, Arthur. I don’t like sound of you, nor how feverish you feel.”

“John, it isn’t even nightfall! We would be wasting precious time, and for what? To sit around the forest for something as small as a fucking cold? I don’t think so. We don't-"

"So you admit you're sick then?"

"What? No, John. I am perfectly fine! And we have spent enough time here as it is! We have things to Do. We need to get to the castle, we need to find someone with answers as to where to find the ‘blackstone’ and-- hIH UK’TshUH!”

Another harsh sneeze cut Arthur's argument sort, leaving him sniffling and blinking.

“Arthur, listen to me! There are things here that can and will try to kill you! You are at risk even at your best! Let’s not test our luck when you are not doing well. Don’t forget that you are still in recovery from the Hag-”

“OK Fine, John! Let’s just find an empty area and continue in the morning…” Arthur said with gusto but visibly deflated, massaging his throat after the vocal expenditure.

John, on the other hand, sounded stupefied.

“…… you’re… actually listening to me?” The fact alone was boding in and of itself. Arthur always had at least some point to argue. Very rarely did he ever actually concede this easily.

 “Honestly, I am just too tired to argue right now, John” Arthur admitted with a quiet sniffle before scrubbing his nose on his right sleeve.

“Alright then. We’re still walking the stream, but the topography has changed from dense forest to a lighter woodsy area. The sun has moved quite a bit toward the west, bathing the area in a calming, orangey, glow. The sun light seems to peek from behind the sparser tree trunks and catch the particulates in the air with a soft but dazzling golden glow.  We have passed many settlements that seem to have been farms at one point. If there are people living here, I do not see them. But from behind the tree line, the area looks well used. If the smell was anything to go by, then it may be a place for cattle and other livestock”

“I 'bmay actually be grateful to d'not smell b'much at the b'moment” Arthur added with building congestion beginning to dull his consonants.

“On the far side, I think I can see a hilly area with an odd rock formation. If we walk a bit further-- wait move your head to the--- yes! Ok there seems to be an opening to a wide and shallow cave. Are we choosing to try sneaking into the barn, or do we want to try for the cave?”

Arthur hummed in thought, sniffling near constant now.

“We tend to have bad luck with caves, John…. But the first village we went to turned out to be a bad idea… I want to continue avoiding people for now. Especially with the state I’m in, Christ! When did it get so fucking Cold?” Arthur hugged his arm around himself as best he could without brushing his stab wounds and shivered. John resisted a retort about the fucking fever and instead waited for Arthur to collect himself.

“So, to the cave then?” he asked, trying to keep his voice as gentle as possible.

“To the cave, then.”

“And bless you by the way”

“Wha- *gasps* hUH-SHUH! guhhh you cheeky bastard”

“Now who woke up on the wrong side of the bed?” John asked with a chuckle, to which Arthur only replied with another sneeze and the groan of someone who just wants to go to bed.

[goodlucksnez]

So I finally filled out one of those sheets with my B/NHA oc Zip!

thank you @empresskaze for the layout!

also his birthday is coming up as well as Mine!!!! ahhh I am going to be a quarter of a century that is crazy!!

[10yrsyart]

*slides $5* you got anymore of that Yami Yugi art?

only in my head X’D but hey, if you add a couple more 5s, it could be out of my head just for you ;)

[witnessmysin]

Crisp leaves

crisp leaves: wax poetic about your preferred variety of autumn weather (sunny and chilly afternoons? gloomy and smoky evenings? etc)

Gosh okay, fall means a lot to me. The atmosphere of fall is just so great and I really don't feel that way about any other season. Fall has a beauty no other season can capture, and it has the perfect weather too. Summer is insufferable heat, winter is insufferable cold, spring is just. Gross and wet and overly green.

My preferred autumn day is when there's a crisp bite to the air, it smells earthy- all those leaves on the ground adding to the aroma around you. Its sunny, but not overly hot. Just enough to feel the warmth keeping the nip of the occasional breeze at bay. It doesn't make you cold or shiver, and it just feels nice and refreshing. It's light sweater/jacket weather, no real need for thick coats or scarves. Maybe if your ears feel the bite of the wind, a beanie is needed. The colors of fall are at full force this day, gorgeous hues of orange and yellow cover the landscape, brilliant reds from the maple trees and the browns from the oak trees all mesh together. It's such a calming view, change is happening, but slowly- taking it's time- letting you adjust to the shift from one season to the next. You're allowed to settle in autumns nest, it doesn't expect you to adapt to the change right away. Autumn paints such a nice picture for you everywhere you turn. These are the days where a warm drink isn't necessary, but welcomed all the same. You can switch between cold cider or hot cider and feel just as good.

