Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The contract chamber is so cold and silent that if a pin dropped it would be loud as a thunderstorm.

Former G Corp Corporal, now Öufi Association Section 3 Fixer Assistant Gregor glances between the two parties nervously, watching his boss at work with equal parts absolute awe and a bit of terror.

His boss, the man he’s an assistant to, Heathcliff... he stands tall and towering over the room, axe blade perched carefully over his shoulders. He commands all of the presence in the room. Should anyone void the terms and conditions of the contract, that axe will decapitate them in the blink of an eye. Gregor’s seen it happen many times before. His boss is not a patient man. That’s why he’s here.

“We will now commence the attendance and observation of the mutually agreed upon contract. These proceedings will be observed upon by the Öufi Association South Section 3 Fixer Heathcliff and his assistant, Gregor.” Gregor speaks softly, but firmly. “The contract is already in place, and has been as soon as it was submitted. If there is any disturbance now, it will result in the execution of both parties, so please try to be reasonable. We don’t want a massacre.” His voice is sympathetic, as he trained it to be for this duty. Officially, his duty is to be a second set of eyes, a second knowledgeable party to back up his boss’s claims, to learn from his superior, and to help with executions. Unofficially, his duty is to at least appear as if he is on the client’s side. That means less executions, and more money. There’s a reason why the ‘good cop bad cop’ method is so famed, and it works well in law, too.

Heathcliff’s eyes soften just slightly as he stalks towards him from the other side of the room. “Exactly. Thank you, Assistant Gregor. Any behavior that is considered a breach in contract will be--“ BOOM. He slams his polearm down, just as he walks past the two parties, setting them right back on edge from where one had just started to relax from Gregor’s sympathetic words of reason. “Met with extreme violence, as is stipulated in the Öufi Association’s duties as an attendee and observer. Reply if you confirm this clause has been understood.”

At least one party had relaxed thanks to Gregor, looking at him with thankfulness, but the other looked at the assistant with fury and open disgust. Heathcliff’s darkened purple eyes caught sight of this, and narrowed.

Gregor became more nervous at noticing this, wings twitching on his back. His boss was not above using Öufi Association Clause 9 Section 54 as a reason to execute any client who was a little too rude about his bug parts.

“Fine.” The disgusted party grit their teeth, eyes still on Gregor.

“Yes, I-I understand.” The scared party was glancing between Heathcliff and the disgusted party, clearly feeling the hostility in the air.

“Excellent. Let’s begin with the contract summary, and let’s all try to keep cool heads. Remember, it’s too late to change the contract now. It’s already in place. This is only the reading. Don’t do anything rash.” Gregor kept his voice even, even though his wings were still buzzing nervously. “Sir, the stage is yours.”

“Thank you, lad.” Heathcliff glanced at him, the slightest twinge of warmth in those stormy eyes. And then they turned cold as sleet as he took out the contract and began to read. It was clearly his least favorite part of the job, but his expertise was utterly clear as well. He was, after all, quickly climbing the ranks and had been for quite some time. There was even talk of him possibly one day becoming Director. He covered every single corner thoroughly, leaving no room for objections.

Gregor could only watch with awe, and occasionally butt in to translate legal jargon when one of the parties looked confused. He couldn’t help but admire his boss, almost to the point of worship. No, definitely to the point of worship. After all, his boss was such a star employee that he’d finagled his way through the utter legal mess of hiring a backstreets war veteran who couldn’t even write within a business week.

He still remembered the day they met.

--

The Fixer had cornered a target running from a contract in a very public place, one where Gregor had happened to be resting after another day of fruitlessly searching for a job when he didn’t even have hands anymore.

The target was knocked down right in front of Gregor and a few other people, slammed to the ground by the blunt side of the pole arm. The first thing about the assailant that Gregor noticed was his cold, dead, stormy purple eyes.

“Nobody move. All of you are now witnesses to the violation of an Öufi Association Contract, here to confirm and report that this is perfectly within the law. If you leave, Clause 10 Section 11 gives me the right to execute you by proxy.” The extremely terrifying Fixer had said. “Now, tell me, any of you, what the punishment for breaking Clause 3 Section 1 is?”

Gregor’s wings twitched. This guy was messing with them, but... He had managed to read that far in the Öufi handbook before, after a close call with them. He remembered the answer. “S-sir, my knowledge is outdated, but I believe that Clause concerns going back on what was agreed upon in the contract in secret, right? And the punishment for that section is execution!” He’d fallen back on his old soldier habits by instinct. He couldn’t help it, when this guy spoke just like his drill sergeants.

To his surprise though, those stormy purple eyes that’d stood out to him from the beginning, they caught sight of them, looking at him with equal surprise, before they just barely softened. “Slightly outdated, but that is the gist. At least someone in these streets is competent. Good work, lad.”

Gregor’s heart skipped a little beat, and his wings fluttered. The slight warmth in his voice, the tiny bit of softness in his eyes... it drew him like a moth to a flame. (Pun not intended...)

“Now, what is the punishment for running from the breaking of a contract, lad?” The Fixer’s eyes remained firmly on him.

“Liquidation of all property by the Öufi Association, sir!” Gregor answered eagerly, with barely a second of deliberation.

The Fixer’s lips twitched in a ghost of a smile. “Good.” Finally the embers of warmth in his eyes went out, and he turned back to the runaway client, panting on the ground. “So, you see that all of this is perfectly legal and was all in the terms and agreements. Now, I’m not going to make my lucky little assistant tell you what the punishment is for sending another Association to stop me from hunting you down. You can just guess how bad it is.”

Gregor went pale at those words, because he did know how bad that was.

There was a silent stare off between fixer and client for quite a while. Then, quick as a flash, the client threw a jagged rock at the fixer’s head-- only for it to be sliced clean in half by a scythe arm, both halves falling uselessly to the ground.

Gregor stood, wings standing on end, having just protected this stranger from an attack. He didn’t know why. For a second, the rock was an apple and this man was his superior, one of the ones who actually cared about him, one of the ones who died in the war.

And the Fixer looked at him with complete awe. Then he realized himself-- the client was getting away! “Lad, do those wings fly?!”

“Yes sir!” Gregor responded automatically, still locked in soldier mode.

“Good, take to the skies and help me track him down! The rest of you fucks, don’t move or I’m hunting you down!” With that the Fixer took off running.

“Sir yes sir!” Without even thinking about it for a second, Gregor took the skies, flying high in the direction that the client took off. Flying was one of the few joys his bug augmentations allowed him, he could do it in his sleep. He found the client easily enough, waving to the Fixer, trying to guide him with his body and the buzz of his wings.

“He’s headed to the back alleys, sir!” Gregor shouted.

“Got it! Land in front of him and block off the exits!” The Fixer shouted back.

Gregor flew higher and did exactly as told, landing in front of the client, holding his scythe arms out.

“What the fuck are you doing?! Don’t you see this is wrong?! Are you a sleeper agent for the Öufi?!” The client screamed at him.

Honestly, Gregor didn’t know what the fuck he was doing. He was just following the orders of the first person to show him warmth and kindness, as he always had back during the war. “I’m just doing as I’m told.” He answered.

The expression of disgust and rage was the last thing on the client’s face as their head was swiftly removed from their body by an axe blade.

“Bloody finally! What a fucking prick!” The Fixer yelled, full of rage. “Can you believe the nerve of some blokes?!”

“No sir, they were completely out of line.” Gregor responded easily.

The Fixer looked at him, and for the first time since they’d met, he actually genuinely smiled. “What’s your name, lad?”

“Gregor, sir.”

“Heathcliff. You got a job?” He asked.

“No sir.” Gregor responded, trying to be respectful instead of holding out his scythe arms as if to say ‘what do you think??’

“Good. You’re with me from now on. You’re the perfect assistant. I’ll set up an interview.” Heathcliff decided, voice full of finality. “Come with me. We have to get those people to fill out witness reports.”

What was Gregor supposed to say? It sounded too good to be true, but it was the first job offer he’d gotten in fucking years, and the first one since the war that was legal. “Yes sir!” He just kept doing what he was doing, since it’d seemed to get him in his good graces.

As they walked back, Gregor followed Heathcliff like a lost puppy, watching as he gave out witness reports to the unlucky people who’d been nearby.

As they dispersed, Gregor’s exhaustion and hunger caught up with him, especially because he had to fly, and he nearly collapsed-- only to be caught by the Fixer.

“Lad, what’s wrong?!” Heathcliff sounded worried. It’d been years since someone was worried over him.

Gregor blushed in embarrassment from being so close. Like this, it was almost like he was being held. “Sorry, sir, I haven’t eaten all day.” Or yesterday. “A-and flying requires a lot of energy.”

“Bloody hell. C’mere.” Heathcliff helped him to stand and kept one arm around him to keep him steady. “C’mon, then.”

“Where are we going?” Gregor asked.

“My place, in the Nest. Don’t worry, I have a trick for getting folks like you in. You need food, and I don’t suppose you can eat with those hands, so I’ll cook you something so you don’t have to worry about people watching you eat.” Heathcliff said everything with such finality, like it was obvious and it would be stupid to argue.

Gregor couldn’t help but go along with everything he said because of that, even though he was worried he was being walked into a trap. After all, it all sounded way too good to be true. Even if he was, his arms and regeneration would protect him, as they always did. He would keep following the flame. It was more interesting than spending another day digging through trash for food. Or cannibalizing one of his arms again.

“So. You’re a veteran from the Smoke War, from the former G Corp.” Heathcliff asked as they walked. “Do you have anyone taking care of you?” It sounded like he was asking as a formality. The answer was pretty obvious, after all.

“Yes sir, I’m a veteran. No sir, I don’t have anyone taking care of me. I’ve been alone since I was discharged.” Gregor answered dutifully.

“Bloody hell. Anything you care about in your home?”

“No sir.”

“Good. Then you’re staying with me.” Heathcliff decided. “I’ll help you sell whatever place you’re living in later.”

Finally Gregor had to ask. “Why are you being so nice to me?” The words came out meaner than he intended. “I’m sorry, sir--“

Heathcliff stilled completely from where he’d been walking. “You know the basics of my job in and out, you’re completely obedient to me and do exactly as I ask, if I don’t take you in you’ll probably starve on the streets, and I’ve grown a little fond of you, so I don’t want that. If not for you I’d probably have a concussion and would get a hell of a scolding, so just consider it payback and a reward for good performance.” He laid out every single reason so plainly in such detail. Then he started to help him walk again, like nothing had happened.

Gregor went quiet, letting himself be led. He really was like a moth to a flame. He couldn’t resist the warmth, no matter how much his instincts were screaming out in alarm.

