Chapter Text
Lio looked at the marks with utter fear. He suddenly felt like there was something constricting his chest, making it impossible to breathe or talk, his mind racing through a million of possibilities.
It couldn’t be Promare. He might have been used in the past to human bodies just being able to burn things, but it couldn’t possibly be that since Pormare were simply no more in this plane of existence. He would have been hearing them. Wouldn’t he? Maybe Galo just dropped a candle? Sometimes, when Lio was in especially bad mood, he would light candles in the house so it would feel more cozy, familiar for the smaller man.
Maybe he burned the wood somehow today morning, when Lio was still asleep? He didn’t feel a tug of panic on their bond, he didn’t fear for Galo’s life, so it was probably something minor.
He is panicking over two black dots on the table in a house shared by two firefighters - of course something would eventually get burned there.
Galo might have somehow became a Burnish despite the fact of never being one. What was however a bigger possibility,that Lio was just still an oversensitive, whiny baby, anxious about tiniest of signs.
Meis and Guiera’s house, after they settled into their own place as well, had already been burned all over since they couldn't help their fixation with fire; even despite therapy and small burn marks constantly covering their hands now. He shouldn't be panicking for two dots, and what is exactly a shape of an elbow, really? Just an irregular circle. They are not even big enough for Galo’s elbows, he could bet on that. That man was enormous. What then was that sticky feeling he felt in his chest?
Lio has been pouring juice in his mug for a moment now, all while panicking about burn marks - old habit making him continue activities instead of staring, to appear as inconspicuous as possible. He didn’t even realise he began the act and now his hand was covered in spilled juice that his mind was sharp enough to make him start pouring, but not to actually ever stop.
“Fuck” he whispered, setting the mug aside and moving his hand into the sink to clean it.
“Lio?” he heard a worried voice from the couch. Did Galo hear him swearing, or was it their bond pulling on his emotions gently to let him know about the distress in Lio’s mind?
“I’m okay, just spilled some drink, I’ll be back in a second” he assured the other, but Galo was already in the kitchen, his big puppy face worried, eyeing Lio in search of any sign of hurt.
“I said I’m okay, you don’t have to check on me in the kitchen, I’m not a child” Lio barked, irritated, confused, wanting Galo out of the room, wanting to gather his thoughts and rethink a logical explanation for those hellish burn marks on the table.
The taller man didn’t say anything, and Lio felt sudden remorse - he didn’t want to insult Galo, just a moment to gather his thoughts; everything was too fast, what if Galo hates him now for acting up? What if he makes him leave his apartment, what if -
His thoughts were interrupted by a steady arm closing the faucet, and pulling his hand gently away from the stream of boiling hot water. He didn't even notice that he put it in there and cranked the water to the highest temperature. His hand was a bit red, not burnt, but the color wasn’t super healthy. It won’t hurt, just feel weird for a while. Galo took a teatowel and wordlessly took Lio’s hand, gently drying it off, taking his smaller red palm into his own, big and cold from the winter's breeze.
“There, my weakness will be a soothing balm for your hand now” he said, smiling gently to Lio, without a hint of malice.
Did he mean that? Why was Galo so nice to him, why was he caring and doting around him, not getting angry with Lio about making all that fuss, not shouting that he was weak or pathetic, thar Lio was an obvious mistake and Galo should have never let him in his house?
What if Lio cracks and burns the place to feel fire again? He was a criminal, and Galo let him into his life as if he was a friend. He is surely just naive in his kindness, and Lio will eventually ruin Galo’s life and reputation; he will be an obstacle in the road for Galo’s dreams, and he is so disgusting in having a crush on his friend on top of that. How can Lio live being that awful to Galo, how can Galo keep him around and not get angry? Lio is destruction, Lio brings misfortune to people he loves. Why everyone is giving him so much, when he can offer so little, he cannot even pour a fucking glass of juice without attracting all the attention to himself !? He cannot do anything on his own, pathetic, worthless, only a mistake.
He looked up, eyes glossy, and Galo was staring back at him. Smiling gently, Lio’s now slightly trembling small hand still hidden between two big cold palms.
Lio cried for next twenty minutes, tugged desperately against Galo’s chest, sobbing in an ugly manner, unable to keep himself from going like that. He felt painfully oversensitive, panicked, and the man he had a massive crush on was holding him lovingly in his arms - how could he not be in pieces? The world went blurry and shaky.
