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Silverbell was a heavy sleeper. That was an obvious fact, as vital and unalterable as the universe's laws. Black Sapphire hated it—the way Silverbell sprawled out and drooled in his sleep and the sheer impossibility of spooning or cuddling without struggle. Still, Black Sapphire can’t stand the thought of himself growing so self-centered that he’d deny them something so intimate and rare just for his own comfort.
Black Sapphire held him close in his arms, carefully maneuvering Silverbell so he was facing him, silently praying to the witches above that he wouldn’t begin to kick him or leave a mouthful of drool on his uniform. The day prior, Silverbell had made Mercurial Knight aware that he’d be taking a day off so that he could spend time with a ‘faerie’ friend of his. It took immense amounts of convincing Mercurial Knight to even consider letting him abandon his duties for something so little for just a day. Black Sapphire had no intention to leave Silverbell’s house anytime soon and waste what little time they had together, and he’d rather not spend more time wiping drool off his suit than cherishing Silverbell.
“I can’t go back to sleep,” Silverbell murmured into Black Sapphire’s coat. “I’m trying to close my eyes, but it isn’t working.”
“…Have you been up this entire time?” Black Sapphire spoke, staring down at him. Silverbell’s eyes had begun to glisten—teary, potentially, or just dewy. Silverbell’s dewdrops were difficult to distinguish from his actual teary eyes. Black Sapphire has learnt that the hard way.
“Yeah,” Silverbell yawned, before briefly giggling, “You breathe really heavy, just letting you know."
Black Sapphire sighed, tightening his hold on Silverbell in mock frustration. He brought a hand up to Silverbell’s hair and ruffled it immediately as Silverbell began to playfully swat his hand away while breathlessly laughing.
“Stop it!” Silverbell said, “You know how much effort I put into getting my hair to look presentable!”
“You can fix it later.” Black Sapphire teased, ruffling faster and rougher. Somehow, Silverbell’s cowlick stayed standing straight and proud.
“You’re fixing it later!” Silverbell argued.
“Me?” Black Sapphire retorted, feigning offense—though Silverbell could hear the amusement in his tone any day, “It’s your hair. Maybe you just need to fight better if you don’t want it getting messed up.” He punctuated the sentence by grabbing Silverbell’s wrists, pinning them above his head with a playful growl. Silverbell squirmed, still giggling, kicking his legs uselessly—Black Sapphire had learned long ago how to trap him effectively.
Silverbell’s laughter faded into something softer, his breath hitching slightly as he stilled beneath Black Sapphire’s grip. His gaze wandered—trailing over Black Sapphire’s shoulders, his arms, the way his uniform strained against muscles that hadn’t been there months ago. “You’ve gotten stronger,” Silverbell murmured, voice warm with admiration.
Black Sapphire stiffened, his cheeks darkening—he hadn’t expected the sudden shift in tone, nor the way Silverbell’s eyes lingered on him like he was something precious. “Shut up,” he muttered, but there was no bite to it.
Then, with a speed that shouldn’t have been possible given how effortlessly Black Sapphire had pinned him, Silverbell twisted—his knee sliding between Black Sapphire’s thighs, his free hand gripping the back of Black Sapphire’s neck—and flipped them. The movement was fluid, practiced, and Black Sapphire barely had time to register the sudden weightlessness before his back hit the mattress, Silverbell straddling his waist with a triumphant grin. “You’re cute when you’re flustered,” Silverbell teased, leaning down until their noses brushed. His hair, now thoroughly ruined, fell in messy waves around his face. “But I think I like you better like this.”
Black Sapphire scoffed, reaching up to flick Silverbell’s forehead. “Look at you,” he said, fingers trailing down to trace the dark circles beneath Silverbell’s eyes. “Exhausted, hair like a bird’s nest, and still somehow convinced you’re the intimidating one.”
Silverbell wrinkled his nose, but didn’t pull away—instead, he caught Black Sapphire’s wrist, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. “I don’t need to be intimidating,” he murmured. “You already like me too much to care.”
The admission hung between them, too honest, too raw. Black Sapphire swallowed, his pulse stuttering beneath Silverbell’s touch. He wanted to argue, to deflect—but the words died in his throat when Silverbell’s thumb brushed the inside of his wrist, feather-light. “You’re—” Black Sapphire started, then stopped, his breath hitching.
Silverbell’s smile softened. “I’m what?”
Black Sapphire exhaled sharply, his free hand tangling in Silverbell’s hair, tugging him closer. “Annoying,” he muttered, before closing the distance between them. Silverbell’s laughter melted into the kiss, sweet and familiar, and for once, neither of them thought about sleep.
Silverbell shifted, twisting in Black Sapphire’s grip until his back pressed flush against Black Sapphire’s chest, their legs tangling together beneath the sheets. He sighed, content, as Black Sapphire’s arms wound around him—one hand settling over his ribs, the other curling possessively against his hip.