He kept waiting for the other foot to drop for the rest of the evening. As Heathcliff smooth-talked Nest Security into letting him in for “work purposes”, as Heathcliff loaded him into his car, as they got into the Fixer’s (rather nice actually) house, as the Fixer helped feed him some stew, and as the Fixer helped him into the guest room’s bed.

And then, finally, Heathcliff left him be for the first time since they met.

Gregor had the brief thought that he could probably rob him blind in he wanted. He could probably kill him, because Heathcliff trusted him so much. But he knew instantly what a stupid idea that would be. That was a pipeline to getting hunted down and killed by the Öufi. His best bet was to play along with whatever was going on.

Besides, it was... really really nice. To be taken care of like this. Had he ever been taken care of like this? He couldn’t remember.

He just let himself fall asleep here, in a warm bed in a house with heating. And quietly, guiltily, his affection starved heart wondered what it would be like to sleep beside that strange Fixer that had forcibly taken him in.

--

Back in the present, Heathcliff’s careful reading of the contract was interrupted by the angry party, the one disgusted with Heathcliff’s assistant.

“You bastard! That’s not what we agreed to!”

Heathcliff’s eyes narrowed, and Gregor’s wings buzzed rapidly in alarm. Oh no, this was bad.

“This is your final warning.” Heathcliff rumbled, voice dripping with the threat.

“Please, sir, if you don’t calm down, he will execute both parties!” Gregor quickly tried to mediate, unable to keep the panic out of his voice.

“Yes, please, you have to calm yourself!” The other party was panicking just as badly.

“Shut up!! I don’t have to listen to a disgusting vermin like--“ The angry party pointed at Gregor, only for his arm to be sliced off by his supremely pissed off boss.

Gregor winced and flexed his bug arms, jumping in to help with his duty. Some people just didn’t know when to stop.

--

As they finished with the execution, Gregor sighed. “Sorry, sir. They didn’t listen to me because of my mutations again.”

Heathcliff huffed. “Stop apologizing. Here.” Heathcliff lit a cigarette for him and helped him take it into his mouth, and then lit one for himself. “Either way it goes, we’re getting paid. They’re more useful to us alive, but it doesn’t bloody matter if they get themselves killed. You did everything you could. You were perfect.” Heathcliff took a drag of his cigarette. He’d never been a smoker until he met Gregor, but at some point he’d taken it up so that Gregor wouldn’t feel so bad about his partner having to light his cigarettes for him. Besides, he kind of liked sharing this with his partner.

“If you say so, sir.” Gregor perked up a bit, breathing in the smoke and relaxing a little.

“Course I say so, so just trust me.” Heathcliff reached to pat him on the hat, between the antenna.

That made Gregor smile brightly, pleased at the affection. “That was our last one for the day, right, sir?”

“That’s right. I’ve got a bit of a paperwork to do, but I can manage by myself, so you can take a rest. Then we’ll head home and have dinner.” Heathcliff told him patiently.

Gregor couldn’t help but feel his heart flutter. It was just like yesterday. It was really nice, this routine. It was especially nice that they were never apart. Gregor doesn’t think they’ve ever really parted from each other for a significant amount of time since the moment Gregor got hired here. They spent every waking moment together. Mostly because Heathcliff was always ordering him to come with him, but also because even if he didn’t, Gregor would probably follow him around like a lost puppy.

Every day since he met Heathcliff felt like a dream, and he never wanted to wake up. No, it felt like he’d finally woken up from a never ending nightmare. Honestly, he was completely and utterly devoted to his boss. He’d do anything Heathcliff asked him to. After all, Heathcliff had saved him.

He couldn’t help the dopey, lovestruck look he was giving him right now, as they quietly smoked together.

Heathcliff noticed, and his eyes softened. He took both their cigarettes out of their mouths, so he could lean in to softly kiss Gregor.

Gregor couldn’t help but smile into the kiss, wings fluttering in delight behind him.

“Your wings are so beautiful. I love how they flutter whenever I do something you like.” Heathcliff chuckled into his lips, voice low. Finally, he pulled back. “C’mon. Back to my office with us.”

“Yes sir!” His enthusiasm was genuine this time, eagerly following behind.

--

Gregor was resting his head on a pillow on one side of his boss’s desk, listening quietly to the sounds of Heathcliff typing. It was so nice and sweet that Heathcliff was always taking care of him, but he couldn’t help but feel really bad about it sometimes. Sure, there were accommodations they’d found, but he still couldn’t do the most basic things to function. He couldn’t eat normally, had to be very careful putting on clothes so he didn’t accidentally rip them, couldn’t write or type, needed help in the shower... It was honestly embarrassing to him, and he had simply hit the jackpot in happening to meet someone as wonderful as his boss and lover. For so long, he couldn’t even function by himself, and now he had someone perfectly willing to help him function. It was a miracle.

That’s why he never disobeyed a single order from Heathcliff. Why he did everything in his power to please him. Why he adored him with every fiber of his being.

And he knew Heathcliff cared for him just as much.

As Gregor rested, Heathcliff was working on a pet project of his. He’d built up a pretty decent fortune as a Fixer of this Association, and while initially he wanted to use it to rub it in the face of everyone back home that he’d become a proper man of status, ever since he’d met Gregor, his motives had changed. Now, he made as much as he could and carefully spent it on something a bit more benevolent. He was looking for a way to reverse G Corp mutations. Maybe not all of them, because Gregor loved his wings so much, but enough so that his lover could have at least one hand back. And surprisingly, he was starting to make progress. He’d managed to sweet talk himself into the good graces of K Corp, who were currently looking into the matter.

Of course, Heathcliff knew deep inside that K Corp wasn’t in it for good reasons. No, at the best they would charge an arm and a leg for it, at the worst they would take advantage of all those poor veterans left alive in some crueler way.

It didn’t matter to him, because the contract was Heathcliff would get access to the solution for life for free, for his assistant. If they went back on it, it would be perfectly legal for the Öufi to kill everyone involved and take the solution for themselves. And since K Corp depending so heavily on Öufi Fixers for contract work, it would be entirely too much effort to retaliate. Sure, K Corp wouldn’t collapse, but starting a war with Öufi would cost them millions, and they cared most about money. Heathcliff knew all of this from the start. That’s why he chose K Corp, and why he wrote the contract that way.

It was the one contract reading he’d done by himself in quite a while. He wanted it to be a surprise. Mostly because he wanted to give Gregor the solution right before he proposed to him.

He had it all planned out in his head, as he’d started planning out everything since he’d gotten this job. And as always, everything was going perfectly according to his plans.

He glanced over at his lover, completely at ease as he rested from all their hard work today. The first thing Heathcliff had noticed about him was those shimmering wings, beating softly. He’d almost thought he was an angel, at first, or maybe a fairy, like in those books Nelly used to read him, before logic prevailed.

But then again, before Gregor, he was pretty miserable. His life was ruled completely by envy. He had to climb high into the ranks of the Association so he could go home and prove to those bastards that he was a man of status and stature. That he was just like them. He saved money just to have it, obsessed with making as much of it as possible, just so he could be better than them. Just so he could buy that stupid manor and burn it to the ground. Hopefully with Hindley inside, if he was lucky. (Though considering the usual weather, bombs would probably be more efficient.)

Then he met Gregor, and that first damn interaction with him, with the man showing him such respect and competence, answering every question perfectly, doing exactly as he asked to a T-- it rewired his brain entirely. First of all, apparently he also liked men. Second of all, apparently he had a thing for cute men that let him boss them around. Third of all, apparently he was really fond of taking care of people who needed it. Or at least, this one person who needed it. Hell, he’d just outright say it: he’d fallen in love within the first conversation. Or maybe ‘became obsessed’ was a better word for it.

...He knew that most of it was because of what he’d gone through in his youth. He’d loved someone before. He didn’t know who. But he’d loved them with every fiber of his being. And they were taken from him. It’s been so long he doesn’t remember the details. Everything’s fuzzy at the edges. It doesn’t matter.

The point is that he’ll never let it happen again. He’ll do anything to keep Gregor by his side for the rest of time, no matter how many people get hurt. And he’ll do it in completely legal ways, so there’s never any repercussions for it. And if push comes to shove, being in law was very good for teaching you how to get away with murder.

As Heathcliff finished up his last few emails, his free hand went to knock off his assistant’s hat in order to pet his hair and scratch at his scalp. Immediately a rumbling purr came from his partner, and Heathcliff relaxed completely. God, he loved that sound. He would never get tired of making him purr. He’s been obsessed since the moment he got him to for the first time. Of course, now Gregor does it basically any time he pets his hair.

Heathcliff quickly finished up his emails. He was getting impatient to home and never let go of his soon-to-be fiancé for the rest of the night.

“Alright, time to go. Let’s clock out and blow this joint.” Heathcliff sighed, closing out his computer. He stood and offered his hand to Gregor.

Gregor smiled, getting up and putting the blunt side of his claw in his hand. Then he allowed himself to be tugged along, clocking out before they headed to Heathcliff’s car to drive home.

--

At home, Heathcliff fucking finally could wrap an arm around his lover and let him cuddle into his side while he cooked. He tried to retain some degree of professionalism while they were at work, and only show affection when it was just the two of them, since Gregor was technically his subordinate, but off the clock he could do as he pleased. Gregor was purring loud as a motor, and making cute chirps too. Heathcliff almost wanted to press him against the wall and kiss him all night, but they needed food. He’d never cared so much about cooking until he met Gregor, but now he loved learning new recipes for him. A lot of it was because he knew that Gregor had been eating literal garbage regularly before Heathcliff crashed into his life. Though, Heathcliff had had to resort to that before too, but... somehow it was just much easier to care about making sure someone he adored got to eat good food than it was to care about if he got to eat. And because Gregor kept on top of him, he would always eat too.

They both had a rough relationship with food, he knew. And it kind of comforted him, to share that with him.

“Don’t fall asleep, love. You still need to eat.” Heathcliff chuckled as he felt his lover lean more heavily on him. He only allowed himself to be this soft with him. Him and him alone. And maybe children, but no one was stupid enough to bring their kids into Öufi Association’s headquarters unless it was as nonlethal as could be. But maybe one day they could have children?

“Mm...” Gregor hummed contentedly, sleepy. “Sorry, Heath, it’s been a long day.”

“You’re right, it has. 5 readings and couple target hunts. Don’t worry about it. Just hold on a little longer.” Heathcliff told him gently. As much as he loved hearing Gregor call him ‘sir’, he also couldn’t help but blush at the way his lips wrapped around his nickname. His accent was more obvious when he was tired.

