Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

xx

“Something is wrong,” was all Veritas managed to say as he boarded the Astral Express in Herta Space Station’s loading bay. The small conductor looked up at him with concern, their long ears twitching in alarm.

“Dr. Ratio! You don’t look so well?”

“Indeed,” Veritas found himself gritting his teeth. “Could I trouble you— find Caelus—“

The Stellaron bearer had been assisting him in the research lab this morning, testing out the combat effects of various curios. It stood to reason that he might also have been affected by the mystery ailment, as Veritas hadn’t yet narrowed down a vector. He needed to find out if Caelus was also suffering similar effects, and if so, determine if they ought to be quarantined away from the rest of the station. The train, with its limited occupants and impressive air purification system, would be the best option even if Caelus didn’t already live onboard.

“Uhhh sure, I’ll get him? Just wait here!” The fluffy little thing scampered off. Veritas leaned heavily on the railing as he made the last step up to the aisle, then stopped to breathe. It was ungodly sweltering. He didn’t normally sweat like this during an illness, not even on the rare occasion he came down with fever. His stomach was taut with tension, his entire body prickling under the skin. The sensory overload was beyond what he was used to dealing with— his comfortable, customary clothing itched and chafed, felt too tight on his sensitized skin.

But the worst part was how his tongue felt too heavy in his mouth, saliva flooding beneath it and forcing him to constantly swallow. Making it difficult to speak properly, to keep from drooling— a potential phenomenon he would be mortified to experience.

Actually, even that wasn’t the worst part. The singular most horrible aspect of this unidentified ailment was how he was utterly on fire between his legs, wetness sticking his underwear to his body. His arousal thudded through him, noisily demanding his attention, as if his body was angered that he wasn’t presently having intercourse. It was making it nearly impossible to focus— he’d already tried isolating himself in his bust, but his overheated breath had fogged it up despite it being carefully designed to mitigate such issues.

Perhaps a change of clothing could be found somewhere on the train before the situation became too humiliating…

“Dr. Ratio?”

Veritas hadn’t realized he’d closed his eyes until he was blinking them open.

“Oh shit, you do look rough,” Caelus said, clearly confused but still moving forward to offer Veritas his arm. It was one of the things Veritas appreciated about the younger man— he was rarely struck too dumb to act.

Actually, there were plenty of things to appreciate about Caelus, now that he was on the subject. A rather handsome, lithe build. A head of silver gray hair that looked soft to the touch. Those golden eyes were incredibly stunning, and his mouth begged the question, what would it feel like, pressed up against my—?

Veritas blinked and the thoughts scattered, leaving staticky afterimages.

“I believe… the curios in the lab… are to blame,” he said, taking a steadying breath and leaning on Caelus gratefully. The younger man was shorter than him by several inches, but thankfully quite sturdy. All that swinging his bat, he must have very fine shoulder muscles… no no no. “Have you not… fallen ill?”

“Nah, I feel totally fine,” Caelus said, already leading him slowly down the hall. “Here, let’s get you sat down, you can lay on my couch. I’m guessing there’s a reason you didn’t go to the infirmary. I’m the only other one who might have been exposed?”

“Five… points.” It was all he could offer, aside from some frighteningly lascivious thoughts about how good Caelus’ hair smelled.

Caelus got Veritas situated on the sofa in his bizarrely massive bedroom, as promised. He turned on the overhead fan as soon as he was certain Veritas could sit upright, evidently having felt how hot he was running. “Sorry it’s a bit messy,” he apologized, and it took Veritas a moment to realize he was speaking about the room and the various bits of clutter strewn about. “We had a big party when I first decorated, but I haven’t had anyone over in a while.”

Veritas’ brain glossed over the piles of clothing and detritus that would usually make him wrinkle his nose with distaste, instead clinging to the notion that perhaps this meant Caelus hadn’t had sex in some time. For reasons unbeknownst to him, the part of his mind consumed with fever thought that he should be the one to correct this.

Veritas swallowed hard, trying to keep his mouth-watering under control. These didn’t feel like his own thoughts— Caelus had always been a fairly attractive individual in his eyes, but that had never mattered before. What kind of illness would exaggerate a person’s sexual drive rather than diminish it?

He had his suspicions that it was, in fact, not an illness at all. But the possibility of being dosed with a high-grade aphrodisiac was likewise not something he was overjoyed to entertain.

“It is fine. Just… grateful to sit.” He gestured to Caelus, concerned that their proximity earlier in the day was a ticking bomb that had simply struck him sooner. “But you are certain? No adverse effects? You don’t … feel ill?”

Caelus just cocked his head. “I think I’d have noticed by now if I was coming down with some crazy curio fever. Does Madam Herta know?”

Ratio licked his dry lips. “I messaged her but have yet to receive a response.” It was a little easier to talk, now that he was sitting and could regain his breath. “None of the curios that you and I— came in contact with today— are indicated to cause sudden illness.” He took a steadying breath. “Therefore, one of them has been insufficiently researched— or perhaps there was something in the lab itself. I requested a scan and toxicology report.”

Caelus just blinked, crossing his arms. “Damn. Even sick as a dog, you’re thorough.” He cast about his massive room for a second, then headed over towards his closet, digging about. “Hang tight. I know I’ve got some back-up bottled water in here. Or I can, uh, get you some tea or something?”

“Just water, thank you.” Veritas didn’t want to think about the state of that closet. But a sealed bottle should be fine. Why did Caelus’ backside look so appealing? He wasn’t used to seeing the man without his jacket, and the way the fabric pulled across his ass and shoulders was— ahh, there it went again.

“Voila!” Caelus returned with a thankfully-sealed bottle that he cracked open in front of Veritas. “Uhh, can you hold it up yourself?”

“Of course,” Veritas found himself slurring, the water in front of him suddenly doubled. “I… oh.”

“Yeah, okay, big guy. Lemme do it,” Caelus said, no-nonsense as he slid alongside Veritas on the couch and carefully held the bottle to his mouth. “Just uh, try not to choke on it.”

The water provided some momentary relief, but he was burning up again as soon as it cooled his throat. It didn’t help that his mind had instantly conjured images of him choking on something else Caelus might hold to his mouth.

Veritas realized he might have been better off in the infirmary after all. He’d been so intent on containing any potential exposure to himself and Caelus that he hadn’t anticipated what might happen if he were left alone in the man’s room.

He was going to give Herta a piece of his mind once he — well. Got this out of his system, one way or another. The Astral Express had to have a private lavatory somewhere that he could hole up in.

As if to mock him, Veritas’ phone pinged in his pocket just as soon as Caelus had leaned back with the water bottle.

“Want me to grab that?” he offered. “Could be important, and you don’t seem very coordinated at the moment, no offense.”

“None... taken. See what it says,” Veritas groaned, tilting his head back and closing his eyes. His underwear was unbearably soaked, and he was concerned it might soon seep through his trousers and onto Caelus’ sofa, but he was sapped of the energy and strength to do anything about it.

“It’s from Herta!” Caelus said brightly. And then, “oh.”

“What?” Veritas slurred, irritably. “Out with it.”

“You’re, uh… oh boy. You’re not gonna like this.”

“So it is an aphrodisiac,” Veritas groaned, staring up at the ceiling. His irritation increased tenfold upon being proven correct. “Details?”

“Uhh, yeah, she said they’re looking into it, but one of the curios we were working adjacent to does apparently show signs of being activated…? Sorry, she sent a whole document…” Caelus trailed off, evidently skimming through. “Okay. She said it’s not fatal, but early reports say it might take a week or so to wear off—“ and here he wisely ignored Veritas’ noise of outrage— “and you should stay hydrated and try to eat if you can.”

