Archive of Our Own

Mydeimos is an ordinary human.

He’s just a simple, ordinary human. Not the secretly powerful type who’s hiding strength for some grand reason. He’s actually just… ordinary. The kind of guy who, if this were a superhero story, wouldn’t even show up in the background. Not even a side mention about someone sweeping the set.

It’s almost impressive how lame he is.

In a world where ninety-eight percent of people are born with powers, he just happened to land in the unlucky two percent. It’s like the stars lined up on purpose, forming the perfect constellation to create the biggest nobody alive. And sometimes he wondered if in some other universe he might have landed under a luckier star, one that let him be something more, maybe even someone powerful for once.

But in this life he didn’t even have a single spark of magic, no psychic tricks, no super strength, not even the basic kind of power kids show off in kindergarten these days.

Which is kind of tragic, considering his parents both had top-tier superpowers. When the seer told them their child would never awaken any ability, his father tossed him aside the day he was born. But his mother refused to give up on him. She left her husband and worked herself to the bone to raise him on her own, until one day, sickness took her away from his life.

After his mother died, he made himself a promise. Even if he was left behind by a society built on power, he would never be weak again. Every day, without fail, he trained to become stronger. It was harder for him than for the lucky ones born with abilities, but he refused to be seen as helpless.

So when people asked, he’d just shrug and say he had a little bit of super strength. He didn’t realize that lie would come back to bite him one day and nearly tear his arm off during a stupid bet with a guy who actually did have it.

They were supposed to lift a massive boulder, and Mydei gave it everything he had. He managed to move it just an inch, but somehow that was enough to convince everyone he really did have a power.

That’s how blind society has become these days. People can’t even tell what real strength looks like anymore, what an ordinary human can actually do. Everyone’s too used to power doing everything for them, and they’ve forgotten what it means to work for it.

Sometimes he wondered if that was what his mother wanted him to see, the value of effort and the weight of being human. Maybe that was why she kept pushing him to stand on his own, even when she was too weak to stand herself.

Now, every scar on his hand, every ache in his muscles, felt like proof that he was still trying. Proof that even without a gift, he could still fight to exist in a world that didn’t care if he disappeared.

Because if power was everything, then maybe being powerless was the last honest thing left.

So he pushed himself every day. He did everything he could and worked himself to the bone, sending out hundreds of applications while competing with people who used their powers to get ahead in every spot he tried for. It was hard to get even one chance, but he kept going anyway. And somehow, after all that struggling, he finally landed an honest job as a librarian.

Even then he still felt small. His coworkers could move with lightning speed to help customers or sort entire stacks in minutes, while he had nothing close to that. The most he could offer was his height when kids needed books from the top shelf, and his plain human strength whenever a shelf had to be shifted across the room.

It was hard at work, but he told himself he needed to stay strong. And the moment he stepped outside, the world felt even harsher. Someone like him was too easy to single out, too easy to turn into prey for any robber or low-level villain searching for a target.

So he stayed ready. If anyone ever decided he looked weak enough to approach, he wanted at least a small chance to fight back. Mydei carried pepper spray everywhere and bought every self-defense gadget he could find online, stuffing them into his bag one by one, anything that might help if the worst ever happened.

He checked everything twice before leaving his apartment. Only then did he feel ready to head to work. It was a Friday, and the library was a short drive away, but he always left an hour early. Instead of driving, he liked to walk. It took a little longer, but he never cared about that because he never skipped leg day.

With a soft sigh, Mydei stepped out of his apartment and headed toward the stairwell. He lived on the fifth floor and never used the elevator. Partly because he liked the extra workout, but mostly because the elevator had made a weird beeping sound once and he became convinced it would trap him inside. After that, he refused to go anywhere near it.

Mydei was halfway down the stairs when loud voices echoed up from below. He cursed inside his mind as unease crept in, but it was already too late to turn back without drawing attention to himself. So he kept going, one careful step at a time.

At the bottom of the stairwell near the exit, Mydei stopped in his tracks. For a moment he wasn’t even sure what he was looking at. There, pressed against the wall by the door, was a naked man with white hair while three others surrounded him, shoving and taunting him like a pack of bullies.

The man wasn’t small or fragile in any way. He was tall, built like brick, his body marked with faint scars that caught the light. Around his neck he wore something that looked like a black choker, stark against his pale skin. Just beneath it sat a tattoo of a sun, inked right at the base of his throat. The lines were so light they almost blended into him, fading in and out of sight whenever the light shifted.

“Listen here, you fucking freak,” one of the men shouted. “What kind of asshole wanders around naked like this?”

“No, I already told you, I lost my clothes,” the naked man replied with a snicker. He sounded oddly amused for someone getting roughed up with nothing on but a smile.

“Liar. I know you’re some kind of pervert,” the second man snickered back at him, shoving his shoulder and slamming him back against the wall.

“Oh? And you’re some kind of genius, I assume?” the white-haired man said, tilting his head. He brushed dust off his arm with an unbothered motion. “Because clearly, beating up a naked guy really shows how smart you are.”

“Don’t get clever with me,” the third man barked, shoving him back against the wall.

“I’m not,” he said simply, his voice almost bored. “You’d need a brain for that.”

The first man’s face twisted in anger. “You think this is funny?”

“A little,” the naked man said. “Mostly because you’re all yelling at someone who clearly has nothing. I mean look at me. What do you think I’m supposed to do here?”

“Shut up!” one of them snapped, shoving him. “You think you can talk your way out of this?”

“I don’t know,” the white-haired man said. “You haven’t really given me anything else to work with.”

One of the bullies clearly had enough and slammed his fist into the white-haired man’s stomach. “I said shut the fuck up!”

“Fucking idiot,” another sneered. “We don’t like your kind around here!”

“Hah, what kind is that, exactly?” the man wheezed, clutching his stomach.

“The fucking weird kind!” The third punched him in the side.

The man doubled over in pain, one hand braced on the wall as his legs nearly gave out.

“Hey!” Mydei shouted. “Leave him alone!”

When all three of the bullies turned their attention to him, Mydei immediately wished he had kept quiet.

He had been frozen on the stairs for a while, watching them threaten the man, but he couldn’t bring himself to stand there and let the poor guy get the shit kicked out of him. His heart hammered in his chest as he tried to keep his voice steady and fumbled through his jacket for the pepper spray.

“You guys need to go,” he said, trying to keep his voice from stuttering. “You really need to leave him alone or—”

One of the bullies stepped forward and grabbed Mydei by the lapels of his jacket, effortlessly yanking him off the stairs and slamming him hard against the wall. The impact knocked the air out of his lungs. Gasping, Mydei used the moment to swing a punch at the man’s stomach.

The man staggered back a little, but another rushed him. Mydei ducked just in time as the man’s fist, now morphed into sharp claws, tore through the wall beside him. His heart pounded hard when he realized he had almost been beheaded.

As the clawed man tried to pull his hand free, Mydei darted aside, only to be grabbed by another. Acting on instinct, he kicked the man square in the stomach and sent him crashing back into the wall behind him.

The third one came next, his fist crackling with lightning as he swung at Mydei. There was no time to think about fighting back, so Mydei raised his pepper spray and blasted him right in the face.

“Oh, you fucking bitch! Fuck!” the man screamed, stumbling back with a hand pressed over his eyes.

The clawed man stalked toward Mydei. “Hey! What the fuck is your problem, asshole? You want to die?”

“Nope!” Mydei shouted, raising the pepper spray. But before he could fire, another man with rock-like fists smacked it out of his hand and punched him in the face. The blow split his lip, and he could taste blood. His head spun, the world tilting as he hit the floor.

Through blurry vision, he saw the three men laughing above him. Their voices echoed around him, mixing with the loud ringing that filled his ears.

And in those fading moments, he thought maybe this was it.

Maybe this was how his life ended.

In what felt like the final moments of his life, he thought of his mother and felt a strange calm settle over him. She would be proud of him, Mydei told himself. If he met her again in heaven, he would tell her what happened, that he died trying to help someone, and she would smile at him the way she always did.

So he closed his eyes and waited for the impact.