Gregor beamed and leaned up to kiss his cheek, mandibles caressing his face gently. Oh, now that was a very tempting reason to press him up against a wall and let the food burn.

Luckily, it was finally done cooking. He took it off the stove and plated it, taking it to their little dining room. His table was big enough to fit a lot of people, but he always sat right next to Gregor in order to help him eat. With some foods he could sort-of eat with his claws, like pasta, but otherwise he had to eat with only his mouth and no hands. And some foods, like soups and stews, he had no choice but to let Heathcliff feed him. Heathcliff always made sure before hand what he wanted to eat and his level of comfort, and planned around those two things, because he knew Gregor sometimes was embarrassed by needing his partner to feed him.

(He still felt a bit bad that he just so happened to be slow cooking stew on the day he forcibly took Gregor into his home.)

Gregor was slowly getting more comfortable with letting Heathcliff feed him, though, the longer they were together. It was nice. He hoped one day Gregor wouldn’t be embarrassed by how much help he needed.

Tonight was a good night, meaning Gregor was more than happy to let Heathcliff feed him. Despite the earlier mishap of the day, it seemed he enjoyed today. Good. And Heathcliff got out some anger by chopping that asshole who insulted his lover to bits.

As they finished dinner, Heathcliff helped his lover into pajamas and finally pulled him into bed, laying Gregor’s head on his chest. Of course, Gregor started purring again.

“Would you marry me for legal reasons?” Heathcliff asked quietly. He’d asked it many times before. The first time he’d asked, Gregor had turned into a stammering blushing mess. Though to be fair, they weren’t technically in a relationship then.

“I’d marry you for any reason.” Gregor sighed happily. That was the usual response nowadays, but he loved hearing it over and over again.

Heathcliff grinned to himself, and held him close, letting his love drift off to sleep on top of him.

Chapter Text

Gregor woke up from strange dreams to find himself with a familiar man in his room, watching him sleep.

“Apologies, I was about to wake you.” Heathcliff told him, though he didn’t sound very sorry. “Your interview is today. I’m going to help you get ready. I have purchased formal clothes for you and am going to help you wash up. Here.” He laid down a pair of swimming shorts on the bed.

“What are these...?” Gregor was still half asleep.

“They’re mine, but I barely use them. They might be a little loose on you. I imagine you can’t wash your hair or body very well without help, so you’ll wear these so you feel less exposed.” Heathcliff told him quite plainly.

Gregor couldn’t help but blush furiously. He wasn’t expecting that he would need to come out to him, but... it was true that he hadn’t properly washed his hair in years. He could sort of do it with the blunt side of his claw hands, but not well. “I... it probably is necessary, sir, but... my body is different than yours, and I haven’t been able to properly wash in years. I’m sorry if washing me disgusts you.”

“Why would I blame you for something you have no control over? Don’t make me call you stupid, lad. And I don’t care what your mutations did to you.” Heathcliff told him with narrowed eyes.

“No, sir, I mean, ah...” He carefully sat up and took off his shirt, showing his full, rounded chest. With a shirt on it was easy to mistake it as pecs, and even without it the hair all over him made it hard to tell. But against his emaciated body, it was easier to tell.

Gregor noticed that Heathcliff’s eyes lingered on his breasts, before moving to his visible ribs. “You being transgender changes nothing. I’m more worried that I can count your ribs. Come on now, I need to get you clean so I can get breakfast into you.” The Fixer finally told him, patting him on the shoulder affectionately.

Gregor automatically scrambled up to do as he asked. But inside his heart beat rapidly. It’d been so long since someone had been this nice to him about... everything.

Gregor remembers a very long time ago reading fairytale books to Grete. About how a hero would always come and save the day.

This man was far from a hero. But it was easy to believe otherwise when he acted like being so nice to him was the most obvious thing in the world.

Heathcliff ran the tub full of warm water as Gregor carefully shuffled his clothes off and got the swimming shorts on. He shuffled into the bathroom and sunk into the warm water. It felt very nice... his old apartment didn’t have hot water.

“Alright. Hold still and be good for me.” Heathcliff had a rag and a bar of soap ready for him.

Gregor blushed a little at the wording, and his terribly touch starved brain took that the wrong way. “Y-yes sir.”

“Close your eyes.” Heathcliff started with his face, very gently scrubbing dirt and grime off his face, and found he needed to frequently wash out the rag and put soap back on it. There was years of grime built up on his body, especially on his mandibles, which Heathcliff was very careful about cleaning as well. His method was so practiced, hard enough to get him clean but gentle enough not to rub him raw. When his face and upper torso was finally clean, the water was completely brown and murky.

Gregor couldn’t help but feel humiliated. “I-I’m so sorry, sir--!!!”

“Shush, lad, water is the cheapest utility, and I’m well off.” Heathcliff pat his head, and unplugged the water to drain it, then started the process of filling the tub again. “If I didn’t want this, I wouldn’t have taken in a man with claw hands.”

“If you say so, sir...” Gregor still couldn’t believe how patient and kind he was to him.

“Of course I do. Trust in me.” As the tub filled with clean warm water, Heathcliff started again on the process of cleaning his arms and lower torso. He was very careful cleaning his claw arms, not saying anything when the water turned a bit pink from washed out leftover bits of gore from self-defense. He didn’t look at his claw arms with disgust at all. It was a very new feeling, for that part of him to be regarded in such a way. He also wasn’t disgusted with the bug legs on his legs and shoulders or the way his toes had fused into a chitinous point. He looked at his body completely neutrally.

When they got done with his lower torso, arms, and legs, the water needed to be changed again.

“Just your back, wings, and hair left. Would you be comfortable with me washing you under the shorts?” Heathcliff asked carefully.

Gregor’s face went red again. He probably needed to... “That’s fine, just... try not to stare, please.” At least right now he didn’t have an ovipositor...

“That’s fine with me.” Heathcliff loaded the bath with water again, and very quickly cleaned him under the shorts as thoroughly as he could before helping him put them back on. Then he turned him so his back faced him. “Your wings... they’re beautiful. I promise I’ll be gentle.” His voice had become so soft yet stern, suddenly.

Gregor’s wings fluttered in desire at that softness. “Th-the-- the space where my wings meets my flesh is extremely sensitive! Please be careful, sir!”

“Noted.” Gently, he dragged the rag over his back, scrubbing off dirt, and carefully running it over his wings, before finally going to that sensitive spot. He scrubbed off the dirt firmly but quickly, and Gregor bit his lip hard to keep down any involuntary noises. According to his bug instincts, only mates were supposed to touch that spot, so this was rewiring his brain completely. It did not at all help that his bug instincts were already very loudly insisting that Heathcliff was already his mate, because he fed him and took care of him and let him stay in his nest.

Finally the spot was clean, and Heathcliff took the rag off it. Gregor was still in a little bit of a haze, especially because next those strong fingers started lathering shampoo into his hair, gently scratching at his scalp and washing his hair thoroughly. It felt so very nice and soothing, and Gregor couldn’t help but melt into the touch, relaxing completely.

A sound he hadn’t heard since he was an army nurse came rumbling out of him. It started as a stuttery little noise, but slowly turned into a purr. A very shaky little purr, that started and stopped constantly, like he wasn’t used to doing it anymore. Like he barely knew how to do it in the first place. Both were true.

The hands in his hair stopped suddenly. “You’re purring.” Heathcliff’s voice was filled with quiet awe.

The purring immediately stopped. “I-I’m sorry--“

“Don’t stop on my account lad, it’s cute. You’re like a little cat. I’m more proud I found a way to make you relax.” The fingers resumed washing out his hair. “Here, lean back, let me rinse you.” Oh so gently, Heathcliff lowered his head to the water and rinsed out his hair. Gregor’s purr started up again without his consent. “All right, time for the second time. Your hair’s still dirty and oily.”

It took four washes total and one round of conditioner before Heathcliff was satisfied with the state of his long brown hair. All while Gregor relaxed completely into his hands and purred up a stuttery storm. “There you go. That wasn’t so bad, was it? Worst part is over, next bath will be much easier.” Heathcliff’s voice was still so gentle with him.

Gregor couldn’t stop thinking about it as the younger man toweled him off. This man was usually so cold. He could tell that from the get-go. He knew well that what he was seeing was never-before-seen. Or at the very least, he imagined it wasn’t usual. But then again, most people don’t react to a terrifying executer with complete subservience, so he wasn’t usual either. But still... Gregor was just acting on soldier instincts. What reason did this man have to care so deeply about him?

A part of him was sure that it was pity. And honestly? He was at the end of his rope. His pride had been the first thing to go when he was discharged, completely penniless and alone. He would take pity at this point. He knew Heathcliff had to have a reason for taking him in. As did every single person who used him. But he had nothing else to lose, and the flame was so warm, so he’d fly right in and let himself be used again.

As Heathcliff helped him dress, he sat him down on the guest bed and combed through his hair, gently untangling it. It was nice.

“How about a braid today?” Heathcliff suggested. He said it so casually, like this wasn’t strange at all. Doing the hair of a man you met three days ago. Though it was less weird because Gregor was completely unable to do his own hair.

Heathcliff seemed like the type to decide what roles everyone played in his life without asking for permission, and to treat them accordingly even if they didn’t agree. Or at least, it seemed he’d already assigned some role to Gregor and was dragging Gregor along into it. What to call this role he wasn’t sure yet. Friend? Person to take care of? Pet? Thing to use?

Any was fine with him, really. He’d happily play his role and bask in the warmth before he got burned again. “Yes sir, a braid would be really nice.”

“Good. Stay still for me.” Heathcliff got up and grabbed a spare purple ribbon, and began gently parting his hair into sections and braiding it.

Gregor stayed very still, his purr starting up again in the meantime. “Where did you learn to braid hair?” He asked quietly.

“Used to braid the hair of a girl I knew. Think she was my girlfriend. Don’t remember her name, it’s been too long.” Heathcliff’s voice was dull and somber, yet bittersweet. “I lost her, I know that. Don’t remember the details.”

“Oh...” Gregor felt a bit of a flutter in his stomach. The words were true, he knew. It felt nice, for someone to share something so vulnerable with him. “Before the war, I had a little sister. Grete. I was usually the one taking care of her. I used to braid her hair, before the procedures. Even when I only had one hand, I used to braid my own hair, sometimes. My army friends always complimented me when I did. I lost her, and I lost my hands, and I lost my friends. I don’t regret getting the procedure, but I knew I could never return to civilian life. I knew I couldn’t function on my own. But I didn’t have a choice.”

