I'm not going to dump you. If you don't want to be together anymore, you're gonna have to do it yourself.
[His stomach clenches with nerves, afraid that he's just invited in the end of their relationship, but unwilling to give up the fight. He was at the top of the world this morning, and part of him is still confused at how he got here.]
No one's expecting you to be into her, Ronan. There's no rule that we have to be into each other's partners. And if you don't even want to hang out with her, that's fine too. There's already plenty of time in the day that we don't spend together. You don't even have to see me with her, if she disgusts you that much.
But if it's just the thought of me with a girl that bothers you, that's probably a different talk we need to have.
[Blue doesn't disgust Ronan. She is, in fact, the most pleasant female he's ever encountered who wasn't his mother. In terms of personality, he might have more in common with her than anyone else in the house. If he were for some reason actually forced to date a girl, he'd date Blue Sargent. But he doesn't feel what everyone else seems to feel about her. He's spent much of the past few weeks staring at her in an attempt to find something appealing in her body. But her hair looks stupid. She's too small. Her clothes are absolutely horrible. And though her legs can look nice from certain angles, when he thinks about what's between them, he feels a wave of quiet panic.
He knows none of them expect him to be into her. But before, they were with each other's partners. Frequently. In a few cases, all at the same time. When he thinks about a situation like that erupting between two or three of them with Blue, he's afraid he won't be able to stomach it. And weirdly, he's more afraid of how she'd feel if that happened than his own humiliation.
It's easier for everyone if they avoid the situation entirely. Especially if they're going to keep asking him how he feels about it and getting disappointed when he reacts with anything but enthusiasm.]
What I want is for everything to go back to how it used to be.
[Noah scoots forward slowly, his hands and knees finally making impressions in the sheets, until he's only a couple of feet away. His eyes are kind, and still sleepy with smoke, but his gaze on Ronan is firm.]
Before, though... we missed her. Me and Gansey. [He's still not sure about Adam's feelings on the topic.] We're not trying to turn four into five. The four of us still have a big, special, important... thing. Just, sometimes I'll go kiss a girl.
[He wishes he was clear-headed enough to know if he's just making things worse. Tipping forward, he folds himself until his forehead rests on the very edge of Ronan's knee.]
[Ronan doesn't think Noah's lying. He probably believes everything he's saying. It's just that Ronan knows better. The four of them had a big, special, important thing back home, too, until Blue came along and turned four into five. Ronan hated it then and he hates it now.
But he doesn't hate Blue. He can't hate her now, knowing what he knows. That makes it impossible to call for her exile, and leaves his own departure the only option, now that he sees his relationships coming to an end.
He sighs, combing his fingers through Noah's hair.]
I'm crazy in love with you, too.
[Noah was his first boyfriend. He doesn't want to let go of this, either. If Noah needs Ronan to be the one to end it, it's not going to happen.]
It's going to be worse if you guys are sneaking around trying to hide it from me so my feelings don't get hurt or whatever. I don't want it to be like I never see you anymore because you're with her. If you're really serious about this, then I think I'm going to have to be okay with her, too.
I don't know. Maybe it'll work. She's used to not kissing her boyfriends, right?
You made her flowers. You're already a great boyfriend.
[He leans into the contact, scooting his head closer. His hair smells like pancakes.]
I'm never going to leave you for her. She winds up with him, and you wind up with Adam, but I'm gonna be right here the whole time, okay? This is where I belong.
[He looks up from under his floppy hair, and raises one hand - one finger - to tap Ronan's chest.]
[The hand-holding seems to assure Noah of something, and he uses that one finger to push Ronan gently backwards, into his pillows. There's nothing rough or sexual about the action, even as Noah crawls up to drape himself over Ronan's chest. It's a soft exchange of comfort; a quiet promise. He tucks his head under Ronan's chin.]
You're the one I'd have wanted that future with, if I could have it. If I had to pick.
[Ronan gathers Noah up in his arms as they settle back, the familiar weight on his chest soothing him with the memory of a time when it was just the two of them in this place. It had been lonely then, but it'd also been more certain. Ronan knew that he was coming home to Noah every day, and that they would be with each other like this, and it would be the same tomorrow, and the day after that.