“Leave him alone,” the naked man said. His voice was low, his eyes narrowed as he grabbed one of the bullies by the shoulder. Smoke rose from his hand, and a moment later the man’s shirt burst into flames.

“What the fuck?!” the man screamed, slapping at his arm in panic before bolting for the exit, still howling.

“You fucking freak!” another shouted, rushing toward him, only to suddenly catch fire himself. Flames raced up his body as he screamed, “What the hell is wrong with you?!” and stumbled out the door.

The last man barely made a sound before the white-haired stranger flicked his fingers and his hair ignited. He let out a hysterical scream, flailing wildly as he ran after the others, his sobs echoing down the hallway.

Mydei couldn’t move, not even an inch. His whole body hurt with every breath. So he stayed where he was, listening to the men’s screams fade into the distance. From the sound of doors slamming and frantic footsteps, they had made it outside, and hopefully for good.

His heart pounded so hard it made his stomach twist. Blood oozed from his lips and cheek as he lay sprawled on the floor, his vision flickering in and out like a dying light.

The naked man began walking toward him, and from where Mydei was lying, he had a perfect view of the man’s crotch. He quickly shut his eyes, which somehow made it worse. Because what if he really was about to die, and the last thing he ever saw was another man’s dick?

So he opened his eyes again and found the man’s face right in front of him. The stranger was crouched beside him, looking a little worried, but his expression softened into a smile when Mydei met his gaze.

“Hi!” the naked man said cheerfully. “Thanks for helping me back there. My name’s Phainon. What’s yours?”

Mydei tried to speak even though it still hurt. “Mydei. My name is Mydei.”

“Hi, Mydei!” Phainon said brightly, giving him a little wave.

“Uh… hi,” Mydei replied, his voice still too weak. “Are you okay?”

“Aww how kind,” Phainon chuckled. “You’re lying there all bloodied up and still worrying about me? That’s really sweet. But don’t worry, I’m fine. I can heal myself.”

“Good,” Mydei muttered before coughing up a bit of blood, then let out a long, tired sigh.

“Hm? Shouldn’t you be healing yourself instead of just lying there?” Phainon asked, tilting his head. “I know everyone’s healing ability works a little differently… but you didn’t heal at all?”

Of course, people with powers could naturally heal themselves. That was part of being in the lucky ninety-eight percent. But Mydei wasn’t one of them so he didn’t even have that basic ability.

He sighed again, completely defeated, not even sure where he’d begin to explain his boring, ordinary life.

“I… can’t,” Mydei said weakly.

“Okay! Since you helped me, I’ll help you!” Phainon said, his voice bright with excitement. For some reason, the air around them seemed to grow a little warmer.

Mydei groaned, thinking that he hadn’t really helped at all. Phainon could clearly have handled those bullies on his own. He’d just been dumb enough to think he could do something. But before he could say anything else, his body suddenly lifted off the ground.

“What the—” he managed, before realizing Phainon was holding him in a bridal carry.

“Where do you live?” Phainon asked, already walking up the stairs.

Mydei thought about trying to make him stop, maybe convince him to let him down so he could walk on his own once he felt a little better. But one glance at Phainon’s face told him it would be pointless because the man looked determined to carry him all the way to his place.

“On the fifth floor,” Mydei mumbled.

Phainon gave him a nod, then started talking to him the whole way up, cheerfully rambling about how he had been strolling through the park before things got weird, then wandering around the area on patrol.

By the time they reached the fifth-floor corridor, Mydei was too tired to argue. But as they neared his apartment, the door across the hall suddenly opened. His neighbor stepped out holding a trash bin. She took one look at them and just stopped moving.

Her eyes widened at the sight of Mydei being carried bridal-style by a completely naked man.

“Hi!” Phainon greeted her brightly.

“Wait—I can explain…” Mydei started, but his neighbor slowly, silently backed into her apartment and closed the door.

Mortified, Mydei started flailing in Phainon’s arms. “Let me down! I’m fine now!”

Phainon finally set him on his feet, still keeping a hand near his shoulder just in case he collapsed again. Mydei managed to stand, though his head was still spinning.

“Where the heck are your clothes, anyway?” Mydei asked, squinting at him.

“That is a very good question!” Phainon said brightly. “I really did lose them.” His smile returned, though this time it was a little awkward. “So I have this thing where if I get too excited, there’s a small chance I might, you know, go up in flames. And there was this dog in the park, a really cute dog, like soo adorable, and I kind of crouched down and started cooing at her like aww look at you, you’re such a perfect little thing, and then my clothes burned.” 

Mydei looked at the man, wondering if he was actually naive or just plain dumb. He stared at him for a moment, then sighed as he took off his jacket and handed it over. “Uhm… just cover your lower half for now.”

Phainon took the jacket and tied it around his waist, the sleeves hanging just enough to cover him. Then he laughed brightly. “I swear I’m not some weirdo. I’m even in the Hero League, you know! I’ve been on TV a lot! you must’ve heard of my hero alias by now.”

The truth was, Mydei didn’t even watch TV. The programs always talked about powers, this superpower, that hero, those villains, and if he was honest with himself, it made him a little jealous. So he just stopped watching altogether.

But Phainon wasn’t ready to give up. He leaned closer, still grinning. “Hm? Hm? You know me, right? I’m kind of famous, you know.”

He cupped his hands under his chin, striking a little flower pose and giving Mydei wide, puppy-like eyes as he waited for him to guess his hero name.

Mydei studied him for a moment, trying to think of any superhero who could match a naked guy with fire powers. Maybe Nakedman? Fireman? Naked-Fireman?

“You are… Assman?” Mydei guessed flatly.

Phainon suddenly burst out laughing, clutching his stomach as he bent forward.

Mydei stared at him, completely unamused.

“That… that’s hilarious,” Phainon managed between laughs.

Mydei sighed at the too-happy-go-lucky man and backed up a little, not wanting to stand too close in case the guy suddenly went up in flames again from laughing that hard.

Phainon wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, still grinning. “Alright, alright, I’ll tell you before you come up with anything worse.”

He straightened up proudly, puffing out his chest a little. “My hero name is Flame reaver! Cool, right? I usually wear my non-flammable cloak when I’m working, but, well, I didn’t have it this time. I was on break anyway, and who mixes work with break time, right?”

Mydei stared at him for a long moment. “You… burned your clothes because of a dog. While on break.”

Phainon nodded, almost proud of it. “Yeah. I usually set myself on fire for work, you know, on purpose. But it’s been a while since I actually took a break and… I guess the habit kind of slipped.” 

Mydei cringed so hard he accidentally biting his cracked lip. The sting made him wince, and the ache in his bruised cheek reminded him he should probably clean up before it got infected. He turned away, fishing his keys from his jeans and unlocking his door.

As he stepped inside, Phainon tried to follow, but Mydei quickly pressed a hand to his chest. “No. You wait outside.”

“But whyyy?” Phainon whined, looking at him like some kicked puppy who had no idea what he’d done wrong.

Mydei sighed. With everything that had already happened today, he probably shouldn’t be bringing a man who could spontaneously burst into flames into his apartment. 

“Because you’re still naked, and you could set yourself on fire again. That’s why.”

Phainon looked down at himself, at the jacket tied loosely around his waist. “What do you mean? I’m decent!”

Mydei stared at him, completely done with everything that had happened in the last hour. “You call that decent?”

Phainon nodded with confidence. “Of course! Look, nothing’s showing.” He gestured proudly at the jacket, which barely held together at his hips.

Mydei pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered under his breath, “Unbelievable…” He knew arguing would only drain what little energy he had left.

“Fine,” he said at last, pushing the door open wider. “Just come in before someone else sees you. I’ve had enough humiliation for one day.”

Phainon beamed as he leaned in a little closer while stepping into the apartment. “Thanks, Mydei! You’re really kind!”

Mydei groaned, already imagining the consequences of his decision to bring a stranger who could literally combust into flames into his home.

This was a terrible idea.

This was stupid.

He didn’t even know why he was agreeing to let him inside. Maybe it was the way he looked at him, those big blue eyes so gentle they made Mydei soften without realizing it.

Mydei walked over to the couch and started to lie down when he suddenly felt something wet and warm running from his nose.