Heathcliff tied his braided hair with the purple ribbon, and wrapped his arms around him from behind. “I’ll take care of you, then.”

Gregor smiled to himself. It was nice and warm, being in his arms. No matter if this was a trap, he’d walk in willingly. After all, at least Heathcliff understood him.

--

“This interview will be preceded over and observed by Öufi Association South Section 3 Fixer Heathcliff.” Heathcliff announced as he stood at the front of the room.

The ex-soldier he’d picked up only a few days ago sat nervously in a chair across from one of Heathcliff’s superiors, Outis. Gregor’s hair was braided, put in nice clothes and cleaned up well. He almost looked normal, if not for the bug mutations.

“Yes, and as an observer, you are not allowed to butt in and interrupt this interview.” The older woman told him with a knowing look.

Heathcliff did not bother to hide his scowl.

“I’m willing to answer any and all questions, ma’am. This opportunity is extremely important to me.” Gregor responded dutifully, wings twitching nervously.

“Let’s make this quick, then, before Heathcliff thinks of a loophole in the terms and conditions that lets him usurp me. Now, you’re a smoke war veteran, former G Corp, yes? What were all of your positions in this war? Do you have any skills from them that would be of use?” Outis placed her hands on her desk, pressing the tips of her fingers together.

“I was originally recruited and trained as an army nurse, ma’am, and worked in that field for many years before getting more procedures and being moved to the front lines. I am extremely skilled in combat and execution and can take out any target with ease. My mutations also allow me to fly if I have enough energy. As long as I’m regularly fed I can fly several miles very quickly without getting tired. I can outrun normal humans via flying, and catch up quickly to those who retreat. Also if my wings are taken out, they near instantly regrow. Also, I can easily survive bullets to vitals and other injuries that would kill a normal person via regeneration.” Gregor told her every single detail eagerly and instantly.

“Tell me more about you being an army nurse. You don’t have hands, which is the most glaring problem with hiring you, but medical knowledge is more valuable than gold. Are you confident that you could successfully verbally walk a competent rookie through most basic first aid procedures and emergency care procedures?” Outis pressed.

“I am absolutely one hundred percent certain I can do that, as long as they’re not disgusted by me.” Gregor answered easily.

“Son, if they’re more squicked out by bugs than doing possibly gory first aid then I wouldn’t call them competent.” Outis answered with a dark chuckle, a shadow over her face. “In an emergency could we rely on you as an expert of medical knowledge and would you be willing to learn more modern procedures for the sake of teaching rookies how to save their own skins?”

“Yes ma’am, I am more than willing, so long as someone is willing to accommodate for me in order to help me read.” Gregor responded as quickly as always.

“That’s what Heathcliff is for. Let me tell you a secret, son. Heathcliff has agreed to accommodate for every single one of your disabilities, and cover every one of your weaknesses. In this way, the two of you would be more of partners, one employee in two bodies, never to be separated. That’s why your interview was even considered. If he has his way, and you get this job, you’ll basically never leave his side per the terms of the work contract. Are you aware of this clause and in agreement with it?” Outis asked him.

Gregor’s wings fluttered, and his cheeks went pink. His traitorous heart wanted that more than anything. “Yes ma’am, I am in agreement.”

“Excellent. Now, are you confident that you can memorize all of our clauses and laws and act as a second source of information to back up Heathcliff?” She asked.

“Yes ma’am. My information is slightly outdated, but I already know the basics up and down. I had a close call with the Öufi once and managed to read and memorize the basics by turning the manual pages with my mouth so it wouldn’t happen again.” Gregor told her with a bit of pride.

Her brows raised, impressed. “Excellent. Any other skills you would like to add?”

“I am confident in my abilities to understand the inner workings of mechanical tools and could guide a rookie through a basic repair of most simple non-Nest technology, such as cars and many workshop items.” Gregor added obediently. “I am also very used to being under someone’s command and am very confident in my ability to follow orders thoroughly and precisely.”

“That last part matches with what Heathcliff has told me. Now, with all of that out of the way, I’ll tell you this. Even if you had no skills, Heathcliff would have found some way to get you hired. When he wants something, he doesn’t let anything stop him. This all was simply to see if I would actually try to fight his decision.” Outis smiled a little. “However, I met soldiers like you during the war, and I am confident in your abilities. So congratulations, I’m not going to fight him. You’re hired.”

Gregor let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Thank you very much, ma’am...! I won’t disappoint you.”

“All the power over you is in Heathcliff’s hands, so you should be saying that to him.” Outis pointed out with a cold smile.

“That’s enough of scaring my assistant.” Heathcliff finally cut in, just as cold. “Come on, lad. We’re off to get your uniforms.”

“Yes sir!!” Gregor stood up from his chair and followed behind dutifully like an eager puppy imprinting on an owner.

Outis watched them go with a soft of shake of her head. She knew damn well through working with Heathcliff for years that he was a control freak. He desired absolute obedience and cooperation and he would resort to underhanded methods to get it, so long as it was legal. What he wanted he would get, eventually, because it was impossible to wear him down or discourage him, and he had intentionally made himself much too valuable to get rid of. This was the man that was going to steal the title of Director someday, and possibly take her job on the way there if she didn’t play her cards right.

And now he had found himself a completely obedient and subservient partner with the demeanor of a golden retriever puppy and the skills of a battle hardened soldier, one that thrived on following commands and having someone taking the reins for him.

They were a match made in heaven. Or perhaps hell, depending on how you looked at it. It definitely wasn’t healthy. But she wasn’t about to intervene and make herself a target on Heathcliff’s path of war. That man was a human shark, and if you gave him a hint of blood, he’d tear you to shreds, and find a way to do it in a way you couldn’t retaliate.

Chapter Text

As soon as they get home from the interview, Heathcliff reaches for him. “Is it alright if I touch you?”

Gregor’s wings flutter a bit. “Ah, yes sir.”

Heathcliff wraps his arm around his waist and holds him close. “You did very well today, lad.” He whispered in his ear. “I’m proud of you.”

Gregor’s antenna perked up, cheeks flushing a bit. “Th-thank you, sir!!” It’s been so long since someone praised him as much as him.

“Now, I made sure they didn’t ask you questions today, but we’re going to need to come up with a story for how you got here. For why they should care about you.” Heathcliff informed him as they walked into the kitchen.

“Like... how we met, sir?” Gregor tilted his head.

“No, more like your entire story. If you don’t mind, I need you to tell me as much as you possibly can about your past. I know some now, but I want everything you’re willing to give. I promise I only want to make sure that there’s no way they’ll want to fire you.” Heathcliff looked him dead in the eye.

“I... Okay! I’ll tell you everything!” Gregor agreed easily. It wasn’t the first time he’d spilled his entire life story to somebody.

“Good. C’mere, then.” Heathcliff started arranging things on the stove to start cooking them something. “Pasta okay?”

“Yes sir!” Gregor replied enthusiastically. It was one of the few things he could kind of eat with his claws.

“Then that’s what we’ll have.” Heathcliff started setting up everything up, salting the water, setting the water to boil... and then wrapping an arm around Gregor again. “Go ahead, lad. Tell me.”

“The start is kind of fuzzy. I was too drugged out of my mind to remember most of it. But my mother was a head researcher at the old G Corp, and me and my sister, we were experimented on by her. At some point we must have had a normal childhood, but all I remember is a lot of being the only one to take care of Grete. And she took care of me.” His voice softened from his usual dutiful chipper-ness, becoming more calm and quiet. “But when I was fifteen, I was offered the augmentation surgery and to fight in a war. I eagerly accepted, but later I found out I didn’t actually have a choice, and if I had refused, they would have forced me. I didn’t know what I was signing up for, anyway. They gave us this whole spiel about protecting our District and coming home heroes. Still... I liked it at first, because I was trained as just as army nurse. I still had a hand back then! And I really loved being a nurse. I enjoyed healing the wounded. I enjoyed making everybody feel better. I could fly and rescue people off the streets and heal them back to health! If I could, I think I’d really just love being a normal medic for a job, like this one! But... they ran out of soldiers, and they moved me to the front lines. I had to get more augmentations, and... I lost my other arm. Which meant I couldn’t heal anyone anymore.” It was funny how his voice went from so chipper and full of love straight to hollow despair.

“Hm...” Heathcliff took in everything as he stirred a saucepan. “If anyone asks, here’s what we’re going to tell them. ‘He was recruited at fifteen against his will and experimented on without his consent. He found true happiness in a horrible situation being an army nurse and healing the wounded, but then they ran out of soldiers and he was forced  to move to the front lines and get more augmentations, making him completely unable to fulfill his true passion of healing others from harm. He didn’t know what he was signing up for and never really wanted any of this, he was just doing as was expected of him.’ I’ll coach you through all the questions they could ask. You’ll have it memorized in no time.”

Gregor considered this, pausing. That... wasn’t quite the truth. “But... I was willing at first. I did kill people. Lots of people.”

“They don’t need to know that, love. It’s all the truth, isn’t it? We’re just putting a spotlight on the important parts.” Heathcliff hummed sweetly, kissing his head. “You trust me, don’t you?”

Gregor’s brain was busy short circuiting from the oh so casual kiss. “I-I-- yes, sir, of course I trust you!” He had no choice but to, after all. Still, he did. Heathcliff had been more kind to him than anyone else in his entire life.

“Good lad. So... let’s practice.” He kept holding him with one arm and making food with the other. “Where are you from?”

“The old G Corp. I was raised in a lab.” Gregor responded instantly, soldiers instincts taking over.

“When did you get your mutations?”

“The first surgery was at fifteen. I didn’t have a choice. It ruined my sense of taste. But I was experimented on before then too.” Gregor even threw in a few extra details too.

Heathcliff paused from where he’d been pulling the strings behind all of this like a spider in a web. “Hold on, mate. Is this food okay, then?” He asked genuinely.

Gregor was a little surprised by how quickly he’d switched from coaching him on manipulating his coworkers to worrying over him. It made his heart flutter a bit, and wings too. “Ah, yes sir!! Tomato sauce and pasta is fine. But milk and dairy products besides cheese is completely disgusting to me, even though I loved it before.”

“Good, good. I’ll get you some almond milk, then. Thank you for letting me know. Now, back to work. What was your station?” His voice was completely serious once again.

“I was a war nurse at first, and I loved it a lot. I enjoyed healing my friends so much. But then they ran out of soldiers, and I had to get more surgeries and got moved to the front lines. That’s when I lost my other arm.” Gregor told him.

“Good, you’re doing great. You’re a natural. Let’s keep going.”

