Barbarian (Jericho’s Boys #3)

10. Nico

What the hell was Nico doing?

He didn’t know. He never did. His mouth was always saying things without his brain’s permission. It was who he was as a person. A disaster.

The rain laid a blurry filter over the outside world, making it feel like he and Mal existed inside some kind of bubble, far removed from everything. The windows were fogged, partially from Nico’s impulsive make-out session but mostly from the cool air inside fighting with the balmy temperatures outside. Street lamps and headlights became starbursts, the lane reflectors one continuous glowing line along the asphalt.

It was like a surreal painting. Huh, maybe Nico was learning something in art history after all.

The wipers beat out a frantic cadence across the windshield, only ratcheting up Nico’s sudden anxiety. His fingers sat threaded with Mal’s on the center console, but Nico only looked at him in short, darting glances. Anything else and his skin would flush like he was some blushing virgin. But he couldn’t help it. His insides were buzzing with…something.

Anticipation? Anxiety? Fear?

D. All of the above

Mal kept his eyes trained on the road, the picture of contentment. The steady beat of the windshield wipers and the quiet hum of the AC were probably enough to maintain his homeostasis. Rhythmic sounds soothed him. He said they drowned out the voices in his head. Nico wished he had some secret trick to calm himself, but in true Nico fashion, he’d taken the only thing that made him feel any peace—Mal—and made him the sole source of his inner turmoil.

Nobody knew how to ruin a good thing like Nico.

He pressed his temple to the cool glass of the passenger window, but didn’t release Mal’s hand. He craved Mal’s touch. It grounded him. Nico covertly watched Mal in the vague window reflection, his chest tightening until he felt like choking. How did someone as sensitive to overstimulation as Mal tolerate someone like Nico? There was nothing steadying or serene about him. He was the storm to Mal’s clear skies.

No, that wasn’t impactful enough. Nico was a hurricane, a tornado…a fucking tsunami. Yeah, that. Just before a tsunami, the waters rushed away from the beaches, forming one massive wave that would crash down onto anything in its path, causing damage and leaving destruction in its wake. That was Nico, always running from Mal’s feelings for him, only to fall back into him when he required validation. And fuck anyone who got hurt in the process.

Nico swallowed the high-pitched laugh building in his chest. It was a stupid metaphor. But Nico wasn’t a poet. He was nothing, really. He didn’t know if he wanted to be something. Everyone else had their lives figured out, but not Nico. Felix had created a billion dollar fashion brand. Shiloh had his hair thing. Silas was in school for video game design. Hell, Seven was in law school. Nico was just…existing.

He risked a glance at Mal.

He was so beautiful, hand on the steering wheel, the lights outside highlighting his unfairly flawless bone structure and his pretty dark curls. Mal glanced in his direction, like he sensed Nico’s eyes on him, giving him a goofy smile he saved just for Nico before quickly returning his gaze to the road. Did he know? Could he feel Nico unraveling beside him? Sometimes, his thoughts were so loud he was sure Mal could hear them. But if he did, he never said.

Still, Mal was always there for Nico, existing beside him, being whatever Nico asked of him. He didn’t make Nico talk about his feelings, didn’t poke at all of Nico’s childhood wounds in the name of healing. He was just there—his touch, his company—and that was usually enough to drown out his self-doubt.

Mal was Nico’s weighted blanket, holding him down, keeping him from floating away.

But what did he do for Mal? Nothing. Nico was selfish. Mal deserved someone rational...steady, someone who drowned out the voices in his head. Someone who didn’t have ten tabs open in their brain at all times. Someone who sat still for more than ten minutes without wanting to peel his own skin off.

Panic clawed at him from the inside. He wanted to rewind time, to go back to an hour ago, before he’d somehow convinced his stupid, horny self he was having some kind of moment of clarity. How could he have thought he could ever handle letting Mal love him?

It sucked. This sucked. Everything was fine before he’d let Mal kiss him. Before he’d learned how right Mal’s lips felt on his own. Before he realized their bodies fit together like puzzle pieces. Before he understood what Mal’s touch did to him on a cellular level.

Ignorance really was bliss. Now, he knew. Now, he knew and now, he hungered for Mal like air, requiring him like gravity. Nico swallowed the lump in his throat. This was what Nico hated about relationships, about love, about…intimacy. The stakes were too fucking high. It all meant too much now. This wasn’t some easily dismissed quick fuck, this wasn’t friends with benefits. This meant something. This was heavy.

