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There’s someone in Caleb’s apartment. He knows it before he even unlocks the front door. The text sitting in his phone feels like a weight in his pocket as he steps inside.
Unknown: I’ll be in town tomorrow.
Caleb hadn’t replied and that was approval enough for the man on the other end. He thought about telling him not to bother – that he was busy, he wasn’t even in town, something. But every time he typed out his excuses, he hesitated to hit the send button. So now he’s here, feeling eyes heavy on his figure as he walks through the dark apartment to his kitchen. This may not be a first, but that doesn’t quell the nervous buzz under Caleb’s skin. Ironic, his career is all about taking on risk and dealing with dangerous situations, but none of that puts him on edge quite like the sound of footsteps slowly following after him.
“Y’know, it’s pretty bold of you to break into a colonel’s home,” Caleb says as he takes out a bottle of amber liquid and two glasses. “I don’t make it a habit to offer drinks to trespassers, but I suppose you deserve something for your B&E talents.”
The footsteps stop just behind Caleb. “Who says I had to break in?” Sylus asks and skims his fingers over the thick Farspace Fleet coat.
Caleb opens the bottle and fills both glasses, the glass clinking. He downs half of his before filling it back up. “At least tell me you had real business in Skyhaven this time.”
Sylus clicks his tongue. “Does it matter?” He places his hands on the counter on either side of Caleb, caging him against it. “I figured you’d appreciate me dropping in either way.”
Caleb can feel Sylus against his back and he takes another sip from the glass. How the hell is this man capable of making him feel like this without even touching him? “You know what they say about making assumptions.”
Sylus chuckles and leans in until his lips are right next to Caleb’s ear. “Don’t play coy, colonel. I know the thoughts flitting through your mind.”
Caleb’s gripping his cup tight enough that the leather of his gloves protests. “You sure about that?” He’s stalling and they both know it.
Sylus hums and takes Caleb’s drink from his hand, taking a sip of it himself. Caleb lets himself look, eyes catching on the glass touching Sylus’s lips, the way his throat works when he swallows – the smirk Sylus flashes him when he’s been caught staring.
Sylus sets the glass back down onto the counter, pressing himself against Caleb’s back. “Darling, you make it too easy to read you.” His hand comes to rest on Caleb’s waist, pulling him back against him. “But perhaps that’s on purpose. You’ve missed me, haven’t you?”
Caleb’s clothes aren’t thin – the coat alone is thick enough to dampen any touch – but he still feels fire through the fabric everywhere Sylus is touching. It makes his head swim in a way that only ever happens when they meet up like this. They haven’t met up like this in a while, and Caleb got used to pretending indifference when all he had was the thought of the man pressed against himc, but hearing Sylus talk in that way he only does when it’s just them reminds Caleb he’s anything but indifferent about what they have going on.
“You have certain skills that come in handy when you’re here,” Caleb says instead. Not a denial, not an admission.
Sylus clicks his tongue – he knows Caleb can do better than that. Sylus runs his hand over the other’s chest, finding the straps and buttons for the coat and undoing them at a leisurely pace that annoys Caleb – like they have all the time in the world instead of working on stolen minutes.
“I see,” Sylus says in a condescending tone. “I’m simply convenient, is that it?” Caleb’s coat falls open and he feels Sylus press his hand against his chest. The heat is so much more prominent through the thinner fabric and Caleb feels it through his whole body.
“You said it, not me,” Caleb quips, but there’s less bite. The coat is slipped from his shoulders and he sees Sylus toss it onto the counter.
Sylus’s response isn’t verbal. He catches Caleb’s ear between his teeth and laughs, low and deep, at the shiver it elicits. Sylus’s hands are everywhere, but the touches are all featherlight, barely there. Agonizing. Even when the buttons of Caleb’s shirt are undone, Sylus never touches the skin – not with his hands. The only contact is Sylus’s lips ghosting over the back of Caleb’s neck.
Caleb curses under his breath – this treatment is already driving him mad. How long has it been since they’ve seen each other? Weeks, months. Too long, and Caleb is too damn sensitive because of it. And damn Sylus, he knows this, and he’s determined to take advantage of it. He knows Caleb wants more than what he’s getting, but there’s only one way that’ll happen. Caleb just hasn’t reached that level of need – yet.
“Sylus,” Caleb says instead, warning.