So they coached through it all night.

--

“Heathcliff! This is your new assistant, isn’t it?” One of his coworkers was asking. They were smiling, but they eyed his mutations warily.

“Yes, this is Gregor. I found him in the backstreets and he helped me on a job. He was so capable at it that I decided to take him under my wing. No pun intended.” Heathcliff chuckled in a practiced sort of way, but no one noticed, and everyone laughed with him.

“I see! So Gregor, you’re from the old G Corp?”

“Yes, right in the nest. I was raised in a lab with my sister, though, so I don’t remember much of it.” Gregor laughed sheepishly, ducking his head as if he felt shy.

“Oh, the ones that studied those bug augmentations? You poor thing! How old were you?”

“I was only fifteen when I got the first surgery. It was against my will. But I was experimented on before then.” Gregor made his voice sad, and let his antenna droop.

“Oh no... what happened to your sister?”

“Her surgery was a failure and... she had to be put down.” He didn’t have to make his tone glum revealing this piece of information. Heathcliff’s hand, which had never left his shoulder since the moment they walked into the Association, it squeezed his shoulder comfortingly.

“Yes, and he never truly recovered from it, especially because his mother was the one who did both surgeries.” Heathcliff added.

A small crowd had gathered at this point.

“You were in the War, weren’t you?”

“I was, originally I was an army nurse, and I absolutely loved my job of healing people.” Gregor finally smiled a little, right on cue.

“But then he was forced into the front lines and had to get more surgeries, and he completely lost the one passion in life that kept him going.” Heathcliff piped up again.

Gregor took his cue. “I... just wanted to be a good son.”

The crowd murmured and awed, completely enraptured, repeating that headline to themselves. Gregor got the sense that this was not the first time that Heathcliff had completely convinced his section of a story. He got the sense that he should probably be grateful that the Öufi Association was eating out of the palm of his hand and would never fire him because if Heathcliff went into journalism the whole city was doomed.

It probably said something negative about him that he didn’t feel any fear or disgust at all towards how manipulative he was. Just awe. He watched as Heathcliff talked him up more, painting him as a victim of constant abuse and suffering, used and abandoned. All of it was technically true, of course.

“So how are you feeling about all of this, Gregor?” Someone asked.

“Very nervous. But I’m extremely grateful to Heathcliff for everything. I’d likely be dead on the streets without him.” Gregor replied, and this one was an entirely genuine statement that he truly believed in.

“What’s your relationship with Heathcliff?”

Gregor’s wings twitched, and his eyebrows raised. So did Heathcliff’s. They weren’t prepared for that question.

“Right now, I want to focus on just taking care of him and getting him settled.” Heathcliff answered, voice just a tad soft.

‘Right now?!’ Gregor thought, and his wing’s started buzzing softly, enough that if not for Heathcliff’s hand on his shoulder he would have floated a few inches off the ground.

“Awww, that’s so sweet of you. I’m sure you’ll do great things together. I’m confident in your choices, Heathcliff.” One of them, a superior, told them.

Gregor’s antenna perked up as he finally looked up from the ground. None of them were staring at him with disgust and fear anymore. Maybe pity, but pity was safe. Pity was good. Heathcliff’s plan worked.

Heathcliff seemed to realize that too. “Well, we need to get going. I need to teach him a lot of things today, and we have our first contract reading soon. But we’ll see you around.”

With that, he guided him off, leaning down to whisper in his ear. “See? I told you to trust me. Now they like you too much to question me bringing you here. They’ll never try to get rid of you now.”

Gregor genuinely wasn’t sure if Heathcliff was just being paranoid or not. He most definitely worshipped him too much to question it. “Of course, sir, I never doubted you for a second.”

“Good lad. Now, let’s get you familiarized with your duties.” Heathcliff took him off to his office.

Chapter Text

Gregor noticed that Heathcliff was a lot more affectionate when they were out of work. He’d only been his assistant a couple weeks, but when they were out of work, Heathcliff would always stick very close.

It started small. He did his hair in the morning, bathed him, he lead him around by the shoulder, he always commanded him to stay right by his side.

But then, while cooking one night, Heathcliff called to him. “Come here.”

Gregor got up from the dining room and came over immediately to the nice big kitchen in the townhouse Heathcliff called home. “Yes sir?” He asked dutifully.

Then Heathcliff surprised him by wrapping an arm around him, careful of his wings, holding him close. “Is this alright, lad? It’s a bit cold today.” He added the excuse as an afterthought.

Gregor stiffened, but leaned his head on his shoulder, starting to purr softly. “Yes sir, it’s fine.” He mumbled. Heathcliff had done this a few times already, but always asked his permission each time. This wasn’t normal, was it? To be so affectionate after only knowing each other for roughly three weeks? But it was so nice and warm, and his bug instincts liked it so much. His mate was holding him and keeping him warm...

“You can just call me Heathcliff when we’re off the clock, lad.” Heathcliff told him softly, kissing his hair.

Gregor’s antenna perked up, and his heart pounded. He was quickly becoming lovesick for this man, the sweeter he was for him. His purr became extremely loud.

For a while Heathcliff just cooked, frying fish as he held him with one arm, while Gregor purred up a storm and nuzzled into him.

“Would you marry me? For legal reasons.” Heathcliff asked suddenly.

Gregor let out a squeak, purring stopping as he became immensely flustered. “I... uh, I--“ He couldn’t get the words out, stammering like crazy, face bright red. His lovesick affection starved heart screamed YES. “Why would-- why are you asking that?” He asked instead, logic luckily winning out over the awfully tempting decision to tell him ‘absolutely’.

“Because you’re only able to live in the Nest because of work purposes. And the easiest way to get you full citizenship is to marry someone who already is a citizen, like me.” Heathcliff explained as if it were so simple, so obvious.

“I-I see... You would really marry someone like me just to guarantee I can live without worry in the Nest?” Gregor asked, feeling a bit shy. He figured it was for ulterior purposes too. To tie him to him, keep him close, make sure he can’t escape. Was it bad that his wings fluttered in attraction at the idea of being stuck with the man he was so lovesick over, unable to escape, even if it meant he would be hurt?

Heathcliff was quiet for a bit. “That... and I wouldn’t mind marrying you in general. You’re capable, kind, sweet, you care about my well being, and you enjoy being around me. That’s enough to make you a good husband in my eyes. Enough that I’m willing to marry you to guarantee you get to stay here, so that no one can take you from my side.”

Gregor’s wings fluttered happily. He liked that idea. He liked that idea a lot. Or, really, he just liked the implication of possessiveness. He liked very much the idea of belonging to this man. Of being his. And besides... getting married was a childhood dream he’d given up on a long time ago. He liked the idea of it. “Even if it’s for legal reasons... could we still have a wedding?” He asked timidly.

Heathcliff’s grip tightened on him. Unknown to his assistant, Heathcliff was fantasizing quite intensely about seeing his obsession in a wedding dress. Something backless, so they could see his wings. Maybe something with a lot of frills and a big poofy skirt. And a purple ribbon around his tiny waist... “Of course we can. Anything you want, you only have to ask, you know.”

Gregor began to purr again, against his will. It betrayed just how much he loved that statement. And maybe how much he was beginning to love him. Not that he’d ever admit it. “I’ll think about it, then.” He mumbled, leaning his head on his shoulder, as if his loud rumbling purring wasn’t a clear ‘yes.’

--

It was Saturday when Gregor was woken by the smell of food. The door opened, and Heathcliff walked in carrying breakfast on a tray.

“Good morning. I made you pancakes with cream cheese frosting since you really seemed to like it last week.” Heathcliff greeted him with a small smile.

Gregor couldn’t help but beam as he sat up, his antenna perking up at the promise of a food he liked. “Thank you, s-- Heathcliff!”

Heathcliff was always trying so hard to learn the foods he liked and to make them for him. He wasn’t used to luxuries like constant home cooked meals, especially not someone always trying to make his favorites. It was really amazing, to have such things for no cost or consequence. Just because Heathcliff liked him.

Heathcliff sat the tray on Gregor lap’s and sat on the bed with him. “Would it be alright if I helped you eat?”

“Yes, that’s fine. But... you’ll eat too, right?” Gregor had noticed Heathcliff sometimes said he wasn’t hungry and didn’t eat, and his nurse instincts didn’t like that, so now he was trying very hard to make sure he always ate at least a little. “Even if you’re not hungry you should try to eat at least a little!”

Heathcliff looked at Gregor, who was eagerly looking up at him with puppy dog eyes. Finally the cold man sighed. “Yes, I’ll eat. I made enough for me, too. I promise I’ll eat after you eat. I’ll even let you watch again.” He agreed. He started to cut the pancakes into pieces for Gregor with the fork and knife.

“Thank you! I’m sorry if I’m overbearing. I just want to look out for you.” Gregor beamed, wings buzzing behind him. As Heathcliff held out the pieces to him on a fork, Gregor happily ate them all, humming in delight at the taste, antennas perked up. He loved sugary things, and he loved cheese. And Heathcliff had even gotten him a glass of almond milk to drink, because he loved milk, though regular milk was disgusting to him now, unfortunately.

“I need to do some personal research in my home office today. You’re welcome to join me. Or I can help set you up so you can do something like watch TV. But first I’ll feed you and help you get dressed.” Heathcliff instructed to him as he fed him.

“I might join you later, but I think I want to explore for a bit. I’ve been too nervous or exhausted to really look around the house these past couple weeks.” Gregor told him.

“That’s fine by me. Please don’t leave the house. You’re technically not a citizen of the Nest, and I don’t want you to get in trouble when I’m not there to save you.” Heathcliff agreed and also warned.

“Of course, sir!” Gregor couldn’t help but reply like they were at work.

“I told you, you can just call me Heathcliff at home.” Heathcliff told him gently, feeding him another bite with a ghost of a smile.

“Ah, yes, Heathcliff.” He went silent, then, and let himself be fed, enjoying very much his meal.

As he finished his meal, he let Heathcliff help him up, and take his pajamas off. Then Gregor sat obediently on the bed and let Heathcliff pick out his clothes for the day.

Heathcliff had gone to buy him a wardrobe full of casual clothes on the weekend after the interview. Gregor had gone with him, obviously, and they’d spent all day with Heathcliff having him try on clothes in private dressing rooms. Gregor had no opinion on what clothes to get for himself, which was good, because Heathcliff seemed to be looking for certain clothes in particular for him. Heathcliff picked out for him lots of very cute and frilly clothes, high-class and well put together. Lots of shorts and vests and bow ties and lacy dress shirts and ribbons. Most in purple and black, of course. It was clearly to Heathcliff’s taste, as it matched his house’s interior.