“Is there nothing—“ Veritas had to stop as a wave of dizziness passed over him. “I don’t have… a week. How do I make it end faster? Why were you… not affected?”

Caelus cleared his throat. “Uhm. Herta says, uh… it induces a temporary, artificial heat cycle in mammals with, um. An intact uterus and ovaries.”

Well. That wasn’t the exact way Veritas would have chosen to announce to the Nameless and Herta’s research team that he did, in fact, possess that particular anatomy. But it was too late to dither over the details. He had something far more pressing to deal with.

“She could have… mentioned that sooner.”

Caelus winced. “Apparently it got miscategorized, which was why it was thrown in with the combat-enhancing ones we were testing. Oops?”

“Focus. How can the effects be— ugh, accelerated?” Veritas struggled to sit upright again, annoyingly dizzy. This bizarre, synthetic heat didn’t seem like what he would equate to a natural mammalian estrus cycle— it was far too impairing, for one. Some actual idiot had tampered with biological coding they didn’t understand. Infuriating. Most humanoids had evolved far more subtle, less disruptive ovulatory symptoms for a reason.

“Uhh… I don’t think there’s any way for me to put this politely,” Caelus said, actually seeming to flush right before Veritas’ eyes. (Funny, he hadn’t thought the man had any shame left, given his passion for dumpster diving.)

“Then say it crudely,” Veritas demanded, too irritable to drag it out. The gnawing heat in his abdomen was grating on his last shred of tact.

Caelus set the phone down and rose to his feet, groaning and scrubbing a hand over his face. “To end the heat cycle, uh… you gotta take a lot of loads,” he finally said, pacing before the couch and sounding profoundly embarrassed. “You feel me?”

“I need to what?” Veritas said. Surely he’d heard that wrong. He wasn’t much for colloquialisms, but there was no mistaking the implication.

“You gotta get someone to cum in you until you either get knocked up or trick your body into thinking you are,” Caelus rephrased, then hid his face in both hands. “Oh god, I’m so sorry, that sounded worse than I thought it would. I mean, I’m not a prude but you’re just so proper, it seems wrong. Like telling a dick joke to a little old lady.”

Veritas stared into middle space, processing as best he could. “It’s fine.”

It wasn’t fine, not at all, but Caelus was not to blame. Others’ inadequacy had conspired with his own biology to cause him a significant inconvenience, but as ever, he would simply have to weather the consequences of human stupidity. At least he still regularly took contraceptives to keep his hormone levels within desired thresholds. That was one less issue to consider.

A stray thought flashed through his mind—that if this curio was powerful enough to induce estrus in a being designed for a menstrual cycle, did it also have the ability to render said contraceptives ineffective?

Aeons above, what had he gotten into?

Veritas managed to retrieve his phone and sit forward, resting his forearms heavily atop his knees, trying to scroll through the document Herta had sent. The words danced before his eyes, no matter how hard he tried to focus. It seemed he would have to take Caelus’ word for it, at least until he could have someone else confirm the findings. He trusted the Trailblazer enough not to misinterpret Herta’s text or embellish too wildly— as questionable as his wording might be.

“So, uh…” Caelus was still hovering nearby, looking at him expectantly. “What's the plan, Professor? Are we doing this, then?”

“Define ‘this,’” Veritas requested, right as it clicked what Caelus meant. Oh. A faintly disbelieving laugh made its way out of his throat. “Are you… offering to provide the loads?” he drawled, sitting upright with effort. "Is that your brilliant suggestion?"

Caelus went satisfyingly pink, ears included. He scratched the back of his head, looking around. “Wow. That’s just wrong coming out of your mouth. But, uh… I mean. Got any other ideas? I could call somebody if you want.” He gestured to the room around them. It was not only large but bizarrely well-furnished for a mere bedroom, now that Veritas thought about it. “I don't mind crashing out in the party car, so you could just stay put and I could send for somebody. Or we could get you a hotel, maybe? See if the space station has an open room? Just spit-balling.”

Too many words. Veritas found his babbling verbosity overwhelming. But more to the point— who would he even call?

Aventurine was the first to come to mind, but… well. That was probably a bridge better left uncrossed. While Veritas could admit he harbored certain feelings towards his chaotic business partner— and there was certainly a brewing tension between them which had been pushed to its limits on multiple occasions— he was loath to let Aventurine see him like this. There was too much yet unsaid for their first time to be while Veritas was stuck on the Astral Express, yowling in heat like a damned house cat.

“There’s no one,” Veritas admitted, pinching the bridge of his nose. Closing his eyes while sitting up made him sway to the side and he hurriedly opened them again, trying to stabilize himself. His cunt throbbed, the knot in his stomach gnawing at him with pangs like hunger. This was utterly humiliating. “I’d rather— involve as few as possible. But I don’t… wish to impose.”

“It’s fine,” Caelus assured him, slowly settling back down on the couch. Like he was worried Veritas might spook if he moved too quickly. “You’re not imposing. It’s just a freak accident. And I think we’re kinda friends by now, right? Friends help each other out. Even when it gets weird. Especially when it gets weird.”

That managed to jar a laugh out of Veritas. He groaned, trying to resist the urge to just bury his face against Caelus’ chest. He swore he could smell his skin— the faint traces of soap. It only made him burn hotter.

“How many… times.” He managed to ask, still processing that Caelus had just confirmed his willingness to have sexual intercourse to assist him. “Until it… takes.”

Caelus shook his head. “It didn’t say a specific amount of, um. Encounters. I think it depends on the compatibility of the ‘mate.’ Herta’s words, not mine.” He fidgeted a little, then pushed his grey hair back from his head, only for it to fall right back. “Her team said it might still take a few days, but at least it shouldn’t be a full week. Hopefully.”

Veritas stared at Caelus’ mouth as he spoke, trying to process words through the thick curtain of lust that had fallen upon him. So that was it. Very well. He was so aroused it was beginning to feel painful, stabbing upwards through his core. If Caelus was willing to volunteer, then he would have to put his own pride on the shelf and get it over with.

“Are you certain,” he asked, just to be sure.

Caelus blinked his pretty golden eyes, glancing between Veritas and the phone. “I mean, I can read it over again, but I’m pretty sure—“

“No,” Veritas shook his head as much as he dared. “About— assisting me.”

“Oh!” Caelus gave him a bright grin. “Yeah, of course. I mean, what the hell— you’re hot, I’m game. I know it's not an ideal situation for you to be in, but we can make the best of it, right? Just more curio testing, when you think about it. Let’s do it for science, baby!”

Veritas just blinked at him. “You are absurd.” He managed to get out. “Get undressed, already.”

“Bossy, bossy,” Caelus teased, standing up and wasting no time whipping off his shirt. For all that he’d seemed embarrassed discussing the situation earlier, he seemed to have decided now was the time for confidence. Good. Veritas certainly didn’t have the wherewithal to guide the entire process. Aeons wept, he needed something inside him, now.

“Wanna do this on the bed? It’s a little more comfy than the sofa…”

Veritas hadn’t realized he’d gotten lost in thought yet again. “Ah… alright.”

It was a short walk, but even with Caelus supporting him, Veritas felt overwhelmed by the rush of warmth that overtook his body. That bare skin, touching him… his cunt throbbed miserably, his gut churning in aroused agony.

“Easy,” Caelus said, guiding Veritas to sit at the edge of the bed. “I got you, it’s all good. Lemme get these robes off, you look miserable.”

“Please,” Veritas said, begrudgingly polite, but it was such a relief to feel his layers being peeled away from his body. He couldn’t get free fast enough.

