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Hottataru wasn’t going to survive this. Every day, it was something. They’d been here together a week and then some, just the two of them. The tension that’d been building up in the air was palpable!
Did Ven even feel it? Probably, his eyes were lingering on Hottataru a little too long after they spoke. It seemed like every time they were together, they’d touch somehow. Shoulder against shoulder, a hand brushing over his back, his arm around Ven’s shoulder and squeezing slightly. It’s like they couldn’t get away from one another…
And of course, they were sleeping in the same bed. Not cuddling, but his heart was beating like they were… To the point where his chest hurt by the time the sun rose. Surely by now Ven had probably noticed the shadows growing under his eyes, too. He was a sharp man, after all. The fact he wasn’t commenting on it just made Hottataru more antsy, though.
One thing was sure though, Hottataru… felt like an asshole for getting himself worked up like this.
Ven’s parents had died. The whole reason he was here was to check up on him, and make sure he stayed fine. But here Hottataru was getting antsy and nervous about this stupid, unending crush he couldn’t quit. There were a few close calls in the past where he just wanted to rip the bandage off and throw himself in some random’s bed but he just ended up feeling sick the longer he thought about it.
Damn him. Gods damn him to the seven hells.
He could feel himself clamming up more and more as his head became stuffier by the day. There wasn’t a time of day his cheeks didn’t feel hot when they were in the same room together. Though the silences weren’t uncomfortable, even! Which was worse. Maybe an uncomfortable silence would make Hottataru stop thinking about this!
The past half a year, they’d been getting along better. So much less arguing, more peaceful conversations, getting to know one another in a way that animosity hadn’t let them bond in. But that didn’t change the fact that half a year ago Ven and him had been at one another’s throat! Even on the first, for a little while at least, Ven had still been gritting his teeth whenever Hots opened his mouth. Sure, it changed pretty quickly though, but….
Embarrassing. It was so embarrassing. He was embarrassing himself, as always. He was unfortunately good at that, honestly. Gods, he’s been told by some of the nicest people he knows that he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed. He was really, really feeling it right now though! Fuck.
With a grand, heavy sigh Hottataru rubs his face and stares down at the cup of tea he had in front of him. Beside him, Ven was sitting on the couch all too cozy looking and, well. Looking as attractive as always. Their thighs? Brushing against one another, and gods if that wasn’t distracting enough as is. Ven’s body was hot as an iron- or maybe that’s just because Hottataru couldn’t tear his focus completely away from him.
Hots’ eyes flicker over to Ven’s face, taking in his features cast in light from the fireplace, and feels his heart squeeze for the nth time that day. This was exhausting. Couldn’t he just be allowed to exist around Ven like this without trying to impale himself on his own feelings? In some ways it had been easier to argue with him all-
No. It hadn’t been easier. It’d been misery.
When Ven’s gaze slides over to meet his own Hottataru ducks his head, quickly busying himself with downing the rest of his tea as his tail curls over his waist like a belt trying to hold him back from springing up and heading off. That’s probably a dead giveaway to his struggles on its own, gods save him.
Sinking back further into the couch and sliding down it slightly, he tries to not wince at himself and sets his now empty cup on the table nearby. Then he’s pushing a hand into his hair, stretching a bit. Gods he was exhausted-
And as he sets his hand on his thigh, his fingers brush against Ven’s. It’s a white hot bullet of awareness that lances up his arm and it’s a miracle that he doesn’t flinch. No, instead his eyes are darting down to stare at the rough hand beside his own. Pretty, long fingers rest on Ven’s thigh, looking graceful as ever; and Hottataru can hear his heart surging upwards into his throat. Pulse pounding in his horns, he moves before he even thinks and grabs Ven’s hand in a light hold.
It shouldn’t be making him this bloody sensitive. Hand holding. For fuck-
He was holding Ven’s hand.
Calluses brush against his own, warmth stinging his skin under his palm, and he feels- he feels…
Quickly his grip retreats as fast as it came, and he sits there for a moment paralyzed by insecurities and disgust for daring to even touch the other side of that line. Even if it was for a brief mome-
Ven’s hand is back on his own just a breath later, sliding over the back of his hand and making Hots’ breath hitch in his throat. Then, he’s glancing up to finally truly meet Ven’s gaze.
Bright, bright blue eyes. Tired. Always tired. The same eyes that have stolen his breath time and time again (and now was no different.)
“Ah.” Hottataru’s head is swimming, his tongue darting out to wet his lip a bit before he slowly musters up the mental capacity to turn his palm over under Ven’s hand and… link their fingers together. A perfect fit, of course. Of course.
And the only thing he can think to do, the only thing he wants to do is-
Lean in, and kiss Ven’s lips. Honestly he didn’t even realize what he was doing until it happens, and the energy in his body is singing in his skull but what’s louder is the gentle noise Ven makes- approval. A smile curls against Hottataru’s lips, and he pulls back just enough to see it on Ven’s face.
There wasn’t any surprise there, or disgust. Maybe a bit of a probing look, just wondering what Hots was going to do next. They’re already so close, but now Hottataru is half turned and crossing into Ven’s space even more than he already had. Their chests brush together, breath brushing against one another’s lips as Hottataru brings a hand to touch that feather soft hair.
“…I always thought… you’d punch me if I tried that.” Hottataru murmurs, wondering why he can’t shut his fucking mouth right now when he’d been doing so well before this-
“Keep talking and I’ll consider it.” Is the soft spoken response he gets in return. And it’s just… so Ven, to say something like that with a smile that was as gentle as could be.
Hots can’t help the little bubble of laughter that leaves him, cheeks burningly hot as he looks Ven’s face over for a long moment before finally letting his gaze dart down to his lips. Slightly parted, inviting. He could take that last step and really take a chance to taste Ven, to feel them together. Like he’s always wanted.
He leans in, wanting to just have this… And stops, their foreheads resting together.
But there’s still a lingering hesitation- that niggling, undying voice of anxiety that’s gotten him into so much trouble over the years. Ven doesn’t do romance. As far as Hots has observed, he just beds someone and is done with them. Or if they’re a good lay, maybe he’ll invite them back. Hots isn’t like that. He’s soft inside, maybe a bit naive.
What pulls him out of these thoughts is Ven’s hand sliding over his cheek. He’d felt Ven’s hand on his face before, when they’d fought like petty brats, but this was different in every way. Almost reassuring. Was it meant to be reassuring? Or was it just a touch?
It gives Hottataru the push he needs though.
“I’ve wanted you… for a very, very long time, Veneficus.” He confesses. Those words aren’t even enough. He’s more than wanted him. Yearned, ached, screamed and hissed for attention from him.
And he puts that energy into the kiss, making it as desperate as he’d felt for the past year and a half or more. Teeth against skin, lips brushing together soft at first before becoming hungry. Tongue hot and gods Ven tasted like the tea they’d been drinking and so much more. He whines slightly into the kiss, tail finally coming back to life as he wraps his one of his arms around Ven’s waist-
When they pull back, there’s a fire lit in Ven’s eyes, and he only has a few words to offer Hottataru in return for the confession:
“Then you can have me. Truly.”
Gods, he shall.