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Ray woke to the sight of his bedroom. On the surface, it was normal with furniture in the same positions and personal items left just where he could access them later. He'd left his tablet on the desk chair instead of the surface and some random clothes were in the floor where he simply didn't care enough to try reaching for the basket.
But there was a lot of different... All at once, his awesome body was struck and though he didn't want to even try wrapping his head around all of Schwoz's terminology he'd land somewhere on nerves. Like, all his nerves set on fire. Didn't have to sound even mildly smart, he just needed that placeholder in his mind to process this very unfamiliar state.
First things first: someone was in his bed. See, Captain Man had spent plenty of nights in other people's beds really putting his stamina to the test... He'd be gone just as soon as it was done, give his partner still recovering from it all a peck on the cheek and goodbye and then be out of there. Those were experiences between really horny people; don't let it be deep. Ray could feel the urge just as much, but he had perfectly functional hands and that had to be enough because- You know- God, his brain was short-circuiting.
It was them affecting him. The person he'd been starting to think of as his Babe, although he'd wanted to spontaneously explode when the pet name slipped out for the first time. He didn't think. A lot of people told him he didn't. But they looked at him, eyes wide and mouth slowly opening and closing. But out of nowhere, they smiled and took his hand. They looked at him with adoration beyond that of what Captain Man received and Ray thought this would never get old.
Anyway, origin story aside, the world had gone to hell since that wonderful moment. He hated to think it, because actually this was probably going to be one of his best memories in the end. His Babe was in bed with him. The big spoon; face tucked in his shoulder and arm thrown randomly but effectively over his side while their feet were weirdly tied up with his own.
Ray took a breath. Another. God, he needed to calm down. He faced villains all the time, so some spooning certainly wasn't going to be the death of him. And hey, how pathetic would that be? Was Captain Man going to mysteriously missing from Swellview because Ray had been cuddled to death? Come on.
He looked down, breathing harder to realize their hand was so close he could hold it like an irredeemable pervert. His heart did that embarrassing fluttery thing. The reminder that no matter how he tried to see it through a negative lens, nope, not happening.
He dropped his head on the pillow, trying to muffle any sound in his throat that might sound remotely positive when he felt warm breath on his neck. Not fair. Electricity raced up and down his spine. It. Wasn't. Fair. He hoped it happened again.
Just when Ray managed to pull his face from the pillow, thinking maybe it wasn't melting off, their lower body pressed closer, and he dropped with a groan. The memory they'd both stripped out of their jeans before crawling under the covers struck him. And it was dark, so he didn't get a look. But somehow that made it more exciting, and though neither material was too thin there was so much... Less... And against his hip and his- And their- He sank deeper in the pillow, thinking if he had to release anything a scream would be best.
He absolutely could detach from the position whenever he wanted with his strength. Let's not forget.
Last night, he remembered, he chose to let them into his room. He wanted them in the one place he didn't care if he looked kind of stupid or bounced on one foot after accidentally stepping on that plastic brick that had been lying in wait to get him for like six years. All his personal possessions were there; some let's say not family friendly entertainment hopefully not sticking out because he'd have to wreck this cave and move to another if ever discovered. He let them lie on his bed, where he'd have to eventually sleep with the ghost of his Babe right there which could easily keep him awake but not because of insomnia.
Captain Man could just get it on with someone and be done, no attachment. There were no expectations for him to stay in the room he'd been invited to. So why was it difficult for Ray to not be awkwardly still and stiff when they leaned onto his shoulder while they curled up and streamed a few episodes of a show he might have normally been utterly locked into but now his mind went down the list of dumb worries starting at did his breath smell all the way to was it okay to sneak a picture of them looking so content.
Just in case Ray wasn't stressed enough, the door casually opened. He yanked his head from the pillow, hair standing up he tried to open his mouth to yell but only a weak dry sound came out.
Schwoz stood in the doorway, disheveled, eyes fixed on the bed. “Ray, we should seal off kitchen temporarily. I went for cereal and almost got attacked by huge...” He trailed off as Ray attempted a casual – or very obviously not natural – lean.
And then it was just awkward silence. What horrors had Schwoz unearthed? That would be a Wednesday problem, maybe. Ray couldn't muster any concern over mutants they might have disturbed since building the Man Cave over them with revenge plans years in the making. And given Schwoz's face going from stunned to intrigued it seemed he didn't care either.