“Mydei! Your nose is bleeding!” Phainon yelped, his voice full of panic.

Mydei’s eyes widened. He scrambled to his feet, and the sudden movement made his head throb. He tilted his head back, trying to stop the blood, even though he knew he was supposed to lean forward so he wouldn’t swallow it and choke. Right now, though, he was more worried about dripping all over his shirt.

“Where are the tissues? A towel? Something?” Phainon rushed around the apartment, looking in random places.

“Kitchen,” Mydei muttered, pointing weakly.

Phainon ran off and came back a moment later with a dish towel, sitting down beside him. “Are you okay?”

“I’m great,” Mydei said dryly, tilting his head just enough to see the towel before grabbing it and pressing it against his nose.

Without warning, Phainon’s hand landed on his shoulder. Mydei yelped as his head was gently guided down until it rested on Phainon’s bare thighs.

“Wait—” Mydei tried to sit up, only for Phainon to press him back down.

“Just stay put, alright? You need to lie down,” Phainon said, his voice laced with worry.

Mydei wanted to argue, to insist he was fine, but the warmth under his head and the warmth around him from Phainon’s body made the words slip away. His head still throbbed and his nose still stung, yet the touch was unexpectedly comforting, soft enough that it felt like Phainon was trying not to make anything worse.

Phainon brushed a few strands of hair from Mydei’s forehead. “You really shouldn’t move around so much,” he murmured. “You’re all bruised up.”

Mydei didn’t answer him and stayed where he was. He could feel his face heat up, though he blamed it on the feverish ache settling through his body from the bruises.

Phainon smiled faintly. “See? This isn’t so bad. Just rest a little. I’ll watch over you.”

From where he lay, Mydei could see Phainon’s face more clearly, from the curve of his smile to the softness in his features. He was actually handsome, with an easy warmth that seemed to radiate from him. For the first time, Mydei understood why people looked at him and thought of a hero. Even his eyes seemed to hold their own light.

For a while, he stayed on Phainon’s lap as the man gently brushed his hair back. The air between them felt a little warmer than before. He frowned, wondering if it was really alright for the heat to keep rising like that. He knew a body could feel warm when it was sick, but this felt different. It felt almost too warm.

“Uhm…” Phainon said suddenly, turning his head away. “I don’t know why, but I really have the urge to kiss you.”

Mydei blinked at him, convinced he must have misheard. “What?”

Phainon looked even more flustered, his voice dropping to a nervous mumble. “I mean… I thought you were really cool back there when you helped me. Then I realized you’re actually really pretty too, and also so kind. And now that we’re this close, my heart’s thumping like crazy, and I feel like I want to smother you with kisses.”

Mydei sighed and closed his eyes. Everything that had happened so far today felt like a fever dream because none of it seemed real. But when he opened his eyes again and saw Phainon’s flustered face, something in his chest softened. He really did look cute, like an overly excited puppy waiting for its owner to ask if he was allowed to go for a walk.

Mydei couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle at the thought.

“Don’t—don’t laugh,” Phainon stammered. His face turned an even deeper shade of red, and as his embarrassment grew, Mydei noticed his hair beginning to shift in color, fading toward a faint yellow. The air around them changed as well, the warmth climbing into something dangerously hot.

Mydei realized with growing horror that this had to mean Phainon was about to go up in flames. He quickly lifted his hand and pinched Phainon’s cheek, forcing him to look at him.

“Hey! Control yourself! I don’t want my house catching fire!”

Phainon’s face scrunched up at the pinch. “Owiee that hurts!” He rubbed his cheek a few times, and the heat in the room eased as he tried to calm himself. His blue eyes drifted down toward Mydei’s face, the blush still glowing bright across his cheeks.

“Okay, I’m trying to control it,” he muttered quietly. Then, after a small pause, his voice lifted again, full of excitement. “But… can I?”

Mydei frowned at him, confused. “Can you what?”

Phainon swallowed hard, his fingers fidgeting gently in Mydei’s hair. “Kiss you.”

For a moment, Mydei didn’t know what to say. He’d only just met this strange man, had no idea why everything was happening so quickly, and part of him almost told him no. But watching him now, flustered and bright red right up to the tips of his ears, he looked genuinely adorable. It felt almost ridiculous that Mydei couldn’t bring himself to turn him down.

“Sure,” he said simply.

Phainon froze for a heartbeat, like his brain had short-circuited. His eyes widened, then slowly softened, a nervous smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“R-really?” His voice trembled just a little.

Mydei gave the smallest nod. “Yeah. Just… don’t get too excited.”

Phainon let out a small laugh as he leaned down, slowly closing the space between them. Mydei felt the warmth of him first, then the light brush of Phainon’s hair against his forehead. A hand slid behind his head, lifting gently, guiding him into the kiss.

Their mouths met in a small, tentative press of lips, like they were testing whether it was alright to go any further. For a moment, Mydei forgot the ache in his head and the sting in his face. After a few soft, wandering kisses, Phainon pulled back and held Mydei’s gaze, biting lightly at his lower lip.

A slight blush rose on Phainon’s cheeks, and it gave Mydei more satisfaction than it probably should. So he reached up, grabbed Phainon by the head, and pulled him in again, deepening the kiss.

Phainon let out a small, surprised sound against his mouth, then simply melted into the kiss, letting Mydei guide the pace. When Mydei parted his lips in permission, Phainon followed without hesitation. Their tongues brushed, then met fully, twisting and pushing in a slow, eager clash that made Phainon gasp into him. He grabbed onto Mydei’s shirt, fingers curling tight as a soft hum escaped him between their kisses.

When they finally broke apart, their foreheads rested together, breaths mingling in the small space between them.

“How do you feel so good?” Phainon whispered, and Mydei could feel the faint vibration of his voice against his skin.

“You feel good too,” Mydei told him.

Phainon shifted a little, his fingers brushing Mydei’s jaw. “Can I tell you something?”

Mydei glanced at him. “What is it?”

Phainon’s blush deepened, his smile turning shy. “I really loved kissing you earlier.” He giggled softly, almost like he couldn’t hold back the happiness bubbling inside him.

“I’m glad,” Mydei said with a sigh, feeling a little embarrassed now.

“And I want to do more,” Phainon added.

Mydei frowned, the words catching him off guard. How could he say something like that so easily? Did he talk this way to others? Was this something he did often? Mydei barely knew him. Maybe he should have thought about that before kissing him in the first place. 

He couldn’t understand how Phainon leapt forward so quickly, as if it were love at first sight, as if Mydei was meant to feel the same without question. Even if that spark were real, shouldn’t they at least try to understand each other before anything went further?

Mydei wasn’t the type for one-night stands. Maybe he could be, with someone like Phainon… but the thought felt wrong. It made him strangely sad to imagine Phainon as nothing more than a hookup. The man seemed too good, too genuine. Mydei didn’t want to tarnish that image or turn something soft into something meaningless. And if they did… would they even be able to stay friends afterward?

His head throbbed harder, and he didn’t give an answer. He just stared at Phainon, unsure of everything except how suddenly exhausted he felt.

Maybe it was the awkward silence between them, because Phainon swallowed and looked away. “Well… I think that’s too quick.”

“Huh? Really? I thought that’s how you handled your one night stands,” Mydei scoffed.

“W-what? I’ve never done anything like that before,” Phainon stammered, as if the idea was outrageous.

Mydei narrowed his eyes. “Seriously? You look like someone who has hookups lined up everywhere.”

“Mydei… you were the first man I ever fell for. I was too busy with work to even think about hookups.” Phainon looked back at him with a wounded expression, his voice slipping into a soft whine.

For a moment, Mydei wondered if this man was actually some kind of dog shifter, because everything about him kept reminding Mydei of a puppy.

Seeing that pained face, Mydei lifted his hand and rested it on Phainon’s head, giving him a gentle pat. “There, there. Good boy.”

That only made Phainon whine louder. “Mydeiii I’m not a dog.”

Even so, he didn’t push Mydei’s hand away. If anything, he leaned into the touch, and Mydei wondered for a second if he actually enjoyed being patted. After giving his hair a small ruffle, Mydei spoke quietly.