Gregor hadn’t complained or protested at all, because he secretly enjoyed having someone so lovingly dressing him up pretty and not having to worry about anything. He also quite liked how Heathcliff constantly stared at him and couldn’t keep his eyes off him when he wore these clothes. It wasn’t the kind of stare he was used to. Heathcliff didn’t look at him with disgust. He looked at him with intense fondness and softness, eyes cataloguing his every detail.

Especially when Heathcliff dressed him in thigh high socks.

Today, Heathcliff dressed him in an oversized purple sweater, very short shorts, and thigh high socks. Gregor suspected the sweater used to be Heathcliff’s, but the larger man had outgrown it. Either way, it was very cozy, and it was very nice for Heathcliff to whisper compliments as he braided his hair for him.

“You’re gorgeous. I hope you’re aware of that. You look very good in purple.” Heathcliff was telling him softly as he finishing tying his braid’s bow.

Gregor’s wings buzzed softly in delight from where they’d been pulled over his sweater, leaving his upper back exposed. The oversized sleeves also very nicely hid some of his claws. “Thank you, Heathcliff.” He smiled.

Heathcliff put Gregor’s round glasses with chains on his face for him, and he was dressed.

They walked down to the kitchen so Heathcliff could also eat, and Gregor played the part of dutiful nurse and made sure he ate a good amount, before he allowed Heathcliff to head back upstairs to his home office.

Gregor would probably join him at some point, but he wanted to explore the townhouse for now.

It was a very nice place, two stories, made of red bricks and white marble. Heathcliff was as always completely in control of everything, including every aspect of the house and how it was decorated. Everything was in black and purple with frills.

But Gregor noticed there was a door in the back of the kitchen that was never opened. And while Heathcliff was in his office doing personal research on something, Gregor decided to go through it. Luckily it was a door with a knob he could turn.

As he opened, he found it led to the outside. There was a large iron fence all around, a patio, and the skeleton of what once would have been a beautiful grand garden with manicured plants. Except... though the marble paths and walls and planters were in tact, the whole place was overgrown with weeds. It was the one place in the house that Heathcliff didn’t execute total control over. Hell, it was the one thing in the house he didn’t have complete control over, Gregor included. It was very peaceful out here, though.

He noticed there was some kind of technology on the fence that kept people on the streets from being able to look in, mostly because everyone always stared at him, but no one passing by the fence spared him even a glance.

Gregor walked through the large abandoned garden. It was quite peaceful, and mostly empty. There was quite a lot of empty yard past the garden paths, as well as a black gazebo. There was even a small pond, with a large overgrown weeping willow leaned over it. There were no fish inside the pond, though.

It was lovely out here, though, even if it was abandoned. He figured Heathcliff didn’t have the patience or time for gardening. Gregor sat next to the pond, staring at the lily pads below. If only he had hands, he would love to read out here. But instead he sat silently, and enjoyed this small slice of nature carved out of the city.

He remembered during the war that they were promised entry into some of the Nests. They took it back of course. Every single offer. But while the empty promises weren’t known to be empty, they’d been brought brochures of each Nest with pictures of all the luxuries they could get. Gregor had always been most attracted to the pictures of the beautiful private gardens, the trees planted along the streets, the flowers in every color. He’d always dreamed of having his own garden, growing his own food, tending to beautiful flowers. And now he kind of did. Though, it was autumn, so now wasn’t a good time for planting. Even if it was, his claws wouldn’t be too good for planting flowers. But maybe he could figure out a way to water and weed them with his claws.

It was nice, at least, to fantasize about it, as he lay next to the pond and allowed himself to daydream. It likely wouldn’t come true, and he should be grateful for what he had, but it was nice to imagine what he could do with it.

He lay there for a while in the tall grass and imagined all the flowers and plants he’d like to grow. Water lilies in the pond, and some creeping vine with purple flowers on the gazebo roof, maybe wisteria... a herb and tea garden in the tall planters right next to the kitchen door. Maybe some tall sunflowers too, somewhere.

But as he kept laying there, anxiety slowly built in his gut. He didn’t want to leave this place, but... it’d been a few hours since he’d seen Heathcliff. He really really missed him. He felt really antsy without him. Maybe he should go in? He should definitely go in. What if something happened? He couldn’t really do anything for himself. He needed Heathcliff to help him function. He was practically useless without him, what with his disgusting claw arms. It was safer by Heathcliff’s side.

“...Gregor?! Are you out here?!” A faint panicked voice pulled Gregor out of his daydreaming.

“I’m over here by the pond, Heathcliff!” Gregor called, pushing himself up from the ground with his claws.

There were rapid footsteps towards him, and Gregor saw his superior running towards him. “Oh thank Wings, I couldn’t find you anywhere. I didn’t think you would come out here.” Heathcliff rushed over and hugged him tightly.

Gregor nuzzled into his chest, antsy feeling disappearing completely. “I’m sorry for worrying you! But I’m fine, I promise! I was just curious what was through that door. And I just really like it out here. It’s peaceful.”

Heathcliff’s stormy face softened visibly. “It’s nothing but weeds out here, but if you like it... you can come out here all you want. We’ll buy you a bench tomorrow to lay on and I’ll pay someone to cut the grass. That way you don’t have to lay on the grass.”

“I’d like that a lot.” Gregor smiled at him sweetly.

“Good.” Gears were turning in Heathcliff’s brain as he made long term plans concerning this new development. “Would you like to eat lunch and dinner out on the patio while the weather is still nice? Until winter sets in? I’ll have to clean the table and chairs, but it’s doable.”

“Ah, you don’t have to!!” Gregor protested, as it sounded like a lot of work.

“But would you like it?” Heathcliff insisted.

“I... I would like it very much, sir. I mean, Heathcliff.” Gregor answered. He nuzzled into his chest even more, wings fluttering.

“Good. I’ll get a rag and get to work, then. You can stay out here and relax.” Heathcliff nodded.

“Actually, I’ll come with you! I, uh... I kind of missed you.” Gregor told him. That slowly building anxiety in his gut got worse at the idea of Heathcliff leaving so soon. He desperately needed to be back by his side, right now. What was he thinking, leaving his side for so long?

“Alright then, that’s fine by me.” Heathcliff kissed his head. “I missed you too.” It was true. His office had felt less colorful without him. He’d gotten a lot done in those few hours, but he was miserable for all of it, especially with what he was researching. Maybe next time he shouldn’t allow Gregor to separate from his side. Gregor probably wouldn’t mind... “Next time you should just stay with me, and we’ll do what you want after.” He held him tighter.

“I think I’d prefer that.” Gregor smiled, beginning to purr.

“C’mon, then. Let’s get this done.” Heathcliff wrapped an arm around his waist, right where it belonged, and led him back through the garden and inside. Heathcliff got a rag and cleaning solution and went out to the patio with his... roommate? Companion? Subordinate? Well, as far as Heathcliff was concerned, Gregor was simply his.

Gregor sat on the patio floor and watched as Heathcliff set to work scrubbing grime and dirt off the iron table and chairs. Heathcliff had to roll up his long sleeves to get it done, and Gregor quietly eyed his scarred, muscular arms as he used his strength to get the stubborn dirt off. Perhaps Gregor was fantasizing just a bit about how Heathcliff could throw him over his shoulder and carry him if he felt like it. He made quick work of it, though, and they were clean in time for Heathcliff to take him in to make lunch.

Heathcliff turned on the radio as they stepped into the kitchen, classical music playing throughout the large space.

“Anything in particular you want?” Heathcliff asked.

“I don’t know... you can choose.” That was the usual response for Gregor being asked to make choices.

“Would you be comfortable with me feeding you again?” Heathcliff asked.

“Yes, I would.”

“How about pizza, then? I have some dough left from yesterday in the fridge, there should be enough.” Heathcliff told him. “With lots of cheese. Any toppings in particular you want?”

“Uh... just pepperoni is fine, as long as there’s lots of cheese.” Gregor smiled.

“Sounds good. We’ve got at least four cheeses we can use.” Heathcliff started getting ingredients out. Gregor loved cheese, so Heathcliff had been buying a ton of it.

Gregor quietly watched from close by as he assembled the pizza. It was still amazing to Gregor that he owned an oven capable of making real pizza. It was even more amazing that he’d learned how to bake and make dough and make pizzas within two weeks in order to treat him to good food he’d never gotten.

Gregor still remembered the first dinner Heathcliff fed him. It was beef stew with potatoes and carrots, slow cooked in gravy. It was the first time in years that he’d had a home cooked meal. Heathcliff had so gently fed him every bite, smiling just a little as he hummed in pleasure at the taste. Gregor hadn’t been able to help how his antennas perked up and his wings fluttered as he got to taste good food for the first time in so damn long.

He thought that might have been the moment he realized for the first time that Heathcliff saved him.

Heathcliff put the pizza in the oven. “Now all there’s left to do is wait.” He smiled at him, and finally came over to pull him back into his arms.

Gregor smiled big as he was held again, quietly listening to the music.

“Have you ever danced?” Heathcliff asked after a long while of just holding him.

“No, I never learned. Have you?” Gregor asked quietly.

“I did learn, when I was a kid. I had the woman who raised me teach me, so I could impress some girl. I don’t think I ever got to dance with her though. Don’t even remember anything about her.” He laughed a little, sadly. “After that I didn’t have anyone I wanted to dance with. But I still remember how it’s supposed to go. Would you like to dance?” Heathcliff asked, voice utterly soft.

“If you don’t mind me constantly stepping on your feet.” Gregor chuckled.

“Oh don’t worry about that. I haven’t done this in ten bloody years. We’re both going to be shite at it and I knew that from the start. Wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t prepared to get stepped on.” Heathcliff reassured, kissing his hair.

“Then I think I’d like that, if there’s something beginning friendly.” Gregor agreed, feeling his wings flutter at the intimacy of it all.

“I think I know something like that.” Heathcliff took one of his claws and gently laid it on his shoulder, took the other into his hand carefully, and set his free hand on Gregor’s waist. “And now, we just stay close, and slowly step in a circle. I’ll lead. Don’t worry about being bad.” Heathcliff slowly stepped, giving Gregor ample time to follow, and then again, teaching him to slowly ballroom dance. They were both awful at it, at first, Gregor stepping on his feet many times, but Heathcliff always just laughed and whispered encouragement.

Eventually, Gregor started to get the hang of it, after many more times of making Heathcliff laugh softly with his errors, and he’d started to wonder why he ever distrusted this man. Why he’d ever feared him. He trusted him, now, more than anyone, and wanted to be with him for as long as he could. These last three weeks have felt like a wonderful dream, and he never wants to wake up.

