“Shit, the power’s out,” he said unnecessarily.
“I can see fine. Where do you keep your matches?” Rusty patted Gem’s thigh in clear instruction to dismount. “I’ll light some candles.”
“It’s fine,” Gem tried to say, but Rusty was already sitting up, forcing Gem to roll off him.
He rose and rounded the foot of the bed. “At least let me get you a flashlight.”
“I’m not blind,” Gem huffed in annoyance, sitting back on his heels, sheets pooled around him. “Come back to bed.”
Paw fisting around the room partition, Rusty hesitated. “I can sleep on the couch.”
A disappointed sigh sounded in the night, barely audible above the rumbling thunder. “What if I don’t want you to?”
It was probably a bad idea, but Rusty was tired of fighting this. Would it ruin everything? Probably. Would he lose the only gaiz he’d had since his mother’s death when Gem realized just how inadequate he was? Yes. Would Gem wise up after a few nights of slumming it with a Pyclon pito and remember he was worth so much more? Rusty hoped so.
But he was tired, so tired. Of not getting what he wanted. Of fighting the inevitable. Of being alone.
Slouching in defeat, Rusty turned back to the bedroom. Lightning split the sky outside, illuminating Gem’s long form. His thick, dark thighs. One slender shoulder where the neckline of the too-large t-shirt had slumped off. His lower hands gripped the sheet between his spread knees, middle hands clutching his shirt. His top arms lifted, beckoning Rusty in.
“Come back to bed,ashari,” he said, and Rusty cocked his head.
He understood Arakni well enough, but he didn’t recognize that word. He wanted to ask Gem what it meant, but his tongue was too heavy, his lips sealed shut with nerves.
“Come to bed,” Gem repeated, and Rusty knew what he was asking, what it would mean. Things would be decided, one way or another, and he had never been more terrified in his life.
Rusty came to a stop at the edge of the bed, and Gem sat back on his heels. For the first time, Rusty was taller than him, and he almost laughed.It was strange being on eye-level when he was so accustomed to looking up. Gem’s upper hands took his and tugged him closer.
Thunder rumbled, and Rusty felt it in his bones. Static charged in the air as he sank one knee into the mattress. He lifted a hand and traced Gem’s cheek, then the corner of his mouth. The tip of his claw outlined the shape of Gem’s lips, and the Araknis shivered, eyes glittering in the night.
“Don’t stop.”
“I don’t know how to do this,” Rusty admitted, and Gem’s brows furrowed. “I don’t know what you want from me.”
The look the Araknis gave him was full of adoration as he said, “Everything.”
“I’m scared,” Rusty confessed.
“Me too,” Gem agreed.
Rusty swallowed thickly as his claws slid back until he cupped the back of Gem’s head. “You make me want to be brave.”
And oh, how Gem smiled. “Then be brave.”
“Okay,” Rusty whispered, then he tightened his quaking fingers on the back of Gem’s head and kissed him.
It was soft, so soft he questioned whether it had happened at all. Oh, but his body knew. His heart lurched and his blood roared hot and loud in his veins and every nerve-ending sparked like fireworks under his skin.
Gem gasped at the contact, like he hadn’t actually believed Rusty would kiss him, but then he pressed closer, lips melding with Rusty’s. His mouth was warm and sweet, full lips giving under the pressure of Rusty’s. Rusty kissed him slow and cautious, and Gem melted against him.
Two arms circled Rusty’s neck as another set slid around his waist. The third pair of hands settled on Rusty’s hips, and he purred. Gem’s fur vibrated in answer, and Rusty smiled, unintentionally breaking the kiss.
Eyes closed, Gem’s lips spread into a contented grin, his gray tongue sliding over them like he was chasing Rusty’s flavor. “I’ve been waiting a while for that.”
“I know,” Rusty croaked. “Sorry it took me so long.”
Gem opened his eyes and pulled Rusty closer until their foreheads met. “Oh, baby, I’d wait for you forever.”
And could anyone blame him for framing Gem’s face in his hands and kissing him again?