“It’s not that I don’t want to do more with you. I just think we moved too fast, and there are too many villains out there for me to take things lightly. I didn’t even know you before this, even if you did say you were part of the hero league. So maybe we get to know each other first?”

“Of course! It’s a date then, Mydei!” Phainon said, instantly brightening.

After getting Phainon his clothes, they ended up walking together toward Mydei’s workplace. Earlier, while Mydei was lying on Phainon’s lap trying to ease the pain in his head, he finally remembered where he had been heading before running into him in the first place. 

The moment he tried to stand, Phainon panicked and told him not to move yet. Mydei insisted he was fine and went to fetch the clothes anyway. Once he handed them over and watched Phainon get dressed, he told him he needed to get to work, now that the headache had eased.

That was all it took for Phainon to fall into step beside him, sticking close as they made their way down the street. They walked quietly, taking in the outside air, but Mydei couldn’t ignore the way people kept staring every time someone passed them.

People kept looking at Phainon’s face, then whispering to each other. Some even took photos in secret. A few gasped and squeaked out, “Omg omg no way guys, is that Phainon? The SSS class hero? No way, it has to be him.”

Once one girl said it, the crowd around them grew louder.

A few people walked by and told him how handsome he was, and Phainon answered each one with a polite thank you. Then more people rushed in asking for pictures, and the sudden crowd pressing around them pushed Mydei a step back. He waited there while Phainon took selfies and greeted everyone.

Mydei watched the whole thing, noticing how even in the simple purple hoodie and jeans he had lent him, Phainon still looked unfairly handsome. Add the fact that he was a top hero and the admiration around him made even more sense.

Something tightened in Mydei’s chest at the sight. How was someone like him supposed to stand beside someone that bright? 

He let out a quiet sigh, annoyed at himself for even thinking that deeply about it. Phainon was kind, sure, but maybe he was that kind with everyone. And of course people would crowd him. He was a hero. Attention was always meant to follow him everywhere.

So why did it bother Mydei that Phainon wasn’t giving that attention to him? 

If he knew that Mydei didn’t even have any powers… would he still want to date a nobody like him?

Mydei glanced at him again, and Phainon was already looking back, his eyes softened with a sad, apologetic expression. He mouthed a quiet sorry, then lifted one finger and shaped the words, “one more, wait a bit.”

Mydei rolled his eyes, thinking he should probably just leave him there, but after Phainon gave one last high-five to a fan, he finally excused himself from the crowd.

The crowd groaned in disappointment, asking why he was leaving and where he was going. Phainon ignored it all and walked straight to Mydei.

“Let’s go,” he said.

The murmurs behind them shifted fast, and every question suddenly turned toward him.

“Who’s that with him?”

“Is he a hero too? or a villain?”

“What kind of question is that? Of course Phainon would have hero friends.”

“I’ve never seen him before, what class is he?”

“Which division is he from?”

“Is he in SSS-class too? I don’t recognize him.”

“I searched his face just now and found nothing… is he really a hero?”

“Maybe he’s new?”

Each question they threw hit Mydei like stones. Every one of them struck against his skin, hurting more than he wanted to admit. He stiffened, turned his head away, and began walking without waiting for Phainon to catch up.

Phainon broke into a quick run to catch up, trying to match Mydei’s pace. Confusion flickered across his face as he closed the distance, and he reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against Mydei’s arm.

“Mydei? Are you okay?”

Mydei shrugged his hand off and kept walking. “I’m fine,” he grumbled.

His voice came out more annoyed than he intended and he didn’t trust himself to look at Phainon. Not with the sting of those questions still clinging to him like dirt he couldn’t shake off.

Phainon stepped closer anyway, trying to catch his face. “Did something happen?”

“No,” Mydei muttered. “Nothing.”

But Phainon wasn’t stupid. Mydei could feel him studying him, trying to read the parts he refused to show. Phainon tried again, his voice softer this time. “Hm, really? But why—”

Before he could finish, Mydei cut him off. “I’m already late, Phainon. Stop asking.”

Phainon’s shoulders sank. He gave a small, sad “okay,” and stayed quiet for the rest of their walk.

When they finally reached the front of the library where Mydei worked, they stopped together at the doors. Before Mydei could say anything, Phainon gently took his hand, leaned in, and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. His smile lit up instantly.

“I’ll get you after work later, Mydei!” he said, already stepping back and heading toward the other side of the road.

Mydei gave him a small nod, then pushed open the library doors and walked inside.

Inside, the quiet of the library wrapped around him, easing the tension in his chest. The calm stood in complete contrast to what had just happened outside. The familiar scent of paper and old books finally helped settle his nerves.

He slipped behind the counter, set his bag down, and sighed. His cheek still felt warm from Phainon’s kiss, and the memories from his apartment earlier kept replaying no matter how hard he tried to focus on work.

And then there was the promise of their date later.

But after seeing how chaotic things became the moment Phainon stepped into a crowd, Mydei couldn’t stop thinking that maybe he should cancel.

He pulled out his phone and opened Phainon’s contact, the one he had given him earlier. He stared at the empty message box, the cursor blinking, and his thumb hovered over the keyboard without moving.

Mydei sat there lost in his thoughts, trying to figure out what to type to cancel their date. Every time he imagined sending it, another thought shoved its way in. Maybe Phainon would still come find him if he canceled. Or maybe he wouldn’t. Maybe he would simply move on. The thoughts kept tumbling over each other, and he still hadn’t typed a single word.

Then a message popped up.

Phainon: I’m waiting ૮₍˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶₎ა

Mydei: What?

Phainon: I saw your typing bubble show up like you were trying to say something, so I’m waiting to hear what it is  (^ .‿. ^)

He typed out, “I think we should just cancel our date,” then stared at the words. His teeth pressed into his lower lip in uncertainty, and he deleted it.

He tried again. “I don’t feel so good. I think my headache came back. Maybe we should cancel.”

He deleted that too.

Suddenly another message from Phainon popped up.

Phainon: do you miss me already? ꒰ᐢ. ̫ .ᐢ꒱

Mydei couldn’t help the small chuckle that slipped out. His fingers moved on their own as he typed back.

Mydei: maybe

A second later, Phainon replied, and the smile tugging at Mydei’s lips only grew bigger.

Phainon: awww how sweet. i’ll see you later, Mydei ₍ᐢ._.ᐢ₎♡ 

Mydei set his phone down on the counter, but the smile stayed on his face longer than he expected. It felt ridiculous, really. One cute message from that man and suddenly he felt lighter, almost stupidly better, and a small part of him even wished the day would move faster.

He took a slow breath and tried to focus on work. For a while he managed to sort through the stack of books beside him, slipping back into his usual routine. But every few minutes his eyes drifted toward his phone again, half expecting another message to appear.

Hours eventually passed with no new texts from Phainon, and Mydei found himself closing up the library for the night. He moved through the familiar steps, stacking books, turning off lights, and locking sections one by one. As he headed toward the front door to shut it, footsteps approached from outside.

“We’re closed,” he said automatically, not even glancing up.

“I’m here to pick up my date,” a voice answered with an amused chuckle.

Mydei looked up and saw Phainon smiling at him. He was wearing different clothes from the ones Mydei had lent him, and he somehow looked even nicer now. A white button-up with a few buttons undone, just enough to show the toned line of his chest, and a dark-colored jacket that suited him almost too well.

“You look nice,” Mydei mumbled, then narrowed his eyes at him. “Don’t forget to give my clothes back. I like my hoodie.”

He said it as a joke, and Phainon burst into a laugh.

“Aww I was getting attached to the hoodie too. It’s my favorite color, so you might not see it for a long time.” He replied, then wandered into the library.

“I was closing up for the night. I was about to lock the door and meet you outside,” Mydei said as he followed Phainon, who was already looking around the shelves with interest.

Phainon hummed softly and drifted toward one of the aisles. He pulled out a book with an excited look. “Oh, I like this series. It’s been so long since I read the continuation. I think I might start coming here during my break to keep reading it… and of course to woo the sexy librarian here too.” He turned toward Mydei and gave him a wink.

