Chapter Text
Kodya stirs gently, morning light lancing across his face. It's hard to imagine that it's been almost a year since they escaped. He looks over at the man lying next to him, his gaze softening. Gyrus sleeps peacefully, face much calmer in sleep then it ever would be normally. His green hair fans out around him, and he's holding Kodya's hand, his breathing steady and peaceful. It's one of the most beautiful things he's ever seen. So he lays there beside him, content to just be where he is, with him.
He smiles when he feels his boyfriend begin to wake up. Normally Gyrus is the first one up, but he must've been tired. Gyrus opens his eyes, gazing at Kodya, and it momentarily takes his breath away. How can someone be so pretty? He kisses the top of Gyrus's head. "Good morning, Gyrus. Did you sleep well?"
He pauses, noticing the look on Gyrus's face. "It's okay, Gyrus." He slides out of bed and pads to the window, pulling back the curtains. Gyrus rubs his eyes, gazing at the sun beginning to rise over the horizon. "It's real, I promise."
Gyrus sighs with relief, pulling himself into a sitting position. "Sorry, it's just..." He trails off.
Kodya sits next to him, taking his hand again. "I know, babe. It's okay." Gyrus leans on his shoulder, and Kodya smiles a little at that. "Besides, I owe you one after you rescued me last week."
Gyrus huffs a laugh. "I'd hardly call it a rescue, Kodya. You had a nightmare, that's all." He shrugs, trying to play it off, but Kodya grabs his boyfriend by the shoulders, looking at him.
"What did I say about this?" He demands.
Gyrus looks away, pouting. "...I shouldn't invalidate what I do for you," he sighs. "That still feels stupid to say."
"It's not, I promise." Kodya smiles affectionately at him, before kissing him lightly. He pulls away, standing up. "I'm going to go get dressed and make breakfast, okay?" He picks up the laundry basket before he softly walks out of the room, footsteps near-silent on the carpet despite his size.
Gyrus smiles after his boyfriend, but his expression darkens as the memory of his dream crosses his mind. He still had nightmares sometimes. It had been an adjustment, to have finally escaped, but there was always a little voice in the back of his head that whispered they'd never escaped at all. After all, how did they know this wasn't yet another reality, designed to trick them into staying trapped forever? It seemed real, but so had the space station. He sighs, stomach growling. Breakfast did sound good. Gyrus threw on one of Kodya’s hoodies, putting on jeans. and heads into the kitchen, where Kodya has put on an apron and the ingredients to make plushki littered on the countertops.
He walks back into the kitchen, sits down, and grabs his phone off the table. He presses the home screen button. He texts Sylvia. “Ready 4 tmrw?”
The answer is almost immediate. “😁👍! Wbu, 🍓?!”
Gyrus lets out a small laugh, turning off his phone. “Sylvia seems to be excited.”
“When is she not?” Kodya answers back, starting to bake.
“She and Oli are finally together,” Gyrus says, pulling his hair back into a ponytail. “I thought it’d never happen.”
“Fluffy and Olimedes?” Kodya considers it, the smell of cinnamon filling the kitchen. “I mean, yeah, that checks out. The two of them were always nauseatingly cute together.”
Gyrus smiles, drumming his hands on the wooden table. “I can’t believe you still haven’t warmed up to her.”
“I have! I think she’s cool.” Kodya shrugs, taking out the baking sheet. He brushes a lock of brown hair out of his blue eyes.
Gyrus’s eyes light up, and he grins. “Oh my gosh, you guys are friends!?”
Kodya crosses his arms, a stubborn look in his blue eyes. “I never said that!”
“Come on, babe. We’ve been together for years, and yet you still think I can’t read you?” He smiles, standing up and grabbing a plushka. He winces, tossing it from hand to hand, trying not to burn his fingers. Kodya laughs, handing him a plate as Gyrus sucks on his fingers.
“For being a genius, you can be pretty dumb sometimes.”
“Oh, please. You’re just as dumb as I am, albeit in a different way.” Gyrus smiles, biting into the plushka. His eyes get big. “Ohmygodthisissogood,” he mumbles, mouth full.
“G-Gyrus! That’s right out of the oven! You’re going to burn your tongue off! Sit down at the table and wait for it to cool!” He takes the plate away, and Gyrus pouts, going to sit down.