Ray just sat up, upper body leaning way too far back and placing a hand behind his head like a model. You know, normal human positions. Not hiding another person. Never mind the two pairs of jeans on the floor, one of which even in the crumpled position obviously wasn't his size.
Schwoz took this all in calmly.
Ray thought that if he tried to smile any harder, every muscle was going to tear.
Just when it seemed like a battle to see who would speak first, Schwoz released a breath as if he didn't know where to begin. Probably would replay it all in his head the rest of his life, wondering what could have changed.
“So...” An amused smile slowly on Schwoz's face as he spoke. “The mask doesn't stay on in the bedroom?”
Ray let out a laugh of exactly zero humor. “I'm going to block your door at night so I can keep the good vibes in the morning.” He couldn't help his sugary sweet tone.
Schwoz made a gesture that screamed fair, then casually walked in and leaned against his desk chair not too close to the bed but enough Ray felt himself die a little inside. They were never going to deal with that kitchen problem; damn it would have been the perfect distraction for him to smuggle his partner right back out like a typical adult relationship goes.
“I didn't know Ray went as far as Captain Man these days.” Schwoz continued talking, making Ray cringe harder until hearing Babe's name nearly made his soul leave his body then hop back in because screw you. “They must have you wrapped around little finger. Must have intense dopamine triggers beyond normal human. Just throwing that out.”
Ray hated the pathetic puffs of breath leaving his mouth instead of words. When he spoke again, he was practically wheezing all the way through. “Schwoz, I don't think I need to even explain I have the effect on them. Don't get this confused.”
“Intriguing. Perhaps you could explain your theory, unless you need to weave it fast. We should have time before strange ancient life comes to- What? You can take a peek in the kitchen if you don't believe me.”
Ray sat up more, propped against his pillows. Maybe he had a choice, but of course he took the bad one.
“If they were here right now – which they obviously aren't, and I was just playing along with your delusions – they'd be all weak kneed and needing me like a fix. So much swooning. Their chest would get tight, and their breath would get stolen and of course they'd need a hero to give some back into their lungs. And if I have to spare my arms and lips... My entire body... Was I trying to make a metaphor? Anyway, you get the point. Well, even if you don't it made sense to me.”
He expected Schwoz to look sick, but he actually appeared amused. “Eloquent. And you believe this?”
Ray scoffed, trying to look cool brushing his hair off his temples. Never mind his hand came back drenched. “You know this makes you look weird.” Please drop off the face of the earth, he knew his eyes said if only Schwoz would read them.
“I don't need full report of intimate activity, just enough to conclude you're functioning as expected, as they want.”
Well, if he'd just turn around, Ray could slip on a shoe and kindly kick him out. He'd know he was at full, normal power.
Instead, Ray tried not to move from his position. He probably could have held the pose all day, but this was his life now. A hole obviously dug by team effort, not one idiot.
“But no need to provide the report now.” Schwoz added belatedly, casually gesturing toward the bed. “Your beloved awaits.”
“Thank you!” Ray blurted, hand slamming to his face hoping to hide at least a bit of everything. “So glad we attempted banter again as if we didn't learn from that tragedy two weeks ago, what a start to my day-” And that's when the realization struck with the force of an out-of-control truck on an icy road. What? No, more importantly... What?
Ray immediately thought of many excuses for why he hadn't heard the covers gently rustle or the soft breathing fall to its usual pattern he didn't want to sound creepy about but it's kind of hard to ignore when hovering over someone's face. Any he might have attempted died on his tongue as he sat up normally and then slowly turned his head.
And there was his Babe, sitting up having slightly moved away from him and trying to flatten their bedhead but smiling with not only their usual affection but there was something else. Their cheeks began to puff from attempting not to laugh. Maybe not at him, but still.
Still, Ray could have taken a few perfectly timed meteors crashing directly into the shop and burning all the way through preferably solely on him. That pain would be over quick. The burning in his cheeks and neck felt like they'd leave permanent scars.
Just in case anyone cared – Ray cared too much actually – Schwoz was still there. And he sounded like he was trying to hold back his giggles too. Everyone except Ray seemed to be allowed to have fun, great. Wonderful for them.
Ray considered his options: pull the blankets up and crawl under them pretending to have felt a bedbug or something or just sit there and not pretend he didn't feel weirdly exposed which must have been a bunch of psychological gibberish he had no time for. Two options, huh? He didn't need too much power.