Mydei rolled his eyes at him. “You can’t flirt with a librarian while they’re working. Actually you’re not allowed to flirt at all.” He glanced at Phainon’s outfit and sighed. “Anyway, I feel underdressed now that you’re suddenly wearing something all fancy. Should we go back to my apartment first so I can change, or is the place we’re going not some fancy spot?”

Phainon’s smile softened. “Oh, it’s okay. I swear you look good in anything.” He laughed after that. “And I didn’t even plan to change, honestly. But I ran into a friend of mine. Miss Aglaea. She’s a fashion designer, and when I told her I was going on a date, she dragged me off right away and made me change.”

When Mydei heard the name, he wasn’t even surprised that Phainon was friends with the most famous fashion designer in the city. And just like that, the familiar knot of anxiety pulled tight in his chest again.

He swallowed, trying not to let it show. Of course someone like Phainon would have connections like that. Top-class heroes were always close to the spotlight. They met celebrities, worked with big brands, and crossed paths with people Mydei only ever saw on magazine covers left on the library table.

Meanwhile he was… him.

“Miss Aglaea?” Mydei repeated quietly. “The Miss Aglaea?”

Phainon nodded with an easy grin. “Yeah. She looked annoyed when I showed up wearing the clothes from earlier.” He shook his head, amused. “She said, ‘You’re going on a date dressed like that?’ and dragged me inside before I could explain.”

His smile grew. “She’s actually really nice, though. Once she heard the word ‘date,’ she suddenly cared a lot about what my date would think.” He tugged lightly at his jacket. “She said this one suits me because it’d make my eyes look brighter.”

Mydei rolled his eyes, but the heat rising in his cheeks betrayed him. “That really does compliment your eyes.”

“Thank you!” Phainon said brightly. He stepped closer, tilting his head a little as he watched Mydei’s expression. “But I still prefer your hoodie. I’ll wear it for our next date, okay?”

Mydei looked away, trying to hide the way his chest suddenly felt warm and fluttery. “Okay,” he said quietly.

Phainon leaned in and pressed a small kiss to his cheek before offering his hand. “Ready to go?” he asked softly.

Mydei reached out and slipped his hand into Phainon’s. “Yeah,” he murmured. “I’m ready.”

How in the world did he ever think Phainon wouldn’t take them somewhere fancy for a date? 

Mydei should have known by now. After everything today, after hearing over and over that Phainon was a top-class hero, why did he expect anything else? Of course the place would be fancy. Of course it would be far above anything he was used to.

But still… he couldn’t believe his eyes that a restaurant like this even existed. How was a chandelier that big supposed to fit inside a building? It looked like it belonged in a royal palace, not hanging over people eating their food.

And when he glanced at the tables where some guests were already seated, he gaped.

Were those… golden spoons?

Actual golden spoons?

Mydei stood frozen for a moment, taking in the velvet seats, the polished marble floors, and the waiters who looked like they stepped straight out of a magazine cover.

This wasn’t just fancy.

This was downright intimidating.

He swallowed hard. “Phainon… are you sure we’re allowed in here?”

Phainon, who had already stepped beside him, looked confused. “Why wouldn’t we be?”

“Because,” Mydei whispered harshly, “if I felt underdressed before, this makes me feel six feet under.”

Phainon simply laughed. “Believe me, it’s not that bad.”

Mydei stared at the chandelier again. “It’s definitely that bad.”

Before his brain could spiral further, Phainon placed a gentle hand on his back and leaned in a little. “I promise it’s okay. Really. This is one of the few places where heroes can relax after missions. They respect privacy, and they usually keep things calm.”

Mydei wasn’t convinced.

Especially not when he caught someone whispering at a nearby table.

“That’s Phainon, right?”

“Oh my god, it is—look, look.”

“Who’s he with?”

“Is that his partner?”

His stomach dropped. The whisper slipped under his skin like ice, stiffening his whole body. Mydei stared straight ahead, pretending he hadn’t heard anything, but his hands were already shaking. His fingers curled into his palms, nails digging into his skin as if that alone could anchor him.

Phainon noticed immediately. Mydei had gone quiet all at once, and worry flickered across Phainon’s face. “Mydei? Are you okay?”

Mydei forced a nod. “Yeah.”

But the lie barely left his mouth before another whisper floated from a different table.

“I’ve never seen him before. Maybe he’s a new hero?”

“No idea. He looks… normal.”

“Why would Phainon bring someone like that here?”

Mydei exhaled slowly. He reached out and grabbed Phainon’s hand, pulling him forward toward the waiter who approached and told them their table was ready.

He didn’t know if he was dragging Phainon out of panic or just trying to get the whispering behind them as fast as possible. Either way, he kept moving, pretending the words hadn’t bruised something deep inside him.

It was fine, he told himself. It was just one date. There would be no more after this. He should have known better. They were from completely different worlds. How did he even let himself think he could stand beside someone like Phainon on equal footing?

They followed the waiter deeper into the restaurant, into a quieter section with fewer people but even fancier details. Mydei kept his eyes straight ahead the whole time, refusing to look left or right, afraid he’d catch another stare or hear another whisper meant to hurt him.

The table they were led to sat near a window overlooking the city lights. It should have felt romantic. Beautiful. Something out of a dream.

Instead, Mydei felt like he was sitting in a place he wasn’t supposed to touch.

The waiter pulled out his chair. Mydei murmured a quiet thank you and sat down. Phainon took the seat across from him with a bright, warm smile.

Mydei tried to focus on their date. On Phainon. On the beautiful view outside the window. On the soft glow of the candles and the elegance of the room.

Anything except the tight, swirling ball of anxiety in his chest that made him feel sick.

Phainon leaned forward slightly. “Mydei, if this place is too much, we can—”

“I’m fine,” Mydei cut in softly.

Phainon watched him for a moment, concern gathering between his brows. But he didn’t push him after that. He simply offered a gentle smile, hoping it would ease something inside him.

Mydei lowered his gaze to the tablecloth as his thoughts kept growing louder, drowning out everything else in the restaurant.

He’ll forget about you after this.

You don’t fit here. You don’t fit with him.

You never did.

A soft clatter from a nearby table made him flinch, and Phainon’s hand reached across the table toward him.

“Mydei…” Phainon said quietly, “you don’t have to pretend for me.”

Mydei swallowed and forced a smile that barely lifted his lips. “I’m not pretending. I’m just… tired.”

Phainon’s eyes softened, but something in them dimmed, even if only for a moment. Then he pushed his chair back and stood, gently taking Mydei’s hand and urging him to stand too.

“I think I know a better place,” he said.

So Mydei followed him, letting Phainon lead him out of the restaurant and into the night. They walked to Phainon’s car, and before he knew it, they were driving out of town. They stopped once to pick up some takeout, then Phainon kept going, following a road that grew quieter the farther they went.

Mydei didn’t notice where they were headed. He barely registered how far they had gone. His attention was fixed on Phainon singing as loudly as he could to whatever played on the radio.

And somehow, Mydei found himself relaxing in the passenger seat.

The view of the road, the soft vibration of the car, and Phainon’s terrible-but-enthusiastic singing blended together like some strange spell. The tight knot that had been sitting in Mydei’s chest all night slowly began to loosen.

At some point, Phainon glanced his way between verses, a grin stretching across his face. “You like my singing? You think I’m perfect to be a singer too? Aww you’re smiling,” he said, half singing, half laughing.

Mydei quickly looked out the window. “No, I’m not.”

“You are,” Phainon insisted. “Very cute, by the way.”

Mydei’s ears warmed. “There’s no word for cute in my dictionary. Focus on the road.”

Phainon laughed again and went right back to singing, tapping the steering wheel in rhythm.

Minutes drifted by like that, the road stretching quietly ahead. The scenery outside shifted from the bright glow of the city to the softer darkness of open fields and distant trees.

Eventually, the car began to slow as they approached a cliffside area.

Mydei sat up straighter when Phainon turned onto a small, hidden path tucked beneath the trees. There were no streetlights here, only the faint silver glow of the moon and stars guiding their way forward.

“Where are we…?” Mydei asked softly.

Phainon smiled at him. “Somewhere better.”

When the car came to a stop, Phainon stepped out first. He walked around to the passenger side and opened Mydei’s door for him with a gentle, “Come on.”