“Those cinnamon buns are really good! We should bring some to Syl, I’m sure she’d love them!” Gyrus smiles at the thought of Sylvia trying the delicious cinnamon bun.
“They’re not cinnamon buns,” Kodya huffs, untying his apron and hanging it up. He bustles around the kitchen, starting to clean up the mess. “They’re plushki.”
“They’re… plushki?” Gyrus says, staring at Kodya.
“Yes. Plushki.”
Gyrus starts laughing, and Kodya gives him a strange look. “I’m sorry, but it’s so funny to hear you say Plushki! It sounds adorable!” His purple eyes sparkle.
Kodya turns pink, crossing his arms. “Well, that’s what they’re called!”
Gyrus grins, grabbing his plate and poking the plushka to see if it’s cooled down enough to eat. “Am I your plushki, babe?” He gives his boyfriend puppy dog eyes.
“The singular is plushka, but yes, you are my plushka.” He smiles good-naturedly, sitting down next to his boyfriend.
“You’re not busy today, right?” Gyrus asks, grabbing another plushka off the baking sheet.
Kodya shakes his head. “Of course not, kid. I always tell you my plans. Why, do you have something in mind?”
“I do! Let me finish eating these, and then we’ll have to go out for a drive! We’re going someplace special today, babe!” He winks, grinning, and Kodya smiles.
“Pft. You’re so cute.” He wipes cinnamon from the corner of his boyfriend’s mouth, tasting it.
Gyrus turns bright red and looks down, eyes wide. Kodya bursts out laughing. “What’s wrong? You weren’t thinking of something lewd, were you?” Kodya teases, taking his face in his hands and staring into his eyes.
“I… Uhm…” Gyrus says, lost in his boyfriend’s blue eyes. “I-I think I still have some left, a-actually…” He scratches his chin, ears turning pink.
Kodya pauses for a moment, before catching on. He smirks, eyes twinkling. “Well, gee, I wonder how I could help you…” His hand wraps around Gyrus’s waist, pulling him close.
Gyrus’s breathing hitches as his lips get closer to Kodya’s. “I can think of a couple ways,” Gyrus breathes, before wrapping his arms around Kodya’s neck and kissing him.
Kodya melts into the kiss, tasting the cinnamon on Gyrus’s lips. It’s so sweet, just like him. He moves his lips against Gyrus’s, wiping away sticky glaze and cinnamon.
Kodya’s lips are soft and warm, and he tastes like winter, almost. Like pine and mint. It’s an intoxicating flavor, and Gyrus finds himself longing for more. But… the surprise. If I stay here any longer, I won’t go. He smiles, pulling away.
“Did I get it all, babe?” Kodya asks, touching his boyfriend’s face.
Gyrus closes his eyes, leaning into his boyfriend's touch. When he opens them, his lavender eyes are playful. “I think… there’s still just a little left. Just enough for… one more kiss?”
“You’re right,” Kodya agrees. “I think there’s still a little left. Don’t worry, I’ve got it.” He kisses him, long, slow, and sweet. Unlike last time, there is no passion, no bite. Just languid love. The comfort of knowing they have endless amounts of time. They can take things as slowly as they’d like.
Kodya finally breaks the kiss, standing up. “Well, it sounds like you want to take me someplace, and the plushki is getting cold. Should I put it in the fridge?”
“Sure,” he hums. “I’ll grab the keys and head to the car, can you lock the doors and stuff? Also, grab some shorts for the both of us, we’ll need them.”
Kodya kisses him on the lips, patting his head. “Of course. See you downstairs.” Kodya puts the plushki in the fridge, sparing a glance around the now-empty apartment. It seems so much bigger and more lonely without Gyrus here. Still, signs of him are visible everywhere. Books and scientific papers are strewn everywhere, and pictures are hung up on the walls. Gyrus, smiling, wearing his graduation gown. Gyrus, kissing Kodya in front of the university Kodya had been accepted to. Tori and Gyrus flexing side by side, grinning.
Gyrus was a part of his life forever. He’d never have to worry about resets, time limits, or memory loss. He could hang up pictures and give his boyfriend gifts, knowing that they’d both remember it. It was beautiful. This life was beautiful.
Kodya smiles to himself, turning off the light and locking the door. I can’t wait to experience everything this life has to offer.