This was permanent .

God, he wanted this to be permanent.

He and Mal were two halves of a whole, one soul in two bodies, their hearts so grafted together that removing one would surely kill the other. He already loved Mal so much that the weight of it was crushing him. What happened when they got home? When he let Mal inside him in every way?

Then what?

Then what?

It was the not knowing that had him bleeding out slowly. If he had a crystal ball—if he somehow knew the future—maybe he would feel better? But he had no answers. Just questions. So many questions. Would they be together forever? Would Mal get sick of him? Would one of them die?

People died all the time. Car accidents, cancer, heart attacks. And it was more dangerous for Mal and Nico. They put themselves in harm’s way all the time.

On purpose.

Questions bounced around in Nico’s noisy brain, whispering all his deepest, darkest fears in a voice that sounded—unsurprisingly—like his mother’s. If there was only a way to prepare. If there was some kind of countdown, an end date, a definitive moment that Nico knew Mal would disappear from his life forever…then he could protect himself.

But there was no crystal ball.

The unknown was a sword dangling over his head, a guillotine waiting to sever his neck. There was no way to explain to anyone the gaping hole that formed when his future was…a blank page. It sounded crazy. He knew that. Nobody knew what came next. Nobody. But most people’s question marks weren’t life or death.

As a kid, anxiety was the only constant in his life. He never knew what would happen next. His whole childhood was him swimming blind through shark-infested waters. Would his mom come home? Would she be high? Drunk? Alone? Would she be manic and crying about her most recent boyfriend? Would she be railing about how Nico was her biggest mistake? Would there be food to eat? Had they gotten evicted again? Would she make him sleep outside? Would she leave him alone with some creep who would ask him to shower with him or play a new game?

He hated question marks.

They were…unsafe.

They made him feel unsafe.

But Mal made him feel safe. Now, Mal was the one constant presence in his life. His north star. If he ruined that…if he ruined them?—

Nico startled visibly as Mal’s hand squeezed his. Mal tilted his head, frowning, looking like a confused German Shepherd. This time, it was Nico who gave him a smile that didn’t quite meet his eyes. Did Mal see he was spiraling? He had to feel how sweaty Nico’s palms were.

“We’re home,” Mal said softly.

Nico gave a stilted nod, sliding his hand free of Mal’s. “Oh, right.”

Mal studied him for a long moment. Nico wanted to shrink in on himself, wanted to disappear. As soon as they were out of the car and walking into the apartment, Mal settled a hand on Nico’s lower back, not guiding him, just…there.

They walked up the stairs in silence and Nico waited as Mal unlocked their door. They entered the dark apartment quietly, slipping their shoes off, something inside Nico unclenching the moment they passed the threshold. Maybe it was the familiar scents of their home. The way the kitchen always smelled like the vanilla plug-in Shiloh had brought home from the dollar store or the familiar blue glow cast by the cat-shaped night light in the kitchen.

Nico noted the dull light of the television from beneath Levi and Shiloh’s door, but knew they were likely already asleep. Mal and Nico were usually asleep at this time, too.

The short walk to their bedroom had Nico’s pulse racing, his thoughts jumbled, his anxiety peaking. What was he going to say? What was he going to do? How did he tell Mal he was stuck in his head?

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Adrenaline pumped through him, his fight or flight kicking in. Nico couldn’t do this.

They stepped inside and Mal shut the door behind them. Nico stood, frozen as Mal dropped his wallet and keys on the desk and turned on the small lamp. Nico was breathing like he’d run a marathon, his mouth dry. It was like someone had sucked all the air from the room. He felt lost…he didn’t know how to do this. To be this.

Then Mal looked at him and everything went quiet. The world just stopped. Mal was always weird, always intense, but right now, he looked at him with a possessiveness that had him shaking. Nico didn’t know what to do with his shaky hands, so he just…stood there.

Mal’s hands found his hips, giving them a squeeze.

“Why do you look so scared?” Mal asked, brushing his nose against Nico’s cheek.

Why did that feel so good? So…weirdly intimate?

“‘Cause I am,” he mumbled. “This changes everything.”

Mal backed him up against the door with a thud. “It changes nothing. You’re mine. You’ve always been mine. You’ll always be mine.”

Heat flooded his belly, his cock filling behind his zipper. “You can’t just say things like that.”