It was Babe who finally cut through the awkwardness, reaching out to his hand to squeeze it just the way he liked. “So, I might have been awake ever since Schwoz came in...?” They explained themselves with an utterly guilty tone, but when Ray dared to meet their eyes they looked so shameless. “I thought about letting you know sooner, but something you said was really interesting.”
“I... Don't remember anything I said in the last few minutes.” Ray heard Schwoz practically snort, and he waved vaguely to him with his other hand. “Ignore everything about him; he doesn't remember either. Amnesia's apparently contagious.”
Babe rolled their eyes, but there was no exasperation. They looked bright and gorgeous, and made sure that he drowned in those thoughts as they leaned closer almost nose to cheek. Ray might have gotten eager for a second, thinking they were going to kiss him. He was pathetic, and they knew it.
“Well, the amnesia hasn't gotten to me yet.” Babe said, amusement leaking into their voice. “I don't think I'll be able to forget a certain someone claiming I swoon easy?”
Ray opened his mouth. Didn't know what the hell he meant to do with it, because the only sound that escaped sounded more like haunted corpse noise. Yeah, he must have been already dead. What a strange afterlife.
“And another thing that caught my interest...” Babe went on, not even trying to hide that they were having fun. “Apparently you're a fix for me? Huh. I was unaware of the effect you had, but I'm grateful you pointed it out before I did something embarrassing.”
“Open mouth, insert-” Schwoz stopped with a jolt and finally a laugh when ray turned to glower at him.
Babe fully laughed too, a musical beautiful sound that had Ray whip his head toward them but more so utterly entranced. Screw it. He just woke up, but he was so tired. Finally, totally not at his limit but just- Not worth it. Ray couldn't help yanking the blanket over his head and lying down under the covers not thinking before he opened his mouth because the groans finally escaped.
And the chatter just carried on...
“Ray, what about our banter?”
“Oh, Schwoz, he just needs to recharge. But he'll be back.”
“You see this before? This should be studied! Would you say that it's new development, or was he like this in very first impressions?”
“It's kind of new; I guess? He doesn't like me to see he can get overwhelmed.”
“Understandable. Never seen him turn so red until you come around.”
“Honestly, I feel like that's really special.”
“Hey, if you see more differences would you mind staying over again while Ray is distracted to-”
Ray sprang and tossed the blanket off as if he'd actually found legitimate bedbugs. “Can we just have a normal morning?!” Well, the answer to that was a massive 'no', so neither Babe nor Schwoz replied. And that crushing silence made him snatch his jeans right off the floor, slide them beneath the covers as he tried to awkwardly line up and squirm into them as he rambled throwing composure out the window. “Something's haunting the freaking kitchen- Perverts won't get out of my bedroom- Can't have a moment of peace with the hottest person in Swellview- And what's even going on above ground?! Let's just add a huge crime outbreak on top of everything else!”
The moment Ray threw his half of the covers aside and stood up, alarms proceeded to go off. Babe looked around, still not fully used to the sudden noises, skipped getting into their jeans to hurl themselves across the bed to press to him not trying to look as startled as they were. Ray was aware of their bare legs constricting him, but he was more so concerned with finally getting back in control of himself and flashed them the charming, reassuring and mostly sexy grin of a hero used to this whole thing, but he offered his strong arm around their back just in case they needed it.
Neither Ray nor Schwoz were overly concerned – it sounded worse than it needed to, and they definitely needed to change that, but it was to let them know there were too many dust bunnies gathered on the computer and it maybe might cause it to overheat in five months give or take.
Babe still had their steel grip on his shoulders when informed of the meaning, probably could have even drawn blood. They breathed erratically, face frozen in horror before having his arm on their back seemed to bring them back to calm. And they weren't necessarily serene, but as Schwoz took his exit with way too late politeness for it to matter muttering about turning off the alarm and not needing to see the intimate acts between them, Babe's concern gradually melted.
And they didn't even try to move. Their legs were wound around Ray's thighs, their front pressed to his back and when they were composed shame remained lost as they just moved their face closer to his shoulder and rested their chin as if it belonged there.
“Well.” They finally said, pretending this was the most mundane morning of their life. “If I don't have to spend my afternoon sitting around, waiting for Captain Man's voice through the communicator then I think Ray can spare a few more minutes in bed.”
Ray took his turn to laugh, forcing it at the beginning but it came out so easily as he easily released their hands and legs then set them down with the gentleness they deserved. And when they faced each other, he leaned in closer because he just couldn't resist and stroked their lovely face. God help him, he felt stupid and so into them. And he was able to reset, be cool again so it felt like the best time to bring the romance back in.