Autumn feels fresh and gentle to me. They're the days you can sit outside under a tall tree and watch the helicopter seeds spin down to decorate the floor along with the various colored leaves. They're comfortable days, days you can truly relax into the environment and take in everything it offers.

[vcepsis]

12 for the meme

12: Why do you love whump? 

Dang kaze that’s a GOOD one, thank you so much for asking!!

Honestly, I think I enjoy whump for the ability to explore a character in more depth. You get to see their reactions to pain/discomfort and can delve into their character in incredible detail. Also (specifically for illness-related whump) it makes them feel more relatable, more real. To me that makes them that much more interesting (especially stoic characters who may not ever have that explored in canon).

Also c a r e t a k i n g!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m a HOE for some good caretaking, especially between two people pining for each other, or even just friends. I love whump, but I especially love it as a precursor for that sweet, sweet caretaking. 

Thank you again for the ask! The meme is here, still answering these :)

[feverflushed]

9 and 18

9- Do you wear jeans or sweats more?

Jeans, I wear them all the time.

18- Have you ever liked somebody you didn't expect to?

Yeah, a guy called G., my biggest crush in middle school. I don't know what was so special about him, but I still think about him on a regular basis, and my heart still flutters when I do.

He was a bit of a teacher's pet back in the day, and pretty arrogant from time to time. I thought he was annoying, at first. I don't know what made me fall head over heels with him so badly. We even "dated" for a few months. This crush of mine is still source of great hilarity among my friends from middle school. They never miss a chance to give me shit for it. :P He was super tiny at the time, so my friends joke and tell me I was dating a smurf lol.

I saw him a few weeks ago at the mall, and ngl, he's grown to be a very handsome young man, 10/10 would date again. 👌

Thank you @empresskaze!!!

[selene-and-the-cold]

Taking a Ride (OCs, M/M)

Good evening, snzblr.

I successfully talked myself into fleshing out that Victorian carriage ride scenario a bit more. In a perfect universe, I would take enough time to make it the perfect fic. In that universe, I would write a first draft, then edit this, let it rest for a few more days, then re-edit, and edit some more until it was perfect, but since these past few weeks are the first time I've written anything in AGES and I don't trust this muse to be around forever, I am currently working on the premise: getting it done "ok" is better than getting nothing done at all.

Therefore, I do present the very fresh and un-beta-ed version of this little ficlet, featuring two spanking new OCs Silas and Albert, who did not exist 12 hours ago, yet here they are, making out in a carriage.

Thank you so much @empresskaze for solving my name-conondrum. I literally spent half the day not writing, but fussing over the name for one of the main characters and probalby wouldn't have gotten anything done if it weren't for your wonderful suggestion!

***

Taking a Ride

"Alright, but you've got to promise to be quiet, Bertie“ Lord Silas admonished, and was rewarded with another giggle from his dear friend the Honorable Sir Albert Percival Wardington. Perhaps they should have left their Gentlemen's Club one drink sooner when Albert had still been mainly sober. But it was no use lamenting now that the damage had been done and Albert sat opposite him in the carriage, all tipsy giggles.

"My coachman has excellent hearing, so we've got to be quiet to be discreet.“

"I know, I knowwwww, I'll be as quiet as a mouse, you can trust me, Sy, I promise!,“ Albert declared, then pretended to lock his lips with an invisible key, hiccuped and giggled once again.

“Alright, I believe you. You are in luck that I've been missing you so terribly while you were away on business in Cardiff, my dear Albert... Otherwise I might not have agreed to take you back to your town house in my carriage with me tonight.”

Albert sniffled thickly. “Mbuch obliged...”

“Ah, but I presume I have to come over to your side of the carriage, my dear,” Silas mused, “Otherwise this wouldn't be a true reunion, would it~ ?”

It was scandalous enough as it was that Albert was so visibly, undeniably tipsy, but now to be sharing his carriage with him, doing what they were... well... planning to do? Many a good God-fearing Christian matron would be utterly scandalised.