Caelus gave a low whistle as he managed to work Veritas’ outer layers off, guiding his owl pauldron and sleeve down his arm. “Damn. It just gets better the more clothes that come off.”

“What are you going on about?” Veritas frowned at him, overcome by the feeling of cool air on his stifled skin. Caelus was so close, he wanted to touch— wait, no, he was touching. His hands had already found their way to Caelus’ trim waist. He was exquisite, lightly muscled from combat and his extensive travels.

“Bossy and handsy,” Caelus hummed, but he didn’t sound upset. “Is this a one-piece or something?” He returned the favor by flattening his palms against Veritas’ chest, smoothing the fabric of his undershirt against his skin. It felt so heavenly that Veritas couldn’t contain a low moan, eyes shuttering closed for a brief moment.

“Ah— apologies. Y-yes. It— oh…”

Caelus had already moved in to grope at his chest, slipping his thumbs through the window in Veritas’ shirt.

“Do you even realize how insane it is that you just walk around looking like this all the time?” He muttered, and it was unclear whether the question was rhetorical. “You either really have no clue, or you actually don’t care how thirsty people get for you.”

Veritas bit his lip and whined as those blunt, clever fingers caressed a nipple before kneading his entire pec in one hand.

“Shit…” Caelus groaned, then tilted Veritas’ head upwards without warning and— ah. They were kissing now, a rush of heat and soft lips and pressure against his mouth, making him gasp. Caelus’ tongue slipped inside immediately, wrenching a truly pathetic noise from Veritas’ throat. His overheated cheek was cupped in one palm while the other hand continued to grope and play with his chest, pinching and tugging at the nipple until Veritas nearly shouted into the mess of their tangled mouths.

“Okay. Okay, pants off,” Caelus huffed as soon as he pulled back, licking their saliva from his lips. Veritas needed to keep kissing him like he needed oxygen, but pants off also sounded good.

“Just don’t be— shocked. It’s the—the curio,” he tried to explain, dizzily, as Caelus set to unbuttoning his trousers.

“I mean, yeah, I know, you’re in heat—“ Caelus started, then stopped short. He’d just tugged Veritas’ pants out from under his hips and worked them down far enough on his thighs to expose the bikini-cut bottom of the one-piece and the massive wet patch between his legs.

“Holy— is that all…?”

“I just told you,” Veritas growled, frustrated at the delay. “Hurry up!”

“Yessir,” Caelus breathed, tugging his pants down to his knees and letting them drop to pool at his ankles. “Where does this thing—“

Veritas inwardly cringed at the speed with which he spread his legs.

“Push— to the side,” he found himself slurring even worse now that sexual relief was imminent, his arousal throbbing through his cock, his cunt, his entire body. “Inside, now.”

Caelus just stared at him, gaze dragging up and down, then hurriedly reached for his own belt. Veritas was relieved to see his grey pants were already tented with interest. Good, he didn’t know how much longer he could wait.

Caelus was naked in mere moments, kicking off his shoes and pants even as he gave his cock a warm-up stroke or two. Veritas’ mouth watered at the sight of it. Thick and flushed and a hint of an upward curve; he would do quite nicely. In truth, Veritas longed for it in his mouth with an intensity that disturbed him, but that wasn’t why they were here. They simply had to get this done with.

“Fuck,” Caelus cursed, bracing his free hand atop Veritas’ mons pubis and thumbing over his cunt with a low exhale. “Guess we won’t need lube. Lay down, you’re exhausted, lemme do the work.”

Veritas allowed himself to be spread out properly on the blankets— which were comfortable and had a clean, masculine scent to them— and then Caelus was settling between his legs and groaning as he peeled Veritas’ last garment to the side, exposing his sopping wet cunt.

“Oh. Wow…”

“Inside,” Veritas insisted again, trying to drag him down closer. Caelus made a noise of sudden remembrance, resisting his pull.

“Wait! I forgot to tell you, I’ve been tested recently, just so you know I’m all g—“

“Enough!” Veritas hissed, clutching at him. “Just— fuck me.” The crudeness was out of sheer exasperation, but it seemed to do the trick. Caelus lined himself up in the next moment, rubbing the head of his cock over Veritas’ folds to slick up, then began to push inside.

The relief was instant. Veritas arched his back into it, moaning entirely too loudly as the delicious stretch sent fizzing pleasure through his nerves all the way to the tips of his fingers. Had being split open always felt this good?

“Fuck, you’re tight,” Caelus gritted out. “Not hurting you, am I?”

“No,” Veritas managed to reply. “Keep going. Keep— nghh.”

“Don’t worry,” Caelus huffed, adjusting his position above Veritas then slowly pushing in deeper. “Definitely not gonna stop. Gotta loosen you up if there’s any chance of me cumming.”

Veritas didn’t bother attempting to answer. He was too busy trying to keep his breathing under control, waves of pure liquid pleasure crashing over him with each of Caelus’ movements. He’d never felt this sensitized before, never known penetration to thoroughly overwhelm his nervous system. Every little fraction of a centimeter of Caelus’ cock seemed to light up new parts of his cunt hitherto undiscovered.

Damned curio— he would never be satisfied with ordinary sex again, would he?

“Fuuuuck, there we go,” Caelus groaned, swiveling his hips. “Starting to unclench for me. Feels so good when you relax.”

Veritas had never considered what Caelus would be like in bed, but it came as no surprise that he was talkative. It did make him want to hide his burning face behind the crook of his arm, however. He didn’t need to hear how his body felt from the other involved party.

“Hurry up,” he gritted out, trying not to writhe too obviously. Caelus just made a dismissive click with his tongue.

“As if I’m gonna rush this. Besides, we gotta make you cum too. Gotta warm you up.”

Veritas was about to insist that wasn’t necessary, but he grudgingly had to admit that Caelus was right in one regard— an orgasm of his own would draw the semen deeper inside, assisting in convincing his body that it would take.

“Fine,” he grumbled from behind his arm, voice far too slurred and petulant to his own ears.

It was hard to maintain a straight face now that Caelus was less focused on working him looser and had set a moderate pace, fucking into him with little grunts of breath that had Veritas aching for even more of him. Even the heavy slap of his balls against Veritas’ cunt was adding to the frenzied mess of sensations overwhelming him.

“Aeons… can’t believe how wet you are,” Caelus moaned, talking almost as if to himself. He sheathed himself all the way inside, grinding their bodies together for a blissful moment. Veritas’ vision went the color of hemoglobin around the edges, fading into a crackling black.

More, he needed more, the fever was growing unbearable. His frustrations forced their way out of his throat as a wordless cry, making Caelus go still.

“Was that a good noise, or—?”

Veritas let out another strangled noise of aggravation. He bared his teeth at Caelus and gripped him closer with whatever he could— thighs, clawing hands. A distant horror swelled at the back of his mind at how utterly depraved he was becoming, but his body had become insatiable in its bestial regression, ruled by instinct.

“Okay, okay!” Whatever Caelus saw in his face evidently did the trick, because he wasted no time in picking up the pace.

Relief immediately shot through Veritas’ nerves, and he didn’t even try to contain his moans of gratitude as Caelus treated him to a thorough fucking.

“Damn,” the younger man went on, between thrusts. “I read some nasty stuff like this on the internet once, but it’s so much hotter in real life.”

Veritas didn’t want to know. He was still too empty, and the only thing he could think of to remedy the situation was to yank Caelus down by the neck for a greedy, open-mouthed kiss.

Caelus groaned into his mouth, the sound utterly filthy, every wet slide of his tongue pushing Veritas deeper into the yawning pit of bliss that had opened beneath him. It was disgusting. It was rapturous.

