Chapter Text
“We should have special nicknames for each other,” III exclaimed as a way of greeting as he walked into the living room where all of the other vessels were lounging by the fireplace.
Vessel and II were seated together on one side of the couch, both them reading their own respective novels. II was reading this romance book IV recommended to him, which he was surprisingly enjoying so far. Vess had been reading a book on the Greek Gods to stiffen his curiosity.
IV sat on II’s other side, but he was focused on the T.V. as he was playing COD story mode. III plopped himself down on the couch next to IV.
“You mean ones that we only use for one person?” II questioned while sliding a bookmark into his book, wanting III to know that he had his full attention. Vessel followed his lead and did the same thing.
“Yeah! I think it’ll be cute,” III smiled as he turned his head to his lovers.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea, love,” Vessel encouraged him from the other end of the couch.
IV paused the video game and he leaned forward to place his controller on the coffee table. When he leaned back, III wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him close. IV just leaned into III with a content smile on his face.
“Hmm… well for Vessel he’s like a lizard. He runs cold, craves warmth, and always somehow sneaks up on us undetected just like how a lizard appears out of nowhere,” IV proposed while glancing over at Vessel to get the man's reaction.
“So like a gecko?” II chimed in. His hand closest to Vessel snuck its way onto his thigh and II gave it a gentle squeeze.
“You are not calling me gecko,” Vessel huffed and he turned his head away to hide the small smile that appeared on his face. Not from the nickname, but from his lover's antics but they would get the wrong idea.
“My lizard?” III said with a laugh that made all the other vessel’s hearts flutter.
“Absolutely not,” Vessel was more stern this time.
“This is something that we can’t rush, it’ll come to us when the time is right,” II spoke softly as he placed his other hand on IV’s thigh. He ran his hands up and down Vess and IV’s thighs in a soothing motion, causing the two men at his sides to melt into it.
“You’re right baby, but I still think calling Vessel my lizard is hilarious,” III smirked across the couch at Vessel, who shot him a scowl in return.
“Do that and I'm not going to touch you in any way for a week,” Vessel returned the mischievous smirk now.
“No please! I won’t ever again I promise please please please!” III started frantically begging, causing the other three men to break out into a laughing fit that III eventually joined.