Phainon guided Mydei forward, letting him walk ahead. The moment Mydei stepped past the tree line, the sight in front of him made him stop.

The cliff overlooked the entire city, lights stretching out like scattered jewels. And when he lifted his gaze, the night sky opened above him, filled with countless twinkling stars.

Behind him, he heard Phainon’s footsteps and the soft crinkle of the takeout bags.

“Beautiful, right?” Phainon said as he climbed up to sit on the hood of the car, setting the takeout beside him.

Mydei turned toward him, and Phainon patted the empty space next to him, signaling for Mydei to sit with him.

He walked toward Phainon and frowned. “You sure it won’t bend under our weight?”

Phainon chuckled. “No, I swear it’s sturdier than it looks.”

“Well, sure… if you say so,” Mydei muttered before sitting beside him. Phainon handed him one of the takeout boxes, and Mydei took it quietly.

They ate together under the stars, the city lights glowing far below. Between bites, Phainon began telling his story.

He told Mydei he grew up in a small village, and every night he would walk out to the wheat fields near his home just to look up at the sky. When he moved to the city, he missed that feeling of open night air, the wide horizon, the stars twinkling above him.

“So I tried looking at the sky from a few rooftops,” Phainon said with a laugh. “But it still never felt the same.”

He tapped his chopsticks against the takeout box, thinking. “Then one day, during a fight with a villain, I got thrown up into the air and crashed right over there.” He pointed toward a tree at the edge of the cliff. “Hit my back on that tree.”

Mydei mumbled, “That sounds painful.”

“It was,” Phainon admitted with a grin. “I lay on the ground for a while just to heal. And when I looked up, the sky here was clearer than anything I’d ever seen from any rooftop in the city.”

He leaned back on his hands, gazing upward as if reliving the moment. “After that, I kept coming back whenever I needed to breathe.”

Mydei looked down at his lap, wondering if he should tell Phainon something about himself. But what if Phainon got disappointed? What if the truth ruined this peaceful moment?

So he kept quiet and lifted his gaze to the stars instead. He had to admit the sky looked brighter here. The stars felt closer too, like the hill pushed him a little nearer to them. Close enough that he almost believed he could touch one.

He raised his hand toward the sky, fingers brushing the empty air.

Suddenly Phainon’s face appeared right in front of him, close enough that Mydei jerked back slightly.

“Are you trying to catch the stars?” Phainon asked, grinning.

Mydei was startled at that. “How did you…? You were sitting beside me.”

He lowered his hand and glanced down, expecting Phainon to be standing safely on the edge of the cliff.

Instead, Phainon was standing in the air as if it were solid ground beneath his feet.

Mydei’s breath hitched. “How… are you floating?”

“Hmm? I can fly,” Phainon said cheerfully as he lifted himself higher and circled around Mydei.

Of course he could.

A man with fire abilities, a top-class hero, and now he could fly.

How much cooler was he going to get?

Mydei rolled his eyes. “I can’t believe you keep showing off your powers throughout this date.”

Phainon twirled in the air like an overexcited bird. “Of course I have to show off. I need my cooler lover to know I’m cool too.”

There were too many things Mydei wanted to argue about from that one sentence alone. Lover? When did that happen?

But the question that slipped out instead was, “How do you think someone with no power at all… someone like me… is cool?”

Instead of looking disappointed, Phainon just chuckled softly. “Because you’re you, and I love you, Mydei. You’re cool because you jumped straight in to help me even when you knew you couldn’t win against those three with powers. And your fighting was cool too. Everything you do, all the ways you try so hard… that’s cool.”

Mydei scoffed, feeling his cheeks grow warmer. “Don’t treat me like a kid.”

Phainon suddenly scooped him up, lifting him in a full bridal carry as they drifted off the ground and began to fly above the city. “So how is it, Mydei? I can show you the world. Now tell me, princess, when did you last let your heart decide?”

Mydei pinched his cheek at the sheer corniness. “Put me down. And don’t call me princess.”

Phainon only laughed, the sound echoing lightly in the open sky. “Taking you wonder by wonder,” he teased, holding Mydei a little closer as the wind brushed past them.

“By your magic feet?” Mydei muttered, which only made Phainon laugh harder. Mydei instantly tightened his grip on his shirt. “If you drop me, I swear—”

“Don’t worry, I’ll catch you,” he said, as if that alone should convince him.

Below them, the city stretched out like a glowing map, every street and building lit beneath the night sky. Mydei had never seen the city like this before, and he had never been held this close either.

Phainon tilted his head, smiling down at him in that bright, open way that made Mydei’s stomach twist. “Beautiful, right?”

Mydei looked away, trying to hide the flutter in his chest. “It is beautiful… but my head is starting to spin.”

“Oh— I’m sorry. I’ll take us back,” Phainon said in a panic, immediately turning and flying toward the car.

And yes, Mydei was getting sick. He wasn’t used to altitude at all. He felt the takeout rising in his throat and clamped a hand over his mouth. Phainon practically scrambled, rushing to grab the water bottle and pressing it into Mydei’s hand with shaking fingers.

Then he gently guided Mydei into the backseat and sat beside him.

Mydei turned his head and saw the panic in Phainon’s eyes, which made him chuckle softly.

“Are you okay? I’m really sorry,” Phainon blurted, voice full of guilt. “I— I’m so stupid—”

Mydei reached up, grabbed his chin, and pressed a kiss to his mouth to shut him up. Then he rested his head on Phainon’s shoulder.

“It’s fine,” Mydei muttered. “I just didn’t expect we’d take flight on our first date. Next time, tell me first if you plan on flying me around the city.”

Phainon froze for a moment after the kiss, as if his entire brain had short-circuited. Then he slowly relaxed, his hand hovering for a second before looping gently around Mydei’s waist to hold him a little closer.

“O-okay,” he whispered. “Next time I’ll tell you.”

Mydei let his eyes close for a moment, breathing in the scent of Phainon’s jacket. He caught a faint smokiness there, probably from the way Phainon had panicked and let his power slip earlier. But being this close to him eased his headache better than anything else ever could.

Phainon’s hand rubbed lightly over his side. “Does your stomach still hurt?” he asked.

“A little,” Mydei admitted. “But not that bad.”

Phainon let out a breath he had been holding. “Good. I thought I ruined everything.”

Mydei snorted softly. “If you ruined everything, I’d already be running back home.”

Phainon’s cheeks flushed with a warmth Mydei could feel even in the dim light. His other arm came around from the front, and he pulled Mydei into a full embrace.

“Can I… hold you like this?” he asked softly.

Mydei didn’t bother answering. He simply shifted closer, resting fully against him and letting Phainon wrap him up as much as he liked.

Phainon exhaled in something that sounded like relief, his hold tightening just a little as he pressed soft kisses into Mydei’s hair.

After a while, wrapped in the quiet, Mydei finally spoke. “Phainon… I’m not kidding when I say I don’t have any power at all. Not like everyone else.”

Phainon didn’t even hesitate to answer him. “And I’m not kidding either when I say I love you as you are.”

“You jumped too fast at the word love,” Mydei chuckled.

“Hey, Mydei?” Phainon murmured.

“Hm?”

“I’m really happy you agreed to go on a date with me.”

Mydei tried to scoff, but it came out too soft to sound annoyed. “You’re way too sentimental.”

He turned and caught the way Phainon’s bright smile shifted into something a little shy, his bangs falling into his eyes. This time Mydei couldn’t stop himself. He reached out and brushed the hair away from Phainon’s face.

Phainon looked at him with that sweet gaze of his, staring deep into his soul with those blue eyes that made Mydei’s breath catch. They stayed there for a moment longer, suspended in the quiet of the night. 

Then their mouths met.

Their kiss was sweet, the same warmth they shared that morning. Only now it wasn’t an experiment anymore. They felt certain, and they sank straight into it. Phainon brushed his tongue over Mydei’s bottom lip, and Mydei parted his mouth to let him in. Their tongues met in a slow, hungry clash, and neither of them held back.

“Mmph.” Mydei let the sound slip out as the kiss turned urgent. He threaded his fingers through Phainon’s white hair and cupped the back of his neck, suddenly needing him closer than ever. 