Mal nosed Nico’s head to the side, nuzzling his face against his neck. “You want me to lie?”

“N-No,” Nico managed, eyes rolling back, nipples hardening as Mal’s tongue darted out to lick the skin just over his pulse.

Mal pulled back to look him in the eye, his own glinting with something almost dangerous. “Are you saying you’re not mine?”

If he did say it, this would be all over. Mal would never accept anything less than total submission when it came to loving him. The idea of Mal moving on had Nico’s stomach churning. He was Mal’s. And Mal was his. It wasn’t an opinion. It was a fact. Like gravity. Like air. It just was.

Nico shook his head. “I’m not saying that.”

Mal searched his face. “Then say it.”

Nico flushed, wanting to look away, but Mal’s piercing stare pinned him in place. “I’m yours.”

“Say it again,” Mal demanded.

“I’m you?—”

He sucked in a shocked breath as Mal’s lips found his, his hand moving to cup his jaw, tilting his head to deepen the kiss. Nico whimpered as Mal licked his way into his mouth. How long had it been since they kissed? It felt like years. Nico melted into it, sagging against the door, letting Mal just move him how he liked.

He bit at Nico’s lips, breath puffing against his skin as he panted, “Say it again.”

“I’m yours. I’m yours. I’m yours,” Nico said, like a benediction. “Just yours.”

Mal kissed him again, slow and deep, dissolving any lingering doubts, his whole body growing warm as Mal’s hands dropped to slide beneath his hoodie, sliding warm over his skin to thumb across his nipples.

Nico made a needy sound that made Mal grunt against his lips, pushing him harder against the door, leg settling firmly between both of his. Nico sucked in a breath at the promise of something more. He was so achingly hard, the painful press of his zipper an uncomfortable reminder.

Nico made a pleading sound as Mal broke the kiss, but then realized he was taking his shirt off. Once he tossed the hoodie on the floor, he connected their mouths once more. It was wet and dirty, but Nico was too far gone to care. He was high off Mal’s lips on his.

Mal broke away to trail his mouth over Nico’s jaw, his ear, his throat. Nico yelped as Mal sank his teeth into the delicate skin where neck met shoulder. He was undeterred by Nico’s cry, greedily sucking on the skin then making a satisfied sound before moving higher up to do it again.

Nico’s insides were thrumming, electricity jolting straight to his dick every time Mal bit him. He had to feel Nico’s cock pressed against his leg. He could feel Mal’s own hardness against his hip.

Mal pulled away then scraped his teeth along Nico’s chin before dipping his tongue inside, making another quiet noise of approval when Nico sucked on it greedily.

“Please,” Nico whispered.

“Sensitive here?” Mal asked, ghosting his lips over the spot.

“Yeah,” he managed. “Please…”

“Please, what, baby?” Mal cooed, his hand dropping to pinch Nico’s nipple until he gave a soft cry.

“Do something,” Nico begged.

Mal dragged his nail over the pebbled flesh, earning a soft gasp. “Is that how you ask for things?”

“Please, do something,” Nico said, gazing up at Mal with his best puppy dog eyes.

“Be more specific,” Mal said, nibbling at his lips as he continued to torture Nico’s nipple between his fingertips.

“I just… I don’t know… It just hurts,” Nico wailed.

“This?” he taunted, twisting the delicate nub in his fingers once more.

“No,” Nico all but sobbed. “Here.”

He rolled his hips against Mal’s leg, just in case he couldn’t feel him.

Mal gripped Nico’s ass hard, dragging him down as he flexed his thigh, pleasure arcing through him at the friction. “This what you need?”

Nico nodded quickly.

Mal squeezed harder. “Use your words.”

“Yes,” Nico cried. “Please. Just… I need you to just?—”

Nico moaned as Mal rocked Nico down on his thigh once more, the pain of his zipper grinding against his skin blurring with the mind-numbing bliss each time Mal forced him against the firm muscle.

“You could come just from this, huh?” Mal taunted. “You like my thighs that much, Fidget?”

“Yes. Oh, fuck—Yes,” he panted, his hands clinging to the fabric of Mal’s hoodie, fearing his knees would give out any moment.

Mal dipped his head to lick into his open mouth. “I love the sounds you make.”

Nico sobbed, another flood of warmth rushing through him, making him leak into his underwear.

Mal forced Nico’s hips into a rhythm that had him panting against his lips, eyes rolled back behind closed lids, unable to process the almost drug-like euphoria that flooded his system.

