Work Text:
And the universe said I love you
When you were young, before everything fell apart, your father would tell you stories. Short stories, but one always stood out amongst the rest. A farmer and a star. Falling for each other in the only way beings like themselves could. Fiery and intense, but at the same time, so tender and soft you’d fall harder in love. As a child, you wondered if you could have that. Father spoke so fondly of the experience, you couldn’t help but want it too.
And then, then you met Jericho Ichabod. Everything fell apart, and you forgot about the star and the farmer. In your darkness, Jericho was too bright, too loud, too much for you. And when you forgot the glow of the sun, even an ember seemed to burn. But, kissing Crowe? It burns like a hearth on a winter night, comforting and all encompassing. You couldn’t dream of leaving. Under the watchful gaze of the stars and the blanket of night, your souls blend and become something new.
Parting for air feels like suffocating. Navy blue eyes stare into your own with such a soft gaze. His face flushes, red tinting his tan skin, and everywhere you look, you see hearts. Hearts in his eyes, in the shape of his nose, in his hair, even in the grass surrounding you. Your hands wander, cupping his cheek before tracing the edge of his jaw. The exposed skin of his neck looks so comforting, your face is nestled there before you can think.
“What are we…?” It’s such a small question, whispered too quietly for Crowe to hear. Your hands play with the loose strands of dark brown hair that surround Crowe. A steady hand is placed on your back as Crowe holds you close. He rubs circles in the small of your back, and faintly, you can hear him.
“What did you say?” You can hear the smile in his voice, and you can’t help but grin in return. Small chaste kisses on his neck make him laugh under you, and his arms wrap tighter around your waist. “Well?”
“I asked,” you sit up slightly, looking Crowe in the eye. It’s not easy. He looks at you with a moonstruck expression, so earnest that your face heats up under the pressure. “What are we?”
“What are you hoping for us to be?”
“Ah…” Your face burns hotter under the expectant stare. You know the answer, and yet, you’re scared to say it.
“Can I tell you what I want us to be? And apologies in advance, it is a little selfish.” He sits up, his hands steady on your waist as he looks at you. The distance between you shrinks. You’re as connected as you can be with clothes in the way. “I’d like us to be together. More than friends, more than lovers. It’s selfish and crass, but I don’t want to share you with anyone.”
He nuzzles his face into your neck, his lips brushing against the exposed skin there. Your hands grip his shoulders, holding onto the purple shirt and wrinkling the fabric as your skin grows hot. “I want to wake up next to you. Spend my quiet mornings with you and find the world born anew in your eyes. It’s this… all-consuming want, and it’s so selfish–”
“No, it’s not.” The blanket of stars wraps around you both, locking you two together in a room with only yourselves as witnesses. “I think… I’ve always felt that way, even back when we first met in sophomore year.”
Before you know it, you’re kissing again. Lips touch every expanse of exposed skin as if the bruises in the shape of each other will live eternally on your skin. Part of you hopes they will. Let everyone know that Jericho Ichabod is loved by you and only you. You separate, and the needy part of you hates it.
“Can you stay with me tonight? I’m not ready to let go yet.” A deep blush spreads across his cheeks, tinting his face even in the low light. There’s a silent nod as your foreheads touch. Begrudgingly, you pull away and stand up. You must look disheveled, and Crowe looks no better. Grass stains that will be a pain to get out cover you both, but you can’t find it in you to care.
The whole way back to your apartment, Crowe holds your hand. It feels so natural walking through the door with him, like this was meant to be. Your future could be this. It will be.
And the universe said I love you because you are love.