Fortunately, no good God-fearing Christian matrons were present at the moment, so Silas proceeded to sit on Albert's lap, straddling him, and holding his silken cravat as a kind of rein to keep himself steady.

„Now Bertie, that's much better, isn't it?“

Albert nodded, then sniffled suddenly and rubbed his nose against his palm before he answered.

"Mbuch better. You were so very far away all evening, especially during that awfully boring game of charades.“

"Alas, they assigned me to the other team or else we could have been seated next to each other,“ Silas agreed, making himself comfortable on Albert's lap. Albert grinned, his gaze only a little bit out of focus, then grabbed Silas' buttocks to steady him as well as to make up for all the time without the opportunity of touching each other. Silas gave a little high-pitched squeal, at which Albert tutted. "Sshhhhh.... you've got to be quiet, Sy, or your coachman will hear you! snfff Don't you remember?“

Silas playfully swatted Albert's shoulder at his reprimanding words. "Oh, you! Perhaps you should attempt finding a way to ensure that I'll be quiet from now on, then...”

"With pleasure,“ Albert murmured, his lips so close to Silas's that he could feel his hot, urgent breath crest against them. Albert smelled of brandy, lavender and sandalwood, topped off with some of the cigar-smoke that permeated the Gentlemen's club, and that special something Silas couldn't quite place, but that was Albert's very own scent, which reminded Silas of long walkds through the forest. In short – like a heady, absolutely delicious mix.

The next thing he knew, Albert closed the gap between them and kissed him passionately, hot lips burning against his, while Albert's fingers dug a little deeper into his buttocks.

Silas smirked into their kiss as he could feel Albert's reaction to his closeness grow underneath himself. It seemed that Albert could not restrain himself as good as he usually could while he was tipsy. Or perhaps Albert had missed him just as much as Silas had missed Albert.

“Careful, we cannot afford getting too carried away. You need to be in a state that allows you to leave the carriage as a respectable man once we arrive at your town house,” Silas admonished still the voice of reason despite how much he wanted Albert. It had been weeks since they'd spent a night together. Silas longed for Albert's familiar weight next to him in bed, but it was tricky to steal a night for themselves without it being too obvious. Fortunately, they were both bachelors, so there were only neighbours and servants to worry about, not wives.

“Mmhmm.. I don't want to be respectable,”Albert protested, sloppily kissing a trail down Silas' neck. “I want to be thoroughly wanton and outrageously indecent-...ehh....hehh... Heh'SSHHuH!”

Without much warning, Albert had sneezed all over Silas's neck, who sat stock-still for a moment, his pulse throbbing in his veins. Hell's teeth, this had felt surprisingly good.

“B- Bless you,” Silas stammered after a few moments, relaxing once more.

“I'b sorry...” Albert sniffled thickly against his neck, his voice sounding decidedly stuffy all of a sudden. “I think I caught a bit of a chill id Cardiff. It was ghastly cold 'n rainy while I was there.. Hehhh....ESSHhhTsshU! Ugh... pardon mbe.”

Another sneeze muffled right into Silas, who sighed in a sudden bout of pleasure, then pulled away afterwards to take a proper look at Albert's sniffly face. This close, he could see the dark circles under Albert's beautiful blue eyes, and the slight touch of pink around the edges of his nose.

“Mhm.. it seems you did indeed catch a chill, my dear Bertie,” Silas cooed, taking Albert's face in his hands to study it with more scrutiny. ”Judging from the way you look, it is no small chill, either... but don't fret, I'll keep you warm and distracted until you're home~”

With that, Silas tugged at Albert's cravat to reel him in for another kiss, deep and slow this time. A little voice in the back of his head told him that sticking his tongue down the throat of a sick man was probably not the best idea, but this was his Bertie, who had been gone for far too long and who was in dire need of some comfort, so sod all the qualms about getting sick as well.

The carriage rumbled over the cobblestone streets while the two men continued to kiss and caress in the back of it. Hands and mouths traveled through soft hair and warm skin, dipped under folds of expensive fabric to explore, tease, and tickle as the two men celebrated their reunion.

A few times, Silas had to shush Albert, whose usually calm demeanour somehow melted away in the throws of passion. So much so that Silas had had to resort to stuffing a cravat in Albert's mouth once before. Fortunately, no such measures had to be taken today, and Albert could be silenced by hushing and kisses alone.