Noah's words bring a tightness to his throat and a heat to his eyes. He hates that they don't have a future. He hates it more than anything.]
You're mine.
[Ronan wanted Noah from the start. They were each other's best companions, especially once Gansey and Adam became infatuated with each other. Ronan can't imagine what it'll be like when Noah isn't a part of his life anymore. He can't remember a time without him.]
I haven't given up, you know. I'm still trying to find a way.
[A soft, agreeable sound escapes Ronan's throat. One hand pushes through Noah's hair again while the other glides to the small of his back, holding him close.]
I promise I will.
[None of them will let him join Noah in death, so he'll have to bring Noah to life.]
[Noah doesn't answer, at least not in words. He swipes at Ronan's collar with his tongue, still sweet and careful, and rubs soothing circles against his chest. He could never delude himself into thinking that sex could make things better, but he wants to press his cheek to Ronan's and feel his thoughts run brighter and happier, even just for a second.]
[Ronan purrs, a shiver of pleasure running through his body. Sex may not necessarily make things better, but Noah's touch does. It's a comfort to be wanted still, actions matching words. More than that, though, Ronan loves the opportunity to feel Noah's body against him. It's something they couldn't have back home. It is - for Ronan, too - a reason to be alive.]
[Ronan agrees with his body rather than with words, hips grinding up at the same moment his hands pull Noah closer. His fingers tangle themselves up in Noah's hair as he submits to Noah's mouth, his head rolling back to leave his throat exposed.]
[It's a familiar conversation, playful and insistent and spoken entirely with their hips. Noah falls into the rhythm with an easy sigh, his teeth scraping Ronan's neck; one hand slides up to trace the back of his head, nails digging in slightly.
It's funny how they were both near tears only a few minutes ago. Either they're really good at emotions, or they have a lot of shit they need to work through.]
This time- [Noah talks right into his skin, warm and buzzing.] This time I want you inside me.
[Ronan remains dangerously close to tears, in fact, but that means he needs Noah all the more urgently. He squirms beneath Noah, gasping at that gently rough touch and growing harder in his too-tight jeans.
Then Noah says that and Ronan's cock throbs painfully in the same moment his heart skips a beat.]
Are you sure?
[They've been putting this off with good reason. Noah's so little and Ronan's so... big. So likely to lose control. So likely to hurt Noah without meaning to.]
[Ronan nods in assent, his forehead nudging Noah's. A flush of nervousness colors him and his heart pounds louder in his ears, but they've been putting this off for a while now, and Ronan doesn't want Noah to think he doesn't want this. He does. He thinks about it all the time. He's let Noah watch the imagined experience in his mind. The only thing left is to do it.
Cupping Noah's face in his hands, Ronan draws him in for a slow, hungry kiss. He pushes his tongue past Noah's lips and silently promises to be good to him, the way Noah's been.]
[I know you will be, he thinks back at that promise, returning a kiss just as adoring and desperate.
They're practiced at this part, at the shedding of clothes and the tracing of bodies, but every exploration still feels like the first one. Noah still feels a thrill every time he slides his T-shirt off in front of Ronan's worshipful eyes. When he rocks back against him, he feels nervous excitement all the way through his stomach. They're giddy teenagers, still clumsy and unpracticed, but the love in their hearts surpasses age.]
[Ronan sheds his shirt with an impatient sweep of his arm before immediately returning his hands to Noah's skin. His palms pass over Noah's ribs and he bows forward to close his lips around Noah's throat, sucking and kissing. He has to keep moving before the anxiety catches up with him. Let his body feel excitement, instead.
Moaning softly into Noah's skin as Noah's hips move against him, Ronan's fingers climb back down to begin working Noah out of the rest of his clothes. They're rushing only to go slow, he knows, but he can't help himself.]
[It's the going-slow part that Noah can't wait for, and he wastes no time trying to wriggle out of his jeans, scrabbling for Ronan's at the same time.]
Dude.
[He uses his toes to shuck his jeans off the rest of the way, and if they were in any other circumstances, it would be hilariously weird.]