“Better?” Silverbell murmured, and Black Sapphire huffed, burying his face in the crook of Silverbell’s neck.
“Shut up.” But his grip tightened, pulling Silverbell closer still.
“Are you even tired?” Silverbell asked, voice muffled against the pillow. He could feel Black Sapphire’s breath against his skin, the absence of exhaustion in the way his fingers traced absent patterns over Silverbell’s side.
“Not really,” Black Sapphire admitted after a beat, his thumb brushing the jut of Silverbell’s hipbone. “Just wanted to hold you.” Silverbell’s breath caught—stupid, how easily those words unraveled him—but before he could respond, Black Sapphire nipped at his shoulder, sharp enough to make him yelp. “Don’t get smug about it.”
Silverbell twisted, craning his neck to meet Black Sapphire’s gaze. His lips curled into a slow, drowsy smile. “I like it,” he murmured, pressing back into the warmth of Black Sapphire’s chest. “Being held by you.” He felt the hitch in Black Sapphire’s breath before he heard it, the way his grip faltered for a fraction of a second—like he hadn’t expected the admission, like it was something fragile. Then Black Sapphire exhaled, rough, and dragged Silverbell closer until there was no space left between them.
“You know,” Silverbell said, voice low, “you’re the only one I’ve ever let this close.” The words hung between them, heavier than he’d intended. Black Sapphire stilled—Silverbell could feel the tension coiled in his arms, the way his breath stuttered against the back of his neck.
“Bullshit,” Black Sapphire muttered, but there was no conviction in it, just something raw and uncertain.
Silverbell laughed, “It’s true!” he protested, twisting to face him. “Before you, I never—” He hesitated, suddenly aware of how ridiculous it sounded. “I never had an interest in dating anyone.”
Black Sapphire’s grip tightened, fingers digging into Silverbell’s waist as he searched his face. “Why?” The question was blunt, and Silverbell couldn’t name the tone in Black Sapphire’s voice. “You could’ve had anyone, surely,” Black Sapphire continued, voice rough. “Anyone would’ve—” He cut himself off, jaw clenching.
Silverbell blinked, then grinned, reaching up to flick Black Sapphire’s nose. “Wow,” he drawled, “didn’t realize you were the jealous type.” Black Sapphire scoffed, batting his hand away, but Silverbell caught his wrist, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. “No one else mattered,” he admitted softly. “No one else was you.”
Black Sapphire exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “You’re ridiculous,” he muttered, but his grip gentled, fingers tracing the curve of Silverbell’s hip. “I spent years hearing about you and your training.” His thumb brushed Silverbell’s ribs, slow, deliberate. “We were rivals before we even met. Of course I’m—” He hesitated, scowling. “Curious.”
Silverbell laughed, bright and startled. “Curious?” he repeated, grinning. “Is that what you’re calling it?”
Black Sapphire rolled his eyes, but his cheeks darkened. “Shut up.”
Silverbell shifted, straddling Black Sapphire’s thighs, his hands braced against his chest. “You,” he said, punctuating the word with a playful poke, “were obsessed with me.”
Black Sapphire’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t deny it—just hooked an arm around Silverbell’s waist and yanked him down, until their foreheads pressed together. “And you were terrified of me.”
Silverbell burst out laughing, the sound bright and unguarded. “Terrified? Of you?” He snorted, flicking Black Sapphire’s nose. “Black Sapphire, I’m a knight. You host a gossip show.”
Black Sapphire’s grip tightened, his fingers digging into Silverbell’s hips. “Sure, but you flinched every time I got close.” Silverbell rolled his eyes, but his cheeks warmed—because it was true, in a way. Though, it certainly wasn’t fear that caused his reactions. Just the unfamiliar thrill of being wanted by someone who’d always seemed untouchable.
Black Sapphire’s expression softened, his thumb brushing Silverbell’s hipbone. “You still do,” he murmured, and Silverbell huffed, flicking his forehead again.
“I flinch because you’re unpredictable,” Silverbell lied, grinning when Black Sapphire’s brows furrowed. “One second you’re brooding, the next you’re—” He yelped as Black Sapphire flipped them, pinning him to the mattress with a growl.
“Finish that sentence,” he dared, voice rough.
Silverbell laughed breathlessly, his fingers tangling in Black Sapphire’s hair. “You’re fun,” he admitted, softer now. “That’s why you’re the first.” Black Sapphire stilled above him, his grip loosening. Silverbell sighed, tracing the line of his jaw. “I always thought romance was sweet, in theory. But no one ever made me want to—” He hesitated, cheeks warming. “To try it. Until you.”
Black Sapphire exhaled sharply, his forehead dropping to Silverbell’s shoulder. “You’re impossible,” he muttered, but his voice cracked, betraying him.