And then Caelus adjusted his hips on the next thrust, and Veritas made a noise so inhuman he barely registered it as his own. Everything in him clamped down and held Caelus tight, as if to keep him in that one perfect spot. The kiss broke, saliva threading between their mouths, humid breath mingling, a shimmer of heat between them.

“Ohhh my god,” Caelus huffed, pushing up again on his hands and thrusting dutifully into that heavenly spot, over and over, quickly dissolving Veritas into his base components. “You’re so hot, I can’t believe— this is so insane, you feel so perfect. Fuck.”

Veritas didn’t care what he was babbling about, so long as he kept hitting that excruciatingly pleasurable spot. He felt something mounting deep within him, but he needed more. So much more.

“So unreal,” Caelus groaned again, grinding them together once more. “Can’t believe you’ve been hiding the wettest pussy known to man behind those robes. This whole time!? Shoulda bent you over way sooner, nghhh.”

Veritas went even hotter at the crass language. His body liked the sound of that— being bent over. Like something to be used. Filled. Bred. He was going to lose it entirely.

“Yeah? Like being stuffed, huh?”

Veritas hadn’t even realized how enthusiastically he’d been moaning.

“Don’t worry, babe, I’m gonna— fill you up.” Caelus had worked up a sweat by now, his hair hanging around his face as he focused on keeping time, a little grimace of pleasure fretting at his brows.

Veritas realized he wasn’t hiding behind his arm anymore— which meant he could stare up at the man currently balls-deep inside him, and he found that he liked it.

Watching the flex of Caelus’ muscles, the strong lithe arms caging him in. The way he panted through his open mouth, lips already swollen from kissing, cheeks flushed from arousal and exertion.

He’d be a good mate, he’d give Veritas plenty of virile seed, he’d sire plenty of strong, healthy—

That was wrong, an increasingly small part of Veritas protested. These weren’t his thoughts, he didn’t want to be bred like some common piece of livestock, he didn’t—

Oh, but he did, a much louder force within him interrupted. Mate. Breed. He needed to be filled until he was dripping semen down his thighs, needed to be fucked full over and over by plenty of worthy suitors until the strongest seed took.

The heat-craze was growing stronger, rattling loudly the bars of his sanity. Even a mind as stalwart and erudite as Veritas’ could only do so much against the deluge of hormones flooding it. The rationality of one learned man against billions of years’ worth of evolution.

At least, Veritas thought with the faint part of him still capable of such things, he could count this as a triumph of biology. A quintessential truth of the universe manifesting in him. Perhaps it was pathetic to attempt to cling to such things as an attempt to justify the utter shamelessness of his actions— clinging to Caelus and allowing such desperate, depraved noises of pleasure to leave his mouth.

But it didn’t matter. He just had to get through this. This wasn’t a battle to be won with intellectual might— as Caelus capturing his mouth in another frantic kiss so thoroughly proved.

“Sorry— getting close already—“ he apologized against Veritas’ mouth. “You feel too good, you look so— ah, fuck, I’m close, I’m close.”

“Give it t’me,” Veritas gasped in desperation, clinging to Caelus’ neck, utterly out of his mind at the thought of having his insides bathed in cum. “In me, deep. N-need it, Caelus— please!”

Caelus grunted and lost his rhythm as he sped up; stuttering, sharp thrusts that had Veritas keening as he shoved alongside his cervix with each one. He felt the moment Caelus broke as much as heard it— a deeply pleasured moan as he shuddered and emptied himself into Veritas, so far inside that Veritas couldn’t even feel anything beyond a sudden bloom of warmth that could have been his imagination, could have been anything.

All he knew was that it felt right— he’d needed this, he’d needed this so badly it defied words, something deep and animal inside him purring with absolute bliss at finally getting what it wanted. Mated. Taken. Pumped full. His biological imperative overrode everything else, a fresh flood of hormones bathing his overtaxed mind. He’d done well, taken a strong mate who had given him ample seed. Good, very good, he could rest now.

“Fuhhhh—“ Caelus finally croaked, hips stuttering to a halt, though he was wracked with a juddering aftershock just a moment later. “Oh, wow. Oh, wow.”

Veritas was already boneless beneath him, eyes slipping closed as he basked in pure radiating contentment— even the sweat of their bodies and the slick mess between their groins wasn’t enough to pull him out of his blissful state.

Even better, he didn’t feel as hot and irritable as before— less weakened with fever and more revitalized.

“Dear gods,” he mumbled, heaving a deep breath, eyes still closed.

Caelus let out a slightly delirious laugh. “Yeah. That’s— yeah.” He carefully pulled out and flopped down face first next to Veritas, one leg still thrown over his hip. “Wow. I know it’s just the weird heat thing talking, but… whew. You begging for my cum… not gonna forget that anytime soon.”

Veritas gave a beleaguered, tiny huff of a laugh. The crook of his elbow found its way over his eyes once more. “Tell no one of my moment of weakness.”

“Yeah, right. Who’d even believe me?” Caelus snorted, yawning so widely Veritas could hear the noises of his throat working. “Hey, you sound better, though. Did that really help?”

“Mm,” Veritas agreed, still hiding. The heat might have temporarily abated but his face still burned with embarrassment. “It would appear so. My mind feels clearer already. I do not know if it will last…”

“S’fine, I can deal with a sex-crazed Dr. Ratio for another couple rounds,” Caelus teased, poking at his arm. “Aww, you’re shy, huh? Are you blushing? You’re so blushing.”

“Do not patronize me,” Veritas said, though it lacked his usual fire. Caelus just laughed, not unkindly. He had a rather nice laugh, actually.

“Nah, I’m just teasing. I’m sure you’ll get me back eventually. It’s fine! I’m having fun, you’re, uh, hopefully having a little bit of fun…?”

It took Veritas a moment to realize it wasn’t a rhetorical question. Begrudgingly, he lowered his arm to reveal his face, figuring he at least owed his evident-friend that much.

“I am… finding myself with surprisingly few complaints.”

“Wow,” Caelus snorted, sitting up and stretching. Veritas’ eyes lingered on the contours of his sleek torso; the places he’d tousled that grey hair without even realizing. “High praise from the doctor. Ahh, I know what’ll fix you.”

“Excuse me?” Veritas started, then realized with horror why Caelus was getting back between his legs, his face positioned over Veritas’ groin like a dog inspecting its meal. “Wait—“

“You didn’t cum yet,” Caelus said, as if that explained everything, before diving in face-first.

He was, surprisingly, very adept with his tongue. Despite his initial objections, Veritas quickly found himself clutching at Caelus’ hair, rocking his hips up into that greedy mouth as it engulfed his cock with maddening suction. Two blunt fingers slipped inside him to stroke at that spot that had been driving him to delirium earlier— deeper inside than he’d expected— and it wasn’t long before Veritas found himself once more on the edge. And this time, Caelus was determined to push him over.

“C’mon,” he goaded, voice at once playful and aroused. His fingers were moving faster now. “Know you like it when I push it deeper in you.”

Veritas, unfortunately, very much did like it. Or at least, the part of him addled with unusual biological urges did.

“Stop talking. Harder.” He didn’t want to think about Caelus working his slick, virile cum further inside, making sure Veritas’ inner walls were coated with it. “Harder, I said!”

He didn’t want to so desperately spread his thighs, to beg so unbecomingly to be bred, for more seed, for a rougher fuck that would leave his insides bruised. He didn’t want to smolder and writhe like a burning twist of grass under Caelus’ refractive, solar gaze. Exposed, ready to be picked clean. A fattened lamb for Caelus to sink his teeth into.

