Chapter Text
Corpse made a few attempts to convince Sykkuno that he didn't have to stay here with him, because he wouldn't be able to do anything for hours at least, maybe the whole day. Sykkuno didn't care, he wanted to be here if it made Corpse feel at least a little bit better. He wasn't able to make his pain go away but he could keep him company.
He made him drink some water, politely looking away while he had his mask down, and then proceeded to talk about his day, friends and basically anything he could think of just to distract Corpse. He didn't respond to anything Sykkuno said, just listened with eyes closed, face pressed against Sykkuno's left thigh. Sykkuno was sure he wasn't sleeping, but still lowered his voice to just whisper, his hands touching only Corpse's shoulders to disturb him as little as possible but still remind him Sykkuno was here.
After maybe an hour, maybe two he found himself not talking anymore, staring at Corpse's relaxed expression on his face lost in thoughts. He realized he had to think about what to say after Corpse woke up. They needed to talk, definitely. And he had a feeling it won't be an easy talk filled with sweet words as it usually is in fictional stories after the protagonists confess to each other. But he was willing to fight with anything that would be in their way. Because he was here to make it work. He just hoped Corpse would want to be by his side and wont push him away.
Eventually after 10pm he was forced to get up. He didn't want to, sitting with Corpse finally sleeping in his lap was more than comfortable and he didn't get bored with looking at him at all. But he really had to go to the bathroom. So he extremely carefully moved, gently placing a pillow under Corpse's head and then ran to the bathroom, because he waited a really long time, not wanting to disturb his sleep. Luckily he got there just in time.
When he was washing his hands he noticed dirty laundry on the floor. Sykkuno remembered also seeing some dishes that Corpse apparently couldn't wash because of his pain, so he decided to be useful and clean what he can without making noise. In the middle of work he decided to make yourself coffee. He didn't want to without asking, but it was necessary if he wanted to stay awake. And he was sure Corpse wouldn't actually mind, it was only coffee… right?
“...kkuno?” He heard a quiet, uncertain voice from the living room. He quickly dried his hands, leaving unfinished dishes behind, and went to the living room. It was really dark here, only light was provided by lights in the kitchen, but he could recognize shapes of furniture and person sitting on the couch. Corpse flinched and turned around as he heard him coming, so Sykkuno slowed down, stopping a few steps away from him to not scare him.
“Yeah, it's me.” He cleared his throat, suddenly blushing for no particular reason. “I didn't want to scare you, sorry. I should have turned on the lights first.” He rubbed back of his neck shyly, uncertain if he is supposed to do it now or if he can come closer.
“No, don't be, I just wasn't sure if you were here or I was hallucinating.” Corpse's silhouette was in a more relaxed position now, but Sykkuno wasn't calmer after hearing this. He was worried again. So he decided to slowly, to not scare Corpse again, move closer, sitting a few inches from him, letting one of his hands rest in space between them. He noticed Corpse was not wearing an eyepatch anymore, but the mask stayed on.
“You hallucinate?” Now his eyes got used to the dark in this room a little and he was also closer to Corpse, he could see better. Corpse looked better. Not particularly healthy, but at least he could sit normally and pain was no longer audible in his voice. Corpse was hunched, his elbows resting on his knees, palms between his legs.
“Not often. Only when the pain gets really bad.” He didn't look at Sykkuno when he spoke.
“Oh. Well I am here, for a couple hours actually. But you probably remember only the first one, then you fell asleep and I, uhm… washed some dishes and stuff.” He definitely couldn't tell him how he was staring at him, admiring how he looks for who knows how many hours. Not happening, that would be creepy to say. Now when he was thinking about it, it was creepy to do, considering how uncomfortable Corpse was about showing his face. And Sykkuno didn't even think about it. Oh how dumb was he… No this really had to be secret. And he had to be more respectful from now on.
“Hours?” Corpse looked up at him, eyes widened. “What time is it?” He started to check his pocket for the phone or watches probably, but couldn't find anything. Sykkuno unlocked his phone, ignoring tons of messages and locking it again.