“Want me to make you come, Fidget?”

That jolted Nico out of his daze. “No,” he cried.

Mal’s leg disappeared, and he stared at Nico with confusion. “Do you want to stop?”

“What? No. I just—I don’t want to come like that. I wanna come with…”

“With?” Mal prodded.

“With you inside me,” Nico mumbled, flushing to the tips of his ears.

Mal’s pupils blew wide, nostrils flaring. His hands dropped to Nico’s waistband, making short work of his button and zipper, then pushing both his jeans and underwear down at the same time. Nico kicked them the rest of the way off, then toed off his socks.

Mal’s gaze raked his naked body. He’d seen it all before, but it still left Nico feeling truly…defenseless.

“Get on the bed,” Mal demanded, flicking his eyes towards the mattress like Nico might misinterpret him.

Nico’s cock kicked at the casual order. He took the few steps to the mattress, sitting down then shuffling back until his head lay on the pillows. Mal didn’t follow him down. Instead, he held Nico’s gaze as he reached behind him, pulling his hoodie off with one hand, then tossing it. Nico bit his lip as he took in Mal’s bare torso, fingers aching to touch. He’d seen him naked a million times, but never in this context.

Mal finished undressing, throwing his clothes in the direction of their shared laundry basket. Nico’s heart cartwheeled behind his ribs as Mal crawled up the bed, hovering over him as he bent to take Nico’s nipple into his mouth. He bit back a soft moan, his fingers threading in Mal’s hair.

Nico was already leaking a puddle onto his belly. Mal played with him, licking and sucking that one pebbled nub until it was red and Nico was writhing beneath him. Just when Nico thought he might cry, Mal switched to the other side, giving it the same treatment, teeth scraping until Nico yelped, fisting Mal’s hair, trying to pull him away.

Mal lifted his head, lips swollen, eyes glazed.

“Hurts,” Nico mumbled.

Mal blinked at him slowly, pressing down on his abused nipple until Nico cried out. Mal tilted his head as if confused. “I thought you wanted me to hurt you, Fidget?”

“I do,” Nico swore, then blurted. “It’s all I think about.”

The shift in Mal’s demeanor sent a shiver down his spine, those sharp feline eyes narrowing like a cat getting ready to pounce.

Mal continued to watch him as he moved down his body, teeth grazing over Nico’s ribs, making the muscles beneath jump. “When do you think about it?”

“When do you think?” Nico snapped.

Nico yelped as Mal pinched his thigh. “I asked you a question,” he said, his detached tone making Nico’s cock leak once more.

Nico opened his mouth then closed it again. What was he supposed to say? He couldn’t tell him the truth. His breath caught as Mal sank his teeth into his hip bone, then traced the dip of his hip with his tongue. “Answer me.”

Nico wasn’t going to survive this. He gave another strangled cry as Mal sank his teeth into the soft flesh of his belly hard enough to leave tooth impressions. “Fuck,” he said in a rush. “You know when I think about it.”

“I don’t know any such thing,” he said, laving over the latest indentations. “Tell me, Fidget. Do you think about it while you’re getting off? While you’re touching yourself and wishing it was me? Tell me what you think about while you’re touching yourself.”

Nico’s whole body flushed as he thought about all the times he’d stood in the bathroom, fisting his cock, wearing nothing but Mal’s hoodie, drenched in his scent.

“I can’t,” Nico muttered. “It’s too embarrassing.”

Pain shot through him as Mal flicked his swollen nipple. Nico glowered at him, which only seemed to amuse him.

“I won’t ask again,” he said in a sing-song voice. “Whatever punishment you get later will be your own fault.”

“Later?” Nico echoed.

Mal’s gaze nailed him in place. “Mm. I’m trying to be sweet with you tonight. I can’t do both. So punishments will have to wait until next time.”

Next time. A chill slid along his nerves. He knew Mal meant every word.

“Come on, Fidget. Be a good boy and I’ll give you a reward.” Nico whimpered as Mal sat back on his knees, trailing a finger over his straining cock. “Look how wet you are,” Mal said, rubbing over the wet tip and bringing his fingertip to his lips, sucking it off.

Nico had never been so horny and so frustrated in his whole life. Only Mal could do this to him.

“I-I think about this ,” Nico blurted, voice shaking. “I think about you kissing me, touching me…spanking me…biting me, dragging your nails down my skin.”