But his orgasm cared little for what he wanted. It arrived as a sneaker wave, hitting him abruptly with blunt force, forcing Veritas’ back to seize in an arch as Caelus fucked his fingers inside hard enough to ram his knuckles against the soft folds of his cunt.

“Fuck.” He was huffing with exertion. Veritas spasmed beneath him. “Yeah, take it… taking it so good, damn. So pretty when you cum.”

Veritas smacked at the arm that wasn’t still thrusting between his legs.

“Never speak again,” he bemoaned, finally hissing when the over-sensitivity struck. “Ahh, ah, no more!”

Caelus’ hand slowed to a halt, but he merely replaced it with his face once more, lapping over Veritas’ swollen cunt with the enthusiasm of a puppy. Veritas hissed louder and swatted at him, but Caelus took his time pulling back. When he finally did, it was with a grin, mouth shining wet.

“You’re kinda hot when you’re all pissed off.”

Veritas made a faint, unimpressed noise as he collapsed back against the mattress. “Please. No more commentary.” He was exhausted— far more so than he ought to have been.

“Ahh, I think you like it. Who doesn’t like hearing how sexy they look?” Caelus wiped his mouth on the back of his hand and scooted up to lay alongside him, flopping easily amongst the wrecked sheets. “I mean, you’re always hot, let’s be honest. If I’d’ve known you’d be this much fun in the sack, all those Divergent Universe runs together woulda gone so different.”

Veritas did give a small huff of derision at that. “And be observed by Herta, Stephen, and Screwllum the entire time? I think not.”

Perhaps it was a kindness, Caelus distracting him with absurd banter. Or maybe he really was simply a lunatic, as Veritas had often suspected.

“You really don’t like to show off? Not even a little? That’s too bad, you’re basically made to be looked at.” Caelus’ voice was light and friendly; he didn’t even seem to realize how thick he was laying it on. “To be honest, I kinda always figured you were taken.”

Veritas found himself bemused by the notion. What a blessing, to be able to think almost clearly again, even if this was the subject.

“I am hardly a fitting candidate for interpersonal relationships of that nature. My talents lie elsewhere.”

Caelus sat up and peered down at him, making Veritas realize he was, in fact, still naked and covered in fluids.

“Hm, I dunno. That Mr. Aventurine guy from the IPC seems to think you’re a pretty fitting candidate.”

Veritas stopped short in the midst of covering himself with a sheet. “That— no, we are simply colleagues.” He couldn’t think about Aventurine right now, not while laying in another man’s bed. “He is an absurd, peacocking creature who requires a great deal of guidance from myself despite his not-insubstantial business acumen, that is all.”

“I dunno,” Caelus drawled, shifting to angle toward him properly. His eyes, when Veritas dared glance towards his face, were teasing and bright. “I’m pretty good at reading people, even a guy like him. He gets a different look on his face when he talks about you. Even in his texts, it’s pretty obvious how much he likes you.”

Veritas stammered, uncharacteristically. His mind was clearly muddled from all this curio nonsense, for he almost asked, stupidly, “he speaks to you about me?” But he managed to swallow that particular question down, shaking his head and trying to sit up, muscles trembling.

“Do you have a restroom? I need to wash, before…” he trailed off, not wanting to say the rest aloud. Even as he tried to banish thoughts of Aventurine, he could already feel an uncomfortable tendril of heat winding its way up through his stomach.

Veritas cleared his throat and started over. “I believe this to be a temporary reprieve. Thus, I should take the opportunity to relocate while I still can.”

Caelus rose off the bed, evidently entirely unbothered by his own nudity. His flaccid cock still shone with their combined fluids and Veritas had to look away, not wanting to encourage the depraved hormonal war raging within him.

“I mean, I can go another round if you need to? I sure don’t mind.” He stretched overhead, sighing with satisfaction. “But uh… after that, we might need to call in reinforcements.”

Thankfully, Caelus' room was outfitted with a sizeable en-suite and the young man was kind enough to lend him a robe. Veritas cast a longing gaze at the impressively large bathtub but realized the impending heat would not allow for a proper soak, so he opted for a quick rinse in the shower instead. He sat on the edge of the bath and dried his hair while Caelus took his own turn in the shower, yammering on about the latest Trailblazing mission he and his compatriots had undertaken.

Veritas could barely acknowledge his idle chatter, already dreading the fever beginning to creep back into his bones. He had hoped that his coupling with Caelus would buy him a somewhat longer period of lucidity. Alas, it seemed luck wasn’t on his side.

Once back in Caelus’ bedroom proper, he quickly read through everything Herta had sent with clearer eyes; unfortunately, Caelus hadn’t been exaggerating. If anything, he’d somewhat downplayed the necessity of Veritas finding enough suitable partners to lay with. Evidently, the last researcher to fall prey to the curio’s misbegotten effects had wound up in the hospital for several weeks after attempting to simply ride out the artificially-induced heat on their own. Severe insomnia, exhaustion, dehydration, muscle spasms, high fever, as well as an acute mental health crisis that had taken several more weeks to recover from.

Veritas suspected Caelus hadn’t mentioned this out of an attempt to avoid coercing him into anything while he was in such a fragile state of mind. A well-intentioned but ultimately misguided move. He would not place his pride above his health.

After all, there was nothing inherently shameful about sex or mammalian breeding instincts— even if he loathed being placed in this situation through the careless neglect of others, hated not being in control of his own body, and certainly did not enjoy the feverish weakness that came over his limbs and mental faculties, Veritas could at least attempt to treat this as a research opportunity, of sorts.

Or just attempt to enjoy the copious amount of intercourse he was evidently about to be having. Assuming he could find enough willing partners.

“Caelus…” he trailed off, only to realize the man was already back in front of him with a tray of synthesized food and more water. He hadn’t even heard him cross the room to fetch it. “Oh… thank you.”

“Gotta keep some fuel in the tank,” Caelus nodded wisely, snacking on a nutrient cube of his own. “What were you gonna say?”

“Ah. Upon further examination of Herta’s notes, I have concluded that I may need to seek out… additional assistance.” Veritas swallowed his pride as best he could. “In other words… it does not appear that a single partner will be likely to keep up with the demands that this curio will enact through me. Your offer, earlier…?”

“Oh? The reinforcements?” Caelus nodded, chewing and swallowing the last of his cube. “I might have already messaged a couple of, uh, trustworthy guys. Don’t worry, didn’t mention you by name or anything. Just reached out to see if they were around and down to help.”

Veritas blinked up at him. “I see.”

“I’ll show you their pictures,” Caelus said, like it was the most normal thing in the world for him to be seeking out other sexual partners for Veritas after what they’d just done. “I think I have pretty good taste, but your opinion’s what counts.”

Veritas sat on Caelus’ sofa and ate his cosmic fried rice and nutrient cubes while Caelus flicked through his contacts.

“Okay, well, Dan Heng is the obvious choice, since he lives here, too. He’s kinda shy at first, but you guys have met in passing, and I think he’d be alright to help out a friend in need. He hasn’t responded yet because he’s out visiting someone, but he’ll be back in another day or so.”

Veritas was passing familiar with the young Vidyadharan man— handsome, dark haired and keen eyed. Well spoken. Capable hands. Arousal stirred low in his gut as he nodded and glanced away from the photo on Caelus’ screen.

“Alright,” he said, mouth suddenly dry as he reached for his water. “I would not be… opposed.”

"That's one down, then." Caelus hesitated a moment. "Uh, so… I didn't actually ask him yet, but you probably heard that Sunday's joined us onboard for now." He didn't have to say the rest, nor did he offer a photo, which was something of a relief.