“Hm?” Sylus asks without taking lips off of Caleb’s skin. He pulls the unbuttoned shirt further down his shoulders, exposing more of his back to Sylus, but his lips are still the only point of contact.
“Shit,” Caleb shudders again, his head hanging, eyes on the counter, staring down at the one-and-a-half unfinished drinks. “Sylus,” he hisses again.
“You know how to get more,” Sylus murmurs and Caleb can feel each syllable against his skin. Every move of his lips, every breath. Damn this man, and damn Caleb’s disloyal body.
“Touch me,” he barely whispers, but Sylus hears it. He always hears it. Caleb feels his smirk right before Sylus’s teeth graze his shoulder.
“Good boy.”
Caleb’s world turns into a blur for a second and then his vision is nothing but red eyes and a cocky smirk. He’s up on the counter now, legs spread enough for Sylus to slot himself between them. One of Sylus’s hands comes up to thread into Caleb’s hair, pulling his head far enough back that his hat slides off, landing next to him on the counter, forgotten. Sylus’s other hand is finally on Caleb, against his skin, pulling at his dress shirt until the last few buttons pop and the garment is also tossed aside. Caleb knows the heat on his cheeks is radiating down to his chest, and he knows this demon of a man sees how affected he is by the barest of touches.
Sylus runs his hand up Caleb’s side, over his chest, fingers passing over a nipple and Caleb glares at him.
“I said touch me,” Caleb grounds out.
“I am,” Sylus says innocently, rolling Caleb’s nipple under the pad of his finger.
Caleb scoffs, leaning forward and grabbing Sylus by the nape of his neck as well. “Do it right, or leave.”
Sylus tilts his head and chuckles. There’s no course of events where Caleb would dare kick him out, but it’s precious watching him attempt the threat. “Can’t have that, can we?” And then Sylus is pulling Caleb into him, their lips clashing in something that might be more akin to a battle than a kiss. It’s teeth and tongue and Sylus feels Caleb bite his lip just before he tastes copper.
Fabric rips, seams pop, buttons can be heard clattering to the floor. Sylus grips Caleb’s thigh, hiking it up on his now-bare waist, pressing against him while tugging his head back to expose Caleb’s neck. The clean, unmarked skin is almost an affront to Sylus, and he sees to righting that quickly. Biting and sucking interspersed with light kisses and slow glides of his tongue that have Caleb letting out sounds he’ll let himself feel embarrassed about later. How does Sylus know exactly what to do? They’ve slept together less than half a dozen times, but he has Caleb shaking on his kitchen counter. It’s infuriating just how hard he is from relatively basic kissing.
Sylus shifts, his hips pressing forward, and Caleb can feel he isn’t the only one affected. It’s a small consolation prize – Sylus is too good at keeping composed, seeming like he’s in control while Caleb feels like he’s losing his damn mind. Knowing that Sylus feels something sends a thrill through Caleb that he chases, hooking his leg around Sylus’s back. He rolls his hips up, pressing his own length against Sylus’s. Even through the fabric, it gets Caleb the reaction he wanted. Sylus hisses, a groan of need pulled out of him. It’s a victory, but at what cost?
Sylus chuckles but his eyes scream that Caleb has started something dangerous. “Impatient, tonight. Fine,” he stands up straight and for a moment Caleb thinks he’ll walk away. Instead, he feels a hand under his ass before he’s in the air, arms and legs wrapped around the other man.
“What the hell – “
“Hush,” Sylus says, walking through the dark apartment before he kicks open the bedroom door. The curtains are open and the moonlight streams in as Caleb is tossed onto the bed. The blue hue of the moon bounces off the silver of Sylus’s hair and hits the angles of his torso just right. In that moment Caleb is reminded just how beautiful this man actually is. It’s too heavy a thought, though, and he’s glad to have something else to focus on when Sylus’s hands go to the hem of his pants. He unbuckles the belt and pops open the button so they hang low on his hips. It makes Caleb’s mouth go dry.
Sylus picks up Caleb’s legs, dragging him forward until he’s right on the edge of the bed, and then he kneels, one leg still in his hold. Slowly, carefully, he takes off one of Caleb’s boots, and then the other. Caleb huffs – if he’s impatient, it’s because Sylus is the biggest goddamn tease to live.
Every other time they’ve been together it’s been quick, hurried – because it had to be. Caleb doesn’t know how the hell to handle being on this side. Doesn’t know how to handle Sylus’s eyes watching every movement, every breath. It’s annoying as hell but it’s also making it harder to breathe.