I have that Beyoncé song stuck in my head now. "Crazy in Love", or whatever it's called.
[Ronan is no more graceful in his struggle to escape his jeans (and grateful for Noah's assistance). Once he's free, his hands are on Noah again. This will be easier, he thinks, with Noah above him, and he directs Noah's thighs to straddle his hips. With a short laugh, he brings his mouth to Noah's ear and sings, breathy with nerves:]
♫ 'cause your love's got the best of me And baby, you're making a fool of me You got me sprung and I don't care who sees 'cause baby, you got me, you got me ♫
[Noah laughs, light and jubilant and adoring, before cutting the song off with another needy kiss. It is a bit slower than the last, but it's rougher, in his sweet, roguish way. He nips and whines, one hand kneading against Ronan's chest while the other works to get rid of that last, pesky layer of boxers between their tightly pressed hips.
He knows it won't be easy, but he wants it to start not being easy now.]
[Returning the kiss with equal fervor while fighting to suppress a laugh, Ronan helps Noah along until the two of them are finally free of all their clothing. Then Ronan falls back and takes a moment to look at Noah, the way he so often does, like he's discovering his boyfriend's body anew. The hurt melts away when they can be together like this, when Ronan remembers to be grateful for their time.
One hand drops between them, palming Noah's cock, as if he needs any more encouragement. His other arm swings over the edge of the mattress, swiping the lube from under his bed.]
[Noah hums and whines at the touch, head dizzy with impatience and anticipation and nerves. He arches his back, reaching around blindly to try to return the contact. His hand is small and soft around Ronan, but his grasp is firm, full of building tension and simmering energy.]
Please. [It's hard to tell if he says it with his voice or with his mind - it seems to be both.]
no subject
[His stomach clenches with nerves, afraid that he's just invited in the end of their relationship, but unwilling to give up the fight. He was at the top of the world this morning, and part of him is still confused at how he got here.]
No one's expecting you to be into her, Ronan. There's no rule that we have to be into each other's partners. And if you don't even want to hang out with her, that's fine too. There's already plenty of time in the day that we don't spend together. You don't even have to see me with her, if she disgusts you that much.
But if it's just the thought of me with a girl that bothers you, that's probably a different talk we need to have.
no subject
He knows none of them expect him to be into her. But before, they were with each other's partners. Frequently. In a few cases, all at the same time. When he thinks about a situation like that erupting between two or three of them with Blue, he's afraid he won't be able to stomach it. And weirdly, he's more afraid of how she'd feel if that happened than his own humiliation.
It's easier for everyone if they avoid the situation entirely. Especially if they're going to keep asking him how he feels about it and getting disappointed when he reacts with anything but enthusiasm.]
What I want is for everything to go back to how it used to be.
no subject
[Noah scoots forward slowly, his hands and knees finally making impressions in the sheets, until he's only a couple of feet away. His eyes are kind, and still sleepy with smoke, but his gaze on Ronan is firm.]
Before, though... we missed her. Me and Gansey. [He's still not sure about Adam's feelings on the topic.] We're not trying to turn four into five. The four of us still have a big, special, important... thing. Just, sometimes I'll go kiss a girl.
[He wishes he was clear-headed enough to know if he's just making things worse. Tipping forward, he folds himself until his forehead rests on the very edge of Ronan's knee.]
I'm crazy in love with you.
[He's just saying things he's thinking now.]
no subject
But he doesn't hate Blue. He can't hate her now, knowing what he knows. That makes it impossible to call for her exile, and leaves his own departure the only option, now that he sees his relationships coming to an end.
He sighs, combing his fingers through Noah's hair.]
I'm crazy in love with you, too.
[Noah was his first boyfriend. He doesn't want to let go of this, either. If Noah needs Ronan to be the one to end it, it's not going to happen.]
It's going to be worse if you guys are sneaking around trying to hide it from me so my feelings don't get hurt or whatever. I don't want it to be like I never see you anymore because you're with her. If you're really serious about this, then I think I'm going to have to be okay with her, too.
I don't know. Maybe it'll work. She's used to not kissing her boyfriends, right?
no subject
[He leans into the contact, scooting his head closer. His hair smells like pancakes.]