"Ah." Veritas felt his insides twist, regardless. He had, of course, been aware of this development, but he hadn't been in his right mind when he stumbled here seeking Caelus and the presence of the former Oak Family head had slipped his normally unshakable memory. "I do not imagine he would take kindly to such a request. For numerous reasons."

Caelus turned to him in surprise. "I don't think he holds a grudge, or anything. Aventurine told me about how you guys tricked him and all, but he's never said anything bad about either of you. If anything, I thought you might not want anything to do with him after he trapped us all in that dream. He's mellowed out a lot, though. I think he's happy to have another chance at life, he really likes to be helpful. He's like a whole new person, these days."

"I see." Veritas mulled this information over. He didn't think Caelus would suggest such a thing if the younger man truly thought it inadvisable. Still, Veritas had seen firsthand the ruthlessness Sunday was capable of, and furthermore had not forgiven the man for the unnecessary cruelty of his treatment of Aventurine, even if Aventurine had intentionally put himself in a position to be seemingly-exploited.

Having not had a chance to directly converse with Sunday and personally gauge his mental state post sentencing, Veritas found himself incredibly hesitant to give such a man any sort of access to his body or mind while in such a weakened, incapacitated state. It was very possible that Sunday might be waiting for an opportunity to seek vengeance against him and Aventurine, even if it jeopardized his standing with the Nameless.

"We'll just put a pin in that," Caelus decided. "I won't tell him you're here, if you don't want me to."

"I would appreciate that," Veritas admitted, the knot in his stomach unclenching somewhat. "I believe it is probably best to avoid enlisting his assistance, if there are others willing."

Caelus nodded, brightening as he thumbed to another screen on his phone. "No worries. To be honest, now that I've gotten to know him better, I can't really see him as much of a top, anyway."

Before Veritas had the chance to decide if he even wanted to know, the phone was being held up for his perusal once more.

“Anyway, here's Argenti! He visits us a lot, I don’t know if you’ve met him before?“

Veritas felt his stomach flip in an altogether different manner when he saw that distinctive, handsome face.

“I know him,” he said, faintly. “The Knight. He rescued Aventurine from the grip of IX… I've only met him in passing.”

“I think he’d be plenty happy to help rescue you too,” Caelus teased. “As long as you don’t mind him waxing poetic about how the uh, sweat shines with the beauty of Idrila on your skin, or stuff like that. He comes on strong, but he’s a good guy.”

Veritas nodded. In truth, he wasn’t sure how he felt about the Knight. He had been undeniably grateful to have Argenti’s help ensuring Aventurine returned safely from the edge of Nihility, but there was a strange, lingering resentment that rose when he stared at the glorious mane of red hair and those sparkling green eyes.

Jealousy? That he had not been the one to personally pull Aventurine from the clutches of nothingness? Could it truly be so absurd?

“If he acquiesces, then… yes. Alright.”

He couldn’t afford to let his own insecurities get in the way. Argenti had done nothing to deserve his scorn, after all. And if he could be trusted with Aventurine, then Veritas supposed he could trust the man as well.

“Nice. He did already respond and said he could be nearby anytime, just to let him know!” Caelus wiggled a little closer as he thumbed to the next message.

“Oh.” Veritas’ mouth went dry. “Surely, you must be joking.”

Boothill’s sharp grin peered up at him from Caelus’ contacts.

“Wait, you know about Boothill?” Caelus turned to him in surprise. “He’s not what you’re thinking, he’s a really decent guy! He helped us out a ton in Penacony, actually—“

“I know he is not a danger to anyone, save those who stand in the way of his vengeance. Aventurine has spoken of him. They share… similar goals.”

“Oh… oh wait, that’s right! I forgot Aventurine probably would have told you all about them working together.”

Veritas had, in fact, seen the cyborg in the flesh chatting with Argenti during that mild disaster of the Charmony Festival. Caelus had probably forgotten they’d all been added to the same group chat at one point. Well, before Veritas had taken his leave of it…

“Boothill is fine,” he found himself saying. “If he cares to be embroiled in such things. I will not blame him if he does not. Although I am uncertain if a being of his… inorganic composition will be able to satisfy the requirements of the curio."

“He’s in,” Caelus lazily confirmed, leaning back on the couch and typing out another message. “I actually asked him about that, but he says he's got something that should do the trick. He’s not exactly in the neighborhood, but he's got a ship and said to give him a holler if things got dire. His words.”

Veritas was suddenly overwhelmed at how easily Caelus seemed to rally others to his assistance. To inspire such blind loyalty, for such an unusual and quite frankly unpalatable request…

“Thank you,” he said, abruptly. Caelus looked up from his texting.

“Huh?”

“For… arranging this. Assisting me. Being… kind.” Veritas debated what he was about to say, but decided if he was going to practice humbling himself, he may as well. “I have many colleagues, but not many I would call friends, and especially not the kind of individuals I could call upon in moments such as this. I… appreciate your efforts.”

Caelus just twinkled at him, setting the phone aside and taking the empty tray from Veritas' hands to place it on the side table.

“It’s alright. I like being your friend! You’re weird and surprisingly funny and you keep life interesting.” He leaned into Veritas' space, humming. “And I think you’re really hot, so it’s not like I’m being entirely selfless, y’know.”

“That is something of a reassurance,” Veritas admitted. “I would find it unacceptable for you to assist me in such matters, otherwise.”

“I know everyone thinks you're super scary, but honestly, Ratio, you’re kind of a dweeb.” Caelus grinned, all affection, and despite the vague insult, it felt natural to watch him to lean in and close the distance between their mouths— an unhurried kiss that nonetheless stirred something deep in Veritas’ gut. He allowed himself to relax into it, to open for Caelus when his tongue quested forward, to let the other man settle on top of him. Caelus made all of this feel easy when it had no right to be.

“Will you stay here,” Veritas asked, once they’d paused for breath. “When the others arrive? If I was in my own right mind, it would be one matter, but as you saw…”

“You want me to be your chaperone?” Caelus asked, nipping at Veritas’ bottom lip and drawing forth a slight groan. “Of course. I’ll make sure nobody takes advantage of you when you’re all loopy and begging for dick.”

“That’s— not,” Veritas started, cut off by another kiss. His face felt hot already. “I’m not worried about that, it’s merely… ah, never mind, it won’t be necessary, I’m overthinking it.”

He felt foolish already for asking. What was he, some blushing virgin? Caelus had already done more than enough, he had no right to ask for anything else.

“It’s okay if it makes you feel better having me there,” Caelus reassured him, trailing sweet kisses along his jaw. “I’ll be your spotter. Make sure you’re doing okay, translate your heat-crazed gibberish for the other guys. I don’t mind. We’ll make it fun!”

Veritas didn’t have it in him to put up much of a struggle after that. He let Caelus kiss all over his neck, sighing softly at how strangely good it felt. Not being in the full throes of hormone-induced insanity meant he could appreciate the smaller things, rather than just ‘begging for dick’ as Caelus had put it.

“You’re not the jealous sort,” he noted, absently. “I would think many people would hesitate to so freely share a sexual partner with others, even if they were simply friends.”

Caelus hummed, his warm hand sliding up Veritas’ bare abdomen beneath the borrowed robe.

“Nah. I like sharing. It’s more fun that way. Maybe it’s just because I haven’t met anyone who makes me feel all jealous and possessive like that, but… mmm, I dunno. Just doesn’t really appeal to me. If I like someone, I kinda want everyone else to get to see how great they are, you know?”

It was an interesting perspective, but Veritas was somewhat distracted by Caelus’ hot, wet mouth sucking at his earlobe in the very next moment. A pang of need resonated between his hipbones, deep in his cunt.