He eventually came back to his senses sitting in Galo’s lap, tugged in a blanket like a tiny, sad burrito, his eyes red and nose runny. Alright, maybe he was a bit traumatised, but it was okay - he had Galo here and he definitely didn’t need therapy. He could handle everything on his own, he just needed some time and it was a small setback. Crying was a natural reaction, he wasn’t ashamed of it, but crying over spilled juice and two dots on a dinner table made him feel weak, pathetic.
But there was also this welcoming warmth, Galo still holding him with one hand, the other scrolling on the tablet, matching the ID-s to the list.
When did they move to the couch? Did Galo carry him here? It would have been embarrassing if the other wasn't this much bigger than him - like this ,it seemed fine somehow.
Five more minutes .
He repeated in his head, like a childish mantra of a kid who doesn't want to wake up. He hid his face in crook of Galo’s neck, warm and welcoming, cozy, safe. Their bond some how felt warm too, steady, like if they were exchanging a constant and uninterrupted flow of energy.
“Hey” Galo said quietly, Lio cracking his puffy eyes open to look at him - and suddenly feel extremely embarrassed by proximity. He started wiggling his way out of the blanket only to be stopped by Galo’s big, still a little cold hands.
“Hey, are you here?”
“What do you mean, of course I’m here” Lio barked, not meaning to sound this harsh.
“You were out for an hour”.
What
?
Lio could have sworn that since he cried, it had been maximum of twenty minutes, maybe even less. Seeing confusion on other’s face, Galo finally let him go, Lio slipping from his lap despite already missing the plush warmth.
“You cried, and then you.. passed out. I lied you on the couch, but you were crying in your sleep and I didn’t know what to do. You called some names in your sleep, and cried more, so I figured you would be more static and secure in a blanket? But somehow you were only actually peaceful when In contact with me, so I took liberty of putting you on my lap. Sorry for that, it must be weird for you.” Galo explained, his voice surprisingly quiet and gentle, as he was talking to a frightened animal. It didn’t spark fury in Lio like last time.
I want to go back to your warmth.
“No I… I’m sorry for that hysteria. I don’t know what happened to me...” Lio said putting a hand on his mouth. He felt sick, probably from hunger and the exhaustion caused by his outburst.
“Wanna eat something? I ate a bit when you were out, since I didn’t want my stomach to wake you, but we can reheat the pizza if you want “ Galo suggested, already standing up to do that. Lio unconsciously caught a piece of fabric as if he wanted Galo to stay. The taller man looked at him from above, a hit of surprise on his face, but his features were gentler in seconds.
“I’ll be back in a minute.” he said. No "don’t worry"-s , no comments on Lio’s state. He knew better than anyone that if he was to say something along the lines of" it's okay to have a breakdown" or comment on the situation in any, even the mostly sympathetic way, he would only receive poison in Lio’s response. He knew better than that.
The man went back with the microwaved pizza and it's smell suddenly replaced Lio’s need to throw up, with hunger. They ate in comfortable silence, Lio noticing a candle flickering with gentle light on the coffee table. It was easy, again, here, with Galo. He knew, felt it though their bond that If the needed to ask a favour or talk, Galo will be here for him, he will be here to talk, he will listen and make some not very sophisticated remarks that will make it all seem and feel easier.
Lio didn’t know if he was ready to talk about it.
“Do you want to sleep with me?”
That question made him choke on his pizza and cough heavily a few times. Did his red crying face smeared with snot suddenly make Galo have hots for him?
“I mean like, do you want to sleep in my bed with me tonight? I don’t mind” Galo corrected, panicked look on his face when he realised how his proposition sounded.
“You...” Lio coughed a bit of pizza up again, tears of both choking and laughter in his eyes.
“You are an idiot. ” he finished looking at Galo, wide relieved grin on his face. Galo smiled back, with the same amount of cheer in the gesture, and laughed loudly.
It was back to normal.
It also wasn’t a no from Lio - he really needed some other presence in his sleep tonight and Galo saw him in his most pathetic, vulnerable state already. He could have refused, of course, but there was no more an illusion of unbeatable bad boss to hold up in front of Galo, so he could allow himself for that moment of weakness again.
It took them another six or seven hours to make it to letter G, Lio feeling sleepy all the time despite his after-crying nap in Galo’s arms.
“Let’s go to sleep” Galo suggested finally, eating last slice of pizza and stretching his arms up, making his pale scars shine in the light of the candle. He wasn't wearing his sleeve around the house, and his burn marks, being healed up nicely, stretched like a light stripped pattern across his arm. He went to shower himself, when Lio took his time organising everything back on the coffee table to be ready for sunday, his mind thinking of Galo’s offer to share a bed.