“Stop fucking with me,” Caleb says in a voice that’s so much more breathless than he wanted it to be.
Sylus leans forward, kissing his side and then his lower stomach as his hands come up to undo Caleb’s pants. “I thought that was the whole point of this?”
Caleb groans and lays back against the sheets, an arm slung over his face like if he visually blocks Sylus out, it’ll be easier to think. “Must you be an insufferable dick at all times?”
Sylus laughs as he pulls the last of Caleb’s clothes away. If Caleb were looking, he’d see how Sylus’s eyes lock onto the hard, straining length before him. He’d see how Sylus’s tongue swipes over his lips as a million different ideas carousel through his mind.
“Lovely,” Sylus breathes as he kicks off his own shoes and socks, pushing his pants down onto the floor as he takes in the sight of Caleb sprawled out on his own bed. The blush on his face bleeds down to his chest, his shoulders, and Sylus can’t help touching himself as he takes in the sight, committing it to memory.
Caleb is foolish enough to peak out from under his arm when Sylus takes too long to come back to him. He sees the expression Sylus has while looking down at him, hand fisting his own cock, and Caleb breathes out a sound so pathetic he’d be fine if Skyhaven itself fell out of the sky.
Sylus is quick and snatches Caleb’s arm away so he can see the way his face twists. “Now, don’t go denying me more of those sounds.” His free hand ghosts down Caleb’s stomach, to the base of his aching length. “Let’s see if we can make some more, hm?” His fingers brush against Caleb’s cock and the man lets out a choked sound. “Good boy, puppy.” The pet name goes straight to Caleb’s cock, leaking and straining as he clenches his jaw to keep from losing himself so damn quickly.
“Shut it,” Caleb bites out but it only makes Sylus laugh more. Caleb can pretend all he wants, but the effect Sylus has on him right now is more than apparent.
“No,” Sylus closes his hand loosely around Caleb, watching him. The way Caleb gasps, how his brows knit together, the way his Adam’s apple bobs as he tries to swallow down the sounds Sylus is determined to pull from him. Sylus actually clicks his tongue, chastising as Caleb tries to hold himself together. “There’s no need to be shy, darling. I’ve already heard how you moan for me.” He pumps Caleb a little faster, grip a bit tighter. “Don’t hide from me.”
Black-red mist appears, opening the nightstand and pulling out a bottle of lube. Sylus keeps one hand on Caleb as he pops the cap with the other. Cool liquid drips down onto Caleb’s cock, half punishment, half part of the game. The cold combined with the agonizingly slow strokes is just driving Caleb further into madness. He wants more but Sylus is already getting the reactions he wants.
Caleb’s hands twist into the sheets, a futile attempt at grounding himself. Sylus can play him like a professional by now and Caleb’s hips stutter as he thrusts shallowly with each stroke Sylus gives him. All of his attention is focused on Sylus’s hand around his cock, so he isn’t paying much attention to the black-red mist lifting his leg, spreading him so that Sylus can press fingers against Caleb’s entrance. This gentleness is purposeful, Sylus’s eyes scanning Caleb’s face and body for any sign of discomfort, any sign that he should stop. Instead, Caleb’s voice hitches and he unconsciously spreads himself just a bit wider.
“That’s it,” Sylus says as he presses one lubed finger against Caleb, just hard enough to enter. The sensation of something initially breaching him is still odd to Caleb, but it’s soon overshadowed as Sylus finds that spot like he’s already memorized Caleb’s body. The colonel’s back arches off the bed, his knuckles white in the sheets.
“Sylus,” Caleb gasps his name, half pleading, half warning.
“Sorry,” Sylus says, very much not sorry, “Can’t help it. You’re captivating like this – open, needy, your body begging for any slight touch.” He presses the pad of his finger against that spot inside Caleb, dissolving the protest on his lips into a damn whimper. “Who would have thought? Someone like you, crumbling under a couple well placed strokes.” Sylus doesn’t stop, slipping a second finger into Caleb when he sees no signs of discomfort on his face. “When I first saw you, I never imagined you’d look so good with me inside you.”
One of Caleb’s hands shoots out, gripping Sylus’s arm. “Stop fucking talking,” He’s half sat up, his mechanical arm propping him up on the mattress.