“Shouldn’t we… wait until it’s back? The heat, I mean.”

At this, Caelus pulled back, looking down at him with a lazy shrug. “I just like kissing you. We don’t have to, though.”

“No, it’s… good,” Veritas admitted, somehow finding it equally as embarrassing to admit such a thing while in his right mind as it had been to beg Caelus for his seed while out of it. “Please continue.”

He’d never spent so much time simply laying with someone and kissing— such a thing had honestly never occurred to Veritas. His time was valuable and if he was not kissing as a direct prelude to intercourse, then he was simply not doing it at all.

But Caelus seemed perfectly content to laze together, continually finding new parts of Veritas’ body to explore and stimulate. He was in no rush, eyes lighting up whenever he managed to get a reaction, then repeating it as if to test the results. A scientist in his own regard, though Veritas imagined he would laugh at the notion.

Eventually, however, it became clear that they were both incredibly turned on— Veritas making a mess of the robe beneath him and Caelus rutting slowly against his bare hip, cock leaking fluid against his skin.

“You feeling feverish yet?” Caelus asked, and Veritas found his mouth had gone dry.

“Perhaps… it might be worth testing if preemptive action might stave off the worst of it,” he suggested. Caelus laughed brightly, giving him a naughty grin.

“Well, if the esteemed doctor thinks so, I’m sure not gonna argue.”

The first drag of his cock between Veritas’ folds felt so divine, he couldn’t help but sigh into it. Arousal spread over his skin as a hot flush, betraying the fizzing tension inside.

“Gonna really tease you this time,” Caelus said, forthright as ever. “That okay?”

“If you must,” Veritas groaned, trying to angle his hips to catch the flared head of Caelus’ cock on his entrance, to no avail.

“I just think it’s really hot when you beg,” Caelus confessed, laughing a little when Veritas groaned in annoyance. “You’re always so put together. Can ya blame me for thinking it’s sexy to see you all unraveled and needy, and whiny, and—“

“Alright, you’ve made your point,” Veritas interrupted, grumbling with a hot face.

“And you get all pouty, too,” Caelus cooed, dragging his cock meanly against where Veritas wanted it most. “Poor baby. It’s just not fair, huh?”

He was a sadist, Veritas realized. A bonafide sadist. He said as much, and Caelus just laughed, delighted.

“I mean, yeah, a little. It’s fun! And I’m pretty nice about it, right?”

“That remains to be seen,” groused Veritas, closing his eyes and trying not to let himself be miserably aroused by the teasing.

“I think you like to be bullied a little,” Caelus confided, his grin evident when he pressed their mouths together, only to pull away after a moment. “You’re always the top dog. No wonder you like Aventurine so much, he can actually keep up with you.”

“Hush,” Veritas groaned, trying his damndest not to flush or squirm at the accusation. (Which, unfortunately, he was realizing might not be entirely off the mark.)

“You like the mean boys,” Caelus cooed again, thumbing over one of Veritas' nipples and making his eyes fly open in surprise. “Lucky for you, I’m mostly not evil. Mostly. Hmmm, maybe I should call Reenie up next. I wanna see you guys together.”

“Don’t you dare,” Veritas hissed, grabbing at Caelus' wrist even as he arched into the teasing pinches being inflicted upon his tit. He wasn’t beating the allegations, but there were lines. “He cannot find out about this.”

“No? Don’t you think he’d like seeing you like this?” Caelus’ voice was deceptively sweet, his cock and his fingers and his words driving Veritas to madness. “Bet he’s thought so many times about fucking you til you can’t string two words together. Don’t you think he deserves a lil treat for putting up with you being so stubborn?”

“Silence,” Veritas groaned. There wasn’t a lot of weight behind the command— even he could admit that. He hated the thought of Aventurine seeing him at anything less than his best, and he hated even more so the realization that a small, idiotic part of him very much wanted to beg Aventurine to fuck him silly, regardless.

“You got so wet just now.” Caelus’ voice was unbearably pleased, his hips grinding just so against Veritas’, his cock throbbing and warm between his thighs. “Ohh, you really do want that, huh? Should I send him a picture of you all fucked out and delirious? Bet he’d be here in thirty seconds flat. Or, uh… well, some things won’t be laying flat, if you know what I mean.”

“Don’t,” Veritas groaned, his mouth beginning to water uncontrollably. The feverish delirium was rising again, starting to diminish his control of his limbs, and he didn’t think he could bear letting Caelus continue speaking this way as he succumbed to his baser urges. It was difficult to determine which was worse; the terrible wordplay, or the implication that Aventurine would find him appealing like this.

“Alright, alright. But you should keep thinking about him,” Caelus urged, smug, continuing to molest his chest with undisguised glee. “It gets you off, right? I like seeing you get all red and embarrassed, I didn’t know anything could get you so riled up. It’s sooo cute.”

“Caelus, for the love of all Aeons, cease your idiotic rambling and get on with it,” Veritas hissed, smacking his hand away, arm feeling heavily weighted as another hot flash came over him. “I’m beginning to feel the ill effects again.”

“Aw, you missed my dick that much?” Caelus preened, but he thankfully gave in and finally spread Veritas’ thighs wider. The couch wasn’t as wide as the bed, but Veritas couldn’t be bothered to request they relocate once more, not when he was so close to getting what he wanted.

“Inside,” he insisted, though it was starting to sound like begging. “Now.”

“Mmm, what’s the magic word, big boy?” Caelus’ eyes were bright with mischief, dark with arousal. He licked his lips as he positioned the head of his cock against Veritas’ needy cunt, almost pressing in but still holding back.

“Please, just— yesss,” Veritas trailed off into a hiss as his wish was granted, Caelus easily sliding into his soft, clutching heat. Veritas could feel how readily his body welcomed back his cock, shivers of overstimulated pleasure running through him as he was stretched once more around that delectable girth.

He should probably feel more worn out, after their earlier activities, but his body craved the sensation and pressure of being filled. His instincts demanded he milk Caelus of all the semen he had to spare, and then some.

“Fuck,” Caelus swore. He looked overwhelmed, his face crumpling into a pleasured grimace. “Oh wow. It’s… ohh, that’s a lot.”

“Don’t stop now,” Veritas grumbled through gritted teeth, wrapping his legs around Caelus’ hips while he still mostly had the strength. “Hurry.”

“Okay, okay,” Caelus breathed out, eyes looking heavenward as if for strength. “It’s good, it’s too good. M’ just sensitive, lemme warm up again. Touch yourself for me?”

Veritas sighed as Caelus tugged his hand down between them, encouraging him to stroke.

“Simply tell me if you cannot… if we must call upon another,” he managed, feeling more of his lucidity slip away as his fingers stroked the hood of his cock, little sparks scintillating through him. “It is fine, I— hnngh.”

Caelus rocked into him slowly, pushing deeper. Finding a snug angle even as he let out a whine of his own. The sound had Veritas spinning.

“Shit shit shit. Oh you’re good, you’re too good,” Caelus rambled, slowly building up a rhythm again. It was warm, the space between their bodies. His skin was soft over his taut muscles— stomach more plush than Veritas’ own, but firm with underlying strength. There was power behind his thrusts, as mild as they were, and Veritas slipped deeper as his temperature crept upward, as his mind struggled to articulate beyond concepts of heat, pleasure, breed.

He made a wordless cry as Caelus pushed into that spot he’d found earlier, the one that made Veritas arch and whine. Their coupling grew more frantic, hands clutching, or else rubbing. Veritas' mouth was filled with a hot tongue, seeking, claiming.