Was it wise to do that? They were soulmates, as Galo often said, and they shared a bond for sure, but If Lio somehow damaged Galo’s trust, would their bond break too? He didn’t know what was the magical power holding it up, he was so worried for their future, he didn’t know that to do.
Will he be able to resist the urge to snuggle against Galo in his sleep? Galo wouldn't probably mind it, just embrace Lio and sleep, but could Lio be able to function properly after that? Will he not crave sleeping in Galo’s bed every day, and if he made this step, will he not dream of more? What if he dreams of fucking Galo into their sheets and what if he wakes up and kisses him? What If he wakes up mixing reality with a dream and tries to force himself on Galo, sure that they just did it anyway. What If Galo hates him for that, what if-
“Lio, shower is free whenever you are.”
He cannot wash himself in too hot water today or Galo will know.
Lio made his way to the shower unsure, happy that Galo was there first, since the floor wasn't so terrifyingly cold under his feet. Slippery tiles are way better than freezing tiles, and if they were to live together for a longer period of time, Lio would buy them floor heating. Stepping in the warm shower always gave him a sense of security, despite being naked. He however tried to make it as short as possible, not wetting his hair, hoping his bangs will make it until the next day. Water running quickly to the siphon was one of the things he always loved to watch, making his mind race a bit less, like a soft ambient music of a flickering flame.
He wondered for a while if there is a parallel universe with water based life forms, just like Promare were based on fire.
I miss my flames.
That was not an unusual thought, so Lio brushed it off. All of them felt it; living with superpowers was of course easier and more convenient; sudden lack of them, especially when they were as strong as Lio’s, was devastating. Maybe he was mourning the loss of Promare? Maybe that was why he was acting like that?
Nape of his neck went cold. He wanted to wash his hair in warm water, but if he did, he would have it cold for the rest of the night. And he would wet Galo’s pillows, and that would not be okay. When did he decide to actually go sleep beside him? His mind cracked a few gears, making his thoughts speed up. What if Galo meant it only as a friendly thing, cheering up his friend? What if he doesn’t, what if he really meant that he wants to sleep with Lio an only panicked because Lio didn’t agree momentarily?
Drip drop.
He turned the warm water off, and cranked the other lever on, completely cold, cooling himself down immediately at first thoughts of excitement. No. Nothing like that will happen.
He cannot allow himself to think like that or else he will be a goner if he is wrong .
And he is wrong.
Galo probably likes Aina. He does, because he is simple, and Aina is simple, and she definitely doesn’t require soothing during a panic attack-
But he lives with me and soothes me without complaint.
He lives with Lio because he pities Lio. That’s obvious, and he should not be reading Galo’s kindness as returning his feelings.
Lio, don’t be greedy - his mum used to tell him when he wanted something new for the 10th time in the week. He wasn’t to blame, he was a kid and his mum had money to buy it for him, she just didn’t want to spoil the child more than his dad already did. Yet in time, all he remembered was the deep feeling of shame for wanting things. He stopped asking, stopped pleading, always claimed that he had more than enough.
He didn’t cry when their gardener burned their house and everyone inside it, Lio only 15 at that time. Alive only because he awoke as a burnish during the fire.
He didn’t ask for food when he was looking for a job.
He didn’t ask for mercy when freeze force found him for the first time.
He didn’t complain when he was on the run. He had too many things to do, too many responsibilities to ever think about his needs or wants. He tried to survive and he strived to be more powerful. He didn’t want anybody to be hurt anymore. He just wanted peace.
But with the peace of world, the peace of his mind was gone and nowhere to be found.
Drip drop.
He left the shover, breathing shallowly again. Were all of those emotions that he felt today some kind of cumulation of years of suffering? Lio was sure that he was stronger than such primitive things, but it seemed that time broke him more than anything else. Time to think, time to feel, time to...
“Lio? You okay there?” Galo asked. It seemed that he spent too long in the bathroom anyway.
He pulled his pyjamas on quickly, big soft and warm, long sleeved. Galo was waiting outside the bathroom like a dog waiting for it’s owner. Maybe he was one? Lio really wanted to be Galo’s owner.
Reflexively, he reached out and pet Galo’s hair, pretending that he did that on purpose, pretending it didn’t make his heart stop only to race a million enemies afterwards.
Soft.
So many things about Galo were soft. His hair, his heart, his chest, his voice, his smile, his eyes. His hands were roughed up by work, but his white blisters were soft. He allowed Lio to touch them the other day, the smaller man fascinated, never having a burn himself.
He waited there, in front of the bathroom, looking at Lio with a worried note in his eyes, but also something that Lio would dare to call affection if it didn’t make his face go red.
