Work Text:
There was so much more work to be done. Analysis of the previous experiment, possible tweaks to the devices, probabilities of different ghosts, and most importantly, definitive improvements. The day was still young so there wasn’t a need to take a rest. Unfortunately, this was not the case for Egon. Despite scanning across the sheets of paper scattered across the table, he made no actual action to work. His mind was occupied with something he considered more important.
He turned around and looked back at his work partner, slouched in front of a computer screen. He hyper focused on the monitor, typing out some type of code as music blared from his headphones. Seth was in his element, leaving Egon in more distress. He knew the importance of focusing on one's work, he didn’t want to disrupt his flow and possibly ruin something.
With a defeated sigh, he rose up from his chair and walked over to Seth. As he got closer, he could faintly hear the music from his headphones. Egon couldn’t make out the band or even the genre, especially since Seth wasn’t one for sticking to one type of music. He stood beside him, still questioning himself on his decision. Before he could turn back, Seth finally noticed him, double taking a glance before sliding off his headphones.
“Did you need something?” Seth asked as he stretched himself backwards with a groan. Egon crossed his arms to comfort himself as he prepared for his request. Before he could reply, Seth quickly grabbed his phone and paused his music, leaving the two in near silence.
“I had a question about your… Evolution…” Egon immediately noticed Seth’s expression turn from confused to fear. He knew it was a touchy subject, but his curiosity ate away at him like some kind of parasite.
“... W-what about it?” Seth immediately began to fiddle with his hands, pressing and rubbing against his palms and fingers. He also darted his head away from Egon's, directing them more towards his chest and arms. Egon noticed beads of sweat forming on his forehead, some running down his face. It pained him to see Seth like this.
“Did you develop any… Physical attributes?”
“A few. I developed setae, more prominently on a scar on my back. Uh, chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors, pulvillus pads on my palms. Also some-”
“Pulvilli?” Egon cut him off. Seth nodded, releasing his hands to look at them, scanning over his palms.
“Yes. It took a while to get used to them. I still have difficulties releasing objects I’ve stuck myself too” Seth’s face contorted in disgust. He absolute despised this inhuman side of him, a reminder of his manic hubris that once consumed him and nearly ruined not just his, but his previous partner’s life, “Listen, I-I understand you’re curious, but can we please-”
“Can I feel them?” Seth shot his head up, immediately locking eyes with Egon. Egon kept his eyes away from Seth, a blend of embarrassment and shame taking over, “Your pulvilli, can I… Can I feel them?” Seth looked at him in pure confusion, “You can say no if you’re not comfortable, Seth. We can leave it here and forget this even happened if you want to” Though the offer was tempting, Seth was infected with the same desire that sparked this conversation in the first place.
“Uh, sure… There's a chair right behind you” Seth pointed behind Egon to a cushioned stool. With a nod, he quickly walked over, kicked the seat over, and sat across from Seth.
“Thank you” Egon replied as he carefully grabbed Seth’s hands. Clammy, warm, surprisingly smooth. Egon moved his thumbs to Seth’s palms, gently grazing over the skin. To his surprise, he could actually feel the pads. He could faintly feel the coarse little hairs that sprouted from his hands. He let go of one of Seth’s hands, deciding to stroke both thumbs on his left hand. Seth took in Egon’s expression, full of infatuation.
“I understand, it’s probably a strange texture. I don’t even like how they feel” Seth huffed, taking Egon’s captivation as a sign of disgusted awe. Seth felt like he was looking at him like a doctor discovering a new virus. Or a scientist observing an alien lifeform.
“I don’t hate it. I actually enjoy it. It feels very therapeutic”
“You… You do?” Seth was taken aback once more. He never considered something like that to be in some way pleasant, especially towards another.
“The adhesive pads in combination with the hair make a combination of textures I enjoy. One feels like sandpaper or a brush, the other feels like peeling dried glue off of skin” Seth took a second to comprehend Egon’s compliments. It still felt bizarre, even coming from someone he enjoyed as company. Seth was determined to find the one thing that would disgust Egon in all of this. There was always something to despise about his physicality.
“And the whole, uh… Insect thing doesn’t freak you out? Not one bit?”
“Of course not. At the end of the day, you’re still a human” Indulged in his sensory haven, Egon moved Seth’s hand to his cheek. He smiled as he nuzzled himself into his palm. Seth was in a panic. Shocked from his lack of repulsion, flustered from the sensual contact, Seth’s brain was racing from one thought to another. His eyes dilated, heart pounding against his chest, cheeks dying themselves pink.
“ How? How could he not hate me? I’m an abomination to life itself yet he seemingly enjoys me. Would he still care if I looked more like a monster? ” All this thinking almost brough Seth to tears. Before they could fall though, Egon snapped back to reality, immediately attempting to rip himself away. To both of their shock, he was stuck against his hand
“Forgive me! I’m sorry, I got caught up in the feeling” Now Egon was flustered, cheeks sharing the same tone as Seths. Seth carefully unstuck and recoiled his arm, brushing his thumb against the same palm that rested against Egon’s face. Egon immediately noticed Seth’s tears and shaky stature, “Are you okay? I-I’m sorry if I did anything to-”
“You’re okay. You did nothing wrong” Seth took a deep breath, looking up at Egon, “We should probably continue our work. You know we have a deadline to reach”
“Right. Yes, we do” Egon nodded, rising from his seat, “Thank you for allowing me to… I’m… I’m sorry again” Seth turned to his monitor and slid back on his headphones. Before he could turn them back on, he looked over at Egon. As he sat back down to continue his work, Seth thought to himself. Should he say something or leave the two of them in awkward silence.
“Thank you” Seth called out. Egon turned his head towards him, “For what you said. It… It means something to me. Makes me feel more… livable with myself” Egon turned towards him, leaning against the back of his chair.
“Well, then” He shot Seth a comforting smile, “Good to know it wasn’t all for nothing” Seth smiled back as the two of them turned back to their work. Seth turned back on his music as he typed away. Throughout the day, Seth thought about what Egon told him. Gross confusion was immediately replaced with giddy joy every single time. And he’d never admit it, but Seth actually missed Egon’s cheek on his hand. It felt nice, made him feel desirable. Maybe, he hoped, he would be desirable enough for Egon one day.