Mal’s gaze perused Nico’s body, smoothing his palms up Nico’s torso, then dragging his blunt nails down his chest and abdomen, leaving angry red lines in his wake, making Nico’s whole body bow in pain. “Like that?” Mal asked, sounding almost curious.

“Yes, fuck,” Nico panted.

“What else?” Mal murmured, wrapping a hand around Nico’s length.

Nico moaned at the sudden heat surrounding him. Mal began to stroke him with a loose grip. It was maddening. “Fuck.”

The hand stopped. Nico glared at him. Mal was unfazed. He arched a brow.

Nico made a noise of frustration. “I think—I think about you tying me up,” he confessed. Mal tightened his fist, stroking him firmly, the sudden pleasure making him woozy. “You—You using toys on me, edging me for hours, not letting me come, no matter how much I beg.”

Mal jerked him faster, dragging a low moan from him, the catch of his dry hand made slightly sticky by the pre-cum dripping down his shaft. How the fuck could this feel so fucking good? He’d jerked himself off thousands of times. Hell, he’d let other people jerk him off. It was nothing compared to Mal. “I think about you inside me, stretching me, filling me up. Making me cry.”

Mal sucked in a sharp breath. “You want me to make you cry, Fidget?” he purred, acting as if this was new information.

Nico wanted to punch him. How was he so fucking unbothered?

Mal’s hand paused. “Yes. Yes. Fuck. Stop stopping, please,” Nico cried.

Electricity shot along Nico’s spine as Mal stroked him, his relentless pace driving him towards release. He was getting close, heat coiling in his belly. He made a pleading sound, all thoughts of wanting to finish with Mal inside him forgotten. He wanted to come. He was so close.

“You promised,” he babbled, fisting the comforter beneath him. “You said you’d hurt me. That you’d make me scream. That’s what you said. Oh, fuck. Please. Please. I’m close. Can I? Please?”

Mal’s hand disappeared. Nico wailed, choking on a sob as his orgasm ebbed, looking down at his cock, flushed an angry red and throbbing painfully. “Why?” he cried, tears gathering in his eyes, chest heaving.

Mal hovered over him, held up by one arm. His free hand gripped Nico’s jaw, tugging it open, dipping his tongue inside. It wasn’t a kiss. It wasn’t. It was more a…show of ownership. Like he knew he could do anything he wanted to him. Mal drew back, then bit his lip, taking it with him, before releasing it with a wet pop.

“‘Cause I’m not done with you yet,” Mal said, stroking his cheek with his thumb, Tears slipped from Nico’s eyes, emotions bubbling up that he couldn’t stave off. Mal gave a satisfied grunt, leaning down to lick them away, crooning, “Don’t worry, Fidget. We both know I don’t need to hurt you to make you scream.”

Nico’s brain melted at his words. If he’d still been stroking him, he would have come on the spot. How was Mal so fucking weird, so distant and detached, but also still able to look inside him and know exactly what it was that got him going?

Nico’s breath rushed out of him as all of Mal’s weight settled on top of him as he hung precariously off the bed. Nico heard his hand patting the floor underneath. Mal gave a triumphant cry, sitting up and showing Nico the half-used bottle of lube.

Nico’s mouth fell open, then he looked away, face hot. “How did you know that was under there?”

Mal rapid-blinked at him for a moment, then said, “The same way I know about the box of sex toys in the back of the closet. I know you.”

“Oh, my God,” Nico groaned, slapping Mal’s thigh.

“Don’t think we aren’t putting those to good use soon,” Mal promised. “You’re so cute when you’re embarrassed.”

Mal sat on his knees between Nico’s legs once more, looking him over, gaze greedy. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted you like this. You’re so fucking beautiful like this. Naked and begging. Already crying for me.”

Nico’s heart clenched at his words, that feeling of overwhelm tightening his chest until more tears leaked from the corner of his eyes. What was wrong with him? Why did everything feel so heavy?

Mal studied Nico, his slow blinks almost reptilian. “Bend your knees.”

Nico swallowed audibly, closing his eyes before complying.

“Spread your legs for me,” Mal demanded, voice lower than he’d ever heard it.

Oh, God.

Nico threw his forearm across his eyes, not sure he could handle watching Mal watch him. He inched his heels farther apart. He jumped when Mal’s hands landed on his knees.

“Wider, baby,” Mal crooned, pushing them open lewdly.