Decision time: go to the right, to his couch or to Galo’s bed on the left? It was big, welcoming and softer than the couch. He knew he would sleep soundly there, wrapped in Galo’s steady arms or just laying beside him, feeling heat radiating from other’s body. Maybe they would spoon? Lio never spooned anybody and never allowed anybody to spoon him. He was too prideful for that so far. What if the other spoons him? Would it be comfortable? It will for sure be warm, and If he is to spoon Galo, he will melt with delight and crumble with the fear of getting a hard-on. But what if Galo was serious about the “sleeping with” thing - then they would kiss and he would bend Galo over, make him hold onto metal bolster and …
He quickly made his way to the couch, afraid that Galo might hear beating of his heart though their soulmate bond. He didn’t see if Galo was unhappy about his choice, he just darted under the covers, his face burning. How could he face Galo like this, body freezing from the cold shower, face red with embarrassment, wanting. How can he be so needy, Galo is giving him so much already, he doesn’t deserve more kindness with the things he has done.
How can he expect Galo to like him, the head of an ex- terrorist group, back. His friendship was more than an enormous gift to Lio, making his heart go wild with excitement for every day with other man.
He hugged his pillow instead of laying on it. All the pillows used to belong to Galo, so they were bigger than Lio would pick for himself, allowing him to wrap his arms and cold knees around it.
He waited for the sleep to come, dark living room not helping with his fears. Galo must have extinguished the candle when he was in the shower. Fire safety always first.
….
At 3 am he wasn’t able to hold on anymore.
Wish I was sleeping beside him.
The thought felt familiar, warm, somehow different from other thoughts of today.
Well fuck.
Lio stood up and made his way to Galo’s bedroom. The doors were not locked, as he expected if he had to be honest. Galo most likely knowing that he will be coming here sooner or later. Either thanks to bond or instincts - the other man was good with reading both.
Quiet footsteps, muffled by the soft carpet of the bedroom were the only audible thing except for breathing. Galo didn’t talk, but he was awake. He shuffled backwards on the bed, raising the duvet welcomingly. Lio dropped the blanket he brought with himself when he intended just to sneak in and sleep beside Galo. Deep in his heart, though their bond, he knew the other was awake, so why did he bother with the blanket anyway? It was just another lie he told himself to soothe his sense of guilt for crushing and lusting over Galo.
He crawled on the bed and didn’t resist when a pair of strong, steady hands pulled him a little closer.
“My turn” Lio said, his voice sounding more rugged than he expected it to, feeling a bit dizzy from the amount of physical contact and Galo understood, sliding down to be the one held by Lio. They were surprisingly comfortable in that position, despite the size difference.
“Good night” Lio said.
I don’t want to let you go.
“Then don’t.”
…
….
….
Wait, what?
“Galo?” Lio was awake now. Very awake.
Did he say that out loud? The other answered him with a humm, affirming that he was listening.
“What did you just answer to?” he asked very quietly.
“You said that you don’t want to let me go” Galo said, adjusting himself in Lio’s welcoming arms.
“So I said you’d better don’t “ he added, looking up.
“I didn’t say that out loud, did I?” Lio asked, something in his voice cracking, scared. Was he doing crazy?
“You didn’t.”
What? So how did Galo know what he was telling him in his mind? He didn’t voice it out. What if Galo can hear all his shameful thoughts, what if he heard what he was thinking in front of the bathroom, was it their bond? Was it their-
“I thought you wanted me to hear it? Your mind was silent since day one, but somehow, after you woke up today, you were talking to me all morning” he said, concern in his voice.
“What… what do you mean?” Lio asked, shuffling back so he was still holding Galo, but he also could see his face from that angle.
“I thought you figured it out before me, to be honest. You’ve sent me some thoughts after we won, but nothing else, ever again. I was sending you a lot tho, didn’t know how to contain my emotions so you ended up answering a lot of stuff I was saying to you in my mind. It really confused the team, so I did my best to learn how to contain it and stop talking to you in my mind. I figured you liked it better when I was just talking out loud? “ he said as if it was the easiest thing to figure out.
Should I talk like this?
Galo’s voice licked his mind like Promare’s voices did before, familiar feeling creeping down his spine. Galo’s hands, which were lying on his waist, moved on his back, pulling him closer.
“I didn’t know that you could hear my thoughts” Lio said, heart thumping loudly.
“I heard you today. That’s why I figured you were distressed, you couldn't restrain them and you only need to be calm to do so. Thought you knew. I can only hear your most emotional thoughts, so can you do with mine. You learned how not to speak them at loud quickly, but I guess you just had that as a habit from times with Promare, I never knew it was not obvious for you” Galo said, quietly, softly, explaining himself like a guilty child.