Gregor finally looks up at him instead of their feet, and their eyes meet. They pause, momentarily.

Gregor hasn’t had the courage to really look into his eyes much, but... now he could see they were the color of a sky during a thunderstorm. Dark blue-purple. Gregor’s never had a favorite color, but he thinks this one will be the one for some time. Heathcliff looks at him with such utter softness, too, always has since the day they met. His eyes have only gotten softer for him since.

Slowly, they’re getting closer. Heathcliff’s hand on his waist is gently tugging him in, faces growing close. They share the same breath. Gregor’s traitorous heart is pounding so loudly he’s afraid his companion will hear it, and he doesn’t even want to think about how desperately his wings are trying to get him off the ground. And yet Heathcliff laughs a little, as if he can tell, and smiles, really genuinely fully smiles, all at him.

‘I’m in love with him.’ Gregor thinks distantly. The thought feels so natural and right that he doesn’t question it, letting his eye slip closed as he lets himself be pulled further in.

Then his eye blows wide. ’Wings, I’m in love with him.’

He’s never been in love with someone.

The realization of it all overwhelms him to his core, and he doesn’t know what to do about it. So he just goes on instinct and hides his burning face in Heathcliff’s neck, as he always does when he’s feeling overwhelmed and shy. Even though it means that intimacy, of being so fucking close to a kiss, is gone.

Wings, he hates himself. When did he delude himself into thinking he could have good things? The threat has to come from somewhere. It has to. It always comes from somewhere. He had to make sure he was perfect, so Heathcliff would never abandon him. After all, he was useless on his own.

And yet, Heathcliff doesn’t see anything wrong with the action. He just smiles and wraps his arms fully around him, swaying them in time to the music and humming along. There’ll be another opportunity for a kiss. After all, Heathcliff is never letting him go. They can take their time with their firsts. Or so he thought, not considering they’d only known each other 3 weeks and were already doing all of this. But at the least, Heathcliff felt truly and utterly happy right now. So long as he kept this man dependent on him... he’d be happy.

Chapter Text

It was Monday after their wonderful weekend staying mostly at home, enjoying each other’s company, and they had to go back to work. Gregor honestly wanted to stay in Heathcliff’s arms forever now, and dreaded going back to work where his boss would be less touchy. Gregor just wanted to be cuddling all of the time, constantly holding each other and touching, but Heathcliff kept his distance at work. Somewhat. He still guided him around by his hand on his shoulder. Still, every time Gregor tried to get closer, Heathcliff gently stepped back.

Gregor couldn’t help but pout as they finished some paperwork in his boss’s office. Was Heathcliff embarrassed to be seen being affectionate with him in public? Was Heathcliff embarrassed by him? Did he not like him?

“What’s wrong?” Heathcliff looked at him, noticing his drooping antenna and pouting face.

“I... it’s just... you’re so warm at home, but at work you’re so cold to me.” Gregor explained timidly. “Sorry, I don’t want to cause problems--“

Heathcliff’s face softened, leaning over to kiss his forehead. “I’m sorry I came off that way, lad. I’m just trying to keep it professional when we’re at work. We might get a complaint from HR if we’re too attached. Not to mention, I need to keep up appearances to my coworkers. But I’ll try to be more affectionate when it’s just the two of us, okay? I don’t want you thinking something silly like that I don’t care about you.”

That made Gregor smile a little. He still worried a lot about if Heathcliff didn’t want his coworkers to see that he liked him, that being affectionate to Gregor was something that would make their coworkers look down on Heathcliff... But it was nice to get confirmation that Heathcliff cared about him. Tentatively, he leaned his head on his shoulder, and Heathcliff knocked his hat off in order to pet his hair. Gregor began to purr.

It was after lunch that their assignments changed up a bit from paperwork and contract readings.

Today was a bit different today, as they were hunting down a target who had run from a contract. They had already liquidated all the target’s assets, as per the terms and conditions, but they still needed to kill their former client. Heathcliff had been investigating for a few hours their whereabouts, and Gregor had been flying above, trying to stay mostly hidden as he looked for their client.

Finally Gregor spotted who they were looking for, hiding in an alleyway. He guided Heathcliff closer and pointed him in the direction, and then landed to block off the opposite exit. Just as they practiced.

That was when several people came out of the dark and tried to jump on him. Soldiers instincts kicked in, and he dodged most the blows, tearing a few of them apart, before getting yanked back by his braid, a knife plunging in to try and saw off his wings.

“Let’s see you fly back to your owner without wings, you little rat!” One of them laughed, before being cut off by a gurgle of blood as Gregor’s right claw lashed out to protect him, bending all the way backwards to saw the assailant in half.

Gregor didn’t hesitate to decapitate one that was backing up in horror with his freaking out arm. Another one ran at him, slashing a sword across his stomach, and Gregor didn’t even flinch, plunging both claws into her chest and allow them to freak out and tear her torso apart. One tried to take out his arms by plunging their blade into the chitin, but Gregor’s arms sliced him clean in half and pushed the blade out like it was nothing. And that was all of them.

Coming from further down the alley, the target stood in shock, looking at Gregor, with a deep cut across his stomach, his arms leaking vicious brown material, and his wings cut off, but still completely fine and alive. And Gregor hissed and flexed, his back bursting open to reveal new wings, discarding the old broken ones on the ground.

“You’re not his pet, you’re a monster.” They said.

Suddenly they were grabbed by the neck, and an axe blade slammed into their kneecap. “Wrong. I’m the monster.” Heathcliff hissed, completely enraged.

Heathcliff shoved the axe blade in until it completely shattered their kneecap and cut off their leg, making the victim scream loud enough to crack their voice. Then the Öufi fixer shoved them to the ground and plunged the axe blade in, over and over, never hitting anything vital, completely torturing the client that dared set an ambush on his assistant, that dared touch what belonged to him, that dared to even look at hisGregor wrong, not caring how much they screamed.

Finally, Heathcliff plunged the blade into their neck, and finally killed them.

Heathcliff, soaked in gore, looked at Gregor, who was heavily injured.

“We need to get you to a medic, right fucking now.” Heathcliff didn’t even pause to listen to him before coming to try and pick him up bridal style.

Gregor stepped back to stop him from doing such. “Wait! Sir, I’m-- look, it’s okay, I regenerate! See?” He gestured to the wounds, which were already healing. “See? I’m okay, sir, I’m okay!”

Heathcliff still kept storming at him, grabbing him roughly and looking at his wounds, breathing out as he saw it for himself. “Fuck. You’re okay. I thought I almost lost you. Fuck!” He laughed a little, but it wasn’t a happy laugh. “I was so fucking worried about you. I thought you got hurt and it was my fucking fault and I couldn’t save you!” He was nearly hysteric.

Gregor got the feeling he was reliving a very bad moment of his life right now. So he just quietly stepped forwards and leaned into him, nuzzling his face in his chest, mandibles grabbing onto his uniform in his version of a hug. “I’m okay, Heath. You didn’t fail me. You’re not going to lose me. It takes more than that to get rid of me.” He told him softly.

Heathcliff dropped his weapon and threw his arms around his middle in a crushing hug, burying his face in his hair. For a moment, it was silent and comfortable, as they held each other in a gore soaked street like the world would end if they let go for even a second.

Finally, Heathcliff pulled back just enough so he could see his face. “I can’t lose you. If I lose someone again, I’ll break. Especially so if it’s you.” He told him in a heavy voice, gravely serious, and grabbed his chin in one hand, kissing him hard and sudden, with all the desperation in the world.

Gregor jolted in shock, not expecting it in the least, but when Heathcliff started to pull back because of it, Gregor quickly leaned back in and crushed their lips together, mandibles scrabbling at his face with need. Heathcliff tangled his other hand in the back of his hair and crushed him closer, kissing him like he needed him more than he needed air to breathe. Gregor kissed him just as desperately, a pleased chirp coming from his chest against his will.

Finally after a long time Heathcliff pulled back, just slightly, to murmur into his mouth as Gregor panted, breathless from the kiss. “If I haven’t made it clear already, you’re mine. I won’t let anyone else have you. You belong to me. Got it?” His voice was dark and foreboding.

Gregor’s heart and wings fluttered rapidly as a loud very whiny trill came out of him. Exactly the kind of sound that his bug instincts told him he should make to attract a mate. “I-I... yes Heathcliff! I’m yours!” He was floating a few inches in the air with his new wings, utterly on cloud nine.

“Good, I’m glad you understand. I was getting tired of holding myself back.” Heathcliff murmured to him, kissing him again, softer this time, but just as possessive.

Gregor began to loudly purr, leaning into it happily, smiling into it besotted and lovesick. “You don’t have to hold yourself back. You can treat me as you like.” He whispered into his lips.

“Good. Then you’re my lover and romantic partner from now on. Is that agreeable?” Heathcliff asked softly.

At this point, Gregor was so worshipfully smitten with this man that he’d even be happy to be called his pet like his assailants had called him. “Yes, I would like that very much!”

“So obedient. This is why I fell for you so quickly.” Heathcliff chuckled, squeezing his chin affectionately. “Now... I think it’s time for a break. Let’s go back to the office and eat lunch in my office. After this, I think I want to keep you all to myself a little longer.”

Gregor was so attracted to him he could feel the utter desire in his teeth. He would follow this man to the end of the Outskirts. After all, he was his hero. He’d saved him. “Yes, Heath.”

“Good lad.” Heathcliff gave him one last lingering kiss before bending to pick up his bloodied weapon and wrapping his free arm possessively around his waist.

Gregor couldn’t help his gooey smile as he leaned his head on his shoulder and let his fluttering wings float him along as Heathcliff lead him away from the scene. He was celebrating in his head. ‘I’m his, I’m his, I’m his~’ he thought to himself happily.

--

As much as Heathcliff had said he wanted to seem professional, he kept his arm around his waist for the rest of the day at work, and said nothing as Gregor kept his head leaned on his shoulder. If anyone asked, his boss told them a story about how Gregor had a close call during a hunt gone wrong where he was ambushed. It was all technically true, but it heavily exaggerated how many people Gregor had fended off and the injuries he got to make him seem both very capable and justified in needing comfort after a close brush with death.

As they drove home, Heathcliff spoke up, exhausted. “What’s your favorite food that grows on a tree? Like a fruit or something.”

“Anything but apples.” Gregor spoke up, voice more hostile than he meant it to be. “S-sorry. Hyper specific trauma. Um... I’m not sure. I haven’t had many things from trees to eat. Do coconuts count? I really like the coconut milk you bought me on Sunday.”