As the carriage rolled over a particularly bumpy part of road, all the jostling created an interesting friction between Silas' and Albert's laps, their bodies rubbing delightfully against each other. Albert giggled yet again, then bucked his hips with Silas on top of him, before he asked with a most seductive little pout: “Dod't you think you could sndeak out of the carriage and come home with mbe, Sy? Just for tonight?”

Albert's voice was heavy with congestion by now, and he had barley finished his question, when a pitiful sneeze shuddered through him, sending both himself and Silas a little forward in his seat.

“Hehh'ERRrrSSHHU'!!!”

“Mhm, bless you again,” Silas purred, pulling a fine handkerchief from his suit pocket to dab at Albert's nose. It had started to run considerably at some point during their heated kisses, but there simply just had not been the right moment to take care of it. Silas had been far too distracted by Albert's hands, lips, teeth, and tongue all over him. Now that things calmed down a bit, Silas took a moment to take in Albert's features. He was quite pale, except for he wonderful blush that their shenanigans and perhaps the slightes touch of fever had painted on his cheeks. He looked utterly delicious and adorable and Silas regretted more than anything that he would have to decline.

“I'm afraid I can't, Bertie. There is an important meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning. My father wrote to inform me that he'll travel down from our country estate to meet me tomorrow morning. Apparently, he wants to have a word regarding some urgent business. I'm sure it's terribly boring, but I am obliged to attend.”

Being a second son, Silas mostly had the pleasure and leasure to do as he pleased. No one excpected him to marry and produce an heir. This was all taken care of by his older brother Reginald, thank God! In fact, no one expected anything much of him, but Silas was not the type of person to waste his life away in complete idleness, so he took an interest in the family affairs and supported his father and brother in running the family estate as well as managing their land and tenants.

“Besides, I do belive you should take some time to rest, my dear. If I were to join you, you'd surely not get remotely as much rest as this cold of yours demands.”

Albert pouted, then sniffled dramatically, congestion shifting audibly as he did.

“Promise you'll get plenty of rest tomorrow?,” Silas asked softly, cupping Albert's cheek. Their joined carriage ride was almost over as the carriage had just turned into Albert's street.

“Only if you prombise to visit mbe od mby sickbed as soon as that dastardly business with your father is done and dealt with.”

“I will, I promise,” Silas assured, then stole one last tender kiss before the carriage began to slow down.

The two men hastily smoothed away any signs of disarray from their clothes as well as their faces, so that Albert emerged a few moments later from the carriage with his usual mask of bland disinterest in place, seeming for all the world that nothing noteworthy had happened that night – except for a few too many drinks and the early stages of a terribly contagious headcold.

[willgaham]

Hello! Love your Aziraphale icons. Could you make some with the ace colors please? I would appreciate it!

hi, thanks!

hope you like them: x

[mimikusu]

I just had to go on with that. It's too precious! Still need to thank @empresskaze for prompting all this to life. 💕🫂

[instinct-cbs]

Headcanon: Dylan tries to buy Andy sports related hats, shirts, memorabilia but never gets the right team. Andy has sense stop saying anything and just wears them.

Lol Dylan tries. also whoops, this happened

————

Dylan waits as Andy pulls out the shirt from the packaging. Something flashes across his husbands face before he smiles.

“It’s perfect!” Andy said, leaning over to give Dylan a peck on the cheek. Dylan leaned in out of habit, his brows furrowing.

“Liar.” Dylan accuses, raising a finger as Andy looked as if he was about to protest, “Before you say anything, please remember I have a doctorate for studying people’s behavior.”

Andy’s eyebrows raised momentarily as he considered his options. With a slight sigh he set down the shirt, taking Dylan’s hand.

“It’s not my team.”

“What? No!” Dylan’s chest caved slightly in disappointment with himself, searching his memory for the name he could’ve swore was Andy’s team.

“It’s fine, though, really.” Andy squeezed Dylan’s hand reassuringly, “Its the thought that counts.”

Dylan huffed in reply.

“Well, I’ll just return it and get you something else.” Dylan reached for the shirt but Andy pulled it to his chest.

“No, I want it!” Andy protested, making Dylan a mixture of surprised and annoyed.