Silverbell grinned, tugging his hair. “And you’re blushing,” he teased. “Admit it. You like being special.” Black Sapphire nipped his collarbone in retaliation, but the bite lacked its usual edge.
“Shut up,” Black Sapphire mumbled against Silverbell’s skin.
Silverbell’s breath hitched as Black Sapphire’s lips trailed higher, brushing the hollow of his throat. “I mean it,” he whispered, arching into the touch. “No one else ever—” Black Sapphire cut him off with a kiss, deep and insistent, his hands ever so slightly sliding beneath Silverbell’s shirt. Silverbell melted, no one else had ever made him feel like this, either.
“So what,” Black Sapphire murmured against his lips, pulling back just enough to smirk, “you had no one in that prissy faerie court to warm your bed? Not even a friend to keep you company at night?” His tone was light, teasing, but his grip on Silverbell’s hips tightened almost imperceptibly.
Silverbell scowled, swatting his shoulder. “I had friends,” he huffed. “Just—not like that. None of them were—” He hesitated, cheeks flushing. “None of them were you.”
Black Sapphire’s smirk softened. He traced Silverbell’s jaw with his thumb, slow, deliberate. “Good,” he said finally, voice low. “Because I’d have to break their wings if they tried.” Silverbell snorted, rolling his eyes—but the way Black Sapphire’s fingers dug into his waist told him it wasn’t entirely a joke.
“Oh, please,” Silverbell drawled, tilting his chin up. “You’re not actually jealous, are you?” He flicked Black Sapphire’s nose, grinning when his brows furrowed. “Because I’m not into insecure guys. Especially not ones who mope over imaginary rivals.” Black Sapphire’s grip tightened, his expression darkening—but Silverbell just laughed, twisting in his hold. “Relax. You’re the only one who’s ever been this annoying.”
Black Sapphire exhaled sharply, pressing Silverbell back into the mattress. “Annoying?” he repeated, voice rough. “I’ll show you annoying.” His fangs found Silverbell’s throat, biting just hard enough to make him gasp. Silverbell accordingly arched into the touch, fingers tangling in Black Sapphire’s hair.
“That doesn’t even hurt,” Silverbell lied breathlessly, grinning when Black Sapphire paused to glare at him. His fangs had left twin marks just above Silverbell’s collarbone, faint but still noticeable. “You bite like a kitten.” Black Sapphire’s eyes narrowed—Silverbell could practically see the gears turning in his head.
Black Sapphire scoffed, pulling back just enough to pin Silverbell with a look. “You’re only mean to me,” he muttered, feigning offense. “I’ve seen you with Mercurial Knight—all polite smiles and ‘yes, sir.’ But me? You’d sooner stab me than say something nice.”
Silverbell burst out laughing, twisting beneath him. “Because you,” he said, poking Black Sapphire’s chest, “are the only one who deserves it.”
Black Sapphire’s grip on Silverbell’s wrists tightened, but his lips twitched—fighting a smile and losing. “So it’s special treatment,” he drawled, leaning down until their noses brushed. “Lucky me.”
Silverbell grinned, tilting his chin up. “Exactly. You should feel honored.”
Black Sapphire exhaled sharply, his breath warm against Silverbell’s lips. “Honored,” he repeated, voice rough. Then he kissed him, swallowing Silverbell’s laugh. Silverbell arched into it, fingers tangling in Black Sapphire’s hair, pulling him closer.
Silverbell broke the kiss first, gasping for air, his cheeks flushed. “You know,” he murmured, lips brushing Black Sapphire’s as he spoke, “you kiss me way too much.”
Black Sapphire scoffed, nipping at his lower lip. “Impossible,” he muttered. “Can’t kiss you enough.” Silverbell laughed, breathless, as Black Sapphire’s mouth trailed down his throat—warm, open-mouthed kisses that left his skin tingling.
“You’re ridiculous,” Silverbell whispered, but his fingers tightened in Black Sapphire’s hair, urging him on.
Black Sapphire paused mid-bite, his breath hitching as Silverbell’s wings fluttered behind him—subtle, involuntary tremors that betrayed his composure. Silverbell stiffened immediately, forcing them still with a sharp inhale, as if caught in some private humiliation.
Black Sapphire frowned, pulling back slightly. “Why do you do that?” he murmured, thumb brushing the base of Silverbell’s wing where it met his spine. Silverbell shivered, his breath stuttering. “They’re just wings.”
Silverbell swallowed hard, his grip on Black Sapphire’s shoulders tightening. He’d spent years disciplining his reactions when he could, even if the faeries didn’t really care—keeping his wings rigid, his expressions neutral, his body perfectly composed. He assumed it was unbecoming of a knight to be so visibly affected, he was the only knight who showed that kind of emotional vulnerability. But Black Sapphire’s fingers traced the delicate arch of his wing joints with a reverence that made his chest ache, and suddenly, the effort felt pointless. Why deny himself this? Why force restraint when Black Sapphire looked at him like he wanted to unravel him completely?