“Is that really what you want?” Sylus takes his hand off Caleb’s cock, briefly wiping the excess lube on the sheets before grabbing the other man by the nape of the neck. “Need I remind you, I can feel every reaction, puppy. Every twitch of your cock when I say just the right thing, every clench around my fingers when you feel brave enough to look at me.” Sylus spreads his fingers and feels satisfaction spread through him when Caleb’s eyelids flutter for just a moment before he regains a modicum of composure. “What would other people think, if they knew you made these faces for someone like me, hm?”
Caleb’s cock visibly twitches at that. “Shut up.”
Sylus pulls at Caleb’s hair, tilting his head back so he’s staring up at Sylus. “I wonder, what would the Farspace Fleet think if they knew their Colonel whimpers.”
This time, Sylus’s is the world that gets turned upside down. One moment he’s looking down at Caleb, and the next his back is on the mattress, head on the pillows, looking up at narrowed purple eyes. Caleb hates that this man knows exactly what to say – that these things actually affect him so deeply. Some could call it shameful, but Caleb knows he isn’t about to put a stop to it. Whether he admits it to himself or not, he likes it. Relishes in it. Indeed, who would have thought he’d be the type?
Caleb’s Evol shimmers over the other’s arms, pinning them to his side as Caleb crawls over to him, straddling Sylus and staring him down with a cold edge Sylus would call cute.
“Did that hit a nerve, Colonel?” Sylus smirks, looking up at Caleb. It’s adorable that he’s trying to take control of the situation and Sylus wants to see how far he can go. So he’ll allow this – for now.
Caleb is practically growling, glaring at the man under him even as his own hips keep seeking touch, friction. It’s agony. “What the fuck do I have to do to silence you?”
Sylus’s hands may be restrained – barely – but Caleb can still feel the ghost of them on his skin. Red eyes rake down Caleb’s body and he swears it burns.
“I can think of a couple ways,” Sylus replies, “But my mouth isn’t what you need right now, puppy.” He rolls his hips up and Caleb has to take a deep, grounding breath. “It’s precious, watching you try to hold back, but who are you trying to impress with that restraint? Come on, darling. Take what you need.”
“Asshole,” Caleb breathes out the word as he takes Sylus’s length in his hand, lining himself up. He lets himself sink down, and they both let out shuddering breaths. Caleb’s eyes have fluttered closed, so he doesn’t see the way Sylus watches him with such reverence – perhaps it’s for the best Caleb doesn’t notice it.
“Careful, now,” Sylus says. “There’s no hurry – I’m not going anywhere.”
Caleb feels something deep down when Sylus says that, like always. It happens every damn time he speaks in that caring, softer tone, and Caleb still doesn’t know what to label it. So, he doesn’t. He lowers himself the rest of the way, letting himself feel the physical fullness instead.
Sylus lets out a surprised gasp, followed by a knowing chuckle. “Fine,” he rolls his hips up against Caleb, “Go on, then.”
Despite his urgency, Caleb starts slow – as they always do. Raising and lowering himself, falling into a steady rhythm that picks up gradually. Caleb’s eyes are closed, hands gripping the headboard as he takes. Sylus’s hands twitch against the Evol, watching to reach out and touch. He resigns himself to watching – Caleb’s face, the way he moves his body while riding him.
“That’s it,” Sylus praises. “Who knew you were such a natural at this? Just how much practice have you had, colonel?”
Caleb rests his cheek against his upper arm, a small, pathetic sound leaving him but he doesn’t falter. “Like you’re one to talk.”
“Hm?” Sylus raises a brow. “Do you think I spend my free time putting naughty little pups in their place?”
“Sure,” Caleb slows, only a bit, finally opening his eyes but still not looking directly at Sylus. “You feel like the type.”
Sylus chuckles. “As adorable as it would be to see you jealous, you’re wrong. There’s only one unruly puppy I give my attention to.”
“Fuck,” Caleb sighs the word. He wishes Sylus had others, wishes that wasn’t exactly what he was hoping to hear. His hips stutter and Sylus is quick to take advantage of the obvious weakness.
“I hadn’t realized you were the jealous type, darling,” Sylus starts meeting each thrust, and Caleb feels like he can’t fucking breathe. “No need to worry, you’ve got all of my attention. How could I look away? How could I want anyone else when you look perfect with me inside of you.”
One of Caleb’s hands drops from the head board and splays out on Sylus’s chest. He can feel the man’s heartbeat, strong, steady, real. The weight on Sylus’s hands stutters and he smirks, being able to not just watch, but feel how wrecked Caleb is. Seeing how much a little bit of praise breaks him down completely.
