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Mystery strolled up behind Fenton, wrapping his arms around the other building.
"Hello, hello," Fenton chuckled, leaning into the older house's embrace. "And how are you?"
"Better now," Mystery snorts, burying his nose in the junction of the taller building's neck. "Miss' you."
"It's only been a few days," Fenton admonished gently, leaning their head onto Mystery's. "But really, I'm one to talk."
Mystery huffed, taking in the scent of metal and mortar. From anywhere else, it would be unpleasant, but tinged with the faint trace of death that Fenton always carried, it could only be described as divine. "Do tell."
Fenton pulled away, much to Mystery's dismay, and turned to face him. "I started missing you the moment you turned away."
"Sap," Mystery shook his head, grabbing Fenton's arms and pulling them close once more.
"Your sap," Fenton laughed, coming easily, not resisting (Never resisting.) the other's welcoming embrace.
"My sap," Mystery agreed, closing his eyes. Fenton smelled like sawdust and embalming fluid. It wasn't unpleasant.
"You're beautiful."
Fenton smiled, looking away shyly. "You always say that."
"Because it's true. You're beautiful."
"And you're handsome."
"Of course I am. Rugged good looks to go with your soft beauty? It's common sense."
"And so modest."
"It's a defining trait, you know."
"Is it, now."
"Of course."
Fenton stumbled to where Mystery sat, and collapsed in a shaking heap.
"Fenton!" He cried in alarm, eyes scanning the younger house's form, noticin with some alarm the immediately noticeable changes in their appearance. "Fenton?"
"Hey Mystery," Fenton groaned, sitting up.and leaning against him. "Sorry 'm late."
"What happened?"
"Residents decided to do some home improvement," Fenton groaned, eyes fluttering shut and head pressing closer to Mystery's neck. "It was a bit more than i expected."
"I can see that," Mystery replied, taking in the metal shine of Fenton's lower legs and the glowing wires embedded in their exposed arms, crisscrossing in an unfortunate cross between a lattice pattern and a labyrinth. Some of their once glorious burgundy hair had been exchanged for sleek metal silver. It was a significant difference from when they had last seen eachother only a day before. "They work fast."
"You don't know the half of it."
"Are you okay?"
"Mm. Sore. Hold me?"
"Of course," Mystery replied easily pulling them into his embrace. "I was already going to offer."
"Mm. I love you."
Mystery swallowed thickly, burying his crooked nose in Fenton's shoulder. They smelled like iron, chocolate and formaldehyde. "I love you too."
Fenton smiled, tired. "Talk to me?"
And so, Mystery obliged. Conversation came easily, and neither said a word about how perfectly they fit together.
Fenton was exhausted as they laid their head on Mystery's chest, both breathing heavily. Sparks of static and magic lingered in the air around them, and neither moved, too content to stay as they were.
"I love you," Fenton whispered.
"I love you more," Mystery replied.
"Impossible."
"I'll prove it."
"You can try, but you can't love me more than I love you."
"I'll succeed."
"You will try."
"Have you ever thought about....additions?"
"Can't say I have," Mystery replied, wincing internally at the lie. In truth, he had. For a long time. He saw others building rows and talking about their additions and he couldn't help but desire that for himself some day. The desire always faded but with Fenton...it was all that was on his mind these days. They'd been together for a few years now, outliving any previous long term attachment he'd had and still going strong.
Fenton smiled. "Really?"
"Never had anyone I wanted to build with," he admitted.
"Me neither."
"You've only ever had me."
"And you're wonderful."
"Well..."
"Would you want one?" Fenton asked, nervous.
"Not yet," Mystery replied, quietly. "I want to enjoy us a bit more. I want to know all of you."
"Yeah," Fenton replied, equally quiet. "I want that too."
It wasn't a no, and that conversation would weigh on their minds for years to come.