Nico made a low keening sound, opening his legs to where Mal wanted them, but refused to come out of hiding, at least not until he could get a hold of his emotions.

“You really are such a good listener,” Mal noted, running his palms along Nico’s inner thighs, stopping just short of anything that might offer him some relief.

Nico groaned, trying to burrow deeper within the crook of his own arm.

“Don’t get shy on me now.”

Sweat gathered at his hairline and along his upper lip despite the air conditioning. He whimpered as Mal caught him beneath his knees, pushing his legs up and back until he was fully open to him, the cold air making him clench while Mal looked his fill.

“Fuck,” he said, tone reverent. “Everything about you really is pretty.”

Nico groaned again. “Did you just call my asshole pretty?”

He jumped as a dry finger ghosted over his rim. “It’s the truth. You wouldn’t want me to lie to you, would you?”

Nico assumed it was a rhetorical question. The bed shifted as Mal moved. If Mal didn’t didn’t do something soon, Nico was going to die, either from blue balls or humiliation. He wasn’t sure which was worse.

Nico had never had anyone take this kind of time with him before. If it had been anyone else, he would have bailed long before now and gone home and jerked off. But that was before Mal. If Nico had to choose a significant life event to bisect his time on the planet, it would be meeting Mal. There was only before Mal and after Mal. One was infinitely better than the other.

A broken gasp escaped as Mal’s lips skimmed along his inner thigh, bringing his leg up to rest over one shoulder, letting the other settle on the mattress.

Nico took a quick peek, heart beating double time as he found Mal on his belly between Nico’s spread legs. Mal’s gaze found him as he buried his face in the crease of his leg, breathing him in, eyes rolling like his scent was some kind of drug.

Fuck. Was Mal smelling him? Did he like his smell? Wasn’t his scent too strong there? Was this weird? Well, weirder than Mal’s usual weird?

“What are you doing?” he finally managed, stumbling over his words a bit.

Mal met his eyes, sending a jolt of awareness through him, his voice raspy as he said, “Trying not to devour you.”

Oh.

Nico hid his face once more. It was safer behind his arm where he didn’t have to see Mal expertly dismantling his every defense.

Pain seared him as Mal sank his teeth into the meat of his thigh, causing him to bite back a pained cry. Would he break skin? Nico throbbed, cock leaking copiously at the idea of Mal’s teeth marks permanently embedded in his skin like a brand. Then he could look at them—press on them—anytime he wanted, remembering what they’d done.

Mal bit over his own teeth marks until Nico’s chest was heaving, his heart thudding hard behind his ribs. “You can’t eat me, Bunny.”

The mattress shifted beneath him once more as Mal purred, “Silly Fidget. Sure I can.”

Before Nico could process his words, something warm and wet swept across his rim, knocking a desperate whine from him.

Mal groaned. “Fuck, you taste incredible. I could do this for hours.”

Hours?

Nico’s mouth opened but no sound escaped. It didn’t matter. Mal wasn’t waiting for permission. He buried his face in the heart of him, lapping at his hole like Nico was his favorite flavor of ice cream. Oh, fuck. He was going to have Mal’s tongue bronzed…no, sainted. He couldn’t stop the restless movement of his hips. Mal snaked his arms under his thighs, pinning his hips down, somehow pushing deeper.

Mal ate him like he was starving, like he was savoring a last meal, laving and nibbling, swirling his tongue in a way that made Nico’s inner ears hot and his whole body break out in goosebumps. He was wet everywhere, saliva dripping down his balls, pre-cum still pooling on his belly. “Oh, my god. Oh, my god,” he chanted, panting as he struggled against Mal’s hold.

Nico couldn’t stop the sounds spilling from his lips or the way his fingers threaded in Mal’s hair, pulling him closer. His thighs trembled as Mal hummed against him, probing his entrance with the tip of his tongue, trying to bully his way past the tight muscle.

“Mal,” Nico babbled. “ Hnf . I can’t. Oh, fuck. I can’t. I need…oh...”

When Mal didn’t even react, Nico risked a glance down, moaning at the sight of Mal looking up at him as he continued to try to fuck his tongue inside. He showed no signs of slowing or stopping. Truthfully, he looked almost…blissful.

“Bunny, please,” Nico begged. “Fuck me. I need you inside me.”

Mal released him.

Finally…

Nico heard the cap on the lube bottle open, then snap shut.