“You don’t have to amuse me, I understand why you don’t want it—“ Dylan reached for the shirt again, leaning farther this time.

“But I do!” Andy continued, attempting to hide a smile as he leaned further away. Dylan relented with a sigh.

“Fine, keep it.” He said, kissing Andy’s shoulder despite his tone. Andy smiled in triumph and laid the shirt aside.

A week later Dylan came home from the precinct and found Andy watching a game on the couch.

“Welcome home! Just in time to catch the last half.” Andy greeted him over his shoulder as Dylan walked in.

“Lucky me.” Dylan said, leaning down to give Andy a kiss. As he began to turn away to set his things down in the office.

“Is that the shirt I bought you?” Dylan asked, already knowing the answer.

Andy smiled, stretching out the ends slightly so the natural wrinkles didn’t obscure the lettering.

“The one and only.”

Dylan sighed.

“I told you that you didn’t have to keep it, let alone wear it.” Dylan continued on his way to his office, setting his things down on the sofa.

“Yes, but, I have an idea.” Andy raised his voice so Dylan could hear him in the other room. Dylan took off his suit jacket and laid it neatly beside his case before returning to the living room.

“And what is this idea?” Dylan asked, noting the second wine glass on the table already poured.

“If you’ll notice, my team isn’t playing.” Andy gestured to the screen as Dylan sat down. Dylan gave him a look.

“Okay, well my team isn’t playing, ” Andy amended, remembering Dylan didn’t know his team enough to tell, “but if you’ll notice a familiar name…” Andy gestured between his shirt and the screen. Dylan realized one of the teams playing was the same name as what stood out in gold letters.

Andy continued when he saw it click in Dylan’s expression.

“So, now you’ll just have to look at the merch I have on to see who to root for.”

“Alright, but you don’t have merchandise from every opposing team.” Dylan countered after a pause.

Andy made a face.

“Actually, I kind of do. You may be a doctor in behavior but you kind of suck at remembering team names. I have like, two other team jerseys? And that doesn’t include the hats.”

Dylan put his face in his hands, laughing.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

Andy laid a hand on Dylan’s back in a mock comforting way.

“It’s the thought that counts.”

Dylan laughed again, sitting up and shaking his head. Andy handed him his glass and wrapped his arm around him so they could watch the game.

Dylan checked the gold lettering once or twice before he joined in regularly in what he hoped was appropriate responses to what played out on their television. Andy seemed to be happy all the same that Dylan pretended to be interested. When they announced an extension, however, he discreetly handed Dylan a book he’d kept in the living room after the last game. Dylan smiled and kissed his cheek, opening the pages as he snuggled back down into Andy’s chest, enjoying the vibration of his voice when he felt the need to coach the players even though they couldn’t hear him.

[sickdaysofficial]