Finally, when Ray closed that distance to peck their lips he allowed them to see all the passion in his eyes. “Exactly how much do you want? Did I exaggerate a little earlier? Maybe? But we're both addicts.”
Babe sighed affectionately in a way he wasn't used to with anyone else, and they took their hand to glide from his chin past his neck and chest until it was just a finger purposefully slowing below his stomach. They took their sweet time coming to terms with their addiction he just threw out there.
“In the end, aren't we just eaten alive by our wild desires?” Babe asked, their eyes telling him they did not expect words.
So, Ray didn't use words, just his arms to hoist them. Babe did their best, they really did, but they couldn't keep their eager noises quiet before their only option was to capture Ray's cheeks and yank him closer to slam their lips together. It was fast-paced, sloppy smooching with noses and foreheads hitting and Ray poorly timing getting his tongue in their mouth so yeah that bite was probably deserved but Babe preserved the mood running their fingers up to his hair and scratching it in a way that had him moaning which was probably amplified enough by the cave's acoustics Schwoz could probably hear it even over the alarm but who gives a damn.
They weren't even at the bed yet.
If anyone was swooning, okay, it was Ray. He would only admit that one time, never again. He wanted this person all wrapped up with him, and he didn't know if vulnerability would come with but maybe he wouldn't shoo it at away right now...? Priorities: bed. With his Babe still in his arms looking almost like they'd gotten off on just this too, Ray practically hurled them on the mattress which was him holding back then flopped even harder as well striking his bare ankle on part of the bed frame in a way that made him see fireworks for a second. Oh well.
Ray crawled over Babe's body, drawn to just everything about them. They had every sense haywire, and he adored them so much for that. He'd never looked at someone on their back and thought this was a person he'd like to keep seeing like this. He'd always needed to move on to different people. Don't get attached. And if he was getting attached now... Well... He could think of it later. There was always later.
Babe smiled at him, and when he brushed his hand across their cheeks toward their ear he could feel them blushing and it was just erotic. Ray thought he looked uncool feeling himself do the same, imagining himself like strawberry red for some reason and he didn't know if they were any more turned on from him giving away his feelings so apparently, but he hoped they saw something attractive.
Their hands slowly slid to each other's, missed once, but made a great recovery connecting the second. Ray marveled at the complete acceptance of whatever was going to happen, even though they hadn't had a serious adult conversation about it yet. But they sat up and nuzzled his neck and collarbone and invited him close. It was absolutely, a hundred percent seduction and Ray was all for it so he dived in.
Together, they pressed deeper into the mattress. Ray's pesky jeans were in the way, but to his surprise Babe was able to rip those off rapidly and toss them against the wall leaving just the sad sound of bunched fabric hitting the floor as that damn alarm finally silenced and Schwoz's voice could be heard somewhere in a vent or the walls or God knows reminding them protection was a valid thing despite Ray's superhuman state. Cool...?
Finally, they connected as one. Really, Ray and Babe might have looked like some strange entity with their sprawled bodies as close as possible and tangled limbs squishing each other. And that's how they stayed, locked in the best cuddle session- Actually Ray couldn't remember ever doing this with anyone let alone wanting it. But Babe said it; he had some desires that just couldn't be spoken. He'd probably go ahead and combust if he asked for cuddles out loud.
Every now and then their lips found the other pair, and they gladly tried to suck the other as much as possible. Sometimes the absolute domestic state of this position made their mutual arousal so obvious. It wasn't so embarrassing for Ray, not after everything else but when Babe shifted as if uncomfortable about it his hand rushed to wherever it might be needed and then with tenderness that honestly scared him a bit did whatever was required to make not painful or awkward for them. In turn, when he caught himself rubbing against their thigh so much more obvious than he wanted he ascended to what might have been Heaven to put it lightly when they did the same for him.
Tension was released, and it may or may not have been in more ways than one. Anyway, Babe met his eyes after Ray had almost honestly started to doze from their scratches on his scalp and for a moment that should have been the most horrific of his life despite his hero activities he was truly naked. He should have detached every way and fled, but while he could have lived without that feeling he didn't want to be away from them.
Oh, if Babe wanted to get out of here and run with him down the streets of Swellview like they were two ridiculous overly emotional main characters in a romcom than hell yeah he'd leave and just be Some Guy temporarily and have no responsibilities.
But they had to be holding his hand as they did so. Ray would accept nothing less.
Fin