He succumbed entirely to the incessant chanting in the back of his mind, the voice that demanded he fulfill his duty to find the most worthy mate. Spread his legs, take as much cock as possible, only the strongest seed would survive inside him. He was a crucible, meant to be heated through and filled with molten ore. He was the arbiter of creation, it was his duty to seek out the best of the best and let them lay claim to his body, his mind, his womb. The warrior fucking him now was worthy, he needed to be bred by him again and again until it took, until— until—

Veritas felt hot tears rushing to his eyes, an inarticulate wail tearing from his throat. He was feverish, overwhelmed. His body wasn’t satisfied, he wasn’t bred yet— he needed more, damnit.

“Shhh, it’s okay, it’s okay. I’ve got you,” that warm voice was reassuring him. That thick cock pushing into him with greater vigor. “No more teasing, it’s okay. You want cum, I’ll give you cum.”

“M-more,” Veritas rasped, clawing at the soft surface beneath him. “Come… inside.”

“Don’t worry, big boy, got plenty for you,” the voice panted. Veritas could just barely see through his tears. Golden eyes. Silver hair. His mate? “Keep begging like that and it’ll be— hhn, quicker than you think.”

“So full,” Veritas heard his mouth slur. “Wan’ it… deeper. Got to… to breed, mmn.”

“Fuck… this is insane,” the man above him groaned. Who—? Caelus, his name was Caelus. He smelled good. Veritas nosed into his neck, awash in his scent.

“Cae— lus. Need more.” He heard a strange plaintive note, his own desperation, on the verge of sobbing. His chest was taut, he couldn’t take it, his head was spinning, he—

“I’ll give you more,” Caelus hissed, and suddenly Veritas’ knees were being pushed up to his chest, strong hands braced behind him. The cock inside him drove even deeper, carving out a space inside him, splitting him like a log, and Veritas cried out, hands scrabbling for a hold beneath him.

“Like it nice n’ deep, huh? That’s it, baby. Take the whole thing, bein’ such a brave boy for me.” That voice made him shiver all over, made his cunt clench. Veritas whined, unable to move, pinned down and fucked open like a butterfly on a board. He felt too hot, burning everywhere his skin touched itself or the man above him.

Yes, he liked being held down, liked being at the mercy of those strong hands and that thick cock. It soothed him even as it riled him up further. This was where he belonged, his entire being singing with fulfilled purpose, head woozy but pleasure cutting through his fever as clear and sharp as a shard of glass.

“Gonna make me cum with how pretty you look right now, bent in half underneath me,” Caelus went on, voice ragged. “I could breed you so easy, just like this. You want that? Want me to knock you up?”

Veritas groaned, head tilting back against the— sofa, that’s what they were on— and nodding like a puppet with cut strings. Swallowing down the saliva welling up beneath his tongue as noises were knocked loose from his throat with each thrust deep inside his core, each delicious drag across one of the many spots that made him want to buck and writhe.

Yes, he wanted it, although 'want' wasn’t nearly strong enough a word. Need barely scratched the surface.

“Gotta ask for it real nice,” Caelus panted, fucking into him with abandon. His hands were hot and slick on the back of Veritas’ knees. “Keep beggin’ me for it, okay?”

“Please,” Veritas slurred, tongue heavy on his mouth. Words were so difficult but he had to try. “Inside— fill me.” A particularly deep thrust knocked the breath from him in a full-throated moan. “Ah! Hhh— th-there. Deeper! Cum.”

He sank into delirium as Caelus answered his moan with another, rambling something he couldn’t make heads or tails of, but then the thrusts inside him were growing ragged and the man above him made a noise of ecstatic release as Veritas’ cunt suddenly pulsed with warmth and wet.

The sensation was so shocking, so welcomed that Veritas found himself being dragged over an edge he hadn’t even known was there. Spasms wracked him as enough pleasure flooded his system to shut him down entirely, leaving him a twitching, spasming, gasping mess as Caelus continued to fuck his spend even deeper.

“Oh fuuuuck— you’re cumming!?” Caelus’ voice pitched skyward. “Oh shit shit shit, yeah— yeah, cum for me, baby. Fuuuhhhh—“

It was a long several moments of the two of them clinging and shaking together with the aftershocks once the initial hits had subsided. Caelus released Veritas’ legs and laid down between them, pressing their heated bodies together so he could lay claim to Veritas’ mouth once more. The kissing left him dizzy, even deeper in delirium as his mind was deprived of essential oxygen, but Veritas basked in it.

He’d done it— orgasmed at just the right time to draw all his mate’s strong, virile cum even deeper inside of him where it belonged. It would surely take if he kept this up. He’d done well, he’d done well, he was fulfilling his nature-given purpose, success success success.

“Damn…” Caelus had finally relinquished his mouth, dropping his head against Veritas’ neck and mumbling against the overwarm skin below his ear. “You’re somethin’ else. Wow…”

He might have said something else, but Veritas was already slipping fast into unconsciousness. The last thing he heard was the sound of Caelus phone pinging with a received message.

Somehow, he thought that might be important, but the reason eluded him as he succumbed to blessed exhaustion.

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Caelus groaned and sat up, carefully pulling out and wrapping Ratio’s robe around him out of some dutiful urge to preserve his modesty. Poor guy looked exhausted, and Caelus absolutely could not blame him. Two rounds in short succession was one thing, but this weird curio spell seemed to sap him of energy even on top of that.

Still. Damn. He could hardly complain. This definitely wasn’t on his bingo card for today— or ever— but he wasn’t mad Ratio had come to him for assistance, even if it was just a matter of proximity. If he could help the doctor enjoy at least a little of his ordeal, that felt like a job well done. Too bad all his missions weren’t like this…

His phone pinged again, and Caelus fumbled for it, trying not to disturb Ratio’s long legs as he scooted down the couch, wrapping himself back up in his own robe.

Two new messages: one from Argenti, the other from Dan Heng.

I shall be there as swiftly as the One-and-Only can carry me, dear friend, Argenti had written. If a fair damsel is in need of succor, then I shall aid him to my utmost. Expect me anon.

Caelus never understood half of what the guy was saying, but the meaning was clear enough. Hopefully Ratio would be awake by the time Argenti arrived, otherwise Caelus would probably have to pry him away from the houseplants again.

Dan Heng’s message was far less ornate.

If this is a matter of dire urgency, then I will do my best to help. I will be back to the Express within the hour.

Caelus texted back a quick thank you.

Dan Heng replied immediately. By the way… am I right in thinking this is a mutual acquaintance of ours?

Caelus worried his bottom lip, gazing over at Ratio’s sleeping form. Guess there was no harm saying who it was, now that Dan Heng had agreed.

It’s Dr. Ratio. We were testing combat curios together for Herta this morning. One of them wasn’t a combat curio, apparently. Keep it on the DL, tho. He doesn't want Sunday to know.

A pause while Dan Heng typed.

Ah. And then, Of course. You can expect my discretion in this matter. And then, Have you already been assisting him?

Caelus debated how to answer. Post-orgasmic bliss had him feeling pretty confident. It wasn’t every day he got to sleep with someone as absurdly attractive as Ratio, after all. Maybe this would be the weird push he needed to finally make a move on his cute but standoffish train-mate.

Yeah. Went two rounds back to back, he’s sleeping it off now. Figured I’d tag you in.

Funny how texting Dan Heng made him even more nervous than fucking Ratio had… that stupid crush always made him second-guess everything. Was it bragging to mention they’d already had sex twice? Or shit, did that make him sound pathetic for not going three rounds?!

I see, came the reply, revealing little as per usual. Very well, I’ll be there soon.

Damn, Caelus thought, tilting his head back against the sofa. Why hadn’t he gotten struck down with the crazy sex pollen curio?

xx