Love Like Ours

Sickdays Aug 17th: Public Illness

Written by @empresskaze

Tags: headache, overworked, dizziness, migraine, illness, whump, sick fic

Characters: My OCs Liam and Gabriel

~~~~

Love Like Ours

“The uprisings in Russia in the first half of the 20th century, most notably the revolution of peasant farmers uprising against their feudal lords, whose land they toiled, greatly tied into the events of Orwell’s Animal Farm.  He used animals as an allegory to retell the end of feudalism, however the use of the pigs…

Gabriel paused a brief wave of dizziness engulfed him; hand tightly gripped the back of the chair.  His vision blurred slightly a few quick blinks the room came back into focus.

Heaving a heavy sigh Gabriel massaged his forehead wishing the Advil he’d taken earlier curbed his throbbing headache.

“Professor?” A girl’s voice broke the silence. Gabriel glanced up to the faces of his students staring back; he’d momentarily forgotten he was still in class.

Running a hand through his hair he turned hoping to conceal the blush burning his face.  Clearing his throat he took a quick breath, “Apologies class, where was I?”

“Pigs.  The same girl replied her face breaking into a smile.

The professor stared befuddled then remembered. “Quite right.” Gabriel ignored a few giggles coming from his students.  Struggling to maintain his composure while finishing the lecture he finally made the last 20 or so minutes of class free time meaning a good majority of students left. Not that Gabriel minded sitting behind his desk head leaning against his hand, eyes closed.

“Professor Herondale?”

His hand slipped at the voice, “Hmm?” He looked up, “Oh Trenton? How can I assist you?” Gabriel forced a smile.

“Are you feeling okay?” The young man with short blonde hair, oval wire frame glasses over his dark blue eyes asked looking quite concerned.

“Oh fine fine, bit of a headache is all.” Gabriel lied through his teeth. He could tell the English student did not believe him. “Maybe a slight fever. I, uh, didn’t sleep too well last night.” He flushed embarrassed about admitting all this to a student.

“Need anything?” Trenton adjusted his bag over his shoulder.

All Gabriel wanted was a nap, “No no perfectly fine.” He forced another smile. “Just study for the exam next week if you could.”

Trenton agreed, hoped Gabriel felt better soon and exited the classroom. Resting his head in a thunk on the desk the feverish professor remained that way for several minutes until the realization of probably falling asleep and waking up there tomorrow became too much to ignore. Throwing on his coat he nearly reached the door before back tracking to the desk grabbing his briefcase.

Exiting Baker Hall, Gabriel headed down the path towards his office not all looking forward to working in the dusty mess.  Pushing open the outside door he stumbled on the stairs catching himself at the last moment. Muttering a curse under his breath he proceeded down the hall to his office.  Entering his tired eyes noticed something rather peculiar, a person sitting on his desk. Gabriel blinked as sandy blonde hair and a black hoodie appeared in his vision.

Bewildered at the sight before him Gabriel scratched the back of his head. He stared at the figure smiling back at him then confusingly looked around the room just to make sure he’d entered the proper office.

Convinced his exhausted body was in the right room he frowned checking his pocket watch, “Now you’ve done it Gabe, your feverish state is creating hallucinations of your dear Liam.”

“Gabriel Lane you’re simply adorable.” Liam hopped off the desk.

The professor’s mouth dropped. “Dearest, oh my, forgive my comments, it’s only… I’ve had a right miserable day, didn’t sleep well, nearly drifted off in class, I didn’t….” He paused feeling Liam’s warm comforting embrace surround him.  The stress of the last several days evaporated like steam from a bath, his throbbing head leaned against Liam’s as his partners fingertips gently grazed the outline of his face.  “I…what was I saying again?”  He brought a hand up running the back of his fingers over Liam’s cheek.  Liam cupped his face, their lips met Gabriel let an audible sigh escape, disappointed when his partner pulled away.

“Love, you’re burning up.” Liam kept a hand on Gabriel’s face.

“I know dear, felt quite awful the past few days.” The professor finally walked over to his desk.  Setting his briefcase down he noticed something. “You cleaned, didn’t you?” He smiled forcing his eyes to focus.

The neat freak returned the smile, “Guilty as charged.” He stepped over to the desk. “Gabriel cancel your class tomorrow, I’ll take you home you need rest.”

The professor scoffed while removing his coat, “I’ve told you before my job I cannot freelance.” A quick wave of dizziness forced Gabriel to support himself against his desk. “I’ve an exam next week, need to prepare for it.” He wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.  “Besides I’ve one more class tonight, must…” He slumped into his chair massaging his temples furiously. “My kingdom for relief.”