Mal pressed one of Nico’s bent legs down, cheek rested on Nico’s plush thigh. He flinched as cold lube pressed against the hottest part of him. Mal didn’t hesitate, sliding his finger as far as it could go, groaning like he was on the receiving end. “You’re just sucking me in, like you were made to be fucked.”

Nico whimpered, rolling his hips to try to get Mal moving. Instead, he tipped forward, mouthing at Nico’s balls, then licking over them until Nico felt like he was burning from the inside out. He let Nico fuck himself on his finger, while he tasted any part of Nico he could reach.

Nico made a noise of frustration. “Another. I can take more. Please.”

“So polite when you’re eager,” Mal noted, pulling out, then pushing back in with two fingers.

Nico winced at the flash burn, but it faded almost immediately, leaving behind a feeling of fullness that just wasn’t quite enough. This time, Mal fucked his fingers into him in a steady rhythm, stroking him from the inside as he braced himself, closing his mouth over the tip of Nico’s leaking cock, sucking sloppily.

“Oh, fuck,” Nico managed, hips bucking, pushing his cock a little deeper.

He grabbed one of the pillows on the bed, pulling it over his face to muffle the sounds.

Spit rolled down his length, the hot suction of Mal’s mouth following in his wake, the sounds obscene but the sensation making Nico moan into the pillow. How was Mal so good at everything? It wasn’t fair. Mal bobbed his head faster, taking him deeper, then crooked his finger, dragging them along his inner walls. Nico gave another muffled cry as Mal glanced over his prostate, his whole body jerking as sparks danced across his eyelids.

Mal’s mouth disappeared, then the pillow was yanked from his face and tossed off the bed. “Uh-uh, Fidget. I wanna hear what I do to you.”

“But Levi and Shiloh…” Nico said faintly.

“How many times have we had to listen to them get off? I’m not missing out on a single sound I drag out of you. They can invest in headphones like we did.”

Before Nico could argue, Mal pulled his fingers free, then thrust back in, impaling him on three. Nico’s breath left him in a whoosh at the sudden intrusion, the burn much more intense this time. After a moment, Nico pushed down on Mal’s fingers, testing the waters. As soon as he adjusted, he didn’t wait for Mal, just started fucking himself frantically, desperate for more.

Mal curled his fingers and Nico cried out again, looking down at him. He stared, eyes glinting darkly, massaging over the bundle of nerves almost menacingly until Nico’s whole body was weak, his thoughts hazy.

“Please…” Nico whispered. “I don’t want to come like this.”

Mal slipped free of his body, leaving him clenching around nothing. Mal shifted, coming up on his knees. Nico watched, riveted as he took the lube, pouring some on his fingers, before stroking it over his cock. From this angle, Mal looked huge. Maybe it was just an optical illusion.

Mal crawled over him. Nico spread his legs, biting his lip as Mal hovered above him, looking down between their bodies, lining himself up with Nico’s hole. His whole body was shaking, but he didn’t know why. He tensed as the blunt head of Mal’s cock pressed against his rim. No, definitely not an optical illusion. He was…thick.

His hands flew to Mal’s shoulders, yearning for something, anything to ground him. He stared up at him, heart skipping at the concentration on Mal’s face. Nico’s chest heaved as he reminded himself to breathe. They were really doing this. Mal would be inside him. For real. The weight of it stole his breath.

Mal pushed forward, but Nico’s body didn’t relent. He whimpered at the sting.

“Relax for me, baby,” Mal murmured, but there was a slight tremble to his words, like he wasn’t as unaffected as he pretended to be.

“I am relaxed,” Nico snapped. “You’re just way bigger than I thought.” Mal’s eyes went wide at Nico’s tone, but he just stared at him patiently until Nico muttered, “Sorry.”

Mal kissed him then, slow and deep. Nico melted into it, letting Mal distract him in the best possible way. Nico got lost in him, once more letting him have full control.

Then Mal was pressing inside, forcing his way past that tight ring of muscle. Nico tensed, whimpering at the searing burn as his body stretched to accommodate him. Mal didn’t stop, sinking in to the hilt before he stilled.

“Ow, fuck. Ow,” Nico whined, unable to make himself stop clenching down on the intrusion.

Mal scanned Nico’s face, brows pinched. “Do you want to stop?”

Nico blinked back sudden tears, shaking his head. “No. I just…give me a minute.”