“Almost midnight. You should probably go back to sleep again, but I guess bed would be better for your back. I can, uhm, help you get there if you want.” Sykkuno was really hoping it's dark enough for Corpse to not be able to see his definitely red cheeks. “Or I can leave… I mean I haven't even asked you if I can be here in the first place properly.” Which was only half truth, but Corpse really didn't tell him it's okay to be here for hours when he was sleeping. But Sykkuno just had to help him, take care of him at least in some way. Maybe Corpse was the one who looked like the strong, independent one and in some way he really was. But Sykkuno felt the urge to take care of him, make things easier for him as much as he could. He deserved it.
“No, no, I just… I didn't know I was asleep for that long. I should pay attention to you since I invited you here, not sleeping.” He clenched his hands into fists, which Sykkuno noticed right away. He gently covered them with his own palms, moving a little closer. He stroked Corpse's knuckles with his thumbs, looking down so he couldn't accidentally stare at the other man's face in fascination again. He hoped Corpse would understand, because he wasn't sure if he could put his thoughts in words right.
“You are paying it now. That's more than enough.” Sykkuno whispered, moving his hands from now relaxed Corpse's palms to his wrists, repeating soft stroking motion here. Then he picked just one of his hands, locked it together with his own, covering it from top with his second one. There was silence again, until Corpse slowly exhaled, squeezing his hand a little.
“Sykkuno…” It sounded broken, sad. Sykkuno had to look up to Corpse's hazel eyes, even though he promised he wouldn't do it. Corpse looked like he was about to tell him someone died. “I am not enough. You may not see it now, but this is not an exceptional situation. I am like this most of the time, not able to do anything. Take care of myself, let alone someone else. You don't want to start this.” Sykkuno immediately shook his head in disagreement.
“I know what I want. I had plenty of time to think about it.” He removed his right palm which was covering their holding hands, moving it to his face, brushing his curls from his sight again. He couldn't help himself not to touch him. It was addictive now when he knew how soft his hair was, how nice his skin felt under his fingers. “And you know what decision I made when I stayed here.” He cupped his cheek, not moving his hand now, just letting it rest here. Corpse seemed he enjoyed when Sykkuno was making these small, caring touches, but at the same time he looked almost quilty he wanted them.
“Sykkuno you don't understand… I- ah, just… If we start this I don't think I would be able to stop. Or go back.” He felt Corpse's hand slightly shake, but his gaze did not move away from Sykkuno even for a second. “I don't want to lose you.” He whispered on the verge of audibility.
“You won't. I promise.” He brushed his fingers against Corpse's face mask, lightly as a silent question. “Try to trust me, Corpse.”
“You don't have any idea what you are about to start.” Corpse sighed, removing his hand from Sykkuno's grip. Just as Sykkuno was about to panic, Corpse leaned closer to him, pressing their thighs together, covering his eyes with one hand. He inhaled sharply, hope blooming in his heart, burning him from inside. “Close your eyes.” Sykkuno did. He felt hand moving away to his cheek, joining with Corpse's other one in just a few seconds. He had to really convince himself he didn't want to open his eyes now and ruin this moment.
Sykkuno blindly reached for something to hold on, ending with both hands on Corpse's chest, which was now slowly moving closer. He swallowed, leaving his mouth slightly open, waiting, hyper aware of hands gently touching his cheeks, the feel of soft fabric in his hands and warm body under it.
The feeling on his lips was as gentle as the touch of butterfly wings. Sykkuno couldn't hold himself back anymore, he just had to lean into the kiss to taste Corpse's lips more. They were warm, little bigger than his own and just perfect in every possible way. He tilted his head a little to the left for better access to kiss him more, deeper. Corpse made a short high pitched sound, before he finally stopped holding back, moving one hand to Sykkuno's hair and kissed him with the same passion.
Sykkuno felt dizzy but happy, kissing him back, grabbing him by his shirt to pull him closer in need of more physical contact. Everything felt so warm, fuzzy and fantastic. He never expected normal kissing to be so intense.
He had to break the kiss, breathing heavily, pressing his head against Corpse's shoulder to stop the world from spinning. He moved his hands around Corpse's torso, locking them together, so he couldn't move away even if he wanted to. But according to the low chuckle Corpse made he didn't plan to do it. Sykkuno felt hand in his hair patting his head, then tracing the line of his spine, landing between his shoulder blades.
“I think it is safe to say I am not the only one stealing hearts here.” He whispered after a long pause only to be kissed again, with lips smiling against his own.