Liam knelt down to Gabriel’s computer. “Ok here’s the deal,” He started typing on the ancient keyboard. “I’ll accompany you to your last class, keep a watchful eye on you from the back or assist if needed, then…” His voice trailed for one moment as he read over what he’d written before continuing, “You’ll send out an email stating your lone Friday class is cancelled.” Liam emphasized the lone part. “We’ll head home bright and earlier tomorrow or tonight if possible. I’ll help you with your exam preparation and you can rest in those adorable blue pajamas of yours.” His brown eyes sparkled as he finished the layout of his plan. “I’ve already formatted your Cancelled Class reply, we can send it tonight.”

Gabriel sighed stifling a cough, “Well, dear you know I’m not keen on cancelling and I don’t…,” He paused momentarily a quizzical look graced his weary face.  "How did you access my email?“

“You never log out.” The writer giggled.

“Log…out?” Gabriel’s reaction forced Liam to cover his mouth with a hand though he was sure the smile leaked out the sides.

“Here I’ll explain.” He started but Gabriel waved a hand.

“No need too.  I wouldn’t understand anyways.” He grumbled.

“Oh stop, you’re brilliant love, look.“ Liam motioned to the green scale screen. "See the button that says Log Out? If you click it you won’t be signed in anymore.” Liam was going to advise Gabriel to do this but then realized who really would ever want access to his prehistoric computer. “I’ll show you.” He logged out of Gabriel’s email.

The professor’s brow crinkled, “Now I’ll need to access it again.”  He replied tiredly pinching his forehead between his thumb and middle finger.

“I can do it.” Liam smiled at the look he received. “I know your username; it’s the beginning part of your email, standard college practice. I used it for your Skype remember. And I pretty much guarantee I can guess your pass.”

Gabriel’s eyes widened, “Alright then, confirm it.”

Liam pressed his lips together and typed in the username. His eyes then shot to Gabriel as he slowly typed M I C H A E L in for the password. Hitting enter Gabriel’s email popped up.  The professor brought a hand up covering his beet red face.

“Told ya.” Liam said with a hint of smugness. “My dear Gabriel Lane you are quite predictable you know.”

Gabriel remained quiet folding his shaking hands together.  Small beads of sweat formed around his hairline.

Liam pushed up from the desk. “It’s alright love. Honestly it was an easy guess.”

Gabriel sighed closing his eyes, his color drained from the blush leaving him paler than when he’d first entered the office. “That doesn’t mean I wanted you to know.” He turned away.

Realizing this entire situation had inadvertently upset his ill boyfriend Liam tried to explain. “Gabriel it’s fine, I figured that was your pass months ago, makes sense…considering when you got your email.  I’m going to take a guess the reason you never changed it is you don’t know how.”

The professor wiped a stray tear and nodded, “Affirmative.”

“Let’s forget about that for now. It’s not important.” Liam rushed to change the topic as Gabriel’s eyes became pools. “What about my plan?” He crouched down setting his hands on his boyfriend’s knees.

Exhaling the professor leaned back in his chair. His mind lost in a fog of pain and exhaustion, he wouldn’t admit it to his Liam but Gabriel wasn’t even sure he’d survive the final class. Running a hand from the top of his head down to his chin he merely gave a halfhearted shrug.  “I must lessen his infernal headache first.” Opening the desk drawer he rummaged for a bottle of painkillers, tapping the bottle until two fell in his hand. He swallowed them without any water as Liam watched, then rested his arms on the desk laying his head in them. “Wake me in half an hour.” His request slightly muffled. Laying his coat over him Liam set the alarm on his phone but only to vibrate. A few minutes later Gabriel snored softly while Liam stroked his hair.

****

In all their time together Liam never had actually seen Gabriel teach, it was quite something. The subject matter might not have been the most interesting but his boyfriend morphed from the shy introverted Gabriel to the confident Professor Herondale. It reminded Liam how Gabriel acted when destroying Bryce that thought alone drew a smile.

Even severely under the weather, Gabriel’s tone grew stronger than normal while lecturing his class, today on different cognitive abnormalities of the brain. He was posed walking from one side of the class to the other maintaining eye contact with students, asking questions, promoting discussion.  

However with about 30 minutes to go fatigue set in, Gabriel fumbled a few words, used his chair more as support and could no longer hide the fact he was sweating due to his fever.  Mopping his brow with a handkerchief he forced himself to finish up his current thought.

Liam sat edge of the chair, knee twitching, ready to dash if needed. He’d promised Gabriel not to move unless asked for but it was getting harder and harder to endure watching his visibly ill boyfriend work.

Finally just as Liam could not take another minute, Gabriel pulled out his pocket watch.

“Forgive me class but I must cease for today.” The professor sat on his desk rubbing his forehead, “You’re dismissed.”

Liam ran down the auditorium style stairs, bypassing the students exiting, to Gabriel’s side clasping a hand on his arm.

“Gabriel Lane?” Liam failed hiding the worry in his voice. Sweat beads ran down his boyfriends face the edges of his grey hair glistened, Gabriel removed his tie and undid his top shirt button.  