Phainon’s mouth moved with a mix of softness and hunger that drew Mydei in. He slipped his hands under Mydei’s jacket and pulled his T-shirt free from his jeans. Cool fingers traced the sensitive dip at the base of his spine, and Mydei shivered when those hands spread across his bare skin.

Their mouths moved in a frenzy. Phainon trailed his lips along Mydei’s jaw, kissing and licking his way up before catching his ear in a light nip. He dragged his tongue down the side of Mydei’s neck, slow enough to make him tremble. His other hand worked at Mydei’s jacket, pushing it open and tugging his T-shirt up over his head. Once he had bare skin in front of him, he licked and sucked his way across Mydei’s clavicle and down to his chest.

“Ungh… Phainon—” Mydei moaned when Phainon closed his mouth around one of his buds, sucking and teasing it with gentle bites. His hands slid down Mydei’s sides, rubbing along his skin before settling at his crotch. He cupped him lightly through his jeans, then tightened his hold, as if waiting to feel Mydei’s response.

“Too much?” Phainon murmured between small nips.

“Don’t you dare stop.” Mydei’s voice broke as he slid a hand into Phainon’s hair and gripped, urging him on. Phainon kept biting at his bud, and Mydei’s cock throbbed hard. Phainon’s palm pressed down on him, rubbing slowly along the heat building there and pulling a gasp from his throat. When he dragged his hand along the length of him, Mydei couldn’t stop himself from pushing forward, grinding into that touch.

Phainon let out a low, satisfied chuckle. “Eager,” he said.

“Very much,” Mydei replied, pressing in even closer.

Once Phainon had Mydei’s bud reddened and swollen, he eased him back onto the seat and climbed over him. His mouth hovered near Mydei’s face, brushing kisses along his cheek until he reached his earlobe. His teeth grazed it lightly before he drew it into his mouth and sucked gently.

Mydei moaned again, heat flooding through him until he felt like he might melt right there beneath him, nothing but want and need tangled in his breath.

He reached lower and found the hem of Phainon’s shirt, tugging it upward. He felt himself getting too eager, desperate for skin against skin, wanting nothing between them anymore. Phainon pulled back just enough to help him peel it off, and once the fabric hit the car floor, Mydei breathed in that warm, spiced-sweet scent of his cologne.

His eyes drifted over Phainon’s body for a moment before settling on the tattoo along his neck. He leaned up and pressed a slow kiss to it, savoring the heat of his skin.

“Tell me if you want to stop,” Phainon murmured, his hand dropping again to palm Mydei’s erection.

“I’m not going to want to stop this time,” Mydei murmured.

“Well, then,” he said, sliding his palm over his stomach before easing it under the waistband of his jeans.

Mydei let out a low groan when Phainon’s hand closed around his cock through the fabric, and when he gave that light squeeze, Mydei swore that if he hadn’t been on the seat, his knees would’ve given out right there.

In that moment, Mydei let him take over, let his cock be handled exactly how he wanted it. Phainon’s grip was firm, his fist closing around him with a slow, teasing squeeze.

Mydei pushed into that hand, hungry for more, then reached down and shoved his jeans and underwear off, needing them out of the way.

Phainon was stroking his cock now, and Mydei tried to wiggle into a better position, though the cramped seat made it nearly impossible. When he looked down, he caught the faint glint of precome gathering at the tip in the dim light.

His hands searched for Phainon too, and the moment he felt the outline of him through his pants, heat tore through him.

“Take yours out too,” he said.

Phainon’s eyes widened for a second before a slow smile curved his mouth.

“Telling me what to do, huh? Didn’t you already see it this morning?” he teased, tilting his head as he leaned in to kiss Mydei’s collarbone.

“Yes. I need you now.” he mumbled out

“You’ll have me.”

“I need your cock,” Mydei said, certain now, wanting him to hear it without hesitation. He needed Phainon to know exactly what he wanted.

Phainon shoved his pants and underwear aside, and when Mydei looked over, his cock was already free and hard, very hard. The size of him made Mydei’s breath catch.

“Holy hell,” he murmured. “You are…”

“I’m very turned on,” Phainon said, taking both of their erections in his hand and rubbing them together.

Mydei hissed at the sensation and grabbed onto Phainon’s shoulder, fingers digging in. “Unghh… ah, yes… tighter,” he moaned, his voice breaking with how good it felt.

Phainon tightened his grip, stroking them together in a slow rhythm that made Mydei’s hips jerk toward him. Their cocks slid against each other, slick with precome, the heat of it hitting him deep.

Mydei’s head fell back, breath catching as a hard wave of pleasure rolled up his spine. “Shit… Phainon…”

Phainon kissed along his throat, lips dragging over the sensitive skin. “You like that?”

Mydei nodded. “Yeah… keep going.”

“Mhm… let me make you feel even better,” Phainon murmured. His hand stilled, and before Mydei could protest, he watched him slip lower, settling between his legs. Phainon looked up at him with that hungry, bright-blue stare, and the sight alone nearly made Mydei lose it.

The anticipation tightened everything in him as Phainon dragged his fingers up the inside of his thighs, slow enough to make him twitch. Those fingers curved around to his ass, teasing along the sensitive skin, and Mydei let out a rough groan when they traced lightly over his balls. His cock jerked in response, wetness already gathering and dripping from the slit.

Phainon’s hand wrapped around the base of his cock, and Mydei let out a grunt, nearly folding in half at the jolt of pleasure that tore through him. He wasn’t ready for the way Phainon’s tongue circled the bead of pre-cum on his crown. The shock of it hit so hard that Mydei had to reach down and pinch the head of his cock just to keep himself from spilling right against Phainon’s mouth.

Phainon didn’t say a word as he watched him. He stayed perfectly still, giving Mydei a moment to calm himself. When Mydei finally cracked open one tightly clenched eyelid, he saw how hard Phainon was breathing. Those bright blue eyes glinted with lust, realizing exactly how deeply he was affecting him, how close he’d pushed him with barely a touch.

“That was the hottest thing I’ve ever watched,” he said between gasps. “Now… ready?”

Mydei shook his head, because the sudden drop into that husky tone alone had his balls pulling tight. There was no doubt in his mind he was about to embarrass himself.

“It’s okay to come, Mydei,” Phainon murmured. “I want it. Feed it to me.”

Phainon leaned forward and licked over his tip, tongue curling around Mydei’s fingers where they still held his cock. Then Phainon pushed those fingers back with his lips as he slowly took the head of Mydei’s cock into his mouth.

Mydei moaned loudly when Phainon sucked hard, almost painfully, ripping a small spurt of pre-cum from him. Phainon hummed around his cock, and the vibration shot up through his balls and into the small of his back, where the tingle of an orgasm was already starting to build.

Breathing slowly, he gripped the edge of the seat beneath him, white knuckling his control as Phainon sank onto his cock inch by inch. The head brushed the soft palate at the back of his throat and kept going. Phainon took him all the way down without gagging, and then he swallowed. His throat tightened around the tip, and Mydei swore his knees started to shake.

“Phainon… ngh… wait,” Mydei warned him, because he felt like he really couldn’t hold this off much longer.

Phainon pulled back, hollowing his cheeks and sucking up to the tip again. His mouth felt like a goddamned black hole, and the sight of him bobbing on his cock would have been enough to make him shoot even if he couldn’t feel every nerve in his body lighting up.

Mydei widened his legs to give him more space, and Phainon took it as an invitation to cup his balls. Mydei rocked his hips into the touch while Phainon spread the mixture of saliva and pre-cum dripping from his mouth along the sensitive skin behind his balls.

Mydei’s body tensed instinctively, and Phainon stopped. He pulled off his cock and looked up at him with clear, genuine concern.

“Is this okay? You can say no,” he assured him breathlessly.

With his heart pounding, Mydei widened his stance a little more and rolled his hips into Phainon’s fist. He wasn’t entirely sure what he was asking for, but he had a feeling whatever it was would be good, and he trusted him.

Mydei gave him a nod, and Phainon didn’t look away for a second as he slipped his middle finger into his mouth and rolled his tongue around it. Mydei watched with full attention, every nerve aware of exactly what that motion felt like on his cock.