Heathcliff was surprised by his outburst, but laughed a little. “That doesn’t count. There’s a farmer’s market tomorrow in the South Square. Let’s go there for lunch break and we’ll get some good fruit, so we can find out what your favorite is.”

“Okay!” Gregor perked up. “That sounds really nice.”

“Good. It’s a date, then.” Heathcliff told him with a small smile.

Gregor’s wings buzzed uselessly behind him. A date with Heathcliff... right after officially becoming his lover..!

As they got home, Heathcliff made them meatloaf, and they ate out on the patio table, as they had been since Gregor discovered the garden. It was so calm and peaceful out here. Gregor could stay out here forever. Gregor found himself looking up at the sky, staring at all the stars.

“Do you like the stars?” Heathcliff asked gently.

“I’m not used to seeing them. There’s no stars in the backstreets, because there’s too much light. And during the war there was too much smoke in the air. And before then I was locked in a lab. I’ve only seen them in books and on TV.” Gregor told him. “There were lots of pictures of them in the brochures they gave us, before all those Nests backed out of agreeing to house us, but it’s so much different seeing them in person. Me and my best friend Tomah, we used to daydream about moving to one of the nests together and having our own garden, camping out every night in it to watch the stars.”

“Tomah, huh...? You’ve never mentioned that name. What was he like?” Heathcliff questioned gently as they ate.

“He was amazing! He was the poster boy for our cause, they used his face for all the posters! We were trained in the same barrack and became close, and even when I got moved to become an army nurse he was constantly visiting me in the medical wing. We were lucky to deployed in the same area, so he could always come back to my infirmary. I always kept him in top shape. We always promised each other we’d be there for each other no matter what. He was my hero. He was everyone’s hero. But... one day he got deployed somewhere else, and I couldn’t see him anymore. Then he went MIA a few weeks later. Not sure what ever became of him.” His voice had started out happy, but slowly became sad and somber as he discussed the fate of his best friend. “I assume he’s dead, or that maybe he deserted. It doesn’t matter... all amounts to the same thing. By the time the war ended, I was all alone.”

Heathcliff took that in quietly, and slotted that name away for later. Just in case he ever met a man with bug features by that name. “I know I’ve said it before, but I’m so sorry you had to go through all that. I wish I could have been there for you sooner. I wish could’ve been there for you since the beginning.”

“It’s fine, s-- Heathcliff. It was ten years ago. You couldn’t have helped me then, you were probably still a teenager then.” Gregor laughed softly, feeling a bit embarrassed. It was a sweet, hopeful sentiment that made his wings flutter, but it reminded of his age and that Heathcliff was a good bit younger than him.

“Yeah, would’ve been... 17 when the war ended. Hah, I definitely wouldn’t have been able to help then.” Heathcliff thought to himself, chuckling ruefully. He put a hand on the blunt side of his claw. “Still... I want to make up for all the time you had to be alone. It couldn’t have been easy for you. If there’s anything at all you want, I’ll give it to you. Promise. No hidden prices, no consequences. Just because I care about you.”

Gregor blushed a little, unable to help smiling softly. “Just because I’m yours...?” He added shyly.

Heathcliff’s eyes darkened a little bit. “That as well... you don’t mind it, do you? Me having you?”

“No... I like it.” Gregor mumbled, wings buzzing softly in attraction behind him, antenna twitching. “I want to be yours. I like you taking care of me. I like being with you. I don’t think... I ever want to be apart from you.”

Heathcliff chuckled, and leaned in to softly kiss him, before beginning to start feeding him his food again. “You’re so eager with everything else but so shy when you’re showing affection to me. It’s adorable.”

“I’ve just...” Gregor took the bite offered. “I’ve never been in a relationship before.”

The Öufi Fixer clenched the fork so hard the metal visibly bent in his grip. “Ah... so that kiss... that was your first one?”

Gregor’s face was full red. “Yeah... I’m sorry, it’s really embarrassing--“ He was rapidly retreating into himself like an isopod curling up into a little ball. Especially because he was thinking about how his first kiss was one of the only firsts he hadn’t had during the war...

“No, stop. It’s not a problem. I’m honored to be your first kiss.” Heathcliff told him sternly. “But now I feel a bit bad. I feel like it should’ve been a bit more romantic than me kissing you breathless in a gory alleyway after we killed a bunch of people.”

“I-I mean. I really liked it.” Gregor admitted softly, mortified. Maybe he liked it a little too much, considering he’d been fantasizing about it constantly ever since it happened.

Heathcliff chuckled, and fed him the last bite of food. “How about we dance again? And maybe soon I’ll buy us some supplies so we can camp out in the garden. There’s all sorts of security on it to keep everyone and everything out, so it’ll be perfectly safe. And we already have a fire pit, so we could roast marshmallows.”

“Yes, I’d like that a lot!” Gregor perked up significantly at being offered such wonderful luxuries, as he always did when Heathcliff spoiled him. And Heathcliff spoiled him frequently. At least once a day.

As Heathcliff got up to grab the radio from inside, Gregor scrambled up to stand on the patio, waiting eagerly for him. Heathcliff sat the radio on the patio half wall and turned it on to the same station that was always playing classical music. He took the blunt end of one of Gregor’s claws into his hand and rested the other claw carefully on his shoulder, then took Gregor by the waist with his free hand.

It went smoother this time, as they danced together, going faster than they did the first time. There were some missteps, but as usual they laughed each one off, this time with Gregor joining in on the laughter. Heathcliff lead him around the patio, stepping in turn, warmly smiling at him, forms illuminated by the garden lights.

Gregor felt his wings buzz at the sight of that lovely smile, even more at knowing they were together now, that he belonged to Heathcliff. They were lovers now, and it made him smile brightly as he softly hummed along to the song in his rich voice.

As they stared into each other’s eyes, Heathcliff pulled him gently closer, pulling their bodies flush, and their movements slowly stopped. They shared breaths, and Heathcliff’s hand left his claw to cup his face, and gently slot their lips together.

It was just like a kiss in a fairytale book. Kissing a handsome prince while dancing with him in his castle... that’s how Gregor envisioned it, anyway. It matched how he felt right now.

Every day since he met Heathcliff felt like a wonderful dream, where fairytales were real and love really could save the day. He never wanted to wake up. Or maybe, he was finally awake, from that never-ending nightmare.

Heathcliff smiled into his lips. “I love you. The last time I was in love, I didn’t say it enough. So I want you to know it now.”

Gregor’s wings carried him a few inches in the air from his overwhelming happiness. Like this, they were actually the same height. Gregor couldn’t help his small, giddy laugh. “It’ll take you saying it a bit more before I can really believe it. This is all so wonderful that it’s hard to believe it’s real. But... I want to be with you as long as you’ll have me. I care about you more than anyone I’ve met in my whole life. Is that okay?”

“Of course. I’ll say it as many times as you need to believe it.” Heathcliff told him with that same warm smile.

Gregor couldn’t help but think about how every single smile he’d seen Heathcliff make was at him. His eyes were only so soft for him. It made his heart light. There was no doubt in his heart that he loved Heathcliff. But for now... he wanted to wait a bit longer for it to feel real before he could say it back. He rested his head on Heathcliff’s shoulder, purring softly.

“So... was that a perfect first kiss?” Heathcliff chuckled.

“Yeah... But now I don’t want to leave your arms for the rest of the night.” Gregor sighed.

“If you want... you can sleep in my room tonight.” Heathcliff offered softly, stroking his hair. “With me, in my bed.”

Gregor stiffened up and went bright red. “Ah-- You mean you want to--?”

“Just for sleeping tonight. And cuddling, if you want. And hopefully... we can sleep in the same bed every night?” Heathcliff asked gently, taking a claw carefully into his hand and kissing it.

The way his boss looked at him so hopefully made Gregor’s heart melt. “Of course I can start sleeping in your room instead. I’d love to!”

“Good, then.” Heathcliff smiled and gave him another quick kiss. “Well, let’s head in and you can keep me company while I deal with dishes. We’ll camp out another night.”

“Okay, Heath.” Gregor replied, and purred some more as he leaned into the kiss.

Heathcliff chuckled at how obedient he was, as always, and brought him inside with the radio.

--

It was after finishing dishes and washing up for bed that Heathcliff helped his lover into pajamas, and then began to change as well. Gregor felt a bit bad, but he couldn’t stop staring. Heathcliff was so strong and muscular and scarred all over... He was gorgeous, and Gregor couldn’t help the way his wings fluttered against his back in obvious attraction as his cheeks heated.

“C’mon, let’s lay down, love.” Heathcliff lead him to bed and helped him lay down. He lay down next to him, on his side facing him. “Is it alright if I hold you?”

“Of course!! I just... I don’t want to wrap my arms around you, because I’m terrified they’ll freak out and hurt you.” Gregor told him.

“It’s fine, we’ll figure something out.” Heathcliff wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him close. But the claws were squished between them. That wasn’t going to work. They both moved to adjust at the same time and knocked their heads together, swearing in sync.

They looked at each other as they recovered and both laughed a little. They kept trying out different positions and constantly bumping into each other, and it went on for quite a while, until...

Heathcliff had him lay on his side and laid behind him, wrapping his arms around his middle. “There we go. That’s more like it.” He laughed softly, relaxing fully, burying his face in his hair. “This is... this is very nice.” He sighed, holding him tight.

Gregor stretched his claws out from Heathcliff’s arms as far as he could, paranoid, but rapidly began to relax as he felt his lover nuzzling his face into his hair sweetly, arms warm and strong and tight around him. For once, sleep approached Gregor rapidly, as he fell into a state of relaxation he’d never felt before. “Yeah... I really like this.” He laughed a little, curling up in his arms. “Let’s never sleep alone again.”

Heathcliff chuckled in his ear. “Let’s. Just so long as I get to have you in my arms every night.” He then nibbled his ear, just a little. “I like how your body feels against mine. I don’t think I’ll ever let you sleep with anyone else again.” He whispered.

A low comfortable heat settled in Gregor’s gut at the innuendos. He was too sleepy to do anything about it, but he would certainly have very nice dreams tonight. “I... you’re so wonderful. I care about you so much.” Gregor mumbled, beginning to purr loudly again.

Heathcliff was drifting off to sleep as well, finding himself falling asleep much easier when he held someone. Especially with that oh so lovely purring right in his ear. “I love you so much, Greg. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“See you in the morning...” Gregor hummed, falling gently asleep with a big smile on his face, purring up a storm in the arms of the man he loved.