It was all too much. Mal was everywhere, pressing him down, filling him up. He was all Nico could see, feel, touch, taste, smell. His whole world had shrunk to just the two of them. It was…intense. Nico wanted to hate it. But he just didn’t.

Mal dropped down to his forearms, planting chaste kisses on Nico’s forehead, his cheeks, his nose, his lips. Nico could kiss Mal forever. He wanted to kiss him forever. After a few minutes, Mal shifted restlessly, his eyes darting to Nico’s. “Sorry.”

“No, it’s good. I’m good.”

The burn had been replaced by an almost pleasant ache.

“You can move,” Nico said, meeting his gaze. Mal searched his face, like he was looking for any lies. “Please, move.”

Mal pulled out a couple inches before thrusting back in. Nico’s mouth fell open. He felt impossibly big, like he was taking up all the space inside him, carving out a place for himself. Mal watched him carefully, this time retreating until only the head remained before snapping his hips forward, shocking another cry from him as pleasure lanced through him.

“You feel so good,” Nico managed, breathless and a little dizzy. “So good. So full.”

“Yeah?” Mal murmured.

Nico nodded frantically, letting his eyes fall shut. “Yes. Please, fuck me. I need it, need you.”

Mal moved slowly at first, like he was testing the waters, but soon, he had a rhythm that had the head of his cock glancing over Nico’s prostate with every thrust. Nico clung to him, overwhelmed, nails digging into Mal’s back, his muscles slick with perspiration. Every time he opened his eyes, Mal was watching him, like he didn’t want to miss a single reaction.

Nico blushed under Mal’s scrutiny, but wrapped his legs around his waist, breath catching at the change in angle. He gave an unrestrained moan that had Mal picking up speed, a near feral look in his eyes.

“Yeah?” Mal growled.

Nico managed a nod, then bit his lip, biting back another helpless cry as Mal sped up. He bit down on Mal’s shoulder, heat punching through him with every thrust. Mal fucked like he danced, with precision, each snap of his hips driving Nico closer to release. He could no longer stop the sounds falling past his lips, Mal’s hips pistoning hard enough to drive the bed frame against the wall in a way that was certainly going to get them a lecture tomorrow.

Nico didn’t know how long they were at it. Mal had stamina. They were both dripping with sweat, Nico babbling incoherent nonsense that would certainly humiliate him tomorrow. “Mal…so good…so perfect…so perfect, Bunny. Hnf. You fuck me— Oh, god —so good. Fuck. Fuck. Right there. Please.”

Mal pulled out, sitting up on his knees, dragging Nico’s hips into his lap before slamming back home, going right back to his same brutal pace. Only now, he was hitting Nico’s prostate dead on, the pleasure washing over him so intense it stole his ability to speak.

“Who do you belong to?” Mal panted. “Tell me again.”

“You,” Nico sobbed, tears and sweat running down his face. “You, just you.”

“Say it again,” Mal demanded.

“You. You. You. I swear, it’s only you.”

Mal groaned, tipping his head back as Nico’s neglected cock slapped against his stomach.

“Please,” Nico slurred. “Can I come?”

“Asking permission,” Mal snarled, all composure finally gone. “So good for me. Can you come untouched?” Mal asked.

Two hours ago, Nico would have said there was no way he was capable of that. Now, it was an inevitability, pleasure building like a wave inside him.

“Yes,” he cried.

Every time Mal nailed that bundle of nerves, Nico’s body jolted, driving him closer to the edge. He was so close…he just needed a little more. A little push. He’d never felt anything like this before. He could feel his orgasm right there, just out of reach.

“Fuck. I wanna feel you come on my cock.”

“Can I? Can I come? Please?” Nico said, all but choking on the words.

Mal nodded. “Do it, come for me. Let me feel it.”

That was all it took. Nico came hard, fireworks exploding behind his lids as his release coated his stomach and chest, even his chin. Nico couldn’t stop the words spilling out of him. “I love you. I love you. I love… I love you.”

Mal’s whole body tensed, his hips stuttering. He dragged Nico’s hips upwards as he thrust deep, holding him there, grinding against him as he emptied himself inside him, marking him from the inside out. Mal shivered through the aftershocks, then collapsed onto Nico, both of them breathing heavy, skin wet and sticky.

“I love you, too,” Mal said, pressing a kiss to Nico’s sweaty temple.

“We’re in so much trouble tomorrow,” Nico said.

“Totally worth it.”