Phainon took him into his mouth again, and with one hand on his ass he urged him to move. Mydei thrust tentatively at first, but the more Phainon moaned around him and pulled him deeper into his throat, the more he let himself go.

And he had to admit that Phainon made him feel so fucking good. Mydei did not even break his rhythm when he felt that finger rubbing against his hole. If anything, it pushed him to thrust harder. And Phainon took it.

Mydei looked down into those bright blue eyes, marveling at the sight of Phainon’s lips stretched around him as he took his cock deep. Tears streamed from the corners of Phainon’s eyes, and a few times he let out a sound that was half moan and half gag. The combination only drove Mydei wilder.

“Ngh… yes. It feels so good. How are you so good at this?” Mydei’s voice breaks, rambling through soft sounds and breathy moans.

When Phainon’s finger pushes into him, the pressure and that sudden stretch drag a gasp out of his throat.

“Mhhh, wait… Phainon,” he cries, the words trembling out of him.

Phainon’s finger presses against some magic spot inside him, and he completely loses it. He shouts Phainon’s name over and over as his cock pulses at the back of his throat.

And just like he said he would, Phainon takes it all, gulping him down while milking Mydei with that finger, his tight fist working the base of Mydei’s cock, and his mouth pulling every last pulse out of him with hard suction.

Mydei comes so hard his vision darkens at the edges. He tries to steady his breath, and Phainon releases his cock with a wet pop. His head is spinning, he swears it’s the most intense orgasm he’s ever had, but he still grabs Phainon’s head to pull him in, crashing their mouths together.

Their tongues meet, sliding against each other as Phainon feeds Mydei the taste of his own release. The salty trace of it only makes him hungrier, desperate to taste Phainon next.

His hard cock presses against Mydei’s stomach, still painfully stiff. Without breaking the kiss, Mydei reaches down and gives him a few slow pumps, and Phainon hisses against his mouth.

“Don’t tease me. You don’t know how badly I want to come just from tasting your cum,” he mutters.

Phainon moves his hips, grinding into his hand and rubbing against his limp cock, which makes a weak attempt to twitch back to life. Mydei meets him halfway, pushing in to feel that hard length against him. He groans into Phainon’s mouth and shifts against his thigh, breath catching with every slow grind between them.

Mydei has half a mind to keep rubbing him until he begs, but he’s too desperate to taste him, too desperate to give him the pleasure Phainon just pulled out of him.

“Mydei, I want you so fucking badly,” Phainon whispers against his lips.

“I want you too,” Mydei says, nipping at his lower lip. “So quit kissing me and stick your cock inside me.”

Phainon actually stops kissing him, pulling back just enough to give him a mock-shocked look. “Excuse me, my prince,” he says. “I can’t believe you can talk that dirty.”

Mydei rolls his eyes. “And you’re going to hear more if you don’t fuck me already, Phainon.”

Phainon just chuckles. “Yes, please. I love when you talk to me all filthy like that.”

“Then get your cock in me,” Mydei murmurs.

Phainon groans against his mouth, grips his hips, and sits up to grab a condom from his pants on the car floor. When he straightens again, he catches Mydei’s impatient look and gives his ass a quick smack, making him swear under his breath in pure annoyance.

“Seems like you’re ready,” he says, dragging his thumb over Mydei’s tight hole.

“Are you going to make me beg?” he challenges.

Even as Phainon pushes one finger past that tight rim, Mydei still feels… cared for. He doesn’t know how Phainon manages to look so loving and so lustful at the same time, but it’s driving him out of his mind.

“Fuck,” Mydei mutters when the second finger slides in. Phainon hums low, leaning down to kiss along his side while stretching him open gently until Mydei’s breathing stutters against the touch.

His heart is racing like a rabbit. His head keeps knocking against the car door behind him. Sure, the car has more space than most, but they’re still two hulking men trying to fit into it, and he can’t bring himself to care. All he wants is to get as close to the man in front of him as fast as he can.

The feeling of Phainon’s fingers suddenly disappears, and Mydei moans, hips lifting in protest.

He listens to every small sound as Phainon rolls the condom on.

“Oh, Gods,” he murmurs as the tip presses against him. He sinks into the seat, letting every part of his body loosen. “Please.”

“I’m going to go slow for you,” Phainon says gently.

“You better not.” Mydei breaks off into a moan as more of the tip pushes inside him.

“You’ll get more of me later, Mydei,” Phainon whispers. The promise alone makes Mydei’s cock throb, trapped between their bodies.

He was thick. And it hurt at first. Phainon eased his cock into him slowly, and Mydei breathed through the sting of the stretch, letting him fill him bit by bit. With every inch he pushed in, his hand smoothed over the small of Mydei’s back, calming him.

“So good,” Mydei breathes, voice breaking on the words.

“Mhm… look at you,” Phainon murmurs. “You’re about to take all of my cock.”

A minute later, Mydei feels the base of his cock press flush against him. A warm mix of pride and calm settles through his body as he adjusts to being filled so completely.

Phainon’s fingertips dig into the sides of his ass as he leans in and hums against his skin. “We should’ve done this the moment we met. Why the hell didn’t we do this sooner? You are so worth it.”

Phainon slowly starts to thrust, just a little, barely a movement at first, more a suggestion of his hips pushing forward than an actual rhythm.

“You’re worth it, too,” Mydei murmurs back. The pain eases, replaced by something warm and deep that spreads through him until it feels good, really good.

“You are so good to fuck, Mydei,” Phainon says in a ragged voice, and Mydei’s cock aches where it’s pinned between their bodies.

Mydei scoffs. “That’s the best compliment I’ve gotten from you all day,” he says.

Phainon chuckles, then thrusts deeper, and Mydei gives him an even louder moan.

Then his hand comes around to squeeze his cock, and Mydei falls apart all at once. The feeling of Phainon deep inside him while gripping his dick sends heat flooding through his whole body.

“Phainon, holy fuck,” he mutters, breath coming fast now.

Phainon doesn’t hold back. Hearing Mydei moan like that only pushes him further. His hips move in a harder rhythm, thrusting into him while his arm wraps tight around him, dragging him closer with every passing moment.

“You’re going to make me come again,” Mydei manages to say. He feels the wave already rushing in, pooling at the base of his cock before crashing through him.

“Going to come inside you,” Phainon mumbles as he leans in and catches Mydei’s lips with his.

Mydei feels him thrust a few more times, until his cock pulses and he fills the condom deep inside him.

And in that same moment, Mydei lets go completely, coming for the second time that night all over Phainon’s tight fist.

“You’re so perfect,” Phainon whispers as Mydei comes, kissing along his face in soft, breathless presses.

Mydei’s whole body feels hotter than hell, and even the air around them feels like they’re sitting between molten rock. He reaches back, fumbling for the door to pull in some air, and Phainon notices what he’s trying to do. He helps him push it open, letting the cool air rush in against their overheated skin.

As the cool night air slips inside, Mydei sighs. His heart is still pounding as he tries to catch his breath. After a while of Phainon kissing his face and holding him close, Phainon finally lets him go, pulling out and discarding the condom. He grabs a box of wet tissues and helps clean them both off.

After they felt clean enough, Phainon let his head drop onto Mydei’s shoulder. “I might need to borrow your clothes again,” he said with a soft chuckle.

Mydei sighed, though there was no real annoyance behind it. “You might as well move into my apartment at this point.”

Phainon turns to him, eyes lighting up. “Really? I can move into your place?”

Mydei narrows his eyes. “You don’t have a house?”

“I do,” Phainon says, grinning, “but I don’t have you in it.”

Mydei stares at him, completely unimpressed, then reaches over and pinches his cheek. “How can you be this corny? Stop it.”

Phainon bursts into laughter as he rubs his cheek. “I meant it, you know. I’d live anywhere, as long as you’re there.”

“Even in the most doomed place in the universe?”

“If you’re there, then I’m going to be there too,” he says without a hint of hesitation.

Mydei rolled his eyes. “You’re so dramatic. But fine,” he said. “Maybe… maybe we’ll figure something out.”

Phainon’s grin spread wide. “Yeah, we will.”