It struck him then—the faeries had never condemned him for his differences. They’d never mocked the way his wings trembled with unspoken emotion or how his dewdrops glistened when he laughed. But Silverbell had spent so long bracing for judgment that’d never come that he’d forgotten what it felt like to be cherished without conditions. Black Sapphire’s tender touch had served as a reminder. Silverbell’s breath hitched as his wings flared unapologetically.
“Bad habit,” Silverbell lied, forcing his wings still with practiced ease. “Faerie etiquette—you’re supposed to keep them controlled.” Black Sapphire’s fingers stilled against his spine, his gaze sharpening. Silverbell recognized that look—the one that saw through him. “Don’t give me that face,” he huffed, flicking Black Sapphire’s nose. “It’s just manners.”
Black Sapphire exhaled sharply, unimpressed. “Bullshit,” he muttered, dragging his thumb along the sensitive ridge of Silverbell’s wing. Silverbell jerked, a gasp catching in his throat. “You think I don’t know everything about ‘faerie etiquette’ by now?” Black Sapphire’s voice dropped, rough with something unreadable. “I’ve never seen another faerie correct you or look at you weirdly for something as ridiculous as your wings fluttering.”
His grip tightened, pressing Silverbell closer until their foreheads touched. “It’s like you’re afraid I’ll laugh.”
Silverbell’s chest ached. He wanted to argue, to deflect—but the words dissolved under Black Sapphire’s stare. Instead, he buried his face in Black Sapphire’s neck, his wings trembling against his will. “I’m not afraid,” he whispered.
Black Sapphire’s hands slid down his back, grounding him, and for the first time in years, Silverbell didn’t fight the shudder that wracked his body.
Black Sapphire nipped his earlobe, playful but pointed. “Liar,” he murmured, grinning when Silverbell squirmed. “You’re practically vibrating.” His fingers danced along Silverbell’s wing joints, feather-light and relentless. “Admit it—you like it when I touch them.” Silverbell’s breath hitched, his wings twitching in response. “See?” Black Sapphire laughed, low and triumphant. “Even they agree.”
Silverbell groaned, shoving at Black Sapphire’s chest—half-heartedly, his fingers curling into the fabric instead of pushing away. “You’re insufferable,” he muttered, but his wings arched into Black Sapphire’s touch, betraying him completely. Black Sapphire’s grin widened, his fingers tracing the delicate membranes with deliberate slowness. Silverbell shuddered, his resolve crumbling. “Fine,” he gasped, “maybe—maybe I do. Happy?”
Black Sapphire hummed, pressing a kiss to Silverbell’s temple. “Ecstatic,” he murmured, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction. His hands never stilled, mapping every ridge and curve of Silverbell’s wings with a reverence that left Silverbell breathless. “You’re beautiful like this,” he added, softer now, his lips brushing Silverbell’s cheek. “All flushed and—” He paused, chuckling as Silverbell’s wings flared wider. “Eager.”
Silverbell whined, high and embarrassed, but he didn’t pull away. His fingers tangled in Black Sapphire’s hair, anchoring himself as his wings quivered. “Shut up,” he breathed, but there was no heat in it.
Silverbell shifted suddenly, pressing his palms against Black Sapphire’s chest with a groan. “Wait—wait,” he gasped, cheeks flushed. “We should—we should get out of bed. Actually, go on a date for once.” Black Sapphire blinked, brow furrowing. Silverbell gestured vaguely at the tangled sheets, the abandoned plans from the night before. “You know—food, sunlight, romance? All that?”
Black Sapphire blinked, his grip tightening on Silverbell’s hips. “No,” he muttered, pressing a kiss to Silverbell’s collarbone. “Later.”
Silverbell laughed breathlessly, squirming as Black Sapphire’s lips trailed lower. “You’re incredible,” he murmured, but his fingers curled into Black Sapphire’s hair, holding him closer. “We’ve been here for hours.”
Black Sapphire hummed, unbothered, his hands sliding beneath Silverbell’s shirt. “And?” he challenged, nipping Silverbell’s ribs just to hear him gasp. “Got somewhere better to be?”
Silverbell arched into the touch, his wings fluttering helplessly. “No,” he admitted, voice cracking. “But—”
Black Sapphire cut him off with a kiss, and Silverbell melted, all protests forgotten. “Fine,” he mumbled against Black Sapphire’s lips, grinning. “But you know we actually have to go on a proper date eventually, right?”
Black Sapphire scoffed, rolling them until Silverbell was pinned beneath him again. “Yeah yeah, I know,” he murmured, before silencing any further complaints with his mouth.