I'm never going to leave you for her. She winds up with him, and you wind up with Adam, but I'm gonna be right here the whole time, okay? This is where I belong.
[He looks up from under his floppy hair, and raises one hand - one finger - to tap Ronan's chest.]
no subject
We've got a long way to go before any of us winds up anywhere.
[Or that's the hope, at least. Ronan hopes the future never arrives. He catches Noah's hand and curls his fingers around it, clasping it gently.]
But you're right. You're always there, always have been.
no subject
You're the one I'd have wanted that future with, if I could have it. If I had to pick.
no subject
Noah's words bring a tightness to his throat and a heat to his eyes. He hates that they don't have a future. He hates it more than anything.]
You're mine.
[Ronan wanted Noah from the start. They were each other's best companions, especially once Gansey and Adam became infatuated with each other. Ronan can't imagine what it'll be like when Noah isn't a part of his life anymore. He can't remember a time without him.]
I haven't given up, you know. I'm still trying to find a way.
no subject
[It's not a lie - just a wish. He wishes he could belong to Ronan, instead of belonging to the hallowed earth where his bones are buried.]
And you're not allowed to leave until you figure it out. Find a way to keep me.
[He kisses the closest skin to his lips, the hollow of Ronan's collar, soft and warm. His mouth tugs just a little.]
no subject
I promise I will.
[None of them will let him join Noah in death, so he'll have to bring Noah to life.]
no subject
Anywhere you need to be?
no subject
Right here.
no subject
[He hums his reply, following Ronan's veins up to the stubbly underside of his jaw.
Let's have sex. In thoughts, it's easier to put it simply and bluntly.]
no subject
no subject
It's funny how they were both near tears only a few minutes ago. Either they're really good at emotions, or they have a lot of shit they need to work through.]
This time- [Noah talks right into his skin, warm and buzzing.] This time I want you inside me.
no subject
Then Noah says that and Ronan's cock throbs painfully in the same moment his heart skips a beat.]
Are you sure?
[They've been putting this off with good reason. Noah's so little and Ronan's so... big. So likely to lose control. So likely to hurt Noah without meaning to.]
no subject
Positive.
[He knows it could be a bad decision, but he's already been waiting so long. He's got to at least know.
Besides, he's been practicing diligently.]
no subject
Cupping Noah's face in his hands, Ronan draws him in for a slow, hungry kiss. He pushes his tongue past Noah's lips and silently promises to be good to him, the way Noah's been.]
no subject
They're practiced at this part, at the shedding of clothes and the tracing of bodies, but every exploration still feels like the first one. Noah still feels a thrill every time he slides his T-shirt off in front of Ronan's worshipful eyes. When he rocks back against him, he feels nervous excitement all the way through his stomach. They're giddy teenagers, still clumsy and unpracticed, but the love in their hearts surpasses age.]
no subject
Moaning softly into Noah's skin as Noah's hips move against him, Ronan's fingers climb back down to begin working Noah out of the rest of his clothes. They're rushing only to go slow, he knows, but he can't help himself.]
no subject
Dude.
[He uses his toes to shuck his jeans off the rest of the way, and if they were in any other circumstances, it would be hilariously weird.]
I have that Beyoncé song stuck in my head now. "Crazy in Love", or whatever it's called.
no subject
♫ 'cause your love's got the best of me
And baby, you're making a fool of me
You got me sprung and I don't care who sees
'cause baby, you got me, you got me ♫
no subject
[Noah laughs, light and jubilant and adoring, before cutting the song off with another needy kiss. It is a bit slower than the last, but it's rougher, in his sweet, roguish way. He nips and whines, one hand kneading against Ronan's chest while the other works to get rid of that last, pesky layer of boxers between their tightly pressed hips.
He knows it won't be easy, but he wants it to start not being easy now.]
no subject
One hand drops between them, palming Noah's cock, as if he needs any more encouragement. His other arm swings over the edge of the mattress, swiping the lube from under his bed.]
no subject
Please. [It's hard to tell if he says it with his voice or with his mind - it seems to be both.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)