Lio wanted him to talk in his head again. It was so intimate, close, nice, reminding him of Promare, safe, only their own.
“I’m sorry.”
“Oh, don’t be.”
‘I should have known!”
‘How could you have known?”
Lio wasn’t sure when one of his hands moved to Galo’s face. It was so warm, they were so close.
“I’ve heard you calling out today, scared you would be alone.” he taller man continued.
That’s why you knew I will have a breakdown.
“Yes.”
The answer was simple. Why was he making it so complicated in his mind, why was it so hard to just let Galo know his thoughts and feelings, even if they were embarrassing? If he was present in his mind like Promare were previously, there was nothing he would be able to hide from him in time anyway. He can give up on it now.
Galo.
The other looked at him, expression showing that he’s listening. Lio caressed his cheek.The gesture was so intimate, but he was still reluctant. Galo didn’t give him any permissions. He wanted to kiss him so badly and Galo was like a dumbfounded puppy, looking at him with only care and worry, being the best friend he could have wished for. How can he ask him for such a thing even if he suddenly found out how deep and intimate their connection was?
Can I?
Lio felt fire licking his spine. He didn’t know whose thoughts those were, but he just leaned in, cupping Galo’s face in his hands. Fuck it, if he misread Galo, it was really fucking suggestive when the other man was cuddling him and letting him pet his face.
They stopped millimeters apart, because their pillow caught fire.
Promare fire, blue and pink and green, dancing happily on their bed, not burning either of them, not actually even burning the pillows. They sat up, alarmed, concerned, but as soon as Lio realised that it is his old fire, the one that will not burn anything as long as he wills it to, he surged forward again, kissing Galo.
There was nothing stopping them here, no questions, no tries to extinguish the Promare, they could both feel it in their veins, in every piece of them, that the only reason for the fire to be there was their bond. It was a surge of energy, not an actual sentient being like Promare was, just something that became part of them ever since they shared the same flame.
Lio crawled in Galo’s lap, his hands finding the other man's bigger palms and linking their fingers steadily before pressing him against the wall, kissing his breath away easily. Galo moaned lowly, unable to restrain himself while having the other man in his lap, and grinded himself at him forcefully, even if he didn't do that completely on purpose. It was pure instinct, almost scary, as if they were to melt together and become Galo de Lio again. The fire was there, dancing around them, not big enough to even overtake the entire bed. It was made only of their weak human will and energy, nothing compared to Promare, but it still was there, making it all warm again, welcoming. Lio’s hands tugged on Galo’s shirt and the taller man made a surprised sound, holding onto smaller hands.
He didn’t even send him his thoughts - just a feeling, uncertainty, a bit of fear, a bit of embarrassment. Lio’s hands made their way to the nape of Galo’s neck, the man kissing him deeply, slower this time, with more precision, testing the waters that seemed unknown to Galo who was rather clumsy in his response, uncoordinated, open mouthed kisses with too much teeth, hands holding onto Lio’s hips now, fire around them getting smaller, steadier, more controlled. They broke apart after what felt like ages - but still not enough; and if not for the chaos Lio felt from Galo, he wouldn’t have done that.
“What's wrong?” he asked; not an “Are you okay”, because he knew something was up.
“Fire” Galo lied and Lio raised his eyebrows, sitting more comfortably on Galo’s lap. The other wanted it too, Lio could feel it in his every bone, but something was clearly out of place.
Too fast.
“Oh” Lio understood without a further explanation, pulling Galo down and untangling from his legs, pressing to his head to make it rest on his chest. After a few minutes of Galo getting his breathing to work properly and Lio being unusually calm, he finally spoke.
“It’s not that I didn’t like it, I just… I’m 20. I dedicated my life to firefighting, I never did… such things. Never felt such things and the fire that comes with it is also new and-” Lio kissed him again, shortly, reassuringly, calming. It was all okay now.
“Can we just keep on kissing please? “ Galo asked quietly and Lio’s cocky smile was on his face.
“Since you asked so nicely... such a good boy.” he praised, Galo’s eyes going wide at the pet name. Lio snickered with adoration over the aloof man.
They kissed slowly this time, nice and easy, steady. Lio ended up being the one stopping Galo a bit, showing him how to deepen the kiss without making it awkward, with less bite. Taking the lead was quite natural for him, he felt confident with it even when his partner was this much bigger than himself.
They didn’t part until the sunrise, when they finally fell asleep, Galo tugged safely between Lio’s small hands, his own big palm resting on small of other’s back.