“Good boy,” Sylus breaths, his own hips never faltering even as Caleb’s start to lose rhythm. “I’ve got you.” Every thrust feels like bliss, and Sylus starts to set his own pace – faster, harder. Caleb’s eyes look nearly glazed over, his mouth hanging open as a chorus of moans and cries fall out. Sylus’s gaze lands on his lips, lingering only a moment. “That’s better isn’t it? I know what you need, pup. Let me take care of you.”
The shimmer of Caleb’s Evol flickers just long enough that Sylus can wrench his hands free and then they’re everywhere – Caleb’s legs, hips, chest. One hand grasps the back of his neck and Sylus digs his fingers in. “Look at me.” It takes him a moment, but Caleb’s gaze finally focuses on Sylus’s face. “There you are. Fuck, you’re perfect like this. Just look at you.” Sylus angles his hips ever so slightly and Caleb makes a choked sound. He digs his nails into Sylus’s shoulders, holding onto him like he’ll float away if he doesn’t. Sylus hits that spot again and Caleb can’t keep sitting up straight.
“Sylus – “ Caleb’s voice is wrecked – needy, begging.
“Yes?” Sylus doesn’t relent, but he lets Caleb lean against him. Caleb just says Sylus’s name again – a warning, a plea. “Use your words, colonel. Tell me what you need.”
It takes a couple of tries before Caleb can hiss, “Don’t stop. I’m – “ He cuts himself off with a moan.
Sylus chuckles and digs his hands into Caleb’s hips, pulling him down to meet each of his thrusts, close to his own end as well. “Then let go. Let me see you fall apart for me.”
It’s too much and Caleb wouldn’t be able to hang on even if he wanted to. He sinks his teeth into Sylus’s shoulder, muffling himself as he tips over the edge. The way Caleb squeezes him has Sylus following close behind, his own pleased groan filling the quiet. For a moment they’re both lost in their own worlds, their own bliss. Slowly coming down from somewhere far above Skyhaven itself.
They breathe, quiet, catching their breaths. Reality starts to seep back in and everything suddenly feels too still, too intimate. Caleb is the first one to move. As soon as he trusts his legs not to give out the second he stands, he untangles himself from Sylus without a word. Sylus lets him but grabs his arm when Caleb tries to stand up.
“Stay,” he commands before getting up himself. He looks at Caleb, making sure that he’s going to do as he says before Sylus goes to get some warm washcloths. When he comes back he’s cleaning Caleb’s release off his own abdomen with a shit eating grin.
Caleb’s laying sprawled out on the bed, watching the way Sylus walks like they hadn’t just done what they did. Like his world wasn’t flipped on its head once again. He doesn’t move, even when Sylus carefully starts wiping away the drying lube and other…. Fluids. Caleb grimaces a little bit thinking about it with a clearer head. What the hell is he doing? Even he doesn’t really know.
Sylus sees the thoughts flitting through Caleb’s head, the way his eyes dance around the room, the tension already coiling again in his limbs. He wants to say something, but Caleb isn’t quite ready for Sylus’s vocal reassurances. So instead Sylus finishes his task in silence. Patience will get him further than brute force with this one.
When he’s done Sylus sits on the side of the bed, waiting for Caleb to take the reins on the situation. Sylus doesn’t want to leave, he never really does, but he’ll leave that decision up to Caleb.
Caleb is acutely aware of Sylus, sitting only a couple feet away, waiting for him to speak. It’s agonizing because Sylus is forcing Caleb to confront what it is he wants and he isn’t sure what the hell that even is. So, he doesn’t choose. “Don’t you need to head back?” He asks it so quietly Sylus isn’t sure he spoke for a moment.
“I’m not expected back in the N109 zone that quickly,” Sylus answers.
Caleb nods slowly. “Fine.”
Sylus’s lips curl into a smirk and he lays out next to Caleb. “Well isn’t this unexpected,” his voice drips with sarcasm.
Caleb glares at him but only for a second – he has to look away, like looking at Sylus this close is too much now. “It’s convenient, nothing else.”
No it isn’t, but who is Sylus to argue? “Sure,” he agrees before pulling a surprised Caleb against him, holding him close. “Convenience.”
“Don’t get used to this,” Caleb snaps but he makes no moves to pull away from Sylus’s hold.
“Wouldn’t dream of it, pup,” Sylus says.