“I’m spent my dear.” Gabriel laughed drawing Liam in.

“Come love, let’s go home.” Liam took Gabriel’s coat, briefcase and arm leading the professor out of the hall.

No surprise Gabriel fell asleep immediately on the train ride back to Newhaven. Thankfully he’d taken medicine which Liam hoped would reduce his fever.  Coat draped over his frame Gabriel’s head lay in Liam’s lap, the writer lovingly gazed down at his sleeping boyfriend.  Never had five hours on a train seemed like heaven.

[sniffle-elf]

Prompt dialogue: Oh wow, you look pale as hell.

Thank you, darling! Have a stubborn Liam who never knows when to stay home.

“I’m not sick. There is no way I’m sick. I cannot be sick right now.”

And maybe if you tell yourself that over and over, Cooper, it’ll magically be true.

Staring at himself morosely in the mirror that adorned the wall to the left of the front door, Liam pouted at his reflection. He looked washed out and tired, his eyes bright and his face a sickly white. There were dark circles beneath his eyes and a pinkish tinge around his nostrils. He just looked… bleh. And that bleh appearance perfectly matched the bleh feeling that he’d woken up to that morning. A feeling that he had promptly ignored, getting out of bed despite heavy muscles screaming at him to roll himself into a blanket burrito and just stay put.

See, he really couldn’t be sick today, because he had a gig. And it wasn’t the usual ‘play in a smoky bar somewhere’ kind of gig, or a few slots at an open mic night. This was special, because for the first time ever his band was being paid to play a wedding. A wedding with a country chic theme, which meant that the list of requested songs contained a lot more country than he had been comfortable with at first. But he had spent hours hunched over his guitar with sheet music he’d printed off the internet spread around him, and he had listened to Spotify so much that his phone had actually shut itself off in protest. He had learned those Tim McGraw and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band songs, and he was ready.

Except for the fact that he looked like he felt, which was just shy of 'like shit’.

He was reaching for his keys from the little bowl that Evan had put on a table in the hall so that Liam would stop doing the grumpy stomp around the house first thing in the morning when he thought he’d lost them when two things happened. The first was the scrape of a key in the lock announcing Evan’s return from the store, and the second was a sudden wave of dizziness that nearly knocked him off his feet. Coming from seemingly nowhere, it caused darkness to creep around the edges of his vision and he had to grip the edge of the little table to keep from losing his footing. His head filled with the white noise that always came just before he passed out, and he barely heard the alarmed burst of Evan’s voice when he stepped into the house.

Strong arms looped around him, and Liam leaned against his husband’s thankfully broad chest at once, his head dipping down to find the comfortable curve of his shoulder that he was used to nuzzling into. The dizziness didn’t pass entirely, but it did lessen significantly. Enough that when Evan pulled back to gently turn his face up, he didn’t feel like he was immediately pass out. He even managed to open his eyes and look at his very concerned husband.

“Okay, wow. You look pale as hell,” he murmured, his voice sounding both far away and a little too close at once. His brows were furrowed, and there was a tightness around his eyes and his mouth that told Liam that he was not happy. “We were *just* texting, did you feel this bad the entire time we were talking about your parents eye-fucking each other?”

Huffing a laugh that was devoid of any energy at all, Liam shrugged tiredly and nodded. “I mean, the dizziness is new, but yeah. Pretty much. I’m still not missing the wedding. So give me whatever drugs you got for me, and I’ll dose myself up. But I’m still going. I’m going, babe,” he insisted when he saw the expression on Evan’s face. “I’m not going to let everyone down. I just… oh sh-shit…” His nostrils twitched, and he pulled out of Evan’s arms enough to turn away from him, ducking into his elbow quickly to sneeze into the crook. “h'ihhTSshhhh'ue! Hih-KTSShhh'ue!” He felt Evan’s arms tighten around him again when he groaned softly in the aftermath, the dizziness coming back in full swing. “I feel like I’m on a carousel that’s gone rogue. Around and around… woof.”

He could feel the sigh that Evan heaved, and when he turned back to bury his face in his shoulder once more, there was the immediate heaviness of Evan’s chin resting lightly on top of his head.

“You’re so lucky I don’t hurt you. If you insist on going, then I’m driving you to the wedding. I might even forgo my plans to sit in the parking lot of the venue in case you pass out and fall on your face again. Now let’s drug you up, before I change my mind and lock you in the bedroom.”

Smiling against the curve of Evan’s neck, Liam sniffled and gave him a quick squeeze, a single word muffled against his skin. “Kinky." He would make it through the wedding, though he had a feeling that the aftermath would kick his ass. It would be worth it, though, not to let anyone down.